TRAVEL SPECIAL
For all of us, 2020 has been a strange year; an unseen foe in the form of a virus most of us hadn’t heard of less than a year ago has changed life as we know it. Even now, as this issue goes to press, things are moving; rules we became used to in lockdown are being gradually eased, creating an ever-changing ‘new normal’.
So much of what we knew ‘before’ has changed, too: being able to spend time with loved ones; go wherever we want, whenever we want; and, of course, go on holiday. Unfortunately, many of us have had to cancel trips this year, which has no doubt added to the already difficult time lots of us have experienced.
But, while we are not ‘out of the woods’, there’s a new feeling in the air. One of hope. One of being able to sense that things are starting to get back to normal, or at least closer to the freedoms we have so missed.
It may feel strange to you that we are choosing this moment to bring you a travel special, but we think now is the right time to start planning for future adventures. This is partly because we know how much your holidays mean to you (whenever we speak to some of you during our reader research, you always tell us how you enjoy packing up and getting away from it all) and partly because in uncertain times, such as the ones we’re living in, there’s nothing quite like looking ahead to the future to make the present that little bit more bearable.
While travel has been off the cards for much of this year, things are changing and it is now possible. However, that has brought more uncertainty, as holidays to many destinations have been thrown into turmoil as the government changes travel restrictions and the ‘quarantine list’ is updated on what feels like an almost never-ending basis.
This is where our Travel Special comes in. It has what you would expect; inspirational destinations far afield and closer to home (giving you the chance to play armchair traveller and plan your next adventure for when the current situation comes to an end). But what these 13 pages also offer is practical information on how we think we’ll be travelling when we’re able to. As we all feel a bit unsure at the moment, now is a time for reassurance as well as inspiration.
So, have a look through the pages that follow and let your mind wander, because it won’t be too long before you can do the wandering for real yourself. Enjoy!