Hello 2022! Man!, were we hoping THIS would be the year that ends Covid-19. None of us would have expected that we would still be facing the challenges of Covid-19 and its variants. From masks, social distancing, vaccines and boosters we are all so over it! But we’ve begun to understand this is our new normal…at least for now (I remain hopeful that vaccines and boosters will prevail). That said, we’ve had to learn how to navigate this new normal and begin living our lives again. Doing the things we love with the people we love, albeit a bit differently. That includes the travel industry. People want to….NEED to travel and the travel industry has also learned to navigate this new normal amazingly well.
The following has been my experience of traveling in 2021 and is why I think we can and should still travel. SAFELY.
The first quarter of 2021, I was still in New Zealand after getting locked down there at the start of Covid in March 2020. Life at that point had remained pretty much Covid free (I know, lucky me), however with visitor visas set to expire it was time to move on.
So April 2021, first stop St. Thomas USVI ~ Upon arrival, where with help of the National Guard, Covid vaccinations 1 and 2 were secured!
The USVI are very organized and serious in regards to Covid precautions. Fortunately there are many opportunities to remain in a somewhat safe bubble.
One example would be doing a week long yacht charter, where you and your bubble can travel aboard a beautiful catamaran in beautiful accommodations. Island hopping in beautiful coves, just you and your people, with your own captain and chef!
Fancy, I know! But, this can be more affordable than you think!
Proud mom plug! My eldest daughter just started her own high end/exclusive yacht charter company. Check out the website: https://unchartedcollection.com. These are incredible high end yachts (read uber fancy)! Again, keep in mind that there are many ways we can select yachts similar to these to fit your price range. So if you're interested at all in this kind of trip, reach out and let see if we can make this dream a reality for you!
There are also plenty of beaches and outdoor hikes where you can socially distance and enjoy the beauty of your surroundings...(see the yachts in the picture below socially distancing in Reef Bay, St. John USVI?) This could be you!!
In June 2021, fully vaxxed, I headed off to Key West~tons of outdoor seating, masks were required upon entry, even for outdoor dining.
In San Francisco, masks and vaccination cards are required in restaurants, etc. Masks are even required on the outdoor cable cars!
In Napa, we can still enjoy fabulous wine tastings, just a bit differently. Appointments are required so you can have your own private wine tasting, at one table, with one (masked) server. Talk about personalized service! ;)
Lake Tahoe ~ Hiking around a beauty that was created by glaciers is hard to beat!
A road trip down the California Pacific Coast Highway through Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur.
And Seventeen Mile Drive through Pebble Beach…(the famous Lone Cypress!)
Yosemite~ Being outdoors is always a good idea especially in Yosemite. Masks are required in all indoor spaces but not outside when it’s just you and this!!! Staying 6 feet away from others is easy!
Ohhhhh and those wondrous Redwoods!
In Oregon, they’ve got amazing wineries in Willamette Valley….famous for their Pinot Noir!
Tons of hiking around the breathtaking Crater Lake. According to the National Park Service it is the deepest lake in the United States - and one of the most beautiful. The water's intense blue color is an indication of its great depth and purity. Surrounded by cliffs, the lake is fed entirely by rain and snow. Scientists consider Crater Lake to be the cleanest and clearest large body of water in the world.
Multnomah Falls at 620 feet (189 m) — stands above the rest as Oregon’s tallest waterfall.
Located just 30 miles (48 km) east of downtown Portland along the Historic Columbia River Highway, the two-drop cascade is stunning and you can take the Multnomah Wahkeena Loop Trail and score viewing the Wahkeena Falls as well. Unlike nearby Multnomah Falls the water does not directly plunge to the ground. but has a more subtle cascading flow but equally as beautiful.
And don’t forget Oregon has a beautiful coastline to drive down too!!!
Seattle was such a pleasant surprise! From the outdoor public markets (masks still required), underground tours, great restaurants and beautiful skyline views….A weekend didn’t feel long enough!
NYC -Went to the Stephen Colbert Show where vaccination cards were a requirement and the audience still had to wear masks the entire show. Masks were required to enter all buildings and many people were wearing them on the streets as well. At a really cool Italian fancy “food court” called Eataly, where the chefs make amazing fresh pasta right in front of you (all while wearing masks.)
Washington DC~Nearly all the Smithsonian Museums are now open. Obviously, masks are required inside all buildings but there is lots to do outdoors as well…and did I mention good food?
Finished off 2021 visiting the ABC Islands in the Caribbean. ABC for Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao. The ABC Islands are known for their beautiful beaches, world class dive sites and having a great night life. Each island is part of the Netherlands. Culturally, all three islands are a mix of Dutch, Caribbean, and South American influences which makes for more than "just a beach" experience. If you scuba dive, Bonaire is definitely for you as there you will find the Bonaire National Marine Reserve which is the oldest marine reserve and covers 6700 acres.
People are starting to travel again. Looking to 2022 with Covid-19 testing and more safety measures such as vaccination status etc. you can and will have some new hoops to jump through. Just chalk it up to the necessities of travel like going through security/customs. No one wants to do it but it’s worth it in the end.
Some of the nice things that I’ve noticed is that since fewer people are traveling and capacity limits have been set in hotels, tours, restaurants and cruise ships to maintain social distancing, waits at restaurants and shows and crowding on tours and in museums are not an issue. Sometimes you can even get that instagram selfie with just yourself!
Into 2022, I see more people booking trips and preparing to travel. Here are some tips to get you on your way:
Get vaccinated AND boosted!
Book early, demand is only going to go up and capacity limits will remain (so far)
Book with a travel agent (me!)
Be flexible as plans can change...
Get covered in case they do. Buy the Trip Insurance.