Curses! Travel Plans Foiled Again!

When it comes to advance travel plans, I just can’t seem to get it right. For the third time in a row, it looks like another bucket list travel plan is foiled. Political unrest, wars, earthquakes, bad weather. There is so much that can go wrong.

With more than 50 countries under my belt, my wish list isn’t too long these days: Santorini, Greece; the Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador; St. Petersburg, Russia; and Petra, Jordan. Why can’t the universe let me fulfill my travel dreams?

So Long, Santorini

Living in Europe, I thought a trip to Santorini would be easy-peasy. Instead of a week-long visit to the idyllic Greek island, my travel agent convinced me to book a cruise so I could also visit Venice and Croatia; the latter was on my list. I’d never been interested in cruising, but it sounded like a good idea at the time. A friend from Minnesota joined me on the journey, which was a fun adventure with a few surprises..

News flash: October is not the best time to book a cruise on the Mediterranean. Weather can be unpredictable. Unfortunately, Mother Nature decided Santorini would have to wait. High winds and rough seas forced a change in itinerary. The cruise line opted to cut Santorini from the itinerary, and our ship stayed docked in Bari, Italy for two days. 

Of course, it was the only city on the tour that I’d visited several times before. My former Italian boyfriend was stationed in the army there when I first lived in Europe. They could have canceled Crete and kept Santorini, but no. My luck ran out.

So, my bucket list dream was poured down the drain, so to speak. The rains drenched us from head to toe, but my friend Lynn joked it was something we’d never forget. She was right! Of all the people booked on the ship, only a handful decided to take the shore excursion to Bari. We were joined by a few Asian travelers. Within minutes, the other group opted to return to the ship while crazy Lynn and I drudged through the puddles and blasting rain.

There was a silver lining in those gray clouds, though. Another day in port gave us the opportunity to visit Alberobello, Italy, an amazing UNESCO World Heritage site with white-washed stone houses and cone-shaped roofs.  Even in the driving rain, it was magical.

Sayonara, St. Petersburg

So, what else is on my bucket list? I have dreamed of visiting the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg for decades. When a local group planned a reasonably priced, luxury trip to Russia, I was among the first to sign up. The itinerary included everything I wanted to see: the museum, the Winter Palace, Moscow. Having adopted a Russian child, I was especially interested. It would be a great opportunity to see her homeland and learn more about her native culture. Alas, Vladimir Putin had other plans. The launch of his “special military operation” in Ukraine in February 2022 meant travel to Russia was a no-go. It’s no surprise that Russia is now on the U.S. State Department’s Level 4 – Do Not Travel list. 

The full-scale war against Ukraine, another country I had hoped to visit, doesn’t look like it will be coming to an end anytime soon. There has been so much death and destruction! The country stays in my heart and prayers as I join millions of others praying for peace.

Adios, Amman?

My prayers for peace include the Middle East as war rages in Gaza and hundreds of Israeli hostages wait for release. The atmosphere in the Middle East made me rethink my dream trip to Petra.

Ever since first seeing “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” in 1989, I’ve been mesmerized by the ancient city, an archaeological gem in southern Jordan. The city, which dates back to about 300 B.C., is carved into sandstone hills. I was in the process of booking my flight to Amman when war broke out in Gaza. Although my visit was planned for 2024, I am looking for another dream destination. It’s not the best time to travel to Jordan, although the Jordan Tourism Board is encouraging visitors to keep their plans.

“In light of the recent developments in Gaza, we want to emphasize that Jordan continues to be a safe and welcoming destination for tourists from around the world,” they explained in an official statement. “Our commitment to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all visitors remains unwavering.”

With an American passport and a Jewish last name, I’m a bit hesitant to head to the Middle East right now.

State Department Warning

The U.S. State Department isn’t quite as enthusiastic as the Jordanians. They have issued a do-not-travel alert for some areas of the country, including near the borders of Syria and Iraq.

The State Department warned that terrorist groups continue to plot possible attacks in Jordan and may attack with little or no warning.  Sensitive locations include tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets, and shopping malls, all places that would want to visit. There are also worries about local government facilities being targeted.

For those deciding to travel, the State Department recommends that you “monitor local media and adjust plans based on new information, avoid demonstrations and protests, be aware of your surroundings, stay alert in locations frequented by Westerners, and obtain comprehensive medical insurance that includes medical evacuation.”

Back-Up Plans

It’s always a good idea to have a backup plan. Traveling to Iceland to see the Northern Lights, I was prepared to be disappointed and planned a few other things, like a sled dog ride and tours of the country. I was lucky to see the lights — twice! My advice to anyone heading to Iceland is don’t expect to see the lights. Let them be a pleasant surprise. And speaking of Iceland, the famous Blue Lagoon was just closed because of an earthquake. By the time you read this, it may be open again.

Ah, there are always surprises. Missing Santorini because of the rotten weather, I discovered Alberobello. Maybe I’ll replace Petra with a photo safari in South Africa

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Your Recommendations?

Well, I haven’t done well with my big trip plans for a few years now. Since I plan a big, bucket list trip every 10 years, I am looking for the next big thing! Australia, Iceland, and New Zealand are always on the world’s safety countries list. I’ve been to all three. I’ve already visited China, where I walked the Great Wall; Egypt, where I visited the pyramids and took a Nile Cruise; and Kenya, where I traveled across the country on an amazing Abercrombie & Kent safari. Then, there’s Colombia, the Philippines, Scotland, Singapore, and Wales. The list goes on and on. Hmmmm, what will be my next destination?

Do you have a favorite place to recommend? I’m all ears!