The Year Ahead in Travel
Dear Friends and Travelers,
What a difference a year makes!
As your trusted travel advisors, we pride ourselves on staying ahead of what is new and trending, but it is fair to say we didn’t see the COVID-19 curve ball coming. I am sure many of you feel as though you have had your wings clipped this past year, but we are heartened by the recent upswing in new requests and a real desire to return to travel in a safe and meaningful way. The rollout of vaccine programs, greater access to testing, and cooperation between tourism and government bodies gives us confidence in the rebirth of travel.
Many of you have stayed closer to home this year with socially distanced destinations leading the demand. For those of you traveling abroad, Mexico has been our number one international destination thanks to its streamlined entry requirements and plethora of luxury hotel offerings with a staunch commitment to COVID health protocols. Those of you a little more adventurous this past month, have braved the testing and entry requirements of destinations like Africa and The Maldives.
Whilst the world is not quite our oyster just yet, your options for “where to next” continue to grow with each passing week. We note Tahiti is set to reopen May 1 which will be of particular interest for those of you who deferred Thanksgiving and Easter trips. In Europe, our top client inquiries are for Iceland, Turkey and Croatia are which all open to US travelers. We’ve relinked our Croatia blog from summer 2019 should you like a little Adriatic inspiration.
That said, this summer we know that domestic travel will continue to peak. Indeed, we have never experienced such high demand for our preferred domestic properties so we do encourage you not to delay travel planning and avoid disappointment.
Thank you for your continued trust and support!
Safe travels,
Monique
Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef
January 2021
Make 2021 Extraordinary
Il dolce far niente: The art of doing nothing. It’s an Italian phrase we all mastered in 2020 and, if we have our way, it’s one we’ll quickly trade for buon giorno, come stai?once again. The Huffman Travel team is committed to making 2021 the year of truly extraordinary experiences and places. Read more here.
Bring Your Friends, or Make New Ones…and Fly Private
A study by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) showed that travelers are more likely to get struck by lightning than contract Covid on an airplane. Harvard researchers echoed those findings in this report, saying air travel “is as safe or substantially safer than the routine activities people undertake during these times” such as going to the grocery. Still – now’s the time to consider an upgrade to First Class to guarantee extra space onboard (and the all-important beverage service that has been suspended in lower classes of service). Of course, we are happy to arrange private charter flights for you as well. Some of our clients who haven’t considered flying privately in the past are successfully petitioning friends to travel with them and split the cost! Another trend that’s here to stay: luggage shipping, so you can minimize your time spent at the airport. We are strong believers in Luggage Free’s handling from your home to your destination and back.
Flying private has never been more appealing; arrive at the FBO just 30 minutes prior to take off, skip the lines at security and customs, share your flight only with a limited number of passengers you know, and arrive at a dream destination without having to change planes.
With interest in private flights growing, we have worked with our partners on ways to make charters more competitive for a last-minute, guilt-free extravaganza to the beach. Read more here.
Cruise the Adriatic by Private Charter
At a time when everyone researches safety, privacy, and convenience, luxury yacht charters are more appealing than ever. It's a world where you can fully relax, unwind, and enjoy special moments with friends and family, anywhere in the world.
This summer and fall, yacht charters prove to be an ideal solution to the need for social distancing. Here are some of the reasons chartering a yacht should be in your plans right now. Turkey, Croatia & Montenegro all open for travelers and are some of the world’s hidden gems. Read more here.
Responsible Travel: Giving Back in Times of Need
Being a family business allows us to lead with values dear to us and to keep them alive even when times are tough. In a year that was challenging for our industry, to say the least, we took pride in keeping our commitment to “doing the right thing” and hope to have contributed to making tourism smarter and more sustainable. Read more here.
21 Experiences of a Lifetime
From visiting the 7 Wonders of the World to bargaining your way through the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, here are 21 timeless experiences that will leave you with stories for the ages. Ready more here.
Jumby Bay Island with a Twist
Jumby Bay Island has just gotten even more hip this season thanks to a partnership with ultra-premium tequila brand Casamigos (founded by George Clooney and friends). Read more here.
The Essence of Charleston and Santa Barbara with Belmond
On top of an iconic collection of properties worldwide, we always think of Belmond as genuine hoteliers. This unique sense of authenticity and hospitality lives in their Charleston and Santa Barbara properties. Read more here.
Get to Know Your Huffman Advisors
Read about some of their favorite experiences and places. Read more here.