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A Whole New River Cruise Destination as AmaWaterways Launches 1st Colombia Ship
AmaWaterways has debuted the AmaMagdalena, the first-ever major river cruise line ship to navigate Colombia’s Magdalena River. The launch opens a completely new cruise destination for fans of river cruising looking to add to their collection of exotic river cruises beyond Europe. With the launch, you can now cruise on AmaWaterways or other river cruise lines on the Amazon in South America, as well as Africa’s Nile and Chobe rivers, the Ganges in India, the Mekong in Vietnam, and more. About the AmaMagdalena The AmaMagdalena was custom-designed for river cruising on Colombia’s Magdalena River, including her intimate size, for just 60 guests. The cruise line collaborated with Colombian designers, craftspeople…
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This Overwater Pickleball Court is Causing a ‘Racket’
The pickleball craze continues! Not content to dominate community parks around North America, the sociable, ‘tennis light’ paddle sport is taking root in holiday destinations – not just on land resorts and hotels, but also at sea, and, in the latest twist, overwater! Pickleball on the Rivers of Europe AmaWaterways made waves when it became the first river cruise line to introduce a full-sized pickleball court (pictured, below). That’s courtesy of the extraordinary (for river cruise ships) size of the AmaMagna, the largest river cruise ship in Europe, about double the width of most other cruise ships. That’s just enough extra space to accommodate a regulation-sized pickleball court that debuted at…
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Big Changes at the World’s Most Popular Museum!
More people visit the Louvre in Paris than any other museum in the world. The French President has announced a sweeping renovation plan for the iconic institution, to the tune of about 800 million euros over the next decade. It’s hard to believe that the last time the Louvre had a makeover was over 30 years ago! That’s when I.M. Pei’s glass pyramid was added to the courtyard to serve as the museum’s main entrance. Remember when that contemporary glass pyramid in the courtyard of the 16th-century royal palace in the heart of historic Paris was controversial? Now, next to the Eiffel Tower, it’s the most iconic view of Paris. …
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What’s the Castle Capital of the World… Outside Europe?
Castles top the list of sights we want to discover when we travel. They let us walk in the very footsteps of history, where battles were won and lost and epoch-changing events took place. Castles were inhabited by history-makers and doers of deeds that became the basis for fairytales and legends that defined the romance of centuries past. As defensive fortifications, they were often extraordinary structures built in extreme landscapes, and we marvel at the ingenuity and craftsmanship that managed to perch massive castles on hilltops, the edges of cliffs, on remote islands and in other impossible places. As I describe castles, you are probably picturing Europe – those turreted,…
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Why Your Next Flight Could Come With A Train Ticket
Planes, trains… and sustainability. Adoption of ‘integrated intermodal travel’ is speeding faster than a locomotive around the world, especially in Europe and Asia, and it could mean the next time you book a flight, your journey – and ticket – will include a leg on a train or even a bus. The key to ‘integrated intermodal travel’ is the ‘integrated’ part. It involves seamlessly switching between modes of transport in a way that’s efficient and cost-effective, typically with pre-arranged connections and schedules that minimize the time spent in transit. In fact, more and more intermodal travel even adds points to your airline loyalty program’s bottom line! What’s ‘Driving’ Integrated Intermodal Travel? …
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Slainte! This City in Scotland Celebrates 850th Anniversary
Scotland’s so-called ‘Second City’ takes center stage in 2025 as it celebrates its 850th birthday. If you’ve only been to Edinburgh, it’s time to put Glasgow on the top of your Scottish travel list and discover its history and the thriving, vivid, cultural hub of modern Scotland on the River Clyde that’s even a UNESCO City of Music. Far bigger than Edinburgh, Glasgow’s size exploded during the Industrial Revolution, which led to its reputation being compared negatively to Edinburgh’s perennial medieval and almost fairytale charms. But Glasgow has thousand-year-old origins, too. Glasgow’s name comes from the Scottish Gaelic ‘Glaschu’, meaning ‘dear green hollow,’ reflecting its early pastoral setting along the River…
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1 in 3 People Make Critical Errors Booking Their Own Travel Online
We’ve written before about a few of the many reasons it’s valuable to work with an expert travel advisor, and a new study has just revealed one more: a third of people who book their own travel online end up making crucial errors that can end up: It’s all fun until you accidentally book a trip to Austria rather than Australia or Haiti instead of Tahiti! It’s no laughing matter! Mistakes just like those happen more often than you think. And booking errors can lead to missed flights, denied boarding, and thousands of dollars in wasted, non-refundable costs. Some new research points out the most common pitfalls of self-serve booking on travel…
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Top Souvenirs to Bring Home from a Trip to Ireland
St. Patrick’s Day may be the day when we are all just a little bit Irish, but anytime we visit Ireland, we can bring home a little bit of Ireland – for our own memories, or to share an Irish blessing with our friends and loved ones. The Emerald Isle is known for its vivid landscapes, love of life and literature, horse flesh and history, and perhaps above all, the embracing warmth of its people. Ireland is also a treasure trove of unique souvenirs that capture the spirit of the Emerald Isle and Irish culture. Whether you’re looking for traditional crafts, delicious treats, or something quirky, Ireland offers a variety…