Antarctica or the Arctic: Which is Right for You?

Should you visit the Arctic or the Antarctic?

It can be a tough decision. There are important differences between the two destinations, particularly when it comes to the expedition ships that carry visitors there. Here are some tips to guide your decision about which polar frontier to choose.

The Arctic and Antarctica are adventurous

Knowing your adventure level and flexibility is a good starting point. Expeditions in the polar regions rarely follow the planned itinerary and are always subject to weather, winds, and water. You must be prepared for change and be willing to embrace everything with a spirit of adventure.

Traditional cruise lines (vs. expedition lines) may be a better option for those wishing to have more certainty with their itinerary but should be aware there will be fewer options for off-ship adventurous activities.

Both Arctic and Antarctic expeditions offer a variety of activities including Zodiac cruising and landings, hiking, and beachcombing. Kayaking is sometimes offered at an additional cost. Guests can also brave a polar plunge, jumping off the ship into the frigid waters, in both the Arctic and Antarctic.

With some expedition lines in the Antarctic, guests can also choose to sleep under the stars on the Antarctic Peninsula for one night (additional cost). These are high-demand experiences and need to be booked well in advance of sailing. You might even want to check if there's still a spot left before booking if this is important to you.

When to travel to the Arctic vs. Antarctica

When you can travel and what you want to see and do in the polar regions are important considerations when choosing between the two destinations.

The best season to visit the Arctic, including the Canadian Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, and Norway, is the summer from May through September.

It's the opposite for Antarctica. The best time is the Southern Hemisphere's summer, from November to March.

While both destinations experience cold weather, the Antarctic tends to be colder, even with many sunny days.

In both cases, prepare for extreme weather

With temperatures between 30 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit (-1 and +10 degrees Celsius) in the summer months, the Arctic is warmer, requiring fewer layers than is the case in the Antarctic where temperatures range from 17.5 to 39 degrees Fahrenheit (8 to +4 degrees Celsius).

However, in both destinations, it is the wind chill that makes you feel cold, and a fully waterproof outer layer is critical to keep dry and comfortable. When the wind is blowing on Zodiacs, or on the deck when the ship is moving it feels much colder than the actual temperature. Layers are critical to being comfortable.

You should also wear sunscreen and good sunglasses since the sun is very strong and, in many areas, there is daylight 24 hours a day.

The wildlife is different

Wildlife in the Arctic includes polar bears, reindeer, muskox, arctic fox, arctic hare, snowy owls, and a variety of birds, like the fulmar. There are also many large marine animals such as narwhals, whales, walruses, and varieties of seal.

You might be accompanies by armed bear guards during Arctic expeditions north of the Arctic Circle -- an area expedition leaders refer to as bear county. You will need to keep a safe distance and might want to have binoculars and a long-distance lens for cameras handy.

There is no similar predator to the polar bear in the Antarctic, so visitors have more freedom to walk and hike on landings, on paddling excursions, and Zodiac cruises. Wildlife viewings will include many seabirds, seals, walruses, whales, and several species of penguins. At the start of summer, penguins can be seen tending to their eggs on rocky beaches waiting for them to hatch. Later in the season, the rookeries (penguin colonies) become lively with furry brown penguin chicks.

Also be aware about just how noisy – and odorous – the penguin rookeries are.

Both destinations are a photographer's paradise capturing wildlife on ice flows, in the water or on the land, with perfect lighting for the icebergs, glaciers, and varying terrain.

How important is polar expedition history or Inuit culture to you?

The Arctic is better if you are interested in culture and Inuit history. The presence of villages, towns, and cities, dating back several thousands of years in the Arctic is in stark contrast to the Antarctic where, other than seasonal employees in research stations, at the Penguin Post Office, and in the Falkland Islands, there are no permanent communities or residents.

On many Arctic expedition cruises, you may visit some of these small communities. For example, Sisimiut and Ilulisatt in Greenland, or the hamlet of Resolute in Nunavut.

If interested in polar history you can choose either destination. With the great explorers of the 18th century like Ernest Shackleton in Antarctica and Sir John Franklin in the Arctic, both destinations offer the opportunity to learn about polar exploration history and visit significant sites associated with early exploration.

Getting to Antarctica vs. the Arctic

The Arctic is surrounded by land with thousands of small islands, whereas the continent of Antarctica is surrounded by water and only water.

It is generally easier to get to the Antarctic with many expedition cruises starting and ending in Ushuaia, Argentina. Getting to Ushuaia is a short flight from Buenos Aires. Some cruises offer a "fly-cruise" option for those short on time or fearing seasickness crossing the infamous Drake Passage. Flying in one direction to or from Chile on a charter flight organized as part of the cruise itinerary is also possible.

