Feeling those summertime blues?

 Our newsletters from the month of August.

August is here, and the last full month of summer traditionally has meant it’s time to take a vacation. Of course the COVID-19 pandemic has changed that, along with nearly everything else, but have things gotten any better, travel-wise, since it all started?

            Yes. The travel industry magazine Afar notes that on July 30, over 700,000 passengers passed through TSA checkpoints here in the U.S., compared with less than 90,000 on April 14. Road trips have increased, too; many of our clients tell us that in lieu of flying overseas, they are hitting the road this summer, visiting relatives or going to stateside attractions that have long been on their bucket list. Here in northwest Wisconsin, we’ve seen a lot of trucks and cars towing boats and motor homes, many with out-of-state plates, heading to our lakes.

            Traveling is possible during the pandemic, as long as it’s done responsibly. Here are some ways to make sure you’re traveling responsibly:

·       Do your research before you leave. Are there virus-related restrictions at your destination? Is the virus case count going up or down there? Booking your hotel and restaurant reservations in advance is always advisable, especially now. We can help you with making sure you have the latest information and have secured your lodging before you hit the road.

·       Wear your masks and follow social-distancing guidelines wherever you go. Requirements may vary from place to place, but it’s not a bad idea to err on the side of caution.

·       Consider getting a COVID-19 test before you leave, or when you return home. In some cases, your destination may require proof of a negative test upon arrival.

·       Just in case, pack plenty of sanitary gear: extra masks, sanitizer, hand wipes, soap.

·       Local businesses appreciate your support wherever you go, and part of the charm of traveling is visiting “mom and pop” stores that might be unique to the town or area you’re visiting. Now is an especially good time to patronize them.

·       Patience is a virtue, especially these days, and tipping well is always appreciated. Most destinations are willing to go out of their way to accommodate you during your stay. Make sure you let them know you’re grateful.

·       Follow the rules. The states and communities you visit will likely have differing restrictions in place. Be a good guest and be mindful of them. Courtesy is always much appreciated, wherever you go.

One in ten Americans were employed in the travel industry last year, and travel has been one of the hardest-hit industries during the pandemic. Destinations are slowly starting to re-open and are more than willing to welcome you, and we’re ready to help you get there as the summer of 2020 comes to a close.

            And don’t forget our weekly Facebook Live travel show, every Tuesday at 1:30pm. Just log onto our Facebook page to join us!

 * * *

            Back in mid-March–only five months ago, but it seems a lot longer–the U.S. State Department issued a Level 4 warning, its highest, telling all American citizens to avoid international travel and advising all Americans currently abroad to return home as quickly as possible. The coronavirus was on the march, and Europe, especially, was right in its path.

            At that time, the U.S. had reported just over 11,000 cases of COVID-19. Five months later, we have over 5 million. But Europe’s share of the pandemic appears to have been brought under control, and countries on other continents and many islands have seen great improvement. These positive developments have now prompted the State Department to lift its advisory against all international travel. Each country will now be evaluated separately, they say.

            According to CNBC, this leaves U.S. travelers with an often-confusing hodgepodge of restrictions for travel outside the country. Even a trip to our largest neighbor, Canada, can be a problem. Whereas going over the border once was as easy for most of us as a car ride, Canada has barred all nonessential travel by non-Canadians, and that means us. Major League Baseball teams can’t get into Toronto to play, for example, forcing the Blue Jays to play all their games here in the States. American citizens are still not allowed into the European Union. Canadians can go to Europe, but we can’t, at least for now. There are still more than 30 countries that U.S. citizens are advised not to enter, including Russia, China, India, Brazil, Argentina and all of Central America.

            But let’s look at the bright side. Travel to many other foreign destinations is still possible for Americans, although each country may have its own distinct restrictions. These are places the State Department designates with Level 1 or 2 advisories: the islands of French Polynesia and Fiji, which include Tahiti, are at Level 2 and have already started welcoming American visitors. Taiwan and New Zealand are open for U.S. tourists, as is Thailand. The areas of Mexico that include the most popular resorts, such as Cancun, Cozumel, and Cabo san Lucas are welcoming U.S. visitors every day. If you’re thinking of going to any of these places, though, remember that individual countries, and even parts of countries, might have certain restrictions that arriving travelers will have to be aware of.

