November 2022 Global Traveler

Vice

EDITORIAL

In Chief Kimberly Krol Inlander kim.krol@globaltravelerusa.com

Director Katie Skrzek katie.skrzek@globaltravelerusa.com

Senior Editor Janice Hecht jan.hecht@globaltravelerusa.com

Associate Editor/Copy Editor Patricia Vanikiotis patty.vanikiotis@globaltravelerusa.com

Social Media and Editorial Coordinator Mary Melnick mary.melnick@globaltravelerusa.com

Associate Editor Aoife O’Riordan aoife.oriordan@globaltravelerusa.com

ART Art Director Tracey Cullen tracey.cullen@globaltravelerusa.com

Staff Photographer Christopher P. Ottaunick christopher@globaltravelerusa.com

COLUMNISTS

For

Ready to Explore

ow have we arrived at our November issue already? While it is an oft-used phrase, time really does fly! And at least to me, 2022 has felt exceptionally fast. With the end of the year rapidly approaching, my travel has certainly picked back up, and I couldn’t be happier. In October I returned to Chicago, the last destination I visited before the pandemic halted travel, with Francis X. Gallagher and Haley Fogarty for an exclusive event we hosted with United Airlines and The Peninsula Chicago. Then I overnighted in New York City to check out the newest ship from Celebrity Cruises, Celebrity Beyond. As you read this, I’m likely on board Viking Fjorgyn, one of Viking’s newest longships, plying the River Seine roundtrip from Paris, making stops in Normandy. And next month we’re all off to Los Angeles to celebrate the 19th GT Tested Reader Survey awards. Where are your travels taking you to cap off 2022?

As always, each issue also allows me to reminisce

on past travels. In this issue, we recap the fabulous event we had this past summer in New York City to celebrate the Leisure Lifestyle Awards and Wherever Awards winners. Check out the fun on page 38. And writing my Spas article on Mirror Lake Inn in Lake Placid, New York, took me back to the anniversary road trip my husband and I took in August.

Let’s journey together in this issue. We’re visiting Yerevan, Armenia; Mexico City; Victoria Falls; Doha, Qatar (just in time for the FIFA World Cup); the Greek Isles; the Florida Keys; Las Vegas; Riga, Latvia; Charleston, South Carolina; Portugal; and Queenstown, New Zealand. With the World Cup captivating the globe’s attention this month, we also take a look at other soccer (or fútbol) events around the globe. Next month, join us as we announce the 2022 winners of the GT Tested Reader Survey awards, the Airline of the Year, the Hotel of the Year and our Outstanding Diversity in Travel awards.

Kimberly Krol Inlander Editor in Chief

Two for the Road: Kim and Scott on Mirror Lake in Lake Placid, New York

PHOTO: © KIMBERLY KROL INLANDER

ADVERTISING

Publisher/CEO Francis X. Gallagher tel 215 919 8988 | fran.gallagher@globaltravelerusa.com

Advertising Manager Haley Fogarty tel 215 932 0284 haley.fogarty@globaltravelerusa.com

Advertising and Production Manager Yasser Ogando tel 267 884 1650 | yasser.ogando@globaltravelerusa.com

Account Executive Western Region and Asia Maria Angeles tel 215 932 1621 maria.angeles@globaltravelerusa.com

Account Executive Southern Region and the Caribbean Carrie Cox tel 215 932 0861 | carrie.cox@globaltravelerusa.com

Business Development Executive Christyn Pek tel 231 740 6406 christyn.pek@globaltravelerusa.com

Best Foot Forward

As we swiftly come to the close of the year, I can reflect on what a remarkable ride it’s been. With travel back — and soaring — it is almost difficult to imagine those trying days of the recent past.

We are all gearing up for our GT Tested Reader Survey awards event Dec. 6 at The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles at LA Live. We will reveal the results of our annual reader survey, awarding the best in travel from airlines to hotels, destinations and credit cards. Please join us for the fun and festivities.

At the same time, we are well into planning events for 2023, securing locations and dates for the Leisure Lifestyle Awards (Global Traveler), Wherever Awards (whereverfamily.com), The Trazees (trazeetravel.com) and the 2023 Global Traveler GT Tested Reader Survey awards (celebrating 20 years of voting the best in travel). Nothing is more satisfying than seeing the results of our reader voting and gathering with the industry’s best leaders, clients, subscribers and media to celebrate their wins.

Our hearts go out to our readers in Southwest Florida, many hit by Hurricane Ian. As we have two employees in Sarasota, we anxiously waited to hear about their safety and well-being. Although it was a ter rible storm — which they rode out — they are safe, and our Sarasota office survived relatively unscathed. This is not true for many south of us, and we want to support

efforts to help them recover. There is no better charity than the American Red Cross, and it will need your support for many months. Some grassroots relief efforts are already afloat, and I encourage you to support this aid as well.

Having owned property hit by Hurricane Michael in 2018 in the Florida Panhandle, I know it’s difficult to get things operational. I’m supporting a group who plan to drive from Port St. Joe to Fort Myers with water, food, gas and manpower to help in the current cleanup. They lived through Michael and know exactly what people need. I encourage you to lend support in any way you are able.

In the meantime, please support Florida tourism. Even a week after the storm, restaurants like Ophelia’s on the Bay (Siesta Key) reopened. As Fort Myers and Naples recover, they, too, will need your support and tourism.

On a final note, the world is small! On a recent trip to Atlanta, I met up with Rob Hall, of Aircraft Commerce magazine, in town on his first trip outside of the U.K. since the start of COVID. Rob and I traveled together to Doha for a special unveiling of the Hamad International Airport expansion in November 2019. We met for a drink at the InterContinental Buckhead’s Americano Bar to celebrate the return of travel and share some laughs and good times.

For now, be generous, be supportive and travel!

REPRESENTATIVES

Australia Charlton D'Silva tel 61 2 9252 3476 charlton.dsilva@pubintl.com.au

France Géraldine Roger tel 33 1 88 32 62 61 cell 33 7 81 22 02 36 | groger@asset-media.com

India Vimal Anand tel 91 124 4932020 cell 91 98100 71000 vimal@gmnindia.com

Indonesia Sarah Hutabarat tel 62 21 29704008 | sarah@mediaman.co.id

Japan Yoshinori Ikeda tel 81 3 3661 6138 | yoshinori.ikeda@pacific-business.com

Korea Jeff Hwang tel 82 31 702 7782 cell 82 010 6347 9117 gng@gngcom.co.kr

Malaysia Ester Chai tel 60 3 7722 1968 | esther@fitzgerald.com.my

Singapore Peggy Thay tel 65 83768345 | peggy.thay@pubintl.sg

Slovak Republic (Eastern Europe) Zorka Sipkova tel 421 948094611 | zorka.sipkova@pubintl.eu

South America and the Caribbean (excluding Peru and Colombia) Ana Torres de Navarra tel 305 205 3303 ana@colibri-media.com

Spain Olga Martínez tel 34 91 320 0497 | cell 34 669 10 12 73 olga.martinez@aboutim.es

Taiwan Keith Lee tel 886 2 2523 8268 leekh@ms4.hinet.net

Thailand Apichaya Sophonratana tel 66 2 0514694 | apichaya.s@jpp-thailand.com

Turkey Elif Mengu cell 90 532 255 83 24 elif@catalyzismedia.com

United Arab Emirates (UAE) Rosy Kachouh Nawfal cell 971 55 607 8163 | rosy@i-repme.com

United Kingdom Stefanie Stroh-Begg cell 44 0 7798 665 395 stefanie@mercury-publicity.com

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Francis X. Gallagher Publisher and CEO

Cheers!: Francis with Rob Hall of Aircraft Commerce magazine

PHOTO: © FRANCIS X. GALLAGHER

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Q&A WITH KIMBERLY KROL INLANDER, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

As we approach the holiday season, are you planning to travel for the holidays? A few years ago, my now-husband and I departed for a European river cruise the day after Christmas, celebrating the New Year in Vienna, Austria, and we returned with lifelong memories. Do you prefer to stay closer to home for the holidays, or do you use the break to see a new place?

Tell us. Email us at letters@globaltravelerusa.com

Q&A TIME

In our September 2022 issue we asked: Is a cruise in your future travel plans? What destinations would you recommend, and what regions would you sail to that you haven’t yet explored? A few readers wrote in:

My husband and I are looking at domestic cruises that sail through some of the country’s best rivers. We found that, while we are always keen to leave the country and explore new places, there’s so much of the United States we have yet to experience!

My friends went on an American Queen Voyages trip a few years back and had nothing but positive feedback. They went up the Mississippi River and were amazed at how different everything looks from the river. I would love to book an American Queen Voyages cruise on the Mississippi, Illinois

or Ohio rivers, or even try one of the cruise line’s Great Lakes trips. I have always wanted to venture onto Lake Michigan. I visited the Great Lakes as a child but never actually journeyed by boat onto these vast bodies of water. It would fulfill a childhood dream to cruise these lakes.

FATIMA HOOK, VIA EMAIL

CHATTANOOGA’S RECORD-BREAKING HOSPITALITY JOBS

In the Aug. 30 issue of eFlyer, we told readers how Chattanooga, Tennessee, met a major milestone of record-breaking hospitality jobs. We asked: What do you like most about Chattanooga? One reader wrote in:

As an outdoorsy traveler, I loved experiencing

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PHOTOS: © KIMBERLY KROL INLANDER, © JAMES BECKER | DREAMSTIME.COM

PENINSULA MOMENTS

World Class Design. Local Inspiration. The Peninsula Chicago offers a wide range of sophisticated suite accommodations to meet the needs of any traveler. From the expansive, three-bedroom Peninsula Suite featuring a private terrace overlooking Lake Michigan, to the intimate one-bedroom Executive Suite with just the right amount of personal space, travelers will always find themselves in a warm, welcoming space that perfectly blends Eastern graciousness with Midwestern hospitality.

Chattanooga’s natural sites, from its trails to lakes to scenic overlooks. Some of my favorite places I visited in and around Chattanooga include Rock City Gardens, Ruby Falls and white-water rafting down the Ocoee River. I was thrilled to hear Chattanooga is bouncing back after the pandemic and hope to return to the area soon.

CONNER KRUEGER, VIA EMAIL

RECENT CRUISES, FUTURE TRAVELS

We had a delightful two weeks on the Queen Mary 2 in May/June (trans-Atlantic and Norwegian fjords), followed by a week in Helsinki and Germany. … I called it our visit to the great symphony spaces in Helsinki, Berlin and Hamburg. The new Elbe Philharmonic is particularly spectacular, and it’s revitalizing Hamburg.

We were pleasantly delighted with our first big-ship cruise, and we’re now booked on the new Queen Anne’s Caribbean itinerary in February 2024.

We followed the cruise with a week in Singapore in September, then a grand trip to Spain/Morocco in late October/early November. We will cap off 2022 with a week in New York City mid-December.

We’ve had zero issues in all our travels — though we did have concerns traveling through London Heathrow Airport with all the British Airways cancellations. I had a backup plan with KLM through Amsterdam, but even that airport faced labor issues, so we stuck with our original British Airways flight which, fortunately, did not get canceled. Still, I’ve always felt it’s best to be prepared with a backup plan nowadays.

JONATHAN FUCHS, VIA EMAIL

U.A.E.’S FIRST FEMALE EMIR ATI CAPTAIN IN COMMERCIAL AVIATION

In the Sept. 7 issue of eFlyer, we told readers about Etihad Airways making history with the United Arab Emirates’ first female Emirati captain in commercial aviation. We asked: Is an airline’s support of gender diversity important to you when selecting an airline? One reader wrote in:

I heard this news about Capt. Aisha Al Mansoori and felt so empowered seeing her photo, wearing her uniform. It definitely makes me happy to see some progress being made, but at the same time, I feel disheartened. It’s 2022 and Al Mansoori is only now the first female Emirati captain in

commercial aviation. I hope she proves to other women this is possible and we begin to see more and more women enter the field, feeling confident and capable of anything their male counterparts can do.

A big congratulations to Capt. Al Mansoori; I will be following her to see what she accomplishes next!

KHADIJAH MORA, VIA EMAIL

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Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Debuts Winter Journeys

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, A Belmond Train, Europe, unveils December journeys for the first time. The midnight-blue carriage will traverse some of Europe’s most iconic winterscapes on one-night journeys to Flor ence, Paris, Venice and Vienna.

The 10 routes available this December include classic journeys from Venice to Paris and Vienna to Paris, as well as recently launched routes to and from Florence. Trains depart Venice and Verona for Paris on Dec. 2 and 12. The Venice-to-Paris (via Rome and Florence) and the Florence-to-Paris routes depart Dec. 7. Journeys from Paris to Florence and Paris to Vienna leave Dec. 8, and the train from Paris to Vienna departs Dec. 17. Rounding out the end of the month, the Vienna-to-Paris trip departs Dec. 18, and the routes from Paris to Venice and Paris to Verona depart Dec. 20.

On these trips guests relax in the warmth of their own private cabin with a glass of Champagne in hand. Large windows allow for picturesque views of the passing frosted forests and sparkling winter wonderlands of Europe’s untouched countryside. Chef Jean Imbert serves winter-inspired seasonal menus featuring local ingredients from the scheduled routes, and guests can indulge in delicious cocktails and entertainment from the train’s longtime resident pianist in Bar Car 3674.

Leading Hotels of the World Welcomes New Members

From a designer den in Jakarta to a seafront hotel in Tel Aviv, The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd., adds seven new members to its collection of more than 400 independent, luxury hotels. Guests can book a stay at each of the new hotels on lhw.com, and Leaders Club members enjoy an exclu sive preview of the hotel brand’s newest members through Leaders Club First Look.

“We are excited to welcome this superlative group of new members to our global collection,” commented Deniz Omurgonulsen, vice president, member ship, The Leading Hotels of the World. “The Autumn Collection represents several new locations for LHW: Jakarta, Zanzibar and Menorca as well as perennially popular destinations in Italy, Israel and Costa Rica. As always, our aim is to champion the very best independent hotels and to introduce visionary hospitality in all its forms.”

The Autumn Collection includes The Orient Jakarta in Jakarta, Indonesia; Villa Mara Carmel in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California; Dan Tel Aviv in Tel Aviv, Israel; Emerald Zanzibar Resort & Spa in Zanzibar, Tanzania; The Lido Palace in Lake Garda, Italy; Nayara Gardens in La Fortuna, Costa Rica; and Villa le Blanc, a Gran Meliá Hotel in Menorca, Spain. Almost all of these proper ties are already open, with Emerald Zanzi bar Resort & Spa opening in December.

lhw.com

Elevate Fall Adventures with The Fife Arms’ Outdoor Collection

Scotland’s The Fife Arms unveiled its new collection of outdoor gifts for the upcoming winter season. For brisk walks and hikes in the cold weather, look no further than The Fife Arms’ tartan cashmere blanket. Created by Scottish textile artist Araminta Campbell, this blanket incorporates deep greens with pops of yellow and gorse in a pattern loosely based on the Duke of Fife’s tartan. Campbell’s work also graces the tweed sleeve covering the stainless steel ghillie’s flask.

The Fife Arms revealed a new handmade walking stick for trekking along trails and moors. The Fife Arms commis sioned Scottish artist and poet Alex Finlay to create the sticks carved with his own quotes to offer motivation when making the final ascent of your hike. Those who bring their dog along can use The Fife Arms’ new antique brass silent whistle made by English brand J Hudson & Co. Users can adjust the whistle’s frequency to hit the right pitch to train a dog.

On milder winter days, indulge in a picnic. No picnic is complete without an assortment of cheeses, and the cheese knife roll by Fernweh UK includes five stainless steel knives with handles made of ethically sourced red deer antler and Scots pine wood collected from around Braemar after a storm. This set is wrapped in Scottish waxed cotton and finished with an oak-bar tanned leather strap, making for an easy way to create an alfresco meal.

thefifearms.com

Permanent, Non-Stop Flight Links New York to Madeira, Portugal

Starting this month, Madeira, Portugal, welcomes a new non-stop flight from New York (JFK) to Madeira (FNC) by SATA Azores Airlines. The approximately seven-hour flight makes Madeira even more accessible for Americans seeking a European island vacation. The relaunch of this direct flight results from the success of its initial launch in fall 2021, which marked the first-ever direct flight to Madeira from a U.S. gateway.

The new flight departs weekly from New York on Thursdays at 9:20 p.m. and arrives in Madeira at 8:35 a.m. on Fridays. The flight from Madeira departs on Fridays at 5:05 p.m. and arrives in New York at 7:55 p.m. This flight schedule will change as the International Air Transport Association summer period begins in March 2023.

“This is a very happy moment for the Autonomous Region of Madeira regarding the ground breaking Madeira-New York connection all year round. Such an important step for the market itself and people willing to travel all year,” said Eduardo Jesus, president, Madeira Promotion Bureau, and regional secretary, Tourism and Culture.

LATAM Eliminates 75 Percent of Single-Use Plastics

LATAM’s changes to its economy cabin service allowed the airline to eliminate more than 1,200 tons of single-use plastics, the equivalent to 26,000 500 ml plastic bottles. After this milestone, the airline continues to seek ways to implement a more sustainable cabin. New ap proaches include replacing cups, cutlery and trays with more sustainable materials like bamboo cutlery, reusable trays, kraft paper packaging for cutlery and certified sustainable paper cups.

