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Champagne Vending Machine at this NOLA Hotel Makes Every Day New Year's Eve

lynn@influenceproductions.com (Lynn Elmhirst) — Thu, 23 Jan 20 20:00:06 +0000

The motto of New Orleans is 'Let the Good Times Roll'. Nowhere is that more true than at the local Ritz-Carlton, which now boasts the area's first permanent champagne vending machine.

This classy, tongue-in-cheek interpretation of lobby fixtures in sadder hotels holds 320 'piccolo' (mini) bottles of liquid celebration, and blends right into the hotel's festive seasonal décor and events.

A nearly life-sized gingerbread NOLA streetcar dominates the lobby, with festive gingerbread making and decorating events throughout advent for the young and their grown up family members who want to sip while they decorate.

Christmas Eve 'Reveillon' feasts throughout December pay tribute to New Orleans' and Louisiana's French founding residents, along with 'Papa Noel' teas and breakfasts, and a Christmas Day 'Jubilee' extravaganza.

As exciting as those are, it's the New Year's Eve 6-course masquerade dinner and ball in partnership with iconic champagne brand Moet et Chandon, that tops out the festive season with champagne taking center stage.

And before New Year's is even over, the Mardi Gras carnival season in New Orleans has already begun.

With a full calendar of festivals and celebrations, never-ending good times really do roll one into another in New Orleans. The city's 24-hour alcohol serving times plus relaxed policy towards carrying your drinks into the street (a couple of restrictions do apply: only in plastic cups and only in the French Quarter) make the Ritz-Carlton's lobby champagne vending machine not only festive but even practical.

So whatever celebration brings you to New Orleans, you can let your good times roll in the Big Easy anytime with an elegant bubbly and a hotel home base on Canal Street just a block from Bourbon Street at the edge of the French Quarter.

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Discover Tropical Romance in 3 Overwater Bungalow Resorts on the Caribbean Sea

lynn@influenceproductions.com (Lynn Elmhirst) — Thu, 23 Jan 20 20:00:06 +0000

(Re)kindle the romance close to home – without long flights to the South Pacific or the Maldives!

Overwater villas are the next best thing to a private tropical island of your own – a luxury, bungalow suspended right over top of jewel-toned seas with the rustic-chic experience of living indoors and outdoors. It doesn't need to be Valentine's Day or your honeymoon for you and your sweetheart to deserve an overwater dream holiday.

Here are 3 resorts on the Caribbean Sea - in Jamaica, Mexico, and Panama, where you can live the dream.

Where: Sandals Royal Caribbean, Montego Bay, Jamaica

The Overwater Bungalows and Resort Highlights:

Couples-only Sandals built the Caribbean's first all-inclusive overwater bungalows, inspired by more distant cousins in Tahiti. These secluded villas are just off the resort's private island with private water taxi service. Picture glass floors, butler service, private infinity pools and outdoor soaking tub for two or hammocks over the water where you can dangle your toes and absorb the sun, extended outdoor decks and outdoor showers that blur the line between indoor and outdoor luxury living.

All-inclusive, unlimited fine dining at 8 restaurants and unlimited wine and spirits at 5 bars, including swim-up, and stocked bars in every room
Free wifi, tips, taxes and gratuities
Roundtrip airport transfers and BMW private airport transfers for all Butler and Club Sandals guests
Professional water sport instruction and all equipment; PADI-Certified SCUBA diving, snorkeling
Hobie Cats, paddle boards, kayaks, beach volleyball, bocce ball, pool tables, day and night tennis, unlimited land sports and state-of-the-art fitness centers
Day and night entertainment including live shows
PLUS exchange privileges and all amenities and inclusions with 2 nearby Sandals – it's like having 3 resorts in one!

Where: Karisma's El Dorado Maroma, Riviera Maya, Mexico

The Overwater Bungalows and Other Resort Highlights:

The adults-only resort's 'Palafitos' (pictured top) are not only the first overwater bungalows in Mexico, but are also on Maroma Beach, one of the world's top-rated beaches. Glass-bottom floors give you a view of the sea from the moment you wake up and your feet touch the floor; in the evenings, you'll have an unobstructed view of the setting sun from your own infinity pool on your private deck. And outdoor shower and private butler top off your indulgent beach escape.

Easily-reached via non-stop flights to Cancun
8 diverse resort restaurants available in the 'Gourmet inclusive' all-inclusive program and 24-hour room service
2 lounges and 3 swim up bars
Non-motorized watersports
Spanish lessons, yoga, aqua aerobics, latin dance lessons, cooking classes, beach volleyball, mescal tasting, free wifi and more
Daily entertainment and nightly entertainment including karaoke, live music, circus show and more
Shopping tours to Playa del Carmen
Fitness center, sauna and steam baths at the spa, aqua fit

Where: Viceroy, Bocas del Toro, Panama – opening slated for 2021

Overwater Bungalows and Other Resort Highlights:

42 overwater bungalows the first in Central America
Accessible via a short flight from Panama City, boat, seaplane or helicopter
457 acres of Caribbean coastline in a famous eco-destination, next to jungle and San San Pond Sak wetlands, a habitat for birds and wildlife exploration via eco-tours and hiking
Sailing, paddle boarding, kayaking, snorkeling, surfing, biking, walks and lounging on the lengthy beach
42 overwater bungalows and 150 more guestrooms and residences
8 onsite restaurants plus lounges,
Multiple pools, spa, fitness center, meditation rooms

Tip: If your travel heart is set on the romance of an overwater villa, book well advance as these evocative, one-of-a-kind accommodations are always among the first to fully book especially in high season December – March.

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Video Cruise Review: Tulips and Much More on an Avalon Spring Netherlands River Cruise

lynn@influenceproductions.com (Lynn Elmhirst) — Thu, 23 Jan 20 20:00:06 +0000

If you're a flower lover, a Tulip Time spring cruise in the Netherlands is already on your bucket list. If you're not a particular flower lover, it should still be on your bucket list.

BestTrip sailed on the Avalon Vista and discovered there's so much more to a Tulip Time cruise than spring flowers.

We'll never forget the incredible sights of fields of tulips and Europe's largest spring garden in full bloom. But also the sights and many different flavors of not just the Netherlands, but also next-door Belgium, from jaw-dropping Amsterdam to more off-the-beaten-path towns like Ghent and Antwerp in Belgium, to picturesque villages in the Dutch countryside.

It's not until you take a river cruise that you realize the perfect way to see the countryside is sailing through the heart of a destination on a river ship. On the Avalon Vista, floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors facing your bed bring the outdoors to you, and early morning and daytime sailing means we enjoyed the journey as much as the destinations.

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Where's the Best Place to be on National Cake Day?

lynn@influenceproductions.com (Lynn Elmhirst) — Thu, 23 Jan 20 20:00:06 +0000

If it isn't on your calendar already, get out a red pen and mark November 26. That's National Cake Day, and although we don't need any excuses to enjoy the star of any birthday, wedding, or Tuesday afternoon, it got us thinking: where is the best travel destination for a day dedicated to celebrating cake?

Our conclusion: Austria, with not one, but two flagship cakes.

Linzer Torte

Linz is the home of Linzer Torte. Since it's said to be the world's oldest cake recipe, Austria could be considered the birthplace of cake. Every sponge, Christmas, devil's food, red velvet or spice cake we've ever enjoyed, owes its origins to the bakers of Linz. A recipe for Linzer Torte dated 1653 was discovered in an abbey. (And of course, the cake would have become an established tradition much sooner than that for its recipe to merit recording).

