Ballyfin Ranked #1 Resort Hotel In The United Kingdom And Ireland

Ballyfin, a five-star historic country house hotel, is named the No. 1 Resort Hotel in the U.K. and Ireland based on the results of the 2024 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards. This recognition is a testament to Ballyfin’s commitment to providing exceptional service, breathtaking surroundings, and an unparalleled guest experience.

Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards is an annual survey that recognizes excellence in the travel industry, showcasing the top hotels, resorts, destinations, and airlines in the world ranked by the most passionate and discerning travelers. These awards serve as a trusted source for inspiration and guidance as travelers make plans to set out on trips around the globe.

“Ballyfin has been welcoming guests since 2011, and the recognition from Travel + Leisure readers since that date has been exceptional. To receive this outstanding award is a testament to the dedicated team at Ballyfin. I thank them for their hard work and our wonderful guests for sharing their appreciation for the experience we deliver. We are humbled and forever grateful,” said Peter White, General Manager.

The 2024 World’s Best Awards are featured in the August 2024 issue of Travel + Leisure.

About BALLYFIN – County Laois, Ireland

Ballyfin is a five-star country house hotel set on 614 private acres at the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains in the center of Ireland. Long admired as one of the most lavish Regency mansions in the country, the historic estate reopened in May 2011 following an extensive eight-year restoration.

A member of Relais & Chateaux, the property features 21 individually designed rooms, lavish interiors decorated with Irish art and antiques, and rolling grounds including a 28-acre lake, ancient woods, follies and grottoes. Guests enjoy gourmet dining, an indoor pool and spa, and quintessential country activities such as fishing, horseback riding, clay pigeon shooting, archery, falconry and more.

​Perfect for couples, families and friends, Ballyfin provides an enchanting retreat from the modern age, immersing guests in old world luxury, romance, privacy and tranquility.

http://www.ballyfin.com/

Norwegian Cruise Line® Announces Port Of Philadelphia As A New Homeport With Its 2026 Spring/Summer Season

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), an innovator in global cruise travel with a 57-year history of breaking boundaries, today announced its 2026 spring/summer itineraries to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Alaska, and Canada and New England, as well as a new season of voyages from the Port of Philadelphia (PhilaPort) for the first time in many years.

On April 16, 2026, Norwegian Jewel® will commence seven-to-nine-day cruises to Bermuda, launching the city as a new cruise destination. Departing from the SouthPort Marine Terminal Complex, where plans are currently underway with the local government to develop a facility to welcome cruisers in 2026, Norwegian Jewel's Bermuda itineraries will feature overnight calls to Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda, providing guests more time to enjoy and discover the island's turquoise blue waters and pink-sand beaches. This new homeport for NCL will provide residents in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region more access to cruising, as it will be the only cruise line sailing from Philadelphia through Oct. 17, 2026.

"We remain committed to delivering more experiences for our guests to create unforgettable memories, so they can vacation better with us," said David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. "We are particularly proud to partner with PhilaPort to launch cruising in the area, making it even more accessible to the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region."

"The Port of Philadelphia is extremely excited to partner with Norwegian Cruise Line, one of the world's premier cruise lines," said Jeff Theobald, executive director and CEO of PhilaPort. "Philadelphia has so much to offer, as the birthplace of freedom and the home to much of our nation's history, we look forward to connecting cruisers with our world class city. This new service rounds out the portfolio of services offered at PhilaPort, and we look forward to this next phase of growth."

The Company's new 2026 spring/summer season includes nearly 250 itineraries for nine of its soon-to-be 20 ships. Embarking from U.S. and Canadian ports between April and November 2026, these voyages will call to 30 unique destinations across the Caribbean, Bermuda, Bahamas, Canada and New England, as well as Alaska. With an average of 10 hours in port, guests can choose to enjoy the picture-perfect beaches, colorful cities and vibrant culture of the Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda; enjoy the rustic fall foliage of Canada and New England; or dive deep into the pristine nature and abundant wilderness found in Alaska.

