What’s open? Where you can travel now!

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The summer travel season is fast approaching, and for those of us who haven’t traveled during the pandemic, or who have been limited to short road trips, the easing of travel restrictions is literally opening up a world of possibilities. While there is still time to plan an international trip this summer (and plenty of good deals available), it can be a challenge to keep track of which destinations are open and what you’ll need to do to travel there.

Here’s a quick overview of some popular summer travel destinations and what you need to know about visiting. Keep in mind that things change quickly so its best to work with Woodlyn Travel to help with planning.

Europe

While much of Europe is planning to open to American tourists this summer, a number of European countries are already open, including Greece, Iceland, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, Cyprus, and Georgia. Regulations vary for each country, but generally some combination of vaccination, negative COVID test, and mandatory quarantine upon arrival will allow tourists to enter.

Other European countries, including tourist popular spots like France, Spain, Italy and the U.K., have announced goals to open to non-essential travel by June. The devil is in the details, however, and we are waiting to see exactly how the re-opening will look. It’s safe to say that being fully vaccinated will make things go much smoother but outside of that we are all waiting to see how travel will look. Don’t let this hold you back, just approach European travel with caution - keep in mind cancellation policies and have a back up plan or buy travel insurance - If you’ve been longing for a European vacation, here are a couple hotel options we recommend:

Croatia (now open): Villa Dubrovnik - Perched on the cliffs with stunning views of the city and sea.

France: Shangri-La Hotel Paris - Incredible service in an unbeatable location, featuring complimentary upgrade to Eiffel Tower view

Monaco: Hotel de Paris- Monte-Carlo - Sophisticated vibe in a glamorous setting.

Mexico

Mexico has been open to travelers, with no requirement to be vaccinated or show a negative COVID-19 test at this time. There is also no mandated quarantine upon arrival, although your hotel or resort may ask you complete a health questionnaire. Land border crossings remain closed to non-essential travel but air travel is open and good deals on flights are readily available. Among the Mexican resorts a few favorites::

Grand Velas Los Cabos - All-inclusive luxury with dramatic ocean views and great dining.

Presidente InternContinetal Cozumel - Idyllic setting featuring white sand beaches and calm, turquoise waters.

Andaz Mayakoba Riviera Maya - Exclusive beachfront resort with amazing spa and pools.

The Caribbean

Tourism is big business in the Caribbean. Some destinations have already re-opened and are eager for visitors. Among the places currently open to US tourists are Aruba, the Bahamas, the US Virgin Islands, and Jamaica. Many countries have an easy online portal where you upload a copy of your vaccination or negative test before arrival. Keep in mind that a nice advantage of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands is that because they’re US territories you will not have to get a negative COVID test before returning to the US. If the Caribbean sounds like your speed, here are a couple hotel suggestions:

US Virgin Islands: The Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas - Excellent accommodations and stellar service in a gorgeous setting.

Puerto Rico: Fairmont El San Juan Hotel - Authentic Puerto Rican hospitality minutes from historic Old San Juan.

Jamaica: Jamaica Inn Ocho Rios - Family owned boutique hotel on a premier private beach.

Belize: Blancaneaux Lodge - Tranquil resort in a remote, adventurous setting.

Asia and Oceania

Asia and Oceania have been cautious about reopening, and with limited exceptions popular destinations like Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and Japan are not allowing American visitors. There are some exceptions however: French Polynesia and the Maldives are now open and offer amazing experiences for those looking for an adventure.

Maldives: Conrad Maldives Rangali Island - One-of-a-kind island setting, with exclusive free night offers available now.

Tahiti: Conrad Bora Bora Nui - Overwater villas in a classic South Pacific setting.


General guidelines for international travel

  • Be aware that unless you’re traveling to a US territory, you’ll likely need a negative test to return to the United States (yes, even if you’re vaccinated), and you may need to self-quarantine upon return as well.

  • Double check that passport! After being grounded for a year it’s easy to forget if your passport is still valid. If you need to get it renewed before traveling, start your paperwork now! Routine renewals take 10-12 weeks, while expedited service is usually 4-6 weeks (although passport expediting services sometimes claim they can get it a week or two faster). If your trip is less than 4 weeks away, you’ll have to make an appointment to visit a passport office in person, and unfortunately these appointments are completely booked for the next couple months.

  • Although a country may officially be open to tourists, the CDC and the State Department are still discouraging non-essential travel to some areas. Check their websites for guidelines, which are updated frequently.

  • If you want to book a trip to a country that isn’t open yet, but you think it will be by the time you travel (let’s say a trip to Germany in August), be sure you understand the cancellation policies for the hotel and airfare when you book. With a little planning you won’t lose a dime if the country decides not to open. Or consider travel insurance, which can help cover the costs of last minute changes.

