Daily Archives: November 19, 2024

What’s new this month in travel, accessories, art and more

A roundup of November’s most noteable updates from the Style deskWATCHESOpen this photo in gallery:Citizen: The Essence of Time by Jack Forster, US$195 at bookstores and online. For more, visit citizenwatch.com.SuppliedCitizen celebrates its 100th with a retrospective coffee-table book and a clutch of new watchesFor a 10th anniversary, it’s traditionally recommended that a couple exchange a gift made from aluminum or tin. For a 60th, anything in diamonds will do. There is no official material designated for a 100th anniversary, but for Japanese watchmaker Citizen, it might as well be titanium. Super Titanium, the brand’s proprietary alloy, to be precise.Titanium, the ultralight material used in spacecraft and Formula 1 cars, has become the “it” metal for a wide range of luxury watches in recent years, but at Citizen, it’s nothing new. In 1970, Citizen released the X-8 Chronometer, the world’s first watch with a titanium case, and the first of many titanium watches in the brand’s lineup. It’s just one of many notable firsts in the company’s century-long history.Citizen was founded in 1924 by Japanese clock and watch dealer Kamekichi Yamazaki with the goal of making affordable, reliable and stylish watches for the masses. Citizen has spent the past 10 decades working toward that goal, from the modest and reliable Citizen F wristwatches of the 1930s and ‘40s to modern bestsellers such as the oversized Ecozilla diver’s watch. Along the way, Citizen pioneered ultra-thin watches (the 1962 Diamond Flake, the world’s thinnest three-hand watch), light-powered models (the 1976 Crystron Solar Cell, the first sun-harnessing watch with an analog display) and precision timepieces (the 2018 Calibre 0100, the most accurate watch ever made).These and many other accomplishments are summed up in Citizen: The Essence of Time, a lushly illustrated retrospective coffee-table book from Assouline. A selection of new and archival watches released in time for the anniversary, however, illustrate the brand’s journey just as well, including a limited-edition reproduction of Citizen’s first pocket watch and the Satellite Wave X, which combines a light-powered Eco-Drive movement with a GPS timekeeping system in a case made, naturally, of Super Titanium.For more, visit citizenwatch.com.TRAVELInner Iceland’s supernatural beauty takes centre stage at the Blue Lagoon’s latest destinationOpen this photo in gallery:Stays from 50,500 kr in the winter and 68,300 kr in the summer.SuppliedIn the middle of Iceland’s Highlands is the geothermal valley Hveradalir, where small pools of water bubble and steam. Until very recently, only the most intrepid campers or visitors up for a very long day trip from the capital, Reykjavik, could get to this part of the country. That changed with the opening of Highland Base, a new resort from Blue Lagoon.Surrounded by the Kerlingarfjöll mountain range with views of two glaciers, Highland Base is a retreat for travellers who want to pitch a tent and adventurers who like to pair their hikes with a dip in private outdoor hot tubs overlooking the expansive terrain. The site was once home to a ski school, where young Icelanders would come to learn the sport during summer breaks from school. Receding snow levels meant the school had to close, but Blue Lagoon preserved that history and incorporated its accommodations into the new property, which includes a main hotel and individual lodges offering an added layer of privacy. Their walls are dotted with vintage shots of all-terrain vehicles navigating the unpaved gravel road that continues to be the only way to access this