“Caring for the planet is a challenge for ev eryone and a necessary destination for LATAM, which is why we reviewed our services and identified nearly 1,800 tons of single-use plastic on board our international flights. Our teams got involved to redefine all details of our service, making a positive change for our customers and also for our planet,” said Paulo Miranda, vice president of customers, LATAM Airlines Group.

These new changes have been incorporated on all LATAM’s regional and long-haul routes. LATAM aims to eliminate 100 percent of single-use plastics used in its operations by 2023.

Romance in Venice at The St. Regis Venice

The St. Regis Venice unveiled its new Romance in Venice offer for guests wanting to experience the city in a new way. Available for stays through Dec. 31, the offer starts from €1,000 per night per couple.

Romance in Venice includes return private transfers by water taxi from any arrival point in Venice, a welcome bottle of local sparkling wine and flower bouquet, a romantic evening setup, daily breakfast for two and a farewell gift. While at The St. Regis Venice, don’t forget to admire the property’s new Ai Weiwei-designed White Chandelier, currently on display. When booking online, use promo code ROM to book this offer.

stregisvenice.com

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THE LANGHAM, CHICAGO

ARRIVAL/CHECK-IN: It was a cold and rainy day in Chicago and remained that way for the rest of my trip. The doormen at The Langham stood ready to welcome me and other guests with umbrel las and bottled water, which made for a warm first impres sion. The hotel lobby is up a few floors, and the property shares a building entrance with a Mad Men-ish office skyscraper from the 1960s. Check-in was swift and courteous. Please pay particular attention to the hanging glass art in the lobby ceiling, resembling water droplets … appropriate, given the weather.

GUEST QUARTERS: I stayed in Suite 701, private, tucked into a corner at the end of the hallway and nicely located for views. Upon opening the door, I entered a large hallway with a series of closets to the right offering storage for belongings. To the left, a little built-in area held my carry-on luggage and other amenities. Directly across from the door a lavish bathroom featured a double sink with a gray and white marble top, flanked by a tub topped with the same marble and a large shower stall. Its sophisticated showerheads made for a reviving morning wake-up. The wall-mounted commode was European-like with its own separate glass door.

The spacious main bedroom and living area included a comfortable king-sized bed with a white duvet and lots of pillows, flanked by two end tables fitted with efficient connectivity for laptops and smartphones. A large, flatscreen TV sat to the left of a panoramic ceiling-to-floor window that took up the entire wall, facing the Chicago River and my old office on Wacker Drive. This brought back fond memories of me as a 20-something tackling the media industry in the Windy City. A modern glass-top desk sat in front of the window, so I could work and look out at the city … and see if I needed an umbrella. A little seating area held two comfortable chairs and a table, good for reading a book.

SERVICES/AMENITIES: I thoroughly enjoyed the Chuan amenities in the bathroom, and the shampoo and conditioner (replenished daily) made it home in my carry-on. As it is said, if a guest takes your amenities on departure, you have selected the right products.

Travelle, the lobby lounge and restaurant, offers a place to meet guests for a drink or meal. My suite included access to

The Langham Club, which became my home away from home. Elegant but friendly, the Club offered a place to have breakfast, entertain guests and unwind at the end of the day. I cannot tell you how invaluable club access is to your stay at The Langham, and it was made wonderful by the team who welcomed each guest.

I could go on and on about the service and attention to detail; this property makes a great base for entertaining clients. One evening I was to have dinner with a colleague outside the hotel, but we ended up never leaving the Club as it served such a variety of dishes.

REVIEWED BY Francis X. Gallagher

TOP TAKE AWAYS:

Nobody beats Christal in The Langham Club in Chicago; she treats every guest like family.

Great view of my old office on 1 E. Wacker, suite 2410!

THE LANGHAM, CHICAGO 330 N. Wabash Ave. Chicago, IL 60611 tel 312 923 9988 langhamhotels.com

THE RAMBLE HOTEL

ARRIVAL/CHECK-IN: I flew into Denver International Airport in the late afternoon, and by the time I picked up my rental car and drove to the RiNo district in Denver, the sun had set behind the Rocky Mountains. That means the first time I entered The Ramble Hotel, it was evening and the hotel was hopping!

The marquee lobby bar, Death & Co, sits in the exact same space as the registration desk, making for a unique check-in process. I was warmly greeted and given an actual room key (not a card) attached to a swatch of dark brown leather. I asked the hostess to double-check the table reservation I’d made for a little later in the evening, rolled my luggage through the bar and took the elevators to the third floor.

GUEST QUARTERS: With only 50 rooms, this boutique hotel screams trendy and posh. The energy inside the lobby was engaging and magnetic. I couldn’t wait to drop my luggage in the room to come back downstairs for more.

My room was on the smaller side, but the lavish and luxurious features more than made up for its size. Dark navy walls, crisp white linens and a crystal chandelier over a plush seating area grabbed my immediate attention, with a loft-like view of the city and brushed gold touches throughout the room catching my eye the more I observed. Wide-plank hickory floors, a Bluetooth gramophone speaker and an in-room craft cocktail bar rounded out the experience.

The bathroom was styled with white subway tiles on the walls around a half-glass shower. Two robes; a large sink; and a Hollywoodstyle vanity mirror, adorned with 15 frosted light bulbs, added a hint of swanky luxury.

SERVICES/AMENITIES: The famed Death & Co cocktail bar in New York expanded to The Ramble in Denver and does a marvelous job of creating what feels like an exclusive, uptown experience inside a hidden location. I enjoyed a bowl of marinated olives with my Hunny Bunny cocktail, watching other guests from my leather chair near the window. The next night, I asked if I could dine in the Sakura Blossom Bar, a smaller, even more exclusive bar atop the lobby area with copious amounts of cherry blossoms lining the walls and ceiling. There I enjoyed a late-night snack of drunken cookies and popcorn with coconut oil and pink Himalayan salt before turning in for bed.

Each morning I grabbed a honey chai from DC/AM, a smaller breakfast/brunch café also located within the lobby and full of its own charming character. With three dining locations on site, my taste buds were frequently delighted and my stomach full, but The Ramble’s excellent location places it easily within walking distance of numerous restaurants and breweries in the area.

REVIEWED BY Carrie Cox

TOP TAKEAWAYS:

Death & Co offers New York City-quality food and craft cocktails in the River North Arts District.

Reminiscent of a French salon, the décor, the bever ages and even the staff are trendy, and chic chandeliers envelop the property, causing this boutique hotel to feel glamorous and exclusive.

THE RAMBLE HOTEL 1280 25th St. Denver, CO 80205 tel 720 996 6300 theramblehotel.com

THE GABRIEL SOUTH BEACH

ARRIVAL/CHECK-IN: I had overnighted in Fort Lauderdale before meeting two colleagues and heading to Miami Beach. Let me tell you, hotel guestrooms are instantly more relaxing when they sit near the beach. Arriving at The Gabriel South Beach, part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, was no exception. As we were early for check-in, we dropped our bags, grabbed lunch nearby, and by the time we finished eating, I got an alert my room was ready.

GUEST QUARTERS: While not overly spacious, my king deluxe guestroom was functional, and the light-colored, beachinspired, neutral décor also made the space feel more open and airy. Unfortunately, my room boasted views over the surround ing rooftops, but some guestrooms offer ocean or pool views. Upon entry I observed a small closet to the right in a short hallway leading into the bedroom space. A long piece of furni ture lay just beyond the closet, functioning as a desk, complete with a stool, and the minibar/coffeemaker area. I particularly enjoyed the minibar selection, grabbing trail mix to throw in my bag before heading out to the convention I was in town to attend. With the flatscreen TV hanging above, the mixed-use table led to a cream-colored couch, perfect for spreading out my stuff, with an end table that could be pulled over the couch. Two

nightstands flanked the king-sized bed. The bathroom, where the smallness could be most felt, ran parallel to the bed. The shower was large, but storage space was limited.

SERVICES/AMENITIES: As I mentioned, I was in Miami for a convention, so I did not have as much time as I would have liked to explore the hotel’s amenities, like Dalia or the Rooftop Bar. Open daily, 7 a.m.–11 p.m., Dalia serves coastal Mediter ranean cuisine.

Dalia can also double as event space, accommodating 82 people seated and 150 for a reception. The outdoor Courtyard, off the lobby, really brings the Miami vibes, offering seating, foliage and lights for everyday use or a reception space for 150. The Lobby Bar, with a sophisticated Art Deco feel, served me both a morning iced coffee and an evening gin and tonic. The space can also be used for receptions for up to 80 people. On my last day, I used the public restroom on the second floor to freshen up before my flight home, and as I navigated there, I found a cute, cozy, library-like lounge space I wished I’d discov ered earlier. The Rooftop Pool is another space I had time only to briefly visit. Be sure to check out the hotel’s artwork, as well.

REVIEWED BY Kimberly Krol Inlander

TOP TAKE AWAYS:

At both check-in and check-out and throughout the whole experience, every member of the staff I encountered was friendly, helpful and seemed to thoroughly enjoy their role at the hotel.

Location, location, location! Situated directly across from the water on Ocean Drive near many of the area’s shops and eateries, and with easy access to the pathway along the beach, The Gabriel South Beach enjoys an envi able location.

The Gabriel South Beach also boasts history as part of Miami’s Art Deco legacy. The building, opened in the late 1930s as Park Central Hotel, is an Art Deco masterpiece from legendary architect Henry Hohauser.

THE GABRIEL SOUTH BEACH

640 Ocean Drive Miami Beach, FL 33139 tel 305 685 2000

thegabrielsouthbeach.com

PENDRY SAN DIEGO

ARRIVAL/CHECK-IN: I traveled to San Diego in mid-August to attend this year’s Global Business Travel Association Convention, which took place at the nearby convention center, making this property the perfect place for the short and busy stay. After a smooth mid-morning flight from Philadelphia International Airport, I arrived at a buzzing yet calm Pendry San Diego just in time for a seam less and fast check-in, thanks to the professional and attentive staff. The lobby featured an elegant fireplace and minimalist woodsy décor that elevated the space.

GUEST QUARTERS: Located on the eighth floor, my room featured a comfortable king-sized bed sur rounded by a large mirror and chic nightstands, a decently sized desk and chair (convenient for the purpose of the trip), a mounted TV and a comfortable lounger by the window. Although limited, the views of the city and nearby attractions were beautiful and gave the room a slight classicmodern edge — especially at night. The room also featured a stocked snack bar and mini fridge, as well as a coffeemaker, coffee and teas. I was also pleas antly surprised with a welcome amenity featuring a charcuterie board and bottle of wine I enjoyed while I quickly situated my luggage before lunch.

The closet was a decent size for what I needed and included a safe and steamer. The large shower consisted of floor-to-ceiling glass walls and included two showerheads. The sink sat atop a beautiful marble countertop complemented by delicate blue-patterned wallpaper.

SERVICES/AMENITIES: Conveniently located in the heart of the historic Gaslamp Quarter, Pendry San Diego features six unique restaurants and bars both on and off site, mostly highlighting modern coastal and Southern California cuisine. I was able to attend one of the off-site restaurants, Lionfish, which offered a lively and social vibe and featured a delicious array of food from the sea. Executive Chef Jose Ruiz leads the team and creates a seasonal San Diegoinspired menu while serving fresh, sustainable seafood. The tasting menu was delectable; my favorites were the crispy rock shrimp appetizer and the succulent braised Kurobuta pork shank served with an equally succulent smoked corn polenta, braised

bok choy and a vibrant demi glace. Other restaurants offered breakfast and coffee, like Provi sional, while The Pool House offered light bites and drinks. Room service was prompt and tasty; I ordered the avocado toast one morning and had enough time to enjoy it before heading out for the day. I didn’t have a chance to visit the pool area but could tell most people enjoyed the amenity, judging by the decent-sized crowds lounging there.

REVIEWED BY Yasser Ogando

TOP TAKE AWAYS:

Cleanliness and profes sionalism; the staff goes above and beyond to make you feel comfortable.

Quiet and private despite being in the busiest part of downtown

Room service was fast and delicious.

PENDRY SAN DIEGO 550 J St. San Diego, CA 92101 tel 619 738 7000 pendry.com

PHOTOS:

KIMPTON HOTEL MONACO PHILADELPHIA

ARRIVAL/CHECK-IN: It was wonder ful to return to the City of Brotherly Love, the city of my youth and where I spent eight years of Jesuit education! Not that this was a long journey, but all through the pandemic, the city had been somewhat avoided, and it was nice to be back to some normalcy. I drove to Philadelphia and enjoyed a trip off I-95 through Society Hill and past Old Saint Joseph’s Church, looping over to the Kimpton and finding convenient parking behind the hotel. Check-in was friendly and swift; the gentleman behind the counter and I commented on the snappy attire of us both. I was ready to roll and swiftly found my way to Suite 702, which had a clever turn-of-the-century balloon motif on the room number plaque.

GUEST QUARTERS: First, Benjamin Franklin would have been thrilled with the view. The room overlooks Carpenters’ Hall and Independence Hall, where the United States Declaration of Inde pendence and the Constitution of the United States were debated and adopted … does it get any better than this? If you have any interest in the history and founding of the United States, there is no better place. Did I mention the Liberty Bell sits next door?

I had a lovely suite with an amazing bathroom, which had a large shower area … so large, an oval soaking tub fit against the window. No shower door was needed, as a pane of glass stood between the rest of the bathroom and the bathing area. The only issue might be if one person is in the tub while another is showering, you might get splashed. But soaking up some history while bathing and looking out the window is intriguing.

The spacious bedroom sported the typical fun and unique Kimpton design which I might describe as Neoclassical Modern French: blue wallpaper, tufted headboard, bright red lacquered chest with a flatscreen TV. I found the built-in work table invaluable as I arrived mid-afternoon for my dinner and enjoyed the view while checking emails. Later I walked some 10 blocks to 15th and Broad for dinner and found the city bustling as usual. Just before a torrential rainfall I made it to my destination: The Union League of Philadelphia and the excellent restaurant 1862.

SERVICES/AMENITIES: Kimptons have all the little touches, like bottled water in the room and sharp-looking robes to wear while lounging. I also like the host of plug-in options, including a nifty candle-like fixture by the bed. The

king-sized bed was warm and inviting. The Red Owl Tavern and Stratus rooftop bar are welcom ing venues and popular city haunts. The hotel offers bikes, a fitness center and free valet parking, options which prove a great value.

REVIEWED BY Francis X. Gallagher

TOP TAKE AWAYS:

Drafting an email here harks back to Thomas Jefferson drafting the Declaration of Independence. Fun hotel in a historic location

KIMPTON HOTEL MONACO PHILADELPHIA 433 Chesnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19106 tel 215 925 2111 monaco-philadelphia.com

© FRANCIS X. GALLAGHER

O’Hare Gets Largest Concessions Offering in 10 Years

As the major hub of a world-class city, Chicago O’Hare International Airport has long been globally recognized for its dining and retail options. An upcoming series of concessions offerings — the largest at O’Hare in a decade — are set to further bolster that reputation, especially in the $1 billion expansion and transformation of Terminal 5.

The Chicago Department of Aviation and its lessee partners are imagining a new dining and retail experience for O’Hare’s more than 80 million annual passengers.

As the rehabilitation of Terminal 5 nears completion, rolling openings for the new food and retail options will start this year and continue into 2023.

THE NEW DINING OFFERINGS WILL INCLUDE:

• The Hampton Social: Coastal-inspired cuisine and hand-crafted cocktails from a brand with locations on Chicago’s Near North Side and the surrounding suburbs

• Bar Siena: A new airport outpost of the West Loop eatery known for its regional Italian fare and drinks

• FarmAir’s Market: A grab-and-go concept with sandwiches, salads, refreshments and other lowtouch options

• Butcher and the Burger: An outpost of the popular Lincoln Park eatery offering upscale customizable burgers and breakfast in a retro counter-service

• Sparrow Coffee: Local coffee roastery focused on sustainability

The new dining options will complement T5’s existing fare, including the high-quality grab-and-go options at Goddess and Grocer, Big Bowl and Wow Bao.

NEW RETAIL OPTIONS WILL INCLUDE:

• Six Points Market and Metropolis Coffee: Retail location with a focus on travel essentials and souvenirs, with a coffee shop included

• BLVD & Branch: Specialty retail outlet with a focus on electronics and accessories

These new concessions agreements, along with new retail offerings, carry an additional source of pride for Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and Aviation Commissioner Jamie L. Rhee, as they will achieve an Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise participation rate of 40 percent, exceeding the CDA’s goal of 32 percent and the nationwide goal of 10 percent set by the Federal Aviation Administration. For more information on the ongoing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at Chicago’s airports, visit flychicago.com.

In addition, Terminal 5’s concessions developer, URW Airports, is embarking on several new dining and retail offerings under its development agreement, which will complement these CDA direct leases and help bring the best concessions experience to Terminal 5’s passengers.

Terminal 5 will soon include Delta operations, and is already the O’Hare home to Southwest Airlines and more than a dozen international carriers.

