Europe COVID-19 information
The hills of the Val d’Orcia in Tuscany
As the world begins to open up for international travel, we know you need Europe COVID-19 information. We hope that you will find this page useful. In order to keep this page as up to date as possible, we’ve included much of the information here as links to other websites.
traveling safely to Europe in the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Traveling on Your Own Itinerary, or on a Small Group Trip is the Safest Way to Travel
At Euro Travel Coach, we are committed to your safety, and that of our friends in Europe who help us create amazing, custom, immersive trips that you will remember your entire life. They are guides, hoteliers, drivers, wine-makers, farmers and in-country associates. We are committed to them, and we are committed to YOU. We want everyone to remain safe.
To ensure the safety of our travelers, we continue to monitor developments regarding COVID-19 and its effects on your travel plans by following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization and the U.S. State Department, along with local European Ministries of Health guidelines.
We appreciate your interest in traveling on one of our custom itineraries, or on a small group trip with Euro Travel Coach. Our happy clients continue to be excited about their future trips, even if they might be a little later than they had hoped for. Good things come to those who wait!
As the world continues to navigate the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Euro Travel Coach is ready to assist travelers throughout this challenging period. Read on for up-to-date travel information on European destinations, ways you can help stop the spread of COVID-19, and tools and resources for staying abreast of this ever-changing situation.
Travel Insurance during COVID-19
In order to provide the best Europe COVID-19 information, let me say up front that “cancel for any reason” travel insurance does not necessarily include pandemics. Here is what we suggest:
We’ll book completely refundable hotels, excursions, train tickets, and drivers
Book completely refundable flights
We recommend getting medical travel insurance. We can help with that.
Ideally don’t bring valuables with you to Europe, but if you have a really expensive camera or computer or bike that you must bring, you could buy travel insurance to cover it.
Beyond that, you need to read the small print on travel insurance. If we’re working together, we’ll help you find the best option for travel insurance. You can find additional information related to travel insurance here: The Ultimate Guide to Travel Insurance. An additional resource is found in this article on the Medical for Nomads website titled Best Travel Medical Insurance.
What to Know About Travel to Europe during COVID-19
Many nations are enacting more stringent travel restrictions or travel bans, and new policies are being implemented daily. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is also maintaining a comprehensive country-by-country list of Covid-19 restrictions on travel.
Most commercial airlines have reduced routes because of the pandemic. In addition, some hotels, restaurants, and attractions in Europe have closed to avoid large gatherings.
It’s uncertain when travel restrictions will lift completely. Restrictions are made by country, and by region within each country. If you’re considering a trip, make sure to check cancellation policies before booking. If Euro Travel Coach is booking your trip for you, we will go over cancellation policies with you before making your reservations, and during COVID, we will not book anything that is not refundable. The following resources are a helpful place to start if you would like further information.
Resources for Travel Planning to Europe Amid Covid-19
What to Do When Returning Home from a Trip to Europe
Remember to practice social distancing when you are traveling
Travelers returning home are advised to self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days and follow their country’s national protocols, which may include self-quarantine for the incubation period.
Common signs of infection include shortness of breath, breathing difficulties, fever, and cough. In more severe cases, it can lead to pneumonia, organ failure, and death.
If symptoms do occur, travelers are advised to seek medical care and inform healthcare providers of their symptoms and their travel history.
For more information, visit the World Health Organization’s (WHO) COVID-19 Resources hub or the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) COVID-19 and Travel hub.
How to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19
COVID-19 is mainly spread from person to person through respiratory droplets when an infected individual speaks, coughs, or sneezes at close range
The CDC has also advised against touching a high-contact surface (such as door knobs) and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes, though this is not thought of as being the primary way the infection is passed.
Vaccines are being developed and distributed, but this is happening at a different pace in different locations around the world. It is possible that a vaccine for COVID-19, or proof of a negative COVID-19 test, will be required before travel. The requirements change country by country. If you would like information specific to your country of origin and your destination, contact Euro Travel Coach.
Here are some things you can do to help fight the spread of COVID-19. The WHO recommends:
Washing your hands regularly with an alcohol-based sanitizer, or with soap and water
Maintaining distance six feet of distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing
Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
Seeking medical care immediately if you are showing symptoms
Where You Can Learn More
You can track the disease globally in real-time with this map from John Hopkins University (best viewed in desktop). Mobile view here.
More Europe COVID-19 News and Resources
Euro Travel Coach Cancellation Policies
At Euro Travel Coach, we charge consulting fees for our time and expertise. (You can check out our table of services and pricing here.) This allows us to be incredibly flexible to create a completely tailored European experience. Also, our travelers have a big advantage because we can cancel everything we book – we do not sell package tours.
· We require a deposit of fees up front; the remainder is paid after the itinerary is complete.
· If the trip is cancelled, all fees paid are credited to a future itinerary. No additional fees will be due if we are booking exactly the same itinerary.
· If the trip is cancelled due to COVID, there are no cancellation fees.
· During COVID-19, we will only book completely refundable hotels, guides, and drivers as far as possible. That way, if we need to cancel the trip, you the customer do not lose any money.
Pienza, Italy
We are anxiously looking forward to planning your extraordinary trip to Europe when you can travel safely again. Now is the time to plan so when things open up, you’ll be ready! More questions? We’d be happy to chat. Contact us via email anytime!