As a welcome to the new year, most retrospectives look back at the year’s greatest hits, be it music, movies, or in my case epic adventures. What is usually such an easy task for me has presented a monumental struggle this year. I seem to have nothing but time on my hands, but I can’t seem to focus on getting my thoughts onto paper after such a challenging year. As I wrote my year-end recap last year, I realized that 2020 would mark ten years in business, and there would be even more to celebrate the next time I sat down to write my year in review.
While it didn't turn out the way anyone expected, I can honestly say that there are definitely a lot of things for which to be grateful. After a busy first quarter and then the initial crush of cancellations and modifications, life slowed down, and I had an opportunity that I hadn’t had in years to reflect and connect with family and friends. After months and months of isolation and togetherness, my kids are learning to navigate this new (and as I keep emphasizing to them, temporary) normal in both college and high school. I also have a twice weekly standing zoom with my college roommates that has provided us all with a much-needed escape and time to dream about the next time we will travel together. And maybe most importantly professionally, I have nurtured my connections in an industry that has been one of the hardest hit by the pandemic – I will be ready with fresh ideas and perspectives when you are ready to travel.
So, while I didn’t get in as much travel as I typically would, there were some special adventures that I can’t help but highlight –
January
The English Countryside
February
Switzerland
March/April/May
Chez Cohen-Dumani
June
Ocean City, MD
July
Fearrington House and Salamander Resort and Spa
August
Kiawah Island
September/October
Tanzania
November/December
Dreaming of What's Next!
I hope that you are, too. Here's to a fabulous 2021!