Herrera continued, "Our new 2026 spring/summer deployment further meets the vacation demands of our guests with more shorter cruise offerings to fun-in-the-sun destinations, such as the Bahamas and the Caribbean, as well as a variety of longer itineraries to bucket-list destinations, such as Alaska."

Itinerary highlights from NCL's spring/summer 2026 deployment include:

NEW BERMUDA, CANADA AND NEW ENGLAND HOMEPORTS AND ITINERARIES

Following Norwegian Jewel's first-ever season of Bermuda voyages from Philadelphia from April 16, 2026 to Aug. 27, 2026, it will sail immersive 10- and 11-day Canada and New England itineraries, alternating embarkation ports between Philadelphia and Québec City. Guests will enjoy quainter ports in the region like Saguenay, Charlottetown and Halifax, Canada in addition to well-known ports, such as Bar Harbor, Maine and Boston.

On April 19, 2026, Norwegian Breakaway® will become the largest NCL vessel to offer regular turnarounds in Boston with seven-day Bermuda voyages through November. Throughout the peak summer season, voyages will feature an overnight stay at the Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda and a day in Halifax, Nova Scotia, one of the highest-rated ports in Northeast Canada. From late August through mid-October 2026, the ship will embark on seven-day Canada and New England itineraries calling to the most picturesque ports, including Bar Harbor, Maine, as well as Saint John, New Brunswick and Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Moreover, Norwegian Aqua, will return to New York City for its second Bermuda season sailing a selection of five- and-seven-day itineraries with overnight stays at the Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda.

LONGER CONTINUOUS BAHAMAS SEASON

Due to popular guest demand, NCL is expanding its short-cruise offering with nearly 40 voyages to the Bahamas from Miami in spring/summer 2026 aboard Norwegian Getaway® for a continuous season of cruises to the island-chain nation. The three- to four-night cruises will visit Nassau, and Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas, the cruise line's private island and best guest-rated port in the region. As of late 2025, it will feature a newly constructed multi-ship pier, enhancing the overall guest experience to this exclusive destination.

CRUISE TO THE CARIBBEAN ABOARD ONE OF NCL'S NEWEST VESSELS

Norwegian Prima's sprawling outdoor space allows for some of the best island-hopping itineraries in the Caribbean. The ship will extend its season in Port Canaveral, Fla. and sail seven-day sailings to Eastern and Western Caribbean, visiting the most sought-after ports in the region, including Montego Bay, Jamaica; George Town, Cayman Islands and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. For an extended vacation in the tropics, guests can book back-to-back sailings to create a 14-day voyage to maximize their fun-in-the-sun experience.

THE YOUNGEST FLEET IN ALASKA

Alaska remains a bucket-list destination for travelers and explorers worldwide with its rugged coastal landscapes, majestic glaciers, and local marine wildlife on display. The 2026 season will commence in late April and deliver breathtaking voyages through October from Seattle; Whittier, Alaska and Vancouver, British Columbia. Guests can enjoy a variety of experiences with some of the newest ships in the region, Norwegian Encore®, Norwegian Bliss® and Norwegian Joy®, all of which feature unmatched onboard activities, including the industry's only racetracks at sea. Custom-built for the Alaska experience, these ships feature expansive outdoor and indoor spaces to marvel at the iconic beauty of the destination. Embarking from Seattle's Pier 66, Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Bliss will sail seven-day voyages, while Norwegian Joy will offer longer and more immersive nine- to 10-day itineraries.

Norwegian Jade® will cruise a series of seven-day open-jaw sailings between Vancouver, British Columbia and the new-to-NCL homeport Whittier, Alaska with no days at sea. Guests aiming to immerse themselves even more in "The Last Frontier" can add a NCL Cruisetour to their reservation, and explore the interior of Alaska, take a ride on the narrow tracks of the Alaska Railroad or fish halibut and salmon in the cold waters of Kachemak Bay.

In addition to the newly opened spring/summer 2026 deployment, NCL cruises to more than 450 destinations worldwide giving guests the chance to plan and book their upcoming cruise vacation well in advance.

For more information about the Company's award-winning 19-ship fleet and worldwide itineraries, or to book a cruise, please contact a travel professional, call 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784) or visit www.ncl.com.

