The Best Way to Experience the Most Romantic River in Europe
It is extraordinarily charming to cruise any of the rivers of Europe, but they call it “The Romantic Rhine” for a reason – at least three reasons! And on my most recent sailing on the Rhine on a Viking river cruise, I was reminded of why the Rhine is one of my – and many seasoned river cruisers’ – favorites.
On...
Oktoberfest on the Beach? Yes, You Can!
Every year, beer lovers look forward to the month that celebrates friendship over a stein of brew. The original Oktoberfest has returned full strength and has also inspired a world of imitators that look nothing like the beer tents and wooded hills of Germany’s Bavaria.
Wherever you celebrate, it’s all about the “Gemutlichkeit.” Some call it fellowship, friendliness, or...
New Ships Debut on Two Sensational Rivers: France’s Rhone and the Nile
More and more travelers are tuning in to the charms of river cruising through the hearts of some of the world’s most fabulous destinations. Two new ships have just debuted that will make exploring France’s fabled Rhone River and Egypt’s legendary Nile even more appealing.
VIKING ATON
With the August, 2023 launch of the Viking Aton, the ocean, expedition and river...
Here a Ship, There a Ship, Everywhere a New Ship
August, 2023 may go down in the cruise travel history books, with the launch of an exceptional number of new, ground-breaking ships that inspire us to take to the seas – and give us a glimpse into the direction cruise travel, design, and experiences are heading.
Five new ships sailed to sea in the first couple of weeks of the month,...
The Best Reasons to Visit Both of New Zealand’s Main Islands
New Zealand consists of two main islands, the North Island and the South Island, and whether you call yourself a nature lover, adrenaline junkie, foodie, wine or culture aficionado, you’ll find reasons to visit both.
North Island
While New Zealand’s North Island is the smaller of the two islands, it has more people and the country’s major cosmopolitan cities, including the...
You Can Join the Biggest Search for Scotland's Loch Ness Monster in Half a Century
Scotland’s most famous legend… may not remain a mystery for much longer. A new Loch Ness Centre at the famous lake in the Scottish Highlands is promising to unleash the biggest search for “Nessie” in over half a century. And visitors can join in the quest!
Nessie may be the biggest attraction in the Scottish Highlands that no one can prove they’ve...
Ports of Call You Can't Miss in the Eastern Mediterranean’s Newest Cruise Hub
The Mediterranean is full of ancient maritime cultures, but some seaside countries are just recently becoming popular cruise destinations. One up-and-coming cruise hub in the eastern end of this historic sea offers the best of Mediterranean, modern European, and Middle Eastern cultures and lifestyles. Not to mention the spiritual attractions of the home of Jewish, Christian and Islamic faiths.
And the...
Can’t-Miss Events this Fall that Celebrate Celestial Wonders
What’s the fastest-disappearing natural phenomenon? Dark skies. As cities expand, the night skies are flooded with light, dimming our views of the complex, mystical wonders of the heavens that inspired our ancestors.
We are still fascinated by the night skies, and many of us take time on vacation to spend our evenings outdoors gazing up into the darkness and its mysteries.
Luckily,...
Tips for Visiting a Japanese Hot Spring
Japan is famous for its volcanic peaks, which also hint at a national treasure underground: geothermally-heated mineral spring waters. For longer than records have been kept, Japanese have been bathing in natural, hot spring-fed ‘onsen’ to benefit from their restorative and healing powers.
For travelers to Japan, a visit to an onsen is an essential cultural and wellness experience, but, like...
The First Caribbean Resort to Get an Ocean Pool
Why choose between a dip in the sea and basking in a resort pool? The Caribbean now has its first resort ocean pool that lets you do both at once.
Tapping into saltwater sources for swimming pools is not exactly new. Over a hundred years ago, seaside communities, especially in Australia and also Europe, started tapping into the ocean to provide...