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Five new hotels and resorts you should know about

July 10, 2023 No Comments

Checking out the latest hotel and resort news from fresh renovations to brand new and upcoming properties ready to welcome you.

Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara

The desert oasis of Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara in the United Arab Emirates is now offering travellers the chance to stay amid the dunes at the all-new four-bedroom Sahra Villa and two-bedroom Al Sarab Villa, complete with its own private majlis (sitting room).

Located a few minutes’ drive from the resort in a secluded area offering unobstructed views of the fiery-red dunes of the Empty Quarter, both villas are part of the exclusive villa compound. The 5,263 square-foot Sahra Villa can accommodate up to eight adults in its master bedroom and three twin bedrooms, each with their own private terrace. The villa also boasts a private swimming pool with a cabana and sprawling indoor and outdoor living spaces.

At the expansive and opulent 9,181 square-foot Al Sarab Villa, guests are surrounded by palm trees. In addition to two elegant bedrooms accommodating a maximum of four guests, the lavish villa comes with ample space to entertain both indoors and outdoors, including a grand reception majlis and a fireplace to enjoy starry desert nights. The outdoor terrace includes a dining table alongside a fully equipped barbecue area, with sun loungers circling a private pool overlooking the dunes.

Club Med Buccaneer’s Creek

Club Med Buccaneer’s Creek in Martinique will be undergoing extensive renovations highlighting significant changes to the rooms, reception area, main restaurant, and bar slated for Fall 2023. The property originally opened in 1969, making the property the first Club Med village to open in “the Americas.”

Tucked away in the large coconut groves of Martinique facing Diamond Rock, the property will undergo a significant refresh to rejuvenate the resort and enhance the overall guest experience which represents an important step in Club Med’s global commitment to evolving the brand to a more upscale experience. The resort will debut the first phase of this renovation by the end of 2023 with all-new interiors organically inspired by the vibrant colours of the surrounding nature and rich Creole culture.

Songtsam Glamping Palpa

Songtsam, an award winning collection of boutique luxury Hotels, Resorts & Destination Management Company has officially opened Songtsam Glamping Palpa, its first glamping property in Tibet. Located in Baiba Village situated on the Niyang River in Nyingchi, the glamping property provides guests with a luxury outdoor camping experience, where they are surrounded by snow-capped mountains, forests and pastures.

Songtsam Glamping Palpa has 30 accommodation tents, four dining tents and one public leisure tent. All tents in the camp are made of Tentipi, the top outdoor brand in Nordic. Tentipi tents have a unique patented ventilation design which features an opening and closing of the top ventilation cap that can also be adjusted according to the weather conditions, the wind resistant level can reach to level nine.

Each tent is equipped with an outdoor table and two outdoor chairs on the balcony outside the tent, a private bathroom, 24 hours of continuous hot water, an exquisite copper wash basin, and the toilet not only automatically flushes, but also has heating and other functions. Each tent is also equipped with a camping night light on the bedside table, a B&O portable Bluetooth speaker, multiple charging sockets, textured brass switches, matcha-colored soft leather sofas, Lhasa handmade wool carpets, and cozy bedding.

Eywa Lodge Amazonas

Clients heading to the Peruvian Amazon can now experience Eywa Lodge Amazonas, a newly opened property near the city of Iquitos, next to the source of the Amazon River.

With a strategic location next to the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, Eywa Lodge Amazonas offers an immersive experience in the Amazon rainforest. The hotel is well connected through the Iquitos airport, where the Eywa Lodge team will great travellers to take them to the accommodations in the heart of the jungle.

Aleenta Retreat Chiang Mai

The wellness-centric Aleenta Retreat Chiang Mai is now open in northern Thailand, marking the third Aleenta branded property from Thailand-based luxury boutique hotel specialist AKARYN Hotel Group. Offering 44 rooms and suites, a restaurant, bar, spa and wellness centre featuring tailor-made wellness programs and retreats, the resort focuses on providing authentic, premium, sustainable experiences.

The spacious rooms, one-and-two-bedroom pool residences and a four-bedroom teak villa with a private swimming pool merge traditional Thai design with a soothing palette of natural hues, sophisticated furnishings and tech-savvy facilities.

Embracing its spiritual location in the ancient city of Chiang Mai, the resort is home to one of the brand’s signature Ayurah Wellness Centres. Alongside complementary daily yoga, Qi Gong, meditation and mindfulness classes, there’s a menu of holistic wellness retreats and tailor-made programs available for clients.

