November 2020 Global Traveler

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November 2020

ANCHORAGE p. 68 AUSTIN p. 58 COLORADO SPRINGS p. 62 EATING ACROSS AMERICA p. 70 NASHVILLE p. 48 SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE p. 61 SEATTLE p. 54 SKI DESTINATIONS p. 64 TORONTO p. 56 UNDISCOVERED U.S. BEACHES p. 72

THE NORTH AMERICA ISSUE

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR ®

Close to Home

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elcome to our North America issue! As we all know, this year has been topsy-turvy to say the very least. While our November issue wasn’t originally slated as our North America issue, there’s no denying domestic travel and travel within Mexico, the Caribbean and the continent is having a moment right now as people crave to get out, smartly and safely, and feel most comfortable dipping their toes back into the travel world a bit closer to home.

North America still leaves us with a lot of ground to cover, and as we brainstormed ideas for this issue, I quickly realized how vast the experiences across the continent are — it’s impossible to include everything.

Did you find yourself seeking more The Happy Couple: Introducing the new Mr. and Mrs. Inlander travel inspiration across the United PHOTO: © TAWANDA FAYE PHOTOGRAPHY States this year? Was this the time you finally crossed that national park or last lingering state to visit off your list? If you haven’t yet and still need the motivation, keep reading.

This issue left me with a lot of feelings and inspiration. I feel confident airlines like United and Etihad are doing their parts to keep passengers safe. Turn to pages 21 and 24 for more from United and Etihad executives. Between our feature on dude ranches (page 38) and recently binge-watching Yellowstone, I’m more than ready to become a cowgirl. I feel an urge to discover San Miguel de Allende, on page 61, because I’ve been hearing and reading nothing but amazing things about the hidden gem in Mexico. I reminisced about past visits to see a good friend while writing Neighborhoods: Colorado Springs, on page 62. And I got super hungry “Eating Across America” with Katie Skrzek on page 70.

Where else are we headed? Relax at Maine’s White Barn Inn spa, indulge in healthy cuisine at Las Vegas’ True Food Kitchen at Caesar’s Palace or cruise New England and Canada. Island hop in the Caribbean and visit Nashville, Seattle, Toronto, Austin and Anchorage. Discover the best North American ski destinations for the family or, on the other hand, uncover America’s undiscovered beaches.

Despite all the chaos this year and the oftentimes unending bad news, personally I celebrated a very happy moment in August. My new husband and I pulled off a pandemic wedding; it required shifting our plans and greatly limiting our guest list, but we chose to focus on what was important — being married — and proceed with a smaller but still perfect day. I’m sharing a glimpse from the wedding with my picture this month, and I hope you’re all still finding joy in special occasions and trips, even if they look a bit different. Join us next month when we celebrate the “greatest show on Earth” with the announcement of our GT Tested Reader Survey awards, Wines on the Wing, The Trazees and the Wherever Awards!

EDITORIAL Editor In Chief Kimberly Krol Inlander kim.krol@globaltravelerusa.com Vice President/Digital Director Katie Skrzek katie.skrzek@globaltravelerusa.com Senior Editor Janice Hecht jan.hecht@globaltravelerusa.com Associate Editor/Copy Editor Patricia Vanikiotis patty.vanikiotis@globaltravelerusa.com Associate Editor Angelique Platas angelique.platas@globaltravelerusa.com Social Media & Editorial Coordinator Mary Melnick mary.melnick@globaltravelerusa.com

ART Art Director Tracey Cullen tracey.cullen@globaltravelerusa.com Staff Photographer Christopher P. Ottaunick christopher@globaltravelerusa.com Special Events Video Editor Vance Piccin

COLUMNISTS Margaret Backenheimer Debra Bokur J.D. Brown Mark Chesnut Eunice Fried Jack Guy

WRITERS Kristy Alpert Susan Barnes Debra Bokur Becca Hensley Dale Leatherman Tim Leffel Allie Moore Richard Newton

For complete bios visit globaltravelerusa.com

CIRCULATION Specialists John Wroblewski, Louie Atsaves Managers Jayhawk Evans, Mark P. Ford, Teresa Jackson, Anthony “Scraps” Dimera Circulation Director Michele Shannon Circulation Manager Anna Pudzianowski Research Consultant Sharon Sterne

ADVISORY BOARD Chairman Michael Donahue COO Michael Kiely President Carlos Cappuccio Executive Vice President Gary Oswald Deputy Vice President Aviation Edward Jefferson Deputy Vice President Accommodations Stephen Doherty Deputy Director Destinations Wayne Tallman Vice President Special Events/Photography Christopher Ottaunick Secretary Mark Lane Research Director Frank LoVerme Treasurer Kevin Ryan Director of Technology Bob Hancock Director of Digital Advancement Jared Torgan Vice President of Corporate Giving Jim Bolger

GENERAL COUNSEL Thomas F. Goldman CONTACT US General Inquiries/Issue Requests/Reprints info@globaltravelerusa.com Subscriptions tel 818 286 3134 | gbtcs@magserv.com Public Relations kim.krol@globaltravelerusa.com Letters to the Editor letters@globaltravelerusa.com Global Traveler is published monthly by FXExpress Publications, Inc., 1531 Marsha Terrace, Suite 200, Yardley, PA 19067. The U.S. subscription rate is $42 for one year, $79.95 for two years, $121.95 for three years.

Kimberly Krol Inlander Editor in Chief

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

Postmaster: Please send changes of address to Global Traveler, 1531 Marsha Terrace, Suite 200, Yardley, PA 19067

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LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER ®

ADVERTISING

On the Road Again

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hen you receive this issue, we may or may not have the results of the 2020 U.S. presidential election, but we feel we are progressing At the Table: toward re-opening with full Francis enjoying dinner out with his family force. Travelers can only stand PHOTO: © FRANCIS X. GALLAGHER so much confinement before they figure out a way to spread their wings.

Over the past nine months I connected often with our subscribers and travel clients. Many readers are planning trips for 2021 and are leapfrogging out of the COVID world and back to the real world. Our friends at GOWAY Travel report most of the trips planned for this year have been rescheduled for 2021, thus making Europe crowded and difficult to book.

In this issue I am proposing a trip to Portugal that was in the planning stages for 2020. Reality means this trip might not make the 2021 schedule due to all those postponed bookings. If this trip holds interest, please email me directly — see the details in the Golf article on page 32. If we see enough interest and availability for fall 2021, we might get lucky and secure this trip.

For now, please enjoy our North America Issue. I know from our conversations you have taken many domestic trips and road trips. Some of you have been creative and held face-to-face meetings (requiring a negative COVID test). I joined you — through many trips to North Carolina (driving) and to Florida (flying three times).

Our next issue will feature the results of all the FXExpress-branded awards. As I write this letter, I am looking forward to attending the Wines on the Wing survey and after-party. Your votes counted, even during these less-traveled days — who better to select the best of the best than you?

Thanks for reading, and keep traveling!

Publisher/CEO Francis X. Gallagher tel 215 919 8988 | fran.gallagher@globaltravelerusa.com Executive Vice President, Associate Publisher Carly Allen tel 267 495 6287 | carly.allen@globaltravelerusa.com Account Executive Mariana Zenizo tel 52 55 6560 1152 | marzenizo@gmail.com Account Executive Lexi Holstin tel 215 932 1654 | lexi.holstin@globaltravelerusa.com Production & Advertising Coordinator Yasser Ogando tel 267 884 1650 | yasser.ogando@globaltravelerusa.com

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42 features

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November 2020

38

Saddle Up! Dude ranch vacations are not riding off into the sunset.

ANCHORAGE p. 68 AUSTIN p. 58 COLORADO SPRINGS p. 62 EATING ACROSS AMERICA p. 70 NASHVILLE p. 48 SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE p. 61 SEATTLE p. 54 SKI DESTINATIONS p. 64 TORONTO p. 56 UNDISCOVERED U.S. BEACHES p. 72

THE NORTH AMERICA ISSUE COVER PHOTO: FLY-FISHING AT RED REFLET GUEST RANCH IN TEN SLEEP, WYOMING PHOTO: © RED REFLET GUEST RANCH

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Buoyant Spirit The Caribbean rises with resiliency in the wake of hurricanes and the pandemic.

business destinations 48

Destination One: Nashville Nashville rebounds with optimism for a bright future.

54

Stateside: Seattle Seattle’s vibrant setting brims with vitality and tranquility.

56

MICE: Toronto International visitors will once again converge in Canada’s convention city.

58

9–5: Austin Impress clients and colleagues in the star-studded capital city.

61

After 5: San Miguel de Allende Spend evenings under the stars in San Miguel de Allende.

PHOTO: © RAMUNAS BRUZAS | DREAMSTIME.COM

November 2020

CONTENTS

P LU N G E I N S OA K U P

Whether you’re watching in awe or learning by doing, Š Myles McGuinness

The Islands of Tahiti are rich with opportunities to discover

and participate in the unique culture of each island.

TahitiTourisme.com

November 2020

CONTENTS

in every issue 10 Mail Call 14 News 16 Reviews 21 One on One – Etihad Airways 24 One on One – United Airlines 26 Technology 28 Wine & Spirits 29 Wealth 30 Spas 32 Golf 34 Chefs 36 Cruising 76 LGBTQ+ 78 Airport Update 80 Medical Tourism 82 Preview

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leisure destinations 62

Neighborhoods: Colorado Springs Mingle with the locals in Colorado Springs’ revitalized Ivywild.

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Friends & Family: Best North American Ski Destinations for Families Get out for winter fun at North America’s family-friendly ski destinations.

Tours: Anchorage Embark on Alaskan adventure tours from Anchorage.

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Bucket List: Eating Across America Visit these U.S. cities to sample quintessentially American cuisine.

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Kicking Back: America’s Undiscovered Beaches Find your bliss on America’s undiscovered beaches, from Atlantic to Pacific.

FX

EXPRESS

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

Global Traveler and Globility are registered trademarks of Global Traveler magazine and of its parent company, FXExpress Publications, Inc. Global Traveler is not affiliated with any commercial interests within the travel industry. The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher, nor can the publisher accept responsibility for errors or omissions. The magazine cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited articles, photographs or other material. AAM member 04-0361-2. AAM audited circulation 111,517. ISSN 1551-7187 ©2020 FXExpress Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of text, photographs or illustrations without permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited.

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MAIL CALL

Q&A WITH KATIE SKRZEK, VICE PRESIDENT/DIGITAL DIRECTOR I’ve always been interested in travel within North America, particularly the United States. There is so much to see in our diverse country! I hope to visit all 50 U.S. states someday.

Do you have a North American or U.S. travel goal?

Tell us. Email us at letters@globaltravelerusa.com

Q&A WITH YASSER OGANDO, PRODUCTION & ADVERTISING COORDINATOR In our September issue, we discussed workplace wellness and what we believe this concept should look like, and how often it varies between employees and employers. Yasser asked the question: What does workplace wellness mean to you?

Some readers wrote in with thoughts:

Workplace wellness is important to me. As a nurse practitioner and after working for years on a busy hospital floor, getting burned out and overworked is inevitable.

REBECCA THOMAS, VIA EMAIL

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

For me, workplace wellness starts at the top.

You can’t have a healthy workplace environment if those in charge do not provide the foundation for one.

SANDRA WILLIS, VIA EMAIL

CHRIS FELDMAN, VIA EMAIL

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COVID-19 TESTING FOR TRAVEL

Write: Letters to the Editor 1531 Marsha Terrace, Suite 200 Yardley, PA 19067

In our Sept. 23 issue of eFlyer USA, we covered Alitalia’s COVID-free domestic flight trial. Travelers must present evidence of a negative COVID-19 test. As a result, Alitalia can brand them COVID-free flights. We asked the questions: Would you travel more if more airlines implemented a similar system? If everyone on board presented a negative COVID-19 test before boarding, would you feel safe flying without a mask?

This inspired a few readers to write in:

Letters must be written exclusively to Global Traveler and must include your full name, mailing address and contact phone number. Letters become the property of Global Traveler. We cannot respond to every letter. Global Traveler reserves the right to edit letters to the editor for length and clarity. The opinions expressed in Mail Call are not necessarily those of Global Traveler, and Global Traveler cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions.

I am writing in regard to your post today about Alitalia’s COVID testing for some flights. I think rapid

PHOTOS: © KAITE SKRZEK, © THANAKORN HORMNIAM | DREAMSTIME.COM

Workplace wellness looks a little different these days since my company went fully remote. Our office used to provide a fully stocked kitchen, quarterly group events, relaxed daily schedules, casual dress code, unlimited sick days and vacation days, and more — all of which I believe to be a form of wellness. The mutual respect and freedom our employers supplied were definitely a perk of the job. Now, working fully remote, we have to create our own work/wellness balance.

I stick to my own daily routine, take myself for walks in the afternoon and am strict about my phone use after hours, just to stay on top of my own mental health.

Email: letters@globaltravelerusa.com

Live the French way Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills 8555 Beverly Boulevard, 90048 Los Angeles Visit www.sofitel-los-angeles.com

MAIL CALL COVID testing would be reassuring to travelers, especially for longer flights and international flights. Whether testing would make me comfortable to dispense with mask wearing would depend on the reliability of the test. There can be false negative tests, with the rate dependent on the testing platform. Right now, there seems to be no uniform enforcement among airlines regarding mask wearing. At present, I am flying only when necessary for business and on airlines that enforce the mask policy.

DEBRA A. MARSHALL, M.D., F.A.C.C., VIA EMAIL

I will be wearing a mask on flights and in airports for a while, even if everyone on board tested negative. I’m used to the mask at this point, and I would feel a little more at ease knowing I did all I could to protect myself, and others, while traveling.

AMANDA REDDING, VIA EMAIL I’m happy to see airlines are encouraging rigorous testing on board, especially hard-hit regions like Italy. We have to do better to protect each other and stay safe while traveling. The industry needs it to recover, and we need it to get back to business. This is great to see, and I hope to see more airlines, domestic included, doing all they can to create a COVID-19-free travel space.

BACK TO BERLIN

This has been a long time coming! Glad to see it.

In our Sept. 30 issue of eFlyer USA, we covered the long-awaited opening of Germany’s thirdlargest airport, Berlin Brandenburg, finally occurring Oct. 31, with Tegel TXL closing Nov. 8. Schönefeld will eventually become BER’s Terminal 5. This news inspired a couple of readers to write in:

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ICELAND

fine vines

TEL AVIV

Torrontés Tango

FAMILY BUSINESS MEETS ROMANCE IN THE WHITE CITY

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

I

n an attempt to describe Torrontés, Argentina’s signature white wine, some have compared it to Pinot Grigio, Viognier, even Riesling. But none come close. Made from the grape of the same name, Torrontés is like no other. It begins with an aroma that conjures up a bouquet of flowers (the honeyed, perfumed Muscat of Alexandria is one of its ancestors), hinting that a sweet wine will follow. But no, Torrontés goes toward dry and fruity with a tangy and spicy edge. It is the perfect aperitif and equally right with shellfish, Niçoise salad, chicken, other whitemeat dishes, lightly flavored cheese and many Asian foods.

As Americans discover this intriguing wine, they will also discover that, with a myriad of choices, even the most attractive Torrontés usually costs under $20.

And what are the most attractive Torrontés? Among two dozen that I’ve recently tasted, these are my favorites.

Xavier Flouret Flaca 2008 ($18) is one of the most elegant Torrontés, with a delicate floral nose that hints of apricot and peach; a dry, Powered by round, well-structured body; a fruit-filled taste and vibrant acidity; and a long, delicious finish.

Its Muscat ancestor comes to the fore in Lo Tengo 2009’s ($11.50) vivid, flowery aroma. It goes on to be a clearly focused, intensely flavored, bright and satisfying wine.

IN THE COOK ISLANDS, on Rarotonga, I’m walking along a dusty path, edged There is a suggestion of by a plethora of plants and trees. Fat papayas hang from their umbrella-like sweet mint and an evocation trees; bananas, still green on the stem, invite; and mangos, ripe and ready, have of orange and peach in Finca fallen from their roost. Blossoming bushes waft a perfume, butterflies circle halos La Linda 2009’s ($11) aroma, around my head, and a stream gurgles nearby. A mother sow and her family of followed by a relatively full body cartoonish piglets join me on the road. Not one but 10 roosters crow in competing symphonies — though early morning is long past. The sea lies nearby, but and excellent balance. Altogether a here, hiking inland, surrounded by steep hills and much vegetation, I feel like the pleasing, inviting wine. only person left on Earth.

Finca El Origen Reserva 2009 ($12) Luckily, I’m not. I share this walk with one of the Cook Islands’ most Ease body, mind and soul in is clean, crisp and refreshing, offering a famous residents, a larger-than-life figure known as Uncle Pa, once a world typical Torrontés floral flavor with pear the natural goodness of the surfing champion. Though an octogenarian, he wears long dreadlocks, treks and peach overtones and a gentle reminder shirtless and sports a colorful sarong. With rippling muscles and the physique of citrus fruits in the A particularly of a 30-year-old man, he belies aging and serves as the metaphorical poster Cook Islands.

BY mouth.

BECCA HENSLEY harmonious wine. child for his role as this island nation’s most famous healer. An herbalist or The delightful Pascual Toso 2009 ($15) kahuna, he learned from his grandmother about the power of the plants that BEACHSIDE BLISS:herbal notes grow on these less-traveled islands. Intuitive, fearless, with a foot in both the combines keen fruit flavors, Spa treatment on the beach at and a fresh lemony acidity with a trace of past and the modern world, Uncle Pa has helped thousands of people regain Aitutaki Lagoon their health over the years. As we walk, he picks leaves, flowers, berries and honey and floral tones.

PHOTO: © STEVE ALLEN | DREAMSTIME.COM Following its aroma of fresh flowers and ripefruit. He tells me how he makes elixirs or poultices from them; he lets me taste fruit, Colomé 2009 ($15) is a graceful wine with notes reminiscent of grapefruit.

72citric globaltravelerusa.com JUNE 2017 The pale-shaded Dominio del Plata’s Crios 2009 ($13.50) has a lilac-scented aroma with peach overtones followed by a dry, tangy taste. 

Art of Healing

www.globaltravelerusa.com

INFO TO GO

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

Visit our website to access past and present articles, reports, guides, hot travel links and deals and video interviews, as well as forms for subscribing to the magazine and our eFlyer newsletter.

WHAT’S HAPPENING ON GT BLOGS? Updated daily, our blogs offer readers an inside look at the lives and travels of the GT staff. Last month we featured blogs about everything from virtual destination tours to Oregon beach explorations.

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ADVENTURE AWAITS IN THE LAND OF FIRE AND ICE

May 2011 | Global Traveler | 35

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ISLANDS

Very encouraging seeing some openings in the travel world — looking forward to seeing the airport when my company resumes international travel.

CRAIG R. TIMMONS, VIA EMAIL

ROBERT CHALLIS, VIA EMAIL

kicking back | COOK

WESTON BRYANT, VIA EMAIL

NEWS, DEALS AND REWARDS Gaylord Hotels Unveils Immersive Christmas Experience

The new Salt Lake City International Airport opened Sept. 15 as the first hub airport built in the United States in the 21st century. Dubbed the “world’s most modern and innovative airport facility,” it will accommodate 26 million passengers. Phase One opened, with plans for Phase Two to debut in 2024.

The New SLC features two linear concourses, connected via tunnel. This replaced the airport’s five existing concourses, with the entire $4 billion project financed by the airport’s self-sustaining fund that uses no taxpayer dollars.

Constructed with the aim of earning LEED Gold certification, the airport will offer more efficient arrivals and departures for the thriving Salt Lake City area. The light-filled terminal features 45-foot, floor-to-ceiling glass walls overlooking the Wasatch Mountains. A new Utah Transit Authority TRAX light rail station at the airport makes it faster and easier to get downtown.

Dining and retail options reflect the culture of Salt Lake City. The New SLC features existing and new eateries including Market Street Grill, Café Rio, Squatters, Fillings & Emulsions, Pago and Silver Diner, plus 29 retail stores opening in the first phase.

