Hyatt opens family-friendly golf resort and spa in Mazatlán

April 12, 2024 No Comments

Hyatt recently opened the family-friendly, all-inclusive Dreams Estrella del Mar Mazatlán Golf & Spa Resort, marking the first Hyatt hotel in the seaside destination of Mazatlán in Mexico.

Located in the exclusive community of Estrella del Mar, Dreams Estrella del Mar Mazatlán Golf & Spa Resort is conveniently located less than six miles from the Mazatlán International Airport and 20 minutes from the city centre.

Luxury accommodations

Dreams Estrella del Mar Mazatlán Golf & Spa Resort has 358 suites all outfitted with local artwork, neutral tones with pops of blue and furnished balconies or terraces touting spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean.

Each suite is replete with Unlimited-Luxury inclusions such as a fully stocked and daily refreshed in-room mini bar, 24-hour room service, and more. Ideal for guests traveling with families or larger groups, connecting rooms are also available in varied room categories and accessible rooms are available upon request.

For guests seeking an even further elevated experience, the Preferred Club offers upgraded suites and a range of additional amenities and services including personalized check-in and check-out, exclusive access to the Preferred Club lounge, upgraded bath amenities, a pillow menu, dedicated concierge service, and more. Designed with multigenerational travel in mind, the resort touts a dedicated adult-only section replete with a private pool and swim up bar.

Noteworthy culinary offerings

Dreams Estrella del Mar Mazatlán Golf & Spa Resort offers four à la carte restaurants, a grill, an international buffet, and an ice cream booth for guests craving sweets, as well as five bars and lounges serving unlimited top-shelf spirits.

With a wide range of culinary options including traditional Mexican favorites, Mediterranean-Asian fusion, and more, there is something for every taste and preference, all with no reservations required.

For adults looking to fully immerse themselves in the culture of the destination, exclusive add-on experiences are available at an additional cost including a tequila tasting or a guided pairing dinner in Portofino’s exclusive wine cellar.

Amenities for the whole family

Dreams Estrella del Mar Mazatlán Golf & Spa Resort touts a variety of activities for both adults and children alike, such as an on-site waterpark with a lazy river, endless daytime and nighttime entertainment, water sports, and more.

Children ages 3-12 can play the day away at the nature-inspired Explorer’s Club for Kids with programming such as sandcastle competitions and weekly campout adventures, while the Core Zone Teens Club offers mini discos, movie nights, and access to gaming for teens ages 13-17. Guests prioritizing personal wellbeing can enjoy Dreams Spa, the resort’s dedicated spa and wellness center which includes a full-service salon and spa including a Turkish bath, guided hydrotherapy and a fitness center touting state-of-the-art equipment.

For guests seeking off-site activities, the resort is conveniently located near the largest boardwalk in the pacific as well as one of the best aquariums in Latin America.

For more information, visit www.hyatt.com.

This tour operator just launched a women’s only trip to Saudi Arabia

April 10, 2024 No Comments

Intrepid Travel has introduced a 12-day Saudi Arabia Women’s Expedition, designed to offer an authentic and transformative travel experience while empowering women and supporting female-owned businesses in the destination.   

The tour will be exclusively led by female leaders and guides, aiming to showcase a different side of the country beyond the luxury resorts and high-end offerings.

Starting in Riyadh and finishing in Jeddah, groups will stay in a female-owned boutique hotel, heritage property and desert camp, directly supporting a total of nine female-owned and operated businesses.  

Five departures available

A limited run of five departures, each with a maximum of 12 travellers, will start on 26 November 2024. The 12-day trip will start at $7,975CAD.

Highlights include: 

  • Visit Madinah – the second holiest site in Islam, after Mecca – with a local female guide. Non-Muslims have recently been allowed to visit the holy site up to the perimeter 
  • Take a sunrise visit to the Nabataean site of Hegra, the southern capital of the Nabataean kingdom, guided by a local ‘rawee’ or storyteller 
  • Take a bullet train to Jeddah and explore Al Balad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with Saudi’s first female guide  
  • Head to a female-owned, female-only salon for a spot of pampering. Chat to the locals and learn how these types of businesses have created opportunities for the women who live here 
  • Meet two sisters running a local citrus farm near Alula, sample their produce and have lunch under the trees  
  • Visit an abeya shop to learn how women are modernising this staple piece  
  • Jump on a boat and cruise the Red Sea, snorkel, swim, and enjoy a barbeque lunch before ending the day on a private female only beach. 

