Monday newsletters all the time characteristic prime 10 journey lists to encourage.
Right this moment: My 2022 journeys that I’m most enthusiastic about
I want you all a cheerful, secure, wholesome and affluent 2022! In these difficult and divisive occasions, all of us may benefit by reminding ourselves of the highly effective phrases of Martin Luther King Jr: “Darkness can not drive out darkness; solely mild can try this. Hate can not drive out hate; solely love can try this.”
On the finish of the previous yr, I mirrored on my most memorable journey experiences of 2021. However now that 2022 is lastly right here, it’s time to look ahead and share with you 10 nice journeys that I’m planning for the approaching yr and that I’m trying ahead to share with you in my Wednesday weblog posts (which all the time characteristic a flight journey experiences or luxurious resort opinions) and on my YouTube channel. A number of of those journey have been attributable to happen in 2021 however have been postponed due to the pandemic. Let’s hope that new viral waves and/or restrictions gained’t stand in the way in which of our travels in 2022, so we are able to all begin dreaming, planning and touring once more (to reside life to the fullest).
If in case you have some suggestions and solutions for my upcoming journeys, please share them within the feedback part beneath!
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10. EXPERIENCING UNITED AIRLINES’ NEW POLARIS BUSINESS CLASS
United Airways was my service of alternative for transatlantic flights, though I shifted to Delta for the reason that introduction of Delta’s superior Delta One suite (which I reviewed right here). I’ve flown a dozen of occasions on United’s Boeing 777s and Dreamliners, however up to now, I by no means bought an opportunity to check out the service’s new Polaris Enterprise Class seats. I used to be purported to fly to New York on a United Boeing 787-9 that includes the brand new Polaris seats final spring, however that journey was postponed to this yr. Named after the North Star, United’s Polaris Enterprise Class affords a “reimagined, sleep-enhancing, departure-to-landing expertise.” Every suite-like pod incorporates a do-not-disturb signal, temper lighting, one-touch lumbar assist, a number of storage areas, a number of surfaces for simultaneous working and eating, a HD leisure display screen, direct entry to the aisle, 180-degree flat-bed recline and digital privateness dividers.
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 supply unbeatable winter adventures and summer season out of doors experiences. The number of completely 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 practice journeys. Luxurious inns are in plentiful provide in Switzerland, and embody Alpine retreats and trendy lakeside resorts. I’ve beforehand stayed at The Dolder Grand (Zurich) and The Chedi Andermatt (Alps), and in 2022 I’m going again to Switzerland to check out its most well-known resort: The Gstaad Palace. Maybe greatest often 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.
8. FLYING FIRST CLASS WITH OMAN AIR
I’ve beforehand flown First Class with Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways and Emirates, however there’s one Center Jap airline that’s nonetheless on my bucket listing: Oman Air. In 2018, Oman Air put in a extremely acclaimed First Class product on its Boeing 787. The brand new suite is designed with further tall, mushy closing sliding doorways and cover behind every headrest to make sure absolute exclusivity. Heart seats additionally take pleasure in adjustable dividers on the contact of a button. The suite comes with a bunch of personalization options, intuitively managed by touchscreen panels. The cabin itself embraces Omani design heritage for a particular inside that’s inherently Oman Air. The distinctive arch form on the characteristic wall and on every non-public suite door is impressed by the architectural type of the Omani archway – as seen from centuries previous forts to the long-lasting fashionable Royal Opera Home within the capital metropolis of Muscat.
7. BEING AN AMAN JUNKIE IN NEW YORK CITY
Opening its doorways in 2022, Aman New York will deliver the serenity of Aman – one of many world’s most unique resort manufacturers – to the Large Apple. The Crown Constructing on Fifth Avenue constructing is likely one of the costliest metropolis blocks on the planet, overlooking Central Park. The fourth by tenth flooring of the constructing might be occupied by the brand new Aman resort, whereas the eleventh flooring and above might be reworked into 20, Aman-branded residences, topped with a five-story penthouse that’s priced in extra of US$100 million. The brand new Aman can even embody a rare three storeys Aman Spa, with a dramatic indoor swimming pool surrounded by fireplace pits and daybeds as its centerpiece. Two Spa Homes will present visitors with an all-encompassing spa journey, encompassing a double therapy room, sauna and steam rooms, and an outside terrace with cabana, daybed and fireside.