The embarkation point for arctic cruise expeditions is typically reached by charter flights that are part of the itinerary. 

 Flying from Europe to Norway, Iceland, and Greenland is generally easy and convenient. Since the charters are handled by the cruise line, there is nothing for you to worry about other than staying within the strict weight restrictions for checked and carryon bags.

Which cruise lines operate in the polar regions?

Several expedition cruise lines operate in both the Antarctic and the Artic. They include: Swan Hellenic Cruises, Quark Expeditions, Silversea, Seabourn, Viking, Lindblad Expeditions, Ponant, Atlas Ocean Voyages, H/X (Hurtigruten), and Scenic. 

Additional cruise lines – Celebrity, Holland America, Cunard, Norwegian, Princess, WindStar, Carnival, Antarctica 21 and Polar Latitudes – also offers Antarctic or Artic cruise destinations.

Pricing for polar expedition cruises

Polar expeditions command higher prices than many traditional cruise ships and can vary significantly depending on the level of adventure and luxury, and on the number of days. Some of the expedition companies include charter flights to remote destinations as part of the itinerary and pricing.

Prices also vary based on the time of travel. The months of December and March in the Antarctic, and June and September in the Arctic are considered low or shoulder season and prices can be a little lower.

More tips to guide and prepare you for Arctic and Antarctic expeditions

Guests may or may not see the wildlife they came on board for. In Antarctica it's almost a given to see loads of penguins up close in the frigid waters, on the ice. or in rookeries. However in the Arctic, polar bear sightings are less common and in many cases the bears can be a fair distance from the ship.

Although expedition ships may carry a lot of "toys," like helicopters and submersibles, you should be prepared in case some or all the toys cannot be used due to weather or local regulations.

Itineraries involving charter flights have strict weight restrictions for luggage, for instance Quark Expeditions has a carry-on weight maximum of 5kg and one checked bag under 20kg. You will not be able to purchase additional weight due to small aircraft sizes and stringent weight restrictions.

Packing for every kind of weather, and for changing weather throughout a single day is important.

Expedition lines may provide waterproof parkas with puffy inner linings, tall rubber boots, and hiking poles in some cases. If the cruise line has not explicitly said they are providing waterproof pants or a parka, you should pack those. A waterproof outer layer will make their zodiac excursions and hiking more pleasurable.

You should depend on the experienced expedition team to guide you on choosing excursions and the intensity of hikes, but ultimately, they should know their own limitations and abilities. This includes participating in flightseeing with onboard helicopters and doing a dive in a submersible. Guests who are claustrophobic or suffer from seasickness or panic attacks are wise to get as much information and attend the information and safety briefings before signing up.

For those who are adventurous and accepting of changes during their journey, an Arctic or Antarctic expedition cruise can be a life-altering and enriching experience. Clients who have done one Polar cruise tend to want to explore more than just one polar region and it is not uncommon for guests to return time and again with the same expedition cruise line.

Dream Vacations - The Operach Team is a travel agency based in Overland Park, Kansas. We take pride in working with clients across the country who love to travel. We build vacation experiences that will create memories to last a lifetime.  Our team has specialties across a wide range of vacation options; custom Europe itineraries, Alaska, escorted tours, all-inclusive resorts, Disney, Caribbean, Hawaii, South Pacific, cruise holidays, and river cruises.   

We look forward to making your dream vacations come true!!

Five Cruise Ship Fails

Over the past couple decades, cruise lines have developed and created larger and more technologically advance cruise ships than ever before.  However, not every cruise ship project has succeeded.

While some of the following projects did get off the ground, all of them ended up failing. Here is a look at several cruise ship projects that have failed over the past few years.

Titanic II

First announced in 2013, Titanic II was supposed to set sail for the first time in 2016. The world’s most infamous ship would be recreated but with modern safety standards.  Everything from the dining rooms to staterooms would be recreated like the original.

The ship’s maiden voyage would take the same course as the original ship from Southampton, England to New York City.

In 2016, it was announced that the ship would now debut in 2018. After two more years of silence, Blue Star Line posted on their website that work would now continue on the project.  The website’s last update was in December 2018 leaving the project dead.

Many industry experts have wondered from the start if the project was nothing more than a publicity stunt and was never intended on being completed.  

MS Satoshi, the Bitcoin Ship

Ocean Builders bought one of Princess/P&O’s older cruise ships that they sold during the pandemic.  Their plan was to turn the cruise ship into a floating village with Bitcoin being the currency used on board. They even named the ship MS Satoshi after the Bitcoin founder.