Construction began in July 2014. When completed, the new South Terminal, home to Delta Air Lines’ second-largest hub, will have a total of 4 million square feet of new space. The entire airport will have a baggage system stretching six miles in length, and each of the 78 gates will have jet bridges to make for faster departures and arrivals. A new parking garage will be the size of three football fields, with 3,600 parking stalls. _______

The programs will be available at each resort: Gaylord Opryland: Nov. 13, 2020–Jan. 3, 2021 Gaylord Palms: Nov. 13, 2020–Jan. 3, 2021 Gaylord Texan: Nov. 13, 2020–Jan. 3, 2021 Gaylord Rockies: Nov. 20, 2020–Jan. 3, 2021 _______ marriott.com/gaylord-hotels/travel.mi

slcairport.com

Cruising Looks Promising for 2021 Travel insurance and assistance company Allianz Partners surveyed more than 1,000 customers who purchased its U.S. travel insurance products through travel advisors and other retail distribution partners. It found that among retail customers who don’t plan to travel this year, many plan to book international travel in 2021, and many will choose to cruise. The outlook for travel abroad via cruise ship looks promising for 2021.

Of those who said they won’t travel until 2021 in the Allianz survey, 60 percent plan to visit an international destination on their next trip, and 20 percent of that number plan to do so by cruise ship. When asked, “When you travel next, where will you stay?” 50 percent replied a hotel or resort, followed by cruising; then 13 percent with friends or family; 8 percent in a rental house; 4 percent in a personal vacation home; and 2 percent in an RV, tent or cabin.

While ocean cruising won’t return in the United States until this month at the earliest, the Cruise Lines International Association indicates large ships are setting sail elsewhere around the globe with limited capacity, social distancing and stringent safety measures. _______ allianztravelinsurance.com

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PHOTOS: © SALT LAKE CITY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, ©GAYLORD ROCKIES RESORT & CONVENTION CENTER, © HELENA BILKOVA - DREAMSTIME.COM

Salt Lake City Unveils New International Airport

Gaylord Hotels announced a new, one-of-a-kind Christmas pop-up experience that will debut this month at Gaylord Rockies, Gaylord Palms, Gaylord Opryland and Gaylord Texan.

“I Love Christmas Movies” is a multisensory exhibition in conjunction with Warner Bros. Consumer Products. The exhibit features key moments from iconic holiday movies including The Polar Express, A Christmas Story, Elf, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and The Year Without a Santa Claus. Thirteen scenes will feature replicas of film props, audio clips and more, allowing guests to feel part of the movie. Experiences include traveling with Buddy the Elf to the North Pole and taking photos in front of the Griswolds’ house adorned with thousands of Christmas lights. The experience is being developed in accordance with Marriott’s Commitment to Clean program.

Plaza Premium Lounge Debuts at DFW Plaza Premium Lounge, the world’s first common-use airport lounge concept, made its debut at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Sept. 1. This marked the 18th location in the Americas in the group’s lounge portfolio but the first in the United States. Other locations can be found in Edmonton, Toronto, Vancouver, Winnipeg and Rio de Janeiro.

Located near Gate E31, it is the only common-use lounge in Terminal E and a two-minute walk from DFW’s Skylink. The newly opened Plaza Premium Lounge implements heightened hygienic methods and offers more than 1,400 square feet, WiFi, charging pods, an AeroBar and pre-portioned and prepackaged food items.

Open 6 a.m.–8 p.m. daily, Plaza Premium Lounge DFW can be accessed with eligible American Express cards and select travel passes. Travelers can also book in advance or walk in for a three-hour use offer at $45. Through Nov. 30, all walk-ins and online reservations will receive a 30 percent discount. ________ plazapremiumlounge.com

Time to Connect at Four Seasons Four Seasons celebrated some recent openings: Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi opened Sept. 1, Four Seasons Hotel Madrid opened Sept. 25, and Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero opened Oct. 1.

Guests can enjoy these new properties, as well as all other select Four Seasons properties around the world, with the Time to Connect offer. The offer provides a 20 percent discount and unlimited flexibility on stays completed by June 30, 2021, and booked by Nov. 30, 2020. ________

PHOTOS: © PLAZA PREMIUM LOUNGE MANAGEMENT LIMITED, © UNIWORLD, © FOUR SEASONS HOTEL TOKYO

First Look at Uniworld’s New Super Ship Uniworld Boutique River Cruises unveiled an anticipated first look at its S.S. La Venezia, one of the newest Super Ships in its fleet of floating boutique hotels. It will set sail in Northern Italy and embodies the country’s timeless beauty; enduring quality; and passion for food, art and living well. Italian artist Mariano Fortuny inspired the design, led by Uniworld artistic directors Toni Tollman and Brian Brennan.

S.S. La Venezia is “a work unto itself” designed to complement and enhance its carefully curated Venetian itineraries. The Fortuny story is intricately woven into the design of the ship, and Uniworld guests will have the opportunity to visit its private showroom and gardens to learn more.

On board, cruisers will have several dining options including Rialto’s, the largest dining venue, offering traditional Venetian fare. At Hari’s Bar and Lounge, guests enjoy live music, cocktails, an impressive Champagne list and a selection of traditional paninis. La Cantinetta offers private dining with expert wine pairings, after spending the day shopping at Rialto food market with the chef to source dinner ingredients. Cielo’s Pizzeria serves wood-fired pizzas complemented by a salad bar and alfresco dining.

Once she officially debuts, S.S. La Venezia will sail the eight-day Venice & the Gems of Northern Italy itinerary. Three additional itineraries in 2021 and 2022 include the 10-day Milan, Venice & the Gems of Northern Italy; the 12-day Cruise & Rail: Venice & the Swiss Alps; and the 14-day Cruise & Rail: Milan, Venice & the Swiss Alps.

fourseasons.com

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Sign up for GT’s Newsletter Global Traveler’s weekly newsletter keeps you up to date with info on the go. Sign up for the newsletter at globaltravelerusa.com/newsletter.

eFlyer USA Global Traveler’s weekly newsletter brings news, deals and reviews right to you every Wednesday.

________ uniworld.com

NOVEMBER 2020 globaltravelerusa.com

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GT TESTED

AMERICAN AIRLINES — FIRST CLASS PHILADELPHIA (PHL) TO TAMPA (TPA)

TOP TAKEAWAYS:

PRE-FLIGHT: I asked for coffee, which I enjoyed as the balance of the passengers boarded. The flight attendant was friendly, courteous and swift with her delivery. People seem a little more orderly in the boarding process these days.

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IN-FLIGHT: I hooked up to American Airlines WiFi, which I thought was a little pricey at $16.

Perhaps this should be complimentary to premium-class passengers. It would be a nice thank-you to those of us traveling and choosing the first-class cabin.

For breakfast we had a choice between a breakfast sandwich and yogurt with berries and nuts. I selected the latter and enjoyed most of it — the berries were a little on the soft side but the strawberry yogurt was great. The coffee was also tasty, and I received multiple refills throughout the flight — maximizing my WiFi connection investment.

The flight landed early, and Tampa International Airport seemed a little less occupied than Philadelphia.

REVIEWED BY Francis X. Gallagher

On the return, PHL closed the TSA exit at Terminal C, causing the passengers to gang together to exit at B — not a good idea.

-------------------------Tampa is an efficient airport; don’t be duped into following the signs exactly, as they take you right through the gift shop.

AMERICAN AIRLINES aa.com

PHOTOS: © FRANCIS X. GALLAGHER

ON THE GROUND: This morning flight departs PHL at 8:30 a.m., arriving at Tampa International Airport by 11:17 a.m., so it is less likely to encounter delays. Parking at PHL was fairly full and all of the electric vehicle charging spots were taken. The terminal was not too busy, and we quickly got through security. TSA pulled me aside to go through my briefcase — I have so many wires for gadgets, some I seldom use anymore.

We had hardly any time before boarding, but we did sit while I worked a little on my laptop. Boarding was swift, and we were handed a little white paper bag with water and hand sanitizer. I hope the airlines keep this up; I think passengers really appreciate the bottled water. I had plenty of room at my seat (2D) and was pleased to see a copy of American Way in the seatback. Either I need to clean out my bag or the underseat area really was a little tight.

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ENTERPRISE

PHOTOS: © FRANCIS X. GALLAGHER

ON THE GROUND: We flew into Tampa International Airport and took the train to the main terminal, then followed the signs for the train to the Rental Car Center — yes, a two-train journey. Tampa’s Rental Car Center is super, but it received terrible reviews when it opened, as nobody could figure out where to go. I found this odd as there was always good signage — I just think people liked the old setup right across the street. Passengers often ask me where the car rental is at Tampa, and I point and say, “Just follow the signs like everywhere else.” I am on a mission when going through the airport: Get there as fast as possible!

PICKUP: As I had booked the car rental through Travelocity.com, I had to go to the counter; I had not updated my profile (due to COVID, all the Enterprise brands are now directed to the National check-in counter).

A nice guy named Hudson took me through the ropes. I had rented a pickup truck, as I was planning to move a few items during the trip. There were lots of conversations going on behind Hudson by his supervisory team, asking if Alamo or National had any pickup trucks and chatter like that. I paid no mind to this as I was offered my receipts and asked if I knew where to go. I replied, “Turn right and follow the signs?” and he said, “Right!” Off we went, following the signs to the proper escalator — each rental car company is on a different level.

The couple behind us tossed out an expletive when they realized they jumped on the wrong escalator as it sailed past their selected rental car company.

An Enterprise representative named Taylor greeted us. She was smartly dressed and wore a nice patterned mask; I think it was sunflowers. She was friendly but informed me they did not have any pickup trucks. I told her this was upsetting and I should have been informed when I checked in so I could select another company. She promised she would make this right, but none of the affiliated companies (National, Alamo) had a pickup truck. Taylor led me to several large Ford Expedition XL SUVs. I explained this was not the same as a pickup and I would require a discount; she said this was an upgrade. The first vehicle smelled terribly of cigarette smoke; the second, silver one was better but not completely clear of previous smoking. Taylor was charming and turned me around, then I joked I was the director of global sales for Enterprise and was testing her — she believed me at first.

I would say she had a way of defusing the situation and turning

my displeasure around. Taylor then took me through the vehicle, showing me how the back two seats flipped down with a switch — really cool. We then walked around the car for inspection of dents, scratches and dings.

ON THE ROAD: I have to say, this was a great vehicle. The best was when I filled the fuel tank, the dashboard read 578 miles until empty! Wow, that meant I could take my 345-mile ride and never have to refuel. The SUV was comfortable and handled well in the rain (which there was a ton of ). Best of all, it had more than enough room for everything I needed to transport. I would have had to cover everything to protect it from the rain had I received the chosen pickup. The SUV had a good sound system with Sirius XM, one of the best backup cameras and really good power. I could see myself owning one of these.

TOP TAKEAWAYS: Good employees matter.

-------------------------Ford makes a mean SUV — great if you are taking a long road trip.

ENTERPRISE enterprise.com

REVIEWED BY Francis X. Gallagher

NOVEMBER 2020 globaltravelerusa.com

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PHAROS AT THE HARRISON

TOP TAKEAWAYS: The staff is wonderful, including the gregarious and friendly owners.

--------------------------

GUEST QUARTERS: You can select the exact room you’d like when booking. We chose The Presidential, which boasted a kingsized bed more comfortable than any hotel bed I’ve slept in. I also loved the décor and design of the room.

Our room also featured a spacious bathroom; I appreciated the configuration of the room, as the bathroom sat three steps down from the guestroom. A large stall shower and claw-

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foot tub finished the bathroom space. As we brought our own beach chairs and a cooler, we appreciated the extra space in the room.

Due to the current situation, room cleaning was by request, but fresh towels were delivered daily, along with toilet paper and toiletries, in a bag left outside the door.

Be advised: There are no elevators, so before selecting a room, check to see its location. Our room was on the third floor, which wasn’t an issue for us but might be for people with mobility limitations.

SERVICES/AMENITIES: Pharos at The Harrison serves guests 16 and older, perfect for our mini-moon or guests seeking a quieter, more adult experience.

Breakfast is selected in advance with two options available each day — one egg dish and one sweeter option. Afternoon tea is also available each afternoon. The food was superb. We were actually excited to view the breakfast menu and decide what we wanted each day. Service was easy each morning, with two seatings offered based on your floor to promote social distancing.

Some of the amenities for guests aside from breakfast and afternoon tea include beach chairs, bikes and a stocked refrigerator with soft drinks, water and ice. A small coffee station with sweet bites in the afternoon was on offer in the common lounge of Pharos, and you enter Pharos through an unmanned gift shop display boasting beautiful décor and other items.

REVIEWED BY Kimberly Krol Inlander

-------------------------The location can’t be beat — just a block to the beach and a few blocks from Washington Street Mall and excellent shops and restaurants.

-------------------------We were thrilled with our selection and would happily stay there again and/or try the other properties. Pharos at The Harrison also offered us a sense of cleanliness and safety, much appreciated during these times.

PHAROS AT THE HARRISON 617 Columbia Ave. Cape May, NJ 08204 tel 609 884 4948 pharosinn.com

PHOTOS: © PHAROS AT THE HARRISON

ARRIVAL/CHECK-IN: After a revamped and reduced (but still perfect!) wedding and ceremony Aug. 15, my new husband and I decided to take a mini-moon to the Jersey shore. Like most of your 2020 travels, our honeymoon to South Africa has been indefinitely postponed, so we traded Cape Town for Cape May and made the best of it. As Cape May is known for its Victorian influences and bed and breakfasts, we wanted to try a B&B. After much research, we found the perfect blend of modernity and tradition at Pharos at The Harrison.

Part of a bed and breakfast collection that includes The Harrison, Casablanca and The Ashley Rose, Pharos sits next door to The Harrison, where check-in, breakfast and afternoon tea take place for guests of both. The other two lie just down the street.

We arrived just after check-in time and were given a brief tour and overview before we unloaded the car. Rather than keys, guests have codes for exterior doors and guestroom doors. There’s no on-site parking, but you can load and unload your car directly out front for a short time span. If you don’t mind a walk, I recommend the included parking in an off-site lot about 10 minutes away.

Street parking is also available.

Make sure to sample the delicious, homemade cookies and treats served at afternoon tea.

Each was individually wrapped, so we grabbed a few each day to enjoy later.

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HOTEL LAURANCE

PHOTOS: © HOTEL LAURANCE

ARRIVAL/CHECK-IN: Driving into the quaint town of Luray, Virginia, provided a much-needed reprieve from 4.5 hours spent driving mostly highways from New Jersey. We arrived in town around 4 p.m. and easily found parking in the lot provided by the Hotel Laurance. It was a tight squeeze for my SUV, so I narrowly turned around and parallel parked by two rooms on the side of the hotel and happily jumped out to mask up, check in and stretch my legs.

Walking to the hotel’s door felt a lot like knocking on a friend’s house where I was expected company. I rang the doorbell, was welcomed inside and checked in within just a couple minutes.

The manager gave my sister and me our key codes and a quick tour of the boutique hotel’s community seating area, also known as The Keeping Room, and back patio. We headed back outside through double doors to find our rooms, conveniently located next to my parked vehicle. Each room offered a private entrance separate from the hotel’s main lobby, so we could come and go as we pleased without having to walk through the hotel’s common areas — a nice touch for two out-of-towners traveling cautiously during a pandemic.

GUEST QUARTERS: My room — No. 10, also known as The Tucker — was like a small apartment with a full kitchen boasting both retro and modern touches. I walked through the kitchen into the small seating area, complete with a smart TV and plenty of books to read by the window, and around the corner through a short hallway into a queen bedroom with an en suite bathroom.

The space felt cozy but open with a window in every room, offering natural light within my private hideaway. The décor was something out of a Southern charm handbook, including upscale finishes, vintage-style furniture and chic, old-fashioned touches in every room. Think a vintage-looking circular mirror in the hall expanding the space, black-and-white sketches and unique artwork decorating the walls, white tiles in the bathroom and stylish throw rugs covering the hardwood floors.

My sister’s room next door, No. 9, also known as The Meranda, opened into a larger living room with a nice-sized

sectional sleeper sofa, mounted flat-screen TV and an antique luggage-turned-coffee-table at the center. Off the living room, the fully tiled bathroom boasted a large shower and beautiful vintage accessories, including one of the prettiest trash cans I’ve ever seen. On either side of the living room were a full kitchen with a large 1950s-style sink and coffee bar with two antique stools; and a chic, modern-meets-old-world bedroom with a vintage-style wooden desk and plenty of closet space.

I wouldn’t be surprised to find out the rooms were decorated from lucky finds at an estate sale of a gorgeous Southern mansion.

SERVICES/AMENITIES: Each suite included WiFi, an on-site parking spot, a smart TV, a queen-sized bed, a full kitchen, a sitting/living room space and a full bathroom. The hotel includes a shared seating area, called The Keeping Room, and a back porch boasting great sunset views. The boutique hotel is small, with just two floors and 12 rooms, each offering its own unique style.

Other than the eclectic décor and charming, individual vibe, the hotel’s other best features are its friendly staff and great location. Guests can easily walk to local eateries, walking paths, quaint shops and attractions in town, or hop in the car and drive 15 minutes to Shenandoah National Park or about 30 minutes to Shenandoah Caverns — two top attractions in the area.

TOP TAKEAWAYS: Great location to either walk around town or drive 15 minutes to the Thornton Gap entrance of Shenandoah National Park.

-------------------------Not having a physical key to hold on to on a hiking trip was a nice perk. We just wrote our room codes in our notes and were able to enter our rooms without fumbling around for a key.

-------------------------For those staying in The Meranda, be sure to turn the fan on in the shower so the steam from the hot water doesn’t set off the alarm!

HOTEL LAURANCE 2 S. Court St. Luray, VA 22835 tel 540 742 7060 hotellaurance.com

REVIEWED BY Angelique Platas

NOVEMBER 2020 globaltravelerusa.com

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HYATT PLACE TIMES SQUARE

GUEST QUARTERS: For New York City, and with a king-sized bed, the guest quarters were quite impressive, averaging 250 square feet. After walking around the city exploring all morning and early afternoon, we were ecstatic to set everything down and chill for a few moments. The standard television provided plenty of entertainment leading up to the Kentucky Derby before we went back out for dinner. The bed was comfortable and soft, perfect for a great night’s sleep between adventures and long days.

The bathroom was a bit small but had the standard features, with a rain shower and accommodating all it needed to. Our room had a mini fridge set up with a small coffeemaker on top, along with a

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standing dresser near the door with a security box. I have to brag the room-darkening shades over the windows were the cherry on top; we had no idea what time it was when we first woke up … at 10 a.m.

While I have seen other hotels use stickers to indicate sanitized rooms and additional cleaning measures, this room felt, looked and smelled clean. We could tell housekeeping services had been in this room after cleaning and had enough assurances even without the sealed sticker rooms.

TOP TAKEAWAYS:

SERVICES/AMENITIES: While not all hotels do, this Hyatt Place hotel did provide breakfast in the morning. Now, due to COVID, the hotel closed off the breakfast area and instead provides takeaway boxes you can carry up to your room. I was a bit disappointed and surprised with the breakfast — a granola bar, apple, container of cereal and a packaged muffin. We were not offered a drink of water or juice, but we came prepared with our own waters. Our use of the hotel room was strictly for a night’s stay close to Times Square; however, due to the pandemic the fitness center is closed until further notice, face coverings are required at all times outside of your room, and food service is limited.

The hotel ensured minimal contact points with the hotel staff, and spacing for minimal contact points with other guests as well.

REVIEWED BY Lexi Holstin

Close to Times Square without the price of staying in Times Square

-------------------------Take advantage of Hyatt’s rewards program, World of Hyatt.

--------------------------

HYATT PLACE TIMES SQUARE 350 W. 39th St. New York, NY 10018 tel 212 904 1811 hyatt.com

PHOTOS: ©HYATT, LEXI HOLSTIN

ARRIVAL/CHECK-IN: Located just shy of five blocks and a few minutes’ walk to the center of Times Square, Hyatt Place proved the perfect place for our trip to the city over Labor Day weekend.

Even during the pandemic and with the new restrictions placed on businesses, we adapted to the transitioning times. Upon walking in we found hand sanitizing stations all around the lobby, front desk and elevator/common areas. Other than the Plexiglass divider and masks worn by staff and guests, the check-in process was similar to pre-COVID times, with the outstanding difference of signing a waiver and providing information about our previous 48 hours of travel. This would inform the front desk if you would be required to quarantine in the hotel based on your last location.

