What are the best adventure novels? Let's add a hidden gem to the list.
Homer, 'The Odyssey'
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Forbes
2 hours ago
- Forbes
The Ultimate Guide To MSC Virtuosa
S lip into the seductive shimmer of MSC Virtuosa —a sleek siren of the seas where high theatrics meet haze-like indulgence. This isn't merely a cruise ship; it's a floating symphony of hedonism—think zen-like spas, spellbinding acrobatic shows, robot-attended bars, and cutting-edge virtual reality hubs. From artisan chocolate boutiques sculpting edible ships to sunrise balcony breakfasts curated by your personal white-gloved butler in your own private ship-within-a-ship (more on that later)— Virtuosa offers a dreamlike escape served with effortless elegance. Step aboard not to sail, but to be reborn—through sequined salsa nights, chandelier-draped banquets, and warm saltwater whirlpools fizzing as brightly as the Moët . Galleria Virtuosa MSC Rights Just beneath the slow swirl of a mesmerizing 80-meter LED sky, MSC Virtuosa dazzles in full-blown theatrical flair—a Mediterranean marvel where eye-popping visuals meet magnetic charm. Step into the heart of its world: The Galleria, where the ceiling blooms with ever-changing, digital skies from cascading cherry blossoms to midnight twinkling constellations. Come evening, the promenade transforms. Think Flower Power fantasy or space-age revelry, where DJs spin high-octane sets from above and costumed hosts beckon you with glitter-painted smiles and mirrorball mischief. Sequins shimmer, laughter lifts, and strangers become dance partners under a sky that never sleeps. Forbes The World's Best Countries To Visit In 2025, According To Travel Experts By Lewis Nunn MSC Yacht Club Top Sail Lounge MSC Rights Tucked quietly atop Deck 16, you'll find MSC Yacht Club —Virtuosa's exclusive 'ship within a ship'—a keycard-access sanctuary designed for just 230 guests: far from the clatter of queues, buffet sprints, and sunlounger-battling crowds. It's a cocoon of discretion and creature comforts: think 24-hour butler service, a dedicated concierge, priority embarkation, and its own private lounge, restaurant, and sundeck. Forbes The World's Best Cruise Tips, According To Experts By Lewis Nunn Its Deluxe Suites are calm, plush affairs—Picasso-style prints, cloud-soft beds, marble-wrapped en-suites with rainfall showers and soft-lit vanity mirrors, and a comfy loveseat that folds down for children or deep stretches. A chilled bottle of Charles Lafitte Brut awaits your arrival—best sipped while grazing on room-service cheeseburgers and pizzas in front of your flat-screen TV, watching a small collection of pay-for films. Minibars, however, come fully stocked (soft drinks, fruit juices, beers, iced teas) while butlers deliver breakfast to your panoramic balcony—fluffy pancakes, smoked salmon, and sunrise—and escort you to excursions and the velvet-roped VIP section at Le Grande Theater . MSC Virtuosa, Premium Suite Aurea MSC Rights Up on Deck 19, the Sun Deck glimmers with a saltwater pool (aptly named One Pool ), jacuzzi bubbles, shaded cabanas for Royal Suite guests, a giant coral mural, and a life-size humpback whale gazing forever at the horizon. Breakfasts unfurl at the Grill —think mini doughnuts, fruit-filled pies, crispy golden bacon, and freshly-baked pastries—served with Long Island iced teas and champagne. Read More: Forbes The Ultimate Guide To South Africa Cruises By Lewis Nunn Downstairs on Deck 16, the Top Sail Lounge glows in black marble and sage velvet. Panoramic windows stretch across two levels while mixologists pour Negronis and dirty, perfectly-stirred martinis beside live piano sets. On High Tea day, expect fluffy scones with clotted cream, buttery madeleines, chocolate-filled choux, and delicate finger sandwiches with Darjeeling and Forbidden City jasmine. While a diamond-studded staircase winds up to the Yacht Club Restaurant —where the once-per-cruise 'Gala Dinner' pairs Burgundy snails and grilled lobster tail with Champagne-infused risotto and petit fours. Entertainment and Activities Atmosphere Pool MSC Rights Just steps from the ocean's edge, slip into Virtuosa's sun-drenched playground—four glittering pools and a glass-roofed Solarium , where bubbling hot tubs beckon and novels pair perfectly with a cosmopolitan. Retail therapy glints at Luxury Plaza : think OMEGA watches, fine jewellery, and a whisper of indulgence. Meanwhile, top-deck waterslides curl into the horizon. Adventure junkies? Savannah AquaPark 's wobble-inducing ropes course teeters playfully above sea level—while the Sportsplex stages football rivalries and basketball showdowns with cinematic bravado. Read More: Forbes The Ultimate Guide To Croatia Island