The 50 Most Popular World Travel Destinations

Which destinations continued to be favorites among American travelers in 2013 and where are the new tourism hotspots? Fodors.com reveals the answers with their first annual list of the year’s most popular travel destinations according to the more than 4.5 million unique monthly visitors to the brand’s website. Of the 7,500 destinations Fodors.com covers around the world, the leading travel publisher has identified 2013’s top 50 worldwide travel locales as well as the 50 destinations that have grown most in popularity over 2012 based on destination-guide page views from natural search by American visitors to Fodors.com.

“Natural search is a strong indicator of travelers’ intent to visit a destination--these are people that came to us because they were actively researching a trip using a search engine,” says Arabella Bowen, Editor in Chief of Fodor’s Travel.

While New York City continued to top the travel charts in 2013, many of the U.S.’s charming small cities and regions emerged with record interest. Texas Hill Country, situated between Austin and San Antonio and home to a burgeoning wine scene, saw the most dramatic growth in 2013, with a 258% increase in page views according to Fodors.com website statistics. Charleston, S.C., Savannah, G.A., and New York’s Hudson Valley also saw increased interest in 2013 and joined New Orleans, Napa and Sonoma, and Washington, D.C. in the top 50 most-popular destinations for the year.

Europe, the subject of Eugene Fodor’s first guidebook, ON THE CONTINENT (published in 1936), experienced a post-recession resurgence in 2013. Paris and Rome appear in the top ten of the year’s most visited destinations on Fodors.com while Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Ireland and Iceland all saw page views more than double.

“Europe is back in a big way, with the strongest numbers we’ve seen in years, which is really exciting. A number of great events and cultural happenings like Ireland’s The Gathering as well as terrific travel values in countries like Spain have helped put a spotlight on travel to the continent,” said Bowen. “At the same time, we saw a shift to new regions in the United States, like Texas Hill Country and the Oregon Coast, which indicates the Fodor’s audience is always looking to discover new places and experiences, something the brand has long embodied.”

Highlighting the popularity of warm-weather destinations among Americans, the report also revealed that eleven of the top 25 most-visited destination guides on Fodors.com in 2013 were beach retreats. Hawaii is a perennial favorite, along with Caribbean islands like St. Martin and Turks and Caicos. Mexican hotspots showed tremendous growth last year, with travelers showing increased interest in Isla Mujeres, Los Cabos, and the Riviera Maya. Other beach destinations with a significant uptick in interest included Puerto Rico (particularly San Juan and Vieques and Culebra); St. John and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and the Dominican Republic.

To explore these great destinations and other locations around the world, with travel tips from the experts and more, visit Fodors.com.

TOP 50 MOST POPULAR DESTINATIONS WORLDWIDE:

1. New York City
2. Paris
3. The Florida Keys
4. San Francisco
5. New Orleans
6. Maui
7. St. Martin/St. Maarten
8. Las Vegas
9. Rome
10. Washington, D.C.
11. Big Island, Hawaii
12. London
13. Kauai
14. Bermuda
15. Napa and Sonoma
16. Turks and Caicos
17. Honolulu and Oahu
18. Seattle
19. Cape Cod
20. Los Cabos, Mexico
21. Barcelona
22. Savannah
23. Chicago
24. Boston
25. St. Lucia
26. Montreal
27. Miami
28. Charleston
29. Los Angeles
30. San Diego
31. Santa Fe
32. Philadelphia
33. Amsterdam, Netherlands
34. Aruba
35. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
36. Puna Cana, Dominican Republic
37. The Hudson Valley
38. Cayman Islands
39. San Antonio
40. Venice
41. San Juan, Puerto Rico
42. Walt Disney World
43. Cancun
44. Grand Canyon
45. St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
46. Buenos Aires
47. Florence
48. Jamaica
49. Quebec City
50. Puerto Rico

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a vodka enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Heathrow Airport Presents Worlds First Whisky Inspired 3D Art Exhibit

You will no doubt have heard of a message in a bottle but perhaps not a 3D art exhibition on a bottle. Johnnie Walker Blue Label, the world’s leading ultra-premium Scotch whisky, has launched an immersive experience for travellers with the creation of its own art galleries with a difference, one of which is now being showcased in Heathrow’s Terminal 5.

These creative gallery spaces, which are being installed in international airports worldwide, are designed to exhibit some of the world’s most talented and upcoming artists’ unique interpretations of ‘The Rare Blend’ and pay homage to the rarity and craftsmanship synonymous with Johnnie Walker Blue Label. Exhibiting the artists’ remarkable work in the airport environment reflects the true and unique travel credentials of the brand. To date, Johnnie Walker Blue Label Galleries have launched in Singapore Changi Airport and Miami International and this latest gallery in London’s Heathrow airport has been extremely well received by passengers, who have been enjoying exploring the space and discovering more about one of the world’s rarest whiskies.

To celebrate the opening of the travel retail exhibition and in conjunction with World Duty Free Group, Johnnie Walker has created 750 limited edition Johnnie Walker Blue Label bottles, etched with the London skyline in a rare gold liquid imprint. These will be available exclusively for purchase in World Duty Free stores in all Heathrow Terminals between now and the end of February 2014, covering the key purchasing periods of Christmas, the increase in Russian and Chinese flights in the New Year and Valentine’s Day.

Commenting on the arrival of the new Johnnie Walker Blue Label Galleries, Paul Downing, Regional Director, GTME Key Accounts, Diageo said, “We are delighted to unveil this immersive art experience to Heathrow travellers. The creation of this unique Johnnie Walker Blue Label Gallery in Heathrow airport reinforces our true commitment to the travel retail sector and to providing our customers with unique and innovative travel experiences and products.”

Eugenio Andrades, Chief Commercial Officer at World Duty Free Group adds, “This exciting initiative demonstrates the strength of the relationship we have with Diageo and Heathrow. We have worked in close collaboration with the brand and the airport, to help bring this experiential event to travellers visiting Terminal 5. This is a very customer focused activity and we are delighted to be able to offer passengers the unique opportunity to sample one of the world’s most exceptional whiskies; Johnnie Walker Blue Label. In addition, we have secured exclusivity on the exceptional London Limited Edition bottle, with its artistic interpretation of the London skyline making it the perfect product to gift, or to keep as a personal memento of a trip to this inspiring city!”

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a whisky enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Purity Vodka Sets New Industry Benchmark with Unprecedented 3rd Consecutive Title of Grand Vodka Master

Purity Vodka, the most awarded ultra-premium vodka in the world, has won the prestigious 2013 Grand Vodka Master Award from The Spirits Business. Purity Vodka is the only brand to receive this extraordinary honor an unparalleled three years in a row.

The Spirits Business hosts several competitions throughout the year where medals are awarded based on blind tastings by a panel of leading spirit experts and trade journalists in multiple categories. Those brands who are awarded Gold and Masters' Awards are then evaluated on a variety of levels and criteria for the year's ultimate prize, the title of Grand Master.

Purity Vodka dominated the vodka category during 2013 with impressive wins at the Vodka Masters including three Masters' Awards in the Super-Premium, Smooth and Micro Distillery categories, and a Gold Medal in the Organic category. Purity Vodka was also named "Best Vodka and Overall Spirit" at the 2013 Asian Spirits Masters in addition to receiving high marks across all categories.

"We congratulate Purity Vodka and Thomas Kuuttanen for winning the title of 2013 Grand Vodka Master. I am astonished how a small, hand-crafted brand as Purity Vodka is dominating international spirits competitions and for the third consecutive year becoming Vodka-of-the-Year. Purity Vodka has apparently cracked the code, and leads the industry toward a future where vodka no longer is a tasteless and odorless spirit, but equal with artisanal spirits with character and complexity," said Daisy Jones, associate publisher of The Spirits Business and organizer of The Vodka Masters.

