Author: admin

10 New Flight Routes Announced This Week From The US And Canada
[ad_1]
Share The Article

Last Updated 1 hour ago

Air travel is continuing to ramp up in 2022. From new sunny destinations to local favorites, here are some of the latest flight routes from the US and Canada just announced this past week.

Fort Lauderdale to Havana, Cuba

Dreaming of Havana after a two-year closure? Salsa nights and sunset mojitos might be closer than you think. Southwest recently announced that the airline will be ramping up daily flights between south Florida and Cuba’s iconic capital city, on top of a number of new round-trip flight services along the west coast and the islands of Hawaii.

Beginning May 4, 2022, Southwest will offer three daily round-trip flight services between Fort Lauderdale and Havana. Daily round-trip flights will launch between Tampa and Havana a few days later on May 7th.

Vancouver and Montreal to Dublin, Ireland

After a two-year hiatus, direct flights between the Canadian cities of Vancouver and Montreal and Dublin, Ireland are back starting in June.

The direct flight services will be on the national airline of Air Canada. Services between Montreal and Dublin will begin on June 2, with flights operating three times per week. Flights between the west coast city of Vancouver and Dublin are scheduled to launch from June 3 until September 30, with services four times per week. You can see more information and more details about the flight departure times here.

New York to 7 U.S. Destinations

30 miles north of New York City, you’ll find Westchester airport, the latest hub for Breeze airlines. From Westchester, passengers will be able to fly direct to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Savannah, Charleston, Jacksonville, and Norfolk.

These new routes add to the already impressive route system Breeze has in place, especially since the airline is only one year old.

New York City to Tobago

A new flight route is scheduled to launch between the Big Apple and the Caribbean island of Tobago this spring.

Beginning May 5, 2022, flight carrier Caribbean Airlines will offer weekly flight services on Thursdays between New York’s JFK International Airport and Tobago’s ANR Robinson International Airport.

According to local reports, this will be the first time in years that there will be direct flight services available between the continental United States and the island of Tobago.

Los Angeles to London

On Saturday, April 16, United Airlines finally resumed its popular flight route between Los Angeles’ LAX Airport and London’s Heathrow after more than a two-year break. Daily flights depart for London leaving LAX at 5:10 p.m. and flights from London to Los Angeles are scheduled at 4:15 p.m.

The resumption of this flight route is big news, as its one of the major connections between the US and Europe.

Toronto to Amsterdam

Canada’s sunny vacation airline Air Transat has relaunched its popular flight route between Toronto Pearson Airport and Amsterdam. Flights are currently scheduled to depart four times a week, as travel demand for Europe ramps up for the summer months.

The airline also recently announced that it will be adding a new flight route between Montreal and Amsterdam. This new route is scheduled for three times per week starting in May of this year until October.

Miami to Lima, Peru

Lima-based SKY Airline Peru, a subsidiary of Chile’s SKY Airline, just announced the launch of its sixth international flight route from Peru starting on June 7th.

Flight services between the two popular destinations of Lima and Miami are currently scheduled to depart five times per week, with services ramping up to daily flights beginning in August.
- Miami – Lima, departing Miami at 9:35 a.m. local time on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
- Lima – Miami, departing Lima at 2:35 p.m. local time on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Atlanta to Cape Town, South Africa

After over a year of negotiations, Delta Air Lines was finally given the go-ahead to begin flight services between its home city of Atlanta and South Africa.

The new flight service will depart from Atlanta to Cape Town, via Johannesburg. While there is no exact date set at this time, the airline plans to launch the new route in November 2022, with flights departing three times per week.

Sarasota to Austin, Texas

US-based budget airline Allegiant announced this week that it will be launching a new flight route this month between Sarasota, Florida and Austin, Texas.

Flights are scheduled to begin on Thursday, April 21, with twice-weekly services offered between the two cities. The new route will operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays until at least the end of the year.

Toronto to Cartagena, Colombia

In another big announcement from Air Transat this week, the airline will be launching direct flights between Toronto and the Caribbean destination of Cartagena starting in December of this year.

Canadian travelers can enjoy flight deals for less than $600 round-trip between Toronto and Cartagena, making for an ideal sunny winter getaway.

Read More:

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2022

US Mask Mandate Overturned By Federal Judge

US State Department Issues 30 New Travel Advisory Updates

↓ Join the community ↓

The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A’s happening daily!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox

Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
[ad_2]

Source link
April 21, 2022
Australia Removes Testing Requirement For International Arrivals
[ad_1]
Share The Article

Last Updated 5 hours ago

Following the reopening of its external border earlier this year, Australia now allows international arrivals to enter testing-free if they are fully vaccinated.

Previously, the country required travelers to submit a negative Covid test result prior to boarding their flights, even when immunized. Now, this major obstacle has been officially removed as of April 18, meaning those who can prove they have received all required doses of an approved vaccine can again travel to Australia freely.

