Rottnest Island, Western Australia
“Help!” I called. I was seated on the edge of a raised patio, eating a sandwich, when suddenly a furry creature the size of a large house cat climbed onto my lap. The animal sat on his hind legs, his delicate finger-like digits on my chest. He was trying to reach my sandwich, which I [&hel
Step Inside Sanctuary
Cairo is an electrifying place. Loud, chaotic and very crowded, this Middle Eastern megalopolis is fascinating, yet it also can be overwhelming in large doses. It has another side too, though. A quiet and peaceful side. Step inside one of Cairo’s churches, and you will find yourself immersed in hu
Sauntering through the vineyards
The sky was still mostly blue when a few cheeky raindrops hit the leaves of the grapevine arbor high in the hills above the Rhine River in southwest Germany. The arbor covered two wooden benches where my friends and I were sampling a 2023 Spätburgunder rosé, also known as pinot noir. The grapevine
Windstar’s Winter Riviera
Chase away the January blues aboard Windstar’s Star Legend, sailing in winter from the Catalan capital to the Eternal City. Even if you’re not feeling blue, this journey will lift your spirits. You might think of the Med as a gleaming region of sun-soaked beauty, but in the chillier months, it r
Sustainability is the New Luxury
As more people notice the threat wasteful consumerism poses to our planet, the definition of luxury is changing — especially in the tourism industry. The old mindset (expense equals “class”) is dying. Sustainability is replacing lavish spending as hotel guests value clean air and water and a p
Cat Travels
Love culture? Love cats? You can satisfy both those passions by planning a cat trip, visiting historic sites worldwide that house lovable felines. For instance: The Hemingway House and Museum in Key West, Florida. See where the iconic author lived and wrote, and meet the 60-plus cats who also call t
Christmas 2024: The List
Affection Nothing brings joy like a new member of the family — and ASPCA research shows that adopting a shelter pet for the holidays (once you’re ready to share the love) actually works out best for the animals and their new humans. Competition If you’ve wondered what all the pickl
Ship Review: Sea Cloud Spirit
I’m standing on the weathered wooden deck of the 136-guest Sea Cloud Spirit, shielding my eyes from the blinding sun as I gaze upward at the riot of 28 billowing sails that are propelling us under wind power alone across the impossibly blue Caribbean Sea. If it weren’t for the fact that I
The Winter Trains
Winter can put the fun of travel on ice … for some. Frozen roads make going by car inconvenient and downright dangerous. Flights can be overcrowded. And hiking — even in delightfully scenic places — can lose its joy fast when your teeth are chattering. One perfect remedy: The rails! What
Sustainability is the New Luxury
As more people notice the threat wasteful consumerism poses to our planet, the definition of luxury is changing — especially in the tourism industry. The old mindset (expense equals “class”) is dying. Sustainability is replacing lavish spending as hotel guests value clean air and water a
Water Sport Island
For the traveler seeking out aquatic interests to experience, the dual Dutch and French island of Sint Maarten/Saint-Martin stands out in this part of the Caribbean for its diverse range of watersports. That wide spectrum of activities on and below the water here is in part due to the island’s
Here’s to the Heurigen!
“Mahlzeit!,” said our Viennese hosts while they handed out glasses of cloudy liquid as we entered the pub’s garden. It was early October and we were at Schreiberhaus, a heuriger, or “rustic wine tavern,” to celebrate the heuriger, which also means “this year’s vintage.” As we s
Caviar for Breakfast
Regent Seven Seas Cruises holds a unique place in the world of cruising. The high-end brand of parent Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, its six ships are in the rarified ultra-luxury category — but Regent stands out by offering a complete all-inclusive package. Included in the price are a spacious s
Safaris Restore Wilderness
Experts once declared Tanzania’s Kwakuchinja wildlife migration route “abandoned.” Due to illegal logging, poaching and over-grazing the once-thriving area between the Tarangire and Lake Manyara National Parks had become nearly devoid of fauna and flora. That changed in 2008, when vision
Just the Walking
I first saw the finish line of the Camino while on a road trip in Spain that took me through Santiago de Compostela. In the morning, the first pilgrim arrived, shuffling into the plaza of St. James’ Cathedral, dropping his backpack, sinking to his knees on the cobblestones, shaking with something
A Multi-Cultural Carnival
(To the tune of Dean Martin’s famed Italian song “That’s Amore”): Watch the stars in the sky as you stroll the Lanai — on Firenze. You can drink lots of wine and get lost on Deck Nine — on Firenze. There is so much to eat; try Nonna’s bowls of meat — on Firenze. So, […]
International Dining in Istanbul
If you think Turkish food is limited to kebabs, think again. Istanbul, the former Ottoman capital, has long been home to peoples from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. The 21st century has welcomed even more newcomers, so now there’s a wide range of delectable dining establishments to enj
All Hands to the Past
Have you ever wondered if time travel is possible? After an 8-day voyage aboard a century-old wooden trawler, I think it just might be. Just standing and looking up at the billowing red sails, I feel connected to the past sailors, in a way I hadn’t imagined. I had embarked at Dunstaffnage Marina n
Sound, Light, and Beauty
All around the globe, light brings awe and wonder to crowds through visual storytelling. The modern tradition of son et lumière shows started in France when Paul Robert-Houdin created a “sound and light” show in 1952 at the Château de Chambord. The performance used music and narration while co
Double the Wilderness
Laid-back Caribbean getaways and chic European excursions are wonderful. But lately, some science-minded travelers are opting for less conventional experiences that provide up-close looks at unique forms of life. One such adventure is The Darwin & Orellana Discovery Tour. The 11-day advent
