As I fly back from a weekend in The Bahamas, it feels like the perfect opportunity to draft my annual Thanksgiving Email! Laura and I were celebrating the 11th anniversary (a few weeks early) of our wedding on Harbour Island. We even took a stroll in the coconut grove where we took our vows. As I held her hand, it was a reminder of the many gifts in my life and to never take anything for granted. As I enter my 19th year in the travel industry, I am reminded never to take our travel community for granted. That’s why I share this list of things I’m most thankful for with you each year. 2024 has been especially meaningful. On the professional side, we launched Celebrated France, yet beyond this huge accomplishment, I am even more proud of the individuals on our team. Our veterans have tackled new challenges, and we have added more than a dozen talented team members this year. This team is special, and we are so excited to support you.
Our success would never have been possible without gratitude. The power of “thank you” unveiled itself to me just before I met Laura. Times were hard, the midst of the Great Recession, and it ended up being an inflection point in my life. Good friends helped me focus on the power of gratitude. Who could believe that a small spark of thankfulness – in those challenging times – could grow into a bonfire of gratitude. I hope you enjoy this year’s Thankful List.
1) I am thankful for Laura. She balances it all – and always finds a way to make us smile. It was great to have her with me in Paris for the launch of Celebrated France.
2) I am thankful for Taylor Swift – and the concert travel trend! We booked so many tickets this year, and we are ready for 2025: Oasis, Andrea Bocelli, Billie Eilish, Coldplay, and more!
3) I am thankful for 10 Years of Celebrated Italy! If you have not tried our guides and experience makers in Italy, your clients are missing out!
4) I am thankful for dishwashers and so many other things that we can take for granted.
5) I am thankful that David, now 16, never steers away from hard things! He surprised us all and has become a theater guy! He was in the school’s fall play and just won a part in the musical: Rock of Ages.
6) I am thankful that so many travel advisors are already booking Celebrated France! (It would have been really awkward if everyone asked for us to launch this new division, and didn’t book!!) We launched on October 21st with 47 Celebrated Hotels and dozens of Celebrated Guides. Vive Le France!
7) I am thankful for our friends at Ashford Castle who won “Hotel of the Year 2023” in our first ever Celebrated Shining Star Awards. While being a Celebrated Hotel is already a distinction, it was nice to find a new way to honor the most elite. Stay tuned! Your 2024 ballots will arrive in the next few days! Who will you vote for?
8) I am thankful for our family trip to Africa. No trip has ever taught me more! The meerkats in the Makgadikgadi Pans were especially good teachers.
9) I am thankful for tartan and that Alan Cumming loves it even more than I do.
10) I am thankful that our family will be vacationing in Scotland for Hogmanay! There is nothing like New Year’s in Scotland, proving again just how great Europe is in Fall and Winter. I am also thankful for travel advisors who showcase their expertise by encouraging their clients to travel to Europe in every season.
11) I am thankful that Dad and I were able to attend Meg North’s epic “retirement” party in Birmingham. There is no one like Meg…I am still blushing from the stories!
12) I am thankful for Isla’s joy and silliness. She has a future in macaron making after road testing one of our very special private masterclasses in Paris during the launch of Celebrated France!
13) I am thankful that Six Nations Rugby is going to mean even more now that we represent all 6 nations! Who are you backing: Ireland, England, Scotland, France, Wales, or Italy?!
14) I am thankful that I was invited to the Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Summit. It was a day of inspiration and learning, including the chance to meet Alex Honnold (if you have not seen Free Solo, you must!). Celebrated Impact remains a core part of our company identity, and I commit to push even farther. Remember, every room night you book yields $1 for important causes. Thanks to everyone who booked this year – and made an impact!
15) I am thankful for Dad. Can you believe Preston is 88? He shows up at 8am every day and still designs brilliant itineraries! Earlier this month he took a well-deserved vacation to Puglia & Basilicata. He loved his stays at Borgo Egnazia, Palazzo Margherita and La Fiermontina. His favorite parts were the cooking classes and the fun he had with our Celebrated Guides!
16) I am thankful that we finalized our Mission Statement: We climb higher together. The view keeps changing and gets better and better. Click here to see our 5 core values.
17) I am thankful for this year’s Celebrated Legends & Heroes. It was even harder to achieve this elite status in 2024. Thank you to our Celebrated Hotels that give an extra level of recognition to the clients of Legends & Heroes.
18) I am thankful for local artisans that share their stories and traditions with your clients.
19) I am thankful for ChatGPT and that it wrote this year’s entire Thankful List. I’M JUST JOKING!
20) I am thankful for English musicians. How can so much great music come from one nation? You deserve a small gift for reading until the end. Please enjoy our Ultimate England Playlist! Click the “+” to save it to your Spotify library!
Thanks for being such an important part of our Celebrated community. As I reflect on this year, I’m filled with gratitude for your support. Wishing you and those you love a thankful Thanksgiving.
All the best,
Jonathan Epstein