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: LEARNING TO BAKE LINZER TORTE IN LINZ, AUSTRIA

Linzer Torte has survived until today pretty much unchanged. It's a dense, not-too-sweet cake, rich in the luxury ingredients of early Europe: ground hazelnuts and almonds, eggs and lemon zest, with red currant jam filling and a pretty lattice pattern of dough on top.

It's become a Christmas holiday tradition not only in Austria, but also Germany, Hungary and Switzerland.

Luckily, original, authentic Linzer Torte is a year-round local delicacy for residents and visitors to Linz. Try Linzer Torte in its hometown - as we did - when we visited K und K Hofbackerei, an historic bakery/café. The two 'K's refer to 'King' and 'Queen' in German - and you know you're getting an authentic experience in a bakery with a history of royal patronage.

Sacher Torte

Capital city Vienna doubles down on Austria's famous cake sweepstakes. It has its own can't-miss confectionary, named after its most famous hotel.

Compared to Linzer Torte, Hotel Sacher's Sacher Torte is new on the world's dessert menu, dating 'only' from 1832. Chocolate had arrived on the European confectionary scene by then, and Sacher Torte is a dense chocolate cake with an apricot jam coating. The real magic may be the dark chocolate icing that's said to contain 3 different types of chocolates made expressly - and only - for Sacher Torte.

Even if you're not staying at the opulent Hotel Sacher in the heart of Vienna, it's the perfect place to rest and recharge with chocolate Sacher Torte. You'll be indulging in local flavors and local lifestyle: for hundreds of years, long before no-fat double lattes, the Austrian capital cultivated coffee house culture. It claims to be the 'coffee house capital of the world', so sitting back, enjoying a coffee and a piece of Sacher Torte may be one of the most authentically local things you can do while visiting Vienna.

There's even a Sacher Torte Day – December 6^th, making it easy to span both celebratory cake dates on a single visit to Austria.

No matter what time of year, you have at least 2 reasons to make Austria your next sweet-tooth travel destination. Land trips, including active cycling and hiking tours, are a wonderful way to experience Austria in the warmer months, or explore Christmas markets and ski hills in the winter. Danube river cruises call in both Vienna and Linz, where you can make your way to K und K bakery or the Hotel Sacher for an afternoon treat, or pick up a boxed cake to take home to share.

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Amtrak's Only Great Dome Car Returns to the East in Time for Panoramic Autumn Colors New York to Montreal

lynn@influenceproductions.com (Lynn Elmhirst) — Thu, 23 Jan 20 20:00:06 +0000

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 way by rail through Upstate New York including the Hudson Valley wine country and the famous Adirondacks, across the border to the world's second largest French-speaking city: Montreal, Canada.

The Great Dome car's upper level has windows on all sides for panoramic views over the spectacular changing colors of the trees in rolling hills, rural vistas and scenic views of Lake Champlain. Its autumn return to the Adirondack route elevates the famous train ride to one of the world's iconic rail trips. (Image courtesy of Amtrak).

That's just the 1-day, 10-hour train ride. Bookend it with a couple of days each in two of the East's most dynamic and diverse cities, and it's an autumn vacation you'll never forget.

Here are a few tips to get the most out of a Fall Foliage train trip in Amtrak's Great Dome car:

Advance reservations for the route are required.
The Great Dome car and its views come at no extra cost, but…
Seats in the upper, panoramic level are non-reserved and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Discounts are available for children, so you can bring more members of the family – make it an extended / multi-generational family celebration of the autumn season.
The Great Dome car generally travels northbound from New York City on one day, and southbound from Montreal the next on the same route, with one day a week not in service.
There are a number of stations along the line where you can embark mid-route, and arrive in one of these two, world-class terminus cities by dinner. Or you can disembark and explore the local sites along the way before picking up the route again on a subsequent day.
Amtrak has partnered with the National Park Service in an America-wide 'Trails and Rails' program to connect train passengers to U.S. national parks. On the Adirondack route, Saratoga National Historic Park, Roosevelt Vanderbilt National Historic Sites, and the National Parks of New York Harbor are among the National Park Service Sites participating in the 'Trails and Rails' program. Volunteers from National Park sites board select Great Dome car trips to provide local and historic insights that enrich your journey even beyond the unforgettable scenery.

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8 Facts About the Panama Canal

lynn@influenceproductions.com (Lynn Elmhirst) — Thu, 23 Jan 20 20:00:06 +0000

Panama is one of the fastest-growing destinations in Central America, and the Panama Canal is the country's star attraction. Although it's on everyone's list of things to experience, the canal is more important as a global shipping transit than tourist experience.

Whether you sail the canal on your next cruise or watch in action from land, here are 8 things you need to know about this wonder of the modern world.

1. It's a short cut between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

The Panama Canal cuts across the Isthmus of Panama in a narrow land bridge between North and South America. Prior, ships had to sail around the tip of South America. It takes about 8 hours to cross the Canal's 50 miles (77km). That saves days. If a ship had to navigate down and around Cape Horn at the tip of South America and back up the other side, it would have to travel nearly 12,500 miles (20,000 km).

2. It's over 100 years old.

2014 marked the 100^th anniversary of the opening of the Panama Canal. Columbia, France, then later, the United States controlled the land surrounding the canal. In 1881, the French started building the canal, but progress halted due to engineering problems and high worker mortality. The US took it over in 1904 and completed the project with newly available technology ten years later at a cost of $400 million USD. In 1999, control passed back to Panama.

3. Construction cost over 25,000 lives.

At times, more than 43,000 people were working on the Panama Canal at once. Workers had to deal with heat, jungles, swamps - and all the creatures in them, including rats that carried bubonic plague. Plus mosquito-borne diseases like yellow fever and malaria. Over 20,000 workers died during French building efforts.

After the scientific links between the insects and disease had been discovered, Americans undertook intensive and successful anti-mosquito initiatives. Even so, another more than 5000 workers perished during the American building phase.

4. It's considered one of the Man-Made Wonders of the World

The American Society of Civil Engineers has also dubbed the Panama Canal one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World. It's one of the largest and most difficult engineering projects ever undertaken.

A system of locks at each end of the Canal lifts ships up 85 feet (26 meters) above sea level to an artificial lake. Ships traverse the artificial lake, as well as a series of improved and artificial channels, and then are lowered again in more locks to sea level at the other side.

The locks are 110 feet (33 meters) feet wide and 1000 feet (300 meters) long. About 30-MILLION pounds (1,400,000 kilos) of explosives were used to help clear the land for the canal.

(That's a view! The Norwegian Bliss is the largest passenger cruise ship to have ever transited the Panama Canal)

5. Over 1 Million Vessels have transited the canal since it opened.

In 1914, the year it opened, about 1000 ships used the canal. Today, nearly 15,000 ships pass through the Isthmus of Panama via the Canal annually. The 1 Millionth ship crossed the canal in 2010, 96 years after it opened.

In 1934 it was estimated that the maximum traffic of the canal would be around 80 million tons of shipping a year, but by 2015, canal traffic exceeded 340 million tons of shipping – over 4 times the original maximum estimate.

6. $2 Billion in Tolls are Collected Annually

Every ship that passes through the canal pays a toll based on its size, type and volume of cargo. Tolls are set by the Panama Canal Authority. Tolls for the largest cargo ships can run about $450,000. Cruise ships pay by berths (number of passengers in beds). The per-berth fee set in 2016 was $138; a large cruise ship can pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to sail through the Canal.