part of the country.Blue Lagoon has created accommodations that reflect the hotel’s surroundings. Wood exteriors and muted greys and greens in the interior mimic the natural environment. Oversized picture windows have benches underneath them, perfect for reading or catching the Northern Lights when they appear. Three pools shaped into the terrain are filled with geothermal waters from nearby Hveradalir hot springs. Hikers of all levels will find trails to suit their curiosity (e-biking is also an option) while in the winter, skiing and snowmobiling are available.For more, visit highlandbase.is.ENTERTAININGAustralia’s Non is disrupting dinner pairings with its alternatives to de-alcoholized bottlesOpen this photo in gallery:Non, a new liquid from Australia, aims to fill a gap with its line of “wine alternatives.”SuppliedZero-proofing your way through happy hour is no problem these days, thanks to the abundance of tasty alcohol-free cocktails. What comes after, though, is much, much harder, especially figuring out what to drink with dinner. Whether they’re too sweet or lacking in weight, vibrancy and complexity, few non-alcoholic wines can stand up to a rich meal, especially one with multiple courses.Non, a new liquid from Australia, aims to fill this gap with its line of “wine alternatives,” all of which have the depth of flavour and bright acidity to make temperance pairings with decadent meals a reality. The secret to its success is at least partly owing to the fact that the label’s founder didn’t set out to make non-alcoholic wine in the first place. “Non-alcoholic wine, or de-alcoholized wine, is wine that has had alcohol removed,” says founder Aaron Trotman. “Non isn’t trying to mimic any particular wine style. It’s an alternative with its own identity. It’s about balance and flavour, not faking something.”Despite that mission statement, if someone handed you a glass of Non1 Salted Raspberry & Chamomile with no explanation, it’d be easy to assume it was simply a fresh and dry sparkling rosé with a maritime influence and some lovely fruit notes. The process Trotman developed to achieve this is proprietary, but we know the lively acidity comes from verjus (juice from underripe grapes) and the complexity is the result of playing with natural ingredients including tea, herbs, fruits and spices to strike the perfect balance. The first three NON expressions took two years of testing and tweaking, but Trotman is now at a point where he can launch at least one new addition to the line per year.At present, besides the aforementioned Non1, two other expressions are available in Canada: Non3, a light sparkler with cinnamon and yuzu and Non7, a darker, complex and full-bodied stewed cherry-coffee drink. All three are offered in a kit or individually through Acquired Taste (acquiredtaste.ca).For more, visit non.world.ARTJoyce Wieland’s multifaceted portfolio will soon make stops in Montreal and TorontoOpen this photo in gallery:Heart On opens Feb. 8, 2025. For more, visit mbam.qc.ca.SuppliedA lushly hued political commentary done in oil on canvas. A 16-mm film titled Rat Life and Diet in North America. A topical scope encompassing feminism, ecological concerns, race and civil rights. These are merely a few elements in the curriculum vitae of the iconoclastic Canadian artist Joyce Wieland.