Innholdsfortegnelse for December/January 2020 i Cruise & Travel

JW MARRIOTT GROSVENOR HOUSE Park Lane Following a multi-million pound transformation this much-loved hotel, which recently celebrated its 90th anniversary, boasts sophisticated contemporary interiors with a palette of rich gold, warm neutrals and soft greys. With its fantastic location opposite Hyde Park, it oozes luxe glamour and is an ambient haven of refined calm — the perfect retreat after a day’s sightseeing. Particularly impressive is the Park Room bar. Must-tries include the exclusive Yellow Rose tea and Serpentine Gin, both concocted using plants found in the park. All rooms have pillowtop bedding, complimentary wifi, marble bathrooms and plush robes, but the Executive Rooms have the added bonus of access to the lounge, which serves complimentary food and drinks throughout the day. COOL FACT: The Great Room is where young Princess…

Land of the polar bears A place that always has you on the lookout for wildlife amid the glaciers and icefloes – and the eight-day Realm of the Polar Bear cruise promises much. The round-trip from Longyearbyen on the island of Spitsbergen cruises the Svalbard archipelago, with plenty of hopping off to explore thanks to Zodiac inflatables. In a remote place 134-passenger G Expedition searches out even remoter spots, coming up close to sea ice, nipping through fjords to spectacular glaciers and icebergs, and finding huge seabird colonies – not to mention seeing wildlife such as seals, walrus, Arctic fox, reindeer… and polar bear. *Various summer departures, from £2,799pp (12 June), cruise only (020 7313 6953; gadventures.co.uk). Templer of awe Sanctuary Retreats runs a collection of super-luxury small ships in…

Peeking inside the former Iron Curtain is like turning back the clock, to reveal Magyar cowboys on the Great Hungarian Plain, and eerie Transylvanian castles evoking images of the legend of Dracula. Add to this unfading tapestry countless Ottoman treasures plus a hefty dose of Art Nouveau and Stalinist architecture. THE WATERWAY FLOWS THROUGH A RICH MOSAIC OF BROODING MEDIEVAL FORTS AND PASTORAL VILLAGES I join Viking Idun in Budapest shortly before departure, when the Parliament Building is magnificently illuminated against the night sky. The Danube is the second longest river in Europe after the Volga but from a cruise perspective it is first amongst equals. Traditionally the majority of tourist sailings have focused on the upper Danube, west of Budapest, with fewer ships venturing along the river’s lower reaches…

Hidden amid this luscious forest are 16 crystalline lakes tumbling into each other via a series of rumbling waterfalls, with the mineral-rich water depositing tufa in ever-changing formations. Despite being the largest and oldest national park in Croatia and a UNESCO Heritage Site since 1979, the beauty spot — located between the capital Zagreb and Zadar on the coast — remains a relatively undiscovered destination. Eighteen kilometres of wooden foot bridges and pathways make it easy to explore on foot, but there’s also free boats and buses to take advantage of. Great to visit at any time of year, autumn is particularly special as the leaves take on their fiery fall hues. >> Turn to page 26 to see some of the hottest destinations for 2020…

FLOAT AWAY Spa treatments are even more relaxing on a ship, so it’s no surprise to learn that on average 80 to 100 guests a week visit the Champneys spa on board Marella Explorer and Marella Explorer 2. By far the most popular treatment is the Lava Shell Relaxation Massage. Originating in the Philippines, Lava Shell massages use self-heating tiger clam shells to allow deep relaxation of the muscles; aches and pains are massaged away, leaving the body pampered, soothed and revitalised, and helping to rebalance the body, so you’ll leave the spa floating on air (tui.co.uk/cruise). SERENE SAILING Regent Seven Seas Cruises® has introduced a new globally inspired spa brand that will debut across its five-ship fleet this winter. Serene Spa & Wellness™ will offer exclusive treatments integrating techniques…

Whether it’s the design of the state-of-the-art Space-Ships or the signature five-star service, luxury underpins every element of the Scenic experience. The cruise line’s attention to detail has, in fact, set a whole new standard in river cruising, but the secret to a Scenic holiday is simple – everything is included in the price of the cruise. From the moment you step on board a Scenic ship you rarely, if ever, have to dip into your wallet, meaning excursions, gratuities, food and drinks, as well as flights and transfers, are all included in the price of your cruise. FIVE-STAR FLEET Each generously appointed Space-Ship combines comfort and elegance with a wealth of pioneering technology. From the spacious dining areas, which are all available at no extra cost, to the sumptuous…

