Ronna Zaken at ABCWorld Vacations

29/08/2022

Looking for your next vacation? Let me help make it a reality.

This graphic uses survey data from Travel + Leisure magazine to show the 25 best islands to visit around the world.

12/06/2022

You’re now free to roam! The White House and the CDC have announced that starting Sunday at 12:01 am, travelers will no longer need to show a negative COVID-19 test to return to the US.

08/06/2022

St. Lucia Offers Savings Up to 60 Percent at More Than 20 Hotels, www.stlucia.org

Explore the beauty, romance and adventure the Island of Saint Lucia has waiting for you, and take a virtual tour of the iconic landmarks and beaches. Visit our website to discover the many ways Saint Lucia can inspire you.

25/05/2022

Travelport Finds U.S. Travelers Getting Back to Traveling Abroad, www.travelport.com

Our next-generation marketplace connects buyers and sellers that share our passion for delivering exceptional travel experiences.

24/05/2022

Barbados removes testing requirement for vaccinated travelers. visit www.barbadostravelprotocols.com

24/05/2022

US Travelers will be allowed to enter SPAIN with a negative covid test. https://www.spth.gob.es

18/05/2022

Nature and beauty at its finest. Wonderful trip to Jackson Hole, Yellowstone and Grand Tetons.. snow sleet hail rain wind Mother Nature at her finest, ABCWORLD Vacations

27/07/2021

Tahiti is open for a beautiful and relaxing vacation!! Don't pass up this great price opportunity. You deserve this.....

15/02/2020

Looking for a fun multi adventure family vacation for kids 4-30?? BACKROADS offers over 1000 "options for "family vacations." Email me for more information.

28/01/2020

By James Shillinglaw, Jan 28, 2020,
“What Happens in Las Vegas, Stays in Las Vegas.” It’s a slogan that has become so familiar that it’s reflected in movies, TV shows and more. But apparently Vegas thinks it’s time for a bit of an update. (Photo above: credit David Becker/Las Vegas News Bureau.)

Las Vegas on Jan. 27 launched a new campaign, "What Happens Here, Only Happens Here," which continues to reinforce the brand's status as the paramount purveyor of adult freedom. The new campaign made its debut during the 62nd Grammy Awards, making Las Vegas the first destination to ever place a 60-second ad during the international broadcast and the first to debut the campaign with an emoji prompted by the campaign hashtag on Twitter.

28/01/2020

HOTELS
Atari to become gaming hotel brand
By Jerry Limone |Jan 27, 2020|
Atari to become gaming hotel brand
Atari, the biggest name in video games in the early 1980s, is being revived as a hotel brand.
The first Atari Hotels property is due to break ground later this year in Phoenix. The game-themed hotel aims to offer “fully immersive experiences for every age and gaming ability, including the latest in VR and AR (virtual and augmented reality).” It also plans to attract e-sports events, in which gamers compete in tournaments, sometimes for big prize money.
Hotel development and design is being led by Shelly Murphy’s GSD Group and Napoleon Smith III, producer of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film franchise reboot.
Atari Hotels says it will combine video game nostalgia with present trends to create “a fun and unique travel destination.”


“When creating this brand-new hotel concept, we knew that Atari would be the perfect way to give guests the ‘nostalgic and retro meets modern’ look and feel we were going for. Let’s face it, how cool will it be to stay inside an Atari?” said Smith.
Atari Hotels is exploring other markets, including Las Vegas, Denver, Chicago, Austin, Seattle, San Francisco and San Jose.
The Atari 2600 was the top video game system during the first video game boom in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Some of its top game titles were Asteroids, Pitfall, Pole Position, Centipede, Missile Command and Space Invaders.

27/01/2020

By James Shillinglaw, Jan 27, 2020

AAA is taking a major step by overhauling its well-known AAA Diamond rating program for hotels and restaurants. It says these changes are aimed at further setting the program apart from services that rely on unverified, often biased hotel and restaurant ratings. But AAA says travelers can rest assured that the program remains backed by professionally trained inspectors who recommend only clean, comfortable, hospitable hotels and restaurants for their travels.

