Summer 2021 Travel

Here’s what you need to know about summer 2021 travel:

• Restrictions have been lifted and Americans can travel to most EU countries now, including France, Germany, Greece, UK, Denmark, and Spain. Each country has its own safety protocols, such as negative covid tests and quarantining. Only UK residents can embark on cruises from British ports.

• Ocean cruises are resuming in the U.S in July with different cruise lines offering different safety protocols. There will be some cruises for vaccinated travelers only except for cruises departing from Florida and Texas.

• Most of the Caribbean has opened again to travelers, including Aruba, Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, BVI, Turks and Caicos, and Virgin Islands. Each island has its own safety protocol with most requiring negative covid test within 72 hours of travel.

FYI: Be sure to make reservations in advance for theme parks, rental cars, flights, hotels/resorts and rental properties because these always sell out during the peak of summer (and most of us will be traveling this summer after not being able to travel last summer). Be aware there is a lot of construction going on at Disney World this summer and for the rest of 2021.

• Canada has extended its travel ban with the U.S. until July 21. However, Mexico is open to U.S. travelers by air (land border is still closed). No covid tests or quarantine required for entrance but you will need a negative covid test completed within 72 hours of travel before you will be allowed back in the U.S. The U.S. government recommends being vaccinated before traveling to Mexico, which is at risk level 3 “high” (recently lowered from level 4 “very high”).
• Most of Asia remains closed to tourists, including Bhutan, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
• While travelers are welcome in most places in Central, South, and Latin America, some of these countries still have high virus counts and the U.S. government advises against travel to these places. Check their website for the latest travel advisories for all countries before booking any travel.
• Travel restrictions are still in place for Australia and New Zealand and there is a good chance tourists will remain banned until 2022. Bubble travel, meaning travel between Australia and New Zealand, is permitted.
• Most of Africa has reopened to tourism with standard safety protocols and testing.

• If heading to the Western U.S., be advised there is a drought and extreme heat in a dozen states. It is reaching 100 degrees by 8 a.m. in some places! Recent records include 117 in Las Vegas, 123 in Palm Springs, and 129 in Death Valley. Although this will pass (hopefully), you need to consider the summer heat and sun if traveling with pets, small children, and older adults.

FYI: Places you shouldn’t or can’t go right now: Brazil, Cambodia, Chile, Bolivia, Argentina, Uruguay, and India. Travel is permitted but discouraged for the UK right now due to the high number of covid variant cases.

• Get to the airport early if you will be flying this summer. Airport security lines are longer than usual due to a shortage of TSA workers and an increase in travelers. Depending on the airport, you need to allow 2-3 hours to be on the safe side. Note some airports have now gone to a “cashless” park and pay system.

• Make sure you understand the rules and protocols where you will be going and in transit. Masks are still required for U.S. flights and trains.

Author’s Note: It is up to each individual as to whether to get vaccinated or not. That said, if you have chosen not to get vaccinated, please exercise caution when traveling this summer and the rest of 2021.

My Picks for Summer Fun

• Stay on a dude ranch. They are great fun for all ages and types of travelers, but especially well suited for families and “outdoorsy” travelers. My picks are Triple Creek Ranch in Montana and Wyoming’s Brush Creek Ranch. These offer almost everything! We’re talking ecological exploration, archery, shooting sports, ATV adventures, rock climbing, horseback riding, cooking classes, epicurean adventures, spa treatments, mountain biking, an arcade, full size gymnasium for volleyball and basketball, fly fishing, tall tales and cocktails for adults, special activities and programs for wee ones, and more!

• Take a mystery trip. Try a 3-day, 2-night weekend getaway to ??? with Pack Up +Go or venture farther domestically or internationally with Magical Mystery Tours.

• Plan a trip that includes a cool train ride aboard the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (Colorado Rockies), Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, Napa Valley Wine Train, Grand Canyon Railway, Cass Scenic Railroad State Park (Appalachian Mountains), and Mount Washington Cog Railway.

• Get up close with wildlife. Best places: Belize, Botswana, Costa Rica, Australia, Florida Everglades, Kenya, Tanzania, Galapagos Islands, South Africa, Borneo, Alaska, Montana, Wyoming, and Madagascar.
• Take an epic road trip off the beaten path. Get off the interstates and onto secondary highways and byways. Check out Backroad Planet for ideas and resources.

Just for Fun…The Best Hotel Suite in the World is the Katar Suite in the Excelsior Hotel Gallia (Milan, Italy). The 11,000-square-foot suite sleeps up to eight and includes: private spa (hot tub under a dome, Turkish bath, and sauna), 10-seat dining table, 4 bedrooms, conference rooms, solarium, kitchenette, two terraces, mini bar, and bulletproof windows. The suite is accessed by private elevator and includes 24-hour butler service. The price? $20,000 a night.

Travel Trends:

• Airport entertainment. Free movies and short films are being shown at some airports. Finally, something to do besides eat and check your phone!

• No wait lines at theme parks, such as Flash Pass at Six Flags Amusement Park and Disney’s FastPass (rumored to soon be returning).

• Apps, apps, and more apps. Travelers are becoming increasingly dependent on handy travel apps, such as Freebird, Google Maps, HotelTonight, TripIt, AirBnB, and Skyscanner.

• The future of travel is Jetsons, as in space age. There will be space flights (and space hotels), VR travel, and submarine rides for travelers. Uber is now offering submarine rides at the Great Barrier Reef! Cruising full-time instead of living in a retirement community or nursing home will be more commonplace, as will the ex-pat lifestyle (due to the high cost of healthcare and just about everything else).

• More meaningful travel, including volunteer vacations, multi-generational trips, and less traveled, more remote destinations and unique experiences will be on the rise. Small group and independent travel will dominant as opposed to large tour groups.

Author’s Note: Speaking of travel, I will be traveling a lot the next few weeks so it will be August before I post again. Hope you are (or will be) traveling and having fun this summer. You don’t have to take a big trip. You can enjoy a relaxing staycation, take a few weekend getaways, organize some day trips, or even push back travel until fall or winter. Just do something to recharge your body and mind!