CRUISE RECIPE: Crystal Cruises’ Cream of Forest Mushroom Soup
Hungry to Sail Again Face it. During this pandemic, there’s certainly not much to splurge on. Nobody’s really thinking about redecorating, buying an expensive pair of designer shoes or theater tickets. So why not take that money and order some morels—those rich, earthy and fragrant
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
Eco Oceans: Scenic Eclipse Offers Fresh Greens on Blue Seas
According to Executive Chef Tom Goetter, Scenic Eclipse has 2,500 different recipes across its eight restaurants. But when you’re spending multiple days in remote, frozen tundras and rugged fjords, how do you keep ingredients fresh? Thanks to the ship’s Urban Cultivator, guests can enjoy fresh p
48 Hours: Key West
This southernmost city in the United States has a way of achieving notoriety. Take the time it “seceded” to become the Conch Republic. Or José Martí’s historic attempts to galvanize exiled Cubans. Then there’s the renowned Fantasy Fest, an annual jaunt that empties stores across the nation
Cuadro 44 by Anthony Sasso Coming to Windstar
Chef Anthony Sasso didn’t become one of the world’s youngest Michelin-starred chefs by stifling creativity. Now, he’s bringing more than a decade of culinary experience on board Windstar Cruises with a new restaurant called Cuadro 44 by Anthony Sasso. The new restaur
Silver Shadow: From Sea to Silversea
A luxury cruise can sail in one of two divergent styles. The first is a liberating escape, coddled with ultra-luxe amenities and service; the second, an exploration of diverse cultures in remote destinations. Silversea’s Silver Shadow accomplishes both with a fabulous itinerary into exotic Southea
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
The Judi’s Choice Awards 2019
The Monthly Mantra Judi’s Choice Awards … Judi’s Choice Awards … Judi’s Choice Awards … It’s time for the 2019 Judi’s Choice Awards! Unlike all those hum-drum “best-ofs” that tackle the obvious aspects of a cruise like dining, entertainment, and itineraries (anyone could do that)
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
Hidden Inland: Walla Walla WOW
The bustling summertime port city of Seattle offers an incredible range of sights and sounds, but if you’re set to sample the feast of Alaska cruising and looking for a pre-cruise appetizer or a post-cruise dessert, place your order for the off-the-menu town of Walla Walla, Washington. It’s no s
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
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
48 Hours: Shimmering South Korea
Dubbed the “Hawaii of Korea,” this volcanic island has been named a World Natural Heritage Site and one of the New7Wonders of Nature. The scenery is beyond gorgeous. Hallasan Mountain, the tallest peak in South Korea, rises nearly 6,400 feet in the center of the island, with its slopes tumbling
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
Cruise Ship Friendship
Monthly Mantra Waves of Kindness … Waves of Kindness … Waves of Kindness … “Wait! Wait! I want to give this to you!” That was the older woman with the organza hat, waving me down as I gathered my luggage after disembarking Queen Elizabeth 2 in Southampton in 1983. At the time, I was [&h
Ship Review: Celestial Sailing on Viking Orion
It’s a special feeling to rise from a sound sleep, slide open the door and breathe the fresh morning air from your cruise ship balcony. Gazing out each day at a new destination that promises yet another chance for exploration. In fact, Viking Ocean Cruises thinks this is such a special part of
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
Pre-/Post-Cruise: 48 Hours in Anchorage
I never realized how truly unique my home city was until I began to travel. Growing up, it was normal to reroute my way to school due to a moose along the path or to ski to the supermarket because our car couldn’t make it out of our snow-filled driveway. Anchoragites have a close relationship [&he
River Cruising in Kerala: India’s Southern Charm
India. It wasn’t a place that I had my heart set on visiting and like many Americans, I knew very little about the country. I was acutely aware of the Taj Mahal and I had seen Bollywood movies and certainly loved curry, but beyond those symbolistic icons I’d have to claim ignorance. But th
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