Germany Limits Travel From French Region Over Virus Variant

BERLIN (AP) — Germany announced Sunday that travelers from France’s northeastern Moselle region will face additional restrictions because of the high rate of variant coronavirus cases there.

Germany’s disease control agency, the Robert Koch Institute, said it would add Moselle to the list of “variant of concern” areas that already includes countries such as the Czech Republic, Portugal and the United Kingdom.

Travelers from those areas must produce a recent negative coronavirus test before entering Germany.

The Moselle region in northeastern France includes the city of Metz and borders the German states of Saarland and Rhineland-Palatinate.

Clement Beaune, the French minister for European affairs, said France regrets the decision and is in negotiations with Germany to try to lighten the measures for 16,000 inhabitants of Moselle who work across the border. Specifically, he said France does not want them to face the daily PCR virus tests that Germany has applied elsewhere to travelers along some borders.

“We don’t want that,” he said.

Beaune said France is pushing for the use of easier, faster testing methods and for tests every 2-3 days rather than daily. More talks were expected later Sunday, he said.

The weekly rate of new infections in Moselle, at more than 300 per 100,000 people, is well above the average for France’s eastern region and the national average. In Germany, the number of cases per week currently stands at almost 64 per 100,000 inhabitants.

The Robert Koch Institute recorded 7,890 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Germany over the past day, taking the total to over 2.4 million cases. The death toll rose by 157 to 70,045.

These Are The Cruise Lines That Will Require COVID-19 Vaccinations For Guests And Crew

Several cruise lines have started announcing vaccination requirements for guests and crew members as the industry looks to restart after the the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last year, cruise ships that were mid-trip began facing COVID-19 related turmoils as the virus began trickling around the world, leaving passengers stuck, infected, or dead. Shortly after, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a no-sail order, which was later replaced by its "Framework for Conditional Sailing Order," a compilation of protocols needed for cruising to resume again.

Despite this new framework — and pent-up demand for highly anticipated cruise ships and trips — the official return of cruising still remains in limbo. Presently, no major US cruises will be welcoming passengers until May, but companies are constantly extending this pause on sailing.

However, as the COVID-19 vaccine continues to be distributed across the globe, this could soon change.

"If we start to see vaccines become more widely available, and if the vaccines are being administered in a far more efficient manner than they have been, I think it would be reasonable for the cruise lines to say a vaccine is required," Henry Harteveldt, a travel industry analyst and president of the Atmosphere Research Group, told Insider in an interview.

However, vaccine rollout and accessibility has been a notorious struggle around the world. As a result, Harteveldt notes that it may be "counterproductive" for major cruise lines like Carnival and Norwegian to require its guests to receive the vaccine if sailings actually resume in the next few months instead of later in the year, say July.

But over the last month, cruise lines have become increasingly vocal about the vaccine. While some companies — such as Carnival and its Holland America line — are "reviewing" the different vaccines, several others have already announced vaccination protocols for guests and crew members.

These are all the cruise lines with vaccine-related mandates so far:

Saga Cruises

On January 21, United Kingdom-based Saga Cruises announced that it would require all of its passengers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 two weeks before a trip. Saga primarily caters to passengers over 50-years-old.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean expects to require its crew members to receive the vaccine before sailings return, a spokesperson told Insider.

Crystal Cruises

On February 18, Crystal Cruises said it would require guests to receive both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before a cruise. The cruise line is also requiring a negative coronavirus test result from travelers and crew members, among other health protocols.

"We know that peace of mind is the greatest luxury, and the vaccine requirement is simply the best way to ensure the safest possible Crystal Experience for all on board," Jack Anderson, the cruise line's interim president and CEO, said in a press release.

Hornblower Group's "overnight" cruise lines

Hornblower Group's American Queen Steamboat Company and Victory Cruise Lines have both announced requirements for guests and crew members to receive the COVID-19 vaccine for sailings starting July 1.

According to John Waggoner, CEO and founder of American Queen Steamboat Company, requiring the vaccine will ensure the "safest cruising experience possible." However, the cruise lines is are still looking to resume sailing in April, prior to this vaccination deadline.

Norwegian Cruise Line and Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Norwegian Cruise Line and its Regent Seven Seas Cruises have announced COVID-19 vaccine requirements for crew members prior to boarding. However, the cruise lines are still "exploring all options" in regards to vaccination requirements for its guests, according to the cruise lines' statements sent.

Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/cruise-ship-covid-vaccine-requirements-guests-crew-each-company-2021-2

French Riviera Cities Under Lockdown As New Infections Soar

PARIS (AP) — Residents of Nice in the French Riviera will be denied their strolls along the beach on a sunny weekend, under a temporary local lockdown imposed to curb soaring COVID-19 infections.

Starting on Friday evening, Nice and the surrounding coastal area will be under weekend lockdowns for at least two weeks, in addition to a national 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew. The northern port of Dunkirk is under similar restrictions.

In both places, numbers of infections have spiked and hospitals are overwhelmed, with some patients being transferred to other French regions.

Nice mayor Christian Estrosi announced on Friday a ban on the beaches and the famous Promenade des Anglais esplanade, where lots of people usually go for a seaside stroll, to ensure the restrictions are fully respected.

“We absolutely need to avoid too big gatherings, as the weekend is expected to be summer-like and extremely attractive ... Reason must prevail,” he said in a video message posted on social media. Only essential shops will remain open, he added.

Nice reported this week a rate of almost 800 COVID-19 infections per 100,000 people, nearly four times the national average.

Estrosi has repeatedly attributed the worsening situation in his city to the presence of “too many tourists” during end-of-year holidays, listing the UK, Scandinavia, United Arab Emirates and Russia, which have direct flights to Nice airport.

“We are now paying a very high price,” he said. Since then, France has banned almost all travelers from outside the European Union and applied restrictions to those coming from inside the bloc.

The weekend lockdown also includes nearby coastal towns of Cannes, Antibes and nearby Mediterranean beauty spots.

Residents will be able to go out only for essential needs such as food shopping, medical appointments or urgent family business. Taking exercise outside will be allowed for a maximum of one hour per day and up to 5 kilometers (3 miles) from home.

The national 6 p.m. curfew will apply during the week.
By SYLVIE CORBET

National Harbor Celebrates Cherry Blossoms, March 20 to April 11

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md.— National Harbor has become known for its spring display of hundreds of cherry trees lining the waterfront. The trees bloom each year in March and are some of the earliest blooms in the D.C. region.

To celebrate the spectacular display, National Harbor is hosting a Cherry Blossom Celebration beginning March 20 through April 11. The water taxi, opening just in time, is a great way to view the blossoms from the water.

“We are delighted to have become a cherry blossom viewing destination,” said Jackie Saunders AVP Marketing at National Harbor. “Because our trees bloom early, we can provide visitors with a longer opportunity to view cherry blossoms in the Washington, D.C. region.”

National Harbor’s more than 200 trees are Okame cherry trees—recognizable by their masses of striking pink flowers. They are more tolerant to cold than most other types of cherry trees and are early bloomers with flowers lasting up to three weeks. They also grow about two feet a year and are very desirable for areas that want quick, hardy, spectacular color. In a region that is known for its cherry blossom displays and celebrations, the trees at National Harbor have quickly become a large draw.

While National Harbor is again an official participant of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, the property has expanded its offerings and created a two-month celebration including its popular Sakura Sunday event every Sunday from March 20 to April 11. Each Sakura Sunday will feature free cultural activities including Japanese inspired art, culinary classes (in person and virtual) and much more!