So what’s new with the AAA Diamond program? First, it will replace ratings with designations. A Diamond designation reflects AAA’s professional inspector reviews using updated, member-centric guidelines, setting the program apart from services that leverage unverified, often biased hotel and restaurant ratings.

“We’ve transformed the AAA Diamond program to help travelers better understand the overall quality, range of facilities and level of services offered by a property,” says Stacey Barber, executive director of AAA Travel Information & Content. “Unlike ratings from unknown users sharing their opinions, the Diamond designations are provided by experienced professionals using consistent guidelines to tell travelers what a property offers.”

Under the new system, previously One and Two Diamond hotels and restaurants will now get an Approved designation while Three, Four and Five Diamond hotels and restaurants will retain their designations. The 2020 inspection cycle will be the determining factor for all properties’ future designation.

The modernized AAA Diamond program guidelines for hotels and restaurants reflect the latest in traveler expectations and industry trends. AAA has removed outdated criteria in favor of factors that more directly relate to guest comfort, design and layout. For example, AAA inspectors will now look for sufficient storage space and shelving for clothes and personal belongings in guest rooms, and not for ironing boards or printed guest information, to reflect modern guest expectations.

The AAA Diamond program features nearly 60,000 properties in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean, including nearly 27,000 hotels and more than 30,000 restaurants. To be included in the AAA Diamond Program, properties must pass an unannounced, on-site evaluation. Hotels must provide acceptable cleanliness, comfort and hospitality, and restaurants must meet requirements for cleanliness, food preparation and service.

“Only the best hotels and restaurants are included in AAA’s Diamond program—professional inspectors eliminate substandard places from consideration as service to our members,” says Barber. “For more than 80 years, travelers have relied on AAA’s trusted recommendations, and these latest changes only strengthen AAA as a go-to source for relevant information and advice for all trip planning needs.”

While AAA recommends only good options for its members and travelers, additional Diamonds indicate more elaborate surroundings and attention from service staff. Here is a breakdown of what travelers can expect at each Diamond designation (as well as the approximate percentage of hotels and restaurants in each designation).

Diamond Hotels: AAA Diamond designations for hotels represent the overall quality, range of facilities and level of hospitality offered. Approved (28 percent) are noteworthy by meeting the industry-leading standards of AAA inspections; Three Diamond (63 percent) feature comprehensive amenities, style and comfort level; Four Diamond (6.5 percent) are upscale style and amenities enhanced with the right touch of service; Five Diamond ( 0.4 percent) feature world-class luxury, amenities and indulgence for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Diamond Restaurants: AAA Diamond designations for restaurants represent the overall food, service and vibe offered. Approved (71 percent) are noteworthy by meeting the standards of AAA inspections; Three Diamond (26 percent) feature trendy food skillfully presented in a remarkable setting; Four Diamond (2.3 percent) feature distinctive fine dining, well-served amid upscale ambience; Five Diamond (0.2 percent) offer leading-edge cuisine, ingredients and preparation with extraordinary service and surroundings.

22/01/2020

By James Shillinglaw, Jan 21, 2020,
SiriusXM Broadway host Seth Rudetsky, dubbed “The Mayor of Broadway” by Audra McDonald, has teamed up with cruise travel expert Judy Perl to create Seth’s Big Fat Broadway Vacations, a new line of Broadway-themed cruises. The vacations include itineraries on a number of luxury cruise lines, including Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Cunard and Celebrity Cruises. The partnership’s first offering in 2020 will be in February to the Caribbean on Celebrity. Photos above: Seth Rudetsky (credit Jay Brady) and Judy Perl (credit: Robert DiScalfani).

