The World's Greatest Vacations

13 of the Coolest Travel ‘Gimmicks’

2013-10-16

Cruises are good; cruises with a pool table that levels itself as the ship rolls are awesome. Here are some of the best gimmicks — which we’re defining as not strictly necessary but nevertheless fun things — to be found in the travel world today. Gyroscopic pool table: Royal Caribbean Radiance of the Seas. Royal […]

Deal Watch: Royal Caribbean sets Caribbean Promotion

2013-10-15

Royal Caribbean is planning a new promotion that will bring on-board spending credits of up to $100 with new bookings. The six-day offer, to kick of on Oct. 20, will be good for seven-night Caribbean sailings during the summer of 2014. Under terms of the offer, customers booking an interior or ocean-view cabin will receive […]

Palaces, Castles, Chateaus: 12 Regal Stays

2013-10-14

Throughout the world, but mainly in Europe and parts of Asia, numerous palaces, castles and chateaus have been carefully converted into deluxe lodgings — rich in history and, understandably, often in cost. Some of the finest include the newly opened Four Seasons Lion Palace in St. Petersburg and the recently renovated Gritti Palace in Venice […]

Celebrate Halloween on the High Seas

2013-10-14

Ghosts and ghouls will be part of cruising come Halloween when cruise passengers can expect all sorts of spooky celebrations on the high seas. On Princess ships, during Halloween week, there will be costume parties, contests and theme nights, including special events for kids. Passengers can partake in such activities as Jack-O-Lantern carving demonstrations, Halloween-themed […]

Treasures of the Cinque Terre

2013-10-11

It was a stroke of luck, really, that my luggage was lost when I flew to Italy this summer to visit the jewel box villages of the Cinque Terre — five heart-stoppingly picturesque hamlets on the Ligurian coast, dotted with pastel houses nestled amid terraced hills that drop to the jade and lapis waters of […]

10 Ultimate U.S. Adventures

2013-10-10

Have you ever dreamed of dog mushing through Alaska, climbing El Capitan or running the ultimate underground sand mine challenge? Whatever your interests, there’s an inspirational adventure for every taste and skill level in Lonely Planet’s new book “1000 Ultimate Adventures.” Lonely Planet’s picks include the world’s craziest caves, greatest airborne adventures, best spots to […]

Try a New Treat This Halloween

2013-10-09

After trick-or-treating on October 31, your kids are sure to return with a stash of packaged candies to last them for months. Even though little plastic bags and bars of sugary goodness are synonymous with the holiday, candy doesn’t have to be the only sweet treat that graces your home, or your family’s taste buds, […]

Fodor’s 100 Hotel Award Winners

2013-10-08

Whether you’re seeking a blissful beach retreat, a funky conversion or the perfect exotic hideaway, there’s a hotel for nearly everyone on the third annual Fodor’s 100 Hotel Awards, released Friday. This year’s winners came from 43 countries, with Europe dominating the list with 30 hotels and the United States coming in second with 28 hotels. […]

The Best in Airport Food and Drink

2013-10-08

These aren’t your stereotypical greasy airport burger and fries. Airports from the United States, England and Denmark dominated the Moodie Report’s third annual Airport Food & Beverage Awards, which were announced Wednesday evening in Dubai. “We have been deeply impressed by the volume and, more importantly, quality of nominations this year,” said Martin Moodie, Moodie […]

10 Things To Know Before Visiting Copenhagen

2013-10-07

Copenhagen: not only the capital of the happiest country on Earth — officially — but also probably the center of the designer goods universe. Even the Christmas decorations are tasteful. The festive season is also when the air is especially thick with “hygge” — Denmark’s wooly, candle-lit version of coziness. No wonder Hans Christian Andersen […]