Technology is “no longer a luxury, but the very pulse of global aviation.” Many lists have ranked airports by wait times, missing luggage, and even wellness experiences. Still, a new one evaluates the world’s airports by how they incorporate artificial intelligence, biometrics, digitalization, automation, sustainability-driven smart systems and more as core operational infrastructure – transforming and improving your journeys.
The 50 Best Airports in the World for 2026 from travel trade publication Travel and Tour World traces how aviation hubs are “meeting the high-performance demands” of today’s travelers, from digital nomads to occasional travelers who expect all the efficiencies of Gen Z technology.
"Crucially, sustainability is no longer a parallel initiative but a core outcome of these smart designs,” the study’s authors say, meaning we can have our cake and eat it too, when it comes to traveling more smoothly and reducing the impact on the planet.
TTW used the experiences of 15 million users to define the new gold standard for technology in airports.
These airports have achieved the highest rankings for embedding artificial intelligence, biometrics, automation, digital twins, and real-time data intelligence across passenger journeys, airside and landside operations, and long-term infrastructure planning.
Four North American airports made the global top 10, and 14 of the 50-airport ranking.
Do your flights into and out of these airports match these findings?
According to the report, these airports represent the most advanced, end-to-end smart airport ecosystems in operation today.
From biometric-enabled passenger journeys and AI-driven air traffic coordination to digital twins and autonomous systems, the airports featured in this year's list are shaping the future of your flying experiences around the world through capacity optimization, passenger satisfaction, and environmental performance.
Images: FRA and YYZ; courtesy of Lynn Elmhirst, travel journalist and expert
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by Lynn on 01/22/2026
If you love the sounds of sails snapping in the tropical breeze, St. Maarten stands out with two iconic ways to discover your inner sailor: the largest regatta in the Caribbean, and the year-round, hands-on 12-Metre Challenge racing experience even landlubbers can win – and which has been voted the #1 shore excursion in the Caribbean for 15 years!
At just 37 square miles, St. Maarten is the smallest island in the world to be shared by two nations – The French northern part, which is St. Martin, and the Dutch Southern part, which is St. Maarten – creating a destination with European charm and Caribbean flair. 37 beaches mean there’s always water nearby – and it’s one of the sailing capitals of the world.
Sailors and spectators come from around the world to St. Maarten’s annual regatta (pictured below). It’s not only the biggest in the region, but it’s also among the world’s leading warm-water races, with a fleet of international competitors that provide fierce competition. 2026 marks the 46th St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, and takes place March 5 - 8, 2026.
Over 20,000 visitors gather every year on the island. In addition to recreational sailors and live-aboard cruisers, Olympic medalists, world champions, and charter crews from more than 37 countries join the exciting mix.
Racing takes place across multiple classes: Maxis, Performance Multihulls, monohulls, non-spinnaker cruising boats, bareboats, and the relaxed Island Time class. Courses mix windward-leeward and coastal races, giving competitive classes a chance to tackle up to eight races over four days while cruisers enjoy scenic, less demanding routes.
Participation is open to all – in addition to registering a team of their own, enthusiasts can charter a boat to race locally or even join an existing crew.
Is spectating more your speed? Get close to the action aboard the Official Spectator Boat, which even serves breakfast, lunch, and an open bar!
Often described as “Serious Fun,” the regatta is as much about the shared sailing and shore experience as it is about the competition. While the on-water competition delivers fast, exciting sailing by day, the energy continues each evening at the regatta village in Simpson Bay Lagoon. Open to sailors and non-sailors alike, the Village is the heart of the event’s shoreside festivities, featuring live music, prizes, local and international cuisine, and a lively Caribbean atmosphere with regional and international artists.
Even if you miss the island’s once-a-year regatta, and you’ve never been on a sailboat before in your life! You can step – or sail – directly into sailing and sporting history on St. Maarten’s 12-Metre Challenge (pictured, top) any time of the year.
This is not a sailing lesson or a relaxing cruise—it’s an all-hands-on-deck race aboard authentic 12-Metre yachts, the sleek, powerful vessels that once defined the golden era of the America’s Cup racing series.
