BoldTraveller, Fall Edition 2023

FALL

CONTENTS

10 FROM THE BOLD TRAVELLER DESK

14 ON OUR RADAR Places to Stay: A quick spin around the globe reveals plenty of new, newly improved and always notable spots to spend the night – or three

22 TRAVEL TWO WAYS Mexico: from mountain magic to beachside glam

24 FLAVOUR HUNTER Savouring Louisiana: A foodie’s guide to the “Big Easy” and beyond

27 TRAVEL IS BEAUTY An exclusive peek at the season’s best: luxe fragrances, hair essentials, keepsake jewellery and the top beauty travel essentials

32 WELLNESS The Art of Wellbeing: The health benefits of some of the original and even ancient wellness retreats

34 BEHIND THE SCENES A Fragrant Journey – through the fields of Grasse, France

51 THE BOLD LIST CRUISE REPORT

The ultimate cruise journeys, from expedition ships to super yachts – everything you need to know about the latest ships, new ports, cool excursions and the must-do experiences

54 CRUISE CONTROL Our resident expert’s top picks to book now: from intimate river trips to luxury ocean voyages

FEATURES

56 SAILING TWO WAYS Luxurious superyacht leisurologist or high seas pirate?

60 READY, SET, GO! If you’re an explorer at heart, there’s nothing more exciting than taking a journey to rugged parts of the world. Here, five expedition cruise ships that do the trick for every level of mobility

66 COMING TO AMERICA On a special sailing with one of the OGs of ocean cruising

68 NORTH X NORTHWEST On a journey to the wilds of Alaska, take a ship that combines innovation and luxury

YES I DO! ROMANTIC ESCAPES

SPECIAL

76 STYLE The wedding dress trends you need to know about – straight from the runway

78 CELEBRATIONS From real life couples to inspire your own special day

80 THE GUIDE Honeymoon escapes: Our picks of the best all-inclusives for relaxed romance

90 WISH YOU WERE HERE Postcard From… Ananda, in the Himalayas, India

READY, SAIL, GO IN STYLE

Photography: Andrea Varani/Gallerystock

BOLD Traveller

FALL 2023

CEO + EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Marlon Moreno

VICE PRESIDENT

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Catalina Gordon

EDITOR-AT-LARGE

Vivian Vassos

SENIOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Vawn Himmelsbach

ART DIRECTION AND DESIGN

Megan Cronje

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Liz Fleming, Ruth J. Katz

CONTRIBUTORS: PRINT + DIGITAL

Jim Bamboulis, Jim Byers, Judi Cohen, Meagan Drillinger, Anita Draycott, Brittany Johnson, Alison McGill, Jennifer Merrick, Sabrina Pirillo, Darcy Rhyno, James Ross, Amanda Ross, Michele Sponagle, Jennifer Weatherhead

WEB DEVELOPER Komodo Innovations Inc. info@komodoinnovations.com

Rahul Nair

ADVERTISING

For Advertising, Promotion, Reprints and Sponsorships Inquiries publisher@morenoco.com

1.647.780.8082

CORRESPONDENCE

The Hudson Bay Centre 20 Bloor St. East P.O. Box 75075 Toronto, On. M4W 3T3

BOLDTraveller® is published four times a year by Moreno + Company. Opinions expressed in BoldTraveller® are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the publisher or advertisers. BoldTraveller® does not assume liability for content. www.boldtraveller.ca

Images courtesy of brands

SAILING.

IT’S SUCH A LOVELY WORD, rolling off the tongue effortlessly. And, for the most part, the passenger ships of our lifetime are the same. Smoothly plying the waters of the world, introducing travellers to the potential of a new place in every port. A new language, a new food, a new sense of joy.

Of course, no trip is without its work: from planning to getting there to finally boarding that ocean liner, or river ship, or expedition adventurer. I have had the great privilege of experiencing all three, from sailing the North Sea with Holland America for its 150th anniversary, the Danube and Rhine with AmaWaterways to christen its latest beautiful ship, and exploring Antarctica with Silversea –a once-in-a-lifetime trip to be sure. Although all very different, these companies also have one thing in common: a great care and respect for the destinations to which they cruise.

From the north’s wild to Europe’s heritage to the Antarctic’s ecosystem, this beautiful wide world inspires a greater desire to understand and support the local culture, the environment, and wildlife. Weigh anchor in your mind’s eye with Judi Cohen on an expedition ship (Ready, Set, Go!, p.62); whale watch in Alaska with Sabrina Pirillo (North x Northwest, p.58); and experience the luxury of a superyacht with James Ross (Sailing Two Ways, p.54)

If you’re a land lover, you’ll be happy to know that we’ve expanded our hotel coverage, with this issue’s Places to Stay special. Rest your weary head, and let someone else take care of you. Self care and well-being are also always top of mind here at Bold Traveller. See our beauty and wellness stories to help you reset the mindset. Because, after all, that’s what a vacation is all about. Rest, relax, repeat.

Welcome to the new issue of Bold Traveller. Safe travels.

Vivian Vassos Editor-at-Large

PS Don’t forget to sign up for the Bold Traveller weekend newsletter and post card of the week, to start your Mondays off with a little bit of dreaming about your destination next. boldtraveller.ca

CONTRIBUTORS

For This Edition, We Ask Our Worldly Rovers For Their Most Meaningful Travel Experience

“Every time I land on Rhodes, Greece, I kiss the tarmac. I have a soul absorbing, emotionally meaningful bond with my Mom's birth island, where the air smells like honey, the water feels like silk, and where people are inspired to connect through food, conversation, laughter, and life itself.” @TravelMammal

JAMES ROSS Sailing Two Ways (p54)

“I recently visited Banff for a backcountry horse trip with my oldest daughter. I used to guide these trips and she was born while I was out on the trail (she was early). A shared adventure, returning after 28 years, reconnecting to a place and time, and to my daughter!” @thejamesross

JUDI

“Travelling with my family to India’s off-the-beaten-path Brahmaputra River aboard a small expedition ship is my most memorable travel experience. We interacted with children in the small villages on the riverbanks and were grateful to learn together about life, love, happiness and challenges in this country of extremes.” @Travelingjudi

JIM BAMBOULIS Cooking and Cocktailing Louisiana style (p22)

COHEN Ready, Set, Go! (p62)

Vivian, off the coast of Invergordon, Scotland, on board Holland America's newest ship, MS Rotterdam

ON OUR RADAR

Photography courtesy of Goldwynn Resort & Residences

BAHAMAS

Places to Stay “G

SOLID GOLD

On a long weekend getaway to Nassau, Vivian Vassos discovers a new place to hang her sun hat

OOD MORNING!” A smiling face greets me, as I exit through sliding glass doors that open up to reveal a near perfect Caribbean view. “The beach is just here,” he continues, and points me in the direction of the cool blue ocean. The water is calm, azure and crystal at the same time, and I’m among the few early risers and locals that are taking their morning stroll along a stretch of pale sand.

I’m in the Bahamas, at the newly minted Goldwynn Resort & Residences on Cable Beach in Nassau, to be exact, and if there wasn’t the sound of the a.m. traffic wafting over the edge of Goodman Bay, you’d be hard pressed to believe the capital city and busy port was just, well, over there.

I walk, with purpose, digging my toes into the near powder beneath my feet, sinking my heels where possible and wading into the surf to cool off every few steps. Everyone I pass has a greeting or a smile; tough not to be happy on this beautiful sunny day on this beautiful horseshoe-shaped stretch of sand that hugs the bay just so.

The natural curve of things seems to be the order of the day: The Goldwynn’s design sits boomerang-like elevated above the beach; its build mirrors the shape of Goodman Bay like a warm embrace. It’s like it’s saying, “welcome, let me hold you.” It certainly has taken a hold of me, and I don’t want to leave the beach. But breakfast beckons, and the resort’s restaurant, Oia, features chef-driven cuisine that marries classic training with Japanese technique – with a side of Mediterranean gusto for good measure.

But it’s after dark that the star behind the stoves really shines. Executive chef Bakhodir Sharipov, aka Chef Bak, has coined his culinary vision MediterAsian, mixing tempura with tzatziki, pasta with conch, tuna tartare with citrusy yuzu and crispy rice, and so much more. He gracefully twists the “Goldwynn” maki, his brilliant take on surf (garlic lobster) and turf (A-5 Striploin), a complete taste sensation in one bite. Many diners don’t even bother with chopsticks when the many types of sushi maki arrive at table; this is finger food artfully elevated.

Art, in many of its forms, takes centre stage at Goldwynn. The owners, who have Canadian roots, insisted that as many of the public spaces and most of the guest rooms feature the works of local Bahamian artists. A local artist/gallery owner was enlisted to curate works, from paintings and sculptures to photography and mixed media, and commission pieces from established and up-and-coming artists.

In the atrium, aptly named Atria, a public gathering space of sorts where you can order coffee or cocktails, one soaring wall acts as the backdrop for what is said to be the world’s tallest indoor relief sculpture. The towering five storey (that’s 60 feet!) installation by the Bahamian artist Kishan Munroe, takes the eye upward as four giant sculpted pink flamingos dance, careen and take flight over a molten bas relief map of the Bahamas. The atrium interior design allows for guests to look out over Atria below – most guest-room doors face the open space – and get up close and personal with the birds, from each floor. The guest suites are lovely, complete with kitchenettes and balconies, and if you’re not blessed with an ocean-side view, no matter. The vibrant greens and fairways of the golf course across the street at Baha Mar provide a natural, serene eye candy all its own.

Sea anemone, spiky sea urchins, and all manner of ceramic pieces of all shapes and sizes entitled “Coral Reef” by the Bahamian artist Imogene Walkine cling ethereally to the opposite wall, covering about 24 feet. The ceramicist is in the house tonight, and it’s the first time Walkine has seen the installation. She’s chuffed, and it’s a rare gift to admire

an artist’s work for the first time, while standing next to them.

Supporting the local community, from visual artists to culinary artists, is important here. The powers that be at Goldwynn encourage exploration, such as the resort’s partnership with Elaine and Gandhi Pinder’s Sapodilla Restaurant. We jump in the waiting shuttle van in front of the resort and are chauffeured to the historic family home-turned dining establishment. With four striking dining spaces decorated with heirlooms and period furniture, including a piano bar – where we’re caught singing at the top of our lungs to pianist Travante Taylor’s take on the white baby grand of everything from Frank Sinatra to Michael Buble – to where we experience Belle Epoque “Gueridon” service from tuxedo-clad servers, preparing bold-face named dishes like Caesar Salad, Steak Diane and flaming Bananas Foster tableside.

Executive chef Bakhodir Sharipov

Back at the resort, the heat is on, but in a good way. The Bay is glowing, the tunes at the infinity pool that appears to be spilling gently into the Caribbean blue are pumping, a few happy people are emerging refreshed from spa treatments that, like OIA restaurant, marry east and west – and the gentle, salty surf enables swimmers and snorkellers to take the waters at a leisurely float. “Turtle!” we hear one delighted shout. “Here, too!” cries another. A few sunbathers are taking a snooze on the anchored raft a dozen metres or so from shore, undisturbed.

In the distance, the daily traffic of Nassau hums, barely audible above the sound of the waves lapping the shore and the poolside house music. I’m defying gravity on the water’s surface, looking up at the sky, contemplating absolutely nothing. Perhaps it is better in the Bahamas after all.

goldwynnresorts.com

Places to Stay

ROOM SERVICE

A quick spin around the globe, says Vivian Vassos, reveals plenty of new, newly improved and always notable spots to spend the night – or three

1. ASIA/SRI LANKA

THE PLACE: Kurulu Bay, Koggala Lake

WHY STAY: Birder’s paradise

There’s something about lingering by a lake, listening to nothing but birdsong and your thoughts. In Sri Lanka, anchored in the Bay of Bengal off the southeast tip of India, there is such a lake, Koggala. It’s also home to a bird sanctuary, bamboo, coconut and jackfruit trees that sway in the breeze, air that’s perfumed by frangipani, and Kurulu Bay, a new eco-resort and spa retreat. Aptly named, as Kurulu is Sinhalese for “bird,” one of the two official languages (the other being Tamil).

