Cruise Ship Review: Avalon Waterways Avalon Saigon
Pulling in to Siem Reap, we pass by markets, restaurants, and a church —establishments that would seem commonplace in any village. Except this one is floating. During the rainy season, Tonle Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, swells more than five times its size. Stilt homes sit l
48 Hours: Five Ways to Spend Two Days in Istanbul
At the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Istanbul is one of the world’s most mesmerizing cities. Founded by the Greeks around 700 B.C., ruled by the Romans, then later conquered by the Ottoman Empire, its perfect location on the Bosphorus strait transcends Western civilization. The old quarter of
Caribbean Destination Weddings: A Walk Down the Isle
Couples have long known that the Caribbean is a destination where love blooms and flourishes. The pulse of life beats strongly here, and stress is artfully soothed away by languid island rhythms, swaying palms, and the sea gently lapping at your toes. This fertile landscape provides the perfect back
Cruise Packing: In All Kinds of Weather
Not too long ago, it seemed cruising was synonymous with sun-drenched islands, sweltering heat and turquoise seas.Nobody worried about what to pack for a cruise vacation. A few pairs of shorts, sleeveless tops, sandals, and swimsuits were all we’d need for daytime sightseeing, beach going, and la
Cruise Ship Review: MSC Seaview Celebrates the Good Life at Sea
Last June, as we approached Genoa, it looked like a fancy new building had been plunked alongside the historic Stazione Marittima, the onetime departure point for legendary trans-Atlantic liners like the Rex, Andrea Doria, Michelangelo, and Raffaello. Upon closer look, of course, the 17-story, glass
Last Call: Flute of Fancy
The Place — Pink: Wine and Champagne Bar Grab A Seat — Disney Dream Standout Feature — Amid glass bubble lighting and gold- and pink-hued décor, grabbing a seat at Pink will make you feel like you’ve stepped into a glass of Champagne. High-back velvet chairs around drink tables create cozy
Best Cruise Ports for Surfing
As the immortal Beach Boys taught us way back in 1961, “Surfing is the only life, the only way for me.” It’s nearly impossible to explain why the act of paddling out into the waves on a big, floating board only to have them push you back toward shore can be so all-consuming. You just […
Theme Cruise: Bare Boat Couples Retreat
First things first — yes, the cruise my husband and I went on was a nude cruise. This was the Bare Boat, organized by Bare Necessities Tour & Travel for the continued quest of liberation and self-acceptance. Where the shedding of physical clothes helps to also shed “mental clothes,” overco
Green Seas: MS Roald Amundsen, The Future is Fish
Since its inception in 1893, Hurtigruten has paved the way for expedition cruising with an ever-expanding roster of destinations. After 125 years, the company is entering new waters with MS Roald Amundsen, the first of Hurtigruten’s three hybrid-powdered ships that will be making milestones in mor
The True Colors of Greenland
The chartered plane had left Copenhagen in the twilight of a Baltic summer night, but four hours and four time zones later, the brilliance of Greenland’s endless daylight blazed through the plane’s window. The terrain was a blinding white. Ice and snow blanketed the surface as far as the eye cou
