Marking the partnership between LVMH and the Olympic Games Paris 2024, Louis

Vuitton designers crafted trunks to hold the precious Olympic and Paralympic medals and torches.

Atelier Noboru

Embroidery crawls, hops, and flies to life at this studio dedicated to haute couture embroidery using Lunéville hook and needle work to create the likenesses of beautiful insects. Each piece is unique, made as much as possible from vintage materials, including pearls and cabochons dating from the 19th century to the 1970s.

L’Aparté 

Handcrafted using the natural materials of Thailand, the decorative elements of “Foliages” are not meant to mimic plants but to evoke them. Renew your internal world with vines made from mulberry paper, garlands wrapped around electric lights, and glowing camellia flowers in white and black. 

Empreintes Paris (57)

This studio calls itself “La Marketplace Des Métiers D’Art” which can mean a marketplace for artistic crafts … or for artistic careers. There are thousands of artisan-made objects and well-crafted tools of many trades, from secateurs to ceramics, elegant mirrors to colored-glass manta rays, wooden chess boards to musical ceramic eggs. 

HERMÈS 

One of the best-known names in design is coming to dinner with collections of brightly patterned tableware. Each piece of porcelain tells a story, whether it’s a Mosaique au 24 Gold dessert plate (far left) or coordinating Balcon du Guadalquivir dinner and bread-and-butter plates (center). 

Fashion: LE MODE FRANÇAIS

ami 

Is it dressed down or dressed up? This bucket hat in smooth nappa leather makes a statement, with ami founder Alexandre Mattiussi’s name in metallic studs outside and a comfortable cotton gabardine lining within. AMI (the name means “friend”) makes luxury friendly by blurring the boundaries between easy-going casual and upscale chic apparel. Mattiussi draws inspiration from cinema, ballet, and the city of Paris itself, expressed in everything from form-fitting tank tops to freshwater pearl pendant earrings engraved with the heart-A logo. 

Claudie Pierlot  

Accessorize easily with fun fashion that’s also made mostly from sustainable materials using processes that are better for….

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Since 1923, it’s been illegal to swim in the Seine because of toxic pollution.

But in preparation for the 2024 Olympics, there has been a successful effort to revitalize the famous French river. The water is now so clean that several of the Olympic swimming events will be held there.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo says that the Seine will be up to Olympics standards well in time. The project has been facilitated, in part, by an efficient water treatment plant just east of Paris, and a large storage basin to curtail the spillage of bacteria-filled wastewater.

By Alex Darlington

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With 1,800 solar panels, the park will fulfill 80 percent of the Center’s energy needs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1,000 tons per year.

This drastic reduction is the environmental equivalent of planting 3,000 trees.

Amber Cove is one of Carnival’s eight premier port destinations and private islands. It spans 25 acres and offers a wide range of exciting amenities, including a thrilling zip line and plenty of waterfront and hilltop cabanas.

By Alex Darlington

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Zemi, part of the LXR Hotel portfolio, has earned the honor by, among other things, debuting a new solar farm that allows the entire 76-room complex to run exclusively on solar energy during the day, and to store energy to be used in evenings and periods of low sunlight.

“We take pride in creating a beautiful environment for our guests and maintaining the beauty of our island for travelers to enjoy for decades to come,” said Zemi Beach House general manager, Paulo Paias.

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Perfectly Portuguese

Once the capital of the country, the city of approximately 150,000 people is the perfect spot for travelers seeking natural beauty, stunning medieval architecture, a variety of flavors, tempting shopping, and traditional music. Perched on either side of the winding Mondego River, the city’s riverfronts are robust with green spaces such as the tree-lined Parque Dr. Manuel Braga and the adjacent Parque Verde do Mondego. Both serve as top spots for recreational activities, city events, and more. Connecting the north and south side of the city is the unique Pedro e Ines footbridge which features two cantilevered walkways that meet in the middle and have clear, colored panels that, depending on the time of day, create vibrant patterns on the span. 

Leave the slight bustle for a bit and cross the bridge to catch a game of canoe polo or walk to the ruins and museum of the Santa Clara-a-Velha convent. This mosteiro was destroyed by flooding in the 17^th century and replaced by the Santa Clara-a-Nova convent (velha=“old”; nova=“new”) just a short walk up the road. Be prepared to head uphill but then be rewarded with a splendid view of the river and the cityscape. Also close is the stunning and uber-historic Quinta das Lagrimas Hotel, which has several restaurants and courtyard gardens that make for a perfect stop to sample a cool beverage or tasty snack before heading back over the bridge.

Local Flavors

Before the sun sets, ask a local for another great viewpoint and you will surely hear about the popular Passaporte. The walk up to the restaurant and bar is a bit challenging but worth every inclined step for the impeccable service and striking views. Even if the offerings come with a heftier price tag compared to other spots in town, all of Portugal is reasonably priced so splurging just a little shouldn’t break the bank and delectable dining anywhere in Coimbra shouldn’t, either. 

On the lively Rua da Fernandes Tomas Street, you’ll find plenty of cafes and restaurants offering local cuisine including chanfana, a traditional Portuguese stew made with goat or lamb slow cooked in red wine. Another local favorite is the leitao a bairrada, a roasted suckling pig usually served with homemade potato crisps and orange slices. Both are hearty, satisfying, and popular with locals as well as travelers. It’s also impossible to leave Coimbra without having bacalao, the salted cod that is found in so many local dishes. One popular favorite at the tascas (Portuguese taverns) are the pasteis de bacalhau, small codfish cakes, usually round or oval in shape, that are deep-fried and served with lemon for zest. On the sweet side, try the pasteis de santa clara (named after the convent where they originated) found at dozens of pastry shops and cafés around town. Or, sample the sometimes-gigantic suspiros, meringue puffs made primarily from egg whites and sugar and piped into delicate, cloud-like shapes that make them even more fun to eat. Top any of these off with a ginja, the country’s local liqueur made from sour cherries and often served in an edible chocolate shot cup. 

