Erin Riley Archives - 国产吃瓜黑料 Online /byline/erin-riley/ Live Bravely Mon, 12 Sep 2022 21:59:14 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 https://cdn.outsideonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/favicon-194x194-1.png Erin Riley Archives - 国产吃瓜黑料 Online /byline/erin-riley/ 32 32 3 New Glamping Sites in Southern Utah /adventure-travel/destinations/new-glamping-utah/ Mon, 03 May 2021 00:00:00 +0000 /uncategorized/new-glamping-utah/ 3 New Glamping Sites in Southern Utah

There has never been a better time to upgrade a southern Utah road trip

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3 New Glamping Sites in Southern Utah

There has never been a better time to upgrade a southern Utah road trip. Along Route 89, after the crowds of Lake Powell give way to the quiet gravity of Grand Staircase鈥揈scalante National Monument, there鈥檚 a stretch of highway flanked by stacked sandstone formations. They seem impenetrable at first, but a series of pull-offs suggest other颅wise. Many of the roads lead to dispersed campsites. Others lead to some stunning new tented lodging.

The latest outpost is from glamping operator . The company, known for finding picture-perfect locales near national parks, has outdone itself with this one, which opened听in April (from $299). Perched on a canyon-rim plateau, with views of the adjacent monument and Lake Powell鈥檚 azure waters, the camp鈥檚 50 safari-style tents are spread across 220 acres. There鈥檚 yoga, hiking, and paddleboarding, tours of the lake by raft or kayak, and other adventures.

For an over-the-top, bucket-list splurge, head five miles south to , a new offshoot of nearby resort Amangiri, which has come to epitomize desert luxury since opening in 2009. With the launch of Camp Sarika last summer, guests have the option of staying in one of ten canvas-clad pavilions that include a living room and one or two bedrooms, and open onto a sprawling deck, plunge pool, and fire pit (from $3,500). With 600 acres of grand mesas, sandstone formations, and slot canyons, the property feels less like a hotel and more like a personal playground. From horseback riding atop ridges to yoga sessions in natural rock amphitheaters to a guided via ferrata hike up steep faces and across chasms, there鈥檚 plenty to do without venturing far.

Amangiri, USA 鈥 Camp Sarika Main Pool
Camp Sarika guests can use the pool at nearby Amangiri (Courtesy Aman)

A two-hour drive away, 18 miles west of Zion National Park鈥檚 southern entrance, you鈥檒l find . The 80-acre site, which opened in March, has just three high-end tents, making it feel like you鈥檝e got the place to yourself. The largest, which sleeps four, comes with a soaking tub. Each one is either tucked into a rocky cove for privacy or set on a rim, offering stunningly picturesque views (from $439).

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36 Awesome Gifts for 国产吃瓜黑料 Travelers /adventure-travel/advice/gifts-adventure-travelers/ Fri, 11 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0000 /uncategorized/gifts-adventure-travelers/ 36 Awesome Gifts for 国产吃瓜黑料 Travelers

We've rounded up some of our favorite gift ideas that support the places we can't wait to visit again soon. At a time when travel has been at a standstill, these thoughtful presents bring the world to you.

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36 Awesome Gifts for 国产吃瓜黑料 Travelers

Aside from booking future trips,听one way you can inspire the adventure traveler on your list听and help the industry this year is to spend your holiday dollars on gifts that supportsmall travel businesses and听properties, as well as regions听and industry employees. Most lodges sell merchandise, so check their websites听and start ordering, or buy a gift certificate toward a trip from an outfitter you love. We鈥檝e rounded up some of our favorite gift听ideas that benefit the places we can鈥檛 wait to visit again soon. At a time when travel has been at a standstill, these thoughtful presents听bring the world to you.

Gift Certificates

(Courtesy Outdoorsy)

For the person on your list听who prizes experiences over material items, a gift certificate from their preferred听guiding outfitter, lodge, or travel service is a guaranteed hit. Establishedmountaineering and climbing groupslike ,听, and听听are offering vouchers for 2021 trips, but any of your go-to guiding services will likely be happy to tailor a gift certificate for you. And with camping and road trips predicted to be just as popular next summer, RV rental company is offering that cover any kind of a trip, from an overnighter to a weeklong escape.

Food and听Drink听

(Courtesy Diaspora Co.)

It鈥檚 likely that everyone you鈥檙e shopping for has gotten into cooking since the start of the pandemic鈥攚hether that鈥檚 meant perfecting a home brew or discovering new spices. For the friend who wants to take their talents to the next level, 鈥渁dopt鈥 an olive tree for them through (from $79), an Italian company that works with small-scale grove farmers in the provinces of Liguria, Sicily, and Marche. The company will ship cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil directly to your door, along with information about the grove and farmer. Or opt for a customizable three-spice set from ($36), a woman-led, direct-trade business听that supports local farms in India that have invested in sustainable agricultural practices.

There are plenty of coffee subscriptions out there, so add a personalized touch by picking a company听in a destination that your giftee has always wanted to explore. Some of our favorites include coffee from Papua New Guinea鈥揵ased , a tour operator that鈥檚 recently established a coffee mill to benefit听the local Native community (from $9, not including shipping), and Colombia-based , which sources from 600 producers across the country, roasts its beans in Medell铆n, and immediately ships听bags to the U.S. so that they鈥檙e fresh upon arrival听(from $10, not including shipping). For a gift that鈥檚 closer to home, many U.S. breweries, distilleries, and wineries are making delivery听easier, with some states that prohibit liquor shipments .

Virtual Experiences

(Courtesy Surf Simply)

Yep, we get it鈥攚e鈥檝e all spent a lot of time online this year. But there have been some upsides to that, like access to fitness training, classes, and events we might never get to enjoy听otherwise. Some of our favorite virtual experiences include 鈥檚 (from $10 for group seminars; private sessions are available, too). The Costa Rica resort is usually booked a year out, but this online opportunity gives you or your budding surfer friend a front seat to excellent instruction.

We鈥檝e dreamed of visiting the , a spa, yoga, and meditation resort in northern India. Now at least we can sign ourselves and others up for its听 (from $70 for a monthlong subscription; get a 10 percent discount during the holidays by using the code ANYEAREND听at checkout).

(Courtesy Devour Tours)

We鈥檝e been watching a ton of cooking videos during quarantine. Give someone you love a 听($25) with a European chef through , and they鈥檒l learn how to make you tapas that taste just like you鈥檙e in Spain.

For your strung-out friend who needs a way to relax, how about听gifting a virtual birding tour in Colombia?听The country is known for its enormous variety of avian听species, and now you can see them, too, through from , which connects you with experts for guided tours ($125 for one person; group experiences are available as well). Email anna@tripsite.com听to set it up.听We hope to spot a rare blue-billed curassow.

Philanthropy

(Courtesy Arctic Dog 国产吃瓜黑料 Co)

Giving back听to conservation organizations feels especially important this year, as the tourism dollars funding many of these efforts have dramatically declined. There are too many amazing organizations to list here, but these recently caught our eye. Sponsoring an animal is fun and fulfilling for kids and adults alike, and you can adopt听an elephant through the in Cambodia, a sanctuary for the formerly captive giants. The听ecotourism outfitter听., based in Fairbanks, Alaska,听is offering , like Sluggo, above, to help support the dogs听and the company until its听dogsledding-trip bookings rebound. Meet its听team of awesome pooches听.

