FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

FXExpress Publications, Inc. Honors the Winners of the 2023 Leisure Lifestyle and Wherever Awards.

by Aoife O'Riordan

Nov 13, 2023

© Mary Melnick

November 2023

This was a year to truly celebrate the best in the travel industry, from the Wherever Awards at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Washington, D.C. earlier this year to the Leisure Lifestyle Awards at the Union League Philadelphia this past June.

 

At the Wherever Awards we transported attendees to a night in Paris with performances by La Zazous, delicious French food and even a strolling Champagne Lady in a decked-out skirt. The Leisure Lifestyle Awards brought Philadelphia history to life while guests enjoyed a performance from Squad 76 and celebrated the winners.

The awards and festivities throughout our gala nights came together thanks to our sponsors United Airlines, United Explorer Card by Chase, United MileagePlus, United Quest Card from Chase, Royal Caribbean Visa Signature Card, Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard, TAP Air Portugal and Cunard Line.

See all the recipients of our Wherever Awards and Leisure Lifestyle Awards on the following pages. Congratulations to all the winners!

WINNERS’ CIRCLE
Best Beaches
Cayman Islands

Best Historical Attractions, Domestic
Savannah, Georgia
Second Consecutive Year

Best Historical Attractions, International
Greece
Second Consecutive Year

Best Adventure Destination, Domestic
Asheville, North Carolina

Best Adventure Destination, International
Thailand

Best Leisure Destination in the United States
Nashville, Tennessee

Best Leisure Destination in Africa
South Africa

Best Leisure Destination in Europe
İstanbul, Türkiye
Second Consecutive Year

Best Leisure Destination in Asia
Seoul, South Korea

Best Leisure Destination in Latin/South America
Panamá City, Panamá
Second Consecutive Year

Best Leisure Destination in Mexico
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Second Consecutive Year

Best Leisure Destination for Groups (Four or More)
Dubrovnik, Croatia

Best Weekend Destination in North America
Savannah, Georgia
Fourth Consecutive Year

Best Weekend Destination in the World
Dublin, Ireland
Second Consecutive Year

Best North American Ski Destination
Telluride, Colorado
Fifth Consecutive Year

Best International Ski Destination
Whistler, British Columbia, Canada
Second Consecutive Year

Best Golf Destination
Streamsong Resort
Second Consecutive Year

Best Caribbean Island
Dominican Republic
Third Consecutive Year

Best Island in Europe
Santoríni, Greece
Tenth Consecutive Year

Best Island in the Pacific Rim
Tahiti

Best Island in the United States
Hilton Head, South Carolina
Third Consecutive Year

Best Family Cruise Line
Royal Caribbean

Best Luxury Cruise Line
Seabourn Cruise Line

Best Cruise Line Suites
Mega RockStar Quarters, Virgin Voyages

Best Adventure Cruise Line
Viking Expeditions

Best Small-Ship Cruise Line
Paul Gauguin Cruises
Eighth Consecutive Year

Best Large-Ship Cruise Line
Viking Ocean Cruises

Best River Cruise Line
AmaWaterways

Best Cruise Line Entertainment
Princess Cruises
Fifth Consecutive Year

Best Cruise Line Dining
Azamara

Best Cruise Line Spas
Seabourn Cruise Line
Fifth Consecutive Year

Best Cruise Ship Excursions
Princess Cruises
Eighth Consecutive Year

Best Cruise Line Rewards Program
Oceania Club, Oceania Cruises

Best Cruise Line to Alaska
Cunard Line

Best Expedition Cruises
Viking Expeditions

Best Cruise Line Caribbean Sailings
Windstar Cruises
Second Consecutive Year

Best World Cruise
Cunard Line

Best Cruise Port
Port of Miami, Florida

Best Luxury Leisure Hotel Group in the World
Meliá Hotels International

Best Hotel Chain Resorts
Marriott Hotels & Resorts

Best Pet-Friendly Hotels
Westin Hotels & Resorts

Best Family Resort Chain in the World
Marriott Hotels & Resorts

Best Hotel Chain Caribbean
Meliá Hotels International

Best Hotel Chain Thailand
Six Senses

Best Eco-Friendly Hotel Chain
Six Senses

Best All-Inclusive Resorts
Paradisus Resorts

Best Tour Operator
Abercrombie & Kent
Second Consecutive Year

Best Airport for Layovers
IGA Istanbul Airport
Second Consecutive Year

Best Airport for Recreation
Orlando International Airport

Best Stopover Program
TAP Air Portugal
Fifth Consecutive Year

Best Leisure Airline
Air Tahiti Nui

Best Eco-Friendly Airline
United Airlines
Second Consecutive Year

Best Airline for Onboard Entertainment
Air Canada
Fifth Consecutive Year

Best Airline Onboard Menu
Air Canada Business Class
Fourth Consecutive Year

Best Premium Economy Class
Air Canada
Fifth Consecutive Year

Best Luxury Vehicle
BMW

Best Leisure Car Rental
Hertz
Sixth Consecutive Year

Best Leisure Credit Card
Aeroplan Credit Card from Chase

Best Airline Affinity Credit Card for Leisure
United MileagePlus Quest Credit Card from Chase