“Her work really stands the test of time,” says Anne Grace, curator of modern art at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, about Wieland, who died in 1998. The influential innovator, known for her multidisciplinary practice that included textile work, painting and film is the subject of an upcoming exhibition called Heart On, which will open at the MMFA in February.Curated by Grace and Georgiana Uhlyarik, the Fredrik S. Eaton Curator of Canadian Art at the Art Gallery of Ontario, the show will reveal the expansive purview of Wieland’s work over the course of her 30-year career. “[The show] is a true collaboration between the two institutions,” says Grace, adding that both teams involved in the process of putting the far-reaching show together were “very aware of the fact that presenting Wieland is different in Montreal from Toronto, because she’s much less known in Montreal – although certainly is beloved by artists.”Despite the lack of cross-Canadian recognition during her lifetime, Wieland’s oeuvre is marked by impressive feats including being the first living woman to have retrospectives mounted at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa and the AGO. Such accolades, Grace says, certainly resonated with her personally. “I did my university undergrad in Toronto in the 1980s,” she says. “At that time, Joyce Wieland was the Canadian woman artist.” She says that the show will tap into the pan-generational appeal of Wieland’s work. “She really was prescient as an artist,” Grace says. “Both in terms of the materials she chose to work with, as well as the themes that she dealt with.”Heart On opens Feb. 8, 2025. For more, visit mbam.qc.ca.JEWELLERYFor its new high jewellery collection, Van Cleef & Arpels sets sail on a treasure huntOpen this photo in gallery:The jewellery pieces in Van Cleef & Arpels’s new collection will play on recurring themes from the French house’s almost-130-year history – notably nautical elements and literary inspirations.SuppliedEarlier this fall, a treasure chest appeared on the doorsteps of jewellery-world insiders. Inside, a kaleidoscope presented an under-the-sea view in a soft palette of rainbow hues, and a scroll, illustrated by French comic book artist and author David B. with a tropical scene of birds and greenery, invited the lucky recipient to Miami, where Van Cleef & Arpels would unveil its latest high jewellery collection, Treasure Island.The black-tie affair would take place in mid-November at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, a lushly landscaped Italianate villa that anchors the shoreline of Coconut Grove. The jewellery pieces promised to play on recurring themes from the French house’s almost-130-year history – notably nautical elements and literary inspirations – by distilling Robert Louis Stevenson’s adventure saga into bejewelled wonders. “Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island is a book laden with universal resonance and a powerful collective imagination,” noted Van Cleef & Arpels’ former president and CEO Nicolas Bos, who is now the Group CEO of house owner Richemont, in the announcement of the collection. “It has left its mark on millions of readers and influenced various artistic disciplines, including painting, poetry and the decorative arts.”The prelude to the jewellery collection’s story is Van Cleef’s embrace of vibrant colour in the stones it often selects for its pieces. The tale itself unfolds in three chapters. The first grouping focuses on maritime navigation and includes a schooner clip with sails that fan out in a sea of diamonds as well as a necklace that appears knotted together in yellow and white gold rope. The second chapter incorporates the flotsam and jetsam of the seaside into blockbuster bijoux including the Coquillage Mystérieux, a scallop shell clip inlaid with rubies, emerald and a cultured white pearl. The tale ends with the bounty of a treasure chest, pre-Columbian style coin bracelets and intricate jawbreaker rings that capture the exuberance of discovery.For more, visit vancleefarpels.com.