The smallest toll recorded was paid by American Richard Halliburton in 1928, who paid 36 cents to swim the Canal.

7. The Panama Canal was expanded for bigger ships in 2016

The original canal locks are 110 feet (33 meters) wide and ten times as long. For a century, they accommodated shipping, and the term 'Panamax' ships was used to describe ships built to fit through the canal. But ships kept getting bigger, and in 2007, work began on a multi-billion dollar expansion of the Canal. In 2016, a third, wider lane of locks opened for commercial shipping, capable of handling 'Post-Panamax' ships that can carry 14,000 20-foot shipping containers (nearly 3 times Panamax ship capacity).

In spite of that giant leap forward in 2016, the world's largest container ships - that can carry 18,000 shipping containers – can't pass through the Panama Canal.

(A Celebrity Cruise ship transiting the Panama Canal)

8. How you can visit the Panama Canal.

Many ocean cruise lines offer increasingly popular Panama Canal itineraries that sail through the canal in the approximately 8 hour passage to their next destination in the opposite ocean.

But you don't have to sail through the canal. If you're visiting Panama City, or taking a resort / beach vacation in Panama, you can take a land trip to see the canal in action.

The Miraflores Visitor Center is on the east side of the Miraflores Locks, which are close to the Pacific end of the Canal and Panama City. Like the canal, the Visitor Center is open daily. The Visitor Center has large balconies designed for you to get a great view as the lock gates are opened and closed for ships to start or complete their journey through the Panama Canal.

Engineering buffs and even children will be thrilled at the up-close-to-the-action perspective on this man-made Wonder of the World.

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Cunard Joins Crowdfunding to Help Build New Statue of Liberty Museum

lynn@influenceproductions.com (Lynn Elmhirst) — Thu, 23 Jan 20 20:00:06 +0000

Supplies exclusive donor perks for July-long campaign; new museum to launch in 2019.

It's the quintessential British luxury cruise line, but Cunard is still the perfect cruise partner to help build a new museum for the ultimate symbol of America.

A highlight of Cunard's Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic Crossings from Southampton near London, England, is a sail past the Statue of Liberty before arrival in New York harbor.

It's the same route Cunard ocean liners sailed during the Golden Age of steam ships. As one of the only forms of transportation to the US before airline travel, Cunard played a critical role in immigration from the UK and Europe to the US in the late 19th century.

Imagine: 1 in 5 immigrants who arrived in the US through Ellis Island arrived on a Cunard liner!

So the history of America's famous Statue of Liberty that represents the freedom those immigrants were seeking in the US, is forever entwined with Cunard.

Now that The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation is crowdfunding to help build a new Statue of Liberty Museum on Liberty Island, Cunard has stepped in to help.

Scheduled to open in 2019, the new museum celebrates the story of Lady Liberty herself. She is one of the most meaningful monuments in the world, not just a national monument but a beacon around the world, an icon symbolizing America and hope for a better life. The museum will also be the new home of the Statue's original torch.

The month-long campaign launched – appropriately enough – on July 4th. Cunard stepped in with some amazing incentives to contribute.

Exclusive Donor Perks already awarded include a Transatlantic Crossing for Two Guests, a Private Tour and Lunch Onboard Queen Mary 2 in New York, and an exclusive branded Cunard Desktop Notepad with Cunard crest for the first 100 people to donate the symbolic amount of $18.66 (1866 was the year Lady Liberty was dedicated).

It's not too late to be part of history!

Donate now:

Through the duration of the crowdfunding campaign, anyone giving the symbolic donation of $18.86 or more will also have their name permanently recorded in the Founders Registry, on display in the museum and on the museum’s websites. Founders will be collectively recognized in the Founders Star on the Liberty Star Mural in the Museum. The Mural features 50 sculpted and highly symbolic stars, offset by original hand-forged iron armature bars that supported the interior of the Statue of Liberty for her first 100 years.

Donate to the new Liberty Museum at www.forladyliberty.org.

Sail on Cunard's Journey of Geneology Crossing:

In celebration of their storied history and role in the immigration movement to the USA, Cunard is offering a Journey of Geneology Crossing. Guests will have the opportunity to trace their family history on flagship liner Queen Mary 2 while sailing across the Atlantic. The seven-night Transatlantic Crossing, November 4-11, 2018, will feature a variety of experts in genealogy and assist guests in learning more about their heritage.

Contact us for more information about Cunard's Journey of Geneology, other Transatlantic Crossings, or any other Cunard British luxury sailing on one of its iconic 'Queens' ships around the world.

And watch for the new Liberty Museum in New York in 2019!

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This is the Only Place You Can See Cirque du Soleil at Sea

lynn@influenceproductions.com (Lynn Elmhirst) — Thu, 23 Jan 20 20:00:06 +0000

Cirque du Soleil has been charting new entertainment territory since it began and it's changed what we think of as 'circus' shows.

You may have been lucky enough to go to a Cirque du Soleil shows on land.

But there's only one place you can see the innovative, extraordinarily talented Cirque performances at sea.

European-based cruise line MSC has exclusively partnered with the French-Canadian Cirque to provide cruise guests with one-of-a-kind, internationally-renowned entertainment on board.

Cirque du Soleil is creating shows you'll only be able to see on MSC Cruises. A total of 8 original shows are in the works for MSC's four Meraviglia-class ships launching through 2020. You'll want to sail on all four ships as the shows will show the full range of Cirque's imagination with a different concept, ambiance and storyline, original soundtrack, staging and costumes.

The first 2 shows have already launched on the MSC Meraviglia: Sonor and Viaggio.

Sonor is an auditory adventure, whose unique rhythms, sounds and sensations, bold music and immersive projections sweep dancers, acrobats and characters along to the beat.

Viaggio is a poetic exploration of color, following the story of an eccentric painter into his imagination. As he works his art, compelling motifs, textures, and majestic acts bring his canvas to life for a riveted audience. These creative and expressive Cirque du Soleil performances had to be designed specifically to work in the unique, ship-board environment that challenged the creators and performers. They are held on MSC in a venue just as unique as the shows themselves.

The MSC Meraviglia's Carousel Lounge

The multi-million dollar Carousel Lounge is specially designed and built for Cirque du Soleil, and is one of the smallest venues of any Cirque show. That gives just over 400 guests a rare, intimate Cirque du Soleil experience and a feeling of being up-close and even interacting with the performers. The lounge is equipped with cutting edge technology and special rigging and evokes the music, lights, movement and color of the nostalgic carousels of childhood fairs.

Cocktails or Dinner and Cirque du Soleil at Sea

Performances take place 6 days a week. On show nights, guests can enjoy cocktails or dinner before the Cirque performance. It's the first Dinner and a Show experience on the MSC fleet.

Dining or cocktail experiences are themed to the show, from table settings, costumes, music, visual effects and even surprise, pop-up appearances by performers. And the inventive menus themselves immerse guests in the universe of each show.

Cirque du Soleil at Sea is the icing on top of the incredible MSC Meraviglia cruise experience that includes authentic dining, new panoramic areas, an innovative ocean-view aft lounge, a 2-deck 'inside promenade' with a 5000-square foot LED dome and spectacular amusement area connected to an outdoor water park.

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Fact or Fiction? 3 Things You Need to Know About 'Dracula's Castle'

lynn@influenceproductions.com (Lynn Elmhirst) — Thu, 23 Jan 20 20:00:06 +0000

Before every travel destination had a ghost tour and haunted hotels, there was Dracula's Castle.

Irish author Bram Stoker's 1897 Gothic horror novel 'Dracula' popularized the vampire genre of fantasy fiction that today is more popular than ever.

And although the character of the undead Transylvanian Count is fictional, the Romanian national monument known all over the world as 'Dracula's Castle' is real. 14^th century Bran Castle is about a hundred miles from Bucharest and has long been considered the 'home' of Dracula - even though the genuine Romanian nobleman that supposedly inspired Dracula has only a weak connection to Bran Castle.

Characters in a novel, historic rulers, and real castles? How's a fan of vampires or Halloween to know what to believe about the world's original 'horror'-themed attraction and travel destination?

Here's some help sorting out what's fact and what's fiction for a trip to Dracula's Castle.

Is Bran Castle really 'Dracula's Castle'?

Fictional Count Dracula lives in what Stoker describes as a ruin of a castle in the Carpathian Mountains. Real-life Bran Castle is no ruin. It's a well-preserved medieval stronghold with fairytale turrets, hidden passageways, grand hall, and a stone courtyard.

But it's the only castle in Transylvania that matches Stoker's description of its location: dramatically perched on the rocks 200 feet high above a flowing river gorge through the forest.

Dracula author Bram Stoker never visited Romania. But he did years of research. And the illustration of Dracula's Castle in the first edition looks like the image of Bran Castle that appeared in an earlier book published in London about Transylvania. The illustration does not resemble any other Romanian castle.

Was there a real 'Dracula'?

Since Stoker's novel, the name 'Dracula' keeps readers awake with the lights on at night. But the term in reality is horror-free. 'Dracul' means 'Dragon' and the title originates with a Crusader 'Order of the Dragon' whose knights vowed to protect against the Ottomans.

So there were a number of 'Dracula's, including the Transylvanian-born, real-life prince now connected to the fictional character Dracula. Vlad III / 'Vlad the Impaler' was a 15^th century local ruler associated with the Order of the Dragon, so he was also titled 'Vlad Dracul'.

100,000 people or more are said to have died at his hands, many by impaling. However, they were brutal times, and Vlad Dracul was a local hero for fending off Ottoman invaders.

His own castle (now in ruins) wasn't even in Transylvania, but he was imprisoned for a time during local conflicts in… Bran Castle.

Stoker mentions his 'Dracula' fought against the Ottomans and was later betrayed, which dovetail with the history of the real Vlad III Dracul.

How about Vampires?

If Dracula's name and pieces of his back story were borrowed from a local prince, the vampire myth was borrowed from Transylvanian folklore. 19^th century works in English describe Eastern European legends about evil souls coming out at night to cause trouble and feed on the blood of the living to sustain them in immortality.

Stoker would have had access to these legends, as well as reports of local myths coming out in real life with cases of 'sightings', corpses being staked and people being accused of being vampires. Prior to 'Dracula', a couple other works of fiction created the persona of a pale, sophisticated, aristocratic vampire. The popularity of Stoker's novel fueled the rise of the vampire genre as we know it today.

Our Conclusion?

There was no 'real-life Count Dracula', certainly not one living at Bran Castle.
Stoker borrowed the name 'Dracula' and bits of Vlad's history, as well as documented Transylvanian folklore, local stories and previous novels to create a character and story of his imagination.
Bran Castle is probably the real-life location the author pictured from books when he described the home of his fictional aristocratic vampire.

Bottom line: if you're a fan of vampire fiction, we do think Bran Castle qualifies as the 'spiritual home' of the modern vampire legend.

(G Adventures' Halloween Tour of Translyvania and Dracula's Halloween Party in Transylvania)

The castle is the country's first private museum, displaying the historic furniture, weapons and armor collections of its last inhabitant, Queen Marie of Romania. It towers over the picturesque historic village of Bran. And it's part of a region with other medieval castles, towns and fortresses, winter ski hills, and some of Europe's richest forests with rare wildlife.

How To Get There?

You can travel to Transylvania pre- or post- Danube river cruises sailing out of Bucharest, or as a dedicated tour, cycling, or hiking trip. There are even special Halloween tours to pay homage to 'Dracula's Castle' and celebrate the haunted holiday inside its walls.

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Video: South America on Silversea: Luxury Cruise Review

lynn@influenceproductions.com (Lynn Elmhirst) — Thu, 23 Jan 20 20:00:06 +0000

Two of South America's most fabled cities and a week-long cruise in luxury. That's our BestTrip.TV experience sailing on Silversea's Silver Muse from Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

With overnights in both exciting ports, and sunny days at sea on Silversea's intimate 600-passenger ship, it's the South American sailing of your dreams. Spacious and yacht-like, with more restaurants than we can experience in a week, the personal attention of an all-butler suite ship, and niceties of Italian hospitality and lifestyle that are the hallmarks of a Silversea cruise... we can't imagine a more ideal way to sample the delights of two destinations on everyone's travel bucket list.

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Video: Taking a 'Sound Bath' at the Seabourn Spa

lynn@influenceproductions.com (Lynn Elmhirst) — Thu, 23 Jan 20 20:00:06 +0000

You may be familiar with treating yourself to a massage, reflexology, or other spa wellness treatments while you're on holiday. But an Amethyst Crystal Sound Bath? That's a level of holistic therapy you rarely encounter at any spa, especially at sea. BestTrip.TV took a 'dip' during our cruise on the Seabourn Quest.

One-of-a-Kind Wellness: Dr. Andrew Weil's Mindful Living Program on Seabourn

By Lynn Elmhirst, BestTrip.TV

If holistic wellness had a 'celebrity', it would be Dr. Andrew Weil. The pioneer in integrative medicine is a best-selling author and practitioner. Dr. Weil has been pivotal in bringing a new awareness and mainstream practice of Eastern and Western wellness to the North American public.

He has also brought his mind, body, and spirit approach to holistic wellness to Seabourn. So your cruise can include a journey towards rejuvenation, healthy ageing, and even renewed happiness through Dr. Weil's principles and unique practices and treatments.

The ultra-luxury line wants guests to be uplifted, not just by travel to new horizons, pampered by attentive service and the Seabourn way of life, but also by the opportunity to return from your holiday refreshed and relaxed in every way. They've partnered with Dr. Weil to bring wellness and a Mindful Living program to the entire Seabourn fleet. It's the first wellness program of its kind at sea.

Dr. Weil's Mindful Living program at the Spa on Seabourn ships is led by a wellness coach. This certified yoga and meditation practitioner leads complimentary classes and practices as well as wellness gatherings throughout voyages.

Dr. Weil's teachings guide a comprehensive program. Meditation sessions provide participants with positive affirmations and mantras you can reflect on throughout the day. Restorative yoga sessions reinforce the mantra introduced in the day's meditations. Therapeutic yoga sessions also provide guests with various health concerns a practice to help their specific healing needs like back pain, joint pain, headaches, and body alignment.

The Mindful Living program also recognizes the other ways the practice of yoga empowers you, offering sessions that enhance creativity, mental focus and even happiness.

The daily themes of the Mindful Living program change daily in seven-day cycles, so on a week-long Seabourn cruise, you can be immersed in new mindful living practices daily.

