Mountain City's Travel Blog

Don’t wait til spring or summer to visit Austria’s capital. Some of its most unique experiences take place during the frosty months, where one-of-a-kind local events warm your heart and reveal a side of Vienna you can’t see any other time of the year.   Viennese Christmas Markets:Advent, the four weeks leading up to Christmas, is a magical time in Vienna,...

Ever since it was inaugurated in October, 1933, Air France has been flying high as an international beacon of the uniquely French art of travel and art of life. 90 years later, flying to France on the airline remains the best way to become immersed in French “savoir vivre” and elegance before you even touch French soil.  Since its creation, the...

30 times in 30 years. That’s an incredible vote of confidence in the resort chain named “The Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Brand” for the 30th time at the 30th annual World Travel Awards. It wasn’t the only win for Sandals Resorts International, either. It scored 13 more prestigious awards.  Sandals Resorts International is the parent company of two luxury, all-inclusive resort chains: couples-only Sandals...

What’s the fastest-disappearing natural phenomenon? Dark skies. As cities expand, the night skies are flooded with light, dimming our views of the complex, mystical wonders of the heavens that inspired our ancestors.  We are still fascinated by the night skies, and many of us take time on vacation to spend our evenings outdoors gazing up into the darkness and its mysteries.  Luckily,...

The latest craze at tropical resorts will really ‘float your boat.’ Swim up bars have become standard at many of your favorite resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico, and floating trays are the newest way to serve guests who love to hang out in the pool.  Maybe one of the best things about floating trays is that, while swim-up bars are...

Many people have heard about luxury expedition cruises to the Antarctic. But there’s a whole world of expedition cruising out there you may never have heard of.  Cruise/ travel journalist and expert Lynn Elmhirst sat down with ultra-luxury cruise line Seabourn’s director of expedition development Jen Martin to dispel the myth that expedition cruises only go to Antarctica.  WATCH VIDEO ABOVE  Jen is the...

History, culture, the romance of travel and 21st century diversity all await you in the ancient destination of Egypt – home to the only remaining entry on the list of the original Seven Wonders of the World, not to mention other archaeological and architectural marvels, markets and local cuisine and lifestyle.  And you can explore Egypt’s antique wonders and modern life...

All of the former Crystal Cruises’ ships have now found new homes. The original cruise line is no more, but those who love the ships can still sail aboard favorite river, ocean, expedition and yacht vessels with their new lines. In some cases, their new owners even managed to bring back their original crew so your next cruise… will feel like...

While travel was closed, Hong Kong’s hoteliers kept building. When you travel to the dynamic city today, you’ll discover a whole slate of new hotels that have added to its reputation for having one of the most glamorous and diverse hospitality scenes in the world. Ask us about a stay at one of the new hotels in skyscrapers with harbor views...

Luxury expedition cruising is one of the fastest-growing trends in cruising - but who really sails on these voyages? And more importantly, are they right for you? Maybe it's time to dispel some myths about expedition cruising - one of the fastest-growing cruise styles today, with new ships launching every year.  I sat down with Seabourn's Jen Martin, who leads the...

Belmond’s ultra-luxury hotels, resorts and rail experiences have become beacons of how to live your best life abroad. Two of its properties are adding spas in collaboration with luxe French beauty brands that will make it even more difficult to leave these oases of pampering and relaxation to return to the real world after your vacation. Taormina, Italy: Pop-up Treetop Spa...

Away from all your cares – and the bright lights of the city - at home, there may be nothing more romantic than being at a beach resort under the night sky with your sweetheart. Jamaica’s newest luxury resort has added a celestial experience for guests to rediscover each other and the wonders of the stars during your stay.  Sandals Dunn’s...

Luxury yacht transfer to a romantic island resort? Check. Butler service? Check. Terrace whirlpools and fully stocked in-room bars? Check. That’s just a taste of what the new “Impressions by Secrets” is offering couples at the first of Hyatt’s new adults-only, luxury, all-inclusive resorts in Mexico’s iconic Isla Mujeres off the coast of Cancun. With a recent new focus on luxury, all-inclusive...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Airlines are making it harder and harder to deny yourself the pleasure of first-class travel, especially on long-distance, overnight flights to Europe where you want to arrive feeling well-rested and refreshed. No longer is the first-class cabin just about seats that are bigger, farther apart and lying flatter with food service on china rather than plastic - incrementally better than...

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...

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...