December 2021 Global Traveler by Global Traveler

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December 2021

CELEBRATING the WORLD of TRAVEL Announcing the winners of the 18 th annual GT Tested Reader Survey awards. p. 40

BANFF p. 72 CALIFORNIA p.66 CHICAGO p.70 GALWAY p. 60 LOS CABOS p. 74 WARSAW p. 68

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR ®

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

Flight of Fancy: Kimberly having some fun at the China Southern Airlines booth at GBTA PHOTO: © KIMBERLY KROL INLANDER

Vice President/Digital 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 & Editorial Coordinator Mary Melnick mary.melnick@globaltravelerusa.com Associate Editor Aoife O’Riordan aoife.oriordan@globaltravelerusa.com

Back on Track

reetings from Orlando, Florida! I write this letter from the Floridian hot spot as I prepare to attend the Global Business Travel Association’s annual convention, thrice postponed since the pandemic. We were originally supposed to gather here in August 2020, then again in July 2021, but now here we are in November 2021. Despite the hurdles, it feels great to be back at an in-person event among colleagues and friends we were used to seeing yearly (or more) and celebrating what signifies a return to business travel. It is possible to find ways to do all of this in a safe, smart manner. Some of the precautions included either proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test and required mask wearing. My picture this month was taken last time I attended the GBTA convention, in Chicago in August 2019. Speaking of in-person events, we’re preparing to return to The Peninsula Beverly Hills this month, our first time back to our hotel home away from home

since December 2019. We’ll be celebrating the winners of the 18th annual GT Tested Reader Survey awards as well as the Airline and Hotel of the Year. Who are the winners? We announce the long list of honorees on the following pages. I’m especially excited to introduce a new award this year: Outstanding Diversity & Inclusion in Travel, as selected by members of our various boards and our staff. We awarded airline, hotel and cruise line honorees. It’s important as travel moves forward to acknowledge those who recognize the changes that are needed to make the industry even stronger. Aside from dreaming of all the places our winners inspire us to visit, we also jet off to Warsaw, Galway, Los Cabos, Chicago, California’s Central Coast and Banff in this issue. I hit a personal milestone this October, celebrating my 15th anniversary with FXExpress Publications, Inc. It’s hard to believe it’s been so long, and I’m proud of the brands’ evolutions over the past decade and a half. We continue next month as we introduce some changes to our regular lineup. Join us then to see the changes and as we welcome another exciting year of travel. Until then, Happy Holidays, Happy New Year and safe travels! We’ll see you in 2022.

globaltravelerusa.com DECEMBER 2021

Staff Photographer Christopher P. Ottaunick christopher@globaltravelerusa.com Special Events Video Editor Vance Piccin

COLUMNISTS Debra Bokur Mark Chesnut Jack Guy Kelly Magyarics

WRITERS Kristy Alpert Susan B. Barnes Ron Bernthal Elyse Glickman Becca Hensley Tim Leffel Rina Nehdar Irene Rawlings

For complete bios visit globaltravelerusa.com

CIRCULATION Special Projects Manager John Wroblewski Specialist Louie Atsaves Managers Jayhawk Evans, Mark P. Ford, Teresa Jackson, Anthony “Scraps” Dimera Circulation Director Michele Shannon Circulation Manager Anna Pudzianowski Research Consultant Sharon Sterne ADVISORY BOARD Chairman Michael Donahue COO Michael Kiely President Carlos Cappuccio Deputy Vice President Aviation Edward Jefferson Deputy Vice President Accommodations Stephen Doherty Deputy Director Destinations Wayne Tallman Vice President Special Events/Photography Christopher Ottaunick Secretary Mark Lane Research Director Frank LoVerme Director of Technology Bob Hancock Director of Digital Advancement Jared Torgan Vice President of Corporate Giving Jim Bolger Director of Emerging Markets & New Business Frank Wood

GENERAL COUNSEL Thomas F. Goldman CONTACT US General Inquiries/Issue Requests/Reprints info@globaltravelerusa.com Subscriptions tel 818 286 3134 | gbtcs@magserv.com Public Relations kim.krol@globaltravelerusa.com Letters to the Editor letters@globaltravelerusa.com

Kimberly Krol Inlander Editor in Chief

As of publication, the destinations and venues mentioned in this issue were planning to reopen or are currently operating, but many may have restrictions or limitations in place to address current public health concerns. Always check in advance to confirm current requirements and restrictions.

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

Global Traveler is published monthly by FXExpress Publications, Inc., 309 Floral Vale Blvd., Yardley, PA 19067. The U.S. subscription rate is $42 for one year, $79.95 for two years, $121.95 for three years. Postmaster: Please send changes of address to Global Traveler, 309 Floral Vale Blvd., Yardley, PA 19067

LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER ® ®

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 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 Account Executive Mexico Mariana Zenizo tel 52 55 6560 1152 | marzenizo@gmail.com Advertising and Production Manager Yasser Ogando tel 267 884 1650 | yasser.ogando@globaltravelerusa.com Business Development Executive Christyn Pek tel 215 932 1472 | christyn.pek@globaltravelerusa.com

REPRESENTATIVES

Sunny Side Up: Francis at Kimpton Epic Hotel in Miami PHOTO: © FRANCIS X. GALLAGHER

Ready for Takeoff

am so thankful the United States opened up to vaccinated travelers. I cannot understand the delay, but it is time to look forward rather than reflect on the past. Twenty months of restrictions is a long time to hold back friends and family, business travelers and developers who help make this country the greatest it can be. I am excited as we return to The Peninsula Beverly Hills on Dec. 14 to celebrate the 18th anniversary of the GT Tested Reader Survey awards. We last held the in-person gala in December 2019, not imagining what would happen in March 2020 and through the entire year and most of this year. Travel is back strong, though, and having traveled a lot domestically through this time, I now look forward to more trips internationally. The speedy development of vaccines has proved our road to recovery — the way out and essential for continued growth. Airlines are banking on a boom with overseas travelers able to come into the United States; we do not operate on a one-way basis, so this change should result in more flights and opportunities. I want to thank all the winners of the GT Tested awards and particularly those who won for multiple years and those who entered the Quint (five years), Hall of Fame (10 years) and Crystal (15 years) levels. Some of our honorees — Asiana Airlines, United MileagePlus

and Chicago O’Hare International Airport — won for an unprecedented 18 years. Congratulations to all the winners. Remember, this month marks the opening of 2022 awards voting! As the year closes, I find myself traveling domestically as our business returns to normal. November and December saw trips to our offices in Sarasota, to Orlando for the return of the GBTA convention and a trip to see the fine people at Visit Savannah. Our Globility subscriber board members continue to take great international trips. Mike Russo keeps me posted on the improvements made to onboard cuisine during his KLM and Delta flights to Europe, and Eric Chiang made several trips, including a recent flight to Dubai to experience Emirates’ first-class service and take in the Dubai Expo. Keep flying — it is only going to get easier and more exciting. Again, congratulations to all the GT Tested award winners!

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 6871 8964 | 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 Janya Limmanee tel 66 2 0514694 | janya.l@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

Francis X. Gallagher Publisher and CEO fran.gallagher@globaltravelerusa.com

United Kingdom Stefanie Stroh-Begg cell 44 0 7798 665 395 | stefanie@mercury-publicity.com CORPORATE OFFICE 309 Floral Vale Blvd., Yardley, PA 19067 info@globaltravelerusa.com

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December 2021

PHOTO: © RICARDO ROCHA | DREAMSTIME.COM

CONTENTS

54 on the cover globaltravelerusa.com | $4.99

December 2021

features 36

CELEBRATING the WORLD of TRAVEL Announcing the winners of the 18 th annual GT Tested Reader Survey awards. p. 40

BANFF p. 72 CALIFORNIA p.66 CHICAGO p.70 GALWAY p. 60 LOS CABOS p. 74 WARSAW p. 68

COVER PHOTO: CELEBRATING THE 2021 GT TESTED READER SURVEY AWARD WINNERS PHOTO: © NELOSA | DREAMSTIME.COM

Top Honors Global Traveler recognizes the 2021 Airline of the Year and Hotel of the Year.

Open the World Global Traveler celebrates the winners of the 18th annual GT Tested Reader Survey awards.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Travel Global Traveler introduces Outstanding Diversity & Inclusion in Travel awards for 2021.

business destinations 60

Destination One: Galway Galway pulses with the cultural spirit of West Ireland.

Stateside: California’s Central Coast Central California’s oceanside cities inspire a luscious sense of peace.

9–5: Warsaw Warsaw energizes with a vibrant startup economy.

DECEMBER 2021 globaltravelerusa.com

December 2021

CONTENTS 70

in every issue 10 14 16 18

Mail Call News Reviews

One on One Chicago Department of Aviation

22 24 26 28 30 32 78 80 81 82

Technology Wine & Spirits Spas Golf Chefs Cruising LGBTQ+ Airport Update Medical Tourism Preview

leisure destinations 70

Neighborhoods: Chicago

Discover the beauty and bounty of Chicago’s Logan Square.

Tours: Banff

Warm up to winter on a snowy break in Banff.

Kicking Back: Los Cabos

72 FX

EXPRESS

P U B L I C AT I O N S , I N C .

Global Traveler and Globility are registered trademarks of Global Traveler magazine and of its parent company, FXExpress Publications, Inc. Global Traveler is not affiliated with any commercial interests within the travel industry. The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher, nor can the publisher accept responsibility for errors or omissions. The magazine cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited articles, photographs or other material. AAM member 04-0361-2. AAM audited circulation 111,517. ISSN 1551-7187 © 2021 FXExpress Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of text, photographs or illustrations without permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited.

globaltravelerusa.com DECEMBER 2021

PHOTO: © KRISTY ALPERT

Unwind in Los Cabos, where the desert meets the sea.

MAIL CALL

Q&A WITH AOIFE O’RIORDAN, ASSOCIATE EDITOR As the holidays approach and many of us plan on spending time with family, what are you most excited about for the holidays this year? Tell us. Email us at letters@globaltravelerusa.com

In our November 2021 issue we asked: With 2021 coming to a close, we’d love to know your favorite place you’ve traveled to this year; do you have any trips booked for 2022? A few readers wrote in:

included a long weekend trip once every month and two international trips. Now to open my latest copy of Global Traveler for some inspiration as I start planning. WILSON MANN, VIA EMAIL

Yes, we have several trips planned for 2022, including our first international journey since January 2020, as well as our first cruise since the pandemic. We’re visiting Portugal and Spain in March 2022, then heading to London, Paris and Brussels in July. Our Alaska cruise will depart in September 2022, and we also have other domestic trips planned to Lake Tahoe; Miami; Las Vegas; and Portland, Oregon. Can’t wait to get back to it!

DO YOU HAVE A STORY TO SHARE? THOUGHTS ON A RECENT GT ARTICLE?

ELLIS PALMER, VIA EMAIL

CHASE, HYATT LAUNCH FIRST WORLD OF HYATT BUSINESS CREDIT CARD

I’m excited to say I recently booked my first post-COVID business trip to see clients after the holidays in early January, followed by a convention in March and another round of client visits in April. I’ve traveled for leisure since the pandemic and plan to do my fair share of that as well in 2022, but our company recently decided it’s time to return to business travel, and I happily started planning!

In the Oct. 6 issue of eFlyerUSA, we told readers about the new World of Hyatt Business Credit Card. The adaptive rewards accelerator allows cardmembers to earn two bonus points per $1 spent for their top three of eight spend categories each calendar quarter through Dec. 31, 2022, among many other benefits. We asked: Are you planning to sign up for the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card? One reader says,”Yes.”

CAROLYN FIELDS, VIA EMAIL

I am a small business owner and a loyal Hyatt customer, so when I heard about this card option, I knew it was for me! I signed up immediately, and we’re already thrilled with the many benefits of the credit card.

I am starting to plan my 2022 travel schedule; in the beginning of 2021 I planned to be away every other month. And in 2022, and especially now that I’ve received my Pfizer booster shot, I’m planning to return to my 2019-level travel, which

globaltravelerusa.com DECEMBER 2021

CONTACT GT

RITA HUFF, VIA EMAIL

Email: letters@globaltravelerusa.com Write: Letters to the Editor 309 Floral Vale Blvd. Yardley, PA 19067 Letters must be written exclusively to Global Traveler and must include your full name, mailing address and contact phone number. Letters become the property of Global Traveler. We cannot respond to every letter. Global Traveler reserves the right to edit letters to the editor for length and clarity. The opinions expressed in Mail Call are not necessarily those of Global Traveler, and Global Traveler cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions.

PHOTOS: © AOIFE O’RIORDAN, © ML12NAN | DREAMSTIME.COM

Q&A TIME

Thank you for voting us Best Airline Alliance We are honoured to have been named Best Airline Alliance in the Global Traveler GT Tested Awards for the 12th consecutive year. Learn more at oneworld.com

MAIL CALL

HOSPITALITY HEATS UP WITH NEW UPSCALE PROPERTIES FOR 2022 In our Class Act 2021 issue, our article on new hotels opening in 2022 included Franklin, Tennessee’s Southall. We erroneously called the property Southall Farms, but the correct name is Southall, which will be a 325-acre farm reborn as a luxurious country getaway complete with guestrooms, cottages, a spa and activities themed around farm, wellness, adventure and culinary programs led by James Beard Award multi-nominee Chef Tyler Brown.

In the Sept. 29 issue of eFlyerUSA, we told readers Indianapolis received the largest airport improvement grant in the nation, with $56 million for airfield improvements. We asked: Are you excited to see the improvements at IND? One reader shared feedback: Indianapolis is my home gateway, so I read your article with gusto! I hope the improvements and changes are swift and implemented in a nondisruptive manner. And I love that there’s an element of sustainability included in the plans. CHARLIE FOX, VIA EMAIL

PHOTO: © AHA!

INDIANAPOLIS AIRPORT RECEIVES LARGEST AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT GRANT IN NATION

NEW AIRLINE AHA! INAUGURATES RENO-TAHOE HUB In the Oct. 27 issue of eFlyerUSA, we told readers about aha!, a new airline making a home base at Reno-Tahoe International Airport. We asked: Are you excited to see new airlines launching in the United States? What underserved or smaller markets would you like to see receive new airline services? One reader shared:

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Globility

May 2011

THE SOURCE FOR LUxURY BUSINESS TRAVELERS

ABU DHABI

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A HALF-CENTURY OF BUILDING CASTLES IN THE SAND

HANGZHOU

Available for iPhone and iPad, the GT app lets you search archives, read the current issue, bookmark favorites and more. Download the app today from the App Store.

IMMORTALIZED BY PAINTERS AND POETS ALIKE ISLANDS

fine vines

TEL AVIV

Torrontés Tango

FAMILY BUSINESS MEETS ROMANCE IN THE WHITE CITY

Argentina’s signature white will have all your senses dancing.

n an attempt to describe Torrontés, Argentina’s signature white wine, some have compared it to Pinot Grigio, Viognier, even Riesling. But none come close. Made from the grape of the same name, Torrontés is like no other. It begins with an aroma that conjures up a bouquet of flowers (the honeyed, perfumed Muscat of Alexandria is one of its ancestors), hinting that a sweet wine will follow. But no, Torrontés goes toward dry and fruity with a tangy and spicy edge. It is the perfect aperitif and equally right with shellfish, Niçoise salad, chicken, other whitemeat dishes, lightly flavored cheese and many Asian foods. As Americans discover this intriguing wine, they will also discover that, with a myriad of choices, even the most attractive Torrontés usually costs under $20. And what are the most attractive Torrontés? Among two dozen that I’ve recently tasted, these are my favorites. Xavier Flouret Flaca 2008 ($18) is one of the most elegant Torrontés, with a delicate floral nose that hints of apricot and peach; a dry, Powered by round, well-structured body; a fruit-filled taste and vibrant acidity; and a long, delicious finish. Its Muscat ancestor comes to the fore in Lo Tengo 2009’s ($11.50) vivid, flowery aroma. It goes on to be a clearly focused, intensely flavored, bright and satisfying wine. IN THE COOK ISLANDS, on Rarotonga, I’m walking along a dusty path, edged There is a suggestion of by a plethora of plants and trees. Fat papayas hang from their umbrella-like sweet mint and an evocation trees; bananas, still green on the stem, invite; and mangos, ripe and ready, have of orange and peach in Finca fallen from their roost. Blossoming bushes waft a perfume, butterflies circle halos La Linda 2009’s ($11) aroma, around my head, and a stream gurgles nearby. A mother sow and her family of followed by a relatively full body cartoonish piglets join me on the road. Not one but 10 roosters crow in competing symphonies — though early morning is long past. The sea lies nearby, but and excellent balance. Altogether a here, hiking inland, surrounded by steep hills and much vegetation, I feel like the pleasing, inviting wine. only person left on Earth. Finca El Origen Reserva 2009 ($12) Luckily, I’m not. I share this walk with one of the Cook Islands’ most Ease body, mind and soul in is clean, crisp and refreshing, offering a famous residents, a larger-than-life figure known as Uncle Pa, once a world typical Torrontés floral flavor with pear the natural goodness of the surfing champion. Though an octogenarian, he wears long dreadlocks, treks and peach overtones and a gentle reminder shirtless and sports a colorful sarong. With rippling muscles and the physique of citrus fruits in the A particularly of a 30-year-old man, he belies aging and serves as the metaphorical poster Cook Islands. BY mouth. BECCA HENSLEY harmonious wine. child for his role as this island nation’s most famous healer. An herbalist or The delightful Pascual Toso 2009 ($15) kahuna, he learned from his grandmother about the power of the plants that BEACHSIDE BLISS:herbal notes grow on these less-traveled islands. Intuitive, fearless, with a foot in both the combines keen fruit flavors, Spa treatment on the beach at and a fresh lemony acidity with a trace of past and the modern world, Uncle Pa has helped thousands of people regain Aitutaki Lagoon their health over the years. As we walk, he picks leaves, flowers, berries and honey and floral tones. PHOTO: © STEVE ALLEN | DREAMSTIME.COM Following its aroma of fresh flowers and ripefruit. He tells me how he makes elixirs or poultices from them; he lets me taste fruit, Colomé 2009 ($15) is a graceful wine with notes reminiscent of grapefruit. 72citric globaltravelerusa.com JUNE 2017 The pale-shaded Dominio del Plata’s Crios 2009 ($13.50) has a lilac-scented aroma with peach overtones followed by a dry, tangy taste. 

Art of Healing

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INFO TO GO

A variety of international airlines fly to Rarotonga International Airport on the Cook Islands’ main island. In December 2016 Air New Zealand began weekly non-stop flights on its comfortable Boeing 777-200 aircraft, which offers a new premium-economy option, from Los Angeles (LAX), making the trek from the United States easier than ever.

WHAT’S HAPPENING ON GT BLOGS? Updated daily, our blogs offer readers an inside look at the lives and travels of the GT staff. Last month we featured blogs about everything from bowling to a trip to Virginia Beach, Virginia.

globaltravelerusa.com/blog

ICELAND

ADVENTURE AWAITS IN THE LAND OF FIRE AND ICE

May 2011 | Global Traveler | 35

HARRY GRIFFITH, VIA EMAIL

As a Reno native I’m so accustomed to either driving far to airports or making one or two connections to reach my final destination, so

PLUS TRAVEL WITH APP-TITUDE

kicking back | COOK

I’m thrilled with the new airline and its plans to expand to other smaller Western U.S. cities. If we start to get more services, the airport will only become busier and attract more airlines and more direct routes. Win-win for all of us!

