Summary

The website content encourages planning local holidays and supporting local businesses as a way to enjoy upcoming breaks while adhering to current travel restrictions and safety guidelines.

Abstract

The article acknowledges the monotony of staying at home due to the pandemic and encourages readers to start planning local holidays as some countries begin to ease restrictions. It suggests visiting local attractions such as parks, museums, art galleries, and hotels, as well as engaging in city tours and regional travel. The author emphasizes the importance of supporting local businesses and highlights the mental health benefits of reconnecting with friends and family through visits. The article also advises against planning international travel or attending large entertainment events for the time being, suggesting that readers enjoy performances from home and stay updated on official travel advisories.

Opinions

The author believes that local travel can be a refreshing change from the monotony of staying at home and can help support the local economy.
There is an optimistic view on the reopening of local attractions and the potential for regional travel, suggesting that these activities can be enjoyed responsibly.
The article conveys that visiting friends and family is a valuable way to rekindle personal connections and improve mental well-being after months of social distancing.
The author advises caution against booking international trips or events that may be canceled, reflecting a conservative approach to future planning in uncertain times.
The piece encourages readers to take advantage of online performances and virtual events as alternatives to in-person entertainment, indicating a positive attitude towards digital solutions for leisure.

Thinking About Your Next Holiday?

Start planning on your holiday soon!

Staying at home is now becoming our daily routine. We had done this in the past few months and it’s not easy. At some point, we are feeling bored and unmotivated.

For all of you out there:

Thanks for staying at home, maintaining hygiene and social distancing!

So what’s next?

We are all wondering when we can start living life normally again. Going back to work, dine out, hang out with friends and more. Luckily, some countries have relaxed the restrictions and allowing some non-essential activities up and running again.

Some of us might even think,

“Where should I go for my holiday? School break is coming too. I should start planning something”.

Welcome! Here are some of my suggestions on what you can plan for your next holiday:

1. Visiting local attractions

There are various locations that you can visit within your town. Try to re-visit these locations to refresh yourself and keep motivated.

Local parks: You might be planning for a camping trip this year, and it’s still possible. It’s not proper camping that you imagine, but just doing a small and simple picnic, you already have a lot of fun. Bring your family and friends too, so you can enjoy and relax together.

Photo by Serhii Kyryliuk on Fast Company

Museum or art gallery: If you are planning to visit different types of countries or cities that have a historical and cultural background, you can visit a local museum or art gallery. Museum has been the best place for families to spend time and learn about the uniqueness of the city.

City tour: If you like a sightseeing tour, shopping or exploring foods, try to do it in your city. Buy some clothes or accessories to brighten your mood. Even try as many foods as possible. I’m sure that most shops and restaurants offer a lot of discounts right now.

Photo by Andrew Sutherland on Culture Trip

Staying in a hotel: You can go to the city or travel a little bit further from your home and stay in a hotel. If you are bored at home, at least this is a good idea to do. It gives you something to explore its surrounding and find something new. Otherwise, you can always enjoy your hotel room and relax.

By taking advantage of these local businesses, you are supporting them to survive too. Remember, they are the key factor in the economy.

2. Driving out of town

Some government regulations allowed us to travel further at this point, even further during school holidays. You can plan to go somewhere out of town, but not too far. Regional travel is the most recommended one.

For example, in Queensland, Australia, the government had stated that holidays within the regional area will be allowed by midnight of Friday, 12 June. That being said, people can start planning their holiday trip next month. This is very good news for everyone that cannot wait to have their next holiday.

Photo by Mosaic Property on Mosaic Property Group

Then, what should you plan for your next holiday? Simply you can follow the tips that I mentioned earlier, otherwise, you can come with any interesting ideas. There should plenty of things to do, right?

For some country that still has a full restriction on place, you probably need to wait a bit longer. I’m sure that soon or later you will also enjoy the excitement of the holiday outside your home.

3. Visiting friends or family house

Most of you did catch up with your friends and family by calls or video conferencing, but soon you can visit them again. Saying hello and catching up with them after a few months re-enable the positive vibes around us.

You can organise something with them, such as having a barbeque and beer, playing video games, outdoor games in the backyard or just chatting. For some people, they might also want to stay for a night. This way it can re-create the connection between people that we love.

When you visit them, bring something to enjoy too, such as foods or gifts to make them feel happy about your visit. They will feel ecstatic!

Even so, there are also some suggestions for you to avoid at the moment:

1. Travelling interstate or overseas

Please do not start book any trips for interstate or overseas travel. With the current state, we didn’t know exactly when this situation will be over. Most governments, including Australia, can’t provide an exact date when this pandemic will be over. The international travel will be the last one to be lifted from the restriction.

“How about if I book my trip for next year?”.

Not too soon. It is highly recommended to stay patient and wait for the official announcement.

Different states across the country also had different regulations to one another. That’s why I highly encourage everyone to plan your holiday within your regional area. It is the safest thing to do for you and your money.

2. Going to entertainment shows (Sports, concerts or festivals)

As social distancing rule is still in place, we don’t know when festivals and concerts are allowed. If you are interested in any events within the next few months this year, I highly suggest to not book anything yet.

We don’t know about the future about concerts or festivals, as it has a high chance to be cancelled or postpone to a different date. Refunding or reissuing tickets can be an issue too, as it is a long and complicated process to do for the event organisers.

If you are worried there will be no concerts in the future, don’t worry. Most artists and performers use YouTube, Instagram or Twitch to entertain people at home, so you can still enjoy them from the comfort of your home. You can check here for the upcoming online performances by your favourite artists.

I know everyone gets excited for their next holiday. It’s just around the corner. Always remember to keep practising social-distancing and maintain self-hygiene wherever and whenever you are.

Stay safe and have fun!

Christopher Reno Budiman is a writer, explorer and entrepreneur-minded person. He received Bachelor of Business (Hospitality Management) and Bachelor of International Hospitality Management with Swiss Hotel Association accreditation. He’s on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn if you would like to know more about him.