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What’s the fastest-disappearing natural phenomenon? Dark skies. As cities expand, the night skies are flooded with light, dimming our views of the complex, mystical wonders of the heavens that inspired our ancestors.

We are still fascinated by the night skies, and many of us take time on vacation to spend our evenings outdoors gazing up into the darkness and its mysteries.

Luckily, there are places around the world preserving the darkness and celestial visions. Dark sky preserves are found in some of the most remote corners of the world, but some are closer than you’d think. North America’s western regions have some of the best night skies close to home, and a number of events in the fall help celebrate the wonders of the night skies.

Nevada is home to the darkest skies in the U.S. mainland. The state also has one of the only official Dark Sky Sanctuaries recognized by the International Dark Sky Association.

That’s why you’ll want to be in Nevada in October. On October 14, 2023, the biggest celestial event of the year happens above Nevada. For the first time in 11 years, there’s a solar eclipse that will be visible with the phenomenon where only the outer edge of the sun “a Ring of Fire” will be apparent, with the moon blocking the rest.

The viewing path of the eclipse runs directly through some of Nevada’s rural communities, which are setting up to welcome visitors flocking to experience the celestial event in person.

Nevada’s Great Basin National Park is one of the best spots to witness the event with a reported eclipse time of 3 minutes and 29 seconds.

In celebration, White Pine County is hosting a community-wide Ring of Fire Eclipse Festival from the 11-16 October. The festival will feature trail rides, an aliens and UFO event and a pub crawl.

Visitors can also hop aboard an early 20th century locomotive at the Nevada Northern Railway in Ely to view the eclipse. The Solar Eclipse Limited will head to a viewing area outside of Ely in Keystone. Passengers will be joined by NASA-affiliated interpreters and special eclipse-viewing glasses are provided.

Astronauts, aurora chasers, and space enthusiasts from across North America will gather from October 13 to 22 for a one-of-a-kind annual event promising cosmic concerts, fascinating speakers, and supernova-sized experiences.

Jasper’s Dark Sky Festival takes place within the world’s largest accessible dark sky preserve, and stargazers will find plenty to dazzle their telescopes at the 2023 festival. Highlights of this year’s festival include:

· 'Illuminating' Speakers: Renowned speakers like retired astronaut Marc Garneau, award-winning spaceflight history writer Emily Carney and NASA scientist Dr. Kartik Sheth will gather to share their knowledge and insights about everything from space funerals to cosmic weather trackers. Attendees will have the chance to ask questions, get inspired, and connect with like-minded enthusiasts in small group settings.

· Night Sky Photography: Beginners to advanced levels can learn from local experts and capture the beauty of Jasper's dark skies.

· New events: The ever-popular Science for Breakfast series will be joined by new events: Talk Nerdy to Me, the Science of Brewing, and more.

· Stargazing Sessions: With guides on hand from the Jasper Planetarium, you can experience the thrill of observing distant galaxies through the biggest telescopes in the Rockies.

· Family-Friendly Activities: Kids can enjoy rocketry demonstrations, geocaching adventures, and interactive science exhibits.

· Cosmic Concerts: Feel the vastness of the universe at Symphony Under the Stars, at the luxurious Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. You can hear the drumbeat of the mountains at an Indigenous sunset ceremony, and rock out to the fun, futuristic songs performed by a Dark Sky Band.

Western Canada and the U.S. are home to some of the most beautiful, remote places, but remote doesn't mean you have to rough it to enjoy outdoor life. Luxury lodges and western resorts provide all the comforts as well as incredible views and access to the night skies.

Ports of Call You Can't Miss in the Eastern Mediterranean’s Newest Cruise Hub

The Mediterranean is full of ancient maritime cultures, but some seaside countries are just recently becoming popular cruise destinations. One up-and-coming cruise hub in the eastern end of this historic sea offers the best of Mediterranean, modern European, and Middle Eastern cultures and lifestyles. Not to mention the spiritual attractions of the home of Jewish, Christian and Islamic faiths.

And the best news is that more and more cruises are calling in Israel’s ports and also embarking and disembarking from Israel, allowing for pre- and post-cruise explorations of this bucket-list country.

