My Top 5 Travel Memories of 2016

With another year coming to a close, I love looking back on my year to reminisce about my favorite travel memories of 2016.

1. Crossing the Atlantic

For those that adore cruising, a repositioning transatlantic ocean crossing is a sure bet when it comes to long, wonderful days at sea. And when you plan your sailing on a luxury cruise ship such as Silversea, like I did, then your experience is that much better. Why not be waited on hand and foot, sipping champagne and eating caviar, all included in the price of your sailing? And ensconced in our Royal Suite only added to the VIP experience. Just one of these laidback, luxurious vacations will make a true believer out of you.
Read more: SAIL AWAY: THE BEAUTY OF SILVERSEA’S SILVER SPIRIT

2. Drinks on the Mandarin Oriental Barcelona’s Rooftop Bar, Terrat

This incredible rooftop bar offers great wine and a stunning 360-degree view of the city. Set around the hotel’s sleek dipping pool and overlooking Barcelona’s exclusive Passeig de Gracia, you can even spot Antoni Gaudí‘s legendary La Sagrada Família and Casa Batlló from it’s lofty heights, all while enjoying a nice Spanish wine, craft cocktails, and Peruvian appetizers.
Read more: CHECKING IN: MANDARIN ORIENTAL BARCELONA

3. Beaching it in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

What a perfect place to be, lazing on the Viceroy Riviera Maya’s stretch of beach in palapa-style cabanas with cushy double lounge chairs and a bevy of staff attending to each and every whim . . . simply divine. Can’t decide on shade or sun, no problem. I had a palapa as well as two chairs just in front for sun. Every time I turned around an attendant was offering up skewers of frozen pureed fruit and icy cold towelettes, asking to clean my sunglasses, and bringing round tropical drinks and whatever suited my fancy from the resort’s Coral Grill—think fish tacos, fresh guacamole and chips, ceviche—really heaven on earth.
Read more: VICEROY RIVIERA MAYA - LUXURY MEXICO STYLE

4. A VIP day at Magic Kingdom®

Would you like to be treated as if you were royalty for a day? How about visiting the Disney theme parks as seamlessly as possible with maximum enjoyment and very little fuss? Is riding your favorite theme park attraction over and over again with little wait in line one of your fantasies? On one of Disney’s VIP Tours all this and more is a reality. One of our top experiences of the day was the perfect perch for the Festival of Fantasy Parade at Magic Kingdom® Park. From our VIP viewing area at the Walt Disney World Railroad Station on Main Street, U.S.A.®, we were eye level to the tops of the floats and what a fabulous experience it was! Priceless, really.
Read more: DISNEY VIP YOURSELF!

5. Tailgating at the Santa Fe Opera

Kate Russell, Photographer

Not that you ever need an excuse to visit Santa Fe with its perfect summer weather, vibrant art scene, and some of the best restaurants in the nation, but, just in case, The Santa Fe Opera is as good of a reason as any. Running from early July to late August since 1957, this is Santa Fe at its finest. No one can ever accuse the Santa Fe community of not having fun, and the traditional pre-opera tailgating party in the parking lot before the performance is a highlight. Bring along your own food or opt for delicious picnic suppers that can be pre-ordered and grabbed on arrival.
Read more: SANTA FE OPERA WITH A VIEW AND TAILGATING TOO!

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