Ultimate Experiences January 2020

U LT I M AT E E X P E R I E N C E S

IN PURSUIT OF

PATAGONIA with Tierra Hotels

TRAVEL THAT TRANSFORMS An Insider’s Jordan WELLNESS WARRIORS Top 3 Mindful Escapes

PLUS: CHARLESTON • OʻAHU • NAPA VALLEY 16

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POINT OF VIEW

The Impact Zone As a new year ignites your imagination of what to nurture, what to leave behind, and, perhaps most enticing, which destinations to discover, we invite you to think BIG. What is calling you, and which dream trip do you hope to make reality? Is it a reset at an innovative wellness retreat, cruising the Nile aboard a new river ship, or living like a local at a tucked-away village in Umbria, with nothing but Brunello di Montalcino, burrata, and a novel on your “to-do” list?

As your dream weavers, we’ve scoured the globe in search of the next “it” destinations, yet we also return time and again to the areas that continually inspire us. And as 2020 begins, we celebrate the mantra that travel matters. This may hold various meanings for different types of explorers, but there’s common ground in the reality that we must protect the planet and its diverse communities.

Connection is fostered by giving back. Within these pages, you’ll discover the people, places, and companies that are traveling for a cause. Join us in making a positive impact while we strive to deliver incredible experiences that reveal new physical and emotional landscapes.

HAPPY 2020!

12 U LT I MI M ATAT E EE XEPXEPRE IREIN U LT EC N ECSE S

Lutetia, Paris

Brittany Cavaco, Ballerina at Lutetia, Paris

Rosey Chan, Musician at Conservatorium, Amsterdam

Hotel CafĂŠ Royal, London

At the most outstanding addresses, in the world’s most vibrant destinations, The Set is creating the modern grand hotels of our time. In each one, they beautifully compose

Akasha at Lutetia, Paris

unique experiences and environments that capture the hearts and minds of guests. World class architects, Michelin-starred chefs and specialists at their awardwinning spa concept Akasha complete The Set Experience.

Beautifully Composed

EYE CANDY

Fast Forward At the Expo 2020 Dubai, brilliant minds will rethink our future.

AS THE FIRST EVER WORLD EXPO HELD IN THE ARAB WORLD, EXPO 2020 DUBAI IS POISED TO HOST GAME-CHANGING THINKERS AND OUTSIDE-THEBOX PROGRAMMING. Celebrating culture, innovation, and collaboration, it will welcome 190 countries and millions of visitors—the largest event ever staged in the area. Drawing from the success of the world’s most historic gatherings—including the very first 1851 World Expo (The Great Exhibition in London)—Expo 2020 Dubai aims to foster a legacy benefiting generations to come, showcasing everything from innovations and architecture to friendships and business opportunities. Its “Themes for the Future” tracks include opportunity, mobility, and sustainability, while entertainment highlights include live performances with celebrity musicians, comedy greats, local talents, and touring attractions. Cultural points of entry will include theater and dance routines, acrobats, poetry slams, fashion shows, and much more. This once-in-a-lifetime experience promises history in the making.

CONTENTS ULTIMATE EXPERIENCES January 2020

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70

60

F E A T U R E S

60

70

78

SPIRIT OF THE SOUTH

JUST SAY JORDAN

WELLNESS WARRIORS

A journey to Chilean Patagonia reveals a country geographically narrow yet robust in adventure and culture.

Discover an insider itinerary to this enchanting land with a Petra National Trust board member.

Kickstart 2020 with one of three paths to optimal vitality, including Canyon Ranch, Miraval, and Rancho La Puerta.

BY JEAN NEWMAN GLOCK

BY IGNACIO MAZA

BY ERIN LENTZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY STEFANIE MICHEJDA

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ON THE COVER Tierra Patagonia’s head gaucho, Lucho, gallops along the Patagonia steppe in Chile.

Photographed by Stephanie Michejda.

CONTENTS

Go Now 36 POINT OF VIEW Ignacio Maza departs on a solo escape to Japan; mindful safaris with African Travel, Inc. 42 BESPOKE A new excursion series from Oceania Cruises; navigating change aboard Uniworld.

52 DESTINATION GPS AmaMagna sets sail on the Danube River.

54 HAVE MISSION,

WILL TRAVEL Lorna Macleod, founder of AmericaShare, improves lives via education in Africa.

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THE SUITE LIFE Prepare to be wowed by exclusive privileges and first-class experiences at these top retreats.

26 LIVE LIKE A LOCAL

14 ROOM KEY

28

A pair of grand openings lures travelers to fresh heavens on the sand.

18 CRUISE GPS New enviro programs by Regent

Seven Seas Cruises® ; storied rivers of Europe with Crystal River Cruises.

87 BEYOND Travel, Elevated: Cruises, Vacations, and the Hotels & Resorts Collection.

Explore Napa Valley with star winemaker Helen Keplinger.

TRIED & TRENDING To get a true taste of Charleston, there’s something old—and new—to discover around every corner.

96 POSTCARD 2 EYE CANDY 6 EDITOR’S LETTER 7

FROM … Seattle, with Shelley Cline, President of TCS World Travel.

CONTRIBUTORS

30 ABROAD & BEYOND All’s an adventure with Silversea Cruises’ Silver Origin.

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EDITOR’S

LETTER

Ultimate Experiences January 2020

On location for this issue’s cover story at the base of Las Torres, in Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park.

Bottle Shock IN THE IMAGE ABOVE, AS I SAT AT THE BASE OF THE INCREDIBLE LAS TORRES MOUNTAINS (THE TOWERS) IN CHILEAN PATAGONIA’S TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK, MY TIERRA HOTELS ALUMINUM WATER BOTTLE IS TUCKED IN THE FRONTSIDE OF MY JACKET POCKET. For our cover story (p. 60), I visited Tierra Atacama, Tierra Chiloé, and Tierra Patagonia—all three of which have banned plastic.

At the start of each property stay, I received different colored aluminum water bottles. Expected? Perhaps. Yet, after 10 days in Chile and many adventures in all three locales, the bottles took on unexpected significance. Upon returning home, they became much more than environmentally friendly souvenirs. They doubled as reminders of when my mind was expanded, my soul stirred, and my memory banked with a cultural currency and connectivity I’ll never forget.

Now, even several months later, when I sip from the gold bottle (Atacama) at my office, I recall running down desert sand dunes, the landscape so surreal it’s a gentle nudge to think outside the box. When I share water from the rose-colored one (Chiloé) with my 10-year-old son, it can spark conversations

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about digging for clams or how some people make their living from the sea. And during a punishing Inferno Pilates class, refueling with the blue one (Patagonia) takes me back to the strength it took to hike to those magnificent three towers.

As we jumpstart 2020, many of us set individual intentions for the year, and I’m in awe of the impressive collaborative efforts underway to support sustainable and positive-impact travel. Whether your wanderlust includes tracking gorillas in Rwanda with Singita or navigating the Danube with Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, there are many ways to give back while taking it all in.

With this issue, we celebrate unique efforts in game-changing exploration, including several company’s commitment to eliminate all single-use plastics on its ships this year, and the inspiration behind Micato’s AmericaShare program, which benefits education in Africa. Here’s to creating shifts in how we treat our world while exploring its most inspiring communities.

HAPPY 2020!

ERIN LENTZ, EDITOR IN CHIEF

CONTRIBUTORS

EDITORIAL EDITOR IN CHIEF Erin Lentz CREATIVE DIRECTOR Karrie Sims EDITOR AT LARGE Ignacio Maza PHOTO DIRECTOR Stefanie Michejda COPY EDITOR Sarah Taylor Asquith

CONTRIBUTORS Jackie Caradonio, Meredith Diers, Ignacio Maza, Jen Murphy.

2020 TAG Custom Publishing LLC. Ultimate Experiences Magazine is published four times a year on behalf of Signature Travel Network. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part of any material in this publication without publisher’s permission is strictly prohibited. For copies, customer service, or to exhibit or distribute at a business, please inquire at info@tagmediaaspen.com.

TAG MEDIA 418 East Cooper St. Suite 207B Aspen, CO 81611

Signature Travel Network is comprised of top-tier travel agencies that share one common objective: serve the personal needs of the discerning traveler. The network’s buying power translates into the ability to leverage worldwide partnerships to provide you the best value and ensure the best service before and during your travels.

This brochure has been produced for the exclusive use of Signature Travel Network member agencies only. All efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein. Should an error occur, we reserve the right to correct it. Print Date: January 2020.

Jen Murphy

Stefanie Michejda

p. 54 AFRICA

p. 60 CHILE

p. 70 JORDAN

Jen Murphy writes the What’s Your Workout column for the Wall Street Journal and contributes to publications including Town & Country, Condé Nast Traveler, Men’s Journal, Outside and Food & Wine. She is the author of the Yoga (Man)ual.

Stefanie Michejda, Tag Media’s Photo Director and self-proclaimed travel junkie, is in charge of researching inspiring photography found within the pages of Ultimate Experiences. When she isn’t drooling over travel imagery, she is out exploring the world with her own camera in tow.

Jean Newman Glock is Managing Director of Communications at Signature Travel Network.

Jean began writing about travel after 17 years working with the Smithsonian Institution and has worked with the US Department of State and US Chamber of Commerce to promote tourism in the Middle East and Northern Africa.

WRITER

YOGA ABROAD: Kamalaya in Koh Samui, Thailand FAVORITE RECENT FOODIE FIND: This summer I visited the Farmstead at Brushcreek Ranch in Saratoga, Wyoming. It’s like Disney for adults.

PHOTOGRAPHER

TOP EXPERIENCE IN CHILE: This was such a magical trip! From sitting in the dark Atacama Desert shooting the Milky Way to seeing amazing wildlife by horseback and hiking the infamous Towers in Patagonia ... it’s hard to pick just one.

CURRENT TRAVEL OBSESSION: My solar charging kit from Voltaic.

I bought this for a 10-day shoot rafting the Grand Canyon but it has come in handy time and time again. The thin battery pack lasts forever—great for recharging camera batteries, phones, laptops and tablets on the go.

FAVORITE BOUTIQUE ABROAD: Life According to Kawa in Dubrovnik.

Jean Newman Glock WRITER

FAVORITE AREA IN JORDAN: At Mount Nebo, you can not only feel history, but see it. The amazing views of Jerusalem show you how close you are to neighbors in this volatile part of the world. Nearby Madaba has amazing Roman ruins and fine mosaics.

I MOST LIKE TO DINE WITH: Prime Minister Samir Zaid-al Rifai. Every visit I treasure my time with Zeid, the ultimate diplomat who has lived a life no movie script could equal.

CURRENT TRAVEL OBSESSION: The 787 Dreamliner. Boeing calls it “The Dreamliner Effect” and the hype is true. Everything about this plane ensures you arrive with less fatigue and ready to hit the ground running … even after a 16hour flight to the Middle East!

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FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT YOUR TRAVEL ADVISOR.

DAY IN THE LIFE Napa Valley Page 26

SIP & SAVOR Charleston Page 28

ECO LUXE

Silversea Cruises Page 30

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ULTIMATE EXPERIENCES

January 2020

THE SUITE LIFE . ROOM KEY . CRUISE GPS . LIVE LIKE A LOCAL . TRIED & TRENDING . ABROAD & BEYOND

Above: Brilliant surf and sand along Bali’s western coast.

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THE SUITE LIFE

Oceana

(Santa Monica, California)

Santa Monica has a glam new getaway in this chic beach retreat that embraces the sunny Californian lifestyle at every turn. Combining a hint of vintage with contemporary design, the property pairs classic Hollywood starlet style with of-the-moment travel trends, from a posh fitness center with Peloton bikes to a farm-fresh al fresco restaurant helmed by Santa Monica’s own Raphael Lunetta. Like every good hotel, however, Oceana’s best quality is location, location, location: Set just opposite the palm-tree-lined Palisades Park, on a cliff above L.A.’s most famous beach, it’s right in the heart of quintessential Santa Monica.

SUITE TALK: You’ll only find suites—70 of them in fact—at Oceana, and each is as fashionable as the next, featuring geometric patterns, eye-popping colors, and custom furnishings by Busta Studio, plus Bottega Veneta bath amenities and floor-to-ceiling windows that bathe interiors in golden sunlight. The spacious Lanai Suites encourage outdoor living with balconies and terraces adorned with hanging swings, while inside, vintage photos of scenes from Santa Monica beach are unmistakably local.

Posh Privileges

Prepare to be wowed by exclusive services and first-class experiences at these top retreats.

THERE ARE ENDLESS WAYS TO BOOK YOUR VACATION—BUT TO LOCK IN SERIOUS VIP AMENITIES AND OVER-THE-TOP PERKS, THERE’S NO BETTER WAY TO TRAVEL THAN WITH EXCLUSIVE SUITE AND VILLAS PRIVILEGES. The benefits are major—worth up to $500 per stay at more than 500 properties around the globe (plus daily breakfast, complimentary WiFi, and more)—and so are the accommodations, whether you’re staying in a brand-new beach suite in Santa Monica or laying claim to a royal villa in exotic Udaipur. Here, we check into the latest must-book suites and villas.

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NOT TO MISS: Of course, the pool is where everybody who’s anybody will station themselves at this L.A. hotspot.

Surrounded by a lush, bloom-filled garden and adorned with graphic tiles and tropical James Perse furnishings, the scene is one-part California cool and another, Hamptons high life.

EXCLUSIVE PRIVILEGES: Full daily American breakfast for two at the dining room; $50 resort credit, per room per stay; welcome amenity; upgrade, early check-in and late checkout (subject to availability).

SUITE & VILLA PRIVILEGE: $100 hotel credit, once per stay (minimum two-night stay in select categories).

THE SUITE LIFE

Fairmont Mayakoba

(Playa del Carmen, Mexico)

Mayakoba’s top hideaway is a palapa paradise on the white sands of Mexico’s Caribbean coast. Since opening in 2006 as the first hotel in the luxury Mayakoba community, the property has maintained its rightful place at the top of the Playa del Carmen luxury scene, as much for its authentic charms (freshly caught Mero in the restaurant, traditional Mayan treatments in the Willow Stream Spa) for its upscale amenities (including five pools, three restaurants, three bars, and a kids club and adventure camp).

SUITE TALK: With 401 guest rooms, including 34 suites, guests of the Fairmont are spoiled for choice. No matter where you stay, you’ll find colorful Mexican design with all the luxuries, from marble bathrooms with giant soaking tubs to pristine white sands just steps from your door.

For the ultimate in pampering and privacy, book one of the beach areas or beachfront suites with private pools.

EXCLUSIVE PRIVILEGES: Daily buffet breakfast for two at La Laguna; $100 resort credit, per room per stay, or $150 resort credit for suite bookings, per suite per stay (valid for select restaurants and spa services); upgrade, early check-in and late checkout (subject to availability).

SUITE & VILLA PRIVILEGE: $100 Willow Stream Spa credit, once per stay (minimum two-night stay in select categories).

NOT TO MISS: You’d be forgiven for never wanting to leave this Mexican oasis, but there’s plenty beyond the Fairmont’s walls to beckon you. Make time for a trip to the Yucatán Peninsula’s healing cenotes, the famous Mayan ruins of nearby Tulum, and the world’s second-largest coral reef off the coast of Cozumel. Closer to home—that is, only a golfcart drive away in Mayakoba—there’s a cooking school, a Greg Norman golf course, and El Pueblito, a traditional Mexican village with local shops, restaurants, and a nightclub.

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THE SUITE LIFE

The Oberoi Udaivilas (Udaipur, India) This fabled palace set on the western shores of India’s Lake Pichola at first appears a fantasy—its golden walls and climbing bougainvillea too perfect to be anything but a mirage. Yet this extraordinary property on the peaceful outskirts of bustling Udaipur is indeed real, occupying 30 acres on the former hunting grounds of the maharaja of Udaipur. The hotel is everything you’d imagine in a royal retreat, home to bird-filled gardens, peaceful reflecting pools, and the most attentive staff you’ll ever encounter. Inside, the magic continues with incredible hand-painted murals, elaborate mosaics, and off-the-charts décor that includes everything from Persian rugs to gold-leaf paintings.

