Even once the world opens up following COVID-19, if you are thinking about travelling you will need to prepare yourself adequately. Whether or not you are traveling abroad or keeping things local, traveling during this pandemic will require special preparations.

Traveling can give you the break that you need to recover from the challenges of this year. Plus, if you don’t want your trip to end, you will be pleased to know that the number of countries where travellers can move and live temporarily is growing gradually.

More and more countries, including Georgia, Estonia, Bermuda, Barbados, Georgia, and Croatia are inviting remote workers and digital nomads to trade their home offices for the chance to live and work abroad as the pandemic ensues.

As the contagion cases continue to surge around the world, more and more organisations are reporting that employees might not permanently return to an in-person office environment until mid-next year or never in certain cases.

As a result, more and more global destinations are breaking away from conventional tourism models that depend on a stream of short term travellers in favour of visitors that are willing to stay for longer periods.

So if living abroad in a far-flung destination has always been your dream, now is your perfect chance to make your dream come true. But first, you will need some essentials. Here are 5 essentials that you should consider for your next overseas trip:

A stainless steel water bottle

What’s on your itinerary? Whether you plan on vacationing on a beach or prefer to spend time in nature, one thing’s for sure; that you need to stay hydrated throughout. That’s where a stainless steel water bottle comes in. With a high quality one, you will always have fresh water on standby.

While bottled water is readily available, no matter what part of the world you are in. Relying on it can get pricey, which is a deal-breaker for anyone traveling on a budget. Plus, bottled plastic water creates waste, which has become a huge problem in our modern society.

A pedometer

Tracking your level of activity, no matter how little is something that most individuals have become accustomed to these days. If you plan on walking a lot, then you must bring your pedometer with you. Not only is walking the best way to get your workouts in during vacation, but it is also the best way to enjoy the sights and sound up-close.

A pedometer will help you keep track of how much distance you will have covered during your vacation. Pedometers are so advanced these days that they do a lot more than track your steps. Some common features include the ability to track steps and distance taken, one’s heart rate, number of calories burned, active minutes, and even one’s sleep status all while receiving text and call notifications.

Some pedometers are so advanced that they even allow you to control your other home devices and gadgets just with your voice. Some are capable of downloading playlists directly on your watch so that you can have your favourite tunes with you during your travels.

Disposable face masks

It has been proven that wearing a mask is the best way to prevent the spread of the contagion. Most countries already have mandatory instructions requiring people to wear face masks when in public. So you will need to make sure that you pack a few disposable face masks so that you are covered.

But here is the thing about constantly being in face masts- it can get exhausting and uncomfortable. Add to that the sore ears, the foggy glasses, and the skin irritation and you have the perfect recipe for a dissatisfied traveler. But things don’t have to be this way if you invest in the right face mask for your needs.

Remember to switch your face mask as soon as you land; you’ll feel so much better as soon as you do. If you want an extra layer of protection, you can also invest in a protective visor.

Hand sanitiser and alcohol-based wipes

You will need to use your hand sanitiser as soon as you touch any surface. The Transportation Security Administration now allows passengers to carry up to 12 ounces of liquid hand sanitiser in their carry-ons.

You don’t necessarily need wipes when you have sanitiser but disinfectant wipes can come in very handy when you need to get rid of germs and deadly pathogens on things such as your phone or credit card.

Only clothes that you need

Overpacking your suitcase with clothes and knick-knacks that you don’t need is the last thing you want mid contagion. Remember to only pack the clothes that you need, leaving a little space for any souvenirs and items that you may want to bring from your trip.

Generally, it is best to carry lightweight clothes that you can dress in layers. Should you need to do laundry during your overseas trip, lightweight clothing is best because it won’t take too long to dry.

Ensure that you also pack comfortable shoes; a pair or two, that you can wear and effortlessly combine with your outfits of the day. Plan for the terrain you expect to encounter, whether that’s cobblestoned streets or wild walking tracks.

A comfortable pair of day shoes, sneakers, and some comfy sandals should do just fine. If you are traveling during winter or you intend on hiking during your travels, you’ll want to bring appropriate boots too.

Final Thoughts

Even though the pandemic has certainly made it a lot more challenging to travel, it’s not impossible to do it safely. But whether you are traveling locally or abroad, it can be hard to resist the urge to overpack.

However, packing things that you do not require will only put a damper on your deserved and long-awaited escape. So this list of essentials above will make sure that you don’t leave anything important out.