The US Center for Disease Control has revised its travel guidelines, and now says “People who are fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorized vaccine can travel safely within the United States. You do NOT need to get tested or self-quarantine if you are fully vaccinated.” The CDC has also updated its requirements for fully vaccinated people embarking on international travel. According to CNN, they no longer require a negative COVID-19 test prior to leaving (unless your destination requires you to have one), nor is the CDC requiring fully vaccinated people to quarantine upon arrival back in America. However, they are still requiring a…
Author: Keith Langston
As we reported last week, the state of New York was poised to legalize marijuana and create an attractive stream of tax revenue from it. According to New York magazine, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the bill into law on Wednesday, March 31st. New York has become the 16th state to legalize weed. Starting immediately, individuals can possess up to 3 ounces of cannabis, and up to 24 grams of pot in a concentrated form, such as an oil. Residents can now legally smoke pot anywhere cigarettes can be smoked. Most importantly from the legislation is that it expunges the criminal…
Heavy rains and flash floods have devastated the Australian state of New South Whales these last two weeks. And while the floods themselves have been troublesome, they’ve created an unexpected effect…millions of spiders have escaped their natural homes in search of dry land. And the driest places many of these spiders have been able to find have been people’s houses. Residents of the Sydney area are finding swarms and swarms of spiders clinging to their walls, hiding in their garages, and seeking refuge from the flooded areas they normally call home. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4L5tZHwdLHY Making matters worse is the number of highly-venomous…
The New York Times has reported that the state of New York has reached a deal that would legalize recreational marijuana. According to the newspaper, this could create a $42 billion dollar industry, and create thousands of jobs for the state. In the deal, delivery of marijuana would be legalized, as would lounge-like spaces where pot could be consumed (although alcohol wouldn’t be served). It would also let residents grow up to six plants at home for personal use. Like alcohol, the law would make it legal for those over the age of twenty-one. One of the most high-profile benefits…
In a Twitter post, Celebrity Cruises revealed that they will start cruising again on June 6th. The inaugural post-pandemic cruise will be a seven-night journey around the Caribbean, launching from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. From there, the Celebrity Equinox will head to Nassau, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, and Costa Maya. https://twitter.com/CelebrityCruise/status/1372919306309283842?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Eembeddedtimeline%7Ctwterm%5Eprofile%3ACelebrityCruise%7Ctwcon%5Etimelinechrome&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.celebritycruisespresscenter.com%2F The cruise company has a full month of cruising following their maiden voyage. Here’s a brief look at Celebrity’s June 2021 schedule: June 7th: Bermuda June 13th: Eastern Caribbean, including Puerto Rico, British Virgin Islands, and St. Maarten June 20th: Bermuda and Newport, Rhode Island Also joining in on the June…
Iceland, the island nation known for hot springs, stunning landscapes, and being the place where much of Game of Thrones was filmed, has just opened its borders to international visitors. According to the government, anyone who has been fully vaccinated, or who has previously been infected with COVID-19, can now enter, as long as they’re able to provide proof of vaccination and/or prior infection. This is positive news that shows governments feel tourism will return quickly. It’s also a great indication of what’s to come. As more and more of the world gets vaccinated, more borders will continue to open,…
As COVID-19 vaccines are distributed around the world, each country is dealing with the rollout differently. Here’s a look at eight different countries around the world, and how they’re handling the lofty process of getting their populations vaccinated. Most important to note is that each country is also entering this new phase of the pandemic with its own unique history and governments, creating a diverse array of responses to the pandemic. New Zealand New Zealand just started vaccinating citizens at the end of February. Their vaccination process will be slower and less urgent than most other nations given that they’ve…
A new survey conducted by the Travel Leaders Network, North America’s largest network of travel agencies, reveals that Americans are ready to get back to exploring the world. The TLN surveyed past and present clients to gauge on how the public feels about vaccines and travel in 2021, here’s what they discovered: · 85% said they plan to get vaccinated (or already have been). · One in three have already booked their next vacation. · 62% are planning to take their next vacation in 2021. · 44% said “exploring new places” is what they miss most about traveling. · 62%…
Last year, residents of Key West voted to limit the amount of cruise ship activity in their port. According to The Miami Herald, “They capped the number of passengers that can disembark each day to 1,500, limited mooring to ships with a capacity of 1,300, and gave docking priorities to cruise lines with the best health and environmental records.” However, Florida’s government doesn’t like this. They see this as a loss of potential profits for the state. So, despite the fact that Republicans claim to hate big government, the Republican-controlled Florida House and Senate have drafted a bill that says…
Lexus has teamed up with the wellness site mindbodygreen to create unique road trips for travelers in need of rejuvenation and relaxation. The new itineraries, called Retreats in Motion, will send drivers on scenic trips across California. Each journey will begin at a luxury hotel, and then travelers will be equipped with a Lexus to traverse to their second hotel destination. Along the way, suggested stop-off points will provided, as will guided meditation sessions, enlightening podcasts, sound baths which utilize Lexus’ surround-sound speakers, and more. Currently, three journeys throughout California are being offered: Napa Valley to Pebble Beach For…
