PARK HYATT TOKYO APPOINTS BEN WHEELER AS CHEF DE CUISINE AT NEW YORK GRILL & BAR

Park Hyatt Tokyo is pleased to announce Ben Wheeler as New York Grill & Bar’s Chef de Cuisine. In his new role, Chef Ben brings his culinary passion and creativity to one of Tokyo’s most iconic restaurants.

Born in the United Kingdom, Chef Ben was raised in the Buckinghamshire countryside. From a young age, he felt he belonged in the kitchen and was fascinated experimenting with basic ingredients and turning them into something delicious. His fondest childhood memories were making pastries and cakes with his grandmother.

Chef Ben began his culinary career at The Stag at Mentmore, followed by the Grand Hotel Kempinski Geneva, Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi and Four Seasons Trinity Square London. Thereafter he joined as Chef de Cuisine at Grand Hyatt Kuwait and Atlantis The Royal Dubai as a member of their pre- opening teams.

Japan has always intrigued Chef Ben, from its food, to cars and particularly the culture. He is fascinated by Japanese trends, both modern and traditional, and most of all, the attention to detail and dedication to perform any task artistically and efficiently. Chef Ben’s dream was to move to Japan and immerse himself in its culture, experiencing all five senses throughout the country and particularly the sense of taste and smell.

Food consumes most of Chef Ben’s time, both professionally and personally. During his leisure time, you can find him reading cookbooks and trying new restaurants and bars. In joining Park Hyatt Tokyo, Chef Ben said, “It is an honor to join Park Hyatt Tokyo, with its long history of setting international luxury hotel standards in Japan, both in culinary and service. I look forward to continuing New York Grill & Bar’s story and learning from the Japanese culinary team, while sharing my experiences and new ideas.”

After the completion of scheduled building maintenance, New York Grill & Bar will reopen on April 1, 2024. From April 15 to 18, 2024, Chef Ben welcomes Australia’s Rockpool Bar & Grill’s Executive Chef Santiago Aristizabal for a special four-hands culinary collaboration creating a unique six-course dinner menu. Colombian-born Chef Santiago Aristizabal joined Rockpool Bar & Grill in 2009 and quickly proved himself to be an integral member of the culinary team as his career progressed from Sous Chef to Head Chef to his current position overseeing all three Rockpool Bar & Grill in Australia – Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. The limited dinner menu is priced at JPY55,000 per person, including consumption tax and subject to a 15% service charge. Reservations are required. For reservations, please contact New York Grill & Bar at (+81-3) 5323 3458 or visit NEW YORK GRILL | Park Hyatt Tokyo.

About Park Hyatt

Park Hyatt hotels provide discerning, global travelers with a refined home-away-from-home. Guests of Park Hyatt hotels receive quietly confident and personalized service in an enriching environment. Located in several of the world’s premier destinations, each Park Hyatt hotel is custom designed to combine sophistication with understated luxury. Park Hyatt hotels feature well-appointed guestrooms, world-renowned artwork and design, rare and immersive culinary experiences, and signature restaurants featuring award-winning chefs. There are currently 44 Park Hyatt hotels in the following locations: Abu Dhabi, Auckland, Bangkok, Beaver Creek, Beijing, Buenos Aires, Busan, Canberra, Changbaishan, Carlsbad, Chennai, Chicago, Doha, Dubai, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Hyderabad, Istanbul, Jakarta, Jeddah, Kyoto, Maldives, Melbourne, Mendoza, Milan, New York, Ningbo, Niseko, Paris, Saigon, Sanya, Seoul, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Siem Reap, St. Kitts, Suzhou, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto, Vienna, Washington, D.C., Zanzibar, and Zurich. For more information, please visit parkhyatt.com. Follow @ParkHyatt on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and tag photos with #LuxuryIsPersonal.

Palm Beach: What’s New 2024

With winter in full swing, travelers as well as cultural and culinary institutions have started flocking south to America’s favorite winter destination – Palm Beach. With new restaurants, an immersive creative arts scene spanning from ornate Gilded Age décor to contemporary pop-art, and a series of festivals and events, below is a preview of what’s new and notable in Palm Beach this season as well as the latest from White Elephant Palm Beach – the must-stay boutique hotel on island.

Palm Beach’s New Wave: A Cultural Renaissance

America’s first resort town is trending again. Palm Beach has been a favorite getaway for the jet set since the Gilded Age thanks to its sunny weather, miles of beaches, palm tree-lined streets and designer boutiques. Now, the resort town is beckoning a younger, fashion-forward crowd. Urbanites have relocated from major cities and a flurry of restaurants, galleries and boutiques have followed – reinvigorating the town with a chic new vibe while still retaining the island’s glamour of its past era. Recent New York culinary transplants include Harry’s, Adrienne’s and Felice at The Square in West Palm Beach, while 2024 will welcome Tutto Mare, a Mediterranean concept by the Tutto il Giorno restaurant group that will open at The Royal Poinciana Plaza as Palm Beach’s first and only intra-coastal waterfront destination, and Maman, a French café and bakery also at The Square.

Thriving Creative Culture

Palm Beach is also a growing destination for art and culture lovers. The Norton Museum of Art, which underwent a $100 million renovation in recent years, will host an upcoming exhibition (March 2-June 16) featuring a curated selection of works by Ellen Graham, the American portrait photographer known for her unplanned and unposed shots of actors, musicians, royals and athletes. Art galleries including Taglialatella and Gallery Biba feature some of the biggest names in progressive art movements: Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Banksy and Robert Raushenberg. Another must-stop is the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum, the 100,000 square foot Gilded Age mansion and national historic landmark. With marble halls, lavish furnishings and gold leaf detailing the estate is an ode to the opulence of the early 1900s era – with an impressive art and antique collection with pieces dating back to the Renaissance. White Elephant Palm Beach, with a museum-worthy collection of its own featuring 120 original pieces of colorful, contemporary art, also offers an insightful glimpse into the architectural history of Palm Beach. The Architecture & Preservation Package includes two nights in a one-bedroom suite and a 1.5-hour architecture tour of the great homes and iconic buildings on island led by a representative from the Palm Beach Preservation Foundation.

