What's Trending This Fall

By Isabelle Labrosse

From hotels for pet lovers to finding love at sea, here’s a snapshot of what’s new in the world of travel

TRAVELLING WITH FAMILY AND (FURRY) FRIENDS

Do you worry about leaving your furry friends behind while you travel? You might not need to anymore! Hilton has expanded its pet-friendly offering in Canada and the United States, including a partnership with Mars Petcare, the largest pet care company in the world. Through this partnership, guests can have all their questions about travelling with their cats and dogs answered by an online expert team during their stay. Hilton guests can also receive waived enrollment fees when purchasing an Optimum Wellness Plan from Banfield Pet Hospital. With these latest additions, the chain now has some 5,000 pet-friendly properties worldwide and more than 4,600 in North America offering perks through Mars Petcare.

TAKING TO THE NILE

Luxury river cruise line AmaWaterways will soon launch a second intimate ship on the legendary Nile River. The AmaLilia – named after the sacred blue water lily found in ancient Egypt – will set sail in 2024, taking passengers on an immersive Secrets of Egypt & Nile itinerary to experience the country’s ancient wonders. The extraordinary journey will include a sevennight roundtrip cruise from Luxor, a threenight pre-cruise stay in the historic city of Cairo and an additional night postcruise. Thoughtfully designed with regionally inspired touches, the ship will offer guests spacious staterooms and suites as well as delicious meals from an included specialty restaurant.

CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’

Tour operator Collette is expanding to its Golden State offering with its California Dreamin’: Monterey, Yosemite & Napa itinerary from Monterey to San Francisco. Over eight days, guests will have the chance to explore the best of Northern California, from the unspoiled beauty of Yosemite National Park and the pristine waters of Lake Tahoe to the stunning old town of Sacramento and the famed 17-Mile Drive on the Monterey Peninsula. And let’s not forget the wine! You’ll be treated to a private lunch and tasting at a historic Napa winery, where you can toast to your California adventure with a glass of locally produced wine.

A LITTLE ROMANCE AT SEA

A new reality romance adventure will set sail this October onboard popular cruise line Princess Cruises. The Real Love Boat is a new dating competition inspired by The Love Boat, the popular 1970s scripted show. The new series will bring together single contestants looking for love on a luxury Mediterranean cruise. They will participate in challenges and dates set by the matchmaking crew members to test their compatibility and chemistry in the hopes of staying onboard and finding real love. In the end, only one couple will remain on the ship and take home a cash prize and a once-in-a-lifetime cruise courtesy of Princess. The American version of the show will air on CBS starting on October 5.

A NEW COLOMBIAN GETAWAY

This winter, Canadian vacationers can discover the charms of a new South American island with Sunwing. The travel company recently added San Andrés, Colombia, as a new destination on its winter 2022- 2023 roster. Guests can choose from six Decameron properties within minutes of the Caribbean Sea, the city centre and the airport. Located off the coast of Nicaragua, San Andrés is a small, intimate island known for its immaculate sandy beaches, swaying palm trees and numerous cays. A nature lover’s paradise, it offers excellent diving and a multicultural community blending Anglo-Caribbean Raizal and Colombian cultures.