Summer in Greenland
Into the Tundra “You might be the first person in history to set foot on that particular place,” veteran mountain guide Phil Wickens told passengers on a recent Quark Expeditions cruise as they prepared for a helicopter excursion to a Greenland ice sheet. Our sustainability correspondent, Jen Rose Smith, was there to chronicle the entire adventure, including a campout in the wilderness. Make for the Arctic at the link below, or, if beach clubs are more your summer speed, scroll on for this season’s hottest. Setting Sail on a Cruise with No Fixed Itinerary Seen through a helicopter’s wraparound windows, the Greenland ice sheet was the world. It blurred into a creamy sky on the distant horizon; its sinkholes and crevasses puckered to cerulean depths. As tiny figures waved us in toward a landing, I recalled the previous day’s briefing for this flight, which took me from the decks of the 199-passenger .. READ MORE From Bali to Italy, the Cabanas Are Calling Claim a sunbed, order that bottle of Whispering Angel, and let the sound of lapping waves – mingled with ambient DJ sets, of course – carry you into an afternoon of beachside bliss. Today, every seaside luxury hotel worth its weight in seafood towers has its own beach club. The best offer more than a perch by the water – they’re showing off buzzy fashion collaborations, menus from Michelin-fêted chefs, and immersive art installations. Below, nine compelling reasons to pack your swimsuit. READ MORE Tee Off in the World’s Next Great Golf Destination Traveling pulls me out of my usual routine, so I try to arrive somewhere with no agenda and give myself time to actually settle in. (I also always pack at least two books that I won’t end up reading.) Last December, my boyfriend and I spent New Year’s Eve in Fortaleza, Brazil – we took a dune buggy to an all-night party out on the beach. READ MORE This Soon-to-Debut Cruise Ship Is Made for Family-Friendly Getaways Fresh off the maiden voyage of the new 3,565-passenger Norwegian Luna in April, Norwegian Cruise Line is already gearing up to raise the bar. Next summer, the 3,879-passenger Norwegian Aura becomes the line’s fifth Prima Class vessel – and its largest. It will set sail in the Caribbean with a triple-deck amusement complex and superlatives aimed to please families, including more waterslides than any other Norwegian ship. READ MORE Where to Brunch, Bird-Watch, Swim, and Play in the Cayman Islands In the western Caribbean, the Cayman Islands beckon visitors with sun, sand, and sparkling sea. Beyond the postcard-worthy beaches, there’s more to experience in this tropical paradise: Grand Cayman and its Sister Islands, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, are home to buzzing restaurants, dramatic seaside cliffs, biodiverse coral reefs, and remote bird sanctuaries. READ MORE A Long Weekend in Istria, from the Wineries to the Sea In the western Caribbean, the Cayman Islands beckon visitors with sun, sand, and sparkling sea. Beyond the postcard-worthy beaches, there’s more to experience in this tropical paradise: Grand Cayman and its Sister Islands, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, are home to buzzing restaurants, dramatic seaside cliffs, biodiverse coral reefs, and remote bird sanctuaries. READ MORE Greenlandic chef Miki Siegstad shares what he’s been loving lately. Photo by Gajan Balan/Quark Expeditions. Packing: I usually bring two Fjällräven jackets: one for nice weather, and a water-repellent option. Listening to: Avicii for adventures, Caamp for chill vibes, and Blink-182 for all situations. Watching: Yes Theory on YouTube. I like their philosophy that a stranger is just a friend you haven’t met yet. Planning: I have a five-week trip coming up, to Reykjavík, Paris, Georgia, Armenia, Albania, Montenegro, and probably North Macedonia and Kosovo too. I’m looking forward to trying Georgian khinkali and khachapuri. Everyone is getting in on summer soccer prep. Even more hotel beach club news . Milan Design Week lives on at Marni x Cucchi through July 15. Ponant and The Ocean Agency just released a captivating polar image series . You deserve Neapolitan pizza at home Ready to travel? Let’s go. Connect Request A Quote
Ready, Set, Go