Social Season: Calendar of Events

There is no shortage of events during the height of Palm Beach’s social season. Polo enthusiasts will head to the Winter Equestrian Festival, the longest-running equestrian event in the world, happening through March 31 or the Palm Beach International Polo Season at the nearby International Polo Club Palm Beach. Fashion lover? From February 15-21, the Palm Beach Jewel & Antique Show is a high-end showcase of rare stones and objects spanning every genre and combining many periods and movements. Meanwhile, the Historical Society of Palm Beach County will present an “Endless Summer: Palm Beach Resort Wear” exhibition, exploring the palm Beaches’ impact on fashion history, through May 25, 2024. Set against the clear blue waters, one of the largest boat shows in the world, Palm Beach International Boat Show, will also return on March 21 with over $1.5 billion worth of yachts, boats, and accessories on display.

Where to Stay: White Elephant Palm Beach

Nestled in the heart of Palm Beach sits an icon of Palm Beach luxury – White Elephant Palm Beach. With an enviable location just off Main Street, White Elephant Palm Beach is housed in the former Bradley Park Hotel, originally constructed in 1924 as one of the first resorts on Palm Beach’s Main Street. Today, the landmark building with a Mizner-style façade captures the spirit of a grand home with 32 residential-style rooms and suites, a buzzy restaurant (and another northeast transplant) LoLa 41, and exclusive amenities including access to the latest BMW series and Priority Bicycles to explore the island. Ideal for families or those who want to entertain, The Park Suite offers 1,500-square feet of privacy and refinement with four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a kitchen, and a private rooftop terrace is a luxurious home away from home. Bonus: With White Elephant Palm Beach’s Winter Suite Package, travelers who book a suite through March 31 will also enjoy daily in-room breakfast, a tour of the Flagler Museum, an afternoon tea for two at LoLa 41 and a guided, walking tour of the shop-lined Worth Avenue.

Rates start at $495 per night for a Deluxe King Room, $695 per night for a one-bedroom suite, and $3,295 per night for the Park Suite.

How to Get There

Nonstop flights are available into both Palm Beach from several U.S. cities including New York, Washington D.C., Boston, and Dallas. Many seasonal flights are returning to Palm Beach International Airport this winter as well, including daily direct service from Los Angeles on JetBlue starting December 2023 and from New York’s Westchester County on Delta as of November 10. There are also several nonstop flights into nearby Miami and Fort Lauderdale, including a new route from Ottawa on Porter Airlines – easily connected to Palm Beach in under one hour via the chic Brightline rail. It’s now easier than ever to explore the sunshine state with Brightline’s new extended service, effortlessly linking West Palm Beach with Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, and Orlando.

AM/PM News / January 2024

2023 might be behind us, but we are mindful that global news will continue to have an impact locally and beyond borders. We hope that the new year brings health, peace, happiness – and if we can add a bit of joy through travel, that would fulfill our wish for 2024.

We will continue to focus on news from our favorite destinations, hotels, resorts, trains and ships. Have ideas, thoughts and opinions on what you’d like to read more (or less) about? Drop us a line and let us know.

Destination of the Month: London

Visiting Britain’s capital is exciting no matter what time of year, but this year, the city bursts into 2024 with particular panache, especially when it comes to art and culture. The acclaimed show “Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto” (through Feb. 25 at the V&A) is sold out, but The Kensington has a special package that grants guest two tickets, as well as a coffee table book about the style icon who famously said, “Elegance is when the inside is as beautiful as the outside.” One presumes the late French designer Thierry Despont would have agreed with this sentiment. Under his tutelage, The Beaumont, one of Mayfair’s most stylish addresses with 29 new rooms and a revamped top suite, The Roosevelt, with gorgeous, Art Deco-inspired interiors.

Across town in the heart of Chelsea, meanwhile, at the Cadogan, A Belmond Hotel, star pâtissier Benoît Blin has infused that classic tradition of British tea with signature French flair and a focus on seasonality and unique flavor profiles (look for a la religieuse, cream-filled choux buns that have, incidentally, been a favorite challenge on The Great British Bakeoff). For arguably even more intrigue than even a competitive baking show, L’oscar, the Michel Reybier Hospitality Collection’s boutique property, takes the concept of hotel-as-theater to a new level. Housed in a Baroque-style, Grade-II listed former church, the hotel was reimagined by impresario Jacques Garcia, a lover of dark velvets and mirror-gilded interiors.

If more high-drama is what you’re after, then get thee to the Donmar Warehouse where David Tennent (Dr. Who for fans of his big-screen persona) is busy bringing down the house in the Scottish play. For guaranteed tickets to this show, check in at The Bloomsbury, housed in a redbrick Edwin Lutyens-designed building and infused with literary spiritedness, particularly in the Seamus Heaney Library, home to many first editions and 20th-century classics. The “Macbeth Package” (available until Feb. 10) includes dinner and bubbly for two—useful fortification prior to seeing this intense production.

And if all this urban stimulation has you hankering for a jaunt into the British countryside, mark your calendars: in February, the lovingly restored British Pullman, A Belmond Train, will reprise its extremely popular Moving Murder Mystery experience (calling all sleuths) and, later in the month, travel to Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, A Belmond Hotel, Oxfordshire for a sumptuous lunch at the two-Michelin-starred restaurant there.

ampr Quiz: And the Oscar Goes To…

…well, we don’t know yet but for movie buffs, these film lore–infused hotels should be on your radar. Can you guess the hotel or resort described in the hints below?

  1. This property is where Bob Marley recovered following his attempted assassination in the 70s, an event that will be depicted in the soon-to-be-released movie, One Love.
  2. This languorous movie released in 2003 was set largely in a designer hotel and put director Sofia Coppola and the actress Scarlet Johannson on the map.
  3. The top suite at this hotel on the Italian Riviera honors Ava Gardner, who stayed here while filming Barefoot Contessa.

[A: Island Outpost’s Strawberry Hill in Jamaica B: Lost in Translation, shot at the Park Hyatt Tokyo. C: Splendido Mare, A Belmond Hotel, in Portofino]

Newsflash: Global Hotel Guide for Design Lovers

A new year equals new design resolutions, and where better to gather inspiration than on the road, at those brilliant hotels that pull off that delicate balance between comfort and style. Here are four to keep top-of-mind as you re-envision the places you call home.

This passion project of Wilbert Das (the former Creative Director of Diesel) has grown in scope since it opened in 2009, but at its core, the 13-casa property remains true to its founding principles, committed to sustainability and community impact, as well as cutting-edge design. Its “five-mile radius” philosophy includes all materials, resulting in ultra-creative, locally made furniture and fixtures. Case-in-point: the much-copied eucalyptus shower heads that are stylish and sustainable.

