What are your travel plans in 2021 and beyond?

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flyingaway
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Re: What are your travel plans in 2021 and beyond?

Post by flyingaway »

Harri88 wrote: Sun Jun 06, 2021 9:14 am
wabbott wrote: Thu Jun 03, 2021 10:36 pm
Harri88 wrote: Thu Jun 03, 2021 7:41 pm For 2021:
The wife and I are fully vaccinated, and trip 1 was to Destin to chill on the beach for a week. Did that in May. Trip 2 is a family reunion in TN in July for a long weekend. Looking forward to that. Havent seen my Sister and her family in a couple years.

Trip 3 we are headed to Moab(Arches and Canyon lands) in late August, then to Ouray Colorado via Imogene pass. Doing a little Jeeping :happy , then to Castle Rock to Visit Brother in-law before heading home.

For 2022: Hawaii to see our Son. He lives in Honolulu. After that we will have to see.
McGuire's in Destin is very, very good. Lots of food and relatively decent prices. And they don't do reservations.
Agree, McGuires is really good and recommended. Anytime we visit, it is one of our restaurant stops.
Just checked the hotels in Destin the other day, the prices seriously shocked me.
Harri88
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Re: What are your travel plans in 2021 and beyond?

Post by Harri88 »

flyingaway wrote: Sun Jun 06, 2021 9:39 am
Harri88 wrote: Sun Jun 06, 2021 9:14 am
wabbott wrote: Thu Jun 03, 2021 10:36 pm
Harri88 wrote: Thu Jun 03, 2021 7:41 pm For 2021:
The wife and I are fully vaccinated, and trip 1 was to Destin to chill on the beach for a week. Did that in May. Trip 2 is a family reunion in TN in July for a long weekend. Looking forward to that. Havent seen my Sister and her family in a couple years.

Trip 3 we are headed to Moab(Arches and Canyon lands) in late August, then to Ouray Colorado via Imogene pass. Doing a little Jeeping :happy , then to Castle Rock to Visit Brother in-law before heading home.

For 2022: Hawaii to see our Son. He lives in Honolulu. After that we will have to see.
McGuire's in Destin is very, very good. Lots of food and relatively decent prices. And they don't do reservations.
Agree, McGuires is really good and recommended. Anytime we visit, it is one of our restaurant stops.
Just checked the hotels in Destin the other day, the prices seriously shocked me.
Now is their peak season. The place we stayed the price goes up around mid-may for their summer rates, but yes I think they are higher than they were 2 years ago. Maybe making up for lack of business from last year. It was also fairly crowded the week we were there, more than I recall from 2019.
bberris
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Re: What are your travel plans in 2021 and beyond?

Post by bberris »

I wagered $355 for chicago to Zurich roundtrip in September. It is not even opened to US citizens yet. I'm hoping for vaxports but I can always take the tests if I have to.
tonysk
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Re: What are your travel plans in 2021 and beyond?

Post by tonysk »

flyingaway wrote: Sun Jun 06, 2021 9:38 am
tonysk wrote: Sat Jun 05, 2021 10:46 pm Just got back from a wonderful month studying Spanish and traveling in Guatemala. East Africa for two months in the fall, then return to Central America in January to ride out the winter.
I am seriously thinking about visiting Guatemala (Antigua and Late Atitlan). Was it easy to get a virus test there to fly back to the US?
Centro de Salud in Antigua offers free COVID antigen test for hassle-free return.
Woodshark
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Re: What are your travel plans in 2021 and beyond?

Post by Woodshark »

We returned from 10 days in Belize a couple of weeks ago. It's open to double vac travelers from the US with almost no hassles. We stayed on the mainland for a few days then over on Ambergris Caye. The resorts were open, but most were almost empty. Many times we only saw one or two other couples at breakfast or dinner. It felt like the resort was exclusively for us. Often we "owned" the pool. The country does have a very strict mask requirement. They must be worn at all times you are in public, unless eating or drinking. This includes walking down the street by yourself. All the locals are taking it very seriously. The tourists....maybe 90%. Re-entry to the US still requires a covid test done within 72 hours. It costs $75 per person and is available at many clinics, the airports or can be arranged at your resort.