            That’s where we can help. While we’re confident that full international travel will return–and when it does, it’ll come back big–we’re not there yet. We can help you navigate those restrictions and answer those questions if you plan to travel within the next few months. We’re already seeing a lot of interest in 2021 travel, and we’ll help you with that kind of long-range planning, too. We’re just as anxious as you are to get out there again and explore the world. It will still be there when the pandemic ends, and the people in those countries will be anxious to see Americans, just as they always have.

* * *

           

     Americans are nothing if not adaptable. Throughout our history, as circumstances have changed, we have adapted and adjusted and done whatever needed to be done to get where we were going. Americans have always been going somewhere, and those of us in the travel industry have always been there to help them get there.

    The pandemic, of course, changed that. But as time has gone on, Americans have adapted. Instead of eating out at restaurants every day or so, we are eating at home more often, and that means cooking more meals. Restaurants have adapted by offering take-out options. Have to wear a mask? We have adapted by making ourselves colorful masks that often make statements, just like our clothing choices always have. Even sports have adapted; professional teams are playing in empty stadiums with pre-recorded crowd noise and cardboard cutouts of people in the stands.

    Americans are adapting when it comes to travel, too, and our industry is adapting right along with them. The online industry magazine Travel Pulse notes that it might be several more months before travel gets “back to normal,” and it will be different. Trends are already being noted.

·      With more people staying at home to work, the trips they take are now getting longer. Resort owners are noting that many guests ask for multi-week bookings as travelers seek out stability and trust for their destinations.

·      Multi-family “travel pods” are becoming part of the new normal. A survey by the travel industry group Virtuoso recently found that 79% of families would take part in a travel pod, in which two or more families travel together.

·      The road trip has largely replaced the airline flight, at least for now. Part of that is due to the fact that many countries still won’t allow Americans to visit. Virtuoso found that 87% of travelers plan on a road trip this summer or fall.

·      But people aren’t giving up on airline travel. The survey found 66% said they would gladly get on a plane right now if they could go where they wanted, and most say they would gladly pay a little extra if it meant the airline would keep the middle seat empty, for social-distancing purposes.

·      Turn-down service used to be a hotly-desired item at a destination, but now travelers want more contactless services, with as little intervention from staff as possible.

The restrictions travelers face at whatever destination they choose can be daunting, and that has helped move many of them out of what could have been called the “DIY vacation experience.” Most people aren’t comfortable now with simply going online to book their own travel, whether it includes a flight or not, and they’re finding that travel experts, the ones who’ve been helping people all along, are more valuable than ever. The person across the desk at your local travel agency can help you find a place where you and your family can go, enjoy yourselves and stay as safe as possible. And that person across the desk is waiting for you at Travel Designers Travel Leaders, so let’s mask up together and get traveling!

* * *

        The Central American nation of Costa Rica is a destination that's been growing in popularity for American travelers in recent years, but like every nation on the planet, Costa Rica, and its tourism industry, have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. As of September 1, though, Costa Rica will start welcoming American visitors back to its beaches and jungles.        

        Afar Magazine reports Costa Rica’s tourism ministry announced last week that the nation will welcome U.S. visitors from these states: New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine and Connecticut. Those six states were listed because their levels of infection are about the same as what Costa Rica has right now, according to the ministry. Thus, Costa Rica becomes the first nation in the world to allow Americans based on what state they live in.

       But Americans from those six states won’t just be able to arrive in the country as they would have, say, last year. Before departure from the States, inbound travelers will have to fill out an online epidemiological health form. They will have to get a COVID-19 test, and furnish proof of a negative result obtained within 48 hours of their travel date. They must have insurance, either from their own provider or a policy purchased in Costa Rica. Upon arrival, travelers must wear masks at the airport and comply with all local restrictions.

