Travel looks very different this year — here's how 8 different people on our team are planning a summer vacation

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• The novel coronavirus continues to hit the US with record force, and as a result, many are still sheltering in place and social distancing.
• But with summer in full swing, cabin fever is setting in, and some Americans are choosing to travel, albeit with key modifications.
• International trips and large resorts are traded for private home rentals, road trips, and camping to limit interactions with others, stay closer to home, and help ensure health and safety.
• For inspiration on what that looks like, the Insider Reviews team shared how they're approaching and booking travel this summer.

If you asked me a few months ago where I'd travel this summer, I would have answered easily: Greece, to reschedule my spring trip that was canceled due to the pandemic. Or, as a domestic back up, I was ready to compromise on Hawaii. Big of me, right?

Now, of course, I see the naivety — and hopefulness — in thinking normalcy would return so soon.

Sadly, the novel coronavirus continues to hit the US with record force. As a result, I, along with many others, have spent months sheltering in place, practicing social distancing, and wondering if it will be safe to travel this summer, or anytime soon.

But with summer in full swing, even the most vigilant are feeling the effects of cabin fever. Many are choosing to travel locally where infection rates are slowing, with key modifications in place to foster health and safety.

For example, I may cover travel for a living, but I'm not yet comfortable entering an airport or booking a crowded resort. Instead, I plan to drive to Cape Cod and stay in a cottage with a private entrance that closely follows COVID policies.

And I'm not alone. My colleagues at Insider Reviews are also considering safer vacation alternatives to traditional travel during COVID, from navigating road trips to trading hotels for campsites. These might not be the places we originally planned to visit, but we've discovered a few gems on the way, and there's no compromise on quality.

However, it's important to remember that what feels comfortable to one of us might not be right for you. It's crucial to assess your own risk and understand that without a vaccine, it's impossible to guarantee safety. Also, consider whether you're leaving or traveling to a hotspot, so as not to contribute to infection spikes. And follow guidelines from the CDC and WHO such as wearing a mask, washing your hands, and social distancing, no matter where you go.

Still, it's summer, and that conjures images of precious PTO reserved for sunkissed vacations and sacred time with loved ones exploring new places or returning to nostalgic favorites.