The reimagining of Terminal 5 and these new offerings are a key component of O’Hare 21, the curb-to-gate reinvestment strategy that will modernize facilities and offer new passenger amenities for the 21st century and beyond. Learn more at ord21.com.

Ellison “Tommy” Thompson

CEO, St. Kitts Tourism Authority

THE BASICS

Name: Ellison “Tommy” Thompson

Title: Chief executive officer Company, city: St. Kitts Tourism Authority, St. Kitts

First job: Messenger Where to next: Thailand

A LITTLE BIT MORE

What actor or actress would play you in a movie of your life? Mr. Boris Kodjoe would play me as we have some similarities like our smile, and he is goodlooking enough to play me!

What would you be doing professionally if you weren’t in your current industry? I would definitely be an airline pilot as I would love the opportunity to see the world. What is your favorite book, movie or television show? Anything written by Henry Patterson, better known by his pen name, Jack Higgins

What historical figure, dead or alive, would you love to have dinner with? I’d love to have dinner with the iconic Ms. Mia Mottley, prime minister of Barbados, as there are numerous conversations in which I would love to engage her.

THE BUSINESS

What is your most recent project, and what was the inspiration behind it? The St. Kitts Tourism Authority recently had its new branding and photo shoot, which helps to elevate the profile of St. Kitts as the premier Caribbean destination.

What is your favorite aspect of the job? Strategizing with my team members on marketing and product initiatives

What’s the biggest business risk you’ve ever taken? I would say negotiating to bring Virgin Atlantic to a previous destination

Who is someone you admire professionally in the travel industry? Mr. Arnold Donald, former CEO, Carnival Corp.; and Mr. Gordon “Butch” Stewart (deceased), founder, owner and chairman, Sandals Resorts, Beaches Resorts

AS A TRAVELER

Tell us about a travel nightmare: I was coming from Edmonton, Canada, going to Toronto so I could get the red-eye flight to Nassau, when there was a snowstorm, so we were stuck on the plane. The crew eventually ran out of hours, so all passengers had to disembark the flight as there were some heating issues. Air Canada wanted to rebook me for the same flight the next night, but I wasn’t going to do that. There was a midafternoon flight the next day, so I took that, and 48 hours later I got home. I was so happy to finally be home. Share a comical travel experience: I was in Morocco getting a Turkish bath and didn’t know the service provider was female. I was in my birthday suit when she came in … what can you do at that point but laugh it off?

What is your preferred method of travel — planes, trains, automobiles, cruise ships — and why? My preferred method would have to be via plane — definitely first class. It’s the fastest way to travel, plus while I’m on the plane I get to make believe I’m the pilot.

What has been the best example of customer service you’ve experienced during your travels? My best experience took place on Cat Island, Bahamas. I was out for a jog and a swim, and when I returned to my villa, I found a bucket of water at the steps for me to wash the sand off my feet. That was an excellent touch and one of my best customer service experiences while traveling.

PHOTO: © ST.

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Kristin Karst

Owner and Executive Vice President, AmaWaterways

THE BUSINESS

What is your most recent project, and what was the inspiration behind it? I’m passionate about innovation, and I love listening to guest feedback. I have dinner with our guests and learn more when I’m on sailings. My ongoing project is working with our teams to constantly improve, especially in the areas of wellness, cuisine and sustainability, where we are already a trendsetter in our industry.

What is your favorite aspect of the job? I love traveling, visiting new countries and cultures. I love interacting with our guests and crew. In a typical year, I spend more than 16 weeks on board our ships.

What’s the biggest business risk you’ve ever taken? In 2002, as a young mother, I quit my job to launch AmaWaterways. People thought I was taking a risk, but I knew we would succeed. In 2005 we shifted from chartering ships to building and owning our own vessels, which felt like a bigger risk to me. Today we own 25 beautiful, custom-built ships, with three more under construction. Who is someone you admire professionally in the travel industry? Rudi Schreiner, my business and life partner, known as the Godfather of River Cruising. He knows so much about the industry, surpassed only by his love of innovation. He has always trusted me and valued my opinion. I also have deep admiration for the travel industry leaders we’ve chosen as godmothers of our ships, women who made enormous contributions to the industry.

THE BASICS

Name: Kristin Karst

Title: Owner and executive vice president Company, city: AmaWaterways; Calabasas, California

First job: After earning a degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management, I started, in 1990, as a travel agent with American Express in Dresden, just before German reunification. Without reunification, I wouldn’t be here today. Where to next: To Europe for a meeting with our partners, then I will host guests on our Europe’s Rivers & Castles Cruise, sailing on the romantic Moselle, Rhine and Main rivers from Luxembourg to Nuremberg.

A LITTLE BIT MORE

What actor or actress would play you in a movie of your life? It would be fun to have Diane Kruger play me, as we were both born in Germany. She’s multilingual and multicultural, and her

experience would bring openness, as mine has.

What would you be doing professionally if you weren’t in your current industry? My passions include food, wine and excellent customer service, so I’d open a winery or restaurant. That’s the career passion my daughter is now pursuing.

What is your favorite book, movie or television show? I’m currently reading Love in the Time of Cholera Gabriel García Márquez, born in Colombia, crafted a beautiful love story. I’m drawn into the Colombia of a century ago. We’re launching a new cruise itinerary on the Magdalena River in Colombia, and the book allows me to immerse myself in and learn about the country.

What historical figure, dead or alive, would you love to have dinner with? I love almost every single thing written by Maya Angelou.

AS A TRAVELER

Tell us about a travel nightmare: I’m a positive person and always see the positive side of things. During a storm I was stranded overnight at the airport in Charlotte. All of the passengers stranded formed a little community — we all took care of each other that night. When we finally deplaned the next day, it felt like leaving friends and family.

Share a comical travel experience: Born in the former East Germany, before the wall came down, we could only travel to the eastern part of Europe, like the former Soviet Union. My first flight was from the Caucasian mountains to the Black Sea and was shared with lively locals and their chickens in cages. I will never forget the noise level or the scent.

What is your preferred method of travel — planes, trains, automobiles, cruise ships — and why? Ships, specifically river cruise ships, as they allow you to travel into the heart of countries, docking in the center of quaint, colorful villages, unpacking just once. There’s no other experience like it.

What has been the best example of customer service you’ve experienced during your travels? Our cruise managers on our ships go above and beyond to surprise and delight. One time, after disembarkation, a family left behind their 5-year-old’s teddy bear. The cruise manager took a cab to the airport to deliver the teddy bear to the little boy. Come on board to experience the magic for yourself!

PHOTO:

Get Up and Go

Supercharge your life, wherever you roam.

BY JACK GUY

Wireless charging is all the rage in the smartphone market, and Anker came up with a nifty portable solution you can use on the go. A strong magnet fixes the 0.5-inch-thin battery to your phone, so you can still use it while charging, and a built-in foldable kickstand allows you to watch videos comfortably, too. It can charge the latest smartphones at least once, de cent enough for a battery so small and unobtrusive. $59.99. anker.com

TROVA GO TRAVEL SAFE

This safe from TROVA is small enough to fit in your hand luggage, or even a pocket, with a stealthy design that means it looks just like a battery pack or hard drive. Made from aluminum alloy, the 6.1-inch by 3-inch by 1.2-inch safe features wireless connec tivity via Bluetooth, and the TROVA app uses your phone’s biometric security check to grant access. Available in charcoal, sandstone, fog and kelp, there is also a leather sleeve available (for an extra $39.99) designed to protect the finish. $199. trovaofficial.com

EIGHT SLEEP POD 3 COVER

Smart mattresses are increasingly common, but you can also convert your existing mattress by using a cover like this one, which slips on like a fitted sheet. Not only will it track sleep and health metrics such as sleep stages and heart rate, it can set each side of the bed to a temperature you can choose using an accompanying app on your phone. The Pod 3 cover can also heat up or cool the bed quickly whenever you want and makes getting up in the morning easier thanks to gentle vibrations and a gradual temperature change. $1,645. eightsleep.com

COWBOY 4 E-BIKE

Belgian brand Cowboy received rave reviews for the fourth iteration of its e-bike, thanks to its impressive range and removable battery, mak ing for easier charging than rival manufacturer VanMoof. It also boasts an integrated cockpit for your smartphone, which will charge it on the move, and a great app that will help you navigate while displaying stats from your ride. A high price puts the Cowboy 4 firmly at the luxury end of the market, but this slick package will encourage new riders onto two wheels. $2,990. cowboy.com

ANKER 622 MAGNETIC BATTERY ( MAGGO )

From golden beaches and scenic waterways to cosmopolitan dining and nightlife, amazing Everglades eco-adventures and much more, your beach playground awaits.

Thank

Stacy Ritter, President & CEO,

Lauderdale

Agave Lessons

If your only experience drink ing tequila in Mexico has been sipping a margarita while waistdeep at your Cancún resort’s swim-up bar, you’re not giving the spirit its fair shake. Make a pilgrimage to its natural habitat, and you are guaranteed to view it as more than the makings of a salt- and lime-accompanied shot. Mundo Cuervo — the hospitality arm of Jose Cuervo — can take you there and school you in the spirit.

Tequila is produced in the Mexican state of Jalisco, home to its namesake town. To start your agave adventure, fly into Guadalajara and check in for the night at Casa Habita, whose fun rooftop pool and lounge area serves botanical tequila and mezcal cocktails. Nearby, Hueso restaurant, helmed by Chef Alfonso Cadena, occupies a 1940s refurbished building whose stark white walls boast 10,000 whitewashed animal bones and plant remnants.

The tequila-drenched fun really starts when you board the Jose Cuervo Express, a two-hour train ride that makes the 40-mile trip to Tequila while passing through fields studded with rows of agave plants and their spiky, green-gray, succulent leaves. (Agave is closely related to the lily and amaryllis, not the cactus.) Depending on the offer, your train car might have its own bar, live music or lounge-style seating; Premium Plus is the best bet for most guests, as it includes a comfy seat, drinks, snacks, a tour of the agave fields and a distillery tour.

A mariachi band greets the train at Tequila Station, where local vendors sell brimmed hats — buy one, as the sun is intense. During the In the Fields Experience, watch a jimador slice through the leaves of a fully grown agave to reach the piña, the heart of the plant whose juice is fermented and distilled into tequila.

Through sustainability efforts like The Agave Project, Jose Cuervo continuously finds uses for the fibers left over after tequila production, from drinking straws to compost. A more recent initiative, The Agave House, hopes to be a prototype for sustainable, affordable housing in the area. Built with dirt/clay bricks, bagasse fibers, wood and recycled bottles, it incorporates eco-friendly practices like rainwater harvesting and solar heating.

A short bus ride from the fields takes you to La Rojeña Distillery, Jose Cuervo’s flagship location and the oldest active distillery in Latin America. During the guided walk-through tour, you’ll see how piñas are

cooked in brick ovens to release the sugars before the juice is fermented and distilled in copper pots. Afterward, thirsty guests can taste three expressions and may even sample a piece of cooked agave, whose earthy sweetness hints at the finished spirit. Diamond and Elite ticket holders taste the brand’s higher-end Reserva de la Familia tequilas and get a peek inside the private cellar. Previously an inner sanctum reserved for family members, now it’s the place where the precious liquid dating back decades or longer rests inside stacked barrels and dust-covered glass carboys.

After the distillery, explore the shops and bars in the cute town, including taking a requisite photo by the colorful “Tequila” sign in the square and finding that perfect souvenir. If you arrive via train, you’ll return to Guadalajara by motor coach. However, if you’ve made the trip by car, consider staying a night or two at Hotel Solar de las Ánimas, a 93-room Cuervo-owned boutique property featuring 17th- and 18th-century Mexican architecture based on a Creole colonial house. Sip a tequila tipple in the gorgeous courtyard pool with Mexican tile backdrop or amid the marbled columns and gilded bar of La Antigua Casona restaurant. For the ultimate view, grab a creative take on the margarita at the rooftop Sky Bar, which overlooks the 10,000-foot-high Volcán de Tequila in the distance, sink into a lounge chair and soak in this uniquely spirited sojourn.

From field to shaker, Jose Cuervo immerses visitors in the beloved Mexican spirit. BY KELLY MAGYARICS

Harvest Time: Jimador working a field of agave plants

PHOTO: © JCFOTOGRAFO DREAMSTIME.COM

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Adirondack Indulgence

As a peak pandemic bride and groom, my husband and I decided to spend our anniversaries, as much as we can, traveling somewhere new together rather than exchanging presents. The pandemic certainly taught us all something about not waiting, the importance of experiences and time spent, and to not value material items over those precious moments.

To commemorate this year, we selected Lake Placid, New York. It was a new-to-both-of-us destination, it offered the tranquility of being near water, and it was drivable, as we wanted to roadtrip this past summer rather than fly. We’re quite glad we chose the Adirondacks region for many reasons — speeding down an Olympic bobsled run, hiking a mountain, cruising amazing scenic drives, exploring hidden pond fishing — but chief among them was discovering Mirror Lake Inn. Walking up to its gorgeous façade on stunning Mirror Lake immediately made us say “Ahhh”

and relax instantaneously.

I promise I will get to the spa, but even if your time at Mirror Lake Inn does not include a visit there, you’ll find plenty to love. The accommodations, all boasting lakefront views, vary, but throughout the property you’ll find historic, grand accommoda tions featuring all the modern amenities demanded by today’s travelers. The grounds are beautiful, with picturesque wildflowers and verdant green foliage during our August visit. We dined at both The Cottage and The View, each offering an entirely different vibe but both top-notch and boasting vistas as delectable as the cuisine. An enviable location puts you just off Lake Placid’s Main Street but within easy walking distance, and guests enjoy a number of included amenities like tennis courts and a private beach with complimentary boats and watercraft. More than 6,000 square feet of meeting and event space proves ideal for hosting everything from corporate retreats to family reunions.

Escape to exceptional serenity at Mirror Lake Inn. BY KIMBERLY KROL INLANDER

Another thing to love about the resort: It’s been family-owned since 1924, which likely explains why guests feel like family right away. In 1976 Ed Weibrecht was a New Jersey executive and an avid skier in the Lake Placid region. He left behind his corporate life to manage the Inn under former owner Mrs. Wikoff. If his skills met her approval, he would become the new owner, a transition that took place within a year, and Mirror Lake Inn has been AAA Four Diamond-rated for more than three decades.

And while the city and Adirondack region is renowned overall for its Olympic history and legacy, the Weibrecht family brings its own Olympic glory to the Inn. Andrew Weibrecht, son of current owners Ed and Lisa, is a two-time Olympic medalist in alpine ski racing. Guests can admire his bronze medal in the super-G in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics and his super-G silver from the 2014 Games in Sochi behind the recep tion desk.

The on-site, award-winning spa is definitely a draw. If the position on the lake, the gorgeous grounds and the decadent accommodations aren’t enough, guests reach the epitome of Zen when they enter the spa, boasting a full-service salon for hair and nails, state-of-the-art salt therapy and a Salt Room, a Dry Float European Soft Pack, a 60-foot indoor lap pool, a sauna, a Jacuzzi, a fitness center, private yoga, personal training sessions and a plentiful treatment menu.

Among some of the more unique offerings on the spa menu: The Adirondack Maple Sugar Body Scrub, using local maple sugar for a full-body exfoliation; a CBD Healing Pedicure; Pure Placid Cleansing Ritual, which allows spa-goers to choose a custom-blended scent inspired by the Adirondacks; a Vichy Shower Scrub; the Mirror Lake Inn Seaweed Body Wrap using the European Soft Pack; a Thai Herbal Ball Massage; Reiki; a Bamboo-Fusion Massage … and that’s just a smattering.

On the schedule for us on the last morning of our stay was a 50minute Swedish Couples Massage — the perfect send-off from Lake Placid, especially apt after a strenuous hike the previous day. Changing separately in the generously appointed locker rooms, we each met our therapist and headed to the treatment room. We prefer different pressure levels, and our therapists met each of our individual needs and targeted our extra-sore areas. At one point I heard Scott yelp a bit as his therapist worked really hard to remove a knot from his calf. While it

might have caught him off guard in the moment, he commented later how much better his muscles felt after the massage.

Sadly, the massage’s end also signaled the end of our time at Mirror Lake Inn, but we left satisfied and with ear-to-ear smiles.

Scrolling on Facebook during my stay, I noticed a picture that looked identical to one I had just taken. Digging further, I found a former co-worker and her husband had just left Mirror Lake Inn the day before we arrived. I’ve since recommended the resort to another former colleague who enjoyed a superb lunch with friends at The Cottage. And now I’m spreading the word here about Mirror Lake Inn. It certainly deserves the accolades and word of mouth. Even though the secret’s out about Mirror Lake Inn, it still felt like our own little slice of heaven.

Take a Dip: Spa Jacuzzi (top) and indoor pool (bottom)

PHOTOS: © MIRROR LAKE INN RESORT & SPA

Prevailing Winds

On nearly every golfer’s list of top courses to play in North America, The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort boasts the most oceanside holes in the Northern Hemisphere, including 10 along the Atlan tic Ocean and another eight running alongside these. Designer Pete Dye’s wife, Alice, suggested raising the holes to dune height so golfers could see the Atlantic with unobstructed views. What Mrs. Dye did not consider was how the wind would wreak havoc with players and their shots. It is said no other golf course in the world, outside of Ireland, experiences more wind, often adding up to an eight-club difference to any shot.

