Welcome to Wave Season! Wave after wave of promotions, offers and perks that make booking your next – or your first! - cruise irresistible. Cruise lines compete to outdo each other during Wave, and that gives you the opportunity to save money, get some extra perks to spoil yourself – or sail into new cruise horizons!
With all the different kinds of discounts, promotions, perks and savings, it’s important to understand their differences, relative values, and especially, to compare deals ‘apple to apple’ to make sure you’re getting the best deals on the best cruise for you.
An expert travel advisor is your best bet to help you maximize your cruise travel budget and ensure you make the most of Wave Season.
Here are some tips for the most common types of Wave incentives:
Perks, deals, bonuses and more can give you the budget flexibility to try something new:
Your travel advisor is your best partner sourcing and comparing the many deals available during Wave.
And in helping match you to your perfect cruise style and cruise line, especially if you’re going to take advantage of Wave promotions to expand your cruise travel horizons to try a new cruise for you.
By: Lynn Elmhirst, cruise/ travel journalist and expert
Image: Seabourn
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by Lynn Elmhirst on 01/09/2025
Don’t let this happen to you! I know a family who recently missed their holiday – and lost nearly everything they’d spent on their vacation – all because of a completely avoidable travel document snafu. It happens more often than you think – but it shouldn’t happen to you.
Here’s the sad story: For their first trip as a family, the parents got the kids their first passports but planned to travel on their own existing passports, which were still valid from their honeymoon a few years ago.
They knew their destination didn’t need a visa, so they thought they were good to go.
Wrong.
The couple has a travel journalist friend (ahem!) who had been at their wedding and did some quick mental math, calculating that their passports were likely close to expiring.
She advised them that many destinations don’t allow you to enter without at least six months left on your passport.
You could find yourself turned away when you try to enter such a country. In fact, you will likely be denied boarding your flight.
That’s what happened to this family. With passports that were still valid – but had less than six months before expiration – the parents were denied boarding. With not enough time to get new passports, even emergency ones, as well as reschedule all their travel plans, the family not only lost the week-long vacation they’d been looking forward to. They also lost a lot of money they’d spent a long time-saving.
If you are turned away because your travel documentation isn’t in order:
This family didn’t take my advice, and paid a big – and sad! – price. But I hope you can learn from their mistake.
There’s even more than one reason why!
As in my sad story above, many countries require visitors to have at least six months of validity on their passports from the date of entry. It’s not just a bureaucratic thing: it anticipates situations where a traveler might need to extend their visit (for example because of sickness or an accident or even bad weather) and find themselves with an expired passport.
For example, destinations like the Schengen Area in Europe, China, Thailand, and several others enforce this rule strictly!
Travel plans can sometimes come together at the last minute, leaving little time to check passport validity. By renewing your passport early, you eliminate the risk of a travel disruption caused by an expired or soon-to-expire passport. Additionally, emergencies—such as the need to travel for family or work—can arise unexpectedly. Having a passport with adequate validity ensures you're always prepared for such situations.
Not all last-minute travel is negative, either. Hear about an incredible travel deal? Get some unexpected time off? Why not be able to take easy advantage of a spontaneous travel opportunity?
This brings us to another reality: backlogs and long wait times for new passports. By renewing early, you avoid the anxiety of potential delays, especially if you have upcoming travel plans. Expedited services may be available, but often come at a high cost and aren’t guaranteed to work within an emergency timeline. In the case of emergency travel, isn’t your documentation the last thing you need to be worrying about?
Don’t forget, when you apply for a passport, you have to hand the old one in. That means you are without a passport til your new one arrives. And effectively grounded. Don’t get caught!
In addition to your travel destination’s government regulations, some airlines have their own policies regarding passport validity. They may refuse to allow passengers to board if their passport doesn’t meet the six-month rule, even if the destination country has no such requirement!
Travel is meant to be exciting and fun. Renewing your passport ahead of time gives you freedom from worry and allows you to focus on the adventure ahead rather than paperwork. Maintaining a passport at all times that has more than six months of validity is a simple step that can save you from stress or even financial losses.
Check your passport today and if it’s nearing the six-month mark – especially if you are booking or already booked for travel – get renewing today!
By: Lynn Elmhirst, travel journalist and expert.
Image: Getty
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by Lynn Elmhirst on 01/09/2025
The coldest weeks of the year inspire dreams of lush blooms and garden idylls, which just happen to be the calling card of the essential English lifestyle. Plan a trip around one of Britain’s dazzling flower shows and visit iconic gardens at stately country homes.