Sports lovers have long known that cheering on their faves IRL is an instant vacation upgrade. Our new feature series dedicated to sports travel goes all in on the fandom – the Virtuoso way. Whether it’s securing a posh Grand Prix perch, picking up a racket at one of the world’s best resorts, or planning a getaway to an unexpectedly great golf destination , we’ve got you covered. Where to Eat, Drink, and Play in Eight 2026 FIFA World Cup Host Cities The FIFA World Cup is a sporting juggernaut, an event so globally entrancing that even those who have no idea what “offside” means might find themselves swept up – shouting “Goooooooooal!” and passionately defending Norway’s chances in the “group of death.” READ MORE What Does Responsible Travel Mean to You? READ MORE These Hotels (and Cruises) Have the World’s Best F1 Views The in-person vibe at an F1 race can’t be beat: thunderous engines, dirty pit lanes, supermodel-handsome drivers, and glamorous parties thumping on all weekend. The 2026 Formula 1 calendar spans 24 Grand Prix races across the globe. Every track on the schedule has its own perks, from Melbourne’s festival-like atmosphere to Miami’s kitschy vinyl marin.. READ MORE A great hotel makes guests feel like they’re authentically experiencing a destination – and a reverence for celebrating a distinct sense of place is one of Regent Hotels & Resorts’ many strong suits. While some hotel brands deliver a consistent aesthetic from one city to the next, each of Regent’s 11 global properties embraces the one-of-a-kind character of its … READ MORE These Kempinski Hotels Connect Travelers to Local Legacies and Traditions Europe’s oldest luxury hotel group, Kempinski Hotels has spent more than 150 years establishing its cred: opulent properties in historic buildings, a concierge team with a cache of authentic experiences, and elegant suites and coveted restaurants in which to begin and end days of exploration. READ MORE Tennis pro Jannik Sinner, who recently helped develop an onboard wellness program for Explora Journeys, shares what he’s been loving lately. Packing: My PlayStation. I like to bring it on tour so I can play with my team – we’re all very competitive and it gets pretty loud. Craving: When friends go to the Dolomites, where I grew up, I tell them to try canederli di pane, the typical dumplings from the region. And the area’s white wines are among the best in Italy. Dreaming of: Cruising to Asia is high on my wish list, especially Tokyo and Osaka. The stadium-friendly clear bag, but make it fashion . Souvenir-magnet collectors know the stakes are high . Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz’s extensive collection of Black American and diasporic art is on display at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego starting this weekend. Did you see this year’s list of James Beard Awards finalists? Tamba, we’re coming for you Ready to travel? Let’s go. Connect Request A Quote
The Best Holiday-Season Stays
12 Better-than-Hallmark Holiday Season Escapes There’s no place like home for the holidays – but there might be someplace better. The platonic ideal of a December hotel, cruise, or tour doesn’t just take travelers from their ho-hum hangouts – it places them inside a faraway snow globe, perusing village markets and skating across frozen ponds. Or it transports them to the tropics, swapping brrrs for blankets of white sand. These holiday escapes take the stress out of Christmas travel: Gravy dinners are a given, Santa Claus is coming, and checking into a tinseled suite is just the start of the fun. READ MORE Five Things We Love: Fairmont Golden Prague Fairmont Golden Prague reopened in April 2025 after a five-year-long renovation, but the 1974 Brutalist building’s past is intentionally kept in view. From its perch on the Vltava riverfront in Prague’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, the building still presents its sharp concrete profile; inside, though, the atmosphere shifts. Earthy color palettes soften the architecture, while handblown glass, sculpted wood, marble floors, and gilded detailing bring in warmth and texture. READ MORE Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop: On Adventure and Aging In a country as large as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, knowing where to start is key. Stretching 800,000 square miles across the Arabian Peninsula, with expansive direct access to both the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf, Saudi Arabia spans ancient wonders to modern marvels, encompassing archaeological sites, neo-Islamic architecture, sustainable coastal landscapes, and new design-forward hotels. READ MORE This Mexico Resort Is a Magnet for