One Key Thought on Traveling in Europe for the Time Being

Kim- I'm going to split the baby with you so to speak. I think within a month a lot more will open in Western Europe. Whether it should open or not I have no opinion, I'm not a doctor/scientist, nor on the ground. It will just happen, as it is in much of the US, because of public pressure and folks ignoring most Covid rules (masking etc). Now that is NOT to say that if an outbreak occurs from a new variant that sends the medical establishment of any one country screaming that shutdowns and other controls might suddenly be put back in place.

But this is NOT a new possibility. Anyone traveling now must accept that risk. I have zero sympathy for those traveling this summer if something does go wrong. How many starts/stops have we had....so I'm totally of the opinion-buyer beware. The choice is yours, the risk is yours. In the famous (?) 1992 Baseball movie A League of There Own Tom Hanks has a very memorable line, telling Madonna: "Are you crying, are you crying, there is no crying, there is no crying in baseball!". Well for 2021 there is NO crying in Travel. Go, have a great time, enjoy the escape after a year of boredom but there is NO Crying in Travel for 2021. If things go south and you lose thousands of $$, no crying, no blaming the Minister of Tiddlywinks that you bought tickets because they said.... No Crying in Travel for 2021. You took the gamble, the risk is 100% yours. Play, but play smartly. As my buddy Dirty Harry would say, "Do Ya Feel Lucky, Well do ya?"

Kim, you are absolutely right. I was almost done planning my trip to France/Spain when it occurred to me that due to COVID, crossing the border was going to be a little more complicated. I had only really thought about the possible need for a COVID test to get into Paris CDG. I am very excited about the trip that I've planned, but I am keeping in mind that I may need to be flexible and make changes. I will probably sketch out a plan B in the next few weeks. If we can't do Spain, we will do a larger loop in France. I wish I weren't emotionally invested in the trip that I've planned, but I looked at some options in France that I could get excited about.

Actually, I should have known better, because its been complicated enough in the U.S. over the last 1 1/2 years or so with adult children in 3 different states with varying restrictions, including one in Hawaii. In fact, the Spain plan sounds an awful lot like Hawaii's plan with the online medical questionnaire, and QR codes.

Also, I would hope people wouldn't break or stretch the rules. It's so disrespectful, but also, the systems that governments can set up are more far reaching than folks may realize. I know from my travel to Hawaii, if you don't get a QR code, you can't pick up a rental car or check into a hotel.

For me, I think there is a good chance, that things will have calmed a bit by my travel dates. But, a lot of things this past couple of years have surprised me.

While things are changing rapidly, and mostly for the less restrictive, that can change back again in a hurry.

As someone living in Germany with family in Denmark, I can say that I haven't seen my family in many months. We did not spend Christmas together. Every time one side loosens restrictions, the other tightens, etc. It has been tricky. Friends who have traveled within Europe have either broken rules or found the same issues, even getting hung up in transit when there were no problems with the destinations. We are travel junkie expats who have never, ever, ever gone more than a year without flying (for me ever, for my spouse since we have been together at least). I hold an EU passport. And we have not left Germany since the start of the pandemic.

Most countries have enough to see, do, and experience that this is definitely the time to pick one. This is the year of exploring Italy at leisure and finally including that trip to Brindisi and Taranto that is always missed in favour of Naples and Palermo. It's the year to finally visit Heligoland and Quedlinburg instead of just Rothenburg. It's the year of learning to feel comfortable with the language, tipping practices, style of hospitality, etc. of a single country and then seeing if you prefer the food of the northern or southern part of the country or the accent or dialect of a particular region. It's the year to get off the train, rent a car, take the back roads, and get a bit lost. It's the year for meeting someone local and taking every one of their suggestions for the area. There is plenty of magic in any one country, even the small ones.

Europe shouldn't be a checklist, and this is a good year to remember that.

Kim,

You've made some good points and I've wondered several times how travel between countries "on the ground" would be handled. I can vaguely remember the shuttered border checkpoint buildings in some countries that I've travelled in, and wondered whether those might be opened and staffed during this situation. I also wondered whether trains might start carrying health officials to ensure that all passengers are complying with the regulations for the countries they will be entering.

