Viking creates extended voyages for 2026 and 2027
Meeting demand for long cruises, Viking has created 14 ocean itineraries for 2026 and 2027 that combine two popular sailings into one.
The itineraries range from 15 to 36 days and are primarily in the U.K., Ireland, Scandinavia and the Mediterranean.
The shortest options are three 15-day Mediterranean cruises -- one roundtrip from Barcelona, another between Lisbon and Rome and the third roundtrip from Rome. The longest will journey from Lisbon to Istanbul over 36 days.
The other new itineraries include:
• "Iconic Western Europe," 19 days between London and Barcelona.
• "From Iberia to the Northern Lights," 20 days from Barcelona to Tromso, Norway.
• "Mediterranean and Atlantic Crossing," 21 days from Rome to San Juan.• "Adriatic and Mediterranean Discovery," 22 days from Venice to Lisbon.
• "Iberia and Mediterranean Antiquities," 22 days from Lisbon to Athens.
• "British Isles and Viking Shores," 22 days from London to Amsterdam.
• "Viking Homelands, Shores and Fjords," 22 days from Stockholm to Amsterdam.
• "Iberia, the Mediterranean and Aegean," 29 days from Lisbon to Istanbul.
• "Iceland, Norway and British Isles," 29 days from Reykjavik to London.
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Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
Best Hotels In Barcelona 2025
As one of Europe's most creative cities, Barcelona is home to architectural titans like La Sagrada Familia, Gaudí landmarks around every corner and a never-ending parade of restaurants and tapas bars that spotlight the region's diverse flavors. Whether you're in town for the art or the eats, the best hotels in Barcelona offer a design-focused home away from home. To curate this Barcelona hotel guide, I drew from personal experience and sourced input from experts like Molly Arena, a travel advisor at Fora. From our top pick the Hotel Neri and the quietly decadent Mandarin Oriental Barcelona to the chic Seventy Barcelona and the romantic Monument Hotel, we narrowed down the cream of the crop. Below, the best places to stay in Barcelona in 2025. Hotel Neri set within a restored medieval castle. Located in the heart of the Gothic Quarter (Barcelona's oldest and arguably most desirable district), the city's only Relais & Châteaux property Hotel Neri is a design-forward boutique hotel set inside an impeccably restored medieval castle. It's just a stone's throw away from top sights like the Cathedral of Barcelona, Palau de la Generalitat and Mercado de La Boqueria, as well as a short walk from the beach and harbor for a lovely change of pace. When you're not out exploring the many landmarks, markets and squares, kick back on the tranquil terrace or retreat to the plush comforts of the charm-filled rooms and suites, all of which offer a true sense of place. Guests don't have to leave to tickle their taste buds, either, thanks to seasonal Mediterranean plates created by Chef Alain Guiard at 'a' Restaurant. Interiors of the Mandarin Oriental Barcelona. A vision in bronze and ivory, the Mandarin Oriental Barcelona's swank lobby is rivaled only by its impeccable spaces and services. 'I absolutely love this hotel,' says Arena, who lists it as one of her top recommendations in Barcelona. 'It's in one of the city's most upscale neighborhoods, surrounded by great restaurants and top designer boutiques.' Quietly decadent, the property's 120 rooms and suites feature a palette of taupes and creams, natural wood flooring, luxurious rugs, bespoke furnishings, and speckles of muted blues, yellows and orange. The spa offers signature treatments and a serene, emerald-hued indoor pool, and with a wink to the building's former inception as a bank, the snazzy Banker's Bar serves creative concoctions presented on faux vintage bank notes. Seventy Barcelona interiors. Juxtaposed between the buzzy Eixample and bohemian Gracia districts, Seventy Barcelona combines a sleek design aesthetic with laidback comfort. Guests are greeted with leather loungers and statement head-to-toe bookcases, and the hotel's open-plan eatery The Kitchen & Timeless features a breakfast pantry that transitions to Mediterranean-style cuisine later in the day. In good weather, opt to eat, drink or relax on Balinese beds in the olive tree-peppered patio or poolside at the rooftop beach club. And for a cocktail break, take a fireside breather at The Cors. All rooms feature quality bedding, complimentary coffee and tea, and a bag filled with toiletry essentials, a great value for rooms that are routinely booked for under $350 a night during peak season. Day bed at Hotel Bagués. Intimate and chic with heaps of history, character and personalized service, Hotel Bagués has all the makings of the best boutique stay in Barcelona. What ultimately secured its title is its inimitable mix of style and soul. Breathing new life into the 1850s palace of El Regulador, which once housed the workshop of the Bagués Masriera