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The new GT app is

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Travel like you mean it Take our award-winning loyalty program on every getaway and make the most of your travel experience. With 17 brands and 6,000 destinations in 100+ countries, we’re honored to be Global Traveler Magazine’s Best Hotel Rewards Program for the 17th year. VISIT US AT IHG.COM/REWARDS

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives

NEWS, DEALS AND REWARDS

Pittsburgh International Breaks Ground on $1.4 Billion Terminal

will improve the passenger experience, reducing passenger travel time by 50 percent to get from curb to airside. The project will introduce a new 3,300-space parking garage, rental car facilities and entrance roadways. The new facilities are scheduled to open in 2025. _______ flypittsburgh.com

Delta Reveals Dedicated TSA PreCheck Lobby

Andaz 5th Avenue, Fellow Barber Partnership

Travel through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport proves easier for Delta Air Lines customers enrolled in TSA PreCheck with the expansion of new facial recognition capabilities and the opening of the first-ever DeltaTSA PreCheck express lobby and bag drop. Customers with the Fly Delta app and TSA PreCheck membership will be able to visit a new dedicated bag drop lobby, pass through a security checkpoint and board the plane using only their “digital identity” — traveling from curb to gate hands- and device-free. Delta is the first and only airline to build a dedicated bag drop space for TSA PreCheck customers. The digital identity comprises a customer’s Delta SkyMiles member number, passport number and TSA Known Traveler Number. _______

Andaz 5th Avenue and Fellow Barber announced a new partnership starting this month. Andaz 5th Avenue will be the first hotel to carry Fellow’s unisex line of expertly crafted products in all guestrooms and suites. The hotel also launches a pop-up barbershop Dec. 16–23 in its streetlevel artist-in-residence space to give frontline workers complimentary cuts from skilled Fellow barbers. Those unable to claim one of the coveted spots can secure a wooden nickel at the hotel, redeemable at any Fellow Barber location. The partners unveiled additional experiences to celebrate the collaboration. Andaz 5th Avenue added The Fellow to its secret menu at The Bar Downstairs & Kitchen. The cocktail, complimentary to frontline workers receiving a haircut, also can be ordered by name by patrons, with a portion of the proceeds donated to Feed the Frontlines. Guests at the hotel can donate a future cut to a frontline worker, and all guests of the hotel receive a preferred rate of 50 percent off services and products at all Fellow Barber’s New York locations. _______

delta.com

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hyatt.com fellowbarber.com

PHOTOS: © GENSLER + HDR IN ASSOCIATION WITH LUIS VIDAL + ARCHITECTS, © DELTA, © FELLOW BARBER

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’s airport of the future is underway as officials broke ground on a new, 700,000-square-foot terminal project, officially the first terminal in the country to be built from the ground up in a post-pandemic world. Focused on public health and technology, the new facility will include clean air technology, space for social distancing and 90,000 square feet of outdoor terrace space pre- and post-security. The Airport Authority will implement new industry-leading standards to break down barriers and increase equal opportunities for small businesses, women and people of color. Additionally, the new terminal will be among the most sustainable in the industry and will be built to LEED-certified silver standards or beyond. The airport’s microgrid, fueled by 10,000 solar panels and five natural gas generators, will power the new terminal. As construction progresses, a minimum 75 percent of waste generated will be recycled or reused, alongside rainwater harvesting and other water conservation efforts. The project is expected to generate some $2.5 billion in economic impact and 14,500 direct and indirect jobs. Among the largest infrastructure projects in Pittsburgh’s history, the airport hopes to locally source most of the 12,000 tons of steel; 94,000 tons of concrete; and more than 354,000 square feet of wood materials. The airport also announced a first-of-its-kind regional partnership with the Occupational Safety and Health Authority to proactively reduce construction site hazards and serious injuries, increase sustainability and advance an overall safer and greener site. The new terminal’s consolidated operations, such as tickets and baggage claim,

Bipartisan Legislation Designates 9/11 Trail

InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco and Porsche InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco announced a new amenity for guests in collaboration with Porsche. Porsche electric vehicle charging stations will now be located in the valet area of the hotel’s parking deck, allowing guests and visitors to top off the batteries of electric vehicles while sipping a cocktail at Top of the Mark, enjoying farm-to-table fare at Nob Hill Club or staying overnight at the property. The Porsche wall chargers are free for all EV drivers using a J1772 compatible plug. InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco has offered EV chargers for guests for more than two decades, in line with its renowned eco-initiatives which also include an Energy Star rating, recycling 80 percent of its waste, 95 percent energy-efficient lighting and a bee habitat. _______ sfmarkhopkins.com

Get Your Skates On at Sea Containers London Sea Containers London teamed up with Somerset House to launch the Get Your Skates On offer, featuring a quintessential London break with views of the Thames and St. Paul’s. Through Jan. 16, 2022, the offer includes a stay in one of the hotel’s guestrooms or suites, tickets to Skate at Somerset House with Moët & Chandon and cozy in-room extras, priced at $390. _______

PHOTOS: ©PORSCHE, © JMBUJIA | DREAMSTIME.COM

seacontainerslondon.com

Virgin Hotels Black Friday Deals Virgin Hotels is offering a special travel promotion, available through Jan. 2, 2022. Guests booking accommodations can save up to 25 percent on stays through Dec. 31, 2022. The offer is valid at Virgin Hotels New Orleans, Virgin Hotels Chicago, Virgin Hotels Dallas, Virgin Hotels Nashville and Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. When booking throughout the promotional period, guests are automatically entered for a chance to win a free upgrade to each property’s Richard’s Penthouse Flat, with two upgrades awarded weekly throughout the month. _______

President Biden signed H.R. 2278, bipartisan legislation to designate a September 11th National Memorial Trail, which passed in both houses of Congress by unanimous consent. The trail route will link the National September 11th Memorial and Museum in New York; the Pentagon Memorial in Arlington, Virginia; and the Flight 93 National Memorial in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. The 1,300-mile trail and roadway system symbolizes the resiliency and character that links the three sites and serves as a tribute to the fallen men and women. The trail will pass through some of the most beautiful and historic parts of the United States. Starting in Arlington, it will extend northwest to the Pennsylvania memorial before heading east to New York City. It then turns south, following the East Coast Greenway and connecting to the 9/11 Memorial Garden of Reflection in Yardley, Pennsylvania, before looping back to the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and ending at the Pentagon. _______ 911trail.org

Uniworld’s New Super Ship Debuts in Egypt Uniworld Boutique River Cruises debuted images for its newest Super Ship, S.S. Sphinx, on the Nile River in Egypt. Uniworld sourced with local artisans, ensuring Egyptian creativity and craftmanship across the vessel. The ship set sail Sept. 23 on the 12-day Splendors of Egypt & the Nile itinerary, the only luxury river cruise currently in Egypt. S.S. Sphinx boasts two gourmet dining venues, including a private dining room and alfresco dining; a swimming pool; massage room; and 42 suites. Menus reflect the destination, featuring options like sweet corn soup and hawashi. Locally sourced Egyptian wines are available, and local Egyptian artwork, fabrics and hand-carved furnishings adorn the ship. All staterooms and suites include French balconies. uniworld.com

Want more news on the go? Sign up for GT’s Newsletter Global Traveler’s weekly newsletter keeps you up to date with info on the go. Sign up for the newsletter at global travelerusa.com/ newsletter.

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GT TESTED

CONRAD NEW YORK MIDTOWN ARRIVAL/CHECK-IN: Upon walking into Conrad New York Midtown, I was immediately drawn to a large sculpture depicting Leda and the Swan by contemporary artist Carole Feuerman and impressed by the slick and stylish yet inviting lobby. Several of the staff warmly greeted me. Although I arrived mid-morning, understandably too early to get my room, the staff allowed me to check in, store my bags and freshen up in the restaurant restroom. The process was amazingly quick and easy. When I asked the doorman for directions to the Javits Center, he wisely suggested I walk to the Hudson River, which allowed me to see the USS Intrepid, among other sites.

SERVICES/AMENITIES: The property houses an art collection featuring 37 artists, including an original Henri Matisse lithograph, two original Andy Warhol silkscreens and two limited-edition photographs by Amy Judd. At 1,500 square feet, the 24-hour fitness center was surprisingly large. My favorite part was the heavy bag, which I have not seen in a hotel fitness center. I got plenty of use from the bag and other equipment, providing some of the best hotel workouts I have ever experienced. Other pluses were the speed of the elevators and WiFi. Although I did not eat at Dabble, the on-site restaurant, it exuded a lively, casual vibe. The property also includes seven customizable venues for meetings or events. Conrad Serenity, a refreshing but subtle scent, wafts through the property through a partnership with Air Aroma.

globaltravelerusa.com DECEMBER 2021

TOP TAKEAWAYS: The property lies close to Times Square and a short walk from Central Park, Columbus Circle, the Hudson River area and more.

------------------------Cleanliness and friendliness seem to be top priority everywhere and from everyone.

------------------------The hotel is pet-friendly, with a 24/7 business center and valet parking.

------------------------The art on display is museum-worthy. CONRAD NEW YORK MIDTOWN 151 W. 54th St. New York, NY 10019 tel 212 307 5000 conradnewyorkmidtown.com

PHOTOS: © CONRAD MIDTOWN

GUEST QUARTERS: My three most important requirements in a hotel room are bed comfort, shower quality and noise control. All three proved superb in my spacious City View suite. The king bed provided a fantastic night of sleep. The strong water pressure combined with steamy water to make my shower seem like a massage, with the showerhead offering other spray options, too. Perhaps most important, especially in a bustling area like Midtown, the room seemed soundproof. I did not hear any noise from the halls or outside. In place of a mint on the pillow, a box of decadent chocolates greeted me. The other room of the suite held a sofa, dining table and refrigerator. Both rooms offered beautiful views of Midtown and had large flat-screen TVs.

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PORT ROYAL WILDWOOD CREST

PHOTOS: © MOREY FAMILY ARCHIVES

ARRIVAL/CHECK-IN: My husband and I arrived at Port Royal Wildwood Crest on a Friday evening in mid-September. Even though it’s outside of the traditional “season” at the Jersey Shore, we actually prefer to visit the area in September. We were blessed with wonderful weather the weekend we went and were able to spend all day Saturday on the beach. Despite being off-season, there was a firefighters’ convention in town the same weekend, so we still experienced check-in and parking at a busier time, and both were as easy as could be. Parking at the beach can be difficult to find and expensive, but Port Royal offers on-site parking and a below-ground parking garage, and parking was simple and painless all weekend. GUEST QUARTERS: All guestrooms at Port Royal have private balconies and ocean views — calming and peaceful from the second you arrive. Our Ocean Suite was massive, and it would be perfect to host families with children. The room opened into the bedroom area, with two queen-sized beds, a nightstand between and a dresser opposite with a television. Just off the bedroom and to the right of the entrance was a dressing area with a closet and sink/ mirror/vanity. The bathroom, with a shower, toilet and second sink, lay just off of this nook. Walking through the bedroom, the suite opened to a kitchenette, dining table and living room area. The sofa could be converted into a queen-sized bed. Another TV hung above the dining table, across from the couch. Sliding glass doors led to the balcony, with seating, overlooking the beach. SERVICES/AMENITIES: In addition to being perfectly located to the beach, Port Royal sits near two parks and is surrounded by green space. In Wildwood Crest, it’s not directly near the boardwalk, but we did walk and bike between the hotel and the boardwalk. The rest of the areas of The Wildwoods lie within an easy drive. On-site Royal Grille serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with indoor

TOP TAKEAWAYS: Location, location, location: This phrase is especially apt at Port Royal Hotel, situated right on the beach. Our balcony overlooked the sand and surf, and there really isn’t a better hotel nearby for beach views and access.

------------------------Wildwood is known as the “Doo Wop Capital,” and its influence is evident in the architecture throughout the island. While Port Royal doesn’t boast the architecture, many nearby buildings and properties do, offering hotel guests a chance to take in some history.

------------------------The hotel’s founder has a love of the sea and boating, and a maritime theme is prevalent throughout; however, it’s done tastefully and as a complement to the modern, up-to-date accommodations. PORT ROYAL HOTEL 6801 Ocean Ave. Wildwood Crest, NJ 08260 tel 609 729 2000 moreyspiers.com

and outdoor dining options. The seating options were expanded in 2021. We had breakfast at the hotel on Sunday morning before our departure — great coffee, and I enjoyed my breakfast burrito with chorizo. Other on-site amenities include an outdoor pool, game room, maritime library, outdoor fire pit and guest laundry. REVIEWED BY Kimberly Krol Inlander

DECEMBER 2021 globaltravelerusa.com

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MARRIOTT VIRGINIA BEACH OCEANFRONT ARRIVAL/CHECK-IN: After a short flight from Philadelphia International Airport to Norfolk International Airport, I enjoyed a 20-minute ride to my hotel in Virginia Beach. When I told my driver I had never been there before, he decided to take the scenic route instead of the highway so I could see more of the destination. When we got to the hotel, the friendly staff greeted me and led me inside to the front desk to check in. My room wasn’t quite ready, so I took the time to check out the stunning beach chic-themed lobby. I received a call when my room was ready, and the rest of check-in went smoothly. GUEST QUARTERS: My room was located on the 22nd floor, the highest floor of guestrooms. When I entered my room, I was in awe. To the left I noticed plenty of closet space, with a decent-sized bathroom with a full walk-in shower to the right. As I continued into the room, a king-sized bed sat to the right and a smart TV to the left with a screen saying, “Welcome, Mary.” Other amenities included a desk, a chair for relaxing, storage drawers and a coffeemaker with a selection of decaf and regular coffees and teas. Although the room itself was great, the main feature, the balcony, provided a stunning view of the beach and ocean. I didn’t spend much time in the room, but I was glad it had a smart TV so I could watch Netflix each night before I went to bed.

REVIEWED BY Mary Melnick

globaltravelerusa.com DECEMBER 2021

TOP TAKEAWAYS: The location of the hotel is perfect — walking distance from the boardwalk and right on the beach.

------------------------Orion’s Roof offers delicious seafood dishes, a great atmosphere and stunning views.

------------------------The two pools (indoor and outdoor) provide more space for guests to enjoy the water without being on top of each other.

------------------------Guests can walk across the street and visit the historic Cavalier Hotel and tour Tarnished Truth, the in-hotel distillery. MARRIOTT VIRGINIA BEACH OCEANFRONT 4201 Atlantic Ave. Virginia Beach, VA 23451 tel 757 937 4200 marriott.com

PHOTOS: © MARRIOTT VIRGINIA BEACH OCEANFRONT

SERVICES/AMENITIES: The hotel, much bigger than it looks, offers plenty of guest services and amenities. Two adjacent pools include an indoor/outdoor pool (most of it indoors, but not fully enclosed) and an outdoor infinity pool located right off the beach and surrounded by lounge chairs. Although it was a little cool, people were swimming. I didn’t get a chance to take a dip, but I did test the water, and it felt like a heated pool. If you aren’t into swimming, a lounge area offers turf and lounge chairs where you can sit and relax and enjoy the warm weather. Located off the lobby, Tulu Seaside Bar & Grill serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as cocktails, wine and beer. This restaurant is a laid-back place where you can order appetizers, burgers and more. For a more sophisticated dining experience, the 23rd floor features Orion’s Roof, where we enjoyed an amazing dinner our first night. Our table had an incredible view of Virginia Beach as well as the beach and ocean. Guests can rent bikes from the hotel to explore the surrounding area and boardwalk. Virginia Beach is a big bike-riding destination where people cycle all over. It is the perfect way to explore the town.

ONE ON ONE

Jamie L. Rhee Commissioner, Chicago Department of Aviation THE BUSINESS

PHOTO: © MARY RAFFERTY

What is your most recent project, and what was the inspiration behind it? I was with the airport in 2005 when the Federal Aviation Administration approved the O’Hare Modernization Program. After 16 years of construction, we are now done with runways and we’re moving on to terminals. We’re modernizing terminals and turning Terminal 2 into a new global terminal. I’m also proud of our new coloring book, available at the airport, that complements the work of First Lady of Chicago Amy Eschelman. It was designed to spark interest in aviation careers among children traveling through Chicago’s airports. What is your favorite aspect of the job? The people What’s the biggest business risk you’ve ever taken? I grew up in Geneseo, Illinois, about 2.5 hours from Chicago. The town was home to 5,000 and had one stop light. I always knew I would get out of there at some point, and at 17, I left home with everything I owned and moved to Chicago. Who is someone you admire professionally in the travel industry? Angela Gittens, the former CEO of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Miami International Airport

AS A TRAVELER

THE BASICS

A LITTLE BIT MORE

Name: Jamie L. Rhee Title: Commissioner Company, city: Chicago Department of Aviation; Chicago, Illinois First job: I started working at The Deck, a truck stop off of I-80, when I was 16 years old. Where to next: I have a 7-year-old daughter, so next up we’re taking her to one of the Disney parks for the first time!

What actor or actress would play you in a movie of your life? Geena Davis; I really like her down-to-earth, graceful, funny, hometown demeanor. What would you be doing professionally if you weren’t in your current industry? I have a law degree, so I’d be a lawyer. I was actually general counsel on the O’Hare Modernization Program (OMP), which allowed me to dabble in a little bit of everything. I loved law school; I’d do it 10 times over if I could. What is your favorite book, movie or television show? The American President because I loved all the characters and thought the drama was nicely done. What historical figure, dead or alive, would you love to have dinner with? I admire Josephine Baker’s bravery. I could sit and listen to her stories for hours.

Tell us about a travel nightmare: I was locked in the bathroom on a Eurail train from Amsterdam to Paris. Share a comical travel experience: In Spain, I spoke to someone in French for 30 minutes before we realized we were both Americans! What is your preferred method of travel — planes, trains, automobiles, cruise ships — and why? Planes What has been the best example of customer service you’ve experienced during your travels? Here, at O’Hare Airport — I like to visit the terminals and ask for directions. I started at the airport as a customer service representative in 1994, and it’s important to me that we are welcoming at this gateway into our city.

DECEMBER 2021 globaltravelerusa.com

R E C O N N E C T, AND

REVIVE,

R EDI S C OV ER

From colorful reefs to dramatic mountains, secluded beaches and welcoming culture, you will find what you need to revive your senses and rediscover your spirit of adventure. Visit TahitiTourisme.ca to plan your tri p.

TECHNOLOGY

Self-Improvement Achieve more, stress less with efficiency and style.

BY JACK GUY

SATECHI DOCK5 MULTI-DEVICE CHARGING STATION With the average household owning an increasing number of tech devices, the need for charging points has gone through the roof. This clever dock from Satechi can charge five USB devices at once, meaning you can tidy away that mess of plugs and cables. It features two USB-C and two USB-A ports as well as a Qi wireless pad in a well-designed package that boasts a series of slats to keep your devices standing on their sides rather than on top of each other. $59.99. satechi.net

This high-tech indoor rowing machine recreates the feeling of being on water, and a 22-inch HD screen makes you feel like you’re traveling famous waterways around the world. It can also display more than 3,000 workouts and lets you connect with other users. Rowing provides an amazing workout, using both upper and lower body, and the Hydrow gives the sensation that you’re getting fit while exploring, all from the comfort of your own home. $2,295. All-Access Membership, $38/month. hydrow.com

SENSTROKE DRUM KIT If you’ve always wanted to learn how to play the drums but worry about driving your family or neighbors crazy with the noise, it’s time to check out Senstroke. This Bluetooth drumstick kit connects to a smartphone app and allows you to practice your strokes in almost complete silence. Simply lay the practice pad on any surface and follow along to the lessons on the app, which can also record your music so you can check your progress. $180. senstroke.com

globaltravelerusa.com DECEMBER 2021

COVE ANTI-ANXIETY HEADBAND

CMY

Mental health issues were increasing even before the pandemic, and advice on how to deal with stress, anxiety or poor sleep is everywhere today. The Cove headband promises to help you relax and unwind using silent vibrations, producing a similar kind of brain activity to meditation by stimulating certain nerve endings in your skin. The band runs over your ears and around the back of your head, and wearing it for just 20 minutes twice per day is said to reduce stress and improve sleep quality. $490. feelcove.com

PHOTOS: © HYDROW, © SATECHI, © REDISON, © COVE

HYDROW ROWER

Travel without leaving your comfort zone Fly to Europe with all the space and privacy you need to relax and arrive refreshed. A330neo Aircraft Rest assured. The AirSpace by Airbus cabin oﬀers a more modern, spacious and confortable Executive Class with state-of-the-art full-ﬂat seats.

Economy seating is also completely upgraded, and the new EconomyXtra oﬀers a greater reclining angle and added legroom.

TAP won in Global GT Tested Reader TAP won 2021Traveler's Global2021 Traveler's Award Survey awards as voted by the readers of Global Traveler, as voted by the readers of Global Traveler, www.globaltravelerusa.com. www.globaltravelerusa.com.

