Photo by Heather Goodman
There’s no question that traveling these days is quite different from what it was just a few months ago. At least we actually have the option of doing so now.
If you plan on taking a vacation in the next few weeks or so, you can expect a variety of ongoing restrictions depending on where you choose to go. To help you prepare, here are some basic things to keep in mind:
Where You Go
If you’re planning on going to a major city, you are likely to run into crowds that can make social distancing difficult. Or if you want to go a major theme park, keep in mind that they are limiting the number of attendees. So, there’s no guarantee of just showing up and getting in.
Or you could consider a trip to one of the recently reopened state or national parks. With many outdoor adventures, social distancing doesn’t even have to be mentioned; it tends to happen naturally, no matter what. You aren’t apt to run into too many crowds while out hiking or kayaking.
How You Get There
To completely ensure social distancing, your best bet is to avoid mass transportation like flying and train travel as much as possible. Yes, there are precautions in place with these forms of transportation: mask-wearing for the duration of a trip, spread-out boarding procedures, etc.
However, the one way that you can really socially distance from others when you drive yourself to your destination. Then, once you’re at your destination, you can continue to drive yourself to see the sights. Or you can consider biking or walking to places.
Where You Stay
Most major hotel chains have been quite transparent about their cleanliness and occupancy standards these days. With places you find on Airbnb and boutique hotels, their policies may also be explicitly laid out online, but not always. In those cases, you may have to do a little more investigating and checking with the individual owners directly to really know for sure.
If you’re already planning on a trip that gets you back to nature, the world (and probably a tent) is your hotel. No worries about other peoples’ cleanliness there.
Photo by Bignai
Where You Eat
If they’re open for dine-in at all, be prepared to have a very different experience at restaurants, in the form of plexiglass partitions, spread-out seating, and other proprietary social distancing implements. If that doesn’t sound like fun to you, consider takeout or delivery.
Or, if you stay in a place that gives you the option of cooking, you could simply do some grocery shopping and then stay in to eat. The great things about this option? You will probably save money over dining out, and you don’t even have to wear shoes if you don’t want.
What You Wear
Really, just wear what’s appropriate for whatever activity you have planned. However, the one accessory you should have with you at all times is a mask. You won’t always have to wear it. But it’s good to have just in case you find yourself in a crowd or somewhere where it’s required.
So yes, it will be different traveling over the next few months (and maybe longer). But fortunately, you still have some options when it comes to seeing what you want to see, the way you want to see it.
Happy (and safe) travels!