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–Escalante National Monument, there’s a stretch of highway flanked by stacked sandstone formations. They seem impenetrable at first, but a series of pull-offs suggest other­wise. 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��in April (from $299). Perched on a canyon-rim plateau, with views of the adjacent monument and Lake Powell’s azure waters, the camp’s 50 safari-style tents are spread across 220 acres. There’s 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’s plenty to do without venturing far.

A two-hour drive away, 18 miles west of Zion National Park’s southern entrance, you’ll find . The 80-acre site, which opened in March, has just three high-end tents, making it feel like you’ve 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).

The post 3 New Glamping Sites in Southern Utah appeared first on ���ϳԹ��� Online.

Aside from booking future trips,��one way you can inspire the adventure traveler on your list��and help the industry this year is to spend your holiday dollars on gifts that support��small travel businesses and��properties, as well as regions��and industry employees. Most lodges sell merchandise, so check their websites��and start ordering, or buy a gift certificate toward a trip from an outfitter you love. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite gift��ideas that benefit 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.

Gift Certificates

For the person on your list��who prizes experiences over material items, a gift certificate from their preferred��guiding outfitter, lodge, or travel service is a guaranteed hit. Established��mountaineering and climbing groups��like ,��, and����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��Drink��

It’s likely that everyone you’re shopping for has gotten into cooking since the start of the pandemic—whether that’s meant perfecting a home brew or discovering new spices. For the friend who wants to take their talents to the next level, “adopt” 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��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��in a destination that your giftee has always wanted to explore. Some of our favorites include coffee from Papua New Guinea–based , a tour operator that’s recently established a coffee mill to benefit��the local Native community (from $9, not including shipping), and Colombia-based , which sources from 600 producers across the country, roasts its beans in Medellín, and immediately ships��bags to the U.S. so that they’re fresh upon arrival��(from $10, not including shipping). For a gift that’s closer to home, many U.S. breweries, distilleries, and wineries are making delivery��easier, with some states that prohibit liquor shipments .

Virtual Experiences

Yep, we get it—we’ve 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��otherwise. Some of our favorite virtual experiences include ’s (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’ve 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�� (from $70 for a monthlong subscription; get a 10 percent discount during the holidays by using the code ANYEAREND��at checkout).

We’ve been watching a ton of cooking videos during quarantine. Give someone you love a ��($25) with a European chef through , and they’ll learn how to make you tapas that taste just like you’re in Spain.

For your strung-out friend who needs a way to relax, how about��gifting a virtual birding tour in Colombia?��The country is known for its enormous variety of avian��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��to set it up.��We hope to spot a rare blue-billed curassow.

Philanthropy

Giving back��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��an elephant through the in Cambodia, a sanctuary for the formerly captive giants. The��ecotourism outfitter��., based in Fairbanks, Alaska,��is offering , like Sluggo, above, to help support the dogs��and the company until its��dogsledding-trip bookings rebound. Meet its��team of awesome pooches��.

If you really want to splurge for someone, let them name a newborn rhino through the program for—gulp—$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’t have the resources to keep working. In another great offering from the Great Plains Foundation, Project Ranger allows you to ��to keep them employed and the wildlife protected. Or give a donation in someone’s name to �� to provide direct economic impact��to local guides who’ve been unemployed��this year in destinations around the world.

The grew out of the to contribute to��projects that conserve resources in adventure travel locales. The fund is currently focusing��on the acute needs of those in many destinations��right now suffering from��a lack of tourism income. in someone’s name to fund��projects, such as��protecting Namibia’s 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’s 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

For history buffs and trail lovers, ($55)��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��and are perfect for socially distant adventures—whether 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��some fantastic��lodges, like the , primely located in Utah near the state’s best national parks and Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument, and its James Beard–recognized restaurant and . The Italian guides who work for the bike-touring company created a ($15) full of their secret family recipes to bestow��your friends. (It’s in a PDF format, so you can gift��it right away.) The proceeds support the guides during the travel downturn. The in Nelson, British Columbia, is famed for its Fresh Tracks Café. Try out its chef’s fare in one of . The ($45) gathered up 100 recipes from various local chefs to give back to��the Colorado town’s struggling restaurants. And if you’re 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’t forget good ol’��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 ’s recently updated ($18). If you’re seeking warmth this winter, check out .

