Leisure Lifestyle June 2020 Global Traveler

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LEISURE LIFESTYLE AWARDS p. 8 FALL FOLIAGE ROAD TRIPS p. 24 HOTELS WITH HISTORY p. 28 YACHT VACATIONS p. 34 PLANNING MULTIGEN VACATIONS p. 38 A LEISURE TRAVELER’S GUIDE TO THE SOUTH PACIFIC p. 42 A NIGHTLIFE GUIDE TO QUINTANA ROO p. 46 HIKING THE JOHN MUIR WAY p. 48 EXPLORING AN ASHEVILLE NEIGHBORHOOD p. 50

LEISURE LIFESTYLE GLOBAL TRAVELER’S GUIDE TO THE LUXURIOUS WORLD OF LEISURE TRAVEL

June 2020

I’ve put my wheels on trains, used bike ramps at stations, and slept in quaint B&Bs. Rental outlets, bilingual signs and bike-only trails are ubiquitous.

The infrastructure is there, and drivers are used to sharing with two wheelers.

A bike tour of Taiwan can be as strenuous or as laidback as you want it to be.

Olympians vie to be King of the Mountains In the highlands, a world-class route awaits hardcore bikers. From the Pacific, through the marble canyon of Taroko Gorge, the brutal yet beautiful KOM ascent climbs to 3,275m (10,745ft) in a mere 105km (65 miles). Among elite riders taking on this challenge in 2015 was Olympic gold medallist Lasse Norman Hansen.

PARTNER TOUR OPERATORS

Supera Tours www.superatours.com STA Travel US www.statravel.com SITA World Tours www.sitatours.com Mango Tours www.mangotours.com Majestic Vacations www.majestic-vacations.com Hana Tour USA www.hanatour.us Goway Travel www.goway.com Avanti Destinations www.avantidestinations.com Asia Getaway www.asiagetaway.com Asia Answers www.asiaanswers.com

We w h o l i v e f o r c y c l i n g n e e d t o k n o w Ta i w a n — a m u s t - v i s i t d e s t i n a t i o n f o r a d v e n t u r o u s r i d e r s .

For all ages and abilities

Unforgettable hospitality Taiwan, one of the world’s safest destinations for tourists, is also one of the friendliest. Police greet me warmly when I stop at rural stations to refill my bidon. Countryside folk press tea and yummy Taiwanese fruit on me. And everywhere I hear the phrase locals shout to offer encouragement: jiayou - “go for it!”

Year-round cycling events There’s no bad season for riding in Taiwan, but each year I mark two events in my diary. The Tour de Taiwan (www.tourdetaiwan.org.tw) is held in the first quarter. Come fall, the Taiwan Cycling Festival (http://taiwanbike.tw) encompasses the KOM race and other thrilling events.

For complete details of other highlights, biking and non-biking, see http://eng.taiwan.net.tw.

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THE WORLD AWAITS WHAT A YEAR … AND IT’S ONLY JUNE (or already June, depending on how you look at it). “Leisure lifestyle” may seem like an oxymoron in 2020, but as an optimist and travel enthusiast, I’m still determined to live the rest of this year to the fullest (or as full as possible, given the ongoing COVID-19 situation) — with travel at the forefront — and there’s no better way to do that than with a strictly leisure vacation.

And honestly, who needs a leisure vacation more than, well, everyone right now?

Speaking of strictly leisure, welcome to the special-edition Leisure Lifestyle Issue! Dive deep into the world of luxury, relaxation, exploration and stunning locales with our tried-andtrue list of the best of the best in the leisure travel world. Skim through GETTING AWAY: some familiar brands and destinations Angelique Platas in Sayula, Mexico you know and love, or read all about PHOTO: © ANGELIQUE PLATAS those completely new to you with our list of Leisure Lifestyle Awards winners — you may find some travel inspiration or validation for your great taste.

Which ultra-luxury cruise line will catch your eye this year? Which stunning coastline and white-sand beach is calling your name? Whether you’re eager to cross a few destinations off a growing list or looking to add a few more, this issue can navigate the leisure waters for you.

The first step to a luxe vacation is planning, and consider this issue your handy guide.

Get ready, get set, relax!

EDITORIAL Editor in Chief KIMBERLY KROL kim.krol@globaltravelerusa.com 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 Associate Editor ANGELIQUE PLATAS angelique.platas@globaltravelerusa.com Social Media & Editorial Coordinator MARY MELNICK mary.melnick@globaltravelerusa.com Blog Editors JOHN WROBLEWSKI, LOUIE ATSAVES

ART Art Director TRACEY CULLEN tracey.cullen@globaltravelerusa.com Staff Photographer CHRISTOPHER P. OTTAUNICK christopher@globaltravelerusa.com Special Events Video Editor VANCE PICCIN

WRITERS SUSAN B. BARNES DEBRA BOKUR STEVE JERMANOK KELLY MAGYARICS RICHARD NEWTON BARBARA RADCLIFFE ROGERS BRANDON SCHULTZ

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letter ®

LOOKING AHEAD WELCOME TO THE EIGHTH ANNUAL Leisure Lifestyle Issue, celebrating the best in leisure travel. This year is a bit different because many of us haven’t traveled as we have in the past, but instead of writing about what we’ve missed in 2020, I’m looking forward to what will be possible in the rest of the year and beyond.

I come from traveling A MAGICAL TIME: Sarah Ward enjoying the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry stock; my family has always Potter celebrated and encouraged PHOTO: © SARAH WARD travel. After overcoming a fear of flying when I was younger, I’ve been in the skies for business and leisure ever since. I try to make time for at least one trip each year, whether it’s visiting a domestic destination like Jackson Hole or heading overseas to Italy where my heart (and stomach) never want to leave. I’m excited to use this issue’s article on fall foliage as a guide when planning my own drive to see the spectacular colors as we say goodbye to summer and hello to my favorite season. I also hope to plan future travel over the holidays to spots like Seville (voted Best Leisure Destination in Europe). I’ve never been, and thanks to votes from our Global Traveler audience, I can’t wait to go.

We hope you use the Leisure Lifestyle Issue as we do, not only to do what we can to support domestic destinations but also to plan future travel to international locales. Travel will come back; and when it does, I’ll be ready to take to the skies. Until then, I’ll explore my future destinations with the help of Global Traveler and readers like you who take the time to vote for the best this world has to offer wanderers like me. Thank you!

ADVERTISING Publisher/CEO FRANCIS X. GALLAGHER tel 267 364 5811 ext 200 | fran.gallagher@globaltravelerusa.com Executive Vice President, Associate Publisher CARLY ALLEN tel 267 495 6287 | carly.allen@globaltravelerusa.com Account Executive SARAH WARD tel 310-469-2616 | sarah.ward@globaltravelerusa.com Account Executive MARIANA ZENIZO tel 52 55 6560 1152 | marzenizo@gmail.com Account Executive LEXI HOLSTIN tel 67 364 5811 ext 205 | lexi.holstin@globaltravelerusa.com Production & Advertising Coordinator YASSER OGANDO tel 267 884 1650 | yasser.ogando@globaltravelerusa.com

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P LU N G E I N

Š Myles McGuinness

S OA K U P

Whether you’re watching in awe or learning by doing, The Islands of Tahiti are rich with opportunities to discover and participate in the unique culture of each island.

TahitiTourisme.com

contents

Leisure Lifestyle | June 2020 8

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8 Celebrate Good Times Global Traveler announces the winners of the 2020 Leisure Lifestyle Awards.

24 Among the Trees Take a road trip to see nature in all its autumnal splendor.

28 Sleeping with the Past At storied hotels around the world, luxury comes layered with legends.

34 Sailing Away Embark on a luxurious adventure with a personalized yacht charter.

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38 All in the Family Gather multiple generations to enjoy a journey together.

42 Slice of Heaven Find your personal paradise in the islands of the South Pacific.

FX E X P R E S S

ON THE COVER

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

globaltravelerusa.com globaltravelerusa.com

June June 2020 2020

LEISURE LIFESTYLE AWARDS p. 8 FALL FOLIAGE ROAD TRIPS p. 24 HOTELS WITH HISTORY p. 28 YACHT VACATIONS p. 34 PLANNING MULTIGEN VACATIONS p. 38 A LEISURE TRAVELER’S GUIDE TO THE SOUTH PACIFIC p. 42 A NIGHTLIFE GUIDE TO QUINTANA ROO p. 46 HIKING THE JOHN MUIR WAY p. 48

46 Night Shift Quintana Roo pulses with after-hours activity.

48 Coast to Coast Journey along the John Muir Way to explore Scotland’s heartland.

50 Mountain Retreat Escape to serenity in Asheville, North Carolina.

LEISURE LIFESTYLE | JUNE 2020

EXPLORING AN ASHEVILLE NEIGHBORHOOD p. 50

LEISURE LIFESTYLE GLOBAL TRAVELER’S GUIDE TO THE LUXURIOUS WORLD OF LEISURE TRAVEL

COVER PHOTO: DREAM YACHT CHARTER IN PHUKET, THAILAND © DREAM YACHT CHARTERS

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 © 2020 FXExpress Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of text, photographs or illustrations without permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited.

PHOTOS: © NOBLIGE - DREAMSTIME.COM. © REINHARDT - DREAMSTIME.COM, © REGINA ISABELLA

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BEST HISTORICAL ATTRACTIONS, INTERNATIONAL: Spain

PHOTO: © MMEEDS - DREAMSTIME.COM

© MALDIVES001 | DREAMSTIME.COM BILL HEDGES

Celebrate Good Times Global Traveler announces the winners of the 2020 Leisure Lifestyle Awards. BY KIMBERLY KROL THERE’S NO DOUBT 2020 HAS BEEN AN UNPRECEDENTED year for the travel industry. As borders begin to reopen and destinations, hotels and airlines around the world prepare to welcome travelers once again, we’re celebrating travel and looking to the future as we congratulate the winners of our eighth annual Leisure Lifestyle Awards. This annual survey honors the best in the world of leisure and lifestyle travel, awarding goods, services,

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LEISURE LIFESTYLE | JUNE 2020

destinations, hotels, airlines and cruises.

Join us as we celebrate travel, the world’s greatest unifier, and consider the following winners as you prepare to come back to the world of leisure travel.

We begin our global celebration with our destination winners, some of the best cities, islands and towns around the world offering the ultimate in leisure travel. Kick back in any of these exceptional, award-winning spots, starting with Spain, Best Historical Attractions, International, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Best Historical Attractions, Domestic (and the hometown city of Global Traveler!).

If it’s more rest and relaxation you seek, Costa Rica takes the top spot for Best Beaches for the third year running. The U.S. Virgin Islands are Best Caribbean Island, while Santoríni retains its Best Island in Europe title for the seventh consecutive year. Cook Islands, another fan favorite, wins Best Island Pacific Rim for the fifth year in a row, also earning it Quint Status, a recognition won when a company receives the same award for five consecutive years.

Maybe you prefer powdery white snow to soft white sand? Telluride, Colorado, is Best North American Ski Destination for the second year in a row, while Lech, Austria, reigns as Best International Ski Destination.

Consider these other award-winning respites for your next jaunt: Charleston, South Carolina, Best Leisure Destination in the United States; South Africa, Best Leisure Destination in Africa; Seville, Spain, Best Leisure Destination in Europe; Taipei, three-time Best

BEST LEISURE DESTINATION IN THE UNITED STATES: Charleston, South Carolina

PHOTO: © SEAN PAVONE - DREAMSTIME.COM

WINNERS’ CIRCLE BEST HISTORICAL ATTRACTIONS, DOMESTIC 1. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 2. Washington, D.C. 3. Boston, Massachusetts 4. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 5. Williamsburg, Virginia 6. Savannah, Georgia 7. Charleston, South Carolina 8. New Orleans, Louisiana 9. Charlottesville, Virginia 10. Big Sur, California

BEST HISTORICAL ATTRACTIONS, DOMESTIC:

BEST HISTORICAL ATTRACTIONS, INTERNATIONAL

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

BEST LEISURE DESTINATION IN AFRICA AND BEST ADVENTURE DESTINATION, INTERNATIONAL:

1. Spain 2. Egypt 3. Greece 5. Jordan 6. Turkey 7. United Kingdom 8. Israel 9. India 10. Italy

PHOTO: © WITR - DREAMSTIME.COM

BEST BEACHES

PHOTO: © F11PHOTO DREAMSTIME.COM

South Africa

Leisure Destination in Asia; Panama City, Panama, Best Leisure Destination in Latin/South America; Puerto Vallarta, Best Leisure Destination in Mexico; and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, Best Leisure Destination for Groups. South Africa appears on the survey twice, also winning Best Adventure Destination, International. Its domestic counterpart is Albuquerque, New Mexico, as Best Adventure Destination, Domestic. For a quicker leisure trip, Savannah, Georgia, is Best Weekend Destination in North America, and Bermuda is Best Weekend Destination in the World.

