bon voyage 2023

Bon Voyage 2023

Once again Alaska was the nation’s premiere cruise destination, attracting a record 1.64 million cruise visitors in 2023 who spent $2.44 billion in the state, according to figures from CLIA Alaska and the Alaska Travel Industry Association.

More than 40 ships visited Alaska during a season that stretched from April 17 to October 27 and included more than 20 ports, ranging from Metlakatla to Attu to Utqiagvik. On some days Juneau greeted as many as 21,000 visitors.

“Intense” is how some Alaskans characterized the season that saw the ships’ average capacity exceed 100%. “At times, it was shoulder to shoulder in the shop,” said one shop owner in Juneau. “Sometimes I just ran out of stuff.”

Collaboration and innovation became critical to the season’s success. Communities throughout Southeast sat down with the industry to discuss issues and fixes. Some are developing new berthing plans that are responsive to 2023 season concerns — plans that range from limits on ship numbers to staggered passenger arrivals. Ketchikan hired its first Tourism Manager and Sitka established a broad-based Tourism Task Force.

Itinerary changes forced some communities to scramble, especially in Southeast where several large ships were diverted to Sitka due to issues at one of Skagway’s docks and to Icy Strait Point, which absorbed the schedule of a ship diverted from Prince William Sound.

Staffing remained an issue for some but generally it was a very good season as the industry fully recovered to pre-pandemic numbers and then some.

When Will Characters Return to Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast at Trattoria al Forno?

Walt Disney World is mostly back to normal on the restaurant front, with a handful of character dining experiences being the biggest exception. Among these is Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast at Trattoria al Forno , which was a newer addition pre-closure but had quickly become a fan-favorite for its princesses & princes, delicious menu, and convenience to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.

Before we dig into our non-character breakfast at Trattoria al Forno, we might as well start with a look back at Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast. Along with a look forward with speculation about when the Bon Voyage Character Breakfast could return, since that’s a common question among Walt Disney World fans.

In a nutshell, Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast was an incredibly popular character dining experience that featured two of Disney’s most beloved couples: Rapunzel & Flynn Rider from Tangled and Ariel & Prince Eric from The Little Mermaid. Breakfast service featured a bit of fanfare with music and introductions to receive the royalty when they entered, but it was otherwise the regular restaurant–a bit upscale and sophisticated, at least as contrasted with other dedicated character restaurants at Walt Disney World, like Chef Mickey’s or Garden Grill.

That’s a big part of why Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast quickly became so beloved. Beyond that, it was because it was a start of a ‘new wave’ of character dining at Walt Disney World. This began at Trattoria al Forno, and continued with  Storybook Dining at Artist Point and Breakfast à la Art with Mickey & Friends at Topolino’s Terrace . Not so coincidentally, those rank as the #3, #2 and #1 options on our list of the Best Character Meals at Walt Disney World .

As for when Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast at Trattoria al Forno will return…we’re frankly a bit surprised that it hasn’t already. With that said, character dining experiences that have featured princes and princesses have generally been slower to return. Not only that, but those that are back have been slow to scale up. This is all due to staffing shortages, especially of face characters.

It wasn’t until this spring that princesses finally returned to Cinderella’s Royal Table, and that’s arguably  the  most iconic character meal in Walt Disney World’s flagship park. More recently, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall restored breakfast and lunch a few months ago after only reopening late last year. It struggled to keep up with ADR demand at first, and still isn’t completely back to its preclosure operating hours.

It’s not just the restaurants, either. Meet & greets still aren’t operating at their pre-closure capacity, which is why wait times for characters spike during the daytime hours in Magic Kingdom during Party Season. These performers are needed for the after-hours events, reducing their availability during normal operations.

Suffice to say, the staffing shortages are getting better–but they’re still not completely resolved. Just look at Disney Auditions , where Walt Disney World currently has casting calls for Tiana, Elena, Moana, Jasmine, Pocahontas, and Mirabel; Bruno, Naveen, Aladdin, Flynn Rider, Prince Charming, Gaston, Snow Prince, Prince Eric, and Jack Sparrow.

It’s possible that some of these look-alikes are for Bon Voyage Adventure Character Breakfast. They also could be entirely unrelated, and for in-park appearances at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom.

As for why Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast is among the last character meals to return even after other royal dining experiences have, that likely comes down to it being a lower priority. Although it was pretty popular pre-closure, it’s not a rite of passage like Cinderella’s Royal Table or the “in-castle consolation prize” that is Akershus. It was originally added pre-closure to provide much-needed character dining capacity, but the circumstances were different then–there was no face character shortage.

Compared to the other options, Bon Voyage Adventure Character Breakfast is hardly as “essential.” It has its fans, but it doesn’t have a rich history or legacy, and unlike Story Book Dining at Artist Point or Topolino’s Terrace, it isn’t an instant classic around which a ton of Walt Disney World guests book resort reservations. (This isn’t to say Bon Voyage Breakfast doesn’t have its hardcore fans, and I’m sure I’ll hear from them for being dismissive of it, but it’s still nothing like those. Its significance is comparatively minor.)

When Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast does return, don’t be surprised if it features different characters. I don’t say this with any inside info or insight, but since the setting is flexible, Walt Disney World might opt to incorporate new royalty either as a matter of convenience (e.g. who they’re able to most easily cast) or based upon who they want to highlight (e.g. maybe Mirabel and Bruno?). In all likelihood, it’ll be the prince and princess posse from before, but don’t discount the possibility of a change.

As for when Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast will return…as mentioned above, we expected it to be back by now. So it should be obvious that we have no clue. I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of it opening by this Christmas or, if not, Spring 2024. With the Disney Dining Plan returning, there won’t be any shortage of long-term demand–not that there is now.

So it really comes down to sufficient staffing of the face characters. Personally, I think they should side-step that issue by making this a Mickey & Friends meal with turn-of-the-century Atlantic City outfits for the fur characters. Topolino’s Terrace serves as the perfect template for on-theme character costume dining.

Speaking of Topolino’s Terrace…be careful what you wish for! Following the Fall 2023 Character Dining Price Increases at Disney World , Topolino’s Terrace now costs $49 per adult. For that price, you could have 3+ of the breakfast entrees from the a la carte menu at Trattoria al Forno reviewed here!

Anyway, on with the review of the current breakfast at Trattoria al Forno…

For starters, we’re big fans of Trattoria al Forno. We’ve dined here on several occasions in the last few years, as it’s an easy last-minute Advance Dining Reservation and serves up consistently good (and filling–we usually have leftovers!) food at fair prices. Our post, Walt Disney World’s Underrated Italian Restaurant , about sums up our feelings on Trattoria al Forno.

It’s a very similar story at breakfast. We love this as an option for a late breakfast  after  Early Entry at EPCOT or Disney’s Hollywood Studios. While staying at the Crescent Lake or Skyliner resorts, it’s a convenient stop on the way back to the room for a midday break or, as is often needed, a second shower. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights…

Let’s start with the Sunrise Breakfast Pizza: Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Sausage, Bell Peppers, and Cheese.

