Only The Best Travel
Even if you are not planning on traveling to a vacation spot that needs you to quarantine, here’s when well being experts say you ought to look at it. Share on PinterestDepending on where by you journey, you might be essential to quarantine for a …
When a few northern California families—the Goebels, the Smiths, and the Shipseys—came with each other to produce Dillon Seaside Resort, a seaside retreat on the northernmost idea of Marin County, they ended up established to breathe new lifetime into a quite special spot. Situated on …
Gifts for the 2022 Traveler
Not everyone is ready to get back out on the road—but many are. If someone on your gift list is planning a trip, long or short, here are some ideas for presents that will pack a lot of usefulness for years to come.
Luggage/Bags
Even seasoned travelers don’t agree on the check/don’t check luggage debate. When most airlines began charging for checked bags, the Great Overhead Wars began, which is why I check my bigger bag. But here are some top picks for great gifts for those who need to speed through the airport or just don’t trust their possessions to the cargo hold.
eBags updated this popular bag in 2019 in response to customer feedback. It frequently lands on the “Top Ten Luggage” lists. The company describes it as “hardside meets softside,” because its molded backside is coupled with a softside front. Zip expansion allows extra packing space, the handle adjusts to three heights and two front “feet” limit tipping. It comes in seven colors. Excellent value.
$169.99/www.ebags.com
First of all, how can we not love a company called “Baboon to the Moon”? On top of that, it makes fabulous, duffel-style bags that are TSA-approved carry-ons. This size is designed for 3–5 days of clothing. It has a waterproof shell, four external grab handles, four pockets and adjustable shoulder straps, and comes in multiple fun colors with the option to choose inner print designs.
$169/https://baboontothemoon.com
Kids love having their own luggage, and this 21-inch hardshell case weighs only six pounds, holds 30 and comes in the coolest prints, including T-Rex skeleton, unicorns, drawable exterior, and many more.
$59.99, www.target.com
Cosmetic/Toiletry Cases
It’s important to make sure liquid items don’t ruin the trip by leaking all over packed clothes.
Many travel sites/publications rate this case at the top for women’s toiletries. It sports a faux-leather exterior, poly lining, a dual top zipper, two compartments and a compact mirror—plus stylish design.
$48/www.revolve.com
This pouch is expensive, but designed for years of hard use by the New Life Project’s sustainable travel accessories. It boasts a double-zipper, a phosphorescent rope handle, internal organization pockets and a water-repellent coating.
Women’s Travel Handbags
I made the mistake of taking a bag on an international trip. It looked great—and was impossible to find anything in. This travel-proven bag will solve that issue.
Not only does this crossbody bag have multiple easy-access compartments, it’s made with slash-proof mesh between fabric layers and has radio frequency-blocking credit card slots to prevent distance scanning. It’s also made of water-resistant nylon and comes in six colors.
$56.25 (holiday sale)/www.magellans.com
Passport covers/luggage tags
Trust Etsy to have the best selection of groovy passport covers and luggage tags. Below is an example:
Etsy customers give five stars to these engraved luggage tags and passport covers, which are custom laser engraved to the buyer’s specifications. The vegan leather covers and tags can be personalized in multiple ways. These make for thoughtful, unique gifts for travel-lovers.
$32.99 passport only/$46.99 passport plus two tags/www.etsy.com (EcoEngrave shop)
This handcrafted leather passport cover from India is just plain beautiful, with several classic Indian art designs available. It is ethically sourced from eco-conscious vegetable-tanned, screen-printed, cruelty-free leather. $25/https://matrboomie.com
Money belts
Yes, we still need them. In Bratislava recently, a fellow traveler was pickpocketed of all their available cash. Not a glamorous gift, but a truly useful one.
Top-rated, thin, lightweight, with adjustable straps, this money belt blocks Radio Frequency Identity (RFID) transmissions.
$22.94/www.sears.com (Sears Marketplace vendor)
Travel Sleep Sacks
Bedbugs have been on travelers’ minds ever since some studies showed that even higher-priced hotel chains can have them—nevermind the No-Tell Motel. Also, germ-conscious folks are leery of plane seats, with good reason. So, travel sleep sacks are now a thing, and come in all fabrics and price ranges. This pick is reasonably priced and gets outstanding reviews.
This is a one-piece lightweight sack, designed with a built-in pocket for a pillow. The sack is made from the company’s proprietary “technical” fabric, which is stretchy, silky and soft, and wicks moisture away from the body for a cooler sleep. Folded, it weighs less than two pounds, and it easily packs in carry-on or checked bags.