During the same timeframe, National Harbor will light up pink every night as The Capital Wheel and lights throughout the property turn pink in honor of the celebration.

Hotels and shops at National Harbor will have a variety of specials and displays. MGM National Harbor will have its amazing conservatory cherry blossom installation. In the Waterfront District, shop windows will be creatively decorated to celebrate the cherry blossoms; Muse Paintbar will hold three special cherry blossom inspired painting classes; the Westin will feature a signature Cherry Blossom-Tini; BrookieGirl, will offer cherry blossom body care products. Seasonal classes during the celebration include origami, cherry blossom painting, sushi rolling, flower making, and more.

National Harbor will also feature one of the 25 giant cherry blossom sculptures created by local artists that will be displayed throughout Washington, D.C.

For more information on National Harbor and cherry blossom activities and offerings, go to https://www.nationalharbor.com/cherryblossom/. Events and activities will be added to the schedule in the coming weeks.

Mt Etna’s Latest Eruptions Awe Even Those Who Study Volcanos

ROME (AP) — Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano, has awed even seasoned volcanologists in recent days with spectacular spurts of lava lighting up the Sicilian sky each night.

The latest eruption overnight petered out by around 0900 GMT Tuesday, according to Italy’s National Institute for Geophysics and Volcanology.

For over a week, Etna has been belching lava, ash and volcanic rocks on a regular basis. The nearby Catania Airport closed temporarily, and residents of the town of Pedara said it appeared one day last week as if it were raining rocks as a thick blanket of ash covered the town.

Volcanologist Boris Behncke of the national institute’s Etna observation center has followed the latest paroxysms with awe. Writing on the institute’s website this week, he said that after “gifting us moments of suspense” over the previous nights, Etna finally erupted in a way “those of us who have worked in this for decades have rarely seen.”

Referring to the activity overnight, he tweeted Tuesday: “Did I call the 20-21 February paroxysm of #Etna ‘incredibly powerful’? Well, its successor, in the night of 22-23 February, was MUCH more powerful.”

So far, there have been no reports of damage or injuries.

Travelore Update: Britons Rush To Book Holidays Amid Plans To End Lockdown

LONDON (AP) — Stir-crazy Britons rushed to book overseas vacations after Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveiled plans to slowly ease a national lockdown, boosting optimism that travel restrictions will be removed in time for the summer holiday season. TUI, the U.K.’s largest tour operator said bookings increased six-fold on Monday, the company’s busiest day in more than a month. Discount airline easyJet said demand for flights more than tripled, and package holiday company Thomas Cook said traffic on its website increased 75%. International travel has nearly ground to a halt globally, so the increases are a sign of hope for the beleaguered industry.

“We have consistently seen that there is pent-up demand for travel, and this surge in bookings shows that this signal from the government that it plans to reopen travel has been what U.K. consumers have been waiting for,” easyJet Chief Executive Johan Lundgren said in a statement. “The Prime Minister’s address has provided a much-needed boost in confidence for so many of our customers in the U.K.” While the plans, which Johnson announced Monday, were welcomed by travel companies, many business leaders were disappointed at the slow pace of re-opening as some restrictions are expected to remain in place until June 21. Others criticized the government for failing to guarantee current levels of support for businesses hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Office for National Statistics said Tuesday that the U.K.’s unemployment rate rose to 5.1% in December, up 0.1% from the previous month and 1.3% from a year earlier. The number of people on company payrolls has dropped by 726,000 since the pandemic began last February, with 58.5% of the decline coming among people under 25.

But the figures don’t show the full impact of COVID-19 restrictions. Some 1.9 million workers remain on furlough, a government program that covers 80% of the wages for people who aren’t working but remain on their employer’s payroll.

“The sheer longevity of the crisis is taking its toll on firms, and young people in particular who have borne the brunt of jobs losses,” said Nye Cominetti, senior economist at the Resolution Foundation, a think tank focused on improving conditions for low-income people. The government “will need to address this in next week’s budget by both extending emergency support to firms while restrictions are still with us, and announcing fresh stimulus to power Britain’s economic recovery.”

Airlines and hospitality businesses have been particularly hard hit by the pandemic, with restrictions all but shutting down international travel and closing pubs and restaurants for much of the past year.

The government is now considering the possibility of introducing some type of “COVID status certification” to give business owners and consumers confidence about the safety of reopening theaters, restaurants and other venues this year.

So-called vaccine passports, which could include information on whether a person has been vaccinated and recent COVID-19 test results, raise difficult questions about privacy in Britain, which doesn’t have a tradition of national identification cards.

“There are deep and complex issues that we need to explore, and ethical issues about what the role is for government in mandating for people to have such a thing,” Johnson said Tuesday after visiting a school. “We can’t be discriminatory against people who, for whatever reason, can’t have the vaccine … I think everybody should have a vaccine, but we need to thrash all this out.”

Britain has had Europe’s deadliest coronavirus outbreak, with more than 120,000 deaths attributed to the disease.

Faced with a new variant of the virus that scientists say is both more transmissible and more deadly than the original, the country has spent much of the winter under a tight lockdown, the third since March 2020.

Schools, bars, restaurants, gyms, hair salons and nonessential shops are closed, people are expected to stay at home except for exercise and essential shopping, and foreign holidays are banned.

But Johnson announced plans to ease those restrictions as the rapid rollout of vaccines helps drive down new infections and hospitalizations.

On March 8, children in England go back to school and people will be allowed to meet one friend or relative for a chat or outdoor picnic. Three weeks later, people will be able to meet in small groups outdoors for sports or relaxation.

Under the government plan, shops and hairdressers will reopen April 12. So will pubs and restaurants, though only for outdoor service. Venues such as theaters and cinemas, as well as indoor seating at bars and restaurants, are scheduled to open May 17. That is also the earliest date Britons may be allowed foreign holidays.

The final stage of the plan, in which all legal limits on social contact are removed and nightclubs can reopen, is penciled in for June 21.

The government says these dates may be postponed if infections and hospitalizations surge.

Pubs, Haircuts, Gyms Must Wait As UK Lifts Lockdown Slowly

LONDON (AP) — U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday was setting out a road map for lifting one of Europe’s strictest national lockdowns — but the millions of Britons eager for a haircut or an evening out still face a long wait.

Johnson is expected to announce a plan to ease coronavirus restrictions in increments, starting by reopening schools in England on March 8. People will be allowed to meet one friend or relative for a chat or picnic outdoors beginning the same day.

Three weeks later, people will be able to meet outdoors in groups of up to six and amateur outdoor sports can resume. But restaurants, pubs, gyms and hairdressers are likely to remain closed until at least April.

The measures being announced apply to England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all have slightly different lockdowns in place, with some children returning to class in Scotland and Wales on Monday.

Britain has had Europe’s deadliest coronavirus outbreak, with more than 120,000 deaths.

Faced with a dominant virus variant that scientists say is both more transmissible and more deadly than the original virus, the U.K. has spent much of the winter under a tight lockdown. Bars, restaurants, gyms, schools, hair salons and nonessential shops are closed, people are urged not to travel out of their local area and foreign holidays are illegal.

Hopes for a return to normality rest largely on Britain’s fast-moving inoculation program that has given more than 17.5 million people, a third of the country’s adult population, the first of two doses of vaccine. The aim is to give every adult a shot of vaccine by July 31, and to protect the over 50s and the medically vulnerable by getting them a first vaccine jab by April 15.