Book with conﬁdence

WINE & SPIRITS

Caribbean Spirit St. Lucia serves lots of liquid happiness. BY KELLY MAGYARICS

ust as inextricably linked to St. Lucia as the emerald twin peaks of The Pitons are sugarcane and chocolate — both factor into the most delectable drinks you’ll encounter on this lushest of tropical islands. Walking into the production area of Saint Lucia Distillers, you can’t help but notice the bubbly fermenting tanks emitting that unmistakably earthy-sweet aroma of molasses. After the yeast does its job on the yellow liquid, it’s transferred to the adjacent still and destined for rum greatness … perhaps shaken into a potent daiquiri or mai tai back at your resort’s swim-up bar. The distillery, located on the west coast in the Roseau Valley, dates back to the late 1950s; today, the company produces more than 25 white, aged and flavored rums, liqueurs and other potables. Among them is the awardwinning line-up of Chairman’s Reserve Rum, first blended in 1999 using continuous and pot stills. (Worth snagging is a bottle or two of that line’s The Forgotten Casks, a sipping spirit crafted to mimic that of barrels preserved during a devastating fire in 2007; three additional years maturing in former bourbon barrels produces a smooth, vanilla-tinged stunner.) Saint Lucia Distillers welcomes guests daily for the hour-long Rhythm of Rum experience, starting with a short film and tour of the facility and concluding with an invitation from your guide/bartender to belly up to the tasting bar for a sampling of as many iterations of the sugarcane spirit as you care to try. Afterward, you’ll definitely spot some familiar bottles when you head to The Cacao Bar at Rabot Hotel, the only accommodation owned and operated by U.K.-based confectioner Hotel Chocolat. The hotel, open-air restaurant, spa and cocktail lounge all pay homage to St. Lucia’s cacao industry, dating back to the 1700s. Settle into a seat at a table overlooking Petit Piton to peruse the menu; chocolate in one form or another touches many of the drinks and dishes. Order a cacao martini with vodka, estate-pressed cacao pulp, lemon verbena and soursop juice, or opt for a rum old-fashioned with a dash of chocolate bitters. What might be most unexpected is its cacao gin, whose hit of juniper is joined by a finish of bitter-dusted cocoa; it works unbelievably well in a negroni spritzed with the citrus oil from an orange peel. If you stay for lunch or dinner (and you should, if only for the seared scallops with crushed cacao nibs and the most luxuriously decadent mousse au chocolat on the planet), be sure to pick up a bottle of Velvetised Chocolate Cream liqueur on the way out. Long after the mist has faded from those iconic mountains, you can relive the sweet memory of your island sojourn with every luscious sip.

Tropical Libations: Relaxation spot with a view of Petit Piton (top), bottle of Saint Lucia Distillers’ Chairman’s Reserve Rum (bottom left), and a rum oldfashioned at Hotel Chocolat (bottom right) PHOTOS: © KELLY MAGYARICS, SAINT LUCIA DISTILLERS

globaltravelerusa.com DECEMBER 2021

Where Business Meets Benefits

Join the Turkish Airlines Corporate Club and receive exclusive member benefits. Business travel, meet perks. With Turkish Airlines Corporate Club membership, corporate travelers enrolled in the exclusive program receive special perks and benefits. And, there’s nothing to pay and no commitments, making this a value-added program you should join today. FRONT END DISCOUNTS As a member of Turkish Airlines Corporate

dates for all flights to/beyond Turkey.

Club, you will receive exclusive front end

There is also no penalty for cancellation or

discounts on fares for to/beyond Turkey

no-show for almost all booking classes.

travel. There’s also the option to earn free tickets if you meet an annual flight quota and the oppo unity to earn upgrades.

TURKISH AIRLINES CORPORATE CLUB CARD With your membership card, you can check-in through business-class counters

BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE

and gain access to lounges even when flying

Ease worries about fi ing all the necessities

in economy. Additionally, you still earn Miles

for your business trip as a Turkish Airlines

in your Miles&Smiles frequent flyer account.

Corporate Club member. Enjoy an enhanced baggage allowance on international flights.

Don’t hesitate. Find out more on how

FLEXIBILITY

business meets benefits with the Turkish

As all corporate travelers know, changes

Airlines Corporate Club. Benefits vary by

happen. As a member, you will have the

country. Apply today at:

flexibility to change flight routes and

corporateclub.turkishairlines.com

SPAS

Sweet Bliss Indulge in Hawai’ian healing arts to truly relax at Spa Without Walls.

Natural Setting: Waterfall hale PHOTO: © FAIRMONT ORCHID

SPA WITHOUT WALLS Fairmont Orchid 1 N. Kaniku Drive Waimea, HI 96743 tel 808 885 2000 fairmont.com

BY SUSAN B. BARNES

alking across the lush grounds of Fairmont Orchid on the Island of Hawai’i, I could hear the ocean before I could see its deep blues sparkling in the sunlight. Listening to that natural soundtrack blended with the scents of plumeria, watching the palm trees sway overhead, and feeling the warmth of the sun and the ocean breeze on my skin, I found myself ho‘omaha — relaxing, in Hawai’ian — as I followed my therapist to a private, oceanfront hale, or hut, at Spa Without Walls. Inside, I melted into a deeper level of relaxation as my therapist started the detoxifying ‘Awa Earth & Fire treatment with warm coconut oil to nourish and hydrate my skin, followed by a blend of Hawai’ian botanicals used with warm lava rocks to ease away any tension my body was holding. Soothed by the sounds of the Pacific Ocean lapping onto the lava and white coral coastline just outside the hale and birds chirping to each other, it was easy to ho‘omaha. Akin to the ‘Awa Earth & Fire, the spa menu features island-inspired

globaltravelerusa.com DECEMBER 2021

treatments highlighting local ingredients and techniques used for generations, like the lomilomi massage, a royal tradition originating in the Hawai’ian Islands designed to restore one‘s mana, or spiritual energy of power and strength. “Our spa offers a variety of treatments that allow our guests an opportunity to connect with the ‘āina (land) and feel a powerful energy as a result,” said Roselia Flandes, director, Spa Without Walls. “We’ve found that both our massage therapists and guests appreciate the integration of locally sourced ingredients and age-old Hawai’ian healing arts into our spa treatments, as it creates a meaningful connection with our culture. “As an example, one of our signature body treatments, ‘Awa Earth & Fire, incorporates Hawai’ian-grown ‘awa, a medicinal herb, along with volcanic clay to usher in complete relaxation,” she added. “Additionally, our Hiwa-Hiwa massage is a popular treatment that incorporates volcanic mud sourced from Hawai’i Island, followed by a lomilomi-style massage. It’s truly the most delectable and relaxing way for a guest to experience

their precious time on Hawai’i Island.” Other Hawai’ianinspired treatments on the Spa Without Walls menu include Kahinu Clear Mind, during which coconut oil, long used by Polynesians, is gently streamed along the forehead and massaged into the scalp, followed by a soothing massage of the neck, shoulders, hands and feet. The Big Island Foot Ritual uses Hawai’ian sugar cane to exfoliate the skin, followed by a mask with healing herbs and volcanic nutrients to rejuvenate the feet. The ritual also includes a neck, shoulder, arm and hand massage using coconut and lemongrass body butter and a foot massage with point-specific techniques using warm lava rocks to release tension and restore mana. A new seasonal (spring) offering at Spa Without Walls, the Sweet Relaxation Honey Massage incorporates a honey-infused moisturizing cream using Fairmont Orchid’s own honey from its on-site hives. The honey provides antibacterial, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory benefits and is as softening and healing as it is high in antioxidants. For a real treat, guests can opt for the Fairmont Orchid Ali’i Royal Experience, blending two of the spa’s most popular Polynesian pleasures, ‘Awa Earth & Fire and Kahinu Clear Mind, for 110 minutes of sheer bliss. In addition to the spa’s six oceanside hales, guests can enjoy treatments in one of eight private waterfall hales or one of four indoor treatment rooms. Inside the spa, guests will also find sauna and steam rooms, private men’s and women’s locker rooms and a full-service salon. A 1,700-square-foot, 24-hour fitness center sits adjacent to the spa and boasts Technogym cardio and strengthening equipment, not to mention a host of fitness classes intended to invigorate the body, mind and soul. Private coaching sessions are available for those looking to up their fitness game. Or guests can find their om at Seaside Yoga and Sunset Yoga classes, with an emphasis on guided breathing, stretching and body awareness. Once balance is achieved, it may be time to try yoga poses on a stand-up paddleboard floating atop the tranquil waters in the resort’s bay. Back on land, achieve an all-body workout with mat Pilates, combining mind and

Tranquility for Two: A couple in a waiting area (top), and a couple at a waterfall hale (left)

body awareness, strength, stamina, flexibility and balance through Pilates techniques to improve posture and create a strong, stable foundation for movement. Spend some time at the 32-acre oceanfront Fairmont Orchid and its indulgent Spa Without Walls, and you’ll discover it’s easy to find a sense of ho‘omaha and reconnect with your mana on the Island of Hawai’i.

PHOTOS: © FAIRMONT ORCHID

DECEMBER 2021 globaltravelerusa.com

GOLF

Outer Banks Outing Get to The Pointe Golf Club for an entertaining and challenging round. BY FRANCIS X. GALLAGHER

Beware the Water: Hole 9 PHOTO: © FRANCIS X. GALLAGHER

THE POINTE GOLF CLUB 308 Pointe Golf Club Drive Powells Point, NC 27966 tel 252 491 8388 thepointegolfclub.com

frequently played course on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, The Pointe Golf Club lies just north of the Wright Memorial Bridge in Powells Point. The course was designed by Russell Breeden, a prolific golf course architect who left his mark all along the Carolinas. Breeden is not one of the most notable designers, but he earned respect in the inner sanctum of golf for carving courses that are equally challenging and fair for nearly any level of player. He was known as a hands-on designer, often seen behind an earth-moving machine rather than at the drafting table. The friendly staff that runs the course keeps the greens and fairways in good condition. The course also owns and runs the Carolina Club, a little farther north in Grandy, North Carolina. I recommend adding both courses to your Outer Banks golf trip. This fall our threesome traveled the area, and every course we played kept us together without adding a fourth player. On this bright, sunny day, I hit The Pointe with Christopher Ottaunick (aka Yammi) and Frank Wood, both members of the Global Traveler Advisory Board.

globaltravelerusa.com DECEMBER 2021

HOLE 8 447 yards, par 5 This is not a long par 5, measuring only 459 yards from the tips (most par 5s are just more than 500 yards). What it lacks in distance, though, it makes up in trickery. The tee box view deceives you, as trees line the right side and a deep canal runs the entire left side — I know it well. Friends still laugh at me crossing the canal and then having a difficult time “fording” back to the fairway. Yammi slammed a nice ball straight, but, alas, the hole turns as a slight dogleg right, and he bounced down and deep. Frank took his ball into the trees but had a magnificent recovery under and back into play. After a valiant drive, my fairway wood took me too far left and fell in the canal greenside. Fortunately, and never seen previously, the canal was dry and I was able to use my lob wedge to flip the ball to the edge of the green. Unable to save par, I secured a bogey, which was worthy of the challenge. HOLE 9 346 yards, par 4 Here’s another interesting and fair hole for players but with many

challenges toward the green. I teed off first, sending my ball precariously close to the left edge of the fairway bunkers. Yammi passed my ball, landing in a perfect center position. Frank, the most improved golfer on the trip, sailed out on the right and landed near the artificial fox that stands guard, protecting the fairways from the Canadian geese who like to leave their calling cards on the grounds. The key is to avoid the water that lies behind the green, also in play to the right. My approach landed way right in the pine straw, making for a tricky return to the green. Frank landed on the green and nearly drifted into the water but remained puttable. Yammi came up short on the right, almost reaching the water, as he likes to live dangerously. The hero was Frank, sneaking up from behind and making his par putt as we made the turn for the back nine. HOLE 16 347 yards, par 4 We entered the final three holes of the course, nicknamed the “Triangle of Tragedy.” It is easy to recover but even easier to collapse on these three holes. Hole 16 presents an easy tee shot with a wide-open fairway. The trouble arises not

from the tee shot but the second shot to a semi-island, elevated green. Frank decided to use up as much ground as possible and shot a ball left, landing on the top lip of the left fairway bunker. “No problem, Frank, I have been there many times,” I said. “You can reach the green from there.” Both Yammi and I stayed on the right side of the fairway in perfect striking distance. Yammi took bold aim and came up short of the green but remained on the hill without rolling into the water. I felt uncomfortable over the ball — players should back off when this happens and readdress, but I did not. My iron shot was off-kilter so far right it nearly hit the departing foursome in front of us, smacking into the wooden bridge and landing on the 17th tee box. These extra strokes took par away from us, and we continued to the 17th hole — the “Elbow of the Triangle of Tragedy.” HOLE 17 137 yards, par 3 So simple a child could play this hole, but I know for a fact the owners scoop lots of new Pro V1 balls from the pond in front of the green. The green is large, and players often overcompensate for the water and face enormous putts for birdie. Many bail out right subconsciously to avoid the water.

Yammi came together toward the end and hit a great shot to the green, two-putting for par. He was well on the road to recovery after losing six balls at The Pointe on the front nine.

Direct Approach: Hole 18 PHOTO: © FRANCIS X. GALLAGHER

HOLE 18 556 yards, par 5 As we wound down the day, we came to the long and straightforward final hole at The Pointe. From the tee box, a wild shot right could make the water (unlikely, but I have seen it happen). The best aim is just right of the fairway bunker on the left, which should offer a great position for your second shot toward the green. I did just that and sent a slightly weak drive just about even with the left bunker on the fairway. Yammi sailed on up the left side and he took off, not to be seen again until he putted in for birdie (never touching the fairway). Frank was sneakier, taking his ball up to the hole in regulation and putting in for par. My approach was more dramatic: After duffing my second shot, using a 3-wood, I decided to fire a 5-wood in an all-or-nothing approach to the hole. I hit a magnificent, line-drive, level shot straight to the green and dropped and rolled the ball to within 10 inches of the cup for birdie. A nice ending to a fine day at The Pointe.

DECEMBER 2021 globaltravelerusa.com

CHEFS

Global Footprint BY KIMBERLY KROL INLANDER

PHOTO: © AHA!

Chef Aaron Foster brings a world of culinary experience to W Nashville.

globaltravelerusa.com DECEMBER 2021

WHICH FOOD IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE? AND ON THE OPPOSITE END OF THE SPECTRUM, WHAT IS ONE INGREDIENT OR FOOD YOU HATE TO USE? Hot dogs with cheese and spicy mayo are my guilty pleasure; when we lived in Asia and went back to Canada for vacation, I would always bring back 10 packs of Juicy Jumbos, my favorite brand of hot dog. Hot dogs remind me of my childhood. I hate pineapples. I don’t even like holding them in my hands. When I lived in Thailand, I went to pick pineapples and there was, well, let’s just call it a snake incident.

WHAT DISHES WOULD YOU SERVE AT A PRIVATE DINNER PARTY? There are so many, but I would team up with my wife, Pai, and make a meal that would feature a mix of Thai ingredients made with Western cooking techniques. WHAT WAS THE FIRST MEAL YOU EVER PREPARED ON YOUR OWN? I cooked enchiladas from a Betty Crocker cookbook when I was 10, and that’s how I fell in love with food. IF YOU COULD DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE IN ONE DISH, WHICH DISH WOULD IT BE AND WHY? The national dish of Thai

Sum Tum — it’s sour, spicy, sweet and always changing, depending where you go. WHICH CULINARY TREND WOULD YOU LIKE TO DISAPPEAR? I don’t need to see any of them go, as I think they all serve their purpose and we can learn from them. Usually the ones I am not a fan of don’t last long, anyway. THE DUTCH & CARNE MARE W Nashville 300 12th Ave. S. Nashville, TN 37203 tel 615 379 9000 marriott.com

PHOTOS: © W HOTELS WORLDWIDE

hef Aaron Foster uses his culinary skills as a passport to live, work and travel around the world, learning about food, cultures and traditions from different parts of the globe. And now he’s doing so as executive chef at W Nashville, where he oversees the hotly anticipated hotel’s multiple dining options, including The Dutch and Carne Mare. Guests and locals enjoy a lively atmosphere paired with laid-back American menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner at The Dutch. Dishes include grilled hanger steak with kimchi fried rice and sunny-side-up egg, and crab salad with Bloody Mary dressing. At Carne Mare, a more formal night out awaits at the contemporary Italian chophouse, boasting prime cuts of steak, seafood and Italian delicacies. Foster hails from Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada, and started his culinary journey at the age of 14, washing dishes at his mother’s restaurant. He met his mentors, Canadian celebrity chefs Michael and Anna Olson, while attending Canadian Food and Wine Institute at Niagara College. In 2007 Foster and his wife moved to Bangkok to open RedSky and 55 Fine Steaks & Wines at Centara Grand at Central World. His career then brought him back to Canada, followed by a return to Asia before his current position in Nashville.

2022 Leisure Lifestyle Awards Ballot Please write in your personal favorites, based on your own experience, on the line next to each of the following categories.

Best Beaches __________________________________________________________________________

Best River Cruise Line _________________________________________________________________

Best Historical Attractions, Domestic _________________________________________________

Best Cruise Line Entertainment ______________________________________________________

Best Historical Attractions, International ______________________________________________

Best Cruise Line Dining _______________________________________________________________

Best Adventure Destination, Domestic ________________________________________________

Best Cruise Line Spa ___________________________________________________________________

Best Adventure Destination, International ____________________________________________

Best Cruise Ship Excursions __________________________________________________________

Best Leisure Destination in the United States ________________________________________

Best Cruise Line Rewards Program __________________________________________________

Best Leisure Destination in Europe____________________________________________________

Best Cruise Port _______________________________________________________________________

Best Leisure Destination in Africa _____________________________________________________

Best Luxury Leisure Hotel Group in the World ______________________________________

Best Leisure Destination in Asia _______________________________________________________

Best Hotel Chain Resorts _____________________________________________________________

Best Leisure Destination in Latin/South America _____________________________________

Best Hotel Chain Caribbean ___________________________________________________________

Best Leisure Destination in Mexico ____________________________________________________

Best Hotel Chain Thailand _____________________________________________________________

Best Leisure Destination for Groups (Four or More) __________________________________

Best Eco-Friendly Hotel ________________________________________________________________

Best Weekend Destination in North America _________________________________________

Best Family Resort Chain in the World _______________________________________________

Best Weekend Destination in the World ______________________________________________

Best All-Inclusive Resort________________________________________________________________

Best North American Ski Destination __________________________________________________

Best Tour Operator ____________________________________________________________________

Best International Ski Destination _____________________________________________________

Best Airport for Layovers ______________________________________________________________

Best Caribbean Island ________________________________________________________________

Best Airport Recreation ________________________________________________________________

Best Island in Europe _________________________________________________________________

Best Stopover Program ________________________________________________________________

Best Island Pacific Rim ________________________________________________________________

Best Leisure Airline ___________________________________________________________________

Best Family Cruise Line _______________________________________________________________

Best Eco-Friendly Airline _______________________________________________________________

Best Luxury Cruise Line _______________________________________________________________

Best Airline Onboard Entertainment __________________________________________________

Best Value Cruise Line _________________________________________________________________ Best Cruise Line Suites ________________________________________________________________ Best Adventure Cruise Line ___________________________________________________________

Best Airline Onboard Menu____________________________________________________________ Best Premium-Economy Class _______________________________________________________ Best Luxury Vehicle ___________________________________________________________________ Best Car Rental ________________________________________________________________________

Best Small-Ship Cruise Line (Fewer than 1,000 passengers) _______________________________________________________

Favorite Luxury Watch Brand _________________________________________________________

Best Large-Ship Cruise Line

Best Destination Jewelrey Brand ______________________________________________________

(2,000 or more passengers) ___________________________________________________________

Favorite Liquor Brand __________________________________________________________________

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 globaltravelerusa.com/leisureballot Name Street Address City

State

ZIP Code

Home Phone

CRUISING

Castles, Waltzing and Wine Cruise to enchanting destinations along the beautiful Danube. BY BECCA HENSLEY

