Wednesday, July 8, 2020

Riding it out, pt 3

This post is by Sue Tindell.


   It's nearing the middle of July, and we've had a lot to talk about in our newsletters the past several weeks. Here's what we shared with our readers in the month of June.

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June 1





   Summer is here, and traditionally that’s been the time for Americans to pack their kids into the car and hit the road. Almost all of us can remember trips like those—sitting in the back seat and bickering with our siblings while Dad kept one hand on the wheel and his left elbow out the window, and Mom was tuning the radio to a different station every twenty minutes in a vain attempt to keep us quiet.
   These days, American families still hit the road, although it’s usually a lot different. The cramped sedan is now a spacious van or SUV, with ports for the kids to plug in their games and TV screens on the front-seat backs, just like on an airplane. Or maybe it’s Mom and Dad in retirement, packing up the motor home or 5th-wheel and setting out to see the country, with plenty of time to do it and rather nice accommodations every night, no matter where they stop.
   As we wait for overseas destinations to open up again and cruise lines to resume sailing, we might be considering a road trip. Where would you like to go? Every state has must-see places to visit. Here are a few you might want to consider for your summer trip this year:
·          --Are you a fan of Westerns? If you’ve seen John Wayne in the classic Stagecoach or Marty McFly in Back to the Future Part 3, you’ve gotten a glimpse of Monument Valley in Utah. Breathtaking vistas of sacred buttes and desert greet you when you visit this must-see area in the Beehive State.
·          --History buffs will want to visit San Antonio, Texas, and tour the Alamo. The famous site of Davy Crockett’s last stand in 1836 is a treasure trove of artifacts and great photo ops.
·          --One of America’s great natural landmarks is Devil’s Tower in Wyoming. If you’re a rock-climber, scaling its heights is a breathtaking challenge. Hikers can stay on the ground and circle the monument along challenging trails.
·          --When major Eastern cities open up to visitors, and that will be soon, make sure to put Boston on your itinerary. Walk the Freedom Trail in the steps of our forefathers past Faneuil Hall and up Bunker Hill, then board the USS Constitution for a tour of America’s most famous warship.
·          --Speaking of Eastern cities, they don’t come any grander than New York. You’ve seen Times Square in the movies countless times, but there’s nothing like being there, and the Empire State Building is just a few blocks away.
·          --If you’re in New York, you might as well head upstate. A trip through the beautiful Catskills is definitely worth your time. For baseball fans, a stop in quaint Cooperstown and the Baseball Hall of Fame is a must, and then head up to Niagara Falls, our nation’s most famous waterfall.
·          --Still rockin’ after all these years? Then you have to visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, where you’ll get a musical tour back in time. And don’t miss the glass pyramid out front.
·          --A visit to the South has to include a tour of a plantation. Right next to the Mississippi in central Louisiana is Nottoway, the largest antebellum mansion in Dixie. It’s the ultimate bed-and-breakfast destination, in which you can immerse yourself in old Southern charm.
   We’ve barely touched the surface of what’s to see in America, much of it just a few days’ drive from our own front doors. If your summer of ’20 travel plans have been scaled back and you have to stay within U.S. borders, we can help you with destinations, hotel and site bookings, and more. Plus, we’ll let you know if any of your stops require quarantines or have any other virus-related restrictions.
   Remember how Dad would always haul out the big road atlas…and got lost anyway? We’ll help you get there this summer. You just plan on enjoying the drive and having the fun. 



