It’s been far from perfect, but we’ve been able to enjoy a lot more activities in 2021 than we did the year before. And while COVID is going to be part of life for a while, even more events are poised to happen in 2022. There can still be setbacks, such as more variants and cancellations like those of the Munich Christmas markets. That’s why travel insurance is so important. But there’s much to look forward to in the coming year.

We are over the moon to see many of our favorite destinations reopen to tourism this year, and we’re very much looking forward to more countries reopening next year. We’re willing to bet there’s a place or two you’re excited about returning to or visiting for the first time in 2022. The thing is, so is everybody else.

Bula! Visitors to Fiji will hear the friendly and boisterous greeting from the locals once more when the South Pacific island nation reopens to fully vaccinated travelers Dec.1. It’s hard to pin down exactly from archaeological evidence, but people have been living in the islands of Fiji for at least 3,000 years, with Austronesians, Melanesians and Polynesians contributing to the culture. British colonization brought indentured laborers from India, many of whom stayed, with almost 40% of Fiji’s inhabitants today claiming Indian ancestry.

Israel has seen many civilizations pass through in its long history. Jerusalem is home to some of the most holy sites for three world religions. Tel Aviv is a vibrant, modern city that also houses UNESCO World Heritage neighborhoods. In short, there’s something for just about any interest in Israel.

Paris is always a good idea. Even now though you might notice some COVID precautions, and some more bicycles thanks to new bike lanes, it’s as always an excellent time to visit Paris.

Having already reintroduced tourism to the popular islands of Phuket and Ko Samui, Thailand will allow fully vaccinated travelers to go anywhere in the country. Visitors must present a negative COVID test to enter the country, then test again on arrival and spend one night in a government-approved hotel to await results. When that test comes back negative, travelers are free to roam the entirety of this enchanted land.

India is home to approximately one out of every six people on Earth and more than 50,000 years of human history. To put it bluntly, there is a lot to see and do there. After a year and a half, the country is open to fully vaccinated visitors, starting Oct. 15 with charter flights and Nov. 15 with commercial flights. With so much space and time to explore, it’s tough to know where to start.

Patagonia might not have been inhabited by giants, as Spanish explorers initially thought, but the landscape sure could give giants a good home. All around, mountain peaks tower above visitors to this wild adventure capital at the end of the inhabited world. Wide valleys and lakes carved out by glaciers spread out below the mountains, which straddle the border between Chile and Argentina. Both countries have announced an end to quarantine for fully vaccinated travelers beginning Nov. 1, just in time for the Southern Hemisphere’s summer season.

In a typical year (remember those?) January is the busiest month for travel planning. Families get together over the holidays, talk about where they want to go and begin firming up plans for the next year. But if you’re waiting until January to start planning your 2022 spring break or summer vacation, you might very well find yourself out of luck.

Beginning in November, the U.S. will allow vaccinated travelers from 33 countries, including China, Brazil, South Africa, India and the 26 nations in Europe’s Schengen zone, in the country for leisure travel. They will need to present a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours of their departure to the U.S. They will need to have taken either one of the vaccines approved in the U.S. (Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech or Johnson & Johnson/Janssen) or another approved by the W.H.O. (Oxford/AstraZeneca, Covishield, Sinopharm or Sinovac).

That first leaf is slowly but surely changing its color and making its way toward the ground. Not far behind will be many more of its friends, and just behind them will be the snowflakes. If you’re a glass-half-full type, that means it’s almost ski season. With domestic travel prominent thanks to border closures and COVID protocols, you’ll want to get your accommodations and lift passes booked as soon as possible. This is especially important if you’re looking for space over the holidays. Not to worry, we’re here to help, and there are still quite a few mountainous countries in Europe you can visit, plus Canada.

First, the E.U.’s recommendation is just that, a recommendation. It is not binding, and the 27 countries that are E.U. members are free to set their own protocols for entry. That does not mean there haven’t been changed, however. Bulgaria has announced it will bar American leisure travelers. The Netherlands has added the U.S. to its list of very high risk countries, meaning a mandatory 10-day quarantine is in effect even if you are fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19. A negative test can shorten that to five days, and a negative test is required to enter the country. Sweden and Norway have also paused non-essential travel for Americans regardless of vaccination status.

We’re of the opinion that any vacation is a good vacation, whether it’s in your own backyard or to the ends of the earth. It’s been such a joy to see travel return this year after a 2020 spent largely at home. With the travel industry basically rebooting, there have been fits and starts this year, but 2022 is shaping up to be a great year for getting away. We’re seeing some trends in our 2022 bookings that hint at what will be popular.

Last Saturday I had a friend over for drinks, and I bust out the 2014 William Heritage Estate Reserve Chardonnay. It was gorgeous, stately, great structure and a still exuberant floral palate. But I’ve talked about chardonnay plenty lately, and we all know my buds at William Heritage.

In many ways, this Fourth of July weekend will be the nation’s post-pandemic coming-out party. While COVID-19 isn’t yet defeated, close to half the U.S. population is fully vaccinated, with another significant percentage partially vaccinated. We’re thrilled that so many destinations closed off to us for more than a year are reopening, but the last year has also been a reminder of what great places there are to explore at home. We thought we’d celebrate by highlighting a few quintessentially American trips.

Last week was Father’s Day, and all my dad wanted was steak. “Dad, I can do something on the smoker if you wa—…” Nope. Steak. Ask a silly question.

While Spain dominates the territory on the Iberian Peninsula, tucked into the western corner is a country that punches well above its weight to this day. Along with its neighbor, Portugal kicked off the Age of Discovery in the 15th century with innovative technology that helped sailors go farther than thought possible. Their mark can be found all over the world, from Brazil to Goa.

I’m a little embarrassed I didn’t already know this. I’ve railed against unoaked chardonnay before: why would you bother, there are other grapes I’d rather have, chardonnay needs oak. Well, duh on me. Turns out Chablis, from the northernmost part of Burgundy, is…unoaked chardonnay.

Tomes can be written about the rivalry between Madrid and Barcelona, Spain’s primary cities. Blood has been spilled, friends turned to enemies and bitterness drawn out for decades. And that’s just on the soccer pitch. Madrid was the seat of power as a newly unified Spain built one of the most powerful empires the world has ever seen in the 16th century. Barcelona, meanwhile, grew as an industrial power and capital of Catalonia, a prosperous region with a fierce independent streak.

If you’re an avid traveler, odds are you’ve been to France at least once. It’s annually one of the top destinations for American tourists. But as the country reopens for leisure travel this week, it’s a reminder that even in the most familiar destination, things are constantly changing. Next time you’re roaming the streets of Paris, you’ll notice that the city center is a lot more pedestrian-friendly. A top priority of Mayor Anne Hidalgo has been limiting the number of cars in the central arrondissements around the Seine, reducing pollution and congestion. You might still be dodging bikes — or renting one yourself — but the city center will seem much more welcoming and true to its historical roots.