10 tricks to travel safely during the coronavirus

Because crowds new versions of the virus COVID-19 it is clear to practically everyone that travel and travel methods will have to adapt in 2021. Restrictions will apply and it will be necessary to successfully navigate between them and obtain the right information. However, travel planning is likely to be a real nightmare, as it may happen that your plans are turned upside down due to sudden epidemiological changes in the destination. That's also why we looked at completely simple travel tips - tricks - that you should consider if you want to travel safely and healthily.

We have written the tips based on current information and our editorial staff's own travel experiences over the past year. So the year when the restrictions were already in place. The record is created in accordance with the guidelines of both our official institutions and the guidelines of the European Union and tourist associations.

1. Fresh information will be key

Fresh and up-to-date information will be key to planning this year's trips, which is why you follow all the most important travel portals and forums, such as consultu.si and their information you are double checking. So, also on the side of the country that is the destination of your trip. Namely, countries are changing our measures just as we are changing them in Slovenia. As a rule, they are changed weekly and adapted to the epidemiological picture. This is also why it is necessary to use a search engine Google find the official website of the country you are traveling to with key travel information and double check the facts. This should become your routine before the trip itself.

More resources: gov.si  / crossing borders / europa.eu 

2. Don't plan your trip months in the future

Planning trips several months in advance is not possible this year. In other words, it is possible only to an extremely limited extent and only to the extent that your trip is organized by a travel agency, which will constantly check the situation for you and inform you of any changes. Namely, the situation with the corona crisis itself changes on a weekly basis, not only in Slovenia, but in all countries. Also virus-related restrictions. Searching for cheap airline tickets or deals can thus turn into a nightmare if the country shuts down or imposes a mandatory quarantine regardless of PCR or HAT - antigen test and quarantine upon entry is required. Such an example is, for example, Iceland. This is also why last-minute trips that adapt to the epidemiological situation will be extremely relevant this year. But these should not be thoughtless and too spontaneous. Moreover, it is carried out with appropriate information, which the traveler carries out before the desired trip itself.

Our suggestion is that selected you follow the destination for a long time and you are regularly informed about epidemiological situation. This means that you will be familiar with the way the country is dealing with the coronavirus and will be able to anticipate its next steps and possible additional restrictions. Once you identify a window that is safe for travel, things will fold into a proper and safe whole. Even when booking accommodation, wait for them for a minute. You may have to adjust the dates at the last minute.

3. Choose simple car trips

If possible, go to direct travel and door to door; avoid many different means of transportation or transportation. For example, traveling by car is during the epidemic with COVID-19 the safest, therefore find destinations, which you can reach with your car. Europe is small and you can be at the other end in a few hours of Europe, so these types of trips can be a great substitute air travel. Only get on a plane if you need to visit family or if it is an emergency related to your business activity. If you can fly, remember that it is direct flight safer from flights with intermediate stops due to less possibility exposure to the virus. Another advantage of driving with by car is that when you get to your destination you can use it on local excursions. Regardless, choose only local activities that don't require public transportation and opt for walking and biking. This year, the key is the simplicity of travel and the so-called safe bubbles.

Tips for traveling by car

• Choose primary time, when you want to travel. Do not leave on Friday when the public stops will be more crowded.
• Pack your own drinks and snacks so you don't have to stop for meals along the way.
• Wear a mask indoors, such as gas stations FFP2 or N95, which is mandatory indoors in some countries. Always wear a mask, even when outside.
• Always have tissues and disinfectants with you. Always disinfect your hands in the car during stops.

4. Air travel and COVID-19

Airlines have begun to adapt to reality COVID-19. If you plan to fly, check to see if the airline has measures in place that allow for social distancing when possible, enforce the use of a face mask, and provide widespread access to hand sanitizer or hand washing. On flights, a normal medical mask is not recommended, but choose one that has a high level of protection, i.e. a mask N95 or FFP2. Remember that the air on the plane is quite clean due to industry standards and regulations that require air circulation and so-called HEPA filters. Therefore, the transmission of viruses and other microbes through the air is rare, similar to the outdoors. This year, however, the ventilation was further updated and upgraded. Problems on airplanes arise from social distancing, which increases the possibility of transmission of the coronavirus through aerosols released by an infected person. Transmission is also possible by touching contaminated surfaces. Therefore, it is important to wear a face mask that fits well (FFP2, N95) and consciously limit how you touch objects. Of course, hand hygiene is extremely important, so clean and disinfect your hands often.