Thomas Kuuttanen, Master Blender and creator of Purity Vodka from Sweden continued, "To be crowned the Grand Vodka Master in 2013 is a perfect ending to a remarkable year for Purity Vodka. It is obvious that consumers are steering away from industrial, neutral vodka and moving toward handcrafted spirits like Purity Vodka. Our ambition is to be the leader within the small, ultra-premium segment where quality always beats quantity."

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a vodka enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Consider an Apartment On Your Next Trip to London Or Paris

How does an apartment stay compare to a hotel stay? Here is AvenueStory’s top 10 reasons to rent an apartment on your next trip to London or Paris:

1. Check In – When you arrive, at your convenience, in your apartment (not from 3pm at a hotel or having to pick up keys at some office). Also, depending on availability, check-out at the time that you want to, i.e. not at 12 noon.

2. Unique experiences – Instead of standardised rooms, each Avenue Story apartment offers unique spaces, real homes away from home – be that a Mansion by the Louvre in Paris, or a chic townhouse in London’s Chelsea.

3. Your own space – for the price of a standard four-star hotel room, you can have your own suite, with its living room and fully equipped kitchen.

4. Free Wifi and International Calls – All our apartments have wifi for guests and we also include a local mobile phone which will let guests contact AvenueStory’s concierge team at all times and make any local arrangements using a local mobile phone. Landlines in our apartments also include international calls to the US, Canada and Europe.

5. Get picked up at the airport and dropped off at your own London or Paris doorstep – without the need to worry to print directions or carry your own luggage. This service is included on all premium apartments.

6. A bottle of wine and welcome hamper on arrival – so you can enjoy the view and begin your trip in style. No extortionate mini-bar charges and you can obviously stock up your own bar by visiting a local store.

7. Insurance – With the apartment industry being unregulated, AvenueStory offers its clients travel, cancellation and damage insurance, offering peace of mind in case anything goes wrong before or during your trip.

8. Daily cleaning and breakfast delivery can also be organised on request, providing the same convenience as a hotel. Cleaning times can be scheduled at our guests’ convenience.

9. Dedicated Travel Concierge – included in the Avenue Story experience, whereby we will provide you with all the information you need to make your stay truly unique. No queueing at the concierge desk to ask for a map – our team organise any day trips and restaurant bookings and your itinerary will be ready and printed for you on arrival.

10. Your own key – feel like you really belong in the city you have chosen, giving you the opportunity to truly live like a local.

AvenueStory was founded by Irina Raileanu in 2011. The company has grown organically to almost 140 chic apartments between London and Paris and continues to expand its local operations at a rapid pace.

The company has exclusive use of some of London and Paris' most luxurious properties, some of them with incredible views of each city, with prices from $100 per person per night.

Would you like to stay at an apartment with incredible views of the Eiffel Tower? AvenueStory has one of its most popular apartments in this area, offering 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms for $500 per night, or the equivalent of $125 per person per night. With an average 3-star hotel room in Paris ranging at $200-300 per night, AvenueStory offers unbeatable value for money and luxurious accommodations.

The success of AvenueStory has been driven both by adapting to growing consumer needs but also by revolutionising the experience of short term stays. Starting with match making your desired criteria one by one with their portfolio making sure that you choose the right apartment for your trip, be it a holiday, an anniversary, a romantic city break or even a business trip. Finishing with your appointed concierge meticulously planning your arrival and your stay, not just handing over the keys.

Minimum stay is 3 nights and on average rates for apartments sleeping 4 or upwards are priced from $100.00 per person per night inclusive of all fees and taxes as well as guest benefits including a local cell phone, free wifi or international calls and you can check in early or check out late for free.

With online sites such as Airbnb.com, this method of travel is becoming more natural for the modern traveller, and much of the success behind AvenueStory is its ability to provide something more personal, indulgent and convenient than what customers can find in the market place currently.

A growing concern for vacation rental guests is strict cancellation policies in comparison with standard hotel reservations. AvenueStory has recently introduced a partnership with RentalGuardian offering its guests Travel Insurance options specific for vacation rentals and Rental Damage Protection offering peace of mind not only in terms of travelling but also, cancellation and deposit guarantees.

