Travel

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

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., July 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Despite COVID-19 travel restrictions and uncertainty, US residents are still taking vacations. Travel insurance comparison site, Squaremouth.com, reports more US travelers than ever this year.

Pent Up Demand for Travel Leads to Spike in Domestic TripsA 19% increase in the number of US travelers this year highlights a pent up demand for travel, while international trips have been limited by travel restrictions and border closures.”We are seeing travel rebound, despite international travel bans. This increase in domestic travel is encouraging,” says Megan Moncrief, CMO of Squaremouth.com. “We are happy to report that more travelers are exploring the US this year.”

Read the entire article: Despite Uncertain Economic Times, Domestic Travel Surges

In some countries where Covid-19 cases are receding, governments are attempting to entice travelers to help save battered tourism industries with offers of discounted flights, vouchers for local attractions and free entry to tourist sites. A few are even offering to pay travelers’ medical expenses if they are infected with the virus.

For now, Americans living in the United States are prohibited from entering almost all of these countries because of the high level of Covid-19 cases at home.

Read the entire article: Visa Waivers, Vouchers, Flight Discounts and Other Travel Lures – The New York Times

Summer 2020 is going to be different than those that have come before it. Instead of block parties, we’re opting for pared-down backyard barbecues. Instead of graduation parties, we’re cooking an intimate dinner with the family.

However, these swaps we’re making as we take social-distancing protocols into account do not mean that we can’t have a great time—we just have to get more creative.

An easy way to up the ante on a low-key activity is to experiment with food and beverages. We tapped winemakers from two wineries, Penfolds in Australia and the Joseph Phelps Vineyard in the Napa Valley, to share their expertise on wine and food pairings for every (socially distanced) summertime activity. Whether you’re snuggling up for a cozy movie night or finding new ways to celebrate milestones, they’ve shared ways to excite your palate at even the simplest event.

Read the entire article: The Best Summer Food and Wine Pairings for At-Home Activities – Coveteur

Striking the balance between wanting to get away while ensuring you can physically distance while doing so — Amtrak’s private rooms check off all the boxes for a safe vacation.

Hearkening back to an older and slower style of travel, a train journey can provide a relaxing way to take in the scenery and a private room provides a way to do that while limiting your exposure to other passengers.

“As a truly unique experience when traveling by train, private rooms [offer] our customers added privacy, comfort, and space to enjoy the journey without having to worry about maintaining social distance,”

Read the entire article: Amtrak’s Sleeper Cars Make for the Perfect Socially Distanced Trip | Travel + Leisure