An honest conversation about traveling in Europe right now

7/5/2021

Nervous about traveling in Europe right now? Let's have an honest conversation.

Caron, one of our founders, traveled Italy from north to south in June. Why? For several reasons to include meeting with old and new partners, but mostly for YOU, our valued clients! She checked the quality of the services and hotels, the mood, and the overall feel of traveling abroad right now. She experienced what travel is like in this era, to include mask-wearing, restrictions, testing requirements, etc. Here's what we know and here's what she discovered:

Scroll down to the topic that most interests you. We cover:

What about the great travel deals I'm seeing now?
Which countries are open?
What will travel feel like?
What are the mask requirements?
What kind of COVID testing is required?
What about the COVID Delta variant?
NOW is the time to enjoy uncrowded Europe!

What about the great travel deals I'm seeing now?

There are some great travel deals to be had right now. But to be honest, the tourism and hospitality sectors in Europe are trying to recover after a year of devastating loss, and there are not a lot of discounted services out there.

So why are you seeing such unbelievable deals being advertised? Some big companies can absorb a loss or miniscule profit in order to entice you back. Often their itineraries include very little, and you will be sold additional services while traveling. Other companies are putting you in hotels far away from where you want to be, or cutting corners in other ways.

Soirée works with you to create a trip you'll love. We aren't the right fit for true budget travelers, but we do price our travel with integrity and respect. We design high quality trips without astronomical pricing. No surprises. No bait and switch. It's that simple

And if a customized itinerary or one of our Encore Scheduled Journeys is not quite right for you, we can read between the lines to find a cruise or tour that is. Usually at no extra cost to you.

Which countries are open?

We get it; it's confusing! The good news is that more and more countries around the globe are opening to vaccinated or COVID-tested travelers. Not sure your preferred destination is open and to what extent? We are here to help you figure it out. But you can also check these resources to learn more:

IATA (International Air Transport Association) tool
US State Department website (search the requirements for any country)
Each country's embassy website
Your airline will also guide you through the requirements before you fly

What will travel feel like?

While a few shops or restaurants might remain closed, you will hardly notice! Museums, bars, restaurants, cafes, beaches, hotels, gyms, salons, spas, etc. are open.

This is the perfect time to enjoy an uncrowded Europe!

What are the mask requirements?

Mask requirements vary, but in Europe, basically:

Masks are required in airports, on airplanes, and on other public transportation
Masks are not required when eating in airports, while eating on your flight or train, or when dining indoors or outside at restaurants and cafes
Paper masks (medical) are sufficient and can be substantially cooler and more comfortable. Airplanes are kept cooler, and so the lightweight medical masks do not feel particularly uncomfortable
Masks are not required outside in Italy at the time of this writing, and in many other destinations
Masks are usually required in indoor public spaces like hotel lobbies, shops and museums
No one likes masks, of course, and mask requirements are being reevaluated and lifted whenever possible

What kind of COVID testing is required?

Check the links listed above for up-to-date requirements per country. Additionally, your airline will communicate requirements to you in advance of your travel. But note that:

Italy and many other European countries require only proof of vaccination (or a COVID test for unvaccinated travelers) in order to avoid quarantine
The USA's CDC (not your airline) currently requires a negative COVID test taken within 3 days of your return to the USA. The results must be in English and presented upon check in at the airport. Many hotels can assist you with finding testing centers that will help you fulfill this requirement. At Soirée, we will also assist in helping you find a workable solution.

What about the Delta variant?

We won't pretend to be virologists, but we do our research using reliable sources. A lot of trustworthy & valuable information is provided both inside and outside the travel industry. Currently, the CDC says that the Delta variant, which is spreading quickly in the UK, Europe, and has become the dominant strain in the USA, is more contagious and more deadly for UNvaccinated people than the initial Alpha strain. Vaccinated populations are well-protected against the Delta variant, however. Though it is unlikely, should they contract the Delta variant, vaccinated people can expect to experience only a mild case of COVID.

If you have concerns, please consult with your physician before purchasing or planning travel abroad.

Note:
If you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, it is very unlikely you will contract the virus while traveling
Wearing a mask in crowded, public settings is always advisable
If you have concerns, please consult with your physician before purchasing or planning travel
As always, we strongly urge trip insurance for any travel plans