Theres a lot to unpack in this letter — and unpacking is something not many of us have had done much of lately as COVID-19 kept the world grounded. There’s not doubt the travel industry changed drastically over the last several months and kept those of us who live to explore at home. The travel industry adapted; destinations, hotels, airlines and more zigged and zagged, cut back, closed and did what needed to be done to keep the world safe. Whether you’re ready to travel now or in the future, the world can still inspire. We’ll see you in the friendly — and cleaner, healthier — skies again soon.

The events of the past several months have done more than just pique our wanderlust further — they’ve forced us to turn a critical eye to our content. Travel unifies the world; it teaches us all to appreciate and learn about different countries, cultures and peoples. Our message should match. We are committed to continue telling stories that inspire and support diversity, equality and inclusion in the travel industry. After all, that’s what travel is all about.

The following pages may look just a bit different than before, also, as we debut a brand-new design in this issue. Our art director, Tracey Cullen, spent time during the shutdown working on a beautiful redesign, and I’m excited to finally share it with you. Some of my favorite aspects of the new look are bigger pictures that draw you in, cleaner fonts that make the words sing and modern layouts that bring the destinations to life.

Where are we off to this month Bangkok, Las Vegas, Amsterdam, San Juan, Sofia, Nicaragua, Accra, Charlotte, The Seychelles and Abu Dhabi.

I cannot sign off without mentioning my colleague, Richard T. Evans. Quarantine brought many changes, among them Dick’s decision to retire. We will miss his wisdom, his guidance, his stories and his energy on a daily basis. From my first day as a 22-year-old recent college graduate to today, Dick was a mentor, a sounding board, an advisor, my Chicago travel buddy and, above all, a friend. It has truly been an honor and a privilege to work beside him for 14 years. Luckily, he lives right around the corner, so I’ll see him soon and I’ll send him your best, as I know he touched so many in the travel industry. Until then, cheers to you, Mr. Evans.

As of publication, the destinations and venues mentioned in this issue were planning to reopen or are currently operating, but many may have restrictions or limitations in place to address current public health concerns. Always check in advance to confirm current requirements and restrictions.