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The pandemic has crushed so many hopes and dreams, from aspiring theater actors to small businessowners. It seems tame in comparison that it also curbed the wanderlust of would-be travelers.
According to a survey of would-be travelers, 60 percent of Americans plan on traveling more in 2021 than in 2019. This could be because a year of lockdowns and community quarantines has stoked the fires of exploration. Or it could be because a year of research and binge watching has made people itch for new vistas.
No matter what your motivation is for wanting to pack up and travel, you will need some advice to navigate the new normal effectively. Aside from knowing where the best place to sit on a plane is, here are 9 pieces of traveling advice every would-be tourist should keep in mind.
Your Belongings
When packing for a trip overseas or even just across the country, you have to make sure that you have everything you need. However, you also need to balance it with the need to travel light. Unless you have a chauffeur or some other form of assistance, you’ll have to carry your luggage around yourself.
Here are some tips on what you should definitely bring with you.
1. Pack a Hygiene Kit
Cleanliness and sanitation should now be your top priority when traveling. In your handbag or carry-on luggage, you must have an ample amount of hand sanitizing spray, but only enough to get through airport security. A couple of face masks, and a few extras, are just as important. Aside from your normal toothbrushing kit, you can also consider additional accessories like a teeth whitening kit for professionals if your travel time includes a business component.
1. Carry Redundancies
Always bring redundancies of vital luggage with you. As previously noted, you should have an ample supply of face masks so you can switch them as needed. You may also want to bring a secondary phone, just in case your primary phone is damaged or lost. This will prevent you from losing contact with friends and loved ones during an emergency. Finally, bring proof your ticket purchases and photocopies of your visa and passports to make things easier for you in case these items are also misplaced or stolen.
2. Bring Plenty of Finances
With the proliferation of mobile banking apps and digital payment platforms, people tend to forget that there are myriad payments options you can use during your vacation. Aside from mobile payment, you should also bring ample amounts of cash, which you’ll need to convert. You may also find it prudent to bring travelers checks for large payments. You do not want to be stranded abroad without ample funds and its better to bring a surplus rather than risk running out.
3. Your Destination
The world is a truly amazing place, with your home country no doubt playing host to dozen upon dozens of historic and natural locations worthy of visiting. However, the pandemic has made it necessary that you proceed with caution when planning any form of sojourn, both within and outside your country’s borders. Here are some tips you definitely don’t want to ignore when you’re planning a vacation or out-of-town trip.
4. Check Its Status
Although vaccines and responsible governments have made it possible for a handful of countries to begin reopening their borders, plenty of other nations have not been as fortunate. When you’re hankering to visit another country, always do your due diligence and determine whether it’s on the no-fly list of the United States. This usually means that the country in question is experience a massive spike in cases and is not considered safe to visit. Heed these warnings and choose a different destination.
5. Plan an Itinerary
Never travel without an itinerary. Don’t be caught up in the fictitious notion that you can wander about aimlessly in a foreign country and visit any place you want without issue. Tourist locations and historic spots have strict schedules and some have limitations in how many people can visit at a given time. Plan your itinerary minutely and always double-check if the places on it are open for business or not. Even better, call them before you leave and a day before you’re due to arrive to confirm your slot.
6. Plan for a Lengthy Stay
Finally, you never know when the worst may happen. If you do contract the virus during your travels, you will need to undergo quarantine procedures. No matter where you go, this period is bound to be approximately 14 days long. Plan for this eventuality when scheduling your trip. Inform your employers and family that this is a possibility even with every precaution and accommodate it into your travel plans.
Traveling is a luxury not everyone can afford. So it’s best that you ensure you make the most out of every opportunity to travel by undertaking every precaution. Keep these tips in mind and you can enjoy your sojourns in comfort and safety.