Travel to Europe is OPEN
After more than a year of closed borders, members of the EU begin welcoming vaccinated travelers this summer. Iceland, Greece, Italy, and Croatia, among other countries, began in May. And the first few days of June saw France and Spain reopen their borders to fully vaccinated travelers. With each month, more European destinations join the list of welcoming destinations.
AAA Travel is here to help you plan you next great escape to any of these European locations. Here are the countries currently accepting visitors.
Croatia
United Airlines and Delta Air Lines will launch seasonal direct flights from Newark Liberty International Airport and Kennedy International Airport this summer, bringing back access to some of the most beautiful beaches, thermal spas, parks, and zoos Europe has to offer.
Denmark
With the reemergence of travel to Denmark, those who make the trip will have plenty of attractions available to them. An immersive museum dedicated to Hans Christian Andersen opened in late June, in the writer’s hometown of Odense. The capital city’s Tivoli Gardens amusement park will host Michelin-star pop-up restaurants throughout the summer. And in August, Copenhagen and nearby Malmo, Sweden, will co-host WorldPride and EuroGames, an LGBTI inclusive sporting event.
France
The Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay have reopened their doors, as have theaters, movie theaters and cultural sites across the country, including the Château de Versailles and the Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey. Disneyland Paris reopened in June too, as well as popular Paris nightclubs.
Germany
Like the United States, restrictions are set by Germany’s 16 individual states, so rules will be a bit different in Berlin than Munich. With that said, there is a return to outdoor dining, beer gardens, outdoor events and no curfews. For certain museum visits or cultural events, you may need to make a reservation. Bring your proof of vaccination because it allows you to skip any tests that might be required. If you are not yet fully vaccinated, you’ll have to make use of Germany’s network of quick test centers.
Greece
Greece reopened in mid-May to both foreign travelers and Greek citizens. Locals and visitors began to explore the country for the first time in more than a year. With Delta and United launching new direct flights to Athens as of July, Greece is easier than ever to get to from hubs like New York. Outdoor archaeological sites reopened in early spring, while restaurants and cafes once again began offering outdoor service in May, Greece’s museums have been open to all — with masks required and social distancing measures in place. Open-air cinemas, spas, wellness centers and outdoor theaters are all welcoming guests, while ferry services to the islands are up and running, with limited capacity and mask requirements.
Hungary
Budapest typically sees 12 million annual visitors and is a must for those looking to experience the banks of the Danube and the elegance of Andrassy Avenue.
Iceland
Iceland back with new must-visit experiences and tried and true locations like the Harpa Concert Hall. Fall in love with the charm of the country’s harbors, restaurants, vistas of Mt. Esja, and the Snæfellsjökull glacier. Live music fans welcome the Iceland Airwaves festival, set to return to the capitol November 3-6. This year’s showcase will span jazz and synth pop to blues and indie rock, featuring Eurovision favorite Daði Freyr, the all-female rap group Daughters of Reykjavik, and more. Björk is also hosting a series of orchestral performances featuring some of her early-career collaborators this September. The land of hot springs also added a new geothermal spa to its roster for those looking to add another stop after the Blue Lagoon. The newly opened Sky Lagoon is a quick drive from downtown Reykjavik in Skerjafjörður featuring an infinity lagoon with expansive views across the Atlantic Ocean.
Ireland
Dublin is a lover of literature, a historic powerhouse and a super-friendly old gem that’s been named Europe’s friendliest city twice by TripAdvisor. No wonder it is a popular AAA Member destination. Framed by mountains, centered on a river and edged by a beautiful bay, the city’s streets and alleys are filled with vibrant art and historic buildings, hip cafés and traditional “old man” pubs, as Dubliners call them. Walk the streets and you’ll feel the energy of over 1,000 years of history, as echoes of the Vikings mix with buzzing boutiques, cobbled streets reverberate with the sounds of buskers, and 18th century parks play host to festivals, film and food markets. While most places are open, you will be asked to follow mask and spacing guidelines in select scenarios, and all passengers arriving in Ireland are required to complete a COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form.
