Welcome to Friday Around the Planet, a roundup of some of the travel-related news and inspiration you might have missed over the past week.
After 29 months of pandemic-related obstacles, I’m just days away from taking my first transatlantic flight since 2019. My heart is buzzing with anticipation, equal to that of my first trip across the ocean many moons ago. In a true sense of déjà vu, I’ll be landing in Paris, the first city I ever visited in Europe.
Barring any cosmic interruptions, I’m eager to bring you along on the journey. In the meantime, I’m counting down the days until departure, and the opening of the new Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie & du Vin is adding fuel to my wanderlust. Spanning 1,750 square meters of exhibition space, this venue located not far from the Unesco Climate Burgundy vineyards and the Route de Grand Crus celebrates the “Gastronomic meal of the French.” It offers everything from cooking classes to wine tasting and opens to the public after more than a decade of planning on May 6.
News about COVID-19 Restrictions
We are still monitoring COVID-19 restrictions and rollbacks. Notably, the most recent development has been the rollback of the mask requirement on public transit in the United States. Following a federal court ruling in Florida, airlines across the United States dropped inflight masking requirements. However, local municipalities and individual companies can still enforce their own requirements. It’s essential to be aware that international travel may also require wearing a mask depending on your destination.
The CDC has changed how it issues travel advisories, now reserving its highest travel warning level for special circumstances, which include rapidly escalating case trajectories or the emergence of new variants. It’s important to stay informed about the latest health guidelines concerning travel.
Sustainable Returns to Tourism
As tourism returns following the pandemic, many destinations previously overwhelmed by overtourism are taking steps to emerge from the crisis more sustainably. For instance, Venice recently saw a significant influx of visitors during the Easter holiday weekend, nearly bringing tourism back to pre-pandemic levels. Consequently, starting in June, visitors will need to secure reservations to enter the city.
Similarly, the Honolulu city council has approved an ordinance requiring a 90-day minimum stay for short-term rentals, while still allowing accommodations in resort areas such as Waikiki.
Openings of Interest
In addition to the Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie & du Vin, several notable openings are happening globally. For the first time in its 500-year history, the Procuratie Vecchie in Venice is open to visitors. This landmark stretches the entire length of the north side of St Mark’s Square and recently reopened after a comprehensive five-year renovation project.
In New York City, a unique exhibition curated by artist Jean-Michel Basquiat’s sisters celebrates his work with over 200 pieces and artifacts, many of which have never been displayed publicly. Moreover, the Museum of Modern Art has launched the “In Solidarity” exhibit, dedicated to artists born in present-day Ukraine, creating a platform for awareness and support.