The big difference between this breakfast pizza and pretty much every other one at Walt Disney World is Trattoria al Forno’s stone pizza oven. That ensures you’re getting an exceptional crust, on par with the likes of Via Napoli, and not just some flatbread that might as well be a saltine cracker.

This crust is glorious. It has tremendous texture and flavor, and a certain crispiness-meets-doughiness that is absolutely phenomenal.

The slightly-chewy crust is delicious on its own, which is a very good thing, since the toppings coverage on the Sunrise Breakfast Pizza left a bit to be desired. These photos are  slightly deceptive, as there are layers of toppings in the middle of the pizza, but still not enough around the edges. A better distribution definitely would’ve been nice.

Nevertheless, don’t underestimate the Sunrise Breakfast Pizza based on these photos and the list of ingredients. There’s more than meets the eye here. Those bites in the center that combine layers of toppings along with a bit of country sausage gravy as sauce make for something special…and distinctly patriotic, as gravy is basically America’s national topping. (As someone whose political platform is basically pro-sauce, I would’ve loved a lot more of this–and think it would’ve worked well with the crust.)

More of this  is basically how I feel about the Sunrise Breakfast Pizza. More sauce and more toppings would’ve made this an elite Walt Disney World breakfast dish, and probably one so substantial that two people could easily share it. As it was served, it’s tough to complain too much given the filling & fantastic crust plus the toppings plus the price ($14). All of that makes it a winner that we’ll happily revisit!

Next, the Tiramisù Bread Pudding: Cinnamon Brioche, Mascarpone Cream, and Espresso Drizzle served with choice of Bacon or Sausage.

You read that correctly. This combines Tiramisù and Bread Pudding for a dish that somehow qualifies as breakfast. How is that even legal?!? It’s like that time Congress declared that pizza is a vegetable in U.S. public school cafeterias. To be clear, I’m not complaining. If anything, I’m disappointed that Senate hasn’t mandated that I eat dessert each night right before bed.  For health. 

As it turns out, I guess my political platform isn’t pro-sauce–I’m a member of the Tiramisù Bread Pudding Party. (Sorry to make this political, but I think these are the important issues upon which all Americans can agree!)

In all seriousness, Tiramisù Bread Pudding combines two of my all-time favorite desserts and I should be transparent with my obvious bias here. For me, there’s no such thing as bad Tiramisù or Bread Pudding. I’ve never had a version of either dessert that I disliked–they’re both ‘high floor’ dishes for me that have a baseline that’s very good.

I guess there could be fears that combining the two would be too much of a good thing or an awesomeness overload, but those were not concerns held by me. Bottom line, this Tiramisù Bread Pudding was pretty much guaranteed an 8/10 or above rating from me just by virtue of existing. I cannot imagine any kitchen screwing up the marriage of these two delicious desserts. ( The Italy Booth has entered the chat.)

I’d rate this Tiramisù Bread Pudding as about a 9/10 or 9.5/10. Flavorwise, it’s fantastic. It has the trademark profile of tiramisù, with rich coffee and cocoa flavors, paired with the sweet and creaminess of mascarpone.

In terms of texture, it might stumble just a little. For me, this is a big part of what normally makes both of these desserts, and you do have elements of each in here. The top is fantastic and the first two-thirds of the dessert underneath are as well. But I think it becomes a bit too one-note, with the ‘loaf’ having a lot of sameness. That’s perhaps a bit nitpicky, but what I love about both tiramisù and bread pudding is the delight offered with the layers of each bite.

To avoid this, we’d strongly recommend splitting this between a couple (or a few) people. That way, it’s flat-out fantastic, and will leave everyone wanting more. Even though it’s not 10/10 perfection for me, it’s so inventive and delicious that it’s an easy and highly recommended breakfast/dessert. Better than the Sunrise Breakfast Pizza and arguably the best breakfast in this resort area (keep in mind, that includes Ale & Compass and potentially Riviera Resort’s restaurants).

This is truly the perfect pairing–I can’t imagine breakfast getting much better than this savory and sweet combo.

As I sat here devouring this divine duo, I found myself thinking back to when I was a child. If you told me that someday I’d be a researcher, I’d probably be disappointed, unless it was  of dinosaurs . But if you told me that I’d be “researching” strategy for doing rides at EPCOT, followed by the best breakfast combos at Walt Disney World, my mind would be blown.

I probably wouldn’t believe it unless you also told me that the Detroit Lions still hadn’t won a Super Bowl, and that a Barry Sanders wasn’t the only generational talent to retire from the team in his prime. Then I’d say,  yeah that checks out.  (First place in the NFC North isn’t too shabby, though!)

Finally, a couple of items that are holdovers from the Bon Voyage Adventure Character Breakfast. The first of these is the Oak-grilled Steak and Eggs: Sunny-side Up Eggs, Breakfast Potatoes, Crispy Onions, Hollandaise Sauce.

As far as breakfast steaks go, this is a tender cut with a nice, mildly smoky flavor. It’s strikingly similar to the Wood-fired Steak and Eggs served for breakfast at Topolino’s Terrace, so if you’re looking for something like that but without the character premium pricing, Trattoria al Forno is a good alternative (for now).

Then there’s the Buttermilk Pancakes with Seasonal Compote, served with Bacon or Sausage.

This was served as a Tower of Pancakes, presumably inspired by Tangled (get it?), and that appears to still be the case. Presentation-aside, I don’t think this is really anything special–it’s a denser version of an ordinary pancake. I’m guessing there was less buttermilk and more cornmeal to give these a coarser texture and a bit of crunch. They were fine, but not something to order unless you’re only concerned with Instagramability.

Trattoria al Forno is inviting on the inside. There’s an abundance of warm colors, rich woods, brick features, and paneling. It’s not the pinnacle of themed design, but very much conveys the theme of upscale Italian restaurant.

From the upholstery to the light fixtures, there’s a depth and detail. Plenty of texture, variety of materials, and light touches that you’d expect from a family-run Italian restaurant.

The star of the show is the open kitchen, which is visible from the far reaches of the seating area.

I wouldn’t necessarily call the setting a distinctly Walt Disney World restaurant–definitely not the pinnacle of themed design or immersiveness–but it’s not bland, either. Trattoria al Forno is better by leaps and bounds than its closest competition (Ale & Compass). The design is thoughtful and inviting, just not memorable. You’re eating here for the food.

Overall, this breakfast was yet another great meal at Trattoria al Forno. As much as we enjoy dinner here, breakfast might beat it. Whereas dinner plays the tried and true Italian hits, the breakfast menu has interesting and somewhat inventive options. Beyond what’s reviewed here, there’s also the Caprese Omelet, Al Forno Eggs, Florentine Frittata, and Avocado Toast–all of which sound delicious (and ambitious).

Part of me wouldn’t mind Trattoria al Forno remaining an a la carte breakfast so we can revisit again and again to try all of those dishes–and order these items a few more times–without breaking the bank. Another part of me is  still  thinking about King Triton’s Shipwreck Al Forno Breakfast Calzone that was served at the Bon Voyage Adventure Character Breakfast. So honestly, I’ll be happy with whatever happens to Trattoria al Forno. Or doesn’t.