Since we were coming from Pennsylvania, we were cleared.

ONE ON ONE

Duncan Bureau Senior Vice President, Sales and Distribution, Etihad Airways What’s the biggest business risk you’ve ever taken? I was part of a team that launched flights into Palm Springs from Calgary.

I remember clearly that all the data and math told us not to do it, but we did it anyway, and it became an amazing success.

Who is someone you admire professionally in the travel industry? There truly are so many great people in this industry.

One of the most amazing leaders I had the privilege to work with is Calin Rovinescu, CEO, Air Canada. He is an incredibly smart guy who understands this business and the impact companies have on the communities they serve. I will always be grateful for the opportunity I had to work with him; I learned a lot about business and life.

AS A TRAVELER Tell us about a travel nightmare: There is no lack of stories related to travel nightmares. That said, I love this industry and exploring the world. Whether or not I got an aisle seat or the muffin I was served was not big enough, the reality is I love to see what this world has to offer. I sometimes listen to people as they travel and think not that long ago the only way across North America was by horse and buggy and/or walking. Today we can travel from remote villages to the world’s largest cities on the other side of the globe within 24 hours. I have a hard time complaining about my ability to explore this world. So there are few travel challenges I have ever encountered that would stop me from getting on a plane and exploring Mother Earth.

THE BASICS

A LITTLE BIT MORE

Name: Duncan Bureau Title: Senior vice president, Sales and Distribution Company, city: Etihad Airways; Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. First job: Delivering papers on my bike

What actor or actress would play you in a movie of your life? Mike Meyers. He is a great Canadian actor with an amazing sense of humor who has a Scottish background, as I do with my mum and dad.

What would you be doing professionally if you weren’t in your current industry? I would be in either the watch or car industry; I have a passion for both. I love the workmanship involved in beautiful timepieces and cars.

What is your favorite book, movie or television show? Nuts! by Herb Kelleher, about Southwest Airlines

PHOTO: © ETIHAD AIRWAYS

What historical figure, dead or alive, would you love to have dinner with? Winston Churchill

THE BUSINESS What is your favorite aspect of the job? People, by far. I love the people in this industry; and the great thing is no matter where in the world I am, this industry is over-indexed with amazing, smart, passionate people.

What is your preferred method of travel — planes, trains, automobiles, cruise ships — and why? I am and will always be a massive fan of air travel. I love the idea of going on a plane and still get excited every time — even though I have flown thousands of times.

What has been the best example of customer service you’ve experienced during your travels? This is easy: a guy named Cedric Wester, a utility porter at the Wynn Las Vegas. I was staying at the Wynn and walking with a colleague when I literally ran into Cedric. He was busy driving a floor cleaning machine, and we were lost. We were in his way as we were standing in the middle of the hallway. I realized he was behind us, waiting patiently. I apologized, and he turned off his machine and came down to ask how he could help. He then gave us directions to where we were going. I apologized for being in his way, and he said, “Sir, if you were not in this hotel, we would not have jobs at this amazing hotel with the opportunity to meet amazing people from all over the world.” This interaction resonated with me, and I refer to it often. I was so impressed by this guy, I sent a note to the CEO of Wynn to explain just how amazing a brand ambassador Cedric is and how proud he is of his job and his hotel.

NOVEMBER 2020 globaltravelerusa.com

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ADVERTISEMENT

To the Future With an eye on the times, Etihad focuses on sustainability alongside health, safety and passenger wellbeing.

ETIHAD AIRWAYS HAS BEEN, since its inception, an industry leader, with its eye ever to the future and the comfort and experience of its passengers.

Its recent collaboration with Boeing, NASA, and Safran Landing System and its COVID-19 testing protocols exemplify the spirit and focus of the airline.

In August, Etihad’s new 787-10 Dreamliner was decked out with special equipment to enhance safety and help reduce CO2 emissions and noise as part of Boeing’s ecoDemonstrator program. The series of test flights gathered detailed information about acoustics from some 1,200 microphones attached to the aircraft and ground. Most community complaints regarding noise come from approaching aircraft, with one-quarter of the sound coming from the landing gear. Etihad, NASA, and Boeing hope the test flights will help improve noise prediction capabilities, inform future quiet aircraft designs and allow pilots to reduce noise. These flights also use Safran Landing System’s landing gear designed to be quieter.

Two test flights allowed for communication between pilots, air traffic control and Etihad’s operations center, allowing them to share digital information and use NASA’s tailored arrival management system. From there, all involved parties are looking to ways to enhance safety by

reducing workload and radio frequency congestion; optimize routing efficiency to lower fuel use, emissions and noise; and support the Federal Aviation Administration’s Next Generation Air Transportation System.

After the flights, flown on a 50/50 blend of sustainable fuel and traditional jet fuel, Etihad received the aircraft in late September.

Additionally, as part of the Boeing Confident Travel Initiative, Etihad tested a handheld UV light wand to determine its effectiveness in disinfecting surfaces, especially important with the current COVID-19 crisis.

Etihad has been leading the industry with its own Etihad Wellness Sanitisation & Safety Program, a comprehensive initiative that has completely transformed the travel experience. As part of the program, Etihad introduced an industry first with the creation of Wellness Ambassadors that provide essential travel health information and care on the ground and inflight. Additionally, through a collaboration with Sitata, a Canadian travel risk management company, Etihad has an interactive travel map on the airline’s website so guests can view the COVID-19 situation in each destination in the airline’s network and plan accordingly.

To further combat the spread of COVID-19, through Dec. 31, Etihad is including PCR tests with each air ticket booked by customers departing from Abu Dhabi International Airport (excluding flights to China) through Dec. 31. Ticketed passengers can book a visit at a Life Medical Diagnostic Center in the United Arab Emirates between 48 and 96

hours before departure. First- and Business-Class passengers have the option to receive the test at home. Passengers boarding in other destinations are also required to have a PCR within 96 hours of their departure. Providing even more peace of mind for customers, tickets for travel through Dec. 31 will also include COVID-19 Global Wellness Insurance so that guests diagnosed with COVID-19 during their trip won’t have to worry about medical expenses or quarantine costs when flying with Etihad.

LEARN MORE AT etihad.com/wellness

ONE ON ONE

Luc Bondar President, United MileagePlus, and Vice President, Marketing & Loyalty, United Airlines

What is your favorite aspect of the job? It’s people and performance. I love the interaction with customers. When flying for business, I introduce myself to customers and spend time with any million-milers on the flight. Our employees also offer great ideas. I get the whole spectrum of feedback every day, from fabulous to constructive to critical.

THE BASICS Name: Luc Bondar Title: President, United MileagePlus and vice president, Marketing & Loyalty Company, city: United Airlines; Chicago, Illinois First job: At 14 I worked at a bottle shop carrying boxes of booze to people’s cars.

My first career job was in retail sporting goods.

A LITTLE BIT MORE What actor or actress would play you in a movie of your life? Either Hugh Jackman or Chris Hemsworth What would you be doing professionally if you weren’t in your current industry?

Leading marketing for a global sports brand — Nike and Adidas, Quiksilver What historical figure, dead or alive, would you love to have dinner with? Bill Gates

THE BUSINESS What is your most recent project, and what was the inspiration behind it? In the face of recent challenges, we’ve been shaping the industry in ways others are following. Our corporate development team created a new model for loyalty-

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What’s the biggest business risk you’ve ever taken? I have a high risk tolerance, so things that seem risky to others just feel like the right thing to do. I’ve swung for the bleachers with provocative marketing campaigns, removing miles expiry, eliminating change fees. Building a new model for loyalty-backed finance was risky, but we had the data to back it up, and I was confident we could land it. You only get the big rewards if you’re willing to take on the big risks.

Who is someone you admire professionally in the travel industry? I’ve had the honor of working with two once-in-alifetime leaders at United: Oscar Munoz, a leader with great empathy who made transformational changes to turn the business around, and now Scott Kirby, a leader with clarity and directness who’s explicit in the goal of making United the undisputed best airline in the history of aviation.

AS A TRAVELER Tell us about a travel nightmare: Getting stuck in the U.K. after the Icelandic volcano. The day I was to leave the industry was grounded, and I spent the next 13 days in my hotel, trying to work out how to get out of there.

Share a comical travel experience: On day 13 of being stuck in London, a colleague and I sat in a bar with our laptops and booked a taxi, hotel night, ferry, taxi and train to get to Paris. I booked a train from Paris to Barcelona, where I could catch a flight. You couldn’t book train tickets from the U.K., so I used a VPN and pretended I was booking from France; everything was in French, which I don’t speak, so I used Google Translate to decode every web page. But then the French rail system went on strike, so I ended up with a 14hour bus ride to Barcelona, with no toilets on board. I made the mistake of having a few beers with my colleague before catching the bus. That was one of the most uncomfortable bus rides of my life.

What is your preferred method of travel — planes, trains, automobiles, cruise ships — and why? I love to fly: the magic of getting on in one place, hopping on this incredible feat of engineering and getting off in a different culture and time zone. I love trains because it’s a different way of seeing a country, particularly on long train journeys where you see the geography change.

What has been the best example of customer service you’ve experienced during your travels? When I fly United with my family, I’m just a passenger; and I appreciate the amazing care our team takes, especially for our four little kids. It’s the little things I see all the time: customers in need, flight attendants helping them. We hold a plane for customers so they can make their connection with the introduction of our Connection Saver program that automatically identifies departing flights that can be held for connecting customers.

PHOTO: © NICOLAS BATES

backed finance, raising close to $7 billion using MileagePlus, a model now used by Delta, Spirit and American. We removed change fees, giving customers the flexibility they sought so they could book with confidence. And we built our CleanPlus platform, leading our industry globally in building a relationship with Clorox and the Cleveland Clinic to assess our policies to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Every decision is backed by science in the interest of the safety, health and well-being of our employees and customers.

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TECHNOLOGY

Smart Moves Discover ways to enhance life at home and on the road.

BRILLIANT HOME CONTROL PANEL This all-in-one smart home control from California-based Brilliant promises to stop you from switching between separate apps by letting you control smart devices in one place. Setup is easy: Simply replace an existing light switch with the panel according to Brilliant’s instructions, and then you can control your smart lock, thermostat, music streaming services and many more devices.

Amazon Alexa is built in, and you can use an accompanying mobile app when you’re away from the panel. $299. brilliant.tech

DAMON HYPERSPORT HS This fully electric motorcycle boasts 200 horsepower, a 200 mph top speed and 200 miles of range, plus a swath of safety features designed to keep you safe on the road. A bike that can get you from 0 to 60 mph in less than three seconds might sound like a risky proposition, but the Canada-based firm spent years developing a system called CoPilot. It uses cameras, sensors and artificial intelligence to track moving objects around the bike and alert the rider to collision threats using warning lights on the windshield and haptic feedback in the handlebars. $24,995. damon.com

Bring the world’s most famous artists into your home with this digital display from Netgear.

The California-based company offers two different sizes of screen and an expansive library of art that you can buy à la carte, and it looks textured like it would on a real painting, thanks to patented technology. Set up playlists of different artwork using an accompanying app, or add your own photos to show off your skills. From $399. netgear.com

MOPHIE UV SANITIZER California-based Mophie combines wireless charging with a UV sanitizer in this well-designed device that will keep your stuff free of germs. Simply place your phone or other items into the pod and wait just five minutes for the UV light to kill 99.99 percent of common surface bacteria. Research suggests the device could also be effective against coronavirus, but the FDA reports insufficient evidence to back the claim thus far. $79.95. zagg.com

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PHOTOS: © DAMON, © BRILLIANT, © NETGEAR, © MOPHIE

NETGEAR MEURAL CANVAS II

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELER’S BEST TRIPS 2020 - ONLY US CITY

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WINE & SPIRITS

Sonoma Story

Savor MacRostie Winery’s exceptional Burgundy-style wines. BY EUNICE FRIED

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C

alifornia boasts 4,200 bonded wineries and produces more than 240 million cases of wine each year from more than 100 grape varieties.

Of those varieties, the most important white grape is Chardonnay and the fourth-most popular red is now Pinot Noir; both grapes are the basis of all fine Burgundies.

This was not always so in California. When the state first began to broaden and upgrade the grape varieties planted, it looked to France’s Bordeaux region, and Cabernet Sauvignon became the state’s red grape of preference followed by Merlot, another Bordeaux grape. But a few winemakers, looking beyond warm Napa Valley, homed in on a number of cooler winegrowing areas in Sonoma County, Napa’s much larger neighbor to the west and closer to the ocean, where vineyards feature climates far more amenable to Burgundy-born varietals.

Steve MacRostie was one of those winemakers.

“In the early years of my career, in the ’80s, I began to notice something special about Chardonnay and Pinot Noir made from grapes near the maritime influence of San Francisco Bay,” he said. After working in other California wineries for some years, he established MacRostie Winery and Vineyards, his own Sonoma winery, in 1987, and began making Chardonnay, adding Pinot Noir in 1992. His first

wines were produced from grapes grown by Sonoma growers. A few years later, he bought a mountainside ranch in Sonoma, the Wildcat Mountain Vineyards, which became the basis of his winery’s grape program. It was not long before the name MacRostie became synonymous with some of California’s best Burgundy-style wines.

Tasting a few MacRostie wines shows why they deserve the reputation. His Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2018, for one, is a highly appealing, fragrant, vibrant wine with a hint of toastiness.

His Pinot Noir 2017 offers lovely fruit flavors, a medium-full body and layers of pleasure. And his Russian River Valley Pinot Noir Rosé 2019 presents a deep pink color and rich fruit tones with a crisp finish and lingering flavors.

“When I started, my goal was to specialize in Chardonnay and Pinot from Sonoma’s chillier coastal sites,” he said. He felt they were the best regions for Burgundy-style wines.

Time has proven him right.

California Dreaming: Steve MacRostie (top); and Russian River Valley Chardonnay, Russian River Valley Pinot Noir Rosé and Pinot Noir PHOTOS: © BOB HOLMES, MACROSTIE WINERY

WEALTH

Deal of a Lifetime Prepare for a successful transaction when selling your company.

BY MARK BORDA

PHOTO: © EDHAR YRALAITS | DREAMSTIME.COM

A SUCCESSFUL TRANSACTION WILL YIELD FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL BENEFITS, WHILE A BAD TRANSACTION MAY HAVE DAMAGING AND LASTING CONSEQUENCES.

S

elling your company, or a portion of the interests in your company, may be one of the most significant events during your life or career. A successful transaction will yield financial and operational benefits, while a bad transaction may have damaging and lasting consequences.

You’ll want to uncover potential “deal killers” before potential buyers do, giving you time to address issues before engaging in a sale.

For this reason, your investment bankers or deal attorneys will likely recommend conducting a vendor due diligence engagement as you prepare to market your company.

You can work with an independent accounting firm to conduct a vendor due diligence engagement (sell-side quality of earnings report) which can provide potential acquirers with a deep understanding of a target business in advance of its own buy-side due diligence. Key aspects of a vendor due diligence engagement include, but are not limited to, the following:

QUALITY OF EARNINGS REPORT As businesses are often assessed and ultimately valued based on a multiple of EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization), a sell-side quality of earnings report determines a company’s normalized, or sustainable, EBITDA during the prior several years. This is determined by adjusting items such as excess owner’s compensation; large, one-time expenses or nonoperational expenses; inconsistent application of accounting policies; or lost income from the impact of COVID-19.

WORKING CAPITAL ANALYSIS Both sides of a potential transaction will negotiate a normalized, or target, amount of working capital delivered by the seller to the buyer on the closing date. A vendor due diligence engagement provides insight into certain aspects when negotiating the normalized working capital such as revenue trends, general industry conditions and the identification of working capital accounts not considered “normal.”

QUALITATIVE OBSERVATIONS A due diligence engagement provides key findings of particular interest to a potential acquirer, such as the accounting policies and practices utilized by management, roles and responsibilities of key members of the accounting and finance department, and key accounting financial information systems and software, among others.

ONGOING ADVISORY After the completion of the formal report, a typical vendor due diligence engagement will include certain ongoing advisory services, such as periodically updating the report and key findings; coordinating requests from and interacting with a potential acquirer’s advisors; providing tax planning advisory services for a selling company’s owners; and advice on various aspects of the purchase agreement.

Engaging a qualified advisor to conduct a thorough vendor due diligence engagement can provide credibility to your financial statements and business operations. It can mitigate surprises and increase the likelihood of successfully reaching a deal with a shorter transaction timeline.

It can help you and your advisors maximize the potential value of your business by establishing a strong business proposition with support for key assumptions and by allowing management to focus on the ongoing operations of the business throughout the transaction process.

The content of this article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional financial advice.

Always seek the expertise of a certified financial advisor or other qualified provider with any questions you may have regarding personal finance, investment and money-related issues.

NOVEMBER 2020 globaltravelerusa.com

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SPAS

Seaside Seduction

Surrender to indulgence at Maine’s White Barn Inn. BY KRISTY ALPERT

Cozy and Quaint: White Barn Inn PHOTO: © WHITE BARN INN

WHITE BARN INN, AUBERGE RESORTS COLLECTION 37 Beach Ave. Kennebunk, ME 04043 tel 207 967 2321 aubergeresorts.com

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T

he smell of pine needles, brine and campfire smoke released into the air as I lifted my sweater over my head, and the scents once woven into the woolen fibers now lingered faintly on my bare skin. I had spent the morning searching for sea glass along the chilled sands of Maine’s shoreline, the sounds of seagulls accompanying the rhythmic crashing of the waves as I watched my toddler fill his cup with the tiny treasures and pour the contents back out in sloppy piles along the sand.

A few sips of hot herbal tea warmed me immediately upon entering the spa, and now each scent from my clothing acted as a reminder of how I had spent the last few days of our family vacation in York County’s former fishing village, indulging in pots of sweet lobster and briny clams before shrouding ourselves in blankets during nightly campfires. I saved my ultimate indulgence for last and would soon luxuriate like an Egyptian queen in a Cleopatra-inspired treatment within the spa of Kennebunk’s quaintly opulent White Barn Inn. The lighting was low, and the air smelled of fresh rainwater despite the low-burning fire glowing in the fireplace of the spacious treatment room. The White Barn Inn’s spa specializes in both Eastern and Western wellness rituals, and the spa’s signature upscale Maine sensi-

globaltravelerusa.com NOVEMBER 2020

bilities paint a cozy backdrop for everything from 90-minute Japanese reiki treatments and Native American raindrop therapies to hydrating wraps and river stone massages using stones from the Kennebunk River. However, it’s the Cleopatra Milk and Honey Ritual most guests choose when seeking an ethereal experience at the spa.

The ritual was inspired by the Queen of the Nile’s own beauty routines, rumored to have included “the milk of 700 donkeys” for bathing after “invigorating her skin” with salt mined in caves or harvested from the sea. The White Barn Inn Spa’s version of the ritual is a bit more refined than the Queen’s habits (no donkey milk), and an elegant, infinity-edge soaking tub acts as the centerpiece for this three-tiered treatment that takes place all in one room.

The experience begins with a gentle exfoliation with mineral-rich sea salt and local Maine honey to gently remove dead skin cells and soften the skin. All of the naturally occurring magnesium and potassium from the sea salt help to reduce any inflammation and improve the skin’s hydration, while the honey helps the skin to absorb and retain moisture, repairing any damaged skin cells. A quick rinse is all it takes before heading to the next step of the treatment, where a warm bath infused with rich and creamy milk awaits. Flickering tea candles

line the tub as the milky-white water gently trickles over the rim of the infinity-edge tub.

Cleopatra may have been the first to discover the benefits of bathing in a tub of milk, but she was far from the last. Long the secret beauty ritual of numerous English queens, Broadway starlets and Roman empresses, it continues as a tradition in many parts of India and beyond … including Maine’s White Barn Inn. The fat and proteins in the milk are intensely hydrating for the skin; the lactic acid in the liquid provides ample benefits after a long and relaxing soak. There’s no need to rinse off after leaving the tub, and a toweled pathway guides guests to a plush massage table for the final portion of the experience.

