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7 Most Scenic Train Journeys in Europe with Railbookers

simratgill@travelonly.com (Simrat Gill) — Fri, 17 Apr 26 05:07:30 +0000

Europe is home to some of the most scenic train journeys in the world, where the journey itself becomes a highlight of your vacation.

From the Swiss Alps to Norway’s fjords and Italy’s dramatic coastline, these iconic rail routes showcase Europe’s most breathtaking landscapes—best experienced from the comfort of a train.

Here are seven of the best scenic train rides in Europe with Railbookers to add to your rail vacation:

1. Glacier Express, Switzerland

One of the most famous scenic trains in the world, the Glacier Express travels between Zermatt and St. Moritz through the heart of the Swiss Alps.

Expect panoramic views of snow-covered peaks, deep gorges, and alpine villages as you cross hundreds of bridges and mountain passes. This is classic Swiss rail travel at its finest.

2. West Highland Line, Scotland

The West Highland Line offers one of the most atmospheric journeys in Europe, running from Glasgow to Fort William and Mallaig.

Pass remote lochs, rugged mountains, and sweeping moorlands, including the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct, for a truly wild and cinematic experience.

3. Bernina Express, Switzerland to Italy

The Bernina Express is one of Europe’s most dramatic cross-border rail journeys, connecting Switzerland to northern Italy.

Travel past glaciers, mountain lakes, and the famous Landwasser Viaduct before descending into sun-drenched valleys offering incredible contrast in just a few hours.

4. Flåmsbana Railway, Norway

The Flåm Railway is one of the steepest standard-gauge railways in the world and one of Norway’s top travel experiences.

In under an hour, descend from mountain landscapes to a fjord-side village, passing waterfalls, cliffs, and deep valleys along the way.

5. GoldenPass Line, Switzerland

The GoldenPass Line connects Lucerne to Lake Geneva, offering a diverse journey through lakes, vineyards, and alpine scenery.

This route is perfect for travellers wanting a varied and immersive Swiss rail experience, with constantly changing views.

6. Rhine Valley Line, Germany

The Rhine Valley Line between Koblenz and Bingen follows one of Europe’s most scenic river routes.

Expect castles perched above vineyards, charming medieval towns, and UNESCO-listed landscapes, making it one of the most romantic train journeys in Europe.

7. Cinque Terre Coastal Line, Italy

The Cinque Terre coastal train connects five colourful villages along Italy’s Ligurian coastline.

As the train winds through tunnels and along cliffs above the Mediterranean, it reveals stunning sea views and postcard-perfect scenery at every turn.

When the Journey Becomes the Destination

From alpine passes to coastal cliffs and river valleys, these scenic rail routes prove that getting there can be just as memorable as where you’re going.

A European rail vacation isn’t just about the destinations—it’s about the journey in between.

When the Journey Becomes the Destination

From alpine passes to coastal cliffs and river valleys, these scenic rail routes prove that getting there can be just as memorable as where you’re going.

A European rail vacation isn’t just about the destinations; it’s about the journey in between.

Reconnect as a family with Club Med all‑inclusive vacations

simratgill@travelonly.com (Simrat Gill) — Tue, 14 Apr 26 16:07:58 +0000

Vacations made for every generation

Planning a family vacation can sometimes feel difficult. Every age has different needs and interests, but Club Med makes it easy. Their all‑inclusive Resorts are built so everyone, from babies to grandparents, feels happy.

For more than 75 years, Club Med has created joyful vacations that bring families closer. Parents can relax, kids can have fun, and everyone can share special moments together.

Whether you want sunny beaches in the Caribbean or fresh mountain air in Québec Charlevoix, every Club Med destination is made for fun, comfort and connection.

Stay together in total comfort

Family time matters, and so does space. Club Med offers Family Rooms, Suites, Villas, and Chalets with space for three to six guests, and up to ten in some Villas and Chalets. Connecting rooms can be guaranteed, so families stay close with plenty of privacy.

