Travel and Cruises Blog

A gargantuan mass of seaweed that formed in the Atlantic Ocean is headed for the shores of Florida and other coastlines throughout the Gulf of Mexico, threatening to dump smelly and potentially dangerous heaps across beaches and put a big damper on tourist season.

The seaweed, a variety called sargassum, has long formed large blooms in the Atlantic, and scientists have been tracking massive accumulations since 2011. But this year’s sargassum mass could be the largest on record — spanning more than 5,000 miles from the coast of Africa to the Gulf of Mexico.

The blob is currently pushing west and will pass through the Caribbean and up into the Gulf of Mexico during the summer, with the seaweed expected to become prevalent on beaches in Florida around July, according to Dr. Brian Lapointe, a researcher at Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute.

Lapointe said this year’s sargassum bloom began to form early and doubled in size between December and January. The mass “was larger in January than it has ever been since this new region of sargassum growth began in 2011,” Lapointe told CNN’s Rosemary Church.

“This is an entirely new oceanographic phenomenon that is creating such a problem — really a catastrophic problem — for tourism in the Caribbean region where it piles up on beaches up to 5 or 6 feet deep,” Lapointe added.

He noted that in Barbados, locals were using “1,600 dump trucks a day to clean the beaches of this seaweed to make it suitable for tourists and recreation on the beaches.”

A New Night Train Network Is To Fully Connect Over 200 European Cities

The climate crisis and rising fuel prices have caused particular concern in society, with governments looking for sustainable and practical solutions.

In this direction, the Green party in Germany presented an innovative project: A trans-European night train network, the Euro Night Sprinter, which will be powered by renewable energy sources and will consist of 40 international long-distance lines. It aims to connect more than 200 cities and towns across Europe by 2030, from Lisbon in the west to Moscow in the east and from Helsinki in the north to Malaga in the south. This would favor journeys of a few hours by train rather than by air, since aviation produces almost 14 percent of emissions.

To date, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not confirmed a single case of COVID-19 transmission on a U.S. airplane, the risk of exposure during air travel is very low.

Marriage requirements per destination

Each of the following destinations require our on-site wedding coordinators to help coordinate all necessary paperwork and communicate directly with local officials throughout the wedding process. 

Luxury travel network Virtuoso, based on its latest survey, has determined 2018-2019 will be the year when its high-end customers will seek out less-visited destinations and more unusual experiences. 

Upscale consumers desire unspoiled natural beauty and reveals their preferences in high-end and experiential travel, according to the Virtuoso’s Luxe Report discovered five travel trends for 2018/19, including:

Top Travel Trends include more multi-generational travel, active or adventure trips, river cruising, food and wine travel and celebration travel.

Top travel motivations include exploring new destinations, crossing off bucket-list items, seeking authentic experiences, rest and relaxation and personal enrichment.

Dubrovnik - The Pearl of the Adriatic is Ready for its close up

Dubrovnik continues to seduce visitors as it has for centuries with stunning architecture, colorful history, culture, events, natural beauty and endearing hospitality. The Pearl of the Adriatic hosts millions of visitors year round who seek unique travel experiences. The meticulously well-preserved Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979, is certainly the main attraction. However, others are inspired by more than architecture, history and natural beauty as Dubrovnik’s charm can be found in the spirit of its people, cuisine, and wines – all grounded in tradition and emerging as innovative and creative, giving due recognition to talented Chefs who strive to show the abundance of the region to guests. Dubrovnik is also a premier filming destination for major entertainment projects. The popular Game of Thrones series has been here since 2011, Star Wars: Episode VIII used the white polished slabs of the Stradun as its set, the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster Robin Hood: Origins was filmed in early 2017, and in 2018, will welcome filming of the 25th installment of the James Bond spy thriller series.

Welcome to the Kvarner Region – Croatia's best kept secret!

Mediterranean yet Central European, anchored by history yet modern, familiar and comforting yet still mysterious and full of surprises, this is the Kvarner region at its best! Kvarner represents interesting sights, attractions and new discoveries, offering today's holidaymakers a destination they can experience over and over again, with each visit a chance to discover something new.

This amazing destination with a long standing tradition and focus on health tourism is known for its inviting Mediterranean climate, superb cuisine, excellent wines, as well as its natural and cultural heritage - it's an ideal holiday destination for visitors of all ages. Due to its unique position along the Adriatic Sea, Kvarner Bay boasts a particularly beneficial climate – simply breathing the invigorating sea air, fragrances of the bountiful aromatic plants and surrounding forests (known as Croatia's lungs) will essentially rejuvenate one's body and the mind.

Health and Safety Tips for Travelers

We strongly recommend that you visit the U.S. Department of States’ website http://travel.state.gov/, as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, https://www.cdc.gov/, which includes important information on foreign travel.

Required Entry/Re-Entry Documentation/Real ID Act - when proper ID needed

Proper documentation is your responsibility. The following information gives current requirements for United States citizens, effective at time of printing. This information may change, so see your travel agent or contact the consulate for the country to which you are traveling for current requirements. 

Passengers returning to the U.S. by air from any international destination must have a valid passport, and may be denied boarding by the airline if the passport is damaged, mutilated, or has excessive wear. A “Passport Card” is not acceptable. If your name on your passport (or for non-U.S. citizens, valid travel documents) does not match your name on your travel vouchers/ tickets, you will not be allowed to travel.