    The nation’s three international airports are handling commercial traffic already, and once the ban is lifted, they expect about five weekly flights from the U.S., which is less than 5% of their pre-pandemic activity. Costa Rica’s economy, like so many other nations’, has been hit hard by the travel ban; about 12% of Costa Rica’s employment was dependent on tourism. But since the travel ban, employers there have been focusing on training workers in the new virus-related restrictions and protocols. The nation has made much progress; Costa Rica was recently awarded a “Safe Travels” stamp by the World Travel & Tourism Council for its commitment to updated health and safety measures.

    We don’t have many clients in those six fortunate states who can now go to Costa Rica, but we’re confident that as virus levels in Wisconsin and Minnesota go down, Costa Rica and other nations will be willing to let our people in, too. At Travel Designers Travel Leaders, we monitor the myriad of changing travel restrictions every day, so that we can give our clients the very latest information about the destination they’re planning to visit. Working together, we can get you to where you want to go, and help you enjoy your visit safely. Central America has been growing in popularity with our clients in recent years, and it will be popular again, soon.

 

* * *

The small Caribbean island of Hispaniola is where Columbus first landed in 1492. More than 500 years later, the island has long since been divided into two nations, Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and the latter has been a hotspot of Caribbean travel for years, especially to its Punta Cana region. But like everywhere else, the Dominican was impacted by COVID-19 and its tourism industry plummeted. The Dominicans, though, are determined to bring it back and they’re on the way. Things are happening down there that bode well for tourism, not only for the D.R. but for the Caribbean as a whole.

    TravelPulse magazine reports that the Dominican Republic is rolling out rapid COVID-19 testing that will replace the current test that’s required for entry. Beginning at the end of September, this new diagnostic breath test will be administered to randomly selected travelers upon arrival. Hotel guests will also temporarily receive an assistance plan that includes lodging for prolonged stays and flight changes in the event travelers contract the virus during their visit, plus several other benefits. Social distancing and masking will continue to be mandatory for all visitors. The Dominican Minister of Tourism, David Collado, said, “We are focused on driving continued growth for the sector, along with our country’s image.”

    That same attitude is driving countries throughout the Caribbean as they seek innovative and safe ways to not only restrain the virus but welcome visitors back to their islands. Across the Gulf in Mexico, tourist destinations long favored by Americans have been working hard to upgrade their sanitary practices and safety protocols, with a great degree of success. Several of Mexico’s most popular destinations on its Pacific and Gulf coasts, such as Puerto Vallarta, Cancun and Playa del Carmen, have earned the coveted “Safe Travels Stamp” from the World Travel and Tourism Council. The WTTC bestows this stamp in recognition of destination-wide adherence to the highest level of COVID-19 prevention protocols in the hospitality sector.

    As the Caribbean and mainland Central and South American destinations continue to evolve in their efforts to welcome tourists back safely, here at Travel Designers Travel Leaders we are doing everything we can to stay on top of developments so we can give up-to-the-minute advice to our clients. We are already seeing many inquiries and bookings for travel next year and into 2022, but for those of you who still hope to get away in the fall or early winter of 2020, we’re here and ready to help!

Sue Tindell

A travel summer like none other

 Our July newsletters. 

One segment of the travel industry that’s been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic is the airlines, for both domestic and foreign travel. The planes never stopped flying for long, and they’ve been back in the air for a while now, but with reduced numbers of passengers and increased restrictions. But one thing that hasn’t changed is that different airlines are doing things in different ways now. It can be confusing for the average traveler, so one of them decided to find out.

            Business Insider reporter Thomas Pallini flew seven different flights with four airlines in June, and his experience, in his words, “unlike anything I’ve seen before in a lifetime of flying, with each airline having its own, unique way of handling the pandemic.” No two trips were exactly alike, he said, and ever-changing policies created confusion for passengers. Here’s what Pannini had to say about each airline:

·       American Airlines now is filling flights to capacity, if possible, without automatically enforcing social distancing by leaving middle seats empty. Passengers can change flights for free to one less crowded if they choose. American boards its planes just like before, with first-class passengers going first and economy last, regardless of seat location. Masks are required. Flights under 2200 miles have no beverage or snack service in economy class; longer flights get beverages, but no snacks. When deplaning, passengers must remain seated until their row is called.