In addition to practices, complimentary program seminars provide guests with more information on the philosophies and background and principles of the program elements and its overall mission. The goal is to empower you and increase your awareness of the connection between mind, body, environment and wellness. Healing arts seminars include experts' teachings about issues we can all relate to:

Spontaneous Happiness & Spontaneous Healing
Anti-inflammatory foods with nutritional guidance from Dr. Andrew Weil's teachings
Healthy Aging
Learn what happens in both the mind and body during Mindful Meditation

But every person's wellness needs are different. So everyone receives an individual consultation and specialized recommended courses of practice and treatments that go far beyond standard spa fare. Thai Poultice massages with steamed herbs like Kaffir Lime and Lemon grass, Deeper than Deep Hot Stone Massages, Bamboo massages, Acupuncture, and the Amethyst Crystal Sound Bath featured in the BestTrip.TV video above enhance the Dr. Andrew Weil Mindful Living practices.

One of the best things about participating in the Dr. Andrew Weil Mindful Living program on Seabourn is that, unlike the effects of a massage which can disappear once you return to the stresses of daily life, some of the practices you can learn during the course of a Seabourn voyage, like meditation or breathing exercises, can go home with you, and enrich your life along with memories of your favorite Seabourn moments long after your cruise has come to an end.

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Meet the Winemaker

lynn@influenceproductions.com (Lynn Elmhirst) — Thu, 23 Jan 20 20:00:06 +0000

There's a magical stretch of the Danube river that's known as the 'Tuscany of Austria'. Hills rise in the mist above the Wachau valley, and between fairytale towns of ornate, pastel coloured historic buildings, wineries line the river banks and hillsides.

It's a region best visited by river cruise. Our AmaWaterways Danube river cruise brought us right to the doorstep of this legendary destination.

In this MeettheMakerstv.com, we disembark our ship to visit a vineyard in Krems, where the vintner's tour reveals the winery's history as well as a new taste for interactive, modern art.

10 Things Before You Travel to Turks and Caicos

lynn@influenceproductions.com (Lynn Elmhirst) — Thu, 23 Jan 20 20:00:06 +0000

The British Overseas Territory of Turks and Caicos has 8 main islands, 300 smaller islands, almost all virtually unpopulated. There may be fewer than 50,000 residents, but it punches above its weight as an offshore financial center and a favored Caribbean island destination for travelers by land or sea.

Most people live on Providenciales (nickname: 'Provo'), in the Caicos Islands. Grand Turk is a popular port of call for cruise ships big and small. It may be a British Overseas Territory, but the US dollar is used locally.

All photos: Brilliant Studios

Here are 10 other things to know about the Turks and Caicos:

1. What's in a Name?

The intriguing name refers to the 'Turk's cap' cactus and the local indigenous term 'caya hico' meaning 'string of islands'. Turks and Caicos is southeast of the Bahamas. It is made up of the larger Caicos Islands and the smaller Turks Islands, separated by the Turks Islands Passage.

2. 350 Days of Sunshine a Year

Unlike other islands in the West Indies, Turks and Caicos has few dramatic geographic features. The islands are mostly flat, low, limestone islands with plenty of marshes and mangrove swamps that provided Turks and Caicos with an early, important salt industry. They are also blessed with almost exclusively sunny weather and 130 square miles (320 square kilometers) of beaches. Water is sourced from collected rainfall or desalination.

3. Canada's 11^th Province?

Bizarre as it seems, there have been attempts for over a century to incorporate Turks and Caicos as a province of Canada. Canadians historically sourced salt from the islands to pack fish, and these days provide many services from tourism to banking. Canadians are the largest per capita group of overseas visitors, and from their point of view, a province in the sun would balance Canada's winters. A majority of the islands' citizens also endorse the plan. But at the moment, the thought remains just a sunny dream.

4. Conch

Turks and Caicos' primary natural resources these days are shellfish. They harvest Caribbean spiny lobster and other crustaceans, but what's really unique is the only conch farm in the world. ** The sea farm was damaged by recent hurricanes so check in advance if it has re-opened. Visitors to the Caicos Conch Farm can see the process of raising what may be the world's most iconic shellfish, a show with trained conchs, and even conch pearls.

Conch Salad is one of the Caribbean's most authentic dishes. Try some at a local restaurant, or, if you are spending time on your own on the islands, buy some fresh conch and get a recipe to make your own.

5. Island Fish Fry

Hang out with locals and enjoy the best of local cuisine on Thursday evenings in Provo. The Island Fish Fry has local chefs and restaurants showing off their best specialties including lobster, competing recipes for conch salad, crab 'n' rice, lobster mac and cheese and corn on the grill all under the island's starry skies with local bands on stage. Don't miss handmade crafts for sale, 'Henry the Conch', local folklore stories, dance and a 'junkanoo rush' that brings the crowd to their feet.

6. Grand Turk Cruise Center

Coming in on a cruise ship? The island of Grand Turk welcomes cruise guests with a 14-acre, landscaped cruise center complete with a lagoon-like pool, beautiful, direct-access beach, a surfing simulator, private cabanas, the largest Margaritaville by Jimmy Buffet in the Caribbean and other food and beverage facilities, local and duty-free luxury shopping, as well as changing rooms, showers, and lockers. It's the launch point for shore excursions like fishing, snorkeling, whale-watching and more.

7. John Glenn Exhibit

Fans of America's Space program have a special pilgrimage to make: Splashdown Grand Turk. On the south side of the Grand Turk Cruise Center, this free exhibit commemorates the 1962 landing of the Friendship 7 capsule just offshore Grand Turk with replicas of NASA's historic space programs, statue of John Glenn in his spacesuit, and a glimpse into the future of space exploration.

8. Humpback Whales

North Atlantic Humpback Whales make Grand Turk and Salt Cay waters their home for mating and calving from late January through early April. Whale watching trips give you the opportunity to experience the unforgettable sight of whales breeching and playing with their babies. Some tours provide hydrophones to hear the 'songs' of the whales above or underwater. Others also offer diving experiences.

Make sure you use a tour operator with experience and a commitment to ethical whale watching that does not interfere with or disturb these magnificent creatures in their essential breeding grounds.

9. Glass-Bottom Kayaking & Eco Safari

You can explore coastal Grand Turk in a see-through, 2-person kayak through gentle, shallow mangroves and coves. On this tour, you'll see stunning marine life through the bottom of your kayak, and plants, birds and Osprey nests on shore. You'll go ashore for an eco-adventure walk to experience the best of the island's coastline.

10. Conch Bar Caves

This unique attraction involves neither conch, nor a bar. Conch Bar is a village on Middle Caicos with a spectacular secret: one of the largest cave systems in the Caribbean. The 15 miles (24km) of underground caverns with lagoons, stalactites and stalagmites and (harmless) colonies of bats have significant human history in the islands from pre-Columbian times. A National Park encompasses the cave system and the land overhead that is home to rare plants and animals.

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Top 6 Wellness and Fitness Cruises You Should be Booking Now

lynn@influenceproductions.com (Lynn Elmhirst) — Thu, 23 Jan 20 20:00:06 +0000

Have you resolved to travel more AND be more fit and well? Why not put these life goals together on your next cruise? Cruise lines have upped their health, wellness, and fitness games in recent years. In fact, some of the best wellness experiences in the world are now at sea.

BestTrip's Lynn Elmhirst has put together her list of wellness/fitness opportunities on river, ocean, luxury and more affordable cruise lines you should be booking now.

