Thankfully, coronavirus cases and deaths have plateaued and are hopefully now on the downslope in Massachusetts. Obviously, our health and safety are still the No. 1 priority, but slowly, we\u2019re starting to see an interest in possible travels this summer and fall. Lisa and I, and are our kids have been holed up in our house like the rest of you for a good two months now. So we understand your need to dream about a new locale that\u2019s anywhere but the backyard. But having gotten a number of you home safely from abroad in late February in early March, we want to be damn sure that the places we send you in 2020 have a good degree of social distancing, are regional, and, if not regional, can be found after one relatively quick flight. This is not a good time to be connecting in an airport. We also have to be concerned with individual state regulations. For example, Maine wants to quarantine all out-of-state visitors for 14 days upon arrival. This is currently on the books through August, which would restrict all hotel stays. This week, we reached out to some of our favorite outfitters and see what\u2019s happening this summer and fall.<\/p>\n

Backroads Announces June\/July Schedule in America<\/strong><\/p>\n

Backroads recently announced that they will begin running trips in the US the third week of June. Below is what is slated to run. For these departures, they are intentionally running small trips with guests who have been carefully vetted for their interest in getting back to travel. For more information about Backroads\u2019 updated travel policies and safety measures being enacted because of Covid-19, please look here<\/a>:<\/p>\n

Yellowstone & Grand Tetons Multi-Adventure Tour<\/a>
\nJune 21-26
\nJuly 26-31<\/p>\n

North Carolina\u2019s Blue Ridge & Tennessee\u2019s Smokies Walking & Hiking Tour<\/a>
\nJune 22-26<\/p>\n

Bryce & Zion Bike Tour<\/a>
\nJune 28-July 3
\nJuly 12-17<\/p>\n

Utah & Arizona\u2019s National Parks Family Multi-Adventure Tour<\/a>
\nJune 30-July 5
\nJuly 14-19, 21-26, 28-8\/2<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Social Distancing is the Name of the Game for Austin Adventures<\/strong><\/p>\n

Having taken the family on an Austin Adventures trip to the Canadian Rockies<\/a>, we know firsthand that Dan Austin is the King of Social Distancing. He\u2019s been creating adventures in the outdoors away from the masses for decades. Dan tells us that 60 percent of his bookings are still moving forward this summer. Popular in both 2020 and 2021 are what he calls \u201csingle stays,\u201d trips out West with just one base camp hotel. Examples include the private suites and cabins at the Rustic Inn<\/a> in Jackson Hole and Chilko Lake Lodge<\/a> in British Columbia.<\/p>\n

Due to the popularity of private family trips, Austin Adventures has just partnered with the Lodges at Eagles Nest<\/a>, an executive mountain community in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Together, they\u2019ve launched Eagle\u2019s Nest Home Stays, a first-class base camp that includes guided group tours and outdoor recreational programming. Perched at 5,000 feet with 360-degree views, the Eagles Nest community is five miles from Banner Elk, in the heart of the adventure capital of North Carolina. Activities within the secluded community include hiking, cycling, horseback riding, disc golf, a ropes course, ATV and motorcycle trails, private fishing, a wine and cigar bar, and more. Off-site, travelers can raft Tennessee\u2019s famous Watuga River, or explore nearby Banner Elk.<\/p>\n

Guests interested in booking a stay at the Lodges at Eagles Nest through Austin Adventures have a variety of options, ranging from renting an executive mountain retreat with no additional services to experiencing a customized, all-inclusive stay with activity and service add-ons. \u201cWe can get you a full-time adventure guide, a personal chef, a private driver, you name it,\u201d Austin said.<\/p>\n

Lastly, Austin Adventures has also partnered with Collective Retreats<\/a> to offer all-inclusive Glamping Based Adventures. For late summer and fall of 2020 Austin is working with properties in Colorado, Texas, and the Governors Island property just outside of New York City. In 2021, Collective Retreats will be adding Montana (just outside Yellowstone) and Napa Valley, CA.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Rent<\/strong>\u00a0a Villa with Villas of Distinction<\/strong><\/p>\n