Satoshi was going to be a place you could rent a cabin by the day, week, month, or year.  The cruise ship was going to remain offshore near Panama with a business focused environment on board.

Everyone from digital nomads to YouTube influencers, startup teams, and established businesses were going to be welcomed with office space to accommodate them.

Shortly after buying the ship, the project had to be canceled because Ocean Builders could not get the proper insurance required to operate a cruise ship that you could live on.  The vessel was once again sold for scrap.

Freedom Ship

Freedom Ship is a nearly one mile long cruise ship that would house 60,000 passengers and up to 100,000 people at a time. It would act as a floating city as it sailed around the world every two years.

The ship would cost $11 billion to build and would be the largest ship in maritime history. Due to the enormous cost and size of the ship, the project never got off the ground. Freedom Cruise Line International last tried to raise money to build the ship in early 2019.

The commercial district aboard Freedom Ship would have sustained a population of 100,000 people comprised of 40,000 residents, 20,000 full time crew, 30,000 daily visitors, and 10,000 overnight guests to the hotel and casino.

The top of the ship was proposed to have a landing strip for aircraft that will be able to support turboprop aircraft in the 38 to 40-passenger range.

Project Pinnacle

While this wasn’t necessarily a project that failed, it was a project that Carnival Cruise Line started working on in 2004 that they ultimately decided not to go forward with. It was a cruise ship project ahead of its time and would have been the world’s first mega ship if it was built.

The ship would have been the first cruise ship in the world over 200,000 gross tons in size.  It had an interesting people mover monorail system to move passengers from one part of the ship to another.

The promenade deck was extra wide, and would have everything from loungers to a lazy river. Yes, the cruise ship would have a lazy river.

The aft section of the ship would be split, similar to the what the Oasis class debuted with several years later. There would be two massive waterslides located here that fed into an infinity pool.

Carnival Cruise Line decided to not go forward with the project after the Euro soared 50% against the USD in two years making the ships too expensive to build.

Fathom

Carnival Corporation created a 10th cruise line that sailed its first cruise in the spring of 2016. The cruise line had one ship and the focus was social impact travel.  The week long cruises from Miami would visit the Dominican Republic for three days where passengers would give back to the local community through different projects.

The projects including creating clean water filters, teaching English in schools, planting trees, creating recycled paper, and building concrete floors to houses.

The ship also was the first cruise ship to visit Cuba from the U.S. in decades.  However, cruise line had trouble selling cabins from day one. Within a couple months, the seven night cruises were selling as low as $199 per person.

Once other cruise lines received approval to sail to Cuba, it pretty much sealed Fathom’s fate.  A little over a year after sailing it’s maiden cruise, the project was shut down.  The cruise ship went back to sister cruise line P&O Cruises.

Carnival Corporation did keep some of the social impact shore excursions and offered them on cruises on Princess to the Dominican Republic for a bit before completely shutting down the brand.

The cruise ship from Fathom is still in operation today, but now sails with Azamara as Azamara Pursuit.

Dream Vacations - The Operach Team is a travel agency based in Overland Park, Kansas. We take pride in working with clients across the country who love to travel. We build vacation experiences that will create memories to last a lifetime.  Our team has specialties across a wide range of vacation options; custom Europe itineraries, Alaska, escorted tours, all-inclusive resorts, Disney, Caribbean, Hawaii, South Pacific, cruise holidays, and river cruises.   

We look forward to making your dream vacations come true!! 

Cruise Hack: Enhance Your Cruise To a Luxury Experience

Luxury lovers have a lot of choices when it comes to cruise ships.

Nearly a half dozen so-called luxury lines such as Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea Cruises and Seabourn offer a travel experience at sea that is every bit as elegant, intimate and service-focused as what you’ll find at the top luxury hotels on land.

On Regent Seven Seas’ Seven Seas Splendor, for instance, every cabin is a suite (with some as big as the average American home), the restaurants serve gourmet fare worthy of a Michelin star and the staff-to-passenger ratio is through the roof at nearly one-to-one.

But luxury ships, which tend to be relatively small, aren’t your only option for living large at sea.

You’ll also find a growing number of luxury experiences available on the giant mass-market ships operated by the likes of Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises — often as part of a package that’s significantly less expensive than what you would pay to be on a luxury ship.

Indeed, with a few hacks, it’s increasingly possible to turn a voyage on a big, bustling (and affordable) megaship designed for the masses into something almost akin to a luxury cruise.

