The World's Greatest Vacations |

French Waterways adds auto, helicopter tours to canal cruise

2026-04-27

French Waterways, which specializes in luxury barge cruises, will add vintage auto and helicopter tours to one of its historic canal voyages. The cruise operator will offer an exclusive sailing along the Canal du Midi in southern France this year on the barge Savannah. CEO Rosie Mansfield called the trip a “once-in-a-lifetime experience;” prices start […]

Where Spring Arrives First: Early-Season Destinations Before the Crowds

2026-04-27

Richard Shane Founder and CEO The World’s Greatest Vacations There is a moment each year when winter releases its hold, but before the world fully responds. A brief, shifting window where landscapes begin to open, light softens, and destinations move quietly from dormant to alive. April sits inside that transition, but not all places […]

At Seatrade, cruise executives unfazed by fuel price surge

2026-04-20

MIAMI BEACH — Iran’s wartime closure of the Strait of Hormuz has caused disruptions and rising prices worldwide. But cruise executives at the Seatrade Cruise Global conference here last week described the industry as well positioned to weather the volatility. During the State of the Global Cruise Industry panel last week, Carnival Corp. CEO Josh […]

Cities in Bloom Without the Chaos: Alternative Spring Urban Destinations

2026-04-20

Richard Shane Founder and CEO The World’s Greatest Vacations Spring has a way of transforming cities. Light softens, terraces reappear, and streets begin to move with a different rhythm. But in many of the world’s most well-known destinations, that transformation now comes with density. There is, however, another version of spring travel, one that […]

A new luxury contender on the Las Vegas Strip

2026-04-13

When luxury clients ask where to stay on the Las Vegas Strip, travel advisors typically name a familiar trio: Bellagio, Wynn/Encore and the Four Seasons. But a new property is quickly joining that conversation — Fontainebleau Las Vegas. The Virtuoso-preferred property on the north end of the Strip offers a fresh alternative to longtime icons, […]

Traveler standing alone on a quiet coastal path at sunrise in early spring, with soft light and open space capturing the calm beginning of a slow, intentional journey.

Slow Openings: Journeys That Begin with Space, Silence, and Intentional Pace

2026-04-13

Richard Shane Founder and CEO The World’s Greatest Vacations Not every journey needs to begin with movement. There is a growing shift in how experienced travelers approach arrival. Instead of rushing into itineraries, checklists, and reservations, the most refined trips now begin with something far less structured, space. April creates the ideal conditions for […]

Theatrical and musical delights await guests on the Queen Mary 2’s transatlantic voyages

2026-04-06

Cunard Line says this year’s transatlantic crossings on the Queen Mary 2 will feature more entertainment than any previous season, including theatrical, musical and literary experiences. On a sailing departing May 22, the ship will have a variety of West End-themed experiences, including “The Oliviers in Concert,” a production with the Royal Court Theatre orchestra […]

Minimalist desert architecture at sunrise with clean lines and open space, capturing the connection between design, light, and landscape in a luxury travel setting.

Design-Led Escapes: Hotels and Spaces Worth Traveling For This Spring

2026-04-06

Richard Shane Founder and CEO The World’s Greatest Vacations There was a time when a hotel was simply where a trip began and ended. Today, the most compelling journeys are often shaped by the spaces themselves. Design-led travel is not about decoration or trend, but about intention. It is the alignment of architecture, landscape, […]

Staff members showcase pieces from Sofitel's new uniform collection, Le Vestiaire, which was created in collaboration with French designer Cordelia de Castellane. Photo Credit: Sofitel

Upscale hotels give new attention to staff attire

2026-03-30

Just over a year ago, I wrote a column recapping some industry observations shared by Tyler Brule, editorial director at Monocle, a global affairs and lifestyle magazine and media platform, during his stage presentation at the 2024 International Luxury Travel Market in Cannes, France. Chief among his criticisms was a growing issue with hotel uniforms, […]

Empty coastal harbor in a quiet Northern European town under soft overcast April light, reflecting the calm atmosphere of shoulder season travel.

The Art of the Shoulder Season: Why April Is the Smartest Month to Travel Well

2026-03-30

Richard Shane Founder and CEO The World’s Greatest Vacations There is a quiet window in the travel calendar that seasoned travelers understand instinctively, yet it remains largely overlooked. April sits between intention and momentum, after winter’s retreat and just before summer’s surge. It is not defined by urgency or spectacle, but by balance. This […]