When it opened in 1912 under the auspices of King Alfonso XIII, Madrid’s Palace Hotel was among the largest and most modern hotels in all of Europe. It was the first in Spain to offer a private bathroom and a telephone in every room. It has also been a favorite among points travelers for over…

Like fine European hotels or the fanciest boutique properties, the ships of the best luxury cruise lines are designed to appeal to people who seek — and can afford — an elegant style of travel. Champagne flows. You can snack on caviar. Exquisite cuisine is prepared a la minute and accompanied by pours of fine…

Ready or not, “basic” first- and business-class tickets appear to be on the way at Delta Air Lines sooner, rather than later. For many months, the Atlanta-based carrier has dropped breadcrumbs about bringing an adapted version of its “basic economy” concept to its myriad of premium seats. That could conceivably mean booking a $1,500 first-class…