This can be the perfect solution for luxury lovers who want to experience the world’s biggest floating megaresorts without giving up the upscale touches to which they’re accustomed.

Just keep in mind that even on a mass-market ship you will pay more to live it up in high style. You just might have more flexibility in choosing the luxury experiences for which you do and don’t want to pay.

Here are six ways to turn a voyage on a mass-market ship into a luxury experience:

Get a room in a private luxury enclave

On a growing number of the biggest mass-market vessels, such as Norwegian Cruise Line’s  Norwegian Encore, you’ll now find private “ship-within-a-ship” luxury enclaves with their own private pools, lounge areas and even restaurants.

You’ll often pay a big premium to get a room in one of these private enclaves but the luxury perks can be well worth it.

Cruisers staying in the private luxury enclave on Norwegian Encore, known as The Haven, for instance, have access to a pre-cruise concierge who can handle all sorts of requests such as the delivery of special pillows to your room or the stocking of a particular type of chamomile tea. A pre-cruise concierge also will book your spa treatments, dining reservations and shore excursions long before you ever get on board.

The lounge in The Haven on Norwegian Cruise Line’s 4,004-passenger Norwegian 
Bliss has the most spectacular view on the ship. 

The exclusive The Haven suite complex on Norwegian Bliss includes a private pool area. 

The Haven passengers on Norwegian Encore also get access to a private check-in lounge upon arrival. They’re quickly whisked on board where they enjoy additional perks including butler service, special seating in theaters, priority disembarkation on port days and more.

The Haven complex itself is quite the luxury hideaway. Among its standout features is a stunning, two-deck-high lounge that overlooks the front of the vessel and offers the best views on the ship. There’s also a private restaurant where you’ll never have trouble getting a table and a private courtyard area with its own pool, sundeck, hot tub and fitness area.

You’ll also find “ship-within-a-ship” luxury enclaves on more than half of MSC Cruises ships, while the newest Celebrity Cruises ships such as Celebrity Apex have their own private keycard-accessed luxury hideaways for passengers staying in suites known as The Retreat.

Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas will have a luxury getaway, too.

Book a ‘concierge cabin’

In lieu of offering private luxury enclaves on their biggest ships, some mass-market lines offer “concierge cabins” on their vessels — cabins that come with special concierge service and, sometimes, an exclusive concierge lounge.

You’ll typically pay a premium to get into one of these rooms compared to a similarly sized cabin that does not come with the concierge designation. But, again, this sort of premium cabin can be well worth the extra cost.

On Disney Cruise Line ships, for instance, booking a concierge cabin brings access to a concierge lounge with complimentary food and nonalcoholic beverages throughout the day; complimentary beer, wine and spirits in the evening (served by a bartender); access to an exclusive sun deck with lounge chairs via a private entrance and a private Disney character meet-and-greet.

Oceania Cruises ships Marina and Riviera both have a dedicated Concierge Lounge 
with concierge services for passengers staying in Concierge class cabins.

In addition, a concierge is on hand during the day to help make onboard dining reservations, book shore excursions and spa appointments, organize childcare services and arrange special occasions on board.

Similarly, on the two newest Oceania Cruises ships, Marina and Riviera, passengers staying in Concierge Veranda-category cabins get access to a private concierge lounge serving snacks and nonalcoholic drinks throughout the day. Plus, a concierge is on hand during the day to help make onboard dining reservations, book shore excursions and spa appointments and answer questions about ports.

Upgrade your onboard dining

The world’s biggest mass-market cruise ships these days are loaded with an incredible range of restaurants, from cavernous, included-in-the-fare main dining rooms serving flavorful banquet-like dishes to much more intimate, made to order, high-end, extra-charge “specialty” restaurants. This offers luxury lovers a chance to upgrade their experience greatly simply by shunning the former and embracing the latter (a strategy that, of course, will cost more).

On the biggest Norwegian, Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises ships, we will often skip the main restaurants entirely during cruises and reserve tables at an extra-charge restaurant every night. This greatly changes the feel of cruising on these vessels, as dinnertime transforms from what is often a very mass-market experience to something much more upscale.

Norwegian’s newest ships offer such extra-charge options as Onda by Scarpetta, a high-end Italian restaurant from the creators of New York’s Scarpetta, and Food Republic, a casual tapas and sushi venue created in partnership with Miami’s Pubbelly Boys.

Royal Caribbean’s giant Oasis Class ships have intimate, upscale restaurants called 150 Central Park that offer a six-course tasting menu with wine pairings

Royal Caribbean’s biggest ships have extra-charge eateries designed by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver. A few Princess vessels have restaurants created by Australian-born chef Curtis Stone.