We are considering renting a house for month there next year.
JackoC
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Re: What are your travel plans in 2021 and beyond?

Post by JackoC »

Random Musings wrote: Tue Jun 01, 2021 9:08 pm
JackoC wrote: Tue Jun 01, 2021 8:42 pm
flyingaway wrote: Mon May 31, 2021 10:28 pm We just came back from a 10 day vacation in Las Vegas and the national parks. Las Vegas is packed with tourists, casinos are full. Most people do not wear masks. The Zion National Park was out of parking spots and denied more visitors at around 10:30AM on May 28. The Capital Reef National Park and the Canyonlands National Park are OK, but still have more visitors than before. The Arches National Park had a waiting time of about 30 minutes at the fee collecting stations. Parking spaces were full early at popular sites. We did some hiking in the Grand Staircase and Escalante National Monument, there were not many people there.
Going on 7k mile road trip starting later this week, will include Canyonlands while in UT. On our last long one (2019) went to Zion and it was packed. I think it was a weekend day, early May (May 28 was a Friday obviously), but from what I've heard that's standard there. Capitol Reef was far less crowded, by ourselves a lot of the time on trails immediately accessible from the main loop road, on a weekday though. Arches was crowded in 2015 when we went there. So I guess it's getting back to normal, or recent normal: the UT big 5 NP's (Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands and Arches) saw high growth in visitors last 10 yrs or so, I read. I hope Canyonlands isn't bad. We're also going to Canyons of the Ancients (SW Colorado), Goblin Valley State Park (not that far from Moab) and on to Great Basin NP (eastern NV) in the same general region. Those three are not generally known for crowds, hope so.

Moab hotel rates (for next week) quite high, partly offset it with accumulated points. Couldn't get a room in Baker NV where Great Basin is, then again there's one regular motel in that town with 10 rooms, the next town (Ely) is over an hour away, which helps keep GB not crowded.
We did the big five and North Rim Grand Canyon two summers ago in late June. Temperatures were comfortable. Went to Island in the Sky portion of Canyonlands, wasn't too busy except the Mesa Arch area. Neither was Goblin. At that time, Bryce was good, Capitol Reef was very quiet (we saw only one pair of hikers on two different trails), Arches was busy but still very enjoyable with no parking issues, and the North Rim always has about the same crowd and you can find privacy in many areas except around the lodge. For Zion, we visited the Kolub Canyons section which was relatively quiet, unlike the main Zion portion of the park where shuttles herd the masses around. I love Zion, but it's just too crowded, have to go off season. I am certainly glad we are avoiding those parks this year, I'm afraid, as someone once said, "Got a lot of catchin' up to do". Can't imagine what Yellowstone and Glacier will be like between July Fourth and Labor Day.
An update on Canyonlands and Arches, since we went to the former and passed by the latter today. A weekday, Arches 'park full' sign at 8:30 AM. :shock: Canyonlands 'Island in the Sky' section was well attended but we got a parking space at each trail head we went to, if barely in some cases. The 'easy' trails we did were crowded enough to detract a bit from the experience, to me, but the sights themselves are astonishing. The 'moderate' trails had few enough people to be fun hiking plus great sights. It's a matter of opinion of course how much crowds bug you. Also 'moderate' is according to what NPS says which is also subjective but it's a fact there were fewer people on those trails, especially later parts where you had to for example scramble up steep rock face. I suppose the 'difficult' trails per NPS would be no problem at all in terms of crowds.

Great Sand Dunes in CO was pretty crowded earlier in the week, though again a very small % of the people there climbed to the top of the first line of dunes, much smaller crowd on that hike. Overall it was terrific. On Sand Canyon Trail in Canyons of the Ancients Natl Monument we encountered literally nobody else until almost the end of our several mile (up and back) hike, seeing ancient native structures right up close: fantastic. I still expect no crowd at Great Basin tomorrow.
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Random Musings
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Re: What are your travel plans in 2021 and beyond?

