Travel news: Japan, Australia and Argentina reveal reopening plans

Whether you’re a vaccine queen, a PCR prince or a quarantine king, there sure are a lot of requirements when it comes to getting around these days. Luckily CNN Travel is here to keep you updated on the latest developments. Here’s what we learned in pandemic travel this week.

Here’s what we learned in pandemic travel this week:

1. Norway lifted its domestic Covid restrictions – then was moved straight into the US ‘very high’ risk category

Klippfisk -- literally "cliff fish" -- is dried and salted cod, in a tradition dating to the 17th century.

A Western Norwegian Christmas treat, smalahove is a whole sheep's head. To prepare, burn off the wool and skin, remove the brain and salt the head. Servings are half a head each, so it's perfect for couples.

The delicacy known as cod tongue is actually the underside of the cod chin. A popular way of serving them is to toss in seasoned flour and then fry in butter.

Norway's cold waters mean seafood takes longer to grow, making the flesh extra plump and tender.

Seagull eggs are a delicacy in northern Norway. Locals like to eat them hard-boiled and washed down with a pilsner beer from Tromso's Mack's brewery.

A number of tour operators offer king crab safaris to Kirkenes, on the border with Russia, between December and April.

Lutefisk is a gelatinous mix of dried fish and caustic lye soda, eaten at Christmas. When we visited the Lutefisk Museum on a sunny day in May the entire building was empty of staff and customers, but a stack of letters to Santa lay in the corner.

Lutefisk might only be a Yuletide treat, but the Skipperstuen restaurant opposite the Lutefisk Museum serves a summer-light and frothy fiskesuppe (fish soup) with tender chunks of salmon and white fish.

Gamalost is a hard, crumbly brownish-yellow cheese with a sharp, intense flavor and a pungent scent to match. If it was good enough for the Vikings, it's good enough for us.

Norwegian's soft heart-shaped waffles are often eaten with brunost, a goat's cheese made from caramelized whey, with a sharp, sweet-savory dulce de leche taste.

Salty licorice is an acquired taste, but if you like your aniseed strong and your gustatory receptors tingling in tandem, it might just be the candy for you.

Elk has a "dry, more wild taste," says Fenaknoken's Eirik Braek, but reindeer is a "much smaller animal so it's much sweeter."

The crowberry is a black cold-climate berry found in northern Europe, Alaska, Canada, Greenland and beyond. Oslo's Fuglen cafe-bar serves crowberry cocktails.

"This is a map of Norway," explains Eirik Braek, holding a vacuum-packed leg of lamb and using it to explain the variety in the country's regional cuisine.

Torrfisk, or stockfish, is unsalted air-dried fish, usually cod. It even got a mention in a 13th-century Icelandic saga.

Cloudberries are golden-yellow and only found in the wild. Their rarity earned them the nickname "Arctic gold."

Rakfisk is salted, fermented trout, and it packs a pungent -- and delicious -- punch. Fenaknoken makes Norwegian-Japanese fusion sushi with rakfisk and wasabi.

Norway is one of the few countries that still practices whaling. The meat has a gamey taste, similar to venison.

Extraordinary Norwegian dishes you've probably never heard of

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This was a pretty good week for the world’s wannabe jetsetters. The UK and Israel both cleared out their travel “red lists,” while India, Bali and Vietnam all announced reopening plans.

Just two days later, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) moved Norway into the highest-risk category on its list of travel advisories for destinations around the world. While there are plenty of tourist favorites alongside them up in the “Level 4” category – including the UK, France and Spain – its Scandinavian neighbors Sweden and Denmark are still down in “Level 3.”

2. Japan is now a little easier to visit (if you’re fully jabbed and with an approved vaccine)

Kawachi Fuji Garden (Fukuoka): This fragrant wisteria tunnel is the most stunning display at the Kawachi Fuji Garden. With flowering vines overhead, the walkway is said to inspire a zen-like calm in visitors. The garden displays about 150 wisteria plants of 20 different species. It hosts the annual Wisteria Festival at the end of April, when the flowers are in full bloom.

Happo Pond (Nagano): The hike to Happo pond from Hakuba -- a village known for its winter skiing amid the mountains of Nagano Prefecture -- is a classic trail in the Japanese Alps. Surrounded by the Hakuba Peaks, the pond is 2,060 meters above sea level. What the pond lacks in size, it makes up for in beauty, reflecting the 3,000 meter tall peaks in its quiet waters.