SUITE TALK: Unsurprisingly, Oberoi’s palatial lake retreat is home to some seriously opulent suites, the most notable of which

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EXCLUSIVE PRIVILEGES: Daily full breakfast for two; lunch for two, once per stay (excluding alcohol, taxes, and tips); welcome amenity of fresh fruit and flowers; upgrade, early check-in and late checkout (subject to availability).

SUITE & VILLA PRIVILEGE: $100 spa credit, once per stay (minimum two-night stay in select categories).

is the Kohinoor Suite, a veritable masterpiece of traditional Indian design with gold-domed ceilings and hand-carved marble privacy screens, plus a private swimming pool and garden overlooking the painterly Aravalli Hills in the distance.

NOT TO MISS: You’ll want to try most everything, including the Ayurvedic treatments at the spa and the sunset cruises on the resort’s wooden shikara boat. The cooking lessons and henna painting are musts, while the camel rides and dinner on the lakefront terrace at Chandni are unforgettable, too. This is one regal retreat you won’t want to leave until you’ve seen and done it all.

THE SUITE LIFE

The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun (Cancun, Mexico)

Perched like a grand manse on the edge of the Caribbean Sea, the Ritz-Carlton is the most elegant hotel in Cancun’s famed hotel zone. A quiet respite from the hard-partying strip, the 363-room hotel is nothing if not a sophisticated affair, where the chandeliers sparkle, the marble shines, and the pools are pristine oases with a soundtrack of gently crashing waves and softly blowing breezes. The stylish scene continues no matter where you find yourself: relaxing in The Ritz-Carlton Spa, sipping cocktails to live jazz at the Club Grill, or blissing out in your private beach villa.

SUITE TALK: It wouldn’t be the Ritz without the Club Lounge (when staying on a Club level suite), and

each of the hotel’s 50 suites offers access to this VIP space of free-flowing Champagne, complimentary fare, and ultra-exclusive service. In each of the top accommodations, you’ll find marineinspired hues, plus all the savoir faire you’d expect from a Ritz-Carlton (marble bathrooms, ocean-view balconies, and more). For the best of the best, book the Cobalt Residential Suite, an elegant three-bedroom retreat with an expansive private terrace, infinity pool, garden, and casita overlooking the beach.

NOT TO MISS: Nowhere else in Cancun will you find a culinary program that comes close to the elevated offerings of the Ritz-Carlton. The hotel’s collection of restaurants excels at nearly every type of cuisine, from authentic Mexican fare to the classic fine dining the brand is famous for. Sample from more than 100 tequilas at D-Lounge, enjoy elevated

local cuisine at El Café Mexicano, go for upscale Mediterranean at Fantino, or indulge in an omakase fusion at the Sushi Bar. Whatever your palate or pleasure, one thing’s for sure: You won’t be going home hungry.

EXCLUSIVE PRIVILEGES: Daily buffet breakfast for two at Café Mexicano; $100 food and beverage credit, per room per stay (not applicable at Fantino or the Club Grill); complimentary WiFi; upgrade, early check-in and late checkout (subject to availability).

SUITE & VILLA PRIVILEGE: $100 The Ritz-Carlton Spa credit, once per stay (minimum two-night stay in select categories).

Suite Retreats. Enter OFFER M20779 on the website on the back cover for V-VIP access.

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TRIED &KEY ROOM TRENDING

Two Tickets to PARADISE

A pair of grand openings—one in vibrant Honolulu, the other on a secret beach in Dominica—is luring travelers to fresh heavens on the sand.

THERE’S SOMETHING THRILLING ABOUT A NEW HOTEL—IT’S LIKE A NEW CAR BUT WAY BETTER. Everything is crisp and clean, from the linens on the beds and the lounge chairs by the pool to the tableware in the restaurant and the recipes in the kitchen. But the best part of a new hotel is that it invites us to see a destination—a beach, a city, even an entire island—in a whole new way. Here, two fresh debuts that go the extra mile to do just that.

Cabrits Resort & Spa Kempinski Dominica As far as Caribbean islands go, Dominica has remained a well-kept secret. But the little slice of West Indies paradise—a tiny dot just north of upscale Martinique and south of Guadalupe—has almost everything: miles of tropical jungles, bubbling volcanoes, crystalline coastlines, and cascading waterfalls. The one thing it’s been missing, however, is a five-star luxury resort—until now, thanks to the arrival of Kempinski’s second venture in the Caribbean.

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WHEREABOUTS: The island of Dominica is small enough to drive from north to south in under two hours. (You can make it from the west coast to the east coast in less than half that time.) Yet it has more eco-diversity than most Caribbean islands, from its national rainforest reserves brimming with purple-throated caribs and red-necked parrots to its black-sand beaches speckled from coast to coast. You’ll find the Cabrits Resort & Spa Kempinski just east of the Cabrits National Park, hugging the edge of unspoiled Douglas Bay. SUITE GPS: Kempinski was careful to settle its 151-room resort unobtrusively into the native landscapes, building thatched-roof structures that blend seamlessly with the wild palms, and designing a soothing palette of coastal

ROOM KEY

Clockwise from left: The sun sets over Cabrits Resort & Spa Kempinski Dominica; Deluxe Ocean View rooms frame sea and sand; the lobby celebrates island life.

colors and natural woods inside. Of the spacious accommodations—including two-bedroom duplexes and freestanding villas—the most inspiring is the Presidential Villa, a stunning ocean-view retreat with its own entrance, two bedrooms, a spa room with a sauna, and an expansive terrace with a private pool.

DISCOVER: Nature is your playground at this island oasis where there’s so much more to explore than the spa and the pool (though both are not to be missed). Immerse yourself in the lush grounds right in your backyard with a trek into the Cabrits National Park, where you’ll find more than 1,300 acres of exotic flora and fauna and, at its southern tip, Fort Shirley, a garrison built by British troops in the 18th century that offers panoramic views of the sea and island.

EAT: Dominica’s eco-luxury vibe extends to the culinary experience at Cabrits Resort & Spa Kempinski, with a collection of farmto-table and sea-to-table dining options.

Take your taste buds on a Creole journey at Cabrits Market, or go for a toes-in-the-sand meal at the Kweyol Beach Café. There’s also international cuisine from Bonsai—serving Pan-Asian from sushi to Thai—and the ultimate spot for a sunset tipple, Rumfire Bar, showcasing a collection of local Caribbean rums and dark spirits.

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ROOM KEY

From top: Halepuna Waikiki’s spacious suites feature private terraces; Halepuna Bakery & Restaurant serves Hawaiian favorites.

Opposite: Infinityedge inspiration at Halepuna pool.

Halepuna Waikiki

by Halekulani

For more than 100 years, Halekulani has been the name to know in Honolulu. Set on a famous sliver of Waikiki Bay, the elegant hotel first opened in 1917 with just a few charming bungalows. Small though it was, the hotel was so welcoming that locals gave it the name Halekulani, which means “house befitting heaven.” Today, Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani complements their sister hotel, offering an experience that is distinct yet rooted in the same standard.

WHEREABOUTS: Located across the street from Halekulani, steps from Waikiki Beach and the world-class shopping and dining for which Honolulu is famed, Halepuna is the best of both city and sand. Part urban escape, part garden retreat, the hotel comes with stunning views of Waikiki in all directions, especially from the suites.

SUITE GPS: All 284 guest rooms and four suites are modern and elegant—a testament to the Halekulani brand’s staying power and what is sure to be another century at the top of Waikiki’s hospitality scene—but the Ocean Suites are where jaws are guaranteed to drop.

Each is dressed in warm whites and soft blues to mirror the floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall vistas of the Pacific Ocean outside.

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DISCOVER: The name Halepuna, “house of welcoming waters,” evokes the warm spring waters that were once enjoyed by royalty near where the hotel currently resides. Providing a place for relaxation and rejuvenation with its eighth-floor Urban Escape, it features an infinity-edge lap pool, a hot tub, pool bar, and cabanas where guests can book Spa Halekulani treatments such as the Nonu massage, a Samoaninspired treatment using hot stones and oil from the native noni fruit. There’s also a fitness studio and a meditative garden with a reflexology path.

EAT: Between its artisan breads, pastries, and cakes and an entire viewing kitchen dedicated to creating chocolate delicacies, Halekulani Bakery & Restaurant is a place to indulge. But the all-day space isn’t just for sweets (though you’d be forgiven for piling your plate high with artisanal confections): Dishes focusing on locally-sourced ingredients satisfy every craving for Hawaiian delights.

Digital Download. For additional entrée to the Hotels & Resorts Collection, enter OFFER M20780 on the website found on the back cover.

ROOM KEY

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CRUISE GPS

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CRUISE GPS

Sail for GOOD Regent Seven Seas Cruises® is creating lasting impact with its widespread environmental programs.

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE, NOR ANY DROP TO DRINK. The old sailor’s poem has taken on new meaning in recent years as the environmental cost of bottled water has become clear. Recent studies have revealed the damaging results of our addiction to H20 in the containers it comes in: An estimated 1,500 plastic bottles end up as waste in landfills or are thrown into the ocean every second. The bottles themselves— which are made from petroleum—use up roughly 17 million barrels of oil each year. And for every liter of water that’s bottled, two liters go to waste.

Opposite: A baby turtle greets a guest during an excursion with Regent Seven Seas Cruises®.

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CRUISE GPS

Perhaps nowhere are these figures more meaningful than at sea, where the impact of bottled water can be seen all around, on the shores and on isolated stretches of ocean. For Regent Seven Seas Cruises®, the numbers are more than a warning— they’re a call to action. In 2019, the cruise line announced its commitment to eliminate roughly two million plastic water bottles annually across its fleet of five luxury ships by partnering with Vero Water, a purification system that uses a five-stage filtration process to produce sparkling and still water on tap. Passengers drink it all via reusable Vero bottles, which are theirs to use on shore excursions and to take home as a green and clean souvenirs after they disembark.

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THE GREEN SCENE: ON AND OFF SHIP

Regent knows it’s incumbent upon luxury hospitality brands to lead the way in conservation—especially at sea—and Vero Water’s filtration systems are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the company’s initiatives. As part of its Sail & Sustain environmental program, the cruise line has eliminated single-use plastic straws, implemented on-board water-producing technology such as reverse osmosis, and endeavored to build more fuel- and energy-efficient ships. On board every cruise is an Environmental Officer, whose job it is to implement, train, and oversee green initiatives.

Off-ship, meanwhile, Regent has partnered with some of the most important organizations in conservation to protect the planet at every turn. Regent’s commitment to saving the seas drives its collaboration with the North American Marine Environment Protection Association, which educates industries on environmental regulations, compliance plans, and sustainable practices that can be enacted in nearly every aspect of cruising, from

CRUISE GPS

Pass the Greens Plant-based cuisine has become so prolific, it’s no longer considered leafy sustenance reserved only for vegans and vegetarians. And now, Regent is taking the healthy culinary trend out on the water with 200 new plantbased selections ranging from the exotic (poke bowls and falafel fritters) to the everyday (hearty pastas and refreshing salads) to the innovative (Impossible cheeseburgers).

Developed in concert Clockwise from far left: A student with Nova Southeastern University’s Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography surveys a coral nursery; Regent Seven Seas Voyager®; the Alaska Raptor Center; Vero Water’s filtration systems are becoming an important solution to eliminating plastic on Regent ships.

with world-renowned chef and Superfoods author Christophe Berg, the new dishes will be featured on all five of Regent’s ships, at every meal, and in each restaurant. So whether your ideal “plantiful” plate is avocado

a zero-tolerance policy for overboard waste to shore cleanup programs that take place throughout the year. Regent also supports a partnership with Nova Southeastern University’s Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography, which gives researchers the opportunity to create coral reef nurseries and help with restoration efforts in the Bahamas. The project allows scientists to focus on reef assessments—determining their current status—as well as restoration with three sites of “tree nurseries” that help the growth of natural reefs.

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

But it’s not just the planet Regent aims to save; it’s also its inhabitants. One of the most majestic animals you’ll see on Regent’s Alaska itineraries is the bald eagle, and to ensure that future passengers will have the same opportunities to glimpse these and other birds of prey, the cruise line partners with Sitka’s Alaska Raptor Center, which provides medical treatment to roughly 200 injured birds every year.

On select cruises, Regent takes passengers to this non-profit center, where they can view (and adopt) majestic falcons, hawks, owls, and eagles—just another way in which Regent soars when it comes to taking care of what matters most.

Digital Download. For further details on how Regent is spearheading travel that matters, enter

toast for breakfast, Vietnamese summer rolls for lunch, green curry eggplant stir fry for dinner, or summer berry pudding for dessert, your palate will no doubt be pleased.

Above: A healthy, plantbased Hawaiian poke bowl.

OFFER EW20494 on the website found on the back cover.

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CRUISE GPS

Slow and Steady Meandering along the storied rivers of Europe, Crystal River Cruises offers new adventures in the Old World.

BY JACKIE CARADONIO

THE SLOW PACE OF RIVER CRUISING HAS NEVER BEEN MORE ENTICING. A winding journey down the Danube or a ramble up the Rhine isn’t just a vacation—it’s a retreat from the rush of cars and planes, an escape from the pings of phones and emails. And nobody does it better than Crystal River Cruises, whose elegant river-going vessels are a leisurely step back to a time when the world stood still every now and then (and you didn’t receive a news alert every hour). Crystal’s river ships—all of which are, romantically, named for composers like Bach and Mahler—represent an elegant slowdown in their own right, but it’s the itineraries that are true transformers, taking passengers to medieval towns and ancient hamlets from another era. Here, we hop off at four Old World European hideaways (including one with a surprising modern side) along Crystal’s alluring river journeys.

Opposite: Vibrant colors and architecture of Bamberg, Germany.

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CRUISE GPS

BAMBERG

This Bavarian town’s seven fabled hills, each of which is topped with an ancient church, has earned the nickname the “Franconian Rome” (ask a local though, and they’ll probably tell you Rome is actually the Italian Bamberg). It’s this stunning array of historic structures that has made Bamberg, which sits at the intersection of the Regnitz and Main rivers, a small and special wonder. When Crystal Mahler® stops along its shores on its 16-night Budapest to Amsterdam journey, passengers can take in the storybook charms of arched bridges, cobblestoned lanes, and medieval Old Town—a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. But there’s more to drink in than the views: This city of 75,000 is also home to some of Germany’s oldest breweries, where Rauchbier—a distinctly flavored smoky beer made with malted barley dried over an open flame—has been produced since the 15th century.

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RÜDESHEIM

Everyone from the Celts to the Romans have laid claim to this ancient city in the Rhine Gorge—and for good reason: Picturesque Rüdesheim sits ideally between an important stretch of the Rhine River and the fertile, verdant lands of the wine-growing region of Rheingau. When Crystal Debussy® lands on the town’s shores on its seven-night Amsterdam to Basel adventure, passengers disembark to uncover countless stories, from the tales of the sailors who established the classic half-timbered structures of Drosselgasse in the 15th century to the accounts of the Benedictine nuns who have run Eibingen Abbey since the 12th century. Local vintners, meanwhile, welcome visitors with picturesque vineyards and mature, earthy Rieslings, the best of which come from Berg Kaisersteinfels and Berg Schlossberg.

CRUISE GPS

Opposite: The charming capital of Bratislava. Clockwise from top left: The Crystal Ravel®; the Dutch town of Kinderdijk is famous for endless tulips; enjoying a slower pace during sunset.

“Local vintners welcome visitors with PICTURESQUE VINEYARDS and mature, earthy Rieslings.”

KINDERDIJK

It’s a miracle that Kinderdijk still exists. The Dutch town located on the edge of the Lek and Noord rivers has endured legendary floods for centuries, and yet it has always reemerged as dry and scenic as ever. It’s all thanks to the village’s 19 wooden windmills, built in 1740 and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Though they serve a greater purpose—keeping this below-sea-level destination above water for centuries—the local windmolen, as locals call them, make a trip to Kinderdijk one of the most iconic experiences in the Netherlands. Passengers on Crystal Bach®’s seven-night roundtrip Amsterdam itineraries can insert themselves into this painterly picture of old Holland with cycling and hiking adventures that wind in and out of the 19 historic landmarks.

