Wenyi Leong

We explored the Rhône and Saône rivers in South of France on a 7-day voyage with Riverside Cruises aboard the Riverside Ravel. Although this itinerary would not be my first choice for first-time river cruisers, this was a great way to explore this region of France. For a first-time river cruiser, the Danube or the Rhine would be better choices due to the bigger ports and cities. This ship was built in 2018 by Crystal Cruises and was acquired by Riverside Luxury Cruises, refurbished and relaunched in 2023. With only 55 suites, all of them with a panoramic balcony window, there are no bad rooms.

This charming seaside island makes for the perfect getaway. Its charming cobblestone streets invite you to wander and explore. Spend your day relaxing on the small beaches or at one of the beach clubs with crystal-clear waters. It’s the perfect place to unwind after the hustle and bustle of the more touristy areas of Taormina and Palermo.

I had the opportunity to stay at Hotel Hospes Amerigo in November 2023. The property was built in the 16th century originally as a Dominican convent, thus the super high ceiling and you can still see the original gorgeous arched windows. The hotel was opened 20 years ago and had been the only five-star hotel in Alicante until this year. The hotel has gone through a complete renovation this year. I would definitely stay here again.

We had the most memorable trip with Rascal Voyages to Raja Ampat, Indonesia. Cruising with Rascals is nothing like ocean cruising or traditional liveaboard. It’s more like cruising on a private yacht with your friends without having to charter the whole boat.

We cannot recommend this hidden gem of Alicante, Spain, enough. It has everything in a small package, an expansive sandy beach, boardwalk with a marina and numerous al fresco dining options, a castle boasting breathtaking views, as well as restaurants, bars and shopping - all conveniently within walking distance.

Kanazawa, located right on the coast of the Sea of Japan, is renowned for its seafood and offers a charming and less touristy alternative to Kyoto. Kanazawa is about 2.5 hours away by Shinkansen train from either Osaka or Tokyo. Gran class is available on certain trains and makes the journey ultra luxurious. Kanazawa is often referred to as Little Kyoto because of the well-preserved Edo-era neighborhoods. There are also samurai districts with traditional samurai houses and museums.

I opted to explore this Spanish city primarily due to my profound fascination with sherry. Not the cooking varieties, but the dry, meticulously aged ones. Though I must admit, the sweet ones have their own delightful appeal. Before my arrival, I was aware of the diverse sherry spectrum, yet it wasn't until I immersed myself here and delved into the subject at various sherry bodegas that I truly started to grasp the nuances. While I won't delve into the intricacies of sherry production here (it's a captivating topic best left to the experts), I'd like to offer a word of caution. After indulging in copious tastings and savoring sherry at the local tabernas (sherry bars), I found myself surprisingly dehydrated. It's easy to forget that all that sherry isn't a substitute for water. Jerez de las Frontera is conveniently just an hour away by train from Sevilla or Cadiz, making it an effortless side trip when visiting this part of Spain.