5 places to visit in 2021

It’s that time of year, again! That time when every travel website, newspaper and magazine publishes their list of destinations to visit in the coming year! Of course, we’re not ones to sit out a trend — especially a trend that lends itself to a listicle — so we’ve got a list of our own.

But here’s where we part ways with the rest of the lists — we only feature five destinations each year. Why only five? Well, because, realistically, you’re not going to take 52 vacations in 2021, no matter how much accrued, unused time off you’ve got on the books. (Uh. Hello, New York Times?) And even ten destinations would be pushing it. So, each year, we focus on 5 destinations that merit your attention in the coming year, so that if you were going to be super adventurous, you could maybe, just maybe hit three or four of them.

So, without further ado, here’s our list!

1. Mexico

Why is Mexico on our list? Well, for one thing, as we’re writing this, it’s one of the least complicated destinations for a US Traveler to visit. Sure—there are entry protocols. But there’s no quarantine requirement upon arrival in Mexico. Also, when we visited recently, we were impressed by the sanitation and hygiene measures in place at our all-inclusive resort. They disinfected our luggage on arrival, the buffets were gone, the staff were all wearing masks and face shields, and the resort had limited their booking capacity to allow guests to engage in social distancing. Plus, COVID numbers are much lower in Mexico resort areas than back home in the US. While we wait for borders to open up to the rest of the world, a safe resort vacation in Mexico is definitely within reach.

2. Bermuda

Pink sand beaches. Snorkeling at a shiprweck. Incredible seafood. Bermuda is an incredible destination, but most of the time, it’s extraordinarily expensive. Right now, however, while few people are traveling, this might be the best time to find value in a visit to Bermuda. And, when ocean cruises return (with new safety protocols in place), Bermuda will be one of the first destinations available to our cruise clients. We’re so pumped about returning to Bermuda that we’ve blocked off group space on one of the first Bermuda sailings of the season. With so much included on this itinerary, it’s a way to take a luxury trip to Bermuda that won’t break the bank. If you’d like to join our trip to Bermuda in June, just reach out to us for details!

3. Scotland

Scotland was on our list for 2020, but, needless to say, we didn’t make it there. That’s why we’ve decided to pull together a private small-group departure to Scotland this summer. The specific itinerary is still to-be-determined, but we’re prioritizing a journey that will go as far north as the Orkney Islands. Along the way, we’ll see the Scottish Highlands, Loch Ness, Skye, and much more. Of course, there will be visits to distilleries and whiskey tasting, gorgeous scenery, and maybe even an opportunity to swing a golf club. (Who knows? We’re not big golfers, but if that’s your thing—we’ll make it happen!) We’re comfortable that by the time the summer rolls around, that we’ll be able to visit Scotland, so we’d love to go where we can experience the wide-open spaces, as well as the cityscapes of Glasgow and Edinburgh, without the traditional summer crowds.

4. United States National Parks

Without question — the easiest places to travel are in our own backyard. But these destinations are among the most spectacular of any that we’ve seen. Rent a bike and cycle through Maine’s Acadia National Park. Stand on the rim of an active volcano at sunrise. See stunning landscapes and get up close to wildlife. Whether you’re into calving glaciers or calving bison, a National Park visit will renew your appreciation for the beauty of this country, at a time when we all need to come together as a nation, more so than ever. Yellowstone. The Everglades. Mt. Ranier. The Badlands, The Grand Canyon. Mammoth Cave. Yosemite. Kenai Fjords. Those are just a few incredible parks that are waiting for you. And here’s something you might not know about our parks — in the summertime, most visitors to US National Parks are not actually Americans! That means that with inbound tourism at a record low, you can see the Great Smoky Mountains or the Canyonlands unencumbered by crowds. And, since the United States has a brand new National Park, there couldn’t be a better time to let us help you plan your National Park road trip adventure!

5. The Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu was closed for much of the pandemic, but as Peru has started to open up, so has its most iconic tourist destination. We’re escorting a group to the Sacred Valley next year, in conjunction with our trip to the Galápagos, and we’ve actually still got space on the Peru leg of our journey. But whether you come with our group, assemble a small private group of your own (which we can help you do), or travel independently, we’ve got all of the inside info and expert connections to make an exotic trip safe and accessible. Our top tip for your Machu Picchu visit? Do the one-day Inca Trail hike. You won’t have to spend four days hiking, but you’ll still get the experience of hiking part of the Inca Trail. Plus, you enter Machu Picchu for the first time the way the ancient Incans did — through the Gate of the Sun. It’s a little strenuous but absolutely do-able for most people. And it just might be the most incredible experience of your life.

So, that’s our list for 2021. Some of these destinations are not as far-flung as in years past, but we’re confident that it will be possible to visit any of these destinations in 2021 without any issues. In fact, some of these places are open for business right now!

Of course, there are other spectacular destinations ready for you right now — safaris in Africa, beaches in Hawai’i, and much, much more. We can send you to any of them, and we’ll make sure you’re safe and protected the entire time. Ready to make a plan? Let us know!