Quark Expeditions Is Offering Free Alcohol and Wi-Fi on All Antarctica Cruises Starting Next Year

These long evenings at the year’s turn, when dusk seems to fall just after lunch, take me back to the extreme polar night I spent on a small, rocky island off the west coast of Greenland a few winters ago. The inhabitants of the Upernavik archipelago have no sight of the sun from late November to January. When I received the email inviting me to work in the artist’s “refuge” at the island museum – described as the most northerly in the world – I was offered a choice of summer or winter. “Contrary to the summertime,” wrote the museum director, “the darkness of the winter to many southerners seems like a terrible and nasty time lying in wait. But when one gets accustomed to the darkness it allows an interlude for thought that one usually lacks.”

There’s plenty of evidence that 2024 will be a watershed year for luxury travel.

There’s a growing appetite for expedition travel, including cruising, among intrepid families. From gazing at serrated teal icebergs in Antarctica to island-hopping in the Galápagos, there are a slew of exhilarating expedition voyages designed to meet the needs of families looking for more meaningful shared travel experiences. As an added boon for parents, some even offer onboard kids programming, nature guides for younger travelers, and interconnecting cabins to accommodate larger broods.

Virgin Atlantic will make it easier to fly between the United States and the United Kingdom next summer with added frequencies to both New York City and Boston.

Saudi Arabian low-cost carrier Flynas has hired Goldman Sachs Group, Morgan Stanley and Saudi Fransi Capital for a potential initial public offering on the Saudi Exchange (Tadawul), according to a Bloomberg report.

 Broadly speaking, the concept of experiential travel refers to immersive experiences — the kind that aims to forge a deeper connection with a destination than can usually be had from traditional leisure holidays. These often involve an element of adventure, whether physical, cultural or spiritual. According to trend-spotting agency Mabrian, these kinds of trips are now almost as high on the average traveller’s wish list as more conventional holidays — defined as involving activities such as sunbathing, family gatherings or shopping.

On a bone-chilling December morning, a thick sea mist shrouds Venice’s towers and palazzi. The alleys are filled with damp, salty air and infrequent hurried footsteps. At this hour, few people are out enjoying the city, but it is a truly magical moment.

Dallas, Texas, beckons visitors with a compelling blend of cultural richness and modern allure. The city’s vibrant cultural scene boasts world-class museums such as the Dallas Museum of Art and the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. History comes alive at Dealey Plaza, forever etched in memory as the site of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, and the Sixth Floor Museum provides a poignant exploration of that pivotal moment. Dallas also offers an array of sports experiences, from cheering on the Dallas Cowboys to catching a game with the Mavericks or the Texas Rangers. The city’s shopping districts, including NorthPark Center and the Galleria Dallas, cater to diverse tastes, and its culinary landscape ranges from authentic Tex-Mex and barbecue joints to upscale dining in trendy neighborhoods like the Bishop Arts District.

Alaska Airlines has launched a new partnership with a Canadian airline, soon benefitting passengers across both sides of the border. 

As a kid, I’d write letters to George Bass, an American professor of underwater archaeology who used to contribute to National Geographic magazine. He actually responded, and we carried on this correspondence for many years — me begging him to take me along on one of his expeditions, him always finding a reason not to. Until, many years later [following Mensun’s studies in ancient history and archaeology], he asked if I could be on the Greek island of Kos in a week’s time. I didn’t ask any questions. This was my open door, and I walked through it.

Low-cost airline Breeze Airways is adding to its warm-weather routes next year with seasonal flights from Connecticut to Orlando and new service from the New England state to Orange County, California.

It's not enough for cruise lines to talk about sustainability anymore. Passengers want action — and now they are getting it.