“Muy bien, Panchita,” I whispered to my horse as she picked her way up the rocky path. It was 5:30 a.m., and the stars above us were lighting the way. Our group was hushed, and the only sounds came from our horse's hooves, the gauchos' commands, and reverent gasps as the sun began to rise, revealing the Andes against a pinkening sky. I took a moment to let the experiences of the past weekend wash over me while we rode: Two days prior, I'd learned how to cook by fire with iconic Argentine chef Francis Mallmann. I had, later, taken a sensory wine course taught by one of the first certified sommeliers in Argentina, Mariana Onofri. When we reached the mountain peak, I dismounted my horse and joined my group of fellow travelers circling a roaring fire, as someone handed me a steaming gourd of maté.
Here’s How To Eat Really Well On A Princess Cruise
30.09.2023 - 23:01 / forbes.com
As much as I love cruises for various reasons like convenience and ease, eating really well while sailing the high seas is sadly the exception, not the norm. So as someone who routinely travels with good food in mind, I made it my mission to figure out how to make the most of the dining outlets aboard my latest adventure, a Royal Princess Cruise Ship traversing from Seattle to Alaska and back on the 7-Day Inside Passage (with Glacier Bay National Park).
As with all Princess cruises, there are complimentary options included in your fare, like a standard all-day buffet, three main dining rooms—which serve up local seafood such as Chinook (King) salmon and wild Alaska cod from Princess’ Wild for Alaska Seafood initiative—and casual bites like pastries, pizza by the slice, burgers and hot dogs, and soft serve ice cream. But if you’re sailing for more than a few days, you really should spring for a Plus Beverage Package—especially if you drink alcohol and bottled sparkling water—and try as much as of the specialty dining as possible. That’s where Princess’ culinary flair really shines; plus, the additional fees are more than reasonable.
Restaurants charging extra vary from ship to ship, and Royal Princess had two for dinner: Crown Grill and Sabatini’s. Both require a $35 cover charge per guest, and offer a three-course meal of a starter, main course, and dessert. Though Crown Grill bills itself as a steakhouse, there are ample seafood and vegetarian options. (The chili-marinated jumbo prawns accompanied by onion fried rice and Black and Blue Onion Soup spiked with Jack Daniels and Roquefort were especially well-prepared.) And earlier this year, Princess started offering a special five-course Winemaker’s Dinner priced at $140 per person in partnership with Napa Valley’s celebrated Caymus Vineyards, who’s also curating a new wine menu with suggested pairings.
However, I gravitated more towards Sabatini’s and its classic Italian fare of melty arancini, toothsome spaghetti smothered with rich San Marzano marinara (one of the best pasta dishes I’ve had in recent memory), and fork-tender branzino. If you’re booked in one of the ship’s suites, you’ll also receive a “suite breakfast” daily here. Easily one of the best perks, it’s a far more civilized way to start the day—imagine Champagne mimosas (“breakfast juice” as the staff say), mini pastries, and fluffy made-to-order omelets—than pushing through crowds at the buffet.
Other culinary experiences worth the cost include Ocean Terrace, a sushi bar situated in the atrium. For a $14.99 cover charge, you can dig into an appetizer, your choice of one order of nigiri or sashimi, and two rolls. Standouts include the thick, buttery slabs of hamachi sashimi and aburi
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There are many reasons to love Chicago, the nation’s third largest city sitting on Lake Michigan and beloved for its iconic skyline, deep dish pizza, Italian beef and top-notch museums. These days however, with more travelers feeling stressed, lonely, and anxious (a recent World Travel Protection survey noted only one third of business travelers are happy traveling for work), finding relaxing activities and sleeping well has never been more important.
These Fall Cruises Are Going to Alaska, Mexico, and More—And There’s Still Time to Book
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How I stuck my oar in – and saw a Venice I’ve never seen before
One of the clues to how Venice was built is the stone it’s built on: the white, pocked stone capping the fondamente that line the city’s canals is pietra d’Istria – a type of limestone that was quarried in what is now Croatia. So how did it get to the other side of the Adriatic sea, to form the foundations of Venice? By boat, of course.
I always eat a pescatarian diet — except when I'm traveling. Instead, I ditch my routine to try new cultural foods.
Depending on how you count it, you could say I've been a pescatarian for seven years. Or just five months.
Why Your Best Cycling Or Hiking Trip Might Be An Active Cruise
Active travel, meaning biking, hiking and multi-sport vacations, have been skyrocketing in popularity since the pandemic. The major tour operators specializing in this field are reporting record traffic and bookings for 2023 and 2024, and this makes a lot of sense, as the pandemic caused a lasting spike in participation in many outdoor sports. Additionally, there are many benefits to active travel - exercise, guilt free indulgence, and seeing the world more deeply at a slower, immersive pace. But within this red-hot category, one niche in particular has been attracting more and more active travelers, both veterans and first timers, and that’s active cruises.
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Avoya Travel Celebrates Success of Inaugural ‘Million Dollar Showcase’ Event
Innovative host agency Avoya Travel recently wrapped up its inaugural ‘Million Dollar Showcase’ for independent agencies (IAs) of the Avoya Network that have logged $1 million or more in sales this year. This new event was created to not only celebrate some of its high-earning agencies by rolling out the VIP treatment, but also to better cater to the needs of its high-earning IAs through one-on-one engagement with supplier reps, and personal and professional development workshops.
‘I was Goldilocks let loose in her dream house’: Inside Italy’s treetop wellness resort
I set clear intentions for my mini holiday. As a self-employed entrepreneur living on the chaotically beautiful island of Sicily and the mother of an ‘energetic’ toddler, I desperately needed ‘me time’.
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Best Mediterranean cruises in 2024 and 2025 for every type of traveler
The Mediterranean region has it all — amazing food and wine, famous historical and cultural landmarks, scenic seaside towns and gorgeous island beaches.