Please join me on the Global Traveler-hosted cruise in Tahiti on Windstar’s Star Breeze this Nov. 18–28. You will have a fantastic time on this truly unique and memorable excursion, offering significant discounts including gratuities, Starlink WiFi and a liquor package. Solo rates are available, and Windstar can help book your flights on United Airlines to and from Papeete — an effective way to earn MileagePlus points! Book directly through Windstar by calling 866 851 4042; use code “Global Traveler” (Star Advantage Group #12739).

As video conferences continue at a high level, we are often surprised at the percentage of people who leave their cameras off for meetings. I translate the reason — “I feel a little under the weather and so my camera is off ” — as “I rolled out of bed and haven’t showered all day.” A British colleague reminded me this is an American thing and never happens in the United Kingdom or the rest of the world. Many companies have a “camera on” policy for all video conferences, just as we have at Global Traveler. We
also require our team to dress for success and to treat even the internal call as a“real meeting.” This is a testament to the way business is conducted these days, and perhaps we do need more face-to-face encounters.

I just returned from an unexpected trip to Amsterdam where we hit the usual spots such as Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum. All visits were in small, private groups so we could get the most out of the history. This was a real treat, as I’ve traveled many times through Amsterdam Airport Schiphol but had never been to Amsterdam proper. Flying KLM’s business class, I thought back to my first international business trip when I applied to be advertising manager for the British Business Traveller magazine. These British gents were hellbent on launching a U.S. edition and took me on as their first employee. I was excited to fly my first business-class trip on a KLM Boeing 747 in the upper deck to London via Schiphol. I learned what real pampering was and started my collection of Delft Blue Houses (a gift still offered to business-class passengers on international flights).

It seems to be wedding season, and I’ll attend a wedding in Charlotte, North Carolina, where I hope to stay at The Ritz-Carlton, and another in Mexico not too long after. In October I plan to be in Québec mainly to visit Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations, which houses The Huron-Wendat Museum and The Ekionkiestha’ National Longhouse, where visitors can get an in-depth understanding of the Huron-Wendat Nation heritage. The hotel’s magnificent restaurant serves native game and cuisine. The sommelier, Carl Etcheverry — a good friend and sommelier of The Union League in Philadelphia who helped judge our Wines on the Wing competition — heads up the hotel’s wine collection.

Many of you have shared your travel plans this year — keep them coming and make them interesting.

Francis X. Gallagher, CEO and publisher