The World Tourism Organization recently issued a statement saying that standing still is not an option; that countries on all development levels rely on the driving force of tourism and its restart!
Last Christmas we celebrated with Jerk Chicken, Calaloo Salad, and Toto Cake in Negril, Jamaica. Not only did the new place and culture open our eyes and hearts, it spurred us to celebrate and honor our similarities.
Here are 17 ways you can celebrate humanity around the world next year with very special celebrations and equally special settings. From luxury picnics amid local wildlife at Africa’s Ngorongoro Crater to snorkeling pristine reefs off Indonesia’s remote Sumba Island to staying in a private tree house in Saint Lucia, these featured Virtuoso hotels and resorts, cruise lines, tour operators, travel companies, and destination partners specialize in special on a global scale.
Seek Adventure
Go North To Santa Claus Headquarters. Holiday lore tells us that Santa Claus’ home base is the North Pole. The Finns have the details: In Lapland’s capital, Rovaniemi, the official Santa Claus Office welcomes travelers with snowmobile safaris, reindeer-drawn sleigh rides, and visits with the old man himself.
Conquer FOMO in Costa Rica. Do it all – zip-lining, birdwatching, cooking lessons, horseback riding, and spying sea turtles laying eggs – at the 54-room Hotel Punta Islita or take in al fresco dining at Kasiiya Papagayo.
Spy Big Five on an epic African adventure. Picnic amid herds at Ngorongoro Crater and trek to see rare mountain gorillas on a ten-day tour of Tanzania and Rwanda with Giltedge Africa.
Island-hop like a local in Greece. Leave the mayhem to Mykonos and follow the experts of Original Senses – Greece to the Small Cyclades – dozens of dreamy islands and rock islets – on a sun-soaked seven-day sail.
Take the Family
Uncover the ruins of ancient Inca civilization. Explore Peru with your family or a handpicked troupe of travelers by your side. on an Adventures by Disney Private Adventure. These expertly crafted itineraries will give you an up close and personal experience.
Pick your pool from an aquatic array. In Hawaii, ride the lazy river, shower in a waterfall, plunge down a 150-foot waterslide, or enjoy the hush of the adult pool at the 604-room Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa.
Fast track slip-and-slide access. Travel Impressions’ six-day getaway to The Reef Atlantis in the Bahamas includes expedited airport transfers for express access to the eight-slide Aquaventure waterpark.
Indulge Your Interests
Find your craic in Ireland. From peat-fire-warmed castles to pubs resounding with trad music, this Virtuoso travel advisor can point yyou to where the craic – or bonhomie, fun, and lively conversation – is best in Ireland.
Dine lagoon-side like a locavore. Among delectables of the 90-room St. Regis Bora Bora Resort – including deck-service breakfast – savor uravena and other local fish from celeb chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.
Graze gourmet Australia. Follow your nose from the café-filled laneways of Melbourne to Barossa Valley shiraz wineries and Kangaroo Island’s sheep’s milk cheeses with Swain Destinations’ 13-day gastronomic tour Down Under.
Seek Balance
Have it all on Mexico’s new riviera. Zipline, surf, stand-up paddleboard, or just chill with a view from one of 104 oceanfront villas and jungle shrouded tree houses at One&Only Mandarina,
Take a me day. Hit the barre or HIIT classes at Santa Monica’s acclaimed indoor/outdoor gym, then reward yourself with a choreographed Flow massage at the 302-room Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows.
Steep in the healing power of the ocean. Whether swimming from your overwater villa or following ancient Polynesian rituals in the seawater-focused spa, dive into wellness at the 84-suite InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa.
Think Epic
Kick your South American bucket list. Combine two travel life goals – a cruise in the biodiverse Galápagos Islands aboard the 64-passenger Celebrity Xpedition and a trip to Machu Picchu – in one seamless 17-day Celebrity Cruises itinerary.
Book a stay with sense of place. One Aman resort is unlike the other 33 in this anti-cookie-cutter collection that spans palaces in Venice, a fishing village in Montenegro, and a palm oasis in Morocco.
Transit the Panama Canal in a ship custom-built for the locks. Wonder at the engineering feat abbreviating the trip between Pacific and Atlantic Oceans aboard the 1,970-passenger Coral Princess on a 16-day Princess Cruises sailing.
Beachcomb Asia in a five-nation vacation. Sail 15 days aboard Seabourn’s 604-passenger Seabourn Ovation between Hong Kong and Singapore, visiting the dramatic islets of Halong Bay, Vietnam, and beaches in Cambodia and Thailand en route.
If you are interested in booking a celebration trip in 2021 or the yet to come, I would love to hear from you!
How Far Adventures is an independent affiliate of Gifted Travel Network, a Virtuoso Travel Member.
