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.
The Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany, is scheduled to go from May to October after a two-year postponement. Interestingly enough, the play was started as a way to give thanks after a 17th-century plague receded. The tradition will continue with a hearkening back and a looking forward after another plague has disrupted the flow of life.
After a year delay, the Tokyo Summer Olympics went ahead, and just a few months later, from Feb. 4-20 the Winter Olympics will take place in and around Beijing. Athletes from 80 nations will compete in more than 100 events, with strict COVID protocols and no shortage of political intrigue surrounding the games. Beijing will be the first city to host both Summer and Winter Olympics, having staged the 2008 summer games.
On the heels of last summer’s continental championships, the World Cup is slated for its original dates in November and December in Qatar. The traditional Northern Hemisphere summer dates of soccer’s quadrennial world championship moved to avoid the worst of the desert heat. Temperatures should be in the 70s and 60s Fahrenheit during the tournament, far better than the 100-plus that would have greeted players and fans in July. Some lucky nation will take home a gift to remember from the final, which is slated for a week before Christmas.
Even the small island nation of New Zealand, which has been extremely careful about COVID, has announced plans for fully vaccinated visitors to come starting April 30, though they will still have to quarantine for a week before being able to explore. More borders should open to travelers as well. Little by little, country by country, event by event, 2022 will usher in more of a return to a global world.