The Scenic Route

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MAGAZINE SCENIC ECLIPSE INAUGURAL ANTARCTIC SEASON TASTING YOUR WAY THROUGH PARIS WITH GABRIEL GATÉ ISSUE 1 2020

ISSUE 1 2020

CONTENTS

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FEATURES

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4 TOP 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites 6 FRENCH MARKETS With Gabriel Gaté 8 THE FORGOTTEN FRONT LINES Impacts of the Great War 10 ANTARCTICA With David McGonigal 12 DISCOVERING ANTARCTICA Inaugural season for Scenic

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Eclipse

editor’s letter Welcome to the first issue of The Scenic Route e-Magazine. While we all sit back and take time with your loved ones, we hope you find some inspiration in our armchair travel ideas.

Taking the time to plan ahead, to dream bigger and look to the future.

Read on to discover the highlights of Scenic Eclipse’s first season in Antarctica and our reflections on 20 years of handcrafted luxury land journeys through Canada.

The Scenic Team

14 FOR THE LOVE OF WHISKEY

contributors

On board Scenic Eclipse 16 A CULINARY JOURNEY

Shweta Menon, Rebecca Andrews, Lauren Rafter, Gabriel Gate, David McGonigal, Kerri McConnel, Lucy Cheek, Livinia Nixon.

AROUND THE WORLD Secret Recipes 20 AROUND THE WORLD - Unique Hotels 22 HOW TO Guide to Instagram 24 LIVINIA NIXON

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Life of a TV presenter

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design Emi Hollo, Matthew Yorke

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Europe’s Top 10

1. Palace and Gardens of Schönbrunn, Austria

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES

Discover the top 10 UNESCO World Heritage listed sites Scenic visits in Europe, as handpicked by our European Journey Designer, Janelle Maher.

From the 18th century to 1918, Schönbrunn was the residence of the Habsburg emperors. Together with its gardens, the site of the world’s first zoo in 1752, it is a remarkable Baroque ensemble.

2. Historic Center of Vienna, Austria Vienna developed from early Celtic and Roman settlements into a Medieval and Baroque city, with a historic center, rich in architectural ensembles, as well as the 19th century Ringstrasse lined with grand buildings, monuments and parks.

3. Historic Center of Brugge, Belgium Brugge is an outstanding example of a medieval historic settlement, which has maintained its historic fabric as it has evolved over the centuries.

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4. Monastery of the Hieronymites and Tower of Belém in Lisbon, Portugal Standing at the entrance to Lisbon, the Monastery of the Hieronymites, exemplifies Portuguese art at its best. The nearby Tower of Belém is a reminder of the great maritime discoveries that laid the foundations of the modern world.

5. Archaeological Site of Troy, Greece One of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. The siege of Troy by Spartan and Achaean warriors immortalised by Homer in the Iliad has inspired great creative artists throughout the world.

6. Historic Site of Lyon, France Lyon, founded by the Romans in the 1st century B.C. has played a major role in Europe's political, cultural and economic development.

7. Jurisdiction of Saint-Émilion, France

10. Historic Center of Sighişoara

Viticulture was introduced to this fertile region of Aquitaine by the Romans.

The region is now devoted entirely to wine-growing, with many fine historic monuments in its towns and villages.

Founded by the Saxons of Transylvania, Sighişoara is a fine example of a small, fortified medieval town which played an important strategic and commercial role in central Europe for several centuries.

8. Danube Delta The waters of the Danube, which flow into the Black Sea, form the largest and best preserved of Europe's deltas. The Danube delta hosts over 300 species of birds as well as 45 freshwater fish species.

9. Villages with Fortified Churches in Transylvania, Romania These villages with their fortified churches provide a vivid picture of the cultural landscape of southern Transylvania and are dominated by the churches.