If you really want to splurge for someone, let them name a newborn rhino through the program for鈥攇ulp鈥$25,000 to protect the future of species, which has been devastated by poaching. (The organization is happy to receive smaller donations, too.) With fewer tourists in Africa, poaching is on the rise, and rangers don鈥檛 have the resources to keep working. In another great offering from the Great Plains Foundation, Project Ranger allows you to 听to keep them employed and the wildlife protected. Or give a donation in someone鈥檚 name to 听 to provide direct economic impact听to local guides who鈥檝e been unemployed听this year in destinations around the world.

The grew out of the to contribute to听projects that conserve resources in adventure travel locales. The fund is currently focusing听on the acute needs of those in many destinations听right now suffering from听a lack of tourism income. in someone鈥檚 name to fund听projects, such as听protecting Namibia鈥檚 desert lions. Your gift will be matched by other companies in the travel industry.

After a devastating fire season in the West, many communities that rely on tourism dollars are still being rebuilt. Gift a donation in someone鈥檚 name to an organization supporting these communities through foundations in , , , and ; the ; or by calling a business you love in one of the hard-hit areas and making an online purchase or buying a gift certificate for future use.

Books

(Courtesy Rizzoliusa/Bart Smith)

For history buffs and trail lovers, ($55)听is a must-give item. Written by , who has authored 13 books on hiking and has completed the Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide Trails, and with stunning photography by , who walked every historic trail mentioned, this coffee-table-worthy book takes you from the Pony Express to the paths of civil right marches and along 17 other trails designated as nationally historic by the National Park Service. The trails range in length from 54 miles to 5,000听and are perfect for socially distant adventures鈥攚hether you decide to hike, bike, or armchair-dream about them.

Nothing brings you the taste of a place like food. So gift a cookbook this season, especially one that benefits听some fantastic听lodges, like the , primely located in Utah near the state鈥檚 best national parks and Grand Staircase鈥揈scalante National Monument, and its James Beard鈥搑ecognized restaurant and . The Italian guides who work for the bike-touring company created a ($15) full of their secret family recipes to bestow听your friends. (It鈥檚 in a PDF format, so you can gift听it right away.) The proceeds support the guides during the travel downturn. The in Nelson, British Columbia, is famed for its Fresh Tracks Caf茅. Try out its chef鈥檚 fare in one of . The ($45) gathered up 100 recipes from various local chefs to give back to听the Colorado town鈥檚 struggling restaurants. And if you鈥檙e missing the taste of the wild frontier, these two Alaskan offerings from chef Kirsten Dixon bring you the cabin feels and fresh-seafood vibes from two awesome places: (from $19) and ($35).

While app travel guides are great, don鈥檛 forget good ol鈥櫶guidebooks that help travel writers and local tourism efforts. Guidebooks still offer the most comprehensive intel about a place, like former New York Times reporter and Denver-based author 鈥檚 recently updated ($18). If you鈥檙e seeking warmth this winter, check out .

Home Goods听

(Courtesy Alpaca Threadz)

What better travel gift than a souvenir that might not fit into a suitcase? The online marketplace carries everything from ceramics and lampshades to artwork, all created by artisans across Chile. There鈥檚 an equally varied selection at , which offers alpaca-wool items handmade by Peruvian craftsmen. The company is currently employing out-of-work guides from the outfitter to help choose the items you import, by having the guides show shoppers around stores through video calls. Based in Ahmedabad, India, works with up to 2,300 women artisans across the country to produce modern pieces inspired by traditional handicrafts, including (from $8) and (from $10). And for the friend who was looking forward to a beach getaway this year, you can鈥檛 go wrong with a traditional Mexican hammock from (from $70), a Yucat谩n-based certified B Corp company.

Apparel and听Accessories听

(Courtesy Kimber Elements)

Everyone appreciates a gift that has a story and a positive impact. Seattle-based partners with 30 Masai women in Kenya to produce beaded earrings, necklaces, and rings and pays them wages rather than a commission. Safari company recently launched an that showcases items from regional craft makers. Among its luxury home and accessory items are cotton-silk scarves (from $125) from sub-Saharan brand , which feature designs from students enrolled in a program for at-risk youth. For your loved one who dreams of hiking the Himalayas someday, support local outfitter by gifting (from $20); proceeds benefit its guiding staff. And for the friend who鈥檚 counting down to the Olympics next summer, the is filled with goodies, including this (from $200) and this (from $72).

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This Face Mask Made Me a Skin-Care Convert /health/wellness/aztec-secret-face-mask/ Sun, 22 Nov 2020 00:00:00 +0000 /uncategorized/aztec-secret-face-mask/ This Face Mask Made Me a Skin-Care Convert

Dubious about the hyped-up claims of many skin-care products, one editor tried the popular Aztec Secret face mask on a whim. Now it's part of her weekly routine.

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This Face Mask Made Me a Skin-Care Convert

For years, my skin care routine has consisted of cleansing and moisturizing with drugstore products, applying听the occasional facial mask when I鈥檓in the mood, and always forgetting to put on sunscreen. I鈥檝e never been a big skin care person鈥擨 spenta few years working at a luxury magazine,and testing overpriced products left me a bit jaded.But when the pandemic hit, I waded into the self-care waters, adding 鈥渢emporarily researching skin care routines鈥澨齮o my list of coping mechanisms. I wanted to come up with a simple regimen that would be easy to stick to, and I figured adding two more basic steps鈥攖oning and exfoliating鈥攚ould do the trick.

I wasn鈥檛 in the market for a face mask. I鈥檝e been slowly making my way through a collection of algae, lava, and silica mud masks that generously came with a resort stay听a few years ago. But then I came across in Amazon鈥檚 best-reviewed beauty product list. The one-pound tub consists of just one ingredient,听, a pale-green听powdered substance derived from volcanic ash. The packaging, which features a clipart-style image of an Aztec temple, reminded me of those hilarious, old-school hair gel tubs. While reading through some of the 14,000-plus Amazon reviews, most of which gave five-star ratings, I kept seeing words like 鈥渕agic鈥 and 鈥渓ifesaver.鈥 And in place of the typical wellness musings, the label read, in all caps:听鈥淔EEL YOUR FACE PULSATE鈥 and 鈥淒EEP PORE CLEANSING!鈥

The mask鈥檚 listing boasts that it helps听solve a strange mix of ailments and can听be utilized in a variety of ways: 鈥淔acials, acne, bodywraps, clay baths, foot soaks, chilled clay for knee packs听and insect bites!鈥 If听that wasn鈥檛 intriguing enough, it only cost $12.75. I wasn鈥檛 completely sold after testing听it the first two times听(as a face mask鈥擨鈥檝e yet to use it for its other functions), but听after giving it a few more tries, this humble mask won me over.

