We’re so excited about our first-ever Islands issue. And lest you think we’re just focusing on islands embraced by white-sand beaches and serene waters, think again. We’ve got such a variety in this issue, that one of these island destinations is bound to be a good fit for your client. From the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea, the Mediterranean and the Gulf of Mexico to everything in-between, the features in this issue hopscotch across the islands that dot the globe’s waterways. We’ve talked to tour operators far and wide to get their take on island vacations, although our editorial staff, a chatty bunch themselves, has quite a few things to say regarding the allure of an island escape.
In fact, Ed Wetschler, Recommend’s Caribbean Editor, got straight to the point—well, he does know a thing or two about islands given his beat. “Research confirms that the most popular kind of vacation in this country is (surprise!) a beach vacation, and islands, last we looked, are surrounded by water.” Ed’s “The Real Caribbean” story (page 82) checks out Grenada and Martinique, which Ed says, “offer a combination of unspoiled nature, small-town courtesy, and new hotels.”
On the flip side, for her Latin America feature, Carla Hunt covered two destinations that are not on people’s minds when they think “beach vacation,” but they should definitely be on your radar for an out-of-this-world island getaway: Easter Island and the Galapagos Islands (page 68). Given her assignment for this issue, it’s no wonder that Carla’s take on an island getaway is “escape, isolation, special world with a particular character.”
More traditional island escapes can be found on the Seychelles (page 37), the Greek Isles & Cyprus (page 28), and the tiny islands that lie just offshore from Mexico’s mainland (page 73)….
Or, perhaps your clients would rather go island-hopping via a sailboat or yacht, a type of travel experience that associate editor Deserae del Campo says is “about docking into the ports where the big ships can’t. It’s about seeing a side of the island away from the masses and immediately feeling as if you’re a part of the local scene.” In her “Set Sail” story (page 34) she’s got all the details on booking with the best in this cruising category: Windstar, Star Clippers and Compagnie du Ponant.
Of course, we couldn’t leave enigmatic Tahiti out of this issue. Flip through The Islands of Tahiti on page 7 to get an overview of these popular islands.
Which islands are you booking for your clients? What trends are you seeing in island bookings? Drop me an e-mail.
portrait of israel
Ok, we squeezed a little bit of mainland into the issue, but there’s a good reason. This month, the State of Israel is celebrating 65 years of independence and we’ve joined in the celebration by putting together the Portrait of Israel, in conjunction with the Israel Ministry of Tourism. This stunning photo essay is a snapshot of Israel’s many faces; leaf through it and you’ll see the unique qualities that make Israel an unforgettable place to visit.
let’s get social
Hang out with us @Recommendmag and facebook.com/recommendmag. And if you want to see what our editors are up to away from the office, follow them @Paloma_RecMag, @EdWetschler, & @LaneMN.
correction
In the March issue, in the “Safaris in Southern Africa” story (page 14), we provided an 800 number for Travel Sommelier. The correct number is (203) 387-2706.
E-mail me at [email protected]
Check out the Meet our Editors page on recommend.com. Just click “magazine” on the homepage, scroll down to “meet our editors” and you’ll see where our editors are headed. By the time you read this, I’ll be in Scotland with Adventures by Disney on the tour operator’s “Brave”-inspired itinerary with my very own “Junior Adventurer” (we promise, we’ll have lots of images that you’ll get to see in an upcoming Eye on the World, our online-only photo essays).