Set sail with us as we celebrate our cruise line winners, starting with Celebrity Cruises, Best Family Cruise Line for the second consecutive year. Silversea Cruises takes its third win as Best Cruise Line Suites for its Owner’s Suites. Regent Seven Seas is Best Luxury Cruise Line, while Royal Caribbean International is the inaugural winner of Best Value Cruise Line.

Find adventure on the high seas with Hurtigruten, Best Adventure Cruise Line. Or take to a smaller body of water with Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, Best River Cruise Line for the third consecutive year.

Our readers recommend Paul Gauguin Cruises, the five-time winner of Best Small-Ship Cruise Line. Its fifth win earns it a place among Quint Status winners, as does Cunard’s fifth win for Best Large-Ship Cruise Line. Princess Cruises joins them with its fifth win for Best Cruise Ship Excursions. The line also nabs Best Cruise Line Entertainment for the second year in a row.

Seabourn Cruise Line takes its second nod as Best Cruise Line Spas. For dining, the accolades go to Azamara Club Cruises, Best Cruise Line Dining. Oceania Club by Oceania Cruises earns Best Cruise Line Rewards Program. Rounding out the cruise category, Port of Miami and Port Everglades tie for Best Cruise Port.

The party continues with our hotel winners. Meliá Hotels International is a six-time winner for Best Luxury Leisure Hotel Group in the World. For the first time, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts snags the Best Pet-Friendly Hotel award. Best Hotel Chain Resorts goes to The Ritz-Carlton for the second time in a row, and Westin Hotels & Resorts grabs its fourth Best Family Resort Chain in the World. And last but certainly not

1. Costa Rica 2. Cayman Islands 3. Lanai, Hawai’i 4. The Big Island, Hawai’i 5. Phuket, Thailand 6. Lopes Mendes, Brazil 7. Mykonos, Greece 8. Turks & Caicos 9. Krabi, Thailand 10. Honolulu, Hawai’i

BEST ADVENTURE DESTINATION, DOMESTIC 1. Albuquerque, New Mexico 2. Alaska 3. Grand Canyon 4. Asheville, North Carolina 5. Portland, Oregon 6. Hilton Head, South Carolina 7. Salt Lake City, Utah 8. Nashville, Tennessee 9. California 10. Montana

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BEST LEISURE DESTINATION FOR GROUPS (FOUR OR MORE): Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

PHOTO:: © PATRICIA MARROQUIN - DREAMSTIME.COM

BEST ADVENTURE DESTINATION, INTERNATIONAL 1. South Africa 2. Taiwan 3. India 4. Thailand 5. New Zealand 6. Chile 7. Colombia 8. Australia 9. Jordan 10. Galápagos Islands

BEST LEISURE DESTINATION IN THE UNITED STATES 1. Charleston, South Carolina 2. Asheville, North Carolina 3. Nashville, Tennessee 4. Napa Valley, California 5. Miami Beach, Florida 6. Chicago, Illinois 7. Virginia Beach, Virginia 8. San Francisco, California 9. Austin, Texas 10. New Orleans, Louisiana

BEST LEISURE DESTINATION IN AFRICA 1. South Africa 2. Botswana 3. Morocco 4. Zanzibar 5. Kenya 6. Seychelles 7. Reunion Island 8. Uganda 9. Zambia 10. Namibia

BEST LEISURE DESTINATION IN EUROPE 1. Seville, Spain 2. İstanbul, Turkey 3. Lisbon, Portugal 4. Prague, Czech Republic 5. Rome, Italy 6. Porto, Portugal 7. Paris, France 8. Florence, Italy 9. Venice, Italy 10. Krakow, Poland

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least, Sandals Resorts International earns its third win for Best All-Inclusive Resorts.

Keep the fete up at these airports and with these winning airlines. Miami International Airport welcomes travelers to one of the premier U.S. leisure destinations as Best Airport for Layovers.

Another state welcoming plenty of leisure-seekers, Colorado’s Denver International Airport is Best Airport for Recreation.

Three airlines earn their second consecutive nods: TAP Air Portugal, Best Stopover Program; Air Tahiti Nui, Best Leisure Airline; and Air Canada, Best Airline for Onboard Entertainment and Best Premium-Economy Class. Air Canada’s business class also wins Best Airline Onboard Menu. Alaska Airlines is Best

BEST LEISURE DESTINATION IN ASIA 1. Taipei, Taiwan 2. Singapore 3. Seoul, South Korea 4. Tokyo, Japan 5. Phuket, Thailand 6. Hong Kong 7. Bangkok, Thailand 8. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 9. Osaka, Japan 10. Bali, Indonesia

BEST LEISURE DESTINATION IN LATIN/SOUTH AMERICA 1. Panama City, Panama 2. Buenos Aires, Argentina

LEISURE LIFESTYLE | JUNE 2020

3. Santiago, Chile 4. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 5. Mendoza, Argentina 6. Bogotá, Colombia 7. Quito, Ecuador 8. Cusco, Peru 9. Machu Picchu, Peru 10. Montevideo, Uruguay

BEST LEISURE DESTINATION IN MEXICO 1. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico 2. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico 3. Cancún, Mexico 4. Guadalajara, Mexico 5. Merida, Mexico 6. Isla Holbox, Mexico

Pet-Friendly Airline.

Before we turn the lights up and end the party, we recognize Abercrombie & Kent, Best Tour Operator for the second consecutive year; Volvo, Best Luxury Vehicle, second year in a row; Patek Philippe, Favorite Luxury Watch Brand, two years running; Hertz, Best Leisure Car Rental for the third year; Na Hoku, inaugural winner for Best Destination Jewelry Brand; and Johnnie Walker Blue, Favorite Liquor Brand for the third consecutive year.

Congratulations to the 2020 Leisure Lifestyle Awards winners!

We can’t wait to celebrate travel together, around the world, once again.

THE PROCESS

7. Mexico City, Mexico 8. Playa del Carmen, Mexico Global Traveler conducted a survey of its 9. Cozumel, Mexico readers Oct. 1, 2019—Jan. 31, 2020, with 10. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico open-ended questions for the best in many categories of leisure, luxury and lifestyle BEST LEISURE DESTINATION travel. This survey ran in the magazine, as an FOR GROUPS (FOUR OR MORE) insert to subscriber copies, as a direct mail 1. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico questionnaire, online at globaltravelerusa.

2. Dubrovnik, Croatia com/leisureballot and emailed during the 3. Italy period in question. Only those question4. Park City, Utah naires with more than 50 percent of the 5. Costa Rica questions completed were counted. Those 6. Cartagena, Colombia with fewer than 50 percent of the questions 7. Napa Valley, California answered were discarded. Submissions 8. Montréal, Canada from employees of the magazine or indi9. Nashville, Tennessee viduals associated with the travel industry 10. Ireland were not accepted.

CRUISE LINE OF THE YEAR: Cunard Line

PHOTOS: © CUNARD LINE

BEST WEEKEND DESTINATION IN NORTH AMERICA 1. Savannah, Georgia 2. Austin, Texas 3. Charleston, South Carolina 4. San Francisco, California 5. Las Vegas, Nevada 6. Nashville, Tennessee 7. New Orleans, Louisiana 8. Asheville, North Carolina 9. Miami, Florida 10. New York City, New York

BEST WEEKEND DESTINATION IN THE WORLD

Cruise Line of the Year

For the third year in a row, Global Traveler is pleased to name its Cruise Line of the Year. Congratulations to Cunard Line!

Nominees for this honor were compiled by Global Traveler, with the final winner selected by our Globility Board, a vetted group of well-traveled magazine subscribers.

Cunard is synonymous with history, incredible service, luxury and magnificence. Each of its three grand ships — Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2 — delivers an exceptional, uniquely Cunard experience. From its iconic trans-Atlantic crossings to its white star service and signature experiences, Cunard Line was a perfect — and obvious — choice for the Cruise Line of the Year title. In a year of uncertainty, Cunard’s long, illustrious history reminds us of travel’s indelible, everlasting mark.

This year marks Cunard’s 180th anniversary. The luxury heritage brand inaugurated scheduled mail services from North America to Europe in 1840 and continues its leading position today. In October 2019 the cruise line took the next step in its story with a steel-cutting ceremony for its next ship. Still unnamed, the new ship will be the second largest to fly the Cunard flag.

We’re eager for the future of this year’s Cruise Line of the Year. Congratulations, Cunard!

1. Bermuda 2. Québec City, Québec, Canada 3. Belize City, Belize 4. Dublin, Ireland 5. Lisbon, Portugal 6. London, England 7. Cartagena, Colombia 8. Vienna, Austria 9. Paris, France 10. Rome, Italy

BEST NORTH AMERICAN SKI DESTINATION

CRUISE LINE OF THE YEAR 2020 Cunard Line

1. Telluride, Colorado 2. Vail, Colorado 3. Aspen Snowmass, Colorado 4. Park City, Utah 5. Alta, Utah 6. Jackson Hole, Wyoming 7. Beaver Creek, Colorado 8. Breckenridge, Colorado 9. Winter Park, Colorado 10. Whistler, British Columbia, Canada

BEST INTERNATIONAL SKI DESTINATION 1. Lech, Austria 2. Whistler, British Columbia, Canada 3. Courchevel, France 4. Gstaad, Switzerland 5. Niseko, Japan 6. Méribel, France 7. St. Moritz, Switzerland 8. Verbier, Switzerland 9. Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy 10. Zermatt, Switzerland

LEISURE LIFESTYLE | JUNE 2020

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Best Island Pacific Rim Five Years in a Row

A Thank You from the People of the Cook Islands “Unprecedented” is the choice word used to describe the chaotic times we presently face. The future remains uncertain, this we know. But one thing that will never change is our commitment to all of you.

The Cook Islands may be a small place, where only 18,000 people live, but our tiny population is big in heart. The people of the Cook Islands have remained dedicated to doing everything possible to protect our country during this time – its people, oceans, lagoons, mountains, and environment –and therefore her visitors, able to maintain a COVID-free status even now.

We know you see our islands the way we see them: as a little paradise.

We know this because you, the readers of Global Traveler magazine, have voted the Cook Islands as Best Island Pacific Rim for the fifth year in a row.

Which means you’re already familiar with our crystal blue lagoons, and you’re already aware that our mountains are so lush and green they make it impossible to ever again deny the life-giving, healing power of plants. And you’ve already experienced the staggering We want to sincerely thank you for gracing the Cook Islands with your votes again this year. Our gratitude is only exceeded by our honor in accepting this outstanding award.

For those of you who haven’t visited yet, we are a nation of 15 islands spread over a biodiverse South Pacific sea that’s roughly 3 times the size of Texas. Each of our islands is unique. Several have subterranean networks of caves. One is home to a watery village of shacks built on heads of coral, where divers harvest black pearls. All are unspoiled.

Travelers have compared even the most developed of our islands, Rarotonga, to Hawai‘i before the high rises. fine-dining restaurants. But even on these two islands, most businesses are small and family owned. Our national building code prohibits the construction of anything taller than a coconut tree.

