It’s that time of the year when you are ready to spend some time reflecting on the year gone by. Nothing comes close to sinking into a pool with a refreshing drink in hand and stunning views to match. From mountain-framed plunge pools in the Himalayas to serene hideaways in the Indian Ocean, let’s dive right into the must-visit list. Valley Views in Bhutan Tucked in the Punakha Valley of Bhutan, Pemako Punakha is a place where time stands still. Indulge in tranquillity in one of the 21 luxury tented villas that are crafted to immerse you in some R&R. Each villa here has a private temperature-controlled pool that overlooks the river and the rolling hills below. It is the ideal spot to indulge in a hearty floating breakfast in the AM or a dip with your partner in the PM. Insid...
Read MoreYear: 2024
Cylinders discovered in 2004 are inscribed with the earliest known examples of letters, say archaeologists Clay cylinders unearthed from a tomb in Syria and dated to 4,400 years ago are inscribed with traces of the earliest known alphabetic writing system, an analysis suggests. The tomb was discovered in Umm el-Marra near Aleppo in 2004 and contained human remains and other objects from the Early Bronze Age (2600–2150 bc). The items included four clay cylinders, each about the size of a finger, engraved with eight distinct symbols. “These inscriptions might rekindle the idea of the location of where we have the earliest alphabet,” says Chris Dobbs-Allsopp, who studies the Old Testament and Semitic languages at Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey. Archaeologist Gl...
Read MoreKayakers achieve historic first-ever descent of Gabon’s mysterious Ivindo River
In an awe-inspiring feat of endurance and exploration, renowned kayakers Adrian Mattern, Dane Jackson, Kalob Grady, and Bren Orton embarked on an extraordinary journey down Gabon’s mystical Ivindo River, one of Africa’s last great natural enigmas. This historic expedition, documented in the new film 'Gabon Uncharted: Sending Ivindo Falls' on Red Bull TV; marked the first-ever descent of some of Ivindo’s most challenging and unexplored rapids, unveiling the pristine beauty of the rainforest. Adrian Mattern, Dane Jackson, Bren Orton, Kalob Grady on Ivindo river, Gabon on January 29, 2024. Photo: David Sodomka / Red Bull Content Pool Snapshot Historic First-Ever Descent: Adrian Mattern, Dane Jackson, Kalob Grady, and Bren Orton became the first kayakers to navigate and descend...
Read MorePioneering neuroscience research conducted aboard Cunard’s iconic Queen Mary 2 An international study involving 40 guests on a Transatlantic Crossing revealed that just five days at sea can increase cognitive abilities such as memory, spatial reasoning, logical thinking, and problem-solving on average by 26%. Findings highlighted an impressive 29% improvement in short-term memory recall, a 125% increase in complex problem-solving ability, and a 14% improvement in attention levels. Participants also experienced a 158% increase in perceived relaxation, with the number of people describing themselves as "relaxed," underscoring the rejuvenating effects of Cunard's luxury voyages. For more than 180 years, Cunard has championed the restorative power of ocean travel. New ground-b...
Read MoreThe 3rd World Sports Tourism Congress (WSTC) will take place on 28-29 November at the iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid, Spain. Organized by UN Tourism in collaboration with the Government of the Region of Madrid, with the support of Visit Nayarit and Turkish Airlines, the event will bring together leading voices from the world of Sports Tourism for two days of insightful discussions, innovative strategies, and knowledge exchange. This year’s congress, held under the theme “Tourism and Sport Creating a Lasting Legacy for Destinations,” will transform Madrid into the global center of sports tourism. Attendees will include ministers, high-level officials, industry experts, key players and stakeholders as they explore the role of sports tourism in driving sustainabl...
Read MoreWill showcase it as a key industry for sustainable social and economic development International Tourism Trade Fair will be held from January 22 to 26, 2025 with a firm commitment to boosting business and knowledge exchange. In its 45th edition, FITUR aligns itself with the global challenges of tourism, placing sustainability at the heart of its agenda in order to contribute to solid economic growth. Tourism has reached 790 million international tourists, generating a direct global economic impact of approximately USD 3.4 trillion in the first seven months of 2024, according to UN Tourism statistics. Given this magnitude, the International Tourism Trade Fair, which closed its last edition with more than 250,000 attendees and the participation of 9,000...
Read MoreBritish Airways unveils its brand-new First class British Airways has unveiled a game changing new First seat for its customers, combining elegant design features, reflective of modern British luxury travel The airline is the only European carrier to offer First class from the US to London and has worked alongside expert designers and world-class manufacturers to produce a modern luxury seat, championing the best of British craftmanship Carefully designed to provide customers with a modern luxury hotel feel, the seat also combines home comforts and thoughtful British touches New features include a wider and longer seat, a 32-inch TV screen, buddy dining, optimal sense of space and privacy, with a personal luggage space British Airways has unveiled its brand-new First...
Read MoreSince I first moved here, Berlin has evolved from “poor but sexy”, as former Mayor Klaus Wowereit dubbed it in 2003, to an increasingly assertive - and pricey - capital city. It still has the edgy club scene it has long been known for, but slick developments have been built over former squats, and rents have soared as Germany’s capital has attracted investors. That includes both big companies like Tesla - the U.S. electric vehicle maker’s first manufacturing plant in Europe opened here in 2022 - and enough startups for some to refer to it as Europe’s Silicon Valley. As a Brit who studied German at university, I first worked for Reuters in Berlin as an intern in 2005, when Angela Merkel was campaigning to become chancellor. I went on to become an economics reporter during the years o...
Read MoreEstablishing the island as the premier destination for romantic reconnection The new "St. Kitts: Your New Love Language" campaign offers exclusive experiences for couples seeking a getaway This season, St. Kitts Tourism Authority is speaking the language of love, offering couples exclusive packages and exciting activities designed for reconnection, escape and indulgence. Through the new "St. Kitts: Your New Love Language" campaign, travelers can discover an off-the-beaten path destination for an adventurous escape or a luxurious, intimate retreat. St. Kitts' mountainous evergreen landscapes, black and champagne beaches, and historic estates accent a destination that is uncrowded yet vibrant, giving couples the opportunity to be playful again. The destination offers a var...
Read MoreGrand Pioneers Cruise is the first cruise line in Vietnam recognized as the "World's Best Green Cruise Line 2024" at the prestigious World Cruise Awards. This honour reflects the cruise line's unmatched commitment to eco-friendly innovation and its leadership in Vietnam's sustainable luxury cruising scene, perfectly complementing the grandeur and importance of Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Part of the same awards system as the World Travel Awards, established in 1993, the 4th Annual World Cruise Awards serve as the global standard for excellence in the cruise industry, recognizing companies that excel in innovation, sustainability, and customer satisfaction. Grand Pioneers Cruise was...
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