A new list of the top cities in the world for international travelers from the U.S. gives the inside edge to Portugal, with Spain coming in second. Coming in at number one (a tie, actually) were Lisbon, and Porto, Portugal. I haven’t had the pleasure of visiting Porto, but I love Lisbon, which has fabulous food and great neighbourhoods to explore, including the vibrant Aflama district. There also are great beaches. Spain had two cities in the top 10; Madrid and Seville. Sadly, I haven’t been to either. The authors created a list of 40 major cities around the world, Read more
Alaska
I recently spent a week on the Holland America Line Eurodam, soaking up the sights on a seven-day Alaska cruise in an out of Seattle. We saw magical glaciers and wondrous waterfalls, as well as surprising sunsets. We explored fun towns like Juneau and Ketchikan, and enjoyed some fine food and excellent on-board entertainment Here’s a look at the Eurodam, and at our excursions. And here’s a link to my previously published story on Holland America’s Global Fresh Fish program. EXCURSIONS AND SCENERY Our first chance to explore anything on land was in Juneau. It’s fairly commercial, but we enjoyed Read more
I’m standing on a dock in Seattle on a Saturday morning in August, just a few feet away from the towering form of the Holland America Eurodam. Eurodam head chef Nata Manilal and I are surrounded by dozens of pallets of fresh fish and produce that are about to be tucked into the belly of the Eurodam for a seven-day Alaska cruise. The loading procedure is an intricate, tightly choreographed dance that happens prior to every cruise, and one that most cruise pax never see. We’re only a couple hours from departure, but Manilal is giving me an up-close and Read more
A look at where Canadians want to go for domestic trips this year, as well as surprising destinations for foreign visitors to Canada. Today’s post also looks at where to see the Northern Lights and how young people are looking for “roamance” on the road. CANADIAN HOT SPOTS FOR 2024: Moncton, Windsor, Vancouver and Richmond Hill? 2023 was, by many reports, considered the “return to travel”, with tourism reaching nearly 90% of pre-pandemic levels*. With travel showing no signs of slowing down, Canadians are eager to explore their own country, and far beyond, this year. Without further ado, here are Read more
The world’s most famous city sign is turning 100 years old. The iconic letters for the Hollywood Sign have stood as an American landmark for 100 years, perched atop the Santa Monica Mountains overlooking the City of Los Angeles. The sign is synonymous with the glitz and glamour of Tinseltown and emblematic of a century’s worth of Hollywood history, from the notable to the notorious. Today, the sign is an enduring symbol of Los Angeles, beckoning travelers to come experience a place where magic is possible and dreams come true. “From the Golden Age of Hollywood to the beating heart Read more