·       Delta Airlines is blocking middle seats and certain aisle seats until at least September 30. Passengers still nervous about flying on a flight filled to that limited capacity can get a free rebooking to a later, emptier flight. When boarding, Delta passengers now go in back to front, but elite-status and first-class passengers still get on first. Masks are required on board, and there are plenty of signs in the terminals about social distancing. At some hubs, employees were distributing hand sanitizer once the passengers cleared security. In flight, snack and beverage service now consists of a sealed bag containing snacks, a water bottle and sanitizer products. Getting off the plane was business as usual.

·       United Airlines isn’t blocking middle seats, but won’t assign them until all window and aisle seats are filled. If your flight is at 70% capacity or higher and you want to change to an emptier flight, you can do so, but availability is limited. Boarding policies at United are similar to Delta’s. Passengers are asked to scan their own boarding passes rather than giving them to gate agents first. Masks are required on United, too, but its terminal signage was more confusing than its rivals’. For flights lasting under 2 hours 20 minutes, snack and beverage service is suspended, although passengers can request beverages from flight attendants. A snack bag is provided for longer flights. When deplaning, passengers must remain seated until their row is called.

·       Finally, Southwest Airlines is limiting capacity by about a third, so there are no more than two people in each row, with exceptions for families. No seats are pre-assigned. Boarding procedures are similar to what Southwest utilized before, boarding in groups, although now it’s 10 per group instead of 30. But some airports weren’t following that procedure, and passengers boarding first sat in the front of the plane, meaning later boarders had to walk past them toward the rear. Terminal signage about sanitary policies is intermittent. Flights under 250 miles have no food or beverage service; longer flights provide a cup of ice water and a snack bag. Upon arrival, deplaning passengers don’t have to remain seated.

Summing up, Pallini declared Delta his “winner” due to its comprehensive revision of nearly all aspects of the flight for its passengers. At the other end is American, where it’s “business as usual,” as if no pandemic was happening. Pallini did say that every plane he was on was spotlessly clean.

So, the airlines are flying, and while some destinations still have restrictions for incoming arrivals—and some countries are still not allowing Americans in at all—it’s still very possible to get pretty much wherever you want to go, and we’re here to help you. We’ll assist in navigating the path from the airport to your destination and back again, and if your preferred destination isn’t fully open yet, we’ll let you know when it is, or better yet, find an alternative. You’re ready to travel…and so are we!

* * *

We all know the coronavirus pandemic has had a massive, negative impact on travel worldwide, both international and domestic. As regions and countries have started re-opening, travel is starting to increase, although it will be awhile before it's back to the "good old days." Many Americans, though, are getting back to the good old days right now, whether the "days" are ready or not.

    USA Today travel writer Christopher Elliott reports a survey by LuggageHero shows half of all Americans plan to stay home this summer, but 31% have taken a domestic trip since restrictions began to ease, and 19% have gone overseas. Many of those say they went to see loved ones and other family members, and others, according to Elliott, are traveling because they want to travel, and if they are aware of restrictions at their destination, why not?

    The European Union recently extended its ban on allowing Americans to enter, keeping us out until the end of the month, at least. The ban does not include travel to Great Britain, which left the EU in January. The US State Department is negotiating with the Europeans about what criteria would have to be met before they would allow Americans to visit. 

    A few countries, like Croatia, are allowing Americans in, but visitors must present evidence of a recent negative COVID-19 test before they're allowed entry.

    Other Americans going abroad are doing so to visit their foreign-born spouses. Austria, Denmark and Norway have all loosened some of their restrictions to allow couples and family members to reunite. In fact, two trending hashtags on Twitter are #LoveIsNotTourism and #LoveIsEssential.

    If you decide to go, be aware that whatever restrictions that are currently in place vary in terms of enforcement, and could change at a moment's notice, leaving you trapped over there. At our office, we have the latest information and can provide our clients with the best possible advice, but as is always the case for international travel, when you're over there, you're not in the United States anymore, and things could change. So, if you want to go, we'll help you in any way we can, but if you can put your trip off for another month or so, it will be a lot easier for us to help you plan for that one. 

