As we approach the one year anniversary of the world shutting down, many of us are experiencing a combination of optimism and burnout. There s hope ahead, in the form of expanding vaccine rollout, not to mention warmer spring temperatures. But we ve also been living our new normal for a while: trying to find safe, enjoyable ways to pass our free time, and distract ourselves from the more challenging realities of living through a pandemic.Â
It s not always easy to muster up the energy to do something newâsay, to look up a nearby hike, or maybe, finally, find a local restaurant serving boat noodles just like the ones you loved eating in Bangkok last summer. Whenever our editors have managed to break out of their pandemic routines, thoughâfinding new day trips, meals, museums exhibitions, and moreâit s been a much-needed taste of the excitement travel used to bring us.Â