Trips Worth the Wait

But with the glimmers of hope from the availability of vaccines and reopening borders in 2021, we're cautiously optimistic about the year ahead. One thing is more certain than ever, though: when we do travel, we want it to count. COVID-19 gave us a chance to reassess what matters; for many of us, we realized what a great privilege it is to travel. We've put together a list of trips with that in mind-experiences that are as meaningful as they are thrilling, ones that have as positive impact on the places they touch as on the travelers themselves. From swimming with migrating mobula rays in Mexico to meeting the great mystics in Turkey or seeing what's at stake with climate change exploring Greenland's Arctic fjords on a battery-hybrid ship, these trips will make up for lost time. - Kathleen Rellihan

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02 Swim With the Mobula Migration

BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR, MEXICO

Every year, Baja California Sur is home to the largest migration (or aggregation) of mobula rays in the world-tens of thousands of them congregate from April to June for a spectacular synchronized dance party. Experience this incredible sight on a marine scientist-led Dive Ninjas five-day expedition. You don't need to be a scuba diver to see the mobulas either; snorkeling is preferable as bubbles disturb them.

01

Search for the Elusive “Spirit Bear

GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST, CANADA

Post-pandemic travel will be marked by more intentional, responsible travel, further into the wild. British Columbia's Great Bear Rainforest offers all that and more. See one of the world's largest remaining temperate rainforests on a small expedition yacht with Maple Leaf Adventures who focus on respecting and working with the Coastal First Nations. You'll help scientists track and identify whales-and maybe even spot the elusive “spirit bear or white Kermode bear.

03

Revel in the Silence

GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, MONTANA