EDITOR’S LETTER

Ultimate Experiences

January 2021

Soaring over the playful Playa Grande near the Dominican Republic’s Amanera resort.

New Perspectives

WHILE 2020 WAS A PIVOTAL YEAR THAT WILL BE FOREVER REFLECTED UPON, AS I THINK ABOUT WHERE AND WHEN I TRAVELED DURING THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES, I’M STILL FILLED WITH GRATITUDE. I started the year with several work trips on the books: British Virgin Islands, Mexico, Chicago, Nashville, Austin. Most were postponed, yet replaced by an unexpected getaway to the Dominican Republic. Traveling with my 11-year-old son, we journeyed to Amanera, where we felt safe, nurtured, and renewed. In fact, we were treated so well that my son still talks about our Dominican adventure guide, Albert. As we went ATV-ing, ziplining, and paddleboarding together, Albert—a former baseball star—not only shared his knowledge of the area, but revealed his life story and the ethos of his community: a respect for nature, family, and the Dominican’s decidedly slower pace.

Our private Amanera villa was grand, the cuisine top-notch, and the sound of a massive ocean swell mesmerizing. But sometimes a seemingly insignificant moment or momento can remind us of something much larger. One of Amanera’s turndown amenities was a small, handmade Taíno zemí statue. Crafted from native Guayacan wood by local artisans, it symbolizes protection and strength. For my son, the figurine reminds him of Albert. For me, it’s a reminder of what matters most. During that stay we reconnected to nature, each other, and ourselves. We left with a deeper appreciation for what we have, and for what was experienced on that indelible trip.

As we turn the page and look to new horizons during 2021, I hope you continue to find inspiration within the pages of Ultimate Experiences and find a renewed appreciation for travel’s superpower: connection.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

ERIN LENTZ, EDITOR IN CHIEF