Here are Israel’s two main cruise ports – and their top attractions, although many attractions of Israel are accessible from either port, especially if you have overnights in port, cruise-tours, or pre- or post-cruise extensions in either city.

This is Israel’s largest port, located on one of its most beautiful bays, and the gateway to the sights and cities of northern Israel.

About 90 minutes away, the dynamic city of Tel Aviv is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the oldest section, Jaffa’s, ancient streets representing the original entry port for the country dating back 3000 years. But Tel Aviv is also a lively, modern city with a seaside promenade, 10 miles of sandy beaches, a preserved, early 20^th century Bauhaus neighborhood, lively arts culture, markets, and Israel’s hottest restaurant and nightlife scene.

Haifa is also the closest cruise port to the city of Nazareth, of biblical fame as Jesus’ hometown in Galilee and a must-see site for those interested in sites relating to the Christian faith.

Galilee is a mountainous region that is a center of agriculture to this day, and where the biblical story of Jesus walking on water is said to have taken place on the Sea of Galilee.

The ancient city of Acre, famously central to crusader-era stories with medieval structures remaining to this day, is also close to the cruise port of Haifa. Acre has UNESCO World Heritage status for its Ottoman quarter and the largest hanging gardens in the world, the Baha’i Gardens.

Further south on the Mediterranean coast of Israel, Ashdod itself is one of the most ancient cities in the world, dating back to the 17^th century B.C. Today, you’ll see a modern port with elegantly wide boulevards, museums, a national park and more.

Jews, Christians and Muslims all hold Jerusalem to be a holy city. Some religious sites are shared by two or more of these religions.

For picturesque and awe-inspiring views of the Old City and the Temple Mount, tours take visitors to the Mount of Olives. Excursions also take you to Mt. Zion, the Zion Gate and the Western (Wailing) Wall.

In the Jewish Quarter, you’ll discover the Holy Sepulchre, and in the new city, civic institutions like the Knesset and Israeli Supreme Court exist alongside the powerfully moving Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Museum and Children’s Memorial.

Synonymous with the birthplace of Jesus, visitors to Bethlehem today visit the Church of the Nativity, erected over the Cave of the Nativity where Jesus is said to have been born. You’ll also want to experience the Church of the Annunciation and the Church of St. Joseph built over his carpentry workshop.

A cruise to Israel gives travelers the opportunity to visit holy sites of three world faiths, see sites rooted in ancient history and Middle Eastern culture, experience a dynamic European lifestyle, and indulge in the sun-kissed days and nights of a modern Mediterranean beach destination.

Tips for Visiting a Japanese Hot Spring

Japan is famous for its volcanic peaks, which also hint at a national treasure underground: geothermally-heated mineral spring waters. For longer than records have been kept, Japanese have been bathing in natural, hot spring-fed ‘onsen’ to benefit from their restorative and healing powers.

For travelers to Japan, a visit to an onsen is an essential cultural and wellness experience, but, like many other Japanese traditions, there are rituals and etiquette to participating.

There are thousands of onsen dotting Japan’s many islands. A few remain outdoors in natural rock-lined pools where the heated waters literally spring from the volcanic earth. Other mineral hot spring sources have been channeled into man-made indoor or outdoor pools, often attached to a traditional Japanese hotel, or ryokan.

Different sources of hot springs in different Japanese onsen destinations contain different beneficial minerals and devotees distinguish various onsen therapeutic powers by their waters’ mineral composition.

Regardless of any therapeutic powers, spending time in an onsen is restorative and relaxing and fundamental to Japanese culture, which almost considers onsen to be sacred places.

Onsen are not swimming pools; it’s considered bathing, not swimming, and swimsuits are not permitted. Today, onsen are divided by gender and you are expected to go into the pool without clothing.

However, modesty is still expected. Like in a locker room at home, you are expected to always have your eyes focused elsewhere. It goes without saying that you would never take any photos.

Many people drape small towels to cover up a little on the way into the pool, and put the towel on their head to keep it handy while they are actually in the pool.

You do your bathing before you enter an onsen pool, and you are expected to be pristinely clean before entering; no quick rinse off!

Outside the onsen pool area are a number of showers with stools and buckets where you are expected to scrub down thoroughly, although grooming or shaving is considered impolite. Exfoliate so as much of the hot spring minerals can be absorbed into your skin. Make sure there’s no soap, shampoo, dirt or sweat on you before you take the next step into the pool.