Meet the tour operators offering incredible wildlife encounters in Manitoba

July 3, 2023 No Comments

Travel Manitoba says tourists can see some pretty impressive critters in the northern part of Manitoba and much farther south as well.

The tourism promotion body’s Karin Schreiber told delegates at Rendez-vous Canada 2023 that those visiting the northern Manitoba community of Churchill can spot polar bears in a destination that bills itself as The Polar Bear Capital of the World, with guided tours providing sightings of the huge bruins.

Schreiber also told her late May Quebec City audience that Hudson Bay-fronting Churchill also has tours that enable people to spot some of the thousands of beluga whales that gather nearby in the summer.

Churchill-based Lazy Bear Expeditions has a “wildlife-viewing boat” that enables people to comfortably view belugas, and adventurous clients can opt for “beluga AquaGliding,” which sees people wearing wet or dry suits and masks and snorkels lie on floating mats tethered to Zodiacs on the Churchill River or Hudson Bay. Curious but harmless belugas often approach the mats, giving tourists close-up looks at them.

“The belugas come close to the mat and follow it,” Lazy Bear Expeditions’ Melissa Perry later said of the “naturally curious” marine mammals.

Perry said clients are “on top of the water, not in it” but the provided wet or dry suits prevent them from getting wet from splashing.

More information can be found at lazybearexpeditions.com.

Schreiber also said that northern Manitoba’s “cloud wolves of Kaska Coast” aren’t wary of people, which in turn leads to sightings of them by nature enthusiasts who venture to the Hudson Bay-fronting region they live in.

But she also noted that the “Prairie oasis” of Riding Mountain National Park — found in southwestern Manitoba — is home to such imposing creatures as bison, black bears and moose.

“Manitoba is best known for its compelling wildlife,” Schreiber said.

She said the huge province has over 100,000 lakes and can provide great winter sightings of the Northern Lights.

Glamping’s popularity increased during the pandemic.

But Schreiber also said visitors should experience urban Manitoba, adding “hustling and bustling” Winnipeg sees world-class performing arts performances.

Aviation enthusiasts will appreciate the city’s Royal Aviation Museum, she added.

Winnipeg’s Qaumajug Art Museum in turn has the largest Inuit art collection anywhere, she continued.

Schreiber also noted that The Wyndham Gardens Ode Akiing Hotel (also called the Wyndham Gardens Winnipeg Airport Hotel) is Indigenous-owned. The hotel has Indigenous art and an Indigenous chef.

—IAN STALKER

Five of the best cities for luxury shopping

June 30, 2023 No Comments

Few destinations can rival the grandeur and allure of metropolitan cities like Paris, New York City, London, Milan and Dubai.

According to Statista, the luxury goods market in Canada is projected to grow by 2.70 per cent between 2023 and 2028, resulting in a market volume of US$7.87B (CAD $10.7B) by 2028.

Luxury fashion, in particular, dominates the luxury goods market, with travellers going to international lengths to score a great bargain. For those seeking a more refined wardrobe, few destinations can rival the grandeur and allure of metropolitan cities like Paris, New York City, London, Milan and Dubai.

Milan, Italy

Fashion Week in Milan, Italy may only be held bi-annually in February and September, but strolling through the streets on any given day of the year, you’ll feel as though you’re in a fashion show of your own.

Italian fashion can be traced back to the Renaissance period, as early as the mid 1400’s, when some of Italy’s most famous cities, like Venice, Milan, Florence, Naples and Rome, began producing sought-after textiles like velvet, silk and wool. Italian fashion reached the height of its success in the 1950s and 1960s, when some of the biggest designers and fashion houses were born, including Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Missoni, Roberto Cavalli, Prada, Versace, and Armani among others.

Milan, a sprawling metropolis in Italy’s northern Lombardy region, is home to 1.3 million people and is an iconic, global destination for luxury fashion and shopping. The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, located in the same plaza as the breathtaking Duomo di Milano, is Italy’s oldest active shopping centre, having opened in 1877.

Housed in a soaring, four-storey building complete with arched glass ceilings where blue sky peeks through, it’s home to some of the city’s oldest shops, as well as luxury retailers selling everything from haute couture and jewellery, to artworks and books. Of course, any good shopping trip requires a little pick-me-up, and the Galleria’s many restaurants, cafés and bars are sure to do the trick.