Due to the pandemic, it\u2019s not surprising that we\u2019re receiving many more requests for homes, villas, and townhouse rentals this summer. These residences all have full kitchens, so you don\u2019t have to worry about dining at restaurants every meal. Also, the companies we work with not only personally inspect all properties, but hire cleaning services to thoroughly disinfect before and after each rental.<\/p>\n

Known for their upscale private homes around the world, we like to use Villas of Distinction<\/a> in the winter months for families headed to the Turks & Caicos and Jamaica, especially their luxurious Noble House outside Montego Bay<\/a> that can sleep 10. Due to the demand of private homes this summer, the company is expanding their profile. All homes have been vetted, and unlike VRBO or Airbnb, all deposits are placed into escrow, so if you cancel during the allotted time period, you don\u2019t have to worry about fighting for your money with a private homeowner. Villas of Distinction also offers a concierge at each location to arrange all activities and dining, including a private chef if need be. New destinations this summer include Westhampton, New York<\/a> (the former home of composer Marvin Hamlisch), and a 6-bedroom property on the beach in Hilton Head<\/a>, South Carolina.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Bike Regionally with DuVine Cycling this Summer<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you had the chance to join Andy Levine, owner of the Cambridge-based DuVine Cycling, on the ride he created for ActiveTravels members in the fall of 2017 from Wellesley to Concord, you know they\u2019re a top-notch biking outfitter. Lisa and I had the good fortune to bike with DuVine in Puglia<\/a> the fall of 2019 on one of our most memorable trips. There\u2019s been a demand this summer for private regional bike trips this summer and fall. Here\u2019s what they\u2019ve created. Pricing is based on a minimum of 6 guests, so 3 couples, or 1-2 families.<\/p>\n

Hudson Valley Highlights<\/a>:
\n\u2022 Enjoy all three nights at Troutbeck, a stylish and historic country retreat in the heart of farm country on the New York-Connecticut border
\n\u2022 Bike over covered bridges, through sleepy towns, and into fertile farmland in a pastoral paradise that\u2019s surprisingly close to New York City
\n\u2022 At private visits and meals, sample farm-fresh produce with local producers and meet the chefs spearheading the region\u2019s farm-to-table renaissance
\n\u2022 Taste artisanal whiskey and bourbon made from grains grown on the grounds of a boutique distillery
\n\u2022 Ride to lunch at Connecticut\u2019s award-winning Arethusa al Tavolo restaurant<\/p>\n

Vermont Bike Tour, 6 Days, Highlights<\/a>:
\n\u2022 Cross the Green Mountain State on Vermont\u2019s extensive network of unpaved roads, a traffic-free paradise of packed-dirt gravel
\n\u2022 Spend a day cycling to local farms in the Mad River Valley, culminating in a totally locally sourced picnic in a mountain pasture
\n\u2022 Enjoy insider access to local chefs and innovative farmers during private meals and visits
\n\u2022 Cool off after a challenging day of cycling with a dip in the local lake or swimming hole
\n\u2022 Stay at three of Vermont\u2019s most luxurious and historic hotel properties<\/p>\n

Vermont Bike Tour, 4 Days Highlights<\/a>:
\n\u2022 Cycle beside the Ottauquechee River and past historic Taftsville Covered Bridge to a cheese tasting at Thistle Hill Farm
\n\u2022 Visit Vermont\u2019s most well-known microbrewery, Long Trail, for a tour and tasting
\n\u2022 Go leaf-peeping from the seat of a bicycle, feeling the warmth of the fall sun
\n\u2022 Watch a glassblowing demonstration and dine at the riverfront flagship location of glassmaker Simon Pearce<\/p>\n

ActiveTravels<\/strong><\/a> is here to help you travel during these difficult times. Whether it’s regional, domestic, or international travel you crave, we’ll get you there the safest possible way.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Thankfully, coronavirus cases and deaths have plateaued and are hopefully now on the downslope in Massachusetts. Obviously, our health and safety are still the No. 1 priority, but slowly, we\u2019re starting to see an interest in possible travels this summer and fall. Lisa and I, and are our kids have been holed up in our…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7103,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[70,1],"tags":[129],"class_list":["post-7148","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel-advice","category-uncategorized","tag-summer-travel"],"yoast_head":"\n