Home Goods��

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’s 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’t go wrong with a traditional Mexican hammock from (from $70), a Yucatán-based certified B Corp company.

Apparel and��Accessories��

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’s counting down to the Olympics next summer, the is filled with goodies, including this (from $200) and this (from $72).

The post 36 Awesome Gifts for ���ϳԹ��� Travelers appeared first on ���ϳԹ��� Online.

For years, my skin care routine has consisted of cleansing and moisturizing with drugstore products, applying��the occasional facial mask when I’m��in the mood, and always forgetting to put on sunscreen. I’ve never been a big skin care person—I spent��a 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 “temporarily researching skin care routines”��to 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—toning and exfoliating—would do the trick.

I wasn’t in the market for a face mask. I’ve been slowly making my way through a collection of algae, lava, and silica mud masks that generously came with a resort stay��a few years ago. But then I came across in Amazon’s best-reviewed beauty product list. The one-pound tub consists of just one ingredient,��, a pale-green��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 “magic” and “lifesaver.” And in place of the typical wellness musings, the label read, in all caps:��“FEEL YOUR FACE PULSATE” and “DEEP PORE CLEANSING!”

The mask’s listing boasts that it helps��solve a strange mix of ailments and can��be utilized in a variety of ways: “Facials, acne, bodywraps, clay baths, foot soaks, chilled clay for knee packs��and insect bites!” If��that wasn’t intriguing enough, it only cost $12.75. I wasn’t completely sold after testing��it the first two times��(as a face mask—I’ve yet to use it for its other functions), but��after giving it a few more tries, this humble mask won me over.

For the past five months, I’ve consistently used it at least once a week, which is more than I can say of other products I bought during that time—a charcoal toothpaste that promised to brighten my teeth just left them��feeling less clean��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��that looks like something you could have extracted straight from the earth. It’s cooling and not overly drying upon application, and unlike more expensive products, you don’t have to think twice about slathering it on. After multiple uses, I started seeing results. My skin feels better than it��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’t dehydrating��means that my skin doesn’t revolt if I’m 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:��when it comes to my skin, less is more.

The post This Face Mask Made Me a Skin-Care Convert appeared first on ���ϳԹ��� Online.

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’re considering.��

The start of summer marked a��turning point for many states. Beaches, parks, and campgrounds across the country have begun��reopening��from COVID-19 lockdowns. But the case-by-case approach has left many of us wondering what exactly is open��and, more importantly, how to get outside without contributing to��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��activities pose. 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.��

Visiting the National Parks

Status:��They’re opening, but not to their full capacity.

As of June 10, more than half of the country’s 62 national-park units have reopened. But much like their earlier��closures, the process for these phased reopenings has��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.��

Along with changes to park entry, expect some of the most popular trails and sites to remain closed, because of concern��over��social distancing in those areas or a lack of access from��shuttle operations��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’t expect most overnight lodging to be open, but check in with individual vendor sites, as there are exceptions.��

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��Rainier), others starting to issue permits (Canyonlands and��Rocky Mountain),��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.��

Despite these measures, many parks have already reported huge��turnouts. Great Smoky Mountains National Park��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��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’ websites for their��latest status, and have a backup plan should your destination hit capacity. Better yet, reach out to park officials and��ask which days of the week or times of the day they��recommend visiting��and the locations they expect to be less crowded.��

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

Camping

Status: It’s enjoying��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��18 states have��park campgrounds that are either closed, off-limits to out-of-state visitors, or planning staggered openings.��Among them is��,��which continues to keep state-park campgrounds closed but is set to reopen camping sites��within soon.��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 ,��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.��

