By David Barclay | January 17, 2025

You may have noticed I’m a little behind getting my blog post up this week.  That’s because I’m sailing on the new Silversea Silver Ray, and I wanted to gather as much experience with the ship as possible before writing this Cruise News Newsletter.  I’ve spent time exploring every nook and cranny of the ship (and there are a lot of them stemming from the unique asymmetrical design).

In what may become an annual tradition, my wife and I are once again sailing in the Caribbean on a “workcation” cruise.  We tried it last year on the Explora Journeys EXPLORA I and had such a wonderful time combining a trip to warm weather, opportunities to explore many small port towns, and time on board to work so we only need to take minimal vacation time for the trip.  If you didn’t get a chance to read my newsletter from last January about that experience, you can skim that newsletter, Live From The EXPLORA I.

This year we decided to sail on Silversea, a cruise line we have sailed on many times.  And I was excited that Silversea had a great Caribbean itinerary this year on the new Silver Ray, including a Panama Canal transit and an overnight in Cartagena, plus multiple sea days during the work week where we could enjoy the weather but keep up on the demands of our jobs.  If you are not familiar with Silversea and would like to learn more, I have a brief overview of Silversea and its fleet on my website. 

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The Next Generation of Silversea Ships

The Silver Ray is the second Nova-Class ships to join the Silversea.  The Silver Ray launched in June of last year, joining her sister ship, the Silver Nova, which launched in 2023.  This new generation of ships brings many new capabilities and improvements.  Both ships are capable of running on LNG (liquified natural gas) when it’s available. When in port the ships run on batteries and fuel cells, so they do not add air pollutants to the ports they visit. 

While the technology is impressive, the biggest change and a first for the cruise industry is the move to an asymmetrical ship design.  Traditionally, cruise ships have a symmetrical design on the port and starboard sides, while heavy structures like the exhaust stack, elevator banks, and main pool are located on the centerline of the ship to help evenly balance the ship’s weight (for stability).  The Nova-Class ships take a radical departure from this traditional design.  The glass enclosed elevator banks on the Silver Ray are located on the sides of the ship (one starboard aft and one port forward) with lovely views of the areas outside the ship.  The overall design of the ship is meant to bring in more sunlight, connecting guests to the areas they are visiting and making it feel less like they are isolated onboard the ship.  Common areas have floor to ceiling windows, and since the Ray does not mix guest suites with common areas on the same deck (suites on decks 6-9, common areas on decks 3-5 & 10-11), the common area decks have significantly higher ceilings which also contribute to the feeling of open space and a connection to the outside.  As I write this newsletter, I am sitting in the Observatory Lounge on deck 10 at the front of the ship, with beautiful views of Oranjestad’s harbor (the capital of Aruba) to my left and the ocean and small coral keys to my right. 

The asymmetrical design can clearly be seen in the position of the main pool, which is shifted to the starboard side of the ship.  On a traditional ship, the pool would be located in the center, enclosed by parts of the pool deck and deck above and all pool loungers would face inward towards the pool  On the Ray, the starboard side of the pool deck is open, with wonderful unobstructed views of the shoreline or ocean off the starboard side.  While most of the loungers still face the pool, this means they also have incredible views off the side of the ship.  Another unique space is the 3-story atrium which spans decks 3-5 on the starboard side.  Large windows let in copious amounts of natural light and the bottom on deck 3 houses The Shelter, a champagne bar that’s only available on the Nova-Class ships.

Ship Size

The Nova-Class ships are the largest ships in the fleet, about 35% larger than the Muse-Class ships of the prior generation.  But the increase in size is purposeful as it allowed Silversea to keep the best of prior ships amenities and common areas, while adding new spaces as well.  The guest capacity increased by only 20%, so the Silver Ray has one of the best space-to-guest ratios in the fleet.  While I have never felt any Silversea ship was crowded, at times the Ray feels almost deserted, even with this sailing being almost completely sold out (I was informed by the crew there is only one empty guest suite on this sailing). 

The asymmetrical design also creates many cozy and secluded spaces on the ship, so it is easy to find loungers, couches, and large comfortable chairs away from others.  Some of my favorite places include the Orange Garden on deck 10, the outside space on the aft of deck 5 outside the Panorama Lounge, and the area around the Dusk Bar.

Restaurants & Lounges

The Silver Ray has many of the restaurants common on other Silversea ships.  As with the Silver Moon, Silver Dawn and sister ship Silver Nova, the Ray has Silversea’s S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Tastes) Program which brings the local cuisine onboard through the S.A.L.T. Kitchen, S.A.L.T. Bar and S.A.L.T. Lab. 

The main restaurants which do not require reservations for dinner are Atlantide and the S.A.L.T. Kitchen.  Another Silversea classic, La Terrazza is expansive and serves a buffet style breakfast and lunch, while turning into the well-known Italian restaurant at night (reservations recommended).  Silver Note, the restaurant and jazz bar that is very popular on Silversea ships has also been brought to the Ray, but it remains a relatively small and intimate space, and while complimentary, is one of the hardest reservations to get on board (definitely make a reservation the moment restaurant reservations open 120 days prior to embarkation).  Kaiseki, Silversea’s premium Asian restaurant is also included in the Ray’s design.  Offering a complimentary lunch of sushi and other Asian dishes, at night it has an $80/pp incremental charge (an increase from the $40/pp fee on other Silversea ships).  Even on the other ships where the fee is lower, I have never thought Kaiseki was worth the premium price for dinner, but lunch can be a great option to try out this restaurant.

And not surprising, La Dame, Silversea’s premium French restaurant, is also on the Ray and has an expanded footprint.  While La Dame is an extra $60/pp on other ships, on the Ray it is an extra $160/pp as Silversea has elevated the experience with premium wine parings for the meal.  I will be dining in La Dame tonight so while I do not have any first-hand details to include in this newsletter, I have high hopes that the elevated experience will more than justify the higher extra cost to dine at this restaurant.

New but also not new is The Marquee.  This is a new space on the aft of deck 10 and combines the pool grill with Spaccanapoli (the pizzeria).  While neither of the restaurants are new to the fleet, The Marquee space has a lovely design, and I enjoy that it moves the pool grill away from the pool so I am not staring at guests lounging in their swimwear while having lunch!

The Art’s Café (coffee bar) is also present on the Ray.  While not as expansive as on other Silversea ships, I like its position on Deck 4, as it adds some warmth and liveliness to this part of the ship which also houses the Reception and Shore Excursion desks (on other ships, I feel this area is a little sterile).

The Nova-Class ships also add one new premium dining venue in the evening.  For dinner, the S.A.L.T. Lab (where onboard cooking classes are held) is converted into the Chef’s Table, which serves a pre-fix menu influenced by the region where the Ray is sailing.  While an extra $180/pp, my experience at the Chef’s Table completely justified this incremental fee.  Initially I was concerned how the chef would elevate Caribbean cuisine, but after the first course I knew I was in for a treat that evening.  The Chef’s Table is a small dining venue (we had 11 guests at our dinner) and is a great opportunity for interesting conversations with other guests and with the Chef’s Table staff.  I highly recommend this dining experience and hope Silversea will retroactively add it to the S.A.L.T. Labs on the Moon and Dawn.

For bars and lounges, many old favorites are available.  The Observation Lounge on the aft of deck 5 and Dolce Vita midship on deck 5 are classic spaces.  As I mentioned before the Observatory Lounge on deck 10 provides lovely views and is mostly deserted during the day.  The Connoisseur’s Corner is available for those who like to indulge in a cigar or fine spirits.  And popular on any cruise ship, the Ray has an expansive pool bar.

The Ray also has the S.A.L.T. Bar outside the S.A.L.T. Lab, which offers unique liquid creations based on the region being sailed.  As you might guess, on a Caribbean cruise that means many drinks made with rum, and all have been masterpieces for both the eyes and tongue.

The new addition to the Nova-Class ships and potentially our favorite is the Dusk Bar on the aft of deck 10.  The views are lovely, especially in the evening with the setting sun and the vibrant blue waters in the wake of the ship.  It is a great place to end the afternoon before heading back to your suite to change for the evening.

The Venetian Lounge, while not new to Silversea, is also a departure for the design on other Silversea ships.  The Ray’s Venetian Lounge is offset to the starboard side and is a double story theatrical space. 

Areas for Development

Leaning on my training from my days at McKinsey, it is always valuable to provide constructive feedback. Nothing is ever perfect and only through honest feedback can improvements be made.  And these truly are areas for development, not weaknesses, and something I hope Silversea can improve quickly.

My first area of feedback is the wi-fi on board, which may be more noticeable to me and my wife since we were both working on this cruise.  As expected for a new ship, the Silver Ray launched with connections to the Starlink system, which is a game changer for communication at sea.  However, on the Ray, Silversea gives each guest only one standard wi-fi connection.  If you have multiple devices, you need to log out of one device and activate your complimentary wi-fi connection on the next.  The complimentary wi-fi is also relatively slow, good for email and web surfing, but not sufficient for Zoom meetings or calls over wi-fi (either built-in capabilities of the phone, or through apps like WhatsApp or FaceTime).  Guests can also choose to upgrade to premium wi-fi, but at a cost of $29 for an individual 24hr period or $209 for our entire 9-night cruise.  For multiple devices, multiply that amount by the number of devices (e.g. connecting my phone, iPad and laptop to high speed wi-fi would have cost $627 for the cruise).