BRATISLAVA

One of Europe’s smallest capitals, the Slovak city of Bratislava is a sight to behold for its magnificent architecture, ranging from the 14th-century Michael’s

Gate (which kept the city safe for centuries) to the Bratislava Castle (a remarkable example of Renaissance design). But this Danube River destination is a surprising mix of old and new, where the contemporary art scene and nightlife are as vibrant as the bright blue walls of the Art Nouveau St. Elizabeth Church built in the Old Town in 1903. Crystal Mahler®’s 10-night Vienna roundtrip journey spends a day at the diverse city, allowing guests the chance to tour the many museums, cathedrals, and palaces.

Also showcased is the modern culture by an avant-garde exhibition at HIT art gallery, Communist-era architecture in Petržalka, and several trendy cafés that have popped up in Old Town.

Digital Download. River cruising is just the beginning with Crystal.

Visit the website found on the back cover and enter OFFER EW20494 to discover the Crystal

Endeavor™ expedition ship.

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LIVE LIKE A LOCAL

A TOAST TO TERROIR Napa wine star Helen Keplinger reveals her favorite hangouts and happenings.

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AS ONE OF NAPA VALLEY’S MOST TALKED ABOUT WINEMAKERS, HELEN KEPLINGER’S OBSESSION IS CELEBRATING THE REGION’S NATURAL BOUNTY. The owner of Keplinger Wines and the winemaker for Carte Blanche Wine, she is constantly coaxing Napa’s touted terroir. Here’s her Napa go-tos—your entrée to California wine country.

OFF THE BEATEN PATH: Hike or bike the Rim Rock Trail, the Backbone Trail to Lake Marie at Skyline Park, Bothe, and Mt. St. Helena.

FAVORITE BREAKFAST HANGOUT: ABC for sit-down breakfast, and Model Bakery at Oxbow Public Market for breakfast sandwiches.

TOP RESTAURANT FOR DATE NIGHT: Press, Miminashi, and Torc.

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LUNCH LIKE A LOCAL: Grab and go at Contimo Provisions or The Garage. If wanting a leisurely lunch: Charter Oak, Cook, and Mustards.

LIVE LIKE A LOCAL

Clockwise from far left: Winemaker Helen Keplinger; cuisine from Napa Valley’s Press restaurant; Napa Valley’s poetic sunset; a brilliant hot air balloon drifts over Napa Valley vineyards.

FAMILY FUN: Train Town! (in Sonoma), the Yountville Park, hiking or biking to Linda Vista Falls, Connolly Ranch, the Bay Area’s zoos and museums, beaches, and picking blackberries.

MUST SEE: Di Rosa Preserve, Hess Collection art, harvest light early in the morning during September and October, plus the view of Napa from a hot-air balloon.

FAVORITE NAPA WINE BOUTIQUES: 750, Acme Fine Wines, and Backroom Wines.

LAST CALL: Cadet Beer and Wine Bar.

WHEN I’M NOT WORKING YOU’LL FIND ME: Skating, biking, and rock climbing with my husband and 3-yearold, and hopefully surfing soon!

FAVORITE ART SPACE: Martin Design.

NEVER THOUGHT I’D EXPERIENCE: Flying over Napa in a B-24 bomber or being asked to host a Keplinger Wines dinner with the French Laundry.

BEST COFFEE: Ritual, located at Oxbow Public Market.

FAVORITE BOUTIQUE: Pearl; Hunter and Gatherer.

Oenophile.

Enter OFFER M20782

on the website found on the back cover and explore the best of Napa Valley.

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TRIED & TRENDING

LOWCOUNTRY CLASSICS

THE LEGEND: Authentic Lowcountry comes in many forms—shrimp and grits, Shecrab soup, and fried green tomatoes among them—but for the real deal, Poogan’s Porch is the only reservation in town. Set in a historic Victorian townhouse, the restaurant is Charleston’s oldest independent dining establishment, serving the city’s best seafood from local purveyors (plus a few ghost stories) since 1891.

Charleston PALATE THE

To get a true taste of the Holy City, there’s something old—and new—to discover around every corner. BY JACKIE CARADONIO

BY NOW IT’S NO SECRET THAT CHARLESTON IS ONE OF AMERICA’S GREAT CULINARY MECCAS. But what separates this vibrant Southern city from other gourmet destinations is its longevity. Famous institutions serving mouthwatering favorites are just as important to the local dining scene as new kids on the block turning out trendy discoveries and modern plates. For every type of culinary experience, there’s a legend with decades of good eating under its belt as well as a must-see maverick doing things in a fresh new way. Here we explore the best of both worlds four different ways.

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THE MAVERICK: There’s nothing ordinary about The Ordinary, a seafood restaurant and oyster bar set in an old bank in the burgeoning Upper King neighborhood. The Lowcountry staples are all there on the menu—only with an elevated twist, as evidenced by the crispy oyster sliders (fried and served on mini hamburger buns) and the crab rice (paired with beech mushrooms and sweet peppers).

Don’t miss a chance to belly up to the bar, where rum is the favorite base for elaborate cocktails.

BARBECUE BASTIONS

THE LEGEND: Everybody has an opinion about where to find the best barbecue in Charleston, but one place almost everyone can agree on is Swig & Swine. The iconic joint has been a hit for its slow-cooked meats infused with natural juices and a signature smoked flavor. The ribs are so tender they fall off the bone and homemade sauces range from mild to jalepeño hot.

TRIED & TRENDING

Opposite: Charleston’s cityscape.

Clockwise from right: The elegant Citrus Club; decadent seafood from The Ordinary restaurant; handcrafted cocktails via The Bar at Husk.

THE MAVERICK: Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ is fast becoming an icon on the South Carolina barbecue scene for its 24-hour pit-cooked whole animals, including chicken, catfish, and, of course, pork. Owned

by James Beard Award–winner Rodney Scott (who hails from nearby Hemingway), the colorfully upbeat restaurant has a line that winds out the door daily. Make sure to smother whatever you order in Rodney’s Sauce, the house’s own spicy dressing with a vinegar base.

COCKTAIL KINGDOMS

THE LEGEND: The Bar at Husk has been around for only a decade, but the 19th-century Victorian structure in which it is housed lends all the antiquity you need to feel like you’ve gone back in time for a stiff drink.

Expect a Prohibition-speakeasy vibe to all the cocktails on the menu, but for true history buffs there’s only one tipple to sip: The Charleston Light Dragoon’s Punch—a combination of two kinds of brandy, rum, black tea, and lemon—which dates all the way back to 1792.

THE MAVERICK: The mixology scene has been heating up in Charleston for years, and Citrus Club, perched on the rooftop of the chic Dewberry Hotel,

feels like the culmination of that movement. The indoor-outdoor space is a little bit retro, a little bit contemporary, and a whole lot of clever cocktails, from rum classics like the Polynesian Pearl Diver (served in a Tiki ceramic mug) to old-school concoctions with a modern twist (check out the Mr. Nice Guy for an unusually sweet gin drink). Be sure to make reservations—the club releases only a handful of seats per day for non– hotel guests.

JAZZ JOINTS

THE LEGEND: Quintessentially Southern in everything from its shrimp and grits to its name (which references times when the crops were good and the prices were, too), High Cotton is a Charleston institution.

You can catch live jazz here every day of the

week, but to experience it like a local, it’s all about Saturday and Sunday brunch, when the atmosphere is as lively as the music.

THE MAVERICK: Prohibition may be a nod to the 1920s with its old-school booze selection, but the American restaurant on Upper King Street is modern through and through, with a clean (and even hipster) aesthetic and elegant fusion dishes. It also has a full dance card every night, with live jazz—including sets by some of Charleston’s biggest names—as well as salsa, blues, and Rockabilly swing performances. throughout the week.

Digital Download. Looking for more Lowcountry living? Visit the website found on the back cover and enter OFFER EW20494.

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ABROAD & BEYOND

Eco Adventures With the launch of Silver Origin and sustainable cruising initiatives, Silversea Cruises elevates its future. BY JEN MURPHY

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ABROAD & BEYOND

Opposite: A marine iguana stands sentinel in the Galápagos. Clockwise from top: Silver Origin; a solar kitchen in Chile; fishing boats line the coast of Bangladesh.

SINCE LAUNCHING IN 1994, SILVERSEA CRUISES HAS RAISED THE BAR FOR SMALL-LUXURY SHIP CRUISING. The summer 2020 debut of Silver Origin, the tenth ship in the Silversea fleet, cements the brand’s reputation as an industry leader in sustainable cruising. As the fleet’s first destination-specific ship, the Silver Origin is also Silversea’s most environmentallyconscious ship to date.

Guests will experience this firsthand on new sailings to the Galápagos Islands, the largest national park in Ecuador and one of the world’s most important protected natural areas. Silver Origin will be one of only two ships sailing in the Galápagos that feature dynamic positioning, which will be used

when the ship glides over delicate seabed ecosystems to prevent the anchor from causing damage. What’s more, an advanced propulsion system ensures the ship has the lowest possible carbon footprint. Additionally, the ship’s debut coincides with the launch of the Silversea Fund for the Galápagos, which is dedicated to safeguarding the archipelago.

The 100-passenger ship will significantly reduce the use of plastic on board. Guests will be gifted a metallic, reusable bottle to drink water via reverse-osmosis, a process whereby sea water is turned into drinking water. This small single step will save at least 17,000 plastic bottles.

Designed with the Galápagos top of mind, no view will be left unseen from the all-suite ship. Floor-to-ceiling windows extend throughout Silver Origin, which means there’s a good chance you’ll spot a sea lion through your glass horizon balcony or from your private ocean view shower. With the highest crew-to-guest ratio in the Galápagos, passengers are guaranteed exceptional service and

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ABROAD & BEYOND

From left: Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas is a primatologist and guest lecturer aboard select voyages; Bordeaux’s Château La Dominique; Exp-Lounge aboard the Silver Origin; the Salt Marsh Trail, part of the Trans-Canada Trail.

expertise. A team of Ecuadorian guides— all certified by the National Park of the Galápagos—briefs guests in Basecamp, the ship’s innovative knowledge lounge which opens directly onto the Marina.

Eight Zodiacs (the most per guest in the region) await to zip guests off on personalized on-shore experiences.

TRAVEL DEEPER

Silversea prides itself on social responsibility, ensuring that local communities benefit directly from every visit and stimulating contributions to the local economy. Here are a few of the brand’s latest initiatives.

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BANGLADESH. During Silversea’s first-ever Bangladesh cruise, passengers visited a remote village where they could purchase textiles and local goods directly from the artisans and manufacturers.

GALÁPAGOS. Silversea has co-sponsored a fiveday camp for the children of Floreana in 2018. Local children are the future stewards of the archipelago and the program aimed to create awareness of conservation.

CENTRAL BORNEO. Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas is

internationally recognized for her studies and work with the orangutans of Indonesian Borneo. The renowned primatologist joined as a guest lecturer aboard select voyages. Silversea is the only cruise line to have partnered with Camp Leakey, the site of Dr. Galdikas’s pioneering research. For each guest on these special voyages, Silversea Expeditions donated $100 to the non-profit Orangutan Foundation International (OFI).

SUSTAINABLE TOURS

When you cruise with Silversea, offshore excursions tread lightly while providing a deep dive into the local culture.

ABROAD & BEYOND

PORT>HALIFAX, CANADA EXCURSION: A guided coastal bicycle adventure along the scenic Salt Marsh Trail offers expansive views of wild beaches and tiny villages. Part of the Trans-Canada Trail, and one of the most popular multi-use trails on the Eastern Shore, it also provides plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife, including osprey, bald eagles, and white-tailed deer.

PORT>COQUIMBO, CHILE EXCURSION: The Elqui Valley’s pure skies earned it the world’s first-ever International Dark Sky Sanctuary status in 2015. In addition to spectacular stargazing, the region is known for its unique solar kitchens. You’ll have a chance to dine at one of the many restaurants that harness and convert sunlight into heat to cook food.

PORT>BORDEAUX, FRANCE EXCURSION: Oenophiles won’t want to miss a chance to explore the legendary vineyards of Saint-Émilion by bike. The cycling adventure ends with a private tasting at Château La Dominique.

Alternatively, opt for a relaxed hiked through the organic vineyards of Châteaux Bouscaut then join owners Nathalie and Jérôme for a tasting of their elegant whites and sturdy reds.

“Offshore excursions tread lightly while providing a deep dive into the local culture.”

Set Sail. Interested in experiencing the Silver Origin? Visit the website found on the back cover and enter OFFER M20785.

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GRAN MELIÁ COLÓN SEVILLE - SPAIN

GRAN MELIÁ PALACIO DE LOS DUQUES MADRID - SPAIN

GRAN MELIÁ FÉNIX MADRID - SPAIN

Gran Meliá evokes the essence of Spanish culture: simple pleasures, connection to the land, respect for things well done and elegance in every detail. Our philosophy shines throughout your experience.

Dramatically beautiful luxury landmarks, dedication to life well-lived, ardent passion for fine-tuned service, exceptional experiences, and a modern expression of Spanish culture make Gran Meliá a timeless representation of luxury.

Your invitation into Spanish luxury

ULTIMATE EXPERIENCES

go now

January 2020

SOLO ESCAPE Japan Page 36

SAFARI

Rwanda & Kenya with African Travel, Inc. Page 40

WATER WARRIORS Uniworld Cruising for Change Page 46

POINT OF VIEW . BESPOKE . DESTINATION GPS . HAVE MISSION, WILL TRAVEL

Above: Nature’s symphony of sakura, or cherry blossoms, brighten Tokyo’s Meguro River.

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POINT OF VIEW

A Solo Sojourn Kon’nichiwa! Japan is one of the finest destinations to visit alone.

EVERY YEAR, I GO ON A TRIP BY MYSELF. Often, my friends’ holidays don’t match mine, plus the destinations and experiences I’m interested in aren’t always compatible.

Over the years, I’ve found many benefits to traveling solo: the freedom to come and go as I please, an opportunity to seek out personal passions and interests, plus the richness and intensity of a solo journey and the chance to meet others along the way. Here are some of my favorite finds while recently exploring the intriguing landscapes of Japan.

Opposite: A setting sun casts an orange hue over a postcard-perfect stone street in old Kyoto.

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POINT OF VIEW

I’ve always had a fascination with Japan, and the reasons are many. I love discovering its wealth of cultural treasures and historic sites, witnessing cuttingedge modernity next to ancient traditions, marveling at stunning natural beauty, tasting delicious cuisine, and experiencing the country’s unique sensibility.

Additionally, Japan is well suited for solo travelers because it’s safe and easy to navigate, with a superb transportation and rail system. What’s more, this journey can be seamless when you elevate your adventure with expert guides, transportation, and authentic experiences.

Japan is roughly the size of California, but stretched out. Nagasaki to Hokkaido is more than 1,500 miles apart, so careful planning is essential.

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TOKYO>KYOTO

Chances are your travels will start in Tokyo, Japan’s capital and major gateway. Tokyo is disorienting because rather than just one downtown, there are several. I recommend shopping in Ginza at the Mitsukoshi and Takashimaya department stores. Also, visit the Asakusa district’s Sensō-ji temple and the Meiji Jingu shrine, set in a vast park. Wander through the Toyosu Fish Market, glimpse views of Tokyo from the Mori Tower, and stroll through the Imperial Palace gardens. Don’t miss dining at neighborhood sushi restaurants, which serve some of the freshest fish you’ll ever taste.

If you visit one other place besides Tokyo, make Kyoto your choice. The city is the heart and soul of Japanese culture and was the country’s capital for more than a thousand years. Kyoto features hundreds of temples and shrines, vibrant neighborhoods, plus excellent shopping and dining. My favorite temples include Sanjūsangen-dō and its 1,001 life-size statues of the Kannon (goddess of

POINT OF VIEW

Opposite: The famed Itsukushima shrine. Clockwise from top left: Kamakura Buddha Daibutsu; sushi from the Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo; the chic Grand Hyatt Tokyo; Tokyo’s Sensō-ji Temple at Asakusa.

mercy), and the Kiyomizu-dera—located on a hill with fantastic views, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a series of pavilions and a sacred waterfall. Make sure to visit the Fushimi Inari-taisha shrine and its two miles of bright-red torii gates. The Kinkaku-ji, also known as the Rokuon-ji, is the famous Golden Pavilion set on a lake. Another Kyoto must-see is the zen “dry gardens.”

