It seems like COVID and the travel bans will never end. It's incredibly frustrating for those of us who suffer from wanderlust. We've been armchair travelers for too long. There are just so many websites you can look at and places you can dream about. It's time! We're ready to get out there!

​We want to see new sights! Sunsets over the Alps. Ancient Druid ruins and modern-day German architecture. Rivers that rush on seemingly endlessly. Foreign faces and children at play. Street art and the fancy-schmancy stuff in The Louvre,. History that's been made and history in the making.

We want to eat new foods! "Uh... what's that? I'm supposed to put that in my mouth? Hmm? Oh well. Here goes!..... YUM!" And, we want to drink new drinks! Coffees and teas and wines and beers and spirits. Bubbly waters and flat. We want to experience them in new surroundings - tradition-filled pubs, unique cafes, trendy nightclubs, and renowned restaurants.

We want to smell new smells! The fresh morning air in a faraway Austrian village. The rain in the Irish countryside. The sweet smells of baguettes and pastries gently drifting out from French patisseries.

We want to hear the sweet sounds of babbling brooks and the energizing sounds of roaring ocean waves. We want to immerse ourselves in concert halls and sporting events and be carried away by the moment's vivacity and power.

But, Europe won't yet let us Americans enjoy all of that. So, what are we to do then? Continue our armchair dreams or adjust and adapt?

Perhaps we could look at our own country for what's great about it. What does America offer us that is similar in ways to those which we yearn for in the Old World?

I'm not sure how many breaking news blog posts I'll do, but this one just goes to show that we are, indeed, recovering and travel is about to be back BIG! Romance is in the air!

6/09/20 12:30 p.m. ET — The Eiffel Tower will once again welcome visitors beginning on June 25, the tower’s management announced.

The Eiffel Tower has been closed for three months because of the coronavirus pandemic, the longest closure since World War II, according to a news release announcing the date.

Visitors over the age of 11 will be required to wear masks, and the number of visitors on certain floors will be limited, tower management said.

(Source: CNBC)

After a very long hiatus, I'm back! I apologize for my silence. I won't offer any excuses. I will, however, offer some of my reasons.

Previous to today's post, my last blog entry was on October 02, 2019. Shortly after that post, my favorite dog ever, Albert, died. Talk about "man's best friend!" He sure was mine. I was heartbroken. It derailed a lot for me and took my mind out of the game.

After that couple of months of sadness, we were in the holiday season, which distracted me. Then, I went on a couple of cruises. And then came COVID!

While I remained in contact with my clients throughout the crisis, my broader travel community (you!) could only find me on social media. I spent the first month or so of the lockdown trying to post inspirational stuff. I even went Live on Facebook! Whatever I could do to lift spirits and remind people that "this too shall pass." I was also giving updates on COVID and its affects on travel. And, of course, I was available to everyone for questions and concerns.

Now, we find ourselves in a new post-COVID era. Yes, I know it's not been eradicated, and I know that the lockdowns are only easing in phases. Still, the psychology of the day is vastly different than it was three very long months ago. There's been a sea change in the way people view the future. It's gone from bleak to hopeful. And, everyone's itching to travel again soon!

So, I'm back. I'm not sure what direction my blog will take yet, but I intend to reopen the lines of communication with my travel community. If you have any ideas, comment below or email me at scott@myextraordinaryadventures.com. Let's talk travel again!