Over the past year and a half, travel has been off the cards for the vast majority of us. The coronavirus and Covid-19 pandemic has caused havoc around the world, impacting all areas of life, including travel.
In fact, the pandemic has completely changed the way that the world works, with governments in the vast majority of countries implementing strict social distancing and social isolation measures.
Many have recommended that we stay home wherever possible, only leaving the house for essentials like food and medicine, in a bid to slow the spread of the virus, save lives and reduce the burden placed on healthcare services.
Many have also closed the borders or limited travel to and from other countries – again, to slow and minimize the spread of the virus, but this time, on a global scale.
At times, domestic travel has even been limited. So, if you had any sort of trip or getaway booked between March 2020 and now, chances are, it was cancelled and you’ve been unable to go.
The good news is that vaccines are being rolled out across the world at a rapid rate and many countries are able to return things to somewhat normal. As this happens, many of us are beginning to think of travel again, craving a getaway from the spaces we’ve spent so much time in for such a long time now.
Of course, not all trips will go ahead immediately, but you can start planning. Here are some areas to focus on to get the ball rolling!
Choosing Your Type of Trip
There are countless different types of trips out there. What best suits you will depend entirely on your individual preferences, circumstances and overall budget. Here are just a few of the most popular that you might like to choose from.
Camping
Perhaps one of the most realistic trips to pursue straight after the pandemic would be a camping trip. Now, camping may not be the usual trip to top your list of things you want to do. It’s by far not the most common type of holiday vacation.
But it is a sensible option that is less likely to get cancelled. We love camping! You can camp domestically, so you won’t find yourself relying on flights that could get cancelled. You also won’t find your trip impacted by last minute changes to border control. All you have to do is invest in some camping essentials (such as a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat or inflatable mattress and more) and choose a local beauty spot you want to spend some time in.
When you camp, you keep your distance from others and are self contained. You can simply drive where you want, set up a tent and start exploring. This is a great way to spend some time in nature and really let your hair down and relax.
If possible, consider camping in a campsite as opposed to the wilderness. This is safer. Plus, you’ll have access to day to day amenities, such as working showers, toilets and power points where you can charge your phone.
Also take a look at general camping safety before going away. There are key tips that could save your life, such as knowing not to take any bbq or other heated device inside your tent.
A Road Trip
Another great Covid-friendly option is a road trip. You may not have been on a road trip before, but it offers a fun get away without having to stray too far from your local area.
When you go on a road trip, you can also keep your distance from others. You can fill up with fuel and pay at the pump. You are in your vehicle, which is self contained. You can do outdoor activities away from others when you leave your vehicle.
All in all, you won’t have to come into close contact with many people at all. This is a great way to travel to areas around you, see some stunning scenery, visit local beauty spots and more.
Now, for a road trip, you will need a vehicle to travel in. You could go in your usual car and stop off at hotels or other accommodation en route overnight.
Alternatively, you could buy or hire a camper or mobile home and use this. Before heading away, make sure to think over who you want to travel with carefully. You’re going to be spending a whole lot of time together in close proximity to one another.
With that in mind, you’ll need to be able to get along over long periods of time. Ideally, they’ll be able to drive too, so you can split driving responsibilities and each get some rest.
A Beach Holiday Vacation
Now let’s veer back to some of the more traditional holiday vacation. One of the most sought after getaways in the world tends to be a beach holiday.
If you live in a country with a colder or wetter climate, chances are, you’d love to get into the sun to relax. Sun, sea and sand are the perfect combination and there are plenty of options when it comes to international travel.
Of course, you’re going to have to wait to book this type of trip. It’s best to wait until your country is in the all clear, and the country you’re planning on visiting is in the all clear, before booking. This will reduce chances of disappointment associated with cancelled flights and closed borders.
Remember that even if your country is on track in regards to vaccination, other countries aren’t all able to get the same access to as many vaccines and may take longer to return to normal.
A City Break
A city break is another great option. Of course, you will need to bear in mind the same information as we’ve highlighted for beach holidays if you’re planning on an international trip to another major city. While most major cities are rolling their vaccines out pretty quickly, there could still be limitations in place, so take your time and only book once things are more stable and secure.
Planning Days Out
Wherever you’re heading, you can always benefit from planning days out in the location well in advance. Most places have a lot to offer, sights to see and more. So, research the area and decide how you want to spend your time when you get there.
For example…
What do you want to see? What do you want to do? Where do you want to stay? What do you want to eat? You could do anything from seeing something like the Mercedes- Benz Stadium, Atlanta Falcons to major tourist attractions, theme parks, specific beaches, specific hike trails, natural landmarks, World Heritage sites and more.
The sooner you plan what you want to do, the sooner you can create an itinerary. Booking days out in advance can also cost less and ensure that you definitely gain entry when you do visit. Often, you can skip the queues too!
Start Browsing Deals
Before booking, it’s also a good idea to browse different prices and different deals offered by different travel providers. Do you want a package trip? Are you looking for an all-inclusive stay?
Looking at different ways to go about getting to your destination can help you to save a whole lot of money. Many providers are also offering bookings with minimal deposits and hugely flexible cancellation fees, so you could book already if you are confident you will get your money back if circumstances change.
Sure, travel might not be fully back up and running quite yet. But it is in the pipeline and some advance planning could help you to get away sooner rather than later!