Hopping By Lewis Nunn When the sun dips, the ship transforms—a floating fever dream of velvet-lined nights and electric energy. Le Grande Theater dazzles twice nightly, with salsa soirées, sultry cabaret, and Broadway-style flair. While Carousel Lounge is sheer spectacle—Cirque-style, gravity-defying acrobatics in a whirl of sequins and gasps. Roll the dice at Red Gem Casino , then swerve into the Games Arcade : home to a zombie-slaying 4D cinema, Formula 1 simulators, a VR Maze, and neon-lit bowling beside the Sports Bar . Spa and Wellness Hidden away on Deck 7, the MSC Aurea Spa unfurls as a sanctuary of steam, salt, and serenity. Think gentle lighting, hushed corridors, and cocoon-like treatment suites—with thoughtful extras like a classic barbershop and sleek beauty salon. Drift between Finnish saunas, salt and ice rooms, and sensory steam baths before plunging into the cauldron-style thalassotherapy whirlpool—its thermal seawater jets fizzing like tonic in a highball. Read More: Forbes The World's Best River Cruises 2025, According To Experts By Lewis Nunn Mosaic-tiled ergonomic loungers invite quiet moments of shut-eye—while sleep-inducing rituals range from hot lava stone massages to lymphatic drainage, anti-cellulite therapies, and the signature 'Himalayan Dream'—a rare salt-laced spell drawn from ancient fossil beds. Yacht Club guests glide in with complimentary passes, of course. Meanwhile, just beyond the glass, the MSC Gym by TechnoGym floats above the Atmosphere Pool—fitted with 14 treadmills, six sleek bikes, a spinning studio, and HIIT classes—all gleaming and quietly persuasive. Kids and Families Perched near the top of the ship like a playhouse-in-the-clouds, Doremiland is MSC's sprawling, LEGO-themed kids' club—one of the largest at sea. Designed across five age groups, from six months to seventeen years, it's open and complimentary to all guests (excluding babysitting after hours). The space blends soft play zones for toddlers with video game consoles; including VR headsets, PlayStations, and Nintendo Switches, alongside foosball and ping-pong tables for older children and teens. It's all rather convenient and stress-free for parents, who can slip away to the MSC Aurea Spa or dine—child-free—at one of five specialty restaurants while staff escort their children to the Marketplace Buffet for kid-approved helpings of burgers, hot dogs, and pizza. Food and Beverage MSC Starship Club MSC Rights Feast your way through all eleven restaurants onboard Virtuosa —including five premium specialty venues designed for lingering, indulging, and unapologetic second helpings. Slip into Butcher's Cut —Virtuosa's moody American steakhouse, all Chesterfield banquettes and wine-lined walls. Begin with foie deviled eggs, bone marrow, or the classic shrimp cocktail with Louis sauce. Then surrender to the flame: dry-aged T-bones (24oz), double lamb chops, or a sirloin that speaks fluent Napa cabernet. Over at HOLA! Tacos & Cantina , however—it's sombreros, steel pan chandeliers, and a riot of colour. Dig into crisp, golden nachos with house salsas, steamy tamales, stuffed burritos, and pulled pork tortillas so soft they need no introduction. Go big with the 'All You Can Eat' menu ($22.99) and save space for its famous, ice-cream-filled tacos. Hola! Tacos & Cantina MSC Rights Indochine is a sultry swirl of tangerine booths and 1960s jazz. Think modern Vietnamese-inspired cuisine with a French twist—crispy squid, tom yam soup, typhoon lobster with spicy noodles—and cocktails that flirt: lychee saketinis and Indochine martinis with raspberry liqueur cream. While Kaito Teppanyaki is performance art on a hot grill. Geisha prints frame the space as chefs juggle eggs, slice octopus mid-air, and rally diners into group sing-alongs of Tina Turner . Dishes arrive in rhythm—miso soup, tiger eye tempura, sushi, sashimi—and exit with velvety, matcha ice cream. Fancy a more casual bite? The Marketplace Buffet runs 20 hours a day—perfect for kids (or anyone with a sudden, late-night craving for pizza at 4am). Virtuosa also pours across 21 bars and lounges. Sip Moët at the Champagne Bar , seated in giant flute-shaped chairs, accompanied by freshly-shucked, briny oysters, and salted caviar. Or join a pub quiz at Masters of the Sea —Virtuosa's old-school English pub with rugby trophies, dartboards, and 12 ice-cold beers on tap. And before you disembark, make time for Rob. He's the humanoid bartender at MSC Starship Club —mixing cosmic cocktails and mumbling pleasantries in eight languages as he stirs, shakes, and garnishes like a space camp, vermouth-fueled fantasy. How To Do It Join MSC Cruises' 7-night MSC Virtuosa sailing from the 27th of September, departing from Southampton, from $3930 per person for a MSC Yacht Club cabin (cruise only)—visiting Bilbao, La Rochelle, Gijon and Cherbourg. For more information, visit . More From Forbes Forbes The World's Best Countries To Visit In 2025, According To Travel Experts By Lewis Nunn Forbes The World's Best Cruise Tips, According To Experts By Lewis Nunn Forbes The Ultimate Guide To South Africa Cruises By Lewis Nunn Forbes The Ultimate Guide To Croatia Island Hopping By Lewis Nunn Forbes The World's Best River Cruises 2025, According To Experts By Lewis Nunn