For more information, visit intrepidtravel.com.

Two new luxury yachts join Windstar Cruises’ fleet

April 8, 2024 No Comments

Windstar Cruises is expanding its fleet with the addition of two all-suite motor yachts, Star Seeker and Star Explorer.

The first of the two ships, new-build Star Seeker which is currently being constructed in the WestSEA shipyard, is expected to be delivered in December of 2025, followed by Star Explorer in December, 2026. 

About the ships

Each ship has 112 suites, featuring full private verandas and infinity windows, ensuring unparalleled views for every guest onboard.

Additionally, two new Owner’s Suites with wrap-around balconies have been added to the aft of the ship, perfect for evening cocktails or a private dinner. With a capacity for 224 guests and a staff to guest ratio of 1:2, the ships maintain an intimate atmosphere, ensuring personalized service at every turn. 

Guests will also enjoy access to several newly added Windstar guest favourites, including the brand’s iconic Watersports Platform with all-new staircase access, the cozy Yacht Club café and lounge, a two-story spa and fitness facility, an intimate forward whirlpool on the bow, and a spacious open deck perfect for sunbathing and Windstar’s famous deck barbeques. 

Exceptional cuisine

As the Official Cruise Line of the James Beard Foundation® (JBF), Windstar’s commitment to exceptional cuisine will continue to be a priority for the guest experience.

The re-imagined main dining room, Amphora, will serve a variety of upscale and inventive dishes, including rotating items from James Beard Foundation–affiliated guest chefs. Al fresco dining will now be available at both Amphora and the Star Grill. A no-charge specialty restaurant and 24-hr room service rounds out the four dining options.

Full itineraries and booking details for Star Seeker will be announced in late June 2024. 

For more information or to sign up for the latest updates, including when both ships open for sale, visit https://www.windstarcruises.com/newships/

Four Seasons private jet is offering exclusive bookings

April 5, 2024 No Comments

Four Seasons has announced that its Four Seasons Private Jet Experience is available for private bookings, for a limited time, for your desired trip length between Aug. 4 to 26 and Dec. 20 to 27, 2024 only.

Complete booking of the Four Seasons Private Jet for up to 48 guests staffed by 10 crew members is priced at approximately USD 115,000 per day, inclusive of all Four Seasons Private Jet flights and onboard services, including all meals, as well as airport services where applicable.

 

What's included

Ground transfers, overnight accommodations, on-location meals, tours, and tickets can be arranged at an additional cost through the Four Seasons Guest Experience Team, or at the party’s own discretion.

The Four Seasons Private Jet is a custom-designed Airbus A321neoLR that hosts the Four Seasons Private Jet Experience – an ongoing series of regional and round-the-world itineraries featuring flexible options for on-the-ground activities and tours, with accommodations at Four Seasons hotels and resorts, as well as carefully chosen boutique accommodations in remote destinations where there is no Four Seasons.

  • Features 48 custom-designed, spacious leather flatbed seats; each guest is provided with a personal iPad loaded with the latest entertainment as well as Bose headphones

  • Includes the Lounge in the Sky social gathering space, extra-large lavatories with full-length mirrors, and global Wi-Fi availability

  • An in-flight executive chef brings the culinary world of Four Seasons to the jet, inspired by destinations on the journey and customized to guest preferences

  • Serviced by ten in-flight crew members including three pilots, one engineer, and six cabin crew, with options to add an onboard physician, tour manager, or more cabin crew at additional cost

  • Incorporates the most up-to-date, hospital-grade air filtration system that renews the cabin air every two to three minutes and removes 99.9 percent of particles, viruses and bacteria

For inquiries, contact [email protected]

 

Six of the hottest new hotels to check out—and into— for April

April 3, 2024 No Comments

Sunnier times are ahead, and what better way to welcome spring (and look forward to summer) than dreaming up your next holiday.

Fortunately, we’ve sought out some of the hottest new hotels to kickstart your planning – from a ruggedly handsome Aegean retreat to a reimagined Roman palace.

