My wife and I are fully vaccinated experienced European travel nuts who just took a leap of faith and decided to spend some time traveling later this summer. We booked open jaw tickets using American Airlines miles we had to re deposit last year when our dreams got squashed due to the C word. We are flying into Barcelona on August 12 and home from Rome on October 10. Using miles will provide us a little flexibility should Europe need more time to open up properly.
Our destinations are yet to be determined although seaside resorts are our thing. We’ve spent a fair share of our past European journeys enjoying the Mediterranean like the locals. The last two weeks will be spent visiting my sister in the Castelli Romani near Rome.
My theory about selecting travel destinations this year is that coastal beach towns in countries like Spain, Portugal, France and Southern Italy, etc. will be more experienced in post COVID tourism by late August and into September. By then they will have hosted the usual sun seekers from the cities and Northern Europe just as desperate as we are to travel.
I would love to hear your opinions . Thanks
Posted by
Chicago
7811 posts
Cadaques is nice little town by the water. We went there January 2020 (last trip before the COVID) to see Salvador Dali's house in the town next to it called Port LLigat. https://www.salvador-dali.org/en/museums/house-salvador-dali-in-portlligat/
I wish I had more time to lounge there.
Antibes I wish I had stayed there. I went there on a day trip from Juan Les Pins.
Posted by
Washington DC
27063 posts
I have no idea whether you're better off pointing toward beach destinations.
I loved Puglia and Sicily, but both may still be hot in September. Sicily's good for over 2 weeks if you plan to rent a car; without a car, 3 weeks wouldn't be too long if you're interested in the Greek sites. (I'm not, and I thought 17-18 days was too short.)
Personally, I didn't find the Algarve all that interesting; the rest of Portugal was more interesting to me. I'd choose the other areas you've listed before the Algarve.
Posted by
4 posts
I agree with your theory. As countries open I feel the beach towns will get busy very fast as Northern Europeans flood that direction every year. Between June and when you wish to travel will give these town plenty of time to adjust and be ready for you! Happy Travels 🙂