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Unveils Landmark Exhibition David Smith: The Nature Of Sculpture Opening September 23, 2024

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is proud to announce the groundbreaking exhibition David Smith: The Nature of Sculpture, showcasing the prolific and inventive work of David Smith (1906–1965). This landmark exhibition, the first to explore Smith's deep engagement with nature, will open on September 23, 2024, and will be on view through March 2, 2025.

The art of David Smith is profuse and marvelously inventive. Working in multiple media, formats, and scales, he blurred boundaries between painting and sculpture and between traditional genres such as landscape and figuration. Smith's bountiful oeuvre has secured him a firm place within art history and his adventurous approach to three-dimensional form has permanently expanded the vocabulary and range of sculptural practice.

Smith is widely hailed as the first American artist to make welded metal sculpture and to absorb industrial methods and materials into his creative repertoire. His inventiveness and contributions to sculptural practice extend far beyond machine vernacular and technique, however. Indeed, many have traced the origins of modern sculpture parks to Smith's unprecedented outdoor installations on his Bolton Landing property in upstate New York. For Smith, nature was not only a source of inspiration but also served as studio, accomplice and staging ground for his complex sculptural works.

"While David Smith is recognized as the most important sculptor of the 20th century, there is still much to be learned about his expansive art, especially as it relates to the natural world," says exhibition curator Suzanne Ramljak, Vice President of Collections & Curatorial Affairs at Meijer Gardens. "We are excited to reveal this crucial and lesser-known aspect of Smith's career at Meijer Gardens, where sculpture and nature are so intimately bound."

David Smith: The Nature of Sculpture will feature a selection of some 40 sculptures, alongside related paintings, reliefs, and works on paper, providing an in-depth exploration of Smith's sustaining connection with nature. Uniting key loans from major lenders—including The Whitney Museum of American Art, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, and Storm King Art Center—the exhibition will be arranged in loose chronological order, beginning with Smith's earliest sculptures from 1932 to the year before his accidental death in 1965.

Viewers will encounter nature-based work from every decade of Smith's career, including:

1930s constructions with stones, shells, coral, and wood, along with biomorphic cast metal sculptures.

1940s and 1950s pictorial sculpture landscapes, a genre of Smith's own invention, which he enlisted to address an array of themes—from autobiography, House in a Landscape and his epic Hudson River Landscape; to color theory,
Helmholtzian Landscape; to social norms, Cloistral Landscape.

Mid-1950s bronze reliefs depicting botanic motifs such as Rose Garden, Wild Plums, and Skull and Tree.

Late 1950s and early 1960s avian sculptures, including a series focused on ravens.

A selection of outdoor works that find their completion in the company of sky, wind and earth, as Smith intended.

This exhibition will have a particularly strong resonance at Meijer Gardens, where Smith's work will be in direct dialogue with the natural environment, including larger pieces situated out of doors. Do not miss this eye-opening exhibition, exclusively in Grand Rapids, and come witness David Smith's thrilling sculptural translations of the natural world he knew and loved.

For more information, please visit: MeijerGardens.org/DavidSmith

Travelore News: German Railways Shuts Main Line For Five Months For Infrastructure Revamp

Germany's state railways will on Monday close for five months a main line connecting the financial centre of Frankfurt with the south to carry out a 1.3 billion euro ($1.4 billion) upgrade to creaking infrastructure.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

Tracks between Frankfurt and Mannheim are congested, and delays can have a major impact elsewhere in Germany's 33,000-kilometre (20,000-mile) network, as well as on trains to neighbouring countries like Switzerland and France.

The state of German railways has been in the international spotlight during the Euro 2024 soccer tournament, with fans complaining of crowded trains and travel disruptions.

CONTEXT

While rail operator Deutsche Bahn (DBN.UL) has bought hundreds more modern high-speed ICE trains in recent years, many tracks, signal boxes and other infrastructure need repairs or upgrades. In June, just over half of all long-distance trains were on time, according to Deutsche Bahn statistics. In reality, more connections are affected because the company classifies a train as delayed if it is at least six minutes late. Cancelled connections are not counted.

