The Great Wall and Pandas of Chengdu
Few marvels of the ancient world compare in size and scale to the Great Wall of China. Spanning thousands of miles, it’s the longest man-made structure on Earth and played a pivotal role in the development of the region. The wall is really a collection of sections, each built during a different er
When Kings Were Gods; Cruising the Ancient Nile
Few rivers on Earth mean as much to a nation as the Nile does to the people of Egypt. Historically important, culturally essential, and necessary for survival, the Nile provides more than just water to one of the world’s oldest civilizations. It offers a glimpse into the tumultuous, yet resilient
Shanghai, On The Side
I’m not particularly fond of the motor coach, follow the guide’s umbrella brand of sightseeing and I have an affinity to off the grid type of travel options, especially when it comes to exotic destinations. While Shanghai, China doesn’t really fall into that category, it certainly has an appea
Into the Heart of Cascadia: Cruising the Pacific Northwest
Home to slumbering volcanoes, lush forests, and rolling rivers, the Pacific Northwest is an intrepid soul’s paradise. Those looking to explore one of America’s most unique regions can now do so with UnCruise Adventures new Rivers of Adventure itinerary. Known for their small ship cruises that ar
The Holy Ganges: An India River Cruise Adventure
The Ganges river system in India is more than just a waterway, it’s a purveyor of life. For the millions of people who live near its shores, the river is the embodiment of the Hindu goddess Ganga and her life-bringing properties. Pandaw Cruises, a premier small-ship luxury cruise line, offers g
If You Build It, They Will Cruise
One of the things people love most about cruising is the variety of ports that can be visited on a single voyage. In fact, many travelers plan their Caribbean cruises based on the itinerary and its destinations. As the popularity of cruising has grown, so has the need for more ports of call with bet
Carnival Makes Splash with New Cuba Itineraries
Carnival Cruise Line made a splash recently with their announcement of new Cuba itineraries for the 2019-20 cruising season. The popular cruise line plans to offer 23 new cruises to Havana in the next two years, including three and five-day itineraries across five ships cruising from several of Carn
Grape Destinations: Park, Stay, and Wine Taste in Sonoma Plaza
Napa may have been the first California wine region to gain international recognition, but the first California grapes came from Sonoma County. In the 1820s, Franciscan monks planted vines at Mission San Francisco de Solano which still exists in the heart of the town of Sonoma. Today, Sonoma C
Hurtigruten’s Norway: Sled Dogs, King Crabs and the Northern Lights
When most people think of a cruise ship vacation, they probably envision white sand beaches, frozen rum drinks and of course, catching a great tan. For the luxury cruise line Hurtigruten, cruising the world isn’t always about fun in the sunshine. Relaxation is great, but those cruising Norway with
Norwegian Sun Embarks on Inaugural Voyage To Cuba
Norwegian Sun left its new homeport of Port Canaveral, FL on Monday, loaded with excited guests for its inaugural trip to Havana, Cuba and the start of the summer sailing season. Norwegian Sun is the first ship to cruise to Cuba with a homeport of Port Canaveral. Port Canaveral invested $35 million
Cruising North: Welcome to Montreal’s Busy Season
The Mohawk people call it Kaniatarowanenneh, meaning “big waterway”. Those who experience the St. Lawrence River during Montreal’s busy cruising season are hard-pressed to find fault with the description. Montreal’s location on the St. Lawrence makes it a wonderful place to begin or end your
3 Reasons to Take a Cruise This Mother’s Day
She helped you with your homework and tucked you in at night. Her kindness brought you soup when you were sick and cheered you on from the sidelines at games and practice. She scolded you when you did wrong and praised you when you made her proud. She will always love you unconditionally. Moms are
Around the World in 245 Days With Viking Cruises (VIDEO)
All due respect to Jules Verne, but 80 days isn’t nearly enough time for a world cruise. Thanks to Viking Cruises, intrepid vacationers can now spend the better part of a year at sea enjoying everything from the cool mists of London to the extravagant hanging gardens of Mumbai. On May 1st, Viking&
All Ships Great AND SMALL!
If you follow my cruise escapades, it’s obvious that size doesn’t matter to me. It’s not that I’m not impressed by a ship with a bowling alley, ice skating rink, elaborate shows, or robot bartenders — I am. But I don’t need those types of accoutrements to make my cruise fantasies come
TRAVEL TIPS: A Side of Cozumel you Never Knew Existed
Ah, Cozumel. A port where you’re greeted by cheesy neon t-shirt vendors and a giant frog ready to hand you the biggest frozen margarita you’ve ever laid eyes on. Ride past all of that touristy nonsense to Beach Bum Bikes. Take a tour of the island’s eastern coast which is almost entirely unin
Made in China Part 2: The Terra-cotta Warriors
China’s initial capital, Xian, with a population of over 8 million today, was for centuries a bustling yet virtually unknown metropolis. Then in 1974, it burst onto the burgeoning stage of Chinese tourism with the happenstance discovery of over 8,000 terra-cotta warriors buried on a rural farm. Ar
In Brief: Carnival adds 20 Havana trips, Viking combines ocean and river cruises, and more…
Apr. 6, 2018 Carnival Cruise Line has added another 20 voyages to Cuba on Carnival Paradise from Tampa in 2019. The 5-day trips will include day-long or overnight stays in Havana. These come in addition to the 17 Cuba cruises on Carnival Sensation from Miami in 2019. Viking Cruises announced its 201
Grape Destinations: Working the Mosel Vines
Have you ever gone to a small vineyard? Did you like their wines? I did. Over 20 years ago, I visited a small winemakers’ wine-tasting in Kröv, situated on the Mosel River. My family and I were on a week’s holiday in a bungalow park near Kröv. On the list of activities was the wine-tasting [&h
The Great Wall: Made In China
“Build the wall!” One of the first times a politician ever issued those controversial words was when the Chinese emperor Qin Shi Huang decreed the creation of the Great Wall of China. The initial construction of his Wan Li Chang Cheng, or “10,000-Li-Long Wall,” began in 220 B.C.E. and the fu
Grape Destinations: Napa’s Renaissance after the California Fires
As soon as I boarded the airplane to Newark on my way to San Francisco, I was wondering: How was the Valley after last year’s fires? Some vineyards, houses, and structures were burned. Well, I was coming from the longest hurricane aftermath in Puerto Rico. If we managed, I figured, then California
