As we edge our way toward winter, I want to remind you how lucky we have been and how we can help those who have not been as fortunate. Please continue to donate to the American Red Cross, which stands ready in any disaster to provide items people need such as water, clothing, food and other supplies.

The hurricane disaster that hit Western Florida to Western North Carolina and the swath north was epic and somewhat surprising. Sarasota predicted a storm surge, but the depth and swiftness caught people off guard. The Big Bend of Florida and ground zero, Perry, did not need another hit. With an office and employees in Sarasota, I was stressed as I traveled to and from Chicago.I had just returned that week from Indian Pass, Florida, to check on a rental property nearing completion, in an area hit in 2018 by Hurricane Michael. Securing updates as I traveled proved difficult, even with live TV broadcasts.

In Asheville, North Carolina, the devastation wreaked by Hurricane Helene came as a shocking surprise. Our art director’s daughter was in Boone, North Carolina — fortunately at a high elevation, yet all infrastructure was destroyed. The loss of life in these areas is unprecedented. In response, Explore Asheville, the destination’s marketing organization, established the Always Asheville Fund to support small, independent travel and hospitality businesses in Asheville and across Buncombe County as they work to recover and rebuild. The organization reports, “The heart of hospitality continues to shine through this tragedy” as restaurants provide thousands of free meals for residents and first responders, and lodging operators offer rooms to those working around the clock.

The Always Asheville Fund will provide emergency grants to help sustain the vibrant, creative and deeply rooted community that makes the Asheville area unique. Please visit alwaysashevillefund.com to learn how you can help.

On a more positive note, I had a lovely trip to Québec and enjoyed staying at Hôtel – Musée Premières Nations in Wendake, Québec, and in Québec City at Auberge Saint-Antoine Relais & Châteaux. (Look for reviews in upcoming issues.)

We’ll end the year with our Global Traveler-hosted Windstar cruise on Star Breeze this month and the grand finale, the 21st annual GT Tested Reader Survey awards, Dec. 11 at L’Ermitage Beverly Hills. Please join us for the festivities!

Make sure you fit in a few trips before the end of the year. We seldom regret what we do but, rather, what we do not do.

Francis X. Gallagher, CEO and Publisher