Risk Assessment: Low
“The great thing about camping is that it is usually in a wide-open space, and you’re there with people you intend to be with,” 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

Status: You can go—but only if you’re 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 scenes��were seen on the beaches of��, Texas,��and . While Texas hasn’t 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��crowds��or gatherings.��

Across the Southeast, states began lifting restrictions��in mid-May, and now��, , and are open for business. And ahead of Memorial Day, states in both the Northwest (Washington and��Oregon) and the Northeast (New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Connecticut) began to open up, though New York City’s decision to remain��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��short-term rentals to having people buy “”��in advance or restricting out-of-towners altogether.��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’s crucial to stay updated.��

Risk Assessment: Low
“I hope that we can trust each other to maintain the necessary spacing without disruptive systems like reservation systems or physical barriers to enforce distancing,” says Miller. As for the risks associated with swimming and surfing, he says, “We don’t have any reason to believe that the virus is transmitted through water so far.”��

Climbing

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

As climbing��gyms across the country have begun to reopen, we’ve seen a range of approaches to cleanliness and social distancing. Some are requiring patrons to wear masks, wash their hands, and clean their shoes��before entering the facility, while��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��to stick with one belayer during sessions. The fact is, holds and ropes are by nature hard to keep clean, and most��gyms are enclosed spaces, which means the indoor version of the sport��presents inherently more risk than outdoor activities.

However, many states��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��Mount Rainier is open to dispersed camping and climbing��up to 10,500 feet. Denali and Yosemite are two that remain closed to climbers.��

Risk Assessment��for Outdoor Climbing: Low
“Crags 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’t know that for sure,” says Miller. To minimize risk, make sure your partner has limited exposure to others in the weeks leading up to the climb.

Mountain Biking��

Status:��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��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’s , 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.��

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

Risk Assessment: Low
“Mountain biking—and biking in general—is very safe because it’s easy to maintain a distance. The only potential exposure is taking more than a few seconds to pass someone or riding closely behind them,” says Miller. “If you can be prepared ahead of time to minimize time at the trailhead, all the better.”

The post This Is the State of Outdoor Rec During Summer 2020 appeared first on ���ϳԹ��� Online.

If there’s��one thing that the travel experts we talked to agree on, it’s that the future of adventure travel is bright despite the unprecedented challenges presented by the global pandemic. “There is nothing in my 35 years in the adventure travel business that comes close to this,” says Ben Bressler, CEO of the sustainable-travel company . “But if 9/11, SARS, and the financial collapse of 2008 taught us anything, it’s that adapting quickly is vital, and that we’ll come out the other end more resilient.”

That’s 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 destinations��once the bulk of restrictions have eased.

What can we expect from the next few months and beyond? Our sources acknowledge that it’s 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 “when economies and borders reopen, how businesses change their operations, whether airlines provide rapid COVID-19 testing, and, ultimately, when a vaccine may become available,” says Sandy Cunningham, a longtime adventure travel outfitter and the cofounder of , ���ϳԹ���’s travel company.

Mounting findings show��that travelers are ready to get out there once it’s safe to do so. A recent by Skift Research, the data-analysis arm of the travel trade publication, found that “one-third of Americans in our survey indicated they would start to travel within three months after travel restrictions are lifted.” 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��as national parks, beaches,��and other parts of the country begin to reopen.

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

Meanwhile, there’s hope that travelers will venture out in more thoughtful and sustainable ways. “We have the opportunity to enact change that perhaps we never felt the freedom to do before,” says Shannon Stowell, president of the (ATTA). “If there was ever a time to rebuild right, the world has the opportunity.”��

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

���ϳԹ��� travel will be the first to return.��

“���ϳԹ��� travelers are by nature more intrepid, more willing to make the sacrifices needed to experience the extraordinary, and they will likely lead the way,” says Richard Bangs, cofounder of the adventure company and the travel app , and a member of ’s founding team. Stowell agrees:��“Some 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.”