Participants are divided between 12-Metre yachts and assigned a crew task in a friendly but exhilarating race. Professional skippers and crew handle navigation and safety, while participants get into action—grinding winches, trimming sails, and responding to the captain’s commands as the boats race against each other on a course on St. Maarten’s turquoise Caribbean water.
By the end of the race, no matter whether you’ve crewed the winning or losing America’s Cup yacht in the 12-Metre Challenge, you’ve actually participated in an authentic, thrilling and once-in-a-lifetime yacht race. And you leave St. Maarten with hard-to-beat bragging rights. You can tell all your friends, “I raced an America’s Cup yacht.”
Top image: Lynn Elmhirst, cruise/ travel journalist and expert.
Second image as credited.
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by Lynn on 01/22/2026
France’s legendary Côte d’Azur has long been a fabled coastline of sunshine, glamour, and the good life in true French and Mediterranean style. It’s irresistible! And of course, you’re going to want to bring some of it home as gifts or ways to re-live your vacation in one of the original chic holiday destinations.
From pastel fishing villages to seaside promenades, Roman roads to Provencal markets, yacht harbors to turreted castles and maritime forts, the French Riviera landscapes blend sea, sun, herbs, vines and stone.
We cruised in true French Riviera fashion aboard the luxury yacht Scenic Eclipse during the exquisite early summer months, gliding into historic ports alongside private yachts in truly authentic Côte d’Azur style.
Scenic Eclipse in good company among other yachts in port in Monte Carlo
French fashion houses in Saint Tropez
’m a big fan of experiences over ‘stuff,’ so my souvenir list is heavy on things you can use, consume… and share as you break bread with those you cherish, not things that you’ll have to dust!
Ranging in color from green to gold, Riviera olive oil reflects sun-drenched terraces and ancient groves clinging to rocky hills above the sea. Smooth yet peppery, fresh, cold-pressed virgin olive oil captures Mediterranean light, limestone soils, and the essence of Provençal flavor. Olive cultivation here dates back to Roman times, making oil one of the region’s oldest and most essential food traditions. For an extra touch of luxe, splurge on genuine, truffle-infused olive oil!
Lavender is another irrepressible visual of the South of France: pale violet fields rippling in warm summer breezes under Provencal sun. Renowned as a calming scent, lavender has been used for medicine, perfume, cuisine and more. Lavender became a symbol of Provençal life long before visitors made it an essential souvenir of any trip to the region, in the form of dried blooms, oils, drawer sachets and more.
Herbes de Provence are the aromatic harvest of the Riviera’s scrubby hillsides: thyme, rosemary, oregano warmed by its endless sun, amplified by the region’s pale rocks. Originally collected from the wild, they evoke the essential flavors of Provence, and sun-dried herbs enhance mouth-watering cheeses, olive oil, fish, salads and veg. Up your grilling game with some herbes de Provence and become the envy of the neighborhood.
Herb and lavender vendor at the tres chic outdoor market in Saint-Tropez
Hand-harvested fleur de sel mirrors the Riviera’s intimacy with the sea. Delicate crystals form on sun-warmed salt pans, capturing mineral brightness and coastal breezes. Once more valuable than gold in antiquity, sea salt underpinned Mediterranean trade and preservation for centuries.
Sel de Camargue is an even more specialized salt from the marshes of the delta draining from the South of France into the Mediterranean Sea, a unique ecosystem inhabited by pink flamingos and wild black horses. Pink salt flats are kissed by the winds of the “Mistral” and result in a moist and mineral-rich, iconic component of Riviera cooking rooted in seafood and vegetables.
Foie gras and duck terrines reflect the Riviera’s celebratory side—festive tables, long lunches, and aperitifs overlooking the sea. Though originating inland, these dishes became staples of French festive culture, symbolizing hospitality, abundance, and ceremonial meals you’ll want to bring home, safely canned, for your next cocktail party/ charcuterie board for that authentic flavor of France.
