Ensemble Extraordinary Experiences

NEW Clickable Digital Edition

The Superlatives Issue Run away to a Secret Belize Resort Take a Private Jet Around the World Revel in the Rare Floriade Festival Drive a Ferrari Berlinetta in Europe Try Freediving in French Polynesia

SUMMER 2021

What makes an experience truly EXTRAORDINARY? Does it happen only once … or extremely rarely?

Is the experience private, exclusive, and customized just for you?

Does the adventure require special planning or insider connections?

Does it make friends and acquaintances a bit green with envy?

Will booking this adventure make your palms sweat?

But will you be glad you did it?

We fulfill the promise of extraordinary by never holding back on bringing you the absolute world.

“Don’t sit and wait. Get out there, feel life. Touch the sun, and immerse in the sea.”— Rumi Photo: Diving in the Winward Islands, Polynesia See story, Pacific Paradise, page 23

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Contents

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7 T HE POSHEST

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THE WILDEST

Exotic creatures, cultures, night clubs

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T HE DEEPEST

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T HE GREENEST Galápagos, eco-travel, light therapy

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T HE BRIGHTEST Once-in-a-decade Floriade blooms

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T HE HIGHEST

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T HE SMOOTHEST

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Rowing with an Olympian in Greece MUSIQUE

T HE OLDEST Hot springs, Haida, Himalayan yoga

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T HE HOTTEST

VIDÉO T HE NEWEST

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Newfoundland, Scandinavia, Japan

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T HE FASTEST

State-of-the-art ships, hotels, destinations

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T HE COOLEST

T HE CALMEST

Performance cars, Europe's open roads

From scuba to freediving in the Pacific

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Forest baths, hydrotherapy, silent spas

The Maldives, Belize, private jets

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T HE RECETTE FARTHEST Pole-to-pole cruises, world adventures

Island escapes, haute couture hotspots WELCOME TO THE NEW DIGITAL EDITION OF

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EXTRAORDINARY

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EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCES GOES DIGITAL

What’s even better than Extraordinary Experiences? Extraordinary Experiences in a fast, easy, and eco-friendly digital format that makes exploring your wildest dreams so much more fun!

BOOK LIVRE INTERVIEW ENTREVUE As you peruse these pages, keep an eye out for the icons below and click to see videos, music, and amazing insights that sync with the article’s theme.

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Dear Traveler

EDITORIAL EDITOR IN CHIEF

Kimberly Buerkle

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Michele Sponagle Nancy Hellmrich

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Laura Torrisi

DESIGN & PRODUCTION Torrisi Design Associates An Ensemble Travel® Group Publication Ensemble Vacations® is a publication of Ensemble Travel® ­Group © July 2021 Ensemble Travel, Inc. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reprinted or otherwise duplicated without written permission of the publisher.

Ensemble Travel Group 256 West 38th Street New York, NY 10018.

Ensemble® Ensemble Travel® Ensemble® Hosted Cruises Ensemble® Hotel & Resort Collection Ensemble® On Location Ensemble® Villas & Vacation Homes Ensemble® Exclusives Ensemble® Experience and the floret design are registered and unregistered trademarks of Ensemble Travel, Inc.

ON THE COVER: Rumored to be the inspiration for the song "La Isla Bonita," San Pedro, on the southern end of Belize's Ambergris Caye, offers access to the Belize Barrier Reef, premium dive shops, and ultraexclusive resorts.

Photo Courtesy of: Cayo Espanto Private Island See story, Star Struck, page 8 Photo Credit: www.aprivateisland.com

It’s human nature, isn’t it? To come out of a period of depravation positively raring to go? To return with extra zeal to the life we loved. To come back absolutely aching for all that we were denied … and then some.

So, naturally, as travelers who yearn for experiences above and beyond the norm, we aren’t simply returning to travel. We’re returning with our engines on full. We’re returning with “you only live once” escapes in mind. And there’s nothing that can stop us.

Happily, our indefatigable travel advisors and our ever-ready suppliers are getting caught up in the frenzy as well. Their exuberance is spilling over into this issue with a fresh collection of bliss-inducing stories and breathtaking adventures in places you may never have considered before.

We looked at where the world’s most scintillating celebrities are going. How billionaire business people are breaking the travel mold. Trips that require extra planning, but are oh-so worth it. Journeys that, once taken, will elicit “I can die happy now” exclamations.

In this issue, we’re bringing you the hottest, farthest, fastest, longest, deepest, coolest, most daring, most glamorous, and … even most extraordinary. More than ever, we’re looking forward to the thrill of booking your re-entry into the world of travel.

Kim Buerkle kbuerkle@ensembletravel.com

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Contributors

ROBIN CHERRY lives in the Hudson Valley and writes about travel, food, and popular culture.

She’s written two books: Catalog: The Illustrated History of Mail Order Shopping and Garlic: An Edible Biography (with over 100 recipes). She’s visited over 100 countries and has a passion for Central and Eastern Europe. p. 30, 33, 55-56

Based in Colorado, NANCY HELLMRICH is a recovering advertising creative director and active travel enthusiast. Her work includes brand alignment projects as well as travel stories. Her recent adventures include grappa tasting on the coast of Croatia, cycling in New Zealand, snuggling up in Sweden’s Ice Hotel, and glamping in the Sahara. p.11-13, 20-21, 38, 40

Born in London, EMMA GREGG has won a string of awards for travel journalism and photography. With a love for the outdoors dating back to childhood trips in rural Britain and France, she now writes about the world’s wildest places, from rainforests to remote polar landscapes. She is passionate about responsible, sustainable approaches to travel, and is an expert on Africa's spectacular conservation areas. p.14-16

ALI WUNDERMAN is a freelance travel journalist who has been published in leading media outlets such as the Washington Post, Cosmopolitan, Travel + Leisure, Forbes and Condé Nast Traveler, among others. She has written guidebooks on Belize and Iceland, and is a first-time novelist. Originally from San Francisco, she now splits her time between Montana and Belize with her husband and their two dogs. p. 8-9, 23 -24

MARY BEMIS, founder of InsidersGuidetoSpas.com, is a respected spa journalist who forged a vocabulary for spa and wellness reportage that is widely used by those who cover the issues today. She is a true spa advocate who believes in the healing power of spas and the benefits of living a spa lifestyle. A longtime New Yorker, she resides in Southern Oregon, on the banks of the Rogue River. p. 42

GLENN ROBINSON is Vice President, Independent Technology Risk Officer, Sr. for PNC Bank, based in Pittsburgh. In his free time, he races Porsche 944s and is currently on the cusp of earning his race car driving license. He has written for Grassroots Motorsports Magazine and Rundschau, a publication of The Porsche Club of America, Allegheny Region. p.45-46

CATHY SENECAL has made a career in travel since stepping over a crocodile while on a cruise down the Zaire River many years ago. As a writer and traveler, she is often drawn to the wild places – mountains, forests, deserts, oceans and rivers – to hike, bike, paddle or spot wildlife. A resident of Manitoba, she has walked with polar bears, swam with beluga whales, and built igloos with the Inuit under the northern lights. p. 52 4

Based in Crete for the past decade, British travel writer and broadcaster HEIDI FULLER-LOVE is a Greece destination expert.

Covering travel, food, history and hotels for more than 25 years, her byline has appeared in publications such as The Independent, L.A. Times, Food+Travel and The Telegraph.

She has just launched her own off-the-beaten-path podcast guide, Greece Alternatively. p. 53

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KRISTEN POPE is a freelance writer and editor who writes about travel, outdoor adventure, science, and conservation, among other topics. She writes about her adventures for an array of publications, including National Geographic, Discover, Smithsonian, Adventure, Atlas Obscura, Roadtrippers, Northwest Travel, and Budget Travel. p. 34-35

For more than 15 years, LIZ FLEMING been exploring the globe from Machu Picchu to the Arctic Circle – and writing about it all. Her work has appeared in media outlets across North America. She’s also the editor of Cruise & Travel magazine and the host of the weekly, Liz Fleming Travels show on iHeart Radio. Her bag is always packed so ready to jump into the next adventure. p.26-27

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WHALE WATCHING FROM ZODIAC, ANTARCTICA

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ESCAPE WITH PEACE OF MIND ABOARD A WINDSTAR ALL-SUITE OR SAILING YACHT.

LET’S GET BACK OUT THERE.

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We’re officially back at sea, ready to welcome you aboard and whisk you away to those far-off exotic places you’ve been dreaming of.

Serving only 148 to 342 guests, our newly transformed all-suite yachts, and sailing ships, are small enough to slip past the big tourist ships and tuck into those remote, uncrowded ports and private bays most people will never see—Fakarava. Patmos. Heimaey Island. From the personalized attention you get from our thoughtful and welcoming crew members, to our world-class culinary program featuring regionally inspired dishes made with fresh local ingredients, to the World Spa by Windstar, it’s all waiting for you with this limited time offer.

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Book your Windstar Cruise by August 31, 2021 and receive your choice of up to $1000 onboard credit OR a free hotel night and a bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne will be waiting for you in your stateroom or suite to celebrate your return to cruising.

TO BOOK, CONTACT YOUR TRUSTED TRAVEL ADVISOR.

Windstar will provide one bottle of Veuve in your suite/stateroom to celebrate your sailing. Windstar is also offering the first two guests in a qualifying suite/stateroom the option to choose one of the following credits: up to $1,000 USD shipboard credit per suite/stateroom; OR one free hotel night per suite/stateroom. Shipboard credits are available in the following amounts: $1,000 USD shipboard credit per Premium Suite ($500 USD per guest) for sailings 14 days or more; $400 USD shipboard credit per standard suite/stateroom ($200 USD per guest) for sailings 14 days or more; $400 USD per Premium Suite ($200 USD per guest) for sailings less than 14 days; $200 USD per standard suite/stateroom ($100 USD per guest) for sailings less than 14 days. Single fares will receive shipboard credit at the per guest rate. Shore excursions using shipboard credit must be booked onboard. Hotel nights are available at Windstar-selected hotels pre- or post-cruise.

Certain restrictions apply. All fares mentioned are per person, in US dollars, cruise only, based on double occupancy in lowest category, and include non-discountable amounts. Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses are additional and are published at www.windstarcruises.com. Offer is valid on new bookings only and subject to availability. Consult your Windstar representative for promotional offer or discount combinability. Bookings are non-transferable; no name changes can be made nor can this offer be applied retroactively. Cancellation fees may apply; please see website for details. Fuel surcharges may be imposed or increased over time. Offer is capacity controlled and may be withdrawn or modified at Windstar’s discretion at any time. Information contained herein is accurate at time of publication and subject to change without notice. All terms and conditions stated on the Windstar website apply. Cruises are provided subject to the terms and conditions of the Passage Contract. Offer expires on August 31, 2021. Ships’ registry: Bahamas.

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Introducing … The Superlatives Issue Remember what it felt like to know you could take off on the biggest and best adventure imaginable any time you wished? The joyous anticipation, the world of possibilities, the spirit of discovery?

Last year’s uncertainty forced us to put those dreams on the shelf. This year, we’re ready to take them out, dust them off, and go—full speed ahead. To travel farther, faster, cooler, hotter, deeper, and wilder than we’ve ever traveled before.

Let’s do this.

Ritz-Carlton

THE POSHEST The Maldives, of Course For those considering cashing out their GameStop earnings to buy an island, there is a largely submarine mountain range in the Indian Ocean that comes to mind. We’re referring to the Maldives, of course. Word has it, the archipelago extraordinaire is auctioning 50-year leases on several of its petite land masses.

Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi

Imagine having unrestricted access to the most enviable escape for India's jet-setting elite—not to mention Taylor Swift, Madonna, Kate Moss, Joe Jonas, Shakira, Gwyneth Paltrow, Liv Tyler, The Beckhams, John Legend, Novak Djokovic, Chanel Iman, and more.

Thankfully, buying in isn’t the only option. With a stop on route in Abu Dhabi to pick up a new designer swimsuit, and a seaplane hop or yacht trip out to your atoll, getting there is surprisingly doable. The bigger challenge is choosing from perhaps the greatest selection of resorts on earth.

