After more than a year of lockdown and not being able to plan, we’re all craving a taste of adventure. Finally, it seems there’s a chance for adventure on the horizon.
That doesn’t mean we’re all ready to book our dream trip just yet. Even if you can afford to risk the cash, you might not be able to handle the uncertainty – the will-it-won’t-it-go-ahead nature of travel planning that we’re all living with for now.
So with the possibility of vaccine passports, unpredictable traffic light systems and expensive Covid-19 testing requirements for international travel still being bandied around, we’ve come up with 5 new ways to have an adventure that won’t play havoc with your stress levels or your savings.
1. Take your new lockdown hobby to the next level
If you’ve picked up a new hobby during lockdown, plan an opportunity to dedicate a significant amount of time to it. Got into painting but can’t handle another virtual painting class? Take it outside for some some plein-air painting. Perhaps singing helped you through some tough times. Responsible Travel is running music and singing holidays in Cuba, Scotland and Spain throughout 2021 and 2022. We don’t blame you if you’re sick to death of walking by now, but if lockdown restrictions helped you discover the joy of putting one foot in front of another and you can’t get enough of it, check out walking holidays. HF Holidays has plenty of walking holidays planned for the rest of the year, from Alaska to Laos. They’re also running guided day walks from their properties in the UK throughout April and May.
2. Deepen your understanding of events that moved the world during the pandemic
News feeds may have been full of positive test and hospital admission stats for the last year but Covid-19 wasn’t the only thing to make headlines. As restrictions start to ease, now’s your chance to deepen your understanding of other events that shook the world in 2020. Road Scholar specialises in group trips with an emphasis on learning. Book The Civil Rights Movement: Atlanta, Montgomery, Selma, Birmingham tour to find out more about the history of the clashes and heroes of the USA’s Civil Rights Movement as you explore Georgia and Alabama. Look at the Nature & Environment excursions if the news on climate change piqued your interest. There are online programmes too.
3. Plan your move abroad
If you’ve started dreaming of moving your life overseas after a year of staring at the same four walls, you’re not alone. Working from home has become the norm, and the disappearance of the daily commute has opened a world of possibility when it comes to where you call home. The Barbados Welcome Stamp gives international visitors the chance to live and work on the island for up to 12 months. There are a few requirements, but it’s a great place to start if you’re craving sunshine and beach walks in your lunch breaks. Early on in our Facebook Live Lockdown Travel Chats series, we spoke to Ashley Bartner about her move from the USA to Italy. Ashley runs workshops on how to move to Italy and has a virtual event coming up soon (5-8 May 2021).
“It doesn't have to be epic. It doesn't have to be standing on the top of a mountain stuff. If it matters to you, then really that's what's important. Judge it on your criteria, what brings you joy, what makes you feel brave, what purpose it gives you.”
5. Plan a mini adventure
We learned many things from our Facebook Live Lockdown Travel Chat with midlife adventurer Jo Moseley, but chief among them was that adventure is what's important to you. “It doesn't have to be epic. It doesn't have to be standing on the top of a mountain stuff. If it matters to you, then really that's what's important. Judge it on your criteria, what brings you joy, what makes you feel brave, what purpose it gives you.” Jo was the first woman to paddleboard coast-to-coast across the north of England, but she spent the first few nights of her adventure sleeping in her own bed. Jo also introduced us to Alastair Humphries who invented the concept of microadventures – adventures that are accessible to people who have very little outdoor experience. It all goes to show that it’s absolutely possible to have an adventure close to your home!
Remember, you don’t have to travel far or push your boundaries to the extreme to have an adventure. In 2021, anything counts. The most important things are to have something to look forward to and friends to share it with. So start planning your next trip now!