Post by Random Musings »

JackoC wrote: Wed Jun 09, 2021 9:19 pm
An update on Canyonlands and Arches, since we went to the former and passed by the latter today. A weekday, Arches 'park full' sign at 8:30 AM. :shock: Canyonlands 'Island in the Sky' section was well attended but we got a parking space at each trail head we went to, if barely in some cases. The 'easy' trails we did were crowded enough to detract a bit from the experience, to me, but the sights themselves are astonishing. The 'moderate' trails had few enough people to be fun hiking plus great sights. It's a matter of opinion of course how much crowds bug you. Also 'moderate' is according to what NPS says which is also subjective but it's a fact there were fewer people on those trails, especially later parts where you had to for example scramble up steep rock face. I suppose the 'difficult' trails per NPS would be no problem at all in terms of crowds.

Great Sand Dunes in CO was pretty crowded earlier in the week, though again a very small % of the people there climbed to the top of the first line of dunes, much smaller crowd on that hike. Overall it was terrific. On Sand Canyon Trail in Canyons of the Ancients Natl Monument we encountered literally nobody else until almost the end of our several mile (up and back) hike, seeing ancient native structures right up close: fantastic. I still expect no crowd at Great Basin tomorrow.
There will be some people at Great Basin, but I'll also bet on no "crowd". 8:30 a.m. park full sign at Arches is crazy, Moab must be a zoo.

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dodecahedron
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Re: What are your travel plans in 2021 and beyond?

Post by dodecahedron »

Sticking with Amtrak Northeast Corridor and NY Empire Service destinations in 2021.

Not ready to make plans for 2022 yet.
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wabbott
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Re: What are your travel plans in 2021 and beyond?

Post by wabbott »

luminous wrote: Tue Jun 01, 2021 12:47 am
wabbott wrote: Mon May 31, 2021 9:14 pm
luminous wrote: Mon May 31, 2021 8:06 pm
wabbott wrote: Mon May 31, 2021 10:29 am We had made our Yosemite/Sequoia lodge reservations a year ago, which is why I was reluctant to delay our trip. The Yosemite lodge reservations included the park reservations. Be sure to print out a copy to show at the gate. It was notable the delay getting into Yosemite - about a 3 hour line. They check your ID and reservations, record you license plate, etc.
Yikes, 3 hours! We are traveling to Yosemite soon and unfortunately are staying outside of the park. Can I ask what time of day you experienced a 3 hour line, so we can try to go earlier than that?
This was on Monday, 5/24/21 at about Noon. We had left Sequoia at 6 AM, stopped in Fresno to do laundry, eat breakfast, go to Wally World, etc, and I began to notice some red traffic on Google Maps at the South Entrance on Wawona Road. We got to the Awahnee at about 4 PM. Two of the three booths were open - I'm sure the NPS is short-handed just like the restaurants. I don't know if there were delays at the El Portal entrance.

I suggest you monitor Google Maps or Waze at different times of the day to get a feel for when the most congestion may be. I had neglected to do that, so I suspect a very early start in the day will be worthwhile.
This is great information and advice. Thank you!
How did your Yosemite NP visit go? Have you ever been before this visit? I want to know all about it, and add your impressions to our next visit.
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luminous
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Re: What are your travel plans in 2021 and beyond?

Post by luminous »

wabbott wrote: Fri Jun 11, 2021 8:02 pm
luminous wrote: Tue Jun 01, 2021 12:47 am
wabbott wrote: Mon May 31, 2021 9:14 pm
luminous wrote: Mon May 31, 2021 8:06 pm
wabbott wrote: Mon May 31, 2021 10:29 am We had made our Yosemite/Sequoia lodge reservations a year ago, which is why I was reluctant to delay our trip. The Yosemite lodge reservations included the park reservations. Be sure to print out a copy to show at the gate. It was notable the delay getting into Yosemite - about a 3 hour line. They check your ID and reservations, record you license plate, etc.
Yikes, 3 hours! We are traveling to Yosemite soon and unfortunately are staying outside of the park. Can I ask what time of day you experienced a 3 hour line, so we can try to go earlier than that?
This was on Monday, 5/24/21 at about Noon. We had left Sequoia at 6 AM, stopped in Fresno to do laundry, eat breakfast, go to Wally World, etc, and I began to notice some red traffic on Google Maps at the South Entrance on Wawona Road. We got to the Awahnee at about 4 PM. Two of the three booths were open - I'm sure the NPS is short-handed just like the restaurants. I don't know if there were delays at the El Portal entrance.