6. TRYING OUT BRITISH AIRWAYS’ NEW A350 BUSINESS CLASS SEAT
Whereas British Airways’ Enterprise Class raised the bar worldwide 20 years in the past with the introduction of the primary totally lie-flat seat and an progressive “Ying/Yang” seat plan, the service’s Enterprise Class product and mediocre service have been rapidly outclassed by a few of its opponents. Nonetheless, British Airways dramatically enhanced its onboard expertise over the previous yr, with improved catering (from DO&CO), wonderful bedding, and trendy amenity kits, which rivals the very best within the skies. In 2019, the airline additionally launched a brand new suite idea onboard its A350 planes and a few refurbished B777 plane, with direct-aisle entry, a set door for larger privateness, luxurious flat-bed seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, 18.5-inch leisure screens, and 40 % extra space for storing per seat. I lastly hope to fly onboard British Airways’ A350 in 2021 (as my 2021 journey onboard the A350 was cancelled).
5. FLYING IN A LUFTHANSA BOEING 747 TO MIAMI
IMHO, the Boeing 747 is probably the most elegant airplane ever designed. The four-engine jet incorporates a distinctive higher deck form, which has earned it the nickname “Jumbo Jet”. It has been 50 years for the reason that first Boeing 747 was delivered to Pan Am, and greater than 1500 of the long-lasting 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 prospects and locations. Sadly although, the Boeing 747 is a dying breed since most airways have phazed out the plane in the course of the pandemic, now selecting for extra fuel-efficient and cost-effective widebody plane. Lufthansa is likely one of the final airways nonetheless flying the Boeing 747, and if all goes nicely (and there’s no plane swap), I’ll journey on the service’s Boeing 747-8 this spring in Enterprise Class on the higher deck (Frankfurt to Miami route).
4. RAINFOREST & BEACH ADVENTURE IN COSTA RICA
Costa Rica is an eco-paradise and one of the vital stunning locations on the planet. It’s also one of the vital biodiverse nations on the planet, 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 affords 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 also be a frontier on eco-friendly and sustainable tourism. In 2003, I visited Costa Rica as a scholar, staying at hostels and camp websites, however now I’ll re-visit the breathtaking surroundings of the nation “in type.” Throughout my vacation, I’ll keep at a number of of the nation’s prime 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.
3. FLYING ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS’ FABULOUS NEW BUSINESS CLASS
All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest airline, has collaborated with famed architect Kengo Kuma and main British designers Acumen to roll out a complete of twelve fully redesigned Boeing 777-300ER plane. On the coronary heart of ANA’s new product funding is a model new seat design for Enterprise Class known as “THE Room.” Impressed by fashionable, multifunctional Japanese dwelling areas, THE Room affords versatile doorways for private privateness that may be adjusted to share the house with fellow journey companions – from eating along with the household to conducting conferences with colleagues. With a large couch which is double the width to earlier Enterprise Class seating, THE Room represents one of many largest Enterprise Class seating environments within the skies. I’ll check out THE Room in autumn on the London to Tokyo route (if worldwide journey has resumed by then).
2. 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 anticipate, some fairly superior seashores. Luxurious bungalows nestled over ridiculously clear waters with Mount Otemanu as a tropical backdrop put Bora Bora within the bucket listing of many vacationers. I’m planning a week-long journey to Bora Bora in September (a visit that was postponed twice due to the pandemic). I’ll keep on the St Regis and 4 Seasons resorts, each of them representing the very best French Polynesia has to supply when it comes to lodging. I can even keep 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 eventually discovered his residence (therefore explaining the identify of the resort).
1. A RETURN VISIT TO THE MALDIVES’ ULTIMATE LUXURY HOTEL: SONEVA JANI
Final yr, my Maldives journey was cancelled because of the pandemic, however this yr, I’m returning to my favourite resort within the Maldives: Soneva Jani. Situated on an uninhabited five-island cluster within the Noonu Atoll, the Maldives’ most unique resort 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 Indian Ocean views. Every one of many phenomenal water villas has a personal lap pool and opens to its personal stretch of lagoon, with some villas that includes slides going instantly from the highest deck into the lagoon beneath. The spotlight of the villas is the retractable roof in the master suite, which slides again on the contact of a button in order that visitors can lie in mattress and stargaze. One yr in the past, Soneva Jani added Chapter Two to its portfolio of luxurious water villas, and launched a entire new all-inclusive strategy to expertise the very best of the resort with Soneva Limitless.
Throughout my Maldives journey, I can even check out another ultra-luxurious resorts: Raffles Maldives Meradhoo, Velaa Non-public Island, Soneva Fushi, and Anantara Kivahah. So you’ll be able to anticipate a number of 4K UHD movies in regards to the Maldives’ most luxurious properties on my Youtube channel in 2022.
Contact me to get complimentary Soneva ambassador advantages at Soneva Jani (e.g. improve, resort credit score, and a personalised Soneva expertise).
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