Dive Into Local Tradition at the Caribbean’s Only Channel Swim

Story About St Kitts and Nevis

For nearly a quarter century, it’s been the premiere open water swimming event of the Caribbean. And again this March, swimmers from around the world challenge themselves on the Nevis to St. Kitts Cross Channel Swim – the only channel swim in the Caribbean. The 2.5-mile expanse of scenic water of the “Narrows” strait between the sister islands might not represent the longest or most difficult channel swim in the world, but it might be one of the prettiest. With Nevis’ famous, verdant volcanic peak behind them, intrepid swimmers start at Oualie Beach in Nevis and end at Spice Mill Restaurant in Cockleshell Bay, St. Kitts. Along the way, they may spot sea turtles or rays sharing the stunning, sparkling, jewel-toned waters... more

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The Coldest Cruise in the World? Ponant Inaugurates Icebreaking Winter Voyage

Story About Quebec City

It's the first time ever that a cruise ship has navigated the frozen St. Lawrence River in Quebec, Canada - in the WINTER! Carving new horizons for small-ship, luxury expedition cruising even more than Antarctic and Arctic cruises, which are held during the summer months. CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO FOR AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with Ponant's CEO Herve Gastinel, on board Ponant's Le Commandant Charcot on the occasion of the inaugural icebreaking passage. We dive into what makes Le Commandant Charcot perhaps the only luxury, small expedition ship capable of pushing the boundaries of this kind of expedition cruising, and why Quebec, of all the winter maritime destinations in the world, attempted this incredible new feat of cruising. Ponant's Le Commandant Charcot is... more

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Sandals Reveals Top Trends in All-inclusive Vacations – and Where You Can Find Them

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Travelers are looking for more than sun and sand from their all-inclusive vacations – and Sandals and Beaches Resorts has its finger on the pulse of your island holiday fantasies. Their parent company, Sandals Resorts International, has revealed the most in-demand practices and innovations that are transforming Caribbean vacations – and where they’re already being implemented in resorts you can book now.  Sandals Resorts has 17 luxury beachfront, adults-only all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica, Antigua, Saint Lucia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Curaçao, and Saint Vincent and The Grenadines. From butler service and exquisite cuisine to top-shelf spirits and groundbreaking suites, including the Caribbean's first Overwater Villas, the company is known for innovations that continue to elevate your all-inclusive vacation. Sandals Resorts has pioneered... more

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Aruba, Antigua, and the Dominican Republic: New Resorts to Try on Your Next Caribbean Vacation

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What’s better than a mid-winter getaway? The chance to test-drive a new resort before any of your friends, or try a new, tropical destination. Ask us about your best options for escaping to any of these three new resorts, in three favorite Caribbean locales - with three very different beach vacation styles! And the best part? All three belong to resort families with loyalty programs, so you can be racking up points while relaxing on the beach. Marriott Miches Beach, An All-Inclusive ResortStyle: Family or Adults-only Vacations in 2 Separate SectionsDestination: Dominican RepublicLoyalty Program: Marriott BonvoyThe first Marriott all-inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic - in fact, in the entire Caribbean - has opened. It follows an extensive renovation of the former... more

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Tahiti and More: Gems of French Polynesia to Discover on Your Paul Gauguin Cruise

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There’s magic in the word ‘Tahiti.’ It conjures up visions of the ultimate tropical escape and sailing serenely through pristine, jewel-toned waters that kiss the undeveloped, palm-lined shores and reflect dramatic peaks. Part of one of the most remote and romanticized regions of the world, the mere mention of Tahiti evokes fantasies of cruising through an exotic paradise – isolated from a busy world. No wonder Tahiti is a bucket-list destination. But Tahiti is not alone. Here’s a primer on a region begging for exploration by luxurious, small ship like the Paul Gauguin, a 330-guest ship that is devoted exclusively to the South Pacific.  Paul Gauguin Cruises’ itineraries begin at week-long sojourns through the South Pacific, and you can also connect them back-to-back... more

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This Popular Ocean Cruise Line is Launching River Cruises!

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If you love Celebrity Cruises on the seas and have always thought of taking a river cruise, mark 2027 on your calendar. That’s when Celebrity River Cruises is launching – and you can book your place on one of the first European river cruises by this ‘modern luxury’ cruise line this year! In an announcement that took cruise and travel fans completely by surprise, Celebrity Cruises has revealed it has ordered a whopping 10 river cruise ships right out of the gate. The cruise line tells us their river ships will have the same atmosphere, hospitality, award-winning food and beverage experiences, and elevated design and style as Celebrity’s beloved Edge-class ocean ships. It adds the upcoming fleet of river cruise ships will... more

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‘Cultivate’ Your Green Thumb in the Gardens of Britain This Year

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The coldest weeks of the year inspire dreams of lush blooms and garden idylls, which just happen to be the calling card of the essential English lifestyle. Plan a trip around one of Britain’s dazzling flower shows and visit iconic gardens at stately country homes. 2025’s Flourishing Flower Show CalendarGet your horticulture on at one of Britain’s flower shows, with their rich tapestry of blooms and garden artistry in 2025. From ‘cutting’ edge designs to rare plants to dramatic installations and serene oases, Britain’s garden shows celebrate gardening traditions and push horticultural boundaries. Discover the latest plant varieties, take part in gardening workshops, pick up tips and the latest nifty gardening tools, and enjoy family-friendly activities, often live music and local food... more

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Important Passport Advice For Travel this Year

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Don’t let this happen to you!  I know a family who recently missed their holiday – and lost nearly everything they’d spent on their vacation – all because of a completely avoidable travel document snafu. It happens more often than you think – but it shouldn’t happen to you. Here’s the sad story: For their first trip as a family, the parents got the kids their first passports but planned to travel on their own existing passports, which were still valid from their honeymoon a few years ago. They knew their destination didn’t need a visa, so they thought they were good to go. Wrong. The couple has a travel journalist friend (ahem!) who had been at their wedding and did some quick mental... more

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Attention Cruise Travelers: Save During Wave!