Readers are likely familiar with Kiawah Island Resort from travel ing there or watching PGA players tackle the courses. Most recently, the Bidens spent a week in one of the lavish homes on the Ocean Course fairway, many of which are valued at more than $35 million. The Sanctuary Hotel offers the most sought-after accommodations on the island, and we enjoyed spectacular dinners at The Ocean Room and The Atlantic Room; the former by far made the best presentation and meal, including superior appetizers. I ordered caviar for the table … to raised eyebrows, but they all enjoyed the treat. Chef Robert Rando puts on a spectacular show.

Hats off to our planning team, including John Kelley (aka “The Apprentice”) for making all the dinner reservations and Neil Curran (aka “Swirly”) for selecting the wines with each dinner. I have to give a shout out to trip captain Bob Hancock, who planned the entire trip and kept all the credit card points to boot!

When it comes to accommodations, let the buyer beware, as there is a huge discrepancy between The Sanctuary, the Bidens’ beach mansion and the condominiums. As we were there to play golf (often twice a day) and enjoy fine meals, we booked the two-bedroom condominiums, which were a disappointment. Each is independently owned but rented through Kiawah Resort. These were dated, in need of serious renovations and poorly stocked. I shared a condo with my brother, and his room had a twin bed (all pink) and broken window blinds. The others in the group said our place was better than theirs, with many missing the essentials promised such as proper kitchen utensils and even glasses and plates. So much for happy hour — we made do! I must admit that value, course quality and restaurants put Kiawah above other golf meccas such as Myrtle Beach. The sore spot for us was the condominium quality.

We arrived early for the game, warmed up, then met our caddies, Mike and Jimmy, who were a gas. They excelled at finding wayward

Meet the challenges of Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course, whatever the weather. BY FRANCIS X. GALLAGHER

balls and sharing local stories, including the bloviated home prices. As this is a walking course, caddies are a requirement and a great help. Our foursome included Neil Curran from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; John Kelley from Philadelphia; my brother Gerry from Dallas; and myself.

HOLE 4

453 yards, par 4

The highest-ranked handicapped hole on the front nine, Hole 4’s large green allows you to play your second shot with a mid-iron. Unlike every other day on The Ocean Course, this time we had relative ly no wind, and we played without major clubbing adjustments. We got in the groove with the caddies and exchanged jokes and stories while they learned our game and got better at club recom mendations. We all teed up and hit away … there really is little possibility of error besides the traps on the right and the path on the left. Neil passed the fairway and nearly put his ball in the hazard that crosses the hole and cuts off the green. I was short but center, and Gerry and John sailed toward those uninviting bunkers. Neil made a nice shot to the green and even with a long putt secured par. The rest were pleased to walk away with bogeys and one double bogey.

HOLE 7

527 yards, par 5

The caddies shared how different this hole plays in howling wind, requiring players to make a difficult decision about ball flight and where the wind might carry the shot. But we could fire away as the fairway is wide and the bunkers and grass mounding are not too troublesome. The team made great connections. Neil found one of those pesky bunkers and deftly made his way back into play with fine distance. The rest of us pounded our 3-woods; without strong winds, we took dead aim at the green. John over shot the green on his third but stayed on the back collar while the rest of us chipped up and made this relatively long par-5 and game changer.

It is always nice to come to the ninth hole and know you have another nine to make up for any errors in judgement. A large and wide fairway welcomed us; however, a waste bunker fringes the entire left side, and the right slopes away, which can send balls rolling out of control. We all slammed our drives, Gerry catching the waste bunker then taking a wild jump left; his ball was gone for good. Neil ham mered one right and missed the center fairway bunker, which I caught. John’s drive was his best of the day, landing over the bunker and in position A for the approach to the hole. The hole is a little tricky, as it is offset to the left, but that did not stop me and Neil from securing par and setting us up to take on the back nine.

HOLE 14 194 yards, par 3

Some say this is the most beautiful hole on The Ocean Course; others say it is the bane of their existence. Players often miss shots to the elevated green, leaving

them with a challenging chip uphill. Depending on the wind, you may need to add several clubs to make the green. We came through fairly well with a par for Neil, a bogey for me and John, and a double for Gerry.

HOLE 18

439 yards, par 4

We teed up with our tired “dogs” from walking the course, but we knew it was do or die on the 18th hole. Neil and Gerry followed the pro tips and sent their drives hugging the right side of the fairway. John and I never listen to advice, and our balls were findable but in a sandy mess left.

Neil continued his fine play fol lowed by Gerry … both missing the green but close enough to chip up for par and bogey, respectively. Mean while, John and I hacked out and back into play, both disgracefully scoring double bogeys. We thanked our caddies and sat back for a drink while watching the ocean and a wedding taking place on the putting green … a beautiful setting on one of the top U.S. courses.

HOLE 9 464 yards, par 4

Ocean Shot: The second group at the 18th green

PHOTO: © FRANCIS X. GALLAGHER

Caribbean Flair

Taste the flavors of more than 20 years of executive chef experience when dining at any of Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort’s four dining concepts. Chef Eric Sala joins the resort from InterConti nental Hotel San Jose, where he managed five restaurants and two convention centers.

Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort offers a wide variety of cui sines to please every traveler through authentic flair and locally inspired dishes. Here’s a look at the spots where you can experi ence Sala’s culinary expertise. Start at Papiamentu Marketplace, where you can grab snacks like smoothies, baked goods, graband-go boxes and Curaçaoan specialties such as Johnny cakes. At Zala Gastro Lodge, sit outdoors to sip whiskeys and rums while enjoying shared platters and small plates.

The salty wings at The Salty Iguana Ocean Grill are among the most popular items on the menu, which also includes burgers, sandwiches, poke bowls, salads and pastechis, a traditional Aruban breakfast of deep-fried dough stuffed with different ingredients — all conveniently located near Harmony Pool. For a more upscale dinner, Çspice meets the call, serving authentic Caribbean cuisine. For delicious sushi and fresh fish selections, try Izakaya Sushi Bar.

WHICH FOOD IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE? AND ON THE OPPOSITE END OF THE SPECTRUM, WHAT IS ONE INGREDI ENT OR FOOD YOU HATE TO USE? My guilty pleasure is definitely chocolate, like most people’s. I like most foods and cooking with different ingredients, but one I’m not a fan of is beef liver.

WHAT DISHES WOULD YOU SERVE AT A PRIVATE DINNER PARTY? To host, I would serve Curaçao duck liver marinated, French toast brioche and a passion fruit marma lade.

WHAT WAS THE FIRST MEAL YOU EVER PREPARED ON YOUR OWN? Jambon beurre in crispy French baguette

IF YOU COULD DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE IN ONE DISH, WHICH DISH WOULD IT BE AND WHY? I like the fusion of my French roots with my worldly

experiences. I love to prep ceviche with different leche de tigre — the texture of the fish, flavors of cilantro, crispiness of the crunchy cancha, sweetness of sweet pota toes and the tartness of the lime with the spiciness of the aji limo make for the most balanced dish. Thank you to my friends in Lima for showing me this dish!

WHICH CULINARY TREND WOULD YOU LIKE TO DISAPPEAR? I think every trend is part of our culinary culture and none should disappear as long it is done with passion.

CURAÇAO MARRIOTT BEACH RESORT Piscadera Bay 3 John F. Kennedy Blvd. Willemstad, Curaçao tel 599 9 736 8800 marriott.com

Chef Eric Sala creates authentic culinary experiences at Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort. BY KIMBERLY KROL INLANDER

THE MOST EXCLUSIVE TOURS OF EGYPT EVER OFFERED

MOST

No one can tour Egypt like they do.

– Dr. Zahi Hawass, World’s Most Famous Archaeologist

The best company to visit Egypt with.

– Dr. Jehan Sadat, Late First Lady of Egypt

You will never forget these tours.

– Dr. Mostafa Waziri, Egypt’s Head of Antiquities

Special Access to the Great Sphinx Enclosure with Egypt’s greatest archaeologist Dr. Zahi Hawass.

Some moments last a lifetime. We can make them happen.

What’s Your Ship Size?

In 1817, when New York’s Black Ball Line launched the first regularly scheduled passenger service between New York and England, the journey eastward took about 40 days and the return 23. Amenities were limited and included in-cabin skylights and, in the dining room, whale-oil lanterns and silver service.

That all changed in June 1900 when Victoria Luise, the world’s

first purpose-built passenger ship, launched from Hamburg for a 35-day journey through the Caribbean to Venezuela. The wellappointed, 240-passenger ship was outfitted with a promenade for strolling, a gym and, surprisingly, a darkroom for amateur photographers. Live musicians provided entertainment during meals and social events.

The owners of Victoria Luise were on to something. More than 100 years later, cruising has become one of the most popular forms of leisure travel: According to a recent survey by AAA, 41 percent of Americans are considering booking a cruise in the future.

One reason for cruising’s popularity might be the sheer number of choices available. Currently, about 323 cruise vessels ply the world’s oceans. The smallest is generally recognized as Emerald Azzurra, which carries 100 passengers on a variety of itinerar ies, while the largest is Wonder of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s 6,988-passenger behemoth. In between, passengers can choose from not only a range of sizes but a vast range of experiences as well.

Though no official size classes exist in the cruise industry, ships are generally organized into five categories, based on the number of passengers they carry. It makes sense the larger the ship the more amenities it will offer, but that doesn’t necessarily tell the whole story. Ships within the fleets of Disney Cruise Line and Cunard Line, for instance, may be of similar size but offer very different activities.

AT ONE TIME, 3,500 passengers aboard a single ship seemed mind-blowing, but today three cruise lines — Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line — boast several mega ships within their fleets that cross the 6,000-passenger mark. These

the cruise line and vessel category to fit your vacation style.

BY KATIE MCELVEEN

Big Thrills: Carnival’s mega ship Mardi Gras features the world’s first roller coaster at sea.

PHOTOS:

huge vessels, larger than aircraft carriers, offer a remarkable array of diversions. Carnival’s 6,465-passenger Mardi Gras features the world’s first roller coaster at sea — and multiple dining experiences.

Slightly smaller mega ships, operated by Disney, Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Line, carry closer to 4,000 passengers and are nearly as action-packed, offering everything from go-karts and multistory water slides to ice skating rinks and surf simulators. Adult-focused Princess Cruises, sneaking into this category at just more than 3,500 passengers, is a bit of an outlier, offering lots of live shows, immersive cultural activities and a variety of dining options but without the hair-raising diversions.

THOUGH THEY’RE NOT the biggest ships at sea, there’s nothing dainty about large ships, carrying the flags of Celebrity Cruises, Cunard, Disney, Holland America Line, Norwegian, Princess and Royal Caribbean and packing a strong amenity punch. Note that instead of going bigger, Norwegian chose to go a bit smaller with its newest Prima class of ships, each having a ca pacity of 3,099 passengers but chock-full of experiences, including a 10-story free-fall slide. The first, Prima, entered service in August 2022.

JUST FOUR LINES — Cunard, Holland America, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean — sail ships in the mid-sized category. Since the Norwegian and Royal Caribbean ships in this size range are a bit older and don’t offer the same level of excitement as their newer ships, fares tend to be a bit more moderate. Traditionalists will love the classic lines and approachable size of the Cunard and Holland America vessels.

HOLLAND AMERICA, OCEANIA Cruises and Viking Ocean Cruises found the small mid-sized ship is large enough to offer diverse dining experi ences and activities but with the intimacy of a smaller vessel. It’s proved a particularly sweet spot for Viking, which added seven 930-passenger ships to its fleet since it launched ocean voyages in 2015, with more on the way.

YOU’LL FIND THE MOST DIVER SITY within the small ship category. This includes not only boutique cruise ships and yachts operated by Celebrity, Emerald, Oceania, Ponant, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, Silversea, Star Clippers and Windstar but also expedition-class ships — floating luxury SUVs outfitted for the polar regions — from Ponant, Scenic, Seabourn, Silversea and Viking.

Beyond offering a more intimate experience, these smaller ships offer the chance to visit destinations off-limits to larger ships. Expedition ships, which carry Zodiac inflatable rafts, submersible vessels, kayaks, weatherproof clothing and other gear as well as a full crew of highly specialized guides, allow guests to explore remote natural areas on land or sea directly from the ship.

Intimate Experiences: Windstar’s small ships

BY THE NUMBERS

Ship category Total passenger capacity

Mega Ships

Large Ships

Mid-Sized Ships

Small MidSized Ships Small Ships

More than 3,500 2,500–3,500 1,500–2,500 800–1,500

Fewer than 800

PHOTO: © WINDSTAR

Time to Celebrate

FXExpress Publications, Inc. honors the winners of the 2022 Leisure Lifestyle and Wherever awards.

BY KIMBERLY KROL INLANDER | PHOTOS BY CHRISTOPHER P. OTTAUNICK AND THE RIGHT LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

With travel continuing to see incredible demand, we took the opportunity to celebrate the winners of FXExpress Publications, Inc.’s 10th Leisure Lifestyle Awards from Global Traveler and the fifth Wherever Awards from whereverfamily.com at an event at The Lotos Club in New York City.

A number of sponsors joined in the festivities including United Explorer Card from Chase, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card from Chase, Tahiti Tourisme, United Airlines, Air Canada and Visit Virginia Beach.

We enjoyed a beautiful night in the Big Apple celebrating the best in leisure travel and family travel providers. Guests mixed, mingled and celebrated to the sounds of Broadway classics.

Join us as we recap the winners of our Leisure Lifestyle Awards and Wherever Awards. Congratulations to all the honorees!

WINNERS’ CIRCLE

Best Historical Attractions, International Greece

Best Historical Attractions, Domestic Savannah, Georgia

Best Beaches Lanai, Hawai‘i

Best Adventure Destination, International India Second Consecutive Year

Best Adventure Destination, Domestic Alaska Second Consecutive Year

Best Leisure Destination in the United States Charleston, South Carolina Third Consecutive Year

Best Leisure Destination in Africa Morocco

Best Leisure Destination in Europe İstanbul, Türkiye

Best Leisure Destination in Asia Taipei, Taiwan Fifth Consecutive Year

Best Leisure Destination in Latin/South America Panamá City, Panamá

Best Leisure Destination in Mexico Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Best Leisure Destination for Groups Italy Second Consecutive Year

Best Weekend Destination in North America Savannah, Georgia Third Consecutive Year

Best Weekend Destination in the World Dublin, Ireland

Best North American Ski Destination Telluride, Colorado Fourth Consecutive Year

Best International Ski Destination Whistler, British Columbia, Canada

Best Golf Destination Streamsong Resort

Best Caribbean Island Dominican Republic Second Consecutive Year

Best Island in Europe

Santoríni

Ninth Consecutive Year

Best Island Pacific Rim Cook Islands

Seventh Consecutive Year

Best Island in the United States Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Second Consecutive Year

Best Family Cruise Line

Holland America Line Second Consecutive Year

Best Luxury Cruise Line Silversea Cruises

Best Value Cruise Line Emerald Cruise Line Second Consecutive Year

Best Cruise Line Suites

Owner’s Suites, Oceania Cruises Second Consecutive Year

Best Adventure Cruise Line Ponant Second Consecutive Year

Best Small-Ship Cruise Line Paul Gauguin Cruises Seventh Consecutive Year

Best Large-Ship Cruise Line Cunard Line

Seventh Consecutive Year

Best River Cruise Line

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises Fifth Consecutive Year

Best Cruise Line Entertainment

Princess Cruises Fourth Consecutive Year

Best Cruise Line Dining

Seabourn Cruise Line

Best Cruise Line Spas

Seabourn Cruise Line Fourth Consecutive Year

Best Cruise Ship Excursions

Princess Cruises Seventh Consecutive Year

Best Cruise Line Rewards Program Captain’s Club, Celebrity Cruises Second Consecutive Year

1. Mouna El Alami, public relations and communications manager, Moroccan National Tourism Office 2. Colleen Sanderson, director, brand and marketing, Strategy & Activation, United Airlines 3. Fern Ottavio, sales and marketing manager, North America, TAP Air Portugal 4. Khary Barnes, managing director and general manager of co-brand cards, JPMorgan Chase & Co.; Bryan Smoak, vice president of U.S. acquisitions, Marriott International 5. Jennifer Janson, international marketing and communications manager, PROMTUR Panamá; Woodrow Oldford, sustainable tourism chief marketing officer, PROMTUR Panamá 6. Kristin Carlson, managing director, Tahiti Tourisme North America 7. Sara Stone, director regional sales, Northeast, Hertz; Casey Rodriguez, senior vice president, Corporate & Strategic Sales, Hertz 8. Hara Mavroudis, marketing strategist, Greek National Tourism Organization 9. Kim Smith, Northeast field sales manager, Celebrity Cruises

Best Cruise Port Port of San Diego

Best Cruise Line to Alaska Princess Cruises

Best Expedition Cruises Ponant

Best Cruise Line Caribbean Sailings Windstar Cruises

Best World Cruise Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Best Luxury Leisure Hotel Group in the World Sonesta Hotels & Resorts

