Carry On Notes: JetBlue to Vancouver + News from Vegas, Europe and Australia

April 23, 2021 Jim Byers

This week’s Carry On travel notebook looks at JetBlue flights coming to Vancouver and new Sunwing flights from Ontario to the sunny south. We also have news about an easing of travel restrictions in Italy, Greece and France, plus news from Las Vegas, South Australia and a Mississippi River Country contest for Canadians.

JETBLUE COMING TO CANADA

U.S. airline JetBlue is coming to Canada for the first time, with flights into Vancouver scheduled for the summer of next year.

“We’re delighted that JetBlue has selected Vancouver as its first Canadian destination with service from YVR to New York City and Boston,” Tamara Vrooman, president and CEO of the Vancouver Airport Authority, said in a statement.

Vrooman said JetBlue’s decision to come to Vancouver was a vote of confidence in the region that will attract business and leisure travellers “when the time is right to fly again.”

JetBlue’s move into Canada was part of an announced expansion that also included six other destinations in the U.S. and Honduras.  

EUROPE EASING RESTRICTIONS

Italy is set to ease many of its travel restrictions on Monday, and Greece will follow suit in early May. France also is easing some restrictions.

Reuters reports that France will lift domestic travel restrictions from May 3 but Prime Minister Jean Castex a 7 p.m. curfew will remain in place until the COVID-19 epidemic is under control.

In a first step towards ending a third nation-wide lockdown, which has been in place since early April, Castex said schools would reopen on Monday and people would be able to travel all over the country after being confined to their own region and within 10 km of their residence.

He also said some businesses and cultural venues, as well as the open-air terraces of bars and restaurants might be allowed to reopen around mid-May if the COVID-19 situation is improving.

In Italy, the government is restoring free travel between moderate-risk regions and allowing people to visit riskier regions under certain conditions, including proof of vaccination. Bars and restaurants will be allowed to open for outdoor dining as well.

Greece, meanwhile, is set to allow outdoor dining in early May, ahead of the country’s general opening to international travel in the middle of the month.

Signs of progress, for sure.

RESORTS WORLD LAS VEGAS: “STAY FABULOUS” FILM

Resorts World Las Vegas, the Strip’s highly anticipated new 3,500-room luxury destination opening June 24, this week unveiled an utterly extravagant introduction to the US $4.3 billion property with “Stay Fabulous,” an immersive, first-of-its-kind short film featuring Celine Dion, Carrie Underwood, Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, Tiësto and Zedd. The commercial offers a sneak peek of the astounding entertainment to come as a result of the unprecedented partnerships between Resorts World Las Vegas, Concerts West / AEG Presents and Zouk Group. 
 
The commercial takes viewers on a larger-than-life journey into the future of hospitality, entertainment and gaming with a series of highly dynamic, captivating vignettes that affirm Resorts World Las Vegas as the new hospitality leader for every form of excitement and spectacle that makes Las Vegas fabulous.
 
To view the full film, click HERE

“The concept of Stay Fabulous captures the essence of the Resorts World Las Vegas brand where guests are encouraged to embrace their individuality and create their own version of fabulous,” said Scott Sibella, president of Resorts World Las Vegas. “With stunning visuals and special appearances from A-list entertainers, the commercial gives a peek into the incredible experiences that await when our doors open this June.”

SUNWING RETURNS TO LONDON AND THUNDER BAY THIS WINTER

Residents of southwestern Ontario will be able to plan their future vacation with ease this winter, as Sunwing has announced they’ll be returning to London International Airport for the 2021-2022 season. Starting December 15, 2021 until April 20, 2022, the tour operator will be offering weekly flights to the popular vacation destinations of Cancun, Punta Cana and Varadero.

“We’re delighted to be returning to London International Airport for the 15th year,” commented Andrew Dawson, President of Tour Operations for Sunwing Travel Group. “Now more than ever, our customers value the ease and convenience of being able to depart from their regional airport, and we’re pleased to be offering London residents frictionless vacation experiences under our wing.”

The flight schedule from London will be as follows:

• Between London and Punta Cana, Wednesdays from December 15, 2021 until April 20, 2022
• Between London and Cancun, Thursdays from December 16, 2021 until April 14, 2022
• Between London and Varadero, Fridays from December 17, 2021 until April 15, 2022

Sunwing has announced it will be returning to Thunder Bay for the 16th consecutive year this winter. The tour operator will be making it easier for residents of Thunder Bay to return to the tropics by offering vacation packages to Mexico, Cuba and the Dominican Republic with convenient flights from their local gateway of Thunder Bay Airport. Flights will begin in December 2021 and will run weekly until the middle of April 2022.

