I just returned from Seoul, Taipei, Hong Kong and Beijing. While half of my trip was strictly business, I spent the rest of the time relaxing and showing the sights to my spouse. We shopped and dined in Hong Kong. Then we boarded a flight to Beijing, where we toured The Great Wall of China at the Mutianyu section and ended up at the Summer Palace. The following day, we took a leisurely tour of the ancient village of Cudixia outside Beijing. All are fascinating places worth seeing and learning about. And what’s a trip to Beijing without a look at Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the hutongs (old residential areas) and the Temple of Heaven?

My flights and accommodations couldn’t have been better. I flew Air Canada and China Airlines’ award-winning service, and stayed at the beautiful Mandarin Oriental, Taipei; Lotte Hotel Seoul; Grand Hyatt Hong Kong; and The Ritz-Carlton, Beijing — top airlines and properties that make a trip to Asia even more wonderful.

To ease into the month, I headed to the Outer Banks of North Carolina to review a few golf courses, including Duck Woods in Southern Shores; the Pointe at Powells Point; and an all-time favorite, Sea Scape in Kitty Hawk, where the Wright Brothers took their first flight.

With Thanksgiving upon us, it is time to plan a few more business trips to secure what you can before the end of 2014. I will be hosting the Gallagher Thanksgiving dinner with my six siblings and their children; I am sure it will be a day to remember. The next day is a national holiday for Global Traveler — not because it is Black Friday or the day after Thanksgiving, but because it is the annual Turkey Bowl at Jericho National Golf Club in New Hope, Pa. Family, friends and business associates gather for a day of golf that goes on, no matter the weather. Ice, snow, rain — nothing stops the Turkey Bowl!

The GT team is gearing up for our annual GT Tested Awards ceremony at The Peninsula Beverly Hills. On Dec. 15, the best of the best and the industry’s most famous will gather to collect their well-earned awards. Many of you will be on hand to witness your votes turn into wins.

Until then, find a place to be in November!