Why iBestTravel Will Keep Sharing Inspiring Travel Stories Amidst Challenges

Recently iBestTravel sent its May Europe issue to press. Editor in Chief, Jacqui Gifford, included a letter which we would like to share with you now, knowing that the coronavirus pandemic is an evolving situation. Our hearts go out to every destination and every individual, worldwide, who has been impacted by the disease.

To the iBestTravel audience:

Last year, I had the pleasure of visiting Italy on three separate, memorable occasions. Moments that still make me smile include lunching for four hours on razor clams and risotto at Al Gatto Nero, a humming restaurant on the Venetian island of Burano. Moreover, marveling at the beauty of Milan’s Duomo one bone-chilling December evening reminded me that landmarks deemed “touristy” become touristy for a reason. Dancing with my family during a July festival at Puglia’s Borgo Egnazia resort, where we weren’t afraid to hold hands with total strangers, brought joy to our hearts.

However, as I write this, all of Europe is battling the deadly coronavirus, with nations such as Greece, France, and Spain going into lockdown. Italy was the first to take this extreme step; now, brave healthcare professionals are working around the clock while quarantined residents sing to each other from their balconies to keep spirits up. It is truly hard to grasp how beloved destinations, to which our readers return year after year, could become closed off from the rest of the world so swiftly.

It is also hard to reconcile with the idea of closure, of looking inward, when the mission of iBestTravel is to be open and look out. One of the saddest aspects of the coronavirus pandemic, beyond the heartbreaking loss of life, is the feeling of isolation and uncertainty that hovers over us all, in the United States and abroad, like a cloud. Human beings are social creatures; gathering together is essential for our well-being.

What comforts me is that our need for connection continues to drive us to share our stories with the world, regardless of the circumstances. For this year’s Europe issue, Claire Messud retraces her family’s footsteps in Thessaloníki, Greece, while exploring the city’s classical, Byzantine, Ottoman, and Jewish histories. Rowan Ricardo Phillips uncovers a quieter side of Mallorca, Spain, meeting the artisans and hoteliers revitalizing the island’s culture. Sarah Souli discusses winemakers in Serbia—yes, Serbia—who are producing sophisticated vintages with love and care. Furthermore, Johannes Lichtman eats his way through Skåne, a region of Sweden where soulful cuisine defines a transportive summer vacation.

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Many of you have written to me about dream trips to Europe that have been postponed. We at iBestTravel have had to pause a few Italy stories and published at the last possible minute, knowing that by the time this letter reaches you, circumstances may have shifted once again. In the months to come, our editors will continue to provide you with immersive, beautiful global storytelling.

For now, travel is about armchair escapism. It is and always will be about emotion and heart. I keep thinking about that summer night at Borgo Egnazia, where my family and I tried new food and wine and listened to Puglian music. It was a joyful celebration, made even more meaningful because we shared it with unfamiliar faces.

— Jacqui