US travel alert for Europe

Go.

How specific was the travel warning?

Once many years ago when we were living in Poland, I had business in the Polish Embassy. While I was waiting to talk to someone, I perused the bulleting board - covered with travel warnings for various places around the world. When I asked my friend there about it she just shrugged it off. "They issue those all the time, anytime there's a hint of trouble somewhere," she said.

There's an old Latin saying "Illegitimi non carborundum." Actually, it's not old, and it's not really Latin, but it means "Don't let the bastards wear you down."

I'd be willing to bet that 90% of the responses you get here will tell you to head off to France, don't worry, and have a spectacular time. That's what I would do.

I am willing to guess that there was a warning even when you bought your ticket...so what has changed since then? In the meanwhile, millions of people living in France are going about their daily lives. The State Dept has lots of warnings out...it's essentially a CYA, they have to do it...if you want more comfort, perhaps sign up for their STEP program to get alerts while you're on the ground. I don't know if the French government itself has lifted the state of emergency yet (I think it's been in force for years now).

There actually wasn't a travel warning when I bought my ticket because I checked. I guess because it's issued by the government it makes me feel uneasy. My first time traveling to Europe as well so that in itself makes me nervous. I don't want to feel ok Edge the whole time either.

Leaving for Europe this Friday. A warning would not deter me.

Holly,
I am traveling twice this year as well. I would be lying if I said I do not pay attention to these warnings.
However it does not stop my wife and I from traveling. I suppose you can convince yourself that any tragedy can befall to you at anytime in your own hometown so why be worried.
My children live in NYC and we visit there often and we all know what a target NYC is.
I personally feel I have let the terrorists win if what they do changes how I want to live my life.
THAT'S NOT GONNA HAPPEN!
Book your trip, make some memories, and show these cowards that they will never win.
Bon Voyage

"The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the continued threat of terrorist attacks throughout Europe. This Travel Alert expires on September 1, 2017. "

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/Europe.html

Not stopping me either.

Heading to Italy in August; this won't deter me one bit. Anything can happen anytime. I will be cautious, as I always am, but something could just as easily happen in NYC or my local Disney World.

If you suspect that this may really hamper your ability to have a good time, then maybe reconsider going. It's natural to feel nervous on your first international trip. But the statistics are still incredibly in your favor. At the same time, France has been under a state of emergency since at least 2015...and I doubt it's going away anytime soon...so you may as well go and enjoy yourself. Follow the precautions and accept some teeny tiny risk...everyone has to, it's just the way it goes. There is no absolutely risk-free travel, but there is no reason to overreact either given your actual risk of being irreparably harmed.

It's not a 'warning', it's an 'alert'. They are not the same thing. I wouldn't let an alert stop me from going anywhere. It's just telling travelers to be a little more aware and careful when traveling to certain areas. An actual warning based on specific information about specific issues in a particular place would maybe make me think twice about traveling there.

I agree that there is always a risk. I don't want this to force me to not go. I've always dreamed of going to France. All of your replies encourage me as well as sound advice from others. Thank you so much to everyone.

These come out periodically and generally inform us what we already know - that there is a risk. Unfortunately everything is a risk. The Fort Lauderdale airport was attacked, NY, DC, and there are random but non-terrorist mass shootings all over. A disgruntled former coworker could attack my office tomorrow. My kids go to school, and we know what has happened in schools. The truly safest course might be to lock yourself inside alone, but barring that you need to evaluate the risks and benefits.

I find that travel in Europe is as safe or safer than home and the benefit of travel is worth it. Compare the risk of travel to the risk of your daily life at home not to some assumption of perfect safety which is impossible anywhere.

Of course, there are dangers everywhere. This is how I see it when I put dangers on the scale of 0 to 10 (with 10 being the greatest danger encountered) which I encounter while traveling to Europe and around Europe. #8 getting in an accident while going to the airport. #1 or less - the plane will crash. #9 getting in an accident in Europe or being mowed down by a car in Europe. #10 being pickpocketed in Europe. #5 being shot by some whacko while going to the airport here in US. #0 to 1 being a victim of a terrorist attack depending on which European country I will be in, with countries of former Eastern Europe closer to zero and western Europe closer to one. We are going in about two weeks and we are certainly not canceling even if (God forbid!) another terrorist attack happens. We plan to visit these five countries: Switzerland, Italy, Czech Republic, Austria, Germany.

I'm heading off in a few weeks. It has never crossed my mind to cancel this trip at anytime since I booked.

For the foreseeable future I think we need to consider that there is a small probability of a terror attack occurring while traveling. But I chose to go about my life. I enjoy travel and will continue to.

As far as the State department warning. It seems pretty generic and the cynic in me says it's CYA. But they are in a tough position and I understand why they might feel the need to do it.

