Traveling can be fun, exciting, stressful, and exhausting all at the same time. Between finding the great location for the best deal, to packing and airport drama. Since 2020, we need to add COVID testing and travel requirements to the “to do list”. Before booking your dream vacation, make sure you research the COVID requirements for the location you will be visiting and where you are leaving from. Below is a helpful site to reference, for the latest travel restrictions updates.
COVID-19 Travel Recommendations by Destination | CDC
I have not been on vacation since 2019 and its well overdue. Even though we are still in a pandemic, some of the restrictions are lighter since most of the world is now vaccinated. My husband and I have decided we will “try” to go on vacation this spring/summer, so I did my research on where the best places would be to go. Below are the top 4 locations to visit in 2023 and why.
#1 London, England
London has been on my “places I must visit” list for 3 years, hopefully I’ll make it there before year 4 😊. Even though the weather is unpredictable, and rain is for certain, you can still enjoy your time there from April to June.
April – 60˚ average 45˚ low
May – 65˚ average 50˚ low
June – 70˚ average 55˚ low
Kensington Palace –
Website: Visit Kensington Palace | Kensington Palace | Historic Royal Palaces (hrp.org.uk)
Explore the birthplace of Queen Victoria and home to young royals for over 300 years. Walk in the footsteps of royalty in Victoria’s re-imagined childhood rooms and the magnificent King’s State Apartments and Queen’s State Apartments.
The Café sells a range of hot drinks, refreshments, sandwiches, cakes, and ice cream. The Pavilion offers breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea. The onsite shop offers everything from souvenirs and gifts to fine jewelry.
Buckingham Palace –
Website: Visit Buckingham Palace (rct.uk)
Buckingham Palace is known as the home of The Queen, the focus of national and royal celebrations as well as the backdrop to the regular Changing the Guard ceremony. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is often at the centre of state occasions and royal hospitality. It has been a focal point for the British people at times of national rejoicing and mourning.
During the tour, you can visit the State Rooms, Throne Room, Picture Gallery, Ballroom and Palace Garden and the Music Room. There is a shop onsite and online but unfortunately eating and drinking is not allowed inside Buckingham Palace. However, you’ll find plenty of cafés and restaurants nearby.
City Cruises –
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7740 0400
Email: info@citycruises.com
Website: https://www.citycruises.com/
Sail past attractions such as the London Eye, Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. You can also choose a 24-hour river pass to hop on and off. Another option is to combine your tour with a leisurely lunch, a sedate afternoon tea or an evening dinner cruise.
There are two routes: Westminster to Greenwich and Westminster to Tower Bridge. Routes depart regularly from Westminster, the London Eye, and the Tower of London. The Westminster to Greenwich route takes approximately 70 minutes one way, and 180 minutes return. The Westminster to Tower Bridge tour takes 40 minutes one way, and 80 minutes return.
You can buy food and drinks at the bar or choose a dining option as part of your experience.
Private London Tour –
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7038 0688
Email: tours@britishtours.com
Take a personal driver/guided on a seven-hour tour around this ancient city, taking in some of the most magnificent sights you can imagine. The gothic towers of London Bridge, the Houses of Parliament with the famous Big Ben tower, the Queen’s home, Buckingham Palace, and the lights and sounds of London’s Centre nightlife Piccadilly Circus.
You will be taken by luxury car to the places you decide to visit. The only people on the tour will be your entourage and the guide (personal service). You can choose how long you want to stay at each attraction, when to stop for lunch and your next destination.
Bike rental – Known as the “Boris Bike”, these blue rental bikes are available across the city. Bring your debit or credit card, simply touch the screen at one of the many docking stations and follow the instructions on how to rent. You can borrow up to 4 bikes per card and using the bike for short distances, it’s a very cost-effective way to get around the city.
