It's hard to imagine that there is feverish activity below decks, while you are more or less inert, abovedeck, sunning languorously poolside, with a frothy, umbrella-adorned beverage in hand. Such is "the life" on deck 11, on an at-sea day on Regent Seven Seas Cruise Line's stunningly appointed Explorer, with its exquisite décor—punctuated by its extensive, on-board art collection, valued at some $6 million. 

The next T-Boy writers' poll is devoted to THE LAST PLACE in the world where you would NEVER want to visit, or revisit. The instructions were simple: it could be a nation, state, region or province, a city or town, or a place; like that fisherman's bar in Valparaiso, where I was once thrown out of for expressing my distaste of the Chilean dictator, Augusto José Ramón Pinochet Ugarte.

I am planning a trip to Amsterdam. My plan is to purchase Dutch products for gifts. I have an hour or two at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport for a layover. I noticed in the past there were tulip bulbs for sale, which I thought would make a perfect gift for friends and families. But I’d heard from friends that they are not of the highest quality and sometimes don’t even grow. What is the best place in Holland to purchase the bulbs?

I am planning a trip to Manhattan in June. I have not visited your island for 40 or so years. Friends have informed me that Manhattan is now very gentrified and has lost it edge, and I should concentrate on Brooklyn. What is your take on this?

The Latest T-Boy Film, Travel & Music poll is devoted to a positive cultural experience when visiting a new destination. Below you’ll find orignial content not found anywhere else on the globe by Richard Carroll, Audrey Hart, Ringo Boitano, Deb Roskamp and even two by yours truly. I hope you enjoy the entries as much as I enjoyed its compilation. – Ed

Cigarette smoking is considered a health risk not only for the smoker but for everyone else around them as well. Because of this, many countries today have implemented smoking bans or laws to reduce smoking. Most recently, Mexico made changes to its tobacco control law that includes no-smoking rules for any workplace and outdoor locations where people gather. These locations range from public squares and parks to beaches and sports stadiums. The new provisions aim to ensure better protection of general public health.

Magellan's story is one instance where the old adage "the victor gets to write history" rings true. The PBS History website and Spanish movies like "1898: Our Last Men in the Philippines" depict the Filipinos as uncivilized thankless primitives. From Western perspectives, the Spaniards were the cultured benefactors who came to save the Filipinos from their ignorance. From the Filipino's viewpoint, the Spaniards were the oppressors. The Spanish monks sworn to celibacy were notorious to have families on the side.

This installment of our advice column comes to you from our Icelandic-American, Mr. Kelly Hughes; a man whose no stranger to the Land of Fire and Ice. Spread across 39,817 sq. miles of spectacular landscapes and progressive cities and villages, this small island nation sits in the middle of two tectonic plates; where the North American plate features a terrain of fiery volcanoes, while the Eurasian plate is known for its 269 icy glaciers. Iceland is noted for its retainment of the world’s oldest recorded parliament (‘Althing’) still in existence, founded in 930 by 39 local Nordic chieftains.

I am planning my first trip to Italy. I want to see Rome, Florence and Venice. I plan on arriving in Milan. Friends have told me to quickly bail out of Milan and use it as a place to head out to more historic places. Should I ignore the city and go on my way? --- Susan of Portland, OR