Travelling with a baby? Relax, your room comes with a Baby Welcome Kit that includes a crib, baby bath, bottle warmer, and stroller. You can also ask for a changing mat, baby carrier, or bed rail. This means less packing and more peace of mind from the moment you arrive.

Splash, play, laugh

Water brings families together. Watch your little ones learn and play or share smiles as you splash around.

Family pools and splash zones have gradual depths, water playgrounds and shaded areas for parents to rest.
Some Resorts include full water parks or family oasis zones.

Dining that brings everyone around the table

Great meals are part of every happy holiday. Club Med restaurants are designed for families: delicious and easy for all ages.

Kids’ menus and baby‑food options at every meal.
Family‑friendly seating with large tables, high chairs and booster seats.
24‑hour bottle‑prep stations with sterilizers, milk, blenders, microwaves and snacks.

Activities for everyone

At Club Med, every age group has its own kind of fun :

Mini Club Med: Kids play, explore and make new friends with our caring G.Os. They can enjoy games, sports, and creative activities.
Teens: Find freedom and adventure. Try sailing, pickleball or creative workshops to learn new skills.
Parents: Enjoy quiet time with yoga, spa treatments or a walk on the beach.
Grandparents: Join cultural tours, taste local cuisine or simply enjoy time surrounded by loved ones.

Destinations that tell family stories

Every Club Med Resort has its own magic, from tropical warmth to cool mountain views.

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic: long beaches, sunshine and plenty of family fun.
Michès Playa Esmeralda, Dominican Republic: a quiet, nature‑focused Resort with eco‑friendly charm.
La Caravelle, Guadeloupe & Les Boucaniers, Martinique: Caribbean spirit, soft sand and laughter under the palms.
Québec Charlevoix, Canada: fresh mountain air and adventure.

Exclusive offer

The offer includes up to 40% off* plus an instant discount of up to $400 per person, per week.

Children under 4 stay for free, and there is no single supplement (except at Club Med Columbus Isle, Bahamas).

The booking window runs from March 11 to April 29, 2026, for travel between April 4 and October 30, 2026.

Participating Resorts include Punta Cana and Michès Playa Esmeralda in the Dominican Republic, Cancún in Mexico, Caravelle in Guadeloupe, Buccaneer's Creekin Martinique, Turkoise in Turks & Caicos, Columbus Isle in the Bahamas and Québec Charlevoix in Canada.

Ancestry Travel Tips

lynn.elmhirst@gmail.com (Lynn) — Tue, 14 Apr 26 13:03:47 +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) — Tue, 14 Apr 26 13:03:47 +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

5 Spectacular Annual Flower Shows Worth Planning a Trip Around

lynn.elmhirst@gmail.com (Lynn) — Tue, 14 Apr 26 13:03:47 +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

Sunwing June and September Deals Save Up to 30%

simratgill@travelonly.com (Simrat Gill) — Mon, 13 Apr 26 13:08:00 +0000

The best trips are not always the ones taken at peak season.

Sunwing is highlighting exactly why with its off-season savings, offering up to 30% off for travel in June and September. It is a simple shift in timing that can completely change the experience.

Fewer crowds. More space. A more relaxed pace from the moment you arrive.

Whether it is Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, or destinations across the Caribbean and Central America, travelling just outside the busiest months means you can enjoy the same beaches, the same resorts, and the same experiences, but in a way that feels more effortless.

There is also a strong value built in. Packages include your first checked bag, a carry-on, and in-destination transfers, making the entire journey easier from start to finish.

This is the kind of travel decision that feels smarter. The same destination, a better experience and meaningful savings.

Book by April 30, 2026, for travel between June 1 to 30 and September 1 to 30, 2026.

If you are flexible with your timing, this is where it pays off.

Reach out to us to explore Sunwing off-season deals and find the right escape for you.

