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THESE ARE OUR TOP FIVE POST-COVID DESTINATIONS

WRITTEN BY MADISON OBERMEYER

Deciding your travel destinations for post-COVID can be daunting. Considering your very being not only has the potential to be, but will be altered by the places you visit, the strangers you meet, and the food or culture you experience—it’s time to take planning seriously. In 2021, we encourage you to indulge in travel. Walk the intimate cobblestoned streets. Place your hand on a piece of architecture far older than you or anyone alive at this time. Read the small towns around you like a book, and get to know each and every character. You may think the first step of traveling is planning, but we say it’s daydreaming. Travel Advisor Kerry Mooneyham of Midwest Travel Solutions weighs in on some of this year’s hottest destinations—read on to discover our top five, or skip to the bottom to find one of this year’s most popular spots! (Just remember, things can change quickly. So always look into the ins and outs of COVID regulations for each country.)

Norway

Monterey

Follow in the footsteps of the Monterey Five (but not their husbands!) as you visit this gorgeous coastal gem. Take the kids to the Monterey Bay Aquarium to discover every big, little secret about the ocean, then finish off the weekend with fine dining and a California wine even Madeline would be proud of!

Pisa

Small town, big history. Lots of marble. That’s right—we’re talking about the one from your history textbook. Just a short train ride away from Florence and perfect for a short weekend trip, don’t skip out on the food— you’re (theoretically, if you’re reading this) in Italy! Stop in any restaurant with a man shouting “bella” at you

from the street and you’re in for a treat. Finish off the night with a slow walk through moonlit streets and humming “Amore” by Dean Martin. Eccellente.

New Orleans

From touring a swamp to exploring the French Quarter, New Orleans has a spooky amount of attractions. “I love New Orleans!” Mooneyham says. “And you can drive there from Kansas City!” If you don’t feel like taking a ghost tour from Madame LaLaurie’s mansion to Marie Laveau’s old home, pick up a chicory coffee from Cafe du Monde and ride the streetcar to the Garden District for a day filled with beautiful architecture and hot, fresh beignets! Are you convinced yet? It’s all just one Big Easy 13-hour drive down South.

Copenhagen

What do the Little Mermaid, amazing hot dogs, and the world’s largest collection of unopened beer bottles have in common? Copenhagen! Do yourself a favor and take a walking tour of this quaint and stylish city. A little trick from the 2014 eponymous film—at the highest point of a lose-your-stomach ride at Tivoli Gardens, you can see Sweden on a clear day. Oh, and get all the toppings on the hotdog. You won’t regret it!

Norway

Do as the Viking do! A reigning mustsee on our list, Norway is a complete and utter showstopper with polar bear safaris, views of the aurora borealis, and breathtaking fjords taking the cake for anyone looking to cross a few items off the bucket list. “A wild coast is dappled with charming towns and the country’s glacier-carved fjords, rugged mountains and streaming waterfalls give Norway a uniqueness that has historically been underappreciated as a top travel destination,” Mooneyham explains. Norway seems to be a country in favor of equilibrium—the vibrant and modern cities of Oslo and Bergen meet their match in desolate Svalbard, rife with polar bears, arctic foxes, and reindeer, Mooneyham says, and long summer days are balanced by cold, dark winter nights. “Top city sights in Oslo include Vigeland Park, home to some of the world’s most interesting sculptures, and the Viking Ship Museum, an exceptional collection of authentic ocean-going vessels rich in history,” Mooneyham says. “While in Oslo take a stroll through Aker Brygge, an upscale neighborhood with restaurants, and boutique offerings built on the site of the former shipyard. It is located on the west coast of Pipervika, the Oslo Fjord arm, west of downtown.” Ser deg snart! Who’s ready to pack their bags?

Monterey