MT Sobek’s future bookings reflect travelers seeking more remote destinations, with increased��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��these types of trips. “From our North American customers specifically, we’re seeing a surge in interest for active tours that include outdoor experiences like trekking, hiking, and cycling,” says its CEO, James Thornton.��

James Sano, vice president��of travel, tourism, and conservation��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. “They’re often early adopters, and their tolerance for risk is greater,” he says. “I think they’re going to be on the leading edge.”��

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��a quote from novelist William Goldman��about the movie business: “Nobody knows nothing.” Bangs��anticipates the return in stages: “One:��explore where we live. Two: take road trips to nearby state parks and beaches. Three:��go on interstate road trips to national parks, river trips, and hikes. Four:��make short, domestic air trips to wilderness destinations. Five:��international travel.” 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’t stopped road-trippers from planning—there’s been a spike in bookings at , an RV rental service. “We have seen our average daily bookings grow at an encouraging rate of 450 percent since April 1��and more traffic to our website than the year before,” says Jeff Cavins, its CEO, who is working closely with RV owners to implement new cleaning practices. “Once it’s 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.” , an Airbnb-like RV-rental marketplace, recently announced the highest recorded bookings since its founding—a 650 percent rise since the start of April.

Camping is positioned to become even more popular following lockdown restrictions. A recent KOA�� 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’ve never camped before expressed interest in starting. Campers are also planning to venture out responsibly—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.��

Camping and road trips are also more viable when many of us are dealing with financial uncertainty. “A 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,” 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’ll start flying again.

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

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

Scott Keyes, founder of the flight-deals newsletter , believes��that until there’s a��definitive breakthrough—whether that’s a vaccine or herd immunity is achieved—travel will return sporadically. “There won’t be an all-clear signal like the end of a fire drill,” he says. “Instead, certain places will open before others, and some places will likely go through waves of opening and closing.”

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

What most of us have been missing during this time aren’t material things. We’re missing experiences. “That trip you’ve been telling yourself for six years you’re going to take but just haven’t yet?��More people are going to make those trips happen when we feel safe to travel again,” 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,��“Bucket-list travel is high on the agenda, with 80 percent of Americans likely to travel to their dream destination once restrictions are lifted.”

This is reflected in the most popular destinations for rebookings and new bookings. “The demand we’re seeing indicates a desire for remote places with natural surroundings, while also checking off bucket-list experiences,” says Thornton. His��company is seeing most of its rebookings for Peru, Ecuador, Antarctica, Greece, and Japan��and most of its new bookings for Antarctica, Ecuador, Peru, Egypt, and Morocco, in order of popularity. Similarly, ���ϳԹ��� 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.��

And there will be deals.

“When it’s safe to do so, I’m not sure there will be a better time to be a budget traveler,” says Houghton. “The 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.”��That’s 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, “Now is a great time to start planning trips for a post-coronavirus world.” Kelly has been seeing airlines offering fares for less than $100 to the Caribbean, wide-open date ranges for��award tickets to Europe for the winter holidays, and first-class tickets to Japan for just 55,000 miles in January 2021.��

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

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

Airlines won’t be the only place to find deals, either. ��recently announced that it will cover half the cost of a traveler’s 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’re ready to book. Other travel deals are likely forthcoming.

We’ll want to spend quality time��with friends and family.

“With 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,” says Allison Fleece, cofounder��of , an adventure travel company that caters to women. “The pandemic age we’re living in is teaching us all about what’s important in our lives and how fragile life can be, and we think that will be reenforced by people’s travel decisions.”

Multigenerational trips will be a popular choice post-lockdown. “Reconnecting has become a huge part of our pause,��and what better way than doing so with all our loved ones in safe, wild places,” says Cunningham of ���ϳԹ��� GO. In fact, the glamping operator ��has seen��an “uptick in inquiries for smaller weddings and elopements, as well as delayed birthday and anniversary celebrations,” says Peter Mack, its CEO.

We’ll use travel agents and outfitters more often.��

When thousands of Americans got as lockdowns quickly��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’t.��

“When the COVID-19 crisis began, our first priority was ensuring the safety of our customers and workers around the world,” says Intrepid Travel’s Thornton. “Our 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.” ���ϳԹ��� GO also went into emergency mode: “From 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,” says Cunningham.

“There has been so much frustration for so many people who booked through online services, with recordings that lead to nowhere,” Cunningham adds. “Human-to-human contact is more important than ever going forward.”

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’s 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. “We make regular outreaches with imagery and stories to keep our guests and potential guests dreaming,” says MT Sobek’s Bangs. There’s 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��up.)��

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

If you thought it took a long time before COVID-19, post-pandemic travel could be even more intense. “After 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,” says the Points Guy’s Kelly. “The 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.”

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.��

Certain airlines have led the charge in instituting pre-boarding health screenings. “Emirates is already offering ,” 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’s vaccination dates were recorded. “For a big part of my career, certain countries required vaccinations for diseases like yellow fever, tetanus, and typhoid��and as part of the entry process��would ask you to produce your yellow book,” says Sano of the World Wildlife Fund. “I could easily envision a digital version of this, like a QR code, where you have electronic proof that you have been vaccinated.”

A similar movement is gaining momentum in the form of “immunity passports” 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. “Could there be a new public-health agency coming out that requires a new passport to travel?” he asked. “We’ll be on the forefront of all those advances.”

has already started issuing health passports, while countries, including the UK, Germany, and Italy, are considering doing so. (It’s 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.)��

When it comes to the future of airports, Puerto Rico’s Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport and Vienna International Airport are good indicators of what to expect. Luis Muñoz Marín��has installed thermal-imaging cameras that screen passengers upon arrival for temperatures above 100.3 degrees Fahrenheit. Those who exceed that threshold��and��show 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.��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.

���ϳԹ��� travel outfitters are using this time to revamp their protocols. At , a company that specializes in bike tours, that means “enhancing 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,” says CEO Tom Hale. He adds that “prior to the trip start, our guests will be asked to run through a pre-trip health screening to make sure we’ve done all we can to ensure that they’re good to go.”

Intrepid Travel will consider implementing similar steps in addition to “contactless check-in processes and increased transparency on hygiene,” Thornton says. Kathryn Walsh, founder of the expedition company , says they��will begin “making single tents available for everyone, including a final bleach-solution rinse on the dishes after meals��and individually packaging food to prevent cross contamination, to name a few.” And , known for its whitewater-rafting and sea-kayaking trips, plans to��conduct “guide and guest screenings before trips, enforce PPE when applicable, and give heightened attention to handwashing and the sanitation of vehicles and communal surfaces,” according to Steve Markle, the brand’s vice president��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’t 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 “added an extra step to our booking flow��where all Hipcampers have to check a box to self-certify their booking doesn’t violate any local regulations or travel bans.”����

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

, 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��on June 4, then Grand Canyon and Yellowstone on June 11. Each site will abide by its location’s 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. “We 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,” says Whoa Travel’s Allison Fleece. Walsh of Backpack Alaska agrees:��“I know I’ve fooled myself before in thinking that substance would spontaneously arrive out of traveling to a far-flung destination that sounded exotic.��This pandemic has highlighted that many people are craving something real and lasting.”��

Others noted that this time could lead to both travelers and travel companies prioritizing sustainability and ethics. “I think there will be a thinning of mass tourism, a thinning of meaningless experiences.��People will be looking for deeper experiences and less instant-gratification tourism,” says ���ϳԹ��� GO’s Cunningham. Stowell of the ATTA recalls what Canadian astrophysicist Hubert Reeves said at the association’s 2009 summit about climate change: “I’m not optimistic, I’m not pessimistic, I’m determined.” Stowell adds:��“We 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.”