As we’ve said before, Trattoria al Forno is a mid-tier resort restaurant that punches above its weight, delivering approachable and quality cuisine. It’s reliably good, with delicious and a bit unexpected Italian cuisine served in sizable portion sizes at fair prices. It might not be a Signature Restaurant or a quintessential culinary experience at Walt Disney World, but that’s perfectly fine. Trattoria al Forno is much lower stakes, and usually overdelivers relative to expectations (and the bill). Which is more than can be said for some Signature Restaurants!

Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews . To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!

Your Thoughts

What do you think of Trattoria al Forno? Have you done breakfast here? Would you prefer it to stay a la carte or for the Bon Voyage Adventure Character Dining Experience to return? Where does Trattoria rank in terms of Italian restaurants at Walt Disney World for you? Have any favorite dishes here? Any questions? Hearing your feedback about your experiences is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts or questions below in the comments!

Written by Tom Bricker

Rapunzel is my favorite princess and Bon Voyage was on my list of things I was going to do on was was to be my most magical birthday in April 2020. That was to be my first ever solo trip to WDW and I had everything just perfect. My Rapunzel disneybound outfit all ready to go, I had a character couture appointment set up for short-haired Rapunzel, dinner at California Grill, the Happily Ever After dessert party, and even had a Magic Kingdom after dark ticket. I’m almost now able to build that day again as most is back but I am hoping they can bring this breakfast back too. Since that day I have eaten at Trattoria al Forno and had a most enjoyable meal. The plant based rigatoni bolognese was so good! I’m always happy to eat a meal here, but part of me is still hoping to be able to rebuilt that most magical birthday where I can have breakfast with my favorite princess. And if anything, I do like the idea someone else here in the comments said to have Bon Voyage 5 days a week and normal the other two (or some combo of the two). And for now, one can dream in the meantime.

I think it’s fair to say that with the inability to bring back characters, TaF may have been moved up in line to get a breakfast food upgrade. (That’s good, because the dinner menu was much better than the prior breakfast menu, in my opinion.)

Given how much I liked Flynn and Ariel, I’m hoping that the Beach Club uses your idea for turn of the century Cape May costumes for Mickey and the Gang. I think right now they look a bit too Paradise Pier, if you know what I mean.

“Good” without characters? Sure, probably. But “better” without characters? No. That’s just preposterous.

These entrees averaged $15 each. Bon Voyage with characters would be $49.

If money is taken out of the equation, absolutely, better with characters!

That calzone was incredible. Will miss that forever, would book a trip based on its return. I think a lot of people are sleeping on the frittata, though. Really great flavor and texture. An order of that and the steak shared with the bread pudding sounds like a great way to start the morning!

Wow, you’re even more serious about the calzone than I am! Now that is dedication!

Tom, I absolutely love you and this blog but I have to say the omission of the Al Forno Eggs from this article was a crime against food blogging. We’d barely heard of the place (or its character dining legacy) when we gave it a chance on a Sunday morning a couple years back but I took the advice of our server about the Al Forno Eggs, and wow…the smoky oven-roasted tomato sauce and silky eggs were by far the best thing I tried there, and probably one of the best dishes I’ve ever had on Disney property!

“Tom, I absolutely love you and this blog but I have to say the omission of the Al Forno Eggs from this article was a crime against food blogging”

They’re mentioned at the end as one of the things I want to try!

Reviewing restaurants is tough because there are only two of us and we refuse to waste food–so it’s tougher unless we do multiple meals or go with friends. We usually do one of those things and thought about it here, but I just wanted to get this up because of the character question that keeps being asked.

Fair enough! And of course I get it, I don’t expect you to train your stomach like Joey Chestnut, Kobayashi, or a judge on Top Chef. Just get the eggs next time! 😉

HOW DARE YOU?!

Nah, Tangled is my favorite movie, so I am selfishly hoping this comes back as is by our trip next year, but you make excellent points as always. I know it’s harder to find face characters, but I do wish there were more princess meals in general.

We love Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast, and presumably will want a lot more princess dining soon, too!

It’s just that we also want more restaurants like this, that are easy and offer excellent breakfasts at reasonable prices. Those are sadly also fairly rare at Walt Disney World!

If characters do return, I would add this restaurant to the list of character meals that I wish would have characters 5 days a week and sans characters two.

That would be fantastic. Given staffing shortages for characters, that would also be a workable solution!

I have to mention the Al Forno Eggs. This is the closest thing I have found to shakshuka on property and it’s absolutely delicious! Press Pot coffee is great too! We always try to find a way to work in a breakfast here on our trips.

Yes! Al Forno Eggs! Cooked in the pizza oven… for a savory, filling breakfast that dish can’t be beat (sorry, breakfast pizza)

We have enjoyed eating breakfast here since it was Kouzzina- and enjoyed it with or without the characters. I’m hoping the Tiramisu bread pudding stays on the menu until our summer trip. It looks intriguing! That and a cup of the press pot coffee would be delightful as a late breakfast! I am also inclined to agree that if ANYONE could mess up that dish, it would definitely be the Italy booth. Here is hoping they don’t try…

we enjoyed it in 2019. glad my kids got to meet prince eric and flynn rider, as there’s not anywhere else to see them. well, eric anyway, flynn is on the disney magic ship.

I’m one of those fans. My wife’s favorite Disney Princess is Ariel and mine is Rapunzel. This was perfect for us. Last time we had the opportunity to go we were really tired and cancelled so we could sleep in… and then the pandemic happened and I now deeply regret that decision. Hope this does come back.

My daughter’s favorite princess is Rapunzel. She was less than a year and a half old when everything shut down for the pandemic, so the Bon Voyage breakfast was on our “to-do” list for someday in the future. Really hoping this one comes back for her and all the other little kiddos that don’t remember life pre-pandemic. There aren’t very many princess meals, especially at the resorts instead of the parks.

Turn of the century seaside Mickey and Friends! Genius Tom!

This place is far better than you might expect. I was told in late in 2021 by our server, while I was having dinner with my family, that the chef from Flying Fish had collaborated with the general manager of this restaurant on a new menu. I noticed the change in the menu prior to our server telling us of this “inside” information. We enjoyed every bite of our dinner, which was on par with the flavors and quality of the better Italian restaurants in Disney Springs, and nearly as good as the surprisingly delectable dishes served at Vivo Italian Kitchen at Universal Orlando (A not so hidden gem).

I have thrice dined in the last 4 years at Trattoria al Forno for breakfast and enjoyed the a la carte items, as well as our esteemed blogger. Sitting outside, on a cooler day of course just added to the pleasant experience.

“I was told in late in 2021 by our server, while I was having dinner with my family, that the chef from Flying Fish had collaborated with the general manager of this restaurant on a new menu.”

Yep! We have actually seen the chef from Flying Fish in the kitchen at Trattoria al Forno, offering some sort of instruction to the kitchen, as they plated up dishes.

It’s obviously a totally different type of cuisine and not at the same level, but once you know this about the ‘involvement’ from Flying Fish…it makes perfect sense.