Black Taxicabs & Minicabs – Only black cabs can be hailed in the street. If the yellow TAXI sign is on, the cab is available for hire. Black cabs are metered; the minimum charge is $4.34 USD (£3.20 GBP). Minicabs can be a cheaper alternative but ask prices beforehand (no meter charge). Only book a licensed minicab with a “Transport for London” license. Unbooked minicabs are illegal and unsafe.
Tube/Subway – This is the quickest way to travel in London. You can go online to plan your trip or go to a station and pick up a travel map. You will also need an Oyster card, which is your means for payment (add money to the card).
Bus – Iconic red, double decker bus with great views of London from the upper level. You can check your route at TFL and use your oyster card for the bus at tube stops and many newsagents. You can no longer buy tickets on London buses with cash. Purchase an Oyster card when you arrive in London, to make traveling easier on public transportation.
Boat – Built around a river, a boat is the transport to choose for the best views of London. Speed under bridges and down the Thames to see sights such as The Tower of London, the Houses of Parliament and much more from the riverside.
Food:
Oi Vita Pizzeria – Italian, Pizza, Mediterranean, European, Neapolitan, Campania, Southern-Italian. In addition, the restaurant offers delivery service. Vegetarian Friendly, and Gluten Free options are available.
El Pastór – Small family restaurant, specialize in recreating the best of the food founded in Mexico City. They offer tacos, tostadas, quesadillas, mezcal and more. In addition, the restaurant offers delivery service. Vegetarian Friendly, and Gluten Free options are available.
Taste Of Nawab – Small family restaurant, rated as the best Indian Restaurant in North London. Open 7 days a week including bank holidays. In addition, the restaurant offers delivery service and cater parties and special occasions. Vegetarian Friendly, Halal, Gluten Free options are available.
Chez Antoinette Victoria – French Bistro you can visit for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. Drop in for a coffee, afternoon tea, a glass of wine or a cocktail. Vegetarian Friendly, and Gluten Free options are available.
#2 Sydney, Australia
Sydney is known for beautiful beaches, friendly natives, great restaurants and of course The Sydney Opera House! Sydney is on the list for those reasons and more, like museums and culture of the area.
April – 73˚ average 57˚ low
May – 68˚ average 52˚ low
June – 64˚ average 47˚ low
Paddington Gardens –
Website: Paddington Reservoir Gardens – City of Sydney (nsw.gov.au)
This sunken garden Paddington Reservoir once held the city’s water supply until a larger and more efficient system came into use in 1899. The unused reservoir was eventually converted into a stunning garden in 2009 and is now a place where you can relax in a peaceful city haven. The gardens have been restored with much of the original framework which features towering rows of brick arches alongside modern metal and stone pathways.
Gordons Bay Beach –
Website: Gordons Bay – Randwick City Council (nsw.gov.au)
A hidden coastal gem featuring a self-guided underwater nature trail. Concrete-filled drums, linked by a chain, form the 600-metre (0.4-mile) trail built for scuba divers. If the water’s crystal-clear, snorkelers can also read the information plaques below the surface. Look for vividly colored crustaceans and mollusks as well as striking fish such as the blue groper.
Australian Museum –
Website: Australian Museum
Learn about the beliefs and lifestyles of the world’s oldest living culture in the country’s oldest museum, with a personalized guided tour of the First Australians galleries. The museum houses more than 40,000 Indigenous Australian weapons, body ornaments, tools, bark paintings, toys and contemporary art and sculpture from across the country. There are also intricately woven baskets, art made from ghost fishing nets, exquisite shell jewelry, drums, canoes and ingenious tools for hunting and fishing.
Royal Botanic Garden –
Website: Aboriginal experiences in the Royal Botanic Garden – The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney (nsw.gov.au)
Established in 1816, the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney is the oldest botanic garden and scientific institution in Australia. Walking through the garden, identifying plants and fruits that can be incorporated into meals you cook at home. You can learn how to use the plants and other elements of the garden, like sticks, ochre, grasses, and bark, as well as paints and natural brushes.
