The travel industry has taken quite a bit of a beating in the last couple of years. Before COVID, there was a recession. 2 years into COVID, children still are not able to be fully vaccinated, some adults have not been boosted and for the immune compromised individuals, it is a mess.
Travel has always been a form of escapism but now, it takes on new meaning. Not only where to go, but how to get there and are there options besides staying in a hotel. THERE ARE OPTIONS, you just have to open yourself up to something different and perhaps go outside your comfort zone or your usual travel methods. There are those individuals who have taken on the two-wheel form of transportation, however, some of us have that “COVID WEIGHT” and require a bit more of an accommodation, not to worry, two women in the same situation have done the work for you, check out All Bodies All Bikes, which looks to get people of all sizes into biking. They have done the groundwork for you, just sign up and get going. Two wheels not your cup of tea, how about Glamping! I know, for the purist this idea is sacrilege but for those of us looking to arrive, rest, enjoy and relax, it is a dream come true. The views are usually phenomenal and off the beaten path, the accommodations go from casual sexy to down right dripping in fabulousness. For a list of cities or countries near you, check out this fantastic Glamping site for beautiful alternatives to your usual hotel stay. Not a ready for the tent, but also not looking for a standard hotel, consider a cave...yes a cave, check out Beckham Creek Cave in Arkansas. This location is beyond scale and wonder and is great for families and groups. Not ready to take the complete plunge into the New and Bold, consider something a little gentler like a wonderful bed and breakfast. I myself find these to be a great alternative to hotels. Often you can meet the owner, learn the history of the residence, and find a slower more decadent feeling in some of these establishments. On a recent trip to Memphis, I came across this lovely spot called the James Lee House and while they did not have an availability during my timeline, I was able to speak to the owner who explained there was a wedding there and perhaps next time she would be happy to meet and host me. That is the thing about B&B, owner responsiveness is usually same day or within 24 hours. Finally, consider a VRBO for you, your bae, family and or friends. This is a great alternative to a hotel and some of the places are wonderful with views to match. Remember with most of them you will be responsible for meals and there are some restrictions. I often tell clients when selecting a VRBO, look to see how far away you are from restaurants and other entertainment. Higher end VRBO can come with a chef, maid and car service. Bringing it back around, are there plenty of options for travel, you just have to find what is best of you, your budget and level of comfort. You just need to know where to look. Safe travels.
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