Where Can I Travel This Summer
12 months after the start the pandemic and travel came to screeching halt, we’re finally starting to see light at the end of the tunnel. Many of us are eager to get out and travel like years past but in today’s post-COVID world, there is an increasing amount of hurdles that can seem daunting.
And for those already vaccinated and feeling ready to explore the world, you may be asking yourself “Where can I travel this summer” At Seek & Explore, we put together of list of international destinations (yes, you read that right, international!) that are open and ready to be safely explored.
Now more than ever, you need the support of a travel advisor to navigate complex (but doable) entry requirements. Let us help you plan some great international trips this year!
Mexico
Starting with the most obvious is our friends to the south, Mexico! While they never officially closed their borders, like everywhere visitors numbers were reduced but quickly rebounded late last year and into 2021. To their credit, Mexico is taking COVID precautions very seriously and hotels are still operating with reduced capacities and masking by staff is very much obligatory. Blessed with warm weather and year-round sunshine, Mexico is the perfect destination for those wanting outdoor activities and plenty of beaches. The hardest part is which coast, the clear waters of the Caribbean or the rocky shores of the Pacific in Cabo such as the Waldorf Astoria Pedregal
Costa Rica
Get your “pura vida” in this fantastic and activity filled country! This relatively small and compact country punches about it’s weight with so much to offer. From zip lining in the jungle to surfing along the Pacific Coast, you can either fill your days or relax soak up the sun. One of our favorite hotels is Nayara Tented Camp where every ‘treehouse’ offers a fantastic view of Arenal Volcano pictured above
Iceland
Travelers can rejoice as this perennial favorite has officially re-opened to all vaccinated travelers, no quarantine needed! Just a short flight from the Northeast (5 hours), you’ll instantly feel like your in the Game of Thrones with waterfalls, geysers, hot springs, and even volcanos. Enough adventure activities to keep you occupied for a week but also makes for a perfect long weekend getaway too. And after all that fun, be sure to soak at the famous Blue Lagoon spa before your flight home, conveniently located 15 minutes from Keflavik airport!
Croatia
Yes, you CAN go to Europe this year! While headlines were made about the EU border closure, what wasn’t highly publicized is that tourism dependent country still continued to welcome visitors to their 1,100 miles of coastline and 718 islands. The beautiful blue of the Adriatic pairs along with the red tile roofs and green mountains the meet the sea make for incredibly beautiful scenery. I found Croatia’s food to be a mix of Italian and Greek with a touch of Eastern European - incredibly delicious!
Turkey
While Greece is still pushing to open their borders by May, their neighbor Turkey is very much safely welcoming tourists. The same azure water of the Aegean also blesses the Turkish coastline. Spend several days on a charted gultet like the on above before visiting the fairy like chimneys of Cappadocia. Finally, shop and eat until you drop in historic Istanbul. Furthermore, Turkey is an incredible value and your money will certainly stretch farther than in Greece!
Tanzania
A safari has to be one of the safest things you can do if your COVID cautious…honestly! Nearly everything is open air including your glamourous mobile camp (glamping is an understatement) and while on game drives (African talk for searching for animals by Land Rover), it’s just your traveling party and the driver / tracker. What makes this year even better to visit is these lodges normally fill up a year in advance but now there is availability. You really have the chance to have the entire Serengeti to yourself. OK maybe you and several million wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, etc.
Chile
The South American country of Chile is actually right behind the US in terms of vaccinations and thus, they’ve declared their borders open for travelers as well. This slender but incredibly long (over 3,000 miles from north to south) has incredible diversity from the dry and arid Atacama desert of the north, to the lush wineries of the Central Valley around Santiago, and finally my favorite…the windswept granite peaks of Patagonia. Feeling intrepid, be sure to hike in Torres del Paine and stay in the luxurious Explora Lodges!