Designed by powerhouse Brazilian duo Fernando and Humberto Campana, this hotel is a marvel of modernity. Look for artworks by heavyweights such as Jenny Holzer and Barbara Kruger (owner Dakis Joannou is one of the world’s leading collectors of contemporary art) as well as the Campana Brothers’ iconic furniture designs, including their Favela chair.

Located inside the walls of the medina, this hotel remains a show-stopper of a master class in Moroccan architecture, artisanship and gardens. 2024 will see a sister property opening in Casablanca, creating an exciting duo destination for style aficionados and culture seekers.

Mark your calendars for February’s Modernism Week (Feb 15-25) when the city of Palm Springs will host a show with more than 100 dealers, as well as open up iconic homes for tours, talks and events. There is no better place to stay than The Parker Palm Springs, the Jonathan Adler–designed desert oasis set on 13 acres. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped onto the set of a 1960s-era movie set, with throwback glamor, a fabulous restaurant and sexy adults-only swimming pool. In short, a great spot from which to ponder all your design goals for 2024.

Trending: Worth the Long Flight

Let’s face it – the days of glamorous air travel are long gone (unless you can secure a seat in the revamped first classes of a handful of airlines). Luckily, there are also those destinations that transport you as soon as you step off the plane, blissfully overwriting the memories of any discomfort in the getting there. Here are five of these memory lapses.

Bhutan: Go for…the newly opened andBeyond Punakha River Lodge, with six tented suites and incredible access to experiences like rafting, kayaking and hikes with a backdrop of the Himalayas. Getting There: Direct flights from New Delhi, Bangkok (and others)

Maldives: Go for…Gili Lankanfushi Maldives, an eco-luxe resort with a serious angle on sustainability, as evidenced in chef Hari Govindaraj’s comprehensive plant-forward menus. Thanks to a proliferation of activities as well as serene spaces (like the stunning spa), Gili Lankanfushi is great for honeymooners/couples and families. Getting There: Direct flights from Dubai, London, Frankfurt, Bangkok (and others)

Japan: Go for…some of the world’s best snow and skiing, including thirty miles of trails. The ultimate ski-in/ski-out hotel — Park Hyatt Niseko — has suites with terraces and private onsens (hot springs) for soaking in the panoramas. Getting There: Sapporo (the closest airport) is serviced directly from Tokyo, Osaka, Seoul Taipei and Hong Kong (among others)

South Africa: Go for…rediscovering what’s new in Cape Town, an evolving art and fashion city, and check in at the soon-to-turn 125 years Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel. The hotel’s afternoon tea is legendary, in part thanks to Craig Cupido, South Africa’s first expertly-trained tea sommelier who helps select among 60 different varieties. Getting There: Direct flights from New York, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, London, Frankfurt (among many other)

Singapore: Go for…catching the relaunch of the fabled Eastern & Oriental Express, A Belmond Train, with 15 restyled carriages that feel more like hotel suites than train compartments. Departing from Singapore and with an itinerary that includes snorkeling in Langkawi, a UNESCO Global Geopark, and a trip to the Taman Negara National Park, one of the world’s most ancient rainforests at 130 million years. Getting There: Direct flights from London, Hong Kong, New York, San Francisco, Tokyo (and many others)

Great Expeditions: Slow Travel

Exploring the world’s most delicate ecosystems requires a light touch, which is why Aqua Expeditions embraces a slow, thoughtful way of travel. Charting a luxurious passage on Southeast Asia’s longest river across Cambodia and Vietnam, the 205-foot Aqua Mekong travels at a speed of 6-7 knots, allowing for a slow-paced experience. A three-night Mekong Discovery sailing will either head upriver in Cambodia by exploring the Tonle Sap River, or downriver between Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh, while a four-night Explorer cruise will sail upriver from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh, past floating villages and gilded pagodas. For a deep-dive into the destination, the seven-night Mekong Expedition cruise includes more time on the Cambodia stretch of the Mekong, which is virtually untouched by tourists.

AM/PM Newsflashes:

  • Costa Rica: Nayara Gardens, the first hotel of the Nayara Resorts group, will reopen in January 2024 following a complete rebuild of all the accommodations. Newly-named Arenal Casitas will feature a private deck and a plunge pool, with indoor and outdoor showers enveloped in the lush surrounding rainforest (which also happens to be a sloth sanctuary). A spa renovation is also in the works.
  • Nantucket: Nantucket’s Cottages at the Boat Basin, overlooking the famous harbor, will unveil a six-month multi-million-dollar renovation in April 2024. Drawing on the island’s rich seafaring history dating back to the 19th century, Nantucket-based designer Audrey Sterk will infuse new life into 29 Cottages, ranging in size from studios to three-bedroom lofts. A dozen of the accommodations, dubbed “Woof Cottages,” will continue to welcome those traveling with pets.
  • Greece: Furniture wunderkind Rick Owens has entered into his first-ever hotel partnership with Kalesma, a suite and villa-only property in Mykonos, Greece. Owens’s effortlessly cool work is displayed in the lobby, while the rooms feature original artwork by Serbian artist Aleksandar Vac, whose ceramics evoke traditional Cycladic minimalistic forms.

Terraces for Spring

LONDON

The Beaumont

The Beaumont’s new Terrace offers alfresco drinking and dining for the first time at the property, in an enclosed outdoor terrace overlooking Brown Hart Gardens. With 1920s-style rattan armchairs and cafe tables enfolded by lush greenery, The Terrace serves drinks alongside salads, sandwiches and light bites from 8am to 8pm, and can be covered and heated in colder weather.

The Dalloway Terrace, The Bloomsbury

Dalloway Terrace, named for Mrs. Dalloway in the Virginia Woolf novel, is an elegant, poetic and quintessentially English space. Fully heated, this year-round destination restaurant and bar offers the peace and charm of a secluded secret garden in the winter, and a light, elegant and beautiful al fresco space in the spring and summer months. Light breakfasts, brunch, afternoon tea and all-day favorites make up the Dalloway Terrace menu, with a range of cocktails and wines also available.

WASHINGTON DC

The Pembroke, The Dupont Circle

The airy Pembroke restaurant situated in the bustling heart of Dupont Circle features American and international classics with the option of al fresco dining. The Pembroke’s beautiful design by Martin Brudnizki features plush velvet coral-toned banquettes around glossy marble tables, cream-paneled walls with playful artwork, and boasts panoramic views of the neighborhood, while its seasonal terrace offers al fresco dining from spring to fall.