Created with raked gravel and rocks, they’re intended for you to slow down and contemplate; my favorite is the Ryōan-ji.

I also love walking around Arashiyama’s bamboo forests and enjoying the quieter side of Kyoto. If you have time for a day trip, take a 40-minute train ride to Nara, where you’ll discover a massive Buddha statue at the Tōdai-ji temple, which is the largest wood structure in the world.

BEYOND KYOTO

Miyajima Island, or shrine island, is one of Japan’s holiest sites and home to the celebrated Itsukushima shrine.

Here you’ll witness the spectacular temple and the famous, 53-foothigh vermillion gate that seemingly floats over the water at high tide.

Hiroshima, located on the main island of Honshu (opposite Miyajima), is also a must. Regardless of your perspective regarding World War II history, you can’t remain indifferent to this city.

Visit the atomic dome—one of the few structures still intact from the bombing in 1945—as well as the moving Peace Park across the river. The Hakone region is also a popular destination, featuring Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and many world-class art museums. Closer to Tokyo, I love seeing the colossal Buddha statue at Kamakura and wandering through the colorful temples of Nikko.

Digital Download. Where to stay on a solo trip to Japan? Enter OFFER EW20494 on the website found on the back cover for haute hospitality.

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POINT OF VIEW

CONSCIOUS SAFARIS African Travel, Inc. is trailblazing new conservation and experience efforts from South Africa and Botswana to Kenya and Rwanda. BY JEN MURPHY SPOTTING LEOPARDS, LIONS, AND ELEPHANTS ON AN AFRICAN SAFARI TOPS MOST TRAVEL BUCKET LISTS. But when you go on safari with African Travel, Inc. your experience will go way beyond wildlife viewing. The longest established luxury safari operator focused exclusively on the African continent, African Travel, Inc. has earned a reputation for creating lifechanging journeys rooted in culture and conservation as well as spectacular wildlife encounters. Trips are transformational for the guests as well as the local communities due to the company’s partnerships with innovative social enterprises and not-for-profits.

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MAXIMUM IMPACT

In South Africa, African Travel, Inc. partners with the TreadRight Foundation, where $100 is donated toward the building of a rhino boma at Shamwari Game Reserve. The rhino boma is a safe haven to rehabilitate injured or orphaned rhinos.

The company has also joined forces with ME to WE to offer extended community experiences on select itineraries. On its Captivating Kenya journey, guests can opt to add on four additional days and leave a positive impact on the people in the northern Maasai Mara—visiting health centers, local markets, and joining local women as they walk to fetch water or bead traditional necklaces.

Also in Kenya, guests can go behind the scenes of the country’s conservation efforts as they search for the endangered black-and-white rhino in Kenya’s

From far left: Gorilla tracking in Rwanda; after a visit to Kenya, singer and actress Sofia Carson worked with ME to WE to create a special Rafiki bracelet to support girls’ education; guests learn the art of traditional beading with local women in the Maasai Mara; rhinos find a safe haven in the Shamwari Game Reserve.

oldest national park, spend time at the Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy and its Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, and engage with the Samburu people and their unique culture.

NEW IN RWANDA AND BOTSWANA

New for 2020, African Travel, Inc. has handcrafted two adventures highlighting new properties and easier access to remote corners of the world.

The new Discover Rwanda journey ventures into the land of a thousand hills and explores the plains, woodlands, lakes, and wildlife of Akagera National Park by jeep and boat. Guests then head out on foot in Nyungwe National Park to track chimpanzees and to Volcanoes National Park, where they’ll search for the region’s iconic mountain gorillas. A tree is planted in each guest’s name, leaving a piece of them behind.

Xigera, a new safari lodge, debuts in June 2020 on the western side of the Moremi Game Reserve in the heart of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. The 100-percent solar-powered lodge is committed to environmentally conscious hospitality and an arborist oversaw construction, ensuring the

protection of native trees. Additionally, an Earth Cycler composter was installed so organic waste can be turned into compost and sent to local communities for garden projects. Lastly, the installation of one of the largest solar farms in the Delta allows Xigera to charge its gamedrive vehicles from solar technology. Beyond your positive impact while at Xigera, you’ll also experience one of the most incredible ecosystems in Africa. Each day on safari provides a strikingly different expedition into a landscape teeming with creatures, plant life, and natural land formations. One moment you’re enjoying high tea in the heart of the wilderness and the next you’re exploring waterways by glassbottomed boat, stopping for a “feet-in-thewater” sundowner.

Through its commitment to working with sustainable and socially conscious partners, like Xigera, African Travel, Inc. is leading the way in sustainable tourism and the future of travel.

Betting on the Bush. Learn about trips to discover African wildlife by entering OFFER M20786 on the website found on the back cover.

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BESPOKE

Colorful houses and elegant boats grace the coast of Portofino, Italy.

At Home While at Sea A new excursion series from Oceania Cruises is taking passengers off the tourist track—and into the homes of locals.

BY JACKIE CARADONIO

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BESPOKE

“Oceania is REINVENTING what it means to be ‘in port’.”

TO SAIL ON ONE OF OCEANIA’S SIX SHIPS IS TO SEE THE WORLD—ITS OCEANS AND SEAS, NEARLY ALL OF ITS CONTINENTS, AND COUNTLESS HIDDEN CORNERS—IN A WHOLE NEW WAY. Oceania has a reputation for building benchmarks, with elevated (and diverse!) cuisine from culinary stars and off-the-charts experiences that come with bragging rights of a lifetime. This year, the company is once again raising the seafaring ante by taking passengers off the well-trodden visitor paths altogether, and heading straight into the homes of locals. Forget the guidebooks, museum lines, crowded tourist sites, and the usual highlights. Rather, the new Go Local series of more than 100 small-batch excursions is reinventing what it means to be “in port.” Here, we take you on four Oceania adventures that will transform the way you see the world.

MENORCA: FARM AND FEAST

The Balearic Islands are a longtime cruising darling for their idyllic

From top: Classic architecture in Mahón, Spain; tasty drycured meats in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

beaches and whitewashed sidewalk cafés, but on the island of Menorca (the little sister to more frequented Mallorca), a simpler life exists just beyond the classic tourist sites. Head inland from the port of capital city Mahón to roam among the rolling hills and rambling farms of Ciutadella and Es Mercadal.

Here, the shepherds share their trade with Oceania’s guests, demonstrating herding, milking, and shearing the sheep, and

sharing the secret to making the famous Mahón cheese for which this pint-sized island is known.

But hard labor this tour is not: The experience culminates with a local feast at the family table, where you’ll savor the sweet yet salty soft cheese along with other Mediterranean delights, from Menorca’s historic carnixulla (a pork sausage dating back to Roman times) to island-made Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah.

BUENOS AIRES: MARKET-TO-TABLE

Buenos Aires has it all: tango and art, cobblestoned boulevards and ornate neoclassical neighborhoods. But to live like a local in this energetic metropolis, one must experience the delicious hustle and bustle of its legendary ferias.

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BESPOKE

Clockwise from top left: Traditional Italian seafood in Portofino, Italy; local art on display at the Brigid Shelly Gallery in Ireland; Oceania navigates Portofino.

The city’s many markets are colorful and fragrant seas of artisanal goodies that no palate can resist. To navigate the hundreds of stalls of Buenos Aires’ most famous bazaars, Oceania sends guests on a shopping spree with a local, who guides them through it all: the tartas and budines (sweet cakes), the chocolates and cheese, the fresh-caught fish and dry-cured meats. Leave it to your guide to haggle the best prices—your job is to sample and savor along the way—then head back home and watch as your bounty is transformed into a traditional Argentine dinner.

PORTOFINO: THE FRESHEST CATCH

Fishermen had been calling Portofino—the little stretch of Italian Riviera coastline some 25 miles southeast of Genoa— their home long before the rich and famous made it their jet set holiday of choice. Of course, you’ll experience both worlds with any visit, dining on the freshest ricciola (similar to pompano) and rossetti (a local anchovy dish) at glamorous restaurants on the edge of the waterline. But Oceania’s Fishing with the Natives adventure takes a select few guests deeper into the industry that has sustained this village since the 13th century, with a day at sea watching the crews pull in mounds 44

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of fresh catches. The captain and crew will regale their guests with maritime tales of the Ligurian Sea, demonstrating how they cast their nets and palamiti (long lines with hundreds of hooks). After the haul comes the feast, when it’s time to enjoy the labor of the day’s work with a fresh seafood dinner and a dip in the cool and calm sea.

ARDMORE: CANVASES AND COWS

The hills of Ardmore are alive…with the moos of cows. This historic Irish village in the heart of County Waterford is the oldest Christian settlement in the country (it was founded around 400 AD) and today has a population of about 430. It’s this quaint atmosphere that gives the hamlet its charm, along with sprawling pastures dotted with Ardmore’s most famous (and more populous) residents—cows. To capture the true spirit of this back-in-time haven, Oceania leads passengers on a Go Local journey at Brigid Shelly Gallery, where the artist’s work has become famous for her most frequent subject: You guessed it, cows. Shelly invites guests into her studio for lessons in art, history, and local lore before handing them a canvas of their own. Whether you choose to follow in her footsteps with a bovine masterpiece, or capture the village’s iconic 12th-century stone tower and cathedral ruins, you’ll return home with a self-made masterpiece.

BESPOKE

Colorful buildings adorn the city center in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

High-Water Mark Keeping the world beautiful is part of Oceania Cruises’ mission, and that means cutting back on plastic bottles—three million of them per year to be exact. The cruise line recently partnered with Vero Water, the world’s leading purveyor of premium water distillation systems, to provide quintuple-filtered still and sparkling water on tap to guests on all six of its ships. Passengers sip from glass canteens while on board, then take the reusable, dishwasher-safe bottles home with them as souvenirs. It’s a small step for Oceania, and a giant leap forward for a cleaner planet.

Digital Download.

Visit the website found on the back cover and enter OFFER EW20494 to learn how Oceania is delivering insider access.

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Navigating Change With an ambitious new mission, Uniworld is aiming to eliminate single-use plastics in both its offices and ships by 2022.

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DESTINATION GPS

Opposite: Working in partnership with One Tree Planted, a tree will be planted for every Uniworld guest who opts for e-docs instead of paper. From top: Uniworld’s Mekong Jewel features a modern and efficient diesel electric propulsion system; by reducing the distance to water sources school attendance increases.

ANYONE WITH A PASSION FOR TRAVEL SHOULD CARE ABOUT THE EARTH. Climate

change, deforestation, and plastic pollution are harming our fragile planet. If we want to continue to explore oceans, cruise rivers, and adventure in rainforests, then we need to make smarter, more sustainable choices, and that extends to who we decide to travel with.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection has been an industry visionary when it comes to sustainable river cruising, launching its Environmental Sustainability for River Cruising Guide in partnership with TreadRight and the Travel Foundation in 2013.

A staggering eight million metric tons of plastic end up in the oceans every year.

Scientists at the Center

for Environmental Research in Leipzig, Germany, dug up data on the plastic concentration in 57 rivers of various sizes around the world—measurements included bags and bottles as well as microscopic fibers and beads. Their results showed that more than a quarter of that waste could be pouring in from just 10 rivers, including popular waterways like the Nile, Mekong, and Yangtze.

GOODBYE, PLASTIC

Change is needed and Uniworld is leading the way. The company recently announced an impressive initiative to eliminate all unnecessary single-use plastics in its offices and onboard its ships by 2022.

The global plastic problem is daunting, but Uniworld is proving that small changes can have a big impact. The brand has already reduced plastic waste by 60,349 pounds in the past year by removing all straws, plastic water bottles, and related plastics from all ships in the Uniworld line. Onboard laundry service is completely plastic free, instead providing reusable fabric bags and return of washed laundry to guests in wicker

The global plastic problem is daunting, but Uniworld is proving that small changes can have a BIG IMPACT.

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BESPOKE

Clockwise from top: Eight metric tons of plastic end up in our oceans every year; the S.S. Catherine’s hull has been coated with a special paint to create less drag; working wells are critical to communal harmony; the One Tree Planted initiative helps plant trees in local villages. Opposite: We Villages helped to rehabilitate a hand pump in Udawad, India.

baskets. The brand continues to evaluate each plastic item used onboard in order to implement alternatives and ultimately become completely plastic-free.

DIGITAL COUNTDOWN + ECO BUILDS

These efforts follow similar steps the company has taken to reduce its paper waste. Uniworld now offers guests PressReader instead of daily printed newspapers. Additionally, all unnecessary stationery and paper items have been removed from the ships and onboard paper use is regularly assessed. Uniworld also incentivizes its guests to make greener

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choices. For example, the brand works in partnership with One Tree Planted to plant one tree for every guest who opts for e-docs instead of paper documents. Those who made the switch helped contribute to reducing paper waste by 243,121 pounds in the last two years.

Behind the scenes, Uniworld has embraced some of the most advanced sustainable ship building practices. All of Uniworld’s Europe ships are built with specially designed propellers that increase performance and efficiency, and the hulls have been coated with a special paint that creates less drag caused by bio-fueling. Energy saving features across the Europe fleet include LED light fixtures, automatic air conditioning controls to optimize cooling resources, water cooled air-conditioning systems, and state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plants onboard. All onboard garbage is separated and recycled. Additionally, Uniworld’s newer Super

BESPOKE

Clean Water FOR ALL

Around the world, more than 785 million people live without access to safe drinking water, and at least 2.1 billion lack access to adequate sanitation facilities—every drink makes them vulnerable to diseases like dysentery and cholera. In developing countries, collecting water is primarily the responsibility of women and girls. For mothers, this means time away from their babies and income-generating activities. For young girls, it means missing out on an education. One study found that reducing the distance to a clean water source by just 15 minutes can increase girls’ school attendance by up to 12 percent. For more than a decade, international development charity We.org has worked to bring clean water to communities through its We Villages program. To date, the organization has helped one million people have improved access to clean water, healthy sanitation facilities, and infrastructure like irrigation systems.

The hilltop community of Udawad, India, is just one We Villages

Working in partnership with ONE TREE PLANTED, for every guest who opts for e-docs instead of paper documents, one tree is planted.

Ships, including S.S. Joie de Vivre and S.S. Catherine, feature modern and efficient diesel electric propulsion systems that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These features will all also apply to Uniworld’s brand new Mekong Jewel, to launch on the Mekong River in 2020, and the newly renovated S.S. La Venezia, to launch on the Po River in 2020.

success story. Women had to fetch water up to 10 times a day, and in the summer, the shallow village well would sometimes run dry, which meant they had to walk for hours in search of another water source that often ended up being contaminated. We Villages worked with community members to rehabilitate a hand pump, install a new water tank outside the

Cruising for Change. Visit the website found on the back cover and enter OFFER M20793 to explore sustainable sailing.

community’s school, and create water pipelines so homes could have direct water access.

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Sites to Behold Seabourn is cruising with UNESCO to show passengers the world’s most dramatic sites in a whole new way.

AS FAR AS BUCKET LISTS GO, UNESCO IS THE ULTIMATE. With more than 1,100 sites around the world—from Machu Picchu to Angkor Wat, from Old Havana to Easter Island, from the Statue of Liberty to the Sydney Opera House—it’s a veritable catalog of every important place you must see in your lifetime. And now, Seabourn is helping you get there: The luxury cruise line has partnered with the institution as the official cruise partner to take passengers to more than 170 UNESCO-designated locations around the globe on its series of Seabourn World Heritage and Discovery Tours led by specially authorized experts—and granting 50

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privileged access to restricted areas for a truly VIP immersion.

Here, we embark on four of the most bucket-list-worthy excursions you’ll want to check off your agenda.