Contrast this to the experience we had last year on Explora Journeys, where we each received wi-fi access for three devices simultaneously.  And the bandwidth of the connections on Explora Journeys were as good as the premium fee-based connections on the Ray (last year I had no issues with Zoom meetings or streaming over the complimentary connections).  I also find it odd that the connections on the Ray are slow, as the complimentary wi-fi on our 2023 sailing on the Silver Origin in the Galapagos had bandwidth rates similar to the premium wi-fi on the Ray.

This deficiency in connectivity has us looking at an Explora Journeys cruise for our January 2026 “workcation” cruise.  But we are not forsaking Silversea completely, we will sail on the Silver Spirit this coming June in the Baltic, but that is a real vacation with hopefully minimal need to work, and having a rock-solid connection is less critical.

The other area for improvement, and I was informed by a crew member that Silversea is already working on the issue, is the open roof above The Marquee.  While lovely in the Caribbean, I have had clients on the Nova and Ray in cooler regions (e.g. Alaska, Northern Europe, etc.) and in inclement weather the space becomes mostly unusable.  However, I was informed by the crew that the next time the Nova and Ray go into dry dock the roof will be modified to add a clear barrier, keeping the open feel to the space but preventing rain from ruining an otherwise beautiful part of the ships.

Overall Opinion

Other than a few somewhat minor improvements I think Silversea can make, the Silver Ray is a great choice for a luxury vacation experience.  The crew is lovely, our butler took great care of us, and the ship has everything one needs to travel in style between interesting ports of call.  On our second day in Cartagena, we were docked between the Holland America Zaandam and the Azamara Journey.  The Zaandam is roughly the same size as the Ray, but with a max capacity twice that of the Ray and an onboard experience that’s not all-inclusive.  The Azamara Journey offers a mostly all-inclusive experience (though a ½ step down from Silversea in my opinion) but the ship is only about 55% the tonnage of the Silver Ray and accommodates roughly the same number of guests.  As I walked across the port and looked at these three ships docked next to each other, I felt blessed that I was sailing on the Ray and she definitely stood out as the best-looking ship in that group!

By David Barclay | December 25, 2024

When my clients hear the words “All-Inclusive Resort”, I get a number of reactions.  Some clients express an interest in hearing more.  But many of my clients tell me they are looking for a more upscale and luxurious experience than an all-inclusive resort.  What these clients don’t realize is that the all-inclusive resort segment has evolved since they first become popular in the 1970’s.  In recent years, many new luxury all-inclusive resorts have opened, and other well-known resort chains have elevated their experiences to better suit the needs of luxury travelers.  These upscale all-inclusive resorts have services, dining, and activities that rival the best of the 5-star resorts around the world.

When a client asks me to assist in finding a great resort for a vacation, I always try to include at least one all-inclusive option.  While some of my clients don’t mind getting a meaningful bill at the end of their stay, others don’t like to feel nickel and dimed after already spending a meaningful amount on their room or suite.  Multiple $100+ per person meals and $20 drinks at the bar can really put a damper on a vacation, as my guests try to mentally keep track of how much they are spending each day on their vacation.  An all-inclusive resort removes this drag on a vacation and my clients are free to relax and indulge as much or as little as they like each day.

Just as there is no common template for the best luxury resorts, as they all have their own unique personality and brand, the same is true for all-inclusive luxury resorts.  Some focus on adults while others cater to families and multi-generational trips.  Some are easy to reach in popular destinations with many off-property activities available, while others are more remote and designed to offer a peaceful refuge from the outside world.  One of the key elements in making a luxury all-inclusive a perfect fit is matching the all-inclusive resort’s offerings to the travelers and their desires for that specific trip.

Below are just a few examples of luxury all-inclusive resorts you might want to consider for your next vacation.

Luxury All-Inclusive Resorts

Grand Velas Riviera Maya

Considered by many to be the best all-inclusive resort in Mexico, the Grand Velas Riviera Maya does not disappoint!  Part of the Grand Velas chain, which also has resorts in Riviera Nayarit and Los Cabos, the Grand Velas Riviera Maya offers three separate all-inclusive experiences depending on the guests’ interests.  The Grand Class section is an adults-only area of the resort that caters to guests looking for a romantic getaway or more peace and quiet.  The Ambassador section is designed for families looking for relaxed elegance and offers many suites suitable for groups of 4-8 guests.  The Zen Grand section caters to both couples and families looking to be nestled in lush tropical foliage and surrounded by the exotic sights and sounds of the Mayan jungle.

Guests can enjoy any of the eight dining venues, including the one Michelin star Cocina de Autor, or have gourmet room service delivered to their suites.  The resort also offers kids and teen clubs, allowing parents a few hours to enjoy lounging at the pool or the fine dining options on the property.

Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya

For a slightly more budget friendly all-inclusive, many of my clients have enjoyed the Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya.  A new resort just opened in 2022, it offers a modern Mexican beach-style experience.   Ideal for families, the resort offers many rooms with two queen beds, perfect for a family of four.  Larger families can request connecting rooms (1 king + 2 queen).  For a slightly more luxurious experience, the resort offers the Enclave.  Occupying the building closest to the main lobby, the Enclave offers many extra amenities including the private Enclave Lounge with personal concierge team, upgraded minibars, an exclusive poolside grill, two large pools exclusive for Enclave guests and priority access to many wellness activities and fitness classes.

For children, the resort offers many kid focused activities for kids 4-12 yrs old as well as a kids club and teen club.  Families and kids can also visit the large splashpad / small water park and many of the pools sprinkled throughout the resort.  Adults can enjoy themed parties at night (Disco, Karaoke, Pool Party) or head over to the neighboring sister property, the Conrad Tulum, to enjoy the spa.

Beaches Turks & Caicos

For a very family focused and family friendly all-inclusive option, consider Beaches Turks & Caicos.  Located on the main island of Providenciales, it is relatively easy to reach from most major U.S. cities. 

Divided into 5 separate themed villages, this large resort offers 10 pools and 4 whirlpools, in addition to a large water park.  Guests can dine at any of 18 dining venues and grab drinks (both kid and adult) from one of the 14 bars.  Since this resort caters to families, there are any options for family rooms, including some that have a bunkbed with trundle (perfect for a family of 5).  The resort offers three room levels, the standard Luxury rooms, the Concierge rooms which include concierge service and stocked mini-bars, and the Butler Elite which butler service and top–shelf liquors and wines.

All-Inclusive Add-On Packages for Traditional Luxury Resorts

Many traditional luxury resorts have seen the rise in popularity of luxury all-inclusive resorts and have modified their offerings to compete.  While not fully transitioning to an all-inclusive offering, they offer all-inclusive packages which can be added to a standard reservation. 

Casa de Campo is a well-known luxury resort in the Dominican Republic situated on over 7,000 acres.  It offers guest numerous activities including water sports, golf, tennis, and horseback riding.  While guests can book just a room, suite or villa, they also have the option of adding on the Casa Inclusive Package.  This package includes all meals & snacks, an extensive cocktails, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages by the glass, unlimited horseback riding, use of the tennis courts, non-motorized water sports, one round of 25 cartridges at the Shooting Center, and the Family Program activities.

Garza Blanca is a popular 5-star luxury hotel chain in Mexico, with properties in Cancun, Cabo, and Puerto Vallarta.  Suites can be booked on their own, or guests can add an all-inclusive package that includes gourmet dining in the on-property restaurants, signature beverages at the bars, daily water and land activities, complimentary wi-fi and exclusive in-room amenities. 

All-Inclusive Private Islands

For the ultimate in all-inclusive resorts, consider one of the private island resorts that offer an all-inclusive experience.

Jumby Bay is a private 300-acre island located off the coast of Antigua.  It offers only 21 Private Residences, 14 Villas and 40 Suites, so the island feels very secluded and uncrowded.  The resort is fully all-inclusive, offering multiple complimentary dining venues and bars.  3 nights per week, the resort also offers themed dinners at various locations around the island.  In addition to many water sports, 2-3 times per week the resort offers a boat cruise with snorkeling around the island. 

Ambergris Cay is a 1,100-acre private island located in Turks & Caicos, about a 20-minute flight from Providenciales International Airport.  The flight from Providenciales is provided complimentary to guests of the resort but the island’s runway can also accommodate private planes flying directly there with guests.  The resort has just 17 bungalows, 2 two-bedroom beachfront/oceanfront bungalows, and 9 villas, offering a very boutique resort ambience with an island twist.  The all-inclusive offering is tailored to each guest’s desires, with à la carte meals tailored to their tastes and dietary preferences and premium spirits used in the crafted cocktails.  Complimentary activities include yoga, guided nature walks, tennis, non-motorized water sports, and onshore fishing.  There is also a kids’ club, called the Explorer’s Hut, which caters to the younger visitors (ages 5+).

Floating All-Inclusive Resorts

For the ultimate all-inclusive experience, you can also try a luxury cruise.  These floating 5-star resorts offer the highest level of dining, entertainment, and service.  And while land-based resorts constrain guests to a relatively localized area for the vacation, luxury cruise itineraries let guests explore broadly, while allowing guests to only unpack once and play or relax as much as they desire.  Cruise lines such as Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Explora Journeys, Seabourn, Silversea, Regent Seven Seas and Ponant provide guests with the ultimate in luxury all-inclusive stays.