But the government cautions that the return of the country’s social and economic life will be slow. Johnson’s Conservative government was accused of reopening the country too quickly after the first lockdown in the spring and of rejecting scientific advice before a short “circuit-breaker” lockdown in the fall.

It does not want to make the same mistakes again, although Johnson is under pressure from some Conservative lawmakers and business owners, who argue that restrictions should be lifted quickly to revive an economy that has been hammered by three lockdowns in the last year.

The Conservative government -- in normal times an opponent of lavish public spending -- spent 280 billion pounds ($393 billion) in 2020 to deal with the pandemic, including billions paying the salaries of almost 10 million furloughed workers.
Va
ccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi said the government’s plan for lifting restrictions was “steady as she goes.”

“Outdoor versus indoor, priority being children in schools,” he said. “Second priority is obviously allowing two people on March 8 to meet outside for a coffee to address some of the issues around loneliness.”

The government says further easing will depend on vaccines proving effective at lowering hospitalization and deaths, infection rates remaining low and no new virus variants emerging that throw the plans into disarray.

Authorities are eagerly awaiting data on the impact of vaccination on infections, hospitalizations and deaths.

A Scottish study released Monday found that the vaccination program had led to a sharp drop in hospitalizations. Scientists from the University of Edinburgh, the University of Strathclyde and Public Health Scotland found that in the fourth week after an initial dose, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine reduced hospital admissions by as much as 85% and the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine shot cut admissions by up to 94%.

Scientists said the results were encouraging, but cautioned that the study did not assess whether people who have been vaccinated can still pass the virus on to others.

Mickey’s Flashy Dress, Glowing Castle Mark Disney World 50th

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Walt Disney World in Florida turns 50 in October.

To help celebrate, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will be wearing flashier threads and iconic structures such as the Cinderella Castle and the golf-ball-like Spaceship Earth are getting new lighting, Disney officials said Friday while unveiling the first details of how the massive theme park resort will mark its milestone anniversary.

Plans for the 18-month celebration which starts in October are being made amid one of the toughest stretches the resort the size of the city of San Francisco has faced in its nearly 50 years. Last spring, Disney World closed for two months to help stop the spread of the new coronavirus, leading to the temporary furlough of 43,000 workers.

Last fall, the company announced layoffs for 28,000 workers from its parks division in Florida and California due to limits on attendance and other pandemic-related issues. Disney officials said last November that revenue at its parks, experiences and products business fell 61% to $2.6 billion.

Before the pandemic, Disney World employed around 77,000 workers.

“If ever the world needed some pixie dust and a little extra magic from our cast, that time is now — and we hope you join us in the excitement,” said Jeff Vahle, president of Walt Disney World Resort in an email to community leaders.

Disney World has high hopes the 50th anniversary celebration provides Disney fans enough reason to return to the theme park resort during a time when vaccines will be more widely distributed.

For starters, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and other costumed characters will be getting sparkling clothes that include iridescent fabric and embroidery with renderings of the Cinderella Castle. The resorts’ iconic structures — the castle at Magic Kingdom, Spaceship Earth at Epcot, the Hollywood Tower Hotel at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom — will be glowing with special lighting during the celebration. The Cinderella Castle also will be made over with gold bunting and other golden embellishments.

“It is going to be the world’s most magical celebration,” said Dana Carlson, an associate broadcast producer for Disney Live Entertainment.

Louvre, With No Crowds, Gets Rare Chance To Refurbish

PARIS (AP) — The 518-year-old Mona Lisa has seen many things in her life on a wall, but rarely this: Almost four months with no Louvre visitors.

As she stares out through bulletproof glass into the silent Salle des Etats, in what was once the world’s most-visited museum, her celebrated smile could almost denote relief. A bit further on, the white marble Venus de Milo is for once free of her girdle of picture-snapping visitors.

It’s uncertain when the Paris museum will reopen, after being closed on Oct. 30 in line with the French government’s virus containment measures. But those lucky enough to get in benefit from a rare private look at collections covering 9,000 years of human history -- with plenty of space to breathe.

That’s normally sorely lacking in a museum that’s blighted by its own success: Before the pandemic, staff walked out complaining they couldn’t handle the overcrowding, with up to 30,000-40,000 visitors a day.

The forced closure has also granted museum officials a golden opportunity to carry out long-overdue refurbishments that were simply not possible with nearly 10 million visitors a year.

Unlike the first lockdown, which brought all Louvre activities to a halt, the second has seen some 250 of the museum employees remain fully operational.

An army of curators, restorers and workers are cleaning sculptures, reordering artifacts, checking inventories, reorganizing entrances and conducting restorations, including in the Egyptian Wing and the Grande Galerie, the museum’s largest hall that is being fully renovated.

“We’re taking advantage of the museum’s closure to carry out a number of major works, speed up maintenance operations and start repair works that are difficult to schedule when the museum is operating normally,” Laurent le Guedart, the Louvre’s Architectural Heritage and Gardens Director told AP from inside the Grande Galerie.

As le Guedart spoke, restorers were standing atop scaffolds taking scientific probes of the walls in preparation for a planned restoration, travelling back to the 18th century through layer after layer of paint.

Around the corner the sound of carpenters taking up floorboards was faintly audible. They were putting in the cables for a new security system.

Previously, these jobs could only be done on a Tuesday, the Louvre’s only closed day in the week. Now hammers are tapping, machines drilling and brushes scrubbing to a full week schedule, slowed down only slightly by social distancing measures.

In total, ten large-scale projects that were on hold since last March are under way — and progressing fast.

This includes works in the Etruscan and Italian Halls, and the gilded Salon Carre. A major restoration of the ancient Egyptian tomb chapel of Akhethotep from 2400BC is also underway.

“When the museum reopens, everything will be perfect for its visitors — this Sleeping Beauty will have had the time to powder her nose,” said Elisabeth Antoine-Konig, Artifacts Department Curator. “Visitors will be happy to see again these now well-lit rooms with polished floors and remodeled display cases.”

Initially, only visitors with pre-booked reservations will be granted entry in line with virus safety precautions.

Those who cannot wait are still able to see the Louvre’s treasure trove of art in virtual tours online.
___
Adamson reported from Leeds, England

Most World Cup Qualifying Games In Asia Postponed Until May

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — The Asian Football Confederation announced on Friday that the majority of the region’s 2022 World Cup qualifying matches in March will be postponed to May and June — with a few exceptions that include Japan, Australia and Saudi Arabia.

“Taking into consideration the existing travel and quarantine restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic across the continent, the AFC and FIFA have jointly agreed to postpone the majority of the upcoming Asian qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022,” the AFC said in a statement.

There are four games that will go ahead. On March 25, Saudi Arabia will host Yemen in Riyadh while Tajikistan and Mongolia will also play. Five days later, Mongolia will travel to Tokyo to take on Japan and Australia heads to Nepal.

No second-round qualification matches have been played since November 2019 because of multiple postponements due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. The race is now on to finish that second round, with most of the 40 teams involved having four games remaining before the current deadline of June 15.

The AFC said it has been working with member associations grouped together to help them make their own arrangements and play out the remaining games at one venue.

On Thursday, the Korea Football Association (KFA) said that it has held discussions with the AFC as well as representatives of its Group H opponents: North Korea, Lebanon, Turkmenistan and Sri Lanka.

