John Lee shows off his work at the Wedgwood factory in England.
I'm delighted to uphold this column's beloved seasonal tradition: apologizing that my never-changing headshot is far more youthful than the reality. As ever at this time of year, I include a balance-redressing recent image showing the grey and grizzled truth – a correction I encourage all columnists over 30 to make.
But my ramshackle old travel writer's body has enjoyed 2015. I've been on the road across Canada, visited some eclectic spots in the United States and learned how to make a vase (badly) at England's Wedgwood factory (see photo). The real edification, though, has come from tackling the rolling roster of diverse Travel Concierge questions.
This year's topics have ranged from how to plot a perfect Amsterdam biking trip to where to faceplant into Tokyo's epic sushi scene. Surprises were rife: I had no idea Europe has so many food-tastic fall festivals or that Dawson City, Yukon, has such a thriving arts scene. And who knew that Glasgow's behind-the-scenes train station tour is such a hot ticket?
Alongside the surprises, the column continued to confirm an enduring travel truism: There's no substitute for local knowledge. On-the-ground insiders told us everything from how to do the Oscars in Los Angeles (don't miss the annual online draw for spots alongside the red carpet) to why Valencia is a Spanish city must-see (where else can you see the Holy Grail?).
But one theme has persisted throughout 2015: how to stretch our limp Canadian dollar overseas. Popular columns provided budget-enhancing insights on everywhere from Hawaii to Scandinavia – as well as visit-worthy U.S. cities, such as art-hugging Philadelphia, that don't charge eye-popping NYC hotel rates.
Perhaps reflecting a renewed interest in vacationing at home, domestic travel topics were also popular. By asking regional experts, I found Canada's best mountain biking destinations, top scuba diving hotspots and historic sites worth taking your kids to. We even looked at how to bypass the selfie-snapping hordes on visits to the Rockies.
But one domestic topic trumped all others. The most popular column of 2015 – judging by its feverish social media forwarding – revealed Canada's top destinations for travelling beer nuts. Tapping experts from British Columbia to the East Coast, it triggered frothy online debates – and made many turn to drink immediately after reading.
Which is my cue to raise a glass to the dozens of experts who've helped with this column in 2015. These sometimes-remote bloggers, journos and guidebook writers graciously met my deadline-pushing demands for insider info. Without them, you'd be reduced to reading me spouting on ad nauseam (like I'm doing now).
Not that I always had space for every choice tip they delivered. Rebekah Wilson-Lye, for example, had plenty of additional etiquette advice for dining out in Japan, including not wearing perfume to sushi restaurants since it interferes with the delicate aromas of the fish. Catch up with her insights at ichi-forthemichi.com.
But expert interviews aren't the column's only lifeblood. I'd like to also thank all of you who've offered your insights via my Twitter feed, @johnleewriter. Many of you – you know who you are – love sharing your tips and advice on the topic in question and we run most of these in print or online for the further edification of readers.
This interaction is my favourite part of the job and long may it continue. In fact, I encourage more of you to join in with your own tips and feedback. I'd also like to appeal for more potential questions for me to cover in 2016: e-mail conciege@globeandmail.com, post an online comment or Tweet me your travel query, and I'll do my best to cover it next year.
I might even hit the road and tackle it myself – especially if that beer theme pops up again. For now, though, I'd like to thank you kindly for continuing to read Travel Concierge. Here's to a great year of informed and edifying tripping ahead.
NEXT COLUMN
"We're going to need a winter escape some time around February but our budget is limited. Where do we go?"
Send your ideas to concierge@globeandmail.com
Follow me on Twitter: @johnleewriter