Are you looking to travel in 2021 and need getaway planning tips that are safe? Our correspondent Jillian Tangen shares what she learned while interviewing travel expert Albert Valera – he’s got 8 tips to know before planning every kind of post COVID-19 luxury vacation trip in 2021.
time to start planning your post COVID-19 luxury vacation travel!
The pandemic derailed nearly everyone’s 2020 travel plans, keeping us dreaming of being, well, anywhere else than home.
Travel expert Albert Valera shares 8 tips you need to know before planning every kind of post COVID-19 luxury vacation trip in 2021.
But with vaccines steadily rolling out across the country and around the world, traveling safely once again is starting to feel like a closer-than-ever reality.
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As we move from one chapter in this pandemic to the next, we at Dandelion Chandelier are looking forward to the summer months and beyond and wondering, “Should we be thinking about booking a trip for the future right now?”
Travel expert Albert Valera shares tips on luxury vacations post COVID-19. Courtesy Photo.
We spoke to SmartFlyer travel consultant and Everything Travel Guy, Albert Valera who wholeheartedly says yes, we should be booking vacations not only for this summer, but next summer and beyond too. Yep, you read that right!
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So what else do we need to know when it comes to making travel arrangements? Ahead, find Valera’s 8 best tips for planning and booking your next big getaway in the Covid era.
8 travel tips to know before planning every kind of post COVID-19 luxury vacation trip
1. luxury travel post COVID-19 tips: book ahead
Like way ahead – especially when it comes to planning a luxury cruise. According to Valera, top-of-the-line luxury cruises from brands like Regent Seven Seas are already filling up, as far out as 2023. So if you’re heart’s set on a specific week or a presidential suite, get booking.
Travel expert Albert Valera shares 8 tips you need to know before planning every kind of post COVID-19 luxury vacation trip in 2021.
Likewise If you are planning on heading overseas in 2022, book now to secure your preferred dates and top of the line rooms. And if you’re feeling nervous about booking so far in advance – don’t. Most cruise lines, hotels and airlines are offering flexible cancellations.
Finally, for US travel, avoid booking waiting until the last minute for good deals. Instead, think 3 – 6 months in advance to ensure your exact plans. So if you haven’t booked your summer travels yet, you should. And on top of that, if you haven’t already, he suggests you start thinking about the holidays too.
2. luxury travel post COVID-19 tips: consider a city
Urban areas like New York are significantly less crowded than pre-pandemic, making them a safe option with plenty of 5-star hotels from which to choose.
Travel expert Albert Valera shares 8 tips you need to know before planning every kind of post COVID-19 luxury vacation trip in 2021.
And even though you can’t see a Broadway show at the moment, you’ll be able to visit museums, sporting events, Michelin starred restaurants and the like with half the crowds.
3. luxury travel post COVID-19 tips: opt for a professionally-managed villa
Ever booked an Airbnb and showed up to find it looks nothing like the pictures? Or find after you check in that the AC isn’t working and you can’t get in touch with the owners? It happens much more than you think.
To avoid problems like this entirely, Valera suggests booking a private home through a travel advisor who works directly with property managers.
Travel expert Albert Valera shares 8 tips you need to know before planning every kind of post COVID-19 luxury vacation trip in 2021.
With a professionally-managed home and villa you can rest comfortably knowing that the house you have rented actually matches the photos and descriptions. Further, a travel advisor has onsite partners who can resolve any issues that arise. Finally, many vetted villas also come with bonus perks like chefs, housekeeping, personal trainers and even house butlers to further enhance your experience.
Alternatively, if you are not in need of so much space and privacy, opt for a hotel long-stay package with perks like unlimited laundry, daily breakfast, parking and a dedicated point person, such as a butler or concierge.
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4. luxury travel post COVID-19 tips: arrive early
Seasoned road warriors know you never want to spend more time in the airport than you have to. But these days, airports aren’t operating at their full workforce capacity – despite increasing flight volumes.
Though daily flights are growing more full, many airlines still have workers furloughed, so expect longer wait times for check-in, baggage drop off and security screenings. So plan on getting to the airport much earlier than in the pre-covid days when you could show up an hour before a domestic flight, have your bags checked and wisk through security thanks to status.
5. luxury travel post COVID-19 tips: don’t rely on frequent flyer status
Since ticket prices are still on the lower side for most flights across all classes, don’t plan on getting that free upgrade. Or even one with points at the airport to secure a seat in Business or First class. If you know you want to fly up front, buy the ticket ahead of time to be sure.
Travel expert Albert Valera shares 8 tips you need to know before planning every kind of post COVID-19 luxury vacation trip in 2021
6. luxury travel post COVID-19 tips: check your passport
It’s likely been a while since you’ve dusted off your passport. If you are planning a trip overseas for the fall or next year, make sure you’ve got more than 6 months left on your passport from your intended date of return. If you don’t or know you might be cutting it close, renew now because US State Department renewals are taking significantly longer than usual (up to 16+ weeks) to process passports. And after waiting so long to escape, you don’t want to miss out because of paperwork.
7. luxury travel post COVID-19 tips: be smart about deals
We know first hand how tempting it is to book a cheap flight, especially when you’re itching to travel, but be sure to read the fine print on anything that might sound too good to be true. There may be additional costs for not just baggage but also a guaranteed seat or for seats that are placed together, something that is especially important for a family intent on sitting together. So that $160 per person roundtrip from NYC to Miami can easily become $400 each if you don’t pay attention.
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8. luxury travel post COVID-19 tips: think outside the box
With overseas travel still unlikely to be an option this summer, places like Cape Cod and The Hamptons are going to be hotter than ever – literally and figuratively. If you are planning on heading to a classic vacation destination like one of those – don’t sleep on booking.
Travel expert Albert Valera shares 8 tips you need to know before planning every kind of post COVID-19 luxury vacation trip in 2021.
However, if you are open to trying something new, there are a plethora of new “it destinations” to consider. Including the laid-back wilderness of Jackson Hole, Wyoming (you can’t go wrong with ultra private Caldera House). The sugary sand beaches at the Silversands Grenada (it boasts the longest pool in the Caribbean). Or the luxurious (and coronavirus-safety focused) One & Only Mandarina along Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit.
8 travel tips to know before planning every kind of post COVID-19 luxury vacation trip
There you have it. 8 tips from a travel expert to help you finally book that much-needed getaway luxury vacation trip later in 2021. All that’s left is to narrow down where to go. Safe travels!
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For access to insider ideas and information on the world of luxury, sign up for our Dandelion Chandelier Newsletter here. And see luxury in a new light.
This article contains affiliate links to products independently selected by our editors. As an Amazon Associate, Dandelion Chandelier receives a commission for qualifying purchases made through these links.
Jillian Tangen is the Head of Research at Dandelion Chandelier and a former Senior Research Analyst at McKinsey & Co and Analyst at Shearman & Sterling. She is an avid fan of Nordic design, having owned an independent lifestyle store and sales agency focused on emerging Scandinavian design. Jillian lives in New York and is married with three young children. She loves cross-country skiing, the New York Rangers, reading, travel and discovering new brands.
