Travel tips to protect your health and wallet
The pandemic changed travel for many of us. Some of us need a break but worry it could put our health and wallets at risk.
SAN ANTONIO — The pandemic has many of us dreaming of getting away from it all, but the coronavirus has many of us staying closer to home. That is no reason not to take a break.
“Check off that backyard bucket list,” Melissa Dohman, a senior advisor with Travelocity.
That’s what most travelers are doing.
“Hotels within 20 miles of where people live have seen an increase this summer, and I honestly think that is just because sometimes you need a night away, so don’t think you that maybe you always have to take this big, grandiose vacation,” said Dohman.
Wherever you go, planning is key. Start by checking your destination’s local health guidelines.
“Understand whether or not your state has an arrival quarantine or if there are any travel restrictions in place,” said Dohman. “That will help you determine, OK, do I want take a road trip or trip out of state or do I really want to be looking at something maybe just within my own city or the state where I live?”
Research cleaning protocols at the place you are staying. Know the cancellation policy. Look for free cancelations to give yourself some flexibility. Also, review rules for any activities like museum visits.
“Know there may be times for ticketing. So, you may want to reserve tickets in advance and things may
Readers’ travel tips | Everyday Cheapskate
Planning to hit the road for some fun family times this fall? Travel has been severely curtailed over the past months, but as things open up now and in the future, make sure you pack these tips to help save time, money and maybe even a few frazzled nerves.
Before you leave, make two photocopies of everything in your wallet, both front and back (credit card, driver’s license, medical insurance card, etc.). Put one copy inside your luggage, and leave the other at home. If you should lose your wallet, you’ll have all the information you need to quickly report and replace.
You can ease the pain of losing your passport while traveling abroad if you simply take an extra passport photo with you. Keep it in a safe place, along with your passport number and the date of issue. Now all you have to do is take the photo and numbers to the closest U.S. Embassy. It should take hours, not days, to get a replacement.
If you take medications, take an extra watch, and keep it set on home time. You’ll never have to wonder when to take your medicine.
A pocket shoe bag hung over the back of the front seat can hold small toys, crayons and other loose items in the car.
A disappearing-ink marking pen, available at any fabric store, is great for marking maps. In a day or so, your marks will fade, and your map will be all ready for the next trip.
Post-holiday travel tips to avoid headaches on your winter vacation
Lee Abbamonte, the youngest person to travel to every country, shares his tips and tricks for traveling after the holidays.
After preparing, hosting and celebrating the holidays, you may feel the need for a winter vacation, but before escaping to a well-deserved getaway, it’s important to make sure you’re getting the most out of it.
Travel expert Lee Abbamonte shared his best tips for post-holiday vacations including where and how to travel.
“There are some good deals out there for post-New Year’s travel,” he told FOX Business’ Tracee Carrasco on Thursday. “After Jan. 5 … you can find some really good deals, whether it’s at ski resorts, down in Mexico or the Caribbean, or even here in the U.S.”
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Abbamonte offered tips for traveling during peak season, including packing light, carefully looking at connections, and using pre-check and global entry shortcuts.
“Wear your patient pants during the holiday travel season. Get there early … and just be nice.”
“The shortcuts are always good ideas like TSA pre-check, global entry, clear,” he said on “FBN:am.” “They’ve changed the way I travel for sure, and it makes me get through faster and easier with less hassle.”
Travelers take the escalator at Sacramento International Airport in Sacramento, Calif. Oct. 6, 2011. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)
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When traveling, it’s also important to check that all forms of identification are up
Camping during the pandemic: An expert’s essential tips for first-time campers
If we get the green light to travel this summer, many vacation plans may no longer be viable as a result of the pandemic. Canceled flights, mandatory quarantine periods, plus a seemingly endless list of closed businesses and rescheduled events have made some trips impossible — inspiring travelers to seek new opportunities.
While a trip to Italy is probably not happening, a camping adventure might be feasible in 2020. According to the U.S. Travel Association website, studies show that “6 in 10 Americans are eager to travel again, but will first feel most comfortable participating in outdoor activities and traveling to destinations by car.”
However, many campsites remain closed due to the pandemic, and it’s tough to predict when their status will change.
According to the National Park Service website, parks are following orders from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state and local public health authorities when making decisions in “a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.”
Should you choose to camp, the NPS recommends retreating only with people from your household, maintaining physical distancing when you’re on trails, campsites, boat launches and parking lots, and staying home if you’re feeling sick.
“[Camping] is safer than an indoor activity. But nonetheless, that doesn’t give us an excuse to let down our guard,” said Robert Quigley, the regional medical director for travel risk mitigation company International SOS who holds a PhD in immunology. “Remember, when you camp you usually go to a
Travel Tips: Top 10 Modes of Transportation | Behind the Bricks
A major part of traveling is getting from place to place. Whether you are abroad or traveling in the US, there are multiple transportation options to choose from. A fantastic part of traveling is experiencing new forms of transportation, all while trying to figure out how to get from point A to point B on your itinerary. Sometimes it works out and other times you have to keep an open mind if you end up getting lost (it just might lead you to an unexpected discovery).
When studying abroad in Copenhagen for a semester, I was able to travel all around Europe. From my experiences of European travels mixed with my US travels, I was able to put together a list of the top ten modes of transportation used when traveling.
1. Walking
The easiest (and cheapest) form of transportation is to just walk. A lot of cities are super easy to explore on foot. Being on the streets lets you see a lot of cool and beautiful architecture, experience the people around you, and take more of the city in than compared to being in the back seat of a taxi or behind closed doors on a subway. Just make sure you to look out for bikes/cars and always use crosswalks when crossing streets.
2. Biking
Do a quick google search and see if you’re traveling in a city that is biker friendly. It’s a bit faster than walking and super fun. Many of