Dreams tips

There’s a new luxury train on the horizon that is aiming to enter the pantheon of classic trains and iconic rail journeys like the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, the Royal Scotsman, and Africa’s Rovos Rail.

Orlando, Florida, is a place where dreams come to life. Known for its world-famous theme parks like Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and the eagerly anticipated Epic Universe theme park set to open in 2025, it's a wonderland for families worldwide. But nestled among these giants is a new marvel that's redefining the very essence of a child's vacation fantasy: the Villatel Orlando Resort.

"Look, kids, the shark is right under the boat!" I shout, pointing at the disappearing fin. My 7-year-old pinches her nose and dives in.

When a traveler experiences a truly captivating beach getaway at a hotel or resort, it often compels them to return.

In 1836, George Calvert Yount planted the first wine grapes in the Napa region. Wild grapes grew in the area, but Yount saw the potential for winemaking, and subsequent settlers followed suit with their own vineyards, including traditional European vitis vinifera grapevines.

Campaign’s aim is to promote the promise of making travel and everyday life easier and more enjoyable with ALL.com, the Accor group’s booking platform and loyalty programme.

The all-inclusive Dreams Corfu Resort & Spa in Corfu, Greece, blends the seamlessness of Inclusive Collection hotels with an idyllic European setting. The property, perched on Gouvia Bay, feels secluded and the calm waters of the sea provide an almost lakeside feel. Guests wake to colorful sunrises and, as the sun sets, the resorts' seaside restaurants come to life. 

Celebrating its 10th birthday this year, Glow Wild at Wakehurst, Kew’s more rural botanic garden in the Sussex countryside, will feature a huge illuminated whale and a projected version of Catherine Nelson’s colourful Planet Wakehurst, one of the UK’s biggest outdoor artworks. There will be thousands of lanterns as always, crafted by local volunteers, community groups and artists. This year’s shapes include buzzing pollinators, leaping fish, raindrops, thunderclouds and tiny seahorses. Wakehurst boasts the UK’s tallest living Christmas tree, a 37-metre-high giant redwood decorated with 1,800 bulbs. There’s an interactive puppet show near the marshmallow-toasting firepit and wishing stars to hang in the trees.Various evenings from 23 November to 1 January, adult from £18, child from £11.50,kew.org

I was in high school when "Gilmore Girls" premiered, and I watched it each week from my home in the suburbs. Though I didn't necessarily want to be Rory or Lorelai, I did covet one aspect of their life: Stars Hollow.

The Cyprus property market has been booming for a while, but the focus has been on the residential sector, rather than retail. However, the first casino in Europe from Hong Kong-based Melco Resorts potentially opens the door wider to luxury shopping.

On a central downtown corner, a vast shop in a bright red historic building reflects the heart of Cheyenne, Wyoming. Of course, a cowboy hat is de rigueur here in the boundless West, and you could get lost for hours in The Wrangler. Ultimately, you’ll leave happy after your fitting for the cowboy chapeau of your dreams, and having watched a skilled hat shaper mold it into just the style you prefer. Their boot selection is endless and so too is the supply of sartorial gear that you hadn’t known you needed for the city’s annual Cheyenne Frontier Days.

I've had the luxury of sitting underneath glass-dome windows as my Rocky Mountaineer train barreled between Colorado's mountains.