Seabourn:

This ultra-luxury cruise line has partnered with acclaimed wellness pioneer Dr. Andrew Weil. All the Seabourn ships fleet-wide incorporate a Spa and Wellness program featuring Dr. Weil's mindful living program, and holistic spa and wellness experience that integrates physical, social, nutritional, environmental and spiritual well-being designed to relax and rejuvenate your mind and spirit as well as body.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: EXPERIENCING THE DR. ANDREW WEIL WELLNESS PROGRAM ON SEABOURN

Complimentary sessions of Mindful Meditation and restorative yoga enhance personalized treatment plans to address guests' specific health and wellness needs, mental focus, and happiness. Mind and Body seminars are designed to educate guests about philosophies and practices that marry Eastern and Western traditions and empower them to advance their own wellness. A Wellness Guide is a new staff member on all ships to guide guests through classes and personalized treatment programs.

Dr. Weil himself sails annually on a Seabourn cruise, delivering lectures and guiding informal group sessions.

Avalon Waterways:

River cruising is getting more active, and Avalon Waterways' 'Active Discovery' cruises give you multiple ways to explore new European river cruising destinations. These included shore excursions span 'Classic', 'cultural Discovery', and for the wellness and fitness-minded guest, 'Active' options at ports of call.

These shore excursions put exploration in motion, including jogging tours of Amsterdam, a biking tour of the Dutch countryside or urban Vienna, a hiking tour of vineyards along the Rhone, or even a canoe trip on the Danube.

Avalon's AvalonGo App enhances your Active discovery of your river cruise route with daily, detailed itineraries, lists and directions of nearby attractions, cafes, bars, restaurants as well as their opening details… you'll even be provided with a picnic for your exploration!

Cunard

British luxury is at its best on the 'Three Queens'. In 2019, Cunard introduces a new spa concept Mareel Wellness & Beauty. New treatments featuring sustainable products and renovated spa bring a whole new wellness experience to Cunard guests. The spa renovations include a couples' suite and seaweed bathing ritual, a meditation room equipped with acoustic resonance loungers, an updated fitness center, class studio and sound therapy facilities.

The program's signature treatment is 'Ocean Discovery'. It features organic, marine-based ingredients sustainably sourced from Ireland, and other treatments feature seaweed wraps, luminescence massages and other advanced wellness experiences. Following rollout on the Queen Elizabeth, the new spa concept will be introduced on the Queen Victoria, and then on the Queen Mary 2 in late 2020.

AmaWaterways

This is the line that first introduced complimentary bicycles to river cruising and got us all cycling around ports of call in Europe. AmaWaterways has now expanded its wellness activities on shore with hiking and other active shore excursions, as well as on board.

Wellness hosts on each ship as well as classes for all levels and aspirations of fitness, from stretching, core strengthening, resistance bands, and soothing or therapeutic massages, even lecture sessions.

Princess Cruises

17 Princess cruise ships sail guests to hundreds of destinations around the world, and everywhere you sail on Princess, you have the opportunity to relax, recharge and stay fit on your cruise vacation in the cruise line's award-winning Lotus Spa and Fitness Centers. Even the most dedicated gym-goer will be impressed by Princess' up-to-the-minute fitness equipment and classes, from spinning, yoga, and Zumba, as well as massages and body treatments.

Uniworld and U by Uniworld

Luxury river cruise line Uniworld and its experiential sister cruise U by Uniworld take health, wellness and fitness seriously on board and on shore. On select sailings, an onboard wellness instructor teaches TRX® Suspension Training classes in addition to individual workouts-with-a-view.

Uniworld has also partnered with luxury active tour company Butterfield & Robinson to provide unique cruise + cycling holidays in Europe. The company also offers a dedicated wellness cruise along the Ganges River in India.

Whether it's advancing your fitness goals, or enhancing your serenity, some of your best travel health, fitness and wellness options are at sea.

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First TransAtlantic British Fashion Week

lynn@influenceproductions.com (Lynn Elmhirst) — Thu, 23 Jan 20 20:00:06 +0000

Cunard Debuts First-Ever Transatlantic Fashion Week en route to New York Fashion Week on Queen Mary 2.

Cunard brings a world of glamour and fashion and British luxury on board the iconic ocean liner Queen Mary 2 featuring Dame Zandra Rhodes CBE, Colin McDowell MBE, Fern Mallis, Gail Sackloff OBE, Royal College of Art and Storm Models.

Royal College of Art graduate, Sophie Schmidt, unveiled her latest creation worn by a Storm model on board the iconic Queen Mary 2 to kick off Cunard’s first ever ‘Transatlantic Fashion Week’ cruise with Dame Zandra Rhodes.

Fashion royalty, including Colin McDowell MBE, Fern Mallis and Gail Sackloff OBE set off from the Port of Southampton on Queen Mary 2 for seven days of runway shows, glamorous dinners and exclusive unveilings before joining New York Fashion Week on September 8.

British Designer Dame Zandra Rhodes CBE, known for dressing some of the world’s best-known style icons including Freddie Mercury, Jackie Onassis and former Cunard passenger Elizabeth Taylor, showcases her latest collection this week on board Queen Mary 2. The celebrated fashion designer is also joined by highly respected fashion historian and style commentator Colin McDowell MBE and New York Fashion Week Founder Fern Mallis for a series of inspirational talks during the voyage.

Passengers have the opportunity to attend exclusive first look runway shows featuring collections from the world’s most famous fashion college, the Royal College of Art’s 2016 graduates including:

Niels Gundtoft Hansen: innovative Danish designer whose final collection aims to create the perfect balance between the raw edge and romantic beauty of his home country
Stefanie Tschirky: born in a small village in Switzerland, Stefanie hopes one day to own her own design studio, with a focus on interdisciplinary design and art work
Sophie Schmidt: Sophie’s interest in design stemmed from her upbringing in a family of architects, and her collection is based on Anthroposophy – taking inspiration from life, the human body and soul to create a deeper meaning
Oksana Ani: Oksana has taken inspiration from science and technology to create her Fluid’Sense collection, creating the feeling of wearing liquid clothes
Laetitia Berthier: influenced by social codes, values and symbols of power within menswear across decades, Laetitia’s collection is inspired by her French heritage and the varied and diverse influences discovered during her studies

In addition to embracing new design talent, the first-ever fashion show at sea introduces emerging new faces from of one London’s revolutionary modeling agencies, Storm.

Following a recent remastering in the region of $132 million, Queen Mary 2 marks 176 years of heritage, echoing the height of British elegance and luxury associated with Cunard’s iconic fleet. Cunard’s ‘Transatlantic Fashion Week’ provides a rare and exclusive experience for cruise guests set within an art deco inspired interior. It's just one event that showcases Cunard's ongoing upscale British way of life, products and experiences on board its fleet.

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This Cruise Line has Plenty to Celebrate in Pride Month

lynn@influenceproductions.com (Lynn Elmhirst) — Thu, 23 Jan 20 20:00:06 +0000

San Francisco, Toronto, Sydney, Berlin… Now you can add another destination to celebrate Pride Month: at Sea.

Celebrity Cruises held its first Pride party fleet-wide in 2017, wherever its ships were around the world. Now it looks like the cruise line's new tradition of celebrating LGBTQ+ diversity and inclusion during international Pride Month and festivities is here to stay.

2018's Pride Month celebrations on Celebrity cruise ships kicked off on the Celebrity Constellation in Sicily, and on the Celebrity Reflection in Cartagena, Spain. Each ship took turns handing off the 'party baton' to the next ship to keep the parties running across hemispheres and time zones, following the clock to finally encompass all the ships in the fleet. In the end, Celebrity's Pride Party at Sea spanned 10,000 miles and 9 ships in different continents and time zones around the world.

