This as-told-to essay is based on conversations with Vincent McNally, a retired FBI special agent who worked as a security officer on Holland America Line cruise ships from 2005 to 2011. His words have been edited for length and clarity.
06.10.2023 - 14:43 / forbes.com / News
Want to get a jump on planning next year’s vacations? OvationNetwork, a luxury travel agency that’s part of the Virtuoso group of travel advisors, recently revealed its list of the 24 best places to travel in 2024. Among the destinations recommended are Sardinia, Italy; San Sebastián, Spain; Jeju, South Korea; and Ha Long, Vietnam (above), a UNESCO World Heritage site where a junk boat voyage is a must.
The Azamara cruise line recently unveiled a wondrous itinerary: a 155-night world cruise with visits to all seven wonders of the world. The voyage, which is set to launch in 2026, begins in Miami and concludes in Barcelona, with more than 35 countries along the way. But the highlight of the journey is access to those modern wonders, including the Taj Mahal, Great Wall of China, and Machu Picchu.
Anyone who has ever tried to plan an extensive vacation to Walt Disney World in Orlando knows it can be a complex operation with seemingly endless costly extras. Which is why Jonathan Alder, a luxury travel advisor, has put together a $50,000 Disney itinerary that alleviates the headaches and fast tracks the entire stay. Beyond the perks of private transportation and exclusive ride access is the greatest Disney perk of all—a buyout of the entire theme park.
Hilton has added more than 20,000 Tesla charging stations to its vast hotel network to accommodate the increasing number of guests who arrive in electric vehicles. Beginning next year, each Hilton property will have at least six charging spots, which can be used by most EVs—not just Tesla vehicles.
Historic Hotels of America keeps a list of its 25 most haunted properties—among them, Colorado’s Stanley Hotel, which inspired The Shining. But how can you tell if a hotel is actually haunted or if it’s just clever marketing? Among the signs to look for, according to paranormal experts, are objects that move on their own, electronics that turn on and off by themselves and unexplained cold spots. Oh, and if you see twin girls hanging out by the elevators, check out immediately.
This as-told-to essay is based on conversations with Vincent McNally, a retired FBI special agent who worked as a security officer on Holland America Line cruise ships from 2005 to 2011. His words have been edited for length and clarity.
For the 12th consecutive year, Saadiyat Island Abu Dhabi has been titled as the “Middle East’s Leading Beach Destination” by the World Travel Awards, dubbed the “Oscars of the Travel Industry”, reaffirming its position as the Middle East’s #BestBeach destination.
Surrounded by four mountain ranges, Palm Springs is one of Southern California's most popular weekend destinations and the ultimate desert resort oasis. The area comprises nine cities — Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio, and Coachella — each with its unique style and attraction for legions of followers.
To hop or not to hop is the question when trying to plan the ultimate Disneyland experience.
It’s one thing to love a hotel room with a balcony, quite another to stay in one that’s built into the side of a mountain. But for longtime Forbes travel writer Jim Dobson—who first slept in a cave hotel many years ago in Santorini, Greece—the experience provides a neo-ancient twist on a room with a view. From Mallorca and Puglia to Turkey and Texas, here are some of the most amazing hotel suites built into caves.
From Samhain and All Souls’ Day to Día de Muertos and good old All Hallow’s Eve (Halloween), the northern hemisphere’s autumnal shift into the long, dark days of winter produces creepy and colorful celebrations around the globe.
Costa Navarino, a luxury resort destination in Greece’s Messinia region, may not have the cultural cachet of Mykonos or Santorini, but that could soon change with the opening on Mandarin Oriental’s first Greek property. Mandarin Oriental Costa Navarino features 99 suites and villas with views of the Ionian Sea. The hotel also features five restaurants, a spa and an 82-foot swimming pool. Should you actually want to leave the property, it’s a short drive to the 18-hole Bay Course, which also has views of the coast.
American Airlines is gearing up for the new year with several new flight routes to popular summer destinations in 2024.
Fall is shoulder season for Alaska, Mexico, and the Caribbean—and for fall cruises, that means emptier ships which allow booking windows to stay open longer. In other words, now is a great time to snag a last-minute sailing.
Some kids get annoyed when their parents track their location, but as a 27-year-old frequent solo traveler, I consider it a blessing.
It may be getting colder, but low-cost airline Norse Atlantic Airways is looking ahead to summer with a full schedule of budget-friendly flights between the United States and Europe.
It's that time of year again. No, not the time when houses are fully decorated for Halloween, though holiday decorations are slowly making their way onto shelves. But it's also the time of year when Disney raises its prices. In fact, it was exactly one year ago today that Disney announced a slew of increases across multiple categories.