Paris, France

Paris, often regarded as the fashion capital of the world, offers a plethora of high-end shopping destinations that cater to luxury enthusiasts. The city’s Golden Triangle, nestled between Avenue Montaigne and the Champs-Élysées, hosts the crème de la crème of fashion houses. Here, haute couture and high-end brands harmoniously coexist, enticing patrons with their meticulous craftsmanship and visionary designs.

You’ll find an exquisite array of prestigious fashion houses such as Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Givenchy. The luxurious window displays and opulent boutiques in this area make for an unforgettable shopping experience.

Another must-visit location for luxury shopping in Paris is Le Bon Marché. Located in the chic neighbourhood of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Le Bon Marché is the city’s oldest and most prestigious department store. This shopping mecca offers a wide range of high-end brands, including Gucci, Prada, and Hermès.

From fashion and accessories to home decor and gourmet food, Le Bon Marché showcases an unparalleled selection of luxury goods, all housed within an elegant and stylish environment. Whether you’re looking for the latest designer trends or seeking timeless elegance, Paris has an abundance of luxurious shopping destinations that will surely leave you feeling indulged and inspired.

New York City, U.S.

In the cosmopolitan city that never sleeps, one of the most iconic places to find high-end fashion is Fifth Avenue. Amidst the glittering skyscrapers, luxury enthusiasts find themselves immersed in a world of unparalleled extravagance, as this legendary street is home to some of the world’s most prestigious designer flagship stores, including iconic names such as Tiffany & Co., Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue and Louis Vuitton.

SoHo, another trendy neighbourhood that’s known for its cobblestone streets and cast-iron buildings, houses a variety of high-end boutiques and international designer shops. Brands like Chanel, Gucci, and Alexander Wang can be found nestled among independent designer stores, providing a unique and diverse shopping experience that ultimately suits every budget.

SoHo’s combination of luxury fashion, artistic ambiance, and charming cafes make it a favourite destination for fashion enthusiasts looking for a blend of sophistication and downtown cool. Whether you’re searching for avant-garde designs or classic elegance, New York City offers a wealth of luxury shopping destinations to satisfy every fashion connoisseur.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai has solidified its position as a luxury shopping destination, thanks in part to its tax-free shopping policy. Visitors can enjoy substantial savings on goods due to the absence of value-added tax (VAT) and customs duties, making it a particularly attractive destination for luxury shoppers hoping to score a bargain.

With its state-of-the-art infrastructure, excellent connectivity and a world-class hospitality industry, Dubai attracts millions of tourists each year. The city’s luxurious resorts, extravagant attractions, and vibrant entertainment options contribute to an overall experience that complements the thrill of luxury shopping.

One of the most renowned spots is the Dubai Mall. Not only is it the largest shopping mall in the world, but it also houses an extensive collection of luxury brands. Here, you’ll find flagship stores of iconic fashion houses such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Prada. The Dubai Mall also boasts The Fashion Avenue, a dedicated precinct for luxury fashion, where you can explore a curated selection of high-end boutiques and designer labels.

For a unique shopping experience, the City Walk is another noteworthy destination. Situated in a vibrant neighbourhood, City Walk offers a fusion of luxury shopping, dining, and entertainment. It showcases an array of international fashion brands, including high-end designers like Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, and Dolce & Gabbana. With its pedestrian-friendly streets, contemporary architecture, and upscale boutiques, City Walk provides a chic and stylish environment for luxury shoppers.

London, England

London presents an enticing blend of regal charm and avant-garde innovation. One of the most iconic areas for luxury shopping in London is Bond Street. Located in the heart of the city’s prestigious Mayfair district, Bond Street is home to an impressive lineup of renowned designer boutiques. Here, you’ll find flagship stores of high-end fashion houses such as Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Alexander McQueen.

Another prominent location for designer fashion shopping in London is Sloane Street. Situated in the affluent district of Knightsbridge, Sloane Street offers a curated selection of luxury brands, including iconic names like Christian Dior, Prada, Burberry, and Tom Ford. This exclusive street is known for its upscale boutiques and upscale ambiance, attracting fashion-savvy shoppers looking for the latest runway trends and timeless classics.

London’s iconic department stores, such as Harrods and Selfridges, are also not to be missed. These renowned establishments offer a comprehensive range of designer fashion brands across multiple floors. From high-end designer labels to emerging fashion talent, these department stores provide an immersive shopping experience with their opulent interiors and vast selections.

