“Being a Uniworld butler means providing a supreme standard of service that goes above and beyond to create memorable moments for our guests,” said Valentin Gradescu, head corporate butler for Uniworld. “A few years ago, we organized a limousine transfer from the train station to the ship for a couple who had traveled with us many times before. I knew this couple and wanted to provide a warm welcome. Upon their arrival, there I was, ready to greet them wearing my uniform with white gloves on and a fresh white rose on my lapel. When they saw me, they were speechless and incredibly impressed by the personalized touch. This is one of many examples of how Uniworld butlers strive to provide an unprecedented level of anticipatory service.” 

Uniworld suites include hand-crafted Savoir of England beds with high-quality linens, duvets, and guests’ choice of pillows. Italian marble-lined bathrooms have heated towel warmers, rain showers, and Hermès and L’Occitane en Provence bath and body products. Suite amenities include laundry and shoeshine service, in-suite breakfast prepared by master chefs, a daily fresh fruit plate and freshly baked pastries, a Nespresso coffee machine and selection of teas, a refrigerator stocked with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and personalized exercise training and wellness services.

Breathtakingly beautiful, Jamaica is a land of waterfalls and mountains, dramatic coastlines and spectacular beaches. The destination brims with adventure, sophistication and elegance, seasoned with an intriguing history that enriches the island’s vibrant culture.

Jamaica is set to maintain her position as an ideal getaway destination, with over 1,400 new or refurbished hotel rooms to be added to its accommodation portfolio. From adult-only resorts to eco-friendly hotels, those visiting Jamaica will find an array of new developments expected to appeal to a wider range of travelers. Over the next few months, Jamaica will open a number of world-class facilities, including those of prominent hotel brands such as Hyatt, Palace Resorts and Marriott Hotels. These improvements are being undertaken in various resort areas of the destination and are aligned with the island’s overall strategy to broaden its appeal to consumers.

Choose to stay at any one of these luxurious resorts:

Kingston, The Heartbeat of Jamaica
Jamaica’s capital city, Kingston, has had a long history steeped in myth, folklore and adventure. Visitors to the largest English-speaking city in the Caribbean can understand why it is called the heartbeat of Jamaica. It offers a feeling like no other Caribbean city can deliver, providing a wide variety of attractions, cultural events, restaurants, and an enviable nightlife, sure to satisfy the discerning traveler.

• Strawberry Hill

Montego Bay, The Complete Resort
This popular resort area offers a bustling, colorful “hip strip” of shops and restaurants, and is home to world-class golf courses, historic great houses and a pulsating nightlife. Visitors can choose from an array of accommodations and excursions, one of five major championship golf courses, one of the luxurious spas and more.

Running the gamut from ancient to modern, rural to urban, forested mountains to arable plains, Vietnam and Cambodia truly have something to delight every traveler’s desire. Modern- history buffs will find fascinating and terrifying remnants of the ravages of war, from the Cu Chi Tunnels in Ho Chi Minh City to the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. Nature enthusiasts will revel in the singular beauty of the Mekong. And the adventuresome will delight in Cambodia’s UNESCO-designated Angkor Wat temple complex, including the jungle-covered Ta Prohm.

Throughout your journey, enjoy a plethora of authentic experiences. Visit colorful Vietnamese floating markets and homes by way of a traditional sampan. Take a cyclo ride through Phnom Penh, with its wide boulevards and French- infused architecture. Receive a water blessing from local monks while at a beautifully situated temple complex with incredible views of the Mekong. Be treated to a traditional Apsara dance performance during dinner in Siem Reap. These experiences and more offer you a chance to discover the sights, the sounds, and the tastes of two countries joined by one river.

Who will enjoy this cruise/tour?
Travelers who crave a more rigorous and expeditionary type of travel experience will enjoy cruising along the Mekong River through Vietnam and Cambodia.

Whatever corner of the globe beckons to you, Oceania Cruises takes you there in comfort and style with 2 for 1 Cruise Fares and Free Airfare. Discuss your ideas with one of our travel professionals, and we will research cruise options that fit you personally.

