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Post-COVID travel tips

Since March, there has been one word that best describes travel for Americans: uncertainty. Travel restrictions continue to limit movement to help slow the spread of COVID-19 while the list of places travelers can and cannot go is ever-changing. Relatively safer types of travel, like camping and visits to national parks, are surging, but winter adds new complications. This uncertainty is not likely to change until there’s a widespread vaccine. Still, planning your next vacation is not off the table.

“When to plan that next trip is really up to the individual and their own comfort level,” says Carey Malloy, brand director at Orbitz. “With everything going on in the world right now, I don’t think there’s a one-size-fits-all timeline for travel planning. The good news is that whenever travelers are ready to get back out there, the travel industry has adopted policies and procedures to make sure travelers get the information they need to plan that next trip.”

Orbitz and other booking sites have added cleaning and safety information for airlines and hotels, while boutique travel agents are working to stay abreast of constantly changing guidelines. Many in the travel industry are meeting travelers — former, current, and those waiting for a safer time — where they’re at. And by some metrics, travelers are ready to at least start thinking about getting out again.

“It’s clear Americans still want to travel and have a love for experiencing the world,” says Todd Dunlap, North America managing director at Booking.com. “More than half of Americans have said they are feeling comfortable enough to plan domestic travel in the next six months.”

Photo: mac aughey/Shutterstock

A Booking.com study found 91 percent of the distance traveled by Americans between June 1 and August 31, 2020, was domestic, compared to 43 percent during the same period of 2019. A focus on domestic locations is bound to continue as restrictions continue. GetYourGuide compared bookings for September through December 2019 versus 2020 and found the most popular destinations went from European cities like Rome, Barcelona, Milan, and Santorini to national parks like Grand Teton, Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and Yellowstone.

Despite the uncertainty, travel agents are starting to see interest — especially when it comes to specialty experiences. Aggressor Adventures, which plans liveaboard scuba trips, river cruises, and safari lodge stays, has trips running in only around half of its pre-pandemic destinations. Those that are open have seen reservations fill up to 90 percent occupancy, says CEO Wayne Brown.

“This shows the pent-up demand that people are ready to get back to adventure,” Brown says.

To help you decide when, where, and how to plan for travel, we reached out to dozens of travel experts and agents. Here’s what you need to know before planning your next trip.

Six to nine months is the sweet spot, but be flexible

Karen Rosenblum, founder of Spain Less Traveled: “For international travel, start laying the groundwork six to nine months in advance, even if that means waiting to make firm reservations. The bottom line is we all need to be more flexible with our 2021 travel plans.”

Lauren Doyle, executive vice president of The Travel Mechanic: “The sweet spot is six to nine months prior to travel for all-inclusive land packages. With very flexible cancellation policies and Book with Confidence guarantees, it is the best time to score a great deal without having to risk losing money.”

Jonathan de Araujo, owner and manager of the Disney, theme park, and cruise travel planner The Vacationeer: “We’re recommending that our guests book six months or more in advance. This allows them to lock in the room of their choice, secure any necessary entry permissions (such as Disney’s new Park Pass System), secure the historically low airfares that are currently available, and still have the flexibility to cancel or modify their reservation later if plans change.”

“I anticipate a European boom once the borders open back up, so I would recommend travelers look at the great deals that are out there.”

Brooke Johnson, owner of the RV road trip agency Tumbleweed Travel Co.: “If you want to travel to the National Parks and in an RV, it is best if you plan your trip nine months in advance, and at least six months in advance. Many campgrounds in popular locations (Yellowstone, Yosemite, Zion National Park, etc.) are released six months in advance and sell out immediately. If you cannot plan that early, four months out can also work.”

Wayne Brown, CEO of Aggressor Adventures: “We’re recommending guests consider making a reservation even earlier than they would have previously. To secure the dates that work best for your personal schedule, we are recommending at least 90-120 days prior. For our top destinations like Galapagos and Socorro, six months may be needed.”

Latifah Al-Hazzá, co-founder of the boutique women’s travel company Femscape Sojourns: “I would recommend planning for trips no earlier than March.”

Book for destinations that need it most
Safari car

Photo: MintImages/Shutterstock

George Morgan-Grenville, CEO and founder of Red Savannah: “For the ethical traveler, we would encourage people to support those destinations that have been hardest hit during the pandemic and/or areas where the benefit of tourism — to communities, wildlife, the environment — is far and wide. In Kenya, for example, a guide or ranger supports on average eight other people and the tourism dollar goes a long way to protect wildlife from poaching and land encroachment through grazing.”