Moving Sidewalks

Walk off the delicious food (and sweets!) meandering around quaint squares surrounded by colorful buildings featuring medieval styling and some of the decorative tilework that Portugal is known for. Relish the not-always-faint sound of traditional fado music — consisting of one voice, one Portuguese guitar, and one viola — seeping .… 

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Many destinations all over the world have recently added accessible enhancements, such as mobility-friendly boats, accessible water taxis, and beaches outfitted with everything you’ll need to relax. Here are a few spots to try.

Alaska 

On the surface, Alaska doesn’t seem like it would be the most accessible destination, but hear me out! There are many Alaskan excursions that are ideal, from a helicopter ride over a glacier to whale-watching from a wheelchair-accessible boat. One of the most popular excursions in Alaska is a ride on the Alaska Railroad, which takes you through Anchorage and the Denali National Park. You could also opt for the Inside Passage trip, which takes visitors from Skagway to Fraser, BC. 

California 

Take a Pacific Coast cruise to California ports including Catalina Island and San Francisco. Stop at the wheelchair-accessible Granada Beach, which supplies access mats for easy roll-ability. Next, head to Palm Desert for The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, where you can hop on an accessible carousel and roll down the  paved pathways throughout the zoo; with wheelchair rentals ($15 per day) and complimentary admission for all aides. 

CocoCay 

Take a Royal Caribbean cruise to CocoCay, which is the line’s own private island in the Bahamas (you can only get here via a cruise aboard Royal Caribbean or one of the lines in the Royal Caribbean Group, which are also incredibly accessible). There’s a complimentary tram that runs on a loop throughout the island, plus complimentary beach-access wheelchairs. 

Barcelona 

Step off a ship and into one of the largest ports in Europe. There are accessible shuttles from the port into the city, or you can opt for an accessible taxi. Visit the famous Basílica de la Sagrada Familia with an aide (free for both if you have an accredited disability), take an adapted tour of the gothic Catedral de Barcelona in the Gothic Quarter  (there’s a ramp at the Carrer del Bisbe entrance, and there are accessible bathrooms in the central garden, but be prepared for a few small hills on the way to the cathedral), and end the day at La Boqueria Market, one of the best Spanish markets, where they have narrow but accessible aisles, complete with ramps. 

Hawaii 

This state is one of the best spots for accessible travel. A handful of beaches on each island offer .… 

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The City of Light shines brighter than ever this year, illuminating La Seine — as Parisians lovingly call the river that courses through their city’s heart — as France marks a series of magnificent milestones. The Seine itself is the first stage of Paris’ Olympics celebrations, as boats parade international athletes to Trocadero for the XXXIII Olympiad opening ceremonies. Away from Paris, villages near the Seine’s flow to the English Channel locally commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day (June 6, 1944) with observances culminating at Normandy’s beaches. Since the Seine lured France’s beloved Impressionists to poise easels along its scenic shores, the country is marking the 150th anniversary of Impressionism with curated exhibits and festivals at riverside sites from Paris to Rouen. For all the festivities, this is a brilliant year to romance the beauty of La Seine on a Viking cruise from Paris to the heart of Normandy and back. 

Parisian Origins

Paris itself is an architectural masterpiece that exudes romantic allure in historic arrondissements from the UNESCO World Heritage community banking the Seine to Place Vendome, Place de la Concorde, Montmartre, Le Marais’ Place des Vosges, and the intimate byways of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Paris is a stellar hub for Viking’s four 168-passenger longships which have exclusive berthing privileges at Port de Grenelle — a short walk from the Eiffel Tower — and include two overnights at this central locale. Still, it’s worth arriving a couple of days early to stroll the city, cross iconic bridges inevitably dotted with couples lingering in fond embrace, see Impressionists’ paintings of scenes you’re destined to recognize on the Seine River cruise, and relax at a café to imbibe the Parisian joie de vivre.

For art lovers, Le Louvre and Musée d’Orsay showcase the evolution of Impressionism with early works by Renoir, Degas, Sisley, Morisot, Pissarro, Cezanne, and Monet among others who honed their metiérs by painting the elusive, changing light of rural and coastal France. Their first collective showing in 1874 was critically trashed by Paris’ Royal Academy, which preferred classical studio paintings to gauzy images of landscapes and towns impacted by the burgeoning Industrial Revolution, or scenes of ordinary people living daily lives. 

Paris River Cruise

A leisurely walk from Le Louvre through Tuileries Gardens leads to L’Orangerie, home of Monet’s brilliant Les Nymphéas (Water Lilies) cycle, painted at his Giverny estate. For Viking passengers like me, the line’s included visit to Giverny was motivation enough to book this cruise. Others were keen to visit Normandy’s historic beaches.

After embarking Viking Skaga, Captain Pascal Eschbach explained that the Seine — its name meaning “snake” — is France’s second-longest river. Starting at the edge of Burgundy, it flows northwest through Paris, snaking its way through Normandy to the city of Rouen before reaching the English Channel at Le Havre. 

That first night, as passengers gathered on the top deck for Champagne toasts to a joyous journey, I felt the beguiling aura of La Seine, its waters shimmering as the Eiffel Tower sparkled against indigo skies. 

Light in the Countryside

Early next morning, after Skaga docked at the historic village of La Roche-Guyon, I climbed to the platform where.… 

By  Toby Saltzman

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