Tag: Vacations

These 6 U.S. Beach Destinations Are The Most Searched For Vacations This Summer
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It’s no surprise that everyone wants to flock to the water when temperatures start to soar, and this summer is no different. If you’re wondering what the trending beach destinations are for 2023, HomeToGo, a marketplace for vacation rentals, reviewed its data and has identified 6 beach destinations in the U.S. that have skyrocketed in searches.

You’ll want to get on top of your summer plans soon because the booking site also noticed travelers are looking to start their trips even earlier. They found a 14% increase in search demand for stays between March and June, meaning this typical quieter season for travel is starting to gain momentum.

Check out the most popular U.S beach destinations for summer below:

Topsail Beach, North Carolina
- Search Demand Increase: +543%
- Median Nightly Price Per Person: $115.54
This island is located off the coast of southeastern North Carolina and is known for its consistent surf, making it a great option for surfers. It has a relaxed community atmosphere with plenty of access points to the beach, making it less crowded. In summer, the island hosts free movies in the park, as well as a monthly free concert series.

Whether you’re enjoying the expansive beaches, paddle boarding on the Intercoastal Waterway, or casting a reel from one of the piers, Topsail Beach offers plenty of activities to keep you occupied.

Avon, North Carolina
- Search Demand Increase: +274%
- Median Nightly Price Per Person: $140.39
Avon is another charming island town located in North Carolina and the center of Hatteras Island. It was once a popular boat-building village, thanks to the close proximity of cedar and live oak trees, which were used to build the boats in the Colonial days and after the Civil War.

You’ll find an abundance of fresh seafood to enjoy, or you can try catching your own from two of the main wooden fishing piers. From surfing, horseback riding, and kite flying, you’ll find many ways to experience this historic island.

Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans For 2023 Starting At $10 Per Week

Sandbridge, Virginia
- Search Demand Increase: +273%
- Median Nightly Price Per Person: $144.24
Located 15 miles south of Virginia Beach is a quieter beach option with fewer tourists. Sandbridge offers 5 miles of sand dunes and seaside grass in a secluded area, where people can enjoy typical beach activities like surfing and fishing on the piers. It’s been said that the sunrises and sunsets are the best on the East Coast, so you’ll want to bring your picnic blanket to watch the show.

If you have a passion for bird watching, venture to the National Wildlife Refuge, which provides a habitat for water birds and other threatened species.

Brewster, Massachusetts
- Search Demand Increase: +226%
- Median Nightly Price Per Person: $155.33
This quaint bayside town is located on Cape Cod and is less than 30 minutes from Hyannis airport. The town was settled in 1656, so you’ll find plenty of rich history to discover. Some of the historical attractions include its Cobb House Museum and Windmill Village, and the Cape Cod Museum of National History, which features a butterfly house.

The area also hosts the most extensive bike path on the peninsula, with 30 miles of path to explore, which is a fantastic way to take in the sights.

Sussex County, Delaware
- Search Demand Increase: +175%
- Median Nightly Price Per Person: $116.90
Sussex County offers a mix of beautiful and clean beaches, luscious state parks, and charming historical towns to get lost in. Each town has its own unique character, and you’ll enjoy strolling through the boutique shops and antique stalls. If you make a purchase, you’ll have an added bonus that your purchases will be tax-free. The area is also known for its old-fashioned boardwalks, which offer scenic points to admire the surrounding beaches.

Sea Isle City, New Jersey
- Search Demand Increase: +154%
- Median Nightly Price Per Person: $158.64
This small beach town prides itself on its friendly hospitality and offers plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained. It features a large stretch of promenade along the oceanfront, where you’ll find a range of shops, arcades, restaurants, and rest stops.

One of the main attractions is the Townsends Inlet Waterfront Park, which is surrounded by natural beauty and a great location to watch the sunrise or sunset.

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February 2, 2023
Do-Nothing Vacations Are More Popular Than Ever – Here’s Where To Go For Ultimate Relaxation
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After enduring nearly three years of strict restrictions, health mandates, and lockdowns, Americans are desperate to do nothing, log off their socials and escape the chaos of the modern world on their next vacation – even if temporarily. We don’t blame them: as much as we love sightseeing and cultural expeditions, taking a breather is just as important, but where to go on when looking for ultimate relaxation?

Let’s Face It: International Travel Can Be Quite Tiring

Although we have suspected it for months, as the wellness trend continued to grow, new research conducted by Expedia has finally confirmed Americans have a clear preference for the recently-coined ‘nothing-cations’, a neologism used in reference to trips with far more relaxed itineraries where sightseeing and culture aren’t the primary focus.

Out of 4,000 participants, 1360 have reported feeling ‘burned out’ from previous experiences. Whether it’s sleeping at airports to catch the next early flight, worrying about entry restrictions, deciding which attractions to cram into a tight two to three-day stint in a particular city, and that inevitable FOMO, international travel can be quite stressful.

The health crisis and economic instability that ensued only added to their difficulties: a WHO-assisted study carried out in early 2022 came to the conclusion that mental health concerns have skyrocketed in recent years. More specifically, the feeling of doom and gloom associated with COVID has led to a 25% increase in anxiety and depression rates.

Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans For 2023 Starting At $10 Per Week

Ever since COVID started, it feels as if we are stuck in a vicious cycle of bleak news, whether it’s the virus itself, a war in Europe, the energy crisis, or the global economic upheaval that’s led to a staggering decrease in the purchasing power of middle-income families. It’s hardly surprising travelers have had it with the state of affairs and want a break from it.

To put it simply, it’s that dolce far niente, lying on a beach listening to the crashing of the Pacific waves in a coastal location, not adhering to strict plans on where to go or what to see next, that travelers crave the most. Cultural trips are still extremely popular in 2023, but the fact that 34% of those surveyed simply want to unwind and have some free time can’t be overlooked.

Where To Go For Ultimate Relaxation?

Quoting Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Group Brands Public Relations, ‘for most travelers, getting the most out of their next vacation means setting aside dedicated time for nothing’. Beyond the 34%, an even greater number of interviewees – 3840 people or 96% – reported they intend to spend at least some days of their next vacation ‘doing absolutely nothing’.

As Expedia experts confirm, beach destinations are leading booking trends this winter, not only due to the colder temperatures in the Northern hemisphere, a major factor behind the temporary mass migration of Americans to the Global South, but also their ‘nothing-cation’ value. Expedia lists up to 7 wellness retreats where fatigued travelers are able to slow down, soak up more nature and just wish their worries away:
- Kauai, a Hawaiian island boasting emerald peaks and pristine beaches
- Costa Rica, a Central American country offering sweeping jungle views and access to both the Pacific and the Caribbean seas
- Fiji, an island nation in the South Pacific Ocean famous for its remoteness and teal-colored seas
- Nevis, the smaller of the St. Kitts and Nevis island duo, where the landscape is dominated by palm tree-lined beaches
- Koh Samui, Thailand’s mountainous, second-largest island stacked with tropical jungles and Buddhist temples
- Algarve, Portugal’s southernmost tip, much more laid-back and quaint in nature than the busy, landmark-packed Lisbon or Porto
- Sanibel, a Floridian island where cycling routes always seem to end up on a white sand beach
Despite not being mentioned on this list specifically, Los Cabos in Mexico has recently been named Mexico’s number one wellness destination, recognized for a plethora of spas, wellness centers, and posh resorts in tranquil settings, far away from the hustle and bustle of Downtown areas, and where customer service is always top-notch.

2023 Is The Year Of Wellness

As assessed by Expedia, 47% of Americans would like to start off 2021 with a trip ‘to look forward to’, with up to 31% attributing the urge to go on a ‘nothing-cation’ to feeling anxious and 34% to the poor January weather. Parents of children aged 4 years or younger are the group most likely to report post-vacation burnout (49% against 34% of nonparents).

Nevertheless, 62% have deemed the sporadic lie-in days, where they’ll either read a book or stay inside binging the latest Netflix hit series while ordering room service their ‘favorite part’ – but you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on an all-inclusive trip to Mexico, or check into ultra-luxurious Maldives resort to kick back and start enjoying life:

Check out our top 6 wellness destinations to visit in the U.S. for 2023.

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January 27, 2023
Italy Vacations Threatened As Airport Staff Announce Strikes Over Summer

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Europe’s summer travel chaos will only get worse.

Now that travel demand is back to 2019 levels and most countries have removed entry rules, Europe as a whole is failing to handle higher passenger numbers amid reports of reduced airport staff. In Italy, the situation is particularly concerning, as operators have just announced strikes over summer, casting shadows over the vacations of millions.

On Wednesday (June 8), several air traffic controllers walked out of their posts for a full 24 hours, seriously disrupting travel to and from Italy and other European countries. The move brought to a halt airport operations in major Italian hubs, leading carriers like ITA Airways, EasyJet and Ryanair to ax a number of flights.

Unfortunately, this could be replicated in the (much busier) summer months as passenger numbers increase:

Strike Causes Several Flights To Be Cancelled Across Italy

Earlier this week, millions of travelers faced disruption in Italy after unionized air traffic controllers went on strike. The situation was only aggravated when unions then called on workers from certain budget airlines, such as Ryanair, to join the strike for four hours, resulting in hundreds of delays and cancellations.

According to UIL Trasporti, the actual Union behind the strike, a whopping 360 flights were axed and 4,000 passengers directly impacted. Those scheduled to fly with Ryanair were most affected, as both UIL Trasporti and FILT-CGIL, another worker’s Union, urged a four-hour strike for the company’s workers in Italy.

Their main complaints were centered on cuts to pay linked to on-board sales and tough labor conditions endured by Ryanair staff. The company, Europe’s biggest budget airline serving hundreds of destinations in the continent and beyond, later denied that its crew took part in the strikes – even though their flight scheduled was affected.

According to a spokesperson, the delays and cancellations customers suffered are linked to air traffic controllers walking out. At least 14 flights set to depart from Milan were grounded, with London-bound passengers bearing the brunt of it. Ryanair has apologized for the inconvenience, but maintained that strikes are beyond their control.

