Preparing for travel to Italy — COVID testing plus typical travel hassles
May 2022 is here. It seems like forever since May 2020, when I reserved the house of anyone’s dreams in Tuscany between Penza and Montepulciano. Planning my travel to Italy, I spent weeks looking at houses because I was so depressed being “in lockdown.” I never guessed I’d be grounded in the US for so long.
This trip was to make up for all of the travel I haven’t done because of COVID, plus family milestones such as anniversaries, significant birthdays, and graduations. There have been changes that weren’t anticipated, but life moves on, and we have a lot to celebrate.
Waiting two years seems like an eternity. I can’t believe it’s almost time to leave in other ways.
I have a neighbor who asks me every time our paths cross if I am excited and whether or not I am packed. Packed? Are you kidding? I do that the day before departure. Excited? Oh, come on. I am never enthusiastic until I am on the plane after take-off.
After all, I am such a travel pro that I don’t put out clothes a month in advance. I used to not even make lists. I am the epitome of relaxed — or so I used to be. Those days appear to be over because, like other frequent flyers, I am simply out of practice. I will have to think about assembling all of the required paperwork, and of course, there’s even more because of COVID.
My always packed suitcase is no longer ready. Realistically, COVID is still part of my planning.
I realize it will need to include items I’ve never included before. I’ve always taken a thermometer but it didn’t occur to me to take an oximeter or COVID tests until now. The threat of COVID is genuine. There’s talk of the US government removing the necessity of having a negative COVID test to return to the US. Will it be in time for our return? Lord knows the travel industry is lobbying the CDC to drop the testing because of its impact on international tourism.
I keep hearing stories of friends who are “stuck” abroad. Despite feeling perfectly fine, they continue testing positive. As wonderful as this might sound – and let’s face it, it depends on where you are stuck — and if you can afford to be away from home, it is an expensive inconvenience any way you slice it.
Our family is fully vaccinated and boosted. However, I write this as my eldest granddaughter is spending the last ten days of her college semester in quarantine. What if we test positive and won’t be able to come back to the US? If I were to test positive, I’d prefer to be positive at home.
I’ve read more than my share of “stuck in Europe” articles. Should I postpone?
One friend, who’s off to Paris this week and continuing onto London, has made alternative travel plans. Ann has 
been sending a group of us enough “stuck in Europe” articles that if our trip were not a go, I’d consider postponing it until COVID is a thing of the past. But, realistically, COVID will undoubtedly be hanging on longer than I have travel years. It’s just reality.
Ann scoured the Internet for insurance policies that would cover her if she and her husband test positive and cannot return home. Since she could not find anything, she booked ten days in a less expensive London hotel than the five-star one where they are staying. It’s one of those very British hotels where the room service menu would make even the wealthiest person shudder.
Ann calls it self-insurance. She wants to be sure they’d have a place to stay and cancel the reservation when the CDC declares she and her husband are good to go. I feel more optimistic and will not deal with that reality unless I have to.
Perhaps it is time to start making lists.
I am thinking about clothes for the city and the countryside. How many pairs of walking shoes are essential? Are dressy clothes needed, or will scarves and costume jewelry suffice? And what if it rains? Our rental house has a pool — I have to remember to bring sunblock 50.
Oh, and yes, pills. Since my last trip, I have amassed a few more. I’ll take a usual pharmacy to combat GI problems, colds and coughs, and remedies for scratches and sore muscles. European pharmacies are generally excellent, and for the most part, pharmacists speak English.
But, it’s essential to take a written list of all medications and prescriptions for customs and a pharmacist. In addition, being sure your travel/health insurance policy is current is essential. Be certain that your emergency contact(s) is reachable if there is an emergency.
I almost forgot electronics. I know there will be a fight over chargers traveling with two teenage girls, and I will unearth converters amassed from my years in Paris. Oh yes — and I just signed up for a VPN (a virtual private network) for my computer and cell phone. It should mean added Internet security and easy access to sites (e.g., my brokerage account).
And I need to alert credit card companies that I will be abroad. Supposedly, it’s unnecessary, but I am convinced it helps avoid some security checks. WAIT — NEWS! American Express and Visa no longer require you to alert them of foreign travel, since their credit cards now “know.”
What have I forgotten?
I haven’t reserved many sights to see and places to eat in Rome. I haven’t even familiarized myself with the transportation system and am feeling remiss. When people ask me what I plan to do, I reply “SIT” and feel guilty. I am not planning to go to the Vatican, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, or St. Peter’s Basilica. I’ve been there before and know that those must-sees haven’t changed.
The apartment we’ve rented is around the corner from the Spanish Steps. We will walk and take the ON and OFF bus for our main sightseeing. I want to feel the OLD STONES and sit in cafes. And then there’s the wine and people watching. Perhaps I’ll even write a little!
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Photo Credits
Via Condotti Shopping Street courtesy Wikipedia
Cafe photo by Gabriella Clare Marino on Unsplash
Karen Fawcett loves to travel anywhere. Karen was a founder & president BonjourParis.com while living in Paris for more than 25 years. She has traveled across Europe and the rest of the world. She is now based in Washington, DC.
