‘Knee deep in the water somewhere

Got the blue sky breeze blowing wind through my hair

Only worry in the world is the tide gonna reach my chair’

— Lyrics from “Knee Deep” Zac Brown Band with Jimmy Buffett

There’s something about summer. Whether I’m on vacation or on deadline, everything seems easier. Despite the heat, there’s lightness in the air. No matter how deep in the weeds I may be on any given day, I know there’s a prime spot on the beach — and a chilled glass of crisp white wine — waiting for me when my tasks are done.

Spending a lot of time on planes lately? You’ll probably recognize the winners in this year’s Wines on the Wing survey of wines served in the first- and business-class cabins of airlines around the world. Global Traveler wine columnist Eunice Fried reveals the results of the blind survey in this issue. Sneak peek: British Airways again was the highest-scoring airline among competing entries in first class and Brussels Airlines was again the highest-scoring airline among competing business-class entries.

Also in this issue, we continue the countdown to our 10th anniversary in February 2014. This month, Managing Editor Kimberly Krol recounts some of her most memorable hotel stays. We also bring you one-on-one interviews with executives from Flexjet and Boeing, and our ever-insightful contributors report from destinations around the world including Istanbul, Macau, Brazil, Amsterdam, Osaka, Louisville and San Diego.

I’ve heard summer is a state of mind. If that’s true, I’m knee deep in the water somewhere. Hope you are, too.