Therapists use hot river stones harvested from the Kennebunk River as the final touch for fully releasing any remaining soreness from guests’ muscles as raindrops of Manuka essential oils help the stones glide smoothly over the moisturized canvas. The entire treatment lasts 90 minutes and provides plenty of time for guests to enjoy the other amenities (fireplace

and raindrop shower, among others) of the spacious spa suite.

The entire inn recently underwent a renovation in which New York design firm Jenny Wolf Interiors updated each of the 27 guestrooms and cottages throughout the property with a rustic yet modern motif. Spaces are luxuriously cozy, with Fermoie lampshades and Gustavian-style pieces creating a breezy ambiance while sumptuous throw blankets from local Maine-based Evangeline prove perfect for snuggling at the end of the day.

The spa itself received a fresh coat of paint to pair with its seasonal and year-round offerings, like its popular Spa Date Night that includes a 90-minute custom therapeutic massage for two and exclusive access to the couple’s spa treatment suite after the massage to either enjoy the infinity-edge soaking tub and raindrop shower or simply to lounge by the fireplace with a glass of sparkling wine and an assortment of canapés and chocolatecovered strawberries selected by the chef of the inn.

Special Treatment: White Barn Inn spa (top) and cottage (bottom) PHOTOS: © WHITE BARN INN

NOVEMBER 2020 globaltravelerusa.com

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GOLF

Ready to Play

FX Excursions invites you to join a golf trip to Portugal.

By the Sea: Oitavos Dunes Golf Course Hole 16 PHOTO: © OITAVOS DUNES GOLF COURSE

BY FRANCIS X. GALLAGHER

F

X Excursions is gauging interest in a golf trip to Portugal during fall 2021 or 2022. Availability for 2021 might be challenging, as many trips postponed during 2020 have already been rebooked. When Europe opens up, it will open up big!

Join me on a trip to Portugal and the opportunity to play golf together as a group. This will cater to your golf cravings while you also enjoy the sights and cuisine of Portugal. GOWAY Tours will be our provider for all flights, hotels and ground transportation. We will fly on TAP Air Portugal.

Here’s a sample itinerary:

DAY 1: MONDAY Lisbon Airport–Cascais • Welcome to Lisbon, the city of seven hills. On arrival, transfer to your hotel and check in.

• Get ready for your first Portuguese golf experience at Oitavos Dunes Golf Course, designed by Arthur Hill — a unique golf experience surrounded by the sea and pine trees.

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• Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

• Accommodations: The Oitavos and Oitavos Dunes for three nights DAY 2: TUESDAY Cascais–Lisbon–Cascais • After breakfast at the hotel we invite you to discover the mystic mountains of Sintra on a Jeep tour. Along the way, stop at Cabo da Roca to admire the outstanding views of the westernmost point of mainland Europe. At the end of your tour enjoy a wine tasting in Colares (included). Return to the hotel and have time for lunch on your own.

• Enjoy the afternoon playing golf at Oitavos Dunes Golf Course.

• In the evening transfer to Lisbon for a panoramic city tour and dinner in a local restaurant.

• Return to your hotel in Cascais (overnight at the hotel).

DAY 3: WEDNESDAY Cascais–Troia–Azeitão–Cascais • After breakfast at the hotel, depart for the peninsula of Troia. Enjoy your morning playing golf at one of the most challenging courses in Europe, designed by architect Robert Trent Jones, Sr. • Lunch on your own.

• In the afternoon depart for Azeitão and take a walking tour of the village.

Afterward, enjoy a wine tasting of the Portuguese sweet wine Moscatel (included) with a selection of regional tapas.

• Return to your hotel (overnight at the hotel).

• Enjoy dinner in a local restaurant overlooking the Atlantic Ocean (subject to availability).

• Return to your hotel.

DAY 4: THURSDAY Cascais–Óbidos • After breakfast at the hotel depart for the fortified medieval town of Óbidos with its typical narrow streets and ramparts encircling the city. Taste the famous Ginjinha (cherry liqueur) (entrance included).

• Lunch on your own.

• After lunch, enjoy your afternoon playing golf at Royal Óbidos, designed by Severiano Ballesteros.

• Following your game visit one of the three certified wineries of Cognac, the Lourinhac. Enjoy a tasting followed by dinner (subject to availability).

• Return to the hotel (overnight at the hotel).

• Accommodations: The Royal Óbidos Spa & Golf Resort for one night DAY 5: FRIDAY Óbidos–Porto–Vidago

Room (subject to availability).

• Lunch on your own.

• Check in to your hotel.

• In the afternoon you have the opportunity to play nine holes of the Vidago Palace Hotel Golf Course.

• After breakfast at the hotel, begin your journey to Porto. Enjoy a walking tour of Porto. Begin with a visit to the city center, walking through Avenida dos Aliados and the São Bento train station, where you can admire the traditional blue-and-white azulejo tiles. Visit the Tower of Clérigos (exterior), a project of Italian architect Nicolás Nasoni.

• Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

• Visit Graham’s, one of the traditional caves of Port wine, in Gaia, and enjoy a Port wine tasting (included) in The Vintage

• Lunch on your own.

• Accommodations: Vidago Palace Hotel for two nights DAY 6: SATURDAY Vidago

Tua/Pinhão, subject to availability). Afterward enjoy a visit to a local quinta followed by wine tasting and dinner.

• Return to the hotel (overnight at the hotel).

DAY 7: SUNDAY Vidago–Porto Airport • After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy your last golf game in Portugal at the resort before you transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Cultural Flavor: Azulejo panels in the main hall of the São Bento train station in Porto (top), Porto old town with traditional rabelo boats on the Douro River (bottom left), and Graham’s Port wine tasting (bottom right) PHOTOS: © EFIRED | DREAMSTIME.COM, © SEAN PAVONE | DREAMSTIME.COM, © JAVARMAN | DREAMSTIME .COM

• After breakfast at the hotel enjoy 18 holes of golf on this glorious course.

• In the afternoon, we invite you to enjoy a boat tour along the Douro River (Pinhão/

If you are interested in joining this trip, please email the publisher directly at fran@globaltravelerusa.com.

NOVEMBER 2020 globaltravelerusa.com

33

CHEFS

A Healthy Pursuit

T

rue Food Kitchen, the awardwinning, seasonal, health-driven dining brand cofounded by Dr. Andrew Weil, arrived on the Las Vegas Strip earlier this year. The location at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace joins the brand’s 32 other locations in 14 states and features the first True Bar, a standalone scratch bar serving juices, organic teas and more.

As with all True Food Kitchen outposts, the Las Vegas version’s menu changes seasonally, and all dishes can be customized to diners’ tastes, preferences and dietary restrictions. The 11,000-square-foot eatery includes an indoor patio and private dining rooms.

Robert McCormick, brand chef, True Food Kitchen, is the driving force behind menu innovation. He’s known for his passion for new ingredients, healthy cuisine and adventurous food combinations.

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globaltravelerusa.com NOVEMBER 2020

BY KIMBERLY KROL

WHICH FOOD IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE? AND, ON THE OPPOSITE END OF THE SPECTRUM, WHAT IS ONE INGREDIENT OR FOOD YOU HATE TO USE? I did an apprenticeship in northern Italy when I was 24. I always had an interest in artisan cheese, but I had never experienced what I tasted in Italy.

The robiola and young taleggio are on another level. Ever since then, I can’t resist seeking out the local artisan cheeses in my travels.

Sugar is something I try to avoid at all costs.

When you make paella, it’s like a cultural, social event — you need a crowd to make it work!

WHAT DISHES WOULD YOU SERVE AT A PRIVATE DINNER PARTY? Dishes like paella are great for parties and large groups.

It’s a humble dish that people from all walks of life can enjoy. More importantly, it’s not just a dish.

IF YOU COULD DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE IN ONE DISH, WHICH DISH WOULD IT BE AND WHY? Maybe a large bowl of freshly harvested Maine mussels steamed with white wine, garlic and parsley — simple, straightfor-

WHAT WAS THE FIRST MEAL YOU EVER PREPARED ON YOUR OWN? At some point in my childhood, I remember my mother being out of town for one reason or another. I took it upon myself to make my dad breakfast.

I somehow pulled together something edible that resembled an omelet without burning down the house. He approved the effort, but I don’t think he finished the dish.

ward, delicate, honest, timeless and full of flavor.

WHICH CULINARY TREND WOULD YOU LIKE TO DISAPPEAR? Eating on the go. We all need to start slowing down and taking better care of ourselves.

We all eat two to three times a day; take that time to reflect and really think about what you put in your body and why.

TRUE FOOD KITCHEN The Forum Shops at Caesars Caesars Palace 3500 Las Vegas Blvd. S. Las Vegas, NV 89109 tel 702 340 2600 caesars.com truefoodkitchen.com

PHOTOS: © TRUE FOOD KITCHEN

Brand chef Robert McCormick brings a passion for better living to True Food Kitchen.

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WINE & SPIRITS

Savor the Flavor

HANGZHOU

Straight or mixed, enjoy the unique spirit of Svedka vodka. BY EUNICE FRIED

THE GREAT AMERICAN ROAD TRIP p. 22 BUILDING THE AIRPORT OF THE FUTURE p. 28 ALLIANCE LOUNGES IN DEPTH p. 34

FAMILY BUSINESS MEETS ROMANCE IN THE WHITE CITY

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

I

n an attempt to describe Torrontés, Argentina’s signature white wine, some have compared it to Pinot Grigio, Viognier, even Riesling. But none come close. Made from the grape of the same name, Torrontés is like no other. It begins with an aroma that conjures up a bouquet of flowers (the honeyed, perfumed Muscat of Alexandria is one of its ancestors), hinting that a sweet wine will follow. But no, Torrontés goes toward dry and fruity with a tangy and spicy edge. It is the perfect aperitif and equally right with shellfish, Niçoise salad, chicken, other whitemeat dishes, lightly flavored cheese and many Asian foods.

As Americans discover this intriguing wine, they will also discover that, with a myriad of choices, even the most attractive Torrontés usually costs under $20.

And what are the most attractive Torrontés? Among two dozen that I’ve recently tasted, these are my favorites.

Xavier Flouret Flaca 2008 ($18) is one of the most elegant Torrontés, with a delicate floral nose that hints of apricot and peach; a dry, Powered by round, well-structured body; a fruit-filled taste and vibrant acidity; and a long, delicious finish.

Its Muscat ancestor comes to the fore in Lo Tengo 2009’s ($11.50) vivid, flowery aroma. It goes on to be a clearly focused, intensely flavored, bright and satisfying wine.

There is a suggestion of sweet mint and an evocation of orange and peach in Finca La Linda 2009’s ($11) aroma, followed by a relatively full body and excellent balance. Altogether a pleasing, inviting wine.

Finca El Origen Reserva 2009 ($12) is clean, crisp and refreshing, offering a typical Torrontés floral flavor with pear and peach overtones and a gentle reminder of citrus fruits in the mouth. A particularly harmonious wine.

The delightful Pascual Toso 2009 ($15) combines keen fruit flavors, herbal notes and a fresh lemony acidity with a trace of honey and floral tones.

Following its aroma of fresh flowers and ripe fruit, Colomé 2009 ($15) is a graceful wine with citric notes reminiscent of grapefruit.

The pale-shaded Dominio del Plata’s Crios 2009 ($13.50) has a lilac-scented aroma with peach overtones followed by a dry, tangy taste. 

vedka is a Swedish vodka whose quality outpaces its price. First made by Guillaume Cuvelier in Lidköping, Sweden, in 1998, it arrived in the United States in 2007 through its American owner, Constellation Brands, and has since become the vodka of choice for many American drinkers. Taken by its winning combination of taste and cost, they made it one of the top-selling vodka brands in the United States.

While Svedka is only 22 years old, Sweden remains one of three countries considered the world’s oldest vodka makers, along with Poland and Russia. Svedka is made of Swedish winter wheat — four pounds needed for every bottle — and distilled five times. Like most vodkas, it is bottled straight as well as in a number of fruit forms. Among them are lemon, cherry, strawberry and peach. Straight Svedka contains 40 percent alcohol, while its flavored variations have 35 percent. And while some brands of vodka cost as much as $40–45 for a 750 ml bottle, Svedka

PREMIUM ECONOMY-CLASS UPDATE p. 16

TEL AVIV

Torrontés Tango

S

FIRST- & BUSINESS-CLASS UPDATE p. 8

IMMORTALIZED BY PAINTERS AND POETS ALIKE fine vines

A LOOK AT AIRLINE LIVERIES p. 40 2021 HOTEL OPENINGS p. 46

To Your Taste: Svedka Vodka, Rosé and Strawberry Guava. Try a Tropical Cooler with 2 parts Svedka Strawberry Guava, 2 parts soda and garnish with fresh sliced strawberries.

PHOTOS: © SVEDKA VODKA, © MAKIDOTVN - DREAMSTIME.COM

ICELAND CLASS ACT 2020 ADVENTURE AWAITS IN THE LAND OF FIRE AND ICE

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO TRAVEL THE WORLD IN STYLE May 2011 | Global Traveler | 35

www.globaltravelerusa.com

ranges $15–20.

How best to enjoy Svedka? By itself and in as many additions and variations as your imagination allows.

To understand it in its natural state, begin with a small taste of Svedka straight. Chill a bottle in the freezer for a couple of hours or more. (It won’t freeze; it has too much alcohol to do that.) Pour a small amount in a chilled glass.

Sip, slowly — very slowly — savoring each taste. The purpose is not to get drunk but to consider its flavors and enjoy every drop.

For mixing, the possibilities are virtually endless. Pour equal parts of a flavored Svedka and water or soda in a chilled glass and mix well.

Garnish with citrus peels. Or combine 1 ounce each of Svedka vodka and rosé Svedka; 2 ounces grapefruit juice; and ½ ounce each of vanilla syrup, lemon juice and hibiscus tea. Shake and strain into a Collins glass filled with ice.

Perhaps, best of all, create your own Svedka original. Skål!

GLOBALTRAVELERUSA.COM

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globaltravelerusa.com JULY/AUGUST 2020

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CRUISING

Coastal Cruising Explore the ports of New England and Eastern Canada.

N Cruising New England: American Cruise Lines’ coastal ships PHOTOS: © AMERICAN CRUISE LINE

36

BY J.D. BROWN AND MARGARET BACKENHEIMER

orth Americans are familiar with several major cruise destinations they can reach by sea directly without resorting to expensive, tiring international flights. Plenty of Alaskan and Caribbean cruises depart from American and Canadian ports. Often overlooked, however, are the coastal waters of New England and Eastern Canada, where cruise companies are already harvesting rafts of bookings for 2021, largely from mature passengers more interested in historical, cultural and natural treasures than in watersports, gambling and Broadway shows.

There are many small-ship (about 200-passenger) coastal cruise lines in the region, but three stand out for their high standards of service and fine facilities: American Cruise Lines, Pearl Seas Cruises and Victory Cruise Lines.

The largest of the three, American Cruise Lines employs a modern coastal fleet hailed as the newest among all its New England competitors. American Cruise Lines also boasts spacious, hotel-style staterooms, dubbing them “the largest in the small ship industry.”

American Cruise Lines’ newest vessel is the surprisingly elegant

globaltravelerusa.com NOVEMBER 2020

175-passsenger American Constitution, making an 11-day Grand New England Cruise with multiple departures June through September. This popular itinerary, visiting historic harbors from Boston to Bar Harbor, Maine, is quickly selling out.

One of American Cruise Lines’ smallest competitors, Pearl Seas Cruises, offers comparable onboard luxuries as well as exceptionally large staterooms (each more than 300 square feet) on its single ship, the 210-passenger Pearl Mist. The Pearl Mist crosses Atlantic Ocean borders on special Canadian and New England foliage tours and on regular 15night runs from Portland, Maine, to Toronto via the St. Lawrence River.

A newer competitor among premium small-ship operators, Victory Cruise Lines — consisting of two 210-passenger ships: Victory I and Victory II — offers four New England/St. Lawrence itineraries: nine-day Boston/St. John; 11-day Boston/Montréal; 13-day Boston/Niagara Falls; and 14-day Portland, Maine/Niagara Falls. Operated by American Queen Steamboat Co., Victory Cruise Lines provides a free shore excursion in each port, afternoon tea service, wine and beer with meals, a spa/salon, a

UPSCALE ON THE EASTERN SEABOARD

fitness center, a sundeck and a tavern.

For those seeking grander (if less maneuverable) ships, three premium international cruise lines stand out in New England and Eastern Canadian waters: Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean International.

Holland America’s 1,432-passenger ms Zaandam conducts the most weeklong voyages in these waters. Its Canada & New England Discovery cruises sail Boston to Montréal or the reverse, with 17 departures May 1–Oct. 2, 2021, and visit Bar Harbor, Maine; Sydney and Halifax, Nova Scotia; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; and Québec City, Québec.

Princess operates similar seven-night Canada and New England itineraries on its new 3,560-passenger Sky Princess. Round-trip voyages from New York anchor at Newport, Boston, Bar Harbor

and Halifax, as well as St. John, New Brunswick, for Bay of Fundy visits, with departures (Sept. 18–Oct. 30, 2021) covering the fall foliage season. Another of the big Princess ships, the 3,114-passenger Caribbean Princess, sails a 10-day Classic Canada and New England route from Québec City to New York City Aug. 6, Sept. 11 and Oct. 1, adding Saguenay, Québec, to the usual list of stops.

Meanwhile, the Canadian and New England operations on Royal Caribbean run the gamut, from four-night roundtrips from Cape Liberty, New Jersey, on the 3,634-passenger family-friendly Freedom of the Seas to 10- and 11-night Canadian Adventure Cruises round-trip from Montréal on the 1,600-passenger Empress of the Seas, with special calls on the French archipelago of Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Between expansive resort ships and trim small ships plying the waters of New England and Eastern Canada, there’s a third choice: the high-luxury, medium-sized vessels of Crystal, Seabourn and Silversea cruise lines.

Each offers limited sailings and itineraries for next fall.

Crystal Cruises takes advantage of the leaf-peeping season by sending its midsized, 980-passenger Crystal Serenity on an eight-night New York City to Québec City cruise (with reverse itineraries) in September and October. This is capped by a fall season finale Oct. 19: a round-trip voyage from New York City calling on Newport; Cape Cod; Boston; Bar Harbor; and St. John, New Brunswick.

Meanwhile, Seabourn’s 450-passenger Seabourn Quest makes 11-night fall foliage sailings from Montréal to Boston (Aug. 29 and Oct. 2) and from Boston to Montréal (Sept. 9 and Oct. 13), cruising the Saguenay Fjord and calling at Cap-aux-Meules, Québec.

Silversea Cruises will keep pace come September and October with 10- and 11-night New York–Montréal and Montréal–New York voyages aboard the 388-passenger Silver Whisper. Charlottetown, home of Anne of Green Gables, is a highlight of these autumn sailings.

Coastal Waters: Pearl Seas Cruises’ Pearl Mist (top), and Victory Cruise Lines’ Victory I at sea and dining room (bottom) PHOTOS: © PEARL SEAS CRUISES, © VICTORY CRUISE LINE

NOVEMBER 2020 globaltravelerusa.com

37

FEATURE

Saddle Up! Dude ranch vacations are not riding off into the sunset.

BY DALE LEATHERMAN

T

ravel trends are often brief. In a shrinking world where travelers have access to almost any destination and experience they desire, many opt for a variety of vacations and have no interest in repeat visits. However, one decades-old vacation choice has held its appeal and is increasing in

popularity.

“A stay at a dude ranch is one of the most special, All-American experiences that families can have,” said Gene Kilgore, author of Gene Kilgore Ranch Vacations, a guidebook now in its 13th edition. “In today’s tech bubble, and with all of the instability in the world, ranches are beacons of hope and hospitality. They are places where men, women and children can have quality time together and embrace nature

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and the simple pleasures of the outdoors.”

The words “dude ranch” still evoke the cowboy mystique in every generation, from aging Baby Boomers to the 20-somethings of Generation Z. And it’s an attainable dream. Anyone can escape a frenetic urban existence for a ranch vacation, ditching electronics to connect with horses, ranch hands and fellow “dudes.” For those seeking big skies, glorious scenery and adventures that don’t include horses, there’s a ranch for that, too. Today’s ranches offer something for everyone, from mountain biking to fishing, climbing, hiking, ATV riding, swimming, zip-lining, yoga, massage and even snow sports.

