2020 was not a year for traveling, however with each New Year, comes a chance for a fresh start! And we are hopeful that 2021 will have lots more options for the travel lover. In episode 4 of our Travel Babies Podcast, we discuss our top 5 trips for 2021. Listen now to hear all about why we want to visit these top 5 destinations next year and what we have planned!

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Transcript:

JQ: Hey travel babies, anyone else looking forward to the new year, as much as we are a fresh start, a chance to explore new places and maybe even revisit some of your old favorites, keep listening for our top five trips that we want to take in 2021.

Juliana: This is Travel Babies. We are just two sisters trying to travel the world in style, but sometimes things don’t go as planned. Each week we talk about important travel topics to help you decide when, where and how to explore the world in style. I’m Juliana from Travel Juliana,

JQ: And I’m JQ from JQlouise.com

Juliana: Let’s get started.

Keep reading for our Top 5 Trips For 2021

Top 5 Trips For 2021 – Maldives

JQ: So there were so many places that we wanted to go in 2020, but we couldn’t because of all the things going on in the world. So I think the first one on our list should be a big trip that got postponed.  For me, That was the Maldives.

Juliana: Oh, yeah, you were. You guys were supposed to go on your honeymoon, right?

JQ: Yeah. So this was actually the first trip that got canceled for us back in early March. And it was just like I was shocked.

Juliana: Right.Because everything was just like all of a sudden closed. And you couldn’t even it was just hard to fathom back then that everything was just going to totally shut down.

JQ: I know I can’t believe it because we’ve been planning it for months. We had an amazing trip planned with Qatar Airways, where we’re going to fly to Qatar and then on to the Maldives. And all of a sudden it was just like we couldn’t go.

Juliana: I know. And now the Maldives are open to us people, right?

JQ: Yeah. So right now the Maldives is open. You just need a negative Covid test within 96 hours of arriving. I think they’d prefer if you have a negative test within 72 hours. But I think because of, you know, the long travel times, it takes like a day to get there. Basically a day. And it’s it’s really cool because I’ve been seeing some bloggers go recently. I actually saw that Qatar Airways opened up a new route from San Francisco to Qatar.

Juliana: Oh, I saw that, too. It looks so cool.

JQ: So I just saw a bunch of the big bloggers going in there, amazing suites. And that’s what we were supposed to do in March. So hopefully I can reschedule it.

Juliana: Yeah, I think things are slowly starting to open back up again. But, you know, because of all the limited routes, like it’s only going from certain cities and buses, you know, not on all the lists yet.

JQ: Yeah So fortunately, the Maldives is open and that is possible to go. It’s just we’ve been kind of playing it safe. So it definitely is on the top of my list for 2021. And I really hope we can kind of re rebook the trip that we had originally planned were we fly on Qatar and I know we can’t stay in Qatar right now because they’re close for tourism. But I saw that a few of the bloggers, they did get to stay in a hotel overnight. In the airport. Yeah.

Juliana: Really cool. And what were you guys supposed to do in the Maldives? Did you have other stuff planned, like specific activities or so?

JQ: We were supposed to stay at the St. Regis Maldives, and I would really love to stay there next year. So hopefully we can get that rebooked. But basically, I think you just relax. You go swimming.

Juliana: It looks so gorgeous there. I think the water is so blue. It just looks amazing.

JQ: Yeah. So that’s number one for me.

Juliana: Yeah. And I mean, it’ll be kind of nice because you can celebrate your honeymoon like even, you know, a little bit further from your wedding, but it’s still like you can act as if it’s a honeymoon trip.

JQ: And I think the Maldives will be the perfect first big trip after all of this craziness kind of slows down. So.

Juliana : Right. Because it’s so spread out. And I feel like it’s not one of those places where you’re going to be in a big city with ton of tourists everywhere so you can kind of social distance. It’s like a really relaxing type of trip.

JQ: Exactly.

Keep reading for our Top 5 Trips For 2021.

Top 5 Trips For 2021 – France

Juliana: OK, so the next trip that we want to talk about is France. So I’ve talked a lot about this, you know, in our previous episodes. I love going to France. I love visiting Paris where Pierre-Luc’s family is. It’s just one of those things this year that I was just, like, really bummed out that I couldn’t go.

JQ: I know it’s crazy. Like, when was the last time you were there?

Juliana: Last New Year’s. So technically in 2020. But I went for New Year’s Eve last year, so it’s been a full year now almost. And I just miss the culture, the food. You know, just everything in Paris is so amazing, especially this time of year.

JQ: I know. I mean we were supposed to go for New Year’s this year.

Juliana: Oh that’s right.

JQ: I literally just canceled the trip, so I was waiting it out.

Juliana: It’s so sad. I, I was looking to book flights, you know, back in the summer. I was like, oh, it’ll definitely be open by then. Like everything will be back to normal. But it’s just yeah. That’s one thing about this year where, you know, when you have traditions like that, it’s hard to not do them.