I didn't bother spending too much time thinking about all the possibilities as I don't plan on travelling until things return to some semblance of normal. However the thought did briefly cross my mind that if I were to take advantage of the new Air Canada flights to Italy, it would be so easy to spend some time in Switzerland too, and fly home from Zürich.

As the U.K. is currently demonstrating, you can have high levels of vaccination and a rapidly rising Covid infection rate, which has put the brakes on international travel for us due to the Delta/Indian variant.

Visiting just one country would make the most sense unless you are very flexible with your time, are prepared for local or national lockdowns at a moment’s notice and have the patience of a saint. I had 2 fraught trips last year - Sri Lanka and Spain, so it’s a staycation for me this year. I don’t need that much hassle.

Anyone who thinks this is all over and that travel is going to open up rapidly without any knock backs may be in for a rude awakening. It’s noticeable that all those based in Europe on this forum are far less gun ho about travel than those on the other side of the Atlantic.

I can vaguely remember the shuttered border checkpoint buildings in
some countries that I've travelled in, and wondered whether those
might be opened and staffed during this situation. I also wondered
whether trains might start carrying health officials to ensure that
all passengers are complying with the regulations for the countries
they will be entering.

Earlier in the pandemic, there were formal border controls in many places in Germany, like along the French border near where I live. Now, there are no more regular controls along that border, but that does not mean one is free to travel without restriction. For example, if you are German/in Germany, you need a PCR test to drive into France, unless you are within 30km of your home, and staying for less than 24 hours. They can tell where you are from based on your car tags, and are free to stop and pull people over (I know they do; I have a colleague who is a cross-border commuter (an exempt class), and they get stopped fairly regularly).

Also, there have absolutely been checks on public transit. I was in Switzerland a bit ago for officially allowed travel, and was stopped and my paperwork was examined. They might not check every train or every person, but if you get caught breaking the rules, I assume the sanctions would be strong. And, the responsibility is on the person crossing the border to know about and comply with the rules.

If I were planning a trip to Europe for this summer, I would certainly do as suggested here, and plan for only one country.

Good point, onefastbob, that things may get easier as the summer goes on. And I love your analogy to No Crying in Baseball!!

I guess in part I am very mindful of stories like Jennifer's (and others I have read in the press) where while she was on vacation in one country the rules changed for her return to the UK (heck, even the UK Transport Secretary got caught out, and if he can, I think anybody can). So I am very wary.

HowlinMad, I know what you mean. We live in France with family in Italy (my mother-in-law, brother-in-law and his family, etc). There was a period last summer beginning in June when we could go. But earlier this year, Italy re-instituted a quarantine-upon-arrival requirement even for citizens (it finally lifted that in mid-May). So we haven't been so see them since August. (At least we were able to go then, our first chance to go pay our respects to my father-in-law, who had passed from Covid in late April.)

And I really love what you said here:

This is the year of exploring Italy at leisure and finally including that trip to Brindisi and Taranto that is always missed in favour of Naples and Palermo. It's the year to finally visit Heligoland and Quedlinburg instead of just Rothenburg. It's the year of learning to feel comfortable with the language, tipping practices, style of hospitality, etc. of a single country and then seeing if you prefer the food of the northern or southern part of the country or the accent or dialect of a particular region. It's the year to get off the train, rent a car, take the back roads, and get a bit lost. It's the year for meeting someone local and taking every one of their suggestions for the area. There is plenty of magic in any one country, even the small ones.

Funny enough as I look at the Forum home page right now, the question showing above this one is about traveling to Italy via the UK and Greece. . .

I think you have hit the nail on the head Kim

1. I strongly agree with the sticking to one country. I have an 18-day trip to Bosnia lined up. In order to fly my "regular" airline and burn some frequent flyer miles, I would need to fly into Belgrade and out of Zagreb, which would be fine in normal travel times, but there is too much border-crossing risk/uncertainty (and too many PCR tests) at this point to do that. So, I'm flying on a different airline and paid extra for a refundable ticket. Of course, it's easy for me to endorse single-country travel because I enjoy longer trips to a single country (like 25 days in Slovenia in 2019).