Here is a summary of all the latest entry requirements for travelers in Australia in 2022:

Pre-Departure Testing Officially Removed Following Weeks Of Speculation

While Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison had already signalled previously test-free travel to Australia was not a distant prospect, many in the traveler community were suspicious of his statement.

After all, Australia used to bar entry to all foreign individuals, and even some of its own citizens, throughout the pandemic.

As Australia has adopted an overwhelmingly strict border approach during Covid, many even feared the appearance of the newly-identified BA.2 variant would lead it to put up barriers again. Surprisingly, this did not happen, and the country started reopening after months of endless delays and uncertainty.

Now, it is also following through on its promise to further ease travel rules, especially for vaccinated tourists, who had still been subject to pre-departure testing before flying. Following an update on Australia’s Department of Home Affairs website, testing is no longer required for vaccinated tourists departing to Australia after April 18, 2022.

Testing-Free Does Not Mean Requirement-Free

Despite the long-awaited relaxation of testing rules, entry to Australia is still not bureaucracy-free, even for the vaccinated.

All arrivals are still required to complete a Digital Passenger Declaration, where they will be expected to provide contact details, their travel history in the previous 14 days, and make a legally binding declaration they are aware of the Covid measures in place across different Australian states.

In summary, when seeking to enter Australia as a vaccinated tourist from now on, you will need:
- A valid passport
- A valid pre-issued visa or travel authorization, depending on your nationality
- A vaccination certificate showing you were fully immunized with an approved primary vaccination course
- A completed Digital Passenger Declaration
What Vaccines Are Accepted As Proof Of Entry?

All widely commercialized vaccines are accepted as proof of entry by Australia, with visitors required to have at least two doses of the same vaccine, or a mix of two of the following, 14 days apart and 7 days prior to entry:
- AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria)
- AstraZeneca (Covishield)
- Pfizer/Biontech (Comirnaty)
- Moderna Spikevax or Takeda
- Sinovac (Coronavac)
- Bharat Biotech (Covaxin)
- Gamaleya Research Institute Sputnik V
- Novavax/Biocelect (Nuvaxovid)
- Certain variations of the Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV vaccine
- Johnson & Johnson/Janssen*
*At least one dose

While this is far from being a complete lifting of measures as seen in Europe, it is still a huge milestone for a destination that had been completely off-limits to tourists for the best part of the pandemic.

Are Tourists Ready To Return To Australia?

As we stated previously, Australia is seeking to relaunch itself as a safe destination, as many foreigners are still wary of booking trips there.

Its controversial zero Covid approach and border closures still seem ingrained in the minds of tourists, even after international flights were allowed to restart. Even though the border is open for vaccinated individuals, Sydney Airport, the country’s most important hub, has still been ‘eerily quiet‘ compared to before.

Canadians, Brits and European Union/Schengen Area nationals do not require visas to enter or transit Australia, but they must still apply online for an ETA travel permit before flying, which only adds to the list of documents that need to be arranged in advance.

More information, including fees and other criteria visa-exempt nationals must meet, are available on Australia’s official Immigration and Citizenship website.

Once issued, an ETA is valid for up to 12 months.

What About The Unvaccinated?

Those who are yet to be immunized and who do not have a medically attested reason to qualify for an exemption to the travel ban continue to face an outright refusal of entry.

As described by the Department of Home Affairs, those who are unvaccinated and eligible for a travel exemption, as defined here, must apply in advance.

It is worth noting traveling for tourism purposes does not exempt unvaccinated visitors from the entry ban. Additionally, unlike the vaccinated, those who are exempt and are yet to be immunized must still undertake a pre-departure test.

This means either a PCR or NAAT taken within 3 days of scheduled departure or Rapid Antigen within hours.

Read More:

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2022

Oceania Cruises Adds Cabins For Solo Travelers, Expands Eco-Friendly Tours

Very High Travel Demand is Back, But Are Airports and Airlines Ready For it?

10 Cities Where Travelers Will Have Trouble Getting An AirBnB

↓ Join the community ↓

The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A’s happening daily!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox

Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
[ad_2]

Source link
April 20, 2022
Be Prepared As This Airport Has Returned To Being The Busiest In The World

[ad_1]

Share The Article

Last Updated 1 min ago

Travelers flying out of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) should make sure they are fully prepared as the airport recently reclaimed its crown as the busiest airport in the world.

Whilst the airport, which serves as the primary hub of airline giant Delta, may still be some way from the passenger totals it saw in 2019, recent figures have shown a significant improvement in the number of travelers passing through its doors – and that figure is expected to rise further still this summer as the demand for travel continues to grow.

Here’s a look at how the airport won the title of being the world’s busiest airport once more, and how travelers flying from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport can better prepare themselves for a smooth experience from arrival to departure.

