TRAVEL & DINING IN THE TIME OF COVID

Covid certainly has changed the world of travel. I’ve had to cancel two major trips this year and I’m sure that others have had to cancel long anticipated trips, as well.

When Americans travel these days, it is mostly domestic and very often by car rather than by plane. While a great many restaurants are open, many are operating at reduced capacity. Some people are choosing only to dine on-site if outdoor seating is available. However, curbside pick-up is readily available and when traveling, that might be your best or even your only option in some locales.

So how can you make the most of your curbside pickup? It’s not particularly appetizing to eat out of a Styrofoam box, using the plastic flatware that the restaurant may or may not have remembered to stick in with your food.

The best solution is to take some simple dishware and flatware with you. There are some nice affordable options on the market.

If you’re traveling solo, a simple lunchbox like this one might suit your needs. It comes with its own flatware. The bonus is that is that it snaps shut, which makes it a great way to safely stow leftovers in your cooler or hotel fridge.

If you’re traveling with others, you might want something more substantial. I love this backpack that came with everything needed to dine away from home, including service for four, a small cutting board, a sharp knife, and salt and pepper shakers. I’ve taken this thing on several trips with me, including sailing trips when no galley was available.

Oh – and it also comes with a corkscrew and four wine glasses. That definitely improves the quality of your on-the-go dining experience.

TRAVEL RAINCOATS

Every time I’ve visited Europe, there has been at a notable amount of rain. I now know to never cross the pond without a sturdy raincoat tucked into my luggage. Yes, you can wear a regular coat and take an umbrella but if you’re being very active at all, an umbrella can be cumbersome.

It is helpful to wear a jacket that allows you to quickly pull up a hood when a light shower pops up. Also, look for one with large front pockets for your cell phone, tissues and anything else you want to keep dry but close at hand. The best kind of hood will allow you to fully cover your head loosely. Drawstring hoods are nice if you’re hiking in the woods during a monsoon, but if you are checking out the sites in London or Paris, you’ll want a hood that will cover your hair without scrunching it up and ruining your hairstyle.

You'll need a jacket that is long enough to cover your tush. Trust me on this one. Not even a good umbrella can keep your rear dry in a good London downpour.

Price is also a consideration for most of us. You need not spend a fortune to get a coat that suits your travel needs. This Columbia jacket from Amazon is functional and affordable. It comes in a nice range of colors that should fit just about any travel wardrobe color scheme.

B&B, HOUSE OR HOTEL?

These days, there are so many lodging options available to choose from that making a choice can be overwhelming. How do you choose the right one from the myriad of options available? 

Many people think that the most important factor to consider is price. However, the most important thing to consider is actually the size and composition of your travel party. When trying to decide what kind of lodging to book for your next trip, ask yourself the following:

1. Are you traveling solo or with others? 
2. If you are traveling with others, what personal tastes and needs might they have? Is anyone in your group handicapped? Will anyone need a quiet place to work? Is anyone on a special diet that might require an in-room kitchen? Does anyone need a fridge for medication? 
3. How long do you intend to stay? The longer you intend to stay, especially when traveling with others, the bigger you will want your space to be. 

You’ll also want to consider your own personal taste and travel style. When I travel solo, I prefer the quiet comradery of a B&B. B&Bs are usually charming houses with lovely furnishings. On my last road trip, I picked Hall Place B&B in Glasgow, KY specifically because it was old (which I love) and absolutely gorgeous. The owner was quite welcoming and I felt comfortable there. It was the perfect choice for me during that solo trip.

When our family went to the Outer Banks, we needed more space than even a large hotel suite would have afforded us. We needed plenty of space to stretch out and enough rooms that we could each find a private little corner when we’d had a bit too much togetherness. Since several restaurants were still closed due to Covid, we also needed a good-sized kitchen to cook most of our reals. We found this great beach apartment that met our needs beautifully. 

When traveling with friends, we're usually just crashing somewhere for one or two nights and all we want is a clean, safe place to lay our heads, so any decent chain hotel will do. 

There are so many wonderful and affordable lodging options available these days and, with a little bit of research, travelers are often able to score excellent lodging at an economical price. You can research hotels on the web and book directly, but I often find better rates on travel discount sites.

I have long been a fan of Expedia.com, which not only offers great prices on all kinds of places to stay, but also offers phenomenal rates on rooms (often free) if you bundle your hotel, air and car package through them. Another company that I've been using over the past year is Booking.com. You can't go wrong with either site.