2. If there was a 👍🏻button on here, I would hit it for onefastbob's post. I'm preaching to the choir, I know, but there is a lot more to see in a country than it's "greastest hits." And I accept travel at my own risk, as all should. I'm sure, though, we are going to see posts about evil proprietors not refunding money when/if (a) someone books travel to a country before it is open to travel and/or (b) things tighten up again due to COVID-19.

3. HowlinMad mentioned 2 german sites that appeared in an article I saw yesterday on lesser known sites in Germany. I've been to one (Meersburg) and had a trip to the Harz Mountains shut down in spring 2020 due to COVID-19.

You are basing everything on today and that's understandable. Very few countries in Europe are open to Americans---today.

However....the World Tourism Organization--part of the UN--is meeting this week in Athens trying to come up with ways to increase tourism around the world. The G7 (including US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan) meet in the UK next week.

I would be surprised if some type of agreement doesn't come from these regarding tourism and entry. It could mean stringent requirements in entering Schengen but once inside the same freedom to travel as before would be available. Of course, a country could pull out if rates go up and they feel it is necessary to lock down again.

France wants to open up. Italy wants to open up. Greece, Spain, Portugal, Denmark all want to open up to tourists. If they can come to a mutual agreement on entry policies, it will be easier for tourists to move about.

Outside of Schengen, Ireland has announced they will open to Americans on Juy 19. To bypass quarantine visitors will need a negative covid test and proof of vaccination. According to the Irish Consualate in NY, the CDC card is acceptible for proof.

I would be surprised if some type of agreement doesn't come from these regarding tourism and entry. It could mean stringent requirements in entering Schengen but once inside the same freedom to travel as before would be available. Of course, a country could pull out if rates go up and they feel it is necessary to lock down again.

Yes, you are most likely correct. Maybe I am too affected by all the current questions flying around, which hopefully will become moot in a little while.

I do though still wonder if the Europe-to-UK (and vice versa) difficulties aren't going to remain more of an issue.

Good advice, although I'll go with some of the others here who said that a lot more will probably be open in a month.

Having said that, the summer my husband and I rented a car and drove all over France still probably ranks as my favorite trip, ever. There is so much diversity in France that at times, depending on where we were, I felt the German influence, the Swiss influence, the Spanish influence, the British influence, and then just Paris as itself as amazing as it is.

For personal reasons we are trying to get to Portugal this summer, but...if that were not the case I would not hesitate to relive that 3-week car trip in France.

Pessimistic? No. I consider people who booked June travel with multiple country plans, or even flight changes in European countries to have been naively optimistic. Direct flights to Europe, one country and a fluid agenda is definitely the way to go this year to at least minimize some risk and complication.
Looking at last year's graphs, travel in September on is going to get risky again for potential lockdowns, however variants aren't reading the calendar, so it could be anytime.

Kim, I agree with you. Originally I was trying to figure out how to get to Paris after visiting Croatia in September. I haven’t booked anything and was going to wait till the very last minute. After talking with fellow travelers and reading different posts, we will probably stay in Croatia and drive around to visit those small towns we have missed. My biggest concern is finding a direct flight. It would be so much more convenient and easy to fly into Zagreb. A friend could pick us up and drive us to Rijeka - 1 1/2 hours away. The direct flights are into Split and Dubrovnik right now. That would mean a rental car, 4+ hour drive, maybe even a hotel stay because of jet lag, which is another reason I am holding off on making a plane reservations. We will monitor the situation and book sometime in July. If the prices are higher, it is a chance we are willing to take.

I think FrankII is not wrong, but there is what one can do and what one should do.

It's true that many places will open--at least to a degree. So sure, it's likely that vaccinated Americans CAN enter the Schengen area, travel around within it, and see the sights or eat at the restaurants. But whether this is the year that this is WISE is another question. Europe is far behind the US in vaccinating (but still way ahead of the rest of the world). A lot of things are not open yet and a lot of travel restrictions are evolving rapidly. It's hard to keep up.