“The AFC decided to postpone the qualifiers from March to June after hosting a video conference with all Group H national associations,” a KFA official said.

South Korea is interested in hosting the remaining games in its group. “We are considering it,” said the official, adding that applications have to be sent to the AFC by March 5, with the final decision on the host venues announced ten days later.

The winners of the eight groups in the second round, along with the four best-performing second-place teams, will progress to the third round of qualification that is scheduled to start in September.

Graceland Plans In-Person Events During Elvis Week

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — On the 44th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death, fans will get to celebrate the musician once again at the annual Elvis Week event in Memphis, Tennessee.

Presley’s Graceland is preparing to host visitors and offer in-person events for Elvis Week from Aug. 11 through Aug. 17. Organizers said public health protocols will be in place, including the requirement of masks, temperature screenings and socially distanced seating.

The event will feature appearances by celebrities and musicians, live concerts, panel discussions, parties, bus excursions and the Elvis Presley tribute artist contest, officials with Elvis Presley Enterprises said. The keystone event, once again, will be a candlelight vigil as fans visit his grave.

Since Presley’s death on Aug. 16, 1977, fans of the late singer and actor have flocked to Memphis to commemorate his life and career in the week leading up to his death anniversary. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, Elvis Week events were mostly held online last year.

Top 3 Overseas Havens With Best Retiree Benefits In 2021—InternationalLiving.com

Imagine a place where sunshine is ubiquitous, a high-quality lifestyle won't cost the earth, and retirees are treated like VIPs, with red-carpet welcomes and rewards for age and experience. In the right spots abroad, that's exactly what's on offer today.

"Some countries actively court foreign retirees—dangling benefits beyond the built-in perks like low-cost living, warm weather, friendly locals, and beautiful surrounds," says Jennifer Stevens, Executive Editor, International Living.

"Countries like Panama, Costa Rica, and Ecuador, for instance, offer low-barrier-to-entry residence visas for retirees, tax incentives, and senior discounts on everything from airfares to utilities to medical treatments," says Stevens. "It makes sense. They can attract expats who have US dollars to spend but who won't take a job from a local. It's like turning on a spigot allowing outside money to flow into the economy. And, in turn, the retirees improve their quality of life while they lower their cost of living."

These special places actively attract expat retirees by offering benefits and discounts like tax breaks, lower prices for services, and easy residence requirements.

The three countries that rank the highest in the Benefits and Discounts category in International Living's 2021 Annual Global Retirement Index are Panama, Ecuador and Costa Rica.

# 3. Costa Rica

In third place, with 88 points, is Costa Rica.

When potential expats research Costa Rica, the benefits often heavily outweigh any perceived drawbacks.

Costa Rica is a country where the older generation is treated with respect by custom. And things like head-of-line privileges at banks and government offices are inscribed in the law. But there is also a government program available to those age 65 or older that gives discounts on a variety of products and services

"Being 'Viejo' or old is a rite of passage, a badge of honor in Costa Rica," says Kathleen Evans, IL Costa Rica Correspondent. "And you will see simple things like seniors going to the front of the line—any line, enjoying special early shopping hours, free bus rides, and the Ciudando de Oro or Golden Citizen card."

The Ciudando de Oro offers discounts from two to 20% from over-the-counter medications to groceries, and eyeglasses to clothing. You have to be 65+ and have to be resident to qualify.

"Even without residence, some expat community's restaurants will offer a local night cash discount where food and drinks can be as much as 25% off regular prices," says Evans.

Costa Rica is also home to the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (or simply known as the Caja), the country's national healthcare system, which has been cited as a successful model for Latin America.

"Once you have been approved for residence in Costa Rica, you pay a percentage (typically seven to 11%) of your reported monthly income into the system and then you have access to public healthcare without a co-pay, age restrictions, or denial for pre-existing conditions," says Kathleen.

"If you choose to self-insure out-of-pocket—to simply pay for any needed treatment—this typically saves anywhere from 15% to 80% when compared to the same medical procedure in the U.S. at private hospitals."

# 2. Ecuador

Ecuador, the Land of Eternal Spring, takes second place in this Benefits and Discounts category of IL's Index with 95 points.

Although Ecuador does not have an incentive program designed specifically for foreign residents, like Panama's pensionado program, it does offer significant benefits to all residents age 65 and older.

Ecuador's constitution guarantees foreign residents the same rights as their citizens, so expats can enjoy the same benefits as locals.

"When I first got to Ecuador I was left frustrated by a lot of older women cutting in line in front of me at banks, grocery stores, and public services office," says Donna Stiteler, IL Ecuador Correspondent. "Then I realized I was entitled to the same treatment. If you're a senior citizen, you can use the much shorter Preferencia line…so you'll have more time to relax and enjoy your retirement in Ecuador.

"As a resident in Ecuador, the government offers a variety of benefits including 50% off public and private transportation within the country, 50% off tickets for all cultural and sporting events, including movies, a discount on electric and water bills and a reduction in a variety of taxes, including a refund of your 12% IVA (value-added) tax up to $92.64 per month."

The best of the benefits for most expats in this category are discounted rates on international and domestic airline tickets.

"You can also get a discount of 50% off airfare (not including airport fees, fuel surcharges, tax, etc.) for international travel on some airlines," says Stiteler. "I never thought turning 65 would be so profitable."

For foreign residents traveling to the U.K., Canada, or the West Coast of the U.S., savings can amount to thousands of dollars a year. To take advantage of the discount, international flights must originate in, and return to, Ecuador.

# 1. Panama (Winner)

Panama claims top ranking in the Benefits and Discounts category, scoring 96 points out of 100, in International Living's 2021 Annual Global Retirement Index.

Panama's Pensionado Program is designed specifically to attract foreign retirees. The requirements are intended to ensure that members are able to live well here, rather than just eke out an existence. That's why being a resident pensionado in Panama also grants you access to a long list of government-mandated discounts. These have been in place for decades, helping locals and foreign residents on fixed incomes live their lives with dignity, as active members of society.

Retirees in Panama get 50% off entertainment, such as movies, theaters, concerts, and sporting events. Hotel stays, restaurant meals, and transportation—bus, boat, train, and some airline fares—are also 25% to 50% cheaper when you're a retiree resident. It's an important reason why, in Panama, you see people of all ages dining out, going dancing, attending shows, exploring the country, and partying together.

Pensionados often have their own lines at banks and government offices. Even if there isn't a dedicated line, staff and customers alike tend to wave retirees forward. There's a certain level of respect and inclusion—two markers of a happy, healthy society.

"When my wife, Abbe, and I looked to retire overseas a few years ago, I found that Panama's excellent Pensionado Visa or Retirement Program was a great way to stretch my Social Security pension," says IL contributor Jim Gault. "We have used the hotel discount several times, recently staying two nights for the price of one at an exotic beach resort."

While the pensionado discounts don't cover every aspect of life, they cover the most important ones. Medical savings include 15% off hospital bills, 20% off prescription medicines, 20% off medical consultations, and 15% off dental and eye exams. Jim and Abbe have saved money on everything from ophthalmologist and orthopedic specialists to lab tests, digital X-rays, a yearly mammogram and an open MRI.

