Always An Adventure Travel

07/25/2023

Projected to start January 2024, it would require travelers with U.S. passports to fill out an online visa application before being granted entry into the EU.

New requirements are on the horizon for travelers with a U.S. passport looking to get to Europe.

06/18/2023

If you like to have access to texting on flights it might be worth a switch!

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=812549480237923&id=100044486347178&mibextid=ZbWKwL

Sign up for one of T-Mobile's qualifying plans to get free inflight Wi-Fi on all U.S. airlines, as well as other travel perks.

06/13/2023

Southwest Airlines is having a great sale on fall travel for their birthday! If you already have a flight booked check and see if the discount code works for your flight and if it does you can just cancel and rebook to get those savings!

05/15/2023

Rules before ask me to price a trip for you this summer:

1. Be flexible with your budget. Cheap trips are going to be hard to come by.
2. Don't wait til the last minute to plan.
3. Get travel insurance!

Thank you for coming to my Ted talk.

Memorial Day weekend -- the unofficial start of the summer travel season in the United States -- is shaping up to be busy. At airports, it's likely to be busier than it was in 2019 pre-pandemic, according to the AAA travel forecast released Monday.

10/02/2022

Lover's Beach is the view you're rewarded with when you have lunch at .tavern, which was easily the best food we ate in Mykonos and Greece as a whole.

12/10/2021

As you know, anyone traveling internationally requires a negative COVID test to return to the US. While many all-inclusive resort chains offer this testing for free for guests, anyone who doesn't have this option is on their own to coordinate testing.

I've used this kit twice now and I highly recommend it. It's fast, easy, and has been way cheaper than any testing sites in other countries (they've ranged from $50-$150 in other countries). I ordered it prior to my trip, brought it with me and tested myself per current requirements in 15 minutes with the results emailed to you immediately. As long as you have access to wifi/internet connection you can use this test.

https://store.optum.com/shop/products/abbott-binaxNOW-COVID-19-ag-at-home-test-kit-2-pack

12/03/2021

Beginning Monday December 6th, all travelers to the US regardless of vaccination status will require a negative COVID test one day before their entry to the US.

Previously, vaccinated travelers were able to complete their testing 3 days before return.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/02/politics/testing-requirement-international-travel-us/index.html

The Biden administration's new, stricter Covid-19 testing requirements for all travelers coming to the United States will take effect on Monday, an administration official told CNN.

09/27/2021

Unvaccinated US citizens returning to the US will be required to to show results of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of departure to the U.S, proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within one day of departure, AND provide proof that they have purchased a viral test to be taken after arrival.

https://thepointsguy.com/news/unvaccinated-testing-requirements/

Unvaccinated Americans flying back to the U.S. will be subject to stricter reentry testing requirements starting in early November, the Biden administration

08/16/2021

Texas friends,

Electronic vaccine verification (ie: vaccine passports) has been outlawed by our governor but is becoming required for entry into a number of other countries and even some cities and states in the US.

In the U.S., over 60 stadiums and other venues are using Health Pass by Clear to verify the Covid-19 status of sports fans and concert goers. Clear is already well known and trusted in the travel industry as the rival to the TSA precheck program and the program is certified by the Department of Homeland Security.

I received my vaccination through my job which is not providing electronic verification. Since many countries are not accepting paper cards as proof, I opted to use the Clear app.

Here's the information for those who are interested:

https://www.clearme.com/healthpass

Health Pass by CLEAR gives employees and consumers the confidence and peace of mind to get back to work, shop at their favorite store, step into a restaurant and attend a ball game.

08/16/2021

08/16/2021

One of the world's most idyllic islands and a popular vacation spot for Americans will now require all travelers visiting the island to be vaccinated.

