With the pandemic, there is now a travel destination that has become the most practical and exotic. That destination, of course, is just outside your home! After sheltering in place for so long, this location may be a foreign place. Lucky for you, I recently left my humble abode and can tell you what to look forward to and what to look out for if you step outside.

Pros

There’s nice sunlight

One of the best benefits of spending time outside is the sunlight. I noticed it as soon as I stepped out of my door. Sunlight can be warm and refreshing, at least for short periods of time. It’s a great way to feel awake in the morning and to start your day. It can also help you feel refreshed after a long day of online classes.

Just remember that it isn’t always sunny outside. Lucky for me, I went outside while it was sunny with blue skies. If you are thinking of taking a trip outdoors, you should consider checking the weather report first. It would be a shame if you planned a trip only for it to end up being a cloudy day.

It’s easier to hear the birds chirping

Besides the sunlight, there are other benefits to taking a trip outside. One that stood out to me was how much easier it is to hear the birds. Inside your house, you may be able to hear birds chirp and sing, but it’s so much louder and clearer when you step outside your door. If you’re the type of person who enjoys listening to birds sing or identifying birds in the wild by their song call, then I highly recommend you go outside. Even if it isn’t your cup of tea, a clear birdsong is a nice reminder that some nice things in this world haven’t changed.

It provides a change of scenery

There is one special feature of taking a trip outside that has made it the premier travel location. You’ll be able to explore a world completely different from where you’ve been sheltering in place. This is a guarantee. You may be able to see some of what the world has to offer through a window, but once you’re outside, there are so many new things to look at. That made my trip outside feel like I was no longer cooped up, and that is a truly great feeling.

Cons

There’s no temperature control

There are downsides to a trip outside. One of the major downsides is that the temperature isn’t controlled in any way. For example, sunlight is nice for a little bit, but it can quickly become unbearably hot if you stay out for too long. You can hide from the sun in the shade, but if it’s humid, you won’t be able to escape the heat. Sometimes there may be water falling from the sky, or it may be bitterly cold. Again, the best way to handle the threat of unwanted weather is to check what the weather report has to say. Grab a jacket if it’s cold, and don’t spend too much time in the sun if it’s hot. When you’re traveling outside, it’s up to you to keep yourself comfortable.

There’s still a pandemic going on

There’s a reason most people haven’t gone outside for prolonged periods in a while, which hasn’t changed since March: There is a pandemic still happening. Luckily, stepping outside is probably one of the least risky travel options at the moment. Just remember to wear a mask and stay 6 feet apart from people you aren’t sheltering in place with. This may be considered a downside, but we must remember these measures are here for our benefit.

If you’re like me, you enjoy your alone time. Well, the pandemic is a great excuse not to spend time with other people (especially strangers). So enjoy that guilt-free relaxation alone in the year-round best travel destination.

If you feel like you do need to get away, then why not try the world right outside your door? It’s a trip that we at the Clog highly recommend!