$62.30/www.sheex.com
Neck support
For most of us, an overnight flight is spent hunched in our economy seat. A quality neck pillow can make the difference between unremitting soreness and a good night’s sleep.
Here’s an innovative take on the neck pillow, from Amsterdam-based BCXSY. Its Möbius shape twists and molds to fit the space the wearer’s in, even if it’s just at home on the couch. The company says, “Neck support, lumbar pillow, window pillow, desk pillow, eye mask, noise-canceling pillow—you’ve got them all in this unique design.”
Noise-canceling headphones
I find the earbuds provided by airlines infuriating. They don’t stay in my ears and are really uncomfortable, to boot. Plus, they’re not created to block the noise of the teenager playing video games in the next row. But these highly rated headphones are.
This model is an update of Sony’s popular XM3, featuring closed-back, over-the-ear headphones with active noise cancelation, a form-fitting headband with relaxed, breathable earcups, Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity for wireless music listening and phone calls with compatible smartphone, and other high-tech upgrades. These are not just for travel, and will surely score mega-points with the giftee.
$248/www.crutchfield.com
Gifts for Yoga-Lovers
After decades of practicing all kinds of yoga, I’ve learned that the right “yoga stuff” can make a big difference in enjoying yoga class, whether in-studio or at-home. Of course, what is “right” is a very individual choice, but for those who know their yoga buff well, one of these picks could be a holiday hit.
Yoga mats
Honestly, we can all use another good yoga mat. The range of mats out there is overwhelming, but here are three tested possibilities for holiday gifting.
Well-established company Gaiam makes a range of yoga mats, but for the non-fussy practitioner, their basic “Classic” mats, which come in a range of colors and prints, are a fine choice. Their thickness is 4mm, and they are latex-free.
$21.98/www.gaiam.com
Manduka’s eKO Lite Mat promises “a naturally grippy surface,” always helpful in Downward Dog. It’s made from biodegradable, non-Amazon harvested tree rubber and is 4mm thick.
$65-90/www.manduka.com
Recommended by master yoga teacher Kip Taylor of Richmond’s Gaia Yoga, these mats are designed and manufactured by two Black female yogis. Features include an extra-long length that can accommodate taller people, and a bit of extra cushion at 5mm thickness. Made from microsuede and 100{e9f0aada585b9d73d0d08d3c277fd760092386ec23cac37d50f4b8cd792b062a} natural rubber, they proudly display Black women in various classic yoga poses.
$79.99/https://baggedem.com
Yoga mat bags
Sure, people can schlep their mat and props to class without a bag, but why? Here are two very different choices, one big enough to hold everything—and inspiring fond memories of early yoga days—and one hi-tech and streamlined.
Made from vegan and environmentally friendly materials, this canvas duffel will hold mat, towel, blocks and strap, plus has an exterior pocket for keys and phone. Also, as with all Kindfolk products, $1 of the purchase price will be donated to one of the company’s three nonprofit partners, “to help empower women around the world.”
$34.99, https://kindfolk.com
There is no question that yoga can be sweaty. The germaphobe yogi will appreciate this bag, which is made from silver-embedded healthcare-quality material, inside and out. It’s designed to carry just the mat, but with clean, “antimicrobial style.” Detachable strap included.
Yoga eye pillows
The final resting position in almost all yoga classes, shavasana, is enhanced with the use of a weighted eye pillow. This pillow recommendation also comes from Gaia Yoga’s Kip Taylor.
This silk pillow is filled with flaxseed and scented with real lavender. Placed over the eyes, its gentle weight relaxes eye strain and blocks out the light, as the calming lavender scent aids in relaxation. It comes in a pretty slipcase.
$17.99/www.pharmaca.com
Yoga socks
Bare feet are still the norm in most classes, but I now prefer to use yoga socks. Most socks are, of course, the traditional “most boring” gift—but not these. The pick below is actually more like a very lightweight shoe, but stays on well and comes in a wide range of colors and prints. It is also recommended for barre and Pilates.
“Mary Jane”-style design, with an added heel tab to protect the Achilles tendon. The company’s “stellar grip” bottom-of-the-sock pattern keeps a good foothold, especially helpful in balancing poses.
$12-15/www.tavinoir.com
Yoga blankets
In California, at least, the favorite yoga blanket has always been the Mexican “falsa” blanket, made of washable acrylic. They roll up easily to use as a prop, and provide warmth and comfort during shavasana. Many more blanket styles are available now, but the oldie-but-goodie remains a perfect choice. Take a look at a slightly upgraded version, below.
Made by Mexican artisans, of hypoallergenic recycled synthetic material, the Premium Serape Falsa Blanket measures 79 by 51 inches, comes in a variety of bright colors and prints, is machine washable and should be line dried. Benevolence LA gives back through its charity partners with every purchase—in this case, to the Water Mission.
$27.99/www.benevolencela.com
Yoga Music
Some prefer complete silence when doing a yoga session at home, but I like music that complements the practice. I have a special place in my heart for music company Putumayo, which has done so much to bring all kinds of music from all over the world to U.S. music fans. Its site lists several “yoga music” offerings, but the two below are my picks.
Simple, melodic tracks can be the most soothing, as in Acoustic Yoga, but if a more vigorous session is in progress, World Yoga, with selections from Mali to Nepal, may be just the thing. It’s hard to gift wrap downloads and streams, but Putumayo has those available as well, including a 320-bit MP3 digital download.
$14.98,CD/www.putumayo.com
Muscle/joint relief
This final pick is from Gaia’s Kip Taylor, who loves the Washington State–based company’s whole line. The rub contains only organic ingredients, including safflower oil, beeswax, sunflower, safflower herb, orange essential oil, cayenne, ginger, lobelia, arnica, habanero, clove essential oil and Vitamin E made from sunflowers. It’s worth getting sore muscles just to use it.$12.99/www.moonvalleyorganics.com (search “muscle rub”)
Are you heading to the Florida Keys? You just cannot just snap your fingers. It’ll just take you some time. First you’ll require to get as a result of Miami site visitors. Then, as you strike paradise, you will probably strike even more delays. Targeted …
Traveling these times can be … complicated. Border restrictions, well being threats and nervousness turned up to 11 make traveling even a lot more stressful than it currently was just before the pandemic. That usually means it truly is much more very important now to …
Considering a warm weather getaway for the holidays? Here’s what to consider about COVID-19 risk before you book your trip.
As the temperatures drop and we head firmly into winter, you might be thinking of visiting a tropical destination for the holidays.
While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to complicate travel and no destination is risk-free, there are some destinations where you can find warm weather refuge with lower transmission rates and safety protocols that may help put you at ease.
Healthline spoke with health and travel experts about what you should consider before booking a trip to a tropical locale, why you may want to choose one destination over another, and how to remain as safe as possible throughout your visit.
When asked where you could consider traveling for a tropical vacation this year, Lonely Planet Senior Editor Alex Butler told Healthline you should keep in mind the reality that “traveling anywhere during the pandemic carries some amount of risk.”
That being said, choosing a tropical destination could be on the safer side, given you can be outside, which mitigates some of the risk from indoor transmission.
“While there are many tropical destinations with lower COVID-19 rates than the U.S., you should also factor in the local vaccination rate,” Butler stressed.
“You don’t want to take the risk of spreading the disease in the local community, so make sure not only that you are vaccinated, but the majority of people who live in your holiday destination are as well,” she said.
Dr. Abinash Virk, consultant in the division of infectious diseases at Mayo Clinic, echoed Butler, saying you should be vaccinated and “continue to do masking indoors and while in flights or at airports” while traveling to a tropical locale.
Additionally, you should practice physical distancing when traveling to countries that might have less stringent COVID-19 rules.
Virk told Healthline you should assess the risk criteria that a given destination might fall under.
She pointed to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
“If someone must travel to higher-risk countries where COVID-19 is more prevalent (present and circulating), then I would limit activities that increase exposure to people, especially in crowded places like indoor markets, concerts, etc.,” she said.
Virk added it would be safer to rent a house than stay at a hotel, and safer to prepare your own meals rather than eat out at restaurants.
Virk also stressed that if you have risk factors for severe COVID-19, then you shouldn’t consider traveling at this time, especially abroad.
“If travel is necessary for such a person, then they should consider how they would manage the situation if they get COVID-19 while overseas,” Virk explained.
She advised that people consider the status of hospitals at a destination, the availability COVID-19 treatments there, air evacuation possibilities (which may be limited), as well as the need for testing and possible quarantine upon return.
“If staying in a hotel, what are the hotel COVID-19 mitigation measures? Are staff masked and vaccinated?” she added.
Additionally, Virk suggested you develop a sense of pre-travel awareness of the situation in a given tropical destination.
If COVID-19 rates have worsened in the time since you initially booked your ticket, you might consider canceling your trip.
Though COVID-19 rates and recommendations continually change, there are some tropical destinations that may pose a lower risk than others at this time.
Nevertheless, keep in mind that traveling to any destination during the pandemic will include some level of risk.
Also, in addition to COVID-19 case numbers, vaccination rates and safety protocols are other important factors to consider before booking a trip.
If you’re set on a holiday vacation in a tropical location, here are a few destinations you may want to consider and why.