Best Hotel Chain Resorts

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts

Best Pet-Friendly Hotels Sonesta Hotels & Resorts

Best Family Resort Chain in the World Marriott Hotels & Resorts

Best Hotel Chain in the Caribbean Club Med

Best Hotel Chain in Thailand Banyan Tree

Best Eco-Friendly Hotel Chain Ace Hotel

Best All-Inclusive Resorts Hyatt Zilara

Best Tour Operator Abercrombie & Kent

Best Airport for Layovers Istanbul Grand Airport

Best Airport for Recreation Denver International Airport

Best Stopover Program

TAP Air Portugal Fourth Consecutive Year

Best Leisure Airline

Hawaiian Airlines

Best Eco-Friendly Airline

United Airlines

Best Airline for Onboard Entertainment

Air Canada Fourth Consecutive Year

Best Airline Onboard Menu

Air Canada Business Class Third Consecutive Year

1. David Collado Morales, minister of tourism, Dominican Republic 2. Hüseyin Bastürk, director, Go Türkiye 3. Audra Dallitis, senior director, co-brand credit card acquisitions, Marriott International 4. Vincent Gauthier-Doré, senior director, USA Sales, Air Canada 5. Anthony Rich, director of national accounts, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises 6. Pam Dechant, senior vice president of concessions, Denver International Airport 7. Alycia Oliphant, business development manager, Cunard Line 8. Alison Metcalfe, executive vice president, USA & Canada, Tourism Ireland 9. Mic Adilardi, global luxury & lifestyle sales director, InterContinental Hotels Group

2 5

3 6

Best

Best

Best

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Best Family-Friendly Domestic Airline

Airlines

Consecutive Year

Best Family-Friendly Airline in North America

Canada

Consecutive Year

Best Family-Friendly International Airline Air Canada

Consecutive Year

Best Family-Friendly Frequent-Flyer Program United MileagePlus

Consecutive Year

Best Family-Friendly Hotel Chain Marriott Hotels & Resorts

Best Family-Friendly Resort Chain Marriott Hotels & Resorts

Best Family-Friendly Individual Hotel Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World

Best Family-Friendly Frequent-Stay Program Sonesta Travel Pass

Best Family-Friendly All-Inclusive Hotel Club Med

Best Family-Friendly Pet Hotel Ascend Collection AND InterContinental Hotels & Resorts

Best Family-Friendly Hotel Kids Club Club Med, Sandpiper Bay, Florida

Best Family-Friendly Vacation Company Disney Vacation Club

Best Family-Friendly Domestic Tour Company Adventures by Disney

Best Family-Friendly International Tour Company

by Disney

Best Family-Friendly Cruise Line Celebrity Cruises

Best Family-Friendly MultiGen Cruise Line Seabourn Cruise Line

Best Family-Friendly Cruise Line Kids Club Disney Cruise Line’s Oceaneer Club

1 Dan Malcolm, chairman, Port of San Diego Board of Commissioners

2 Shelley Wise, vice president, integrated marketing, Princess Cruises

3 Jason Montague, president and CEO, Regent Seven Seas

4 Joseph Marinelli, president, Visit Savannah; Angela Westerfield, vice president, marketing and communications, Visit Savannah

5. Juliane Pietzsch Murphy, head of marketing USA, Sixt

6. Tom McAlphin, president, Virgin Voyages

7. Steve Smotrys, vice president, global sales, Seabourn Cruise Line; Joshua Liebowitz, president, Seabourn Cruise Line

8. Susie Albin-Najera, manager, North America Leisure Travel, Los Cabos Tourism Board

9. Cook Islands Tourism staff with Karla Eggelton, chief executive officer, Cook Islands Tourism

CHANGE IS POSSIBLE

Fact: You have options when facing a lung cancer diagnosis.

Learning all that you can about a diagnosis and what options are available can bring more than just hope. It can be the key to accessing treatments that help make long-term survival possible.

Lung cancer clinical trials may be the right option for you or a loved one.

For more information on lung cancer and cancer clinical trials, visit StandUpToCancer.org/LungCancer

Fact:

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States.

Fact:

Over 25,000 Black Americans were diagnosed with lung cancer in 2019 alone.

Fact:

New treatments are being discovered every day, and they may be available to you.

Photo By Matt Sayles

COMMON Stand Up To Cancer Ambassador

Stand Up To Cancer is a division of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

Public Service

donation from

Best Family-Friendly Credit Card United Explorer Card from Chase Fifth Consecutive Year

Best Family-Friendly Credit Card Rewards Program Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card from Chase Fifth Consecutive Year

Best Family-Friendly International Destination Tahiti

Third Consecutive Year

Best Family-Friendly Domestic Destination Charleston, South Carolina Second Consecutive Year

Best Family-Friendly Caribbean Island Dominican Republic Third Consecutive Year

2 5

Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Northeast/Mid-Atlantic United States Ocean City, Maryland

Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Southeast United States Virginia Beach, Virginia Third Consecutive Year

Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Florida East West Palm Beach, Florida

Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Florida West Sanibel Island, Florida

Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Florida Panhandle Mexico Beach, Florida

Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Gulf Coast, United States Dauphin Island, Alabama

Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Texas Galveston, Texas

Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, West United States Huntington Beach, California

Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Hawai‘ian Islands Lanai City, Lanai

3

1. Rose Ann Holewinski, finance and administrative manager, TAP Air Portugal; Fern Ottavio, sales and marketing manager, North America, TAP Air Portugal

2. Haley Fogarty, advertising manager, FXExpress Publications, Inc.; Cynthia Camponelli, executive director, United Airlines co-brand marketing strategy, JPMorgan Chase & Co.; Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO, FXExpress Publications, Inc.

3 Anthony Rich, director of national accounts, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises; Kristin Carlson, managing director, Tahiti Tourisme North America

4 Yasser Ogando, advertising and production manager, FXExpress Publications, Inc.; Flor Ogando Pión, operations manager, Exp Realty

5 Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO, FXExpress Publications, Inc.; Alison Metcalfe, executive vice president, USA & Canada, Tourism Ireland

Best Family-Friendly MultiGen Destination of the Year Ireland Second Consecutive Year

Best Family-Friendly Amusement Park Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida

Best Family-Friendly Waterpark Great Wolf Lodge

Best Family-Friendly Rental Car Company Hertz Second Consecutive Year

Best Family-Friendly Domestic Airport Chicago Midway Airport Third Consecutive Year

Best Family-Friendly International Airport Istanbul Grand Airport

Best Family-Friendly Airport Dining Miami International Airport Second Consecutive Year

Best Family-Friendly Airport Shopping Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Second Consecutive Year

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Family Innovator of the Year, Airline Southwest Airlines

Family Innovator of the Year, Hotel Great Wolf Lodge

Family Innovator of the Year, Resorts Club Med

Family Innovator of the Year, Rental Car Sixt

Family Innovator of the Year, Travel Provider Disney Cruise Line

Family Innovator of the Year, Destination Ireland

202 3 Wherever Awards Ballot

Whereverfamily.com, the trusted travel source for the modern family, has opened voting for the 2022 Wherever Awards. Please write in your personal favorites, based on your own experience, on the line next to each of the following categories.

Best Family-Friendly Domestic Airline

Best Family-Friendly Airline in North America

Best Family-Friendly International Airline

Best Family-Friendly Frequent-Flyer Program

Best Family-Friendly Hotel Chain

Best Family-Friendly Resort Chain

Best Family-Friendly Individual Hotel

Best Family-Friendly Frequent-Stay Program

Best Family-Friendly All-Inclusive Hotel

Best Family-Friendly Pet Hotel

Best Family-Friendly Hotel Kids Club

Best Family-Friendly Vacation Company

Best Family-Friendly Domestic Tour Company

Best Family-Friendly International Tour Company

Best Family-Friendly Cruise Line

Best Family-Friendly Multigen Cruise Line

Best Family-Friendly Cruise Line Kids Club

Best Family-Friendly Credit Card

Best Family-Friendly Credit Card Rewards Program

Best Family-Friendly International Destination

Best Family-Friendly Domestic Destination

Best Family-Friendly Caribbean Island

PLEASE MAIL THE COMPLETED SURVEY TO:

Kevin Ryan, Citrin Cooperman & Company, LLP, 1800 JFK Blvd., 20th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103 | Or FAX to 215 545 4810

Or vote online at whereverfamily.com/wherever-awards/

Best Family-Friendly Beach Town Northeast/Mid-Atlantic U.S. (Maine–Maryland) Southeast U.S. (Virginia–Georgia) Florida (East) Florida (West) Florida (Panhandle)

Gulf U.S. (Alabama/Louisiana/Mississippi)

Texas West Coast U.S. Hawai’ian Islands

Best Family-Friendly College Town East South Midwest West

Best Family-Friendly Sports City/Town Large Mid-sized Small

Best Family-Friendly College Sports Town/City Large Mid-sized Small

Best Family-Friendly Multigen Destination of the Year

Best Family-Friendly Amusement Park

Best Family-Friendly Waterpark

Best Family-Friendly Rental Car Company

Best Family-Friendly Domestic Airport

Best Family-Friendly International Airport

Best Family-Friendly Airport Dining

Best Family-Friendly Airport Shopping

Name Street Address City State ZIP Code

Phone

Travel Transforms Life You can transform hers.

Water Mission builds best-inclass safe water solutions that aim to transform as many lives as possible, as quickly as possible. With accessible safe water, children can be healthy enough to attend school. Parents can provide for their families instead of spending hours collecting water. Communities experience economic opportunities that help break the cycle of poverty.

Join us and transform lives through safe water. Visit watermission.org/traveler.

World Player

Doha takes center stage as Qatar hosts the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

StartingNov. 20, 2022, the world’s attention will tem porarily focus on an Arabian Gulf country smaller than Connecticut. For Qatar it represents the culmination of a long-term strategy to secure its place on the international stage through sport, and sporting events don’t come any bigger than the FIFA World Cup.

Other events claim to be the biggest. The Summer Olympics, of course. The Tour de France … reputedly watched by 3.5 billion viewers, though receipts are hard to come by and the actual figure is likely much smaller. The Super Bowl is heavily followed in the

BY RICHARD NEWTON

United States but not so much elsewhere. Only soccer unites the entire world in sporting fervor, and never more so than during the month-long World Cup finals, held every four years. This year, for the first time, the event is being staged in the Middle East. Qatar’s big moment has arrived.

This moment was half a century in the making. Formerly a British Protectorate, Qatar gained independence in 1971, deciding to go it alone rather than join the United Arab Emirates. With a population of just 119,000 inhabiting a desert peninsula jutting into the Arabian Gulf, the fledgling nation had two sources of

Cultural Reflection: Al Thumama Stadium resembles the gahfiya cap worn by men and boys across the Arab world.

PHOTO: © FITRIA RAMLI | DREAMSTIME.COM

wealth: the export of pearls (in the first half of the 20th century, Qatar accounted for 80 percent of the global supply) and the world’s third-largest natural gas reserves.

Gas and oil made Qatar the richest country in the world per capita, and that, in turn, transformed the skyline of Doha, the capital city. The first high-rise buildings didn’t appear until the 1980s, but they signaled an explosion of construction. The downtown area adjoining the Corniche — the city’s sweeping waterfront — rapidly transformed into a dense, shiny forest of skyscrapers. Land reclamation projects altered the coastline, and development created new urban areas, most notably the city of Lusail, 15 miles north of Doha.

Through all of this development, sport remained a recurring theme. Since 2004 Doha hosted many Asian and world championships in sports as diverse as handball, weightlifting, fencing, athletics and gymnastics. The emirate also established itself as an annual fixture on the calendar for the Formula 1 Powerboat World Championship and for Formula One motor racing at a purpose-built circuit at Lusail. Qatar failed to win its bid to stage the 2020 Olympics but secured the biggest prize of all with the announce ment in 2010 that Qatar would host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Qatar was a controversial choice. Visiting fans would be subject to draconian laws

LODGING

Banana Island Resort by Anantara

A 20-minute boat journey takes you from downtown Doha to this arche typal island paradise, where private thatched villas each have their own pool.

Banana Island, Doha $$$$

Mondrian Doha

Breathtaking, both outside and in. The rooms and public spaces offer a sophisticated visual feast.

West Bay Lagoon, Doha $$$$

The Ritz-Carlton, Doha

Expect sumptuous luxury with spectacular views of the Gulf and city skyline. Convenient both to downtown Doha and Lusail City.

West Bay Lagoon, Doha $$$$

DINING

Gourmet District

Billed as an indoor food park, this 200-seat eatery on manmade Pearl Island offers a choice of a hundred dishes from around the world.

Pearl Boulevard, UDC Head Office Tower, The Pearl, Doha $$$

Hakkasan

This Michelin-starred restau rant serving Cantonese cuisine offers outdoor dining on the strikingly designed terrace.

The St. Regis Doha, West Bay, Doha $$$

Jiwan Restaurant

Located in the amazing National Museum of Qatar, Jiwan offers a contemporary reimagining of traditional Qatari dishes. Open until 8 p.m.

National Museum of Qatar, Fourth Floor, Museum Park Street, Doha $$$$

PHOTOS: © MOHAMED ABDELRAZEK | DREAMSTIME.COM, © PAVEL BYRKIN DREAMSTIME.COM

Ready for Action: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 official countdown clock (top), and the official ball of FIFA World Cup 2022 (bottom)

INFO TO GO

International flights arrive at Hamad International Airport, 2.5 miles from downtown Doha. Many top Doha hotels offer limousine transfers, or you can opt for the Metro, connecting to stations throughout Doha and Lusail. Car rental is an option, though driving in Doha is not for the faint-hearted.

limiting the use of alcohol, as well as total prohibitions on pre-marital or gay sex. On the field, the weather was a major concern. The World Cup is tradition ally held in June and July … Qatar’s hottest months, with average temperatures of 106 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooling systems were proposed to lower the tem peratures within the stadiums, though the technology was untested. Eventually, the unprecedented decision was made to move the tournament to November and December, causing huge disruption to domestic soccer around the world. Alcohol laws will be relaxed during the tournament, but there will be no protection for the rights of LGBTQ+ fans.

Qatar constructed eight new stadiums to host the

matches. Ordinarily the stadiums are spaced out in different cities around the host nation. Because Qatar is so small, all of the stadiums lie within a 30-mile radius of Doha, with four in Doha itself. In the long term, Qatar will have no need for eight large stadiums, and so some of them are temporary. Stadium 974, for instance, was built using 974 recycled shipping containers. The main venue, hosting the final on Dec. 18, is the stunning 80,000-seat Lusail Iconic Stadium, designed by Foster + Partners.

A persistent controversy stems from Qatar’s use of low-paid migrant workers (mainly from the Indian subcontinent) in the construction industry. Since the World Cup was awarded to the country, an estimated 6,500 migrant workers died in Qatar. Local authorities insist the total number of deaths related to the construction of the stadiums stands at 37.

All controversies will be set aside when the tourna ment kicks off and 32 competing nations vie for the greatest prize in world sport. For Doha, it will be a moment long dreamed of. Billions of people in every corner of the world will follow every minute of every match, and the global perception of this capital city will be permanently changed. Doha will be on the map.

Bold

ZNM

Winning Designs

Preview the spectacular FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 stadiums.

AL THUMAMA STADIUM

Capacity 40,000

Location Al Thumama 12 km south of central Doha

First Match Senegal vs. Netherlands Nov. 21

EDUCATION CITY STADIUM

Capacity 40,000

Location Al Rayyan 7 km northwest of central Doha

First Match Denmark vs. Tunisia Nov. 22

AL BAYT STADIUM

Capacity 60,000

Location Al Khor City 35 km north of Doha

Host Opening Match Qatar vs. Ecuador Nov. 20

AHMAD BIN ALI STADIUM

Capacity 40,000

Location Umm Al Afaei 20 km west of central Doha

First Match United States vs. Wales Nov. 21

STADIUM 974

Capacity 40,000

Location Ras Abu Aboud 10 km east of central Doha

First Match Mexico vs. Poland Nov. 22

KHALIFA INTERNATIONAL STADIUM

Capacity 40,000

Location Aspire 5 km west of central Doha

First Match England vs. Iran Nov. 21

LUSAIL STADIUM

Capacity 80,000

Location Lusail City 20 km north of central Doha

First Match Argentina vs. Saudi Arabia Nov. 22

Host Final Match Dec. 18

AL JANOUB STADIUM

Capacity 40,000

Location Al Wakrah 22 km east of central Doha

First Match France vs. Australia Nov. 22

DIVERSIONS

The traditional heart of Doha was Souq Waqif, the chaotic, ramshackle market where trade took place for centuries. It’s still here, but authenticity has been traded for modern ization. Rebuilt stalls (albeit in traditional style) line neatly paved narrow alleys. Some Middle Eastern souks still feel like a trip back in time; Doha’s is very much a modern reincarnation.

