Excursion tips

ATIRA. When the inhabitants of this valley talk about sustainability, they use terms such as ‘Amur’ (love), ‘Teritore’ (territory), ‘Insegnamënt’ (education), ‘Respet’ (respect) and ‘Ambiënt’ (environment). ATIRA, which means ‘immediately’ in Ladin, was born out of this deep sense of responsibility. These words do not need translation, but rather actions, even small ones, concrete and immediate. ATIRA is a series of meetings and excursions that take place every Monday during the summer season, with the aim of making residents and visitors aware of issues that are crucial for the sustainable development of the territory and important for the community. Accompanied by local experts, the excursion participants will not only learn fascinating facts about the mountains, but also how to actively contribute to the protection of the territory. With ATIRA you become a guardian of the Dolomites.

A flat tire. A medical situation. A tour that runs overtime. Any of these delays could prevent a shore excursion operator from returning guests on time to a port of call and risk the ship departing without them.

Australia is home to its fair share of fascinating creatures—the frilled lizard, quokka and platypus, to name a few—and when it comes to spotting a massive array of native species in the flesh, few destinations can compare to Kangaroo Island. Located just southwest of Adelaide, this storied site serves as one of South Australia’s crown jewels for ecotourism, with no shortage of protected preserves that play host to all sorts of indigenous flora and fauna. As you plan your next trip to Australia’s southern shore, be sure to save some room on the itinerary for a wildlife-filled foray into the depths of Kangaroo Island.

It’s a sight that most cruisers dread: Watching their ship sail out of port as they sprint down the pier. But for one reason or another, missing a cruise ship is a situation that travelers could easily find themselves in.

A couple says they were stranded on a small African island after they missed a cruise ship's boarding deadline, according to local media.

“We could combine this with a trip to Leonardo da Vinci's birthplace,” suggests Paola Donato, a shore excursion expert in Italy for Windstar Cruises. It's a January morning, and I'm standing on the tree-lined grounds of the 16th-century Villa Dianella winery in Tuscany with Donato, project manager Melissa Witsoe, and destination manager Gonzalo Mones as they choose locations for new shore excursions for their Legendary Winter in the Mediterranean sailing. This year marks the first time Windstar will sail the Med in the colder months, but the trio is already planning for 2025.

AMSTERDAM -- The ASTA River Cruise Expo returned to Europe for its third year, featuring more ships, more travel advisors and an even larger venue.

Alaska cruises are so popular because they’re an easy way to surround yourself with some of the country’s most beautiful scenery while taking advantage of all the perks of a luxury ship – like top notch accommodations, fun activities and great food.

As a boat picked my friend Katie and me up on the beaches of Dangriga, Belize, we had about 25 minutes to bond with the other guests traveling to Thatch Caye resort.

I've been on two African safari trips. Both involved glamping but on completely different budgets.

The best Alaska cruise excursions can range from the thrilling to the serene. Passengers can fly on sleds led by huskies, ogle bald eagles and salmon-gobbling grizzlies, and soar over towering glaciers in a helicopter. And the best part? All these activities are planned for you as part of the cruise itinerary—as a way for travelers to sample the diverse wonders of The Last Frontier in one fell swoop.

Train lovers everywhere wait all year for Hudson River Rail's annual excursions that allow passengers to relive the historic splendor of the 20th Century Limited express passenger train, once billed as the “most famous train in the world.” The popular rail journeys sell out every year—and last year, tickets were snapped up in minutes.

Top 5 popular activities in Germany include free tours of Berlin, Munich, the Berlin Wall, Hamburg, and excursions to historical sites like Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp.

From a ride one of Europe’s most famous railway journeys that twists and turns through a lush valley from a mountain plateau to fjord, to a gentle stroll past waterfalls and picturesque farms to a historic church, Norway’s Flåm offers something for everyone as a cruise port call.

Steam locomotives were a widely used means of transportation in 19th-century America, but we've mostly moved on to more efficient (and less sooty) ways to get from one place to another.

Who wouldn’t be seduced by the selection of fine wines and cheeses, and other sensory delights served aboard Le Bougainville, the 430-foot-long mega-yacht that the luxury travel company, Abercrombie and Kent, charters for their 10-day Greek islands cruise?

Velana International Airport in Male is the gateway for most visitors to the island-nation of the Maldives. As you disembark, take in a delicious blast of salty sea air and glimpse the tantalizing turquoise waters.

Avalon Waterways will sail its first river cruises in France's Bordeaux region.

It’s time to bust the myth that there’s nothing to do in the Maldives apart from sipping rainbow-hued cocktails, snapping beachfront selfies and sprawling on chaise longues.

Guests visiting the Kirkenes Snow Hotel in Northern Norway should expect a frosty reception from a polar bear. Once beyond the check-in desk, a true winter wonderland awaits, year-round.

From spellbinding winter scenery straight out of a fairytale to dining on the freshest seafood on brand new ships, the Norwegian coastal route offers a truly unique travel experience during the winter months.