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The Best Pools in Las Vegas to Fit Your Mood

4/24/2019

Mandalay Bay Beach

One of the top reasons to book a Las Vegas getaway -- aside from the gambling, food, shows and raging night life -- is the chance to indulge in a day by the pool under bright sunshine.

Because it's one of the fastest-growing and biggest North American cities by population, Las Vegas offers dozens of Las Vegas hotels and resorts with all kinds of pools. No matter what kind of pool "style" you are seeking during your trip to Las Vegas, you can find it somewhere in Sin City.

Las Vegas offers pools for families, party animals, chillaxing and people watching. Check out our list of the best Las Vegas resort pools in this guest post by Damjan Tanaskivic.

Mandalay Bay
Get lost amid the tropical paradise of Mandalay Bay Beach and its lazy river. Well known for eight innovative pools spanning 11 acres of the resort property, Mandalay has a bit of something for everyone. Beach Bar and Grill offers three bars areas, so youâ€™ll never go hungry or thirsty. The Moorea Beach Club pool area is the adults-only topless-allowed swimming hole. Mandalay Bay's beach is also home to "Daylight," a wild Ibiza-style party.

Aria Resort
Love tropical settings? You'll find it here and at many of the Las Vegas pool areas. Aria's pool deck also features one huge swimming pool surrounded by several smaller ones. Those getting a Sky Suite have access to an exclusive pool deck of their own! If you're in a mood for a party, check out Liquid, an upscale pool area with a modernistic touch and large VIP cabanas.

The Mirage
Yes, you guessed it -- more jungles! This time, though, they're reminiscent of Polynesian beaches, with a touch of contemporary design. The pool at the Mirage in Las Vegas is the best place you can go to with your family. The pools are heated, so they are ideal for winter trips to Vegas, as well. You could get lost exploring all the smaller pools. More free-spirited? Check out Bare Pool Lounge, an adults-only, topless-optional pool and party area.

Caesar's Palace
Oh, the famous Garden of the Gods. Such an appropriate name for a vibrant and luxe pool area. With eight pools -- each representing a Roman deity -- you are spoiled for options for your days of leisure and entertainment. Go to the Bacchus pool if you're seeking the VIP treatment, or check out the Venus pool for a more adult atmosphere. You can also treat yourself to a massage at the spa. Pure pampering: That's what this place is all about.

Encore Beach Club
Encore Beach Club at the Wynn Las Vegas resort is all about the wild Las Vegas parties at its three-tiered pool complex. Encore Beach Club attracts some of the biggest names in the DJ scene, such as David Guetta. It's regularly ranked as the best Las Vegas "Adult Party Pool."

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The Cosmopolitan
The classy, upscale Boulevard Pool at the Cosmopolitan represents the best of elegance and style. What's basically one big pool has several shallow ends where you can just chill out, wade among friends while sipping your frozen drinks and working on a sweet tan. Leisure and pleasure are guaranteed for visitors to this pool area. Consider the resort's Marquee Dayclub pool party for an afternoon of revelry.

The Venetian
Have a taste of Venice in this luxurious reincarnation of the Italian city and its landmarks. The Venetian Las Vegas pool area is equally prestigious and a perfect place for sun-worshippers after it underwent a big renovation at the end of 2018. Grab your cocktails, kick back and get a taste of the good life. Want to check out the original Las Vegas beach party? Tao Beach is the hot spot for daytime indulgence right on the Strip.

Bellagio
While the resort is best known for its breathtaking dancing fountains, Bellagio also features laid-back pools for people looking to relax and spend a day alone or with their families. Not seeking those loud and energetic party pools? The pool at the Bellagio will come as a breath of fresh, relaxing air.

Delano Las Vegas
Open just for travelers staying at Delano Las Vegas, an all-suite retreat next to Mandalay Bay, the exclusive nature of this nice pool and the hotel means that you'll be able to have way more room for yourself or your family. It's definitely less crowded and chaotic, but no less luxurious.