Reserve private deck space

One of the downsides of sailing on a big mass-market ship is that you’ll be sharing the ship’s deck-top pools, hot tubs and loungers with thousands of other passengers. But there increasingly are ways on the biggest ships to get away from the crowds — for an extra charge, of course.

Some of Norwegian’s newest ships have exclusive, extra-charge deck-top retreats called Vibe Beach Clubs that will let you relax in the sun in style.

On Norwegian Encore, the Vibe Beach Club area spans both sides of the ship (instead of just one side as on earlier vessels in the same series) and extends upward to a partial deck above. Priced at $99 per day, it’s a lovely hideaway with a full-service bar, cabanas and two hot tubs that just might make you think you’re on a small luxury ship.

If you want to upgrade even more, you can pay $278 for two to rent a cabana in Vibe Beach Club for the day.

Other big-ship lines with extra-charge upscale retreats on their top decks include Princess, which is known for The Sanctuary zones.

On other ships, such as the Celebrity vessel Celebrity Equinox, you’ll find special private cabanas available at otherwise public top-deck venues that will give you an upgraded feel.

Make the spa your second home

One often-overlooked way to escape the masses on a mass-market ship — and get a taste of the fancy life — is to spend at least part of your days lounging in the ship’s spa.

Many of the world’s biggest cruise ships have spectacular spa zones that offer a lot more than just treatment rooms and salon services. You’ll often find huge thermal suites full of special pools, hot tubs, steam rooms, saunas and heated ceramic tile loungers.

You’ll usually get access to these thermal suites on a complimentary basis when you book a spa treatment. But, in some cases, you also can buy day passes to these areas that are sold through the spa or the ship’s guest services desk. That means that you don’t even need to sign up for a spa treatment to spend a day escaping from the tourist hordes in your ship’s spa.

Just be warned that the number of such spa day passes available often is limited to keep the spa uncrowded, which is exactly how you want it to be if you’re using it as an escape.

Note that some lines also offer access to spas to passengers who book special spa-class cabins. Celebrity, for instance, has spa-themed AquaClass cabins that come with special access to its shipboard spas. You’ll pay a little more for an AquaClass cabin on a Celebrity ship than a similar cabin that isn’t part of the AquaClass.

Go swanky during port calls

There’s nothing that says “mass-market” quite like being stuck on a bus tour of a destination with 40 or more fellow cruisers. But just because you’re on a mass-market ship doesn’t mean you have to sign up for a standard, big-group tour.

For an extra charge — many big cruise ships will arrange for you to have a private car and driver in a port to take you wherever you want to go.

Many lines that operate private island destinations also have been adding ever more upscale, exclusive options for passengers willing to pay up for a luxury experience.

The first floating cabanas in the Bahamas have opened at Royal Caribbean’s private island, 

Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

Royal Caribbean, for instance, recently built elaborate floating cabanas at Perfect Day at CocoCay, its private island in the Bahamas. Costing as much as $1,500 per day during peak times, they come with space for up to eight people, a private attendant, an overwater hammock, a slide to the water and a shower.

The cabanas are part of a new, exclusive private corner of Perfect Day called Coco Beach Club that offers a ritzy private beach, infinity pool, upscale restaurant and al fresco bar. Passes to the Coco Beach Club start at $54 per person.

Dream Vacations - The Operach Team is a travel agency based in Overland Park, Kansas. We take pride in working with clients across the country who love to travel. We build vacation experiences that will create memories to last a lifetime.  Our team has specialties across a wide range of vacation options; custom Europe itineraries, Alaska, escorted tours, all-inclusive resorts, Disney, Caribbean, Hawaii, South Pacific, cruise holidays, and river cruises.   

We look forward to making your dream vacations come true!! 

12 Unique Cruise Port Destinations We Can't Wait To Visit Again

Cruise lines are eyeing a return to the seas this summer more than one year since COVID-19 was officially declared a global pandemic and cruising was brought to a screeching halt. While passengers hoping to sail out of the United States will have to continue to be patient as the coronavirus vaccine rollout continues and governments around the world weigh the risk versus reward of reopening to international travel, they can find solace reminiscing about these remarkable cruise destinations. 

Sydney, Australia

Australia continues to be closed to most international travelers amid the pandemic so it's been more than a year since many have been able to enjoy a scenic cruise into or out of Sydney Harbour. The destination is perhaps best known for its iconic landmarks such as the unmistakable Sydney Opera House but is also home to several unique islands boasting both cultural and historical significance.

