Expert Panel Curates 25 Unforgettable Global Travel Experiences

By Scott J. Ross

A team comprising internationally-minded writers, a chef, an architect, and a landscape photographer convened in virtual space to distill their expansive lists of unique travel experiences down to the top 25 adventures that everyone should aspire to have.

In July, the panel-Pico Iyer and Aatish Taseer, architects Toshiko Mori and Dan Piepenbring, chef David Zilber along with photographer Victoria Sambunaris-gathered over Zoom. Initially each member had nominated at least 10 experiences in advance based on their personal observations and expertise. The group's task was to trim this expansive list of 55 entries down to the most extraordinary adventures.

Pico Iyer, renowned for his deep engagement with culture, led off by questioning what truly constitutes a travel experience. The panelists respectfully deferred when unsure, deferring to colleagues who were experts in specific areas such as Zilber's insights on outstanding restaurants and Sambunaris's knowledge of America's spectacular landscape.

Zilber, a former co-author at Copenhagen's famed Noma restaurant and author of its 2018 fermentation-focused book, was particularly vigilant agnst nominating overly commercial options like hotel stays. He argued that hotels provide luxury and comfort, but they rarely touch the soul.

involved deferring to an expert on each topic: Zilber for exceptional dining experiences; Sambunaris for breathtaking vistas across America's West; Iyer for the transcent effect of travel. Taseer brought in insights about obscure travel options like driving routes and lesser-known adventures.

As they narrowed down their lists, there was a focus on finding experiences that were less familiar yet memorable-like discovering Petra or Machu Picchu from an unfamiliar angle-or more unique ones that wouldn't be found in the typical tourist guidebooks. This process often involved self-sacrifice of their personal favorites if they were deemed too familiar or commercially packaged.

In summary, this elite group of individuals who shared a passion for travel and adventure came together to create a definitive list of 25 experiences that encapsulate the essence of what it means to truly 'travel'.

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