Wachau Village: Viking longship at Dürnstein, Austria, on the Danube River PHOTO: © VIKING

ontrary to impressions gleaned from the familiar title of Strauss’ beloved waltz, the Danube is not blue. Like most rivers, it has a grayish hue, and in some parts a muddy murkiness. However, catch the Danube in the right light, perhaps as you picnic on its banks after a bike ride, and an ultramarine glimmer might catch your eye. Despite misleading references regarding its color, the marvelous Danube surely conjures more storybook visions than any other river on Earth. The second-longest river in Europe, a serpentine enormity, it flows through 10 countries for more than 1,770 miles, from Bavaria to the Black Sea. A fount of legends and history, it has harbored ancient cultures, served as a key trade route for centuries, and today provides its best-known cities — Vienna, Budapest, Belgrade — with drinking water. To cruise the Danube from either direction is to immerse in a sensory

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overload of visceral joy. Castles and fortified abbeys crown hills, terraced vineyards unfurl alongside the water, apricot orchards emit intoxicating scents, charming villages seem frozen in time, and grand cities beg to be explored along its course. Fringing its shores, bygone towpaths transformed to bike trails which bustle with cyclists — especially in warmer months. In winter, the Danube leads to festive holiday celebrations, with most towns hosting Christmas markets. Those choosing to embark on a river cruise through these waters will gift themselves with some of the most jaw-dropping views in Europe from the decks of some of the world’s swankiest ships. Small enough to moor anywhere along the way, Danube cruises can take guests to the front doors of show-stopping monuments, such as Melk Abbey, and into ornate cities as diverse as Budapest and Passau. Most boats provide bikes to borrow so

you can race your vessel to its next port or just take a relaxing exploratory ride alongside the locals. On every cruise expect cultural entertainment, VIP tours of castles and villas, dedicated experts on a variety of subjects, fresh farmto-table cuisine, exclusive entrance to regional festivals and a slew of other curiosity-satisfying excursions and opportunities. Finally, with inclusions that range from meals to activities, Danube cruises please intrepid travelers who love the whirlwind euphoria of seeing a plethora of sites while also ensuring they only have to unpack once. One of the world’s most popular cruising adventures, the Danube River attracts a number of unique, upscale vendors each vying for your business. Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, with elegantly appointed rooms and a boutique hotel feel, gets accolades for its generous staff-to-guest ratio. Besides classic Danube sailings, it offers a variety of captivating rail-and-sail combination trips incorporating the acclaimed river route. In 2022 its “Cruise & Rail: Castles of Transylvania & The Enchanting Danube” adds a private train journey through Romania to the mix. Viking River Cruises refers to itself as “the thinking person’s cruise,” exemplified by its focus on art, music and cuisine. Also, beloved for its European sensibility and stunning longships, it offers a number of cruise options,

including the eight-day “Danube Waltz,” sailing from Passau to Hungary and offering inventive activities such as waltzing lessons in Vienna and thermal soaks in Budapest. Luxurious AmaWaterways boasts AmaMagna, a ship which expands to twice the width of traditional European river ships. The company vaunts spacious accommodations and sought-after amenities — including four restaurants and five bars. Partake of walking tours, taste wine and attend concerts on the seven-day “Magna on the Danube” cruise. In 2022 Tauck will present 10 itineraries on the Danube, including one that highlights the history and culture of classical music, one for families, and a holiday season tour of the region. Expect a deep commitment to music on board with experts, scholars, performers and dedicated workshops enhancing the experience. A boon for solo travelers, Tauck waives the infamous single supplement on all Category 1 cabins. Both Backroads and VBT re-interpret Danube cruising by proposing trips that showcase the stellar cycling opportunities along the Danube’s shores. With various options for all levels of athletes, their journeys can be adjusted to be as relaxed or sporty as desired and to include many cultural and sightseeing activities, from wine tasting to castle tours.

Rolling on the River: Tauck’s MS Savor near the Hungarian Parliament in Budapest (top), and the famous cycling route Donauradweg (bottom) PHOTOS: © TAUCK, © BALAKATE | DREAMSTIME.COM

THE DANUBE BIKE PATH Austria’s Wachau Valley, a stretch of the Danube River Valley between Melk and Krems, reigns as its most breathtaking and notable portion. A realm of apricot orchards, family-owned vineyards and wineries, castles, abbeys, monasteries, forests and eye-catching villages, it exudes romance and feels unchanged by time. Part of the famous Danube Bike Path (or Donauradweg), which extends from Passau to Budapest, the Wachau Valley section of the river teems with enthusiastic cyclists in warmer months. The bike path generally follows both sides of the river and can be viewed from the deck of your ship.

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for choice at Qatar’s airport. The world’s best airport is home to several prominent brands and concept stores, such as the first bespoke concept standalone Adidas store at an airport in the Middle East, and Q-denim, which features high street fashion for men featuring brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, , Diesel, Calvin Klein and Armani Exchange. Recently, Qatar Duty Free (QDF) launched the largest Apple Shop Programme in Qatar at the heart of HIA’s terminal. The shop offers the full range of Apple products, along with an impressive selection of Apple accessories. Earlier in the year, QDF also unveiled its next-generation luxury avenue, Viale del Lusso Doha, which offers luxury shopping and upscale food and beverage concepts at HIA. HIA is further primed for the fast-approaching holiday season with its unique holiday gifts offerings. QDF offers engraving services for perfumes from brands such as Yves Saint Laurent, Penhaligon’s, Estee Lauder, and Christian Dior. Travelers can also find eye-catching and festive gift-sets from leading brands, such as Giorgio Armani and Hermes to commemorate the holiday season with their loved ones. C

Here for the Holidays

Hamad International Airport offers many jolly reasons to travel through its terminal this holiday season and every day. QATAR’S HAMAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT is a destination of its own where travelers can start their vacation as soon as they arrive at the world’s best airport. From contemporary shopping and dining options to splendid entertainment, relaxation facilities and a world-class art collection, travelers can kick off their holiday and indulge in everything HIA has to offer while enjoying a seamless, luxurious and tech-driven airport journey. Travelers get their first taste of Qatar’s Arabian hospitality at HIA, which also celebrates the destination’s modern architecture, culture and world-class culinary experiences. Complete your holiday shopping at the airport with top-of-the-line and exclusive products available at more than 90 boutiques. With the FIFA Arab Cup 2021 and Qatar’s National Day taking place around the holiday season this month, HIA is ready to create memorable experiences with extraordinary activations throughout its terminal that will give travelers a taste of the exciting energy currently taking place in the heart of Doha. Citizens of more than 95

countries are eligible for visa-free entry into Qatar, so don’t miss the opportunity to add a couple of unforgettable nights to your holiday. No matter the time of year, it’s always a great time to travel through HIA, strategically located at the crossroads of East and West with about 80 percent of the world’s population within a six-hour flight. Currently, 12 U.S. destinations are served from HIA: New York (JFK), Philadelphia (PHL), Boston (BOS), Washington, D.C. (IAD), Miami (MIA), Houston (IAH), Dallas (DFW), Chicago (ORD), Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Atlanta (ATL) and Seattle (SEA). More than an airport, Hamad International Airport is a diverse lifestyle destination. Its Airport Hotel boasts a 5-star Vitality Wellbeing and Fitness Centre, perfect for a bit of respite in the midst of hectic travel. Peruse the more than 20 international works of art, including pieces from American artists Keith Haring, Bill Viola and Kaws. Retail therapy is available too, as is partaking in a variety of culinary experiences in 30 cafés and restaurants. Travelers flying through HIA to U.S. are spoilt

CMY

Safety is always a No. 1 priority at HIA, the first airport in the Middle East and Asia awarded a 5-Star COVID-19 Airport Safety Rating by Skytrax. Additionally, the airport uses robotics and advanced thermal screening helmets, introduced in this new COVID-19 era. Smart Screening Helmets, which the airport is currently investing in, are wearable intelligent helmets that enable contactless temperature measurement using advanced technologies such as infrared thermal imaging, artificial intelligence and AR display. Disinfectant robots, fully autonomous mobile devices, eliminate the majority of infectious microorganisms by emitting concentrated UV light. There’s no place like here for the holidays. At any time of year, Hamad International Airport continues to pave the way for airports around the world. Learn

more at dohahamadairport.com

FEATURE: AIRLINE AND HOTEL OF THE YEAR

Top Honors Global Traveler recognizes the 2021 Airline of the Year and Hotel of the Year. BY MARY MELNICK

Airline and Hotel of the Year: Delta Air Lines’ Boeing 767-300ER in flight (top); Kimpton’s Pittman Hotel, Armory Hotel and The Alton Hotel (bottom row); and (opposite page) Delta guests wearing masks in flight, service desk and TSA PreCheck PHOTO: © DELTA AIR LINES

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or the 11th consecutive year, Global Traveler honors the best of the best in the industry, naming 2021’s Airline of the Year and Hotel of the Year. As technology and the travel industry continue to evolve, every travel provider makes adjustments to satisfy the needs and wishes of travelers, striving to be the best. With travel restrictions lifting, we see domestic and international travel picking up, but companies within the industry still take the necessary precautions to create a safe, healthy and welcoming environment for guests and employees alike. This year we honor Delta Air Lines and Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, two brands leading the industry in the latest technology, trends and more, as well as continuing to ensure the safety and well-being of their guests and staff. To award the prestigious honor each year, a select group of Global Traveler staff and Advisory Board members choose the winner through a series of considerations and factors. They take a look at each nominee’s financial information, performance records, loading and boarding time, safety procedures, onboard menus and overall image as a brand.

DELTA AIR LINES | AIRLINE OF THE YEAR It all started in 1925 when Huff Daland Dusters, the predecessor of Delta, was founded in Macon, Georgia, before moving to Monroe, Louisiana, a few months later. Huff Daland was the first commercial agricultural flying company, and with 18 planes it became the largest privately owned fleet in the world. Later, Daland operated the first international mail and passenger route on the west coast of South America for Pan Am subsidiary Peruvian Airways. Three years later, C.E. Woolman bought the company and renamed it Delta Air Service after the Mississippi Delta region. In 1929 Delta operated its first passenger flight from Dallas, Texas, to Jackson, Mississippi, with stops in Shreveport and Monroe, Louisiana. Service soon expanded to Birmingham and Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Meridian, Mississippi. Eventually, Delta Air Lines grew larger, expanded internationally and provided more services. Since the beginning, Delta has led the industry in everything from COVID-19 protocols to the latest technology in apps, aviation and more. Delta most recently committed investment in net-zero aviation through the Aviation Climate Taskforce — a new nonprofit organization founded to tackle the challenge of eliminating carbon dioxide emissions in aviation, with the goal to accelerate breakthroughs in emerging decarbonization technologies by 10 years or more. “We’re still too far from real, scalable solutions to clean air travel. We need SAF [Sustainable Aviation Fuel] to be just as accessible as oil, and new engine technologies to come to market exponentially faster, if we are going to meet industry goals,” said Amelia DeLuca, managing director of sustainability, Delta. Not only does Delta Air Lines focus on becoming more sustainable, the airline also strives to shine in inclusion, diversity and equality. Delta Air Lines provides 1,000 shares of stock to the “One Stock. One Future.” initiative that helps support Black and Latinx students across the United States as part of a joint initiative aimed at setting youth on a path to financial independence and closing the country’s wealth gap. Goal setter and philanthropist Robert F. Smith, founder, chairman and CEO, Vista Equity Partners, leads the “One Stock. One Future.” initiative. The program, which calls on Fortune 1000 companies to collectively donate 1 million shares of stocks, kicked off in October by gifting five shares of stock to 2,900 students, educators and staff members at Eagle Academies for Young Men, a network of public, all-boys schools serving young men of color in New York City and Newark, New Jersey.

Delta Air Lines

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Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants

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KIMPTON HOTELS & RESTAURANTS | HOTEL OF THE YEAR Launching in San Francisco more than three decades ago, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants has a few firsts under its belt. The San Francisco property was the first boutique hotel and restaurant company in the United States, thanks to founder Bill Kimpton. The hotel initiated the idea of offering guests a place that felt more like a beautiful, livable and stylish home than a big hotel — an idea later adopted by many hotels and brands around the world. Since then, Kimpton adapted to the times and now boasts more experience turning historic, stunning buildings into unique hotels than any other brand. The focus on modern adaptation extends to its social values as well, with all Kimpton properties earning Green Key and IHG Green Engage certification and committing to other sustainable practices across the country. Now under the IHG umbrella, the Kimpton brand is going global while leading the way in individually designed, positioned boutique hotels and restaurants that provide guests with unique experiences and properties. The brand makes travelers feel genuinely cared for through thoughtful perks and amenities, inventive meetings and events, bold and playful design and excellent guest service. Recently, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants landed on the 2021 FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For list, based on employee feedback and workplace culture. This announcement marks 12 years of the brand’s recognition on the prestigious list. This honor is a testament to Kimpton’s award-winning culture of inclusivity and heartfelt care that encourages every employee to bring their authentic self to work. “Our people are hired for their heart, intuition and authenticity, and I believe wholeheartedly that they are what make Kimpton a best-loved boutique hospitality brand around the world,” said Mike Defrino, CEO, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants. Today Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants remains dedicated to bringing new and innovative activities, offers and more to its guests. The brand continues to open new properties around the world perfect for every type of traveler, families included.

Hotel of the Year: (Opposite page, top to bottom) Lady Bird rooftop bar at The Banneker Hotel and Kimpton Harper Hotel; and (this page, top to bottom) The Alton Hotel, Kimpton EPIC Hotel, and Kimpton Monaco Hotel Washington DC PHOTOS: © KIMPTON HOTELS & RESTAURANTS

DECEMBER 2021 globaltravelerusa.com

FEATURE: GT TESTED READER SURVEY AWARDS

Best Overall Airline in the World: Singapore Airlines PHOTO: © SINGAPORE AIRLINES

Open the World Global Traveler celebrates the winners of the 18th annual GT Tested Reader Survey awards.

t’s not an overstatement to say we’ve been through it all in the past 18 months as milestones, celebrations,and even hallmarks of our day-to-day lives were upended. But 2021 has certainly brought us a bit more due north with vaccine deployment, a return to in-person everything, countries around the world re-welcoming Americans and, more recently, with U.S. borders re-opening to vaccinated individuals from around the world. With all that good news, we chose the theme “Open the World” to celebrate

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the 2021 winners of the GT Tested Reader Survey awards, our 18th year honoring the best of the best in the world of travel. We know where to look for experience, especially in times of success and times of uncertainty, and that’s to you, our readers. Intrepid, frequent, luxury travelers yourselves, you know the standouts and you voted for them, from airlines and airports to hotels and credit cards. Join us as we open up the following pages to the winners in our 18th annual survey. Through it all, these

BY KIMBERLY KROL INLANDER

providers — and all those in the travel industry — went above and beyond to keep the world open (or as open as was safely possible), and it’s our privilege to honor them. We start with the winners that take us to and from all of the world’s most important gateways, facilitating the incredible opportunity we all have to experience the world’s fascinating corners and cultures. This year Singapore Airlines takes top honors as Best Overall Airline in the World, reclaiming its title

Best European Hotel Chain: St. Regis Hotels & Resorts

Fastest-Growing Airline, Trans-Pacific: United Airlines

PHOTO: © ST. REGIS

PHOTO: © UNITED AIRLINES

Best Hotel in South Korea and Best MICE Hotel: LOTTE HOTEL SEOUL

Best Flight Attendant Uniforms:

Emirates

PHOTO: © EMIRATES

PHOTO: © LOTTE HOTEL SEOUL

after a one-year hiatus. Picking up its impressive 12th consecutive win as Best Airline Alliance is oneworld. Oneworld member American Airlines flies home with a number of awards this year: Best Airline Website (aa.com), fifth consecutive year; Best Airline for Domestic First Class, seventh year in a row; and Best FrequentFlyer Elite-Level Program for its AAdvantage Executive Platinum Level. Our readers prefer to take to the skies in a Boeing 787, Best Aircraft Type. Next up is United Airlines, claiming a slew of accolades this year: Fastest-Growing Airline, Trans-Pacific, and Best Frequent-Flyer Program, for United MileagePlus, for the 18th consecutive year. Its MileagePlus program also won Best Frequent-Flyer Bonus Program, nine years in a row, and Best Frequent-Flyer Award Redemption. Korean Air debuts as Best Airline for International First Class and wins for Best Business-Class Seat Design.

Its counterpart for Best Airline for Business Class is Turkish Airlines, earning its fifth consecutive title. Those winners earning their fifth win in the same category are also earning Quint Status recognition, those earning a 10th win in a row in a certain category enter the Hall of Fame, and for those with 15 consecutive wins we award Crystal Status. Turkish Airlines is also taking its sixth win for Best Airport Staff/Gate Agents. Its Turkish Airlines Corporate Club is Best Corporate Program for Business Travelers for the fourth consecutive year. Taking the category for the third year in a row, Delta Sky Club is Best Airline Lounges. The Delta SkyMiles frequent-flyer program is recognized as Best FrequentFlyer Customer Service, while Delta Air Lines takes the win for Best Airline App. And sweeping its categories for every year of the GT Tested Reader Survey awards’ existence is Asiana Airlines, Best Airline for Onboard Service and Best Airline for Flight Attendants, both for

THE VOTING PROCESS Open-ended ballots ran in subscriber copies of Global Traveler and online at globaltravelerusa.com/survey from Dec. 14, 2020, to Sept. 30, 2021. Ballots were distributed via direct mail and email during the same period. Ballots returned with less than 50 percent of the fields completed were disqualified. More than 20,000 qualified ballots were returned during the voting period. Employees of FX Express Publications, Inc., and affiliated members of the travel industry were not allowed to participate.

DECEMBER 2021 globaltravelerusa.com

Best Aircraft Type: Boeing 787 PHOTO: © BOEING

Best Airline for International First Class and Best Business-Class Seat Design: Korean Air PHOTO: © KOREAN AIR

WINNERS’ CIRCLE Best Overall Airline in the World

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Singapore Airlines United Airlines Delta Air Lines Korean Air Etihad Airways

Best Airline Alliance 1. oneworld 2. Star Alliance 3. SkyTeam

Best Aircraft Type

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Boeing 787 Boeing 777 Airbus A350 Airbus A330 Airbus A320

Best Airline Website 1. aa.com 2. delta.com 3. united.com 4. alaskaair.com 5. southwest.com

Fastest-Growing Airline, Trans-Pacific

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

United Airlines American Airlines Japan Airlines All Nippon Airways China Southern Airlines

Best Airline for Business Class

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Turkish Airlines Singapore Airlines United Airlines Cathay Pacific Airways Korean Air

Best Airline for International First Class 1. Korean Air 2. Etihad Airways 3. Cathay Pacific Airways 4. Lufthansa 5. Singapore Airlines

Best Airline Alliance: oneworld PHOTO: © ONEWORLD

the 18th time. Etihad Airways is a double winner this year for Best Airline Cuisine and Best Airline in the Middle East, each an honoree for the second year in a row. Emirates wins for Best Flight Attendant Uniforms. Swiss International Air Lines upset a 14-time winner to win Best Airline for Security. All Nippon Airways soars away with two awards this year, both for the second consecutive year: Best First-Class Seat Design and Best Trans-Pacific Airline. Air Canada won the inaugural award for Best Airline Cabin Cleanliness last year, and this year it holds on to the title. The carrier to our north also wins Best Airline in North America for the third year in a row. We round out our airline winners with a geographic breakdown of the best of the best: LATAM Airlines Group, Best Airline to South America; Aeromexico, Best Airline in Mexico, 12th consecutive year; Air Tahiti Nui, four-time Best Airline in the South Pacific; TAP Air Portugal with its 11th win as Best Airline in Europe (TAP also won Best Trans-Atlantic Airline for the second year in a row); Aeroflot, Best Airline in Eastern Europe for the second time; Royal Air Maroc, Best Airline in Africa; China Airlines, Best Airline in North Asia, for the ninth

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consecutive year; and Air India, Best Airline in Central/South Asia & India, eight years in a row. Japan Airlines is Best Airline to Japan. Now we honor those hubs that introduce us to our next fabulous destination. Let’s start with Best Overall Airport in the World, with Singapore Changi Airport winning for the sixth consecutive year. For the 18th year in a row, Chicago O’Hare International Airport is Best Airport in North America. It is also taking its second win as Best Airport Dining. Around the United States, other award-winning airports include Miami International Airport, three-time Best Airport Shopping, and Ontario International Airport in Ontario, California, four-time Fastest-Growing U.S. Airport. Elsewhere around the globe, we have Incheon International Airport, taking its fifth win as Best Airport in Asia, and Best Duty-Free Shopping in Asia; Amsterdam Airport Schiphol scoring a four-peat as Best Airport in Europe; and El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá as Best Airport in South America for the fourth year in a row. In the Middle East, Hamad International Airport is Best Airport in the Middle East, five years running,

Where

small

Thank you for voting IHG® Business Edge as the best small to mid-size business program for the third consecutive year. Our commitment is to consistently evolve to meet the needs of you, our valued customer!