Most ranches remained open this year, following all pandemic regulations, taking precautions and making modifications to their operations in order to ensure the well-being of guests and staff.

Since most activities and services revolve around open-air space, dude ranches can offer a safe retreat where you can get out and enjoy nature.

Dude ranches debuted in the 1880s, when harsh winters and falling cattle prices prompted ranchers to take in paying guests.

Home on the Range: Horseback riding at Red Reflet Guest Ranch (left), and a farrier working on a horse at this working cattle ranch (right) PHOTO: © RED REFLET GUEST RANCH

Cowboys referred to the ranching novices as “dudes,” and the name stuck.

Enticing stories about the natural beauty of the West and the wholesome ranch lifestyle ran in Eastern newspapers, and new railroads made it easier for people to travel and see for themselves.

In the 1920s the railroads, national parks and ranchers partnered to promote dude ranch vacations, forming the Dude Ranchers’ Association in the process.

Baby Boomers, a generation with tremendous influence on every facet of modern American life, have had a lifelong love affair with cowboys. From the time they were born (1946–1964), Boomers were treated to a steady diet of Western movies and television shows. In 1959 alone, 26 Westerns aired on primetime TV. By the early 1970s, Western movies were on the wane, but television shows such as Lonesome Dove (1989), Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (1993–1998), Deadwood (2004–2006) and Longmire (2012–2017) kept the genre alive.

Boomers made dude ranches popular — and introduced their kids and grandkids to the infectious cowboy lifestyle. The 1991 movie City Slickers, in which three middle-aged white-collar buddies embark on an ill-fated cattle drive, resounded across generations, and ranch vacations surged.

“City Slickers reminded movie-goers of the great American tradition of

ranch vacations,” said Kilgore. “It struck a chord with Boomers who grew up on Westerns as well as people of all ages who had a sense of adventure.”

Bryce Street, executive director, Dude Ranchers’ Association, agreed.

“City Slickers was a huge boost to dude ranching,” she said. “More recently, the television show Yellowstone, with Kevin Costner, has brought attention to ranch vacations. We get inquiries referencing it, as well as Debbie Dunning’s Dude Ranch Round-Up on RFDTV and the Cowboy Channel. Social media has also played a part in the popularity of dude ranches. In 2019 the 97 DRA member ranches welcomed about 85,000 visitors, and many have had record-breaking seasons in recent years.”

Wannabe cowboys fuel the popularity of dude ranches, but there are other motivators. The setting is paramount. Guests expect vistas of prairies, mountains and forests; clear rivers, streams or lakes; and a great dome of sky untracked by jet contrails. They want to see wildlife, livestock and skies full of stars. They want it quiet enough to hear leaves rustling in the breeze, a horse’s far-off whinny and a rooster crowing a wake-up call.

Roughing it is part of the cowboy lifestyle, but creature comforts are also important to ranch vacationers. Their housing choices can vary from bunkhouse rooms and rustic cabins to modern chalets or suites in a luxury lodge. Food can

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‘A VISIT TO RED REFLET IS LIKE A GENTLE WAVE ROLLING OVER THE SENSES. THE LANDSCAPE IS BEAUTIFUL, UNTOUCHED, DRAMATIC AND ON A SCALE THAT PUTS OUR DAILY LIVES INTO PERSPECTIVE.’ — ROBERT KAPLAN, OWNER, RED REFLET GUEST RANCH

Giddyup: Horseback riding at Red Reflet Guest Ranch PHOTO: © RED REFLET GUEST RANCH

Time Out: The Wellness Project NYC meditation (top) and planting party event (bottom) PHOTOS: © LAUREN LUCILE CREATIVE

range from hearty cowboy grub to gourmet cuisine by candlelight. A critical ingredient is the hospitality shown by ranch owners and staff. The most frequent comment offered by happy dudes is they were treated like family during their stay.

For environmentally conscious folk, ranches can offer sustainable vacations in places where nature seems untouched by climate change and perhaps will remain that way. Being remote and self-contained usually adds to a ranch’s appeal rather than being a deterrent.

Today’s family members often have diverse interests, so dude ranches provide a “something for everyone” choice where individuals may go their separate ways during activities but enjoy quality time together at meals and evening gatherings around a campfire. Ranches can satisfy a variety of age groups, too — children, teens, parents and grandparents.

That is not to say every ranch focuses on family groups. Specialization has led to adults-only ranches, ultra-private ranches that cater only to groups, and luxury ranches with spas and golf courses. Ranches offer special sessions for women; couples; and afficionados of music, art, cooking and photography. Traditional cattle ranches still ensure dudes can get dirty and saddle-sore working alongside ranch hands.

“Authenticity is important for dude ranches,” said Street. “Necessary upgrades are made year after year, but the true Western feel is ever-present.

We have luxury ranches that offer more amenities and activities, but the majority are working cattle ranches.”

The Diamond D Ranch in Idaho is an off-the-grid, self-sustaining ranch surrounded by millions of acres of wilderness, far from phones and WiFi, and powered by a hydroelectric generator. It has been in the same family for 60 years. Owner Linda Demorest calls it “a slice of Heaven on Earth that has

affected hundreds of guests. Some may find their peace and also find a piece of themselves while on the back of a horse, others find it casting a fly on the river, some while gazing over a high mountain lake and many from the easy simplicity of a front porch swing.”

In contrast, Red Reflet Guest Ranch in Ten Sleep, Wyoming, is a 30,000-acre working cattle ranch that also serves as a luxury resort. It accommodates guests in modern chalets with fully stocked kitchens, fireplaces, hot tubs, WiFi and private phones — and views of the Bighorn Mountains.

Amenities include a lighted tennis court, heated pool, indoor and outdoor riding arenas, a shooting range, a gym and a Cowboy Waterpark. There’s a wine cellar to complement the gourmet dining. Owned by Laurence and Robert Kaplan, Red Reflet proves the epitome of luxury ranches, but the experience Robert describes embodies the goal of every dude ranch on the spectrum.

“A visit to Red Reflet is like a gentle wave rolling over the senses,” Robert said. “The landscape is beautiful, untouched, dramatic and on a scale that puts our daily lives into perspective. Our activities are designed to take guests a bit out of their comfort zones — things like horseback riding, ATV adventures, zip-lining, hiking and more. The goal is to create moments that build priceless memories shared with family, partners or friends.”

“The travel industry has had highs and lows, depending on the economy, during my 40 years in ranching,” said Kilgore, “but what’s exciting now is that the ranch vacation is a sleeping giant in the travel marketplace. Young people are looking for new adventures, so we’re able to introduce them to the romance of cowboy life and different ways to enjoy the outdoors. We live in a world of instant access, but what we need are lasting memories. Once you’ve been on a ranch vacation, you never forget that experience.”

Great Outdoor: ATV fun at Red Reflet Guest Ranch (above left), and fly fishing (above right) PHOTOS: © RED REFLET GUEST RANCH

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FEATURE: CARIBBEAN ISLANDS UPDATE

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Buoyant Spirit The Caribbean rises with resiliency in the wake of hurricanes and the pandemic.

BY PATRICIA VANIKIOTIS

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Tropical Delights: Api Beach, Marina Cap Cana, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (top); Magens Bay, St. Thomas (bottom left); and St. Croix uptown eatery (bottom right ) PHOTOS: © DOMINICAN REPUBLIC MINISTRY OF TOURISM, © U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM

he Atlantic hurricane season of 2017 inflicted unprecedented devastation across wide swaths of the Caribbean. Responsible for 3,364 deaths and resulting in a damage total of nearly $295 billion across the region, the storms included three Category 5 hurricanes (Harvey, Irma and Maria) responsible for the majority of the destruction. Particularly hard hit were Puerto Rico, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, and the northern Leeward Islands including Dominica and Sint Maarten/Saint Martin.

The following storm season saw fewer and overall less violent systems, but 2019 brought Category 5 Hurricane Dorian, historically the strongest storm and most costly natural disaster to sweep over The Bahamas. For the Caribbean region, thankfully, 2020 has proven (as of press time) relatively tame in terms of stormrelated property damage and loss of life.

This year brought a different kind of disruption, that of an economic tsunami in the form of COVID-19, which impacted every country and territory across the entire area.

But just like the beauty of these islands’ shores, the spirit of their people can not long be suppressed, and their love for their homes and cultures time and again has brought rebirth and rejuvenation after every trial. Areas hit hardest over the past three years stepped up to the plate and provide examples of that resiliency.

“Unfortunate events present opportunities for growth.” With that

statement, the British Virgin Islands’ Tourist Board launched its Seeds of Love initiative in the spring of 2018, just months after hurricanes Irma and Maria scoured the territory. The goals, to replant indigenous trees and vegetation destroyed by the storms and to prevent erosion and protect the ecosystem, acknowledge the relationship between tourism and the environment and the need to protect the environment as the territory develops ecotourism. Citizens and schoolchildren joined in to plant

in a fiercely competitive market . . . as we share our stories with each other and the world.” BVI Love will connect visitors to authentic and unique experiences, helping them to experience the culture of the people within that “green” framework.

While Puerto Rico got much of the press after Hurricane Maria struck in 2017, the U.S. Virgin Islands was walloped by both Irma and Maria less than two weeks apart. About half of its hotels reopened by June 2019, with the

‘IT IS TIME TO DISTINGUISH AND DIFFERENTIATE OURSELVES IN A FIERCELY COMPETITIVE MARKET . . . AS WE SHARE OUR STORIES WITH EACH OTHER AND THE WORLD.’ — ANDREW FAHIE, PREMIER, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

and maintain thousands of fruit trees, coconut palms and other flora alongside the islands’ guests looking for voluntourism opportunities.

Dovetailing and building upon the Seeds of Love program, the BVI Love marketing campaign launched this September with the focus on driving green initiatives, introducing green diversification and revitalizing the green expansion of the economy as the territory reopens to tourism Dec. 1. BVI premier Andrew Fahie noted travelers’ preferences and demands have changed, and “It is time to distinguish and differentiate ourselves

remainder expected to reopen through this year, although the pandemic may have slowed some timelines. The cruise industry bounced back fairly quickly, an important economic driver, and all other visitor services had been restored.

Thankfully, the majority of the Dutch Colonial buildings in Charlotte Amalie, the capital city, weathered the storms well, and the territory’s Department of Tourism launched a hashtag, #StillNice, to assure visitors the stunning reefs and beaches were unaffected and worth a visit.

As with her British neighbor, the

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Island Time: Half Moon Cay, The Bahamas PHOTO: © RAMUNAS BRUZAS | DREAMSTIME.COM

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USVI discovered opportunities for growth — or at least redevelopment — including an overhaul of the electrical grid and modernization projects at Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas and Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix. The four-phase, six-year plan at STT will include a four-level parking garage and transportation center; additional jet bridges; and a redesign, modernization and expansion of terminal spaces and amenities.

STX, meanwhile, will benefit from expanded lounge seating, additional concessions, remodeled restrooms and existing spaces and added air-conditioning.

Grand Bahama and Abacos islands in The Bahamas were the most severely damaged by Hurricane Dorian just over a year ago. Freeport, a popular cruise port and the main city on Grand Bahama, was spared the worst of the damage, and just before the pandemic shut things down, 84 percent of its hotels and restaurants reopened, along with the majority of tours, attractions and water sports. Plans for a $250 million redevelopment and expansion of the Prince George Wharf and port in Nassau, first shared in 2019, promise to dress up what has been considered a rather dowdy and boring cruise stop. The two-year project officially kicked off in July of this year and will include a new cruise terminal; new retail, food and beverage outlets; a waterfront park; an outdoor event and entertainment space; and a Junkanoo museum, showcasing the history and culture of The Bahamas through multimedia exhibits. New downtown lighting and a tram service will help integrate the port area with downtown Nassau.

In this region where economies are so heavily dependent upon tourism, the COVID-19 pandemic certainly hit hard, but indications point to brighter skies ahead. Based on data from travel insurance aggregator Squaremouth, policies purchased through its portal between March and Aug. 15 this year for travel in 2021 indicate the top international destinations behind No. 1 Mexico are Aruba, The Bahamas, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Jamaica.

Most of the 20 countries and territories in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Bermuda and The Bahamas initially enforced similar protocols for international visitors: pre-arrival PCR tests, completion of online health forms, temperature checks and sometimes additional testing upon arrival and, often, some length of quarantine at approved accommodations (sometimes up to 14 days). Moving into fall, however, an easing of some restrictions and some inventive strategies and offers provide enticements for travelers from the United States and beyond.

On Sint Maarten, Sonesta’s two all-inclusive resorts (completely rebuilt or renovated after Hurricane Irma) offer up to $120 in resort credits for a

minimum three-night stay through Dec. 23 to offset the cost of the required COVID testing. As of Sept. 15, travelers don’t need to provide a negative PCR test on arrival in the Dominican Republic. Instead, a random sampling of passengers are given a rapid breath test. The government also offers free travel assistance insurance through Dec. 31 for visitors arriving on commercial flights and staying in a hotel. Covering COVID-19 and other medical emergencies, it includes specialist care, medical transfers, airfare change penalties, lodging for prolonged stays and more.

Airlines are getting into the act, too. American Airlines announced starting in October it would provide pre-flight COVID testing for passengers traveling from Miami International Airport to Jamaica and The Bahamas and expanding to CARICOM. Meanwhile, JetBlue will expand flights to the region later this month with new non-stop flights from Newark (EWR) to Montego Bay (MBJ), Cancún (CUN), Aruba (AUA), Nassau (NAS), Turks & Caicos (PLS), Sint Maarten (SXM) and the Dominican Republic (PUJ).

Visitors may also fly from Raleigh-Durham (RDU) to both Cancún and Jamaica or from San Francisco (SFO) to Cancún on the airline.

A host of hotels and resorts (all-inclusive or not, adults-only, familyfriendly) were rebuilt or refurbished since the hurricanes over the past three years, with some only just reopening before March of this year and others delaying until late this year or into 2021. More are in the pipeline for launches in the next two years. And as travel opens up, the sunny beaches, blue skies and sparkling waters of the Caribbean and the region’s warm and welcoming residents will certainly see eager visitors return in droves.

Chill Out: Montego Bay, Jamaica PHOTO: © DFIKAR | DREAMSTIME.COM

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Wherever Awards 2020

CELEBRATING TRAVEL:

The Greatest Show on Earth Join us for a glamorous celebration of the ver y best in travel as we honor the 2020 winners of the GT Tested Reader Sur vey awards, Wines on the Wing, Leisure Lifestyle Awards, Wherever Awards and The Trazees.

Join us for our Virtual Awards Event: December 14, 2020

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NASHVILLE

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SEATTLE

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NORTH AMERICAN SKI DESTINATIONS Winter Playground: Skiing at Keystone Resort PHOTO: © VAIL RESORTS

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TORONTO

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AUSTIN

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SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE

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COLORADO SPRINGS

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NORTH AMERICAN SKI DESTINATIONS

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ANCHORAGE

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EATING ACROSS AMERICA

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UNDISCOVERED BEACHES

DESTINATION ONE | NASHVILLE

Upbeat Energy Nashville rebounds with optimism for a bright future. BY ANGELIQUE PLATAS Night Vibes: Nashville skyline and boat on the Cumberland River (left), and Nashville’s Music City Soul Series (right) PHOTOS: © JONATHAN ROSS | DREAMSTIME.COM, © NASHVILLE CONVENTION & VISITORS CORP

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his year began with a bang for Nashville with events that set the tone for many months to follow. Almost literally kicking off a whirlwind year, a deadly and costly tornado outbreak swept through Tennessee in early March, covering several counties and residential neighborhoods and ripping through whole sections of Music City, leaving historic music venues in ruins and more than $1.6 billion in damages. With a rocky start to what would prove a challenging year for Nashville, the city began pulling itself upright by its backbone — the locals. Immediately following the natural disaster, a website

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dedicated to rebuilding the city crashed several times as thousands of residents flooded the page, signing up to support their city and rebuild after the tornado.

Mere days later, coronavirus touched down in a big way in the United States, shuttering once wall-to-wall-packed bars and restaurants, shops, sporting and music venues and everything in between. For the first time in a long time, Nashville was a ghost town.

However, the silence wouldn’t last. This is Music City, after all — there’s a draw simply too strong to keep groups and parties away. Nashville’s musical soul, history and present attract partygoers, live-music lovers and brides-tobe in droves … so much so, the city snatched the title of “Bachelorette Capital” away from Las Vegas in 2019 — an impressive feat. Even while rebuilding from a tornado and proceeding with caution during a pandemic, Nashville

LODGING The Hermitage Hotel For quintessential old-world Southern elegance in the heart of the city’s Art District, this 5-star stay boasts world-class amenities in a landmark establishment, dating back to 1910.

231 Sixth Ave. N. $$$$ The Joseph, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Nashville New kid on the block The Joseph offers a luxury stay in the heart of country music history. Enjoy easy access to tourist attractions or relax by the pool with rooftop views.

soon saw tourism pick back up.

Despite its moniker and reputation, Nashville wasn’t built on music alone, but it had an early, meaningful and lasting impact, as evidenced by the city’s inhabitants. Music’s presence in Nashville dates back to the late 1700s, without all the bright lights and amplified speakers of today, when locals played fiddles and danced on the shores of the Cumberland River.

Drawing crowds as early as the 1800s to Ryman Auditorium and establishing an ultrapopular WSM Barn Dance radio program in 1925, country music was a multimillion-dollar operation headquartered in Nashville by the 1950s and ’60s. While music coursed through the city, carving an eclectic mix of sounds, neighborhoods and a local culture, new businesses began to boom in its wake. In an attempt to keep up with Nashville’s musical allure, homegrown flavors representing the city’s vibrant culture began popping up, becoming mainstays for locals and tourists alike — big business was building in Nashville.

Music undoubtedly made the city famous and remains one of Nashville’s top five industries to this day. According to the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, music and entertainment shares the city’s wealth along with health care, corporate operations, advanced manufacturing and supply chain management. Offering the best of both worlds, Nashville is a mecca for busi-

401 Korean Veterans Blvd. $$$$ Union Station Hotel Nashville, Autograph Collection This restored train station on Broadway is steps from all the action and home to stately guestrooms boasting incredible views of downtown, with uptown furnishings and service.

1001 Broadway $$$

DINING Bob’s Steak & Chop House Take in the Texas-style, woodsy ambience of Bob’s Steak & Chop House, located in the Omni Nashville Hotel. Choose from large portions and classic Southern cuisine paired with an exceptional wine list.

Omni Nashville Hotel 250 Fifth Ave. S. $$$$ The Optimist For a seafood dining experience, The Optimist offers a variety of tempting cuisine. Think customizable seafood towers and family-style oysters, chicken and dumplings, and innovative pork dishes.

1400 Adams St. $$$$ The Standard Located downtown in The Smith House, The Standard offers an elevated steakhouse menu with a private club and traditional décor.

The Smith House 167 Rosa L. Parks Blvd. $$$$

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Pulse of the City: Music City (top), and Broadway District Honky Tonk Highway (bottom) PHOTOS: © NASHVILLE CONVENTION & VISITORS CORP

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ness and leisure travelers, inspiring meeting planners to flock to the city for a mix of the two.

One factor that makes the city so appealing and successful in its many business ventures has been — and always will be — its location.

The well-placed land even lured early white settlers, James Robertson the leader among them, in establishing their own community after the Revolutionary War amid a Native American hunting ground, calling the settlement Fort Nashborough. A few years later the community grew and became known as Nashville, just before Tennessee entered the union as a state and Nashville became its capital — fast-tracking the region to national significance.

The much sought-after location proved worth its salt and remains a

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cornerstone of the city’s success — Tennessee is one of the top 15 exporters in the country, with roughly one-third from Nashville’s Metropolitan area. With the Cumberland River connecting various regions, offering fruitful port trade and renewable commerce (an impressive achievement for any non-ocean-connecting waterway), and the vast landscape offering a blueprint for a future railroad system, Nashville was destined to become a city of industry.

