Channel Your Inner Van Gogh on this Avalon Discovery Shore Excursion in Amsterdam
What happens when you put three non-painters in a painting workshop? Can you really learn to paint like Van Gogh in an afternoon? Those were the questions on all our minds as we walked to an art atelier near where our river cruise ship, the Avalon Vista, was docked in the heart of Amsterdam.By: Lynn Elmhirst, BestTripTVI'm creative but I...
Discover Amsterdam's Local Food Scene on this Avalon Waterways Shore Excursion
Everyone wants to try 'real' local food when they travel. But we don't always have a real local to point us in the right direction.That's why we loved our Avalon Waterways' culinary tour of the Jordaan, a walking-sipping-snacking tour of the revitalized neighborhood in Amsterdam. It gets you out of the tourist core and into the heart of the Dutch...
Monaco Mystique: 5 Things You Didn't Know About the World's Most Glamorous Destination
It's been featured in no less than two James Bond movies. Not to mention To Catch a Thief, the Alfred Hitchcock thriller starring Grace Kelly. Filmed on location in glitzy Monaco, it's where she met a prince and then became Princess Grace.Monaco – and Monte Carlo – have established and maintained an allure as one of the world's most glamorous destinations....
Top 3 Souvenirs from Venice
Venice is not just the 'City of Canals'. It's also always been a city of merchants, and modern Venice is a showcase for iconic Italian craftsmanship and uniquely Venetian works. You'll find the cheap and touristy items right alongside more expensive items that reflect traditional craftsmanship. The Frezzeria not only leads to St. Mark's Square, it's also the city's busiest shopping...
Top 10 Reasons to Travel to Croatia
From an isolated backwater behind the Iron Curtain, Croatia has transformed itself into Eastern Europe's 'Riviera'. Sun worshippers discovered the miles of sunny, pristine beaches and dramatic cliffs of the Dalmatian coast. Other tourism followed for ancient and historic monuments, including UNESCO world heritage sites and even some communist concrete architecture, spellbinding natural beauty featuring islands, waterfalls, and mountains, and the...
6 Reasons to See Sicily
It's the largest island in the Mediterranean, with 14,000 years of history.Sicily is in the center of the Mediterranean Sea and has been central to several world-changing civilizations including the Greeks, Phoenicians and Romans. It is rich in artistic, musical, literary, culinary, and architectural heritage, and has some of the most beautiful beaches and scenery in the Med. Yet many...
Video: This Hotel Has the Top Views of Edinburgh
There are a few important things on our check list of a great hotel: alluring architecture and design, lifestyle, dining and sipping... and if possible, an amazing view.The Balmoral Edinburgh has it all. This storied hotel in Scotland's capital is located at 1 Prince's Street. It's an unrivaled position overlooking some of the best views of the city: Edinburgh Castle,...
There's Now an Official James Bond Museum and it's in a Very Cool Location
You might want to pack your black-tie outfit for this trip. After more than two-dozen movies in over 50 years, the original film spy hero finally has his own interactive museum. 007 Elements opened in July 2018, appropriately at one of the dramatic locations where the Bond picture, Spectre, was filmed. James Bond is no stranger to danger or snow. Bond movies have often...
3 'Starter' Greek Islands
'Greece' evokes two pictures in most people's imagination: the ancient cradle of Western civilization, democracy, philosophy, literature and drama, marathons, the Olympics, and some of your favorite math principles.You also picture one of the most alluring modern travel destinations.Greece's mountainous mainland and hundreds of islands surrounded by the Aegean, Ionian, Cretan and Mediterranean Seas are among the top Mediterranean vacation...
5 Stars and Social Consciousness; A Paris Hotel Creates the Future of Luxury Cuisine
The first luxury hotel to win 5 Michelin stars is putting its money where its guests' mouths are. And committing to the cause of tomorrow's food and cuisine.The Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris has three restaurants. Between them, they've earned record recognition by Michelin. 3 stars for Le Cinq, 1 star for Le George (pictured, top) and 1...