As airlines have grounded thousands of flights around the world, international borders slammed shut, and governments and health officials everywhere have demanded it’s citizens stay home to slow transmission of COVID-19, thinking about traveling any time soon seems like a far off dream.

For those of us that have caught the wanderlust bug, the thought of not being able to travel makes us restless. Being trapped inside and required to shelter-in-place has created an ache in our soul reminding us we need to get out and see the world.

So if you love to dream about your next destination, you frequently wonder when will it be safe to travel again? And you ask, “When should I begin planning my next trip?”

Many people may even have travel plans booked for the coming months and have become more uneasy with each day whether the plans should continue as planned.

The good news is many airlines, hotels and travel companies are refunding reservations so postponing trips and vacations won’t factor into the stress of financial loss. However it seems the emotional loss of postponing all of the feelings of excitement and thrill will be the largest impact to our already anxious mindset.

Here are some interesting offers and deals that have popped up as a result of the coronavirus:

– This hotel is offering a luxury quarantine package – including a $500 coronavirus test

– Vietnamese airline will pay passengers over $8,000 USD if they catch coronavirus

As of now, the US Department of State has issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory: “Do Not Travel” and refers people to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the latest information. 

The CDC has a map showing the level of risk around the world, however they do not provide a definitive timeline for when travel may be safe.

The situation changes daily and it seems like it is going to get worse before it gets any better. Realistically, the current restrictions we have to shelter-in-place while we wait for the number of COVID-19 cases to plateau could take a while.

Many people believe it will be around two or three months before our lives can begin to return to some normalcy here in the United States. We could also think the same thing about the rest of the world while each region is working it’s way through their own response. So maybe it is four to five months before global flights begin to add back capacity.

No one really knows, but this pandemic shouldn’t prevent us from dreaming. Now should be our time to wanderlust and explore our bucket lists all over again. Only this time we explore virtually. Why not take a deep dive online into destinations you have been dreaming about?

Because there will be a day when borders will open again and the world will slowly return back to the way it was. And there certainly will be a sweet spot to begin booking flights while demand is at an all time low and prices of flights remain at crazy discounts to normal prices.

As of now, our 2020 sailing trip around the Greek Islands in September and our 2021 Pivot Trips to South Africa and Vietnam/Cambodia are moving ahead as planned. Spots are available on all trips, however we have received much interest in the Greek Islands trip.

Until then, keep the wanderlust fire lit. You will be back out there again.