Agnes, CYA - do you mean Central Yntelligence Agency?

Similar alerts were issued last summer (2016) and over the holidays, from November to February. This is more or less a renewal for the upcoming tourist season. There is no specific threat.

I feel like overtime we go to Europe there is a travel alert. We were there right after the Brussels attack and right before the London attack... you never know, but it could happen if you stay home to. It would not stop me. Just be alert to your surroundings.

We have no plans for Europe this summer. First time in several years. My wife's reaction on hearing the announcement was, "Great, now maybe we can get some great discount tickets this summer. Lets plan something." If a good price pops up we will go.

The state department has to put out these warnings. It is called CYA. If they did not and something happened, everyone would complain and scream at the government. If they put out the warning and nothing happens. No big deal. And my assessment of the current warning - NO big deal.

If I was really worried about my safety I would not have been in the Army in '67 - but then I didn't have a choice.

Alert not a warning. This is like "Code Yellow"! "Code Orange!" I mean, if you canceled your trip what exactly would you be running from? What would you gain?

Those of us in the US live in the most violent country in the west where being shot in the theater, the school, the mall, the church, the workplace, is a daily risk we all face. In that context, I am not worrying about terrorism in Europe. But then I traveled with my 12 year old in England during the times of the IRA bombings and we had our trip disrupted a couple of times as a result. Terrorism will be occurring for the rest of the lives of any of us on this board; you can either live life or cower -- and alas cowering doesn't protect those of us whose unstable neighbors and road raging local drivers have guns.

Goodness - we showed up in Paris on the same day as the Champs Elysee police officer shooting. Didn't even know about it until I saw it on FB the next morning. We were up by the Arc de Triomphe the next night. There are always going to be warnings...heck...you can't let that deter you or you'll never go ANYWHERE.

On the flip side, as I've said to other people asking this - if you are going to be worried and on edge the whole time, then don't go. But then you let the terrorists win.

My son texted this to me this morning, worried after seeing it played as a major event on CNN. It's the fourth such alert in the past 12 months. We're going to Italy in two weeks, no worries. As others state often, you can't control if or when something bad occurs, and you just can't live in fear. I did promise my son that if we saw terrorists, we'd run. ;-)

Headed to France in June and likely Germany in August. As others have said, it's more dangerous here in the US than in Europe. It may just "feel" more dangerous to you as you are accustomed to the risks you face living with our gun culture here. You may want to google some of Rick's many articles on terrorism on this site.

I live in San Diego and a few days ago a man at an apartment complex in a nice area of town shot 7 and killed one in the pool area of a condo. It's a horrible crime, but I have no plans to avoid La Jolla.

I am beyond excited about visiting France. I wish you a wonderful trip!

Those of us in the US live in the most violent country in the west

What is considered "the west"? Surely not the Western Hemisphere?

I think that author by "west" meant developed countries like in western Europe and North America and even Australia and NZ although they are not exactly in the western hemisphere. Anything south of Rio Grande is usually not considered "west" despite being also in the western hemisphere.

Agree with Ilja, that's what I think Janet meant by 'western' countries.

Holly, I'm in Paris right now. People are going about their business pretty much as usual. There are tons of tourists out and about and the locals are going to work or school or having wine or coffee in sidewalk cafes.

Once you get here you'll see there is nothing to worry about any more than you would worry at home about a random event.

Go on your trip and enjoy 🇫🇷 France!

This is Emily reporting live from Vienna - I am looking out my window right now...there are people...walking in the streets...pushing babies in strollers...smiling people going shopping...serious people dressed nicely on their way to work...cars are driving by looking for parking spaces...the smell of doner kebab is wafting up to my window...small kids are walking home from school alone.

Seriously, those of us here in Europe are just living our lives as normal.

I'm nearing he end of a 2 1/2 week vacation in France. I didn't even know there was an alert, nor have I seen anything different than in my last 20 times here. Maybe I would if I was in Paris.

France has been on the highest security alert since the attack on Charlie Hebdo.
It has stayed this way, as the President thinks it's best to protect visitors and residents.
The security alert will not change due to the Presidential election this Sunday.

You will see soldiers carrying weapons patrolling neighborhoods, you will have to open your bags and backpacks for security checks when going into most department stores, museums and other attractions. This seems to bring comfort and a sense of security to most residents and visitors, who have no problem sitting on cafe terraces or doing the normal touristy things.

If you should find yourself around a "manifestation" - peaceful protest march - they are easy to avoid, just cross the street or go in the other direction. The police and soldiers don't take any nonsense in these cases.

Congratulations to Emmanuel Macron. Good to see that 2/3 of the French voters rejected the Le Pen and fake news.

Yes, he did get 66% of the vote...Bravo! Still 25% did not vote or voted blank.