2024 COLLECTION
TROPICS & EXOTICS
PLUS
EUROPE & NORTH AMERICA

Backed by steep hills and mountains on the eastern coast of Kyushu Island, Beppu is known as Japan’s top hot spring resort city. Home to more than 2,000 hot springs, this picturesque city gives you a chance to experience its hot springs, mud baths, steam baths and even traditional Japanese black sand baths. To top it off, eight unique hot springs, collectively named Onsen Hells, offer entertainingly distinctive attractions. On chilly days, visitors are treated to the otherworldly view of steam rising throughout the city. Since Beppu is famously popular within Japan as a resort getaway, it’s an ideal place to rub elbows with Japanese travelers.

Located on the southern tip of New Zealand’s South Island, Bluff is one of the oldest European settlements in New Zealand and is a gateway to Stewart Island and Invercargill, the capital of the Southland region. Bon vivants won’t want to miss the chance to sample deep-water Bluff oysters, grown in the cold waters of Foveaux Strait and recognized as some of the best in the world. Stewart Island is a natural paradise with 85% of the island designated a national park, while Invercargill charms visitors with Victorian, Edwardian and art deco architecture and several museums. Farther north, the Fiordland National Park is awe-inspiring with glass-like alpine lakes and spectacular fjords. Closer to port, Bluff Maritime Museum features exhibits on oystering, Bluff Harbour and local history.

Discover the pastoral beauty of Chile’s Chiloé Archipelago and lose yourself in the charming villages on Chiloé Island, where the port of Castro is the largest town and island capital. Here you’ll find one of the 16 wooden churches built by Jesuit and Franciscan Catholics from the 17th to 19th centuries that together compose a UNESCO World Heritage site. Castro is also fairly close to Chiloé National Park, where you can find hiking trails to suit all levels of fitness. If you want to load up on carbs before you go, be sure to have some potatoes – varieties grown on Chiloé Island are among the oldest cultivated tubers in the world.

Situated in the northern region of the island province of Palawan – often billed as one of the best island destinations in the world – Coron is blessed with towering limestone karsts, gorgeous beaches and incredible coral reefs. You can explore old-growth rainforests, snorkel in picturesque lagoons and even dive World War II wrecks. Kayangan Lake offers sweeping views of limestone towers draped in lush vegetation, and visitors are welcome to swim and snorkel in the crystal-clear waters. You’ll quickly understand why this mountain lake is among the most photographed places in the Philippines. Just a short drive from the port, the mangrove-shrouded Maquinit Hot Springs is one of the few saltwater hot springs in the world and is the perfect location to take a restorative dip.

A model town for slow living, Djupivogur is big on serenity and scenery. It sits on a long fjord at the southern edge of East Iceland and a pyramid-shaped basalt mountain rises up behind the town. Some of Iceland’s must-visit glacial wonders are within reach – Jokulsarlon, a glacial lagoon, and the breathtaking Hoffellsjokull Glacier. Closer to port, excellent hiking trails are in abundance and the Bulandsnes Bird Reserve is a popular choice due to the peninsula’s rich birdlife. A nearby open-air artwork is also a claim to fame: named the Eggs of Merry Bay, the installation of 34 large-scale granite eggs represents bird species that nest in the area. Just a short boat ride away, the uninhabited, nature-rich island of Papey is a popular destination known for puffins, guillemots and other seabirds.

Roughly the size of the island of Barbados, the expansive Gatun Lake was created during the construction of the Panama Canal. Considered part of the Panama Canal system, Gatun Lake’s primary function is to hold sufficient water for canal passage and for use in the canal’s locks during dry spells, but it pulsates with biodiversity. Wildlife such as sloths, capuchin and howler monkeys, iguanas, and toucans now thrive in lush pockets around the lake and manatee sightings are common. Set off on a safari boating adventure, a canopy tour or even a kayaking adventure to take in the area’s lush flora and unique fauna. Chagres National Park is also within reach, home to an indigenous Emberá tribe and their village.

The largest of the Westman Islands and the only one that is inhabited, Heimaey sits just four miles off the southern coast of Iceland but seems worlds away with its steep moss-covered cliffs, multihued volcanic rocks and abundant summer population of puffins. Still considered one of Iceland’s undiscovered gems, Heimaey beguiles visitors with its dramatic scenery and otherworldly atmosphere. Volcano and lava hikes abound, and cruising around the island reveals sea caves, lava formations, the famed Elephant Rock formation and prime whale watching. In the summer, you’re likely to spot puffins – the island is an important Atlantic puffin nesting habitat, with the Westman Islands serving as home to the world’s largest Atlantic puffin colony. Stop by the Eldheimar Museum, built around one of the houses buried in the 1973 eruption, for a look at the island’s volcanic past.