Motonosumi-inari Shrine (Yamaguchi): The 123 Torii gates stretches from the Motonosumi-Inari Shrine to the cliff overlooking the ocean. Motonosumi-Inari is a popular shrine where locals wish for success. The final Torii's donation box is placed out of reach at the top of the gate. It's believed that if you can successfully toss money into the box, all your wishes will come true.

Nachi Falls (Wakayama): Nachi Falls, at 133-meters high, is the biggest waterfall in Japan. It steals some of the attention from Kumano Nachi Taishai, a sacred shrine built close by. It's usually the last stop of the scenic pilgrimage known as Kumano Kodo.

Zao ski resort (Yamagata): With 15 slopes and 12 courses, Zao Onsen is one of the most well known ski resorts in Japan. But travelers come to Zao not only for the snow-capped mountain but the trees. Extreme snow and seasonal winds cocoon the mountain's pine trees during the coldest winter months, creating snow towers in obscure forms known as "ice monsters" or Juhyo in Japanese.

Kintetsu Beppu Ropeway (Oita): For those who don't enjoy hiking, this cable car can carry 101 passengers at a time to the top of the 1,375-meter-high Mount Tsurumi in 10 minutes. From the top, there's a view of Beppu, Mount Yufu and Kuju Mountain Range. The best time to ride up is during spring when more than 2,000 cherry trees blossom on the mountain.

Matsumoto Castle (Nagano): Also known as the "crow castle" because of its black exterior, Matsumoto is Japan's oldest wooden castle, constructed more than 400 years ago. The years during the castle's construction were marked by near-constant military conflict. Rather than focusing on residential comforts, the castle is fortified with extensive interconnecting walls, moats and gatehouses.

Shiratani Unsuikyo Gorge (Kagoshima): Hayao Miyazaki fans will find this forest familiar. Shiratani Unsuikyo Gorge inspires Studio Ghibli's fantasy animation "Princess Mononoke." The otherworldly nature park on Yakushima Island offers a network of maintained hiking trails along the ravine. From historic tracks built in the Edo period to developed footpaths paved in stone and wood, the circuits range from one to five hours long, varying in difficulty.

Koya Pond (Niigata): Fall at Mount Hiuchi brings out spectacular colors on Koya Pond. The shallow and marshy water covered with vegetation changes colors -- into red, orange, yellow and green -- like the forest around it. On the edge of the pond, Kouyaike Hutte provides beds and kitchen facilities if you need a rest on you hike up the 2,462-meter-tall mountain.

Poetry Reading at Motsu-ji Temple (Iwate): On the fourth Sunday of May, Motsuji Temple invites poetry lovers to write by the stream of the temple's garden pond. As they compose their verses, cups of sake float to them -- to help the float of inspiration, we assume. The event is concluded with the master of ceremonies reading each poem aloud.

Hitachi Seaside Park (Ibaraki): Also known as "baby blue eyes," more than 4 million nemophilas bloom from late April to May in Hitachi Seaside Park, the public park on Miharashi Hill. The Nemophila Harmony is the highlight of park's flowering events. The 190-hectare park constantly changes color with the seasons. During the transition into fall, puffy kochia shrubs turn from vibrant green to fiery red.

Sagano (Kyoto): Considered one of the world's most beautiful forests, it's not just tranquil visually but also aurally. The bamboo grove is beloved for its distinct rustling sound, so much that Japan's Ministry of Environment included the Sagano Bamboo Forest on its list of "100 Soundscapes of Japan." The towering green stalks creak eerily while leaves rustle in the sway of the wind.

Otaru Snow Light Path Festival (Hokkaido): Hundreds of buoyed candles float in Otaru Canal every February in Otaru, during the Snow Light Path Festival. For 10 days, lanterns and snow statues for 10 days adorn the Hokkaido city. Lined with restored warehouses and gas lamps, Unga Kaijo -- the area around the canal -- is the prime spot to enjoy the festival.

Usa Shrine (Oita): Originally built in the 8th century, Usa Shine is the most important of thousands of shrines dedicated to Hachiman, the god of archery and war. After getting a fortune paper (omikuji) -- hopefully a daikichi (exceptionally lucky) one, visitors can enjoy a local specialty called negiyaki, or green onion pancake, in the shrine area.

Mt. Daisen (Tottori): Mount Daisen looks vastly different depending on which side of the mountain its viewed from. The 1,709-meter-tall volcanic mountain has been regarded as sacred since the ancient Jomon and Yayoi eras. Because of its importance, climbing was strictly prohibited until the Edo period about 200 years ago.

