The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the entire world. Many millions of positive cases, and (at time of writing) almost five million deaths. For many countries all over the globe, things are beginning to return to something close to a pre-pandemic life and society. For most, the lockdowns are over, and vaccination numbers are rising rapidly. This means that international travel is an option once again, and for millions of Americans, it’s vacation time.
So, where to go, and what to bring? The U.S. State Department has advice for American citizens who want to leave the country for a holiday. Although there are several countries that it is not currently advisable to fly to, many destinations are ready and waiting to welcome tourists back. No matter where or what time of year, there are several essential items that cannot be forgotten.
Passports and Travel Documents
The pandemic has changed travel in ways that may not seem obvious. There are now even more things to remember to bring before you can set foot on a plane. As well as the old faithful – the passport – there are now other forms of documentation and ID that, depending on which country you indeed to travel to, may be required.
- Visa – this is nothing new. According to the Henley Passport Index, the U.S. passport is among one of the most powerful in the world. This means that people who hold an American passport can enter 187 countries without a visa. American citizens will need visas for countries such as Russia, China, Turkey, India, and Vietnam though.
- COVID-19 Status – this is something new. Every country or region has different rules for entry. Upon returning to the U.S., the Centre for Disease Control (CDC), as per the Department of State website, “will require all air passengers entering the United States to present a negative COVID-19 test, taken within three calendar days of departure or proof of recovery from the virus within the last 90 days.” Unless testing cannot be completed, or the travel is for treatment, failure to produce a negative test will result in being refused permission to travel. Clearly, a positive test also precludes you from travelling.
Appropriate Clothing
This is dependent on where you are travelling to and what time of year it is. The type of vacation also matters. For many, the ideal vacation is a week or two on a beach in the sun. For others, flying down a triple black diamond ski slope is the perfect escapism. Relaxation and adventure require vastly different attire and equipment. Swimming and sunbathing clothes are all important for those looking to relax, and conversely, warm or protective clothes are needed for a snowy or adventure holiday. Shoes go hand in hand with this – heels or sandals will not be of use on a climbing holiday. A helpful tip is packing sets of outfits rather than individual clothes.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses differ from types of clothes in that they are universal and should be taken on every holiday. A pair of designer sunglasses are the perfect accompaniment for a day at the beach, climbing a mountain, or skiing, for example. The positive effects of wearing sunglasses in wintery or snowy conditions have been well documented. On all vacations, it is unfortunately common for possessions to get lost. Sunglasses are one of the most common things to mislay, both in general life and on vacation. Olympic Eyewear supplies cheap sunglasses in bulk wholesale, which in turn allows people to buy several pairs at a good price to match looks, and to have a spare pair in case of loss.
