From the Editor

EDITORIAL

EDITOR IN CHIEF Kimberly Buerkle

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Michele Sponagle

Nancy Hellmrich

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Laura Torrisi

DESIGN & PRODUCTION

Torrisi Design Associates

An Ensemble Travel® Group Publication Ensemble Vacations® is a publication of Ensemble Travel® Group

© September 2021 Ensemble Travel, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted or otherwise duplicated without written permission of the publisher.

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Ensemble® Ensemble Travel® Ensemble® Hosted Cruises Ensemble® Hotel & Resort Collection Ensemble® On Location Ensemble® Villas & Vacation Homes Ensemble® Exclusives Ensemble® Experience and the floret design are registered and unregistered trademarks of Ensemble Travel, Inc. Dear Traveler,

I have two thoughts about this issue that I’d like the share with you. One, is that travel is personal, it changes us. The other is that we change travel.

What we get out of our vacations depends on us. If we go out into the world full of the joy of discovery, that is what we find. If we pack appreciation, we find amazement.

Our travel experiences are largely our own doing. They’re a series of choices. To not lose faith when we’re lost. To embrace the challenge of forgotten shoes. Accept the kindness of a stranger. Find life in the unexpected.

Right now, those choices mean more than they ever have before. Which is why, in this issue, we’re covering travel, not through the lens of building facades and historical facts, but through the eyes of the people.

We’ve got a story about the agave-farming tequila families. A trilogy of pieces on how travel adds dimension to the ways we love. A fan of murder mysteries weaves a tale of suspense and intrigue in Egypt. And couple of first time backpackers take on Patagonia’s highest peaks.

In What’s Trending, we tap into the mood of those finding outlets for pent up wanderlust ... whether it’s connecting with family on a holiday cruise or smashing a computer in a Las Vegas rage room.

As we plot our trips and adventures for 2022 and beyond, we may never really know the herculean efforts that went into bringing those experiences to fruition. All we can know for sure, is what we choose to see.

ON THE COVER:

Anticipating her arrival at the next refugio, Erika Harkins “danced” across the suspension bridge overlooking cool, blue Grey Glacier. See story, Q the Patagonia Trek page 41.

Photo Credit: Jake Harkins That’s right people. We’re on the move. And, this time? It’s personal.

Kim Buerkle, Editor Kbuerkle@EnsembleTravel.com