With the vaccine roll-out, the possibility of overseas travel is looking more likely. It's still baby steps at the moment but I think we're all hopeful that safe travel is on the horizon.
While we're still mostly at home, let's not waste this opportunity - but instead put this time to good use and get ready for when we can travel. Let's get our post-pandemic travel planning sorted!
I'm not feeling I'll be back in Italy anytime soon, but I can still dream.
Get ready for when you can travel.
The time is right for travel planning - because for most of us we can't go far at the moment.
If you are thinking of a particular destination - you've got plenty of time to research it.
I'm a big fan of creating a spreadsheet. I have columns for places to visit, walk, eat, shows, markets etc. It's all in one place - I've also been known to write stuff down on bits of paper - these get lost, thrown out accidentally or just mixed up with other stuff.
When I see something cool on Pinterest, or on the news, or on Instagram - I make a note of it on my spreadsheet and get back to it later when I have time.
I cannot rely on my memory to hold random bits of information - so this technique works for me.
A spreadsheet keeps all my planning in one place.
Setting my sights on the Pacific Islands.
Keeping yourself safe when travelling & travel planning.
Never before has safety been such a huge issue. It used to be about not getting your bags stolen, or losing your credit card. While these things are still important, our physical health and safety is the top of mind for most travellers right now.
If you are planning to travel to another country you need to look up their specific pandemic plan.
You need to know whether they require quarantining, social distancing, mandatory masks or other health measures.
Your best port of call for up to date travel information is your country's trusted websites. For us here in New Zealander that's www.safetravel.govt.nz and www.covid19.govt.nz
Each country will have their own evidence-based websites with accurate information.
Planning ahead for your destination and activities.
Many tourist sites will be limiting numbers to assist with social distancing, so booking ahead will be even more essential than before.
Going directly to the websites of significant places will give you the most current information, ensuring you are getting the right information from the right person.
It can be great to hear other people's experiences and how it was for them, but as we know too well, things can change. So keep current with the places you wish to travel by going straight to the source.
No doubt tourist activities and major sites will be managed quite differently now. What a difference from when I was in New York in December 2019.
Practise your packing light.
You knew I had to drop this one in, didn't you!
But while you're at home, this really is the perfect time to be looking at what you could pack. You can play with how things look together. You can see if you've got most occasions covered.
When I went on my first light and solo trip back in 2017 - I started the planning back in mid- 2016! It was more than 6 months of planning. This meant that when I left I was pretty certain I had the best mix and match wardrobe and the best small selection of shoes.
It wasn't perfect - but it was pretty good for a first time effort.
A day of firsts - 1st light trip, 1st solo trip.
It's time to perfect your toiletry and make-up bag.
Now is a great time to look out for small containers to titrate or decant your toiletries and cosmetics into.
You really don't need to take a 300ml bottle of shampoo, when a 20ml bottle will last you your entire vacation.
Or better still, use this time to try out some solid shampoo bars - my favourite (and I'm not sponsored) are Ethique bars - they have solid shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, laundry bars (the flash bar is fantastic for getting out stubborn stains). They also have solid facial cleansers and body and face moisturisers.
Makeup can be minimised into smaller colour palettes, lipsticks into smaller pottles - once you start looking into it - you'll be surprised how much you can reduce your bag weight.
Reducing the size and weight of cosmetics.
Practise handwashing!
You might be pleasantly surprised how quick and efficient handwashing can be.
I'm not talking your whole laundry basket! Just a few items each time.
On my trips I tend to wash every second night - usually some underwear, a tee shirts or top, and a pair of shorts/trousers if needed. So not much at all.
If you keep on top of your washing it doesn't become this huge massive chore. At the most it will take you 5-10 minutes.
If you had the choice of doing 10 minutes every second night versus two or three hours in a laundromat (wasting valuable sightseeing time) I sure as hell know what I'd rather be doing!
Use a laundry bar (like the Ethique one I mentioned), or Dr Bonners bar, or laundry leaves that you can buy from outdoor stores and see how you go.
I love drying my washing on the lines (obscured by the shutters) - just like the locals do.
Learn to take the hassle out of travel.
Taking the hassle out of travel is what this is all about. Travelling light makes for much simpler and easier traveling.
I wrote an early article on my website all about why I do it and how amazingly liberating traveling with just one small bag really was. You can read all about it here - how to pack light to travel right.
That's probably enough to go on with.
Feel free to contact me and ask questions. I'm over on Facebook, Instagram and email - the links are all below.
In the meantime,
Happy travel planning!
Katherine xo