By David Barclay | December 11, 2024

It’s been a little over a year since I last wrote about the expanding fleets of the luxury cruise lines. The increasing popularity of luxury cruising, driven by the 5-star experiences it provides at a meaningful value to comparable land-based options and the ability to explore while only unpacking once, is driving the expansion of the fleets at a record pace. New ship orders extend out as far as 2032 (Crystal Cruises, resurrected from bankruptcy by Abercrombie & Kent recently announced 5 new ships to be added to its fleet by then). Even with the expanded capacity these new ships bring to the luxury cruise segment, many ships in the luxury cruise line fleets are fully selling out months in advance, especially for popular sailing routes and bucket list trips like the Galapagos Islands and Antarctica.

These latest ships joining the luxury cruise line fleets continue to push the boundaries for luxurious experiences at sea and are gamechangers for luxury cruising. While some of the newest luxury ship designs are increasing the size and guest capacity compared to existing ships in the fleets, the lines aren’t in a race to launch the largest ships they can. Unlike the mainstream lines which try to one-up each other in size and outlandish features & common areas, the luxury lines increase the size of their newest ships only when it allows a new level of luxury for their guests. The slightly larger ships allow for larger suites and new unique common spaces that improve the onboard experience delivered by these 5-star floating resorts.

Every ship improves on the design of the last and strives to provide a better onboard experience for guests. For luxury cruise lines, the evolution has led to ships with all-veranda suites (because who doesn’t like their own private outdoor space), a transition away from a main restaurant towards more variety in dining venues and improved common areas that ensure the ships feel spacious and uncrowded. Below are a few ships that have launched recently or are slated to launch soon, showing how the newest ships are evolving the luxury cruising experience.

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Explora Journeys (EXPLORA II)

Maiden Voyage: September 16, 2024

Explora Journeys is a new luxury cruise line launched by the MSC Cruise Group. The EXPLORA II joins her sister EXPLORA I (launched in 2023) and is the second of 6 total planned ships for this fleet. The EXPLORA ships are the largest ultra-luxury cruise ships, able to accommodate up to 900 guests. While still small compared to premium and mainstream line ships, the added size allows EXPLORA II to offer an incredible number of restaurants and venues. She has 4 separate pools, including one with a retractable roof allowing guests to lounge by the pool even in inclement weather. Another pool is adults only, and while she won’t host as many families and children as the ships of non-luxury lines, she does have 78 connecting suites designed for families and multi-generational groups. She also offers the most dining venues among the luxury ships (10) and bars/lounges (12).

The creators behind the Explora Journeys brand didn’t want to create just another cruise line and don’t want guests to feel like they are on a cruise ship. Instead, they want guests to feel like they are staying at one of the world’s finest hotels. This carries through the design of the EXPLORA II, with the interior feeling more like a luxury hotel. The main lobby and bar could easily be mistaken for one of the better hotels in any major city. And the ship had a very sophisticated European design throughout. 

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Silversea (Silver Ray)

Maiden Voyage: June 15, 2024

The Silver Ray is the second Nova-class ship to join the Silversea fleet (the Silver Nova launch in 2023). The largest class ship in the fleet, the Ray can accommodate 728 guests and is 35% larger than the Muse-class ships, the previous flagships of the Silversea fleet.

The Silver Ray brings several revolutionary features to the Silversea fleet and to the luxury cruise segment. First, she has an asymmetrical design, which allowed the builders to incorporate unique deck layouts. This is very noticeable on the Ray’s pool deck, where the pool is shifted to the starboard side. Traditional ship design puts the pool in the center of the ship to balance the weight of the pool water, but that means deck chairs are positioned to face the pool and away from the sea, making the pool deck feel less attached to the world around the ship. With this new design, all pool loungers face the ocean and there are no walls on the ocean side of the pool, providing pool deck guests unobstructed ocean views. The asymmetrical design is also visible in the atrium, which is shifted to the starboard side and has floor to ceiling windows that stretch 2 full decks, letting in an incredible amount of natural light.

The Silver Ray continues the move towards sustainability and carbon neutrality in the cruise industry. She is the second luxury line ship (along with the Nova) to use Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) as the primary fuel and has a fuel cell/battery system to ensure zero emissions while docked in port.

The Ray also incorporates some of the best aspects of the other ships in the fleet, including many of the popular restaurants and the Sea and Land Tastes (S.A.L.T.) program started with the Silver Moon. The Ray adds to this program, changing the S.A.L.T. Lab in the evening into the Chef’s Table, a small group interactive dining experience.

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Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection (ILMA)

Maiden Voyage: September 2, 2024

The ILMA is the second ship in the relatively new Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection (RCYC) fleet, joining her sister EVRIMA. She is larger than EVRIMA, nearly twice the tonnage, and can accommodate up to 448 guests (298 guests for EVIRMA). The increased size allows her to offer the greatest space-to-guest ratio of any luxury ship and many new common areas. While her size is comparable to many mid-sized luxury ships, she is focused on continuing to deliver the luxury yachting experience RCYC brought to the seas with the EVRIMA.

The ILMA offers guests the option to dine in one of five restaurants and offers 6 bars for guests’ enjoyment. Keeping with the yachting life theme on board, her aft marina allows guests the ability to participate in watersports directly from the yacht or in the evening to dine alfresco while admiring the seascapes. She offers a variety of suite options, from the 294 sq ft Terrace Suites up to the 1,033 sq ft Owner’s Suite.

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Four Seasons Yachts (Four Seasons I)

Maiden Voyage: January 25, 2026

Another luxury hotel chain moving into the cruise world is the Four Seasons. While the Four Seasons I has not launched yet, the new line has opened the initial itineraries in early January 2026 for booking. The ship will initially sail in the Caribbean and will reposition to the Mediterranean for the summer sailing season.

The yacht, while comparable in size to many of the smaller luxury ships that might accommodate 300-450 guests, will only have 95 suites and accommodate a max of 180 guests. The smallest suites measure an expansive 537 sq ft, roughly 40% larger than the smallest suites on other luxury lines. The largest, a 3-story suite enclosed by a single curved pane of glass at the front of the funnel, offers a mind-blowing 9,975 sq ft of interior and exterior space.

The yacht offers eleven restaurants and lounges and the pool was inspired by the classic “Christina O” yacht’s pool. In a break from other luxury cruise lines, the onboard experience will not be all-inclusive and guests will pay for their meals and beverage service just as they would at a shoreside Four Seasons resort.

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Additional ships either under construction or announced for future launch:

• Oceania Cruises – Allura (2025)
• Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection – LUMINARA (2025)
• Explora Journeys – EXPLORA III (2026)
• Regent Seven Seas – Seven Seas Prestige (2026)

These launches will be covered in a future blog post!!

By David Barclay | November 27, 2024

Earlier this month I had the opportunity to stay for two nights at Bishop’s Lodge.  Located about 10 minutes outside of Santa Fe, NM, and about an hour drive from the Albuquerque Airport, it’s relatively easy to get to for a long weekend or longer stay.  Bishop’s Lodge is part of the Auberge Resorts Collection, a group of 28 unique properties located mainly in the U.S. which also includes the Lodge at Blue Sky in Utah and Auberge du Soleil in Napa Valley.  It is a relatively new addition to the collection, opening in July 2021 after an $84 million dollar investment to turn it into a premium western resort.

Bishop’s Lodge is a moderate sized boutique resort, on a little over 300 acres with only about 100 acres currently developed for the resort.  It has a total of 100 rooms, including 84 guest rooms, 14 suites, and 2 residences. 

While the resort is very popular in the summer months, it is open year-round and offers numerous seasonal activities for guests to enjoy.  Visiting in the fall brought slightly cooler weather, but the days were still perfectly comfortable in the mid-60’s with plenty of sunshine and clear skies. 

For this visit, I also decided to bring along my 15-year-old son, to confirm that Bishop’s Lodge can be a great destination for adult couples, small groups of friends, and families.

History

The property was originally purchased and developed as a personal retreat for Bishop Jean Baptiste Lamy while he oversaw the construction of Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi in nearby Santa Fe.  The bishop built a three-room chapel and lodge which he called Villa Pintoresca.  After the death of the bishop, the property was sold to the Pulitzer family for their private use.  The family built a small structure which would eventually become the core of the main lodge at the resort (the living room in the lodge is what remains of the old structure).  A few years later the lodge was acquired by the Thorpe family, who managed it as a ranch from 1918 to 1998.  The property changed hands a few more times, eventually being acquired by HRV Hotel Partners in 2015 and undergoing the multi-year restoration and transformation into the Bishop’s Lodge of today.

Accommodations

(The Sunset building and a Sunset Suite)

Bishop’s Lodge has multiple room categories.  We stayed in an entry-level room, a Sunset suite in the Sunset building.  Located close to the main lodge building, it was only a short walk to get to the SkyFire restaurant, the pool, and the main lobby.  Even the entry-level suites were spacious, with two separate closets, a large bathroom, and a lovely outdoor private sitting area.  Bishop’s Lodge also has a few entry-level rooms at the top of the hill, offering great views to those willing to hike uphill to them (or guests can ask a staff member for a ride on one of the multiple resort golf carts).

For large groups, the Lodge offers a two- and 3-bedroom Casitas.  Larger multi-gen groups can consider the Bunk House, which has 12 rooms.  The Bunk House is available for a full buy-out, or guests can reserve individual rooms.  11 of the rooms are identical and have a king bed in the main area of the suite and a separate smaller room with bunk beds (great for a family of 4).  If guests reserve 2 rooms, they can close doors on the hallway between the rooms and make it into a 2-bedroom suite.  The one room that is different is the Junior Suite, it’s the largest room in the Bunk House but just has a king bed and does not have bunk beds.