Olympic Bronze Medalist Adam Rippon (pictured, below, sailing on the Celebrity Summit) and two-time men’s figure skating Olympian Johnny Weir served as ambassadors for 2018's festivities that welcomed all guests on board and made for one of Celebrity's biggest fleet-wide events.

The ship-board Pride parties commemorating Pride Month are just part of the cruise line's support of the community throughout the calendar year.

The first night of nearly every Celebrity cruise year round is earmarked for a popular LGBTQ+ Welcome Party, open to and enjoyed by all guests fleet-wide. And throughout each cruise, events and social hours foster the community.

On shore, Celebrity Cruises is a Presenting Sponsor of the Miami Beach Gay Pride celebrations in the cruise line's HQ hometown. Celebrity hosts festival events and provides entertainment from the acclaimed Celebrity Productions team. Its float took home a prize for first place, with over 400 Celebrity employees marching in the Miami Beach Gay Pride parade in 2018.

Couples who are guests on Celebrity ships with more to celebrate than Pride Month can also now be legally (not just symbolically) married on board following ground-breaking legislative changes in Malta, where Celebrity ships are flagged. The line held the first legal gay wedding on a major line on the Celebrity Equinox in January, 2018. The ship's captain presided over the historic ceremony, and now, fleet-wide, wedding ceremonies performed by the Captain on board are legal marriages.

No surprise that Celebrity's modern luxury cruise line has been recognized as the LGBTQ+ Friendly Travel Company of the year, as well as 4-years' running as Best Large Ship Cruise Line for LGBTQ+ Passengers, making the cruise line a great option for guests looking for a great new place to celebrate Pride or a memorable LGBTQ+ wedding, or simply to feel welcome and at home on their next cruise to a dream destination.

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Top 3 Souvenirs from Venice

lynn@influenceproductions.com (Lynn Elmhirst) — Thu, 23 Jan 20 20:00:06 +0000

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 street. You'll find boutiques as well as souvenirs for yourself and your loved ones.

So leave room in your suitcase for our top shopping finds in Venice.

By: Lynn Elmhirst, producer/ host, BestTrip.TV

1. Murano Glass

Less than a mile from the main city, the Venetian island of Murano for centuries has been famous for glassware. It was a European pioneer and leader in the miraculous art of glassmaking, and Murano glass is an essential Venice souvenir.

Although you can buy Murano glass throughout Venice, take the time to visit the island, packed with factories and some artists' studios, some of which are open to visitors to see how it's made. You'll find some more unique pieces that appear less 'mass-market' off the beaten track.

You'll have plenty of different expressions of the glassblower's art to choose from. Among the most recognized 'Murano' glass is multi-colored, especially in bright primary colors (millefiori) and glass beads that are often made into jewelry, or even rosaries for the devout in your life.

After you've stocked up on beads and items made from beads, it gets less easy to pack. Glassware, vases, figurines or contemporary glass sculpture, even chandeliers, require more planning, or even better, the studio or shop to arrange shipping for you. But I guarantee that a nice Italian prosecco sipped from a Murano wine glass at home has a taste of your travels that makes the effort all worthwhile.

Tip: Don't miss Paropamiso on the Frezzeria. The owner collects glass 'Venetian pearls' and also travels around the world collecting items to bring back to Venice to his shop, where he also practices the Venetian craft of threading them into jewelry.

2. Masks

Venice may be the world's spiritual home of Carnival, a celebration of decadence in the time leading up to the fasting and somberness of the pre-Easter season. An elaborate mask and historic costume stands in our visual memories as code for 'Venice'. And one of the most important events of the Venice Carnival is the contest for the most beautiful mask.

Masks have become the symbol of Carnival and of Venice itself. They have been a large part of the city's culture even back to the 12th century, when historians believe being wearing masks in the streets permitted Venetians some freedom from the city's rigid class divisions.

You may not be in Venice for Carnival, or invited to one of its masked balls. But every visitor to Venice can participate in Venice's love affair with masks. They are everywhere and made from leather, porcelain and even – as is tradition – from Venetian glass. You'll find masks from the cheap and cheerful for the kids or your next Hallowe'en costume, to works of art you'll want to display.

Tip: Look especially for cat masks. Venice's colonies of cats are storied, and you'll see a number of cat-themed souvenirs in Venice, including portraits of cats in Carnival costumes.

3. Fine Fashion

We're not just talking about the household name Italian luxury fashion houses. Luckily when you're in Venice, you don't have to be a member of the 1% to participate in Italy's renowned sense of style and way with traditional fine fabrics and leather.

Top picks as souvenirs of this Italian specialty: gloves and ties, belts and scarves. Why? They are easily packable, completely practical, and utterly beautiful. A silk tie or a pair of fine leather gloves from Venice may be the perfect gift for anyone on your shopping list from hipsters to grannies… and of course, yourself.

Tip: For ties and scarves, look no farther than Trevisan on St. Mark's (San Marco) square. Displays resemble a silk rainbow with dizzying subtleties – this blue, or this blue or this blue? you will ask yourself. In spite of its proximity to the tourist center of Venice, prices are remarkably sensible, so you may not have to pick between your favorites. The store also sells other accessories for men and women.

Sermoneta is like a candy store of gloves, with over 5 dozen colors for any occasion: driving gloves, winter, fur-trimmed gloves, elbow length evening gloves, in various types of leathers. They say it takes 10 artisans nearly 30 steps to make each pair and yet they are still reasonable enough to gift yourself and your favorite stylish loved ones.

A pair of sky blue or tangerine orange kid gloves will brighten dreary winter days for any woman (or confidently stylish man). Add a silk tie from Venice to a gentleman's suit and it will instantly up his fashion game in an indefinable but noticeable way. Plus earn the wearer compliments and questions about where such a glove or tie of beauty was discovered.

Ah, Venice. More and more Mediterranean cruises embark, disembark, or have overnight calls in the City of Water, and group, small-group, or private tours give you the opportunity to experience one of the world's most extraordinary cities. Let us help you find the perfect way for you to travel to Venice.

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Start 2020 Off Right - Take a World Cruise!

lynn@influenceproductions.com (Lynn Elmhirst) — Thu, 23 Jan 20 20:00:06 +0000

Ringing in the New Year doesn't just turn a page on the calendar; it launches another season of World Cruises.If you don't know what your travel plans are for 2020 yet, imagine yourself on an epic journey. Celebrating one of life's milestones. Or spending the coldest months of the year being pampered on board your favorite cruise line while you collect dozens of ports and see corners of the world you may never otherwise travel to.

Back in the golden age of cruising, World Cruises circumnavigated the world. Today, they may take on a hemisphere or cross a number of continents with alluring itineraries and immersive and exclusive shore experiences, as well as overnights in exciting global centers.

World cruises aren't for everyone. You need available time to travel for 90-120+ days. And you need to be sea-worthy. That's a lot of time at sea, so you need to love the cruise lifestyle and you need to love your World Cruise line's particular way of cruising.

World Cruises often cross bodies of water. That means there may not be ports of call nearly every day like coastal, Mediterranean or Caribbean cruises. In fact, you may be at sea for 2 or 3 or more days.

World Cruisers like to make new friends. You'll be on the same ship with the same people for at least a couple of months; a great opportunity to meet like-minded people from all over.

And have a sense of adventure and an open mind to travel. One of the best things about a World Cruise is that it will likely take you to at least a few ports of call that had not previously been on your bucket list. That's fantastic! You'll have the opportunity to experience a land or culture you didn't even know you'd love.

