If you’ve ever had the pleasure of a journey on the Rocky Mountaineer, you’ve seen the majestic beauty of Western Canada on one of the world’s outstanding train rides. Starting next August, that Rocky Mountaineer experience is coming to the U.S. on the newest route: Rockies to the Red Rocks. The two-day journey between Denver and Moab (westbound and eastbound options are available) covers some of the most impressive terrain you’ll find in the American Rockies. It includes an overnight stay in Glenwood Springs, Colo., famed for its hot springs and outdoor adventures.

To say one thing for 2020, it’s made us take stock of what’s really important to us. We usually do that, or at least try to, at this time of year. As with everything about this year, it’s different. Usually when counting our blessings, we toss in that we’re thankful for our health if we have it, but the universal meaning of that hits home way more now. Promising news on widely available COVID vaccines gives us hope of once again being able to travel to the far corners of the world safely in the new year.

You can pack a lot into 238 square miles. A lot of fun in the sun, a lot of history, great food, great people and two majestic peaks rising out of the Caribbean Sea. That’s St. Lucia, and the iconic pitons are not only a symbol of the island but the gateway to some of the Caribbean’s best resorts and nature experiences.

The flight service is starting to ramp up, and resorts are ready to greet you. It’s time to rediscover the Virgin Islands. The U.S.V.I. are open now, and yours to explore with either a negative PCR or rapid COVID-19 test received within five days of the start of your travel or a positive antibody test within four months of your travel. We know new passport and renewal processing could take a while as the state department deals with a backlog. Fortunately, a passport isn’t required for U.S. citizens visiting the U.S.V.I. Once you arrive, the glories of the Caribbean are at your fingertips.

As of my writing at this precise second... Or this second. Or this second. The final results of the US presidential election are not yet available. That could change by the time you read this, or could go for another three days. Who can say. Me, I don't mind if the count takes a little longer, as long as the results are complete and in full and absolutely unassailable.

Africa’s safari areas have made great strides in recent years to combat poaching and promote conservation. Tour operators on the ground, led by some of our favorite preferred partners, have done admirable work not only in fostering wildlife preserves but also in making sure the communities they operate within benefit from the tourism dollars flowing in. From jobs to schools to health initiatives, safari-goers and safari companies have been supporting the communities that support them. The COVID-19 pandemic has threatened that, as a lack of business leads to less funding for animal sanctuaries, fewer jobs for locals and more poaching as opportunities to earn money dwindle.

“It sounds so simple I just got to go,” James Taylor sang of Mexico. He was spot-on at any time, but particularly now when it’s one of the few places Americans can travel without taking a COVID-19 test first or quarantining on arrival. That’s not to say safety isn’t a priority, as enhanced airport protocols have masks, sanitizer and social distancing ubiquitous. Visitors do fill out a health questionnaire on arrival and temperatures are taken. It’s that Mexico is just a quick flight away for most of us, and our neighbor to the south has been a favorite destination for decades.

The Irish will tell you that if you’ve only been to Dublin, you haven’t been to Ireland. The Emerald Isle might be an extreme example of this, with wide open green spaces all around outside of the main city. But there’s a lot of truth to the notion. Can you really claim to have seen Italy if you’ve only been to Rome? Japan if you’ve only been to Tokyo? Australia if you’ve only been to Sydney?

Winter is coming. That’s not just relevant for the characters in “Game of Thrones.” After a summer spent rediscovering the great American road trip, we’re headed toward cold weather again. We’ve been keeping you up to date with openings and regulations in the Caribbean, and starting Oct. 15 visitors to Hawaii will be able to avoid a 14-day quarantine with a negative COVID-19 test and health declaration form. That will come in especially handy when the first snows fall. Meanwhile on the U.S. mainland, a lot of destinations will get a lot less pleasant to be outside in soon. These places are great to check out before winter arrives.

If you’re dreaming of a beach escape over the holidays or really anytime you need a break this fall and winter, we know of some great places to recommend. We also know entry requirements are constantly changing and more islands are welcoming visitors. While nearly all destinations require a health declaration and masks in public spaces, some places are stricter than others on additional requirements.

Do you know which countries—even states—you can travel to right now? Do you know what the requirements are? The list changes every week. It’s not fun to do, but think back to March when countries first started shutting down borders. Thousands upon thousands of people had to scramble to get home with little or conflicting information. Those who booked with online travel agencies had an unbelievably difficult time getting a person on the phone and often got little help when they could talk to someone. If you were traveling during that time, it's an experience you’ll never forget.

If you’re a cruiser, you love cruising and probably already have one booked for 2021. If you’re not a cruiser, you might be thinking there are some deals to be had. To an extent, you’re right, but you shouldn’t wait too long to make your booking for next year. That’s because demand is sky-high (thanks to all those dedicated cruisers). With the CDC likely to extend its no-sail order for ships with more than 250 passengers through the end of the year, most lines aren’t restarting until 2021. And when they do start, they won’t be at 100% occupancy. So just like with premium hotels and tours, space will be limited and if you don’t book early you could end up waiting for a year or two.

Though we often go abroad to capture a sense of an older way of life and unique culture, it’s good to remember how diverse this country can be and how many distinct regions the U.S. has. The Lowcountry of South Carolina and Sea Islands of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida contain a great deal of history among the people, food and architecture. The mention of Charleston or Savannah conjures up images of Spanish moss hanging from ancient oaks, the roots of the U.S. and some of the best meals you could ever hope to have. Venture farther south to Amelia Island and St. Augustine in Florida, and you reach back to even before the founding.

Our favorite hotels and resorts to send our travelers to are the ones we trust will take good care of them throughout their stay. Nowadays that means not just anticipating needs and providing great service and amenities, it means keeping them safe. As we’ve been rediscovering America throughout the summer and into the fall, we’ve made note of some properties that are doing just that. It’s another way to take extra special care of guests and ensure their vacations are stress-free. While we eagerly anticipate the return of international travel to far-flung destinations, we’re making our way around the USA in the meantime.

We’ve been working on our Wanderlists for months, plotting out where we’ll go first as borders reopen. By now, we have quite the long list of the places we miss the most and can’t wait to see again. We know we're not alone. People are itching to get back out there. Given the high demand and reduced capacity for our favorite places, the time is now to start getting your plans in place for the holiday season and beyond.

The list of countries we can visit is slowly but surely expanding. But it’s not as simple as booking a plane ticket and showing up. Good thing for you, you have a travel advisor who is constantly staying on top of the latest opening and requirements.

Not even a pandemic can stop us from discovering the one-of-a-kind experiences you’ve come to expect from the journeys we plan. Sadly, we won’t be in Las Vegas this year for our annual catch-up with friends old and new showing us the latest the world has to offer. But we will be participating in the first virtual Virtuoso Travel Week, soaking up all the new creative ways our partners have devised to put the world at your fingertips while keeping you safe in a socially distanced world.

As advisors, we’ve always focused on helping our travelers make the most of their experiences. Delivering the most value possible and providing peace of mind is what luxury means to us. In the current climate, the new luxury is health and safety. Largay Travel president Amanda Klimak spoke as part of our Travel Dreaming series with representatives from the airline, hotel and cruise sectors to discuss how they’re working to ensure safety when we send our clients into their care. Whenever you’re ready to travel, we want to send you out as well prepared and protected as possible.