The new partnership brings together a Broadway insider with a luxury travel expert. Rudetsky, who began on Broadway as a musician for such shows as “Phantom of the Opera,” “Les Misérables” and “The Producers¸: is known for his irreverent and in-depth takes on everything Broadway. His solo shows have garnered five-star reviews in London, and his Broadway musical “Disaster!” was a New York Times critics’ pick.

Rudetsky’s comedy writing has garnered him three Emmy nominations. He is the host and music director for the “Seth Rudetsky Series” in which he teams with Such Broadway stars as Patti LuPone and Sutton Foster in concert halls across the country and at New York City’s Town Hall for off-the-cuff interviews and performances.

New York City-based Judy Perl Worldwide Travel was founded in 2001 by Judy Perl, a 35-year travel industry veteran who began her career with Seabourn and Cunard and was the creator of the original Playbill cruise. “We are excited to offer our clients the finest curated travel experiences in the world,” Perl says. “Our staff’s extensive land and cruise travel knowledge translates into the creation of trips that offer perfection and distinction to every detail. Joining together with Seth is the perfect Broadway blend of expertise, entertainment and fun.”

Rudetsky’s Big Fat Broadway Vacations programs in 2020 feature a range of international travel options, including cruises to the Eastern Caribbean, Feb. 15-22, on board Celebrity Equinox with Tony Award winners Beth Leavel (Prom) and Lillias White (The Life), as well as Rudetsky’s Sirius XM co-host Christine Pedi; a sailing of The Adriatic & Greek Isles, June 14-25, on board the Seven Seas Voyager with Broadway leading ladies Laura Bell Bundy (Legally Blonde) and Andrea McArdle (Annie) along with Tony-winner Santino Fontana (Cinderella, Tootsie); a cruise to Bermuda and Newport, July 12-19, on the Celebrity Summit with Drama Desk Award winner Jenn Colella (Come from Away), Pretty Woman’s Jason Danieley and Tony Award winner LaChanze (The Color Purple); and a trans-Atlantic crossing from New York to London, Oct. 22-30, on board Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 with Tony winners Faith Prince (Guys and Dolls) and Victoria Clark (The Light in the Piazza). Performers are subject to change.

Early 2021 scheduling includes a cruise to Key West, Mexico and Grand Cayman on board Celebrity Apex, Feb. 13-20. For information and reservations call or email me [email protected]

15/01/2020

When we first saw this item last week we didn’t think too much about it (plus it was a heavy news week). But now we’re having second thoughts. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton recently visited the Dominican Republic and issued some statements and a video to help the island nation promote its tourism product.

The Dominican Republic is still suffering the aftereffects of a series of American tourist deaths at several resorts over a year-long period. Some suggested these tourists were inadvertently poisoned by bad alcohol or even pesticides. But an investigation by Dominican Republic officials and even the FBI found no discernable link between these deaths—and tourism numbers have been rising ever since. Now Clinton is weighing in on the safety of the island and its tourism riches, including his favorite activity—golf.

“I’ve never been here before, so I’m very excited about being at this course,” Clinton said. “I’ve played a couple of other courses in other places. It’s beautiful, and I think the Dominican Republic is well on its way to full recovery from the little hiccup we had over the tourism. This is a great place—and everybody should come here and see it.”

Clinton went on the praise the Dominican Republic as a wonderful place for golfing with different kinds of courses. “Most people that have never been here have no idea how much diversity there is in the geography of the place,” he said. “And there are also lots of wonderful companies that have invested here and built some magnificent golf courses, so if you like golfing, it’s a great place to be. But if you’d just like to go to a beautiful place for other reasons, it’s a great place to be.”

As for the question on whether Clinton felt safe in the Dominican Republic (even though he does still have Secret Service protection): “Oh gosh, yes—always because I think the country’s well run and the people involved in the tourism industry do a good job,” he said. “I’m never worried about it. I came pretty early after the first controversy started, and I was confident, once the medical tests were done they would justify the ranking. There are 58 countries in the world which are less safe for American tourists than the Dominican Republic—and that’s what the tests show, so people should come here and have a good time.”

