Sea tips

If someone opened a seafood restaurant, they might be tempted to call it Ocean. But in the hands of chef Hans Neuner, Portugal’s Michelin two-star Ocean is something far more ambitious than that.

Genoa-born chef Ivano Ricchebono looks like a Hollywood actor playing a chef in a movie. His restaurant The Cook is in a 14th-century palazzo in the old town, and as I step into the dining room I stop and stare – the entire place is covered with frescoes. It’s wildly romantic. “People get engaged here all the time,” Ivano says with a smile. Awarded his first Michelin star in 2010, he has cooked for Stanley Tucci, and has an international reputation for excellence. But today he’s my tour guide – not to the blossoming fine dining scene but to the affordable (and equally delicious) fare enjoyed by locals every day.

Something of a mini-continent, the island of Sicily in Italy ticks most boxes. Adventurer, art lover, beach bum, ruin explorer: this rugged chunk of sun-spun land at the crossroads of the Tyrrhenian, Ionian and Mediterranean seas has enticed ancient and modern peoples with its charms since time immemorial. The result: one of Europe's richest and most extraordinary histories, with an unmatched booty of artistic and drop-dead-gorgeous natural treasures. The food and drink's not bad either.

A luxury space travel company is set to mingle fine dining with suborbital travel.

It’s hard to sum up the kaleidoscope of territories, ecosystems and rhythms of life that make up Puglia.

As Earth Day draws near, it's time to reflect on the beauty and diversity of our planet's ecosystems. For those with both a serious case of wanderlust and a passion for the environment, there's no better way to celebrate than by immersing yourself in the natural world. Here’s a selection of 4 of the best destinations that offer not just a getaway, but a chance to engage with wildlife and contribute to conservation efforts.

The 19th-century chestnut ‘The journey is the destination: really doesn’t do justice to the epic-scaled scenery that accompanies every trip in Sicily, big or small. This Italian island straddling three seas might be modest in size, but its varied landscapes are larger than life. Bus, boat, car, train or two wheels: however you get around, Sicily throws up stupendous coastline, mountain and volcano scenery in spades. Going slow is key – but even then, you’ll struggle to ingest a fraction of the natural grandeur en route.

When considering a beach vacation, Scandinavia might not be the first destination that comes to mind. However, this northern region, known for its stunning natural landscapes, also boasts some of the most beautiful and unspoiled beaches in Europe.

Storybook beaches, hissing volcanoes and granita in spades: Sicily offers what every kid dreams of.

When you find yourself in an exquisite locale that most people have yet to visit, you’re tempted to keep it to yourself. But when Four Seasons recognizes that locale for the gem it is? Well, now you just want to shout it from the rooftops.

Clockwise from top left: Christina Jelski of Travel Weekly, Rauni Kew of the Inn by the Sea in Maine, Joel Morales of Castlerock Asset Management and host Rebecca Tobin talk about their programs to incorporate dogs into the lobby scene of their hotels.

La Mortella is an extraordinary garden we visited on the island of Ischia in the Bay of Naples. It is a wonderland of exotic plants, created in 1958 by Argentinian Susana Walton. Unbelievably sumptuous were the hanging orchids, and the experience was full of other delights such as the biggest lily pads I have ever seen. We were guided by the receptionist (with a talking parrot) to the cafe, where we enjoyed fantastic food and then a concert featuring music written by Susana’s husband, Sir William. The gardens are open from 30 March to 3 November (entry €12) on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Our memory is of music, food and glorious surroundings.David Innes-Wilkin

Explore Tunis, Tunisia's dynamic capital in North Africa, where cultural fusion thrives. Wander through the fascinating Arab Medina, alongside European-inspired facades. And on the outskirts is the charming seaside town of Sidi Bou Said, another must visit. Tunisian contemporary culture has been in the spotlight recently with a surge in art spaces, particularly in Tunis and its surroundings. Also inspiring to see are the internationally acclaimed films by female directors, including Under the Fig Trees by Erige Sehiri and this year’s Oscar-nominated Four Daughters by Kaouther Ben Hania.

Somewhere between Iceland and the fictitious kingdom of Westeros sits the land that time forgot. On a map it’s called Greenland (aka the world’s largest island), model habitat for the Game of Thrones’ White Walkers. Arrive here in early March and green is the last color that comes to mind, however, for the landscape palette is decidedly white, save for a few gray rocks that nose their way out of the ermine blanket of snow. It’s a land where ancient muskox still roam as they have for 60,000 years, undoubtedly waiting for the next great extinction to see what new cast of characters will emerge.

I was eating homemade crostata (jam tart) on a roof terrace in the Sicilian town of Cefalù and reading about Helius, the ancient Greek god of the sun. Sicily is supposedly the inspiration for the deity’s island in The Odyssey and this makes perfect sense – with more than 300 days of sunshine a year, Helius would like it here. The island is especially lovely in spring, when it’s quieter, cooler and more peaceful than in the scorching summer.Cefalù is an ancient fishing village almost exactly halfway along Sicily’s north coast. It’s prized by Italians as one of the island’s loveliest beach-side places. Barbara De Gaetani, a licensed tour guide who grew up here, told me the allure of the place is difficult to explain: “Many other places are gorgeous but not as seductive. You can feel life flowing here, and it’s no accident that many film-makers have used the town as a location.”

As I dangle my feet in the cool, clear waters off northern Corsica, I have only a yacht moored 100 metres away for company. Sailing would have been the more glamorous way to arrive at the port of Centuri, a small fishing harbour on the far north-west tip of Cap Corse, but instead I have the thrill of the drive.

We hop from a small fishing boat onto an even smaller panga, as we’re about to enter Mexico’s Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park, located along the East Cape of the Baja California Peninsula between Cabo San Lucas to the south and La Paz to the north. I’m here with my two teenage daughters, and they are about go snorkeling for their first time. They are excited and a bit nervous. “Will there be sharks?” they inquire for a third or fourth time. “Definitely not,” our guide responds with a smile. Which comes across as comforting if not convincing.

At first glance, the pastel-walled towns, scented lemon groves and dizzying cliffs of the Amalfi Coast seem meant for couples – and only couples. Yet upon closer inspection, the coast’s beaches, boat trips and simple yet virtuoso cuisine can make for a thrilling family trip.  

Adults-only cruise line Virgin Voyages is making it easier to work from the high seas this summer with a new seasonal pass that comes with everything necessary for a WFH setup — plus a few extra perks.

If you're planning a cruise vacation with kids, you're likely focused on two brands: Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean.

Randy and Kit Cassingham sold everything for a dream: to live out their retirement years on a residential cruise ship.