What are your plans for this Independence Day holiday long weekend? Many people will do some travelling, while others are still in the DREAMING phase. I’ve got some domestic travel ideas below, but more on that in a minute.
Something happened this past week that hasn’t occurred in 15 months, and it has made me somewhat reflective: We got paid. (YAY!)
Although the work never stopped during the pandemic (in fact it increased with having cancelled and rebooked some people 3 or 4 times), the nature of the travel biz is that you only get paid once people travel. And slowly… that is beginning to happen. People are starting to travel again.
It will be a long march back to “normal”, but it made me think about some things that I wanted to share.
First of all… thank you. The overwhelming majority of our clients are truly kind people who were tolerant and flexible in the face of confusion, delays, and ever-changing conditions over the past 15 months. It affirmed my faith in humanity that so many people showed genuine concern for Bob and me, as we worked our way through this crisis.
In reality, the travel industry will take several years to rebuild itself. Our clients and travel suppliers are at the front edge of the recovery – luxury leisure travel is always the first to come back. Other segments of travel industry will take years.
It is worth noting that (as usual) those from developing economies have suffered disproportionately through the pandemic and will take longer to recover economically. For all of the tourist industry’s strengths and weaknesses, there is no doubt it can be a highly efficient way to transfer wealth from rich countries like ours, to other regions that are still developing. This is one key reason we need to continue to travel.
Now, on to this week’s travel opportunities.
Alaska
If you want to do a round-trip cruise to Alaska from Seattle, that is still available this year (although availability is tight). If you want a quick trip to get a flavor of the last frontier, these cruises fit the bill. Most people who do these round-trip cruises choose to return to Alaska another time later, so they can experience ports and attractions only accessible by ship AND discover the splendor of Denali National Park and the land portions between Anchorage and Fairbanks.
All the major cruise lines will be back in Alaska in 2022, so here is my suggestion for the ultimate Alaska trip:
- Fly to Fairbanks – Enjoy this small town, visit the 40-below room (to see for yourself what it’s like there in the winter); go to Gold Dredge #8 to explore Alaska’s gold mining history; take the paddle wheeler boat trip down the Chena River.
- Visit Denali National Park – Larger than Massachusetts, the namesake volcano (formerly known as Mt. McKinley) is North America’s highest peak. You need at least 2 nights in the township of Denali because your park tour is one full day.
- Take the train to Talkeetna – this small town with a seedy history is the perfect place to drink wine and take in the scenic majesty of Denali. If the town of Denali is about going into the park, Talkeetna is like sitting in a ski-lodge with huge windows to appreciate the views.
- Fishing or light hiking/walking on the Kenai Peninsula – a couple of days to kick back, and be close Alaska’s unique nature. For those looking for a more urban experience, Anchorage is nearby, and offers many attractions for the city slickers.
- Board a ship in Anchorage. Most Alaskan cruises are 7-night voyages, and the land itinerary described above is 5 to 7 nights.
- Disembark in Seattle or Vancouver and spend a couple of days there. You can, of course, do this trip starting in Seattle/Vancouver, and more northward.
There are expedition ships, small ocean luxury ships, and mega-ships that visit Alaska, so there really is something for everyone. Bob and I have been to Alaska many times, with many different cruise lines, so we are uniquely positioned to help you make the best choices for you.
Normally the booking window for Alaska is September through December for the following year BUT for 2022, it will be largely sold out before that due to the travel restrictions in 2020 and 2021. You’ll want to book early.
Great Lakes
The Europeans have been coming to the United States and Canada for decades to experience our incredible Great Lakes. It’s about time we discovered this region for ourselves. The mega ships can only get as far down the St. Lawrence Seaway as Montreal, but smaller ships are able to travel further, to Duluth, Minnesota.
Ultimate Great Lake Itinerary
This cruise travels between Chicago and Montreal over the course of 13 days. Both Chicago and Montreal are great destinations in their own rights, with well-served airports for those us who have to fly there. Here’s what else you get to see:
- Mackinac Island: This National Historic Landmark is like travelling back in time to the 19th Century, will full Victorian building restorations. There are no cars on the island, so it truly does harken back to a different time.
- Sault Ste. Marie: This small city is right on the Canadian border, with towns on both sides bearing the same name. These were once a single city, but the war of 1812 put the international border where it is now.
- Manitoulin Island: This is the world’s largest freshwater island, and is home to a thriving indigenous community, and a spectacular natural environment.
- Detroit: Visit the Henry Ford Museum, the Museum of African American History or one of the other attractions in Motown.
- Cleveland: Visit one of this city’s many museums, and/or take in the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame.
- Niagara Falls: Not just for honeymooners and day trippers from Toronto. This is one of North America’s true natural splendors and well worth the visit.
- Toronto: Experience one of the world’s most diverse cities with the collision of multiple languages and cultures. It’s still Canadian though – the Hockey Hall of Fame is right downtown.
This cruise is available in July, August, and September, with prices starting at $5999 per person. This price includes all beverages, wifi on the ship, shore excursions, and a pre-cruise hotel the night before embarkation. Of course, you may want to also spend a few days pre/post cruise. There are also 7-night itineraries if you prefer a shorter trip.
Rocky Mountaineer Rail Tour and National Parks
This is another great domestic trip. Here’s the link if you’ve missed what we wrote about it in the past: https://pamperedcruiser.com/trip-ideas-for-2022-and-beyond/
River Cruising in the United States
You don’t have to go to Europe. Both the Columbia River system (Washington and Oregon), and the Mississippi River system have river cruise options. There is a little bit of space left for 2021, and 2022 look just fine at this point. Video: https://youtu.be/LLPzn1wD8_Y
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I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
