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62 P o r t u g al: i S t o c k /A r m a n d o O li v e ir a ; V i e t n a m : i S t o c k / h a d y n y a h B C B U S I N E S S . C A O C T O B E R 2 0 24 CARRY ON The annual ASQ Awards measure traveller satisfaction with airports worldwide—and the 2024 results point toward thinking small—that is, flying through smaller centres. Winners for most enjoyable and cleanest airport, easiest journey and most dedicated staff include outposts like Alberta's Fort McMurray ( YMM), South Caro- lina's Greenville-Spartanburg (GSP) and Michigan's Gerald R. Ford (GRR) international airports. HOPS, SKIPS AND JUMPS From airports to restaurants to remote-work hubs, here's the intel on what's trending and where to go this autumn by Charlene Rooke Charlene Rooke is a Vancouver-based wine and spirits journalist and educator, and a former editor of travel publications like Air Canada's enRoute, Fairmont and a private-jet magazine. J E T S E T T E R Robbin McKinney specu- lates that he has led "more bike trips, to more places, for longer than anyone on the planet." The owner of Vancou- ver-based Great Explora- tions (and its sister business, self-guided tour company Randonnée) has biked, hiked and paddled through Alaska, Croatia, Japan, Mallorca, Mo- rocco, Nova Scotia and Türkiye this year, all hot spots that he says offer "great cycling, scen- ery that wows, cultural sites, great food and more." He also fields interest in longer tours he calls "journey trips, that go from point to point," like Bodrum to Antalya in Türkiye, or Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. "Travel- lers these days seem to want experiential travel that has them accomplishing some- thing, and a journey does that," he says. McKinney curates every tour, hand-picking friendly hotels close to attractions and great dining. While those local connections help create indelible memories, he finds, "often it is the guides and fel- low travellers that make a trip most memorable," he says. "We try to attract spirited, interesting and fun people on our trips... travellers often become fast friends and make plans for future active trips together." HOT DESKING If cooler autumn days have digital no- mads considering virtual work to bypass the Canadian winter, the annual Expat Insider survey from InterNations points to some hot spots. Mexico has been a pe- rennial favourite for a decade; Spain and Portugal, along with Panama and Costa Rica, are sunny options. Affordable Asian destinations like Malaysia, Taiwan and Thailand also land near the top of the list. HOT TABLES A recent survey reveals that 70 percent of travellers pick destinations based on the culinary scene, and it's no surprise that France boasts the world's most Michelin- starred restaurants (followed by Italy, Japan, Germany and Spain). The luxe enclave of Macau has the most stars per capita, and the affordable Michelin-starred tables are in Malaysia. To dine at the most popular five-star restaurant in the world, book El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, Spain: you'll need to start trying 11 months in advance, as new reservations open up at midnight on the first of the month, and get snapped up immediately. A RETREAT TREAT Vogue named Vancouver Island the "next great wellness destination," and Westin Bear Mountain has all the well- being and creature comforts for a corporate meeting or getaway. The resort's Amatista Spa offers relaxation and sports massages along with luxe treatments. And Serip Bar & Lounge has a killer happy hour with $6 drinks and all the big games playing on giant liquid-crystal screens. FAST TRACK Bica Elevator going down the hill of Chiado in Lisbon, Portugal TASTE OF VIETNAM Hoi An is situated on the east coast of Vietnam. Its old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its historical buildings

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