Boston Globe
4 hours ago
- Boston Globe
Ski and snowboard passes, a new Seattle hotel, and a lightweight pack for hiking adventures
Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Pats Peak lets you secure an early-season rate on one of 10 different pass options through Aug. 18. Pats Peak Advertisement THERE Advertisement A new Seattle hotel with a luxury feel and nature-based vibe Feel connected to nature in the middle of a bustling city at 1 Hotel Seattle, a new hotel in the South Lake Union neighborhood that's within eyeshot of the Space Needle and within walking distance of the Museum of History and Industry on Lake Union and the Pike Place Market area less than a mile away. The hotel, formerly the Pan Pacific Seattle, has an earthy yet upscale Pacific Northwest feel with wooden room keys, mossy wall murals, driftwood sculptures, a giant chandelier made of lichen in the gift shop, and live-edge tables throughout, plus numerous potted plants and a wonderful woodsy aroma in the lobby. Sit on a fur-lined chair in the lobby and enjoy locally distilled spirits from Drift, the onsite bar, and enjoy a creative fusion of Mediterranean, Spanish, and Japanese cuisine at La Loba restaurant. The hotel, part of the Starwood Hotels group, has 108 rooms and 45 suites. Each one has a tree branch-style coat rack on the wall, furnishings made from reclaimed wood, plants, a faucet with filtered water in the bathroom, and a small wooden board that explains the hotel's '1 Less Thing' program, offering guests a chance to leave behind unneeded clothing that will be donated to a local family shelter. The hotel has an outdoor patio with Space Needle views, but cozier furniture in little sitting areas overlooking a two-story mural made from moss, sticks, and leaves. The onsite gym, called the Field House, has Peloton bikes, free weights, and cardio machines, but guests also get free access to sessions at DRYP Yoga Studio across the street. Advertisement The new 1 Hotel Seattle, located in the South Lake Union neighborhood and within eyeshot of the Space Needle, has an earthy yet upscale Pacific Northwest feel. 1 Hotel Seattle EVERYWHERE A lightweight pack for hiking adventures When it comes time to pack up all your favorite gear and hit the trail, consider Gregory's new Paragon (men's) or Maven (women's) lightweight backpack. One of my favorite features: The FreeFloat hipbelt, which enables the pack to fit securely at your hips yet move freely from the pack's frame for added comfort over the trail miles. The honeycombed Air-Cushion mesh back panel allows for great air flow when temps — or efforts — spike, helping to keep the pack off your back and the air circulating. Each pack has an adjustable torso and hipbelt (great for growing kids), two zippered pockets in the lid and on the hipbelt, mesh water bottle sleeves, a mesh stuff pouch up front for stashing rain gear, a whistle, and an internal pouch for your hydration bladder. It also comes with a zippered bottom compartment — offering a second access point — and color-coded side straps that make it easier to pair up straps correctly. The other top feature: An easy-access pocket on one shoulder strap with a built-in elastic bungee that's specifically designed to hold your Garmin inReach Mini or Messenger (or any small satellite communicator) — perfect for keeping it within reach but from bouncing around while you hike. The Paragon comes in 50, 60, and 70 liters (ranging from 3.3 to 3.8 pounds), while the Maven is available in 48, 58, and 68 liters (3.2 to 3.6 pounds). $239.95-$289.95. KARI BODNARCHUK Kari Bodnarchuk can be reached at
Condé Nast Traveler
5 hours ago
- Condé Nast Traveler
Where to Eat, Stay, and Play in Venice—Italy's Haven for Art and Architecture Fans
