Travel blahs...

I do not find it dumb to feel sad. I certainly would!

Wanderlust29, you said

no one else looks forward to this like me.

Ummm, have you not been paying attention here? :-) We all are lusting after our upcoming trips, and go into deep mourning if something happens to spoil our plans.

You're among friends here; feel free to pour your heart out, and know you're not alone.

No it’s not dumb to feel sad. You spent a lot of time planning and dreaming of your trip. You’re disappointed you can’t go. But you did the right thing for you and your family. I hope every.thing gets back to (a new) normal soon and you will be able to travel again.

And isn't the planning part half the fun? Reading the hotel and restaurant reviews, looking at all the pictures of the hotels on Trip Advisor, strategizing which seats on the plane are best, which train to take when, Walks of Italy vs. Roman Guy, what's our hotel pool bar really like, etc. etc........

To have it suddenly evaporate, AND lose money too due to a global pandemic.......!?

You are definitely not alone.

Exactly why I posted. No one around me gets it. They all think Im spoiled or something, but I find amazing deals. I found this trip for $1200 for 4 for airfare.... I am a budget traveler. Its part of the game for me.

No I get it. I’m the planner here as well. One year spent on a trip to Italy for 4. All booked including a RS tour, food tours, trips to Bologna and Parma, dinner reservations. Now all pretty much for naught. So bummed, like beyond Prozac...

As the days tick by, my May trip (1st RS tour!) is seeming more fragile. I've stopped booking the non-refundable activities on my todo list. The only thing keeping me from feeling the same travel blahs is that I also have a fall trip planned to Poland. I can still research (and hope) for that one!

$1200 for 4 for airfare

Wow, that's amazing! Quite a find. Disappointing to have to let that go.

You know, I just thought of something … I had already started my journal for my May trip and 1st RS tour. I've clipped some of the images from the RS tour book showing our tour route and itinerary. And had jotted a few notes about the planning. I think I'll go add an entry ….maybe it will just become a part of the story of what will (now or at a rescheduled date) be a fabulous trip!

I may get credit on my airfare, my kid has a condition and BA said with a doctors note they'd okay that....but I'd need to travel by July 28th...so I may get my Germany trip in the summer...time will tell.

I have NYC in May and Montana in June... hopefully I get to go on those.

I can totally imagine how disappointed you feel. I’m supposed to go to Portugal in September, but I’ve stopped planning for now. I think I will feel worse if I spend a lot of time planning only to have to cancel later. I am hoping that I get to pick up the planning in a couple months.

My company asked everyone who is able to work remotely to work from home for the next 90 days. The goal is to increase social distancing by reducing the number of people in the office. I have two monitors and a dock set up on my dining room table. It is a reminder of how abnormal things are.

I work in a school, so I can't work remotely- at least not currently.

Interestingly enough, I'm a few miles from "The Happiest Place on Earth" and we have no cases yet.

wanderlust, this too shall pass. Your day will come. Chin up.

yup! And I tell myself that- it isn't a once in a lifetime trip. I'm 37. I've been to Europe several times already.

Tomorrow I'll wake up and make myself feel better. But today Ill wallow a bit.

I'm sorry about your trip. You have every right to have the blues. My trip to England isn't until late June but I can't help but worry. I've been in such a funk because everything is so uncertain. I totally get how your feeling. I hope it all works out for you and you can find an even better airfare deal that you can come on the forum and brag about.

No one around me gets it. They all think Im spoiled or something,

You might check the Forum under "Travel Groups" and see if there's a group in your area. The great thing about a travel group is that everyone gets it! Imagine excitedly describing your recent or upcoming trip to people whose eyes don't glaze over.

Kim (Kim from Oklahoma who posts here on the Forum) and I started a travel group in the Tulsa area a few years ago, and it is the high point of my month.

Wanderlust: You aren’t dumb and you are far from alone with having regrets. My wife and I have canceled our trip and we’re likely to lose thousands. We have big regrets— more about the missed trip than the money, and the money loss is damned painful.aa

This virus may subside by spring or it may not. We don't know. We're in a holding pattern for now.

No travel date is a safe bet at the moment.