Our mindful approach to development has allowed us to retain a strong sense of community. Visitors often remark on the friendliness of our people. They notice that even the way we say hello – kia orana, which means, I hope you have a long and healthy life – reflects the kindness and the selflessness built into our culture. Travelers also tell us they appreciate how easy it is to mingle with locals and learn about our way of life.

When the time is right, we look forward to welcoming you to our little paradise. And then welcoming you back again, because the percentage of people who only come once, well — that’s little, too.

Meitaki Ma‘ata (Thank You) With Love From A Little Paradise

CookIslands.travel

Special Achievement Awards Each year, in addition to our Leisure Lifestyle Awards, Global Traveler acknowledges those travel companies going above and beyond. Our Special Achievement Awards recognize leaders in innovation, customized services, environmental initiatives and community outreach. Congratulations to this year’s honorees!

The Ritz-Carlton’s Community Footprints program aligns the company with issues important to the communities it serves. Through resources and skill-based volunteer efforts, The Ritz-Carlton makes a difference in child well-being, hunger and poverty relief and environmental responsibility. Its dedication to these causes earned The Ritz-Carlton the Outstanding Social Responsibility title.

Tahiti Tourisme knows a trip to Tahiti is a true dream vacation. Its efforts to help ensure travelers can customize the experience of their lifetime to their unique tastes and interests won the tourism board the Outstanding Customized Services honor. Work with a Certified Tahiti Specialist to plan your vacation.

As part of its OceaniaNEXT program, the cruise line is introducing the next level of its cruising evolution, and part of that is focused on sustainability. Alongside introducing more plant-based gourmet cuisine, a partnership with Vero Water implemented onboard water service in suites, staterooms OUTSTANDING CUSTOMIZED SERVICES: and dining outlets and provides a reusable Tahiti Tourisme water bottle to each guest, eliminating all PHOTO: © TAHITI TOURISME plastic water bottles on board. Oceania Cruises is the 2020 winner of Outstanding Environmental Initiatives.

Qatar Airways redefined business class when it introduced its QSuite. The business-class suites feature doors for enhanced privacy and can be reconfigured into a quad formation perfect for business travelers or families, allowing for more space to work, dine and enjoy together time. Coupled with the finest linens and amenities, impeccable service and a heightened culinary and entertainment program, Qatar Airways’ QSuite makes it this year’s Outstanding Innovations honoree.

OUTSTANDING ENVIRONMENTAL ACHIEVEMENTS: Oceania Cruises

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Qatar Airways QSuite PHOTO: © QATAR AIRWAYS

PHOTO: © OCEANIA CRUISES

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OUTSTANDING INNOVATIONS:

LEISURE LIFESTYLE | JUNE 2020

OUTSTANDING SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: The Ritz-Carlton

PHOTO: © THE RITZ-CARLTON

OUTSTANDING SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY The Ritz-Carlton

OUTSTANDING CUSTOMIZED SERVICES Tahiti Tourisme

OUTSTANDING ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES Oceania Cruises

OUTSTANDING INNOVATIONS Qatar Airways

BEST CARIBBEAN ISLAND 1. U.S. Virgin Islands 2. Bahamas 3. Grand Cayman 4. Curaçao 5. Saint Lucia 6. Aruba 7. Nevis 8. Jamaica 9. British Virgin Islands 10. St. Vincent

BEST CRUISE LINE DINING: Azamara Club Cruises

PHOTO: © AZAMARA CLUB CRUISES

BEST ISLAND IN EUROPE 1. Santoríni 2. England 3. Mykonos 4. Sicily 5. Jersey, United Kingdom 6. Capri 7. Elba 8. Crete 9. Sardinia 10. Ireland

BEST ISLAND IN THE PACIFIC RIM 1. Cook Islands 2. Phuket, Thailand 3. Okinawa 4. Fiji 5. Bora Bora 6. Japan 7. The Big Island, Hawai’i 8. Tahiti 9. Maui, Hawai’i 10. Lanai,

BEST FAMILY CRUISE LINE 1. Celebrity Cruises 2. Holland America Line 3. Disney Cruise Line 4. Princess Cruises 5. Norwegian Cruise Line 6. Royal Caribbean Cruise Line 7. Silversea Cruises 8. Regent Seven Seas 9. MSC Cruises 10. Cunard Line

BEST LUXURY CRUISE LINE 1. Regent Seven Seas 2. Silversea Cruises 3. MSC Cruises 4. Seabourn Cruise Line 5. Paul Gauguin Cruises 6. Cunard Line 7. SeaDream Yacht Club 8. Crystal Cruises 9. Norwegian Cruise Line 10. Celebrity Cruises

BEST VALUE CRUISE LINE 1. Royal Caribbean Cruise Line 2. Norwegian Cruise Line 3. Carnival Cruise Line 4. Celebrity Cruises 5. Emerald Waterways 6. Princess Cruises 7. Holland America Line 8. MSC Cruises 8. Costa Cruise Line 10. Disney Cruise Line

BEST CRUISE LINE SUITES 1. Owner’s Suite, Silversea Cruises 2. Princess Grill Suites, Cunard Line 3. Queens Grill Suites, Cunard Line 4. Haven Suites, Norwegian Cruise Line 5. Penthouse, Celebrity Cruises 6. MSC Yacht Club, MSC Cruises 7. Regent Suites, Regent Seven Seas 8. Owner’s Suite, Oceania Cruises 9. Royal Loft, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line 10. Penthouse, Crystal Cruises

BEST ADVENTURE CRUISE LINE 1. Hurtigruten 2. Windstar Cruises 3. Ponant 4. National Geographic Expeditions 5. American Safari 6. UnCruise Adventures

BEST CRUISE LINE SUITES:

Owner’s Suite, Silversea Cruises PHOTO: © SILVERSEA CRUISES

7. Azamara Club Cruises 8. Lindblad Expeditions 9. Scenic 10. Silversea Cruises

9. Regent Seven Seas 10. SeaDream Yacht Club

BEST LARGE-SHIP CRUISE LINE

BEST SMALL-SHIP CRUISE LINE 1. Paul Gauguin Cruises 2. Silversea Cruises 3. Azamara Club Cruises 4. Seabourn Cruise Line 5. Viking River Cruises 6. Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection 7. Windstar Cruises 8. Crystal Cruises

1. Cunard Line 2. Regent Seven Seas 3. Princess Cruises 4. Celebrity Cruises 5. Royal Caribbean Cruise Line 6. MSC Cruises 7. Holland America Line 8. Norwegian Cruise Line 9. Crystal Cruises 10. Viking Ocean Cruises

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BEST RIVER CRUISE LINE 1. Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection 2. AmaWaterways 3. Viking River Cruises 4. Avalon Waterways 5. Crystal River Cruises 6. Aqua Expeditions 7. Tauck 8. American Cruise Lines 9. Pandaw River Cruises 10. CroisiEurope

BEST CRUISE LINE SPAS: Seabourn Cruise Line

PHOTO: © SEABOURN CRUISE LINE

BEST CRUISE LINE ENTERTAINMENT 1. Princess Cruises 2. Viking Ocean Cruises 3. Royal Caribbean Cruise Line 4. MSC Cruises 5. Celebrity Cruises 6. Holland America Line 7. Disney Cruise Line 8. Cunard Line 9. Regent Seven Seas 10. Norwegian Cruise Line

BEST CRUISE LINE DINING 1. Azamara Club Cruises 2. Seabourn Cruise Line 3. Cunard Line 4. Viking Ocean Cruises 5. Silversea Cruises 6. Celebrity Cruises 7. Oceania Cruises 8. Norwegian Cruise Line 9. MSC Cruises 10. Regent Seven Seas

BEST CRUISE LINE SPAS 1. Seabourn Cruise Line 2. Princess Cruises 3. Viking Ocean Cruises 4. Celebrity Cruises 5. Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection 6. Crystal Cruises 7. Regent Seven Seas 8. Costa Cruises 9. Cunard Line 10. MSC Cruises

BEST CRUISE SHIP EXCURSIONS 1. Princess Cruises 2. Viking Ocean Cruises 3. Silversea Cruises 4. Cunard Line 5. Celebrity Cruises 6. Norwegian Cruise Line 7. Royal Caribbean 8. Holland America Line 9. MSC Cruises 10. Regent Seven Seas

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BEST CRUISE LINE ENTERTAINMENT AND BEST CRUISE SHIP EXCURSIONS: Princess Cruises

PHOTO: © PRINCESS CRUISES

LEISURE LIFESTYLE | JUNE 2020

BEST CRUISE LINE REWARDS PROGRAM 1. Oceania Club, Oceania Cruises 2. MSC Voyagers Club, MSC Cruises 3. Crown & Anchor Society, Royal Caribbean 4. Club World, Cunard Line 5. Captain’s Circle, Princess Cruises 6. Latitudes, Norwegian Cruise Line 7. Mariner Society, Holland America Line 8. Castaway Club, Disney Cruise Line 9. Captain’s Club, Celebrity Cruises 10. Seven Seas Society, Regent Seven Seas

BEST CRUISE PORT 1. Port of Miami, Florida/ Port Everglades, Florida (TIE) 2. Port Canaveral, Florida 3. Cozumel, Mexico 4. Southampton, England 5. Port of San Diego BEST CRUISE LINE 6. Port of Los Angeles SPAS AND BEST 7. Philipsburg, St. Maarten CRUISE LINE DINING: 8. New YorkSeabourn City, NewCruise York Line 9. Venice, Italy

PHOTO: © SEABOURN CRUISE LINE

BEST LUXURY LEISURE HOTEL GROUP IN THE WORLD

BEST HOTEL CHAIN RESORTS: The Ritz-Carlton

PHOTO: © THE RITZ-CARLTON

BEST PET-FRIENDLY HOTEL:

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts PHOTO: © INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS & RESORTS

1. Meliá Hotels International 2. The Ritz-Carlton 3. Westin Hotels & Resorts 4. The Peninsula Hotels 5. Hyatt 6. The Waldorf Astoria 7. Belmond 8. Four Seasons 9. Marriott Hotels & Resorts 10. Conrad Hotels & Resorts

BEST HOTEL CHAIN RESORTS 1. The Ritz-Carlton 2. Meliá Hotels International 3. Four Seasons 4. St. Regis 5. Westin Hotels & Resorts 6. Hyatt 7. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts 8. Sheraton Hotels & Resorts 9. Marriott Hotels & Resorts 10. Montage Hotels & Resorts

BEST PET-FRIENDLY HOTEL 1. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts 2. Westin Hotels & Resorts 3. Kimpton 4. Sheraton Hotels & Resorts 5. The Peninsula Hotels 6. Loews 7. Le Méridien 8. Mandarin Oriental 9. Marriott Hotels & Resorts 10. The Ritz-Carlton

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BEST FAMILY RESORT CHAIN IN THE WORLD 1. Westin Hotels & Resorts 2. Disney Hotels 3. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts 4. Sheraton Hotels & Resorts 5. Loews 6. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts 7. Hyatt 8. Kimpton 9. JW Marriott 10. Omni Hotels & Resorts

BEST ALL-INCLUSIVE RESORT

BEST FAMILY RESORT CHAIN IN THE WORLD: Westin Hotels & Resorts PHOTO: © WESTIN HOTELS & RESORTS

1. Sandals Resorts International 2. Meliá Hotels International 3. Dreams Resorts & Spas 4. Karisma Hotels & Resorts 5. Excellence Group Luxury Hotels & Resorts 6. Paradisus Resorts 7. Jade Mountain, Saint Lucia 8. Secrets Resorts & Spas 9. Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resort 10. Hyatt Zilara

BEST TOUR OPERATOR BEST AIRPORT FOR RECREATION: Denver International Airport

PHOTO: © ARINAHABICH08 - DREAMSTIME.COM

1. Abercrombie & Kent 2. Kenwood Travel 3. The Inspiring Travel Company 4. Cox & Kings 5. Red Savannah 6. Kuoni 7. Trailfinders 8. Perillo Tours 9. The Turquoise Holiday Company 10. Elegant Resorts