jewelry company, the property oozes sophistication with a melange of classical and contemporary touches. It's hard to outshine the gilded headboards and ebony-paneled walls, but the crown jewel of each bedroom is the glimmering bauble that's placed just so. Travelers interested in gawking at even more art treasures can meander through the property's small on-site museum. Additional plush perks include on-demand massages and cooling off in the rooftop plunge pool. Youngsters will feel right at home with a collection of toys and games gifted upon arrival, along with rooms suitable for all family types. With complimentary strollers in tow for the littlest wanderers, families who stay at the Petit Palace Museum will be steps away from the Gothic Quarter, the Egyptian Museum and Gaudi's La Pedrera and Casa Batlló. For scenic outings to Barceloneta Beach or Ciutadella Park, reserve free bikes or take a quick metro ride just minutes away. Children will feel welcomed with a collection of toys and games gifted upon arrival, along with rooms suitable for all family types, from bunk beds to cribs to extra single beds. With the hotel's pet-friendly services, pets can also tag along and feel welcome. And when adults need a little break or time alone, in-house babysitters, tasty rainbow snacks, portable Wi-Fi and a free citywide internet data service will keep the little ones entertained. Exterior of the Monument Hotel The sophisticated beauty of the Monument Hotel, a former 19th-century, Neo-Gothic style building housing 84 rooms (most of which are suites) should be enough to warrant a stay—not to mention its prime location on the Passeig de Gràcia. But what makes it a great romantic escape is its exceptional but unobtrusive service, its beautiful rooftop terrace, and its moody and sophisticated atmosphere. Foodies in particular should take note: The property is home to Lasarte, a 3-star Michelin restaurant, one of the hottest tickets in town and one of only two 3-star Michelin restaurants in central Barcelona. For the ultimate dinner date, book the recently remodeled eight-seater Chef's Table, where guests dine while observing master chefs at work. Make sure to visit the Rooftop Terrace Restaurant for a quick drink and to appreciate the twinkling skyline views. Serras Barcelona offers an enviable Gothic Quarter address, distinctive ambiance and eye-catching design. An easy stroll to the Picasso Museum, Las Ramblas and the beach, it's very doable to spend the morning exploring and the afternoon watching waves lap the shore. Of course, no one would fault you for simply soaking in the sunshine from your balcony or enjoying the plunge pool and lounge seating overlooking Marina Port Vell. Those who love to see and be seen will especially love the rooftop in the evenings, where drinks can be sipped in front of twinkling skyline views, all while listening to a DJ spin tunes. The hotel features a seasonal rooftop bar and eatery: Tope features Mexican-inspired bites and striking views of the Sagrada Familia and Torre Glòries. Situated in one of Barcelona's most creative neighborhoods, The Hoxton Poblenou highlights the vibrant energy supplied by the district's many start-ups, galleries and bars. The hotel itself has two trendy meal spaces: Four Corners, which specializes in Detroit-style pizza, and Tope, the seasonal rooftop bar and eatery serv Mexican-inspired bites and striking views of La Sagrada Familia and Torre Glòries. Guests can gaze at Gaudí's masterpiece at leisure while sipping a drink or following a dip in the glamorous, cabana-lined checker-print pool. If you plan to visit off-season when it may be too chilly to venture to the rooftop, be sure to book a stay in a Roomy View room, which features a king-size bed and expansive windows for a private view of Barcelona's most famous basilica. Bar at El Palace Barcelona. As Barcelona's first 5-star hotel, El Palace has been hosting guests since it first opened its doors with opulent grandeur in 1919. Today, that spirit continues, from dapper doormen welcoming visitors to the first sighting of the property's ornate Great Hall. Background piano music, rotating art exhibits and world-class service enhance daily meals and coffee breaks. The enchanting rooftop garden, the largest in Barcelona, transports guests with its tropical flora, Italian Rivera-style pergolas, open-air cinemas and wintertime Chalet El Palace, which is modeled after an authentic Swiss Alps fondue restaurant. After hours, the Bluesman Cocktail Bar is a music lover's dream, with its velvet-draped speakeasy vibe and regular rotation of live performances. Constructed from blue glass and steel, the 44-story property grazes the sky from its prime position overlooking Barceloneta Beach. Hotel Arts Barcelona hits the sweet spot between a city break and a beach escape. Constructed from blue glass and steel, the 44-story stunner grazes the sky from its prime position overlooking the