ZURICH

La Muña, La Réserve Eden au Lac

La Muña is the crown jewel of La Réserve Eden au Lac, serving Japanese Peruvian specialties alongside an extensive wine and sake list. Accessible via the glass elevator in the hotel lobby, the rooftop overlooks the city of Zurich and offers unique 360-degree views of the lake. One of the two outdoor terraces can be entirely privatized. Whether out in the sun or under the large umbrellas, guests can enjoy a relaxed yet festive atmosphere while looking out over Lake Zurich with the Alps in the distance.

BARCELONA

Azimuth, Almanac Barcelona

At the Azimuth rooftop bar at Almanac Barcelona, mingle with locals while taking in views of La Sagrada Familia and Mount Tibidabo. The panoramic rooftop terrace also features a guest-only pool for cooling off in the summer. On Fridays and Saturday nights, enjoy live music or a DJ for the perfect chill summer vibe.

Hot Greece Summer 2023

Travel to Greece has been booming since summer 2021 when the country was one of the first in Europe to reopen to American travelers, with over four million visitors in July 2022. According to Virtuoso, it is one of the hottest global summer destinations (along with domestic travel within United States, and Italy, France, and Canada).

What’s New?

  1. Kalesma Mykonos will reopen for the season in April unveiling a brand-new spa with products and treatments by Dr. Barbara Sturm. There will be two treatment rooms, a hammam, and a cryotherapy area. The spa sits beneath the main lobby and offers a respite from the warm, Mediterranean sun. (Kalesma will reopen for the season on April 14, 2023.) Kalesma is also launching new experiences this summer, including a visit to a local family homestead to take a look back in time to the original Mykonos. A private guide through the family farm to experience traditional, local life includes cooking a typical Mykonian recipe, including kneading and baking bread in a stone oven, followed by a lovely lunch.
  2. Guests can channel their inner Greek hero with Euphoria Retreat’s new Odysseus Journey. The new five-day retreat is inspired by Homer’s epic tale and mixes Euphoria’s Five Elements philosophy with group discussions and immersive experiences. (The five-element philosophy goes back to the ancient Greeks and Hippocrates and how the elements are linked to personalities. The Euphoria Methodos channels this along with Greek mythology to help explore self-awareness.) The Odysseus Journey retreat is one of self-reflection, helping participants discover their own “Ithaca”/their heart’s desire. Guests will have group sessions including Forest Meditation and Energy Movement, Dance Therapy, time in the Salt Room, a Byzantine Hammam Ritual, Balancing, and Labyrinth Meditation. The retreat is led by Euphoria’s founder Marina Efraimoglou and Euphoria’s spiritual mentor, Mary Vandorou, and can be booked April 4-9 or June 13-18. More dates to come.
  3. xenodocheio Milos in Athens has partnered with neighboring local favorite, Naxos Apothecary, to offer a new experience exclusive for guests to create a signature scent. Hotel guests can choose to do this either in the chic, airy apothecary around the corner or in their own suite. An expert will conduct a “tasting” of scents to distill a perfect, custom perfume, often using local Greek herbs and flowers. xendocheio Milos is not only Athen’s first designer boutique hotel but the capital’s only gastronomy hotel, with an estiatorio Milos restaurant from celebrated Greek chef Costas Spiliadis. Set within two heritage-listed neoclassical buildings in the heart of Athens, the hotel is a study in Cycladic minimalism, with sculptural accents and artwork by local artisans. Suites have sunny terraces with top views of the Old Parliament and beyond to Lycabettus Hill.
  4. This September, PONANT is launching a new eight-day, seven-night journey, Cruising the Mediterranean: Greece, Sicily, and Malta – with Smithsonian Journeys in partnership with the travel program of the Smithsonian Institution. The trip will explore nearly six millennia of history from the 5,500-year-old megaliths on Malta to the mid-20th-century playground of the rich and famous on Hydra. Other highlights include the Byzantine monastery on Patmos and an excursion to Olympia on Katakolon, home to the ancient Sanctuary of Zeus and the birthplace of the Panhellenic Games. Two Smithsonian Journeys Experts – archeologist David Price Williams and art historian Sara James – will complement the excursions sharing their expertise with dedicated lectures and conferences onboard (September 26-October 3; starting at $5,920 per person based on double occupancy).

How to get there from…

New York

  • JFK: Direct flights on American Airlines (starting May 5) and Delta (started on March 9).
  • Newark: Direct flights on Emirates (year-round) and United Airlines (starts April 6).

Philadelphia

  • Direct flights on American Airlines (starting June 1).

Chicago

  • Direct flights on American Airlines (starting June 1).

Atlanta

  • Direct flights on Delta (starting March 25).

Boston

  • Direct flight on Delta (starting May 8).

Washington, DC (Dulles)

  • Direct flight on United Airlines (starting May 5).

 

 

NEW SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS AND PONANT EXPEDITION: A ‘SYMPHONY ON THE ST. LAWRENCE’ FROM QUEBEC TO THE CANADIAN MARITIMES, OCTOBER 16-30, 2023 Featuring Keith Lockhart, Conductor of the Boston Pops

Washington, D.C. (Nov. 2, 2022) ¾ Smithsonian Journeys is collaborating with PONANT on a series of co-branded sailings for 2023. Each of the 21 itineraries will be led by two Smithsonian Journeys Experts—whether an art historian, a solar astrophysicist, or an international relations expert—whose expertise and knowledge will shed new light on a destination and deepen travelers’ immersion in place.

Among the new sailings is the “Symphony on the St. Lawrence,” a 15-day journey from Quebec to the Canadian Maritimes aboard Le Bellot, featuring the Conductor of the Boston Pops, Keith Lockhart, and performances by internationally renowned musicians including pianist Jihye Chang, cellist Alistair MacRae, soprano Allison Pohl, violist Scott Rawls, and violinists Wendy Rawls and Benjamin Sung. Maritime historian Eric Roorda will also be on board to lead engaging discussions about the scenic St. Lawrence waterway and UNESCO-recognized landmarks like Lunenberg, Nova Scotia.

The journey begins in Toronto, Canada’s largest and most dynamic city, which sits on Lake Ontario — the smallest of the five Great Lakes of North America and a gateway to the Saint Lawrence River. The first of four calls in Quebec is Montreal, a cosmopolitan metropolis with a UNESCO-recognized Old Town, the largest outdoor market in North America, and the iconic hill of Mount Royal. From there, it’s on to the capital of the French-speaking province, Quebec City, where narrow cobblestone streets, impressive ramparts and fortifications, and one of Canada’s grandest hotels – the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac — set the scene for Old World romance. At the mouth of the Saguenay River is Tadoussac, the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in Canada and a prime destination for whale watching (including Humpbacks and Belugas). After a day at sea, Le Bellot will arrive at Percé, one of the most beautiful villages in Quebec, which sits at the top of the Gaspé Peninsula and is a gateway to the UNESCO Global Geopark of Bonaventure Island.

