Travel in Spain

You’ve booked your flight and made a list of everything you plan to see, do and eat in Spain. The only thing left to do is pack your bags!

Many travellers set off on a trip hoping it will be unique to them. Eager to be the first to discover hidden gems, away from the bustling crowds and overtouristed sights.

The year was 2005 and Antonio Catalán created the first AC Hotel in his home region of Navarra, Spain. His goal was to create something simple and modern that offered the essence of Spanish hospitality without the frills that guests didn’t always demand. This meant no bell staff, no minibars and fewer ensuite frills. The affordable price point made it a success, and it grew to dozens of hotels across Spain and Italy before catching the eye of Marriott.

“He’s in here, in the kitchen every night and he’s smiling. He’s so happy to be doing this,” explains one of the managers of Café Carmellini. He is chef Andrew Carmellini, well known around New York the past 15 years for his respected but more casual restaurants Locanda Verde, Lafayette, The Dutch, Carne Mare and Bar Primi. This restaurant, which opened November 1st in the new Fifth Avenue Hotel, marks his return to fine dining with reinterpretations of French and Italian classics and as his most personal restaurant is the first one that bears his name. It’s been packed since opening night and looking around the Gilded Age style dining room with its oversized bronze and seeded glass chandeliers suspended from double height ceilings, plush blue banquettes and sculpted trees in the middle of the floor, the chef isn’t the only one smiling.

“We are very lucky to have Matthew Lightner back in Oregon.” That’s the refrain I said to myself course after exquisite course at ōkta, Chef Lightner’s fine dining restaurant in McMinnville, Oregon, in the heart of Willamette Valley wine country.

As 2023 draws to a close, there's a slew of new U.K. and European routes launching in December and the not-so-distant future of 2024.

The historic Spanish port city of Cadiz is rarely advertised as a highlight stop on a cruise itinerary. It’s often a city visited towards the beginning or end of itineraries that focus on the Canary Islands or major Mediterranean ports such as Barcelona.

From the lush and humid forests of the central mountains to the idyllic surfing beaches of the northwest, Puerto Rico is a haven for ecotourism. If it's nature that entices you here, it's the sands, the islands, and the historical cities that will keep you enchanted.

Fall is always an exciting time in New York City, especially because there are so many new restaurant openings. Many tasty newcomers have opened in the last few months and they’re absolutely worth a visit. From buzzy nightlife boîtes to unique omakase destinations, here’s where you should eat before the year is over.

Whether you’re a dedicated bargain hunter, passionate about interiors, a spa-o-holic, an obsessive foodie, love exploring places brimming with history and atmosphere, or adore contemporary art, then you’ve come to the right place. Few places on Earth do any of these things quite like Marrakesh.

Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund will acquire a 10% stake in Heathrow Airport, the busiest airport in Europe. Saudi is buying the share off of Ferrovial of Spain, while Paris-based Ardian will acquire 15 percent in a deal worth £2.37 billion ($3 billion) The deal is being made by the Public Investment Fund, known as PIF, which is chaired by the kingdom’s crown prince.

Dreaming of moving to Europe? This could be the perfect time as more and more countries launch digital nomad visas and workplaces continue to offer remote contacts.

Looking to move abroad and give remote working a try? There are dozens of destinations now offering visas to digital nomads.

Last night, at a dazzling ceremony attended by the who’s who of the Spanish culinary universe, the new Michelin stars for Spain were announced.

The Canary Islands welcomes approximately 450,000 LGBTQ+ tourists annually, representing 2.7% of the total tourists to the islands. This accounts for over 5.4% of the tourism revenue and generated a turnover of €960 million in 2022. 

The Port of Seville has been the setting for an unprecedented event in the field of blue tourism: the forum “OPEN INNOVATION: A DEVELOPMENT TOOL FOR BLUE TOURISM”. This meeting brought together the main players in the nautical and port sector, with a special focus on innovation and digital transformation, key elements for the future of this industry. The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport of the Junta de Andalucía, Víctor González, stressed in his speech the essentiality of adopting innovative approaches in tourism: “Innovation is not just an option, but a necessity on the road to a more sustainable and efficient blue tourism. This forum is a clear example of how Andalusia is at the forefront of this transformation”.

Planning a cruise trip doesn’t have to mean a labyrinth of web browser tabs and budgeting spreadsheets. Deciding on your perfect adventure is easier than ever, especially with our 2024 and 2025 cruises. Virgin Voyages has 27 new voyages on deck for the next two years, sailing to new destinations like Spain’s sunny coast and the Great Barrier Reef. But we’re making it easy, with some essential steps to help you plan: 

New Orleans is one of the cities in America’s South with the strongest sense of place. Known for its vibrant culture and distinctive blend of influences, the so-called Crescent City has an allure that captivates visitors from around the world. Whether your Lower Mississippi cruise begins or ends in New Orleans, it’s a city worthy of taking some time to discover. 

According to online travel agency Trip.com, China is broadening its unilateral visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from six nations—France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia—in an effort to bolster the recovery of the East Asian giant’s tourism sector industry. For now, the program is being implemented on a trial basis, with plans to keep it in effect from December 1, 2023, to November 30, 2024.

Charleston, S.C. boasts an abundance of charms, from its perfectly-preserved architecture to gorgeous beaches, top-tier food festivals, historic landmarks, and one of the country’s buzziest dining and nightlife scenes. So it’s no wonder the city has become one of the country’s top travel destinations in recent years.

For many years now there’s been a misconception about Europe… that it’s expensive and that a comfortable retirement there is beyond the reach of the average American...