The big travel news this week is the removal of six nations, including the United States, from the European Union’s safe travel list. This impacts non-essential travel to the Schengen Agreement member-nations including Italy, France, and Spain. It’s important to note that the restrictions recommended on Monday are not yet mandatory. Further, the European Council is leaving […]
Riding the Ups and Downs of Travel in a Pandemic
Since May, the numbers of travelers have been steadily rising, but then came the delta variant. The recent news about travel in a pandemic is starting to feel like déjà vu all over again. Now, instead of focusing on the numbers of Covid-19 cases, experts are talking about the rates of hospitalizations and deaths. There […]
Hurricane season is upon us. What does that do to your travel plans?
We’re about halfway through the 2021 hurricane season and the next couple of months could be a wild ride. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 and covers the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea. The peak months are August through October. On August 4, the National Oceanic and […]
Where in the world can US travelers go right now?
We are halfway into Year 2 of Covid-19 and with just 15.4% of the world’s population fully vaccinated, travel restrictions aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. Lockdowns, testing, health passports, and quarantine will likely to be in our travel vernacular for many years to come. Some travelers have resorted to having Plan A vacations and Plan […]
How can you travel safely with the Delta variant?
Not that long ago, we all optimistically thought we’d turned the corner. Many travelers reserved beach houses, booked flights, and got in line to renew their passports. Then came the very different Delta variant—a version of the COVID-19 virus that is extremely contagious and more serious than the first. Recent news about breakthrough infections in vaccinated people […]
What’s changed in the world of travel since COVID?
In May, those who are fully vaccinated were told they could leave their masks behind in most settings – even indoor settings. This week, however, that recommendation did an about face for two reasons: the first is to protect vaccinated people from breakthrough infections, and the second is to protect the unvaccinated (including children). It will take […]
How the COVID-19 Variants are Affecting Travel
The summer travel season can’t get much weirder. Along with the classic headaches like long security lines, weather delays, and gas prices, travelers have to fight for rental cars and navigate constant changes in airline schedules and rising prices. The headaches and chaos are not stopping people from traveling though. After a year and a half of no […]
Ben Van Leewarden from Planet Chopper with Route 66 rides, staying in formation, and the “guardian angel” on the road | (Safe Travels #51)
This show is not for everyone. But if you’re a biker, have a motorcycle, know a biker, or have seen Easy Rider…it’s for you. Ben Van Leewarden runs Planet Chopper, a business that plans and operates guided USA motorcycle tours with small groups of up to 15 bikes. They handle route planning, lodging, dining options, […]