At the top of the hill are the premium Kiva Suites (3 in total), large one-bedroom suites off-set in a secluded corner of the resort.  The Kiva Suites are adults only and offer guests several sitting areas with in-room and outdoor kiva fireplaces and an outdoor plunge pool.

Activities

While the summer months are the most popular time to visit, Bishop’s Lodge offers activities year-round.  The activity schedule changes by the season, with a mixture of activities available for the full season and special events centered around holidays and other special dates.  We visited in early November and had just missed the Halloween festivities but could still enjoy the decoration sprinkled throughout the resort.

Summer activities include visiting the stables, horseback trail riding, guided hikes, mountain biking, exploring nearby national parks, river rafting, kayaking, paddleboarding, cooking classes, leatherworking classes, art exploration, painting classes and exploring Santa Fe.

Fall/Winter activities include many of the indoor activities available in summer, including cooking, leatherworking, art, and painting.  Unique activities include skiing, a southwestern winter culinary journey, and a Bluebird Cafe Songwriters Concert Series where the Bunk House is converted into a concert hall from January to March and all guests are invited to watch the performances. 

Bishop’s Lodge offers many southwestern wellness activities and treatments.  These include sessions for intuitive healing, astrology, sacred scents of nature, spiritual alignment, Shamantic healing, and a Kakawa Chocolate Immersion.

Bishop’s Lodge also includes many on-property complimentary activities including yoga, meditation, guided hikes of the property, post card making, and archery.

One activity that’s popular and available year-round is flyfishing.  Depending on the time of year, the expert fishing guides will take guests to various regions around Santa Fe where the fishing is good.  My son and I did a ½ day private guided flyfishing trip and our guide took us about an hour outside of Santa Fe to the Pecos River.  We had a fairly successful few hours of fishing and catching rainbow and brown trout.  It was also a lovely day and wonderful to be out enjoying the beautiful scenery and weather, and having quality time with my son away from both of our hectic daily lives.

Guests can also explore off-property on their own.  Bishop’s Lodge offers a free shuttle service to Santa Fe via luxury SUV.  It has also partnered with Mercedes Benz and has four vehicles that guests can borrow complimentary for up to 4 hours at a time (first come-first serve).

Dining

The main restaurant at Bishop’s Lodge is the SkyFire restaurant.  It’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and has a lively bar that’s popular with guests in the evening.  SkyFire serves dishes with a very southwestern and New Mexico flare.  For example, breakfast egg dishes come with a choice of red or green salsa (or get both, called the Christmas salsa).  The dinner menu includes options for meat, fish, and vegetarian appetizers and entrees.  The New Mexico Truffle Bread is a favorite among staff and guests, and the dessert selection is also tantalizing. 

(New Mexico Truffle Bread and a Braided Churro)

Guests who wish to dine off-property can find many options in nearby Santa Fe, either in the plaza area or on Canyon Road.

The Verdict

Bishop’s Lodge was a wonderful western resort with a plethora of activities both on property and in the nearby area.  My only complaint about the trip is that we only had a long weekend available for our trip, I would have loved to say another night or two to further explore the surrounding area and try a few more of the complimentary activities. 

By David Barclay | November 6, 2024

The Galapagos Islands are undeniably the most popular expedition cruise location for my clients. It’s also the expedition cruise my clients are most likely to recommend to their friends and family. Since the Galapagos Islands lie on the equator, it’s a perfect destination to visit year-round, whether during a school break or in-between trips to other parts of the world that are more sensitive to the time of year.

A Galapagos cruise is a prefect expedition cruise for anyone who loves nature and wishes to see unique wildlife. Only in the Galapagos can you see penguins and giant iguanas on the same day, or even on the same rock next to each other (pictured above from my trip in March 2023). Darwin’s finches sing their songs and green sea turtles swim in the waters between the islands. Most itineraries are designed to let travelers see as many of the “Big 15” animals as possible, including Blue-Footed Boobies, Galapagos Albatrosses, Frigatebirds, Sea Lions, Giant Tortoises and Flamingos. It’s great for couple’s trips, trips with friends, or multi-generational family trips. The experience appeals to all age groups (though most cruise lines will have a minimum age of ~6-8yrs).

The Ecuador government limits the size and number of ships that can sail in the protected waters of the Galapagos. You won’t find any of the mainstream cruise lines with large ships here as ships are limited to a maximum of 100 passengers. Lines that sail the Galapagos tend to be smaller lines, either luxury lines with purpose-built ships, expedition lines, or smaller yachting lines.

The four lines I’ve highlighted below span the gamut of options for exploring the Galapagos by ship. They offer ships ranging in size from 16-100 guests and options for cruise-only packages to packages that include everything from when you depart your home until you return at the end of your trip. And in my opinion, these are the best cruise lines in the Galapagos. I’m sure one of these options would appeal to you for a bucket list adventure in the Galapagos.

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Silversea (Silver Origin)

7-night San Cristóbal to San Cristóbal (10-night total with pre/post cruise)
March 6-16, 2025

In 2021, Silversea replaced the Silver Galapagos (their prior ship in the Galapagos) with the purpose-built Silver Origin. This all-suite ship can accommodate a maximum of 100 guests. The Silver Origin pampers guests with butler service, the expertise of 10 expedition leaders/naturalists, and a total crew of 90, for an almost 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio. All suites include either an outdoor veranda or a Horizon Balcony veranda.

The Silver Origin boasts the largest interactive screen on any ship sailing the Galapagos and oversized zodiacs to ensure guests explore the islands in comfort. Silversea maintains its high level of service for guests, including their usual all-inclusive luxury experience. One change from their traditional cruise experience, the dress code is a more relaxed country club casual both day and night and there are no formal or informal nights.

Silversea offers their door-to-door fares, which includes all transfers (including black car pickup from guests’ homes), economy air (upgradable to business), 2 nights in Quito with daily activities before departing on the charter flight for the Galapagos, and return flights and transfers home after the cruise.

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Celebrity (Celebrity Flora)

7-night Galapagos Outer Loop (10-night total with pre/post cruise)
June 27 – July 7, 2025

Launched in 2019, the Celebrity Flora is another new 100 guest ship, replaced the smaller Celebrity Xpedition and Celebrity Xploration (which were sold to National Geographic – Lindblad Expeditions). Also purpose-built for the Galapagos, the Celebrity Flora is a cousin to the Silver Origin. They share the same general hull design and were built in the same shipyard, but the Flora’s interior has a more hip and trendy design to match the “New Luxury” brand image of Celebrity Cruises.

The Flora has a total crew of 80, including 8 expedition leaders/naturalists (~1 per 12 guests). Celebrity includes their traditional all-inclusive experience on this all-suite ship (food, beverages, wi-fi, tips, etc.). All suites include an outdoor veranda. Base fares include the cruise and all-inclusive onboard experience, but guests will need to make arrangements for travel to Ecuador and then out to the Galapagos Islands, or guests can add a pre-cruise package which includes a pre-cruise stay in Ecuador and flights to/from the islands.

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National Geographic – Lindblad Expeditions (National Geographic Gemini)

7-night Exploring Galápagos (9-night total with pre/post cruise)
September 12 – 21, 2025

Lindblad Expeditions is a cruise line solely focused on expedition cruising. In 2004 Lindblad partnered with National Geographic and rebranded almost all of their ships with the National Geographic name.

The National Geographic Gemini (formerly the Celebrity Xpedition) accommodates up to 96 guests who are seen to by a crew of 48. As with all Lindblad ships, the naturalists on board are National Geographic naturalists and one of the crew members will be a certified photo instructor, able to assist guests with their photography. A few cruises per year will invite famous photographers on board as guest speakers/photography instructors. Lindblad is known as a family friendly cruise line and offers the National Geographic Global Explorers Program, a program for kids 18 and under with special onboard programs and excursions geared for kids interests. All staterooms on board are outside suites, with large windows for viewing the outdoors. Base fares include an overnight stay pre/post cruise in Ecuador, transfers to/from the Galapagos, all ship-board meals and beverages, and activates/excursions.

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Aqua Expeditions (Aqua Mare)

7-night Baltra Island to Santa Cruz Island
March 21-28, 2025

Aqua Expeditions is an expedition cruise line with a focus on a super-yacht experience. Their new super-yacht, the Aqua Mare, started sailing the Galapagos in 2022. With only seven suites accommodating up to 16 guests, the Aqua Mare is one of the smallest and most intimate ships sailing the region. A crew of 16, including two naturalists, offers one of the best crew-to-guest and naturalist-to-guest ratios. Base fares include all ship-board meals and beverages, laundry, wi-fi and activates/excursions, but guests are responsible for their own arrangements to reach the Galapagos (Aqua Expeditions can recommend flight options).

By David Barclay | October 23, 2024

I recently returned from a trip to Slovenia, and it was a wonderful experience.  If you aren’t familiar with Slovenia (and maybe can’t exactly place where it’s located in Europe), that’s okay.  It’s still fairly under the radar for travelers, which makes it a great hidden gem for those looking for something new and not overrun with throngs of tourists.  To be honest, I was not that familiar with Slovenia until relatively recently.  Over the past few years, I’ve met with a few representatives from the Slovenian Tourist Board and a few in-country partners at various industry trade conferences.  Those meetings were always brief, my peers and I joke it’s like speed dating, you might have 30 meetings set up each day, each only lasting 5-10 minutes.  And it’s drinking information from a fire hose, you try to absorb as much as you can from each meeting, but usually only retain a few key takeaways.  The key takeaways I remember from my meetings were that Slovenia was a small and relatively undiscovered country for tourism, since it’s not as overrun with tourists it’s less expensive to visit than other more popular destinations, that pretty much anywhere in the country is within an hour’s drive of the capital, and that there’s incredible variety in the geography and associated experiences in this small country.