Here’s where you can hike the highest sea cliff in Europe

June 28, 2023 No Comments

Hornelen Via Ferrata is a new and spectacular via ferrata up the highest sea cliff in Europe that offers stunning views of Norway’s coast.

Hornelen is located on the island of Bremangerlandet in Nordfjord, north of the Sognefjord and south of the city of Ålesund. From the top (860 metres above sea level) there is a magnificent panoramic view over narrow fjords and high mountains.

Hornelen Via Ferrata opened on June 18, 2023.

A landmark full of myths

The mountain was formerly an important landmark for passing ships, and in even older times a gathering place for witches (according to a legend) both at Midsummer and Christmas.

According to the saga of Olav Trygvason, he climed up the steep side of the cliff, and many people believe that is why Olav established the first climbing route in Norway. Now you have the chanse to climb the same route as Olav, but in controlled and safe and controlled conditions.

Guided hikes available

Hornelen Via Ferrata is now ready to welcome guests on guided hikes on Hornelen. The experienced and knowledgeable guides take care of equipment and safety, and bring the guests safely up the mountainside so they can focus on climbing and the powerful nature experience.

There are three different routes up to the top of Hornelen:

Ørnelia takes two hours and is the perfect introduction to via ferrata for beginners
The Hekseveggen takes about five hours and offers very varied and sometimes challenging climbing.
The Olavsruta is by far the fiercest rout, climbing the very peak of Hornelen. This route takes about eight hours and is really exposed and challenging.

There will be six available daily guided hikes, with a variety of group sizes.

Celebrity Cruises adds new stops to private island paradise

June 26, 2023 No Comments

Celebrity Cruises has revamped its Caribbean program for the summer 2024 season.

Starting next April, the Celebrity BeyondSM and Celebrity Reflection will sail to the Caribbean. Not only does the new program double the brand’s number of year-round Caribbean sailings and introduces the first weekend itineraries, but both ships will now offer guests with the exciting opportunity to experience Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Perfect Day at CocoCay

Located in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay is an island paradise that offers miles of white sand beaches and clear waters, the largest freshwater pool in The Bahamas, and a beach club that features a heated infinity pool, specialty restaurant, and 20 exclusive overwater cabanas.

Hideaway Beach, a new offering debuting in January, will offer an adults only paradise, with private cabanas and a new signature food outlet. Perfect Day is also home to North America’s tallest waterslide and has other thrill-seeking activities like the Up, Up and Away — an epic balloon ride that provides breathtaking panoramic views.

For more information, visit www.celebrity.com.

Baring it all in Baden-Baden at the Friedrichsbad bath house

June 23, 2023 No Comments

by Ann Ruppenstein

Not one to shy away from immersing myself in the real local culture firsthand, I decided to suck it up for the authentic experience.

To be or not to be naked, that is the question.

I’m in Baden-Baden, Germany, one of the UNESCO-listed Great Spa Towns of Europe, faced with the decision to bare it all — or not. There are two thermal baths in the historic spa town, a contemporary one built in 1985 and a traditional one with impressive Renaissance-style architecture dating back to 1877.

From the offset, the authentic Friedrichsbad sounds like the obvious frontrunner, but the caveat is that it’s textile-free, meaning no swimsuits are allowed. As tour guide Joachim Schadendorf puts it in simple terms, “this one is serious and that one is fun.”

Not one to shy away from immersing myself in the real local culture firsthand, I decided to suck it up (or more like suck it in) for the authentic experience.

It’s definitely not the most popular option, especially amongst North American travellers, who tend to be more hesitant to strip down completely amongst strangers, including members of the opposite sex.

By the numbers, at pre-pandemic levels, the modern Caracalla bath down the road — where swimsuits are worn — attracted an average of half a million visitors per year, whereas roughly only 70,000 people frequented Friedrichsbad. Here’s to the road less travelled!

The skinny on the dip

After paying the €35 entrance fee, I headed to the co-ed changing area with two others and was relieved to see a tiny sheet in the locker. After slipping out of my clothes, I wrap it around my body and strut to the main spa entrance with confidence.

That’s when a male staff member greets us — in full spa attire in case you were wondering — to explain that the space is divided into a circuit of 17 different stations. After showering before station seven, “you leave the sheet in the laundry pile,” he said, motioning to my short wrap.

