Lessons we’ve learnt in lockdown that will make us better travellers (lonely planet)
Excerpts
‘Perhaps being forced to stay put will mean we are more willing to immerse ourselves into a singular destination, with a newfound ability to discover and appreciate smaller details and characteristics of a place we may otherwise have driven past on our way to the next stop. It’s worth considering how this phenomenon will affect the – until coronavirus interfered – worldwide affliction of overtourism. If travellers have learnt to appreciate where they are, (not to mention their newly developed fear of large crowds due to risk of infection), they’ll surely be less inclined to flock to renowned sites and popular beauty spots. Our travel schedules could well become less jam-packed, and the mental and spiritual benefits of really soaking in a new destination could begin to outweigh the niggling need to tick off ‘must-sees’.’
‘For those cooped up inside, craving a change of scenery, local green spaces have recently come into their own as havens of natural beauty. For those without a garden, terrace or even balcony however, they’re nothing short of lifelines. Having our freedoms restricted, our time outside controlled and our reserves of fresh air severely depleted, has triggered a whole new appreciation of the nature we can find just outside our own front doors. Instagram and Twitter have recently been peppered with greenery-dappled shots from people discovering and uncovering their home town’s areas of natural beauty, enchanting woodland glades, river walks and secluded parks that have always existed, but which we’ve never taken the time to find. Perhaps now then, our travels will become more nature-focused. We may start to incorporate more exercise and outdoor activity into our holiday regimens, having discovered that a family walk, if everyone really tries, can actually be fun. This could be another supporting factor in the likely future upspring of domestic trips, as we realise that the best adventures can often be found right around the corner, rather than across an entire ocean.’