After a long, monotonous year of stay-at-home orders and travel restrictions, it’s been quite some time since most of us boarded a plane. And while we might not be missing the plastic bottles of high-altitude wine and accompanying lack of legroom, we at VinePair are longing for the days of weekend puddle jumpers to new and exciting locations as well as tried-and-true vacation spots to which we’re yearning to return.
While some of us are dreaming of sipping frozen beverages on tropical beaches, others are booking road trips to wine country. Others, still, are unearthing sorely missed passports, dusting them off to fly to faraway places for cocktails galore. Feeling wanderlust? Read on for the destinations on team VinePair’s post-pandemic travel list.
“The first stop when I feel comfortable getting on a plane is going to be Sicily. I went for work a few summers ago and now really want to go back for leisure. Ideally I’ll be sipping an Etna Bianco on the beach.” —Adam Teeter, co-founder and CEO
“The picosecond that I can, I’m on a plane to the Central Coast of California. You’ll find me at the Hatch in Paso Robles washing down a roasted chicken with black pepper honey, Hatch hot sauce, and bacon potato salad with a Tablas Creek Grenache Blanc. Or at the Pine Street Saloon participating in country karaoke and sipping an ice cold Firestone 805 (or three).” —Keith Beavers, tastings director
“While I’d love to dream about a cold drink on a tropical isle somewhere, what I really want is to be able to sit in the California sunshine and drink a cold glass of white wine at 11:30 a.m. on a Tuesday.” —Zach Geballe, VinePair Podcast co-host
“I’m gearing up for a short trip to the Hudson Valley to visit friends in Kingston who I haven’t seen in more than a year! Between pre-pandemic and present time, they’ve built a chicken coop, raised close to 10 hens, and are expecting their first human child in July. So, we have a lot to celebrate! I’ll probably pack my favorite non-alcoholic beers, supplies for batch tequila cocktails, and my emergency debit card for a long-awaited return to Rough Draft Bar & Books in Kingston, a.k.a. heaven on Earth.” —Cat Wolinski, senior editor
“I’ve been dreaming of soaking up the sun on a Mexican beach with a spicy Margarita in one hand and a fish taco in the other.” —Katie Brown, associate editor
“Ideally, I’m off to Paris, headed straight for the first available table at La Buvette or Le Mary Celeste. More practically, my partner and I have been waiting for the Canadian border restrictions to change so we can visit his family in Toronto for the first time in over a year. When that happens, I’m very excited to return to Bar Raval for their excellent cocktails and pintxos, and to finally check out Collective Arts.” —Joanna Sciarrino, executive editor
“A Vesper on a mega yacht sailing the Adriatic after winning a high-stakes poker game … or more likely, a Painkiller visiting my sister in Salem, Mass. Either way, I want a strong drink on a boat.” —Mark Jacobs, SVP, brand partnerships
“When the pandemic first started, my friends and I decided that we were going to take a big group trip when all of this ended, and hosted a Zoom PowerPoint party where everyone had to pitch their idea of where to go. My pitch was a long weekend in Paso Robles, Calif., and clearly the obnoxious effort I put into my pitch deck was worth it because my pitch won the competition. Paso is one of my favorite domestic wine regions right now, and I’m so excited to experience it firsthand later this fall. I’m also thrilled to force my friends into wearing matching T-shirts on a vineyard tour.” —Jeff Licciardello, director of marketing
“As of right now, I live on an island. Doesn’t hurt to travel to another island, right? I would love to go to Jamaica for a quick getaway. Imagine soaking in the lush green landscapes and sipping on a Pineapple Mango Rum Punch — I know, let me stop before I get carried away.” —Elgin Nelson, podcast intern
“My dream is to go skiing in the Swiss Alps! I guess that’s more of a winter travel goal, but I love to ski, and I’ve always wanted to go skiing in Europe (and eat Swiss chocolate).” —Ariela Basson, associate designer
“Post-pandemic, I’d love to get back to Las Vegas to visit my family. I also miss Red Rock Canyon and became quite a card shark in quarantine, so I’d love to take a hike and win a couple grand at the poker tables.” —Emma Cranston, assistant editor
“Taking a trip to the Caribbean islands is definitely on my post-Covid bucket list! The gorgeous waters, welcoming community, and palm tree-lined beaches create the perfect recipe for relaxation, with a Daiquiri in my hand, of course!” —Jenny Riddell, director of brand partnerships & events
“Somewhere with a beach, where I’ll sip 2 ounces of hard liquor shaken up with 1 ounce of fresh lime and 1 ounce of something sweet. That’ll do me just fine.” —Tim McKirdy, staff writer
