Traveling during the Coronavirus pandemic - 2021 edition

The world is traveling again! Fully vaccinated Europeans are finally allowed back into the United States after an almost two-year travel ban. Italy has been open to travelers for months now. Even Australia is talking about opening its firmly shut borders.

Traveling is a privilege. It’s also a little bit more difficult these days. Here are a few observations from my month crisscrossing the US and flying over oceans for traveling during the Coronavirus pandemic. 

What to do in Abruzzo; Three days in the Majella National Park

Yep, this is going to be one of those “x things to do in x” posts. The name of this blog is Gillian’s Lists after all. This beach girl just spent three days in mountains and I have to say, the Majella is enchanting. 

The Majella National Park in Abruzzo is lush and green, filled with staggering views, marvelous food and wine, ancient hermitages and pretty hill towns. It has that proverbial something for everyone. And, it is only a few hours from Rome! 

This guide will tell you how to spend three days in the Majella National Park. I visited the towns of Decontra-Caramanico, Roccamorice, Guardiagrele, Pretoro, Casalincontrada, Pennapiedimonte, Fara San Martino and will tell you what to do, where to eat and where to stay when you get there

Where to stay in Rome - Sofitel Roma Villa Borghese Hotel

When you are lucky enough to live in Rome you get a lot of questions about where to stay in Rome. 

The problem is that I don’t stay in hotels in Rome. I have a small list of places owned or recommended by friends (you can find it on my Rome for Visitors page) but that list needs expanding. I have plenty to choose from because quite a few new hotels opened or renovated during the quiet months of the pandemic. 

Let's start with the Sofitel Roma Villa Borghese Hotel

Rome and Italy Travel Consulting

You have heard the news. Travel is now allowed to Italy! Time to book those flights and tests. You are going to have to take a lot of tests. Don’t forget to pack your FFP2 masks and vaccine cards. Italy has an indoor and outdoor mask mandate. We also have a 10pm Midnight curfew. 

Now comes the fun part. Planning what you will do when you get here. 

Are you overwhelmed? Wondering how to travel in a way that benefits a place that has endured a punishing 15 months? I can help. Sign up for my Rome and Italy travel consulting services. 

Instagram Guide to the Best Pizza in Rome

View this post on Instagram

If you are following me over on Instagram you have probably seen my series of mini-guides. I am expanding them here on my blog. Bookmark my Instagram Guide to the Best Pizza in Rome

How to enjoy the pleasures of Rome in August

I wrote this piece last year making my case for staying in Rome for August. The website where it was originally published no longer exists so I will repost it here. 

You can find more of my August in Rome resources in this updated post.

Rome in August is a wonderful thing. That is not necessarily the most popular opinion. Most Romans leave the city for cooler Alpine climes or a spot under an umbrella somewhere along the literally thousands of kilometers of Italy’s shoreline. For those of us who stay there is a wonderful unflustered vibe to the usually chaotic city. You need to be a little more flexible if you are planning on spending time in Rome in August but armed with a few key tips you can experience your own Nanni Moretti in Caro Diaro moments. 

 

View this post on Instagram

Your moment of August zen. Things will (very) slowly start to come back to life here soon. I have been making the most of the peace and quiet. #gillianknowsbest #rionemonti #estate #estateromana #italiansdoitbetter #tlpicks #forbestravelguide #cnntravel #guardiancitysnaps #prettycityrome #myitaliansummer

A post shared by Gillian Longworth McGuire (@gmcguireinrome) on Aug 18, 2019 at 2:27pm PDT