Are you finally ready to begin to plan travel again beyond your living room, but the thought of planning a vacation has you stressed and unsure? The first step may is deciding whether you want to travel to an international destination open to American travelers or travel domestically. The Order requiring a negative COVID test with 72 hours of returning to the U.S. has many Americans opting for domestic travel. Domestic or international COVID travelers have one thing in common, though, they are also focused on outdoor spaces, beautiful landscapes, adventure, wellness, and relaxation. Here’s a list of some of the top COVID vacation options for 2021 to help you start planning your next international or domestic vacation.
Rail Vacations
Amtrak vacations are one of the best options for relaxing, socially-distanced travel in the U.S. Roomettes and bedrooms offer private, closed-door accommodations and an opportunity to safely remove face coverings. Train vacations also add an element of adventure to your trip – one of the top requests for many post pandemic travelers. Amtrak vacations can also be all-inclusive with meals, hotel, car rental, and activities included. Once the train departs, you sit, relax, and enjoy the trip without the stress of driving in traffic. Flexible itineraries are available from over 500 train stations in the U.S. to destinations such as popular national parks, Napa Valley, the California Coast, the Rocky Mountains, New Orleans, New York, and more. In addition to several health and safety protocols, Amtrak also offers flexible trip change policies to give customers confidence to plan and reschedule a vacation, if needed.
Alaska By Land
The 2021 Alaskan cruise season is cancelled, but Alaska is open and welcoming guests to experience its vast wilderness and beauty. Alaska’s current travel requirements are that you obtain a negative COVID test 72 hours prior to entering the state. Alaska also recently made vaccines available to anyone over the age of 16. Each region of Alaska has something to offer to travelers. One of the best ways to see Alaska is by rail on the Alaska Railroad, but there are also boats, motor coaches, small boats tours, and car rental options. The Alaska Railway goes right through Denali National Park and you can add a Kenai Fjords National Park cruise in Anchorage. The travel packages and activity options are almost endless for an unforgettable Alaskan adventure with or without a cruise.
Hawaii
Beginning December 17, 2020, travelers to Hawaii with a COVID negative test within 72 hours or a quarantine exemption can avoid a 10-day quarantine. Hawaii’s tourist industry is slowly rebounding, so it is still a good time to take advantage of enticing offers while most activities have reopened, but the crowd levels are still low. Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and Hawaii are currently participating in the State’s Safe Travels program. On April 5, 2021, Kauai joined the State’s Safe Travels program for trans-pacific travelers. Before considering a trip to Hawaii, learn more about the State’s Safe Travels program to avoid a mandatory quarantine.
All-Inclusive Resorts
All-inclusive resorts offer many of the same perks of a cruise, but without the muster drills. The Bahamas, Mexico, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic have some of the best and most popular all-inclusive resorts in the world, but the U.S. is home to all-inclusive options as well. Like a cruise, all-inclusive resorts have something for everyone. Whether you want to just relax on a beach, spend a day at the spa, seek outdoor adventure, or indulge in a variety of food options, all-inclusive options are almost endless. In addition to a variety of activities, all-inclusive resorts make planning and budgeting easy, so you can focus on relaxation. Several options are available for adult only and family all-inclusive resorts domestic and abroad.
Wellness Retreats
Wellness tourism was on the rise before 2020, but the challenges of the pandemic have tourists longing for even more vacation options focused on physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing. Wellness getaways focus on stress and anxiety reduction, rest and relaxation, getting away from it all, and spiritual renewal with a variety of experiences, including:
- outdoor adventure
- fitness
- relaxing spa treatments
- nutrition
- nature
- spiritual healing, and
- overall wellness and rejuvenation activities.
Recreating Excursion Experiences
If you are someone who likes to plan several excursions on a cruise, you can curate a vacation around those excursion activities that you like most. A getaway at a resort with one-of-a-kind spa treatments would be ideal for someone who loves cruise spa treatments. A beach vacation with a variety of water activities might cure the longing for a cruise line’s private island oasis. Planning a vacation to a new location with day trips, tours, and activities can recreate the most memorable parts of a cruise experience.
Road Trips
The ultimate U.S. road trip is also a popular option for travelers seeking new experiences and open spaces while also remaining socially distant and in control of their immediate environment. The best way to approach a road trip is to plan ahead and research what it is open and any health and safety protocols that may be required such as reservations in the age of limited capacity and increased demand for travel.
Vacation Home Rentals
Vacation home rentals are also a popular social-distant travel trend. The biggest perks of vacation home rentals is allowing travelers more personal space without mask requirements and less person-to-person interaction. Rental houses are available in any destination in any style and size to suit almost any vacation budget. Before you select a vacation rental, research COVID-19 policies for the city and state where the rental is located and carefully read any refund and cancellation policies. Plan to pack or pick up cleaning supplies prior to arrival and prepare for any linens, utensils, and household items you may want to be sure are sanitized.
Before booking your next vacation destination, research your destination’s local travel restrictions, and continually monitor the CDC’s COVID data on transmission and vaccinations and travel recommendations. In a recent study by FloridaPanhandle.com, 66% of 3,000 participants said that planning travel during the pandemic was stressful. Safety precautions, potential cancellations and other fees, staying update with travel restrictions, picking a destination, and last-minute changes were particular sources of stress. As a travel agent, I have access to resources and information to help reduce your travel planning stress. If you would like to discuss your vacation ideas and learn how I can reduce your travel planning stress, contact me to schedule a call that’s convenient for your schedule. With a little information, I can provide you a FREE, no obligation quote. Please also join my email newsletter to receive exclusive travel information and offers from a variety of suppliers.