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Lights Out on One of the Hottest New Travel Trends
For generations, travelers have organized their days around daylight. Get up. See the sights. Take the photos. Then, as the sun sets, the day starts wrapping up. One of travel’s fastest-growing trends turns that itinerary upside down. And the lights off. Noctourism or Astrotourism? “Noctourism” – or nocturnal tourism – is the growing appetite for travel experiences after dark. Noctourism can intersect with astrotourism, but they’re not exactly the same thing. ‘Astrotourism’ is about traveling for celestial experiences. And a recent survey of tens of thousands of travelers found that nearly two-thirds were considering trips to darker-sky destinations for ‘starbathing,’ constellation tracking and rare celestial events. At night, right? Actually, one of the…
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Walk on the Wild Side: Animal Encounters on the Beaches of the Caribbean
You came to the Caribbean for the beach. So did the wildlife. Throughout the islands, some stretches of sand come with company: two legs or four, from birds to beasts to reptiles. Some creatures are unexpected, others have earned celebrity status. Some are indigenous to their islands, while others have adapted over centuries to new climes. Here are some Caribbean beaches where you may have to share your patch of sand – and get a glimpse of a local resident of the wilderness. The Bahamas: Swimming Pigs The Caribbean has plenty of marine mammals. The Bahamas famously has marine pigs. The best-known live on Big Major Cay in the Exumas, now nicknamed…
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Travel Plans Change. Transat Is Ready for That.
Some trips are planned months in advance. Others come together on a whim. Either way, having flexibility can make all the difference. That’s why Transat has introduced Option Flex Standard, a new add-on available on eligible multi-city packages and tours. Designed to provide added peace of mind, it allows travellers to make changes when plans shift without feeling locked into their original booking. With Option Flex Standard, travellers can modify their travel dates, destination, hotel or tour up to 72 hours before departure, subject to availability. If plans change completely, they can also cancel up to 72 hours before departure and receive a travel credit based on the applicable cancellation…
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Experience the Magic of Europe’s Christmas Markets
As the holiday season approaches, Europe transforms into a winter wonderland filled with twinkling lights, beautifully decorated streets and centuries-old Christmas traditions. Across the continent, charming cities and villages come alive with festive markets where visitors can shop for handcrafted gifts, enjoy local specialties and experience the magic of the season. For travellers looking for a memorable holiday getaway, a Christmas market journey offers more than just a vacation. It is an opportunity to immerse yourself in local culture, explore historic destinations and create unforgettable memories. Experience the Tradition of German Christmas Markets Germany is often considered the heart of Europe’s Christmas market tradition, with markets dating back hundreds of…
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Build Your Perfect Europe Itinerary: Finding the Right Journey for Every Traveller
Planning a European vacation can be both exciting and overwhelming. With so many countries, cities, and experiences to choose from, it can be difficult to decide where to begin. The secret to creating the perfect itinerary is not trying to see everything at once, but choosing destinations that align with your interests, pace and travel style. Whether you are planning a first European adventure, a romantic getaway, a culinary journey or an off-the-beaten-path escape, there is an itinerary waiting to be discovered. The Classic Europe Experience For many travellers, a first trip to Europe is about experiencing the destinations they have always dreamed of visiting. Iconic cities like Paris, Rome,…
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Top “Coolcation” Travel Destinations
Record-breaking summer heatwaves throughout Europe have more travelers looking for cooler destinations to spend the holidays. I have some favorites. By: Lynn Elmhirst, travel journalist and expert Some like it hot! And since Coco Chanel made it stylish to spend even scorching summers on the French Riviera, heat-loving travelers have flocked to the Mediterranean during the season. Those who couldn’t brave Mediterranean heat? Well, they stayed in more central areas of Europe in the summers. That’s been the pattern for decades – but it is changing fast. An early summer heatwave in 2026 shattered records across parts of Europe, making many top summer travel hotspots: London, Paris, Amsterdam – even Vienna and…
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Your Perfect Caribbean Escape Starts Here
One of the best things about the Caribbean is that no two islands feel exactly alike. Whether you’re looking to completely unwind or fill every day with new experiences, there’s a destination that fits your travel style. For Beach Lovers: Turks & Caicos is known for powder-soft white sand, calm turquoise waters and Grace Bay Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. For Couples: Saint Lucia combines dramatic volcanic peaks, boutique resorts, secluded beaches and unforgettable sunsets, making it a favourite for honeymoons and romantic escapes. For Families: Jamaica offers spacious all-inclusive resorts, water parks, family-friendly activities and plenty of adventures both on and off the beach.…
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Explore Canada One Destination at a Time
Canada is a destination that constantly surprises. One week you could be hiking through the Canadian Rockies, surrounded by glacier-fed lakes and towering peaks. Next, you could be wandering colourful coastal villages in Atlantic Canada, enjoying fresh seafood and watching whales just offshore. If your idea of travel revolves around food, cities like Toronto offer an incredible mix of cultures and cuisines, where every neighbourhood feels like a new destination. For those who love arts and culture, Montréal and Québec City come alive in the summer with outdoor festivals, live music and vibrant streets that invite you to slow down and explore. Looking for something a little more adventurous? Head…
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Discovering the Japan You Didn’t Expect Beyond the Main Island
For many travelers, the increasingly popular destination of Japan begins and ends on the island of Honshu – literally, it’s ‘Main Island.’ I can’t blame them – so much of the energy and contrasts of Japan are to be found there: the neon energy of Tokyo, the ancient cultural treasures of Kyoto, the food scene of Osaka, and iconic attractions as different as Mount Fuji and Tokyo Disneyland! All connected by those famous, high-speed bullet trains. But if you stay on Honshu your entire trip to Japan, you’re missing out on experiences that will astound and resonate with you most after you leave. The incredible north-south length of the Japanese archipelago –…
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Do You Know Your Mediterranean A, B… Seas?
When is the Med… not just the Med? The Mediterranean Sea and its iconic coastal towns, yacht harbors, fishing villages, beaches, cliffs, and cultural touchpoints are on nearly everyone’s list of favorite escapes. But – pop quiz – did you know that the Mediterranean isn’t just one sea? In reality, it’s a collection of smaller seas that developed independently and were named before the full region was charted by ancient navigators. Ultimately, they were stitched together by ancient trade routes, empire-building, mythology, culture, cuisines, and coastlines. Travel across the Med, and you’re not cruising a single body of water. You’re crossing distinct maritime worlds, each with its own personality, history –…