* * *

The coronavirus pandemic has affected virtually everything involving travel, and now it’s even affected a word. The word is “bubble.” Sports fans know that professional teams are now practicing and playing games in “bubbles” that could be their home stadiums, as in Major League Baseball, or an entire complex at Disney World in Florida, as in NBA basketball. And now, the “bubble” concept has come to resorts, who are seeking to lure back visitors but keep them extra-safe during their stay.

          Our 50^th state, Hawaii, has long been a favorite destination for many of our clients. For many travelers, Hawaii’s biggest attraction is that it offers the great weather and exotic locale of the tropics without the hassle of having to leave the United States. Everybody speaks English and uses the Yankee dollar. What’s not to like? But even as remote as they are, the islands have not been immune to the virus, and now some of its resorts are exploring ways to mitigate against it while still offering their guests an enjoyable experience.

          The biggest of the Hawaiian Islands is the “Big Island” of Hawaii itself, and several resorts there are experimenting with a concept called the “geofence,” which would allow the resorts to literally track the movements of their guests, ensuring that they remain inside the “resort bubble” while still being able to enjoy the resort’s amenities, according to West Hawaii Today. Currently, visitors arriving in the islands must quarantine for 14 days, but under the bubble concept, visitors could stay at selected resorts, and the resorts “would control where the visitors would be allowed to range,” according to Hawaii County officials.

          Local governments and resorts on the islands of Maui and Kauai have started looking into the bubble concept, but there are concerns. How, exactly, would guests be tracked? Inside the NBA’s Orlando bubble, everyone must wear an ID card on a lanyard, and the card’s chip actually chirps at the wearer when it approaches within six feet of another person. The devices are manufactured by a German company and will also be used by NFL teams as they open training camps. The NBA has assured its people that they will not use the tags to track their actual locations, but certainly the technology allows for that. The Hawaii resorts aren’t yet saying how they’ll track their guests’ movements, but surely they’re looking at this concept. And what happens when someone leaves the bubble?

          Hawaii is also considering a plan that will require visitors to take a coronavirus test 72 hours before they arrive, with the policy to be in place by September 1. This is a practice that’s already been adopted by some countries, and constitutes yet another aspect of what is becoming the “new normal” for travel, at least outside the continental U.S. It could be that very soon, when you arrive at your destination you’ll show your ID, as usual, but then also your virus-test verification, and be given your special tag.

          It’s a lot to take in, we know, but we’re committed to making sure that our clients have the best travel experience possible, regardless of what restrictions might be in place. We’ll help you navigate through this “new normal” world of travel.

 

Riding Out the Virus

This post is by Sue Tindell.

    I haven't been blogging lately, because I haven't been traveling. Hardly anybody has. Since the coronavirus pandemic reached America back in early March, almost everything was shut down for the duration. Fortunately, it appears that duration is now close to ending. At Travel Designers Travel Leaders in  Rice Lake, we've been working hard these past three months to help our clients sort out their travel issues and help them start planning for the day--hopefully soon--when it's safe to travel widely again.
    We've been putting out a weekly newsletter in these past few months, and to get this blog rolling again, I thought it might be helpful to go back and reprint the newsletters, starting with the one we issued on March 30. Looking back on them, it's hard to believe we've come this far in just two months' time. Over the course of the next couple of weeks, we'll be using this blog to give our readers and travel friends an idea of where we were, how our clients were doing and how we've coped. 
    So, let's go back in time to the early days. Unlike the old Lone Ranger TV show, we don't consider them "thrilling days of yesteryear." 

***

March 30

  

    Hello, fellow travelers. It feels odd to write that, because nobody is traveling now, and we really don’t know when we’ll be able to start again. I’m confident that day will come, but in the meantime we have to deal with the disappointment of lost vacations, delayed dreams and fears that these chances to travel again might be a long time returning.

    As we work together to straighten out the myriad and often maddening web of cancellations, vouchers and refunds, we also have to deal with the grief of seeing our travel dreams deferred to some uncertain future date. And “grief” is exactly what it is, with stages that are familiar, because we’ve all experienced grief.

Stage 1: Denial

     

    We had all heard that the coronavirus was causing serious problems in China, but we tended to downplay the voices who warned that it would disrupt the entire world. Hysterical doom-sayers, we thought.

    But then it happened, and as we saw flights and cruises canceled and heard news of borders being closed, our denial quickly changed. We entered the next stage.

Stage 2: Anger

          

    By early March, it was getting very real. Athletic events and concerts were being canceled. I was traveling with some colleagues to South Asia, leading up to our scheduled International Summit in Jaipur, India. In the foothills of the Himalayas, we explored Nepal, but our planned visit to neighboring Bhutan was called off when that nation closed its borders. Within a couple days, India closed its borders and we were advised to come home. The conference was canceled and we were told to get the first available flight out of Kathmandu and hope for the best.

    We were tired, fearful and a little angry that we’d been unable to visit Bhutan and India, and when we returned to our offices the new reality sank in very quickly, as we went to work helping our clients alter or cancel their own travel plans. We heard the pain and frustration in their voices and much the same from our travel partners—airlines, cruise lines, tour companies, hotels—as we all struggled with the situation. Very quickly, we had to move out of Stage 2 and deal with what had to be done next.

Stage 3: Bargaining

          

    We’ve been able to secure travel vouchers for virtually every one of our clients. These vouchers are good for future trips, as the great majority of our vendors were confident of their ability to ride out the virus and resume full operations at some point. Some of our clients requested cash refunds, perhaps because of the uncertainty of future dates being available, or the desire to have cash available now. Every day, we are working diligently to ensure that all of our clients will be able to come out of this trying period with something.

    Horror stories have been rolling in almost daily about internet-based companies, such as BookIt.com, who have closed their virtual doors and left their clients literally stranded in foreign countries, in some cases with large tabs for hotels or airline tickets that they had already paid to the travel companies months ago. In other cases, these clients are stuck on hold for hours on end, if they can even get through to someone, in their desperate attempts to get relief. I have great empathy for travelers stuck in those situations, and our office has been working extra hard to make sure our own clients are served as quickly and as professionally as possible. And as we work together with clients, we begin to move into the next stage.

Stage 4: Depression

          

    We began to experience the same feelings our clients were having. Will this ever end? Will our business survive? When will things get back to normal? And what kind of “normal” will that be? We avoided looking at our retirement accounts. Every night we sat in front of the TV, trying to figure out what news could be trusted, whether our leaders were doing the right thing. As more and more of our town and area moved into quarantine, with school suspended, many businesses shuttered and even our churches closed, we started thinking, if only just a little bit, that the gloom-and-doom people might just turn out to be right after all.

    It was depressing to even think about it, and for what seemed like weeks but was actually only a few days, things looked bleak indeed. But then, we moved on to the next stage.

Stage 5: Acceptance

    The new reality, even if it is only temporary, is now upon us. We can’t travel—not only on flights or cruises, but not even by car across the state to visit relatives. We now know a lot about phrases like “social distancing” and “self-quarantine.” Our leaders have called upon us to be mindful of our neighbors and other members of our community, to help them, and us, avoid infection and illness.

    But we have also seen many hopeful signs. In some countries, the rate of infection has dropped. In our own country, the massive power of American industry is kicking in to supply our medical providers with vital equipment and supplies. Our scientific community is working hard to develop drugs to treat the disease and a vaccine to prevent its spread. Government on every level is responding with coordinated, non-partisan efforts. We’ve also been able to start gaining much-needed perspective. A hundred years ago, America suffered greatly from the Spanish flu, and yet here we are, thanks to the sacrifice and determination of our great-grandparents.

    We will get through this. Working together, caring for our loved ones and our neighbors, we will survive this. The planes will fly and the ships will sail, and we will be there to help our clients realize their dreams.

April 6

    We are now into April, and although it seems like the coronavirus pandemic has been disrupting our lives for months, it’s actually been only a couple weeks or so since schools and many stores closed down and we were forced to start changing or canceling our planned travel.

    How are you doing? Hopefully, you and your loved ones have been able to steer clear of the virus. Things might still get a little worse before they get better, but many projections now have us approaching the peak of the pandemic here in the U.S. Indeed, many countries that were hit hard early are now getting a handle on things and moving back toward normal life.

