It’s hard to believe that we launched Galavante’s website 13 years ago this month. Looking back, it was either a case of a lot of confidence or a psychotic break with reality. But we took the leap that our less-than-aesthetically-pleasing website would get this idea I had of starting a community of discerning travelers (aka you) from just a pipe dream to a business.

In entering our 13^th year of business, I love that I’ve had the past 13 Thanksgivings to take the rare chance to reflect on where we are today. It takes a village to start a town, to become a city, to grow into a country, and to eventually take on the world. So, thank you to you, our village, who has been with us from the start.

From Federer to Nadal

I’m going to digress for a second and give props to Roger Federer. As a tennis player, I always looked at him as a Swiss machine and athlete first. I sat near him one U.S. Open season at Sant Ambroeus on the Upper East Side with his young family, wife and maybe his mother-in-law. My impression of his intensity and focus was confirmed. However, since his retirement I think we’re seeing the best of Federer yet. Whether he’s making a pizza at Scarrs on the Lower East Side, facing off with Zendaya on the tennis court, or hanging on a mountaintop with Nadal for Louis Vuitton, this guy is bringing joy to the world. I’m a bigger fan of his than ever. It’s his genuine authenticity that has been inspiring me lately on my upcoming TV projects and where we’re going with Galavante. More on that later, though, as I want to talk about Federer’s letter first.

When I was thinking about what to write this week, I came upon Federer’s letter to Nadal. As you may know, one of the last tennis OGs of my generation, Nadal, recently retired. Federer penned one of the most poignant letters I’ve read about taking a 20-year journey with Nadal, first as a competitor, and eventually as a friend. You have to read it, as I’m not going to do it justice with CliffsNotes. The nutshell was partly that the experience and memories they shared together made them the greats they are today. And most of all, it was an expression of love, from one human being to another. Which now brings me to us.

It’s a Journey

I can’t believe that for 13 years of my life, I’ve had the privilege of building Galavante into the company it is today. I had no idea that our travel articles and recommendations would inspire you enough to ask us to book your vacations. It never dawned on me that we would get so good at travel that we would move into corporate travel either. My personal passion to connect with communities inspired two travel shows that will start filming in 2025. Then, to tie it all back to business, we embarked on an e-commerce project that is closer than ever.

The Seat isn’t always First Class

To be real for a moment though, these opportunities have not come without challenges. This year especially, has not been easy, and there were times when I felt especially alone. But then you were there to challenge me to see the big picture, and remind me, “You got this.” You were there to connect me to new clients, whose lives you thought we could change too with our trips. And you were there to send me notes of encouragement and laughs about the sometimes over-the-top stuff we come up with at Galavante. It meant the world to hear that you loved the last Weekly, or were inspired by a trip on my Instagram. Some of you even quoted our articles, when I wondered if anyone was still reading. (The answer is yes — we hit 177,000 monthly uniques this year on Galavante).

The point is that you’ve been part of this journey, and we couldn’t do it without you. So, I love that I have this occasion of the holidays to thank you for being the Nadal to our Federer, these past 13 years.

A Special Thank You to The Galavante Team

To our incredible Galavante team of writers, editors, website developers, designers, social media, PR, travel advisors, legal and operations, film crew, Executive Producers, TV development and collaborators:

“Thank you, thank you, thank you” is not enough to express the gratitude I have for you. You are the definition of heart in what you do to make our dreams come true. Without you, Galavante would not be where we are today or where we’re going together, into the next 13 years ahead.

Wishing you all the Happiest of Holidays. Like mine, I hope that all your journeys will be filled with people who inspire you and bring you joy.

Christine Drinan, Founder