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Return to Halloween’s Haunted Roots on a Trip to Ireland
The Emerald Isle has always been a land where ancient practices are interwoven with the supernatural – and many of the fun and spooky Halloween practices we love today can be traced back to the pre-Christian Celtic festival of Samhain and Irish folklore. No wonder Ireland is considered the ‘Home of Halloween’ and the cradle of...
Read More »5 Best Places in the World to Celebrate Diwali
Every autumn, Diwali, the Festival of Lights rooted in Hindu tradition and also celebrated by Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists, illuminates cities and villages in India and beyond. The festival symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Homes glow with oil lamps (diyas), fireworks light the sky, and sweet treats are shared among...
Read More »Good Times, Great Company, Madrid.
Whether it’s a birthday, an anniversary, a family reunion, or just a casual catch-up, this city and its surroundings serve up the perfect mix of good food, great company, and unforgettable moments.Celebrate Your WayForget the fancy scripts — Madrid’s celebration scene is as diverse as the people here. Raise a glass on a rooftop terrace with...
Read More »One Thing NOT to do on Your Next Trip to the Great Outdoors
Remember the saying for those of us who love to experience nature when we travel: “Take only pictures and leave only footprints.” Well, we have another piece of advice for responsible travelers – one you may find surprising. Social media has fueled a boom in “rock-stack art.” But now a crescendo of voices – from park...
Read More »Holland America Line Debuts First Lipstick Blending Bar at Sea
You’ll have a bright lip for your stylish ship! Holland America Line’s new ‘Blend Bar’ onboard experience allows guests to design their own customized lipstick or gloss – the first aboard any cruise ship. So you’ll have the perfect shade to reflect your cruise vacation mood. The exclusive, hands-on lipstick lab is guided by an expert beauty...
Read More »Mexico City’s Day of the Dead Grand Parade Returns
On November 2, Mexico City will transform into a river of color, culture, and remembrance as the Day of the Dead Grand Parade returns for 2025, featuring giant skeleton puppets, floats, music, dancers, and costumes. This extraordinary four-hour procession honors ancestors who have passed while celebrating the joy of life. At the same time, it offers...
Read More »Holiday Vacay: Why to Travel for the Holidays and Top Tips to Make it a Triumph
The festive season is no longer just about gathering ‘round the hearth and home; it’s increasingly becoming the perfect time to pack a bag and head somewhere new. More travelers are choosing to spend Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s, and other holidays on vacation, whether that means a European Christmas market river cruise, a beach escape in...
Read More »10 Global Harvest Festivals Beyond Oktoberfest
While Munich’s Oktoberfest gets all the press as the world’s most famous fall festival, autumn is a season of celebration around the world. Ancient cultures thanked the gods for abundance and prayed for their families to survive the leaner months ahead. The harvest traditions that have been passed through the ages and centuries still today give...
Read More »FAQ's About the EU's New Entry System, Launching October, 2025
Are you ready for your next trip to Europe? The European Union’s new, automated, digital entry and exit system for non-EU nationals – including citizens of the U.S. and Canada – will be implemented starting October 12, 2025. The EU’s long-delayed new digital border control process is called EES: Entry/Exit System. Sadly, for nostalgic passport stamp collectors, the...
Read More »Sneak Peek at Celebrity Cruises’ New River Ships
How is Celebrity Cruises bringing their revolutionary, ‘Edge-class’ ocean ship design and lifestyle to the rivers of Europe? The cruise line has now revealed at least part of its vision with renderings of their first two river ships: Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker, prior to their launch on the Rhine and Danube rivers in 2027. This comes...
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