2019-2021

Crowne Plaza® HY36 Midtown Manhattan

Best Airline Lounges: Delta Sky Club PHOTO: © DELTA AIR LINES

WINNERS’ CIRCLE Best Airline for Domestic First Class

1. 2. 3. 4.

American Airlines United Airlines Delta Air Lines Alaska Airlines

Best Airline for Onboard Service 1. Asiana Airlines 2. Emirates 3. Korean Air 4. Singapore Airlines 5. Cathay Pacific Airways

Best Airline Lounges

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Delta Sky Club United Club United Polaris Club Alaska Airlines Alaska Board Room American Airlines Admirals Club

Best Airline for Flight Attendants 1. Asiana Airlines 2. Korean Air 3. Etihad Airways 4. Singapore Airlines 5. Emirates

Best Flight Attendant Uniforms 1. Emirates 2. Cathay Pacific Airways 3. Singapore Airlines 4. Air France 5. All Nippon Airways

Best Airline Cuisine and Best Airline in the Middle East: Etihad Airways PHOTO: © ETIHAD AIRWAYS

Best Airline for Domestic First Class: American Airlines PHOTO: © AMERICAN AIRLINES

Best Airline Cuisine

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Etihad Airways Turkish Airlines Korean Air Air France Singapore Airlines

Best Airline for Security

1. Swiss International Air Lines 2. EL AL Israel Airlines 3. British Airways 4. Lufthansa 5. United Airlines

Best First-Class Seat Design 1. All Nippon Airways 2. Emirates 3. Singapore Airlines 4. Cathay Pacific Airways 5. Japan Airlines

while Dubai Duty Free earns its 15th Best Duty-Free Shopping in the World title. Immersing one’s self in a destination means having a comfortable home base in an unfamiliar environment, and these hotels are the ones our readers call home sweet home when on the road. Best International Hotel Chain honors go to The RitzCarlton, while domestically Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts is Best Domestic Hotel Chain. Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants debuts on the survey with a Best Lifestyle Hotel win. Hilton takes home a bevy of accolades in 2021: Best Hotel Website, hilton.com, for the second consecutive year; Best Frequent-Stay Elite-Level Program for Hilton Honors Diamond; Best Frequent-Stay Bonus Program, second year in a row, for Hilton Honors; and Best Hotel App for the third

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consecutive year. Lotte Hotels is another multi-hyphenate this year: Best MICE Hotel for the seventh year for LOTTE HOTEL SEOUL, also the 10-time Best Hotel in South Korea winner. SIGNIEL SEOUL is Best Hotel in Asia for the second consecutive year, while SIGNIEL BUSAN is Best New Hotel in Asia. The Peninsula Beverly Hills earned its 11th nod as Best Hotel in the United States and is also the host venue as we return to celebrating our GT Tested Reader Survey award winners in person this month. We wrap up our hotel winners with this impressive list of names: IHG Rewards Club, 17-time winner of Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World; IHG Business Edge, Best Smallto Mid-Sized Business Program three years running; Marriott Bonvoy with its second win as Best Frequent-Stay Award

WINNERS’ CIRCLE Best Business-Class Seat Design

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Korean Air United Airlines Turkish Airlines Swiss International Air Lines Singapore Airlines

Best Corporate Program for Business Travelers

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Turkish Airlines Corporate Club Air Canada Corporate Rewards United PerksPlus American Express Platinum Card Korean Air KAL BIZ

Best Airline Cabin Cleanliness

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Air Canada United Airlines Delta Air Lines American Airlines Alaska Airlines

Best Airline Cabin Cleanliness and Best Airline in North America: Air Canada PHOTO: © AIR CANADA

Best Overall Frequent-Flyer Program

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

United MileagePlus Air Canada Aeroplan Delta Air Lines SkyMiles American Airlines AAdvantage Lufthansa Miles & More

Best Frequent-Flyer Elite-Level Program 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum Delta Air Lines SkyMiles Diamond Medallion United MileagePlus Premier Executive 1K Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan MVP Gold Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred

Best Frequent-Flyer Bonus Program

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

United MileagePlus American Airlines AAdvantage Delta Air Lines SkyMiles Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Air Canada Aeroplan

Best Frequent-Flyer Award Redemption

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

United MileagePlus Air Canada Aeroplan Southwest Airlines Rapid Returns American Airlines AAdvantage Delta SkyMiles

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Redemption; World of Hyatt, Best Frequent-Stay Customer Service; St. Regis Hotels & Resorts winning for the sixth time as Best European Hotel Chain; Fiesta Americana, Best Hotel Chain in Mexico for the 11th time; four-time winner Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts as Best Hotel Chain in the Middle East; and Burj Al Arab Jumeirah with its fourth consecutive win as Best Hotel in the Middle East. We’ve arrived, we’ve settled in, and now it’s time to recognize the travel providers, places and brands that ensure the rest of the journey is seamless. For the sixth year in a row, Volvo drives away with the Best Overseas Delivery Program win. Also in the automotive sector, Hertz wins the prize of Best Rental Car Company, and The Parking Spot takes its third consecutive Best Airport Parking nod. Whether for your first visit or 20th, make sure Greece, Best Tourism Destination, and Seoul, Best MICE City for the seventh year in a row, are on your list to visit as soon as possible. Intelsat (Gogo Commercial Aviation) unseats a previous Hall of Fame winner to be named Best WiFi Service, while Briggs & Riley marks its 12th Best Luggage Brand win. Purchase travel and rack up the miles, points, extras and bonuses with these credit card winners. We begin with the United Club Infinite Card from Chase, winning Best Overall Credit Card, Best Credit Card Rewards Program and Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Promotions,

all for the second time. The United Explorer Card from Chase celebrates its ninth Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Redemptions win. United Card Event is Best Credit Card Special Events. Best Small Business Credit Card goes to Capital One Spark Miles Business Card, a first-time nod. Meanwhile, two Marriott Bonvoy cards earn tops nods: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card from Chase wins Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card for the 10th time, as well as Best FrequentStay Affinity Credit Card Benefits; while the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card is Best FrequentStay Affinity Credit Card Promotions, three years in a row, and Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Redemptions. Sadly, we’ve come to our last two winners: Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America, with its 10th win as Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card and third win for Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Benefits, and Princess Cruises Visa Signature Card from Barclays winning Best Cruise Line Affinity Credit Card for the fourth year in a row. As we celebrate that the big, bright and beautiful world is once again nearly open, we commemorate this year’s winners for their accomplishments and, perhaps above all else, ttheir resiliency and their continued success in the face of adversity. Let’s further open the world in 2022 and offer congratulations to all the winners!

Best Airline in Europe and Best Trans-Atlantic Airline: TAP Air Portugal PHOTO: © BJORNFORENIUS | DREAMSTIME.COM

Best Overall Frequent-Flyer Program, Best Frequent-Flyer Award Redemption and Best Frequent-Flyer Bonus Program: United MileagePlus PHOTO: © UNITED AIRLINES

Best Airline in Mexico: Aeromexico PHOTO: © AEROMEXICO

Best Airline in the South Pacific: Air Tahiti Nui PHOTO: © GILLES BIZET | DREAMSTIME.COM

Best Frequent-Flyer Customer Service 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Delta SkyMiles United MileagePlus Air Canada Aeroplan Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan American Airlines AAdvantage

Best Airline in North America 1. Air Canada 2. United Airlines 3. Delta Air Lines 4. American Airlines 5. JetBlue

Best Airline in the South Pacific

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Air Tahiti Nui Fiji Airways Air New Zealand Qantas Airways Virgin Australia

Best Airline in Europe 1. TAP Air Portugal 2. Lufthansa 3. British Airways 4. Austrian Airlines 5. Brussels Airlines

Best Airline in Eastern Europe

1. LATAM Airlines Group 2. Aerolineas Argentinas 3. Avianca

1. Aeroflot 2. LOT Polish Airlines 3. S7 Airlines 4. Wizz Air 5. Croatia Airlines

Best Airline in Mexico

Best Airline in Africa

Best Airline to South America

1. Aeromexico 2. Interjet 3. Viva Aerobus 4. Volaris

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Royal Air Maroc Ethiopian Airlines Kenya Airways Air Seychelles Air Mauritius

Best Airline in the Middle East

Best Trans-Atlantic Airline

Best Airline in North Asia

Best Trans-Pacific Airline

1. Etihad Airways 2. Emirates 3. Qatar Airways 4. Royal Air Maroc 5. Saudi Arabian Airlines

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

China Airlines Korean Air Cathay Pacific Airways Japan Airlines All Nippon Airways

Best Airline in Central/ South Asia & India 1. Air India 2. Indigo 3. SpiceJet 4. SriLankan Airlines 5. Air Astana

Best Airline to Japan

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Japan Airlines All Nippon Airways United Airlines American Airlines Delta Air Lines

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Best Airport in Asia

TAP Air Portugal United Airlines British Airways Brussels Airlines American Airlines

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

All Nippon Airways Korean Air Singapore Airlines Japan Airlines Cathay Pacific Airways

Best Airport in Europe

Best Overall Airport in the World

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Singapore Changi Airport Hamad International Airport, Doha Incheon International Airport Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Munich Airport

Best Airport in North America 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Incheon International Airport Singapore Changi Airport Taipei Taoyuan International Airport, Taiwan Tokyo Haneda International Airport Osaka Kansai International Airport

Chicago O’Hare International Airport Miami International Airport San Francisco International Airport Denver International Airport Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Munich Airport Zürich Kloten International Airport Frankfurt am Main Airport Hamburg Airport

Best Airport in the Middle East 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Hamad International Airport, Doha Dubai International Airport Abu Dhabi International Airport Bahrain International Airport Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport, Medina

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Fastest-Growing U.S. Airport: Ontario International Airport, Ontario, California PHOTO: © ONTARIO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

WINNERS’ CIRCLE Best Airport in South America 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

El Dorado International Airport, Bogotá Jorge Chávez International Airport Quito International Airport José Joaquín de Olmedo Guayaquil International Airport São Paulo Guarulhos International Airport

Best Airport Staff/Gate Agents

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Turkish Airlines Cathay Pacific Airways United Airlines Qatar Airways Etihad Airways

Best Hotel in the United States: The Peninsula Beverly Hills PHOTO: © THE PENINSULA BEVERLY HILLS

Best Airport Dining

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Chicago O’Hare International Airport Hamad International Airport, Doha Miami International Airport Singapore Changi Airport Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Miami International Airport Dubai International Airport Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Hamad International Airport, Doha Incheon International Airport

Fastest-Growing U.S. Airport 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Ontario International Airport, Ontario, California Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport Los Angeles International Airport Dallas Love Field Airport

Best Duty-Free Shopping in the World

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Dubai Duty Free Incheon International Airport Hamad International Airport, Doha Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Singapore Changi Airport

Best Duty-Free Shopping in Asia

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Incheon International Airport Singapore Changi Airport Kuala Lumpur International Airport Tokyo Haneda International Airport Osaka Kansai International Airport

globaltravelerusa.com DECEMBER 2021

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Hilton Honors Diamond World of Hyatt Platinum Le Club AccorHotels Platinum IHG Rewards Club Platinum Elite Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite

Best Frequent-Stay Bonus Program

Best Airport Shopping

Best Frequent-Stay Elite-Level Program

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Hilton Honors Marriott Bonvoy IHG Rewards Club World of Hyatt Le Club AccorHotels

Best Frequent-Stay Award Redemption Best International Hotel Chain

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

The Ritz-Carlton Conrad Hotels InterContinental Hotels & Resorts The Peninsula Hotels Park Hyatt

Best Domestic Hotel Chain

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts The Ritz-Carlton Four Seasons InterContinental Hotels & Resorts Hilton Hotels & Resorts

Best Lifestyle Hotel

1. Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants 2. Andaz 3. Aloft Hotels 4. Moxy Hotels 5. Element Hotels & Resorts

Best MICE Hotel

1. LOTTE HOTEL SEOUL 2. Hyatt Regency Incheon 3. Sheraton Ankara Hotel & Convention Center 4. Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin 5. Hilton London Metropole

Best Hotel Website 1. hilton.com 2. ritzcarlton.com 3. ihg.com 4. marriott.com 5. peninsula.com

Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

IHG Rewards Club Hilton Honors Marriott Bonvoy World of Hyatt Le Club AccorHotels

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Marriott Bonvoy World of Hyatt IHG Rewards Club Hilton Honors Leaders Club, Leading Hotels of the World

Best Frequent-Stay Customer Service

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

World of Hyatt Le Club AccorHotels Hilton Honors Sol Meliá MAS Rewards Marriott Bonvoy

Best Hotel in the United States

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

The Peninsula Beverly Hills Terranea Resort The Broadmoor The Breakers Palm Beach Four Seasons Lanai

Best Overall Credit Card 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

United Club Infinite Card from Chase United Explorer Card from Chase Delta SkyMiles Gold Card from American Express Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America Escape by Discover

Best Small-Business Credit Card

Best Hotel in Asia : SIGNIEL SEOUL PHOTO: © SIGNIEL SEOUL

Best Hotel in Asia

1. SIGNIEL SEOUL 2. The Peninsula Bangkok 3. Mandarin Oriental, Taipei 4. Four Seasons Seoul 5. The Peninsula Hong Kong

Best New Hotel in Asia

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts The Ritz-Carlton Four Seasons InterContinental Hotels & Resorts The Address Hotels + Resorts

1. SIGNIEL BUSAN 2. The Ritz-Carlton Niseko Village Reserve 3. Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya 4. The Johri, India 5. Rosewood Hong Kong

Best Overseas Delivery Program

Best Hotel in South Korea

1. Hertz 2. Enterprise 3. Avis 4. National Car Rental 5. Sixt

1. LOTTE HOTEL SEOUL 2. The Plaza Seoul 3. SIGNIEL SEOUL 4. Grand Hyatt Seoul 5. The Shilla Seoul

Best Hotel in the Middle East 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Burj Al Arab Jumeirah One&Only Royal Mirage Jumeirah at Etihad Towers Hotel Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach Emirates Palace Hotel

Best European Hotel Chain PHOTOS: © CAPITAL ONE, © AMERICAN EXPRESS

Best Hotel Chain in the Middle East

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

St. Regis Hotels & Resorts InterContinental Hotels & Resorts The Ritz-Carlton Luxury Collection Westin Hotels

Best Hotel Chain in Mexico

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Fiesta Americana InterContinental Hotels & Resorts Sheraton Hotels Westin Hotels W Hotels

1. Volvo 2. Porsche

Best Rental Car Company

Best Airport Parking 1. The Parking Spot 2. Wally Park 3. ParkRideFly 4. AirportParking 5. ParkingConnection

Best Tourism Destination 1. Greece 2. Italy 3. Spain 4. Ireland 5. South Africa

Best MICE City 1. Seoul 2. Singapore 3. Doha 4. London 5. Dubai

Best WiFi Service 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Intelsat (Gogo Commercial Aviation) AT&T Wireless Boingo Wireless Verizon Wireless US Mobile

Best Luggage Brand

1. Briggs & Riley 2. Tumi 3. Travelpro 4. Hartmann Luggage 5. Yeti

Best Hotel App

1. Hilton 2. Marriott Hotels 3. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts 4. Hyatt Hotels 5. Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Capital One Spark Miles Business Card American Airlines Aviator Barclays American Express Business Platinum United Explorer Business Card The Business Platinum Card American Express Open

Best Credit Card Special Events 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

United Card Event Citi Entertainment MasterCard Priceless Cities Chase Sapphire Barclays The Uber Visa Card

Best Credit Cards Rewards Program 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

United Club Infinite Card from Chase Membership Rewards Program from American Express Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Visa Card from Chase Capital One Venture Rewards Delta SkyMiles Gold Card from American Express

Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Visa Card from Chase Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card IHG Rewards Club Select Visa The World of Hyatt Credit Card from Chase Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card from American Express

Best Airline App

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Delta Air Lines United Airlines American Airlines Asiana Airlines Singapore Airlines

Best Small- to Mid-Sized Business Program 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

IHG Business Edge Delta Edge American Airlines BusinessExtra United PerksPlus Hilton Hotels

Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Promotions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card from American Express Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Visa Card from Chase Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express Hilton Honors Card from American Express IHG Rewards Club Select Visa

DECEMBER 2021 globaltravelerusa.com

WINNERS’ CIRCLE Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Benefits 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Best Airport in the Middle East: Hamad International Airport, Doha PHOTO: © BENNYMARTY | DREAMSTIME.COM

V QUIN

Best Airline for Business Class: Turkish Airlines

Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Redemptions

PHOTO: © TURKISH AIRLINES

TATUS TS

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Best Airline in North Asia

Fifth Consecutive Year Best Airline 2017Website aa.com

Best Airline for Business Class

Best Airport in the Middle East Hamad International Airport, Doha

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America Delta SkyMiles Card from American Express Delta SkyMiles Gold Card from American Express United Club Infinite Card from Chase British Airways Visa Signature Card

Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Promotions

Turkish Airlines

Incheon International Airport

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card from American Express The World of Hyatt Credit Card from Chase IHG Rewards Club Select Visa Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Visa Card from Chase Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express

Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card

QUINT STATUS China Airlines 2021

Best Airport in Asia

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Visa Card from Chase The World of Hyatt Credit Card from Chase Hilton Honors Card from American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card from American Express IHG Rewards Club Select Visa

Best Airline Website: aa.com PHOTO: © AA.COM

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

United Club Infinite Card from Chase Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite MasterCard American Airlines Aviator Barclays Card Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America British Airways Visa Signature Card

Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Benefits

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite MasterCard American Airlines Aviator Barclays Card United Explorer Card from Chase Aeromexico Club Premier La Tarjeta American Express

Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Redemptions

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

United Explorer Card from Chase Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite MasterCard United Club Infinite Card from Chase Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express

Best Cruise Line Affinity Credit Card Best Airport in Asia: Incheon International Airport PHOTO: © HAKAN CAN YALCIN | DREAMSTIME.COM

globaltravelerusa.com DECEMBER 2021

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Princess Cruises Visa Signature Card from Barclays Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature Card The Carnival Mastercard from Barclaycard Norwegian Cruise Line Bank of America Mastercard Royal Caribbean Visa Credit Card from Bank of America

Best Duty-Free Shopping in the World: Dubai Duty Free PHOTO: © DUBAI DUTY FREE

TATUS AL S ST

XV CRY

Best Duty-Free Shopping in the World

CRYSTAL STATUS 2021 Dubai Duty Free

15th Consecutive Year Best Duty-Free Shopping in the World Dubai Duty Free

2021

Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card from Chase

Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America

PHOTO: © CHASE

PHOTO: © BANK OF AMERICA

Best Hotel in South Korea: LOTTE HOTEL SEOUL PHOTO: © LOTTE HOTEL SEOUL

Best Luggage Brand

HALL OF FAME Briggs & Riley2021 10thHotel Consecutive Best in SouthYear Korea LOTTE HOTEL SEOUL

2019

Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card from Chase

Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America

globaltravelerusa.com DECEMBER 2021

Let’s Go! Change scenery, not standards. Thank you for choosing us as Global Traveler’s Best Rental Car Company 2021!*

Global Traveler introduces Outstanding Diversity & Inclusion in Travel awards for 2021. BY KATIE SKRZEK

ew to 2021, Global Traveler awards the airline, cruise line and hotel brand best embodying diversity and inclusion within the travel industry. Diversity is the presence of difference, including but not limited to race, gender, sexual orientation, religion and age. Equity is the quality of fairness and impartiality within the procedures of an institution or organization. Inclusion is the practice of including and welcoming diverse individuals to fully and truly participate within a group. Based on these tenets, Global Traveler adds the Outstanding Diversity & Inclusion in Travel award to its annual GT Tested Reader Survey awards. To select the winners, Global Traveler staff and Advisory Board members analyzed nominated airlines, cruise lines and hotel brands across a variety of factors related to the companies’ diversity, equity and inclusion practices.

