Beating summer travel chaos

Hey, it's Nikki, and as we head into a holiday weekend here in the US, I've got some travel tips for all our readers [View in browser]( [Bloomberg]( Hello again, so soon! Travel editor [Nikki Ekstein]( here. I feel like I’ve only just recovered from a busy spring travel season—and yet here we are, kicking off three months of back-to-back adventures also known as summer. If you’re based in the US and heading out of town this upcoming Memorial Day holiday, you’re not alone. Data from Hopper shows that 17 million passengers are expected to transit through US airports in the next three days. Driving instead? You’re already late. According to historical trends analyzed by AAA, beating the traffic on Memorial Day typically means leaving on Thursday before 1 p.m. or 12-noon on Friday—some 37 million Americans are predicted to take road trips this weekend. Get the timing right on your return trip by driving before 10 a.m. on Monday or after 6 p.m. on Tuesday. (At least this year gas isn’t $5 per gallon.) If you feel like everyone you know is heading to Italy this summer, it’s because they pretty much are. Source: Reschio I’ll never forget the excitement and anticipation that I would feel as a kid growing up in Florida, knowing that a vacation was on the horizon. Counting down the days, imagining the thrill of an airplane or road trip, dreaming of ice cream and seashells and maybe, just maybe, swimming with dolphins. (For all my incessant pleading, I never got to ride on fin-back.) I still feel that now, though I also know that the secret to a great vacation—especially these days, and [moreso with kids in tow](—is to set detailed and realistic expectations. That doesn’t mean tamping down your excitement; it means anticipating roadblocks and being prepared to not let them get in your way. If your summer involves a Disney theme park, here’s a fun read first. Illustration: Tiago Majuelos With that in mind, here are the two main contingencies that I’m accounting for this summer: Busy airports. We’ll officially be [exceeding pre-pandemic levels of travel]( this summer. But there are still staffing shortages, including both luggage handlers and pilots, and airlines can’t seem to get enough airplanes online to meet demand. The combo means planes are very full and security lines are painfully long. Leave time for chaos to ensue—even if you have TSA PreCheck or Clear access, which have equally been [plagued with long lines](. And pack so that you’re [minimizing checked luggage,]( accounting for the possibility of a lost bag, and still keeping things simple at the TSA checkpoint. And if you need a new suitcase—a jammed wheel on mine recently had me tearing out my hair!—here’s the five best new carry-ons, plus one bag to check for when you can’t bring it all on the plane. Photographer: Janelle Jones for Bloomberg Businessweek Across the US, there has been a [slew of major airport enhancements](—here in the New York area, for instance, both LaGuardia and Newark have gotten serious overhauls. You’ll also find that LAX, Chicago’s O’Hare and Orlando’s MCO all feel brand-new this year. That will make for some pleasant surprises where food options are concerned, but it can also change the way you navigate formerly familiar terminals. Doing a little digital scouting (or as we journalists call it, “pre-reporting”) can stave off stress. In anticipation of an upcoming flight out of Newark’s Terminal A, for instance, I discovered that there is currently no lounge access. (Several are under construction.) Instead of relying on that, I’ll plan ahead and pack extra snacks, or bring a light blanket so my kids can spread out near the gate. It’s a minor adjustment that averts disappointment. The new LaGuardia, not the one you know and hate. Source: Rank Studios/Queens Museum Delayed flights. In the US, the FAA has learned from last year’s summer nightmares and encouraged certain overwhelmed airports, like those in New York, [to reduce operations](. It’s a way to get ahead of cascading delays. (If you’ve been reading about how President Joe Biden wants [airlines to compensate passengers](, don’t get excited just yet; the proposal is in extremely early stages.) That means you’ll still want a backup plan for delays big and small. Download offline entertainment and pack an extension cord, or even a surge protector (you’ll be a hero to fellow plug-seeking passengers). Shark Tank’s [Barbara Corcoran like to bring a Scrabble board]( everywhere she goes; a deck of cards does the trick, too. And bring snacks that can double as meals. I like a bag of Thai Chili & Lime cashews from Trader Joe’s, apple slices and a pre-cut block of cheese (Jasper Hills Clothbound Cabot cheddar or Midnight Moon are my just-fancy-enough go-to’s). Obviously you’re not on a desert island at an airport, but eating stuff I’ve packed is often healthier, saves money and also