The stop-start, stop-start pattern of vacation planning has become the new standard for life in a pandemic with the epic proportions of Covid 19. Is it one we enjoy? No. Is it one that is necessary? YES.
After all, the worst souvenir possible to bring home with you & share with friends, family and your fellow countrymen is a literal plague! No one wants a t-shirt that says ‘My Aunt went to Florida and brought me back this Virus!’ So, the smaller ‘plague’ of trying to plan a ‘vacation under viral law’ is perhaps a small price to pay to ensure we can ever vacation (safely) again.
New rules, advisories and recommendations are being published daily from multiple sources and bandied about in the media on-air and online. After more than a year of yeses, no’s and maybes surrounding travel, we know science, politics and public opinion are a terrible trifecta to try to appease and navigate when planning a trip.
Here are a few guiding tips to help you manage your vacation expectations & travel savvy:
Make Your Shot Count!
Be able to produce paperwork or other proof of a negative COVID-19 test less than 72 hours prior to traveling.
- Although not mandatory yet, talk of ‘Vaccine Passports’ has been buzzing for awhile, and even if this new measure doesn’t materialize, it is still a good idea to ‘Vaccinate Before You Vacate!’ if you qualify. More sections, area codes and age limits are being added as vaccines become available, so check often or sign up for alerts to be notified when you qualify.
Pre & Post Vacation Isolation
When taking time off, make sure to account for any extra time you will need either while travelling to deal with extra safety measures or screening before and after.
- Also consider any quarantine period required after you arrive at your destination and after you return. Figure out the details and cost so you can add them to your travel budget time & money-wise. These could include a required stay in a government-specified hotel for up to 14 and cost food/parking etc.
Be A Dreamer – But a Smart One
Manage your Expectations! Dreaming about vacations is part of the fun, a BIG part of the fun, and usually you know what to expect. But longer lines, more hoops to jump and less available or accessible amenities are a part of today’s world until COVID-19 is under control. Think about whether it might be better to wait and plan the best vacation ever for the future, rather than go through with a mediocre one even though we’re all really bored and risk disappointment (or COVID-19!).
- Researching the area you are going and the current restrictions or rules it has in place regarding COVID-19 prior to getting there may save you major grief. Find out if the parks/excursions or areas you are planning on visiting are open and accepting visitors and whether or not amenities like public bathrooms and restaurants or food will be available without having to go majorly out of the way.
Finally: Be patient with the frontline workers you encounter on your trip, even when the circumstances are frustrating and may cost you time or money. It’s almost never the fault of the guy at the bottom of the totem pole, so your anger *while valid* is generally misdirected.
And even after you jet off (if you are able to do so safely) remember:
We are all in the same boat! Unfortunately, it currently seems that boat is more like an overcrowded lifeboat than a luxury cruise liner – but at the end of the day, think of which one you would rather be in when it comes to saving your life. (Psst -remember the Titanic!)
A Getaway Will Rejuvenate and Restore the Group
Believe it or not, RV travel is about much more than simply beating cabin fever and having fun. The time away in nature can help restore the mind and body, readying everyone to restart the daily grind with renewed vigor.
The benefits you may enjoy include:
- Lower cortisol levels
- Decreased heart rates
- Stress relief
- Improved focus
- Less inflammation
- Higher vitamin D levels
- A boost to creativity
And with all the new lifestyle changes and demands of daily life, these benefits are more important than ever. So, soak up the beauty of nature with confidence you are spending your time right this summer.
RV adventures await, giving you a way to beat cabin fever and simply get away from it all. Before you load up and head out, make sure to verify you have the right insurance coverage for your RV and all your other vehicles. That way, you can stay safe and maintain true peace of mind through all your travels.