In addition to reviewing hotels and restaurants, we seek to discover memorable activities around the world. Depending on where we’re exploring, these might range from private art gallery tours to snorkeling excursions. Ideally, we bring to light options that are compelling but not found in every guidebook. These awards recognize the most notable itineraries, excursions and tours we took during the past year.

Most Memorable Excursion
Biplane flight over Cape Cod

In fine weather, I can think of no better Cape Cod tour than a sightseeing flight. We used Stick’n Rudder Aero Tours, booking its Waco YMF-5 biplane. We climbed into the front open-air cockpit, which had room for just my traveling companion and me, and our pilot, Silas, sat behind us. He pointed out landmark buildings, oyster farms and even the shoreline of distant Nantucket. Broad salt marshes riven with labyrinths of sinuous channels made it seem as if we might be flying over the Venetian Lagoon. At other moments, we could have been gliding over the Caribbean, marveling at electric-blue seas lapping creamy beaches.

Read more about our excursion here »