BEST AIRPORT FOR LAYOVERS 1. Miami International Airport 2. Singapore Changi Airport 3. Doha Hamad International Airport 4. Taipei Taoyuan International Airport 5. Munich Airport 6. Zürich Kloten International Airport 7. Incheon International Airport 8. Dubai International Airport 9. Denver International Airport 10. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

BEST AIRPORT FOR RECREATION 1. Denver International Airport 2. Singapore Changi Airport 3. Miami International Airport 4. Incheon International Airport 5. Vancouver International Airport 6. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport 7. Zürich Kloten International Airport 8. Munich Airport 9. Austin Bergstrom International Airport 10. Hong Kong International Airport

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BEST STOPOVER PROGRAM 1. TAP Air Portugal 2. Brussels Airlines 3. Air Canada 4. Finnair 5. Qatar Airways 6. Turkish Airlines 7. British Airways 8. Emirates 9. South African Airways 10. Singapore Airlines

BEST LEISURE AIRLINE 1. Air Tahiti Nui 2. Aeromexico 3. American Airlines 4. Hawaiian Airlines 5. United Airlines 6. Delta Air Lines 7. Fiji Airways 8. TAP Air Portugal 9. Kenya Airways 10. Alaska Airlines

BEST AIRLINE FOR ONBOARD ENTERTAINMENT 1. Air Canada 2. British Airways 3. United Airlines 4. American Airlines 5. Qatar Airways 6. Delta Air Lines 7. Asiana Airlines 8. Emirates 9. Singapore Airlines 10. Korean Air

BEST AIRLINE ONBOARD MENU

BEST PREMIUM-ECONOMY CLASS, BEST AIRLINE ONBOARD MENU AND BEST AIRLINE FOR ONBOARD ENTERTAINMENT: Air Canada

PHOTO: © AIR CANADA

BEST PET-FRIENDLY AIRLINE: Alaska Airlines

PHOTO: © ALASKA AIRLINES

1. Air Canada Business Class 2. All Nippon Airways First Class 3. Emirates First Class 4. Asiana Airlines Business Class 5. Swiss International Air Lines First Class 6. Korean Air First Class 7. Air France First Class 8. United Polaris 9. LATAM Premium Business Class 10. Lufthansa Business Class

BEST PREMIUM-ECONOMY CLASS 1. Air Canada 2. Air New Zealand 3. Lufthansa 4. Singapore Airlines 5. American Airlines 6. United Airlines 7. Delta Air Lines 8. Scandinavian Airlines 9. British Airways 10. Alitalia

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BEST PET-FRIENDLY AIRLINE

FAVORITE LIQUOR BRAND

1. Alaska Airlines 2. American Airlines 3. United Airlines 4. Delta Air Lines 5. JetBlue 6. Southwest 7. Hawaiian Airlines 8. Frontier 9. Lufthansa 10. Air Canada

1. Johnnie Walker Blue 2. Patron 3. Grey Goose 4. Maker’s Mark 5. Woodford Reserve 6. Bombay Sapphire 7. Johnnie Walker Black 8. Crown Royal 9. Bacardi 10. Belvedere

BEST LUXURY VEHICLE: Volvo

PHOTO: © VOLVO

BEST LUXURY VEHICLE 1. Volvo 2. BMW 3. Maserati 4. Cadillac 5. Mercedes-Benz 6. Porsche 7. Tesla 8. Lexus 9. Acura 10. Audi

FAVORITE LUXURY WATCH BRAND 1. Patek Philippe 2. Ulysee Nardin 3. Panerai 4. Cartier 5. Louis Vuitton 6. TAG Heuer 7. Omega 8. Tiffany & Co. 9. A Lange & Sohne 10. Movado

BEST LEISURE CAR RENTAL 1. Hertz 2. Avis 3. National Car Rental 4. Sixt 5. Budget 6. Thrifty 7. Dollar Car Rental 8. Alamo 9. Enterprise 10. Payless

BEST DESTINATION JEWELRY BRAND 1. Na Hoku 2. Maui Divers Jewelry Hawai’i 3. Diamonds International 4. Little Switzerland 5. Caribbean Gems 6. Cardow Jewelers 7. Arezzo Jewelers 8. Dune Jewelry 9. Tiffany & Co.

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BEST LIQUOR BRAND: Johnnie Walker Blue

PHOTO: © JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE

LEISURE LIFESTYLE | JUNE 2020

BEST DESTINATION JEWELRY BRAND: Na Hoku

PHOTO: © NA HOKU

2020 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 AIRLINE BEST

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___________________________________________________________________ Security__________________________________________________________________________ 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 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___________________________________________________________________

Best Individual Hotel in the World ________________________________________________ International Hotel Chain__________________________________________________________ Domestic Hotel Chain______________________________________________________________ Lifestyle Hotel______________________________________________________________________ MICE Hotel _________________________________________________________________________ (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions) 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_________________________________________________________________________

Latin America__________________________________________________________________ Mexico_________________________________________________________________________

The Middle East_______________________________________________________________

OTHER BEST Overseas Delivery Program _______________________________________________________ Rental Car Company_______________________________________________________________ Tourism Destination_______________________________________________________________ MICE City ___________________________________________________________________________ (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions) WiFi Service_________________________________________________________________________ Luggage Brand_____________________________________________________________________ Hotel App___________________________________________________________________________ Airline App__________________________________________________________________________ Best Small- to Mid-Sized Business Program ______________________________________ 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_______________________________________________

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/gt-tested-awards-ballot Name Street Address City Home Phone

State

ZIP Code Email

BEST CRUISE SHIP EXCURSIONS: Princess Cruises PHOTO: © PRINCESS CRUISES

BEST ISLAND PACIFIC RIM:

Quint Status

Cook Islands

PHOTO: © NOBLIGE - DREAMSTIME.COM

BEST ISLAND PACIFIC RIM Cook Islands Fifth Consecutive Year

BEST SMALL-SHIP CRUISE LINE Paul Gauguin Cruises Fifth Consecutive Year

BEST LARGE-SHIP CRUISE LINE Cunard Line Fifth Consecutive Year

BEST CRUISE SHIP EXCURSIONS Princess Cruises Fifth Consecutive Year

BEST SMALL-SHIP CRUISE LINE:

BEST LARGE-SHIP CRUISE LINE:

PHOTO: © PAUL GAUGUIN CRUISES

PHOTO: © CUNARD LINE

Paul Gauguin Cruises

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Cunard Line

Chicago’s airports offer more than 275 nonstop destinations worldwide.

CONNECTING THE WORLD TO CHICAGO AND CHICAGO TO THE WORLD

VISIT www.flychicago.com

@fly2ohare @fly2midway

@flyohare @flymidway

/fly2ohare /fly2midway

/flychicago

DUBAI

ADDIS ABABA

HELSINKI

STOCKHOLM

KRAKOW

COPENHAGEN

(STARTS 3/2020)

TEL AVIV

ZÜRICH

AMSTERDAM

BARCELONA

LISBON

ST. MAARTEN ST. LUCIA SAO PAULO

PUNTA CANA

ARUBA

PROVIDENCIALES

NASSAU MONTEGO BAY

GRAND CAYMAN PANAMA CITY

GUATEMALA CITY

MEXICO CITY QUERETARO BELIZE CITY COZUMEL LIBERIA CANCUN SAN JOSE HUATULCO

GUADALAJARA ZACATECAS MORELIA LEÓN IXTAPA MONTERREY AGUASCALIENTES

DURANGO

PUERTO VALLARTA

LOS CABOS

AUCKLAND

(STARTS 4/2020)

BRISBANE

SEOUL

SHANGHAI

HONG KONG

EDINBURGH

BRUSSELS

DELHI

ISTANBUL AMMAN DOHA ABU DHABI

WARSAW

FRANKFURT VENICE MUNICH ROME PRAGUE (STARTS 5/2020) ATHENS VIENNA BUDAPEST

PARIS

LONDON (HEATHROW AND GATWICK)

DUBLIN MADRID

REYKJAVIK

HALIFAX

QUEBEC CITY

OTTAWA TORONTO (CITY) MONTREAL

TORONTO (PEARSON)

CALGARY WINNIPEG

VANCOUVER

TOKYO (NARITA AND HANEDA)

TAIPEI

BEIJING

CHENGDU

Among the Trees Take a road trip to see nature in all its autumnal splendor. BY STEVE JERMANOK BLAZE OF COLOR: Fall foliage in the New England countryside at Woodstock, Vermont PHOTO: © REINHARDT - DREAMSTIME.COM

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THE BEGINNING OF AUTUMN in America offers a time to savor the last precious moments of summer against the countryside’s mosaic of reds, yellows, oranges and purples. Before long, the chill of winter will enter the air and the trees will grow barren. This is not news to most of us.

Indeed, leaf peeping has become ubiquitous. Most states have 24-hour toll-free hotlines to keep you informed of nature’s progress … and then there’s the traffic. It seems the entire population of New York City and Boston climbs behind the wheels of cars on congested New England roadways. Thus we’ve tried to avoid the mainstream routes so you can truly appreciate the kaleidoscopic splendor. After all, a fall foliage road trip provides more than a mere drive. It also incorporates picking apples, tasting cider and hot doughnuts and leaving your vehicle behind to take a much-needed scenic walk to a lonely waterfall, where autumn’s colors reflect off the water.

DON’T BELIEVE THE VERMONT fall foliage hype? All it takes is one drive on Route 100 from Killington to Stowe to understand the allure. Traveling in a valley paralleling the ridgeline of the 4,000-foot-high Green Mountains, which radiate with a verdant dress of multihued maples, you can’t help but sing its praises. Be sure to stop in the farming community of

Rochester for the requisite “cows and meadow” photo and the historic village of Stowe to find one of the numerous freshly painted white steeples. Along the route you’ll want to visit Cold Hollow Cider Mill for your jug of cider, out-of-the-oven cinnamon doughnuts and genuine maple syrup. Nearby lies the Ben & Jerry’s Factory where you can take a tour, sample the wares and find out how the duo started their celebrated business.

AUTUMN IN THE FINGER LAKES of western New York state is the time of year when leaves on the maples turn a tad crimson and the grapes on the vines are ready to be harvested for the region’s award-winning Rieslings. Start on the northern tip of Keuka Lake in the town of Penn Yan. Head south on Route 54A, and just outside of town you’ll see signs for Apple Barrel Orchards, a third-generation, you-pick apple orchard that makes homemade cider on premises. Continue south along the shores of the 20-mile-long lake to reach Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery. Founded in 1962 and now run by Dr. Frank’s grandson, Fred, Dr. Frank put the Finger Lakes on the wine lovers’ map with his award-winning dry and semi-dry Rieslings.

DRIVE THE FAMOUS 105-MILE SKYLINE DRIVE atop the spine of the Blue Ridge Mountains and you’ll view this idyllic mix of water, valley and peaks. Especially stunning in

autumn, maroon ash, orange beech and scarlet dogwood trees show off vivid colors. Start in the north off the I-66 freeway and get ready to drive at a 35-mph speed limit. You can’t go wrong with any of the 75 pull-offs, but you should not miss the panoramic vista of mountains and mist found at Range View (milepost 17.1). At milepost 32.4 drive through Mary’s Rock Tunnel, a 13-foot bore cut through the granite in 1932. If you need to stretch your legs and go for a hike, Big Meadows (milepost 51) offers two enticing hikes. A 1.4-mile round-trip hike leads to Dark Hollow Falls, a 70-foot-tall frothy cascade. It’s the shortest hike to a waterfall in Shenandoah. The Story of the Forest trail offers an easier 1.8-mile circuit leading through woods ripe with fall color.

ONE OF THE PRETTIEST DRIVES IN MICHIGAN travels north of Traverse City on M 22 to the northern tip of Leelanau Peninsula. Slow down and explore the region on this 75-mile loop where you’ll find diverse terrain, from the rolling countryside to historic lighthouses on Lake Michigan to the steep dunes of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The quaint village of Sutton’s Bay is home to Bahle’s, a department store dating from 1876, and a slew of galleries like the Michigan Artists Gallery, specializing in local artists and local scenes as depicted in pastels, watercolors, oils and photography. Then

NATURE’S BOUNTY:

Blue Ridge Mountains (left); and Apple Barrel Orchards in Penn Yan, New York (right) PHOTOS: © ASBOARD90 - DREAMSTIME.COM, © TRACEY CULLEN

ith Even w g warmin global g fall delayin the foliage ve past fi peak years, curs still oc around bus Colum New Day in d.