Located on the island of Kyushu, Kumamoto has long been one of the most influential cities in the region. The city is renowned for its castle, a beautiful samurai fortress that takes you on an intriguing 400-year historical journey. Those in need of a refreshing escape should head to Ueki Hot Springs, which has been inviting visitors to soak up the therapeutic benefits of its silky alkaline water since 1895. For a relaxing stroll, visit Suizenji Jojuen Park, which dates to the 1600s and features traditional Japanese gardens, shrines and a teahouse. Kumamoto happens to be a bit of a foodie city too. Try Kumamoto ramen, a local spin on the dish that features a creamier pork broth and is topped with fried garlic chips.

On the banks of the Shannon River, Shannon is an ideal gateway to the medieval castles, verdant landscapes and cities of western Ireland. Nearby, the cultural heritage and history of Limerick beckon. The 13th-century King John’s Castle; the iconic Milk Market, one of the oldest markets in Ireland; the 12th-century St. Mary’s Cathedral; and the picture-perfect village of Adare with its thatched cottages are all top choices. Walk the coastal pathways of the spectacular Cliffs of Moher, a UNESCO Global Geopark that also includes the fossil-rich limestone landscape of the Burren. The 15th-century Bunratty Castle, which offers beautiful views of the surrounding countryside, provides a fascinating look at how the lords and ladies of the era lived.

One of Brazil’s oldest towns, São Francisco do Sul was founded in the early 16th century and shows off its history in its cobblestone streets and colonial buildings, many of which are listed on the national historic registry. As you sail toward the island, enjoy some of the best views of the town, which showcase pastel homes with arched windows and elegant balconies, while the twin towers of the old church hover above the historic city center. Home to the only museum of boats in Brazil, the Old Town reveals the country’s seafaring history. Nearby are miles of beaches and coves where you can spend the day swimming and soaking in the sun.

Squarely in the middle of the Eastfjords and literally located at the base of a long and narrow fjord, picturesque Seydisfjordur quickly makes an impression on visitors upon arrival. It’s at the heart of some of Iceland’s most unsung treasures. Waterfalls, mountains, fjords and peaceful hiking trails stretch out all around. Discover the local flora and fauna at Skalanes Nature Reserve, which is home to diverse wildlife such as reindeer, arctic foxes and more than 40 different species of birds, or soak in soothing geothermal waters at Vok Nature Baths. Seydisfjordur features ornate wooden architecture with a Scandinavian influence and boasts a flourishing arts scene too. You won’t want to miss two iconic photo opportunities – the quaint Blue Church and the Rainbow Road that leads there.

Lively Szczecin, one of Poland’s largest cities and the capital of the West Pomerania region, has endured a colorful and multifaceted history that’s revealed in its architecture. Art nouveau mansions, ornate gothic-style buildings and baroque-style gates and fountains coexist with new glass and steel structures being erected such as the award-winning Szczecin Philharmonic Hall, which appears to glow with its innovatively lit glass façade. Szczecin’s Old Town is an excellent starting point – it’s full of cafés, bustling restaurants, and top attractions such as the Castle of the Pomeranian Dukes, the Waly Chrobrego elevated riverfront promenade and several museums. With parks aplenty, Szczecin is also known for being green and lush. The Jasne Blonia Square and neighboring Kasprowicz Park are the most popular, and the nearby Szmaragdowe Lake features an observation deck that offers lovely views of the Lower Oder River and Szczecin.

A bit off the tourist circuit – delightfully so – the hidden treasure of Taranto in the Puglia region possesses renowned Greek and Roman history dating back to the Spartans when they founded it in the 8th century BCE. Known as the City of Two Seas, it straddles the Ionian Sea and Mare Piccolo, the large lagoon behind its Old Town. The Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Taranto is a major draw, one of Italy’s most important archaeological museums that houses one of the largest collections of artifacts from the Magna Graecia era. Taranto’s 11th-century cathedral is the gem of the Old Town and among Puglia’s oldest Romanesque buildings. The city is more recently famous as the site of one of the most pivotal World War II naval battles. Don’t miss the chance to sample orecchiette, Puglia’s signature pasta; freshly caught seafood; and the deliciously creamy mozzarella at one of the many fabulous restaurants.