People are just emerging from their winter lockdowns, and it shows. Here in Hamburg the weather has been really nice, and people were acting crazy--just a bit reckless in little things. It kept the rescue groups and paramedics quite busy. All without breaking Covid rules. Police are busy enforcing the remaining restrictions and not concerned about pickpockets. And as they do, they break Covid rules and forget to distance, thus creating spikes. These can lead to quarantine requirements being enacted on short notice. Even getting a PCR test on short notice can be a costly and troublesome endeavour. Not how one wants to spend a vacation.

The burning desire to see both the Colosseum and the Eiffel Tower are understandable, but cancellations and constant changes are not good for the industries you are most using--the hotels and gastronomy. Remember, you may be vaccinated, but those serving your cappuccino might not be, and they might be relying on this job; your last minute cancellation because you now have to quarantine in your hotel in Italy. The cascading effects of these sudden changes are not ideal for the locals.

We currently have 3 planned—Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia BUT we always knew we would need a plan B and have also known from the start that we may need to stick to one country. We’d be fine with a month in Switzerland if they let us in, have seen nothing in the southern Alps before. Or, if Switzerland does not let us in but France does, we’ll do another loop there seeing things we’ve missed as well as repeating things we love. Flexibility as well as refundable tickets is the way to go. We currently are using frequent flier miles, no problem to change as long as we can find flights. Flexible, flexible. I too think we will hear more next week after the summits.

Sorry, Howlinmad, but your last paragraph makes no sense. If I don't visit, I'm definitely not ordering a cappucino and the server gets nothing. If I show up, then at least there is a chance of ordering that cappucino.

And if you're concerned that server might get sick from me visiting......the chances of me, arriving both vaccinated and with a negative covid test, is less likely to give the unvaccinated server Covid than he or she going out with their other unvaccinated friends after work.

If locals, as you describe in Hamburg, do crazy things because they are cooped up and then spread covid, don't blame future visitors for that. Blame the locals for not following the rules.

I was in NYC last week. The main tourist areas were not as crowded without foreign visitors. Hotels are hurting, restaurants are hurting, and so on. While I was there, the strict mask and distance rules were lifted for vaccinated people. But what is to stop the unvaccinanted from doing the same? And that's true of everywhere. If foreign tourists came to the U.S. with proof of vaccination and a negative covid test, I don't see why we need to worry about them more than a unvaccinated local who doesn't want to follow the rules.

I think that’s a good idea for this year. For me, if I go I will only go on a direct flight from the US to my destination country. No layovers in Europe this year - who knows how transit passengers will be allowed if the layover country tightens restrictions. So that might mean flying from home to a place like New York that offers a direct flight instead of transiting in a different European country.

Cancellations prevent bookings from people who show up. You may show up, get stuck in France, and now not only are you not staying in your room in Italy, but neither is someone else. That's why I advocate one country. I am not saying don't come.

I don't think you, if you are vaccinated, will get people sick. I think that the server who is not vaccinated might still be spreading it to his friends, causing a spike--not that tourists who are vaccinated will cause that spike. It's also the pent up energy that might cause a spike, particularly in the near future as the initial easing happens before the vaccines get far enough. A local or regional spike can put a crimp in anyone's plans, both in terms of what people can see or do and in terms of how their trip might proceed. And local unvaccinated populations also mean local disruptions in terms of things not running the way they should.

I also think that there will be a lot of faked paperwork given the vaccine hesitancy in the US (and elsewhere, including here). THOSE people, tourist and local, COULD spread it from country to country, but if you are vaccinated, I am not talking about you, obviously. That's a separate issue.

I am fine with some reopening for the vaccinated. I am just saying the odds of having trouble are high, and they can still be problematic for both the traveler and the locals.

