By: Laura Reece
Everyone seems to be asking the same question – where can you go this summer?! That’s a simple question with a complicated answer.
Travelers should be aware of restrictions when planning summer travel, and each state has its quarantine requirements or recommendations for incoming visitors across state lines. And that’s just for the U.S. Each Caribbean island has its own policy, Mexico seems to currently have a lack of restrictions, and the whole EU banned Americans beginning July 1 for an unknown period of time.
So what to do? Guidance from a Travel Professional can certainly help narrow your choices – especially when you’re faced with a 14-day quarantine by your employer. Right now, it’s a safe bet to get out of town — but not too far out of town. Numerous people are opting for driving vacations to some out-of-the-way places.
Right now, we are seeing a great deal of interest in outdoor-oriented activities, national parks, private homes and villas and domestic destinations and resorts. For clients here in the Sunshine State, popular retreats include Vero Beach’s Costa d’Este Resort, owned by Gloria Estefan. This beach resort is an easy get-away destination and offers a low-key tropical escape for those who want a respite from the shiny spotlight of Palm Beach and Miami. Vero Beach has been called the “Hamptons of Florida,” as it’s home to upmarket boutiques, wine bars, and spas.
Families can enjoy visiting the famed Weeki Wachee Springs State Park on Florida’s West Coast with its myriad of activities including live mermaids, and opt for a stay at the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Resort & Spa. The calm waters of the Gulf make the West Coast of Florida an ideal destination for families with small children. Pair that with a visit to the Aquarium, a pit-stop at Strachan’s Ice Cream and Desserts and dinner at Frenchy’s you’ll be in the running for parent-of-the-year!
Couples may opt for one of Florida’s only adults-only resorts, Bungalows Key Largo. An hour’s drive South from Miami, this resort will make you feel as though you are far away on an island in the Caribbean. Two swimming pools, a tiki gym, a spa with a Himalayan salt room and eucalyptus sauna, group games like corn hole, and three restaurants are available to meet your every need.
Apart from expert advice on staying safe, the most important precaution you can take may be travel insurance. And not just any policy, since a lot of travel insurance excludes pandemics and may have exclusions for civil unrest. A “cancel for any reason” policy would protect your entire vacation. Make sure to take a little time to read the fine print on the terms of your purchase. We encourage clients to be very careful and cognizant about their cancellation policies and terms and conditions, asking our clients to familiarize themselves with force majeure and what it could mean for their vacation. Many people book trips without even glancing at what the cancellation policies are.This summer may be the most unpredictable for travel in a generation, but attention to the fine print, insurance, a little common sense, and input from a Travel Professional will get you through it.
