Editor’s note: This article was written for the December 2021 issue of Country Guide. As the COVID-19 situation changes from day-to-day, please refer to the latest information for your area or any area you plan to visit.
If you have already returned to travel, you know travel has changed. It requires more preparation, more paperwork, more patience. The protocols and requirements in place as I write this will probably have changed by the time you read it.
But the joy of being out in the world, seeing friends, visiting family, crossing off a bucket list dream or immersing yourself in other cultures and communities makes the extra work and added safety precautions worthwhile.
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I discovered this three months ago after receiving a second vaccination, anticipating the first excursion in a year and a half. Preparing for it, I realized I had almost forgotten how to pack. Almost.
As travellers, we need to be more astute than ever. In addition to factoring COVID-19 precautions into your plans, these tips, amassed over 20 years of travelling and writing about it — along with quotes from some of my travel-writing colleagues — will ease your way into the wonderful world waiting to welcome you.
Before you go
“If you are fed up trying to figure out the latest protocols that change on a regular basis, contact a travel agent. Solving these problems is what they are all about.” — Martha Chapman, travel writer and editor.
Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months after your return date.
Travel insurance? Get it! Without it, if you take sick or have an accident in certain countries, it could break you. Look for a policy that covers pandemic situations and read the fine print about cancellation policies.
“Before you go somewhere, check the weather online and actually believe it.” — Larry Bleiberg, past president, Society of American Travel Writers.
Health precautions
Pack medications in your carry-on. Keep a record of prescriptions or medications you take on your phone in case of an emergency.
Sitting on a plane in one position for too long can cause swelling in the lower legs and increase the risk of blood clots, which is why wearing compression socks, wriggling your legs and moving about are all good ideas, particularly for a long flight (over four hours).
Advice from a flight attendant: “the best drink to order on a plane is water. Take an empty water bottle with you that you can fill after going through security.”
Getting the best bang for your buck
If you are a frequent traveller, pick an airline and stick to it so you build up loyalty points, get status and earn miles. Familiarize yourself with partner airlines and consider opening a branded credit card to get perks such as upgrades and free checked bags.
If you are an infrequent traveller who can be flexible as to when or where you travel, search the internet for cheap flights on sites such as www.skyscanner.com.
Book flights well in advance to get better prices.
Looking for the best way to save on a hotel room? First do your homework online. Go to the major booking sites to learn what the rates are for your dates and hotel of choice. Then, call the hotel directly and ask for their best rate. You may find you get a better deal than what you found online. Be sure you are comparing apples and apples when it comes to cancellation policies.
Packing
Pack light.
Include your most comfortable walking shoes that are already broken in.
Deal with inevitable temperature variations by layering, not by packing heavier clothing.
Whether you are packing for a long weekend or a two-week trip, zippered packing cubes keep your clothes compact and your suitcase organized. They come in a variety of sizes to accommodate all types of clothing and eliminate unpacking every item on arrival. Since discovering these handy cubes, I never leave home without them.
Include your name and contact information inside each piece of luggage. Write only your name and destination on outside tags.
Consolidate your tech with a four- or five-way socket board so you will only need one adapter for several sockets.
When travelling by plane as a couple, pack each suitcase with a few emergency clothing items for the other person. In the unlikely event one of the bags doesn’t arrive at the same time you do, you won’t be totally stranded.
“My bedtime attire may not be sexy, but it is practical. A nice-enough-looking T-shirt and gym shorts (long knit pants in the winter) because if you awaken in the night and need a bottle of water from the vending machine or if the fire alarm sounds, you can head for the hallway fully clothed. And you know what? It’s pretty darn comfortable.” — Catharine Hamm, formerly travel editor of the Los Angeles Times.
Safety precautions
Give your family and friends your travel itinerary in case of an emergency or if you need help.
Let your credit card provider know you are travelling.
Remain acutely aware of your surroundings. A pickpocket has more opportunities to lift a wallet or snatch a purse when you’re distracted. If you are alone, be extra vigilant.
As a woman travelling alone at times, I never hesitate to ask for directions from a stranger, having first assessed that individual. However, my antennae go up when anyone approaches me. If it feels wrong, it probably is wrong. Trust your instincts.
Protect your data with a security wallet with RFID technology so you can’t be electronically pickpocketed.
Here’s a flight attendant’s tip I learned the hard way. The night before you leave for a flight home, put one shoe in the safe. It’s a guarantee you won’t leave any money or valuables behind.
Getting the most from a trip abroad
Read up on traditions and customs if you are visiting a different culture.
Learn a few phrases such as hello, thank you and I don’t speak your language.
Have a supply of small bills on hand — either in the currency of the country you are visiting, or in U.S. dollars (the most widely accepted currency around the world) for the ride from the airport or tipping when you arrive at your hotel.
Minimize jet lag by setting your watch to the time of the destination before you take off.
“Time your visit to major attractions. If you’re in Paris, or any city that has a lot of tour groups, visit the major museums when they’re open at night. All the tourists are having dinner. If you go to a major archeological site such as Pompei or the Alhambra arrive first thing in the morning when they open and unless you have a guide, walk immediately to the far end of the site, then visit the site by walking forward. You’ll have the place to yourselves for a peaceful hour.” — Mary Morris, award-winning travel writer and author of All the Way to the Tigers.
Wherever you travel
“Travel with all five senses. In the middle of a city, close your eyes and smell.” — Elliot Gilles, travel industry executive.
Taking a taxi? If there isn’t a meter, agree on the price before you get in the car.
Don’t over-plan. Leave room for spontaneity.
If keeping a daily travel journal seems overwhelming, save the magical moments of a trip, purchasing postcards at your favourite places. Jot down a special memory, a favourite meal or an interesting encounter and post it to enjoy when you get home.
Not ready to travel yet? Travel writer Glen Petrie has great advice. Stay home. Hire a local guide to discover a side of your own backyard you never knew. They need the work and you’ll come to value your corner of the world more.
Whenever and wherever the wind takes you, bon voyage!
Anna Hobbs’s journalism career began at Canadian Living magazine where, as associate editor, one of her responsibilities was to develop the magazine’s travel section — the perfect challenge for someone who inherited itchy feet. In 2000, she joined the ranks of freelance writers, focusing on food, wine and travel. She has travelled to over 50 countries and written for as many national and international publications. When not in the air, on the road, or at sea, she and her husband, Byron Beeler, and their full-of-beans mutt, Cooper, enjoy life in the Purple Hills of Central Ontario. If you ask about her passions, she is likely to say family, Lavender Hill Farm, travel and pinot noir — not necessarily in that order, depending on the day.