globaltravelerusa.com DECEMBER 2021

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Travel

Let’s take a closer look at the inaugural winners. Alaska Airlines takes home the first-ever award for Outstanding Diversity & Inclusion in Travel, Airline. The airline announced diversity, equity and inclusion goals to reach as a company by 2025, with clear actions for achieving these goals. Earlier this year, the airline brought on its first-ever DEI director, James Thomas, to lead the company toward its commitments and goals. The company completed employee listening sessions designed to learn about real-life experiences and challenges in the workplace. Alaska Airlines launched racial equity training for all of its employees. The airline now requires 50 percent diverse candidate slates and interview panels for senior-level roles. Currently, the airline features 30 percent racial diversity within frontline and manager levels, compared to 16 percent within leadership levels. The goal is to increase racial diversity across all levels to at least 30 percent by 2025. Action items to achieve this include updating recruiting strategies and creating leadership and development sponsorship programs. By 2025 the airline aims to increase its Inclusion Index Score within its employee engagement survey by 10 points. The airline looks to create career pathways for at least 175,000

young people by 2025 through support of programs like the United Negro College Fund. Alaska Airlines partners with various diversity organizations. It recently joined the Washington Employers for Racial Equity coalition. The airline commits to being accessible for employees and customers with disabilities. These commitments include how the airline markets its products; recruits, hires and retains employees; and enhances current and builds new facilities, all using the latest tools and technology. The Outstanding Diversity & Inclusion in Travel, Cruise award goes to Celebrity Cruises. The cruise line partners with a diverse group of organizations, including its partnership with Best Buddies International, an organization dedicated to ending isolation of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Celebrity participates in Best Buddies’ job program and other sponsorship activities. Gender equality is important at Celebrity Cruises. President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo declared her commitment to hiring more women throughout the cruise line. Since starting as CEO and president, Lutoff-Perlo appointed the first female American captain, the first female Ecuadorian captain and the first West African woman to work on the bridge of a cruise

OUTSTANDING DIVERSITY & INCLUSION IN TRAVEL AIRLINE Alaska Airlines CRUISE Celebrity Cruises

HOTEL Marriott International

DECEMBER 2021 globaltravelerusa.com

ship. Within 18 months, the percentage of women working on the bridge of Celebrity ships increased from 3 to 22 percent. Celebrity Cruises has been awarded for its LGBTQ+-friendly offerings, including winning Best Large Ship Cruise Line for LGBTQ Passengers and Best Onboard LGBTQ Gatherings (Large Ship) at the annual CRUIZIE Awards. As of 2017, same-sex marriages performed on board Celebrity ships by the captain are legally recognized. In honor of Pride month, Celebrity hosts a Pride Party at Sea each June. The cruise line hosts other LGBTQ+ events on board, fleetwide, throughout the year. Winning Outstanding Diversity & Inclusion in Travel, Hotel is Marriott International. Diversity and inclusion are key to Marriott’s core values. Diversity data source DiversityInc named Marriott International the top company for diversity, equity and inclusion across all industries for 2020. As an employer, the company’s total workforce includes more than 67 percent People of Color, with about 37 percent in manager-level roles. Forty-four percent of Marriott’s global executives are women. In 2021 the Human Rights campaign included Marriott on its list of Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality. Marriott’s free eSSENTIAL Accessibility app assists people with disabilities in navigating technology. The app is ideal for those with arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy, mild visual impairment and other conditions. Marriott’s accommodations include mobility- and hearing-accessible guestrooms at properties all over the world. The brand looks to expand its global footprint, thus increasing opportunities for diverse communities around the world. Marriott creates new jobs in destinations like Haiti with the opening of new properties. Furthering its community impact, Marriott works with several organizations with opportunities for training and scholarships for young people.

globaltravelerusa.com DECEMBER 2021

In addition to its own initiatives, Marriott partners with more than 30 diversity organizations including the American Foundation for the Blind, Human Rights Campaign, International LGBTQ+ Travel Association and NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. We celebrate these brands as they strive for and achieve diversity, equity and inclusion goals in the months and years to come. Throughout the travel industry, these leaders project a level of commitment and passion for creating a better society for all people. Congratulations to Alaska Airlines, Celebrity Cruises and Marriott International for leading the way to a better and brighter future for all!

Outstanding Diversity & Inclusion in Travel, Hotel – Marriott International, and Cruise – Celebrity Cruises: Marriott employees (top), and officers on Celebrity Edge bridge (bottom) PHOTOS: © MARRIOTT, CELEBRITY CRUISES

Wherever You’re Dreaming of, We Know Just the Place. 30 Hotel Brands. Endless Experiences.

DISCOVER. BOOK. BE REWARDED.

2022 Trazees Awards Ballot Please write in your personal favorites, based on your own experience, on the line next to each of the following categories.

AIRLINE BEST

DESTINATION BEST

Favorite International Airline ___________________________________________________________

Favorite Country _______________________________________________________________________

Favorite Airline Alliance ________________________________________________________________

Favorite Worldwide City ________________________________________________________________

Favorite Aircraft Type __________________________________________________________________

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Favorite Adventure Destination________________________________________________________ Favorite Foodie City ____________________________________________________________________ Friendliest City__________________________________________________________________________ Favorite Beach Town, Northeast U.S. __________________________________________________ Favorite Beach Town, Mid-Atlantic U.S. ________________________________________________ Favorite Beach Town, Mid-Southern U.S.______________________________________________ Favorite Beach Town, Southeast U.S. __________________________________________________ Favorite Beach Town, Florida (East) ____________________________________________________ Favorite Beach Town, Florida (West) ___________________________________________________ Favorite Beach Town, Florida (Panhandle)_____________________________________________ Favorite Beach Town, Gulf (Alabama/Louisiana) ______________________________________ Favorite Beach Town, Texas ___________________________________________________________

AIRPORT BEST

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Favorite Overall Airport in the World __________________________________________________

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Favorite Beach Town, Pacific Northwest_______________________________________________

Favorite Airport in Asia _________________________________________________________________

Favorite Beach Town, Hawai’ian Islands (Lanai) _______________________________________

Favorite Airport in Europe _____________________________________________________________ Favorite Airport in North America _____________________________________________________ Favorite Airport in the Middle East ____________________________________________________ Favorite Airport in South/Central America_____________________________________________ Favorite Airport Dining _________________________________________________________________ Favorite Airport Shopping _____________________________________________________________ Favorite Duty Free Shopping __________________________________________________________ Favorite Duty Free Shopping in Africa _________________________________________________ Favorite Duty Free Shopping in Asia ___________________________________________________ Favorite Duty Free Shopping in Europe _______________________________________________ Favorite Duty Free Shopping in the Middle East ______________________________________ Favorite Duty Free Shopping in South/Central America ______________________________

Favorite Beach Town, Hawai’ian Islands (Oahu) _______________________________________ Favorite Beach Town, Hawai’ian Islands (Big Island) ___________________________________ Favorite Beach Town, Hawai’ian Islands (Kauai) _______________________________________ Favorite Beach Town, Hawai’ian Islands (Maui) ________________________________________

OTHER BEST Favorite Car Rental Company __________________________________________________________ Favorite Tour Operator ________________________________________________________________ Favorite Luggage Brand________________________________________________________________ Favorite Credit Card ____________________________________________________________________ Favorite Cruise Line ____________________________________________________________________

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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 trazeetravel.com/trazees-2022-voting

Favorite Hotel Chain in Europe ________________________________________________________ Favorite Hotel Chain in Mexico ________________________________________________________ Favorite Hotel Chain in the Middle East _______________________________________________

Name

Favorite Hotel Chain in South/Central America _______________________________________

Street Address

Favorite Green Hotel ___________________________________________________________________

City

Favorite Hotel App _____________________________________________________________________

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business destinations

LOS CABOS 60 GALWAY Peaceful Indulgence: Le Blanc Spa Resort Los Cabos

CALIFORNIA

WARSAW

leisure destinations 70

CHICAGO

BANFF

LOS CABOS

DESTINATION ONE | GALWAY

Irish at Heart Galway pulses with the cultural spirit of West Ireland. BY RON BERNTHAL Business and Leisure: (Left to right) Galway view of a boat on River Corrib, employees using private soundproof cubicles at Galway’s PorterShed hightech hub, Ashford Castle‘s Hideaway Cottage, and asparagus dish at Ard Bia at Nimmos PHOTOS: © GALWAY CONVENTION BUREAU, © ANTHONY SHAUGHNESSY, © ASHFORD CASTLE, © CLIODHNA PRENDERGAST

ocated in West Ireland, at the edge of the European continent, Galway occupies a unique place in the country’s national psyche. Home to many festivals, museums, art galleries and ancient structures, and with pubs offering Celtic music up close and personal, many Irish citizens consider Galway their country’s capital of culture. Ireland’s only truly bilingual city, Galway received the European Union’s designation as a European Capital of Culture 2020–2021. Yet in terms of population growth, socioeconomic change and industrial make-up, this city of almost 80,000 Galwegians easily serves as a microcosm of the country as a whole. Like many Irish cities, Galway

globaltravelerusa.com DECEMBER 2021

found itself burdened during Ireland’s economic recessions but also enjoyed the benefits of the country’s recent economic boom, when foreign direct investments from the largest multinational corporations created jobs and prosperity within many of the city’s neighborhoods. Although Galway, like the rest of the world, suffered during the pandemic, construction cranes have reappeared on the city’s skyline; new development projects have picked up steam along the city’s harbor and in Nuns’ Island, the old industrial heartland of the city; and business and leisure travelers are returning. A number of proposed and ongoing projects will ensure the continued attractiveness of Galway as a destination that welcomes business. One of the biggest infrastructure projects is known as N6 Galway City Ring Road. The almost €1 billion ($1.5 billion) National Development Plan (awaiting final approval) will reduce traffic and air pollution within a large section of Galway while minimizing the new road’s impact on the natural environment. The Galway County Council estimated the road would take about three years to construct and would involve a number of tunnels as well as

a viaduct over the River Corrib on lands north of the National University of Ireland’s Galway campus. “This is the biggest piece of enabling infrastructure that will allow Galway and the wider western region to grow,” said Kenny Deery, CEO, Galway Chamber of Commerce. “It will bring a ring road around the city that will de-congest the city center and allow traffic that doesn’t want to be at our roundabouts and junctions [to] not be there.” The Bowling Green project, led by Galway City Innovation District (GCID) and located in the city center, will soon be home to 130 tech innovators and entrepreneurs from across Western Ireland in a restored two-story warehouse on Bowling Green. Plans call for the PorterShed tech innovation hub, currently located behind Galway’s historic Ceannt Station, to move there as well. A major overhaul of Irish Rail’s Ceannt Station itself is also in the works. In perhaps the biggest Galway City project ever, developers plan to transform the area behind Ceannt Station into Augustine Hill, a new urban quarter featuring 11 new streets, four large public spaces and 12 contemporary buildings linking Galway Bay to Eyre Square. Developers estimate a cost of about €320 million ($370 million) and a timeframe of six years to build. Plans include 376 modern residential units, a shopping center, 22 restaurants and cafés, a six-screen cinema, offices and a 189-room hotel. As of

LODGING

DINING

Ashford Castle The former home of the Guinness family, this 800-year-old castle sits on 350 acres of landscaped gardens, woodlands and a lake just 26 miles from Galway City. The 83-room, 5-star property offers six restaurants; three bars; and spa with pool, treatment rooms and sauna.

Ard Bia at Nimmos This rustic little place at the harbor offers healthy dishes, a colorful interior and a friendly vibe. Seasonal menus may include Rossaveal pollock cakes, Connemara crab, miso aubergine, chermoula monkfish, Skeaghanore duck and local vegetables. Open daily, times vary.

Village of Cong, County Mayo $$$$$

Spanish Arch, The Long Walk $$$

The Galmont Hotel & Spa The 275-room Galmont overlooks Galway Bay, just 600 feet from Eyre Square. Amenities include Egyptian cotton sheets, goose feather pillows, sauna, spa treatments and indoor swimming pool. Enjoy the waterfront terrace and all-day menu at Coopers Bar & Lounge.

Loam Chef/owner Enda McEvoy employs a nose-to-tail and leaf-to-root culinary philosophy in the award-winning, locally sourced, seven- to nine-course tasting menu. Look for squid, shiitake and egg; sirloin, onion and bone marrow; or cabbage, kelp and oysters. A small menu available Tuesday–Thursday.

Lough Atalia Road $$$

Geata na Cathrach, Fairgreen Road $$$$$

Glenlo Abbey Hotel & Estate Enjoy views of Lough Corrib and the green landscape of West Ireland at this 1740 estate converted to a 5-star hotel featuring 74 guestrooms, a lakeside golf course and driving range. Dine aboard the Pullman Restaurant’s two restored carriages of the OrientExpress.

Moran’s Oyster Cottage This attractive thatched-roof pub nestles in the hamlet of Kilcolgan, 12 miles south of Galway, and serves mainly seafood-based dishes and specializes in fresh oysters. The Clarenbridge oyster bed sits on 700 acres of a natural seabed close to Moran’s. Closed Mondays.

Glenlo Abbey, Bushypark, County Galway $$$$$

The Weir, Roymore, Kilcolgan, County Galway $$$$

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press time, however, the development remains on hold following a recent appeal of the plan’s approval. During its first five years, GCID supported the creation of more than 720 tech jobs in Galway, and its member firms have provided investments of more than €35 million ($40.6 million). With a mix of individual entrepreneurs, startups and established companies, Galway symbolizes Ireland’s vibrant and exciting high-tech environment. In a 2019 study the World Bank remarked Galway was among the best EU cities for starting a business and dealing with construction permits. Some of the larger multinational technology employers in Galway include Apple, IBM, SAP, Oracle, HP, Dell Technologies, Google, Intel, Amazon and Cisco Systems. In many ways, Galway is like a mini Boston, Massachusetts. The two cities enjoy the same excellent quality of life rating, according to Numbeo, and Galway’s rich educational, high-tech and cultural amenities, along with its long history as a fishing port, compare favorably with Boston’s. The two cities are linked in other ways as well. In the Boston metropolitan area, 22.8 percent of the population claim Irish descent, the highest percentage of the top 50 most populous U.S. cities.

CHECKING IN WITH ROSE FINN

General Manager, Galway Convention Bureau What Galway attractions and experiences should international guests not miss? There are many activities and attractions for our international guests to enjoy. Starting in Galway City, a food tour with Sheena from Galway Food Tours is a must; it helps you find the best eateries, sampling our local delicacies and hearing each supplier’s unique story. You can then hop on the Corrib Princess for a boating experience on the republic’s largest lake, Lough Corrib. Check out Galway City Museum, or zip around with Galway Bay Boat Tours’ fisherman Ciaran Oliver on a lobster safari. When back on dry land, check out the world’s smallest claddagh ring in the Claddagh Ring Museum, and try on and possibly buy a traditional Aran sweater in Ó’Maille – The Original House of Style, which made some of the costumes for the famous 1952 movie The Quiet Man with Maureen O’Hara and John Wayne. A little outside Galway City I recommend the captivating Connemara

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INFO TO GO

Along the Shore: People walking by The Claddagh where River Corrib meets Galway Bay PHOTO: © PROF CHAOSHENG ZHANG FOR GALWAY CONVENTION BUREAU

The closest airports to Galway are Shannon Airport (58 miles, one hour south) and Ireland West Airport Knock (54 miles, one hour north), both with mostly European routes. However, Aer Lingus recently announced the re-introduction of transAtlantic flights in summer 2022 to include 14 weekly flights from JFK and BOS to Shannon starting in March. Dublin Airport (133 miles, two hours east) is also a major gateway for flights from North America, Europe and the Middle East. All airports offer express buses to Galway and rental cars (driving is on the left side of the road). Irish Rail traverses a scenic route between Dublin’s Heusten Station and Galway’s Ceannt Station; take the airport bus to Heusten for the connection (total travel time via bus/train is 3.75 hours).

region for a visit to Kylemore Abbey and its Walled Gardens, Connemara National Park for its walking trails and, if you feel energetic, a trip up Diamond Hill. There are also many white beaches along the coast. For learning more about the Irish culture and landscape, the restored hill village of Cnoc Suain is a must. Go on a daytrip to the Aran Islands and step back in time. The Islands can be reached by ferry or plane from the mainland. What benefits does the Galway City Innovation District offer startups that move into the district? The Galway City Innovation District offers startups a distinct place to network and collaborate. The GCID was founded to attract creators and innovators who wish to work in close proximity to others in a supportive and connected environment within Galway’s inner city, as well as young tech companies with strong growth potential and even larger Irish companies and multinationals. Galway was designated as one of only two European Capital of Culture 2020/21 cities. Because the pandemic occurred during this time, how did it affect events and visitors to Galway City? Many of the Galway Capital of Culture projects had to be reimagined for online delivery. The cultural partners worked with Galway 2020/21 in ensuring we retained the original vision of the events, and many projects were still created in the landscape of the city and the county. The landscape was viewed through the lens of our Irish and international artists and producers; and the online events, films and projects attracted a huge global audience. While our global audiences could not physically travel to Galway, they were able to enjoy the events from the comfort of their homes across the world, and our “year” as a Capital of Culture was actually extended into 2021.

IN MANY WAYS, GALWAY IS LIKE A MINI BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS. THE TWO CITIES ENJOY THE SAME EXCELLENT QUALITY OF LIFE RATING, ACCORDING TO NUMBEO, AND GALWAY’S RICH EDUCATIONAL, HIGH-TECH AND CULTURAL AMENITIES, ALONG WITH ITS LONG HISTORY AS A FISHING PORT, COMPARE FAVORABLY WITH BOSTON’S.

DECEMBER 2021 globaltravelerusa.com

JUST THE FACTS Time zone: GMT -1 Phone code: Country code: 353, City code: 091 Currency: Euro Key industries: Agriculture, information and communications technology, medical technologies, pharmaceutical and chemical, tourism

COMING & GOING U.S. citizens must have a valid passport to enter Ireland; no visa necessary for tourism or business stays up to 90 days. No minimum passport validity requirement for U.S. citizens. As of October 2021, U.S. citizens arriving in Ireland need valid proof of COVID-19 vaccination or present evidence of a negative RT-PCR test result within 72 hours prior to arrival.

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE Gaelic (Gaeilge), often called Irish, is recognized by Ireland’s Constitution as the first official language of the Republic of Ireland. In Galway City, English is used in hotels, businesses, shops and restaurants, but 50 percent of residents in County Galway can speak Gaelic, more than any other region in Ireland.

DIVERSIONS With its medieval past and contemporary culture, Galway City reigns as one of the most colorful and interesting cities in Ireland. Known as the City of the Tribes because of the 14 merchant families who dominated the political, commercial and social life of the city between the mid-13th and late-19th centuries, Galway offers many unique attractions. Visitors enjoy historic Eyre Square with its selection of pubs and restaurants or sitting on the walls of the Spanish Arch watching the activity on the River Corrib. Stroll along the pedestrianized Shop Street and stop in at several of the eclectic retail venues. The vibrant Latin Quarter offers high-end restaurants as well as traditional pubs. Make time for the lovely Galway City Museum, the Fisheries Watchtower Museum, the Computer and Communications Museum of Ireland and dozens of other cultural attractions, including several medieval castles close to the city. Galway and its surroundings received the title of European Region of Gastronomy from Barcelona-based International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism for exceptional Irish cuisine. Save several days to explore the beautiful West Ireland countryside. The region around Galway, includ-

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ing the counties of Mayo, Roscommon and Clare, and the Aran Islands in the North Atlantic (access by ferry) offer rural pubs, bakeries, wine bars and restaurants. Most chefs work with local farmers and fishermen to include the best regional products on their menus. Fresh river trout and ocean seafood are always available, and the rich soil and mild maritime climate produce grass that enables a sustainable and strong agricultural sector. A special feature of pub visits is the opportunity to experience — and often participate in — pub sessions, when local musicians get together for some Irish folk music. Whether the pub lies along the coast in tiny Doolin in County Clare, on a city street in Galway or on one of the three rugged, off-the-beaten-path Aran Islands, pub sessions definitely provide lifetime memories.