Get your horticulture on at one of Britain’s flower shows, with their rich tapestry of blooms and garden artistry in 2025. From ‘cutting’ edge designs to rare plants to dramatic installations and serene oases, Britain’s garden shows celebrate gardening traditions and push horticultural boundaries.
Discover the latest plant varieties, take part in gardening workshops, pick up tips and the latest nifty gardening tools, and enjoy family-friendly activities, often live music and local food stalls and afternoon tea amid the blooms. Britain’s garden shows help celebrate the spring, summer and autumn seasons in Britain.
April 24-27, 2025: Harrogate Spring Flower Show, Yorkshire
The 2025 Harrogate Spring Flower Show at the Great Yorkshire Showground, kicks off the gardening season with a burst of color and award-winning show gardens and floral art displays.
May 2-4, BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair, Beaulieu, Hampshire
The 2025 BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair will take place in the grounds of Beaulieu, highlighting the best of spring gardening. This vibrant event will feature creative floral displays, inspiring show gardens, and expert gardening demonstrations for garden enthusiasts of all levels. Tickets to the fair give full access to the Beaulieu grounds and gardens, the National Motor Museum, the Palace House and the Little Beaulieu adventure playground.
May 8-11: RHS Malvern Spring Festival, Three Counties Showground, Worcester
RHS Malvern Spring Festival marks the start of the Royal Horticultural Society’s renowned flower show season. Expect stunning floral displays, vibrant gardens, and expert talks. A highlight is the array of show gardens. The festival returns for an autumn edition from 26-28 September 2025.
May 20-24: RHS Chelsea Flower Show, London
The 2025 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the ‘mac daddy’ of Global garden shows, takes place annually at London’s Royal Hospital Chelsea, is a celebration of horticultural creativity and sustainability. Known as the pinnacle of garden design, the show will feature innovative display gardens, from a Japanese Tea Garden to Monty Don’s garden for dogs, floral exhibits and innovative gardening products, attracting top designers from around the world. First-time visitors can wander through themed gardens, view colourful floral arrangements in the Great Pavilion, and attend talks by leading garden experts. With a focus on eco-friendly practices, the show also offers inspiration for sustainable gardening. For a truly luxurious experience, visitors can also enjoy fine dining experiences with top restaurants like The Dorchester, Ranelagh, and Champagne and Seafood serving curated menus.
June 12-15: BBC Gardeners’ World Live, Birmingham, West Midlands
The 2025 BBC Gardeners’ World Live at the NEC Birmingham, celebrates all things gardening and outdoor living.
June 20-22: Blenheim Palace Flower Show, Oxfordshire
The 2025 Blenheim Palace Flower Show is a spectacular floral event set against the grandeur of Blenheim Palace’s historic grounds and lake, with stunning show gardens, a floral marquee bursting with seasonal blooms, and a dedicated plant village. Bridgerton fans will also recognize the stunning grounds from the Netflix show’s latest season.
July 1-6: RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, Surrey
Set in the historic grounds where King Henry VIII once resided, the 2025 RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival is another highlight in the gardening calendar, with themed spaces that inspire creative gardening ideas, and shop for unique plants, garden furniture and artisanal goods and a special focus on wildlife-friendly gardening.
July 16-20: RHS Flower Show Wentworth Woodhouse, Rotherham, South Yorkshire
The RHS Flower Show at Wentworth Woodhouse is a brand-new addition to the RHS calendar. Nestled in South Yorkshire against the backdrop of one of Britain’s grandest stately homes, this show will feature innovative garden designs, vibrant floral exhibits, curated talks, artisan markets, family-friendly activities, and culinary delights. The venue, Wentworth Woodhouse, boasts 87 acres of stunning landscaped gardens and is a Georgian architectural gem.
August 29-31: BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair, Audley End House, Essex
The 2025 BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair, set for 29-31 August 2025 at Audley End House and Gardens, will bring a seasonal mix of horticultural inspiration and outdoor lifestyle tips, aimed at gardeners preparing for autumn. Another highlight is Audley House, a magnificent Jacobean mansion dating back to the early 17th century.
Aberdour, Fife, Scotland. Credit: VisitBritain/Pinzutu Films/Ula Blocksage
There is something to enchant every plant enthusiast at Britain’s regional botanical gardens, such as the Eden Project in Cornwall with its striking biomes and the historic Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. You’ll find immersive experiences year-round, blending horticultural expertise with eye-catching landscapes.