This week, in a statement by Punta Cana Hotel Consortium about tourist safety and security In the Dominican Republic, officials said they were pleased former Clinton enjoyed his recent trip and acknowledged publicly his safety while on the island. They highlighted his statement: "This is a great place—and everybody should come here and see it."

That is why in November a consortium of hotel ownership and management groups representing more than 50 properties and resorts in Punta Cana joined together to reassure travelers that hotels in Punta Cana (the eastern most destination on the island) are all laser focused on guests' safety and security throughout their stay. “This joint commitment to a set of policies, safety guidelines, and security measures across all our properties is called the Punta Cana Promise,” they said.

“The Punta Cana Promise is an eight-point pledge that assures the highest level of safety, security and service are met across all participating properties,” the consortium said. “Each hotel will display the Punta Cana Promise seal as a demonstration of its commitment to the eight points and a visual assurance to U.S. and international travelers. Delivering on that level of service is our top priority.

14/01/2020

Discover Long Island, NYC & Company and the Long Island Rail Road have joined forces to promote each other’s respective organizations through dedicated assets across Long Island and the five boroughs of New York City. The collaboration, now in its second year, is a mutually beneficial promotional asset barter agreement, where each organization contributes owned assets in order to gain exposure in additional target markets. Traded assets include bus shelters and digital kiosks in all five boroughs, digital assets, platforms, print advertising, trade show opportunities, and billboard space on platforms and in stations, garnering over 55 million impressions to date.

New York City and Long Island are the top two drivers for New York State visits, making up nearly 75 percent of all state-wide traveler spending in 2018, according to a recent report by Tourism Economics. Through this alliance with the Long Island Rail Road, the two destinations aim to highlight proximity and connectivity available to the two regions, drawing more interest and overall awareness to both locals and visitors.

“This first-time collaboration with New York City and the Long Island Rail Road is transformative for our region,” said Kristen Jarnagin, president and CEO of Discover Long Island. “Not only does this strategic partnership provide us with the opportunity to promote a six-figure campaign in our target market at no cost, but it further showcases Long Island and New York City as a perfect combined destination with easy connectivity through the Long Island Rail Road. This is an immeasurable opportunity and alignment for our destination and the awareness this campaign has garnered thus far only amplifies the power of collaboration.”

“We are pleased to collaborate with Discover Long Island and the Long Island Rail Road on this worthwhile promotional initiative, which will ensure more visitors from Long Island discover New York City’s unparalleled energy, diversity and appeal,” said Fred Dixon, president and CEO of NYC & Company. “Winter is an attractive time to enjoy the five boroughs and we hope more visitors will take advantage of NYC & Company’s value-driven 'NYC Winter Outing' program. Through this innovative partnership, we will continue to support the efforts to stimulate more visitation from NYC to Long Island as well.”

"The Long Island Rail Road is undoubtedly the best way to travel and see all that our region has to offer from Manhattan to Montauk, across both the north and south shores," said LIRR president Phil Eng. "We are excited to continue this partnership that will helps us reach residents and tourists alike and promote all the beautiful destinations across our home territory." For more information visit www.discoverlongisland.com or www.nycgo.com.

02/01/2020

Unlike prior years, when factors like fear drove destination trends, this year the four most significant destination stimulants that Embark is seeing are art, immersive activity, culture and cosmopolitan experiences. Wellness and food stayed as strong drivers of destination selection, as did connection conducive to larger family and friend relationships.

There is no question that the travel bucket lists are now defined more by aspiration and experience than destination, with more than 65 percent of requests coming in with a destination undetermined. Instead, our clients are asking for general themes like art experiences, immersive food concepts, wellness, or just plain old jetsetting.

