Travel. It’s a sensitive subject these days. Do I? Don’t !?
Do I need a COVID test? Where can I go that’s relatively safe? What happens if things change when I am away?
What happens if I get COVID when I’m away? Do I? Don’t I?
It’s enough to make your head spin and want to lie down for a long afternoon nap!
Over the course of 2021 my clients have travelled to Switzerland, Portugal, Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Peru and Brazil. Seven people and a Chihuahua in total, one tested positive for COVID in destination and it wasn’t the dog.
Here are my top five recommendations if you do decide it is for you:
1. Buy travel insurance that specifically covers COVID. Purchasing travel insurance seems obvious but you’d be surprised how many people travel without it. Myself included, in the early backpacker days. In hindsight, I was lucky. The good news is that insurance companies have adapted their policies to cover delays and changes due to COVID.
2. Keep it small. The smaller the number of people, the smaller the risk. Travel with relatives or friends within your bubble, book a private group departure for 6-8 people and might even get you a better price. Small group tour operators like G Adventures or Intrepid Travel have mandatory vaccination policies for their departures and having a tour leader there to deal with any unexpected issues can give an extra boost of confidence.
3. Get outside. Trips where you spend a lot of time outdoors will not only let you see the country in a unique way and keep you active, all that fresh air can minimize your risk of exposure to the virus. Always wanted to climb Kilimanjaro, walk the Camino de Santiago in Spain or hike the Inca Trail into Machu Picchu? This could be the year!
4. Keep it simple. Crossing borders can mean more tests, possible quarantine and more chances for things to get complicated. Choose one city or country to explore. Staying in one place does not necessarily mean an all-inclusive and taking the time to really get to know a city or country can make your trip even more memorable.
5. Work with a travel advisor. Yes, blatant self-promotion here, but honestly it makes sense. When the travel advisory for Canada recently changed, one of the airlines had a 3-day hold time! Connect with a travel professional and guess who spends that time on hold?! Who better to give advice than someone who spends their days reading COVID rules and restrictions?
Travel during a global pandemic is a personal decision and I am here to advise, not to advocate for either choice. Have any questions or ready to explore possibilities? Contact me at cynthia@personaltravel.ca
Not ready yet? I’ve got insider tips and tricks on how to maximize your frequent flyer points while on the ground and fly for free faster!
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Last modified: January 14, 2022