Following an initial cleansing shower, the process began with various warm and hot air baths, providing an identical sensation to being in an over-sized sauna. I eased myself into the au natural experience by opening my sheet once I’d settled onto one of the wooden loungers.

This isn’t so bad.

A few steps later, at dreaded stop number seven, the time had come to commit fully to the nudist lifestyle before entering the first thermal steam bath in the circuit. I was determined to proceed in the name of research. “Alright, let’s do this,” I said out loud, more so to motivate myself, that this was indeed happening.

Trying to avoid eye contact with all the passing private parts, we ducked into a corner of the steam room, placing fresh hygienic matts underneath our bottoms before sitting down. Then, quite astonishingly, like the steam evaporating in the room, within minutes we were no longer phased by the fact that we were stark naked and quickly embraced the more liberal European views on letting it all hang out and feeling comfortable in our own skin.

It was either that, or the steam went to my head.

“I was nervous at first, but you realize that everybody just kind of looks the same,” one of my travel writer companions, whom I’d only met two days earlier, whispered.

The art of bathing, Roman and Irish style

Design wise, the centrepiece of Friedrichsbad is an intricate 17-metre high dome set above a circular pool. Before I knew I would muster up the courage to get to this point, I told myself that getting to see the architecture would make it worthwhile. Now, floating on my back while looking up at the elaborate ceiling, it didn’t disappoint, and I couldn’t help but think of the historic figures who swam in this very spot more than 146 years ago.

“Here at the Friedrichsbad, you lose track of time within 10 minutes and track of the world within 20,” wrote literary great Mark Twain after a visit in the late 19th century.

For me, the unexpected highlight of the experience was a visit to what’s called the relaxation room, a dark room filled with multiple beds. After laying down and wrapping myself in the warm blanket, I dozed off for a power nap, in deep relaxation mode.

I could have stayed for hours, but naturally, I also had to see what the other Caracalla spa was all about. Aside from the fact that visitors weren’t naked, which almost felt strange after fully embracing the other way, another key difference is that it’s family-friendly (meanwhile, Friedrichsbad is adults-only with a minimum age requirement of 17 years). A highlight of the Caracalla bath is the outdoor area, where a steamy mist layer appears above the rock grotto formation when the temperature outside is cold enough. This is also where to go for additional spa services, such as massages, and a variety of saunas and treatment rooms.

In my natural element

Notably, the thermal waters in both baths come from the 12 natural springs that push out roughly 800,000 litres of mineral-rich water a day at scorching temperatures as high as 68°C, first discovered some 2,000 years ago.

Friedrichsbad was, from day one, a huge success. It was the biggest and most modern bath in Europe. It is a so-called Roman-Irish bath, combining the Roman tradition of bathing in different temperatures with the Irish tradition of steam baths,” noted Baden-Baden based tour guide Katharina Koerner, adding that as a UNESCO listed building, it virtually looks the same as the day it opened. “In Roman tradition, it is, of course, textile-free to this day. Some people say, oh, I wanted to go in there, but in that case I prefer the Caracalla, where I can wear my bathers… We had an article about it once called ‘nothing but the comb’ because that’s one of the big advantages, you don’t have to come prepared.”

Just prepared to bare it all, that is.

For the full digital edition of this story, click here.

Read more stories in the new OFFSHORE Summer 2023 issue. Available now!

Two bespoke sleep hotels open in Australia and Taiwan

June 21, 2023 No Comments

Two new sleep hotels, operated by Emma — The Sleep Company have opened in Sydney, Australia and Taipei, Taiwan.

As more travellers seek out a truly restful experience during their vacation, these unique hotels provide a revolutionary travel experience on two different continents.

Sleep tourism on the rise

Sleep has become a recurring topic of concern and interest since the onset of the pandemic.

In a study conducted by the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, it was discovered that 40 per cent of respondents reported a decline in sleep quality compared to the pre-COVID-19 period.

The global health crisis has undoubtedly affected people’s sleep patterns and highlighted the importance of restful slumber for overall well-being. By embracing sleep tourism, travel enthusiasts can now satisfy their wanderlust while also nurturing their physical and mental well-being. Sleep tourism fosters an appreciation for the importance of relaxation and rejuvenation, acknowledging the crucial role that sleep plays in sustaining a healthy lifestyle.

The Emma Sleep Hotel in Sydney

Upon arrival, guests are greeted by the Snoreman, setting the tone for a memorable and sleep-focused adventure.

