europe

Tag Archives for europe.

European Union Expected To Recommend Restrictions On Many American Travelers On Monday

by Gary Leff on August 27, 2021

Aug 27 2021

The European Union has begun the process to re-impose restrictions (quarantine, testing) for unvaccinated Americans. The U.S. will be removed from a list of countries whose citizens are allowed to travel freely in Europe without Covid restrictions.

A key consideration for whether and when countries re-impose restrictions is the extent to which their economies rely on tourism. It’s no coincidence that Greece, France, and Spain were among the first Schengen countries to announce they’d welcome Americans before Europe had taken broader action.

Americans Will Soon Need An $8 Visa For Travel To Europe

by Gary Leff on August 8, 2021

Aug 08 2021

Starting sometime next year Schengen Europe will make Americans get an ‘ETIAS’ (“European Travel Information and Authorization System”) which is $7 electronic travel permission. Americans will apply online in advance and pay 7 euros, and this permission will be valid for 3 years.

Americans May Be Banned From Travel To Europe Again, Announcing Expected This Week

by Gary Leff on August 8, 2021

Aug 08 2021

The EU is expected to recommend against allowing American visitors, however each country still sets its own entry rules. As a result nothing may change, there could be come changes in rules leading to greater inconsistency, or several countries could ban American travelers.

More Than 50% Off Delta Coach Awards To Europe: Just 34,000 Miles ROUNDTRIP

by Gary Leff on August 6, 2021

Aug 06 2021

Delta is running a sale on coach award tickets to Europe starting at 34,000 miles roundtrip. They haven’t announced the sale, which isn’t surprising since at Delta whatever price they quote you in the moment is the price. Sometimes coach saver awards to Europe are 70,000 miles roundtrip, though I often see them for over 50% above that. SkyMiles is usually a dumpster fire for redeeming points.

We don’t know how long this sale will last, so if you want cheap coach awards to Europe book this now. It’s fully refundable without cost.

Luxury Short Haul Travel: Singapore Airlines Starts Offering Flights Within Europe

by Gary Leff on June 23, 2021

Jun 23 2021

By the end of next month Singapore Airlines will have restored service to all of the European destinations it plans to fly to. The Singapore flag carrier will serve 15 destinations, not planning to return to Stockholm or Dusseldorf and cancelling planned service to Brussels.

It’s adding a new flight, though, starting to serve travelers within Europe. The carrier will fly Singapore to Copenhagen, and then Copenhagen to Rome.

Europe Adds U.S. To ‘Safe’ List Allowing Americans To Visit. That Could Change Every 2 Weeks

by Gary Leff on June 16, 2021

Jun 16 2021

The European Union is recommending that borders be open to Americans, and to residents of several other countries, based on reduction in Covid-19 prevalence in these places. This is separate from the plan to re-open to vaccinated Americans, who – once this change is implemented in the next few days – will be able to visit and move within Schengen zone countries without quarantine. These guidelines – which also now apply to visitors from Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia, Lebanon, Taiwan, Macau and Hong Kong – would allow tourists with a negative Covid-19 test regardless of vaccination status. The ban on Americans will be lifted Europe-wide and it’s certainly time to lift restrictions for traveling to the U.S. as well. The U.S. 14 day moving average of cases per 100,000 has moved below 75 and so…

European Union Has Agreed To Open Borders To Vaccinated Travelers

by Gary Leff on May 19, 2021

May 19 2021

Greece is already open to Americans. France says it is opening June 9. Spain has said it is opening. Now the European Union has come to an agreement to accept vaccinated visitors this summer, and this is expectted to be passed by member states. The specific re-opening date when Americans will be able to enter without a Covid-19 test or quarantine remains to be set, as countries determine how they plan to verify vaccination.

With Europe And Beyond Starting To Open This Summer, Where Should You Go?

by Gary Leff on April 30, 2021

Apr 30 2021

Iceland and Greece are open. France says they’ll open this summer, and this was backed up by the European Union. Spain says they’re testing things in May and expect to welcome the world starting in June.

So where should you go, how should you book, and what should you expect?

Breaking: Europe Will Re-Open To Vaccinated Americans This Summer

by Gary Leff on April 25, 2021

Apr 25 2021

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Sunday that because the U.S. is using vaccines that are approved by the European Medicines Agency, the European Union will accept proof of vaccination to allow Americans to visit this summer, “because one thing is clear: All 27 member states will accept, unconditionally, all those who are vaccinated with vaccines that are approved by E.M.A.”

U.S. Prepares To Drop European Travel Ban (In Order To Troll Joe Biden On China)

by Gary Leff on November 27, 2020

Nov 27 2020

It’s rather odd timing – when some health systems in the U.S. are being overloaded, and the virus is spreading widely in Europe – but the Trump administration is considering lifting the ban on arrivals from Europe and Brazil. They are not, apparently, considering lifting the ban on arrivals from China which has largely had its Covid-19 outbreak under control for more than half a year.

It would appear that the administration is looking to make this change before the handover of power, so that the story about any future relaxation of restrictions is specifically focused on China – rather than allowing a Biden administration to lift all restrictions at once, making the story about travel restrictions broadly.