The Burrawa Climb –
On this three-hour tour, you will be guided by a local Aboriginal storyteller, who will transport you back in time and show you Sydney’s history through Aboriginal eyes. As you journey along the upper arch of the bridge towards the summit, 134 meters (440 feet) above the sea, you’ll be met with breathtaking 360-degree views, uncovering the fascinating stories, secrets, and origins of familiar places and local Gadigal people.
Sydney Opera House –
Website: What’s On – Sydney Opera House
The Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts center in Sydney, that is famous for its architectural. Guided tours for the “Opera House” and “Architecture” cost 42 AUD ($32 USD) and last one hour, providing insight into how this iconic building came to be. They also offer “Foodie” tours, that start at 112.09 AUD ($80) USD per person for an hour.
Getting Around:
Public/Tour Bus – Traveling around the city by utilizing public transport and hop-on hop-off tourist buses is an easy way to see the city. Services are inexpensive (children generally pay a concession fee) and will take you to all the major attractions without the hassle of finding parking. Some services, such as Melbourne’s City Circle Tram, are free. Like other major cities in Australia, bus fares depend on the number of zones you travel with adult fares beginning at 2.25 AUD ($1.70 USD) for off-peak travel. Fares vary slightly based on the time of day (there are off-peak and on-peak times). You must get an Opal card (or an Opal single-use card) to use the system. With an Opal card, you’ll never pay more than 16.10 AUD ($12.25 USD) a day, 50 AUD ($38 USD) a week, or 8.05 AUD ($6 USD) on weekends or public holidays.
Train – The City Circle is Sydney’s train that runs in a loop, stopping at all the main stations. It’s the best way to get around the city center! Like the bus, you can use Opal to pay for your ride. Sydney also has a light rail that goes from Central Station to Dulwich Hill and is good to use when you want to check out Chinatown or Darling Harbour. A single fare starts at 4 AUD ($3 USD) for on-peak travel or 2.25 AUD ($1.70 USD) for off-peak travel. The airport express train is 18.50 AUD ($14 USD).
Ferry – The Spirit of Tasmania operates a nightly passenger and vehicle ferry service between Melbourne, the capital of Victoria, and Devonport in Tasmania with extra services during peak periods. SeaLink ferries connect Cape Jervis in South Australia (approximately 108 kilometers/67 miles south of Adelaide) and Kangaroo Island several times a day. There are also ferry services in our capital cities, connecting suburbs around Sydney Harbour, on the Swan River in Perth and on the Brisbane River. Ferries run around Sydney Harbour from Circular Quay to a handful of destinations, including Manly, the Olympic Park, and Taronga Zoo. You can use your Opal card for ferry services (just the public ones), and fares start at 7.40 AUD ($5.25 USD) or 6.01 AUD ($4.28 USD) with the Opal card. Otherwise, you can purchase tickets from the wharf.
Credit: nomadicmatt.com
Food:
Nour Sydney – Classic Lebanese, Middle Eastern flavors like chicken bits shawarma, tarator and Wood fired eggplant. Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan, Gluten Free Options are available.
Platform 818 – Experience a modern take on classic Australian dishes made with locally sourced produce that once would have travelled from railway towns. Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan, Gluten Free Options are available.
Pizza Boccone – Italian, Pizza, Neapolitan, Campania, Southern-Italian restaurant offers pizza, pasta, and dessert. Vegetarian Friendly, and Vegan Options are available.
The Malaya – Inspired by the aromatic and spice-driven Nonya flavors encountered by Wong See on his Southeast Asian travels but shaped by the scarcity of exotic ingredients in 1960s Sydney, the original Malaya was forced to create its own unique recipes that challenged the then conservative Australian palate. Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan, Gluten Free Options are available.
