By Theodora Halstead | March 1 2021
I was part of a panel discussion a few weeks ago that focused on the luxury travel sphere in 2021, and how it had radically changed over the last 12 months.
One of the questions put to me was about the trends we're seeing for the future. As a media outlet, we hold a unique position where all the exciting things that people are working on — new releases, upcoming projects and passions — land in our inbox every day.
We are privy to real-time, first-look insights into the inner workings of a broad range of industries, from the watch market to hotels, travel operators to jet manufacturers. And the overarching trend we're seeing for 2021 is this: Companies that previously had no connection are now working together on partnership projects. They are putting their services together, creating a more cohesive and safe experience. So the current atmosphere has forced, or encouraged, companies to innovate and focus on their service proposition, and to examine how they can support their clients; this working together has been a really positive outcome.
We're also already seeing some incredible innovations to come out of the last 12 months. From a new app that enables you to search for private jet journey quotes at the touch of a button, to the company that is using solar-powered technology to turn C02 into the world's first carbon-negative spirit, there are some exciting things on the horizon.
Elsewhere in this edition, our inspiration guide to the Top Adventures should fill you with wanderlust and renew some of that joie de vivre we've all been missing recently. What better way to spend your time than with a fishing trip at Montana's Flint Creek Mountain Range, a US charter member of the National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World eco-lodge collection. Or how about taking the family to spot humpback whales, seals and sea lions from a kayak in Alaska's Clover Passage?
From a kayak to a superyacht, explorer vessels, by definition, are there to push the boundaries and take you into the unknown. We've collected some of the very best to charter if you're searching for unique experiences. Their garages are jam-packed with tenders and toys to entertain you, but many are also equipped with important scientific equipment to track the awesome nature of the ocean while you cruise.
Spending time with family is now more important than ever, no matter how fraught lockdown with a teenager might seem! We've rounded up the most family-friendly escapes for you to look forward to. Kids clubs come as standard, but how about a hands-on course in the wilderness of the Scottish highlands teaching your kids the basics of map reading? Or sunsets spent roasting s'mores around the fire? Cue unforgettable memories and say goodbye to wrestling away the iPad.
The Hot List in this edition explores the ingenious Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo's guide to celebrating the milestones the last 12 months may have caused you to miss, so whether it's a silver wedding anniversary, graduation party, honeymoon or sweet 16, the hotel can create a personalized event that will be so special you'll forget it's 14 months late.
We also look at the hotels that have taken a practical approach to their offering by creating programs of remote learning that combine the expertise of academic tutors with unique practical educational experiences that only the hotel can offer, such as beach cleaning or turtle conservation.
We round out this issue with a remote wild stay in a lighthouse in Sweden. Isolate yourself in the rugged beauty and let nature's power fill you with hope for the future.
Thea Halstead
Head of Luxury, Editor
thea.halstead@elitetraveler.com
Click here to read Elite Traveler Spring 2021
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Embrace the elements at this remote lighthouse on an island off Sweden's ragged western coast