This newsletter was emailed to Rao Travel clients in April of 2026. Email us here to be added to the mailing list!

Already spring 2026!

The world seems to be in chaos, with war and political unrest impacting the world of travel via cancelled flights, airspace closure and long TSA lines at US airports. I do hope that all of this is short-lived, and that some semblance of peace and humanity gets restored soon. The current times do feel similar to the COVID period six years ago. The difference, though, is that this time around people are still willing to travel — but some thought must be given to routing and destination. Once that is figured out, the next big impact on the decision to travel is the rising cost of airline tickets, which will likely only increase as the price of oil increases. As I keep abreast of news related to the airline industry, my big takeaway is that if you are planning on traveling out of the country anytime this year, then you should be purchasing your tickets now. The best way to manage the rising airline fares is to purchase “refundable airfares,” which do price higher, but will give you the flexibility to cancel your tickets and rebook at the lower fare in the event the airlines drop their fares later. This works for tickets that you purchase with a lead time of over 3 months. When you book, read the fine print to ensure that there are no “cancellation costs” which some airlines impose (ranges from $150 to $300 per person/per ticket depending on the airline).

I would like to share this article detailing the impact of the ongoing war on the air space:

How the Iran War is Reconfiguring the world's flight map

Despite the airspace challenges, there are new routes that some airlines have added. This year, travel to London has become even more convenient with two newly announced transatlantic routes from key hubs. Alaska Airlines will introduce new direct service from Seattle to London Heathrow, offering travellers a seamless West Coast connection to the UK’s capital. Meanwhile, British Airways is set to launch a new nonstop route from St. Louis to London Heathrow in April 2026, further expanding access from the Midwest.

Expanded Connectivity Boosts Access to Peru

Peru will soon be accessible from a new U.S. gateway in San Diego by flying on Copa Airlines, versus having to come up north to take a flight from Los Angeles. Additionally, what is really worth noting is the improvement of regional travel within Peru. A new route between Cusco–Arequipa and another between Cusco–Puerto Maldonado are now available. This will make it convenient to include a visit to Colca Canyon, the second largest canyon after the Grand Canyon, while Puerto Maldonado will allow a seamless addition of the Peruvian Amazon.

In Asia, the flight route worthy of mention is a new international service being offered by Indonesia AirAsia, allowing one to combine a trip to Bali with Da-Nang, Vietnam. They will be offering four weekly flights between these two coastal destinations. Lufthansa has also increased the number of flights into India and Asia to make up for the reduced flights to the Middle East.

What have I been up to?

I have been busy catching up with industry partners from a variety of hoteliers, including Anantara Hotel and Resorts and IHG Hotels, as well as tourism boards, such as Japan Tourism Board and South Korea Tourism Board. My time has also been spent planning spring and summer trips for you.

My recent travels

As some of you who follow me on Instagram know, I ended 2025 by escorting a group of friends and family to India. The trip was a combination of Northern and Southern India. We were a group of 15 adults with a wide age range, from baby boomers to Gen Z and everything in between. I have to say what surprised me the most was how much one could do and experience in Mumbai/Bombay. On this visit I had planned for us to visit a few museums, and I encourage anyone visiting Mumbai to take some time out to visit them. We visited the National Museum of Indian Cinema (NMIC), Bhau Dhaji Lad Museum (Formerly called the Victoria and Albert Museum), and the FD Alpaiwalla Parsi Museum. These museums are great for film enthusiasts, those interested in historical artifacts, and anyone who wants to learn about the Parsi and Iranian Zoroastrian communities, respectively. The best time to visit museums, in my experience, would be first thing in the morning! On this trip I also managed to include a visit to Elephanta Caves, which are a collection of cave temples dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. These caves have been designated as UNESCO heritage sites, and are about an hour-long ferry ride from Mumbai. I would recommend a hat, water bottle and good sturdy pair of shoes if you plan to visit, but it is well worth it. The highlight of this trip to India for most of my group was our visit to the Southern State of Kerala. It allowed everyone to slow down a bit after the frenetic energy that is found in some of the Northern regions we visited (Mumbai, Jaipur, Agra, Delhi). The lunch cruise we took over the backwaters of Kerala, along with our stay at Coconut Lagoon, had just the right mix of relaxation and rejuvenation.

Where are people traveling?

Croatia, Slovenia, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Finland, Turkey, Morocco, UK and France. I am also seeing some interest in visiting Antarctica, which normally has a planning window of 9-15 months out.

Industry Trends

Each spring, nature brings its blooms to life and many of us go looking for them, some close to our homes and some to places that are far flung. Amazingly, I found a list of places in the US and across the world where one could enjoy cherry blossoms as well as a few other flower varieties. A few of the places listed are not commonly referred to when speaking about spring flowers. See if you are surprised to find any place listed here and if you would like to place it on your own wishlist to visit during spring time.

Additionally, California is in the middle of a particularly vivid Superbloom, which is viewable across Southern California.

As I mentioned in my newsletter last year, the interest in personal wellness continues to hold a lot of interest for travelers. It is no longer a spa experience enjoyed occasionally while traveling, rather, a conscious effort is made to visit wellness retreats that offer the guidance of doctors and therapists who help customize a treatment plan for you. These wellness retreats are in several parts of the world, across continents. Some cater to holistic practices with a focus on Ayurveda, while many offer thermal remedies, and there are a few that have pioneered cellular therapy for longevity. It is a matter of identifying which one would be a good fit for the issues on hand. If you would like to explore this further, then feel free to reach out and I can help narrow down your options with you.

River cruising is yet another style of travel that has picked up interest with many travelers since it offers a unique way of exploring destinations. One of the companies that I have partnered with is AMA Waterways, which offers a variety of itineraries rich in local culture and heritage, while partnering with Smithsonian Journeys. Check my page to see if you can find something that I can help you book or answer questions.

As we all pay extra attention to world events and the latest news, I would recommend booking travel far in advance, and consider domestic travel in the meantime. Whether it's in search of some springtime flowers, or a trip to one of the US's many beautiful national parks, there's much to see around the country, in addition to internationally.

I cannot end without acknowledging my immediate family — a big thank you to my ever supporting husband and daughter and not to forget my sister who all share my passion for travel and are my strength which sustains me while running my boutique travel business.

I hope I have managed to keep your traveling spirit alive. Thank you for your continued support, and the many referrals you have sent my way.

Warmly,

Usha