On the eighth day of the trip, guests will arrive at the colonial seaport of Charlottetown, on Prince Edward Island, home to the world-famous Anne of Green Gables House, the Prince Edward Island National Park, and the mighty Confederation Bridge, the world’s longest bridge spanning ice-covered water. The next stop in the Maritimes is Cap-aux-Meules, in the Magdalen Islands, which has rich Acadian history and traditions and stunning sandstone cliffs that rise above the Atlantic.

Nova Scotia is next, offering three historical towns for discovery. Charming Baddeck on Cape Breton Island is the point of departure and arrival of the famous Cabot Trail as well as the home of the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site, dedicated to the life of the inventor. Louisbourg boasts the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, a living museum that recreates 18th-century life through the reconstruction of the formerly thriving settlement. And Lunenburg, whose Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a colorful fishing village and a cradle of Maritime culture.

A day at sea brings Le Bellot to Eastport, Maine, a historic seaside town where guests can explore the Tides Institute & Museum of Art, representing the largest and most significant cultural collection along the eastern coast of Maine. The epic journey ends in Gloucester, Massachusetts, a postcard-perfect seaside town that’s long captivated artists including Rudyard Kipling and Edward Hopper.

Rates start at $13,160 per person, based on double occupancy

About the Smithsonian

Since its founding in 1846, the Smithsonian Institution has been committed to inspiring generations through knowledge and discovery. It is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, consisting of 21 museums, the National Zoological Park, education centers, research facilities, cultural centers, and libraries.  Two of the 21 museums – the National Museum of the American Latino and the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum – are in the early planning stages. The total number of objects, works of art, and specimens at the Smithsonian is estimated at nearly 155 million, of which nearly 146 million are scientific specimens at the National Museum of Natural History. www.smithsonian.org

About Smithsonian Journeys

Smithsonian Journeys is part of Smithsonian Enterprises, a division of the Smithsonian which oversees the institution’s commercial activities, including the Smithsonian Channel, which is available in over 55 million households globally; the retail operation, which includes 35 museum and airport stores, food concessions; an E-commerce business, Smithsonianstore.com, and Smithsonian magazine, which reaches more than 8 million monthly readers, consumer and education licensing, and books. Smithsonian Journeys is a global leader in cultural travel for diverse audiences, offering unique, expert-led trips on all seven continents. In addition to ocean cruises with PONANT, Smithsonian Journeys offers small-group land journeys, river cruises, active journeys, cultural stays, private jet trips, tailor-made journeys for the independent traveler, and student travel programs. For more information visit www.SmithsonianJourneys.org or call 1-855-330-1542.

ABOUT PONANT

PONANT’s “Explore to Inspire” mission is centered around exploration to better understand, learn, share and protect. For more than 30 years, PONANT has been committed to more responsible tourism and voyages of exploration which have meaning. The French-flagged fleet comprises 13 small capacity ships equipped with state of the art environmentally friendly equipment. With PONANT, exploration is refined, authentic and a source of inspiration. The company sails to the Arctic and the Antarctic as well as in the Atlantic and North Europe, Mediterranean, Middle East, Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, Asia, Oceania and South Pacific, the Caribbean, North, Central and South America. For more information, visit  https://us.ponant.com  or call 1-844-747-2873 or contact your travel advisor.

 

The Future of Luxury Travel: Highlights From Virtuoso® Travel Week 2022

THE FUTURE OF LUXURY TRAVEL: Highlights From Virtuoso® Travel Week 2022

New York (October 19, 2022) – This year, more than 5,000 luxury travel professionals (from 100+ countries!) gathered in Las Vegas at Bellagio, Aria, and Vdara resorts for Virtuoso Travel Week. Virtuoso is a global network renowned for creating meaningful experiences in luxury travel, and its annual Virtuoso Travel Week serves as the pinnacle by bringing together the group’s world’s-best travel partners and the industry’s most influential travel agencies and advisors. With a laser focus on driving future sales while establishing the latest travel trends from around the world, the event sets the stage for the future of travel. Judging by the numbers, the 2022 Virtuoso Week was a tremendous success, providing measurable value to the group’s members, advisors and preferred partners. Some statistics from this year’s event:

  • 98 percent of Virtuoso Week attendees said the event achieved the primary business objective of offering Virtuoso members the opportunity to network and build/further relationships with preferred partners
  • 97 percent of people said that attending Virtuoso Week was a good investment of their time.
  • 90 percent of attendees felt that the new eight-minute meetings were the right amount of time for the one-to-one appointments
  • Globetrotting was among the highest rated events, achieving a score of 9.1 out of 10

New additions featured at this year’s event proved successful as well. For the first time, Virtuoso introduced a Technology Summit featuring speakers from well-known tech entities such as Hopper and Expedia and Virtuoso’s own Senior Vice President, Digital & Consumer Products Travis McElfresh, while also including venture capitalists that fund travel technology. Virtuoso also joined forces with Condé Nast Traveler for the first time, revealing research each brand had conducted during an hour-long panel featuring Condé Nast Traveler Senior Features Editor Rebecca Misner and Virtuoso Senior Vice President, Marketing Helen McCabe-Young.

Additional features included the first-ever Pinnacle Lounge, a by-invitation-only setting for Virtuoso’s top producing advisors to meet with select partners, the Cruise Café, and partner lounges that invited advisors in for a glimpse at various experiences they can offer. Virgin Galactic was a standout as it brought in an actual seat from its spacecraft and provided attendees with a feel for what suborbital space looks like.

As an added nod towards sustainability, this year’s event totes were responsibly made from recycled plastics pulled from oceans. Attendees also had the ability to opt out of receiving the bag and everything in it, and instead make a donation (paid for by Virtuoso) to one of three charitable organizations: World Central Kitchen, Fairtrade International and Natural Resources Defense Council.

Sustainability remains top of mind, not just for the organizers behind Virtuoso Week, but for travelers as well. Below, five other trends from this year’s event, plus the destinations to watch and must-know insider news.

