Where We Travelled: The hotels, ships & destinations PAX explored in 2023

From swimming with sea lions in the Galapagos Islands to dancing with the Village People in Cusco, Peru, the year 2023 was full of eye-popping adventures for the editorial team at Pax Global Media.

As Canada’s leading travel trade news outlet, PAX takes immense pride in transporting our readers – Canada’s esteemed travel trade community – to some of the world’s most fascinating destinations, hotels and cruise ships through our dynamic on-location coverage.

PAX readers get a front-row seat to the latest products and innovations in travel and tourism. Our team is usually among the first to see and experience offers as they enter the market.

From hotel and resort openings to cruise ship inaugurals to new experiences in destinations, every PAX travel story follows the same mandate: to bring travel advisors compelling, on-the-ground coverage that helps expand their knowledge and, hopefully, inspire future bookings. 

All year long, our team of skilled writers fly around the world to dig up details that travel advisors can use.

Every assignment comes with a promise to show readers interesting locations through vivid storytelling, in-depth interviews and original photography and video – one-of-a-kind and professional content that goes beyond press releases and marketing materials. 

It’s a responsibility – and a privilege – that we don’t take lightly.

This past year was full of exciting stories – many of which were assigned exclusively to PAX – as the travel industry, well into its post-COVID recovery, debuted new products, tours and itineraries, and celebrated longtime favourites. 

Some folks might say we travel too much. But to them we say: how can you trust a travel writer that doesn’t travel?

Here’s a round-up of all the places that caught our attention in 2023!

Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady (Exclusive)

Virgin Voyages’ second ship, Valiant Lady, continued the line’s adults-only cruise experience with a “lasting, vivid impression ranging from superb food to powerful entertainment,” wrote PAX's resident "Cruiseguru" Diane Tierney, who reported from the brand’s first North American First Mates and Golden Ink Awards. 

The 2,700-passenger Instagram-worthy Valiant Lady, with more than 20 eateries on board, rockstar suites and bold entertainment, kicked off the year, shaking up traditional cruising as we know it. Read the story here. Published Jan. 16, 2023.

Sanctuary Cap Cana – Dominican Republic (Exclusive)

“The kingdom of Sanctuary Cap Cana still stands. And it's thriving,” wrote PAX’s Managing Editor Michael Pihach. The five-star, all-inclusive, adults-only property in Dominican Republic’s upscale Cap Cana reopened in January after a brief shutdown due to damages caused by Hurricane Fiona months earlier.

The 324-suite property managed by Playa Hotels and Resorts used its downtime wisely, rejuvenating areas with new décor concepts, eye-catching art and fresh furniture.

Villas now boast a fresh coat of paint, there’s also now fire pits, a newly-built beach bar and beach shack and lobby library featuring a collection of cultural books.

The centrepiece? A gigantic mural, placed on the side of a tower, depicting one of Christopher Columbus’ ships sailing on a rocky blue sea. Read the story here. Published Jan. 31, 2023.

Quito, Ecuador (Exclusive) 

Many tourists see Quito as a connecting point. But the Ecuadorean capital, perched high in the Andean foothills, (and first city ever to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site), is more than a layover destination. 

From the historic Old Town to cloud forests to chocolate shops, PAX's Michelle Froese unearthed Quito’s hidden and not-so-hidden gems. Read the story here. Published Feb. 7, 2023. 

Kingston, Jamaica

Writer Ming Tappin attended the first Global Tourism Resilience Conference in Kingston, Jamaica, where she learned about ways to protect tourism-dependent countries from disasters.

The trip, which marked the first day designated to tourism since the UN declared World Tourism Day in 1980, shed light on Canadian trends from the Jamaica Tourist Board, Sandals updates from SRI's Executive Chairman Adam Stewart and must-see attractions in Jamaica's capital, like the Bob Marley Museum, the murals of Water Lane and Craighton Estate. Read the story here. Published Feb. 21, 2023.

Windstar’s Star Pride (Exclusive)

Windstar Cruises stretched and renovated its Star Pride ship by about 26 metres as part of a $250 million initiative – and PAX’s Diane Tierney got to see it all for herself.

The slightly bigger and renovated vessel is a "mind-boggling feat and engineering marvel," wrote Tierney. There are 50 more cabins, two new elegant restaurants, a new infinity-style pool, two hot tubs, more deck space, an expanded spa and other major enhancements.

Capacity has also increased from 212 to 312 passengers and 190 crew – “an impressive customer service ratio,” Tierney wrote. Read the story here. Published March 16, 2023.

