Traveling is often associated with relaxation, fun, and adventure. But did you know that traveling can also have a significant impact on your mental health? That's right - traveling can be a transformative experience that improves our overall well-being in many ways. Let’s explore how traveling can benefit your mental health.
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I am just so happy. Have you seen the news? Could this be the start of the end of the Pandemic? The United Kingdom is dropping Covid testing for arriving international travelers, and the European Union's new relaxed travel recommendations have officially started as of today! You can read more about that here if you would like.
This is like music to my ears. They are also removing the mask mandate (except on public transports and such) which is also great news. I saw visions in my head of life going back to normal after two years of wondering if it ever would. What's not to love about Italy. The food, the wine, the people, the beauty of the country itself. There are so many reasons to visit.
I went as part of a working trip to Tuscany with other travel advisors. A stay in a villa and vineyard for a week, tours of local vineyards and cities was too irresistible to pass up. I asked a good friend to join me who had always wanted to go to Italy, and a trip was hatched! We added a stay in Rome to our trip. To travel that far (10-1/2 hours total flight time) to Italy and only stay for a week wasn't feasible for us. This week I wanted to share about our stay in Rome for 5 days. Italy, home of landmark art, culture, ancient ruins, food, and beauty. It has been on my radar and one of those countries I've wanted to visit for years. I finally had an opportunity to do just that this October.
The trip is one that needs lots of planning, as any travel advisor will tell you. First, let's look at logistics. It’s actually a great time to come to Italy because it’s not filled with tourists right now. Italy is located in the centre of the Mediterranean Sea, in Southern Europe, and is also considered part of Western Europe. Rome is its capital and largest city, the country covers a total area of 116,350 sq miles, and shares land borders with France, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, and the enclaved microstates of Vatican City and San Marino. With around 60 million inhabitants, Italy is the third-most populous member state of the European Union. For over half a century, the Aloha shirt has been Hawaii’s most enduring and visible greeter and ambassador. Like a flower lei, the Aloha shirt is worn as a statement of one’s love for, and connection to, a most special place.
I find it quite amazing that a piece of clothing – a very simple shirt with vivid patterns or pictures and, if you’re lucky, coconut shell buttons – can have more lore, history and anecdotes surrounding it than many a small country. The roots of the Aloha shirt date back to the early 1930s and to the famed surfer, Olympic gold-medal swimmer, King Kamehameha descendant and “Ambassador of Aloha”, Duke Kahanamoku. Local beach boys of the day, looking for something unique to wear, decided to have sport shirts made from colorful Japanese kimono material. • What to expect for Labor Day travel With Labor Day approaching and summer ending, Americans looking to take one last vacation can expect a busy holiday weekend with full flights… - ABC News Friday August 27, 2021 • 8 Spectacular Fall Foliage Train Rides In The U.S. Amtrak offers several train routes across the country that are full of fall foliage. Check these out this leaf-peeping season… - Travel Awaits Friday August 27, 2021 • The most beautiful national park lodges in Glacier, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon These hotels boast grand nature-inspired lobbies and dining rooms, comfortable guest rooms that blend backcountry elegance with modern amenities… - USA Today Tuesday August 24, 2021 • What to Expect on Your Next Cruise Vacation Ready to hit the high seas? Here's what you need to know… - MSN.com Thursday August 26, 2021 • Crystal Symphony becomes first ship to resume service from Boston Crystal Cruises' Crystal Symphony has departed from Boston, Massachusetts, on the first cruise from the city since the start of the Covid-19… - Cruise and Ferry Wednesday August 25, 2021 • Readers voted these eco-friendly hotels as the best in the United States For a sustainable stay, book one of these 10 best eco-friendly hotels, as voted by USA TODAY 10Best readers… - USA Today Monday August 30, 2021 • Solo Travel: What is it really like? Travelling alone is becoming ever-more popular, especially with female adventurers. We look at the pros and cons of solo travel… - Skyscanner UK Friday August 27, 2021 • EU to recommend reinstating Covid-related travel restrictions on US The European Union is expected to recommend on Monday that member states reinstate Covid-related travel restrictions and halt nonessential travel from the United States and five other countries… - CNN Monday August 30, 2021 • Hawaii governor asks tourists to stay away as Covid cases and hospitalizations hit record highs Hawaii Gov. David Ige asked tourists to voluntarily stay away from the state amid a record surge in Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations, though he stopped short of placing onerous restrictions… - CNN Wednesday August 25, 2021 • Airlines That Have Banned Cloth Masks for Passengers Now that mask mandates are established, many popular airlines will ban cloth masks for passengers on flights… - Travel Off Path Tuesday August 24, 2021 • Italy's New National Airline Reveals US Route Plans | One Mile at a Time Alitalia's replacement, ITA, has filed with US authorities to request permission to fly to the United States. Here's what we can expect… - One Mile At A Time Monday August 30, 2021 Something we’ve done at Sybarite Travel is to travel during the “shoulder season”. Shoulder season is the travel period between peak and off-peak season. Put another way, shoulder season is the time of the year in between the low and high seasons for a particular destination.
As a rule of thumb, shoulder seasons are Spring and Fall. This year, Americans can expect a degree of normalcy in the late Summer or early Fall, but health experts stress that this timeline could change for better or worse, and they implore Americans to be flexible and patient. ![]() Oh Canada, we have missed thee. Canada opened its border to Americans on August 9th. Americans can feel relatively safe upon arrival to Canada, which has one of the highest-vaccinated populations in the world. More than 80 percent of people 12 and older have received at least one dose, and more than 68 percent are fully vaccinated. If you’re looking to take a trip to the Great White North, here’s what experts say you need to know before packing your bags. This has to be, without a doubt, one of my biggest challenges as a Travel Professional. No matter how extravagant or low-budget your trip may be, there are many things totally outside of your control that could change your dream vacation into a nightmare faster than you can say “Covid19”. For many years I, like many other travelers, was one who believed that once I had committed to a trip, I was going to go on it…NO MATTER WHAT! It just didn’t seem necessary to add another $79-$129-$249 (whatever the premium) to the cost of trip for something as un-romantic as travel insurance. I have seen so many situations over the years that have affected my clients’ (and even my own) travel plans and my eyes have definitely been opened to the need for a good travel policy.
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Patti MaxwellSybarite Scoop, a weekly travel blog with travel insight, inspiration and more Archives
February 2022
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