Helmsley Walled Garden, North Yorkshire
Helmsley Walled Garden is a five-acre haven nestled at the foot of the North York Moors and overlooked by Helmsley Castle. Dating back to 1759, this meticulously restored Victorian garden offers a vibrant tapestry of landscaped gardens, orchards and glasshouses. Visitors can explore the spectacular double herbaceous borders, wander through the orchard or relax in the Kitchen Garden. Visitors can enjoy freshly prepared treats at The Vine House Café or pick up gifts at the garden shop. Open daily from March to December, Helmsley Walled Garden was also one of the filming locations for the 2020 adaptation of The Secret Garden.
The Eden Project, Cornwall
The Eden Project in Cornwall is an iconic environmental complex featuring two stunning biomes that display diverse plant species from tropical rainforests and Mediterranean climates. Opened in 2001, it offers visitors a chance to explore outdoor gardens filled with native British plants and engage in exhibitions focused on biodiversity and conservation. With a range of workshops and events throughout the year, the Eden Project emphasizes sustainability and our relationship with nature.
Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, established in 1670, is a 70-acre oasis in the heart of Scotland’s capital, offering a diverse collection of plants from around the world. Visitors can explore beautifully designed gardens, including the famous Rock Garden and the serene Chinese Garden, as well as glasshouses that showcase exotic species. The garden is dedicated to plant conservation and research, hosting various exhibitions and events throughout the year.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Greater London
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in southwest London, renowned for its expansive collection of over 50,000 living plants. Spanning 326 acres (the equivalent of around 186 football pitches), Kew offers visitors the chance to explore beautiful landscapes, historic buildings, and stunning glasshouses, including the Palm House and the Temperate House. The gardens are dedicated to plant conservation, research, and education, hosting various exhibitions and events throughout the year.
RHS Garden Bridgewater, Salford, Greater Manchester
RHS Garden Bridgewater, opened in May 2021, is a 154-acre garden located in Salford, Greater Manchester, and serves as the newest addition to the Royal Horticultural Society’s portfolio. Designed by renowned landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith, the garden features themed areas, including a Kitchen Garden, vibrant floral displays, and a serene woodland walk. With an emphasis on biodiversity and sustainability, RHS Garden Bridgewater offers visitors educational programmes, workshops, and seasonal events aimed at gardening enthusiasts of all ages.
Bath Botanical Gardens, Somerset
Bath Botanical Gardens, located in the picturesque Royal Victoria Park, is a 2.5-hectare garden that showcases a rich diversity of plant life. Established in 1887, the gardens feature seasonal displays, including vibrant flower beds, a sensory garden, and a picturesque rose garden, all framed by historic trees and beautiful landscaping. Visitors can stroll along the meandering paths, enjoy the tranquil atmosphere, and take in the views of the nearby Royal Crescent, as seen in Netflix’s hit series Bridgerton.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens, West Midlands
Birmingham Botanical Gardens, established in 1832, is a 15-acre green space located just a short distance from the city centre. The gardens feature a remarkable collection of over 7,000 plants, set within landscaped grounds that include four glasshouses, each displaying diverse ecosystems from tropical rainforests to arid deserts. Visitors can wander through themed areas, such as the herb garden and the rock garden while enjoying peaceful walks along winding paths. The gardens also host educational programs, workshops, and seasonal events.
The Alnwick Garden, Northumberland
The Alnwick Garden is a 12-acre garden renowned for its striking design and innovative features. Opened in 2001 and developed by the Duchess of Northumberland, the garden boasts a stunning collection of themed areas, including the enchanting Poison Garden, which showcases a variety of toxic plants, and the breathtaking Grand Cascade, the largest water feature in a UK garden. Visitors can also explore the ornamental gardens, unique treehouses, and vibrant floral displays throughout the seasons. The Alnwick Garden offers a variety of workshops and events, while its proximity to Alnwick Castle makes it an idyllic destination for families, garden lovers and Harry Potter fans.
Highgrove Gardens, Gloucestershire
Highgrove Gardens, the private residence of King Charles III, is a 30-acre garden nestled in the Gloucestershire countryside. Established in the 1980s, the gardens showcase a diverse array of plants and horticultural designs. Highlights include the wildflower meadows, the manicured formal gardens, and the renowned Kitchen Garden, which supplies fresh produce for the royal household. Guided tours offer visitors a unique insight into the garden’s design and its ecological ethos.
Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall
The Lost Gardens of Heligan, located in Cornwall, is a magical 200-acre garden that has been captivating visitors since its restoration in the 1990s. Originally developed in the 18th century, these gardens were largely forgotten until a dedicated team revived them, revealing a blend of Victorian horticultural artistry and stunning landscapes. Highlights include the Jungle Garden, featuring exotic plants and towering palms, and walled gardens which showcase a variety of flowers and vegetables.
Credit: West Midlands Growth Company
Images courtesy of VisitBritain.