Amilla Fushi

Would you prefer the sparkling, new Ritz-Carlton? The expansive Amilla Fushi? The rare and wonderful One & Only? Soneva Jani? Waldorf Astoria’s Ithaafushi? So many places to disappear to; so few ways to go wrong.

Soneva Jani

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THE POSHEST

Star Struck What it’s like to stay at an ultra-luxurious villa resort on a private island in the Caribbean where guests are treated like A-listers

by Ali Wunderman

Leonardo DiCaprio may own his own island in Belize, but when he visits the Central American country on the Caribbean Sea, he can most likely be found at Cayo Espanto instead.

Admittedly, I hoped to cross paths with an A-list celebrity like Leo during my four-day stay on the ultra-exclusive cay, but privacy is so thoughtfully built into the landscape that I was barely aware six other villas existed beyond my own. The moment my Tropic Air flight touched down in San Pedro, the team at Cayo Espanto whisked me away into a world of elegance and service, starting with a private boat ride directly to my 2,600 square-foot, two-bedroom villa with its own dock, personal plunge pool and al fresco showers.

Hundreds of islands can be found peppering the coast of Belize, but none offer the level of luxury afforded Cayo Espanto’s guests. Each villa is staffed by

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two dedicated attendants, able to meet essentially any whim their charges may have. Detailed pre-trip surveys gather information like what types of desserts you prefer, or how involved you want your attendants to be in your stay. The open-air villas are stylish and wellconstructed, combining comfort with relaxation and decked out with perks like Turkish bathrobes, Egyptian cotton linens, a butler’s pantry with snacks and drinks. It’s exactly what any celebrity vacation should entail.

I, at least, felt famous being flown by private charter to visit the Lamanai Maya ruins, the pilot waiting on the jungle runway for me to finish my leisurely tour.

When I spent a morning fishing before eating our freshly-grilled catch on a white sand beach, I half expected the paparazzi to burst from the surrounding mangrove.

Indulgent excursions would surely please anyone, but it’s the details behind the

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INTERVIEW

Belize is home to the MUSIC

All photos credit: www.aprivateisland.com

second largest barrier decadence that really made Cayo Espanto stand out. To preserve guests’ privacy, dinner is served nightly in your villa (featuring a menu catered individually to each party), and my attendants made sure to place and set the table somewhere unique each night: out on the dock, on the sandy beach, at the edge of the deck.

Although I was always dining in my villa, a two-story architectural wonder called Estrella, they ensured I experienced the sensation of novelty every night.

In fact, I was most impressed by the team’s ability to anticipate my needs, which was not only delightful, but allowed me to truly relax instead of getting bogged down with decision anxiety. After snorkeling with sea turtles at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, my guide asked if I would like a drink waiting upon returning to my villa. When I asked for a banana, he suggested I get a strawberrybanana smoothie instead, a much more delicious way to get the potassium my body was craving.

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It’s no wonder celebrities like Jennifer Lawrence, Bill Gates, Robert De Niro, Tiger Woods, and Bradley Cooper have all reportedly COCKTAIL

stayed at Cayo Espanto. The combination of heightened privacy, top notch service, and being on a beautiful exclusive island in the Caribbean Sea is everything an A-lister could want from

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their Belize vacation.

ENSEMBLE EX TR AORDINARY EXPERIENCES I 2021

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Experience the Expertise That Sets Us Apart Join us on a voyage led by an award-winning Expedition Team comprised of real-life explorers, adventurers and famed experts. Every cruise we lead is exclusively chartered on a luxurious small ship with a guest capacity of no more than 199, and features all-balcony accommodations and all-inclusive amenities available only through A&K.

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From the Komodo Islands to Antarctica and beyond, we take you to the world’s most inspiring destinations in unmatched authenticity and style.

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Al fresco dining in Samarkand (Uzbekistan)

THE POSHEST

The Making of a Private Jet Journey

An interview with Ann Epting from Abercrombie & Kent by

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Nancy Hellmrich

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All Photos Courtesy of Abercrombie & Kent

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Few experiences are more exceptional for serious travelers than world tours via private jet. Yet, little is known about what goes on behind the scenes to assemble these extraordinary journeys and ensure every detail is just so. To paint a clearer picture, we caught up with Abercrombie & Kent’s Ann Epting, SVP of Private Jet & Special Interest Travel.

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Q: What goes into an A&K Private Jet Journey?

A: A lot of planning and forethought. These trips are literally years in the making. There are usually about five or six of us. We review guest ideas, we brainstorm, and we investigate new destinations that are just opening up. Then it's just a matter of getting in a room with a big world map and saying, “Okay, is this doable?” We look at the map and kind of whittle it down.

Q: Does Geoffrey Kent get involved?

A: Of course, Mr. Kent has a big hand in it. He's very well-traveled,

but there still are some places he hasn't been. He has a big say in the trips he hosts, obviously. And in his travels he meets people. I will very often get emails from him saying, “Oh, Ann, look into this.” There's a lot of back and forth, then we put together a final recommendation for him to sign off on.

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Amboseli guide (Kenya)

Whale sharks in Oslob (Philippines)

A privileged landing on Mt. Everest (Himalayas)

Cartagena (Colombia)

Q: What happens when the locals say no?

A: A great example is in Cartagena, in Colombia. We found this

lovely little square and thought, why don’t we have a dinner set up here? They said, “Absolutely not. The government would never allow it.” It took months of negotiating. Ultimately, persistence paid off, they issued the permit, and it was a really, really beautiful evening.

Q: So “impossible” just takes a little longer?

A: That’s what we do. When we were in Mongolia, we bypassed

Ulaanbaatar and went straight out to the Gobi Desert. We brought acrobats and a throat singer in from the city so our guests could experience them. And local villagers recreated the traditional Naadam Festival competitions for us.

In Sicily, we thought it would be fun to drive from Taormina to Savoca, but we wanted to do it in true A&K style. So we brought over 35 vintage Alfa Romeo convertibles so our guests could drive themselves along the coast.

Q: Was Mt. Everest another tough negotiation?

A: When we told them we wanted to land our guests at 19,000

feet they said, “There’s no way.” No one had ever asked them to do it before. We started a year ahead of time working with the helicopter pilots and the airport to have air traffic control clear some space for us. We had a lot of meetings, drank a bunch of coffee, talked it through, and got them to agree.

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Q: Once they had agreed, what did the operation entail?

A: We sourced high-altitude helicopters from all over the region. Two weeks before the landing, we sent a team of Sherpas up to build three landing pads.

We also set up a base operating camp and sent an advance team with our chef and, of course, the espresso machine. Behind the scenes, we had a medic, oxygen tanks, a refueling zone. We had our own photographers and a Buddhist lama up there who offered a blessing. We rotated the helicopters in and out. All that was done by noon and then we came back down. Our guests had lunch with the Bhutanese royal family the next day.

Q: How do you get an audience with royals or dignitaries?

A: The people we work with are typically very well connected so we ask them to reach out and see what they can do. In Ethiopia, we’ve even been able to have our guests go to the palace to meet the president. A lot of it is through Geoffrey Kent, who served as Chariman of the World Travel & Tourism Council for six years.

Archery in the Gobi Desert (Mongolia)

Caravan to Ger accommodations (Morocco)

Greeting from a Buddhist lama (Nepal)

Forging new friendships (Tanzania) All Photos Courtesy of Abercrombie & Kent

Q: What goes into the transportation aspect?

A: We partner with Iceland Air for the chartering of the jets

Q: Does covering so much territory take a toll?

A: As luxurious as it is, when you’re changing time zones, it can

During every operation we are on the ground in advance to make sure everything is ready before the guests arrive. We use police escorts to avoid traffic delays. In some destinations, we charter helicopters or small aircraft. We do a lot of helicopters.

And it’s window seats only. No matter how many helicopters it takes, everybody has a window seat.

Q: What are you working on now?

A: Ladakh, India. That's an area that Mr. Kent has wanted to visit

and the pilots. The crew is typically Icelandic or Scandinavian.

There's a pretty intense interview process for the cabin crew.

Everybody wants to do it.

Q: What about accommodations in remote areas?

A: If it's something we think the guests really can't miss, we go in and create the luxury experience. We paint rooms, bring in furniture, luxury linens, toiletries, espresso machines. We do extensive training with the staff. One couple wanted eight feather pillows, so we brought along eight feather pillows. We have a high repeat rate and that sort of attention to detail has a lot to do with it.

be physically demanding. Of course, we have a doctor who travels with us on all of our private jet journeys. But it’s really important that we pace things well. When we are linking destinations together, we consider the timing, the range of the aircraft, the crew hours. The logistical pieces all have to fit.

for a very long time. We’re building it into a private jet trip in 2023. And, this afternoon, we're having a brainstorming session for 2024. We’re planning a new wildlife trip for the end of 2023 that includes going to Kazakhstan to see the snow leopards. I was just speaking with our partners on that yesterday.

If you could see the world in just a few weeks, where would you go?

Contact your travel advisor to explore all the possibilities.

ENSEMBLE EX TR AORDINARY EXPERIENCES I 2021

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THE WILDEST

➊ Antartica

Chasing the World’s Most Exotic Creatures

➊ King Penguins Antartica

Seven of the world’s best destinations for a wildlife-watching expedition by EMMA GREGG ➊ Antartica, King Penguins Many of us binged on nature documentaries during the long days of lockdown. I certainly did.

Immersing ourselves in images, sounds and stories of wild creatures has been shown to relieve stress.

Inspired by what you’ve seen, why not plan your own wildlife adventure? All it takes is a little courage, a sense of adventure, and knowing where to go.

The frozen south: Antarctica and South Georgia | “Get ready. We’re going in!” yells our guide, rocketing our zodiac dinghy through the surf. It’s a dramatic landing, but our audience – a sea of king penguins and an elephant seal the size of a Honda Civic – barely seem to notice.

➊

➊ Antartica, Elephant Seal

This is the joy of touring the Southern Ocean and South Atlantic in a small, ecologically-sensitive expedition ship. Rather than gazing from afar, you’re granted permission to go ashore, both by the authorities and, seemingly, by the wildlife. We’re briefed to keep our distance, but the penguins have other ideas. I constantly find myself surrounded by them, preening and conversing, unfazed by my presence.

The forest of giants: Rwanda | It’s the similarities that strike you. The little gestures and looks. The way fathers indulge their more boisterous offspring, letting them bounce and play, while mothers hold the youngest close. We don’t just share 98% of our DNA with mountain gorillas: we share behaviors and emotions as well. Whenever I’m among them, I feel a glow of kinship.

➋

Tracking gorillas in East Africa’s steep, misty highlands is Africa’s most-wanted adventure activity. It’s challenging, but achievable: the guides and porters working in Volcanoes National Park do their utmost to assist. By the end, they feel like family, too.

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➋ Rwanda, Sillverback Gorillas

➌ Looking for leopards: Zambia | Raising my binoculars, I see it: a

➌ Zambia, Victoria Falls

➌ Zambia, Leopard

pale-gold eye, peering down from the heart of a mahogany tree. “Good. Let’s get closer!” says our guide, carefully steering our open-sided Land Rover into the grove. “Is it safe?” asks my companion.

“We’re going to stay in the vehicle. It’ll be absolutely fine.” While South Luangwa is rightly famous for walking safaris, there are times when you can’t beat a 4x4. Gently, we ease forward, and there he is: an absolute bruiser of a leopard, with muscular shoulders, a ragged ear and a magnificent, fearless stare.

➍ South Afric, Rhino

➌ Zambia, Leopard

Protecting rhinos: South Africa | The helicopter swoops across the reserve, and hovers.

Waiting at a safe distance, we watch the rhino crumple and fall.

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I’m taking part in one of the new conservation safaris available in rhino strongholds such as Madikwe, Kwandwe and Ngala. To raise funds, their guides invite guests to join vets and anti-poaching rangers in the field.

