LEISURE LIFESTYLE AWARDS
Global Traveler announces the winners of the 2021 Leisure Lifestyle Awards.
Leisure travel is back! And as we look toward summer, it’s back bigger and better than ever following the restrictions, lockdowns and devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic. As more and more borders begin to reopen and destinations, hotels and airlines around the world welcome travelers once again, we’re taking to the skies as we celebrate and congratulate the winners of our ninth annual Leisure Lifestyle Awards. This annual survey honors the best in the world of leisure and lifestyle travel, awarding goods, services, destinations, hotels, airlines and cruises.
Join us as we celebrate travel, and consider the following winners as you prepare to come back to the world of leisure travel.
Let’s begin with our destination winners, some of the best cities, islands and towns around the world offering the ultimate in leisure travel. Kick back in any of these exceptional, award-winning spots, starting with Turkey, Best Historical Attractions, International, and Charleston, South Carolina, Best Historical Attractions, Domestic. History buffs, those are the destinations for you; and adventure seekers, here’s your round-up: India is Best Adventure Destination, International, and Alaska is Best Adventure Destination, Domestic.
Seek rest, relaxation and beautiful beaches in Costa Rica, taking the top spot for Best Beaches for the fourth year running. The Dominican Republic is Best Caribbean Island, while Santoríni retains its Best Island in Europe title for the eighth consecutive year. Cook Islands, another fan
favorite, wins Best Island Pacific Rim for the sixth year in a row. We added the Best Island in the United States category this year, and the first-time winner is Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.
If you’re more of a skier than a swimmer, Telluride, Colorado, is Best North American Ski Destination for the third year in a row, while Cortina d’ampezzo, Italy, reigns as Best International Ski Destination. And if you’re a golfer, this new category is for you: The inaugural Best Golf Destination winner is Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina.
We’ve got more winning destinations all around the globe for your consideration: Charleston, South Carolina, Best Leisure Destination in the United States for the second consecutive year; Seychelles, Best Leisure Destination in Africa; Florence, Italy,
Best Leisure Destination in Europe; Taipei, four-time Best Leisure Destination in Asia; Santiago, Chile, Best Leisure Destination in
Latin/south America; Playa del Carmen, Best Leisure Destination in Mexico; and Italy returns after a year hiatus as Best Leisure Destination for Groups. For a quicker jaunt, Savannah, Georgia, is once again Best Weekend Destination in North America (second consecutive year), and Bermuda is Best Weekend Destination in the World, also for the second time.
We’re all eager to hit the seas again with our favorite cruise lines. As we continue to anticipate our next cruise, we can reminisce about past experiences with these cruise line winners, starting with Holland America Line, Best Family Cruise Line. Oceania Cruises takes its first win as Best Cruise Line Suites for its Owner’s Suites. MSC Cruises is Best Luxury Cruise Line, while Emerald Cruise Line is the winner of Best Value Cruise Line.
Ponant appears on the survey as Best Adventure Cruise Line, while Uniworld Boutique River Cruises is named Best River