What the Future of Travel Will Look Like with COVID-19 • The Blonde Abroad

Based on what we’re seeing happen globally and the response to the pandemic, these are things to expect when you plan future travel.

From getting tested to travel bubbles to PPE — the world, and travel, look a lot different at this time.

As a reminder, while a lot of the readership for TBA is from the USA, there are folks from all over the world who read this blog. While this post isn’t to encourage you to travel right now — these are all things to keep in mind for future travel.

Here’s what to expect for the future of travel through COVID-19!

Where You Can Travel

Borders around the world are closed at the moment and pretty heavily for U.S. citizens. As the fluctuation of COVID happens, you’re going to see more or less where you’ll be able to travel in the future.

With that being said, every single destination will have different requirements.

As borders open you’ll find varying degrees of requirements, from quarantining for a certain amount of days to providing test results.

Currently, most of the world has its borders closed to U.S. travelers to help reduce the spread of the virus. While we wait for the right time to travel, border openings will be a strong indication of when it’s the right time to travel.

So while now isn’t the right time to travel, as we watch borders open we can use that to evaluate, and as an indication of where things are at.

App in the Air is a wonderful resource to keep up to date with news about border closures and openings and what restrictions are in place for country-to-country.

Understand that each place will have its own safety measurements and precautions in place.

Entry Requirements

Every country will have different requirements. Some places require you to get tested before you go and present documentation that you recently tested negative for COVID-19.

Some destinations may test you upon arrival — Iceland, for instance, is one of those places.

Other places may require you to quarantine for two weeks upon arrival — often at mandated hotels or with serious restrictions. So, if you don’t have time to quarantine for two weeks, it’s best not to think about venturing to those locations.

And then there are places that are restricting tourism completely.

Navigating Restrictions

I know that some of the travel restrictions are extremely confusing with new information coming out every day. That’s the nature of what’s going on right now with each place trying to mitigate and manage the virus in the best way possible.

I realize that it can be quite difficult to find accurate information about where and when we are allowed to travel to certain places.

My favorite travel app, App in the Air, has been my go-to resource for travel for years, but it’s now essential for planning my future trips. App in the Air has some amazing new features to help navigate current COVID-19 travel restrictions around the world.

On App In the Air’s brand-new landing page—which is updated weekly—you’ll find information on restrictions for country-to-country travel, as well as safety filters for airlines on flight searches.

This is a wonderful resource for figuring out proposed “travel bubbles” for certain countries, and as restrictions fluctuate from place to place.

During the Flight

When it comes to flying there might not be the same luxuries you were used to.

To prevent the spread of germs, many inflight-magazines are being nixed, some airlines are suspending trolley meal service — and in place, a snack bag with water and refreshments is provided.

Some flights are purposely not booking middle seats and allowing for more distancing between passengers. To figure out which airlines are doing this, check out App in the Air’s brand-new landing page!

Personal Protection Equipment

During the flight, you may be required to wear gloves, and you will have to wear a mask. At the actual location you have traveled to, masks will likely also be required.

Need a mask? Here are some cute coverings:

Plan for Long Transit Times

If you are planning for international travel, realize that transit time will likely be much longer than it has in the past. This is in part to less long-haul flights in operation and some hubs restricting where planes can fly in from.

Because of this, you may get rerouted and you may have multiple connections to make. My advice would be to add a day to transit time—places that used to take 24-ish hours to get to may now take almost 2 days.

Where Can I Travel Now?

All that said, I believe staycations, domestic travel, and road trips are the way to go for now—using all recommended safety precautions (face coverings and social distancing).

Check out the USA road trips page to find the adventure that’s right for you. Or, if you’re living in another country and looking to explore, take a gander at these:

How to Plan the Perfect Staycation

How do you transform a weekend at home into an unforgettable retreat? Here is my guide on how to plan the perfect staycation!

USA Road Trips

With so many national parks, gorgeous vistas, and culturally unique places—what better way to explore the USA than hitting the open road?

My Thoughts on When to Travel Internationally

As hopeless and unknown as the current situation may seem at times, there will always be hope for the future and travel isn’t going anywhere.

For those that read this blog and those who love to travel, it’s top of mind. I hear you. We understand the value travel brings to our lives and the economic support it provides for a lot of destinations around the world. Our dollars are needed to keep certain destinations afloat.

