Why to Go to Europe Now: France and Italy Are Empty

I am just back from three weeks in France and Italy, and I can tell you that in my lifetime I don’t think there has been a more magical moment to be a traveler in Europe. Cities like Paris, Florence, Venice and Rome, which are usually packed this time of year are empty. Traditionally, the top hotels are crammed with American, British and Asian travelers in early summer, but not this year. Almost all of the hotels I visited are running at 30 to 40 percent occupancy but with 100 percent of their staff; unlike in the U.S., where top resorts are packed but operating short-staffed because of hiring constraints. So not only can you visit the Louvre or the Uffizi without the crowds, but the staff in the hotels, restaurants and shops are thrilled to greet and assist you. “I feel like I traveled to Italy in the 1950s,” said one friend who just spent two weeks in Positano. “It was so quiet and so elegant.” Another member who I bumped into in the airport in Rome on my way home, showed me a photo of his wife with the Spanish Steps to herself. “Our friends were still worried about what it would be like here,” they told me. “But I don’t think in our lifetimes there will be a better moment to visit.” I concur wholeheartedly. That said, in the the past few weeks, the situation has once again changed. Extra precautions should be taken to account for the Delta variant. As always, I—and Indagare as a company—encourage individuals to behave responsibly wherever in the world they may be, especially as countries continue their vaccination efforts. I have been so impressed with President Macron's handling of the evolving landscape, and applaud France's upcoming requirements for proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test for entering planes and trains as well as establishments like bars, restaurants, cafés and shopping centers. It's through steps like these that, hopefully, we can continue to safely visit our favorite destinations—and discover new ones.Contact Indagare or your Trip Designer to start planning a safe and meaningful trip to France and Italy—this year and beyond. Our team can provide information on destination requirements, hotel policies and insurance options, transportation and much more.Why are France and Italy so empty? Reduced demand and reduced capacity. While Americans are now allowed to enter these European countries with only a negative Covid test, many other nationalities are still not allowed to enter. China, for instance, has not opened its borders to travel; nor Japan nor Australia; and travelers from India, Brazil, South Africa and the UK may enter the EU only for essential reasons and are required to quarantine for 10 days upon arrival or test again after five days, due to the current "landing ban." While British citizens may travel to France and Italy, they must quarantine upon return, so most are staying home. Traditionally, many of the top hotels and resorts on the Mediterranean cater to American and British guests in the summer. This year, many Americans were unsure of border openings or restrictions in Europe, so they booked trips within the U.S. Additionally, the flight capacity still remains vastly reduced. (Remember, even though Americans can travel to Europe, Europeans are still not allowed to enter the U.S., and business travel has yet to pick up.) Rome, which usually operates three departure terminals and has planes landing every few minutes in summer, has only one terminal open at the moment and less than 50 percent of its normal flights and those are rarely full. Related Traveling to Europe in 2021

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Contact Indagare or your Trip Designer to start planning a safe and meaningful trip to France and Italy—this year and beyond. Our team can provide information on destination requirements, hotel policies and insurance options, transportation and much more.