More than 100 avian species take wing over Koggala Lake. The resort’s design is inspired by 1960s Florida architecture fused with tropical Bawa modernism, championed by Sri Lankan architect Channa Daswatte, a student of the famed tropical designer Geoffrey Bawa. Sea-totable cuisine, heady spice gardens and spiritual awakenings match Kurulu Bay’s serenity. Kurulubay.com

2.EUROPE/SPAIN

THE PLACE: ME Barcelona, Catalonia

WHY STAY: Where art and culture collide

I could wax poetic for hours as to why someone should book a ticket to Barcelona, with its mind-blowing architecture, cool Catalan culture and passionate people. It’s the perfect city in which to walk and walk and get lost. With this in mind, the ME by Meliá hotel group has created the city’s latest 5-star property on the Passeig de Gràcia, within walking distance of Casa Rocamora, and at what the company – and locals – consider an area rich with inspiration for art and culture. Barcelona-based architect firm studio FITARQ and Spanish interior design company Mur

Arquitectos took six years to reimagine the historic building and transform it into an urban retreat, but with touches of history that bring the space to life. From the rooftop terrace, take in the view of Sagrada Familia and Plaza Catalunya, and be one with Barcelona.

melia.com/en/hotels/spain/barcelona/ me-barcelona

Photography courtesy of the properties

3.NORTH AMERICA/ BERMUDA

THE PLACE: Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, Pembroke Parish

WHY STAY: For art’s sake

All the best (art) people are here: Warhol, Kaws, Banksy – even Mandela – have left their artistic mark on this Fairmont managed property in the island’s largest city. Living among them is a bit mind-blowing; one minute you’ll want to take Ai Weiwei’s “Untitled” hollow wooden sphere in the lobby for a roll, the next, you’ll want to shake hands with Kaws’ two-storey “At This Time, Companion Series” (what I affectionately call the giant mouse) sculpture in the courtyard. On a highlights tour with a local gallerist of the 70+ works on display, I learned that it’s the personal collection of the hotel’s owners – some 300 artworks strong – and rotates once a year. But we are in Bermuda, so a trip to the hotel’s exclusive Princess Beach Club on Sinky Bay (right) gives a good dose of water therapy. Andy Warhol’s set of three “Reigning Queens: Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, 1985,” welcomes us back at the front desk, a greeting fit for, well, a Princess. fairmont. com/hamilton-bermuda/

4. SOUTH AMERICA/BRAZIL

THE PLACE: UXUA Casa Hotel & Spa, Trancoso, Bahia

WHY STAY: Learn an ancient martial art

The stylista in me can’t help but love it just a bit that this getaway was created by former Diesel creative director Wilbert Das. The designer-turned-hotelier has engineered the place with Bahia’s local design practices and

craftsmen, restoring some of the casas to their former glory, which, for a few, date back hundreds of years. Authentic hospitality is also Bahia-inspired, as are many of the experiences. A decade ago, Das introduced the sport of Capoeira to his guests when he enlisted an instructor from Trancoso’s academy Capoeira Sul da Bahia to provide private lessons. This entrancing dance-meets-defensive fighting style was brought to Brazil in the 1600s with the enslaved African people who practiced it. But there’s more recent history here, too: In 2006, UXUA sponsored the academy so that children could study this Afro-Brazilian martial art tuition-free. When a guest partakes, their lesson fee is donated directly back to the academy. uxua.com/en/

5. NORTH AMERICA/USA

THE PLACE: The Siren Hotel, Detroit, Michigan

WHY STAY: Call a 100-year-old architectural icon home

The only city in the United States to be designated a UNESCO city of design –awarded thus far to only 40+ cities around the world – Detroit is in good company; Spain’s Bilbao, Germany’s Berlin and Canada’s Montreal are among the group, sharing an ethos that design can be used to improve the lives of everyday people. The Siren is housed in the iconic Wurlitzer building, commissioned by Rudolph Wurlitzer of musical instrument fame and designed by Detroit architect Robert Finn in 1926. But the near 100-year-old building isn’t showing its age. Although the 106-room hotel is inspired by the Greek Myth of the sirens calling, the interiors are a marriage of the restored original Italian renaissance style with the modern warm palette of soft whites, pale pinks, snappy navy and luxe oxblood that the American design firm Ash is known for. The halls are lively with the soundtrack of local culture. A piano and Karaoke bar inspires play, chef-driven cuisine is music to our palettes, a rooftop bar with panoramic views of the city’s resplendent architecture, oh, one could go on. It’s easy to answer this siren’s song.

thesirenhotel.com

IN Places to Stay

HOTEL

CHECK

WINSLOW’S BUNGALOWS

Our intrepid editors booked a room (in this case, a cozy cottage) at Winslow’s Bungalows at the heart of Key West, Florida, and why you should too.

BY DARCY RHYNO

THE OVERSEAS

HIGHWAY extends from the tip of mainland Florida for more than 100 miles to Key West at mile marker zero, the southernmost point in the continental United States – closer to Havana than Miami. Things are different here, so different that this tiny city on the last of the Florida Keys often refers to itself as the Conch Republic, a self-proclaimed micro nation that even has its own passport, flag and independence day, April 23.

It’s all tongue-in-cheek, of course, but perfectly captures the free spirited, inclusive feel of the place where writers and artists like Ernest Hemingway and Winslow Homer have long retreated to live as they like, including partying

on Duval Street late into the night. The 11-square kilometre island is divided into the western Old Town and the eastern New Town. The Old Town looks and feels like a Caribbean island, its streets lined with sturdy, hurricaneproof wooden houses, most of them painted white. This is where we find a hotel that is the very definition of the Conch Republic lifestyle.

THE PROPERTY

Winslow’s Bungalows Kimpton Key West, Florida.

WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO THIS HOTEL?

As I made my way down the Florida Keys, I was hoping for a central location with lots of character in Key West, America’s most walkable historic city.

WHEN DID IT OPEN?

Established in 1856, this charming property of winding paths through lush gardens to private cottages and luxury suites includes historic homes and Key West’s first motel, landmarks from the 19th and early 20th centuries.

ANY HISTORY TO THE PLACE?

Winslow’s Bungalows is named for the famous American painter Winslow Homer, who wintered in Key West. The shores and waters of Key West inspired some of his best known seascape, sailing and ocean paintings. The original character of grounds and buildings is well preserved, hinting at their heritage as a fruit grove and later, a vaudeville venue. The list of former occupants reads like a history of Key West itself – steamboat captain, cigar maker, army officer, circus performer.

Photography courtesy of the property

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Winslow’s Bungalows is nestled in the heart of Old Town, believed to be America’s largest, predominantly wooden, heritage district. Some 3,000 structures stretch across roughly half the island. The Winslow’s Bungalows site at Old Town is walking distance from the party zone and the busy waterfront, but far enough to retain its peaceful ambience.

DESIGNED FOR EVERYBODY?

This little gem is a place for couples, solo travelers and families of all ages. There’s so much variety in its 85 rooms, Winslow’s seems more like a little neighbourhood than a hotel. From here, walk or borrow a hotel bicycle to explore the attractions, historic sites, restaurants, parks and waterfront of the Old Town.

BREAKFAST IN BED?

No, but even better, enjoy breakfast poolside. Grab a coffee and a few bites from the free continental breakfast and nosh by one of the three small pools scattered about the grounds.

WHAT YOU LOVED

I loved the rare mix of privacy and community. My cozy, little bungalow offered a quiet retreat, but I enjoyed meeting others along the pathways and in the common areas.

WHAT YOU THOUGHT COULD BE BETTER

While the help-yourself breakfast is adequate, the property would be complete with a poolside grill to complement the bar.

kimptonkeywest.com/key-west-hotels/ winslows-bungalows

NEED TO KNOW

Check in 4 p.m.; check out 11 a.m. Free WiFi for IHG Rewards members. Bicycles available for exploring the city on two wheels. Three pools, plus a poolside bar. Complimentary continental breakfast. Complimentary access to Press Reader for books, magazines and newspapers. Yoga mats in every room. On-site parking for a fee. Pet friendly.

MEXICO TWO WAYS

Guerrero, Mexico – from Mountain Magic to Beachside Glam.

BY MEAGAN DRILLINGER

MEXICO’S STATE OF GUERRERO

may be home to the country’s original party town –Acapulco – but the state’s allure and charm penetrate so much deeper than that. The spiny Sierra Madres raise the back of the land, creating lofty peaks and plunging valleys that are steeped in history and peppered with cultural towns. Down along the rugged Pacific shore, the coast of Guerrero is carved with hidden coves and quiet bays, as well as lengthy exposed stretches that thunder with epic surf breaks. To say Guerrero has it all would be an understatement.

Still, what most people know Guerrero for is the booming tourist hotspot of Acapulco, which continues to be one of the top tourist destinations for Mexican travellers. While Acapulco is impressive with its Grande Dame resorts, beachfront restaurants, and renowned Zona Dorada, it is the other destinations in Guerrero that give this state so much soul.

Discover the mountain mining towns like Taxco, with its gorgeous cathedral and web of cobblestone streets that zip up and down the mountainsides. Or venture outside of glitzy

Ixtapa to dig your toes in the sand down by the sea in the fishing village of Zihuatanejo. The beauty of Guerrero is that it is a state that doesn’t ask you to choose an adventure. It has everything you could possibly want from a visit to Mexico.

HIGHER GROUND IN TAXCO

Surrounded on all sides by jungle-covered peaks, the hillside town of Taxco is a visual feast. White-washed buildings capped with red terra-cotta roofs creep up the mountains from the valley floor, creating a contrast of colours that is simply gorgeous. At the centre of it all is the ornate Santa Prisca cathedral, headed by two rust-coloured towers and topped with a brilliant dome. Taxco's history lies in silver. The now-empty mines here date back to the 16th century, but the reputation of Taxco silver remains. Visitors come from around the world to buy meaningful pieces, wander the cobblestone streets and dip in and out of the many art galleries. At just 100 miles from Mexico City, it makes for an easy day-trip or a quick weekend getaway.

SUN AND SAND IN ZIHUATANEJO

Zihuatanejo is the relaxed beach destination that is the low-key answer to its flashier neighbour, Ixtapa. The sleepy fishing village is known for its secluded cove beaches, gorgeously turquoise Pacific water, and thundering surf just down the coast. Relaxed restaurants line the beachfront, where guests can sit with their toes in the sand and watch the boats zip in and out of the bay. Just over the hill, the trendy, resortpacked Ixtapa has all the creature comforts, like high-end restaurants and shopping, but Zihuatanejo allows you to slip off into what feels like worlds away. Check into Thompson Zihuatanejo for a palm-fringed beach and gorgeously designed minimalist rooms, or venture a bit outside of town along Playa Blanca for a secluded stay at Marea Beachfront Villas. visit-mexico.mx/guerrero

Thompson Zihuatanejo Beach Resort; (opposite) Santa Prisca cathedral, Taxco

Photo of Santa Prisca church, Taxco, Mexico by Armands Brants.

Photo of the Thompson Zihuatanejo Beach Resort courtesy of the property.

Traditional cajun seafood gumbo

koo i n g

andCocktailing , L ouisi a n aytS el

A trip to the Big Easy isn’t complete without experiencing Creole and Cajun cuisine. Jim Bamboulis takes a culinary tour

Photo by BBA Photography

OUISIANA'S ZEST FOR LIFE goes beyond Bourbon Street and Mardi Gras’s madness (although we love that, too). A deeper look reveals deliciously immersive experiences that showcase a unique flare for flavour, rooted culinary traditions, molded over the centuries. Here, a tangible passion to preserve Louisiana's historical crossroads of unique taste is sprinkled with an evolving eagerness to keep it thriving in hopes a new generation enjoys and savours it as much as the last.

CAJUN COOKING EXPERIENCE AT SPUDDY’S

Vacherie, located one hour west of New Orleans, is where you’ll find Spuddy’s Cajun Cooking Experience, a small, local nook on the southern bank of the Mississippi. Opened in 1993, it’s part restaurant, part cooking studio, and owned and operated by Spuddy himself, a bayou ball of endless, welcoming energy. Part chef, part orator, and part Cajun historian, Spuddy not only hosts live weekly cooking classes online, but visitors can book a fun and informative three-hour, hands-on cooking experience, and create Cajun classics from scratch using proper technique.

Spuddy guides the class every step of the way, and kicks all five senses into overdrive in no time. Aromatic veggies including green bell peppers, onion and celery get the party started, crawfish, shrimp and andouille sausage begin to tingle the taste buds, while slow-cooked Cajun gumbo and jambalaya take it over the top. The result is not only a delicious group meal, but more importantly, an infused appreciation for the history of the land, the ingredients it bears, the influence they’ve had in local cuisine, and the people who influenced this style of cooking over the centuries.

COOK WITH CHEF DEE IN NEW ORLEANS

Chef Dee Lavigne owns and operates Deelightful Roux School of Cooking, the only African American-owned cooking school being taught by a New Orleans native, and she is the first to do so in more than 80 years. Her inspirational idol is Chef Lena Richard, who, in 1949, had her own cooking show, creating Creole dishes twice a week. Surely, those are big shoes to fill in the Big Easy, but Chef Dee respectfully pulls it off seamlessly.

If you’re a hungry traveller looking to sauté, boil and flambe the N’awlins way, then head

to the Southern Food & Beverage Museum in historic Central City. Once home to the Dryades Market, it’s now Chef Dee’s kitchen HQ, where she offers lessons in Creole culture and a hands-on Cajun and Creole cooking experience. Guests create iconic, historical classics including Maque Choux with Tasso, New Orleans Famous Bananas Foster, Smothered Okra and Tomatoes, and Creole Jambalaya with Chicken, Sausage and VineRipened Tomatoes. Included in the ticket price is a curator-led, private tour of the museum itself, with its exhibits featuring Southern food and drink.

SAZERAC, THE NEW ORLEANS COCKTAIL

Made with rye whiskey, Peychaud’s Bitters, a pinch of absinthe and simple syrup, the infamous Sazerac is the quintessential cocktail born and bred in 1850s New Orleans. According to legend, it’s the brainchild of Antoine Peychaud, a Creole pharmacist from Haiti, who created a cure-all formula made with his namesake bitter, and mixed it with sugar, water and brandy.

