On an Air Canada flight to Japan recently, I read an article in Enroute magazine that really got me thinking. The first line of the article asked “Can travel transform who you are?”

Interesting? Very. Fascinating? Absolutely, no question. Beautiful? Sure is! The island of Sri Lanka is fondly known as the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean.” So I was extremely delighted to see that the island has, just this month, been named Travel and Leisure Magazine’s “World’s Best Island 2019.”

Who said plants could or should only be found in your backyard? Over the last couple of years, plants have surprisingly taken over our plates! Veganism or a plant-based diet, which excludes consumption of animal sourced products has expanded and revolutionized cuisine in the western world. Oceania Cruises, whose objective is to continuously ensure all of their guests are fully satisfied, has recently introduced 200 new healthy plant-based culinary options onto its ships’ menu. These out of the ordinary culinary alternatives will be offered across the entire fleet by mid-August this year.

As a leader in exploration and sustainable cruising, Hurtigruten is introducing its newest green innovation. By partnering with the Norwegian start-up company, Brim Explorer, the cruise line is launching battery-powered catamarans. Set to debut in spring next year, the 78-foot vessels will take guests on silent explorations to the Arctic’s polar waters. With 146 passengers and 4 crew, this new kind of exploratio promises to be a unique and intimate experience with minimal impact on the environment.