Quintess Travels RSS Feed

Tauck’s Women-Only European Small-Group Journeys for 2026

lynn.elmhirst@gmail.com (Lynn) — Thu, 23 Apr 26 13:12:21 +0000

As solo and small-group travel among women continues to grow, Tauck is introducing three women-only departures in Europe for 2026, each operating as a Small Group journey and designed to foster connection, cultural immersion, and shared discovery. The special departures are to Ireland, Italy, and Portugal, with the lovely weather of early fall.

The women-only small groups are ideal for solo travelers looking for like-minded connections, but also many types of women: mothers and daughters marking a milestone, sister getaways, friends reuniting… these departures offer another layer—a built-in sense of ease, encouragement, and belonging.

Each of the three departures will be led by a female Tauck Director and is a Small Group journey, averaging between 20 and 24 guests, offering an intimate and supportive travel environment. The departures are scheduled consecutively in late September and October 2026, allowing guests the option to extend their travels across multiple journeys.

Guests will enjoy insider access and exclusive cultural experiences—from private estate lunches and vineyard tastings to elegant stays in historic castles and boutique hotels—alongside expert guides who reveal each destination’s hidden treasures. Whether indulging in regional cuisine and wine, connecting with local artisans, or sharing stories over a relaxed evening meal, the experience is crafted to create space for community, camaraderie, and authentic cultural immersion.

THE 2026 WOMEN-ONLY DEPARTURES

A Week In… Ireland, September 23:

An immersive journey through Ireland’s castles, coastlines, and cobblestone towns, this eight-day itinerary includes a two-night stay at 16th-century Dromoland Castle, visits to the Cliffs of Moher and Blarney Castle, a private recital at Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, and a hands-on cooking experience at Ballyknocken House. Time in Kinsale and Dublin invites exploration balanced with guided insight.

(From $7,890 USD per person, double occupancy, plus airfare).

A Week In… Piedmont, October 1:

This indulgent retreat in Italy’s slow-food heartland features truffle hunting in the Langhe hills, a wine tasting lunch at Banca del Vino, an exclusive early opening visit to La Venaria Reale, and a chef-hosted cooking class. Stays include two nights at the historic Principi di Piemonte in Turin before continuing to Il Boscareto Resort & Spa, set amid the vineyards of Serralunga d’Alba, and concluding along Lake Maggiore at the iconic Grand Hotel des Iles Borromées in Stresa.

(From $8,390 USD per person, double occupancy, plus airfare).

A Week In… Portugal, October 10:

From Porto’s historic riverfront to Lisbon’s grand avenues, this journey blends wine traditions, UNESCO World Heritage sites and coastal charm. Highlights include a Port house tour and tasting in Porto, exploration of Coimbra and Évora, visits to Sintra and Cascais, and a private farewell dinner at the 18th-century Palácio de Queluz. Guests' stays include the Praia D’El Rey Marriott Golf & Beach Resort near Óbidos, the restored 15th-century Convento do Espinheiro in Évora, and the elegant Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Lisboa.

(From $7,190 USD per person, double occupancy, plus airfare).

What’s Included

Included in the price of all three departures are

airport transfers,
hand-selected accommodations,
most meals,
exclusive access experiences and
expert local guides.

The 2026 women-only departures are open for booking with us.

More About Tauck:

Founded in 1925, Tauck has been family-owned for four generations. The company is a world leader in upscale guided travel, offering more than 170 land tours, safaris, river cruises, small-ship ocean cruises, and family travel adventures to 65+ countries and all seven continents.

Images courtesy of Tauck

Terms & Conditions apply; ask us for itinerary, date, and pricing details.

Trafalgar Introduces New Family Travel Savings for Summer 2026

lynn.elmhirst@gmail.com (Lynn) — Thu, 23 Apr 26 13:12:21 +0000

Global guided vacation companyTrafalgar wants to make it easy for the family – or even the extended family – to travel together this summer, with price reductions for under-18s, combinable with its Best of Summer Sale savings.

Available for bookings through May 28, 2026, for select June through August 2026 departures, Trafalgar’s new family offer offers reduced pricing of USD 100 / CAD 125 per day for travelers under 18. Maximum savings apply and vary by itinerary length.

Trafalgar’s guided tours are designed for multi-generational travel, combining hotels, transportation, and experiences into one seamless booking that makes it easy for families to explore together without complex planning.

Featured family-friendly itineraries include:

Best of Italy (13 days) – Travels through Rome, Florence, and Venice, blending iconic landmarks with immersive cultural experiences.
Spanish Wonder (9 days) – Explores Madrid, Seville, and Barcelona, with highlights including royal landmarks and vibrant city life.
Costa Rica Nature Adventure (8 days) – Visits rainforests, wildlife, and natural wonders with hands-on, outdoor-focused experiences.
Highlights of Peru (8 days) – Highlights Lima, Cusco, and the Sacred Valley, culminating in a visit to Machu Picchu, with local market visits and scenic journeys through the Andes.
Britain and Ireland Highlights (10 days) – Spans castles, countryside, and cultural landmarks across England, Scotland, and Ireland.

ABOUT TRAFALGAR

Trafalgar, part of The Travel Corporation family of brands, is one of the world’s most-loved and trusted travel companies. Known for guided vacations across six continents and more than 70 countries, Trafalgar creates memorable journeys filled with authentic local experiences and expert guidance. Now, with river cruising, travellers can explore Europe’s iconic rivers, experiencing the same commitment to genuine connections, hidden gems, and responsible travel practices that Trafalgar tour guests have enjoyed since 1947. Whether by land or river, Trafalgar makes it easy for travellers to discover the heart of every destination, backed by nearly 80 years of trusted experience and millions of happy guests.

About TTC Tour Brands

TTC Tour Brands are the global leaders in tours for any and everyone with a portfolio that caters to every traveller—from budget explorers to luxury seekers. Representing award-winning brands Luxury Gold, Insight Vacations, Trafalgar, Brendan Vacations, Costsaver, and Contiki, TTC Tour Brands offers over 750 tours across 80+ countries.

About The Travel Corporation

The Travel Corporation (TTC) is a global portfolio of 18 exceptional, market-leading travel brands, including the world’s number one escorted tour operator, Trafalgar, award-winning Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, premium guided vacation company Insight Vacations, youth travel specialists Contiki, and Celtic travel experts, Brendan Vacations, among many others. After more than a century of blending transformative travel with extraordinary service, the venerable company remains committed to its signature ‘Driven by Service’ philosophy.

“Make Travel Matter”

TTC is dedicated to creating a positive impact on people, the planet, and wildlife. This commitment is reflected in the philanthropic work of its not-for-profit TreadRight Foundation, as well as in its How We Tread Right sustainability strategy, a five-year plan aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Images: Trafalgar

Terms & Conditions apply; ask us for full offer, itinerary, date, and pricing details.

Breaking News: Princess Cruises Building All-New Class of Ships, its Largest-Ever!

lynn.elmhirst@gmail.com (Lynn) — Thu, 23 Apr 26 13:12:21 +0000

By 2039, there will be three new ships in the Princess Cruises fleet, the largest, most advanced ships ever for the cruise line, carrying over 4700 guests each, and dual-fuel, powered primarily by the sustainability-conscious LNG (liquified natural gas). The new class of ships is called the Voyager class, with the first ship scheduled for delivery in 2035.

The new class of ships is another step forward for the cruise line, and its most recent, Sphere class of ships (Sun Princess and Star Princess.)

Here’s how the upcoming Voyager-class of ships stacks up against Princess’ previous classes of ships beginning before this millennium, with Voyager-class representing the next generation in size and technology, but only a slight boost, under 500 additional guests, in staterooms and suites.

Voyager Class (2035+): 183,000 gross tons (GT), 4,700 guests. LNG-powered.
Sphere Class (2024-2025): 177,000 GT, 4,300 guests. Introduced the signature dome feature and massive Piazza design.
Royal Class (2013–2021): ~142,000-145,000 GT, 3,600 guests. This class of ship became known for its SeaWalk and atrium.
Grand Class (1998-2008): ~107,000-113,000 GT, 2,600 guests. At one time, the largest ships in the fleet were considered mid-sized vessels.

According to Princess, the new Voyager-class vessels will integrate the most desired and highest-rated experiences and venues Princess Cruises is known for, with completely re-imagined outer decks, staterooms, and Piazza designs that cater to Princess’ global travelers and worldwide deployments and itineraries. These new ships will build upon the award-winning Sphere Class platform and continue to leverage the latest hospitality and marine technologies.

Many more details have yet to be revealed in advance of the first Voyager-class ship - the cruise line doesn't even have renderings of the vision of the Voyager-class ship!

But fans of Princess Cruises will be watching this space, eager for details as they emerge.

A History of Innovation

In 1965, Princess Cruises began as a single ship sailing to Mexico, and it has grown into a world-renowned cruise line that connects guests to more than 345 destinations across seven continents.

According to the cruise line, Princess was the first to introduce affordable balconies, flexible dining options, and even weddings at sea officiated by the ship's captain. Princess was also the first cruise line to launch Movies Under the Stars — a now-iconic poolside feature — and continues to lead with experiences that surprise and delight in meaningful ways.

It created MedallionClass: a first-of-its-kind experience built around a simple, wearable device called the Medallion. With tools like OceanNow, Manage Booking, and OceanReady, guests enjoy a seamless voyage focused on personalization and convenience.

Its most recent class of ships—the Sphere Class, with sister ships Sun Princess and Star Princess—represents the future of cruising with groundbreaking design and guest experiences.

Today, Princess is part of Carnival Corporation and operates a fleet of 17 ships with a presence in every region of the globe, on all 7 continents.

START YOUR TRIP!

Image: Star Princess, courtesy of Princess Cruises

Upgrades, Shipboard Credit for Seabourn’s “Yours to Explore Event”

lynn.elmhirst@gmail.com (Lynn) — Thu, 23 Apr 26 13:12:21 +0000

For a limited time, get a suite upgrade and onboard spending funds on more than 500 select Seabourn ocean and expedition cruises for 2026 departures and beyond.

“Yours to Explore” Event Details

Book by May 5, 2026
Complimentary two-category Veranda Suite upgrade
Shipboard credit by voyage duration:
$300 USD per suite on voyages 13 days or fewer
$1,000 USD per suite on voyages 14 days or longer
Applies to over 500, select 2026 departures and beyond

Sail aboard Seabourn’s luxury, all-suite ocean and expedition ships, carrying between 264 and 600 guests. From the cultural treasures found off the beaten path in Japan and Canada & New England, to the remote wonders of Antarctica and the Arctic, each voyage delivers immersive discovery paired with personalized service and the seamless ease of unpacking just once.