I know exactly how you feel!!! Last May I began booking and planning our trip to Rome scheduled for the second week in May. We were able to book our flight for four people using our air miles. I found a beautiful three bedroom condo just a couple blocks from the Pantheon for a fabulous price. I've planned all the major sights that we are going to see and what day we are going. A couple weeks ago my husbands company issued a travel ban for all employees but I had hope that maybe it would be lifted before our "last date to cancel the condo" in April. Now it is apparent that we are not going :-( I looked at the condo for next May but the price has doubled. I am very disapointed to say the least but it is what it is. I hope to go next year.

You aren’t alone. I’m sad about the very high possibility of canceling my late April trip to London. I only travel overseas once a year so I generally spend the year obsessing and researching and reading up about the chosen destination.

It sounds like you find amazing deals on your trips, maybe start scheming for the next one? I have found that Starting to plan my 2021 trip helps, I’m thinking fly into Nice and meandering our way to Barcelona. Maybe late March 2021. for me that means learning French and Spanish for fun, so something to focus on during the next few weeks.

Yeah. I keep thinking this would be THE year to visit Keukenhof for the tulips. But since I am still gainfully employed, I am going to resist.

Flights right now even domestically are so crazy low.

I saw flights for july to London from orlando for $1500... if they give me that credit I'll prob book that and hope all is well.

I get it, we had RT to London, home from Dublin for $399 pp. $399!! We had a great deal on our hotels. Our trip isn’t until April 27 but we are in the target group and my husband has “underlying health issues” He wants to cancel but I am holding for a few more weeks. Am I selfish, crazy, stupid? Sad, yes. Thanks for letting me vent with no judgement.

I wouldn't feel dumb BUT very depressed would be more likely. You should feel disappointed but it is not your fault. H......, I feel depressed when we come home. These are unchartered water and there is no correct direction or decision. Just have to ride with it. A year from now we all will be a lot smarter. We have three cruises scheduled within the next 300 days. We are all facing multi-decisions without much guidence.

I understand completely. After the cancellation of flights from Europe and the reality that France will any moment now go to level 3 for COVID-19. I am indeed depressed. Hang in there, we are home and safe. I for one, am practicing my deep breathing and relaxation techniques.

I don’t hear the word “no” very easily. Thus I am agitated and anxious but not doing anything at the moment about my May 2 departure for Romania, returning May 18 from Budapest. A lot can happen in 30 days so I am waiting—some hotels refundable, one isn’t along with a $200 flight from Bucharest to Budapest. I can absorb that. I work in an industry that’s crazy busy in summer and really May is the ideal time for weather and not as crazy at work. Those 2 weeks make up for a lot that’s not in the other 50 weeks, and the next opportunity would be late September. I’m spoiled and I want my damn vacation.

Count me among your sympathizers. We were scheduled to go to France at the end of next month. I haven’t been to Paris in 36 years and have never been to Mt. St. Michel. I know France is most likely off the table. Just waiting for RS to cancel. Not the end of the world, but depressed nonetheless.

My goodness, I'm sure that you ARE sad! It's perfectly OK to be terribly disappointed, and you've found yourself in good company here for feeling so. While our scrapped plans for a potential trip abroad in May was for other reasons - happened before anything was booked - we're not particularly happy either. Meh, a mere bump in the road for us. It's those of you with plans set and tickets/tours purchased or working in businesses which rely on tourism that our hearts are going out to. ☹️

Treat yourself to a little well-deserved TLC today, OK?

You are not alone!! Totally understand the joy of planning and anticipation .... I am gutted to probably have to cancel Scotland next month ... BUT! This too shall pass and we shall once again enjoy the passion of travel .. (me hopes!).

Cheers
Joanne

I also feel sad- I'm scheduled for my first cruise on Norwegian in August to visit Norway, Denmark, Sweden, E. Germany, Russia... hoping by then things will have calmed down and at least it's 100% refundable (credit issued). I just got back from Amsterdam/Belgium/London 3 weeks ago, so feel guilty even complaining, but like many on this forum, travel is my passion. It's nice to have a thread like this where we all understand each other and can commiserate! Like other, it's also killing me to see the slashed prices and not be able to take advantage!!

I am sorry you feel like this and I am sure that on this forum just about everyone is experiencing these emotions or similar because we all love and enjoy the planning, anticipating and traveling that we do. For me, it's all that I do and look forward to :-)

I am in limbo with my travel plans to Turkey and Hungary next month.
I called Turkish Airlines this morning to cancel because the uncertainty of everything was just too stressful, but they
said that there is no restriction to Turkey so I would not be able to cancel without penalties.