We are guilty of asking questions regarding travel from France to Italy or vice versa, and we can't even get a clear picture from the airlines on Covid tested flights. Right now the only one who seems to have it together is Delta, clearly marking the flights. We have spend an entire day today jumping from airline site to site, with no clearer picture. We were on hold with Lufthansa for over an hour before finally talking with someone who told me their flights are not COVID tested, and would have to quarantine as of todays ruls for their August sale. Spend 1 hr. and 22 minutes on hold with American Airlines to try and find out how to book their supposed COVID flights from DFW and finally just hung up. The answer is clear - its a total pain in the arse right now to do anything with any kind of clarity, and we are just going to wait it out. Anxious as we are, we believe the next month will give a much clearer picture. Unfortunately for us, October travel is out, as is December. Kim is right. We all need to take a deep breath and realize it could all unfold with the wind. One country, one less hassle.

Have you tried Google? A search on Google would have taken all of 15 seconds and educated you to the fact that Covid Tested Flights are only authorized by the Italian Government through July 31st. I believe you are searching for flights after that date- thus NO Covid Free Flights.

And a 15 second search on Delta's website would have shown you that Covid-Tested flights are clearly marked on departures through October.

Getting back to Kim's OP--I did what she described. I turned a two-country trip in October to a single, and changed my flights to arrive in Europe in my destination country. Just trying to keep it simple for my aging mind as I try to keep track of all the moving parts.

And, of course, to make up for missing out on that second destination in October, I just had to plan an extra trip to that other country next year. Oh darn :-)

Kim, I think the same. Covid has changed the way we used to travel, so we have to adjust to it and make the most out of the trip. As for me, I'm thinking of booking a tour in Italy and visit a couple of cities there. I have heard that tourists are welcomed there due to the bad financial situation after Covid.

I did the same as Eric - delayed that planned multi-country trip planned for places that are not even open to the U.S. yet and substituted a one-country extended trip in the fall. The key to travel, in the U.S. or in Europe, is going to be the ability to plan ahead in ways we haven’t had to before and the ability to be flexible and adaptable with all of it.

I'll add on a bit. I planned a 24 day road trip/itinerary for September involving one high speed train trip from Paris to Bordeaux the second day after my arrival to France. I got a great price on a car rental that I'm picking up my 3rd day in France. The train is the only thing I've booked for this trip that is nonrefundable. The air, inns, car rental can all be cancelled/rescheduled. I've tried to allow adequate time and set the itinerary so that I can be flexible to accommodate any changes in regards to COVID. I also am constructing a Plan B trip in case this one becomes problematic.

So yesterday, I'm typing my Itinerary and had to go back and look at my DELTA booking and noticed I no longer had seat assignments on a plane that appeared to be filling up. Using the website, I tried to get new seat assignments which my ticket allows because I booked main cabin. The website wouldn't allow me to. Annoyed I called DELTA and there was a 6 hour hold time. I ended up using their IM option. After, waiting 3 hours the agent informed me that the flight I was looking at was not my original flight. AirFrance had moved us to the same flight for the following day. I hadn't noticed that. I never received an email. That would have meant that I couldn't use the train tickets I purchased and I wouldn't be to Bordeaux in time to pick up my car, and all my inns would be off a day. The car was a fabulous deal, and had I needed to rebook, I might have ended up with a rental twice the cost of the first one. The agent then moved me to a flight on my original day, but an earlier time. Awesome! I think that flight was much more expensive than my original one. I will get more time in Paris, my arrival day.

I ended up all good, but its a good reminder that this is a crazy year, and when making plans, flexibility is key. I'm certain there will be more changes to my flight before I leave. Hopefully, I will be able to just keep it on the same departure day, or an earlier day.

@julesm... Schedule change Saturday strikes again. Keeping checking that reservation... there's a good chance it will change again.

@julesm - I just sent you a PM about Bordeaux:)

Chiming in to say we've done the same as Eric, Travelmom and others. We originally planned a Christmas/New Year's trip to Germany, Czech Republic, and Spain. After waiting, watching the news and biding our time, we've just booked round trip tickets to Madrid and will stay in Spain. With 10 people traveling and some complicated work/coverage needs, we just can't be that nimble with scheduling, so we are going the K.I.S.S. route and sticking with one tourist-friendly country. If that falls apart, we'll just cancel and try again next year.

