Space promises to be in the headlines for much of 2019. Not only is it the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, it promises to be the start of flights to space occupied by members of the public. Elon Musk’s Space X, Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic, and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin are racing to successfully send the first tourists to space (and bring them back again).
Vacay Network Travel Podcast hosts Adrian Brijbassi and Jim Byers discuss the advent of space tourism as well as the other extraterrestrial event that will be celebrated in 2019: The 50th anniversary of the landing on the moon.
Many destinations, particularly in the United States, will mark the occasion with museum openings, film festivals, and lunar legacy tours. The podcast identifies Washington, D.C., and Flagstaff, Arizona as two destinations for moon lovers to put on their lists as the incredible events of July 16, 1969 will be recalled.
Brijbassi and Byers also announce their top picks for you to spend your travel dollars this spring. They include:
EASTERN HEMISPHERE
TOKYO
The Japanese capital will be hosting the 2020 Olympics and the sense of anticipation has already begun. Often going to a destination before a mega-event is more rewarding than after it is staged. That’s because the tourism and hospitality industry endeavors to achieve perfection while it’s on the global stage. Tokyo, a fabulous city to visit in any year, is ready to show it is primed to stage one of the most memorable Olympics in history.
NEW ZEALAND
A seemingly timeless destination, New Zealand is more attractive this year because currency exchange is even more favorable for travelers from Canada, the U.S., and Europe. As always, the diversity of New Zealand’s topography, in a compact country, makes it a destination that allows explorers to have multiple experiences, whether it’s hiking mountains, cycling along coastlines, kayaking past rugged fjords, or visiting rainforests.
WESTERN HEMISPHERE
ANGUILLA
Anguilla has turned the disaster of hurricanes in 2017 into an opportunity. Many upgrades have been made to properties that were renovated and lots of enticements are on offer for visitors. The white-sand beaches are among the best in the world.
Anguilla is one of the destinations featured on Trippzy, the new travel-trivia app that launches in mid-January 2019. (Trippzy is also the sponsor of the Vacay Network Travel Podcast.)
ARCTIC
A mother leads her polar bear cub closer to an Adventure Canada cruise ship during an Arctic expedition. (Adrian Brijbassi photo for VacayNetwork.com)
Expedition travel to the Arctic has increased in recent years because melting ice allows for more journeys into the region. With the many concerns over climate change, visiting the Arctic shows what is happening with the planet. More importantly, it really makes you feel like you’ve gone somewhere far, far away. It’s one of those few places on Earth where tourism hasn’t had a major impact, so you do feel like you’ve gone to another planet.
Which means that maybe you don’t necessarily have to take that space flight just yet. There’s still lots more for most of us to see in our world.
