Travel Itineraries’ high flying wings were unceremoniously clipped due to the dreadful Covid-19 virus in 2020. Grounded in Barbados, I was able to enjoy the sea, surf, sand, and sun, which most people would consider to be the idyllic life, and what I thought was not a bad trade off. With my original plans to explore, island hop, cruise the high seas, and peregrinate from place to place tabled, I have been eagerly looking forward to revisiting my deferred travel aspirations in 2021. As usual, at the beginning of every New Year there is often anticipation that it will be better than the last. Those feelings of hope and expectancy are contagious, and I am not immune. I too, like most want this year to be better than the last.
The New Year’s hopefulness has affected my inner circle, family, and friends also. They desperately long to breathe again. For far too long, their travel balloons have been deflated, and they have become a little antsy for adventure. To add insult to injury, as of writing, two newer viruses (the British and South African strains) are making fresh inroads on the world scene. To the tourists this may signal a further setback that all contemplated or pre-planned holidays scheduled for 2021 is a no-go, but it is still too early to call. It is uncertain how it will all play out with the rollout and fulfillment of the vaccination initiative currently underway. We will have to wait and see. We must be patient.
Taking an optimistic viewpoint, every dark cloud has a silver lining ties in succinctly with my premise of hope. So, I am simply saying, “do not panic.” The days of suffering from claustrophobia exhaustion is nearing an end if you heed these directions. You can resume planning month-long getaways to exciting exotic locations. Prepare bespoke itineraries of a dream trip of a lifetime. Decide to incorporate the tips I will outline below to help keep you safe. Your safety is paramount and since returning to old norms is highly unlikely, I propose the sooner we adopt the safety measures, the sooner and safer we will get back to flying the open skies once again.
Here are a few tips to ensure you enjoy your trip abroad or nationally if you choose to travel:
- Pack extra masks, disposable wipes, and sanitizers for easy access in your carry-on and handbag.
- Wear a mask at all times and sanitize hands frequently.
- Choose to stand a safe distance apart from others.
- Take authorized virus test before and after reaching destination.
- Plan to quarantine for a week at destination.
- Re-take virus test a week later after initial quarantine.
- If test results are negative then you are free to enjoy your vacay to the max. Remember to follow steps two and three when in the public domain.
Hear me out. These procedural suggestions are part and parcel of the lifestyle for the wanderlust sort. The sooner holidaymakers accept the guidelines, the quicker it will become a norm and no longer viewed as an irritant. Wearing a mask is a small ask when it comes to saving a life, which may be your very own.
Who would have guessed that such a small slip to cover nose and lip, would become so trendy, necessary, and handy, who would have guessed?
Community Peeps, your 2021 travel plans may seem iffy right now, but do not fear or despair. There is light at the end of the tunnel. A New Year usually projects new hopes and dreams. I pray that your travel plans will materialize, and a nice break where you can breathe, be revived, and refreshed in a location other than the confines of your home is in the offing. Let us believe, claim it and call it done, God willing. Please share your thoughts on the issue in the box below.
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More times,
Itinerary Planner
Great reminders to help control spread and stay safe when we can travel. (Or course the 1-week quarantine on arrival will be a deal-breaker for many US travelers due to limited vacation time offered, alas).
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I realize the vacation time constraints too, but as more persons take the vaccine hopefully quarantining would not be such an issue. Until then this is the best we can do to protect self and others. I appreciate your comment. It is fair and relevant. Thanks again for sharing.
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Echoing aka gringita above, US companies are really stingy when it comes to vacation time, so I will probably opt to wait a bit longer for international travel, in hopes that necessary quarantining will become a thing of the past. I was supposed to go to Japan in April, of course that got canceled and I know it is for the best, but it’s such a bummer! (luckily everything was refundable.) I live in a place with tons of beautiful outdoor locations, and many that I haven’t been to, so I plan to explore more of that this year, rather than venturing too far from home, just to stay on the safe side.
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I do agree wholeheartedly. Hopefully with the vaccine distribution the situation will turn around before the end of the year. Your alternative sounds great. I’m sure you’ll enjoy all that is in your own backyard. Don’t forget to take the pics to share with us. I appreciate your comment. Thank you.
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