Sample sailings available with “Yours to Explore Event” include:

Seabourn Venture, July 6, 2026, 10-Day Wild Scottish Isles & Iceland
Seabourn Encore, October 10, 2026, 12-Day Harvest Horizons: Japan's Coastal Charms
Seabourn Pursuit, November 21, 2026, 21-Day Antarctica, South Georgia & Falkland Islands
Seabourn Venture, January 7, 2027, 13-Day Antarctica Exploration
Seabourn Quest, January 17, 2027, 23-Day World Cruise: South Pacific Explorer
Seabourn Encore, February 15, 2027, 12-Day Jewels of Taiwan & Japan
Seabourn Encore, February 27, 2027, 14-Day Sea of Japan & Plum Blossoms
Seabourn Quest, March 26, 2027, 20-Day World Cruise: Australia Explorer
Seabourn Venture, July 3, 2027, 14-Day Southeast Greenland & Iceland
Seabourn Ovation, October 7, 2027, 12-Day Canada & New England Fall Foliage

Ask us for a complete list of applicable sailings for the “Yours to Explore Event.”

More About Seabourn:

Seabourn represents the pinnacle of ultra-luxury ocean and expedition travel and operates a suite of six modern ships. All-inclusive Seabourn is renowned for      

Intimate ships with a private yacht-like atmosphere masterfully designed by iconic hospitality atelier Tihany Design        
All ocean-front suites are luxuriously appointed, most with a private veranda       
Intuitive, personalized service provided by a team passionate about exceeding guests' expectations       
Complimentary premium spirits and fine wines available on board at all times       
Complimentary caviar, an extra indulgence offered throughout your voyage       
World-class dining and culinary experiences that rival the finest restaurants anywhere       
All dining venues are complimentary; dine where, when, and with whom you wish       
Welcome Champagne and a complimentary in-suite bar stocked with your preferences       
Tipping is neither required nor expected       
Seabourn Conversations, connecting with visionary experts       
Curated voyages to all seven continents, delivering award-winning, authentic experiences       
Ventures by Seabourn, optional shore excursions, enhance and extend your experience in select destinations**^        
Complimentary entertainment experiences, offering a variety of shows and live music       
Complimentary Wi-Fi packages with unlimited minutes powered by Starlink       
Complimentary Signature Events: Marina Day, Caviar in the Surf, Evening at Ephesus, Shopping with the Chef, Caviar on the Ice, Polar Plunge, and more       
Committed to environmental stewardship and sustainability

*Seabourn Encore, Seabourn Ovation, Seabourn Venture, Seabourn Pursuit      

**Optional programs, for an additional charge      

^Available on Seabourn Sojourn, Seabourn Quest, Seabourn Encore, Seabourn Ovation

Images: Seabourn

Terms & Conditions apply; ask us for full offer, itinerary, date, and pricing details.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears (Alaska Cruise Edition)

lynn.elmhirst@gmail.com (Lynn) — Thu, 23 Apr 26 13:12:21 +0000

In Alaska, everyone can feel like they’re in a fairy tale. Even the one with the three bears! Wildlife watching opportunities – especially bear sightings – rank among the top reasons to take an Alaska cruise. And I’ve never known anyone to leave disappointed!

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE OF SOME OF OUR

FAVORITE WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS ON A REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISE TO ALASKA

But how many different types of bears can you hope to see?

1. The American Black Bear

The most common, the smallest— and often the first bear travelers encounter — is the black bear. Widespread across Southeast Alaska, they thrive in the dense coastal rainforest that lines so many cruise routes.

‘Baby Bear’: Adults typically weigh between 200 and 600 pounds, with males on the higher end. They stand about 3 feet at the shoulder on all fours, but can reach 5 to 7 feet when upright. Compared to other Alaska bears, they’re compact — built for agility rather than dominance.

What's for dinner: Black bears are true opportunists. Their diet leans heavily towards vegetarian — berries, grasses, roots — supplemented with insects, shellfish, and the occasional salmon. You’ll often see them along shorelines at low tide, turning rocks with surprising dexterity. They’re also excellent climbers, frequently escaping danger (or napping) in trees.

Wow: Accessibility. In ports like Ketchikan and Sitka, black bears can appear startlingly close to town. It’s not uncommon to spot one from a roadside or harbor edge — a quintessential Alaska moment where wilderness and daily life blur.

That’s why some people joke that the easiest way to see a black bear is a local dumpster!

2. Brown Bears

Black bears are not uncommon in wild areas of other parts of the US and Canada. Brown bears – called grizzly bears inland – are much, much rarer in the ‘lower 48.’ So this is the bear most travelers come hoping to see — and for good reason. Brown bears are the heavyweight icons of Alaska wildlife and bear spotting.

“Mama Bear”: Coastal brown bears routinely weigh 600 to 1,200 pounds, with some exceptional males pushing beyond that. Standing upright, they can reach 8 to 10 feet tall. A pronounced shoulder hump — pure muscle used for digging and power — is their signature silhouette.

What's for dinner: While technically omnivores, coastal brown bears are protein-driven powerhouses. Salmon is the game-changer. During peak runs (late June through August), they consume staggering amounts — sometimes dozens of fish a day — prioritizing the fattiest parts to bulk up for hibernation. Earlier in the season, they graze on sedge grasses; later, they’ll add berries and carrion to the mix.

Wow: The fishing. Watching a thousand-pound bear stand in a rushing river and pluck a leaping salmon midair is one of North America’s great wildlife spectacles. Cruise excursions to places like Admiralty Island National Monument or Katmai National Park and Preserve deliver top opportunities to experience this natural theater.

3. The Kodiak Bear

Venture a little farther to get a chance to glimpse the only bear found nowhere else in the world except Alaska. Kodiak bears are a subspecies of brown bears isolated for thousands of years in the rich environment of the Kodiak archipelago, where they became super-sized versions of their cousins on the mainland.

“Papa Bear”: Among the largest bears on Earth, Kodiak bears often exceed mainland brown bears. Mature males commonly weigh 800 to 1,500 pounds, with rare individuals approaching 1,600 pounds. Standing height can exceed 10 feet. They are, quite simply, massive.

What's for dinner: Like other coastal brown bears, Kodiaks benefit from a nutrient-rich environment — abundant salmon, lush vegetation, and minimal competition. Their diet mirrors that of mainland coastal bears, but in an ecosystem that has allowed them to grow even larger over time, and breeding among the smaller, isolated population reinforces the gigantic genes.

Wow: Rarity and scale. Found only on the Kodiak Archipelago, they’re not part of most cruise itineraries. But for those on Gulf of Alaska routes, crossings via Kodiak to Asia — or willing to take a fly-out excursion — the reward is seeing one of the planet’s most powerful land mammals in a setting that feels truly remote.

Cruises: Alaska's Wilderness Safaris

What makes Alaska so compelling isn’t just that you can see three types of bears — it’s how naturally those encounters fit into a cruise. Ships provide access to remote coastlines and protected wilderness areas, while guided excursions handle the logistics and safety of getting you into bear habitat responsibly.

Timing matters. Salmon season dramatically improves your odds of seeing brown and Kodiak bears in action. But even outside those peak weeks, Alaska’s sheer abundance of wildlife means that bear sightings — especially black bears — are never out of the question.

What about Polar Bears?

Alaska is technically home to a fourth bear – one that’s on many soft adventure travelers’ bucket lists. But polar bears are truly Arctic bears, far beyond the reaches of Alaska cruises, which focus on the temperate coastal rainforest ecosystems of Alaska hundreds of miles south of polar bear country.

If polar bear sightings are your dream, an Arctic cruise - especially in Canada and Norway – offers some of the best chances to see the world’s largest bear and largest carnivore on Earth!

START YOUR TRIP!

Video and story: Lynn Elmhirst, cruise/ travel journalist and expert.

Other images: Getty

G Adventures Shines Spotlight on Global Tree Projects on Earth Day

lynn.elmhirst@gmail.com (Lynn) — Thu, 23 Apr 26 13:12:21 +0000

Earth Day is April 22, and it’s a wonderful time to share stories of travel companies that are making the world we love to travel a better place.

For G Adventures, the focus is on trees. In the last 18 months, the tour operator has expanded its global Trees for Days initiative with seven new community partners. Its network now stands at 22 communities across multiple continents and benefits more than 200,000 local people.

And within the next month, the project will reach a milestone of 6 million trees!

The company points out that trees represent immediate and multi-layered climate solutions: one where tree growing does more than restore ecosystems, it helps rebuild livelihoods, strengthen communities, and create long-term resilience for those living on the frontlines of the climate crisis.

Trees provide shade and shelter for people and domestic animals and crops; forests are homes for wildlife biodiversity; their roots prevent erosion from increasingly violent storms; they absorb carbon dioxide and emit oxygen… and so much more.

With this project, each tree is grown with a long-term commitment to reach maturity, with the first trees from the initiative now beginning to mature in 2026, three years after the program launched.

Furthermore, Trees for Days has been built on a new, more enlightened model than previous reforestation initiatives. It works in partnership with communities. Instead of focusing solely on environmental outcomes or carbon offsetting, the initiative is designed to address the interconnected challenges communities face from the climate emergency, from food insecurity and unemployment to biodiversity loss and climate resilience.

By putting local people at the center, supporting women, uplifting Indigenous communities, and creating economic opportunities, tree growing becomes a catalyst for broader change.

G Adventures has provided examples of some of their latest tree initiatives under the program:

Reclaiming the ‘Last Refuge’ of the Higa-onon community in the Philippines

A powerful example of this approach of creating meaningful benefit is in the Philippines, where the Higa-onon Indigenous community is restoring its ancestral forest after decades of environmental decline. Described as their “last refuge,” the rainforest had been severely depleted, and the community, facing extreme poverty, was forced into destructive practices such as illegal logging and mining in order to survive. Tribal elders wanted to protect their sacred forests but had no means to do so.

Today, that story is being rewritten. Trees for Days is supporting the Tribes and Nature Defenders project, which has mobilized over 200 local tribal farmers, 15 youth enthusiasts, and 5 women to physically restore Indigenous lands. Nurseries cultivating thousands of native and coffee trees are helping to restore biodiversity while creating sustainable livelihoods rooted in the protection of the forest itself.

For elders, this project represents a fight for “cultural nature survival," recognizing that the forest and the community cannot exist without one another.

Kenya: Combating the impact of drought and supporting Women-Owned Nurseries

In Kenya, Trees for Days is supporting the farming communities of Embu, who have been battling a persistent drought since 2024. With insufficient or late rains, agricultural productivity and food security are under constant threat.

Trees for Days has partnered with Trees for Kenya to develop agroforestry that directly impacts household health. Over 50,000 seedlings have been distributed to 523 farmers over the past 10 months, bringing the total number of trees grown to over 300,000 since the program's implementation in 2023. The program focuses on fruit trees (mangoes and avocado) and medicinal species, including Moringa Oleifera. Over 20,000 of these seedlings have been sourced from local women-owned nurseries, demonstrating another way tree growing can be a powerful engine in supporting female financial independence.