"When I had a cardiac event and had to have a small stent placed into the right side of my heart, the doctor, hospital, and insurance experience were all exceptional. I believe I had a much different and better experience than I would have had in the U.S.—and at a fraction of the cost," Jim adds. "The doctors in Panama give you their cellphone and WhatsApp number. You can contact them and they will usually respond very quickly. Does that happen where you are from?"

All the things that really matter are discounted so retirees can maintain their pre-retirement lifestyles. And the rest is incredibly affordable—from property taxes and car insurance to tooth fillings and hired help. That's pretty amazing, when you consider everything Panama has to offer. Where else in the world is this warm, safe, modern, and accessible…while also offering a truly cosmopolitan capital, cool mountain town, pristine beaches and islands…all outside the hurricane belt? Very few places can even come close to providing this kind of value.

Dubai Airport Sees Passenger Traffic Drop 70% Amid Pandemic

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Dubai International Airport saw the coronavirus pandemic push passenger traffic down by an unprecedented 70% in 2020 compared to the previous year, its CEO announced Monday, even as the airport held onto its prized title as the world’s busiest for international travel.

While the key east-west transit point started to see an uptick in traffic after long-haul carrier Emirates resumed its routes last summer, the airport’s 2020 passenger load of 25.9 million is still a trickle compared to 2019. Airlines slashed their schedules and flights declined by more than 50%.

For months as the travel industry collapsed worldwide, Dubai’s massive airport, which saw 86.4 million passengers in 2019, became a ghost-town of shuttered shops. One of its two main terminals shut down.

“It was very, very dramatic,” Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, told The Associated Press. “And of course, we had to respond in a very dramatic way to keep our liquidity.”

The airport slashed its workforce from 8,000 to 3,000, Griffiths said, with front-line service and maintenance staff taking the biggest hit.

But recovery gained momentum in December as the city promoted itself as a pandemic-friendly vacation spot for tourists fleeing tough restrictions back home. In December alone, passenger volumes surpassed industry expectations at 2.19 million, the airport said. Israelis flocked to the United Arab Emirates after a breakthrough normalization deal and lockdown-weary travelers poured in to celebrate the holidays and New Year’s Eve at crowded bars and luxury hotels.

Underpinning Dubai’s reopening since last July has been an aggressive coronavirus testing campaign, with visitors welcome from anywhere as long as they get tested on arrival and in many cases before departure.

Now, Griffiths said, the airport is betting that a swift rollout of coronavirus vaccines will be the “overriding key to getting the world traveling again.” The UAE has launched the world’s second-fastest coronavirus vaccination drive, with over 50 doses administered per 100 residents as of Monday.

To spur international tourism in the coming months, Griffiths envisions travel corridors or “bubbles” between states with the fastest inoculation campaigns, such as the UAE, Israel and Britain, allowing travelers from those countries to freely visit.

“Once we get to a point where every country feels like it’s got a significant number of people vaccinated, then confidence in travel will re-emerge,” he said.

Despite signs of life, and vaccines offering a glimmer of hope, the industry’s outlook remains uncertain. Although overall demand is expected to rise this year, airlines are showing caution on international routes. Wide-body jets used for long-haul flights, like Emirates’ iconic fleet of double-decker Airbus A380s, stand idle. Satellite images show dozens of A380s parked at Dubai World Central, the Gulf city’s second airport that went out of use for commercial flights during the pandemic.

Vaccination campaigns have sputtered worldwide and concerns have risen over more transmissible virus variants. Changing quarantine requirements across the world have thrown itineraries into disarray, at times stranding travelers overseas.

Meanwhile, the UAE is struggling with a major surge in coronavirus cases, prompting countries to halt flights to Dubai and the city’s government to impose new restrictions on entertainment activities. The United Kingdom banned all direct flights to Dubai last month, freezing the world’s busiest international air route and costing the airport hundreds of thousands of passengers monthly, according to Griffiths. London was ranked as the top destination city for Dubai’s airport last year, with 1.15 million customers.

Although Dubai came under criticism for keeping its doors open even as virus variants coursed across the globe, Griffiths rejected “any correlation between airport closures and infection rate,” insisting that “people with a potential for infection have been stopped from entering the country.”

Dubai International Airport first surpassed London Heathrow as the world’s busiest airport for international traffic in 2014. It has retained the crown ever since, with some 90 airlines flying into the commercial entrepot. Heathrow, hit hard by the pandemic, logged just 22.1 million passengers last year and said it was overtaken as Europe’s busiest hub by Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris.

For Dubai, a sheikhdom of skyscrapers in the UAE, the resumption of long-haul air travel is built deeply into its business interest. Emirates remains the linchpin of the wider empire known as “Dubai Inc.,” an interlocking series of businesses owned by the city-state.

Griffiths was reluctant to give a timeline for the airport’s recovery, acknowledging it may be halting.

“Things are going to be tough for a while,” he said. “But I think in the the long term there is cause for optimism, but exactly when the recovery will really gain pace and manifest itself in significant volumes of people wanting to fly again really depends.”

Italy Won’t Open Its Ski Slopes Due To Virus Fears

ROME (AP) — The Italian government on Sunday abruptly delayed opening Italy’s beloved ski season because a coronavirus variant was detected in a good portion of recently infected persons in the country.

Health Minister Roberto Speranza’s ordinance forbidding amateur skiing at least until March 5 effectively kills the hopes of ski lift operators and resort owners that they would be able to salvage part of the season. The ski business is a big source of winter tourism in Italy and the news came on the eve of the expected opening.

A ministry statement noted that analyses of virus samples indicated that a variant first found in Britain is sickening 17.8% of recently infected people in Italy.

France and Germany have adopted similar measures in the ski sector due to the “worry for the spread of this and other variants of the virus,” the statement said.

The ski industry swiftly lamented that they have repeatedly prepared slopes and lifts, only to have been denied permission to open, including just before the year-end holidays.

The day-old government of Premier Mario Draghi promised to quickly compensate the sector for economic losses.

Speranza was also the health minister in the previous government and is advised by a commission of technical and scientific experts about what activities can be safely allowed during efforts to rein in COVID-19 contagion.

Italy, with over 93,000 confirmed virus deaths, has Europe’s second-highest known death toll in the pandemic after Britain.

The president of the Italian Winter Sports Federation, Flavio Roda, slammed the last-minute timing of the decision.

“The (ski) stations have invested a lot to prepare the slopes, hire personnel, get organized with hoteliers. A lot of money was invested and yet again our world is heavily penalized,” he said.

Tourism and leisure travel has suffered in Italy for nearly a year since the COVID-19 outbreak struck the nation. International tourism dried up under the government’s anti-pandemic restrictions on travel from abroad. Travel is currently forbidden between Italy’s regions, except for work, health care or other grave reasons, further damaging the domestic tourism sector.

On Saturday, Speranza signed another ordinance, requiring anyone arriving from Austria, Italy’s neighbor to the north, to be tested for COVID-19 and quarantine themselves after entering Italy. That ordinance cited the circulation in Austria of a variant found in South Africa.

Travelore Update: Mardi Gras Muted In New Orleans By Coronavirus

New Orleans’ annual pre-Lenten Mardi Gras celebration is muted this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Mayor LaToya Cantrell has ordered bars closed during the Mardi Gras weekend that started Friday and runs through Tuesday. The lavish parades are canceled and there are limits on gatherings.

Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is the annual pre-Lenten bash celebrated along much of the Gulf Coast — with the biggest celebration in heavily Catholic New Orleans. Last year’s revelry is considered to have contributed to an early surge that made Louisiana a coronavirus hot spot.