Natural hot springs are hot! Onsen average around 110 degrees, and so bathers are advised to ease into the water to acclimate. Some are much hotter.

Onsen are not water parks or hot tub parties. Quiet socializing is accepted, but no drinking takes place in the onsen pools, and certainly no splashing, or rowdy behavior.

The ideal mood for your onsen experience is meditative, breathing deeply and slowly to maximize the restorative effects of the onsen.

Most people don’t stay in the pool for more than half an hour or so and even less the hotter the water. However, most onsen have places to relax outside of the pool itself, ranging from cooling pools to alternate with hot, to lounges, massage chairs, and even bars to have green tea, sake or Japanese beer.

The First Caribbean Resort to Get an Ocean Pool

Why choose between a dip in the sea and basking in a resort pool? The Caribbean now has its first resort ocean pool that lets you do both at once.

Tapping into saltwater sources for swimming pools is not exactly new. Over a hundred years ago, seaside communities, especially in Australia and also Europe, started tapping into the ocean to provide residents a way to cool off.

Even on rocky shores, an ocean pool could provide a secure space and constantly refreshed water, with waves washing into a pool where swimmers could safely swim. In some places, ocean pools had the added benefit of providing a saltwater swimming environment free of sea life, in places where sharks were abundant in the open water, for example.

The concept of ocean pools has evolved into a luxury experience at stylish resorts – but it hadn’t made its way to the Caribbean until now.

Wymara Resort and Villas on Turks and Caicos’ famous Grace Bay Beach has debuted a picture-perfect in-ocean pool inspired by the resort owner’s time in Australia and experiences with ocean pools there. They say it's the very first in the Caribbean islands.

At 130 ft long by 30 ft wide, the pool offers nearly 3,900 square feet of seawater swimming that’s equal parts in-ocean fresh and pool vibe.

The natural swimming pool, which gets replenished with fresh seawater from the Atlantic, is carved out of the shoreline’s coastal rock and lined by a timber deck that spans the entire length of the pool.

The high-style in-sea swimming pool features depths that rise and fall with the tide: a shallow end that is 3 to 5 feet deep if the tide is in or out, and a deep end that plunges 6 to 9 feet, with a soft, sandy bottom throughout.

It’s like the ultimate infinity pool, where the pool’s invisible seaside edge genuinely does flow right into its surroundings.

That’s not the only thing that makes it essential for your social media postings: this aquatic oasis is surrounded by a minimalist, elegant lounge area, complete with a refreshment bar, stylish loungers and umbrellas for shade.

The in-ocean pool’s lounge is fringed with manicured lawns, palm trees, and is adjacent to the Turks and Caicos’ renowned brilliant white sands and turquoise, crystal-clear waters. From a lounger or while lazing in the pool, guests enjoy spectacular views of the bay and up the cliffs.

From the in-ocean pool, it’s just a stroll to the Wymara’s one, four, and five-bedroom villas along what the resort is calling “Sunset Cove Beach.”

The first in-ocean pool in the Caribbean adds to the region’s collection of high-design, can’t-miss resort pools that transform your tropical resort vacation into poolside memories of a lifetime.

Where do Expedition Cruises Sail? And Where Will You be Able to Go Next?

Many people have heard about luxury expedition cruises to the Antarctic. But there’s a whole world of expedition cruising out there you may never have heard of.

Cruise/ travel journalist and expert Lynn Elmhirst sat down with ultra-luxury cruise line Seabourn’s director of expedition development Jen Martin to dispel the myth that expedition cruises only go to Antarctica.

Jen is the person to ask. She leads the team creating ultra-luxury cruise line Seabourn’s expedition cruise experiences. They are tasked with finding the best destinations and luxury expedition cruise experiences for Seabourn guests and new-to-Seabourn guests.

The ultra-luxury cruise line’s first expedition ship, the Seabourn Venture, and her upcoming sister ship Seabourn Pursuit, are ‘Polar Class’ PC6 ships with ice-strengthened hulls and modern hardware and technology that qualify them at the highest ‘ice class’ level for passenger ships. While they’re built for smooth sailing through polar exploration, the ships aren’t limited to the Antarctic – or to the polar regions in the North, either.

