Europe is Opening for Americans! What You Need to Know Before You Book!

Can I go to Europe this summer? 2021?

YEAH!!! Europe is open to Americans this summer!!!
Hold on Fellow travelers, before you get your bure and international drivers license ready there are a few things you need to know about this announcement.

This announcement from Ursula von de Leyen is why we are excite. “The Americans, as far as I can see, use European Medicines Agency-approved vaccines,” Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, said Sunday in an interview with The Times in Brussels. “This will enable free movement and the travel to the European Union.
And to make it even better she said in the NYT article - “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.,” she added. The agency, the bloc’s drugs regulator, has approved all three vaccines being used in the United States, namely the Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech and Johnson & Johnson shots.
What does this mean?
a. Europe will be opening this summer,
b. You will need to be vaccinated if you want to go
c. Expect to need proof of vaccination, like a vaccine passport, but that has not been set up yet. They are in discussions between the US & EU on this apparently,
d. You can forget bringing your kids as there are no approved vaccinations for smaller children at this time. But there may be exceptions on a country by country basis.
4. What else to consider?
Many European countries still are in some form of lockdown as of the end of April. They most likely won’t go from complete lockdown to WELCOME TOURISTS in a week. So this will take time. She even said
5. Based on Ms. von der Leyen’s comments, the European Commission will recommend the change in travel policy, though individual member states may reserve the right to keep stricter limits. They might not permit citizens from outside the bloc to visit or might enforce restrictions like quarantines, even on visitors who have vaccination certificates.
a. So, don’t expect every country to be wide open day one
b. Also, some countries may not require the vaccine, but a negative test like Hawaii has done to much success,
c. Don’t think every thing will go back and be standardized across the board. It could be different country by country,
6. What to remember and take note of
a. This is great news on the travel front,
b. There is no set date for opening up of Europe, it is for “SUMMER” which for Europeans a lot of time means July & especially August.
c. You will need to keep up to date with what countries are doing what for tourists, see Greece’s announcement,
d. Make sure if you do plan on traveling to Europe this summer have lots of flexibility with tickets and hotels, cancelation and change polices are key,
e. Don’t expect everything to be open. From museums, restaurants, agencies, a lot have gone out of business, or will still have restrictions, or require reservations.
f. A lot will be closed or have limitations,
7. BUT AT LEAST THERE IS HOPE FOR EUROPE AGAIN!!!
I just bought tickets to visit France with my vaccinated mom in August! That’s how excited I am!



Some of Our Favorite Travel Videos We Think Other Travelers Would Love

[RenataPereiraTV]

Thank you for the optimistic caution video. We are finally getting there and I hope Europe is able to open. I know we are itching to travel overseas too.

[robdavies]

Don’t expect to be able to just walk into any attractions. The UK has a booking system which started last summer to only ensure a limited number of people can go inside buildings at the same time. Places like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, etc will need pre booked tickets and they were be very limited.

[jeffreytjaden]

Just met Walter at the airport. What a great guy. He is the same person as in the videos.

[beat]

Proof of recent negative Covid tests will also be accepted for those who don't get the vaccine.

[MMP]

Even though I don’t plan to go until 2022, this makes me so happy.

[bluebirdtraveller]

No vaccination for me. I will look elsewhere.

[thetimemaster]

That’s a really positive thing to hear this morning. Thank You

[grahamcargle]

Greeting from an American in Seville, Spain! We're waiting on you!

[GabrielTravelerVideos]

Woo hoo! It won't be like the good old days, but better than nothin'.

[sailingstonerose]

I am an optimist and already bought tickets and chartered the boat. I am hoping France is as weirdly wonderful as Costa Rica was last month. We went to a national park in Costa Rica and were 2 of 4 people in the entire park.

[shakesjg]

I'm vaccinated & the wife will be next month.. but we won't be traveling until atleast early 2022.
She's a travel agent & is already swamped. She's predicting one of her busiest years in a long time.. 😊

[raycarl]

I predict 2022 will be a massive comeback for travel!!!

[wgator]

I’m in Europe and I think this summer will be as boring as the last : mandatory mask, social distancing, restrictions... 😰😰😰

[bradleykramer]

I planned a year and a half ago to visit europe this summer. If I'm paying all that money to get across the pond, I want the full experience. In my opinion, it's not worth it until things are fully normal again.

[influenceince]

I just returned from Ireland. Even after two weeks of quarantine (and I'm fully vaccinated) I was shocked to see how much you can and can't do. Sitting down for an hour to enjoy lunch wasn't an option. Everything was Take it to go. Then you have to find a bench or a rock, etc...so you can sit down and eat. All retail shops were closed. But if you enjoy hiking in nature, parks and photography, you'll still have a great time 🍀

[crado]

be aware, in Germany hotels are still closed for touristical reasons, Restaurants, Bars, Museum etc everything is closed.

[daniquesmit]

Like you already said it’s very important to keep up with the restrictions in each country. Every country has different restrictions. Last summer I went to France and even different departments had different restrictions

[blondwayfarer]

I smiled so much at the thought of you and your Mom going to France in August!! That is lovely! :D

[blanewalker]

brother, I'm keeping my fingers crossed the E.U opens up by this summer. I'm almost fully vaccinated. I get my 2nd shot the 20th of this month. I've visited Amsterdam and Germany in 2018. I visited the Cathedral in Cologne, Germany and absolutely loved it!!

[jimberkey]

Mark is so great. Been watching him since 2016 before we went to London. Superb channel