For some, these two buildings may symbolize another example of tragic commercialization, an attempt to strip the island of its homegrown charm and luster. Until 2003, Vieques was a U.S. naval base; its remote location considered ideal for officers to conduct bombing drills. Since opening to tourists over 10 years ago, vacationers have gradually descended onto the island, not in throngs but in clusters. A light scattering of boutique hotels and restaurants followed, but the island’s primary inhabitants, the coqui frogs, seem unfazed.

The island’s dichotomy—half uncharted territory, half Tulum-on-the-brink—and the fact that it hasn’t been smoothed over yet, is perhaps the best thing about Vieques. For now, there are still only a few decent places to stay, but there are a handful of excellent places to eat, including some that rival the cuisine in most cosmopolitan cities. It’s a land of limited choices, but luckily, it’s hard to make a wrong one. 

WHERE TO STAY

The W Retreat & Spa (from $295; State Rd., 200 KM 3.2; 787-741-4100) (pictured left) opened their doors on Vieques about five years ago, and for much of that time, it was the only option for modern, boutique-style lodging. The waterfront property is the perfect respite to come home to, with its own private beaches, an infinity pool, fire pit, and expansive indoor/outdoor lobby that marries the chain’s signature vibrant sleekness with the island’s earthy hues (and often, animal inhabitants). Now there’s also the buzzy El Blok (from $180; 158 Calle Flamboyan; 787-741-6020) (pictured right), which just opened last year and has more of a minimalist, cool-kid vibe. Closet space is lacking, but the owner spent considerable time ensuring the beds are extra comfortable, and the food might be the best on the island.

WHERE TO EAT

Chef José Enrique, who emerged as the culinary star of Puerto Rican cuisine with his eponymous restaurant in San Juan, helms the kitchen at El Blok, where he serves local dishes, grilled to perfection, in the island’s trendiest dining room. Stop by Coqui Fire (Calle Carlos Lebrum; 787-741-0401) for Mexican food that even Californians will rave about, making sure to pick up a few of their homemade hot sauces. Bananas (142 Calle Flamboyan; 787-741-8700), located on Esperanza’s rambling Malecón, is the perfect place for a barefoot breakfast or an afternoon rum punch, Vieques’ cocktail of choice. For more refined romance, or simply the island’s best ceviche, book a table on the patio at the electric Next Course (Route 201 btw. Isabel and Esperanza; 787-741-1028), or sit oceanfront at El Quenepo (Calle Flamboyan; 787-741-1215) and order the mofongo, a traditional fried plantain dish. There’s plenty to see on the island, so if you're after a quick bite, pick up lunch at one of the many food trucks: Sol Food’s spicy jerk chicken sandwich will keep you full until dinner.

WHERE TO DRINK

The Malecón in Esperanza is littered with unpretentious bars, the most popular of which is Lazy Jack’s (787-741-1447). Follow a winding, overgrown path to the charming Chez Shack (787-741-2175), which has a live reggae band on Monday nights, along with excellent BBQ and strong drinks. If you’re having dinner at El Blok, arrive early, order drinks at the bar and sneak up to the hotel roof for a quiet view of the sunset.

WHAT TO DO

Vieques is home to dozens of white sand beaches, including the popular Sun Bay and Pata Prieta, but one of the best ways to find your solitary paradise is to simply rent a Jeep and drive through the National Wildlife Refuge, stopping along the way at one of the many beaches. Park directly on the sand, leave your doors unlocked, and look for a glimpse of a small, uninhabited island. It’s a short swim, but once you’re there, even the lazy gait of Vieques feels distant. At night, reserve a kayak and guide for a tour around the Bioluminescent Bay, where the water and even your hands take on an intergalactic glow.

Auckland to Dunedin, New Zealand

On December 20, 2015, the Silver Discoverer will depart from Auckland New Zealand for a 14 day cruise to the outer islands off the east coast of New Zealand. I can think of no finer time to be in this part of the world.  Take advantage of the time period over the holidays to plan a delightful escape.

