The 2023-24 ski season is off to a rocky start in much of the U.S., despite an El Nino weather pattern having promised another snowy winter.
25.12.2023 - 09:11 / nationalgeographic.com / Sylvia Earle / Milford Sound / Cruises
The cruise industry is seeing a surge in demand for expeditions that bring us closer to the diversity of wildlife inhabiting some of the most pristine parts of our natural world. From journeys through Arctic waters, expeditions in the Amazon rainforest and island-hopping in the volcanic Galápagos archipelago, we round up 11 of our favourites for the year ahead.
On Lindblad’s National Geographic Orionexpedition ship, the Coastal New Zealand journey takes up to 102 guests on an adventure either southbound from Auckland to Milford Sound or northbound from Milford to Auckland. The Bay of Islands, Great Barrier Island, Kaikoura and Dunedin feature among the stops on this coastal odyssey, which takes in spectacular landscapes such as the legendary fiords of Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound and Dusky Sound. Along the way, exploratory hikes led by expedition guides and expert naturalists bring you near Australasian gannets, little blue penguins (the world’s smallest penguin) and yellow-eyed penguins, with whale-watching and sightings of dusky dolphins a part of the experience in the seas off Kaikoura. The coastal New Zealand experience also offers insights into Māori culture, plus an introduction to the country’s culinary specialities and wines is also on the itinerary.
Immense glaciers, jagged peaks and Arctic tundra make up the dramatic landscapes of what’s recognised as the world’s largest island, spanning an area of 836,330sq miles. It’s also the setting for the world’s largest national park, Northeast Greenland. This Arctic environment is the habitat for land mammals like the polar bear, reindeer, musk ox, moose and Arctic fox, with ringed seals, humpback and minke whales also seen off the coast. AE Expeditions offers the Greenland Odyssey via its new 71-cabin, 100% climate-neutral expedition ship, Sylvia Earle, which has a Citizen Science Centre on board. Cruises, aimed at getting passengers off the ship and into nature as much as possible, head between key coastal sites such as Kangerlussuaq Fjord, Prince Christian Sound and the UNESCO World Heritage Area of Ilulissat Icefjord with opportunities to spot the island’s wildlife from the rigid inflatable boats, on hikes and via kayak.
Three vessels — the four-suite Delfin I, 14-suite Delfin II and 22-suite Delfin III — make up the fleet of Peruvian-owned Delfin Amazon — the first cruise company to have become a part of Relais & Chateaux. Expeditions on these three upscale vessels navigate the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve in the Upper Peruvian Amazon. Authenticity is brought into the sustainably built vessels through the integration of craftsmanship by artisan communities, the sourcing of food from local growers for its gourmet Amazonian Peruvian cuisine,
The 2023-24 ski season is off to a rocky start in much of the U.S., despite an El Nino weather pattern having promised another snowy winter.
Welcome to Wave Season—prime time to score the best cruise deals of 2024 (for sailings well into 2025), whether you're a seasoned sailor or novice passenger. During wave season—which happens annually, usually from January through March—cruise lines offer up their best deals, savings, and perks. And this year is no exception, with the world's best cruise operators offering deep discounts worth thousands of dollars, free upgrades for staterooms and suites, and onboard credits that can be spent however you wish.
Looking for a special place to stay in Iceland?
Prince Edward Island (PEI) may be Canada’s smallest province, but its sprawling coastline and rolling farmland have influenced a succession of innovative local chefs. The seafood dishes on the island are second to none, while its rich soil provides a bounty of flavoursome potatoes and vegetables. Visitors will discover a huge choice of restaurants in Charlottetown, PEI’s captivating capital, but make sure to also explore the many culinary hotspots found in lesser-known locations throughout the island. Wherever you head, you’ll discover unique dining experiences delivered by passionate people championing local produce.
It’s going to be a great year for airfare with domestic prices predicted to start even cheaper than 2023 and remain low for the next six months.
Seattle skies were glowing with color as the Space Needle rang in 2024 with a brilliant light, drone, and pyrotechnic spectacular for the West Coast—and the world—to see. The T-Mobile New Year’s at the Needle extravaganza was the longest show in the event’s 32-year history, stunning viewers with an 18-minute display. More viewers were able to tune in than ever before with the event broadcast live for the first time in Portland and Spokane, in addition to Seattle.
When I wake up, I wash my face with Relevant Complete Cleansing Serum, which is part of the skin-care line I founded in 2022. I love it because it’s hydrating and doesn’t strip your skin. Three times a week I exfoliate with The Things We Do Gly Glow Scrub. I follow up with the Relevant Beam + Glow Eye Serum, which I use all around my eyes but also on the fine lines around my mouth. I use the Sunburst C+ Superfruit Serum, and then I finish with Relevant’s One & Done Everyday Cream With SPF 40. It doesn’t leave a cast on the skin, and you can reapply it over makeup. In the shower, I use Saltair’s Exotic Pulp body wash and República’s Sugar Body Polish. I was not into bar soaps for a while, but the beauty retailer I co-founded, Thirteen Lune, now carries Gently. I love Karité’s Hydrating Body Cream and Goop’s Afterglow Body Oil — my skin just drinks those up. I’ve been using Kiehl’s Creme de Corps since college.
Why not get the new year off to a great start by visiting Finland, often said to be the happiest country in the world. The country has an endless supply of amazing adventures tailored for every kind of traveler. The enchanting landscapes, teeming with thousands of lakes, millions of saunas, and a bounty of fresh, forest-inspired cuisine, provide a perfect backdrop for well-deserved rest and holistic wellbeing. Here’s a curated list of the best nine experiences in Finland to add to your travel bucket list for the upcoming year.
For the vast majority of travelers, a cruise is anything from a weekend getaway to a 7- or 14-day vacation in the sun. Some people can afford the time and money to splash out on a longer trip, perhaps an intensive month-long historic tour of the Mediterranean, or the Caribbean and Central America. But for the fortunate few, there is another option.
Germany is celebrating the 250th birthday of one of its best-loved painters, the Romantic artist Caspar David Friedrich (1774-1840). His work features mountains, ruins and stormy seas, often with human figures, such as Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog. There are exhibitions in Hamburg (until 1 April), Berlin (19 April to 4 August) and Dresden (24 August to 5 January 2025), where Friedrich lived for 40 years; he is buried in the city’s Trinitatis Cemetery. His birthplace, Greifswald, has a festival (31 August-1 September) and three exhibitions at the Pomeranian State Museum (from 28 April). Visitors can also follow in the artist’s footsteps – literally, as he preferred to travel on foot, sketchbook in hand – to locations in his paintings, such as Rügen Island or the Saxon Switzerland national park.germany.travel
Top five destinations for flight bookings during the first week of the Big Orange Sale were Amsterdam, Paris, Geneva, Alicante and Malaga.
56 travel industry awards won in 2023.