For more information see AvenueStory.com

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a vodka enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Travelers vote ESPA Life at Corinthia Hotel London Best European Spa

ESPA Life at Corinthia Hotel London has been voted Best European Spa in The Times, TheSunday Times, and The Sunday Times Magazine Travel Awards 2013. This is a new set of accolades launched by News International.

Votes were gathered from tens of thousands of readers of the three media outlets and ESPA Life at Corinthia fought off competition from leading spas across Europe to win the title.

Matthew Dixon, General Manager of Corinthia Hotel London said: “We are delighted to have received this award and my congratulations go to all our exceptional staff who made this happen. This award is particularly gratifying as it was based on the votes of actual travelers and readers, as opposed to industry voting for industry or being an award that entrants pay to enter. It is based entirely on the experience and perceptions of our guests.”

The award was announced in Malta and presented by veteran Polar explorer Ranulph Fiennes.

Nichola Roche, ESPA Life at Corinthia Spa Director said: “We are so proud to receive this award and recognition in our third year of opening. ESPA Life at Corinthia offers the total solution to your fitness, lifestyle, wellness and spa needs. With highly-qualified complementary health practitioners and expert therapists coupled with impeccable service, ESPA Life at Corinthia offers optimal health, beauty and wellbeing in surroundings of understated luxury.”

US Media Contact
The Bradford Group
Karen Hoffman/Sarah McHeffey
Tel:(212) 447-0027
E-mail: info@bradfordglobalmarketing.com


UK Media Contact
Fiona Harris, fiona.harris@corinthia.com or tel: 0207 321 3034 or
Julia Eccles, julia.eccles@corinthia.com or tel: 0207 930 8181 or
Henrietta Low, henrietta.low@corinthia.com or tel: 0207 321 3022


About Corinthia Hotel London
Housed within a Victorian building, 294 rooms including 36 suites and 7 penthouses offer sweeping views across London’s most popular landmarks. Corinthia Hotel London provides unrivalled world-class luxury with superb ground floor offerings including restaurant The Northall, serving the best in British produce throughout the day; modern Italian cuisine at Massimo Restaurant & Oyster Bar and the musically inspired Bassoon Bar. Corinthia London is also home to the flagship ESPA Life at Corinthia, a next-generation spa housed across four floors, together with a hair salon by Daniel Galvin. The hotel boasts the largest room sizes in London, original restored Victorian columns and tall windows that let in swathes of natural light. Cutting edge technology in rooms and meeting rooms allow for recording, mixing and broadcasting from dedicated media rooms. Corinthia London is a 21st century grand hotel located in the heart of London, created by experts with a passion for craftsmanship and an understanding of world-class service. Corinthia London is the ninth of Corinthia Hotels’ collection of five-star hotels founded by the Pisani family of Malta.

Spa Facilities:
- Spa Lounge serving exceptional cuisine
- Private Spa Suite
- 17 Treatment Pods
- Daniel Galvin Hair Salon
- Dedicated Nail Studio
- Sleep Pods
- Thermal Floor – consisting of:
- 9 metre silver steel swimming pool
- Vitality pool with various air and water massage jets


Heat Experiences:
- Amphitheatre sauna
- Black mosaic steam room
- Ice fountain
- Experience showers
- Heated relaxation beds
- Luxury changing rooms with heat experiences


Spa Treatments and Programs
- ESPA Face and Body Treatments
- Wellness programs and revolutionary diagnostics
- Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM )
- Diet and nutritional advice
- Physiotherapy and osteopathy
- Sports and remedial massage
- Rehabilitation and sports injury support


ESPA Life Gym:
- LifeFitness cardio vascular and strength equipment
- Powerplate 6
- Trixter bikes
- Free weights
- Stretch areas
- Concept rowers
- Private personal training pods
- In-depth fitness assessments
- Bespoke fitness programs
- Exceptional personal trainers

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a world traveler, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

The World’s Most Exclusive Scotch Whisky Auction, London, October 2013

The Worshipful Company of Distillers is delighted to remind you that our unique autumn event is taking place at Apothecaries’ Hall, in the heart of the city of London, on Thursday 17th October 2013.

