Great getaways now open to help get you over the coronavirus lock down blues
By Patti Pietschmann, Travel Diva
Okay for now Italy isn’t allowing foreigners. Travel to France and French Polynesia is still restricted. But if you’re jonesing to break away from home (and who isn’t) here are some pretty good options. So start packing those bags.
An artsy crafty Laguna Beach getaway
A pet getaway especially for Angelenos, The Ranch at Laguna Beach, is now accepting guests. Laguna Beach is an artsy, crafty city situated alongside the Pacific Ocean. There’s plenty of beach activity as well as shops and dining ops. And for golfer’s there’s the Ranch at Laguna Beach’s Ben Brown’s Golf Course. The greens is accepting scheduled tee times for players abiding by new health standards at www.theranchlb.com/golf.
Nestled in the majestic Aliso and Wood Canyons in the heart of Orange County the 97-room Ranch is spans 87 acres. The resort provides fun and games such as dolphin safaris, yoga, stargazing, sand volleyball and bocce ball. There’s also a Junior Explorers Kid’s Program. For more details go to www.ranchlb.com
The hotel’s Harvest Restaurant is now open for dine-in using CDC guidelines.
For questions about the reopening of The Ranch at Laguna Beach and its COVID-19 protocols email travelnews@ranchlb.com. To make a reservation, visit www.theranchlb.com or call (949) 499-2271.
Sun swept Santa Barbara, California
Carved out of a 1950s motel, the 33-room boutique hilltop hotel Skyview sits on five-acres of land overlooking the quaint western town of Los Alamos. There are two spacious suites and 16 deluxe rooms with private decks featuring outdoor showers and fire pits.
Addition amenities include a little spa, working working vineyard, gardens and an original 1950’s era pool. There’s also a fun bar/restaurant named Norman that pours local wines, herb-infused cocktails along with and farm-fresh fare. And for all of you who have been pedaling your way to fitness while ‘locked in’ there is a fleet of Linus bikes available.
Another iconic Santa Barbara property and Angeleno favorite, Belmond’s enchanting El Encanto is opening on July 1. The hotel oozes with charming elegance. Check out Visit Santa Barbara for other options.
Long Island’s tony Hamptons
In New York’s tony Hamptons, the Sugi Ban House is opening on June 1. : There are currently no travel restrictions to this pricey resort area. However service on the Long Island Rail Road and the Hampton Jitney – two of the more popular ways to arrive from New York City – is currently reduced.
New England
Up in Nantucket White Elephant Resorts is opening six properties between June 15 and July 1.
Be sure to pack your wayfarers, red pants and linen shirts.
Nantucket is your ticket for shaking off cabin fever without even leaving the country. There’s plenty of open spaces for hiking and biking.
FYI: Ferries run between Hyannis, MA and Nantucket; and New Bedford, MA and Nantucket. Click here to learn more. The high speed ferry between New York City and Nantucket resumes service on June 26.
American Airlines has a new route this summer from Philadelphia to Nantucket. The direct flights run on Saturdays from June 30 until September 8. Direct service is also offered on various airlines from east coast cities including Boston, New York, Newark, Washington D.C. and Charlotte. Blade offers non-stop, by-the-seat seaplanes from the east side of Manhattan to Nantucket. Tradewind Aviation offers similar shuttle service departing from White Plains, NY.
Snowbird havens
Down south in sunny Florida the White Elephant Palm Beach is opening on September 23. The former Bradley Park Hotel (circa 1920) boasts a new design reflective of the unique history of the area.
Caribbean islands have been off-limits and probably won’t be fully operative until fall. That’s when Belmond Cap Juluca, Anguilla opens (on October 23). The company’s chic La Samanna is accepting guests November 2.
FYI be sure to check out U.S. State Department’s website on Anguilla and St. Martin.
South of the border
Costa Rica, which was a hot, hot, hot destination before coronavirus has hotels opening in July. Nayara Tented Camp & Nayara Springs welcome guests in July 2020 and Nayara Gardens in the fall.
FYI: Hotel openings depend on border openings. Effective through June 15, only Costa Rican nationals are allowed in the country. Visit the Embassy of Costa Rica page for continued information.
Erin go bragh
Ireland’s Dromoland Castle could open on July 20 but the country is requiring travelers to quarantine or self-isolate upon arrival for 14 days. As of now, Aer Lingus is the only carrier flying to the United States from Ireland. Visit the Irish embassy page for up-to-date information.
For more hotel openings check out https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestravelguide/2020/05/29/master-list-of-luxury-hotel-reopenings/#2f85d235ea1a.
Yes, folks, the wonderful world of travel is making a slow comeback. For more vacation ideas be sure to return to the Pavlus homepage. That’s where you’ll find great deals on tours and cruises.
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