June 8




   America is re-opening, and how! Last week’s jobs report by the Federal government turned the experts on their ears and gave us a strong indication that the U.S. economy is rebounding even faster than we might have hoped. This is good news for everyone, especially those of us who want to resume traveling.
   The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), which is a forum for business leaders in the tourism and travel industry, is helping all of us in the industry in keeping our clients informed about safe practices and standards as travel opens up, both domestic and foreign. The Council is working closely with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and other partners to enhance safety for travelers and industry workers. These new policies for the transportation and hotel/resort industries will include more sanitizing and use of personal protective equipment, re-training of staff, and implementing contactless procedures for customers within airports, airliners and land-based venues, such as hotels and resorts.
   We will see lots of new things when we start traveling again. Airliners may be boarding differently, such as from back rows to front. Social distancing could be enforced in terminals and queues. The Director General of IATA, Alexandre de Juniac, said, “COVID-19 is a game-changer for the travel and tourism sector.” He’s certainly right about that, but as we’ve shown throughout American society, while we are grudgingly allowing it to change the game, we are not going to allow COVID-19 to end it.
   When we reach our destination, hotels and resorts will have new procedures that might be a little inconvenient, but which will give us a much greater degree of safety than before. (And who doesn’t want things to be clean, right?) We might have assigned seating on tour buses, staggered entry to sites and venues, even limited access.
   Much of this attention is being focused on the airline industry. WTTC President/CEO Gloria Guevara said, “Aviation’s return is critical to help re-power the global economic recovery.” And while we all had our occasional complaints about crowded terminals and herds of luggage-carrying passengers clogging the aisles of planes, we might now just appreciate these new methods as a way to increase efficiency and comfort, as well as mitigate against the virus.
   All of us are excited about the prospects of traveling again. We want to re-schedule the vacation that was a victim of the shutdown, or we want to be free to plan something new for the near future. Here at Travel Designers Travel Leaders, we’ll be on top of any restrictions or policy changes that might affect every step of your travel experience. Just like you, we can’t wait to get traveling again! And, by the way…
   We’re launching a new feature this week, designed to help our clients stay in closer touch with us. On Tuesday, June 9, we’ll be inaugurating a Facebook Live weekly event, talking about issues facing travel in general and our clients in particular. Log in at 1:30pm Tuesday, right here: https://www.facebook.com/TravelLeadersRiceLakeWI/ 



June 15




   Summer is here (the solstice is this Saturday, making it official) and we’re hearing from more clients every day about traveling. Many of them had scheduled trips canceled due to the coronavirus shutdown, many others deferred booking a trip until things would be settled down. It looks like that time is getting very close. And when our clients start traveling again, many will want to go to Europe. Let’s take a look and see what’s happening over there, with regard to travel.

   Technically, the island nation of Iceland is not in Europe proper, but it’s close enough, and visiting this exotic land is a vacation all by itself. Iceland has re-opened to visitors as of today. Icelandair is offering some direct flights to Reykjavik from Boston, and we can help get you there. But if you’re planning a visit, there are some requirements. First, you must fill out a pre-registration form with contact details, and you will be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival in the terminal at Keflavik Airport. Tests will be free until July; after that, the test will cost $113. Visitors then go directly to their lodging and await results of the test, usually delivered that day. Children born after 2004 will be exempt. If you decline to be tested, you will be quarantined for 14 days. Once you’re cleared, Iceland’s renowned touring companies will gladly accommodate you, and with tourist numbers expected to be only about 25% of normal, you’ll be able to explore and enjoy Iceland in a lot more comfort and solitude.
   Meanwhile, on the continent, the European Union plans to have its internal borders open very soon, but visitors from the States and other continents will not be allowed in until July 1. If you’ve been to Europe, you have experienced the benefits of the “Schengen travel zone,” which allows virtually unfettered movement of people and goods throughout 26 countries, without border checks. When various countries in the zone started closing borders due to the virus, it caused massive traffic jams and delayed delivery of critical supplies, but they’ve got that sorted out now. Like Americans, many Europeans travel around the continent for vacations, but they’ve been prohibited from doing so since shutdowns started being implemented in late February. And like Americans, Europeans are happy to welcome foreign visitors. It looks like that will be happening again soon, and we’ll make sure to keep our clients apprised of any remaining restrictions at their destinations.
   Where to go when you get there? Europe has a virtually unlimited menu of delights for foreign visitors, from cruising on majestic rivers like the Rhine and Danube to visiting castles and touring ancient ruins. And for outdoor enthusiasts, here’s a new one: Italy is opening a trail that will connect all 25 of its national parks. It’s called the “Sentiero dei Parchi,” or Path of Parks. Hikers will be able to start in the Alps and go all the way through Tuscany and along the coastlines of Cinque Terre, through the caves and forests of Abruzzo, and even onto the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. The Italian government is beginning a 13-year project to upgrade many of its trail networks, but for the hardy American traveler—and we know that means many of you—the beauties of Italy await. Give us a call, and get your hiking boots ready!