Golden Nugget
Located in Old Las Vegas on Fremont Street, the Golden Nugget's The Tank pool is one of the coolest pool places you're going to find in the city. You can venture down a tube through a shark tank. For a more adult approach to entertainment, check out the Hideout, an infinity pool and cabana area.

Which type of pool experience do you prefer? Have you tried any of these Las Vegas pools? What did you think? Amazing time, or overrated?

Let us know in the comments.
Thanks for reading,
JR

One More to Consider: Flamingo Resort Pool

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New Expedition Cruise Ships Set to Deliver Luxury and Adventure

4/12/2019

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Seabourn Venture rendering courtesy of Seabourn

By John Roberts
Expedition offerings are set to expand greatly with the arrival of dozens of new and innovative vessels in the coming few years. In fact, there are more than 40 new ships in the planning phases or nearing completion.

In Miami, at the annual Seatrade convention, cruise lines unveiled plans for a few new expedition ships and offered more details on their previously announced vessels that will hit the waters in the near future.

We think these new expedition ships will offer unique experiences that cruisers will be excited to try.

Seabourn Venture
One of the ships that we are most looking forward to is Seabourn Venture, an ultra-luxury beauty that will sail in style to some of the most sought-after regions of the world. This 264-passenger ship will have a variety of spaces that passengers will love to call home when back onboard after their exploration ashore.

The Expedition Lounge, Discovery Center and Landing Zone are new spaces for Seabourn that will aim to create a rugged feel. This would deliver a sense of awe and adventure in the design, alongside an environment of exceptional, intuitive service, Seabourn says. The new spaces will capture the romanticism of early explorers and the thrill of discovery -- with thoughtful details and materials that are very tactile and give you the sense of ruggedness that comes with expedition travel while maintaining pristine luxury and comfort.

Designer Adam D. Tihany is also creating all indoor and outdoor areas on Seabourn Venture and a second to-be-named sister ship that is scheduled to set sail in May 2022.

â€œWhen you conjure up images of the ideal adventure trip, you would head out into the stunning wilderness for the day knowing that when you return a cozy, welcoming space filled with luxurious materials like leathers and rich woods that invites relaxation and conversation awaits you," says Richard Meadows, Seabourn's president. "Each of these newly designed spaces hits that note perfectly, leaving our guests wanting for nothing and giving them an inviting place to talk to fellow travelers each day about the incredible experiences they had."

Seabourn Venture is scheduled to launch in June 2021 and offer 24 zodiacs, e-bikes, two submarines, a 26-person expedition team, open bridge, 2,750 square meters of open deck space and 132 balcony staterooms for up to 264 travelers.

"You're roughing it in style," Tihany says of the look and feel of an expedition aboard the new ships.

Rendering courtesy of Silversea

Silver Origin
Silversea has a luxury expedition ship built specifically for the Galapagos. Silver Origin is set to launch in summer 2020. Silversea says the 100-passenger, all-inclusive, all-suite ship will be one of the most environmentally friendly ships on the waters.

The expedition team, all certified by the National Park of the Galapagos, will lead an immersive program highlighting Ecuadorian culture and cuisine, as well as providing detailed information about this most fascinating destination via lectures, daily briefings, videos and scientific information.

The cruise line currently sails the Galapagos with Silver Galapagos, which will be replaced by the new Silver Origin. The new ship will offer luxurious spaces such as the Explorer Lounge, Observation Lounge and Basecamp, an innovative space that will be home to the educational experiences and connects to the zodiac launch area. The ship also features two dining venues, The Grill and The Restaurant.

Rendering of World Explorer courtesy of Quark Expeditions

World Explorer
This new luxury ship from Mystic Cruises launched in March 2019 and is operated by German line Nicko Cruises and Quark Expeditions.

Mystic Cruises is a new expedition cruise company, offering programs in captivating destinations, including Antarctica, Europe, Iceland and Greenland. The company says it is focused on offering unique experiences in an eco-friendly way, with all the comfort of a five-star cruise ship. Nicko Cruises is sailing World Explorer's inaugural, summer 2019 season, and Quark Expeditions has chartered the ship for Antarctica voyages in winter 2019-20.