Sardines are the iconic dish of humble fishing villages – even now, these destinations have become magnets for travelers seeking a French Riviera lifestyle. Preserved in olive oil, sardines embody coastal thrift, nutrition, and tradition, served simply on fresh bread, sometimes with ripe tomatoes – and always wine! The 19th century brought canning, and soon after, in the French way, decorative and collectible sardine tins or ‘boites’ that often line the walls of simple seaside bars and restaurants.
Of France’s many diverse wine regions, Riviera wines reflect sunlit slopes above the sea, producing fresh rosés, whites, and light reds shaped by maritime breezes and rocky hillsides. Often enjoyed chilled – ideal for an afternoon on the deck of your yacht or at a seaside café, they mirror the region’s relaxed aperitif culture and seafood-forward cuisine.
Don’t forget to bring home the sweet side of the French Riviera! Calissons—rounded diamond-shaped sweets of almond, candied fruit, and icing—are Provence’s answer to almond paste/ marzipan, lightened and scented with summery fruits like melon. Traditionally associated with weddings and religious celebrations, calissons date back to the 15th century. Just one at the end of a meal transports you to the sunny markets of the region.
Marseille-style soap dates to the Middle Ages, when olive oil soaps became regulated and prized across Europe for their purity and delicate scents of local flowers and herbs. Now, as then, they are a refined and indulgent element to add to cleansing rituals and everyday life.
This souvenir is maybe the most personal and the least about sharing – well, maybe you share it by wearing it for that special someone. Perfume from Grasse, in the hills above the Riviera, is the world capital of perfume. With its origins in the 17th century, and still surrounded by fields of rose, jasmine, and orange blossoms used as precious ingredients in some of the world’s most famous and treasured scents, perfume from Grasse remains one of the most special gifts you can give yourself. You can even learn to make your own signature scent!
I even got to meet a perfume rose farmer and help with the harvest!
Photos and Story: Lynn Elmhirst, cruise/ travel expert and journalist.
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by Lynn on 01/22/2026
Travel beyond ‘the boot’ to Italy’s inspiring islands. With thousands of miles of Mediterranean coastline, some of the best Italian destinations are floating dramatically offshore, from the world-famous to others that feel like secrets shared over a late-night glass of local wine. Travel like someone in the know, island-hopping in Italy with insider info and tips.
Epic, cinematic, and deeply delicious.
Wild freedom meets discreet luxury.
Glamour, style… and lemons.
The spa island is overshadowed by Capri — and that’s exactly why insiders love it.
Tiny, pastel colors, unpolished in the best way.
Elba has history, beaches and breezy, outdoorsy charm.
Pretty, authentic, quietly glamorous and where the residents of Rome go when they want to get away from the world.
From Capri’s glamorous touchstone, to Ischia’s wellness lifestyle, Sardinia’s rugged nature and a billionaire’s playground, there’s an Italian island calling your name for your next vacation.
Images: Getty
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by Lynn on 01/08/2026
Sun and sand are relaxing, but if you love the outdoors and getting active among scenery that takes your breath away… these natural wonders in Caribbean islands should inspire your next tropical vacation.
The two volcanic spires, dramatically piercing the sky and surrounded by brilliant waters, make the sail-in to Saint Lucia one of the most magnificent in the world. It’s all thanks to the twin natural wonders of Saint Lucia’s Gros Piton and Petit Piton (2530 feet high and 2438 feet high, respectively), which together have created among the Caribbean’s most iconic natural skylines. They’re part of the Pitons Management Area — a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its volcanic geology, lush forests, and rich marine life.
The Experience: You can admire the Pitons from the deck of your ship, from the shoulder of a catamaran cruising by Soufrière Bay, or — if you’re up for it — hiking the trail up Gros Piton with a local guide. There’s something about ascending through tropical forest, hearing howler monkeys overhead and watching clouds drift in from the sea, that makes the iconic peaks feel like you’re in a film set.