Once Nashville carved out a name for itself as a top exporter, industry shifted over time. With a hand in nearly every fiscally significant pot, the city would be known not only for its musical talents and incredible nightlife with a burgeoning culinary scene but also for health care services, electronics, machinery and automobile production, as well as higher education — many proved sustainable industries with undeniable growing and staying power.

Offering so much opportunity, from college degrees to startup positions and ample medical and manufacturing industry prospects, it’s no wonder the city boasts a young population. With a population of more than 665,000 and a median age of 34 years old, according to Data USA, Nashville is still a land of opportunity.

The city cornered the market with a diverse portfolio, both with ample export offerings and attractive inbound revenue. With an old soul and a young mind, Nashville is one city with a whole world of historic venues, neighborhoods and traditions while boasting new developments around every turn.

Nashville fights the odds time and time again, with a young draw, historically deep-seated roots and endless personality. Don’t be surprised to see new hotels and tourism ventures open and ready for business in Nashville by your next visit — this city refuses to stay down and packs a punch on its way back up.

PHOTO: © NASHVILLE CONVENTION & VISITORS CORP

Is Nashville ready for an influx of seasonal domestic travel?

How has the tourism industry adapted to the pandemic?

I don’t know that you can ever adapt to a pandemic. Our industry has always proven resilient and flexible, and we are seeing that now as much as ever. Virtually everything except our small, live music clubs are back open, and we are seeing a gradual increase of leisure visitors on the weekends. We are focused on making sure our independent live music venues stay alive and that our locals support our businesses until we see a significant increase in visitation. Our Love Thy Neighborhood campaign encourages locals to support our businesses. We also launched Music City Bandwidth, hosting 30 virtual concerts from 15 independent music venues, streamed globally online in September and October. Thanks to the state, we obtained CARES Act marketing dollars and are finalizing plans for legitimate marketing efforts.

CHECKING IN WITH BUTCH SPYRIDON President and CEO, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp How did Nashville handle the one-two punch of a deadly tornado followed closely by the pandemic, and do you still see a change in the city today? Just six days after the tornado, Nashville faced shutdowns due to COVID-19, and a few days later we had our first case. Because of the tornado, we were already in recovery mode. In an odd way, that helped us get a jumpstart on responding to COVID-19.

Nashville responded extremely well in sheltering, putting restrictions in place and in getting our health department, Office of Emergency Management and other industries functioning at a high level. We are still recovering from both the tornado and COVID-19. Construction crews throughout Middle Tennessee continue to repair businesses and homes; and while those people struggle to get some semblance of normalcy, the entire community is also attempting to survive and recover from COVID-19. The current health numbers are encouraging as we are easing restrictions and trying to jumpstart the hospitality economy. We are a long way from normal, but we finally feel there is light at the end of a tunnel.

In recent years Nashville became a hot spot for bachelorette parties and big groups congregating on Broadway. Do you see this returning?

We have not done any marketing for the last six months.

However, both bachelorette parties and reasonably sized crowds already returned to Lower Broadway. While these crowds are smaller than we are used to, they provide some welcome relief for the downtown businesses. Masks are required, and the requirement is enforced.

Do you feel Nashville is a sustainable city, and what measures will Music City take to keep up or rise ahead?

Based on the pent-up demand for Nashville and the volume of people who have chosen to visit during this pandemic, I would say we are sustainable in terms of our business.

Leisure visitors want to come, and our meeting planners are ready to return. We believe Nashville will recover quicker than other cities. A significant reason for that optimism is our geographic location in addition to our brand and our offerings. Our future looks bright as you look at the number of new restaurant and hotel openings and the fall opening of the National Museum of African American Music. Development has not stopped.

Nashville is considered a great city for business-meetsleisure travel. What industries will put the city on the map for big business? Our brand and our reputation make us a successful destination. The growth in airline service will keep us ahead of the curve in the near term. Based on what we have seen, relocation-wise, technology and finance along with the ever-expanding health care industry will impact our growth in terms of business.

What most excites you about the future of Nashville, and what’s your favorite aspect of the city?

Our evolution as a destination has carried a sense of pride and accomplishment. How our culinary and music scenes evolved gives us the most confidence that we can sustain our momentum and our success.

INFO TO GO Nashville International Airport is the main air hub in the city. Taxis, car rentals, public transportation and ride shares are all readily available.

JUST THE FACTS Time zone: GMT -5 Phone code: Country code: 1 City code: 615 Currency: U.S. dollar Key industries: Music and entertainment, health care, advanced manufacturing, corporate operations and supply chain management

COMING AND GOING Due to the pandemic and a national emergency declaration, the Department of Homeland Security extended the REAL ID enforcement deadline for all U.S. domestic travelers to Oct. 1, 2021.

All non-U.S. citizens need a passport and possibly other documents to enter the United States.

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE English

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DIVERSIONS Anyone seeking a true Music City experience should expect to eat and drink well, dance a little and see a lot. Start with breakfast at Milk & Honey in The Gulch neighborhood, where many hip restaurants reside. Fill up on savory, sweet or refreshing Southern fare, and grab a coffee for a walk to Music Row — if you want a snack for later, get a biscuit from Biscuit Love before making your way to the heart of Nashville’s country music scene. Stroll along streets lined with iconic radio stations and music label offices — maybe even take a tour of RCA Studio B, where legends like Dolly Parton and Elvis Presley laid some tracks, and get into the spirit of the city.

From Music Row visit one of the many museums, like the Country Music Hall of Fame, or make your way to Broadway and head north to all the downtown fun and live music action.

Stop in local bars and restaurants or find open-air performances to tap your feet to on the street, at any point of the day.

Make your way to Printer’s Alley for quirky photo ops or, even better, some historic jazz and blues bars. Over in Centennial Park tourists marvel at the Parthenon, or keep moving toward John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge for a view of the city from the Cumberland River.

When hunger strikes again, head to Prince’s Hot Chicken Food Truck at 423 6th Ave. S., after which you’ll have to cool off with a drink at any one of the local pubs and listen to some more live music.

With a little extra time, take a ride to the Grand Ole Opry or see a show at Bluebird Café for truly iconic Nashville moments.

For any sports fans with a little more time, check out the Nashville Predators’ schedule to really feel like a local — and a walk right into the city’s bustling nightlife laid out at your feet.

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Classic Nashville: Prince’s Hot Chicken fried chicken (top left), Grand Ole Opry (top right), and Bluebird Café PHOTOS: © NASHVILLE CONVENTION & VISITORS CORP

STATESIDE | SEATTLE

Urban Balance Seattle’s vibrant setting brims with vitality and tranquility. BY DEBRA BOKUR

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Seattle Icon: Pike Place Market sign with neon coffee cups PHOTO: © IAN GOOD | DREAMSTIME.COM

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sk a Seattleite where to find a great cup of coffee, and they may respond with a general wave of the arm that takes in the entire city. While Café Encore, one of the oldest coffeehouses in town, dates to 1958, Seattle is also famously home base to the Starbucks chain.

In case you’re curious, Starbucks got its start in the city’s celebrated Pike Place Market after businessman Howard Shultz invested in a La Marzocco espresso machine and began serving delicious hot drinks that transcended the more everyday, pedestrian brew laced with cream and sugar.

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The city remains the address for Starbucks’ corporate headquarters, along with coffee chains Seattle’s Best Coffee and Tully’s Coffee.

Positioned on an enviable stretch of terra firma between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, Seattle ranks as one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States. Beyond the coffee arena, it attracts a number of internet and technology companies, along with a host of major players that include Amazon.com, T-Mobile USA, Expedia Group, Microsoft and Nordstrom. The city’s waterside location, coupled with decades of smart development decisions, allowed the Port of Seattle to develop into a key

trade gateway with Asia.

If you equate Seattle with puddles and cloudy skies, you may want to reconsider your assessment. Winters may be wet, but the climate is far more temperate than many visitors expect.

It’s what keeps locals outdoors, whether walking, hiking, kayaking or cycling in the numerous green spaces sprinkled throughout the city. Discovery Park, Seattle’s largest, allows locals and visitors access to prime hiking areas along bluffs, on beaches and through forests. The meandering pathways around Green Lake and the wild land close by in the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges all provide a diversity of recreational

options for wellness wandering. The city even boasts a reclaimed railway right of way, the Burke-Gilman Trail, that stretches for 27 miles and offers multi-use space for hikers, runners and bicyclists.

When it’s time to slow down, a wide selection of options awaits. Yoga and movement studios including Sangha Seattle, Seattle Yoga Arts and 8 Limbs Yoga (with four separate locations) offer classes and destressing opportunities, while more trendy rejuvenation choices include cold cryogenic therapies for health enhancement and floatation isolation tanks for floating cares away. Respected addresses include Float Seattle, LifeFloat, Glacial Cryotherapy and Celsius Cryotherapy.

And remember — Seattle isn’t all about coffee. Tea lovers can find refuge and a menu of astonishingly tasty treats at the elegant tearoom within Queen Mary Tea in Northeast Seattle. You can’t miss the building, fronted by lush greenery and blooming flowers that tumble over the edge of the roof during warmer months, visible above a row of lace-curtained windows.

Inside, sample tea from authentic English bone china with flavor choices that include Countess Grey Black Tea, Golden Monkey Black Tea, Rose Petal and Alice’s Wonderland Rooibos.

For a truly magical tea experience, head to the Shoseian Tea House in the Seattle Japanese Garden.

Sipping tea is only part of the traditional experience, which includes authentic tatami mats for seating and a 40-minute presentation on the Way of Tea ceremony, known as Chanoyu. Offered on Saturdays and held in the roji garden space, the ceremony proves a great way to relax and enjoy a beverage millions believe is good for both the body and the soul.

SCENIC DRIVES Defining the horizon, Mount Rainier beckons from the city — and is happily accessible for daytrips. A number of circular drives around the mountain provide a sense of the area’s grandeur and natural beauty, showcasing the dramatic peaks and forest-clad terrain surrounding the iconic, 14,411-foot active volcano. Loop 1, the Circle Mount Rainier Drive, follows State Highway 410 from (and back to) the town of Enumclaw on a fivehour circuit. It takes in Federation Forest State Park, dramatic Skookum Falls, Tipsoo Lake and the Chinook Pass Summit.

Loop 2, the Scenic Byways Loop, wends from Packwood on U.S. Highway 12 through the eastern border of Mount Rainier National Park along the Chinook Byway and the White Pass Scenic Byway. In general, it requires about three hours to navigate the 129-mile-long drive.

Along Loop 4, the West Side Loop, the scenery includes old-growth forests of ancient trees, Big Bottom Valley and assorted wildlife. This route also traces a section of U.S. Highway 12 and begins and ends in Morton. Without stops, the drive takes roughly three hours. Be prepared to take your time, though; many of the twisting roads have steep drop-offs and require slower speeds. Roads along each of these loops are generally free of snow by late May, but be sure to check weather conditions before setting off.

Peak Performance: Mount Rainier (above), Chanoyu ceremony (top left), and yoga in Seattle (bottom left) PHOTOS: © AARON HINCKLEY | DREAMSTIME.COM, © FLORINIANAS | DREAMSTIME.COM, © MATHAYWARD | DREAMSTIME.COM

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MICE | TORONTO

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Return to Toronto International visitors will once again converge in Canada’s convention city.

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oronto is waiting. The disruptions of COVID-19 will be overcome and life will return to normal. When people meet again, the MICE industry, defined by social interaction, will flourish once more.

Toronto — or Trono, as you’ll hear locals call it — has always been a meeting place. Its strategic position between lakes Ontario, Erie and Huron made it an ideal portage route for boats being hauled from one lake to the next, and those THE ADVENT OF THE lakes provided a gateway CANADIAN PACIFIC in one direction to the Atlantic Ocean and in RAILWAY IN THE 19TH the other to the North CENTURY LINKED THE American interior. The advent of the Canadian EMERGING CITY TO THE Pacific Railway in the DISTANT WEST COAST, 19th century linked the emerging city to the AND ITS POSITION AS A distant west coast, and TRANSPORT HUB WAS its position as a transport hub was consolidated CONSOLIDATED IN THE JET in the jet age. The entire AGE. THE ENTIRE WORLD world converges here.

That interconnectedCONVERGES HERE. ness is defined by the list of cancellations in 2020. As the pandemic took hold, it decimated the city’s schedule. Casualties Back to Business: included the Caribbean Carnival, the Chinatown CN Tower and waterfront (top), Festival, the Pride Parade, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the three-masted the Taste of Manila Festival and the St. Clair Street Salsa schooner Kajama, Festival. Major international conferences and expos were (bottom left), and Hockey Hall of also canceled, along with much of the year’s sporting Fame (bottom right) calendar, including — unthinkably — ice hockey. (The PHOTOS: © HELGIDINSON city, along with Edmonton, Alberta, hosted a resump| DREAMSTIME.COM, © MARC BRUXELLE | tion of play in August.)

DREAMSTIME.COM, The city adapted to the changed circumstances, and © PETRAJZ | DREAMSTIME.COM

by September the annual Toronto International Film Festival was able to go ahead with a revised program incorporating online content and drive-in screenings.

It remains to be seen how long true recovery will take, but the city’s world-class venues and attractions remain

BY RICHARD NEWTON

ready for the return of international visitors.

The headline venue is the lakeshore Enercare Centre, the largest convention center in Canada, with up to 1 million square feet of exhibition space. The Centre is the regular home of two significant events on the Canadian calendar: the Canadian National Exhibition every August/September and the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in November. (Both events, canceled in 2020, are scheduled to return in 2021.)

In addition, the Centre hosts a range of national and international trade shows and conferences, and provides also the base for Toronto’s annual IndyCar race, usually in July.

Closer to downtown, at the foot of the landmark CN Tower, lies the 700,000-square-foot Metro Toronto Convention Centre, a versatile venue with 77 meeting rooms, two ballrooms and a vast exhibit hall. The nearby Roy Thomson Hall is a strikingly designed concert venue with seating for 2,630 people. Both the main auditorium and a variety of smaller spaces, including the outdoor patio, can be booked for events.

The CN Tower, the tallest free-standing structure in North America, is a MICE venue in its own right. The revolving restaurant, 360, can host group meals (though lately, due to COVID-19, group sizes are restricted), but its most thrilling attraction is the Edge Walk. Small groups are escorted in safety harnesses around a narrow metal ledge 1,168 feet (equivalent to 116 stories) above street level. During the course of the 30-minute walk you’ll be encouraged to lean, hands-free, over the edge.

If you have a problem with heights, it’s probably not for you.

You can enjoy a more sedate experience on the Tall Ship Kajama, offering daytime and evening voyages on Lake Ontario May–September and available for corporate events. A smaller motorboat, Obsession III, offers dinner cruises.

From bird’s eye atop the CN Tower or from a boat on the lake, in the balmy days of summer or in the grip of winter, Toronto shows different faces, but at heart it is one of the world’s most inviting cities. After a year to forget, the city looks forward to a resumption of normality that will be signaled with the greeting, “Welcome to Trono.”

UNIQUE VENUES Boasting seven major league teams, including baseball, basketball and soccer, Toronto is a sports-mad city.

But the biggest sporting obsession is ice hockey. The resident NHL team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, is based at the Scotiabank Arena, a dominant feature of downtown that also serves as a venue for conventions, concerts and other sporting events. A variety of fully catered hospitality suites are available during ice hockey games. The largest, the Party Suite, features a maximum capacity of 40 guests. scotiabankarena.com For a quirkier MICE venue, the Hockey Hall of Fame lies a couple of blocks away. Housed within the historic Esso Great Hall, a Rococo building constructed in 1885, the museum is available for after-hours rental, either the entire facility (with a total capacity of 1,000 guests) or individual meeting rooms (accommodating 10–100 people). Additional options include VIP appearances from Hall of Famers, group photographs with the Stanley Cup, customized hockey pucks and exclusive access to the merchandise store, with a 20 percent discount. Alternatively, the Hall of Fame can come to you. Interactive exhibits are available for rental.

Wherever you choose to host a MICE event in Toronto, guests can take part in hockey games in an inflatable rink, test themselves against an electronic hockey net or play bubble hockey, the ice hockey equivalent of foosball. hhof.com

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9–5 | AUSTIN

Austin Rocks Impress clients and colleagues in the star-studded capital city.

BY BECCA HENSLEY

Capital City: Texas skyline and bridge PHOTO: © TRAVEL TEXAS

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n the Lone Star State’s buzzy capital city, you can stand on a downtown bridge and watch the world’s largest urban bat colony emerge at dusk like ribbons of undulating black velvet as the mammals fly out from below for their evening dinner reservation with the local bug population. Their exodus occurs in the apropos burnt orange (University of Texas-hued) skies, while human spectators applaud in ritualistic glee. Below, at the same time, intrepid bat lovers gaze up from canoes or kayaks, poised on the dammed-up Colorado River (known as Lake Lady Bird) that bisects the city. From that perspective, the bats appear as a nightly, star-studded ballet. Either way one experiences the adventure, it won’t be forgotten.

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Some 50,000 visitors flock to Austin annually just to partake of this phenomenon.

For an alternative connection with nature, swim with an indigenous, endangered species in Austin’s best-loved pool. While most people don’t visit Barton Springs Pool, a historic, eighth-of-a-mile-long, natural swimming hole near downtown, to gape at an endangered species (and this one isn’t the loveliest — he’s an albino lungless salamander), the popular gathering space maintains a year-round temperature of 68 degrees. Ideal for cooling off during the region’s unbearable summer days, Barton Springs, sometimes referred to as Austin’s living room, attracts a coterie of serious swimmers, sunbathers, nature lovers and gadabouts in all seasons.

A city that revels in its unofficial motto (“Keep Austin Weird”), it won’t fulfill that snippet image of Texas that some anticipate. Sure, barbecue rules some roosts, and on the city’s verges you can spot horses, cows and ranch houses — maybe

Savor the Moment: Get Your Guide tour (top), Spicewood Vineyards (middle), and Lake Austin Spa Resort pedal boards (bottom) PHOTOS: © GET YOUR GUIDE, © SPICEWOOD VINEYARDS, © LAKE AUSTIN SPA RESORT

an erstwhile cowboy donning an old hat. More likely you’ll see cyclists. In fact, Backroads just launched a weekend Texas Bike Tour which explores Austin’s hinterlands over a long weekend. For decades an enclave spiced by its university town spirit, this liberal place mixed hippies with rednecks and intellectuals with artists in past years. Today it welcomes a hipster, urbane vibe into that fusion. Skyscrapers and old neighborhoods rejiggered as entertainment districts abounded. Don’t miss Rainey Street, East Austin and SoCo, to name a few. Lording over it all stands the elegant, granite capital building.

With restaurants helmed by James Beard Award-winning chefs, thoughtful museums, bedazzling alchemy- focused bars, hike-and-bike trails galore and worldclass spas, Austin won’t let you or your clients get bored. For Austin’s most power-packed brunch, save Sundays for Fonda San Miguel, a mindboggling production of soul-satisfying, interior Mexican fare in an artistic setting. During the week, reserve the private dining room for a memorable meeting.

Choose Loro Asian Smokehouse and Bar, a barbecue extravaganza born from the collaboration between James Beard-winning Tyson Cole (Uchi) and Aaron Franklin (Franklin BBQ), for a business lunch to impress.

Perhaps Austin, from which music stars such as Janis Joplin, Blue October, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Willie Nelson climbed to fame, is best known today for its eclectic live music scene. It produces major music festivals, such as Austin City Limits and South by Southwest, but also vaunts an array of some 300 music venues, from stylish haunts to hole-in-the-wall hangouts. If time limits visitors to one musical foray, let it be the storied Continental Club, a boozy, historic stronghold on South Congress Avenue which offers music performances nightly (and in the afternoons). Music styles range from country to funk to gospel — and there’s always somebody famous lurking in the crowd, guitar cast casually over their shoulder, waiting to be asked on stage by the booked act.

Combine your listening skills with a spirited excursion with Twisted Texas Tours (book via Get Your Guide), a bus

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Sizzling: Texas Wagyu Experience at Four Seasons Austin featuring a flaming tomahawk steak OE_AD GT FAGC.pdf

PHOTO: © FOUR SEASONS HOTEL AUSTIN

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ramble to the city’s best distilleries and breweries, complete with onboard live tunes and animated guides. For oenophiles, the surrounding Texas Hill Country calls. Amid this hilly landscape rife with wildflowers, charming villages, peach orchards and pecan trees, vineyards speckle the terrain just an hour from town. More than 100 wineries produce award-winning wine and offer tours and tastings.