Iberostar Selection Playa Mita – Punta de Mita, Mexico (Exclusive)

With a commitment to involve Nayarit’s Indigenous roots, and evolve with changing tastes, Iberostar Selection Playa Mita in Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit is breaking away from its own conventions with new concepts and ideas.  

The 451-room, all-inclusive resort in Punta de Mita started the year with more experiences connected to history and culture. And it’s changing the way Iberostar operates in Mexico. Read the story here. Published March 22, 2023.

Seadust Cancun Family Resort – Cancun, Mexico

Seadust Cancun Family Resort should get its own makeover reality show. The 502-room all-inclusive resort in Cancun's Hotel Zone is transforming with renovated rooms and other upgrades now that Playa Hotels and Resorts runs the show.

From Yucatan-inspired rooms to ice cream stations to "Princess cabins" at the spa, the family-friendly, lagoon-facing property has big plans. Read the story here. Published March 30, 2023.

Margaritaville St. Somewhere – Holbox, Mexico (Exclusive)

“It’s an escapism hotel,” said Mario Dorantes, GM of Margaritaville St. Somewhere, a 39-suite boutique hotel that Karisma opened last year on the rustic island of Holbox, Mexico.

PAX travelled to the breezy beach house, which is unlike any other Margaritaville, to get an on-the-group look. What we found were Lunar celebrations, lobster pizza, floating tacos and "be yourself" vibes.

Holbox, with its unpaved roads and fragile infrastructure, isn’t Cancun, Playa del Carmen or Tulum.

But maybe that’s exactly what makes St. Somewhere so alluring. Read the story here. Published April 6, 2023.

Alentejo, Portugal

The Air Canada Race returned this year with a new partner, United Airlines, and a new destination – Portugal.

PAX was there to report on the high-energy event, which welcomed travel advisors from Canada and the U.S to Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage city.

Later on, PAX’s Steven Bereznai discovered a castle-turned-hotel, “Portugal’s Stonehenge,” and great value in lesser-known Alentejo in the country’s south. Read the story here. Published April 27, 2023.

Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya – Playa del Carmen, Mexico

An adults-only, all-inclusive resort that opened in December 2022, Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya hosted this year’s Playa Hotels and Resort’s “All Stars” event, where Canadian travel advisors were honoured.  

The renovated, low-rise, U-shaped, hacienda-style property (formally a Secrets Capri) has just 291 spacious rooms in a lush jungle setting, where exotic animals roam.

There are 15 room categories, including 52 swim-ups (which were specifically built for Playa’s takeover) and 12 oceanfront suites with plunge pools, as well as four restaurants. The main pool feels like a sandbank, but the “Zen Spa” is the talk of the property. Read the story here. Published May 11, 2023.

Icon of the Seas preview – Meyer Turku shipyard, Finland

PAX’s Jessica Huras joined more than 50 journalists from around the world in getting a behind-the-scenes look at Royal Caribbean’s new megaship, Icon of the Seas, when it was still under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland.

Several executives, including Michael Bayley, president & CEO of Royal Caribbean International, were there to share their strategy and vision.

The ship, the first of RCI’s new Icon Class – which is set to become the largest cruise ship in the world – has eight neighbourhoods, over 40 restaurants, seven pools, and 28 types of accommodation

Icon of the Seas, which can hold more than 7,600 passengers at maximum capacity, will debut in Miami, Florida in January 2024. Read the story here. Published May 17, 2023.

The Peninsula Istanbul – Istanbul, Turkey (Exclusive) 

Things are always changing (churning) on Turkey's Bosphorus Strait – waters that defined what was once the capital of both the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires.

In hotel land, a fresh flurry of allure has arrived with the opening of The Peninsula Istanbul. 

The 177-room hotel, built on the European side of the Golden Horn, not only functions as a spiffy look-out, but is also in sync with both past and present, wrote PAX correspondent Shinan Govani. Read the story here. Published May 26, 2023.

Viking Hermod – Lyon, France/Rhône River (Exclusive)

How do you design a European vacation that’s relaxing and easy – especially when Europe is buzzing with tourists? Suggest a river cruise that avoids frustrating traffic and, instead, puts them right at the riverbank of romantic villages.

When clients step aboard the four-deck, 190-passenger Viking Hermod ship in Lyon, France for a Rhone River cruise, they’ll "instantly feel the peaceful, slow-mo vibe and exhale," wrote PAX's Diane Tierney, who participated in Viking’s Lyon and Provence voyage in May. Read the story here. Published June 12, 2023.