All of that was filed away in the back of my brain when last fall, traveling from our last stop in Croatia to catch our flight home from Venice, we drove through a tiny sliver of Slovenia along the Adriatic.  That put Slovenia back on my radar and prompted me to start learning more about the country, since technically I had visited it, if only for a short scenic drive.

Skipping forward to 2024, my wife and I were looking for somewhere new to visit for our fall trip.  We had a shorter travel window this year, as we could only travel for 6-7 nights (including international flight time).  This meant we needed a relatively small area to visit and needed direct flights in both directions.  Our initial thoughts were to visit either Ireland (Dublin) or Scotland (Edinburgh).  We’ve visited England several times but never traveled to other parts of the United Kingdom so one of those countries and capital cities seemed a good fit.  But having learned more about Slovenia, I proposed it as another option to the U.K.  When a few family members mentioned a desire to travel with us to the U.K. in 2025, that settled where we would travel this fall (and I’m glad fate led us to that decision as Slovenia was a perfect choice for this year’s trip).

Having decided on Slovenia, I reached out to my in-country partner, Luxury Slovenia, to discuss how much of the country we could pack into roughly 6 days.  As I mentioned, pretty much everywhere is within an hour of the capital, Ljubljana, so we knew we would use it as a home base.  But we didn’t want to just stay in Ljubljana, and decided we wanted to stay in one other region briefly so we could venture a little further from Ljubljana than we might otherwise have.  Even though Slovenia is a small country, with 6 days we couldn’t see everything.  Since we had visited Croatia the prior year and spent many days on the Dalmatian coast, we skipped the region of Slovenia on the Adriatic.  We also had to choose between either the alpine region bordering Italy & Austria, or the river land area to the southeast bordering Croatia.  In the end we thought the river land region had more interesting activities for us, so we left the alpine region for a future visit.  I’ll provide details on both the Adriatic region and alpine region at the end of this blog, as they are both great areas with lots to offer to visitors.

Otočec, the White Carniola, and the Bela Krajina Wine Region

There are no direct flights to Slovenia from the U.S., so most travelers will fly into a neighboring country and drive to Slovenia.  The two most popular airports for visiting Slovenia are the Venice airport in Italy (VCE) and the Zagreb airport in Croatia (ZAG).  While Zagreb was only about an hour drive from Otočec, our first destination, there were no direct flights.  American Airlines has a non-stop from Chicago to Venice, which determined which airport we would use.  But that meant we had a roughly three-hour drive to get to our first hotel, Hotel Grad Otočec.

Hotel Grad Otočec is a Relais & Chateaux property in a refurbished castle that sits on an island in the middle of Krka River.  It only has 16 rooms, and the castle layout gives it a very cozy feeling.  We arrived at night and the castle exterior was beautifully lit up.  We were greeted by the hotel staff and offered seats in a nearby lounge while they processed our check-in.  They also brought us sparkling wine and some snacks while we waited and relaxed after the long drive.  We had opted for a junior suite to have a little more space; our room had a separate living room from the bedroom, with a wonderful design and lots of wood surfaces that felt both historic yet also modern.  That night we dined at the hotel’s restaurant which is Michelin recommended (though it does not have a Michelin star) and had a lovely meal with a warm fire burning in the nearby fireplace.

Our first full day in Slovenia focused on the White Carniola region in the southeast, bordering Croatia.  For most of its history, this region was fairly isolated from the rest of Slovenia by two mountain ranges, and received its name from the traditional white linen clothing the locals wore until the early 20^th century.  We started our day learning how to make a traditional flatbread called Belokranjska Pogača.  The bread is fairly simple to make and doesn’t take too long to rise, making it a prefect option for a quick class.  The standard recipe calls for topping with coarse salt and caraway seeds, but since returning home we’ve substituted the caraway with both thyme and rosemary, and both are great topping options.  The bread is traditionally made just before guests arrive at a Slovenian home and served warm as a wonderful welcoming tradition.  Since the bread is scored after flattening and before baking, it is not cut with a knife but instead shared in a wonderful traditional way of breaking off pieces.  We also had our first experience with the local white wines, as our instructors also served us a delicious local sparkling wine while we baked.

Next, we kayaked down the Kolpa River through the Kolpa Regional Park.  This was a wonderful outdoor experience, the skies were clear, the weather warm, and lots of bird and aquatic life to see.  What we didn’t see was anyone else on the river until the very end of our trip, we had the whole river just to ourselves.  This is something we would experience several times on the trip, the very uncrowded spaces, feeling removed from tourism, and able to explore the country like a local.  The river current was fairly strong, and we only had to paddle when we wanted to (e.g. to cross from one side of the river to the other to explore).  This is a good thing as our guide surprised us with another bottle of sparkling wine soon after boarding our 3-person kayak (we quickly learned the Slovenians love their wines). 

After a wonderful lunch at a local restaurant, we were off to visit the Bela Krajina wine region.  Our driver dropped us off with our guide at the top of a hill in this small wine region so we could explore by foot.  After a quick walk through a few of the vineyards, we started heading towards our planned wine tasting at Vinska Klet Prus (one of the famous wineries in the region).  Along the way, we happened upon the owners of Strum (another famous winery) celebrating the last day of the harvest with family and friends.  Being Slovenia, we were of course invited to join them in the celebration and try some of their wonderful wines as well.  We also got to see a great vintage car pull up with more family & friends coming to the harvest celebration.

Our visit to Prus was equally enjoyable, we were hosted by the owner Jozef Prus.  Along with a wonderful charcuterie board (we learned the Slovenians eat a lot of prosciutto) and freshly baked Belokranjska Pogača, we sampled many of the winery’s award winning wines.  As my local partner had warned me, we ate and drank a lot on this day and skipped dinner as we were still full when we arrived back at our hotel that night!

Ljubljana

The next morning, we said goodbye to Otočec and the Hotel Grad Otočec, embarking on our roughly 40-minute drive to the capital, Ljubljana.  A city of about 300,000, it doesn’t feel overly crowded and has a lovely and sizable pedestrian-only zone in the historic part of the city below the castle and along the river.  My partner offered two hotel options, the larger Intercontinental or the smaller AS Boutique Hotel.  The Intercontinental has what you would expect from a large international hotel brand.  It’s in a tall building, has a restaurant on top with commanding views, and a full gym, spa and pool.  It’s outside the pedestrian zone so a good choice for anyone with mobility issues who wants their car service/taxi to come directly to the hotel.  We opted for the AS Boutique Hotel, and it was a wonderful choice.  Only about 100 meters into the pedestrian zone, it was easy to get to our cars/transfers each day but felt quainter being in the pedestrian zone.  The hotel is perfectly sized, with only 30 rooms, and the staff was so diligent I would have had no idea it just opened about a year ago if I hadn’t asked.  We opted for the Junior Suite to have a little more room and an outdoor terrace.  Our suite was on the corner of the hotel with commanding views of the castle and a lovely outdoor area (I worked outside for a few hours, and it was a great workspace in addition to being lovely for a glass of wine in the evening).

After getting our luggage stowed in our room (the hotel provided an early check-in for us), we started a brief tour of the historic district to learn its history and see the major sights.  This was the first time we encountered any tourists, as September brings many large tour groups to the country (in the summer months it’s mostly individual, family, and small group travelers that visit Slovenia).  We visited the Prešernov Trg, the public square which includes the famous pink church and the first department store in Ljubljana.  Next, we crossed the triple bridge, one of the famous works of architect Jože Plečnik.  We made a brief stop at city hall, and even saw the city mayor walking out as we walked in.  Last we saw the famous Dragon Bridge, as the dragon is the symbol of Ljubljana and dragons can be seen around the city (and in the gift shops).

We continued with a food focused market tour of Ljubljana.  In addition to stops at a wine bar, an indoor food market and an outdoor market, we got to experience a few more unique food vending options.  With a focus on farm-to-table and the ultimate in freshness, vending machines offered locals (and visitors) fresh dispensed milk and farm fresh eggs!

We also learned about the history of honey and its importance to Slovenia.   Just as wine regions in Europe have rules around how wine can be made (and with clear differences in wines from different regions), Slovenian honey is treated in a similar manner.  There are multiple protected geographical designations of origin for honey.  Beekeeping is only allowed with the indigenous honeybee, which are very peaceful as we found out in our many encounters with them.  Depending on the region, the bees may collect pollen from a variety of plants, including acacia, flowers, linden, spruce, forest, fir, and chestnut trees.  Each source of pollen gives the honey a distinct flavor.  Some of the honey tasted similar to honey we get in the U.S., others had very rich and earth flavors.  Honey is not only used in its pure and raw form, but also mixed with pollen or turned into various strengths of honey liquor and spirits. 

