The coronavirus and travelling in 2021, what can we hope for? You are torn between hope and despair, between reports of vaccines and mutations. Will you be able to see your loved ones in a 'normal' way? Will you be able to travel, and if so, how far?
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The coronavirus - a roller coaster ride
Ever since the coronavirus emerged in earnest at the beginning of last year, it has been a rollercoaster of emotions. Some periods have been spent at home and doing their best not to meet a single living soul - to avoid infection or contagion. At other times, things have looked more hopeful and you have dared to plan some small adventures again. Then the virus has gathered new strength and attacked again.
New year, new vaccines, new mutations
With 2021 came hope. We all knew that nothing would change quickly, but at least there were vaccines and hope within reach. But you should never be too confident when dealing with this virus. After a while, there were problems with vaccine deliveries, and soon the virus also started mutating in all sorts of nasty ways, such as becoming more infectious. The roller coaster came back. Hope, despair, hope, despair. Do you recognise yourself?
Planning trips in 2021 - can you do it?
Everyone deals with uncertainty in different ways. We choose to be positive and look to the future with confidence. Then, if we have to cancel or reschedule - we do so. We will not travel if it seems inappropriate or if it is advised, but we keep our fingers crossed that the situation will eventually improve.
If you book a trip, you should of course check the cancellation policy carefully. For us and others travelling by motorhome, the advantage is that you can change direction. You can drive down to Europe if it works, and if it doesn't work, you can drive in Sweden or the neighbouring area. We are very much looking forward to embarking on new adventures with a motorhome!
Or maybe you should cancel all travelling this year?
Some may decide to cancel all travelling this year, regardless of the outcome. Maybe you decide instead to renovate your house, rent a summer cottage or buy a dog. And that's fine, of course!
For ourselves, we live on the hope that we will be able to travel later this year. We live and breathe travel. For us, travelling is a passion, and over time it has become even more than that. Our travel blog is now also a job for us, and we depend on it for income. Just like everyone else who works in the travel industry, it's tough right now, but that doesn't mean you give up. Moreover, we are starting to feel trapped. The day you can travel and discover, we want to do it!
What are your thoughts on the coronavirus and travelling in 2021?
What are your thoughts on the coronavirus and travelling in 2021? Are you fully planning for summer travel? Are you waiting? Or are you postponing your travel dreams?
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Kenneth+Risberg says:
Right now I feel just like you, do you even dare to plan for any trips this year. Whether it is abroad or at home. Regarding the vaccine, I think it is currently a "flop". Yesterday, Region Örebro received 1100 doses for about 300,000 inhabitants of which about 155,000 are in Örebro. Then it is announced that in the coming weeks it will be halved to about 500 doses?
It is naïve to think that vaccination would be ready by midsummer. The EU and Sweden receive the least amount of vaccine allocation.
For those of you who make a living out of it, it's a shame that you can't travel as much as you'd like.
23 February 2021 - 7:18
Helena says:
Right now it's really hard to know what to believe or hope for. We had also hoped that the vaccination would go faster, now it feels uncertain. So far, it is well hold out and hope that applies!
23 February 2021 - 8:27
Maria's memoirs says:
I am postponing the future, thinking that I will not book any flights until I have received the clearance that the corona is no longer an obstacle. That is, when the workplace is ok with travelling which is based on what our Finnish authorities recommend. And of course what applies to the intended destinations. I guess the corona passport will be necessary and I will wait until I get vaccinated. Which will probably be this summer at the earliest. I am prepared for another year of travelling within Finland.
23 February 2021 - 9:01
Helena says:
Maria, I understand your thoughts. You have to be prepared to wait a while and see what happens over time.
23 February 2021 - 17:11
Daniel on FlyingDryden says:
We are aiming for Abisko and Skåne this spring, plus I will meet the family in Trollhättan a couple of times in March and April. But something longer and outside Sweden is not available right now, Kilimanjaro in October, for example, I do not think will happen, but that trip will be moved a fourth time.
23 February 2021 - 7:47
Helena says:
Nice plans for spring! Kilimanjaro sounds exciting! It's hard to assess the situation in the world this autumn, but if you're prepared for it to be postponed, at least you won't be worried 😉.
23 February 2021 - 8:29
Travelsis says:
Skåne 👏🏻✨. Then we have to book a meeting... in time, and not just try to get it done the day before....
23 February 2021 - 20:10
Daniel on FlyingDryden says:
Yes but absolutely! 🙂
25 February 2021 - 15:48
Husis blog says:
A little while ago the owners were talking about Croatia this summer. They booked open boat tickets and campsites where they could cancel free of charge or with a small charge. Then the vaccine was delayed, changed holiday plans at my male owner's work etc.
My owners then changed their minds and now hopefully there will be a Swedish holiday in 2021 as well.
My owners have always followed the recommendations given, so last year I had to stay at home in the beginning but now I hope that I can go on small trips even in the beginning when I get out.
All good
23 February 2021 - 8:16
Helena says:
Yes, thoughts have changed a bit during the spring, even for us, so I understand what you mean! It feels like everyone is in a period of uncertainty right now. We really hope that the situation improves soon, so you dare to have some confidence! Luckily, you have the option of travelling with your motorhome in Sweden!
