Here are the most enticing places listed on the CDC's travel map under "low risk."
With COVID cases on the rise, travel may
not be high on your priority list. But if you’ve simply had enough of
being cooped up in your abode with nothing but your plants, cats, or
children to look at, the CDC has released a helpful map of COVID-19 Travel Recommendations by Destination.
Here, we’ve rounded up some of the best low-risk places to visit. Note: the CDC still recommends being fully vaccinated before traveling to these locations.
What to do if you visit Australia
Beyond the golden beaches, friendly people, and cute kangaroos, Australia has vibrant cities, ancient rainforests, and sacred indigenous landmarks to offer.
Hit
up the bustling metropolis of Sydney, with its Taronga Zoo, Royal
Botanic Gardens, gourmet cuisine, and iconic Opera House. Cruise along
Great Ocean Road and soak in the mountain and coastal views, including
the impressive ocean-dwelling limestone formations known as the Twelve
Apostles. Take a hike through the oldest rainforest in the world, the
Daintree, which has continually survived for 180 million years. (That’s
10 million years longer than the Amazon.) Watch the colors change on
Uluru or Ayer’s Rock, a massive sandstone rock formation in the Northern
Territory, sacred to the local aboriginals.
Water-lovers can’t miss snorkeling and scuba diving along one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Great Barrier Reef. And for partiers, check out Gold Coast for surfing, theme parks and Vegas-style good times after dark.
What to do if you visit Anguilla
Sitting 60 miles north of the Caribbean island of St. Martin is the British Overseas Territory of Anguilla. Consisting of a small main island plus several offshore islets, Anguilla offers a less-touristy vibe than many of its neighbors.
Check out the blissfully uncrowded Shoal Bay East, a nearly two mile-long stretch of pristine sand, perfect for swimming, diving, snorkeling, or strolling. Rendezvous Bay (don’t let the French name fool you; English is the official language of the island) offers two and-a-half miles of powdered perfection next to a coconut palm-lined turquoise sea. When you’re done frolicking in the azure waters and taking in the ancient petroglyphs in Fountain Cavern National Park, fine dining, art galleries, and quaint museums await.
Take note: Anguilla is one of the most expensive islands in the Caribbean. Lodging will be pricey, with an average nightly price of $285.
What to do if you visit the Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands are comprised of three islands in the Western Caribbean, just south of Cuba. The largest island, Grand Cayman, is home to the luxurious Seven Mile Beach where—if you can escape the cruise ship crowds—warm, translucent, and peaceful waters beckon.
Take a day trip to Stingray City, a sandbar that gives you the chance to stand waist-deep in the water while the graceful creatures (who only sting as a defense mechanism) surround you. At night, take a kayak ride to peep the sparkling bioluminescence. If you get tired of the spectacular scuba diving and water sports, hop over to Cayman Brac for some deep-sea fishing or Little Cayman to spot endangered iguanas and red-footed boobies. At night, savor a memorable meal at one of the island’s many top-tier restaurants. It’s the “culinary capital” of the Caribbean, after all.
What to do if you visit Dominica
This mountainous Caribbean island nestled between Guadeloupe and Martinique is known as “The Nature Island of the Caribbean,” and with good reason. Boasting a bevy of natural wonders from hot springs, boiling lakes and tropical rainforests to waterfalls, coral gardens, and volcanoes, Dominica is the most interesting natural paradise you’ve possibly never heard of.
Highlights include: Morne Trois Pitons National Park, a 17,000-acre UNESCO World Heritage Site of lakes, gorges, mud ponds, and mini-geysers. With a beguiling cultural mix of British, French and West Indian influences, the capital city of Roseau is charming, unfussy and inviting.
What to do if you visit Laos
For the extra-adventurous, the Southeast Asian country of Laos is a hidden delight nestled among its more famous neighbors: China, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. Home to 49 different ethnic groups, Laotian culture is richly diverse, and its lush landscape does not disappoint. A walking tour of the capital city of Vientiane will outline the country’s history, while the caves, waterfalls, temples and royal palaces in Luang Prabang deliver awe. Animal lovers will rejoice at the opportunity to interact with (and care for) an elephant at the Elephant Village Sanctuary, while the mountain town of Vang Vieng seems custom-made for the backpacking and rugged natural beauty-loving set.
What to do if you visit Poland
Did you now Poland is home to 14 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the oldest salt mine in the world, a crooked forest, and breathtaking national parks? Steeped in history and medieval castles, the Eastern European nation offers plenty of fodder for history buffs and architecture lovers.
The Wieliczka Salt Mine, operational from the 13th century until 1996, is home to a nearly 40-foot-tall chapel displaying salt chandeliers and furniture. Against a backdrop of Gothic, medieval and colorful Renaissance buildings, Warsaw’s Old Town Market Place takes you back in time. Take a tour of the world’s largest castle by land area, Malbork Castle or trek through the shaded forests of Tatra National Park, and drink in mesmerizing views of the mountains reflected in Morskie Oko Lake.
What to do if you visit Grenada
Flying under the radar of most American tourists, this decidedly un-glitzy southern Caribbean destination known as “The Spice Isle” is full of hills, nutmeg plantations, and a distillery that makes 150-proof rum. The picturesque St. George’s harbor is a charming collection of colors that have earned it a reputation as the prettiest harbor town in all the Caribbean.
After dipping your toes in the soft sands of Grand Anse Beach (and testing that rum we mentioned at the River Antoine Distillery), enjoy a spice plantation tour and walk it off at the Grand Etang National Park & Forest Reserve. Meet you there?