The Rest-Ception area provides a cozy space for guests to settle in and unwind, and an onsite snooze-ologist will be available to provide personalized 1:1 sleep consultations, offering valuable insights and guidance to optimize guests’ sleep habits.

Every room is kitted out with Emma’s mattresses and beds, and a sleep-inspired movie catalogue is available onscreen. Guests are also invited to select their perfect Emma pillow based on their preferences.

On the hotel’s roof terrace, the immersive experience continues with custom cocktails based on Emma’s sleep expertise. Throughout the hotel, a calming playlist provides the perfect ambient backdrop for relaxation and enjoyment.

For more information about the hotel in Sydney, click here.

Emma Sleep Hotel in Taipei

Emma is collaborating with Monka Hotel in Taipei to introduce the first Emma Sleep Hotel in Asia.

Situated close to the iconic Longshan Temple, the hotel underwent a complete transformation under Emma’s supervision. Not even the exterior of the building remains untouched — it was painted to resemble one of Emma’s iconic delivery boxes, setting the tone for the unique experience within.

Every room within the hotel is fitted with Emma products, ranging from the beds to the pillows, ensuring a truly immersive Emma sleep experience for all guests from beginning to end.

For more information about the hotel in Taipei, click here.

Cruise line adds 10 new Asian countries for 2024-2025 sailings

June 19, 2023 No Comments

Holland America Line’s 2024-2025 Asia season includes departures from Hong Kong, China; Yokohama (Tokyo), Japan; and Singapore to some of the most exciting cities across 10 countries, with a strong focus on Japan.

Noordam will sail a series of nine different 14-day itineraries that travel around Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. The cruises showcase the diversity of the countries while celebrating their unique histories.

Late departures and overnight ports allow extra time for sampling the nightlife, cuisine and culture of the region.

Westerdam also heads to Asia on a new 53-day “Majestic Japan” Legendary Voyage roundtrip from Seattle. Travelers can visit the Far East with a convenient North American flight, easy embarkation and jetlag-free journey spanning several time zones.

Longer voyages

LEGENDARY VOYAGE: New 53- or 52-Day “Majestic Japan” aboard Westerdam departing Sept. 1 or 2, 2024, either roundtrip Seattle, Washington, or between Vancouver, Canada, and Seattle. Featuring 21 total ports, 13 calls throughout Japan and overnights at Yokohama (Tokyo) and Kobe, Japan, and Honolulu, Hawaii.
LEGENDARY VOYAGE: New 28-Day “Coral Triangle, Volcanoes and The Great Barrier Reef” departing Jan. 5, 2025, roundtrip from Singapore aboard Noordam that explores 10 ports in five countries, including Indonesia and the Philippines, with scenic cruising in the famed Great Barrier Reef, Torres Strait, and past the Kumba and Krakatau volcanoes.

Highlights of the 2024-2025 Asia season

Noordam explores Asia from September 2024 through April 2025.
Overnight calls include Yokohama (Tokyo) and Kobe (Osaka); Laem Chabang (Bangkok), Thailand; and Da Nang, Vietnam.
The cruises visit a combined 49 ports in the region, including 24 in Japan.
“North Pacific Crossing” between Vancouver and Yokohama:
- 13 days, departing Sept. 29, 2024, Vancouver to Yokohama, including calls at Sitka and Kodiak, Alaska, and Kushiro, Japan.
- 15 days, departing April 27, 2025, Yokohama to Vancouver, including Kushiro, and Alaska’s Kodiak, Juneau, Ketchikan and Glacier Bay.
“Circle Japan” — 14 days, roundtrip from Yokohama. Three itineraries:
- Osaka (Kobe), Kochi, Fukuoka, Sakaiminato, Niigata, Aomori, Otaru (Sapporo) and Hakodate, all in Japan, as well as Sokcho, South Korea.
- Kochi, Kagoshima, Nagasaki, Kanazawa, Niigate, Otaru, Aomori and Hakodate, all in Japan, as well as Busan(Pusan), South Korea.
- Shimizu, Kobe, Kochi, Hiroshima, Sakaiminato, Tsuruga, Toyama, Akita, Hakodate and Miyako, all in Japan; as well as Sokcho.
“Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines” — 14 days, between Yokohama and Singapore. Calls at Osaka (overnight), Nahaand Ishigaki, Japan; Keelung (Taipei) and Kaohsiung, Taiwan; and Manila, Boracay and Puerto Princesa, Philippines.
“Far East Discovery” — 14 days, between Hong Kong and Singapore. Calls at Halong Bay, Da Nang (Hue), Nha Trangand Phu My, Vietnam; Sihanoukville, Cambodia; and Laem Chabang (Bangkok, overnight) and Nathon (Koh Samui), Thailand.
“Far East Discovery Holiday” — 14 days, roundtrip from Singapore. Thailand: Nathon (Koh Samui) and Laem Chabang (Bangkok, overnight). Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, Phu My, Halong Bay and Da Nang (overnight).
“Indonesian Discovery” — 14 days, roundtrip from Singapore. All calls are in Indonesia and include Probolinggo and Semarang, Java; Celukan Bawang and Benoa (Denpasar), Bali; Komodo Island; Lembar, Lombok; and Tanjung Priok, Jakarta. Scenic cruising by the active Krakatau Volcano.
“Japan and Taiwan” — 14 days, roundtrip from Yokohama. Japan: Amami (Naze), Naha, Ishigaki Island, Nagasaki, Abruatsu, Kochi and Kobe. Taiwan: Hualien and Keelung (Taipei).
“Japan and South Korea Discovery” — 14 days, roundtrip from Yokohama. Japan: Kobe (overnight), Kochi, Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Kagoshima. South Korea: Sokocho, Busan, Jeju City (Cheju) and Incheon (Seoul).