23 February 2021 - 8:32
bmlarstravellingblog says:
Even if you're in a different position, travelling for a living, we think travel and experiences are so incredibly important and it feels like life is on standby at the moment.
We have still planned a little ahead, initially within Sweden and since we had gift cards that expire now in March, a trip (within the EU) has been booked until the end of September, of course re-cancellable, but then we will hopefully be vaccinated.
Our cancelled trip to Iceland since last year will be on hold for another year it seems....
23 February 2021 - 8:49
Evy Knoph says:
As someone who has travelled a lot, often in connection with concerts and sporting events, I think you are still adaptable. I'm not booking any trips now, but hope to get away to the Christmas signage in New York, and preferably the Women's Handball World Cup in Spain in December. Hopefully it also works with the booked OMD concert in London in mid-November. Should you be vaccinated (went up to phase 2 when they changed the age limit from 70 to 65) and the advice is lifted and it makes sense before then, I go... almost anywhere...:-). All postponed concert tickets I have May-Sep I expect will be postponed again (like PetShopBoys in Globen, bought autumn 19 to June 20, moved to June 21, now moved to June 22).
I'm also thinking of treating myself to a few nights staycation, perhaps at Hotel Avalon here in Gothenburg, when they change the lift in my house in May...
Longing but holding on and out, and looking forward to brighter times :-).
23 February 2021 - 10:18
Helena says:
BM and Lars, really recognise that it feels like everything is "stand by". It's not just big trips you have to cancel, but it's hard to plan anything at all really.
23 February 2021 - 17:14
Solan says:
After retirement, our motorhome life is different. Sverigerull in summer and in late October to April winter storage with variation to the south.
🌍 Then the infamous virus struck.
So for the first time in eight years it has snowed on us! But by autumn we are "waxed" and ready to go!
That the Freedombilen has ants in the wheels is easy to understand.👍👍👍 Keeping my fingers crossed for safe travel blogging outside the border soon...😊.
23 February 2021 - 8:55
Helena says:
You got to experience real snow too!!! 🙂 Yes, there are probably a few "ants in the wheels" haha.
23 February 2021 - 17:15
Ama de casa says:
We have no plans for travelling, but hope to start doing tours within Spain again soon. Outside of Spain? Doubtful, but we just have to "like" the situation, follow the developments and keep our fingers crossed that the vaccine works.
23 February 2021 - 9:24
Helena says:
Yes, it is as it is. And when it has been limited, you are happy for the little things, small little excursions 😉.
23 February 2021 - 17:16
Roger (Motorhome Campaign) says:
Agree with you as it happens very much in the world regarding covid 19 right now. We ourselves intend to sell the house and move into HB as we have been planning this for a few years. We plan to drive down to Croatia in September, after which we drive on to Spain Portugal and again Sweden March to start working in April. But as you wrote, everything can change due to Covid19.
But I think we have to think ahead and plan that we will be able to go away with our HB.
As long as we can see the light at the end of the tunnel, there is hope.
23 February 2021 - 9:39
Helena says:
How wonderful to move into the motorhome!!! Absolutely right to plan and be hopeful, I think! Then you have to be prepared to replan, if you have to.
23 February 2021 - 17:17
Monica says:
We feel much the same way. And we also have children and grandchildren in the south of France that we haven't seen for two years. We won't be driving there this summer and they won't be coming to Sweden this summer either... For us, it works best mentally to "not hope too much". Right from the start, several researchers said that this could be very long-lasting and that we haven't actually seen the worst yet. This may sound unnecessarily pessimistic, but it is more realistic than thinking that the situation will suddenly improve in the summer. The vaccine situation, the mutations, the increasing spread of infection, the lack of proper infection control measures in Sweden, and people's negligence and lack of insight mean that this will take a long time. You can easily overcome the residue when you see pictures and hear about what it looks like in a totally closed Europe. With major general restrictions, various certificates, border restrictions and evening curfews. It is such a sad time for all of us but we have no choice but to accept, be patient and adapt now.
23 February 2021 - 10:04
Helena says:
Of course, it is possible that this will go on for a long time, and there will be a new reality. But I still think it's important to believe in small glimmers of light. They may not be big things, but people need a little hope. You can still hope that things will be a little brighter in the future, I think, even if you have to be prepared to adapt to the conditions.
23 February 2021 - 17:21
Anonymous says:
It is clear that "this too shall pass". People have different levels of expectation and my experience so far is that those who live in countries with much tighter restrictions than we in Sweden have learned to live with the realisation that this is much more serious and prolonged than we Swedes generally believe. People generally have a crisis experience of both war, terror and closed borders going back generations. Just take Finland for example. They adapt more easily to the situation - which does not mean that they do not long for normality at the same time!
24 February 2021 - 13:11
Nenne Strid says:
Feeling frustrated by not being able to go down to glorious France 🇫🇷
We lost many trips last year & this year there was nothing > Antibes at all ❤️ a dear recurring last 11 years, but not now. Not only was there any wonderful hb ress down in Europe but only 10 days in 🇩🇪🤞 Since the biggest loss is not the grandchildren but the friend's lgh & the meetings made in 14 years to Antibes Aug: Sept with ☀️ & wonderful time of relaxation & rehab for myself.
