Italy to lift travel restrictions: who is willing to travel this summer?

Question

Italy is opening its borders for non-Italian tourists in two weeks time. Who is willing to travel to Italy, and if so, how are you planning to do this?

For me, living in Northern Europe, Italy is reachable by car - in 12 hours or so I can be drinking a nice red wine in Tuscany. I'm not willing to visit Italian cities though, but perhaps renting a nice private house or apartment in the country side seems more sensible and not that risky healthwise. I won't travel by airplane yet, so for example Mallorca is a no-go despite Spanish islands also opening up. 

What are your plans? Who is willing to visit European cities this summer? Paris anyone?

Answer

I was supposed to be in Italy in early July. But that was coming from Paris. I'm now in San Francisco and won't be in Paris until the fall at the earliest (and likely not until 2021 [or even 2022?]) so it ain't gonna happen.

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I'll travel to Europe when there are no restrictions, I hope it's soon.

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Paris. ASAP.

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Yes, I can imagine for people living stateside visiting Europe during this corona crisis is going to be a difficult proposition. 

I've just read an article on The Guardian, where the Roman restaurant Armando al Pantheon says its capacity will drop to 10 customers at most. So, it's going to be very hard to secure tables. 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/17/how-will-we-ever-make-people-feel-at-home-again-ask-italy-fearful-trattorias-lockdown?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

@PH Rodgers - coming from N-Europe Tuscany is more or less the limit I want to drive southbound. I'll probably end up further up north, be it Piemonte or maybe this year I'd like to explore the Veneto area.

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We are still on to travel to Gardone Riviera in early July for an annual meeting - but whether we can actually get there and whether our meeting can happen and be hosted by the local restaurants,inns, church and town hall as usual (and believe me they want this to happen) is highly doubtful, as is the willingness of participants to travel from the US and European destinations at this time. Our hope is to be able to make our spring and summer visits in 2021.

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My only (domestic) trips this year will be to see family, as we have not been able to do so for months. I'm waiting until 2021 and will reevaluate international travel then. We tend to go to small villages anyway, but I certainly don't want to be the person who reintroduces the virus, or gets it on vacation, as I don't see a village as being any less risky--just luck, or lack thereof. 
We didn't even get the second wave yet. so we've got a long way to go until I am buying any more airfare (On a dreary pre-Covid winter day, I decided to plan all my travel through summer--I've been cancelling and berating airlines for refunds for months).
What I am actively avoiding more than travel itself is the air travel process, which was fairly hellish in the best of times if you can't afford business class. I have no idea how this will shake out over the next year--I wonder if I will even be able to afford to fly overseas in the new travel economy, whatever form it takes. 
I'm just glad I can cook--I have absolute zero interest in going to restaurants with plexiglass hanging everywhere.

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Another striking picture of the new normal. 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/18/coronavirus-italians-rediscover-eating-out-italy

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We have a trip booked for mid-September and haven't cancelled yet. The plan is to start in Bologna, then Modena, Mantova, Padova, and finally Ferrara. We're hoping that we can travel by then but have some concerns because we cross regions. Our plan at this point is to just wait and see.

Answer

Hi damiano,

We had a booking to stay in a chalet in Selva val Gardena in the Dolomites in late June/early July. Our itinerary (same as last year) was to fly from Ireland to Munich, rent a car, and drive ~4 hours through the Alps to our destination. 

Unfortunately there are three major obstacles to this happening: 1) the Irish government, which has instructed residents to avoid all non-essential travel until at least August; 2) the German government, which has barred any non-EU citizens from arriving there; and 3) the Austrian/Italian border. Currently anyone crossing from Italy back into Austria must provide documentary evidence that they have been tested Covid-free. 

Thankfully the chalet owners have changed their cancellation policy to allow full refunds with only 30 days notice. So, I've reluctantly gone ahead and contacted them to cancel this summer's booking, and inquire about dates next year (fingers crossed).

The airfare is a different matter. Lufthansa, like a lot of European airlines at the moment, have been applying pressure to the European Commission to avoid having to issue refunds for canceled flights – as it currently required by law. On their website, Lufthansa do not even mention refunds as a possibility. They do emphasize, however, that people with existing bookings can rebook new flights at no cost for any dates before December 31, 2121.

Cheers,
Andrew

Answer

Some good news: Two of our favorite restaurants in Piemonte, Osteria Veglio and Trattoria la Coccinella, are reopening this week.

Jen, I had not realized that flights from NYC to Malpensa had resumed. United or Delta?

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A question to the American people here. Would you consider holidaying within the US? 

I ask because I visited New England a few years ago, driving through Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire in the fall. And I promised myself I would come back one day in summer time, staying around one of the lakes or near the beach. I had a great time eating lobster rolls and oysters! 

Sometimes we can forget how beautiful our own surroundings are as we venture out into the world.

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We were due to leave for the South of France via London in 2 days time. British and American cancelled our flights several weeks back. Very disappointed that we won't see friends and family but understandable.

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https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2020/jun/03/cafe-culture-returns-to-france-after-lockdown-in-pictures

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I wouldn’t go to Italy now even if I could. In another year, maybe.

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Had a trip planned to Madrid and Valencia for Late Sept early Oct but I'm not willing or able to fly for 12 hours + with a mask on or have the chance I might have to quarantine once I get there or get back home. Luckily I didn't book a flight but I did pre book and pay for hotels back in early Feb, one hotel(Madrid) has refunded me the full amount while the other hotel in Valencia is giving me a hard time, not cool :(

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Americans willing to risk air travel nevertheless may not be allowed to enter the EU. https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/eu-may-bar-american-travelers-as-it-reopens-borders-citing-u-s-failures-on-virus/

Answer

Our annual trip to Italy, usually via London, will not happen. Partially due to lack of direct flights to Italy, and further due to the current requirement for 14 day self-isolation upon our return home. 
Hoping to travel to Australia someday in the not-too-far future, to see my new grandson.

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The question is, with the explosion of coronavirus in many states, which countries will be ALLOWING Americans to travel there and , even so, will they be obliged to quarantine?

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Anyway, I live in Paris, so it's an easier choice for me as the virus has been curbed. I chose Crete, a safe and delicious destination. I'm informed they had less than 20 cases of the virus...

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and Italy is still level 3 which ain't great....

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From the Guardian: “With more Italians holidaying at home this year and everyone keen to avoid tourist hotspots, we select beautiful areas for a peaceful break”

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2020/jul/05/italy-summer-holidays-tuscany-coast-dolomites-piedmont

Great minds think alike? I’ve just made hotel reservations for 9 days in the Asti, Piemonte region for mid August. Three hotels, three nights each, all with a pool, garden and their own restaurant. I’ve noticed how a lot of restaurants in the area do not offer any seating but instead only take away. I can cancel up to a week ahead. Did not want to go to any city, nor any coastal area.

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As of today: Non-essential travel (i.e., tourism) to Italy from most non-EU countries (including the United States) is prohibited. Essential travel is allowed and includes students, businesspersons, EU residents, and relatives of Italian citizens.

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