Antarctica

It's easy to overlook the world's southernmost continent but it offers adventurous cruise passengers an array of unforgettable experiences, including up-close encounters with wildlife such as whales and penguins, unparalleled nighttime stargazing, thrilling Zodiac excursions and fascinating tours of research stations and other special sites and attractions like the uniquely shaped Deception Island.

Santorini, Greece

The Mediterranean hotspot of Santorini has literally got it all, including breathtaking views, picturesque beaches, charming villages, romantic sunsets and exceptional culinary offerings. While several cruise lines are slated to resume operations in Greece this spring and summer, the destination continues to be closed to Americans but officials are hoping the continued rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine spurs a tourism rebound in the months to come.

South Africa

Home to beloved cruise stops in places like Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Richard's Bay, South Africa's spirited ports immerse cruise passengers in unparalleled nature, history and culture. Visitors can dine and shop until they drop, experience safari animals up close in wildlife sanctuaries and other animals like whales and dolphins in their natural habitat and even tour significant cultural sites like the former prison that housed Nelson Mandela.

Papua New Guinea

There's something extremely peaceful but also exciting about Papua New Guinea. The Oceanic destination just north of Australia features amazing landscapes highlighted by stellar beaches, lively coral reefs and magnificent marine life, some of the friendliest locals in the world and captivating culture. Carnival Cruise Line and Princess Cruises were among the most popular brands sailing to Papua New Guinea prior to the pandemic

Halong Bay, Vietnam

A UNESCO World Heritage Site for nearly three decades, Vietnam's Halong Bay is an otherworldly travel destination renowned for its towering limestone isles and eye-popping emerald waters. Cruise passengers have long been flocking to this region for pulse-pounding excursions and participating in activities such as kayaking, rock climbing and diving.

Juneau, Alaska

Home to epic glaciers, ice caves, waterfalls and unrivaled scenery, Juneau is without a doubt one of the most coveted cruise ports in America and offers cruise passengers a variety of unique activities and experiences, from whale watching and an abundance of hiking opportunities to world-class shopping and dining downtown.

Panama Canal

The Panama Canal was named as one of the 7 Cruise Wonders of the World by Condé Nast Traveler and one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers. The famed waterway connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through an intricate series of locks and passages. Princess Cruises has been sailing the canal since the late 1960s and continues to offer immersive itineraries to this bucket-list destination but travelers have options as Norwegian Cruise Line and others also offer exceptional sailings that traverse the Panama Canal.

Moorea, Tahiti

One of the more than 100 islands that comprise French Polynesia, Moorea is as majestic as cruise destinations come, offering visitors an authentic Tahitian experience, diverse coral reefs, white-sand beaches and plentiful lush scenery for hiking and exploration. The good news is that Tahiti is planning to reopen to international travel as soon as May 1.

Kotor, Montenegro

Kotor is easily one of the world's most underrated cruise ports but as one of the best-preserved medieval towns in all of the Mediterranean, it begs to be explored. Cruise passengers will want to take their time exploring the enchanting Old Town but also leave themselves room on their itinerary to hike Kotor's centuries-old fortifications so they can be rewarded with extraordinary views of the bay, mountains and historic structures.

Galapagos Islands

Expedition cruisers rarely return from the Galapagos Islands disappointed. After all, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is known for its diverse wildlife and nature and is limited to smaller ships and smaller group excursions that make for a more intimate experience. The islands offer much more than just wildlife watching though, including diving and snorkeling below the protected area's surface.

Aswan, Egypt

The Nile River destination of Aswan is one of the sunniest and driest places on the planet, making it easy to spend lots of time outdoors exploring the fascinating ancient temples and monuments or even enjoying a sunset felucca ride on the Nile. One of the best ways to experience this vibrant town is on Viking River Cruises' 12-day Pharaohs and Pyramids itinerary.

Dream Vacations - The Operach Team is a travel agency based in Overland Park, Kansas. We take pride in working with clients across the country who love to travel. We build vacation experiences that will create memories to last a lifetime.  Our team has specialties across a wide range of vacation options; custom Europe itineraries, Alaska, escorted tours, all-inclusive resorts, Disney, Caribbean, Hawaii, South Pacific, cruise holidays, and river cruises.   

We look forward to making your dream vacations come true!! 

Colorful Places to Brighten Your Day

Whether vivid flowers are there to make you swoon, brightly hued buildings pop with life, or the region's cuisine presents a feast for your eyes (and belly), destinations offer color in different forms. Taking in the world's spectrum of tones adds some extra oomph to the overall experience of a place. From faded autumn pigments to unexpected color in remote locations, there's always some color to uncover.

