Because of coronavirus, It’s been over six weeks since I’ve traveled. To most that does not sound like a long time but for me, a lover of wellness travel who does it for both business and pleasure, it seems longer than that. 

There have been many positives from “sheltering in place”

I’ve really enjoyed this long, uninterrupted stretch of time with my husband, Michael, and our dog, Ruby.

I have not missed packing or unpacking.

The rhythm of life has become predictable and peaceful, even amid the COVID-19 tragedy and chaos.

But I’m dreaming of traveling again which has led me to thoughts around “normalcy.” This word means “a state of being normal, usual, or expected. When something returns to a state of normalcy, it is returning to the way that it ought to be.”  We all know that nothing will be usual when we start traveling again.

So for me, a return to travel will be measured by my assessment of what safety looks like (and it’s not a hotel room sprayed with copious amounts of chemicals to sanitize it) combined with advice from professionals and officials whom I respect (such as Dr. Anthony Fauci).  Brands that I’ve trusted before, such as Six Senses and Miraval, top my list for my first hotel stay.  My plan includes visits to nearby places I’ve never been like the new Miraval in Lenox, MA slated to open this July 1st (fingers crossed) and other local properties in NY including Menla Mountain House and Mirbeau in Rhinebeck and Skaneateles.   I’m holding out hope that my planned stay at Six Senses Douro Valley in Portugal will actually happen in late October.

Until then, I choose to be content to dream and plan my future wellness travels and revel in memories of those trips past!