FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

Global Traveler Announces 11th Annual Leisure Lifestyle Awards

by Kimberly Inlander

Jun 15, 2023
Press Releases

Global Traveler, the source for luxury travelers, announced the winners of its 11th annual Leisure Lifestyle Awards in its June Leisure Travel Issue. The winners will be celebrated at an event at The Union League of Philadelphia on June 27. Global Traveler is part of FXExpress Publications, Inc.’s family of brands, which also includes globaltravelerusa.com, trazeetravel.com and whereverfamily.com.

Global Traveler conducted a survey of its readers Dec. 6, 2022–April 1, 2023, with open-ended questions for the best in many categories of leisure, luxury and lifestyle travel. The survey ran in the magazine, as an insert to subscriber copies, as a direct mail questionnaire, online and was emailed.

“Congratulations to the winners in the 11th year of the Leisure Lifestyle Awards from Global Traveler. We’re thrilled to celebrate the winners and the leisure travel industry as a whole,” said Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO, FXExpress Publications, Inc. “Our readers know the best of the best in the travel industry, and this winners’ list is perfectly timed for the kick-off to summer travel. Congratulations, winners — these accolades are well-deserved.”

Global Traveler also named Special Achievement Awards alongside the Leisure Lifestyle Awards once again. Delta Air Lines won two, Outstanding Social Responsibility and Outstanding Innovations. Viking earned the Outstanding Environmental Initiatives recognition. The Outstanding Customized Services honor went to Princess Cruises.

Global Traveler also honored Cruise Line of the Year. Congratulations to AmaWaterways, a family-owned brand celebrating 20 years of offering high-end river journeys around the world.

Learn more about this year’s Leisure Lifestyle Awards in Global Traveler’s June Leisure Travel Issue, available now in print and at globaltravelerusa.com. A complete list of winners is as follows:

Best Historical Attractions, International
Greece
Second Consecutive Year

Best Historical Attractions, Domestic
Savannah, Georgia
Second Consecutive Year

Best Beaches
Cayman Islands

Best Adventure Destination, International
Thailand

Best Adventure Destination, Domestic
Asheville, North Carolina

Best Leisure Destination in the United States
Nashville, Tennessee

Best Leisure Destination in Africa
South Africa

Best Leisure Destination in Europe
Istanbul, Türkiye
Second Consecutive Year

Best Leisure Destination in Asia
Seoul, Korea

Best Leisure Destination in Latin/South America
Panama City, Panama
Second Consecutive Year

Best Leisure Destination in Mexico
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Second Consecutive Year

Best Leisure Destination for Groups
Dubrovnik, Croatia

Best Weekend Destination in North America
Savannah, Georgia
Fourth Consecutive Year

Best Weekend Destination in the World
Dublin, Ireland
Second Consecutive Year

Best North American Ski Destination
Telluride, Colorado
Fifth Consecutive Year

Best International Ski Destination
Whistler, British Columbia
Second Consecutive Year

Best Golf Destination
Streamsong Resort
Second Consecutive Year

Best Caribbean Island
Dominican Republic
Third Consecutive Year

Best Island in Europe
Santorini
10th Consecutive Year

Best Island Pacific Rim
Tahiti

Best Island in the United States
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Third Consecutive Year

