The Vacation Guy Blogs

Sounds impossible, doesn’t it? The Emerald Azzurra is the first ship launched under the new Emerald Yacht Cruises brand, which is now part of the newly formed Emerald Cruises. You may already be familiar with Emerald Waterways’ affordable river cruises. Now, the company is bringing that same accessibility to a new cruise line and new, 100-guest ship with inclusive prices – and...

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...

When the sun rises on the New Year, New Zealand’s location on the globe makes it the first country in the world to welcome 2021. To get next year started on the right foot for the whole planet, Tourism New Zealand is launching a holiday initiative that generates hope, turns the disappointments of this year into something positive, and launches...

Since the 19th century, Hurtigruten has been bringing travelers closer to Nature.  Its tongue-twister name is Norwegian for 'Express Route' (it might help to think: 'hurried – route'); it was founded in 1893 to establish a coastal route for locals and early adventure travelers to Norway's epic fjords.Fast-forward to the 21st century. More than a dozen Hurtigruten ships now take travelers on...

It was a week at the end of May 1969 that became an iconic, unforgettable moment of 60's counter-culture and protests against the Vietnam War. 2019 marks the anniversary of the legendary time when music uber-star and peace activist John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono booked themselves into Montreal's Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth hotel, and held their 'Bed-in for Peace'. The...

Everyone experiences travel differently, and this may be most true of historic sites. Standing on the spot where history was made is a profound experience that transcends any amount of studying, reading, watching documentaries or films. When you are actually there, the sights, sounds, perspective and your historic imagination all combine for a more meaningful understanding of moments that changed...

Hopefully, you've already decided that it's time to book a trip to Canada's Juno Beach Centre in Normandy, France. Now you have to decide how you're going to visit. We can help with that. You can travel independently, or visit the Centre as part of a guided tour from London or Paris, or even as part of a stunning Seine...

It's a vintage train car whose windowed dome makes the fall foliage seem even more brilliant on one of the most scenic train routes in the world.For about six weeks late September to early November during the height of autumn colors, Amtrak's only remaining dome car in service travels the renowned Adirondack route. Northbound from New York City, you make your...

In some very special places in North America, Mother Nature has found a perfect formula to make dramatic hillside scenery decked out in autumn colors even more breathtaking: she’s added waterfalls.If you’re planning an autumn colors getaway, here are three fantastic falls that will put the icing on the cake of the fall color pictures you’ll want to post on...

Challenging times call for fresh-baked cookies. For your COVID-19 #StaySafeStayHome pleasure, a cookie recipe for all the home baking and snacking we hear everyone is enjoying during lock down.Not just any cookie recipe. These are cookies of legend.They are the welcoming treat so many guests of DoubleTree by Hilton look forward to when they check in. Receiving a paper sleeve of...