The global spread of COVID-19 has disrupted travel. And we can’t expect that things will be like they were before. We should embrace “the new normal” and learn a new way to plan our trips.

Today, we will share seven tips that will help you plan your next vacation the right way and enjoy it to the fullest. Let’s get started.

Don’t plan a trip many months in advance

Are you obsessed with planning and tend to make travel itineraries six or twelve months in advance? Well, this year, you should change your approach to planning.

COVID-19 is spreading fast, and local authorities are imposing new restrictions every day. Therefore, it will be a wise idea to plan a trip and make bookings for one or two weeks ahead.

2020 is one of the most unpredictable years ever, and we don’t know what will happen the next month. So you should better go on a spontaneous trip rather than plan a trip far in advance and then get it canceled.

Photo by Simon Migaj on Unsplash

Book tickets and accommodation wisely

Since it’s highly likely that your travel plans will change, you should choose flexible booking options.

Fortunately, most airlines have rewritten their change and cancelation policies. So if coronavirus force you to postpone or cancel your trip, you will get a refund or rebook tickets for a new date for free.

But you should be aware that some carriers do not provide flexible booking options. And if you book flights with them, you will not get your money back in case of a coronavirus emergency.

In the era of COVID, booking flexibility is more important than ever. So please, don’t forget to read the change and cancelation policies before you proceed to checkout. Otherwise, you will regret it later.

Get the best COVID-19 travel medical insurance

Before the coronavirus pandemic started, many travelers used to buy the cheapest travel medical insurance and never used it. But the COVID-19 has changed everything.

Today, every person who travels abroad should understand that the risks of getting infected before and during the trip are high. Therefore, good COVID-19 travel medical insurance is a must. To protect yourself, you should choose insurance that covers the following expenses:

• Medical expenses for diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19
• Continuation of COVID-19 outpatient treatment up to 21 days
• Expenses for a forced stay abroad because of COVID-19 treatment
• Expenses for transportation after treatment

Keep in mind that different countries have different requirements for COVID-19 travel medical insurance. For instance, to enter some European countries, you should have insurance issued by a company that is based in the chosen country or have a branch office in this country. If you want to have a smooth trip, check the requirements set by local authorities before you contact an insurance company.

Have a plan B

You can’t predict unpredictable. But you can make a backup plan and prepare an alternative travel itinerary.

Let’s say you are planning a trip to Paris. You want to visit Louvre. However, you understand that Parisian authorities might close museums due to the fast spread of COVID. You need to come up with a plan B. For instance, if Louvre is closed, you will have a walk along the Seine.

Having a backup plan, you will feel less stressed during your trip. Besides, you will not get upset if your plan A will not work. Whatever happens, you will be prepared and ready to handle the situation.

Focus on outdoor activities

To protect yourself during the trip, try to stay outside as long as possible. When choosing between two activities, pick an outdoor one. For instance, plan to visit a botanic garden instead of a museum or go hiking instead of spending time at a shopping mall.

Also, you should plan where to eat on vacation. Your task is to find restaurants with nice terraces and lovely exterior designs. In such a way, you will be able to eat outside while enjoying beautiful views.

Photo by Julia Caesar on Unsplash

Ask yourself “what-if” questions

Going on a trip in 2020, you should understand that something unpredictable can happen. Your flight might be canceled or overbooked. You might be denied boarding after a temperature check.

Well, you should stay positive and hope that your trip will go smoothly. But if you prepare yourself for the unexpected, that will work in your favor in case of force major.

Let’s say you are a student. You want to spend two weeks in London. What will you do if, for some reason, you stay in the UK for longer than you planned? How will you manage to submit your school assignments on time? Consider getting help from a thesis writing company, or negotiate your travel plans with your professor in advance.

Travel locally

Let’s face the truth. It’s hard to plan a trip to a foreign country in the era of COVID. You may book a flight and a hotel room, and then the day before your trip, you may find out that the foreign country has implied new entry or exit restrictions.

If there is no urgency for you to go abroad this year, you should better travel locally. Think about cities, national parks, and other beautiful places in your home country – they are worth visiting.

In case if you need to travel for business, consider getting personal assistance and concierge services from local people. Locals will solve day-to-day issues and complete simple tasks on your behalf so that you will not have to travel abroad.

Wrapping it up

If you feel like it’s too challenging for you to plan a trip today, don’t get frustrated. You are not alone in this problem. Use the tips given, and try to build your travel plan step by step.

The good news is that the coronavirus pandemic will not last forever. Sooner or later, we will have more opportunities to travel and face fewer challenges in our ways. So let’s focus on positivity and keep dreaming about big around-the-world trips.

Author’s bio. Daniela McVicker is a contributor to Essayguard. She is also an experienced writer with a degree in social psychology from Durham University. Daniela is primarily focused on writing about self-improvement. She has authored a number of insightful and motivating articles like “Making The Right Choices Every Day” and “7 Steps To Open Yourself To New Opportunities & Possibilities”.