From our friends at Classic Vacations comes this super-useful up-to-date guide to what the travel restrictions and rules are for popular travel destinations all over the world:
Click here to see it.
See our spreadsheet of what destinations are open for travel, what the conditions and restrictions are, etc.:
This data is current as of 14 July 2020, but keep in mind, things are changing every day. Spreadsheet courtesy of Classic Vacations, one of the trusted wholesalers we work with here at Visual Itineraries.
This just in from the government in French Polynesia:
Starting from July 15th, 2020:
Quarantine measures will be lifted and French Polynesia’s borders will re-open to international tourism from all countries. All travelers will be subject to the following mandatory conditions:
See full details at the Tahiti Tourisme site’s COVID-19 page.
Everybody knows about apps that find you hotel deals, cheap flights, or what to see and do in any given city. But travel (especially these days) doesn’t ALWAYS mean hopping on a plane, staying in a big hotel, etc.
This post is about some of the less mainstream ones that are actually pretty useful–depending on where you’re going.
This app lets you load your passport info into it ahead of time, for you and the rest of your family. Then, you can use it to avoid filling out a bunch of paper documents at US Customs and Immigration. Currently supported at these ports of entry: Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Newark, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, Raleigh Durham, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, San Juan, Seattle, Tampa, Washington Dulles, and West Palm Beach.
Cool little feature: if you upgrade to Plus ($15/year…worth it, as the free version loses your data after 4 hours), you don’t have to enter your passport info–you can just scan your passport.
Learn more here.
This is helpful when you’re travelling to relatively remote areas where cell coverage is sketchy, and your usual Google or Apple Maps app won’t work because you can’t get a solid connection. Your phone still “knows” where it is, as the GPS receiver inside it doesn’t need cell coverage (it just needs to see the GPS satellites), but those apps can’t show you on a map because they need the cell connection to download the map.
With Avenza, you download topographical maps of where you’re going when you’re still back home, with a good wifi connection. Then, when you’re out in the wilderness, or a remote island, or wherever, the map is already on your phone, and Avenza will use your GPS in your phone and show you exactly where you are on that map.
There are maps for hunting units, parks, even off road recreational areas–where (at least here in Oregon) you can see every little single-track trail in the national forest that’s legal for dirt bikes or horses or ATVs or whatever.
Learn more here.
This app flexes the muscles of the GPS thingy in your phone: it’ll show you your exact latitude and longitude, your altitude in metres or feet, barometric pressure, and water boiling point.
Find it on the Apple App Store or Google Play.
This app is great if you’re vacationing at the coast, and want to explore the tide pools. We go to Otter Crest, near Newport Oregon, several times a year, and at the end of the beach there, there’s a sea cave called Devil’s Punchbowl that you can only get to at very low tides. Timing your trek down to the beach is key if you want to explore it :-).
It’s here for iOS, and here for Android.
We’re all familiar with the version of this on the web, I’m sure. But did you know that they have an app as well? And the really, REALLY cool thing about this app is that you can use your camera and it’ll translate instantly. Here’s a photo of a menu from a restaurant in Paris. On the left I’ve taken a picture of the menu itself; on the right, you can see the view through Google Translate:
Pretty cool, huh? Find it on Google Play or on the App Store.
I especially love this one, living in Bend, Oregon, and having 7 major mountain peaks around us. Point this app at the hills and it’ll tell you what you’re looking at:
Get it on the App Store or on Google Play.
Ever been in another state, or country, and nothing on the wine list looks familiar? Just use the Vivino wine app to look up what’s on the wine list (you can even scan the bottle’s label with your camera).
You’ll see ratings, typical store prices, etc. Find it on the App Store or on Google Play.
Hawaii is full of natural beauty, stunning beaches and the Aloha spirit, but there are a few things that you won’t be able to find on the Hawaiian islands. While we usually define a place by the features it possess, sometimes it’s just as important to list off what it lacks.
Photo copyright Skyseeker
Photo copyright Drew Stefani
Photo copyright Debs
Photo copyright Marco Verch
Photo copyright Chris Murphy
Photo copyright Nick Mote
Photo copyright Teemu008
Photo copyright Harly504
Photo copyright Rennett Stowe
Photo copyright Horschmology
Photo copyright Alex Archambault
Photo copyright Mike Mozart
Photo copyright Eli Duke
What else have you not been able to find in Hawaii?
Original post by Megan Shute
Beginning on Jan 22, 2018, TSA will enforce the federally-mandated REAL ID requirements on all domestic travel.
For details by state, visit https://www.dhs.gov/real-id.
Of all my experiences from living in Taiwan for 9 months, backpacking the Holy Ridge Trail in 5 days was one of the highlights. The Holy Ridge (or “雪山聖稜線” in Chinese) is an awe-inspiring, often razor-thin ridge of mountains in Taiwan’s Shei-pa National Park. It spans from north to south, connecting the famous Snow Mountain (“雪山” / “Xueshan”) all the way to Mt. Dabajian (“大霸尖山” / “Dabajianshan”). At 12,749 ft, Snow Mountain is Taiwan’s most famous mountain and second highest. As we traversed this ridge in an O-shaped loop, our views spanned the mountain range and we summited several peaks along the way and climbed more than a few sketchy scrambles. From sparse, steep rocky bits to lush forest hiking, this trip had some unforgettable views and even better memories. Continue reading
This gallery contains 31 photos.
What does a week in the Philippines on a backpacker’s budget look like? Well, 4 islands and approximately $430 later, and I have the water-damaged iPhone pics to show for it: If you’re looking for a beautiful place to visit … Continue reading
Packing lighter is no news to backpackers and trekkers who want to ease sprains and strains on their weary muscles. But the ultralight packing trend that the outdoor industry is embracing can be applied to travelers as well – even if your end destination is a resort instead of a tent under the trees. If you have a big trip coming up but are fed up with lugging around those 2 exactly-50-lb suitcases, this article is for you! Not only will international transfers be a breeze, but you also don’t have to break your back stuffing it into the back of a taxi, shuttle, or longtail-boat-transfer-to-tiny-island-resort. Win-win! Leave the packing tips to us, embrace the minimalism, and focus on all the R&R you could want on your actual vacation. Continue reading
A panoramic shot of a lookout from Munra Point.
For the last post in our series of winter hikes in the Columbia River gorge (see our previous features on the Cape Horn Trail and Eagle Creek Trail) we have the seriously stunning Munra Point Trail. Continue reading