AJACCIO AND CORSICA, FRANCE Seabourn’s Corsica journey is a favorite for the stops along the area’s most intriguing sites, including the famous Calanques de Piana, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. After departing Ajaccio for a 60-minute scenic drive, you’ll reach San Sebastiano Pass, with unforgettable views over the Sagone Gulf and the summit of Monte Cinto. Stop at the Greek village of Cargese for a short visit to the local church prior to another trip highlight: Les Calanques de Piana. Considered one of Corsica’s most spectacular natural wonders, this part of the island has been sculpted by nature

DESTINATION GPS

Opposite: Moscow’s famous Red Square. From top: Ephesus, Turkey, is home to incredible Greek temples; Cinque Terre, Italy earned its UNESCO distinction in 1997.

for centuries. The result is rose-colored granite cliffs that plunge into a dark, navy blue sea in a remarkable contrast of color, in addition to steeples and spires ranging in color from pink to deep red.

EPHESUS The ancient Greek city of Ephesus, located 30 minutes away from Turkey’s Kusadasi Port on the Icarian Sea, is a well-known tourist destination for its famed ruins, many of which date back to the 10th century BC. But only after the city closes to visitors for the night does the real magic begin: Passengers on Seabourn’s seven-night Ephesus and the Greek Isles itinerary from Athens to Istanbul are treated to an after-hours tour of the site, strolling its ancient Roman roads and enjoying a spectacular live classical music performance among the historic monuments.

SAINT PETERSBURG AND MOSCOW Russia has no shortage of UNESCO wonders to explore—and Seabourn is the only cruise line that can take you to nearly all of them, thanks to its Norway & Baltic Gems itinerary, which features an unprecedented three days in the Eastern European country. Expect to see everything from the Kremlin and the Red Square to the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood and the town of Pushkin. But the real bucket-list moment comes with

UNESCO’s partner tour of Catherine Palace. The 18thcentury palace at Pushkin invites passengers for an after-hours tour exploring the riches of the Romanov family, including their elaborate private chambers and a re-creation of the famed Amber Room covered in panels of gold.

The tour ends in an appropriately royal way with a Champagne reception in the Throne Room followed by a dance performance to live period music.

PORTOVENERE, CINQUE TERRE, AND THE ISLANDS The rolling hills and cliffside villages of Italy’s Cinque Terre are a true fairytale come to life.

Along with neighboring Portovenere and the islands of Palmaria and Tino, this historic region earned its UNESCO distinction in 1997—and now, Seabourn passengers can taste all of its delights with an insider’s tour on a number of the cruise line’s Italian and Mediterranean itineraries. Live like a local among the Islands with visits to briny mussel farms and enchanting fishing villages, then return to Portovenere to meander through the five towns that make up the Cinque Terre.

You’ll find each as picturesque as the last, as you meet the farmers and vintners making some of the finest biancos and trenette al pesto in all of Italy.

History Buff.

Dreaming of storied lands? Enter OFFER M20796 on the website found on the back cover and immerse yourself in culture.

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River Ready AmaMagna Sets Sail on the Danube.

THERE’S A REASON RUDI SCHREINER, PRESIDENT AND CO-FOUNDER OF AMAWATERWAYS, IS KNOWN AS THE GODFATHER OF RIVER CRUISING. A true visionary, he’s helped elevate the river cruising experience both onboard and off. At twice the width of traditional European river cruise ships, the brand’s newly christened AmaMagna is the first build of its kind in the river cruise industry. Redefining the river cruise experience while sailing on the Danube River, the fuel-efficient ship offers more luxurious personal space onboard and delivers travelers first-of-its-kind amenities, dining venues, and programs. A new Concierge Golf Program provides guests the opportunity to experience four top-level golf courses in Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, and Germany, while a complimentary fleet of bicycles allows guests to explore the countryside, whether guided or on their own.

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In celebration of the AmaMagna launch, Schreiner personally curated an exclusive itinerary for the ship. The Magna on the Danube, a new adventure from Budapest to Vilshofen, is available this year and includes daytime scenic cruising through the Danube Bend—a magnificent scenic stretch with a dramatic turn between rocky hills in Dunakanyar, Hungary. Here are some of AmaMagna’s other game-changing offerings.

SUSTAINABLE SAILING: To minimize its carbon footprint, the entire AmaWaterays’ river fleet has fuelefficient engines, microfiltration, and onboard water recycling, plus LED lighting and insulated windows to reduce energy. AmaMagna’s innovative 10-engine configuration is designed to save 20 percent in fuel, dependent upon river conditions, as well as reduce sound and vibration.

DESTINATION GPS

HANG SPACE: Enhanced entertainment offerings include an onboard cinema and Marina platform as well as an expansive sun deck with a large heated pool, whirlpool, and sky bar. On chilly evenings, guests can cozy up inside two fireside libraries. All of the deck facilities are accessible via a pop-up elevator—a first for the European river cruise industry.

WELLNESS: Zen Wellness Studio raises the bar for fitness on the river. A large indoor-outdoor exercise area holds group classes led by a Wellness Host. Post-workout relaxation can be found at the juice bar, two massage rooms, and a salon with nail and hair services.

SUITE LIFE: More than half of AmaMagna’s 98 staterooms are ultra-spacious suites. All feature a full balcony, natural wood accents, on-demand entertainment, walk-in, multi-jet showers, and panoramic views. The majority measure 355 square feet, but there are also six Grand Suites at 474 square feet and a palatial Owner’s Suite that spans 710 square feet. Eight pairs are connecting, making them ideal for families.

SIP & SAVOR: Complementing the intimate Chef’s Table and Main restaurants, which are found across

Opposite: The AmaMagna graces the Danube. Clockwise from top: the gorgeous Budapest city skyline and Parliament; a balcony suite aboard the AmaMagna; onboard spin classes have inspiring views; guests will experience a new Golf Concierge Program.

the AmaWaterways fleet, AmaMagna debuts two new dining venues: Jimmy’s, family-style dining named for AmaWaterways’ late co-founder Jimmy Murphy, and the vegetable-forward restaurant, Al Fresco. Don’t miss the region’s iconic Sachertorte, a rich, dark-chocolate cake layered with apricot jam.

LOCAL CONNECTION: Guests will receive an in-depth glimpse into Vienna’s Baroque splendors with an included excursion to the royal Habsburgs’ Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens. Built in the 18th century as an imperial summer residence, this magnificent 1,441-room Baroque palace is one of the most important architectural, cultural, and historical monuments in Austria.

Europe Bound? Enter OFFER M20797 on the website found on the back cover and be prepped for pampering.

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HAVE MISSION, MISSION WILL WILL TRAVEL TRAVEL

Back to the Future Lorna Macleod, founder of AmericaShare, improves lives via education in Africa. BY JEN MURPHY IN 1966, SECOND-GENERATION KENYANS FELIX AND JANE PINTO STARTED A LITTLE SAFARI COMPANY NAMED MICATO. Over the decades, their commitment to conservation, top-notch service, and exceptional guiding in East Africa, Southern Africa, and India has earned them a reputation as an industry leader in responsible luxury travel. As a steward of Africa’s wildlife and habitat, the company has always prioritized its light environmental footprint in game reserves, 54

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used safari lodges with above-average conservation practices, and educated travelers about culture by providing community engagement. But what has truly differentiated Micato over the years is the company’s belief that education is the most powerful tool for sustainable change in Africa.

VISIONARY VENTURE: AMERICASHARE

In 1986, Micato marketing staff member Lorna Macleod founded AmericaShare, a program that directs the company’s charitable work. Today, she serves as its executive director, overseeing initiatives dedicated to improving lives through education, focusing on the vulnerable and impoverished

HAVE MISSION, WILL TRAVEL

Opposite: AmericaShare believes education is the most sustainable tool for growth and change. Clockwise from top: Young students are given backpacks and books to ignite curiosity; local children greet a Micato guest; young girls are given kits for optimal health.

women and children in the Mukuru slum of Nairobi, who have been impacted by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

“It all started with one little boy, more than 30 years ago in the Mukuru slum,” recalls Macleod. “He was going from person to person in a Nairobi shopping center with a note from his school headmaster.

The note said that he was an orphan and needed to raise 700 shillings for a school uniform before he could come to class.

He had only collected 100 shillings.” After reading the note, Macleod handed the boy 600 shillings—the equivalent of $15. “Tears running down his face, the boy stood there for a moment, said ‘God bless you,’ and dashed away,” she says. “At that moment, I realized that Micato was an ideal bridge between some of the poorest people on the planet and some of the wealthiest, our travelers.” With that, the idea for AmericaShare was born.

At the time, AmericaShare was slightly radical in its mission—30 years ago, most people had significant misconceptions about Africa and AIDS. “It wasn’t exactly polite to ask travelers who were about to embark on a luxurious Micato safari whether they wanted to engage with children whose parents had died of AIDS,” says Macleod. “In many ways, this was an underground effort, engaging one guest at a time and selectively offering them the chance to meet these incredible children.”

“This was an underground effort, engaging one guest at a time and selectively offering them the chance to meet these INCREDIBLE CHILDREN.” -- AMERICASHARE FOUNDER LORNA MACLEOD

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“During the SCHOOL HOLIDAYS and WEEKENDS, there are long lines of children waiting to use the resources of the computer center.” -- LORNA MACLEOD GAME CHANGERS: EDUCATION

Micato travelers Jennifer Walsh and Bernard Wharton were some of the first visitors to Mukuru. A renowned architect, Mr. Wharton stood on a barren, garbage-strewn ground in Mukuru and announced that he would be willing to fund the construction of several buildings on that piece of land. Dormitories for boys and girls were soon constructed and an educational center followed. “The Whartons have been incredible supporters ever since,” says Macleod.

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Through the initial generosity of the Whartons, the Harambee Centre has developed into a multi-building, multipurpose facility that has grown and evolved with the support of Micato guests.

One of the challenges for children attending school in Mukuru is a shortage of books. Most Kenyan libraries are only open during business hours and do not allow books to be taken off the premises. “Every expert told us that a lending library was

HAVE MISSION, WILL TRAVEL

AmericaShare’s Volunteer Spotlight NUTRITION. An AmericaShare-sponsored food program provides children in the Gorretti Nursery School with a nutritious hot lunch, often their only meal of the day.

CLEAN WATER. Micato Safaris drilled a borehole at Harambee Centre, one of the few places in Mukuru with a regular supply of fresh water.

More than four million gallons are provided to residents each year.

EYE CARE. One of AmericaShare’s first initiatives was to organize an eye clinic in Mukuru.

With the assistance of Micato, they brought in Dr. Jeff Marshall of Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH) to Clockwise from top left: Young learners inside Mukuru’s first community lending library; children in front of their school in Mukuru; students learn skills that can be used in their community.

examine and provide prescription eyeglasses to 6,000 inhabitants.

SPORTS. Money received or raised at the bar

a bad idea, because books would never be returned,” says Macleod. “We proved them wrong, with the help of our travelers.”

Micato guests Bruce and Suzie Kovner had the vision to back the creation of Mukuru’s first community lending library, featuring cutting-edge book lending software.

Expanded over the years, the library is stocked with more than 15,000 books, and losses are negligible. A small computer center attached to the library was expanded

by Micato traveler Dr. Derrick Rossi and now houses 34 computers. “During the school holidays and weekends, there are long lines of children waiting to use the resources of the computer center,” says Macleod.

In May 2019, a group of travel advisors on safari with Micato was so inspired by the work in Mukuru that they suggested funding and building a second computer center at the Harambee Centre.

“Thanks to that one boy, thousands of children have been educated,” says Macleod.

“I often wonder where he is today.”

mitzvahs of young Micato travelers helped fund a community basketball court. In 2O14, Macleod’s nephew, Ian Macleod, introduced the sport of lacrosse to Kenya. More than 200 students from local schools participate, while an AmericaShare School Sponsorship

Community Rules. Want to get involved in AmericaShare’s unique vision? Visit the website found on the back cover and enter OFFER M20798.

graduate student serves as coach.

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January 2020

NATURAL BOUNTY Chile Page 60

MIDDLE EASTERN MUSE Jordan Page 70

ON THE SPA TRAIL

Miraval Tucson, Canyon Ranch +Rancho La Puerta Page 78

Above: Chile’s Tierra Patagonia frames views across Sarmiento Lake to Paine Massif and the iconic peaks of Torres del Paine National Park.

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SP I R I Tof the S OU T H During a 10-day journey to CHILEAN PATAGONIA, Erin Lentz discovers a country geographically narrow yet robust in adventure and culture.

With Tierra Hotels as basecamp, she reveals the finest of the Atacama Desert, Chiloé Island, and Torres del Paine National Park.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY STEFANIE MICHEJDA

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says our guide, As I place my trail runner on a large boulder while holding onto a lenga beech tree for balance, I glance at my goal—Las Torres, or The Towers. We’re in Chilean Patagonia’s famous Torres del Paine National Park, almost halfway through a challenging 14.5mile trek. As the start of spring casts a surprisingly warm sun on my back, I survey our surroundings: To my right, the Río Paine waterfall, the rush of its double cascade the only sound. High above my left: the base of three massive granite mountains—known left to right as Torres d’Agostini, Torres Central, and Torres Monzino.

A 20-something outdoorsman, Pipé (short for Felipe) seems an old soul, and as we navigate the steep boulder field, I reply, “You’re not just talking about this hike, are you?” We’ve tackled three of a nine-hour trek—ample time to discuss various life lessons. He smiles and says, “Nope. Pacing is everything in life too, eh? We’re all in such a rush.” He draws in a deep breath, places a closed fist above his heart, adding, “You’ve got to take it all in.” And so when he turns his back toward me to keep climbing, I stop for a second and do the same. I place my fist above my chest, breathe in the alpine air, and keep ascending.

During 10 days in Chile, while exploring the ethereal Atacama Desert, enchanting Chiloé Island, and the peaks of Patagonia with Tierra Hotels, I’ll soon realize Chile has its own unique pace. Here, when you slow down and take time to closely regard its people and storied land—one that drew such famous explorers as Magellan, Drake, Fitzroy and Darwin—you’ll come to understand how the spirit of the south is constantly celebrated. Chile’s soul is found in local communities, within ancient traditions, and by the very nature of the pampas (ranch land) and the Patagonia steppe. The wildlife is equally inspiring. I encounter nearly every animal our group was hoping to spy (vicuña, guanaco, flamingo, penguin, and condor), in addition to many surprises, including a puma and a rare southern pudú (the smallest deer in the world)). And while experiencing three of Tierra Hotels’ iconic properties— Tierra Atacama, Tierra Chiloé, and Tierra Patagonia—I’ll also discover three distinct personalities of Chile.

With unforgettable views of the Milky Way, the Atacama Desert is known as the finest star-gazing destination on earth.

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TACAMA

After an overnight flight to Santiago, we’re met by our first Tierra driver—one of many who will make our transfers from each destination lively.

Anticipation builds with each stop, and as we head north to San Pedro de Atacama, I’m unsure of just what to expect. After passing the largest copper mine in the world, the dramatic Chilean altiplano starts to change: the desert sky a robin’s-egg blue as the mine drops away. We drive another 30 minutes, round a sharp bend, and the driver exclaims “El Valle de la Luna!” while pointing to an otherworldly landscape.

Atacama’s famous Valley of the Moon comes into sharp focus: a surreal ocean of red sand dunes, sharp maroon ridges, and the occasional white sprinkling of salt. After snapping photos at the lookout, it’s at once decided we must hike the area during our stay.

But we have a property to see, and as we continue toward Tierra Atacama, we also pass Death Valley— the autopista cutting through jagged red-and-brown ridges reminiscent of the back of a Stegosaurus. It’s readily apparent we’re entering a unique part of the world.

When we arrive at Tierra Atacama—a stylish oasis in the quaint town of San Pedro de Atacama—we’re introduced to the cadence of the holistic Tierra experience: First, expect to be greeted by the general manager, who awaits guests at the entrance to each property. Next, savor a tasty pisco sour unique to the region. At Atacama, it’s the Rica Rica Pisco, made from the local medicinal rica rica herb. Then, sit near a beautiful oversized map of the area—a signature Tierra design element of each resort—while meeting your head guide. The goal? Excursions. Think of every Tierra headquarters as a high-end basecamp to exploration. Days are anchored in sense-of-place, with group or private excursions designed to celebrate the land you roam.