Art clearly is the new food for 2020. Just as new food concepts are less about fuss and more about approachability and story, so goes art. Biennale year aside, from Milan to Asheville art is an important driving factor in attracting visitors. To be clear, this is not just about the art galleries and museums, but the boho-cool culture that comes with art destinations—cool restaurants and funky boutiques—basically the unique, the unpredictable and the local personality that travelers crave in a homogenous world. Look no farther than Bangkok, which launched its Biennale last year in a sharp revitalized artsy neighborhood that will soon see a Four Seasons and a Capella hotel.

Active travel continued with great stamina as we placed people in destinations based on the activities they offered, not their locale on a map. Culture led the way in destinations that were least run over by tourists as our clients seek to escape the woes of over-tourism. And lastly, this past year seemed to be the year of shopping and partying, as cosmopolitan destinations like St. Barts, St. Tropez and Sardinia made a huge comeback with clients looking to soak in the jetsetter lifestyle at nightclubs, beach clubs, trendy restaurants and exclusive shops.

As usual we see that new luxury product and improved access continue to be significant drivers. Destinations like Rwanda and Bhutan are cases in point. Business to Australia and South Africa is already up nearly 25 percent thanks to easier access to both destinations from key U.S. markets. The Caribbean spiked 133 percent in 2019, with dozens of resorts reopening after Hurricane Irma and amnesia of past Zika fears. So where does that leave us for 2020? Below is a summary of what we are seeing:

Markets on the Rise: Morocco, St. Tropez/ Cote d’Azur, St. Barts, Paris, Egypt, Canada, Ireland, Scotland, London, Slovenia, Croatia/Montenegro, Panama, South Africa, Costa Rica, Israel, Glamping & Ranch Vacations, Southeast Asia/Indochina (Vietnam, Laos), Galapagos, Sweden (Stockholm), Norway, Italy (Amalfi Coast, Puglia, Florence, Venice), Australia, Bhutan, Indonesia, U.K. (beyond London), Ireland, Botswana, Chile, Nashville, Austin, Mexico City, Fiji, European Skiing, New Zealand, Cartagena, East Africa (Kenya/Tanzania) and Rwanda.

Strong But Flat Markets: Sicily, Greece, Tuscany, Netherlands, London, Rome, Dubai, California (Los Angeles/Southern California, Napa Valley), Caribbean, Iceland, Portugal, Spain (San Sebastian/Basque, Ibiza, Marbella, Mallorca), National Parks, North American Ski Resorts, Maldives, Berlin, Miami, Tahiti/Bora Bora, and Los Cabos.

Struggling Markets: Cuba, Hong Kong, Dominican Republic, Sri Lanka, Cancun, Turkey, Belize, Russia, Baltics, Germany, Turkey, Tunisia, Paris, Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Costa Rica, Hawaii, Ocean & River Cruises, China, Russia, and Myanmar.

In selecting our top destinations by category, we focused far-flung destinations, multi-gen destinations, summer retreats, growth destinations, celebration destinations, opportunity destinations, ski destinations and honeymoon destinations. Here are the results:

Top Five Far-Flung Destinations: 1) Japan & Southeast Asia (including Bali, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand), 2) Maldives, 3) South Africa, 4) Australia/New Zealand, 5) Peru.

Top 10 Multi-Gen Destinations: 1) Italy, 2) South Africa. 3) U.S. Ranch Vacations & National Parks, 4) Caribbean & Mexico, 5) Morocco, 6) Australia/New Zealand, 7) South of France, 8) London, 9) South of Spain, 10) Greece.

Top 10 Summer Retreats: 1) Amalfi Coast, 2) Cote d’Azur, 3) Italy (other), 4) Ibiza, 5) Greece (mainly Mykonos and Santorini), 6) Spain (Ibiza, Marbella/Basque), 7) Marbella/Malaga, 8) U.S. Ranch Vacations & National Parks. 9) California, 10) Iceland.

Top 10 Growth Destinations: 1) Caribbean (specifically St. Barts), 2) Japan. 3) Ireland, 4) Morocco, 5) Portugal, 6) Australia, 7) Southeast Asia 8) Israel, 9) Egypt, 10) Rwanda.

