It gained’t shock readers to know that at Journey + Leisure, our editorial staff has one factor in frequent: we like to journey. Whether or not we’re writing, modifying, researching, interviewing specialists, photographing, taking pictures video, or posting on Instagram or TikTok, we’re obsessed with creating journey content material in any type — but it surely’s once we get out into the world to see it for ourselves that we’re probably the most impressed.
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This yr was a particular journey yr for us, identical to it was for therefore lots of you. A few of us had been in a position to lastly see long-planned household journeys come to fruition, whereas others had been in a position to return to favourite European locations for the primary time for the reason that pandemic. Some lived out their safari goals whereas others discovered new favourite spots near house.
The top of the yr is a superb time to cease and mirror, and earlier than we launch ourselves into planning our subsequent journeys (and serving to you propose yours), we needed to share our greatest journey moments of 2022.
We’re trying ahead to a fair greater yr of journey in 2023, and we hope our favourite journeys of the yr will encourage your favourite journeys to return.
Waterslides and Pigs within the Bahamas
Jacqueline Gifford
My son Bobby is on the age (7!) the place a waterslide-filled trip is his jam. Enter Atlantis Bahamas, a time-tested youngsters paradise that surprisingly has quite a lot of enjoyable stuff available for adults, too. We stayed on the Cove, probably the most unique wing of the resort — then spent our days zipping alongside within the Rapids River, taking the plunge on the long-lasting Mayan Temple slide, and lounging in a personal seaside cabana. The resort additionally has a brand new concierge program, Sapphire Providers, which organized for us to take a Coco Bahamas seaplane out to Meeks Patch, Eleuthera. There, we took the plunge and swam with the pigs, feeding the lovable infants hen sizzling canine and splashing within the surf. One of many strangest, most pleasant experiences of 2022 to make sure. — Jacqui Gifford, Editor in Chief
A Tour of California: Encinitas, Huge Sur, and Napa Valley
Nina Ruggiero
I’ve lived in California for just a few years now, however every time I enterprise out of Los Angeles to discover my house state, I am nonetheless in awe. My favourite journey this yr allowed me to have three utterly totally different California experiences curated by the groups behind three distinctive new accommodations, Alila’s first U.S. outposts. Down in Encinitas, a seashore metropolis in San Diego County, I stayed at Alila Marea, e-biked to discover the cool downtown restaurant scene, and took the most effective surf lesson of my life with Fulcrum Surf. In Huge Sur, nearly 400 miles north, I frolicked in my forest-view hammock at Alila Ventana Huge Sur, hiked, stargazed from Japanese sizzling baths, and drove a basic automobile up Freeway 1. And even additional north at Alila Napa Valley, I woke as much as winery views, explored the quaint city of St. Helena (together with Oprah’s favourite bakery), tasted unimaginable wines, and had a sizzling stone therapeutic massage I nonetheless dream of months later. It was the right reminder of how fortunate I’m to name this particular state house, and whereas everybody asks which cease was my favourite, I at all times advocate they check out all three and resolve for themselves. — Nina Ruggiero, Digital Editorial Director
Street Tripping By the South of France
Alisha Prakash
Once I acquired the invitation to my finest buddy’s vacation spot wedding ceremony in Provence, the very first thing I did was Google the most effective fromageries within the space — priorities, am I proper? Seems, this was a futile endeavor as a result of the cheese nearly in every single place was divine, as was the wine. And the baguettes. And the charcuterie. And, nicely, you get the concept. Apart from weeping in a lovely winery whereas watching my pals tie the knot, my husband and I spent two weeks highway tripping round Lyon, then the Luberon area, and eventually capping issues off with a swim within the emerald waters at Calanques de Cassis. We savored each chew, each sip of wine, at Michelin-starred eating places like Paul Bocuse and the elegant Ducasse-owned La Bastide de Moustiers, in addition to hole-in-the-wall boulangeries and patisseries that tempted us in with the wafting scents of bread, butter, and sugar. We weaved out and in of idyllic, frozen-in-time cities like Gordes (a hilltop stunner that proved to be the right house base for exploring France’s well-known lavender fields), Rouissillion (painted in dramatic shades of crimson and orange), Moustiers-Sainte-Marie (plucked from a storybook, positioned between two rocky slopes, and residential to the aforementioned Ducasse eatery), Lourmarin (with its maze of slim streets, colourful homes, and cafes), and lots of, many extra. An actual spotlight, although, was spending the day at Coquillade Provence Resort & Spa, the most effective resort in France — and probably the greatest on this planet — based on Journey + Leisure’s 2022 World’s Finest Awards. We lounged by the pool, blissed out on the spa, had probably the greatest meals of our lives on the on-site restaurant, and even took a guided bike journey by vineyards and cities that, after all, ended with a surprising unfold of — what else — cheese. — Alisha Prakash, Affiliate Editorial Director
A Christmas and New 12 months’s Cruise
Paul Brady