The ships are equipped with kayaks and enough Zodiacs to transport every guest on expeditions and landings all at once, as well as two custom-built submarines, each with capacity for six and capability of exploring shipwrecks and natural wonders under any of the seven seas in luxurious comfort.

In addition to the ship’s regular navigational and hospitality crew, Seabourn expedition cruises carry a two-dozen strong Expedition Team, made up of wilderness experts, scientists, historians and naturalists. These experts provide guests with in-depth insights into the history, ecology and culture of the places they visit -around the globe.

In this video, Jen shares what other remote natural and cultural destinations Seabourn expeditions are sailing to in coming seasons: destinations that are best accessed – sometimes only accessible – by sea.

Now You Can Cruise on the Tennessee River

Those who love – or would like to try – river cruising close to home can rejoice: there’s a new river to sail on. In the summer of 2023, American Cruise Lines launched a new river route that explores the charming towns of America’s Tennessee Valley.

The cruise line, which operates a 17-vessel fleet of river and small ships, has dedicated three of its river ships to its new, 8-day, Tennessee River Cruise itinerary. That includes the newly-christened American Serenade (pictured.)

The river cruise sails between Chattanooga and rising hotspot Nashville. It follows the river’s winding path into the Appalachian Mountains, calling in Decatur, AL; Florence, AL; Savannah, TN and Paducah, KY. It also sails the Cumberland River, exploring Lake Barkley and the Land Between the Lakes.

Current culture and rich history combine on this authentically American river cruise experience. The itinerary includes a range of excursions such as visits to Shiloh National Military Park in Savannah, TN; the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL; and the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, KY.

Guests can also enjoy active outdoor excursions like an ATV Backcountry Excursion in Chattanooga, or a visit to “The Shoals,” where they can golf 18 holes at the beautiful Robert Trent Jones golf course.

The Tennessee Valley is also home to musical greats from Johnny Cash to Patsy Cline, and American Cruise Line’s new Tennessee River itinerary pays homage to the harmonious influences of the region, offering guests the opportunity to visit both singers’ museums as well as other music-focused experiences.

This river cruise line includes breakfast each morning, and luggage concierge and transportation to the ship the morning of embarkation.

Your cruise trip doesn’t start on the ship. The itinerary is inclusive of a pre-cruise hotel stay in both departure cities of Nashville and Chattanooga.

You can also opt in to a Grand Ole Opry, 2-night, pre-cruise extension in Nashville that includes tickets to a show at the famed country music venue.

Missed this itinerary in 2023? No worries.The cruise line is also offering 8-Day Tennessee River Cruises again in 2024, cruising and even longer season from May to early November.

Explore Egypt from These 3 Four Seasons Hotels

History, culture, the romance of travel and 21^st century diversity all await you in the ancient destination of Egypt – home to the only remaining entry on the list of the original Seven Wonders of the World, not to mention other archaeological and architectural marvels, markets and local cuisine and lifestyle.

And you can explore Egypt’s antique wonders and modern life in style at three Four Seasons hotels in key Egyptian destinations; including exclusive signature Four Seasons experiences that elevate your visit to create your own wondrous memories.

The 4500-year old Pyramids of Giza at the outskirts of Cairo are the only remaining of the antique Seven Wonders of the World, still the major attraction, along with the Sphinx, for any first-time visitor to Egypt.

The Step Pyramid at Djoser has recently reopened after a 14 year-restoration and the centre of a tomb complex that is older even than the Pyramids of Giza by several hundred years.

Returning visitors are looking forward to the delayed opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo. None other than Ramses II (in the form of a 36-foot statue carved 32 centuries ago) welcomes visitors to the largest archaeological museum in the world. The striking contemporary building houses most of the treasures unearthed a century ago in King Tut's tomb, plus more than 100,000 additional artifacts spanning 7,000 years of Egyptian history and culture. GEM is partially open now, with an expected grand opening later in 2023.

No visit to the city is complete without a trip the Moez area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Khan El Khalili, the 1,000-year-old markets, in search of everything from artisan pieces to funky souvenirs. Then as the sun sets, a leisurely cruise on calm waters of the Nile in a traditional felucca takes you past illuminated landmarks.

The Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza offers guests a unique way to experience the pyramids, even if they have been to Egypt before.

The hotel also offers a door-to-door day trip to Luxor and the paradise city of Arwan, including limo transfers and a hotels escort through the airport. Then, after your short flight, Four Seasons guests are met by guide who will be at your side for the entire day before returning to Cairo that evening or the next day. Often called the world's greatest open air museum, this is where you walk in the footsteps of the Pharaohs through temples and monuments, visit the famous Valley of the Kings, and tour museums that tell the stories of ancient Egypt.

Relatively youthful in comparison to Cairo, Alexandria was founded by, and named for, Alexander the Great in 331 BC. The arrival of the Macedonians in Egypt was just another moment in a long history of cross-cultural influences in this city on the shores of the Mediterranean.

Pompey's Pillar, for example, was erected to honour the Roman Emperor Diocletian around 300 AD. A visit to the Roman Amphitheatre takes you through the remains of the ancient city of Alexandria during the Roman Period.

Then, venture on a tour of where the legendary Pharos Lighthouse once stood - The Citadel Qaitbay. The 15th-century landmark is now a naval museum with lookout towers and a unique collection of weapons.

While the famous Library of Alexandria, the most famous library of classical antiquity and considered to have amassed the largest collection of written knowledge in the Western World at the time, has been lost to history, the modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina is one of the major cultural centres in the world with space for eight million books and four museums, 15 permanent art galleries, a planetarium, and a manuscript restoration laboratory.

Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria at San Stefano can arrange for guests an expert guide through the magnificent rooms and priceless treasures on display at Alexandria’s Royal Jewelry Museum. Artefacts include gold objects and jewels once worn by the queens and princesses of Egypt's royal family. A private evening tour of the palace is followed by dinner and live music in the Royal Gardens.

Egypt isn’t all antiquities and bustling cities. Don’t miss the country’s Red Sea resort area, Sharm El Sheikh. The waters surrounding the southern tip of Egypt’s Peninsula are teeming with marine life and shipwrecks, making it popular with divers and snorkellers of all levels.

Visitors at the Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh can drop by the resort’s new dive center for training, outfitting, and first glimpses of colourful aquatic life diving at its private reef.

From there, you can sign up for escorted trips and yacht charters to over 75 recognized dive sites day or night - where you may see bioluminescent effects. No worries if you don’t dive – you’ll enjoy water activities on a sea kayak and a stand-up paddle boarding.

Recently expanded to double its original size, Four Seasons now offers numerous pools, a dozen culinary experiences, a new spa fitness center with floor-to-ceiling windows, tennis and squash courts.

For those who want to expand their horizons, there's as much to do in the desert as at the beach. Quad biking the dunes, a sunset camel safari, or a Bedouin-style dinner under the stars are all easily arranged, and the region's historic sites, including the biblical Mount Sinai, as well as the Old Market for souvenirs, spices and local handicrafts are worth visiting, too.

The hotel company has recently announced plans for a new hotel in New Cairo Capital, along with the first Four Seasons hotel in Luxor.

Michelin Stars to Ocean Shores: The New Hong Kong Hotels You Need on Your Radar

While travel was closed, Hong Kong’s hoteliers kept building. When you travel to the dynamic city today, you’ll discover a whole slate of new hotels that have added to its reputation for having one of the most glamorous and diverse hospitality scenes in the world.

Ask us about a stay at one of the new hotels in skyscrapers with harbor views – or properties that bring other facets of Hong Kong to life for guests.

A beach resort? A green oasis? How about a family-friendly hotel near theme parks? You’ll find those on top of exquisite luxury retreats, artisanal enclaves and new hotel restaurants that are already ranking as some of the best on the planet.

In the ultimate East-meets-West city, The St. Regis Hong Kong marries New York blueblood hospitality and Hong Kong culture with sophistication.

A ‘curated mansion’ with refined, contemporary, minimalist interiors, the hotel is on Hong Kong Island overlooking the harbor.

It continues the best traditions of St. Regis hotels worldwide, including daily champagne saber ceremonies, butler service, and local versions of the Bloody Mary, invented at the original Astor family St. Regis hotel in New York. In Hong Kong, the cocktail has been transformed by local flavors into a ‘Canto Mary.’