Patrick Ziemnik, customer service manager at Rustic Pathways: “If you are the type of traveler who supports responsible tourism, your deposits will go a long way right now toward supporting local economies. The best mindset to have is flexibility.”

Booking now can save money later

Bob DiMenna, travel consultant and co-host of The Travelers Blueprint: “Prices are increasing to make up for lost revenue. I am booked for 14 days in Italy in May 2021, and I am already seeing price increases for rental cars and accommodations. Anyone who had anything booked in 2020 and makes an attempt to reschedule is being met with a request for additional money to hold their reservation.”

Jeff Lanno, owner of Hola Weddings Travel: “The earlier the better. A lot of resorts now have cancel free of charge up to 24 hours prior to departure. Therefore, the financial risks are pretty much eliminated, plus you can change your mind pretty much at any time. Tour operators have also reduced their deposit and cancellation fee which makes it easier than ever to change plans if needed.”

“The best time to plan a trip is before your airline or hotel credits expire.”

Diane Mason, founder of The Cruise & Travel Planner: “What people need to understand is that a lot of airlines and tour operators distributed hundreds of thousands of ‘Future Travel Credit Vouchers’ that have expiration dates on them, some as early as December 15, 2021. As soon as a vaccine becomes available for COVID-19, people are going to be scurrying to book their travel arrangements and space is going to become a HOT commodity. Rates WILL go up as soon as a vaccine is available and anyone who is not already booked could find themselves paying twice to three times as much.”

Heena Patel, vice president at Extra Holidays: “At the moment, we’ve seen that popular destinations that might have been on hold for part of 2020 go back to the top of the list come 2021, such as Hawaii, Las Vegas, Orlando, and California. Travelers looking forward to visiting these destinations in 2021 should consider to start looking at options before the end of the year to ensure they find the best deals and accommodations.”

Carey Malloy, Orbitz brand director: “There’s no hard and fast rule for when travelers should start planning next year’s travel itinerary, with one exception: For anyone who did have to alter or change travel plans this spring or summer due to COVID-19, the best time to plan a trip is before your airline or hotel credits expire. Most policies in the spring and summer offered travelers plenty of time to use their travel credits, but personally, I would recommend starting to research future travel plans sooner than later. The reason being that it just might boost your mood and give you something to look forward to. Plus, with many airlines and hotel providers offering more flexibility than usual right now, if you do end up changing your mind you likely won’t have to pay a penalty to kick those travel plans down the road a bit.”

Some destinations will quickly fill after travel restrictions are lifted
Cherry blossoms in Tokyo park

Photo: Kristi Blokhin/Shutterstock

Catherine Heald, CEO and co-founder of Remote Lands: “People should start to plan travel as soon as they know they want to travel. They should NOT wait until the countries actually open, because once they announce opening dates we expect tremendous pent-up demand to kick in, and space will be hard to come by in places like Tokyo and Kyoto during cherry blossom season in April 2021 and the big Paro Tshechu in March 2021. To avoid disappointment we recommend that clients book early. In destinations where many travelers visit for a specific festival, we anticipate that there will be strict guidelines on the number of people that will be able to attend the festivals or a limited number of tourist visas that will be granted, especially earlier in 2021.”

Shannon Bradley, sales and marketing at Down Under Endeavours and Africa Endeavours: “In times outside of COVID, we tell people six to nine months in advance for the South Pacific (unless it is peak season, then a year in advance). And for Southern Africa, plan a year to 18 months out, and Eastern Africa, anywhere from a year to two years out. Now with COVID, many of these places are booked out a year or 18 months in advance already (many lodges in Africa are small, availability for South Africa for Dec 2021 is difficult already) due to many postponements and pent up demand … Many travelers are waiting until they know borders are open. However, the challenge with that is that availability might be completely gone for a year in advance if travelers wait that long.”

George Morgan-Grenville, CEO and founder of Red Savannah: “Australia and New Zealand are likely to keep borders closed until at least the middle of 2021. For a ‘Big Trip’ — perhaps to tick off some bucket list places such as the Great Barrier Reef, Sydney Harbour … it would make sense to plan 2022 now. Once borders open and a vaccine is available, the travel floodgates are likely to open and those who have planned ahead — even as far ahead as 2022 — will have secured the best accommodations during the prime seasons.”