I miss travelling enormously when you have been doing it for 44 years. Christmas at home usch boring instead it is heaven on Gran Canaria.
24 February 2021 - 14:27
Helena says:
Understand!!! Yes, it's sad, but what can you do? Just make the best of the situation and hope that things will turn around in the future!
24 February 2021 - 18:27
Göran Börjesson says:
We will stick to Northern Europe with a motorhome. Then we might stay in Sweden, but that's not bad, that's the wonderful thing about a motorhome, you're not tied to anyone.
23 February 2021 - 10:51
Helena says:
That's what's so nice about the motorhome! We like to drive in Europe, but last summer it was Sweden and it was a very nice trip too!
23 February 2021 - 17:22
4000mil says:
I have many ready-made plans in my head, ready to be rolled out. Both in Sweden and in Europe. But I am waiting to book as long as the situation is as uncertain as it is. It will have to be at short notice in that case.
23 February 2021 - 12:55
Helena says:
I understand how you think. I would also wait to book, it is possible to book later!
23 February 2021 - 17:22
Lena+in+Wales+and+Spain says:
I plan as little as possible, less disappointments.
I think it will be a while before you can move around freely, unfortunately.
23 February 2021 - 13:26
Helena says:
Yes, I think we will also have to live with different limitations for a while. But right now I'm happy if I get to go on an adventure that is longer than a walk 😉.
23 February 2021 - 17:23
Titti/Umeå/Huay+Yang says:
Plans exist but nothing is booked.
First vaccination, whenever that is?
WHEN will we be able to go home to Thailand without quarantine, paperwork and tests?
23 February 2021 - 14:59
Helena says:
Yes, one can really wonder about that! We may have to wait a while, especially when travelling long distances.
23 February 2021 - 17:24
Ditte says:
We will see. When we are vaccinated and Europe is more open and more people there are also vaccinated, there are plans and we have a short starting distance. But it's a long way to where I'd like to travel, so it probably won't be relevant until perhaps early autumn at the earliest.
I have a lot of planned travelling jobs this summer both in Sweden, in the Nordic countries and in Europe but it is still an open question how it will be.
Sweden has so much going for it that I'm happy to stay here. And summertime is not really a time we want to travel.
23 February 2021 - 17:10
Helena says:
It is good not to have to plan so far in advance, then you can adapt to the conditions! And it's certainly nice in Sweden in the summer!
23 February 2021 - 17:25
Bengt says:
We have previously had to cancel our Russia trip, then Corona came with a new cancellation in 2020, This year it will not be Russia either so the next chance will be 2022 May if everything has calmed down. Of course, we can control our life ourselves in the motorhome without too much contact with others, but you want to visit sights and then it is crowded when it comes to Moscow and St. Petersburg.
So it will probably be Sweden this year too
23 February 2021 - 18:27
Helena says:
Exciting trip indeed! But understand your choice to postpone it. We are still open to Northern Europe, but it might be Sweden for us as well.
24 February 2021 - 18:21
Margareta Lillvik says:
Of course it is nice to travel in Sweden and we will do so during the spring and summer. For the autumn in mid-September we have planned a trip with the motorhome to Italy. We had to cancel the last one. There will be a wedding for one of our grandchildren and the party will be in Italy, so now we keep our fingers crossed that it will go well. If not, we'll cancel that trip too. If it works, there may be more countries that will be visited by us, but there are no real plans yet, we live on hope and the vaccine. Had thought of a trip to Germany in the spring, but we will not be able to do it, Germany is completely closed.
23 February 2021 - 19:14
Helena says:
We'll keep our fingers crossed that you get to Italy! This spring feels more difficult. You really have to be flexible in these times.
24 February 2021 - 18:23
BP says:
Planning far in advance has never been our thing, so the difference for us is non-existent. But if you feel like booking a trip, most companies have very favourable "money back" terms. So you don't lose any money if the trip doesn't happen.
The vaccine thing is so far a bad joke in the EU, not unexpected so to speak. So I personally bet on home and the "balcony". Just hope it will be nice weather:-)
23 February 2021 - 19:53
Helena says:
Well, let's hope for good weather in Sweden this summer!!!
24 February 2021 - 18:24
Travelsis says:
Planning only small trips in Skåne in the near future. Do not really manage to dream and plan trips right now, but if it should brighten and open up for travel, I know that when that heart opens up then it is quick to plan./Pernilla
23 February 2021 - 20:13
Helena says:
Short walks in the neighbourhood sounds like a good plan for the near future! Then you have to see, a little at a time, what happens all by itself.
24 February 2021 - 18:25
Lena - good for the soul says:
We have a safari trip booked for October. What was planned in November last year was completely cancelled. Of course, it feels very uncertain whether we will go. And it feels a bit sissy to go to a country that cures covid with ginger and onions!!!! 🙂
Hug Lena
24 February 2021 - 20:43