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WATCH ANNA GARE VISIT VIENNA ON OUR JEWELS OF EUROPE CRUISE A B C D E F G

Lyon, France Monastery of the Hieronymites, Portugal Danube Delta, Romania Lyon, France Archaeological Site of Troy, Greece Schönbrunn, Austria Fortified Churches in Transylvania, Romania

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The glorious

FRENCH MARKETS

by Gabriel GatĂŠ

For French home cooks, visiting a fresh food market at least once a week is a way of life.

French markets are a feast for the senses, and as a chef, cookery writer and family cook, I feel stimulated and inspired by the great beauty of the colorful displays of fruits, vegetables and other stunning ingredients.

I often mentally plan a menu or create dishes while strolling through the atmospheric food aisles. I am inspired by the seasonal smells of fruits and fine herbs, such as basil, tarragon, strawberries and melons.

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I like to visit a market between 8 and 10am when it looks its best and is not yet too crowded. I first walk through the aisles to feel the atmosphere and discover the best stalls. Then, I reward myself with cafĂŠ and a croissant or some other irresistible goodies before returning to the most tempting stalls. I must confess I have a weakness for fromage.

My native country has over 10,000 food markets, so when on a French Scenic river cruise, you are never far from one.

Paris alone has about eighty weekly markets, most of which are situated in an attractive or historic street and open two or three days a week.

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The French capitol has also twelve covered markets open five or six days a week. The oldest, le marché des enfants rouges, was established in 1615.

The French word for market is marché, and a covered market is called a marché couvert, while larger, long-established covered markets are called les halles if there are several covered sections. You’ll find a stunning example of les halles in Versailles where the market is within walking distance of the extraordinary royal château. The best market days are usually Saturday and Sunday when family cooks have more time to plan their weekend feast.

A visit to a rural farmers’ market is a memorable cultural experience.

When discovering a gorgeous hilltop village, charming provincial town or famous gourmet city, such as Lyons, Avignon, Bordeaux or Paris, visiting a market is a most agreeable way of absorbing the richness of France's gastronomic treasures.

Most rural markets were established centuries ago, in old historic centers where you may also discover ancient châteaux, churches and medieval architecture.

Local farmers set up their stalls early in the central square of the village to sell their home-made cheeses, the freshest seasonal vegetables and herbs, and fruits ripened to perfection.

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cheese masters sell their goods from a specially equipped refrigerated truck, traveling during the week to a different village every day. These artisans are proud of their products and are usually happy to give you a taste before you buy.

“Most markets have a rôtisserie stall with the irresistible smell of roast chicken and other succulent, ready-to-eat meats and roast potatoes wafting through the air.”

Country markets offer amazing food ideas for a picnic. The charcutier is the shop to buy freshly prepared salads, delicious smallgoods like patés, hams, terrines and salami. Most markets have a rôtisserie stall with the irresistible smell of roast chicken and other succulent, ready-to-eat meats and roast potatoes wafting through the air.

Other artisans like butchers and fishmongers, smallgoods makers and

Around a market square you are sure to find a good boulangerie (bakery) and pâtisserie selling their regional specialties. And last but not least, you’ll find a wine shop to transform your picnic feast into a celebration

Vive la France

VIEW GABRIEL GATÉ EXPERIENCING SCENIC CULINAIRE

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Marché du Capucins, Bordeaux Gabriel Gaté Deauville Weekly Market Cheese, Avignon Markets

The forgotten

FRONTLINES The Great War impacted a generation of Australians

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In the village of Pozières in Northern France, there’s a century-old battlefield.

Under a blazing sun and azure sky, it’s hard to imagine this inviting stretch of green was the site of a bloodbath. But it was here that 23,000 ANZAC’s were killed or wounded over a brutal fortnight in the summer of 1916.

It was the war where our country lost a generation of young men. When WWI began in 1914, it was seen as a grand adventure that would be over in a short time. After Britain and Germany went to war, Australian Prime Minister Joseph Cook and Opposition Leader Andrew Fisher pledged full support for Britain. The outbreak of war was greeted enthusiastically; most thought it would be over within a year.