It was nearly a yr in the past now, however I nonetheless daydream about ringing within the begin of 2022 in Rome. Reasonably than spend the vacations at house, my spouse and I hopped aboard the Viking Venus in Athens and spent Christmas in the course of the Mediterranean. The ship was decked out with gingerbread homes and trimmed bushes; we might go to cities like Naples and Taormina, the place the squares had been lit with decorations and the outlets had been promoting great vacation treats. Our itinerary led to Rome, the place the crowds had been, in comparison with {the summertime}, skinny, and it was simple to attain a desk nearly wherever we needed. Come to think about it, I am unable to imagine we’re not doing it once more this yr. — Paul Brady, Articles Editor
Sacred Valley, Peru
Maya Kachroo-Levine
This yr, I spent 4 nights in Peru’s Sacred Valley — within the city of Ollantaytambo at Las Qolqas, a glamping resort that opened in spring 2021. The resort is small and comfy, set amid towering rocks, with a stunning rose backyard, 16 tents, a dome-shaped, open-air pavilion, and a eating space the place I consumed extra ceviche and Pisco sours than anybody ought to in a four-day interval. Ollantaytambo is the closest city from which you’ll take a practice to Machu Picchu, which I did with a beautiful information from Kuska Expeditions. (In December 2022, the rail was quickly suspended, leaving guests stranded at numerous places alongside the route. As a result of the protests are ongoing, a results of President Castillo’s latest impeachment, the U.S. State Division is presently discouraging journey to Peru.) Whereas climbing Wayna Picchu, the mountain immediately behind Machu Picchu, was distinctive, my favourite a part of the journey was strolling round Ollantaytambo with my information, a member of the Indigenous Quechua nation, which has Incan-built and intensely well-preserved stone partitions and waterways that the Urubamba River flows by. — Maya Kachroo-Levine, Luxurious and Experiences Editor
Highlights of Western Morocco
Hannah Walhout
This fall I attended a journey business occasion in Marrakesh and determined to make per week of it. Royal Air Maroc’s nonstop flights from New York fly into Casablanca, so I rested off my jetlag for a day by the pool on the 4 Seasons there; the following morning I drove into Marrakesh, the place I stayed on the stunning new Oberoi property simply exterior the town heart. After a number of days of souks and strolling excursions (and an epic bike experience by the Agafay Desert) I headed to the Atlantic coast, the place I ambled round Taghazout, a picturesque fishing village and in style surf spot — there is a Fairmont resort simply south of city. This area can be a middle of argan oil manufacturing, so I visited the just-opened Argan Museum at Targant to study extra in regards to the craft and choose up some merchandise from the women-run collective. On my manner again to Casablanca, I finished for an evening in Essaouira, ending my journey with some Morroccan wine by the rooftop pool on the stunning Heure Bleue Palais. — Hannah Walhout, Senior Editor
Safari in Kenya’s Maasai Mara
Samantha Lauriello
I don’t assume anybody forgets their first safari, however having the expertise at a spot like Mahali Mzuri makes it much more memorable than it already is. The identify means “stunning place” in Swahili, however at this Virgin Restricted Version safari camp, the wonder extends far past the panorama. The knowledgeable guides and employees create an atmosphere that really looks like a house away from house. We spent the times exploring the Maasai Mara on sport drives with our information (and now buddy) Jackson, recognizing elephants from the pool, and chatting with different friends on the help-yourself bar. I am going to keep in mind it not solely as my favourite journey of 2022, however maybe as certainly one of my favourite journeys ever. — Samantha Lauriello, Social Media Editor
Climbing and Brewery Hopping in Vermont
Liz Cantrell
This July, I spent a protracted weekend exploring Vermont’s Mad River Valley with a pricey buddy from faculty. It was spontaneous, (largely) screen-free, and easy. We hiked Mount Abe — one of many state’s highest peaks — jumped within the river every day to chill off, and visited among the state’s finest breweries, like Bent Hill and Lawson’s Best Liquids. It jogged my memory that journeys don’t need to be elaborate to be significant. — Liz Cantrell, Affiliate Editor
Snowboarding in Banff, Canada
Jamie Aranoff
Yearly I plan a ski journey for the final week in February, and this yr I went to Banff to ski the “Huge 3” — Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise, and Mount Norquay — all accessible by way of one (comparatively inexpensive) ski move. The snowboarding is not simply good, it is implausible. Panoramic views of the Canadian Rockies from the highest are an exhilarating reminder you’re inside one of many world’s most well-known nationwide parks, and the coldest, clearest of nights carry an opportunity to identify the Northern Lights. The city of Banff can really feel a bit touristy when you don’t know the place to look, however lean on native gems such because the St. James Gate for a pint and Ramen Arashi Banff to heat up after a protracted day. — Jamie Aranoff, Affiliate Digital Editor
Mediterranean Cruise
Elizabeth Rhodes
