Travel Planning for 2021?

In the midst of yet another national lockdown, it feels as if my world is no bigger than the little town I live in. And yet with vaccinations finally gathering pace it feels like there may be a glimmer of hope for travel in 2021. But what will post COVID-19 travel in 2021 look like, and where will be the best places to go?

So what does travel in 2021 look like for us?

At the moment we have no trips booked. Zero. Nada. Niente. Usually January is the month that I’m booking annual leave, poring over Skyscanner and making plans. As Facebook memories keep reminding me. But with there still being so much uncertainty over 2021 travel the diary is empty. Even if we could, I’m not sure that unnecessary travel is particularly ethical in the current situation.

But of course, it doesn’t stop me thinking about travel, or even putting together hypothetical itineraries. So if travel was to become a possibility again this year, what would be top of my list?

The UK Staycation

When (and if) overnight stays are permitted again, our focus will no doubt be on the humble UK getaway. In 2020 we enjoyed breaks in Cornwall, Shropshire, Wales and on the Norfolk Coast, and the UK offers plenty in terms of beautiful beaches, spectacular countryside and excellent hiking opportunities. Top of our list for a 2021 UK staycation is a Scottish highland road trip. We’d love to drive the North Coast 500, and discover some of the areas that we missed on our 2018 trip.

It would also be nice to treat ourselves to a proper luxury staycation. I definitely have my sights set on a stay at one of The Pig properties – The Pig On The Beach at Studland, Dorset maybe? The Curious Pixie stayed here and it looks amazing!

More Glamping and Quirky Accommodation

Mr Fletche and I enjoy the freedom of self-catering accommodation. Sometimes we like something which is a home-from-home, like this cosy cottage in the Peak District. And other times, we like something a little more rustic. Like this shepherd’s hut in Northumberland. Or this railway carriage in Norfolk. And hopefully we’ll get the opportunity to seek out some more quirky accommodation in 2021. Like this boatel in Powys. Or this aluminium pod overlooking the Isle of Mull. Or this yurt in Yorkshire with it’s own hot tub.

Glamping is perfect. Accommodation is often run by individuals or small businesses, and they often collaborate with other local independent businesses too. At Choo Choo Moo in Norfolk we received a welcome hamper with dairy products from the local farm, and beer from the local brewery. It’s also easy to social distance, there’s often a contactless check-in and you can choose to be as luxurious or as rustic as you like.

UK City Breaks

I wrote in 2020 about the city break, and about how these may change in the wake of COVID-19. Think of cities, and you tend to think of hustle and bustle, of lots of people working, visiting and socialising, of traffic and pollution. But maybe, when restrictions start to lift, this may be the best time to visit. I’d like to explore Lincoln, Leeds is still on my travel wishlist and I’m missing our annual jaunt down to London so hopefully we’ll get to spend time in at least one of these “L” cities in 2021!

Summer in Europe

At the moment I’m not contemplating international travel. But if miracles were to happen, and COVID-19 was to disappear from European shores then I would definitely look at booking a summer break. Exploring Northern Italy, sipping Aperol Spritz on the shores of Como, Maggiore and Garda. Sightseeing and sunbathing on a Cycladen island. Bar-hopping and sampling pintxos in San Sebastian. And of course, it will be interesting to see the impact of post-Brexit travel for Brits.

Winter Christmas Markets

Christmas isn’t Christmas without a festive market or two. Hosting a Christmas market at home just isn’t the same. Hopefully by the end of 2021 it may be possible to pack my winter woollies and head to the Baltic States. But do we head for the colourful old town of Vilnius, the medieval magic of Tallinn, or the art nouveau architecture of Riga?

Or maybe we can hop across the channel to the Christmas markets of Brussels, one of my favourite cities for beer and food? If we have to stay closer to home, then we could head to Chester, or down south to Winchester. In fact, we could combine a UK city break with a Christmas Market visit and tick two items off the list!

What about that postponed Japan trip?

It’s looking unlikely that we’ll be taking any “big” trips in 2021. Travelling to a dream destination whilst under the shadow of COVID-19 will put a dampener on a costly trip. Maybe Japan will happen in 2022 for Mr Fletche’s next zero-ending birthday. Or maybe we postpone the trip to Autumn 2023 when we celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. Whenever it happens, I have a thoroughly researched itinerary ready and waiting.

So what will travel in 2021 and beyond look like?

For a while, there’s no doubt it’s going to look a bit different. In fact I wrote back in July 2020 about what future travel could look like – you can read that blog post here. After the first flush of excitement, I believe travellers will be a little more cautious. More isolated escapes, less tourist hot spots. More time spent exploring the outdoors rather than risking less ventilated indoor attractions. Choosing quality travel rather than cheap and cheerful. And it may be a great time to visit some popular destinations as they enjoy a lull from endless tourism traffic.

And I for one will be considering those countries that best handled the pandemic. Those that closed their borders, enforced national lockdowns and responded to new clusters of infection quickly and effectively. Of course, these are likely to be the last to open up to international travellers.

We don’t know when travel will get back to “normal”. And more importantly – should it? This reset has given us more time to consider the impact of travel – climate change, sustainability, global health implications. And travel is a privilege. I’ve realised that more than anything in 2020. It’s a luxury. Even travelling on a budget is a luxury. I know that next time I get on a plane, clumsily try and order food in a different language, fumble with different currency or just feel a different kind of sunshine on my face, I’m going to be mighty grateful.

Do you have any travel plans for 2021? Are you thinking even further ahead? I’d love to know in the comments!