HURRICANE POLO DRENCHES MEXICO’S COAST AS NOLO TAKES AIM AT HAWAII

Residents along Mexico’s west coast stacked sandbags to fortify beachfront shops and evacuated their homes while Hawaii’s Big Island and Maui braced for potentially catastrophic flooding, as two separate storms swirled in the Pacific on Thursday.

ARE $7,000 A NIGHT CRUISES SUSTAINABLE?

BY WALLACE IMMEN: Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, Orient Express, Aman Resorts. Luxury hotel chains seem to have all decided at once to put their oars in the water with new small ships that promise the ultimate in comfort and personalized service.

LISTENING IN: Our favourite Welsh witch

By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ My recent trip to Wales got me thinking about my favourite song about “an old Welsh witch,” as Stevie Nicks called it.

Iberostar Selection Riviera Cancun: Your destination for an exceptional all inclusive experience

Nestled along the waters of the Mexican Caribbean, Iberostar Selection Riviera Cancun offers a seamless blend of traditional Mexican hospitality and modern design with a focus on sustainability initiatives. Set in the tranquil area near Puerto Morelos, just twenty minutes south of Cancun International Airport, this stunning beachfront property delivers an idyllic escape away from the crowded hotel zones. It provides the perfect balance for travellers seeking effortless logistics without sacrificing the peace and serenity of a secluded tropical hideaway. Whether you’re planning a romantic couple’s retreat, a vibrant family holiday or a rejuvenating solo getaway, Iberostar Selection Riviera Cancun’s expansive, all-inclusive design is tailored for every speed of travel.

Why Mexico is the Ultimate Family Destination

When planning a memorable family vacation, few international destinations match the effortless charm and rich variety of Mexico. Celebrated across the globe for its vibrant culture, year-round tropical warmth, breathtaking coastlines and extraordinarily welcoming hospitality, Mexico offers a dynamic setting for adults and children to build shared memories. However, the true secret to an stress-free family holiday lies in choosing a resort environment that can cater to every generation without requiring compromise. This is where Iberostar resorts in Mexico truly set the benchmark for family hospitality.

Celebrations in Paradise: Group Trips and Destination Weddings

Organizing a group getaway—whether gathering your closest friends for a long-overdue reunion or inviting loved ones for a breathtaking destination wedding—can be tricky and call for a careful balance. To do it right, you need a venue that offers shared spaces for connection alongside quiet corners for individual downtime.

A SIX BILLION DOLLAR PAIR: Royal Caribbean and Sandals partnership

Royal Caribbean is diversifying its operations by purchasing a 50 per cent stake in Sandals Resorts for US $3 billion. The joint venture expands Royal Caribbean Group into the land based vacation category, and accelerates the global expansion for Sandals and Beaches Resorts.

IT’S TIME TO TACKLE JET LAG: oneworld says new app can help

The oneworld Alliance is helping customers adjust to new time zones faster and lose fewer days to jet lag on Round the World journeys through a new partnership with Timeshifter – the world’s most-downloaded jet lag app, with more than 1.7 million users. 

TOURISTS FLIP FOR FAVELA TOURS IN RIO

As record numbers of tourists descend upon Rio de Janeiro – including Canadians taking advantage of new direct flights to the destination – many are looking beyond the city’s iconic landmarks, seeking instead local tours in the city’s favelas to learn more about the often-stigmatized territories that are also beacons of urban culture and art.

‘THEY ARE EXTERMINATING US’: Cubans at breaking point with no relief in sight

Sweltering nights. Water and power shortages. Dwindling fuel and crumbling homes. Limited public transportation and weak cellphone signals. The psychological toll of daily life in Cuba is pushing many to their breaking point on this island of nearly 10 million people, with no relief in sight as a U.S. energy embargo persists and longtime economic and financial troubles deepen.

BOSTON UNCOMMON: A city that has it all, and then some

By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Boston wears it’s history on it’s sleeve, even if it’s most obvious in its iconic landmarks and distinguished architecture. But the city, which is preparing to celebrate its 400th birthday in 2030, is, in fact, so much more: a combination of history and modernity, America’s most European city, and a democratic bastion at a time when it means more than ever.

RETAIL ROUND-UP: Agent news, fams & incentives

This week: Flight Centre goes “old school” with new bricks and mortar locations; Travel Leaders Network expands its Cruise Complete booking platform; Ensemble’s media brand has launched a new editorial awards program; Nexion is developing its next-gen tech platform; Explora Journeys has launched a new travel advisors rewards program; Air Canada Vacations is hosting groups workshops; and travelbrands has a million reasons to book.

HURRICANE POLO EXPECTED TO IMPACT MEXICO

Hurricane Polo will rapidly intensify in the Pacific Ocean and become a major hurricane later this week, forecasters said Monday. Polo could bring heavy rain, rough surf and tropical-storm-force winds to parts of Mexico late Tuesday into early Wednesday, the Miami-based National Hurricane Center said.

REIMAGINING THE HONEYMOON AT SAINT LUCIA’S SERENITY AT COCONUT BAY

A honeymoon can be one of those rare trips where there is nowhere else you need to be and no reason to rush. For couples who want to make the most of that freedom, Serenity at Coconut Bay in Saint Lucia offers the space, privacy and service to make their honeymoon their own.

PAUL THEROUX’S ‘FINAL CHAPTER’ TAKES STOCK OF ‘COMPLEX’ CANADA

Over decades of travel writing, renowned travel writer Paul Theroux has often observed that a journey is transformed by the generosity, humour and spirit of the people one encounters along the way. Beautiful scenery may attract visitors, but it is kindness, curiosity and conversation that remain as the memory connection long after the trip has ended, he says.

THE INTUITIVE ART OF BUTLER SERVICE AT SAINT LUCIA’S SERENITY

At Serenity at Coconut Bay in Saint Lucia, butler service is built around a simple idea that couples should be able to spend their vacation the way they want, while someone else takes care of the planning. As a couples-only, Unlimited All-Inclusive resort, Serenity has designed its butler service to be personal and discreet, with each butler getting to know the couple’s preferences and intuitively knowing when to step in and when to step back for those who prefer a lighter touch.

PANAMA TO PROVIDE FREE INSURANCE FOR TRAVELLERS

Panama is launching Tourist Insurance, an initiative that the Panama Tourism Authority (PTA) says reinforces the country’s commitment to providing care and support to international visitors from the moment they arrive. The benefit covers medical emergencies, transportation, and international repatriation and comes with no cost and no paperwork for visitors.

THEY REALLY LOVE US: Sky’s the limit for Canadian carriers at World Airline Awards

Canadian airlines landed a number of top awards at this year’s prestigious Skytrax World Airline Awards – dubbed “the Oscars of the aviation industry.” Leading the way were category winners Air Canada, Air Transat, and Porter Airlines. And joining them in the worldwide top 100 were WestJet and Air Canada Rouge.

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