As a travel expert, I’ve always known that Hawaii is a safe bet for travelers. It’s consistently stunning and never disappoints. One can feel worlds away in the tropics, without the hassle of adjusting to culture shock in a foreign land. In 2020, however, Covid pushed pause on Hawaiian escapes for vacationers. This left millions of travelers counting the days until they could once again savor the sunshine.

Well, finally their day has arrived. On March 25, 2022, the State of Hawaii's Safe Travels restrictions ended, meaning travelers are no longer required to complete a Safe Travels application (or be vaccinated) to enter the Hawaiian Islands. How “normal” was life back on the island? Well, last month we sent several members of our Travel Concierge Team to test the waters. What they found was not only encouraging, but frankly, rather mind-blowing!

When I first heard the term “expedition,” I pictured an action-packed trip of rock climbing, rappelling, whitewater rafting, and cliff-jumping. Several travelers in the know convinced me that expeditions were, in fact, nothing like my preconceived notions of REI models on steroids.

Let’s face it. My idea of adventure is wine tasting blindfolded or perhaps a Thai massage. But Silversea luxury cruises changed all that by opening my eyes to a new standard of travel during my recent Silversea cruise to Greenland. Gone were the fear factors and adrenaline rushes. In their place was a thrilling, awe-inspiring, and humbling experience of uncompromised luxury. 

If you’ve been following me on social media, you know I embarked on the trip of a lifetime to Greenland. And if you know me personally, you probably also know that I gravitate toward sunshine, 5-star hotels, and of course champagne.

In 2018, Silversea unveiled their expedition ship Silver Wind. They took the vessel up a notch — literally — in November 2021 with a full refurbish that prepared her to power through ice blocks and navigate polar regions in Antarctica. 

That’s where I came in. As a luxury-hunter, I’m on a constant quest to find relaxing adventures for clients seeking unparalleled experiences. In my search, I find that I too, often need a reminder of why I travel . . . to reboot my body and awaken my soul.

As a world traveler who spent part of my career in Europe, river cruising is a familiar chapter in my travel playbook. In fact, the story is well-read, dating back to the 1800s when ships were mainly used for transporting cargo. In 1818, The Black Ball Line pioneered the first sail-steam-powered ship to offer passenger service between Liverpool, England, and New York. They later added the ports of Boston and Philadelphia to their roster.

In 1975, however, river cruising made a major improvement thanks to AmaWaterways Co-Founder and President, Rudi Schreiner. While traveling through South America, he built his first “ship” — a homemade raft — crafted from materials he found along the Amazon river. For the next seven months, he explored the rich waterway, vowing to share his discovery with the world.

It was 1959 when Captain C.A. McAtee made aviation history by flying the first transcontinental commercial jet from LA to New York. Today, that same transcon route flies coast-to-coast in less than five hours. The best part is that now, champagne is part of the journey. Join us on this silver-spoon adventure from LA to New York, one glass at a time.