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Welcome to Wave Season!  Wave after wave of promotions, offers and perks that make booking your next – or your first! - cruise irresistible. Cruise lines compete to outdo each other during Wave, and that gives you the opportunity to save money, get some extra perks to spoil yourself – or sail into new cruise horizons! Navigating WaveWith all the different kinds of discounts, promotions, perks and savings, it’s important to understand their differences, relative values, and especially, to compare deals ‘apple to apple’ to make sure you’re getting the best deals on the best cruise for you. An expert travel advisor is your best bet to help you maximize your cruise travel budget and ensure you make the most of Wave... more

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Travel Good News Stories to End – and Start – the Year Right

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It feels like we could all use some good news right now – and luckily, this year, travel has provided us with lots of reasons to feel hopeful and uplifted and that doing something we love – travel – can also be doing something good. The world of travel is showing us that not only can travel be good for us, it can also be easier for us and easier on the world whose travel treasures we seek to experience. Travel is good for you By now, it’s pretty well-known how travel is good for our spirits and stress levels.  A study conducted on one cruise line shows ‘slow travel’ at sea can even boost our brain function - from memory, to... more

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UNESCO and Relais & Châteaux to Boost Biodiversity through Cuisine

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The UN agency championing the world’s cultural and scientific treasures, and the prestigious association of hundreds of independent, unique hotels and restaurants throughout the world, have joined forces to support global conservation and biodiversity through global culinary traditions. The director-general of UNESCO points out, “Never in history has nature experienced such dramatic decline. One million species – of the eight million identified to date – are facing the threat of extinction. With one voice, UNESCO and the Relais & Châteaux Association are calling for us all to change our perspectives and practices with regard to food and reestablish a balance between humankind and the environment.""I see gastronomy as a powerful vector for change and we must fundamentally rethink the way we approach... more

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“Adventure Capital of the World” Set to Become First Carbon Zero Destination

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Queenstown, New Zealand, is once again pioneering an exciting new travel trend. It’s already on the map for global travelers as the birthplace and “Home of Bungee Jumping” and the “Adventure Capital of the World.” Now, Queenstown is at the leading edge of finding ways to continue to offer its signature, adrenaline – and power–fueled – outdoor activities to the world… without emitting any carbon at all. And it says it can do it in just half a decade, by 2030.According to the local tourism board, “When Queenstown becomes the first carbon-zero visitor destination, we’ll be joining a long tradition of local firsts. We’re the birthplace of commercial bungy. Tandem skydiving and paragliding were pioneered here. The first commercial jet boat... more

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Study on a Cunard Crossing Reveals Surprising Benefits of ‘Slow Travel’ at Sea – On Your Brain!

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Want to improve your memory, problem-solving skills and ability to focus? A recent study aboard a Transatlantic Crossing on the Queen Mary 2 found that even a few days at sea gives cruise travelers measurable and surprising cognitive benefits – in addition to relaxation. For over 180 years, British luxury cruise line Cunard has been sailing the fabled, week-long Crossing between New York and Southampton, UK. That cruise experience defines what’s now being dubbed ‘slow travel.’ ‘Slow Travel’ Sea DaysThe iconic version of the trip involves no ports of call, giving you the luxury of time: no pressure to be anywhere at a specific time, the pleasure of being immersed in the company of your fellow travelers, filling your days with walks... more

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France’s Christmas Miracle: Spectacular Reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris After Fire

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Restored to its former glory and beyond, Notre Dame de Paris has risen from the ashes of a 2019 fire that many feared meant the end of an era for one of the most joyous historic cathedrals in Europe. The December 7, 2024 reopening ceremony and resumption of Masses felt like a Christmas gift to the world, not just for the church-going community, but also for those of us who have fallen in love with travel to Paris and France. The five-year restoration project was massive in both care and scale. Coming in at over $800 million, with work still to be done, it tapped thousands of masters of ancient craftsmanship and even the ancient forests of France. Both were needed... more

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New, ‘Suite’ Stays at Sandals Resorts Take Your All-Inclusive Beach Vacation to Another Level

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Sandals is introducing its first-ever four-bedroom butler villas, brand new ‘Skypool Suites’ with rooftop terraces, more guest-favorite ‘Rondovals,’ as well as re-imagined beachfront and bluff view rooms across adults-only, ‘luxury-included’ Sandals resorts throughout the Caribbean. Now available for booking, these new, ‘suite’ experiences are part of ‘Sandals 2.0,’ and encourage visiting amongst friends, and bringing the tropical outdoors into your living space during your next beach vacation.  Sandals Resorts is renowned for all-inclusive luxury romance for adults, with iconic, destination-defining properties in Jamaica, Antigua, Saint Lucia, The Bahamas, Grenada, Barbados, Curaçao and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, each set on a white-sand beach handpicked for its beauty.JAMAICA’S NEW ‘SUITE’ SPOTSCheck out newly renovated villas at Sandals Ochi, including the Two-Bedroom and... more

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