 France has long captured travelers' imaginations with its rich history, world-class cuisine, celebrated wines, beautiful landscapes, and charming villages. It's no surprise that it remains one of Europe's most beloved destinations.
A river cruise offers an exceptional way to experience the country, combining effortless travel with immersive cultural experiences. From grand cities and medieval towns to vineyards, castles, and countryside, France's waterways showcase the very best of the country. But which waterway to choose? While all French river cruises share a love of food, wine, history, and culture, each waterway has a distinct personality. Understanding those differences can help you find the itinerary that best matches your interests. And if you still can't decide? Choose the one that fits your schedule and budget and go. There truly isn't a wrong choice.
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 Memorial Day. D-Day. Veterans Day. Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Each year, these occasions remind me of the sacrifices made by the men and women who served our country. They also bring to mind the places around the world where history unfolded—places where freedom was defended at an extraordinary cost. One of the most powerful of these places is Normandy, France. 5/21/2026
10 Epic Train JourneysSometimes a rail journey is exactly what is needed to fully experience a destination. No driving, no watching the road, no constantly pulling over for photos. Instead, relax in comfort while mountains, rivers, deserts, wildlife and remote landscapes unfold outside your window — often through places roads simply cannot reach. Luxury rail travel has also evolved significantly in recent years. New routes, elevated  5/14/2026
10 Top Things To Do In Malta The Maltese Islands — Malta, Gozo, and Comino — sit in the heart of the Mediterranean between Sicily and the North African coast. Though small in size, these sun-soaked islands offer an extraordinary blend of history, culture, dramatic coastlines, ancient temples, charming towns, and a wonderfully relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle.
4/9/2026
Six Must See Cities in Norway Norway: Where nature, culture, and space come together.
Norway is one of those destinations that feels almost cinematic in its beauty—where dramatic landscapes and rich history exist side by side. From Viking heritage and historic landmarks to vast fjords, towering mountains, and remote fishing villages, this is a country designed for exploration. Whether you’re drawn by culture, cuisine, or the call of the outdoors, Norway offers an incredible range of experiences—often with the added luxury of space and serenity. From vibrant cities to tucked-away coastal communities, here are six must-see destinations to include in your journey: 3/26/2026
Exploring the Sea of Cortez Often called “the world’s aquarium” by Jacques Cousteau, the Sea of Cortez is one of the most biodiverse marine environments on Earth—yet it remains surprisingly under the radar. With more than 900 species of fish, multiple whale species, dolphins, sea lions, sea turtles, rays, and whale sharks, these protected waters offer an extraordinary concentration of wildlife in a setting that still feels raw, remote, and untouched.
But what truly defines the experience isn’t just the wildlife—it’s how you encounter it. 3/5/2026
My Take On Small Ship Cruising Photo courtesy of Sea Dream Yacht Club Originally published January 9, 2018
As I re-read this article from 2018, I realized something interesting - very little has changed... except for one thing: the popularity of small ship cruising has grown exponentially. While still somewhat under the radar compared with the mega ships dominating cruise advertising, the appeal of what I like to call elbowroom inspired travel - experiences away from the crowds, with fewer people and more authentic destinations - has clearly struck a chord with today’s travelers. River cruising continues to surge. Expedition cruising is one of the fastest-growing segments in travel. Even luxury hotel brands are entering the space, adding small ship yachts to their portfolios. The desire is simple: Travel experiences that feel more personal, immersive, and connected. Below is the essence of the original article - with a few updates.  Photo credit: Hiva Oa Tahiti Tourism I was first “introduced” to the Marquesas Islands back in 2002—courtesy of one of the earliest seasons of Survivor. I use the word introduced lightly. It was television, after all, and reality TV at that. Still, those dramatic landscapes—raw, wild, and impossibly beautiful—left a lasting impression. Even then, I knew this was a place unlike anywhere else in the South Pacific.
12/12/2024
Top 6 Reasons to Visit French Polynesia Nestled halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand in the South Pacific, French Polynesia is a collection of islands that can only be described as paradise. While often associated with Tahiti, French Polynesia is made up of five distinct archipelagos: the Society Islands, Tuamotu, Marquesas, Austral, and Gambier archipelagos.
5/30/2024
Ship Review: Regent Seven Seas Explorer This cruise was an educational trip for me - one to see Alaska again after being away for far too long and two, to experience a luxury small ship cruise line, in this case, Regent Seven Seas. This was my first time on Regent and the Seven Seas Explorer - following are my insights.
5/23/2024
Alaska Cruise Photo Story A classic cruise through Alaska's Inside Passage, in my opinion, is enjoyable during any season, April through October. Each season has its charms and own set of experiences. Best time to go? The answer depends on what is most important to you.
We started in Anchorage, and sailed out of Seward (early May). Our day in Anchorage started with Denali showing herself in all her glory. A great start to a wonderful trip.  The Patagonia region in South America is vast, basically covering the entire southern tip of the continent. The region, governed by both Argentina and Chile,
2/29/2024
My Journey to Antarctica I recently made it to my 7th continent, Antarctica – a destination that has been on my “must experience” list for over 30 years. I knew it would be exciting, mind boggling, full of surprises - this trip did not disappoint.
12/14/2023 Expedition Cruises Expedition style cruises - where a lot of WOW happens. Extraordinary opportunities for curious and adventurous learners and explorers, whether you are well traveled or new to travel onboard a ship. What is an expedition cruise? A small ship experience (generally under 200 guests on purpose built ships) focused on the nature, wildlife, history and culture of the areas they visit. Ships are very comfortable with plenty of amenities to suit all tastes - premium to ultra-luxury (long gone are the days of roughing it on an old ice breaker). Photo courtesy of Quark Expeditions
11/30/2023
Sea of Cortez and Kangaroo Island Without a doubt, the Galapagos Islands are one of the most amazing places I have ever been. I have often said that certain trips are life changing - this was one of them.
