View of Monument Valley (Arizona) from a previous trip. Photo by Katherine Flynn
Hi Friends, almost two months into our trip, there’s been a few things that have surprised us for summer travel so far.
From much higher food costs (both grocery stores and restaurants) to limited availability for outdoor activities and things that require permits - like hiking and camping. We’ve noticed that hotels and Airbnbs have been booked up faster and are just generally full.
For us, summer travel has just felt a bit harder than we expected and remembered from previous years (and pre-COVID).
What are you seeing and experiencing?
Where have you gone or where are you going?
Have you noticed higher prices for airfare, food, etc.?
Are crowds more of an issue this summer than previously?
Gas prices add to the overall increased cost of travel. It is an industry trend to raise the price of gasoline during the summer, when most people take vacations. Oil company price gouging has added significantly to this Summer’s cost of travel.
We have stayed in Italy and mostly here at home in Rome. After two quiet years It is suddenly SO crowded. Pals in Capri tell me that the island is sold out until October! I haven't flown, but my son just came on Turkish Airways from LAX with no delays in any of the 3 airports AND his luggage made it. (I bought extra travel insurance & an AirPod to put in his checked bag just in case)
Another thing we’ve noticed, that has impacted our plans, is that the worker shortages have caused many cafes, restaurants, shops to close certain days or have very limited hours. We’re carrying sandwich and coffee supplies with us always, for this very reason.
Mondays and Tuesdays have seemed like the days most places choose to be closed.
We haven’t gone too far afield this summer exactly for this reason. It seems like high prices and crowds are the norm everywhere. Like a lot of things since Covid, it all just feels more stressful- even the fun stuff! We hope early fall will be a bit better - if not prices at least the crowds. Definitely been hard to stay local when it feels like everyone is going somewhere or just got back. We’ve compensated with day trips to the beach or going into DC for events.
We traveled to Seattle and the Pacific Northwest in mid-June and it was quite busy at popular tourist spots such as Pike's Market. Definitely enjoyed the slower pace in Bellingham and Victoria, BC. When we flew out of Seattle two weeks later, we couldn't believe the number of folks (seemed like hundreds) waiting in line to go through the regular line of security; we were so glad we had TSA Pre-check!
Gas prices add to the overall increased cost of travel. It is an industry trend to raise the price of gasoline during the summer, when most people take vacations. Oil company price gouging has added significantly to this Summer’s cost of travel.
We have stayed in Italy and mostly here at home in Rome. After two quiet years It is suddenly SO crowded. Pals in Capri tell me that the island is sold out until October! I haven't flown, but my son just came on Turkish Airways from LAX with no delays in any of the 3 airports AND his luggage made it. (I bought extra travel insurance & an AirPod to put in his checked bag just in case)
Another thing we’ve noticed, that has impacted our plans, is that the worker shortages have caused many cafes, restaurants, shops to close certain days or have very limited hours. We’re carrying sandwich and coffee supplies with us always, for this very reason.
Mondays and Tuesdays have seemed like the days most places choose to be closed.
We haven’t gone too far afield this summer exactly for this reason. It seems like high prices and crowds are the norm everywhere. Like a lot of things since Covid, it all just feels more stressful- even the fun stuff! We hope early fall will be a bit better - if not prices at least the crowds. Definitely been hard to stay local when it feels like everyone is going somewhere or just got back. We’ve compensated with day trips to the beach or going into DC for events.
We traveled to Seattle and the Pacific Northwest in mid-June and it was quite busy at popular tourist spots such as Pike's Market. Definitely enjoyed the slower pace in Bellingham and Victoria, BC. When we flew out of Seattle two weeks later, we couldn't believe the number of folks (seemed like hundreds) waiting in line to go through the regular line of security; we were so glad we had TSA Pre-check!