 

Nomad Mykonos

MYKONOS, GREECE

A hillside hideout far from the Mykonos crowds, this Cycladic sanctuary promises soothing whitewashed rooms, private pools and hot tubs, and sun-drenched terraces with Aegean views.

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Palazzo Talìa

ROME, ITALY

A short stroll from the iconic Piazza di Spagna and Trevi Fountain, this muse-inspired palazzo is divinely decorated inside and out and boasts a heavenly spa with an experiential pool.

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Norman Hotel

PARIS, FRANCE

Named after American graphic artist Norman Ives, the abstract interiors and jazzy atmosphere hits all the right notes – and some rooms have views of the Eiffel Tower rising above the rooftops.

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Capitolo Riviera

GENOA, ITALY

Sandwiched between sublime gardens and the Ligurian shoreline, every room and suite at this glitzy Riviera retreat has sparkling sea views – with the treasures of Portofino and Cinque Terre within easy reach.

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Lanson Place Causeway Bay

HONG KONG, HONG KONG SAR

Set within the buzz of Hong Kong’s iconic Causeway Bay, Lanson Place feels a world apart, with an in-room curated pillow menu, calming spa music and soothing essential oils to help you unwind.

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Todos Santos Boutique Hotel

TODOS SANTOS, MEXICO

Nestled in the old town of a Mexican ‘Pueblo Mágico’, a Spanish countess once lived within these mural-adorned walls. Now, there’s a rooftop terrace to kick back on, and plunge pools to cool off in.

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Meet the fifth generation Hawaiian family who are changing chocolate

April 1, 2024 No Comments

“I’d like to introduce you to a dear friend of mine. He’s very intelligent, he’s highly evolved, he’s handsome and delicious and very shy,” tour guide Alexandria Webster said mischievously.

“Friends, this is Theo.”

Partially expecting an eligible bachelor to come sauntering around the foliage of the 46-acre Lydgate Farms in Kapaa, Kaua’i, we quickly learn that Theo is short for Theobroma cacao. Alas, not a heartthrob, but a tropical evergreen tree known for its seeds that are used to produce cocoa powder and chocolate, whose scientific name means ‘food of the gods’ in Greek.

“This mood-elevating food was discovered by the ancient Aztecs and Mayans and back then they weren’t nibbling on Hershey,” she says. “They were consuming chocolate as a ceremonial health chocolate tonic beverage and it was fermented cocoa beans with some spices like cinnamon, cardamon, vanilla bean and some hot chilli peppers. If you were drinking it you were likely a monarch or a priest because you were consuming money. This is what they would trade as their currency.”

A superfood with super qualities

On a mission to change the way people think about chocolate, Webster says many visitors who come to the farm don’t know that chocolate is a fruit.

“It’s not just a fruit, it’s a superfood. Cacao is loaded with vitamins, trace minerals, hundreds of them, it’s one of the highest whole food sources of antioxidants that you can consume. It contains over forty mood-elevating properties,” she said. 

Over the centuries, this beverage was used to treat anemia, mental fatigue, tuberculosis, fever, gout, kidney stones, and even poor sexual appetite. While most of the chocolate of today no longer has health benefits, top-of-the line fine chocolates do.

“It only takes one ounce of quality chocolate a day to reap the benefits of heart health, brain health,” she says. “It’s great for your blood circulation, it’s going to open up your vessels, it’s going to improve your mood, your alertness because of the theobromine in chocolate. So, if you eat chocolate every day, you will not only be happier, you’re going to die a little less. It’s shown to lower all-cause mortality.”

Regenerative, generational farming

Lydgate Farms is run by Will Lydgate, whose family legacy on Kaua’i can be traced back across five generations. “My great-grandfather William arrived in 1865 with a dream to help build the future of the Hawaiian Kingdom,” he says. “[I’ve] dedicated myself to building a team that grows the best cacao the world has ever tasted.”

Embodying the principle of Mālama ‘Āina, a Hawaiian word that means to care for and honour the land for future generations, sustainability is at the forefront of his efforts. In addition to producing single-estate chocolate and treats like chocolate-covered macadamia nuts, Lydgate Farms also offers vanilla beans and small-batched palm blossom honey. 

“This beautiful tropical diverse farm is cultivated in a regenerative fashion, meaning we’re reinvesting in the soil for generations to come,” says Webster, adding that honey tasting is now part of the tour. “Cacao is an equatorial fruit — it only grows about 20° of the equator. That actually makes Hawai’i the only place in the continental US that can commercially grow chocolate.”

