I’m thrilled to share that my family and I recently took a vacation during the pandemic and made it through safely. With two young kids in tow, it was less of a relaxing retreat and more of an adventure. But let me tell you, sticking to our philosophy of living as normally as possible despite the pandemic, we took a well-timed road trip to a safe destination after our hometown, San Francisco, had managed to flatten the curve.
The idea was to drive somewhere we could enjoy without the hassle of flights and crowded airports. So, we chose a destination reachable by car, settling on a week-long stay in a familiar spot. This was especially convenient since many kids had returned to school after summer, making it less crowded.
For transportation, driving seemed the wisest choice. Friends of mine flew during the pandemic and had good experiences, but we preferred the familiarity and simplicity of a road trip. This was mainly because we wanted to avoid the complexities of air travel during such uncertain times, like potential lengthy quarantines if we traveled to places like Hawaii, which we considered but eventually decided against until their testing protocols were more streamlined.
As for our accommodations, back in 2007, I had purchased a two-bedroom condo which has become a bit more snug with the addition of our kids. It’s equipped with plenty of beds and felt more spacious when it was just my wife and me. Now, it seems just right for our current family size, though I sometimes wish there was an extra room to give everyone a bit more space.
On the topic of vacation properties, I’ve realized it’s tricky to predict future needs. Your life circumstances might change, impacting how suitable the property is down the line. While we were fortunate enough that our situation worked out, I’d caution against banking too heavily on future expectations when purchasing a vacation home.
When it comes to safety measures, the resort we stayed at had excellent protocols in place, which made us feel secure. The low occupancy rate helped too, allowing us to enjoy the facilities without overcrowding. This included the pool, although we were disappointed that some amenities like the hot tubs were closed due to health guidelines.
Our favorite part of the trip was introducing our kids to hiking. These moments, watching them experience nature, were incredibly special and something we look forward to doing more of.
Reflecting on the experience, I’d say vacationing during a pandemic is feasible but comes with limitations. We managed to get about 70% of our usual vacation enjoyment, which was fine under the circumstances. For future trips, especially during uncertain times like these, I’d recommend considering staycations or nearby getaways that require minimal travel. This way, you can avoid some of the risks and still make valuable family memories.
And lastly, if you’re planning a vacation during these times, remember to check resort safety measures, consider traveling during off-peak times, and think about what you can bring along to make your stay more comfortable and home-like. This could include anything from your favorite pillow to extra sanitizers and masks. Enjoy your trip, and give yourself a pat on the back for making the most of it!
