New Zealand Attracts a New Generation of Lord of the Rings Fans on 25th Anniversary of Film
Twenty-five years ago, moviegoers got their first glimpse of Middle-earth — and savvy travelers discovered that it looked remarkably like New Zealand. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring premiered in 2001, the first chapter of Peter Jackson’s epic trilogy based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s novels. All three movies were filmed back-to-back in Jackson’s native New Zealand, with more than 150 locations eventually used across the North and South Islands.Why New Zealand? It wasn’t just hometown patriotism. Jackson had an...
Lights Out on One of the Hottest New Travel Trends
For generations, travelers have organized their days around daylight. Get up. See the sights. Take the photos. Then, as the sun sets, the day starts wrapping up. One of travel’s fastest-growing trends turns that itinerary upside down. And the lights off. Noctourism or Astrotourism? “Noctourism” – or nocturnal tourism – is the growing appetite for travel experiences after dark. Noctourism can intersect with astrotourism, but they’re not exactly the same thing. ‘Astrotourism’ is about traveling for celestial experiences. And a recent survey of tens of...
The Natural Thrills of Costa Rica
If you want the focus of your vacation to be an authentic immersion into raw nature, put Costa Rica on your list of outdoor adventure destinations. This Central American country is one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth. In a territory roughly the size of the state of Vermont, it contains nearly 6% of the world’s known species! Even more amazing is that over 25% of Costa Rica – from its cloud forests and rainforests to volcanoes, mangroves, and coastlines...
Beyond the Beach: Unforgettable March Break Family Adventures
Break the boredom of March Break getaways. There’s still time to make March Break about more than the beach. This time of the year presents a whole planet of excitement – and it’s not too late to plan the family break that will create memories of a lifetime. If swapping flip-flops by the pool, with the wonder and exploration that bind families together, appeals to you, here are some inspiring alternatives to all-inclusives. Viking History Immersion in Norway For families with budding...
Equine Travel Experiences to Celebrate Year of the Horse
Whether you are a devotee of the Chinese/ Lunar calendar, for many of us, horses are our spirit animals, and the Year of the Horse reminds us why. Since the earliest civilizations – is any other creature so well-represented on the world’s cave walls, ancient scripts, wall carvings? - Humans around the world have fallen in love with the majesty, power, elegance, intelligence and awe-inspiring beauty of horses. Not to mention utility. Horses became invaluable companions in agriculture, early industry, war...
Explore Natural Wonders in the Caribbean
Sun and sand are relaxing, but if you love the outdoors and getting active among scenery that takes your breath away… these natural wonders in Caribbean islands should inspire your next tropical vacation. Twin Pitons, Saint Lucia The two volcanic spires, dramatically piercing the sky and surrounded by brilliant waters, make the sail-in to Saint Lucia one of the most magnificent in the world. It’s all thanks to the twin natural wonders of Saint Lucia’s Gros Piton and Petit Piton (2530 feet...
Welcome Wave Season and Save!
'Tis the season for cruise travelers to save! Wave Season is that time of year when cruise lines roll out wave after wave of promotions, perks, and irresistible offers. They’re all competing to capture your attention… which means you get the chance to save, spoil yourself a little, and maybe even try a whole new style of cruising. Lynn Elmhirst, cruise/travel expert and journalist, shares tips for navigating Wave Season. Tips for Charting the Course for Wave Season Timing is everything. Wave season...
Top Travel Resolutions That May Actually Get You Packing Your Bags This Year
Every year, “travel more” is in the mix of resolutions. But what travel resolutions can get you from dreaming of a trip… into the beauty and benefits of real travel experiences? Surveys consistently show that nearly two-thirds of Americans leave a third of their vacation time unused, and a quarter of workers don’t take any time off at all! That’s despite mounting evidence that travel is a boon for our physical and mental health, relationships, and more. Here are some additional travel resolutions...
Celebrating the Night: Seabourn’s ‘Noctourism’ Experiences
During the shortest days and longest nights of the year, ultra-luxury cruise line Seabourn is shining a spotlight on ways it gives guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in the primal allure of the night, as part of the growing ‘noctourism’ trend of exploring destinations after dark and connecting with destinations in new and meaningful ways. Select sailings feature experiences from stargazing and late-night wildlife encounters to cultural and indigenous performances and private evening events under the stars. Whether ashore or...
VIDEO: A New Kind of Expedition Cruising by Atlas Ocean Voyages: Epicurean Expeditions
Expedition cruises are a fast-growing, life-changing way to see the world in a different way. Atlas Ocean Voyages, with its fleet of small, yacht-like ships that also have polar capabilities, has expanded the definition of expedition cruising in new directions with ‘Epicurean Expeditions.’The ‘classic’ expedition cruise is polar: Antarctica or increasingly, the Arctic. Other remote maritime destinations that have natural or even cultural treasures to discover are also being added to the list of global expedition cruise itineraries for ships equipped...