REACH FOR THE sky
Check In’s Guest Editor, Neil Simpson, celebrates almost every corner of the globe reopening for holidays
IT’S been a long time coming. But when American borders reopen to fully vaccinated Brits next month, some of the last pieces of the global jigsaw will finally fall back into place.
Every type of holiday in almost every part of the world will soon be on offer again. Doors are being opened from Bermuda to Buenos Aires, from Florence to Florida and from Mexico to Manila.
So, whether you plan to board a plane, a train or a luxury ocean liner, there’s a holiday company ready to make your dreams come true.
That’s what this Land, Sea & Sky issue of Check In is all about. It’s designed to remind us what we’ve missed – and to inspire us to get back out there as soon as we can.
DIPPING A TOE
Now, I’ve been lucky throughout the pandemic. I’ve managed to comply with all the rules and take a few holidays when time and testing have allowed. It means I’ve got used to showing my vaccination certificate and wearing a mask for hours on end.
But if you’re planning your first holiday since Covid changed the world, then my advice is simple. Don’t let any perceived hassles put you off. It’s never as complicated as it seems. And the sheer joy of being somewhere different will outweigh any extra admin.
A cruise could be the perfect way to fall back in love with travel. As we explain on page 8, cruises are inherently stress free. Relax while your captain takes you to all the ports and places on your itinerary. Let the staff take care of everything, from fine dining to entertainment and excursions.
Cruising ‘the Fred. Olsen way’, as we describe, is designed to be elegant, civilised and exciting. And there are so many options afloat. Pick a no-fly cruise that sets off from a UK port. Or jet off to board your ship somewhere far more exotic.
EXPEDITION TIME
If it’s adventure you crave after so long at home, then cruise lines such as Hurtigruten can help.
It’s currently offering a huge mix of expedition and coastal cruises. Some of my personal favourites focus on the Northern Lights and are the ultimate ‘Land, Sea & Sky’ experiences.
A holiday I’m particularly tempted by is Hurtigruten’s flagship Follow the Lights cruise. I love the idea of city tours in Oslo, Bergen, Helsinki and Tallinn. As part of my cruise I want to ride the glorious Flam Railway, to see art nouveau Ålesund, to feed reindeer, to see husky dogs and, yes, to pop into Santa Claus village along the way.
Take a look at all the trips on the Hurtigruten website and there’ll be one that inspires you just as much.
FEEL THE HEAT
Or is it time to step into some warm, wonderful sunshine? If so, then Mexico is calling. A host of new luxury resorts and exclusive boutique hotels are opening in the Riviera Nayarit on its glorious Pacific coast. Some amazing eco-retreats are also welcoming visitors near the Marias Islands, now designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserves.
On the Caribbean coast there’s also a brand-new hotel, La Casa de la Playa, that offers everything from an ocean-view library to a chocolate shop. I’m not sure which I want to visit more.
But I do know that after reading our report on page 9 I want to get off the beaten track in the Philippines. I want to go beyond the beaches of this most intriguing of countries. Throw all the secrets and the wonders of Latin America into the mix (there are endless options on page 6) and the sky really feels like the limit for holidaymakers.
So, whether you want to relax on land, enjoy a luxury break at sea or follow my lead chasing the Northern Lights in the sky, then there’s a 2022 holiday ready to be booked and enjoyed. Happy travelling!