Englan

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it’s on to the circa-1858 Grand Traverse Lighthouse at the tip of the peninsula, a white-brick lighthouse that looks absurdly small compared to the great expanse of water surrounding it.

THE GOLD RUSH CONTINUES IN COLORADO but this time in the form of leaf peepers hitting the hills when aspens turn a vivid shade of gold. Add the changing leaves of the Gambel oaks and dark green cedar trees of the Plateau Valley against a backdrop of red-and-white canyon walls and you begin to understand the popularity of this road trip in late September.

Take the winding 63-mile Grand Mesa Scenic Byway from the Grand Mesa Visitor Center through canyon country and the small towns of Cedaredge, Crawford, Delta, Eckert, Hotchkiss, Orchard City and Paonia. You’ll want to get out of the car at Lands End Overlook, standing 6,000 feet above the valley, and take in the glorious views of the Sneffels Range.

THE FALL FOLIAGE ROAD TRIP WAS DESIGNED with places like South Dakota in mind. Venture to Rapid City and you’ll have the chance to cruise with relatively little traffic up and down the pine forests and granite passes of the Black Hills.

Highway 385 will lead you to Vanocker Canyon and Spearfish Canyon National Scenic Byway, home to waterfalls and golden aspens. Also in the Black Hills, the 68-mile Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway (a four-hour drive) travels through six rock tunnels, past towering pinnacles and over pine-clad peaks, only to arrive at the most famous sculpture in the country, Mount Rushmore. As if that wasn’t enough incentive, the 55th annual fall round-up of bison takes place Sept. 25 at nearby Custer State Park. Watch the cowboys and cowgirls drive the herd of some 1,300 buffalo, some of which will be sold at auction in November.

GOLD IN THE HILLS:

Sneffels Range, Colorado (top); and Spearfish Canyon, South Dakota (below) PHOTOS: © DONYANEDOMAM - DREAMSTIME.COM, © RINUS BAAK DREAMSTIME.COM

AUTUMN COLORS ARE NOT USUALLY ASSOCIATED with the Pacific Northwest, the land of conifers. Yet outside of Hood River, Oregon, the 35-mile Fruit Loop feels like a quintessential fall drive back east. That is, until you look up and see the lofty, snowcapped peak of Mount Hood towering 11,000 feet above. The route is lined with pear orchards, fields of lavender, alpaca farms, farm stands, wineries and an emerging hard cider scene. Sample the wares at Hood River Cider Works, Fox-Tail Cider or Hood Valley Hard Cider, and you’ll be surprised to find the crisp, refreshing drink easily pairs with the Chinook salmon and steelhead trout for which the region is known. Quaff a cider at the picnic tables behind Solera Brewery in Parkdale and be mesmerized by the spectacular view of Mount Hood.

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Flight Path Museum On the Tarmac at Los Angeles International Airport

Experience the glamour, adventure, and excitement of aviation and aerospace, past, present and future.

See a real DC3 | Explore the space gallery Plane spotting | Flight simulators | Hear air traffic controllers | Unique event & meeting venue

our Visit line on new and shop t the or supp um! muse

Flight Path Museum – LAX Imperial Terminal | 6661 W. Imperial Highway, Los Angeles, CA 90045 | 424.646.7284 Tues. - Sat. 10 - 3 | Members free | Visitors $5 | Free parking | Minutes from LAX terminals flightpathlax.com

Sleeping with the Past At storied hotels around the world, luxury comes layered with legends.

BY DEBRA BOKUR

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WHEN YOU SWEEP THROUGH THE ENTRANCE portal of the Regina Isabella on the island of Ischia in your best linen trousers or with your flowing silk skirt lifting seductively in the warm Mediterranean breeze, you’re absolutely allowed to bask in the limelight and surrender to your most outrageous film fantasy. It’s almost obligatory, given the path across the lobby’s fabulous tiled stone floor requires you to follow, quite literally, in the footsteps of movie icons Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Sofia Lauren, Audrey Hepburn and Charlie Chaplin — all of whom adored this villa set into the Italian cliffs rimming the Tyrrhenian Sea. The stories contained in the spaces between the floors and roofs of hotels such as the Regina Isabella provide inspiration to

GLAMOROUS GRANDEUR: Regina Isabella outdoor dining (top) and (bottom, left to right) Royal Suite, Giardino Bar and game room PHOTOS: © REGINA ISABELLA

GET SOCIAL PHOTOS: © DVEN77 - DREAMSTIME.COM, ©ZDENĚK MATYÁŠ - DREAMSTIME.COM, © NIRADJ - DREAMSTIME.COM, © SGOODWIN4813 - DREAMSTIME.COM, © IAN DEAN - DREAMSTIME.COM, © GAWRILOFF - DREAMSTIME.COM, © XIYIN DENG - DREAMSTIME.COM, © IVEKLITCH - DREAMSTIME.COM, © BRUCE WHITTINGHAM | DREAMSTIME.COM

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Are you considering a cruise for your return to travel? Small-ship cruises have a ton of perks you won’t get on a big ship.

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Explore iconic movies and matching locales in North Carolina.

Thanks to a new partnership between Four Seasons Resort Seychelles and Tropicsurf, guests can take advantage of the best surf spots and receive exclusive lessons.

Take tea in Thailand with a new offering from Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai.

Four Seasons Resort Maldives allows guests to enjoy delicious Mediterranean dishes with stunning views of the Maldives.

Kartagener Associates Inc. released results of a survey to determine how North American consumers view travel in a post-pandemic world.

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legions of travelers who long to touch — or be touched by — grand and glamorous moments from the past. Historic hotels speak to us in whispers and creaks, in the details of their façades and the experiences of the travelers who came before us; each leaves his or her own mark, whether with a swirl across a ballroom floor or with a signature scrawled across the page of a guestbook.

Take, for instance, the d’Angleterre in Copenhagen, occupying an enviable location overlooking Nyhavn harbor and Kongens Nytorv, or King’s New Square. Established more than 260 years ago, it’s one of the world’s oldest purpose-built hotels. Lucas Johansson, d’Angleterre general manager, said the hotel’s corridors were designed wide enough to allow two ladies to pass each other gracefully in their dresses, while staircase landings allowed them an opportunity to catch their breath in corsets.

“Just imagine,” said Johansson, “the parties in the beautiful ballrooms when historical events — like the royal celebration of polar explorer Roald Amundsen’s discovery of the Northwest Passage in 1906 — took place. Arguably, every single person in Denmark has some sort of connection to the hotel. We take our job as custodians of such a legendary part of the Danish cultural society very seriously.”

Many hotels claim historical importance through a reputation for accommodating royalty, aristocrats and politicians of national or international standing, said Nathalie Seiler-Hayez, general manager, Beau-Rivage Palace in Lausanne, Switzerland; or by having played host to great events on the international stage. But, she said, there’s more to providing a memorable guest experience.

“I believe the first challenge in operating a historic hotel is not to disappoint the client’s expectations when visiting such a particular place,” said Seiler-Hayez. “Simply trading on past visits by great international figures may not be sufficient. They need to feel the authenticity of the place.”

A stay in a historic hotel may be as close as we ever come to time travel, communicating the essence of past love affairs and trysts, of political assignations and moments of espionage and intrigue. Fortunately, the world brims with glorious addresses that come fully marinated in their own still-evolving sagas. Some provided the setting for events that literally shaped the world, such as the agreement of 1912 negotiated at the Beau-Rivage Palace that ended the Italo-Turkish War and ratified the Italian takeover of Tripoli and Cyrenaica. The Conference of 1932, also held there, had global impact on war reparations and international disarmament at a crucial moment when Nazi power in Germany was on the rise.

Haim Shkedi, general manager, King David Hotel in Jerusalem, admitted operating a historic hotel is not without additional challenges. And while King David Hotel’s roster of past guests includes the kings of Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands; the Crown Prince of Norway; the Prince of Wales; and the presidents of France, Germany, Italy, Bulgaria, Croatia and Argentina, Shkedi affirmed the hotel makes every guest feel valued through exceptional service and attention to detail.

LEGENDARY LUXURY: d’Angleterre Palm Court (top), and King David Hotel (bottom) PHOTOS: © D’ANGLETERRE, © KING DAVID HOTEL

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ELEGANT WELCOME: The Milestone Hotel & Residences Meghan Suite (top left), afternoon tea (right) and exterior (bottom) PHOTOS: © THE MILESTONE HOTEL & RESIDENCES

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“Guests of the King David Hotel expect all the amenities of a 5-star property, and we deliver on that promise,” says Shkedi. “That being said, ensuring the hotel maintains its historic identity while keeping up with modern hospitality trends can sometimes be a balancing act.”

At Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin, hotel manager Carsten Seubert agreed an additional layer of awareness comes along with operating a hotel that holds a place in history. He describes Hotel Adlon as one of the most intense workplaces imaginable within the hotel industry, with regular visits from VIPs and heads of state delegations and special events occurring on a daily basis.

According to Seubert, the biggest mission of the staff is to stay true to the property’s history and traditions and at the same time to stay relevant and to uphold a benchmark of luxury hospitality. To help maintain that focus, he finds it’s only necessary to glance around the entrance hall.

“A daily visual reminder of the rich history of the Hotel Adlon,” said Seubert, “is the centerpiece of our lobby — the famous elephant fountain, which was given to the Hotel Adlon as a present by the Maharaja of Patiala around 1930. In recent history, the visits of Barack Obama or Queen Elizabeth II were certainly extremely special and historic, and we are striving to create historic moments for our guests every day.”

Regardless of where travelers might set their compass, they’ll likely find a property fitting the criterion for a historic experience. In Turkey there’s the Çırağan Palace Kempinski, situated in a restored Ottoman palace upon the banks of the Bosporus. The Casa Monica Hotel in St. Augustine, Florida, visited by the king and queen of Spain, is reputed to be haunted. The 17th-century Château La Chenevière in Normandy, France, became the headquarters of high-ranking German officers during World War II, and the teakwood 137 Pillars House in Chiang Mai, Thailand, was constructed during the 1880s as part of the East Borneo Co. headquarters.

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In London, which has no shortage of historic accommodations, The Milestone Hotel & Residences still manages to stand out. Elegant and welcoming, this authentic English mansion faces Kensington Gardens and dates to the 1880s. It was originally two private houses owned by a wealthy aristocratic family during a time when London’s traffic jams involved noses, tails and horse-drawn carriages.

“One of my personal favorite [spaces] is the Oratory,” said Andrew Pike, general manager, The Milestone Hotel & Residences. “[It was] the original private chapel of the building, which today we believe is London’s smallest licensed wedding venue. My other favorite is The Musician’s Gallery in the Tudor Suite, once the music room of the house where entertainers would play to the family assembled below.”

Whatever corner of the world beckons, you’ll find a hotel that can not only tell you a story but also provide you with a setting to add your own chapter. Among them are Hotel Hassler Roma in Rome, Schloss Elmau in the Bavarian Alps, Heckfield Place in England, Ashford Castle in Ireland, Baur au Lac in Zürich, Le Relais Bernard Loiseau in France, Inkaterra La Casona in Peru and the Britannia in Norway. Organizations such as Historic Hotels of Europe, Historic Hotels Worldwide and Historic Hotels of America offer comprehensive websites that help travelers locate celebrated properties and narrow down choices based on details including location and amenities.

