As soon as I catch a glimpse of Tetiaroa, I understand why Marlon Brando fell head over heels for this South Pacific paradise more than 60 years ago. From the window of a twin-engine airplane, I gaze down at the colorful atoll and see 12 lush, tree-covered islets encircling a shimmering turquoise lagoon. The scene […]
Whether you’re visiting ancient shrines, sampling fresh sushi or exploring natural wonders, Windstar’s Grand Japan cruise will engage all of your senses.
Windstar’s Grand Japan Cruise Focuses on Culture, Nature and Culinary Read More »
When Windstar announced last fall that it would be extending its Mediterranean season to year-round (from spring/summer/autumn), the first thing I wondered was this: How would a cruise in November–early March be different from one during the traditional April–October time frame? How would the new timings materially change the experience?
What It’s Like: Our Year-Round Mediterranean Cruise on Star Legend Read More »
Volcanoes are not something I am normally drawn to as I am to, say, a Caribbean beach or a Parisian café. And swimming in the crater of one wasn’t exactly on my bucket list. But I am drawn to adventure and to stories. As we were looking over the various excursions offered aboard Windstar’s “Treasures of the Greek Isles” cruise, “Sailing the Caldera” appealed to me. The description — plunging into the green sulfur waters and a Greek lunch served on board — was alluring. The Atlantis mystery made me think that other stories like it would bubble up from the bottom of the caldera’s sea floor.
Choose Your Adventure: In Santorini, the Wonderful Indulgence of Sailing the Caldera Read More »
Today, active volcanoes are carefully monitored and eruptions can be predicted well in advance, allowing people in places like Iceland and Italy to live, for the most part, without fear. Travelers can also, as I did, enjoy both an inner journey, as they contemplate these lands and their histories, and the actual journey, as they visit and see them for themselves.
Dispatch from Iceland: Volcano Travel Read More »
For sure, Iceland is blessed with gorgeous natural beauty. Maintaining that palatial beauty is critical, and Iceland is seriously committed to environmental and sustainable plans and policies to keep those scenic wonders intact.
Iceland’s Absolutely Gorgeous. It Works Hard to Maintain It Read More »
What are your “unfinished” cruise destinations? Where are the ports or countries you crave more of, even as you dream of new places? I think it’s common to have at least one place we’ve traveled to that calls us to return. Sometimes it’s simply because there were things we didn’t have time to see. For me, it’s often more about the experiences I had in a destination, not the things I missed out on.
We Ask You Answer: Where Do You Want to Return? Read More »
In particular, beaches tucked between limestone cliffs, coupled with water so clear and blue you feel compelled to touch it to make sure it’s real, make Paleokastritsa a draw for visitors.
Choose Your Adventure: In Greece’s Corfu, We Head to a Special Beach Read More »
It’s a mild August evening at the historic Liotrivi estate in Monemvasia, Greece, and our group is transfixed by traditional Greek dancers twirling and winding through the patch of olive trees where we’ve just eaten dinner, a king’s feast of fresh olives, tomatoes, feta cheese, sausage, bread, tzatziki and wine. The trill of the bouzouki,
Why Windstar is a Favorite for Multi-Generational Travels Read More »
Overlooking Turkey’s Icarian Sea are the dazzling remains of a city once so glorious it was fought over endlessly. Ephesus was founded by Greeks, expanded by Romans, invaded by Persians, Ottomans, Goths and Lydians, and hosts the soul of the Virgin Mary. Now it’s also revered by tourists. That’s because this UNESCO World Heritage Site
Turkish Delights: Inside the Wondrous Remains of Ephesus Read More »
Like many of the islands in Greece’s Dodecanese, a group of 12 islands, Pátmos’ appeal lies in its whitewashed villages infused with lush, ancient olive groves roamed by goats, picturesque tavernas and a series of beautiful sun-drenched beaches. What’s different? This hideaway for famous celebrities and royalty is an intimate place, uncrowded and not yet discovered by larger cruise vessels.
Plan Your Port: Greece’s Pátmos Read More »
We all expected that Star Breeze’s cruise in February, as it began sailing year-round in French Polynesia, would be something special. The ship, replacing Wind Spirit as the line’s 12-month designate in the region, would begin its homeporting there with an 11-night trip around the Society and Tuamotu Islands, featuring some of Earth’s most beautiful
In Tahiti, a Magical Mystery Cruise on Star Breeze Read More »
In a festive celebration tinged with just a hint of sentimentality, Captain Belinda Bennett, who has served at the helm of Wind Spirit throughout its most recent year-round series of seasons in French Polynesia (the ship has served the region for ten years), handed over the ceremonial French Polynesian flag to Star Breeze Captain Terry
In Tahiti, Windstar’s Wind Spirit Hands Over the Year-Round Reins to Star Breeze Read More »
This mantra came across my Facebook feed, on one of the last days of 2023, and it caught my attention. I don’t necessarily agree that all travel goals need to be focused on absolutely new destinations because there’s a lot to be said for re-engaging with places you’ve already seen, whether it’s in a new
We Ask, You Answer: What Are Your Travel Goals in 2024? Read More »
The Mediterranean’s one of the most popular regions of the world for travel and the big news in cruise is that the season, already a long one from spring to fall, has extended to winter. Because weather is quite different from season to season, it’s more important here than almost anywhere, because there’s four seasons
Our Travel Guide: The Best Time to Cruise…the Mediterranean Read More »
Iceland is one of my favorite places in the world, and over the past 30 years I have cruised, explored on land, and combined cruises with land tours. Every time I’ve visited I’ve discovered new surprises, from fabulous cosmopolitan bookshops to Michelin-starred restaurants, and from spectacular sea-snow-mountain vistas to lava rock canyons that you travel
Our Travel Guide: A Cruise Around Iceland Read More »