I am just waiting for another few weeks to see how things develop as my trip is not until April 20. The Turkish Airlines agent suggested as much.

If I can still go to Turkey I will, and skip Hungary, and if not, I will be relieved to just cancel and plan for next year.
At this stage I am quite happy to cancel everything anyway.
I just don't have the same excitement, joy, motivation and anticipation that I usually have a few weeks before my trip.

wanderlust, I feel you're pain but you will someday retire and be able to travel on your own schedule-after 27 years of teaching, the last 1 1/2 yrs of freedom from the school schedule has been amazing.

We had to cancel a trip to England scheduled for the chaotic days after 9/11. We rebooked for a few months later.. The cost of every single element of the trip was lower, and we were able to stay longer.

Things will get better in 2020.

If I can still go to Turkey I will, and skip Hungary, and if not, I
will be relieved to just cancel and plan for next year. At this stage
I am quite happy to cancel everything anyway. I just don't have the
same excitement, joy, motivation and anticipation that I usually have
a few weeks before my trip.

Nadine, there is no reason to skip Hungary. There is no ban on US citizens going to and returning from a Schengen Area country. There is a ban on aliens entering the US if they have not been out of the Schengen Area for at least 14 days. That is what the proclamation actually says. Do expect some heightened screening when you arrive back in the states. What that means, I have no idea. We should be getting some clues on that this weekend as citizens return.

Thanks, James.
You were so helpful when I was planning my trip to Hungary. I was going by the CDC guidelines which suggests that all nonessential travel to Hungary and a list of other countries be avoided.
I am in wait and see mode :-(

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/warning/coronavirus-Europe

Nadine--I'm in wait and see mode as well--I fly into Romania on May 2, and they are not considered part of Schengen, but Hungary is and I fly home from Budapest May 18. If anything changes where I can't get into/out of Hungary then I will revise my trip to end in Romania and fly home a few days early. Those last 4 days in Budapest are really the highlight of my trip but right now I'm not making any decisions except to wait til mid-April.

Listening to the continual confused bantering of people at work who don't travel and don't understand the ban is making me a bit peevish.

Yup, anything could happen. One of the reasons I am not too worried about buying tickets now is that if the flights get canceled, i can rebook and I am suspecting without cost. The flights later in the year are more expensive by about 50% so its like a pre-purchase plan. But what will happen? Thats anyone's guess. For the record, as of today there are 16 confirmed cases in Hungary. It is rising at the rate of 2 per day. There have been nearly 800 tests administered which isnt bad compared to the rest of the world when you consider how small the population is.

So far I believe 9 are Iranian, 1 is British (traveled from Milan), six are Hungarian (although one of those six is the wife of the Brit). I think a couple of them are in Debrecen, the rest Budapest. Its a fairly right wing society which makes enforcement a little easier. Many of the museums and theaters are closed, but its an outdoor walk the street sort of city, so that's disappointing but not the end of the world.

I understand Christa. I have been to Turkey twice before so I am not so disappointed about not going there again, but this would've been my first and much anticipated trip to Hungary. I have tickets for the Parliament and an evening walking tour etc. already.
And I thank you for answering all the questions I asked you when I was doing the planning. You and James were extremely helpful.
We do have trip planned to Morocco in November so maybe that can provide some salve to the wound unless...

And I think I am just about resigned to whatever happens. I just want to be able to move on.

I think people find it hard to understand that there are folks with a great passion for travel and who do nothing else (me).
Having a trip disrupted is quite a blow, and a big void to try and fill with anything else.
But of course there is so much more at stake than my travel plans so I am not indulging in any self pity.
I am prepared to roll with the punches :-)
Good luck with your trip and seeing your storks on Margaret Island.

Nadine, I bet the walking tour is still going to happen. People have to eat and for that they need a job. What people miss is that some of the locations are very heavily dependent on tourism and even with that barley eeek out an existence. The average income in Hungary is only about 1000 euro a month. If you want a tour, they cant afford not to. BUT, if I am wrong, and if you are there at the same time I am next month, I will give you the tour.

James, I am so prepared to take all the tours possible if I can be there.