Top image: Belvoir Castle, Visit Leicester/Mynt Communications Ltd
Other rights as noted.
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by Lynn Elmhirst on 01/09/2025
The UN agency championing the world’s cultural and scientific treasures, and the prestigious association of hundreds of independent, unique hotels and restaurants throughout the world, have joined forces to support global conservation and biodiversity through global culinary traditions.
The director-general of UNESCO points out, “Never in history has nature experienced such dramatic decline. One million species – of the eight million identified to date – are facing the threat of extinction. With one voice, UNESCO and the Relais & Châteaux Association are calling for us all to change our perspectives and practices with regard to food and reestablish a balance between humankind and the environment."
"I see gastronomy as a powerful vector for change and we must fundamentally rethink the way we approach food systems. I quickly realized that we need to greatly increase the number of biodiversity guardians across the world if we want to protect our planet and the species living upon it," declares Mauro Colagreco, Vice President of Chefs, Relais & Châteaux.
1. UNESCO supports R&C’s 12 Commitments to Sustainability, with three major missions:
- preserve the world's hospitality and culinary traditions,
- contribute to the protection and development of biodiversity,
- take daily action for a more humane world.
In their day-to-day devotion to cuisine and hospitality, the 580 influential member properties of the Relais & Châteaux Association with a combined 800 restaurants, committed to operating to support the vital interconnectedness of food, health, and the environment.
2. Pilot projects will be conducted by Relais & Châteaux members and nearby UNESCO Sites, including UNESCO biosphere reserves (MAB) and World Heritage Sites. The projects, led by Relais & Châteaux properties, promote UNESCO Sites and traditional local knowledge and customs. The projects encourage sustainable biodiversity conservation and use while respecting local cultures and preserving natural and cultural heritage.
UNESCO oversees more than 2000 World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves, Global Geoparks and other sites. The biosphere reserve program combines conservation, local development, cultural heritage preservation and protection of the savoir-faire and traditions of local and indigenous populations. With 759 biosphere reserves spread across 136 countries, UNESCO protects nearly eight million square kilometers of natural spaces — the equivalent of the surface area of Australia — and supports the communities that benefit from them.
Nearly half of Relais & Châteaux hotel and restaurant properties globally are located within two hours of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
The R&C collaboration with UNESCO opens the door for travelers to immerse themselves in some of the world’s most precious and inspiring places, enriched by stays in iconic local hotels, meals that celebrate local ingredients, knowledge and sustainable techniques, and feel good knowing you’re part of a commitment to protecting the world’s natural and culinary treasures.
Images courtesy of Relais & Châteaux
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by Lynn Elmhirst on 12/30/2024
It feels like we could all use some good news right now – and luckily, this year, travel has provided us with lots of reasons to feel hopeful and uplifted and that doing something we love – travel – can also be doing something good. The world of travel is showing us that not only can travel be good for us, it can also be easier for us and easier on the world whose travel treasures we seek to experience.
By now, it’s pretty well-known how travel is good for our spirits and stress levels. Read on in this newsletter to hear about a study conducted on one cruise line shows ‘slow travel’ at sea can even boost our brain function!
Another study says travel is anti-ageing! According to the researchers, “Tourism (especially including wellness activities that promote physical and mental wellbeing) typically exposes people to new surroundings and relaxing activities, and novel settings can stimulate stress responses and elevate metabolic rates, positively influencing” your body’s ability to repair itself and slow down the ageing process.
Bye-bye botox!
We know that travel can bring families closer together, and family reunion travel is more popular than ever,.
But travel can also bring nations closer together.
We need travel more than ever- bringing people closer together and into better understanding of each other and the rest of the world.
We all laugh when we see photos of what air travel was like in the jetset heyday – bar carts and people in smart suits – and brace ourselves for our next economy-class flight.
But in some key ways, even airlines are making life – and your next travel experience – easier.
And technology is helping to reduce some of our air travel pain points, too.
And the number of airports implementing new security scanning equipment is growing rapidly worldwide. The new scanners mean you don’t need to remove your laptop or liquids – or anything else from your carryon bag! And are set to remove the liquid size restrictions altogether.
If you’ve already flown out of an airport with the new technology, you won’t be able to wait til it becomes the standard, not the amazing exception. The good news is you might not have long to wait. The USA and Europe already have a number of major airports with the new technology, the UK and Canada are underway in implementing it, starting with the busiest airports,
Travel isn’t just good for the world, cultivating inter-connectivity and understanding.
There’s also awareness – and action – to make it better for the planet.
I hope these and more travel good news stories inspire optimism for the future of travel and our shared world.
