As travelers, we all need to accept one dire fact: climate change is here, and it’s having a devastating effect upon our planet. In fact, the impacts of climate change have become so normal that most people don’t even think about them anymore. Massive floods in Venice are now commonplace. State parks and National Forests are routinely closed in California because of forest fires. And ski season seems to get shorter and shorter. Below are three case studies to give you a closer look at the way climate change is impacting travel and the planet, and what you as a…
Author: Keith Langston
America has had one of the worst coronavirus outbreaks on the entire planet. Add to that the new, highly-infectious mutated strains of the coronavirus sprouting up all over the world, and we have ourselves a looming disaster. Fortunately, the Biden administration is taking extra precautions to help curb the spread of the virus. Here are the new travel rules that you need to know: Travel Bans President Biden will be enacting a travel ban from 30 different countries around the world, including Brazil, the UK, Ireland, and South Africa. The reason for this is because these nations are experiencing…
As the pandemic finally starts to come to an end, Americans are once again dreaming of future travel. The vacation rental website KOALA has released a study that lists the top-searched destinations on their website. They isolated search results originating from America to create their ranking of the top 10 destinations Americans plan to visit in the future. From tropical getaways to ancient islands, here are the places Americans are dreaming about. Iceland 189,100 searches It’s no wonder why Iceland made the Top 10 list. The island nation is an outdoors paradise, loaded with epic hiking trails, hot springs,…
Now, more than ever, travelers are actively seeking to re-enter the world as better, more conscious adventurers. They’re looking for true moments of authenticity, while also hoping to limit the amount of damage they’re doing to the environment around them. In this new movement of sustainable tourism and regenerative tourism, many people have become interested in the idea of taking a walking safari to get a more intimate, less intrusive experience with wildlife. So, what is a walking safari and why are they better? What is a walking safari? A walking safari is exactly what it sounds like, it’s…
A new development firm, EQ Office, is in the final stages of its $500 million renovations of Chicago’s famous Willis Tower, formerly known as Sears Tower. To celebrate, the company hired famed artist Olafur Eliasson to create a stunning piece of public art for the city. Eliasson’s creation, called Atmospheric wave wall, was inspired by Lake Michigan and Chicago’s famously unpredictable weather. The waves are made from curved tiles colored in blues, deep greens, and white. Reflections of the sun, clouds, and moon all make different shapes and patterns become more prominent, making the piece of art look different every…
According to The New York Times, it’s been announced that a new rule will be going into effect on January 26th, stating that international passengers arriving into the United States from all destinations will be required to provide a negative COVID test before boarding their flight. The test must be taken no more than 72 hours before departure. The new policy will replace the current measures which assign different protocols depending on the origin of the flight. The news comes as new strains of the coronavirus spread around the world. The highly-contagious UK strain is just one of multiple new…
The yearly ranking of the best passports from the Henley Passport Index has been released. Is your country one of the top 5? Henley attributes a passport’s “power” to its ability to create ease of travel. A point is given to a passport for every destination a citizen can visit visa-free, or who gets a visa on arrival, an electronic travel authority, or a visitor’s permit. A passport doesn’t receive a point for every destination that requires a visa, an e-visa, or government approval before entering. Here are the top five most powerful passports for 2021: 1.) Japan – 191…
As the pandemic continues into 2021, outdoor recreation, RVing, and camping are expected to remain the most popular types of travel throughout the year. Luckily, The National Park Service has just announced six days throughout 2021 where parks will allow free entry! The days are: January 18 April 17 August 4 August 25 September 25 November 11 The fee-free days are an excellent way for budget travelers to see over 400 National Parks, the most popular of which normally charge an entrance fee. That means free visits to parks like Denali, the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, the Everglades, and…
Many people in the USA are beginning to travel again. In fact, December 28th saw the highest number of airport passengers since the pandemic began back in March. If you have to travel during the pandemic, the CDC has offered guidelines on how to do it as safely as possible. Here are their recommendations: Before You Travel Wear a mask: The best way to keep yourself safe is to wear a mask. If you’re planning on traveling, especially if you’re traveling somewhere to meet up with loved ones, it’s important you do everything you can before you travel to…
Everyone in the United States, and around the world, wants to know: “When will I be able get the COVID-19 vaccine?” The World Health Organization has created an action plan of how nations can best distribute vaccines, telling them to prioritize at-risk groups like the elderly, those in longterm care facilities, healthcare workers, socioeconomic groups with disproportionate risks to COVID-19, those living in group environments (like inmates, as well as those living dormitories, military bases, and so forth), frontline workers, people with preexisting conditions, and those living in high-density cities. However, the WHO can only advise, they can’t implement a global…
