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
Vitamin Sea: Dr. Andrew Weil and Seabourn’s World of Wellness
Imagine combining the relaxation and adventure of a luxury cruise vacation with the priceless gift of extending your life and gaining permanent peace of mind. Thanks to two leaders in their respective fields, that incongruous pairing has become a living, working reality. Seabourn, arguably the world
Cruise Deal of the Week – September 27, 2019
Sick of the news? Why not book a cruise instead! We’ve got a hot deal from our friends at MSC Cruises that you won’t want to miss out on. Sailing the Mediterranean Sea from Barcelona is a dream vacation for most people, but now you can make your dream a reality with just a few […]
Amore on the Amalfi Coast
Traffic moves at a painstaking crawl as it snakes along Italy’s Sorrentine Peninsula, heading from Sorrento, on the Bay of Naples, onto the world-famous Amalfi Coast, framing the Gulf of Salerno. The road hugs, at times, perilously close to steep coastal cliffs, winding through villages such as Po
Small-Ship Cruising: So Civilized, So Celestyal!
Although brought up in San Francisco, I never forget that I was born in Greece. Like many Greek-Americans, I was raised to be “Greek first.” I have fond memories of my earliest pilgrimages as a young teen backpacking around Greece with wide-eyed wanderlust. I’ve traversed the cultu
Side Trip to Cinque Terre
Known as the Italian Riviera, Cinque Terre (pronounced Ching-kwe Ter-ray) is a cluster of five picturesque villages in Northwest Italy that adorn the shoreline with colorful buildings, steep cliffs, beautifully rugged and rocky beaches, and small but completely charming ports and harbors. And if you
Ship Review: Outstanding Seabourn Ovation
“Does the word sexy mean anything to you?” Noted hospitality designer Adam D. Tihany can’t contain himself. The word “sexy” clearly means something to him, and he’s about to use it to describe the 600-passenger Seabourn Ovation, a new ultra-luxury ship he’s designed from bow to stern,
Cruise Deal of the Week – January 18, 2019
Happy Friday Cruisers! It’s peak season for warm weather cruising in the Caribbean and elsewhere South of the Equator, but some of you are still stuck at home watching the snow pile up. Never fear, SeaDream Yacht Club is here to make sure the rest of your winter is a whole lot better! The excl
TRAVEL TIPS: Ajaccio, Corsica – a Hidden Gem in the Mediterranean
Perhaps you remember hearing the name “Corsica” in your high school history class, since the island is the birthplace of one of Europe’s most well-known historical figures: Napoleon Bonaparte. The French emperor was born right in Ajaccio, so the city is packed with history and offers visitors
Cruise Deal of the Week – October 12, 2018
October is National Cruise Month and there’s never been a better time to get a great deal on a cruise for you and the whole family. Star Clippers is getting into the savings mood with a new deal in honor of the month. RELATED: Star Clippers in Thailand: Girls just want to have fun Star Clippers [
Off Season Cruising, Is It Worth It?
We often get asked, when is the best time to cruise? Most are shocked when I tell them that cruising off-season is one of the best vacations you can take! Not only are they a great way to get a great deal, but there are plenty of other perks, too. Here are some of our […]
Is a Cruise Ship Onboard Spa Pass Worth It?
To buy the spa pass or not to buy the spa pass? For smart cruisers, that’s an easy question to answer! When my wife and I took our first cruise in 2012, we decided to spend a little extra and book a spa pass for the week. It was the best money we have spent […]
Blossom of the Costa del Sol
Though it may be a stretch to claim the sun is always shining on Spain’s Costa del Sol, it’s a safe bet that you’ll be treated to clear skies and mild, breezy days almost any time of the year. The Port of Málaga is located along the coast in the province of the same name, […]
Cruise Deal of the Week – June 1, 2018
Father’s Day is right around the corner and those looking for something more interesting than a tie or golf balls for Dad need to check out the Princess Cruises Landmark Sale! Enough with the boring gifts, a Father’s Day cruise deal is the ultimate way to say I Love You! For a limited time,
TRAVEL TIPS: Zadar, a Hidden Gem in Croatia
Over the last 20 years, tourism in Croatia has almost quadrupled. The War of Croatian Independence and bombing of nearby Yugoslavia in the late 90’s deterred outsiders from visiting this beautiful Mediterranean country. Things have changed, especially over the last decade, as explorers have gotten
Princess Cruises Unveils New Features and Upgrades on Sapphire Princess
Cruise News – Mar. 28, 2018 Sapphire Princess has emerged from an extensive two-week dry dock in Singapore now displaying Princess Cruises’ signature logo on her bow. The ship has also been upgraded with enhanced onboard spaces and product innovations. “Sapphire Princess is the latest sh
News Briefs – Seven Seas Mariner’s amazing upgrade, and more….
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Feb. 9, 2018 Seven Seas Mariner is undergoing a major upgrade before returning to Alaska. The world’s first all-suite, all-balcony cruise ship will undergo a 20-day dry-dock this April, getting a new mosaic-tiled pool, an open layout and teak flooring on the poo
Cruise Deal of the Week
Jan. 26, 2018 Luxury line Silversea is offering free roundtrip air – or an upgrade to business class from $599 – on their “Timeless Treasures” Mediterranean cruises. Contact Silversea or your travel agent for more.
Porto Highlights
Porthole’s 5 Faves It’s hard to believe I almost missed visiting Porto the first time. During a recent Windstar cruise, I sailed from Dublin to Lisbon on Wind Surf. Porto was one of the last stops on our itinerary. We were only scheduled to be in this port for six hours. I considered not eve
Five Faves: Unique Museums of the Western Med
Porthole’s Five Faves Unique Museums of the Western Med Cruise through culture with these memorable – and often overlooked – collections. While these are extraordinary museums, they may not be the first ones that come to mind in the culture-rich Western Mediterranean. However, as an a