Where to stay? Golfers will want to check into the Omni Barton Creek, a 4,000-acre resort perfect for socially distanced fall getaways and casual meetings, located just 20 minutes from the city center. Enjoy a multi-tiered pool, upscale dining and 72 holes of championship golf. Located on the banks of Lake Lady Bird, Four Seasons Austin excels with citified hospitality and tranquil incentives. Ideal for unwinding at day’s end, the retreat’s “cocktail trailer,” located at the newly renovated swimming pool on the lawn by the water, serves stellar libations.

Moody hanging tree lights and irresistible lawn games add to the fun. Indulge at Ciclo, the resort’s smart restaurant, where the signature, tequila-marinated, flambéed Texas Wagyu tomahawk steak lights up your dining experience. Finally, arrange an unforgettable team getaway at Lake Austin Spa Resort, set on the water’s edge, accessed by boat (or car) from central Austin.

Its nearly 100 treatment options, water play and stunning setting can be enjoyed for day-long or overnight visits.

AFTER 5 | SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE

Night Sky Spend evenings under the stars in San Miguel de Allende. BY TIM LEFFEL

All Aglow: The Parroquia de San Miguel de Arcangel and La Santa Escuela de Cristo in San Miguel de Allende PHOTO: © ROBERTO GALAN | DREAMSTIME.COM

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an Miguel de Allende in central Mexico frequently tops magazine readers’ polls as one of the best cities in the world. Its colorful houses, cobblestone streets and UNESCO World Heritage historic center make it a perfect destination for the Instagram age. The foreign retirees who settled here are now joined by the young and cool visiting from urban Mexico, so there’s a nice mix of options after the sun goes down.

At an altitude of 6,200 feet, the city boasts a sunny climate suitable for outdoor dining nearly every day of the year. Most hotels have a furnished courtyard, and you’ll find a rooftop bar on almost every block.

La Azotea serves some of the best food along with a view, while the best-known spot is Quince. Both sit just a few steps from the European-looking Parroquia church that dominates the skyline.

(Self-taught architect Zeferino Gutierrez based his 1880 neo-Gothic façade for the 17thcentury church on designs he saw on postcards from Europe.) A larger option is Hotel 1810 Boutique’s Trazo on the opposite side of the main square, offering a great view from any angle. Or head to Luna Rooftop Tapas Bar at the Rosewood San Miguel de Allende for a skyline panorama that’s magical as sunset leads to lit-up steeples.

San Miguel de Allende is a prime romance destination and welcomes the LGBTQ+ crowd throughout the city. Kiki Nights Social Room is a lively gay club with rotating locations, and there’s room to dance at El Grito Nightclub on Calle Umaran in the center.

This historic city’s renaissance started when artists from the United States and Canada started moving here in the 1960s. With plenty of moneyed patrons among the current residents and visitors, there are now more painters, jewelry makers and sculptors than ever.

Visit the sprawling Fabrica La Aurora’s 38 galleries before its 6 p.m. closing time. Housed in a former textile factory, this place provides an excellent overview of the art scene. Continue the tour in artisan shops and galleries in the center that stay open much later.

Mexicans love a fiesta, and you’re likely to find one happening during your visit. Let the fireworks and music guide you to the fun.

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NEIGHBORHOODS | COLORADO SPRINGS

Sense of Community

Mingle with the locals in Colorado Springs’ revitalized Ivywild. BY KIMBERLY KROL INLANDER

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Local Buzz: Ivywild School Event Barrel Room (top), and Hunt or Gather Market at Ivywild (bottom) PHOTOS: © VISITCOS.COM

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n a summer stroll around my friend’s Colorado Springs Ivywild neighborhood, a school building was bustling. Odd, at first sight, as it was summer, and school was clearly not in session.

But upon further inquiry, I learned the former Ivywild Elementary School, closed in 2009, had been completely reimagined as part of a Colorado Springs Urban Renewal Authority project.

Opened in 2013, today Ivywild School is a multiuse commercial and community center. The 20,000-square-foot space boasts a delicatessen, brewery, pub, bakery, coffee shop and gift shop. The building is consistently full of energy and neighborhood buzz, from its Bristol Brewery & Pub to Ivywild Kitchen. You can even say you grabbed a drink at the cleverly named Principal’s Office.

South of Colorado Springs’ downtown, along Cheyenne Creek, Ivywild is the city’s oldest working-class neighborhood. With interesting, unique and standout projects like the repurposed school, it’s a place to see and be seen frequenting Colorado Springs’ best hot spots.

Take Prime 25, a modern interpretation of the classic steakhouse on Tejon Street. Its copper, wood, glass and steel interior alongside an open kitchen and first-rate cuisine make Prime 25 the perfect spot to celebrate a special occasion or soak in the ambience of the ever-evolving Ivywild neighborhood.

Continue on Tejon Street to what is now known as the Trolley District, and find Colorado Springs’ newest symbol of revitalization and entertainment: CO.A.T.I, a multivendor marketplace anchored

by Pikes Peak Brewing Co. and just opened in early September in the former Trolley Building.

Aptly named for a word in Maya culture that stands for insurgent nature, intelligence, curiosity and playfulness, CO.A.T.I’s philosophy mimics the spirit of Colorado Springs: rebellious and willing to challenge everything. It’s an incubator for ideas, offering operational support to enthusiasts and local chefs otherwise unable to break out on their own. By offering access to seasoned professionals and services, CO.A.T.I. eliminates obstacles standing in the way of local talent and paves the way for chefs and artisans to strike out on their own in Colorado.

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The 13,000-square-foot food hall connects to the new outpost of Pikes Peak Brewing Lager House. (Pikes Peak is an icon and must-see of Colorado Springs.) Originally started in Monument, Colorado, the second brewery location brings the community together over handcrafted beer, offering all the company’s flagship beers but only brewing lagers here.

Surrounded by stunning natural scenery, one thing is certain: Colorado Springs is so much more than a pretty face. It’s a city of ideas, of revitalization, of perseverance, of community — no matter which neighborhood draws you in.

FRIENDS & FAMILY | NORTH AMERICA’S FAMILY-FRIENDLY SKI DESTINATIONS

Snow Days Get out for winter fun at North America’s family-friendly ski destinations. BY ALLIE MOORE

Winter Wonderland: (Left to right) Snow-tubing and snowboarding at Camelback Resort, and kids enjoying a wagon ride at Keystone Resort in Colorado PHOTOS: © CAMELBACK RESORT, © KEYSTONE RESORT

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inter breezes in, temperatures drop, and humans retreat indoors to Netflix-and-hibernate until spring. But 2020 has left us scrambling for any excuse to get out of the house and into a safe, socially distanced environment. Luckily, North America is littered with ski resorts that are no longer just for skiing. Nationwide, winter-wonderland theme parks invite families to not only explore the magic of a snow-covered mountain but also retreat inside for hot cocoa, board games or a runof-the-mill wintertime visit to an indoor waterpark.

Most of North America’s winter sports resorts will open for the 2020–2021 season, but due to capacity limitations, some resorts encourage purchasing lift tickets in advance. Whether you’re keen for a long weekend away or a couple of months in an entirely new environment, here are some of the continent’s top resorts for cold-weather cheer.

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ACCORDING TO A SUBSET of skiers, East Coast skiing doesn’t necessarily hold the same regard as Rocky Mountain skiing, but the snowy scenery in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania can be just as enchanting and the resorts just as enticing.

An hour and a half outside New York City, Camelback Mountain Resort is home to the country’s largest snow-tubing park, while skiers and snowboarders can choose from 34 trails.

If the chill is too much for you, head inside to Aquatopia, an indoor waterpark with the longest “water coaster” in the country, called the Storm Chaser. Adults can have their own happy hour at Flyboys swim-up bar or rent a private cabana. Access to Aquatopia is included when you stay overnight at the resort.

Camelback Resort’s closest airports are Pocono Mountains Municipal Airport (10 miles), Lehigh Valley International Airport (38 miles) and Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport (40 miles).

LODGING

DINING

Fairmont Tremblant Hotel offers include Just Like Home with a 30 percent discount on luxury suites with kitchens, or Office with a View, including private lounge access and unlimited coffee.

The Foundry Pub & Grille Warm up with a bowl of New England clam chowder or sample the famous Vermonter flatbread: bacon, spiced apple chutney, Cheddar and maple mustard garlic, cooked in a ceramic oven.

3045 Chemin de la Chapelle Mont-Tremblant, Québec $$$

A rental car or private transfer is recommended to reach Camelback Resort. Buses depart from Port Authority in New York and drop passengers off at Mt. Pocono or Mt. Airy Casino, and taxi services are available for the onward trip.

JAY PEAK, VERMONT, is not a big name (yet), but this ski resort on the U.S.–Canada border is a rising star in North America, touting the most snow on the East Coast, with an average annual snowfall of 359 inches.

Jay Peak boasts 81 trails, but as the website intimates, the trail edges are only suggestions — skiers are encouraged to go off the beaten track.

After a day on the slopes, retire to Jay Peak Resort’s Pump House Water Park for a float around the lazy river or a soak in one of the indoor or outdoor hot tubs, or opt for an adrenaline-pumping ride down La Chute water slide. Athletically inclined vacationers can test their abilities on the FlowRider, a combination of skateboarding, surfing and snowboarding.

Jay Peak, located in the Green Mountains of

Vermont, sits about 15 miles from the Canadian border. The nearest airports are Northeast Kingdom International Airport (23 miles) and Burlington International Airport (60 miles).

Guests can book airport shuttles from six local airports or from the St. Albans Amtrak station, starting at $60 per person for a one-way trip.

ABOUT 90 MINUTES southwest of Denver, Colorado, Keystone Resort invites families for playcations where kids under age 12 ski for free when families stay for two nights or more. Kids can get lost in the world’s largest snow fort or test their detective skills with scavenger hunts.

To schlep the kids from the hotel or lodge to the slopes, Keystone offers free gear wagons to haul equipment through the village to the mountain.

Keystone officially opens for the winter season Nov. 6, with lift ticket sales to begin Dec. 8. Because of limited demand for the upcoming season, the resort recommends purchasing the Epic Day Pass, giving skiers priority access to reservations on the days of their choice.

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler Bask in the luxury and hospitality you’ve come to expect from Four Seasons. All rooms, suites and residences have a cozy fireplace and a balcony with mountain views.

4591 Blackcomb Way Whistler, British Columbia $$$$

830 Jay Peak Road Jay, Vermont $$$$ Kartrite’s Summit House Ski into and out of the Poconos’ highest restaurant (at an elevation of 2,133 feet). Contemporary American dishes pair perfectly with craft beverages, and the space is also available for private events.

Big Pocono State Park Tannersville, Pennsylvania $$

Great Wolf Lodge – Pocono Mountains The Great Wolf Lodge is packed with plenty of kid-friendly indoor activities like nightly story times, PJ parties, visits with Great Wolf characters and an indoor waterpark.

Sleigh Ride Dinner Hop into a private, horsedrawn sleigh for a 20-minute ride through the woods to a cabin restaurant. Book through Keystone Resort. The price includes dinner and live folk music.

1 Great Wolf Drive Scotrun, Pennsylvania $$$$

Lakeside Village Keystone, Colorado $$$$$

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Denver International Airport lies 90 miles east of Keystone, and the resort’s Epic Mountain Express shuttle service operates daily between DEN and resort hotels for an additional fee, with discounts for groups larger than three people. EME vans are equipped with WiFi. Private car service is also available via Premier Mountain Express.

Ski In: Mont-Tremblant in the Laurentian Mountains of Québec, Canada PHOTO: © MARTINE OGER | DREAMSTIME.COM

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TUCKED AWAY IN THE mountains outside Montréal, Québec, Mont-Tremblant boasts more than 100 ski and snowboarding trails as well as opportunities for snow biking, ice fishing, ice climbing and winter dune buggy rides.

Drop the little ones at the Kidz Club (for ages 6 and younger) or spend a day at Aqualab La Source, an indoor/outdoor water park. The cherry on top of the snow-covered sundae is kids under age 17 stay free when accompanied by an adult.

Direct flights are available to Mont-Tremblant International Airport from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport on Porter Airlines, or from Toronto Pearson Airport on Air Canada. Express shuttle service (40 minutes) runs from Mont-Tremblant International to select resort hotels for $40 per adult and $25 per child, round-trip. Resort guests also can travel by L’Express du Nord, a luxury coach from Galland Laurentides in Montréal, or by private transfer from Montreal-

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Trudeau International Airport (90 minutes).

WHISTLER BLACKCOMB is a well-known name among experienced skiers, and it’s not hard to see why. The mountains of British Columbia remain a year-round attraction for residents of Vancouver and the West Coast of the United States, spanning two mountains connected by gondolas.

Whistler Blackcomb is the family-friendly outpost of the greater Whistler resort, where kids are transported to a fairy-tale winter wonderland via the Magic Castle, Tree Fort and Enchanted Woods skiing area. At Winter Olympic Plaza, kids can build snowmen, sled or play hockey, while parents can shop or sip hot cocoa at nearby cafés. When you need a break from the kids, drop them off at one of Whistler’s four licensed childcare facilities. Whistler Blackcomb opens Nov. 26 for the winter season.

Vancouver International Airport lies two hours from Whistler Resort. Daily shuttles operate from the airport as well as select hotels in downtown Vancouver. Transfer companies include the Snowbus, the YVR Skylynx (16 daily trips between Vancouver Airport and Whistler), Perimeter Transportation, Epic Rides and Whistler Taxi, among others.

TOURS | ANCHORAGE

Land, Sea and Air Embark on Alaskan adventure tours from Anchorage. BY SUSAN B. BARNES

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s our four-passenger plane prepared to land on a gravely shoreline in Lake Clark National Park, one of the most remote national parks in the United States, accessible only by plane or boat, my excitement grew. Though the flight was scenic and provided a terrific perspective of the vast expanse of this part of Southcentral Alaska, my fellow passengers and I had one thing on our mind — bears!

Our flight was part of a Lake Clark National Park Bear Viewing daytrip from Anchorage with Rust’s Flying Service — and view bears we did. Our guide met us at the plane upon arrival, and we took off to find the coastal brown bears — or grizzly bears — foraging for clams along the shoreline. It didn’t take long for us to spot our first bears, digging their giant paws into the low tide to find a late breakfast. After a while, the two bears lumbered off into a pasture for a bit of repose. Once they left, we walked down the beach and spied a young bear perched on an outcropping, as interested in watching us as we him.

During our time in the park, we saw perhaps a dozen or so bears, going about their day without paying us any mind at all. What a thrill!

In addition to taking flight, visitors will find plenty of land- and water-based tour opportunities from Anchorage. One option is to board the Alaska Railroad and travel north or south for a day-long excursion. If traveling north, ride the train to the small town of Talkeetna and take a jetboat adventure; you may even peep Denali — the highest mountain peak in North America — en route.

For an Alaskan backcountry adventure, hop off the train at the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop and join a guide for a nature walk, go ice climbing or raft on a glacial river. When your outing is over, wait beside the tracks; wave down the train as it approaches and it will stop and pick you up to take you back to Anchorage.

Or travel south by train or car to Seward for a full day of discovery. Arrive in the coastal town and depart on a cruise that will take you into Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park. There you’ll glide past glaciers and likely spot whales, seals, puffins and other wildlife along the way.

However you choose to explore Southcentral Alaska, Anchorage serves as a terrific starting point.

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Bear Spotting: Rust’s Flying Service (above), and grizzly bears (left) PHOTOS: © JODYO. PHOTOS

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BUCKET LIST | AMERICAN CUISINE

Eat Your Way Across America Visit these U.S. cities to sample quintessentially American cuisine. BY KATIE SKRZEK

Good Eats: (Left to right) Noble Smoke Barbecue, Husk in South Carolina exterior and shrimp, food trucks in Portland, and Russ & Daughters bagel and lox PHOTOS: © THE PLAID PENGUIN, © FOX SUIRE, © ANDREW CEBULKA, © JOSHUA RAINEY | DREAMSTIME.COM, © RUSS & DAUGHTERS

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eep-dish pizza. Buffalo wings. Cheesesteaks. Cities across the United States are home to iconic dishes worthy of a trip.

Besides famous food destinations, many cities fly under the radar and offer delectable cuisine.

Whether you want to indulge in authentic Key lime pie in Florida or hit up a hole-in-the-wall sandwich shop, there’s an option for you. America’s dining destinations are ever-evolving and always delicious.

New Orleans, long considered one of the country’s top culinary destinations, offers something for every taste, from its signature po’boy sandwich to awardwinning Mediterranean cuisine. The city is also known for its bar culture — no, not those sugary daiquiris on Bourbon Street. Head to Arnaud’s French 75 Bar for its signature eponymous French 75 cocktail. Located at

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The Roosevelt New Orleans, The Sazerac Bar is a New Orleans institution.

Order a Sazerac and gaze at the life-sized murals adorning the walls from the comfort of the lush leather chairs.

Though Philadelphia may be most closely associated with cheesesteaks, soft pretzels and water ice, the city has seen a culinary boom over the last several years. Many of Philadelphia’s chefs and restaurants gained worldwide recognition due in part to recent award wins. Israeli restaurant Zahav took home the James Beard Award for Best Restaurant in the Country in 2019, while owner Michael Solomonov was awarded Outstanding Chef in 2017.

Zahav isn’t the only restaurant with James Beard recognition. Laurel, Royal Izakaya, Vedge, South Philly Barbacoa and Fork are frequent nominees.

Charleston, South Carolina, proves another city expanding its foodie reputation. Of course, there are famous spots like Husk, where Chef Sean Brock puts a sophisticated spin on Southern cuisine, while seafood restaurants take advantage of the city’s waterfront location (The Darling Oyster Bar, The Ordinary, 167 Raw). Look further and diners will find authentic

Lowcountry cuisine at Bertha’s Kitchen. Try whole hog barbecue at Rodney Scott’s BBQ. The James Beard award-winning Scott was recently featured on Netflix’s Chef ’s Table: BBQ. Speaking of barbecue, consider adding a barbecue tour to your foodie road trip. Head to Kansas City, Missouri; Memphis, Tennessee; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Austin, Texas. Kansas City boasts a barbecue style all its own, characterized by sweet, molasses-based sauces and burnt ends, a crispy cut of meat from the ends of brisket. In Memphis barbecue lovers will find pork sandwiches and ribs on the menu. Sauces here are typically tomato-, mustard- or vinegar-based. Wood-smoked pork is a staple of North Carolina barbecue. Visit Noble Smoke Barbecue and Midwood Smokehouse in Charlotte to sample this style. Foodies flock to Austin specifically for its barbecue.

Fans line up for hours to wait for a taste of the award-winning grilled meats at Franklin Barbecue. It should come as no surprise to diners: Bon Appétit named the restaurant Best Barbecue Joint in America.

Head to Portland, Oregon, for its famous food trucks. The city has more than 600, with many gathered into pods in high-traffic areas of the city.

Downtown you’ll find pods on Fifth Avenue, Third Avenue and at Portland State University. Expect all types of cuisine from vegetarian and Polish to waffles and Korean. Top off your visit to Portland with a tour of the city’s many award-winning breweries. Add Ecliptic Brewing, Hair of the Dog Brewing Co., Base Camp Brewing Co., Culmination Brewing and Breakside

Brewery to your must-visit list.

New York City and Los Angeles are known for excellent cuisine. Instead of becoming overwhelmed by the vast dining options in each city, focus on a specific cuisine.

Since breakfast is the most important meal of the day, explore bagel options in New York. Start at New York institution Russ & Daughters for a bagel with cream cheese and hand-cut lox. Open since 1914, four generations of the Russ family owned and operated the shop. Ess-a-Bagel, Kossar’s Bagels & Bialys, Murray’s Bagels and Absolute Bagels provide other great options.

Make your way to Los Angeles’ Koreatown neighborhood for traditional Korean cuisine. The lively neighborhood boasts 24-hour bars and restaurants, coffee shops, karaoke joints and Korean spas. For classic Korean barbecue, head to Park’s BBQ. If noodles are more your speed, brave the lines at Hangari Kalguksu. Olympic Cheonggukjang offers a range of traditional Korean dishes.