Shortly after the pandemic began, cruise lines around the world began touting that COVID testing, along with safety protocols such as mandating a pre-boarding quarantine period would be the key to allowing cruise ships to resume sailing the seas. However, testing isn’t always accurate, people lie about getting tested, people don’t wear masks, and they don’t adhere to the pre-boarding quarantine. Now that vaccines have started being distributed throughout the US and UK, cruise ship companies are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. In a blog post on the Royal Caribbean website, the company’s CEO, Richard…
The new CNBC series, Streets of Dreams with Marcus Lemonis sets out on December 29th to explore the most influential and moneymaking streets in America. Host Marcus Lemonis will travel from coast to coast to discover where the country’s deals go down, from Music Row in Nashville to Manhattan’s Diamond District, and even the multi-billion dollar pot industry on Denver’s “Green Mile”. The series looks to be both informative and exciting, while also quenching the wanderlust of travelers who are looking for the next great travel program. In fact, the series is even helmed by the Emmy-winning producers who created…
Without a national mandate for COVID-19 testing and travel, it’s hard to navigate the murky world of flying during the coronavirus pandemic. We’ve compiled a list of airports that offer COVID testing (or that will soon) in order to help you make better decisions about traveling safely. Airports offering COVID-19 testing: Alaska: Juneau International – Click here Anchorage – Click here Arizona: Pheonix – Click here California: Los Angeles LAX – Click here Oakland – Click here San Diego – Currently only for Alaska Airlines passengers heading to Hawaii – but the airport says broader testing will begin in early…
Manhattan is often considered the center of the universe, at least by the people who live there. The city has over 6,000 high-rise buildings and one of the most beautiful skylines on the entire planet. Could there be a better experience than viewing the gorgeous, glowing New York landscape at over 1,131 feet in the air? If you want to experience the views firsthand, head for The Edge. To celebrate the holidays, The Edge, the tallest outdoor observation deck in the city, is decking the halls and trimming the trees. They’ve lit up more than 50,000 Christmas lights, have…
2020 has been the year of “doomscrolling”, where social media feeds and news sites show almost nothing but horribly depressing news. But what if there was an alternative to that? What if you couldn’t just doomscroll, but could also go joyscrolling? That’s exactly what a team in Iceland decided to make happen with Joyscroll.com. Joyscrolling is a new experience where you can explore the sights, sounds, and flavors of Iceland, all without leaving the comfort of your snuggly blankets. The website is both web and mobile compatible and allows you to scroll your way through thermal pools, whale songs, seafood…
The National Parks Conservation Association, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving America’s natural and cultural history, has created a gift guide that provides excellent gift ideas for everyone on your list…plus, proceeds from these items go back to noble causes that will help keep America wild for generations to come! Winter Wear to Protect Our Parks The NPCA makes their own cozy hoodies and long sleeve crewnecks that are both warm yet flexible, making them perfect for an autumn or spring day, or for wearing under a jacket during the winter. Not only are they comfortable, but the awesome bear…
If you have a trip planned to Walt Disney World Resort and/or Universal Parks and Resorts in Orlando anytime soon, chances are that you are debating whether it is safe or even worth it to make the trip during the pandemic. Fortunately, both parks have worked diligently to help make that decision a little easier. Disney and Universal have gone above and beyond to do everything possible to improve and maintain safety and hygiene procedures so you can still relax and enjoy your vacation. “We are inviting our guests back to our theme parks in a cautious and thoughtful way,”…
SWISS International Air Lines has announced that to increase passenger assurance they are extending their free booking policy through to the end of February. That means that currently, anyone who purchases a ticket can change their travel dates as many times as they wish until February 28th. After that, all ticket holders, even those passengers with the lowest, carry-on-only tickets, will be granted one additional date change to their ticket. This is the perfect option for anyone looking to snag low fares to Europe for 2021. Simply buy your ticket now and then switch your date further into the year, depending…
Because of the ongoing pandemic, some people won’t be traveling home this holiday season. Luckily, there are wonderful holiday activities in cities all across America, so no matter where you are, you too can celebrate the holidays in style. Here are some of the best activities from around the country. New York City New York City is famous for its holiday spectaculars, and despite COVID, this year will be no different. Residents can still be amazed by the dazzling tree at Rockafeller Center and the magnificently decorated storefronts at Macy’s, Saks Fifth Ave, and more. On top of that,…
Wednesday, November 25th became the busiest travel day since before the COVID-19 lockdowns in March. According to NBCNews, on Wednesday, 1.1 million travelers made their way through airports, the highest number since mid-March. March 16, 2020, saw 1.25 million passengers pass through airports before lockdown restrictions were placed around the country. In total, the week before Thanksgiving saw 6.7 million airport visitors, despite calls from health officials to not travel home for the holidays. The record is bittersweet. On one hand, it represents America’s undying need to travel, to see family, and to connect with loved ones. On the other, many…