By: Lynn Elmhirst, travel journalist and expert
Image: Getty
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by Lynn Elmhirst on 12/30/2024
Restored to its former glory and beyond, Notre Dame de Paris has risen from the ashes of a 2019 fire that many feared meant the end of an era for one of the most joyous historic cathedrals in Europe. The December 7, 2024 reopening ceremony and resumption of Masses felt like a Christmas gift to the world, not just for the church-going community, but also for those of us who have fallen in love with travel to Paris and France.
The five-year restoration project was massive in both care and scale. Coming in at over $800 million, with work still to be done, it tapped thousands of masters of ancient craftsmanship and even the ancient forests of France. Both were needed for the materials and the skills to restore the landmark of groundbreaking, mediaeval gothic light and effervescence in the heart of the French capital.
Notre Dame de Paris hasn’t just undergone a restoration. The huge fire provided the opportunity and impetus for a complete transformation, from a revealing cleaning to all-new touches that put a 21st-century mark on the 12th-century marvel.
© Etienne Castelein
Notre Dame de Paris is no ordinary European historic cathedral. For over a thousand years, it has been central to the history of Paris and France, the site of momentous occasions and ordinary lives of Parisians, as well as a marvel of innovating architecture, design and art, and the basis for cultural references. The Hunchback of Notre Dame novel immortalized the cathedral as a character in the life of Paris, and has been re-imagined even by modern Disney animation!
The Bishop of Paris laid the first stone in 1163 as the start of a vision for a new religious architecture, which came to be called ‘Gothic art.’ Notre Dame de Paris was the largest religious structure in Europe for two centuries.
The finest stonemasons and artisans of the day contributed to the masterpiece of design and construction. Instead of traditional walls, pillars inside, and innovative gothic flying buttresses outside support arches in the tall, airy interior and the unprecedented number and size of windows. Notre Dame de Paris has two central naves that intersect in the shape of a cross, with the central nave an impossible 12 stories high! Over a thousand square yards of stained-glass windows are masterpieces of delicate medieval craftsmanship and reflect a uniquely light- and joy-inspired celebration of faith.
© Yannick Boschat
All of that seemed in jeopardy with a fire broke out in 2019, blazing for hours, and destroying the thousand-year-old cathedral’s wooden roof and collapsing its spire.
But the French government quickly declared that Notre Dame de Paris (Our Lady of Paris) would rise again, sparking a global campaign for its restoration. That vow was fulfilled in December 2024, when the Archbishop of Paris inaugurated the restored cathedral by symbolically knocking on, and opening the central door for the first time in five long years.
The collapse of Notre Dame’s spire was the most dramatic and horrifying moment of the 2019 fire. Rebuilding it involved both traditional carpenters and computerized design to reproduce the massive wooden base, which was lifted into place by Europe’s largest crane.
The vaulted ceiling under the spire also needed rebuilding, requiring modern masons to relearn Gothic techniques.
The spire and the wooden roof that also perished in the blaze were both lined with lead. A new gilded cock atop the spire has replaced the original that was too damaged to return to use. The replacement contains relics and a parchment with the names of the 2000 people who worked on the renovation.
To faithfully replace the wooden roof, restorers had to source over 1000 oak trees from the forests of France. They had to be perfectly straight and provide logs over 40 feet long, and most of the trees were sawed by hand and shaped by axes, replicating medieval techniques.
Notre Dame’s famous looming gargoyles did not escape damage from blasting by high-pressure fire hoses. Some could be repaired, but others had to be re-made in limestone. That process was facilitated by ultra-modern computer scanning and modeling.
Most of the damage was to the wooden elements of Notre Dame, but the post-fire restoration included a deep cleaning.
Fresh fire soot and much older, built-up filth were removed from the cathedral’s limestone structure, returning it to a phenomenal, light-reflecting luminosity and transforming the already-bright and airy feeling inside the cathedral. Where stones needed replacing, experts were able to identify microscopic features, like tiny fossils, to trace them to their original source for replacement.
The cathedral’s renowned stained glass was thankfully undamaged in the fire. But it, too, was lovingly and painstakingly cleaned, revealing glorious renewed colors that stand out even more against the creamy freshly-cleaned limestone.
(David Bordes © Rebâtir Notre-Dame de Paris)
The 8000-pipe, 18th-century organ was also thankfully undamaged by the fire or fire-fighting, but restorers also took the opportunity to clean and re-tune the massive instrument. That involved it being completely disassembled and taken to workshops. Old, leather linings were replaced and new electronics added, and upon reassembly in the cathedral, months of tuning were required, with each pipe getting individual attention.