Every time we’ve dined here, it’s been too hot to eat outside–but I’m definitely looking forward to that. Love outdoor dining, and the views around Crescent Lake are better than anything on the inside. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

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The Meandering Traveler

A Travel Blog with Travel Tips and Interesting Facts

Cruise Promotions! Seabourn Rolls Out Two Great Offers!

If ultra-luxury voyages or expedition travel “float your boat,” it’s great to know that Seabourn has unveiled new, value-added cruise promotions this week. Look for generous air credits and extraordinary savings.

“There is an extraordinary opportunity for guests to book and have the best ultra-luxury experience at sea on board Seabourn with these two new limited-time, value-added offers,” says Natalya Leahy , president of Seabourn.

Two Enticing Cruise Promotions

“Whether it’s a relaxing vacation to the Caribbean or a luxury expedition in the Arctic, our guests will be spoiled by the most intuitive service, indulge in the most exquisite culinary journeys and be delighted by unforgettable ‘Seabourn Moments’ when they sail with us,” says Leahy.

All of Seabourn’s ships have all oceanfront suites, many with private balconies. The ships’ crew-to-guest ratio is nearly one team member per guest. And the ultra-luxury vessels carry just 264 to 600 guests.

Bon Voyage or Finale Sail

So, here’s what’s happening on the promotion front…

First, the “ Bon Voyage Event ” offer includes an air credit up to $2,000 per person, a complimentary two-category Veranda Suite upgrade and a reduced 10 percent deposit on select Seabourn voyages and expedition sailings in 2023 and 2024.

Second, travelers seeking a spontaneous, last-minute adventure can tap into “ The Finale Sail. “ Travelers can unlock savings up to 30 percent when they book a fully nonrefundable cruise fare for select suite categories on select 2023 and 2024 sailings.

From T h e Meandering Traveler’s perspective, it’s a great way to create a fabulous luxury vacation this year, or alternatively, to take a bit more time and head out next year. Both promotions are available through July 10, 2023.

Itineraries for the Cruise Promotions 

Seabourn’s new “ Bon Voyage Event ” and “ The Finale Sail ” apply to more than 400 worldwide voyages and expedition itineraries through 2024. Sample ocean voyages and expedition sailings available include:

Bon Voyage Event

• 14-Day Canary Islands & Morocco  – Seabourn Sojourn , October 21 – November 4, 2023, roundtrip from Lisbon, Portugal;
• 14-Day Mediterranean Enchantment  – Seabourn Ovation , October 22, – November 5, 2023, roundtrip from Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy;
• 14-Day Aegean Allure & Turkish Treasures  – Seabourn Encore , November 5-19, 2023, roundtrip from Athens, Greece; and
• 10-Day Captivating Canary Islands & Cape Verde  – Seabourn Quest , April 4-14, 2024, roundtrip from Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands.

The Finale Sail

• 15-Day Greenland & Iceland: Vikings & Volcanoes  – Seabourn Venture , July 29-August 13, 2023, voyage roundtrip from Reykjavik, Iceland;
• 7-Day Glaciers & Alaska Inside Passage  – Seabourn Odyssey , September 29-October 6, 2023, from Vancouver, B.C., Canada, to Juneau, AK; and
• 21-day Wild South Atlantic & Antarctica Peninsula – Seabourn Pursuit , November 7-28, 2023, from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The Bon Voyage Event and The Finale Sail promotions are not combinable. However, each can be combined (depending on the booking) with many other Seabourn promotions.

Cruise Promotions: Applicable Sailings

A complete list of applicable sailings and compatible promotions for the “Bon Voyage Event” can be found here . Similarly, the list of applicable sailings and compatible promotions for “The Finale Sail” is here .

“When checking out these new promotions, though, be sure to chat with your personal travel planner,” says Shelby Steudle , president, Pavlus Travel . “Your advisor can assist in answering questions, discussing accommodations choices, finding the right itinerary to fit your travel needs.”

The advisor will then lay out the pricing — taking into account the promotion chosen plus any combinable offers — based on the specific itinerary and departure date you select.  This is one reason to definitely consult a travel planner.

“Your experienced travel advisor will help you get the absolute best deal and smooth the process — handling all the booking details,” emphasizes Pavlus’   Steudle. “So you can just kick back, relax and focus on the wonderful trip ahead.”

Susan J. Young

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S.S. Bon Voyage

The S.S. Bon Voyage is designed to immerse guests in French culture, art, and wine, starting with its stunning grand entrance—a signature Super Ship element—clad in polished wood, subtle brass details, and hand-crafted balustrade. The stylish emerald tones found in the bar, Le Salon Champagne, are inspired by Yves Saint Laurent’s personal abode, Villa Majorelle. The quintessential La Brasserie, with its natural green and pops of yellow décor inspired by the famous Bouillon Pigalle, serves traditional bistro fare, while Le Grand Fromage offers menus reflective of the local cuisine, prepared from locally-sourced ingredients. La Cave des Vins is an intimate space where connoisseurs can gather for expert food and wine pairing dinners upon request. The stunning Soleil Deck, awash in vibrant fabrics, features the only infinity pool on the rivers and spectacular views of the French countryside. Poolside service at Le Café du Soleil offers casual French cuisine as well as open-air cooking demonstrations from our chefs. In addition to the public spaces, the S.S. Bon Voyage features four new spacious suites, and every stateroom has received an exquisite redesign with cool marble bathrooms and unique features.

Soleil Deck (S.S. Bon Voyage)

Salon champagne (s.s. bon voyage), infinity pool on soleil deck (s.s. bon voyage), le grand fromage (s.s. bon voyage), lobby and reception (s.s. bon voyage), la cave des vins (s.s. bon voyage), la brasserie (s.s. bon voyage), fitness center (s.s. bon voyage), corridor on bordeaux deck (s.s. bon voyage), café du soleil (s.s. bon voyage), quick facts, cruises for s.s. bon voyage.

A Portrait of Majestic France

15 days | bordeaux to paris.

2025 | The quintessential voyage for gourmets, oenophiles, and lovers of all things French.

Brilliant Bordeaux

8 days | bordeaux to bordeaux.

2025 | Uncover the proud legacy and heritage of Southwest France.

Ultimate France

22 days | bordeaux to arles.

2025 | The perfect journey for those seeking the crème de la crème of France.

Wine Roads of France & Portugal

18 days | bordeaux to lisbon.

2025 | Combine two of Europe’s most spectacular viticultural regions in one trip on this ultimate itinerary for wine lovers.

#SSBONVOYAGE THROUGH THE EYES OF OUR GUESTS

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Guest Essay

Bon Voyage, Boeing 747. You Really Did Change Everything.

By Sam Howe Verhovek

Mr. Verhovek is the author of “Jet Age: The Comet, the 707, and the Race to Shrink the World.”

SEATTLE — Some legends really are true, and indeed it is the case that two men on an Alaskan fishing trip in the mid-1960s struck a bargain that wound up starting the era of the jumbo jetliner, which democratized air travel in ways that are hard to appreciate today.

“If you build it, I’ll buy it,” said Juan Trippe, the head of Pan American World Airways.

“If you buy it, I’ll build it,” countered Bill Allen, the president of the Boeing Airplane Company.

