“Muy bien, Panchita,” I whispered to my horse as she picked her way up the rocky path. It was 5:30 a.m., and the stars above us were lighting the way. Our group was hushed, and the only sounds came from our horse's hooves, the gauchos' commands, and reverent gasps as the sun began to rise, revealing the Andes against a pinkening sky. I took a moment to let the experiences of the past weekend wash over me while we rode: Two days prior, I'd learned how to cook by fire with iconic Argentine chef Francis Mallmann. I had, later, taken a sensory wine course taught by one of the first certified sommeliers in Argentina, Mariana Onofri. When we reached the mountain peak, I dismounted my horse and joined my group of fellow travelers circling a roaring fire, as someone handed me a steaming gourd of maté.
All eyes were on Batumi, Georgia for Friday night’s centrepiece World Travel Awards
30.09.2023 - 09:35 / breakingtravelnews.com / Graham Cooke
Tourism royalty convened in this year’s most talked about European destination for a spectacular three-day event to celebrate World Travel Awards 30th anniversary.
All eyes were on Batumi, Georgia for Friday night’s centrepiece World Travel Awards (WTA) Europe Gala Ceremony 2023 as the world discovered the continent’s hottest brands and travel products.
Portugal made the headlines by claiming the ultimate accolade for ‘Europe’s Leading Destination’. Madeira also made it onto the winner’s podium after picking up ‘Europe’s Leading Island Destination’. Spain’s adrenaline capital Huesca La Magia was named ‘Europe’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination’, putting the city in Aragon at Europe’s top table.
In the hospitality sector, Istanbul’s Çırağan Palace Kempinski was voted ‘Europe’s Leading Hotel’, whilst Sardinia’s Forte Village took ‘Europe’s Leading Resort’. The Convention Centre Dublin claimed ‘Europe’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre’. Brand winners included Kaizen Hoteles, which collected ‘Europe’s Leading Independent Hotel Group’.
In the newcomer categories, Armenia’s Seven Visions Hotel, The Dvin took the coveted title for ‘Europe’s Leading New Hotel’, whilst Greece’s Domes Noruz Kassandra was hailed ‘Europe’s Leading New Resort’, Lisbon’s new Earthquake Center, Quake, was named ‘Europe’s Leading New Tourist Attraction’.
Batumi was the perfect host for Europe’s VIP travel event of the year. The destination is making the headlines as 2023’s “go-to” destination with its blend of unique heritage and culture married to a pioneering future vision underpinned by ambitious investment plans in tandem with environmental conservation, emerging technologies and innovation.
Graham Cooke, Founder, WTA, says: “It has been a privilege to host our 30th anniversary celebrations in Batumi for an historic event that will last long in everyone’s memory. One of the rising stars of world tourism, this remarkable city has played a starring role in welcoming the figureheads of our industry. Our winners represent stellar examples of tourism excellence, and I congratulate each and every one for helping to raise the collective benchmark to even greater heights”.
Capital of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara, Batumi enjoys an enviable all-season climate on the shores of the Black Sea, with a backdrop of the incredible snow-capped Ajara Mountains.
Tornike Rijvadze, Chairman, Government of Ajara Autonomous Republic, says: “We are honoured to have hosted the 30th anniversary World Travel Awards Europe Gala Ceremony in Batumi, Georgia. It is our privilege to have welcomed tourism leaders from around the world. We are proud to have had you here with us, grateful for the opportunity to build together a greater future for our
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Part of the vast 22,500-acre Elveden estate, owned by the Guinness family, this charming pub with rooms is surrounded by the Brecks, one of the most wildlife-rich areas in the UK, part of Thetford Forest. Stroll the forest tracks beneath blazing autumnal canopies, and look out for stone curlews, woodlarks and nightjars, roe and red deer, hares and muntjac. The High Lodge Forest Centre has play areas, cycle trails and a tree canopy adventure course – ideal if you’re visiting with the kids, with family rooms (sleeping up to four) available at the inn. Doubles from £105 B&B; elvedeninn.com