Talk about a window on the world. As our butler Valentin shows us the workings of our stateroom on Uniworld's highly-ranked S.S. Antoinette, he steps onto the balcony.
We are far less “adventure” and far more “luxury” when it comes to world travel. Don't get us wrong; we appreciate beautiful scenery and will do what it takes to thoroughly immerse ourselves in any journey.
It's remarkable what you can see in the Mediterranean in 12 days covering nearly 2,500 nautical miles. The lifestyle at sea is likewise impressive aboard Cunard's gleaming Queen Victoria with seven restaurants, 13 bars, three swimming pools, a ballroom, and a theatre.
Face it: there are very few "new" places left in the world to discover. Here, cities like Mandalay and Yangon (formerly Rangoon) have modern conveniences, but head to Bagan and Inle Lake, for instance, and it's as if you're transported through time. Simply put, Myanmar mesmerized us.
Even before arriving at Paris' stunning Hotel Fouquet's Barriere, we were contacted by the concierge staff. Do we prefer roses or orchids in our suite? How about our pillow and soft-drink preferences? Oh and what type of music would we like programmed in the state-of-the art TV/sound system and for the TV over the soaking tub?
First-timers are quickly won over by French Country Waterways' definition of luxury barging, so its no surprise that more than half the guests are repeat travelers. But what if you're a die-hard, traditional cruiser? How will you fare? Fabulously if you adore gourmet cuisine, fine French wine, and intimate accommodations.
"Adventure by day – luxury by night." That's the Abercrombie & Kent (A&K) promise that convinced us to book our African safari at their Sanctuary Retreats and safari offerings in Zambia.
A visit to Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas, is a must for world travelers, and to stay near the ancient site allows you more exploration than most. A whopping 70 percent of visitors see the ruins only as day-trippers, which is a shame because that's not enough time to experience the magic of South America's most famous archaeological site.