Footnote: traveling to the airport during the coronavirus outbreak and the time you spend at the airport during check-in, security checks, boarding and baggage claim can be more risky than the actual flight, so remember to take precautions during all parts of your trip.

Tips for traveling by plane

• Be sure to do it PCR test a few hours before the actual trip and thereby enable yourself 48 hour bubble border crossing in most countries.
• Just choose direct flights as far as possible. Avoid multiple stops at airports.
• Always insure your trip in case of cancellation. There are different ones insurance packages, offered by airlines and insurance companies.
• Conclude travel insurance, which covers possible infection and treatment for COVID-19.

5. Choosing safe accommodation at the destination

When you decide on a place to stay or accommodation on your vacation, choose a place where air can circulate through open windows. In other words, choose "outdoor" accommodation. This is also why camping is actually one of the best ideas this year, just like glamping. Apartments with terraces and balconies that can be thoroughly ventilated are also suitable.

Of course, this year the hotels will also do practically everything possible to prevent infections from spreading. As well as tourist resorts, in which they will create safely COVID balloons. This will mean that you will spend your entire vacation in the resort without leaving the tourist resort. In other words, you will only be able to leave it in an organized manner with an escort. Free testing of tourists in such resorts will also be carried out regularly. This means that you will be tested upon entering the resort and after a few days. When you leave, you will be provided with a test that will be valid when you return home.

Because of the COVID crisis, which has been going on for a good year, certain providers have already adapted. Thus, even cruise ship travel has become extremely safe. The latter follow strict protocols and are of the COVID crisis adapted the most among all tourist activities. All passengers must test for 48 hours before the cruise itself. This test is followed by a test before actually boarding the ship. The test is also repeated during the cruise itself and after a few days of stay on the ship. They also offer a test before leaving home, which will allow you to pass the return to your country without any problems. Excursions on cruises are organized and cannot be done individually. They are organized in such a way that excursionists always remain in a safe balloon and in a group with a guide.

Tips for choosing safe accommodation

• Choose the provider that you provides testing and has strict protocols in place.
• For organized trips, inquire about measures at the destination and testing options to return home.
• If you are choosing private accommodation, this year choose only those with excellent score for the cleanliness of the accommodation, as it is important that the rooms and apartments are disinfected. 48 hours should elapse between one rental and another.
• The most recommended are trips with a camper, or all trips where you create your own "bubble" and spend most of your time outdoors.

6. Choosing a good travel insurance that includes COVID cancellation and COVID treatment

If ever, then this year it is important to take out good health travel insurance before you travel. In principle, it is not a problem in the European Union, because you have a European health insurance card. But because it can also be COVID serious illness, which requires long-term treatment, you want insurance that will also allow you repatriation under special conditions. That is why we suggest that you do not skimp on insurance and always take the most extensive insurance packages. These packages will also cover certain expenses with quarantine and accommodation for the duration of the quarantine, which is extremely important.

Choose insurance with the option of canceling your trip in case of COVID and covering the cost of treatment in case of infection abroad.

7. Do a PCR test immediately before departure!

Take a PCR test immediately before you leave for your trip, which in most countries is sufficient to enter their territory (within 48 hours of taking the test). At the time of the test, request a written certificate in English, which must contain the laboratory stamp, the doctor's name, the type of test performed, and the mandatory date and time of the test. If the time is not indicated, attach an invoice to this type of test, where the time of issue of the invoice is visible. This type of test serves as a kind of "covid" passport for the duration of the trip, which must not exceed 48 hours. If you are traveling alone, it will be necessary to obtain information about where you can be tested at the destination itself and what costs this represents. Most antigen tests cost between 20 and 25 euros, while PCR tests they start at 50 euros and go up to 120 euros.

We suggest that you also take one of the quick tests on your trip, which are available for just a few euros and can be done yourself. If you have any symptoms, you can perform it yourself and check your health and act correctly and responsibly.

8. Choose only one destination and not several countries at the same time

When you start planning your trip abroad, it's best to stick to one or two countries, although you may be tempted to add new exotic locales to your travel diary, especially after such a long stay and quarantine. Logistically, it is extremely demanding to monitor all the restrictions in certain countries, and if there are several of them, the whole thing is extremely opaque. Look at travel this year as an opportunity to take the time to really get to know a place or destination and internalize the art of slow travel.