Treat your tastebuds at not one, but two, Michelin-starred restaurants. The French restaurant revives the elegant tradition of a cheese trolley circulating with dozens of delectable cheeses and an 800-strong wine list, and the Chinese restaurant offers relaxed, social, and modern Cantonese cuisine.

Soaring over Victoria Harbour in Kowloon, Rosewood Hong Kong (pictured, top) is a new anchor for the Victoria Dockside neighborhood. Serenity, lush topiary, and an indoor infinity pool greet guests arriving for a holiday, business stay, meetings, or gathering in one of the most stunning new events venues in the city.

With ten dining venues including Cantonese as well as Italian, American steakhouse, a contemporary take on Hong Kong traditional comfort food, a stylish café, patisserie, afternoon tea, Asian tapas and an Indian restaurant that quickly leapt into Hong Kong’s Michelin guide list of starred restaurants, you can satisfy every palate.

But don’t miss The Darkside, already rated one of the World’s 50 Best Bars, where you can participate in mixology classes and sip away on a terrace with epic views of the skyline.

Not far from the Rosewood in the Victoria Dockside arts and design district, Artus K11 – described as an ‘inspiring, design-led artisanal home’ - has room features including balconies overlooking the harbor.

In addition to welcoming visitors to nearly 300 serviced apartments, the owners are intent upon conserving traditional Chinese artistry and craftsmanship.

K11 ARTUS works with artisans to help preserve Hong Kong’s culture and ancient arts and craft techniques. By curating their creations, modern pieces of art as well as valuable antiques throughout the property and nurturing an artist in residence program, ARTUS creates a unique environment for cultural discovery for guests.

The property is also a stone’s throw away from the same group’s magnificent K11 MUSEA café and shopping venue housing art and luxury labels.

With green surroundings and user-friendly technology for guests’ comfort and wellness, Alva appeals to modern travelers who embrace contemporary design, healthy living, sustainability and smart technology.

The lobby features a stunning moss wall that reflects its unique riverside location and lush Shatin neighborhood landscape. Technology facilitates self-check-in, with a mobile key sent to your smart phone.

An in-room tablet controls your entertainment and environment. Your bathroom’s shower emits water enriched with vitamins and collagen to enhance your skin and hair.

Terrace yoga and tai chi, a patio with minimalist vertical gardens, a rooftop pool with a view, a co-working space in the green lobby, as well as water refill stations to avoid single-use plastic, plus an all-day dining venue with cooking stations serving up Asian and western cuisine, hydroponic greens, fresh oysters and house-made gelato, complete the fresh, flexible and modern hotel experience.

In a prime waterfront location in the heart of Hong Kong Island, the Hotel Alexandra Hong Kong’s public spaces beg to be posted in your social media feed. They exude Victorian romance, complete with gleaming marble, carved and gilded panels, expansive mirrors and massive crystal chandeliers.

Just minutes from the airport on Lantau Island and with easy access to Hong Kong Disneyland, this new Accor hotel is more than a place to lay your head before your flight.

It brings the ambiance of the lush green Lantau hills inside, turning a city hotel in a haven of tranquillity. The lobby and restaurants, gym and some rooms look out on to cascading garden terraces with a yoga lawn, green spaces, and a large outdoor pool perched high above the town center.

Guestrooms feature soothing neutrals and minimalism, lots of natural light and views of surrounding hills and the seas. Some have private outdoor terraces with hot tubs or private plunge pool.

Shaped like an undulating wave, this oceanfront resort is only minutes from the heart of the city on the southern coast of Hong Kong Island with panoramic views over the sea.

The hotel is adjacent to a year-round water park and Ocean Park theme park, making it the perfect family getaway in Hong Kong. In addition to the sea and nearby attractions, the hotel has a huge kids’ play zone, lagoon, water play area and other kids’ entertainment.

Grown-ups will appreciate the understated elegance, infinity pool, seaside dining and oceanfront views that give you a whole new perspective on Hong Kong.

