I am so excited that Italy is open with Covid-tested flights! I'm planning somewhat of a last minute trip - to be in Italy the first week of July. Normally, I would never consider a tourist hotspot during the summer (Rome, Cinque Terre, Amalfi Coast etc.), but I wonder if this is the year to give it a go since it might not be very busy. What are everyone's thoughts? Anyone on the ground that can report back?
Thank you!
I’m sure it will be. Maybe fewer Americans than usual, given the restrictions, but Europeans and Italians will be there.
I can’t speak to Italy, but I was on a live virtual tour of the Lourve yesterday and it was empty. The guide went past the Mona Lisa at the beginning of the tour and there were about 10 people there. He passed by again at about 15 minutes to closing and no one was there. Maybe you’ll be lucky. We’re planning to visit Paris in October and hope Versailles won’t be over crowded.
Hi Allison,
Check out the live Lazio webcams.
https://www.skylinewebcams.com/en/webcam/italia/lazio/roma.html
They give a good indication of what is going on during the day and in the evening.
Masks are still required indoors and outdoors - so far. In another month, things could improve even more.
Also, check out this person's website https://www.romewise.com/
She is an American living in Rome; married to a Roman for about 20+ years. If you scroll through her website, she has a lot of suggestions and information about visiting Rome and maybe Italy as a whole.
Now, versus a month from now, could be a big difference. With Europeans taking vacations in July, I’m guessing that the crowds might be a bit less than in a pre-Pandemic July, but still a substantial amount of tourists. We’re going in late September, so we’ll see.
Many annual outdoor music festivals (cancelled in 2020) occur in July and August are on in 2021, but with less capacity allowed and a lot of rules to follow
Weren’t there always Europeans from other countries visiting Italy pre-Covid? I think with less American and Canadian tourists this summer it will be less crowded than it was in June-Aug of 2019. I say less, not none.
Europeans can’t really travel out of Europe, so that, combined with the fact that most have been subject to lockdowns or curfews and are desperate to get away means that places will be busy. Plus many attractions are going to be subject to limits on numbers entering.
I can’t speak for Italy, but accommodation in the U.K. for the summer school holiday period has rocketed in price.
Weren’t there always Europeans from other countries visiting Italy pre-Covid?
You are right, but before Covid Europeans where free to decide if they wanted to travel out of Europe or to stay "at home". Now all Europeans are forced to spend the summer holidays in Europe. Just like Italians like me who, before Covid, would have never thought of wasting two summers in a row in Italy.
I think there will be a big difference in languages spoken by tourists, not in the overall bnumber of visitors. There will be fewer people in places like the Amalfi Coast and the Cinque Terre, beloved by Americans and Britons. Especially in July and September.
Thanks for all of your insight. One more question - I was going to book a Covid-tested flight to Milan. Do you know if I will have any issues taking flights within Italy once I arrive? I was thinking of booking a separate flight from Milan to Naples.
Hi.
Not sure if you are aware but Milan has two airports -
Linate https://www.milanolinate-airport.com/en/
and Malpensa https://www.milanomalpensa-airport.com/it/
Thanks Jennifer and Dario, makes sense.
Dear Dario, we fully understand.
I also would have never thought of "wasting" two summers in a row in California, like you would have never thought of "wasting" two summers in a row in Italy. But we are the lucky ones. Think about those who have to spend two summers in a row in Oklahoma or Arkansas?
Us Americans are so lucky to be able to enjoy our country during this pandemic.
As far as Americans in Italy this is my thought: United has two Covid-Free flights a day, let’s say Delta has two and American has two that is only 6-8 flights a day for all of Europe. That is not many Americans. Until Italy opens to vaccinated Americans I doubt there will be many Americans in Italy.
Think about those who have to spend two summers in a row in Oklahoma or Arkansas?
I'd rather visit for the first time the Dust Bowl holding my copy of Steinbeck's book than see the zillionth Italian village/beach/art city for the zillionth time.
The world we can safely visit is becoming smaller and smaller for too many reasons, Italy will always be there when I'll be old.
Bravo Dario for expressing a point of view that seeks the uniqueness of undervalued regions. A big Kansas sunflower for you.
Sometimes people need to adjust their lenses to see clearly—
Good image - Steinbeck ghost writing the RS Guide to Oklahoma and Arkansas.
The local and state governments of Oklahoma and Arkansas probably didn't prevent them from visiting other states last year. We took a total of 3 trips to states near us last year.
The web site Rome Wish is very interesting and full of useful information. I bookmarked it for further travels. Thanks for the tip.
