Like tax season, summer comes every year. Fortunately, it’s a much more enjoyable time – if you live or can travel somewhere that boasts a summertime. For those of you looking to enjoy a summer holiday in a tropical getaway like Barbados, here are five crucial travel tips that’ll keep you prepared, happy and healthy.
Find testing sites before your flight
Some countries or airlines will require you to present a negative COVID-19 test before returning or boarding respectively. To pre-empt any potential stresses, we recommend finding testing sites in your home country and in all the countries or cities you will be visiting well before you leave.
Be sure to see if these locations take walk-in appointments, only book online, how they accept payments, their turnaround time and their proximity to your hotel or accommodation. In addition, be sure that they offer the type of test you require, as destinations and airlines may have varying testing requirements.
Note: Fully vaccinated travelers are not required to present a test result to travel to Barbados. However, unvaccinated travelers will need to present proof of a negative rapid antigen test taken 1 day before or a PCR test taken within 3 days before travel.
Need testing in Barbados? Crane Resort has its own on-site testing lab. Book your appointment with the Barbados Covid Lab ahead of time at www.barbadoscovidlab.com.
Prepare a hygiene travel kit
In anticipation of any anxiety you’ll have about germs and coming into contact with COVID-19 during your travels, we recommend preparing your very own hygiene travel kit. Here’s what you’ll need:
- N95 face masks
- Travel size hand sanitizer
- Disinfectant wipes
- Small toiletry bag
- Tissue packs
- Small bar soaps
Let your kids prepare with you
For most parents, traveling with children can be daunting. It can add a stressful element to any trip and makes travel anxiety even more burdensome. Children will often be asked to be masked on flights and in some public spaces, so to ensure they are following the rules we recommend letting them in on your preparation process.
The answer is simple: let kids choose their own masks. Let them feel like they’re planning this important trip with you and bringing along all their ‘favourite things’. Maybe their mask will feature one of their favourite cartoon characters or will just be their favourite colour. Either way, allowing children to have an emotional attachment to a necessary and helpful tool could be the difference between a stress-free flight and trouble with security.
Be prepared for changes
The effects of Covid are still present. The state of your destination or the regulations of your departure country may change between the time you book and the time of your trip. Be prepared for anything including regulation changes, staff shortages in your destination or airline travel issues.
Furthermore, if you’ve made the decision to travel with someone else or a group of friends, be prepared for one of you possibly testing positive for COVID-19 while away. The virus does not discriminate, and anyone can get it without knowing when or where they first came into contact with it. In this instance, try to save the blame and work together to adapt your trip so everyone gets home safely and happily.
Purchase travel insurance
Travel insurance is an essential investment for any vacation, but its become even more handy over the last few years. You should be able to purchase travel insurance when you book your flight, or you can speak to your insurer about their options.
Consider the implications of contracting coronavirus during your trip and whether you can afford the additional days you’d have to stay so you can finally travel. To keep costs down, look for flexible plane tickets.
Ready to plan your summer getaway? The perfect escape is a stay at The Crane Resort, located on the tranquil southeast coast of Barbados. Contact us at +1 246 423 6220 or via email at reservations@thecrane.com for special offers and more.
