Travel Stories

The Only Country Celebrating the Autumn Equinox as a National Holiday

Many cultures have fall festivals, but only one makes the arrival of astronomical autumn a national holiday: Shubun no Hi. What’s more, Japan does it twice a year, also making...

The Only Country Celebrating the Autumn Equinox as a National Holiday

Royal Caribbean Group Buys 50% of Sandals Resorts- A Game Changer for the Caribbean and Global Cruising?

Caribbean cruising - and beyond! - may have changed forever. Royal Caribbean Group -which also owns Celebrity Cruises and Silversea - and Sandals Resorts International announced that the cruise company...

‘Ditch’ the Boots: Switzerland’s Barefoot Hiking Revival

Switzerland’s famous for its snowy peaks and picturesque slopes. It’s home to some of the world’s chicest ski resorts and 40,000 miles of summer hiking trails. The Swiss have elevated...

‘Ditch’ the Boots: Switzerland’s Barefoot Hiking Revival

Italian Wine Beyond Tuscany: 3 Other Regions Worth Drinking In

We love Tuscany, too. But Italy has 20 wine-producing regions. Why should Chianti have all the fun? Head north, east, and very south from Tuscany for three deliciously different wine...

Four Seasons Opens 2nd Resort in Greece; 3rd on the Way

Greece’s ancient coastlines, history and modern lifestyle retain evergreen travel charm; no wonder Four Seasons has opened its second Greek resort - and its first on a Greek island. Four Seasons...

Four Seasons Opens 2nd Resort in Greece; 3rd on the Way

2 New Openings Continue to Redefine All-Inclusive Resort Vacations

Two new Caribbean resort openings show travelers just how far the concept of the all-inclusive holiday is stretching, with lifestyle hotels translating their unique identities into all-inclusives and focusing less...

Baroque to Biohacking: the New Wellness Scene in Vienna's Luxury Hotels

Vienna has spent centuries perfecting the art of living well. Coffee and cake in chandeliered cafés. Music, art and architecture on an imperial scale. And, increasingly, some serious pampering behind...

Baroque to Biohacking: the New Wellness Scene in Vienna's Luxury Hotels

From Epic to Film to Real Life: How to Take your Own Greek Odyssey

Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey put one of the world’s oldest travel stories back on the big screen in 2026—and launched Greek voyages back into our travel imaginations. It might be...

VIDEO From the Bridge: Meet the Captain of the Paul Gauguin in Tahiti

What’s it like to captain a ship that sails year-round in exotic French Polynesia? I got to ask the captain of the Paul Gauguin during a visit to the bridge...

VIDEO From the Bridge: Meet the Captain of the Paul Gauguin in Tahiti

Lights Out on One of the Hottest New Travel Trends

For generations, travelers have organized their days around daylight. Get up. See the sights. Take the photos. Then, as the sun sets, the day starts wrapping up. One of travel’s fastest-growing...

New Zealand Attracts a New Generation of Lord of the Rings Fans on 25th Anniversary of Film

Twenty-five years ago, moviegoers got their first glimpse of Middle-earth — and savvy travelers discovered that it looked remarkably like New Zealand. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the...

New Zealand Attracts a New Generation of Lord of the Rings Fans on 25th Anniversary of Film

European Cruising After the Christmas Markets: River and Ocean

What cruises give you the warmest welcome in Europe’s coolest months? River and coastal ocean cruising doesn’t completely stop when the Christmas holidays start. In fact, Europe’s “quiet season” is...

D-Day Landing Beaches Achieve Overdue Milestone; How to Make Your Own Pilgrimage

82 years after what Winston Churchill called “the most complicated and difficult” military operation in world history, Normandy’s D-Day Landing Beaches finally achieved long overdue recognition of their place in...

D-Day Landing Beaches Achieve Overdue Milestone; How to Make Your Own Pilgrimage

Attention Cycling Fans: Tour de France Rolls Across the English Channel in 2027

In July 2027, the Tour de France will make cycling history in the UK. Three men’s stages and three women’s stages will put Britain on the cycling world stage. In...

Walk on the Wild Side: Animal Encounters on the Beaches of the Caribbean

You came to the Caribbean for the beach. So did the wildlife. Throughout the islands, some stretches of sand come with company: two legs or four, from birds to beasts...

Walk on the Wild Side: Animal Encounters on the Beaches of the Caribbean

How Low Can They Go? Historic Water Levels and the Future of River Cruising in Europe

I adore river cruising. I constantly recommend river cruises to viewers and followers. But river cruising is facing an industry-changing crisis. And I think it’s time to face it head-on with...

Spain’s Summer Spectacles

For most travelers, summer in Spain means lazy days on Mediterranean beaches, late-night tapas and sangria in sunny plazas. Summer is also Spain’s festival season – with two events famous...

VIDEO: Wine and So Much More on a Scenic Bordeaux River Cruise

I say ‘Bordeaux,’ and you think: wine. It’s true Bordeaux is one of the most fabled and beloved wine regions of the world, and a trip to France to spend...

Top “Coolcation” Travel Destinations

Record-breaking summer heatwaves throughout Europe have more travelers looking for cooler destinations to spend the holidays. I have some favorites. By: Lynn Elmhirst, travel journalist and expert Some like it hot! And...

Crystal’s New Ship Doubles Down on Family-Focused Spaces

When Crystal Grace launches in 2028, she’ll have more dedicated family spaces and programming than ever. That sets Crystal apart from most other cruise lines in the luxury space, which...

Aman At Sea’s Inaugural Season: Mediterranean and Caribbean

Aman’s first ultra-luxury lifestyle yacht will chase the sun in her inaugural 2027 season, beginning in the Mediterranean after her mid-year launch, followed by a Caribbean winter season. The Amangati will...

Aman At Sea’s Inaugural Season: Mediterranean and Caribbean

When Volcanoes Wake Up: Travel to the World’s Great ‘Fire Mountains’

Mount Etna's July 2026 eruption sent lava and ash plumes into the Sicilian sky, creating spectacular images—and temporary travel disruptions. Volcanic ash interrupted flights at the local Catania Airport. Luckily,...

Christmas in July Question: Which Christmas Market River Cruise to Choose?

It’s never too early to start counting down the days until Christmas – or plan a holiday getaway. Christmas in July reminders are a great opportunity to think about how...

Christmas in July Question: Which Christmas Market River Cruise to Choose?

Good News if You’re Flying to Europe: New Passenger Protections

It only took 13 years! And resistance from the air industry. But finally, European lawmakers have passed updated regulations adding even more starch to what are already the stiffest air...