If you are anything like me you have been eagerly waiting for life to resume and destinations to reopen for visitors. With every country and many states having different rules and restrictions getting a handle on where we can travel during and after COVID 19 can be very confusing. After extensive research I have put together this list of best places to travel after quarantine and during the COVID 19 Pandemic.
I’m currently riding this out in Colorado, and while I do not encourage international travel I realize many people are wanting to get out and resume life. I’m not sure when or where I’ll be traveling next and will be sticking close to home, hitting the road and exploring more of the wilderness until the pandemic slows.
Here are the best places for American travelers to visit right now and in the coming months.
Travel Local
The safest way to travel right now and over the next few months will be to travel locally and regionally. Have you ever done a staycation in your own city, or one right down the road? There are so many places in our own states, cities and country that most of us have very rarely explored and this is a great time to do just that.
Road trips are one of the best ways to take a vacation in 2020. You can rent an RV for some family fun or hop in your car and head for one of the best scenic drives like California’s Highway 1.
You may be tempted to visit National Parks, and this is one of the few times I am asking everyone to please not visit National Parks right now. National Parks here in the US have just started reopen and with them have been droves of people vying to experience nature. Unfortunately with so many people not working the numbers of visitors coming from out of state and in are much higher than a busy week or weekend. Some parks like Zion National Park has canceled bus service and interior parking, hoping that people will walk or bike into the park reducing the amount of visitors. The Grand Canyon has reduced entry times, to slow guests and other parks are working on creating plans to reduce the amount of visitors. In places like Joshua Tree National Park, campgrounds were overrun and people ended up pitching tents in parking lots and on the side of the road.
My advice if you’re heading out into nature is to find nearby wilderness area, BLM land, and state or local parks. Go at off peak times and please ALWAYS respect nature and other people. Wear a mask, practice social distancing and never litter. LEAVE NO TRACE wherever you are.
Where to Stay
The best places to stay are going to be smaller hotels, lodges, Bed & Breakfasts and Vacation Rentals. These kind of destinations have less visitors and less surfaces to keep clean. Which means you will be safer from the spread of disease. Currently AirBNB has a new program that asks owners to block out 24-48 hour windows between guests as well as have stricter and more stringent cleaning protocols.
International Travel
Depending on your country of nationality the rules around traveling Internationally cary widely. Many countries are allowing in visitors from neighboring countries while others are opening the doors to more widespread tourism. For specific information I recommend always checking the countries travel department, and your own state run websites for up to the date travel restrictions. Wherever you decide to go be ready to show proof of COVID 19 test, and have temperature and health screenings at the airport and on location.
Slovenia
Slovenia is where the Alps meet the Mediterranean. Filled with charming towns and beautiful forests this is a country where you can really get into nature. It’s capital Ljubjana is the E.U green capital, both charming and vibrant it is a great starting point for any visit to Slovenia. The underground Karst caverns are a great place to cool off on a hot summer day or you can head to Lake Bled for hot springs, medieval castles and hiking in the Alps.
What to Expect:
Slovenia became the first European country to declare the coronavirus pandemic under control. On Thursday, May 14, the government began easing restrictions for visitors from abroad and lockdown measures for residents nationwide. Residents from the European Union will be allowed to visit as of June 1st while those from outside the E.U will be asked to quarantine for 14 days. This is said to be updated on June 15th.
Iceland
Iceland is the country of fire and ice, with geothermal pools, volcanoes, mountains, ice caves and endless adventure. The best way to see the country is to rent a camper van and explore the various landscapes from the comfort of your moving home. You can hike, whale watch, see the northern lights and get some pretty stunning photographs to name a few.
What to Expect:
Iceland plans to begin opening back up to travelers by June 15.
Travelers will likely be given three choices upon entry:
- Get tested for COVID-19 upon landing at Keflavik Airport (if the results are negative, they may continue with their travels);
- Go into a two-week quarantine
- Provide proof that they recently tested negative for COVID-19.
St. Lucia
St Lucia is well known for the dramatically tapered mountains, the Pitons, on its west coast and home to volcanic beaches, reef-diving sites, luxury resorts and fishing villages. Long popular for romantic holidays it is also an adventure lovers paradise, with dramatic waterfalls, hiking, diving and beaches. St Lucia will welcome flights from the United States Only starting June 4.
What to Expect
With borders closed to international tourists since March 23, St. Lucia has recorded only 18 cases of coronavirus and no deaths. Around 1,500 hotel rooms are slated to open in early June, once a new COVID-19 certification process for sanitization and social distancing is completed.
Traveler requirments:
- Present certified proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours of boarding flight.
- Undergo temperature checks upon arrival.
- Travelers will be required to wear face masks and follow social-distancing measures during their stay on the island.
Phase 2 of the island’s new responsible approach to tourism will commence on August 1, 2020, with details to be revealed in the weeks ahead. For more information on St. Lucia’s reopening plans, visit stlucia.org/covid-19.
Antigua
Antigua in the West Indies of the Carribean is surrounded by coral reefs and well known for its beautiful white sand beaches. Feel free to fall asleep in a beach chair for days on end. Or hop in the water for scuba diving and snokeling of some old shipwrecks.
What to Expect
Antigua will allow flights from the United States to recommence on June 4, with an American Airlines flight from Miami on that date and New York flights expected later in the summer.
Travelers need to provide the following:
- Provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test upon arrival at the airport.
- Practice Social Distancing
- Wear masks in public
In order to protect locals and travelers, the government will implement new processes, including building in breaks for taxi drivers to wash their hands at hotels after dropping off passengers.
Portugal
Portugal is one of my favorite countries. It has beautiful islands like the Azores and Madeira where you can hike, sail, swim and whale watch. On the mainland the Northern city of Porto, the birthplace of Port is a medieval looking city with beautiful tiled buildings, river boats and a charming downtown. To the East you have the Douro Valley where you can spend days tasting wine in the countryside, or sail down the Douro River stopping to taste Port and Wine while dining at small restaurants and enjoying the beautiful scenery. In Lisbon you can shop, sightsee, tour castles and get a taste of city life, and for surfers you can head to the southern beach cities for an all out week of sand and surf. You can read more about Portugal in my various travel guides from my visits there.
What to Expect:
May 2 marked the end of Portugal’s state of emergency since the country went into lockdown on March 14. Hotels in Portugal are making plans to reopen in July with smaller hotels slated to open first, and TAP, the national air carrier, is planning to resume some U.S. flights in June. Turismo de Portugal, the country’s tourism marketing arm, has developed a “Clean and Safe” certification to verify that hotels and other tourism businesses are respecting public health and hygiene measures. According to the Tourism Department travelers from Shengen countries, the E.U minus Spain and Italy, Canada, Brazel and the US can travel there without restrictions. Masks are required on public transportation and recommended elsewhere, as is social distancing.
Until there is a vaccine for COVID 19 I do not see International travel getting back to normal and believe travel restrictions of some kind will remain in place in most places. Wherever you choose to go local or long distance, make sure you are aware of and following local and regional regulations pertaining to social distancing and the wearing of masks.
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