From top: Free heeling the Atacama Desert’s iconic sand dunes; a pink flamingo mirrors the desert’s enchanting hues. Opposite: Tierra Atacama provides plenty of scenic spots to glimpse the famous Licancabur volcano.

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STAY: Tierra Atacama is subtly, and skillfully, built into the landscape. The approach is muted—a hotel sign the only real tip-off you’ve arrived. But once inside, the design springs to life with authentic Atacameñan details such as Talabre stone, sandblasted glass, oxidized iron, adobe mud brick, and compacted earth. Renowned Chilean interior designers Alexandra Edwards and Carolina Delpiano created the hotel’s interiors, while grounds were concepted by Chilean landscape artist Teresa Moller.

Aiming to blend with native culture, locally excavated stone was used as a signature feature in the façade.

Thirty-two rooms have private terraces and views of the Licancabur volcano and surrounding Salt Mountain

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From left: The exterior of Tierra Chiloé mirrors the stilt architecture of palafitos, houses built on stilts; Tierra Chiloe’s Executive Chef Natalia Canario; guests of Tierra Chiloé are treated to weekly boat rides aboard Williche, with kayaking excursions to remote coves and islets.

Days are anchored in sense of place, with PRIVATE EXCURSIONS designed to CELEBRATE the land you roam.

Range. Simply styled yet highly textured, rooms feature neutral hues, sheepskin throws, dark woods, and locally sourced art showcasing the area’s diverse plants. Steel and glass frame room views as if to create a perfect landscape painting of the volcano, while al fresco showers are finished with crushed seashells and open onto bamboo-roofed patios.

Striking outdoor features include a landscaped pool, a yoga and meditation platform, and inviting fire pits for sunset cocktails.

SEE: “Pink Floyd or The Doors?” asks our Tierra Atacama guide Alejandro. I’m on my first Tierra Hotels excursion, bumping along the autopista again toward Atacama’s Salt Flats. Our mission? To witness flamingos, watch the sun say adios, and see the famous ALMA Observatory (the world’s largest, $1.5-billion microarray telescope). We decide on Floyd, which punctuates the windy, moody hour before sunset—the sun streaking a bubble-gum pink over a navy sky.

After arriving at the flats while singing along to “Dark Side of the Moon,” we begin a short walk to a shallow lake. The utter silence of the desert is remarkable, interrupted only by a near constant wind. Alejandro explains the flamingo is the symbol of a goddess. When glimpsed, its vivid pink profile is beautifully shocking against the lunar-like landscape.

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There is so much of Atacama to be explored that decision fatigue is almost a given, but don’t fret: Tierra guides will assess priorities and craft a personalized adventure menu. A main course must include star-gazing, as Atacama is ground zero for the best star-studying on the planet. The aforementioned Valley of the Moon should top your list, too, where you can hike, bike, and horseback ride through parts of the national park. A threehour morning trek through Kari Canyon reveals undulating switchbacks and surreal formations of salt and gypsum that resemble a sea of hard-boiled eggs and cauliflower. The highlight, however, is a sunset stroll to the sand dunes. After traversing a windy ridge, I drop down into a valley of rolling dunes—a 360-degree view of nothing but windsculpted sand. I ditch my shoes, zip up my pack, and sprint down, giggling like a little kid. The sand is so soft it feels akin to gliding versus running, and when I get to the bottom, the soft glow of a setting sun casts long shadows over a majestic valley floor.

To top it off, during the night-time star-gazing adventure a few hours later, I witness shooting stars and the brightest Milky Way I’ve ever seen.

SAVOR: Tierra Atacama Chef Francisco Valencia considers Chile’s Pacific coastline and varying agricultural zones his muse. Revolving daily menus highlight healthy ingredients of the area, including quinoa, Andean potatoes, and herbs. Expect beef and Chilean lamb, while fresh fish is served with seasonal fruits and vegetables direct from the property’s garden. The standout is the weekly barbecue. Held most Fridays, this al fresco meal is as visually pleasing as it is tasty—a sumptuous spread of veggies, salads, pastas, and artisan bread awaits, as does a massive grill of regional beef, pork, chorizo, and more. A local band keeps the evening perfectly on tempo, while the desert’s dome is awash in stars.

SPA: The Uma Spa (“water” in Aymara, one of the region’s indigenous languages) is the ultimate reboot after a day in the desert. A menu of massages, facials, body scrubs, and wraps combat Atacama’s water-deprived landscape, while quiet spaces foster relaxation. Local healing elements infuse various treatments, including desert herbs, salt from the lithium-rich salt flats, and volcanic mud. To combat the desert heat, water therapy circuits are offered, using hot and cold pools.

Additionally, yoga classes are catered to guests’ daily schedules.

HILOÉ

Located off the coast of Northern Patagonia in the Los Lagos region and accessed only by ferry, Chiloé is the largest island in the Chiloé archipelago and worth every minute of travel time. Known as a place of myths and legends, its physical attraction lies in a coastline peppered with rarelyvisited fishing towns, islets, and wind-swept coves. Its spiritual draw is defined by local lore: the “Caleuche” legend tells the story of a phantom ship that carries wizards and witches along the south Pacific; “La Pincoya” is a blonde mermaid who patrols the beaches and protects the ocean. Most wellknown, however, are the area’s palafitos, or houses built on stilts—the most famous of which is found in the city of Castro, a 30-minute drive from Tierra Chiloé. Additionally, the Churches of Chiloé (nearly 70 and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site) are reason enough to visit. Yet what strikes an emotional chord are its people. Chiloé is inhabited by communities that fiercely respect and protect its land. The result is a far-flung destination that feels a step back in time—a place that reveres its roots, traditions, wildlife, and landscapes.

STAY: If I had to choose (a challenge) my favorite Tierra property in regard to design, architecture, and ambiance, Tierra Chiloé ignites every one of the five senses. When you arrive, the briny scent of the sea tickles your nose as the property comes into view—its exterior created to mimic the island’s classic stilted houses. Reimagined in 2017, the renovated Tierra Chiloé U LT I M AT E E X P E R I E N C E S

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added 12 new rooms, doubling its size. All 24 guest rooms, including two suites and five family rooms, frame panoramic views of the coastline, while the hotel’s new wing celebrates intimate spaces in which to revel the sweeping vistas. Delpiano and Edwards’ keen design eye is beautifully displayed here—Tierra Chiloé is a warm sanctuary of sophistication defined by materials of Chile. Additonally, Artist Claudia Peña created a map of Chiloé inspired by travelers’ journals and crafted with local lichens, shells, and objects.

SEE: Every week, Tierra Chiloé guests are treated to a boat ride on Williche—a vintage wooden vessel that navigates Chiloé’s most scenic islets and coves.

With the boat as basecamp (and with a private chef, bartender, and several guides), adventure is the only demand of the day. Excursions include hiking or kayaking the Pindo Estuary to the fairytale Isla Mechuque. As our kayaking guide serenades us with songs of Bebel Gilberto, we paddle behind, spotting rare birds and the Fuegian steamer duck. Once on land, the island feels ghostly—the bay sprinkled with abandoned fishing boats. Accompanied by a stray dog, I walk its streets silently—a few chimneys emitting smoke. I encounter local fisherman pulling in huge king crab, and back on the boat a pod of dolphins playfully jumps by the bow. We also take a half-day horseback ride with on-property gauchos and gauchas, where we meander through local emerald-green farmland and splash along the coast, and then dismount at the edge of the sea, exchanging chaps for water-proof willies so we can forage for clams.

SAVOR: Agriculture and locally sourced cuisine is an integral aspect of Chilote culture. At Tierra Chiloé, the charming “mercado,” or market, exhibits the area’s prolific produce: potatoes, huge garlic, herbs, and preserves. As the working pantry for Executive Chef Natalia Canario and her kitchen team, she explains, “We serve endemic food—products from local farms and the hotel.” Outside, you’ll find a giant curanto—a native Chilote tradition in which meat, seafood and veggies are cooked in the earth.

“The curanto is how the natives cooked,” Canario says. The result is delicious, fall-from-the-bone meat and herb-infused vegetables.

From top: Jorge, a skilled gaucho at Tierra Chiloé, reveals the etiquette of sharing mate tea; The Churches of Chiloé are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Opposite: views of The Cuernos (horns) from a scenic bridge at Torres del Paine National Park.

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SPA: Tierra Chiloé’s renovation also includes a new Uma Spa, a stylish wellness area with two spa rooms, indoor hot tub, circular steam room, relaxing water features, and a stone sculpture evoking the slopes of the Andes. The top draw is a heated, infinity-edge outdoor pool overlooking the Pacific inland sea. Opt for a classic deep tissue massage after a day spent kayaking or exploring the property’s come-hither hiking trails.

If ATACAMA is your friend with a pretty face and playful personality, and CHILOÉ your spirited older sister, TORRES DEL PAINE is the gorgeous grande dame—at once ethereal, peaceful, and mysterious.

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Pisco, Please!

South America’s most favored cocktail and Chile’s national drink, the pisco sour has an interesting backstory: some say its origins can be traced to Peru, specifically to Lima’s popular Morris Bar in the early 20th century. Chileans, however, will argue that it was conceived in their country: Many believe the Aymaras, an ancient Chilean tribe, were the first to make pisco in Valle de Elqui, which has been suggestively renamed to Pisco Elqui.

For years, the two countries have squabbled over its birthplace. Yet one aspect of the brandylike liquor can be agreed upon: it packs a serious punch (up to a 48-percent alcohol content).

At all Tierra Hotel properties, the pisco is given a lively and regional spin. In Atacama, the Rica Rica Pisco is topped with the earthy rica rica herb. While visiting Chiloé, sip a version infused with locally made honey, and when in Tierra Patagonia, guests toast a Calafate Pisco. Local legend says that if you eat the calafate berry, you’ll return to the area. So, you may as well have a few. Cheers!

ATAGONIA

When travel is at its best, it stirs the emotional landscapes while physical terrain is traversed, trekked, and discovered. While exploring Chilean Patagonia, I realize that its pampas, or ranch land, and the iconic Torres del Paine National Park are much more than a bucket-list check. If you’re lucky, it’s a place to return to—and if unable to physically revisit, it will forever remain an enchanting mental escape. If Atacama is your friend with a pretty face and playful personality, and Chiloé your spirited older sister, Torres del Paine is the gorgeous grande dame—at once ethereal, peaceful, and mysterious.

STAY: Here, everything is elevated.

The architecture of the hotel seamlessly fades into the land it graces, while each of the 40 rooms (two Family Suites can accommodate up to six) frame indelible views across Sarmiento Lake to Paine Massif. The

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hotel rises from the foot of the park like a 200-footlong sand dune, resembling forms crafted by the wind or “an old fossil, a prehistoric animal beached on the lake shore, like those studied by Charles Darwin,” according to its Chilean architect, Cazú Zegers. Interiors—also designed by the Chilean design duo Edwards and Delpiano—complement nature. The result? Interior walls intricately patterned with Lenga wood paneling, a blonde Patagonian beech wood that gives dimensionality to stylish spaces, and regionally sourced furnishings made by local artisans. Spend ample time in the library, the hotel’s best view and an impressive hub of Chilean literature.

SEE: After arriving at the hotel to a Calafate Pisco Sour (local legend suggests if you eat a calafate berry, you’re guaranteed to return), I meet head guide Basilio, who has 20 years park experience (seven specifically with Tierra Patagonia). With meticulous knowledge of the park and its finicky weather, his team of guides is the best in the business and lead varied and vast excursions: hiking, birding, horseback riding, kayaking, mountain biking, and boating to remote glaciers. The tricky part is deciding on just what to do, as every excursion holds once-in-a-lifetime promise. Given the two days I have (book more time!), it’s decided: Basilio says the Towers hike and horseback riding are a must.

From left: Stylish spaces at Tierra Patagonia all frame views from Sarmiento Lake to Paine Massif; the property’s scenic spa and pool are a cozy reboot after a day of trekking; after a 14.5-mile trek, the base of the indelible Los Torres, or Towers, is a magnificent reward.

“Vamos!” exclaims Lucho, Tierra Patagonia’s head gaucho, the following afternoon. I dutifully follow orders, giving my horse, Brujo, a gentle nudge. And off we ride into a cotton-candy Patagonia sunset, with nothing but the click-clack of fellow riders and the wind stirring above the pampa. Horseback riding in Patagonia is all but mandatory—a tradition that celebrates the intoxicating adventure of land, nature, and authentic cowboy culture.

As an intermediate rider, I appreciated Lucho’s quick assessment of my ability, which leads to fun, stop-andgo sessions on trotting skills while breathing in the otherworldly landscape.

SAVOR: Fusing Chilean favorites with his unique culinary stamp, Tierra Patagonia Master Chef Rafael Figueroa concepted the resort’s daily, seasonally inspired menus to be simple yet hearty. Sourcing seafood from the Straits of Magellan and Beagle Canal, meats and lamb from the nearby ranches, and calafate and myrtle berries from the pampas (with plenty of savory vegetarian dishes, too), Figueroa strikes a tasty balance of sea and land. After 10 days in Chile, his citrus-crusted Chilean sea bass is crowned the favorite meal of the trip. What’s more, weekly Patagonian asados, or barbeques, feature slow-cooked lamb and showcase a historic local tradition.

SPA: Spa with a serious view? Check! Tierra Patagonia’s Uma Spa can confidently claim one of the globe’s top vistas. I swim to the corner of the infinity-edge pool, and simply can’t tear myself away, rotating between the pool

and the outdoor Jacuzzi. Small and cozy, additional spa facilities include steam baths, saunas, and meditation lounges. A full treatment menu employs such elements as stones, crystals, plants, and herbs—all ideal remedies for Patagonia’s obsession with outdoor play.

The highlight of this Chile adventure, however, will forever take me back to the base of those indelible Towers. Once we arrive to the edge of the turquoise lake that hugs the peaks, a large condor soars overhead. While the thought of the world’s top rock climbers actually scaling these granite spires is daunting, what sticks with me most is the pure silence of the landscape. We live in a world bombarded with sound. Here, the silence reminds me of Pipé’s comment on pace. If we don’t take a beat, to not only witness, but really feel, what’s before us, we miss out on just what’s intended: how nature evokes our own, individual wild spirit. I close my eyes, let the wind wash over my upturned face, and vow to someday return.

Digital Download. Enter OFFER EW20494 on the website found on the back cover and discover more star gazing in the Atacama Desert.

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Petra National Trust board member and GLOBETROTTER JEAN NEWMAN GLOCK reveals an insider itinerary to this enchanting land.

JUST SAY JORDAN

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n JORDAN, the shadow of PETRA looms large—from the famed filming of “Indiana Jones” to the magnificent Roman road— yet there are so many other world-class sites to discover in the country.

Indeed, a visit to Petra is a must, but book more than a three-day extension from a trip to Egypt or Israel so that you can take the time to explore Jordan in all its splendor.

Jordan is my second home—I’ve visited at least 26 times. My most recent trip was for a wedding and a celebration of the Petra National Trust on whose board I am proud to serve. So in celebration of showing you “my” Jordan, let’s take a journey inspired by my ultimate itinerary.

JERASH>AMMAN

We start in the north with a visit to Jerash. Just an hour’s drive from Jordan’s capital city of Amman, Jerash is an easy day trip and one of the finest Greco-Roman cities in the world. Perfectly preserved and never crowded, you can walk the ancient streets, imagining the former storefronts selling Roman wines while conjuring scents from the historic spice roads, yet don’t trip over the chariot marks, which are still present in the original marble paving stones.

Ideally, Amman requires three full days during your visit: One day to recover from your flight (try Royal Jordanian, with beautiful Dreamliners that fly direct from New York City and Chicago) and two full days to experience all the sites. The Citadel and the Roman Theatre guard both the city and millennia of history. Here, Neolithic, Greek, Roman and Muslim culture meld together at the Citadel to tell the story of this part of the world. Hire a guide to explain the treasures but leave time to wander alone, experience the solitude, and be thankful that such a rare historic overview still exists. Modern Amman bustles with gold souks, markets, designer stores, and beautiful hotels. And don’t miss Daimeh, one of

Clockwise from top left: The Daimeh eatery; Jerash, pristinely preserved and never crowded; a Petra local drinks in the view; a hike along the famous Jordan Trail.