Top 10 Celebration Destinations: 1) France (led by Paris and the Cote d’Azur), 2) Italy (led by Lake Como, Tuscany/Florence and Amalfi), 3) Mexico (led by Cabo, Riviera Maya and Punta Mita), 4) Caribbean, 5) Southern Spain, 6) Luxury Ranches, 7) Aspen, 8) Morocco, 9) Ireland, 10) South Africa.

Top 10 Opportunity Destinations: 1) Paris, 2) Portugal, 3) Peru. 4) Egypt, 5.) Indonesia. 6) Sri Lanka. 7) Virgin Islands, 8) Bolivia. 9) Dominican Republic, 10) Rwanda.

Top 10 Ski Destinations: 1) Aspen, 2) Deer Valley, 3) Courchevel, 4) Gstaad, 5) St. Moritz, 6) Whistler, 7) Dolomites, 8) Vail, 9) Zermatt, 10) Niseko.

Top Eight Honeymoon Destinations: 1) Dubai & Maldives, 2) Italy; 3) Thailand & Vietnam, 4) South Africa & Mauritius, 5) Caribbean & Mexico, 6) Greece. 7) Southern Spain, 8) South Pacific.

31/12/2019

Embark is an international luxury travel and lifestyle partnership group, attracting the very best forward-thinking talent through shared ownership. This cutting-edge concept in the luxury lifestyle space launched with over $100 million in sales last year to a sharply-focused, highly confidential black book of ultra-high net worth clients composed mostly of Gen-X and millennial A-list celebrities, sports stars, Fortune 500 executives, dynamic financiers, entrepreneurs and real estate moguls around the world.

So where do these high-end clients want to go? This past quarter we focused on hot destinations for 2020 and also highlighted new luxury hotel openings (see my next column). So without further ado, here are Embark’s Top 20 Hot Destinations for 2020.

1) St. Barts: This is the year of St. Barts, which is finally ready for its post-Irma close-up with the opening of hallmark properties like Eden Rock, Le Guanahani, the Carl Gustaf and a complete refurbishment and expansion of Cheval Blanc Isle de France.

2) Paris: We see 2020 as the comeback year for Paris, especially with exceptional boutique jewels such as the Cheval Blanc and JK Paris, the latter of which we expect to change the dynamic of luxury on the Left Bank. As if the new Van Gogh exhibit in the Musée d’Orsay isn’t enough, the Louvre is amping it up with a fascinating Da Vinci exhibit (sans Mona Lisa) as well. Outside the city, the Airelles Le Grand Controle Versailles is likely the most anticipated opening in Europe.. Located within the palace of Versailles, this 14-room property offers insider access to the palace grounds 24 hours a day. It offers guests the ability to literally live like a noble and dine like one at its Alain Ducasse restaurant.

3) Rwanda: Rwanda is hot for 2020. The opening of Singita Kwitonda Lodge heralds a new dawn of luxury in the country. Indeed, Singita is the only lodge located along the fence of Virunga Mountains National Park, where gorillas have been reported to linger on the property. One&Only Gorilla’s Nest offers a sprawling resort concept with access to the same park. These combine with the opening of the One&Only Nyungwe House, the sole luxury resort with access to the exceptional primate viewing in Nyungwe National Park. Plus, no visit is complete without a visit to the fascinating liberal arts hub of Kigali, which rounds-out Rwanda as both a culture and nature lover’s paradise.

4) Morocco: As if the heat factor of Marrakech wasn’t enough, this year brings four new non-stops between the U.S. and Casablanca from gateways like Miami and Philadelphia. New treasures in towns like Fez, new art and design studios on Marrakech, and unique desert resorts make this exotic destination within close reach to many explorers.