While COVID exists, there won’t be a singular opinion about when is the best time to travel. There will always be some risk involved. Judging border reopenings, and your own personal risk tolerance, along with the people you care for or spend time with and their risk—only you can make that decision on when it’s the right time for you to travel.

Personally, my lifestyle and this blog support people from around the world, and I’m very conscious of the fact that tourism is the number one economic stimulus for so many places that I love.

We’re fortunate in the U.S. to get some government aide, however, there are a lot of places around the world where folks are living paycheck to paycheck and depend heavily on tourism.

While tourism will change, it’s important to recognize the importance of travel in the future but also keeping health and safety top of mind.

While this isn’t official advice or encouraging you to go out and travel, this is what you may encounter as you plan future travel.

Of course, things differ so much from country to country, so be mindful of that.

Wishing you safety and health during this time.

Instagram

Sun-drenched mornings, salty air, and the kind of place that makes you instantly exhale @waldorfastoriacostarica ✌️
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Our stay at this brand-new property was truly a dream — sweeping ocean views, elevated design, and more pools than I’ve ever seen at a hotel in my entire life.

From award-winning wellness to coconuts by the pool, every detail felt thoughtful and intentional.

🧖‍♀️ The Spa
Recently named Costa Rica’s Best Resort Spa, this sanctuary blends modern wellness with local healing traditions — volcanic mud rituals, rainforest-inspired therapies, and grounding treatments that leave you floating.

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World-class service, beachfront access, a stunning collection of pools (truly — endless), curated experiences, and those sweet elevated touches everywhere you turn. Newly opened, yet already operating like a seasoned 5-star icon.

💦 Kids’ Club
One of the coolest spaces for littles — crafts, games, toys, and outdoor play areas that made traveling with Oliver feel easy (and fun for him, too).

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Proud holders of the Bandera Azul Ecológica for conservation and environmental efforts — luxury and responsibility beautifully intertwined.

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If you’re looking for a luxury, family-friendly escape in Costa Rica — this is your spot.

A huge thank you to @waldorfastoriacostarica for hosting us on this sunshine-soaked getaway.
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A little late sharing this — but I needed time to sit with 2025. It was so much more than what made it to Instagram.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
This was the year I stopped measuring life in miles traveled… and started measuring it in the days we weren’t promised.

Not in passport stamps.
Not in hotel check-ins.
Not in how far we could go.

But in the quiet relief of “clear.”
In small hands squeezing mine tighter.
In birthday candles and quiet camping mornings.
In laughter that came back after fear.

2025 was the plot twist year.

The year I learned strength doesn’t look like control —
it looks like surrender.
It looks like showing up anyway.
It looks like choosing joy even when you know how fragile it is.

And it looks like being surrounded by the people who love us most.

We traveled the world.
But more importantly —
we celebrated what we almost lost.

And at the end of it all?
We packed up our life and chose a new continent. 🇿🇦

2025, you were heavy.
You were also beautiful.
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#2025wrapped

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Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18380851606081524

A little late sharing this — but I needed time to sit with 2025. It was so much more than what made it to Instagram.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
This was the year I stopped measuring life in miles traveled… and started measuring it in the days we weren’t promised.

Not in passport stamps.
Not in hotel check-ins.
Not in how far we could go.

But in the quiet relief of “clear.”
In small hands squeezing mine tighter.
In birthday candles and quiet camping mornings.
In laughter that came back after fear.

2025 was the plot twist year.

The year I learned strength doesn’t look like control —
it looks like surrender.
It looks like showing up anyway.
It looks like choosing joy even when you know how fragile it is.

And it looks like being surrounded by the people who love us most.

We traveled the world.
But more importantly —
we celebrated what we almost lost.

And at the end of it all?
We packed up our life and chose a new continent. 🇿🇦

2025, you were heavy.
You were also beautiful.
You changed me.

2026 — I’m ready.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#2025wrapped

My favorite smart features of my old home! 🏠
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I put a lot of thought and design into my home, so I knew I had to get curated, high-tech window shades to match.

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I easily installed these in my guest bedroom and let me just say, when guests come over, they’re getting what feels like a hotel experience in my home (minus the room service).
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My favorite smart features of my old home! 🏠
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠
I put a lot of thought and design into my home, so I knew I had to get curated, high-tech window shades to match.