Steve Kelty, CMO of Contiki: “I anticipate a European boom once the borders open back up, so I would recommend travelers look at the great deals that are out there.”

The case for domestic travel
Horseshoe Bend, Arizona, and the Colorado River

Photo: arkanto/Shutterstock

Carey Malloy, Orbitz brand director: “COVID-19 definitely increased demand for domestic travel this year, and that’s a trend I imagine will continue for the foreseeable future. So while in a ‘normal’ year I’d probably advise you to plan ahead for those big international bucket list trips, this year I actually recommend getting a head start on trips here in the states. Trends we have seen so far in 2020 are increased demand for beach locales, outdoor and hiking destinations, road trips, and national parks. If you’ve thought about any of the above, or missed out on that trip to Yellowstone this year, I’d recommend booking those trips now.”

Jeff Lanno, owner of Hola Weddings: “A destination with a flight a week could be harder to get back from should the situation get worse. Therefore prioritize the destinations closer and most accessible to you as this is what other people will do as well and therefore might create more demand and increase pricing.”

Staffo Dobrev, a budget travel expert at Wanderu: “Travelers can start making plans for spring and summer 2021, as long as they don’t go beyond the limitations of what they were able to do and where they were able to go this past summer. The best approach would be to plan for low-key trips where they would be able to interact only within their own group.”

Where people should avoid planning for now

Carey Malloy, Orbitz brand director: “Personally, I would wait on planning travel to bucket-list destinations where the current experience might not match up with the dream trip you’ve got in your head. For instance, it may not make sense to book that grand Italian adventure quite yet if some of the attractions, restaurants, and museums aren’t yet open. For the near term, one thing all travelers can plan on is staying flexible. If you do plan any travel in advance right now, make sure you know the policies and opt for travel reservations that will give you the most flexibility.”

“If there are spikes in COVID cases, there may be micro-shutdowns of tourist locations for small amounts of time.”

Patrick Ziemnik, customer service manager at Rustic Pathways: “Be cautious of destinations with less organized or overstretched public health systems. For a non-American, sadly that list would include the US. Other than that, avoid places where most of your agenda would have to be indoors due to the weather or other factors, as we now know the risk that presents.

Dwight Zahringer, president of Pure Cabo: “Urban centers and traditional tourist hotspots are the kinds of places you may want to think twice about. Whether domestic or international, large cities or areas with a higher population density have higher outbreak risks. Likewise, popular domestic tourist destinations, especially during holiday breaks, face the same problem. More people just means more risk.”

Lauren Doyle, executive vice president of The Travel Mechanic: “I would hold off on booking China, Europe and Southeast Asia at the moment. It’s not so much about the safety of other countries but more about the requirements of other countries allowing Americans to enter.”

Things to remember and consider before planning travel

Barb Weigel, advisor Travel & Transport Vacations: “Make a bucket list of where they would like to travel in 2021 and 2022 and then call their favorite travel agent. Make sure their passports are up to date. Consider adding travel insurance to their reservations. If booking a cruise, make sure they have a refundable deposit.”

Marc Christensen, founder of Brilliant Ethiopia: “Most companies are offering credit vouchers, but you need to know the limitations on these vouchers. Some are lifetime vouchers, others just 12 months. Can you apply the voucher to another destination? If so, where? Travelers should also check the payment schedules and avoid paying for anything in full upfront. You should be able to get away with a deposit, and a delayed balance payment.”

Charles Neville, marketing director at JayWay Travel Inc: “We suggest guests collaborate with agencies who do not only transfer vacation dates but country destinations as well. So that if Spain has to close borders, guests can transfer their vacation to another country like Croatia.”

Should you consider travel insurance?
Airport traveler in a mask

Photo: Zephyr_p/Shutterstock

Helen Prochilo, of Promal Vacations: “Look at buying Cancel for Any Reason travel insurance for your trip. In most cases you won’t receive 100 percent of your money back, but for those who had it and were able to file claims for non-refundable deposits or fully paid trips, it was worth what they paid.”

Kevin Groh, of Cachi Life: “If there are spikes in COVID cases there may be micro-shutdowns of tourist locations for small amounts of time. This means you will have to be willing to reroute a tourist site to another option in your itinerary. Additionally, carrying travel insurance that actually covers COVID-related shutdowns may be beneficial for these instances that you have purchased tickets.”

