How To Make Summer 2022 Travel Plans That Actually Happen
FILE - A Delta Airlines plane takes off while passengers wait to board at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, Thursday, December 2, 2021. Another year, summer travel plans grind to a halt, even as more people are ready to fly. Summer vacation is back, but you still need Plans A, B, and maybe C to make sure you get away. Book flights and accommodation in advance and benefit from a more comprehensive change and cancellation policy. If international travel is on your bucket list, adjust your pandemic risk tolerance to the rules of other countries. Above all, be flexible because you never know when the next wave of COVID-19 can change even the best of plans. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart, file)
Mike StewartAfter two years of cancellations, delays and marathon meetings with the airline's customer service, many travelers are hoping to book a summer trip that materializes this year.
"I spent the month of May 2020 completely unemployed," said Katharine Ng, director of the Los Angeles engineering program. Ng was planning to visit Europe and Morocco but had to cancel and rebook for next year, 2021. The new plans were eventually scrapped because he wasn't fully vaccinated by May and travel restrictions got in the way. .
"Fortunately, canceling a trip has been made easier by the COVID cancellation policy," Ng said. While it's nice to get a refund, it doesn't take the itch out of taking a real vacation.
Many travelers, twice bitten by the wrong summer plans, hesitate to do it again this year. Even the experts have stopped predicting the twists and turns of the next pandemic. But no matter what, travelers can maximize their chances of a successful summer trip with a few simple steps.
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BOOK FLIGHT IMMEDIATELY
Travel is not just back. It's roaring again.
"We already know the prices of airline tickets for 2019," said Adit Damodaran, an economist at Hopper, a travel booking app that tracks airline ticket trends. "We have exceeded our initial price projections."
Prices have risen in part due to higher consumer demand, but volatility in oil prices may play a bigger role. When the conflict in Ukraine forced some travelers not to travel to Europe, prices did not follow.
"In Europe, demand is falling, but prices are not falling," Damodaran said. "In fact, they've gone up. Airlines can adjust their fares to reflect changing fuel prices."
Regardless of the cause, airline costs are unlikely to fall significantly ahead of the peak of summer travel. So if you prefer to book sooner rather than later, you can stay on top of prices this travel season.
STAY FLEXIBLE
The pandemic has ushered in consumer-friendly changes: most airlines and hotels are now offering more flexible booking options. And if the past two years have taught us anything, it's that no trip, no matter how well planned, is safe from distractions.
The best way to find flexible booking options depends on a number of factors, but a few simple rules apply.
Avoid simple cheap plane tickets as they do not allow changes or cancellations.
- Choose a hotel room with free cancellation. Sometimes these fees are slightly higher than their non-refundable counterparts.
- Read the rental conditions carefully. Services like Airbnb and Vrbo generally allow hosts to choose a cancellation policy.
Hopper's data shows that the number of low-cost basic bookings made on its platform fell significantly in 2021 after airlines introduced more flexible options for other fares. Now these lower fees make up just 20% of total orders, down from almost 40% before the industry change.
CHOOSE YOUR DESTINATION WITH WISDOM
Even with COVID-19 cases declining over the spring and summer, it may take a while for all international travel restrictions to follow.
"I had planned a trip to South Korea but couldn't stand a seven-day hotel quarantine," Ng said, citing the country's strict rules. Ng decided to visit Europe this summer, which currently has no such restrictions. You'll feel more reassured that the rules regarding COVID aren't suddenly changing before or, worse, during your trip.
When choosing a destination, start with a country that has limits that match your risk tolerance and work backwards.
Of course, these restrictions can be avoided by sticking to domestic travel, but many travelers want to go abroad.
CREATE A BACKUP PLAN – OR MORE
Despite all these precautions, anything can happen. Another wave, variant, or military conflict can derail even the best of plans, and that's why it's important to support them.
After planning your main trip, you should first make a few fully refundable reservations for a separate second trip. This can be a cover to ensure you don't have to order everything last minute during peak season. Only book your plane ticket if it's fully refundable - most major cabin fares are returned as coupons on the same airline, which isn't as good as cash.
Second, to outline an idea for a third trip with the aim of discussing it at the last minute in case the original plan fails. This step can help you lose mental strength when plans change.
Finally, consider taking multiple short trips during the summer rather than making a long trip to a single destination. This approach not only guards against potential destination-specific bans, but can also help make up for missed visits during the pandemic.
Do you have time for a stopover in Key West? Here are 12 places to quickly explore 1st Duval StreetThe party begins on world-famous Duval Street. Duval awaits visitors with numerous pubs, live music, restaurants, art galleries, hotels and guesthouses, and shops selling clothing ranging from signature island wear to $5 t-shirts, along with cigars and souvenirs.
Duval Street, 1.25 miles long, stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico.
trolleytours.com 2. The southernmost buoyThis downtown waterfront spot is perhaps Key West's most photographed attraction, claiming the southernmost point of the continental United States and a "90 Miles to Cuba" landmark. You may have to queue to stop in front of the giant sign where Whitehead and South Street meet. enjoy the view
GWEN FILOSA / Miami Herald / TNS 3. Tourist Train ConchaThe famous 1958 Conch Tour Train is an easy way to see Key West's top attractions and learn about the island's history.