Best Hotel Affinity Credit Card for Leisure
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card from Chase

Best Cruise Line Credit Card
Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard from Bank of America

Favorite Luxury Watch Brand
Cartier

Best Destination Jewelry Brand
Na Hoku
Fourth Consecutive Year

Favorite Liquor Brand
Maker’s Mark

 

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNERS

Outstanding Social Responsibility
Delta Air Lines

Outstanding Customized Services
Princess Cruises

Outstanding Environmental Initiatives
Viking

Outstanding Innovations
Delta Air Lines

Cruise Line of the Year
AmaWaterways

 

QUINT STATUS
Fifth Consecutive Year

Best Premium Economy Class
Air Canada

Best Airline for Onboard Entertainment
Air Canada

Best Stopover Program
TAP Air Portugal

Best Cruise Line Spas
Seabourn Cruise Line

Best Cruise Line Entertainment
Princess Cruises

 

HALL OF FAME
Tenth Consecutive Year

Best Island in Europe
Santoríni, Greece
Tenth Consecutive Year

Best Family-Friendly Domestic Airline
United Airlines
Fourth Consecutive Year

Best Family-Friendly Airline in North America
Air Canada
Fifth Consecutive Year

Best Family-Friendly International Airline
Air Canada
Fourth Consecutive Year

Best-Family Friendly Frequent-Flyer Program
United MileagePlus
Fourth Consecutive Year

Best Family-Friendly Hotel Chain
Marriott Hotels & Resorts
Second Consecutive Year

Best Family-Friendly Resort Chain
Marriott Hotels & Resorts
Second Consecutive Year

Best Family-Friendly Individual Hotel
Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, British Columbia, Canada

Best Family-Friendly Frequent-Stay Program
IHG One Rewards

Best Family-Friendly All-Inclusive Hotel
Paradisus

Best Family-Friendly Pet Hotel
Sonesta Hotels and Resorts

Best Family-Friendly Hotel Kids Club
Terranea, Rancho Paola Verdes, California

Best Family-Friendly Vacation Company
Hilton Grand Vacations Club

Best Family-Friendly Domestic Tour Company
National Geographic Family Journeys

Best Family-Friendly International Tour Company
National Geographic Vacations

Best Family-Friendly Cruise Line
Celebrity Cruises
Second Consecutive Year

Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Northeast/Mid-Atlantic (Maine–Maryland)
Ocean City, Maryland
Second Consecutive Year

Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Southeast (Virginia–Georgia)
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Fourth Consecutive Year

Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Florida (East)
Amelia Island, Florida

Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Florida (West)
Tampa Bay, Florida

Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Florida (Panhandle)
Pensacola Beach, Florida

Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Gulf (Alabama/Mississippi/Louisiana)
Gulfport, Mississippi

Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Texas
Galveston, Texas
Second Consecutive Year

Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, West Coast
Santa Monica, California

Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Hawai‘ian Islands
Lanai City, Lanai
Second Consecutive Year

Best Family-Friendly Multigenerational Destination of the Year
Greece

Best Family-Friendly College Town, East
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Best Family-Friendly College Town, South
Tampa, Florida

Best Family-Friendly College Town, Midwest
Lawrence, Kansas

Best Family-Friendly College Town, West
Tempe, Arizona

Best Family-Friendly Sports City/Town, Large
Houston, Texas

Best Family-Friendly Sports City/Town, Mid-Sized
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Best Family-Friendly College Sports City/ Town, Large
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Best Family-Friendly College Sports City/ Town, Mid-Sized
Lawrence, Kansas

Best Family-Friendly College Sports City/ Town, Small
South Bend, Indiana

Best Family-Friendly Amusement Park
Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio

Best Family-Friendly Waterpark
Zoombezi Bay, Columbus, Ohio

Best Family-Friendly Rental Car Company
Sixt

Best Family-Friendly Domestic Airport
Orlando International Airport

Best Family-Friendly International Airport
iGA Istanbul Airport
Second Consecutive Year

Best Family-Friendly Airport Dining
Miami International Airport
Third Consecutive Year

Best Family-Friendly Airport Shopping
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Third Consecutive Year

 

FAMILY INNOVATORS OF THE YEAR
Family Innovator of the Year – Airlines
Virgin Atlantic Airways

Family Innovator of the Year – Hotel
Hyatt

Family Innovator of the Year – Resort
Dream Resorts & Spas

Family Innovator of the Year – Rental Car
Hertz

Family Innovator of the Year – Travel Provider
Norwegian Cruise Line

Family Innovator of the Year – Destination 
Nashville, Tennessee

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FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

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