#3 Maldives
Maldives is gorgeous! Just looking at photos, give you a relaxed vibe. You can don’t have to worry about site seeing, just relaxing on the beach. The Maldives is a nation of islands in the Indian Ocean, that spans across the equator. The country is comprised of 1192 islands that stretch along a length of 871 kilometers. Resorts are developed on 120 islands, an additional 20 or so islands are still under development. About 800 islands are left abandoned in their natural state and resorts often use these islands for day trip excursions as many guests want to see islands in their natural state without any building or infrastructure.
April – 87˚ average 82˚ low
May – 87˚ average 83˚ low
June – 86˚ average 82˚ low
Top Resorts:
• Cheval Blanc Randheli – Set in the pristine Noonu Atoll, Cheval Blanc Randheli is an intimate and contemporary hideaway a 40-minute journey north of Male. The 46-villa Maison has been conceived in harmony with the island’s lush vegetation and lagoon views.
• Velaa Private Island – Velaa Private Island offers boutique accommodation. The resort has a year-round outdoor pool and barbecue, and guests can enjoy a meal at the restaurant or a drink at the bar. This resort has a private beach area and water sports facilities, and free use of bicycles is available. You can play tennis, table tennis, and billiards at the resort.
• Soneva Jani – Inspired by the Sanskrit word for ‘wisdom’, Soneva Jani is found within a 5.6-kilometre lagoon in the Maldives’ Noonu Atoll. The resort has 51 over-water and three island villas, split between Chapter One, Soneva Jani’s original, iconic offering, and the newly launched Chapter Two. Chapter Two guests can indulge through the exclusive Soneva Unlimited, experiencing everything at the resort within the price of their villa. Eleven dining concepts offer a tempting array of cuisines for every taste. Rare, unforgettable experiences include classic movies at the open-air Cinema Paradiso, dolphin-spotting on a sunset cruise, or coral planting with the resident Marine Biologist.
• St. Regis Maldives Vommuli – The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort offers luxury villas set over the water or placed atop pristine, white beaches. Guests enjoy private terraces and sparkling pools, along with upscale amenities like a pillowtop bed and rainforest showers.
• Gili Lankanfushi – Perched over the Indian Ocean, Gili Lankanfushi offers closeness to sun and sea with its luxurious accommodation. Located on the private island of Lankanfushi in Male Atoll, Gili Lankanfushi Maldives is a 20-minute speedboat ride from Male International Airport. Featuring private sun decks and a water garden, with glass-paneled floors, the elegant spa provides traditional Ayurvedic treatments and yoga programs. Other recreational activities include tennis, island day trips and scuba diving. Enjoy premium wine and gourmet chocolate at The Wine Cellar and Underground Chocolate Cave. By the Sea Restaurant serves fusion and Japanese cuisine. The Main Restaurant and Bar offers international buffet spreads.
• Niyama Private Islands – The luxurious Niyama Private Islands Maldives is tropical paradise offering a quiet private beach, butler services are available in the rooms and throughout the resort. Rooms offered are luxurious beach pool villas and over water pool villas. Spacious and modern, the villas at Niyama Private Islands Maldives are located on the beach or over the crystal lagoon. Outdoor bathrooms have a soaking tub and soothing rain showers. Guided snorkeling trips, sunset cruises, manta ray snorkeling, and fishing trips can be arranged by the butlers. On-site, guests can also look forward to playing the latest video games, swimming in the main pool, or exercising at the gym. The resort houses a world class Kids Club which is one of the largest and the only kids club that caters from 12 months to 12 years old children. The world’s first underwater restaurant-Subsix is located 6 meters below sea level and is known for its champagne breakfasts and glow parties fitted with glass walls with views of the underwater marine life. Edge is a modern fine dining restaurant, set 500 meters out in the ocean, accessible only by boat. Nest offers a surreal tree top setting perfect for romantic soirees, private and family dining serving Asian avant-garde cuisines including Thai, Cantonese, Teppanyaki, Japanese, Indonesian and more. Niyama Private Islands Maldives is the only resort in the Maldives to have an Afro Latin restaurant – Tribal that offers an innovative campsite dining experience showcasing exotic African, Central and South American dishes. Niyama Private Islands Maldives is a 40-minute sea plane ride from Male International Airport while Maldives’ Dhaalu Airport is now open to private jets transfers that can be arranged at an extra charge.
