Sherri Gardner

Associate Editor

For years now I've been very interested in the ways that the travel industry is becoming more accessible and welcoming for diverse travelers. The interest started with my own travels as a Black woman and the special considerations I need to take when planning trips or choosing destinations. During the past two years, when I spent much more time in my Brooklyn apartment and much less time on trips, my curiosity about accessibility in travel blossomed. Listening to and reading the stories of disabled activists opened my eyes even wider to the improvements the travel industry has made and still needs to make.

For Autism Acceptance Month, I set myself a mission: to uncover the many ways that the travel industry is finally opening its arms to autistic communities. The result was a lengthy feature with some surprising revelations. Like how in 2019, a shocking 87 percent of families with autistic children never took a family vacation due to a lack of accommodations. But the real surprise was how businesses around the world are working to make travel enjoyable for people with autism.

Airports offering practice flights, theme parks promoting comprehensive sensory guides, tour operators getting intensive support training—all of this helps people with autism feel welcomed as travelers. The most pleasant discovery was that Mesa, Arizona is the country's (and possibly the world's) first Autism Certified City, making it a hot destination for people with autism.

Autism Acceptance Month may be ending this week, but these accessibility efforts are only poised to grow!

On Our Radar

Nervous Flying Without a Mask Mandate? These Airlines Are Offering Refunds

Several airlines are offering flexible refund policies in light of recent events.

The World's Best Restaurant Is Coming to New York City

But you'll need a premium American Express card to dine.

Margaritaville's First Cruise Ship Is Setting Sail for the Bahamas This May

Are you ready to nibble on sponge cake...at sea?

Destination of the Day

Mesa, Arizona

Located in the East Valley, just 19 miles east of Phoenix, Mesa is the third-largest city in Arizona. There's plenty to do, from museum hopping and boat tours and sporting activities like horseback riding and golfing. Here are some ways to fill your time.

Learn About the History of Mesa

From dinosaurs to conquistadors, the Arizona Museum of Natural History explores the rich and colorful history of Mesa and the southwest U.S. region. Featuring permanent exhibits on natural and cultural history, as well as a varied series of changing exhibits, the museum is designed with an emphasis on hands-on learning.

Feed Horses at Superstition Farm

A nod to Mesa's farming past, at Superstition Farm you can get up close and personal with barnyard animals on this working dairy farm and learn about rural life. You can take a hayride, pet the farm animals, feed the horses, and drink up to 12 flavors of fresh milk.

Take a Desert Belle Boat Tour

The Desert Belle narrated boat cruise of Saguaro Lake is relaxing, pretty, and informative. During this 80-minute tour, you'll learn all about the mountains, lakes, flora, and fauna of the Sonoran Desert. Along the way, you may even get to see wildlife like bald eagles, desert bighorn sheep, and wild horses.

Vacation Like a Pro

To enjoy the Valley's sunny days and mild temperatures, plan your trip between November and March, keeping in mind that January through March is considered high season (rooms can be hard to come by last minute during Cactus League spring training). However, if you don't mind triple-digit heat, you can find amazing deals on resort stays from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Teresa Bitler
Contributing Writer

Your Packing List

You won't need a sweater or jacket in the spring, but a long-sleeve T-shirt or sweatshirt can come in handy if a rainy day is slightly cooler.

If you're traveling in the summer, lightweight clothing is a must. Look for breathable fabrics that wick away moisture.

Don't forget to pack sunglasses, a hat to protect your face from the sun, and a high-factor sunscreen.

Trending in Travel

The Top 12 Places to Visit in the US

I Traveled Through 8 African Countries on Public Transit

The 11 Best Luggage Brands of 2022

Get Inspired

Known as the modern capital of Oman, Muscat offers an abundance of traditional sites, stunning mountain backdrops, and pristine beaches. Feel like you stepped back in time by enjoying shopping at the Mutrah souk, which offers immaculate jewels and other Arabian trinkets for sale in the open area market. Also, gaze upon breath-taking views at the Royal Opera House Muscat, with its glistening white stone walls where the likes of jazz artists such as Chick Korea and Branford Marsalis have performed.

Got Any Tips?

Have a travel tip or feedback on how we can improve?
Send us a note at feedback@tripsavvy.com and you may just see it in a future newsletter!