While the CDC ranks Aruba, in the Dutch Caribbean, as having “very high” COVID-19 levels, Butler said a deeper dive also shows the country has vaccinated about 75.3 percent of its population, according to Reuters.
Aruba is requiring fully vaccinated visitors ages 12 and older to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of their departure, or they might have to spend $75 to receive PCR testing at the airport upon arrival.
For unvaccinated visitors, a negative PCR test must be done within 1 day of travel.
You have to fill out a personal health assessment, purchase mandatory $15 insurance, and wear a mask on the airplane, in the airport, and until you make it to your hotel room.
For those who do a PCR test at arrival, they have to remain in quarantine in their hotel room or other place of lodging for up to 24 hours until the results are processed and released.
Masks are also mandated in all indoor public spaces, like retail stores, casinos, and museums, among other popular destinations, according to the government’s COVID-19 website.
Right now, the Bahamas are listed as “very high” risk by the CDC. While its COVID-19 vaccination rate is just at 33.9 percent of the total population as of publication, its transmission rates have been falling significantly, according to Reuters.
Fully vaccinated travelers to the Bahamas must still get a negative COVID-19 test that was taken no more than 5 days before arrival.
Those who aren’t vaccinated have to get a negative COVID-19 PCR test no more than 5 days before their arrival date.
All children between ages 2 and 11 have to obtain a negative COVID-19 test (either rapid antigen or PCR) no more than 5 days before arrival, according to the Bahamas government website.
Butler pointed to Fiji as another good holiday travel option.
Why?
Fiji is reopening quarantine-free travel to fully vaccinated adults starting Dec. 1 “after more than 80 percent of its population has been fully vaccinated,” Butler said, citing an announcement from the Fiji government earlier this fall about rates of fully vaccinated adults.
Those who are fully vaccinated will need to provide results of a negative PCR test that has been taken within 72 hours of departure for the islands.
Then, these visitors will have to take another test after getting to their place of lodging.
Quarantine will not be required, according to the government’s website.
Butler also pointed to Seychelles, which Reuters reports has fully vaccinated 87 percent of its population as of publication.
Visitors flying do not have to show proof of vaccination, but will have to provide proof of a negative PCR COVID-19 test within 72 hours before departure.
You’ll also have to purchase health insurance that can cover some of these testing costs.
Vaccinations are also available to visitors.
Masks are required on public transit, according to the U.S. Embassy in Mauritius and Seychelles.
As of publication, Turks and Caicos, a U.K. territory, has vaccinated about 73.8 percent of its population.
All tourists who are ages 16 and older are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter.
Tourists also need to show a negative COVID-19 test that is administered 3 days before entering the islands.
Children ages 10 and younger are not required to adhere to this.
You’ll also have to purchase insurance to cover COVID-19-related medical costs and complete an online health screening before arriving.
Once you get into the islands’ borders, no additional COVID-19 tests are required, and visitors are allowed to stay for 90 days.
All visitors over 2 years old have to wear masks in public spaces, a mandate in place until Nov. 30.
People not wearing masks in public spaces could be fined $550, according to the government’s website.
Virk stressed the importance of getting vaccinated and the protection it can provide against COVID-19.
“Vaccines could mean a difference of life and death,” she said. “Vaccines work fantastically to decrease the risk of severe COVID-19.”
Some of her further recommendations include weighing any potential risks to you or your family and double-checking your destination’s entry requirements, and whether you can meet those requirements in time.
Further underscoring the very real risks involved with any travel at this time, Virk stressed another concern: “How and who will transport your body back if you die overseas?”
That above point isn’t mean to be a scare tactic, but a reminder that we are still living in a deadly pandemic, and any travel does bring with it some risks to yourself and others.
Butler added that you have to be mindful of the people who live in these tropical vacation destinations.
“If you’re traveling to a region with a low rate of COVID-19, the most important thing is that you aren’t the one spreading it. That means getting vaccinated before traveling and adhering to all the local rules and regulations,” Butler explained.
“Being a responsible traveler can also mean going above and beyond what’s required by law. Just because a destination doesn’t require a negative COVID-19 test doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get one — before and while on your trip,” she added.
“A PCR test is reliable but can be expensive. You can also buy antigen or lateral flow tests that can be self-administered for peace of mind at a lower price,” Butler said.
We understand that you’re worried about your health and safety away from home, and the safety of the communities that you’re visiting around the world. As regulations and requirements for travel shift, we’re here to help you navigate this complex and often confusing landscape. Whether you’re driving to a natural wonder in your state or flying around the globe, we can help you protect yourself and others.
Check back often to learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones on your next journey.