• Milaidhoo Island Resort – Milaidhoo Island Maldives is a boutique luxury resort in the Baa Atoll UNESCO biosphere reserve, close to Hanifaru Bay, 126km northwest of Male. It’s perfect for nature lovers as its own coral reef, which completely circles the island, is a protected area and noted as an outstanding snorkeling and diving site. The tiny, beautiful island, abundant with tropical greenery, measures just 180m and is fringed by white soft deep sand beaches. Designed for couples and honeymooners, Milaidhoo welcomes guests aged nine and above. The room rate includes breakfast as well as wi-fi, laundry, kayaking, use of snorkeling equipment and in-villa treats such as a bottle of champagne and tropical fruit basket on arrival as well as a daily evening turn-down with a gourmet gift from chef. The three restaurants and two bars are designed to appeal to the senses, offering outstanding dining in wonderfully informal settings. No shoes are required. Ever. Food lovers will enjoy the Milaidhoo Gourmet Plan, which is a dine-around meal plan offering daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as international and premium brands of spirits, beers, and cocktails from a selection as well as fresh juices, soft drinks, mineral water, teas, coffees, milkshakes and smoothies and a premium selection of wines, hand-picked by the sommelier all day long. The over-water spa has four treatment suites and complimentary yoga, and meditation classes take place in the open-air over-water pavilion. For romantics, Milaidhoo is the perfect choice: from candlelit dinners to scented baths, from flower petal bedecked beds to the perfect place to say, “I do’. Sports activities include sailing, catamarans, kayaks, a 24-hour gym, yacht trips, dolphin cruises, whale shark spotting, manta ray watching, conservation activities with the resident marine biologist, fishing, diving, snorkeling, and an open-air infinity pool. Milaidhoo is reached by a scenic 35-minute seaplane ride from Male International Airport. Airport transfers are provided by the hotel at an extra charge. The transfer process is smooth and easy with the resort’s representative meeting each guest at the airport and guiding them to the private lounge where they can rest and recharge to await their transfer.
Attractions:
It’s best to work with the resort or hotel to find “things to do” and set up tours and excursions in the Maldives.
Driving/Surfing – Addu Atoll: The atoll offers the opportunity to dive with mantas throughout the year. One of the most exciting dives in the atoll is the British Loyalty wreck, a British naval vessel that was torpedoed by German U-boats during World War II.
North Male’ Atoll: Located in the southeast of the atoll, Manta Point is famous for its mantas which gather at the site to feed during the southwest monsoon from May to October. The reef offers a colorful array of corals and a variety of marine life.
The Shipyard in Lhaviyani Atoll: The Shipyard is one of the biggest dive attractions in Lhaviyani Atoll. There are two wrecks in this location both of which are covered with a variety of soft and hard corals. The wrecks are forty years old. The bow of one of the wrecks protrudes out of the surface and therefore it is a sight you may come across when you are travelling inside the atoll. While one of the vessels, sits upright, the other is on its side at about 30 meters below the surface.
Snorkeling – The best time for Maldives surfing trips is the Southern Hemisphere winter, which lasts from March ’til October. During this period, the roaring forties cause storms which bring the largest swells to the archipelago. The biggest waves are likely to occur in June, July, and August.
Tours – Island hopping in Maldives is one of the best ways to truly experience the spectacular natural beauty of the Maldives. You just need a little know how as moving between islands needs to be planned.