But four years later, more than 60,000 Australians from a population of less than five million were dead and another 156,000 had been wounded, gassed or were prisoners. The battle of Gallipoli, where the lives of 8,709 Australians were lost, has become our symbol of the ANZAC’s in WWI. But on the Western Front – which ran across the industrial regions of France and Belgium – five times more men were killed. They were there five times longer, fought five times more battles and won five times more Victoria Crosses.

More than 295,000 Australians served there between March 1916 and November 1918, and the losses were devastating.

There were more casualties in the first six weeks of Australia’s involvement than the entire eight-month Gallipoli campaign.

Over 33 months, more than 30 battles were fought, including Fromelles, the Somme, Bullecourt, Messines and Passchendaele.

The battle of Villers-Bretonneux – in which Australia played a significant part – was seen as a crucial turning point in WWI. Two Australian brigades took part in the counter-attack to stop the German spring offensive on the night of April 24 in 1918, along with three British battalions, recapturing the town. Tributes to Australia are displayed around the village, from “Do not forget Australia” banners to toy kangaroos in shop windows.

The successful attack by Australians in the battle of Hamel on July 4, 1918 was a major milestone in our military history.

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“There were more casualties in the first six weeks of Australia’s involvement than the entire eight month Gallipoli campaign..”

From the 8th of August, Australians then took part in a series of successful advances until early October. Germany surrendered on 11 November.

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In Australia, the Western Front is often seen as a sideshow to Gallipoli, but it played a lead role in our war effort and deserves to be in the spotlight. Visiting the battlegrounds is a heart-tugging, fascinating experience, whether you’re retracing the footsteps of relatives or just want to learn more about this important chapter in Australia’s history.

Traversing the frontline – which stretches 430 miles from the North Sea coastline to the Swiss border – is a bit ambitious for most travelers; visiting the sites of Australia’s participation in France and Belgium is a good starting point. You can travel there on Scenic’s Normandy & Gems of the Seine cruise.

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TAKE A LOOK AT OUR GEMS OF THE SEINE RIVER CRUISE ITINERARY A B C D

Australian cemetery, Villers-Bretonneux Villers-Bretonneux, Somme, France Memorial to Australian soldiers Victoria School plaque, Villers-Bretonneux

The Wonders of

ANTARCTICA David McGonigal Antarctic veteran

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Antarctica is a very intense destination.

For most of us, traveling into a part of the world that we know so little about means that being prepared is important.

There’s the Drake Passage with all its mythology. “The roughest stretch of water in the world”, “the Drake Shake”, “the Drake Lake” you’ll have heard them all before you experience it. As a veteran of well over 100 voyages south – that’s close to two years on the Drake Passage – I can say it’s rarely as bad as you fear, and you can always take something to ease the two day journey south. Antarctic waters are themselves quite calm. Another tip is to ensure you travel on a vessel that

is designed to handle the conditions of the Drake Passage. Scenic Eclipse with its 50% larger stabilisers is designed specifically to ensure greater comfort and smoother passage through heavy seas.

Since the days of Shackleton, the first iceberg sighting has been a very special moment. Hundreds of thousands of tonnes of gleaming white ice is a sight never to be forgotten. When there are penguins on the ice as if to welcome you, it’s even more special.

Taking your first step onto the 7th continent is unforgettable. It may be on a rocky beach surrounded by penguins and possibly a few seals, however, its hard not

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to appreciate the true significance of that moment.

Personal moments are just that – personal. Moments I recall with great clarity include cutting the Zodiac engine and listening to humpback whale blows all around us in the ice and watching insanely cute penguin chicks rushing around trying to catch snowflakes with their tongues. Of course, there are majestic bays lined by glaciers and Zodiac cruises through a maze of icebergs like a surreal sculpture garden.

Of course, it will be different for everyone. It may be coming onto the ship’s bridge on the first sea day to find

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wandering albatross, the world’s largest flying bird, flying circuits around the ship. Or it might be looking into the seawater at the shore and seeing both the grace of a penguin flying underwater and krill, the biological building blocks of Antarctica, swimming in the shallows.

