Do You Still Hear the Child in You?

Dear Fellow Traveler,

Today's newsletter focuses on one of the most significant observances in the global humanitarian calendar: Universal Children's Day.

As we publish this, millions worldwide will celebrate every child's rights, joy, and potential while recognizing our collective responsibility to build a world worthy of their dreams.

This significant date marks the 1959 adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child and the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child, pivotal moments in protecting children's welfare worldwide.

This day reminded me of the book “The Little Prince.”

When the Little Prince embarked on his journey across the planets, he encountered a peculiar cast of grown-ups: a king with no one to rule, a businessman counting stars without seeing their sparkle, and a lamplighter too busy with rules to witness the beauty of dusk. Each planet taught him (and us) how adults often forget what truly matters while chasing what doesn't.

"Growing up is not the problem. Forgetting is," the Little Prince reminded us.

As we celebrate children across borders, perhaps it's time to pack not just our passports but also our childhood curiosity, endless wonder, and ability to make friends anywhere, just as the Little Prince did.

This Week Travel News:

Viking World Voyage I Launch. Viking's latest announcement might require a new passport - or two. Their 2024-2025 World Cruise, setting sail on December 19, 2024, is taking "extended vacation" to new heights with a 180-day journey spanning 37 countries and 85 ports.

While some travelers are planning their weekend getaways, Viking is plotting overnight stays in cities like Sydney and Istanbul, bundling cultural enrichment programs and exclusive excursions into what might be the most ambitious gap year for grown-ups. Pack light? Not this time.

Turkish Airlines is set to start a new service from Istanbul to Sydney on November 28, with plans for future nonstop flights expected by 2026. aviationweek.com

The Waldorf Astoria Cancun will open in December 2024. It will offer luxury accommodations and stunning views of the Caribbean Sea. This property will also feature upscale dining options and a world-class spa, catering to high-end travelers seeking a premium experience in Mexico.

Aman Le Mélézin, the 31-room alpine sanctuary perched on Courchevel 1850's Bellecôte Piste, announces its winter season from December 12, 2024, to April 6, 2025. Fresh from a renovation that added private terraces and hot tubs to select rooms, this ski-in, ski-out haven combines slope-side convenience with Aman's signature luxury. And yes, the ski butler still comes with the deal.

Six Senses debuts in Japan with Kyoto property, bringing its wellness-meets-luxury concept to the ancient capital. The 81-room hotel blends traditional Japanese aesthetics with biophilic design, featuring wooden elements and contemplative gardens. Beyond the usual amenities, the property raises the wellness stakes with a Biohack Recovery Lounge, personalized health screenings, and signature treatments including Watsu water therapy and the Zen-inspired Ah-un ritual. And yes, they'll hack your sleep too - in the most luxurious way possible.

Today's Destination

Kyoto: Because Sometimes Time Travel Does Exist

Move over, modern world!

We're stepping into a place where ancient traditions aren't just alive; they're serving tea and looking fabulous while doing it.

Kyoto, Japan's eternal style icon, is where you can spot a geisha hurrying to an appointment while checking your Instagram stories at a café that's older than most countries.

Top Experiences

Evening with a Maiko: The Original Influencer

• Dine with an apprentice geisha (who has more grace in her pinky than we have in our entire body)

• Watch performances that make Broadway look like amateur hour

• Photo ops that'll make your social media followers actually stop scrolling

Tea Ceremony: Not Your Average Coffee Run

• 400-year-old tea house (older than your favorite vintage wine)

• Learn the art of tea from a master who makes British tea time look casual

• Make wagashi sweets so pretty you'll feel guilty eating them (do it anyway)

Imperial Villa Access: Real Estate Goals Since 1659

• Exclusive tour of Katsura Imperial Villa (yes, THAT one)

• Architecture so perfect it'll ruin modern buildings for you forever

• Gardens that will make you question everything you thought you knew about landscaping

Zen Meditation: The Original Digital Detox

• Early morning zen at Ryōan-ji (before the Instagram crowd arrives)

• Chat with monks who've mastered the art of inner peace

• Breakfast that makes your smoothie bowl look sad

Artisan Workshops: Get Crafty with the Masters

• Learn kimono weaving (warning: may cause shopping sprees)

• Create pottery that your great-grandchildren will fight over

• Watch sword crafting (much cooler than your kitchen knife collection)

LODGING Experts

Hoshinoya Kyoto

• Arrive by boat because cars are so 21st century

• Traditional enough to make history buffs weep with joy

• The closest you'll get to time traveling while enjoying AC

Aman Kyoto

• Imagine sleeping in a forest, but with thread counts higher than your age

• Hot springs that make your bathtub look like a puddle

• So zen, you'll achieve enlightenment just checking in

Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto

• Where modern luxury bows respectfully to tradition

• Garden views that'll make you forget phones exist

• The geishas' favorite playground (yes, really)

Park Hyatt Kyoto

• Historic tea houses meet five-star everything

• Views so good you'll want to send a thank-you note to their architect

• More authentic than your "authentic" local Japanese restaurant

The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto

• River views that'll make you write poetry (or at least try)

• More culture than a year's worth of museum visits

• Samurai experience included (childhood dreams: achieved)

For EPI-CURIOUS Only

Kikunoi

• Kaiseki so beautiful you'll feel bad disrupting it with your chopsticks

• Three Michelin stars (they're basically constellation makers)

• Each dish tells a story better than your favorite Netflix series

Sushi Wakon

• Where fish have better resumes than most people

• Omakase that makes your regular sushi spot look like fast food

• Two Michelin stars (yes, they're showing off)

Hyotei

• Breakfast worth waking up at dawn for

• Three Michelin stars of "how did they do that?"

• Traditional Kyoto cuisine that tastes like a history lesson (in a good way)

Events in Destination

NAKED’s Garden of Japanese Lights at Heian Shrine (December) - Light shows that make Christmas decorations look amateur

Gion Matsuri (July) - A month-long party that makes New Year's Eve look like a quiet dinner

Aoi Matsuri (May) - Where ancient court nobles show us how it's done

Jidai Matsuri (October) - The most fashionable historical parade you'll ever see

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