The impact: For the women running these nurseries, the income from seedling sales is pooled and used to provide loans to group members in need. Bella (aged 64) used her loan to support her household of seven, buying two hens, which now provide her family with fresh eggs and a new micro-income. Julia (aged 58) purchased a goat, which provided fresh milk and drastically improved the nutrition of her family’s daily meals.

Canada: Rebuilding the Ocean's "False Bottom"

When we think of deforestation, we rarely think of the ocean seabed, but the loss of underwater kelp forests in Canada has severely impacted marine biology and the traditional food system of local Indigenous communities. Trees for Days has partnered with Coastal Kelp, which includes the Tsawwassen First Nation, Nuchatlaht Tribe, and Lax Kw'alaams Band, working to restore marine ecosystems through an innovative “seaforestation” approach on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast. By installing non-invasive moorings in areas previously unsuitable for kelp growth, they have created a ‘false-bottom’ and a brand new marine habitat, which has driven a staggering ecological bounce-back, with new species of kelp returning and the area being repopulated with scallops, oysters, shrimp, and rockfish.

The impact: 10% of all processed kelp is given back to members as community food products, and 10% of the fertilizer created is donated to community gardens

While planting trees is relatively easy, growing them and ensuring they deliver real, lasting benefits is far more complex. G Adventures and Trees For Days believe their community-driven approach will create the most benefits for people and the planet we love to travel.

START YOUR TRIP!

Images courtesy of G Adventures

$500M Update Brings Guest-Favorite Feature Across Holland America Line Fleet

lynn.elmhirst@gmail.com (Lynn) — Thu, 23 Apr 26 13:12:21 +0000

Fans of the Grand Dutch Cafés onboard Holland America Line’s newest ships can look forward to finding this little piece of Netherlands culture and design onboard many more ships soon.

At the Seatrade industry cruise conference in Miami in April, Holland America Line’s president warned the media conference that the event was not a new ship announcement. But fans of the line still have plenty to celebrate.

As part of a half-billion-dollar, fleet-wide ‘Evolution,’ HAL is expanding the best of its newest, Pinnacle-class ships to other ships in six Vista and Signature-class ships.

Grand Dutch Cafés and More

Inspired by European café culture and rooted in the cruise line’s Dutch heritage, the Grand Dutch Café has become a signature venue and experience, with eye-catching, iconic Delft-blue and white ceramics, paint, and leather trim evoking the stepped rooflines of Amsterdam, and sweet and savory Dutch edibles that take guests from morning coffee through pre-dinner bites and drinks. The social hub on Deck 3 near the atrium in Pinnacle-class ships reflects the role cafés play in communities in the Netherlands and Europe… and have become favorite social hubs on Pinnacle-class ships.

On my last cruise, we went to the Grand Dutch Café twice daily! My friend who inexplicably loves pickled herring was thrilled! We aren’t the only people who want more Grand Dutch Café in our lives.

“Our guests have been very clear about what they love about our ships and what they want to see more of, and Holland America Evolution is our answer to that,” said Beth Bodensteiner, president, Holland America Line at Seatrade, making the announcement.

While the signature Grand Dutch Cafe is the highest profile addition to ships during the biggest fleet revitalization in the cruise line’s 150+ year history, the line will also add other restaurant and bar options, and refresh and reinvent key guest spaces — including new stateroom and suite categories — while maintaining the spacious design and intimate ship feel guests associate with Holland America Line ships.

The first ship on the dry-dock list is the Oosterdam, whose renovations will debut in the fall of 2027. The schedule and plans for the remaining 5 ships in the Evolution plan – and how these extended drydocks will affect planned itineraries – will be announced soon. Impacted booked guests will be contacted directly.

New Staterooms and Suites – Including Solo Verandahs

Oosterdam will get 76 new staterooms while the line promised to preserve the “room at the rail” guests love. New and enhanced accommodations debuting on Oosterdam include:

NEW: Solo Verandahs: Thirty purpose-built staterooms created specifically for solo travelers. Each features a private balcony, dedicated workspace, and full Holland America Line amenities, responding to strong and growing guest demand.
When asked about the pricing of the new solo verandah staterooms at Seatrade, Bodensteiner revealed that pricing would be ‘dynamic’ based on demand. At the same time, she suggested that, while there were no plans to offer the staterooms without a single supplement, there would be savings compared to the 100% markup single travelers often encounter on cruise lines.
NEW: Bridgeview Suites: Two new suites offering sweeping 180-degree ocean views through panoramic windows at the forward part of the ship, with 900 square feet of space, a wraparound balcony, and separate living and sleeping areas.
Reimagined Pinnacle Suite: The most expansive suite ever introduced on a Vista Class ship, offering 1,550 square feet of refined living space with panoramic views, a private balcony, separate living room, powder room, bedroom, ensuite bath, and walk-in closet.
Vista Suites debut on Oosterdam: Twenty-four Vista Suites, familiar to guests who have sailed on Pinnacle Class ships, will be introduced on Oosterdam for the first time.

Sustainability Part of the Plan

Renovations focus on revitalizing the fleet while improving efficiency and reducing overall environmental impact: waste reduction and circular design, prioritizing upcycling and material reuse.

Media in attendance at the Seatrade conference received a gift bag that included this coaster, in true Grand Dutch Café style, made from upcycled carpet – just one example of the cruise line's upcycling and efficiency efforts.

The company is also investing in energy efficiency as part of the Evolution.

START YOUR TRIP!

Images courtesy

Seabourn Introduces Denali Park Extensions to Alaska Voyages

lynn.elmhirst@gmail.com (Lynn) — Thu, 23 Apr 26 13:12:21 +0000

Ultra luxury cruise and expedition line Seabourn has unveiled an 8-day, pre-cruise, Seabourn Journey to Alaska’s legendary Denali National Park. “The Denali Experience” will be offered beginning in 2027 and 2028 as an extension of Alaska voyages.

The curated eight-day, seven-night land program departs from Anchorage and invites guests deep into the heart of Denali National Park and Preserve. Guests will enjoy enhanced access and immersive experiences that showcase Alaska’s remarkable wildlife and landscapes. With ample time ashore and guided by knowledgeable local experts and tour leaders, guests explore the region’s natural beauty and cultural heritage at a relaxed pace, complemented by the intuitive service and seamless hospitality that define Seabourn.

The Denali Experience begins with a scenic rail journey into the state’s storied interior. From there, the program unfolds, revealing Alaska’s dramatic landscapes, remarkable wildlife, and thoughtfully curated experiences designed to enrich the journey.

Highlights include:

“Flightseeing” for eagle-eye views over glaciers and wilderness across more than 6 million acres of Denali National Park & Preserve.
An exclusive wildlife encounter at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, set across more than 200 acres in the scenic Portage Valley, where guests may observe native species such as lynx, moose, brown bears, and wood bison against the dramatic backdrop of the Chugach Mountains and Turnagain Arm Inlet.
Expert tour leaders and local specialists, who will guide guests throughout the experience and offer rich insights into Alaska’s culture, landscapes, and wildlife, all delivered at a relaxed pace.
A memorable farewell dinner at the iconic Tracy’s King Crab Shack, a must-stop shop for famous Crab Cakes, King Crab Buckets, Alaskan-brewed beer, and more, overlooking the downtown waterfront of Alaska’s capital, Juneau.
Every aspect of the Denali Experience is thoughtfully arranged, from accommodations in elegant four-star hotels and resorts to daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner, seamless transportation, including airport transfers, and guidance from knowledgeable tour leaders and local experts.
Designed to complement Seabourn’s seven-day Inside Passage voyages, the land package pairs remarkable sightseeing with authentic, inland encounters that reveal Alaska beyond the coastline.

About All-Inclusive Seabourn:

Seabourn represents the pinnacle of ultra-luxury ocean and expedition travel and operates a suite of six modern ships. The all-inclusive, boutique ships offer all-suite accommodations with oceanfront views; award-winning dining; complimentary premium spirits and fine wines available at all times; renowned service provided by an industry-leading crew; a relaxed, sociable atmosphere that makes guests feel at home; a pedigree in expedition travel through the Ventures by Seabourn program and two new ultra-luxury purpose-built expedition ships, including Seabourn Venture that launched in 2022 and Seabourn Pursuit in 2023. Seabourn takes travelers to every continent on the globe, visiting more than 400 ports, including marquee cities and lesser-known ports and hideaways. Guests of Seabourn experience extraordinary offerings and programs, including partnerships with leading entertainers, dining, personal health and wellbeing, and engaging speakers.

Image: Seabourn

Terms & Conditions apply; ask us for full itinerary, price, and date details.

5 Spectacular Annual Flower Shows Worth Planning a Trip Around

lynn.elmhirst@gmail.com (Lynn) — Thu, 09 Apr 26 17:56:19 +0000

It’s spring at last, and our thoughts turn to the outdoors and our gardens. What better inspiration for a trip than some of the most breathtaking flower shows on earth - that take nature’s horticultural gifts and maximalize the colors, the spectacle and the drama!

1. Keukenhof Gardens — Netherlands

Keukenhof’s claim to fame is scale and control. More than seven million bulbs are planted by hand each year in layered sequences—early, mid, and late bloomers—so the park continuously evolves across its eight-week season each March and April.

WATCH VIDEO ABOVE: Our Tulip Time River Cruise on the Emerald Sky in the Netherlands

It’s also known for its indoor pavilions, where Dutch growers stage rotating displays of orchids, lilies, and cut flowers at exhibition quality—essentially a showcase of the country’s global flower industry. Add the classic windmill overlooking surrounding tulip fields, and you get both the postcard and the production line behind it.

Why go: The world’s largest spring flower garden, paired with a living showroom of Dutch floriculture.

2. Chelsea Flower Show — London, UK

The Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show is a highlight of Britain’s royal, society, and gardening calendar. Only 5 days long, usually in the third week of May, it draws the who’s who of the Royal Family, celebrities, and flower lovers from around the world.

Defined by its Show Gardens—full-scale, meticulously judged landscapes installed from scratch and dismantled days later, the Chelsea Flower Show is horticultural theater – and big business. Winning “Best in Show” can launch a designer globally. Inside the Great Pavilion, growers compete for medals with near-perfect specimens, and the “Plant of the Year” regularly introduces varieties that go on to dominate garden centres worldwide.

Simultaneously, Chelsea in Bloom transforms the streets of London’s Chelsea—especially Sloane Square and King’s Road—into a free, whimsical open-air floral art trail created by local boutiques, hotels, and restaurants.

Why go: To see the exact gardens, plants, and ideas that will shape how the world gardens next.

3. Floriade Canberra — Canberra, Australia

Spring Down Under is in September and October, and that’s when Aussie gardens shine. Floriade is known for its mass plantings arranged in bold, almost graphic patterns—entire beds of tulips and annuals laid out like landscape-scale design pieces around Lake Burley Griffin.