Your first sunrise over the icescape that is Antarctica is special. So is hearing a crack in a glacial face and watching as it’s followed by hundreds of thousands of tonnes of ice cascading into the water in a calving.

I have a friend and for her, Antarctica is about walking in the footsteps of the polar explorers, particularly those of the

heroic age. For her the big moments are toasting that most revered and flawed explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton by his graveside at Gytviken, South Georgia, seeing Elephant Island where his crew of the Endurance awaited rescue for more than five months, and visiting one of the bases set up by early British scientific expeditions along the Antarctic Peninsula.

Different people have different reactions to Antarctica. For one it may be the excitement of spotting a leopard seal basking on an ice floe, for another it is a sighting of an Arctic tern that provides that moment of joy. Nearly all of us are

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excited to see a pure white snow petrel (with only black legs and eyes) that are regarded by some as the most beautiful bird in the world.

Most of us hope that a significant trip will see you return with at least one memory of a lifetime. Antarctica is likely to have several of those crowded into every day, resulting in the most memorable trip of your life.

A Black-browed Albatross B King penguins, Falkland Islands C Scenic Eclipse, Antarctica D Zodiac excursions E Skua F Whale

DISCOVERING ANTARCTICA A continent of remote grandeur

Lands of pristine beauty, breathtaking wildlife and inestimable importance in an environmental and historical sense, traveling to the base of the globe on our Antarctica cruises is a long-held dream for most people.

On the inaugural journey to South Georgia and the Falkland Islands, the passengers and crew of Scenic Eclipse have been sharing some incredible images of the voyage, showcasing the stunning wonders of these destinations.

“Waking up early on the first day anchored in Antarctica is a feeling you may only feel once in your life, but is sure to stay with you forever. This is the reason why so many people that visit return and again, seeking to recreate some of their most special memories” Adriaan Oliver, Discovery Team on board Scenic Eclipse

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TAKE A LOOK AT OUR ANTARCTIC CRUISE ITINERARIES ABOARD SCENIC ECLIPSE A B C D E F G H

Helicopter, Antarctica Drygalski Fjord Zodiac excursions Scenic Neptune South Georgia Elephant Seal Scenic Eclipse Elephant Island Weddell Sea, Antarctica

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WATCH SCENIC ECLIPSE’S FIRST ANTARCTICA SEASON AND MEET THE DISCOVERY TEAM

For the love of

WHISKEY

Tracing the roots of the world’s favorite spirit

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It was Mark Twain who said “Too much of anything is bad, but too much of whiskey is barely enough.” Had Twain been around to cruise on Scenic Eclipse, his refined palate would’ve appreciated the 110 varieties of whiskey at the all-inclusive on board Whiskey Bar. The premium selection includes single malts such as a 25-year-old Glendullan, a 30-yearold Jura The Loch and a 16-year-old Lagavulin, super-premium blends such as Johnny Walker Blue, Ireland’s Jameson Select Reserve Black Barrel and many more from around the world, Twain would have been delightfully spoiled for choice.

Whiskey has a fabulous and intriguing history, with both the Scottish and the Irish claiming to be inventers of the cherished beverage. The truth is, no one really knows for sure. The source of the process of distillation can be traced to Mesopotamia in 800 AD where Babylonians were believed to distil solutions such as perfumes.

Around 1000 AD, traveling Christian monks took the formula of distillation into Ireland and Scotland, where, due to the unavailability of wine, the monks were compelled to distil barley beer into a liquor. Whiskey evolved, along with the unending debate between the Scottish and the Irish.

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“For whiskey to be known as Scotch, it has to be made in Scotland from start to end. Single malt Scotch is malt whiskey from a single distillery.”

Given the hazy, intertwined beginnings, how different are Scottish and Irish whiskeys? For starters, Scotch whisky is spelled without the ‘e’ and Irish whiskey is spelled with the ‘e’. Scotch is made with malted barley, distilled twice and aged in oak barrels for a minimum of three years.

