Basque by the Bottle
Before we explore some of Europe’s most interesting wines, the term ‘Basque’ deserves explanation. Euskadi, Basque Country, is an autonomous community in Spain, but it is also a larger cultural zone that spills beyond the political borders and even into France. The Basque have their own govern
CRUISE RECIPE: Disney Cruises’ Best Cocktails!
I’m Hungry THIRSTY for a Cruise! At first, I was baffled. How on earth could Disney Cruise Line have some of the coolest cocktails at sea? And then I realized that if you’re dealing with as many exuberant kids as Disney does, it’s not surprising that you’d want a stiff drink now and ag
CRUISE RECIPE: Viking’s Pastel de Nata
Hungry to Sail Again Today, I’m whipping up a sweet reminder of my glorious Viking Helgrim cruise down Portugal’s Douro River last summer. And I have all the ingredients on hand! The 262-foot, 106-passenger Viking Helgrim, is a baby longship, custom-built to navigate the short and narrow l
Last Call: Martinis – Shaken or Stirred?
The Place — Martinis Grab A Seat — All Oceania ships Standout Feature — Piano bars are a staple on most cruise ships, but Martinis outdoes them all by pairing jazzy standards on an ebony Steinway with an intimate gentleman’s club atmosphere and, of course, 26 varieties of the titular c
BACARDÍ Legacy Cruise Competition has a Winner
Each year, BACARDÍ hosts a cocktail making competition which pits the best mixologists against one another to see who can create the best new drink. Competitors are invited to create an original BACARDÍ rum drink, using no more than six ingredients and compete through the national final rounds to
Learn What’s to Love in Bilbao and Spain’s Basque Country
It’s been said that Frank Gehry’s dazzlingly designed Guggenheim Museum is what really put Bilbao on travelers’ radar, and there is some truth to that. But bringing in that museum was part of a larger plan to turn a rough former industrial city into a handsome model of urban planning and cultu
Yum Yum at Crystal Cruises’ Umi Uma
This month, the quest for the best onboard restaurants takes us on Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Symphony. You must book a reservation at Umi Uma. Famed restaurateur and celebrity chef Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa created the restaurant’s Japanese-Peruvian fusion menu. His unique style c
48 Hours In Orlando
It’s easy to think of Orlando solely in terms of its world-famous theme parks. After all, they attract millions of visitors each year. But their reputation tends to overshadow Central Florida’s many other charms. Besides, you can’t always afford the luxury of taking a full-fledged, theme park
Last Call: Make Mine a Vera Lynn — Aboard P&O Cruises.
The Place — The Crow’s Nest Grab A Seat — Britannia Standout Feature — P&O Cruises is a very British cruise line, and Britannia is a very British ship. What else would one sip, gazing over the bow from the Crow’s Nest lounge, if not “the pleasant medicine” of gin? During Britannia&
Cruise Deal of the Week – November 8, 2019
Is there a better way to explore the world than on a handcrafted luxury river ship going to exotic destinations, with a glass of something refreshing in your hand whenever you want it? We sure didn’t think so. That’s the concept behind Pandaw’s latest offering on select short cruises to Vietna
Last Call: Cunard’s Commander of Cocktails
Last Call celebrates the best bars at sea and the people who can’t get enough of them. Today we pay our respects to the captain with a signature concoction inspired by Cunard’s seven most renowned Commodores. The Place — Commodore Club Grab A Seat — All Cunard ships Standout Featur
Your Miami Vacation Means Eating and Drinking Well
A great vacation certainly starts with a lounge chair on Miami Beach, but it ends with a sampling of some of the best local food and drink South Florida has to offer. An eclectic mix of cultures means a dazzling array of cuisines and styles you have to taste to believe. Miami sees millions of [&he
Viking Helgrim‘s Rivers of Gold
The Monthly Mantra The Dazzling Douro … The Dazzling Douro … The Dazzling Douro Pinhao! Gaia! Regua! Favaios! Lamego! No, I’m not cheering on a soccer team. I’ve just returned from a Viking Helgrim “Rivers of Gold” sailing and these unfamiliar towns located along the stunning Douro River
Last Call: Heaven on Earth on Celebrity Edge
The Place — Eden Bar Grab A Seat — Celebrity Edge Standout Feature — Once the sweeping panoramic ocean views take your breath away, come back to life with a sinful libation at the Eden Bar — one of several innovative fixtures within the three-story Eden venue. Watch your bartender ascend the
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
Last Call: Cool Encounters at SKYY Vodka Ice Bar
The Place — SKYY Vodka Ice Bar Grab A Seat — Norwegian Epic, Escape, and Getaway. Standout Feature — Inspired by the original Scandinavian ice hotels, everything about this bar — the walls, the seats, the glasses — are made from expertly chiseled blocks of ice. The chilly chamber is kept a
Fort Lauderdale Knows Brunch
The sunny beachside city of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is known for being a premier vacation destination thanks to its tropical climate and one of the world’s busiest cruise ports in Port Everglades. Known for being a top vacation destination for people from all over, Fort Lauderdale has embraced o
Grape Destinations: Why Blend Wine?
On a very special edition of Grape Destinations, we learn the ins and outs of wine blending from an industry professional. It really is an art. Using years of experience through analysis and countless tasting trials we work to perfect the best end result, which is a real tasty wine! Typic
The Best Street Eats in Kolkata
The gritty metropolis of Kolkata, India, displays a raucous, kinetic image framed by the Ganges River, a navigational artery directly connected to the country’s heart and soul. To plot your course through a city like this is a daunting task and to experience the food scene, an even more challeng
Dish It Up: Health-Conscious Cruise Cuisine
Forget the Christmas cookies you gobbled with abandon. It’s so last month. Actually, it’s so last year. We begin 2019 in gratitude, for we can now dine more healthfully — and deliciously — while cruising more than ever before. Organic, low-calorie, vegetarian, vegan — you name it. We’ve
