Mountain City's Travel Blog

Break the boredom of March Break getaways. There’s still time to make March Break about more than the beach. This time of the year presents a whole planet of excitement – and it’s not too late to plan the family break that will create memories of a lifetime. If swapping flip-flops by the pool, with the wonder and exploration that...

Whether you are a devotee of the Chinese/ Lunar calendar, for many of us, horses are our spirit animals, and the Year of the Horse reminds us why. Since the earliest civilizations – is any other creature so well-represented on the world’s cave walls, ancient scripts, wall carvings? - Humans around the world have fallen in love with the majesty, power,...

The romance of sailing cruise ships is back, and the new generation of sailing cruise ships has a modern and eco-friendly twist. The latest cruise line to announce it’s building a sailing yacht is Atlas Ocean Voyages, whose new ship – a luxury, expedition sailing yacht – is set to embark on the seas in late 2028. If you’re imagining historic-looking...

If you love the sounds of sails snapping in the tropical breeze, St. Maarten stands out with two iconic ways to discover your inner sailor: the largest regatta in the Caribbean, and the year-round, hands-on 12-Metre Challenge racing experience even landlubbers can win – and which has been voted the #1 shore excursion in the Caribbean for 15 years! At just...

'Tis the season for cruise travelers to save! Wave Season is that time of year when cruise lines roll out wave after wave of promotions, perks, and irresistible offers. They’re all competing to capture your attention… which means you get the chance to save, spoil yourself a little, and maybe even try a whole new style of cruising. Lynn Elmhirst, cruise/travel...

Sun and sand are relaxing, but if you love the outdoors and getting active among scenery that takes your breath away… these natural wonders in Caribbean islands should inspire your next tropical vacation. Twin Pitons, Saint Lucia The two volcanic spires, dramatically piercing the sky and surrounded by brilliant waters, make the sail-in to Saint Lucia one of the most magnificent in...

Every year, “travel more” is in the mix of resolutions. But what travel resolutions can get you from dreaming of a trip… into the beauty and benefits of real travel experiences? Surveys consistently show that nearly two-thirds of Americans leave a third of their vacation time unused, and a quarter of workers don’t take any time off at all! That’s despite mounting...

Expedition cruises are a fast-growing, life-changing way to see the world in a different way. Atlas Ocean Voyages, with its fleet of small, yacht-like ships that also have polar capabilities, has expanded the definition of expedition cruising in new directions with ‘Epicurean Expeditions.’The ‘classic’ expedition cruise is polar: Antarctica or increasingly, the Arctic. Other remote maritime destinations that have natural or...

During the shortest days and longest nights of the year, ultra-luxury cruise line Seabourn is shining a spotlight on ways it gives guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in the primal allure of the night, as part of the growing ‘noctourism’ trend of exploring destinations after dark and connecting with destinations in new and meaningful ways. Select sailings feature experiences from...

You might say it’s a tale of two ships – all wrapped into one! Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours made waves recently with its announcement of its new class of Discovery Yacht. We’ve sailed aboard the existing Scenic Eclipse in both Antarctica and in the Med – literally ‘polar extremes’ in cruising! Here’s a tour of the ship from both cruising...

Indonesia’s most storied island, Bali, has been a symbol of uniquely tropical Asian exotic culture, romance and adventure for centuries. A generation of backpackers and surfers brought Bali’s beaches to ever greater fame, but today, Bali’s being reborn as a bucket list travel destination that’s so much more than beach culture. Beaches: Surf, Serenity, and Sea TemplesEven Bali’s beaches are more...

Scenic Group has announced the launch of Scenic Ikon, a new class of ‘Discovery Yachts’- and the opening of bookings at special pre-release pricing. Scenic Ikon joins the luxury cruise line’s ocean fleet – currently Scenic Eclipse I and II - in polar waters and its primary base of the Mediterranean, beginning in spring of 2028. Three years in development, Scenic Ikon...

It sails 21 rivers, 5 oceans, and all 7 continents with more ships than any other single cruise line in the world. And now, with the naming of nine new ships in one fell swoop, Viking has marked another milestone: the inauguration of its 100th ship! During a simultaneous ceremony that spanned six countries, the river, ocean and expedition cruise line...

Instead of a to-do list to check off during your next tropical vacation, the island of St. Kitts invites you to celebrate slow travel: log off, unplug from your devices, and reconnect with yourself and nature with a range of restorative experiences the length and breadth of this 18-mile-long Caribbean island. St. Kitts is the larger of two islands that make...

They say ’50 is the new 30!’ And now there’s a new brand of travel experiences - designed just for this new generation of travelers - with maturity, busy lives, high expectations, established tastes and as active as ever. Upscale guided travel company Tauck is tapping into the energy of travelers in their 40s and 50s looking for flexibility, soft...

Gin is hot – resurging in popularity as one of the spirits most identified with cocktails that harness ice and botanical flavors in cool, stylish cocktails. So what better place to make this cooling spirit than inside the world’s largest ice tunnel, in a country famous for its glaciers and wild nature? Into the Glacier offers visitors expert-led access to the...

Don’t fight the heat on holiday in Mexico this summer – escape it altogether! While Mexico’s coastal hotspots heat up for the summer, savvy travelers are moving up — literally — to uncover the breezy mountain escapes of the Pacific state of Nayarit. Away from the beach crowds and humid shorelines, these mountainous Magical Towns ("Pueblo Magico"), plus one volcanic lagoon, offer fresh...

If you’re thinking about an Arctic expedition cruise to experience extraordinary land and seascapes, iconic wildlife sightings, and Inuit cultural immersion… add to that list Quark Expedition's onboard Arctic fine dining experience -  a gastronomic tour de force that will open your eyes – and your palate – to an entirely new perspective on the flavors of the far north....

Travel beyond Hong Kong’s dazzling skyscrapers, historic backstreets and a skyline that ranks among the most stunning in the world. Away from the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong Island, there are over 260 more islands, 450 miles of coastline, and a UNESCO Geopark that straddles land and sea. A new, island-hopping boat tour lets visitors get up close to the...

Puffins are a lot like penguins: among the most beloved, iconic and recognizable seabirds – yet occupying the opposite ends of the planet in some of the most remote regions of the Earth. So seeing either of them in the wild is a magical travel experience. Unlike tuxedoed penguins with their mostly monochrome coloring, puffins are often called the “clowns of...