Ruth Walker

What comes to mind when you think of Dubai? For many, the name evokes images of opulence, extravagance, and architectural marvels that stretch the imagination. On my first visit this past June, I discovered a city that not only lives up to its glittering reputation but also defies it in surprising ways. Beyond the iconic skyline and luxury shopping, Dubai reveals itself as a destination where even the value-conscious traveler is well-cared for, offering audacious design, rich cultural encounters, and a hospitality scene that feels both ambitious and welcoming.

So what did I know about the Maldives before signing up for a FAM (familiarization) trip? Not much, but I’m going to give myself some grace here because North Americans only represent about 10% of the visitors to these islands. This alone might perk your interest because of all the over-tourism stories hitting the news recently. The travel hack for travelers from the US or Canada: add the Maldives onto a trip to Sri Lanka or Southern India (less than a two-hour flight away), or Singapore or Dubai (less than five hours away). Is it worth the extra stop? Read on and decide for yourself.

At the end of February, I had the opportunity to join Max Miller of Tasting History on the first AmaWaterways Danube cruise of the 2025–2026 season. We were doing reconnaissance for his upcoming Danube cruise group in October. Since both the Tasting History YouTube channel and I are very much about the food, this article highlights the culinary side of our river cruise through Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and the Czech Republic.

I had a chance to visit Ningbo with friends who live locally. Around two hours from Shanghai by high-speed train, Ningbo is one of China’s wealthiest cities, as it's home to one of the country’s largest ports. The area offers luxury accommodations and incredible cuisine, specializing in fresh local seafood, and rice flour-based dishes: tang yuan (sweetened black sesame paste filled dumplings) and nian gao (thick noodle cakes stir-fried with delicious toppings).

Moms spend so much time taking care of our families, communities and workplaces! I wanted to put together a girls getaway that was worthy of their time, and felt luxurious but at a reasonable price point. When researching options for a large group-there were 21 discerning moms-I knew success would need a foundation of diverse, top-notch activities and convivial dining experiences without the friction of supplementary fees. Thank goodness Virgin Voyages has decided to put their trademark hip, modern spin on cruising. Cruise fare already includes access to all 20+ eateries, soft drinks, gratuities, WiFi and super fun group exercise classes. As one of Virgin’s brand new fleet, the Scarlet Lady shines with its gorgeous, Instagram-worthy spaces and energetic, charismatic crew. Ship programming is heavy with fitness, entertainment and nightlife opportunities. We had such a good time, the Moms were already wanting me to plan the next girls trip after only a couple days onboard!

My parents retired in Vancouver and so I make the trek there at least once a year, and have taken Alaskan cruises from its port twice. This is the easiest airport-to-cruise terminal experience you’ll ever have because of the excellent Skytrain network. But why not enjoy this lovely seaside city before or after your cruise? In the summer, the sun doesn’t set until after 9 pm, and having a car is optional!

Japan is a country with a truly unique culture that sparks inspiration across a variety of interests in food (Ramen! Sushi! Wagyu Beef! Mochi!), entertainment (Themed cafés! Karoke! Arcades!), and activities (Skiing! Traditional crafts! Spas!) Successful destination travel with teenagers and young adults means integrating their specific interests and allowing space in the itinerary for more independent exploration. Luckily, the main tourist cities of Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto are incredibly safe, and the well-run public transportation systems have ample English-language signs and helpful travel service support staff. A dense urban population + high tourist volumes do mean that advance planning and early reservations are essential–especially navigating with a large group like our two families traveling together, including five older kids. We had the additional challenge of being in Tokyo during the New Year holiday, which meant several attractions and restaurants were closed. But taking into account such parameters can garner unexpected benefits, including finding creative itinerary substitutions that ended up being our family's favorite memories!