Episode 5: Travel News, Opportunities & Giveaways: Part 2
Hey travel besties and welcome to another episode of The Just Book It podcast. If you’re new to my podcast, WELCOME! My name is Vee and on this show, I give you the rundown on ALL THINGS TRAVEL- from travel stories, tips, and news to recs and just the motivation you need to JUST BOOK IT! Today we are talking about this week’s rundown on travel news so without further ado, let’s get into it!
Travel News, Opportunities & Giveaways: Part 2
1. A retired British Airways Boeing 747 was bought by an English airport & converted into a flightless ‘party plane’ event space — see inside the renovated Queen of the Skies (0:48-2:05)
Have you ever thought about what they do with retired airplanes? I suppose they recycle the parts and possibly use it for other airplanes, but in this case, a retired British Airways Boeing 747 was bought for $1.35 and converted into a party hall in an English airport, I mean how clever is that! This reminds me of the TWA Hotel at JFK, which is a momentum of the TWA Flight Center’s “Golden Age” of flying! Want to hear something even crazier, “when TWA Flight Center opened in 1962, 11.5 million people passed through New York International Airport”. The decade-long project was commissioned by the Port Authority, Southwick and worked on preserving as much as they can! If you have a chance to check it out, head to the TWA Hotel at JFK airport and you get the chance to watch airplanes jet into the sky at the runway from the swimming pool. Also if anyone gets invited to the party at the British Airways retired Being 747, I will gladly be your plus one hehe! Source: & TWA Hotel Information
2. Cancun Beaches Are Still Free of Seaweed Despite Warnings of Early Arrival (2:06-3:34)
So we both know that Winter is probably here for at least another 2 months. Sorry, I said what I said- the cold weather is making a permanent residence here and that is why we need to escape the cold. Luckily for you, if you were thinking about traveling to Cancun, the beaches are still free of seaweed despite the warnings that they would be here already. If you guys have never experienced seaweed-filled beaches, then you have no idea how big this news is. When I went to Miami with my family in July, we experienced seaweed like never before. I mean we were walking knee-deep in seaweed waters and eventually it cleared out, but it was such an unusual occurrence that I was not used to. NYC beaches could never. I also know people that have traveled to Cancun and it rained the entire week, so it’s very hard to tell what the weather is going to look like.
PRO TIP: If you are planning a vacation to Cancun or even the Caribbean, the best time to go is during the peak season- December to April, and on the other hand, the worst time to go is from June to November. Specifically, in June the rainfall picks up, but then it supposedly drops back down in July and August and then continues to increase from then on. I am going to the Bahamas in July, so I will keep you guys updated on how that all goes!
3. Atlantis in the Bahamas Is Celebrating 2/22/22 with a 2-day 22% Off Sale (3:35-5:36)
First off, when I saw this news, I knew I was going to be over the moon and super excited to talk about it because my angel number is 222. I grew up playing lacrosse and 2 was my number and everything about the number 2 just brings good energy and then I started to see 222 a lot, so it only made sense to talk about this one!. An angel number is a number that you see a lot that is symbolic of something in your life. The angel number 222 is symbolic for “perfect balance” and that you have come to peace with things that have happened in your past and moved on! This really describes my life right now and how I feel like everything in my life happens for a reason and that someone is always watching over me. Anywho, I guess the Atlantis resort CEO also likes the number 222 because the Bahamas is celebrating February 22, 2022, aka 02/22/22 with a 2 day, 22% off sale. I mean RUN DON’T WALK! To top it off, booking prices start at $222, I mean COME ON!!
Here are some of the logistics: The deal will be available to book via the Atlantis website on Feb. 22 and Feb. 23. Guests can use the discount for any stays from Feb. 22 until Dec. 22 (12/22/22). & Travelers who book through the sale must stay a minimum of two nights (all prices are subject to taxes and fees). The sale is valid at four of the resort’s hotels including The Coral, The Royal, The Cove, and The Reef.
SPECIAL ALERT: Atlantis is giving early access to the sale for those who subscribe to promotional emails. Beginning Feb. 17, subscribers will receive an emailed invitation to book their discounted stays early.