This Year’s Top Travel Trends

Sustainability Remains a Top Priority

In a recent survey, 74 percent of Virtuoso travelers said they’re willing to pay more to travel sustainably if they know where their money is going. And 70 percent agreed that traveling sustainably actually enhances their vacation experience. Travelers are increasingly committed to purposeful travel, and not just in a strictly ecological sense. They’re also seeking out companies and experiences that focus on “benefitting local people and the economy” and “preserving natural and cultural heritage.”

Travelers of All Ages Are Willing to Splurge on Value-Added Services – Like a Good Travel Advisor

According to a recent Virtuoso survey, 76 percent of travelers have accepted that we’re living in a “new normal,” which explains the growing demand for – and increased value of – an expert advisor who can save travelers time, energy and the headache of sitting on the phone for hours with customer assistance. Even Millennials and Gen Zers are turning to travel advisors. “My daughter is 25 years old and she’s an advocate of using a travel professional,” said Virtuoso travel advisor Susan Bowman. “She tells everyone and her friends also agree. They appear to be a generation that gets it, and they’ve figured out that we add value.” Between navigating airport travel and handling trip logistics, many travelers are opting to work with a dedicated travel advisor. “One of the simplest definitions of luxury goes like this: ‘Of course I can do it myself. I don’t want to’,” said Matthew D. Upchurch, Chairman and CEO of Virtuoso. “Travelers want to find someone who really knows what they’re doing, has great connections, saves time and has their back.”

Travelers are Back to Planning Ahead

With people hitting the road in record numbers, there’s never been so much frenzy around booking flights and hotels. In response to this pent-up demand, travelers are now booking their trips an average of 58 days in advance for domestic hotel stays, and 80 days for international trips (compared to 2019’s 44 and 60 days, respectively). “We’ve seen so much last-minute demand and literally the space is not there,” said Virtuoso advisor Beth Washington. “We’re seeing people now willing to think about things for 2023 instead of planning so last-minute.”

Off-Season Travel is Gaining Steam

If it seemed like everyone was in Europe this summer that’s because they were. According to a Virtuoso poll, seven of the top ten international destinations this summer were in Europe, with Italy and France leading the way. The surge in bookings has some destinations, like Italy, concerned about the effects of overtourism. As a result, travel professionals in Italy – the second-most popular spot for fall travel – are urging travelers to visit in the off-season. It’s a win-win for destinations and for travelers who get to see beloved places without the crowds. In a recent survey, the majority of Virtuoso travelers said they’d be willing to visit a popular destination during the off-season. Virtuoso’s own editors suggest booking a room at Passalacqua, the new Lake Como villa from hotelier Valentina De Santis and the Grand Hotel Tremezzo team, which is open year-round – a rarity in the Lake Como region.

The Destinations to Watch

Palm-fringed beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters, island-hopping. No, we’re not talking about the Maldives, but India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Located on the southeastern edge of the Bay of Bengal, the archipelago is known for its spectacular diving and bioluminescent waters, which travelers can experience with nighttime kayaking off Havelock Island.

About a 45-minute drive north of Cabo San Lucas is the East Cape, a relatively unknown stretch on the Sea of Cortés where a new Four Seasons resort has just landed. According to the tourism board, the destination is a nature lover’s dream, situated near the Cabo Puma National Marine Park, a UNESCO Marine World Heritage site.

All eyes are on Greenland! Silversea is set to launch new itineraries in the Arctic country—the world’s largest island—next year, with other cruise lines, including Quark and Lindblad, set to expand their offerings.

Virtuoso on-site tour connection Access Italy let Virtuoso in on one of their hidden gems: the beautifully preserved hilltop village of Civita di Bagnoregio. Located between Rome and Florence, the medieval town is only accessible by a pedestrian bridge. And as for right now, it remains blissfully under-the-radar.

More Insider News from the Week

One of the best ways to plan for future travels is by creating a Wanderlist and sharing it with a Virtuoso advisor, who can make dreams of pearl harvesting in Australia or taking a private tour of Georgia O’Keeffe’s home and studio a reality. Virtuoso tapped into its worldwide network to find out what else was on the experiential horizon for its global citizens.

A new camp inspired by astronauts is touching down in Antarctica in December. Echo, from super high-end tour operator White Desert, will comprise six futuristic sleeping pods and a common area inspired by a visit from Buzz Aldrin and co-founder Patrick Woodhead’s love of Star Wars. The experience runs $104,000 per person and includes an excursion to the South Pole and private flights to and from the ice landing strip on the property’s doorstep.

On November 3, Auberge Resorts will open a relaxed surf retreat in Punta de Mita, on Mexico’s Pacific Coast. Susurros del Corazón will feature 59 rooms and 30 villas clustered around a three-tier infinity-edge pool, which fronts a glorious white-sand beach. Activities include a “surf safari” that will take guests to lesser-known beaches with consistent breaks and little-to-no crowds.

Fiuggi, Italy is the setting of The Ranch’s newest outpost. The wellness retreat will offer weeklong detoxes and hikes along ancient trade pilgrimage routes.

Armendaris is the newest addition to Ted Turner Reserves, known for its sustainable wildlife preserves in the American Southwest. The four-bedroom hacienda is situated on 360,000 acres in New Mexico’s Chihuahuan Desert and comes with a private chef plus experiences like nature photography workshops, wildlife tours and mountain biking.

Iceland is due to get its first rooftop bar! Next spring, the Reykjavik Edition will debut a rooftop perch where guests can sip cocktails while taking in the Northern Lights.

In November, Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Palace will unveil six vegan suites, constructed without animal products and featuring vegan menus and amenities.

Starting this fall, guests of Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole can hop a private plane and discover a remote corner of Yellowstone National Park, where they’ll meet with an expert naturalist to learn about the area’s elusive gray wolves – and maybe even see a few up close.

Safari operator Singita has created art galleries at its Sabi Sand and Kruger National Park Lodges. These spaces will showcase the work of pre-eminent and emerging African artists. The initiative is part of Singita’s overarching mission to celebrate and incorporate local culture into its offerings.

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About Virtuoso

Virtuoso® is the leading global travel agency network specializing in luxury and experiential travel. This by-invitation-only organization comprises over 1,200 travel agency locations with more than 20,000 travel advisors in over 50 countries throughout North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. Drawing upon its preferred relationships with more than 2,200 of the world’s best hotels and resorts, cruise lines, airlines, tour companies and premier destinations, the network provides its upscale clientele with exclusive amenities, rare experiences and privileged access. Normalized annual sales of (U.S.) $25-$30 billion make Virtuoso a powerhouse in the luxury travel industry. For more information, visit www.virtuoso.com.