Photo: Emma Gregg

My group is granted the ultimate hands-on experience: ID-notching the ears of the anesthetized white rhino, then collecting skin and horn samples for DNA analysis. The biggest privilege? It’s knowing we’re helping safeguard a near-threatened species.

➎

Secrets of the rainforest: Malaysia | Traveling along Sabah’s Kinabatangan River in an open-topped boat, I’m watching the banks intently.

Already, we’ve spotted macaques, proboscis monkeys and helmeted hornbills in the trees, but I’m holding out for something even more special. This is one of the best places to see orangutans in the wild.

➎ Malyasia, Kinabatangan River

My first sighting starts with a flash of cinnamon, shining against the green.

Within moments, he’s in full view. With fur still damp from the morning dew, he stretches, ready to dry himself in the sun.

➎ Malyasia, Orangutans

➎ Malyasia, Helmetted Hornbill

ENSEMBLE EX TR AORDINARY EXPERIENCES I 2021

➋ Rwanda, African Morning Mist

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THE WILDEST

➏ Austraiia, Pademelon

➏ Austraiia, Queensland Nighttime

➏ Austraiia, Koala Bear

➐ Peru, Manú Biosphere Reserve

➏ Austraiia, Mother and Infant Pademelon

➏ Working the night shift: Australia |

The marsupials and birds found in Australia’s wild spaces are a likeable bunch. It’s impossible to pass a kangaroo, koala or kookaburra without a smile. Even cassowaries, though fearsome, are characters. But of all the iconic species I encounter in my road trip through leafy Queensland, it’s the shy, nocturnal pademelon that steals my heart.

In the Atherton Tablelands, my guide has a jar of pellets marked ‘pademelon food’. Intrigued, I scatter a few outside. Sure enough, after dark, I receive a visitor – a delightfully small, wallabylike creature with trusting eyes and button nose – who polishes off my offering gratefully before hopping away into the night.

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➐ Peru, Jaguar

➐ Venturing deep into the Amazon: Peru | My

journey to the Manú Biosphere Reserve is an adventure in miniature. Overlanding from Cusco, we climb high into the Andes, then plunge through the cloudforest to the Amazon Basin below. With dizzying views, it’s the perfect prelude to a placement as a conservation volunteer.

Once on site, I settle into a natural rhythm, rising before dawn and retiring not long after dark. On rainforest hikes and boat trips, we monitor the macaws that streak above the canopy, inspect butterfly nets for precious species and, best of all, set camera traps for glimpses of one of the world’s most elusive big cats: the jaguar.

➐ Peru, Macaws in Flight Contact your trusted travel advisor to start planning your wildlife-watching adventure.

REMEMBER THE FUTURE The corners of the world that make your heart sing – and those you have yet to experience.

The fine flavors of the world you’ve savored onboard and on your exploration – and those you have yet to taste.

It’s all ahead of you. #RememberTheFuture

E XQ U I S I T ELY C R A F T ED C U I S I N E . C U R AT ED T R AV EL E X PER I EN C E S . S M A LL S H I P LU X U RY.

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Ask about Exclusive FREE Pre-Paid Gratuities.

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THE WILDEST

Don’t Mind if I Do

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Giraffe Manor, from The Safari Collection, is a boutique hotel just outside of Nairobi, VIDÉO Kenya, that just so happens to be popular with a herd of wild Rothschild’s giraffes. The elegant and amiable creatures visit at dawn and dusk, often ENTREVUE popping their heads in the windows for tickles and treats.

For extra bragging rights, ask for the Karen Blixen suite, named for the author of MUSIQUE Out of Africa.

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COCKTAIL Théâtro

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Party Like a Moroccan Outside of the city’s ancient Medina, clustered in the posh Hivernage neighborhood, Marrakech’s club scene is awakening from its lockdown hangover. The wildest and most renowned club, Théâtro, (scheduled to re-open this November) goes all night from 11:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. with one goal in mind:

“reinventing, innovating, and creating party.”

Morocco’s world-famous music fests are coming back too. The sybaritic Oasis Festival just announced they are moving ahead at 50 percent capacity 17 - 19 September 2021 with underground electronic talent, DJs, and dancing for “the beautiful community of music lovers who travel from all over the world to

party like Moroccans.”

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Oasis Festival

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ENTREVUE Mongolia

is Having a Moment

Maybe it’s all the pent up rage we have left over from last year but the notorious Mongol Genghis Khan (aka Chingis Khan) and his erstwhile empire are popping up on travel itineraries left and right. Holding its ground between Russia’s Siberian expanse and China, the rugged, nomadic land is just about as wild and MUSIQUE VIDÉO far out as destinations get.

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Today, the culture is largely pastoral and the locals welcome travelers openly.

The best time to go is in July, during the Naadam Festival. Highlights include horse racing, wrestling, archery, performing arts, out-of-this-world Mongolian RECETTE ENTREVUE cuisine, eerie Khöömei overtone singing, dances, traditional rituals, and more.

COCKTAIL MUSIC

Fun Fact: Cashmere startup Naadam works directly with Mongolian goat herders to source high-quality wool for their decadent line of clothing. To brush up on Mongol history before your 2022 trip, read the The Secret History of the COCKTAIL MUSIQUE Mongols: The Origin of Chingis Khan.

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Get in the Mood: BOOK RECIPE

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The HU... This talented throat

LIVRE RECETTE singing band from Mongolia’s capital of Ulaanbaatar, went viral as soon as their first video hit the internet. The best part? They’re touring COCKTAIL the U.S. this fall.

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THE WILDEST

Zanzibar Afterglow

by NANCY HELLMRICH

Tanzania. It’s been on your list since college, when that guy climbed Kilimanjaro instead of getting a job. Now that you’re planning a couples vacation, you actually have a chance to go.

Fresh nutmeg in the spice market

There’s only one issue. Your sweetheart wants to go to a beach. Wait a minute, Tanzania has a beach – a whole archipelago of beaches. After some negotiations, you agree to split the two weeks. First, a safari, then a posh seaside resort on the north coast of Zanzibar. “Wow,” you think, “if things keep going so smoothly, this could be my best vacation ever.”

You land in Arusha, near Mount Meru, and jambo, hello, is the first Swahili word you learn as your hosts welcome you with laidback Tanzanian charm. Wait, that’s a lie. You knew hakuna matata, from the lion movie. But you learned those words BT, before Tanzania, so they don’t really count. At daybreak, you awaken to birdsong. For the first

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time in a long time neither of you picks up your phone. Out on the deck the coffee, grown nearby, is fresh and hot and good. You snap some couples selfies as the morning sun splinters through the acacias.

Over the next several days, you’re on the move. The animals are too. Hippos, crocodiles, wildebeest, zebras, elephants, every one of the Big 5 ... and then some. Your guide gets word there are lions up ahead. You find them napping in a tree. One afternoon, hyenas join the scene. You try to take them seriously, but someone keeps doing Disney quotes, and you succumb to fits of laughter. In the Serengeti, you finally see a rhino.

It’s prehistoric and astounding. Later, floating in an infinity pool overlooking the savannah, you begin to crave the beach.

In Zanzibar, it finally feels like you’re on vacation.

The Arab influence is deep and rich and assuring.

The beach, pure, soft, and pristine. You are looking forward to the scuba diving excursion, ahem reef safari, planned for later in the week.

Then commence relaxing on the beach, drinking

How To Spice Up A Safari A romantic escape to the islands of Zanzibar

Stone Town, Zanzibar

in the sunshine, splashing in the turquoise Indian Ocean surf, and posing like Sports Illustrated swimsuit models. In the afternoon, you hit the spa, where an “après safari” couples treatment softens the memory of your rugged game drives.

One evening, after sunset, you venture into the swirling, aromatic night market and take turns sampling local delicacies. Each treat is blended with exotic spices and unique flavors, the aftermath of the island’s history as an ancient trading center for merchants from Africa, India, Arabia, Persia, Indonesia, China, and more. On the dive trip, you hear about swimming with whale sharks, Zanzibar’s “first best” kite surfing school, and an off-shore island that’s practically all spice plantations.

New York newlyweds Nina & Ryan Minogue started their married life on a wild note — with a safari in Tanzania.

Regular game drives made for incredible sightings of elephants, leopards, lions, buffalo, and giraffes. Back at the safari camp, they were treated to another exotic sighting. Actors Calista Flockhart and Harrison Ford were staying there too. "It was very exciting," recalls Nina.

After taking in Tanzania’s wilder side, the couple escaped to Baraza Resort & Spa on the island of Zanzibar. The “Spice Islands” are a big draw for travelers who enjoy diving, kite surfing, and stunning beaches. At Baraza, muted hues, Moorish archways, and an enviable collection of antiques evoke the Sultanate era. Here, Nina and Ryan spent their days relaxing on the sugarwhite beach, indulging in massages at Frangipani Spa, and sampling exotic Arabic, Indian, Persian, Asian, and Swahili-influenced cuisine.

Back at the resort, a Taarab band fills the night air with its hypnotic beat. You curl up in the daybed on your private terrace, gaze at the stars, and share contented sighs. It’s been a big day. A big two weeks. Maybe the whale sharks will have to wait. Maybe you’ll learn kite surfing next time.

Maybe next time you’ll climb Kili.

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For the most enriching experience of Hawai‘i, make time to join efforts to mālama (care for) this truly special place and unique culture.

Contact your trusted travel advisor today.

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THE DEEPEST

PACIFIC PARADISE Diving into the world beneath French Polynesia

b y Ali Wunderman

VIDEO For 30 years I stayed floating on the surface, peering down into the depths of the ocean and wondering what mysteries were out of my grasp. Ear problems had plagued me since birth.

After several childhood surgeries to correct my hearing, going even a few feet underwater had been painful and headache-inducing. So I had been content with simply snorkeling.

But when the opportunity to visit French Polynesia arose, I knew that much of what could be explored in that Pacific paradise was underwater. Tahiti and the rest of the French Polynesian islands are known for being one of the world’s top diving destinations. I didn’t want to miss out, so I booked an appointment with my doctor and got the all clear to attempt equalizing beneath the cerulean waves of the South Pacific.

The prospect of SCUBA diving both enthralled and terrified me. What if I couldn’t equalize?

What if I panicked and spit out the regulator

supplying me with air? Fortunately, Moana, my dive instructor on the island of Mo’orea, had heard it all before and assured me that I would be fine. We would be practicing all the steps to a successful dive before trying it out at the relatively shallow depth of 20 feet.

As soon as I fell backwards in the water, the weights strapped to my hips pulling me down, I understood why one’s first dive is called ‘a baptismal dive.’ It was like being reborn, like being initiated into a secret world that had been in front of me yet obscured my whole life. I was enshrined in the wonder, the silence, the gentle grip of the sea supporting me as I breathed calmly underwater. Even when my weights suddenly slipped off and I began to rise, I did not worry. I had discovered an entire galaxy existing a few feet under the sea, and nothing could stop me from exploring further.

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"I understood why one’s first dive is called ‘a baptismal dive.’ It was like being reborn."

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French Polynesia is made up of 118 distinct islands and atolls and, if I could, I would dive

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THE DEEPEST

"I was only a few feet down when a pod of dolphins swam over me, playing in the current ."

them all. Fortunately, my undersea journey continued on Rangiroa, Tahiti’s largest atoll and a surprising home to one of the most unique vineyards in the world. But my mind was not on the shore. I was thinking only of Tiputa Pass – one of two entry points for the tide into the Rangiroa lagoon – and the rumor that bottlenose dolphins liked to gather there. Charlotte would be guiding the way this time, and while wildlife is never a guarantee, she did warn me not to try and ride a dolphin like a previous guest had.

sharks, leading to French Polynesia becoming home to the largest shark sanctuary in the world.

Today, divers reap the benefits of his activism and expertise.

Returning to the sea’s embrace was divine. I felt at ease, at home. I was only a few feet down when a pod of dolphins swam over me, playing in the current as I reminded myself to breathe. I had seen plenty of dolphins from the shore and from boats, but never had I been beneath them. It was a whole new perspective – one impossible to achieve from snorkeling alone. French Polynesia is known for its rich biodiversity and, at a remote atoll like Rangiroa, it was even more pronounced.