9. Only travel financially secure!

Travel with achievable savings in your checking account this year, especially because of unpredictable situations that may mean you have to choose or buy an option to return home early. You may be quarantined abroad and stuck at your destination. This is also why it is important to be financially secure and not travel on the "vapes" of your wallet. Therefore, we advise you to take the following steps before departure.

Tips for financially secure travel

• Pick up limit on your credit card.
• Protect yourself with one of travel insurance, which includes as many "unfortunate" scenarios as possible.

10. These are the safest forms of travel in 2021

The year 2021 because of the coronavirus, it puts us in a special situation where the safest forms of vacation will be the extremely exclusive ones, and on the other hand, the simplest forms - the so-called Robinson vacation. What to choose?

As we note in numerous articles on our media, 2021 is promising heyday of Robinson vacationing and on the other hand even accelerated the development of exclusive travel in the form of closed and isolated resorts and also cruises with big ships. So we're going to review some of the safest forms of travel and summer vacations you and your family can take exposed the least.

Vacationing with a motor home

The RV will be your security guard COVID bubble, as most of them offer everything you need for an "autonomous" vacation. So you have your own toilet, which you don't have to share with others in the camp. You can also sometimes spend a day completely "off-grid". This year, no one will look away from you because of it. Those in charge will be a bit more tolerant than usual. Vacationing with a motor home is certainly one of those forms of vacation that is highly recommended this year.

Road trip

If you organize a road trip in a suitable way and stock up on food and all the necessities, and on the trip you choose apartments in which you live alone, this form of vacation can also be very interesting. Of course, you have to monitor all the possible restrictions that are part of the current corona of reality. But with some ingenuity you will be able to do it.

Exclusive resorts of the closed type

The agencies will soon offer many trips to so-called tourist resorts, where they will be created safe COVID balloons. This means that you will have to be tested before traveling, then upon entering the resort and after a certain period. There will be no excessive COVID restrictions in the resort itself. Such resorts will, of course, charge for these services to fifth-party customers who have already enjoyed all the advantages of such trips anyway.

Cruises with large ships

Thanks to a bunch of safety protocols, otherwise supposedly "dangerous" trips have become extremely safe. And so cruises want to prove themselves as one of the safest options for spending holidays 2021. So they enforce really strict measures to ensure safety on ships. This way of traveling thus allows you to visit several destinations in an extremely safe way. Think of a cruise ship as a floating hotel where you wake up to a wonderful new destination every day. Security protocols are strict. You will be screened twice before entering the ship. Testing is mandatory 48 before arrival and directly upon boarding the ship. You will also be tested during your trip if you cross national borders. Excursions are always organized by the service provider, which means that you cannot visit the cities individually. Also, on these trips you do not have "free" time for individual tours. You always stay in a bubble with the group you are assigned to. You also can't drink coffee in a cafe on the square, or buy a sandwich in a local store. The trip organizer takes care of everything. Strict security protocols are in place on the ship. Wearing masks is mandatory everywhere, only in the cabin and at the table you can take it off! A mask is also not required in the fitness center and swimming pool. Also, on newer cruise ships there are additional places for washing hands before entering the dining room. Washing your hands is mandatory, otherwise you are not allowed to enter the dining room. They also measure your temperature several times a day, or it is obligatory to measure it before entering dining rooms, bars, the fitness center, upon exiting the ship and upon returning from a guided excursion. At that time, they also disinfect bags, pouches and other things that you bring back to the ship. That's why they are cruise ships and cruises in 2021, an extremely recommended and safe way of vacationing.

Renting a sailboat - spending your vacation in secluded bays

Habitual tourism is a secret tip and probably the safest way to spend your summer holidays 2021. You'll be in your element on the yacht bubble. If you stock up on everything you need, you won't need to be in contact with the outside world for several days. That's also why it seems right sailing and renting a sailboat is one of those vacation options that is almost a dream come true in 2021!

Glamping

Most of glamping accommodation offers its own toilets and kitchen. Which means that you can create your own bubble in such "tents". However, you should still be careful about staying in any shared areas such as swimming pools, playgrounds and beaches. The bottom line is that most of your activities take place outdoors. This means that there is a transfer option virus extremely small.

In 2021, mass tourism due to the impacts of the COVID crisis says goodbye, and the boutique offer of small ones, those related to nature and spending free time in nature, and the additional development of exclusive destinations come to the fore. Slovenia thus once again has an ideal opportunity, but those responsible will most likely not be recognized. This is also why it is still the safest way to spend this year's holidays in the most beautiful country in the world - Slovenia!