For the past five months, I鈥檝e consistently used it at least once a week, which is more than I can say of other products I bought during that time鈥攁 charcoal toothpaste that promised to brighten my teeth just left them听feeling less clean听than when I started. I think part of my commitment to Aztec Secret has to do with just how satisfying the prep is: you mix the powder with equal parts apple cider vinegar until you get a creamy, mint-colored paste听that looks like something you could have extracted straight from the earth. It鈥檚 cooling and not overly drying upon application, and unlike more expensive products, you don鈥檛 have to think twice about slathering it on. After multiple uses, I started seeing results. My skin feels better than it听ever has: softer, clearer, and firmer.

In the end, I realized I could embrace my lazy-person routine and get away with ditching a few daily steps, like toning, because the after-effects of the mask seemed to last. And the fact that I live in a dry climate and the mask isn鈥檛 dehydrating听means that my skin doesn鈥檛 revolt if I鈥檓 not super on point with moisturizing. After growing disillusioned with $100 serums and the next-best ingredients, the unassuming Aztec Secret made me realize that I was right all along:听when it comes to my skin, less is more.

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This Is the State of Outdoor Rec During Summer 2020 /adventure-travel/advice/outdoor-activities-safety-coronavirus-pandemic/ Thu, 11 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0000 /uncategorized/outdoor-activities-safety-coronavirus-pandemic/ This Is the State of Outdoor Rec During Summer 2020

While there's no such thing as a risk-free outing right now, being well-informed and making smart decisions can lead to a safer and more active summer.

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This Is the State of Outdoor Rec During Summer 2020

This is a developing story. For the latest information on reopenings and recommended protocol, visit the state, park, or individual websites of the places you鈥檙e considering.听

The start of summer marked a听turning point for many states. Beaches, parks, and campgrounds across the country have begunreopeningfrom COVID-19 lockdowns. But the case-by-case approach has left many of us wondering what exactly is open听and, more importantly, how to get outside without contributing to听a second wave of infections. We scoured dozens of status updates to better provide an overview of where some of our favorite pastimes stand, and we asked William Miller, an epidemiologist at the Ohio State University, how much risk each of the following听activities pose. While there鈥檚 no such thing as a risk-free outing right now, being well-informed and making smart decisions can lead to a safer and more active summer.听

Visiting the National Parks

(Riley McNeal/Unsplash)

Status:听They鈥檙e opening, but not to their full capacity.

As of June 10, more than half of the country鈥檚 62 national-park units have reopened. But much like their earlier听closures, the process for these phased reopenings has听varied from park to park. The first step for most has been experimenting with limiting day use. While Rocky Mountain National Park has instituted since reopening on May 27, others, like , will simply close to new visitors once parking lots are full.听

Along with changes to park entry, expect some of the most popular trails and sites to remain closed, because of concern听over听social distancing in those areas or a lack of access from听shuttle operations听on pause. Some less visited sites have begun to make either all or select campgrounds available, while others, such as those in the Grand Canyon and Pinnacles, are honoring existing reservations but remain closed otherwise. Don鈥檛 expect most overnight lodging to be open, but check in with individual vendor sites, as there are exceptions.听

When it comes to backcountry access, the national parks are showing a similar split across the board, with certain places only allowing backcountry access (Congaree and听Rainier), others starting to issue permits (Canyonlands and听Rocky Mountain),听and many canceling permits for the rest of the reason (Glacier). Meanwhile, Yosemite, which welcomed visitors with existing wilderness and Half Dome permits on June 6, is allowing to access its 70 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail.听

Despite these measures, many parks have already reported huge听turnouts. Great Smoky Mountains National Park听saw a surge of visitors on its opening day, some of whom blocking off closed areas. Arches three hours after reopening on May 29 when it reached capacity听and is now looking to enforce a timed-entry system. On May 18, thousands flocked to Yellowstone and Grand Teton, with reporting instances of rangers having to break up large groups near Old Faithful.

As has been the case with states reopening, the parks are currently in an experimental phase and will adapt their measures according to local guidance and in response to visitor behavior. Be sure to check individual parks鈥 websites for their听latest status, and have a backup plan should your destination hit capacity. Better yet, reach out to park officials and听ask which days of the week or times of the day they听recommend visiting听and the locations they expect to be less crowded.听

Risk Assessment: Medium
Anyone considering a visit to a听national park, even in their听own听state, will likely end up spending some time on the road. 鈥淎 road trip with your household is probably going to be pretty safe, but you鈥檒l have to plan your route thoughtfully,鈥 says Miller, who suggests skipping restaurants, making sure you鈥檝e packed enough supplies听to avoid stopping in small towns, and camping or staying in hotels where you can trust that accommodations are adequately cleaned.听听

Camping

(Patrick Hendry/Unsplash)

Status: It鈥檚 enjoying听a strong comeback, but make a reservation or go off-grid.

In most states, parks and campgrounds have been among the first recreational options to reopen. But expect the status of each site to change, depending on its designation and state ordinances. According to the booking site , as of June 1, a reported听18 states have听park campgrounds that are either closed, off-limits to out-of-state visitors, or planning staggered openings.Among them is听,听which continues to keep state-park campgrounds closed but is set to reopen camping sites听within soon.听Other states, such as , are requiring campers to make reservations for state parks in advance and running sites at 50 percent capacity. Meanwhile, state parks are just starting to reopen in (June 1) and (June 9), both allowing dispersed camping on BLM land. National-forest sites, those run by third parties, like the Army Corps of Engineers and ,听and RV parks, have followed a similar case-by-case model. For openings by state, the Dyrt has a handy overview of what to expect, but make sure to check with individual state websites for the latest information.听

Risk Assessment: Low
鈥淭he great thing about camping is that it is usually in a wide-open space, and you鈥檙e there with people you intend to be with,鈥 says Miller. He notes that the only risks would include using restrooms, which are often poorly ventilated, and picking a crowded campground.

Hitting the Beach

(Viviana Rishe/Unsplash)

Status: You can go鈥攂ut only if you鈥檙e doing something active.

One of the first states to open its beaches, Florida saw hordes of visitors flock its shoreline as early as mid-April, causing some areas, like Naples, to close, reopen, and close again before reopening with . Similar sceneswere seen on the beaches of听, Texas,听and . While Texas hasn鈥檛 imposed any COVID-19-related measures, Los Angeles County is only individual activities like swimming, surfing, running, and walking, while sunbathing (and any items that allow for it, like chairs, umbrellas, and coolers) is prohibited to prevent听crowds听or gatherings.听

Across the Southeast, states began lifting restrictions听in mid-May, and now听, , and are open for business. And ahead of Memorial Day, states in both the Northwest (Washington and听Oregon) and the Northeast (New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Connecticut) began to open up, though New York City鈥檚 decision to remain听closed caused the surrounding states to impose both informal and official measures impeding out-of-state access; this has included everything from limiting parking and听short-term rentals to having people buy 鈥溾澨齣n advance or restricting out-of-towners altogether.听On June 1, beaches in and began phased reopenings. With so much of the country only just reaching this stage and in the process of closely monitoring any uptick of cases as a result of it, it鈥檚 crucial to stay updated.听

Risk Assessment: Low
鈥淚 hope that we can trust each other to maintain the necessary spacing without disruptive systems like reservation systems or physical barriers to enforce distancing,鈥 says Miller. As for the risks associated with swimming and surfing, he says, 鈥淲e don鈥檛 have any reason to believe that the virus is transmitted through water so far.鈥澨

Climbing

(Tommy Lisbin/Unsplash)

Status: Gyms are slowly reopening听but may present risks despite new measures. Opt for the outdoors听instead.

