Hi, we’re thinking of a walking tour around October end to get away from US elections :)
Looks like Spanish tourism won’t really open by end of the year. Does anyone have any information on whether the Italian government will open their tourism by then?
Thanks.
No one knows, but planning doesn’t hurt and you can be ready to act if and when things are better.
Are you thinking of a guided/escorted tour or on your own?
I believe I have seen posts from people located in Italy of the Italian government's plans. I think they were saying not until 2021. I think I was seeing this on the Rick Steves Facebook group. I don't think it's the greatest place for info, but I love the photos folks post. People in epidemiology have been telling me, that if COVID follows patterns of other virus, it could ramp up again in the fall, but it's all just a crap shoot. Right now, the airlines (or at least DELTA) are allowing folks to book thru May 31, with the ability to change the ticket if need be.
EDITED TO CLARIFY, that would be May 31 of 2021
Thanks for the info. My wife and I were going to go on a route by ourselves, not a guided one.
I have a bunch of ticket credits on United that I can use for this, so it would work out well.
Shankha
Have a look at the Portuguese Camino.
We did it from Porto to Santiago the Compostella you could do the whole thing in 2 weeks or just a portion of it.
We had a great time, not difficult, about 20km a day and mostly flat. You can stay in lovely hotels or bed and breakfast along the way and the food is very good. You can have your luggage transferred from place to place.
If you are afraid that Spain wont be open, you could do the Portuguese portion only this time and finish another time.
Hope this help!
Take a look on https://www.onfootholidays.co.uk/ for inspiration.
as other have said no one knows what is going to happen but no harm in planning .One of the problems you may have getting an organised tour is that the European walking season tends to end around that time, well certainly the organised ones and I have been on quite a few over the last 20 years or so.
https://www.ramblersholidays.co.uk/experience/guided-europe-walking
I have used this company quite a few times and though they are mainly a UK company they do allow folk to meet up in countries and join in their tours. The one I did in Italy about 12 years ago was based in Vico Equense just a short distance from Sorrento. They had various walks organised as well as more historical sights to visit and you can choose what you want to go on or do your own thing that day. I really enjoyed it and actually went to the same area the following year and did my own thing for a week.
I really would not book anything till much nearer the time as we just don't know what is happening ,I have just had to cancel a trip to Prague next month and have nothing else booked for this year . I am due to take early retirement at the end of September and was hoping to get a trip organised for October and another for late November /early December but though I am looking at what might be available I will make no bookings until I am more sure of what is going on.
Hello Shankha, Actually Italian Government is thinking how to restart his tourism.
Hopefully they think to restart the tourism at Summer maybe from some near European countries : )
You can follow the news on the web
Yes, am hoping Italy and Portugal will be open by October. Since we’ll be on a walking holiday by ourselves, it’s important that the services that we need will be available in the towns and villages on the way.
Any news on Portugal?
Yes, the Italian government is thinking about when to restart tourism, however, that doesn't mean it will be any time soon. This is not the article I saw initially, but it says similar. It seems pretty unlikely that there will be tourism this summer for nonItalians.
