Travel is the best therapy, and pretty much everyone can relate to it. Be it a long vacation to a foreign country or a weekend getaway to that hamlet near your city, there is no harm in packing your bags to take off for a mental and physical break.
But let’s not forget that we live in the middle of a pandemic. Covid, the microscopic villain had been cancelling our travel plans for the last two years. Forget travel; Covid made a task as simple as buying groceries a nightmare.
Finally, we see fewer Covid cases and minimal restrictions.
So, what’s next? It should definitely be a travel plan.
If you are not convinced yet, we have made a list that will tell you why this is the best time to travel, especially in India.
Trust me, these points will make you call your travel buddy as soon as you're done reading them.
5 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD MAKE TRAVEL PLANS ASAP
1. NO COVID FEAR
After a two-year-long tough fight, India is finally reporting fewer Covid cases. Many states have lifted all Covid restrictions. However, an IIT-Kanpur study has claimed that the country may see the fourth Covid wave in June.
So, with minimum cases right now and the fear of the fourth wave still a few weeks away (fingers crossed), it is the right time to make the best out of this opportunity.
But but but...
Don’t forget to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour for your and others’ safety.
Illustration: Seemon, DailyO
2. THANK THE FESTIVALS, COS FESTIVALS = LONG WEEKENDS
This year, Holi is on a Friday (March 18, ICYMI), so you have a long weekend bang in the middle of the month.
Also, travelling during the festivities is a whole new experience altogether. It is best to choose destinations where the festivals are celebrated in full swing. This year, given that it will be the first Holi in two years with comparatively leaner restrictions, you can expect a lot of revelry all around. Do look out for Holi-special travel packages too.
3. BEST OF ALL THE WORLDS
If you love snow, head to Kashmir. If you love greenery, plan a trip to the southern parts of the country. And if you are a beach lover, Goa is less crowded right now.
In simple words, if you are planning a domestic trip, all the parts of the country can offer you the best right now.
So, the locations are all set, it’s you who is yet to make the decision.
4. LESS PEOPLE
Many people avoid travelling after a grand celebration around New Year’s. Popular tourist spots also wait for people to get back.
Plus, the fear of catching the virus is still very much there, and not many are ready to go all out.
On top of that, you have fewer holidays in your account during the initial months of the year. If you are in a similar situation, choose a short, weekend trip and do not miss the festival long weekends.
5. IT'S TIME FOR AN INTERNATIONAL TRIP
Ok, so now that international travel seems to be looking up (but do avoid Russia and Ukraine), you should not miss out on planning for a quick foreign trip. Regular scheduled commercial international flights do remain a problem, however, given that they have been suspended since March 2020.
Luckily, many countries have air bubble arrangements with India. These include Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and Seychelles. So, even if the commercial flights don't resume, you can visit these destinations under the air bubble arrangement.
We know, trip pe chalte hai yaar is exactly what you are texting some right now.
Me and my boys cancelling goa plans every yearMeanwhile goa: pic.twitter.com/GNwFa6UEW2
— Vaibhav (@wtf_vaibhav) February 9, 2021