As climbing听gyms across the country have begun to reopen, we鈥檝e seen a range of approaches to cleanliness and social distancing. Some are requiring patrons to wear masks, wash their hands, and clean their shoes听before entering the facility, while听others are setting routes farther apart and limiting entry to members only. Most gyms are reducing their capacity to abide by local regulations, suspending gear rentals, and encouraging climbers听to stick with one belayer during sessions. The fact is, holds and ropes are by nature hard to keep clean, and most听gyms are enclosed spaces, which means the indoor version of the sport听presents inherently more risk than outdoor activities.

However, many states听and national parks are starting to allow climbing. Among the national parks, Arches, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef are currently issuing permits; North Cascades and Olympic are open to climbers for day use; and听Mount Rainier is open to dispersed camping and climbing听up to 10,500 feet. Denali and Yosemite are two that remain closed to climbers.听

Risk Assessment听for Outdoor Climbing: Low
鈥淐rags should be fairly low-risk for contact-related transmission, especially if they are in the sunlight. I could imagine the virus surviving on a moist surface, like a mossy area in the shade, but we don鈥檛 know that for sure,鈥 says Miller. To minimize risk, make sure your partner has limited exposure to others in the weeks leading up to the climb.

Mountain Biking听

(Tim Foster/Unsplash)

Status:听More people than ever are taking to the trails on two wheels, making it important to follow guidelines.

The pandemic has produced a new class of cyclists, and while most听are considered casual or commuting riders, mountain biking has also enjoyed a surge in popularity, with bike shops and trails that have remained open citing . As state and forest land once again becomes accessible, along with networks on private land, many organizations, including the , and state or city outfits, like the and Colorado鈥檚 , have issued recommendations for safe riding. Most call for staying close to home and having a plan B should you find too many cars at the trailhead parking lot. Better yet, the IMBA suggests riding roads, gravel, or paths instead of crowded singletrack.听

Bike parks, meanwhile, have either announced closures for the summer season or tentative opening dates in accordance with local codes, though听a few听have already opened. The website MTBparks has been keeping of areas听across North America, but check in directly with your听destination for the most recent updates.听

Risk Assessment: Low
鈥淢ountain biking鈥攁nd biking in general鈥攊s very safe because it鈥檚 easy to maintain a distance. The only potential exposure is taking more than a few seconds to pass someone or riding closely behind them,鈥 says Miller. 鈥淚f you can be prepared ahead of time to minimize time at the trailhead, all the better.鈥

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What the Future of 国产吃瓜黑料 Travel Looks Like /adventure-travel/news-analysis/future-adventure-travel-after-coronavirus-pandemic/ Thu, 21 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000 /uncategorized/future-adventure-travel-after-coronavirus-pandemic/ What the Future of 国产吃瓜黑料 Travel Looks Like

国产吃瓜黑料 travel is poised to make a strong comeback, according to experts. We talked to guides, company founders, flight specialists, and industry veterans to determine how getting out in the world will change post-pandemic.

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What the Future of 国产吃瓜黑料 Travel Looks Like

If there鈥檚听one thing that the travel experts we talked to agree on, it鈥檚 that the future of adventure travel is bright despite the unprecedented challenges presented by the global pandemic. 鈥淭here is nothing in my 35 years in the adventure travel business that comes close to this,鈥 says Ben Bressler, CEO of the sustainable-travel company . 鈥淏ut if 9/11, SARS, and the financial collapse of 2008 taught us anything, it鈥檚 that adapting quickly is vital, and that we鈥檒l come out the other end more resilient.鈥

That鈥檚 especially the case for adventure travel, which by its very nature has all the makings of a post-pandemic antidote, with its focus on small group outings, less touristed destinations, and wide-open spaces. According to an ongoing by Destination Analysts, a tourism research and marketing firm, more than half of American travelers say they plan to avoid crowded destinationsonce the bulk of restrictions have eased.

What can we expect from the next few months and beyond? Our sources acknowledge that it鈥檚 impossible to be certain about anything as we experiment with a new normal, and they note that if a second wave of COVID-19 hits, travel rollbacks will occur. Our return to travel will depend on a variety of factors, including 鈥渨hen economies and borders reopen, how businesses change their operations, whether airlines provide rapid COVID-19 testing, and, ultimately, when a vaccine may become available,鈥 says Sandy Cunningham, a longtime adventure travel outfitter and the cofounder of , 国产吃瓜黑料鈥檚 travel company.

Mounting findings show听that travelers are ready to get out there once it鈥檚 safe to do so. A recent by Skift Research, the data-analysis arm of the travel trade publication, found that 鈥渙ne-third of Americans in our survey indicated they would start to travel within three months after travel restrictions are lifted.鈥 Most of our experts agreed that just as states and countries are now practicing phased reopenings, travel will probably mirror that process, initially with more close-to-home excursions, camping, and road trips, then domestic air travel, eventually followed by international travel. The first steps are already underway听as national parks, beaches,听and other parts of the country begin to reopen.

Many听also noted听that their clients have chosen to postpone trips rather than cancel them, indicating that once it鈥檚 safe to try the waters, they will. Such听postponements have helped some outfitters听stay afloat during this time. Outfitters are also seeing an increase in new bookings for the future.

Meanwhile, there鈥檚 hope that travelers will venture out in more thoughtful and sustainable ways. 鈥淲e have the opportunity to enact change that perhaps we never felt the freedom to do before,鈥 says Shannon Stowell, president of the (ATTA). 鈥淚f there was ever a time to rebuild right, the world has the opportunity.鈥澨

From new health and safety protocols to a spike in more meaningful bucket-list trips, here鈥檚 how our experts predict travel will change going forward.听

国产吃瓜黑料 travel will be the first to return.听

(Bobby Stevenson/Unsplash)

鈥湽怨虾诹 travelers are by nature more intrepid, more willing to make the sacrifices needed to experience the extraordinary, and they will likely lead the way,鈥 says Richard Bangs, cofounder of the adventure company and the travel app , and a member of 鈥檚 founding team. Stowell agrees:听鈥淪ome of the aspects of adventure travel mean that it will be a more attractive option than ever. Enclosed places like mass-tourism resorts and packed tourist sites will be much less so.鈥

MT Sobek鈥檚 future bookings reflect travelers seeking more remote destinations, with increased听interest in Alaska and chartered raft trips. To cater to this demand, the company also recently launched a series of to national parks and other domestic wilderness areas.