city's Barceloneta Beach. A spate of vacation-making amenities puts it squarely in the class of urban resort: Visitors can look forward to two outdoor pools, a rooftop spa, an art gallery and an observation deck with 360-degree views. The property also happens to be an unrivaled culinary destination: Foodies from around the world flock to Enoteca, the 2-Michelin-starred restaurant where celebrity chef Paco Pérez whips up exquisite tasting menus that spotlight Catalan flavors in a creative, contemporary way. The 156 bedrooms feature cosmopolitan leather patchwork headboards, hardwood floors and marble-top bathrooms. The Kimpton Vividora's eclectic design embodies the best of Barcelona's urban living from the moment you enter its retro-fabulous lobby space that doubles as the Got Coffee & Cocktails Bar. A friendly, suspender-wearing staffer directs guests one floor up for check-in, an early sign that things run a little differently here. The property's 156 bedrooms, including ten suites, feature cosmopolitan leather patchwork headboards, hardwood floors and marble-top bathrooms. Standout details like burnt-orange cotton robes, locally sourced furnishings and vintage knick-knacks inspire a dreamy designer feel that is more akin to a hip residential apartment than a hotel stay. Exterior of Hotel Casa Fuster. Designed by Gaudí contemporary Lluís Domènch i Montaner for a well-to-do couple in 1908, Casa Fuster remains a prime example of Modernist architecture at its finest. Restored in 20o4, the former residence-turned-105-room-hotel on the exclusive Passeig de Gràcia features ornate facade carvings, decorative rooftop columns and a scarlet-hued café lounge with gold vaulted ceilings. Bedroom designs are elegant and refined, some with circular-shaped living spaces, king-size beds or avenue-facing wrought-iron-framed balconies. Unwind after a day of touring the city by relaxing poolside, cocktail in hand, on the property's rooftop terrace. The Forbes Vetted travel team has researched, written and published dozens of hotel guides featuring cities across the globe. We selected the top contenders based on personal stays as well as extensive research.
Forbes
3 hours ago
- Forbes
US-China Trade Talks: The Limits Of Diplomacy
Delegations of China and the U.S. pose for a group photo prior to the first meeting of the ... More China-U.S. economic and trade consultation mechanism in London, Britain, June 9, 2025. The meeting opened here on Monday. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attended the meeting with U.S. representatives. (Photo by Li Ying/Xinhua via Getty Images) In early June 2025, officials from the U.S. and China convened in an attempt to to prevent salvage economic ties from spiraling out of control and causing significant damage to both economies. Talks took place in London's historic Lancaster House, as they sought to rescue an earlier negotiated tariff truce and defuse escalating export controls. The negotiations aimed to extend the 90-day pause on punitive tariffs agreed in Geneva, revive cross-border trade flows, and hammer out a framework on rare-earth minerals and high-end technology exports. However, the talks ultimately accomplished few tangible benefits that President Trump sought to originally gain from the implementation of these tariffs, namely to stem the flow of fentanyl, motivate companies to reshore to the US, and close the trade deficit. Instead, he temporarily paused these measures by both sides and returned to the dynamics prior to his 'Liberation Day' and the imposition of tariffs globally. The June 9 to 10 London talks — led by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and USTR Jamieson Greer from the U.S. and China's Vice Premier He Lifeng and Commerce Minister Wang Wentao — were convened against a backdrop of deep mutual distrust. Since 2018, the two sides have imposed tit-for-tat duties, with U.S. tariffs on Chinese exports staying around 19-21% from the end of Trump's first term until the beginning of his second, and Beijing following suit with…. After Liberation Day, US tariffs reached a high of 145% before decreasing to 30%, while Beijing imposed a retaliatory tariff of 125% before settling at its current level of 10%.These actions have stifled more than $600 billion in bilateral trade and rattled global markets. At the same time, The Trumps' administration's erratic and inconsistent messaging has also allowed for Wall Street to start pricing in volatility. Moreover a new TACO theory emerged, 'TACO or Trump Always Chickens Out.' This asserts that despite Trumps tough trade policy rhetoric, when markets become too volatile Trump will always reverse course. US Reliance on Critical Rare Earth Metals US Reliance on Rare Earth Imports from China In April 2025, China further escalated tensions by instituting a requirement of export licenses for critical rare-earth minerals, resulting in a 20% year-on-year decrease in shipments to the