Huge Hotel Brand Launches First All-Inclusive
The all-inclusive trend keeps growing! All-inclusive resorts used to be all about packaged beach vacations. But more and more people are tuning into the benefits of all-inclusives, especially the ease of paying upfront once, then putting your wallet away and not having to think about keeping to your holiday budget, even as you enjoy food and drinks, entertainment and activities and amenities that enrich your holiday and give you opportunities to connect with loved ones and friends during your vacation. All-inclusives make intergenerational family holidays easy, too. That’s why we’re seeing more and more hotel and resort companies breaking into the all-inclusive category – even at the luxury end of the scale. The latest hotel company to introduce all-inclusive properties is mega-hospitality... more
These 3 Cities are the 2024 European Capitals of Culture
The EU’s Capitals of Culture program was designed to showcase the cultural riches of European cities that might not otherwise get the attention they deserve. Every year, new cities are designated that represent the incredible diversity of Europe’s landscapes, history, and resulting unique lifestyle heritage of different parts of the union. A year-long calendar of events brings visitors from their own countries, Europe, and around the world to discover or rediscover what makes these ‘Capitals of Culture’ special. And EU financing gives the communities funding to rejuvenate and retain cultural assets, as well as create legacy buildings and institutions to preserve the local culture for generations to come. 2024’s European Capitals of Culture You may never have heard of these three... more
This Cruise Line is Submerging Thousands of Bottles of Sparkling Wine in the Ocean
They’re calling them ‘Bubbles of the Sea.’ Celebrating with sparkling wine is a year-round event on many cruise lines. But Hurtigruten is taking celebratory sparkling wine to another level: down. Norwegian coastal cruise line Hurtigruten is sister cruise line of eco-conscious expedition cruise line HX / Hurtigruten Expeditions. Its ‘Bubbles of the Sea’ (or ‘Havets Bobler’ in Norwegian) program involves submerging bottles of sparkling wine at a depth of 112 feet off the coast of Norway for six months. The purpose of ‘Bubbles of the Sea’ is to “bring a touch of the Arctic to the world of sparkling wine,” says the cruise line. “Our Norwegian coastline is the perfect place to create something truly unique.” The first batch of ‘Bubbles of the... more
Journey into Authentic Mexico in its "Magical Towns"
Mexico is more than beaches. It’s also a country rich in folklore, traditions, culture, history, nature and cuisine. And some of Mexico’s towns have such a concentration of significance and authentic experiences for visitors, they’ve earned the label “Magical.” As of 2023, 177 towns in Mexico have been designated “Magical Towns,” or “Pueblos Magicos” by the Mexican government. The program empowers local communities to celebrate and share their unique characteristics, and towns are provided a budget to help maintain the special traditions and experiences that make them so appealing. There are Magical Towns in each of the country’s 31 states, so no matter where in Mexico you are planning to visit, there should be a Magical Town within reach whether you're... more
Indoor Winter Chalets Let You Get Cozy at IHG Hotels & Resorts this Season
Winter chalet popups by celebrity tastemakers are making the coldest season warm and cheerful for travelers across North American hotels and resorts in the IHG family, including InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Vignette Collection and Hotel Indigo. Until the end of February 2024, every hotel and resort in IHG is transforming into a welcoming winter wonderland with larger-than-life lobby installations created by renowned tastemakers Corey Damen Jenkins and Grammy-award winning musician Maren Morris. Instead of hibernating for the rest of the season, these cozy-chic interiors, accompanied by a soundtrack designed to conjure up “feelings of warmth and gratitude,” along with chalet-inspired programming inspire you to get out of the house and celebrate winter. WINTER CHALETS COME INDOORSReminiscent of a day... more
12 Ways Fairmont Hotels are Celebrating the 12 Days of Christmas and More
Take a break from planning Christmas festivities and shopping and treat yourself to Christmas cheer, Fairmont-style. Get into the spirit of the season with a dozen merry programs at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts throughout North and Central America– from ugly sweaters to a Thirsty Elf, a Home Alone tribute in New York, and Holiday Hula in Hawaii. In a nod to the 12 Days of Christmas, 12 of the family of hotels and resorts have devised their own unique ways to make the holiday bright for guests this season: Have Dinner Inside a Life-Sized Gingerbread House at Fairmont San FranciscoFor more than a century, Fairmont San Francisco has enchanted guests with joyful holiday festivities and exuberant seasonal ambience. Back this year is... more
Beach Vacation Tip: What You Need to Know About Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Most of us are pretty careful about sun exposure when we travel on beach vacations these days. It’s hats and sunscreen all the way to protect our skin from the sun’s rays. But how about protecting the ocean we love to visit from the chemicals in our sunscreens? The rise of "reef-safe" or "reef-friendly" or “ocean-friendly” sunscreen claims has a lot of travelers puzzled about what sunscreen to pack that protects skin without harming the aquatic environment. The Origin of Reef-Safe SunscreensA few years ago, Hawaii passed legislation banning sunscreen products containing oxybenzone and octinoxate. This move by one of the most famous beach destinations was prompted by research suggesting that these chemicals could harm coral reefs. Oxybenzone, also known as benzophenone-3,... more
Four Seasons Opening A New Resort in Another Caribbean Destination
The newest Four Seasons resort will change the face of one of the Caribbean’s most popular islands. Famous for affordable, all-inclusive beach resort vacations, the Dominican Republic’s latest resort will put it on even the most discerning luxury traveler’s map. The Four Seasons Resort and Residences Dominican Republic at Tropicalia is underway on 60 acres of pristine beachfront of Playa Esmeralda on the country’s northeastern Samana Bay. Scheduled to open in 2026, the 95-room resort will lead the way for a new era of sustainable tourism and luxury in the Dominican Republic. It’s being developed in partnership with the family who owns the property, which is currently a private estate. The new resort will maintain the estate’s diverse eco-system of white-sand beaches, crystal... more
And the Top Tourism Attraction in Europe This Year Is...
