Monday newsletters at all times characteristic high 10 journey lists to encourage.
At this time: My 10 finest journey experiences of 2022
Because the 12 months 2022 is coming to an finish, it’s time to replicate on the headlines and tales that formed the previous 12 months. 2022 is a 12 months most of us wish to overlook as shortly as potential. Nonetheless recovering from the results of the worldwide pandemic, the world awoke on February 24, 2022, with the beginning of an unjustified, unprovoked and completely mindless warfare in Europe and with little concept of the affect it might have on everybody’s lives. The warfare has unleashed a horrific humanitarian disaster (with destroyed lives, destroyed properties, and destroyed infrastructure) and created shock waves in international power and meals markets, main to cost volatility, provide shortages, safety points and financial uncertainty. However the warfare has additionally proven us the braveness of a rustic underneath assault, bringing folks and nations collectively in protection of freedom and reminding the world of the fragility of democracy and peace.
On a optimistic word, 2022 can be the 12 months that worldwide journey bounced again after it collapsed in 2020 and 2021 following the pandemic. Initially of the 12 months, ideas reminiscent of “lockdowns,” “quarantines” and “vaccine mandates” had been a part of our on a regular basis language because the coronavirus pandemic continued to affect all facets of our lives, together with our (disrupted) journey plans and wanderlust. Nevertheless, that appears to be a factor of the previous now in most nations and we’re free once more to journey and discover the world (though journey prices – together with resort charges and flight tickets – have skyrocketed in comparison with the years previous to the pandemic). Since it is a non-political weblog that tries to present you some enlightening journey inspiration, I wish to concentrate on hope, positivity, and my private journey tales, providing an escapism for the avalanche of dangerous information that usually dominates the world media. Listed below are my journey highlights of 2022. Early 2023, I’ll share what to anticipate from me within the subsequent 12 months.
There may be extra info (with journey studies & YouTube movies) beneath the slideshow. You may share your personal ideas on 2022 or your personal 2022 journey highlights within the feedback part beneath.
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10. TRAVELING FIRST CLASS IN A BRITISH AIRWAYS BOEING 777
Early 2022, I flew First Class flight in a British Airways Boeing 777-300ER from London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) within the UK to Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB) in South Africa, my first longhaul journey journey because the begin of the pandemic. It felt fairly superior to be flying in a widebody plane once more, though at the moment, the pandemic scenario and all of the testing & administration required additionally prompted some stress. The experience was pleasurable, however I used to be not likely impressed by the First Class product supplied by British Airways. Though the look of the First Class cabin is modern, the expertise pales compared to the First Class product supplied by different airways, reminiscent of Emirates, Singapore Airways, Etihad Airways, and Cathay Pacific. On a optimistic word: British Airways’ First Class looks like probably the greatest Enterprise Class merchandise on the earth (with a First Class price ticket although). You may learn my journey report of this flight right here (or watch my YouTube video beneath):
9. STAYING AT SWITZERLAND’S MOST FAMOUS LUXURY HOTEL: GSTAAD PALACE
Switzerland is a small landlocked nation proper within the coronary heart of the Alps, bordered by Austria, France, Germany, Italy and Liechtenstein. The nation’s ravishing mountain surroundings, rural villages, glitzy ski resorts, pristine lakes, and inexperienced rolling pastures provide unbeatable winter adventures and summer season outside experiences. The number of totally different sights to see in Switzerland is unimaginable, starting from big glaciers, epic mountains, and wild rivers, to vibrant cities, world-class museums, and scenic prepare journeys. Luxurious accommodations are in plentiful provide in Switzerland, and embody Alpine retreats and classy lakeside resorts. I had beforehand stayed at The Dolder Grand (Zurich) and The Chedi Andermatt (Alps), however in 2022 I returned to Switzerland to check out considered one of its most well-known resort: The Gstaad Palace. Maybe finest generally known as the Bernese Oberland’s winter paradise, Gstaad Palace is a favourite amongst discerning vacationers and has presided over Gstaad since 1913, with splendid views of the Swiss Alps. Learn my evaluate of Gstaad Palace right here.
