UK eases travel rules, a 'new' hiking trail opens in Bhutan: Here's your Friday around the Planet

As requirements and restrictions in countries around the world rapidly change, I will wrap up the travel-related news you might have missed this week.

There was a lot of movement in Europe this week to make it easier for travelers to get vaccinations.

The European Union this week agreed to a coordinated approach to facilitate safe free movement, which means that after February 1, EU citizens with a valid EU digital COVID cert can move more easily around the block of countries without additional testing upon arrival. The new rules for travel in the EU have been explained.

It was announced that England would no longer test for COVID-19. Travelers have to show proof that they will take the COVID-19 test the second day after arriving in the country. From February 11 that will change. Similar measures are being introduced in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. British families are going to have a busy travel time due to a school break.

If you are going on a Spring Break trip to Mexico, you might want to know what is happening in your destination. There are some popular beach spots in Mexico that have added measures to mitigate the risk of flooding.

We all need something to look forward to, so here is a look at some of the non-COVID-related travel news happening around the planet.

A campground at the park that is popular for its views of Half Dome now has a lottery. This guide will help you decide if you should visit either of these places. The real question is which one to go to first.

Adding that one and this guide of how to hike every continent to my arsenal of ideas for my New Year's resolution to do 52 hikes in 2022. I did the Midlife Crisis Trail at South Mountain. The trail, which bounces between moderate trails and bouldering while offering scenic views of both the city skyline and nature like a rock tunnel, certainly lives up to its name.

If you need a goal for the year and want to mix business and pleasure, check out this list of popular marathons which will allow you to travel to an interesting new destination.