Not the Eiffel Tower. Not Rome’s Colosseum. Or even Barcelona’s magnificent Sagrada Familia cathedral by Gaudi. The attraction voted Europe’s best in awards dubbed the “Tourism Oscars” also earned the title of Europe’s Leading Beer Tour Visitor Experience 2023. Ireland’s Guinness Storehouse is one of the highlights of a visit to Dublin, and walks visitors through the history and the making of one of the world’s most beloved beer brands and Irish cultural icon. Who doesn’t have a pint of Guinness on St. Patrick’s Day? And who would miss having a pint of Ireland’s most famous beer at the source? The Guinness Storehouse is located in the heart of Dublin’s Liberties, the neighborhood famous for the city’s brewing and distilling heritage. Inside,... more
Black Friday Travel Deals that Let You Give the Gift of Travel this Holiday Season
Black Friday is one of the best times of the year to book travel – for more than one reason! Not only will you find some of the best deals of the year, but they allow you to give one of the most precious gifts to your loved ones during the festive season. Break free from giving things that become worn out, obsolete, forgotten or worse – landfill! – and think about how the gift of travel will enhance your relationship with the person you travel with or give travel.No stores, no lineups, no parking chaos… giving the gift of travel makes checking family off your list easy. Step Away from Devices…Study after study shows that what we remember and cherish are... more
CERN in Switzerland Opens New Gateway for Visitors to Get Their Science On
If you thought CERN, the renowned particle physics research facility in Geneva, was just for Nobel laureates and PhD’s, think again. The facility has inaugurated Science Gateway, a new, visionary hub with free admission for anyone from 5 to 95 to get involved in the next generation of human understanding of the universe at what may be the world’s most famous science facility. CERN’s Science Gateway is an architectural achievement as well as providing a new level of access to the high degree of high science at CERN beginning in the fall of 2023. Designed with tubes that appear to be suspended in space evoking the cutting-edge CERN particle accelerators, Science Gateway is both a real and a symbolic bridge between visitors... more
This All-Inclusive Resort is Expanding Included Dining: OFF-Resort Restaurants
It’s the best of both worlds. Part of the appeal of luxury, all-inclusive resorts is the array of dining options on the property where you can enjoy effortless, delightful dining you’ve already paid for. But what about getting a taste of the local restaurant scene on the rest of the island? And how about supporting other local businesses? Sandals Resorts has come up with the perfect answer in its immersive, “Island Inclusive” dining program that now invites couples at two of its all-inclusive luxury resorts to savor local flavors around two islands. The program debuted in 2022 with the opening of Sandals Royal Curacao. Now, it’s expanded to Nassau for select guests at Sandals Royal Bahamian, giving them access to some of Nassau’s... more
VIDEO: Dramatic Sailing Through One of the World’s Largest Fjords in the Arctic Aboard Seabourn Venture
“The best morning of my life.” That was a cameraman’s reaction to filming in one of the hottest cruise destinations today. The Arctic’s icecaps, glaciers, icebergs and fjords are drawing intrepid cruise travelers who want to experience some of the most remote, pristine, – and epic – scenery in the world. You may have already cruised to Alaska and experienced some of the wilderness along some of its Arctic and Pacific northwest coast. But that doesn’t even begin to touch the scale of Greenland’s fjords. They are some of the largest on the planet – and the least accessible or traveled. On one, unforgettable early morning during our expedition cruise on Seabourn Venture, our camera crew got the call: we’d be transiting through... more
Caribbean Lobster Festivals for Seafood Lovers' Travel Lists
It’s shorthand for luxury cuisine, but lobster eaten fresh at the source can be also be casual, street food, family dining and fun! That’s the premise behind lobster festivals in Caribbean destinations where they have access to an abundance of what may be the most popular crustacean. Unlike some festivals, lobster festivals are not limited to a single month or season of the year, as lobster seasons vary. So chances are you can find a lobster festival that lines up with your next holiday window: Marathon, Florida Keys, Seafood Festival: MarchMarathon, often dubbed the "Heart of the Florida Keys," boasts a unique blend of small-town charm and spectacular natural attractions. The Seven Mile Bridge, an architectural marvel, connects Marathon to the Lower Keys,... more
A New Nature Reserve and More Hotel News From Aruba
Aruba’s hotel and resort scene is more alluring than ever. The Dutch island in the south Caribbean is known for its desert environment, perpetual tradewinds that shape its iconic divi divi trees, colorful, colonial town, and a famous beach that’s been named best in the world, where most resorts are found. News from three resorts highlights new experiences to give travellers reasons to return to Aruba or visit for the first time. A New Nature Preserve by Bucuti & Tara Beach ResortAruba’s premiere adults-only boutique hotel on the shores of Eagle beach isn’t just celebrated for being one of the most romantic hotels in the world. Image: Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, Aruba Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort is headed by a celebrated... more
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