I suggest you monitor Google Maps or Waze at different times of the day to get a feel for when the most congestion may be. I had neglected to do that, so I suspect a very early start in the day will be worthwhile.
This is great information and advice. Thank you!
How did your Yosemite NP visit go? Have you ever been before this visit? I want to know all about it, and add your impressions to our next visit.
It was phenomenal. Traffic was light for us and there was never a backup to enter, leave, or get around the park. We entered around 8am each day via the El Portal entrance, since we stayed at an Airbnb outside the park near Mariposa.

The crowds were thick at Vernal Falls and Yosemite Falls but everywhere else the hiking and sightseeing was “normal regional park” levels of crowded, and there were plenty of times we didn’t see anyone for stretches.

The weather was also perfect, high in the mid-70s or low 80s F. We packed in lunch and snacks and ate on the trail, which helped us avoid crowds as well. My kids aren’t old enough to be vaccinated yet so avoiding crowds was important to us. Not to mention that the park is just more magical with fewer people around.

We had been to Yosemite once before many years ago, so it was almost like going for the first time. We are definitely planning to go back again someday.
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bberris
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Re: What are your travel plans in 2021 and beyond?

Post by bberris »

bberris wrote: Sun Jun 06, 2021 3:28 pm I wagered $355 for chicago to Zurich roundtrip in September. It is not even opened to US citizens yet. I'm hoping for vaxports but I can always take the tests if I have to.
And now comes the mysteries of international travel bureaucracy. Starting July 1, vaxed US citizens can enter Switzerland as tourists, but only by land (car, train, boat, walk ... I guess). My ticket connects in Lisbon. So if I had bought one to Basel (the airport is in France), I would be ok.

I suspect this is a negotiating tactic to get the US to open to Swiss flights.
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ResearchMed
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Re: What are your travel plans in 2021 and beyond?

Post by ResearchMed »

bberris wrote: Sun Jun 13, 2021 6:57 am
bberris wrote: Sun Jun 06, 2021 3:28 pm I wagered $355 for chicago to Zurich roundtrip in September. It is not even opened to US citizens yet. I'm hoping for vaxports but I can always take the tests if I have to.
And now comes the mysteries of international travel bureaucracy. Starting July 1, vaxed US citizens can enter Switzerland as tourists, but only by land (car, train, boat, walk ... I guess). My ticket connects in Lisbon. So if I had bought one to Basel (the airport is in France), I would be ok.

I suspect this is a negotiating tactic to get the US to open to Swiss flights.
[emphasis added]

That "land boat" sounds like an interesting way to enter Switzerland. Maybe they use those amphibious 'duck boats' to cross borders now? :wink:

Hope you get to do the trip and have a great time!

RM
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JD2775
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Re: What are your travel plans in 2021 and beyond?

Post by JD2775 »

No real plans yet but this new Amtrak deal is kind of intriguing...

https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel ... -pass-sale

Take 2-3 weeks and go see a bunch of the US by train, never done that before
Every things free
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Re: What are your travel plans in 2021 and beyond?

Post by Every things free »

June 2021. Silverton, Colorado. Yesterday we did the Alpine Loop in our Honda side x side. We do it every year. Look it up. It's a trip of a life time. If you don't own one you can rent one in Silverton.

September 2021. Holland America to Alaska.
March 2021. Holland America west coast of America.

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flyingaway
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Re: What are your travel plans in 2021 and beyond?

Post by flyingaway »

Changed plan for the 4th of July trip, no longer drive to Tampa, FL.

New plan: Drive to Asheville, NC, then to Charleston, SC, for two nights. Amelia Island, Jacksonville, FL, for one night. The Great Smoky Mountain, Cherokee, NC, for another night.
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Re: What are your travel plans in 2021 and beyond?

Post by stoptothink »

Every things free wrote: Sun Jun 13, 2021 10:53 am June 2021. Silverton, Colorado. Yesterday we did the Alpine Loop in our Honda side x side. We do it every year. Look it up. It's a trip of a life time. If you don't own one you can rent one in Silverton.
I'm ~3 miles from Utah's Alpine Loop, but it isn't anything like that. That looks awesome, definitely adding it to the bucket list.
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22twain
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Re: What are your travel plans in 2021 and beyond?