Italy
Food and wine lovers adore the country’s northern and central regions. Enroll in a “wine academy,” and embark on truffle-hunting excursions. Tuscany, or the smaller cities and picturesque villages like Siena and Lucca surround the popular tourist destinations of Pisa and Florence. Dreaming of Rome? COVID-free flights have already launched from New York.
Montenegro
With Medieval villages, historic palaces, secluded coves, and mountains-meet-sea views, it’s clear why the luxury hungry travelers is finding their way to Montenegro. One of the sunniest stretches of Adriatic Sea year-round, Portonovi’s Boka Bay has long been an in-the-know yachter’s paradise. Plan your visit, and see for yourself!
Netherlands
The country has begun reopening, but at a slower pace. You can expect an evening curfew, but mask and crowd-size rules are relaxing. Restaurants, bars, theaters, cinemas and museums are all open again, even though distancing rules will continue to be in force. Masks will still be required on public transportation, national train lines, train stations and other places, so keep one in reach.
Norway
A revitalization is budding in Norway’s capital city this year, and with direct flights from the U.S. resuming this summer and borders anticipated to reopen soon, now’s the time to start thinking of Oslo. This year will debut the MUNCH Museum. This enormous waterfront facility will hold the world’s most extensive collection of works by Edvard Munch, along with galleries featuring works by other Modernist and contemporary artists. Missed last year’s ski season? Why not play in the snow, or should we say SNØ? Summer travelers can get the best of all seasons in part to this massive winter sports complex. Find yourself downhill skiing and snowboarding, cross-country skiing, and even ice climbing. Now is the time to visit Oslo, before word gets out on how wonderful the city truly is!
Portugal
The country has gradually lifted its lockdown restrictions since mid-March, when schools reopened. As of July 2, a curfew from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. in Lisbon, Porto and other popular tourism spots will be in place.
Spain
Valencia became the last region of Spain to remove its nighttime curfew. Some regions, however, continue to maintain other specific restrictions, adopting different closing hours for restaurants and bars. As of July, all indoor nightclubs will close again in Catalonia, the northeastern region whose capital is Barcelona. The government is also reviewing wearing face masks outdoors, which stopped being mandatory this summer.
Sweden
Northern Sweden has long appealed to anyone hoping to spot the Northern Lights. Wellness is a value here, and spa menus, nutrition retreats, and exercise focused excursions are bountiful. Sustainability is another focus, and many restaurants source local produce and ingredients, including wild meats and fish. Explore the surrounding wilderness through fishing, moose safaris, and breathtaking hikes.
Switzerland
Switzerland’s latest round of lockdown easing took effect in May, when indoor dining was once again permitted. Thermal baths, indoor swimming pools and spas were also reopened at that time. Large-scale events are now permitted, though still with some upper limits on attendance. The two-week Montreux Jazz Festival kicked off on July 2, while the Locarno Film Festival will run from Aug. 4 to 14, and the Zurich Food Festival is scheduled for Sept. 16 to 26.
Turkey
The country has been operating on a two-tiered system in place throughout the pandemic. This allowed an exemption to visitors from the strictest lockdown measures, including a curfew at night and on weekends that required residents to stay at home. Tourists are free to visit museums, beaches and other sites across the country. Hotels and resorts are open with capacity restrictions, and Turkey is prioritizing vaccinations for tourism workers.
United Kingdom
London’s hospitality industry used the lockdown as an opportunity for growth and innovation. With the return to travel, everyone is about to experience the benefits. With brand-new hotels, restaurants, and night life, visitors have plenty of options. And let us not forget the relaxing English countryside peppered with lush fields and quant townships.
Pubs, restaurants, theaters, museums, stores and hotels have reopened, although capacity restrictions and social distancing measures still apply. While outside, most people do not wear masks, but indoors they are still expected to do so unless eating or drinking in a restaurant.
Across major cities such as London, Manchester, Brighton and Edinburgh, restaurants and bars are buzzing with people reuniting with friends and family and enjoying their newfound freedom after months of lockdown. Demand in coastal destinations like Cornwall and Dorset has soared in recent weeks as the weather warms and Britons book domestic beach vacations.AAA United Kingdom Experiences
Want to work with one of our AAA Travel Advisors? Find your advisor in our Agent Directory. Together you can book your next great vacation, car rentals, hotel stays, excursions… in any city you choose!