The Haute Travel Writer

Cruise Critic •

Oberoi Philae, Luxury Nile Cruiser Cruise: Expert Review (2023)

The Oberoi Philae, Luxury Nile Cruiser offers four- and six-night journeys between Luxor and Aswan. Both journeys cover highlights such as Luxor, Karnak, and the Valley of the Kings; the six-night voyages provide more in-depth explorations and visit other areas of interest and historic significance. The ship has 22 Luxury Cabins and Luxury Suites. The Luxury Cabins span 385 square feet (36 square metres) and are furnished with a king or twin size beds. The Luxurious Suites span 590 square feet
JustLuxe •

Exploring the Last Frontier: An Unforgettable Adventure in Alaska with Princess Cruises

They refer to the rest of America as the lower 48. Almost like it's another country, foreign, and on the other side of the world. And to add to this idea of being so far away and separated in more ways than one, visitors from southern states would even ask if they need a passport to go there. This is Alaska, America’s most raw and untouched territory where bears still roam free and bald eagles are as common
JustLuxe •

England's Regal River: An Epic Adventure Cruising the Thames with Le Boat (Part 1)

It is one of the most storied rivers in the world. A lifeblood connecting central England through London and out to the world through the English Channel. It is the Thames River, and beyond the Big Smoke flows past majestic castles and midlevel towns, bucolic landscapes, and untouched woodlands. A boating adventure at a languid pace allows guests to explore these hallowed waters while taking in the vistas as well as visiting the quaint towns and fascinating landmarks along the way. The ideal way
JustLuxe •

Antarctica21: An Adventure of a Lifetime at the End of the Earth

Antarctica21: An Adventure of a Lifetime at the End of the Earth The public address system breaks the silence with Bob, the exploration leader, making an announcement. Hello explorers, on your starboard side at three o’clock, there’s been a sighting of two humpback whales. All of us drop what we are doing - lunch, chatting with new friends, or relaxing in our staterooms - to dash out to the nearest balcony. There, just five feet from the boat, are two 40-foot humpback whales. The sound that you
JustLuxe •

Antarctica21: An Adventure of a Lifetime at the End of the Earth

Antarctica21: An Adventure of a Lifetime at the End of the Earth The public address system breaks the silence with Bob, the exploration leader, making an announcement. Hello explorers, on your starboard side at three o’clock, there’s been a sighting of two humpback whales. All of us drop what we are doing - lunch, chatting with new friends, or relaxing in our staterooms - to dash out to the nearest balcony. There, just five feet from the boat, are two 40-foot humpback whales. The sound that you
JustLuxe •

The Real Amazon Prime: The Peruvian Amazon River Cruise with Aqua Expeditions

The Real Amazon Prime: The Peruvian Amazon River Cruise with Aqua Expeditions For those who love wildlife and nature, the Amazon River may just be the most fascinating place in the world. It is filled with biodiversity rich beyond imagination where you’ll see a Harper’s Eagle zooming through the air to snatch the day’s meal while others, such as the three-toed sloth, live their life stuck in the slowest of slow motion. In its waters, you’ll find rare pink dolphins, lumbering manatees, and feroc
JustLuxe •

Swiss Treat: Switzerland's Glacier Express Excellence Class Luxury Train

There’s something a bit more special about holiday travel by train. After the steward blows his whistle and the train pulls away from the station, you settle in with the rhythmic swaying and chugging along to your destination. Beyond that, it’s the convenience of letting someone else take care of the drive while you chat with your companions, take a snooze, or take in the scenery. But clearly, not all travel experiences by train are the same. The Crème de la Crème of luxury train travel is one t
JustLuxe •

Exploring the Seas and Lands of the Vikings with Oceania Luxury Cruises

Scandinavia and the Baltic region are lands of impressive fjords, vast seas and idyllic coastlines. The Vikings and Czars left their mark on these lands with opulent palaces as well as fortressed medieval villages. The Viking homeland is the focus of Oceania Cruise line’s twelve-day odyssey that allows guests to conquer these lands like a Viking. With your camera in hand, each port offeres rich culture, landmarks and natural beauty for the pillaging. Oceania’s Marina ship takes guests on a jour
JustLuxe •

A Bon Voyage from Bucharest to Budapest: Uniworld's Danube River Cruise

When most of us think of exotic travel, the first thought that comes to mind is a trip to a destination in South East Asia such as Cambodia, or perhaps a safari in Africa. Seldom do we think of Europe. However a visit to Eastern Europe is equally as exotic, with a rich culture and landmarks as well as vestiges of communism and the influences of the Soviet Union. A fascinating way to experience this region is on Uniworld’s Highlights of Eastern Europe Danube River cruise from Bucharest in Romania
JustLuxe •

From Singapore to Bangkok on Belmond's Luxury Train Adventure

Taking place over three days, Belmond’s Eastern and Oriental express train takes travelers from Singapore to Malaysia and ends in Bangkok. The train can accommodate up to 200 passengers, and based on the number of guests, will add or take away railway cars. Indoors the cars feature rich rosewood and elm paneling, brass fixtures and elegant lighting. The train offers four categories of cabins: Pullman Single, Pullman, State Cabin and Presidential Cabin. Within all rooms, the décor is rich and st
JustLuxe •