Each year follows a theme, and the planting schemes are executed with striking precision, more akin to outdoor installation art than traditional bedding displays. Its signature NightFest adds a second layer, with light projections and illuminated sculptures transforming the gardens after dark.

Why go: Monumental tulip displays by day—and a fully reimagined, light-driven experience at night.

4. Chiang Mai Flower Festival — Chiang Mai, Thailand

This northern Thailand festival, held for three short days in early February, is best known for its elaborate flower-float parade, where entire scenes—temples, animals, mythological figures—are constructed from orchids, marigolds, and chrysanthemums.

Chiang Mai is also a centre of orchid cultivation, and the displays highlight rare varieties alongside fields of locally grown damask roses used in regional perfumes and oils. Much of the action centres on Suan Buak Haad Park, where competitive displays and precision planting showcase the region’s horticultural expertise.

Why go: Intricately constructed floral floats and a rare window into Thailand’s orchid and rose-growing traditions.

5. Genzano Infiorata — Genzano, Italy

Genzano’s Infiorata, held over a weekend in mid-June, is defined by precision petal mosaics. Artists use thousands of hand-placed petals—sorted by colour and texture—to create highly detailed images that resemble paintings more than floral displays. The carpets run down a steep street in the historic centre, creating a dramatic, gallery-like perspective.

By Sunday afternoon, a traditional procession deliberately walks across the designs, dismantling them in minutes and highlighting the ephemeral nature of flowers and the natural world.

Why go: Hyper-detailed floral “paintings” you can walk through—before they’re intentionally erased.

START YOUR TRIP!

Video and Story: Lynn Elmhirst, Cruise/ Travel Journalist and Expert

Images: Getty

Two New Ships, Two Ways to Cruise: There Really is a Cruise Out There for Everyone

lynn.elmhirst@gmail.com (Lynn) — Thu, 09 Apr 26 17:56:19 +0000

Two very different new ships—one an intimate, design-forward superyacht, the other a high-energy floating resort—are sending a strong message. Whether you’re a cruise lover or a cruise newbie, there’s a cruise style and ship that’s perfect for you.

The recent, back-to-back debut of Emerald Cruises’ newest intimate, modern yacht and Norwegian Cruise Line’s latest Caribbean mega-ship shows just how wide that spectrum has become—and why first-time cruisers, in particular, have never had more options to ‘dip your toes’ into cruising waters.

Emerald Kaia and the Rise of Yacht-Style Cruising

At one end, yacht-style cruising is booming! Fewer guests, more space, and a strong connection to the destination. The new Emerald Kaia is home to just 128 guests, a scale that feels closer to a private club than a cruise ship.

What that size delivers is not just intimacy, but a different rhythm of travel in the warm-water destinations she’s designed to sail. Days unfold at a slower, more immersive pace.

Whether you sail the Emerald Kaia on the Adriatic coast between Venice and Dubrovnik or island-hopping through the Seychelles, the ship’s design leans into that philosophy: expansive outdoor decks, seamless indoor-outdoor living, and suites filled with natural light.

The latest Emerald Cruises yacht includes a reimagined observation deck, larger suites, and more flexible interconnecting accommodations for groups. The onboard experience leans further into immersive, contemporary luxury: more varied dining venues, stronger indoor-outdoor flow, and a purpose-built wellness deck that integrates spa, fitness, and relaxation into a single, cohesive experience that opens onto the sea.

Relaxing at Sea: Dining and Design Re-imagined aboard Emerald Kaia

It’s easy yachting luxury rather than traditional cruising formality. Dining is designed to feel interactive and varied—an open kitchen concept that brings guests closer to the culinary process, relaxed Mediterranean-style poolside dining, and small-scale, highly curated private dining inspired by regional cuisines.

Wellness, too, is no longer a side offering but a central pillar. The dedicated wellness deck integrates spa treatments, salt therapy, cold plunges, and fitness spaces in a way that feels holistic.

Even the accommodations reflect changing travel habits. The introduction of interconnecting suites speaks to a growing segment of travelers who want to share experiences—families or groups of friends—without sacrificing privacy.

Norwegian Luna, A Ship That’s Its Own Destination

At the other end of the spectrum: a ship designed to deliver around-the-clock variety, energy, and choice on a much larger scale.

The new Norwegian Luna brings more than 3,500 guests together in a floating playground of options. But unlike older-generation mega-ships that could feel overwhelming, the modern approach is about letting guests shape their own experience—whether that means adrenaline, entertainment, or quiet escape.

With Norwegian Luna, what’s new isn’t just the hardware—it’s the way a large ship is organized around choice and personalization. The ship introduces next-level attractions like a hybrid rollercoaster-style waterslide, immersive game zones, and outdoor activity spaces designed for all ages, alongside more segmented experiences that let different travelers coexist without overlap.

There’s a clear evolution toward multi-generational travel, with purpose-built zones for families, teens, and adults—including elevated “ship-within-a-ship” suites in the Haven for those seeking privacy. Add in a broader range of dining and entertainment, and the innovation here is about flexibility: a large ship that doesn’t feel one-size-fits-all, but instead lets guests design their own version of the cruise experience.

The Ultimate Vehicle for Multi-generational Travel

For active travelers and families, the appeal is immediate. Attractions blur the line between cruise ship and theme park, while expansive outdoor spaces offer room to move and play.

Alongside the high-energy attractions are adult-only entertainment venues, private retreat areas, and a “ship-within-a-ship” suite complex that offers a more exclusive, insulated experience for those who want it.

Dining follows the same logic of abundance and choice, with a wide range of global cuisines and multiple venues that allow guests to curate their own culinary journey rather than follow a fixed schedule.

Beyond the Ship: The Rise of Curated Destinations

And then there’s the destination. The Norwegian Luna is focused on Caribbean itineraries out of Miami and New York, anchored by private island experiences—Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas and Harvest Caye in Belize, Norwegian’s private beach resort. Complete with beach clubs, waterparks, and curated shore amenities, these exclusive spaces are designed to extend the Luna’s lifestyle ashore.

The Big Takeaway: A Cruise Style for Every Traveler

So what ties these two very different ships together? Choice.

Options for experienced cruise travelers to try something new – and a way for new-to-cruise travelers to find the voyage that’s exactly right for you.

START YOUR TRIP!

Images: Emerald Cruises/ Scenic Group and Norwegian Cruise Line

Kensington Tours, Ancestry.com’s Private Personal Heritage Journeys Connect Travelers to their Roots

lynn.elmhirst@gmail.com (Lynn) — Thu, 09 Apr 26 17:56:19 +0000

Searching for your family heritage in the lands where your ancestors came from?

Kensington Tours launched Personal Heritage Journeys in partnership with Ancestry.com in 2021 as a way to provide the most personal, in-depth, and privately guided exploration of a traveler’s family roots built on DNA insights and professional genealogical research.

Each experience pairs one of Kensington's local Destination Experts with a genealogist from AncestryProGenealogists to uncover detailed family history and guide you and your family to the towns, regions, and historical sites directly connected to your ancestry. It may be the best multi-generational family trip ever.

By integrating the Ancestry genealogist's comprehensive analysis of each distinct family history, the Destination Expert designs a custom itinerary centered around the most significant sites and events from that history. The trip is designed with the traveler's objectives as the foremost consideration and is led exclusively by local private guides who are specialists in the area's history and culture. Moreover, for an enhanced and more insightful journey, an on-site Genealogist can also join the trip, providing a deeper understanding and a more meaningful and engaging experience.

WHERE CAN KENSINGTON TOURS' ANCESTRY TRAVEL TAKE US?

While each trip is customized, the itineraries Kensington Tours has developed have a general and cultural appeal, combined with more historical elements, and are tied together by a story of emigration. Any or all of these locales and experiences can be customized, as can the hotels, length of stay in each locale, and types of touring. You can add an on-site genealogist to any of the days and include any sites or locales that are relevant to anyone’s family story.

Kensington Tours has continued to expand the locations, with several thought-starter itineraries to places from Ireland, Germany, Italy, Poland, Japan, Ghana, and New York, but you can get us to help you curate a trip to just about anywhere.

ASK US TO HELP YOU DESIGN THE FAMILY HERITAGE TRIP OF A LIFETIME!

Northern Italy Heritage Journey – 11 days
- Florence, Rome, Benevello, Verbania
Tracing Irish Ancestry: A Heritage Journey – 10 days
- Dublin, Cork, Killarney, Newmarket on Fergus
Door of No Return Ancestral Journey to Ghana – 11 days from USD 13, 750
- Accra, Elmina, Kumasi
New York City: Immigration & Heritage – 6 days from USD 11,634
Heritage Journey: American Airfields in England – 9 days
- London, Cambridge, Canterbury, journeying through England’s WWII history

*** Image: Getty

*** Terms & Conditions apply; ask us for full itinerary, date, and pricing details.

Windstar Cruises Offers All-Inclusive Upgrade on Worldwide Voyages

lynn.elmhirst@gmail.com (Lynn) — Thu, 09 Apr 26 17:56:19 +0000

For a limited time only, get free Wi-Fi, gratuities, and beverages on global Windstar sailings through June 2027. Book by June 30, 2026, for this can’t-miss offer on a wide range of itineraries, from winter sailings in the Mediterranean to far-reaching journeys in Tahiti and Alaska.

Windstar Offer Details:

Get a value of more than USD 1,300 on a seven-day voyage for two guests with these complimentary inclusions:

Wi-Fi,
gratuities and
select unlimited cocktails, wine by the glass, and beer.

It’s a value of up to USD 1300 on a 7-day voyage for 2 guests.

Why Cruise the Windstar Way?

With yachts carrying just 148 to 342 guests, Windstar feels closer to a private yacht than a traditional cruise, with access to smaller ports, city centers, and hidden harbors that larger ships cannot reach.

That access translates into more time in port, more flexibility, and a more personalized connection to each destination. Guests might find themselves paddleboarding straight from the yacht’s Marina, joining a market visit with a local chef, or staying late in port with an evening ashore.

As the Official Cruise Line of the James Beard Foundation, Windstar also brings on board food and wine experiences that reflect the destinations guests are exploring. It is a style of travel built around going beyond the crowds, beyond the guidebook, and beyond the expected.

Where Does Windstar Sail?

With voyages spanning multiple continents and a range of travel styles, the All-Inclusive offer is designed to appeal to both first-time Windstar guests and returning travelers. The promotion applies across all regions in Windstar’s global portfolio within the travel window, with a small number of exclusions including select specialty sailings such as the Grand Prix, Eclipse, and Mystery cruises.