, the largest small-group adventure company in the world, is noticing a similar turn toward听these types of trips. 鈥淔rom our North American customers specifically, we鈥檙e seeing a surge in interest for active tours that include outdoor experiences like trekking, hiking, and cycling,鈥 says its CEO, James Thornton.听

James Sano, vice president听of travel, tourism, and conservation听at the , who has 35 years of experience in the industry, says he has witnessed the repeated return of adventure travelers after past disruptions like SARS. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e often early adopters, and their tolerance for risk is greater,鈥 he says. 鈥淚 think they鈥檙e going to be on the leading edge.鈥澨

The first wave will be a return to local and domestic travel, with an emphasis on camping and road trips.

Our experts all agree on how travel will open up, but the timing remains uncertain. Put more simply, Bangs refers to听a quote from novelist William Goldman听about the movie business: 鈥淣obody knows nothing.鈥 Bangs听anticipates the return in stages: 鈥淥ne:听explore where we live. Two: take road trips to nearby state parks and beaches. Three:听go on interstate road trips to national parks, river trips, and hikes. Four:听make short, domestic air trips to wilderness destinations. Five:听international travel.鈥 For many states and national parks that have begun phased reopenings, the first two steps have already commenced.

Phase three may present some challenges. Travelers will have to stay on top of the news and follow federal and state health precautions. But this hasn鈥檛 stopped road-trippers from planning鈥攖here鈥檚 been a spike in bookings at , an RV rental service. 鈥淲e have seen our average daily bookings grow at an encouraging rate of 450 percent since April 1听and more traffic to our website than the year before,鈥 says Jeff Cavins, its CEO, who is working closely with RV owners to implement new cleaning practices. 鈥淥nce it鈥檚 safe to get out there, I think people will have a strong desire to control the cleanliness and safety of their environment, give themselves distance, and not have to worry about security lines, cramped seating, or crowded places.鈥 , an Airbnb-like RV-rental marketplace, recently announced the highest recorded bookings since its founding鈥攁 650 percent rise since the start of April.

Camping is positioned to become even more popular following lockdown restrictions. A recent KOA听 found that camping is likely to account for 16 percent of leisure trips post-pandemic, compared to 11 percent recorded before. The report also indicates that the lockdown could create a new class of campers, as 32 percent of leisure travelers who鈥檝e never camped before expressed interest in starting. Campers are also planning to venture out responsibly鈥70 percent said that they plan to camp close to home, and 68 percent are willing to travel to less popular locations to avoid overcrowding.听

Camping and road trips are also more viable when many of us are dealing with financial uncertainty. 鈥淎 critical factor the travel industry as a whole will have to consider in coming months is that many people have lost their jobs or had to take pay cuts during this time, so far-flung travel may not be feasible,鈥 says Cavins of Outdoorsy. Of the prospective campers surveyed in the KOA report, 41 percent noted that they were most interested in its affordability.

Then we鈥檒l start flying again.

(James Coleman/Unsplash)

Next will come domestic air travel, with adventurers seeking off-the-grid, wilderness destinations for both DIY and small organized听group听trips. 鈥淕uided activities provide an opportunity for an adventure without assuming some of the risk that comes with independent ventures,鈥 says Alex Kosseff, executive director of the . While its approximately 6,000 guides and instructors experienced mass cancellations this spring, they鈥檙e hopeful for a big comeback once it鈥檚 safe to travel domestically.听

As for international travel, outfitters are noticing a scheduling trend among clients. Intrepid Travel鈥檚 Thornton says that 鈥淢ay 2021 is the most popular time frame for rebooking trips, which is generally a longer booking window than we鈥檙e used to seeing. Those making new international bookings are planning to travel a little earlier, with the majority in March 2021.鈥 Meanwhile, a few countries, like Iceland, Vietnam, and Greece, plan to in mid-June.

Scott Keyes, founder of the flight-deals newsletter , believes听that until there鈥檚 a听definitive breakthrough鈥攚hether that鈥檚 a vaccine or herd immunity is achieved鈥攖ravel will return sporadically. 鈥淭here won鈥檛 be an all-clear signal like the end of a fire drill,鈥 he says. 鈥淚nstead, certain places will open before others, and some places will likely go through waves of opening and closing.鈥

There will be a spike in bucket-list trips.听

What most of us have been missing during this time aren鈥檛 material things. We鈥檙e missing experiences. 鈥淭hat trip you鈥檝e been telling yourself for six years you鈥檙e going to take but just haven鈥檛 yet?听More people are going to make those trips happen when we feel safe to travel again,鈥 says Daniel Houghton, the former CEO of and the author of . According to of 2,200 travelers in the U.S., the UK, and Australia conducted by the booking site Skyscanner,听鈥Bucket-list travel is high on the agenda, with 80 percent of Americans likely to travel to their dream destination once restrictions are lifted.鈥

This is reflected in the most popular destinations for rebookings and new bookings. 鈥淭he demand we鈥檙e seeing indicates a desire for remote places with natural surroundings, while also checking off bucket-list experiences,鈥 says Thornton. His听company is seeing most of its rebookings for Peru, Ecuador, Antarctica, Greece, and Japan听and most of its new bookings for Antarctica, Ecuador, Peru, Egypt, and Morocco, in order of popularity. Similarly, 国产吃瓜黑料 GO is seeing the most interest in Alaska and British Columbia this summer and fall and New Zealand in 2021.

Now is also a good time to mark your calendars for those hard-to-get permit-only adventures that need to be booked up to a year in advance.听

And there will be deals.

鈥淲hen it鈥檚 safe to do so, I鈥檓 not sure there will be a better time to be a budget traveler,鈥 says Houghton. 鈥淭he industry has been hit hard, and when the time is right, trips we once only dreamed of being able to afford could be in reach.鈥澨齌hat鈥檚 especially the case with flights, as airlines continue to slash future fares to encourage travelers to buy now for trips down the line.

According to Brian Kelly, CEO and founder of , a travel website focused on loyalty and credit-card programs, 鈥淣ow is a great time to start planning trips for a post-coronavirus world.鈥 Kelly has been seeing airlines offering fares for less than $100 to the Caribbean, wide-open date ranges for听award tickets to Europe for the winter holidays, and first-class tickets to Japan for just 55,000 miles in January 2021.听

There鈥檚 also been a 40 percent surge of what Keyes听of Scott鈥檚 Cheap Flights听calls 鈥渕istake fares鈥:听when technical glitches cause airlines to post fares at huge discounts. 鈥淲ith airlines doing major surgery to their schedules, one side effect has been a spike in the number of mistake fares,鈥 says Keyes, who saw a $210 round-trip flight from Los Angeles to Santiago, Chile.听

But before you jump on any deals, be sure to closely read the terms of an airline鈥檚 change and cancellation policy and look into cancel-for-any-reason travel insurance.

Airlines won鈥檛 be the only place to find deals, either. 听recently announced that it will cover half the cost of a traveler鈥檚 airfare and a portion of their hotel stay to inspire tourists to return to the Italian island. And some hotel chains are offering ways travelers can spend now to travel later, which helps keep hotel staff paid or on health care. Cayuga Collections, a group of sustainable hotels in Central America, is offering a , in which your investment in a future stay now will double in value when you鈥檙e ready to book. Other travel deals are likely forthcoming.

We鈥檒l want to spend quality time听with friends and family.