But I had farther still to go.

Right away, I was granted a gift by the magical waters of French Polynesia. Within minutes of the boat pulling away from the soft sand lining Tikehau, Denis motioned for me to peek below the surface. There I saw the most fascinating, magical animal I have ever laid eyes upon – the manta ray.

It glided through the water with a shimmering, 16-foot wing span, unbothered and unhurried.

This was the manta ray’s world and I was merely visiting it.

The last stop on my tour of French Polynesia’s dive sites was Tikehau, 12 miles east of Rangiroa.

Despite their relative close proximity and sharing the same water, it felt worlds away. This may have been due to my guide for the excursion – Denis Grosmaire, a champion freediver and owner of Tikehau Ocean Tour. His experience growing up in the water and passion for its creatures drove him to collaborate with the government on protecting

Even though I had only tried diving twice, I was ready to give freediving a shot, though I wouldn’t be attempting anything close to Denis’s 105 meter record. It was to be an exhilarating day exploring various coral formations and looking out for the region’s famous tiger sharks.

My adventures in the Tahitian sea are only the beginning of what will hopefully be a lifetime of diving at great depths around the globe.

I’ve learned that just a few feet can make all the difference in opening the door to a magical world right here on Earth.

"The manta ray glided through the water with a shimmering, 16-foot wing span, unbothered and unhurried. This was the manta ray’s world and I was merely visiting it."

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"My guide for the excursion – Denis Grosmaire, a champion freediver."

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VIDEO

BE WILDLY SPOILED IN THE UNSPOILED GALAPAGOS ISLANDS The extraordinary Galapagos Islands will change the way you understand the world, and three Celebrity ships will spoil you completely as you explore them.

They include Celebrity Flora®, the revolutionary mega yacht designed especially for this unique destination, offering you a luxurious suite—yes, every stateroom is a suite—plus locally sourced cuisine, menus crafted by our Michelin-starred chef, one-of-a-kind experiences, and a team of certified naturalists to lead the way.

With everything you want or need included, right down to the snorkeling gear, there’s nothing for you to plan except enjoying yourself.

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FOR OUR LATEST OFFERS, CONTACT YOUR TRAVEL ADVISOR NOTICE: Prior to booking, please consult all applicable U.S. Centers forDisease Control travel advisories, warnings, or recommendations relating to cruise travel, at cdc.gov/travel/notices. If a certain threshold level of COVID-19 is detected on board the ship during your voyage, the voyage will end immediately, the ship will return to the port of embarkation, and your subsequent travel, including your return home, may be restricted or delayed. Health and safety protocols, guest conduct rules, and regional travel restrictions vary by ship and destination and are subject to change without notice. Due to evolving health protocols, imagery and messaging may not accurately reflect onboard and destination experiences, offerings, features, or itineraries. These may not be available during your voyage, may vary by ship and destination, and may be subject to change without notice.

©2021 Celebrity Cruises Inc. Ships’ registry: Malta and Ecuador.

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Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock)

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Two juvenile sea lions frolic underwater in a sea lion nursery cove at San Cristobal Island

Nothing gets me out of bed at 5:00 a.m. Nothing COCKTAIL

other than a sunrise expedition in the inimitable Galápagos Islands. The archipelago of tiny islands, located 605 miles west of continental Ecuador

BOOK Land iguanas resting on a rock, Española Island ©Silversea

eye-opening in every sense of the word.

Gratitude in the Galápagos Contemplating class and distinction in Las Islas Galápagos

LIVRE and draped so elegantly across the equator, is

by LIZ FLEMING

There were plenty of reasons to stay put. Though technically an expedition vessel, my 100-passenger ship offered every luxury imaginable. In addition to an elegant suite with "don't leave me" bed linens, the food was positively gourmet and my butler (my butler!) seemed to have a sixth sense that anticipated my every need.

At the end of each day, when I returned to my suite, a silver tray of hors d’oeuvres and icy beverages awaited. While immersed in a briefing over mouth-watering Ecuadorian cuisine, my gear was quietly laundered and returned to my closet as if by magic. It was bliss. But arise from bed each morning I did – Charles Darwin didn't sweat over the verbiage in On the Origin of Species for me to loll about – and found myself richer for the effort.

The Marina on Silver Origin ©Silversea

Cactus on a bed of red Sesuvium (ice plant)

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Kayaking in Bahía Gardner, Española Island ©Silversea

Amblyrhynchus Cristatus Galapagos marine iguanas, the only sea-going lizards in the world, dive into the cold sea water to feed but return to land to mate and nest.

Chelonoidis Niger Two main morphological forms of Galapagos giant tortoise exist—the domed carapace (similar to their ancestral form) and the saddle-backed carapace.

Bartilome Island

The Galápagos Islands, including the Marine Reserve, are a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site. Galapagos National Park has been designated a Biosphere Reserve. As a result, visits are limited and there are rules in place. Though adherence to the six-foot gap between viewers and wildlife can be challenging at times.

One day, as I marveled at centenarian tortoises lumbering over the volcanic landscape, an albatross strolled casually across my feet and my heart skipped a beat, partly because of the rule, but mostly because it boggled my mind.

On one rocky island, a flock of male frigates puffed out their red chests as a single, unimpressed female looked on. On another jagged shoreline, a shimmering "rock" suddenly opened its eyes and revealed itself to be an enormous marine lizard. Elsewhere, blue-footed, redfooted, and Nazca boobies preened and called to me from the trees.

While snorkeling with my group in the clear Pacific Ocean water, I spotted rainbow wrasse, triggerfish, and surgeon fish with bright yellow tails. Perhaps the most enchantment came from the sea lions who decided to join our swim party. As we pulled ourselves out of the water and onto the sand, they did the same, lying beside us like a gang of teenagers soaking up the sun's rays.

Back on my ship, soundly stunned by the rugged majesty and resilience of nature – not to mention the discreet luxuries of my aircooled suite – I fell into bed each night feeling intensely grateful.

Spheniscus Mendiculus The Galapagos penguin, is the only penguin found north of the equator. Thermoregulation adaptations include panting and shading their feet with their wings.

Fregata Magnificens The Galapagos Magnificent is an endemic subspecies of frigate bird that lacks the white auxiliary spur and exhibits a purple sheen on its scapular feathers.

Zalophus Wollebaeki Galapagos sea lions are the smallest sea lion species in the world, with a thicker neck, chest, and shoulders and a smaller sagittal crest and shorter muzzle.

A Really Big Deal In May 2021, genetic tests confirmed that a single female tortoise discovered in 2019 on Fernandina Island is from the apparently not extinct species Chelonoidis phantasticus.

The New Silver Origin One of the most elegant ships to sail the Galápagos, Silver Origin protects the archipelago's delicate ecosystem while it turns a natural wonderland into the ultimate luxury experience. Every suite comes with butler service and a glass-horizon balcony or private ocean-view shower.

Curious about nature and adaptation?

Reach out to your travel advisor for expedition options.

Zodiac boats depart from the ship's marina for thrilling excursions with certified guides. Back on board, guests dine on gourmet cuisine, revel in wide-open views, and acquire new insights in the interactive Basecamp lounge.

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DARE TO BE AMAZED. BOOK

LET US TAKE YOU CLOSER TO THE AUTHENTIC BEAUTY OF THE WORLD. Luanda, Angola

HOW FAR WOULD YOU GO TO BE AMAZED? You haven’t really seen the world until you’ve seen it on Silversea World Expeditions.

Our fleet of specially equipped luxury vessels will take you to places no other ship can reach. Together with a team of expert leaders you will witness first-hand the secrets that make this planet so beautiful. Authentic beauty is only an expedition away, so how far will you dare to go?

YOUR ALL INCLUSIVE JOURNEY

International flight

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Traveling Lightly

Home to the second-largest barrier reef on the planet, Belize has perhaps one of the most compelling reasons to give back to nature.

If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that our world is much more fragile than we ever imagined. As heads of state battle over policy, we travelers can do our part by choosing trips and destinations with the planet in mind.

Those who like a dollop of green in their itineraries may have noticed the term “ecopositive” being embraced by marketers as much as baby Simba was in The Lion King. Some are using it to greenwash existing offerings. Others are printing the term on t-shirts to express innate environmental exuberance.

Yet eco-positive, in its intended form – describing something that doesn’t merely offset tourism’s impact but goes a step further to strengthen the environment – is actually quite useful. In fact, more and more operators are finding ecorejuvenation makes a great differentiator in the travel world.

Home to the second-largest barrier reef on the planet, Belize has perhaps one of the most compelling reasons to give back to nature. There, Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort is leading the way with initiatives that “regenerate our environment while increasing awareness and appreciation for nature and diverse cultures.”

They pull it off beautifully, while thrilling guests with jaguar preserve night hikes, snorkeling and

dive trips, cave adventures, and jungle birding.

Elsewhere, eco-positive activities include replanting rain forests, re-populating bird habitats, regenerating reefs, hosting research initiatives and survey dives, cultivating organic vegetable gardens, and building water and waste management systems. Australia’s Thala Beach Lodge has had a dramatic impact on vegetation and biodiversity. At North Island, in the Seychelles, a Noah’s Ark project nurtures endemic flora and fauna.

Finca Luna Nueva, Costa Rica

Finca Luna Nueva, in Costa Rica, operates an organic, biodynamic farm, while Ecuador’s Mashpi Lodge hosts “science and magic” in a forest reserve. Extreme greenies love the solarpowered Treehouse Lodge in the Peruvian Amazon and Mumbo Island, in Malawi, which operates with no electricity or running water.

Luxury lovers fear not, as nature nurturing and ultra-luxury amenities coexist in “eco-chic” spots like Six Senses Yao Noi in Thailand, Song Saa in Cambodia, and Misool Eco Resort in Indonesia.

Misool Eco Resort, Indonesia

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THE GREENEST

Let There be Light

Light Therapy

Light, the main source of energy for all living organisms, is being harnessed to help save the planet’s resources while lightweight boats are less taxing on the environment. Either way, go for the light.

by ROBIN CHERRY

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Clean Coating

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As COVID disrupted the cruise industry, Lindblad Expeditions announced that it has "the first self-disenfecting fleet in the cruise industry.” The company uses a disinfectant coating solution that converts H2O to OH-ions when exposed to light.

OH-ions break down bacteria, viruses, mold, airborne allergens, and volatile organic RECIPE compounds. The coating can be applied to all surfaces including those that come in contact with food and purifies and deodorizes the air for up to a year. In their initial test of the program, Lindblad reduced guest reported illness by 50 percent; eliminated over 1,000 plastic bottles of cleaning products; and reduced water usage by 1.1 million gallons per year.

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BOOK Solstice

Zambezi Queen

Solar Systems Cebrity’s Solstice which calls on ports in Alaska, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, was the first cruise ship to use solar energy and is equipped with 216 solar panels that generate enough power to operate approximately 7,000 LED lights.

AmaWaterways Zambezi Queen which offers boat safaris on the Chobe River in Africa uses a solar heating system.

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Celebrities from Emma Stone to Lena Dunham swear by light therapy and now at Celebrity’s The Spa and Carnival’s Cloud 9 Spa, you can too. Elemis BIOTEC facials use oxygen and LED light therapy to increase the skin’s natural cellular energy. Red light stimulates microcirculation and collagen production while blue light reduces inflammation and breakout-causing bacteria.

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All Hail the Zodiac Zodiac, the inventor of the lightweight inflatable boat, was founded as a French aviation company in 1896. In RECETTE the 1930s, engineer Pierre Debroutelle invented the now iconic inflatable boat for Aeronavale, the aviation arm of the French Navy. Today, cruise companies use Zodiacs to visit remote and isolated COCKTAIL sites that are otherwise unaccessible.

Inside the Zodiac, passengers sit on inflatable pontoons that give the boat its buoyancy. The pontoons have separate air chambers so the Zodiac remains LIVRE buoyant even when punctured. The flat bottom allows the vessel to dock almost anywhere including the icy beaches of Antartica and the low horsepower engines keep carbon emissions and noise pollution to a minimum. Without Zodiacs, expedition cruises would be much less exciting and not as green.