From Barcelona to Venice on Vikings Mediterranean Odyssey Cruise

Images Courtesy of Viking Cruise Lines or the Author In our youth, many of us fantasized about living the life of a Viking. We dreamed of being that fearless sea explorer seeking to conquer new lands and countless treasures and then moving onto the next adventure. That spirit of adventure is alive today where the modern world explorer sets sail off to foreign adventures to explore exotic new lands, capture new experiences along the way and take back a treasure trove filled with memories and Ins
Beau Monde Traveler •

Exploring The Oenophile Utopia of Bordeaux with Viking River Cruises

When we think of gourmet food and fine wine, most will instantly think of France. And when we think of where to find the finest wine in France, we of course think Bordeaux. It was Napoleon III who first organized the region’s wine chateaus in 1855 and designated their land as unique in their ability to produce the world’s most exquisite wines. Viking River Cruises takes guest on an eight day epicurean adventure of fine wine and exquisite dining while visiting the ports and lands of this culinary
JustLuxe •

4,000 Years of Culture on Abercrombie and Kent"s Luxury Nile Cruise

Egypt. The name evokes thoughts of mysterious Pyramids and 5,000-year-old half man, half lion sphinxes as tall as a New York skyscraper. The advanced civilization left behind countless treasures in science, technology, philosophy and culture. Egypt’s most important sights are easily accessible by a cruise down the Nile River. For more than 30 years Abercrombie and Kent has curated a selection intriguing shore excursions to ensure its guests take away cherished memories from this magical and exot
JustLuxe •

Fine Wine, Epicurean Adventures, And Living the High Life Of The Cote Azure With SeaDream Yachts

A group of well-heeled passengers walk past rows of sparkling mega yachts onto the cobblestone streets of St. Tropez. They are led by their guide, in his crisp white chef’s jacket, to the village’s daily market while along the way he points out the market’s abundance of fish, clams, and oysters, all of which were caught just hours earlier. The tour reaches its destination at a wine cellar door in the middle of the market. There awaits a long table and wine barrels covered with the bounty of the
Luxury Lifestyle Magazine •

A Journey on the Mighty Mekong River, Laos’ Luang Say Cruise and Lodge

The mighty Mekong River, begins in China and the Himalaya Mountains and flows through seven countries and 2700 miles along the way. It is a way of life for the people along the river, giving food, transportation and life. A wonderful way to experience the river is to travel by boat and Vietnam, China, Cambodia and Thailand all provide their own unique river tour. An unforgettable way to experience the Mekong in Laos is with the Luang Say Cruise lines. The trip along the Mekong allows passengers
Luxury Lifestyle Magazine •

Vietnam’s Sea of the Dragons: Halong Bay on Heritage Line’s Jasmine Cruise

Vietnam is a beautiful destination with a natural beauty like no other place in the world. Vietnam’s natural treasure is Halong Bay, an azure  bay dotted with hundreds of conical limestone islands.  One of the best ways to fully experience the area is with a luxury two day journey on the Jasmine luxury cruise from the Heritage Line Cruises. Halong Bay is a UNESCO world heritage site. It has been a beauty to behold for a thousand years before UNESCO came to admire it.  Ha Long mean’s descending
JustLuxe •

Cruising the Nile River Aboard the Oberoi Philae

Egypt is a beautiful country full of historical importance, wonders of the world, and is one of the oldest civilizations on earth. In fact, 30 percent of the world’s ancient artifacts are found here. For centuries, we’ve heard stories about the Nile River, accounts of mythical gods, pharaohs that conquered lands and this magical body of water that was at the center of the dynasty. Although many travelers may have shied away from Egypt due to reports of civil unrest, the country is finally starti
JustLuxe •

Exploring Myanmar on Belmond's Luxury Cruise: the Road to Mandalay

She is a grand dame. A daunting river castle that dominates as the largest river cruise ship in Myanmar at over 300 feet. The Road to Mandalay is the Belmond’s luxury river cruise ship that takes an exclusive group of passengers on an adventure from Bagan to Mandalay on Myanmar’s Ayeyarwady River. Formerly known as Burma, Myanmar is still a pristine destination. For years, it was not a popular tourist destination due to an oppressive government and its human rights record. Enter Aung San Suu Ky
Luxury Lifestyle Magazine •

The Pandaw Luxury River Cruise: An Odyssey on the Mekong from Saigon to Phnom Penh

I’ve always suffered from the wanderlust. A desire to explore faraway places, exotic cultures, and to have unforgettable experiences. From my youth, I remember Humphrey Bogart in The African Queen trekking up the Nile exploring uncharted waters and discovering new adventures and peril. Fast forward and today that river exploration can be done in the lap of luxury. To fulfill a desire for exploration and intellectual stimulation, Pandaw River Explorations has created an unforgettable four-day ody
JustLuxe •

Giving Back to the Dominican Republic With Fathom Cruises

We all love travel—going to an exotic place to have a new experience and the personal growth that comes from it. But some travelers want more, a sense of purpose and doing something meaningful with their time and giving back to the communities they visit. One company helping sojourners do just that is Fathom cruises. The brand has partnered with not-for-profit organizations in Cuba and the Dominican Republic, and has developed a series of volunteer activities where passengers work side by side w