JQ: I know it’s crazy. I mean, I bought these flights. I got a crazy flight deal. Well, in February of this year.

Juliana: Oh, right. So we were like, oh, yeah, definitely. We’ll both go. Like, I think even back then I was like, OK, I’ll try and book the same flight so we can go together.

JQ: And yeah, I know it’s crazy. Like our flights. It was like two hundred and fifty dollars round trip. Boston to Paris. And literally I mean so it’s lucky that the flights that I bought actually got canceled and they’re on Lufthansa, so hopefully I think I can just rebook them free of charge

Juliana : For a different location?  

JQ: For the same location but new dates.

Juliana:  Yeah, well, that’s good. You should definitely keep it.

JQ: Yeah. So I’m going to try to just rebook it for New Year’s next year, I guess.

Keep reading for our Top 5 Trips For 2021.

Juliana: Yeah, I know. We’ll hopefully we’ll be able to go like in the spring. I know Pierre-Luc, he’s a French citizen obviously. So he’s going to try and go back in the winter when maybe covid is a little bit better there. But yeah. So I mean, I know you also just love going in the south of France too, so. Are you planning to go or if we can.

JQ: Well, I mean, hopefully. I mean, you know, we usually go to Cannes every summer. Yeah. So I, we didn’t get to go this year. The last time I was there was September last year. And again, this is like this is the first place I’d want to go this summer when Europe opens.

Juliana: I just feel like the minute Europe opens, it’s just going to be a huge game changer for everybody. You know, all the tourists, like the cities, are going to immediately be packed again. Exactly.

JQ: I know. So it’s just kind of a waiting game right now. But France is definitely in the top of both of our lists for Paris and the south of France. And honestly, it’d be great to do a road trip. Drew and I did a road trip from Paris all the way to Cannes a few years ago, and I would love to do that again.

Juliana: Oh, yeah, it’s a great drive. You can stop in so many different places, like little villages and have so many different types of food while you’re there and get to experience like each little part of the of the drive.

JQ: You’re right. Road trips are just amazing in France because there’s just so many things to see along the way. So many great little stops.

Juliana: Yeah. Literally every five minutes I’m like, let’s stop here so I can take a picture. Like, the views are just amazing.

Keep reading for our Top 5 Trips For 2021.

Tokyo

JQ: All right. Travel babies. Number three on our list is Tokyo.

Juliana: I know I can’t wait. I just really want to visit Asia so badly. And we used to go to Okinawa when we were kids and that was actually the first international place we had ever gone. So we’d love to go back as adults.

JQ: Yeah, we went to Okinawa when the first time we went, I was in fourth grade and, you know, you were in kindergarten.

Juliana: I was in kindergarten like four years old maybe. And it was just one of the best experiences. I mean, at that point I was like, this is what traveling is. I thought all traveling was like that, you know?

JQ: I mean, and it was amazing because, you know, we took this long flight with our whole family and, you know, we just arrive on this beautiful tropical island and it was just the best.

Juliana: And the food is amazing. And the culture, everyone is so nice.

JQ: Exactly. I know. And when we did our big Southeast Asia trip last year, we went to Thailand and Bali and Cambodia. I had plans to go to Tokyo and go to Okinawa, but it was just like too jam into one trip.   So I would love to do a big Japan trip.

Juliana: Yeah, because there’s so many places to visit in Japan. And you really need like because the flight is so long, you need a few weeks there. You can’t just go for a week. It’s too short.

JQ: Exactly. And I’d love to start in Hokkaido and do some skiing and try to try the Hokkaido Ramen. I know.

Juliana: I wonder what skiing is like there compared to the U.S. and Europe. I know.

JQ: So I’d love to start there and then go down to Tokyo and just have the full metropolitan, you know, big city Tokyo experience with all the things going on. Yeah. And then maybe head out to Kyoto for the historical beautiful temples.

Juliana: Yeah, exactly. And Okinawa just for all of the traditional stuff that we love.

JQ: Exactly. And then just, yeah. Hop down to Okinawa and see some more of the Ryukyu Islands and just explore.

Keep reading for our Top 5 Trips For 2021.

Ski Trips

Juliana: OK, Travel Babies so trip number for our ski trips. So I have so many already planned for January and I cannot wait. I’m you know, we talked about this a little bit in the last episode. I’m more of a beginner skier. So this season, because I know I probably won’t be able to travel as much internationally as I want to. My goal is to just get better at skiing.

JQ: That’s awesome. I know this is the perfect time to really take your time and take lessons and just really explore all the New England mountains. Yeah.

Juliana: So one of them we have planned is that Sunday River, which you had last year, and it was such a great experience. So we want to go for a little bit longer this time, you know, because also taking lessons like more than just one day at a time is how you really get better. I think faster.

