8 Things To Prepare For Your Next City Break

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As travel is on a halt because of the current virus situation around the world, it doesn’t mean that doing the things to prepare for your next city break should be put to a stop. Nowadays, online options for many services are widely used and is mostly a recommended method. It’s going to be a different kind of normal from now on. Even the way we travel will be disparate from what we’ve experienced so far.

While travelling makes us connect with others, see a perspective of stereotypes differently, learn about culture and people, it also makes one modest. When travelling, we find inspiration, discover a lot about ourselves, people we travel with, and people we encounter. It’s an enriching experience. On the far end of a beautiful perspective, travelling also has negative impacts to the environment. Carbon emissions contribute much to global warming, communities that have a surplus of tourists have at times experience  detrimental effects. There’s also the worriment of crime rising up in areas where people gather.

Now that people are advised – if not forced – to stay at home, the earth enjoyed a much-needed respite. Clearer waters, less air pollution, wildlife thriving, and surely less garbages where tourists frequent can be read in the news repeatedly.

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Now that you have some time to spare, go and check your travel list. Here are some of the things for you to prepare for your next city break, when things are finally a bit stable.

New/Valid Passport

It may take only a week (in Austria at least) for the authorities to send you your new passport – in normal conditions. Other countries take 6 to 8 weeks. Also, most countries require that a passport is valid at least 6 months within entry, so if your pass is set to expire within those 6 months on your date of travel, renew. You also have to consider the amount of time needed when applying for a visa, if it’s required. So yes, renewing your passport well before expiration is a must.

Health Status Check

Not only for the virus, but an overall health check is beneficial for you (and the family). Allergies, especially to food and flower-bearing trees – all the more if in a different region where flowers are not known to you, should be identified. It is also a good idea to consider getting vitamin and nutritional testing to best address the lack or surplus of vitamins and minerals in one’s disposal.

Travelling when you aren’t as fit could have regrettable repercussions – not only to your health but your pocket as well. Getting sick when in a different country may not be covered by your health insurance, while it’s always recommended to buy an insurance for your travel – there is no guarantee to how much they will cover once an issue arises.

Luggage Conditions

Are your luggage still in top condition? Check them now, have them clean and refurbished if necessary to avoid mishaps when you can finally go. If you don’t have the right sizes of luggage required, this is a good time to look for one. There could be in-house online sales of luggage and bag stores near you. If not, we recommended any of the following:

Insurance Policies

Review your health insurance policies thoroughly, and other insurance you have under your name now that you have time. You can avoid paying double for policies that may be already covered by one of your insurances. If you don’t have an insurance yet, then this is also the best time to look for one that best fits your family, and your lifestyle.

Safety Items

There will certainly be differences on how you pack your stuff when you go on a city break with the family. Your luggage will now include safety items more than the usual medicines you bring along.

Wearing masks is the new fashion – er normal… While mask-wearing when one is not feeling well is well-practised in countries like Japan and Korea, it may not be a norm in others. Wearing masks is more about being considerate to other people who are at risk of getting sick but it also protects you to some extent.

It is well recommended to use medical-grade masks, but if you can’t find some around, you can follow this tutorial for making fitted face masks with filter pocket. Just buy filters to put in between the mask’s front and lining for extra protection.You can even create masks in different colours to match your outfit.

Hand sanitisers could well be an important item in your handcarry – or pocket. If washing your hands is not readily possible, a hand sanitizer/disinfectant will do the job.

Local Travels and Staycations

Have you been visiting cities that take about an hour or two with plane travel? Well, it’s probably time to try something new, explore your own country and the many towns, camping places, probably lake lodging it has to offer. While it is not 100% safe to be out – still, follow the news and travel advisory within your country.

It may take longer with car travel, but that’s a good time to bond with your travelmates/family.

Accommodation Preferences

If you have enjoyed staying in hotels than home accommodation it’s probably good to think about the pros and cons of staying at both. Hotels being bigger mean there are a lot more people staying in. There are bigger chances for you to encounter others unlike when you stay at a home, a local’s abode – it’s you, or you and the family alone.

When it comes to sanitation practices though, both accommodations do their best to keep the places of lodging safe. Whichever you prefer, practising healthy habits, safe distancing, also wearing masks and washing/disinfecting hands as necessary.

Less People Interaction

Are you the really friendly kind of traveller? That has to change a bit – for the meantime. It is not being disrespectful, but being considerate. In any case, following safety protocols of social distancing and mask wearing will make interacting with people not problematic.

Other Things To Prepare For Your Next City Break

Do you have a travel item that you haven’t bought until now? A personalized passport holder maybe?

If you have been bringing medication (antihistamines for example), then make sure you have enough and they are not expired. We have different needs, thus what I prepare may be different from things that you prepare for your next city break. Comment below so we may add up to this list.