World’s Busiest Airport – Information For Travelers

Air travel is on the up once more, with airports around the world reporting a total of 4.5 billion passengers in 2021. This is a significant rise when compared to 2020’s figures – the year that the pandemic first caused major disruptions to travel around the world. The world’s top ten airlines – eight of which are located within the US – handled around 10% of the global air traffic in 2021, with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport busier than any other airport.

After losing out on the crown in 2020 to China’s Guangzhou airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is now back on top. The airport saw more than 75 million passengers in 2021 – a figure that is 76.4% higher than the totals it reported back in 2020, which is an impressive bounce back to form. Yet whilst the figure may be high by pandemic standards, it is still some distance away from the totals it recorded back in 2019.

In 2019 – the most recent year that was unaffected by the pandemic – more than 110 million passengers flew from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which is around 32% more than the current totals it is reporting. As more and more countries continue to ease their travel restrictions and more routes are being restored and added to airlines’ networks, hitting pre-pandemic travel figures looks like a strong possibility this summer.

Yet with various different Covid-19 related disruptions afflicting the industry, including crew, pilot and staff shortages, travel this summer from a busy airport such as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport could be set to get messy – which is why it’s now more important than ever for travelers to ensure they are well prepared for their trips.

Time management is key to ensuring trips get off to the best start. By setting off early towards the airport, not only can you hope to beat traffic on the way in, but you should beat the check-in and security queues too – not to mention buying yourself enough time to prepare for the worst.

If it’s been a while, it may even be worth re-reading the airline’s baggage policies to make sure you’re not over your weight limit or packing anything you shouldn’t be, with hold-ups in the check-in line or baggage screening the last thing you want before starting your vacation.

In light of the current situation in the aviation industry, it may also be worth keeping an eye out for any delays or cancellations – and keeping up to date with the airline’s cancellation or rebooking policies to avoid having to make any rash decisions.

Finally, whilst the number of restriction-free countries around the world may be growing, it’s still extremely important to ensure you take the time to double-check the entry restrictions for a country – and ensure you have all the relevant documentation to hand when you get to the airport. Don’t be the traveler who needs to find a last-minute Covid-19 test or needs to fill in a health declaration whilst in the queue.

Read More:

Masks Officially No Longer Required On Planes in the U.S.

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 In 2022

Cancun Ranked As The Most Popular Destination For U.S. Travelers This Summer

↓ Join the community ↓

The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A’s happening daily!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox

Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories

[ad_2]

Source link

April 20, 2022
U.S. Mask Mandate For Airlines Overturned By Federal Judge

[ad_1]

Share The Article

Last Updated 47 mins ago

A federal judge in Florida overturned the US government’s ongoing nationwide mask mandate for public transportation on Monday, including travel on airplanes, trains, and buses.

The only question that now remains is, will masks still be enforced on planes? It’s unclear whether the mask mandate will be immediately dropped but the judge was clear that it infringed upon the civil liberties of Americans.

*Breaking: A few hours since publishing this article, the mask mandate has in fact ended. Updates to come.

The judge in question, US district judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, released a 59-page ruling on the topic of the mask mandate. Judge Mizelle wrote in her statement that “Since the mask mandate regulates an individual’s behavior – wearing a mask – it imposes directly on liberty interests.” The judge also wrote that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “overstepped its authority” when the mask mandate was issued for all forms of public transportation throughout the country.

Federal Lawsuit Over Mask Mandate Filed In July Of 2021

Monday’s ruling comes as an official response to a lawsuit that was originally filed against the US government in July of last year over the ongoing CDC mask mandates related to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The case was filed by the Health Freedom Defense Fund as well as two individual plaintiffs, under the claim that wearing a mask on a plane aggravates their anxiety. The Health Freedom Defense Fund has filed a number of lawsuits over mask mandates in the past year, including the Los Angeles Unified School District in November 2021.

CDC Mask Mandate Extended At Least Two Weeks

Today’s news follows the announcement last Wednesday that the US government, together with the CDC and the TSA, extended the nationwide mask mandate for at least another 15 days. The mandate will officially continue until at least May 3rd, 2022, and there’s no news at this time as to whether today’s ruling will change that.

White House spokesperson, Jen Psaki, commented on the ruling during her daily press briefing earlier today. Among her responses, the press secretary said that the US Justice Department will make any confirmations about an official reply or an appeal to the ruling. She did however mention, “We’re continuing to recommend people wear masks,”

Psaki also said that the US Department of Homeland Security and the Centers for Disease Control will be reviewing the judge’s ruling with an official statement to come.

How Will The Decision Effect U.S. Travelers?

At this time, it’s unsure how today’s ruling will affect travelers and workers in airports, trains, and other forms of public transportation across the country.

With mask mandates being dropped in certain countries and others staying put, it’s premature to make any assumptions about what the future of mask-wearing will be for the United States.