This hotel’s not exactly new, but reborn. First opened as The Regent in 1980, for the last two decades this pillar of Hong Kong social life was an InterContinental Hotel. But following the acquisition of the Regent brand by IHG, the decision was made to return the property to its former glory, restore its original name, and revive its legendary status.

The ‘new’ Regent Hong Kong officially opened / re-opened in 2023, following a transformational renovation. It put the property back at the top of the luxury offerings on Tsim Sha Tsui’s harborfront and maximizing its unparalleled location and views.

The Lobby Lounge returns as the place to see, be seen and meet up, maximizing views while offering afternoon tea both Chinese and Western, as well as Regent’s famous day-to-evening champagne ritual. Its Cantonese restaurant has reverted to its original, revered name – while picking up two new Michelin stars.

Is a Luxury Expedition Cruise Right for You? An Expert Explains

Luxury expedition cruising is one of the fastest-growing trends in cruising - but who really sails on these voyages? And more importantly, are they right for you? Maybe it's time to dispel some myths about expedition cruising - one of the fastest-growing cruise styles today, with new ships launching every year.

I sat down with Seabourn's Jen Martin, who leads the team creating the ultra-luxury cruise line's expedition cruise experiences. They understand who's taking expedition cruises and what appeals.

Lynn and Jen discuss who is the perfect luxury expedition cruise traveler. We clear up any misunderstandings about who is taking luxury expedition cruises: their age, abilities, and interests – and it might help you figure out whether YOU belong on a small-ship, luxury expedition cruise.

WHO is expedition cruising? That’s one of the most common questions cruise travelers and non-cruise travelers ask about this growing cruise travel trend. So Jen and I discuss:

We answer all your questions about whether a luxury expedition cruise is right for you – or maybe if it’s right for some people who you’d like to convince to take a cruise with you!

If you’ve been wondering if you’d feel at home among the 250 guests on a Seabourn expedition cruise anywhere in the world, this video may help you decide if you’re a match for luxury expedition cruising.

Romance Under the Stars: Couples-Only Caribbean Resort Introduces a Stargazing Concierge

Away from all your cares – and the bright lights of the city - at home, there may be nothing more romantic than being at a beach resort under the night sky with your sweetheart. Jamaica’s newest luxury resort has added a celestial experience for guests to rediscover each other and the wonders of the stars during your stay.

Sandals Dunn’s River, like all Sandals resorts, is a couples-only, all-inclusive luxury Caribbean escape where every feature and experience is focused on rekindling your romance.

Its newest resort, Sandals Dunn’s River in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, recently opened on a stunning stretch of white sand beach. It features new Coyaba Sky Villa Swim-up Rondoval Suites with private soaking tubs, a sun-lounging area, and direct access to a sprawling river pool as well as different configurations of open-air rooftops.

The new open-air rooftops make for a natural destination to while away hours in the darkness, gazing into the night skies with your sweetie. Sandals has added state-of-the-art telescopes and a “Stargazing Concierge” to help you make the most of the clear night skies, which, over the sea, are not dimmed by lights below.

The all-new Stargazing Concierge is a complimentary new Butler service for the suites. Upon request, your Stargazing Concierge will arrange bespoke stargazing experiences for you and your loved one on your private rooftop. Imagine moonlight cocktails, or wine and cheese pairings, or decadent desserts under a celestial canopy.

Beyond creating a romantic interlude under the stars, the Stargazing Concierge will also help curious guests identify constellations and meteor activity in the Caribbean sky. And to commemorate their trip, Sandals is providing couples staying in the villas with a complimentary custom star map of their personal stargazing experience, created by custom star map company The Night Sky.

Any couple who stays in one of the resort’s Coyaba Sky Villa Swim-up Rondoval Suites has access to their very own Stargazing Concierge.

If your stay wasn’t already ‘stellar’ enough, during your stay at the new Sandals Dunn’s River, you will also be able to enjoy 12 “Global Gourmet” restaurants – maybe more than you can try in one week! Ten of the concepts are entirely new to the Sandals chain of couples-only luxury all-inclusive Caribbean resorts, so even if you’ve stayed at a Sandals before, you’re looking at a whole new dining experience. You can make it a game to discover all the resorts 9 bars, including Dunn's Rum Club, where the island's signature spirit is shaken and stirred into authentic, expertly mixed craft cocktails.

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