Stephen Field

The Queen Mary 2 is an ocean liner offering regular crossings between New York and England. The transatlantic experience is different from most cruises, offering seven or eight sea days and no port calls. It provides a supremely relaxed and comfortable way to cross the ocean. For around the same cost as business class airfare, you get a week in a comfortable stateroom, with all meals and entertainment included. And you arrive at your destination with no jet-lag. If you have the time, the QM2 is the very best way to travel between Europe and North America.

October is a delightful time to explore the Greek Islands. Smaller numbers of tourists combined with the likelihood of still fabulous weather make for a great trip. We chose Crete and Naxos for the variety of sights that they offer and the laid-back vibe compared to the more party-oriented islands such as Mykonos. But whatever islands you choose, you will find amazing sunsets, great food, and a gracious welcome.

Northern Belgium has a mix of delightful small towns and medium-sized cities with some of the most spectacular food and pastries you will find anywhere in the world. For those interested in their genealogy, the Red Star Line Museum in Antwerp has fascinating exhibits on the emigration experience and the opportunity to find information on ancestors that may have sailed from Europe in the 19th and early 20th Centuries. Ghent and Brugge are both lovely small towns with picturesque canals, buildings, and parks.

Sailing out of the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal is a very special experience, with outstanding views of lower Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty and the Verrazzano Bridge. Cruising from there to Boston, Maine and Canada provides a trip with great contrasts of big cities and small towns. And, of course, the opportunity to find a lobster roll in every port.

Budapest has many well-known destinations for travelers and they are stunning. This guide also explores some locations that are slightly off the beaten path and well worth taking the time to seek out. Whether you are staying for a day or two before or after a river cruise or for a bit longer, there is plenty in Budapest (and in some nearby towns) to explore.

Slightly off the beaten path in Japan is the remarkable Naoshima Island, a small island a couple hours from Kyoto that has been transformed into a collection of museums and outdoor art that is a must see for modern art lovers. Yayoi Kusama's iconic yellow pumpkin, buildings designed by architect Tadao Ando, and countless modern artworks scattered throughout the island make for a dramatic and fulfilling day.