However, the airlines are keen to ditch masks and have been advocating for this for quite some time now. Delta has already issued a statement saying they’re waiting for the TSA to give them some guidance on what to go next. “As we have been, Delta will continue to comply with the TSA Security Directive on masks until informed otherwise by the TSA.”

The uncertainty of the judge’s ruling has the Association of Flight Attendants worried about even more pushback from customers. In their statement today, they pleaded “We urge focus on clear communication so that flight attendants and other frontline workers are not subject to more violence created by uncertainty and confusion,”

Masking Requirements In Cities And States Across The US

A number of cities and states continue to be divided on the issue of mask mandates for businesses and certain indoor and outdoor spaces. While some states, like California, have dropped their statewide mandates for businesses, cities such as Philadelphia have recently reinstated theirs.

This has made some situations confusing for travelers because as most businesses won’t require patrons to wear a face mask, it will be required on trains, at airports, and while riding on Ubers and Lyfts.

And while many US-based airlines have asked the current federal administration to scrap its mask mandate for planes and airports, face masks are still officially required to be worn on all planes operating throughout the US.

If you want to find out the status of mask-wearing in your state or a state you plan on traveling to in the near future, check out this updated guide on the state-by-state face mask requirements across the US.

Please note that this is a developing story and we will be adding details as we receive them

Read More:

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2022

Jamaica Removes All Entry Requirements For Tourists

10 Off The Beaten Path Adventures In The PNW

↓ Join the community ↓

The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A’s happening daily!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox

Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories

[ad_2]

Source link

April 19, 2022
Masks Officially No Longer Required On Planes in the U.S.

[ad_1]

Share The Article

Last Updated 28 mins ago

It’s official, masks are done on flights, effective immediately. TSA made a statement Monday afternoon officially ending their enforcement of the travel mask mandate, effective immediately, after the judge’s ruling earlier today.

A Biden administration official stated “Today’s court decision means CDC’s public transportation masking order is not in effect at this time.” continuing with “Therefore, TSA will not enforce its Security Directives and Emergency Amendment requiring mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs at this time,”

This means that effective immediately, passengers in the U.S. can now board public transportation like airplanes, trains, and buses, with the personal option of wearing a mask.

Earlier this morning, US district judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, released a 59-page ruling on the topic of the mask mandate. Judge Mizelle wrote in her statement that “Since the mask mandate regulates an individual’s behavior – wearing a mask – it imposes directly on liberty interests.” The judge also wrote that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “overstepped its authority” when the mask mandate was issued for all forms of public transportation throughout the country.

While the TSA’s mask mandate has now been dropped, effective immediately on April 18, 2022, the CDC is still recommending that passengers wear masks on flights and trains, but it is now a personal choice for each individual. Passengers can no longer face repercussions, like refusal of boarding or monetary fines.

Airlines are taking quick action

Alaska Airlines only took seconds to tweet out their new optional mask policy on board all flights.

BREAKING: Face masks are officially optional in airports and onboard all Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air flights, effective immediately. Full statement: https://t.co/zVonJVowr7

— Alaska Airlines News (@AlaskaAirNews) April 18, 2022

Popular flying blog Live and Let’s Fly obtained a press release from United that was issued to all staff moments ago. The statement reads

“Effective immediately, masks are no longer required on board domestic flights, select international flights (dependent upon the arrival country’s mask requirements) or at U.S. airports.

This change comes after a decision by a federal judge voiding the federal mask mandate. We will continue to closely monitor the situation in the event of changes.

While this means that you are no longer required to wear a mask – and no longer have to enforce a mask requirement for most of the flying public – we ask that you respect the decision of those employees or customers who choose to do so, as the CDC continues to recommend wearing a mask on public transit.

At the moment, there will be no changes to testing requirements for entry into the U.S.“

Masks are no longer required on domestic flights, select international flights (dependent upon the arrival country’s requirements) or at U.S. airports. More comfortable keeping yours on? Go right ahead… the choice is yours (you look dino-mite either way)! pic.twitter.com/hwq678v55d

— United Airlines (@united) April 18, 2022

As the rest of the U.S.-based airlines prepare their statements, we’ll be sure to add them to our list of worldwide airlines that have already dropped mandatory masks for passengers.

No changes on entry requirements… yet

While passengers are now free to fly without masks, there are still no changes to the entry requirements at the border. All returning citizens, or visiting tourists, will still need to provide a negative antigen test, performed within 1-day before their flight.

The U.S. keeping the testing requirement in place for as long as they have comes as quite the surprise, especially since much stricter nations, notably Canada and Australia, have both removed them. Fully vaccinated Americans can now travel test-free to almost the entire continent of Europe, and almost all of Central and South America, but still need a test to return home.

Read More:

Very High Travel Demand Is Back, But Are Airports And Airlines Ready For It?

