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.

Numerous conversations with friends and coworkers show that a significant number of USAians' Thanksgiving Day plans can be summed up largely as "doing whatever the hell we want." Some will be eating boxed stuffing while wearing pajamas. Others are cooking the full turkey dinner with all the trimmings, even if it's just for three people.

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.

I saw my first Christmas commercials on TV the other day. OK, it was the Hershey Kisses We Wish You a Merry Christmas bell-ringing ad that's been running on TV since God was a child. No seriously! It's been running for over 30 years! And you all are going to call me a Grinch for stealing holiday joy from people just trying to get through pandemic world, and how can I complain about that?

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.

Happy Halloween Eve, Mischievous Constant Readers! Okay, not the Halloween we exactly wanted or expected. In these dark and strange times, we need some levity. And wine. A buttload of cheap wine. Thank you, Vampire Vineyards for providing both!

“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.

In honor of the Finger Lakes vacation I might have taken this month — if not for, you know, everything — I dipped into my cellar and brought out a wine I got when I was last there. 2015 Shalestone Zweigelt.

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?

The creative folks at William Heritage Winery have another winner! In my September allotment was something from a brand new line, 2019 Stayman Piquette.

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.

I've been in a little bit of a funk this last week, so anything that cracks me up is a bonus right now. I normally don't advocate buying wine just because you like the label. Unless the label reads THE REAL HOUSE WINES OF NEW JERSEY.

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.

Hey folks. Can't really talk about wine this week without acknowledging the dreadful wildfires scorching Napa and Sonoma in California. As of Thursday afternoon, four people had died. Thousands of acres have burned, and dozens of wineries have been damaged. The fires are still raging, so no word yet on the final tally of losses. Many wineries had already finished their harvest, but I don't know what that means for wines fermenting in barrels or aging in bottles.

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.

Continuing on the "thank God it's actually fall-like now" theme from last week, as soon as the weather changes, you can count on two things. 1) I'm going to require OTC allergy meds and 2) I'm going to want duck. I couldn't find fresh at my supermarket last week, so bought some pre-made duck confit. And I found a pretty good match for it in my cellar: Famiglia Castellani Chianti Classico Riserva 2014.

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.