Like its namesake canal, Panama has historically served as a gateway to other ports of call throughout the Caribbean and South America. But in the last few years, the country's capital city has emerged onto the global stage: Magnificent hotels are preserving the architecture of Casco Viejo, the colonial center. Restaurant openings are showcasing Panama's diversity and culinary flair. And getting to the Dubai of Central America (so named for its skyscraper-studded cityscape) is easier than ever, thanks to new flights on hometown carrier Copa Airlines and stops by cruise lines, including Norwegian, Crystal, and Oceania, at the recently expanded Fuerte Amador terminal. Yes, you can do a single shore day—but you'll want to come back for more.
Amarla Casco Viejo opened in 2022 as an eight-room relaxed-luxury refuge in a Spanish colonial home.
Kanibal is a new rooftop bar with inventive cocktails and killer views of the Panamanian skyline.
Dazzling hotels are reimagining landmark buildings to celebrate the legacy of Casco Viejo, Panama City's colorful old town. Located next to the centuries-old Spanish colonial home Casa Góngora, which survived multiple fires over the centuries, Amarla Casco Viejo opened in 2022 as an eight-room relaxed-luxury refuge which sells art that benefits local Indigenous communities and is convenient for snorkeling excursions to the nearby Pearl Islands.
American Trade Hotel became a hotel in 2013, nearly a century after it was first built in 1917 as the headquarters of the American Trade Development Company. Its colonial design and Jazz Age energy draws tourists and locals alike to its recently reconceptualized music lounge, The Club. Once dedicated solely to jazz, it now also hosts salsa and tango nights, spotlighting the city's diverse live-music scene.
Neoclassical grande dame Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo opened its doors in 2023 after a to-the-studs renovation of the Club Unión, constructed in 1917 as a social hub for the Panama City elite. Most rooms have sea-facing views, as do the expansive spa and pool, the wellness and fitness center, and a restaurant patio perfect for cocktails at sunset. And what was once an 18th-century Jesuit monastery now sparkles as Hotel La Compañia, an 88-room miniature universe that takes up an entire block of Casco Viejo. Its latest addition, unveiled this year, is the restored Villa Ana, a historic four-story mansion just up the street that now offers a restaurant, a gallery space, a speakeasy, and a cigar bar, all themed around the former owner's eccentricities.
At Kaandela, Top Chef Panama alum Edy Acedo leads the fiery kitchen.
In Panama City, the country's gastronomic riches collide with its multicultural history.
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Airfare sales are nothing new, but one low-cost carrier is taking it to an extreme. Flair Airlines, a low-cost Canadian airline, recently announced it would be discounting their base fares to just one (Canadian) dollar on select routes from Cancun, Orlando, Las Vegas, and Puerto Vallarta to Canada. While the fare may only be one dollar, the taxes and fees total approximately $15.14 per flight segment, including security and government fees. The base fares do not include any baggage, so travelers with a personal item, checked luggage, and carry-on luggage will need to add a bundle, which can be as much as $56. This is a similar pricing model that has been adopted in the United States by airlines such as Frontier, Spirit, and Allegiant which offer basic economy fares without any frills.
Travelers don’t tend to linger in Cairo once they’ve seen the sights — the city can be notoriously tricky to navigate. But a new collection of serviced apartments from the team behind the luxurious Set Nefru dahabiya boat on the Nile, as well as Al Moudira, a charming hotel in the southern city of Luxor, is giving visitors a reason to stick around.
The thing about Hawaii cruises is that there’s no bad time of year to take one. Thanks to its year-round sunshine and warm weather, Hawaii will be there for you whenever you’re ready to set sail.
Nestled on Florida's west coast, Tampa's cruise port is situated on the bay, rather than directly on the Gulf of Mexico. Port Tampa Bay serves five cruise lines and offers a variety of sailings to destinations like the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Mexico and Central America.
Rick Steves, a travel writer who has built an empire of guidebooks, radio shows and television programs that focus on Europe, said on Wednesday that he had recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer.