Just Back from Europe

While you’ll have to ask our River Oaks Travel Advisors for their full review, here are our top 10 tips and observations

1. Europe is open and ready for travelers – hotels, restaurants, and tourist sites are all open!
2. There are fewer restrictions if you are vaccinated – some countries require vaccinations to enter, and it’s easy to travel between countries once you’re in the EU.
3. Consider planning ahead for next year – travel is picking up and we are seeing less availability at hotels for 2022
4. Make your sightseeing arrangements in advance – we recommend skip-the-line options wherever possible
5. Europe has more festive season availability than Mexico and the Caribbean – consider trading the beach for a city escape this winter!
6. Masks are required while flying and in public places like airports and museums – no masks are necessary outside
7. A negative antigen COVID test is required to return to the US, but it’s very straightforward to get one (and our advisors can help!).
8. We recommend purchasing travel insurance and/or COVAC for peace of mind.
9. We were impressed by the level of service at every European hotel – most kept their original staff so the quality remains high post-COVID!
10. One of the most often asked questions lately has been if masks and restrictions impact the overall travel experience. We say no! While masks are required indoors, we still found travel to be enjoyable – restaurants are often alfresco and many iconic sites are outdoors, so you really only have to wear them inside some shops and museums.