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24.58° N, 112.00° W

WILD BAJA ESCAPE: THE WHALES OF MAGDALENA BAY INTERVIEW

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THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO GO WHALE-WATCHING; BUT ONLY ONE WAY TO GO whale-dwelling: on a 5-day expedition among the gray whales in Mexico’s Bahía Magdalena. Anchored in the Bay, we have thrilling, friendly encounters with the gray whale mother and curious calves that approach the ship, or our Zodiacs. At night, COCKTAIL COCKTAIL we can step outside our cabins, stand at the deck rail under stars, and hear them breathing round the ship. And there’s more: kayaking through mangrove forests, hiking desert islands, watching pelicans and ospreys soar overhead, and soaking up BOOKmost pristine, sand-dollar LIVRE the sun on fat-bikes or strolls along the Pacific’s studded beaches. Desert ecosystems, seabird migrations, and whale behavior—experienced naturalists bring it all into focus for you.

CONTACT YOUR TRAVEL ADVISOR FOR MORE INFORMATION

THE WORLD MISSES YOU REKINDLE YOUR LOVE FOR TRAVEL

VIDEO

The world is waiting. Why are you?!

Ready to leave normal behind and get back to amazing?

It’s – finally – time to plan your travel comeback … to explore the world’s iconic landmarks, cruise its romantic rivers, and find yourself along the way.

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The world hasn’t been the same without you.

SAVE ON 2021 OR 2022 VACATIONS TODAY! FREE AIR & SAVE UP TO $1,000 PER COUPLE on select 2021 & 2022 Avalon Europe river cruises when booked by August 23, 2021.* COCKTAIL

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*Restrictions apply.

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Flower Power Blooming just Once in a Decade

Highlights of the expo will include the new Arboretum, an alphabetically organized “living library” of over 3,000 tree, plant, and flower species; and over forty pavilions where participating countries can showcase their plants, flowers, culture, and innovations.

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by ROBIN CHERRY

One of the world’s premier horticultural festivals, Floriade only comes around every ten years so pencil the Netherlands into your 2022 datebook. For six months, from April 14 to October 9, the city of Almere (25 minutes from Amsterdam by train), will welcome over two million visitors to what’s frequently referred to as “The World’s Fair of Flowers.”

Almere, the Netherland’s newest city, was founded in 1976 on land reclaimed from the sea.

It has so much contemporary architecture that Le Figaro called it “an open air architecture museum.” Innovative architectural firm MVRDV will design the Floriade site which they envision as a green energy- and food-generating extension to the city that will flourish long after the expo is over.

The theme of next year’s expo is Growing Green Cities but organizers are thinking beyond plants to focus on sustainable technology and solutions to four vital issues facing society: global urbanization, food supply, health, and energy. The Green House, located at the park’s entrance, will introduce visitors to the world of horticulture and its social and technological impact. The massive complex will cover almost two-and-a-half acres and will include Reception, a High-Tech Greenhouse, an Experiential Greenhouse, a Technology Innovation Center, and a restaurant. There will also be a number of food trucks scattered throughout the park offering local products, and healthy snacks and meals.

Highlights of the expo will include the new Arboretum, an alphabetically organized “living library” of over 3,000 tree, plant, and flower species; and over forty pavilions where participating countries can showcase their plants, flowers, culture, and innovations. France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Qatar, and Thailand have already signed on. Indonesia will focus on the threat of rising sea levels while Qatar will feature a Desert Nest exhibition showcasing sustainable ways to live in harmony with a challenging environment. A new initiative in 2022, a joint pavilion called World Village, will be open to countries who are interested in participating but have limited resources.

A half-mile cable car link will transport visitors across the park providing a magnificent view of the grounds from glass gondolas.

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A river cruise is the perfect way to experience Floriade and both AmaWaterways and Avalon Waterways will offer complimentary admission to the expo on board select cruises.

AmaWaterways guests can select from nine trips sailing along the Rhine and Dutch and Belgian Waterways.

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Avalon will visit Floriade on seven different trips. Ardent flower lovers should select one of Avalon’s two April sailings, Tulips of Northern Holland, which will also visit the famed tulip fields of Keukenhof, home to over 7 million colorful flowers.

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As Floriade is a once-in-adecade event, don’t put off until 2032 what you can do next year.

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THE COOLEST

Reynisfjara, Iceland

Jökulsárlón Glacier, Iceland Kerið Crater, Iceland

WILD WONDERS IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC

by KRISTEN POPE

The wide-open spaces and incredible landscapes of Iceland and the Faroe Islands are ideal for a nature escape. Combine these scenic destinations for the ultimate outdoor adventure.

Ever since I saw images of the Faroe Islands, I wanted to go see them in person. Remote Atlantic islands aren’t always the easiest to get to, so when I looked into flight options and saw Iceland was a gateway offering direct flights, I was all in. My husband and I always love trips where we can hike and immerse ourselves in nature, and both Iceland and the Faroe Islands promised endless scenery, challenging trails and untamed nature. We booked our tickets with visions of windswept islands, rugged mountains and glaciers, and adventure on our minds – and we weren’t disappointed.

Arriving in Iceland It was raining sideways when we flew into Reykjavík, Iceland, at 6:15 a.m.

After picking up our rental car, my husband and I found a little cafe where we enjoyed a satisfying meal of broccoli soup, fresh-baked bread, and pastries, while gulping down coffee after our flight.

At first, we laughed at the warning sticker on the rental car: “Don’t blow up car door.” But as the wind gusted, we soon realized it wasn’t a joke. A car door could easily be damaged by what the Icelandic media dubbed “flying trampoline weather.”

Stocking up on sandwiches and snacks, we headed out to road trip along Iceland’s southern coast. After donning layers of fleece, rain jackets, rain pants, and hiking boots, we were ready to explore.

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Iceland is known as the Land of Fire and Ice, and we soon discovered both its volcanic wonders and glaciers. We were enthralled by Reynisfjara’s black sand beach, Geysir’s geological features, and the kaleidoscope of colors at Kerið Crater. Peering into the Silfra fissure, we saw where two tectonic plates meet and then went on to tour Þingvellir National Park.

Ice was on the agenda at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, which was packed with chunks of ancient ice, from room-sized slabs to pebble-sized pieces. We savored every moment of silence and solitude, listening to glaciers calving with a reverberating splash and watching ripples spread across the water.

Flowing water was also plentiful further along our route, with many cascading waterfalls lining the way. We hiked near a few beauties, including Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss, and spotted plenty of others as we drove in the mist, which created an air of mystery.

Exploring the Faroe Islands The days flew by, and soon it was time to hop on a 90-minute flight to the Faroe Islands. The North Atlantic archipelago is a self-governing nation within Denmark, and has remained relatively undiscovered. While Iceland is known by travelers from around the world, we mostly shared the Faroe Islands with locals and sheep. As we drove from the airport to our rental accommodation, we watched the late evening light dance along the hillsides as ewes and lambs settled in for the night. Our host

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Múlafossur Waterfall , Faroe Islands

Bøsdalafossur Floating lake, Faroe Islands

greeted us with a spread of meats, cheeses, breads, sliced bell peppers, tomatoes, and all the fixings. He kindly said he thought we would be hungry. He left us to eat and rest before another day of exploration.

In the Faroe Islands, particularly scenic drives are designated as “Buttercup Routes,” so we set out to traverse as many of these narrow, winding roads as possible, taking our time along the way to stop and listen to the symphony of sheep “bahhhing” as they nibbled on grass and scampered on the hills.

We laced up our hiking boots and set out to immerse ourselves in the stunning topography. We found many of the trails to be more rugged than those we encountered in Iceland. Many of the Faroe Islands’ prized routes go straight up mountains and meander along precarious ridge lines, packed with slippery moss and the possibility of precipitous falls. Carefully, we set out to explore the Bøsdalafossur waterfall and the famous “floating lake,” which appears to hover above the ocean. We sneaked a

peek at the illusion, staying far from the cliff ’s edge.

Another day, we explored a village and spectacular viewpoints of Múlafossur waterfall on a cloudless day.

The Vestmanna Boat Festival just so happened to coincide with our visit, so we hopped a tour boat out to the Vestmanna Sea Cliffs and grottoes where puffins, fulmars, and guillemot nest. Then, we stuck around to watch the seafaring Faroese compete in rowing competitions and events, with plenty of merriment to go around.

We had hoped to take a ferry to see the large population of puffins on Mykines, but our time was running out– so we decided to save that adventure for a future journey. You never know what the wild

North Atlantic has in store.

An Expedition for all Tastes

Whether you plan to explore Iceland and the Faroe Islands by land or by sea, you’ll never be too far away from water. It turns out sailing is also a great way to explore these islands, especially if expedition cruising and small ships are your cup of tea! Lindblad Expeditions/NationalINTERVIEW Geographic will take you on a modern-day expedition to these legendary Northern isles to meet the welcoming islanders who call the scenic Faroes home, observe massive puffin colonies and experience a near circumnavigation of the geologic wonders of Iceland.

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Contact your travel advisor to start making your North Atlantic dreams come true.

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Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort

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Sapporo Snow Festival | Hokkaidō, Japan We may have been denied front-row seats to the Summer Olympics, but there's a competition brewing on Japan's northernmost island that could make a winter visit just as exciting.

A short flight from Tokyo, the city of Sapporo is known for sub-zero winter BOOK temperatures, record snowfalls, and the annual Sapporo Snow Festival (Sapporo Yuki Matsuri).

Scheduled for February 4 - 11, 2022, the competition attracts teams from all over the world. The main event is held in Odori Park, where oglers stroll the avenue marveling at the imaginative sculptures whilst sampling Hokkaido cuisine.

Looking for someplace new to wax rhapsodic beneath the Aurora Borealis? While it's a bitMUSIQUE harder to get to than others, the original Ice Hotel in the Swedish Lapland village of Jukkasjärvi is worth the journey.

Now open 365 days a year, the ice is harvested annually RECETTE from the Torne River. And the artist-sculpted rooms make you feel as though you're already dreaming. (Hint: Splurge on a "deluxe art suite" to enjoy a private sauna and bathroom.)

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Doing a comparative study of Northern European ice stays? Book into Iglu-Dorf in Zermatt, Switzerland; the magical Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort inside the Arctic Circle in Finland; and Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel in LIVRE the northernmost region of Norway.

The Ice Hotel

When night falls, wander over to the city's Susukino entertainment district to see mesmerizing ice sculptures lit with neon lights. A third location, Tsudome, added in 2009, features action-packed snow rafting, ice sledding, and an indoor gourmet market.

Iglu-Dorf in Zermatt

While the Sapporo Snow Festival lasts just a week, there's more to see at the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival, Asahikawa Winter Festival, and Sounkyo Ice Fall Festival.

Toss in some ski runs at Niseko, Furano, Teine, or Rusutsu—then stick the landing with a relaxing onsen for the win.

Remote Outpost Fogo Island Inn | Newfoundland Perched at the edge of the wild North Atlantic sits perhaps the coolest hotel in the world. The unreservedly mod Fogo Island Inn boasts 29 cozy rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows and iceberg views. Cool inn-hosted activities include hiking, boatbuilding, jam and jelly making, caribou watching, open-air ice skating, a rooftop hot tub and sauna, and dark-sky stargazing..

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THE HOTTEST

Playing it Cool in the Turks & Caicos

by NANCY HELLMRICH

A workaholic who runs her own marketing firm out of New York, Deb is the type whose family has to convince, cajole, and drag her away for a vacation. When they succeed, it’s never about sleeping-in and afternoon naps. It’s about burning off pent up energy.

Naturally, that means jetting off to what some consider the #1 beach in the world, Grace Bay Beach in Turks & Caicos. “The Turks are easy. In a little over three hours, we’re on the sand.” Deb, Jenny, and daughter Charlotte like it so much, they’ve made the trip a semi-regular escape.