Post by 22twain »

22twain wrote: Wed Mar 17, 2021 5:32 pm I have a major hobby-related convention in Chicago, in August, which is apparently "on", but may be canceled if conditions worsen. I normally drive to these things (2 days each way in this case), so I don't need to reserve travel in advance. I'll just wait and see what develops.
The convention has been officially "on" since last month. Now I'm starting to look at hotels in the Rosemont / O'Hare area, and maybe book something this week. I want to do other stuff in Chicagoland besides the convention, so I'm passing on the convention hotels. I don't want to pay $29 per night just for parking, if I'm going to be there a week or so. :annoyed
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ScaledWheel
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Re: What are your travel plans in 2021 and beyond?

Post by ScaledWheel »

Traveling in July to one of the EU countries that is open to vaccinated Americans. Hoping that just maybe the "high season" will be a bit muted. Still planning on masking up everywhere but outside, which is where we'll be spending the majority of our time anyway.
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Vacations Plans?

Post by tomsense76 »

[Thread merged into here --admin LadyGeek]

Curious what vacations people are planning. Inside the US or outside? Rough time of year?

Am struggling a bit to come up with a vacation plan. Just not sure what's open, what restrictions there are, where one could go that doesn't involve too much wait time (quarantining, testings, etc.), whether it would be better to go now or wait a bit, etc.. Have traveled plenty in years before, but am hitting a bit of a wall. Did a few staycations during the pandemic, but think I need to get out of the house. Hoping hearing about others plans will provide some inspiration :happy

Thanks in advance for your thoughts! :sharebeer
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Re: Vacations Plans?

Post by livesoft »

Backpacking. In the mountains. There's bears out there. No waiting. No schedule.
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IMO
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Re: Vacations Plans?

Post by IMO »

Rental car issues (rates/availability) are personally affecting vacation plans. Looking at doing trips that we can take our own car for now. Hopefully that will change soon.
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GerryL
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Re: Vacations Plans?

Post by GerryL »

I am scheduled for my first post-lockdown international trip in October. Paris/Normandy. Not when I would have chosen, but the company that has my money said "You will never see your money again. Take this 'rescheduled' trip. Or give us more money for a different trip that you would never sign up for in the first place." So, Paris in late October. I'm not stressing (or rejoicing) much about conditions on the ground or in the air since so much can change in the intervening months.

In the meantime, I'm getting my feet wet with a 2-night driving trip to Central Oregon (for a fossil dig) next week. It'll be my first nights away from my own bed since March 2020. Then next month I will fly to SoCal to visit family. I'd thought about going by car and enjoying the Coast for a few days, but people pointed out that I might have trouble getting (affordable) lodging along the way.

I think that may be enough. Deposits paid for two international trips 2022.
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Re: Vacations Plans?

Post by novemberrain »

:sharebeer
Last edited by novemberrain on Mon Oct 31, 2022 1:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
THY4373
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Re: Vacations Plans?

Post by THY4373 »

Greece in September. I cannot wait. Going to do some island hopping in the Cyclades and then spend a few days on the mainland. I chose this because one they opened up, two United put on direct flights to Athens from Dulles with plenty of almost never seen saver level award space in business class and because I wouldn't have to rent a car so I can avoid the rental car apocalypse. Iceland was actually a leading contender but a rental car was pretty much critical there. Prices were at least equal too if not cheaper than pre-COVID for lodging.
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Re: Vacations Plans?

Post by THY4373 »

GerryL wrote: Thu Jun 17, 2021 7:12 pm I am scheduled for my first post-lockdown international trip in October. Paris/Normandy. Not when I would have chosen....
Honestly you may like it, I actually prefer going to Europe outside of summer due to far less crowds and I prefer the cooler temperatures.
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Doom&Gloom
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Re: Vacations Plans?

Post by Doom&Gloom »

Three-week US roadtrip in September. All reservations can be cancelled or refunded without penalty.
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GerryL
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Re: Vacations Plans?