Just off Staniel Cay in the Exumas lies one of the Caribbean’s most cinematic underwater playgrounds – for real. Thunderball Grotto — named for the 1965 James Bond film that shot scenes here — is a limestone cavern with an almost hidden entrance. Sun shafts pierce the surface, illuminating a teeming aquatic world beneath. Schools of fish dance in and out of tunnels that feel more cathedral than reef.
The Experience: At low tide, snorkelers can float into these crystal corridors and watch reef fish, rays, and even curious nurse sharks glide by like underwater poetry. It’s one of the region’s enduring natural spectacles.
The only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest system, El Yunque is the Caribbean turned lush and symphonic. Waterfalls braid down moss-covered rock. It's famous tree frogs chirp like tiny percussionists. Trails wind past giant ferns into mists that feel older than history.
The Experience: Surprisingly accessible from San Juan, El Yunque feels like a world apart. Pause during your hike beside La Mina Falls or along the winding canopy trail and let the rainforest hit your reset button.
Imagine Mother Nature building her own water park from gigantic building blocks. Massive granite boulders — some as large as houses — tumble across Virgin Gorda’s shoreline, forming secret pools, grottoes, and sandy tunnels. The Baths (top) are a monolithic playground sculpted over millions of years by a perfect storm of geology, time and tide.
The Experience: One of the most other-worldly seaside experiences in the world, visitors (tip: wear water shoes for a good grip!) wander, wade, and swim through mini-caves and tidal pools, the light changes with every turn, sparkling off slick granite and glittering turquoise water. It’s a rare place that’s both a natural theme park/obstacle course, part geological wonder.
Tiny Dominica, or the “Nature Isle,” is only about the size of New York City! But it should be on the radar for lovers of outdoor travel, with its “Boiling Lake”, the second-largest hot lake in the world. Deep in Morne Trois Pitons National Park, but only a few miles outside Dominica’s capital, a challenging hike leads you through jungle, ridges, and sulfur-scented valleys to a steaming, slate-gray, steaming volcanic cauldron 3000 feet above sea level that’s a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Experience: This is not a leisurely stroll; it’s a wild, primal experience. Along the way, you’ll pass emerald pools, waterfalls, and the smoldering “Valley of Desolation.” Although this isn’t the easiest hike, it is one of the most rewarding of a lifetime. Just so you know, the Boiling Lake is definitely too hot for swimming, so you’ll have to wait til you descend to enjoy a refreshing plunge after your hike.
Go beyond the beach and discover the Caribbean with geology, ecology, and history at natural wonders that rival any breathtaking places on the planet.
Images: Getty
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by Lynn on 01/08/2026
Oceania Cruises has joined an exclusive cruising club, announcing that it’s joining the ranks of cruise lines banning kids. You may be surprised which – and how few - cruise lines are truly adults only.
If you’ve done any luxury, especially small-ship cruising, you’re likely used to NOT seeing many children. That’s certainly about to be true on Oceania Cruises.
Oceania Cruises has announced that, effective January 7, 2026, new bookings will “welcome guests aged 18 and older.” Bookings made before that date that include young people will be honored.
The cruise line says the move follows “extensive research” and feedback from guests, and is about “elevating the onboard ambiance and responding to the preferences of its guests.”
According to Oceania, “Feedback consistently showed that guests choose Oceania Cruises for its serene atmosphere, sophisticated service and unhurried pace, traits that are highly sought after and valued by mature, affluent travelers.”
"Our guests have consistently shared that the tranquil environment aboard our ships is one of the primary reasons they return time and time again," stated Jason Montague, (tellingly titled Chief Luxury Officer of Oceania Cruises). "By transitioning to an adults-only experience, we are enhancing the very essence of the Oceania Cruises journey – one defined by sophistication, serenity and discovery."
Recently, the cruise line has increasingly indicated that it now considers itself in the ‘luxury’ category. It’s part of the family of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, which includes family-friendly, mega-ship Norwegian Cruise Lines, Oceania, previously considered to be more in the ‘premium’ category, with sister cruise line Regent Seven Seas Cruises positioned as the ‘luxury’ brand in the family.