Dreaming of England

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As I’ve posted recently, it’s a great time to start planning 2021 travel. There are tons of deals out there, especially on airfare. In fact, I just booked a client two round-trip, business-class tickets on Delta to London, plus 10 days of a rental car for $2700. If you’re looking to book flights to Europe it’s a great time to do it, and it reminded me of a trip my special travel correspondent Andrew took to the UK pre-pandemic. Lots of American tourists never make it out of London, but he spent time in Bristol, a culturally vibrant city in Southwest England. I asked Andrew to give us some highlights of his trip:

The Royal Standard of England

http://www.rsoe.co.uk/

I flew into London, and my first stop on the way to Bristol was the Royal Standard of England, a historic pub in the village of Beaconsfield. It’s billed as the oldest pub in England, and with your first glimpse of the stone walls, low ceilings, and traditional décor you’ll understand why. The food is traditional pub faire- try the whitebait (fries with eyes) or beef & ale pie. There are plenty of beers and ciders to sample, but the atmosphere is really what you’re there for, and it definitely delivers. There’s even a large outdoor seating area if the weather cooperates, which, hey, it’s England so maybe don’t count on it. The pub’s a bit out of the way, but this does prevent it from being overrun by tourists. If the traditional pub experience is what you’re looking for, and you’re up for a bit of an adventure, this is the place to go.

Walking Tour: Clifton Suspension Bridge & Ashton Court Estate

https://www.cliftonbridge.org.uk/
https://www.bristol.gov.uk/en/museums-parks-sports-culture/ashton-court-estate

Bristol is very manageable on foot, and I always like to get my bearings when I arrive in a new place, so one of my first stops was the Clifton Suspension Bridge. It’s one of Bristol’s most prominent landmarks, spanning the Avon Gorge west of the city. Built in 1864, it offers a dramatic view of the city and the Avon River as it flows to the Atlantic. Crossing the bridge to the west leads to the gates to the Ashton Court Estate, which has history dating back to the William the Conqueror and is now owned by the City of Bristol. The estate is home to miles of walking and riding paths, a disc golf course, a deer park (yes, that’s a herd of deer living in a park), some very spooky woods, and Ashton Court Manor, which now houses a restaurant and event spaces. If you start at the bridge it’s a fairly easy 1-2 hr downhill walk through the estate to the parking lot at the manor, where you can keep walking or hop a bus back into the city center. The bridge is worth the trip for the view, and if it’s a nice day and you’ve got the time, the estate is good for a taste of old English manor life.

Playground Coffee House

https://playgroundbristol.co.uk/

Bristol is a university town, and there’s no shortage of pubs, lounges, and other hangouts. But my favorite hidden gem is the Playground Coffee House, which serves double duty as a coffee shop by day and cocktail lounge by night. (Although you can feel free to mix those up as required.) It’s a cozy, comfortable spot with board games, swings, a huge tea selection, and a treacherous staircase leading to the bathroom. The drinks, whether they’re of the caffeinated or alcoholic variety, are strong and lovingly made.

Mission Pizza

http://www.missionpizza.co.uk/
http://www.lefthandedgiant.com/

This one’s a bit of a moving target at the moment, but if you can find them, Mission Pizza is some of the best pizza I’ve had on either side of the Atlantic. When I visited they were set up in a tent outside a brewery at the end of a long, dark alley. They make a half-dozen artisan, wood-fired pizzas, including vegetarian varieties, and every one I tried was great. They’ve now set up what are hopefully permanent digs in the Left Handed Giant Brewpub, in a cool neighborhood along the water, so once dining in is available again this will be a great alternative to the “traditional” English experience. Because who needs tradition when you’ve got beer and pizza, right?

The Farm

https://www.facebook.com/thefarmpub/
http://www.swcityfarm.co.uk/

Located on the north side of Bristol, The Farm is a casual, family-friendly pub and restaurant that sits just down the street from St. Werburgh’s City Farm, a small farm with goats, sheep, and other animals that’s open to visitors. The pub has lots of outdoor seating and a relaxed vibe, so on a nice afternoon it’s easy to spend a couple hours there. Hit it on a Sunday to order a traditional Sunday Roast, which involves a whole lot of meat and potatoes and is guaranteed to pound your hangover into submission. If you have kids, or just need a break from the city, a walk through the City Farm and then a stop at the pub is a good way to unwind. Don’t confuse the Farm Pub with the Farm Café, which sits right next to it.

Other nearby suggestions:

The historic town of Bath, famous for its ancient Roman spas, is just a 20-minute train ride from Bristol. The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa is an ideal base for your explorations there, featuring stunning gardens and luxurious accommodations.

If you’re looking to stop over in London for a few days (and why wouldn’t you?), you can’t go wrong staying at The Savoy. It’s one of London’s most celebrated hotels, famous for is extraordinary amenities and décor.

And remember, when you book any of these hotels with Woodlyn Travel, you get amenities like a room upgrade, daily breakfast, food & beverage credit, and more!

Whether you want to explore Bristol like Andrew did or check out another spot in the UK, contact me and we’ll put together the right itinerary for you. Let’s talk!

About Andrew
Andrew is a freelance writer, producer, and marketing consultant. An Emmy nominated producer, he has written or produced material for ESPN, HGTV, NBC, and independent films. He can be reached at afirchau@gmail.com.