Today, the Sazerac is immortalized within the Sazerac House (above), a grand

and beautifully restored, Italianate gem dating back to the mid-1800s, steps from the French Quarter. Inside, an eye-catching display featuring hundreds of Sazerac bottles, spanning three floors adorn the lobby wall, and act as a stunning backdrop to the cypress and mahogany staircase that winds its way up. Immerse yourself by exploring engaging, stateof-the-art multimedia exhibits on your own, or take a complimentary tour and enjoy samples from the ground floor Sazerac Rye distillery. If you’d like a more intimate experience, arrange for a private tasting hosted by expert bartenders and learn more about Sazerac’s role in the formation and evolution of the city’s history, customs, culture, and traditions.

explorelouisiana.com/canada

BEAUTY & WELLNESS

Photo by Daeja Fallas/Gallery Stock

W

HEN YOU’RE TRAVELLING, your hair can become a major issue as it doesn’t perform quite the same as when you are at home. There are many factors that cause this, chief amongst them is climate extremes.

“Humidity, intense sun/heat and dry climates are the toughest to manage,” says hairstylist Jason Lee, founder and creator of Mela & Kera haircare and owner of Jason Lee Salon in Toronto. “You need to research your destination to learn what type of climate conditions you will be dealing with as they can take a toll on your hair.”

Read on for Lee’s thoughts on the issues you may have with your vacation hair, and what products to pack to ensure good hair days.

How can extreme humidity, heat and dryness wreak havoc on your hair? “If you have curl, frizz or wavy hair and try to straighten it in humid climates you will never win.” Lee says. “Water in the air gets into the hair and will immediately work against any stretched-out, straightened hair and cause it to go back to its natural hair texture. Often humid environments can bring out even more frizz and curl to someone’s hair. Extreme sun and heat can ultimately alter your hair colour because UV rays from the sun can penetrate the hair and cause hair to bleach out and make it feel rough and parched. Dry climates are equally harsh because any extreme amount of dryness will dehydrate hair; if it’s cold and dry it can cause a lot of static to the hair.”

Do you recommend packing your own hot tools when travelling to up your styling game? “I think it's great to try heatless hairstyles because tools take up space,” Lee shares. “Try wearing your hair in a big braid that, when pulled out, can reveal cool and interesting undone waves. You could pack a few Velcro rollers and set your hair and allow to air dry for a smooth look. There are tons of TikTok videos to show you cool hacks like wrapping your hair around socks to set your hair without heat into a bouncy, brushed out hairstyle. Ponytails, buns and braids are always on trend and a great way to control and keep your hair up and off your face. If you need a dressier style, try a top knot or bun finished with a small hair accessory that fits easily in your luggage.”

What are your choice hair product picks to pack for travelling? “These are some key products that will definitely help your hair on the road,” Lee explains. “If you don’t have your favourites in travel size, pick up some travel size bottles to fill so you have your essentials with you.”

HAIR ON THE ROAD

BY ALISON MCGILL

A good hair day is great, but expert tips on how to get good hair on the road is even better. Because great hair is everything.

6 HAIR TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

1. FOR HUMIDITY. From Lee’s own hair-care brand, this is the gold standard of finishing creams – it smooths hair to velvety perfection. Mela & Kera Balayage Exceptional Smooth Ends, $46 for 50ml, melaandkera.com

2. FOR SUN. Don’t head for the sun without this iconic UV-protecting shampoo, which will prevent colour fading. Kerastase Soleil Bain Après Soleil Shampoo, $55 for 250ml, kerastase.ca

3. FOR SUN. Spritz this one on your hair before and after a day at the beach to keep it feeling soft and silky. Moroccan Oil Protect and Prevent Spray, $16 for 50ml, moroccanoil.com

4. FOR DRYNESS. This luxury oil will keep your scalp hydrated and prevent any hair breakage caused by extremely dry climates. Pattern Jojoba Hair and Scalp Oil Blend, $32 for 115ml, sephora.com

5. FOR DRYNESS. This incredibly luxe conditioner imbues hair with weightless moisture and luminosity. Mela & Kera Touche Velours Conditioner, $46 for 200ml, melaandkera.com

6. FOR HUMIDITY. Lee loves this celebrity favourite moistureblocking spray for cutting frizz and adding shine. Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray, $14 for 50ml, colorwow.com

Hairstylist Jason Lee

Photograph courtesy of Jason Lee Salon by Richard Bernardin.

FOR A RIVER CRUISE What to Pack …

The stylish must-haves for ship and shore.

BY MARLON MORENO

Photography: Andrea Varani/Gallerystock

1. GUCCI Horsebit leather gloves, $975 mytheresa.com

2. ROLEX Oyster Perpetual Day-Date, 36mm, white gold and diamonds watch, price upon request rolex.com

3. PRADA Small Prada Galleria Saffiano special edition bag, $9,100 prada.com

4. KAT MACONIE Aya gold sandals, $570 katmaconie.com

5. STEAMLINE LUGGAGE Canary yellow carryon, $1,150 steamlineluggage.com

6. CAROLINA HERRERA Bow detail white blouse, $1,545 saksfifthavenue.com

SKINCARE MUSINGS

Treat, soothe and nourish every part of you, from head to toe

(top to bottom) GUERLAIN Orchidée Impériale The Neck and Décolleté Cream, 75ml, $480 holtrenfrew.com

SULWHASOO Concentrated Ginseng Rescue Ampoule, 20ml, $175 holtrenfrew.com STRIVECTIN Crepe Control ™ Tightening Body Cream, 200ml, $68 shop.shoppersdrugmart.ca CAUDALIE Vinotherapist Foot Beauty Cream, 75ml, $22 ca-en.caudalie.com CLARINS Tonic Sugar Polisher, $56 Clarins.ca AVEDA Overnight scalp renewal serum, 50ml, $72 aveda.ca SKINCEUTICALS Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50, 50ml, $56 shop.dermapure.com DR. BARBARA STURM Super Anti-Aging Hand Cream, 50ml, $95 thebay.com

SISLEY-PARIS Velvet Nourishing Cream With Saffron Flowers, 50ml, $315 holtrenfrew.com

7. GIAMPIERO BODINO Coral necklace, price upon request giampierobodino.com

8. BALMAIN Spencer Jacket with sequin embroidery, $6,750 ca.balmain.com

9. HERMÈS Cabourg en Finesse cap, $760 hermes.com

10. JUDE BENHALIM Nightfall earrings, $470 maisonorient.com

11. PROENZA SCHOULER Nappa leather pants, $2,980.00 proenzaschouler.com

12. CHLOÉ Nama sneakers, $1,080 chloe.com

Photography: Bri Johnson/Gallerystock. Products: Courtesy Of The Brands

THE ART OF WELLBEING

A trip across the Atlantic to Europe to soak up the health benefits of some of the original and even ancient wellness retreats does the body –and the mind – good.

BY VAWN HIMMELSBACH

1. CLARIDGE’S SPA

Claridge’s Hotel, London, U.K.

BEST FOR: An urban retreat

Five floors below ground level, Claridge’s Spa opened its doors last year in one of London’s iconic luxury hotels. Designed by renowned interior architect Andre Fu, the space takes inspiration from the temples and Zen gardens of Kyoto, with wood panelling and cherry blossom art. Sip crystal-infused water and listen to energy-cleansing music before a signature Body Detox & Sculpt treatment – which features the U.K.’s first MLX i3Dome, known to activate metabolism and stimulate cellular repair. claridges.co.uk/spa

2. SIX SENSES DOURO VALLEY

Douro Valley, Portugal

BEST FOR: Getting a good night’s sleep

With its very own ‘sleep doctor,’ Six Senses Douro Valley offers a sleep program that includes sleep tracking, specialty bedding and snooze-friendly activities such as yoga nidra and meditation – all designed to improve sleep patterns and restore energy levels. Along with a personalized fitness programme, wellness therapies and nutritional guidance, you’ll get your sleep back on track, and can sink even deeper into relaxation with underwater sound therapy, forest bathing and cryotherapy. sixsenses.com/en/resorts/douro-valley

Claridge’s Spa

Six Senses Douro Valley

3. LANSERHOF TEGERNSEE

Waakirchen, Germany

BEST FOR: Rebooting your system

This sleek wood-and-glass medi-spa in the foothills of the Bavarian Alps is surrounded by healing iodine-sulphur springs and dense woodland. But don’t let the idyllic setting fool you – this medi-spa is about as cutting-edge as it gets. Upon arrival, you’re placed under the care of an in-house doctor, who customizes a treatment plan based on rest, cleansing and rebooting your system. It’s a relaxing – but challenging – experience that will drive results. lanserhof.com/en/lanserhof-tegernsee

4. THE GAINSBOROUGH BATH SPA

Bath, England

BEST FOR:  Thermal healing

This spa pays homage to the city’s ancient Roman baths by fusing modern elements with Romanesque architecture. The largest of three thermal pools features Romanesque colonnades and blue-and-grey mosaic tiles underneath a vaulted glass atrium, which reflects the sky above. There’s also a traditional sauna, infra-red sauna, steam room, ice alcove and relaxation rooms. Signature spa treatments integrate the waters of Bath, while the Aroma Bar allows you to customize your own aromatherapy oil. thegainsboroughbathspa.co.uk

5. PALAZZO FIUGGI WELLNESS MEDICAL RETREAT

Fiuggi, Italy

BEST FOR: High-tech healing

This art nouveau mansion recently underwent a multi-million-dollar renovation that transformed it into a high-tech wellness and medical retreat. Your visit starts with a thorough health assessment, which measures immunity levels, digestive efficiency and brain health. From there, a team customizes your treatment to rejuvenate mind, body and soul, which includes dips in Fiuggi’s renowned curative thermal waters. Perhaps best of all, its weight loss program is overseen by a chef who runs a three-Michelin-starred restaurant. palazzofiuggi.com

Lanserhof Tegernsee

Palazzo Fiuggi Wellness Medical Retreat

The Gainsborough Bath Spa

A Fragrant Journey

The scents-ual trip to discover the perfume capital of the world, in the fields of Grasse, laden with lavender, rose and jasmine.

BY ANITA DRAYCOTT

Photos courtesy of the brands: Molinard, Fragonard and Galimard

tHE FRENCH

RIVIERA is synonymous with glamour and glitz, yet just 17 kilometres from the coast, nestled in the Provence hills, lies the charming and somewhat sleepy town of Grasse, perfume capital of the world.

Thanks to its mild microclimate and ideal growing conditions, you can literally follow your nose to Grasse. In winter, golden mimosa brightens the hillsides. Summer brings the heady scents of lavender, rose and orange blossom, followed by jasmine in the fall.

Grasse didn’t always smell this sweet. Back in the 16th century it was a stinky town of tanners who discovered that aromatic plants helped overcome the stench and improved the quality of the leather. Back in those days, the most important status symbol a French or Italian aristocrat could flaunt was a pair of perfumed gloves, so Grasse, at the encouragement of Catherine de Medici, became the main supplier. As the demand for gloves decreased, the tanners turned to perfume making. By the 18th century, Grasse was the world leader of scent and remains so today. Many essences used in the food industry are made here, too. Who puts the smell of strawberry in your ice cream or the eau de sour cream in your potato chips? Chances are good, those aromas also come from Grasse.

AROMATHERAPY 101

In perfumeries all around town, they’ve perfected the art of putting seductive scents into bottles. But I was not about to uncover the secret recipes of the famous “noses” who create fragrances for such prestigious houses as Chanel, Guerlain and Dior. Those laboratories

are off limits to tourists.

Three perfume houses (Molinard, Fragonard and Galimard), however, offer scent-making seminars. At the Parfumerie Molinard, I took a tour to view the collection of antique perfume bottles, including classics made by Lalique and Baccarat.

Then, at Fragonard, I spent about two hours in a laboratory classroom with a knowledgeable “nose.” I learned that green cypress relieves lymphatic problems. Eucalyptus is good for congestion. Lavender’s relaxing qualities combat insomnia. I was given a kit of oils, vials and recipes to create my own aromatherapy concoctions. I made a brain stimulant (basil, Ravensara, mint) hoping it might help with my French vocabulary; a bedtime relaxer (lavender, grapefruit, basil); and, just in case I should overindulge on this trip, a morning after (basil, grapefruit and rosemary).

And finally, at Galimard, my “nose” helped me create my own signature perfume at a desk, called an organ, with three tiers of brown bottles filled with oil extracts from plants and botanicals. I created “Anita” in a bottle. To make a perfume you must build it in three levels: base, heart and top notes. My final masterpiece contained 15 different scents, including chocolate, floral musk and bergamot. My “nose,” who had worked with the houses of Chanel and Jean-Paul Gaultier, seemed pleased with my olfactory offering, pronouncing it “fresh, natural and calm with a powdery base.” We toasted “Anita” with a glass of champagne.

NOSING AROUND

Grasse, one the largest medieval towns in southern France, is well worth a stroll. Start at the Place aux Aires, where the tanners used to work. It’s now a thriving food and flower market every morning, surrounded by cafés and boutiques. Lose yourself in the labyrinth of steep narrow streets that make up the Vielle

Ville (old town). Nip into a bakery and try a fougassete à la fleur d’oranger, a pastry sweetened with orange water.

