Richard Branson is moving into the cruise space with the all new Virgin Voyages. The first ship (Scarlet Lady) will launch next year and will be notably different than your typical cruise line. It will also include some firsts at sea.

Notable Differences

• Virgin Voyages is an adults only cruise line.
• No main dining and no specialty restaurants. All dining options are included with your fare so you can eat wherever and whenever you like since there is no assigned dining times either.
• No buffets in an effort to be for environmentally sustainable. They're also doing without single use plastics and using technology to build a more efficient ship.
• No beverage packages. They promise that drinks will be delicious and reasonably priced.
• No tipping.

Firsts at Sea

• The first Korean BBQ
• Drag brunch performances
• Tattoo parlor
• Unlimited Wi-Fi at no charge
• A vinyl record shop and private karaoke lounge

I'm sure there will be more exciting changes along the way as Virgin tries to shake up the cruise industry. Reply to this email with your questions and to find out how to be one of the first to board Scarlet Lady.

Click here for a preview of Scarlet Lady.

Top 3 Reasons to Book a Fall Wine Cruise

1. See Europe’s breathtaking landscapes illuminated in vibrant autumn colors
2. Visit renowned sites and wineries as the locals do, amid less crowds
3. Save on airfare, as prices are typically reduced for fall

Journey through highly-acclaimed European wine regions, from Austria’s UNESCO-designated Wachau Valley to Germany’s Rheingau and Moselle regions to France’s celebrated Bordeaux region and beyond.

Expert Wine Hosts:
Be accompanied throughout your cruise by a dedicated Wine Host from a North American winery who leads tastings, visits to private cellars and historic vineyards, and a carefully-curated food and wine pairing dinner.

Click here to learn more about river cruising and contact me to help you find the perfect river cruise for you..

Along the River!

Join me this fall on an exciting European river cruise.

We'll visit France, Germany, Netherlands, and Switzerland all while traveling on the Rhine river. You'll visit castles, wineries, and explore small picturesque towns you never thought you'd experience.

Why River Cruise?
River cruising allows you to immerse yourself in the destination and culture on a comfortable floating hotel. No need to pack and un-pack to get to each destination. Let the destination come to you. 
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Top 3 Reasons to Book a Fall Cruise

1. See Europe’s breathtaking landscapes illuminated in vibrant autumn colors
2. Visit renowned sites as the locals do, amid less crowds
3. Save on airfare, as prices are typically reduced for fall

Click here for more details.

I recently signed up for 23andMe to learn more about my ancestry and genetic makeup. I knew I had Spanish ancestry (turns out I'm 24% Spanish). I also learned that I'm 10% Italian and 11% French/German. This inspired me to go back to my roots and beyond.

I haven't been to Barcelona and Rome in over a decade and am looking forward to exploring these beautiful cities all over again. Plus, I'll be visiting places in Italy and France I've never been. In fact, everywhere else in the itinerary is new to me.

Click here to learn more about this exciting itinerary with Azamara Cruises and the exclusive perks you'll get by joining me.

Join Matt on an Incredible Journey to Alaska July 5 - 12
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I've been dreaming of cruising to Alaska for several years now and can't wait to share this journey with you. I'm hosting a select group of travelers on a Celebrity Solstice cruise to Alaska and I'd love for you to be one of them. Space is very limited so let me know right away if you have any interest in joining me.

Click here to learn more about the exclusive perks you'll receive by joining this cruise.

Want to increase those likes, shares and comments on your vacation photos this year? Instead of spending a ton on an expensive camera, grab your smartphone and follow these easy tips and tricks from the pros.

Brighter is better – Natural light is your friend. To get a great photo, put yourself in a position to get the best shot. If you’re indoors, set up your shot next to a large window. However, if you’re outside in the midafternoon, direct sunlight can be too harsh on your subject. Look for creative ways to shade your subject to keep your photo balanced. You can also aim to shoot outside during the fabled “golden hour”- during sunrise and sunset.

Avoid too much zoom – Drastic zooming on any subject can create an unwanted grain to any photo. If you need to zoom, wait until you already have the image you want and then zoom and crop in the editing phase.

Focus is key – Your camera’s autofocus could be doing your photos more harm than good. Luckily, most smartphones allow you to pinpoint your photo’s focus directly from your palm. Set up your shot, and then touch and hold the main focal point on your screen until you see the yellow Auto Exposure/Auto Focus Lock appear. Take your photo as normal, and the final image should clearly be clearer.

Polish polish polish – Once you’ve selected your favorites, it’s time to make them shine. There are dozens of options and free apps for your phone that will give your photos a professional edge, with VSCO and Snapseed being our personal favorites. Download a few, play around with their options and see which ones you like best. Most times, all your photos need is a little cropping and lightening to make them pop.

Nothing compares to the once-in-a-lifetime moments you get to experience on a safari, wildlife cruise or national park hike. These moments, like watching a gaggle of penguins swimming in Antarctica, used to be nearly impossible (and expensive), since the areas were widely unchartered and remote. However, now, with more cruises and tours exploring these hidden wonders worldwide, there are more chances than ever to watch wildlife dwell in their natural habitats. For the best viewing, visit one of these breathtaking destinations.

Churchill, Manitoba, Canada – Located on the rugged shores of Hudson Bay in Northern Manitoba, Churchill is one of the few human settlements in the world that is also home to polar bears. Since they spend most of their summer hunting for food, the best time to view them is during the fall. The optimal way to experience the beauty of these bears is with a custom tundra buggy, which offers once in a lifetime chances to get up close.

Chobe National Park, Botswana, Africa – Chobe National Park in Botswana offers truly unspoiled views of Africa’s famed wildlife. On a game drive here, you won’t be met with other jeeps, but instead with views of warthogs, bushbucks, monkeys, lions, leopards and hyenas. A cruise along the breathtaking Chobe river offers a chance to see marine mammals like hippos and crocodiles.

Antarctica Peninsula – Although it may be void of any human life, Antarctica is home to one of the largest populations of penguins, with over 40 million spread across the continent. Once unchartered, Antarctica is growing in popularity, and more cruise lines are adding the snow-capped glacial peaks and emperor penguin colonies to their itineraries.

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – This tiny archipelago off the coast of Ecuador has been an iconic destination for wildlife viewing for over 200 years. Thanks to more cruise lines charting the South American Coast, it’s much easier for anyone to view its many inhabitants, like the island iguanas, blue-footed boobies, giant green sea turtles and sea lions.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, United States – Aside from spewing geysers, gradient canyons and rushing waterfalls, Wyoming’s crowned jewel is also home to some of the country’s most spectacular wildlife. From black bears to bald eagles to bison and coyotes, this area is rich with a vast array of animals.