My Favorite Champagne Luxury Travel Moments Around the World

Champagne has always been a symbol of celebration, but for me, it’s become something more, with experiencing Champagne luxury travel moments. After surviving a brain tumor diagnosis and surgery, I’ve come to appreciate the gift of simply being alive…and I find reasons to celebrate every day. Champagne has marked some of my life’s most extraordinary travels, but also the quieter moments at home. Here are the Champagne luxury travel memories that continue to sparkle, reminding me that life itself is worth toasting.

1. Reims, France : Into the Champagne Caves

In Reims, the heart of Champagne, I walked deep into ancient chalk caves lined with bottles quietly aging in the cool, dim light. Emerging from the caves to raise a glass in the very region where Champagne was born felt like the epitome of celebration. It was history, tradition, and joy all captured in a single sip.

2. The Blue Lagoon : Iceland

At night, with steam rising and stars overhead, I sipped Champagne while floating in Iceland’s geothermal waters. It was surreal, otherworldly, and reminded me how extraordinary it feels to be alive in the moment.

3. Explora Journeys : Champagne & Caviar at Sea

On an ultra-luxury cruise, I indulged in Champagne at breakfast alongside caviar, and later while soaking in an infinity hot tub overlooking endless ocean views. These moments at sea were indulgent, yes, but also deeply restorative, proof that celebration doesn’t have to wait for a special occasion.

4. Rock Bar, Bali : Honeymoon Memories

During our honeymoon, James and I toasted with Champagne perched cliffside at AYANA Resort’s Rock Bar in Bali. The sun dipped into the Indian Ocean, waves crashed dramatically below, and we celebrated not only marriage but also the beginning of a life built on adventure together, sprinkled with Champagne luxury travel moments.

5. The Amalfi Coast : Prosecco on a Yacht to Capri

Sailing along the Amalfi Coast, glass of Prosecco in hand, was one of those “pinch me” luxury travel experiences. Cruising toward Capri on a private yacht, I felt the joy of living fully in the present: sun, sea, and sparkle all at once.

6. The Four Seasons Atlanta : Market Tradition

Every year, our buying trips to market in Atlanta became something special because of tradition. After long days of walking showrooms, we’d retreat to Bar Margot at The Four Seasons to sip bottles of Champagne. It wasn’t just about the bubbles…it was about ritual, camaraderie, and savoring success.

7. Doha, Qatar : A Champagne Cocktail in the Middle East

One evening in Doha, I found myself sipping a Champagne cocktail in a high-end luxury hotel, listening to “Tiny Dancer” played on the piano. I remember thinking: How did I end up here? It was a surreal, unexpected reminder that life is full of twists, and it’s worth raising a glass even in the most unlikely places.

8. Holland America Cruise : Alaska with Cellardoor

On a cruise to Alaska, I brought along a bottle of Cellardoor Blanc de Blanc from my beloved Maine winery. Standing on our stateroom balcony, I raised a glass while gazing at a glacier, the chill of the air contrasting with the warmth of the toast. It felt both deeply personal and wildly epic. Maine in my glass, Alaska before my eyes.

9. McLoon’s Lobster Shack : South Thomaston, Maine

Closer to home, some of my favorite Champagne memories are low-key: a lobster roll on the dock at McLoon’s, paired with a chilled bottle of bubbly I brought myself. A casual picnic becomes unforgettable when paired with Champagne and a view of the harbor.

10. Everyday Places : Home Toasts That Matter Most

Some of the most meaningful toasts aren’t in luxury hotels or faraway destinations. They’ve happened on the deck at The Beehive in Maine, in our new winter home in Florida (with a bottle waiting in the fridge for our official move), and even at my granddaughter’s Christening, where Champagne marked a sacred family milestone. These moments remind me that celebration doesn’t always need a destination. It can happen anywhere life gives us something worth cherishing.

From Champagne caves in Reims to glaciers in Alaska, from infinity pools to backyard decks, Champagne has taught me that every sip is an opportunity to celebrate. Travel has given me some of the most glamorous settings for those toasts, but my heart knows that the real luxury is found in the everyday.

So here’s to life, to resilience, and to the beauty of raising a glass…wherever you are.

For more travel reflections, join me on Unpacked with Shannon DalPozzal or in my memoir, Of a Woman: The Journey to Becoming.