Ultra-Luxury Hotel Opens in Chicago in the World’s Tallest Building Designed by a Woman

It’s an architectural wonder 101 stories high in Chicago’s Lakeshore East neighborhood that transforms the Windy City’s skyline. Eleven of those floors make up the newly-opened, ultra-luxury hotel St. Regis Chicago.  Designed by the world-renowned architecture and urban design practice led by Jeanne Gang, the tower breaks new ground as the tallest building in the world designed by a female architect.  The tower’s crystalline form was inspired by nature with its facets of a shimmering gem and its gradient of green-blue glass...

Why Belfast is the Best Place to Experience the Legend of the Titanic

Wait, Belfast? Part of the legend of the Titanic? The most famously-doomed passenger ship tale of all time? Wasn’t she a British ship, sailing from Southampton to New York, that struck an iceberg and capsized over a century ago? How did Ireland play a part – and how could Belfast keep the ‘Ship of Dreams’ alive for us today?  Glad you asked. Belfast has an integral place in Titanic lore, and is perhaps the primary destination today – with the possible exception...

Upgrades and Celebrations Mark the 50th Anniversary of Australia’s Architectural Icon: the Sydney Opera House

In 2023, the iconic Sydney Opera House celebrates a half-century of symbolizing not just a city, but a country and even a continent. It may even be the most famous building in the southern hemisphere.  This icon of modern design evoking giant stylized, sail-shaped shells occupies Bennelong point projecting out into Sydney Harbour. It dominates the skyline and has gripped the world’s imagination ever since its debut in 1973. Completely unprecedented when it won the contest for a design for a performing...

Oceania Cruises Christens 1st New Ship in a Decade and Introduces new Wine, Spirits and Culinary Experiences

Oceania Cruises has officially welcomed the 1200-guest Oceania Vista in a glittering event in Malta. She’s the cruise line’s first new ship in more than ten years, and the first of its new, Allura-class of ships.  In a ceremony that included centuries-old blessings on the ship and the souls who will sail upon her, Italian-American chef, author, restaurateur and Emmy award-winning food personality Giada De Laurentiis christened the Vista with the traditional breaking of a bottle of champagne against the ship’s...

One of America’s Most Famous Landmarks Celebrates 100th Anniversary

It ranks right up there with the Statue of Liberty and the Washington monument. Not only is it a world-wide symbol of the United States. It’s also the country’s most famous sign – and visual shorthand for one of America’s most universally-consumed exports: movies, as well as the West Coast city where movie-making dreams come true.  In 2023, the Hollywood sign celebrates an entire century dominating the Los Angeles skyline. That’s almost as long as Los Angeles itself has been dominating storytelling...

You Can Do An Underwater-Aged Dom Perignon Champagne Tasting in the Maldives

As a thousand mile-long atoll in the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean, it’s no wonder that most of the Maldives’ most coveted experiences relate to the sea: over water villas, underwater resorts…and now, tastings of wine aged in what has been voted the world’s best underwater wine cellar and restaurant.  Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas has launched a new underwater-aged wine tasting experience. Taking place 20 feet below the Indian Ocean’s surface in the resort’s incredible SEA restaurant, surrounded by near 360-degree...

For the First Time Ever, a Luxury Cruise Will Sail Around the Entire Continent of Africa

It's the kind of voyage books and films and history are made of - and that travel dream will be a reality for 450 curious travelers in 2024. For the first time ever, an ultra-luxury cruise line will sail around the entire continent of Africa.  It's a 90-day, 17,000-mile exotic adventure visiting 44 marquee and off-the-beaten path ports and cities throughout 26 fascinating and unique countries. Immersion into ancient and recent history, exotic and wildly different landscapes, cultures, wildlife and lifestyles...

Avant-Garde Design and Luxury Lifestyle at the New St. Regis Resort in Exclusive Riviera Maya Enclave

A new, ultra-luxury resort brings St. Regis glamor and hospitality to a new, exclusive development at a 600+acre nature reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site on one of Mexico's most popular beach destinations. The St. Regis Kanai Resort was inspired by the Sian Ka'an Reserve, from its avant-garde architecture to its upscale interiors. If you hadn't heard of Kanai yet, you're not alone. It's a new and exclusive oasis on the Riviera Maya carefully permitting only 4 top luxury hotels occupying...

New, Regal Suites and a Dior Spa For Scotland's Only Luxury Sleeper Train

An overnight rail journey through the landscapes of the legendary Scottish Highlands on the Royal Scotsman, A Belmond Train, is getting even more baronial. Two new Grand Suites will debut on the train in 2024 that mirror the atmosphere of a luxury Scottish country house and capture the magic of Highland culture and lifestyle. When you’re not with fellow guests dining in one of the two wood-paneled dining cars and enjoying live evening entertainment, or off board excursions including wild swimming, foraging,...

3 New Attractions That Bring New Perspective to Hong Kong's British-Era History

While travel was paused during the pandemic, Hong Kong kept evolving. Three attractions give new and returning visitors fascinating insights into the city’s British era. Two reinvent an iconic Hong Kong experience, and the other provides visitors access to a part of Hong Kong that’s been closed to tourists – until now.The Renewed Peak TramHong Kong’s Peak Tram has been transporting people to the cool, greenery-covered heights of Victoria Peak since 1888. It’s one of the oldest funiculars in the...