I should be in Budapest from April 27 - May 01 - Callas House hotel.
I'll treat you to a coffee ;-)

Many thanks to you and Christa. I feel so much better now that I have talked about it.
And thanks to wanderlust for starting the topic for us to voice our sadness/disappointment (and hope).

Nadine, well if my flights don't get canceled, and I don't get sick between then and now, I arrive a few days before you and I leave a few days after you. So we have a date. I love showing off the city. My place is about a 3 minute walk from your hotel. Never been inside the Callas House (sort of new) but the Cafe is an excellent place that I have visited for years to sit and people watch and listen to the music. You chose well.

And, Nadine, this is the thread for those who still want to try and travel: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/anyone-traveling-to-europe-in-the-next-30-60-90-days#bottom So far the opposition has been respectful of it.

We're all feeling it! We all love to plan, dream, imagine, and obsess over our plans. It's okay to be sad....maybe start planning small things to do in the meantime.

I canceled my trip to Iceland and to California and am so depressed and sad. Iceland is a place I have wanted to visit for years and have dreamed of seeing the northern lights and riding those beautiful horses since I was a child. Being able to see my dad again and have my daughter see her grandpa was the icing on the vacation. Now, nothing and all I can look forward to are more tour cancellations which only increases my depression. We have worked so very hard the past 12 years to create and build this tour company and now, it looks like it was all for nothing. Husband keeps catching me crying in the kitchen, cause I am so overwhelmed with sadness.

Jo, I’m sorry you are dealing with both at the same time. This is such a difficult time and to have to deal with both is hard. My husband is a mechanic and has been coming home early every day because clients keep canceling. His shop is very small and they are doing their best to stay open but we know there is a point they will have to close. And our family and friends are facing similar situations.

The one thing I remind myself is that after this is over—we don’t yet know when but it will end— people are going to be more determined to get out and live. Scary moments like this remind us life is precious and will spur many to get out and follow their dreams when this is over. They will travel and sign up for those tours they missed. And get those repairs they put off. And go out to eat. And buy something other than toilet paper.

I’ve been wanting to go to Europe for a decade but only really started my 3 week trip last December. I’m just really angry about the whole situation. These open air live animal markets need to cease to exist. This keeps happening over and over again. So I’m very bitter.

It took me months to put together the perfect 22 nights. I would spend weekends at a popular book store going through ALL the travel guides. Meticulously sorting thru all the info. I just feel like I wasted so much time and effort for a trip that isn’t going to happen.

We have a RS tour (Best of England) scheduled for September 2020, with time before the tour in Liverpool and extra time in London afterward. As of now, we are still planning to go. I trust the Rick Steves organization to do the right thing if things get worse.

We are very lucky in that we have been able to go to Europe in each of the last five years.

"I just feel like I wasted so much time and effort for a trip that isn’t going to happen."

Deep breath and time to reframe. NO research time is wasted. It will ALWAYS come in handy down the line. Plus if you are like many of us the time spent planning just adds to the enjoyment. Yes, huge disappointment over a cancelled trip but I suspect you learned so much while you were working on your plan!

Jo...so sorry about your business. My heart goes out to all the smaller operators in the tourist industry. So very difficult.

Mrs. Jo, I just want to thank you for all the help you've given us all as we planned our xmas trips. I relied on your expertise for our trip last Nov/Dec., and loved your home city of Stuttgart. You have sent this community so much positive energy.
I am also in the process of canceling our upcoming trip to Italy April 13; will cancel hotels today, and am waiting for British Air to cancel our flights.
If you will send me a PM, with your contacts, I will do everything in my power to access your travel company in a future trip. It's only a small gesture, but we here on this Forum have so much appreciated your positive energies.
I hope all of us find peace during this [expected] very long period of uncertainty and rudderless leadership.
Safe- and healthy- future travels.

Dear Jo — I am so sorry for the stress this is causing about the possible loss of your business. I can’t imagine how devastating this must feel. Thinking of you and your husband and hoping hoping hoping you will make it through somehow.

If there is anything we here can do, please let us know.

Ms. Jo, I think Kim and Pat speak for all of us. We're so sorry for your troubles.

Ms, Jo,
Kim and Pat and Jane have expressed my feelings better than I could. Please PM me your contact information to use on a future trip.