US World-Wide Travel Advisory

If it were me, I wouldn't even be thinking about canceling since it's so far out. However, since you're posting here, obviously, you're concerned. You could always cancel. Is this a decision you need to make now? 6 months out?

The State Department has issues this advisory and has provided recommendations on its website. We are in Europe now and are just observing the normal precautions.

The state department has a Smart Traveler Enrollment (STEP) that allows you to provide your travel information and the State Department can use this information to help you navigate any specific issues that arise.

As you get closer to your dates, look for advisories from the State Department and then you can look at your risk tolerance.

The State Department issued the blanket advisory as a precaution in response to the war in the Middle East that began just this month. No one knows what the future holds or what the situation will be six months from now ( let us fervently hope that Peace 🕊️will prevail) but today’s advisory only applies to the present.

I’d not change a thing for the countries you are considering.

I didn’t ever book much stuff that was non-refundable but since Covid I’m even more aware of that. My preferred airline is Delta who is still giving generous cancellations for fares above the basic. If you havent booked airfare yet, do some looking on refund policies.

Also, on hotels, I’d book refundable rooms.

Don’t listen to advice from family and friends who are not travelers. They tend to be hand wringers/pearl clutchers, lol

I also think it's important to have trip interruption and evacuation insurance. I was in Nepal a few weeks before the earthquake & it just reminded me you never know when you will need insurance, so go prepared. And hopefully you will feel safe & enjoy your trip!

Thanks for all of your responses.

We have decided to only buy refundable hotel rooms & plane tickets as suggested.
—Debbie

I grew up abroad (outside North America). I will say that in the communities I’ve lived in, the impression people have is that the US government is often alarmist and Americans abroad then become unnecessarily overly cautious. Just sayin’

I don't think you need to buy fully refundable tickets unless you think you won't be traveling within a year. Major US carriers offer free changes, $$ stay in your account and are good for any travel for a year but that's NOT the case with European carriers. Just make sure your ticket is purchased with a US airline.

PS, Don’t listen to advice from family and friends who are not travelers. They tend to be hand wringers/pearl clutchers, lol @Pam, that made me laugh! Yes, please don't.

Just because I was curious, I looked up the United Kingdom's safety and security warnings for traveling to the USA: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa/safety-and-security Right up top, very similar to the general advisory issued by the US State Department:

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK
interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals
who view the UK and British nationals as targets. You should remain
vigilant at all times.

Vigilant at all times - IMHO that is how one should travel all the time, not just due to recent events. The rest of the UK page is an interesting read - the list of potential natural disasters is particularly thorough.

I think that UK link just proved that Americans aren’t the only ones that can be classified as “alarmists.” And right now I’m a bit more concerned about the war going on in the Middle East and repercussions from it than I am about an earthquake in Oregon.