The farm has been recognized multiple times for producing some of the best chocolate in the world at international competitions. “Our farm represents the United States of America at the Cocoa of Excellence Awards in Paris. This is a world-wide chocolate competition every two years. Our humble farm is like the Jamaican bobsled team of the chocolate world, the underdogs,” she says, referencing the cult-favourite movie Cool Runnings. “Forty-six acres is a drop in the bucket compared to Ecuador, Peru, Costa Rica, they have thousands of acres and they’ve been doing it way longer than us. Small but mighty, we are now three consecutive runnings of the 50 best tasting chocolates in the whole world.”

From bean to bar

Based solely on the terroir of the farm, chocolate bars can elicit different flavour profiles from fruits to earthy tones. While there are only 14 original families of cacao, they cross pollinate to create thousands of varietals and result in the various coloured pods that range from yellow to vibrant red.

“Chocolate that’s fermented, that has distinctive flavour, that is packed with health benefits, and is not confectionery — meaning it’s heavily diluted with milk and sugar — didn’t even exist until 1997,” she says. “Isn’t that wild? It hasn’t been that long. People are just starting to learn about the art and the science that goes into making fine chocolate. Because Hawai’i is the only state where it can be commercially grown, we’re trying to transform Kaua’i into the Napa Valley of the chocolate world.”

At US$18 a pop, a chocolate bar from Lydgate Farms comes with a heftier price tag than your typical store-bought Cadbury bar. But when you consider the process involved, it should be a lot steeper. “If I crack this seed open and plant a seed today, it takes the tree at least four to five years to start bearing mature fruit. At that age, cocoa blossoms will start to bloom. They are so small that they are not pollinated by bees. They’re pollinated by the midge, which is a type of gnat,” she says. “Then it takes six to eight months for them to mature. A cacao tree can live 50 to 100 years.”

When it’s all said and done, she said the journey from bean to bar takes six to seven years. “Chocolate has more intricacies, more terroir, more flavour markers than wine,” she says. 

This story first appeared in the Spring 2024 issue of OFFSHORE. To read the full story, click here. 

 

A glamping retreat with a country store just opened in Texas

March 27, 2024 No Comments

Outdoorsy Hill Country is a new luxury glamping retreat set in Hill Country, Texas.

Surrounded by rolling hills, the retreat, set on 32 acres, offers guests access to 22 all-season canvas glamping tents, a cafe and bar, a country store, an events lodge and a network of trails through nearby Fredericksburg. 

A large spring-fed watering hole is a centerpiece of the property, and offers a perfect spot for summer paddleboarding and wildlife spotting. Across the property, live oaks provide shade for live music performances and an outdoor bar.

Outdoorsy Hill Country combines state-of-the-art safari tents with locally sourced materials such as Texas limestone, creating a natural connection between the structures and the land. Outdoor amenities for each tent include wrap-around panoramic decks, and fire pits providing opportunities for guests to gather and relax for evening drinks and outdoor dining.

 

Spacious glamping tents

Spacious glamping tents, sleeping two or four, are sighted on the property to maximize seclusion, and blend seamlessly into the natural landscape. The tents feature a king-size bed, twin and trundle beds with linens, plush robes, and modern furnishings.

The retreat’s tents are also climate-controlled to ensure a comfortable stay year-round. Private ensuite bathrooms feature rain showers and premium bath products from San Saba Soap Company. A fully equipped kitchenette and stocked mini-bar give guests the chance to grill outdoors or mix a cocktail featuring local Garrison Brothers bourbon.

 

The Cafe will offer guests a seasonal menu of light eats featuring local produce served on its deck with panoramic views of the Lyndon B. Johnson State Park. Guests can start the day at the cafe by enjoying fresh Merit coffee, juices, smoothies, and grab-and-go breakfast options. The day winds down with craft cocktails and a curated selection of local wines from Crown Hill Winery and Pedernales Cellars and cold beers from Real Ale Brewing.

A country store will ensure guests have all the provisions guests need for their stay as well as hosting pop-up retail experiences from local brands.

Outdoorsy Hill Country is now accepting reservations. 

For more information, visit outdoorsy.com/hillcountry. 

