Last week I listed some international cruises that are available if you want to travel in the next 3 or 4 months. The cruise lines are working hard to get people on board, so there are some good value opportunities for those fully immunized and willing to travel this year. Here’s the link if you missed it: https://pamperedcruiser.com/travel-opportunities-between-now-and-september-2021/
Not everyone is willing or able to travel this year, so 2022 is a better choice for some (and some of you want to travel now AND next year – maybe several times!). We are assuming a return to “normal” for 2022 and beyond, but I thought I’d throw a few ideas out there for those wanting to make some plans. Availability for many 2022 trips is much tighter than we would normally see this far in advance.
Rocky Mountaineer
This world-class rail experience has attracted travellers from around the world to the Canadian Rockies for the past 30 years. In August of this year, Rocky Mountaineer will finally be operating trips in the US Rocky Mountains between Denver and Moab, Utah (with extensions to either Las Vegas or Salt Lake City). Both trains run from April through October in a “normal” year (some modifications for 2021).
Rockies to Red Rocks (USA):
- 3-night packages starting at $1469 per person
- 7-night packages start at $3434 per person
- For 2021 departures, you can save $300 per couple simply by choosing an Eastbound trip (time limited special)
Rocky Mountaineer (CANADA):
- We don’t anticipate the Canadian border opening until at least Labor Day, so if you want to go this year, it will have to be late in the season. For 2022, you can go as early as April, and right through the summer until October.
- 3-night packages starting at $2053
- 7-night packages starting at $3387
We’ve recently updated our Rocky Mountaineer “Rockies to the Red Rocks” video. Here’s the new link: https://youtu.be/OYO1WoxJ-e0
Tahiti
Normally Australia and New Zealand are popular destinations November through March. However, we don’t believe either of these countries will fully reopen in that time frame (I would love to be WRONG about this). On the other hand, Tahiti is open NOW to US tourists. Tahiti is often compared to the Polynesian Paradise Hawaii was 75 years ago. Our preferred cruise line in Tahiti is Paul Gauguin Cruises (especially when you add a few days in one of those over-water bungalows you see on all the magazine covers!). They are currently running a sale with reduced prices on many sailings (sale ends June 25th):
- 7-nights (October through December 2021) starting at $4095 per person.
- Includes round-trip flights from LA, all transfers, all onboard meals and beverages, gratuities, and select watersports.
- Remember that Tahiti is only 2 hours past Hawaii by plane, but a million miles away in terms of crowds.
Oberammergau
If you’re unfamiliar with this, the Passion Play is produced every TEN years in the German village of Oberammergau. The play recounts the story of Jesus Christ, and was originally produced in 1634, as a thanks for sparing the village from the plague. With a few interruptions (including in 2020), it has been reproduced every 10 years since. The rescheduled Passion Play takes place in 2022 (May through September), and several of the river cruise lines offer itineraries that include tickets to the play:
- 10-day packages in August 2022 starting at $4399 person.
Floriade
This horticultural expo is a must for gardening enthusiasts, or those who just want to see the tulips in Holland. This also happens only once every ten years (Europe is going to be very busy in 2022).
- 7-night river cruise that includes tickets to Floriade: starting at $3299 per person.
Galapagos Islands
This cluster of islands is located off the Pacific Coast of South America, and is politically part of Ecuador with Peru often included in the packages to get there. Both these countries fared quite well through the pandemic, and they are open to visitors again. The number of tourists, and the conditions under which they are permitted to visit the Galapagos is tightly controlled, so we are seeing some availability issues, but it looks OK in 2022 and beyond.
- Prices from $9899 per person in September 2022
- Includes a 7-night cruise around the Galapagos Islands
- 2-nights pre-cruise AND 1-night post cruise Quito
- Includes flight from Quito to Galapagos
- All meals, drinks, gratuities while on the ship
- $750 Air credit to get to South America
Sailing Trip
Ever dream of sailing in the Mediterranean or Caribbean on a small sailing vessel? Don’t worry – these trips aren’t just for hard core sailors. There’s a full crew, and you’ll enjoy a few hours of sailing every day, with the focus on finding small coves and beaches to have barbeques and drink rum-punch. You’ll be giving up the Broadway shows and casinos found on cruise ships, but you’ll get to explore corners of the Caribbean or Mediterranean you’ve never been to before. Here are a couple of trip examples:
- Caribbean: $1999 per person. 7-nights round trip from Tortola (British Virgin Islands). October 2022. Sail on a catamaran with 4 double staterooms (each with private toilet facilities)
- Greece: $1579 per person (August 2022). 7-nights from Athens to Mykonos. Sail on a 52 ft sailboat with 8 passengers.
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I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
