I spent last weekend flying from Europe to the United States and was extraordinarily lucky to have on-time flights. (I know. I should probably buy a lotto ticket). Still, the crowds combined with airport staffing shortages – from airlines to security to restaurants – made for a noticeably more stressful journey.
Even without the unique challenges of this year, summer travel is always hectic. Which is why this is normally the time of year when I encourage people to consider booking my favorite time to travel: the fall "swing" season.
With families restricted by school schedules and other travelers waiting for Christmas and New Years holidays, there's less demand, leading to a drop in the cost of airfare and lodging from mid-September to mid-December (minus the Thanksgiving holiday in the US).
In September and October, the weather is temperate in much of the world. The chill of winter hasn't yet blanketed the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern has just awakened from it.
I expect issues like staff shortages and strikes will continue – British Airways has already announced fall schedule cuts – but with fewer travelers overall, perhaps the industry will be in a better position to navigate those issues.
Melissa Yeager Senior news editor
Returning to Sydney
After two years of longing, Tasmin Waby returns to Australia.
If you've been longing to return to some place you've missed during the pandemic, read Tasmin's heartfelt story about what it was like to finally go back to Australia.
Her piece reads like a love letter. Everything she missed about the country over the past two years may inspire you to book a trip down under. And after the floods that have impacted the region, Sydney's going to need the love.
If you need inspiration for a fall trip to Europe, consider this beachfront Spanish city.
Editor Sasha Brady also just returned to a destination she loves: Barcelona.
She offers some great recommendations in the story below, from neighborhoods to leisurely pass an afternoon to restaurants where you can enjoy the city's culinary delights.
Speaking of delays and cancellations: I had at least two friends send me US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg's tweet about how to make sure you get a refund if your flight is canceled.
It's a great reminder to familiarize yourself with the consumer protections many countries offer travelers. For instance, Europe has much stronger protections for consumers experiencing cancellations or delays.
Also, this is a great reminder to double check what your travel insurance or credit card policy covers if you face any interruptions. Be sure to look for exclusions for things like COVID-19 and strikes that might render the policy useless given today's travel challenges.
If you've dreamed of seeing the majesty of the Grand Canyon from the Colorado River, you might still have time to book a fall trip to raft trip. Amy Balfour writes about her experience on an 8-day rafting trip through one of America's best-known natural wonders.
Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat.
Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros et accumsan et iusto odio dignissim qui blandit praesent luptatum zzril delenit augue duis. Read More
.png){kind=avatar}
No comments:
Post a Comment