 (with some countries like Croatia being completely open with no
restrictions, and some requiring a bit or a lot more)

I know that you said that as an aside, but just to be sure people don't take it to heart, the last time I checked you needed either a PCR test or a vaccine card, and there is an online health form you need to complete, plus you have to show evidence that your accommodations are paid for.

I have been watching it because I leave for Europe in a few weeks and Croatia is one of 5 stops.

The only European countries that I believe literally have no restrictions are N. Macedonia, Kosovo and Albania.

Regulations are so complicated & ever-changing that I still cannot cross the border to visit my parents in Germany since the pandemic. As they are in a German state where going to anywhere (including cultural/food establishments) requires proof of vaccination and/or negative test result, all restaurants/cafes in their town require vaccination proof, public transport requires N95, and non-essential travel including visiting relatives are still strongly discouraged. In addition to testing requirements of Germany&France, I can't go until my French vaccination proof can be recognized in Germany.

Wow, this is eye-opening even for me. I am so sorry you haven't been able to see them yet Ashley. I hope Germany and France will establish mutual vaccination recognition ASAP!!!

Speaking of Croatia, did anyone else see the thread from the fellow who was trying to travel on TAP from ORD to Croatia with a party of six and wasn’t allowed to board in ORD because he couldn’t fill out the necessary form online? That post seems to have disappeared.

did anyone else see the thread from the fellow who was trying to
travel on TAP from ORD to Croatia with a party of six and wasn’t
allowed to board in ORD because he couldn’t fill out the necessary
form online?

Yes, I saw it. I guess he deleted it because multiple responses to his original post pointed out that his expectation to board a plane without the Croatia-required electronic bar code was unrealistic. It's a shame he deleted the post because it was a great tale of the risk associated with travel in 2021. Even if you do everything within your power to follow the rules (including having a one-country itinerary), a website glitch can shoot down your trip.

Having said that, I'm planning to go to Bosnia in late September. Since Germany has taken the US off the risk list, I plan to attend a wedding in Germany in late August in what is now a low-COVID area. Airfare for the Germany trip will be "purchased" with frequent flyer miles that can be redeposited if things change, and all reservations will be refundable.

Edit:. The post is back. Looks like it was lost just because he tried to change the title.

Ashley — I am really sorry.

Dave — that rings true about that post being a cautionary tale.

The US is off the German risk list, but the travel restrictions regarding entry into Germany (i.e., no entry without urgent need to travel) are still in place. This makes me sad.

As many have said here, if traveling this summer/fall, keep things very flexible and very refundable. Or, be OK with losing a bit of money. Which just happened to us. Luckily, it was only a few hundred dollars.

Craig, I am sorry to hear you are out some cash. I hope you are able to rejigger most of your plans.

Kim, I am traveling to Croatia in a few weeks. I have visited the official Croatian site. I have done all of the paperwork required (fairly detailed of when you arrive and where you stay) there is no "bar code" just a written acknowledgment that you completed the form. The receipt in its entirety says:

You have successfully submitted
the form
Announcement of entry into the Republic of
Croatia
Number: XXXXXX
7/12/2021 - 7/20/2021
Period:
Purpose of travel to the RC:
TOURIST

If someone thinks I have missed something, please let me know.

Now James, when you say you have done your research, I believe you have done your research!!!

Yesterday, Sarah Murdoch told on her Facebook page of her experience trying to board a Thalys train in Paris to go to Amsterdam.

She had looked up what the thought she needed and came to board the train with her negative antigen test (and proof of full vaccination).

They would not let her board the train.

She had to go find a site to get a PCR test and get the results back before she could board a later train.
She felt pretty certain that she had read the entry rules correctly and that an antigen test would suffice, but as she said, in that moment with everyone trying to argue with the person controlling people's tests for entry — the person who decided if you boarded or not — that there was no point in arguing. So she went and paid the money and got the additional test.