makes me feel in control of an otherwise spiraling situation. Connect with Nikki on [Twitter](, [Instagram]( or [via e-mail](mailto:nekstein@bloomberg.net?subject=I%20read%20your%20newsletter) Need inspiration? Here’s a few pieces from our summer travel special in Bloomberg Businessweek, plus a couple others to get you on your way. [Walking Town to Town Is a Magical Way to Travel]( It’s the ultimate definition of slow, sustainable travel—and even possible in the US. [Tired of the Hamptons? Try the Jersey Shore]( No, really! It’s a transformed destination, with billions in recent investment. [Mallorca Is Becoming a ‘If You Know, You Know’ Luxury Hideaway]( Everyone is going to Sicily to live out their White Lotus fantasies. But for a future season of Mike White’s social satire, Spain’s Mediterranean retreat has a lot to recommend.  [What Can a Sustainable Paradise Look Like? Cancun Has an Answer]( A year ago I took my family to Kanai, the most glamorous eco-friendly new destination in Mexico. You should consider it, too. [Indigenous Tourism Provides Unique Adventures]( From national parks to California road trips, there are more ways than ever to see the US with the help of Indigenous guides. It’s expensive out there… I can’t tell you how many text messages I get from friends every week asking me why they can’t find a decent hotel within driving distance of New York City for under $1,000 a night. Prices are out of control! So here’s my advice: If you can’t escape inflated costs, splurge strategically and rein in your budget wherever else possible. Think of it as the travel equivalent of high-low dressing. That’s why if I’m looking to go to Upstate New York, I’d pick a place like [Wildflower Farms](, the new Auberge resort in Gardiner, over a beloved and more wallet-friendly spot like [Scribner’s Inn]( in nearby Hunter. The simple but stylish rooms at Scribner’s. Source: Scribner's Catskill Lodge Let me be clear: Scribner’s is fantastic. But if I’m going to spend $600 and up a night, which is what they are charging this summer, I want a premium experience. At Wildflower, rates start at $1,000 and they include a kids’ club, all of their food and a knockout pool where I can spend every single day. There are enough activities on site to spare me many hours of itinerary planning. (Time is money! And the ultimate luxury.) Plus, a $200 resort credit on a lot of their summer reservations would feel like a great excuse to go to the spa. I’d rather be here. Source: Auberge Resorts Collection That’s also why I’m staying at the [Four Seasons in Orlando]( on our upcoming Disney trip. I know I could spend less at, say, the Disney All-Star resorts that I used to frequent once upon a time, but kids eat free at Four Seasons, like they do at Wildflower Farms, and there’s a giant lazy river which will be pure decadence for the grown-ups while keeping the princess-obsessed little one out of the souvenir shops every afternoon. Maybe it will pay for itself. (It won’t, but it’ll buy me sanity and relaxation, and that is priceless.) As for where I’ll save? I’m fully skipping restaurants except at dinner, and embracing quick-service amusement park eats. After all, did you really go to Disney if you didn’t get a jumbo turkey leg? On that note, here are some recent stories to save you time and money when traveling. [How to Fly to the Hamptons for $1 This Summer]( [How to Pick the Best Hotel Loyalty Program for You]( [Google Wants You to Never Overpay for a Flight Again]( [Where to Travel in Europe While the US Dollar Is Strong]( [Seven Money-Saving Tips to Beat Travel Inflation This Summer and Beyond]( What else is on my radar. Mountain magic. I realize we’ve all got summer on the brain, but I recently came across the culinary tome [Alpine Cooking by Meredith Erickson]( and got the world’s biggest yearning to plan a ski trip to [the Dolomites](. Recipes from legendary spots bring me back to very fond personal memories, like a paccheri pasta with basil and tomato from Da Vittorio in St. Moritz, and fonduta from the excellent restaurant La Siriola at Ciasa Salares in the Italian Alps. Outdoor entertaining. It’s been a few years since the smokeless fire pits by Solo Stove took hold as a backyard necessity, but now the company is adding all sorts of cool add-ons that make it a real entertaining powerhouse. I’m eyeing the [Pi Fire pizza oven attachment](, which uses the fire pit’s flames to char 16-inch pies. New travel booking tools. Kayak is on an innovation trail, and I’m here for it. Last week, it debuted a [“Vacay Valuator” tool]( that helps you visualize your day-to-day discretionary spending and what it’d take to get you traveling. (Nix that daily Starbucks for a few weeks? London to Milan here we come!) The calculator can stack up a large range of expenses you may be willing to temporarily forgo; then it runs a flight search with the ensuing budget. A few days later the company announced yet another nifty feature: Tell it where you want to go and where you’re departing from, and it’ll give you an optimized recommendation [for when to plan that trip]( according to price and seasonality. So smart.  