This yr, my sister and I went on the last word women journey: a Mediterranean cruise with Virgin Voyages. We visited St. Tropez, Portofino, and Ibiza to call only a few stops, and we tacked on just a few additional days in Barcelona earlier than the cruise began. It was such a enjoyable summer season getaway, and the adults-only, laid-back Virgin Voyages vibe was actually good for a worry-free women getaway. — Elizabeth Rhodes, Particular Initiatives Editor
Lengthy Weekend in Lake Placid
Skye Senterfeit
My husband and I craved a fast, low-key, early-summer getaway with this standards: it needed to be inside driving distance and someplace neither of us had been earlier than. We settled on Lake Placid, the place we spent a implausible few days away. We bobsledded and mountain-coastered on the Lake Placid Legacy Websites, ate and drank nicely at Huge Slide Brewery and Salt of the Earth Bistro, and did loads of waterside enjoyable on the picture-perfect Mirror Lake Inn. We had been each feeling burned out earlier than the journey, however the city’s contemporary air and pleasant vibes left us totally recharged. — Skye Senterfeit, Deputy Picture Editor
Texas Staycations
Mariah Tyler
Residing in a brand new a part of our house state impressed my accomplice and I to discover the area of South Central Texas and Hill Nation. We did a string of staycations in San Antonio, Austin, and Hill Nation all year long, and none of them had been a disappointment. We explored our new house metropolis of San Antonio by staying at Resort Emma and the Thompson San Antonio Riverwalk, dined at Supper and Cured, and spent the right day at Loma de Vida Spa at La Cantera Resort. A weekend journey to Johnson Metropolis in Texas Hill Nation had us studying about Texas Wines, experiencing wilderness at Walden Retreats, and sipping scrumptious cocktails at Good N Straightforward bar. Then we revisited an outdated favourite, Austin. The booming capital metropolis is ever-changing, and on the Carpenter Resort, we discovered simply the right combination of outdated and new Austin. — Marah Tyler, Visuals Editor
Los Cabos, Mexico
Maggie Delgadillo
This summer season I stayed on the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, and it was one of the memorable journeys I’ve ever taken. The employees is the friendliest group of individuals conceivable. I used to be in a position to do an agave tasting with the bar director and realized extra in regards to the appellations of tequila than I believed doable. The rooms with hooked up personal plunge swimming pools had been unimaginable, too. — Maggie Delgadillo, Supervising Video Producer
An Italian Summer season
John Wogan
I took my first journey to Europe since earlier than the pandemic in June, to Italy. I began in Milan, which, for an structure and design fanatic, was a pleasure. There are the well-known buildings, after all, like La Scala, Villa Necchi, and the Duomo, however my favourite afternoon was spent wandering round residential neighborhoods like Porta Venezia and Brera, that are full of gorgeous Seventeenth- and 18th-century palazzi. From Milan, I drove to Lake Como (which takes lower than two hours) and checked into the brand new Passalacqua resort in Moltrasio. Proprietor and CEO Valentina De Santis did an unimaginable job restoring this Seventeenth-century villa, which has hosted everybody from composer Vincenzo Bellini (he wrote the opera La Sonnambula right here in 1831) to Winston Churchill. Lake Como, by the best way, is simply as beautiful in particular person as it’s in photos — it felt nearly unreal. — John Wogan, Particular Initiatives Editor
Safari in Botswana
Samantha Falewee
This Botswana journey was an epic household trip three years within the making. We visited a number of andBeyond properties — together with my favourite, the Sandibe Okavango Lodge, with its luxurious lobby-lounge space designed within the form of a pangolin, a reminder of the corporate’s efforts to avoid wasting the species from extinction. On sport drives we noticed leopards, lions, elephants, and zebras, however the educated guides with their knowledgeable monitoring abilities had been simply the spotlight. — Samantha Falewée, Affiliate Editor
Weeklong Journey in Belize
Annie Archer
Belize is having a second, and it was by far my favourite journey of 2022. A vacation spot recognized for its biodiversity, I used to be fortunate sufficient to expertise two distinctly totally different environments in a single go. Our first cease was Alaia Belize — a basic Caribbean getaway on Ambergris Caye, the nation’s largest island. After just a few days of swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing, we hopped on a prop aircraft and made our option to Ka’ana Resort, a hidden gem within the tropical jungle of Western Belize. Right here, we spent the times zip lining, cave tubing, exploring historic ruins, and consuming contemporary Mayan delicacies sourced from the on-property backyard. From land to sea, the pure fantastic thing about Belize is plain. — Annie Archer, Assistant Social Editor
Positano Women Journey
Alessandra Amodio
On a latest journey to Italy this previous September, my buddy and I made a decision to soak within the Amalfi Coast solar with a spritz in every hand. Staying on the unimaginable Resort Poseidon, we had an unbeatable view of all of Positano, the seashore, and the spectacular sunrises each morning from our balcony. The times on the resort had been spent lounging by the pool, having fun with an aperitivo or two beneath the blooming terrace, and consuming our fill of lemon risotto. Taking a limoncello-making class collectively at Valenti and filling the remainder of our days purchasing and having fun with la dolce vita made this the right women getaway. — Alessandra Amodio, Affiliate Picture Editor