This offer includes regions and itineraries, including:

Europe and the Mediterranean (Year-Round): Windstar continues to expand its presence in Europe, including the debut of Star Explorer launching in December 2026. Alongside peak-season sailings, winter itineraries offer a quieter, more local perspective on iconic destinations. Voyages like Europe’s Winter Riviera (with extended stays in Nice, Florence, and Barcelona) and Southern Spain Winter Escapes (which pairs Andalusian culture with food-focused experiences) invite guests to experience the region without the crowds. Across the Mediterranean, Windstar combines headline destinations with smaller ports often missed on larger ships, creating a more enjoyable way to experience one of the world’s most traveled regions. Treasure Troves of Corsica & Sardinia weaves together vineyard-covered hillsides and secluded harbors, while Treasures of Southern Spain & Morocco pairs Spanish coastal cities with time in Tangier’s medina.
South Pacific: Year-round voyages in French Polynesia highlight Windstar’s long-standing presence in Tahiti and the broader region. With its small ships, guests can go deeper on voyages like Maori Storytellers & French Polynesian Treasures (which includes the Cook Islands and extended time in Raiatea and Bora Bora) and Far Flung French Polynesia & Marquesas Magic (which reaches the remote Marquesas).
Greece: Windstar’s Greek itineraries include well-known sites and smaller ports with a more local perspective, plus time in neighboring destinations. Postcards from Northern Greece highlights lesser-visited destinations across Greece and western Turkey, while Enchanting Greece & the Amalfi Coast combines Windstar-favorite stops (Monemvasia, Gythion) with Pompeii and Taormina in Italy.
Canary Islands: Windstar’s small ships bring a different perspective to the Canary Islands, with access to smaller ports and a more relaxed pace across the archipelago. On sailings like Colorful Canary Islands, guests have time to explore each island beyond the usual stops.
Alaska: Windstar’s small ships offer closer access to glaciers, wildlife, and remote wilderness areas. Itineraries like Scenic Alaska and Alaskan Splendors bring guests face-to-face with dramatic landscapes, from glacier-carved fjords to coastal forests, with opportunities to experience local seafood and regional traditions along the way.

ASK US TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR NEXT WINDSTAR CRUISE

AND ENJOY THESE LIMITED-TIME INCLUSIONS!

More About Windstar Cruises:        

For four decades, Windstar Cruises has been reimagining small-ship cruising. From its origins with motor sailing yachts, Windstar has grown into a diverse fleet of four Star Class all-suite yachts—including its newest addition of Star Seeker in December 2025—and three Wind Class sailing yachts, offering voyages that are both intimate and inspiring. Its highly anticipated yacht, Star Explorer, is set to debut in December 2026, expanding the fleet to eight yachts accommodating 150-350 guests. Windstar’s legendary Wind Class sailing yachts are also undergoing a meticulous two-phase redesign to be completed by 2027.

Windstar yachts sail to more than 330 ports across Europe, the Caribbean, Costa Rica and the Panama Canal, Alaska, Canada and New England, Japan, the South Pacific, and Asia. Unlike most cruise lines, Windstar sails year-round in the Mediterranean and Tahiti, offering different destination experiences seasonally. Each Windstar voyage is designed to immerse guests in authentic cultural experiences, all while delivering the comfort, service, and style that define the Windstar difference. 

Windstar Cruises is proud to be part of the Xanterra Travel Collection, a distinguished group of global hospitality and travel companies with a legacy spanning over a hundred years. Xanterra operates iconic national parks, including Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Glacier, and Death Valley. The Xanterra Travel Collection is owned by The Anschutz Corporation, the ultimate owner of the Broadmoor, Sea Island, and entertainment giant AEG, Anschutz Entertainment Group. 

*** Images courtesy of Windstar

*** Terms & Conditions apply; ask us for full offer, itinerary, date, and pricing details.

River to Ocean Onboard a Single Ship: Windstar’s New Way to Cruise

lynn.elmhirst@gmail.com (Lynn) — Thu, 09 Apr 26 17:56:19 +0000

If you love river cruising and you love ocean cruising… then there’s a new cruise style on the horizon for you. Beginning December 2026, Windstar’s newest ship, Star Explorer, will offer new river-to-ocean cruises combining the best of both experiences.

No changing ships. Your floating boutique hotel seamlessly transitions from a river cruise to an ocean voyage, and your trip continues from an intimate river experience into equally compelling coastlines.

Purpose-built for river-to-ocean travel, the 224-guest, all-suite yacht can navigate waterways that are too small for larger ocean ships and reach coastal destinations that traditional river vessels can’t access.

Even if you’ve already sailed aboard the world’s iconic rivers, this new way of cruising offers the next frontier. Think cultural connections, the opportunity to immerse yourself in less-traveled ports, and authentic maritime exploration.

Where Does Star Explorer Sail on Her River-to-Ocean Voyages?

Star Explorer’s 2027 itineraries showcase exactly what makes this concept so appealing: sailings that bring guests into city centers by river, then continue on to coastlines, islands, and unexpected ports beyond.

Impressionist France (10 nights) – Ideal for Seine veterans ready to go further, this trip from Bordeaux to London / HMS Belfast pairs the Seine and the Thames with overnights in Bordeaux, St. Malo, and Paris/Rouen, plus access to the D-Day beaches.
Connoisseur’s Delight: Northern Spain & Portugal (8 nights) – Perfect for travelers who have sailed the Rhône and are ready to expand their wine-focused journeys, this voyage extends from France into Spain and Portugal, pairing Bordeaux’s Garonne and Gironde rivers with culinary discoveries along the Spanish coast and time in Portugal’s Douro region.
Moroccan Markets & Iberian Icons (8 nights) –Journey into Seville via the Guadalquivir, continuing on to a broader mix of Iberian and Moroccan destinations.
Ireland Circumnavigation (10 nights) – Craving wild and dramatic landscapes? This sailing includes a call at Cork City Quay on the River Lee, then continues along Ireland’s rugged coastline of cliffs and castles.

Other River-Meets-Ocean Inspired Windstar Cruises

Beyond Star Explorer, Windstar offers travelers more ways to experience small-ship cruising across Europe and beyond.
French Feast: Normandy, Brittany & Aquitaine – A natural extension for Seine cruisers, this culinary-focused itinerary blends Bordeaux and Rouen/Paris with nearby coastal regions.
British Isles Medley This sailing from Paris/Rouen to Leith includes small-ship-only ports like Swansea and Fort William.
Quick Getaways: St. Malo Getaway A natural add-on for Thames and Seine cruisers, this round-trip from London / HMS Belfast includes visits to St. Malo and Brittany.
Quick Getaways: Belgium: A Sweet Getaway River cruisers seeking a shorter escape will love this 3-day trip that combines London and Antwerp via the Scheldt, offering Belgian charm, historic streets, and culinary pleasures.
Ancient Wonders of Vietnam & Angkor Wat Ideal for Mekong cruisers interested in a new Southeast Asia option, this journey sails through Halong Bay and along the Saigon River into Ho Chi Minh City, then continues to Bangkok via the Chao Phraya River, with inland stops like Angkor Wat and Phnom Penh.

Growing Windstar Fleet

Star Explorer will be the 8^th yacht-sized ship in the Windstar fleet. Over four decades, Windstar has grown into a diverse fleet of four Star Class all-suite vessels and three Wind Class sailing yachts, accommodating 150-350 guests. In addition to the arrival of Star Explorer, Windstar’s legendary Wind Class sailing yachts are also undergoing a two-phase redesign to be completed by 2027.

START YOUR TRIP!

Image courtesy of Windstar Cruises

Ancestry Travel Tips

lynn.elmhirst@gmail.com (Lynn) — Thu, 09 Apr 26 17:56:19 +0000

Do you travel for the food? Festivals? Or maybe family? Over a quarter of travelers these days are interested in heritage or ancestry-based trips. The surge in DNA testing has been accompanied by a corresponding rise in the popularity of genealogy-focused trips.

People are putting their traveling ‘genes’ on. And not going sightseeing, but searching for their roots. Motivations vary from family heritage to the story of migration from their ancestral homes.

Do any of these ideas strike a chord in you and beckon you to your ancestors’ distant shores?

Learning: discovering your original identity
Connection: walking where your ancestors lived and left
Closure: if your family didn’t choose their displacement or migration
Curiosity: sparked by DNA surprises or family lore
Legacy: sharing “where we come from” with the next generation

Ancestry Travel Hotspots

Do these destinations call you home? Here are some of the more popular destinations for North Americans to trace their roots.

Ireland and Scotland, the emotional epicenter for those with Celtic roots
Italy (especially Sicily and southern regions) draws diaspora descendants in droves
Germany and Eastern Europe are seeing new interest as archives become more accessible
Nordic countries like Sweden and Norway are booming with ancestral travelers, thanks to strong genealogical records
West Africa — particularly Ghana — has become a powerful destination for many with African heritage, due to its connection to the transatlantic slave trade

How to do Ancestry Travel?

Family heritage travel is genealogy, part emotional archaeology. But how much information do you need to ‘start digging?’

Some travelers arrive armed with binders of family trees and DNA results. Others simply know that “Grandpa was from somewhere near Kraków.”

Ancestry travel gives all the questions new meaning: Who? Where? When? Why? How?

Here are tips to get the most from ancestry travel:

Do the Homework (But be Realistic)

Before you book a ticket, spend time with records — immigration documents, ship manifests, census forms, church registries. Sites like FamilySearch are invaluable, and many towns will respond to polite archive requests.

But remember: villages change. Borders shift. Records disappear.

Go looking for discovery — and be open to whatever you find, or don’t find.

Bring in a Local Expert

If you’re zeroing in on a specific town, hire a local genealogist or guide. They know which municipal office holds the birth records and who still remembers the families who left.

In small places, people — not paperwork — may be your best resource.

Balance Roots With Real Travel

Don’t turn your trip into a full-time research project.

Yes, visit the ancestral village. But also experience the destination. If your roots are in southern Italy, explore Puglia. If they trace to Portugal, spend time in Porto to understand the country's rhythm. Today’s lifestyle is as valuable a lesson in your heritage as your history.

Strike up Conversations

Walk into bakeries. Visit parish offices. Ask about your surname.

Bring documents. Smile. Be curious. And friendly.

A shared name can open doors you didn’t even know existed.

Manage Your Expectations

Sometimes you’ll find long-lost cousins. Sometimes you’ll find a locked archive and a shrug.

No matter what you discover, if you travel with an open mind and open heart, you’ll always come away richer than when you left.

START YOUR TRIP!

Image: Getty

Save Up To 30% and More for Holland America Line’s Anniversary Sale

lynn.elmhirst@gmail.com (Lynn) — Thu, 09 Apr 26 17:56:19 +0000

For 153 years, Holland America Line has been inviting guests to join this storied cruise line on the seas. Only for April, it’s saying ‘thank you’ with a month-long Anniversary Sale featuring discounts, onboard credits, reduced deposits, and free fares for kids.

