Odyssey tips

Big news, cruise fans: There's a new port for you to visit when cruising to Alaska — at least, that's the hype from tourism officials.

Cruise food and cruise fun go hand-in-hand. Gone are the days when your only food choices were a main dining room and a buffet venue. Royal Caribbean ships are loaded with options — some that are included in your cruise fare and some that cost extra. From the largest ship in the fleet to the smallest, the choices are mind-blowing — especially for new-to-Royal cruisers.

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‘You should be very proud,” said Chemmy Alcott, as my face smacked into thick snow for the third time and my goggles began to steam up with the exertion of constantly righting myself. “You’re one of the first 100 people to come through here this season. You’re flattening the trail, making it easier for everyone else.”

Four frogs with violins gather beneath a window to serenade another frog in a dress. You don’t see that every day. Nor a frog being shaved in a barber’s shop. “People are so obsessed with technology, it can be tough to get them interested in frogs,” says my guide Marina Bitunjac, as we ponder a scene in which one of the amphibious creatures balances a boot on his nose.  

Taking a year off and traveling cross country is a dream many never actually get to live out. Those who procrastinate, and explain away their road trip reluctance, often do so by citing real-life responsibilities and jobs. Taking a year-long vacation would mean neglecting a career. But what if you could do both? That’s what aspiring astrophotographer Anthony DeSantis did when he embarked on a one-year vanlife trip across the US — in a van he built himself — with the goal of turning his passion into a career.

In the world of travel, Say Hueque emerges as a beacon of purposeful exploration.

“Are you ready, people?” the man cries out. The onlookers around him in Mallory Square stamp their feet and clap their hands. He’s shirtless and lean, and he’s got them hooked. “Remember, I’m 65 years old, but I’m gonna dive through that hoop straight onto the hard concrete!” A lady he’s selected from the crowd stands with the hoop at the end of her outstretched arms. “And guess what you all gonna do?,” the street performer continues with gusto, patrolling like a ringmaster. “You gonna put money in this bucket!” He selects another victim and shakes a red bucket playfully under his nose. “Don’t worry if you ain’t got a 20-buck note, mister. Two tens will do!”

The word “epic” is overused, especially in travel. Epic adventures, epic views, epic journeys. Come on – when your hotel’s breakfast buffet is epic, is anything? The word more correctly (some might say snootily) refers to those long (some might say interminable) tales of heroic adventure from classical times, particularly classical Greek times.

This bespoke travel itinerary was curated in partnership with Xbox One X and is part of Visit Xbox 2019. Put your self in the game and visit some of the incredible destinations that inspired the open world to Assassins Creed Odyssey.