Top 5 Busiest Airports In The U.S. And How To Beat The Queues

10 Cities Worldwide That Tourists Can Visit Mask-Free

↓ Join the community ↓

The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A’s happening daily!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox

Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories

[ad_2]

Source link

April 19, 2022
10 Off The Beaten Path Things To Do In San Francisco In 2022

[ad_1]

Share The Article

Last Updated 4 hours ago

San Francisco may be best known for attractions such as The Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island, but this Californian city is home to countless other attractions as well. From botanical gardens to themed bars, here are 10 off-the-beaten-path things to do in San Francisco.

1. Stop By The Wave Organ

This unique instrument isn’t played by a person, but instead by the ocean itself. The Wave Organ is an acoustic sculpture located on the San Francisco Bay. The sculpture creates sound when waves crash into the various pipes and structures that make it up. For best results, visit at high tide.

2. Visit The Seward Street Slides

Here’s a great suggestion for those traveling with children. Tucked away in a tiny neighborhood park, the Seward Street Slides are a set of narrow, winding concrete slides that kids will love. Adults may also have fun slipping down this unique attraction. Many visitors recommend bringing cardboard to slide down on to increase the smoothness and speed of your trip. Additionally, the slides are closed in the evenings, so be sure to check the hours before you go.

3. Check Out The Aquarium of The Bay

If you’d enjoy seeing ocean life up close, head over to Pier 39’s Aquarium of The Bay. This Aquarium is accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), as well as being an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institute, making them a high-quality and reputable facility to visit. You can look forward to watching jellyfish drift through tanks, traversing a shark tunnel, or saying hi to some river otters during your trip.

4. Explore The San Francisco Botanical Garden

If you’re looking to spend some time relaxing, look no further than the San Francisco Botanical Garden. These gorgeous, sprawling gardens feature a huge variety of plants from all around the world, from looming redwood trees and exotic flowers to foliage native to San Francisco. This is a great way to catch your breath on a busy trip, and can also make for the perfect setting for a romantic stroll.

5. Enjoy A Drink At The Tonga Room And Hurricane Bar

Wanting to grab a drink? Add a fun twist with a visit to The Tonga Room And Hurricane Bar. This tiki bar has an almost surreal feel to it thanks to it’s large, central lagoon. The lagoon was once a swimming pool. Nowadays, you may not be able to take a dip, but you can look forward to enjoying some live music played by a band on a boat in the middle of the lagoon.

6. Visit Some Ruins

The Sutro Baths were originally built as a public swimming facility in the late 1800s. After a period of financial hardship and a devastating fire, the facility was eventually left in ruins. You can visit the ruins today for yourself by heading over to Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

7. Explore The Exploratorium

Here’s another option for adults and kids alike! The Exploratorium offers hands-on, fun learning on a variety of subjects from microbiology to shadows. A visit here is a great way to not only keep children entertained but also add an educational twist to your trip. Adults won’t be left out either – the museum also offers some adults-only programs on Thursday evenings.

8. Find Quirky Gifts At Paxton Gate

Paxton Gate is a curiosity shop in San Francisco and the perfect stop for those looking to add a quirky flair to their trip. It offers a vast variety of eccentric wares ranging from fossils to more morbid items such as preserved snake paperweights.

9. See Bison

Bison might conjure images of remote wilderness, but you won’t have to travel far at all to see them in San Francisco. Head over to Golden Gate Park to check out the Bison paddock, home to a group of majestic animals.

10. Explore The California Academy Of Sciences

Exploring a museum may not sound like a fun afternoon, but the California Academy of Sciences is far from your average museum. This sprawling museum is home to a 3-story indoor rainforest, as well as a variety of live inhabitants from alligators to butterflies. Guests will also enjoy checking out some of the historical exhibits, which include a looming whale skeleton. Finally, if you’re in the mood for a bit to eat, the museum also offers on-site dining.

Read More:

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19

Top 10 Free Things To Do While Visiting San Francisco

↓ Join the community ↓

The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A’s happening daily!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox

Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories

[ad_2]

Source link

April 18, 2022
Top 5 Busiest Airports In The U.S. and How To Beat The Queues
[ad_1]
Share The Article

Last Updated 3 hours ago

The busiest airports in the world have now been revealed, and airports in the US have taken the top five spots. With some other typically busy airports around the world still struggling with Covid-19 related restrictions that have impacted travel, the US has dominated the list of the world’s busiest airports once more, with air traffic compared to last year also rising significantly as the world pivots towards living with the virus.

Here’s a look at which airports made the top ten busiest airports in the world list – plus a look at some ideas of how you can try to beat the queues at busy airports wherever you are flying in the world.

Busiest Airports Revealed – Information For Travelers

The research into the world’s busiest airport was carried out by the industry group Airports Council International World. The findings revealed that Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson reclaimed its pre-pandemic position as the world’s busiest airport, knocking China’s Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport down to eighth place in the process. Hartsfield-Jackson saw a total of 75.7 million passengers in 2021 – a significant increase in 2020, but still some 32% away from 2019’s totals.

