“Did you ever notice the first piece of luggage on the carousel never belongs to anyone?” – Erma Bombeck
Have you ever noticed that kindergartners carry different things to school in their backpack compared to what teenagers carry in theirs? There are many similarities like books, paper, pencils and crayons. But as our kids transition from one grade level to the next, the contents of their backpack changes too.
As you think about traveling in the near future, what you pack in your luggage may change from what you traveled with before the pandemic. Besides your clothes, shoes and toiletries, it may include masks, hand sanitizer, a face shield, gloves and a thermometer. It struck me that this process parallels to how our kids, over the years, have had to change the items in their backpack each year.
Some of you may have school aged children, and others will look back and fondly remember the beginning of a new school year. Our kids always thought it was very exciting to meet new friends and teachers, begin new classes, wear a new outfit or new shoes and of course pick out a new backpack to hold all the tools necessary for success. And not just any backpack would do. It had to be one that fit their personality each school year.
There were so many choices…like Elmo, Arthur the Aardvark, Scooby Doo, Disney Princesses, Thomas the Tank Engine, the Solar System or Dinosaurs.
As the years progressed, it became more complicated because they were more self-aware about their choice of backpacks. It not only had to fit their books, pens, crayons and paper, but their lunchboxes, laptops, cell phones, gum, after school activity clothing, snacks, water bottles, makeup and more. Much like travel today.
So, let’s prepare your TRAVEL BACKPACK with the resources you need to be successful, especially if you are traveling internationally. My travel consortium, Virtuoso, has an expert-sourced Traveler’s Tool Kit packed with everything you need to know. Let’s take a look at what’s inside!
First, there’s a Pre-Trip Checklist and guess what’s at the top? Your passport! Take a look at yours. Is it valid through December 2021 or after? If not, let’s talk about getting it renewed!
How about your toiletry kit? Have you used any of the travel size items over the last few months and need to restock just in case you have an impromptu trip sneak up on you in the near future?
And if you plan to travel soon, make sure you are aware of the U.S. State Department’s Country specific Covid pages for up-to-date alerts and entry requirements. They are ever-changing!
The Traveler’s Tool Kit also has insights on the cruise industry, post pandemic tour trends and hotel stays, along with thoughts from Virtuoso travel advisors on how to confidently and safely travel the world, whenever you’re ready to go.
Just click on the button below for this valuable resource.
Are you ready to plan your next adventure?
As you know from my recent newsletters, I traveled internationally to Africa in November. I am also keeping up with all the latest developments and I’m here to help you, as are all of my supplier partners around the world.
Have you heard the news??
Stay positive! Stay Healthy! Stay safe!
Travel Update
Last week the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has expanded the requirement for all air passengers entering the United States from foreign countries, including all American Citizens, must present a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of departure to enter the country beginning January 26, 2021.
As your Travel Advisor, I will help you navigate through this new protocol. Many of my supplier partners have been working to set up procedures to provide testing at their resort or in destination so it’s easy and seamless for you.
Here’s a perfect example.
Uganda requires a negative Covid test 72 hours before arrival and 72 hours before we could leave the country. Test & Fly Laboratory (www.testandfly.co.ug) sent a team to administer PCR tests to us while we were at the lodge in Bwindi…which was our last stomping ground before departure. We received our results within 24 hours, printed and ready for our return flight. Seamless!
Let’s take a look at the details:
- Airlines are responsible for checking each passenger’s results.
- Rapid antigen and PCR tests will be valid for entry.
- Those who have a negative test result or documentation from a doctor stating they’ve recovered from COVID-19 will be allowed boarding.
- Those without documentation will be denied boarding.
- You can present your results digitally or on paper.
- Flight crews are exempt, as are those traveling to the Continental U.S. from any U.S. territory.
- If you’ve recovered from COVID-19 within three months, you can be exempted with a positive test as well as a doctor’s note.
- Connecting passengers are not exempt from the rule.
- Those who have been vaccinated still must present a negative test result before boarding.
- If you test positive while abroad, you will be stuck in that country until you test negative.
Anyone over the age of 2 must provide written documentation of the laboratory test result (paper or electronic copy) to the airline or provide documentation of having recovered from COVID-19.
And…it’s all in due time that this new policy was to be implemented!
“Travel opens your heart, broadens your mind and fills your life with stories to tell.” -Paula Bendfeldt
“I would gladly live out of a suitcase, if it meant I could see the world.”
As we move into February, take time to reflect on your dream destinations! What places and moments would you like to experience and what memories would you like to cherish long after you return from your adventure?
As your travel advisor, I’m here to help you dream about your next adventure! I call it putting “HOPE on the calendar”! When you are ready, let me know! I personally can’t wait to travel to my next far off distant land to experience a new culture! These memories will forever be a part of my travel experiences!