BY THE NUMBERS

Deutsche Bahn's planned investment of 1.3 billion euros in this project is up from an initial estimate of 500 million euros.

Over the next five months, it will rebuild 140 kilometres of tracks and overhead wires, improve 20 stations and replace more than 150 switches.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Deutsche Bahn hopes disruptions on its overhauled main lines will decline by 80%. In total, the company plans to renovate 40 rail corridors to stabilise the system.
'
The next major renovation is scheduled for next year between Berlin and Hamburg, Germany's most populous cities.

($1 = 0.9233 euros)

Reporting by Markus Wacket and Thomas Seythal, Editing by Miranda Murray and Mark Potter

Venice Nets $2.2 Million In Day-Tripper Tax Pilot. Opponents Say It Failed To Deter Visitors

Venice on Sunday wrapped up a pilot program charging day-trippers an entrance fee, more than 2 million euros ($2.2 million) richer and determined to extend the levy, but opponents in the fragile lagoon city called the experiment a failure.

Several dozen activists gathered outside the Santa Lucia train station overlooking a teeming canal on Saturday to protest the 5-euro ($5.45) levy that they say did little to dissuade visitors from arriving on peak days, as envisioned.

“The ticket is a failure, as demonstrated by city data,” said Giovanni Andrea Martini, an opposition city council member.

Over the first 11 days of the trial period, an average of 75,000 visitors were recorded in the city. Martini said that is 10,000 more each day than on three indicative holidays in 2023, citing figures provided by the city based on cell phone data that tracks arrivals in the city.

Venice imposed the long-discussed day-tripper tax on 29 days this year, mostly weekends and holidays, from April 25 through mid-July. The project, delayed by the pandemic, was heralded by UNESCO member states when they decided against a recommendation to place the city on its list of world heritage sites in danger.

Over the last 2 1/2 months, nearly 450,000 tourists have paid the tax, raising revenues of some 2.2 million euros ($2.4 million), according to AP calculations based on data supplied by the city. Officials said the money would be used for essential services, which cost more in a city traversed by canals, including trash removal and maintenance.

The levy was not applied to people staying in hotels in Venice, who are already charged a lodging tax. Exemptions also applied to children under 14, residents of the region, students, workers and people visiting relatives, among others.

The city’s top tourism official, Simone Venturini, has indicated that the levy will be continued and reinforced. A proposal to double the fee to 10 euros is being considered for next year, a city spokesman said.

Officials promised steep fines for scofflaws, but in the end none was given during checks at entry points, which varied from a low of 8,500 to a high 20,800 a day over the period. City officials say that is because they wanted a soft launch. Critics say it resulted in a downward trend in payments as visitors understood there was no risk in avoiding the payment.

Opponents of the plan say it failed to make the city more liveable for residents, as intended, with the narrow walkways and water taxis as crowded as ever. They want policies that encourage repopulation of Venice’s historic center, which has been losing residents to the more convenient mainland for decades, including placing limits on short-term rentals.

There are now more tourist beds in the canaled historic center than official residents, whose numbers stand at an all-time low of 50,000.

“Wanting to raise this to 10 euros, is absolute useless. It makes Venice a museum,” Martini, the city council member, said.

Many of the banners at Saturday’s protest also indicated growing concern about the system of electronic and video surveillance that the city introduced in 2020 to monitor cell phone data of people arriving in the city, which is the backbone of the system to control tourism. Placards included warnings about use of personal data and a lack of data privacy.

“The access ticket is a great distraction for the media, which only speaks about this 5 euros, which will become 10 euros next year,’’ said Giovanni Di Vito, a Venice resident active in the campaign against the tourist tax. “But no one is focusing on the system for surveillance and control of citizens.”

BY COLLEEN BARRY

Regent Hong Kong Named #1 Hong Kong City Hotel At The 2024 Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards

In the 2024 edition of the Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards readers' survey, Regent Hong Kong has just been named the #1 Hong Kong City Hotel, #2 among the 20 Favourite City Hotels in Asia, and #7 among the 100 Hotels Voted Best in the World.