This is just to say that even if you are trying to pay attention and do things correctly, you still never quite know what might be thrown at you. In her video, she underlined the importance of staying calm, focusing on what the solution might be, being kind, building in extra time, and budgeting in extra money for unknown situations doing with crossing borders during the current situation where different rules prevail in different countries.

She only has herself to blame. The Thalys website clearly states a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure is needed to take the train to the Netherlands.

https://www.thalys.com/fr/en/travel-recommendations-of-different-european-countries

My suggestion to anyone traveling.....read the rules yourself, don't rely on others, don't assume.

point of correction, Tom Hanks did not say that to Madonna. He said it to one of the other women.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6M8szlSa-8o

My son and his 3 friends have been in France, Italy and now Greece since 6/18 and have had no problems at all with trains, planes, cars and crossing borders. It’s been easy for them.

Hi,

Your points are well taken. Listening to the news almost daily, I have come to the same conclusion. "...NOT the year...." That's I am not going this summer or even in the autumn. It would have been a special event if I did go, the 50th anniversary of my first time over in the summer of 1971. I got my 2 shots, have no problems wearing the mask, which just about everyone in SF does , the locals anyway.

I'll just have to wait another year to do my multi-country trip of, at least, four countries. if not five.

The award for best use of a movie quote in a travel post goes to...onefastbob.

I've been envious for a couple of months as I've read of many of you booking travel for this year and watching the RS tours next year fill up. But at the same time; due to my cautious nature, I know it would have been a mistake for me to take the plunge. My wife and I keep debating when to begin rebooking our Scotland 2020 trip and hopefully we'll feel comfortable restarting plans in the Fall for next June. Even then, one country; no sneaking into England to see Hadrians Wall or Bamburgh.

Required or not, when I am out and about which is daily, I see lots and lots of people with the mask on. The exceptions I see are usually tourists in the tourist sites. There are also many tourists having it on too.

If you're on Muni, there have been drivers, a few I've seen, telling the "offender" to put the mask on or get off. On BART no one is without it. Outdoors I would say 90% have it on, but it also depends on the district you're in, some districts it's close to 99%. The SF Public Library Main branch... everyone has it on.

I’m in SF too and that hasn’t been my experience, most people not wearing masks. You are right though about BART and Muni.

Well, then it must depend on which district one is in to account for our differences in observation.

Kim says -

However, as I am reading through questions of people preparing to travel this summer or this fall, it occurs to me that this year, in my humble opinion, is NOT the year to go bopping around between countries.

Rick Steves agrees -

Until visitors can bounce between countries with ease, experts recommend visiting one country instead of embarking on a Grand Tour. “If you are hellbent on going to Europe, there are two different kinds of trips: One is flying in and out of the same country, so you are dealing with one country’s reality. That’s probably a lot more realistic than a freewheeling trip around Europe,” Steves said. “I think that’s a little premature.”
...
Steves suggests independent travelers take advantage of the local tour guides he uses on his excursions who are eager for work. The guides, whose contact information is posted in his online Guides’ Marketplace, can help visitors navigate the city streets as well as the local, regional and national regulations.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/europe-travel-summer-2021/2021/07/01/f9cff15c-d2b4-11eb-ae54-515e2f63d37d_story.html

https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/guides-marketplace

"This stems from a discussion that we are having on the France forum . . . "

Hello Kim,
Can you please tell me what the "France forum" is? Don't mean to be dense but am new to these forums. Trying to find out all I can on England and France as we have a 2 wk England / 2 wk France trip planned for Aug/Sept this year. Trying to decide if we need to cancel.
Thanks so much!
Susan

Here's England: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england

Here's France: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france

You can access any country's forum by selecting Travel Forum (in the panel on the left if you're on a regular computer rather than a smartphone) and using the pull-down box under "Destination Q & A" to make your selection.

Kim, so far my research has paid off (so far). I am in country 5 of 6 tonight. Not the slightest issue crossing borders so far.

Actually, paperwork checks have been lax. BUT, if someone needs social distancing and masks to be comfortable with travel, this really isn't a good time to travel.