Recently updated on October 4th, 2022 at 10:11 am
Summer might be just around the corner, but the holiday season is likely to look a little different in 2020. Most countries have border restrictions in place and airports are actively testing passengers for coronavirus symptoms to prevent further spread of the virus. Yet, as lockdown restrictions continue to ease across the world, there’s a silver lining in sight. Limited access to flights will mean that more of us will opt for sustainable ways to travel this year, getting the chance to explore those hidden gems and rural hotspots nearer to our local areas. But which types of travel will become more popular this year and how has lockdown affected our perspective on seeing the world? Read on for our top tips for holidaymakers in 2020 and how to still get your annual fix of wanderlust without even stepping foot on a plane.
Road Trip
“There was nowhere to go but everywhere, so just keep on rolling under the stars.”
Or so wrote Jack Kerouac in ‘On the Road’, his coming of age travel novel that inspired a generation of hippie travellers to grab their backpacks, hit the road and explore the world on the cheap.
Hitchhiking might be out of the question amid our social distancing but there is something about the spontaneous nature of a road trip that seems to awaken our sense of adventure and new perspectives on the environment. After all, road trips are not just about the destination, but the journey, too. Whether you love the thrill of mountainous views, or if nothing beats the smell of fresh sea air as you drive down the coast, a road trip is a perfect way to experience the wonders of nature from the comfort of your own car.
Try making a list of rural areas you’ve always wanted to visit, before marking out a circular route on RoadTripper that will lead you back to home in your favoured timespan. You’ll want to pack a cold box for food and water, a First Aid kit, blankets and other supplies, depending on how long you will be travelling for. What’s a road trip without a trusty mixtape you can bop along to on the way? Keep your eyes on the road and your heart in the US of A, with this All-American road trip playlist.
You can also check out Trafalgar tours for more inspiration. Our epic USA Coast to Coast tour takes you from the highs of the Grand Canyon to the swampy Mississippi River, and is the perfect way to explore the USA’s diverse cultures and spectacular natural world without missing a thing.
Camping Trip
Sleeping under the stars might seem like a type of travel from days of old, but research shows that camping has been growing in popularity in the US over the years. Over 77 million Americans have someone in their household who camps regularly and it’s not hard to see why.
From caravanning, to log cabins in the woods, to packing the trusty family tent for a spot of wild camping in the countryside – there are options for everyone in the great outdoors. Going camping is a great opportunity for families with children to get closer to nature and you can even take your canine buddies along too, with many campsites allowing dogs or other small pets free of charge.
If you’re someone who loves having their home comforts, try renting a spot at a caravan or log cabin site. These sites will often have a kitchen where you can try new recipes using local produce from the area. The more adventurous may even want to try a spot of foraging – it’s not uncommon to spot wild garlic, fresh herbs, berries and other natural delicacies in rural campsites. Ask camp organisers if this is a possibility and for good areas to try. If you love finding your own food and cooking it too, Trafalgar expert, Oonagh O’Dwyer, is on hand with some great foraging tips. There’s a sweet sense of satisfaction when you’re cooking your own food outdoors, on on an open flame. Rent a camp spot with a BBQ or bring your own along, to cook up slow-roasted sweet potato, sizzling sausages and corn on the cob straight off the grill!
Virtual Tours
Since the spread of coronavirus sparked lockdown restrictions across the world, many of us have been travelling from our armchairs, taking advantage of free virtual tours. Avoid the queues and rustle up a cocktail at home to explore famous landmarks, from the Grand Canyon to the Great Wall of China. There are also virtual tours that focus on an educational experience, with audio narrations included to take you away to the world’s best museums, zoos and galleries. You can even visit Mars from your own home, after NASA teamed up with Google to create a 3d replica of the planet, recorded by the Curiosity Rover.
Related Content: Our pick of the best national park virtual tours
National Park Tours
If you’re a city dweller, you’ll know it’s sometimes hard to find a quiet spot in your local park to exercise or sunbathe whilst observing social distancing. National parks are usually a lot larger, with acres of space to run, cycle and swim – in fact, almost 15% of the Earth’s land is covered by national parks and other protected areas. Perfect for a day out or a short camping holiday, national parks are protected for a reason – they will often be home to a variety of birds, wildflowers and ancient trees that just can’t be found in urban areas.
When locating a park to visit, check if there are any entry fees beforehand. While many parks offer free admission, it’s also worth bringing along some change for parking or other amenities on the way. You can also bring binoculars, sketching paper and colouring pencils for the kids to have a go at birdwatching and logging down their natural finds. If you’re in love with the great outdoors, you might want to join one of our Trafalgar tours, a great way to experience a range of national parks and learn all the history, too! And remember the old saying – ‘take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints’. National parks can only exist if we all take collective responsibility to collect our trash and leave our environment as we found it, so it’ll be just as beautiful when next summer comes around.
What are your ideas for travel in 2020? Has living under lockdown influenced the way you’ll travel in the future? Let us know in the comments below.
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