If, by the way, you do ever find yourself heading to Regina Isabella in Ischia’s volcanic heart, it doesn’t really matter if you arrive by yacht, as did Jacqueline Kennedy and Aristotle Onassis, or aboard the ferry crossing the Gulf of Naples. The approach is merely the set-up, the opening scene that launches an experiential immersion in both history and legend. Just remember to dress for the occasion. You are, after all, adding your own lines to the hotel’s narrative, and you’ll want all eyes to turn your

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Captivating Cape Town This cultural crossroads provides endless opportunities for entertaining clients. BY MEREDITH BETHUNE JOHANNESBURG MAY HAVE THE REPUTATION as South Africa’s business capital, but Cape Town still offers plenty to those traveling for work. The Mother City, as it is commonly known, with its spectacular waterfront setting crowned by the famous Table Mountain, hosts conferences that attract visitors from around the world.

You’ll likely arrive at Cape Town International Airport, the second-busiest in South Africa and the thirdbusiest on the entire continent. Located just 12 miles from the city center, it experienced tremendous growth since opening in 1954. More than 10 million passengers

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passed through in 2016 — its busiest year yet.

Arranging a car service in advance proves the best way to get into town. Services like Centurion Tours and Citi Hopper greet you at the terminal and run about 270–360 South African rand ($20–27), depending on the number of passengers in the vehicle.

Uber is also thriving in Cape Town, so consider hailing a ride with the app if your smartphone works in South Africa. The Uber X service costs R146–189 ($11–15), while the more luxurious Uber Black should cost about R249–324 ($18–25).

The 20- to 30-minute ride (depending on traffic) along the highway takes you past some of South Africa’s infamous townships. Although the center of Cape Town is home to fewer than 435,000, the metro area boasts a population of more than 3.7 million.

Many live in these makeshift towns consisting of informal housing, a remnant from the days of apartheid, prohibiting non-whites from living in the city center.

Cape Town, though, is quickly moving on from those unfortunate days. As you approach the downtown area, you’ll immediately recognize the faces of Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu currently installed on the façade of the Civic Centre. On a clear day, you’ll also spot the flat-topped Table Mountain in the background.

Suitable hotels are scattered around the Central Business District and along the waterfront, but the 12-story Townhouse Hotel offers an excellent option for business travelers with its downtown location near City Hall and South Africa’s Houses of Parliament. It boasts seven meeting rooms that accommodate up to 425 people, with its largest holding 300.

While your hotel likely includes full breakfast, you might want to organize a morning meeting offsite. Taxis don’t roam Cape Town’s streets, however, so use Uber or ask the concierge to arrange transportation for you. Hemelhuijs, a chic café by Chef Jacques

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Sailing Away Embark on a luxurious adventure with a personalized yacht charter. BY SUSAN B. BARNES SMOOTH SAILING: The Moorings yacht at Elbow Cay in the Bahamas PHOTO: © THE MOORINGS

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IMAGINE SETTING SAIL IN AN EXOTIC, far-flung destination, just you and your family or group of friends aboard a private yacht. The sun warms the deck, a soft breeze dances off the water, and an über-attentive crew caters to your every whim while the personal chef whips up the finest of the local cuisine with all of your culinary preferences top of mind. All the while, the captain navigates the yacht into secluded coves; to pristine, seemingly undiscovered beaches; or even to the hottest spots along the coast for a night out on the town.

“Sailing vacations offer the chance for you to discover a remote beach or restaurant only acces-

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sible by boat, snorkel in an uncrowded cove or watch the sunset at anchor wherever you choose in the world’s biggest swimming pool,” said Loïc Bonnet, CEO and founder, Dream Yacht Charter.

“A yacht charter is similar to having a fully staffed, floating luxury villa which allows you to explore beautiful regions with just the people you want to be with and only unpack your bags once,” added Melanie Burke, a yacht charter broker with Fraser.

Interest in this type of personalized yacht charter travel is on the rise, too. According to “Global Yacht Charter Market,” a report published in December 2019 by Transparency Market Research, the high cost associated with yacht ownership encourages customers to opt for yacht charter rather than outright purchase. The economics of yacht charters boils down to a more cost-effective travel scheme: Travelers pay only once during the usage and can fly to the destination and then charter rather than sail to the destination, saving time and fuel. The report also notes a change in consumer preference associated with owning luxury assets such as yachts, with charter services becoming more acceptable — factors expected to drive the yacht charter market.

In 2018 the global yacht charter market surpassed a valuation of $13 billion and is expected to see an approximate 7 percent compound annual growth rate through 2027, with a projected market value of $25.5 billion “The growth and overall popularity around yacht charters in recent years is really unprecedented in the industry,” said Ian Pedersen, senior marketing manager, The Moorings. “This type of vacation has grown from being the best-kept secret of the seasoned sailing crowd to a mainstream and widely accepted type of vacation that appeals

WATER PLAY: The Moorings yacht at Treasure Cay in the Bahamas PHOTO: © THE MOORINGS

to travelers of all types.

“People are very interested in the advantages and surprising ease of renting a yacht for a week and the ability to travel to a variety of global destinations over time, all with the same company,” he added. “I truly believe the yacht charter industry is only beginning to blossom, and as products such as all-inclusive crewed yachts continue to grow, people with little or no boating experience will be able to enjoy the freedom and flexibility that this type of vacation provides.”

One of the first decisions to make when it comes to chartering a yacht is whether to sail bareboat or on a crewed yacht. A bareboat charter proves the way to go if you are comfortable captaining and crewing the boat; if not, opt for a crewed charter and let the experts take the helm so you can sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. Once that decision is made, next consult with an experienced broker who can help you make the most of the luxurious vacation.

“So much of what is best for a family or a group depends on what they enjoy the most, and just understanding the options. That’s where a skilled and seasoned charter broker comes in,” explained Burke. “We help the client determine the cruising area that will be best for them at the time of year they want to travel, and can advise about all sorts of factors relating to how easy it is to get to certain places.

“We also help them decide what style and size of yacht will be best for them, considering the activities they enjoy and their budget,” she added. Fraser specializes in fully crewed yachts, from 45-foot catamarans

to super yachts sailing in at more than 300 feet.

“For example, fully crewed motor yachts in the 80- to 200-foot size are the most abundant and very popular for family charters and groups of friends who want the freedom to explore that cruising on a yacht affords — along with the exquisite service, fine dining, ultimate privacy, water sports and the ability to go to places you cannot get to any other way,” Burke said.

She also noted yacht charters provide an opportunity for multigenerational families to spend quality time together.

“I have had so many families tell me they had never connected so well with their kids or grandkids,” she said. “The abundance of amazing activities also helps everyone in the family disconnect from their devices,” though full internet is available on nearly every yacht, except for those in very remote destinations.

“Today’s yachts are modern, chic, comfortable and come with all the facilities you’d expect,” added Dream Yacht Charter’s Bonnet. “The key difference between a sailing vacation and staying in a resort is you wake up to a different view every day.”

“Matching the clients with the right yacht crew is also a huge factor. The best brokers will travel to inspect yachts and meet crews in order to be able to best advise their clients,” said yacht broker Burke.

“Some crews know how to provide a very formal level of service, and some clients want a more relaxed and friendly crew who will still provide excellent service but will interact with their family and be a bit more LEISURE LIFESTYLE | JUNE 2020

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COASTAL CHARM: Allures catamaran in the south of France (top) and Kjos on the Amalfi Coast, Italy (bottom) PHOTOS: © NORTHROP & JOHNSON

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involved with the activities.”

In regards to yacht charter destinations, the world can be your oyster.

The British Virgin Islands ranks as a top pick for those who sail with Clearwater, Florida-based The Moorings, which offers both bareboat and crewed sailing and yachting charters. Best known for its crewed charters, each of those offered by The Moorings includes a three-person crew: captain, chef and stew. In addition to the BVI, St. Martin and St. Lucia, also in the Caribbean, have a strong following with those who sail with The Moorings, as does the Mediterranean, including Greece and Croatia, and more LEISURE LIFESTYLE | JUNE 2020

exotic destinations such as Tahiti and Thailand.

Northrop & Johnson, which opened its doors in New York City in 1949 and now has offices worldwide, primarily offers crewed yacht charters in a range of sizes, though most of its yachts are 100-plus feet. While the company can secure charters anywhere in the world, there is a seasonality to the destinations clients favor: summer in the Mediterranean, New England and Alaska, and winter in the Caribbean, with Southeast Asia a popular year-round destination.

Fraser finds its clients travel seasonally, too, and Greece, the south of France, Italy, Sardinia, Croatia and the Bahamas rate among the most popular destinations in the summertime, with the Caribbean a favorite in the wintertime. Though not necessarily considered hot spots, the crew also count Alaska, the Baltic, New England, Norway and the South Pacific as summer favorites, and Antarctica, Australia, the Maldives, Thailand and the Seychelles, off the coast of Africa, in the winter.

In addition to the aforementioned British Virgin Islands, the Mediterranean and the Seychelles, Dream Yacht Charter finds its clients enjoy sailing the Grenadines in the Lesser Antilles, too.

They also enjoy exotic destinations like Asia and Tahiti, where “the islands’ beauty deserves being described as paradise.” Earlier this year, Dream Yacht Charter expanded its portfolio when it debuted a new partnership with river cruise specialists Les Canalous. This new collaboration offers canal boating vacations in 10 countries across Europe aboard Les Canalous’ fleet of 400 boats.

“There is increasing demand for vacations with a difference and to discover places that aren’t exhausted by mass tourism and cruise ships,” said Loïc Bonnet. “Travelers want authentic experiences of local culture and to support local populations.”

All in the Family

Gather multiple generations to enjoy a journey together.

BY BARBARA RADCLIFFE ROGERS

TREK TOGETHER: Multigenerational hike in Red Rock Canyon, Nevada PHOTO: © YOBRO10 DREAMSTIME.COM

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MULTIGENERATIONAL TRAVEL IS NOTHING NEW; travelers have taken their kids on vacation for, well, generations. But as our lives and our kids’ lives — and even those of retired parents — become busier, the urge to gather everyone together for shared vacation experiences emerges as a top travel trend.

Multigen now inhabits a travel niche of its own, and there’s even a subcategory called “skip-gen” for grandparents traveling with grandchildren.

AARP’s Boomer Travel Trends reported 15 percent of baby boomers planned skip-gen trips in 2019.

Girls’ getaways have taken a family turn, too, with mothers and daughters — or fathers and sons — taking short getaways and longer vacations together. And it’s not uncommon to see a third generation added. The families of siblings vacation together, seeking experiences their children can share with their cousins while the adults have time to reconnect.

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A number of factors spur this trend: Travel experiences create closer bonds between family members as well as lifelong shared memories. A trip can replace a party as a way for families to celebrate an important occasion such as a landmark birthday or wedding anniversary.

Multigen can merge with business travel just as easily as it can on a vacation, as an add-on or even simultaneously. Most cities offer plenty for other family members to do while you are engaged during business hours as well as late-afternoon and evening activities to enjoy together. Or you can use a business city as a launchpad for a family vacation to follow.

All family members are on vacation, so plan one everyone will enjoy, but remember interests and energy levels may vary between the 6-year-old and her grandfather. How can you maximize the together time but not leave anybody dragging or bored? Perhaps you could build in mid-day quiet time or go separate ways for specific times. If grandparents tire, maybe they could take younger kids to a park or playground where they can sit while the kids play.

If you’re traveling, you don’t always need to eat together.

Do parents want to take in a little nightlife? Kids and grandparents might eat earlier while parents have an aperitif snack

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE: Eating Europe Amsterdam tour (top) and Naples (bottom)

PHOTOS: © EATING EUROPE

and then go their separate ways. But don’t expect grandparents to babysit all the time — unless they actively want to.

Be up front before the trip; discuss all this so you can plan an itinerary with everyone in mind.

Traveling with kids is not the same as traveling as a couple.

Their interests, attention spans and energy levels differ from those of adults. And they will be less enthralled by sightseeing, so plan experiences into the trip everyone can enjoy together.

Think about things to do instead of just things to see.

Of course, everyone will want to see some of the sights, especially the iconic ones. But think of ways to interact with a place — learn to make perfect pizza and gelato at a family cooking class in Florence or have dinner with a local family.