Tottori-sakyu Sand Hills (Tottori): Yes, there's a desert on Japan's islands. The Tottori Sand Dunes span 16 kilometers long and 2 kilometers wide and are the only large sand hills in Japan. The dunes are a blend of sand and volcanic ash mixed over 100,000 years then shaped by winds from the Sea of Japan. Part of the San'in Kaigan Geopark, they can be experienced via camel rides, dune buggies and sandboarding.

Itsukushima Shrine (Hiroshima): Believed to be the boundary between the spirit and human worlds, the Otorii's vermilion color is said to keep evil spirits away. It's possible to walk to it on the sand bar during low tide and enjoy the view of Mount Misen behind the gate. At high tide, the 16-meter-high Torii appears to float on the water.

Lavender farm (Hokkaido): Farm Tomita has three lavender fields: Lavender East, Sakiwai Field and the Traditional Lavender Garden. Sakiwai Field, meaning "happiness field," has four types of lavender growing in rows, creating a gradient of purple with the rainbow colors of Autumn Field, Spring Field and Hanabito Field as background. Still not enough lavender? Try the farm's lavender ice cream.

Lake Toya (Hokkaido): Even in winters that plummet well below freezing point, Lake Toya never ices over. The near-circular lake is the remains of a volcanic eruption that hollowed out the ground. Mount Usu lies on the southern rim of the lake and Nakajima Island sits at the center.

Saimyoji Temple (Shiga): Located in the Suzuka mountain range, Saimyoji Temple is one of a trio of ancient Tendai Buddism temples in eastern Shiga, also known as "Koto Sanzan." The temple is renowned for the beautiful red and orange leaves that surround it in the fall and long blooming cherry trees.

Gokayama (Toyama): Gokayama is one of the greatest towns for architecture buffs in the world. The oldest traditional gassho style house in Ainokura is said to be about 400 years old. Part of the UNESCO-designated area of Gokyama, the village preserves an architectural design that dates back hundreds of years. The steep triangular thatched roofs were built without the use of nails and are designed to prevent snow buildup.

Lake Kussharo (Hokkaido): Some 300 whooper swans migrate to Lake Kussharo every winter. Geothermal springs prevent ice from forming along its sandy shores despite most of the water surface freezing. Reported sightings of a lake monster, dubbed Kusshii by the media, since 1973 earned Kussharo a reputation as Japan's Loch Ness.

Ini Tanada (Hiroshima): Ini has more than 320 terraced rice paddies. The oldest stone terrace dates back about 500 years.
Using only pure natural water from mountain valleys, Ini Tanada's rice is particularly favored for its rich fragrance and taste. The town regularly holds a rice planting event on its terraces to pass on traditional farming methods.

Himeji Castle (Hyogo): Frequently called the "White Egret" or "White Heron" castle because of its white exterior and resemblance to a bird taking flight, Himeji is made up of 83 buildings. The 17th century castle is equipped with heavy defense systems. It featured extensively in Hollywood and Japanese films, making a prominent appearance in the James Bond movie "You Only Live Twice."

Jigokudani Monkey Park (Nagano): The steaming springs set in a snowy mountain may be scenic, but travelers come here to see something else -- the hot spring monkeys. Some 200 Japanese macaque monkeys live in Jigokudani -- which translates to "hell valley" -- where the rough cliffs and onsens are covered in snow for a third of the year. The monkeys bathe at the main onsen of the park in winter without a care for observers.
Anyone jealous of the monkey's lazy ways can head over to Korakukan Ryokan for their own thermal soak.

Hakuba village (Nagano): Revered as a ski resort town in the northern Japanese Alps, Hakuba is equally appealing during the summer. The hike up to Happo Pond is among the most scenic trails in the country.

Adachi Museum of Art (Shimane): The Adachi gardens, a part of Adachi Museum of Art, are said to be a "living Japanese painting" and one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan. Adachi Zenko founded the museum in 1980 to combine his passion for Japanese art and gardening.

Sotomo Arch (Fukui): One of the most scenic spots in the bay of Wakasa, the Big Gate and Little Gate of the Sotomo Arch were holes on rock carved by the rough waves of the Sea of Japan. With some careful maneuvering, it's possible to climb into the Little Gate. An excursion ship, which departs from the Wakasa Fishermen's Wharf, offers rides to view the rock formation.