Some locals are making the best of it, decking their houses like parade floats. A giant carton of popcorn, huge lollipops and a Paul Bunyan-sized ice cream cone are among the decorations on one two-story house aptly titled “Snacking in Place.” Motorists can drive by an array of idled floats at New Orleans’ City Park.

Louisiana has registered 9,276 confirmed coronavirus deaths, 16th highest in the U.S.

Northeast Royal Caribbean Cruises Set Stage For New Adventures In 2022-23

Travelers Can Sail the Best Season Yet from Boston and the Big Apple to Canada, Bermuda and the Caribbean

Royal Caribbean International opens a new lineup of 2022-2023 adventures on three award-winning ships – Adventure, Anthem and Voyager of the Seas – cruising from the Big Apple and Boston. Vacationers can set sail into vacation mode on cruises headed north or south for 4 to 11 nights. Whether exploring the island jewels of the southern Caribbean, relishing the famed beaches of Bermuda and The Bahamas, taking a day for thrill and chill at Royal Caribbean’s top-rated private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, or catching the golden hues of fall foliage in New England and the Great White North, guests have their choice of Royal Caribbean’s best season in the Northeast yet.

The new sailings from the Northeast departing from May 2022 to April 2023 are now open for sale. Highlights of the upcoming warm-weather and cooler escapes include:

Adventure of the Seas, packed with onboard thrills like The Perfect Storm trio of waterslides and a variety of dining options including Izumi, will return to Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey to sail a combination of itineraries to Bermuda, the Caribbean and Canada. City-dwellers can opt to recharge in the sun with 5-night Bermuda cruises to enjoy the island’s colorful culture, natural beauty and an evening out in the historic city of Kings Wharf during overnight stays. New for summer 2022, Adventure’s 9-night Eastern Caribbean sailings will bring within reach highly sought-after islands, including St. Maarten, Puerto Rico, Bermuda and Royal Caribbean’s private destination, Labadee, in Haiti. Vacationers looking to venture north for a brisk getaway have the option of 4- and 9-night cruises heading up the east coast to visit memorable ports of call Halifax, Nova Scotia; Saint John, New Brunswick; Boston; Portland and Bar Harbor, Maine.

New York will also see the return of longtime favorite Anthem of the Seas when it arrives from Southampton, England in October 2022. Known for its groundbreaking attractions, from RipCord by iFly skydiving to the North Star observation capsule, next-generation entertainment and world-class dining, Anthem will set out on 7-night cruises to The Bahamas that include full days in Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay. From the tallest waterslide in North America and a signature helium balloon ride that offers the highest vantage point in The Bahamas, to The Bahamas’ first floating cabanas at the island’s exclusive Coco Beach Club, every kind of traveler can find their perfect dose of thrill and chill on Perfect Day at CocoCay. Guests looking for extended time in the tropics can opt for one of Anthem’s 11-night southern Caribbean sailings to iconic isles such as San Juan, Puerto Rico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. John’s, Antigua; Castries, St. Lucia; and Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis.

Rounding out the season, Voyager of the Seas will make her Boston debut touting Royal Caribbean favorites, including Battle for Planet Z laser tag and The Perfect Storm waterslides duo that get hearts pumping with three stories of twists and turns. The thrilling combination of experiences will make for unforgettable family vacations on picturesque cruises showcasing the rugged beauty and rich history of the North Atlantic. In the midst of prime leaf peeping season, the 7-night sailings to Canada will bring guests to charming coastal towns, including Saint John, Halifax, as well as Bar Harbor and Portland. Vacationers looking for an escape to warm waters before winter can chart course for San Juan on a 7-night cruise with stops in the Dominican Republic and St. Thomas as well as a day of memory-making at Perfect Day at CocoCay. Voyager will arrive to the U.S. to start her season in Boston following a 14-night Arctic Crossing from Copenhagen, Denmark, which will bring guests to the wild landscapes of Iceland and Greenland along the way.

About Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean International has been delivering innovation at sea for more than 50 years. Each successive class of ships is an architectural marvel featuring the latest technology and guest experiences for today’s adventurous traveler. The cruise line continues to revolutionize vacations with itineraries to more than 270 destinations in 72 countries on six continents, including Royal Caribbean’s private island destination in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, the first in the Perfect Day Island Collection. Royal Caribbean has also been voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 18 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers’ Choice Awards.

Royal Caribbean International is applying the recommendations of its Healthy Sail Panel of public health and scientific experts to provide a safer and healthier cruise vacation on all of its sailings. Health and safety protocols, regional travel restrictions and clearance to visit ports of call, are subject to change based on ongoing evaluation, public health standards, and government requirements. U.S. cruises and guests: For more information on the latest health and travel alerts, U.S. government travel advisories, please visit www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/itinerary-updates or consult travel advisories, warnings or recommendations relating to cruise travel on applicable government websites.

For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers can call their travel advisor; visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.

Germany To Reinstate Border Controls Over Virus Variant

BERLIN (AP) — The German government decided Thursday to temporarily reinstate border controls along its southeastern frontier after designating the Czech Republic and parts of Austria as “mutation areas” due to their high number of variant coronavirus cases, German news agency dpa reported.

The temporary border controls and certain entry restrictions will start Sunday at midnight, dpa reported.

Travelers coming from certain areas of Austria or the Czech Republic will have to provide proof of a negative coronavirus test in order to enter Germany, a requirement that will present a hurdle for thousands of cross-border workers.

It was not clear for how long the border controls would last.

Bavaria Governor Markus Soeder, whose state borders both Austria and the Czech Republic, said earlier Thursday that if the federal government designated the Czech Republic and Austria’s Tyrol region as mutation areas, Bavaria would request permission to erect border posts where travelers who don’t present a negative COVID-19 test would be turned away.

Soeder said all the regions of Bavaria with high coronavirus infection rates, except for one, are located on the German-Czech border.
He praised measures taken by the Czech Republic to contain the spread of virus variants and criticized authorities in Tyrol, saying they appeared not to be taking the issue seriously.
Chancellor Angela Merkel and the governors of Germany’s 16 states agreed late Wednesday to extend the country’s current pandemic lockdown until at least March 7, in part due to fears over more contagious variants.

Schools and hairdressers will be able to open earlier, albeit with strict hygiene measures.

In a speech to Parliament on Thursday, Merkel defended her government’s decision to set a lower infection target for easing the lockdown further: a number of new weekly cases per 100,000 inhabitants below 35.

“The virus doesn’t follow dates, the virus follows infections numbers,” she told lawmakers.

Germany’s disease control agency said there were just over 64 cases per 100,000 inhabitants nationwide in the past week, down from over 200 before Christmas.

The Robert Koch Institute on Thursday added 10,237 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and 666 deaths to Germany’s totals, bringing the country’s overall case count since the start of the pandemic to 2.31 million and the death toll to 63,635.

Disney Springs® Resort Area Hotels Offering Magical Family Getaways With Exceptional Savings On Hotel Stays & Walt Disney World Theme Park Tickets Now until June 18, 2021

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL – No one creates a magical family vacation experience like the Disney Springs Resorts Area Hotels in the Walt Disney World® Resort, and now is the perfect time to book that long-awaited escape with exceptional rates for stays in your choice of six Disney Springs® Resort Area Hotels. With rates starting as low as $76 per night*, a stay at any of these hotels has the added benefit of a complimentary bus shuttle to all Walt Disney World® Theme Parks (check individual hotels for bus information), plus a “Passport to Savings” booklet featuring discounts and specials from Disney Springs® merchants on entertainment, shopping and dining, and advance tee times and discounts at all Walt Disney World® golf courses. Make your Disney Springs Resorts Area Hotels room reservation at https://disneyspringshotels.com/magic21/.