U.S. and Europe. Due to China's dominance in rare earth exports to the US, this triggered alarms in various industries, most notably in the electric vehicle and aerospace sector. Meanwhile, Washington broadened its export curbs on advanced semiconductors, chip-making equipment, and aerospace components, with a particular intensification after the two countries' Geneva talks, amplifying China's sense of economic siege. Despite the high stakes, negotiators emerged from London with only a modest 'interim framework' rather than a sweeping accord. However, Trump still claimed in a Truth Social post that 'the relationship is excellent.' The enthusiasm from the president is in large part due to China agreeing to temporarily grant export licenses for rare-earth magnets and related components, enabling U.S. automakers such as Ford, GM, and Stellantis to replenish inventories after April's curbs. At the same time, the U.S. stopped short of lifting its tech export restrictions on AI chips and aerospace tools. Commerce Secretary Lutnick characterized the outcome as 'putting meat on the bones' of the May Geneva deal, while Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yidong stated the two sides reached a consensus framework to 'implement the important understandings' reached during the June 5 phone call between Trump and Xi. From an economic perspective, the London agreement delivered a short-lived reprieve. Following reports of the rare-earth license concession, global equity markets ticked higher, echoing relief seen after the Geneva truce. Yet core barriers remain firmly in place: U.S. base tariffs on Chinese goods remain near 30%, China's on U.S. exports linger around 10%, and neither side agreed to roll back its export-control regimes. Without a detailed enforcement mechanism or significant new commitments, the framework may merely defer a return to pre-Geneva duties once the 90-day window lapses in August. Current versus pre-Geneva Tariff Levels Geopolitical undercurrents will also further limit any long-term détente. In Washington, a bipartisan consensus has emerged around the need to 'de‐risk' critical supply chains, not merely as a commercial maneuver but as a national security imperative. Policymakers and industry leaders alike fear that overdependence on China for semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, rare‐earth minerals, and even basic manufacturing capacity leaves the United States dangerously exposed to coercive economic pressure or abrupt supply shocks. This conviction has translated into a suite of domestic incentives—ranging from the CHIPS and Science Act to expanded Defense Production Act authorities—designed to shore up American production of key inputs and diversify procurement to 'trusted' partners. On the other side of the Pacific, Chinese leadership interprets these U.S. measures as part of a long-standing containment strategy. Official rhetoric in Beijing routinely casts de-risking initiatives as destabilizing 'decoupling' efforts that threaten China's development model and tarnish the mutually beneficial aspects of economic integration. State media and senior diplomats argue that a sovereign nation, particularly one bearing the mantle of a developing‐country status, must safeguard its industrial base against foreign interference. Despite the rhetoric on economic self-reliance, both the U.S. and China have much to lose from a prolonged trade war. According to the military think tank RAND, 'roughly 40 percent of China's exports to the United States fall into categories where China supplies more than half of America's total imports.' Meanwhile, China is eager to gain access to GPUs and CPUs from American companies like NVIDIA and AMD to power its growing AI infrastructure. Even knowing this, leaders on both sides remain committed to showing strength and independence. Trump administration officials are wary of ceding control to China, while Beijing officials do not want to appear weak on the global stage. The talks, while cordial, still have not permanently de-escalated the trade war, with 30% and 10% baseline tariffs remaining on the American and Chinese sides, respectively. Furthermore, China has only agreed to a six-month license for American companies seeking to import rare earth minerals and magnets. Beyond the economic impact, the visa statuses of Chinese students in US universities will continue to remain uncertain as long as the trade war remains unresolved. As the two economic superpowers prepare for the current deadline on a comprehensive trade deal by August 10, the London talks underscore both the value and the limits of diplomacy: they bought time, but a durable resolution remains elusive. Special thanks to Jonah Kim, and Nathaniel Schochet, for their exceptional thought leadership, research, and editorial contributions to this article. Special thanks to Hanah Kim and Artem Valyaev Kunisky for assisting in providing info-graphics.