Oceania’s announcement may come as a surprise to you – there is an impression that all of the more luxurious, and especially smaller-ship lines are already adults-only.
Not so.
In fact, many luxury and small-ship cruise lines – ocean and river, including Seabourn and Scenic – do welcome younger family members, just without the theme park environment.
However, you really only see the children of officers (always impeccably behaved), or families on those luxury and small-ship cruises during the school holiday periods and particularly in family-friendly cruise destinations. Alaska during the summer holidays, for example. Christmas market river cruises.
Other than Oceania, only two ocean cruise lines explicitly ban kids – and for completely opposite reasons! Which 2 cruise lines already banned kids – and why??
CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT IN THIS VIDEO
Since Oceania’s announcement, there’s been a resounding social media chorus of Oceania and other cruise lovers praising the move. But at least one cruise line is absolutely bucking this trend.
Relative newcomer, ultra-luxury, small-ship cruise line Explora Journeys embraces younger cruise travelers with open arms. Not only are babies, children, and teens accepted, but Explora Journeys is designed for families and their kids, with:
So whether your vision of luxury cruising involves family and multi-generational vacations or an adults-only haven, you still have many excellent options.
Story and video by: Lynn Elmhirst, cruise /travel journalist and expert
Top Image: Oceania Cruises' Gérard Bertrand Food and Wine Pairing lunch
Bottom Image: Explora Journeys' Nautilus Club
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by Lynn on 01/08/2026
'Tis the season for cruise travelers to save! Wave Season is that time of year when cruise lines roll out wave after wave of promotions, perks, and irresistible offers. They’re all competing to capture your attention… which means you get the chance to save, spoil yourself a little, and maybe even try a whole new style of cruising.
Lynn Elmhirst, cruise/travel expert and journalist, shares tips for navigating Wave Season.
Here are some of the most common Wave Season incentives — and some insights into making them work for you:
Wave Season is full of opportunity — but also plenty of fine print.
A trusted travel advisor can help:
Images: Lynn Elmhirst, cruise/ travel expert and journalist
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by Lynn on 01/08/2026
Wellness travel is being redefined for a new, more aware generation of travelers, and the destinations wellness travelers are seeking combine ancient practices, new approaches and focus on different outcomes. It’s not about counting calories or just getting a massage. Today, it’s about rediscovering your best self — through movement, nourishment, sleep, connection to people and nature, and mindfulness. All within the context of exhilarating travel experiences.
If these goals are piquing your travel inspiration, here are some of the best destinations worldwide to tap into a living culture of wellness.
In Sweden, wellness is an everyday rhythm rather than an event. Concepts like lagom (just enough) and friluftsliv (living outdoors) invite you into forests, lakes, and quiet islands. Fika social rituals connect you with people. Sauna-and-cold-plunge traditions in hotels and lodges aren’t just cozy; they come with proven health benefits.
In Costa Rica, wellness is woven into the national mindset: Pura Vida — the “pure life.” Misty cloud forests, eco-lodges tucked into the jungle, surf-and-yoga mornings, and volcanic hot springs create space to unplug and breathe.
Iceland delivers a different kind of clarity. Steam rises from geothermal pools against black-lava landscapes. Alternating hot and cold becomes ritual — a reminder that resilience and renewal often go hand in hand.
Some places invite deeper reflection.
In Thailand, healing is hands-on: centuries-old massage, meditation monasteries, and detox retreats that gently reset body and mind.
In India, wellness travels back to its roots. Yoga along the Ganges, Ayurvedic programs in Kerala, and spiritual centers that honor tradition offer journeys that feel transformative rather than trendy.
And in Bali, creativity and community blend with wellness — yoga shalas among rice terraces, plant-forward cuisine, and a sense of spiritual hospitality that feels welcoming, not intimidating.
The world’s great spa cultures have always known: water is medicine.
In volcanic Japan, slipping into an ancient onsen beneath mountain pines becomes meditation and living history.
In Italy, thermal waters meet slow food, village life, and long walks through history.
And in Hungary, grand bathhouses remind you that rest can be both social and deeply restorative.