JQ: Exactly. (Hope you are enjoying listening or reading our Top 5 Trips For 2021!)

Juliana: And then the other one we’re going to is Loon Mountain, which I’ve never been to before. So I’m really excited to go there.

JQ: I’ve been there before. We loved it.

Juliana: Yeah. Did you stay there like at the at the resort to or just go for the day.

JQ: I think we started Airbnb close by. Yeah.

Juliana: I mean that we were considering going like we’re like should we stay for the stay the night because it’s like a two and a half hour drive. So we could technically do it in one day. But it’s nicer to just stay the night. Yeah. Any time.

Juliana: You know, I would turn it into a weekend trip. Definitely, yeah. And then the other place we’re going is Omni Mountain Resort. So I’m really excited for that to. Have you guys been there?

JQ: We’ve never stayed there. We’ve we’ve like driven by and I think we’ve taken photos there, but we’ve never stayed. (Keep reading for our Top 5 Trips For 2021)

Juliana: Yeah. It looks so pretty. So I, I just can’t wait for all these New England little getaways, especially in January when, you know, you kind of feel like a little lull. The holidays are over and you’re like, OK, I need to, you know, have. Still work, but like

JQ: Yeah, I mean, they’re great weekend trips. I mean, it’s the perfect way to get outside, get some fresh air right in the middle of the winter in New England. And yeah. And like you said, there’s so many great destinations that are within driving distance.

Juliana: Exactly. And they’re all so beautiful. And so, like, I just love the fresh snow, like in the Northeast. I mean, in like Maine and New Hampshire, they are just so much more wintery than Boston sometimes. So,

JQ: yeah. I mean, just like driving and you see all the beautiful trees and the hills and the mountains. Yeah. And it’s just so picturesque. Yeah.

Juliana: The drive up there is like part of the trip. Exactly.

JQ:  And it’s just great to get out in the fresh air. So I know we’ll definitely be heading up to at least Vermont. I mean we usually go to Sugarbush and Stowe everybody every year. So I’m hoping to make it up to those two mountains. Right.

Juliana: And then are you guys going to try and go to Utah again like you did this past year?

JQ: I think so. So I think we’re going to go on a trip to Snow Basin, which is also near Salt Lake City. So last year we did Deer Valley and Park City. So this year I think we’re going to try to go to Snow Basin. So it should be a lot of fun.

Juliana: Oh, cool. Yeah. And I know you said the skiing there is a little bit different than in the Northeast, but still really easy for any type of skier.

JQ: So, yeah, I mean, they have the greatest snow on earth, so I’m really excited for that. And it’ll be a lot of fun to try a new resort and a new mountain. Right.

Juliana: And then what about skiing in Europe? I know you love doing that, JQ.

JQ: I know I love skiing in St. Moritz and Chamonix and anywhere in the Alps. We had so much fun in 2019 when we got to do all those different ski resorts.

Juliana: You guys went like at least three times in one month. Always, like always to Europe. And I know, like Pierre-Luc tells me all the time, the food there is just you can’t compare it to the food you get here and ski resorts, it’s just so different.

JQ: It’s just like you’re literally in the Swiss Alps or the French Alps. And this is where all of these Alpine traditions started.

Juliana: Exactly.

JQ: So I hope we can go. I don’t know if we’ll be able to, but, you know, if for some reason maybe Switzerland opens up, I would love to hop over there and just do a little ski weekend at St. Moritz.

Juliana: Yeah, I know, because in France right now, like Pierre-Luc’s  family who’s there, they’re all trying to plan weekend trips in in Switzerland because everything is closed in France right now.

JQ: I know the situation is still crazy and, you know, safety has to come first. So we’ll just keep watching the situation and see how it goes. But two of my favorite hotels of all time are right there in St. Moritz, Suvretta House and Badrutt’s Palace. And those two places are just the quintessential Alpine resorts and they’re just super luxury. And we have the best time. I would love to go back.

Juliana: And that’s saying something because you’ve been to so many different hotels all over the world,

JQ: the Swiss definitely know what they’re doing. And the last destination we want to talk about is Italy.

Top 5 Trips For 2021 – Italy

Hope you are enjoying listening or reading our Top 5 Trips For 2021!

Juliana: Yes, I was supposed to go to Rome in 2020 with my friends. And, you know, we had just gone for your wedding at the end of 2019. And I was just like, oh my God, I have to go back and like redo some of the stuff we saw because we just I feel like the when we were there for your wedding, I mean I just couldn’t take it all and it was so much and so beautiful and amazing. I just wanted to go back and do it again. So Rome is definitely on my list.

JQ: And I mean, we were so busy the whole wedding week. So, I mean, I was so excited when you said you were going back because I have so many recommendations and there’s just so much to do. Like you, you know, you could go to Rome every year and do something different.