Karen Rosenblum, founder of Spain Less Traveled: “Firm reservations don’t need to be made months in advance for 2021. But for travelers looking to snag some of those good deals that are out there right away, the key is reading (and understanding) the change, cancellation, and refund policies of everything you’re putting money down for. And researching and buying a comprehensive travel insurance policy.”

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Published on October 22, 2020 13:30

In Switzerland, carving turnips

A crisp autumn walk in Zurich, Switzerland, where farms are readily found within city limits, could take you by a pumpkin patch. A much likelier sight, though, are tidy fields with row upon row of long, bright green leaves. Underneath those leaves, buried in the soil, are succulent round bulbs ripe for the picking — turnips that, in this part of the world, are the symbol of fall.

Colored a deep pink, almost magenta in tone, with a modest sash of creamy white at their base, these turnips are planted in late summer and harvested throughout the fall. The last turnips are taken out of the ground in early November, in time for an annual festival that, for many Swiss families, marks the beginning of the holiday season.

Throughout German-speaking Switzerland, towns host procession called “Räbelichtli” or “Räbechilbi” in Swiss German. Translating to “turnip light” and “turnip festival,” respectively, the events involve people proceeding through town with artistically carved turnips, holding candles inside.

Photo: Visit Zurich/Facebook

The largest such event is the Räbechilbi in Richterswil, a lakeside town south of Zurich. Most years in mid-November, a line of people over a half-mile long and carrying over 50,000 bulbs carved from more than 33 tons of turnips. The event has been in the Guinness book of records for the sheer number of vegetables involved and has been recognized as a UNESCO living tradition.

The artistry at Richterswil event has become more ambitious each year, with large, wheeled floats in the form of everything from trotting horses pulling a cart to sailing ships to animals reaching two stories high and decorated with hundreds of glowing turnips. Add in traditional tunes from musicians marching between buildings illuminated in turnip lanterns of their own, and the nighttime festival is a sight to behold.

Photo: Visit Zurich/Facebook

Beyond Richterswil, the lighting of the turnips is celebrated in towns and cities throughout German-speaking Switzerland. In towns like Adliswil, the event is much smaller but still treasured. Children will participate in their yearly ritual of walking through town with their lit root vegetables and singing a special song for the occasion.

The Räbelichtli song tells of a dark, starless night, illuminated only by the turnip lantern. When a north wind blows out the candle within the turnip, sing the children, it will be time to return to their homes. Swiss children sing this age-old tune strolling through their local streets on a day called “Martini,” which is always on November 11.

The Richterswil festival, which has been held yearly for well over a hundred years, normally occurs on the Saturday closest to that date.

Turnip parade

Photo: Visit Zurich/Facebook

The origins of the tradition are not well known, but they are thought to be based on a harvest celebration that predates Christianity’s arrival in the Alpine country. Later, the event — which is called Martinstag, or Martin’s day, in neighboring Bavaria — was given a religious meaning as the day to celebrate St. Martin. Martin was a French bishop who, according to lore, cut his cloak in half on a bitterly cold day to give it to a beggar.

The custom of carving a vegetable — be it a pumpkin, gourd, or a root vegetable — was thought to start in Ireland. There, legend tells of Stingy Jack, who tried to fool the devil and, upon his death, was condemned to a purgatory of walking on Earth with nothing but a lit turnip to guide him. The Irish night of the Samhain, which occurred roughly halfway between the fall equinox and the winter solstice, was thought to mark the end of summer and harvest season and the onset of winter darkness and was celebrated with lanterns made of carved turnips or beets.

Today Samhain is thought to be a precursor to Halloween, and, indeed, Irish immigrants traded in turnips for the orange pumpkins they found in North America. Despite the lore about Stingy Jack’s efforts to trick Satan, Samhain’s earliest roots are believed to be in Celtic beliefs, which regarded this day not just as the time to prepare for winter — but the moment when the line between the living and the dead was faintest.

Those same pagan rituals are thought to have inspired celebrations on the European continent as well. In several northern European countries, people visit their neighbors and offer prayers for the dead in return for sweets. Given the association with begging, the story of Saint Martin helping out a needy beggar fits well into this theme.

