By Monica Buchanan Pitrelli  |  December 15, 2021

Even without a pandemic, holiday travel isn’t for the faint of heart.

Millions are expected to travel this month, with threats of volatile weather and the omicron variant further stressing out people eager to close Year 2 of the pandemic.

To help travelers prepare, CNBC Travel asked industry insiders this question: What’s your one, solid tip for people traveling this December?

Tips for travel planning

“Plan for the arc of the trip. Think of a trip like a story with a beginning, middle and end. For example, plan to have the nicest hotels at the end, building up to end on a great note. Then for the entry and exit, plan for ways you can ensure they go smoothly. Maybe it’s arranging private transport after a long flight, so you don’t have to navigate the public transit system amid jetlag. Whatever a solid arc looks like to you, plan it in advance.”
Sarah Groen, founder of the luxury travel company Bell & Bly Travel Design

“If you’re planning to do some Greek island-hopping, keep in mind that Greeks themselves tend to stick to one island instead of cramming as many as they can into a single trip. Think thematically: Santorini has stunning scenery, but beaches are better in Mykonos … [but] islands like Tinos and Syros have great food and culture with significantly lower hotel prices than Mykonos. Crete has lots of variety, but a car is essential.”

Read the full article at CNBC