The ride begins at the "Depot" on Front Street and ends just beyond at Mallory Square. It's a 75-minute drive that includes a tour of the old town.
The tour lasts every day and the first one departs at 10:15am
GWEN FILOSA / Miami Herald / TNS 4. Mel Fisher Maritime MuseumNamed after one of the most famous treasure hunters, the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum takes you back in time to the maritime history of Florida and the Caribbean.
Although the museum at 200 Greene St. was not involved in the ongoing maritime search, the collection includes artifacts recovered from the 1622 Spanish voyages of Nuestra Señora de Atocha and Santa Margarita.
Museum staff also examined maritime archeology and exhibits related to slave ships and an 1860s African burial site on the Higgs Coast.
Admission is $17.50 for adults and $8.50 for children.
GWEN FILOSA / Miami Herald / TNS 5. Key West Nature and Butterfly ConservatoryAre you looking for a quiet spot? The Key West Conservatory of Butterfly and Nature, 1316 Duval St., is right on the quieter end of Duval.
Attractions center around a lush, glass-enclosed room filled with butterflies, birds, and two pink flamingos named Rhett and Scarlet.
Among the flowering plants, trees and waterfalls there are 50 to 60 species of butterflies from all over the world and more than 20 species of exotic birds. Flamingos are known for their friendly personalities.
keywestbutterfly.com 6. Bike rentalYou can easily rent a bike in Key West to get around the island.
Daily rentals range from $10 to $20 per day for inshore sailors. Some stores will even bring it to you and pick it up when you're done. Several streets in historic Key West have dedicated bike lanes. Helmets and braces are also available.
But remember to pay attention to the busy island where traffic also includes vans, cars, scooters, electric scooters and skateboards.
GWEN FILOSA / Miami Herald / TNS 7. Key West CemeteryKey West Cemetery was created in 1847 after a cataclysmic storm dug up a seaside grave, according to the city's website. Between 80,000 and 100,000 residents rest on the 19 hectares that are fenced. From simple tombstones to sprawling statuary tombs, the centrally located cemetery showcases the history and diversity of the islanders.
There are also some well-known ironic tombstones. BP "Pearl" Roberts' grave reads, "I told you he was ill." Another said, "As you read this, you really need a hobby." And one of them said, "I always have dreamed of having a small apartment in Key West."
The sex man's main entrance and office is at the intersection of Angela and Margaret.
cityofkeywest-fl.gov 8. Hemingway House and MuseumErnest Hemingway's former estate, with its lush gardens and dozens of six-ton cats, is located at 907 Whitehead St.
The National Historic Landmark is open daily, 365 days a year, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tours of the legendary writer's former 1930s home last between 20 and 30 minutes and also include his writing studio next door.
Then there's the history of the plunge pool, which the museum says is the first in Key West, costing $20,000 to build between 1937 and 1938. Next to the pool is a penny with a heart hidden in the concrete. that Hemingway yelled at his wife Pauline for spending every last penny.
Admission is $17 for adults and $7 for children ages 6-12. Note: The museum only accepts cash.
hemingwayhome.com 9. Key West Historic HarborKey West's Old Harbor is a gem: a boardwalk lined with shops and restaurants in the middle of the marina, offering fishing charters, sunset catamarans, and longtail boats. The 20 hectare complex is the ideal place to mingle with locals and visitors alike and enjoy the incredible harbor views.
Key West Historic Harbor Facebook 10. On the waterSure, Key West has plenty to see on land. But access to the sea is the most valuable feature. Even if you're only on the island for a few hours, you can still find time to spend in the beautiful waters around Key West.
Take a 2-hour kayak or paragliding tour for breathtaking aerial views. Parasailing takes about an hour. Several water sports companies organize snorkeling trips that can be part of your schedule.
floridastateparks.org 11. Key West LighthouseYou can climb the 88 steps to the top of the Key West Lighthouse, which opened in 1848 and was decommissioned by the United States Coast Guard in 1969.
Today, it's a museum dedicated to Key West's maritime heritage and honoring those who continued to shine through difficult times. In addition to the attractions, the museum also has objects, photographs and memorabilia belonging to the lighthouse keeper and his family.
General admission is $14, but there are discounts for seniors 62 and older, military retirees, and children.
kwahs.org 12. Fort Zachary Taylor State Historic ParkLocated on the southern tip of Key West, this state park offers some of the best ocean views in Key West. Fort Taylor dates back to the Civil War and is a National Historic Landmark.
It is also home to the island's best beaches. You have to pay an entrance fee, but next to the beach you can see the red brick corridors of Fort Zachary Taylor, walk past the gun and gunport, or explore the site where the trees are named. butterfly visit.
floridastateparks.orgThis article was provided to the Associated Press by NerdWallet for personal finance. Sam Kemmis is a writer for NerdWallet. Email: schemmis@nerdwallet.com.
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