 

The Doyle Collection Hotel Group Awarded with Green Tourism Gold Award

The Dupont Circle, Washington D.C. and The Kensington, London are the latest properties in The Doyle Collection Hotel Group to receive full Gold Status accreditation from Green Tourism. The Dupont Circle remains the first hotel to achieve this highest accolade from Green Tourism in the United States, setting it apart in the luxury market.

 

May 2022The Doyle Collection, an Irish family-owned luxury hotel group with eight hotels located in Ireland, tThe UK and the USA, will now hold full Gold Status across all properties and Head Office for its exceptional environmentally friendly practices and conscious consumer ethos. The group is committed to ensuring that it operates in an ethical, socially conscious and sustainable manner. Each of the hotels are actively continuing to make climate positive changes throughout every touch point of the business, to achieve its sustainability mission.

 

Founded in Scotland in 1997, Green Tourism currently boasts 2500+ members and operates in 20 countries worldwide. They endeavor to assist businesses in reducing their environmental impact through a world-leading sustainability standard, endorsing an overarching vision to care for our planet.

 

Based on three fundamental pillars – People, Places and our Planet – the Green Tourism Assessment criteria considers 70 indicators across 15 sustainability goals which include: carbon, waste, water, biodiversity, local produce and products, ethical purchasing, health and wellbeing, equality and inclusivity, culture and heritage, active travel and community giving, all of which are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Its awards certification program shines a light on the commitment of tourism businesses and industries actively working towards becoming more sustainable and recognized worldwide as indicators of environmentally friendly operations.

 

Bernie Gallagher, Chairman of The Doyle Collection states: “We are truly delighted to receive this accolade across the entire portfolio of The Doyle Collection hotels, alongside our head office in Dublin. The recognition of Gold Status is a true testament to the ongoing hard work we continue to put into striving to become more climate conscious in every possible facet of our business. We are on a committed journey to constantly improve the way in which we operate in an effort to safe guard our planet for future generations.”

 

Green Tourism CEO, Andrea Nicholas, remarked: “The investment and support from The Doyle Collection in incorporating sustainability into day-to-day operations and standards has been impressive and an excellent example of corporate commitment.  This along with the dedication, hard work and creativity of the on-site teams at all the hotels has been central to them achieving the highest standard Gold Awards. What is particularly impressive is the success of The Dupont Circle which can be credited with achieving a number of firsts; it being the first hotel in America to become a member of Green Tourism, and the first to be certified with a Gold Award.”

 

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For press enquiries please contact Alice Marshall Public Relations

Sybil@alicemarshall.com

 

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#ResposibleTourism #SustainableTourism #RespectProjectEnjoy #GreenTourism #PeoplePlacesPlanet #LiveGreen #LiveGreenHealthy

 

About The Doyle Collection

At the heart of our business is a warmth of service that stems from our family ownership, imbuing our properties with the familiarity and intimacy of a private home. Each of our eight hotels – landmark buildings in unrivalled city locations, has its own distinct personality that is rooted in, and authentic to, its neighborhood. Innovation and ongoing investment ensure a boutique, cosmopolitan yet local feel – as seen in our cool destination restaurants, bars, and event spaces – while our heritage lends character to our vision of informal luxury, timeless style, and the very best guest experience. www.doylecollection.com | www.doylecollection.com/sustainability

About Green Tourism

Green Tourism is a world leading sustainability standard, influencing and advising tourism and hospitality businesses. Its awards are globally acknowledged as an indicator of environmentally friendly best practice. Founded in Perthshire, Scotland in 1997, Green Tourism now has 2500+ members and our reach extends to 20 different countries worldwide. Based on the three pillars of caring for People, Places and our Planet the Green Tourism Assessment criteria covers over 70 indicators across 15 sustainability goals including Carbon, Waste, Water, Biodiversity, Local Produce and Products, Ethical Purchasing, Health & Wellbeing, Equality and Inclusivity, Culture and Heritage, Active Travel and Community Giving.  All the criteria are aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. www.green-tourism.com

NANTUCKET REOPENS THIS SPRING

 

 

Nantucket: Why Go Now

With Easter, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day and other holidays right around the corner, it’s time to start planning a spring getaway to Nantucket. Get a jump start on the season by arriving in time for the reopening of hotels like White Elephant, overlooking the harbor; The Wauwinet, situated between two private beaches; The Cottages, perched on the Boat Basin; and the Jared Coffin House, a former whaling merchant’s home. All properties are enticing guests with the “Hot Dates, Cool Rates” promotion, which offers discounts of up to 25 percent off nightly rates. Many beloved restaurants like Brant Point Grill and TOPPER’s will also reopen, giving visitors the chance to nab reservations before the summer crowds descend.

As the mercury rises and flowers start to bloom, spring is one of the best times to get outdoors and explore the island, experiencing the full range of activities on offer—from golfing and sailing to surfcasting. Guests of White Elephant have complimentary access to Priority Bicycles, which they can use to peddle around the island, as well as a fleet of 2022 BMW vehicles, also available on a complimentary basis. Guests of the hotel are within strolling distance of beaches, the shops on Main Street, and several cultural centers. On April 23 and 24, the Daffodil Festival will take place on the island, kicking off a 2022 season of celebrations, many of which have been paused in recent years due to the pandemic: May 18-22 will see the return of the Nantucket Wine Festival; June 16-19 the Nantucket Book Festival; and June 22-26 the Nantucket Film Festival.

Suite Spotlight

The only bookable accommodation on Nantucket’s Main Street, 32 Main Street Loft is an airy 2,500-square-foot space with three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, and a state-of-the-art kitchen. The light-drenched loft is located on the second floor of a historic brick building and features sleek, contemporary furnishings and large picture windows with views of Main Street. Perfect for large families or big groups, the pied-à-terre-style accommodation has an expansive living space, an open kitchen, and a dining table that seats 8. Guests also have access to the pool and cabana area at White Elephant, a short walk away.

‘Woof There it Is’

The whole family (four-legged members, included) is welcome at the one- and two-bedroom Woof Cottages. Located at the Nantucket Boat Basin, the Cottages give the impression of sleeping on the water, with large decks overlooking the harbor. These cottages give pets the VIP treatment, with beds, a welcome basket of treats and toys, food and water bowls, and personalized pet tags. For recommendations on the island’s most pet-friendly activities—including the best places to run free, play fetch, and settle down for lunch—email local insider Bailey, a black lab/Brittany Spaniel mix, at petconcierge@thecottagesnantucket.com. Nightly rates start at $275.