A FEAST FOR YOUR OTHER SENSES

The place to retire and dine is La Bastide Saint Antoine, a Relais & Château hotel with magnificent views of the fragrant countryside. Here, Chef Jacques Chibois elevates the flavours and aromas of Provence to new heights. I’ll never forget his prawns sprinkled with caviar. Or his filet of turbot bathed in an aromatic butter of seaweed and bay leaf powder. Or the unlikely but winning combination of verbena soufflé with strawberry marmalade, lemon and olive oil. With 16 rooms, furnished with traditional Provençal fabrics and furniture, the bougainvillea-clad Bastide has the feel of a country house rather than a hotel. jacques-chibois.com/en.

PERFUME TRIVIA

It takes 12 years to become a “nose” or nez. These professional sniffers can identify up to 3,000 scents.

Coco Chanel asked Grasse “nose” Ernest Beaux to create a woman’s perfume “that smells like a woman” in 1921. She chose his sample number five, which she launched on May 5 of that year, and called it Chanel No. 5 – still one of the world’s best selling fragrances of all time.

If you need to justify the price tag of your next bottle of perfume, consider that it takes up to 5,000 kg of hand-picked roses to make one litre of rose essence.

Visits to the flower fields at Domain de Manon on the outskirts of Grasse can be booked from May to mid-June for roses and from August to October for jasmine. le-domaine-de-manon.com.

For other visits: paysdegrassetourisme.fr/en

“Perfume is like cocktails without the hangover, like chocolate without the calories, like an affair without tears, like a vacation from which you never have to come back”

—MARIAN BENDETH, GLOBAL FRAGRANCE EXPERT AND OWNER OF SIXTH SCENTS, TORONTO

SCENTS OF PLACE

Going somewhere tropical? Yachting in the Mediterranean? Visiting museums? Or late nights out? These fragrances have been formulated to take you on a sensory journey around the world.

BY MARLON MORENO

BEST FOR:

The Mediterranea n

LOCATION Greek Islands (Mykonos, Santorini), Spain (Barcelona, Canary Islands), Italian Riviera (Capri), French Riviera (St Tropez, Monaco, Cannes)

ACTIVITIES INCLUDE Gorgeous blue seas, swimming in hot springs, cliffside sunsets, yachting through grottos, sipping gin and tonics al fresco

KEY NOTES White lotus, pink lotus, sweet woods like fig wood, cedarwood, sandalwood, spicy notes like saffron and jasmine sambac with a bit of citrus like bergamot

1. ACQUA DI PARMA Zafferano, 100ml, $375 acquadiparma.com; 2. GIVENCHY L’Interdit Rouge Ultime Eau de Parfum 80ml, $175 sephora.com; 3. GUERLAIN Aqua Allegoria Rosa Palissandro Forte - Eau de Parfum, 75ml, $156 guerlain.com

BEST FOR:

The Tropics

LOCATION The Caribbean, Tulum, Miami, Thailand, Hawaii, French Polynesia

ACTIVITIES INCLUDE Watching the sunset, cocktails by the infinity pool, beach bumming

KEY NOTES Juicy pomegranate, mandarin, ylang ylang, jasmine, monarda flower, magnolia blossom

BEST FOR:

The Big City

LOCATION Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Paris, London, São Paulo, Madrid, New York

ACTIVITIES INCLUDE Lots of sightseeing, rooftop bars, visiting museums and late nights out

KEY NOTES May rose, vanilla, immortelle flower, fresh ginger, pink pepper, black coffee

8. CAROLINA HERRERA Bad Boy Cobalt, 50ml, $138 sephora.com;

9. BURBERRY Burberry Goddess Eau de

,

$153 sephora.com;

10.

11.

Parfum

50ml,

GUCCI Flora Gorgeous Magnolia, 50ml, $153 sephora.com

MONTBLANC Explorer Platinum Eau de Parfum, 100ml, $147 thebay.com

4. JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Divine, 50ml, $154 thebay.com; 5. PACO RABANNE Lady Million Royal Eau de Parfum, 50ml, $124 sephora.com;

6. CAROLINA HERRERA Good Girl Blush, 30ml, $108 sephora.com;

7. GIORGIO ARMANI Armani/Privé Orangerie Venise, 50ml, $190 holtrenfrew.com

A Certain Vintage

An ode to the art deco era, these silver, gold and green pieces seem plucked from those glamorous ocean-going days, aboard the most spectacular ships. Day or night, these chic pieces are sure to bring an element of elegance to even the most neutral travel basics.

BY BRITTANY JOHNSON

SCHLUMBERGER

ear clips in 18k gold, platinum with round brilliant diamonds, $19,200, Tiffany.ca

2. VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Ludo secret watch, 18k yellow gold, sapphires, chrysoprase, emeralds, white mother-ofpearl, diamonds, price upon request, vancleefarpels.com

3. CHOPARD Red Carpet Collection earrings, 18k white gold and titanium, orange and yellow sapphires, diamonds and spinels, price upon request,

9. VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Ninfe rose gold and white gold with rubellites, pink sapphires, rubies, spessartite garnets, coral and diamond necklace, price upon request, vancleefarpels.com

1. TIFFANY & CO.

V-Rope

4. MESSIKA Move link yellow gold and diamond drop earrings, $8,880, knar.com

5. BALENCIAGA Hourglass gold brass bracelet, $1,950, balenciaga.com

6. CULT GAIA Ariella earrings, gold, $320, cultgaia.com

8. MEJURI Micro pavé diamond riviere earrings, $600, mejuri.com

10. ALDO Escanaba chandelier earrings, $25, aldoshoes.com

11. ETEREO Gold-tone floral wreath drop earrings, $30, thebay.com

Photo By James Lightbown/Gallerystock

INFI FLOR

BOLD TRAVELLER X VISIT FLORIDA

NITE IDA

Photographs Courtesy of Visit Florida. From left to right: Manatees at Fanning Springs State Park by Florida Dep. Caviar experience at ll Ritorno Restaurant in St. Petersburg by Npi Productions.

Paddleboarding in Jensen Beach. Vizcaya Museum & Gardens in Miami by Emergent Media.

ROM JACKSONVILLE on

the Atlantic Ocean to the Keys in the south to the Panhandle on the Gulf of Mexico, Florida is a seafarer’s paradise. Speaking of the sea, it’s a proven fact that our well-being greatly benefits from a proximity to water. Our brains just work better when we can be close to the waves, we’re happier breathing in the bracing sea air, and it’s better for Mother Nature when we’re learning about the precious wildlife that make Florida’s oceans and rivers its home. Alligators! Manatee! Marlin! It’s a menagerie of fauna unlike anywhere on earth.

But that’s not all; land lovers can revel in its culinary experiences, wellness offerings and cultural diversity. This is a place of history, of winter havens and creative thinkers. Flagler, Edison, Pulitzer, Disney – boldface names that helped establish Florida as the place to see and be seen for winter vacationers, innovators and beyond. And did we mention odes to Ernest Hemingway, who wrote many of his novels at his home in Key West, Salvador Dalì and his art housed in an architectural marvel in downtown St. Petersburg, and The Ringling Estate, of the famed Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus family, which features the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the official state museum of art of Florida, along with other cultural and garden experiences in Sarasota?

Michelin, the foodie’s guide to all things delicious, has come to Florida, rewarding dining establishments in Miami, Tampa and Orlando. Equestrians, polo fans and horse lovers in general can connect with equine pursuits, and culture vultures can discover a wealth of diverse diasporas, from Cuban and Latin American to African American and Caribbean and beyond –the state is one of the country’s most diverse.

In the Sunshine State, there are no limits.

ELEVATED EATS

fMichelin made its way to the Sunshine in 2022 and its guide inspectors liked what they tasted. As of 2023, Michelin had recognized 52 restaurants in Tampa, Miami and Orlando. You can’t think of Miami if you don’t think of the food. The city was named Bon Appétit’s Food City of the Year for 2023 and with 11 Michelinstarred restos, including the only two-star spot in Florida plus 15 Bib Gourmand-rated foodie experiences, how can one go wrong? Whether it’s two-star, full-on French at L’Atelier by Joel Robuchon, who before his passing was named the chef of the century, or the Bib Gourmandrecommended Versailles, a family-owned local favourite, for affordable Cuban food in Little Havana, there’s plenty to nosh on. Bib Gourmand, by the way, recognizes friendly spots serving good food at inexpensive prices. Of course, you don’t have to go to Michelin. The Miami area has thousands of dining spots, from street food to stellar picks.

Photographs Courtesy of Visit Florida. From left to right: Snorkeling Devil’s Den Williston Gainesville by Paradise Media for Visit Florida. Couple relaxing at La Siesta Resort & Villas in Islamorada by Emergent Media. Delicious conch fritters by Spark. Artworkinside Sarasota’s Ringling Museum by Kevin Mcgeever.

In Tampa, you’ll never go hungry for choice. Michelin has also put this city on its list, with the Japanese cuisine of Koya, the Mediterranean fare at Lilac and the Italian at Rocca all garnering a star. Tampa is known for its diverse culinary scene, where you’ll find Greek, Chinese, Nepali, among other international cuisines with a seat at the table alongside steak and Southern cooking.

New this year are two of note: chef Cameron Mitchell’s The Pearl, with its unique oyster room that only hints at the menu’s seafood delights, and Predalina, a Water Street outpost by the city’s original docks, which features the best of the Mediterranean and a shop that offers hand-crafted items and home decor to take home.

Oh, Orlando, how we love you – for your thrills and theme parks, a mouse, a few minions and magic. The city, in Central Florida, holds so many things to do and places to see – and to taste. More than 40 establishments have been recognized by Michelin, including four with one-star designations, and 11 Bib Gourmand. From the Japanese and Fusion cuisine of Kadence and Soseki, to the American steakhouse classics Capa and Knife & Spoon, along with everything from Thai to Indian to Vietnamese, there’s a spot to suit every taste. Sports fans will like The Office Bar, the newest place on Orange Avenue to take in a University of Central Florida event, and burger lovers will enjoy Papi Smash for burgers and shakes in downtown Orlando.

TO YOUR HEALTH

When we call it the Sunshine State, we really mean it. That mood- and immune-boosting vitamin D comes naturally here and, with an average of 230 days of sunshine a year, it’s no wonder. So important to our well-being, from soothing symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder to synthesising your body’s natural cell-builders, those rays make us feel good.

The science of wellbeing is central to the healing practices at Pritikin Luxury Wellness Retreat. For nearly 50 years, this centre located in Miami has focused on longevity, weight

AH, FLORIDA, THE SUNSHINE STATE. ORANGE GROVES, PALM TREES, STRETCHES OF SAND AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE, ALONG TWO ENVIABLE COASTLINES.

loss and lifestyle diseases. The Florida Burnout Recovery Mental Health & Wellness Retreat in Clearwater addresses a hot-button topic – the burnout is real – with its integrative program that focuses on the mental, physical and spiritual elements of wellbeing. A holistic rejuvenation indeed. And look for Amrit Ocean Resort & Residences, a brand new wellness resort in The Palm Beaches where the goal is to enhance one’s mindfulness, nutrition, fitness, relaxation and sleep, opening this fall.

The innovative thinkers in Fort Lauderdale are working smarter when it comes to inclusion and accessibility. The area’s “Everyone Under the Sun” program considers all travellers, including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder, with a vetted list of hotels, restaurants, entertainment and more that provide inclusive services and experiences. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport has launched its Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program to help those that need a little extra care when navigating the airport.

HUMAN NATURE

A sense of renewal doesn’t necessarily mean it has to be intense. We’re less stressed when taking in the light of the sun and being surrounded by nature – which is easy to do in Florida, a four-time gold-medal winner for excellence in managing its parks system. There are more than 170 state parks where you can swim, hike, ride (bikes and horses!), camp and sit back, relax, and just breathe.

Channel your inner mermaid (or merman) at John Pennekamp State Park in the Florida Keys. It’s the only underwater state park in the United States. Swim, snorkel and dive at this undersea playground, home to a myriad of fish and other marine life flitting and flying among the rainbow of stunning coral reefs where they make their home.

Photographs Courtesy ff Visit Florida.

From left to right: Panama City Beach neighborhood scene. Flamingo Gardens by Peter W. Cross. Kayaking in Ginnie Springs.

HAT’S OFF

Did you know that the Stetson, the big, white cowboy hat we see on many a head in Texas and in Alberta – especially during Calgary Stampede season – was designed by a founder of the Florida we know today? Here’s a fun fact: hat maker and philanthropist John B. Stetson could be called Florida’s original snowbird. He chose to build his winter home for his family in 1886 in DeLand, about 63 kilometres north of Orlando, and about a 45-minute drive west of Daytona Beach.

The home is an incredible example of Gilded Age architecture and design, and the only mansion of its kind in the state. Fellow winter vacationer Thomas Edison installed the electricity, while Henry Flagler, the industrialist who was instrumental in building Florida’s east coast as a vacation destination – his company brought north and south together with his railway – laid tracks to the estate. You can tour the mansion and the Christmas season is particularly spectacular, when the home is decorated to its Gilded Age nines.

GET YOUR GAME ON

We’d be remiss if we didn’t give a nod to the choices for sports fans – perfect for a boys’ (or girls’!) getaway. Hit the links on one of the more than 1,200 golf courses (Palm Beach is golf-central, where more pros make their home than any other spot in the state), take in a hockey, basketball or football game, or check out your favourite baseball team during spring training (the Blue Jays play in Dunedin!) and beyond. And now that Golden Shoe winner Lionel Messi has come to Miami, there will be no doubt that The Magic City will score a few goals with soccer fans, as well.