This luxury tour operator just added Africa to its travel portfolio

March 25, 2024 No Comments

Classic Vacations, a global luxury travel company, is expanding its portfolio to include luxury offerings on a new continent: Africa.

Classic’s Africa portfolio launches with a range of carefully crafted itineraries designed to highlight southern Africa’s most iconic destinations and hidden gems. Whether travellers are seeking adventure in the wilderness, cultural immersion in vibrant cities, or just relaxation, there will be a tour to suit every taste and interest.

“Our diverse product offerings now span from city experiences in iconic destinations such as Cape Town, Johannesburg, Livingstone, and Victoria Falls to unforgettable safari adventures in Kruger National Park, Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. At Classic, we pride ourselves on curating exceptional experiences, and our newest additions promise to deliver even more to immerse travelers in the beauty and excitement that this magnificent region offers,” said Joelle Apilado, vice-president of product, Classic Vacations.

“Africa offers a wealth of unique experiences that our customers are asking for. Add that to our preferred luxury accommodations and curated VIP service, and travelers are guaranteed to create memories that last a lifetime,” she concluded.

To learn more about Classic Vacations and its new Africa trips, visit www.classicvacations.com.

Here’s what it’s like diving with whale sharks in La Paz, Mexico

March 22, 2024 No Comments

As the boat skimmed across the water, a massive shadow rose from the depths below.

“Shark! Shark!” Cristian yelled, and cut the engine.

Moments later, an ominous, black dorsal fin sliced through the surface. Seated on the edge of the boat, I fumbled for my mouthpiece and adjusted my snorkel mask. Then, taking a final shaky breath, I jumped.

At first, I saw nothing. On an overcast day in La Paz, Mexico, even at the surface the water was as cloudy as the sky above. The murkiness limited my visibility to a mere two feet. 

But suddenly, the light shifted. And then I saw it.

Face to fin with the world's biggest fish

Like something out of a horror flick, in a matter of seconds, I was face to face with the largest fish in the world. Despite my love of the ocean, I have an irrevocable fear of deep water and everything that lurks below.

Growing up and spending my summers in Muskoka, even locking eyes with a large-mouthed bass or a Northern pike was enough to send me flailing wildly back to shore. For that reason alone, I’d never scuba dived or snorkelled. And on rare occasions when I ventured past my hips for a swim, I’d pictured this moment one thousand times; a lone, vicious shark appearing from the deep and ripping me to bloody shreds.

Underwater, time seemed to slow down while my heartbeat sped up. Frozen, I watched through my mask as a whale shark approximately 30 feet in length glided past, close enough that I could touch it. I didn’t scream and fill my breathing tube with saltwater and drown in a watery grave like I always imagined. 

Instead, I silently kicked my flippers and swam side by side with this gentle, polka-dotted giant.

Whale sharks, despite their massive stature and wide mouths, are among the most docile of their species. Filter feeders, their cavernous mouths are lined with about 300 super tiny teeth, allowing for a generous scoop of plankton and small fish, which is their primary diet. They can live anywhere from 80 to 130 years, and have been around since the Jurassic period.

In La Paz, whale shark tours are available from October through May and can be arranged through a certified guide. Just two hours north of Los Cabos, La Paz is the capital of Baja California Sur, a Mexican state on the Baja California peninsula. Whale shark season in this area typically runs from the winter into early spring, making this an excellent time for a chance encounter.

Just as quickly as it’d appeared, after two minutes of our synchronized swim, the shark picked up speed and continued on its own trajectory into the sea.

Popping up to the surface, I was met with cheers from the rest of my dive group.

“That was amazing! Go again?” Christian yelled.

“I think I’m good,” I yelled back, and started a speedy front crawl back to the boat—because after what I just witnessed, who knows what else might lie beneath?

Five of the prettiest European flower festivals to visit this spring

March 20, 2024 No Comments

Europe is home to some of the world’s most beautiful flower festivals.

These festivals not only celebrate the ephemeral beauty of flowers but also serve as cultural showcases, enticing travelers from around the world to immerse themselves in the splendor of Europe’s floral heritage.

Here are our five top picks to attend this spring!

Maderia's Flower Festival

From May 2 – 26, 2024, the Madeira Flower Festival unfurls as an enchanting spectacle, creating unforgettable moments in the hearts of both locals and visitors alike. For more than four decades, Madeira has embraced the cherished Wall of Hope ceremony.