Many companies are already looking at how they can recover in a way that’s more sustainable, which the World Wildlife Fund’s Sano says could turn out to be more profitable. “As we’ve 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,” he says. Hipcamp’s Ravasio adds: “In 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?”

All��see a promising future. “I’m more hopeful for the future of travel than I’ve ever been,” says Daniel��Houghton. “Travel offers something you can’t fake or create at home. All the things that we long for in quarantine—fresh air, places we’ve never been, having dinner with people we just met—these are travel’s finest qualities that are endlessly available, no matter where you find yourself on the planet.”

MT Sobek’s��Bangs emphasizes that travel always comes back: “This passion for adventure does not go away��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.”

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

The post What the Future of ���ϳԹ��� Travel Looks Like appeared first on ���ϳԹ��� Online.

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��it’s been a little of both. And now��one of my favorite destinations, the Faroe Islands, an 18-island archipelago that lies between Norway and Iceland, has��come up with a fun way to make us feel like we’re there.

I fell��for��the islands’ dramatic vistas, ample sheep, and good-humored people after spending too few days exploring them��two summers ago. Since then, I’ve 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’s , a beautiful novel based on her year living there, all the while planning for my return. So when I heard about the Faroe Islands ’s 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’t help myself. What I originally expected to be an elaborate marketing��campaign has turned out to be exactly what I needed to cope��with my travel withdrawal.

As much as it’s a great way to enjoy��the diverse beauty of the destination, it’s an even better way to experience the unique charm of the Faroese people. Since the virtual tour’s launch on April 15, I’ve 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’s geography, culture, and history. The awkwardness you’d expect from a person being made to perform these actions is quickly resolved by the guide’s earnestness. Some highlights I’ve heard thus far: “If you turn right once more, you’ll see dark clouds meeting the light sky, creating a nice contrast,” “I wish you could see a newborn lamb, they are so cute. Oh look! There is one,” “This 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!��Nice to meet you.”��

Along with exploring regions “on foot,” viewers can expect tours via��kayak, boat, horseback, and helicopter, depending on weather conditions. (It’s typical to experience all four seasons in a single day on the islands.) For a chance to control the cameraperson, viewers click the “join” button on the website stream. Each individual session lasts one minute, allowing up to 60 people to get a��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 through��April 25��but may be extended pending its popularity.��

At the moment, the Faroes aren’t accepting visitors until May 1, a timeline that will be updated as the pandemic��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. “We believe that our remote islands are the perfect place to inspire people in lockdown—and��naturally, we hope to welcome them in person once everyone is free to travel again,” said Gudrid��Hojgaard, director of Visit Faroe Islands, in a statement.

As for me, I’ll definitely be returning once this is all over.

The post This Virtual Tour Cured My Travel Withdrawal appeared first on ���ϳԹ��� Online.

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—just 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

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’s no surprise that (from $405) and its new 40-tent (from $214), in Missouri’s Ozark Mountains, was masterminded by Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris. It’d 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’s 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’s geared towards families, with a marina that offers boat rentals, water skiing, parasailing, and scuba diving.

In the Mid-Atlantic

Fayetteville, West Virginia��

As whitewater rafting season winds down in the rest of the country, West Virginia’s 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

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’s surrounding areas for a quieter and less scene-y alternative—and 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’s scenic drive. While most of the park’s 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.��

In the South

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’s adventure offerings within an hour’s 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’s 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

Santa Fe, New Mexico

If there’s a time of year to experience the full spirit of Santa Fe, it’s 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,��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��stay at ��(from $240), which just added a series of hot tubs��set 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.��

In the Northwest

Portland, Oregon

Visiting the city in early September gets you the best of both worlds: it’s the tailend of the busy summer season, when the skies are clear and flowers are in full bloom (it’s 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—in true Portland fashion—35mm and Leica cameras to document it all with.

The post 6 (Super) Last-Minute Labor Day Weekend Getaways appeared first on ���ϳԹ��� Online.