Covid Holidays or Day Trips?

With Covid still rife in the world, and in fact very much increasing in the United Kingdom for the very least, I've been left contemplating what to do with annual leave and going on holiday. Since the pandemic started in March 2020, I have only been on the tram a handful of time. But for the most part, I've avoided all public transport and large gatherings in general. 

I've never loved a crowd, but since living in Wales for a few months, I hate it with a passion. I try to steer clear of the groups and go to places during low traffic times. I just don't feel ready yet to be around everyone, and if I'm honest, I'm not sure I ever will. I feel like since Covid I have more of a reason not to, then to enjoy it. If you've been following me on the blog or my YouTube channel for the last few months, you'll have seen I have gone to some big cities, but usually on a week day, when most people are working. Sadly, that's no longer much of an option for me since I've moved to community, but I have really enjoyed having days off during the week, and that my job allows me to do that lifestyle, for the most part. 

Government guidance continues to advise against all non-essential international travel. With the new traffic light system for travelling, it's far from clear, in fact I get more and more confused by the day. Of course, no travel is risk-free, and many countries have closed their borders or restricted entry to UK travellers. The scary thing is that any country may further restrict travel or bring in new rules at short notice, for example due to a new COVID-19 variant. 

The unknown, the constant rechecking or rule and the fear of getting stuck - I've known people be stuck abroad for months! - is just the start. I've heard people discuss and analyse the costs involved and in all honesty, I just can't afford it. It would be one thing to have to do a lateral flow test but having to pay for a PCR test, not just once or twice, but three times is extortionate. Plus, the quarantine period in a hotel or home. My job at least doesn't allow that to be taken as time off or annual leave so it would be unpaid leave. 

So, I personally won't be planning on travelling abroad anytime soon. Instead, I thought I would start a new little series on the blog of things to do in some of the great cities that we have in the UK, especially since I've been visiting a few over recent times. 

Ps. I may change my mind so I'm not promising this is my final decision for the year, but it'll be interesting to see what the announcement is later this week, in regards to next week's new rules. I'm interested to hear what everyone's thoughts of travelling abroad for holidays this year is? Leave it in the comments below!