Concerns about safety and unrest in Europe

While I find it hard to plan travel with such horrors occurring, you are at no more risk in Italy than you are in the US. If WW!!! starts, it is not going to matter where you are.

Well aware of current events, but am now working on planning our next trip to Europe during next 90 days. I strongly encourage you to make the journey!

I think you need to pay attention to how you and your family feel about traveling at this time. You don’t know anyone giving advice here. There is no right answer but maybe there is a right answer for you. Many people on this forum, including me, are much older so we are beyond having responsibilities like you might have.

I will have to be contrary to a comment above. Certainly if there were a WWIII, it does matter where you are.

There are several similar threads running. You are unlikely to see much impact of the troubles in Italy. If Putin wants to escalate matters, you won’t be any safer in America than in Italy.

I am not going to change any travel plans at present as I don’t want Putin to restrict my life. Staying at home isn’t going to change the situation in Ukraine.

I understand your concerns. We have a cruise trip in mid May that stops in various Italian ports. I felt very iffy also since this war began. It was helpful the last 2 days to read the posts on the 2 other threads on General Europe. Just got our airfare yesterday. So we’re going. If you find taking family even more worrisome…. I understand that also. Good wishes and peace on your decision.

Currently in Europe, was just in Italy for a month. Everything is fine, there is no tension in the air, and I think people in the US discuss the war more than they were doing there.
I would honestly feel much more at risk in the US than I would in somewhere like Italy!

Thank you to all who have kindly replied to my post. We have decided we will go. I appreciate having this forum for feedback :)

I think you will have a good time. I leave in two weeks for Eastern Europe and the only disruption I anticipate will be Ukraine Support Rallies. I will bring my Ukraine flag so I can participate.

I will have to be contrary to a comment above. Certainly if there were
a WWIII, it does matter where you are.

Yes, Europe, especially Eastern Europe might be safer.

My hubby and I are travelling through Scandinavian countries in six months and I believe we will still go, but I've been thinking about risks too. One consideration, even if one is not in harm's way, is the volume of refugees. I can't tell if two more tourists (us) 400 or so miles away won't make a difference, or if we will contribute to the clogging of European airports, train stations, etc. It may be a compassionate act to just stay home. So I am following this and related forum threads with interest also.

My hubby and I are travelling through Scandinavian countries in six
months and I believe we will still go, but I've been thinking about
risks too.

While there is no way to tell what the situation will look like in six months, I see no reason to not go. The traffic at airports and railway stations has not fully recovered after the pandemic yet so handling Ukrainian refugees should not be a problem.

Go, and spend as much money as you can. And if you see refugees, dig deep and give the money away. Between this and COVID the world needs you.

Everything is fine, there is no tension in the air, and I think people in the US discuss the war more than they were doing there.

Well, I can assure you that the situation in Ukraine is very concerning to Europeans. First, there is the visible suffering of the refugees which Europeans see firsthand - in their neighborhoods, train stations, and airports. I've met a few refugees that have trickled into our area and while it's not the same flow I experienced living in Vienna five years ago (the distance is much farther here in the NL from the situation), there's the same exhausted, tired, stressed, worried, 1000-yard stare. That stays with you. It's very impactful; far more so than just seeing it on TV.

Second, the economic effect is perhaps more direct than the USA (gasoline costs here are creeping closer to $10/GAL, and it's apparent to all how dependent the EU is on Russia for energy). Governments, Businesses, and Individuals are all taking action to reduce costs and dependency on Russian suppliers. For example, Schiphol recently announced they would drop the temperature settings in their terminals one degree to try to reduce their annual energy usage.

I DO have to commend the many Americans (and Europeans) who are getting involved and are assisting the Ukrainian people. And not just financially. Working with a few of my US clients - on their initiative - we've helped transport numerous folks from their initial landing spots (primarily Poland - and more specifically Warsaw) to different locations in Europe. Moving people who sometimes do not have "papers" can be difficult - and then there's the challenge of just reading the documents that they do have. I have two clients in Europe today, sacrificing their time and money - It has been a humbling experience assisting them. Everyone's exhausted - but they want to do more.

So no, I'd disagree. there is tension and concern in the air in Europe. I would imagine being on vacation you'd not be as aware of these ongoing day-to-day challenges. That all said, whether you travel is a personal choice, in many ways similar to the COVID concerns regarding travel. We are not seeing a decline in bookings, just some adjustments as to where people are going. And this event - unfortunately - is part of life. if you've ever walked through a train station, met refugees, heard their stories... it's incredibly impactful. Granted, it's probably not the vacation highlight you were seeking, but it can be a life-changing moment for travelers of all ages.

And this event - unfortunately - is part of life. if you've ever
walked through a train station, met refugees, heard their stories...
it's incredibly impactful. Granted, it's probably not the vacation
highlight you were seeking, but it can be a life-changing moment for
travelers of all ages.

I cant think of a better trip then to take the opportunity to help.

Ron (and Kerouac), thank you for sharing the first-hand. The only thing I feel compelled to add is that I did two of the “goofy” Air BnB Experience bookings (one in Odesa for horseback riding and one in Kiev for a street art tour) - and the emails I received in response from real people with real personal situations with real need are incredibly moving. And those are just 2 of 2 million stories. It’s mind-blowing and so so humbling.

But I am in Barcelona right now and the tourist infrastructure here is so happy. So yes, traveling now is fine.

These are things that travellers will want to be aware of, which vary by country in Europe...

The UK, as always, is dragging its heels in allowing refugees into the country - this morning it was announced the programme may start in 2 or 3 weeks in a small way - far too late many, but the situation is on everybody's lips and affects absolutely everybody here with very high vehicle fuel prices and electricity and gas for heating and cooking and living at well beyond the highest ever prices.

So while we don't have the shelling and bombing on our doorstep we are all involved in the war. It remains the one and only topic on the TV news, and frequently the half hour news broadcasts have gone to one full hour.

I'm sorry the US reporter was shot and killed yesterday.

There was a missle attack yesterday 6km from the Polish border, and Russia has said they will attack trucks bringing supplies to Ukraine before they reach Ukraine.

Ireland has said that they will take 50,000 Ukrainian refugees.

"...dig deep and give the money...." How true !

Ireland has said that they will take 50,000 Ukrainian refugees.

Actually they expect to house 100,000. They have dropped all vista restrictions, work permit rules and have instructed airlines to accept Ukrainian passengers with any form of identification - passport, ID card, driving license, birth certificate etc. to get them to Ireland.

Currently in Europe, was just in Italy for a month. Everything is fine, there is no tension in the air, and I think people in the US discuss the war more than they were doing there.
I would honestly feel much more at risk in the US than I would in somewhere like Italy!

Well you can’t be speaking to many average Europeans then nor listening to our TV and radios…..

Did you notice the concerns about grain shortages next year and the efforts the national governments and the EU are making to get farmers to grow more grain. It is in all the local media.

Here in Switzerland all of our active bunkers are being inspected to ensure they are serviceable if required. The national food and other resources reserves are being checked on and topped up. Again this is in the media.