When Claude Monet first arrived in Venice in 1908, he was 68 years old and deeply reluctant to visit what he considered an overcrowded destination that had been painted so many times by others. The Impressionist master had specifically avoided Venice, dismissing it as overhyped and too touristy—a statement that's still quite accurate in today's travel conversations. Yet after seeing the city, Monet was instantly captivated, stating it may be too beautiful to be painted. Though he tried to resist the urge, Monet ended up creating 37 luminous canvases that captured Venice perfectly. This tension between Venice's magnetic beauty and its tourism challenges reflects the thousand-year story of a city built on contradictions: Venice was the capital of a maritime republic for nearly a millennium (810–1797 CE), controlling territories across the Adriatic and Mediterranean while serving as Europe's first true international financial center. Constructed on over a hundred small islands connected by bridges and canals, Venice was originally established as a safe haven for people fleeing persecution after the Roman Empire's collapse, and evolved into one of the world's greatest cities for trading. Today, as Venice transforms into a living laboratory during the 2025 Architecture Biennale's exhibition of 'natural, artificial, and collective intelligence,' the city continues its long tradition of innovation. Like Monet, who overcame his hesitations to create some of his most beloved works, contemporary visitors who look beyond the crowds discover a Venice that remains what it has always been—118 islands connected by 400-plus bridges where canals replace streets and gondolas are your Uber. The city somehow works despite being built entirely on water, and what makes it irresistible to art and architecture lovers is that you're essentially wandering through a living museum. Byzantine churches house Tintoretto masterpieces and every palazzo tells the stories of Venetians who turned their improbable floating city into one of the world's greatest art collections. Here's where to find it all on your next visit. How to get around Venice's 100+ islands Venice's car-free streets mean water transportation is the way to go—the ACTV vaporetto (water bus) system is your most wallet-friendly option, with day passes starting around 25 euros and routes connecting all of the most frequented islands, the airport, and the train station. For a quick canal crossing, hop on a traghetto (shared gondola) for just 2 euros, while private water taxis offer luxury door-to-door service at premium prices (expect 100+ euros for even the shortest of trips). Gondola rides are purely romantic tourist activities, rather than practical transport, typically costing 80–100 euros for 30 minutes, but walking is the best way to discover Venice's magic, if time allows. For touring around, Classic Boats Venice offers many different types of boats and private lagoon tours for those itching to explore Venice's waterways beyond the standard routes. At Il Palazzo Experimental, modern Italian cuisine meets Venetian tradition through locally sourced ingredients and bold flavors. Karel Balas/Il Palazzo Experimental Chef Denis Begiqi brings Mediterranean flair to the Renaissance-era palace setting of Il Palazzo Experimental. Mr. Tripper/Il Palazzo Experimental What to eat and drink in Venice Ignore anyone who says there's no good food in Venice. The food scene is dialed in—you just have to know where to go and how to separate yourself from the tourists. The lagoon's unique ecosystem provides ingredients that make Venetian cuisine so distinctive: There's schie (tiny, local shrimp) and moeche (soft-shell crab) that appear seasonally, creating dishes you simply can't find anywhere else. These specialties shine in Venice's culture of cicchetti—small plates served at traditional bacari (wine bars) that let you sample multiple local flavors in one sitting. And don't overlook tramezzini: Venice's answer to tea sandwiches are triangular, crustless bread filled with everything from tuna and artichokes to prosciutto and figs and perfect for a quick lunch between museum visits (head to Bar Alla Toletta for some of the city's best). And when you order a spritz in Venice, you'll get the traditional Venetian version made with Select Aperitivo—the ruby-red, bitter liqueur created by the Pilla brothers in 1920 specifically for Venice with 30 botanicals including juniper and rhubarb. Served with prosecco, soda water, and garnished with a green olive, the original spritz predates the global Aperol phenomenon and delivers a more sophisticated, balanced, and bittersweet profile. Start your mornings at Rialto Market (mornings only, Monday to Saturday) for the freshest ingredients, then head to Algiubagio restaurant, where the prime over-the-water terrace and the striking Davide Penso vibrant green seaweed Murano glass statement piece signal you've arrived somewhere special. This is home to Venice's most iconic tiramisu, a tribute to Banksy, who allegedly dined here during a previous Biennale season. Chef Daniele Zennaro's commitment to sourcing everything from the lagoon makes this the epicenter of the city's zero-kilometer movement.