That said, there are a number of places around the world to venture to for amazing wildlife experiences. Two in particular are often compared to the Galapagos in terms of unique and abundant wildlife – one in North America and one Down Under. 6/28/2023
The Galapagos Islands - Wildlife Without a doubt, the biggest draw of the Galapagos Islands is the wildlife.
The islands are home to the highest percentage of endemic species anywhere in the world. According to the Galapagos Conservancy, about 80% of the land birds, 97% of the reptiles and mammals, 30%+ of the plants and 20% of the marine species are only found in these islands. Favorites include the Galapagos tortoises, land and marine iguanas, the flightless cormorant and the Galapagos penguins, the only penguin found in the Northern Hemisphere. Of course there are also other non-endemic favorites, like the blue footed boobie, fur and sea lions.  Seeing wildlife in their natural habitats can be a life changing, soul stirring experience, especially for lovers of "wild things" but equally so for travelers who are simply curious and seeking a bit of adventure.
Wildlife themed itineraries should be experienced in small group settings – whether they be on small expedition and adventure ship cruises or private and small group land tours. Small groups and ships lend themselves perfectly to a better learning and observing environment and offer access to areas that bigger groups and ships just can't. Smaller groups also contribute to the conservation and protection of species. Sustainable tourism - the best way. Following are 9 top itinerary picks – one (or two) on every continent. Photo credit above: Lindblad Expeditions 6/16/2022
9 Reasons Why You’ll Love Portugal Portugal packs a real punch with its diverse experiences, stunning landscapes, friendly locals and so much more. Lots of sunshine, good food, tradition, intriguing history and culture are all reasons why you’ll love a visit to Portugal.
5/2/2022
The Aurora:Â Borealis And Australis Photo courtesy of Kakslauttanen Simply put, the Aurora Borealis and Australis are the Northern and Southern Lights. These mesmerizing, beautiful green, blue, red and purple lights that flash over the polar skies. As we move into the winter months, they become more and more visible in the polar regions.
Have you ever wondered what these "lights" really are? I never put a lot of thought into it until I listened to a presentation by a photographer who was taking a group to Norway on a winter cruise. Not being a scientist, the discussions around solar flares, magnetic fields, electrons and who knows what else could have made my brain go blurry. I appreciated his simple presentation in layman's terms, and found all of it to be quite fascinating. I'm certain you will too. 2/9/2022
Tahiti and the Society Islands Photo courtesy of Paul Gauguin Cruises A destination on many a bucket list are the islands of the South Pacific. The Cook Islands, Fiji, Tahiti - all ultimate dream vacations of a lifetime. Beautiful islands, crystal blue waters, above and below water adventures, relaxation, and of course romance!
I have been fortunate to visit Tahiti, and I must admit, it truly is a dreamy place. All that and then some! Beyond the sheer beauty of the islands, here are some fun facts about Tahiti: 1/20/2022 The Best Ways To See Alaska Alaska is a top asked about destination when it comes to travel. I'm not surprised - it is such a beautiful place to explore and visit. Wide open spaces, majestic mountains, glorious glaciers, abundant wildlife - what's not to love?
How best to see Alaska? The answer is "it depends" - on you! There are a number of ways to explore this great state, and the best way truly depends on what you want to experience, the time you have and your budget. Options abound to explore Alaska: by sea, by land and by air. 12/2/2021 Yacht Style Cruising Just like big ship cruising, small ship cruising isn't a one size fits all category.
You've got river cruises, adventure, expedition, and today I'm sharing information about a fourth category - Yacht style. What are your first thoughts when you hear "yacht style"? For me, I always had this image of beautiful yachts anchored off the Amalfi Coast (like above) . This is a real image. However, yacht style is quite varied, and includes so much more (and destinations). Yacht style cruises are very much like sailing your own super yacht, and can be like your own personal getaway with friends than a traditional cruise. Read on to see why this type of cruising is so special. 11/23/2021
Adventure Style Cruises You want more access, more intimate environments, fewer crowds, a quieter experience, a higher level of service and personalization. Private or small group land tours, river and small ship cruises provide all of these things for you.
River, luxury and expedition cruises are three types of small ship cruising experiences. Under the radar is Adventure style - not your typical cruise experience. No, not crazy and wild, but perfect for those who are seeking something a little different. 11/15/2021
9 Reasons To Visit Chile When thinking of South America, Peru, Brazil and Argentina often get the most attention. But don't overlook Chile, a country with a diverse landscape north to south and ample things to see and experience.
It's no secret. I fell in love with this country over 10 years ago when I visited via a cruise from Valparaiso to Rio de Janeiro. Warm and friendly people, great food, wine, interesting history. The absolute best for me was the amazing scenic beauty and wildlife. There is no doubt I'll be returning. My top 9 reasons to visit: 10/14/2021
Sailing the Northern Cyclades Off the south eastern coast of Greece lie some of the most stunning islands of the Aegean Sea – the Cyclades Islands. Meaning “encircling”, the archipelago is named such because they form a rough circle around the island of Delos, the legendary birthplace of Zeus’ children, twins Artemis and her brother Apollo. As stated on the Visit Greece tourism site, Delos is the head priest of the Cyclades, the birthplace of immortals. Delos is not a museum. It is not there to tell a story. It is history itself.
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