Digital vaccine passports should be ready to use by May, 2021. The IATA (International Air Transport Association) is one step closer to getting their vaccine passport app used by airlines around the world. CNBC announced that the app, which will contain passenger’s COVID test and vaccination records, is being piloted by Singapore Airlines on their Singapore-Longdon Heathrow route. Thirty other airlines, including Air New Zealand and Abu Dhabi’s Etihad, will also be running trials of the app throughout March and April. If all goes well, it’s possible that we could see widespread use of the app by this summer. However,…
The hotel travel site, Booking.com is celebrating Women’s History Month by highlighting the places that have shaped and inspired some of the greatest women of our generation. From New York to California, here are a few must-visit destinations and the women who helped change them forever. Kamala Harris The Bay Area Kamala Harris is truly a woman of the Bay Area. She was born Oakland, raised in Berkeley, and after getting her education at Howard and Harvard, she returned to work in San Francisco as District Attorney. The megalopolis of cities blends together, combining a wide array of art,…
Premium Economy is the bridge between Business class and Economy. The cabin configuration is known for slightly wider seats with a few extra inches of legroom, as well as bigger IFE systems, footrests, and improved dining and drinks (most PE cabins serve meals using real silverware, linen napkins, and actual dishware.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVVNFFzU4kY In general, the new seating class has been hailed by travelers as being a more affordable option for those who want more room and comfort (especially while making journeys on ultra-long-haul routes like Los Angeles to Melbourne or Auckland to Dubai). However, a new start-up, Zephyr Aerospace, wants…
Many travelers are looking for safe, fun places to visit during spring break 2021, whether that be through RVs, luxury yurts, or unique cabins. What better way to welcome the warmer spring weather than by vacationing in the heart of nature? Here are five awesome spring break destinations that are unique, exciting, and socially-distanced. Dry Tortugas National Park About 68 miles west of Key West lies a small archipelago of islands that make up Dry Tortugas National Park. The islands are a snorkeler’s dream, and one even houses the historic Fort Jefferson, which was built back in the 1860s.…
Passport magazine teamed up with the IGLTA (International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association) to survey the LGBTQ community and hear their thoughts on travel and the coronavirus vaccine for 2021. Fortunately, it seems that the community’s spirits haven’t been dampened. Over 60,000 people were surveyed to discover how soon they’ll want to travel, how confident they are in the vaccine, where they plan to go first, and more. Here’s what LGBTQ travelers had to say… Overwhelming Confidence in the Vaccine An absolutely overwhelming majority of LGBTQ travelers have faith in the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. In fact, 79.3% reported that…
The celebration, which is being called Yardi Gras, has enticed over 3,000 homeowners to transform their yards into a festive, exciting Carnivale! Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, New Orleans’ famous Mardi Gras parade and celebration had to be canceled this year. Naturally, being New Orleans, the city’s residents found a new way to celebrate the holiday. This year, locals are turning their homes into floats. Some are even going to toss beads at passerbys from their front porches! It’s sure to be a fun and cheeky way to celebrate Mardi Gras, despite the pandemic. It could even help more people…
The hope of creating a reliable “vaccine passport” started in April of 2020. In theory, it would be a document that showed whether you’ve been vaccinated, and are therefore (most likely) immune to the current strains of the novel coronavirus. The questions everyone is asking are: Who will be in charge of making the vaccine passports? Who will accept them? How will people get one? And how do we prevent people from making counterfeits? Sadly, the answers are not clear. Like all things during the COVID-19 pandemic, the process of creating a universal, efficient vaccine passport is going to challenging.…
Louisville is Kentucky’s largest city. It’s known for horse racing, distilleries, baseball, and a history where cultures merged to create a booming metropolis. Visitors have a lot to see and do in Louisville. From an exceptional gastropub scene, to historical museums and numerous sporting events, there’s always something going on. Louisville is also filled with amazing stories about the lives of Black Americans. From expert bartenders to a forgotten baseball team, here are some excellent ways to explore Black history in Lousiville, Kentucky. The Ideal Bartender Experience One of the numerous events that make up the Evan Williams Bourbon…
The Key West International Airport has a new visitor roaming the terminal and gate areas called R2Key2. It’s a robot that releases a high-intensity ultraviolet UV-C wavelength that helps remove 99.9% of harmful pathogens (including the novel coronavirus) from the air and surfaces. In fact, according to officials, the robot can disinfect the entire airport’s surfaces in just two and a half hours. Last month, Key West launched a contest asking people from around the country to help give this new robot a name. After all, a COVID-fighting robot deserves a good name, right? Each applicant who suggested a name was…
The world has many famous island destinations, but these storied getaways are also home to crowds of tourist. Some have experienced the impacts of overtourism, and many of them are extremely expensive. So, why not avoid the crowds and high prices and head to some of the world’s lesser-known islands instead. These destinations are gorgeous, full of opportunity, and are guaranteed to offer a lifetime of memories. Here are five islands you need to check out! Norfolk Island Norfolk Island is a weird little place. Located between Australia, New Zealand, and New Caledonia, the island is actually an Australian…