This airline will add 18 nonstop routes for winter adventurers

Call me Marlow. Much like the weary, half-insane mariner-turned-narrator in Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, I have returned to hearth and home with a harrowing tale of adventure in distant climes. Detractors might say that a cosseted press trip through modern Japan is not quite the same as sailing up the 19th-century Congo. But I would counter that a week spent sampling sake and whisky, dining at luxury restaurants, and soaking in onsens represents its own kind of heroic journey.

Part One took us through Fukushima and Yamagata Prefectures. This section moves farther north, through boreal forests roamed by Asian black bears, past fishing villages hugging the frigid coast, all the way to the gateway to Hokkaido. Along the way, we’ll feast in fish markets, hike through the mountains, and learn about Japan’s answer to Mardi Gras.

Travel doesn’t have to mean packed itineraries, forced small talk, and returning home in need of another vacation. Sweden is leaning into a quieter approach with a new travel service created specifically for people who value personal space.

Visit Sweden has launched The Introvert Travel Agency, a service that helps travelers plan trips where social interaction is optional. The concept features curated experiences across Sweden, including island getaways, peaceful nature stays, self-guided city adventures, and accommodations suited to travelers looking for a calmer experience.

Yes, you heard that right. There was one dessert at the Ritz-Carlton in Aruba so good it transcended manners. Do I recommend licking your plate in a room full of the most elevated of society? Not for any normal dish. And I was so sneaky about it that I doubt anyone but my photographer and maybe the guy monitoring the security cameras, saw it. But still, it happened, and I don’t regret it.

In early October, I was invited to Aruba to experience the Ritz-Carlton in all its glory. I have to say, it was better than the Lodge at Bodega Bay, which was named the #1 Hotel in the World by Conde Nast in 2024. The Ritz-Carlton is well known for its top-notch restaurant service, and Aruba offers so many memorable activities, but today I wanted to highlight the cuisine. This menu is probably one of the most consistently good offerings I’ve tried, and the portion sizes are generous, too.