For many months the coronavirus pandemic has halted travel plans. As restrictions start to lift and some countries welcome tourists back this summer, people are reviewing their travel plans. Should we travel overseas and what precautions should we be taking? If you’re still undecided, you’re not alone. I asked some top family travel bloggers what they were planning to do and there were mixed responses.
With the UK having lifted quarantine measures from a number of countries (check the list on the Foreign Office website), those who booked to go to European countries such as France, Italy and Spain, can do so. But just because we CAN travel, should we? There have been local lockdowns in a number of areas which could impact travel plans. This was one of the concerns from some of the well-seasoned travellers who shared their stories to me.
The UK government is still advising against non-essential international travel to many other countries not on its list, including the U.S. For those planning trips away either in the UK or overseas, I have collated stories and tips from UK family travel bloggers. They reveal what they are planning to do this summer from camping and glamping to road trip and possible last minute air travel post lockdown. They detail how their plans have changed and what precautions they will be taking travelling during COVID-19.
‘We’ve ditched a camper van trip to Europe for Devon’
Claire, Tin Box Traveller: family of four with kids aged 5 and 7
The summer of 2020 was always going to be about exploring in the camper van that we bought last autumn. Our big plan was to take it on the ferry to Santander and drive back up through Spain and France.
The uncertainty of the past few months has meant we have shelved that plan and are now going to be holidaying much closer to home but still in our van.
We have booked campsites in Devon and Cornwall for a proper staycation close to home. Our camper van isn’t totally self-contained so we have had to check campsites are opening their shower blocks before we’ve booked.
Other than using those shared facilities with other campers we are going to try to be as self-sufficient as possible. We will be social distancing, taking as many basic supplies as we can, bringing a first aid kit so we can deal with bumps and scrapes, and planning all our activities and days out in advance. We’ll also be bringing our paddle boards and have picked campsites near the sea so we can have outdoor fun as much as possible.
If you’re camping or visiting Devon or Cornwall, visit Tin Box Traveller for local information and inspiration.
Why I’m not worried about our road trip to France
Ting Dalton, My Travel Monkey: family of four with two kids, 8 and 3
Having not travelled for some eight months, I am desperate to get away – not only for a change of scenery but because I genuinely miss it – my urge to wander is strong! We were originally meant to be driving to Marennes in the south-west of France during May half term to stay in Eurocamp’s Sequoia Parc – but this was moved to the end of August. And, as it currently stands, we will still be going. Am I worried? Not so much.
Perhaps it’s because we are driving in our own car and not relying on flights that makes me feel more at ease – knowing that, if anything should suddenly happen, we could jump in the car and get back home. And while France is now opening up more and more attractions, cafes and restaurants, that’s the beauty of choosing a self-contained holiday home in a resort. We don’t have to venture too far from our accommodation because we have all the facilities we need around us. Plus having read Eurocamp’s commitment to adhere to health and safety measures, I feel confident that we can have a relaxing beach holiday without the worry.
And while some remain cautious about travelling abroad, in my view, the time to go without any crowds is now – after seeing scenes around the UK’s beaches and beauty spots, I can well imagine it will be much busier here at home this summer.
It feels risky to plan too much in case of a local lockdown
Cathy from MummyTravels: explores the world with daughter aged 7
Usually my seven-year-old and I pack the summer holidays full of trips, but this year the only thing we have lined up is a couple of nights glamping in England. And I still can’t work out what else to do.
We didn’t have any summer trips confirmed before the pandemic hit, so it’s not a case of deciding whether to stick with our existing plans… which means I’m dithering. I’d love to get away, to have some sun, to get out exploring. But things can change so quickly, it feels risky to think too far ahead – what if there’s a local lockdown at home? What if I got locked down at my destination with my daughter? It’s been hard enough doing it at home! I travel solo a lot with my daughter so we’d potentially be separated from my husband too.
For now, I think we’ll start slow and close to home. Then it’s far more likely we’ll
be spontaneous – leaving as little time between booking and travelling as possible. We tend to stick to self-catering accommodation anyway and I can’t see that changing. Either way I’ll be trying to stay away from the crowds.
‘We don’t want to get stuck overseas’
Carrie Bradley, Flying With A Baby: two children aged 4 and 7
We have plans for Orlando in October but with cases rising in Florida, it’s looking increasingly unlikely that we will be going. Before lockdown began, we considered booking a trip overseas mid summer but held off and are still unsure whether to take the plunge.
Options wise, we are considering hiring an RV and exploring Scotland- that way we can manage the cleaning and hopefully get back home if we need too. Alternatively, we are thinking about waiting until late summer and going somewhere in Europe for a last minute deal. Flying doesn’t phase us, but potentially being stuck overseas is still a concern – especially when regions are closing for localised lockdowns with late notice.
‘US trip cancelled so we’re camping in Yorkshire with a portable loo’
Erin, Yorkshire Tots to Teens: children aged 7 and 9
We were planning to go to the US this summer to visit my family, but it will be no surprise to anyone to hear that the flights have been cancelled. To be honest, I wouldn’t go even if they weren’t as my mom is high risk. I wouldn’t feel comfortable travelling to see her but I was really looking forward to meeting my new nephew. My kids were also really disappointed to be missing a summer of wild outdoors in Montana.
