7 tips from travel writers on how to plan safe vacations during a pandemic

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• Most travel in 2020 has been upended by the novel coronavirus pandemic.
• As states reopened, travelers cautiously weighed options and altered plans and behavior to resume travel, but safely.
• This includes travel writers, who are sharing personal tips and advice below based on their experiences this summer.
• If you're considering booking a last-minute getaway, seasonal deal, or discounted package for next year, factor in the following tips and advice.

Despite the sluggish pace of sheltering in place for six months now, Labor Day weekend is days away. Summer came, and in a flash, will be gone again. And while that trend is nothing new, it certainly looked a lot different this year.

Not only did our habits around working, shopping, and eating change, but so did summer travel. Instead of international trips, many stuck close to home for getaways accessible by car. Indeed, rather than attempt my canceled spring trip to Greece, I opted for a long weekend in Cape Cod.

And while summer may be winding down, and the novel coronavirus continues to hit the US with record force, the desire to escape the confines of our home — safely — is seemingly here to stay in one form or another. Just as many embarked on safer summer travel during COVID-19, travelers will likely book last-minute summer deals, socially distant leaf peeping this fall, ski trips for winter, and take advantage of discounted, flexible packages into next year.

But before you rush to hit book, you may want to keep reading to heed timely advice from Insider Reviews travel writers. We're sharing our biggest takeaways based on how we altered our behaviors to safely travel during COVID-19, and what we plan to do differently next time.

Of course, it's crucial to assess your own risk and understand that without a vaccine, it's impossible to guarantee safety. Also, check whether you're leaving from or traveling to a hotspot, so as not to contribute to infection spikes, be aware of local mandates, and follow guidelines from the CDC and WHO such as wearing a mask, washing your hands, and social distancing, no matter where you go.

If you do choose to travel in the weeks and months ahead, consider making some of these modifications, proceed with caution, and remember that this is a fast-evolving situation. Flexible cancelation policies are everything right now.