CENTRAL FLORIDA

Offering Great Accessibility and Sensory Inclusion Vacations

tHERE ARE FEW TIMES happier for a family than going on vacation; it is their special time for being together where they should only be thinking about fun and making great memories. Of course, our world is made up of all kinds of families, including families with children who have special needs or different sensory abilities. Central Florida’s Polk County area offers these families a welcoming environment right in the heart of Florida, where some of the area’s greatest attractions do everything they can to make sure all families and the littlest of kiddos have the best time ever.

Nestled between Orlando and Tampa, Polk County is a location where families can truly unwind, it is close to all the famous attractions of Central Florida while far enough away to avoid some of the frantic pace and higher costs. The area now offers some great options for families who have children with varying abilities. Attractions such as the Peppa Pig Theme Park, LEGOLAND Florida Resort, the Florida Children’s Museum can help families focus that little bit more on the fun.

PEPPA PIG THEME PARK, WINTER HAVEN

The Peppa Pig Theme Park opened in early 2022 and was the US’ first theme park to be granted the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Educations Standards (IBCCES) Certified Autism Center (CAC) designation. This is a park beloved by families with the littlest of children, because it really goes at the pace of the kids. Then add in the accessibility and sensory inclusion aspects and this park is a gift to many families.

The park has an excellent pre-planning sensory guide designed by the IBCCES providing information on touch, taste, sound, sight and smell. Sensory guidelines according to these specifications are posted on every ride and attraction in the park. All the staff members are equipped to assist guests with sensory sensitivities, and the park also offers quiet areas and sensory kits.

Aside from sensory inclusion the park grants children with accessibility requirements a special Hero Pass. The Hero Pass allows for a one-time expedited attractions access for the guest who is assigned the pass and their party (up to 6). The Mr. Bull ride offers assisted

transfer, the Muddy Puddles splash pad has transfer tables and Peppa’s Balloon Ride has a wheelchair-accessible basket that allows for a child to roll directly onto the ride vehicle without needing transfer, while still having space for a grown-up to accompany the child. Request the Peppa Pig Theme Park Sensory Guide to get the full details.

LEGOLAND FLORIDA RESORT, WINTER HAVEN

The CAC designation has now also been extended to the main LEGOLAND theme park and each of its hotels, as well as ADA compliant rides. LEGOLAND is just a few steps from the Peppa Pig Theme Park and is simply Florida’s greatest theme park for children up to twelve years old. Many of the features included in the Peppa Pig Theme Park including sensory guides, low sensory areas, certified staff members and kits are also available here.

THE FLORIDA CHILDREN’S MUSEUM, LAKELAND

This is a fabulous new 4500 square meter museum situated within the beautiful new Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland, and about 25 minutes from LEGOLAND. The Florida Children’s Museum offers ADA compliant access, and has worked in close partnership with the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (C.A.R.D) and the University of South Florida to be Autism Friendly. The colors, the layout of the museum and the acoustics are all chosen and designed to make the museum as fun and enriching an experience as possible for all children. There is a quiet room in the museum and sensory kits include noise-reducing headphone, sunglasses and a hand fidget toy. The museum has also prepared a beautiful

Social Story that can be downloaded ahead of the family’s visit that helps children and families understand what to expect.

Aside from these beautiful attractions Central Florida has an abundance of beautiful parks and gardens including Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, Hollis Garden in Lakeland and Circle B Bar Reserve also in Lakeland, as well as other outdoor attractions like Safari Wilderness. Its all about making sure everyone can fully enjoy their time together while on vacation. For more information, head to visitcentralflorida.org

FROM EXPEDITION SHIPS TO SUPER YACHTS –EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW AND WHAT TO BOOK NOW!

THE CRUISE REPORT

AmaVida River cruise courtesy of AmaWaterways

If a cruise has been on your must-do list, there’s no better time than now. Pick the type of cruise; then the cruise line, the itinerary and the timing that suits you best – and get ready to set sail.

BY LIZ FLEMING

RIVER OR OCEAN?

Cruises can be divided into two broad categories: river and ocean, with the second category further subdivided into big ship and expedition.

ROLLING ON THE RIVERS

River cruise ships are far smaller than their ocean-going sisters. These sleek, slender vessels ordinarily welcome between 100-200 guests who enjoy the luxurious comfort of suites featuring large windows or balconies. It’s all about the view because you are ordinarily so close to shore, you can wave to people as you sail by. Designed for navigating calm waters – and perfect for those who fear sea-sickness – these ships sail rivers in Europe, Asia, Egypt, South America and some parts of the U.S. Usually offering just one main dining room, some river ships also have small private dining areas and, weather permitting, an outdoor grill with seating on the top deck. All river ships feature a large lounge with a bar where guests gather for drinks before and after dinner, listen to the daily “port talks” led by the cruise director and enjoy evening entertainment.

River cruising is a great choice for those who are content with quieter evenings. Many ships bring local entertainers or guest lecturers on board for performances that take place in the lounge, as the ships have no theatre facilities, but there are none of the large scale shows you’ll find on larger ships. The trade-off is the immediacy of the shore access each day. Because river ships are small, they’re often able to dock close to the port town being visited so there’s no need to take a tender or even line up to disembark – you simply walk off. Though there are, of course, a myriad of shore excursions to choose from in each port, you could easily do your own walking tour.

ALL ABOUT THE OCEAN

Ocean cruise ships are far larger, with some of the biggest accommodating almost 7,000 guests and featuring dozens of restaurants, theatres, cafés, shops and event spaces. The largest ships are more like floating resorts and the vessels themselves become the destination, regardless of the itinerary. You’ll find go-kart tracks, climbing walls, water parks with continuous surfing waves and multi-storey slides, ice skating rinks,

giant outdoor movie screens, casinos, shopping promenades, glass-blowing studios, Broadway calibre productions and more. Even the smaller ocean-going ships offer a wide selection of onboard amenities that include casinos, spas, bars, pubs, pools and a range of dining and entertainment choices that begin in the early morning and run until long after midnight.

At the smaller end of the ocean-going category are the expedition ships whose size enables them to navigate in areas where their larger sisters can’t. Expedition ships accommodate smaller numbers of guests and offer far less variety in onboard dining and entertainment, but provide one huge trade off. These nimble ships sail to lesser-travelled destinations like the Antarctic, the Arctic and the Galapagos Islands, offering adventures you couldn’t have any other way. While there won’t be a Broadway show at night, or a go-kart track, you might find there’s a helicopter or a submarine onboard to take you on mindbending explorations. (See our guide to expedition ships, page 60).

SO, WHAT’S YOUR TYPE? THE ROMANTIC

If you’re looking to relight your fire as a couple, a river cruise holiday could be just the thing. Maybe you’ll opt for a slow-paced itinerary that meanders through European towns, stopping at different vineyards and wineries each day. The recipe for romance lies in the total selfindulgence of the service you’ll receive, leaving you endless time to reconnect.

If you choose an ocean cruise for your romance rekindling, one of the great treats will be the nightly excitement. You’ll not only have the luxury of choosing from a selection of restaurants but will also have a variety of free, live entertainment, ranging from musical revues to comedians, magicians, acrobats, singers, dancers and more. The lineup changes daily so you’ll feel as if you’re out on the town every night. Your days will be filled with either shore excursions in exciting ports or shipboard activities but either way, you’ll be spending time reconnecting and recharging your romantic batteries.

Expedition ships focus most attention on the daily shore excursions, which often involve wildlife viewing, SCUBA, snorkeling or

hiking adventures. Night time entertainment is typically a presentation by an onboard expert who’ll explain what you’ve just seen or might hope to see. Because you’re usually up early, you’ll head to bed early too and so won’t miss the casino or show time. What you will experience is a renewed bonding that comes from sharing once-in-a-lifetime adventures together.

THE FAMILY FAN

Best advice for cruising with families? Choose an ocean ship, with lots of opportunities for multi-gen fun. Many cruise lines cater to the younger set and you’ll find life-size (and larger!) mascots roaming the decks and also enjoy a wealth of kid-focused entertainment opportunities from cartoon movies by the pool, to mini golf courses on the top deck to animated wall art in the specialty restaurants and much more. Many ships offer babysitting and adjoining staterooms with large shared balconies, perfect for family gatherings. Bring the kids and Grandma and Grandpa too.

While the littlest sailors will be keen on meeting Mickey or Shrek, teens will appreciate the climbing walls, basketball courts, swimming pools, and go cart tracks – and parents will love the all-inclusive food available in the main dining room, the pool side grill and the marketplace buffet area. There’s nothing more relaxing than knowing your kids can eat to their

heart’s content, with no big bill waiting for you at the end. Best of all, you don’t need to hold the reins very tightly when your teenager is on a cruise. The ship is a well-enclosed area and the bars all check for ID.

THE REUNION MASTER

A cruise can be a great way to gather relatives, friends, or a collection of couples while leaving that all-important bit of space in your togetherness. Each couple will have a stateroom to retreat to when they need alone time and, while you can certainly choose to sign up for all the same shore excursions, you won’t have to. Some members of your group may decide to stay onboard to loll by the pool, while others head off to explore. Perhaps you’ll all gather for dinners in the main dining room or maybe there will be nights when each couple will choose a specialty restaurant and have a dinner à deux. A cruise ship offers everything you need to keep a group happy together – and apart.

WHAT TO BOOK RIVER – FOR THAT ROMANTIC GETAWAY

Uniworld is known for luxury, elegant décor, personalized service, and all-inclusive amenities, while Viking River Cruises offers beautiful, understated ships, excellent service, and immersive cultural experiences. Be sure to ask

about their optional romantic package, which includes a private dinner for two and a romantic balcony setup. AmaWaterways is famous for their relaxed, casual onboard atmosphere, but don’t be fooled. The focus is definitely on luxury, personal attention, gourmet dining and immersive shore excursions.

Tauck is a wonderful choice if you’re looking for all-inclusive amenities and personalized service, while Riverside Luxury Cruises, a newer player in the river cruising world, is very popular for their luxurious, modern ships, spacious suites, all-inclusive amenities and exceptional dining. Avalon Waterways offers three distinct types of shore excursions, each designed to cater to those looking for classic tours, cultural immersions and active adventures – a very popular innovation – while Emerald Cruises is well known for the boutique hotel experience available on their Star-Ships. Scenic Luxury Cruises, another great choice, is not only a favourite with those who appreciate attention to onboard guest comfort but is also well-known for its land-based tours.

OCEAN – TO HOST THAT GROUP GET-TOGETHER

Royal Caribbean is known for its grand-scale, innovative ships with plenty of activities for all ages, including water parks, zip lines, and rock climbing walls, as well as a variety of dining options and family-friendly shows, while

Disney Cruise Lines is, of course, the classic choice for families. Their ships are designed with all ages in mind and offer plenty of nonfamily activities too, including adults-only pools and dining venues. Another popular choice for families, Carnival Cruise Line, provides a staggering range of activities for all ages, from mini-golf and pools to water slides and arcades. Parents can also take advantage of the onboard kids' clubs to free up some adult time. Norwegian Cruise Line’s laid-back atmosphere puts the focus on freestyle cruising with an emphasis on Broadway-style entertainment and activities ranging from water parks to ropes courses. Celebrity Cruises is a fabulous choice for entertainment lovers, offering outstanding theatre facilities while Oceania is a favourite with foodies who love its culinary offerings and the Culinary Center cooking classes on board.

AND, WE CAN’T FORGET THE SOLO SAILOR

Maybe a solo cruise is your ultimate dream holiday – time for you and you alone. If so, there are lots of cruise lines ready to make that dream come true.

Cunard Line, known for a more traditional cruising experience, offers a variety of single occupancy staterooms on their ships, a dedicated single travellers' lounge and organized meetups and activities for solo travellers, while Holland America Line, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2023, also has single occupancy staterooms on select ships, as well as “Solo Travelers' Mixers.” Norwegian Cruise Lines is another solid choice, given that they offer “Studio” staterooms designed for solo occupancy as well as a dedicated Studio Lounge, and a variety of onboard activities and shore excursions. Royal Caribbean has single occupancy staterooms on select ships and also offers a solo traveller program with organized meetups and activities. If you’re looking for a truly luxurious solo sailing experience, Silversea offers single occupancy suites, organized meetups and activities combined with a high level of personal service and attention to detail.

BEST ADVICE?

Whether you’re booking a first cruise or signing up for your 20th, the best advice is to have a conversation with a well-informed travel agent. There’s no charge to you and the suggestions you’ll receive about promotions, special deals, new itineraries, ship upgrades and more will be invaluable.

The Danube is a favourite traversed by river cruise lines such as AmaWaterways

CRUISE CONTROL

We asked our resident cruise expert, Liz Fleming, to give us her top picks for what to book now

W

HETHER YOU CHOOSE a sleek river ship or a full-on ocean liner, cruises mix all the excitement of visiting multiple destinations and experiencing great activities on shore and afloat, with the luxury of having to unpack your suitcase just once. While you enjoy gourmet meals, relax over drinks with friends, watch fabulous onboard entertainment or snuggle into your welcoming stateroom, the captain and crew will take care of getting you from port to port. It’s multi-destination travel minus the hassles of car rentals, hotel reservations and suitcase schlepping. Here, our picks for the voyages to book now.

