Sweden

Mother Nature is astonishing, to say the least. No artist or architect could compete with the flora, fauna and formations she’s dreamt up, so fittingly an alternative list to the classic, human-centric Seven Wonders of the World was created. From sky-high Mount Everest to the undersea Great Barrier Reef, herein are the best ways to see our blue and green globe’s most notable natural wonders.

Last week, as much of North America shivered under a blanket of snow, thoughts of spring seemed distant and remote. Fortunately, this was likely winter’s last blast and spring will soon make an appearance, bringing with it a pink and white welcome party in select cities.

Cherry blossom trees are native to Japan, but can also be found blooming in some lucky locales over the next few weeks. Blossom season is a clear sign winter is at a close, prompting festivals and celebrations around the world. This week, we’ve picked out eight cities where cherry blossoms form a spectacular backdrop, highlighting some of the events that come with them.

Each year, staff at the Oxford Dictionary sift through the cultural morass to deliver their shortlist for Word of the Year. 2016’s lineup reflected a tumultuous period globally, with nomenclature like Alt-Right, Brexiteer, and Woke front and center. Somewhat cheerier, the word Hygge (pronounced hoo-ga) was also present on the shortlist, and it’s a term that came roaring into fashion in 2016. If you’re unfamiliar with the word, it’s becoming increasingly ubiquitous with the concept of coziness and togetherness. Unfortunately, it has no literal translation in English making it difficult to pin down exactly what it means. Hygge was developed as a way of living by the Danish in the 18th century, and is often credited with helping Scandinavian people maintain their cheery disposition despite their long winters. Just like the concept of Feng Shui, hygge has begun to inform interior design choices everywhere from IKEA, to hotels we feature in Kiwi Collection. This week on the blog, we take a closer look at hotels where hygge is central to the guest experience.