Travel in the time of Covid in Europe/Italy

I couldn't even venture a guess about "safe". My husband and I have booked our flights for England in June 2022 and France and Spain in October 2022 because the weather will allow us to dine outside and enjoy the sights outside as well as while masked inside. To go anywhere in Europe during the cold months just seems risky for enjoying many experiences including eating indoors.
Even though our trip to England is now just six months away, we'll wait a while longer before getting lodging because we're fearful of having to cancel. We like to book apartments, but they are more risky regarding cancellations. The flights are frequent flyer/Chase miles which will cost little to nothing to change/cancel.

My husband is a heart transplant recipient, so we are extra cautious. Now, if everyone who is eligible would just get the vaccine and booster. . .

"Safe" means different things to different individuals. It's all about what risks you are willing to assume and how flexible you
are willing to be in changing circumstances.

I'm not sure what country you are traveling from, but US to Europe is open.

My opinion on planning:

- Vaccinated (including booster)
- PCR test (even if country might not require it when planning, could easily change and a good idea just to have it)
- Travel insurance to cover possible quarantine expenses
- Ability to be away from home for an extra 2 weeks, in case positive covid test
- Accommodations that are refundable
- Airfare refundable or offers vouchers, flexibility etc.
- Be good with wearing a mask
- Limit to one country
- And most of all, being okay with having to change your plans last minute.

An educated guess on when would be a good time to travel, summer or months when the weather is warmer.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/changes-to-entry-requirements

Another example of the ever changing whack-a-mole hoops and hurdles one must contend with

I agree with Gail.

“Safe” and “easy” are two different things. You can’t possibly plan a trip to Europe without taking all the things Gail mentioned into consideration. Does that make travel easy? Heck no. And if you want to visit more than one country, the hoops you need to jump through multiply. After doing all these things, could you still get Covid while there, or after returning home? Yep.

Is it worth it? Depends on the individual. Are your travel years coming to an end? Are you just as likely to be exposed at home? Can you handle your plans changing on a dime once you’re there?

I traveled to Italy and the UK last month. You need to do your homework and be prepared to complete the Passenger Locator Forms for each country you visit. We transited through London on the way in and stayed overnight with my cousin in London on the return trip. We uploaded Covid Tests and Vaccination Certificates for each country prior to boarding our flights. Again, each country has different rules and testing requirements so do your homework. In Italy a mask was required almost everywhere and we were asked to show our CDC Vaccine card on the trains, museums, and most restaurants. Masks were worn by nearly everyone in Italy. We had extra copies of the documents just in case. We stayed overnight in Rome and the rest of the trip we stayed at an Agritourismo (Farm House) for 7 nights and did day activities from there. Masks were not as prevalent in the UK. But we were staying with family so we felt safe. I would just make sure you plan for extra time at the airports due to the new complexities. But overall we felt safe. Bon Voyage!

It all depends on where you are starting from and your expectations. I have taken two trips in the last 3 months, and both required changing plans as we went.

If your idea of travel is to have everything planned long ahead, all rooms booked, all train tickets bought, dinner reservations, the works...you will have a hard time.

Willing to book a few days ahead, eliminate a stop or a country, and change plans on the fly, then as long as entry is not an issue, or you can adapt to the entry and daily requirements, then this can be a rewarding time to travel. I have had museums mostly to myself, walk in seating at any restaurant, great deals on rooms, peaceful streets.

On the flip side though, hours, closure days, and places even being open at all, can be an issue. While crowds are not fun, being one of 3 or 4 tables in a 20 table restaurant is a bit discomforting, having a bit of a lively crowd has its own charm, and in some cases events that normally might occur, may have just been dropped "due to covid", or rather, not worth the effort for a small crowd.

"Safe" means different things to different individuals. It's all about
what risks you are willing to assume and how flexible you are willing
to be in changing circumstances.

That's pretty much the tall and short of it. While Europe is not closed to most US citizens (depending on the country they're traveling from), traveling internationally for leisure means being willing to roll with the unexpected and the inconvenient, often on short notice. Closures and cancellations of everything from attraction access to flights can occur at any time, as can additional testing and/or quarantine mandates. For just one example, reference the ban France has just enacted for travelers from the UK? Yep, there's a big wrench in holiday plans for some disappointed people. .

As well is, of course, the risk of acquiring the virus abroad, and you and your traveling companions going into forced quarantine. One frequent poster's firsthand experience in France:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/covid19/positive-test-flying-to-the-states-what-do-you-do-personal-experience
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/covid19/what-exactly-happens-if-you-test-positive-before-returning-to-us

So if one is risk-averse, now is likely not the time to cross the pond? When the situation will improve enough for you to personally feel "safe" enough to do that is a question only you can answer. That said, a run through the forums turns up all sorts of folks bravely making big plans for 2022 or 2023! :O)

Thanks everyone for your considerate responses. I think a good idea is the one country plan. So for me that will be the starting point.
But I have a question if you are taking Eurail and it crosses from one country into another, what happens there? Like from France into Italy along the southern route past Monaco towards Pisa, or beyond?