Given the current political climate in the US, are Americans welcome in Italy--or Europe as a whole? Thoughts? Recent experiences? I'm always inclined to travel, especially to Italy--or anywhere in Europe, but will I be welcomed back? Last year it seemed like Europe was flooded with Americans, and for the most part, Europeans welcomed us with open arms. What's it going to be like this year? Do Europeans separate ordinary American citizens from the current regime occupying 1600 Pennsylvania Ave? Appreciate your perspective . . .
Posted by
Greater Sacramento
637 posts
Before the thread gets locked I would add that most people just go on about their daily lives, and visiting Europe in 2019 vs 2022 and 2024 didn’t create a different experience for us. FWIW, the current Italian government seems pretty friendly toward our leadership on the whole, outside of the recent trade issues.
Posted by
Somewhere out there
161 posts
Unfortunately these posts degenerate rapidly before being locked, but that being said I’ve visited/lived in Europe for almost 25 years thick and thin. Never had a problem…..EVER.
Posted by
Massachusetts, USA
1999 posts
We have a 5-week trip planned for Italy this May, and then a 3-week trip planned for Romania and Hungary for September. We plan on going on both of our trips. Just finalizing sightseeing reservations for Italy today. We can't stop traveling; we can't stop doing what we enjoy doing. My husband and I are in our 70's, so who knows how many more traveling years we have left, especially international. We lost several years during Covid (I don't mean to sound selfish; at least we are alive and healthy). But I feel that, due to our ages, we can't afford to lose any more traveling years.
I believe that European citizens can separate American citizens from its government, and they will treat us with kindness and respect. If someone initiates a political discussion with me, I will probably give my opinion, but I won't be the one to initiate a discussion.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16737 posts
The political climate or the political side in power in the US or Italy has never stopped me from traveling.
Italy has a right wing government since October 2022, probably the most right wing since the fall of Mussolini nearly 82 years ago. That hasn't stopped people from the left from traveling to Italy, actually in the past two years it has been the most crowded years with tourists. I'm sure 2025 will be even worse due to the Jubilee.
But if you plan to go to Italy with a red hat with the acronym for "Facciamo l'Italia Grande Ancora" (Make Italy Great Again), don't! That acronym is a very vulgar sexual word in Italian.
Posted by
OP
Virginia
3 posts
Thanks, all, for your replies. That settles it for me: I've got my tray table set in its upright, locked and travel position.
See you in Tuscany in late July. I want to see & hear Andrea Bocelli in an outdoor amphitheater before I die--and take the love of my life with me!
Ciao, Bella e Bello!