Filling out the rest of the top five were Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in second with 62.5 million passengers, Denver International Airport in third with 58.8 million, and Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport in fourth and fifth place respectively, after having missed out on the top ten last year.

Two more US airports – Charlotte and Orlando – were in sixth and seventh position. Guangzhou and Chengdu airports, both in China, came in at eigth and ninth place, whilst Las Vegas filled out the last spot in the top ten. Each of the airports reported significantly fewer passengers than in 2019, but the gap is closing. With travel picking up once more, here are some ideas of how you can hope to beat the queues at airports.

Beat the Lines at Busy Airports
1. Check the entry requirements of your destination. The last two years have been hell for travel, with restrictions and requirements seemingly changing at the drop of a hat. Setting aside time at home to make sure you have everything you could save hours of queueing, rejection, and requeueing at the airport – and could even be the difference to making the flight or not
2. Get there early. In the age of Covid-19, the last-minute traveler is a rare breed, with those who arrive later often falling foul of the increased screening and queue times and missing flights as a result. Get to the airport in good time to avoid snaking queues and last-minute hiccups
1. Choose your lane wisely. Every traveler can relate to picking a fast-moving queue – only to see it come to a shuddering halt as soon as you join. However, with so many different types of queues – online check-in, business class, bag drop, etc – it’s now more important than ever to make sure you’re in the right lane to check-in, or run the risk of having to snake all the way to the back once more
2. Get your documents ready. Whether it’s passports, tickets, or test results, don’t be the traveler who holds everyone up by rummaging around in your bag for what you need. Keep them at the top of your bag, grouped together and easy to retrieve to ensure you waltz through check-in and security like a breeze
1. Prepare your bags for security screening. Despite the rules having been in place for years now, the number of travelers who are surprised that they will end up losing their expensive perfume or lotion is still far too high. Carry on items are limited to travel-sized containers that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item, and must be placed in a quart-sized resealable bag to ensure you’re through security quickly – and make sure your electronic devices are easily removed too.
6. Find out if your airline has a new ultra-fast self-service bag drop like United just launched across many U.S. airports. The free service is already available at all United hubs in the United States, including New York, Washington DC, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Denver, letting customers self-check their bag in 1 minute.

7. Pre-book your security time to skip the lineup completely. At LAX and other major airports, you can make an appointment of when you’ll be cruising through security so you don’t have to wait in a general queue.

8. Of course, having a service like CLEAR or TSA-Precheck will help you dodge long wait times, but they do come with a cost.

Read More:

Will The U.S. Airline Mask Mandate End Soon?

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 In 2022

What It’s Like Visiting The United Kingdom Right Now

↓ Join the community ↓

The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A’s happening daily!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox

Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
[ad_2]

Source link
April 18, 2022
This Beach in Mexico Deemed Unsafe For Swimming Due To Contaminated Water

[ad_1]

Share The Article

Last Updated 2 hours ago

Playa Hermosa hasn’t passed the test for the fourth time in a row due to sewage water disposal in that location

Going to a beautiful beach in Mexico but not being able to swim or enjoy the warm Caribbean blue waters sounds more like torture than a dream vacation. Travelers must know that not all the beaches in Mexico are currently safe for swimming or practicing other recreational activities.

The Mexican Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (known by its Spanish initials Cofepris) published a new study, performed in March, with an analysis of beach waters for this season’s clean beaches program “Playas Limpias 2022”.

The analysis considered over 900,000 water samples from the sea in 17 coastal states and it has been stated that 289 beaches out of 290 are in good condition. The scientific frame used considers World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines that contemplate that water samples must show results of 200 enterococci or fewer per 100 milliliters of water to be recognized as suitable.

According to the study, 99.9% of Mexican beaches currently have good quality water and travelers can confidently enjoy their Easter vacations, and only one beach didn’t pass the tests: Playa Hermosa, in Ensenada, Baja California.

Now that many top destinations in Mexico have removed the mandatory mask mandate, such as Cancun and Nayarit, and the new analysis has shown that most beaches are in good condition and can plan their vacations and make adjustments when necessary.

Risky Beaches In Mexico

For the fourth time in a row, Playa Hermosa does not pass the suitable water test and is considered unsafe by Mexican authorities due to the constant disposal of sewage water in that location.

The most probable number (MPN)—the statistical method used— of enterococci per 100 milliliters of water was not published in the report, but neighboring beaches such as Playa Monalisa, Playa Pacífica, and Playa La Misión showed great results, under 12 MPN/100ml.

The Cofepris performs this large analysis previous to peak seasons, three times every year: prior to Easter, Summer, and Winter seasons. The last time, in December 2021, Playa Hermosa and other four beaches didn’t pass the test: Playa Hornos, Playa Tlacopanocha, and Playa Suave in Acapulco, and Playa Sayulita I in Nayarit. At that time, result numbers surpassed 430 MPN/100ml, but this time, in March 2022, all numbers were below 24 MPN/100ml.

