Post-Pandemic Travel Tips for a Stress-Free Vacation
For many, setting foot into the changed world of travel is a daunting task. This could be your first time traveling, especially internationally, in well over a year and it’s impossible to ignore all the differences. It’s important to face these differences instead and getting ahead with these post-pandemic travel tips can help ensure that your vacation isn’t overrun by infectious worries.
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1) Take advantage of off-hours
For example, the Trevi Fountain is one of the most popular sights in all of Rome, and you don’t have to wait for any building to open in order to visit it. This will help you dodge many of the crowds before they emerge from their hotels for the day. Waking up earlier to achieve this may not be ideal, but in exchange you’ll also receive the perks of better photo opportunities and a more personal experience with these monuments.
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2) Make room in your luggage for cleaning supplies
Airplanes were disgusting enough before the word “coronavirus” became a part of our everyday vocabulary. If absolutely nothing else, consider slipping a pack of sanitizing wipes in your personal item to wipe down your tray table, arm rests, seatbelt and entertainment system on your flight. Hotels have really upped their cleaning game, but this still may be the first time you’ve stayed anywhere other than your own home in over a year. So if bringing cleaning supplies to do your own quick sanitizing sweep of the room will give you some peace of mind, then it’s worth the extra space. Just be mindful of TSA restrictions if you plan on packing any disinfectant sprays. And if you’ve hoarded a bunch of hand sanitizer, separate it into some mini bottles to bring with you.
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3) Pack more masks than you think you’ll need
Mask mandates can vary from place to place, and it’s better to have too many masks on hand than too few, particularly if you prefer specific types of masks. The last thing you’ll want to worry about is having to constantly wash reusable masks or buy more reusable masks, so packing more is well worth the small amount of space they take up in your luggage. Keep in mind that in a lot of places, basic face coverings such as bandanas or neck gaiters simply won’t cut it. You’ll likely need less if you’re spending most of your trip on the beaches of Crete as opposed to touring historical sites throughout Athens, but this is still one of those rare items where overpacking could prove beneficial.
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4) Break in your walking shoes
Pre-pandemic, you may not have thought twice about hopping on the metro or flagging down a taxi to take you from point A to point B. These are still probably safer options than roaming around lost in a city at night, but it’s also something you can cut down on in order to limit close contact with others. Instead of cramming into a tiny Uber with a driver you don’t know or a metro car filled with people to reach that restaurant you really wanted to try for lunch, you may wish to walk instead if the distance is manageable. Throughout your travels you may also find yourself walking longer routes to avoid pushing through bustling squares.
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5) Opt outside
There’s no shortage of jaw-dropping scenery throughout Europe, like the green hills of Chianti or the soaring mountains of the Bernese Oberland. But if you’re visiting somewhere like Florence or Paris, it can be tough not to tour the inside of the Uffizi or the Louvre. There will still be plenty of smaller choices throughout your trip where you can opt outside though. Instead of popping in and out of tight boutique storefronts, you can weave your way through outdoor markets. And Europe has been far ahead of the United States in al fresco dining long before the pandemic ever struck, so it won’t be hard to find outdoor dining options. To ensure you have a table outside, have your travel designer book reservations for you far in advance.
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6) Stay on top of requirements
Unfortunately, travel may be a bit more bureaucratic than you’re used to for the time being. And all of the other post-pandemic travel tips in this list will be rendered useless if you can’t enter your destination in the first place. Entry requirements to different countries could require a variety of documentation, and they could change from the time you book your trip to the time you actually depart. It’s better to have all of this in order in advance than to find out just before you depart that you’re missing something and have to scramble. You’ll also want to know what’s expected of you in order to return home and prepare accordingly instead of spending your last few days of vacation trying to figure it out.
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7) Adjust your expectations
This is by far the most important of these post-pandemic travel tips in order to truly achieve a stress-free vacation. You don’t necessarily have to lower your expectations, but simply adjust them in order to prepare yourself for how things may be different. You might have to wear masks in many of your vacation photos. Lines at immigration may move slower. Certain venues may still be closed. However, there could also be some nice benefits. Some destinations may not yet be as crowded as they usually would be or you might score some deals. You can still have an absolutely amazing trip, it just may look a little different than it would’ve pre-pandemic.