Tag: family travel

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Five Tips for COVID-Friendly Travel

Guest post by Jesse Clark

5 Tips for COVID-Friendly Travel

The United States and many other countries are starting to round the corner on the COVID-19 pandemic. This is an exciting development, even if this global event will likely stretch on for a while longer. For many people, the option to travel is suddenly realistic again. Of course, you want to continue being safe, even as case counts drop. The following five tips can help you enjoy safe travels, presented by TravelsandEscapes.net.

1. Remember General COVID Safety Tips

Vacations are about relaxing and getting away from the rigidity and rules of everyday life. However, that doesn’t mean that you should lighten up on COVID safety, according to the CDC. Remember to practice social distancing and to wear a mask when appropriate. Additionally, if you have not yet received the vaccine, discuss the options with a medical professional. Keep in mind that some destinations may require vaccination for travel.

2. Consider Alternative Travel Options

Think about your options for traveling. Getting to and from your destination is likely the riskiest part of vacationing in terms of COVID. It can be hard to socially distance when on a plane or train. Consider other options such as taking a road trip in your car. Alternatively, some airlines and train operators have special plans to help protect passengers. While it may not be feasible for everyone, in some cases, you may be able to charter private transportation. Explore your options and choose what you feel most comfortable doing.

3. Make Sure You Know Your Destination’s COVID Rules

Keep in mind that wherever you are traveling may have different rules for COVID than your home. This is especially significant in international travel. However, it can also be the case when traveling between provinces or states, and even cities in some cases. There may be both stricter and more relaxed rules. In either case, be prepared to read up on and comply with destination regulations and for general cultural shifts regarding COVID.

4. Look for Private Accommodation Options

Crowded hotels and resorts can become disease hotspots. Instead, consider renting private accommodations such as online homestays. Many options can be as affordable as a hotel room or other traditional accommodation. This is a great choice if you are planning a group vacation. You can get together with friends and family at a destination while still socially distancing yourself from strangers.

5. Pack Smart for the Situation

Traveling during a global pandemic can be an anxiety-provoking experience. Make it less stressful by packing intelligently. For example, you should ensure that your travel documents are easy to access. A passport wallet can help with organization, and use a luggage tag to clearly identify your luggage, especially if you are traveling with others with similar bags.

You also want to stay up to date with the latest news for both your home and your destination, so take measures to keep your devices juiced up by investing in a reliable charger. Consider setting up news alerts for your phone, smartwatch, or another device. However, if you are feeling worried, try limiting yourself to checking the news once per day or less. Doomscrolling is hurting more than helping.

As the situation improves, COVID-friendly travel becomes more possible. For many people, the recent improvements in the state of the pandemic present an exciting opportunity to travel. However, that is no reason to throw caution to the wind. The above tips can help you enjoy your trip while staying safe.

For more tips and travel ideas check out http://travelsandescapes.net/

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Safe Holiday Road Tripping: Pandemic Edition

Safe Holiday Road Tripping: Pandemic Edition

Visit Travels and Escapes for more travel tips, photos, and getaway ideas.

Traveling home for the holidays? As families remain wary of air travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more people are opting to drive to their holiday destination rather than fly. Road trips have hazards of their own, however. Not only must travelers contend with icy roads and holiday traffic, but driving isn’t a foolproof way to avoid illness. To arrive at your destination in good health and good spirits, here’s what you need to know.

Prepare your car.

There’s never a good time to break down in the middle of nowhere, but especially not in the midst of a pandemic. However, if you’ve been working from home and limiting travel, your car may not be running in peak condition. Schedule a tune-up with special attention paid to the tires, brakes, and battery. Alternatively, consider renting a car for your road trip.

You’ll also want to protect your car’s interior from the wear and tear of a road trip. All-weather floor mats are a must for winter travel because they protect your car’s carpets from slush, salt, and grime. Look for rubber construction and raised edges to trap dirt and moisture. Kick mats and car seat protectors are also worthy investments if you value a clean interior. Don’t forget a hanging trash can to contain drink cups and food containers.

Pack heavy.

One big advantage of road trips? You can pack a lot of stuff in a car if you’re smart about it. That’s good news during the pandemic when families should avoid pit stops as much as possible. A hitch-mount rack makes it easy to stow a cooler full of food without consuming precious cargo space, while packing cubes and backseat car organizers keep the interior tidy. Instead of loading up on bottled water, fill a 5-gallon travel jug and pack reusable bottles.

Of course, not everything should be stowed away. Store your trusty hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes for gas pumps, and plenty of face masks where you can easily access them and keep a smaller, soft-sided cooler in the cargo area to replenish during stops.

Plan your rest stops.

Normally, you’d drive until you’re tired and then find the closest chain hotel to rest for the night. But when illness is afoot, it’s worth putting more thought into your overnight accommodations.

Vacation rentals, whether through Airbnb or another service, are a better option than hotels right now because families can rent an entire house or apartment with a full kitchen. That eliminates any need for indoor dining or sharing space with strangers.

What about bathroom breaks?

When duty calls, what should you do? While the pandemic presents an additional reason to be concerned about public bathroom cleanliness, you can be smart about pit stops. Wear a mask, wash your hands thoroughly, and use hand sanitizer after leaving the restroom if you touch handles while exiting. If possible, use single-stall restrooms or time bathroom breaks so you stop at interstate rest stops, which tend to be quiet and well-kept, rather than gas station bathrooms.

To quarantine or not to quarantine?

Getting to your destination is only half the battle. Once there, you’ll need to decide if your family should quarantine for 10 days before visiting loved ones. There’s no question that quarantining is the safest option, but is it really necessary?

Ultimately, the answer depends on your personal risk tolerance, as well as the risk tolerance of the people you’re visiting. Consider your activities before leaving on the road trip. Did your family quarantine prior to travel, or did you recently spend time with people outside of your household? Did you travel through areas with high community spread? Are your loved ones low-risk, or are they likely to get seriously ill from COVID-19? If you choose not to quarantine, wearing masks and maintaining separate accommodations will make your stay safer.

Road trips are a safer solution for holiday travel during a pandemic, but it’s still smart to be careful when you get behind the wheel. From making certain that your car is road-worthy to limiting stops along the way, these tips will ensure your upcoming trip is as safe as possible.

This guest post was brought to you courtesy of Jesse Clark.

Soulful-travel.com :: Jesse@soulful-travel.com

“Not all who wander are lost” — J.R.R. TOLKIEN

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Planning Safe Family Travel During COVID-19

Planning Safe Family Travel During COVID-19

Guest Post from Jesse Clark

Soulful-travel.com :: Jesse@soulful-travel.com

“Not all who wander are lost” — J.R.R. TOLKIEN

How does a traveler cope with stay-at-home orders? In a word: creatively. Right now, it’s important for people to limit long-distance travel in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Fortunately, as Travel and Escapes helpfully explains, there are ways for your family to satisfy wanderlust without doing too much actual wandering.

Here’s a look at how to plan a great — and responsible — family vacation.

Going Camping

Head to a nearby campground for a socially-distanced nature vacation.

Local Parks

You might be surprised by all that city and state parks have to offer.

Backyard Adventures

Don’t underestimate the staycation potential in your own backyard.

COVID-19 has complicated travel, yes, but you can still satisfy the urge to get away. Nature offers us tons of safe, socially distanced opportunities to unplug and recharge. There are hidden treasures all around you — now is your chance to discover the wonders right under your nose.

Photo Credit: Unsplash