{"id":19456,"date":"2020-03-02T15:31:19","date_gmt":"2020-03-02T23:31:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dailyovation.com\/?p=19456"},"modified":"2020-03-02T20:29:52","modified_gmt":"2020-03-03T04:29:52","slug":"traveling-overseas-coronavirus-outbreak-caroline-oconnell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailyovation.com\/2020\/03\/02\/traveling-overseas-coronavirus-outbreak-caroline-oconnell\/","title":{"rendered":"Traveling Overseas during the Coronavirus Outbreak"},"content":{"rendered":"
Ponte Vecchio bridge in Florence, \u00a9Photo by Caroline O’Connell<\/em><\/h6>\n

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Europe is a popular destination for Americans, especially before the crowds hit in hot summer months. It’s practically a rite of passage each spring. Like many, I had a trip to Italy planned and booked — a two-week stay in a farmhouse in Tuscany in May. It’s not an “essential” trip. I wanted to do research for my next writing project, and, of course, (to paraphrase from Sabrina<\/em>), “Tuscany is always a good idea.”<\/p>\n

Sadly, the new Coronavirus is spreading and has hit many countries, including the region north of Tuscany, causing quarantines and other disruptions. So, what do travelers do? In years past, when others were canceling trips overseas due to scary headlines, I would take advantage of the bargain basement prices for flights and hotels and grab the opportunity to enjoy Paris or Rome at half the cost.<\/p>\n

The new wrinkle, in addition to the slim possibility of getting very sick, is that there is a greater likelihood you could get caught up in a quarantine situation. Not much fun. And, in some Italian cities officials are closing museums and sights in an abundance of caution.<\/p>\n

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Tuscany vineyard, \u00a9Photo by Caroline O’Connell<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How to Handle Your Travel Reservations<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Hotels<\/strong> \u2013 I always book hotels that I can cancel, at NO cost, at least a week or two before arrival, in case my plans change. The Tuscan farmhouse has a 30-day cancellation, so I can make my final decision by mid-April (a month before I was due to arrive).<\/p>\n

Flights<\/strong> \u2013 I bought my Air France ticket through Delta (they’re partners). The ticket is paid for, but there is a $300 change fee, so I can forfeit that and reschedule the flight for later this year or even next spring, whenever I feel the situation is under control. Also, many U.S. airlines are waiving the change fee through April flights at this point, and that could get extended to May and beyond.<\/p>\n

Travel Insurance<\/strong>\u2013 I didn’t get travel interruption insurance for this trip and am reading that most policies are not covering the Coronavirus outbreak in any event. So, if you are thinking about getting insurance in the future, read the fine print to make sure it covers you properly.<\/p>\n

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