Qatar views history through the prism of modernity. That’s especially true of the National Museum of Qatar, a spectacular building constructed to resemble a desert rose crystal. The permanent exhibition chronicling the country’s history is presented in an unashamedly con temporary way, with artifacts arranged for visual effect. Full-sized moving projections bring scenes of old Doha to life around you. Not far away, built on its own artificial island in Doha Bay, the Museum of Islamic Art houses a priceless collection of art from across the Muslim world spanning 1,400 years. It reopened in October 2022 after a 12-month refurbishment.

Doha was historically a maritime city, and its heritage is evoked at Dhow Harbour, which moors dozens of tra ditional wooden vessels. In the past, these sailing boats plied the trade winds to voyage around the Arabian Gulf as well as to India and Africa. Now they mostly operate pleasure cruises in the bay.

On the Corniche beside Dhow Harbour you’ll find a monument devoted to the 2022 World Cup, featuring flagpoles bearing the national flags of the 32 competing nations. The Corniche, a paved pedestrian walkway that curves for five miles around Doha Bay, proves an attrac tion in its own right. It offers a great place for walking or jogging in the cooler months.

JUST THE FACTS

Time zone: GMT+ 3 Phone code: Country code: 974

Currency: Qatari riyal

Key industries: Oil and gas, fertilizer, fisheries, tourism

COMING AND GOING

All U.S. citizens require a pass port valid for at least six months beyond the arrival date plus an onward air ticket and confirmed hotel reservation. Visas available on arrival for a maximum stay of 30 days.

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE

Arabic, though English is widely spoken

Old Meets New: Souq Waqif (top), and the National Museum of Qatar (bottom)

PHOTOS: © DAY TOURS - BATEAU-MOUCHE, © EDWARDSTAINES DREAMSTIME.COM

The Wild Side

Charleston’s expansive parks entice visitors and residents to enjoy the great outdoors.

BY BRANDON SCHULTZ

The unique architecture of Charleston’s waterfront Historic District may set the stage for some of the nation’s most legend ary hospitality, as only the U.S. South can provide, but good food and good manners aren’t all this city offers. Pre-pandemic, South Carolina’s largest city entertained more than 7 million annual visitors, most no doubt enchanted by the sights and sounds of its cultural attractions, but, in addition, the city’s 120 parks present more than 1,800 acres of largely natural recreation. As visitors catch on to the value of Charleston’s wilder side, something most of its residents already treasure, those numbers are set to

grow as the city invests in expanding its park program even further.

“Efforts to update and broaden parks around Charleston allow us to offer more diverse experiences for residents and visitors,” said Doug Warner, vice president of Media and Innovation, Explore Charleston. “The Charleston area is a year-round destination, and our numerous outdoor spaces offer residents and visitors an easy way to enjoy the natural beauty of our coastal location.” He added, “These spaces often host cultural and sporting events, markets and festivals.” Renovations like those coming to North Charleston’s Park Circle will bring not just traditional park fixtures like sports fields and walking trails but also key community-boosting features, such as a performance and event space, particularly attractive to tourists looking for unique experiences while in town.

Updating parks also allows forward-thinking cities like Charleston to address modern awarenesses that broaden the reach of these public spaces. At Park Circle, for example, the Southeast’s largest inclusive playground, set to open in late 2023, features a design promoting cross-generational play and which considers people of all abilities and

PHOTOS:

© DARRYL BROOKS

DAVEALLENPHOTO | DREAMSTIME.COM,

© MICHAEL VER SPRILL | DREAMSTIME.COM

sensitivities — physical, developmental and beyond. All told, this park alone represents a $20 million investment in reimagining how a city plays and recreates, and that certainly includes its visitors. This is just one of several park updates slated for Charleston and its surrounding counties in the coming year.

Parks also offer an opportunity to repurpose abandoned spaces. Similar to New York City’s now famous High Line, Charleston is currently developing the Lowcountry Lowline, a project estimated at $30 million that will create a linear park along a former railway. The city itself already made considerable financial contributions and commitments to the initial phases of what looks to be a 10-year, multiphase unveiling that will not just provide safer com mutes and engaging recreation but will also double as a flood management tool for a city historically plagued by storms.

Megan Mills, project coordinator, Friends of the Lowcountry Lowline, explained, “It will mitigate stormwater flooding by finding ways to store and displace water from major flooding areas and will have ‘pocket parks’ that can be community gathering areas with programming that welcomes everyone.” She added the planned 1.7-mile stretch, set to be Charleston’s second-largest park, will also provide safe commuting by foot or bike for residents heading to work, visitors heading to restaurants, or just about anyone looking to traverse neighborhoods that have been separated by I–26 since the 1960s.

SCENIC DRIVES

A bit more than an hour southwest of Charleston, Botany Bay Road offers one of the most enchanting experiences you’ll enjoy from a car, making it an ideal half-day jaunt from the city. This road leads through Botany Bay Plantation Heritage Pre serve, a free park managed by the state, and includes a 3-mile loop road with history and views of its own. It’s the dramatic entrance, however, that steals the show. A roughly mile-long tunnel of mature oak trees, accented by king sago palms, shades the sandy road beneath and is reason enough for the drive on a sunny day. Keep in mind it’s closed on Tuesdays.

The area’s most famous tree undoubtedly remains Angel Oak on Johns Island. Estimated to be 400–600 years old, the oak covers a massive area of more than 17,000 square feet with serpentine branches as long as 187 feet stretching whimsically in every direction. The Angel Oak sits less than a half hour from historic Charleston, and there are multiple ways to reach it, but choose a route that includes Bohicket Road, a scenic highway of dense foliage worth the drive on its own. If you have extra time, feel free to explore more of this 10-mile road while you’re out.

Among the Trees: Charleston Waterfront Park benches (top left), Botany Bay Road (top right), and the Angel Oak (bottom right)

MICE

Venue Variety: Resorts World Rose Rooftop (top), Lily Ballroom Balcony (bottom left), and Boardroom (bottom right)

PHOTOS: © RESORTS WORLD

A Sure Thing

Las Vegas bounces back from a break, bigger and better than ever.

It seemed unfathomable when 2019 ended that a city used to buzzing 24 hours a day would go quiet for months, with no lights on in the high-rise rooms and no booths on exhibit floors. Like a craps table gambler roaring back with a hot winning streak, however, Las Vegas is in the black again and reestablishing its title as the top place to make connections and get business done. More than 300,000 meeting attendees landed in the city in July 2022, nearly doubling the number from a year before.

When much of the world shut down starting in March 2020, few industries felt the pain that followed

THE CITY BOASTS THREE OF THE 10 LARGEST MEETING AND CONVENTION FACILITIES IN THE UNITED STATES.

as much as meetings and convention businesses. When a city has 14 million square feet of meeting space but nobody feels safe showing up for a conven tion, it’s hard to come through unscathed.

Las Vegas has never been a city to sit still and wait for things to happen, though, so developers kept building, innovators kept innovating, and existing ho teliers jumped on the opportunity to renovate without turning away guests. As the Western Hemisphere’s largest collection of meeting facilities welcomes back major conferences, visitors will find plenty of new spaces, attractions and ways to get around.

The city boasts three of the 10 largest meeting and convention facilities in the United States. The Las Vegas Convention Center already reigned as one of the world’s largest exhibit centers, a 200-acre campus hosting a steady stream of major trade shows. During the downtime, it spruced up, added on and created a subterranean way to traverse the entire site and connect it to the new Resorts World complex, opened in 2021. With a $3 daily ticket, conventioneers can ride an emission-free, rechargeable Tesla through an underground tunnel to other convention center stops or one of 3,500 rooms in three hotels sharing the same grounds at Resorts World: a Hilton, a Conrad and a Crockfords.

BY TIM LEFFEL

This is just the start of the Vegas Loop: The vision plans to connect at least 50 locations in a 29-mile series of tunnels below the streets, avoiding the distances and desert heat that can daunt some visitors. It joins an existing monorail that connects the conven tion center to multiple other hotels down the line to the south.

The Resorts World complex kicked things off last year with concert runs from Katy Perry, Celine Dion and Carrie Underwood. Perry and Dion will be back before this year ends, joining magician David Blaine and comedian Kevin Hart. All three hotels in the complex earned Gold Certification this year under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program. This positions the resort among the best energy-efficient facilities in the world.

The Wynn and Encore Resort complex added 300,000 square feet of meeting space divided between 18 rooms, terraces and lawn spaces this year and also accomplished it in an environmentally sustainable way. The new section is powered by 100 percent re newable energy sourced and delivered directly from a remote 160-acre solar facility as well as on-site rooftop solar panels.

Virgin Hotels arrived in Las Vegas in 2021, while hotels that completed major room renovations in the past year include Nobu Hotel Caesars Palace, Aria, Harrah’s, Waldorf Astoria and Wynn Las Vegas. A new 67-story Fontainebleau property is slated to open in late 2023.

Las Vegas certainly features an endless list of things to do when the convention floor lights go off. With professional football and hockey teams, an array of amusement rides, top museums and great shopping, the city makes it easy now to plan a week of entertain ment without any gambling in the mix. Plus, nearly any celebrity chef you’ve heard of most likely has a restaurant in one of the resorts along The Strip.

The Las Vegas airport hosts more than 1,000 daily flights and offers direct air service to around 150 cities in the United States and beyond, so this is often the easiest city for everyone to get to, including those newly remote workers who may be across the country or across an ocean. For flashy marquee conferences down to more modest company or industry events, Vegas is as close as you can get to a sure-thing bet.

UNIQUE VENUES

You’ll find a facility for every size and setup in Vegas. Besides Las Vegas Convention Center, offering nearly 3 million square feet of meeting space, most large hotels in the city have their own event facilities, including the next two largest at Mandalay Bay (2.1 million square feet) and The Venetian Expo (1.7 million square feet). More than 20 other hotels and event centers have at least 100,000 square feet available for hosting conferences. Another 571,000 square feet of meeting space and another 4,254 hotel rooms are slated to join the existing inventory in 2023.

One major attraction started taking shape at the beginning of this decade and will open in 2023: MSG Las Vegas Sphere. This groundbreaking “multisensory platform” features a giant sphere with seating inside, with a sure-todazzle show projected onto the walls. The massive structure, situ ated behind The Venetian, is the world’s tallest spherical structure at more than 350 feet high and 500 feet wide. With 164,000 speakers and a capacity of 20,000 seats that all can be programmed to enhance the tactile experience, this venue will offer something unique to this entertainment capital and is expected to host sporting events, concerts, corporate events, product launches, award shows, films and more.

msgsphere.com

Armenian Enchantment

Discover engaging ways to entertain clients in Yerevan.

BY JOHNNY MOTLEY

According to Armenian legend, the biblical Noah, after braving the flood waters in his ark for 150 days, found the first dry land on the peak of Mount Ararat, a mountain overlooking Yerevan. Such stories seem more plausible when you consider Yerevan, founded roughly 3,000 years ago, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on the planet. With impeccably hospitable locals, world-class museums and endless good food, Yerevan promises to delight visitors for pleasure, business or a mix of both.

Beyond the beautiful cathedrals, fabulous dining and bustling nightlife, Yerevan is a business-friendly city through and through. Yerevan Metro makes getting around the city easy, and those in town for work will find no shortage of options for wining, dining and entertaining clients.

Traversing Yerevan, a small and compact city, proves a breeze. You can comfortably cover the historic downtown area on foot, and strolling Yerevan’s many parks, monuments and handsome streets offers one of the best ways to see the city. Built in the 1980s, Yerevan Metro is well-maintained, reliable and safe, with trains connecting nearly all the city’s important landmarks. Metro tickets cost only 100 dram (about $0.30), and trains run 6:30 a.m.–11 p.m. While ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft are not available, taxis are cheap and ubiquitous. Most taxi rides around Yerevan should not cost more than 1,000 dram (about $4). Zvartnots International Airport, Yerevan’s main airport, lies about a 35-minute taxi ride from the downtown area, with a shuttle bus from the airport to city center also available.

Armenians enthusiastically relish the pleasures of the table, and their cuisine — replete with exquisite wines and everchanging seasonal ingredients — reflects a hidden treasure of international gastronomy. The luxurious Hotel Alexander in downtown Yerevan operates a collection of excellent restau rants, ranging from white-tablecloth dining rooms to cigar lounges boasting extensive wine and cocktail lists. Gabriel’s Bar and Lounge, well-suited for power lunches with clients, exudes sophistication.

The Green Bean Cascade, a local favorite for espresso drinks, makes the ideal place to start the morning with some caffeinated fuel and a delicious breakfast. For a more casual and light-hearted evening, check out Dargett Craft Beer, a celebrated taproom offering some of Armenia’s finest brews. If you want to sample upscale Armenian cuisine and learn about the dazzling universe of Armenian wines, book dinner reserva tions at Wine Republic.

If you and your client are up for an adventure, take a daytrip from Yerevan into Armenia’s majestic coun tryside. Ararat Distillery, Armenia’s most renowned brandy producer, offers delicious and educational tours of its facilities. Situated atop a mountain on the outskirts of Yerevan, Ararat Distillery first offers visi tors panoramic views of the city before treating them to sublime sips of brandy. During the tour, participants learn about the history and different styles of the fiery, honey-colored liquor. For a more sober excursion, check out Geghard Monastery, about an hour by car from Yerevan. In the fourth century Armenia became the world’s first nation to officially adopt Christianity, and centuries-old monasteries still adorn the moun tainsides throughout the nation. At Geghard, monastic cells honeycomb granite cliff faces, and monks chant the liturgy in a grand cathedral carved into the heart of a mountain.

Yerevan punches above its weight for nightlife, with pub culture especially robust. For a nightcap or a round with colleagues in a cozy pub, look no farther than Beatles Pub. In addition to boasting an extensive selection of local craft beers, Beatles Pub is popular for bar games like billiards and darts. In the mood for live music? You can listen to traditional Armenian music, consisting of large ensembles playing lutes and other stringed instruments, in downtown restaurants like Yerevan Tavern. The upbeat music pairs well with a glass of good Armenian wine like Areni and perhaps a plate of ghapama, pumpkin stuffed with spiced beef and raisins — an Armenian classic. For a more intense taste of Yerevan’s nocturnal revelry, check out Omega and Stop Club, two of the city’s favorite nightclubs.

Whether work or play takes you to Armenia’s capital, Yerevan will enchant you. With millennia of history, the ancient city in the heart of the Caucasus boasts endless layers to explore. For the gourmand, Armenia’s legendary wine, brandy and hearty cuisine might alone be worth the flight. History buffs could spend a lifetime exploring the monasteries, museums and majestic cathedrals of Yerevan and its surrounding countryside. Finally, those in Armenia on business will find themselves pleased with the easy navigability of the city and its limitless options for dining out with and entertaining clients.

Spirit of Armenia: Ararat Distillery museum visit with brandy tasting (top), Geghard Monastery (middle), and ghapama (bottom)

PHOTOS: © VITALY TITOV | DREAMSTIME.COM, © TAKEPICSFORFUN | DREAMSTIME.COM, © ALEKSANDAR PAVLOVIC DREAMSTIME.COM

Vibrant Nights

Mix business with leisure in Mexico City.

BY SHERYL NANCE-NASH

When you think of a vacation in Mexico, Cabo, Tulum and Cancún likely come to mind. Put the nation’s capital, Mexico City, on your list.

The history and culture are rich. Make your way to Metropolitan Cathedral, Templo Mayor and Chapultepec Castle as well as museums such as Frida Kahlo House and Diego Rivera Mural Museum. Soak up more culture at theaters, art galleries and through the street art.

There’s awesome greenery, too, at Bosque de Chapultepec with its 1,600 acres of parkland, pond with rowboats, zoo and more. You can’t go home without spending time in Teotihuacán, one of the oldest and most significant archaeological sites in all of Mexico with its ancient pyramids. It’s worth the nearly one-hour drive from the city.

Mexico City is also beloved for its thriving culinary scene and nightlife. In the popular Roma Norte neighborhood you’ll find favorites like Madre Café for brunch; Rosetta for standout Italian; Contramar, noted for its seafood; hipster joints like El Parnita for great tacos; and Balmori Roofbar, a must for tapas. You can get gastro guid ance on a food tour with Eat Like a Local Mexico City that focuses on

If you’re in the mood for high-end retail therapy, Avenida Presiden te Masaryk awaits. Think glitz and glam like Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.

When you’re ready for a night on the town, make one of your stops Hanky Panky, a speakeasy abuzz as the first Latin American bar to receive Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award from this year’s World’s 50 Best Bars Academy. At newly opened Nardo Cocktail Club inside Hotel Umbral, not only can you sip an individually crafted cocktail, but you can peruse an art gallery, too. Other popular spots include Xaman, Loup and Tokyo Music Bar.

For the LGBTQ+ crowd, Mexico City doesn’t disappoint, from Tom’s Leather Bar, where daring and bold rocks the house, to Baby, a lively bar with plenty of room for dancing to Top 40 music. Also check out Kinky Bar and Divina, with its electropop and reggaeton (a fusion of Latin rhythms, dancehall, hip-hop or rap) … and many more than you’ll have time to hit.

While you may be in Mexico City on business, you can seamlessly mix business with pleasure — ¡que te diviertas!

street food and markets like La Merced Market.