Multi-Ethnic Hiking Family Posing for Selfie on Remote Wilderness Beach
(Pamela Joe McFarlane/iStock)

鈥淲ith so many people forced to be separate from friends and family, we anticipate travelers wanting to make up for lost time with loved ones through meaningful experiences,鈥 says Allison Fleece, cofounder听of , an adventure travel company that caters to women. 鈥淭he pandemic age we鈥檙e living in is teaching us all about what鈥檚 important in our lives and how fragile life can be, and we think that will be reenforced by people鈥檚 travel decisions.鈥

Multigenerational trips will be a popular choice post-lockdown. 鈥淩econnecting has become a huge part of our pause,听and what better way than doing so with all our loved ones in safe, wild places,鈥 says Cunningham of 国产吃瓜黑料 GO. In fact, the glamping operator 听has seen听an 鈥渦ptick in inquiries for smaller weddings and elopements, as well as delayed birthday and anniversary celebrations,鈥 says Peter Mack, its CEO.

We鈥檒l use travel agents and outfitters more often.听

When thousands of Americans got as lockdowns quickly听closed international borders, those who had a travel agent or an outfitter to lean on had a much easier time getting home than those who didn鈥檛.听

鈥淲hen the COVID-19 crisis began, our first priority was ensuring the safety of our customers and workers around the world,鈥 says Intrepid Travel鈥檚 Thornton. 鈥淥ur local tour leaders and global-operations team worked around the clock to help more than 3,000 travelers get home safely as borders were closing.鈥 国产吃瓜黑料 GO also went into emergency mode: 鈥淔rom getting clients safely evacuated out of countries before lockdowns went into effect and advocating on their behalf with travel-insurance companies to working with our ground partners to offer refunds for unused portions of trips cut short, our team worked long and hard to get this all done,鈥 says Cunningham.

鈥淭here has been so much frustration for so many people who booked through online services, with recordings that lead to nowhere,鈥 Cunningham adds. 鈥淗uman-to-human contact is more important than ever going forward.鈥

Because the travel landscape will look very different for a while, and information found via online sources in forums and other places may be out of date, a travel agent or outfitter will have more accurate information about access, businesses that are open, and where it鈥檚 safest to go to avoid crowds.

Outfitters are building closer relationships with clients right now, sharing memories of past trips and dreaming about future ones. 鈥淲e make regular outreaches with imagery and stories to keep our guests and potential guests dreaming,鈥 says MT Sobek鈥檚 Bangs. There鈥檚 also been a bonding within the travel industry itself, with outfitters supporting each other. The ATTA has been bringing outfitters together through online seminars, and on May 26, it will launch a free community membership for financially compromised companies, laid-off employees, and others wanting to try out the organization to stay connected. (This will be live on May 26 for those interested in signing听up.)听

It might take longer than ever to get through an airport.

At the airport with a face mask
(AJ Watt/iStock)

If you thought it took a long time before COVID-19, post-pandemic travel could be even more intense. 鈥淎fter 9/11, many new security measures were implemented, such as the introduction of TSA, bulletproof and locked cockpits, and the requirement of government-issued identification,鈥 says the Points Guy鈥檚 Kelly. 鈥淭he impact of COVID-19 will most likely lead to new health-based policies, such as boarding smaller groups of people at a time, requiring the sanitization of seats, and even eliminating seat-back pockets.鈥

While most airlines have already increased plane sanitation and require crew and travelers to wear masks, the FAA has yet to enforce any industry-wide regulations. This has resulted in an uneven response from domestic airlines, ranging from middle seats on large planes to other airlines announcing potential temperature screenings for passengers before boarding.听

Certain airlines have led the charge in instituting pre-boarding health screenings. 鈥淓mirates is already offering ,鈥 says Cunningham. The airline has plans to expand that testing to all flights departing to countries that require arriving passengers be screened.

Many of us will remember the yellow card, a now defunct pamphlet issued by the World Health Organization in which a traveler鈥檚 vaccination dates were recorded. 鈥淔or a big part of my career, certain countries required vaccinations for diseases like yellow fever, tetanus, and typhoid听and as part of the entry process听would ask you to produce your yellow book,鈥 says Sano of the World Wildlife Fund. 鈥淚 could easily envision a digital version of this, like a QR code, where you have electronic proof that you have been vaccinated.鈥

A similar movement is gaining momentum in the form of 鈥渋mmunity passports鈥 that would be issued to those who have recovered from the virus and may have antibodies. According to CNBC, during a first-quarter-earnings call on April 22, Delta CEO Ed Bastian that the airline was considering instituting a number of measures, including immunity passports. 鈥淐ould there be a new public-health agency coming out that requires a new passport to travel?鈥 he asked. 鈥淲e鈥檒l be on the forefront of all those advances.鈥

has already started issuing health passports, while countries, including the UK, Germany, and Italy, are considering doing so. (It鈥檚 important to note that a number of health organizations not enough is yet known about the immunity of those who have recovered from the novel coronavirus.)听

When it comes to the future of airports, Puerto Rico鈥檚 Luis Mu帽oz Mar铆n International Airport and Vienna International Airport are good indicators of what to expect. Luis Mu帽oz Mar铆n听has installed thermal-imaging cameras that screen passengers upon arrival for temperatures above 100.3 degrees Fahrenheit. Those who exceed that thresholdandshow symptoms will be evaluated and quarantined. Meanwhile, travelers arriving in Vienna will get a swab test for COVID-19 that will be processed within three hours and cost $204. Those who test negative will be given a certificate and allowed to move freely, and those who test positive will be subject to a 14-day quarantine.听Biometric check-ins, TSA appointments, and barring non-passengers from entering airports are among the that could be implemented.

Travel companies will rethink their approach to health and safety.

(Courtesy The Nomadic People)

国产吃瓜黑料 travel outfitters are using this time to revamp their protocols. At , a company that specializes in bike tours, that means 鈥渆nhancing safety training for trip leaders and working with hotel, restaurant, transport operators, and other vendors to abide by rigorous enhanced safety protocols for cleaning rooms, handling baggage, and preparing food, among others,鈥 says CEO Tom Hale. He adds that 鈥減rior to the trip start, our guests will be asked to run through a pre-trip health screening to make sure we鈥檝e done all we can to ensure that they鈥檙e good to go.鈥

Intrepid Travel will consider implementing similar steps in addition to 鈥渃ontactless check-in processes and increased transparency on hygiene,鈥 Thornton says. Kathryn Walsh, founder of the expedition company , says they听will begin 鈥渕aking single tents available for everyone, including a final bleach-solution rinse on the dishes after meals听and individually packaging food to prevent cross contamination, to name a few.鈥 And , known for its whitewater-rafting and sea-kayaking trips, plans to听conduct 鈥済uide and guest screenings before trips, enforce PPE when applicable, and give heightened attention to handwashing and the sanitation of vehicles and communal surfaces,鈥 according to Steve Markle, the brand鈥檚 vice president听of sales and marketing.