Unlike pumpkins, turnips are more delicate, smaller, and lighter — making them easier to carry and hang from eaves. They are also not carved all the way through. Rather than punching upside-down triangles through the tough skin of a pumpkin to make eyes, the turnips’ exterior is gently scratched in festive designs. Once hollowed out, the flicker of a lit candle placed inside produces an ethereal glow through the turnip’s translucent fibers.

Photo: Visit Zurich/Facebook

When they parade through the town, most children carry the lit turnips. Often they place the turnip on a wooden stick so they don’t burn their hands, and they use pieces of wood or toothpicks to elevate the lid, which is also carved, and let more light come through. At home, people may place the turnips in their windowsills or hang them on strings.

Nowadays, the songs and celebrations are a way to mark the end of the bounty of fall and the long nights ahead. The parading of turnip lanterns has long since ceased to be about beggars and dead souls. With the sweet voices of children singing and the joy and artistry of events like the Räbechilbi, it’s instead a celebration of ancient traditions and of the winter holidays ahead.

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Published on October 22, 2020 13:00

Most disturbing mythical creatures

There are other spooky creatures out there than the witches, vampires, and zombies we’re used to seeing every Halloween. Every country in the world has a famous mythical creature that scares the children and keeps adults’ imagination alive, whether it’s dragons, a griffin, or even a spiteful merman.

CashNetUSA compiled a list of the most popular mythical creatures in every country in the world. It used bestiaries and encyclopedias like Monsters and Mythical Creatures from Around the World to gather its information, and then used Google data to confirm which creatures were the most searched in each location. After thorough research, it created a series of maps showing the most famous creatures in each country.

North America
Mythical Creatures of North America

Photo: CashNetUSA

Sasquatch or “Bigfoot” is known to many residents of the United States, though only a few have actually seen it. The name “Sasquatch” originates from the Salish word “se’sxac” or “wild men.” The creature is allegedly covered in hair and dwells in the forest, and has somehow evaded photo evidence of its existence. Also popular in North America is Cuba’s Madre de Aguas — a huge, horned, bullet-proof snake — and Nicaragua’s La Carretanagua, which takes the form of an ox cart driven by a skeleton.

Europe

Photo: CashNetUSA

It’s probably no surprise that the most popular mythical creature in England is the dragon. The winged beast also tops the list in Wales, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, San Marino, and Italy. Wales’ national flag depicts a particular dragon that was supposed to have been discovered at an underground lake in the fifth century. Elsewhere in Europe, especially in the east, the Baba Yaga, an old and deformed witch who lives deep in the forest and has cannibalistic tendencies, is the most popular mythical creature. It is well-known in Russia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Slovakia, and Ukraine.

South America
Mythical Creatures in South America

Photo: CashNetUSA

The most famous mythological creature in South America is the La Tunda, originating in Colombia. The one-legged hag’s signature behavior is farting on seafood and offering it to her prey. Her victims are typically unfaithful men and children who misbehave. You can spot her by her unusual legs — one of which is missing and has been replaced by a wooden spoon. Elsewhere in Paraguay, the Teju Jagua is among the most widely known creatures. The Teju Jagua is a lizard with seven dog heads and eyes that shoot fire.

Middle East & Central Asia
Mythical Creatures of the Middle East

Photo: CashNetUSA

The Middle East is the home of the Jinn, mythical genies who live in inanimate objects and can assume either human or animal form. Jinn grant wishes, but those wishes often have unexpected results. They are most prevalent in Iran, Jordan, and Iraq, and are the most searched mythical creatures in all of the Middle Eastern countries. But Jinn don’t have a total monopoly on the mythical creature scene in this area of the world. Known as the “lord of the sea,” the Bu Darya of Bahrain is a giant merman who sneaks onto ships at night to kidnap sailors to eat.

Asia & Oceania
Asia and Oceania

Photo: CashNetUSA

Like in Bahrain, Oceania is also beset by mermen. The Adaro dominate the Oceania region, as mermen haunt the waters around the Solomon Islands. Adaro have swordfish-like spears growing from their heads, and attack by throwing poisonous flying fish at victims’ necks. In the Republic of Georgia, the Devi is the creature of choice. These hairy, horned ogres have multiple heads, which grow back whenever you cut one off.

