For years, Bermuda cruises have been one of our agency’s most popular vacations. They’ve also been, hands down, my family’s favorite cruise holiday. So, when Princess Cruises announced it would resume regular Bermuda sailings this season, I already knew where I would spend my summer vacation. I’ve had a soft spot in my heart for Bermuda cruises since I first started in the travel business over eleven years ago. The sailings, then and now, seem like vintage wines that just get better and better over time. There’s an ideal balance of time at sea mixed with days enjoying in Bermuda’s beautiful setting and friendly, English-speaking people. The island itself is, for me, magical. Views of the island’s bays are like an Impressionist’s dream of sailboats and sky. And I love the charm of Bermuda’s towns, with their British colonial atmosphere and interesting shopping.

Instead of finding a clearing and pitching a tent, I prefer booking escorted vacations that deliver natural grandeur along with beautiful, deluxe accommodations. Their cruise tours, such as its 14-day excursion to the Last Frontier, offer a wilderness experience that fits our criteria for soft adventure. The vacation’s first week delivers an Alaskan land vacation that sounds like a dream. You’ll linger in a luxurious lodge where whitewater streams and wooded trails promise memorable encounters with wildlife. You’ll be immersed in emerald forests as you travel in a deluxe railway observation car to Alaska’s crown jewel, Denali National Park. And your two days in Denali will include seeing the majestic peaks, glorious bald eagles and midnight sun that make Alaska a special destination. Enjoy breakfast wildlife sightings from the privacy of your cabin’s verandah. Take advantage of spacious decks to see monumental glaciers in an up-close, personal way.

Go horseback riding through the lush countryside. Or, for an extra fee, discover the grandeur of nearby Mayan ruins. In addition to delivering outdoor fun, "all-inclusive" package does an excellent job of wining and dining you. You can enjoy buffet banquets or dine in a la carte style. Drinks are on the house. And the resort provides Vegas-style entertainment twice weekly. We recommend booking a package to this Caribbean resort. Caribbean vacations are my siren songs. I can’t get enough of the palm-lined beaches, the soothing sun and the good times that keep rolling on. And, when the urges for a warm-weather Caribbean escape strikes, I’m out of here and on my way to the land of total escape. Every day felt like a celebration. We had our choice of pleasurable activities, from volleyball to spirited parties.