Holland America Line’s Anniversary Sale Details

Get:

Up to 30% off cruise-only fares
onboard credits up to USD 400 per stateroom,
50% reduced deposits, and
free third and fourth kids when traveling in the same stateroom—making it the perfect time to book a cruise vacation.
Book by: April 30, 2026
Travel: departures from April 2026 through Spring 2027
Cruise durations: 4 to 69-day cruises

Sailings across all Holland America Line regions are part of the offer:

Alaska cruises and Cruisetours,
Caribbean,
Canada/New England,
Northern Europe,
Mediterranean,
Australia/New Zealand,
South America/Antarctica,
the Pacific Coast,
Hawaii,
Tahiti,
Panama Canal,
Mexico and Asia.

Collectors’ Voyages, which combine two back-to-back, non-repeating itineraries, are also included in the sale.

Anniversary Sale Combines with ‘Have It All’ Premium Fare

The Anniversary Sale is combinable with Holland America Line’s popular “Have it All” premium fare. When booking with Have It All, in addition to the Anniversary Sale fare discounts, onboard credit, free third and fourth kids, and reduced deposits, guests also receive four high-value amenities: shore excursions, a Signature Beverage Package, specialty dining, and a Wi-Fi Surf Package.

Spend Your Onboard Credit Good on Dining, Shore Excursions, and More

When you get up to $400 per stateroom onboard credit (depending on stateroom category and length of cruise) during HAL’s Anniversary Sale, you can use it for a variety of amenities, including specialty dining, spa services, shore excursions, gift shop purchases, beverages, photography, and more.

3rd or 4th Guests – Kids Sail Free on Select Cruises

Whether it’s exploring the glaciers of Alaska or soaking up the sun in the Caribbean on a multigenerational family cruise, third and fourth guests ages 18 and under can cruise for free on select departures when traveling in the same stateroom. This makes a family getaway even more affordable.

ASK US HOW TO TAKE MAXIMUM ADVANTAGE OF THIS SALE!

Hundreds of cruises and Alaska Cruisetours on all ships are included in the Anniversary Sale. Example departures and per person, double occupancy starting fares:

7-day Alaska Explorer on Noordam, May 3, 2026, starting at $103 per person per day.
7-day Canada & New England: UNESCO Sites & Quebecois Nights on Zuiderdam, May 2, 2026, starting at $79 per person per day.
9-day Southern Caribbean on Nieuw Amsterdam, Oct. 30, 2026, starting at $89 per person per day.
10-day Signature Denali Alaska Cruisetour on Nieuw Amsterdam, May 31, 2026, starting at $100 per person per day.
7-Day Eastern Caribbean Holiday: San Juan & St. Thomas on Eurodam, December 19, 2026, starting at $143 per person per day.
35-day Voyage of the Vikings: Solar Eclipse on Zuiderdam, July 18, 2026, starting at $240 per person per day.

Taxes and fees are included in the fare. The Anniversary Sale is not valid on cruises of three days or less or Grand Voyages.

More About Holland America Line

Holland America Line has been exploring the world for more than 150 years with expertly crafted itineraries, extraordinary service, and genuine connections to the destinations. Offering a perfectly-sized ship experience, its fleet of 11 vessels visits nearly 400 ports in 114 countries around the world and has shared the thrill of Alaska for more than 75 years — longer than any other cruise line. Savor the Journey isn’t just their tagline; it’s a reinforcement that the cruise line provides experiences too good to hurry through, connecting travelers to the world and each other. Award-winning enrichment programming, entertainment, and cuisine that brings each locale on board, including a revolutionary Global Fresh Fish Program, put Holland America Line at the forefront of premium cruising. Holland America Line is part of Carnival Corporation, the world’s largest cruise company.

*** Terms & Conditions apply; ask us for full offer, itinerary, date, and pricing details

*** Image courtesy of Holland America Line

Celebrity River Cruises Reveals Experiential Approach to Shore Excursions

lynn.elmhirst@gmail.com (Lynn) — Thu, 26 Mar 26 18:12:20 +0000

The hotly anticipated new river cruise line has shared how it’s planning to offer its guests a new way to experience the river communities of Europe when it debuts in 2027. Four curated categories of exclusive and included shore excursions reveal how guests will river cruise, Celebrity-style.

Local insiders lead the Storyteller Series and Skillmaster Series, while the Keys to the City Series gives guests the tech-driven power to explore on their own with insights curated to their own interests and passions. Available once per sailing, the Celebrity Takeover Series delivers one-of-a-kind, bespoke experiences.

The shore excursions are available across all 2027 and 2028 Celebrity River Cruises itineraries, and pre- and post-cruise stays in Prague, Budapest, and Amsterdam.

Storyteller Series: Included locally led experiences that go beyond what guidebooks can capture

Celebrity River Cruises' Storyteller Series offers experiences guided by residents, artists, and cultural insiders who call each destination home. Guests can choose from multiple included experiences at each port, each balancing iconic landmarks with hosts’ personal favorites and hidden stories only locals know. Here are a couple of examples:

Amsterdam

A canal captain will share Amsterdam's centuries-long relationship with water, showing guests an unseen side of the city’s iconic waterways. Guests will cruise hidden passages, through the eyes of someone with deep family ties to the region, as they admire the city’s oldest building, Oude Kerk, board a legendary Dutch trading ship, and learn about modern canal engineering.

Prague

Guests who enjoy discovering a city through food and drink will be led through the city’s rich brewing traditions by a local brewer. From the brewer’s unique perspective, guests will explore historic breweries like the bustling U Vejvodu Tavern, as well as beer-infused artisanal shops. Taking a journey that blends history and hospitality into every pour, the brewer will show guests how centuries-old recipes shaped the city’s culture of connection and celebration.

Skillmaster Series: Included, hands-on experiences invite guests to actively participate in local culture

Guests craft, cook, and create alongside the artisans and makers who shape each destination's cultural identity in shore excursions like these:

Budapest

A local Mamika (grandmother) will lead aspiring culinarians through generations-old Hungarian recipes from her own home kitchen. After selecting ingredients at the local Central Market Hall, guests will uncover dishes that bring Budapest’s soul to the table through Mamika’s treasured family recipes and cooking secrets.

Amsterdam

A local artist leads a painting class that immerses guests in Van Gogh's imagination. After exploring the famed painter’s works at the iconic Van Gogh Museum, guests will discover the settings that influenced some of his greatest pieces while learning some of the techniques he used to turn emotion into color and movement into meaning.

Keys to the City Series: Included independent digital discovery tools with complimentary behind-the-scenes access and stationed local hosts

Through an innovative digital platform, guests access curated route maps tailored to specific interests such as art, history, food, and architecture.

Interactive maps, audio guides, and video content lead guests off the beaten tourist path to interest-led locations, where stationed local hosts provide behind-the-scenes access and exclusive experiences at working studios and craft sites, creating moments of surprise and delight. For example:

Bratislava

Architecture enthusiasts will follow their curiosity to St. Martin’s Cathedral, hearing from a local historian who brings its coronation past to life, before hiking to Bratislava Castle to see how the fortress has watched centuries of change, then pausing beneath the modern span of the UFO Bridge with an architect who explains its bold vision.

Uncover the city’s authentic Slovak flavors from raising a glass in a traditional Slovak pub while a generational brewer pours his stories into every craft drop, to tasting delicate sweets in a family-run pastry shop where the baker shares recipes passed down through decades. Guests will curate their adventure, shaping their own path to uncover the stories of cities exactly as they choose.

Celebrity Takeover Series: Included one-of-a-kind experiences for bucket list memories

Once per sailing, these exclusive, bespoke experiences transform must-see European attractions and unassuming plazas into elevated private events available only to Celebrity River Cruises guests. Celebrity says these are “indulgent bucket-list experiences” designed to be the defining memory of your river cruise

Pre- and Post-Cruise Stays the Celebrity Way

Celebrity River Cruises guests can extend their journey with multi-day pre- and post-cruise stays that carry the same locally-led, small-group discovery philosophy as every sailing.

Available in Prague and Budapest beginning in 2027, and also Amsterdam in 2028, each stay includes daily small-group tours with local hosts, premium hotel accommodations, dedicated concierge service for dining reservations and private experiences, daily breakfast, and airport transfers.

The result is a seamless, end-to-end journey from arrival to departure with no gap between the onboard Celebrity River Cruises experience and the destination discovery that defines it.

Bookings for 2027 and 2028 pre- and post-cruise stays in Summer 2026 open, and all other destination experiences will open for booking in 2027. Celebrity River Cruises sailings are on sale now.

START YOUR TRIP!

Images: Celebrity River Cruises

The April Fools of Travel Destinations

lynn.elmhirst@gmail.com (Lynn) — Thu, 26 Mar 26 18:12:20 +0000

World travel is easier than ever. But it seems world geography is not! Some destinations remain stubbornly — and even hilariously — confused by travelers, media, and even governments. The result is a mix of comedy, branding opportunity, and unsuspecting travelers finding themselves in the wrong place.

In some cases, people simply don’t know the difference, and it’s a case of mistaken identity and some embarrassing social media posts. Others are tiny spelling errors that have landed travelers on the opposite side of the world from where they expected to be. There are cities, countries, and regions that regularly get confused.

Admit it: even an intelligent and savvy traveler like you gets some of these destinations mixed up!

So what better time than April Fools to run through the hit parade of trickster travel destinations?

Australia or Austria?

Australia and Austria are as different as two countries can be. And in different hemispheres!

Australia is a young, vast, sun-drenched country defined by distance—beaches, reef systems, and cities like Sydney that feel plugged into the Pacific. It’s long-haul, laid-back, and larger-than-life.

Old World Austria is compact, landlocked, and classically European—Alpine peaks, imperial history, and cultural heavyweights like Vienna and Salzburg.

Yet their confusion is so persistent that Austria’s tourism board leaned into it with the now-famous line: “No Kangaroos in Austria!”

Sweden or Switzerland?

This is possibly the most politely awkward confusion in global travel.

So common, in fact, that Visit Sweden launched an entire campaign to address it—complete with a straight-faced “negotiation” video proposing a formal division of national identities.

The messaging is brilliantly deadpan:

Switzerland has banks; Sweden has sandbanks

Switzerland has yodelling; Sweden has a silent nature

The Swiss keep the watches; the Swedes offer the luxury of forgetting about time

It’s funny because it’s true. The confusion shows up in headlines, speeches, and travel plans more often than any half-experienced traveler would like to admit.

Grenada or Granada?

“Tomayto”, “Tomahto.” Grenayda, Granahda. Two destinations thousands of miles apart, and cultural worlds apart.

Grenada is a Caribbean island nation where there’s nutmeg in the air, rainforest spilling into the sea, and long, languid afternoons on Grand Anse. It’s called the “Spice Island” for a reason.

Granada, on the other hand, is a city in Spain: Moorish palaces, tapas culture, and the architectural marvel of the Alhambra rising above the city like a mirage.

One is barefoot, the other is baroque.

Dominica or Dominican Republic?

This is less a mix-up and more a recurring travel identity crisis. They’re both countries, and both in the Caribbean. But that’s where the similarity ends.

