Catch Flights, Not COVID: Traveling during a pandemic
One thing I absolutely love to do is travel! So far I’ve been to more than a dozen countries, 14 to be exact, and traveled to at least 40 states within the U.S. for work and a little play.
I would say on average, I’ve traveled outside of the country twice a year over the last five years. Hopping on a plane to jet out of the states is one my favorite things to do outside of eating some good food of course (IYKYK). However, living in the middle of a pandemic crushed my travel plans for 2020. I’m talking beachside bachelorettes, trips to Ghana, Kenya, and more had to be thrown to the wind.
Despite not being able to experience the places I planned on with friends and family I was still able to help cook up a fun and safe getaway for my closest friends and I. Two words: road trip! I mean, it’s not exactly the white sandy beaches that the Maldives have to offer, but it’ll do for now.
Five friends on the open roads through Nevada, Arizona, and Utah was exactly what I needed after six months of working from my living room and social distancing. Here’s a look at a few tips on how we successfully pulled off a girl's trip in the middle of a pandemic.
Know before you go!
As someone who not only knows people who have contracted COVID but has also lost someone close to me due to its complications, I know how serious this disease is. For me, getting tested before and after my trip not only eased my mind but the minds of others that I traveled with. Of course, there is a level of risk involved when traveling, however, the biggest thing for me was making sure that I continued to follow the same health guidelines in the sky as I do on the ground. WEAR A MASK. Not with your nose out, on your chin, or hanging off your ear. Wear it fully over your mouth and nose. Also, sanitize! As an avid traveler pre-COVID, I’ve always sanitized my hands, seat-back trays, armrests, windows, buttons, you name it. Continue to do that and of course, keep your distance from folks.
Choose the right airline
That leads right into my next point, choosing the right carrier. If you must fly, do a little research on what airlines are practicing social distancing on board. American Airlines, which I typically fly, was one of those carriers initially operating with blocked seating, however, as of July 1st, they’ve opted to increase to just about full capacity on flights making them not as desirable to fly with in the middle of a pandemic. A few airlines that I’ve opted for that are still operating on limited capacity include Alaska, Delta, Jetblue, and Southwest to name a few.
Ditch the day parties for some R&R
I love a good day party just as much as anyone else on vacay, however, that was before we were thrust into a global pandemic. The last thing I want to be is up in a stranger's face or have someone breathing over my mimosa. Instead of hitting the social scene opt for a place that allows you to space out and still have fun. Our road trip was the perfect remedy for my travel itch. From the Seven Magic Mountains outside of Vegas to Marble Canyon and Horseshoe Bend in Arizona, to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. There was more than enough room to spread out and take in all the natural beauty along the way. And if road trips or nature walks aren’t your thing, opt for an outdoor picnic or garden party like this to give your itnierary some spice!
Have a flexible travel plan
If you decide to travel during COVID or even hit the open road with a few friends, being flexible with your plans is key! Many attractions, parks, and monuments are still closed to prevent the gathering of large groups. If you’re like my group of friends who create travel itineraries for everything, make sure you create some backup plans for places to see and visit. One way to do that is to create a Pinterest board with sites and attractions near or around the place you’re visiting, or even create a saved board on Instagram with a few popular picturesque places to go.
Have you been thinking about planning a trip during COVID? Drop where you’re headed below! If you’re curious about what our road trip itinerary looked like for our recent girls getaway check it out here.
