3 minute read
Family Travel Tips
Family Travel Tips for 2021
WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER
IF YOU’RE ITCHING TO GET OUT and do a bit of traveling, you’re not alone. When the pandemic shut down the borders and tourism came to a screeching halt last year, many rescheduled their plans for this summer instead. Before you set off on your next adventure, there are some important things to keep in mind. Here are the Top 5 Travel Tips from Anne Gordon, Founder and President of Live Life Travel, LLC:
1. PLAN AHEAD
Find your passports. Check their expiration date. Adult passports are valid for 10 years, but kids’ passports expire after five. Passport renewals (like many things) are taking longer than they previously would, some up to 6 months to process. Opt for the expedited service and renew when there is one year of validity remaining. There’s good news - the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has postponed the deadline for the REAL ID driver’s licenses or identification cards (used to board domestic flights), from October 2021 to until May 3, 2023, so you’ll have a lot more time to get this done.
The pandemic is not over just because places are reopening. Keep in Mind - Once you’re vaccinated, you still need to be respectful of all COVID guidelines, including mask-wearing and social-distancing. Pack Your Vax - Although it’s not mandated everywhere, always remember to pack your Vaccination Card, just-in-case. “Vaccinations are a miracle of science. They are a standard, normal, and wonderful thing that protects us from all sorts of diseases,” said Gordon.
3. BE FLEXIBLE
Prices, rules and regulations are constantly changing. Adjust to the mindset that the travel world is still in a state of flux. Avoid undue stress and be flexible. Hotels, airlines and restaurants are still recovering, and many are not yet fully-staffed or at full capacity. Make reservations well in advance and be patient. Now’s not the time to go too far off the beaten path, Instead, change your itinerary to book US destinations through your favorite local travel advisor to places whose economies rely on tourism such as Hawaii, Alaska, and Key West.
4. BE AWARE
Read the fine print for all cancellation policies, especially for home rentals (which are extremely popular this year but are less regulated than other options). Buy travel insurance and ask your travel advisor about “Cancel for Any Reason Insurance” in case you have an unexpected change in plans.
5. STAY LOCAL
For ease and safety, short road trips can’t be beat. It’s been a rough year for all small businesses and there’s so much to do locally, even if you’re not comfortable travelling far from home yet, you can still get something on the calendar to look forward to this summer. For this summer It’s too late to start thinking now about visiting the US National Parks out west, but for an outdoorsy adventure, consider Alaska! Great air fares are available and land tours to see the Denali National Park, the Humpback whales, and the Northern Lights make beautiful memories.
PLANNING AHEAD:
Plan now for your 2022 trips! The increase in demand from families looking to use travel credits and get in those special occasion trips that were missed last year will cause places to fill up quickly. Working with a professional advisor is a good idea; someone who knows all the dates, challenges and guidelines …and has your best interest at heart. Don’t delay, start planning TODAY.
Go to www.livelifetravel.world and click