Historic Landmarks: Fisheries Watchtower Museum (top), and Doolin village (bottom) PHOTOS: © FÁILTE IRELAND, © RON BERNTHAL

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COMO Hotels and Resorts properties around the world commit to minimizing their environmental impact.

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Seabourn names its second ultra-luxury expedition ship Seabourn Pursuit.

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Whether you’ve been to San Francisco or not, it’s time to add the destination to your travel list. From historic sites like Alcatraz to fun ones like the San Francisco Zoo, the activities are endless.

STATESIDE | CALIFORNIA’S CENTRAL COAST

Coastal Calm Central California’s oceanside cities inspire a luscious sense of peace. BY RINA NEHDAR

trip along California’s Central Coast stirs up memories of the simple things we once treasured. Remember running barefoot through the sand and splashing in the sea, long drives along the ocean, belting favorite songs into the wind? Think now of sipping wine in your flip-flops across from Avila Beach Pier, its planks stretching endlessly over shades of jade and sapphire. Picture seagulls resting on chiseled rocks in Morro Bay while sea lions bark nearby. Smell wildflowers, chaparral and pines lining the wooden boardwalk across the bluffs of Cambria. Between the bustle of San Francisco and

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the hustle of Los Angeles, in San Luis Obispo County Highway 1 connects these three unincorporated coastal cities — and seven others — over 100 miles of oceanside road. Horses and cattle dot fields on one side while glimpses of waves splintering against rock fill the other. You can find 13 state parks, 10 whale trails, five piers, two lighthouses, a national estuary and a national marine preserve along your journey. To help the curious explore and organize all these treasures in the Pacific Coast trove, the towns created a guide for visitors. The award-winning Highway 1 Discovery Route reveals the secret spots to stop, wander and observe wildlife. It’s such a magnifi-

cent map, the Monterey Bay National Sanctuary Foundation awarded H1DR its Sanctuary Sea Star for the Stewardship Travel for Good Program, a way visitors can help preserve the area while they enjoy it. These aren’t the towns to bring a company of thousands. Instead, these spots allow you to bond with your inner circle, the ones you want to welcome into your fold through mindful adventures and soulful experiences. “There’s a sense of peace and openness, not only in the place but in the people,” said Cheryl Cumings, chief administrative officer, H1DR. “That’s why we moved here 20 years ago.” Most of the hotels in the area are family-owned and have been passed down through generations. Only outdoor venues can accommodate large gatherings, such as Cambria’s Oceanpoint Ranch, which can entertain 250 people on its 0.75-acre Stargazer Meadow. Toward the northernmost part of the H1DR, San Simeon’s Hearst Ranch Winery sparkles like

SCENIC DRIVES

the sunlight bouncing off the sea around it. Set below the iconic Hearst Castle, the Hearst family established a trust to indefinitely preserve 18 miles of coastline around the winery. Tables spread over bluffs provide gorgeous views for wine tasting and light food. “Tailored private events are possible,” said Terri Harrington, tasting manager. “These can include yoga and hikes to San Simeon Point.” One can take advantage of catering and winery take-overs of the tree-canopied ocean ridge. As for accommodations, “There are plenty of VRBOs in the area for everyone to stay in,” Harrington advised. New buildouts are infrequent along the Central Coast, but one to note is PGA Hospitality Group’s newest Cambria boutique hotel, completed in 2020, the 25-room White Water, A Lodge on Moonstone Beach. A reimagining of two older lodges, the luxury property bears the designer label of Los Angeles-based Nina Freudenberger, who drew her inspiration from the coastline. Its sister property, the 27-room Cambria Beach Lodge, remodeled in 2017, was the first boutique lifestyle hotel in Cambria. Walk across the street when you stay at Cambria Beach Lodge to admire or add to the driftwood structures built along the sand. Borrow a hotel bike to cycle along Moonstone Beach Drive. Watch the big orange sun sink into graying water in front of Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill, where people line the street to participate in the evening ritual before heading inside for drinks and fish caught earlier from the same water. Ride on the regal horses at Covell Ranch’s Clydesdales for a great team-building activity in the area. The gentle giants take your group from meadows to hills overlooking the ocean. Avila Beach just narrowly escaped becoming a port town. “Long Beach and Avila are the two southernmost facing harbors

in California,” said Mike Sinor, half of the winemaking duo of Sinor-LaValle. The natural protection from the elements would make both great ports. Instead, Avila became just a great place to kayak. Sinor’s vineyard, a mile from the ocean, grows its grapes biodynamically, “Which is even better than organic,” Sinor said. This year he added Morro Bay oyster shucking to the offerings in his already impressive tasting room. If you visit Hartford Pier in Avila Beach, stop at Mersea’s for fish and chips and watch the sea lions just under the pier. A short drive inland, find a perfect gathering place for up to 80 people. The 72-room Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa features hiking trails and a bike path leading to Avila Beach. Set into a hillside, the 125-acre retreat includes 24 mineral hot tubs hidden in the lush foliage, though each room comes with its own private spring. Expanded in 2019, its one-acre chef ’s garden, Secret Garden, supplies the on-site, farm-to-fork restaurant, Gardens of Avila. The site hosts winemaker dinners and rents out the space for banquets. A vintage travel trailer serves beverages and light snacks to guests. Companies looking for a bit more space can head to Pismo Beach. The Cliffs Hotel and Spa and the Vespera Resort can each accommodate about 100 people. “The pier can also host outdoor dinners,” said Gordon Jackson, tourism and events director, Pismo Beach. Adjacent, discover California’s only drivable beach, Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, where flying over dunes in off-road vehicles provides just some of the fun. “I don’t think people really understand how different this area is from the south and north big cities,” said H1DR’s Cumings. I’d have to agree.

At almost 150 years old, the Piedras Blancas Light Station in San Simeon is full of stories. Set about six miles north of Hearst Castle off CA-1 (Cabrillo Highway), start with a two-hour tour led by a member of the Bureau of Land Management; the gorgeous grounds look over Piedras Blancas State Marine Reserve, part of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, where sea life gives birth in the protected area. Guests learn firsthand why it’s called Piedras Blancas (white rocks) and see the skeletal remains of a humpback whale that washed ashore in 2008. Drive south on CA-1 to the elephant seal rookery, where starting each April, 25,000 to 30,000 pups are born. Continue south for a tour of Hearst Castle. Drive CA-1 south, Cambria to Cayucos, to witness the dramatic clash of ocean and cliff as waves pound against razor edges. Turn toward the ocean on San Geronimo Road, where four miles of flat trail at Estero Bluffs State Park give a close-up look at that conflict between sea and rock. Explore the tidepools during low tide or enjoy the crisp air above, keeping an eye out for whales and dolphins. On three Saturdays each month join Marley Family Seaweeds’ foraging tour as Spencer Marley guides visitors through the rocks to find five to seven types of the 100 varieties of edible seaweed in Cayucos. Take a nibble to sample their different tastes and textures, then enjoy the ramen soup you make with your harvest.

DECEMBER 2021 globaltravelerusa.com

9–5 | WARSAW

Green and Growing Warsaw energizes with a vibrant startup economy.

BY IRENE RAWLINGS

arsaw, the capital and largest city in Poland, was once known as “The Paris of the North” for its wide, tree-lined boulevards and beautiful Baroque buildings. During World War II, however, more than 85 percent of the city’s historic center was destroyed. Undaunted, the populace rallied and, starting in 1947, began the grueling process of reconstructing the Old Town — brick by brick from the city’s own rubble — into what is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Since joining the European Union in 2004, Poland has experienced solid economic growth. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the International Monetary Fund agree Poland fared relatively well during the COVID-19 pandemic and has good potential for successful, long-term development once the pandemic ends. Green technology is poised for future growth (Poland is the EU’s biggest exporter of elec-

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tric buses). Wind energy also has a large investment potential as Poland expands its offshore wind farms. Other sectors such as life sciences like biotechnology, genetics and pharmaceutical chemistry drive the economy as well. U.S. firms represent one of the largest groups of foreign investors in Poland. Microsoft, Google, Amazon and Cisco Systems have a large presence as do IBM, Lear Corp., Raytheon Technologies and Pratt & Whitney. In mid-2020 the Polish Development Fund and Dealroom.co reported Poland is the leader in Central and Eastern Europe for investment in startups. Marcin Zabielski, managing partner, Market One Capital, said, “There is no surprise that Poland became a vibrant startup scene, having access to domestic seed capital, experienced founders and top-notch developers.” Most major carriers fly to Warsaw Chopin Airport. LOT Polish Airlines (founded in 1921 and one of the oldest in the world) offers the only non-stop (8.5 hours) from New York’s JFK. From the airport to city center take the SKM or SM trains (every 30 minutes) or book a cab at one of the taxi counters in

Historic Sites: Hotel Bristol (above), peacock in Łazienki Park (right), and the Palace of Culture and Science (below) PHOTOS: © ALEFBET26 | DREAMSTIME.COM, © FOTOKON | DREAMSTIME.COM, © MICHAL BEDNAREK | DREAMSTIME.COM

the airport. Uber, wildly popular, works with the cash-free app you probably already have on your phone — equally useful for getting around the city. Warsaw boasts many 4- and 5-star, business-friendly hotels. The most elegant are Mamaison Hotel Le Regina (61 gracious rooms in the revamped Mokrowsky Palace), Hotel Bristol (opened in 1901, now a 206-room-and-suite Luxury Collection Hotel) and Raffles Europejski Warsaw (106 art-filled rooms in a well-located, 19th-century building). The modern and minimalist Nobu Hotel Warsaw, a brand helmed by world-renowned chef Nobu Matsuhisa, opened in a stunning Art Deco building in August 2021. Other leading brands include Radisson, Marriott, InterContinental, Westin, Sheraton and Sofitel. All have pools, spas, gyms, fully equipped meeting rooms, 24-hour concierges and banquet and catering services. Most people in business and the service industry speak English, but you should know a few basic phrases in Polish, especially “good day” (dzień dobry, pronounced jen-DOH-bree), a cheerful greeting to everyone you meet: business colleagues, store clerks, hotel and wait staff, taxi drivers … you get the idea. You may not get the pronunciation quite right, but your effort will be much appreciated. Early morning meetings are not particularly popular in Warsaw unless you’re staying at one of the luxe hotels where one can enjoy a quiet, white-tablecloth breakfast. However, the city does love a good cup of coffee, and you’ll find a café on nearly every corner (most are too crowded and noisy to conduct a business meeting). Instead, grab a to-go cup and head to one of the city’s many jogging trails. The prettiest, the 200-acre Łazienki Park, features miles of paths meandering through centuries-old trees and past magnificent Baroque palaces sporting colorful gardens and peacocks in summer. For a business meeting over lunch or dinner, choose Stolica (on a small, cobblestone street in Old Town and offering a modern take on Polish cuisine), Różana (Polish foods with a lighter touch; private dining rooms available), Restauracja Mazowiecka (a menu dominated by game dishes served in an elegant dining room), Stary Dom (a rustic ambience and old Polish recipes like wine-braised venison and roast duck with red cabbage), Restauracja Zapiecek (big portions of dumplings, soups and sausages; Polish farmhouse décor) or U Kucharzy w Arsenale (dishes such as pork loin stewed in truffle purée or buckwheat blinis with salmon and caviar). Lunch typically begins at 1 p.m. and lasts two hours. Dinners, sometimes several hours long, usually begin at 7 or 8 p.m. For an after-work drink, try one of the new wine bars like Rausz (offering more than 80 small-grower wines accompanied by regional cheeses and charcuterie). For beer, locals like PiwPaw, where you can order a tasting flight from a list of more than 300 regional beers. End your day in the epicenter of Warsaw — on the 30th-floor observation terrace of the city’s still-controversial communist landmark, the Palace of Culture and Science (a gift from Stalin in the 1950s) — for panoramic views of the entire city. Fast-track tickets are available online.

DECEMBER 2021 globaltravelerusa.com

NEIGHBORHOODS | CHICAGO

Back to Square One Discover the beauty and bounty of Chicago’s Logan Square. BY ELYSE GLICKMAN

century ago, Logan Square was a destination neighborhood northwest of Downtown Chicago, attracting prospective residents from diverse backgrounds. Its lush, tree-lined boulevards and parks encompassed stately limestone and greystone homes as well as new rental developments. Access to the Chicago River and some of the city’s most important thoroughfares (Milwaukee, Logan, Kedzie and Humboldt) added to its appeal. Although Logan Square transitioned into a working-class area in the mid-20th century, by the 1990s a new generation of Chicagoans — entrepreneurs and artists among them — rediscovered its beauty and potential. This successful resurgence of Logan Square continues into the 2020s through its colorful and eclectic food and cocktail scene, boutiques, public green spaces and entertainment venues. Ties to Chicago’s history, meanwhile, remain intact with its preserved and restored homes, landmarks, parks and monuments. To best experience Logan Square like a local, begin in Logan Square Park, noted for its centerpiece Illinois Centennial Monument (created by Henry Bacon, the architect who collaborated with Daniel Chester French on the Washington, D.C., Lincoln Memorial). There’s also the equally atmospheric Kedzie Boulevard with its own small parks (notably Palmer Square) and photogenic mansions. The 606, repurposed from an abandoned railway, features bike and walking trails, seating areas and public art. The Logan Square Farmers Market (a favorite of Lori Lightfoot, Chicago’s current mayor and neighborhood resident) allows visitors to sample regional produce and specialty foods. Free concerts, movie screenings and public events are staged at Comfort Station in the warmer months, while family-owned Rosa’s Lounge draws blues and jazz lovers year-round. Logan Square gained cachet over the past two decades as one of America’s best neighborhoods for craft cocktail and beer bars, and one can argue The Logan Theatre epitomizes Logan Square’s entrepreneurial spirit. The 1915 movie house has been reinvented to include a cozy bar and lounge along with its arthouse screening room (site of the Chicago Underground Film Festival), and being referred to as “The Logan” by residents underscores its coolness factor. Other top bars include Bixi Beer, woman-owned Chicago Distilling Company, Cole’s Bar, Estereo, The Moonlighter, Scofflaw, The Owl and Emporium. During the day, Passion House, Sip of Hope Community Coffee Roasters and New Wave Coffee offer prime places to enjoy a coffee, a pastry and some people-watching. Logan Square’s eclectic restaurant scene gets national attention for its innovative-but-approachable restaurants. Lula Café; Parson’s Chicken & Fish; Table, Donkey and Stick; Reno; Longman & Eagle; Same Day Café; Andros Taverna; and Park & Field boast interesting variations on global dishes and comfort food with farm-to-table underpinnings. Osteria Langhe, steered by Chef Cameron Grant, highlights updated recipes from Italy’s Piedmont region. With Logan Square’s past as home to many Latin American communities, it’s also not surprising it boasts some of the city’s most inventive Mexican and Latin American restaurants (Dos Urban Cantina, Mi Tocaya Antojería, Turbo

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Taste of Chicago: Table, Donkey and Stick (top); Chicago Distilling Company (bottom left); and Park & Field (bottom right) PHOTOS: © CHICAGO TOURISM AND CONVENTION BUREAU

Tacos, Lonesome Rose, 90 Miles Cuban Café). The neighborhood is also heaven for shoppers whose idea of a souvenir does not involve logo T-shirts or refrigerator magnets. While vintage fans flock to Lost Girls, those looking for chic, artisanal finds (clothing, gifts, stationery, personal care and jewelry made by Chicago designers) should check out Shop Small Chicago, Steel Petal Press and Wolfbait & B-Girls; bookstore lovers should not miss browsing the shelves at City Lit Books.

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TOURS | BANFF

Chills and Thrills Warm up to winter on a snowy break in Banff. BY KRISTY ALPERT

was still sore from a grueling fat tire bike ride up to a mountaintop backcountry cabin with Discover Banff Tours as I strapped on my crampons and prepared for my next wintry adventure. I had come to Banff while the roads were still powdered with freshly fallen snow, determined to transform myself from a summertime beach bum into a full-fledged winter lover. Timely encouragement from experienced guides helped warm my hesitations during activities like winter hiking and ice climbing, and it wasn’t long before I found myself smiling ear to ear, ice axes in hand, as I made my way up a frozen canyon wall to discover my newfound love of chilly elements. “We consistently hear that our ice climbing lessons are a highlight of a trip to the Canadian Rockies,” said Jesse de Montigny, IFMGA/ACMG mountain guide, Yamnuska Mountain Adventures. “Using ice axes and crampons for waterfall ice climbing may sound daunting, but people of all ages and physical capabilities can try this fun sport without feeling like they need brute upper body strength. If done properly, beginner pitches should feel very similar to climbing a ladder.” Yamnuska Mountain Adventures offers intro- and expert-level ice climbing courses. The beginner programs generally run December through mid-March; guests are outfitted with everything they need for an enjoyable climb with experienced guides. Ice climbing, like many of the winter activities around Banff, puts visitors in the heart of some of the most spectacular scenery in the Alberta region, where active adventures lead to moments in which visitors find themselves both catching their breath and losing it at the sight of something beautiful. The company also offers backcountry skiing tours and intro lessons to ski mountaineering, where guests are armed with the latest equipment before carving through deep powdered runs. Winter activities in Banff range from leisurely strolls atop frozen lakes to heli-skiing, and there’s truly a tour for every activity level. The Banff Gondola offers some of the most stunning views in the region without much physical effort involved, and the tour culminates in a mountaintop experience where panoramic views extend over Banff town center, Mount Rundle and the mountains of the Bow Valley. Even during the warmer months, animal afficionados can mush their own sleds (or carts in summer) with Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours, while aviation enthusiasts go to great heights aboard the Alpine Heli Tours scenic flights through the mountains. Although Banff is a true all-season destination, its wintry adventures are capable of converting warmweather devotees into winter warriors.

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KICKING BACK | LOS CABOS

Baja Break Unwind in Los Cabos, where the desert meets the sea. BY TIM LEFFEL

n the morning we enjoyed a lavish breakfast while looking out at the ocean and seeing the waterspouts of humpback whales as they swam by. We then played golf on one of the most challenging courses in Mexico, designed by Jack Nicklaus. As the sun dipped down, we took an ATV ride through the desert dunes and along the beach, then hit downtown Cabo San Lucas for margaritas by the marina. The next day we could choose from dozens of other options — or just kick back on a lounge chair by the pool or ocean. On a leisure visit to Los Cabos, you’ll find a full spectrum of vacation fun options to dial up or down. On one hand, it’s easy to check into an all-inclusive hotel, do nothing but eat and drink for a week and just enjoy the warm oceanfront setting. At the other extreme, the region boasts enough adventure activities to keep an adrenaline junkie

Choose Your Adventure: ATV ride through the dunes (above), horseback riding through the desert (below left), and whale-watching (below right); and (opposite page, left to right) Acre dining; Las Ventanas Al Paraíso, a Rosewood Resort PHOTOS: © TIM LEFFEL

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going for an entire one-week trip. In the desert, on the water or under the ocean’s surface, this playground pleases a wide variety of vacationers. The area of Los Cabos comprises two cities and the corridor between them, located around 1,000 miles south of the U.S. border. Cabo San Lucas sits at the tip of the Baja Peninsula, where the Pacific Ocean rounds a corner. San José del Cabo lies on the Sea of Cortez, which runs up the other side of the narrow stretch of land. In between, beaches, golf courses and some of the most luxurious resorts in Mexico line the coast. This confluence of water bodies creates huge waves, a great environment for fishing and a watery highway for whales coming down from the Arctic to give birth. On the Sea of Cortez side you can enjoy fantastic snorkeling and diving, with Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park an easy daytrip from any Los Cabos hotel. A little farther north, La Paz offers one of the few places in the world where snorkelers can swim with whale sharks a short boat ride from shore. Most of the beaches in this area are great for strolling but too rough for swimming. Monster waves higher than a person bash the shore, and riptides are strong enough to drag someone 50 yards offshore before they can say “¡Ay caramba!” A few sheltered bays, however, offer a break from rough waters, the crescent of sand closest to Cabo San Lucas among them. The large, wide-open beaches are usually empty, so visitors can ride a horse or ATV on the beach without worrying much about anyone getting in the way. Surfers love the waves, of course, and in some spots you can watch them in action, such as the public beach next to The Cape, a Thompson Hotel at Playa Monumentos. “In January, you can almost walk on whales,” one San José del Cabo guide told me when I visited too late in the year. I returned in December and saw a few early arrivals from a boat, then came back another year in January and found the guide was only partially exaggerating. I sat on my balcony at an oceanfront hotel and stopped counting at 100. Later, I walked on the beach and saw hundreds of stingrays shooting up from the water and flapping their wings. Saddle up for a unique Cabo experience, riding a horse along a deserted beach at sunset or through sand dunes and cacti, a cowboy in sombrero leading the way. Other tours explore a desert landscape by mountain bike or hiking. Long known as a prime zone for hooking big fish, the region initially attracted Hollywood actors and novelists coming to fish all day and party all night. (Steinbeck and Hemingway both spent time in Los Cabos.) Before this area acquired a big airport and luxury hotels, most of the residents worked in commercial fishing.