Virgin Voyages Spring Sale 70% Off Second Sailor

simratgill@travelonly.com (Simrat Gill) — Mon, 13 Apr 26 12:54:06 +0000

Spring is when travel starts to feel exciting again. Longer days, warmer weather and the urge to get away.

Virgin Voyages is leaning into that moment with its Spring Savings offer, giving travellers up to $1,000 in instant savings along with 70% off the second Sailor on select sailings.

This is where the value really comes together.

From the start, Virgin Voyages is designed differently. More than 20 eateries are included, along with WiFi, fitness classes and entertainment, creating an experience that feels elevated without constantly adding to the cost.

And then there is the atmosphere. Adults only, modern, and intentionally built for travellers who want something that feels a little more considered and a little less traditional.

The longer you sail, the more you save, making it easy to turn a short getaway into something more memorable.

This is one of those offers that makes it easier to say yes.

Reach out to us to explore Virgin Voyages sailings and find the right itinerary for your next escape.

Save Up to 25% on G Adventures Small Group Tours

simratgill@travelonly.com (Simrat Gill) — Mon, 13 Apr 26 12:41:08 +0000

Adventure is Taking Off ✈🌍

Big adventures, smaller groups, and even bigger savings — your next trip starts here with G Adventures.

Where will you go?

🌴 Costa Rica’s lush rainforests
🏔 Peru’s ancient wonders
🏜 Morocco’s vibrant markets
🍣 Japan’s rich culture & cuisine
🇪🇸 Spain’s sun-soaked cities
🌊 Belize’s laid-back charm
⛵ Sailing in Greece or Croatia

Why travel with G Adventures?

Born in Canada. Made to travel the world.

✔ Small group sizes for a more personal experience
✔ Expert local guides who bring each destination to life
✔ Thoughtfully designed itineraries that balance highlights with hidden gems
✔ Authentic, meaningful travel that connects you to local communities

Like a Canadian flag patch sewn into your backpack, G Adventures is synonymous with friendly, open-hearted travellers looking for adventure and connection around the globe. Founded in 1990 by Bruce Poon Tip, their Canadian sensibilities paved the path as pioneers in community tourism, responsible travel, and changing the world through travel.

Don’t miss out.

The most popular trips fill quickly — secure your spot while savings are available.

Contact us today to save up to 25% on select G Adventures small group tours and start planning your next adventure today.

Air Transat Flight Sale Save on Your Next Trip

simratgill@travelonly.com (Simrat Gill) — Mon, 13 Apr 26 12:34:23 +0000

Explore Europe for Less with Riviera Travel Up to 50% Off

simratgill@travelonly.com (Simrat Gill) — Mon, 13 Apr 26 12:18:35 +0000

There is a certain way Europe is meant to be experienced. Slowly. Intentionally. With time to actually take it in.

Riviera Travel is leaning into that idea with an offer that makes it easier to explore more while spending less. Travellers can enjoy up to 50% off select sailings, along with up to $1,500 in hotel and airfare credit, creating real value across the entire journey.

And it does not stop there.

From the moment you step on board, drinks are included, adding to an experience that is designed to feel seamless, relaxed, and complete from start to finish. It is the kind of detail that quietly elevates everything.

What makes this offer stand out is not just the savings. It is what it allows you to do with them.

More time in the cities you have always wanted to explore. The ability to extend your stay and actually immerse yourself in a destination. A journey that feels curated, not rushed.

This is Europe, done properly. Thoughtful itineraries, comfortable ships, and the freedom to experience each destination in a way that feels personal.

If Europe has been on your mind, this is one of those moments where the timing makes sense.

Reach out to us to explore Riviera Travel sailings and find the itinerary that fits exactly how you want to travel.

Plan a Summer Getaway for Two with Air Canada Vacations

simratgill@travelonly.com (Simrat Gill) — Mon, 13 Apr 26 12:04:30 +0000

Some trips are better when they are shared.

