The pandemic shut down international travel as countries closed their borders to stop the spread of the virus. A year after the pandemic started, countries gradually opened their borders to spur tourism and spur their economies even amid the emergence of new variants of the virus.
Despite this, U.S. citizens have several options if they plan to travel abroad for a short vacation. While it’s nice to travel after staying home for around a year, it’s still important for you to follow health protocols to avoid getting infected. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommends getting fully vaccinated before you plan to travel internationally.
It’s also advisable to contact a rental or letting agent to ensure you have a place to stay in case you want to travel outside the country. It’s always better to have your accommodations finalized before you buy your tickets.
Here are some places you may want to visit once you get the full dose of the vaccine.
Paris
The City of Love is a great place for you to visit with the numerous tourist destinations the place offers. Paris offers guided tours to several tourist sites and spots, including the Louvre Museum and the Palace of Versailles. But the popularity of Paris means you need to plan your trip way ahead of time. You may even find a good deal on tickets and accommodations since the airline industry experienced a huge drop in revenues during the pandemic.
Traveling to Paris does not only mean you limit yourself to seeing the sights in France. You can also taste the world-renowned French cuisine. Some of the food you can taste are the Bouillabaisse, Escargots de Bourgogne, Coq au vin, and Quiche Lorraine.
The Maldives
The Maldives is among the most beautiful places you can visit in the world Its white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters are among the things you can look forward to when you visit this nation of islands. The tourism board has even offered free vaccines for international travelers who visit the country once all of its residents receive them.
Some resorts of the Maldives are even built on top of the ocean. This means you can jump straight into the water every time you wake up in the morning. Another reason that you should visit the Maldives is that you will not know if the country will still be there in the future the rising sea levels may soon inundate many of its islands.
Tokyo
The Tokyo Olympics may have been delayed, but it’s pushing through in the summer of 2021. But reports have emerged indicating that foreign spectators will not be allowed to watch the games. Despite this, the Asian city is still a good place to visit once it starts receiving foreign tourists.
Tokyo is a place where you can see how technology can merge well with the culture. It has high-rise buildings located close to historical sites. You can visit museums, temples, and even enjoy its vibrant nightlife. You can even watch sumo matches or join workshops in the city. The city also hosts real-life locations of videogames from Japan.
The Meiji Jingu Shrine is another must-visit tourist spot in Tokyo. If you are an art lover, walking down the backstreets of Setagaya is something that you shouldn’t miss. Aside from these places, you should never leave Tokyo unless you tasted authentic Japanese cuisine or visit some of its Michelin-starred restaurants.
Santorini
Another tropical wonderland that you can consider visiting is Santorini. Santorini is best known for its amazing architecture that has graced the pages of many travel magazines around the world. Officially known as Thera or Thira, Santorini hosts several churches and has a major wine industry.
Travelers from the United States join visitors from other countries who do not need to undergo a seven-day quarantine if they visit Greece as long as they follow health protocols. Aside from taking pictures, you can also watch the sun setting over the horizon at Oria or taste wine at the wineries of the island. Another option is to hire a sailboat and sail around the island.
You can also meet some locals at the quaint little village of Pyrgos. For nature lovers, hiking up the Santorini volcano is another option. Exploring the ruins of a place that some people consider as the home of the legendary city of Atlantis is another thing you can do when you visit Santorini. And after all those activities, you can grab a bite to eat. The island has a wide array of dishes that you have to try before leaving the country.
With more countries opening their borders, you have a lot of options if you plan to travel internationally before the end of the year.