Travelers must stay aware of these results, and those who want to know the exact results of the beaches they will be visiting, can go through the in-depth analysis shared publicly by the Mexican government, categorized by region. Those visiting Cancun and other destinations in Quintana Roo, can go confidently since all beaches in this region showed safe results.

Consequences Of Swimming In Polluted Waters

It is important to stay up to date with these results since high levels of the bacteria Enterococcus faecalis could affect travelers’ health. According to the information shared by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), those with weakened immune systems can develop illnesses or infections after swimming in polluted waters.

An article published by EPA states: “The most common illness associated with swimming in water polluted by sewage is gastroenteritis. It occurs in a variety of forms that can have one or more of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, stomachache, diarrhea, headache, or fever. Other minor illnesses associated with swimming include ear, eye, nose, and throat infections. In highly polluted water, swimmers may occasionally be exposed to more serious diseases.”

So those visiting Ensenada in Baja California should avoid visiting Playa Hermosa. Instead, travelers can enjoy the beautiful beach La Joya or swim freely in the warm waters of Playa Monalisa.

Cofepris also invited the Mexican population to report any anomaly related to water to the free number 01-800-033-5050.

Read More:

CDC Lowers Health Risk For Travelers Headed To Jamaica And The Dominican Republic

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2022

New Airline Connecting Canada To The United States And Mexico

↓ Join the community ↓

The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A’s happening daily!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox

Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories

[ad_2]

Source link

April 17, 2022
Top 7 Things To Do In Big Bend National Park

[ad_1]

Share The Article

Last Updated 3 hours ago

Located in Texas, Big Bend National Park is home to some stunningly gorgeous scenery and a whole host of reasons to consider visiting. This article looks at some of those reasons by highlighting seven great things to do in the park.

Note: If you’re visiting today, April 16, entry into Big Bend is FREE!

1. Go Stargazing

Big Bend National Park is an absolutely wonderful place to check out the night sky. The park actually has the least amount of light pollution of any national park located in the lower 48 United States and has been awarded International Dark Sky Park Status. For those looking to get some amazing views of the stars above, you can opt to check out a ranger-led program or bring your own binoculars to create your own experience.

2. Go On A Rafting Trip

The Rio Grande River cuts through Big Bend National Park, offering some amazing opportunities for adventures on the water. For those looking to embark on their first rafting trip, there are several groups in the area that offer guided tours such as Big Bend River Tours. Those with a bit of experience under their belt who are planning to bring or rent their own equipment will also have several routes to choose from, ranging from day trips to overnight trips. Backcountry permits are required for the majority of rafting trips on the Rio Grande.

3. View Wildlife

Another reason to consider visiting this national park is the countless opportunities you’ll have for seeing wildlife in their natural habitat. The park is home to a huge variety of animals. Some of the larger creatures you may end up spotting include deer, javelinas, and black bears. Smaller animals include, but are far from limited to, lizards, snakes, and rabbits. Dawn and dusk are typically the best time to view many of the animals. If you’re wanting to learn more about them, you may also want to consider stopping by a ranger-led program, as topics frequently center on various species of wildlife.

4. Relax In A Hot Spring

Big Bend National Park is also home to hot springs. This is a great option for those looking for a relaxing early morning soak, or those planning to visit during the cooler months. Head over to the Hot Springs Historic District to both enjoy some warm waters and learn more about the history of the spring. The pool that now makes up the spring is actually the ruins of a bathhouse that once stood there. Continuously fed by geothermally heated water, the bathhouse itself may be long gone but the spring remains. Water temperatures in the spring can vary but typically hover around 105 degrees Fahrenheit. For this reason, you may want to use caution and limit your soak to a reasonable amount of time, especially if going with children or visiting in the summer.

5. Head Out On A Hike

This park offers countless amazing opportunities to go hiking for all skills levels. For those looking for an easy hike, the Window is without a doubt one of the most memorable. The Window itself is a cliff edge framed magnificently by surrounding rock formations. To get there, you’ll wind around 2 miles through the canyon leading up to it. Thanks to its location in the Chisos mountains as opposed to the hotter desert lowlands, this is also a well-loved trail in the summer months. Those looking for some more challenging routes won’t be disappointed either. Marufo Vegas trail, for example, is a 12-mile excursion that may be tiring, but also offers views of stunning scenery.

6. Go On A Scenic Drive

Summer temperatures in Big Bend National Park can soar upwards of 100 degrees Fahrenheit, which may be too hot for anything more than a short hike for many visitors. Luckily, if you’re planning to visit in the summer, you can still experience some of the gorgeous scenery without braving the high temperatures by checking out one of the park’s scenic drives. One popular route is the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, which showcases the breathtaking rock formations that make up Big Bend National Park and is especially stunning at sunset or sundown.

