Hello there! I’m Vikkie, and I curate a travel website called Travel With Vikkie. The last time some of y’all heard from me was through my travel deals newsletter, You Paid How Much?, which I wrote from 2017 to 2019.
Well, the last time I blogged about travel deals, the world didn’t look like *gestures wildly* this.
I’m proud to be bringing my You Paid How Much? travel deals newsletter back. But traveling isn’t as easy as simply hopping on a jet. International travel takes much more planning now, and for some, careful contemplation about whether to travel at all.
So, in addition to flight information, each deal will also include vaccination/booster information, entry requirements and a breakdown of the COVID-19 situation in the country. With those logistics out of the way, let’s get into the deals!
Feel free to shoot me a line at vikkie@travelwithvikkie.com or on Twitter @vikkie if you’d like to see more of a location. I do listen to suggestions, and I love your emails!
Note: Prices are accurate at the time of publication. Flight prices fluctuate daily, so act fast and soon.
✈️Deal of the day✈️ Washington-Dulles to Mauritius for $939 round-trip (November/Thanksgiving 2022 dates)
Entry requirements: Vaccinated travelers need to show a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure, purchase travel insurance, fill out a health form, and take another COVID-19 test upon arrival at your hotel.
When you’re there: Social distancing and face masks are mandatory while in public.
COVID situation: More than 71,000 positive COVID-19 cases and nearly 800 fatalities. 75% of Mauritians are fully vaccinated.
Logistics: Flights are on Turkish Airways. Both legs include long layovers in Istanbul, which requires passengers to show proof that they were fully vaccinated at least 14 days before arrival to avoid needing to show a COVID-19 test if you plan to explore the city. A PCR test is required for travelers 12 and older who don’t show proof of vaccination.
Where to stay: Holiday Inn Mauritius (Budget), InterContinential Resort Mauritius (Affordable), Shangri-La Le Touessrok, Mauritius (Splurge)
New York to Bogota, Colombia, for $195 round-trip (Spring 2022 dates)
Entry requirements: Vaccinated foreigners must show proof of being vaccinated at least 14 days before traveling to Colombia. Travelers also need to fill out Migración Colombia’s online health form within 72 hours before arrival.
When you’re there: Face masks are required indoors.
COVID situation: More than 6 million positive cases and 139,000 fatalities. 66% of Colombians are fully vaccinated.
Logistics: Flights are on United’s basic economy, so you’ll have to pay extra to check a bag.
Where to stay: Hilton Bogota (Budget), W Bogota (Affordable), Four Seasons Hotel Casa Medina Bogota (Splurge)
Chicago to Paris for $369 round-trip (Fall 2022 dates)
Entry requirements: France now requires travelers 18 + to receive a booster shot no later than 9 months after the second dose (or single dose for J&J) to be considered “fully vaccinated” to enter. Unvaccinated and not fully vaccinated travelers must have a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure or a negative antigen test taken within 48 hours.
When you’re there: You will also need to turn your CDC vaccine card into a French pass sanitaire to get into bars and restaurants. You can do this at pharmacies in France, and it costs about $44. Masks are no longer required indoors in locations where the vaccination pass is required but are mandatory in indoor areas where the vaccination pass is not required.
COVID situation: More than 22 million positive cases and 139,000 fatalities. 78% of French are fully vaccinated.
Logistics: Flights are on Icelandair, which is a low-cost carrier. You will have to pay extra to check bags and pick your seat.
Where to stay: AC Hotel by Marriott Paris Porte Maillot (Budget), Hyatt Paris Madeleine (Affordable), Mandarin Oriental Paris (Splurge)
Atlanta to Malta for $544 round-trip (Spring 2022 dates)
Entry requirements: Travelers from red countries (including the U.S.) must submit their passenger locator form, provide the QR code at check-in/on arrival, and show proof of vaccination.
When you’re there: Masks aren’t required in public places and are only mandatory inside and at mass events starting March 14.
COVID situation: 71,000 positive cases and 600 fatalities. 92% of Maltese are fully vaccinated.
Logistics: Flights are on Turkish Airways. You must show proof of being vaccinated to avoid needing to show a COVID-19 test if you plan to book a leg with a long layover to explore the city. A PCR test is required for travelers 12 and older who don’t show proof of vaccination.
Where to stay: Mercure St. Julian’s Malta (Budget), Hyatt Regency Malta (Affordable), Hilton Malta (Splurge)
Los Angeles to Dubai for $627 round-trip (Spring 2022 dates)
Entry requirements: Fully vaccinated travelers don’t have to show proof of a negative PCR test anymore. A printed or digital proof of vaccination is accepted.
When you’re there: Face masks are no longer required to be worn outside.
COVID situation: 879,000 positive cases and 2,300 fatalities. 97% of Emiratis are fully vaccinated.
Logistics: Flights are on two Star Alliance airlines, Lufthansa and Swiss.
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Culture Village (Budget), St. Regis Dubai, The Palm (Affordable), Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah (Splurge)