Forbes
5 hours ago
- Forbes
British-American Billionaire In Talks For Investment In Telegraph Newspaper
Rita Ora and Len Blavatnik attend the Warner Music Pre-Grammy Party at the NoMad Hotel in 2019 in ... More Los Angeles, California. Billionaire Len Blavatnik has reportedly been approached by Redbird Capital Partners about making an investment in The Telegraph, one of U.K.'s most influential newspapers. Redbird Capital has initiated talks with Blavatnik about becoming a minority investor in The Telegraph, Sky News reported Thursday, citing two sources close to the situation. The report also stated that no agreement had been reached, and it remained unclear whether one would be. Redbird Capital declined to comment. A spokesperson for Blavatnik's investment firm Access Industries said, 'As a matter of principle, Sir Leonard does not comment on market speculation or on any conversations Access may or may not be having regarding potential investments.' Blavatnik's investments span a range of industries and countries. Forbes estimates his net worth at $25.6 billion, placing him at No. 80 on the Real-Time Billionaires List. He is probably best known these days for investments in businesses like Warner Music, streaming service DAZN, chemicals firm LyondellBassell and energy conglomerate Calpine. Blavatnik was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for services to philanthropy in 2017. He has given or pledged more than $1 billion to philanthropic endeavors with a particular emphasis on supporting universities, including Harvard, Stanford and Yale. Last week, a cross-party group of parliamentarians urged the government to investigate how Redbird Capital is funding its takeover of the venerable British newspaper, according to a report in The Guardian. The group were said to have sent a letter to culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, expressing their concerns about the risk of 'potential Chinese state influence' within Redbird Capital. They MPs point out that the firm's chairman, John Thornton, has served on the advisory council of CIC, China's sovereign wealth fund, and had high-level meetings with Chinese Communist Party members in recent years. The MPs wrote in their letter there was a lack of transparency regarding the sources of funding for the £500 million ($674 million) acquisition, and they contend that it's 'conceivable, and increasingly likely, that funds could be sourced directly or indirectly from foreign state actors.' But sources close to Redbird Capital confirmed there were no Chinese state funds involved in the proposed acquisition. A consortium of U.K. and U.S. investors will form a new consortium for the deal, led by Redbird Capital. United Arab Emirates-based International Media Investments (IMI) is expected to be a minority investor, subject to new legislation that's currently progressing through parliament. The talks are still ongoing, the sources indicated, so no new deal structure has been put into place and submitted for government approval yet. The Telegraph had been the subject of a two-year takeover saga that began when the Conservative-leaning newspaper was seized by Lloyds bank after the Barclay family failed to repay debts of more than £1 billion. A joint venture between Redbird Capital and IMI effectively gained control of The Telegraph in 2023, after providing a £600 million loan to the Barclay family. But the Conservative government at the time blocked the deal when it adopted new regulations preventing foreign states from taking ownership of the press. Blavatnik is a dual citizen of the U.S. and the U.K. He was born in Ukraine and raised north of Moscow, before he immigrated to the U.S. in 1978. He studied computer science at Columbia University, and later earned an M.B.A. from Harvard. He started his New York-based investment company, Access Industries, in 1986. Blavatnik's fortune can be traced back to the chaotic post-Soviet days, when he made a series of shrewd investments through partnerships with various Russian moguls, including Viktor Vekselberg (net worth $9 billion) and Mikhail Fridman (net worth $14.9 billion). The billions he earned through privatized factories and oilfields was then used the proceeds to invest in companies and buy assets in the West. His most attention-grabbing acquisition was Warner Music, which he bought for $3.3 billion at the height of the industry's turmoil in 2011. He took the company public on the Nasdaq in June 2020 at quadruple the value.
