One has to work hard to have fun while traveling due to stress caused by the Covid pandemic. Preparation now includes having a back-up plan, making sure you have refundable hotels and airfare, and having properly done your research. The rules and regulations are constantly changing.

I was about to venture on an all inclusive bicycle trip through the Loire Valley in France and was constantly wondering whether the French Government would let me in. We were no longer a “green” country…we were rapidly descending due to the increase of the Delta variant.

I started to look for back-up plans as I already had a dogsitter. As I discovered during the first lock-down it was better for your outfitter and airline to cancel than it was for you to do it. That way you were assured of a refund or credit. Thankfully it all worked out! I packed two masks for each day and made sure I had my vaccine card with me. A note of advice: the do-it-yourself test does work but internet speed might not be up to the task!