“He was dressed all in black, headband, eyeliner ... he looked like he just stepped out of 30 degree weather. Meanwhile Patti had on a pretty summer dress.”

The famous rocker had recently released his memoir, Life, and Hansen had just come forward about her battle with cancer, so Deb and Jenny played it cool. “We just treated them like normal people who wanted to enjoy a nice evening.”

On their first visit, they stayed at the COMO Parrot Cay, where Deb, a former marathoner, relished the morning runs.

“The COMO has private trails that wind through the low brush and palms, onto the beach, and then back in again. I never see another soul there.”

Recently, the trio returned for a visit to The Shore Club, a sister resort to The Palms, where they have also stayed. It was Jenny’s birthday so they hired a private driver, reveled at a local Fish Fry, dined beneath swaying palms at Coco Bistro Restaurant, and spent their days jet skiing, wind surfing, sailing, and snorkeling.

Parrot Cay is so private it attracts top celebrities, many of whom own villas there, including Donna Karan, Bruce Willis, and Keith Richards. As it happened, one evening while Deb and Jenny were enjoying sunset cocktails, the Rolling Stone strolled in with his wife, Patti Hansen.

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The reef there is like a break, with rougher water on the outside, so they tethered themselves to the boat. "I was really worried about Charlotte," recalls Deb, "I kept thinking, 'What are we doing out here?' Of course it was perfectly safe and Charlotte had

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ITALY IS WAITING WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? From north to south and heel to toe, we know you’re longing to see the ancient cities, seaside villages and rolling vineyards of Italy … to taste la dolce vita once more (or for the first time)!

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With just 61 rooms, this utterly private boutique hotel set on Flamands Beach is the perfect haute hideaway for post-pandemic relief. Highlights include La Case culinary journeys by Jean Imbert, the gourmet La Cabane beside the sea, a pristine pool, yachting excursions, an outdoor spa pavilion, and a new Secrets of India wellbeing escape.

Travel is in Fashion Again

by NANCY HELLMRICH

Paris and the Côte d'Azur have been on our minds lately. Perhaps because our news feeds are brimming with glamorous (if a bit skimpy) bikini shots of "It" models, actors, and actresses romping around the Mediterranean. Lounging on yachts. Posing on jet skis. Strolling chic streets dressed in Chanel, Balenciaga, Zuhair Murad, and Etro.

Of course the explanation for these stylish seaside escapes is the convergence of Paris Fashion Week, the exuberance around the much anticipated haute couture Resort 2022 Collections, and the Cannes Film Festival, which just wrapped in mid-July.

Post-fashion show getaways and pre-festival escapes in the Greek Isles, French Riviera, and coastal Italy are par for the course, of course. Catching up on the fashion news, we couldn't help but imagine ourselves emerging from the airport in Nice, looking remarkably fresh in our haute couture tracksuits, despite the long haul flight. It's just a matter of choosing which designs to bring along in our feather-light carry-ons.

Max Mara showed their newest pieces on a bougainvillea-draped outdoor terrace in Ischia, Italy. At Dior, the mood was Athenian goddesses. The 2022 Dior Croisiere (Cruise) fashion show was held after dark at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens. Louis Vuitton Cruise 2022 was presented in a striking outdoor set in Cergy-Pontoise, France.

Balmain designer Olivier Rousteing, fresh from the release of his Netflix documentary, Wonder Boy found his muse in a melting pot of African and French inspiration. Oscar de la Renta clearly wants your next cruise to feature evening galas. Zimmermann fashioned an "ode to wanderlust" with sunrises and seashells.

"As I sketched this collection," sighed Carolina Herrera designer Wes Gordon, "I was daydreaming of travel, friends, dancing."

Us too, Wes, us too.

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Finding Calm Through Digital Detox

Achieving Your Bliss Calm comes in many forms—the calm of the solitary walk inENTREVUE the woods, the INTERVIEW meditation cushion, the ocean, the massage table . . . Each kind of calm creates its own kind of rest, becoming a catalyst for its own kind of rejuvenation.

by MARY BEMIS

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The Retreat Costa Rica

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Finding Calm in the Woods

Sink into the energy of the forest setting at Canyon Ranch Woodside, an all-inclusive intimate COCKTAIL COCKTAIL retreat in Northern California. The emphasis here is on nature and how it soothes the soul, and the property is rich in acres of Redwood trees where one can forest bathe to their heart’s content.

You’ll find some of the best wellness experts and retreat guides on hand to help you create a MUSIC one-of-a-kind experience.

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Few things are as restorative as a jungle walk in a Blue Zone forest. First, you’ll meet the coffee trees that provided the coffee at breakfast, and then you’ll tour a variety of medicinal plants on your way to a peaceful swing suspended from an ancestral tree. This is just one of many soulsoothing experiences to be had at The Retreat Costa Rica. Bonus: The healing Vida Mia spa with RECIPE a view that rivals something from Avatar.

Finding Calm in the Water

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The lithium-rich hot spring waters at the iconic Two Bunch Palms in Desert Hot Springs, California, simply put, make you feel great. Time—and worry—disappear when you’re soaking in the palm-tree-lined Grotto. Add authentic mud treatments, healthy cuisine, and a yoga dome and you have the makings for a truly restorative and restful getaway.

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We need to practice the lost art of sitting and doing nothing, believes Jeremy McCarthy, group director of spa and wellness at Mandarin Oriental Hotels. “Meditation is one way, but many people are intimidated by meditation or have struggled in their initial attempts at it.” McCarthy created a number of silent spa experiences, including Silent Night, in which guests come in and VIDÉOexperience their spa treatments in silence. McCarthy found “my research indicates that a lot of the benefits of a spa experience come from taking time for yourself in silence, away from ENTREVUE technology, and in the hands of a nurturing and compassionate healer.”

It’s no wonder that resort spas that MUSIQUE offer digital detox programs are on the rise. Shou Sugi Ban House in the Hamptons, celebrated for its signature programming that ranges from meditation to reiki to hikes RECETTE on the beach, recently launched a Digital Detox and offers guests a Digital Detox Resource Guide to help them tune into the innate wisdom of the mind, body, and spirit.

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The island of Losinj on the stunning Croatian Coast is home to Hotel Bellevue and its state-of-the-art Spa Clinic. Sleek, airy, loaded with natural light and textures, the property has the best spot on Cikat Bay, literally steps away from the sapphire-hued sea.

Cutting-edge therapies include hydrotherapy and cryotherapy, and there are plenty of meditative nooks for quiet contemplation.

Civana, Aqua Shiatsu

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Aqua Shiatsu is a gently guided float in body-temperature water that can feel more restful than sleep. It’s one of many standout options at Civana Wellness Resort & Spa outside of Phoenix. The spa is dedicated to the ancient art of healing through water and has a serious hydrotherapy circuit of hot and cold pools and a plethora of calm-inducing energy treatments.

Hotel Bellevue

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Two Bunch Palms, Hot Springs Pool

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Passo di Giau (Italy)

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ALL ABOUT THE CURVES High performance cars were meant for Europe’s alpine roads.

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b y Glenn Robinson

have always been into speed. Satellites, airplanes, motorcycles, cars, you name it. After an early career in the U.S. Air Force, I spent over a decade working with Daytona International Speedway. When I decided to make the move to banking, I needed to find an outlet for my obsession. So I bought a Porsche 944 and fixed it up.

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Pre-pandemic, I used to drive the Porsche to work and take the long way home just to get in a few extra turns. That morphed into events at local race tracks, a second Porsche, and, if all goes as planned, I should qualify for my racing competition license this fall.

through the Italian countryside and hitting some wineries along the way is very near perfection.

Of course, Porsche has a factory in Stuttgart and I’d love to check out the Nürburg-Ring, which is known for being virtually impossible to master.

So, naturally, a driving holiday in Europe would be the ultimate getaway for me. I’d fly over with a small group of friends. We could all rent different exotics, take turns test driving each one, and compare notes over German food and regional wines.

No driving tour of Europe would be complete without hitting Austria’s Grossglockner High Alpine Road. When you’re chasing peak adrenaline, it’s all about the curves.

The Grossglockner climbs to an elevation of 8,215 feet with an impressive 36 turns, many of which are true hairpins.

Germany, Austria, Italy, France, and Switzerland are where high performance cars were meant to be driven. Taking a Ferrari Berlinetta

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Taking a tight turn at 45 mph is as exciting as going 145 mph in a straight line. The trick is to get all

your braking done before the turn, so when you enter it, all the tires’ traction is dedicated to turning.

Smooth and easy does it.

Glenn and one of his Porsche 944s

COCKTAIL My cars are both Porsches but I’ve always wanted to drive an Audi R8.

I’d have to try the Berlinetta too because … well, it’s a Ferrari; I’ve never driven a Ferrari. I’m not really a Lamborghini guy, but never say never, right?

We could stay in private chalets or chateaux off the tourist track.

Better yet, soak up the attention at an imperial palace hotel or opulent chateau. When you’re driving a high performance car, the oohs, aahs, and “Who is that?” whispers are all part of the experience. Kind of makes you feel like a rock star.

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Glenn takes the lead in this competition

Autocar, an excellent source on the latest in performance cars and driving

ENSEMBLE EX TR AORDINARY EXPERIENCES I 2021

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Sustenpass (Switzerland) Known locally as Main Road 11, this Swiss Alp thriller climbs to an elevation of 7,428 feet. Beginning on the eastern slope in the village of Wassen, the ascent is 17.4 km long with an average grade of 7.5%.

THE FASTEST

For adrenaline junkies, there's nothing like a driving vacation Grossglockner High Alpine Road (Austria) In September 2012, the Grossglockner Grand Prix, last held in 1939, was revived as a classic car event, featuring vintage cars from BMW, MG, Alfa Romeo, Mercedes-Benz, and Bugatti "climbing into the clouds."

M2.3 Highway (Montenegro) Resurfaced in 2018, “the backbone of the Montenegrin road network” curves and tunnels its way from coastal Budva over stunning Skadar Lake National Park to the capital city of Podgorica.

Passo di Giau (Italy) An immensely pleasing early morning drive, this angular and elevated mountain pass – included in The Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site – connects Cortina d’Ampezzo and Colle Santa Lucia.

Adriatic Magistral North (Croatia) The Adriatic Sea is the star of the show as this serpentine highway twists and turns its way from Rijeka to Split. Experienced drivers say get there before May, when tourist traffic spoils all the fun.

N85 Route Napoleon (France) If Provence and the Cote d’Azur are more your fancy, this relatively wide driving road between Grasse and Castellane allows for high corner speeds and is touted by experts as being “curve nirvana.”

SS 125 Orientale Sarda (Sardinia / Italy) This Italian island rager is held up by many as the best driving road in Europe. Experts say its surface is pool table smooth and the curves and straights have a tempo that is “heaven for the active driver.”

"When you’re driving a high performance car, the oohs, aahs, and “Who is that?” whispers are all part of the experience.

Kind of makes you feel like a rock star."

— Glenn Robinson

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From Travel + Leisure. ©2020 Meredith Corporation. Travel + Leisure and The World’s Best Awards are trademarks of Meredith Corporation and are used under license.

ENSEMBLE EX TR AORDINARY EXPERIENCES XX Travel + Leisure and Meredith Corporation are not affiliated with, and do not endorse the products or services of, Viking Cruises.

Ship size category: 600–2,199 guests. CST#I 2021 2052644-40

THE NEWEST Nothing Better than Brand New As much as we love visiting the Old World, we can't help but swoon at sparkling new ships, hotels, and entertainment venues. Their fresh, open spaces, nouveau cuisine, cool tech features, and creative touches bring us so much joy.

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Celebrity Beyond sm

I Celebrity's innovative outward-facing design creates an even closer connection between you, the sea, and every exciting place on the horizon. Unwind in expanded open-air spaces, like the terraced Sunset Bar that’s nearly twice the size as before. Savor fine dining that rivals anything you’d find on land, now including the new Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud. And discover new ways to renew on two luxurious levels at The Retreat Sundeck.