Host-driven rental companies have had to rethink their protocols as well. On May 1, Airbnb launched an that will certify hosts who practice its new cleaning guidelines (developed in partnership with former U.S. surgeon general Vivek Murthy) and implement a minimum 24-hour waiting period between bookings. For hosts who can鈥檛 abide by the guidelines, the company has suggested waiting 72 hours from when the rental was last occupied before hosting new guests. Others, like the camping-booking site Hipcamp, have sent out to hosts on new cleaning and guest-interaction protocols. Hipcamp CEO Alyssa Ravasio says it has also 鈥渁dded an extra step to our booking flow听where all Hipcampers have to check a box to self-certify their booking doesn鈥檛 violate any local regulations or travel bans.鈥澨

Glamping operators are poised to make a quick comeback due to the nature of their lodging setups. 鈥淯nlike traditional hotels or accommodation rentals, our air-handling systems consist of fresh air, our hotel lobbies听are big canvas tents, and our hallways听are winding paths through open fields and natural landscapes,鈥 says Collective Retreats鈥 Mack. The company operates five locations across the country. 鈥淥ver the past few months, we鈥檝e continued to operate our retreat in Austin, Texas, and have started selling out many weekends,鈥 he says. 鈥淎t Collective Governors Island, in New York, we鈥檝e had under ten cancellations post July 4, and for August, September, and October, we鈥檙e currently projected to be ahead of where we were last year at this time.鈥

, which operates luxury tent sites just outside national parks, is set to open its Great Smoky Mountains location on May 28, followed by Zion and Moab听on June 4, then Grand Canyon and Yellowstone on June 11. Each site will abide by its location鈥檚 reopening policies. Individual check-in via a touchscreen kiosk, takeout food and beverages for in-tent dining, and hand-sanitizing stations throughout camp are among the the company is implementing.

Travel will change for the better.

Our experts agreed that travel will become more intentional going forward. 鈥淲e definitely think people will be more appreciative and attracted to meaningful experiences, responsibility, the environment, and moments that bring people together to learn and grow from each other in the post-pandemic world,鈥 says Whoa Travel鈥檚 Allison Fleece. Walsh of Backpack Alaska agrees:听鈥淚 know I鈥檝e fooled myself before in thinking that substance would spontaneously arrive out of traveling to a far-flung destination that sounded exotic.听This pandemic has highlighted that many people are craving something real and lasting.鈥澨

Others noted that this time could lead to both travelers and travel companies prioritizing sustainability and ethics. 鈥淚 think there will be a thinning of mass tourism, a thinning of meaningless experiences.听People will be looking for deeper experiences and less instant-gratification tourism,鈥 says 国产吃瓜黑料 GO鈥檚 Cunningham. Stowell of the ATTA recalls what Canadian astrophysicist Hubert Reeves said at the association鈥檚 2009 summit about climate change: 鈥淚鈥檓 not optimistic, I鈥檓 not pessimistic, I鈥檓 determined.鈥 Stowell adds:听鈥淲e at ATTA and in our community are determined to see travel done better. In terms of some of the more destructive types of tourism, those should be reimagined and rebuilt entirely to start being healthy for destinations. Now is the time for destinations to take charge and demand that tourism be helpful to their environmental efforts and supportive of locals instead of harmful or exploitative.鈥

Many companies are already looking at how they can recover in a way that鈥檚 more sustainable, which the World Wildlife Fund鈥檚 Sano says could turn out to be more profitable. 鈥淎s we鈥檝e been able to see from the impact this pandemic has had on the environment, travelers will likely be more aware of their impact than ever before,鈥 he says. Hipcamp鈥檚 Ravasio adds: 鈥淚n moments like this, where it has become incredibly clear that we are all connected, travel provides us with an opportunity to practice empathy. How can I respect and take care of this community that I am visiting?鈥

All听see a promising future. 鈥淚鈥檓 more hopeful for the future of travel than I鈥檝e ever been,鈥 says Daniel听Houghton. 鈥淭ravel offers something you can鈥檛 fake or create at home. All the things that we long for in quarantine鈥攆resh air, places we鈥檝e never been, having dinner with people we just met鈥攖hese are travel鈥檚 finest qualities that are endlessly available, no matter where you find yourself on the planet.鈥

MT Sobek鈥檚听Bangs emphasizes that travel always comes back: 鈥淭his passion for adventure does not go away听or flatten with time. It is a fundamental desire, a curiosity itch, and when the road opens, there will be travelers, top down, full speed ahead.鈥

Deputy Editor Mary Turner and Assistant Editor Kaelyn Lynch contributed to the reporting of this article.

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This Virtual Tour Cured My Travel Withdrawal /adventure-travel/news-analysis/virtual-tour-travel-faroe-islands/ Fri, 17 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0000 /uncategorized/virtual-tour-travel-faroe-islands/ This Virtual Tour Cured My Travel Withdrawal

The Faroe Islands have come up with a really cool way to make us feel like we're traveling right now.

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This Virtual Tour Cured My Travel Withdrawal

For many of us, adjusting to a less nomadic lifestyle has meant finding creative ways to sate our wanderlust, from reminiscing about past trips to for future ones. For me听it鈥檚 been a little of both. And now听one of my favorite destinations, the Faroe Islands, an 18-island archipelago that lies between Norway and Iceland, has听come up with a fun way to make us feel like we鈥檙e there.

I fell听for听the islands鈥 dramatic vistas, ample sheep, and good-humored people after spending too few days exploring them听two summers ago. Since then, I鈥檝e edited the hundreds of photos I took, added material to a guide I plan to share with anyone I can convince to go, and reread Sussana Kaysen鈥檚 , a beautiful novel based on her year living there, all the while planning for my return. So when I heard about the Faroe Islands 鈥檚 latest initiative, a that involves having a Faroese resident, with a camera strapped to them, give real-time tours,as viewers direct their movements via an on-screen console, I couldn鈥檛 help myself. What I originally expected to be an elaborate marketing听campaign has turned out to be exactly what I needed to cope听with my travel withdrawal.

Faroe Islands
(Courtesy Visit Faroe Islands)

As much as it鈥檚 a great way to enjoy听the diverse beauty of the destination, it鈥檚 an even better way to experience the unique charm of the Faroese people. Since the virtual tour鈥檚 launch on April 15, I鈥檝e been tuning in daily for a dose (check for the timing of the next tour), following a real-life tourism-board staffer who turns, walks, runs, and jumps on command while sharing fun facts about the archipelago鈥檚 geography, culture, and history. The awkwardness you鈥檇 expect from a person being made to perform these actions is quickly resolved by the guide鈥檚 earnestness. Some highlights I鈥檝e heard thus far: 鈥淚f you turn right once more, you鈥檒l see dark clouds meeting the light sky, creating a nice contrast,鈥 鈥淚 wish you could see a newborn lamb, they are so cute. Oh look! There is one,鈥 鈥淭his is such a cool experience, to be controlled by an anonymous person. I have no idea where you are in the world right now, but hello!听Nice to meet you.鈥澨

Along with exploring regions 鈥渙n foot,鈥 viewers can expect tours via听kayak, boat, horseback, and helicopter, depending on weather conditions. (It鈥檚 typical to experience all four seasons in a single day on the islands.) For a chance to control the cameraperson, viewers click the 鈥渏oin鈥 button on the website stream. Each individual session lasts one minute, allowing up to 60 people to get a听turn during the hourlong excursion. At the same time, tourism-board staff help answer questions and offer travel suggestions on Facebook Live and Instagram. The initiative is scheduled to run throughApril 25听but may be extended pending its popularity.听

Faroe Islands
(Courtesy Visit Faroe Islands)

At the moment, the Faroes aren鈥檛 accepting visitors until May 1, a timeline that will be updated as the pandemic听situation evolves. But with a population of just 52,000 and the in the world, the autonomous region has remained relatively unimpacted since it shut down on March 12. 鈥淲e believe that our remote islands are the perfect place to inspire people in lockdown鈥攁nd听naturally, we hope to welcome them in person once everyone is free to travel again,鈥 said Gudrid听Hojgaard, director of Visit Faroe Islands, in a statement.

