Go Wild
For our May Virtuoso, The Magazine cover story, writer Aaron Gulley and photographer Jen Judge spent time with 16-year-old eagle hunter and bona fide badass Aymoldyr Dayanbek, who became the second woman ever to win Mongolia’s Golden Eagle Festival in 2023. Their ten-day exploration of the country set the tone for our adventure issue, an edition full of expedition cruises (and what to pack for them), art-centric overnights, and more.
Traveling to Mongolia Is a Steppe Back in Time
Decked out in a snow-white Spyder hoodie with red webs stitched across the shoulders and faux-fur platform Crocs, 16-year-old Aymoldyr Dayanbek flicks through her Instagram feed and rapid-fire messages with friends, seemingly oblivious to the backdrop of western Mongolia’s glacier-licked Altai Mountains. But asked about falconry, the tradition of hunting with eagles practiced in these highlands for centuries, she ditches her phone and lights up.
Add Some Sparkle to Your Next Expedition Sailing
In Svalbard, time loosens its grip. Under the midnight sun, Atlas Ocean Voyages’ 198-passenger World Voyager circumnavigates the islands round-trip from Longyearbyen in 11 nights, charting a course for glacier-carved fjords where polar bears roam and Arctic foxes dart across the tundra. Wildlife sightings and shifting ice guide shore landings and Zodiac safaris, while life on board revolves around lounge-hopping and the rooftop pool deck. A precision timepiece from Jaeger-LeCoultre is practically a necessity here:
Tee Off in the World’s Next Great Golf Destination
Pebble Beach? Been there. St Andrews? Done that. The world’s most iconic golf destinations are worthy of repeat pilgrimages, but few places pair marquee courses with off-the-green diversions like Southeast Asia does. Over the past several years, many of the game’s greatest architects have designed and helped open new courses across Thailand and Vietnam, from seaside links to jungle-hugged layouts and pristine parkland stunners.
This Soon-to-Debut Cruise Ship Is Made for Family-Friendly Getaways
Fresh off the maiden voyage of the new 3,565-passenger Norwegian Luna in April, Norwegian Cruise Line is already gearing up to raise the bar. Next summer, the 3,879-passenger Norwegian Aura becomes the line’s fifth Prima Class vessel – and its largest. It will set sail in the Caribbean with a triple-deck amusement complex and superlatives aimed to please families, including more waterslides than any other Norwegian ship.
Where to Hike, Bike, and Kayak in 2026
Our take: The scenic route is always worth it – especially in the fall, when Alpine summits and pastoral valleys greet travelers with crisp temperatures and vibrant foliage. Backroads’ small-group and private hiking, cycling, and multi-adventure tours fully immerse travelers in the world’s most desirable locales, from the Canadian Rockies to Thailand’s tropical beaches.
Jimmy Millán, one of six artists-in-residence at Almanac Barcelona, shares what he’s been loving lately.
Packing: Black and red Sharpie permanent markers, along with a notebook for sketches. You never know where creativity is going to come from.
Reading: The biography of Archer Milton Huntington, the founder of the Hispanic Society of America.
Listening to: Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, along with a mix of Latin fusion and jazz.
Dreaming of: The U.S. is at the top of my list. I want to experience New York City’s energy, the creative spirit of Los Angeles, Chicago’s architectural presence, the cultural depth of New Orleans, and the atmosphere of San Francisco.
This summer, Napa celebrates 50 years since the Judgement of Paris. Leaky concealer has stained its last suitcase. The NYC subway symphony. A Schiaparelli deep dive is on at London’s V&A through November. The new La DoubleJ x Belmond Villa San Michele collection is pure Florentine decadence.