Remarkably, barely three years after a handshake agreement, the Boeing 747 rolled out of a giant factory a bit north of Seattle. It quickly made global air travel more affordable than it had ever been, fulfilling Trippe’s vision of a world where plumbers and schoolteachers, not just the well-heeled, could think about taking their families to London or Rio de Janeiro or Tokyo.

This week, 53 years after the first Pan Am passenger flights between New York and London, the 1,574th — and last — Boeing 747 had its ceremonial send-off and took to the skies. This ultimate example of the famous airliner has a depiction on its tail of Atlas holding the world atop his shoulders, as the logo of the cargo and charter carrier Atlas Air Worldwide. How appropriate, for the 747 created a worldwide web long before there was a World Wide Web.

As the last of the giants leaves the nest, it’s worth taking a moment to acknowledge the 747’s role in aviation history, not to mention the ways in which it symbolized an era when American manufacturing still seemed to be able to pull off anything, including a trip to the moon.

The 747 was nearly three times the size and capacity of any jet airliner at the time, and with that distinctive double-decker bulge, it certainly looked like none of its predecessors. (The hump, by the way, was an act of engineering genius: It allows the plane to open up on hinges at its nose, creating a huge cavity eight feet high and nearly 12 feet wide. That is what has made it a huge success as a freighter.)

Some professional pilots said the plane was so big and so heavy that it would never get off the ground — literally. It did fly, of course, though even today one can be forgiven for watching this mammoth humpback lumber down a runway and wondering how in the world the thing will ever get aloft. All told, 747s have carried more than six billion passengers about 60 billion nautical miles, the rough equivalent of 144,000 trips to the moon and back.

But aside from its engineering superlatives and its military variant’s star turn in Hollywood and as the president’s airplane, what the 747 ultimately accomplished was more profound. In bringing air travel to the masses, it further shrank our world and allowed for a degree of human connection that was simply unthinkable for prior generations.

For many, cheap air travel gave the human heart a much wider range of choices, as people living on opposite coasts or even in different countries discovered they could start and sustain long-distance relationships in a way that was simply not conceivable in the past. More prosaically, it gave the human appetite wider choices, be it just-picked kiwis from New Zealand or fresh Copper River salmon from Alaska. Unhelpfully, it also helped viruses to travel with ease across the globe.

All of this didn’t start with the 747, of course. The Boeing 707, the leading airliner of the early Jet Age, had its own important role. (One example: Hawaii had just 171,367 visitors in 1958, the year before Pan Am started flying the 707 to Honolulu. By 1970, the 747’s inaugural year, that figure was up to 1.75 million.)

But it was the 747 that brought worldwide travel within reach for hundreds of millions of people. Today, air travel is a victim of its own success, and most of us hardly give more thought to flying on an airplane than we do to taking a bus; we may even consider the former a more miserable experience.

Anyone who got caught in the Southwest Airlines holiday meltdown may not appreciate this sentiment, but overall air travel today remains something of a miracle. Whether you need to get to Paris or Pasco, you can usually do so in a matter of hours, at a price that allows you to think about taking such a trip in the first place and with an astonishing degree of confidence that you’ll get there safely.

The “Queen of the Skies” is passing out of fashion because nimbler, more energy efficient jetliners with two engines — rather than the 747’s four — have come along to do a better job of getting people from point to point internationally.

In fact, the biggest challenge facing the aviation industry today isn’t how to move passengers around better. The existential question for airliner manufacturers and airlines alike is whether they can do it in a way that’s better for the planet. Aviation takes a frightful environmental toll, and for most of us, the single most significant thing we could do to fight climate change is simply to stop flying. The industry is working hard on solutions, but aviation remains one of the most difficult activities to decarbonize, for pretty obvious reasons.

Gravity is a difficult thing to overcome, and no battery yet known to man could possibly get a modern jet airliner across the Atlantic Ocean from Kennedy to Heathrow. Aviation engineers truly accomplished the phenomenal more than half a century ago when they met the challenge concocted by those two guys fishing in Alaska. Today’s airplane designers should use the story of the Boeing 747’s success as inspiration for the great task they now face of building an airliner that’s not only fast and affordable and safe but green as well.

Sam Howe Verhovek, a former national correspondent for The Times, is the author of “Jet Age: The Comet, the 707, and the Race to Shrink the World.”

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook , Twitter (@NYTopinion) and Instagram .

• Australia & New Zealand Cruisers

BON VOYAGE Coral Princess World Cruisers 2023

By Kiwi_cruiser , May 25, 2023 in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers

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Kiwi_cruiser

After about 3 (4?) years of NO World Cruises due to covid, the world cruises from Australia are back! 😁 and this time on a different ship! the Coral Princess! 🚢

The last time I did this thread in 2018 it was the Sea Princess!

On Tuesday 6th June 2023 Coral Princess sets off from Brisbane and for her epic 108 day round the world cruise!.

Bon Voyage!

Wishing you all a really fantastic time as your departure date approaches ever nearer.

I am starting this thread early this year to cover those getting on the Coral Princess in Auckland on 31st May 2023 and on in Sydney on the 4th June 2023.

What a great time you are all in for!!  

Here's the fabulous 108 day itinerary...