For travelers seeking structure — or science — destinations like Switzerland, Germany, and Austria combine alpine air with medically guided programs, high-tech clinics, biohacking, and hiking that feels as restorative as it is breathtaking.
Closer to the beach, Mexico blends spa luxury with cultural ritual: temazcal sweat lodges, ocean-facing yoga decks, and retreats ranging from simple to indulgent.
In Portugal, surf towns, vineyards, coastal walks, and boutique hotels make wellness feel delightfully accessible — and delicious.
It isn’t just about goat yoga and green juice.
These destinations nurture wellness because they offer:
Ask yourself:
Do you crave silence or adventure? Ritual or exploration? A gentle reset — or a deeper shift?
Wellness travel doesn’t tell you who to become. It simply gives you the places, the practices and the inspiration to listen — and begin your wellness journey.
Images: Getty
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by Lynn on 12/29/2025
If you’re the kind of traveler who believes every destination (in fact, every good moment in life!) becomes even better with a glass of something effervescent (excellent life choice), this guide is for you. Sparkling wine isn’t just a drink; it’s a cultural passport. The wine of celebration and occasion is produced in vineyards around the world, and depending on where you land, the name for those bubbles changes just enough to make you want to fit in like a local when you order it.
Here’s how to ask for your favorite bottle of bubbles around the world.
In France, sparkling wine is woven into everyday life as the wine to drink as an aperitif before a meal, the little glass you have when you get together with friends, and of course, the beverage of celebration.
Don’t limit yourself to ordering Champagne, the sparkling wine produced exclusively in the region of Champagne. Peruse the wine list for sparkling wines made in other regions of France, which are called Crémant.
Feeling extra French? Lean in and request “des bulles” (literally “some bubbles”). Well, aren’t you charming?
Although France lays claim to the mother of all sparkling wines in Champagne, Italy, too, lives for sparkling wine. Veneto’s Prosecco is the country’s proud ambassador of sparkling wine and moods. For something more refined, look for Franciacorta or Trentodoc.
But the Italian word you’ll hear everywhere? “Bollicine”, their delightful nickname for “little bubbles.”
Believe it or not, England produces sparkling wine – some of the best in the world! In 2025, as the BBC reported in such a British way, “an English fizz became the first non-Champagne to be named the world's top sparkling wine.”
English sparkling wine is having a fabulous moment. So spread your wings a little in the UK and try the local bubbles instead of Champagne or prosecco. Take your cue from that BBC article and ask for a glass of “fizz.”
Head to Barcelona or San Sebastián and order Cava, Spain’s crisp traditional-method bubbly. In Penedès, you may spot Corpinnat, a premium label worth splurging on. And if a server asks if you’d like “vino de aguja,” it means lightly fizzy, perfect for an afternoon by the sea.
Ask for Espumante, especially in Bairrada. Locals may casually call it “vinho com bolhinhas” (wine with little bubbles). It’s as charming as it sounds, especially when paired with a sunset over the Atlantic.
In one of the New World wine capitals, the go-to phrase is “bubbly.” It’s cheerful, informal, and perfectly suited to a country that also invented Sparkling Shiraz, perhaps the most festive red on earth. If you hear Aussies asking for “bubbly,” “sparkling” or “fizz,” you know good times are ahead.
Next-door New Zealand produces top-tier traditional-method sparklings (often labeled Méthode Marlborough), but everyday chatter sticks to “bubbles” or “fizz.” Best enjoyed after a hike, a beach day, or… honestly, anything.
South Africa’s premium traditional-method wine is Méthode Cap Classique, or MCC. But among friends you’ll hear: “Shall we open some bubbly?” The answer is always yes, especially in Franschhoek’s sun-soaked tasting rooms.
In Brazil, locals order Espumante, sometimes shortened to “espuma.”
In Argentina, the common term is Espumoso or simply Espumante, perfect with empanadas or a rooftop sunset in Buenos Aires.
From “bollicine” in Italy to “bubbly” in Australia, every destination has its own sparkling personality, and learning the local lingo is half the fun.