Juliana: Exactly. And one thing I loved about Rome, too, is it’s so walkable. So I love cities like that, like Boston. You know, you can walk almost everywhere in Rome, you know, kind of the same thing. You can just walk, you know, to and from everywhere.

JQ: Exactly. And there’s just so many little streets to explore, so many restaurants, obviously. Tons of shopping. Yeah. And plenty of photo ops everywhere you look

Juliana: and such good food again. It’s like it’s like France. You just you need to go there to just have that good food and, you know, so traditional. And, you know, I just love hearing Italian all around the street. It’s just so funny and so fun.

JQ: Ciao Ragazzi!  Yeah. It’s just so much fun. Like, I want to go back to Italy so bad and I want to go to like somewhere new, like I mean pretty much every time you go to Italy we try to go to like one place we’ve been before and then one place because there’s so many things that we could just go back to again and again.

Juliana: Right. But it’s good to try new things, you know.

JQ: Exactly. And last time so on one of our trips to Italy last year when we were doing our wedding planning, we had time. We actually went to a new region for us. Abruzzo. Oh, cool. And that was where we had the best meal of our year last year.

Juliana: Oh, my gosh.

JQ: We had we went to a three star, three Michelin star restaurant called Reale in Abruzzo. So and, you know, that’s the type of thing that I think of when I think of Italy. You know, we’re having a three Michelin star dinner in an ancient monastery that they turned into a hotel.

Juliana:  My gosh. And was it so was it like really was it really touristy?

JQ: No, because it.

Juliana: So, you know, these places that are more out of the way are like my favorite places to go to because they’ll just be less touristy than all the normal cities and you can find like the best, you know, hidden gems.

JQ: Well, we were the only Americans that were in this whole crazy area. Like we didn’t see another American the whole time we were in Abruzzo.

Juliana: Yeah, normally. And in countries, I just try to not speak English and then they don’t know if I’m an American. I mean, I feel bad like at this point, I really I’m trying to learn French more so that in France I can it’s not just Pierre-Luc talking all the time, but, you know, in Italy, like, I really want to take it upon myself to try and learn a little bit of these languages when I go so they can, you know, talk to people and say basic things more easily.

JQ: I mean, it really helps. So I know that’s been one of my goals, too. And since I took a little bit of Italian in college, it definitely helps. But yeah, I could use some practice too. Yeah.

Juliana: If you’re not practicing all the time then it’s easy to forget. (Keep reading for our Top 5 Trips For 2021)

JQ: But yeah, in one more place that I really want to go in Italy and this is actually another trip that got cancelled is Puglia home in southern Italy. And we’re supposed to do a road trip from the very southern tip of Italy, then over to Sicily, because you can actually drive. There’s a bridge And we wanted to because we went to Sicily back like, I don’t know, a long time, a long time ago. But we only went to Palermo, so we wanted to explore some other parts of the island. So I had this whole trip planned. This was supposed to be Labor Day this year. OK, so hopefully I can reschedule that for maybe Labor Day next year. So that’s another trip that is definitely on my books for 2021

Juliana: and definitely Lake Como. I know that’s such a beautiful place. I don’t really want to go like it’s just gorgeous. And that’s, you know, it’s more of a touristy place, but it’s one of the places you have to go.

JQ: Well, and that’s a perfect road trip spot, right? Because if you start in Switzerland, you can go down through the Swiss Alps and then into the Italian Alps. And we actually did that when we picked up the M2.

Juliana: Oh, yeah. That was like probably Drew’s favorite trip of all time. Yeah, I know.

JQ:  We should actually we should do a whole story about that. Yeah.

Juliana: Because I know most of it, but I feel like I don’t even know the full story. I know Drew was just so happy that day picking it up.

JQ: Well I mean that the two weeks that we were driving through Europe, we started in Germany and then went up and then into France and then back down through Switzerland and then into the Italian lakes.

Juliana: Yeah. And so you literally were like in a bunch of different places in such a short amount of time.

JQ: Exactly. So there’s lots of places from that trip that I’d love to go back to. And Lake Como is definitely one of them. Yeah. All right.

JQ: Well, I know that just after an insane year, like 2020, I’m just ready for a fresh start and hopefully next year brings more travel, more peace and more calmness for everyone. This is just been in a year that none of us could have predicted. But I know I’m just trying to stay hopeful and positive and I’m just excited for all the things that are to come.

Juliana: And since we’ll be getting a fresh start, we will be starting a fresh series here on the Travel Babies podcast. During the month of January, we were sharing our biggest travel mishaps and how to avoid them. First up is Paris. Stay tuned travel babies for some pro tips on how to make the most out of your next trip to Paris. Thanks, JQ.

Hope you enjoyed listening or reading our Top 5 Trips For 2021!