Dispatch, Explora Journeys: Unconventional luxury

An island that lures with its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, Bali is a destination that should be visited at least once in a lifetime. Known for its rice terraces, lush jungle, sandy beaches and Hindu temples, it offers a plethora of experiences and appeals to a range of travelers — from surfers and yogis to honeymooners, families and spiritual seekers.

It’s been a year since Four Seasons brought on new CEO and president Alejandro Reynal and rolled out a new marketing campaign. So I wanted to check in on the luxury hotel and resort powerhouse.

Internova Travel Group, a network of travel agencies owned by private equity firm Certares, plans to expand its investments in the luxury space. That will help give its more than 100,000 travel advisors more boutique hotel offerings and packages to offer customers. 

Tokyo's Shibuya ward is quickly becoming a popular tourist destination, especially among fashionable young people.

I spent a night in Oceania Cruises' new Vista ship and discovered a floating haven for your bougie — but not baller — grandparents.

A little before 10:30 a.m., a royal blue train hummed into Platform 4 at Venice’s Santa Lucia station, coming to a halt with a hiss. More than a few passengers had expected a steam engine, surprised—if not a little disappointed—to see the modern locomotive pulling along 16 carriages almost a third of a mile. “This train is far too heavy for a steam engine; it’s been years since they used one,” said the attendant greeting guests. With bags and suit carriers already handed over to stewards, passengers walked the length of the train searching for their carriages as red carpets rolled out of the doorways like tongues cooling off.

If you've only sailed with the likes of Carnival or Margaritaville, you might not think of cruise vacations as the pinnacle of luxury travel.

From aerial photos of sunny beaches captured from an open-door helicopter to posing dogs in berets in Paris, fine art photographer Gray Malin is a master at capturing shots that evoke the feeling of vacation and joy.

For most of us living north of the border, Halloween is a one-night affair for the young and young at heart. In Mexico and other parts of Latin America, Dia de los Muertos (“The Day of the Dead”) is celebrated on Nov. 1 and 2, and in some regions on Oct. 31 and Nov. 6 as well. Its customs are for all ages, and more spiritually significant than trick-or-treating: everything from bringing offerings to the graves of the departed (often marigold flowers and the deceased’s favorite foods or beverages) to homemade altars and incense to lure the spirits of the deceased. Celebrations also honor the living. Many drop off treats like candy sugar skulls to their family and friends.

Step into a world where art transcends the boundaries of traditional galleries and finds its home within the luxurious confines of some of the world's most esteemed hotels. In this captivating journey, we will explore the intriguing fusion of hospitality and artistic expression, taking you on a tour of remarkable hotels with impressive art collections.

A few years ago, competition from low-cost airlines and high-speed railways looked like they would spell the end for sleeper trains, which were increasingly starting to look like relics.

Dancing palms, lush hilly landscapes, and sunrises worth getting up for are not the only reasons to visit Ubud, a hippie-friendly destination in Bali made popular by Elizabeth Gilbert’s best-selling book, Eat Pray Love, and the blockbuster movie with the same name, starring Julia Roberts and Javier Bardem.