The ‘last bell-maker in France,’ a foundry in Normandy, was asked to clean and restore Notre Dame’s bells, including repairs to two damaged in the heat of the fire. The cathedral’s bell ensemble is now made of 11 bells: the oldest being the only bell not melted into cannonballs during the French Revolution, and the newest the Victory Bell made by the Norman foundry for the Paris 2024 Olympics. It will ring for the first time at Notre Dame during the Christmas, 2024 Mass.
The cathedral’s altar and wooden seats all perished in the flames. 1500 new wooden chairs were built, but pieces like the altar were replaced with striking, modern but timeless, almost organically-shaped bronze structures (above and top).
This being France, restorers also deemed that new liturgical vestments were merited, so the cathedral’s clergy now sport robes by French designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac.
Notre Dame has re-opened, but scaffolding is still standing and work will continue for years, including the re-imagination of the space outside the cathedral.
However, Our Lady of Paris has finally re-opened, and even if you visited many times before, her refreshed appearance and restoration will make your next visit feel entirely new.
Images courtesy of Atout France, the tourist agency of France. Credits as noted.
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by Lynn Elmhirst on 12/12/2024
Nothing gets you in the holiday spirit like a Christmas market cruise on the Rhine from Switzerland, through France, and Germany, to the Netherlands, in the cradle of so many of our Christmas traditions. It’s a multi-sensory travel experience, from the sights of festive decorations and booths at the markets, twinkling lights and decorations, the scent of mulled wine, and the authentic tastes of holiday treats, at the markets, as well as on board our Viking longship.
You’ll be immersed in the joy of the season as you explore markets and cross everyone off your Christmas list with delightful, artisan-made arts, crafts and treats unique to the region.
Viking brings Christmas on board, too, with decorations, and lights that twinkle indoors and on the top deck as you stand spellbound by the romance of sailing through the middle Rhine, with the world’s largest collection of castles on the banks of both sides of the Rhine River. Not to mention the festive treats!
Guests are invited to join – and taste! – during demonstrations of local, ‘spirited,’ hot Rudesheim coffee, as well as baking traditional regional sweets.
These crescent-shaped, delicate, but richly-flavored almond cookies are a European Christmas classic. A Vanilla Kipferl with tea or strong coffee is the essence of holiday get-togethers.
The legend says their origins can be traced to an Austrian victory over the Ottoman Empire (whose symbol was a crescent) in the 1600’s. From Vienna, where you will find them in the city’s iconic coffee shops, the sweet treat quickly spread in popularity across Central Europe, as well as Germany, Switzerland and, with a slight variation, to France. They’ve become a Christmas tradition throughout these regions.
While they appear simple, Vanilla Kipferl is a bit tricky to get just right. Properly prepared, the dough is soft and needs to be shaped with cool hands; warming it up can make the cookie tough. And you have to shape the dough into a crescent shape without breaking it.
That’s why it was such a pleasure to learn from the chef aboard the Viking Sigyn! Viking also shares its shipboard recipe with its guests, and we’re passing it along to you:
Ingredients
Directions
Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease baking sheets. Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add extracts and egg yolks; beat until creamy. Add almonds; stir to combine. Gradually fold in flour until completely combined. Refrigerate dough at least 1 hour. Working with a quarter of dough at a time, divide into eighths and shape each into about a 1½-inch (4 cm) crescent; transfer to a baking sheet. Bake for 12–16 minutes or until firm to the touch but still pale. Remove from oven; dust with confectioners’ sugar while still hot. Cool; store airtight.
Prep time: 1 hour 20 minutes.
Cook time: 12–16 minutes.
Makes about 32 cookies.
Variations
The classic Vanilla Kipferl cookie is dusted with powdered sugar, as we did in the video. However, for a touch of extra decadence (if any is needed!) you can also dip one end in melted semi-sweet or dark chocolate.
Some people vary the ground nut used, substituting ground walnuts, hazelnuts or pecans – so let your taste and imagination guide you!
Fans of Vanilla Kipferl note they are ideally accompanied by a cup of strong coffee, and that they are often taken as hostess gifts to friends’ and families’ celebrations.
Not very handy in the kitchen, or out of time to bake once you return home for the holidays? Never fear, you can pick up boxed Vanilla Kipferl in many bakeries along your Christmas market river cruise journey to take home as a tasty souvenir of your trip.
By: Lynn Elmhirst, cruise/ travel journalist and expert.
Recipe courtesy of Viking.
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by Lynn Elmhirst on 12/12/2024
Sandals is introducing its first-ever four-bedroom butler villas, brand new ‘Skypool Suites’ with rooftop terraces, more guest-favorite ‘Rondovals,’ as well as re-imagined beachfront and bluff view rooms across adults-only, ‘luxury-included’ Sandals resorts throughout the Caribbean.