Light Up the Night: Hanky Panky

PHOTO: © HANKY PANKY

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Left Bank Allure

Pleasant parks, cafés and markets beckon in Riga’s Āgenskalns district.

BY RON BERNTHAL

Many business and leisure travelers to Riga, Latvia’s capital city, make Old Town their first location to visit. As the his toric center of the city, Old Town is on UNESCO’s World Heritage list because of its architecture. With its busy bars and restaurants, small shops and narrow streets, it also proves one of Latvia’s most Instagram-worthy destinations.

For a quieter and more genuine Riga neighborhood, take a 10-minute walk (or five-minute tram ride) across Akmens Bridge, crossing the Daugava River into the Āgenskalns neighborhood. When crossing the bridge, Old Town and the Central Market will be behind you, with the arched Railway Bridge to your left and the modern Vansu Bridge to your right. In front of you, on the Āgenskalns side, sits the National Library of Latvia, a modern building opened in 2014 and known as the Castle of Light.

Āgenskalns is a popular place for locals because of its historic and busy market, selling everything from fresh produce to clothing. You’ll find lovely parks on this side of the Daugava and streets where the neighborhood’s wooden buildings, built in the 19th century and beautifully renovated, remain visible behind the trees, especially in fall after the leaves have dropped. In winter, explore Āgenskalns by rental car or taxi, as the entire Baltic region is known for its snowy and cold winters. In the warm Latvian summer, the neighborhood brims with residents visiting local outdoor markets and cafés or strolling along the scenic riverbank until the sun sets late in the western sky.

The modern riverboat VECRĪGA offers a one-hour Riga Panoramic Tour along the Daugava where passengers enjoy views of Old Town with its historic towers, Riga Castle, Riga Passenger Port and the TV Tower on Hare Island (Zaķusala). The VECRĪGA also offers 2.5-hour Sunset Tours to Sea Gate, where the Daugava meets the Baltic Sea.

During the past decade Āgenskalns gained a new, younger demographic which enjoys the neighborhood’s large parks, cafés, new shops and riverside location as wonderful amenities. The Āgenskalns Market, opened in 1898, boasts landmark status and is the third-largest market in Riga. The market

owners completed a major four-year renovation project in May 2022, pleas ing many local families that shop there.

A 15-minute walk from the market, the free-spirited Kalnciema Quarter also benefitted from some of the private and city revitalization projects, paving the way for this section of Āgenskalns to attract students, young couples and hipsters who populate the art galleries, cafés, music venues and boutiques that sprouted here, giving the Quarter a free-spirited ambience. Āgenskalns also boasts some of the best educational institutions in Latvia, including Riga Technical University and RISEBA University of Business, Arts and Technology.

Don’t miss the chance to dine at Fabrikas, one of the best Āgenskalns riverside restaurants, offering spectacular views of Old Town. Situated in a renovated factory, this high-end restaurant attracts expats living in Riga as well as the city’s wealthy business leaders and cultural celebrities. The venue offers live piano music some nights, a relaxed atmosphere every night, and a kitchen known for its international dishes, including excellent French cuisine and locally sourced seafood.

Local Landmarks: Riverside Riga (top), and Āgenskalns Market (bottom)

© AMOKLV | DREAMSTIME.COM,

Welcome

Glorious Getaways

Combine business with a family vacation in the magical Greek isles. BY EUGENIA LAZARIS

Idyllic Isle: (Left to right) Aegina Town, Temple of Aphaia on Aegina, and pistachio tree on Aegina

The waters surrounding Greece offer a treasure trove of islands filled with natural beauty, cultural significance and a special blend of adventure and relaxation. Whether in Greece for business on the mainland or attending an event on a distant island, there are plenty of ways to experience the Greek Islands.

For those based in Athens on business, several nearby islands make daytrips convenient so everyone can reunite in the evening to enjoy the spectacular Athenian nightlife. When a few days away are possible, more distant islands offer the relaxation and abandonment for which island life is known, melting away stress and making the rest of the world seem like a distant memory.

For those based in other cities like Thessaloniki, the islands prove equally accessible thanks to the country’s well-organized transportation systems. Airlines and a network of ferry routes make visiting one island — or several — possible, letting visi tors experience everything from the whitewashed buildings of the Cycladic islands like Mykonos and Santoríni to the verdant landscapes of the Ionian and Dodecanese islands.

The Saronic Gulf Islands, those closest to the port of Athens, provide the ideal way to experience the islands when your itinerary can only accommodate a day or overnight trip. Surrounded by waters in every shade of blue and accented with picturesque villages dotting mountainous landscapes, they teem with things to see and do and shouldn’t be missed.

Consider a quick getaway to Aegina, one of the largest of the Saronic Islands. The island offers everything one would expect from a Greek island: beautiful beaches, delectable local cuisine and plenty of fun and culture.

You can opt to stay in the port (Aegina Town) for the day to explore many shops and eat at numerous waterfront tavernas. You can also go for a swim in the calm and peaceful

LODGING

Aneli Luxury Villas

Whitewashed buildings with blue trim give Aegina’s Aneli Luxury Villas a true Greek island vibe, complete with stunning views of the sunset. These beachfront villas sit just north of Aegina Town.

Stratigou Georgiou Mpitrou 180 10, Aegina $$$$$

Astir of Paros

Despite the laid-back vibe, luxury accommodations on Paros are plentiful. The Astir of Paros, a 5-star resort just outside Naoussa, offers beachfront suites May through October.

Kolymbithres 84 401, Naoussa, Paros $$$$$

Domes of Elounda, Autograph Collection

Domes of Elounda offers every luxury imaginable. If you manage to tear yourself away from the crystalline pools and luxe accommodations, the idyllic beach serves up a slice of paradise.

Tsifliki, Elounda, Crete $$$$$

INFO TO GO

DINING

Bakalogatos

Traditional dishes with an upscale twist served in a picturesque setting create a unique vibe at Bakalogatos in the port town in Aegina.

Corner of Pan Irioti and Ne optolemou 180 10, Aegina Town, Aegina $$$

Chrisostomos

Located in Chania, Chrisos tomos features traditional Greek dishes made lovingly with local Cretan flavors. The recipes showcase Cretan local staples like olive oil, honey, legumes, greens, meat and dairy.

Defkalionos and Ikarou, Chania Town, Crete $$

Siparos Seaside Restaurant

One of Paros’s best res taurants may be out of the way, but reservations are practically a must, and the locally sourced menu will be a highlight of your trip.

Xifára 844 01, Naoussa, Paros $$$

Most Greek islands are easily accessible either by plane or ferry or a combination of both. Ferry service from the port of Piraeus in Athens or the nearby port of Rafina offers routes to most islands, but you can often travel faster by plane through airports like Eleftherios Venizelos Airport in Athens, which receives con necting flights from all parts of the country on the local Aegean Airlines.

The ferry system’s complex routes make accessing islands without airports easy and convenient. Ferry lines like Blue Star Ferries, Minoan Lines, Hellenic Seaways, ANES and Saronic Ferries crisscross the seas surrounding Greece. During the summer, ferries and flights travel to and from the islands frequently, with at least one departure for each destination daily. Local travel agents specialize in arranging itineraries that involve multiple destinations and forms of travel.

waters of the gulf at one of the nearby beaches, or take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the narrow lanes lined with beautiful architecture showcasing Byzantine churches and 19th-century Neoclassical buildings.

The island also plays host to many prominent cultural and historic sites. It is possible to drive the entire island to see many of the best attrac tions within the course of a single day. Popular sites include the ancient ruins of the Temple of Aphaia in the center of the island; the Venetian Tower of Markellos in Aegina Town; and the Temple of Apollo at the prehistoric site of Kolona, just north of the port town.

Not known only for its archaeological sites, Aegina’s claim to fame includes its vast groves of pistachio trees that give the landscape distinct appeal. Almost every shop and restaurant around the island features the tasty little nuts. The locals take their pistachios seriously. Tavernas, famous for incredible local seafood, incorporate this local treat into a variety of dishes such as pistachio paté, honey and pistachio preserves (the perfect accompaniment to a cup of Greek coffee) and roast lamb with a pistachio crust.

When you’ve got a few days to get away, the Cycladic island of Paros makes a great choice, as it can be reached either by ferry or plane. While you can travel the circumference of this family-friendly island in just a few hours by car, its abundance of activities and places to explore can entertain you for a weekend or longer. The whitewashed buildings with blue trim, strong ocean breeze and the occasional windmill dotting the rugged landscape create an ambience that comprises the quintessential Cycladic island experience.

Cobblestone streets line the maze-like towns of Parikia, the port town, and Naoussa, a fishing village on the northern coast of the island with a storied pirate history. Exploring them leads to hidden treasures like shops selling handicrafts and jewelry from local artisans and eateries and cafés serving delicious and refreshing local treats.

Parikia’s highlights include the fourth-century Byzantine Church of 100 Doors, known as the Panagia Ekatontapiliani, and the ruins of

a Frankish castle. Naoussa, built around the remnants of a 15th-century Venetian fortress, remains active as a working fishing port. Look for its ideal photo ops such as the ubiquitous octopus hanging to dry outside the many tavernas and bars that line the port.

Outside of Naoussa, Moraitis Winery occupies a picturesque stone building well worth a visit. Perfect for the adults in the family, the tasting room offers a glimpse into the winemaking history of the island and features a delicious menu of Greek dishes to pair beautifully with the locally made wines.

Outdoors enthusiasts will enjoy the island’s great hiking trails suited for a range of skill levels, but nothing compares to the beaches of Paros, which beckon visitors to their breezy shores. Some of the most notable for swimming — and the most popular — are Kolymbithres to the north near Naoussa and Santa Maria Beach on the northeastern tip of the island. The beaches on the island’s eastern shore, which shares a shipping corridor with nearby Naxos island, get extremely windy, making spots like Golden Beach ideal for windsurfing or kitesurfing.

While most of the Greek islands make perfect getaways for friends and family of those visiting the mainland for business, some travelers arrive on the big island of Crete for both business and pleasure. As the largest of all the islands, Crete, once an independent state, offers plenty of ways for families to unwind without straying too far from their loved ones.

Aside from the obligatory beautiful beaches with crystal-clear waters, endless sun and exciting water sports, Crete proves the perfect way to in troduce the family to Greek history and culture. Key sites and attractions are often outdoors, a plus for those who enjoy the sun and fresh air.

Considered the seat of the ancient Minoan culture, the island boasts many ancient ruins, including one of the most significant archaeologi cal sites in all of Greece, the Palace of Knossos, near the capital city of Heraklion. Known as the oldest Bronze Age archaeological site in all of Europe, the beautifully preserved ruins offer a perfect opportunity to teach kids about ancient civilizations.

The island’s diverse natural landscape begs to be explored, with multiple gorges (Imbros Gorge and Kourtaliotiko Gorge feature great hikes); thousands of caves (the most famous being Dikteon Cave, which Greek mythology credits as the birthplace of the god Zeus); and peaceful Lake Kournas, where local wildlife roams.

With more than 200 inhabited islands to explore, you can’t go wrong when planning a getaway. Each island offers something unique, and with Greece’s well-organized transportation system, they all lie within reach for the family whether you are busy with work for the day or able to sneak off for a dream Greek island vacation.

Ancient Ruins: Palace of Knossos archaeological site

PHOTO: © TUULIJUMALA DREAMSTIME.COM

Queen of Adventure

Iforced myself to look down as I shuffled my way to the edge of Kawarau Bridge in Queenstown, New Zealand, the same spot A.J. Hackett launched the first-ever commercial bungee operation in 1988. The couple in front of me clung together for moral support while the singlet-clad stag party behind me bantered about who among them would be brave enough to touch the river on their jump. I, on the other hand, was alone, determined to overcome my nerves and take part in the 34-year-old Queenstown tradition.

A Foo Fighters’ song blared from the speakers behind me as I took my turn on the platform, until the band suddenly went quiet. A power outage on a bungee platform doesn’t do anything but suck adrenaline from the jumper, exactly what it did to me as I was encouraged to jump in silence. With no one to cheer me on, I turned to the boys behind me and begged for support. Mustering up courage, I spread my arms wide and leaned forward off the bridge as a group of soon-to-be wedded Kiwis sang the only song they could collectively come up with, “Happy birthday to you …”.

Adrenaline is woven deeply into the Queenstown experi ence — dubbed New Zealand’s adventure capital — where immersing yourself in the stunning natural landscape lies just one tour away. Simple forest bathing involves soaring down the world’s steepest tree-to-tree zipline with Ziptrek Ecotours (Queenstown’s first carbon-neutral tourism activity), while exploring Queenstown Canyons takes place on a thrilling (90 kmh) jetboat tour with Shotover Jet. You can walk Queen stown Gardens, where an 18-basket disc golf course awaits, although you’ll go deeper into the region on half- or full-day hiking trips with the guides at Alpine Luxury Tours. Aerial views are popular in Queenstown, where you can get a view and a sandwich atop Bob’s Peak, accessible via Queenstown Gondola, but booking a heli-tour through Over the Top will have you soaring above the most breathtaking scenic vistas, including Central Otago Wine Region, where you’ll land for some necessary wine tasting.

Alpine Luxury Tours runs private tours throughout the region that let you customize your experience. You’ll travel in comfort as you traverse the land, sky and lakes that make this slice of New Zealand so mesmerizing.

Just like the wines of the region, Queenstown’s beauty pairs best with any tour that gets you out amid nature … whether you choose to plunge, soar, stroll, drive or dive into it is up to you.

Leap of Faith: Bungee jumping off the Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge

PHOTO: © MICHAEL WILLIAMS DREAMSTIME.COM

Queenstown’s tours are not for the faint of heart. BY KRISTY ALPERT

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Island Vibes

BY SUSAN B. BARNES

The Florida Keys have long thrived as a destination for travelers seeking rest and relaxation in a tropical setting: water as far as the eye can see; swaying palm trees; and warm, gentle trade winds blowing. The 125-mile island chain stretches from just south of Miami to Key West and lies in three bodies of water: the Atlantic Ocean, Florida Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

Henry Flagler, often credited as the “inventor of modern Florida” because his developments established tourism as one of the state’s major industries, extended his Florida East Coast Railway’s Over-Sea Railroad from Miami to Key West in the early 1900s. A 1935 hurricane destroyed the railroad, and the Florida Keys Overseas Highway, built over the railway, was completed in 1938. The epic 113-mile-long road, sometimes referred to as the Highway That Goes to Sea, crosses 42 bridges and was named an All-American Road in 2009. Simply put, it’s the best way to experience the entirety of the island chain.

More than 3.9 million people visited the Florida Keys for two days or more in 2021. Fortunately, in light of the destination’s immense popularity, the Keys have taken great strides in an effort to protect

Retreat to the relaxed charm of the Florida Keys.

the Swim:

Mile Bridge

barracuda at Spiegel Grove shipwreck (bottom left), fresh catch of mahi-mahi (bottom right), and (opposite

of the Abyss at John Pennekamp

Reef State Park

its fragile ecosystem. The Keys to Sustainable Travel initiative inspires locals and visitors to be involved in conservation and preservation efforts through voluntourism, choosing ecotours and activities, and visiting natural attractions.

The Florida Keys comprise five regions, each with its own vibe. Here, we take a look at each region and how to kick back and relax during a visit to the southernmost part of the continen tal United States.

KEY LARGO

Considered the “Dive Capital of the World,” Key Largo — the first of the Florida Keys reached when traveling south from Miami — offers an abundance of underwater adventures. Experi enced and novice divers and snorkelers alike will be thrilled by teeming schools of tropical fish, vibrant coral reefs and clear waters at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the first U.S. underwater preserve.

More experienced divers may want to explore the USS Spiegel Grove, one of the largest

INFO TO GO

Two airports serve the Florida Keys: Miami International Airport, about 60 miles north of Key Largo, with more than 400 flights arriving daily; and Key West International Airport in the southernmost point of the Keys, with direct flights from Asheville (AVL), Atlanta (ATL), Boston (BOS), Charlotte (CLT), Chicago (ORD), Cincinnati (CVG), Dallas (DFW), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Houston (IAH), Indianapolis (IND), Miami (MIA), Orlando (MCO, SFB), Philadelphia (PHL), Nashville (BNA), Newark (EWR), New York City (JFK, LGA), St. Petersburg (PIE), Tampa (TPA) and Washington, D.C. (DCA, IAD). Car rentals are available, in addition to taxis and rideshares. Mile markers are commonly used to denote addresses along the Overseas Highway.

LODGING

Bungalows Key Largo

This adults-only, all-inclusive resort sits on 12 acres, and all of its 135 private bunga lows boast outdoor soaking tubs and garden showers plus verandas to watch each day’s sunrise and sunset.

99010 Overseas Highway, Key Largo $$$$$

The Capitana

Choose from elegantly appointed guestrooms, spacious suites and private cottages during a stay at this new waterfront boutique hotel with its own slice of beach.

2401 N. Roosevelt Blvd., Key West $$$$$

Sunset Key Cottages

Retreat to your private cottage and an exclusive island getaway with its own white-sand beach, exquisite dining and rejuvenating spa — all just 500 yards off Key West.

245 Front St., Key West $$$$$

DINING

Azur Restaurant

Enjoy Mediterranean flavors served in a casual yet refined atmosphere at this locals’ favorite restaurant in the heart of Old Town Key West, just a few blocks from Duval Street.

