Business Class
Global Traveler — What a Value!
Jun 19th
Yesterday the editorial team put the finishing touches on the July issue of Global Traveler, and art director Tracey Cullen sent the files off to the publishing house. This past month was extra busy, as we also prepared the annual Global City Guidebook to be published and polybagged with the July magazine. For those of you new to GT, the GCGB is chock-full of one-page guides to major cities throughout the world and across the United States, providing the traveler with a convenient overview of each city, its major attractions, hotels and restaurants.
The Guidebook is just one of several supplements which we publish each year. Additionally, our regular subscribers look forward to Class Act, an annual survey of premium-class cabins of international airlines. It provides the most comprehensive, detailed summary of information on first- and business-class cabins available, and our readers always tell us how much they look forward to it and reading the other articles it contains on other services, from spas to lounges to airport rail links, a busy traveler may use.
I always look forward to our Luxury/Indulgence supplement. It’s fun to read about the latest in the finest dining, accomodations, extra-special services and truly extravagant “toys” out there. Though on first look I don’t think I personally might ever experience most of them, I’ve found that a few of those “indulgences” are actually within my reach and well worth the splurge!
In addition to those annual “books,” each year we offer separate supplements on individual destinations around the world. These present a focused look at countries or regions of particular interest to travelers. Within the past twelve months we’ve delved into Spain, the Pacific Rim and Ireland. Every one provides great information and plenty of incentive to go out and book a trip to that enticing location.
We on the editorial side always breathe a sigh of relief when we’ve finished up a month where we’ve basically produced two magazines in 30 days. The added work and rushed deadlines are always worth it, though. Our subscribers tell us time and again how interesting and helpful these products are to them, and everyone at Global Traveler is proud and pleased to provide such great value to our readers.
– Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editorÂ
Remember Your Garmin!
Jun 14th
I have a travel tip for travelers planning to drive overseas — download the Garmin maps before your trip. I just did this before my short trip to Portugal last week. My rather inexpensive Garmin, which works perfectly in the United States, required more memory to download the maps for Spain and Portugal. This was resolved simply by going to Radio Shack for a memory card, which slips in the side. Once I entered the card, the maps downloaded and the GPS worked. I like when technology just works! The maps run you $149.
Over in Portugal, the Garmin was just as helpful as it is here. Perhaps even more so, as it negated wrong turns and pulling over to read a map; not to mention the double and triple circling in the round-abouts! Remember National Lampoon’s European Vacation?
I rented from Europcar and enjoyed my experience in a rather large Volkswagen sedan. The car was diesel and used very little fuel. I returned the car with a half tank of gas, even after all our daytrips and travel.
There will be more reports on Portugal. I enjoyed revisiting Lisbon and then driving to Evora before finally spending a few days in the Algarve. I stayed at some really great properties, including the Sheraton Lisboa, with a fantastic restaurant on the top floor and the best breakfast buffet. Hotel Convento do Espinheiro, Evora, is an historic property with a beautiful decor and terrific spa. Finally, we stayed at Pine Cliff Residences (Algarve, part of the Sheraton Algarve complex), where we had so many restaurants to choose from and great Portuguese wines.
I also played a round of golf at the Henry Cotton Golf Course, Le Meridien Penina Golf & Resort, and had a really fun round with some great golfers, including the No. 1-ranked female pro in Portugal, Monia Bernardo. Also joining us were Leonel Rio, director of golf and the resident pro of the Cotton Course, and Matthieu de Tonnac, hotel manager of the Le Meridien Penina. Great people and great fun! I will be covering the course in a GTee article very soon.
TAP is also a fine airline. TAP Executive is a superb business class, and I can see why Conde Nast UK voted TAP best airline this year. The onboard cuisine and wines were tops, and the service was gracious and friendly. I would suggest a Portuguese vacation, or a side trip, to any traveler. Don’t forget your Garmin!
– Fran Gallagher, publisher and CEO
Airplane Etiquette
May 27th
An interesting discussion arose recently about appropriate airline etiquette. Do you ever consider what you wear on an airplane? Perhaps you don’t because you think paying $12,000 for the business-class seat entitles you to wear whatever you want. But do you think so-and-so across the aisle paid the same amount to see you in your hot pink jumpsuit? Probably not. Back in the day, flying was a commodity — no matter what class you chose — and respectable attire was airline protocol. Here is a list of some first-class do’s and don’ts, along with some suggestions of comfortable yet classy attire.
1. DON’T wear your favorite pair of fuzzy slippers when boarding the plane.
2. DO bring a pair of modest slippers in your carry-on to change into after boarding, or wear a pair of classy flats. Leather ballet flats or boat shoes have the comfort and flexibility without the clash. Here are a few suggestions:
- Modest Women’s Dakota slipper
3. DON’T wear your favorite Champion sweatsuit or Juicy Couture jumpsuit.
4. DO bring a comfortable outfit to change into after boarding or wear a classy, comfortable outfit to the airport. Here are a few suggestions:
- Women’s Donna Karen jersey leggings
- Men’s comfortable pinstripe linen pants
These tips may sound silly to the paying customer, but you aren’t the only one flying to your destination today; and you certainly aren’t the only person expecting a comfortable, smooth, less-distracting flight.
Happy flying!
– Courtney Centeno, account executive
Wines on the Wing
May 24th
Today the staff of Global Traveler will be assisting in the execution of our annual business-class (international) and first-class (domestic) wine survey. We are the only organization that conducts such a survey in the United States for American travelers. This year, we are holding the event at the famed Delmonico’s Restaurant in downtown New York City. More than 35 experts in the field will be judging at the blind tasting, and I am sure the results will be as interesting as ever.
Unlike other surveys in the United Kingdom, Global Traveler painstakingly researches the background of each judge. Many of them have been working with Eunice Fried (Global Traveler‘s wine consultant) and myself for nearly 20 years. Other surveys do not see the conflict of interest when a judge is the individual who selected the onboard wine for an airline being judged. We don’t allow this for obvious reasons.
Of course, one does not select an airline based only on the wine served, but it is another standard toward the overall excellence of a carrier. Airlines pay great attention to these results and use their wins in advertising and marketing. The win affirms the panel of experts who choose their wines; losses could sometimes be the cause of change for this panel.
Who has not boarded an aircraft and opened the first- or business-class menu to find pages and pages on the wines, the individuals selected to choose the wines and the methodology? Obviously, the airlines agree that this is an important aspect of their service.
So next time you are traveling at 35,000 feet, remember that your magazine, Global Traveler, may have influenced the wines you are being served.
– Fran Gallagher, publisher and CEO
