To Travel, or not (in the COVID era)?...
During the past few weeks I have often been asked my opinion about traveling in today’s world; if I would travel, when travel will resume, etc. If, like me, you are getting the itch and feeling ready to plan an overseas adventure for 2021 or 2022 – possibly even for the end of this year – the question becomes To Travel, or Not To Travel. For me the answer is an emphatic ‘YES - Travel!’.
Having the comfort to board a plane and travel to another state, much less to another country, is a decision based on personal comfort levels as much as it is based on the ability to do so from a logistical standpoint.
As a US citizen, where we can travel to and what is required upon arrival is a rapidly changing dynamic that will require patience, flexibility and the willingness to endure some additional inconveniences and expenses such as mask wearing, COVID tests, and possible additional “quarantine” time built into the itinerary. That is not likely to change for the foreseeable future; indeed it could become the new “norm” of how we travel. Though, just as likely, this too will be a fluid situation and procedures will morph as we progress through this pandemic.
Some borders are opening to international tourists and there are a few close by, as well as further away destinations that we can enjoy traveling to now with relative ease. No matter where though, likely future travel priorities will be placed on the ability to have more private styled accommodations, wide open spaces and authentic experiences that will allow for quality time with those we care about the most. We’ve all missed connecting with our family and close friends and sharing a life changing experience away from the distractions of home may be the best way to re-connect together. The good news is that there are many options to travel in this manner and achieve these goals. This type of off-the-the-beaten-path, experiential travel is exactly what Great Expeditions travel services have always been about.
Stay tuned for more information on current options.
If there’s been one lesson learned from COVID (though there have been many), it is the uncertainty of the future. Live today. Don’t put things off to an unknown tomorrow if you have the ability to do them now.
Looking back on my own personal travels from 2019, I am eternally grateful for the opportunities offered, and the priority placed on the time and resources to experience not one, but two “Bucket List”, “Life Changing Travel” destinations at the end of the year.
One was planned well in advance – Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. It was an amazing trip that was shared with my husband, my son and a few of our “extended” family of close friends. We all thought at the time we would be planning our next adventure together for 2020…
The other was a last-minute opportunity to travel to Uganda and trek with the endangered Mountain Gorillas. Long on my bucket list, despite the date inconvenience, I couldn’t refuse the invite. It was another amazing life changing experience that was not only about Uganda and the gorillas, but the colleagues with whom I traveled and who are now among those I consider friends.
Like many of you, I also had the disappointment of canceled travel plans due to COVID that were in place for May this year.
While I hope to return to both these countries again and be able to re-schedule that Botswana Horse Safari with the same group of friends, when that will be is unknown at this time.
And to that end, I will never regret having made the choice to travel when I could.