Our last stop was to visit the Ljubljana Castle at the top of the hill.   Thankfully, the city built a funicular, so we did not have to climb the hill ourselves.  Inside, we toured the castle grounds, watched a short 4D movie about the history of the castle, went to the highest tower for a picturesque view of the city, and saw a cutting from the oldest grape vine in the world.  The oldest vine is in Lent and is over 450 years old, but cuttings have been planted at Ljubljana Castle and Castle Bled (as we discovered later in our trip).

At the end of our tour, our guide introduced us to a wonderful ice cream shop, Vigò, which we frequented several times during our stay in Ljubljana!

Škocjan Caves & the Goriška Brda Wine Region

The next morning was our earliest and busiest day, we departed our hotel at 8am to travel to the Škocjan Caves, one of two famous cave systems in the country.  The other, Postojna Caves, is a little more touristy and even has a 3.7km double-track cave railway running through it.  The Škocjan Caves, on the other hand, are a UNESCO protected heritage site and have minimal human modification.  Unfortunately, photos were prohibited in the cave system, so I could only take pictures of the exterior and cave entrances.  But I’ve included links to a few professional photos of the caves.  We started in the “Silent Cave” which was the last part of the cave system to be discovered and is accessed through a man-made tunnel.  This part of the cave is beautiful and alien, with many colorful stalagmites and stalactites.  The silent cave extends for about 1 kilometer and the sections range in size from relatively small to massive caverns with huge overhead ceilings.  They are called silent as the underground river that formed the caves no longer runs through this part of the cave system, so they are silent except for the noise from visitors. 

One of the most magical parts of our tour was that it was completely private, just me, my wife, our guide, and a park ranger (who led us through the caves and taught us about each section).  During our roughly 2-hour tour of the caves, we didn’t see or hear anyone else.  This was truly impressive as the normal group tour can take up to 150 visitors through in 4 smaller groups each hour.  Experiencing the caves alone was incredible and I’m grateful my in-country partner, Luxury Slovenia, had arranged with the park office for us to have a private tour.

At the end of the Silent Caves, we started to hear the rumble of the river and soon entered the “Murmuring Cave.”  This part of the cave system overwhelms the senses, with a gorge carved by the river that’s over 350 feet deep and high vaulted ceilings that almost disappear into the darkness.  Looking up gave a small sense of vertigo, as what our eyes and inner ears told us conflicted.  Most of the Murmuring Cave is crossed on a path built along the north side of the cave, but one section must be crossed on a metal bridge built over the gorge.  After about another kilometer of navigating the path through the Murmuring Cave, we finally arrived at the cave entrance.  The Škocjan Caves are truly a natural treasure and I highly recommend visitors to Slovenia take the time to visit the caves (and arrange for a private tour if possible).

Professional Photos:

• Silent Caves
• Silent Caves 2
• Murmuring Cave Bridge & Gorge
• Murmuring Cave
• Murmuring Cave 2

We left the caves to drive about an hour to the Goriška Brda Wine Region, a famous wine region in the western part of Slovenia.  We had a lovely farm-to-table lunch at one winery followed by a visit to another winery, Radikon.  The owner and 3^rd generation wine producer, Marko, showed us his operations and told us the story of how his grandmother rescued the winery during WWII when she was only 18 years old.  We spent about 1.5 hours discussing wine, drinking wine and learning about this part of the country with Marko and his wife.  Radikon, like many Slovenian wineries, produces many small batches of multiple types of wines instead of large quantities of only a few types of wines.  This small production strategy, while beneficial for locals who can enjoy the variety, is the reason very few Slovenian wines can be found in the U.S.  We also learned that the grape, Sipon, used for the famous Tokaji sweet wines in Hungary actually came from this region in Slovenia.  It was brought to Hungary back in the days of the Austria-Hungarian Empire as part of a dowry.  Wine producers in Slovenia can’t use the name Tokaji for their wines made with this grape, so they instead call it Sauvignon Vert.

Lake Bled and the Alps

The next day we left as a free day to explore Ljubljana on our own.  We visited the Intercontinental (to see the hotel and get massages at the spa) and that evening we had dinner at the Michelin star Strelec Restaurant, which is in one of the towers in the Ljubljana Castle.

Our last full day was a daytrip to the foot of the Slovenian alpine region and Lake Bled.  Lake Bled is one of the most visited parts of the country and is famous for both the Church of the Assumption of Mary on the only natural island in the country, and for the Bled Castle. Our visit started with a stop at Vila Bled, the former summer home of President Tito and now a famous hotel, to try the famous Bled Cream Cake.  We then boarded a traditional Pletna boat and were rowed by the boatman across the lake to visit the island & church.  The church gained fame as a popular spot for Christian pilgrims and the Pletna boats and their boatmen were an outcome of the pilgrims needing assistance getting to the island.  Inside the church we pulled the rope extending up into ceiling to ring the Wishing Bell.  Our guide had told us she was informed by doctors she could never have children but rang the Wishing Bell every time she visited the church, and was eventually blessed with the birth of her daughter.  So she was a firm believer in the power of the Wishing Bell to grant visitors’ wishes.

We next visited Bled Castle and were treated to a printing demonstration on a replica of a Gutenberg printing press.  We also enjoyed wonderful views of Lake Bled and the church.  Unfortunately, it was an overcast day, so we were not able to see the Alps which were hidden in the clouds.  We toured the small  museum which provided the history of the castle and the region, and on our way out we say another cutting from the oldest grape vine in the world.

Our last activity of the day was a Slovenia cooking class.  Our hosts, Niko and Petra, taught us to make a traditional barley stew, buckwheat pockets, and Štruklji, a rolled cheese dumpling that can have a variety of fillings and be either savory or sweet.  The food was very good and filling, and we plan to make the dishes again at home (thanks to the cute mini cookbooks we received as part of our class souvenirs).  As our cooking class ended, we bid farewell to Niko and Petra and returned to Ljubljana for our last evening before flying home.

Alpine Region, Istrian Coastline, & the Lower Carniola Region

As I mentioned, there were several regions we didn’t visit.  In the North is Lake Bohinj and the breathtaking Julian Alps.  Visitors can take a cable car ride to the top of Vogel Mountain, within the Triglav National Park.  Or they might want to visit Logar Valley for scenic hiking and biking. 

We also didn’t visit the Istrian coastline along the Adriatic.  The town of Portorož in Piran Bay is a popular stop for visitors.  Several resorts are located in this area and offer guests access to their wellness spas and the healing properties of the region’s mud and saltwater baths.  Visitors can enjoy the seaside town or venture out to the Sečovlje Salina Nature Park to see the centuries-old tradition of salt-making utilizing Mediterranean salt-pans.  They may also want to tour Piran, considered the most beautiful town on the Slovenian coast.  And a visit wouldn’t be complete without trying some of the local seafood or visiting an oyster farm.

Last, though we stayed in Otočec, we didn’t visit the Lower Carniola Region, which is to the north of the White Carniola.  Here guest can visit Kostanjevica na Krki, Slovenia’s only town on a river.  Known as “Venice of Lower Carniola” due to frequent flooding, the entire town is protected as a cultural monument.  While visiting the town, guests can see the Božidar Jakac Art Museum.  The region around the town is famous for its hayracks and the Land of Hayracks is the first open-air museum of hayracks. Visitors to this region will also want to try the local wines and cheeses, and potentially a farm-to-table dinner at a local winery or cheese farm.

By David Barclay | October 9, 2024

While an Antarctic cruise is on many cruisers’ bucket lists, sailing the ice filled waters of the Northern Hemisphere can provide an equally thrilling experience. Among the frozen tundra and ice flows, guests on an Arctic cruise are likely to see a variety of wildlife. Most arctic cruisers hope to spot a polar bear, the king of the ice flows. But sailing on an arctic cruise can also bring guests close to numerous types of whales, walruses, seals, arctic foxes, reindeer and other animals that have adapted to this frozen region. Travelers can also visit remote human outposts and learn how humans adapted to survive in such harsh conditions.

While Antarctic cruises focus on bringing travelers to the same small region off the Antarctica coastline, the Arctic region is vast and offers numerous different cruise experiences. Guests may sail to the northern most regions of Norway and up to Svalbard, the Norwegian archipelago halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole. Or they can sail around Iceland and Greenland, exploring the rugged coastlines and traveling ashore to places few travelers ever get to see. They can also travel above North America and navigate the Northwest Passage, traveling all the way from Alaska to Greenland. And for a bucket list trip even more impressive than visiting Antarctica, it’s now possible to sail to the geographic North Pole, a place that very few people have visited and something sure to provide bragging rights for years to come.

Arctic cruises typically run from May to September, when the summer warmth thins the polar ice enough to allow ships to explore this remote region.  Arctic cruises also vary in length, from shorter 7-10 day trips that might give guests just a sampling of the Arctic by sailing around Svalbard, to longer multi-week sailings that cross vast swaths of the Arctic.

Below are a few example itineraries from some of the best luxury expedition cruise lines. This is just a sampling of cruise options in the Arctic to show you the variety in itineraries available. If you don’t see a cruise itinerary that looks perfect for you, reach out to me and we can discuss other options.

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Seabourn (Seabourn Venture)

10-night Scenic Svalbard
May 19 – Jun 8, 2025

An example of a shorter Arctic cruise, focused on exploring the western coast of Svalbard. Similar to the Drake flyover itineraries for Antarctica, this Arctic itinerary saves time by flying guests from Edinburgh up to the largest town on Svalbard, Longyearbyen.

This sailing is aboard the Seabourn Venture, the first of two purpose-built expedition sister ships that Seabourn recently added to its fleet. In addition to being fitted out for Arctic and Antarctic cruising, the Venture boasts two small submarines, allowing guests to explore both above and below the Arctic waters.