If you’re dying to experience an iconic Michelin-starred restaurant, you have some options. The French Laundry in Napa Valley, California; n/naka in Los Angeles; The Inn at Little Washington in Washington, Virginia; Alinea in Chicago; and Le Bernardin in New York City all offer bucket-list dining experiences. Plan ahead, as reservations are difficult to snag.

Wherever your travels take you next, be sure to arrive hungry.

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KICKING BACK | AMERICA’S UNDISCOVERED BEACHES

Sea to Shining Sea Find your bliss on America’s undiscovered beaches, from Atlantic to Pacific. BY JANICE HECHT

Sun, Sand and Sky: Assateague Island ponies on the beach in Maryland (top); entrance to Captiva Beach, Florida (bottom left), and shelling (bottom right); and (opposite page, left to right) Cannon Beach, Oregon, and Encinitas, California PHOTOS: © WENDY FARRINGTON | DREAMSTIME.COM, © THE BEACHES OF FORT MYERS & SANIBEL, © GLEBTARRO | DREAMSTIME.COM, © BEN GRAHAM | DREAMSTIME.COM

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“T

he beach is not the place to work, to read, write or think,” wrote Anne Morrow Lindbergh in her memoir Gift from the Sea, a collection of reflections on life and relationships.

Indeed, from the moment we sink our bare toes into warm sand, hear the sound of crashing waves and breathe in the salt air, we transform … we let go of our stress and set off on a journey in search of peaceful moments. We go to the beach, quite simply, to set our spirits free.

Scientific studies show the beach is one of the best places to alleviate stress and heal our brains.

The negative ions in the ocean air actually calm our brains. Our minds drift and our breathing slows as the rhythm of the waves lulls us into a meditative state. When we walk barefoot in the sand, the neural network on our feet picks up electrons from the surface, making us feel energized and vibrant.

Now, as we look toward a post-pandemic chapter, we seek a refreshing change of pace, a change of place. With thousands of miles of coast, the United States offers a great diversity of shoreline options — you don’t have to travel far or stick to well-known resort towns and overcrowded beaches. Here’s a look at some of our hidden gems with a somewhat lower profile.

ANNE MORROW LINDBERGH drew inspiration for her memoir from the shells she found along Captiva Beach on her frequent visits. Tucked into the southwest coast of Florida, connected by bridge to Sanibel Island, Captiva

Island boasts a laid-back vibe. The tiny barrier island — just five miles long and half a mile wide — beckons with clear blue water, gentle sea breezes and white-sand beaches famous for shelling. Bring a bucket and shovel and wander Captiva Beach to collect your own treasures from the sea. More active pursuits include biking, water sports, boating, fishing, golf and tennis, but you’ll also find abundant birding. Be sure to stake out a spot to watch the glorious sunsets over the Gulf. Captiva offers eclectic dining spots and a wide variety of accommodations, from hotel suites to cottage rentals. The closest airport is Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers.

ONE OF THE MOST beautiful, secluded stretches of the Eastern Seaboard, Assateague Island spans 37 miles along the Maryland and Virginia coasts, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and Sinepuxent and Chincoteague bays to the west. The protected sanctuary offers a true change of perspective with a wealth of habitats and ecosystems, from sandy beaches and dunes to pine forest, tidal land and even desert.

Part of the Assateague Island National Seashore, the windswept barrier island is home to herds of miniature deer and the famous Assateague wild ponies, descendants of domestic animals that reverted to a wild state.

Camping among the dunes on Assateague is magical, with a few hundred feet of sand, sun and sky to yourself. Set up a tent or RV or rent an Assateague Cottage, a tiny sleeping house carted in on a trailer. During the day, swim, fly a kite,

LODGING

DINING

Coast Cabins Discover an oasis of calm in these freestanding deluxe cabins located within a short walking distance of Manzanita’s restaurants, day spas, shopping and the sandy beach.

Keylime Bistro Enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner in an island paradise atmosphere.

Try the crab cake Benedict, seafood antipasto or shrimp scampi — but save room for the award-winning Key lime pie.

635 Laneda Ave. Manzanita, Oregon $$$$ South Seas Island Resort The resort offers guestrooms, suites and villas; gorgeous Gulf or marina views; 2.5 miles of beach; and a 300-acre nature preserve.

5400 Plantation Road Captiva Island, Florida $$$$ Spring House Hotel Settle into Block Island’s grandest and oldest hotel, built in 1852, and immerse in authentic New England Victorian charm. The 33 guestrooms in the main building offer panoramic island or ocean views.

52 Spring St., Block Island Rhode Island $$$–$$$$

11509 Andy Rosse Lane Captiva, Florida $$–$$$ Restaurant 1879 Unwind with an unhurried dinner at The Atlantic Inn’s restaurant, where the lofty location offers stun­ning water views. Enjoy delicious local seafood, artisan bread and fresh, homegrown herbs and veg­eta­bles, complemented by an award-winning wine list.

The Atlantic Inn, 359 High St. New Shoreham, Block Island Rhode Island $$$ The Winery at Manzanita After soaking up the sun at the beach, sip handcrafted wine on the ocean-view deck or gather around the firepit in the evening and make s’mores. Enjoy Pacific Northwest wine, beer, cider and snacks.

253 Laneda Ave. Manzanita, Oregon $$

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Visitors arrive by vehicle ferries (reserve far in advance) or passenger ferries from points in Rhode Island, by commuter or private plane or private boat. Plan to take it slow: Most choose bicycles or mopeds for island transportation.

WITH A STUNNING SETTING on the shore of Lake Michigan, Chicago’s beautiful beaches offer an escape from city activity.

Sure, the freshwater lake doesn’t offer salt air or true tides, but there are waves, caused by strong winds or rapid changes in atmospheric pressure pushing the water from one end of the lake to the other. The downtown beaches offer great skyline views but are more popular and crowded. Montrose Street Beach, on the north side of Chicago, is less crowded and has an adjacent dog beach and park. You can access the Lake Michigan Water Trail for kayaking, canoeing and other nonmotorized board or paddle sports. The more secluded Loyola Beach, on the far north side, proves perfect for reading, lounging and relaxing, with a little of everything: playgrounds, grassy areas, walking and bike trails, and plenty of sand.

West Coast Waves: Manzanita Beach in Oregon with morning fog (top), and surfers walking along Swami’s in San Diego County (bottom) PHOTOS: © MICHELE KEMPER | DREAMSTIME.COM, © SHERRYVSMITH | DREAMSTIME.COM

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hike or bike the trails, kayak or canoe, or go crabbing and clamming on the bay side. At night, gaze at a gorgeous canopy of stars (you can see the Milky Way). The north entrance to Assateague Island National Seashore lies at the end of Route 611, eight miles south of Ocean City, Maryland.

FOR AN AUTHENTIC TASTE of summer in New England, revel in the free spirit and quaint elegance of Block Island, about 12 miles off the coast of Rhode Island. Added to the Nature Conservancy’s list of “The Last Great Places,” the lush, green island boasts 17 miles of beaches and 28 miles of trails, offering everything from pristine stretches of sand to hidden coves and magnificent bluffs. Migratory birds traveling the Atlantic Flyway stop to rest at undeveloped natural areas. Secluded Mansion Beach on the eastern side of the island proves one of the most picturesque, and its big waves make it perfect for body surfing and boogie boarding. After a day at the beach, browse the shops in town, dine on the porch of a historic hotel or groove to live entertainment on a beach.

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OREGON GUARANTEES ITS BEACHES remain free and open to all; that translates to quite a selection along the 363 miles of coastline, drawing campers, hikers, crabbers, clammers and tide pool explorers. Up north, Cannon Beach and Seaside are popular, but an up-and-comer is Manzanita, a sweet little beach town with a seven-mile stretch of soft, white sand just right for strolling barefoot.

Enjoy spectacular walks along the Pacific, or venture into the chilly waters for surfing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, kiteboarding or boogie boarding. In town, peruse the shops and galleries and a variety of pubs, cafés, bistros and whiskey bars.

If you’re driving the Oregon coast, the most accessible route to Manzanita is Highway 101, which provides some of the most breathtaking views on the Oregon coast. Once you arrive in Manzanita, you can navigate around town on foot.

FOR A CLASSIC SOCAL BEACH vibe, head to the bohemian San Diego neighborhood of Ocean Beach. The scene includes a secluded beach, a dog beach and beaches designated for surfing and swimming. Ocean Beach Pier provides sweeping ocean views and a great spot for fishing. The OB beaches are not nearly as crowded as the more commercialized Mission Beach, and the vibrant coastal enclave offers antiques shops, boutiques, organic groceries, taquerias and brewpubs.

Farther north in San Diego County, along historic Highway 101, Encinitas harbors half a dozen beaches whose features range from the white sand of Moonlight Beach to the rocky bluffs of Swami’s, a legendary surfing spot. The eclectic Encinitas vibe mixes 1960s beach culture and vintage cars with New Age meditation gardens and yoga studios.

Whatever beach vibe you crave, get your feet into the sand and set your spirit free.

PHOTOS: © ANA BLAZIC PAVLOVIC | DREAMSTIME.COM, © GANNA TUGOLUKOVA | DREAMSTIME.COM, © DYANNA YARBRO | DREAMSTIME.COM, © COLICARANICA | DREAMSTIME.COM, © MEUNIERD | DREAMSTIME.COM, © BOARDING1NOW | DREAMSTIME.COM, © BRANDON ALMS | DREAMSTIME.COM, © MRCARD3 | DREAMSTIME.COM, © JAROMIR CHALABALA | DREAMSTIME.COM

GET SOCIAL Make Global Traveler your travel companion! Like our Facebook page; connect with us on LinkedIn; and follow us on Twitter @GTmag #travelnews and #traveldeals, Instagram @globaltravelermag #snapshots and Pinterest pinterest.com/global traveler for travel updates, deals and more. Share your updates with us by using #globility. If you haven't checked them out lately, here's a sampling of what you may have missed:

Encore Resort at Reunion in Orlando offers private homes perfect for working from home, away from home.

New technology simplifies security through Miami International Airport.

Become one with nature and enjoy stunning views during a trip to the Ozarks.

Some of Israel’s top wellness destinations prove ideal for social distancing and offer seclusion.

Bigfoot sightings around the United States

.

The Istanbul Airport Museum opened with the “Treasures of Turkey: Faces of the Throne” exhibition, establishing the airport as not only a global hub and Turkey’s gateway but also an innovative space showcasing art and culture.

Take a break from everyday routine and escape to the luxurious St. Regis Bora Bora.

As travel begins to pick back up and the new normal keeps evolving, the accessories we need to ensure safe travel are, too.

LGBTQ+

Roam Close to Home North American vacation destinations inspire a return to travel.

BY MARK CHESNUT

A

s more travelers hit the road again, they tend to travel shorter distances. That includes LGBTQ+ globetrotters, who find a variety of great vacation options without leaving the continent. These five top destinations for LGBTQ+ travelers in North America offer lots of reasons to reignite wanderlust.

PALM SPRINGS, California’s desert paradise, is gearing up for its annual pride celebration in November, now revamped to follow safety-minded hygiene protocols. In addition, more attractions are reopening, and the city announced plans to close some streets to expand outdoor dining. The Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau has all the details. visitgreaterpalmsprings.com

IN FORT LAUDERDALE both the Stonewall National Museum & Archives and the World AIDS Museum are moving this year to new and improved facilities. Travelers looking for an evening out, meanwhile, can stop by Pride Mondays, a new weekly happy hour on the rooftop deck at Bar Rita. Consult the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau for the latest travel inspiration. sunny.org

SAN FRANCISCO was in Phase 2 of its COVID-19 recovery plan at press time with a gradual reopening of businesses. Even without nightlife, you’ll find lots to love in the city by the bay, with outdoor museums, outdoor dining, state parks, some retail establishments and other attractions functioning. The San Francisco Travel Association updates its website regularly. sftravel.com

ATTRACTIONS, BARS and nightclubs were open in Puerto Vallarta at 50 percent capacity at press time according to the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board. The Malecon waterfront promenade is not yet fully open, but restaurants and shops are. Hotels also operate at 50 percent capacity. visitpuertovallarta.com

TRAVELERS FROM THE United States may have to wait a bit before they regain easy access to this Canadian metropolis, but Toronto promises to wow whenever visitors arrive. Nightlife is getting back into the swing of things with social distancing and masks required, and attractions like CN Tower, Art Gallery of Ontario and Ripley’s Aquarium are open with timed-entry tickets.

The Toronto Convention and Visitors Association keeps visitors up to date. seetorontonow.com

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Gearing Up: Greater Palm Springs Pride (top), and paddle boarding in Fort Lauderdale (bottom) PHOTOS: GREATER PALM SPRINGS PRIDE, © GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE

Fly with a greener alliance.

We are proud to be the first global alliance to commit to a greener, more sustainable future.

All 13 oneworld member airlines have committed to a target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

To learn more about our sustainability initiatives, please visit oneworld.com/sustainability

AIPORT UPDATE

Building for the Future Kansas City International Airport adds a new terminal with new amenities. BY MARY MELNICK

KCI CONSISTENTLY RANKS AMONG U.S. AIRPORTS WITH THE FEWEST DELAYS BECAUSE OF ITS SHORT TAXI TIME, UNCONGESTED AIR AND GROUND SPACE AND LOW NUMBER OF WEATHER-RELATED CLOSURES AND CANCELLATIONS.

K

In the Works: Artist’s rendering of the new KCI Airport PHOTO: © KANSAS CITY AVIATION

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ansas City International Airport is located 15 miles northwest of Kansas City in Platte County, Missouri.

Built by the City of Kansas City, Missouri, the airport opened in 1972. Its lack of congestion and low number of flight delays long established it as one of the most appealing commercial airports in the world.

The airport spans more than 10,000 acres, with three runways that can accommodate up to 139 aircraft operations per hour. KCI consistently ranks among U.S. airports with the fewest delays because of its short taxi time, uncongested air and ground space and low number of weather-related closures and cancellations.

globaltravelerusa.com NOVEMBER 2020

KCI participates in the City of Kansas City, Missouri’s, “One Percent for Art” program operated by the Municipal Art Commission; more than 300 U.S. cities and counties participate in this program designed to ensure 1 percent of public construction costs be set aside for public art enhancements.

The program hopes to bring artistic growth and aesthetic excellence to local communities. A panel of aviation professionals, artists and community representatives selects the artist for each project at KCI. Currently, Kansas City International Airport is working on the new $1.5 billion Build KCI project, focusing on building the new single terminal set to be complete in 2023.

The terminal will feature 39 gates, with the ability to expand to 50 in the future; the project also includes a 6,300-space parking garage adjacent to the property.

The new building will have two levels, one for arrivals and one for departures, each clearly marked to avoid confusion. The concourses will feature moving walkways to help with transfers between the two and to support easier navigation of the terminal. In addition, different security checkpoints with multiple lanes will make the process smoother and accommodate the fluctuation of passenger traffic.

The new terminal will allow for more efficient airline operations and enable airport guests to enjoy the convenience of modern travel with updated technology and amenities such as nursing mothers’ rooms, service animal relief stations, play areas, delicious food and beverage options and more. It will also include local and national shops for travel necessities, gifts and other items.

With a new terminal and amenities, Kansas City International Airport hopes to transform from a drop-off airport to a destination worth exploring.

KANSAS CITY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT flykci.com

FOR

ALL THE MOMENTS WE STAND UP

JOE MANGANIELLO Stand Up To Cancer Ambassador

Since 2008, Major League BaseballÂŽ has supported Stand Up To Cancer in its mission to fund groundbreaking research and get treatments to patients faster than ever before.

Join us as we stand united to show our support for loved ones affected by cancer.

Visit StandUpToCancer.org/MLB

Photo By ANDREW ECCLES Stand Up To Cancer is a division of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

Major League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with permission of Major League Baseball. Visit MLB.com

MEDICAL TOURISM

Care and Convenience Medical travelers find excellent options in nearby destinations. BY DEBRA BOKUR

A

s travelers once again take to the skies, seas, rails and open roads, options for leaving home without actually going too far have a newfound appeal. For medical travelers, convenience is often a decisive component of planning, and the proximity of Mexico and Caribbean locales including Barbados, the Cayman Islands and The Bahamas — combined with a wide selection of affordable procedures available there — makes these nearby destinations increasingly desirable.

Mexico’s competitive pricing for surgical procedures spans the categories of oncology, cosmetic surgery, cardiology, ophthalmology, dentistry and bariatric and gastro-surgeries.

Patients Beyond Borders ranks Mexico as one of the top destinations worldwide for quality of care, cutting-edge medical technology, provider training and overall value. Mexico’s top medical centers and hospitals include Tijuana Clinic for Cosmetic Dentistry, CODET Vision Institute, Galenia Hospital, Hospital San José Tec de Monterrey and Médica Sur Mexico City.

Examples of cost savings cited by service scheduling resource Jet Medical Tourism include knee replacement surgery for less than $10,000 in Mexico (estimated to cost around $40,000 in the United States), and a dental procedure including six porcelain veneers and two ceramic crowns that runs about $4,500 in Mexico. The same care comes in at about triple the cost in the United States.

In the Cayman Islands orthopedics and open-heart surgery are major draws for medical travelers, along with services that include hospice care, chemotherapy and organ transplants. The majority of procedures take place at Health City Cayman Islands, a comprehensive, state-of-the-art hospital facility situated within a protective shell rated as hurricane-proof.

Patients researching options can book a virtual consultation with the medical center’s professionals, who can answer questions and provide essential information to help with the decision-making process.

The Barbados Fertility Centre in Barbados earned a distinguished reputation for in-vitro fertility treatments as well as for its rehabilitation facilities. Per capita, Barbados ranks as one of the region’s largest investors in the healthcare industry. The main hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, is government-owned, while additional private clinics and hospitals

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including Bayview Hospital offer a range of services that extend beyond fertility issues and address conditions affecting the ear, nose and throat and cosmetic surgery.

Also boasting plenty of sunshine and wide, sandy beaches, PATIENTS BEYOND BORDERS The Bahamas remains a popular RANKS MEXICO AS ONE OF THE TOP choice for medical travelers seeking skilled care for cardiac DESTINATIONS WORLDWIDE FOR surgeries, joint replacement QUALITY OF CARE, CUTTING-EDGE and cosmetic procedures. With some of the Caribbean’s only MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY, PROVIDER Joint Commission InternationalTRAINING AND OVERALL VALUE. certified hospitals, The Bahamas offers competitive pricing and the assurance of top-level care, highly trained physicians and medical facilities with luxury perks such as the concierge services available at The Bahamas Medical Center.

Medical Imaging: Knee replacement Each of these destinations offers the added bonus of a magnificent X-rays array of landscapes and fascinating locales to explore pre- or post-treatment, PHOTO: © KRAVKA | from the natural beauty of tropical beaches and mountain ranges to DREAMSTIME.COM ancient Maya ruins and vibrant towns steeped in colorful histories.

Best Airline in Mexico

aeromexico.com

Aeromexico 10th Consecutive Year

2019

PREVIEW

Aruba With the slogan “One Happy Island,” Aruba inspires happiness in countless ways. Discover miles of white-sand beaches, Caribbean blue waters, plenty of year-round sunshine and some of the friendliest people on the planet. From snorkeling, paddle boarding, off-roading and cave exploration to bird and donkey sanctuaries and butterfly farms, choose your own adventure on this tiny island paradise. Learn more about Aruba next month as you read Friends & Family: Aruba.

PHOTO: © YANTA | DREAMSTIME.COM

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Generosity of space. Millions of twinkling lights. Thousands of ornaments. Hundreds of enhanced cleaning protocols. Boundless family-friendly holiday events, from tubing and gingerbread decorating to our brand-new I Love Christmas Movies™ immersive pop-up experience featuring ELF™, THE POLAR EXPRESS™, and more!

November 13 – January 3 | ChristmasAtGaylordHotels.com ELF and all related characters and elements © & ™ New Line Productions, Inc. (s20) THE POLAR EXPRESS and all related characters and elements © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (s20)

Dallas. Nashville. DenveR. Orlando.