For whiskey to be known as Scotch, it has to be have been made in Scotland from start to end. Single malt Scotch is malt whiskey from a single distillery.

Irish whiskey is made with unmalted barley, is usually distilled three times and aged in oak barrels. The extra distillation of Irish whiskey brings about a marked

difference in taste. Scotch has a fuller, heavier taste, while Irish whiskey, by contrast, and has a lighter, and smoother taste.

Other varieties of whiskey include bourbon, rye and blended. Bourbon is made from at least 51% corn mash, aged in new oak barrels, and is only produced in the United States. Rye is also made in America and is composed of 51% rye.

Blended whiskey is usually made from a blend of various aged whiskies.

Today, whiskey is produced in many countries around the world. The most popular varieties come from Scotland, Ireland, Canada and United States, with New Zealand and Japan quickly joining the ranks. Scenic Eclipse guests have the chance to sample whiskies from nearly all the major whiskey producing regions, and some more limited edition vintages. With an incredible display case, backed by a wall of translucent quartz crystal, putting the 110 varieties of whiskey on display, resistance is futile. And, of course, it's all included on Scenic Eclipse..

TAKE A LOOK AT OUR ANTARCTIC CRUISE ITINERARIES A Scenic Eclipse B Scenic Whiskey Bar

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A CULINARY JOURNEY AROUND THE WORLD Scenic Eclipse Executive Chef Tom Goetter shares the secret recipes of his guest favorites

From watching the maestros at work in the open galleys, to sitting down in the thoughtfully designed, tastefully decorated dining venues, dining on board Scenic Eclipse is a multi-sensory journey right up to the very first bite of your meal.

And then it is pure bliss.

Meet Chef Tom Goetter The explosion of flavors in each delicious recipe reflect the imagination of Executive Chef Tom Goetter. The clockwork precision of Chef Tom’s German heritage is evident in the meticulous attention to detail he invests into designing each dish and the daily restaurant menus. From soy sauce for sushi flown in especially from Japan, to the 24-hour brining and air-drying of the traditional roast chicken, no meal is taken for granted.

Goetter is all about reinventing timetested recipes and giving them his own unique spin. From foie gras lollipops to smoked blue candy floss on caviar, Goetter knows how to keep things enchanting, especially at Chef’s Table, the exclusive, ‘by invitation only’, degustation dining experience. In his own words, “We want to make something you know already but make you feel, ‘Oh, that’s special. Why does that taste so different?’”

A Scenic Eclipse Executive Chef Tom Goetter B Koko's dining C Koko's Asian Fusion

LISTEN TO TOM GOETTER EXPLAIN WHY DINING ON BOARD SCENIC ECLIPSE IS SO SPECIAL B

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Naan Bread INGREDIENTS

METHOD

(serves 4 to 6)

• Mix all Ingredients in a bowl and work into a soft dough

• 2 cups flour • 1 tsp sugar • ½ tsp salt • 1 tbsp oil • 1 tsp baking powder • 2 ½ oz yogurt C

• ½ cup milk

• Cut the dough into 6 pieces and roll each out into a flat dough • Place a flat pan on your oven and wait till pan smokes.

• Grill both sides for approximately 2 minutes without adding any fat till golden in color.

Koko’s Asian Fusion restaurant & Sake bar With regularly evolving dining options, guests on board Scenic Eclipse have the chance to savor new dishes daily at up to ten dining experiences and bars.

Koko’s, the Asian Fusion restaurant and Sake bar has four chefs from four different nations who craft unique but authentic cuisine, including deliciously assorted lunch bento boxes.

A popular serving among Koko’s many delicious meals is the Korean Pulled Beef, served with… wait for it… Naan Bread and Avocado Raita, an unusual but winning combination.