Post by GerryL »

THY4373 wrote: Thu Jun 17, 2021 7:25 pm
GerryL wrote: Thu Jun 17, 2021 7:12 pm I am scheduled for my first post-lockdown international trip in October. Paris/Normandy. Not when I would have chosen....
Honestly you may like it, I actually prefer going to Europe outside of summer due to far less crowds and I prefer the cooler temperatures.
I've been in Paris in late October(s). Can be glorious. Can be very cold and/or very wet. It's like Forrest Gump's box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get.
runner3081
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Re: Vacations Plans?

Post by runner3081 »

Heading to a higher elevation where temps will be in the 90s, not 115. 1.5 hour drive.

Nice little cabin by a river for 7 nights.

Hoping for no forest fires though.

Cheap vacation, we booked before everyone started raising prices.
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Re: Vacations Plans?

Post by Nate79 »

We just got back from Orlando. Great vacation, everything open.
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GerryL
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Re: Vacations Plans?

Post by GerryL »

novemberrain wrote: Thu Jun 17, 2021 7:14 pm Driving out 3-4 hour radius.

Horrendous prices at hotels though. I feel hotel prices have become 2X or 4X from pre-covid times.
Air fares, too. My usual nonstop to SoCal (John Wayne) is double what I am used to paying a week before Thanksgiving. Chose 1-stop flights that are not quite as bad. But I keep getting emails about great fares ... starting in September.
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ResearchMed
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Re: Vacations Plans?

Post by ResearchMed »

We finally decided it was time to live on the edge again :D so last week, we risked it all and drove just under 2 hours to a favorite little B&B near some water. That charming and quaint inn has individual window AC units; no HVAC shared air.
We still haven't even gone into a grocery store, but we have gone to a handful (if that many) medical appointments, and even dashed into a pharmacy for an Rx that couldn't wait for delivery.

It felt very strange.
We kept our masks on, except in our room or when we ventured out to have dinner at a favorite restaurant, in the open air, on the deck overlooking the water.
It was wonderful.
It was mid-week, and the place was almost deserted, which was just fine.

But then we keep reading about variants, and those can't be predicted anyway.
Sigh.
We are extra spooked because in Dec, 2019, I was carried off a flight from Hong Kong, and spent about 10 days on oxygen. It wasn't pleasant and it got scary at one point. We'll never know if.... :?:
But neither of us wants anything like that again, and we are high risk, although vaccinated.

We have plans for Hawaii in December, with hotel reservations and plane tickets. The former allowed no deposit until 2 weeks in advance, and the latter were with awards, so just a modest fee to change or re-bank the awards.
We are assuming that we won't be going, but we also don't need to cancel anything yet.

However, we REALLY miss our big trips.

RM
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tibbitts
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Re: Vacations Plans?

Post by tibbitts »

No inspiration here. I haven't been anywhere since early March 2020, and don't have any plans to. I went to a local business opening event last week and it seemed so strange, being around all those people (a couple of hundred.) Everything seems too limited or complicated now. I have free hotel nights expiring this month but don't have anywhere I especially want to go; same story with "free" airfare expiring next month. The hotel nights I might try to give away to someone I know; the airfare isn't transferrable. I'm dealing with extensive storm damage to my house, so it's not like I don't have anything to do, although I might put that off for a year or two and see if prices come down, especially for the work that insurance won't cover (insurance allows 24 months.)

I retired a couple of months before the pandemic, and in the first two months took two cruises and three road trips. I had so much travel planned for 2020, but it just doesn't seem the same any longer.

On the positive side I'm saving lots of money compared to what I'd hoped to be spending, although that doesn't feel like an accomplishment.
YeahBuddy
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Re: Vacations Plans?

Post by YeahBuddy »

Backyard with the kids and wife in our new (hand me down) pool. Several of their friends over. No quarantining, delays, or expenses beyond liquid chlorine and electricity! The best.
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Watty
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Re: Vacations Plans?

Post by Watty »

Two beach vacations that are within driving distance are scheduled so far.
theplayer11
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Re: Vacations Plans?

Post by theplayer11 »

Booked Madrid for Jan months ago with a return 17 days later. Haven't decided on what countries to visit from there. Thinking Croatia for one.
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Re: Vacations Plans?

