After more than four decades as a travel advisor, I'll admit I've grown a bit skeptical when cruise lines promise "personalized service." I've heard the pitch countless times. I've seen the marketing. What I really look for now are those genuine wow moments, the ones that linger long after you've unpacked your suitcase and returned to everyday life. So when I boarded my first Regent Seven Seas cruise to Alaska, I wasn't expecting to be surprised. I was wrong. It happened with

Which 2027 Mediterranean cruises are worth booking right now? For Orange County travelers planning their next major European voyage, three new 2027 Mediterranean itineraries stand out: Celebrity Xcel's Barcelona-and-Athens European debut, Oceania Allura's first Quiet Mediterranean season (November 2026 through March 2027), and Regent Seven Seas Mariner's 82-night Grand Mediterranean Odyssey from Southampton to Athens. As of May 2026, the best cabins and overnight ports on the

Which cruise port is easier from Orange County? For most Orange County travelers, the Port of Long Beach is the slightly easier drive. The 405 takes you straight there with no surface-street detour, and parking sits in one structure next to the terminal. The Port of Los Angeles (San Pedro) wins on cabin selection if you are sailing Princess, Disney, or a longer Pacific itinerary, and the parking lots are larger and a dollar cheaper per day. The 30-second answer for the impati

Who is the best person to plan a large group trip? If you are organizing a group trip and feeling buried, the person you want is a dedicated group travel specialist. At Epic Voyages, a TripMatters company in Tustin, California, that person is Marilyn Vincent. She has coordinated group cruises since October 2018, including sailings of more than 1,000 travelers at once, and she handles every part of a group booking so you do not have to. Reach her team at 949 669 2330 or info@e

Waking up to howler monkeys and volcanic mist, I found a resort that proved nature and elegance can coexist perfectly. I've always believed that recommending a property without experiencing it firsthand is like describing a painting you've only seen in photographs. So when the opportunity arose to visit The Springs Resort and Spa at Arenal in Costa Rica, I knew I had to go. I wanted to understand what makes this place special, to feel it for myself so I could share that feeli

From a private tango lesson in Buenos Aires to dancing alongside locals at a real milonga, I discovered why curated moments matter more than checking boxes. I've always believed that the best travel stories come from experiences you couldn't have planned yourself. That's what drew me to lead this curated group trip through Argentina, Chile, and Peru with three couples who trusted me to show them something deeper than the postcard version of South America. I needed to test the

After finally sailing from Copenhagen to Bergen on Silversea's Silver Dawn, I learned why timing and the right approach make all the difference in Scandinavia. Norway had been on my mind for years. The dramatic landscapes, the fjords cutting through ancient mountains, the promise of something both wild and wonderfully civilized. Last August, my husband and I finally made it happen. We boarded Silversea's Silver Dawn in Copenhagen and sailed our way to Bergen, and I went with

Maria Matthews Discovers Vietnam's Coastal Soul in Da Nang

Is a cruise drink package worth the money? The honest answer: it depends on how you cruise. If you average five or more drinks per day, including cocktails, wine, specialty coffee, and bottled water, a drink package will likely pay for itself. If you spend most days off the ship in port and drink modestly, you will almost certainly overpay. Before you click "add to cart," here is what you need to know. The drink package question comes up constantly. You are looking at a Celeb

What's changing with Celebrity's Premium Access Pass on August 1, 2026? Celebrity Cruises is removing two benefits from its Premium Access Pass starting August 1, 2026: the embarkation-day specialty restaurant lunch and the reserved theater seating for evening shows. Both are being phased out due to onboard capacity demand. If you've already booked a Celebrity sailing for fall 2026 or later, your perks list is changing, and TripMatters, a VIRTUOSO travel agency in Tustin, Cal

Do travel advisors cost extra? No, in almost every case. Travel advisors at TripMatters, a VIRTUOSO travel agency in Tustin, California, are compensated by the cruise lines, hotels, and tour operators they book, not by you. You pay the same published price you'd see on the cruise line's own website, but you also receive exclusive perks like onboard credit, complimentary shore excursions, and room upgrades that direct bookings don't unlock. In short, you get more for the same

When people start planning a trip to Ireland, they usually focus on what they want to see. They think about castles, coastal drives, and small towns, but they often underestimate how much the structure of the trip affects the overall experience. Ireland is not difficult to travel, but it is easy to do inefficiently. Distances take longer than expected, routing is not always intuitive, and many of the most meaningful experiences depend on local context. This is where a company

Travel rarely stays the same over the course of a lifetime. What people look for, what they value, and how they choose to spend their time away evolves as their experience and priorities change. Barbara Greenfield has had a front-row seat to that shift. She has worked with this particular group of clients since the 1980s, when their travel looked very different than it does today. In their earlier years, these clients were booking value-focused trips to Puerto Vallarta every

Some trips are vacations. Others are something more. This is the story of a traveler who decided she wasn’t going to wait anymore and the advisor who helped make it happen. When Travel Becomes a Priority, Not a “Someday” Iwona is not a first-time traveler. She is someone who spent years working hard, building her life, and eventually made a decision that many people talk about but never act on. She decided she wanted to see the world. As Chris De Rose, a Travel Advisor at Tri

Flights are expensive in 2026 because four forces are stacking on top of each other: jet fuel that costs roughly 70 percent more than it did a year ago, airlines that still cannot get enough new planes, travel demand that keeps setting records, and far more disciplined pricing than carriers used before 2020. This is not a temporary spike that will reverse in a few months. It is a structural shift, and understanding it is the difference between overpaying and booking smart. He

When Kelly Chang returned to Taiwan to celebrate her wedding with family, she discovered hidden gems that reminded her why this island nation captivates every visitor. There's something magical about returning home with fresh eyes. When Kelly Chang flew back to Taiwan recently, it wasn't just another annual visit to see family—this time, she was celebrating her wedding the traditional way, sharing the joy with loved ones who couldn't make it to her ceremony in the States. "My

One&Only Palmilla is one of the most iconic luxury resorts in Los Cabos, known for its oceanfront setting, exceptional service, and long-standing reputation among discerning travelers. Located along the Sea of Cortez, this Forbes Five-Star resort combines classic Mexican architecture with modern refinement and expansive beachfront views. For travelers seeking a high-end resort in Cabo, One&Only Palmilla consistently ranks among the best. Location Los Cabos, Baja California Su

San Domenico Palace in Taormina is one of Sicily’s most iconic luxury hotels, blending centuries-old history with modern refinement under the Four Seasons brand. Perched high above the Ionian Sea, the property offers sweeping coastal views, terraced gardens, and a setting that feels both secluded and cinematic. For travelers seeking a luxury hotel in Taormina, San Domenico Palace delivers location, atmosphere, and elevated service in equal measure. Location Taormina, Sicily,

A Grand Canyon tour with G Adventures offers an immersive way to explore the dramatic landscapes of the American Southwest. This small group itinerary connects iconic national parks, desert scenery, and cultural highlights with active exploration and expert local guidance. It’s an efficient and well-paced way to experience the Grand Canyon and surrounding parks without navigating the logistics on your own. Country Visited United States Style of Trip Small group touring, natio

A Danube River cruise with Viking Cruises offers a seamless way to experience Central Europe’s most iconic cities and historic capitals. Sailing between Budapest and Germany, this itinerary connects grand architecture, charming villages, and centuries of history — all while allowing you to unpack once and travel comfortably along the river. It’s an efficient and culturally rich way to explore multiple countries in one journey. Countries Visited Hungary, Austria, Slovakia, and