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the finest restaurants in the Middle East. The food is superb and the restaurant is a highly successful initiative by Queen Rania’s Jordan River Foundation, supporting local communities and refugees. Be sure to peruse the superb local handicrafts in the shop.

If you’re fit, ambitious, and have 36 days to spare, hike the newly inaugurated Jordan Trail, which traverses from the country’s northern reaches to its southern port. Unlike any other experience, here you can walk through history and explore small villages along the way while experiencing the famous hospitality of the Bedouin.

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site was discovered in just the past 10 years and has been named to the UNESCO World Heritage list. Archaeologists have discovered many early Christian baptismal pools located right on the River Jordan. Additionally, following the archaeological and biblical research, Pope John Paul II proclaimed this site as the baptismal site of Jesus. A rustic trail will lead you down to the River Jordan, and several Christian faiths have recently completed churches on this pilgrimage site. Many visitors bring an empty bottle to fill with water from the river—my children and grandchildren have used this water for their baptisms, and so, reportedly, does the British Royal Family.

MADABA>WADI RUM> THE DEAD SEA

Next on your southward journey is Madaba. Famous for its mosaics, witness the most famous one— the Holy Land and Jerusalem. Created in the 6th century AD, it’s the oldest surviving original map of the region and was recently used at International

Court of Justice in The Hague to settle a present-day land dispute.

Nearby is Mount Nebo, the purported site where Moses viewed the Holy Land.

On a clear day, you too can see Jericho and the golden Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. A recently renovated church houses some of the finest Roman mosaics in the world, including a spotted camel clearly created by someone who had yet to see a real one—artistic license in ancient Rome!

Wadi Rum stretches south from Madaba, where you can experience the desert as Lawrence of Arabia did, albeit with a tad more comfort via luxury glamping. The landscape is otherworldly and has been the site for many films including the latest Star Wars, “The Rise of Skywalker” and “The Martian” with Brad Pitt. After sleeping in the sand—even in the finest of tents—you’ll

Walk the ancient streets of Jerash, imagining the former storefronts selling Roman wines while also conjuring the scent of spices.

From far left: The ethereal Dead Sea; the iconic King Abdullah I Mosque in Amman is recognized by its bright blue dome; Madaba is known for Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics; the posh Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea, located in Jordan.

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If you’re fit, AMBITIOUS, and have 36 days to spare, hike the newly inaugurated JORDAN TRAIL, which traverses from Jordan’s northern reaches to its southern port.

Top Table: Daimeh Recently opened in Amman, Jordan, Daimeh has become

be primed for pampering.

Fortunately, many exquisite Dead Sea resorts are nearby.

Spend a day floating in the saline waters with well-known therapeutic effects and make sure to spend a spa morning or afternoon at the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea (the finest spa experience I’ve ever had).

THE BEST OF PETRA

Your next stop? Iconic Petra.

Plan for two nights at the nearby Mövenpick Resort so you can visit the site at sunrise and then enjoy the wonderful Arabic mezze at the hotel. The Mövenpick is only steps from the entrance to the siq—the infamous entryway to the site. Take my advice: Walk the nearly mile-long path and don’t be tempted by the carriages or horses as walking is actually much easier on the body. It’s all downhill on the way in, which means uphill on the return, so save some energy after a day of exploring.

The siq ends with a dramatic opening to the Treasury façade, made

the hottest restaurant in town. Combining Jordanian and

famous in iconic global photos. But take note: It is just a façade, with very small spaces behind.

No large rooms with snakes as Harrison Ford found in “Indiana Jones,” but nonetheless impressive in its beauty and craftmanship. Don’t stop here. My favorite area of Petra is located further inside the city, on the Roman road. Here, as you did in Jerash, you can walk down the street as others have for centuries, imagining the temples and shops that guarded the way while climbing the path to several ongoing archaeological digs. During my last visit, one of the digs was helmed by a team comprised entirely of women, a true rarity in this part of the world. As you explore, you’ll be faced with a decision—whether or not to climb the Byzantine Monastery. Your answer? Absolutely. Fuel up at one of the lunch cafés; the Monastery and the view of the entire site is not to miss.

The King’s Highway ends in the port and beach resort city of Aqaba, arguably the center of the world. Did you know you can stand in Aqaba and see Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Egypt all at one time? Sit on the beach, watch the world go by as ships arrive in port, or dive into the beautiful waters—in mere minutes you could swim across the border to Israel.

Your trip has now come full circle, from strolling the sands of Wadi Rum and walking the marble streets of Jerash and the Citadel, to standing where Moses viewed the “Promised Land” on Mount Nebo and marveling at the wonder of Petra. At last, you have visited Jordan—a small, welcoming country with outsized treasures of a lifetime.

Mediterranean cooking with community-sourced produce, the creative menu is anchored in the region’s timeless food traditions. But it’s not just the menu that is innovative.

Daimeh supports all communities across Jordan with locally sourced items and food prepared by the women of Al Karma Kitchen, a social enterprise sponsored by Queen Rania’s Jordan River Foundation.

Digital Download. Want even more Jordan journeys? Visit the website found on the back cover and enter

Opposite, clockwise from top left: Local bazaars feature regional and rare grains and produce; the author, Jean Newman Glock, has visited Jordan more than 26 times; the famous gold souks of Amman, Jordan; the cityscape of Amman.

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OFFER EW20494.

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O F

Rancho La Puerta, located in Tecate, Mexico, features an on-site cooking school and farm. Opposite: Miraval Austin captures the serene vibe of the Texas Hill Country.

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W A N D E

W E L

Start 2020 with a mindful escape on one of three paths to optimal vitality.

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RANCHO LA PUERTA PIONEERED THE WELLNESS RETREAT IN THE AMERICAS.

the New Year begins, I invite you to follow a different path. Instead of making resolutions you end up forgetting or neglecting, consider investing time in your well-being. Our lives have never been more fast-paced, and the demands on our time all consuming. Today, it’s essential to find tools to not only cope with the pressure, but to rise above it. There are many destination spas and wellness retreats, so which ones are most worthy? These three leading resorts have made a profound difference in my life.

THE VANGUARD: RANCHO LA PUERTA (Tecate, Baja California, Mexico) Long before farm-to-table dining, whole grains, slow food, and harmonizing with nature were popular, Edmond and Deborah Szekely founded Rancho La Puerta in 1940 with a passion for integrating health and well-being.

Eighty years later, the ranch’s motto: siempre mejor (always better) still resonates with guests. Over the

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Clockwise from top left: Lounging in style at Tuscon’s Canyon Ranch; equine therapy teaches students to remain calm and balanced at Miraval Austin; author Ignacio Maza at Alex’s Tree in Rancho La Puerta.

years, the property has generated a passionate following (with an average 70-percent repeat ratio), while three to four generations of the same family work at the ranch.

Most guests arrive and depart on a Saturday, so a sense of community and friendship abounds during weeklong stays.

The vibe is relaxed, informal, and egalitarian (think summer camp for adults). Meals are wholesome and highlight produce mostly grown on the estate, and menus feature grains, legumes, beans, and fish for protein (no meat of any kind is served).

The enchanting enclave of Rancho La Puerta offers 86 rooms and suites, in various one- and two-bedroom configurations, some with fireplaces. Accommodations are clustered in casitas nestled throughout the property.

Guest room and suite décor is simple, authentic, and quintessentially Mexican. Gracing 325 hilly acres, the grounds are meticulously maintained, showcasing gardens and indigenous vegetation. Each day I had a choice of more than 40 fitness options, including hikes, yoga, Pilates, and stretch or strength training classes for various levels of ability. In the afternoons, I attended seminars on nutrition, photography, meditation, and more. At night, I enjoyed

concerts by visiting musicians and I met published authors.

Rancho La Puerta also offers tennis and basketball courts, a fully equipped gym, four swimming pools, and two spas. Known for several signature experiences, favorites included hiking the Pilgrim trail at sunrise for beautiful views of the valley; tasting a refreshing smoothie at the resort’s Juice Bar; catching a fun Pilates class with a visiting master teacher; sunset drinks at the lively Bazar del Sol; and a class at La Cocina que Canta, the property’s cooking school. Don’t miss the weekly talk with owner Deborah Szekely, who shares her secrets of vibrant living at the age of 97.

WHAT’S NEW: The Villa Cielo suites, featuring more than 2,000 square feet of indooroutdoor space, plunge pools, outdoor showers and fireplaces.

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CANYON RANCH EXPANDED THE CONCEPT OF WHAT A HEALTH RESORT CAN BE. CHANGE MAKER: CANYON RANCH (Tucson, Arizona; Lenox, Massachusetts; Woodside, California)

Over the past four decades, Canyon Ranch has become the leader in integrative wellness, inspiring guests to make a commitment to healthy living and turn intentions into action. It has expanded the concept of what a health resort can be, with a comprehensive and professional approach that includes physicians, nutritionists, licensed therapists, and many other specialists.

The goal is to give guests every possible resource to create a plan with a 360-degree approach to wellness that delivers results and sparks positive change. This holistic program of incorporating fitness, spirituality, science-based precision, and prevention methods—all within a rejuvenating holiday—sets Canyon Ranch apart.

Having visited Canyon Ranch resorts in both Tucson and Lenox, I discovered many commonalities between the two, starting with the robust programming and wide range of activities and daily group classes. Additionally, both resorts feature superb facilities, including gyms, swimming pools, yoga studios, and expansive spas.

The differences lie in settings and weather.

In Lenox, guests experience all four seasons, including fall foliage and winter sports from December to March. One of my favorite activities in the Berkshires is a guided hike through a segment of the Appalachian Trail followed by a canoe ride across two lakes.

Canyon Ranch Tucson boasts over 300 days a year of sunshine, giving Arizona guests a varied menu of outdoor adventures nearly every day.

The resort is known for its Life Enhancement programs, which are anchored in opportunities to

Opposite: Hiking amongst the natural inspiration of The Berkshires at Canyon Ranch Lenox; unique classes of aerial yoga at Rancho La Puerta use suspended silk hammocks.

improve brain power or lose weight. The Lenox resort is more self-contained, spread over a series of inter-connected buildings (the better to cope with any kind of weather), and offering 126 deluxe guest rooms and suites. The Tucson property graces a wider estate, offering deluxe guestrooms in various configurations, one- to three-bedroom Saguaro Suites, and the stylish Casa Grande, with 2,500 square feet of indooroutdoor space.

WHAT’S NEW: Canyon Ranch Lenox recently refreshed all guest rooms, while Canyon Ranch Tucson’s guest room renovations will be completed in early 2020. In addition, visit The Reserve at Canyon Ranch Tucson, a private enclave of 20 new luxury accommodations, including The Residence, a two-bedroom suite with a kitchen and large terrace. Finally, the recent opening of Canyon Ranch Woodside— the company’s first retreat concept—is nestled in the redwood forest above Silicon Valley, California.

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MIRAVAL’S MOTTO IS THAT YOU DON’T FIND BALANCE, YOU CREATE IT. A MODERN METHOD: MIRAVAL (Tucson, Arizona; Austin, Texas)

Miraval’s motto is that you don’t find balance, you create it. Making its debut in Tucson on a former dude ranch turned recovery center, its beginnings were prescient, as Miraval has helped many guests heal and find balance since its founding in 1995. From the start, Miraval has focused on mindfulness and spirituality, revealing tools to help construct and manifest a better life. Miraval is known for offering hundreds of options, from outdoor challenge courses and vigorous activities to spa treatments, lectures, and fitness sessions. In addition, it features a wide range of experiences focused on guests’ spirit and soul, delivered by wellness counselors, astrologers, healers, and therapists.

I recently visited the Arizona property, and, from the moment I arrived, was impressed with its tranquility. The estate is shaped roughly like a rectangle, with the Palm Courtyard and culinary kitchen the heartbeat of the property, while guest rooms and suites are arranged in clustered villages. More than 100 guest rooms in seven different categories range from 400 square feet to the spectacular villas, which feature two or three bedrooms, infinity pools, fireplaces, and up to 3,100 square feet. Two major property hubs include the Body Mindfulness Center (gym, classrooms, and Olympic swimming pool), and the Life in Balance Spa, famous for its range of choices: ayurveda, massage, energy and 84

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Clockwise from top left: Exterior guest rooms at Canyon Ranch Woodside in California have a tree-house ambiance; lounging poolside at the secluded Rancho La Puerta, which features a robust aqua aerobics program; healthy, vibrant cuisine sourced from on-property farms anchors Miraval’s approach to optimal balance.

eastern treatments, skin care, and more.

Every day, Miraval Arizona offers more than 50 activities and classes. Don’t miss the celebrated ‘Equine Experiences’ at the Purple Sage Ranch.

Celebrating ample time with horses, guests overcome fear and trauma by focusing on being present (it’s not about the horse; rather, it’s about you). I particularly enjoyed early morning hikes, yoga, fitness classes, and Naga, a unique Thai massage using hanging silks for deep stretching. Other standouts include the quality of the cuisine and the variety of each menu, accompanied with wine if preferred. But of top note, the warmth of the staff is unforgettable (there’s no minimum stay, but most guests book four to five nights).

WHAT’S NEW: Miraval Austin, located in the heart of Texas’ Hill Country, opened in 2018.

WHAT’S NEXT: Miraval Berkshires Resort in Lenox, Massachusetts, debuting spring of 2020.

Spa Sojourn. Visit the website on the back cover and enter OFFER M20817 to further explore elevated wellness experiences.

Farm to Spa Located on the 30,000 acreBalcones Canyonland Preserve, Miraval Austin and its farm-tospa concept is primed to deliver unique pampering in addition to spiritual sessions and plenty of yoga and fitness. “The aspects of the preserve were a perfect metaphor for the nurturing and discovery we want our guests to experience,” says Director of Spa and Wellbeing David Preslar.

“Guests can visit the farm and participate in the harvest process to create a connection with the abundance of healing that nature can provide with plants.”

The Petal Pecan Facial is exclusively designed for Miraval Austin and based on ingredients

grown on the nearby farm. After a cleansing and exfoliation, the facial employs Laurel Skin’s Petal Pecan Mask, which smells as good as it feels. The 80-minute treatment features a warm facial tea compress, facial tapping with local honey to stimulate lymph and circulatory movement, and a traditional poultice facial massage with home-grown herbs harvested from Cypress Creek Farm to nourish and increase connective tissue health. Lastly, an application of hydrating aloe and customized organic plant serums and balms leave skin with a dewy glow.

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YOU’RE INVITED TO IMMERSE IN LUXURY AT INTERCONTINENTAL HAY MAN ISLAND RESORT. Welcome to a new era of immersive luxury in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. InterContinental Hayman Island Resort unveils the breathtaking beauty of the Whitsundays, iconic private island experiences and sacred moments of connection with your family, friends and yourself.

From the moment you step off your seaplane, helicopter or luxury yacht, you will discover an idyllic destination of privacy and pampering; where diving the Great Barrier Reef, basking in your private pool, sailing the Coral Sea, indulging in culinary artistry and soulful spa treatments are but yet the beginning.

NEW YORK LONDON PARIS DUBAI BANGKOK SINGAPORE HONG KONG TOKYO SYDNEY THE WHITSUNDAYS

Live the InterContinental life.

TRAVEL ELEVATED

Beyond

VACATIONS p. 88 CRUISES p. 91 HOTELS & RESORTS

p. 94

Above: Hiking to the tucked-away Gljúfrafoss waterfall near the iconic area of falls in Seljalandsfoss, Iceland.

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VAC AT I O N S INSIDER

ARCTIC, ICELAND + GREENLAND

As experts in luxury travel for nearly 60 years, Abercrombie & Kent offers unforgettable travel experiences in more than 100 countries on all seven continents. From small-group journeys and Luxury Expedition Cruises to Private Jet adventures and privately guided Luxury Tailor Made Travel, all A&K journeys are backed by a network of more than 55 offices around the globe.

