Above: Looking out from our Premium Sea View Room King, Hôtel Martinez, Cannes, France - ANDREW HARPER EDITOR

Last Word: A Reason to Return

The ocean from our Junior Suite Sea View, Hôtel Martinez - Andrew Harper editor

I’m fortunate to say that I’m no stranger to either the French Riviera or Berlin, two places highlighted in this Hideaway Report. One might reasonably wonder if I enjoy repeated tours of classic destinations like these or if it’s just part of the job. After all, it’s not uncommon to hear someone say, “Oh, I’ve been to           , so I don’t need to go back.” I understand the sentiment, considering the countless wonderful places in the world and our limited time to visit them. But it’s not just the unfamiliar that quickens my pulse. A return trip allows me to explore a destination in a new way, skipping “must-sees” that too often feel like any other obligation. What a joy it is to visit somewhere like Berlin or the French Riviera, both rich in blockbuster sights, and choose to relax over an alfresco lunch or amble from boutique to gallery to café. If a return visit somewhere doesn’t seem likely, it’s still possible to foster such experiences. Add a day or two of unstructured time in a city after an itinerary of high-intensity sightseeing. You’ll have the lay of the land, and you’ll already start to feel a bit like a local. It’s in those moments that I’ve made some of my favorite travel memories.

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Above: Looking out from our Premium Sea View Room King, Hôtel Martinez, Cannes, France - ANDREW HARPER EDITOR