With all that the Walt Disney World® theme parks and Disney Springs® has to offer, the decision is easy to plan your stay at one of the six Disney Springs® Resort Area Hotels. Situated on Walt Disney World Resort property, all six hotels are ideally located within easy walking distance to Disney Springs®, which now features more than 150 retail, dining and entertainment establishments. This includes exceptional dining options -- ranging from casual fare to extraordinary restaurants by renowned James Beard Award-winning chefs – as well as outstanding shopping, unique attractions, and numerous choices to enjoy outdoor entertainment. Among the new offerings at Disney Springs® are Gideon’s Bake House, Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brews, M&M’s Store, Rustic Cuff new pop-up location, and Fit 2 Run is back in a new location.

In addition to their convenient location and exceptional values starting at only $76 per night*, the six Disney Springs® Resort Area Hotels are known for their first-class facilities and on-site amenities. Additional benefits of staying at one of the six hotels include the ability to purchase Disney Theme Park Tickets at the hotels’ website, www.disneyspringshotels.com and at their Guest Service’s Desk.

2021 Florida Resident Discover Disney Ticket Offers include a 4-Day Ticket for only $199 + tax (only $50/day), OR a 3-Day Ticket for only $179 + tax, OR a 2-Day Ticket for only $149 + tax. Both a Theme Park reservation via the Disney Park Pass system and valid admission for the same park, on the same date, are required for each person, ages 3 and up. Reservations are limited and subject to availability. Create the perfect Disney Theme Park experience today! Purchase tickets at https://disneyspringshotels.com/magic21/.

For families that like to enjoy multiple theme parks, Park Hopper® is available, allowing the guest to visit more than one park per day. Guests must make a Theme Park reservation via the Disney Park Pass reservation system for the first park they plan to visit. Guests will be able to visit a second park starting at 2 pm, subject to the park’s capacity limitations.

To take advantage of these Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels’ special rates, book your stay now through March 28, 2021 for travel between now and June 18, 2021. These special rates are:

· B Resort & Spa – room rates from $79 per night;

· DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando – room rates from $78 per night;

· Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace – room rates from $109 per night (promo code V2);

· Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista – room rates from $89 per night (promo code V2);

· Holiday Inn Orlando - Disney Springs Area – room rates from $79 per night;

· Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista – room rates from $76 per night.

For more information on the special hotel rates, or to make a reservation, https://disneyspringshotels.com/magic21/. Some blackout dates may apply, and availability may be limited. Resort fees, taxes, gratuities and daily parking, if applicable, are not included in above rates. This room rate offer is not valid with any other offer or promotion, or on existing reservations, or for groups.

Discover exciting new offerings as well as the classic favorites at Walt Disney World® Resort. For a quick glimpse at what you’ll enjoy at the Magic Kingdom®Park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios®, Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park, or Epcot® visit here: https://disneyspringshotels.com/magic21/.

Theme Park Highlights:

· Magic Kingdom® Park – Enjoy whimsical Character Cavalcades throughout the day, with some favorite Disney friends appearing along the parade route. Explore your favorite iconic attractions including the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Pirates of the Caribbean and “It’s a Small World”.

· Disney’s Hollywood Studios® -- The whole family will love Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway – a new adventure! Plus, you can take an adventure in a galaxy far, far away at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge; or the very popular Toy Story Land with Slinky Dog Dash and Alien Swirling Saucers.

· Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park – Celebrate the magic of nature at Pandora – The World of Avatar where you can fly on the back of banshee, hike amid floating mountains or take a mystical boat into a bioluminescent rainforest! You will explore a lush African savanna on Kilimanjaro Safaris and have a quacking good time with Donald Duck, Daisy Duck and Launchhpad McQuack on Donald’s Dino Boat Bash!

· EPCOT® -- Celebrate the arts and savor culinary creations at the Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, Jan 8 – Feb 22, 2021. Enjoy a hang-gliding adventure across the globe, or board an ancient Norwegian vessel and be whisked away to the kingdom of Arendelle! Plus, the Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival is only a month away, debuting March 3 and continuing through July 5. This annual family favorite includes gorgeous topiaries of Disney characters, 20 stunning garden areas throughout the park, more than 20 outdoor kitchens featuring specialty cuisine and libations, live music daily and more.

*Room rates are based on availability and do not include applicable taxes and fees. Some blackout dates may apply and availability may be limited. Daily parking fee, (if applicable), and gratuities are not included. This offer is not valid with any other special offers, promotions, reservations, or for groups.

Ticket Sales Launch For Philadelphia's $60-Million Faith And Liberty Discovery Center, Opening May 1

PHILADELPHIA – Ticket sales are now live for Faith and Liberty Discovery Center, a $60-million attraction opening May 1 on Philadelphia's Independence Mall. Designed to highlight the relationship between faith and freedom in America from the country's founding through today, the Center will deliver an immersive, personal, and highly interactive experience facilitated by technology never before used in the museum environment.

Geared to people of all faiths and no faith, the Center will feature six distinct galleries that explore the common values among three historic documents: The Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bible. Each gallery—based individually on faith, liberty, justice, hope, unity, and love—will offer outsized media experiences, guiding the visitor to explore using an interactive lamp with which they can collect and save information, downloading it to personal devices. A virtual museum shop will allow visitors to design their own souvenirs to be delivered to their homes afterwards.

"Events over the past year have led to a great deal of individual and collective soul searching, making the Faith and Liberty Discovery Center's subject matter especially relevant and significant today," says Patrick Murdock, executive director. "Philadelphia visitors see quotes from Scripture on everything from the Liberty Bell to the city's historic buildings. At the Center, they'll find the missing piece to the story of America's founding delivered in a creative, engaging, and entertaining way."

Advance tickets are available now at tickets.faithandliberty.org. Ticket prices are $10 for adults 21-64; $9 for those 65+ as well as college students, military, police, and fire department members (with ID); and $8 for youth ages 7-17. Admission is free for children ages 6 and under and for active-duty military members. Active military tickets must be obtained in person (no online option).

The Center's immersive experience is being designed by the award-winning design studio Local Projects, which spearheaded the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and ranks among the nation's most innovative experience studios that bring history to life. Zenith Systems is articulating the design through cutting-edge technology that will bring to life the interactive galleries, a 3D theater, and an education center.

Guests will be able to continue their experience even after they leave the Center using the Faith and Liberty Trail app, which will connect several historic, civic, and religious sites in Old City Philadelphia. It will guide people down cobblestone streets and alleys allowing them to experience landmarks of faith and liberty for themselves.

About the Faith & Liberty Discovery Center

The Faith & Liberty Discovery Center explores the relationship between faith and freedom in America from its founding through today, illuminating the influence of the Bible on individuals in key historical and personal moments. Among America's essential founding documents, the Bible is a significant cultural force that has inspired, influenced, and informed American ideals of liberty that continue to shape our national identity as a free people. The Faith and Liberty Discovery Center is a member of a Global Philadelphia Association, a non-profit group that assists and encourages greater interaction among the many international organizations that are based in Philadelphia. It has been featured in Philadelphia's groundbreaking citywide innovation festival, B PHL. Learn more at www.faithandliberty.org.