Instead we’ve decided to make the most of Yorkshire and our bell tent this summer and I’ve now booked us four different camping trips. I love the Yorkshire countryside and the sites I’ve chosen are all small with social distance measures in place. My husband is higher risk so we’ve purchased a pop up tent and portable toilet so we don’t need to use shared facilities.
For insider knowledge and tips on visiting Yorkshire, check out Yorkshire Tots to Teens.
‘Road Trip to France – if we get our passports back!’
Katja Gaskell, Globetotting: mum of three aged 12, 10 and 5.
Our original plans for the summer had been a road trip to France and Northern Spain. We were going to spend a week at a family surf camp called Ujusansa in the Bordeaux region of France followed by a week exploring the northern corner of Spain. The pandemic changed these summer plans but after months of lockdown at home in London, we were still keen to get away.
Fortunately, we are lucky enough to have a family house in Morzine, in the French Alps. So, our plan is to jump in the car and take the Eurotunnel across the Channel and head to the mountains. We plan to spend as much time as there as possible – both my husband and I can work from there – and the kids will be free to roam.
The only snag in our plan is two missing passports. The passports for both middle child, Tess, and my youngest child, Sam, expired just as we went into lockdown. We know that the passport office has received their applications and that they are being processed, we’re just not sure when we’ll get the passports back! As soon as we have them in our hands then we will be off on our holidays.
‘We’re swapping Texan sun and surf for the Cotswolds’
Jennifer Howze, Jenography: traveling with a teen and 21 year old
We love our hot-weather summer holidays in Texas, catching up with my family in West Texas, Austin and the Gulf, where we drive around in a golf cart, fish and body surf in warm waters. But with the uncertain evolving nature of the pandemic, the proposition of dealing with the airports and taking a long-haul flight wearing a mask, we’ve decided to converge on the Cotswolds. I’m renting the top floor of an AirBNB in Cheltenham, just across from a lovely square.
We’ll be separate from the owners and we’ll bag up our linens at the end for washing. Otherwise, we’ll be doing social distance celebrating with the grandparents, remaining outside as much as we can: in their garden, having picnics in the park, going for walks, and enjoying outside spaces at pubs. It will be different but we’re looking forward to the change. It suits the circumstances now. We’ll be able to drive up and be more flexible, so there’s less of a worry in that regard. Plus, rain or shine, there’s always the Pimm’s!
An outdoor adventure in Scotland
Jenny at Monkey and Mouse: children aged 6 and 8
We live in Scotland and are well aware that we have a lot lower infections and deaths from Covid-19 than neighboring England. I feel quite happy to travel throughout Scotland, although we’re still sticking to areas that are more remote and avoiding anywhere with play parks where transmission could be higher.
Our first trip is to a self-catering cottage on the tiny island of Gigha. We are visiting my parents whilst on the trip, but staying in separate accommodation as per the guidelines.
I’m definitely not ready to go anywhere with shared facilities or places where there are crowds. Instead we’re going for lots of bike rides, walks, kayaking and simply enjoying being by the coast. We’ve missed the sea so much! Scotland didn’t lift the 5 mile exercise rule until the beginning of July, so it’s the first time we can get away from our small area near Stirling!
I can’t wait for things to go back to normal, then maybe we’ll be happy to travel further again. I have been considering the ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam, taking our own car to explore Europe rather than flying. I would certainly be more comfortable with our own cabin on a ferry with my kids, who seem to touch everything.
‘We bought a camper and plan on going to France’
Jenny at Travelynn Family, travels with children aged 6 and 5
TraveLynn Family is made up of Jenny, Jason, Arthur (age 6) and Ezra (age 5). We love an epic adventure and have lived in India, hiked the Himalayas, and traversed Africa in a Land Rover. We had even bigger adventure plans for 2020, and for obvious reasons, have had to come to terms with the fact these won’t be happening for a fair while.
We had initially thought that international travel wouldn’t be on the cards at all this year, but as things started to open up in Europe, a long standing idea came into fruition… to buy a camper! It’s something we had always wanted to do, but didn’t want to be tied down to how far we could drive from our front door during school holidays. Our opinion on that has now totally changed.
So a few weeks ago we bought a Mazda Bongo off eBay! Whilst we would love to hit the road and head off to somewhere like Morocco straight away, we’re staying put for a little longer. Things seem to be changing so quickly and we just want to see how the next few weeks pan out.
Our current plan is to head over to France and do a little road trip in August in our Bongo. Nothing is booked yet, but we’re hoping to get something firmed up in the next week or so. We’re playing the last minute game really. So fingers crossed that there’s availability at some good campsites! We know that it won’t be like our usual France trips. We’ll have to wear a mask on the ferry and in shops etc. We’ve also got our own toilet set up if needs be with a pop up toilet tent and collapsible loo! But overall, we’re looking forward to some sun, fresh croissants, some pool time, and evening wine. Fingers crossed!
Before you travel overseas, check the Foreign Office website for updated travel advice and the World Health Organisation for health recommendations. Check your travel insurance is up to date before you travel overseas.
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What a great range of summer plans! Just reading them makes me more excited to travel.
I know! Me too. It’s so great to see what others have decided to do and how they have adapted to have the situations. Thanks for contributing!