    It might be hard for us to remember what “normal” life was, even though it wasn’t that long ago. For most of us, dealing with things like social-distancing or self-quarantining are presenting us with new challenges. To meet them, maybe we can get some tips from our friends across the sea, in one of the countries hardest-hit by the virus.

    Italy has always been one of my favorite places, and one of the top European destinations for our clients. But the virus has hit the Italians harder than any other nation on that continent. There are signs that Italy is on the downside of their “curve,” and we join our Italian friends in hoping and praying that’s true, and that in a short time things will start getting back to normal over there. In the meantime, Italians are coping, and many of the ways in which they’re doing it can teach us a few lessons over here. Travel writer Natalie Beauregard writes about them on the site www.afar.com. She talked with Sophie Minchilli, operator of a food tour company based in Rome, who said it’s about dolce far niente.

    That translates to “the sweetness of doing nothing.” Minchilli notes that many Europeans, like Americans, live in a world where we have to constantly stay busy. Full schedules give us meaning and purpose. But, she says, “Italians have a different approach to life. They have figured out a way of being in the moment with such joy and blissfulness that they don’t need to ‘look forward’ to anything else.”

    How can Americans find “the sweetness of doing nothing” while we are home under quarantine, or at the least, very limited in what we can do if we leave home? Here are some tips:

    --  Make a schedule. Even if we’re staying home that day, it helps to get organized and have things to do, so we’re not overwhelmed with free time. Set some goals: start that book you’ve been meaning to get to, bake some bread, tackle a home-maintenance project that’s overdue.

    --  Get some exercise. You may not be able to go to your gym, but the internet is full of free classes, and you can always take a walk, stretch, and do exercises that don’t involve special equipment. Good physical health and emotional well-being go hand-in-hand.

    --  Take a technology break. The explosion of information can be overwhelming, so set aside a time where the phone is turned off and you stay away from the computer, especially before bedtime.

    --  Chat with friends, interact with family. When you use your phone, use it like a simple telephone. Give a friend or distant relative a call. Re-connect with people you haven’t talked to in a while. If the kids are home with you, set aside time for games, and not computer games, either; re-discover the joys of board games and puzzles. And now might be the time to spend more quality time with your spouse, too.

    --  Cook something. Anybody who’s been to Italy, or even to a good Italian restaurant in the U.S., knows that Italians know how to cook. Since we’re not going out to eat for the duration, the joy of cooking can return to our homes. Plan a menu for the week, so you can shop smartly, and involve family members with the cooking (and clean-up!) chores. Experiment with new recipes. Now’s the time to think outside the food box, literally. Cooking from scratch is not only emotionally rewarding, it provides healthier meals. (And it’s a lot more fun!)

    When things get back to normal, we’ll be helping our clients resume their travel dreams, and no doubt some of them will want to go to Italy. The history, the culture, the food…I might just go back myself! But in the meantime, while we’re still here at home, we can all enjoy a little dolce far niente.

    Arrivederci, my friends!

          

April 13

    The big question everybody has now is, “When will things start getting back to normal?” And for those who want to travel, and those of us who want to help them, it’s more specific: “When will I be able to travel again?”

    Those are questions that have no definite answers right now, but all indications are that we’re getting there. Nobody can put a date on it, but there are some things that must happen before we can start traveling:

·       

          --  The State Department must lift its Level 4 travel advisory, which has been in place since March 19.

·        --  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) must give the “all clear.”

·        --  The World Health Organization (WHO) must give its all-clear, as well.

          Closer to home, we will be watching for when schools are allowed to open. Wisconsin schools closed on March 17, and the school year is scheduled to end during the first week of June. And, of course, we are all waiting to hear about the re-opening of businesses that have been forced to close their doors or drastically limit what they can offer their customers and clients, such as restaurants. China has already done that, and many European countries are either starting to re-open or are planning on doing so within the next couple weeks. Here in the U.S., several state governors are now discussing their options.

          Within the travel industry, one big indicator will be when travel insurance companies start selling insurance policies again. Many of them stopped when the outbreak began in March, and some added new restrictions. When the companies start offering policies again, that will be a strong indication that it’s safe to travel.