    Vernazza, Italy

Here's a collection of vibrant images showcasing destinations that are bright and colorful...because we need it.

Tuscany, Italy

Spring-time poppies in Tuscany deliver a dash of dazzling red.  To view this fetching display of color, head to the Tuscan hills between mid-April and mid-May (depending on the weather that year). The Val d'Orcia region is a solid spot to start your search, and make sure to pay the villages of San Quirico d'Orcia and Castiglione d'Orcia a visit for a quintessential stroll and authentic food and wine.

Portree, Scotland

Despite Scotland's moody skies and finicky weather, there's plenty of color to be had in the seaside village of Portree, perched on the edge of the Isle of Skye. The colorful town buildings skirting the harbor spread as much cheer as the authentic fish and chips from the local take-away shop, Harbour Fish + Chips. Just beware of the sassy seagulls, they are quite hungry and they will steal your food. No matter how cute and colorful the town is, stolen fish and chips are likely to leave you in a bad mood.

Paradise, New Zealand

Yes, it's really called Paradise, and boy is it a slice (of paradise). Spring on the South Island of New Zealand promises fields of these fantastic flowers for 4-5 weeks every year. Lupins in shades of pink, purple, blue and yellow dot the already postcard-perfect landscape. November and December are top months to see this beautiful display courtesy of Mother Nature and visitors should venture to the Mackenzie Basin region of the South Island for the best chance of viewing.

Antelope Canyon, Arizona

Red looks good on you, Arizona. The wavy walls of this slot canyon near Page, Arizona will have you in awe. It's possible to weave your way through this sandstone geological formation with the help of a Navajo guide. Visitors can book tours to explore either the Upper or Lower Antelope Canyons in order to experience the natural wonder in person. Yeah, you'll want your camera.

Lava Fields, Iceland

Craving some greens? Iceland's Eldhraun lava fields on the southern coast are here for you. The mossy looking landscape doesn't just provide a stark contrast to the temperamental skies, but the area has quite the backstory too. Created from one of the biggest volcano eruptions, Laki, in Iceland's history (late 1700s), the fields can be seen from the Ring Road before the village of Kirkjubaejarklaustur when driving east.

Hoi An, Vietnam

The Temple of Literature in Hoi An, Vietnam is home to brightly decorated temple gates, intricate architecture and deep cultural history honoring Vietnam's top scholars. The complex is comprised of several courtyards, the Imperial Academy, landscaped gardens and bell tower, originally built in 1070 to pay homage to Confucius.

Burano, Italy

For smile-inducing vibrance, look no further than Burano, Italy, just a short ferry ride from Venice. This island in the Venetian Lagoon is filled to the brim with colorful houses along the picturesque canals. Lovely restaurants, squares and even a lace museum are highlights of this bright Italian spot.

Nuuk, Greenland

The capital city of Greenland is dotted with crayon-colored houses along the sea on the southwest coast. The city's tagline is "colourful Nuuk" so it must be true...and it is. Despite the visually appealing radiancy, the ancient traditions of Inuit culture mixed with modern influences, as well as the fact that you have a really solid chance of spotting humpback whales from the harbor during the summer months, make Nuuk a vividly rich destination.

Peru

Peru is known for its vibrant textiles, tassels and culture. City markets burst with color, weather artisan or culinary goods. Traditional weaving in the Andes mountains using naturally-dyed alpaca wool is an ancient technique that makes for bright items to bring home for souvenirs. Sweaters, scarves and blankets are just some of the beautifully crafted items bursting with color that you can purchase to support the artists creating them.


Dream Vacations - The Operach Team is a travel agency based in Overland Park, Kansas. We take pride in working with clients across the country who love to travel. We build vacation experiences that will create memories to last a lifetime.  Our team has specialties across a wide range of vacation options; custom Europe itineraries, Alaska, escorted tours, all-inclusive resorts, Disney, Caribbean, Hawaii, South Pacific, cruise holidays, and river cruises.   

We look forward to making your dream vacations come true!! 

World's Most Romantic Destinations

Santorini, Greece

Watching the sunset over the brilliant blue Aegean Sea from your own private terrace in Santorini? Pure romance. The only thing that could top this postcard-worthy moment? Never having to leave.

Majorca, Spain

Hollywood’s elite have been spotted canoodling on Majorca, the largest of Spain's Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea. With its unspoiled golden sand beaches and intimate boutique hotels, it's easy to see why this island inspires romance.

