There is no denying that traveling during the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic can be a real challenge. However, not all hope is lost when you want to get away and explore the world. With the right decisions, you can plan an amazing vacation while still mitigating your risk of coming down with the virus. Here are five tips to keep in mind when you are planning a trip during a pandemic.

Choose Your Destination Carefully

The number one consideration to make when planning your pandemic trip is where you are going to go. This is not a decision that should be taken lightly, particularly during a global health crisis.

When asking yourself, "how do I plan my trip to Asia during a pandemic?" you should carefully monitor COVID-19 cases in various destination options. Choosing a place that has done a good job in keeping the virus in check will ensure that your trip goes off without incident. In general, Asia has done a superior job controlling the spread of COVID-19. However, certain areas are better than others.

You may find yourself in the unfortunate situation that with COVID-19 your current timeshare is located in an unsuitable destination, making it impossible for you to visit as you wish. If this is the case, you can turn to a timeshare exit expert such as Wesley Financial Group who can help you to exit the timeshare as smoothly as possible, leaving you free to make travel plans to an alternative destination.

Consider a Roadtrip to Avoid Flights

As we all know, travel during the pandemic has been very difficult, especially when it comes to airports and planes. Though many airlines have been promoting their COVID safety measures and do a fair job of keeping passengers in masks and distanced appropriately, nothing beats the safety of traveling alone or only with your family. This is why you should consider planning a road trip rather than a trip that requires you to take a flight.

Road trips aren’t only great for social distancing, but they can allow you to discover and see way more of the environment you are traveling through. You can plan stops along the way to check out new cities and small towns that you may never see otherwise. Roadtrips can be really fun with families, and for some, a road trip might be necessary to avoid the dangers of airports and large crowds. 

Planning a road trip can be very involved. You need to be sure to pack appropriately and consider packing a small bag if you are stopping at hotels on your way to your destination. That way, you don’t have to unpack every night. Be sure to look for some helpful road trip planning tips before you set out. Also, make sure your car is reliable, and you have budgeted for gas!

Consider Alternate Lodging

Another good tip to consider is to choose alternate forms of lodging. You will lower your risk of coming into contact with infected individuals if you choose accommodations that do not put you in close proximity to other travelers.

While the energy of a popular resort may be fun during normal travel times, you are better off these days choosing something quieter. This is an ideal time to choose something such as a condo timeshare so that you have your own space and not be forced to walk through crowded lobbies or use elevators to reach your room. Choosing a home share rental with a private pool is a much better idea than going with a hotel with shared facilities. A condo or timeshare home will also give you the flexibility of preparing your meals onsite so that you do not need to go to restaurants, further increasing your COVID-19 risk.

Pack the Essentials to Keep You Safe

You are probably in the habit now of not leaving home without your mask. When packing for your trip, keep in mind that you are going to need multiple face coverings to get you through the time away from home.

It is also a good idea to bring along plenty of hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes. Keep in mind that not every area in the world may be as stocked on these essentials. Therefore, you need to plan ahead so that you are not left in a bind.

Select Activities That Encourage Social Distancing

This is clearly not the best time to visit a crowded theme park, an indoor museum, or any other type of traditional vacation activity that may make it difficult for you to socially distance. Instead, use this vacation to pick activities that have social distancing naturally built-in.

There are a number of good vacation activities that will allow you to enjoy yourself while still promoting safe COVID-19 measures. Golf enthusiasts will appreciate the ability to relax on the greens with the confidence of knowing that they will not be in crowds. A beach vacation or a trip up to the mountains are all good choices if you find accommodations that take you off of the beaten path. By choosing activities that do not force you to find space, you will not feel as if you are sacrificing during this unprecedented time of travel.

Be Wary of Cancellation Fees

Before you put down any money on a trip, you need to be absolutely certain about what you are getting yourself into. As this virus has taught us, you cannot predict what the travel picture will look like just one month down the road.

For this reason, it is important that you read all the fine print so that you know what the cancellation and change policies are for all aspects of your trip.

It may take a little more work to make this a safe travel experience this year. However, the rewards will be worth it when you have the peace of mind of knowing that you did all you could to stop the spread of the deadly virus.