Cayo Largo, Cuba

Imagine waking up, rubbing your eyes, looking out at a turquoise-blue ocean accompanied by kilometres of white sand beaches, and heading outside for a yoga session.

This is how a Sunwing trip to Cayo Largo, Cuba began for PAX writer Michele Yeo, who flew to the small island off of Cuba’s southern coast for a digital detox – and met some local turtles. Read the story here. Published June 22, 2023.

Goldwynn Resort & Residences – Nassau, The Bahamas

The new Goldwynn Resort & Residences in Nassau, in The Bahamas, is a boutique retreat with a storied past that, today, has ties to Canada.

PAX was in Nassau and toured the upscale beachfront property, which opened in February.

With 81 residential-style accommodations with glass balconies, as well as 78 residential units, the property offers a fresh take on intimate luxury in a destination that is mostly known for over-the-top megaresorts.

As the property’s sales team pointed out, there are few (if any) boutique hotels in the area that are built directly on a beach. Read the story here. Published June 28, 2023.

The Palm Beaches, Florida (Exclusive)

PAX joined Virtuoso-certified travel advisors in Florida on an ultra-luxe jaunt through The Palm Beaches, "America’s first resort destination," where history, art and culture collide.

Between every two palm trees is a doorway to a new world – or, if you’re in The Palm Beaches, a new hotel. And on this trip, we toured six properties, from known chains to upscale, independent names, like the iconic Breakers Palm Beach, which has been in business for 127 years. Read the story here. Published July 12, 2023.

Club Med Quebec-Charlevoix – Petite-Rivière-Saint-François, QC (Exclusive)

Labrador Tea, served cold, in Quebec’s boreal forest? A maple syrup tasting game? Sky-high gondola rides? Welcome to summertime at Club Med Quebec Charlevoix, where life is as Canadian as it gets.

PAX’s Michael Pihach got an exclusive taste of Canada's first (and only) Club Med, which turns into an all-inclusive paradise for hikers, bikers and nature lovers during the summer months. (In winter, guests can access 40 kilometres of slopes carved into the highest vertical drop east of the Rockies). 

It’s the resort’s nature-chic design puts a Canadian stamp on it all. Read the story here. Published July 31, 2023.

Borneo, Malaysia (Exclusive)

With rainforests, colourful villages and exotic wildlife, from orangutans to long-nosed proboscis monkeys, Borneo, a rugged island in Southeast Asia, is bursting with discovery.

PAX joined G Adventures and Canadian travel advisors in Malaysia to participate in jungle hikes, river safaris and a camping activity that took place on a turtle hatchery.

G Adventures’ David Green said the trip was organized to highlight Asia and show how responsible tourism plays out on a tour where wildlife is a focus. The eight-day East Sabah journey was part of G’s Jane Goodall Collection. Read the story here. Published Aug. 2, 2023.

The Galapagos Islands – Western Loop (Exclusive)

“Galapagos isn’t just a place where you take pictures and check off animals that you have seen,” said Ramiro, our expedition leader. “It changes the way you see the world and how you live life.”

From penguins to giant tortoises to blue-footed boobies to sea lions, PAX got an exclusive look at the Galapagos Islands with Hurtigruten Expeditions (now “HX”) aboard the MS Santa Cruz II, a 90-passenger vessel that was refitted in 2021.

You don’t just leave the Galapagos Islands with an iPhone full of pictures. You leave with a renewed sense of responsibility to protect and preserve what we have. Read the story here. Published Aug. 9, 2023.

Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana – Cap Cana, Dominican Republic

The first time we visited Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana, we found a parrot-peppered world of margarita popsicles, floating taco bars and flip-flops.

The all-inclusive property, which Karisma opened in November 2021, is now a whole new flavour of margarita mix with dedicated sections for adults and families.

PAX's returned to the Jimmy Buffett-inspired paradise, where live music rocks and salty rims rule. Read the story here. Published Sept. 12, 2023.  

GX Summit in Cusco, Peru

G Adventures' inaugural "GX" tourism summit was in Cusco, Peru, and welcomed more than 400 travel pros – including 13 Canadian advisors.

From hiking the Huchuy Qosqo trail (an Inca route in the Andes) to discovering local "G For Good" projects, like the Ccaccaccollo Women’s Weaving Co-op, the event showcased the power of community tourism.

