Traveling is one of life’s most awe-inspiring luxuries. Being free to hotfoot it wherever we choose on the planet allows us to see incredible vistas, immerse ourselves in dynamic cultures, and meet new and interesting people.
The Covid-19 crisis of 2020 seems to have put a halt to this. If you are used to scratching your wanderlust itches, you may have to sit tight and anxiously wait until the pandemic is under control.
As 2020 is a bit of a washout when it comes to travel, use the year to plan your next travel adventure. Don’t wallow and reminisce about your previous jaunt to Goa, India or your trek across South America. You will be able to travel again – you just need to be patient.
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Heading across the globe is risky and picking up coronavirus is a real probability. If you are used to traveling with a backpack on a multi-stop self-planned tour, contamination can be even more likely as you aren’t in one place for long.
By focusing your efforts on your next travel adventure, you can still look forward to a wanderlust trip and be more prepared for it. Take a look at how you can use 2020 to plan the ultimate travel adventure in 2021.
Itinerary
At the moment, flying to different nations is tricky depending on quarantine legislation and visa requirements. Things are very much up in the air. When it comes to planning for 2021, you have to assume that travel will be more normal, albeit with one or two alterations.
You may need to be prepared for more temperature readings and document checks. If you don’t usually plan an itinerary for your treks overseas because you like to be spontaneous, you need to consider a travel plan for next year. Authorities will probably want to have an idea where you are planning on traveling within a country.
Itineraries needn’t limit you to one place or prevent you from doing spontaneous activities. Even a skeleton itinerary is better than nothing. Head onto websites that allow you to reserve accommodation without paying anything upfront. This allows you to flexibly plan your overnight stays.
Ensure that you book your flights in advance as early as possible. With the flight industry the way it is at the moment, try and bypass the smaller airlines as they may not be around in twelve months’ time. Aviation has seen a real financial hit so stick to the big guns. Fly at some ungodly hours and you could see your flight costs halve.
When planning activities, consider how socially distant you still might want to be. Outdoor activities can be safest as the risk of catching the coronavirus is lower than if you are indoors. Ensure that you plan for activities being canceled and be flexible when you are finally on your trip.
Accommodation
To stay safe when abroad, don’t only ever spend one night in one place. Firstly, this means that you never get to immerse yourself in a culture or see the authentic side of a place. You will be there and gone in the blink of an eye. Instead, stay a little longer so you don’t go to too many places.
This limits the chances of contamination and can help to keep you safer. If you are heading to Japan, why not rent a ryokan, a traditional Japanese residence for a week or so, to really get to grips with the Japanese rural way of life.
If you are touring Thailand and you want to see some Buddhist temples, check out a 3 rooms house for rent in Lat-Phrao, putting you smack bang in the middle of a temple complex with multiple golden Buddha statues. By being somewhere just that little bit longer, you can get to know the locals, eat where they do, and make friends with fellow travelers seeking the same sort of travel adventure.
Packing
Packing for your next overseas trip may be a little different from the norm. You must ensure that you have hand sanitizer, face coverings, and possibly gloves. Every country has different rules when it comes to being out and about.
Some nations see face coverings as a mandatory step on public transport or in shops. In others, it is a more advisory measure. You need to consider how safe you feel and stick to the laws of the land.
When packing, always opt for a front-loading backpack of no more than forty liters. Whereas you may have been okay with your luggage being in the hold prior to coronavirus, now you want to limit every potential contamination point.
A forty-liter front-loading backpack will allow you to keep your baggage on you at all times. You can take it in the cabin of the airplane and not have to worry about checking anything in. Ensure that you keep your valuables, face mask, and hand sanitizer easily accessible at all times.
Remember, no matter where you go in the world, you’ll be able to pick up extra supplies, toiletries or clothes, so travel light. A backpack is also easier to carry when having a travel day on a bus or a train. Hard wheeled suitcases are fine for vacations but not for traveling.
Budget
These uncertain economic times mean that people are watching the purse strings a little more. The same goes for travelers. If you have a job that is looking unstable or the industry you work in is struggling, you will need to consider how much you are willing to spend on your trip.
Try to stick to a more stringent budget by traveling off-season. Ensure that you spend every dollar wisely. To save money when changing your currency, shop around, and consider an online broker. These can give you so much more for your dollar when you are changing your currency for yen, pounds, or pesos.
When investigating excursions, don’t neglect the free options. Many museums and parks and temples are free to visit. They can often be the most exciting and interesting parts of any trip. Eat where the locals eat to ensure that you don’t have to pay the premium of a tourist trap.
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2020 has led to people re-evaluating their lives and thinking about what is important to them. Follow this guide, enjoy planning your adventure, and scratch that wanderlust itch once again.
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