Fuji Shibazakura Festival, (Yamanashi): With Mount Fuji in the background, some 800,000 stalks of shibazakura or "moss phlox" cover 2.4 hectares of land in a carpet of pink, white and purple. Thousands travel to the Fuji Five Lakes area for the festival celebrating the flower's first bloom.

Senganen Garden (Kagoshima): The Japanese style landscape garden features small ponds, streams, shrines and a bamboo grove. Set along the coast north of downtown Kagoshima, visitors can look out at Sakurajima volcano and Kagoshima Bay. The garden dates back to 1658, during Japan's Edo period.

Golden Pavilion (Kyoto): Covered in gold leaf, Kinkaku-ji, or the Golden Pavilion, is arguably Kyoto's most famed attraction.

Jodogahama Beach (Iwate): It's easy to see why this stunning Iwate prefecture beach was named "Jodogahama," or Pure Land. Located in Rikuchu Kaigan National Park, it's one of Japan's nationally designated places of scenic beauty.

Kumano Kodo (Wakayama): Kumano Kodo, as seen here from the famous Hyakken-gura viewpoint, is a network of seven pilgrimage routes. It's one of only two UNESCO-listed pilgrimages in the world. Find out how to tackle Kumano Kodo here.

Mototaki Waterfall (Akita): This pretty waterfall, fed by year-round snow on Mount Chokai, remains chilly even during the warmer seasons. It's in Akita prefecture in Japan's Tohoku region.

Mount Fuji: One of Japan's three sacred mountains and one of its most recognizable natural attractions, Mount Fuji is a popular hiking destination for pilgrims and travelers. Its seemingly symmetrical shape is an icon that has appeared on many postcards and artworks in Japan.

Tokyo: Tokyo's cityscape -- a mix of historic temples, skyscrapers and the iconic Tokyo Tower -- is a sight Japan lovers never tire of. The open-air Sky Deck of Roppongi Hills is one of the best places to snap an Instagram-perfect shot like this one.

Japan's 36 most beautiful places

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Japan’s health ministry has agreed to loosen entry restrictions for visitors to the country who can provide evidence of being fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Travelers will have to show proof of getting the Pfizer, Moderna or AstraZeneca vaccines, as they are currently the only ones accepted in Japan. So it’s bad news for China’s Sinopharm and the United States’ Johnson & Johnson.

Eligible travelers will no longer have to endure a 14-day quarantine – instead, they can do 10. At the end of the 10-day period, they must take a PCR test. If that test comes back negative, the person is then able to move about freely.

3. Australia has revealed its plan to reopen its borders to fully vaccinated citizens

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Australia to ease travel rules for vaccinated citizens

02:38 - Source: CNN

On October 1, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced plans to reopen the country’s borders to fully vaccinated citizens and permanent residents.

It’s now more than 18 months since Australia closed its borders in response to the pandemic, imposing strict quotas on arrivals and a mandatory 14-day quarantine for those who were able to make the trip. The reopening – expected to take effect in November – is welcome news to the thousands of Australian citizens still stranded overseas.

4. Argentina will also reopen to fully vaccinated international visitors on November 1

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See whales approach a paddle boarder in Argentina

00:56 - Source: CNN

We’re now entering springtime in the southern hemisphere and so it will be a peak time to visit Argentina when it reopens to international tourism on November 1.

All foreign visitors will be welcome to make a quarantine-free visit, as long as they have received the approved vaccines at least two weeks beforehand and also present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before their arrival in the country.

Argentina’s Minister of Health Carla Vizzoti tweeted the news on September 21. The country’s land borders have already reopened, on October 1, allowing foreign nationals from its neighboring countries to enter.

5. Vietnam’s biggest city has relaxed its Covid restrictions

A health worker checks the temperature of a member of the public at a Covid-19 vaccination center in Ho Chi Minh City on August 5, 2021.

Vietnam has been in strict lockdown since early July, as a result of a Covid wave linked to the Delta variant which would lead to a record high of 804 deaths in one day on September 1.

While cases have dropped, it’s still seeing more than 62,000 new cases a week and less than 10% of the population are vaccinated.

However, the economy has been hit hard and officials in Vietnam’s biggest city and commercial hub, Ho Chi Minh City, have made the decision to end travel curbs within the city and to allow some hospitality facilities, malls and construction projects to resume business, reports Reuters.

6. A couple married on the US-Canadian border so the bride’s family could attend

Karen Mahoney and Brian Ray got married on the US-Canadian border so her family could witness it.