Now available for booking, these new, ‘suite’ experiences are part of ‘Sandals 2.0,’ and encourage visiting amongst friends, and bringing the tropical outdoors into your living space during your next beach vacation.
Sandals Resorts is renowned for all-inclusive luxury romance for adults, with iconic, destination-defining properties in Jamaica, Antigua, Saint Lucia, The Bahamas, Grenada, Barbados, Curaçao and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, each set on a white-sand beach handpicked for its beauty.
Check out newly renovated villas at Sandals Ochi, including the Two-Bedroom and Four-Bedroom Butler Villas with Private Pool.
New One-Bedroom Skypool Butler Suites with Roof Terraces are also available to book now at Sandals Royal Caribbean in Montego Bay for arrivals on February 1, 2025. These elevated suites take the guest's favorite Skypool suites to the next level, offering unparalleled ocean views, spacious living and dining areas, and ample space to unwind. As part of the new Balmoral building set on the ocean, the suites focus strongly on design and feature contemporary coastal Caribbean details, drawing inspiration from the blue waters and white sand of its setting. This expansion comes after the room category’s earlier debut at Sandals Negril, which quickly became one of the most sought-after suites at the resort.
Sandals is introducing additional Rondoval Villas across resorts throughout the rest of the Caribbean, expanding and elevating a guest-favourite room design.
At Sandals Regency La Toc in Saint Lucia, nearly two dozen Rondoval Butler Villas with Private Pools – eight of which will also feature a private rooftop – are now available to book for March 1, 2025 arrivals. Inspired by Saint Lucia’s tropical charm, the villas’ sleek, modern design features light, airy tones that seamlessly tie in the serene outdoor setting into the lush getaway through glass doors.
At Sandals Royal Curaçao, several Asombroso Rondoval Butler Villas with Private Pools are also available to book now, offering a secluded getaway for travellers and a taste of what’s to come in Saint Lucia.
Additional new room types at Sandals resorts across the Caribbean include refreshed and reimagined beachfront suites with outdoor tranquillity soaking tubs at Sandals Montego Bay and Sandals South Coast in Jamaica, two-story bluff villas with private patios and pools at Sandals Regency La Toc, and additional swim-up and sky pool suites at Sandals Negril.
Images courtesy of Sandals
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by Lynn Elmhirst on 12/12/2024
December 7, 1941, is remembered annually for the attack on Hawai’i’s Pearl Harbor that drew the USA into World War 2. But September 2, 1945, is just as important in American history. That date in 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the war, with the formal Japanese surrender ceremony aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay.
Two moving battleship memorials at Hawai'i’s Pearl Harbor symbolically bookend America’s War in the Pacific. The USS Arizona, sunk during the attack on Pearl Harbor, remains the final resting place of 900 of the ship’s 1177 sailors who lost their lives that day.
The USS Missouri, the location of the ceremony where the war ended, ultimately returned to Pearl Harbor after decades of service and is now docked just a ship’s length from the USS Arizona Memorial. And for the 80th anniversary of ‘VJ’ (Victory in Japan) Day, a new exhibit on the Battleship Missouri Memorial commemorates that historic and momentous occasion.
Opening September 2, 2025, the immersive Pathway To Peace: USS Missouri’s World War II Experience explores the historic ship’s involvement in World War II and the experiences of her sailors onboard. Pearl Harbor visitors can take an interactive journey through the pivotal events surrounding the USS Missouri's wartime service and her emergence as an international symbol of peace at the end of WWII.
The exhibit offers visitors an unprecedented look into the lives of the sailors on the “Mighty Mo” who served during one of the most pivotal moments in American history. It spotlights crew stories through personal artifacts and belongings. Guests will get a chance to hear directly from WWII sailors through interactive media interviews with Veterans. Complimentary historic objects will help bring their experiences to life for visitors.
The exhibition also highlights the formal Japanese Surrender Ceremony that took place aboard the USS Missouri on September 2, 1945, ending human history's bloodiest conflict, from the unique perspective of the shipmates who facilitated the era-defining event.
Exhibit cases will display items from Battleship Missouri Memorial’s historic artifact collection, some that have never been publicly displayed, including objects donated by the ship’s crew and their families. Notable artifacts on display include Surrender Cards that were issued exclusively to those in attendance onboard during the September 2nd Surrender Ceremony in 1945, a Japanese Arisaka rifle that was captured by a USS Missouri landing party, and the sword of the ship’s first commanding officer.