Travel is unpredictable, but travel insurance can protect your wallet

Seasoned travelers know to expect the unexpected. From canceled flights to food poisoning, travel plans can go awry for a number of reasons.  A way to safeguard yourself from financial loss when your trip doesn’t go as planned is by having travel insurance.  It’s exactly what it sounds like: insurance for the investment you’re putting into your trip, from the costs of your flight to your hotel stay. Travel isn’t cheap, and it would be unfortunate to see your money go to waste. “Travel insurance may help you recoup money for unexpected events and inconveniences like being stuck on the tarmac, a trip delay, medical emergencies, lost bags and more,” said Christina Tunnah, general manager of global marketing and brands at World Nomads. “Travel insurance can’t necessarily prevent stressful things from happening to you, but it can help ease the financial and logistical blow.” Travel insurance claims denials up 33%:Here are 5 reasons why you may not get reimbursedEnjoy your worry-free vacation: Best travel insurance policiesAbout 38% of travelers purchase travel insurance, according to a December 2023 survey by INSIDER and Momentive AI Audience. The main reason behind the purchase was due to fear of flight delays or moved reservations. However, this is only the tip of the iceberg that travel insurance can do for you on your travels.  Here’s what you need to know about travel insurance.  Do I need travel insurance? “I could make a case for anybody for any trip that they should consider travel insurance,” said Stan Sandberg, co-founder of TravelInsurance.com, a travel insurance comparison site. “The big question to ask yourself is, would it really hurt if I had to cancel this trip at the last minute because I get sick – or for a number of reasons – and I were to lose all the money on the trip?” Travel insurance is meant to protect you and your trip from unforeseen events, ranging from medical emergencies to lost baggage, flight delays and more. “You can think of travel insurance as providing coverage for three main buckets: your trip investment, your health and your stuff,” said Tunnah. Your typical comprehensive travel insurance is broken down into two parts: pre- and post-departure. Pre-departure includes circumstances like weather disruptions (before a storm is named, so keep that in mind) or if you get sick before your trip starts and you need to cancel it. Post-departure spans whatever happens on the trip, such as your luggage being stolen and you need to buy toiletries and clothes at your destination, or you end up in the hospital.  “Most people will find the standard list of covered reasons to be comprehensive enough to be suited for their needs,” Sandberg said. However, those with pre-existing medical conditions or planning to do more adventurous activities like scuba diving or hiking in remote areas may want to consider looking at add-ons for the most protection.  What’s not covered by travel insurance? Travel insurance doesn’t cover everything that can happen on your trip, so make sure you read your full policy or talk to the travel insurance company’s customer service to get a full understanding.  “Some of these exclusions can include pre-existing conditions, undertaking certain adventure activities, or getting injured while under the influence (of narcotics),” Tunnah said. “Your policy will also have coverage limits to the amount that will be paid for lost baggage, medical expenses, emergency evacuation, etc.” For example, some travel insurance will only cover a flight delay if it hits a certain number of hours.  Can I cancel my trip with travel insurance for any reason? No, not unless you specifically pay for it. Buying travel insurance doesn’t guarantee a refund if you cancel simply because you no longer want to go. However, if you do want that flexibility, there is an option for that, aptly named the “cancel for any reason” add-on. You can cancel your trip for any reason as close as two days before your departure and still get reimbursed 50% or 75% of your nonrefundable costs.  Do I need travel insurance if I have a pre-existing medical condition? If you have a medical condition that existed before your trip, such as asthma or even pregnancy, there are a few steps you need to take – and you’ll want to act quickly, according to Beth Godlin, president of Aon Affinity Travel Practice.  “What’s most important, number one, is that you check the definition of pre-existing conditions,” she said. Then you’ll know how long you’ll have to fill out the pre-existing waiver, any requirements for purchasing to get the most coverage and what the lookback period is, or the timeframe that the insurance company will consider a condition stable.  When it doubt, give them a call. “If you’re still confused, call the company and say this is what I’m worried about,” Godlin said. Do I need travel insurance for Japan? Do I need travel insurance for Europe? Those traveling internationally will especially find travel insurance useful if something were to happen, from as small as a visit to a doctor to as major as a medical evacuation. “Even with the best health insurance plans in the U.S., you may not have coverage when you travel overseas or outside your home medical territory or maybe just very limited,” Sandberg said.  Do I need travel insurance for a cruise? If you’re taking a cruise, travel insurance can definitely come in handy, so shop around and see what type of coverage is offered. Cruise lines typically offer their own insurance, but they’ll often have quite a bit of restrictions, so make sure to read the fine print.  “When it comes to cruises, some benefits are more important than others,” Tunnah said. “As you aren’t flying between many locations, baggage delay may not matter as much. However, what if you have to skip a planned port of call due to weather? Some plans may cover this inconvenience.”  It’s also very likely that your usual health insurance won’t cover visits to the cruise infirmary or clinic at a port, and you’ll end up having to pay out-of-pocket.  

‘Serious travel warning’ for anyone visiting Spanish holiday hotspot over Christmas