If you’re fondly reminiscing about this wonderful combination of meals that you enjoyed on your Scenic Eclipse voyage or would like to try to create this cuisine at home, now is the time. Chef Tom has shared the secret recipe of his all-time favorite. “The best thing about Galbi Jjim (Korean Short Ribs) is the super tender meat that is coated with sticky, salty, sweet, and nutty sauce. It’s hugely addictive. And to serve it, we use Naan Bread and Avocado Raita to give it a different kick. It’s easy to do back home and a fun flavor combination”, he says.

Avocado Raita INGREDIENTS

(serves 4 to 6)

• 2 ripe avocados • 1 medium-sized onion (finely chopped) • 2 medium-sized tomatoes (very finely chopped) • 1 green chili (finely chopped) • ½ tsp red chili powder • 1 tsp cumin powder • ½ cup chopped fresh coriander leaves • 1 tbsp lemon juice • 1 cup yogurt (fresh, unsweetened, whisked till smooth) • salt to tastePAGE 17

METHOD • Remove the flesh and seed from the avocados and put them into a mixing bowl. Mash the avocados until they are nearly smooth.

• Add the chopped onion, tomato, green chilli, all the spices, the lemon juice, and chopped coriander. Mix it up until all the ingredients are blended.

• Add the yogurt, salt to taste, and blend it in with the avocado mixture.

• Refrigerate and serve cold with the pulled beef as a dip on the bread.

Korean Braised Short Ribs “Korean Pulled Beef” MAIN INGREDIENTS (serves 4 to 6) • 3 to 4 lbs bone-in beef short ribs (pork ribs suitable alternative) • 1 ½ cup water • 2 carrots, cut into medium size pieces • 10 chestnuts, peeled (canned chestnuts can be used too)

SAUCE INGREDIENTS • 1 1/4 cup red apple (or nashi/ Asian pear), cored and chopped • ½ cup onion, peeled and chopped • 6 tbsp regular soy sauce • 2 tbsp brown sugar • 2 tbsp honey • 2 tbsp rice wine (mirin) • 1 tbsp minced garlic • 1 tsp sesame oil • 5 whole black peppers

METHOD • Soak the beef ribs in cold water for 10 to 20 minutes. This is to draw out the red liquid (which looks like blood) from the meat. Change the water a few times.

• Blend the sauce ingredients in a mixer or food processor. Set it aside.

• In a large pot, in rolling boiling water, boil the ribs for 6 to 8 minutes over medium high heat. Drain the water and rinse the ribs in cold running water. Cut off any obvious excess fat from the ribs.

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• Place the ribs in an oven and add the 1 ½ cup water. Add 2/3rd of the sauce.

Boil over medium heat for about 30 minutes, covered. Stir gently and change the position of the ribs. Reduce the heat to medium low and continue to simmer for about 10 minutes, covered.

• Add the remaining ingredients (carrots, jujube, gingko nuts, chestnuts and the remaining sauce) and continue to simmer it over medium low heat for about 20 minutes, covered.

• By now the ribs should be fully cooked, but they may not be tender. Continue to simmer until your desired tenderness is achieved (usually up to an additional 1 hour, covered). Depending on how long you simmered it, you may still have a reasonable amount of sauce/ liquid left in the pot.

• To boil it off, you can heat up the stove to medium high heat and boil it for 10 to 12 minutes, covered. This should thicken the sauce and leave just the

right amount of it at the bottom of the pot. Alternatively, you can continue to boil off the sauce over medium low heat until the sauce nearly disappears.

This can take another 1 hour or so.

And this will make the meat fall off the bone. Many Korean moms would say that the bones shouldn’t fall off as it’s visually less appealing when you serve it. However, this is exactly what we want till we pick the meat after for our Korean pulled Beef.

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• To reheat, add 1/3rd cup of water in a pot and boil it for 5 to 7 minutes over medium high heat, covered, till sticky again.

The Retreat Hotel - Blue Lagoon, Iceland

Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, Denali State Park, Alaska

The Retreat Hotel - Blue Lagoon, Iceland

UNIQUE HOTELS around the world Discover some of the world’s most unique hotels in stunning locations with Scenic

The Retreat Hotel - Blue Lagoon, Iceland

The Retreat Hotel - Blue Lagoon, Iceland A stay at The Retreat invites guests to unwind the clock of modern life and unlock the door to a wonder of the world.