It’s no wonder Icelanders show such deep respect for the unknowable mysteries of their landscape. From craggy, moon-like lava flows and bubbling mud pools to vast glaciers and verdant mountains, this island may have a small population but its terrain tells a tale writ large. As we loop around the island on our Wild About Iceland cruise, from hugely popular capital Reykjavík to the less well-known north and east of the island, we are witness to the full majesty of this mesmerising island. Joining in Reykjavík we spend our first night on board our ship, before joining an excursion to the famous Blue Lagoon. As we exit the city, the roads become eerily quiet, and the sweeping terrain of friable lava rock makes us feel a million miles away from…

Dropping anchor in gin-clear waters alongside tropical palm-fringed beaches and secret coves describes what many travellers would sum up as the ultimate escape. We have teamed up with Star Clippers, with its fleet of tall sailing ships, to offer you the chance to win a seven-night cruise that whisks guests away to idyllic spots like these across Thailand and Malaysia. The round-trip cruise from Phuket in Thailand presents some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in the world, as vast limestone crags rise out of the deep-blue ocean fringed by emerald greenery. Continuing to remote shores across the island-chains of Butang, Ko Rok Nok, Ko Hong and Ko Similan, as well as Penang, the Malaysian island known as ‘The Pearl of the Orient’, the voyage also passes mighty volcanoes, quiet…

DAME HELEN CHRISTENS SCENIC ECLIPSE Godmother Dame Helen Mirren was welcomed on board Scenic Eclipse, the newest ship from Scenic, for its official christening in New York last month. “I was thrilled to be invited to take on the role of Scenic Eclipse godmother, even more so now I have stepped on board and seen the level of design and technology that have gone into her creation,” said Dame Helen, who sat in the onboard helicopter. “She is an exceptional cruising experience, and I’m honoured to have christened her. I wish the crew and guests many years of sailing adventures and discovery.” Joined by her husband, director Taylor Hackford, the award-winning actress christened the ship dockside by breaking the ceremonial bottle of Champagne against the hull and bestowing the…

An expanse of dazzling white rocks beaten into lunar-like formations surrounds us as big blue waves crash into the other-worldly rock-scape, and children and adults alike hover nearby, eagerly awaiting to be cooled down by the wild sea spray. It’s a sizzling 32°C and I welcome the refreshing shower with open arms. We’re on Sarakiniko beach on the Greek island of Milos, which we’re visiting as part of a seven-night Idyllic Aegean cruise with Celestyal Cruises. The excursion that takes us to this surreal shore-side spot is a highlight for me as we get to spend a dreamy afternoon being seduced by the little island’s unspoilt natural beauty and sampling some of the best bathing haunts the Aegean Sea has to offer. We began by navigating Milos by coach. Every…

There could be no finer way to explore Europe’s ever enchanting network of rivers than on an Emerald Waterways cruise. Putting its stamp on deluxe river cruising, the company combines an innovative fleet of Star-Ships and immersive, meticulously planned excursions with a host of generous extras and excellent value for money. Wherever you travel, whether it’s on the Rhine, Rhône, Danube or Douro, expect an unforgettable holiday from start to finish. THE FLEET OF THE FUTURE Skillfully designed to guarantee complete comfort and luxury, Emerald Waterways’ fleet of Star-Ships wow with their elegant public spaces and stylish private suites jam-packed with modern amenities. Spend your time on board relaxing on the peaceful Sun Deck with its panoramic views or unwinding in the indoor heated pool, which transforms into a cinema…

Our ship is floating along the water like a swan; we’re sailing past castles and countryside, absorbing nature, and it's utterly blissful. This is my first river cruise, and already I’m in love. The experience began at the airport in Marseille, where there was someone waiting to meet us and take us to the ship. We were welcomed on board by the hotel manager, Jean Loup, and he was just the best, so helpful. I want him in my life. First impressions of our ship, Avalon Poetry II, were that the onboard ambience was very relaxing and it was extremely clean, beautifully designed and comfortable. And what I liked most about our room were the wall-to-wall panoramic windows, which can open completely to create a balcony; so you could lay…

With its innovative design, lush green spaces, pretty fairy tale palaces and a harbour clean enough for a bracing dip, it’s no wonder Copenhagen regularly tops polls of the world’s most liveable cities, and it’s certainly come a long way since its origins as a small Viking fishing village. The man who, more than anyone, can lay claim to be the city’s founding father is Archbishop Absalon, after he built a fortress on the harbour’s Slotsholmen Island to protect the village in 1167. Copenhagen’s role as the capital of Denmark began in 1416 when King Erik of Pomerania took up residence here. Still it wasn’t until the reign of Christian IV, in the first half of the 17th century, that the city was endowed with much of its splendour. After…