People probably had lots of vacation plans for 2020, if they started planning back in February. And even then, many had probably held out hope that the pandemic would release its grip on the world and those vacation plans could still happen this year. We've plummeted into August and summer is flying by, but COVID-19 looks to have made itself at home in our lives and in our minds. Travel might be out of the question, but look at all the stories out there of trips outside of one's hometown, outside of their home, that go completely off the rails. Horror stories have proven time and time again that travel is overrated, maybe even dangerous. Need proof? Here are five examples: 
Remember when asshole jellyfish
were the least of our problems?
Castaways by Brian Keene. When people think of vacations, some might think of sandy beaches, ocean waves, picturesque sunsets, and palm trees gently swaying in the breeze. The beach is where many people go to forget their troubles, but the people in Brian Keene’s novel discover worse issues than sunburn on their tropical island excursion. Sure, there's a reality show competition, but there are also the other inhabitants of that island who aren't exactly welcoming to tourists.
Travelers’ Rest by Keith Lee Morris. Not interested in the beach? There's always the open road, seeing every part of this country, from beautiful mesas to majestic forests, but there's the possibility of stopping at a place that wouldn't mind you staying for a spell . . . or forever. Traveler's Rest looks like a welcome break from a long winter's drive, but for the Addison family, the hotel is actually a place where reality breaks way more than the Wi-Fi. Just like some people need working Wi-Fi, some people insist on a working reality.
The Troop by Nick Cutter. Some people don't need a working Wi-Fi and might find themselves renewed by being away from the screens that constantly war for our meager attention spans. Return to nature, enjoy a roaring campfire, sleep under the stars. But anyone who remembers the line about nature being "red with tooth and claw" surely knows that nature isn't always relaxing. In fact, nature can often try to kill you. The stalker of the scout troop in Cutter's Lord of the Flies coated in body horror is no giant monster, but something small enough to get inside you, small enough to gnaw its way into your core. Visit these woods and you'll be hungry for more than just some time away from your iPhone.
FantasticLand by Mike Bockoven. Maybe escaping into nature isn't your thing. Maybe you're searching for something more . . . fantastic. Time to go to a land which promises rides and games and fun galore, a place where "fun in guaranteed." But what happens when the system that makes all the rides, games, and fun run breaks down? A place full of dreams can easily turn into one full of nightmares once the power goes out and the authorities are nowhere to be seen. I mean, the teens that get trapped in FantasticLand make do by forming gangs, battling for supplies, and even getting into some recreational cannibalism. Aren't those turkey legs at Disney World great?
Worst Laid Plans: An Anthology of Vacation Horror by Samantha Kolesnik (editor). If I missed something, it's more than likely covered in this anthology edited by the author of the disturbing debut novel True Crime. Meeting new people you wouldn't otherwise? V. Castro's story suggests that's a bad idea. Still think the beach is a great place to relax? Hailey Piper might suggest anywhere else. Want to learn more about our reptile friends? The story from Malcolm Mills shows one can know too much. The introduction to this collection is written by horror reviewer and blog celebrity Mother Horror, who I'm guessing would suggest you just stay home and read.
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