Africa

Photo: CashNetUSA

The most terrifying mythical creature of all time might be the Namibian Flying Snake. The snake is up to 25 feet long with a 30-foot wingspan, and has a bioluminescent crest, horns, an inflatable neck, and an ear-shattering roar. It feeds on livestock and often frightens farmers. In Kenya and Rwanda, the Nandi Bear is the most prevalent scary beast. This nocturnal bear has red hair and is known to scalp anyone who startles it. So don’t startle it.

The full list of mythical creatures, including a country-by-country breakdown, is available on CashNetUSA’s website.

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Published on October 22, 2020 11:30

Kitten rescued at Louisville airport

Boeing might sound like a strange name for a kitten, but not when you consider the backstory. A stray kitten was discovered Wednesday wandering the grounds of Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport and has been adopted by one of the airport’s public safety officers.

Photo: FlyLouisville/Twitter

The kitten was rescued by members of the airport operations team, who cleaned it and cared for it overnight. Although the cat’s origins are unknown, crew members found it a new home within just one day, when an employee at the airport offered to adopt it.

Public Safety Officer Wed England adopted a kitten rescued from Louisville airport

Photo: FlyLouisville/Twitter

The airport tweeted, “Our Ops team rescued this stray kitten on the terminal ramp, cleaned it up and cared for it overnight, and the next day one of our Public Safety Officers adopted him! A happy ending for everyone! #Airport Ops to the rescue! #flylouisville #rescue”

Our Ops team rescued this stray kitten on the terminal ramp, cleaned it up and cared for it overnight, and the next day one of our Public Safety Officers adopted him! A happy ending for everyone! #Airport Ops to the rescue! #flylouisville #rescue pic.twitter.com/q6V6NAADLM

— FlyLouisville (SDF) (@FlyLouisville) October 14, 2020

Wes England, a public safety officer, fittingly named the kitten Boeing. He said to WKLY that his wife and two children are now thoroughly smitten with the new pet. It’s probably not what his family expected when England came home from work that day, but given how cute Boeing is, it’s not surprising the kitten was adopted so quickly or that the family was so eager to welcome the new pet.

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Published on October 22, 2020 11:15

Hawaii reopened to tourists

The long, confusing will-they-won’t-they drama of Hawaii’s reopening is over. With a set of requirements in place that allows guests to avoid a mandatory quarantine, Hawaii is open to tourism, and on the first day of the pre-testing travel program (October 15, 2020) 8,000 people showed up, the Associated Press reports.

Originally the state of Hawaii had mandated a 14-day quarantine for any incoming visitors, which made it very tricky for most people to vacation there. Now, however, a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival is all you need to enjoy the sunshine and beaches of the Rainbow State. Incoming passengers must also create a Safe Travels profile so the state can track and enforce quarantines when needed.

Some islands have introduced supplementary safety measures. The Big Island, for example, requires secondary rapid testing upon arrival to avoid quarantine, and Maui and Kauai offer voluntary secondary testing — just for an extra layer of security.

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Published on October 22, 2020 11:00

Celebrate Friendsgiving on island

Thanksgiving is going to look very different this year. We might not be having large family gatherings, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still find a creative and fun way to celebrate. Hotels.com is making it easy to plan the perfect holiday getaway, offering one group of friends a weeklong stay on private “Friendsgiving Island” at a huge discount, from November 14 to 21.

Photo: Hotels.com

“Friendsgiving Island” is located off the coast of Marathon, FL. It comes with a three-bedroom, 5,000-square-foot vacation home, a pool, paddleboards, kayaks, and more. It typically costs $1,400 a night, but this deal cuts the price to just $2,000 plus tax for the whole week. Since a maximum of six guests can be accommodated on the island, it could potentially only cost each person $50 per night for an epic island getaway.

Photo: Hotels.com

If that wasn’t enough, the package also comes with a private chef who will join you for a night to prepare a Friendsgiving dinner. And since Thanksgiving falls on the 26th this year, you’ll still be home in plenty of time to also celebrate with your family.

Photo: Hotels.com

To take advantage of this package, visit the Friendsgiving Island reservation page at 10:00 AM ET on October 27, which is when the deal goes live. It will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Published on October 22, 2020 10:00

New 260-mile bike trail in France

Biking is a more enticing prospect now more than ever, given the importance of spending time outside and getting fresh air during the pandemic. In France, this is getting even easier for current and would-be cyclists, with the opening of a new 260-mile bike route along the Seine River. The new route, called La Seine à Vélo, runs from Paris to Le Havre and Deauville in Normandy, giving riders the opportunity to explore the French departments of the Seine-Saint-Denis, Hauts-de-Seine, Yvelines, Val-d’Oise, Eure, Seine-Maritime, and Calvados along the way.

