Monday newsletters all the time characteristic prime 10 journey lists to encourage.
Today: My 10 greatest journey experiences of 2022
As the 12 months 2022 is coming to an finish, it’s an excellent time to mirror on the headlines and tales that formed the previous 12 months. 2022 is a 12 months most of us need to overlook as rapidly as attainable. Still recovering from the results of the worldwide pandemic, the world wakened on February 24, 2022, with the beginning of an unjustified, unprovoked and completely mindless warfare in Europe and with little thought of the impression it could 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 world vitality and meals markets, main to cost volatility, provide shortages, safety points and financial uncertainty. But 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 constructive notice, 2022 can also be the 12 months that worldwide journey bounced again after it collapsed in 2020 and 2021 following the pandemic. At the beginning of the 12 months, ideas comparable to “lockdowns,” “quarantines” and “vaccine mandates” have been a part of our on a regular basis language because the coronavirus pandemic continued to impression all elements of our lives, together with our (disrupted) journey plans and wanderlust. However, that appears to be a factor of the previous now in most international locations and we’re free once more to journey and discover the world (though journey prices – together with lodge charges and flight tickets – have skyrocketed in comparison with the years previous to the pandemic). Since this can be a non-political weblog that tries to provide you some enlightening journey inspiration, I need to deal with hope, positivity, and my private journey tales, providing an escapism for the avalanche of unhealthy information that usually dominates the world media. Here are my journey highlights of 2022. Early 2023, I’ll share what to anticipate from me within the subsequent 12 months.
There is extra info (with journey experiences & YouTube movies) beneath the slideshow. You can share your individual ideas on 2022 or your individual 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 triggered some stress. The trip was pleasurable, however I used to be not likely impressed by the First Class product supplied by British Airways. Although the look of the First Class cabin is glossy, the expertise pales compared to the First Class product supplied by different airways, comparable to Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Etihad Airways, and Cathay Pacific. On a constructive notice: British Airways’ First Class looks like probably the greatest Business Class merchandise on the planet (with a First Class price ticket although). You can 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 supply unbeatable winter adventures and summer time outside experiences. The number of completely different sights to see in Switzerland is unbelievable, starting from big glaciers, epic mountains, and wild rivers, to vibrant cities, world-class museums, and scenic practice journeys. Luxury inns are in considerable provide in Switzerland, and embrace Alpine retreats and trendy 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 one in every of its most well-known lodge: The Gstaad Palace. Perhaps greatest often called 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. Read my assessment of Gstaad Palace right here.
8. FLYING WITH AIR TAHITI NUI
Flying with Air Tahiti Nui had all the time been very excessive on my bucketlist. In 2019, Air Tahiti Nui totally renewed its fleet by 4 Boeing 787-9s, that are fitted with an extremely lovely livery. One of the good 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 airplane’s entry galley, a reminder that the airplane is about to move to one of many world’s most lovely paradises. Upon getting into the airplane, the historically dressed and all the time smiling cabin crew additionally fingers out Tiare flowers, the nationwide flower of the islands of Tahiti. It all 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 Business Class seats in a 2-2-2 structure; whereas not a leading edge arduous product, this configuration is smart, provided that most individuals touring to French Polynesia are {couples}. Overall, 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 incorporates 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 long-lasting plane have been constructed since then. Its potential to hold greater than 500 passengers on longhaul routes really opened the age of contemporary jet journey, bringing with it new prospects and locations. Unfortunately although, the Boeing 747 is a dying breed since most airways have phased out the plane through 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. Unfortunately, whereas the Boeing 747 is a marvel of know-how, Lufthansa’s Business 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 can 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
Last 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 glossy design options impressed by the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Emirates’ new B777 suites takes luxurious and privateness to the subsequent stage. The suite’s gentle leather-based seat reclines into a completely flat-bed and might be positioned in a ‘zero-gravity’ place impressed by NASA know-how, giving a sense of leisure and weightlessness. The roomy suite additionally has ample area to vary within the privateness of your suite even after the mattress has been made. To guarantee all First Class passengers have a view, Emirates additionally launched the business’s first digital home windows for suites situated within the center aisle. These digital home windows undertaking the view from exterior the plane utilizing real-time digital camera know-how. In the opposite suites, binoculars can be found for individuals who need to discover the sky exterior their home windows. During the identical journey (to and from the Maldives), I additionally go to expertise all the opposite premium merchandise that Emirates presents on its Boeing 777 fleet (which is vastly completely different from its A380 product). You can learn my critiques 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 can also be one of the crucial biodiverse international locations on the planet, containing about 5% of the world’s species. Fortunately, a complete of 25 p.c of the nationwide territory is preserved as nationwide parks. The nation presents 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; I used to be so overwhelmed by the nation’s pure magnificence, that I all the time needed to return, which is precisely what I did final spring, not tenting this time however relatively the pure splendor “in comfort.” During my vacation, I stayed 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 Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo. You can learn my lodge critiques 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 street journey within the southern African nation of Namibia, one in every of my greatest holidays ever. Few international locations on the planet 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 among the most photographed and gasped over on the planet. Highlights of my journey included recognizing wildlife in Etosha National 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 just lately revamped &Beyond Sossuvlei Desert lodge, and the fabulous Hoanib Skeleton Coast Lodge (managed by Wilderness Safaris) in Namibia’s distant space of the Kaokoveld. You can learn my lodge critiques of my Namibia journey right here:
3. ENJOYING ISLAND LIFE IN FRENCH POLYNESIA
The lush strip of land referred to 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 the long-lasting 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 inns: St Regis, Four 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 Four 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 can learn my lodge critiques 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 have been cancelled because of the pandemic, however in 2022, I lastly went again to my favourite resorts within the Maldives: Soneva Jani and Soneva Fushi. Located 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. Each one of many phenomenal overwater villas has a personal 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 ready 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. Massive, multi-bedroom, fairytale-like villas and personal residences are hidden amongst dense tropical foliage or situated overwater. During my Maldives journey, I additionally stayed at two different terrific resorts: Velaa Private Island and Anantara Kivahah. You can learn my lodge critiques 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 one in every of my greatest journey experiences ever) was swimming with humpback whales in French Polynesia. From early August to the tip of October, the enormous animals are considerable 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 can also be one of many few international locations on the planet the place it’s allowed to swim with whales. Several tour operators supply whale watch boat excursions, hosted by a group of marine biologists and naturalist guides. Tourists 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 visitors and the whales. Although sightings are by no means assured, your greatest possibilities for recognizing (and swimming with) whales is on the island of Moorea.
Below you’ll be able to watch a video in 4K documenting my encounter with the whales in Tahiti. Looking 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 unbelievable shut encounter with a household of three magnificent whales who stayed with our small group for a couple of hour! I recorded the whole expertise in 4K with my GoPro.
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