5) Milan: 2020 is the year that Milan finally gets its due attention as a must-see city in Italy. The city emerges amidst a total renaissance with a host of new cultural and fashion experiences. It has become the art and design hub in Italy, if not all of Europe, with one-of-a-kind studios, galleries, a “society” of compelling lounges, unique fashion experiences and an acclaimed food scene. The fabulous new Vik Galleria Milano, located inside the Galleria, as well as an outpost of the uber-exclusive Core Club Milano at the base of Via Montenapoleone bring boutique luxe to an already heightened hotel scene.

6) Cape Town: For adventure seekers, nature lovers and sophisticated travelers, Cape Town is not just a bucket list destination. It’s becoming a cosmopolitan city like London or Paris, requiring multiple visits even without a safari component. United’s new non-stop service from New York is a game-changer for the city, giving travelers easier access to explore Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, and the breathtaking winelands. Art lovers can flock to the new Zeitz MOCCA Museum and a slew of art galleries, while food lovers dive in for what is arguably the best value in the culinary world.

7) Japan: Olympics aside, Japan seems to continuously heat up as a destination. Tokyo is often coupled with adventure hub Hakone and cultural icon Kyoto, the location of a new Aman, Park Hyatt and the boutique Mitsui Kyoto. What’s different in 2020 is that more than ever people are venturing outside of the usual destinations. There’s a growing interest in places like Oita, known for its fabulous spas and hot springs. Naoshima is for art lovers who seem obsessed with Benesse House, a beautiful hotel cm art museum that offers unrivaled views of the Seto Inland Sea. Niseko is the ski resort du jour, which will catapult with the opening of the Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono and the nearby Ritz-Carlton, both of which bring Western comforts to exotic Japanese mountain resorts.

8) Bhutan: Bhutan continues to climb in popularity, thanks to the attention it has been getting from the five new sexy lodges by Six Senses. Together with the venerable Amankora lodges, these forge the way for luxury explorers to experience this unique country with a focus on wellness and slick design. Active travelers are lured to the country’s incredible hiking and biking, while cultural enthusiasts appreciate its control on over-tourism by significantly restricting visitors. This preserves one of the last authentic destinations with little Western influence.

9) Israel: Israel is going prime time, beyond the Bar Mitzvah herds and pilgrimage tour bus groups. As iconic brands bring serious sophistication to this fascinating country. Tel Aviv has become a cool capital of the world during the past five years with fantastic food, incredible nightlife and a unique joie de vivre lifestyle. Joining game-changing hotels such as the Setai Jaffa, the Ritz-Carlton and The Norman is the new Nobu Tel Aviv. Six Senses Shahrut takes visitors to recreational adventures deep in the Negev Desert just outside of Eilat, while the Setai has opened up near the Sea of Galilee in the country’s north abutting the Syrian border. Jerusalem has seen a recent renaissance as well with the opening of the Waldorf Astoria, the Orient and complete redo of the David Citadel. Whether you are going to party, sitting in the sun, exploring ancient cultures, partaking in adventure activities or just enjoying a cosmopolitan city, Israel attracts people from all walks of life.

10) Egypt: Egypt is back for 2020 with luxury Nile Cruises already chock full of explorers who have been waiting years to return to this incredible country. Notable in 2020 is the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

11) Virgin Islands: After an arduous recovery almost three years in the making, the pristine Virgin Islands emerge with sparkling new resorts and greater access from the U.S. mainland. Rosewood Little Dix Bay leads the way with a swanky, yet true-to-form rustic style on a heavenly corner of Earth. Nearby, Valley Trunk and Oil Nut Bay offer over-the-top villa experiences with full hotel services. On the island of St. Thomas, the Ritz-Carlton opens its doors with its family-friendly residences and meeting facilities. These developments will attract needed tourism business to the now-rebuilt islands.

12) Mexico City: Mexico City tops the list this year for food and art trendsetters. Its bustling restaurant scene and art galleries make it a place to be for 2020. New hotels like the trendy Kimpton Polanco and a buttoned-up Ritz Carlton join favorites like the boutique Los Alcobas and the glamorous St. Regis and Four Seasons.