Wherever your travels take you, we hope you celebrate the world of bubbles and find the opportunity to toast every country’s version.
Images: Getty
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by Lynn on 12/29/2025
It’s official: ‘FOMO’ is out. And ‘JOMO’ is in. After years of racing through “bucket lists,” something quieter is reshaping travel. We’re no longer chasing the Fear of Missing Out on travel experiences. Instead, we’re discovering the Joy of Missing Out — and we’re not alone.
According to a recent survey for Norwegian Cruise Line, over 70% of travelers are moving away from fast-paced sightseeing and toward more restorative, meaningful escapes. Nearly half confessed they’ve come home from past trips feeling more exhausted than refreshed — and now, 77% say they intentionally plan slower vacations.
That’s the spirit of slow travel: choosing presence over pressure, savoring moments instead of stacking them. And being a little easier on the planet at the same time.
Here are some of the loveliest ways – and places - to embrace it.
Slow travel begins with permission: pick one destination and linger.
In Tuscany, a boutique heritage hotel becomes your “home base,” while locally guided Vespa tours, a market-and-cooking experience, and skip-the-line museum tours give you insider access to the best of local life.
In Seville, stay near orange-scented plazas, take a flamenco class, not just see the show, explore tapas bars with a local guide, and spend sunset wandering the Alcázar gardens.
Time transforms destinations into familiar territory.
Rail journeys reveal sides of a country you might not see any other way.
Cross Canada on a scenic rail itinerary with curated stops along the way. Travel from Paris to Provence in comfort, then join small-group excursions to vineyards and villages. In Japan, a rail pass paired with guided day tours opens mountain valleys and temple towns without the stress of logistics.
The rhythm of the tracks slows down the rhythm of life.
Walking tours invite meaning into every mile.
Follow the Camino de Santiago supported by luggage transfers, charming inns, and expert hosts. Explore England’s Lake District with a local guide who knows the quietest trails. On Japan’s Kumano Kodo, stay in traditional guesthouses and soak in onsen between forest paths.
You notice more because you’re traveling at the speed of curiosity. And connecting with fellow walkers.
Food becomes a story when you stay where it’s grown.
Agriturismo stays in Tuscany let you help harvest olives and dine family-style, countryside estates in Portugal’s Alentejo offer relaxed wine tastings and picnics among cork trees, or vineyard retreats in New Zealand with tastings and behind-the-scenes cellar visits or sheep farms where you do yoga with new lambs.
The land becomes more than scenery; it becomes livelihood.
River cruising is ideal slow travel, with a typical week-long itinerary traveling a route that you could drive in less than a day. Imagine what you are missing!
Take a leisurely river itinerary through the Rhine Valley, with castle towns unfolding at walking speed. Amble off your river cruise ship on France’s Rhone River at your leisure to explore medieval towns, iconic vineyards and wine regions, truffle farms, and olive oil presses.
The NCL study found that more than half of travelers see cruises as ideal for JOMO — especially in the Caribbean, which topped the list for slow-minded escapes.
Onboard, travelers choose their pace: spa time, quiet lounges, sunrise walks on deck, or staying aboard when others go ashore. Logistics are simplified and taken care of, and there are always corners to simply be — which is often exactly what people need.
It’s about doing whatever feels right for you that day.
Image courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line
Think boutique hotels in Sydney near local cafes, with early morning walks in the botanical gardens and behind-the-scenes tours of the Opera House, design-forward guesthouses in Mexico City’s Condesa with guided food walks, or family-run inns in the Scottish Highlands paired with day trips to hidden glens and whisky distilleries.
Belonging happens in the details — and local hosts and guides make curated stays easier and more enriching.
The research echoes what many already feel: travelers want fewer obligations, less travel ‘work,’ more nature, more local experiences, and days that unfold at their own pace.
In a world urging us to hurry, slow travel — and the Joy of Missing Out — offers permission to savor the journey, not just check things off a list.
Images: unless otherwise identified, Getty
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by Lynn on 12/29/2025
Shawna Schrank
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