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The Longest Hotel Pool on the Exotic Island of Bali is Inspired by Rice Terraces
The lush, terraced rice fields of Bali are iconic symbols of this legendary Indonesian island, lending inspiration to the pools of one resort. Surrounded by inviting greenery and nestled in the heart of Bali’s exclusive beach enclave of Nusa Dua in the southeast part of the island, Courtyard Bali Nusa Dua Resort invites guests to experience unmatched tropical escape in “the Island of the Gods.” Nestled in the heart of the resort, the lagoon pool measures nearly 300 feet long and over 100 feet wide, it is surrounded with lush tropical gardens and an array of pool loungers offering ample space to soak up the sun, and indulge in refreshing cocktails at the…
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Top Countries for Wildlife Viewing – and What to Photograph There
Wildlife photography safaris have never been more popular, as constant advances in technology make incredible image capture more accessible to ordinary travelers. One study of millions of wildlife photos on a photo-sharing website has revealed which countries’ creatures are the subject of the most snaps – indicating the best places to go to photograph some of the planet’s most photogenic wildlife. The survey of photos determined the number of wildlife photos as a percentage of all photos taken in a certain destination – to indicate in which countries people photographed wildlife most. Some of the top countries for wildlife photography may surprise you! 1. KENYA Kenya comes out on top with the highest…
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7 Ways to Slow Down and Switch Off in St. Kitts
Instead of a to-do list to check off during your next tropical vacation, the island of St. Kitts invites you to celebrate slow travel: log off, unplug from your devices, and reconnect with yourself and nature with a range of restorative experiences the length and breadth of this 18-mile-long Caribbean island. St. Kitts is the larger of two islands that make up the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. Green mountain ranges stretch from Mount Liamuiga in the north to the southern peninsula—each end, an entirely different and equally fulfilling experience. The island’s location between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea gives its coast distinctively varied hues. Beaches range from golden tones…
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Christmas Markets, NYE, Ice World and Gala Balls: Why Visit Vienna in the Winter
Don’t wait til spring or summer to visit Austria’s capital. Some of its most unique experiences take place during the frosty months, where one-of-a-kind local events warm your heart and reveal a side of Vienna you can’t see any other time of the year. Viennese Christmas Markets: Advent, the four weeks leading up to Christmas, is a magical time in Vienna, with the historic city center and shopping streets in their festive best. The city’s most beautiful squares, streets and parks are transformed into Christmas markets, each with its own distinct atmosphere. The largest, and considered one of the most beautiful in Europe, is the Wiener Christkindlmarkt (Viennese Christmas Market), combining…
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Record-Breaking Art Installation Celebrates One of Jamaica’s National Symbols
A 46-foot hummingbird sculpture has taken flight in Montego Bay, Jamaica. It’s the world’s largest – and celebrates the Caribbean country’s one-of-a-kind national bird, the streamer-tail hummingbird, found only in Jamaica. While hummingbirds are found in many countries in North and South America, the streamer-tail, which is also affectionately known as the Doctor Bird for the resemblance of its long tail to the coattails of a 19th-century doctor’s frock coat, is found only in Jamaica. In local folklore, the Doctor Bird was considered magical, with the power to deliver messages between the human and the spirit world. With shimmering colors that reflect the vibrancy of the country, the streamer-tail hummingbird…
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Viking Launching First Ever River Cruises in India
Beginning in 2027, Viking will add another exotic river and destination to its global collection of cruises, which is good news for devoted Viking fans looking for new places to sail with the cruise line. Unlike a number of other cruise lines that offer cruises in India on the Ganges River, Viking’s new, purpose-built ship will sail on the Brahmaputra River. The aptly-named Viking Brahmaputra, with a modern design specifically built to navigate one of the largest rivers in the world with 80 guests, is currently under construction and debuts in late 2027. Guests will be accommodated in 40 outside staterooms, and like all other Viking river, ocean and expedition…
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Do’s and Don’ts of a European Christmas Market Trip
You can’t actually celebrate Christmas in July in Europe… but it’s the perfect time to plan a Christmas market visit to celebrate the season. There really is no better way to get into the spirit of the holidays than to immerse yourself in the markets, traditions, food, beverages, arts and crafts of the lands and cultures that shaped our own holiday celebrations. But take these tips to make sure you get the best of the best holiday – and holiday experience! DO: Take a river cruise. Germany, Austria, Switzerland and even France are some of the best places to travel to capture the joy of Europe’s Christmas markets. And the…
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Longest, Tallest and One-of-a-Kind: Royal Caribbean’s Newest ‘Perfect Day’ Plus New Beach Resorts
“Bigger and bolder than anything” Royal Caribbean has done yet. That’s how the cruise line is describing Perfect Day Mexico, with never-seen-before attractions. Plus, Royal Caribbean has revealed more destination experiences on the way as it doubles down on Perfect Day and Royal Beach Club private island and beach resort cruise destinations. They’ll let cruise vacationers experience the best of Royal Caribbean’s newest ships alongside shoreside adventures in Mexico, the Bahamas and the South Pacific. Perfect Day Mexico The mega-ship family cruise line debuts the latest in its ‘Perfect Day’ lineup. Perfect Day Mexico occupies 200 acres on the country’s Caribbean coast – the feature of upcoming Western Caribbean and…
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The Perils of Posting: Reasons NOT to Share Your Travels on Social Media
At least not until you are home. According to one survey by a travel insurance company, nearly one-third of active social media users are at risk of a home break-in by alerting the bad guys through their posts. So, as high travel season approaches, social media experts are reminding travelers keen to share their vacation experiences to be aware of the risks of posting. The survey by the Allstate Insurance Company reveals that: Safety First The problem, note experts, is that posting that selfie on the beach, cruise ship or in front of a famous landmark shines a bright spotlight on the fact that the poster’s home is empty – or…
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The Best Destinations to See the “Clowns of the Sea”
Puffins are a lot like penguins: among the most beloved, iconic and recognizable seabirds – yet occupying the opposite ends of the planet in some of the most remote regions of the Earth. So seeing either of them in the wild is a magical travel experience. Unlike tuxedoed penguins with their mostly monochrome coloring, puffins are often called the “clowns of the sea” for their vivid, almost carnival mask-like countenance that livens up their pudgy, black-and-white bodies, not to mention their endearing facial expressions. That’s not all that makes these seabirds unique. Puffin Particulars Three Species of Puffins: We think of puffins as being residents of the North Atlantic, and the…