Join an Eating Europe food tour in London or Amsterdam to sample local favorites; take an art lesson in Picasso’s hometown of Málaga and learn to paint like a Cubist. Learn to make perfect truffles at the Valrhona Chocolate Museum in Tain-l’Hermitage, France, or to paint traditional Portuguese tiles in Lisbon. Almost every destination offers interactive experiences for you to explore, but look for those offering a real connection to the place or something you can do only there.

Family vacation options are nearly infinite. Resorts, whether skiing or sun and sand, offer multiple activities in a single location. Everybody can choose their own activities.

At a ski resort like Vermont’s Okemo Mountain Resort, for example, along with skiing and snowboarding, guests can ride the snow coaster, snowshoe through the winter woods, ice skate, swim in heated outdoor and indoor pools, be pampered in the spa, play disk golf, choose from a variety of restaurants and browse the nearby village shops.

Beach resorts offer the same wide variety with water sports

LEISURE LIFESTYLE | JUNE 2020

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ALL AGES:

Egyptian Family Adventure with On The Go Tours PHOTO: © ON THE GO TOURS

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instead of snow, and you’ll find them in locales with possibilities for adventures beyond the resort itself. A family-centered beach resort, Martinhal Sagres Beach Family Resort in Portugal’s Algarve, boasts a full-service spa, water sports (kayaking, surfing, paddle boarding), multi-age children’s programs … even a large staffed play center adjacent to the fine-dining restaurant so kids can play while parents or grandparents linger over dinner. And outside the resort lies the entire Algarve to explore with its castles, seaside villages and Roman sites.

Resort vacations only work when all family members like the environment and have plenty of things to do there. The same is true of active and adventure trips. These require that everyone love kayaking, cycling, hiking or whatever the featured activity might be, but many offer varied levels of activity with alternatives for those who don’t care to spend all day pedaling or paddling.

A good option for family trips: an organized tour to an interesting destination. These vacations let someone else take care of the logistics, which multiply exponentially with the number of travelers.

Details like flights, airport transfers and lodging are all rolled into the package, and you know all the costs before you leave.

Tour operators have quickly responded to the trend to multigen travel, and several design trips with different family groups in mind.

Among the newest, Backroads tailors its 20s & Beyond trips for families traveling with adult kids in their 20s and early 30s, encouraging the different generations to connect as adults. These add to the Backroads portfolio of trips designed for families with Younger Kids (ages 4–12), Kids & Teens (ages 9–19) and Older Teens & 20s (ages 17–23), each with age-appropriate activities to share. Destina-

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tions include Greece, Sicily and the Alps.

Natural Habitat Adventures specializes in eco-friendly wildlifefocused expeditions, offering a host of varied family adventures.

Discuss evolution, natural selection and adaptation to microenvironments while cruising in the Galápagos; learn about poaching and animal rescue at an elephant orphanage in Kenya’s Maasai Mara; or seek sloths in the cloud forests of Costa Rica. The outfit designs programs around conservation, discovery and quality family time.

On The Go Tours can take your family to more exotic places such as Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Egypt, with itineraries suitable for children as young as 5. The Vietnam Family Holiday explores the limestone peaks of Hạlong Bay by boat and includes sleeping a night on board a Chinese junk, cooking a Vietnamese meal, swimming at China Beach and making souvenirs from bamboo. In On The Go Tours’ Egyptian Family Adventure, multigenerations will not only visit the Sphinx, the Great Pyramids and the Valley of the Kings but also cruise the Nile on a traditional felucca sailboat, learn to barter in a bazaar and ride a camel across the sands to a seventhcentury desert monastery.

Wherever you travel with whatever generations of your family, whether it’s on a tour or on your own, take time to smell the roses.

Stop often. Enjoy the moment when you’re touring; you don’t need to see everything. If you’re traveling with kids, remember they are still young and have a lot of years to check off all the must-see places. Leave them reasons to come back as adults — and maybe bring their own grandchildren someday.

oneworld welcomes Royal Air Maroc.

We are delighted to welcome Royal Air Maroc, the newest member of oneworld® – an alliance of 13 world-class airlines.

Royal Air Maroc will be oneworld’s first full member from Africa. Enjoy an array of special privileges and rewards across all oneworld member airlines.

Welcome to an even brighter alliance.

Learn more at oneworld.com

Royal Air Maroc is a member of oneworld alliance effective 1 April 2020.

Slice of Heaven Find your personal paradise in the islands of the South Pacific. BY KELLY MAGYARICS TROPICAL TRANQUILITY:

The St. Regis Bora Bora overwater bungalows PHOTO: © ST. REGIS BORA BORA

PLANNING A VACATION TO FRENCH POLYNESIA, the Cook Islands or Fiji? Lucky you! While you really can’t go wrong with any of these exotic locales that beckon with white-sand beaches, mornings spent listening to soothing water lapping your bungalow, and immersion excursions with some of the world’s most amazing flora and fauna, not all islands are created equally.

THE DOUBLY-NAMED ISLAND of Bora Bora in French Polynesia is a euphemism for any far-flung, romantic spot that seems out of reach, but Air Tahiti Nui actually makes it easily accessible with an eight-hour flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Papeete (PPT). It’s just a short flight from there to your temporary home in paradise.

Because a protective lagoon and barrier reef surround Bora Bora,

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dreamy overwater bungalows prove the accommodation of choice here.

The recently refreshed 90 beach and overwater bungalows at The St. Regis Bora Bora are among the largest in French Polynesia. All feature air-conditioning, with separate bedroom and lounge areas, glass-paneled coffee tables to spot colorful fish, sunken bathtubs and open-concept tiled rain showers; outdoor decks include lounge and dining furniture, and some also have outdoor showers and plunge pools or jetted tubs. The legendary St. Regis Butler Service fulfills requests large and small, from pressing garments to booking excursions to buggy rides around the sprawling property; the resort sits on 44 acres and boasts stunning views of iconic Mount Otemanu.

Start the morning beachside with breakfast and a Bora Mary at Te Pahu before taking a jaunt on a jet ski, or snorkel in the private Lagoonarium, a protected underwater sanctuary for tropical fish and coral. Book a Polynesian massage at Miri Miri Spa by Clarins, which uses monoi oil and Tahitian medicinal plants and techniques for the ultimate in relaxation. Then head to a table à deux at the signature Lagoon Restaurant by Jean-Georges for locally caught uravena fish with passion fruit and Thai chilis or crusted ahi with citrus — all while spotting black-tipped and nurse sharks. A water shuttle takes guests to the island’s main town of Vaitape, where they can catch a shuttle to the Tahitian Pearl Market for custom black pearl jewelry and unparalleled

customer service, or the touristy but must-visit Bloody Mary’s for toes-in-the-sand grilled seafood and tropical tipples.

The deep overwater bungalows at Le Méridien Bora Bora offer the most Insta-worthy views of Mount Otemanu, but that mountain is never far out of view no matter where you find yourself on this resort featuring 98 bungalows and villas.

All boast contemporary Polynesian décor, wood canopy beds and large glass panels thoughtfully covered with rugs at night, and decks feature lounge furniture and direct lagoon access.

Lunch on poisson cru — Bora Bora’s answer to ceviche made with local fish, coconut milk and lime juice — lagoon-side at Te Ava. For a more unique dining experience, wade out to a picnic table in the water for scallop carpaccio with vanilla sauce, or head to a romantic candlelit dinner on the beach with the Milky Way as your backdrop. Getting breakfast delivered by outrigger canoe, announced with a conch shell horn and artfully set up on a table strewn with heady flowers, is truly a bucket-list experience, while spending an immersive day at the Bora Bora Turtle Sanctuary helping rehabilitate the gorgeous native creatures offers an ecological experience you won’t soon forget.

COMPRISING AN ARCHIPELAGO of 330 islands — 110 permanently inhabited — Fiji is accessible via carriers including Air New Zealand and Qantas Airways from New Zealand or Australia, a three- to four-hour flight. Overwater bungalows here are called bure, Fijian for a wood and straw hut, but only a handful of resorts offer them. The first one was Likuliku Lagoon Resort, an adults-only luxury retreat on Malolo Island with 10 overwater bungalows on the edge of a protected coral reef. It also offers 32 bures on the beach and three set back in the garden.

Also situated on Malolo Island and accessible via helicopter or speedboat, the 120acre, luxe Six Senses Fiji sits amid vegetation and houses two marinas on an expansive bay. Its 24 spacious villas feature decks with plunge pools, lounge chairs and dining tables and include up to eight hours of nanny service per day, while a guest experience maker attends to your every need. Rara Restaurant & Bar serves locally inspired and sustainably sourced ingredients including those grown in the on-site garden; Tovolea restaurant offers Pacific-inspired dishes like coconut husk-smoked beef tenderloin and sundowner cocktails sipped while watching the Fijian torch-lighting ritual. A lush jungle sets the stage for the spa, where science and wellness combine for a Bobo massage with poultices filled with garden-picked herbs or a tropical hibiscus coconut body exfoliation.

Top activities here include a personalized experience in the Mamanuca Islands with bull shark diving, a snorkel safari or swimming with manta rays; a cultural night with Fijian warriors; or an excursion to the

BEACHSIDE BLISS:

Six Senses Fiji yoga on the deck (left) and beachfront villa pool (below) PHOTOS: © SIX SENSES RESORT SPA

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deserted Modriki Islands, the setting for the movie Cast Away.

A STRING OF 15 ISLANDS located halfway between Hawai’i and New Zealand, the Cook Islands boasts a reputation as a more wallet-friendly alternative to French Polynesia. Visitors can fly from Los Angeles, Auckland (AKL) and Sydney (SYD) to Rarotonga (RAR) on Air New Zealand; from other Australian cities on Virgin Australia, Air New Zealand or Jetstar Airways; or from Tahiti on Air Tahiti Nui. National carrier Air Rarotonga travels to several widely separated sister islands. Most accommodations are located on Rarotonga, a small island just 20 miles in circumference sans traffic lights or buildings taller than a coconut tree. The aptly named boutique Little Polynesian Resort offers just 14 bungalows and studios on the beach or nestled in the gardens, each with a high, vaulted ceiling to lend an airy vibe. Nap on a shaded lounger on your private sundeck or sway on a hammock on the deserted beach. Those seeking a bit more activity can take a dip in the natural saltwater infinity pool or explore with a snorkel or in a kayak.

The open-air poolside restaurant serves views of Titikaveka Lagoon and Polynesian-European fusion-inspired dishes like prawn and fish salad or lemon- and fennel-braised pork belly. A glowing akari body scrub at Te Manava Spa exfoliates and soothes skin after time spent in the sun, while the aromatic Balinese massage combines long stretching strokes with palm and thumb pressure to improve blood flow and relieve stress. More than 100 restaurants on the island tempt with specialties like goat cooked in wild ginger and coconut cream. Local experiences take you on a volcano tour or to dance clubs, bustling Punanga Nui Market and Saturday lagoon races through the Rarotonga Sailing Club.

A 15-MINUTE FLIGHT OR 40-MINUTE ferry ride from the French Polynesian capital of Papeete takes you to Moorea, the sister island of Tahiti, known for its lush peaks and quiet waters that for years attracted all kinds of artists from painters to tattoo artists. Situated on the northwest coast of Moorea, the InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa has 140 rooms and bungalows set over water, on the beach, by a garden pool or attached to a lanai, with different amenities depending on location.

Opened in December 2019, the Deep Nature Spa Moorea offers French Polynesian indulgences like a traditional bath, volcanic stone massage, tropical body scrub and separate menu for spa goers aged 6–12.

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Among the property’s three restaurants and two bars, choose Fare Hana to nosh on lagoon fish marinated in coconut and vanilla, and a swim-up bar where drinks like the Tahitian Blue Lagoon come in hues matching the spectacular water. Learn about the intelligent aquatic mammals at the resort’s Moorea Dolphin Center, attend a sea turtle clinic at the Turtle Care Center, embark on a ray and shark encounter on a motu, helmet dive, take an ATV tour or four-wheeldrive Jeep safari, skydive over Mount Rotui or sunset cruise on a motorized catamaran. More of a shopper? A daytrip to Marché in Papeete is a must-do for snagging souvenirs like pareos (sarongs), black pearls, monoi oil, tiare perfume and wood carvings.

