As the European Union prepares to open up, the masterpieces
of the Louvre and the beaches of Sicily once again feel within reach. Here are
five things to know if you’re planning a trip to Europe this
summer.
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Onboard, you’ll brush elbows with strangers, but you won’t
go hungry
Daily passenger numbers have been generally inching upward,
according to the latest Transportation Security Administration stats, and long
gone are the days of empty planes and blocked middle seats. Delta, the final
holdout, stopped the practice in early May.
Serving food and drinks, which most airlines paused or
scaled back in some way last year, is also back, and many other elements of
flying will feel similar to how it did before the pandemic. Yes, Air France is
still serving fresh bread, wine, and cheese, but there are also zeitgeist-y new
flourishes to look forward to on other airlines.
Certain pandemic-era changes designed to minimize touch
points persist. To keep the aisles and galleys clear, many airlines are now
asking passengers to wait for the “vacant” light before walking to the
restrooms. In Delta One business class, pre-meal drinks have been eliminated,
and beverages will come with meals. Delta has also introduced tap-to-pay
technology for onboard extras. But even on planes where contactless payments
are not available, keep a credit card within reach: Many airlines don’t accept
cash.
Finally, although mask mandates are loosening in certain
areas of the United States, particularly for vaccinated people, passengers ages
2 and up are still required by law to wear masks on planes and in airports.
Hotel flexibility will vary, so read the fine print
By now, most of the large American-run chains have reverted
to their pre-
COVID-19 cancelation policies for reservations made before a
certain date (that has come and gone), and for travel through a certain date
(that has come and gone). But some companies are still being flexible: Hilton
has always had generous cancelation policies, and Four Seasons has been
consistently easy about changes and cancelations during the pandemic.
Travel-industry insiders also have noticed flexibility among
independent hoteliers.
“We’ve felt that small, family-run luxury properties are
actually more nimble than some of the big hotel chains,” said Louisa Gehring,
owner of Gehring Travel, an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso luxury travel
agency. “Rather than lay off all their employees or point to an overarching
corporate cancelation policy, they’ve had flexibility to keep the teams on,
work with clients on a case-by-case basis and really step up to the plate.”
Policies vary by property, she added, but even some of the
more rigid ones now include exceptions for COVID-19.
One thing to watch for is the credits-versus-refunds flash
point: Even in cases when a hotel won’t swallow a deposit or prepayment outright,
will you get a cash refund or will you be asked to rebook? Last year, Greece
and Italy both passed laws allowing hotels and other travel companies to issue
credits, rather than cash refunds, for canceled bookings. Although vaccines,
the eagerness to travel, and pandemic fatigue may make the idea of a credit
less odious than it seemed last spring, always ask about policy specifics,
including blackout and expiration dates.
Realize that Paris won’t look exactly like the Paris you
remember
The Palace of Versailles is open and President Emmanuel
Macron is sipping espresso outside Parisian cafes, but nightclubs will remain
closed even after France’s countrywide curfew ends in June. At restaurants and
bars in Madrid, groups are capped at four people inside and six people outside.
Germany and the Netherlands remain closed to American tourists.
“Clearly, we will not come back to ‘normal’ straight away,
and travelers will have to be conscious of health measures and respect rules at
the destination,” said Eduardo Santander, executive director of the European
Travel Commission, a Brussels-based nonprofit that represents the national
tourism boards across the continent. “We all — destinations, businesses, and
guests — cannot let the guard down too soon both for our own health and for the
safety of people around.”
In short, any trip to Europe this summer will come down to
managing expectations.
Prepare to schedule and commit, rather than wing it
Much like in the United States, most major European museums
and attractions now require timed tickets in an effort to honor capacity limits
and space out crowds.
That’s good news for anyone who hates waiting in line. But
snapping a selfie with “The Mona Lisa” means planning. Timed tickets are
usually nonrefundable and rain-or-shine.
Popular restaurants may also require advance reservations,
especially for those committed to dining outside. Resy, which is owned by
American Express, has expanded its international footprint over the past year;
travelers can use the app or website to book top restaurants in the United
Kingdom and around mainland Europe.
In previous years, Europe’s excellent rail system and
inexpensive regional airlines made it easy to wake up in one country and
decide, a few hours later, to visit another. Though that spontaneity might
still seem appealing, there are also advantages to staying put.
“Instead of a breakneck itinerary that may include three
days in London, three in Paris and five nights between Rome and Tuscany, a true
deep-dive into one country allows for greater flexibility and less room for
disappointment,” Gehring said. “Having four nights in Florence instead of two
gives you twice as many chances to get that timed ticket at The Uffizi.”
Update your tech and tap into tech updates
Researching restaurant reservations and booking timed
tickets could require either a good data plan, Wi-Fi or both. If it’s been a
while since you’ve taken your phone overseas, research your wireless provider’s
options so you are not slapped with expensive roaming charges. Several
companies, including Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile, have per-diem travel passes
that include unlimited data and texting, and certain calling benefits, in
Europe. Or, just stick to free Wi-Fi. And be sure to bring a portable charger —
many tickets and entry passes are digital.
Also take stock of the technology that has adapted alongside
the pandemic, and how it can make traveling easier — and perhaps even a bit
more enjoyable.
Uber Reserve, which launched in November and has recently
expanded to London, Paris, and elsewhere in Europe, allows users to schedule
rides up to 30 days in advance. Uber Rent, also available in Europe, allows
users to book rental cars from companies like Avis.
There are also several new travel-friendly bells and
whistles from Google Maps. Updates set to be rolled out to Live View, the app’s
augmented-reality mode, include overlaid street signs at difficult-to-navigate
intersections. The app has also recently introduced more tailored maps that
“know” when a user is at home or traveling: A London vacationer who fires up
the app at noon, for instance, will see nearby lunch options as well as local
tourist attractions.
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