Multigenerational Families On a balinese daybed on a morning graced with gentle breezes, I’m surrounded by the swish of rope, the clink of hardware, and Adriatic waves lapping against the idling hull of the Sea Cloud Spirit. Twenty-two crew members run rigging across the decks and up the masts to unleash more than an acre of bright-white canvas over the tall ship. The intricate process unfolds with the Croatian coastline as a distant backdrop. READ MORE Meet the Riviera Maya Retreat that Connects Guests to the Real Mexico Nestled between the jungle and a quiet Caribbean cove, the 349-room Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya doesn’t skimp on options for unwinding, from its soothing and sophisticated jungle-meets-ocean design and secluded white-sand beach to the private plunge pools in every suite and the cenote-inspired spa. But when it’s time to explore, the choices are just as expansive. READ MORE Christelle Hilpron, general manager of Cheval Blanc St-Barth , shares what she’s been loving lately. Packing: The small leather envelope Cheval Blanc gifts to guests – it’s perfect for keeping all my travel documents in one place. Reading: Belle Greene by Alexandra Lapierre, a portrait of a brilliant, strong-willed woman ahead of her time. Watching: Downton Abbey – I find it’s an echo of l’art de recevoir , which is so essential in the hospitality world. Dreaming of: The Norwegian fjords, for a change of scenery from tropical Saint Bart’s. chic winter coat for the Volvo driver in your life. At long last, the Grand Egyptian Museum is officially open , with King Tutankhamun’s tomb as a centerpiece. If you’rx`e planning to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in the U.S., keep an eye out for Jewel on Holland America Line’s float . Renoir’s sketches are now on display at NYC’s Morgan Library & Museum. A must-have Golden State souvenir: Chocolatiers andSons collaborated with Ed Ruscha on a limited-edition Made in California bar. Ready to travel? Let’s go. Connect Request A Quote
Nature Reigns at This Private-Island Resort in Panama
Thrill-chasing Just off Panama’s Pacific coast, Islas Secas is a 32-guest island hideaway where the catch of the day makes it to the dinner table, and scuba trips reveal octopus, barracuda, and the occasional whale shark. Virtuoso, The Magazine managing editor Justin Paul recently visited the private-island resort – his story on the action-packed escape is below. Plus: What it’s like on a personalized wellness retreat to SHA Mexico, and the hotels we love in the Turks and Caicos. READ MORE Nature Reigns at Panama’s Islas Secas For years, Panama has been tipped as Costa Rica’s scruffier adventure-travel neighbor on the cusp. Nature and outdoor activities abound on both its Caribbean and Pacific coasts, but except for a handful of expedition cruises, access required a hardy road-trip approach, a patchwork of local boat charters, and a willingness to trade creature comforts for the privileges of its reefs, remote islands, and rainforest jungle. READ MORE I Went to a Wellness Clinic in Mexico to Get My Health Optimized When I arrive at the wellness retreat just outside Cancún, I’m not sure what to make of the immersive experience awaiting me over the next four days. The SHA complex, with its airy, spiraling design subtly echoing the double helix of human DNA, seems to hint that every detail has some biological purpose. I’d come for the “rebalance and energize” program meant to clear my head and power up my cells, but the daily schedule is packed tighter than my carry-on. READ MORE The Best Luxury Resorts in the Turks and Caicos When I first visited the Turks and Caicos in 1996 (I’ve been back several times since), you could look up and down Grace Bay Beach’s three-mile expanse and see no footprints but your own – just swaths of sand as fine and white as confectioner’s sugar, and gin-clear, impossibly blue water stretching to the sky. The sweep that was once my secret may now be lined with swanky resorts, but it remains as beautiful as ever. READ MORE An Art and Food Lover’s Guide to Barcelona Picasso in the late nineteenth century, the avant-garde chefs redefining Spanish cuisine today – Barcelona has long been a muse for creatives. While Spain’s sunny seaside city lures travelers in the summer with its beachfront promenade and late nights in architectural-wonder-packed neighborhoods, peak season isn’t the only time to soak up the Catalonian capital’s cultural and