After months of quarantine due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, many people across the country are desperately longing for a summer escape. However, as case numbers rise and hotspots continue to erupt, safety concerns are leading most would-be travelers to entirely give up on any vacation plans, even at a time when a break from home is most needed.
Thanks to a revolutionary app, traveling with confidence might soon be a possibility. At the beginning of the pandemic, travel entrepreneur Peter Wells quickly realized that safety would become the top priority for travelers once stay-at-home orders were lifted. A little under a year ago, Wells founded DragonSlayer, an analytics-based platform for discerning travelers seeking truly unique experiences. From washing an elephant in Myanmar to climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro to taking a water safari in Botswana, the DragonSlayer app connects its members with extraordinary journeys far off the beaten path.
When the travel industry ground to a halt in the middle of March, Wells knew he had to find a way to help people feel safe when they began traveling once again. He hired two doctors, including a CDC epidemiologist, to his advisory board and began the process of revamping DragonSlayer. Wells set out to answer the paramount question on everyone’s mind, “Where can I safely travel?”
“For that, we have created a set of analytics, built in consultation with doctors and epidemiologists that can help travelers make informed decisions on where to safely travel,” Wells told NEW YOU. “We call it Smart Analytics For Educating Traveler or SAFE-T. Not only do we provide clients with real time updates on where it is relatively safe to travel domestically or internationally, but we also provide real-time comprehensive updates on the terms for how countries and states are opening up.”
DragonSlayer, which already uses smart analytics to make recommendations based on members’ individual travel personas, will now factor in risk tolerance as well. “We all travel differently, whether it is our preference for adventure trips, active trips, chill trips, or cultural trips,” Wells explained. “And now added to the mix, we have our own personal level of risk. We call this your ‘risk tolerance factor’ and it is important because no matter where you choose to go, you should comfortable traveling there. Our goal is to help clients make their own decision based on most current and accurate information for each country or state relative to their track record with Covid-19.”
The DragonSlayer app will officially relaunch on July 4th and can be downloaded at www.dragonslayertravel.com. For those looking for a close-to-home getaway to restore their physical and mental wellbeing as they emerge from lockdown, Wells has curated a list of recommended destinations for each region of the country.
East Coast
“Starting on the East coast, consider a long weekend at Shou Sugi Ban, a Zen-like spa out in the Hamptons in New York. You can have a complete wellness experience including fitness classes, yoga, meditation and breathwork, guided beach walks, nutrition workshops, and live music and tea ceremonies. Plus, they have a top-rated Michelin starred chef serving up amazing Japanese cuisine. We all need some time to reconnect to our inner selves and there is no better place to do this than Shou Sugi Ban. June rates start at $1,160 per night with breakfast and morning and evening programming included.”
West Coast
“On the West coast, the good news is that Napa Valley is starting to reopen. In particular, I recommend the Caneros Resort and Spa, with their private cottages and homes, expansive pools areas, and spa. They have already reopened one of their three restaurants and are expected to open the other two in the next few weeks. DragonSlayer can arrange private car service and exclusive wine tasting for your visit as well. Rates start at $744 per night including breakfast, a $100 spa credit, and discounts available starting at 10% off for a two-night stay and up to 30% off a five-night stay.”
South
For those in the South, we highly recommend Miraval, which just opened in Austin, Texas. This spectacular new spa offers all the amenities you would expect plus lifestyle experiences such as bee-keeping, farm-to-table workshops, and outdoor activities such as hiking, fly fishing, and hatchet throwing (imagine getting your pent up stay-at-home aggressions out here). Rates start $379. Please contact DragonSlayer for available discounts and credits.”
Midwest
“Since we have all been cooped up inside for months, consider a more outdoorsy experience and have a long weekend getaway at a Colorado dude ranch. One of my personal favorites is the Devil’s Thumb Ranch & Resort, found a short 90-minute drive from Denver but worlds away. With 6,000 acres to explore on horseback or hiking, you will never have a dull moment with activities like ziplining, mountain biking, fly fishing, hatchet throwing (to get out some of those Covid-19 aggressions!), outdoor yoga, spa treatments and yes, of course, s’mores after dinner. Rates start at $259 per night for three night stays with plenty of great options and add-ons (anyone want to learn how to fly fish?).”
Southwest
“And finally, for a mix of the outdoors and plush spa experiences, check yourself into the Amangiri Luxury Resort at Canyon Point, Utah. This desert hideaway will help you rejuvenate in the peace and solitude of the Utah desert and the amazing spa that follows the healing traditions of the Navajo drawing on the four elements of earth, fire, wind, water. And adventure experience abounds, whether it’s a sunrise hot-air balloon ride, exploring hidden slot canyons, Lake Powell, desert hikes, or horseback riding you can fulfill that urge to feel active and adventurous once again!”
