Travel Maestro

If you haven’t been on a cruise yourself, chances are you know someone who has. Dozens of cruise lines operate hundreds of ships to offer guests a variety of cruise experiences. The ships themselves range from ocean liners to riverboats, expedition vessels to yachts. They cater to various travel niches: family travel, cultural immersion, wildlife… Continue reading »

The Celebrity Constellation was originally built in 2002 as a Millennium Class ship. She was a lovely ship with fresh colors, popular public spaces and the best of contemporary amenities – for 2002. It’s no secret that during the last decade, the popularity of cruising exploded and Celebrity Cruises kept pace by both building new ships… Continue reading »

Spend long days of sunshine lounging on a Balinese bed with an elevated view of the sea or maybe indulge in a private outdoor couples massage. The bartender knows your name and what you like to drink; the waiter surprises you with your favorite desert. Along the French Riviera, anchor alongside the lavish yachts of… Continue reading »

Heed the call of the high seas: Will it be Mediterranean or Caribbean? How does a Mediterranean voyage with an extended stay in Spain sound? Or would you rather embark on a cruise to the Caribbean, enjoying an extra night in Old San Juan?   The Mediterranean: A 16-day, $43,000 splurge  FLY  Dine on seasonal… Continue reading »

Viking River Cruises has a deep affinity for the beauty of the Russian land and people. 15 years of river cruising experience there has earned Viking the contacts and unique access that allow them to share the Russian culture with guests in personally enriching ways. Viking takes travelers behind closed doors to experience the real Russia,… Continue reading »

Luxury cruising is all about impeccable service, fine dining and visiting fascinating destinations with convenience and style. But Crystal Cruises brings an additional element to their all-inclusive luxury cruises with Experiences of Discovery theme cruises. An inspired collection of special voyages offer informative on board lectures and demonstrations, as well as shore excursions designed to… Continue reading »

In small villages, bigger towns and even large cities throughout Europe, the local marketplace is one of my favorite places to visit. Markets pulse with the energy of the hard-working local produce farmers and fish mongers as they bring their goods to market. The choosy shoppers carefully select and bargain for the ingredients that go… Continue reading »

  One of the (many) great pleasures of luxury cruising is the opportunity to dine on inspired gourmet cuisine paired with exceptional wines and attentive service, all in an elegant setting. Some of my dear readers might routinely enjoy this privilege at home, but since I am the chief cook – not chef – and… Continue reading »

Destination weddings continue to rise in popularity for three reasons: Having a wedding coordinator at the destination to handle all the details like arranging the florist, caterer and photographer takes away (almost) all the stress of wedding planning; Destination weddings can be considerably less expensive than a traditional sit down dinner and dancing reception for 200… Continue reading »

Are you a cruiser who prefers the intimacy of a small ship over a mega ship that carries 4,000 passengers? Do you want the exclusive experience of an elegant suite, 24-hour butler service and private dining? Now you can get that intimate small ship feel on some of the largest ships afloat with a novel… Continue reading »