Post by stoptothink »

I'm in Moab right now on a week-long hiking/biking vacation with my wife and kids. We're staying at a resort community where there are two pools and countless trails within walking distance, there are no restrictions here whatsoever and that doesn't bother us. While we'd enjoy having them to ourselves, the trails are packed with people and we couldn't be happier. While we'll likely do plenty of camping this summer, our next planned trip is to St. George around right after Christmas.
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Re: Vacations Plans?

Post by iamlucky13 »

I've got several local camping trips planned. That's the type of vacation that tends to fit my interests and budget well.

It was more difficult than usual last year and this year to reserve camping spots, because more people are interested due to limited alternative activities. So I wouldn't recommend camping if it's not your normal interest because (a) there will likely be more hassle than usual and (b) it competes with my camping plans. :mrgreen:

Beyond that, one trip to visit family in another state around the holidays for the first time in several years.

Last fall, we booked a night in a nice local hotel in a pleasant part of town just to have a change in scenery. It was significantly more than we would typically spend on a hotel, but still significantly cheaper than traveling. I normally scoff at the idea of paying for a hotel room either as a luxury experience or when not actually traveling, much less both! Yet I will admit, under the circumstance it was really nice to "get away" by merely a 30 minute drive.
tomsense76 wrote: Thu Jun 17, 2021 6:58 pmJust not sure what's open, what restrictions there are, where one could go that doesn't involve too much wait time (quarantining, testings, etc.)
Someone please correct me if I am mistaken, but my understanding is that if you are fully vaccinated (and willing to share that status - I know different people have different comfort levels with sharing personal information - personally I'm more willing to wear a mask than to further the precedence of my employer seeking healthcare information), no test is required to fly within the US, except to Hawaii.

If you are not vaccinated, I am having trouble finding clear information on airline websites. The CDC lists testing and a 7-day quarantine on arrival as "recommendations" for unvaccinated travelers. Airlines could have a testing policy, but wouldn't have anything authority over a quarantine on arrival. Because the airlines mainly talk about testing requirements for entering the US, but not for travelling within the US, it appears to me they are not mandating testing for vaccinated domestic passengers?

The US does still require testing for entering the US from foreign locations, and the reciprocal or in some cases more restrictions apply entering other countries.
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tooluser
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Re: Vacations Plans?

Post by tooluser »

livesoft wrote: Thu Jun 17, 2021 7:04 pm Backpacking. In the mountains. There's bears out there. No waiting. No schedule.
I picture them all lined up, bibbed and ready to eat the unwary hikers.
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Pete12
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Re: Vacations Plans?

Post by Pete12 »

Hawaii at the end of August. Staying on Maui in a beachfront condo. Rental car booked back in January before prices sky rocketed, hope there is a car waiting for us when we arrive!
30west
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Re: Vacations Plans?

Post by 30west »

Just returned from Honalulu today. Except for covid test checkpoint at airport, things were mostly normal. Some popular restaurants had long waits due to reduced seating. Reservations or less popular places will avoid the wait. I did not need a car.
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tooluser
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Re: Vacations Plans?

Post by tooluser »

iamlucky13 wrote: Thu Jun 17, 2021 9:07 pm Last fall, we booked a night in a nice local hotel in a pleasant part of town just to have a change in scenery. It was significantly more than we would typically spend on a hotel, but still significantly cheaper than traveling. I normally scoff at the idea of paying for a hotel room either as a luxury experience or when not actually traveling, much less both! Yet I will admit, under the circumstance it was really nice to "get away" by merely a 30 minute drive.
I've had to vacate my house and be in a local hotel for a day or two a few times (termite tenting, whole house sewer backup) and I found it delightful to get a different perspective by staying in a nicer place as well. I even took time off work to get some extra fresh air and exercise during the day, eat out, and enjoy life without many obligations for just a little bit.

Still, for me nothing replaces a leisurely roadtrip. Drive 4 or 5 hours taking the whole day, seeing some things along the way, then stay in one place and explore for a few days before moving on. Repeat for 2-3 weeks total duration. I like to have a couple of daily goals, morning and afternoon. Some advance planning helps to avoid "What do we do now?" syndrome that can end up as TV watching on the hotel bed if you're not careful.