    Date     Port     Arrive     Depart

Tue 06/06/23 - Brisbane / Australia - 17:00 Wed 07/06/23 - At Sea Thu 08/06/23 - At Sea Fri 09/06/23 - At Sea Sat 10/06/23 - At Sea Sun 11/06/23 - At Sea Mon 12/06/23 - At Sea Tue 13/06/23 - Komodo* / Indonesia -         06:00         16:00 Wed 14/06/23 - At Sea Thu 15/06/23 - At Sea Fri 16/06/23 - Singapore / Singapore -      09:00          18:00 Sat 17/06/23 - At Sea Sun 18/06/23 - At Sea Mon 19/06/23 - At Sea Tue 20/06/23 - Colombo / Sri Lanka -      08:00         20:00 Wed 21/06/23 - At Sea Thu 22/06/23 - At Sea Fri 23/06/23 - At Sea Sat 24/06/23 - Muscat / Oman -    09:00         17:00 Sun 25/06/23 - Dubai / United Arab Emirates -        12:00 Mon 26/06/23 - Dubai / United Arab Emirates -        22:00 Tue 27/06/23 - At Sea Wed 28/06/23 - At Sea Thu 29/06/23 - At Sea Fri 30/06/23 - At Sea Sat 01/07/23 - At Sea Sun 02/07/23 - At Sea Mon 03/07/23 - Aqaba / Jordan -       07:00         23:00 Tue 04/07/23 - Passage Suez Canal / Egypt -        17:00 Wed 05/07/23 - Passage Suez Canal / Egypt -        17:00 Thu 06/07/23 - At Sea Fri 07/07/23 - Mykonos / Greece -     08:00         17:00 Sat 08/07/23 - At Sea Sun 09/07/23 - Salerno / Italy -      07:00        19:00 Mon 10/07/23 - Civitavecchia (Rome) / Italy - 07:00 - 19:00 Tue 11/07/23 - Portoferraio (Elba)* / Italy -         07:00 - 17:00 Wed 12/07/23 - Marseilles / France -         08:00        18:00 Thu 13/07/23 - Barcelona / Spain -         08:00        22:00 Fri 14/07/23 - At Sea Sat 15/07/23 - Malaga / Spain -         07:00         19:00 Sun 16/07/23 - Tanger / Morocco -        07:00        17:00 Mon 17/07/23 - Lisbon / Portugal -         12:00        22:00 Tue 18/07/23 - At Sea Wed 19/07/23 - At Sea Thu 20/07/23 - Holyhead / Wales - 07:00 -         18:00 Fri 21/07/23 - Belfast / Northern Ireland -        08:00        21:00 Sat 22/07/23 - Greenock / Scotland -        07:00        18:00 Sun 23/07/23 - At Sea Mon 24/07/23 - Cobh (Cork) / Ireland -        07:00        22:00 Tue 25/07/23 - At Sea Wed 26/07/23 - Dover / England - 07:00         21:00 Thu 27/07/23 - At Sea Fri 28/07/23 - Invergordon / Scotland - 07:00 - 18:00 Sat 29/07/23 - Lerwick (Shetland Islands)* / Scotland -         07:00        16:00 Sun 30/07/23 -  At Sea Mon 31/07/23 - Akureyri / Iceland -       07:00        17:00 Tue 01/08/23 - Reykjavik / Iceland -        12:00        23:00 Wed 02/08/23 - At Sea Thu 03/08/23 - At Sea Fri 04/08/23 - Nanortalik* / Greenland - 07:00         18:00 Sat 05/08/23 - Qaqortoq* / Greenland - 07:00         16:00 Sun 06/08/23 - At Sea Mon 07/08/23 - At Sea Tue 08/08/23 - Corner Brook (Newfoundland) / Canada - 08:00         17:00 Wed 09/08/23 - At Sea Thu 10/08/23 - Quebec / Canada -        09:00        22:00 Fri 11/08/23 - Ville Saguenay (Quebec) / Canada -        09:00        17:00 Sat 12/08/23 - At Sea Sun 13/08/23 - Sydney (Cape Breton Island) / Canada -        09:00        18:00 Mon 14/08/23 - Halifax / Canada -        09:00        18:00 Tue 15/08/23 - At Sea Wed 16/08/23 - New York (NY) / USA -     06:30 Thu 17/08/23 - New York (NY) / USA  -      17:00 Fri 18/08/23 - At Sea Sat 19/08/23 - At Sea Sun 20/08/23 - At Sea Mon 21/08/23 - At Sea Tue 22/08/23 - Panama Canal (Passage/Cruise) / Panama -         06:00        16:30 Wed 23/08/23 - At Sea Thu 24/08/23 - Manta / Ecuador -        05:00        18:00 Fri 25/08/23 - At Sea Sat 26/08/23 - At Sea Sun 27/08/23 - Callao (Lima) / Peru -        05:00         Mon 28/08/23 - Callao (Lima) / Peru  -       18:00 Tue 29/08/23 - Pisco / Peru -        07:00        16:00 Wed 30/08/23 - At Sea Thu 31/08/23 - At Sea Fri 01/09/23 - At Sea Sat 02/09/23 - At Sea Sun 03/09/23 - Hangaroa* / Easter Island -         07:00        18:00 Mon 04/09/23 - At Sea Tue 05/09/23 - At Sea Wed 06/09/23 - Pitcairn (Passage) / South Seas -        10:00        14:00 Thu 07/09/23 - At Sea Fri 08/09/23 - At Sea Sat 09/09/23 - Papeete (Tahiti) / French Polynesia -       07:00        21:00 Sun 10/09/23 - At Sea Mon 11/09/23 - At Sea Tue 12/09/23 - Date Line Wed 13/09/23 - At Sea Thu 14/09/23 - At Sea Fri 15/09/23 - At Sea Sat 16/09/23 - Auckland / New Zealand -         10:00         21:00 Sun 17/09/23 - Bay of Islands* / New Zealand -        08:00        16:00 Mon 18/09/23 - At Sea Tue 19/09/23 - At Sea Wed 20/09/23 - Sydney / Australia -        06:00        18:45 Thu 21/09/23 - At Sea Fri 22/09/23 - Brisbane / Australia  -       07:00

Traveled Distance: 62,402.68 km/33,694.75 nm

* Ship is anchored; Tendering weather permitting.

Itinerary may be subject to change at any time.

This thread is also in special memory of "Kiwi Kruzer" David who started doing these threads, and enjoyed these threads.

Coral Princess Live webcam:

Also any one found any blogs to follow for this year cruise?

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3.5 months on Coral sounds divine. Enjoy your lap, I will be keenly following your adventures.

You beat me to it Stu, was planning a similar post, but in a few more days.

We were on the 2018 WC too, and what ripper it was, may the 2023WC be as wonderful.

We too will be following your travels.

Those doing blogs, it would be nice if you could post their details so we can follow them.

Special Bon Voyage to Brisbaneites: Brizzym-David & Lyn, CassCruise-Jane, and Murrina-Murray & Sabina from the 2018WC.

Have a great time everyone.

1 hour ago, Ozwoody said: You beat me to it Stu, was planning a similar post, but in a few more days.

You got to be quick around here 🤣 🙂 , especially since there has not been one of these thread since 2018/2019?

and also I know a couple going on this years wold cruise as well, Iam not to sure if they are still on CC thought......

12 minutes ago, Kiwi_cruiser said:   You got to be quick around here 🤣 🙂 , especially since there has not been one of these thread since 2018/2019?   and also I know a couple going on this years wold cruise as well, Iam not to sure if they are still on CC thought......

It is looming close anyway. For the K1W1's, their Auckland to Auckland world cruise departs next Wednesday.

MMDown Under

Thank you for WC Itinerary. Bon Voyage to all the passengers.

Bon Voyage to all on Coral Princess for the Worldie. An adventure awaits.

Bon voyage to all aboard. Next year it will be our turn. 

1 minute ago, OzKiwiJJ said: Bon voyage to all aboard. Next year it will be our turn. 

I will have to do a thread for your WC cruise next year 🙂

8 minutes ago, Kiwi_cruiser said:   I will have to do a thread for your WC cruise next year 🙂

If I don't beat you to it 🤣

I'll probably do one of my Live(ish) threads for that cruise anyway.

To this years WC's have a wonderful journey and may you return having had exciting experiences, hopefully a few news ports for everyone, a couple of trivia wins 😁 and some fantastic tours and on most nights great entertainment however you prefer to spend your nights.

We back home in the cold of winter will be thinking of you enjoying warmer climates and trying to follow what's happening on the ship as much as we can.

Drop in now and then when you have time and let us know how it is all going. We'll love to hear from you.

Great Job Stu….  I am attempting a blog… but I have others to catch up with too

Gaz n Jo who used to be packetau

9 hours ago, Gaznjo said: Great Job Stu….  I am attempting a blog… but I have others to catch up with too   Gaz n Jo who used to be packetau

It will be wonderful following world cruise blogs once more.  I wish all passengers a healthy joyful voyage.

