Cruise Critic names the top cruise lines of the year in 2024's 'Best in Cruise Awards' Explora, AmaWaterways and Lindblad also receive the top honor in their respective categories Cruise Critic, the world's leading cruise reviews site and online cruise community, has named the winners of its 16th annual cruise awards in its new Cruise Critic Best in Cruise Awards – naming the best cruise lines and destinations of the year, based on expert insight and traveler ratings. This year's awards are the site's most comprehensive to-date, combining the highly coveted editor-selected awards with the site's popular consumer-led Cruisers' Choice awards, which are based entirely on ratings and reviews from cruisers over the past year. "Our editors have spent months at sea this year, collecti...
Read MoreMonth: December 2024
This year will be the world's warmest since records began, with extraordinarily high temperatures expected to persist into at least the first few months of 2025, European Union scientists said on Monday. The data from the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) comes two weeks after U.N. climate talks yielded a $300 billion deal to tackle climate change, a package poorer countries blasted as insufficient to cover the soaring cost of climate-related disasters. C3S said data from January to November had confirmed 2024 is now certain to be the hottest year on record, and the first in which average global temperatures exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above the 1850-1900 pre-industrial period. FILE PHOTO: A tourist uses a fountain to cool off amid a heatwave, i...
Read MoreWins accolades at the prestigious 2024 ULTRAs Awards at Kensington Palace in London A beacon of sustainable luxury, the five-star resort is recognised globally as a leader in luxury hospitality for its commitment to environmental, social, and governance principles. The Apurva Kempinski Bali has elevated its global standing as a leader in sustainable luxury by being awarded as 'Best Sustainable Hotel' at the 18th edition of the Ultimate Luxury Travel Related Awards (ULTRAs), held in London on 7 November 2024. This accolade highlights the resort's dedication to delivering responsible luxury experiences while underpinning its commitment to environmental, social, and governance principles into its operations. Voted by 28 million members of the GHA DISCOVERY loyalty pr...
Read MoreMekong Kingdoms unveils its new ship- Bohème Mekong Kingdoms, a luxury river cruise operator specialising in boutique experiences along Southeast Asia’s most iconic waterways, proudly presents Bohème, the newest addition to its luxury fleet. Setting sail on 9 December 2024, the 50-metre-long Bohème by Mekong Kingdoms will complete its first return journey between the Kingdom of Laos’ royal capital, Luang Prabang, and the national capital, Vientiane. Bohème: The luxury wanderer Unfolding over six days and five nights, guests can start or end their signature journey with a stay at the historic Avani+ Luang Prabang Hotel to explore the UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang. Once on Bohème, travellers can expect carefree mornings spent bird watching on one of the three deck...
Read MoreSeeking to bring into spotlight Malabar's rich tourism potential, Kerala Tourism will hold a business-to-business (B2B) meet on December 27 at Kozhikode to connect key players in the travel and tourism industry from across India and forge meaningful collaborations with them. The event, ‘Gateway to Malabar: A Tourism B2B Meet’, is being organised by Kerala Tourism in collaboration with Metro Expedition and the Beypore International Water Fest, to showcase the region’s unique attractions, including its adventure opportunities, culinary delights, vibrant arts, captivating folklore, and timeless heritage. The business meet will be held at The Raviz Kadavu, Kozhikode, from 10 am to 8 pm. “Designed to position Malabar as a top travel destination, the B2B meet most impor...
Read MoreThe new Wafaifo Resort Hoi An, Vietnam, has officially opened its doors to tourists, overnight guests and diners. The boutique independent resort, a 10-minute walk from Hoi An’s historic heritage attractions, opened early December with over 100 rooms available along with outlets such as the resort’s Xua & Nay all-day bistro, the wellness and spa facility, fitness centre, the Bang Huu coffee shop, and the resort’s Heritage and Culture Pathway. “It’s the start of a new era of world class hospitality delivered with a local community touch in one of Vietnam’s great destinations,” said Wafaifo Commercial Director, Mikkel Krantz. Wafaifo management said that the Heritage and Culture Pathway, a spectacular water fountain landmark in front of the resort and the Swim City poolside...
Read MoreWill be home to one of the world’s most important collections of 20th century Italian art Milan’s Brera boosts its cultural cachet with an overdue modern art wing and Leonardo’s Last Supper Milan’s Pinacoteca di Brera museum, conceived under Napoleon as a “little Louvre,” is finally getting a modern art addition first envisioned more than 50 years ago with the opening Sunday of Palazzo Citterio, home to one of the world’s most important collections of 20th century Italian art. Completing the project long beset by shifting priorities, periods of neglect and most recently an ill-fated architectural vision was a priority for Brera director Angelo Crespi when he took over in January. Italy’s then-culture minister set Dec. 7 — the feast day for Milan’s patron St. Ambrose — as...
Read MoreI first arrived in Japan in 1997, when memories of the bubble years were fresh and Tokyo was known for its frenetic nightlife and high prices. Back then I don’t recall anyone using the term “kosupa” – an abbreviation of the English words “cost performance,” which means “value for money.” If the search for kosupa has since become a pastime, its more austere cousin “setsuyaku” (economising) is something of a religion, highlighting how years of deflation and flat wages have turned Tokyoites into master bargain hunters. While I have covered elections, the Olympics and the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, I’m mainly responsible for Reuters business coverage, a job that leaves me constantly amazed at Japan’s ability to tighten its belt, even when it seems there’s no belt...
Read MoreMexico study throws up surprising findings on climate change A surprising study of temperature-related deaths in Mexico upends conventional thinking about what age group is hit hardest by heat. Researchers found at higher temperatures and humidity, the heat kills far more young people under 35 than those older than 50. For decades, health and weather experts have warned that the elderly and the youngest children were most vulnerable in heat waves. But this study looking at all deaths in Mexico from 1998 to 2019 shows that when the combination of humidity and temperature reach uncomfortable levels, such as the mid to upper 80s Fahrenheit (around 30 degrees Celsius) and 50% relative humidity, there were nearly 32 temperature-related deaths of people 35 years old for every temperature-...
Read MoreThe centuries-old Paris landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral reopens on Saturday, five-and-a-half years after a devastating fire destroyed its spire and roof and brought the entire Gothic masterpiece within minutes of collapsing. The 860-year-old medieval building has been meticulously restored, with a new spire and rib vaulting, its flying buttresses and carved stone gargoyles returned to their past glory and the white stone and gold decorations shining brighter than ever. View of a light show rehearsal on the facade of the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral, five-and-a-half years after a fire ravaged the Gothic masterpiece, on the eve of reopening ceremonies in Paris, France, December 6, 2024. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier The restoration, a spectacular achievement in just five years for a str...
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