Thanks to the COVID-19 crisis, many of our travel plans came to a screeching halt. For many, traveling for leisure will surely be a sentimental event once the virus dies and the nations of the world open up again. If you’re a sojourner who loves visiting new places and exploring different countries and cultures, here are some places to go and activities to do to add to your post-pandemic travel bucket list.
Join a year-long dig or volunteer for humanitarian organizations.
If you’re interested in archeology and paleontology, there are plenty of institutions that accept volunteers for paleontological digsand excavations.Many of these programs don’t require specific educational attainments; they just need people who are willing to literally get on the ground and work with their hands. In exchange for sweat and a tuition fee, volunteers will receive hands-on education from experts, as well as the privilege of being part of some of the world’s most important discoveries.
You can also consider going on a volunteer trip with organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Red Cross, and World Vision, who are always at the forefront of extending help to the most neglected and marginalized people in developing countries. What better way to celebrate the end of the pandemic, your health, and your relative privilege than by spending your resources helping the most vulnerable in the world?
Go on a faith-centered vacation.
After what has been a challenging few years, everyone deserves to take the time to process the collective grief and trauma we all went through. No matter your faith, consider going on a trip that will allow you to re-shape and re-connect with your spirituality. If you’re Catholic, consider visiting the Vatican to hear mass from the Pope himself. If you’re Buddhist, volunteer as an English teacher for monks, or work in a monastery. If you’re Christian, go on a tour of Jerusalem and re-traced Jesus’ steps to give life to the pages of the New Testament.
You can take the time to do some meditative or mindful Christianity too. If you’re Muslim, consider going to Mecca as your first order of business when the pandemic is over. If you’re non-religious, go on a hike on the United States’ most stunning national parks to commune with nature and re-connect with yourself.
If you can plan and make concessions in your financial life to be able to afford this trip, do so. You deserve to heal after the pain and devastation the pandemic and recession brought, and going on a faith-centered trip can help you gain some semblance of wholeness.
Visit the locations of your favorite TV shows and movies.
If all you did for leisure during the pandemic was binge-watch the most popular TV shows and movies, consider it your mission to save up enough money to visit the most stunning locations you saw on your screen. If you enjoyed some Korean dramas, list down the places from those shows that you want to visit next.
If you loved historical TV shows that were filmed in the United Kingdom, explore how you can save up enough to fly to those locations and see them in real life. Adding this goal to your travel bucket list can give you something to look forward to when you find yourself being bored watching the same movies and TV shows at home.
Attend a concert or a music festival.
Being able to see our favorite artists live was one of the things COVID-19 stole from us. When all this is over, consider saving up enough money to be able to go to some of the most well-loved music festivals, likeGlastonbury, Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Tomorrowland. Let our post-pandemic world finally be the push you need to see what all the fuss is about. You never know – you might end up falling in love with amusical act you have never listened to before.
The only way for COVID-19 to die a natural death is if we all do our part in wearing our masks, staying home, keeping a safe distance from others when we’re out, and keeping our hands clean and sanitized. The roll-out of vaccines all over the world will be crucial, but we don’t need to wait for everyone to be vaccinated before we take this virus seriously.
This pandemic will endand our unity and kindness towards others will be key to that.If we do our part now, we might be able to finally put a stop to this virus, and allow the world to move freely once again.
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