The flight schedule from Thunder Bay will be as follows:

• Between Thunder Bay and Cancun, Mondays from December 13 until April 18, 2022
• Between Thunder Bay and Varadero, Tuesdays from December 14 until April 19, 2022
• Between Thunder Bay and Punta Cana, Wednesdays from December 15 until April 20, 2022

SURPRISING SOUTH AUSTRALIA

I love Sydney. And the Great Barrier Reef is amazing. But, to me, the essence of Australia, and the thing that really sets it apart, is the Outback. It’s a primeval, other worldly and utterly beguiling place, with its dramatic geography and amazing animals and plants (and people) who’ve learned to live in such harsh conditions.

The only difficulty with the Outback for some visitors to Australia is its sheer size, and distance from the most popular cities. Alice Springs, the gateway to Uluru and other classic Outback destinations, is roughly 2,000 km’s from Sydney.

What I didn’t realize until yesterday’s South Australia tourism event (virtual, of course), is that classic Australian outback territory is only four to five hours from Adelaide by car. You can have breakfast at a beautiful, urban hotel in Adelaide and be at the Arkaba Conservancy resort, part of the Luxury Lodges of Australia group, in time for lunch (assuming you don’t stop at a Barossa Valley or Clare Valley winery along the way).

The resort offers amazing bush walks where you can learn about the history of a land that dates back some 500 million years and about the aboriginal peoples who have made this area home. The property is located in the Flinders Range, an ancient and remarkable set of mountains, and features beautiful rooms, great food and what looks like truly incredible stargazing.

The resort is a former sheep station that’s now a private wildlife conservancy where they’ve been working to rid the area of invasive plants and animals so nature can be restored to its proper balance.

When the time is right to visit Australia, it’s definitely worth checking out.

DOWN UNDER TRAVEL BUBBLE

After both countries did a wonderful job against COVID-19, a “travel bubble” between New Zealand and Australia opened on April 19. The bubble allows folks to fly freely between the two countries without having to quarantine, and without the need to prove they’ve been vaccinated.

Many Kiws live and work in Australia, and some Aussies work and live in New Zealand, so the first day of flights meant many tearful reunions.

On Thursday, the first Air New Zealand flight in more than 20 years touched down in Hobart, Tasmania.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER COUNTRY AND A CONTEST FOR CANUCKS

World-class art museums. Incredible live music. Mouth-watering barbeque. And one of the world’s great rivers.

Mississippi River Country is a tourism group made up of states that border the legendary Mississippi, from Minnesota in the north to Louisiana in the south.

It includes destinations as varied as the Boundary Waters of northern Minnesota and Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains, as well as big cities like Chicago, Minneapolis and Nashville.

The region takes its name from the Mississippi River but includes destinations both on the river and hundreds of miles away.

Mississippi River Country has launched an exclusive-to-Canada contest. Enter and you could win a great prize package from the states along America’s most famous river, including a $100 gas card and special gifts from the region.

NEW TRAVEL RULES FOR GRENADA

The Government of Grenada is reducing the quarantine requirement for fully vaccinated persons entering the country.
Members of Cabinet have agreed that effective May 1, 2021, persons providing proof of full vaccination will only be required to quarantine for up to 48 hours, pending a negative result from a PCR test, administered on entry.

Travellers will still be required to provide a negative PCR test result, valid up to 72-hours prior to the start of travel.

An application for travel authorisation must be completed prior to travel, via the website, travelauth.health.gov.gd.

Additionally, the PCR test to be administered in Grenada, must be paid for prior to this application. Payments are accepted online via the Government’s payment portal, pay.gov.gd.

Canadian Travel News was told that the 48-hour quarantine situation varies by property. If you’re staying at a hotel with a popular public beach, you might not be able to use the beach. If you’re at a smaller property with a secluded beach, you might be allowed to use. Best to call ahead if you’re thinking of a visit. It’s still rather problematic for Canadians to travel to the Caribbean right now, but that could change later in the year.

ANGUILLA LOCKDOWN

Anguilla is in 14-day lockdown, effective at midnight April 22, following a surge in Covid-19 cases on the island.

The airport on Anguilla and ferry services connecting Anguilla with St. Maarten/Martin are closed to incoming travellers, although visitors already on Anguilla will be allowed to leave.

All people on Anguilla other than those providing essential services are required to stay home; public gatherings are prohibited; schools are closed, and restaurants and other food establishments are restricted to take-out services only.

Anguilla had 30 confirmed cases of Covid-19 as of April 20.

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