RIVER CRUISE: AMAWATERWAYS

THE SHIP: AmaVerde

THE DATE: March 18, 2024

THE VOYAGE: Gems of Southeast Europe

THE ITINERARY: Sail on the Danube from Budapest, Hungary, to Giurgiu, Romania, with port visits in Mohács/Pécs, Hungary; Vukovar, Croatia; Belgrade, Serbia; and Vidin and Rousse, Bulgaria.

THE ULTRA-LUXE OPTION: Extend your journey with a two-night land package in Vienna before you embark as well as a fournight Romanian land package with two nights in Brasov and two nights in Bucharest after you disembark.

MUST HAVE EXPERIENCE: Cruise through the majestic Iron Gates, one of Europe’s most incredible natural wonders. A breathtaking gorge between the Carpathian and Balkan mountains, the Iron Gates form a natural border between Serbia and Romania. Take in the sculpture of ancient King Decebalus, the last king of Dacia, whose face is carved into the mountainside in a timeless work of art. amawaterways.com, 1.855.296.0109

Photo courtesy of brand Scenic.

OCEAN CRUISE: SCENIC

THE SHIP: Scenic Eclipse

THE DATE: February 21, 2024

THE VOYAGE: Antarctica & the Chilean Fjords

THE ITINERARY: Sail from Buenos Aires to Santiago on a life-changing 22-day expedition to Antarctica, Patagonia and Chile, featuring fascinating islands and fjords, and the southernmost continent.

THE ULTRA-LUXE OPTION: Bundle up to brave the coldest winds in an expedition-quality parka, a gift to you from your Scenic hosts.

MUST-HAVE EXPERIENCE: Dive under clear Antarctic waters in the Scenic Neptune submarine or fly high above the barren landscape in a custom designed helicopter. scenic.ca, 1.855.816.5621

EXPEDITION CRUISE: QUARK EXPEDITIONS

THE SHIP: Ocean Adventurer

THE DATE: Jan 25, 2024

THE VOYAGE: Antarctic Express: Crossing the Circle

THE ITINERARY: Fly over the Drake Passage and experience the most direct and comfortable way to Antarctica before boarding the Ocean Adventurer to view penguins, seals and whales on the Antarctic Peninsula, including crossing the Antarctic Circle.

THE ULTRA-LUXE OPTION: Spend an evening under the stars, soaking in the on-deck hot tub. MUST HAVE EXPERIENCE: Clamber aboard a Zodiac for a ride to the icy shore where hundreds of toddling penguins are waiting to greet you. quarkexpeditions.com

1.866.239.8245

LUXURY YACHT: EMERALD

THE SHIP: Emerald Azzurra and/ or Emerald Sakara

THE DATE: April 17, 2024

THE VOYAGE: Ionian Sea Adventure

THE ITINERARY: Start your adventure in Civitavecchia then sail to Capri, Sorrento and Amalfi before transiting the Corinth Canal to arrive in the centre of the Ancient Greek world, mighty Athens.

THE ULTRA-LUXE OPTION: A luxury yacht is a floating boutique hotel, with every amenity you can imagine, so indulge yourself by choosing the Owner’s Suite where you can enjoy a private breakfast on your spacious balcony –just you, your special someone, the ocean breeze and the sunshine.

MUST-HAVE EXPERIENCE: When the captain finds a secluded cove, swim from the Marina Platform at the aft of the vessel. If you’re feeling adventurous, try some of the marina toys such as the standup paddle boards and kayaks –the day is yours to enjoy.

emeraldcruises.ca, 1.833.808.1892

Scenic Eclipse in Valletta, Malta

SAILING TWO

WAYS

AS GALE FORCE WINDS pounded the ship, ripped at the sails, and sent the sea into an angry froth, on the captain’s orders I scrambled 23 metres up the ratlines to the crow’s nest high above the deck, all the while avoiding the cannon balls and musket fire from the attacking Corsican pirates. At least that is how my mind fancifully played it out.

Truthfully, we were moored in a sheltered port, the winds were calm, and the only unfriendly fire came from the heckling of my fellow shipmates. Still, the opportunity to climb the web of ropes to the lofty viewing perch was a wonderful adventure, and a measure of bravery was needed to clamour so precariously skyward. Okay, I was harnessed in.

High Seas Adventure on the Star Clipper

Travel can caress one’s imagination, and a voyage aboard a regal and historic tall ship, an authentic re-creation of the classic clipper ships that ruled the waves during the 19th century, has me feeling like a high seas pirate. With the magical Mediterranean as a backdrop, this rakish square-rigger is an elegant 115-metre apparition, with four masts, (the tallest rises 64 metres above the sea), 16 sails, a dashing bowsprit, and a stylish schooner stern.

On board, guests are encouraged to pull on some ropes to help raise the sails, tie a few sailor’s knots to hold them in place, visit the bridge, lay in the bowsprit net suspended above the briny deep, or climb the mast for a stunning view. If that all sounds like work, you can just relax in casual elegance while smartly clad waiters offer you drinks.

The ship is a realm of teak and brass. Her top deck is lined with deck chairs, a pool and a sea of polished instruments, coiled ropes and nautical gear. A piano bar leads down to a lovely dining room, which could be from a golden-age liner, with its brass portholes, beamed ceilings and tufted velvet booths. On my cruise, there are 104 fellow scallywags of 14 different nationalities, looked after by a crew of 70.

Our seven-night voyage takes us from Rome to Cannes on the French Riviera. We invade Portoferraio where Napoleon was exiled, before drifting stealthfully between the islands of Corsica and Sardinia. Highlights include the narrow-sheltered harbour and fortified clifftop village of Bonifacio, the booty garnered at the wineries of Alghero in Sardinia, the town of Calvi with its 13th century Citadel, and the soft sand beaches of St. Tropez. Whenever the Star Clipper heads out to sea, it’s all hands-on deck for the pomp and ceremony of sails being raised, accompanied by the inspirational strains of Vangelis’ “1492: Conquest of Paradise.”

The Star Clipper hosts a pirate night on each voyage, which has me dressed in a skullcap, eye-patch, earring and hook, trying to impress the fair wenches on board – with absolutely no success. Shiver-Me-Timbers! Perhaps I’ll try a different tact as a luxury yacht leisurologist.

Luxurious Superyacht Leisurologist or High Seas Pirate? James Ross takes to the water to find out

Photo courtesy of Star Clippers

The Luxurious Emerald Azzurra

I am back on the Mediterranean, but playing a decidedly different nautical role. I am on a cruise through an ancient world, on a vessel so modern and intimate, I feel like I’m sailing on my own private yacht – transforming myself seamlessly from swashbuckling Captain Jack Sparrow to swish celebrity George Clooney.

The Emerald Azzurra was built in 2022 for immersive adventures with intriguing itineraries. Not your typical cruise ship, the vessel is only 110 metres in length, carrying a maximum of 100 passengers looked after by an amazingly friendly crew of 76. I am astonished that the staff all knew my name on day one, and not due to anything silly I had done, nor because they recognized me as the celebrity I was pretending to be. The Azzurra is also so cozy and practical that we are able to slip quietly into each port. Our sleek ship is always the only cruise ship at the wharf, and locals gather on shore to photograph and ponder the impressive yacht and, I suppose, catch a brief glimpse of me disembarking. I wave (They seem disappointed).

I had jumped aboard in Athens on an adventure through some of the Greek islands, to Sicily, the Amalfi Coast, Naples, Pompeii and Rome. Port highlights include a visit to Sparta, where 300 Spartans defeated the Persian army in 480 BC, and the western Greek island of Cephalonia, where 9,000 Italian soldiers were shot by German troops after changing allegiances and aiding the island’s inhabitants. In Sicily, the Godfather theme music echoes in my head as I clamour up the narrow cobblestone streets of Savoca to the Bar Vitelli. I channel Al Pacino; for a brief moment I’m a young Michael Corleone, sitting on the terrace sipping a limoncello.

Back on board, I head to the top deck for a soak in the jacuzzi at the bow with a cold drink from the Sky Bar, or aft to the infinity pool on the aqua deck – it depends whether I want to see where we are going or coming from. Afterwards, I gather with newfound friends in the Amici Bar & Lounge for a pre-dinner cocktail and musical entertainment. The laid-back, small-ship atmosphere encourages comradery amongst fellow travellers. Dinner is at La Cucina, the ship’s well-appointed main restaurant designed by Chef Tom Götter, featuring meals made with regional ingredients paired with a selection of excellent local wines. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet style, while dinner is à la carte.

If the good food on board is getting the better of me, I visit the gym in the Elements Spa and then relax in the infrared sauna. Or, when the sky is blue and water calm in a port, guests can get active swimming, snorkelling, kayaking or paddleboarding right off the ship’s marine platform. Falling off and climbing on the available SUPs is great exercise.

In the early morning I sip a coffee on my suite’s balcony, or head to the observation lounge at the bow, kind of a living room and library in one. I sit in one of the cozy chairs with a history book from the shelves on my lap, while meditatively watching as my own (not quite) private (not really) yacht plows gently through the wondrous Mediterranean.

GETTING ONBOARD

Luxury yacht or tall ship sailing cruise? Both vessels visit ports untouched by larger cruise ships and offer passengers the activities, amenities, comradery, and atmosphere of an intimate, private charter. For information and itineraries visit starclippers.com to satisfy your buccaneer spirit or emeraldcruises.ca to play the part of celebrity yachter.

Photos courtesy of Emerald Azzurra

READY, SET, GO!

If you’re an explorer at heart, there’s nothing more exciting than taking a journey to rugged parts of the world. And, if you might need a bit more TLC or accessibility to travel, we’ve got you. Here, Judi Cohen looks at five expedition cruise ships and finds some of the best for people with limited mobility.

yOU MAY HAVE HEARD lately about expedition cruising, where you can travel to far flung, off-the-beatentrack locations and get up close with nature in comfort, accompanied by expert expedition staff.

In the past few years, expedition ships have become a lot more luxurious, even with fine dining, and these cruises have become extremely popular (particularly in the Arctic and Antarctic) by adventurous travellers of all ages and levels of mobility.

However, it’s important to know that – despite all the new comforts – these exhilarating expedition cruises can be quite physical and demanding. They can involve transfers from the ship to Zodiacs and tenders, challenging landings with steep steps and rocky beaches under varying skies and weather conditions.

One thing I have noticed in my travels on these ships is that these cruises attract a wide variety of guests – of nearly all ages and most levels of mobility. If you’re an adventurous traveller looking for something different, who is older, or with limited mobility, there are a number of expedition cruise lines that can accommodate you. A travel advisor that specializes in expedition cruises is also a good place to start.

THE CRUISE LINE: HURTIGRUTEN

THE BONUS: Focus on older experienced adventurers

Hurtigruten Expeditions attracts explorers of all ages but guests are mainly 60+. The company’s expedition fleet, including MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fridtjof Nansen, have accessible cabins – with the exception of Santa Cruz II, which is part of their subsidiary Metropolitan Touring operating in the Galapagos, and has no accessible cabins. All ships, except for the Santa Cruz II, have guest elevators.

Guests who use walkers embark the same way as other passengers. Hurtigruten staff are available around the ships to assist guests, however guests with low mobility are advised

Photo courtesy of Yuri Matisse Choufour / Hurtigruten Expeditions

Photo courtesy of Quark Expeditions/ David Merron

to bring a fellow traveller with them who can provide additional assistance.

Guests who are able to take a few steps can easily use the tenders and Zodiacs. Walking poles can be rented on board for no-fee and are mainly used for landings, excursions and hikes. All you need to do is make a request at reception. Excursions are described with varying degrees of difficulty and mobility in mind, and guests can choose excursions that best suit their situation. hurtigruten.com

THE CRUISE LINE: VIKING EXPEDITION CRUISES

THE BONUS: Submarines and special operations boats

Viking Cruises recently introduced its new expedition ship, Viking Octantis, for use in the polar regions and Great Lakes. Similar to their ocean and river ships, passengers tend to be 55 plus, and are interested in up-close nature and cultural adventures. Octantis delivers both in abundance.

The ship has elevators serving all passenger decks with loads of indoor and outdoor viewing and dining areas, should you choose not to leave the ship. It’s also the best of a traditional cruise with comfortable cabins, walk-in showers with large nozzles, well-positioned grab bars, and easy to open toiletries.

The expedition equipment includes kayaks, six-passenger submarines, special operations

might all sound scary, my husband and I (both in our late 60s) enjoyed our sub dive and, with the assistance of the Zodiac driver and the submarine captain, we managed the transfer and the embarkation and disembarkation from the submarine without difficulty.

Activities off the ship are entirely optional. Those opting to stay on the ship can enjoy being in nature and seeing wildlife from the decks, attend seminars, relax in the Nordic Spa, read from the extensive collection of books about expeditions and explorers.

