I cannot believe this issue represents the 22nd Global City Guidebook, offering a glimpse of the top cities of interest around the world. As you go through the issue, I am sure you will be able to tick off the destinations you have visited through your traveling career. In addition to our regular readers, we sent this issue to our own list of business travel planners and decision makers, the subset of travel buyers who help shape the products we book.

As we launch this issue, we’re coming off the annual Wines on the Wing competition which took place at The Ned NoMad in New York City June 29. Wines on the Wing is a challenging event, requiring wine to be shipped, ferried and delivered from the world’s airlines. It’s not an easy task to secure these samples, requiring a great deal of involvement of airline catering managers and executives from every corner of the globe.

I immediately followed with a trip to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, for our annual R&R beach relaxation trip. There is nothing like spending time at the beach with family and friends … and four-legged friends as well. A real plus at Kitty Hawk: Dogs are allowed on the beach at all times, and a cooler full of beer is welcome. You can even toss a football, take out floats and fish from the surf.

Real beach freedom … but I do wonder about casting for fish and bathing within 10 feet of each other! Locals have no issue, and converts finally figure out all is fine, just chill and take in the rays. We also splurged and ordered beach umbrella and chair service from Ocean Atlantic Rentals. Every morning, fit gents set up our umbrellas and chairs and took them down at the end of the day. A real treat at the beach!

In August we continue our goal of making it to seven weddings this year. This will be the sixth, taking place at the beautiful Castlemartyr Resort in County Cork, Ireland. This was the one-time home of the Earl of Shannon, and as my wife’s maiden name was Shannon, we will surely be looking to take back the crown. The bride is the daughter of good friends and neighbors (the McPaddens) who moved back to his family town of Youghal, not far from Castlemartyr. I am sure there will be singing of one of Joe McPadden’s favorite Irish ballads, “Do You Love an Apple?” made famous at his annual St. Patrick’s Day parties when he lived in Yardley, Pennsylvania.

The final wedding takes place in September, a family backyard ceremony of the Fischer-Dalys of Philadelphia. It will be a generational gathering in an upscale, casual setting; nothing more fun than tents and catering in the backyard!

Thanks for your continued support of Global Traveler (and all our brands), and enjoy the balance of the summer!

Francis X. Gallagher, CEO and publisher