As per Regent Hong Kong Managing Director Michel Chertouh, "From serene interiors that juxtapose unrivalled cinematic views of Victoria Harbour to exceptional dining experiences, Regent Hong Kong is a rare gem on Victoria Harbour. However, what truly sets us apart is the highly personalised service "on your terms" and our unwavering commitment to quality and consistency. This accolade reflects the hard work and dedication of our colleagues, who consistently strive to create highly personalised experiences that create lasting memories for our guests. We thank our loyal guests and the travel community for enthusiastically embracing the new Regent Hong Kong and bestowing our hotel with this highly coveted award."

In 2024, Regent Hong Kong was named the Best Hong Kong Hotel at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2024 and a Travellers' Choice Awards Winner by TripAdvisor. In addition to receiving a coveted spot on Condé Nast Traveler's prestigious 2024 Hot List and Travel + Leisure's 2024 It List, as one of the Best New Hotels and Best New City Hotels in the world, regionally, Regent Hong Kong was named the Best Business Hotel in Hong Kong at the 2024 TTG China Travel Awards and also received the Best Design Hotel accolade at the 2024 The Bund Design Hotel Awards. Additionally, the newly relaunched Presidential Suite has been named one of Elite Traveler's Top New Hotel Suites.

Regent Hong Kong also received numerous awards as a celebrated Dining Destination. The hotel's signature Cantonese restaurant, Lai Ching Heen, has retained two MICHELIN Stars and two Diamonds in the Black Pearl Restaurant Guide for numerous years. The Steak House, a MICHELIN recommended restaurant, has recently been named one of the World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants. Meanwhile Qura Bar was named the Best Restaurant Bar in Hong Kong by Time Out.

Holland America Line Introduces New 'Grand Voyage' Entertainment With 15 Production Shows Starting In 2025

Holland America Line is introducing a new slate of shows that will anchor the entertainment on Grand Voyages, starting with the 2025 Grand World Voyage and Grand Voyage: Pole to Pole. When the two cruises depart in January 2025 on simultaneous sailings, 15 new shows will make their debut on both ships throughout the monthslong, globetrotting journeys.

Developed by acclaimed producer Blackburn International, each Grand Voyage will feature a cast of eight accomplished singers and dancers who will perform in the 15 new productions. Each show will feature a distinct theme, including tributes to pop and rock greats like Carole King, the Carpenters, Eagles, Fleetwood Mac and more. With titles such as "The Sounds of Summer," "Solid Gold" and "Crossroads," Holland America Line will offer a variety of performances over the duration of each cruise.

"Holland America Line has never introduced this many shows at one time," said Bill Prince, vice president of entertainment for Holland America Line. "The Grand Voyages are the longest itineraries we offer and it's important to keep the entertainment fresh for our returning guests. The new shows are a diverse collection of music genres to appeal to a wide variety of tastes."

A Grand Onboard Experience

The 15 new shows will join an already robust entertainment and enrichment program on the Grand Voyages. Comedians, headline entertainers, and performers sourced locally are mixed in with Holland America Line's production shows and resident musicians, including a classical trio and dance band on both ships.

Guest chefs who specialize in the cuisine of the region where the ship is sailing will join select segments of each Grand Voyage to share their culinary expertise. The chefs will offer a live cooking demonstration for guests, participate in an informative "coffee chat" and their cuisine will be featured at an exclusive, reservation-only dinner at Pinnacle Grill. Signature appetizers and main dishes from the guest chefs also will be highlighted on the Dining Room menu while they are on board.

Guests can expand their horizons with enriching activities on a Grand Voyage, including dance classes like ballroom or beginners' ballet; arts and crafts classes that include watercolor painting, origami and creative writing; pickleball lessons from the ship's sports director; tai chi on deck and more.

Dining is elevated on each Grand Voyage with menus that change daily and are seldom repeated, featuring local ingredients and regional cuisine. Select theme parties, such as the Masquerade, have a matching dinner menu in the Dining Room to elevate the festivities. Brunch on sea days in the Dining Room is a grand affair, with an extensive roster of rotating menus featuring regionally focused dishes, as well as tasting menus so guests can sample a variety of brunch favorites. Festive gala balls and dressy nights create memorable moments, along with a Captain's Grand Voyage Dinner.

