It’s 2022, and travel that has been impossible or near-impossible since the onset of the pandemic in 2020 has finally become available once more for travelers. Whether you’re interested in shark diving in Fiji or traipsing across the Outback in Australia, there’s no shortage of exciting activities available for the adventurous traveler. From the South Pacific to the North Sea, read on for 7 exciting places to visit this year. Happy travels!
1. Fiji: Go Island-Hopping in the South Pacific
Sunset in Fiji (Adobe Stock)
Borders opened for international tourism in December 2021
As of December 2021, Fiji reopened after being closed for nearly two years. Now is the time to discover the Bula Spirit. Consisting of 300+ islands, Fiji is the perfect trip for travelers looking for adventure, nature, and a luxurious escape from the reality of the past couple of years. From diving with sharks in Savusavu or surfing the break in the Mamanuca Islands, there’s no shortage of options for visitors—we recommend booking a week-long stay, at least. Trust us, you will never want to leave.
2. The United Kingdom: Explore the Enchanting Scottish Highlands
Eilean Donan Castle in Scotland (Adobe Stock)
Eased testing requirements for international travelers in January 2022
Exciting news for London-lovers everywhere: As of January, the UK government announced they were easing testing requirements for international travelers. No longer are pre-departure tests required for incoming visitors and rapid tests are also accepted after arrival (cheaper and easier than the previous requirement of a PCR). Additionally, international travelers no longer need to self-isolate until their test results are confirmed. Celebrate by booking a trip to the Scottish Highlands, one of the great, undiscovered adventure travel destinations on the planet, and the perfect antidote to years spent indoors.
3. Australia: Embark on a Road Trip to the Outback & Beyond
Bondi Beach near Sydney, Australia (Adobe Stock)
Reopened borders to vaccinated international travelers in February 2022
Daydreaming of a Land Down Under? Well, you’re in luck. Australia officially opened its borders to vaccinated international travelers in February, and the time to celebrate is now. Take advantage of flight deals and discounted hotel stays as the nation welcomes tourists after closing its doors since the onset of the pandemic. We suggest embarking on a road trip circling the borders of the country, with stops in Sydney, Melbourne, and the Great Barrier Reef—as well as a prolonged stay in the Outback, of course.
4. New Zealand: Discover the Natural Wonders of the North & South Islands
Mount Cook, New Zealand (Adobe Stock)
Borders reopen to vaccinated US travelers on May 1st, 2022
In more exciting news from the South Pacific, New Zealand will also be reopening its borders to vaccinated US travelers on May 1st. Additionally, visitors supplying a negative pre-departure test will not need to self-isolate upon arrival. Plus, direct flights from Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Houston, and Honolulu make traveling to this gorgeous country easier than ever. We suggest embarking on a multi-stop road trip across both the North and the South Island—with adventurous travelers embarking on a bungee jump excursion with AJ Hackett Bungy—New Zealand is where the sport was invented, after all.
5. Morocco: Go on a Journey of Enchantment to the Atlas Mountains
Yoga in the desert in Morocco (Adobe Stock)
Borders reopened February 7th, 2022
Looking for an escape to North Africa? Morocco officially reopened its borders on February 7th and is now welcoming travelers for the first time this year. And while there’s no shortage of gorgeous places to visit in Morocco—Fez, Marrakech, Casablanca, and Essouaria, to name but a few—we recommend booking an immersive retreat with Souljourn Yoga, which includes a community service element supporting girls education in the Atlas Mountains. Giving back and satiating your wanderlust at the same time? Namaste, indeed.
6. Costa Rica: Experience the True Meaning of Pura Vida
Volcan Tenorio Waterfall in Costa Rica (Adobe Stock)
Reopened to citizens & residents of all 50 states and Canada as of November 2021
If you’ve always dreamed of a Costa Rica vacation, you’re not alone. This Central American nation offers tremendous surf opportunities along the Caribbean coast, as well as a lush jungle and rainforest region to explore within the interior. And now is the time to book, as the government of Costa Rica officially reopened to citizens and residents of all 50 states and Canada in November 2021. Pura vida, please!
7. Bali: Bliss Out on Island Time in Paradise
Diamond Beach on Nusa Penida Island, Bali, Indonesia (Adobe Stock)
Quarantine-free tourism as of March 2022
Bali officially reopened for quarantine-free tourism this March, and if there’s ever been a better time to visit, we can’t think of one at the moment. Always a popular destination, Bali has undoubtedly benefited from the lessened crowds and travelers over the past two years, and its beauty is more beautiful than ever. Additionally, if there was ever a moment to treat yourself to a bucket-list trip that has been on your travel agenda for quite some time, now is the moment for some revenge travel. After all, we always want what we can’t have, so it goes to reason that depriving us of international travel has made the prospect of getting back out there more irresistible than ever. So, go ahead and bliss out in Bali. You’re worth it, trust us.
