Springtime is officially in full swing - and as the warm weather increases, so does our wanderlust. With early summer just around the corner, it’s time to start planning some new adventures.
We caught up with a few favorite globe-trotting influencers to see what in the world they’ve been up to:
Trailblazing in Jackson Hole
There’s possibly no place more emblematic of the great outdoors than Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The town boasts breathtaking views of the Grand Teton mountain range, some of the country’s best extreme skiing (known for deep powder), Yellowstone National Park, hiking, fishing, rafting, climbing, horseback riding, biking…endless terrain to explore.
Fourth generation rancher Luke Long’s family has been in Jackson Hole for over 100 years. His great-great grandparents moved there around 1912, and his family raises some of the nation’s best cattle and horses.
We asked Luke for his tips on visiting Jackson Hole:
- Drinks lots of water. That’s obvious, but Jackson Hole is a mountain town, and I can’t tell you how many friends I’ve had visit who get altitude sickness. Staying well hydrated helps with that and also helps avoid jet lag.
- Get outdoors! If you’re in Jackson Hole, it’s best to spend your time enjoying nature. Hiking, fishing, whitewater rafting, horseback riding, skiing…there are so many ways to enjoy the area. And in almost all cases you’re going to be moving and burning calories.
- Dress to be active. No one in Jackson Hole cares if you’re wearing Gucci loafers or Adidas trail shoes. Dress in a way that allows you to get out into nature. The Advance Short and Silver Charge Tee are perfect for this environment. They’re functional, look great and I can pack everything I need for the trails in the pocket of the Advance Short – which isn’t much.
- Take advantage of the physical and spiritual experience. Pushing yourself to scale the Grand Teton mountain peaks is great, but there’s also something about breathing in clean air, seeing the stars at night, and being able to hear yourself think that’s incredibly special. Take it all in. Mountain air is good for the soul.
- Visit with friends. There’s so much to see, and every adventure is better when you do it with friends.
I See London, I See... Greece
For an American traveling abroad, London has much to offer. With extraordinary sights, world-famous fashion-houses and incomparable historic landmarks and museums, it’s easy to see why social media strategist and 2018 ‘s Forbes 30 Under 30 nominee Max Siegelman loves it so much.
Just a hop, skip and jump away from New York, a London getaway promises exceptional cultural adventures. Here’s how Max likes to spend his time in the UK’s capital:
- As a crazy soccer fan and ex-college player, an English Premiership game was a bucket list item for me. Embracing the passion the fans have for their team and the ambiance of the crowd singing the anthem is really spectacular.
- Grab dinner at the Oblix restaurant on the top of the Shard (the tallest building in London). You can see the entire city from the floor-to-ceiling glass windows in the dining room.
- Taking the tube out to Wembley stadium for a private tour is absolutely worth-it. They bring you in through the back tunnels, where the likes of Bon Jovi, Jay-Z, Ed Sheeran and 100’s of other A-list acts have walked before. Then they bring you into the locker rooms of the English national soccer team, where you see jerseys from the top English players and visiting players from around the world. The tour is topped off with a walk out onto the field, just as the players would, with fans cheering and music playing. From the field, you walk right up to the Royal Box and sit just as if you were Queen Elizabeth herself holding the trophy. This was the the highlight of my last trip.
- Plan a side-trip somewhere close by. With last-minute and low-risk airfare, why not? I’m planning to visit Greece the next time I pass through...
A New Reality in Dubai
Picture a city built on the potential of the human imagination. Here, every road leads to a new discovery of civic living. By establishing pro-business policies that incentivized foreign investment, Dubai has transformed itself in the past few decades. What used to be a regional trading port surrounded by blank-slate desert is now a buzzing metropolis graced by gleaming skyscrapers and endless luxury. You will meet intriguing expats from all over the planet who live and work there; the majority-foreigner population gives the city its uniquely cosmopolitan feel.
In Dubai, nothing is done half-way. Indoor snow skiing in the middle of the desert? Check. Augmented reality dinners? Check. World's tallest building? Check. Skydiving, artificial archipelagos shaped like palm trees, desert safaris, astonishingly high-quality food from every cuisine on earth? Check, check, check. No wonder practicing neurosurgeon and founding partner of NeuroLaunch Jordan Amadio recommends this bustling destination.
- Escape the North American cold and visit in winter. I was in Dubai twice this winter, once to visit friends and again for some meetings at the World Government Summit. It's a beautiful place to hang out in December, when you can run along Jumeirah Beach and forget all about the snow and ice you have at home!
- Mix business with pleasure. Dubai is arguably the Middle Eastern capital for business, with leaders who take an extremely long view on how technology will influence our future, which is why my NeuroLaunch accelerator program for brain tech ventures is looking to establish a hub there. If you have a technical venture you’re passionate about, consider visiting. Notably, the UAE is the only country in the world with a Minister of AI and a Minister of Happiness now in the cabinet.
- For the best bar experience you've ever had, grab a sunset cocktail at Lounge 101, then enjoy a boat ride home across the water to the mainland. The whole experience is unlike any other in the world.
- Eat everything you can. I mean, everything.
About our Contributors
Jordan Amadio, M.D., M.B.A. is a practicing neurosurgeon at University of Texas Dell Seton Medical Center at the UT Dell Medical School in Austin. He is also the outgoing Innovation Fellow of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, and a founding partner of NeuroLaunch, a pioneering neuroscience venture accelerator.
In 2014, Dr. Amadio was one of 15 young physicians to receive the American Medical Association Foundation’s Excellence in Medicine Award. He has been named “40 under 40” by the Atlanta Business Chronicle as well as “40 under 40 Healthcare Innovators” by MedTechBoston. He has been a featured keynote speaker at Genentech, Harvard Medical School, Princeton University, Georgia Tech, Mayo Clinic, TEDx, SXSW, and Exponential Medicine. He serves on the boards of several biotechnology companies and charitable foundations.
Luke Long is a fourth-generation rancher and was the first student from Jackson Hole High School to attend Harvard. His family homesteaded the valley near Moran Junction just North of Jackson Hole on the Diamond Cross Ranch, which is one of the last operational horse and cattle ranches in that area.
Max is a focused professional in social media strategy for celebrities and brands, and a 2018 Forbes 30 Under 30 nominee. When he isn’t working and traveling, he keeps in top shape with HIIT workouts, running and weight lifting. He gets his passion for fitness from his college soccer days.