culinary prowess. READ MORE Alejandro Gallegos, general manager of Mexico City’s Alexander Hotel , shares what he’s been loving lately. Packing: Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones and my Brooklinen silk eye mask Reading: Hospitality Design and Monocle 's travel section . Both offer thoughtful perspectives on global trends and design-forward experiences. Watching: The Bear – an intense, beautifully shot series that captures the energy, emotion, and exacting standards behind culinary operations. As someone in hospitality, it’s as inspiring as it is authentic. Dreaming of: Kyoto. Pioneering researcher Jane Goodall , a leader in environmental stewardship, passed away this week. LA28 ticket sales are coming . MoMA’s first bookstore just opened in Seoul. Cuyana dropped new colors for its beloved travel jewelry cases (and don’t forget to pack some travel-size jewelry cleaner !). A retrospective of artist Nancy Holt’s large-scale Sun Tunnels is now on display in New York City. Ready to travel? Let’s go. Connect Request A Quote
Five Things We Love: The RuMa Hotel and Residences
On a recent trip to Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic, I spent three blissful days doing – and thinking about – nothing. It was glorious. With my extended family in tow, I relished having no dinner plans to coordinate, no lunch tabs to split, and no Champagne budgets to track. The biggest debates: choosing between an afternoon at the resort’s palm-fringed infinity pool or Minitas Beach, and deciding whether to take a golf cart or a bike to get there. READ MORE These Big-Ticket Cruises Pair Sailings with Extended Land Adventures No question, Japan has a lot of buzz right now, but Abercrombie & Kent charters Ponant’s 148-passenger expedition ship Jacques Cartier for a venture to towns and sights that larger ships miss. Pre- and post-cruise extensions let travelers linger for up to 20 nights total – time in the big cities makes for a well-rounded trip. From the Hyatt Regency Kyoto, it’s easy to reach Kiyomizu Temple, the rock garden at Ryoanji Temple, and Arashiyama’s bamboo grove. READ MORE Five Things We Love: The RuMa Hotel and Residences Walk through the terra-cotta birdcage and past the bronze fountain to the dual staircases that spiral upward toward a copper-tiled ceiling, and you’ll find The RuMa Hotel and Residences’ centerpiece: a sculpture of a traditional Malaysian kebaya dress, made with interlocking gold metal squares adorned with filigreed gold butterflies. The work, by Malay fashion designer Bernard Chandran, epitomizes what The RuMa is all about: warm tradition, with a dash of avant-garde. READ MORE Where to Park-Hop in One of Europe’s Greenest Cities In Zagreb, nature spills across the city in every direction: Parks, gardens, and forests cover nearly three-quarters of the Croatian capital, giving it the second-highest concentration of green space of any European metropolis, according to the European Environment Agency. Locals weave nature into their daily lives, as families gather by lakes, working professionals linger on shady benches over lunch, and hikers set off on forested trails, all without ever leaving the city limits. READ MORE An Art and Food Lover’s Guide to Barcelona Picasso in the late nineteenth century, the avant-garde chefs redefining Spanish cuisine today – Barcelona has long been a muse for creatives. While Spain’s sunny seaside city lures travelers in the summer with its beachfront promenade and late nights in architectural-wonder-packed neighborhoods, peak season isn’t the only time to soak up the Catalonian capital’s cultural and culinary prowess. READ MORE Packing: My SILA hydration supplements . Hydrating well before a long flight is imperative. Practicing: My daily wellness routines are my travel nonnegotiables – meditation, hydration, and mindful breathing keep me grounded and set the intention for the rest of the day. Dreaming of: I’d love to explore more of South America, Africa, and Asia; I’m intrigued by the traditional approaches to wellness and food in those regions. Aman Tokyo is on my bucket list! In California, redwood boards and photos of Hawaiian princes tell the story of surfing’s arrival in North America Fat Bear Week starts on September 23. ( Meet a few of them here .) Samsonite dropped a new luggage line Comme Si launched clothing inspired by the Coppola family’s resorts. Get ready for fall foliage in the U.S. Ready to travel? Let’s go. Request A Quote