So, you had some questions? Here are some answers! Slide into [our DMs]( or [e-mail AskPursuits@bloomberg.net](mailto:askpursuits@bloomberg.net?subject=I%20have%20a%20question) with any luxury lifestyle question you might have. What will it take to make Americans want to come back to India again? This question hit me, @i_nikhil_kumaran_s_g, since India is truly one of my all-time favorite places. Its dizzying kaleidoscope of sensory delight that is never far from mind. But the country has struggled to bounce back from the pandemic, tourism-wise. I haven’t seen clear analysis on this, but my theory is that India feels precarious to those Covid-hungover travelers weary of densely crowded [urban places](. Uttar Pradesh’s capital of Lucknow, famed for its fine needlecraft of chikankari, made our annual Where to Go list in 2021, and the recommendation still stands today. Photographer: Ditte Isager/Edge Reps The good news is that hoteliers I’ve spoken to, such as executives from major brands like Shangri-La and Marriott, are consistently reporting a real uptick in American demand, adding that bookings are pacing well for the upcoming season. There’s reason to feel optimistic. And if the rest of you readers need convincing, here are a few wonderful pieces that illustrate the unparalleled diversity of experiences India has to offer, from the burgeoning [culinary movement in mystical Ladakh](, to spectacular [shopping in Mumbai](, and the meditative [mountain landscapes of Kashmir](. What’s the best place to travel from the northeast US with toddlers? After my last newsletter, [which was all about family trave](l, I feel like I’m getting a reputation. Happy to help! Between 1.5 and 2.5 years old, kids are in their most difficult travel period. They’re mobile, yet unable to articulate their needs—in other words, squirmy and tantrummy. It’s hard. (As it sounds like you may know all too well already, @kerb_your_enthusiasm.) So I’d avoid rocking the boat too hard at that age, opting for short flights within one or two time zones. Think South Florida or the Caribbean. Cliché, I know, but it works. And seek out resorts like [Baha Mar]( or the [Boca Raton](, which have big pool complexes with options that are designed for little ones. Or [Aurora Anguilla](, at which we had a blast last year. These places make it so easy. The Boca Raton is about as easy as it gets. Source: The Boca Raton With older toddlers, you can almost go anywhere! I don’t think there’s such a thing as family-friendly destinations; if families live there, there’s clearly a way to make it work. (And I’m pretty sure families live everywhere.) Just pick activities that your kiddo(s) can get excited about each day and plan to visit playgrounds. It’s a nice way to mingle with locals and get that slice-of-life vibe. (Plus when they tucker out, it’s time to check things off your wish list, whether that’s shopping, a museum or even just a chill lunch.) If I didn’t worry about jet-lagging my new baby, I’d be packing my bags and taking the toddler to Paris to gorge ourselves on [chocolate croissants](. Or to London, to have tea parties and then [sleep in a countryside manor](. Or Portugal, which still [delivers on great value](. One more note: I’m dying to squeeze in a trip to Boston and Cape Cod this summer. The city has a lot going on right now, in terms of fabulous-looking new hotels and restaurants. And who doesn’t love a few days on the Cape, packed with endless lobster rolls and ice cream parlors? Sometimes the answer is right under our noses. Is the Travel Genius podcast coming back? I am so glad you asked, @jehieli.22! [Yes, it is!](We’re in early stages giving the show a post-pandemic makeover. More on that front very, very soon. Just so you know, downloading any of the 28 episodes counts as airport delay preparation :) Illustration by Tomi Um New for subscribers: Free article gifting. Bloomberg.com subscribers can now gift up to five free articles a month to anyone you want. Just look for the "Gift this article" button on stories. (Not a subscriber? Unlock limited access and [sign up here](.) Follow Us Like getting this newsletter? [Subscribe to Bloomberg.com]( for unlimited access to trusted, data-driven journalism and subscriber-only insights. Want to sponsor this newsletter? [Get in touch here](. You received this message because you are subscribed to Bloomberg's Bloomberg Pursuits newsletter. If a friend forwarded you this message, [sign up here]( to get it in your inbox. [Unsubscribe]( [Bloomberg.com]( [Contact Us]( Bloomberg L.P. 731 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022 [Ads Powered By Liveintent]( [Ad Choices](