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Fun fact about our founder Natascha, she\u2019s been to 98 countries! So I\u2019m asking her to share her experiences traveling during the pandemic to give you all the tips and information you need to have a stress free and enjoyable trip. Whether you\u2019re planning on traveling now or in the future, here are her recommendations for current travel and thoughts on where travel is going. <\/p>\n
Before the pandemic Natascha spent a month in Cape Town, working remotely and discovering what is now one of her favorite destinations. She\u2019s even planning on going again this December. When the pandemic started, she was in Cyprus which resulted in a lot of \u201cpandemic madness\u201d, as she put it, catching the last flight out before everything shut down. After the first lockdown, she headed on a much needed escape to Ibiza, which was then put on a high risk list and she had to quarantine when she returned. <\/p>\n
With travel restrictions tightening in 2020, Natascha decided to stay put in Germany and try a lot of internal travel. She visited different castles, lakes, and went on beautiful hikes in the Alps around Bavaria. She kept it local, finding lots to explore within her own country! When things started to open up again, she managed to visit Crete right before the lockdown in November. For the rest of 2020 and up until May 2021, she couldn\u2019t travel much but ended up going to Zurich and Lisbon for her friends\u2019 special occasions. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere was no travel for the sake of travel.\u201d She says, explaining that in the last year, travel has become practical and less explorational. \u201cIt\u2019s about spending time with your loved ones and experiencing important moments in life.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cIf you are based in Europe, go within Europe.\u201d This makes for easy travel as you don\u2019t need to board planes or take any of the extra precautions when flying. A lot of European countries are lifting their travel restrictions so you\u2019ll have a good choice of destinations. <\/p>\n
Exploring the cities is another one of her recommendations. \u201cThe cities are emptier in the late summer and early Autumn. International tourists are few, so you have less people in the cities.\u201d However if a city vacation is not on your list, Natascha also recommends traveling to see your loved ones whether they live a few hours away or a few countries away.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cMake sure to carbon offset and optimize your trip.\u201d Optimizing your trip means not just flying for a weekend getaway. <\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\u201cWe have reached the climax of the climate crisis.\u201d She says, recommending as climate neutral travel as possible. This entails things like sustainable public transport (buses and trains) and if they aren\u2019t sustainable then offset your carbon emissions. \u201cMake sure to carbon offset<\/a> and optimize <\/strong>your trip.\u201d Optimizing your trip means not just flying for a weekend getaway. \u201cWeekend trips are no longer justifiable.\u201d <\/p>\n
She adds unless something important is happening like a wedding or a special event. She recommends making that event destination your full length trip. \u201cGo for the event then stay an extra week or so. It\u2019s impossible for some of us to stop flying, but it\u2019s definitely possible to reduce the number of flights and use public transport. Carbon offset. Optimize your vacations.\u201d<\/p>\n
What was it like traveling during a pandemic? <\/strong><\/h3>\n
\u201cIn one word? Nerve-racking.\u201d Traveling has become extremely stressful both because of corona test results not coming in on time, and unstable plans such as flight cancelations and ever changing travel restrictions. \u201cIt\u2019s a lot calmer now that I am fully vaccinated but it\u2019s been a bit of an admin nightmare up until then.\u201d <\/p>\n
What was the best part about traveling during the pandemic? <\/strong><\/h3>\n
Natascha says that the best part of her recent trip was that because of the pandemic, destinations are not super overrun, and if they are, they\u2019re overrun by locals. \u201cWe visited Albania in the summer and that was 90% locals and 10% foreigners and usually it\u2019s the other way around!\u201d <\/p>\n
This has been a huge trend this summer, with people exploring their home countries and enjoying local travel. \u201cIt\u2019s been really cool to see people exploring their own countries. Plus, when you travel from abroad you get a bit more of a local experience \u2013 you feel really immersed.\u201d<\/p>\n
What were the easiest\/hardest parts traveling during a pandemic?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
According to Natascha, the easiest part of traveling now was deciding where to go. \u201cBasically, the travel restrictions dictate where you get to go.\u201d She says, \u201cIt shortlists the places for you.\u201d <\/p>\n
On the other hand, the hardest part of traveling is the uncertainty. \u201cI love to plan and used to have trips planned out a year in advance. Currently, I don\u2019t find myself planning until a week in advance.\u201d She explains. This adds a lot of stress to an already stressful time. Planning in advance is difficult now with the changing restrictions and the major uncertainty. However, if you don\u2019t book certain restaurants, sights or experiences in advance you might miss out. <\/p>\n
\n\u201cI feel like I lost my planning game, but I\u2019m working hard to get it back.\u201d She says.<\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n
What do travelers need to be aware of?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\u201cMore so now than ever, be aware of your surroundings,\u201d she says, \u201cMake sure that you respect the people around you and their boundaries.\u201d This means ask before touching them or taking your mask off. People are hypersensitive about being touched now, respect that.<\/p>\n
Her next tip is to be aware of cancellation policies. \u201cI never in my life read the fine print but I cannot recommend anything more right now, read the fine print.\u201d Right now, most companies in the tourism industry will have a very flexible policy but just to be on the safe side make sure to go over it. \u201cOnly book things that are cancelable within 48 hours of you arriving or going somewhere.\u201d She adds, noting the frustration with rebooking. <\/p>\n
Something could always happen before your trip. If you come in contact with someone who has corona, you will need to quarantine. You need to be prepared to deal with uncertainties like that. \u201cAlways be aware of travel restrictions, covid news, and any changes in either of those.\u201d <\/p>\n
\n\u201cIt\u2019s especially difficult for someone like me who loves to greet people with open arms to bear in mind how hypersensitive people have become to touch – make sure you respect their boundaries.\u201d <\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n
What do other travelers need to worry less about?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\u201cEveryone is very conscious about their health and their hygiene.\u201d She says, \u201cSo travelers can worry less about getting sick because everyone is wearing masks and more and more travelers are fully vaccinated. I\u2019ve never felt safer traveling in terms of being healthy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Has traveling during the pandemic made you rethink how you travel?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s helped me slow down and consider the impact that I have more so than before \u2013 although I have always been aware.\u201d Natascha has realized that she wants to travel better. This means creating more meaningful trips. \u201cI want to combine trips so work, pleasure, and personal-related all blend into one. This way you can really make the most of the trip and your carbon emissions from traveling. Slow travel is becoming more and more important and a crucial focus of mine.\u201d<\/p>\n
Right now it is crucial to pump money back into the local economy. <\/strong><\/h3>\n
\u201cIt also made me want to spend more time intensely in places, and spend more money in those places.\u201d This way we can support the locals and their businesses which is a key part in sustainable travel. \u201cInstead of a Marriott, think of a family run hotel, instead of a restaurant chain think local restaurants.\u201d She explains. Right now it is crucial to pump money back into the local economy. The pandemic has created a lot of issues for businesses as they struggle to stay alive. \u201cThey are so important to the local economy, and they deserve all the income they can get to stay afloat.\u201d<\/p>\n
What do you see the future of travel looking like? Where is travel going?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\u201cWe will see slower travel in the future,\u201d Natascha predicts. \u201cWeekend trips are going to be the exception and no longer the norm.\u201d As stated before, think slow travel, think optimization of your trips. Trips are going to become more immersive and more meaningful.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope that the future of travel becomes more climate neutral. And I think the solution isn\u2019t telling people to stop moving, traveling, and exploring but to get innovated and focus on technology. I think technology<\/a> is the solution to making travel completely sustainable.\u201d<\/p>\n