The USS Missouri’s career spanned five decades and three wars – World War II, the Korean War, and Desert Storm – after which it was decommissioned and donated to the USS Missouri Memorial Association. The Association operates the Battleship Missouri Memorial as a historic attraction and oversees her care and preservation.
Since opening in January 1999, the Battleship Missouri Memorial has attracted more than 10 million visitors from around the world with a fascinating tour experience showcasing the USS Missouri’s unique place in history. Docked near the USS Arizona Memorial, the Mighty Mo completes a historical visitor experience that begins with the “day of infamy” and sinking of the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 and ends with Japan’s formal surrender aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945.
Pathway to Peace: USS Missouri's World War II Experience opens to the public on September 2, 2025, in commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the end of World War II.
Plan now to include the Battleship Missouri Memorial on your next trip to Hawai’i.
Images courtesy of Battleship Missouri Memorial.
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by Lynn Elmhirst on 12/12/2024
The Britannic Explorer, A Belmond Train, is a new way to indulge in slow travel in the lap of luxury. Debuting in the summer of 2025, it’s the first modern luxury sleeper train to allow you to discover some of the UK’s most spectacular natural landscapes and hidden gems on its three inaugural, three-day routes.
Departing from London, the Britannic Explorer takes guests to Cornwall, The Lake District, or Wales. The routes are scheduled to allow travelers to combine two regional journeys into one trip: The Cornwall and Lake District routes run from Friday to Monday, while the Wales route runs from Monday to Thursday.
By day, optional off-train guided excursions will showcase the rich cultural tapestry, beauty, and history of each destination, and by night, passengers can unwind and mingle in the train’s botanically inspired Bar, located in the Observation Car, set to be the vibrant social heart of the Britannic Explorer.
This pioneering train harkens to a romantic, slow travel past – while celebrating elevated, modern British gastronomy, culture and style.
Fine dining experiences will be designed by Chef Simon Rogan, renowned for his leadership in Britain’s farm-to-fork movement, innovative approach and the exceptional quality across his restaurants, which collectively hold eight Michelin stars and two Michelin Green stars worldwide.
Rogan’s menus will focus on seasonal, sustainable ingredients, sourced locally to showcase the richness of Britain’s diverse regions. Each of the three routes will feature bespoke afternoon tea, lunch and dinner menus, highlighting the finest local specialties to ensure every meal is a true reflection of Britain’s culinary heritage.
The Bar, inspired by Victorian apothecaries, provides an elegant and convivial atmosphere where guests can savor a menu of innovative, botanically inspired cocktails, alongside a carefully curated selection of artisan gins and craft beers, highlighting the finest offerings from the UK’s independent distilleries and breweries.
An on-board wellness suite provides therapies designed to relax and revive and considered cultural programming invites travelers to discover the essence of Britain, offering an unparalleled perspective and exclusive access to some of the nation’s hidden gems.
Renowned London-based studio, Albion Nord, has created serenely elegant interiors with an unmistakable British charm, distinct to the train.
Combining a color palette inspired by the breathtaking natural world beyond the expanse of picture windows, with heritage motifs and playful details, the ensuing environment is both tranquil and vibrant.
The three Grand Suites and 15 Suites are crafted in Britain and designed to make the experience of the journey as extraordinary as the destination. Inspired by sweeping views of Britain’s rugged coastlines and rolling hills, each moment is transformed into a visual feast, whether passengers feel at home in the privacy of their cabin, relaxing in the onboard spa, or indulging in the Bar and restaurant cars.
The Britannic Explorer presents a fresh perspective on England and Wales, offering exclusive journeys and privileged access to some of the region’s most iconic destinations. Experience world-class galleries, breathtaking national parks, and historically rich cities in a uniquely immersive way.
Highlights include
The launch of the Britannic Explorer is just the latest of Belmond’s award-winning UK portfolio of elegant trains and heritage hotels. The iconic British Pullman, A Belmond Train, England, is celebrated for its elegant Art Deco design and unforgettable day trips, and the Royal Scotsman, A Belmond Train, Scotland, offers the nation’s only luxury touring sleeper train through the Highlands.
Belmond’s boutique hotel, The Cadogan, A Belmond Hotel, London, just a 20-minute transfer from the London Victoria station, offers a seamless pre- or post-rail stay. For those traveling through the Cotswolds on the Lake District route, the Britannic Explorer offers an exclusive stop at the Michelin two-star manor house hotel and restaurant, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, A Belmond Hotel, Oxfordshire.
Images courtesy of Belmond.
All rights reserved. You are welcome to share this material from this page, but it may not be copied, re-published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
by Lynn Elmhirst on 11/27/2024
Sue Lamb
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