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Silversea (Silver Endeavour)

15-night Churchill, Manitoba to Nuuk (Godthab)
Jul 25 – Aug 9, 2025

Exploring the norther regions of Canada and the western coastline of Greenland, this roughly two-week cruise is sure to bring many Arctic animal sightings. Guests will embark in Churchill, famous for having a Polar Bear Holding Facility, better known as the Polar Bear Jail. They will then sail for Walrus Island, an uninhabited island home to Atlantic Walruses. As guests travel further into the Arctic, they will see many seabirds, ducks, seals, maybe even sighting some Atlantic Puffins or the rare Sabine’s Gull.

The Silver Endeavour is the latest expedition ship to join the Silversea fleet. Designed to provide the highest levels of luxury while still providing an incredible expedition experience, it holds the record as the most expensive cruise ship build to date (on a cost per berth basis).

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National Geographics – Lindblad Expeditions (National Geographic Resolution)

22-night Northwest Passage
Aug 4 – 26, 2025

This roughly three-week cruise travels the far northern coastline of North America, all the way from Greenland to Alaska. During the voyage, guests will visit UNESCO World Heritage sites, visit a small Inuit community, observe a plethora of Arctic wildlife, and see the remains of historic dwellings left over from the one-booming whaling industry.

Lindblad’s multi-decade partnership with National Geographics has made it a powerhouse in the expedition cruise world. The NG Resolution is the second of two polar-class expedition ships recently added to the Lindblad fleet. Unique to these ships, guests can reserve a night in one of two glass igloos perched atop the aft section of the observation deck. And like all Lindblad ships, the Resolution has a resident National Geographic Photography Expert to help guests improve their photography skills. Guests can also borrow some of the latest photo gear to try out on loan from the Photo Gear Locker.

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Ponant (Le Commandant Charcot)

15-night The Geographic North Pole
Aug 6 – 21, 2025

What has more bragging rights than visiting Antarctica? Traveling to the geographic North Pole! Once limited to ice breakers and explorers, adventurous cruisers can now travel to the geographic North Pole in complete luxury. Guests will fly to Longyearbyen on Svalbard and from there travel to the Arctic ice sheet where the captain & crew will navigate a path through the ice flows where the ice is thinnest. Variations of this cruise itinerary let guests travel to both the geographic and magnetic North Poles.

Ponant is the only luxury French cruise line and is known for its expedition focus. In 2020, Ponant launched the first luxury Class-2 ice breaker yacht. Capable of cutting through up to 8 feet of ice, it’s the only expedition cruise ship capable of reaching the North Pole. To learn more about Ponant and Le Commandant Charcot, please see my blog post Getting to Know Ponant Cruises.

By David Barclay | September 25, 2024

Sitting on the Iberian Peninsula along with neighbor Portugal, Spain has become one of the most visited destinations in Europe.  It is the second most popular country in Europe for my clients (after Italy).  It is also the second most popular country for tourists (after France) attracting over 85 million visitors in 2023.   Offering a plethora of both city and rural experiences, along with great beaches along the Spanish Riviera, Spain has something to offer every traveler.

Spain has a rich culture and history, offering many historic sights and ancient hill towns to explore.  Spain also has a strong food culture, offering food that is approachable but also a little more exotic than typical American cuisine.  Given its proximity to both the Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean, seafood plays an important part in Spanish cuisine.  Tapas is popular throughout the country, as is the prized Jamón Ibérico.

If you wish to see a few examples of trips to Spain, you can read my blog post “A Family Trip to Spain” about one of my family’s spring breaks, and my post “Client Trip Spotlight: A Family of Four in Portugal & Spain” about a recent client trip to Spain & Portugal.

Below are some of the more popular destinations within Spain for visitors.

Madrid

The capital of Spain, Madrid is a popular starting or ending point for a trip to Spain, given the numerous direct flight options to and from major cities in the U.S.   Madrid has grown in popularity over the last few decades, as tourists have come to appreciate its culture, museums, and culinary delights. 

Soccer fans may want to visit the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of the famous Real Madrid soccer team.  Art lovers can tour the Prado Museum or just soak in the architecture on a walking tour of the city.  The Royal Palace, home to the kings and queens of Spain, gives visitors insight into how the royalty used to live and the might of the Spanish empire in the 16^th-18^th centuries. 

A visit to Madrid is not complete without at least one foodie experience.  Wander a local market with a chef to select ingredients and then prepare a traditional Spanish meal.  Or visit food stalls to try local wines and cheese and the prized jamón ibérico. 

Those with extra time can take a day trip to Toledo, either by train or private transfer.  The city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an ancient masterpiece created over a 1,000+ years by various cultures including the Romans, Moors, Jews, and Christians. 

Barcelona

Located on the Mediterranean on the northeastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula, Barcelona is one of the most visited cities in Spain.  It has a rich history dating back to before Roman times.  Visitors can take a walking tour through the Gothic Quarter, which rests on the ancient Roman city of Barcino and contains well preserved buildings from the 13-15^th centuries.  Or take a motorcycle sidecar tour through the streets and explore the backstreets and outlying areas of the city.

Any first-time visitors to Barcelona will want to see a few of the famous works of the visionary architect Antonio Gaudí.  Stop at Parc Güell, what could have been a strange and colorful community for the wealthy, instead transformed into a public park for all to see.  Next, visit Sagrada Familia, a massive church that is Gaudi’s most famous work.  Under construction for over 100 years (construction began in 1882), it isn’t expected to be fully completed until 2034.

A day trip from Barcelona brings visitors to Santa Maria de Montserrat, the famous mountain monastery that stands over 4,000 feet above the valley floor.  Visitors can enjoy the breathtaking views and the opportunity to hike around the mountain, before exploring this unique spiritual and religious center.

Seville

The capital of Andalusia, Seville is located on the River Guadalquivir.  Visitors will want to see the famous Alcazar, originally a Morrish palace that was rebuilt for the Christian royalty after the expulsion of the Moors.  Nearby is the Seville Cathedral, the third largest church in the world as well as the largest Gothic building.  It is also home to the tomb of Christer Columbus. 

Guests will also want to explore the Parque de María Luisa, a park designed for the World’s Fair.  Today it is a city park enjoyed by locals and visitors alike, providing picturesque walking paths past many gardens and fountains.  Inside the park, visitors can stroll past the famous Plaza de España, a building original built to showcase Spain’s industry and technology exhibits at the fair.

A trip to Seville isn’t complete without experiencing the famous Flamenco culture.  Brought to Spain by the gypsy community, visitors can enjoy a performance of this unique dance followed by a tapas tour through the neighborhood.  More adventurous travelers can take a private class to learn how to dance the Flamenco themselves. 

Seville is also famous for painted tile, stemming from its Moorish roots, and colorful tiles are incorporated into many of its buildings.  Visitors can try their hand at tile painting and have their artwork shipped home after being fired in a kiln.  Those less artistically inclined might want to visit a traditional Andalusian Hacienda to witness the Andalucia equestrians and their choreographed performances.

Ronda

The most famous of Spain’s “White Villages,” Ronda sits perched dramatically above a deep gorge.  The Puente Nuevo, or New Bridge, straddles the gorge connecting the old town and new town.  Views from the dizzying height of the bridge are breathtaking.  Ronda is also home to the oldest bullfighting ring in Spain.  Ronda can be visited as part of a day trip from Seville, or as a stop on a transfer between Seville and other parts of Spain.

Cordoba

Cordoba can also be visited as a day trip from Seville or included as a stop on a longer exploration of Spain.  Famous for its Festival de Los Patios (Festival of the Patios) which happens every May, visitors are treated to a competition among locals who open their patios to the public and show off their gardening skills.  Throughout the entire summer, visitors will enjoy a plethora of flowers all over this city. 

Visitors can see the Cordoba Mosque-Cathedral.  Built on the site of a Christian church that was demolished to build a mosque, the mosque was later converted into a church when the Christians reconquered the peninsula in 1236.  Guests can also stroll the long city bridge and pose for a few pictures.

Granada

Granada is home to the Alhambra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most visited sites in Spain.  This hilltop fortress complex dates to the Moorish occupation, serving as a palace for the royalty, and is one of the best-preserved palaces from the historic Islamic world. 

The Spanish Riviera

Stretching along the Mediterranean coastline, sun lovers will enjoy the warm weather and long stretches of beach.  Popular stops include Malaga, the second-most populous city in Andalusia, Marbella, a ritzy seaside town known for its luxury resorts, and at smaller towns and villages along the Costa del Sol (Sun Coast).

Mallorca (Majorca)

One of the Spanish islands in the Mediterranean, Mallorca is a little more refined and relaxed compared to nearby Ibiza, which tends to attract a younger and party focused crowd.  Guests will arrive at the main city of Palma but can early venture around the island to explore and enjoy multiple land and water activities.  The island offers multiple luxury resorts, including the 5-star Belmond – La Residencia.

By David Barclay | September 11, 2024

The mention of a European cruise likely brings up images of cruising the Mediterranean. Sailing the Spanish & French Riviera, navigating around Italy, or stopping at multiple Greek islands. But there’s more to European cruising than the Mediterranean, and Northern Europe ports have a lot to offer travelers.