Whether it is a long-overdue getaway, a spontaneous escape, or the trip you have been talking about for months, Air Canada Vacations is making it easier to bring someone along with up to 50% off the second traveller on select vacation packages.

This is the kind of offer that shifts a maybe into a booking.

From the beaches of Mexico and the Caribbean to the energy of Palma de Mallorca, or even a quick city escape to Hawaii, California, or Orlando, the options are wide open. And with packages that include flights, accommodations, and baggage, the experience is designed to feel simple from the start.

But what makes this offer stand out is not just the savings. It is what it allows you to do with them.

It is the extra dinner you do not think twice about. The upgraded room. The excursion you say yes to. The feeling of knowing you made the right call booking when you did.

The best trips are rarely about the destination alone. They are about who you experience them with.

This offer is available to book until May 3, 2026, for travel between April 7 and October 31, 2026.

If there is someone you have been meaning to travel with, this is your moment to make it happen.

The April Fools of Travel Destinations

lynn.elmhirst@gmail.com (Lynn) — Tue, 31 Mar 26 19:47:51 +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

Discovering the Future of Wellness Travel in Sweden

lynn.elmhirst@gmail.com (Lynn) — Tue, 31 Mar 26 19:47:51 +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

Why is it Called ‘Easter’ Island?

lynn.elmhirst@gmail.com (Lynn) — Tue, 31 Mar 26 19:47:51 +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

Celebrity River Cruises Reveals Experiential Approach to Shore Excursions

lynn.elmhirst@gmail.com (Lynn) — Tue, 31 Mar 26 19:47:51 +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

Sail Solo and Save with Virgin Voyages Reduced Single Supplement

simratgill@travelonly.com (Simrat Gill) — Fri, 27 Mar 26 18:37:54 +0000

Solo travel continues to grow in popularity, and Virgin Voyages is making it easier to experience an adults-only cruise without paying the usual high single supplement.

On select sailings, solo travellers booking a Sea Terrace cabin can save significantly, with the second fare reduced by up to 70%. Instead of paying the full price typically required for a double occupancy stateroom, this offer allows Solo Sailors to enjoy meaningful savings while still getting the full Virgin Voyages experience.

That means more room in your budget for the fun parts of the trip. Think Shore Things excursions, spa treatments, onboard dining experiences, or even Virgin’s popular pub crawls.

Virgin Voyages has become a strong option for solo travellers thanks to its social atmosphere, modern ship design, and adults-only environment, making it easy to meet people or enjoy the journey at your own pace.

If you have been considering a solo cruise, this offer makes it a great time to try it.

Discover Japan and Southeast Asia with Princess Cruises

simratgill@travelonly.com (Simrat Gill) — Fri, 27 Mar 26 18:27:02 +0000

Princess Cruises is expanding its presence in Asia with the launch of its 2027 and 2028 Japan and Southeast Asia program, now open for reservations with a wide range of itineraries and limited time savings.

This new season features up to $800 in instant savings per stateroom, along with Captain’s Circle savings of up to $200 per stateroom and complimentary stateroom upgrades on select sailings.

The program includes dozens of departures from Tokyo, with both Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess homeporting in Japan, making it easier to explore the region. Guests can choose from 7 to 28-day voyages visiting 55 destinations across nine countries.

Highlights include visits to iconic landmarks such as Mount Fuji, Himeji Castle, Halong Bay, and Ayutthaya, along with opportunities to experience seasonal moments like cherry blossom season and Japan’s vibrant fall colours. Some itineraries also feature special cultural events, including the Osaka Bon Odori festival.

On board Diamond Princess, guests can enjoy a distinctly Japanese-inspired experience, including authentic dining, traditional Izumi baths, and regional entertainment, while Sapphire Princess offers Princess’ signature dining and amenities after days spent exploring ashore.