Bruges, Belgium

Legend has it that couples who cross the bridge over the "Lake of Love" in Minnewater Park (on the southern side of Bruges) will be together forever. That bridge is an ideal spot to begin wandering along the medieval port city’s cobblestone streets and crisscrossing canals. Once the province of merchant ships, the postcard-perfect waterways now welcome graceful swans and holidaymakers in small boats. Bruges is gorgeous at any time of year, but it’s especially enchanting when the summertime tourists have departed and the crisp air of fall and winter heightens its fairytale atmosphere.

St. Moritz, Switzerland

This Swiss resort town, famous for its "champagne climate," is ideal for cosmopolitan couples seeking an alpine adventure. Picture a day skiing amongst snow-capped peaks, followed by an equally heart-pounding evening snuggled up on a horse-drawn carriage ride along the frozen lake.

The Maldives

The most romantic archipelago on earth? The Maldives, of course. Pretend like you are in your own private paradise with a stay in one of the overwater bungalows strung along the crystal-clear turquoise sea. Bask on the private white-sand beaches, feeling like you and your S.O. are in a world of your own.

Kauai, Hawaii

Say aloha to romance on Kauai, Hawaii’s least-developed island. Kauai is a favorite for those who want to get away from the crowds and enjoy secluded, natural beaches. Get your heart pumping on a hike through the lush mountains or with a private dip in the waterfalls.

Florence, Italy

Nothing says romance like watching the sunset from Florence’s Piazzale Michelangelo. After a day ogling frescos in the numerous museums in Florence and sipping Chianti in outdoor cafes, you're guaranteed to feel a little amorous here in one of the most romantic cities in the world.

Quebec City, Quebec

Dreaming of a cozy winter getaway? If you and your partner aren’t afraid of a little cold then head to Quebec City, a charming French-Canadian city full of snow-covered streets, romantic restaurants and plenty of fireplaces to cuddle up by.

Vienna, Austria

Raise a glass to your special someone in the wine-growing capital of the world, where over 1,700 acres of vineyards and 320 vintners create showstopping sips within the city limits. Its beautiful Baroque buildings also thrum with the classical music that has thrived there for centuries: Mozart, Beethoven, Strauss and Schubert all composed in the Austrian capital. To experience the best of the best, reserve seats at a Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra performance, or plan to be in Schlosspark at the beginning of the summer, when its alfresco arrangements attract more than 100,000 music lovers.

Kyoto, Japan

Could you think of a more romantic boat ride than along Kyoto’s cherry blossom-lined Okazaki Canal during spring? The cherry blossoms are very symbolic in Japan — the Japanese believe the short blooming cycle of the blossoms is a metaphor for life, an annual reminder that time is precious. So plan this romantic trip of a lifetime with your partner now.

Paris, France

We’d be remiss if we left Paris off this list. From sidewalk cafes perfect for getting cozy to some of the world’s most passionate art, Paris is synonymous with romance.

Koh Tao, Thailand

This tiny island in Thailand, known for its world-class scuba diving, beckons couples looking for a romantic tropical getaway. Relax on the quiet beaches or learn how to scuba dive as a couple. Then in the evening, watch spectacular sunsets from lantern-lit restaurants that line the beach.

Prague, Czech Republic

Known as the “city of a hundred spires,” the Czech Republic’s capital is pure magic from its dazzling architecture and winding streets to one-of-a-kind gems like its fifteenth-century astronomical clock (be sure to visit the old town square to watch its spellbinding mechanical figures come to life on the hour). Prague is so in love with love that its official tourism site offers a special guide to experiences for couples — and each year on the first of May, locals celebrate romance by gathering to kiss in Petrin Park.

Bali

Locals in Bali are well aware of the Indonesian island’s status as one of the world’s top honeymoon destinations, and its spectacular resorts offer intimate accommodations of all kinds: visitors can enjoy otherworldly sunsets from the privacy of luxurious villas, stretch out for massages overlooking the sea and even request rooms in local restaurants that cater to just two guests at a time. The pristine beaches, in turn, are ideal for strolling all year long; unlike other tropical destinations, the weather on Bali’s shores is consistently, perfectly temperate.



Dream Vacations - The Operach Team is a travel agency based in Overland Park, Kansas. We take pride in working with clients across the country who love to travel. We build vacation experiences that will create memories to last a lifetime.  Our team has specialties across a wide range of vacation options; custom Europe itineraries, Alaska, escorted tours, all-inclusive resorts, Disney, Caribbean, Hawaii, South Pacific, cruise holidays, and river cruises.   

We look forward to making your dream vacations come true!! 

Content Courtesy of The Travel Channel