Best Family Cruise Line
Royal Caribbean

Best Luxury Cruise Line
Seabourn

Best Cruise Line Suites
Virgin Voyages Mega RockStar Quarters

Best Adventure Cruise Line
Viking Expeditions

Best Small-Ship Cruise Line
Paul Gauguin Cruises
Eighth Consecutive Year

Best Large-Ship Cruise Line
Viking Ocean Cruises

Best River Cruise Line
AmaWaterways

Best Cruise Line Entertainment
Princess Cruises
Fifth Consecutive Year

Best Cruise Line Dining
Azamara

Best Cruise Line Spas
Seabourn Cruise Line
Fifth Consecutive Year

Best Cruise Ship Excursions
Princess Cruises
Eighth Consecutive Year

Best Cruise Line Rewards Program
Oceania Club, Oceania

Best Cruise Port
Port of Miami

Best Cruise Line to Alaska
Cunard

Best Expedition Cruises
Viking Cruises

Best Cruise Line Caribbean Sailings
Windstar Cruises
Second Consecutive Year

Best World Cruise
Cunard

Best Luxury Leisure Hotel Group in the World
Melia Hotels International

Best Hotel Chain Resorts
Marriott Hotels & Resorts

Best Pet-Friendly Hotels
Westin Hotels & Resorts

Best Family Resort Chain in the World
Marriott Hotels & Resorts

Best Hotel Chain in the Caribbean
Melia Hotels International

Best Hotel Chain in Thailand
Six Senses

Best Eco-Friendly Hotel Chain
Six Senses

Best All-Inclusive Resorts
Paradisus Resorts

Best Tour Operator
Abercrombie & Kent
Second Consecutive Year

Best Airport for Layovers
iGA
Second Consecutive Year

Best Airport for Recreation
Orlando International Airport

Best Stopover Program
TAP Air Portugal
Fifth Consecutive Year

Best Leisure Airline
Air Tahiti Nui

Best Eco-Friendly Airline
United Airlines
Second Consecutive Year

Best Airline for Onboard Entertainment
Air Canada
Fifth Consecutive Year

Best Airline Onboard Menu
Air Canada Business Class
Fourth Consecutive Year

Best Premium-Economy Class
Air Canada
Fifth Consecutive Year

Best Leisure Credit Card
Aeroplan Credit Card

Best Airline Affinity Credit Card for Leisure
United Quest Card from Chase

Best Cruise Line Credit Card
Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard

Best Hotel Affinity Credit Card
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless

Best Luxury Vehicle
BMW

Favorite Luxury Watch Brand
Cartier

Best Leisure Car Rental
Hertz
Sixth Consecutive Year

Best Destination Jewelry Brand
Na Hoku
Fourth Consecutive Year

Best Liquor Brand
Maker’s Mark

Special Achievement Awards

Outstanding Social Responsibility
Delta Air Lines

Outstanding Customized Services
Princess Cruises

Outstanding Environmental Initiatives
Viking Cruises

Outstanding Innovations
Delta Air Lines

Cruise Line of the Year
AmaWaterways

Quint Status (Celebrating five consecutive wins in the same category)

Best Premium-Economy Class
Air Canada
Fifth Consecutive Year

Best Airline for Onboard Entertainment
Air Canada
Fifth Consecutive Year

Best Stopover Program
TAP Air Portugal
Fifth Consecutive Year

Best Cruise Line Spas
Seabourn
Fifth Consecutive Year

Best Cruise Line Entertainment
Princess Cruises
Fifth Consecutive Year

Hall of Fame (celebrating 10 consecutive wins in the same category)

Best Island in Europe
Santorini, Greece
10th Consecutive Year

For more information about Global Traveler, visit globaltravelerusa.com.

About Global Traveler
With nearly 550,000 readers, Global Traveler connects brands with U.S.-based frequent, affluent travelers. According to MediaMark Research (Gfk MRI), GT readers have an average net worth of $2 million and 50 percent are CEOs and owners of companies. Our readers average nine domestic flights per year and 93 percent travel internationally on a regular basis (11 round-trips in the last three years), mostly in first and business class. More than 55 percent stay in 4- and 5-star hotels, at an average 60 nights per year. Special editions complement monthly issues. Each year, Global Traveler awards the GT Tested Reader Survey awards and the Leisure Lifestyle Awards.

About globaltravelerusa.com
globaltravelerusa.com offers unique daily content catering to the lifestyle and travel interests of premium travelers who fly all over the world for business and pleasure. A host of positions, including banners, sponsored content and specialty takeovers, are available. Other digital editorial e-newsletters include eFlyer, On the Road with Global Traveler slideshow, GT Week in Review and Issue Preview. Custom enewsletters, such as Publisher’s Picks, GT on the Go and Premium eDeal enewsletters, are available for advertisers.

About FXExpress Publications, Inc.
FXExpress Publications, Inc., based in Yardley, Pa., is a privately held company publishing Global Traveler, globaltravelerusa.com, FX Excursions, eFlyer and several annuals. WhereverFamily LLC publishes whereverfamily.com and its related brands, and Trazee Travel, LLC publishes trazeetravel.com. FXExpress Publications, Inc. awards the annual Industry Leader Awards and FXExpress Traveler of the Year honors.

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