Auckland is located on the northern island of New Zealand. Auckland's scenery is commanded by some of the city's 46 volcanic hills, their grass kept closely cropped by those four-legged lawn mowers known as sheep. But this city of about 1.1 million is also a cosmopolitan mix of Polynesians, Asians, and Europeans. (In fact, Auckland has the world's largest single population of Pacific Islanders.) Literally topping things off is the 1,082-foot Sky Tower, dwarfing everything around it and acting as a beacon for the casino, hotel, and restaurant complex that opened early in 1996.

Recently, I have been reading about Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska. If you have not been there - put it on your short list of places to visit. There is a spectacular expedition cruise aboard the luxurious Silver Discoverer sailing from Seward to Vancouver on July 8, 2015. Among the places visited on this 12-day cruise are Elfin Cove, Sum Dum Bay and Glacier Bay National Park.

I have been to Glacier Bay by cruise ship. What happens is a park representative gets on the ship and takes over the ship's intercom to describes the area. Very cool and a worthy experience, but next time I would like to explore the area much more.

I recommend the Silver Discoverer for my experience-driven clientele. Guests aboard the luxury expedition ship will have a completely different adventure during their visit to Glacier Bay as compared to most others. For my Silversea clients, there will be ample opportunity to cruise around Glacier Bay National Park in a Zodiac and photograph stunning pictures of the glaciers and a variety of wildlife.  I would love to get a photo of a bear grabbing a salmon out of one of the streams carrying the run-off from one of the 15 tidewater glaciers in the park. The area is excellent for sighting Humpback Whales, Orcas and Steller Sea Lions.

Believe it or not, the earliest signs of human occupation at Glacier Bay go back about 10,000 years. How they survived here is still a question. There is an archaeological site just outside the park that the rangers and guides will tell you about. That site was discovered about 200 years ago. The Haida, Eyak and Tlingit tribes could have occupied the coast that long ago, Today, the Tlingit tribe is the most prominent native culture.

I want to leave you with this passage written by John Muir during one of his many visits to this area. His description of the area 200 years ago captures the beauty of this fantastic destination that still exists today:
Peace out...

The South of France is as chic as it gets. French food, French wine and French culture all in a laid back atmosphere.  It is the ultimate place for the stressed-out executives to take their family for a summer vacation. While the kids explore their new summer digs, Mom and Dad can relax in accommodations of the same caliber as their own homes.  We have a wonderful selection of vacation villas to choose from. Here is a sample of the villas that we offer:

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection reveals the highly anticipated design of their newest Super Ship, S.S. Maria Theresa, launching March 26, 2015 . Representing Uniworld’s most ambitious ship to date, this floating palace on water exemplifies true artistry. 

 “Our aim is to transport each guest into experiencing the fantasy of living in an 18th-century Baroque castle. We designed the S.S. Maria Theresa to take our guests on a journey back in time with an onboard atmosphere and style seamlessly integrated with the history and architecture of the very places they will visit onshore, as well as provide them with the latest in luxurious comfort and technology, of course,” states Toni Tollman of Uniworld.

In the Habsburg Salon, where guests can relax with a book or enjoy afternoon tea, are five murals depicting the 18th-century Austrian countryside hand-painted by specialist painter Croxford and Saunders. A selection of hand-picked antiques and inspirational paintings from different artists of the period are certain to evoke conversation or deep contemplation. Other public areas include the authentic Viennese Café, where guests can linger for hours enjoying local specialties, such as classic Austrian sachertorte, Würstl, (Viennese sausage), and famous Viennese coffee. Uniworld’s stylish signature Leopard Bar designed with elegantly muted colors and intricate mosaic tile murals created by the famous South African mosaic tile artist, Jane du Rand, is an enchanting and playful venue to have a drink or dance the night away. The stunning 10-seat Lipizzan Cinema configured with deep blue velvet loveseats offers the perfect place for movie viewing. And a well-equipped fitness center, swimming pool, and Serenity River Spa™ , provide a place to exercise and unwind.