How to Travel to the Island

JetBlue, United and American Airlines are re-launching direct service to the island beginning in May from east coast cities including Boston, New York, Newark, Washington D.C. and Charlotte. Roundtrip flights from New York start at $140 while nonstop service from Washington D.C. dips as low as $180 roundtrip. Seastreak Ferry’s seasonal service between Manhattan and Nantucket will also return on weekends beginning June 16.

 

Celebrate Women’s History Month

March is Women’s History Month – a time to (extra) celebrate the accomplishments of our leading ladies. From tours through wine country to dedicated suites, here are inspiring destinations to visit that pay homage to female powerhouses, plus a shoutout to our favorite fearless females.

Female-Focused Suites

Portofino, Italy

Celebrating the iconic 1950s era that defined Portofino’s glamorous past, Splendido Mare, a Belmond property dedicated the penthouse suite to Ava Gardner, as a nod to her stay at the guest house while filming Barefoot Contessa in 1954. Following its complete renovation 2021, the redesigned suite spans the entire top floor of the seaside retreat and features subtle references to the actress in the décor: original vintage photographs of Ava in the artwork selection and coffee table books that relate to her.

Nantucket, MA

Throughout the 1800s, Nantucket was home to more history-making women than anywhere else in the country. At the time, American women could not vote, own property or access higher education. Whaling, the island’s isolated location and Quakerism all played a role in championing women’s rights. As a nod to the island’s history-making females, for suites at the Jared Coffin House, a former whaling merchant’s home, were named after an influential woman from Nantucket. Anna Gardner was instrumental in calling an anti-slavery meeting in 1841 during which Frederick Douglass gave his first speech as an abolitionist speaker. Lucretia Coffin Mott participated in the country’s first meeting about women’s rights in 1848. Maria Mitchell is the first professional female astronomer who opened her own school in 1835 that was desegregated, a controversial move at the time. Mary Coffin Starbuck is recognized for bringing Quakerism to Nantucket in the early 1700s and she ran a trading post that served as the island’s commercial center. The Jared Coffin House is open year-round. Rates start at $145 per night.

Scotland

The Fife Arms, the 19th century hunting lodge in Braemaer Scotland owned by art industry power couple Iwan and Manuela Wirth (of Hauser and Wirth), is inspired by Queen Victoria. The property is just up the road from Balmoral Castle, the residence of the Royal Family. Queen Victoria put Braemar on the map when she purchased Balmoral in 1852 and pioneered fresh air holidays in the destination. Rooms and suites are inspired by some of Braemar’s most noble visitors, including Queen Victoria herself as well as poets Nan Shepard and Marion Angus, Doctor Elsie Inglis, fashion magazine editor Frances Farquharson, and Princesses Louise and Frances Dolgorouki. Each room is a celebration of their involvement in the expansion of Braemar as a destination for visitors around the world.

Women-Led Experiences

Napa Valley, CA

Visit Napa Valley in partnership with West Wine Tours offers the “Women in Wine Country” tasting tour. The privately guided experience brings groups of up to six guests through the vines of Napa Valley in an Instagram-worthy vintage Volkswagen bus. The journey includes three wineries with women winemakers at the helm. Stops include St. Clair Brown Winery & Brewery by Elaine St. Clair, who is the only woman in the U.S. to hold the commercial title of both winemaker and brewer; and Fantesca Estate & Winery by Heidi Barrett, who is known as “The First Lady of Wine” and is behind California’s most notable cult wines, such as Screaming Eagle. The final stop is Crocker & Starr, owned by founding winemaker, Pam Starr. With a career spanning four decades, she is celebrated for her Sauvignon Blanc and sustainable farming practices. Each stop will include a tasting experience and guests may even get a behind-the-scenes sneak peek with the winemakers themselves. Private transportation for up to six guests, including a driver and lunch costs $650 per bus. Tasting experiences are an additional $240 per person. For more information, visit: https://www.westwinetours.com

Scotland

The Fife Arms in the Scottish Highlands recently lifted the veil on a new whisky bar, Bertie’s. The bar offers 365 whiskies from Scotland and around the world, curated by flavor profile: Fragrant, Fruity, Rich and Smoky. Whisky Ambassador Katy Fennema leads experiences such as flights, tastings, and tours of local distilleries. Fennema is also a consultant for the Edinburgh Whisky Academy. Fun fact: women now account for 30-40% of consumers of whisky.

Who Runs the World? Girls!

Tessa Hempson… is the marine scientist and program manager behind andBeyond’s Ocean Without Borders project in East Africa. Tessa has spent her career exploring and studying oceans around the world, having worked as a helicopter underwater evacuation instructor for the Australian Defense Force; a conservation manager for the Sustainable Seas Trust (SST); and a researcher on the Aldabra Atoll World Heritage Site in the Seychelles. Guests of andBeyond’s three island lodges in Mozambique and Zanzibar can join Tessa in conservation experiences like fish tagging, measuring and monitoring reef systems in the Indian Ocean.

Florence Kuyper …is an expedition leader and naturalist guide on PONANT’s new Le Commandant Charcot. A self-proclaimed polar fanatic, she spends much of the year in 24-hour daylight, splitting her time between navigating the icy waters in the Arctic and Antarctica. But she’s not averse to a bit of heat. She also once crossed the Gobi Desert in Mongolia, walking almost 800 miles alongside a camel caravan. In addition to leading almost 100 expeditions to the poles, Kuyper also spent five months as a base leader in Port Lockroy, a British station on the Antarctic peninsula. Guests can join her on expeditions that explore Peter I Island - where fewer people have visited than the moon, and Charcot Island - located in the Southern Ocean, which is covered in ice for most of the year making it difficult to reach and practically unexplored.

Bernie Gallagher…is Chairman of The Doyle Collection, the family-owned, Irish hotel group with properties in Dublin, London, Cork, Bristol, and Washington, DC. In additional to being meticulously detail-orientated in the running of each hotel, she is passionate about supporting and uplifting women. She spearheads the group’s annual initiative to support women in business by offering complimentary professional headshots in each of their city locations. Often securing a professional profile shot often falls to the wayside. The Doyle Collection is inviting women to book a slot with a professional female photographer, who will ensure they are comfortable within the stylish hotel surroundings, and each will receive a digital headshot that can be used as a valuable marketing tool – whether it be for website, social media, LinkedIn profiles or press outreach. (In Washington, DC, this will take place on March 8 at The Dupont Circle hotel.)

 

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