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Photo: La Seine à Vélo

On the route, cyclists will be able to see Notre Dame, Le Havre beach, and Les Planches de Deauville. You’ll also pass alongside some of Paris and Rouen’s most iconic cathedrals, the Abbaye de Jumièges, the Château de Malmaison, Claude Monet’s house in Giverny, and many more.

Biking along the Seine River, from Paris to the Channel

Photo: La Seine à Vélo/Facebook

A new website provides all the information you need about the path, such as where to eat, where to stay, and other service providers along the way. The site will tell you which local eateries to check out, and point you toward the must-see sights. For the most comprehensive and relevant information, just input your place of departure and place of arrival, and the website will calculate your route and suggested stops.

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Published on October 22, 2020 09:45

Family guide: Florida's Sports Coast

Family adventure guide: 8 incredible experiences on Florida’s Sports Coast

By: Elizabeth Heath

Photo: Florida’s Sports Coast

We all have different feelings about traveling right now. When you’re ready, we hope you feel safe, inspired, and excited to explore Florida’s Sports Coast.

Florida has long been one of the world’s most family-friendly vacation destinations — but crowded beaches and theme parks might not feel like the ideal places to spend a holiday right now. So where can a family go for an active, fun, and socially distanced vacation in the Sunshine State?

Break out the Florida map and put your finger north of Tampa and west of Orlando. Spilling into the warm waters of the Gulf, Florida’s Sports Coast is outdoor-adventure central. There are hidden beaches, clear Gulf of Mexico waters, wetlands teeming with wildlife, and plenty of woodlands for exploring. And the Sports Coast’s #GetBacktoAdventure campaign is designed to help travelers discover the many ways to enjoy a safe vacation, one both immersed in nature and naturally socially distanced — all while discovering new adventures in the great outdoors. For families looking to get out on the water, into the woods, or even up in the air, Florida’s Sports Coast calls.

Your task? Clear the calendar, load up the Airstream, and set the GPS to one or all of the activities listed below. Whatever you choose, Florida’s Sports Coast will help you and your family #GetBacktoAdventure.

This guide is proudly produced in partnership with Florida's Sports Coast.

Note: Some of the sites and businesses listed below may not currently be operating as described due to safety guidelines. Please contact all locations prior to visiting.

Glimpsing a flying unicorn

You probably don’t believe in unicorns. And you definitely don’t believe they can fly. But once you and the kids get to know Laska the Flying Unicorn, you might just change your tune. She’s the world’s only certified, unicorn-shaped hot air balloon, and she’s a real cutie: smiling, a little chubby, with a rainbow mane and a silver horn. She even has her own Instagram feed.

You can find Laska — her name is the Czech word for love and affection — at American Balloons, where she’s ready to pose for the ultimate family selfie. (Her unique shape means she can only fly with one passenger at a time, so going for a ride isn’t an option for families.) You and your kids will thrill at seeing her lift off and delight as she floats gently over the landscape. And you’ll certainly never forget your first giant inflatable unicorn encounter.

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Photo credits: American Balloons

Swinging from the trees

Imagine leading your family through the treetops of a dense jungle, up rope ladders, across swinging bridges, and along whirring ziplines. You don’t have to go all the way to Central America to find a ropes course adventure like this — at TreeHoppers Aerial Adventure Park, kids and parents can test their skills and discover new abilities on eight different ropes and aerial courses.

Wee adventurers can try out the Little Lemurs course, built especially for kids ages 1 to 6. From there, courses increase in difficulty from yellow to double-black, all involving a series of platforms connected by cables, ladders, wooden and rope bridges, and ziplines. Young kids can build self-confidence on easy to medium-difficulty courses, while teens can tackle the black and double-black courses once they’ve mastered the others. A fun, safe, and exciting three-hour session at TreeHoppers means family bonding, pushing boundaries, and defying gravity.

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Photo credits: Florida’s Sports Coast

Finding your balance

Gliding across the calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico or a quiet canal on a SUP (stand-up paddleboard) looks like it might be too challenging for young kids. But with their lighter weights and lower centers of gravity, kids often take to SUPing quicker than adults do! A few hours or a whole day spent with rental SUPs can make for a great adventure, with plenty of laughs — and likely a few splashes — as everyone gets the hang of it.

