Thursday, June 25, 2020 | We’re all getting restless. No matter where you are, you're probably more cooped up than you used to be, and family togetherness long ago passed the point of unexpected bliss. So it’s time for a break, and since we'll all go nuts if we stay put until Dr. Fauci says it’s OK to enjoy a traditional holiday, here's OZY's guide to socially distant vacationing. |
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| | 1. The Rise of the RV Staying at a random motel suddenly seems riskier than ever. That might be why, even amid a recession when overall spending is down, sales of RVs have begun to soar. Camping World Inc., the recreational vehicle maker, has seen its stock rise 500% from an April low, as 46 million Americans say they plan to take an RV trip within the next year, according to an industry trade group. Others in the space are seeing similar success. | |
| 2. Tricked-Out Camper The startup world senses an opportunity, naturally. Check out Cabana, a company that serves up luxe RVs with all the amenities of hotels — at hotel prices ($200/night). Tentr, HipCamp, RVShare and Airbnb are jumping in as well. |
| 3. Dating on the Road Finding companionship on the road isn’t easy. Now, as the number of Americans living in RVs is growing rapidly, an industry is emerging to help them find love. Growing sites and platforms help RVers make matches and schedule dates. |
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| | | We declare it: Cariumas are the shoes of this summer. The bright colors of these sustainable, stylish and crazy comfortable sneakers will bring the summer wherever you are.
Better yet, for a limited time, OZY readers get $15 off these premium kicks. Order now with code OZY-15 before they sell out again! |
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| | | 1. Don’t Go Anywhere The lowest risk? Not leaving home at all (a particularly good option if you’re high-risk or immunocompromised). But staycations don’t have to be dull. Here are some virtual tasting experiences from wineries. And check out these pro tips on how to make your backyard into a vacation destination. A pool might be out of your price range, but giant Jenga is always a hit. |
| 2. Do Your Homework If you are planning a trip, be sure to research how widespread the virus is in your target area, what the trends are, and what local regulations are around businesses and individuals. Johns Hopkins has a great tracker to get you started. |
| 3. Mask? Check. Sanitizer? Check. Play it safe! Bring protective equipment along just like you do when getting groceries. Wear a mask — seriously, wear a flippin’ mask — and bring ample hand sanitizer. Make bleach wipes your new best friends, using them to wipe down surfaces. You may even want to bring your own cleaning supplies to do an extra pass in high-traffic areas if staying in a hotel or rental home. |
| 4. Keep Activities Low-Risk Go to the source for the most up-to-date guidelines at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But the biggest key here is other people: How close will you be to others, and what duration of time will you spend with them? If you’re indoors, the risk spikes. In short: kayaking in, clubbin’ out. Or maybe just take a bike trip. |
| 5. BYOE (Everything) Packing your own food can limit stops as you drive. Packing your own linens and pillow can limit interaction with pathogens — and at the very least improve your peace of mind — once you get there.
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| | | | 2. Airlines Compete on Disinfectant For those who are jumping onto planes — domestically, that is — airlines are letting you know they’re doing everything they can. A recent Delta Air Lines commercial includes no testimonials from happy passengers, and no smiling staff. Instead, Bill Lentsch, the company’s chief customer experience officer, walks viewers through aircraft cleaning procedures, while a worker with a fogging machine sprays powerful disinfectant throughout the cabin. |
| | 3. Sunny Days Ahead This is a movement, not a moment, so get the hat that’s perfect for the long days of summer and the bright days ahead. Best of all, 100% of profits from this, and all Reset America gear, go to the racial justice organization of your choice. Get it now in the OZY Store. |
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| | 1. Forage Your Food Sweden has had one of the world’s most laissez-faire attitudes toward the coronavirus, which has resulted in a far higher death rate than its neighbors — though not yet a U.K.- or Belgium-sized catastrophe. If you live in the EU, a trip to Sweden is on the table. But if you don’t want to interact with too many natives, here’s how you can dine in the Swedish wilderness. |
| | 2. The Creepiest Hotel Road Trip If the thought of staying in a hotel freaks you out at the moment, this trip through Nevada — one of the few states telling tourists to bring it on right now — is enough to scare the bejesus out of you.
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| 3. Bare Minimum What’s a great way to keep people six feet away from you? Go nude. Turns out, a great place for that is Ireland. It’s technically illegal, but so is entering Ireland from abroad right now, so …
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