North American cruisers will be able to get on the ship via the Quark Expeditions charter. After a second charter ship, World Voyager, launches in 2020, Mystic Cruises plans to debut the first of four Mystic Cruises USA ships beginning in 2021.

These 200-passenger vessels will be focused on cruisers coming from North America. Each cabin has either a private walk-out or small balcony, as well as plenty of public areas to gather with fellow passengers after a day outdoors. The glass-domed Observation Lounge offers full skyline views, and the ships also feature an Explorer Lounge with a bar, a library for more intimate relaxing and reading and a dedicated lecture theater for enrichment talks and presentations.

The ship also offers health and wellness facilities, such as an outdoor running track, a small gym and a sauna, plus a spa with change rooms, showers and lockers. For more active adventurers, add-ons include kayaking, camping and stand-up paddleboarding.

Rendering of Scenic Eclipse courtesy of Scenic Cruises and Tours

Scenic Eclipse
Scenic Cruises bills this new ship as the world's first discovery yacht. The 228-passenger ship will sail voyages in the Americas, Antarctica, Europe, the Med, the Arctic and fjords in Chile and Norway. Scenic Eclipse is due to set sail in August 2019 and promises "six star luxury" while passengers explore exotic regions.

The ship offers nine restaurants, eight lounges and bars, outdoor terraces, spa, pools, hot tubs, a movie theater and your own private verandah suite. Passengers will launch their adventures from a marine deck or hop in a helicopter or submarine that is carried on the ship.

Ponant Le Laperouse in Milford Sound New Zealand

Ponant's Le Laperouse in Milford Sound in New Zealand

Ponant Luxury Expeditions
The French cruise line had launched its first two new luxury expedition ships by 2018, Le Laperouse and Le Champlain, and an ambitious schedule will see six in the fleet of 184-passenger ships by 2020. The ships will sail all over the world. I enjoyed a cruise on the ship with its Backroads adventure travel partner, and we had an amazing active voyage in New Zealand.

These ships have the innovative Blue Eye underwater lounge where you can experience the sights and sounds under the surface through a speaker system and two large portholes. They also feature zodiacs a marina, pool, sauna and a luxurious Observatory Lounge (a bar area with indoor and outdoor spaces perfect for comfortable observation of the scenic areas where you cruise).

Cruise and Maritime Voyages Astoria cruise ship

Courtesy of Cruise and Maritime Voyages

Cruise and Maritime Voyages
It's not only the brand-new ships that make expedition cruising a hot topic, but also new itineraries that visit special places. Cruise and Maritime Voyages announced a new soft-expedition itinerary sailing roundtrip from Puerto Penasco, also known as Rocky Point, on its 550-passenger ship Astoria.

This is a good way to explore the Sea of Cortez on a 12-day soft expedition cruise program that is part of CMV's new "Voyages of Exploration" collection. Astoria sails from Puerto Penasco to distinctive ports of call in Sonora, Sinaloa and Baja California Sur, including Puerto Topolobampo, Mazatlan, Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, Loreto, Santa Rosalia and Guaymas.

"This is an exciting project that we have been very much looking forward to announcing together with the Mexican states of Baja California Sur and Sonora . . . the first opportunity to cruise from Puerto Penasco -- Rocky Point," said John Dennis, vice president of sales and Marketing for CMV USA. "Our new Treasures of the Sea of Cortez voyage takes travelers to discover some of the best kept secret destinations of Mexico."

Born in an era marked by volcanic eruptions and ongoing earthquakes more than 5 million years ago, the Sea of Cortez features natural wonders, amazing wildlife and spectacular islands. In fact, the Sea of Cortez is the richest body of water on planet, featuring many islands designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites. The region offers an impressive array of marine mammals, more than 900 species of fish and plentiful birdlife. It was a voyage here that inspired John Steinbeck to write a book about his expedition, and it's the body of water famously described as a "living aquarium" by Jacques Cousteau.