Enter @rollishades — sleek, custom motorized shades that actually elevate the space while solving the very real sunlight problem. From light-filtering to blackout options, everything is tailored to fit perfectly and controlled with the touch of a button (or app). It’s the kind of smart, intentional design that makes a home feel finished. 🪟🤍

I easily installed these in my guest bedroom and let me just say, when guests come over, they’re getting what feels like a hotel experience in my home (minus the room service).
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠
#gifted #homedesign #interiorinspo #smarthome #rollishades

🚨 FINAL SPOTS. 🚨
Our @tbaescapes Luxury Peru Journey is nearly sold out — and we are down to the last remaining spaces 🇵🇪🦙
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We shared this experience first with our email waitlist… and it filled fast. Now, we’re down to the very last spots — and this is it.

When they’re gone, they’re gone.

This is your chance to join one of the most extraordinary trips we’ve ever offered!

Think: luxury accommodations, a fully all-inclusive experience, a bucket list rail journey and overnight stay at Machu Picchu, and a once-in-a-lifetime finale cruising the Amazon Rainforest aboard a privately chartered luxury riverboat.

📍 Peru
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Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18077029469525814

🚨 FINAL SPOTS. 🚨
Our @tbaescapes Luxury Peru Journey is nearly sold out — and we are down to the last remaining spaces 🇵🇪🦙
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We shared this experience first with our email waitlist… and it filled fast. Now, we’re down to the very last spots — and this is it.

When they’re gone, they’re gone.

This is your chance to join one of the most extraordinary trips we’ve ever offered!

Think: luxury accommodations, a fully all-inclusive experience, a bucket list rail journey and overnight stay at Machu Picchu, and a once-in-a-lifetime finale cruising the Amazon Rainforest aboard a privately chartered luxury riverboat.

📍 Peru
🗓 September 6–16, 2026

No planning. No second-guessing.
Just iconic places, seamless logistics, and the kind of sisterhood that makes these trips unforgettable.

🚨 Spots are extremely limited! 🚨
For full details and a direct link to apply, drop “EXPLORE” below ⛰️✨
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#tbaescapes #peru #machupicchu #amazonriver #luxurygrouptravel

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Laura R

Love reading your posts! Just wanted to let you now how travel is going right now across the ocean…… Every airline in Europe is now requiring you to fill out paperwork before landing at your destination stating your personal information and what hotel address you will be staying at. Some countries are now not only requiring negative Covid tests, but the Balearic islands are also requiring all passengers to fill out a form online that will produce your own personal QR code to be scanned before allowing you to exit the airport. Temperatures are also being taken upon boarding some flights and before exiting the airports. Air France airline is also not allowing personal cotton masks to be worn inflight; medical grade masks are required and were provided for passengers that did not have this type of mask.

Don’t know if you were even interested to know haha but wanted to let you know incase anyone else has inquired.

Hope all is well! Stay safe and healthy!

xx Laura

August 19, 2020 at 5:47 am · Reply

The Blonde Abroad

Hey Laura! This is ALL very interesting and I’m sure we’ll see the landscape of international continually change during the coming months. Thanks for sharing!

August 19, 2020 at 5:45 pm · Reply

Anna Novoselov

Hi! I love your blog , especially the photos that you use with your articles! One of my dreams has always been to travel the world and your content inspires me to take action on it (hopefully Covid calms down and it becomes easier to do that soon)

I also started my own blog (ourstorieswontfade.com) where I share stories of significant moments from people’s lives. However, I’ve been struggling a lot with promoting it. Do you have any advice? I would also love to feature you, if you’re willing! Please email me at ourstorieswontfade.com and we can set up an interview 🙂

August 30, 2020 at 9:47 am · Reply

The Blonde Abroad

Hi Anna, how wonderful! I’ve got tons of blogging resources here:
https://theblondeabroad.com/blogging-resources/

And I would particularly suggest taking a look at these articles:
https://theblondeabroad.com/how-to-grow-your-instagram-following/
https://theblondeabroad.com/tips-for-brand-new-bloggers-wanting-to-step-up-their-game/
https://theblondeabroad.com/make-your-blog-stand-out-from-the-crowd/
https://theblondeabroad.com/20-things-i-wish-i-knew-before-i-started-a-blog/

I hope that helps! 🙂

August 30, 2020 at 6:06 pm · Reply

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