In terms of wheelchairs, Viking’s policy is that guests must travel with their own wheelchair and an able-bodied companion, as the staff is not permitted to lift guests or push wheelchairs. Be sure to reach out to Viking before booking to ensure there are no new requirements.  vikingcruisescanada.com

THE CRUISE LINE: QUARK EXPEDITIONS

THE BONUS: Multi-generational appeal

Quark Expedition’s Ultramarine and World Explorer are both ideal vessels for accommodating guests with limited mobility. The ship layouts allow meals and presentations to take place on one deck, while access to Zodiacs happens on another, which reduces the need to go up and down stairs. Although both ships have elevators, they are not always available and may be closed during inclement

Relations at Quark Expedition told me, “I was on board with an 86-year-old woman on my Greenland voyage in 2016 and she didn’t get off the ship once. She loved having the ship as a great platform for viewing wildlife and scenery and enjoying the onboard experience. One of my colleagues also had a 99-year-old male travelling on his Antarctica voyage who enjoyed our contemplative walks and our paddling program.” Quark’s voyages are wonderful for intergenerational family travel (minimum age is 8), because if one family member is active and one family member enjoys more creature comforts and leisure activities, they both can travel to the polar regions and do what interests them individually, yet still come together for meals and onboard programming.

The adventure options and activities are described with the level of fitness, so guests can choose the outing that best suits them. Walking poles are available for all landings for those guests wishing to use them on hikes. quarkexpeditions.com

THE CRUISE LINE: SILVERSEA CRUISES

THE BONUS: Next-level luxe

Known best for their impressive fleet of luxurious all-suite ships, Silversea Cruise’s expedition ships including Silver Explorer, Silver Origin, Silver Wind and Silver Cloud provide opportunities for the mobility

boats and Zodiacs. I should note that winds and waves can make the transfer from the ship to the tenders challenging. Plenty of crew are on hand to assist with the transfers.

For adventures on land, hiking poles are available. On one of my excursions, there were many passengers with canes and hiking poles enjoying the hike in the provincial park and a visit to a rustic fishing lodge.

It is also possible to travel in the ship’s submarines, however this would not be suitable for those with claustrophobia, motion sickness or the inability to climb a ladder. While this

weather. Accessible cabins geared towards the mobility-challenged are available, with extra space and grab bars in the bathrooms.

Getting in and out of a Zodiac can be compared to getting in and out of a bathtub. And in terms of mobility, those that have a level of fitness where they can walk their dog once a day, are completely suitable for a voyage to the polar regions with Quark Expeditions.

Noting that both active and adventurous travellers, as well as more relaxed leisure travellers, are onboard Quark Expeditions, Cara Matthews, Regional Sales Director and Public

challenged to enjoy expedition cruising in style. Every Silversea excursion has a clear description to indicate the level of mobility required to enjoy the excursion. The company’s newest ultra-luxury expedition ship, Silver Endeavour, even has options for Fly-Cruise voyages to both polar regions. While some consider “crossing the Drake Passage” to Antarctica a rite of passage, others will find it easier to fly to a local air base at the start or end of their cruise. Silversea has Fly-Cruise options from Puerto Williams in Chile and King George Island to Argentina.

“TRAVEL TO FAR FLUNG, OFF-THE-BEATEN-TRACK LOCATIONS AND GET UP CLOSE WITH NATURE IN COMFORT, ACCOMPANIED BY EXPERT EXPEDITION STAFF”

Expedition ships frequently embark with a Zodiac, which may not be suitable for those with a walker. That said, the vast majority of embarkation on Endeavour and Explorer is done via a staircase, with crew assistance or via Zodiac in King George Island for Antarctic itineraries. Only about one percent of their ports embark via ramp.

Origin sails year-round in the Galapagos Islands and embarkation is always by Zodiac. At times these seas have swells, so to embark via zodiac guests must be able to hold their body weight and be able to make a positive step up. The company explains that “expedition staff does assist guests, but embarkation can be challenging at times even for able-bodied guests.” Trekking poles can be rented for a small fee through the company’s expedition outfitting partner.

All Silversea ships have elevators. However, Endeavour’s elevator does not extend to her top deck, deck 10. Cloud, Wind and Endeavour offer accessible cabins. silversea.com

THE CRUISE LINE: ADVENTURE CANADA

THE BONUS: Top-notch and in our own backyard

Family-owned Adventure Canada offers expedition cruises aboard Ocean Endeavour to the Arctic, Antarctic, Canada, South and Central America and Europe. The majority of clients are age 60+ with an adventurous spirit. Guests with very limited mobility who use canes and walkers are welcome, and ideally should be able to navigate at least one flight of stairs as wheelchairs cannot be accommodated on the vessel.

A variety of guided experiences are available in destinations and range in difficulty and distance to assist guests in choosing appropriate excursions. With everything from beachcomber walks to challenging 10 km hikes, passengers are broken into smaller groups for the best experience.

In discussing the itineraries, Cedar Swan, CEO of Adventure Canada explained: “It’s

easier to accommodate limited mobility on Atlantic Canada and European programs, in communities where infrastructure and transportation are provided. The physical landscape in the Arctic, combined with the Zodiac ship-to-shore landings, can create some challenges. Some guests are fearful for the first time; however, they find their rides on Zodiacs to be unexpected highlights and a lot of fun. There are six steps from the Zodiac platform into the ship, and then the majority of clients take the stairs up to their cabins. There is an elevator serving decks 3 through 6, but not 7 through 9.”  She added that for couples with a big discrepancy in their mobility levels, there are options for both to have a guided experience. Onboard education is always provided for those choosing not to go ashore.

While cabins are not accessible, they have walk-in showers and safety grab bars for stability and lots of room to move around comfortably.

adventurecanada.com

Photo courtesy of Quark Expeditions/ David Merron

On a special sailing, Vivian Vassos takes a cruise with one of the OGs of ocean voyages

Coming to America

wHEN YOU HAVE as storied a history as Holland America Line (HAL) does, you have reason to celebrate. And when that history encompasses more than a century of taking passengers, first across the Atlantic Ocean from Europe as the immigration boom began at the beginning of the last century, and on cruise holidays around the globe since, the party is only getting started. This year, 2023, marked the 150th anniversary

of HAL, and with it, a series of special cruise itineraries and onboard experiences were launched.

The company, with its origin roots in The Netherlands, prides itself in what it considers being one of the great builders of North America, specifically bringing immigrants from Europe to Pier 21 in Halifax and Ellis Island in New York City (left), to start new lives in better lands. My father was one of those immigrants, a fresh-faced 21-year-old landing in Canada, a country filled with possibilities.

Photographs courtesy of Holland America Line

On board HAL’s Rotterdam, the company’s newest pinnacle-class ship, I sailed the North Sea on one of its special Heritage Cruises, which embarked from Rotterdam (left, where it was greeted by its godmother, Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of The Netherlands, above, dousing the ship’s bell with Champagne) with stops in Oslo, Copenhagen and Amsterdam. The ports were fascinating, but one of my favourite things was the retro happy hour cocktail menu on board, a throwback to the grand ocean crossings. Made with the company’s bespoke Dutch gin, De Lijn, the Dutch 150 (above, right), the 150th Martini and the classic 150th Gin and Tonic can all be sipped in the Ocean Bar for the same price as the glamorous sea-faring set paid more than 100 years ago.

You’ll want to try more than one, and you can even make one at home: Drew Foulk, food & beverage innovation and product development manager at HAL shared his recipe: “The Dutch 150 is a play on the classic French 75,” he says. 1 oz De Lijn Gin, ½ oz fresh squeezed lemon juice, ¼ oz simple syrup, and Champagne to fill. Gin, lemon juice and simple syrup are shaken with ice, strained into a chilled champagne flute, and topped off with champagne to fill the glass. But if you’re not a spirit drinker, it doesn't matter. HAL Pils is a limited edition pilsner brewed just for the anniversary from one of the cruise line's partners, Pikes Brewing in Seattle.

Pickleball at sea? Check. Casino high rolling, why not? Entertainment, particularly

WHAT TO BOOK NOW

In 2024, one of the most fascinating natural phenomena will occur: a total solar eclipse. Selected HAL ships will be positioned so that guests will be able to take in this once in a lifetime event from the best possible viewpoints and, on board, they will be joined by expert astronomers for lectures and tips for taking it all in.

THE SHIP Koningsdam

DATE Apr 5 - Apr 27, 2024

ITINERARY 22-Day Solar Eclipse & Circle Hawaii

music, is another pillar of Holland America Line, so if you’re into tunes, this is the cruise line for you. Partnerships with Rolling Stone for classic rock, BB King for blues, and Billboard’s duelling piano bar are live nightly, and you can easily cross the ship’s entertainment areas to go from one show to another. It’s only rock ’n’ roll, but we like it, yes we do. hollandamerica.com

Koningsdam will embark April 5 on a 22-day Solar Eclipse Cruise, which positions the ship along the coast of Mexico for a total view before crossing the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii. The San Diego to Vancouver itinerary departs April 5 and heads south to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, before spending the day at sea on April 8 for the eclipse. Koningsdam will then stop at Puerto Vallarta in Mexico before crossing over to Hawaii.

THE SHIP Zaandam

DATE Mar 30 - Apr 13, 2024

ITINERARY 14-Day Solar Eclipse & Mexican Riviera

Zaandam will depart March 30 on a 14-day Solar Eclipse Cruise roundtrip from San Diego and will be positioned for a total view of the eclipse as it tracks over Mexico. The ship will be in Mazatlán, Mexico, on eclipse day

THINKING AHEAD TO 2025?

As part of its longer-stay Grand Voyages itineraries, HAL is launching its Pole-to-Pole Grand Voyage, which touches on five continents over 130+ days, and sets sail in January 2025.

NORTH X NORTHWEST

On a journey to the wilds of Alaska, Sabrina Pirillo sails a ship that combines innovation and luxury

THERE IS SOMETHING about that crisp, clean Alaskan air taken in from a balcony with 270-degree sweeping views aboard Princess Cruises’ newest ship, the Discovery Princess. It’s so breathtaking and serene you may never want to get off. I felt like a princess from the moment I stepped onto this magnificent vessel; welcomed with Old World charm as the vision of the spectacular Piazza lined with quaint boutiques, a spiral staircase and glass-walled lifts unfolds before my eyes with panoramic views.

And, yet, thanks to the five-star service from the crew, I ended up feeling more like family. From the Captain and management team making their rounds and stopping to chat (not only about my experience, but also to learn more about me), to bartenders going the extra mile to remember my favourite drink (a spicy margarita from Crown Grill & Bar) to servers giving me a standing reservation by the window when they learned I was a solo traveller. I wasn’t just Ms. Pirillo in Stateroom 339 –I was a part of their daily lives, as they were mine. And then there is Alaska. From clear, calming waters to wildlife spotting and refreshing mountainous air, time stops when you are floating down 10,000 kilometres of coastline. Scenery rotates between tundra and glaciers, mountains with cascading waterfalls and lush rainforests – a landscape so vast and diverse it evokes emotions that can only be explained through experience.

“SCENERY ROTATES BETWEEN TUNDRA AND GLACIERS, MOUNTAINS WITH CASCADING WATERFALLS AND LUSH RAINFORESTS – A LANDSCAPE SO VAST AND DIVERSE IT EVOKES EMOTIONS THAT CAN ONLY BE EXPLAINED THROUGH EXPERIENCE”

Photographs courtesy of Princess Cruises

THE ALASKAN EXPERIENCE

I waited patiently for a pod of humpback whales to emerge from the cold waters in Auke Bay Harbor in Juneau. My eyes darted around like I was playing a video game, taking in the glorious scenery in between. Gasps filled the small boat as the mighty beasts rose, almost like they were taking a bow for this unforgettable moment they had given us. Oh, and who could forget seeing a shark whilst having a glass of bubbly on my balcony – the benefits of sailing Alaska’s Inside Passage route.

Sojourning through Alaska’s wonderous terrain also means making the most of my time in port. (A tip: Booking a shore excursion through Princess is best done ahead of time as the most popular adventures – like helicopter and glacier walking, dog sledding and whale watching – fill up fast.) Back on land, my next adventure took me to Kruzof Island, part of the Tongass National Forest – the largest, intact coastal rainforest in America on approximately 17 million acres of protected land. This nowdormant volcano island is the perfect spot to gear up and jump into a 4x4 off-road vehicle and take off on an adventure. As I was putting the pedal to the metal riding up and down the rugged terrain, our guide pulled over, and that could only mean one thing – he spotted

something in the distance. Between the tall trees, a brown mama and baby bear wandered through looking for food. It was incredible to watch wildlife do its thing like no one is watching.

Twenty-two miles east of Ketchikan, I spied the mighty Misty Fjords National Monument – the largest wilderness area in the Tongass National Forest – from my catamaran. Accessible only by floatplane or day cruise, it’s a peaceful, picture-postcard of blue lakes, fjords and rock walls emerging 3,000 feet from the ocean.

On the final night, our Captain – Tim Stringer, hailing from England but now a fellow Canadian living in Halifax, NS – ended his thoughts for the day using the old Irish Proverb, “There are good ships and wood ships, ships that sail the sea, but the best ships are friendships, may they always be!”

As we pulled away from port, I watched the waves crash against the ship one last time – the icy green and blue pattern mimicked a glacier. I didn't want to stop breathing in the ocean air, filling my lungs like I would stop breathing if I did. The lights went out of sight, and I was standing in darkness, yet the light of that moment shone brighter than any star in that midnight sky.