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Seabourn Venture, scheduled to launch in 2021

Silversea’s Silver Origin The new Silver Origin,

Inspired by the past and stunningly MUSIC reimagined for the future, Seven Seas Grandeur COCKTAIL will exemplify a heritage of perfection with unrivaled space, unparalleled service, exceptional cuisine and transformative experiences that will begin the moment you RECIPE step aboard. Grandeur will set sail in 2023

was created specifically for the luxury loving MUSIQUE MUSIC expedition traveler. With 132 all suite, ocean-view COCKTAIL with balconies, the ship will call on staterooms ports in the Arctic, the Amazon, and Antarctica.

For a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, guests will be able to explore the world below the sea in one of RECIPE two customRECETTE built submarines.

maiden season in summer 2021, will explore MUSIQUE The first destination specific MUSIC the Galåpagos. ship built by Silversea, the ship boasts all-suite accommodations, butler service for all passengers, the highest crew to passenger ratio in the Galåpagos and the most environmentally conscious RECETTEhas ever built.

RECIPE ship Silversea

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Circa Resort & Casino I Las Vegas

Shanghai Astronomy Museum I China

The first ground-up build in 40 years, this adults-only (age 21+) resort on Freemont Street sports 777 pristine rooms and suites. Amenities include an outdoor amphitheater, multi-level swimming pools, a 40foot HD screen, stadium-style sportsbook, and the nine-story “Garage Mahal.” The Circa is the tallest building in the Fremont Street area, and the first truly new hotel-casino to be built there since 1980.

Opened in July 2021, this 420,000 square foot temple to astronomy was built without a single straight line or right angle. And, the museum's Oculus, Inverted Dome, and Sphere are not just pretty, they're fully functioning instruments that track celestial bodies. If you haven't got a ticket to space yet, this work of art and science could be the next best thing.

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As we look forward and envision a future that lies just past the horizon, our excitement grows in anticipation of inviting you aboard what will be our newest addition to The World’s Most Luxurious Fleet™ in 2023.

At Regent Seven Seas Cruises®, we have spent decades listening to our guests, learning and refining what true luxury travel should be. And with the arrival of our sixth ship, Seven Seas Grandeur™, we will reveal the magnificent beauty of a vessel that harmonizes the elegance, comfort, freedom and choice central to An Unrivaled Experience®, with spaces inspired by the past, stunningly envisioned and redesigned for the future of the Regent experience.

At the heart of the ship, a reimagined Compass Rose is transformed with an illuminated canopy of interwoven branches arching overhead, elegant façades on the pillars and walls…every detail creating an environment that seems to carry beyond the room itself, as though you’re dining in a beautiful, enchanted grove.

Seven Seas Grandeur™ will exemplify a heritage of perfection with unrivaled space, unparalleled service, exceptional cuisine and transformative experiences that will begin the moment you step aboard.

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MUCH MORE THAN A SUITE

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As a guest of The Retreat®, our most luxurious experience, MUSIC you’ll relax in a stunning suite, unwind at your exclusive lounge, bask on the private sundeck, and indulge in amenities from butler service to premium drinks to unlimited Wi-Fi. RECIPE

MUSIQUE

In your private restaurant, Luminae, you’ll savor inspired meals paired by expert sommeliers from the most awarded wine collection at sea. You’ll even taste dishes COCKTAIL created by legendary Chef Daniel Boulud, who joins our own Michelin-starred chef.

We can’t wait to welcome you back on board, and when you’re ready, The Retreat will transport you BOOK like no other vacation.

©2021 Celebrity Cruises Inc. Ships’ registry Malta and Ecuador.

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THE HIGHEST

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Stay Among the Clouds in the World’s Second-Tallest Building RECIPE

Treehouses at Lion Sands Game Reserve

COCKTAIL

Lofty Pursuits In a bold quest to find the most impressive places to spend the night, an increasing number of travelers are checking into a range of rare and wonderful accommodations in remote locations all over the world. BOOK

The Hanging Gardens of Bali

Treehotel Mirrorcube

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INTERVIEW

JRECETTE Hotel Shanghai Tower I The new 165-room hotel gives you a birds-eye view of Shanghai from the top of the 632-meter building, with unprecedented views. The hotel is nestled among Shanghai Tower’s spiral, so every room MUSIC has a unique view from the clouds.

COCKTAIL

The staterooms and suites boast some of Shanghai’s most spacious accommodations, ranging from 657 square feet to 4,090 square RECIPE feet. Every space in the hotel, from the lobby to LIVRE the guest room corridors, offers unique luxury experiences influenced by art and culture, weaving modern elegance with authentic Chinese flair.

COCKTAIL If you want to experience luxury living in the clouds, the Shanghai Suite is the most spacious and high-end suite at J Hotel Shanghai Tower.

It offers a separate parlor, bedroom, dressing room, study, kitchen and physiotherapy area. BOOK

Our favorite actual tree dwellings are the Treehouses at Lion Sands Game Reserve, which are billed as a “million-star experience” because you quite literally sleep in a tree beneath the stars. Also up there, The Hanging Gardens of Bali featuring airy villas and a two-tiered pool overlooking a vast expanse of lush jungle. In Scandinavia, Finland’s Arctic Treehouse Hotel features luxurious glass houses on a wooded slope, while Sweden's Treehotel takes the glass theme to new levels with the mesmerizing, fort-like Mirrorcube.

Going to New Heights on Luxury Experiences ORIGINS Luxury Lodge I Costa Rica High up on a mountainside, overlooking the out stretched valley below, ORIGINS Luxury Lodge offers an exclusive escape into a World shaped by Nature and tamed by Luxury. An incomparable opportunity for serenity within the wilds of the rainforest is an experience like no other. Michelin-starred chef, Jean-Luc L'Hourre makes dining at ORIGINS the vacation you have always dreamed of taking! Secluded from the stresses of the outside world, ORIGINS serves as a warm and welcoming sanctuary delicately designed for guests to seek and find inner peace, optimal health and ultimate happiness.

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THE SMOOTHEST

Dancing with Water Cathy and Nikos

My crash course in navigating the scenic and rocky waters of northern Greece with a former Olympic rower

by CATHY SENECAL

Photo by Ruth Marr

“Dance with the water! Relax your shoulders!”

I’m feeling giddy in Halkidiki, rowing atop a swell, then careening into the trough of another. My coach and guide, a tall, Greek, former Olympian named Nikos, is yelling from the bow of the coastal rowing double we’re in. “Relax! Dance with the water!” he shouts. I try to relax. Mostly, though, I pray to Poseidon.

I’m not a rower, but when a friend asked me to drive the shuttle on an excursion in northern Greece, I agreed. She and I had hiked in Slovenia and Italy and travel well together. At the time, I happened to be on a biking trip in Rhodes, just a short flight away.

Our tour began at the Thessaloniki Coastal Rowing Club, from which we launch a quad, a double, and a coach boat piloted by Nikos and me. After an acclimatizing session there, we drove south to Sithonia, the middle of Halkidiki’s three peninsulas and put in again.

The week flies by in a blur of launches and landings, eight to 14km rowing stretches, winding roads, and cliff-top ocean vistas. I shuttle the van,

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dodge goats, deliver coffee, and carry gear. One day it’s too rainy to row, so we visit a winery and sip Limnio, a red wine referred to in Homer’s Odyssey, as Nikos shares his personal history.

He tells us he competed in flat water and ocean rowing, winning European and World Championship medals from 2004 to 2012 with his identical twin, Apostolos. They also placed ninth in London’s 2012 Summer Olympics. After competition life, Nikos started the only exclusively coastal rowing club in Greece.

Coastal boats are cut wide to handle the ocean water, which makes rowing easier to learn. Still, to me, these rollers seem massive. “Find the water with your blades,” Nikos instructs us. And I marvel that I am rowing with an Olympian just north of where the Games began in 776 BC. “Never stop rowing,” he says. Does he mean now, or never in my life? I focus on the clicks, pushes, pulls, and slides I’m meant to synchronize. This is nothing like rowing at the gym but, with Nikos’ guidance, I begin to feel one with the water, which does seem a bit like dancing.

THE OLDEST

Ancient Cures of Greecec

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Following in the footsteps of Aristotle and Plutarch INTERVIEW to discover Greece's mineral-rich hot springs.

Worn by centuries of use, the old stone basin is as smooth as a marble tub. The mineral-charged water, which bursts out of the rocks above me at 38C, envelops my body like hot velvet and - for the first time in months - I relax. I’m certainly hoping that my road trip to soak in Greece’s miraculous hot springs will restore wings to my lockdown-weary spirit.

Greeks have worshipped the healing powers of these hot spring waters since Antiquity: rich in minerals including potassium, lithium and calcium, they are said to cure everything from eczema to depression. There are now more than 700 hot springs in Greece. Since most of them are situated close to some of the country’s best-known archaeological sites, visiting them is also a great way to get to grips with the country’s history.

My next hot-spring stop the following day is signposted by a life-size statue of Leonidas, the Spartan king who launched a suicide mission against the troops of Persian king Xerxes here in 480 BC. From afar I can smell the sulphur rising from Thermopylae, the hot spring waterfall near Lamia where legend say Hercules was sent to recover after killing the Nemean lion.

I end my trip at Vouliagmeni Lake, just an hour’s drive from Athens, where Greeks have flocked to soak away their cares for the past 2,500 years. Hemmed in by high pink cliffs, the hot-spring-fed lake is actually a sunken cave.

Floating in the warm emerald waters, I imagine all the people who’ve bathed here over the centuries.

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Haida Nation Hideaway

by HEIDI FULLER LOVE

The setting sun hovers ahead of me like a red-lit Chinese lantern as I clamber over rocks to reach the worn stone bath in Edipsos on the Greek island of Evia, where it’s said that Roman general Sylla was cured of a mysterious skin disease back in 115BC.

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Just when you thought you'd seen all of the INTERVIEW national parks, this beauty comes into your life.

Set in the Pacific Ocean northwest of Vancouver, MUSIQUE the remote Haida Gwaii archipelago is home to Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site.

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Inhabited for as many as 19,000 years, the pristine RECETTE

wilderness area is only accessible via boat or seaplane. And yet visiting need not be a rustic affair.

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Ocean House, nestled in one of the main island's protected coves, is an elegant, 14-room, boutique COCKTAIL hotel built on a barge, which allows the former highend fishing lodge to move locations. Here, travelers can enjoy upscale comforts while delving into the rich Haida culture, "tide-to-table" cuisine, and eco- COCKTAIL adventures guided by experts from the Haida Nation.

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Yoga at the Source The origin of yoga can be traced back to northern India over 5,000 years ago so what better place to practice your asanas? Luxurious Ananda inMUSIC the Himalayas, an Ayurvedic spa and wellness resort, is beloved by celebrities and royalty. Oprah and Uma Thurman are fans and Prince Charles and Camilla have visited. In the middle of a 100-acre RECIPE forest overlooking the Ganges River, Ananda was once a Maharajah’s estate and the gracious accommodations are fit for a future king and queen. Ananda is located in Rishikesh, the town where The Beatles came to study with their guru.

COCKTAIL Alas, it wasn’t open then so the Fab Four missed out, but you don’t have to.

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Exclusive Ensemble Hosted 2023 Winter Voyages Full World Voyage by Cunard aboard Queen Mary 2 ®

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Join Cunard® in celebrating a century of pioneering ocean travel, as we unveil a season of global adventures inspired by the 100th anniversary of our first World Voyage. From the heady streets of Safaga on the shores of the Red Sea, to the golden sands of South Africa, Queen Mary 2® will call at 31 ports in 18 countries, on Centenary World Voyage with in-depth explorations of Australia, Asia and Africa. Discover ancient civilizations in Egypt, and cities less than a century old in the United Arab Emirates. See rhinos and elephants on a visit to a wildlife reserve from Port Elizabeth, or savor the iconic design of Sydney’s opera house on a visit to New South Wales’ cosmopolitan capital. Overnight port calls in Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney and Cape Town, are complemented by late evening departures from Safaga, Colombo and Port Elizabeth, while stops in Mauritius, Reunion and Airlie Beach, bring salt-white sands, gently swaying palms and spellbinding blue sea.