 (I continually follow one blog from Sitka Alaska, whose world cruise was stopped in Fremantle,  at the beginning of the pandemic.  Sadly he was  removed from a current world cruise, because he was critically ill.  He is now safely home in Sitka, Alaska.) 

10 hours ago, Gaznjo said: Great Job Stu….  I am attempting a blog… but I have others to catch up with too   Gaz n Jo who used to be packetau

I did not know you guys where going on this world cruise 🙂 . Might see you guys in Scotland!

9 minutes ago, Kiwi_cruiser said:   I did not know you guys where going on this world cruise 🙂 . Might see you guys in Scotland!

yes...  shaz was telling me.....  we met another couple on the regal last year that also live very close to Greenock....  big party to end the day!!

On 5/26/2023 at 9:56 AM, OzKiwiJJ said: Bon voyage to all aboard. Next year it will be our turn. 

It will be next year for us as well.

5 minutes ago, ekka49 said: It will be next year for us as well.

How could you bare to wait so long?  Especially after all the cruises you did this year?

Just now, MMDown Under said: How could you bare to wait so long?  

Just now, MMDown Under said: How could you bare to wait so long?  Especially after all the cruises you did this year?

To pass the time we have 35 day Hawaii cruise in September 2023. 

Plus the world cruise 2024 sails early in May 2024

8 minutes ago, ekka49 said: To pass the time we have 35 day Hawaii cruise in September 2023.  Plus the world cruise 2024 sails early in May 2024

The 2024 Sydney departure is 30th April - very early for a world cruise.

We doing some cruising in Japan and SE Asia from end October but that feels like a long way away. We were so spoilt last year with all the Princess restart cruises operating through winter. 

Sounds like we who are stuck on land for various reasons will have some great blogs to read re the 2023 WC. I appreciate your efforts anyway as I am sure many others will do.

So i am going to try really hard to keep this one as current as possible... this cruise is different from other holidays, as with all these sea days i get the opportunity to sit relax and blog....  for those who have been on our other world cruises you will know where to find me.... well different ship similar location..... I always love a chat as you pass by.....  don't I Dunc!!!

Gaznjo World Cruise 2023 (gaznjoworld2023.blogspot.com)

Les I have been going through my Antarctica photos and hope to make a start on that blog as well...  Since we have been home we have moved house and it has been non stop trying to get the new place up to scratch!!

Lucky ducks. Have a wonderful cruise.

4 hours ago, Gaznjo said: So i am going to try really hard to keep this one as current as possible... this cruise is different from other holidays, as with all these sea days i get the opportunity to sit relax and blog....  for those who have been on our other world cruises you will know where to find me.... well different ship similar location..... I always love a chat as you pass by.....  don't I Dunc!!!   Gaznjo World Cruise 2023 (gaznjoworld2023.blogspot.com)   Les I have been going through my Antarctica photos and hope to make a start on that blog as well...  Since we have been home we have moved house and it has been non stop trying to get the new place up to scratch!!

Thanks Jo, you make sure you both enjoy the Worldie.

Tranquility Base

10 hours ago, Gaznjo said: So i am going to try really hard to keep this one as current as possible... this cruise is different from other holidays, as with all these sea days i get the opportunity to sit relax and blog....  for those who have been on our other world cruises you will know where to find me.... well different ship similar location..... I always love a chat as you pass by.....  don't I Dunc!!!  

Looking forward to the NASA Command Centre being back in operation.

Including calling by to receive daily gofer instructions.

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Bon Voyage! How Hotly Anticipated Movies and TV Shows Are Set to Inspire Travelers to Pack Their Bags in 2024

Set-jetting is one of Expedia Group's eight new travel trends predicted for 2024

Did the last season of Ted Lasso make you want to jump on a plane to London in the hopes of catching a soccer game? Or maybe The Bear had you itching for a visit to Chicago to see what the Windy City’s beef is all about.

Either way, the locations of our favorite movies and television shows often provide inspiration for exciting getaway destinations, something known as set-jetting.

This year, Expedia Group has called out set-jetting as one of the many travel trends it’s anticipating for 2024; based on a survey of 20,000 travelers, one in four people admit that TV shows and movies have influenced their travel plans.

Here are some of the most exciting destinations being predicted as hot spots for 2024 based on an eclectic mix of hit TV shows, long-awaited movie sequels and fresh new finds.

The hit HBO series The White Lotus has already checked in to Hawaii and Italy, with the first two seasons driving a 300% increase in travel demand to those locations upon airing in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

With a third season reportedly set to take place in Thailand, it’s expected the country will get a similar tourism boost.

While it remains unclear just where in Thailand the new episodes will be set, seasons 1 and 2 were both filmed at Four Seasons resorts, and it’s a safe bet season 3 will follow suit . The luxury hospitality company has four locations in Thailand: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Golden Triangle and Koh Samui.

Though Netflix’s hit Wednesday is set in Vermont, filming actually took place in Romania.

When the show, starring Jenna Ortega as the Addams family’s morbid teen, premiered in November 2022, Expedia saw a 150% increase in travel searches for Romania — and though no release date has been announced, the show has officially been renewed for a second season, expected sometime next year.

Many scenes from the show were shot in the town of Buftea, while the main exterior of the building used for Nevermore Academy is Cantacuzino castle, located about 90 miles north of Bucharest, according to the Guardian .

Related: Where Was ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3’ Filmed? Location Manager Reveals Stunning Real-Life Sites (Exclusive)

More than 20 years after winning Best Picture at the Oscars, Gladiator is getting a sequel — and Malta will once more stand in for Ancient Rome.

Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2 , set for release next year, will star Paul Mescal , Denzel Washington , Pedro Pascal and more, and was filmed partially in Malta. 

In August, the Times of Malta reported that the European country’s government would pay Paramount Studios’ subsidiary company around $49 million as a rebate for filming there (The outlet also reported that Malta promises production houses up to 40% cash back to film there, and that Gladiator 2 ’s rebate broke the record for biggest state aid to cinema in the EU).

When Netflix debuted season three of the hit series Emily in Paris , searches to the City of Lights jumped 200% on Expedia.

The show, which stars Lily Collins as an American juggling work, love and play in Paris, is meant to portray a “very fantasized” version of the city that viewers can dream of escaping to, production designer Anne Seibel told PEOPLE last year .

Real-life locations featured in the show include the luxe restaurant Le Jules Verne, located inside the Eiffel Tower, the Piscine Molitor pool at the Hotel Molitor, and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in the Louvre museum.

Emily in Paris has been renewed for a fourth season, though Netflix has not yet announced a release date.

Scottish Highlands

For seven seasons, Outlander viewers have fallen in love with Jamie and Claire Fraser ( Sam Heughan and Caitríona Balfe ) — almost as much as they have the Scottish countryside in which the Starz series is set.

In fact, the country’s national tourism organization, VisitScotland , even made note of something called the “Outlander Effect,” which noted an uptick in tourism from visitors who’d seen the rolling green hills on their screens.

Outlander was recently renewed for a 10-episode eighth season, which will serve as the final season of the series.

London, Bath and Windsor, U.K.

