2024 Holiday Gift Guide

This year, I celebrated my 40th birthday and considering this is a memorable milestone, I wanted a luxurious and immensely relaxing experience to ring in the decade. While I am not necessarily a beach person, The One&Only Mandarina called my name immediately.

Planning a vacation that pleases everyone—especially when involving multiple generations of families—can feel nearly impossible. One wants adventure, another wants to relax, and someone else just wants good food and no logistics to manage. This is where river cruises win the day. A lesser-known gem in the world of travel, river cruising offers an all-in-one experience that checks the boxes for every generation and personality type. Whether you're celebrating a milestone birthday or simply looking to reconnect as a family, here’s why river cruising makes the ideal multi-generational getaway. 1. No-Stress Travel, No Packing and Repacking One of the biggest challenges of family travel is managing transportation and accommodation in multiple cities. River cruising eliminates that. You unpack once and let the ship do the moving. Each day brings a new destination, but your “hotel” stays the same. This makes it especially ideal for older travelers who prefer to avoid constant transitions and younger ones who need the comfort of a familiar place to sleep each night. 2. Built-in Variety for Every Interest and Energy Level On a river cruise, every day can look different—for everyone. Active excursions like biking or hiking appeal to adventurous teens and parents, while slower-paced walking tours or local tastings suit older generations. Many cruises even offer kid-friendly or family-themed excursions in port. Meanwhile, those who’d rather enjoy a slow morning with coffee and a view can stay onboard and soak in the scenery. 3. Smaller Ships = Intimate, Personal Experience River cruise ships are smaller than ocean liners, which means more personal service and less crowd-induced stress. This creates a calmer, more connected atmosphere that’s great for families looking to spend quality time together. With fewer passengers onboard, you can gather for meals, games, or drinks without needing to “claim space” early or shout over a loud dining room. 4. Something for Every Taste Bud River cruise lines often take food seriously—offering regionally inspired cuisine and local wines, with plenty of kid-friendly and special-diet options. Sharing meals as a family becomes one of the highlights of the trip, especially when you're enjoying authentic pasta in Italy or fresh strudel along the Danube. 5. Immersive Cultural Experiences (Without the Overwhelm) River cruises dock right in the heart of historic towns and cities, making it easy to explore without long bus rides or confusing maps. From castle visits and cooking classes to market tours and museum stops, excursions are curated to be both educational and enjoyable. It’s a fun way for kids and adults alike to experience history and culture up close—without the hassle. 6. It’s Easy to Be Together—and Apart Sometimes the best vacations allow everyone to do their own thing for a few hours. River cruising makes this simple. While grandparents enjoy wine on the sun deck, the teens might join a guided bike tour, and younger kids hang out with parents in a nearby park or on a kid-friendly tour. Then everyone reconvenes in the evening to swap stories and share a meal. 7. Special Moments Worth Remembering Whether it's celebrating a birthday onboard, taking a family photo in front of a centuries-old castle, or just watching the sunset together from the top deck, river cruising provides natural moments of togetherness. The pace is slower, the surroundings are beautiful, and the distractions are minimal—allowing families to truly connect across generations. Step into River Cruising River cruising takes the stress out of multi-generational travel and replaces it with convenience, connection, and cultural discovery. With built-in comfort, ever-changing scenery, and the perfect mix of activities and downtime, it’s no wonder more families are choosing the river as their next vacation route. So if you’re dreaming of a trip that brings everyone closer together—without the usual vacation chaos—a river cruise might just be your family’s perfect match.

Did you know the celebration known as “ Christmas in July ” was started on July 24, 1933, at Keystone Camp, a girls’ summer camp in North Carolina, by co-founder Fannie Holt. The festivities included gift exchanges, a visit from Santa Claus, and cotton imitation snow. The camp still celebrates their tradition today. While most of us have heard of this mid-year milestone, we don’t actually participate in it, however, July is a great time to start thinking about your holiday plans.

This summer we are celebrating one of the best kept secrets in the travel industry—river cruising. You may or may not be familiar with river cruising. It’s been around for awhile, but has been gaining momentum due to all its advantages. Check out our river cruising perks article to read more. June, nestled between the spring blooms and the peak summer heat, is a golden opportunity to explore the world’s most breathtaking waterways. It’s also a great time to start planning for next June. Whether you prefer gliding through the historic rivers of Europe, the mystical waterways of Asia, or the lush landscapes of the Amazon, river cruising offers a blend of idyllic weather, cultural festivities, and unmatched natural beauty.

What do you think of when people say they are going on a cruise? For many, it conjures up gigantic ocean liners filled to the brim with umbrella drinks, smells of suntan lotion, and shuffleboard. It might also bring up the idea of endless ocean waves, crowds and long lines, and buffets. Don’t get us wrong, some people love a good ocean cruise and they offer a lot of options in one central location, but ocean cruises are not for everyone. Luckily, that same concept of just unpack, sitback, and relax isn’t just for ocean cruises. If you are thinking to yourself, “But, it’s still cruising, right?” Technically, yes, but it’s an entirely different world and experience.

Scotland is more than a destination—it's an experience. For travelers seeking drama, natural wonder, and a touch of time-traveling romance, a Scottish adventure offers it all—especially for fans of the beloved book and TV series Outlander. This is why it was chosen for our next Book Club Journey.

As the chill of winter fades and the vibrancy of spring begins to bloom, there’s no better place to welcome the new season than Greece. With its mild weather, stunning landscapes, rich history, and delicious cuisine, Greece offers a perfect mix of relaxation and adventure for travelers seeking a rejuvenating spring break. Here are just a few reasons why Greece should be added to your travel wish-list. 1. Perfect Weather Spring in Greece is a breath of fresh air. If you are wanting a hot and sunny, tropical spring break, Greece might not be right for you. However, if you are looking for stunning views—Greece touts a seemingly endless coastline, stretching for nearly 8,500 miles across thousands of dreamy islands and magazine-shoot-ready beaches, fantastic food, and roaming through living history, Greece should be first on your list. If you are looking for that warm beach vacation—try Greece in the summer! Starting in March, the days are usually sunny and the highs get to around 60℉ (15℃). It slowly warms April-June, finding pleasant temps from the mid-60s to low 70s Fahrenheit (18-22°C), making it ideal for exploring without the intense heat of summer. The gentle Mediterranean breeze and blooming wildflowers create an enchanting atmosphere that’s hard to resist. 2. Fewer Crowds Unlike the bustling summer months, spring in Greece is delightfully peaceful. Popular destinations like Santorini, Mykonos, and Athens are far less crowded, allowing you to explore iconic landmarks like the Acropolis or the charming alleys of Oia without jostling for space. This off-peak season also means shorter lines, better photo opportunities, and a more intimate experience of Greece’s beauty.

The Outlander series, blends historical fiction, fantasy, and romance, whisking us away to the Scottish Highlands and beyond, where love defies the boundaries of time, space, and circumstance. That is why it is the inspiration for the next Book Club Journeys. Travel through time and across the sea with us.

Have you ever dined alone? No, not at home, but going out on the town and treating yourself to the best. There seems to be a strange stigma around dining alone—especially in a fine dining establishment. I am here to tell you to get out of your own way—and celebrate you. I traveled to the Loire Valley in France to explore the region and scout for an upcoming book club journey. There’s something incredibly magical about the Loire Valley—the gentle hills, the vineyards stretching to the horizon, and the castles that whisper stories of centuries past.