          We understand that our clients may not feel completely safe to travel, even when authorities are telling us that it’s okay. Many people will want assurances that airlines, cruise lines and hotels will be taking proper precautions with regard to hygiene. We will certainly be working with our travel partners as closely as possible so that we’ll be able to answer our clients’ questions with confidence.

          Tourist attractions will start re-opening eventually, but this may not necessarily be a completely reliable indicator that it’s safe to travel. It will undoubtedly be a combination of factors that will work together in helping you decide when it’s okay to travel, or even when it’s all right to book a vacation that might be several months down the road. Savvy travelers have been relying on us travel agents to help them for years, and we’ll be ready to help you again when the time is right. And, we all hope, that time isn’t too far away.

April 20

    As we make our way through the coronavirus pandemic, we’re starting to hear from clients who are wondering when they’ll be able to start traveling again. That’s a good question, and one of those that’s impossible to answer right now, at least as far as putting any kind of date on our calendar. But it will happen, of that we’re very confident. And when we start to fly and sail again, what changes will we have to deal with? Because change is coming, and we’re pretty confident about that, too.

    There are some things travelers can do right now that will help prepare for the coming re-opening of the travel industry:

·        --  Make a list of your travel vouchers and credits. Note their expiration dates, the companies’ names, original travel date, original confirmation code or itinerary number, and especially the amount of the credit. If you booked through our agency, we have records of your vouchers and can help you with getting things organized.

·        --  Check your passport expiration date. Although passports are good for ten years from the date of issue, most people don’t realize that, in essence, the passport expires six months in advance of the ten-year date. That’s because the country you intend to visit often requires you to have six months of passport validity remaining in order to enter the country. If you’re planning to go to Europe, for example, and your trip is scheduled with less than six months to go on your passport, you may not even be able to get on the plane. We advise our clients to begin the renewal process as soon as they pass the nine-year mark. And right now, no renewal applications are even being processed, because of the pandemic.

·        --  Be aware of the state of your destination country’s pandemic situation. Some countries may “re-open” ahead of others, but there are no guarantees that announced or predicted dates will actually happen. For example, you may hear in July that Italy will “re-open” as of September 1, but you will want to book your Italy trip for some time well after that date, just in case.

    When you do get ready to travel, will it be safe? During the current period, airlines are offering only a few flights, and most cruise lines are not operating at all. But planes and ships are not just sitting empty, and the airline and cruise line employees are not all staying at home. A lot of them are at work, making their planes and ships safe for their current and future customers.

    Delta Airlines is still flying a reduced schedule, and has already implemented safety procedures related to the virus. Middle seats are not sold or occupied. Total numbers of passengers allowed on any particular flight are reduced. Certain upgrades will only be processed at the gate, allowing gate agents to determine if social-distancing guidelines can accommodate the upgrade request. Delta has also instituted a new standard of cleanliness for each aircraft. In addition to frequently cleaning the cabin and other areas of the plane, Delta is streamlining its onboard food and beverage service to decrease touch points between passengers and crew, boarding only ten passengers at a time, and moving passengers about the cabin after takeoff in order to maintain proper distancing and weight distribution. Plus, Delta is giving passengers up to two years to re-book a canceled flight for which you have received credit. This last part may change fairly often, so we are making sure to stay on top of it so we can give our clients up-to-date advice.

    Cruise lines are using this time to thoroughly disinfect their ships and institute new sanitation and hygiene practices for when sailing resumes. Carnival, for instance, is greatly increasing the frequency that virtually all surfaces on its ships will be cleaned during a cruise. Among its extensive protocols, Carnival will make more hand sanitizers available, and passengers in buffet lines will not be able to serve themselves. The CDC regularly inspects cruise ships anyway, and certainly each ship will undergo inspection before it goes back into service.

    We are certainly looking forward to helping our clients travel again, and they’re certainly anxious to travel, too. But we’re all mindful now of safety, even more so than before. As our industry moves toward the day when the “All Clear” is signaled—and we all hope that day is soon—we’ll be working closely with our travel partners and our clients to make sure that each client’s travel experience is safe, secure and even more enjoyable than before.

***

    A lot was sure going on in those early days, wasn't it? In our next posting, we'll finish with April and get into May, when light started to make its welcome presence known in the coronavirus tunnel.