LODGING

DINING

Le Blanc Spa Resort Los Cabos Luxurious and expansive, the region’s best adult all-inclusive property features a stunning pool complex, excellent restaurants and a huge spa facility.

Acre The local sustainable option, this well-known farm-to-table restaurant, set within a lush sanctuary, sources most ingredients from its surrounding 25-acre farm or the nearby sea.

Carretera Transpeninsular SJC-CSL. Km. 18.4., Lomas de Tule, San José del Cabo $$$$$

Calle Camino Real, Animas Bajas, San José del Cabo $$$

JW Marriott Los Cabos Beach Resort & Spa At the stylish, family-friendly resort, The Griffin Club suites offer extra perks and a private pool, while noted chef Thierry Blouet creates culinary delights at Café des Artistes.

Manta Located in The Cape Hotel, with a view of the area’s famous arch, this Cabo outpost from celebrity Mexican chef Enrique Olvera of Pujol (Mexico City) and Cosme (New York City) celebrates Pacific coast cultures.

Fraccion Hotelera Fh5-C1, Subdelegacion de la Playita, San José del Cabo $$$$$

The Cape, a Thompson Hotel, Carretera Transpeninsular Km. 5, Misiones del Cabo, Cabo San Lucas $$$$

Las Ventanas Al Paraíso, a Rosewood Resort One of the region’s original luxury hotels and still the best in many respects, Las Ventanas features superlative service, an award-winning spa and a true sense of place.

Nobu Los Cabos The Mexican outpost of famous chef Nobu Matsuhisa serves a sublime mix of Japanese, Mexican and Peruvian influences sure to please any palette.

Carretera Transpeninsular KM 19.5, San José del Cabo $$$$$

Nobu Hotel Los Cabos, Polígono 1. Fracción D. Fraccionamiento Diamante, Los Cangrejos, Cabo San Lucas $$$$

DECEMBER 2021 globaltravelerusa.com

favorites for attentive service, plush rooms and exceptional facilities. Where they blow away the North American competition, though, is in INFO TO GO their spas. Hotels such as Las Ventanas al Paraíso, One&Only Palmilla Los Cabos International Airport, one of Mexico’s busiest, serves close to 5 million passengers in and Montage Los Cabos feature menus of treatments that would take normal years. Modern highways connect the airport to the two main cities and points in between, weeks to sample and indulgent staff ready to help stressed-out executives with taxis ($50–80), major rental car brands and private transportation services available. relax. For less adventurous pursuits, downtown San José del Cabo appeals to the cultured. Over the years, many artists and gallery owners settled Many still fly here just to go on a fishing trip with their friends. It’s an here, some of them opening display spaces in historic buildings in the unusual day if someone doesn’t reel in some photo-worthy catches within center. An art walk proves an uncomplicated affair: The galleries primaran hour or two of departure: Deep-sea fishing lies barely off the shore. ily cluster around the town square and along Calle Obregon. Artists The Los Cabos area, considered the golf center of Mexico, offers displaying works include local painters making their debut, makers of Pacific Play: courses designed by all the top names. Much of the required water comes Huichol beaded animals and international contemporary art stars like Quivira Golf Course from desalinization — using treated seawater for irrigation — so you can Mexican sculptor Jorge Marín. (You may need a credit card with a very PHOTO: © TIM LEFFEL enjoy the stunning ocean views while teeing off without feeling pangs of high limit to cart away one of his bronzes.) guilt. On Thursday nights between November and June enjoy a self-guided The luxury hotels of the Los Cabos region dominate the editors’ lists walk, when most galleries stay open until 9 p.m. Several art experts offer and readers’ polls at major travel magazines, and six AAA five-diamond guided walking tours with more insight. Afterward, head to wine bars to resorts operate here, more than any other resort location in the Americas sample brands from the north of the peninsula or excellent brewpub Baja except the long Cancún/Riviera Maya coast. They remain perennial Brewing.

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Zest for Life European sophistication meets Latin passion in Buenos Aires. BY ARI BENDERSKY

ntil you visit, you may never know the extent of Buenos Aires’ cosmopolitanism. From design and architecture to technology and banking — and across all the arts — Buenos Aires truly has a global feel that rivals Paris, New York and Tokyo. While it’s on the water, Buenos Aires is not a beach destination like Rio but rather a port city — hence locals are called Porteños and have a zest for life and want to share it with all who visit. Almost as soon as you enter this beautiful Argentine capital, it becomes obvious just how fantastic this energetic metropolitan city truly is. You’ll likely spend most of your time between upscale, classic Recoleta; chic, eclectic and fashionable Palermo; and the romantic and gentrified San Telmo, where you’ll find a sprawling open-air antique flea market each Sunday. But the Central Business District of La Citi, between the San Nicolás, Montserrat and Retiro neighborhoods, is home to the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange, Argentina’s Central Bank and other financial institutions. No matter where you gather with colleagues and clients, you’ll notice quite quickly

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the European influence on the city’s architecture. Waves of immigrants from Spain, Italy and Germany — and what now comprises the world’s sixth-largest Jewish community — all arrived in Buenos Aires in the 19th and 20th centuries, bringing with them design, culture and gastronomy. All over the city their impact can be observed by simply walking around the neighborhoods and looking up at the homes and buildings. You’ll especially see it at Teatro Colón, one of the most important opera houses in the world, where singer Maria Callas famously performed and which offers group tours. At the Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires, modern and folk art converge in permanent and rotating exhibits. You can experience it in any number of the city’s top spots to watch the romantic, sensual tango shows — and learn a few moves yourself in this, the world’s tango capital. You’ll even encounter it in La Recoleta Cemetery, a neighborhood in its own right where some of the city’s most important residents, including Eva Perón, are buried. When it comes to business, Buenos Aires’ numerous industries converge. In 2017 the city was named a smart city due to its welcoming attitude toward innovation, entrepreneurship, technology and app development. The newer Buenos Aires Exhibition and Convention Centre hosted the 2017 Smart City

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LGBTQ+

Ready to Explore Welcome a new year of LGBTQ+ travel in 2022. BY MARK CHESNUT

ike most people, LGBTQ+ travelers are looking forward to a new year that will allow for safer and more hassle-free travel. And there are plenty of reasons to look forward to 2022. A top international choice for kicking off the new year in party mode is White Party Bangkok, billed as Asia’s largest gay New Year’s Eve festival. There’s yet another chance to celebrate when the Thai new year begins in April, with the massive G Circuit Songkran Festival attracting still more LGBTQ+ revelers. The first months of the new year prove a great time for skiers; among the best options for LGBTQ+ travelers are Colorado’s Aspen Gay Ski Week, Switzerland’s Arosa Gay Ski Week and Canada’s 29th annual Whistler Pride and Ski Festival, all in January. Tour operators and travel agencies, meanwhile, make it easy for LGBTQ+ globetrotters to rediscover the pleasure of travel. In South America, Out in Colombia — winner of the 2021 Impact Award from the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association — offers a fresh array of Colombia tour options, while a travel agency called Travel Brilliant upped its family-friendly LGBTQ+ vacation options, including a new “gay dads family spring break” offer at Universal Orlando Resort. Orlando, in fact, offers multiple new reasons to visit in 2022. Walt

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PRIDE EVENTS WILL LIKELY BE LARGER IN 2022, GIVING TRAVELERS MORE REASONS TO HEAD TO DESTINATIONS LIKE NEW YORK CITY, AMSTERDAM AND PUERTO RICO, WHICH HOSTS TWO VIBRANT CELEBRATIONS. Disney World continues marking its 50th anniversary with fresh entertainment likely to make the next Gay Days events even more fun. New hotels in the area include Lake Nona Wave Hotel, opening this month and featuring LGBTQ+ performers as part of its entertainment roster. Pride events will likely be larger in 2022, giving travelers more reasons to head to destinations like New York City, Amsterdam and Puerto Rico, which hosts two vibrant celebrations. Travelers looking for pride-worthy accommodations in the northeastern United States, meanwhile, should consider Connecticut’s Foxwoods Resort Casino, which debuted a Rainbow Suite at Fox Tower in partnership with Bubly sparkling water. It’s just one of the many venues ready to welcome LGBTQ+ travelers in the new year.

2022 GT Tested Reader Survey Awards Ballot Please write in your personal favorites, based on your own experience, on the line next to each of the following categories.

HOTEL BEST

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Overall Best Airline in the World ____________________________________________________ Airline Alliance _______________________________________________________________________ Aircraft Type ________________________________________________________________________ Airline Website ______________________________________________________________________ Fastest-Growing Airline – Trans-Pacific _____________________________________________ Best Corporate Program for Business Travelers _________________________________ Best Airline for . . . Business Class __________________________________________________________________ International First Class ________________________________________________________ Domestic First Class ____________________________________________________________ Onboard Service _______________________________________________________________ Lounges ________________________________________________________________________ Flight Attendants _______________________________________________________________ Flight Attendant Uniforms _____________________________________________________ Airline Cuisine __________________________________________________________________ First-Class Seat Design _________________________________________________________ Business-Class Seat Design ___________________________________________________ Best New Airline Service Launch _______________________________________________ Best Frequent-Flyer Programs Overall Best Frequent-Flyer Program __________________________________________ Elite-Level Program _____________________________________________________________ Bonus Promotion ______________________________________________________________ Award Redemption _____________________________________________________________ Customer Service ______________________________________________________________

BEST AIRLINE BY LOCATION Best Airline in . . . Africa____________________________________________________________________________ Australia and New Zealand_____________________________________________________ Central/South Asia and India _________________________________________________ China ___________________________________________________________________________ Eastern Europe _________________________________________________________________ Europe __________________________________________________________________________ Mexico __________________________________________________________________________ The Middle East ________________________________________________________________ North America __________________________________________________________________ North Asia (excluding China) ___________________________________________________ The South Pacific _______________________________________________________________ To South America and Central America ____________________________________________ To Japan _____________________________________________________________________________ Trans-Atlantic Airline ________________________________________________________________ Trans-Pacific Airline _________________________________________________________________

AIRPORT BEST Overall Best Airport in the World ___________________________________________________ Overall Best Duty-Free Shop in the World __________________________________________ Airport Staff/Gate Agents ___________________________________________________________ Airport Dining _______________________________________________________________________ Airport Parking ______________________________________________________________________ Airport Shopping ___________________________________________________________________ Fastest-Growing U.S. Airport ________________________________________________________ Duty-Free Shops in . . . Asia _____________________________________________________________________________ Africa____________________________________________________________________________ Europe __________________________________________________________________________ The Middle East ________________________________________________________________ Best Airport in . . . Asia _____________________________________________________________________________ Africa____________________________________________________________________________ Europe __________________________________________________________________________ The Middle East ________________________________________________________________ North America __________________________________________________________________ South America __________________________________________________________________ * Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions

Best Individual Hotel in the World ________________________________________________ International Hotel Chain _________________________________________________________ Domestic Hotel Chain _____________________________________________________________ Lifestyle Hotel _____________________________________________________________________ MICE* Hotel ______________________________________________________________________ Hotel Website _____________________________________________________________________ Best Frequent-Stay Programs Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World __________________________________ Elite-Level Program ___________________________________________________________ Bonus Promotion ____________________________________________________________ Award Redemption ___________________________________________________________ Customer Service_____________________________________________________________

HOTEL BEST BY LOCATION Best Hotel in . . . Asia ___________________________________________________________________________ Europe ________________________________________________________________________ South Korea __________________________________________________________________ The Middle East ______________________________________________________________ The United States ____________________________________________________________ Best Hotel Chain in . . . Asia ___________________________________________________________________________ Europe ________________________________________________________________________ Japan __________________________________________________________________________ Latin America _________________________________________________________________ Mexico ________________________________________________________________________ Singapore _____________________________________________________________________ The Middle East ______________________________________________________________

OTHER BEST Overseas Delivery Program ______________________________________________________ Rental Car Company ______________________________________________________________ Tourism Destination ______________________________________________________________ MICE* City ________________________________________________________________________ WiFi Service ________________________________________________________________________ Luggage Brand ____________________________________________________________________ Hotel App __________________________________________________________________________ Airline App _________________________________________________________________________ Best Small- to Mid-Sized Business Program _____________________________________ Best Offshore Business Location _________________________________________________ Credit Cards Best Overall Credit Card __________________________________________________________ Best Small-Business Credit Card _________________________________________________ Best Credit Card Special Events __________________________________________________ Credit Card Rewards Program ____________________________________________________ Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card ________________________________________________ Promotions ___________________________________________________________________ Benefits _______________________________________________________________________ Redemptions _________________________________________________________________ Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card________________________________________________ Promotions ___________________________________________________________________ Benefits _______________________________________________________________________ Redemptions _________________________________________________________________ Best Cruise Line Affinity Credit Card ______________________________________________

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AIRPORT UPDATE

Monumental Milestones Manchester International Airport revamps with a new terminal and sustainable fuel. BY MARY MELNICK

‘IT IS A PROUD MILESTONE FOR OUR AIRPORT AS WE BEGIN TO EMERGE FROM THE RESTRICTIONS BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE COVID-19 CRISIS AND AN IMPORTANT MOMENT IN OUR 83-YEAR HISTORY.’ — KAREN SMART, MANAGING DIRECTOR Now Arriving: Terminal 2 check-in hall PHOTO: © HUFTON + CROW

MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT manchesterairport.co.uk

ach year Manchester Airport, the global gateway to Northern England, serves around 19 million passengers and more than 60 airlines flying directly to about 200 destinations. The airport officially opened in 1938 as Ringway Airport. When World War II broke out the following year, it became a hub of wartime engineering activity as an aircraft manufacturing center for Fairey Aviation and Avro. It also acted as a training center for more than 60,000 parachutists. Airport facilities expanded with three new runways and 10 new hangars. Once

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the war ended, the airport went back to business as usual, eventually renamed Manchester International Airport in 1975. Recently, the airport opened a newly extended Terminal 2, the center of a huge transformation program. The expansion offers the latest innovations in travel technology and state-of-the-art facilities, ensuring passengers receive a world-class experience as they travel. “After a long wait, we are delighted to confirm the first passengers will be able to enjoy our new Terminal 2 this week,” said Karen Smart, managing director, as the airport unveiled the new terminal in July. “It is a proud milestone for our airport as we begin to emerge from the restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 crisis and an important moment in our 83-year history.” Highlights include a bright and modern check-in hall; the latest technology for security; a stunning departure lounge with a wide variety of shops, bars and restaurants; and a new arrivals experience with a spacious immigration hall providing a warm welcome to Manchester. Ahead of the terminal opening, the Civil Aviation Authority recognized Manchester International Airport as COVID-19 safe for travelers. Assisted by the CAA and Public Health England, the airport established and maintained a variety of COVID-secure protocols to meet the international guidance on safety measurements provided by the International Civil Aviation Organization. Manchester Airport continues to comply with the guidance on general hygiene, cleanliness, masks and face coverings, the mental health and well-being of employees and passengers and much more. A new terminal isn’t the only big change for the airport. Thanks to a new partnership with Fulcrum BioEnergy Limited UK, Manchester will become the first airport in the United Kingdom to have a direct feed of sustainable aviation fuel. The airport will receive its supply of SAF through a pipeline that already runs between the two facilities. The partnership will also support a sustainable recovery from the pandemic and promote green skills and provide new job opportunities for people in the area.

MEDICAL TOURISM

Baltic Remedy Combine high-level medical care with spa visits in Lithuania. BY DEBRA BOKUR

he very roots of medical tourism can be traced to ancient times, when travelers set off for distant lands in search of healing mineral springs and cures for whatever ailment afflicted them. Modern medical tourists book flights, but the goal of the search remains the same: relief and healing. Today those journeys are often motivated by the lure of reasonably priced options that may be unavailable at home. Known for pine-scented forests and deep, dazzling lakes, the Baltic country of Lithuania holds claim to an everincreasing number of visitors traveling abroad in search of affordable, highstandard medical treatments. Lithuania holds particular attraction for travelers seeking cosmetic procedures, with a focus on laser teeth whitening, rhinoplasty and breast augmentation and reduction surgeries. Cost savings estimates for some of these procedures are significant: The average savings for a rhinoplasty can be as much as 72 to 84 percent, while a standard breast augmentation, which averages $9,162–10,995 in a U.S. hospital, runs around $3,337–3,742 in Lithuania. Along with cosmetic procedures, Lithuania has also become a respected destination for infertility treatments, organ transplants, cataract surgery, joint replacement, dental implant procedures, antiaging programs and cancer/oncological treatments. Currently, three of the country’s major hospital facilities are fully accredited by the Joint Commission International. These are the private JSC Northway, SK Impeks Medicinos Diagnostikos Centras and UAB Kardiolita, all located in Vilnius. In addition, numerous modern private hospitals and clinics boast highly trained medical teams that specialize in specific health needs — and you’ll find more than 300 health and wellness spas where you can enjoy a leisurely recuperation before you begin the trek home. Along with a wide range of massage therapies and soothing mineral steam baths, Spa Hotel Vilnius offers sauna cabins and water treatments, along with a selection of cosmetic surgery options, gastroenterology treatments and a medical staff that includes psychologists and nutritionists. At some spas, you can take advantage of the therapeutic properties believed to be associated with natural elements includ-

KNOWN FOR PINE-SCENTED FORESTS AND DEEP, DAZZLING LAKES, THE BALTIC COUNTRY OF LITHUANIA HOLDS CLAIM TO AN EVER-INCREASING NUMBER OF VISITORS TRAVELING ABROAD IN SEARCH OF AFFORDABLE, HIGH-STANDARD MEDICAL TREATMENTS. ing Baltic amber and peat mud. Said to be a powerful immunity enhancer with anti-aging benefits, amber plays a role in saunas, scrubs and reflexology treatments. Try it for yourself at the Amber Palace, located at The Health & Wellness Center Energetikas located along the Baltic Sea in Palanga. The property — which offers medical treatments such as urology; neurology; cardiology; and ear, nose and throat procedures — includes a salt cave and a menu of treatments featuring local herbs, mud and peat. Things to know before you go: Vilnius Airport, Lithuania’s international gateway, is a 10-hour flight from New York. Entry requirements specify all travelers, medical or otherwise, must have a minimum of three months left on their passports beyond the date of their visit.

DECEMBER 2021 globaltravelerusa.com

PREVIEW

Black History Month Travel Located in West Potomac Park near the landmark National Mall in Washington, D.C., The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial honors the civil rights leader’s legacy and the pursuit of freedom, equality and justice. Learn more when you read next month’s Diversity: Black History Month Travel. PHOTO: © OLIVIER LE QUEINEC | DREAMSTIME.COM

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CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF GLAMOUR Join The Peninsula Beverly Hills in celebrating 30 years in sunny Beverly Hills with the Celebrating 30 Years of Glamour offer. Inclusive of any room or suite for stays through December 31, 2021. Daily $100 Hotel Credit | Welcome Laurent-Perrier Champagne | Flexible Check In & Departure Complimentary Parking | Daily Continental Breakfast | Commemorative 30th Anniversary Gift Exclusive Two Rodeo Drive Luxury Shopping Card

9882 SOUT H SAN TA MON IC A B OUL EVA R D, BEVE RLY H I L L S , C A 9 0 2 1 2 | + 1 3 1 0 5 5 1 2 8 8 8 | PBH @ PE N I N SU L A . C OM

December 2021 Global Traveler

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