8. FLYING WITH AIR TAHITI NUI
Flying with Air Tahiti Nui had at all times been very excessive on my bucketlist. In 2019, Air Tahiti Nui completely renewed its fleet by 4 Boeing 787-9s, that are fitted with an extremely lovely livery. One of many nice issues about flying with Air Tahiti Nui is the tropical ambiance of its plane, which immerses you within the “mana” of the Tahitian island as quickly as you step onboard. For instance, a floor-to-ceiling photograph of Bora Bora island takes heart stage within the aircraft’s entry galley, a reminder that the aircraft is about to move to one of many world’s most lovely paradises. Upon getting into the aircraft, the historically dressed and at all times smiling cabin crew additionally fingers out Tiare flowers, the nationwide flower of the islands of Tahiti. All of it evokes a way of vacation, which helps to depart behind the annoyances and stress of attending to and thru the airport. The airline has configured its lie flat Enterprise Class seats in a 2-2-2 structure; whereas not a innovative onerous product, this configuration is sensible, on condition that most individuals touring to French Polynesia are {couples}. General, I completely loved my expertise with Air Tahiti Nui, and you’ll learn my journey report right here (or watch my YouTube video beneath):
7. FLYING IN A LUFTHANSA BOEING 747 TO MIAMI
IMHO, the Boeing 747 is probably the most elegant and spectacular airplane ever designed. The four-engine jet encompasses a distinctive higher deck form, which has earned it the nickname “Jumbo Jet”. It has been 50 years because the first Boeing 747 was delivered to Pan Am, and greater than 1500 of the enduring plane have been constructed since then. Its potential to hold greater than 500 passengers on longhaul routes really opened the age of recent jet journey, bringing with it new potentialities and locations. Sadly although, the Boeing 747 is a dying breed since most airways have phased out the plane in the course of the pandemic, now selecting for extra fuel-efficient and cost-effective widebody plane. Earlier this month, Boeing stopped the manufacturing of all 747 collection. Lufthansa is among the final airways nonetheless flying the Boeing 747, and in April 2022, I had an opportunity to journey on the provider’s Boeing 747-8 from Frankfurt to Miami. Sadly, whereas the Boeing 747 is a marvel of expertise, Lufthansa’s Enterprise Class doesn’t match the grandeur of its flagship plane (though the provider will roll out a brand new premium product subsequent 12 months). You may learn my journey report of this flight right here (or watch my YouTube video beneath):
6. TRYING OUT ALL OF EMIRATES’ BOEING 777 FIRST & BUSINESS CLASS CABINS
Final spring, I flew in an Emirates Boeing 777-300ER that includes the provider’s game-changing First Class product from Dubai (DXB) to Brussels (BRU). With ground to ceiling sliding doorways and modern design options impressed by the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Emirates’ new B777 suites takes luxurious and privateness to the subsequent stage. The suite’s comfortable leather-based seat reclines into a totally flat-bed and may be positioned in a ‘zero-gravity’ place impressed by NASA expertise, giving a sense of rest and weightlessness. The roomy suite additionally has ample area to alter within the privateness of your suite even after the mattress has been made. To make sure all First Class passengers have a view, Emirates additionally launched the business’s first digital home windows for suites positioned within the center aisle. These digital home windows undertaking the view from exterior the plane utilizing real-time digicam expertise. Within the different suites, binoculars can be found for individuals who wish to discover the sky exterior their home windows. Throughout the identical journey (to and from the Maldives), I additionally go to expertise all the opposite premium merchandise that Emirates provides on its Boeing 777 fleet (which is vastly totally different from its A380 product). You may learn my evaluations right here:
5. RAINFOREST & BEACH ADVENTURE IN COSTA RICA
Costa Rica is an eco-paradise and one of the crucial lovely locations on the planet. It is usually one of the crucial biodiverse nations on the earth, containing about 5% of the world’s species. Happily, a complete of 25 p.c of the nationwide territory is preserved as nationwide parks. The nation provides majestic volcanoes, idyllic seashores on the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, in addition to exhilarating jungle landscapes, all with out touring lengthy distances. Costa Rica can be a frontier on eco-friendly and sustainable tourism. In 2003, I visited Costa Rica as a scholar, staying at hostels and camp websites; I used to be so overwhelmed by the nation’s pure magnificence, that I at all times wished to return, which is strictly what I did final spring, not tenting this time however moderately the pure splendor “in consolation.” Throughout my vacation, I stayed at a number of of the nation’s high lodges and resorts, together with Lapa Rios, Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagoya, Nayara Tented Camp, and 4 Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo. You may learn my resort evaluations of my Costa Rica journey right here:
4. A ROAD TRIP IN NAMIBIA
