It’s simply impossible to imagine our life without traveling. Be it a business trip or a sea voyage, such experiences are the best in preventing the blues. But with the start of the coronavirus, traveling has become associated with risks and difficulties. Millions of tourists had to change plans and look forward to new journeys. So, 2020 was full of restrictions, canceled tickets and suspense.

Luckily, the world is gradually returning to its usual mode now. Of course, not all countries have opened their borders, and the economic factor plays an important role, so domestic travel is becoming more widespread.

In case you are traveling during a pandemic, use the tips below. They will help ensure your safety and reduce all kinds of risks.

Uncrowded Places Are The Best

The most important thing you have to pay attention to when planning your travel routes is maintaining the maximum distance from tourist crowds. Before the pandemic, we often sat in cafes on noisy streets or wandered through well-known museums, but now is the time to focus on more desolate travel destinations.

Spend some time by the lakes and rivers, go to the mountains, national parks and waterfalls. Natural wonders will be a breath of fresh air, and, after months at home, it will be a welcome change of scenery. Visit alpaca farms, see live bison in the reserve, ride horses, find caves with underground lakes.

Green tourism was gaining popularity even before the pandemic, but now it has acquired a new meaning. Being away from the crowd has become not only a luxury but also a necessity.

While relaxing on the farm, you will have the chance to milk a cow, look after goats, cook homemade cheese and honey. If a peaceful vacation is not for you, then turn to sports, adrenaline and new bright emotions. Lovers of extreme pastime will certainly appreciate rafting, camping and bike tours.

Of course, any of these trips require you to be in the moment. Such things as unfinished business or approaching deadlines can make it hard to relax. So, if you think «I need someone to do my homework», it’s better to turn to an experienced professional in advance. Then, your trip will be fully stress-free.

Individual Approach

It’s rather obvious that independent individual travel is better than organized group tourism these days. Online services for booking everything from accommodation to transport are life-saving. Earlier we lived in packed hotels and traveled by tourist buses, but now it is wiser to rent a more secluded accommodation and book a car online.

Choose a cozy guest house instead of a hotel, ask a couchsurfer to give you a tour (instead of walking with a huge group of other people), and travel on your own, not on an overfull bus.

Housing

One must admit that grand luxurious hotels with guests from different parts of the world are less viable now than they ever were. Instead, small boutique hotels win the hearts and minds of guests. Why?  Here, the possibility of coming in contact with other people in the elevator or at the reception desk is considerably lower.

Another way to spend your trip in a peaceful atmosphere is to book a stay in guest houses, cottages and bungalows. Most importantly, such accommodation provides you with a kitchen and an individual entrance. This way, you won’t eat in public places, avoiding contact with others.

Private rental housing is developing quickly as well. They allow you comfort while granting you plenty of independence at the same time. The owner of the housing will see you twice at most (on the day of your arrival and departure).

There is also a high possibility that you won’t meet them at all. Although during a pandemic, you may leave the key in a safe place (let’s say in the mailbox) and any problem can be easily solved by phone. Isn’t it wonderful? You get autonomous access to your temporary home, and no other tourists nearby.

In case you are staying at a well-known seaside resort, be aware that there may be few options when it comes to private housing.

Transport

The best way to travel now is to drive your own car. However, if the distance is longer, then an airplane is the only option. In this case, follow our piece of advice.

First, less popular flights do matter. Do some research on the best flight days. Draw attention to the lowest price tags - such flights are traditionally less busy.

Second, take a direct flight instead of the one with a change. Remember that each plane is connected to a certain number of potentially ill neighbors. You may also meet them at the transfer airport. Yes, direct flights are expensive, but they’ve got an advantage which is your safety.

Third, the checks are more thorough these days. So, it’s best to arrive at the airport earlier than usual. Three hours before departure is enough to accurately get ready for the flight. If you have a high temperature or a cough before your trip, better cancel it or postpone it. Otherwise, there is a risk that you won’t be allowed to board a plane or that you will need to subject yourself to more thorough checks.

Picking up a seat on board is a responsible task. The end of the cabin is usually more filled with people because of the toilets, which is why the front rows are quieter. However, as statistics say, many passengers enjoy sitting in the nose of the plane. There is one thing we are one hundred percent sure of - the safest places are the ones near windows.

Remember - disinfection matters. Disinfect the armrests, the folding table and the monitor after boarding the aircraft. Take a look at your neighbors and if you believe they’re ill – don’t hesitate and ask the flight attendants to change your seat.

While flying and walking across the airport, be sure to have a mask with a filter on. Bring your usual medical mask with you as well just in case.

When it comes to the transport during the journey, a rented car is a perfect choice. It will help you minimize the number of people you have contact with. Before you drive, disinfect the door handles, navigator, steering wheel, gear shift knob and audio system.

When Packing

Take with you:

• Antiseptic (let it be a sufficient supply), but keep in mind that you can’t take in your carry-on luggage liquids with a volume of more than 100 ml;

• Protective masks (plus, maybe someone will ask you to borrow them);

• Paracetamol, an electronic thermometer and medicines for a cold and allergy in your first aid kit.

To Sum It Up

Wash your hands after visiting public places and transport, every time before eating and immediately after returning to the place of your stay. It’s essential to disinfect the gadgets that you used on the street, as well as the cover of your passport after it was handled by airport or hotel staff).