Dominica (dom-in-EE-ka) is volcanic, rainforest-thick, and defiantly underdeveloped. You go here to hike, to soak in hot springs, to earn your cocktail off the beaten track. You have to work a little harder to vacation in Dominica. You won’t find direct flights from North America. Instead, you connect on Island Hopper Airlines through regional hubs like Barbados, San Juan, and St. Lucia.

The Dominican Republic is a hub. It’s one of the Caribbean’s largest countries and most popular beach resort destinations —built for sun-seeking travelers, with resort areas like Puerto Plata and Punta Cana, and a rich colonial history in Santo Domingo. All-inclusive resorts line the country’s beaches, and airlines and packaged tour operators serve the country well.

Slovakia or Slovenia?

Here’s a quick test: can you place these two Central European countries on a map?

Slovakia and Slovenia don’t just sound similar—they both fly under the radar of popular European travel destinations, so they’ve gotten used to handling the non-stop cases of mistaken identity.

Embassies have long reported receiving each other’s diplomatic pouches. Invitations to official events have arrived in the wrong capital. Trade documents, cultural exchanges, even the occasional VIP correspondence—misaddressed, misrouted, and then, very politely, forwarded along. The postal services of the two countries meet regularly to exchange misaddressed mail!

Meanwhile, the destinations themselves couldn’t be more distinct. Slovakia leans into its Danube River culture, castles, and Carpathian drama; Slovenia into alpine lakes and storybook perfection—hello, Lake Bled.

Baltics or Balkans?

This one is a classic travel-writer slip—and a reminder that “similar-sounding” regions are not all created equal.

The Baltics are the three countries on northeastern Europe’s Baltic Sea coast: Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. They share a common history shaped by Northern and Eastern Europe and are today known for compact capitals, medieval old towns, and a blend of Nordic and Eastern European influences. Cool, composed, and increasingly design-forward. Think Tallinn’s medieval perfection, Riga’s Art Nouveau swagger.

The Balkans refer to a broader region in southeastern Europe that includes countries such as Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia. The region is culturally diverse, shaped by Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian histories, and ranges from Adriatic coastlines to inland mountains. Sunshine and history weave through a tangle of cultures that stretch across southeastern Europe, from Adriatic coastlines to inland capitals shaped by empires.

Same opening syllable. Entirely different narratives.

The Moral of the Story

It always happens to someone else you can laugh at - until it’s you landing in the wrong country. Even the most seasoned travelers can be tripped up by a familiar-sounding place and a hastily confirmed booking.

Work with an expert travel advisor, and always double-check your travel documents.

Happy April Fool’s Day… and

START YOUR TRIP (TO THE RIGHT DESTINATION!)

By: Lynn Elmhirst, travel journalist and expert

Images: Getty

Free Pre-Cruise Hotel and Transfers on Select 2026 Greece Star Clippers Sailings

lynn.elmhirst@gmail.com (Lynn) — Thu, 26 Mar 26 18:12:20 +0000

The Greek Islands remain one of the world’s most captivating sailing destinations. Star Clippers’ 2026 Greece sailings invite travelers to experience this timeless region the way it was meant to be explored—under sail aboard a traditional tall ship, gliding between islands and arriving directly into the heart of historic ports.

Reserve select 2026 Greece sailings by April 30, 2026, and receive one complimentary pre- or post-cruise hotel night in Athens with breakfast and a complimentary transfer between the hotel and ship (or reverse) to allow you to explore the Greek capital before or after your voyage.

Cruising Under Sail

Unlike conventional cruise ships, Star Clippers’ authentic sailing vessels travel under wind power whenever possible, bringing guests closer to the maritime traditions of the Mediterranean. With expansive teak decks, open-air lounging spaces, and a relaxed yacht-like atmosphere, the company’s ships offer an intimate way to explore the Greek Islands and smaller ports often inaccessible to larger vessels.

The special promotion applies to select 2026 Greece itineraries aboard the 166-guest Star Flyer, sailing round-trip from Athens (Piraeus). Each itinerary highlights different island regions of the Aegean, combining scenic sailing passages with stops in picturesque harbors and historic coastal towns.

Featured Sailings Include:

Northern Cyclades (July 11 and August 1), a seven-night voyage that explores some of the most celebrated islands of the Aegean. Sailing round-trip from Athens, the itinerary includes visits to iconic destinations such as Mykonos, known for its whitewashed architecture and vibrant waterfront; Amorgos, home to the dramatic cliff-side Monastery of Hozoviotissa; and Sifnos, an island celebrated for its culinary traditions and charming harbor villages.
Fares start at USD 2,410 per person, double, including port charges.
Southern Cyclades itinerary (July 18 and August 8), offering a blend of legendary islands and dramatic volcanic landscapes. Guests can experience Santorini’s famous caldera views, explore the medieval Old Town of Rhodes, and enjoy relaxed sailing between the islands with time on deck as the ship moves under wind power through the Aegean Sea. The voyage also includes a stop in Hydra, where cars are banned, and transportation is primarily by foot or donkey, preserving the island’s timeless character.
Fares start at USD 2,410
Sporades Highlights seven-night itinerary (July 25 and August 15) focuses on the lush islands of the northern Aegean, including Skiathos and Skopelos, where pine forests meet turquoise waters and traditional villages along the hillsides with views of the sea. Guests also visit Poros, a charming harbor town just off the Peloponnese coast known for its neoclassical architecture and relaxed waterfront cafés.
Fares start at USD 2,410

The Magic of Cruising on a Sailing Ship

Each voyage combines the romance of traditional sailing with modern comforts. When the wind fills the 56,000 square feet of sails, guests can hear the snap of canvas while enjoying sweeping views of the Aegean from the ship’s open decks—an experience that evokes the golden age of sailing while delivering the amenities expected by today’s travelers. Guests are invited to learn about sailing from the crew, climb the crow’s nest, help hoist the sails, or simply watch as the crew manages lines and rigging — a hands-on experience no conventional cruise can offer.

During the week-long itineraries, days may include stops for swimming, exploring historic harbors, browsing local markets, and enjoying Greek cuisine ashore. Evenings aboard ship are relaxed and convivial, often featuring open-air dining, cocktails under the stars, and live piano music in the lounge.

More About Star Clippers

For more than 35 years, Star Clippers has been introducing travelers to the thrill of modern tall-ship sailing to remote ports in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Central America. The company operates three of the world’s largest and tallest sailing vessels: Star Clipper and Star Flyer are traditional clipper ships with modern amenities carrying 166 guests each, while the 227-guest Royal Clipper holds the Guinness World Record as the largest and only five-masted, fully-rigged sailing ship in service today. All three ships have expansive teak decks, swimming pools, informal dining, convivial tropical bars on deck, and piano lounges.

*** Images courtesy of Star Clippers

*** Terms & Conditions apply; ask us for full offer, itinerary, pricing, and date details

Why is it Called ‘Easter’ Island?

lynn.elmhirst@gmail.com (Lynn) — Thu, 26 Mar 26 18:12:20 +0000

You likely already know that’s a trick question. This tiny dot in the eastern South Pacific Ocean, but technically a territory of Chile, is actually properly called Rapa Nui.

The world over, Easter Island has been synonymous with exotic mysteries of an impossibly distant, long-lost civilization and mind-boggling human endeavor.

It may be the most remote inhabited island on the planet. Only a few thousand people live on this remnant of oceanic volcanoes sticking out of the sea, and that's the first miracle itself. The closest inhabited island is 1300 miles away (Pitcairn Island with only 50 people), and the nearest continental point is Chile, over 2000 miles away. Local tales say a 2-canoe Polynesian expedition around AD 700 was the start of Rapa Nui's extraordinary story.

Today, Easter Island is on the map as one of the corners of the millions of square miles of the Pacific Ocean known as Polynesia – the other corners for easy reference are Hawai’I and New Zealand. And it’s on the map of global travelers who want to come face to face with the island's nearly 1000 moai at its UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Monuments to the Past

These stately, solemn statues were carved during a 500-year period in the island's history, beginning a thousand years ago. The moai share artistic characteristics with Polynesian carvings, confirming the origin tale of the Rapa Nui people. Chiseled with only stone tools out of volcanic rock in the 'quarry' of an extinct volcano, each statue took a team of half a dozen artisans about a year to complete. The largest is over 30 feet long and weighs 90 tons. They were an incredible feat of creativity, production, and organization.

You probably think of them as 'Easter Island heads'. But the moai actually have torsos, and some even have complete lower bodies; they were just buried up to their necks over the centuries by shifting sands.

These monumental statues represented deceased ancestors. And only about a quarter were originally installed; others were left in the quarry or remained en route to their intended locations. All but 7 faced inland, the spirits of the deceased 'watching over' the living and their lands. The 7 facing the sea stood as wayfinders for seafarers.

Many moai were toppled after the mysterious collapse of the Rapa Nui society in the 19th century. In recent decades, local and international efforts have restored and re-mounted a number of moai. This dot on a map in Chilean Polynesia still seems as awe-inspiring and as full of hidden secrets as when explorers first arrived.

Timing is Everything

Which brings us to: Why is it called Easter Island? The Dutch explorer who was the island's first-recorded European visitor arrived on Easter Sunday in 1722 – he came upon it while searching for another island. (He must have been pretty lost!) So 'Easter Island' it was dubbed, and its current official Spanish name in Chile is still Isla de Pascua, while its Polynesian name is Rapa Nui, in the local language: the 'naval of the world'.

There's more to Rapa Nui than the silent witness of the moai to the island's past. Visitors experience the local version of Polynesian culture, explore pink-sand beaches, caverns, and dive sites, cycle, hike, or ride horses across prairies and volcanic hillsides, and even surf on those waves so distant from other shores.

How to get there? You can fly from both Chile and Tahiti, participate in tour packages offered by expedition and exotic travel experts, arrive by small or expedition cruise ship, or by private yacht.

There may be nowhere else in the world where a traveler can feel the greatness of human achievement and small in the face of a culture so far across the waves.

START YOUR TRIP!

By: Lynn Elmhirst, travel journalist and expert.

Images: Getty

Discovering the Future of Wellness Travel in Sweden

lynn.elmhirst@gmail.com (Lynn) — Thu, 26 Mar 26 18:12:20 +0000

Recently in Sweden, I experienced ancient wellness practices intertwined with new science and artistic sensibilities. In many ways, Sweden wrote the book on wellness as a way of life and a travel destination. And my stays at two sister hotels in Stockholm proved the country is in the vanguard of redefining wellness travel again.

In case you missed it, in 2025, Sweden became the first country where doctors can prescribe travel for wellness. The global leader in quality of life, renowned for its thousands-year-old sauna culture, is an inspiration for wellness lifestyle – and a beacon for wellness travelers… and now this:

The “Swedish Prescription”

In a wellness ‘first,’ Sweden has become the first country where patients can download a medical referral form to take to their physician for wellness travel to the country!

