Travel will definitely look different once to pandemic is over, but this may not be such a bad thing. Cities that were once crowded will suddenly have a bit more room, though it is likely that many travellers will opt for more isolated escapes to avoid the crowds. Where should you travel in 2021?
With last year's pandemic ruling out international travel, when is it time to start looking to future travel? If you had to cancel or postpone a trip which was previously planned, you may start to consider when you will be able to travel again. It is the million-dollar question and the truth is, nobody knows. Where could you travel in 2021? Travel will definitely look different once to pandemic is over, but this may not be such a bad thing. Cities that were once crowded will suddenly have a bit more room, though it is likely that many travellers will opt for more isolated escapes to avoid the crowds. Where should you travel in 2021? Enjoy your own back yard. With borders opening up now is the time to see what Australia has to offer. There are plenty of adventures to be had in Australian towns and cities. Australia has a vast network of well-maintained roads and some of the most beautiful road trips in the world. There is beautiful coastlines such as the Great Ocean Road, driving across the desert to the Red Centre or just enjoying the lush towns and cities along the way. Train travel is also a convenient, affordable and scenic way to explore Australia. An escape within the Southern Hemisphere is a trip to New Zealand. There appears to be a travel bubble with NZ so now may be the perfect time to finally explore Australia's neighbour. New Zealand holds plenty of appeal for its isolated escaped where crowds aren't an issue. Travel to Botswana. Botswana is one of the African nations that has been least affected by Covid 19, thanks to a rapid response to close borders and enforce a nation-wide lockdown. Countries who have limited the spread and acted efficiently will be the popular first choice for travellers who are nervous crossing borders, but desperate for an escape. There are many great lodges in the Okavango Delta and Kalahari Desert that are isolated and offer full-board for travellers. According to the worldofwonderlust.com, other popular places would include Montenegro, Santorini, Austria, Namidia, Alberta, Slovenia, Provence and Norfolk Island. No matter what you do or wherever you go, keep safe, wear masks if necessary and wash your hands often. COVID will be here for some time but you can mitigate any risk by taking adequate precautions and continue to enjoy your experiences.
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With any country, a visitor can get by with a phrase book, some broken language and plenty of hand gestures, and for some, just speaking in their own language louder and slower hoping the person they speak to understands is the norm. But to get under the skin of a country, to see life as a native and to get a greater understanding of what is around you and what makes a country what it is, nothing beats speaking the language. When in Rome, so they say, do as the Romans do and when visiting Italy on vacation or for business nothing could be closer to the truth. Italy is a wonderful country that comes alive by speaking the language and not just in Rome but any city, small town or rural village. Language lifts a layer off a country, a whole new country opens up and with Italian you really can do as the Romans do. There are countless tourist attractions to see and visit in Italy and it is easy for anyone to simply visit, look and then check off the bucket list. But what would it be like visiting these attractions knowing you can converse, understand the signs, feel the emotion? There is a place in the middle of Venice called Isola di Burano that is famous for its colourfully painted houses. It is a popular tourist attraction and many people just book their tickets, have a look around, snap a selfie and consider it as seen. But if you spoke Italian you would suddenly be able to go beyond the colourful houses and strike up a conversation with a local. Going a little beyond just good morning and very much passing the time of day, you will be a tourist who is able to experience the life and culture of one of Italian’s own. It’s the little things that bring Italy to life when you speak Italian. Theatre trips can be taken because you understand what is being said, a small local village play can be as marvellous as a performance at La Scala in Milan. Simply because you speak Italian, you understand and what would normally be reserved for the Italians, can be enjoyed by you. All the many works of art that Italy is famous for can be visited with a whole new confidence when you speak Italian. Leonardo Da Vinci’s painting of The Last Supper can be talked about with Italians as you gaze at the masterpiece, you might even get better ticket prices just because you speak Italian. But you can absorb works of art and question if you must in the local language, conversation can be struck up with an Italian art student and suddenly a whole new perspective on a painting or sculpture is found and appreciated. But it is not just the leisure tourist who wants to get close to the arts of Italy who is a winner by speaking the language. As a business visitor, your host, customer or supplier will feel confident in inviting you to real Italian events and places when you can converse, this will allow you to get closer to the people and the Italian way of life that may very well be the difference between you winning your company the business. Each and every attraction has a whole new appeal when visited with a speaking knowledge of Italian, the leaning tower of Pisa, the Sistine chapel, the Colosseum in Rome or just a stroll through the vineyards of Tuscany become places with deeper meaning and greater understanding that create a better memory allowing you to really say “L’Italia e Bella” – Italy is Beautiful as the sun sets on your visit.
Whether you are a city lover, beach lover, skier or lover of the countryside France has it all, from arts and culture to fantastic food. France hits the jackpot! From the beaches of the South in Nice and Saint-Tropez to the vineyards and hop growing areas of Alsace in the North, France has something that appeals to everyone. While France has it all for many visitors, France is barely touched, let alone uncovered, because of one simple thing: French. Fans of the hugely popular Only Fools and Horses will all know how the main character Del Boy used misplaced French phrases to make him sound impressive or to just get a point across, common phrases that really are not phrases such as “It’s Boeuf Bourguignon, as the French would say”. While people around the world, including the French, have laughed till they hurt at Del Boy’s use of French. It does nonetheless, speak volumes about the importance and even respect that the language has in getting to know France and the French people. Speaking French raises a person up in French society and shows considerable respect in a nation where respect is important. Having more than a smattering of French makes a massive difference to any visit to the rich and diverse country. With language, a weekend in Paris becomes more than just a quick trip up the Eiffel Tower, a visit to Euro Disney and a brisk walk around Pompidou Centre or the Louvre following in the footsteps of each and every tourist. Language lifts the lid of, not just Paris, but the whole of France where small, family run restaurants can be happily visited without the worry of not being able to understand what is on the menu, or morning coffee can be shared in a pavement café, watching the world go by whilst deep in conversation with a true Parisian. ![]() Knowing how to communicate in the French language opens up the French Culture and allows you to blend in to experience, not just a country, but a way of life. Iconic tourist attractions are seen with different eyes when you can converse in French and you can begin to understand why the people of France are so proud of what they have. Historic castles such as Le Puy-en-Velay in the South of France and the Chateau de Chenonceau, open up in a whole new way of being able to talk about and discuss the stories behind the walls in French. In their native language. Stories become more alive and you will, of course, discover little things that those without the ability to speak French would miss out on. Even a walk in the Wine lands of France comes to life with French. Being able to discuss Red wine in Bordeaux with a local farmer and uncovering smaller wine estates that may be off the grid because you cannot speak French, turns wine tasting into a real French adventure. France has so much more to offer than just the Champs Elysees, Eiffel Tower, and Euro Disney and it can only truly be uncovered by being able to communicate in French.
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AboutTravelling is an exciting opportunity which can be enhanced by learning the language before you go. This blog contains some interesting articles about language and travel. Archives
March 2025
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