PRIVATE LUXURY: Little Polynesian Resort infinity pool (top) and hammock on the beach (bottom) PHOTOS: © LITTLE POLYNESIAN RESORT

An

urban resort in Los Angeles offering luxurious accommodations, California French dining, newly redesigned bar with live entertainment, spacious meeting rooms, complimentary high-speed internet, spa and salon services, fitness center and more.

SOFITEL LOS ANGELES AT BEVERLY HILLS | 8555 BEVERLY BLVD. LOS ANGELES, CA 90048 | 310-278-5444 WWW.SOFITEL-LOS-ANGELES.COM

Night Shift

Quintana Roo pulses with after-hours activity.

BY BRANDON SCHULTZ

ACTIONPACKED:

Maya shaman in the Xcaret México Espectacular performance (left), and nightclub in Cancún (right) PHOTO: © VICTOR TORRES - DREAMSTIME .COM, © CZUBER DREAMSTIME.COM

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LONG PRIZED FOR ITS BEACHES AND RESORTS, and more recently appreciated for its healthy dose of Maya ruins and increasing access to the ancient culture’s remaining communities, Quintana Roo is one of Mexico’s most-visited states.

While its capital, Chetumal, sits on the southern border, most of the action happens in the north, where legendary hot spots like Cancún, Cozumel and Playa del Carmen draw hordes of sun worshippers to the Caribbean Sea. As a jet set destination popular for celebrations like bachelor(ette) parties, spring breaks and getaway weekends, northern Quintana Roo’s afterhours offerings prove as abundant as its sunshine and sand.

Coco Bongo, Cancún’s most infamous venue, provides a night to write home about. Expect concert-like crowds

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(generally on the younger side) for a debaucherous nightclub experience, including entertainment from musicians, impersonators, showgirls, aerial performers and all manner of dancers. Those looking for less of a total package and more of a traditional club but not wanting to sacrifice the energy of a large crowd will appreciate The City, the self-professed “largest club in Latin America,” with capacity for 6,000 revelers across three levels.

Internationally renowned artists and DJs visiting Cancún often perform here. LGBTQ+ nightlife is growing in Cancún, with a variety of gay venues ranging from the quieter Sentimientos Bar and drag-forward Láser Hot Bar to the pulsing 11:11 Club. Outside of Cancún, Quintana Roo’s undisputed nightlife capital, Playa del Carmen’s increasing inclusivity creates a second area haven for the LGBTQ+ community with several welcoming nightlife options of its own.

Those seeking a more sit-down experience will enjoy Riviera Maya’s Rauxa, a cabaret dinner theater with a four-course meal and an open bar, or the 300-artist musical revue Xcaret México Espectacular, also in Riviera Maya. Reserve tickets for the whole family for an action-packed evening at sea with comedy and sword fights aboard the Jolly Roger at the Pirate Show.

Another option: Escape to Cirque du Soleil’s first resident show in Mexico, JOYÀ, offering five levels of tickets from simply enjoying the world-famous performances to indulging in Cirque’s only dinner theater experience in the world.

Coast to Coast Journey along the John Muir Way to explore Scotland’s heartland. BY RICHARD NEWTON QUINTESSENTIAL SCOTLAND:

(Left to right) A John Muir Way marker along one of the nature walks through Balloch Castle Country Park (left), Balloch Castle, and The Kelpies statue in Falkirk

PHOTOS: © GARYELLISPHOTOGRAPHY - DREAMSTIME.COM, © MILAN SURKALA - DREAMSTIME.COM, © SUEBURTONPHOTOGRAPHY - DREAMSTIME.COM

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THE START OF A JOURNEY. Apprehension mingles with excitement. What lies ahead? Standing on Scotland’s west coast, we know the bare bones of what we’re facing: 134 miles of hiking, a coast-to-coast traverse of the country. But what will we see along the way? Who will we meet? How wet will we get?

We’re in the seaside town of Helensburgh, northwest of Glasgow. A circular stone inlaid on a lawn beside the town pier marks the exact starting point of the John Muir Way. The man — and the hiking route named after him — are synonymous with wilderness, yet for the first 30 minutes we tramp along pavements, passing shops and houses. It’s only when we leave town that a true sense of adventure kicks

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in, and we inhale the scent of pine and bracken.

Breaking from woodland into open ground, the countryside transforms into a typically Scottish patchwork of browns and greens, interspersed with purple clusters of thistles. The path wends steadily inland.

Three hours after leaving the coast, we reach another body of water, Loch Lomond, and the bustling tourist town of Balloch. We’ve completed the first of the walk’s 10 official stages.

The second day briefly takes us along the leafy shore of Loch Lomond, skirting the picturesque Balloch Castle, before the little purple logos marking the route steer us inland again. Is it raining? Of course it is. Few people — if any — complete the entire route without having to put on their waterproof jackets and trousers. This is the typical native weather experienced in boyhood by John Muir, the legendary naturalist, who emigrated to the United States with his family in 1849 at age 11. He is credited as one of the founders of America’s system of national parks.

Scotland forged his love of the natural environment. The scenery unfolds gently, with easy hills and views across fields dotted with sheep.

In America John Muir found vistas on an entirely different scale, as evidenced by another long-distance hiking route named in his honor, the John Muir Trail, which threads through 160 miles of California’s Sierra Nevada.

The Scottish route, certainly less spectacular and much tamer than

its American equivalent, exudes old-world charm set in an ancient landscape shaped for millennia by man, beast and the forces of nature.

Over significant portions of the route, the influence of man predominates. Some stretches utilize a disused railway slicing straight and smooth through woodland; it’s easy walking but boring. Occasionally, sometimes abruptly, the little purple signs lead us out of the countryside into towns, and we must temporarily adjust to pavement and traffic.

The town of Falkirk offers two manmade highlights: The Falkirk Wheel, a futuristic elevator that lifts boats from one canal up into another, and The Kelpies, 90-foot-high steel sculptures of two horses’ heads which, since completion in 2013, evolved into a proud symbol of Scotland.

On Stage Six, water. We still anticipate significant distance to go to the end of the John Muir Way, but with our first sight of the Firth of Forth we’ve effectively reached the east coast.

This broad estuary meets the North Sea, bringing the scent of saltwater and sights of ships, ferries and dolphins. Ahead of us looms another unmistakable landmark: The Forth Bridge, the world’s second-longest cantilever bridge and one of the wonders of Victorian engineering (not to be confused with the

nearby Queensferry Crossing, a colossal new road bridge that opened in 2017, and the older road bridge between them).

Stage Seven takes us into the city of Edinburgh, where we incongruously tramp in full hiking gear among the locals and tourists. Some hikers choose to have a rest day here among the sights and pubs. It’s tempting to stay longer, but the remaining miles won’t walk themselves. And so, on another characteristically damp day, we find ourselves crossing a succession of busy roads back to the Firth of Forth.

Although much of the shore is given to towns and golf courses, this truly is John Muir country … his boyhood tramping ground. The penultimate day takes us to North Berwick, and now we face the sea. The last stage, 15 miles, usually completed in around five hours, takes us down the coast to Dunbar.

Why finish here? Well, we’ve seen his name and bearded face often enough on the route signs, and now, on the town’s High Street, two blocks back from the seafront, we locate a three-story white house from which fly the flags of the United States and Scotland. The sign beside the door tells us we have reached John Muir’s birthplace. Our journey ends where his began.

INFO TO GO

International flights arrive at Glasgow Airport, 23 miles southeast of the John Muir Way trailhead at Helensburgh. Bus and taxi services operate from the airport to the town.

On completion of the trail, take the train from Dunbar to Edinburgh (25 minutes) and from there to Glasgow Airport (65 minutes).

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I’ve put my wheels on trains, used bike ramps at

stations, and slept in quaint B&Bs. Rental outlets, bilingual signs and bike-only trails are ubiquitous.

The infrastructure is there, and drivers are used to sharing with two wheelers.

A bike tour of Taiwan can be as strenuous

or as laidback you want it to be.

Escape to serenity in asAsheville, North Carolina. BY KATIE SKRZEK

NESTLED IN THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS, Asheville, North Carolina, touts a reputation as a healing escape. Take a neighborhood tour of the different parts of Asheville to experience the city’s healthful offerings.

To learn more about Asheville while exploring the city on foot, take a self-guided walking tour on the Urban Trail.

The 1.7-mile loop starts downtown at Pack Square and features 30 stations in total with sculptural markers detailing historic moments from the city’s past. vie salt to be King of the Mountains AshevilleOlympians embraced the cave trend, offering a variety In the highlands, a world-class route awaits hardcore bikers.

From of options in and around the city. Asheville Salt Cave & the Pacific, the & marble of Taroko Gorge, the brutaloffer Spa,through Shoji Spa Lodgecanyon and The Salt Spa of Asheville yet beautiful KOM ascent to 3,275m (10,745ft) in a mere salt therapies as wellclimbs as massage and other spa treatments.

105km (65 Among elite riders taking on this Formiles). a unique experience, book a tour withchallenge Ashevillein Wellness Tours.

Thegold tourmedallist company offers a variety of 2015 was Olympic Lasse Norman Hansen. options including yoga hikes, forest bathing, urban wellness tours, mobile massage and private group yoga.

PARTNER TOUR OPERATORS A visit to Asheville isn’t complete without experiencing Supera Tours www.superatours.com the city’s booming beer scene.

Several of the city’s best STA Travel US www.statravel.com SITA World Tours breweries host events combining beerwww.sitatours.com and fitness. Archetype Mango Tours www.mangotours.com Brewing, located in West Asheville, hosts a weekly yoga Majestic Vacations class. Hi-Wire Brewing andwww.majestic-vacations.com One World Brewing West both Hana Tour USA www.hanatour.us offer hour-long weekly runs. All fitness levels are welcome.

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Goway Travel www.goway.com Avanti Destinations www.avantidestinations.com Asia Getaway www.asiagetaway.com globaltravelerusa.com LEISURE LIFESTYLE | JUNE 2020 Asia Answers www.asiaanswers.com

We w h o l i v e f o r c y c l i n g n e e d t o k n o w Ta i w a n — a m u s t - v i s i t d e s t i n a t i o n f o r a d v e n t u r o u s r i d e r s .

Mountain Retreat For all ages and abilities

Unforgettable hospitality Taiwan, one of the world’s safest destinations for tourists, is also one of the friendliest. Police greet me warmly when I stop at rural stations to refill my bidon. Countryside folk press tea and yummy Taiwanese fruit on me. And everywhere I hear the phrase locals shout to offer encouragement: jiayou - “go for it!”

Year-round cycling events There’s no bad season for riding in Taiwan, but each year I mark two events in myhip-hop diary. The Tourand de Taiwan Highland Brewing Co. offers two weekly fitness options: classes a

ARTISTIC

(www.tourdetaiwan.org.tw) is held in the first quarter.

Come fall, LANDSCAPES running club.

Biltmore Estate (top), Taiwan Cycling Festival (http://taiwanbike.tw) encompasses Asheville delights diners with itsthe many award-winning restaurants specialand Pack Square in KOMout race and other events. izing in farm-to-table, seasonal fare.the Check Rhubarb orthrilling The Market Place downtown Asheville (bottom) for seasonally driven, regional dishes. Vegan and vegetarian restaurants like For complete details of other highlights, biking and Laughing Seed Café and Rosetta’s Kitchen prove popular among both locals PHOTOS: © FOTOLUMINATE non-biking, see http://eng.taiwan.net.tw.

- DREAMSTIME.COM, and tourists. © SEAN PAVONE Don’t leave Asheville without visiting the Biltmore Estate. The historic DREAMSTIME.COM house museum opens daily for tours. In addition to the house, gardens and grounds, enjoy an on-site winery and shopping, dining and an exhibition village. Three lodging options include The Inn on Biltmore Estate. Take advantage of the property’s on-site spa with massage, skin care and beauty treatments for a rejuvenating experience.

Whatever your goals, Asheville has something to ensure you return home rested and rejuvenated.

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