Worth noting:
Viking Expedition Cruises
The fast-growing cruise line that made river cruising so well-known and popular, came to the oceans in 2015 and wowed passengers with amazing voyages onboard its sleek 930-passenger kid-free and amenity-inclusive ships. Now, Viking is delving into the fast-growing expedition segment with plans for two expeditions ships that are expected to debut in 2021 and 2022.
At this point, little is known about the details of the ships, but the Viking track record suggests that they will be worth keeping an eye out for as details emerge.

Which cruise ships are you most excited for?
Let us know in the comments below, and thanks for reading,
JR

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15 Things You Need to Know Before You Visit New Zealand

4/5/2019

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In Picton, our Backroads group took a fantastic hike on the Queen Charlotte Track, which at times overlooks a beautiful sound.

By John Roberts

If you have to spend 20-plus hours in airports and on planes to fly halfway across the planet to get to a place, the destination better be worth the grind.

New Zealand is a fine payoff, indeed, for that kind of hassle.

The land that the Maori call Aotearoa, which translates as "land of the long white cloud" is known for its natural beauty and amazing outdoors activities. I went there to take a multi-sport adventure cruise with Backroads, the active travel company that I previously traveled with on two adventures in Europe on Danube river cruises.

7 Things About a Biking Cruise with Backroads and AmaWaterways

An Epic Hiking Trip on the Danube with Backroads

This time, we sailed from Auckland on the North Island all the way to Dunedin at the bottom of the South Island.

Along the way, I learned a few things about New Zealand that can help you have a good working knowledge and help you prepare for your first trip to this fascinating island nation.

The Maori people are the original settlers of New Zealand. You can't truly learn about New Zealand without exploring the Maori culture.

The Maori
The indigenous people of New Zealand are the Maori. These people are the world's original explorers and adventurers, having settled throughout Polynesia and the larger region by undertaking epic canoe trips to reach the far-flung and remote island. More than 600,000 people identify as Maori in New Zealand, or about 15 percent of the residents. To truly immerse yourself in what New Zealand is all about, make sure to seek out experiences that help you learn about the Maori culture, customs, language, music and dance.

Visa
Entry to the country is easy for travelers with a U.S. passport. No visa is required from U.S. travelers to New Zealand. You fill out a form upon arrival that allows a stay for up to three months, and your passport must have an expiration date that extends at least three months beyond your trip.

Cable Bay vineyard on Waiheke Island in New Zealand

We took a hike to Cable Bay vineyard on Waiheke Island to enjoy a sampling of wines and a nice lunch.

Wines
New Zealand wines have been earning acclaim for decades now. The country features a range of blends and varietals but is well known for its Sauvignon Blanc. Top regions to sample the flavors and enjoy wine tours in New Zealand: Hawke's Bay, Marlborough, Canterbury and Waiheke Island (off the coast from Auckland).

Population
New Zealand is a relatively small country, located about 1,200 miles east of its massive neighbor Australia across the Tasman Sea. New Zealand is home to about 5 million people, with about 3.7 million living on the North Island.

Milford Sound on the South Island is a great place to explore via a kayaking outing.

Two Islands
The country features two main islands, North Island and South Island. They are separated by a narrow waterway, Cook Strait. The North Island has the largest population centers of Auckland in the north and Wellington, the capital city, in the south. The South Island is more wild, desolate and great for exploring nature. The South Island is 33 percent larger than the North Island and is the 12th largest island in the world.

Great Walks
Hikers can take on the 10 Great Walks of New Zealand. These are famous multi-day trails that are meticulously maintained by the country's Department of Conservation. The challenging routes range from 20 miles to 51 miles and typically take two to six days to finish. Try one or more of these Great Walks to see waterfalls, beaches, rainforests and all the wonderful natural features New Zealand can offer.

Kea, alpine parrot in Milford Sound, New Zealand

The kea is the world's only Alpine parrot. I saw this beauty and a few others in Milford Sound.

