As lockdowns begin to ease, it’s tempting to book those trips you’ve been daydreaming about over the past few months. However, it’s important to remember that the pandemic is far from over. It would be wise to travel closer to home this summer; to take advantage of open borders between neighbouring countries, to visit places accessible by road or rail, or to explore more of your own country. 

If you can, the most obvious choice for a summer getaway would be a trip within the country where you live. Of course, we all dream of discovering new places that offer something different to where we live but take a step back and think of the far-flung reaches of your own country. Are there areas that you have never visited, places that have always tempted you? In previous years, it has been all too easy to put off exploring destinations closer to home with the choice of flying anywhere in the world. Use this time of limited travel to explore the place where you live, focusing on rural and coastal locations to abide by social distancing rules while discovering someplace new.

Many of us won’t feel comfortable flying for some time, making a slow-paced road trip the best way to travel this summer. If you’re behind the wheel of your own car or van, you have the freedom of the open road in front of you. You don’t have to worry about keeping your distance from other passengers or the cleanliness of your vehicle – you can just sit back and admire the scenery as your drive towards your destination. If you’re worried about accommodation, opt for small boutique hotels that will have less guests, or take a tent and camp along your journey. Focus your journey on discovering places close to home, or if you live near an open border, drive across it to explore nearby countries that are easy to reach.

In Europe, many countries are tentatively opening their borders to other EU nations over the next few months. There are so many beautiful locations right on our doorstep that we can easily reach by road or rail. You don’t need to board a long-haul flight to discover empty beaches, wildflower meadows and tranquil villages. Look at a map and draw a circle around your hometown, capturing the destinations within a short drive from your front door. How many places within this circle have you never before visited? Now is the time.

Keep your eye on the social media feeds of boutique hotels and guesthouses that you admire that are located close by, waiting for news of them opening their doors. Rather than focusing on where you go, consider the attention to detail, and spend the money you will save on flights on booking a few nights in luxury accommodation. Take a staycation in your own city or close by, enjoying a tranquil stay in a hotel you have always dreamed of visiting. Savour the carefully considered interiors, admire the view from your window and order room service rather than dining out.

This is the summer for driving to a rustic cabin in a forest, staying in a boutique hotel close to a remote beach, or settling into a quiet guesthouse in the countryside. It’s the perfect opportunity to slow down your pace of travel and enjoy a relaxing break; swimming in the sea, reading books under the shade of a tree and taking walks along cliffs or through fields. Bustling urban centres, fancy restaurants and inspiring galleries can wait until the pandemic fades away. Now is the time to return to the true meaning of taking a holiday and enjoy a break from reality. It doesn’t matter if you don’t travel far – focus on the experience, not the destination.