The Swedish Prescription isn’t a marketing gimmick. The program is rooted in deeply-held Swedish beliefs and practices, like

‘fika:’ social rituals of connecting with loved ones;
‘lagom,’ or achieving balance, moderation, and sustainability in your way of life;
love of getting outdoors, no matter what the weather, and of course,
sauna and thermal hot/cold practices,

all of which combine to create meaningful and scientifically supported health benefits.

Hagastrand and Hotel J: Beyond the Spa Hotel

All that said, why would anyone go to Sweden in the winter, far enough north that the sun rises after 8 am and sets mid-afternoon?

I went to spend a week immersed in the wellness experiences at 2 of Stockholm's Nobis Hospitality Group hotels: Hagastrand and Hotel J.

The company has set a new gold standard for wellness travel, following a three-year renovation program, masterminded by Alla Sokolova, its Head of Wellness.

“I think every human being has an innate wish to be in their best form,” she explained to me. Her vision for the wellness program at the hotels is for a stay there to be part of a “never-ending learning journey” to help create winning conditions for guests to achieve their maximum performance, their best selves.

HAGASTRAND SPA AND HOTEL

When it re-opened in Fall, 2025 as part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, Hagastrand Spa and Hotel was already billing itself as a “new social wellness destination” in Sweden’s capital. A post-modern building attached to a historic military barracks in the quiet, seaside location of Stockholm’s Royal Park, Hagastrand re-launched with a 27,000 square foot, cutting-edge wellness center with some practices that are the first of their kind.

If you’re imagining a clinical, white-jacketed, James Bond-style European health retreat, think again. Instead, Hagastrand offers warmth, along with a masterful and welcoming blend of ancient practices and advanced therapies, including modern technologies that deliver wellness experiences to guests in one-of-a-kind ways, all under one roof.

There’s also a focus on music, “a universal language” that “everyone can relate to,” Alla adds.

“Tuning our bodies and our minds,” as she puts it.

Hagastrand’s facilities incorporate both traditional Nordic and international wellness practices, as well as sensory design and the newer concept of ‘biohacking.’

Along with treatment rooms and private suites you expect to find in a spa or wellness center, Hagastrand’s includes:

Underwater therapeutic music in its 18-meter indoor pool;
A Thermal center, with multiple saunas, including herbal and hammam, and also:
- Sweden’s first "Event Sauna," one of the few in the world, for up to 60 guests. As an ‘event,’ one of Hagastrand’s trained sauna masters invites guests in the wellness center to join them in a paced series of rituals where the sauna master employs herbs, music, infused ice, and spoken word to lead guests through a wellness journey that changes every time.
- Scandinavia's largest snow room for cryotherapy
Experience showers, red light therapy, and neuro-acoustic massage loungers.
Gongs, handmade in Italy, including a giant (as tall as a person) gong at the end of the pool played by hand by sauna masters, and
- in the ‘Gongmatic’ room (pictured, top), a ‘self-playing’ gong – also the first in the Nordic countries – which plays in timed performances as guests lie on warm ceramic lounge beds. The audio art installation immerses guests in vibrations and invites them to embark on a meditative journey.
Cardi suit – like a giant diving dry suit with hands and feet, except that a therapist fills this suit with carbon dioxide. The therapy increases blood flow to the cells, resulting in improved oxygen delivery, performance, and rest. Cardi suits are already used extensively by high-performance athletes, but are rarely available to the wellness-seeking public – including me!

The state-of-the-art wellness experiences flow harmoniously with the new versions of familiar practices and are woven seamlessly into a hotel stay that includes warmly Nordic accommodations, stylish bars, and a fine dining restaurant (no restricted, seaweed smoothie diet here unless you wish!) that even drew a member of the Swedish Royal Family while we were dining one evening.

HOTEL J

Sister property Hotel J draws inspiration from its location on the Stockholm archipelago in a Newport, Rhode Island-type neighborhood of illustrious and historic seaside homes.

The nautical and natural themes run deep, from stunning water views and terraces overlooking the sea, extensive gardens that are not just visual but also harvested for wellness herbs and botanicals, and, of course, its wellness offering.

Hotel J’s Sauna by the Sea is a ritual all the more memorable for its location in the Panorama Sauna perched on rocks rising from the waves. The sauna itself is on the second story, with floor-to-ceiling windows providing the perfect vantage point over the sea to become part of your herbal-infused sauna ritual. And a cold plunge into a wintery sea is just steps out the door to conclude your authentic Swedish sauna!

But we also got off property, accompanied by ‘nature therapist’ Lisen Sundgren, who took us on a Swedish interpretation of that famous Japanese wellness practice, ‘forest bathing.’ During a walk in a nature reserve next door in the twilight, where dimming sight helped sharpen our other senses as we were guided to literally feel, hear, and smell the woods. We ended up on a rocky lookout over the sea and the lights of Stockholm on the opposite side of the archipelago, sipping her homemade Swedish rosehip soup and communing by the mystical twinkles of lamp light.

SANCTUM

From the primal forest… to a wellness rave!

In another ‘first,’ Hagastrand and Hotel J’s parent company has introduced ‘Sanctum’ to the Nordics as part of its wellness experience offering. We were invited to the launch party at the Nobis Hospitality Group’s event space at the Stockholm Opera House.

Sanctum hosts these ‘wellness raves’ around the world for a growing community drawn to the euphoric release of its hour-long, high-intensity, music-led 55-minute sessions that combine HIIT, Kundalini yoga, breathwork, and meditation. Ours in Stockholm was candle-lit in the awe-inspiring historic surroundings… in complete silence, with sound healing, music, and guidance delivered through headphones.

***

Embracing the widest interpretations of wellness lived through ancient traditions, Nature, technology, art, and the most welcoming Scandinavian culture and lifestyle… these Swedish hotels are setting the stage for a new global approach to wellness travel.

The Nobis Hospitality Group’s founder gives all the credit for the hotels’ pioneering wellness journeys to Head of Wellness Alla Sokolova – a risk, but a calculated one, with a simple foundation of beauty and hospitality.

“Everybody today is talking about longevity and all these things, and sometimes it's too much,” Alessandro Catenacci, owner and CEO of the family-owned Nobis Hospitality Group, told me.

“I hate the word ‘trend.’”

He acknowledges that the groundbreaking wellness offerings of the two hotels are “a new thing for us,” but “things are not so complicated usually if you do it in the right way.” He points out that wellness practices are a natural way of life for Swedes.

“We are a sauna family.

“And this is very important because you, you can't go on doing things if you don't like that. I love it, really.”

Hagastrand and Hotel J may be on the leading edge. But advanced wellness experiences for travel are no longer a novel trend.

As more travelers intentionally incorporate their wellness practices from home into their travels to new destinations, and expand their wellness horizons while traveling, wellness hospitality will take the lead from Hagastrand and Hotel J in helping us discover the destinations’ best experiences to hone our mental, physical, and spiritual health.

START YOUR TRIP!

Images and story by: Lynn Elmhirst, travel journalist and expert

Quintess Travels RSS Feed

Tauck’s Women-Only European Small-Group Journeys for 2026

THE 2026 WOMEN-ONLY DEPARTURES

What’s Included

The 2026 women-only departures are open for booking with us.

More About Tauck:

Trafalgar Introduces New Family Travel Savings for Summer 2026

Featured family-friendly itineraries include:

ABOUT TRAFALGAR

About TTC Tour Brands

About The Travel Corporation

“Make Travel Matter”

Breaking News: Princess Cruises Building All-New Class of Ships, its Largest-Ever!

A History of Innovation

START YOUR TRIP!

Upgrades, Shipboard Credit for Seabourn’s “Yours to Explore Event”

“Yours to Explore” Event Details

Ask us for a complete list of applicable sailings for the “Yours to Explore Event.”

More About Seabourn:

Goldilocks and the Three Bears (Alaska Cruise Edition)

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE OF SOME OF OUR

FAVORITE WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS ON A REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISE TO ALASKA

1. The American Black Bear

2. Brown Bears

3. The Kodiak Bear

Cruises: Alaska's Wilderness Safaris

What about Polar Bears?

START YOUR TRIP!

G Adventures Shines Spotlight on Global Tree Projects on Earth Day

Reclaiming the ‘Last Refuge’ of the Higa-onon community in the Philippines

Kenya: Combating the impact of drought and supporting Women-Owned Nurseries

Canada: Rebuilding the Ocean's "False Bottom"

START YOUR TRIP!

$500M Update Brings Guest-Favorite Feature Across Holland America Line Fleet

Grand Dutch Cafés and More

New Staterooms and Suites – Including Solo Verandahs

Sustainability Part of the Plan

START YOUR TRIP!

Seabourn Introduces Denali Park Extensions to Alaska Voyages

Highlights include:

About All-Inclusive Seabourn:

5 Spectacular Annual Flower Shows Worth Planning a Trip Around

1. Keukenhof Gardens — Netherlands

2. Chelsea Flower Show — London, UK

3. Floriade Canberra — Canberra, Australia

4. Chiang Mai Flower Festival — Chiang Mai, Thailand

5. Genzano Infiorata — Genzano, Italy

START YOUR TRIP!

Two New Ships, Two Ways to Cruise: There Really is a Cruise Out There for Everyone

Emerald Kaia and the Rise of Yacht-Style Cruising

Relaxing at Sea: Dining and Design Re-imagined aboard Emerald Kaia

Norwegian Luna, A Ship That’s Its Own Destination

The Ultimate Vehicle for Multi-generational Travel

Beyond the Ship: The Rise of Curated Destinations

The Big Takeaway: A Cruise Style for Every Traveler

START YOUR TRIP!

Kensington Tours, Ancestry.com’s Private Personal Heritage Journeys Connect Travelers to their Roots

WHERE CAN KENSINGTON TOURS' ANCESTRY TRAVEL TAKE US?

ASK US TO HELP YOU DESIGN THE FAMILY HERITAGE TRIP OF A LIFETIME!

Windstar Cruises Offers All-Inclusive Upgrade on Worldwide Voyages

Windstar Offer Details:

Why Cruise the Windstar Way?

Where Does Windstar Sail?

This offer includes regions and itineraries, including:

ASK US TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR NEXT WINDSTAR CRUISE

AND ENJOY THESE LIMITED-TIME INCLUSIONS!

More About Windstar Cruises:

River to Ocean Onboard a Single Ship: Windstar’s New Way to Cruise

Where Does Star Explorer Sail on Her River-to-Ocean Voyages?

Other River-Meets-Ocean Inspired Windstar Cruises

Growing Windstar Fleet

START YOUR TRIP!

Ancestry Travel Tips

Ancestry Travel Hotspots

How to do Ancestry Travel?

Here are tips to get the most from ancestry travel:

Do the Homework (But be Realistic)

Bring in a Local Expert

Balance Roots With Real Travel

Strike up Conversations

More About Windstar Cruises:        