It sits within a geothermic area, and is surrounded by thermal pools built on an 800-year-old lava flow.

Itinerary: 8 Day Iceland - The Land of Fire & Ice, Scenic Eclipse land journey.

Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, Denali State Park, Alaska With clear views of Denali and the wilds of Alaska, this true wilderness retreat is an extraordinary getaway. Located 40 miles from Denali in Denali State Park, the mountain’s presence is always near — its dramatic peaks on display from The Great Room as you sip on a locally brewed beer or making s’mores over firepits on the patio.

Itinerary: 27 Day Canadian Rockies, Alaska and Arctic Circle.

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Oyster Box Hotel, Umhlanga, South Africa Standing majestically on Umhlanga’s beachfront just 15 minutes from the airport, overlooking the Indian Ocean and the iconic lighthouse, this is South Africa’s most cherished hotel and a national treasure, complete with resident cat, Skabenga, who wandered in years ago and has never left.

Itineraries: 17 Day South Africa and Victoria Falls

Amor Arenal, La Fortuna, San Carlos, Costa Rica A 5-star rainforest lodge, located at the foothills of Arenal Volcano on the edge of a virgin forest canyon. Features farm to table dining, hot springs and a yoga platform overlooking the canyon, with a meditation platform floating among the trees

Oyster Box Hotel, Umhlanga, South Africa

explora Patagonia, Torres del Paine, Patagonia, Chile

Odakyu Hotel de Yama, Kanagawa, Japan

Anchored like a ship by Lake Pehoé, at the heart of Torres del Paine National Park, explora Patagonia has a privileged location from where guests can venture out and explore the park. Walking in lenga tree woods, getting to the base of Paine Towers, riding a horse through the Park’s prairies and rivers with horses specifically trained for Patagonia’s geography or cruising along the turquoise waters of Lake Pehoé are some of the experiences available

Hotel de Yama boasts the best location on Lake Ashinoko. The grand gardens of the hotel boast an amazing 130,000m² floral display comprising more than 3,500 rhododendron plants

Itinerary: 7 Day Costa Rica Nature & Wildlife, Scenic Eclipse land Jjourney

Itineraries: 17 Day Essential Japan, 20 Day Allure of Japan and 14 Day Japan in Focus

Itinerary: 9 Day Patagonian Adventure, Scenic Eclipse land journey.

Opus XVI - The Edvard Grieg Heritage Hotel, Bergen, Norway A historic building in Bergen owned and run by the family of composer and pianist, Edvard Greig. The building was originally designed in 1876 as Bergen’s largest bank and was recently converted into a hotel. Excerpts from the composer’s life can be found at a mini exhibition: you can read tales of his travels and learn about his friendships with important figures of the era.

Itinerary: 10 Day Scandinavian Discovery, Scenic Eclipse land journey

explora Patagonia, Torres del Paine, Patagonia, Chile

Opus XVI - The Edvard Grieg Heritage Hotel, Bergen, Norway

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Amor Arenal, La Fortuna, San Carlos, Costa Rica

Tips on how to use

INSTAGRAM…

Join our instagram community for travel inspiration around the world

A BEGINNERS GUIDE TO INSTAGRAM STEP 1. Get the App Simply download the Instagram app via the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android).

STEP 2. Create account Choose to sign up using your phone number, email address or Facebook account.

Scenic guests are some of the world’s great explorers, embarking on adventures around the world and enjoying life changing enriching experiences.

STEP 3. Follow your favorite accounts Click the search icon in the top left to find your friends, family or favorite brands. Search “scenic.cruises” to follow us.

Guests are also our greatest advocates and users of social media in all its formats. Posts from our members around the world are inspiring and educating other travelers, to the wonders of their unique journeys. Experience the joy of sharing your special Scenic moments with your family and friends (and us) – all in an instant.