The Buccaneer, A Legendary Caribbean Resort, Offers Warm Welcome To U.S. Citizens

Legendary Caribbean Resort Offers Warm Welcome to U.S. Citizens

A Visit to The Buccaneer on St. Croix Doesn’t Require a Passport for Entry or COVID Testing to Return to the Mainland

Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands – If you believe in signs, just take a look around. You’ll quickly deduce that it’s time to plan a visit to The Buccaneer, the historic resort on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Here’s the most recent evidence:

That silly groundhog emerged in Pennsylvania on February 2 and predicted six more weeks of winter. (Fun fact: There are no groundhogs anywhere on St. Croix. Also, no winter weather. Hmmm ...) Speaking of winter weather, a massive winter storm impacted millions living along the Eastern Seaboard last week. That part of the country is still trying to warm up ... but there’s more snow expected this week.

Tampa Bay’s football team – the Buccaneers – won that big football game yesterday, making “Buccaneer” a word you’re hearing a lot right now. Presidents’ Day will be celebrated next week -- on February 15 – and President Joe Biden has been known to enjoy a relaxing vacation on St. Croix ... including time spent at The Buccaneer resort.

All signs are pointing to The Buccaneer, the oldest family-run resort in the entire Caribbean. And here’s some great news: The resort is offering a warm welcome (literally ... at this time of year it’s always about 82 degrees and sunny) to visitors from throughout the United States. As always, U.S. residents don’t need a passport to visit St. Croix, “America’s Paradise,” but in our current travel environment, they also don’t need to take a COVID test before returning from a vacation to the island. Unlike most other Caribbean destinations, which fall under new COVID-19 travel requirements issued by the Centers for Disease Control, St. Croix is part of a U.S. territory and therefore considered domestic travel.

Visitors must submit an approved negative COVID test result and get cleared to travel to the USVI prior to arrival on St. Croix, but no test result is required by the CDC for visitors to return to the U.S. mainland. All visitors do, however, need to abide by their own state’s regulations regarding return from any sort of travel.

In short, all visitors age 5 and older must go to www.USVItravelportal.com to receive certification before traveling to St. Croix. But once they get to the island, they can let so many cares just float away in the soothing waters of the Caribbean Sea and the gentle breezes that make all those palm trees sway.

The island has enjoyed a consistently low rate of COVID cases, due in great part to the ongoing commitment of government officials and residents to keep St. Croix as healthy as possible. Crucians are traditionally a health-conscious bunch, enjoying their island’s abundant sun and pleasant climate as they embark on all manner of outdoor adventures, from hiking to snorkeling. There’s been a mask mandate in place on St. Croix since the earliest days of the pandemic and dining outdoors has always been part of island life. In short, Crucians are certainly aware that we’re in the clutches of a global health issue, but they’ve also discovered that life on their island hasn’t had to adjust as much as it has in most of the rest of the world. That means that visitors can still enjoy a full vacation here, keeping in mind that there are capacity restrictions in place and nobody can just walk up to a bar and order a drink these days. But otherwise, a vacation on St. Croix today looks a lot like it has since 1947, when The Buccaneer first opened its doors to hotel guests.

The resort has modified its operations to account for new health and safety measures – the kids’ club and weekly nature to tours aren’t available right now, for example – but its restaurants are open (and by open, we mean open-air!), as are the golf and tennis clubs. The spa is now offering beachfront massages rather than indoor treatments, and the recreation department has developed entirely new ways to provide the free water-sport equipment guests enjoy so much. Fully sanitized snorkeling gear is delivered to guest rooms before check-in, eliminating the need for any personal contact.

Local captains, who take hotel guests out to Buck Island Reef for popular snorkeling excursions, have reduced the number of people on their boats and use enhanced sanitizing measures on all equipment. To explore the world-famous reef, guests simply swap out their cloth mask for a fully sanitized glass one before enjoying the peace and solitude of one of America’s most fascinating national monuments ... because it’s underwater!

For those who are eager to get out and travel safely right now, The Buccaneer is ready and currently taking reservations. And for those who’d prefer to dream a little while longer before taking a trip to the tropics, the resort is offering discounts of 10 to 15% off all room categories for travel between April 16 and December 19, 2021.

And how about all those couples who had to adjust wedding plans due to COVID-19? They deserve a do-over, right? Or maybe an “I Do”-over? The Buccaneer has long specialized in destination weddings, and it’s seeing an increase in demand for small ceremonies. For those romantics who haven’t planned a wedding because they haven’t yet declared their intentions, The Buccaneer also offers a “Pop the Question” package so a pair can get engaged in a setting that’s as stunning as it is socially distanced.

For more information about The Buccaneer, please visit www.thebuccaneer.com. For more details about the island of St. Croix and the rest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, please check www.usviupdate.com. There’s also a special website to answer questions about travel to and from the territory.

The Buccaneer reminds all potential visitors to do their research and make informed and responsible travel decisions before embarking on a vacation, now or in the future. Please be sure to consult individual local and state requirements when planning travel.

Walt Disney World February 2021 Refurbishments

Disney World frequently updates their attractions, which means that closures are often inevitable. Typically, an attraction refurbishment will not heavily affect your time at Disney Word, but to ensure you face no surprises, it is always good to know which attractions are down while you are visiting the Mouse!

Today, we will take a look at all of the attractions that will be closed for the month of February at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom has quite the list of attractions that will not be available for the month of February.

Walt Disney World Railroad – Frontierland – Temporarily Unavailable Closed for Refurbishment Walt Disney World Railroad – Fantasyland – Temporarily Unavailable Closed for Refurbishment Walt Disney World Railroad – Main Street, U.S.A. – Temporarily Unavailable Closed for Refurbishment

The Walt Disney World Railroad has been closed for quite some time, since December 3, 2018, to be exact. The train is a popular option for Guests to travel around the lands of Magic Kingdom in style, but has yet to reopen. The construction for TRON: Lightcycle / Run overlaps with sections of the railway, so it is likely that the attraction will not open until the coaster’s construction is no longer interfering — this has not, however, been confirmed by Disney.

Disney recently drained the Rivers of America, which caused both the Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island to close. Recently, we reported that Disney was refilling the river and Guests will soon be able to once again travel along the waterway! As of February 5, 2021 both attractions will once again be operational.

The Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover has been closed since before the pandemic shut down the parks! After five delays, the TTA is now set to open in March. That being said, since the attraction’s reopening date has already been pushed back multiple times, I personally am not holding my breath for a timely opening of the attraction.

The Hall of Presidents is currently closed as the attraction is adding in the new President Biden animatronic, as the United States is now under a new administration. The attraction closed down the day of the Inauguration, and will remain closed throughout the month of February.

Mad Tea Party will be closed as of February 20, 2021, so if you were planning on spinning your way out of February, think again!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s list only includes one attraction under refurbishment for the month of February.

It is important to note that this attraction closes down every year for routine maintenance and refurbishment. It is likely that once the ride reopens to Guests, that it will be the same soaker of an attraction that is perfect for those hot days at Walt Disney World. Currently, Kali River Rapids is set to reopen on April 2, 2021. That being said, Disney’s refurbishment schedule is subject to change

EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios do not have any scheduled refurbishments during the month of February, so Guests should be able to ride any attraction their hearts desire!.

Source: https://insidethemagic.net/