As for me, I鈥檒l definitely be returning once this is all over.

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6 (Super) Last-Minute Labor Day Weekend Getaways /adventure-travel/advice/last-minute-labor-day-weekend-getaways/ Tue, 27 Aug 2019 00:00:00 +0000 /uncategorized/last-minute-labor-day-weekend-getaways/ 6 (Super) Last-Minute Labor Day Weekend Getaways

Whether it鈥檚 a one-stop-shop adventure playground that still has availability or a city that鈥檚 at its best at the start of fall, here are some last-minute getaways that you can still book

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6 (Super) Last-Minute Labor Day Weekend Getaways

Summer has flown by and Labor Day is right around the corner. For those of you who are as unprepared as I am, there are still opportunities to take that spontaneous trip鈥攋ust opt for a short hop within your region. These adventures all still have availability and are mapped out by location to make it easy to book a last-minute getaway.

In the Midwest

(Courtesy Big Cedar Lodge)

The Ozarks, Missouri

From bass and fly fishing on Table Rock Lake to tram tours that take you through , a 10,000-acre reserve filled with bison, elk, and whitetail deer, it鈥檚 no surprise that (from $405) and its new 40-tent (from $214), in Missouri鈥檚 Ozark Mountains, was masterminded by Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris. It鈥檇 be easy to spend a long weekend at the 342-room resort, located an hour by car from Springfield, or 15 minutes from the smaller Branson airport, but that would mean missing out on the rich history of the surrounding towns. Be sure to stop by , 30 minutes by car from the lodge, for a taste of the area鈥檚 moonshine-making heydays, or drive an hour west to downtown Eureka Springs, in Arkansas, an offbeat creative hub filled with galleries, shops, and Victorian-era architecture. Closer to Branson, (from $200) is another iconic lakeside resort that鈥檚 geared towards families, with a marina that offers boat rentals, water skiing, parasailing, and scuba diving.

In the Mid-Atlantic

(Courtesy 国产吃瓜黑料s on the Gorge)

Fayetteville, West Virginia听

As whitewater rafting season winds down in the rest of the country, West Virginia鈥檚 Gauley River, a 35-mile stretch of Class V rapids, enters its primetime. Starting in early September for six weekends, the rapids attracts hardcore rafters to Lower Gauley, a technical section that includes a 30-foot plunge, while families and beginners can head to Upper New River, a laidback passage ideal for swimming and wildlife spotting. , a resort located on New River Gorge in the nearby town of Fayetteville, still has plenty of rafting availability over Labor Day weekend (and is offering half-off normal prices for Upper and Lower New River rafting trips; from $69.50), as well as campsites (from $15) and one- to four-bedroom cabins (from $129). The surrounding area offers a variety of other activities, like climbing and fishing, but for some prime mountain biking, drive three hours north, where the 10.5-mile in Blackwater Falls State Park, and the 22.4-mile , are fun singletracks.

In the Northeast

(Michael Ver Sprill/iStock)

Acadia National Park, Maine

While East Coast city residents make an exodus to the standard rotation of weekend getaways (the Hamptons, Newport, Nantucket), head to Portland or one of Maine鈥檚 surrounding areas for a quieter and less scene-y alternative鈥攁nd plenty of outdoor fun. After a day or two exploring Portland, make your way to , a coastal stretch of granite mountains, woodlands, and beaches on Mount Desert Island, a three-hour drive northwest from the city. Spend a morning hiking the , which ascends 1,000 feet by a series of ledges that offers sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean, before stopping by for a seafood lunch. In the afternoon, rent a bike from to test six miles of trails at The Camden Hills or rent a kayak from to explore the 60 islands that make up the Stonington Archipelago. Come sunset, post up at Sand Beach, a secluded stretch of white sand tucked in between mountains on the east side of Mount Desert Island, which you can access via Park Loop Road, the park鈥檚 scenic drive. While most of the park鈥檚 main campsites fill up in advance, the main town of Bar Harbor has plenty of inns and hotels that range in price, and (from $250), (from $139), and (from $279), still have availability.听

In the South

(Courtesy NOTMC/Rebecca Todd)

New Orleans, Louisiana

As the city gears up for its fall festival season, when events like and fill the streets with visitors, Labor Day weekend marks a less crowded and less expensive time to visit. With most of the area鈥檚 adventure offerings within an hour鈥檚 drive from the city, its worthwhile to post up in town. And luckily, the city no longer has a shortage of places to stay, with a number of design-forward (and affordable) boutique hotel openings this year, from the Marigny鈥檚 old-world-style (from $129), which comes with its own 1860s-era church, and the 67-room (from $389), from the guys behind Ace Hotels, to (from $200), which has 197 rooms in a series of warehouses on Magazine Street. In between your requisite eating and drinking, paddleboard Bayou St. John, a four-mile waterway that passes historic homes and a sprawling park (); bike the 31-mile , a trail converted from former rail yard tracks that goes from downtown Covington to Slidell; or kayak the swamps at .

In the Southwest

(Courtesy Tourism Santa Fe)

Santa Fe, New Mexico

If there鈥檚 a time of year to experience the full spirit of Santa Fe, it鈥檚 over Labor Day weekend, when the annual , a week-long celebration across town, takes place. The festival, which goes from August 31 to September 8 this year, includes parades, arts and crafts booths, mariachi bands, and culminates with the burning of Zozobra, or Old Man Gloom,听a towering marionette that represents the hardships of the past year. For those looking for some respite in between exploring the nearby national forests, parks, and monuments, book a听stay at 听(from $240), which just added a series of hot tubsset at the edge of its cottonwood-shrouded pond. Or to stay closer to the festivities, opt for (from $280), a refurbished 86-room motor lodge that opened last fall.听

In the Northwest

(Courtesy Hotel Zags Portland)

Portland, Oregon

Visiting the city in early September gets you the best of both worlds: it鈥檚 the tailend of the busy summer season, when the skies are clear and flowers are in full bloom (it鈥檚 called the City of Roses for a reason), and some hotels drop their rates. For visitors who want to take in all the nearby adventure offerings, from hiking up to 80 miles of trails at Forest Park to fishing Clackamas River, without the hassle of buying or renting gear, a stay at the new 174-room (from $179) comes with full access to its Gear Shed, stocked with fishing poles, mountain bikes, and鈥攊n true Portland fashion鈥35mm and Leica cameras to document it all with.

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