Welcomed wherever she sails, Queen Mary 2’s style, elegance and freedom of space are legendary. Decipher the mysteries of the night sky in her on board planetarium; Illuminations.

Test your palate in a guided wine tasting. Or savor the attentive but subtle service of your own personal butler in her luxurious Queens Grill Suites.

On Ensemble Hosted Voyages, you will enjoy:

Full World Voyage Roundtrip New York January 3 – April 30, 2023 117 nights w 18 Countries w 31 Ports-of-call

London

New York

Lisbon

Tenerife

Heraklion Suez Canal

Abu Dhabi Dubai

Luxor

Muscat Hue/Da Nang

w Complimentary Ensemble Experience

Salalah

Shore Event in select ports of call

Ho Chi Minh City Phuket Colombo Penang

w Complimentary Ensemble Traveler

Cocktail Parties & World Voyage cocktail parties

w The company of a gracious and

knowledgeable Ensemble Host

w Hotel & Dining Service Charge is included

Hong Kong

Kuala Lumpur

Singapore

Bitung

Darwin Walvis Bay

Cape Town

Reunion

Mauritius

Whitsunday Islands

Durban Port Elizabeth

Perth

Brisbane Adelaide

Sydney

Margaret River Kangaroo Island

Melbourne

when you book a Full World Voyage*

Certain restrictions apply, please refer to your travel agent for complete terms, conditions and definitions that apply to all bookings. *Guests booked on a Full World Voyage (89 nights or longer) receive Hotel and Dining Service Charge offer. Cunard will pre-pay the suggested Hotel and Dining Service Charge of $13.50 per person per day for Grill Suites and $11.50 per person for Britannia Staterooms. Offer is not available for third/fourth berth guests, is not transferable and may not be combinable with other offers. No cash value. © 2021 Cunard. Ship’s Registry: Bermuda. Proud partner of Ensemble® Travel Group.

THE FARTHEST

World of Wonder

Queen Mary 2 departing from New York

World Cruises are like Homer’s Odyssey with fewer perils and better towels. They span the globe and share man's and mother nature's most sublime achievements from majestic mountains and ancient ruins to crystalline waters and architectural masterpieces.

by ROBIN CHERRY

Viking I World Cruise Viking’s World cruise on board the Viking Star will explore 27 countries across six continents with stops in the Caribbean, the Americas, Australia, Asia, the Middle East and Europe. It will depart Fort Lauderdale on December 24, 2021 and arrive in London 136 days later. The ship will call on vibrant world capitals including Singapore, Istanbul, and Athens; tropical paradises Bora Bora and Bali, the engineering marvels of the Panama and Suez Canals, the ancient cities of Rhodes and Luxor, and romantic islands including Tahiti, Tasmania, and Sicily.

Queen Victoria, Panama Canal

Singapore

Cunard I World Cruise In 2023, Cunard will celebrate 100 years since RMS Laconia first circumnavigated the globe with two World Centenary Voyages. The 101-day Centenary World Voyage on Queen Victoria will travel roundtrip from Southampton with overnights in New York, San Francisco, Sydney, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Dubai. It will transit the Panama Canal and explore ten ports visited by the Laconia in 1923: New York, Cabo San Lucas, San Francisco, Hilo and Honolulu, Hawaii, Manila, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Naples.

Viking Star, Bora Bora Infinity Pool

Explorer's Lounge

The Centenary World Voyage on Queen Mary 2 is a 117-day roundtrip cruise from New York. Two Transatlantic Crossings, a Suez Canal transit, and overnights in Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong, Sydney, and Cape Town are highlights of this voyage. Both cruises embark in January.

Seabourn I World Cruise Seabourn’s 2022 World Cruise sails from Los Angeles to Athens on board the Seabourn Sojourn, an intimate ship with 229 suites. It departs on January 11, 2022 and arrives in Athens 145 days later. The ship will call on ports in the South Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and the Middle East with over two months spent exploring the wonders of Asia. The cruise also includes twenty overnight stays in extraordinary destinations like Sydney, Manila, Nagasaki, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Luxor, and Haifa.

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Going the Distance The ends of the earth and points in between are within reach on these monumental journeys. They are epic journeys of discovery that will expand your understanding of the world in all its wild, weird, and beautiful glory. Just make sure you have enough pages in your passport.

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INTERVIEW AmaMagna, Danube River

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BOOK AmaLyra, Seine River

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AmaWaterways I Seven River Journeys These three once-in-a-lifetime journeys will each explore seven rivers throughout Europe in 2023 over 45 or 46 nights. The first Seven River cruise, the Summer Edition, was so popular, AmaWaterways added two ENTREVUE more: Spring and Autumn. The Spring Edition sets sail on April 20; Summer departs on June 1; and Autumn embarks on August 24.

The Spring Edition will depart from Avignon MUSIQUE and explore the Rhône, Scheldt, Maas, Rhine, Main, Moselle, and Danube rivers. You’ll visit 14 countries throughout Western and Central Europe, before disembarking in Romania. Highlights will include France’s gourmet capital, Lyon, medieval RECETTE Heidelberg, enchanting Bruges, the stunning capitals of Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, and Belgrade as well as off the beaten track destinations like Český Krumlov, and the Iron Gates Gorge which forms a natural border between Serbia and Romania. COCKTAIL The Summer Edition will depart from Paris and explore sites along the Seine, Saône, and Rhône rivers including the Normandy countryside and the heart of Burgundy before heading off to the LIVRE Main, Moselle, and Danube. The Autumn Edition itinerary will be the same as the Spring.

Enjoy these trips without worrying about your waistline as AmaWaterways has always been at the forefront of wellness. It was the first river cruise company to offer complimentary bikes and helmets and has a staff of Wellness Hosts who lead guided bike rides, hikes, and fitness classes.

Classes include al fresco spinning and the ever popular Champagne yoga. At the end of these epic adventures you’ll understand AmaWaterways motto: “Oceans take you to countries; Rivers take you through them.”

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Hurtigruten I Pole to Pole Hurtigruten’s 65-day Arctic to Antarctica expedition cruise leaves from Cambridge Bay in the Canadian High Arctic and ends in Punta Arenas, Chile. On board the MS Fram, your journey takes through the long elusive Northwest Passage to Greenland, Newfoundland, and Labrador. From Halifax, Nova Scotia, the ship will spend seven days at sea en route to Panama.

After crossing the Panama Canal to the Pacific, you’ll visit coastal towns in Panama, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile as you sail toward the Antarctic through the stunning fjords of Patagonia. After seven days exploring Antarctica’s wildlife, glaciers, and icebergs, the ship will turn north and sail through the Drake Passage and through the Beagle Channel. A purposebuilt expedition explorer, MS Fram was refurbished in 2020. Cabins and public spaces were upgraded, new restaurants were added and artwork from Arctic artists graces the walls.

THE FARTHEST

GALPÁGOS ISLANDS Beyond imagination

GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS Beyond imagination

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The remote, rugged natural beauty of the Galápagos Islands await your discovery.

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For more information MUSIQUE

3 Reasons to Cruise with Hurtigruten Expeditions 1. Incredible Wildlife RECIPE RECETTE Known as the “Big 15,” the Galápagos Islands are home to some of the most unique species on the planet, including Darwin’s famous finches, iguanas, giant tortoises, and more.

2. Small-Ship Experience COCKTAIL COCKTAIL With a maximum capacity of 90 guests, our state-of-the-art cruise ship takes travelers on an immersive, intimate journey to locations that larger ships simply cannot reach.

3. Explore With Experts BOOK LIVRE Our Expedition Team serves as invaluable hosts during your expedition, guiding you through a wide range of activities both ashore and on board.

Contact your trusted travel advisor.

THE FARTHEST

Two ways around the world If you’ve read all the “best places to travel in 2021” lists and still can’t decide, you’re in luck. Round the World (RTW) trips that combine the best of the best are easier than ever to do.

The way we see it, there are two ways to go.

Grand & Glamorous You’ve waited your whole life to see the world. Now you’re ready to do it in style. Go ahead, cash in those fickle tech stocks and pack your favorite Louis Vuitton bag. Abercrombie & Kent wants to take you on a worldwide wildlife safari. You’ll be traveling via a privately chartered jet, of course, with a tour director, an executive chef, and savvy enrichment coaches. White glove passport and visa handling will ensure your travels are smooth so you can relax and enjoy Champagne beneath the Japanese cherry blossoms, lend a hand in a Chinese panda nursery, swim with gentle whale sharks in the Philippines, see Bornean honey bears and rare orangutans, Bengal tigers, Rwanda’s mountain gorillas, Madagascar lemurs, and Kenya’s Big Five.

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Earthy & Authentic You did it! You traded in that boring old job for the life of a digital influencer. Your sponsors are on board, your camera is packed, and you’ve got oodles of keywords and hashtags swimming in your head. Now it’s time to start inspiring your followers with amazing pics of the fiords of New Zealand, cycling through Bali, and an elephant sanctuary in Thailand. Climb to Nepal’s Namche Bazaar and skydive over Dubai. Then soak up the sun in Zanzibar, wander the night market in Marrakesh, laugh with the locals in Amsterdam, castle hop in Ireland, and dip into the hot springs of Iceland. Along the way, you’ll make forever friends in budget-friendly hotels and undiscovered resorts where you can take advantage of killer Wi-Fi to beam your stories to the world. #yes

One Perfect Spot Fiji If the idea of traveling around the world makes you feel a bit faint, the perfect alternative could be an extended vacation in one life-changing destination such as Fiji’s adults-only Matangi Private Island Resort. Spring for a magical Treehouse Bure overlooking the crystal clear ocean and you’ll be in the perfect spot to write that screenplay you’ve had in mind or while away the days hiking to hidden waterfalls, snorkeling, diving, and mingling with new friends at the local pearl farming village.

YOUR VILLA AWAITS

As countries start their slow reopenings, our wanderlust and desire to venture beyond our immediate neighborhoods will grow, too. Yet, we still must be hyper-conscious of the current situation. With enhanced safety and health measures, thoroughly trained cleaning staff, distanced group arrivals, sanitization packages and more, renting a villa is an ideal option to enjoy an intimate vacation with your family, safely away from the crowds.

For more information about the various cleanliness and safety protocols, or to book a stay at one of these villas, contact your trusted travel advisor who is always there for you – before, during and after your travels.

Creating one-of-a-kind getaways and lasting memories at the world's top luxury villas

United States Retreats

Caribbean Escapes

There’s no need to travel far for the getaway of your dreams! With Rocky Mountain retreats in Montana, to the southern charm of South Carolina, family-friendly vacations in Florida, and beyond, we’re guaranteed to have the perfect villa for you.

A one-of-a-kind getaway may only be a short flight (or drive) away - browse our selection of luxury in your own backyard today.

Our portfolio of more than 1,200 luxury villas encompasses the very best of the Caribbean with properties from St. Martin to Turks & Caicos, Grand Cayman, and beyond. Whether you’re looking for a 1-bedroom couple’s retreat or a sprawling seaside estate for the whole family, we have it all.

Luxury Villa Rentals in Over 50 Countries Worldwide With over 2,000 luxury villas worldwide, we offer a taste of luxury, wherever you go. From the cerulean seas of Southeast Asia to the old-world elegance of Europe – there's a destination waiting to be discovered.

To Learn More, Ask Your Trusted Travel Advisor

Travel With Us For Your Next Adventure

We are here to serve your wanderlust For those who prefer more predictable travels, there is an abundance of options from which to choose. For those in pursuit of a life extraordinaire, finding and embarking on outsized experiences can be a bit more challenging.

As Ensemble Travel members, our advisors work closely with the world’s top suppliers to bring you the farthest, fastest, highest, deepest, most extraordinary travel opportunities in the world.

Then we tailor them to your exact preferences. Polish every detail before you go. Delight you with extras along the way. And jump through hoops to bring you safely home again, exhilarated and yearning for more.

That’s how we fulfill the promise of extraordinary by never holding back on bringing you the absolute world.