Smaller kids can sit on the front end of a SUP and let parents do the paddling, while older kids will likely prefer their own board. SUPs are available at marinas all along the Sports Coast, but Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park is hard to beat with its mangrove-lined waterways, salt marshes, and private inlets — and onsite rentals.

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Photo credits: Shutterstock/Sanchik and Florida’s Sports Coast

Tossing in a line

O Captain! My Captain! Book a private fishing charter for you and the kids, and let an experienced angler take you where the fish are biting, bait your hooks, and help with casting tips. With any luck, there will even be fish for your trusty captain to fillet for you!

Whether you choose to ply the Gulf of Mexico or the calm mangrove flats of the Sports Coast’s backwaters, a private charter takes all the fuss and guesswork out of planning a trip. From fishing licenses to bait, tackle, and, of course, expert knowledge of the best areas for angling, your captain takes care of it all so you and your family can focus on fun and fishing. Check the fishing and charters page of the Sports Coast website for purveyors up and down the shore.

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Photo credits: Shutterstock/Maridav

Cruising in a pontoon

The freedom to motor through the close-in waters of the Gulf, anchor near barrier islands, and fish, swim, and snorkel at your own pace — that’s what a self-piloted pontoon boat rental can offer you and your family. These easy-to-navigate boats require minimal boating experience and are perfect for casual cruising along the shallow waters of the coast. Watch for dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, and rays, and jump off the side wherever the water looks inviting. Anchor just off a remote beach and search for seashells, build a sandcastle, or spread out a picnic lunch.

Reachable only by boat, Anclote Key Preserve State Park is a favorite destination for Sports Coast boaters, with unspoiled beaches, a historic lighthouse, and picnic facilities. Windsong Charters & Boat Rentals can set you and your crew up with a pontoon and suggest routes and destinations through residential channels or sheltered Gulf waters. They also rent more traditional paddlecraft, like kayaks and canoes.

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Photo credits: Florida’s Sports Coast and Shutterstock/Gus Garcia

Digging into scallop season

The season may be short, but the rewards are sweet. Florida’s Sports Coast is home to some of the best waters for bay scallops, and for 10 days every July, amateur scallop hunters can take home up to two gallons per day of these prized mollusks.

To start your scallop hunt, you’ll need a mask, snorkel and fins, a mesh bag, a requisite red-and-white diver-down flag, and a saltwater fishing license. Some of the seagrass beds that provide habitat for scallops are located right offshore, but you’ll want to hire a boat with a local fishing charter captain to take you right to the best scalloping spots and show you how it’s done.

Note: This is an activity best suited to families with older kids and teens. Check the Florida’s Sports Coast scalloping page for more info, plus some tasty recipes.

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Photo credits: Florida’s Sports Coast

Slipping, jumping, and sliding

For big, bouncy fun on the water, head to The Lift Adventure Park, where a huge inflatable aqua-jungle gym tempts kids ages 7 and up to run, slip, swing, slide, and climb across a slippery agility course. Half the fun is falling in, of course, and the spring-fed lake waters of northern Pasco County’s SunWest Park couldn’t be more inviting.

Kids and teens looking for more of a challenge can tack on a wakeboarding session and learn to stay upright, catch a wave, and even jump and spin while being towed by a cable. The park also offers SUP and kayak rentals, a swimming beach, and volleyball.

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Photo credits: The Lift Adventure Park and Shutterstock/goldenporshe

Going off-grid

For a real taste of adventure and getting away from it all, intrepid families can go off-grid by spending one or more nights at a primitive campsite in one of the pristine wilderness areas within Florida’s Sports Coast. Primitive camping means no frills — getting to most campsites involves a walk of 2-3 miles and facilities are minimal, often just a firepit, a grill, and a picnic table. Some sites even require that you bring in your own water. But the payoff? Glorious privacy, with just the soothing sounds of nature to lull you to sleep after you’ve spent the evening roasting marshmallows and stargazing.

Primitive campsites can be found at Withlacoochee River Park, Anclote Key Preserve State Park, and both Crews Lake and Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Parks. For families who want to rough it a little less, several parks offer more developed tent campsites and cabins. After all, there’s no one way to #GetBacktoAdventure.

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Photo credits: Shutterstock/Essence of a Memory

This guide is proudly produced in partnership with Florida's Sports Coast.