The Clash had a hit years ago with “Should I Stay or Should I Go?” Many families, including our own, confronted this question as we considered traveling outside the US for the first time since the pandemic began. I am a risk manager by profession. Wealthy families pay me to assess risk and offer strategies for achieving goals while minimizing risk. Just as every investment involves risk, not investing also incurs risk. Without enough growth, we can fall short of important goals. After planning our trip to Italy, we waivered on whether or not to go as Covid variants spread. We were vaccinated, but we did not want to take unreasonable risk. Large tour groups and cruises are still mostly absent now in Italy, but these require 6-12 months of complex logistics planning. Our group of four was more nimble. As our trip departure date arrived, we decided to go.
My family’s two week trip to Italy was our first. Our expectations were high, but we expected to encounter Covid-related difficulties. We wore masks when required and maintained social distance when possible. We were fortunate to hire wonderful guides in Florence, Siena and Rome to explain what makes these distinct regions so unique. We watched a silent moon rise over the Ligurian Sea in Monterosso. We heard the countless church bells of Assisi ring out over the valley. We experienced historically modest crowds in Venice and in St. Peter’s Bascilica. Everywhere we went, people expressed gratitude that we were there. We were glad to show our proof of vaccination before entering museums or restaurants. We all agreed that with the nearly uniform observation of safety protocols, we felt safer in Italy than we have in parts of the US.
We will, in all likelihood, never have a more impactful visit to Italy than this trip. Had we postponed our trip to a future year, I do not think our welcome from our hosts would have been as apparent. I know the economic impact was vitally appreciated by our guides, shop-owners and hotel owners. When we return, and we definitely will, masks will hopefully be a distant memory, except of course during Carnival. In every town we visited, we saw monuments, chapels, and fountains dedicated to each town’s survival of the Black Plague in the 1300’s. The echoes through to today’s pandemic were almost audible. Each family has unique health and experience circumstances that make the decision of whether or not to travel now their own. No absolute right or wrong answer exists. We are profoundly grateful to have experienced Italy as she awakened, and for our small part in nudging her from her slumber.
With gratitude and humility,
Mike and Donna Stryker