Now's the time to book your 2020 World Cruise. Here are some of our favorites to choose from.

CRUISE LINE

SHIP

SAILING

EMBARKS FROM

DISEMBARKS AT

DAYS

Crystal

Serenity

January 6, 2020

Miami

Rome

105

Cunard

Queen Mary 2

January 3, 2020

New York

113

Oceania

Insignia

January 8, 2020

Miami

San Francisco

180

Princess

Pacific Princess

January 20, 2020

Los Angeles

111

Regent

Mariner

January 6, 2020

Miami

131

Regent

Mariner

January 24, 2020

San Francisco

131

Silversea

Whisper

January 6, 2020

Fort Lauderdale

Amsterdam

140

Viking

Viking Sun

January 4, 2020

Los Angeles

London

119

Prices start from under $25,000 to under $70,000, and go up from there depending on suite category. Different cruise lines also offer different inclusions, like business class air, hotel nights pre- and post, and other exclusive perks and options.

Let us help match you to your perfect World Cruise and start 2020 off with the travel experience of a lifetime!

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Video: Get a Bird's-Eye View of One of the Natural Wonders of the World

lynn@influenceproductions.com (Lynn Elmhirst) — Thu, 23 Jan 20 20:00:06 +0000

Something amazing happens when the highest tides in the world arrive in Saint John, New Brunswick. Twice a day, tides in Canada's Bay of Fundy rise as high as 56 feet in places – the height of a 5-storey building! In Saint John, New Brunswick, the St. John River drains into the Bay of Fundy. When the Bay of Fundy tides rise and fall, 100-billion tons of water … a volume equal to ALL of the world’s rivers … enters and exits the bay. And that's when things get interesting in Saint John.

BestTrip.TV cameras were in Saint John on our Autumn Colors Seabourn voyage of Canada and New England - and we were the right place at the right time – on Saint John's new, glass-floored Skywalk. Watch this video to share our bird's eye view directly over the gorge carved through billion-year-old rocks – to see the epic Bay of Fundy tides reversing the direction of the river flow. You just can't miss the Reversing Falls Rapids seen from Saint John's Skywalk.

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Channel Your Inner Van Gogh on this Avalon Discovery Shore Excursion in Amsterdam

lynn@influenceproductions.com (Lynn Elmhirst) — Thu, 23 Jan 20 20:00:06 +0000

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, BestTripTV

I'm creative but I have zero artistic skill. Even my handwriting is famously illegible. My friends, travel expert Ryan McElroy and travel and gardening journalist Tara Nolan, were no more confident in their own artistic talent.

But we were all game to try to channel our inner Van Gogh.

The afternoon Van Gogh painting workshop is one of Avalon Waterway's "Discovery" shore excursions, included experiences available at different destinations on all Avalon European river cruises. The Van Gogh painting workshop shore excursion is inspired by the Dutch artist and the city that's home to the museum of his works, and it's available to Avalon guests on cruises in port in Amsterdam.

Discovery shore excursions are designed to dig deeper than a Classic tour of sightseeing highlights. Discovery shore excursions allow you to immerse yourself in a particular aspect of local culture and lifestyle.

Even if you've never picked up a paintbrush.

You'll have to decide for yourself if we acquired any painting skill during the workshop. As our artist-teacher, Paul, recommended, we kept open minds and didn't take it too seriously as we went through the process of sketching with pencil and charcoal on paper, then transitioning to canvas and paint for the finale: a still life of sunflowers and iris inspired by Van Gogh's style and two of his most famous paintings.

They won't be hanging in any galleries anytime soon. But it was a lighthearted and illuminating afternoon discussing how art is made, Dutch painters, art in Amsterdam and local life. And we each walked away with the fruits of our efforts: a painting that we all packed in our luggage to take home as a unique memento of our Avalon river cruise.

So that's what happens when you put three non-painters in a painting workshop on an Avalon Discovery shore excursion in Amsterdam!

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Champagne Vending Machine at this NOLA Hotel Makes Every Day New Year's Eve

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Discover Tropical Romance in 3 Overwater Bungalow Resorts on the Caribbean Sea

Where: Sandals Royal Caribbean, Montego Bay, Jamaica

Where: Karisma's El Dorado Maroma, Riviera Maya, Mexico

Where: Viceroy, Bocas del Toro, Panama – opening slated for 2021

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Video Cruise Review: Tulips and Much More on an Avalon Spring Netherlands River Cruise

If you're a flower lover, a Tulip Time spring cruise in the Netherlands is already on your bucket list. If you're not a particular flower lover, it should still be on your bucket list.

BestTrip sailed on the Avalon Vista and discovered there's so much more to a Tulip Time cruise than spring flowers.

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Where's the Best Place to be on National Cake Day?

Linzer Torte

Sacher Torte

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Amtrak's Only Great Dome Car Returns to the East in Time for Panoramic Autumn Colors New York to Montreal

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.

Here are a few tips to get the most out of a Fall Foliage train trip in Amtrak's Great Dome car:

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8 Facts About the Panama Canal

1. It's a short cut between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

2. It's over 100 years old.

3. Construction cost over 25,000 lives.

4. It's considered one of the Man-Made Wonders of the World

5. Over 1 Million Vessels have transited the canal since it opened.

6. $2 Billion in Tolls are Collected Annually

7. The Panama Canal was expanded for bigger ships in 2016

8. How you can visit the Panama Canal.

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Cunard Joins Crowdfunding to Help Build New Statue of Liberty Museum

Supplies exclusive donor perks for July-long campaign; new museum to launch in 2019.

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This is the Only Place You Can See Cirque du Soleil at Sea

Cirque du Soleil has been charting new entertainment territory since it began and it's changed what we think of as 'circus' shows.

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Fact or Fiction? 3 Things You Need to Know About 'Dracula's Castle'

Before every travel destination had a ghost tour and haunted hotels, there was Dracula's Castle.

Is Bran Castle really 'Dracula's Castle'?

Was there a real 'Dracula'?

How about Vampires?

Our Conclusion?

How To Get There?

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Video: South America on Silversea: Luxury Cruise Review

Two of South America's most fabled cities and a week-long cruise in luxury. That's our BestTrip.TV experience sailing on Silversea's Silver Muse from Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

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Video: Taking a 'Sound Bath' at the Seabourn Spa

One-of-a-Kind Wellness: Dr. Andrew Weil's Mindful Living Program on Seabourn

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Meet the Winemaker

10 Things Before You Travel to Turks and Caicos

1. What's in a Name?

2. 350 Days of Sunshine a Year

3. Canada's 11th Province?

4. Conch

5. Island Fish Fry

6. Grand Turk Cruise Center

7. John Glenn Exhibit

8. Humpback Whales

9. Glass-Bottom Kayaking & Eco Safari

10. Conch Bar Caves

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Top 6 Wellness and Fitness Cruises You Should be Booking Now

Seabourn:

Avalon Waterways:

Cunard

AmaWaterways

Princess Cruises

Uniworld and U by Uniworld

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First TransAtlantic British Fashion Week

Cunard Debuts First-Ever Transatlantic Fashion Week en route to New York Fashion Week on Queen Mary 2.

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This Cruise Line has Plenty to Celebrate in Pride Month

San Francisco, Toronto, Sydney, Berlin… Now you can add another destination to celebrate Pride Month: at Sea.

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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.

1. Murano Glass

3. Canada's 11^th Province?