They may be set in two different eras of British history, but Bridgerton and The Crown have plenty in common — namely that they both look to historic locales in England as settings.

Both shows are expected to air new seasons on Netflix next year, and camera crews were spotted in London in March , filming a re-creation of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s 1997 Golden Wedding Anniversary Celebration for The Crown .

The series, which focuses on the British royal family, has also filmed scenes for the upcoming season on location at University of St. Andrews in Scotland, where Prince William and Kate Middleton first met as students. 

Bridgerton , meanwhile, has filmed in spots like the Holburne Museum in Bath, which served as the exterior of Lady Danbury’s home.

South Korea

Netflix had an unexpected smash hit on its hands with Squid Game in 2021, which, with over 111 million viewers , became the platform’s biggest series launch ever upon its release.

The show was renewed for another season in June 2022, and though a premiere date has yet to be announced, it’ll likely continue shooting in the capital of Seoul, and likely the Daejeon, where much of the filming took place on sets, according to Condé Nast Traveller .

Florida Keys & the Bahamas

Like many of Carl Hiaasen’s novels, the 2013 book Bad Monkey — which is set to become an Apple TV+ series next year — is set in South Florida.

Vince Vaughn, who stars in the series as a former detective-turned-restaurant inspector who’s dragged into a world of greed and corruption when a tourist finds a severed arm, was spotted last year filming in Key West.

Related: Where Was 'A Haunting in Venice' Filmed? All About the New Agatha Christie Movie's Eerie Backdrop (Exclusive)

Hulu is headed Down Under on Nov. 26, when Baz Luhrmann’s miniseries Faraway Downs hits streaming .

The six-episode show, a reimagining of his 2008 film Australia , takes place in the title country, and stars Nicole Kidman as an English aristocrat who heads to the Australian Outback to confront her husband and sell a million acres of land ( Hugh Jackman plays a cattle rancher).

Meanwhile, Australia is also the setting for Furiosa , a Max Mad: Fury Road prequel that tells the origin story of Charlize Theron’s character Imperator Furiosa (played in the movie by Anya Taylor-Joy ).

Chris Hemsworth, a native of Australia, also appears in the film, and has said that working on the movie in his home country was a “dream come true.”

Then-New South Wales state Premier Gladys Berejiklian tweeted in 2021 that Furiosa is “the biggest ever film to be made in Australia,” and added that the project supported more than 850 local jobs, and brought $350 million to the economy.

The upcoming Apple Original spy thriller Argylle filmed scenes in sunny Greece, as well as London.

The spy thriller is based on a novel by Elly Conway , as stars Bryce Dallas Howard as a spy novelist who’s inadvertently dragged into a world of espionage after the plots of her books hit a little too close to home.

Other trends anticipated for the new year by Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo as part of Unpack '24 include destination dupes (affordable alternatives to more classic destinations, like Perth instead of Sydney, Australia), tour tourism (people traveling specifically to catch a concert), dry tripping (a vacation sans alcohol), vibe check-in (seeking out specific vibes while booking hotels), go-ccasions (booking trips for small reasons other than the typical birthday or anniversary), outside in (zeroing in on accommodations’ outdoor amenities, like fires or a pickleball court) and generative AI (leaning on things like Chat GPT to plan trips).

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Read the original article on People .

Simi Valley Tree Lighting Ceremony and Other Holiday Events 2023

The holiday spirit is in full swing in Simi Valley, with a multitude of festive events to enjoy. Whether you prefer time-honored traditions such as the annual tree lighting ceremony or unique experiences like visiting Santa on the Farm, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

Plan a weekend getaway to Simi Valley and immerse yourself in the joy of the season. Below, you’ll find a curated list of wonderful events for your visit.

Tree Lighting Celebration

November 18 @ 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Simi Valley Town Center

The 19th annual tree lighting celebration is taking place at Simi Valley Town Center! Join for an evening of holiday festivities including special performances, a visit from Santa, a snow show, and of course, the city’s tree adorned with hundreds of twinkling lights and stunning decorations.

Christmas On The Farm

Christmas on the Farm

November 24 – December 24

Underwood Family Farms

Underwood Farms’ Christmas on the Farm is a special holiday event that takes place each year. Visitors can enjoy a variety of festive activities, including a hayride to the North Pole, a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and a live nativity scene. There are also plenty of opportunities to take pictures with santa, Tractor-Drawn Wagon Rides, Letters for Santa, Holiday Arts & Crafts, or take a holiday ride around the farm.

Strathearn Park Holiday Open House

December 3 @ 11:00am-3:00pm

Strathearn Historical Park & Museum

The Si mi Valley Historical Society & Museum at Strathearn Park will be hosting their annual Holiday Open House on Sunday, December 3  from 11am to 3pm. Free to public.

Hanukkah Menorah Lighting

December 7 @ 4:00 pm  –  6:00 pm

Join us for vibrant celebration as we wish you a joyous eight-day festival, surrounded by the warmth of community and cultural festivities.

Christmas Spectacular by Circus Caballero

December 7 – January 1

Step right up to the spectacular world of Circus Caballero!  Join us under the big top for a mesmerizing experience of jaw-dropping performances, daring acrobatics, and laughter-inducing clown acts! Bring the whole family for an unforgettable night filled with thrilling moments and magical memories!

Elvis Blue Christmas

December 10 @ 7:30 pm  –  9:30 pm

Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center

One of the top Elvis Presley tribute artists in the U.S., Raymond Michael, offers a crowd-pleasing night of songs. Tickets sell out quickly for this annual event, which is held at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center. Tickets are $29 for adults, Children 12 and under are $22.

With so much to see and do this holiday season in Simi Valley, it’s the perfect spot for a weekend getaway. Book a hotel and make a list of must-see events during your upcoming stay.

Holiday Dinner and Tour of Reagan Library and Museum

December 14 @ 12:30 pm  –  4:30 pm

Ronald Reagan Presidential Museum

Tour the Ronald Reagan Presidential Museum and there special exhibit, FBI: From Al Capone to Al Qaeda from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  FBI: From Al Capone to Al Qaeda covers the history of the storied agency from inception to its modern day efforts to fight domestic terrorism in the United States. This is the first time that many of these objects have been on public display together.

Santa Claus’ Party

December 16th @ Starts at 8:00 AM, play all DAY!

Come celebrate with Santa Claus! On December 16th there will be over 17 tons of fresh snow delivered right to center court at the Simi Valley Town Center for Santa Claus’ Spectacular Party!

14th annual New Year’s Eve Celebration at the Reagan Library

December 31, 2023 @ 8:00 pm  –  January 1, 2024 @ 1:00 am

Celebrate the start of the new year at the 14th annual New Year’s Eve Celebration at the  Reagan Library ! The celebration will take place December 31st from 8:00 PM – 1:00 AM under the wings of Air Force One. The evening festivities will include a four-course meal, a champagne toast at midnight, party hats, streamers, party horns, and more! Enjoy live music by The Platinum Groove as well as classics, disco, Mowtown, and 50’s through 90’s top hits that will be played by a DJ. The incredible Air Force One and Christmas Trees Around the World exhibits will also be open to view from 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM.

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