The Means AND the Ends

Despite the COVID-19 pan­demic, families are still finding ways to make the most of un­usual schedules to plan a get­away. With more flexible work and school arrangements, many families are embracing the idea of a “flexcation,” an emerging travel trend where families rent vacation homes later in August, September and October, consider staying longer to mix work and play, and often get better value in high-demand locales.

“Though this year has been in­credibly difficult for families,

Read the entire article: Try a new way to travel | Farmersville

Amtrak is calling all adventurers looking to enjoy a — socially distanced — getaway while saving some money.When booking a trip this week, train travel enthusiasts can bring a guest for free when they book one private roomette by Aug. 15 for travel through Sept. 30.“In addition to all the safety precautions we are taking to make rail travel safe, Roomettes offer a one-of-a-kind way to reach your destination in comfort, space, and privacy,” the executive vice president of Amtrak,

Read the entire article: Amtrak Is Having a 2-for-1 Sale on Its Private Roomettes Until August 15 | Travel + Leisure

As restaurants and bars across the US try to reconcile with a new contactless reality, Italy has already found a nifty solution. The boot-shaped country has revived a storied tradition to get its revelers vino and aperitivo with next-to-no contact. Buchette del vino or wine windows allow bartenders to safely and easily pass beverages to customers in the time of Covid-19.

Dating back to the 1600s, the peepholes have a somewhat macabre past.

Read the entire article: Italy Reopens Old Medieval ‘Wine Windows’ to Serve Cocktails and Vino – Robb Report

After many years of being looked down on, motels are getting new respect in the era of social distancing.

Guests at open-corridor inns may come and go without passing through crowded lobbies, packed elevators, or enclosed hallways where viruses may linger.“In outdoor corridors, people feel safe,” said Mike Riverside of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association. “People can go directly to their rooms” and potentially reduce exposure to the coronavirus.

Outdoor-facing, low-rise motels and hotels also stand to benefit from being typically reached by car, unlike big resorts and urban hotels that rely on air travel to deliver most guests.

Read the entire article: Motels are having a moment. It’s a coronavirus thing | Living | timesnews.net

Had this been a normal year, we would all be donning our mustache wax, blue blazers and straw boater hats and driving the Duesenberg up to Monterey for the big annual car celebration. But this isn’t a normal year, nothing is normal; had this year been a brain it would be the one in the Abby-Normal jar.

Which is just fine with the people at the Concours d’Lemons. They held their annual celebration of wheeled poor taste online this year instead of among the goose poop and lawn clippings of Seaside, California.

Read the entire article: Concours Season Kicks Off With Virtual Concours d’Lemons 2020