As I write this note to you it is very early in January, the snow is falling and I am reflecting on the travel
I enjoyed in 2009 and also anticipating some trips I expect to make this year both for the magazine and also
as a part of my other businesses.
I sailed on six ships in 2009 (one of them on two occasions) and they ranged from one of the
smallest in the world – SeaDream Yacht Club to the largest – the Oasis of the Seas. I enjoyed my experiences
on every one of them and I hope that 2010 holds as many interesting trips and engaging moments as I found
on these ships and sailings last year.
I spent time in one of my favourite cities in the world and one I will never tire of – Venice. To me it is
magical and it forever reminds me of how travel is such a joy. I have sat in the Piazza San Marco on many
occasions, my first visit being in 1979. I have shared many a cocktail or coffee at Florian’s, listening to the
orchestra, musing on life and enjoying the company of various friends and loved ones.
I also sailed quite a bit in the Caribbean last year and was able to return to one of my all time personal
favourite islands – St Barts. I never tire of this place either. Another area that always beckons to me is the
British Virgin Islands. I sailed those waters for the first time in the early 80s and have been fortunate to go
back on numerous occasions.
This year I will be heading to Tahiti in late February and this will only be my second time there – the
first being a sailing on Windstar in 1996. I am really looking forward to visiting these idyllic islands again
and to seeing how much has (or has not) changed.
There are still so many places I have yet to visit and as often happens, especially in business, one tends
to go back time and again to the same places. I am making a few new year resolutions and I will focus on
keeping them. One of them is to make travel plans for myself that are purely personal and that include one
or two new places that I have longed to visit. Dubrovnik is on the list as is South America – so let’s see how
successful I can be!
I hope you are planning a trip for 2010 and that you have your “bucket list” at hand and that our
articles in this and future issues, may inspire you to resolve to add certain destinations or ships or resorts to
your “must see and do” list.
I wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous NewYear and enjoyable and safe travels wherever your
plans may take you.
Sincerely,
Vanessa Lee
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