The Blonde Abroad

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What the Future of Travel Will Look Like with COVID-19

What the Future Will Look Like with Covid

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.

app in the Air Covid Screenshot

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!

Fabric Home Face Masks

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!

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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?

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cape town south africa

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.

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    Leave a comment

    1. 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
    2. 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

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    Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18588507736001531
    Packing smarter > Packing more ✈️ This garment duffel has been such a game changer for short trips—keeps clothes wrinkle-free, has a separate space for shoes, and still fits all the essentials. I’ve been pairing it with the packing cubes and checked luggage from @OneQuince, and everything just works together—luxury quality, without the luxury price tag. Comment SHOP below to receive a DM with the link to this post on my LTK ⬇ https://liketk.it/6amYb @onequince @shop.ltk #liketkit #QuincePartner #travelessentials #packingtips #luggage Song: I’m That Girl by Phury _ from. Melody the Superstar

    Meeting rescued baby elephants at @sheldricktrust has been on my bucket list for years… and it exceeded every expectation! 🐘
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    We booked a private visit, which is $1,500 for a group of up to 10 people (2026 pricing), and fully donation-based — directly supporting the rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned elephants.

    There are only two private slots per day, so this is something you need to book well in advance.

    It’s absolutely a splurge, but for such an intimate, once-in-a-lifetime experience (and knowing it supports conservation) felt incredibly worth it!

    If that’s not in budget, they also offer daily public visiting hours (around $20 per person), which are still really special.

    NOTE: You’ll also need to pay the Nairobi National Park entrance fee for any visit.

    It pairs perfectly with a safari drive in the park, since you’re already there. It’s such an easy and meaningful add-on to any Nairobi itinerary.

    This is one of the most special (and ethical) wildlife experiences you can have in Kenya 🤍
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    564 46
    Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18075675671194480
    Meeting rescued baby elephants at @sheldricktrust has been on my bucket list for years… and it exceeded every expectation! 🐘 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• We booked a private visit, which is $1,500 for a group of up to 10 people (2026 pricing), and fully donation-based — directly supporting the rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned elephants. There are only two private slots per day, so this is something you need to book well in advance. It’s absolutely a splurge, but for such an intimate, once-in-a-lifetime experience (and knowing it supports conservation) felt incredibly worth it! If that’s not in budget, they also offer daily public visiting hours (around $20 per person), which are still really special. NOTE: You’ll also need to pay the Nairobi National Park entrance fee for any visit. It pairs perfectly with a safari drive in the park, since you’re already there. It’s such an easy and meaningful add-on to any Nairobi itinerary. This is one of the most special (and ethical) wildlife experiences you can have in Kenya 🤍 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #kenyatravel #nairobikenya #africasafari #ethicaltravel #bucketlisttravel

    The Okavango Delta is one of those places that truly lives up to the hype… and then somehow exceeds it. 🦒🇧🇼
    •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
    A lush, water-filled oasis in the middle of the Kalahari, where the seasons quite literally shape the entire experience.

    Floodwaters arrive months after the rains fall in Angola, transforming the landscape into a maze of channels, islands, and wildlife-rich plains.

    We stayed at @aksanctuary Sanctuary Chief’s Camp on Chief’s Island — known as the predator capital of Botswana. Because it’s one of the only areas of permanent dry land, animals naturally gather here… which means some of the most incredible game viewing you can experience.

    What makes this place so special is the contrast. Early mornings tracking predators on game drives, and afternoons drifting through quiet waterways in a mokoro, surrounded by birds, reeds, and the kind of stillness you rarely find anymore.

    And the timing completely changes the experience.
    ✨ Dry season (May–October): peak flood levels + unbelievable wildlife concentrations
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    #OkavangoDelta #BotswanaSafari #LuxurySafari #AfricanWildlife #SafariExperience

    551 19
    Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18103021357746846
    The Okavango Delta is one of those places that truly lives up to the hype… and then somehow exceeds it. 🦒🇧🇼 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• A lush, water-filled oasis in the middle of the Kalahari, where the seasons quite literally shape the entire experience. Floodwaters arrive months after the rains fall in Angola, transforming the landscape into a maze of channels, islands, and wildlife-rich plains. We stayed at @aksanctuary Sanctuary Chief’s Camp on Chief’s Island — known as the predator capital of Botswana. Because it’s one of the only areas of permanent dry land, animals naturally gather here… which means some of the most incredible game viewing you can experience. What makes this place so special is the contrast. Early mornings tracking predators on game drives, and afternoons drifting through quiet waterways in a mokoro, surrounded by birds, reeds, and the kind of stillness you rarely find anymore. And the timing completely changes the experience. ✨ Dry season (May–October): peak flood levels + unbelievable wildlife concentrations 🌿 Green season (November–April): lush landscapes, baby animals, fewer crowds No matter when you go, it’s one of the most unique safari destinations in the world, and one that feels wild, untouched, and unforgettable. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #OkavangoDelta #BotswanaSafari #LuxurySafari #AfricanWildlife #SafariExperience

    Flying above the Okavango on a skyfari 🚁✨
    ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
    While staying at @aksanctuary Chief’s Camp in Botswana, we had the chance to see the delta from a completely different perspective with @helicopterhorizons — and it was easily one of the most unforgettable experiences of the trip.

    From winding channels to herds of elephants moving below, it gives you a true sense of just how vast and wild this place really is… something you simply can’t grasp from the ground.

    If you’re coming all the way to the Okavango Delta, this is 100% worth adding on. It’s not just a scenic flight — it’s a whole new way to experience safari.
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    #botswana #okavangodelta #skyfari #helicopter #bucketlist

    366 25
    Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 17933892243210022
    Flying above the Okavango on a skyfari 🚁✨ •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• While staying at @aksanctuary Chief’s Camp in Botswana, we had the chance to see the delta from a completely different perspective with @helicopterhorizons — and it was easily one of the most unforgettable experiences of the trip. From winding channels to herds of elephants moving below, it gives you a true sense of just how vast and wild this place really is… something you simply can’t grasp from the ground. If you’re coming all the way to the Okavango Delta, this is 100% worth adding on. It’s not just a scenic flight — it’s a whole new way to experience safari. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #botswana #okavangodelta #skyfari #helicopter #bucketlist
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