It all concluded with a gold-themed party in Cusco, in an ancient temple, which later moved to a disco nightclub, where the Village People performed. Read that story here, and our conference recap here. Published in October 2023.

Meliá Resorts – Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

“Prepare to be pampered,” said Carolina Valentín, regional marketing manager for Meliá Hotels and Resorts in the Dominican Republic, where PAX had an opportunity to explore three of five Meliá properties in Punta Cana, including the new Falcon’s Resort and Katmandu Park.

As author Steven Bereznai wrote: thanks to Meliá’s unique and special experiences, "adult me got pampered, and my inner child got to play." Read the story here. Published Oct. 18. 2023.

Vietnam and Cambodia/The Mekong River (Exclusive)

So you’ve river cruised in Europe. But how about the Mekong in Southeast Asia? PAX’s Michael Pihach joined AmaWaterways and platinum-level franchise owners from Expedia Cruises on board the AmaDara to explore "Charms of the Mekong” in Vietnam and Cambodia.

From exploring remote villages to enjoying life on a luxury ship, to discovering ancient temples to zipping around on tuk-tuks to crawling through underground tunnels, we were busy.

The voyage on Asia’s famous trans-boundary river was an invitation to embrace adventure. Read the two-part story here and here. Published Oct. 23 and Dec. 19, 2023.

Matera, Italy

PAX's Nancy Benetton-Sampath flew to Italy’s Basilicata Region to cover a conference about ancestry tourism. 

The ROOTS in-Roots Tourism International Exchange explored ways of engaging with Italians living abroad and inviting them to visit their homeland. 

Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its Sassi (rock) districts, was the backdrop for the event, which was attended by several Canadian tour operators. Read the story here. Published Nov. 21, 2023. 

Maui, Hawaiʻi (Exclusive)

Tourism is reopening, one sunset at a time, in West Maui near Lahaina, which endured a deadly wildlife in August. 

As PAX learned during a visit to the Hawaiian island, the wellbeing of hospitality workers remains a concern as visitors return. Local operators are also warning not to discount Maui for the sake of boosting arrival numbers.

PAX got an on-the-ground look, and tapped into local activities, such as wellness at Wailea Beach Resort, paddling an outrigger canoe, hiking at Haleakalā National Park, flying over the island via helicopter, visiting the Maui Ocean Centre and volunteering at a wildfire relief facility. Read the story here. Published Nov. 23, 2023.  

Iberostar hotels - Cuba

Iberostar’s brand in Cuba is counting on Canadians to experience its hotels not only in popular sun destinations, but also in lesser-known areas, such as Trinidad, by taking road trips.

PAX’s Anne Pélouas travelled to the Cuba to experience life on the road, and explore Iberostar hotels, from sea and city perspective. Read the story here. Published Nov. 24, 2023.

EXPLORA I – Dutch/Eastern Caribbean

When explaining Explora Journeys, Patricia Di Benedetto quotes a travel advisor who once summed it up best. “It’s nothing you’d expect, and it’s everything you’d want,” says the luxury brand’s business relationship lead in Eastern Canada.

PAX boarded the 461-suite, yacht-inspired EXPLORA I on an epic voyage through the Caribbean Windward and ABC islands, with Canadian travel advisors, to learn more about the newly-launched brand, which invites guests to embrace an “Ocean State of Mind.”

All-inclusive, spacious, sexy design, outstanding food and smiling staff that are always three steps ahead of passengers made this luxury cruise coo. And the suites. There's a reason why they call them "homes at sea." Read the story here. Published Nov. 29, 2023.

The Blind Butcher at Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana – Dominican Republic

Family-friendly Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana in the D.R. has opened a new concept restaurant called The Blind Butcher, which at first looks like a basic butcher shop, until a hostess opens a large fridge door and guides you into a slick space that is anything but basic.

PAX’s Michele Yeo reserved a table to learn more about the full-sensory dining experience, which has been two years in the making. Read the story here. Published Dec. 11, 2023.

CroisiEurope’s MS Douce France – France/Germany/The Rhine River

"When boarding a CroisiEurope ship, Europe comes with you,” wrote PAX’s Michael Pihach, who joined Canadian travel advisors and 5Continents on the Rhine River aboard the MS Douce France, a 55-cabin river ship operated by CroisiEurope, which prides itself on chef-style food and good value.

What's it like sailing on a France-based cruise line that's been around since the late seventies? PAX finished the year in Europe to get all the answers. Read the story here. Published Dec. 20, 2023.

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