ARCTIC CRUISE ADVENTURE: IN SEARCH OF THE POLAR BEAR

ULTIMATE ICELAND & GREENLAND

Voyage on the all-balcony ‘Le Boreal’ to pristine Arctic islands and visit Norway’s polar bear haven of Svalbard, an Inuit village on Greenland’s Scoresby Sound and Iceland’s verdant West Fjords.

14-NIGHT CRUISE INCLUDES: Luxury accommodations; private balcony on every stateroom and suite; all-inclusive cruising: all meals, house drinks, gratuities, port charges and taxes; 24-hour room service and breakfast in bed; butler service on suite accommodations; excursions led by expert expedition team; airport meet and greet and transfers; gear and equipment and onboard Wi-Fi. Departs 7/31/20 OFFER 1364624

Embark on a thrilling expedition to aweinspiring Iceland and Greenland. Discover spectacular landscapes and a treasure trove of Viking culture and traditional villages alongside the most captivating Expedition Team at sea.

14-NIGHT CRUISE INCLUDES: Luxury accommodations; private balcony with every stateroom and suite; all-inclusive cruising: all meals, house drinks, gratuities, port charges and taxes; 24-hour room service and breakfast in bed; butler service on suite accommodations; excursions led by expert expedition team; preand post-cruise hotel stays; airport meet and greet and transfers; gear and equipment and onboard Wi-Fi. Departs 8/13/20 OFFER 1352092

THE NORTHWEST PASSAGE: FROM GREENLAND TO THE BERING SEA

Cruise the entire Northwest Passage on an extraordinary voyage from western Greenland to Nome, Alaska, following in the footsteps of the greatest explorers and joined by A&K’s world-class Expedition Team.

23-NIGHT CRUISE INCLUDES: Luxury accommodations; private balcony with every stateroom and suite; all-inclusive cruising: all meals, house drinks, gratuities, port charges and taxes; 24-hour room service and breakfast in bed; butler service on suite accommodations; excursions led by expert expedition team; precruise hotel stays; airport meet and greet and transfers; gear and equipment and onboard Wi-Fi. Departs 8/24/20 OFFER 1318831

CALL OR VISIT THE WEBSITE, FOUND ON THE BACK COVER, FOR ADDITIONAL INFO + LATEST VACATION OFFERS. Amenities may vary by category and travel date. Restrictions, terms and conditions may apply.

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VAC AT I O N S INSIDER

AUSTRALIA

A trip with Swain Destinations is more than just a vacation; it is a total travel experience. With a seasoned team of destination specialists offering local knowledge and hand-tailored service, Swain Destinations immerses you into each of their vibrant destinations and intriguing international locales. One-of-a-kind vacations combine engaging activities, unique accommodations, and dining delights to create personalized adventures.

AUSSIE ADVENTURE

Get ready to say G’Day with this captivating Aussie Adventure. Embark on an experience highlighting Australia’s most famed regions and iconic landmarks.

Embrace native heritage and local wildlife as you trek through the Outback in search of your very own cultural awakening. Dive into nature’s largest underwater ecosystem as you step off the white sand island beaches and into the Great Barrier Reef.

Wrap up your Down Under sojourn with a visit to Australia’s premier city, Sydney, to explore the renowned Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.

17-NIGHT VACATION INCLUDES: Luxury accommodations; select meals; Koalas and Kangaroos in the Wild experience; Fleurieu Peninsula tour; two days touring Kangaroo Island; Kata Tjuta sunrise tour; Uluru sunset tour; Great Barrier Reef tour; full-day cultural tour; hot air balloon flight; Sydney classic bike tour; BridgeClimb and roundtrip airport transfers.

Select travel dates through 3/31/21 OFFER 1310439

CALL OR VISIT THE WEBSITE, FOUND ON THE BACK COVER, FOR ADDITIONAL INFO + LATEST VACATION OFFERS. Amenities may vary by category and travel date. Restrictions, terms and conditions may apply.

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EUROPE, ASIA + MIDDLE EAST

TCS World Travel has hosted guests on adventures of a lifetime for over 25 years. Their all-inclusive private jet expeditions deliver immersive, meaningful experiences—with exceptional quality and service—in unique destinations across the globe. Discover, explore and connect on an expertly curated journey around the world.

LEGENDS AND EMPIRES BY PRIVATE JET

Unexplored Lands of Europe And Central Asia Trace the path of emperors and explorers on this extraordinary journey across Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East. Uncover the treasures of the Silk Road in remote Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, discover emerging destinations like Albania and Oman, and enjoy the gastronomic delights of Spain’s Basque country.

YOUR ALL-INCLUSIVE EXPEDITION INCLUDES: Travel on a privately chartered jet; firstclass accommodations; ground transportation; meals and beverages, including select beer and wine; sightseeing activities; special events and private access; top local guides and on-trip experts; gratuities and luggage handling.

DEPARTS 4/11/20 20 nights | 8 Destinations | 50 Guests OFFER 1353594

CALL OR VISIT THE WEBSITE, FOUND ON THE BACK COVER, FOR ADDITIONAL INFO + LATEST VACATION OFFERS. Amenities may vary by category and travel date. Restrictions, terms and conditions may apply.

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CRUISE INSIDER

ALASKA

“Seize the day” takes on a new meaning during an elegant Cunard® voyage, where each day is a special occasion. Glide across the largest dance floor at sea, dine on exquisite cuisine, be inspired by acclaimed guest speakers or unwind in the spa. Cunard® will transport you to incredible destinations and locales in style and grace. ASK ABOUT FREE STATEROOM UPGRADES, 50% REDUCED DEPOSITS AND FREE GRATUITIES. PLUS, RESERVE A GRILL SUITE AND ENJOY FREE BEVERAGES!*

ALASKA

ALASKA

ALASKA

Queen Elizabeth®

Queen Elizabeth®

Queen Elizabeth®

ITINERARY**: Vancouver, Inside Passage, Tracy Arm, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Sitka, Prince Rupert, Victoria, Vancouver

9 nights departing: August 11, 20, 2020

ITINERARY**: Vancouver, Inside Passage, Juneau, Sitka, Hubbard Glacier, Icy Strait, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan, Victoria, Vancouver

10 nights departing: June 12; July 21; August 29, 2020

ITINERARY: Vancouver, Inside Passage, Sitka, Glacier Bay, Anchorage, Kodiak Island, Anchorage (Seward), College Fjord, Victoria, Vancouver

12 nights departing: July 9, 2020

• Up to $200 shipboard credit per couple

• Complimentary box of chocolates

• Up to $200 shipboard credit per couple

OFFER M20237

• Complimentary box of chocolates

OFFER M20238

• Up to $300 shipboard credit per couple

• Complimentary box of chocolates

OFFER 1333257

CALL OR VISIT THE WEBSITE, FOUND ON THE BACK COVER, FOR ADDITIONAL INFO + LATEST VACATION OFFERS. *Valid for new reservations made by 2/27/20. **Itinerary may vary. Itinerary based on date in bold. | Amenities may vary by category and travel date. Restrictions, terms and conditions may apply.

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CRUISE INSIDER

SO UT C ICFIIFCI C SO UH T HPA PA

Paul Gauguin Cruises celebrates the best in French Polynesian culture. This all-inclusive, five-plus star experience offers the highest levels of service, with a crew-to-guest ratio of 1 to 1.5 and no more than 332 guests on the intimate m/s Paul Gauguin.

An extensive selection of amenities, facilities, and unique activities maximizes time aboard. PLUS: THIRD GUEST IN THE SAME STATEROOM SAILS FOR $125 PER NIGHT OR THIRD GUEST 17 AND UNDER IN THE SAME STATEROOM SAILS FREE!*

SOCIETY ISLANDS & TUAMOTUS

m/s Paul Gauguin

10-NIGHT ITINERARY: Pape‘ete, Huahine, Bora Bora (overnight), Rangiroa, Fakarava, Taha‘a, Mo‘orea (overnight), Pape‘ete (overnight) Select travel dates through 11/11/20 • Up to $400 shipboard credit per couple • Reserve the 10/14 departure and enjoy a cocktail reception and experienced host

COOK ISLANDS & SOCIETY ISLANDS

m/s Paul Gauguin

11-NIGHT ITINERARY: Papeete, Huahine, Aitutaki, Rarotonga, Bora Bora (overnight), Taha’a, Moorea (overnight), Papeete (overnight) Select travel dates through 10/3/20 • Up to $400 shipboard credit per couple • Reserve the 3/7 departure and enjoy a cocktail reception and experienced host

OFFER M17349

TAHITI & SOCIETY ISLANDS

m/s Paul Gauguin

7-NIGHT ITINERARY: Pape‘ete, Huahine, Taha‘a, Bora Bora (overnight), Mo‘orea (overnight), Pape‘ete (overnight) Select travel dates through 12/26/20 • Up to $400 shipboard credit per couple • Cocktail reception and experienced host on select sailings OFFER M17348

OFFER M20382

CALL OR VISIT THE WEBSITE, FOUND ON THE BACK COVER, FOR ADDITIONAL INFO + LATEST VACATION OFFERS. *Restrictions apply. | Amenities may vary by category and travel date. Additional restrictions, terms and conditions may apply. Ship’s Registry: Bahamas.

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CRUISE INSIDER

A L A S K A , PA N A M A C A N A L + T R A N S AT L A N T I C

Everything is included, without exception and compromise. All Regent Seven Seas Cruises® guests enjoy 2-for-1 all‑inclusive fares, and the following FREE amenities: unlimited shore excursions, 1-night hotel package in Concierge Suites and higher, unlimited beverages including fine wine and premium spirits, in-suite minibar replenished daily, prepaid gratuities, specialty restaurants, transfers between airport and ship, and unlimited WiFi.

ATLANTIC ESCAPE

Seven Seas Explorer®

ITINERAY: Miami, King’s Wharf (overnight), Funchal (Madeira), Malaga, Alicante, Barcelona 14 nights departing: April 3, 2020

• $400 shipboard credit per couple • Cocktail reception and experienced host OFFER 1278076

CROSSING THE ISTHMUS TO THE RIVIERA

Seven Seas Mariner®

ITINERARY: Miami, Cartagena, Colon (Panama), Panama Canal, Puntarenas, San Juan Del Sur, Puerto Quetzal, Acapulco, Mazatlan, Cabo San Lucas, San Diego, San Francisco 18 nights departing: May 17, 2020

• $200 shipboard credit per couple

VANCOUVER TO SEWARD

Seven Seas Mariner®

ITINERARY: Vancouver, Inside Passage, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait, Hubbard Glacier, Anchorage (Seward) 7 nights departing: July 15, 2020

• Taku Glacier Flight and Feast or $250 shipboard credit per couple OFFER 1317726

OFFER 1278109

CALL OR VISIT THE WEBSITE, FOUND ON THE BACK COVER, FOR ADDITIONAL INFO + LATEST VACATION OFFERS. Amenities may vary by category and travel date. Restrictions, terms and conditions may apply. Ship’s Registry: Bahamas & Marshall Islands.

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H OT E L S & R E S O R T S INSIDER

Hotels & Resorts Collection

MEXICO

Ready for an escape to Mexico? Enjoy early check in and late checkout, when available, in addition to elevated amenities that celebrate the authenticity of each property and destination.

NIZUC RESORT & SPA

Cancun, Mexico Located in the exclusive area of Punta Nizuc, NIZUC Resort & Spa is the newest luxury destination in the Mexican Caribbean and situated on the most desirable land of the Mayan region. Set within a paradise of protected mangroves and surrounded by lush, local foliage, the property hugs the white sands of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second largest coral reef in the world.

• Buffet breakfast at Café de la Playa for two daily

• $75 spa credit, per room, once per stay

• Welcome bottle of tequila and dried fruit amenity

• Upgrade, early check-in and late check-out, subject to availability

OFFER H5102

CALL OR VISIT THE WEBSITE, FOUND ON THE BACK COVER, FOR ADDITIONAL INFO + LATEST VACATION OFFERS. 94

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Hotels & Resorts Collection

ASIA + EUROPE

From Belgium to Singapore, the Hotels & Resorts Collection ensures exclusive privileges at more than 1100 participating global properties. Enjoy complimentary breakfasts and resort credits towards spa treatments, and available upgrades.

RAFFLES SINGAPORE

Singapore Raffles Singapore welcomes guests to a newly restored hotel, following a careful and sensitive restoration breathing new life into the beautiful building. The discerning traveler will enjoy enhanced comfort and splendor, while immersing themselves in striking architecture, heritage, graceful service and that unique feeling of being somewhere very special.

The Raffles doorman continues to greet guests with the warmest of welcomes as you experience Raffles’ charming ambiance and legendary service. Enjoy newly opened bars, restaurants, courtyards and social spaces, all designed to make Raffles the place to meet, spend time, shop and celebrate in the heart of the business and civic district.

• Buffet breakfast in Tiffin Room for two daily

• $100 hotel credit, once during stay

• Late check-out, subject to availability

OFFER H651

SOFITEL BRUSSELS LE LOUISE

Brussels, Belgium Nestled among the fashionable streets of Brussels’ prestigious Avenue Louise district is the 169-room Sofitel Brussels Le Louise—a five-star hotel with every luxurious touch imaginable. From Hermès amenities in the bathroom to delectable dinners and peaceful Friends & Family Sunday Brunches, this stylish hotel exudes opulence. Stunning plays on color and light enhance the vibe, which blends Brussels’ historic beauty with French Art de vivre.

• Full breakfast for two daily

• $100 food & beverage credit, per room, per stay

• Upgrade, early check-in and late check-out, subject to availability OFFER H6931

CALL OR VISIT THE WEBSITE, FOUND ON THE BACK COVER, FOR ADDITIONAL INFO + LATEST VACATION OFFERS. U LT I M AT E E X P E R I E N C E S

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POSTCARD FROM … SEATTLE

with SHELLEY CLINE, President of TCS World Travel BUCKET-LIST TRIP: Bhutan and Mongolia. We go there on some of our jet trips and I have heard nothing but rave reviews from guests and staff. Having grown up in Alaska, I love the outdoors and am drawn to places with spectacular views and vistas.

Even though Bhutan and Mongolia offer completely different types of landscapes, they both seem like great places to get outdoors and go trekking. Plus, each one has a really authentic cultural element, which is important to me in travel.

WHEN I’M NOT HELMING TCS, I AM: Walking along the wooded trails of the Pacific Northwest with my dog, Poppy, gardening, or watching my son’s high school football games.

Go Rough Riders!

NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD: Work at the same company for 26 years.

I have had so many opportunities here to grow and learn and I’m continuing to do that today. We have amazing products in both our private jet expedition and luxury custom travel departments. I’m surrounded by smart,

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curious, funny people and I get to travel the world. Why would I go anywhere else?

CURRENT OBSESSION: Soul Cycle. I love it. I never knew I could push myself so hard in that way and it feels so good afterwards. I often have to be stationary for long periods either on planes or in meetings, so I find the workouts to be an energizing antidote to all that sitting. I also really love the positive message and how impactful that can be.

TRAVEL THAT MATTERS: I truly believe that travel has the power to transform people and make the world a better place, what we call “Doing A World of Good.”

Enrichment and learning are key parts of our trips because we believe the more we can understand about other people and places, and the more authentic interaction they have with us, the better we will all get along.

On a more concrete level, TCS World Travel recognizes the impact of travel on the environment and on local populations, so our efforts are focused on both reducing

our footprint and having a positive impact on communities. We buy carbon offsets to compensate for all of our jet trips, using a respected third party to calculate our emissions, as well as make charitable contributions to positively impact the communities in some of the destinations we visit the most.

I’D MOST LIKE TO DINE WITH: Michelle Obama. She seems so smart and interesting, but also fun. She appears to balance her family and her other obligations with such grace while remaining so present, which is something I aspire to.

VETTED&VAST Time is the ultimate luxury.

We’ll handle the minutia. You tackle the fun.

I N S I D E R A C C E S S . E XC LU S I V E B E N E F I T S . B E S P O K E T R AV E L P E A C E O F M I N D . YO U R W I S H , O U R C O M M A N D Life-changing journeys? We’re on it. Call us today.

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