A travel expert has issued a “serious” warning to anyone planning on visiting one of Spain’s most popular holiday hotspots this Christmas. Although you can still expect plenty of sun, Mallorca transforms during the festive season as Christmas lights go up and crowds gather for festive events in the city of Palma Nova. It’s the perfect place to escape to if the dreary British weather is killing your Christmas buzz. But Alex from the Mallorca Under The Sun channel on YouTube says there’s something you need to be aware of if you’re planning on doing just that – pickpockets. “Now you may well be forgiven for, just looking at Palma Nova this morning, that the island is completely dead,” she said in a recent video. “I’m afraid that is not the case.”She explained how pickpockets have “not gone away” and will be “operating throughout the winter months, particularly throughout the Christmas season over in Palma”. She went on: “As amazing as Palma is over the festive season, there is a darker side operating and this is going to be these street thieves, the pickpocketers, the handbag dippers that are going to be out and about.”I very much doubt they’re going to be on the next flight to the Canary Islands and operating over there. They’ve got plenty of targets over here in the form of Christmas shoppers and those enjoying the festive season over here in Mallorca.”Alex also warned that Palma “is going to be extremely busy” in the run up to Christmas, right up until the Three Kings’ Night on January 5. She recommends that anyone travelling to Palma from elsewhere on the island uses public transport during this period, as parking spaces will be hard to come by.However, she continued: “At the same time, if you are getting on public transport into the centre of Palma, just be aware that is also going to be extremely busy. Which means that you need to pay special attention to the location of your belongings. Watch out for people pickpocketing on public transport, particularly on Saturday night when it’s likely to be very busy.”Alex said another day to be aware of is November 23, when Palma’s “big Christmas light switch-on will take place”. Again, there will be big crowds and potential pickpockets.She cautioned: “Do not carry your backpack across two shoulders, make sure it’s tucked under your arm or wear it across your front. Make sure you know where your wallet and your phone are at all times.”Avoid bringing your passport or any important documents with you into Palma, try to leave them at a hotel. If not, just make sure you really do have tight hold of them.”However, Alex did not want to put anyone off visiting. She insisted visiting Palma at this time of year really is a “magical experience”, with the “perfect combination of sunshine with the festiveness of the Christmas lights too”.

Popular country where travellers feel less welcome with ‘moderate’ safety levels named

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more Research has looked into where holidaymakers feel like strangers (Image: Getty) A new study by Ubuy ranked countries where visitors are most likely to feel like strangers, based on key factors like English proficiency, friendliness, and…

Phocuswright report: Brazil propels Latin American travel market to new heights

Phocuswright report reveals surging growth in Latin American travel market, with Brazil leading.

PHOENIX, AZ – The Latin American travel market is experiencing robust growth, with Brazil leading the charge. According to a new report from Phocuswright, leading travel industry research authority, the region’s travel market expanded for the third consecutive year in 2023, with gross bookings rising 29% to $70.1 billion.
Brazil’s travel industry saw a remarkable 37% jump to $21.8 billion, fueled by growing stability, declining poverty levels, and improving economic conditions under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.  The country’s airlines, the largest travel supplier segment, carried 21 million international passengers, a 38% increase from the previous year.
“Brazil is a dynamic travel market with a growing digital presence,” said Carolina Sass de Haro, Director, Latin America & the Caribbean, Phocuswright, and co-author of the report. “Fueled by a surge in both in-bound and domestic travel, Brazil’s travel industry is poised for continued growth.”
 Key takeaways from the report:

Latin America’s travel market is on track for continued expansion, with gross bookings projected to reach $95.8 billion by 2027.
Online travel bookings are increasing rapidly, with online penetration expected to reach 54% by 2027.
The hotel sector is the region’s largest travel supplier market, accounting for 47% of all travel gross bookings in 2023.
Mexico remains the largest travel market in Latin America, representing 45% of travel gross bookings in 2023.

The growth of the Latin American travel market and other key industry trends will be further explored at The Phocuswright Conference, taking place from November 19-21 at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Arizona.
Delegates at the event can find out more about Latin America’s burgeoning travel industry by watching “The Bridge Series: travel tech trends around the world” on November 21.  Moderated by Pete Comeau, Managing Director at Phocuswright and Siew Hoon Yeoh, Founder of Web in Travel and Editorial Director at Northstar Travel Group Asia, it will feature regional experts Damian Scokin, CEO of Despegar.com Inc., Mike McGearty, Co-founder and CEO, Meili Travel Technology, and Ross Veitch, Co-founder and CEO at Wego Group, and will explore the latest developments and unique characteristics of various travel markets.