Run by Christie’s, the auction will be limited to 50 highly collectible lots, including bottles of great historical significance, rare bottlings, and whiskies not commercially available, generously donated from private collections as well as company archives and stocks.

We hope you can join us for an unforgettable evening,

Brian W. Morrison
The Master

A flavour of lots on offer
1964 Bowmore
1946 The Macallan
1956 Bowmore
Johnnie Walker Director’s Blend series (2008-2013)
Hazelwood collection
The Dalmore 1964 One Off bottling
Laphroaig HRH visit
North British 50 Years Old
The Macallan Easter Elchies opening
Glenury Royal 50 Years Old one off



For more information or to reserve a catalogue, please contact:

Assistant Clerk, Mrs. Kim Lyons

Email: KLyons@lbmw.com

Telephone: 020 7960 7173

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a whiskey enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

The Challenge of Travelling with Children

Avoiding the frustration of being a parent with a bored child while touring the world’s great cities

The words every parent dreads hearing while strolling the Champs-Elysees with their offspring: “Is there a McDonald’s around here? I’m borrrrred!”

You’ve scrimped and saved for months (maybe years) to bestow on your children something your parents weren’t able to provide for you: a priceless education and exposure to the Art, Architecture and Cuisine of the great cities of Europe. But your kids just want to text their friends and hang out at a shopping mall.

What can parents do to enthuse their young ones regarding this once-in-a-lifetime experience?

“Educate them, educate them, educate them” says Hastings Wolfe, frequent traveler and expert on the psyche of children. “Kids are just like adults - the less they know about something, the less they care about it.”

He cites as examples comic books, sports and YA novels.

“For most young people, when they latch on to something they go full-force. Kids (mainly boys) who are into comic books, for instance, know every detail about every character and their entire backstory. This makes reading about them more enjoyable. Same goes for athletes and sports. As for the girls, they can tell you every minute detail of the love triangle at the core of the latest YA novel.”

Wolfe believes this same strategy can be employed prior to heading off to the family vacation overseas by learning of the culture, history, art, cuisine, etc. that will be experienced while visiting the host country. He also recommends learning some of the language spoken.

“I would say that families traveling to foreign countries make up the bulk of our customers when it comes to the language apps” says Jeffrey Starr, owner of the software company Purple Falcon. The firm produces a language app geared toward children called Banana Cat - Learn a Language! 

“The Banana Cat language app is set up like flash-cards for the iPhone and iPad, but the app has colorful pictures and sound effects that are very appealing to kids. Currently the app allows you to learn 50 words in 8 languages, for a total of 400. The initial language list is French, German, Spanish, English, Japanese, Portuguese, Dutch and Italian. Obviously the number of languages will grow with demand.”

Starr agrees with Wolfe that learning the language will enhance the vacation for the kids.

 “Even though our apps are only teaching the kids 50 words or so in each of the 8 languages, we’ve heard reports about how excited they get. When they are walking the streets of Rome or Paris and come across a word they know in Italian or French, the parents say their eyes just light up.”

Learning the history of the area ahead of time can be a big help as well.

Adults can attest to the fact that it’s easy to suffer from information-overload when touring a history-rich area like Athens or London. Just imagine how overwhelming that could be for a 10-year-old.

But when the parent spoon-feeds historical tidbits in small doses in the months leading up to the trip, the child will have a much better time absorbing the information (and recalling it later).

Wolfe also recommends introducing the young ones to some of the food they may experience on the trip ahead of time. By exposing their immature palates to new flavors in small doses, parents may find that their children are much more receptive to the exciting new dishes they receive in a foreign land.

How often we meet adults who say, “I visited Paris when I was a kid, but I was too young to appreciate it! I wish I could do it again!”

If parents prepare their young ones ahead of time, they can greatly enhance the kids’ vacation experience, no matter what their age.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a world traveler, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.