08/12/2021

https://www.nola.com/news/coronavirus/article_20a8445c-fb7b-11eb-bbf1-1fa3b35d5990.html

New Orleans residents and visitors will need to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or a recent negative test to go inside restaurants, bars and other public venues, including the

08/12/2021

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/news/2021/08/10/puerto-rico-covid-vaccine-travel-hotels-government-contractors-health-workers/5550109001/

Starting Monday, you'll need to be vaccinated to visit Puerto Rico if you're staying at a hotel or short-term rental like an Airbnb.

07/15/2021

"Currently, our wait time for both new and renewal routine passport applications can be up to 18 weeks, and that includes our processing time, the initial internal intake of the applications, and mailing," Deputy Assistant Secretary for Passport Services Rachel Arndt told reporters on a call.

She said wait times for expedited passports -- which cost a $60 fee -- are up to 12 weeks.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/14/politics/state-department-passports-backlog/index.html

American travelers who do not currently have valid US passports may not be able to travel overseas this summer due to extensive wait times as the State Department deals with a backlog of more than a million applications caused largely by the coronavirus pandemic, a department official said Wednesday...

04/25/2021

A review of my first international travel experience during COVID to Aruba!

Aruba entry requirements:
1. Negative PCR COVID test
2. Complete online ED card
3. Purchase Aruba Visitor's Insurance

Aruba requires a negative PCR test no more than 72 hours prior to departure for anyone 14 and older OR you can opt to test when you arrive and quarantine until you get your results. The test must be PCR, it cannot be antigen. Specific requirements can be found here: https://www.visitaruba.com/traveling-to-aruba/entry-requirements-and-visas/aruba-travel-restrictions-covid-19/

I completed mine at CVS. This was my first COVID test so I have nothing to compare it to but my experience was fast, convenient and easy. I used the CVS app to schedule my appointment for the day/time I wanted. You complete your own self-swab in the drive-thru pharmacy while the pharmacy employee talks you through the whole process. My results were uploaded into mychart in 36 hours. **COVID testing is not free if the only purpose for the test is travel. They will charge you and it's not cheap. They ask if you have insurance, if you say you do not you are required to provide a driver's license number or social security number. Do with this information what you will.**

For anyone who has ever traveled internationally before, the online ED card is similar to the customs declaration form you used to complete on the plane. It asks your information, travel dates and information on how you're getting there and where you're staying and then a health questionnaire. You can upload your negative COVID test results into the ED form if you have them or you can opt to complete the form and show them at the airport. Either way you have to show them repeatedly at the airport. Once you complete the ED card you are emailed a QR code that you should to various people at the airport to allow you to pass through. You will have to show this code to even board your plane in the US so it is very important!

The Aruba Traveler's insurance can be purchased while you are completing your ED card process or you can purchase your own policy but there are very specific provisions the policy must have. For convenience and the security of knowing I wouldn't have any issues I chose to buy theirs for $30.

At the Aruba airport, I had to show my QR code to get into the customs line. Once I was in the customs line, I had to show it again as well as my negative COVID test (she verified the words PCR and negative, no other information). I was then given a card to take to my hotel to advise them I didn't need to quarantine and a ticket to pass through customs.

I stayed at the Riu Antillas which offered complimentary antigen COVID testing for the return flight. If you wanted PCR, they charged $100. My return flight was on United and they accepted either an antigen or PCR test. My departure was Saturday so they recommended I test on Thursday. I went at 7 am and had my results in 3 hours. My friend who opted for the PCR got her results in about 7 hours.

For the return flight, the gate agent at the Aruba airport was the only person who asked to see the COVID test when I checked in. Now I'm back home, one happy girl after my time on One Happy Island!

Things to remember if you plan on traveling internationally:

*COVID restrictions and curfews are very much still in place and you must abide by them.
*Staff and services are limited. Don't expect to have access to the same amenities or services you had prior to the pandemic. This is for everyone's safety.
*Many people rely heavily on tourism for for jobs and paychecks. Their livelihood has been severely impacted and they are genuinely grateful to be back at work. Dont be a jerk. Be gracious to those you meet along the way, be thankful that you have the opportunity and the ability to travel and tip those who help you.