Fellow low-cost carrier EasyJet also blamed their multiple Wednesday cancellations on Italy’s controllers walking out. Passengers scheduled to fly to Bologna, Milan, Naples, Rome and Venice all had their long-anticipated summer vacation ruined. ITA Airways experienced similar disturbances, but managed to re-route most of its passengers to avoid the strike.

Disruptions To Continue All Through Summer

While air operations have since resumed, the Unions involved continue to list poor pay conditions for their action, as well as ‘arbitrary reductions of paychecks, the non-payment of sick days, the company’s refusal to grant leave during the summer season, and the lack of water and meals for the crew’.

Signalling they will call more strikes in the upcoming months if an agreement is not reached soon, an UIL Trasporti spokesperson conceded that ‘this will be only the first of a series of protest actions that will make the summer hot‘. Regretfully, it is unlikely airports – and airlines – will manage to overcome their current challenges in the short-term.

Airports in Europe are already struggling badly due to being understaffed at a time when passenger numbers are soaring, and a vast majority of European hubs predict a chaotic summer ahead. With the possibility of further strikes ahead, this will only worsen the 2022 aviation crisis, even after Covid is gone.

Expect Travel Delays In Italy In The Next Few Weeks

Over summer, snaking queues and overwhelmingly busy departure halls will be a common sight across Europe, as the industry goes on a hiring spree to try and save the first post-Covid tourist season. In total, 191.000 aviation workers were made redundant during the pandemic, making it virtually impossible for airports to fill in all gaps before summer starts.

Italy may have fully lifted all pandemic-related restrictions on June 1, again allowing foreigners to visit regardless of vaccination status, but vacationers may now have more pressing issues – other than Covid – at hand. If you’re flying to Italy soon, check the status of your flight before proceeding to the airport and get insured for cancellations before traveling.

Read More:

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Spain And Italy Will Not Be Following EU In Removing Masks On Flights This Week

Why Travelers Should Only Go Carry-On This Summer

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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

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June 10, 2022
Canadian Travelers Vacations Are Being Ruined By Passport Delays

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Passport applications have increased four times compared to last year’s data and Service Canada hasn’t met citizens’ needs

After two long years of a devastating pandemic, Canadian travelers are finally planning on visiting foreign destinations and enjoying vacations while the travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 have been eased around the world. However, passport offices aren’t working as fast and efficiently as citizens need.

The Canadian government’s program in charge of passports, Service Canada, hasn’t been able to keep up with the passport applications they’ve been receiving.

According to the information shared by CTV News, between April 2020 and March 2021, the Department of Employment and Social Development Canada reported that 363,000 had been issued and during the same period from 2021 to 2022 the agency Service Canada has issued nearly 1.3 million passports, almost four times the documents issued during the previous period.

Passports —which can cost from 57 to 160 Canadian dollars depending on age and duration— have become a hot commodity in Canada and due to the high demand for renewal and new documents, Canadians have been facing long passport processing times, long lines at the offices, delays, and frustration as many travelers have been obliged to cancel, reschedule, or have even missed their trips.

Delays In Passport Processing Times

Canadians have been complaining about the organization and the lack of staff in the offices, and have been reporting delays in the usual time. According to the government’s standard procedure, when submitted in person at the passport office, it takes 10 business days to issue a passport, and 20 business days by mail.

The government has also informed that Service Canada has been receiving more calls than usual: around 200,000 calls a day, while prior to the pandemic the usual number rounded 5,000 calls a day.

On the passports and travel documents official website, Canada’s government issued a warning for travelers: “We’re experiencing very high call volumes right now. Wait times are longer than usual. If you do not have travel plans in the next 2 weeks, we suggest you wait to call us.”

According to a recent report made by Global News, the Canadian government hasn’t publicly recognized recent delays or changes in processing times, but citizens said that lines at the offices are too long and certain offices have collapsed. Another person declared to CTV News that he had been waiting “well over two months” since he applied and hasn’t received the passport.

Authorities have explained that recent health and safety measures have affected the way they process applications and stated on the website: “We may not always meet our service standards as a result.”

Recommendation For Travelers

Canada isn’t the only country with delays issuing passports, a few weeks ago the U.S. State Department warned American citizens that passport processing times can take up to 11 weeks. Travelers must apply for passports weeks or even months in advance in order to avoid delays or unexpected circumstances.

Canadian authorities insist that passport processing times are met for those who book their appointments online before going to the passport office in person and it is recommended to do so.

After issuing the passport, the standard pick-up time is around 10 business days, but travelers can request expedited services —available in person— and pay $110 for urgent pick-up to get it by the next business day, $50 for express pick-up to get the passport within the next 2 to 9 business days, or $20 for standard pick-up on or after 10 business days.

Before planning the next international trip, travelers must verify the validity of their passport and study the entry requirements of their destination, since many countries require from 6 to 3 months of passport validity to enter their territory. Canadian travelers should also stay up to date with news and official information shared on the government’s passport application page.

Read More:

U.S. State Department Is Warning Travelers About Long Wait Times For Passports

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2022

Check Your Passport Expiry Date As It Could Cost You Your Vacation

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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

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May 18, 2022