Grand Voyage Ships to Meet in Barcelona

In 2025, Zuiderdam will sail the 124-day Grand World Voyage, roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The ship departs Jan. 4, 2025, and will circle the globe on a westwardly route, visiting 49 total ports in 30 countries across six continents. Volendam sails the 133-day Grand Voyage: Pole to Pole, also roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale. The ship departs Jan. 25 and follows a south-north-south route, down the coast of South America to Antarctica and then up to the Arctic, visiting 69 total ports across five continents and 26 countries.

During the Grand Voyages, Zuiderdam and Volendam will rendezvous April 24 in Barcelona, Spain. The historic meetup will be commemorated with a Catalan-themed dinner on each ship and parties on deck, and guest reunion opportunities will be available as the ships overnight in port.

Shorter Grand Voyage Segments Available for Booking

Segments on each Grand Voyage make taking a smaller portion of each itinerary possible. The Grand World Voyage has six segment options:

37 days, Fort Lauderdale to Sydney, Australia, Jan. 4 – Feb. 11, 2025.

55 days, Fort Lauderdale to Singapore, Jan. 4 – March 1, 2025.

42 days, Sydney to Cape Town, South Africa, Feb. 11 – March 25, 2025.

49 days, Singapore to Athens, Greece, March 1 – April 19, 2025.

45 days, Cape Town to Fort Lauderdale, March 25 – May 9, 2025.

20 days, Athens to Fort Lauderdale, April 19 – May 9, 2025.

The Grand Voyage: Pole to Pole has seven segments for guests to choose from:

47 days, Fort Lauderdale to Buenos Aires, Argentina, Jan. 25 – March 13, 2025.

100 days, Fort Lauderdale to Ijmuiden (Amsterdam), the Netherlands, Jan. 25 – May 5, 2025.

42 days, Buenos Aires to Barcelona, March 13 – April 24, 2025.

53 days, Buenos Aires to Ijmuiden (Amsterdam), March 13 – May 5, 2025.

86 days, Buenos Aires to Fort Lauderdale, March 13 – June 7, 2025.

44 days, Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale, April 24 – June 7, 2025.

33 days, Ijmuiden (Amsterdam) to Fort Lauderdale, May 5 – June 7, 2025.

Cruise fares for the full 124-day Grand World Voyage begin at $27,354; segment fares begin at $4,529. Cruise fares for the full 133-day Grand Voyage: Pole to Pole begin at $31,199; segment fares begin at $8,029. All fares are based on double occupancy rates and include port fees and taxes.

Grand Voyage Early Booking Bonus

Guests who book the full 133-day Grand Voyage: Pole-to-Pole or 124-day Grand World Voyage by Aug. 19, 2024, receive onboard spending credits and amenities valued at up to $8,800 or $8,500 respectively, per person. New perks for all guests who book early feature a free Surf Wi-Fi package, a $500 air credit per person if booked through Flight Ease and free roundtrip airport transfers. Additional extras can include free luggage delivery service to and from the Fort Lauderdale airport, prepaid crew appreciation and laundry/drycleaning service when booking certain stateroom categories.

Guests who book segments of either the Grand World Voyage or Grand Voyage: Pole to Pole by Aug. 19, 2024, also receive perks with the Early Booking Bonus: an onboard credit up to $1,000 per stateroom, free Surf Wi-Fi package and free laundry/dry cleaning (when booking certain stateroom categories), as well as an additional discount for Mariners who have sailed on previous Grand Voyages.

Grand World Voyage Wins Wave Award

Solidifying Holland America Line's position as a leader in world cruising, the cruise line recently won "Best World Cruise" at the 2024 TravelAge West Wave Awards. Selected by the publication's editorial team and then voted on by travel advisors throughout the United States, the Wave Award win affirms Holland America Line's commitment to crafting an immersive world cruise itinerary and delivering a memorable experience. For more information about Holland America Line, consult a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com.