4. France No Longer Requires Pre-departure Testing for Vaccinated, Boosted Travelers From the U.S. (5:37-6:48)
Is anyone else planning their French vacation in 2022? Well now is the perfect time because they just announced yesterday that France no longer requires pre-departure testing for vaccinated, boosted travelers from the U.S. WHOOP WHOOP! All you have to do is show proof of vaccine status and sign a statement that they do not have symptoms of COVID. So what are the vaccine requirements to travel to France again? Let’s talk about it. So everyone 18 and older traveling to France needs to have their vaccine/s and a booster shot. If you do not fit these requirements, you need to provide a compelling reason as to why you are taking this trip and furthermore, show proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours from the departure of an antigen /rapid test, taken within 48 hours of departure! If all of this sounds confusing, don’t worry, I actually have a blog post mapping everything you need to know about COVID-19 so feel free to check it out.
BLOG POST: Everything You Need To Know About COVID-19: check it out if you want a little refresh- trust me, I know how confusing this can be!
5. Disney World, Disneyland dropping mask requirements for vaccinated guests (6:49-7:46)
Where are my Disney fans, this one is for you! This next article talks all about how they are lifting the mask mandates for vaccinated guests. Unvaccinated guests however are still mandated to wear their masks indoors. But here is the catch, guests are not required to provide proof of vaccination, so therefore, it’s not very clear how they are enforcing this- which is typical Flordia for you haha! So if I were you and worried about COVID. I would either not go, OR wear the mask the entire time!
6. CDC eases travel warning against cruise ships, suggests passengers get vaccines before sailing (7:47-9:25)
So this article was published yesterday and is letting travelers know that they are softening regulations given the decrease in COVID cases. They highly urge travelers to get their vaccines and boosters and those that are of high risk to avoid cruising in general. It went from a level 4 in December to a level 3 which is why they started to ease those restrictions. If you click the link, there is a video testimonial of a cruise ship traveler saying that she felt safe and even safer on the cruise than in her hometown. For me personally, I still think cruise travel is not safe. Say you are in direct contact with someone that tests positive, you are quarantined on a boat, and I am sure you aren’t allowed out of the room which just puts a whole damper on your trip. It’s not like a regular trip where you extend your hotel and you can still feel comfortable, instead, you are subject to the tiny cabins on cruise ships. Has anyone personally taken a cruise ship anywhere recently, I would be very curious to hear your experiences!
7.American Airlines flight attendant smashes coffee pot on passenger trying to open exit door (9:26-10:30)
We mentioned these unruly passengers in the past, but it’s just getting out of hand, isn’t it? It really took a flight attendant to be violent to stop the passenger, like come on people, get it together! On an American Airlines flight from LA to DC, the plane, unfortunately, had to land in Kansas City, Missouri because an elderly, guy was, “creating disturbances and threatening flight attendants”. These disturbances included grabbing a plastic knife and holding it in its sleeve to attempting to break a champagne bottle, and lastly kicking and shoving the service cart into the attendants. Once the plane landed, the FBI took care of the matters and charged him with assault and intimidation. Just remember that when you are flying, these things, unfortunately, could happen so just make sure you are doing everything that you can to stay safe and if someone does try to get into an altercation with you, the best thing to do is ignore them and notify the staff so that they can handle the matters.
8. Live rent-free and earn $$$ through this AirBnB Travel Program (10:31-11:20)
Here is a really cool opportunity to live rent-free in Italy, specifically Sambuca di Sicilia!! I mean this sounds like an absolute dream but only one select winner will take the grand prize! Upon winning, in exchange for living rent-free for up to three months and hosting up to 9 months, you even get the chance to attend a membership program that will help you learn Italian and the culture as well. If you win, you are allowed to bring 1 adult and 2 children, so talk about the ideal family vacation!! For more information, check out the link and APPLY TODAY! Good luck travel besties!
There You Have It
Well, that concludes the travel news, giveaway, and opportunities podcast! What do we think, do we like the antics,? Let me know if you have any feedback and of course, if you have any ideas for future podcasts, be sure to swing them my way. I have a pretty long list already so take your time and feel free to message me on Instagram, comment on this post, email me at thebrooklyniteabroad@gmail.com for any suggestions/feedback/future podcast episode ideas! Bye guys!!
what do you think?