With one of Princess Cruises’ most expansive Asia seasons ever, this program offers a compelling way to experience Japan and Southeast Asia in one seamless journey.

3 Beaches Resorts Offers: Sunshine and Savings for Families

lynn.elmhirst@gmail.com (Lynn) — Tue, 17 Mar 26 15:10:28 +0000

Beaches Resorts is rolling out a new wave of limited-time, seasonal savings for family travel at Beaches Turks and Caicos and Beaches Negril. Three new limited-time offers feature instant credits, resort credits, and family-focused perks.

LET US HELP MATCH YOU TO YOUR FAMILY’S BEST BEACH RESORT TRAVEL OFFER!

Beaches “Treasure Beach Village Grand Opening Offer”

Book by: May 31, 2026
Travel by: Anytime

Beaches Turks and Caicos is celebrating the debut of its newest expansion with the Treasure Beach Village Grand Opening Offer, inviting families to save up to USD $500 on select stays in the newly opened Treasure Beach Village.

Available to book through May 31, 2026, for travel anytime, the limited-time offer marks the arrival of an exciting new chapter at one of the Caribbean’s most beloved family resorts.

Opened on March 1, 2026, Treasure Beach Village introduces a fresh, multi-generational concept with 101 spacious multi-bedroom suites and new dining and gathering spaces designed for shared moments. Highlights include Beaches’ first Starfish Cinema and the lively Pinta Food Hall, adding new ways for families to come together throughout their stay.

Guests of Treasure Beach Village also enjoy full access to the resort’s five other villages and the signature experiences that have made Beaches Turks and Caicos a standout destination—from its expansive waterpark and 28 dining concepts to the award-winning Kids Camp and endless family-friendly activities.

Fall Fam Jam Returns to Beaches Resorts

Book by: March 31, 2026
Travel window: August 1 through October 31, 2026 and 2027

Beaches Resorts’ Fall Fam Jam returns with a lively lineup of toddler-friendly programming designed especially for families traveling with little ones. From splash-filled playtime and hands-on creative activities to joyful moments shared together, the seasonal event invites families to slow down, connect, and experience the magic of the Caribbean in a way that feels perfectly their own.

Available at Beaches Turks and Caicos and Beaches Negril, the Fall Fam Jam offer includes two complimentary Caribbean Adventures with Sesame Street experiences—featuring a Character Breakfast and Sunrise Yoga with beloved Sesame Street friends—along with a $175 spa credit on stays of five nights or more, so parents can enjoy well-deserved relaxation. At Beaches Negril, families receive even more value with one complimentary night on stays of six nights or longer.

Added Value at Beaches Negril

Book by: March 31, 2026
Travel by: May 23, 2026

In Jamaica, Beaches Negril sits on the famed Seven Mile Beach, welcoming families to one of the Caribbean’s most coveted stretches of sand. Known for its crystal-clear waters, stunning sunsets, and relaxed island vibe, Negril offers a natural backdrop that makes every family moment feel a little more magical.

With the new Discover Negril sale, families can book their stay through March 31 for travel until May 23, 2026, and enjoy a $175 resort credit on stays of five nights or more. From rejuvenating spa treatments and private candlelight family dinners to room upgrades or cabana rentals, this offer opens up even more ways to create an unforgettable getaway in Jamaica.

More About Beaches Resorts

Beaches Resorts is the Caribbean playground where families can live their best island life. With all-inclusive family resorts in Turks and Caicos and Jamaica, and soon-to-come locations in Barbados, The Bahamas, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Beaches offers fun-forward family all-inclusive vacations – from a dynamic selection of restaurants and vibrant food trucks to all-you-can-enjoy water sports, live shows, and epic water parks.

Kids discover magic with Caribbean Adventures, Sesame Street Kids Camps, and hangouts for teens, while parents enjoy peace of mind with certified nannies, engaging programming, and multi-bedroom villas perfect for bringing generations together.

As an Advanced Certified Autism Center (CAC) through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), Beaches staff are specially trained to understand and cater to the unique needs of neurodivergent guests, so that every member of the family finds joy, connection, and memories made to last a lifetime.

Images courtesy of Beaches Resorts

Terms & Conditions apply: ask us for full offer, pricing, and date availability.

Upgrade Your Cruise with NCL's Free at Sea

simratgill@travelonly.com (Simrat Gill) — Tue, 17 Mar 26 15:10:28 +0000

If you like getting more included in your vacation, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Free at Sea offer is designed to do exactly that.

This popular promotion adds valuable perks that can enhance your time on board and ashore. Depending on your sailing, you could enjoy an Unlimited Open Bar package with premium spirits, cocktails, wine, and beer, along with specialty dining experiences that allow you to explore some of the ship’s most popular restaurants.

Staying connected is also easier with high-speed WiFi powered by Starlink, while a $50 shore excursion credit helps you experience more in every destination you visit.

On select departures, the value continues with offers such as free third and fourth guests and even free airfare for the second guest, making it a strong option for couples and families alike.

Travellers looking to enhance their experience further can also upgrade to Free at Sea Plus, which adds premium beverage selections, unlimited Starbucks, faster WiFi, and additional specialty dining opportunities.

For travellers who want more included from the start, Norwegian Cruise Line continues to focus on delivering strong value with every sailing.

Virgin Voyages Spring Offer 80% Off Second Sailor

simratgill@travelonly.com (Simrat Gill) — Tue, 17 Mar 26 15:10:28 +0000

If you have been thinking about trying Virgin Voyages, this is one of the best times to book.

For a limited time, you can bring someone along and receive 80% off your second Sailor, along with up to $300 in free drinks and up to $400 in onboard credit on select sailings. It is a great way to experience Virgin’s modern, adults-only voyages while getting more value out of your vacation.

On board, everything is designed to feel different from traditional cruising. Expect elevated dining with more than 20 eateries included, stylish spaces, wellness experiences, entertainment, and a relaxed atmosphere without the usual extras you pay for elsewhere.

Whether you are looking at the Caribbean or Europe, this offer makes it easier to turn those travel plans into something real.

This promotion is available to book until March 31, 2026.

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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

Manage Your Expectations

START YOUR TRIP!

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

Holland America Line’s Anniversary Sale Details

Anniversary Sale Combines with ‘Have It All’ Premium Fare

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

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

ASK US HOW TO TAKE MAXIMUM ADVANTAGE OF THIS SALE!

More About Holland America Line

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Slovakia or Slovenia?

Baltics or Balkans?

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Discovering the Future of Wellness Travel in Sweden

The “Swedish Prescription”

Hagastrand and Hotel J: Beyond the Spa Hotel

HAGASTRAND SPA AND HOTEL

HOTEL J

SANCTUM

START YOUR TRIP!

Why is it Called ‘Easter’ Island?

Monuments to the Past

Timing is Everything

START YOUR TRIP!

Celebrity River Cruises Reveals Experiential Approach to Shore Excursions

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

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

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

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

Pre- and Post-Cruise Stays the Celebrity Way

START YOUR TRIP!

Sail Solo and Save with Virgin Voyages Reduced Single Supplement

Discover Japan and Southeast Asia with Princess Cruises

3 Beaches Resorts Offers: Sunshine and Savings for Families

LET US HELP MATCH YOU TO YOUR FAMILY’S BEST BEACH RESORT TRAVEL OFFER!

Beaches “Treasure Beach Village Grand Opening Offer”

Fall Fam Jam Returns to Beaches Resorts

Added Value at Beaches Negril

More About Beaches Resorts

Upgrade Your Cruise with NCL's Free at Sea

Virgin Voyages Spring Offer 80% Off Second Sailor

Reconnect as a family with Club Med all‑inclusive vacations