As you may have noticed from national news stories over the Memorial Day weekend, travel is making a big rebound as Americans are once again finding their wanderlust after over a year of devastating pandemic paralysis. As predicted, interest in outdoor adventure domestic travel is leading the way, with visits to U.S. National Parks expected to hit near record numbers this summer and fall.  We are also beginning to see steady growth in international inquiries and future bookings. Indeed, after a year of famine, we may be preparing for a feast like we’ve never experienced previously in the travel industry. In order meet the pent up demand, we are bringing back staff beginning this month and we hope to continue doing so in the coming months as the travel industry rebounds from the pandemic.

If there is one thing we have learned during the pandemic, it is that travel planning is more time-consuming and labor intensive than ever before. Prospective travelers eager to get back in the saddle would be well advised to seek the services of a professional travel advisor before venturing out to explore a post-pandemic world. Riding “solo” can be overwhelming, full of surprises, and downright risky. COVID-19 travel restrictions and safety guidelines are constantly changing and there is wide variance in the rules governing the travel landscape, depending upon one’s targeted destination. Here at Avant Travel, we keep our fingers on the pulse of these fluctuating travel guidelines and we are glad to share our knowledge and expertise in helping you navigate the details of your next big trip.

In keeping with the high level of interest in visiting our National Parks this year, we travel, not west nor south, but to the farthest northeast corner of the continental U.S. and invite you to explore Acadia National Park in this month’s feature film as part of our Travel Video share series. Acadia is one of the few National Parks that is located on an island, occupying 47,000 acres along the southern coast of Maine primarily on Mount Desert Island and the surrounding archipelago. This spellbinding preserve offers a topographical combination of spruce-fir forests, rocky beaches, placid bays, and glacier-scoured granite peaks, along with diverse wildlife such as moose, bear, deer, coyote, seals, whales, and a huge variety of seabirds. In the words of the Pattiz brothers who produced this film brought to you by the More Than Just Parks project, Acadia is described as “sculpted by glaciers and landscaped by beavers … full of wonderfully unique features. Rounded mountains, tranquil ponds, rocky coastline and some of the most beautiful trails in the world comprise this marvelous wonder.”

If there is a drawback to visiting Acadia National Park, it’s that it attracts so many people. At 3.5 million visitors per year, Acadia is perennially among the top 10 most-visited national parks in the United States. But with careful planning, even visits in the busiest months of August and September can be rewarding. Vehicle reservations are required for Cadillac Summit Road from May 26 through October 19 and the entrance fee is US$30 per vehicle. During 2021, all campsites must be reserved in advance and no sites are available for last-minute walk-up request upon arrival.

This beautifully rendered video is the culmination of several weeks exploring and filming Acadia during peak fall color. The soundtrack, a song entitled Light Bridges, was written by composer Dexter Britain.  We hope you enjoy this month’s Travel Video share, MTJP | Acadia!

The Avant Team