I went on a trip with my friend last month, and ended up in the Caribbean, off-season. Besides the company, my other consolation was staying at an Aman. I wondered, though, if it was the right move to head to the Caribbean in September. But then Beyoncé and her husband turned up. So clearly, off-season is the new in-season.

It’s a Small World

Yes, Beyonce and her husband, otherwise known as Jay-Z, did show up to Amanyara when I was there last month. You know a place is special when two people who can go anywhere in the world, choose it to celebrate a birthday. Turks restaurants pretty much closed the day after we arrived, but it didn’t matter. We never left the resort, and either did Queen Bey. Amanyara is one of those places that you can just unplug for a few days. So clearly, off-season is the new in-season, and expect to see an article in a few weeks on Galavante’s favorite spots in this category. If you have the flexibility to travel now, there is value in destinations from Copenhagen to Italy.

However, my thoughts on how small the world is aren’t because I ran into Beyonce and Jay-Z at Amanyara. I actually meant that I ran into Aman friends, who I originally met in Laos one New Year when I was on a personal vacation. Besides Sara who was at Amanyara my first visit, my friend Jovan surprised me my first day. Jovan was the Executive Chef of Amantaka in Laos, then during the pandemic I ran into him at Silversands in Grenada. Recently though came over to Amanyara, so it was the happiest of reunions. There is something so special about meeting friends unexpectedly around the world. I know it wont’ be the last time we see each other either.

Yet, There is So Much More to See

For the first time in a long time, travel is not the center of my universe. There have been family and people I’ve wanted to spend time with, so I’ve been home more than normal. Being on the road 15 days a month makes it hard to build personal relationships. So this past four months I’ve dialed it down a bit, and leaned into New York City. It’s been fun checking out all the restaurants and doing our reviews. However what I’ve found though is that travel for me is like air. I can’t survive without it. So as I write this I’m at an airport, and ready to explore the world, because there is so much more to see.

All the Best,

Christine Drinan, Founder