Vivid Travel

08/30/2022

02/25/2022

An excellent commentary by the always-thoughtful Rick Steves.

Comrades No More: Thoughts on Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine

Today is a profoundly sad day. Russia’s aggressive action is heartbreaking for the death, suffering, and economic turmoil it will cause in Ukraine and, indirectly at least, beyond. Here at Rick Steves’ Europe, we hope that a diplomatic solution can be found and peace will return to that fragile and long-suffering part of our world.

Our mission at RSE is to help Americans better know and understand our neighbors through travel. But when we bring travelers to another country, we also bring their dollars — dollars that would support Putin’s aggression. Therefore, as of today, we have canceled all 2022 tours that include a stop in Russia.

Of course, we will keep a close eye on unfolding events and monitor any travel impacts through the rest of Europe. But it is important to keep geographic realities in mind and remember that a war in Ukraine is as far from our European vacation dreams as a war in Guatemala would be from Texas or Florida. For 40 years now, we have lived, worked, and traveled through many periods of tragic warfare in lands far from where we lead our tours (and some closer). And at this time, we see no reason to change the rest of our travel and touring plans.

The tragic reality unfolding in Ukraine only reminds me how important it is for Americans to keep on traveling and to do so in a way that makes us better and more engaged citizens of our world. I’m flying to Europe next month for a 40-day trip through a dozen great cities from London to Athens — and I’m proud that thousands of my fellow travelers will experience the European trip of their dreams while having rich learning experiences far from home on a 2022 Rick Steves tour.

In the meantime, let’s be thankful for our blessings, support our nation’s leaders as they do their best to navigate this crisis, and keep the troubled corners of our world (Ukraine, Russia, Afghanistan, and more) in our thoughts and prayers.

—Rick

02/22/2022

02/15/2022

The federal government is eliminating the pre-arrival PCR test requirement for fully vaccinated travellers starting Feb. 28, Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos announced Tuesday.

02/15/2022

Fiji includes no less than 333 islands. Here are 5 of the best Fiji islands to visit, no matter what kind of trip you seek.

01/31/2022

I did, and it was amazing! Here's why you should too 😃

From visiting art museums to cozying up at an outdoor café (with heat lamps), here are ideal things to do in Paris during winter.

10/21/2021

Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland announced that, as of October 30, the Government of Canada will require employers in the federally regulated air, rail, and marine transportation sectors to establish vaccination policies for their employees. Also effec...

07/25/2021

https://globalnews.ca/news/8052018/italy-france-covid-19-vaccination/amp/

Italy's COVID Green Pass is a digital or paper certificate that shows if someone has received at least one jab, has tested negative or has recently recovered from COVID-19.

06/22/2021

This includes Canadians too! As of June 21st, travelers who can provide proof of vaccination, a certificate of recovery from COVID-19, or a negative PCR- or rapid-antigen test taken within 48 hours of arrival can travel to Italy without observing an isolation period on arrival.

As of Monday, American tourists can travel to Italy for the first time in over a year.

05/27/2021

Get away from the high-fiving bros.

04/23/2021

Coauthored by Anthony Bourdain's longtime assistant Laurie Woolever, “World Travel: An Irreverent Guide” will be published by Ecco in April 2021.

03/31/2021

Reading recommendations straight from the source.

03/27/2021

The Yukon is all about untamed lands, the rich traditions of First Nations, rugged gold prospectors and hardy fur trappers – and it's ripe for adventure.

03/10/2021

From new 2021 releases to old favorites that still hold up, here are some of the best travel shows to stream on Netflix, Apple, and other services right now.

01/12/2021

Oh Newfoundland - truly one of my favourite places on earth 💛

Quidi Vidi, St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada

01/05/2021

The England Coastal Path will be divided into four sections and is slated to open in 2021. Portions of each section have already begun to open to the public.

12/28/2020

https://www.travelawaits.com/2560040/most-colorful-cities-in-the-world/

From Havana to Toulouse, we've chosen our favorite cities, neighborhoods, and parts of a town that all stand out for their bright buildings.

12/15/2020

A beautifully written article about the journey of one of my favourite New York restaurants...

"My stroke paralyzed my right side. The pandemic paralyzed Balthazar. Donald Trump paralyzed the will of half the American people. Each of these dreadful incidents convinced me not to succumb to adversity, but to remember Dylan Thomas’s lines, “…Rage, rage against the dying of the light.” Rage, rage.

"A vaccine for COVID appears to be on the horizon. Trump has lost the election. And Balthazar finally reopens in January. The rage is over. For now, the light shines again. For now."

Keith McNally has opened many restaurants in New York City, and closed them amid COVID. None has pained him quite like Balthazar, writes the restaurateur.

12/11/2020

Looking for a creative gift for a travel, food or history-loving friend? Check out Context Travel's Conversation series - for about CAD$40, you can get a pass to one of their amazing online seminars on a range of topics including French Aperitifs, Victorian Christmas traditions, the history of Stonehenge, the Sicilian Mafia, and more. Context has been my go-to for walking tours for clients for a number of years and their guides are truly second to none.

https://conversations.contexttravel.com/collections/seminars?sort=created-ascending

Context Conversations is an ongoing education provider, virtually connecting clients with scholars around the world to discuss thousands of topics ranging from art to history to food to culture.

11/25/2020

Fascinating!

British Columbia’s Gulf Islands are testament of an era when, during a period of internal strife, Hawaiian royalty left their tropical home for distant islands.

10/28/2020

https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/world-asia-54702974

The film initially caused outrage - but now the tourism board sees it as the perfect marketing tool.

10/20/2020

A fun memory shared this morning by a client from their self-drive safari in South Africa two years ago....
https://www.facebook.com/578410742/videos/10156449198150743/

10/19/2020

Very interesting results!

10/05/2020

Go Rick Steves! What a wonderful idea.

Employees are out cleaning local trails of debris and weeds, working with food banks and delivering food to seniors in Snohomish County.

09/30/2020

One Traveler's Risk Assessment — By Cameron Hewitt

09/28/2020

09/25/2020

Yorkshire dales
England

09/20/2020

New research shows that trip planning can in fact lift our spirits. We can attest it has worked for us.