Getting Around:
Transiting in the Maldives, means spending a night in either in a hotel in Malé City or staying in a smaller boutique guesthouse on Hulhumale Island, before transferring to a local island or private resort island. Of the two islands, Hulhumale is more tourist friendly with beachfront accommodation, that is far more affordable than transit accommodation in Malé. Malé is the Capital City Island & is home to a handful of larger hotels, however the island is far more congested & can be difficult to navigate / arrange public transport such as taxis. Hulhumale is far more tourist friendly, however Malé offers tourists the bonus of sight-seeing within the historical district.
#4 Funchal, Madeira (Portugal)
Funchal is known for its appealing temperatures, wine, and crafts. Top spots to visit include the open Worker’s Market, Blandy’s Wine Lodge, and the Sacred Art Museum. Friendly locals, walkable streets and cheap taxis make the city easy to get around.
Weather (Fahrenheit):
April – 64˚ average 57˚ low
May – 66˚ average 59˚ low
June – 69˚ average 62˚ low
Attractions:
4 Wheel Drive Tours –
Website: THE TOP 10 Madeira 4WD Tours
Full day 4-wheel drive tours can offer trips to a wine area, lava pools, waterfalls, forests, and spectacular viewpoints. Save hours of research time by having a full itinerary planned out for you. Highlights include Seixal’s lava pools, Véu da Noiva waterfall, Porto Moniz volcanic pools, and Cabo Girão sea cliff.
Boat and Dolphin/Whale Tours –
Website: Madeira Adventure Kingdom
Madeira Adventure Kingdom’s whale-watching boats opens a world of possibilities; turtles and monk seals make their homes around the island, sperm whales frequent the island’s waters and occasionally beaked whales, orcas and other oceanic dolphins are spotted during their migration route.
Formosa Beach –
Located west of the Funchal Parish, about 10 minutes from the heart of the city by car and 25 minutes on foot, Formosa Beach is the only public beach that lies along the promenade that runs between Funchal and Câmara de Lobos. The beach is 2 km long and is divided into four sand and pebble beach’s known as Nova, Formosa, Namorados and Areeiro. The quality of the sea water is certified by the European Community Blue Flag.
Getting Around:
Cable Car – From the cable car station located in the Old Town, this means of public transport can carry up to 800 passengers an hour in its 39 cabins equipped with eight seats each. The cable car takes about 15 minutes, rising 560 meters along the way. The journey allows you to see the city from a unique perspective. It starts out in an urban landscape, which is gradually replaced by lush green mountains and valleys with the bay of Funchal as the backdrop. Round trip cost for an adult is $18.05 USD (16€ EUR).
Taxi – A taxi ride is always a good way to get the best out of the city, in a short period time. Taxis are priced by zone.
Sightseeing Panoramic Bus – The Panoramic Bus offers the hop on hop off system allowing the customer multiple entrances and exits in the identified stops, being able to explore. Prices start at $19.18 (17€ EUR) to $31.59 (28€ EUR) for adults.
TukXi – Experience the spectacular panoramic views of the coast from Cabo Girão or Garajau. Climb up the hills to the picturesque villages of Monte, Camacha and Curral das Freiras (Nuns Valley), breathe the mountain air and feast your eyes on the dramatic mountain views and local arts and crafts. Custom tour
1 Hour: $45.13 USD (40€ EUR) and Following hours: $22.57 (20€ EUR).
Food:
Goya Restaurant – French cuisine of the 1950s and 1960s. The restaurant has its own wine cellar, which allows guests to choose their wines. Vegan Gluten Free Options are available.
Marisqueira Splendida – European, Portuguese, Mediterranean, International cuisines. They also have a diverse wine list. Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan, Gluten Free Options are available.
Espettus – Best Brazilian cuisine in town. They use their own seasonings and spices to give each cut of meat a unique texture and a delicious flavor. Gluten Free Option are available.
Papa Manuel do Lido – Located in a tourist area with very nice gardens, parks, and has a beautiful view of the ocean. There is outdoor seating, and their pizza is known to be the best on the island. They also have pasta, regional dishes of fish and meat as the “espetada regional”. Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan, Gluten Free Options are available.