STEP 4. Create your post Instagram is an entirely visual platform, its purpose is to enable users to share images or videos.

On Facebook, you may choose to post 100 photos in an album. On Instagram, you need to be more selective about which photos you post – narrow it down to just your favorite photos from your vacation to post.

Scenic is growing its Instagram account and we’d love you to become part of our community. Instagram is a great way to share your beautiful vacation photos and to be inspired for your next adventure.

Here are our tips to learn about and make the most of Instagram:

Open the App. Click the “+” icon in the bottom center of your screen to open the photo library on your phone. Select your photo or video and click “Next” in the top right.

This will take you to the edit screen, where you can choose to add a “Filter” or “Edit” your photo. Alternatively, click “Next” again to skip.

Now add a caption, tag people and add a location. Don’t forget to tag @@scenic.cruises and use the hashtag #scenicwonder in your caption!

When you are ready to publish, click “Share” in the top right.

And you have posted.

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Follow us on Instagram @scenic.cruises and @scenic.eclipse for the latest travel inspiration, and share your own Scenic travel experiences with #scenicwonder and #sceniceclipse

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We always love hearing from our guests, seeing what you have experienced and sharing your favorite moments.

Here’s some images that may inspire you to use Instagram and be part of the global sharing community.

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THE LIFE OF A TV TRAVEL PRESENTER Travelling the Globe with Livinia Nixon

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If you’re reading this, you’re a travel lover like me. The freedom of travel - away from responsibilities and the grinding routine, is liberating and exciting. Learning about new cultures and having a daily adventure is enticing and creates lifelong memories.

But what happens when you travel for work? Is some of the magic lost in rigorous itineraries, work emails, time constraints and high heels?

Well, a little.... but just a little. As anyone who travels for work knows, it’s not as glamorous as it looks. Those TV snippets of heaven - a presenter getting a massage or soaking in a hot tub, generally last as long as the filming.... all of about 7 minutes at a time. But they are a glorious 7 minutes and as a working mum, I’ll take that any day of the week.

I’ve had some incredible moments working as a travel presenter. I’ve cuddled baby panda cubs in China, eaten “home delivered” pizza inside the Cheops pyramid, swum with dolphins in NZ, played golf at St Andrews, bottle-fed baby lion cubs in South Africa, played tennis against Pat Rafter and drunk champagne.... in a champagne cave.... in Champagne.

People always ask which are my favorite destinations. Well, its easy to fall in love with France - the food, the natural beauty, its history and the accents of the French people... ooh,la,la.

I love Japan for it cultural differences, respect for others, cleanliness and simplicity of design. I love Italy (who doesn’t?) for the food, natural beauty, slower pace of life and the accents. I’ve

clearly got “a thing” for accents.

Every country has an adventure waiting for you, but of course, you need to be prepared. It always helps to learn a few local phrases, dress in an appropriate way (shoulders covered in temples/churches for example) and be careful of free public Wi-Fi (never do any banking or enter your passwords on public Wi-Fi). I also carry a collapsible water bottle so I can refill it every day and not have the guilt of adding to landfill. Another tip.... touchscreen gloves for the colder climate cruising (then your pinkies need not suffer for the ultimate selfie) My husband always packs shower caps and plastic bags for shoes -after trekking around the streets of a city, you don’t want that dirt next to your favorite white scarf.

The best advice is be open to experiences and know that things always go wrong when traveling. You have to be resilient and not sweat the small stuff.... or become a travel presenter and let your producer iron out every issue. Once when filming on a now-defunct travel show, we had an expired shooting permit and every time we pulled out the camera, 25 policemen would come and check our permit and shut us down. We got so frustrated that we decided to film in front of the beautiful Parisian permits office. We shot every single piece of dialogue we needed without being bothered once. Sometime you just need to fake it until you make it.

A Coffee plantation, Southern India B Mt Fuji, Japan C Cooking segment in Kerala, India

B

“The best advice is be open to experiences and know that things always go wrong when travelling.”

C

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