Some people want a church wedding, others want a beach service, but for newlyweds Karen Mahoney and Brian Ray, a US-Canada border crossing outside Burke, New York, was perfect.

Covid-19 restrictions had made it difficult for the Canadian bride to have her family at her US wedding, so this was the way for Mahoney’s parents and 96-year-old grandmother to be at the celebration.

“The most important part of the day for us was the promises we told to each other, and we wanted my parents and grandmother to witness that,” Mahoney told CNN.

7. A baby was born on a Turkish Airlines flight to the US

Turkish Airlines crew members with the baby they helped deliver.

A Moroccan woman gave birth on a Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbul to Chicago on September 27. Her son was delivered with the assistance of cabin crew and a doctor who was on board, reports Nola.com.

The flight continued, as the mother and baby were in good health, a press spokesperson for Turkish Airlines said in a release.

8. A Middle Eastern airline was named the best in the world

Skytrax Best Airlines 2021: Skytrax has announced the winners of its 2021 World Airline Awards. Number 10 on this list of top airlines is Air France. See more photos of the top 10 in this gallery.

9. Hainan Airlines: Chinese carrier Hainan came in at number nine on the Skytrax round-up. The awards are voted on by travelers via a customer survey, which this time round ran from September 2019 to July 2021.

8. Qantas: Aussie airline Qantas is number eight on Skytrax list. Travelers were asked about more than 350 global airlines.

7. EVA Air: Taiwanese airline EVA is number seven on Skytrax list. EVA also ranked seventh for World's Best Cabin Staff and fifth for World's Cleanest Airline Cabins.

6. Cathay Pacific Airways: The Hong Kong carrier also won Best Business Class Lounge in Asia.

5. Japan Airlines: The fifth best airline according to Skytrax's survey is Japan Airlines. Japan Airlines also won awards for World's Best Economy Class, Best Economy Class Airline Seat and Best Economy Class in Asia.

4. Emirates: Number four on Skytrax's round-up is Emirates, also recognized as offering the World's Best Airline Inflight Entertainment and Best First Class in the Middle East.

3. ANA All Nippon Airways: This Japanese carrier was also recognized for the World's Best Airline Cabin Cleanliness, World's Best Airport Services, Best Airline Staff in Asia and Best First Class Lounge in Asia.

2. Singapore Airlines: At the number two spot is Singapore Airlines, which also won Skytrax's gongs for World's Best Airline Cabin Staff, Best Airline in Asia, World's Best First Class, World's Best First Class Seat and Best Economy Class Onboard Catering.

1. Qatar Airways: The world's best airline for 2021, according to Skytrax, is Qatar Airways. Qatar Airways also took home several other awards, including World's Best Business Class Seat.

Photos: Skytrax best airlines for 2021

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Doha-based Qatar Airways has been named 2021’s best airline twice over: first by AirlineRatings.com in July and now by review body Skytrax.

Skytrax World Airline Awards are voted for by travelers via a customer survey, which this time ran from September 2019 to July 2021.

“It is clear that Qatar Airways has maintained its high standards of innovation and service standards, both in more normal times and through the current global pandemic,” said Skytrax CEO Edward Plaisted in a statement on the results.

9. Parts of United Airlines’ vaccine mandate have been postponed under a temporary deal

nited Airlines pilot Steve Lindland receives a Covid-19 vaccine at O'Hare International Airport in March 2021.

United Airlines’ vaccine mandate came into effect this week, but the airline is postponing full implementation while a legal challenge to the mandate progresses.

Under a temporary deal, employees who had their religious or medical accommodation requests rejected by the company will be allowed to remain active at the company until October 8, when the court has scheduled a hearing in the lawsuit.

United’s policy will still apply to employees who do not show proof of vaccination and didn’t apply for a religious or medical exemption.

10. UK road trips were tricky, due to a gasoline crisis

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UK puts army on standby to deliver fuel as service stations run dry (September 2021)

03:11 - Source: CNN

The UK’s week-long gasoline shortage, which has seen service stations closed and long lines at those that are open, is beginning to ease off although things have yet to return to normal.

It’s down to a shortage of tanker drivers, made worse by the Brexit situation and also by panic buying by the general public. CNN’s Charles Riley has the lowdown on what you need to know.

CNN’s Chris Isidore, Lauren M. Johnson, Lilit Marcus, Duarte Mendonca, Henrik Pettersson, Charles Riley, Tierney Sneed, Francesca Street, Angus Watson and Ben Westcott contributed to this report.