The waters off the coastlines of Northern Europe are vast, offering numerous ports to explore. There’s no standard Northern European cruise itinerary. Travelers can cruise along the coasts of Portugal, Spain, and France, or they can cruise the Baltic Sea. Some cruises will circumnavigate the British Isles. There are even itineraries that just circumnavigate Iceland, a great way to explore this island country. I haven’t included any cruises of the Norwegian coast, since I view those as unique expedition-like cruises and believe they deserve their own dedicated Cruise News Newsletter (see my previous newsletter devoted to Cruising the Norwegian Fjords).

Below are a few of my recommended lines, ships, and itineraries. This is just a sampling of cruise options to show you the variety in itineraries available. If you don’t see a cruise itinerary that looks perfect for you, reach out to me and we can discuss other options.

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Silversea (Silver Spirit)

7-night Copenhagen to Stockholm
June 24 – July 1, 2025

This is a very typical Baltic Sea itinerary, starting in one capital city and ending in another. Starting and ending in large cities ensures good outbound and return flight options. Guests can also spend a few days pre & post cruise exploring these cities. While there are numerous other ports on the Baltic that ships can visit, most itineraries will have stops in Denmark, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, and Sweden. And hopefully some day soon, St. Petersburg can be added back as a common port of call for Baltic Sea cruises.

The Silver Spirit had been the flagship of the Silversea fleet until the launch of the three Muse class sister-ships, and she was completely refurbished a few years ago. At ~600 guests, she’s comparable in size to the Muse-class ships and offers all of the onboard amenities and services guests expect from a Silversea ship.

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Regent Seven Seas (Seven Seas Voyager)

10-night Lisbon to London
June 27 – July 7, 2025

This itinerary on Regent Seven Seas is a classic example of a cruise along the Portugal, Spanish, and French coastlines. This cruise ends in London, but others can disembark in Brussels or Amsterdam. And as is common with this Northern Europe cruise route, there is an overnight stop in Bordeaux, giving wine lovers even more time to explore this treasured wine region.

The Seven Seas Voyage accommodates up to 680 passengers and offers guests 7 different dining venues. Cruise fares include shore excursions in each port and guests can add economy or business class airfare. When adding airfare, Regent includes transfers both between the guests’ home and home airport and the destination airport and the ship.

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Seabourn (Sojourn)

7-night Castles, Lochs & Scottish Highlands
Aug 2-9, 2025

An example of an itinerary that focuses on the British Isles, this 7-night cruise provides guests with highlights of Scotland. Longer itineraries (~2 weeks) can provide a more intensive exploration of Scotland, Ireland, and England.

The Sojourn is a 450 passenger ship that offers guests a very intimate experience. The country club casual vibe Seabourn is known for can be felt throughout the ship, and guests will enjoy both classic spaces like Seabourn Square and the newly introduced Solis restaurant.

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Crystal (Serenity)

8-night Portsmouth to Copenhagen
June 22 – 30, 2025

For a slightly more unique itinerary, consider this one from the newly reincarnated Crystal Cruises (now owned by A&K). Starting from England, guests will visit popular cities including Bruges, Amsterdam, and Copenhagen, while also getting a taste of the Norwegian coast with stops at Stavanger and Kristiansand.

The Serenity was complete refurbished in 2023. During the refurbishment, Crystal combined numerous suites and reduced the overall passenger capacity from 900 to 740. Crystal also had over 80% of its former crews return and since relaunching the general consensus is the classic Crystal onboard experience was retained while adding incremental new experiences brought by the new ownership.

By David Barclay | August 28, 2024

Iceland is a fascinating country that packs a lot of adventure into a relatively small location.  A trip to Iceland will focus on the natural beauty of this country and the outdoor activities available to visitors.  The geography of Iceland delivers a variety of experiences, from hot springs, extinct lava caves, and geothermal bakeries to glaciers, ice caves and glacier lagoons.  It truly is a land of both fire and ice.

For many travelers from the U.S., Iceland is a direct flight away.  It can be the focus of a vacation, or it can be added as a stop on a longer trip to Europe (stopping in Iceland either on the way to Europe or on the way back).  While flights can be relatively inexpensive, be prepared for high costs once you’ve arrived in Iceland.  Iceland’s rugged topography is not conducive to the production of most goods typically consumed in a modern country, requiring it to import a vast majority of consumable materials, including food products.  This results in a high cost of living for residents and translates into high labor costs as well.  Travelers looking for a luxury experience in Iceland can expect trips to cost $1,000+ per person, per day, but the bucket list worthy experiences will more than justify the investment in a trip to Iceland.

Reykjavik

The capital city of Iceland, Reykjavik is home to Iceland’s main airport and likely both the starting and ending point for visitors.  The most populous area on the island, it offers a lot of experiences for travelers and is worthy of a few days before heading out to explore the more remote regions. 

While luxury accommodations are less common in Iceland (especially as you leave the more populated areas), Reykjavik has many options.  The recently opened Reykjavik EDITION is the first branded 5-star hotel to be built in Iceland. Guests may also want to consider The Retreat at the Blue Lagoon, for a more exclusive and tranquil visit to this well-known attraction (offering both its own private manmade lagoon and VIP entrance to the public lagoons).

Visitors to Reykjavik will want to explore this quant and colorful capital city.  While the city is easily explored on your own, a wonderful way to see the city is on a food walking tour.  Guests can learn about the local food scene, ranging from delicious fresh seafood to the famous Icelandic hot dog and fine desserts.  Visitors can also board a yacht and sail to the whale feeding grounds in Faxafloi Bay. Over 20 different species of whales can be found around Iceland, including Minke, Humpback, Orca, Fin, and Blue Whales, along with the White Beaked Dolphin and Harbor Porpoises.

A short drive from Reykjavik brings visitors to the famous Blue Lagoon, where they can soak in its healing thermal waters.  They can also travel to the Thrihnukagigur volcano, an extinct volcano that last erupted over 4,000 years ago.  This is the only place on earth where humans can enter and explore a magma chamber.  Visitors can also explore Raufarholshellir, a magnificent lava tunnel that’s one of the longest and best-known lava tubes in Iceland. While lava hasn’t flowed in the tube for over 5.200 years, a walk through it is an otherworldly journey and unique experience.  Ponder the inner workings of a volcanic eruption and the power of the geological forces at work under this island of fire. 

The Golden Circle

No visit to Iceland is complete without a visit to the Golden Circle.  Just a few hours from Reykjavik, the 190-mile scenic route combines three of Iceland’s most popular sights. Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was the location of Iceland’s Parliament between the years 930 and 1798. The park is also one of the few places in the world where you can clearly see the effects of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates pulling apart.  Adventurous souls up for an aquatic adventure can snorkel or scuba dive in the water-filled crevasses between the separating plates.

Next, head towards the erupting hot springs area of Geysir, which has given its name to the phenomenon worldwide.  Along the way, stop at Langjokull glacier, the second largest glacier in Iceland.  For an extra rememberable experience, jump on a snowmobile with a guide for a thrilling tour on top of the glacier with fantastic views.  Finally, stop at Gullfoss, or Golden Falls, Iceland’s most famous waterfall.

Visitors to Iceland can also visit a geothermal greenhouse farm, which allows farmers to grow produce year-round. 

Iceland´s Southern and Eastern Coasts

While many of Iceland’s wonders can be seen near Reykjavik, adventurous visitors and those with more time to explore the island may want to set out to visit the southern and eastern coasts.  The South Coast of Iceland has some of the country’s most dramatic scenery, with tall mountains cradling massive glaciers.  A succession of waterfalls cascade from the glaciers as they slowly melt.  Two of the more famous waterfalls are Seljalandsfoss, known for a pathway that lets visitors walk behind the waterfall and Skogafoss, a thundering waterfall of immense power.   Visitors can also trek to the Solheimajokull glacier for a private glacier walk.  They will put crampons on and travel up onto the ice field where a wonderland of ice sculptures, ridges, and deep crevasses awaits discovery.  Adventurous explorers can even try ice climbing and rappelling.  Or visit the Kötlujökull glacier and explore the Katla Ice Cave, one of the few ice caves accessible year-round.

Nearer to the coast, guests are offered incredible views of the North Atlantic coastline with its black sand beaches and dramatic headlands.  Continuing up the southeastern coast, visitors can stop at the Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon and take a zodiac boat tour to look for seals, eider ducks, and even witness the glacier calving into the crystal turquoise waters.  The nearby black sand beach, nicknamed the Diamond Beach, has large chunks of ice washed up onto the black sand beach creating a dramatic contrast.

Lake Mývatn Geothermal Area

Few visitors travel to this remove area on the north side of Iceland, but it can be well worth the trek.  The Lake Myvatn area is a starkly beautiful but otherworldly landscape of sputtering mud pots, weird lava formations, steaming fumaroles, and volcanic craters.  Take an off-road buggy tour and explore the pseudo-craters at Skutustadagigar, the lava formations at Dimmuborgir, the explosive crater Hverfjall, and the geothermal area at Namaskard.

When to visit Iceland

Most tourists visit Iceland in the summer, between May and September.  These are the warmest months (though Iceland never gets too warm and summer temperatures are between 40-60F) and the days are long (known as the White Nights, visitors won’t see much darkness).  While most activities are available in the summer, only a few ice caves remain open year-round.

Visiting off season can also reward travelers to Iceland.  Offseason rates will be lower, allowing guests to stretch their travel budgets a little further.  And while daylight hours will shrink, those visiting in the fall and winter will have an excellent opportunity to see the Northern Lights.