June 22





   As we take our first tentative steps back into the world of travel, we know that at some point, we'll need help when we're out there. Sometimes that help is at the end of a telephone line, or an email link; we often get calls from clients who get hung up overseas, dealing with unexpected things ranging from mistaken hotel reservations to approaching hurricanes. When we got those calls and emails, we work very hard to help fix the situation and ensure the clients will have the best travel experience possible.
   Sometimes, though, travelers get help from unexpected sources. And many times it doesn't have to be more than a smile. Dignity Health, one of the largest healthcare systems in the U.S., recently surveyed its clients and found that two of three Americans say that a smile or greeting from another traveler reduces their stress while traveling. Three-quarters of travelers say they've done something kind to make another traveler's day better.
   Maybe you've experienced a "travel angel" already. He can be the front-desk clerk at the hotel who goes out of his way to assist you when your room turns out to be substandard, or she can be the shuttle driver who waits that extra few minutes so that you can get aboard safely. You can be a travel angel, too. Here are some ways to spread goodwill when you travel:

·      Spread the love. If you have it with an airline, maybe you can give up your business-class seat to the pregnant woman or elderly gentleman behind you in line at the gate.
·      Pay it forward. Standing in line at the coffee shop counter at the airport, offer to pay for the next person's order, and don't tell them. Let the barista give them the good news.
·      Go above and beyond. When someone asks for help, go the extra mile. If you're in a place you're familiar with, lend a hand to the couple who are newcomers, maybe by escorting them to a nice restaurant or a reliable tour operator.

   Being a "travel angel" can make your own travel experience much more rewarding, and like all good deeds, they come back around.



June 29




   When it comes to travel destinations within the continental United States (not counting Alaska), New York City and Florida (especially Disney World) have been at or near the top of the list for many years. Las Vegas isn’t too far behind, but going to “Sin City” these days is not quite as easy as it used to be. But with many people unable to travel out of the country this year, their eyes have turned inward, so to speak, as they look for a place within a short flight or a decent drive. Las Vegas is working hard to put itself right back in the running.
   The coronavirus hasn’t spared Nevada, and last week, Gov. Steve Sisolak ordered that all residents of the Silver State, and visitors, wear face masks in public. His order was hailed by Nevada’s tourism industry, which relies heavily on visits to Las Vegas and Reno, where tourists can shop, dine, gamble and see shows to their hearts’ content. At least, in normal times. These aren’t (yet) normal times, but Las Vegas is doing its best, and visitors are returning.
   Even before the governor’s order, several Vegas properties, including MGM and Caesars, had mandated that all staff and guests wear masks. Anyone refusing to wear a mask is escorted off the premises. With the governor talking about taking action against non-compliant businesses in the form of fines or even revocation of business licenses, Vegas isn’t messing around.
   But visitors can still have a good time, even if they’re masked everywhere (except when they’re eating; you’re allowed to remove your mask then). Gambling tables and slot machines are open, as are the city’s voluminous shops and stores. Entertainment options are more limited than usual, but for many Americans who have been largely cooped up at home for the past few months, just being able to walk around and explore new surroundings is a breath of fresh air, if you will.
   We can help our clients get to Las Vegas, Reno or any other U.S. destination. Recent months have been stressful enough; why not let us take care of all the details? All you have to do is show up and have fun…and isn’t it time you allowed yourself some of that?
   And remember: what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!

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   Whew! All caught up at last! Now, let's get back to the enjoyable business of getting you back out there into the wonderful world of travel. Give us a call at 715-234-2174, or visit our website at https://ricelakewi.vacation.travelleaders.com/. The world is waiting!


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