THE ONBOARD EXPERIENCE

Officially entering service in 2022, the Discovery Princess is the third vessel designed from the ground up with Princess MedallionClass, next-level technology paired with personalized cruising. Your Medallion is a wearable device that enables everything from touch-free boarding, locating your loved ones anywhere on the ship, easy to make reservations and have anything you need delivered wherever you are onboard. Once you are settled, it is time to begin reveling in all the amenities.

SPA-AH: Be pampered at the Lotus Spa with a detoxifying ocean wrap or a glowing facial that had me radiating the interior of the ship. Continue your zen at The Enclave, an escape to relaxation. Featuring Princess’ largest-ever thermal suite, a dramatic hydro-therapy pool with a cascading rain shower and therapeutic air jets and unique steam bath chambers help melt away stress.

SKIP THE KIDS: Indulge in a private getaway at The Sanctuary – an exclusive adultsonly top deck retreat. Did someone say tax and duty-free shopping? The Shops of Princess make it effortless to purchase your favourite brands –remember, there is no tax at sea.

TAKE A DIP: Up top, freshwater pools and hot tubs offer the ideal spot to take in ocean views. Here, you will also find the exclusive open-air 300-square foot poolside amphitheater, perfect for watching Movies Under the Stars –blankets and popcorn included.

EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY: Treat yourself with specialty dining at Crown Grill, where premium aged beef and fresh seafood go well with a heavenly side of roasted marrow bone and shallot crushed potatoes ending with a decadent salted caramel Crème Brulée cheesecake (be prepared to do some laps on Deck 18 post-meal); grab your best outfit and closest friends and be illuminated by the Chef’s Table, Lumiere. Indulge in champagne and hors d’oeuvres, followed by an extravagant multicourse dinner created and hosted by the ship’s executive chef – a dazzling dining adventure invoking all the senses.

SHOW TIME: There are a myriad of options for nightly entertainment. Broadway-style productions inside The Princess Theatre, live jazz and craft cocktails at Take Five and dance the night away with street performers at the heart of the ship – the European-style Piazza.

HIT THE SNOOZE BUTTON: When your day is done, sleep soundly in a modernly designed luxury mini suite and awake to an Ultimate Balcony Breakfast. This lavish breakfast experience combines mimosas with stacks of platters from smoked salmon to quiches, fresh fruit and baked pastries served in the privacy of your own balcony – it pairs well with scenic views of glaciers floating by. princess.com

WHAT WE’RE LOVING RIGHT NOW

EDITOR’S PICK

Get your wish list ready. These are the wedding dress trends you need to know about - straight from the runway.

BY BRITTANY JOHNSON

OFF THE SHOULDER (left and right) Esé Azénabor, Pnina Tornai

TEA LENGTH (left and right) Kaviar Gauche, Lee Petra Grebenau

VOLUME (left and right) Nardos, Esé Azénabor

SLIT

COLOUR (left and right) Badgley Mischka, Ines Di Santo

PANTSUIT (left and right) Esé Azénabor, Kaviar Gauche

SLEEVES (left and right) Reem Acra, Mira Zwillinger

BOWS (left and right) Anne Barge, Pnina Tornai

HIGH

(left and right) Kim Kassas Couture, Kelly Faetanini

BACKYARD BOHO CHIC

MEAGAN, 36, a travel writer, and David, 40, an army veteran, wanted a simple wedding. Their lives are anything but, as they live on the road full-time, travelling from one continent to the next as frequently as most other people commute to work. As glamorous as that sounds, their lifestyle is focused

on simplicity and being present, and they wanted a low-key, but beautiful destination wedding that reflected that.

They brought together their friends and family from around the world to a very small mountain town in the Catskills in Upstate New York – a place they hold dearly in their hearts. Being with family in a fun and relaxed setting was the most important element, as much of their family and friends had not all been together since

before the pandemic.

Of course, nothing ever goes to plan with these two. A torrential downpour that weekend dampened the original sunny, outdoor vision. But as with every curveball that life has thrown the couple over the last eight years of their relationship, they adapted and embraced the challenge. What resulted was the most magical, fairytale forest wedding that they could have ever imagined.

MEAGAN & DAVID

HOW THEY MET

While on a writing assignment in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Meagan matched with David on Tinder, who was living there at the time. That one moment turned into a whirlwind, long-distance romance for four years until David moved to New York to be with Meagan. They have been inseparable ever since and now live a life of travel full-time.

THE PROPOSAL

While on a road trip across the west coast of Ireland, David proposed to Meagan in the city of Galway over oysters and Champagne.

THE PLACE & VENUE

For our wedding, we found this beautiful spot, tucked away in the heart of the Hudson Valley, surrounded by awe-inspiring mountain views and lush forests called The Graham & Co that offers a charming retreat away from the city life.

THE CELEBRATION

One of our favourite seasons is the summer, thus we wanted our wedding to have that feeling of a ‘backyard’ celebration with our most intimate friends and family members. The venue we chose for the wedding was the perfect space as it offers an array of scenic hiking trails, fishing spots, ski slopes, and stunning views with no shortage of activities to immerse yourself in the culture and heritage of the area.

WEDDING VISION

WEDDING STYLE

Backyard Boho Chic

COLOUR PALETTE The mountain forests of upstate New York. Sage and dark green

FAVOURITE DETAIL The candles and simple greenery. It also torrentially downpoured, which made the mountains misty and magical. Oh and the tables were all named after cities that we’ve travelled to together around the world. And our friend, Bill, sang our song (Vienna by Billy Joel) as we walked down the aisle.

DETAILS & ELEMENTS

Month of the wedding

June, a beautiful summer wedding

Ceremony & Reception

The Graham & Co Catering

Savona’s Trattoria in Kingston, NY

Number of Guests 80

Engagement and Wedding Rings

Engagement ring from Gennaro Jewelers, cruelty-free wedding rings from Brilliant Earth

DJ DJ Dolce Productions

Floral Design Jarita’s Florist, Woodstock NY

Formalwear Dress by Grace Loves Lace, found on Poshmark for 50% off. Suit from Zara

Photography by J. Elizabeth

Photography

Honeymoon We’re thinking officially of New Zealand next year.

Meals/drinks/Cocktail reception

Open bar with wine & beer

(selected by Meagan and David).

Welcome Dinner was a pizza truck catered by Embers Wood-Fired Oven. Rustic Italian feast for the wedding from Savona’s Trattoria

“OUR LIFE IS ONE GIANT HONEYMOON”

RELAXED ROMANCE

WHILE THERE’S EXCITEMENT on wedding day, we’re all about the after party.

The honeymoon is a couple’s time to decompress after the energy and stress of a wedding and do something that is, without a doubt, exclusively for them. And since no two couples are the same, it’s wonderful to know that there are all-inclusive honeymoon resorts around the world that are designed for each type of couple.

An all-inclusive resort is the perfect setting for a honeymoon because couples can truly click into relaxation mode the minute they arrive. Fortunately, the world is blessed with some truly memorable allinclusive resorts that are geared toward every type of traveler.

From over-the-top wellness retreats to idyllic private island paradises, adventure camps in the South African bush and tented escapes in Asia, these are five of the best all-inclusive honeymoon resorts around the world.

When the wedding is over, that’s when the honeymoon magic really starts to happen – here, five of the best allinclusive destinations.

BY MEAGAN DRILLINGER

Photograph courtesy of Royal Malewane

2 WATERSIDE LODGE AT ROYAL MALEWANE, HOEDSPRUIT, SOUTH AFRICA

When it comes to romance and adventure, South Africa is all around the perfect honeymoon destination. Home to spectacular beaches, fabulous wine and electric cities, South Africa has it all. It also happens to have one of the best areas on the continent for safari – Kruger National Park and the surrounding private reserves.

Waterside Lodge at Royal Malewane is a brand-new all-inclusive luxury safari camp nestled in the bush on the Thornybush Game Reserve, adjacent to Kruger National Park. The private park shares its borders with Kruger, meaning that visitors have all the impressive game viewing potential of Kruger, but a fraction of the crowds.

Waterside Lodge itself sits perched on the edge of a watering hole, where hippos coyly pop up from time to time to breathe bubbles at couples having lunch by the water. And what could be more romantic than a glass of champagne in the remoteness of the bush,

with lions and elephants in the distance, as the sun sinks below the horizon?

The entire camp is a work of art – an explosion of vermillion, chartreuse and ocre bursts from the sand-and-sage bush. Rooms are festooned with brilliant paintings, glittering chandeliers and plush, overstuffed sofas. The design of Waterside is the work of Liz Biden, a renowned hotelier in South

1 FO UR SEASONS TENTED CAMP GOLDEN TRIANGLE, CHIANG RAI, THAILAND

Few countries are as suited for romance and honeymoons as Thailand. Dramatic landscapes, from epic beaches to towering mountains and thick jungle, set the scene for a beautiful adventure. Up in northern Thailand, Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle takes romance to the next level, with gorgeous luxury tents, an openair spa and plenty of opportunities to view elephants in the wild.

The intimate resort has only 15 luxury tents. Each has its own outdoor shower, sprawling balconies with jungle views, and vintage deep soaking tubs. No two tents are designed alike, either.

Beyond the dreamy glamping accommodations, the resort also features a beautiful outdoor spa. Guests of the resort even have one treatment included with every reservation.

Of course, the main reason couples book this resort is because of its elephant program, which partners with nonprofits to help repopulate the jungles with these majestic creatures. fourseasons.com/ goldentriangle

Africa. Her latest masterpiece is a cut above. What makes Waterside even more appealing to couples on honeymoon is the all-inclusive arrangement. This comprehensive plan includes all meals and local wines and spirits, twice daily game drives, a fully stocked mini bar, and laundry services. theroyalportfolio.com/royalmalewane

3 THE BRANDO, FRENCH POLYNESIA

What sets the scene for a honeymoon better than a sun-bleached private island in French Polynesia? Tahiti's The Brando private island resort is the most idyllic backdrop for fulfilling the ultimate honeymoon fantasy.

Thirty five private villas are scattered across the picturesque swath of sugary sand, surrounded by the swirling turquoise waters of the South Pacific. The remote location of The Brando is all part of the experience, though travelers should know that it does take a bit of effort to get there.

Still, the visuals, combined with the white glove service, impeccable design, and fivestar amenities ensure that this honeymoon all-inclusive resort is worth the splurge.

Each villa has its own private pool,

terrace, and outdoor soaking tub. As part of the all-inclusive package, guests can choose from the three restaurants on property, as well as private beachfront dinners and 24hour in-room dining.

It may not be the most convenient resort to get to, but the experience will make memories that will last a lifetime.

thebrando.com

4 JADE MO UNTAIN, ST. LUCIA

No list of romantic all-inclusive resorts is complete without a mention of Jade Mountain in St. Lucia, arguably the most beautiful Caribbean resort. This colourful, clifftop getaway is shrouded in jungle foliage and marked by a series of M.C. Escheresque bridges, creating a posh playground

overlooking the iconic Pitons.

Each room, or "Sanctuary," at the resort is specially designed with the fourth wall removed, leaving all rooms exposed to the supremely epic views of St. Lucia's Piton mountains. All rooms have gorgeous infinity plunge pools, from which couples can sip champagne and drink in the views.

Colour plays a huge role in the aesthetic of Jade Mountain, with multicoloured tile pools that shimmer in the sunlight. The sky above the resort is also part of the scenery, especially during sunrise and sunset when it explodes with pinks, oranges, and purples. Among the top-level amenities include meals designed by a James Beard Awardwinning chef, spa treatments, and private dinners for two atop the secluded Celestial Terrace. Jademountain.com

5 THE PALMS, TANZANIA

Along the sugary southeastern coast of Zanzibar sits one of the most luxurious and photogenic all-inclusive resorts in the world. The Palms is all about privacy, intimacy and, of course, all things included.

Seven villas set the scene for the ultimate in romance. Each villa measures at more than 140 square metres, with a classic colour palette of coffee and cream. Think gauzy curtains blowing in that southern African breeze, dark wood floors and a veranda with a silk-draped four-poster bed that overlooks a plunge pool and views of the Indian Ocean.

If couples can pry themselves away from their secluded quarters, they'll find languidly swaying palm trees that dot a powder soft beach, a PADI Gold Palm and RAID diving centre – the only one on Zanzibar – and a menu of educational experiences like Swahili lessons or palm weaving.

Activities can be tailored for couples celebrating their honeymoon, like a private beach sundowner, a lantern-lit dinner for two, couples massages, or a private tour of the palaces in nearby Stone Town. palms-zanzibar.com

Photographs courtesy of the properties

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ANANDA IN THE HIMALAYAS GARHWAL UTTARAKHAND, INDIA

ON A FORMER Maharaja’s palace estate in the Himalayan foothills, this destination spa will help you restore balance and find your inner yogi. After all, it’s located near Rishikesh, considered the birthplace of yoga and Ayurveda. The sprawling 25,000-square-foot property has an equally expansive team of holistic practitioners and wellness programmes, including holistic detox, dhyana meditation and stress management. One of its most popular, Ayurvedic rejuvenation, teaches you to slow down and find balance.

anandaspa.com

—Vawn Himmelsbach

Photo courtesy of property