With more than a thousand participants of all ages, the festival’s focal point is the Flower Parade, transforming the streets of Funchal into a vibrant spectacle of music, colour, and floral fragrances.

A dazzling procession of floats, adorned with dancers and musicians donning creative and colourful costumes, captivates the senses of onlookers. The festival also features a variety of smaller events, such as flower concerts offering live music amidst lush flora, as well as markets where visitors can purchase plants and indulge in regional cuisine. A week later, the charm continues with the Madeira Auto Parade, a delightful fusion of classic cars and exquisite natural floral arrangements.

Holland's Tulip Festival

Holland’s Tulip Festival, perhaps the best-known flower festival of all, takes place this year from March 21 to May 12.

Held annually in various locations across the country, including the famous Keukenhof Gardens and surrounding bulb fields, the festival showcases the beauty and diversity of tulips in full bloom. Visitors can expect to be mesmerized by endless fields of vividly colored tulips stretching as far as the eye can see, creating a breathtaking panorama of natural beauty. From traditional tulip varieties to rare and exotic hybrids, the festival offers a kaleidoscope of floral displays that captivate the senses. In addition to admiring the flowers, attendees can immerse themselves in Dutch culture through live music, traditional dance performances, and local cuisine, making the Holland Tulip Festival a truly immersive and unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages.

At Keukenhof Gardens, roughly a 40-minute drive from Amsterdam, you’ll experience the magic of more than seven million spring flowering bulbs blooming throughout May. From the famous tulips to other varietals like roses and chrysanthemums, Keukenhof remains one of the most popular spots to view spring flowers in the world.

Adult tickets to Keukenhof Gardens cost €19.50 and sell out quickly. However, there are plenty of other places to revel in the Netherlands’ spring colours.

From public parks and gardens, to museum grounds and of course, the abundance of tulip fields easily seen by train, the beauty of the country’s florals are on full display throughout the season.

The Chelsea Flower Show

The Chelsea Flower Show, held annually in London, England, is one of the world’s most prestigious floral events.

Organized by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), it attracts gardening enthusiasts, designers, and celebrities (including members of the Royal Family) from around the globe. Showcasing innovative garden designs, rare plants, and cutting-edge horticultural techniques, the Chelsea Flower Show is a celebration of creativity and expertise in the realm of gardening and landscaping.

From stunning show gardens to vibrant floral displays, the event offers visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the beauty and diversity of the natural world.

This year’s flower show takes place from May 21 to May 24 in Chelsea, London. Guests can explore more than 300 exhibitors who are selling everything from artisanal products to spring bulbs and blooms.

Girona's Tiempo de Flores

From May 11 to May 19, visitors to Girona, Spain can enjoy the Girona flors de temps, a free flower festival that’s been held every year in Girona’s Barri Vell neighbourhood since 1954.

Roughly an hour’s drive from Barcelona, Girona is a northeastern Spanish city known for its well-preserved Old Quarter with fortifications dating back to the 1st century BC. 

Rather than a mass display of gardens, Girona’s entire city—especially the historic centre and the medieval Jewish quarter is dressed in flowers—from florals cascading down steps to monuments wrapped in petals upon petals.

Many buildings not typically open to the public also exhibit during this week. Girona’s citizens are known to get in on the fun, too, with many houses decorating their balconies and doorways with colourful flowers. 

Sicily's Infiorata di Noto

Sicily’s Infiorata di Noto is a dazzling spectacle that transforms the streets of Noto, a picturesque town in southeastern Sicily, into a canvas of floral artistry.

Held annually during late spring, this centuries-old tradition sees local artists and volunteers meticulously arranging thousands of vibrant flower petals into intricate and elaborate designs and “floral carpets” that span the cobblestone streets. 

Visitors flock to Noto from all over the world to witness the breathtaking beauty of the floral carpets, which often depict religious motifs, mythological scenes, and intricate geometric patterns.

Happening this year from May 18 to May 21, the festival, with its origins dating back to the 16th century, celebrates the end of winter and the arrival of spring, as well as the region’s rich cultural heritage. This year’s theme will pay homage to the musical works of Italian composer Giacomo Puccini, who is best known for his operas.