13) Mexico’s Pacific: On the resort front, we are keen on the Puerta Vallarta region with the opening of the new Mandarina development, launched with a One&Only Mandarina resort set to complement its older Cabos-based sister, One&Only Palmilla. Speaking of which, Cabos is getting more attention with exceptional development this year. Zundun by Ritz-Carlton Reserve opens in the central tourist zone, Four Seasons Costa Palmas launches a private development secluded from the bustle of the resort area. Foodie destination restaurants like Acre and Flora Farms are as much a magnet as the superlative resorts, world-class golf and reliable weather.

14) Australia: Qantas pushes its boundaries in 2020 with non-stop service from New York, further shrinking the world and the perception of inaccessibility to the South Pacific. Melbourne is growing in popularity as a fashion and boho-chic outpost, while Sydney keeps sizzling with growing interest in cool neighborhoods like Barangaroo. This newly reclaimed area has been recently transformed with cool lounges, boutique shopping, restaurants, and hotels and parks designed by world-class architects like Renzo Piano.

15) Indonesia: Lombok is the new Bali. Now, with the opening of the Legian and renovation of the Oberoi just across the water, it is an ideal hideaway for people looking for Bali without the over-tourism On the waterfront, the incredible new Aqua Blue sets off on luxury expeditions around Komodo Island, while smaller settlements like Nihi Sumba and Amanjiwo continue to attract luxury explorers.

16) Philadelphia: This overlooked cornerstone of American independence is undergoing a renaissance. Its food scene rivals those of America’s top cities while its revitalized museum district competes with Boston for art and history. You get all this and a burgeoning music and artist scene to boot. The opening of the Four Seasons Philadelphia, set atop the city’s tallest tower and featuring a Jean-Georges restaurant, elevates the lodging scene. The Notary, set inside City Hall’s annex, is a trendy hub that joins the more conservative and posh Rittenhouse, which has just been completely redone.

17) Bolivia: Growing fascination with this often--overlooked country is met with a host of luxury lodges dotting this sky-high South American country. A burgeoning arts and food scene vie to steal the show from Bolivia’s spectacular mountainscapes. The new Kachi Lodge opens up the photogenic Salt Flats, which seem to be topping every adventure seeker’s bucket-list for 2020.

18) East Africa: Kenya and Tanzania are finally coming into their own after years of lagging behind South Africa as a safari destination. With so many having been enthralled by South Africa’s safari, city and culinary experiences, travelers are now venturing further afield into the broad cinematographic savannahs and Out of Africa luxury tented experiences. Outside of the Serengeti and Masaai Mara, the Laikipia is a haven for Kenyan safaris without the crowds. Singita’s Grumeti Reserve, adjacent to the Serengeti, remains one of the most elite and privileged pieces of earth in the world.

19) Thailand: The exotic beach resorts of southern Thailand are taking the lead, with growing interest in the Andaman Sea region, including Phuket and Ko Samui. The northern hill country continues to attract explorers to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Anchoring it all is the renewed interest in the electric capital city of Bangkok, which is always reinventing itself. This year, Capella and Four Seasons push along the growing focus on the revitalized Charoenkrung district with its emerging local culinary and art scene. Spearheaded by local and expatriate artists and entrepreneurs who have launched independent art galleries, multi-use spaces, bars and restaurants, the neighborhood is one of the hippest in Southeast Asia and the site of the country’s new Biennale.

20) Austin: This college town cm music center, cm techie capital, cm city of cool is totally in the now. Outside of downtown, East Austin is an emerging neighborhood and ground zero for many new boutique hotels, lounges, art studios and restaurants. For 2020, a hot new dose of luxury makes it even more attractive. Miraval opens with its famous sanctuary spa. Lake Austin Spa is nearby. Auberge restores the Commodore Perry Estate into an epic Americana resort just outside the city. Not to be overlooked is Kelly Wearstler’s Proper Austin. It serves up her boutique version of luxury in downtown Austin, just minutes from the posh Four Seasons.