425 Grinnell St., Key West $$$$

Chef Michael’s

The culinary team serves fresh fish prepared in myriad ways, along with fine cuts of beef and vegetarian options. Order the lionfish and help eradicate the invasive species that threatens the coral reef.

81671 Overseas Highway, Islamorada $$$$

Latitudes

For a truly memorable fine-dining experience, make reservations at this awardwinning, alfresco restaurant and watch the sun set into the Gulf of Mexico while enjoying sumptuous bites.

Sunset Key Cottages, 245 Front St., Key West $$$$

ships intentionally sunk 20 years ago to become an artificial reef. Today, live coral covers most of the ship, attracting large groupers and schools of tropical fish.

ISLAMORADA

Sportfishing enthusiasts will want to spend some time in Islamorada and out on its waters. After all, backcountry sportfishing and saltwater flyfishing were pioneered here in what’s known as the “Sportfishing Capital of the World.” Expert charter and tournament-grade captains navigate the Atlantic Ocean, Florida Bay and the Gulf Stream that flows offshore to find schools of mahi-mahi, sailfish, kingfish, tuna, wahoo and marlin, depending on the season. These waters also prove perfect for standup paddling, kiteboarding, snorkeling and scuba diving.

MARATHON

Named by workers while building Flagler’s Over-Sea Railroad — “This is getting to be a real marathon!” — this 23-mile stretch of the Florida Keys is considered the island chain’s boating and family destination. Nearby Hawks Cay Resort provides a terrific spot for both groups to stay.

Perhaps the most famous site in Marathon is Seven Mile Bridge, one of the longest segmental bridges in the world. Earlier this year, the 2.2-mile Historic Old Seven Mile Bridge reopened for walking, running, bicycling and other pedestrian activities. Below the bridge find Pigeon Key, where many workers lived during the railroad’s construction. The

LOWER KEYS

Rather than blowing past the Lower Keys en route to Key West, take some time to explore and enjoy what are known as the Natural Keys. This part of the island chain features two national wildlife refuges — National Key Deer Refuge and Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1938 — as well as Bahia Honda State Park.

Just before crossing into Key West, explore Stock Island’s intriguing blend of commercial shrimping boats and a thriving artists’ community where painters, sculptors and other artisans find inspiration and create masterful works of art.

KEY WEST

The Conch Republic marks the southernmost point in the continental United States and was once Florida’s largest city. The tropical and laidback vibe inspired the likes of Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, Robert Frost, Jimmy Buffet and even Judy Blume. Aside from its Baha mian and Cuban heritage, Key West boasts the largest historic district of wood-frame buildings in the country, many housing inns and restaurants like The Gardens Hotel and über popular Blue Heaven.

From historic sites to buzzing bars and sunset celebrations, everyone is invited to come as they are to Key West to take part in the revelry and splendor on an island that is whatever you want it to be.

Paradise Found: Calusa Beach in Bahia Honda State Park, Lower Keys

PHOTO: © SIMONDANNHAUER | DREAMSTIME.COM

historic buildings and education center are definitely worth a visit.

Ready to plan your next family vacation?

Whereverfamily.com is the trusted source for the modern family written by award-winning journal ists connected closely to family travel. Updated daily with content unique to today’s traveling families, the website features need-to-know information on plan ning family trips at any budget for any age group.

PHOTO: © MONKEY BUSINESS IMAGES DREAMSTIME.COM

Mighty and Magnificent

BY BECCA HENSLEY

INFO TO GO

For generations, locals have called Victoria Falls Mosi-oa-Tunya (“The Smoke That Thunders”) — not a surprising name at all considering most of us will see the waterfall’s massive mist and hear its all-encompassing rumble even before we catch sight of it. In season, its booming roar can be heard from miles away, its echo a kind of low vibration like the reverberating sound of a drum. Careening on the Zambia-Zimbabwe border, running from the rushing, mile-wide Zambezi River, Victoria Falls cascades from an astonishingly ample expanse, descending with such prodigious force (often clocked at 110 million gallons per minute), it propels a spray of

rainbow-shimmering water high into the air, saturating the edge of the Falls — and all who stand near it. Most who gaze upon its beauty will stare hypnotized, often finding themselves soaked before they realize it.

One of Africa’s top attractions, often visited in conjunction with a safari to Botswana, Zambia or South Africa, the spectacular Falls strut their natural showstopping beauty best from February to May, fol lowing the region’s summer monsoons. Though hurried tourists can visit the Falls quickly just to get a glimpse of their majesty, the most intrepid wanderlusters take advantage of the region’s reputation as an adventure capital. Guides conduct hikes along pathways leading

Victoria Falls Airport in Zimbabwe and Livingstone Airport in Zambia are the closest airports to the Falls themselves. From Kasane Airport in Botswana you can take an hour-long road trip to Victoria Falls, which requires a border crossing. A tour with Abercrombie & Kent includes private trans fer from major airports in Africa, depending on the itinerary.

Unbridled Majesty: Victoria Falls

PHOTO: © PRZEMYSLAW

|

Tap into the wonder of Victoria Falls on an awe-inspiring tour of Africa.

to the Falls, but you can also enjoy the natural wonder from a canoe in the water, cruising on a larger luxury boat, floating atop a raft or while submerged at Devils’ Pool. This 10-foot-deep swimming hole, at the top of the Falls, overlooks the abyss, separated only by a thin strip of rocks from the unbridled volumes of fast-flowing water. For a bird’s-eye view of Victoria Falls, hover above them, ensconced in a helicopter — and you likely won’t get drenched.

My favorite place to stay at the Falls is Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Zambia Hotel by Anantara. Though new-built a few decades ago, it exudes the aura of bygone times, with a slight colonial-era quality manifesting in its architecture and stately vibe. Essentially located across a stretch of manicured gardens from the Falls, literally a 10-minute walk away, the exquisite, 5-star hotel ensures a visit to one of the world’s wonders will be not only comfortable but also sophisti cated and spiced with storybook flair. The only hotel on the Zambia side of Victoria Falls to offer walk-in/walk-out access, Royal Living stone takes full advantage of its prime location. Rooms lie in small, bi-level buildings, all facing the Zambezi River. You may see beasts (perhaps zebras) munching on the lawn. Plan to clink glasses (we suggest gin and tonics) on the Sundeck, boasting riveting views along the water’s edge. Book an unforgettable arrival by speedboat, arranged by the hotel. You’ll crash over the river, hearing the sound of the Falls

grow louder as you approach. Once you arrive at the property’s dock, a group of hotel staff, normally led by riveting resident storyteller Edward Minyoi, will greet you with traditional Zambian songs and cocktails, likely concocted with the resort’s house-made gin. Ask Edward (who normally dons colorful traditional attire and a smile as wide as Africa) to regale you with tales that illustrate the rich heritage of his region.

I visited the Falls with the inimitable Africa (and beyond) experts and outfitters at Abercrombie & Kent as part of an itinerary that took me on a transformative 10-day jaunt through Botswana and Zambia — a trip everybody needs to put on their list. Led by amazing expert guide Poniso Shamakuni, my trip included not just a visit to Victoria Falls but also a ramble through Botswana’s UNES CO-listed Okavango Delta and water-rife, elephant-brimming Chobe National Park. A&K’s Zambia-sited Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma lodge, an amazement of treehouse-like accommodations, fulfills every safari fantasy. (On my final day, I walked out my front door at dawn to find a group of elephants surrounding my threshold. They noisily dined on the ebony forest as if it were a breakfast buffet.) You’ll also find Victo ria Falls as part of A&K safari itineraries that focus on the delights of South Africa and its incomparable Kruger National Park, incorporat ing, as well, urbane Cape Town. You can’t go wrong.

Big Picture: Helicopter view of Zambezi River and Victoria Falls

PHOTO: © LUCA ROGGERO | DREAMSTIME.COM

Indigenous Interactions

Isat in spellbound reverence, fixed to my rickety wooden chair in a Peruvian Amazon rain forest village. A local shaman wel comed our small group from the riverboat Zephyr to teach us about medicinal plants from the jungle. Then, blowing tobacco smoke from his cupped hands, he framed my body with a smoke shield as he blew it around my face and over my shoulders, all the while chanting his blessing from the forest.

Whether receiving a shamanic ceremonial prayer while learning about jungle ethnobotany, paddling a traditional outrigger canoe as you sing Hawai‘ian chants, or exploring Aboriginal art based upon ancient Australian stories, these are all encompassed in indigenous travel.

Sometimes referred to as ethnic or tribal tourism, it proves one of the fastest-growing sectors of tourism today, with travelers seeking to see the world through the eyes of indigenous peoples. It allows them to experience the human aspect through a different lens, that of native peoples who populated the land many years before Western explora tion. It’s largely about forgotten cultures, customs, languages and people whose story has not been told in mainstream history books. Indigenous peoples worldwide make up about 6 percent of the

global population, according to World Bank. That’s about 476 million people. However, they represent almost 19 percent of the extreme poor, arguably some of the world’s most impoverished peoples. Some of them include the Yagua and Bora of the Peruvian Amazon, Embera of Panamá, Aborigines of Australia, First Nations of Canada and Native Americans of the United States.

Indigenous travel matters because it offers a way for many forgotten peoples to generate income and share and preserve their culture while fostering greater awareness of indigenous peoples. Whether under standing their history and traditions through tours; education about native foods; or experiencing some of their arts, music and dance, the collective sharing explores their ancestral ties to the lands and natural resources where they live or used to live. It’s also about authenticity, education, sustainable development and respecting sacred spaces.

Alana McGrattan, a world traveler, former teacher-librarian at Indian School in Santa Fe and a board representative for Sisters Cities in Albuquerque, New Mexico, sees it this way: “When one chooses travel experiences guided through an indigenous lens, the interactions richly provide opportunities for sharing their indigenous gifts and profound connection with the land. Everyone benefits.”

See the world through a different lens as you connect with native peoples. BY KARIN PEZO

Tribal Tradition: A shaman of the Mah Meri tribe prepares for a Hari Moyang ritual at Pulau Carey Island, Selangor, Malaysia.

PHOTO: © WILLY SEBASTIAN | DREAMSTIME.COM

Eat Like a Local

Travelers today often arrive at the airport extra early to avoid crowded TSA lines or make sure they get through se curity checkpoints with enough time to reach their gate before their flight. If you are one of these early birds, kick back and enjoy some local fare at these delicious airport restaurants.

Passengers going through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport are in for a treat. For something on the quicker side, head to Paschal’s Southern Cuisine, dating back to a 30-seat luncheonette that opened in 1947 and which quickly became a gathering place for leaders in the civil rights movement. Now you can enjoy all the classics in Concourse B. Over in Concourse A visit Piece of Cake, a longtime Atlanta bakery, for a delicious sweet indulgence.

Denver International Airport offers a couple of local eats throughout its concourses. For a sit-down meal, check out Root Down at the C Gates. The restaurant remains a local favorite for American comfort food like breakfast burritos and burgers as well as vegetarian and gluten-free choices. For a graband-go option, family-owned Snarf’s Sandwiches at the A Gates serves sandwiches like French dip and artichoke and feta as well as salads, soups, desserts and kids’ items. Guests in the know can even order from the “not on the menu” menu for unique dishes. For those looking to just grab a cold drink, stop by Great Divide Brewing in the C Gates for a taste of local brews.

At Chicago O’Hare International Airport, travelers can sample a Chicago-style hot dog with all the toppings at Gold Coast Dogs in Ter minal 3, Concourse L. Typically, a Chicago-style hot dog includes yellow mustard, chopped white onions, a pickle spear, tomatoes, sweet pickle relish, pickled peppers and celery salt. Customization is, also, always an option.

Legal Sea Foods started as one of Massachusetts’ best seafood restaurants, and now travelers can find them throughout New England. At Boston Logan International Airport, stop by Legal Sea Foods for some

BY MARY MELNICK

of the best dishes before you go. Whether you get the lobster roll or the fisherman’s platter, you won’t be disappointed, but the main feature is the clam chowder — don’t skip this must-have.

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport underwent big renovations this year, resulting in a boost to its food scene. One addition to the Main Terminal — Leah’s Kitchen — serves delicious soul food and pays homage to the late, legendary chef Leah Chase, who ran the kitchen at the iconic Dooky Chase’s. Enjoy traditional fried chicken, exceptional gumbo and yummy shrimp.

Stop by these airport restaurants for the best hometown flavors.

Fresh Catch: Legal Sea Foods’ lobster roll and clam chowder

PHOTO: © LEGAL SEA FOODS

LEGAL SEA FOODS STARTED AS ONE OF MASSACHUSETTS’ BEST SEAFOOD RESTAURANTS, AND NOW TRAVELERS CAN FIND THEM THROUGHOUT NEW ENGLAND.

Natural Peace and Quiet

Immerse in the serene landscape of Portugal’s Alentejo.

BY DEBRA BOKUR

Reveling in the beauty of the Earth — and its fruits — is easy in Portugal’s Alentejo region, where vineyards blend seamlessly with wild coastlines, natural landscapes and tranquil protected areas.

Immense stretches of land and the species that dwell there are officially safeguarded for present and future generations to explore. These include Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina Nature Park along the Atlantic coast, home to craggy cliffs flecked with white stork nests, deserted beaches and miles of coastal trails.

Towering oaks, majestic chestnuts and hardy olive trees dot the mountainous landscape within Serra de São Mamede Nature Park. Visitors can scout for glimpses of the multitude of local plant and bird species or hike and mountain bike along twisting paths to explore the ancient walled village of Marvão.

In Sado Estuary Nature Reserve, the setting shifts to grass-covered dunes and watery vistas. Watch for the community of dolphins that fre quent the mouth of the Sado River, or listen to the songs and cries of more than 200 species of birds.

Several eco-focused companies and outfitters can provide tours or design routes for self-guided expeditions to these or other locations such as Lagoas de Santo André e da Sancha Nature Reserve and Vale do Guadiana

Nature Park. Live Electric Tours offers private Tesla tours, self-drive and group excursions in 100 percent electric vehicles to areas including Évora. Portugal Nature Trails can create cycling tours that include the Alentejo Vineyards Road.

Where to settle in for the night is easy, as this region boasts a number of hotels with a green or sustainable focus. Set amid a landscape of cork oaks and holm oaks, Ecork Hotel Évora — Portugal’s first certified eco hotel — offers a blend of minimalism and elegance that comes with the comfort of knowing power is generated by solar and geothermal energy. Along with 53 villa-style suites, there’s a spa, sauna, Turkish bath, indoor pool and full gym.

Bearing Biosphere Certification awarded by the Responsible Tourism Institute, the boutique Pateo dos Solares Charm Hotel, located in the historic town of Estremoz, offers 41 rooms and suites plus charging stations for electric vehicles.

Built with sustainable materials and utilizing solar power to heat water in the main structure, swimming pools, guest suites and spa complex, Sublime Comporta in the village of Grandola was constructed to embrace the local environment. This includes trees: A selection of private villas integrate living trees within their spaces.

Open Spaces: Vale do Guadiana Nature Park

PHOTO: © DUDLAJZOV | DREAMSTIME.COM

Goal!

Soccer, or fútbol, is truly a global sport, and you can watch a game at myriad events around the world.

This month the sport’s most prestigious tournament, the FIFA World Cup, gets underway Nov. 21–Dec. 18 in Qatar. Showcasing the top talent in men’s soccer, the World Cup sees 32 teams fighting it out with hundreds of millions of people watching across the globe. Another raft of important dates comes in the shape of regional tournaments such as CONCACAF Gold Cup, UEFA European Championships, Copa America, Asian Football Cup and African Cup of Nations.

The women’s game is also surging in popularity, and each of the regional bodies organizes a women’s championship. England won the UEFA Women’s Championship in July this year and will try to make it twice in a row in 2025, while the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team currently holds the FIFA Women’s World Cup, with the next edition to be played in July 2023 in Australia

BY JACK GUY

and New Zealand.

International football brings nations together, but club football has far more fixtures. Both Major League Soccer and the National Women’s Soccer League championships will have recently finished as you read this, but in Europe the league competitions run from around August to May. Plus, the best teams from across the conti nent fight it out in the Champions League, the final of which will be played in June in İstanbul, Türkiye. It might be slightly easier to get tickets to the final of the UEFA Europa League, the second-tier competition, scheduled for the end of May in Budapest, Hungary.

Outside of the professional game, other interesting soccer events include the Homeless World Cup, played between teams from more than 70 organizations that use soccer to fight homelessness, as well as the CONIFA World Football Cup, a tournament between teams from states, minorities and stateless peoples not affiliated with FIFA, such as Tibet and the Mapuche of Argentina and Chile.

Take a shot at watching soccer events around the world.

Go Team!: Soccer fans

PHOTO: © MICHAL BEDNAREK | DREAMSTIME.COM

GT Tested Reader Survey Awards

Next month, join us as we announce the 2022 winners of the GT Tested Reader Survey awards, the Airline of the Year, the Hotel of the Year and our Outstanding Diversity in Travel awards.

PHOTO: © CHRISTOPHER P. OTTAUNICK

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