Fresh off a flight from Alaska, I arrived in Holbox tired, skeptical, and questioning my life choices. Three days later, I was plotting my return.

I boarded Virgin Voyages' Brilliant Lady expecting spectacular Alaska scenery. What I didn't expect was how much our family—ranging from first-time cruisers to seasoned travelers—would fall in love with the ship itself. From Dawes Glacier and whale sightings to Scarlet Night and Sir Richard Branson onboard, this maiden Alaska voyage delivered plenty of surprises.

In La Rioja, wine is more than a drink—it’s the rhythm of life. We wandered storied cellars, tasted vintages beside the Ebro River, and lingered over lunches with views of Frank Gehry’s titanium masterpiece. From Calle Laurel’s pintxo magic to watching white horses gallop through a village square, our days were filled with the flavors, landscapes, and quiet wonders that make Rioja unforgettable.

I first visited Bilbao in the 1980s—pre-Guggenheim, pre-Bourdain. While my then-beau rehearsed with the Bilbao Opera, I wandered the city solo. It was gritty, authentic, and entirely unconcerned with charm. When I asked a local where to eat, he shrugged and said simply, “Anywhere.” Not a recommendation, not a list. Just a quiet kind of assurance that wherever I ended up, it would be good.