To the OP's question: I am looking at two road trips out and back somewhere TBD about 1500 miles from L.A. I have lots of vacation built up from last year and will need to burn it before I (hopefully) retire this fall. My main problem is that I've already been practically everywhere within 1000 miles.
atl2005
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Re: Vacations Plans?

Post by atl2005 »

Leaving this weekend for St. John. It's our favorite place we try to go every summer if possible. Going down to Destin with some family in a couple months and have a ski tripped booked for Park City in February.

Lots of beach weekend trips and hopefully some college football game weekends in between.
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ram
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Re: Vacations Plans?

Post by ram »

Just returned from a 5000 mile round trip by road. Hotel prices $300 to 500 in California. $90 in Chamberlain, South Dakota.
Guaranteed rental car not available in San Francisco at any price. Hence the road trip.

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Trader Joe
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Re: Vacations Plans?

Post by Trader Joe »

tomsense76 wrote: Thu Jun 17, 2021 6:58 pm Curious what vacations people are planning. Inside the US or outside? Rough time of year?

Am struggling a bit to come up with a vacation plan. Just not sure what's open, what restrictions there are, where one could go that doesn't involve too much wait time (quarantining, testings, etc.), whether it would be better to go now or wait a bit, etc.. Have traveled plenty in years before, but am hitting a bit of a wall. Did a few staycations during the pandemic, but think I need to get out of the house. Hoping hearing about others plans will provide some inspiration :happy

Thanks in advance for your thoughts! :sharebeer
U.S. road trip in September. 3 weeks or so.
ckelly78z
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Re: Vacations Plans?

Post by ckelly78z »

We are heading to WV for some white water rafting, and hiking in August. We have a cabin, and will be taking my 28 yo DD, and my 22 yo son along with their SOs, so it should be fun.

We are also heading back to Sandal South Coast Jamaica in December for our third time at the all inclusive beach resort.
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Sandtrap
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Re: Vacations Plans?

Post by Sandtrap »

DW and I have progressively longer road trips planned that we've put off for 15 years for various reasons.
1
We miss the beach, I miss swimming in the ocean.
So, we're heading off to various large lakes around us, then farther until we get to California beach resorts for the longer trips.
1b
The "Rocky Point" and other resorts in Mexico were a consideration until the more we learned about the logistics and other things about a road trip across the border, the less appealing it got since there are so many other alternatives.
2
Perhaps next year, more trips back to Hawaii would be nice once things return to normal.

3
Not sure what are some great sandy beach swimming ocean and lake destinations in America.
Open to any suggestions?

(might be good for another seperate thread. . not sure)?
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bob60014
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Re: Vacations Plans?

Post by bob60014 »

So far we've booked San Diego for a week in July, New England in September and Turks & Caicos for 6 weeks Jan/Feb '22.
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Re: Vacations Plans?

Post by backpacker61 »

Backpacking; Sangre de Cristo's in New Mexico.
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austriak
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Re: Vacations Plans?

Post by austriak »

Since COVID, we’ve gone twice to Florida (Orlando and Clearwater), a couple local drives, and we are going to Boston in a week. Thankfully, everything was reserved and paid for before prices went crazy.
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Re: Vacations Plans?

Post by tinkerman79 »

We've taken 2 trips so far this year. One to NM/CO visiting national and state parks. And another to Florida (Sarasota/Fort Myers) visiting beaches. Both were driving our own car from Texas. Stayed at hotels using rewards. The latter trip (which was earlier this month) felt very close to pre-COVID times - mask use optional, typical crowds/waits at popular spots, etc..

Next week, we are flying to Las Vegas for a 2-week road trip through the Western US, mostly visiting national and state parks. It will be our first flight in over 18 months, but I've heard things are pretty much back to normal for flying within the contiguous 48 states. I'm already hearing about record crowds at national parks this year, so we will have to be flexible with our day-to-day activities on this trip. I booked the trip in January, and was lucky to get a reasonable rate on the flight and rental car. Staying at hotels using rewards again.

Any future trips in the next 6-12 months will be closer to home and using our own car + hotel rewards. I'll wait till prices stabilize and the travel restrictions are more predictable before booking anything bigger. We have 2 school-age kids, so any 3+ day trips are during school breaks aka peak season.
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