My first longhaul journey following the onset of the pandemic was a tremendous highway journey within the southern African nation of Namibia, considered one of my finest holidays ever. Few nations on the earth can match Namibia’s sheer pure magnificence. Not solely is the nation well-known for its distinctive wildlife, recreation reserves and safari lodges, however the landscapes of its shoreline and deserts are a number of the most photographed and gasped over on the earth. Highlights of my journey included recognizing wildlife in Etosha Nationwide Park and watching the solar rise over the world’s highest dunes in Sossusvlei within the Namib Desert. En route, I stayed at a few of Africa’s most spectacular wildlife lodges, together with the ultraluxe Zannier lodges, the not too long ago revamped &Past Sossuvlei Desert lodge, and the fabulous Hoanib Skeleton Coast Lodge (managed by Wilderness Safaris) in Namibia’s distant space of the Kaokoveld. You may learn my resort evaluations of my Namibia journey right here:
3. ENJOYING ISLAND LIFE IN FRENCH POLYNESIA
The luxurious strip of land known as Bora Bora lies within the South Pacific Ocean’s most mesmerizing lagoon and has, as you in all probability count on, some fairly superior seashores. Luxurious bungalows nestled over ridiculously clear waters with the enduring Mount Otemanu as a tropical backdrop put Bora Bora within the bucket listing of many vacationers. I visited Bora Bora early September 2022 (a journey itinerary that was postponed twice due to the pandemic). I stayed on the island’s three most luxurious accommodations: St Regis, 4 Seasons and InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa, all three of them representing the perfect French Polynesia has to supply when it comes to lodging (fyi, the 4 Seasons was my favourite). I additionally stayed at The Brando Resort on French Polynesia’s non-public island of Tetiaroa – an atoll composed of a dozen small islands surrounding a glowing lagoon 30 mi (50 km) northeast of Tahiti. It was on this pure wonderland that actor Marlon Brando settled down and at last discovered his dwelling (therefore explaining the identify of the resort). You may learn my resort evaluations of my French Polynesia journey right here:
2. A RETURN VISIT TO THE SONEVA RESORTS IN THE MALDIVES
In 2020 and 2021, my Maldives journey journeys had been cancelled as a result of pandemic, however in 2022, I lastly went again to my favourite resorts within the Maldives: Soneva Jani and Soneva Fushi. Positioned on an uninhabited five-island cluster within the Noonu Atoll, Soneva Jani is fringed by pristine seashores, blanketed with lush tropical greenery, and surrounded by a 5.6 km (3,4 mi) lagoon of crystal clear waters with uninterrupted ocean views. Every one of many phenomenal overwater villas has a non-public lap pool and a retractable roof, with some villas that includes slides going immediately from the highest deck into the lagoon beneath. Soneva Fushi, the primary ‘Robinson Crusoe’ fashion hideaway within the Maldives, is about on the privately owned tropical island of Kunfunadhoo in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. The island – which is 1,400 m (4,600 ft) lengthy and 400 m (1300 ft) broad – ranks among the many largest islands within the Maldives. Huge, multi-bedroom, fairytale-like villas and personal residences are hidden amongst dense tropical foliage or positioned overwater. Throughout my Maldives journey, I additionally stayed at two different terrific resorts: Velaa Personal Island and Anantara Kivahah. You may learn my resort evaluations of my Maldives journey right here:
Contact me to get complimentary Soneva ambassador advantages at Soneva Jani (e.g. improve, resort credit score, and a customized Soneva expertise).
1. SWIMMING WITH WHALES IN TAHITI
My primary journey expertise of 2022 (and considered one of my finest journey experiences ever) was swimming with humpback whales in French Polynesia. From early August to the tip of October, the enormous animals are plentiful within the clear and heat waters across the archipelago as they seek for a mate or nurse their younger. French Polynesia declared itself a Marine Mammal Sanctuary in 2002 providing safety to the entire 20 species of whales and dolphins discovered right here. It is usually one of many few nations on the earth the place it’s allowed to swim with whales. A number of tour operators provide whale watch boat excursions, hosted by a group of marine biologists and naturalist guides. Vacationers are solely allowed to enter the water with humpback whales after a biologist on board has noticed their floor exercise and deems it protected and non-invasive for each the friends and the whales. Though sightings are by no means assured, your finest probabilities for recognizing (and swimming with) whales is on the island of Moorea.
Beneath you’ll be able to watch a video in 4K documenting my encounter with the whales in Tahiti. Wanting humpback whales within the eye whereas swimming with them is a very unforgettable journey that touched my soul in an unimaginable means. I used to be extraordinarily fortunate to have an unimaginable shut encounter with a household of three magnificent whales who stayed with our small group for a couple of hour! I recorded the complete expertise in 4K with my GoPro.
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