7. Go Camping

Finally, with so much to do in this national park, it would be impossible to fit everything into one day. For this reason, many visitors opt to spend a few days to a week exploring the area. While there is one lodge within the park boundaries and several more in the surrounding towns, camping can be a great way to experience even more of the park. Big Bend is home to several campgrounds, ranging from developed sites offering various amenities to primitive campsites.

Read More:

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19

Top 5 Places To Stay While Visiting Yellowstone National Park

[ad_2]

Source link

April 17, 2022
Why This Norway Mystery Trip Should Be On Your Bucket List
[ad_1]
Share The Article

Last Updated 5 hours ago

We are living in a world where traveling has become such a gruesome task for even the most seasoned travelers out there. From vaccination and quarantine requirements, PCR tests, to health declaration forms, traveling these days can be a struggle, even before you get to planning the actual trip.

There are however a few countries out there that have acknowledged these tedious obstacles and removed all their entry restrictions for incoming tourists.

Among those countries is Norway, a breathtaking country in northern Europe.

Norway is a beautiful and peaceful country that offers unique, natural phenomena, such as the amazing fjords, the long and rugged coast, the magic northern lights, and the exotic midnight sun.

Norway is any outdoor and adventures traveler’s dream place to visit. A country that has up until this point been spared with over-tourism and massive crowds.

Not only is Norway a beautiful place to visit, but it’s also one of the happiest countries in the world.

As of February 12, 2022, you can travel to Norway without having to worry about anything other than having the time of your life.
- No testing.
- No quarantining.
- No registration.
- No proof of vaccination.
These days planning a trip can feel like taking up another job, but it doesn’t have to be that complicated. That’s where Up Norway comes into action.

Up Norway is the number one travel curator in Norway, meant to create a perfect match between travelers and Norway.

The company saves you from frustrating internet searches and tedious travel logistics. Up Norway has created a system that hand-tailors your needs to all that Noway has to offer. No two travelers are the same, so why should their travel itinerary be?

It does this by presenting you with a brief questionnaire that will help them get to know you and determine what type of trip would suit you best.

What trip are you looking for? A relaxing break? Family Vacation? A luxurious retreat, or perhaps an active adventure. These are all options that you can select.

After that, you will be asked when you’d like to visit because each season has its appeal and charm.

Up Norway will then ask you what your particular interests are: food and drink, nature and wildlife, relaxation and wellness, history and local culture, or scenic drives perhaps.

You can even select an option to be surprised with a custom-tailored trip!

Additional highlights include:
- Treetop cabins in the dense Finnskogen Forest.
- Micro retreats in the wilderness.
- Whale and bird watching.
- Stories around the bonfire in the polar night.
- Cruising through the majestic Hjørundfjord for the perfect ski spots.
- Foraging in the sea.
- Hiking and pack rafting from the Sami town of Kautokeino through Reisa National Park.
- Visiting a reindeer sanctuary.
- And more.
After you select your preferences on what you like to do, you’ll be asked where you would want to stay, followed by inputting your contact details as well as your budget and whether you’re traveling with children.

Overall, Up Norway takes the hardest part of traveling: the planning, organizing, budgeting, researching, and shifts that burden from you to their very capable team.

A team that knows what Norway is all about, a team that can create your dream itinerary because they know Norway and they know what you’re looking for.

With Up Norway, all a traveler has to do is pack their bags and dream about their magical experience, quite the welcome opposite of what travel has looked like for the past two years.

A surprise vacation can be a great way for travelers to break out of their daily routines, and push their boundaries. Traveling is about what you don’t know. And sometimes a little help can go a long way.

Easy routes to travel to Norway from the United States and Canada

In the case that you don’t want to dive into a mystery trip and prefer to plan everything solo, Norway is still a fantastic option this year. Flights from the US and Canada to Norway can still be found at super affordable prices.
- Newark (EWR) – Oslo (OSL) = Aug 16 to Aug 24 for as low as $549 round trip.
- Los Angeles (LAX) – Oslo (OSL) = May 20 to May 28 for as low as $768 round trip.
- Dallas (DFW) – Bergen (BGO) = Oct 5 to Oct 13 for as low as $686 round trip.
- Miami (MIA) – Bergen (BGO) = Nov 9 to Nov 17 for as low as $592 round trip.
- Toronto (YYZ) – Oslo (OSL) = Jun 15 to Jun 24 for as low as $755 round trip.
If you’re already going to be in Europe, you can fly into Norway for under $50 from many cities daily, thanks to many low-cost airlines operating in the area.

Read More:

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2022

Norway Removes All Entry Requirements For Tourists As Country Fully Returns To Normal

These European Nations Have Removed All Entry Requirements

↓ Join the community ↓

The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A’s happening daily!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox

Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
[ad_2]

Source link
April 16, 2022