This Canadian airline is now flying non-stop from Vancouver to Singapore

June 16, 2023 No Comments

Air Canada has added non-stop flights between its trans-Pacific hub at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Singapore’s Changi International Airport (SIN).

The new route will operate four times weekly beginning April 3, 2024*, onboard Air Canada’s flagship Dreamliner fleet. Seats are available for purchase now at aircanada.com, via the Air Canada App, Air Canada’s Contact Centres, and travel agents.

Flight schedule

Flights will be operated with Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft featuring three cabins of service for customers to choose from, including Signature Class with lie-flat seats, Premium Economy and Economy Class.

The schedule has been built to conveniently connect to and from destinations across North America via Air Canada’s hub at YVR and, in Singapore to and from destinations across Southeast Asia, South India and Western Australia with Star Alliance and codeshare partner Singapore Airlines.

Hyatt brand debuts in Italy with Thompson Rome

June 14, 2023 No Comments

Expected to open by mid-2024 in the heart of the Italian capital, Thompson Rome is a 70-room luxury lifestyle hotel that will be the brand’s second property in Europe, joining Thompson Madrid, which opened in 2022, and the previously announced Thompson Vienna, which is slated to join the portfolio in 2025.

The Thompson Hotels brand is renowned for channelling the destination’s local creative energy, combining instinctive design and culinary sophistication to curate the best of each destination’s culture within its walls.

With the cultural areas of music, art, fashion, design and culinary at the heart of the Thompson Hotels brand experience, the properties serve as a dynamic home-base for tastemakers, emerging creatives and culturally astute travelers to connect with one another and with what inspires them.

A sense of Roman culture

Visitors of Thompson Rome will experience a true sense of Roman culture through a revolutionary design restoration of one of the city’s most iconic buildings – the former headquarters of the Italian Communist Party.

Converted into a luxury lifestyle hotel, the elegant 1930s-built Palazzo is located near the Capitoline Hill, Fori Imperiali and Jewish Quarter and will undergo an extensive enhancement while preserving the landmark’s key historical features. The artistic legacies of the building that will remain will represent the Thompson Hotels brand’s commitment to authentic cultural curation including the entrance hall, designed by sculptor Giò Pomodoro, complete with a five-pointed gold star set into the floor, as well as a marble bust of the party’s founding member and one-time leader, Antonio Gramsci.

Accelerated growth

The expansion of the Thompson Hotels brand with plans for Thompson Rome is reflective of Hyatt’s accelerated brand growth in the southern European country, joining five Italian properties that have been added to Hyatt’s portfolio in the past four years.

Thompson Rome will mark the seventh Hyatt-branded hotel in Italy and the second in Rome, joining The Tribune Hotel, part of JdV by Hyatt brand, also operated by AG Group s.r.l.

Thompson Rome will boast four dining outlets, including a rooftop restaurant and terrace with a cocktail bar featuring panoramic views of the buzzing eternal city. The property will also feature two dedicated meeting rooms and a fitness centre.