Wildlife
New Zealand has surprisingly few mammals and "nothing that can kill you," the natives like to say. Instead, the country offers an interesting variety of docile animals. In fact, the country's only native mammals are bats and marine animals. In the fjords, you can easily spot dolphins and seals. New Zealand is the seabird capital of the world. The country is home to about 80 seabirds, and more than one-third of those are only found in New Zealand. Look for albatrosses, New Zealand fairy terns, gannets, penguins and a variety of ducks. Onshore, you can try to spot fantails, keas and flightless birds like the wekas and iconic kiwis. (Note: kiwis are nocturnal and difficult to spot.)

Lord of the Rings
New Zealand is filled with multiple filming locations for the epic trilogy "Lord of the Rings" movies, as well as "The Hobbit" trilogy, and these films have been credited with a surge of tourism in the past decade from people who want to see whether the nation can really offer such magical places as depicted in New Zealand native Peter Jackson's movies. Yes, these Middle Earth landscapes are real, and you can see them on one of the many LOTR tours offered throughout New Zealand.

Milford Sound is located in Fjordland National Park in the southwestern part of the country. This region is filled with stunning valleys and waterfalls.

Fjordland National Park
Located on the southwest corner of the South Island, Fjordland National Park consists of a stunning network of cliffs, valleys and fjords. The mountains, lakes and rainforest environment receive vast amounts of rainfall each year, which creates rushing waterfalls. Within the region are several glaciers, as well. Because of the isolation and unique characteristics of the area, the park is home to plant and animal species not found anywhere else. This is an amazing region to explore on a hike or cruises in the fjords.

Merino Wool
New Zealand's merino (sheep) wool and possum-merino blend products rank among the most-coveted items for visitors to buy. Gloves, hats, socks, sweaters and other clothing are available, and these items are soft, washable and eco-friendly. They are durable and work especially well to regulate body temperature because of the nature of the fine fibers. Also, the New Zealand possum is a pest in the country that was introduced from Australia in the 1800s and pose a serious threat to the environment, native birds and agriculture. Possums are harvested humanely during regular culls, and the purchase of a possum product aids the restoration of the country's environment.

New Zealand offers a wide range of delicious honeys. The country is one of the top consumers of honey per capita.

Food and Beverage
Of course, you want to know what to eat and drink (aside from the wine). New Zealand has a fine selection of craft beers, and you can find plenty of charming craft brew joints in the bigger cities, especially Wellington. Look for Garage Project or Panhead beers if you want a distinctive taste of New Zealand brewing. Seafood is a top choice when in New Zealand as are meals made with lamb, steak and pork. Other treats include fresh kiwi fruit, honey and artisan ice cream and cheeses (the country is known for its fine dairy production).

Money
New Zealand dollars (NZD) exchange at about 65 percent of 70 percent of the U.S. dollar, as of this writing. Prices are such in the country that the exchange difference is essentially nullified when compared with U.S. prices for items like, beer, food or clothing.

Driving
You drive, walk and bike on the left side in New Zealand. Stay focused to stay safe when getting around -- whether by car or bike.

Little Beer Quarter is Wellington, New Zealand

I found this nice craft brewery among the many you can visit while in Wellington, New Zealand.

Bio Regulations
The country holds its biosecurity sacred, and you'll pay steep fines if you bring in unauthorized foods and other items (whether intentionally or not). It is best to familiarize yourself with the rules before entering the country, and make sure to declare any items at customs upon arrival if you have any doubt as to whether your items are allowed.

All Blacks
Sports fans likely have heard of the national rugby team from New Zealand. The All Blacks have been among the best squads worldwide for more than a century and are a great source of national pride for New Zealanders. They are the only team to have claimed three Rugby World Cup titles, as of 2019.

Thanks for reading,
JR

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The Best Pools in Las Vegas to Fit Your Mood

One More to Consider: Flamingo Resort Pool

New Expedition Cruise Ships Set to Deliver Luxury and Adventure

15 Things You Need to Know Before You Visit New Zealand

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