How to Plan a Vacation When Circumstances are Always in Flux
How many times to you check details before booking a flight? Or making sure you’re requesting the right days off from work?
We all know that travel plans are so difficult to change that they’re practically written in stone, and we want to be sure we can follow through.
So how do you even begin to plan a vacation when circumstances are always in flux?
The current global pandemic is certainly challenging our ability to plan. And it’s even more difficult for anyone who tends to be a perfectionist.
In this post, we’re going to cover all the ways you can successfully plan a vacation as the world changes around us.
Plan a Staycation
If you’re tired of looking at your living room setup, you’re not alone. With isolation orders around the globe, virtually everyone feels like they’ve spent too much time at home.
So, planning a staycation in your current setup probably isn’t going to feel like a break at all. Still, there are ways you can plan a staycation and keep it interesting.
Instead of spending thousands on a vacation, consider redecorating your space. You’ll get more from your money this way, and it’ll feel like you’re in a new place.
And if that doesn’t sound like your idea of fun, you still have options. Consider staying at a nearby hotel. Most hotels have plenty of availability right now, so you may even be able to book the day before your stay. And in a hotel, you can explore all the fun things in your own city without feeling like you still have all the responsibilities that are waiting for you at home.
Take a road trip
If you’re a fan of spontaneity, you’re probably already a road trip warrior. But if it’s been a while, it may be time for a refresher.
Traveling by air isn’t recommended at the moment, and even when restrictions are lifted, we can expect that the process won’t be as simple as it once was.
So that leaves most of us road-tripping it, and that’s not a bad thing.
First, be sure you have a vehicle that’s up for the challenge. It should be well-serviced and in good driving condition, and you’ll want a vehicle that’s large enough for the whole family with gear. If you need a new car, don’t worry. You can use a sedan virtual guide to narrow your options without stepping foot in the dealership.
And if your car is in good shape, but you don’t have enough space, consider a cargo carrier or travel camper (if your vehicle can tow 5k pounds or more).
You can easily find hotels to stay at along the way and have a laid-back vacation the whole family will love.
Check cancellation policies
If you do want to book something in advance, be sure to check the cancellation policy. You’ll want to know what happens if the area you’re traveling to or from enforces a mandatory lockdown. You’ll also want to know what happens if you or a fellow traveler gets sick.
Companies in the travel industry have been somewhat lenient on unforeseen cancellations due to COVID, but that’s not guaranteed. If the worst happens, you’ll want to know you’re covered.
Plan for a future date
If you don’t feel comfortable planning a major vacation yet, planning something at a future date may help scratch your itch for travel.
Unfortunately, none of us have a crystal ball, so we don’t know exactly when it’ll be safe to travel again.
But you can start mapping out your next big trip with a date that’s far enough in the future that you can feel confident it’ll happen. This way, you can also plan a detailed itinerary and save enough money to actually have the vacation of your dreams.
If you can avoid it, try not to book anything so far in advance. Again, we don’t know what the world will look like in three or six months. We can’t even be sure what the next year will bring.
But having a detailed plan may help you feel better in the here and now.
Opt for travel insurance
Travel insurance has always been a great way to get some peace of mind on a very expensive trip. But if you’ve ever tried to cash in, you know that there are usually a lot of restrictions.
To understand this better and not make a travel mistake, let’s look at two types of travel insurance on the market.
The first is called trip cancellation insurance. This will cover you if you have to cancel your trip for a very specific set of reasons. These include medical emergencies, a death in the family or unforeseen natural disasters. So if a tree falls on your home or vehicle as you’re headed to the airport, you can be reimbursed for the trip. But you won’t be reimbursed if the flight is still taking off and you refuse to board because you’re uncomfortable.
Trip cancellation insurance can be very beneficial if something goes terribly wrong and you have to cancel your trip. But it’s not going to help someone who simply changes their mind.
Some airlines allow you to cancel a trip for any reason, but they usually only allow 24 to 48 hours to do this.
The second type of trip insurance is called travel medical insurance. This is great to have if you’re planning to visit another country and worried that you may get sick or injured. In light of the global pandemic, this may be a sound investment. With this insurance, you’ll have less to worry about if something happens abroad.
There are a few ways you can plan a vacation when circumstances are in flux as they have been for months. Just use a little creative thinking and make plans that are in line with your own personal comfort level.
We’re all taking measures to be careful now, but life doesn’t have to stop. We can still find ways to have fun now, and we can also look forward to a carefree (and COVID-free) future.