NEXT AVENUE - SPECIAL SECTION
The camp sites are spaced farther apart than industry standards for a more private, socially distant natural camping experience. Guests are requested to wear masks in the main lodge buildings, even in states where the requirement has been lifted. Cancellation policies are flexible until the pandemic has passed. Go for the gardens. Although most of the Smithsonian Institution museums and its National Zoo in Washington, D.C., are closed at the moment (the Zoo and seven Smithsonian museums will reopen in May; two others this summer), 12 of the 13 Smithsonian Gardens in the nation's capital are currently open. So, in between walking the Mall and exploring the monuments that are open, rest in a variety of natural settings.
Options include the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture garden, Common Ground: Our American Garden at the south entrance to the National Museum of American History, National Museum of African American History and Culture landscape, Native Landscape at the National Museum of the American Indian, Pollinator Garden (originally the Butterfly Habitat Garden) at the National Museum of Natural History and the Victory Garden at the National Museum of American History. Cruise close to home. It may be too early to book a cruise to the Caribbean or to, or within, Europe, but there are safe options within the U.S. American Cruise Lines (built in the U.S. and staffed with all-American crews) travel water routes such as the Great Lakes; the Mississippi, Snake, and Columbia rivers and the Chesapeake Bay of Maryland and Virginia. For health and safety precautions, American is sailing at reduced capacity and requires mask-wearing. Take an organized, guided trip. Going with a small tour from a respected operator means you can rely on the company to ensure COVID-19 safety. Tauck Tours has been operating some U.S. tours since January and has expanded its itinerary list for the rest of the year with land journeys, family tours and small-ship cruises. Besides mandating face masks, Tauck requires guests sign a Travel Well Pledge that confirms they've been vaccinated or passed a PCR COVID-19 test (considered the gold standard) within five days of departure; are symptom-free and have not been in close contact with anyone diagnosed with COVID-19. Finally, before you go, remember to pack your vaccination card (or duplicate), wear your mask, stand your distance and wash your hands. And once you're traveling, take plenty of pictures and maybe splurge on a fine meal or bottle of wine. After the year we've had, you deserve it.
Read more stories like this on NextAvenue. org
A Message from the Next Avenue Editors
Daily life is shifting as CDC recommendations and vaccinations are bringing all of us to a “new normal” in the pandemic. Next Avenue is committed to serving our community, and we want to know what questions you have as the world opens up again. Your question may result in a future story on Next Avenue. Send us an email at nextsocial@nextavenue.org
15
NEXTAVENUE.ORG
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator