Things are getting very complicated
Nov 18th, 2021 | 01:48 PM
#41
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
At the moment, we are still booked for Germany and Belgium leaving next Thursday......we are sweating it out for a few more days, to see what happens....otherwise, we have another back up option.
Anyone else out there still planning a Germany trip in the next month?
Anyone else out there still planning a Germany trip in the next month?
Nov 18th, 2021 | 02:35 PM
#43
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,168
Likes: 83
Thanks for the tips jawsbite, I'll look at your suggestion for Evora. Most places seem a bit inconvenient to the train and bus station, but I assume getting a taxi would be easy enough?
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but things are not looking good for parts of Austria.
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe...wn-2021-11-18/
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but things are not looking good for parts of Austria.
- Provinces of Upper Austria and Salzburg are hardest hit
- Those provinces plan a joint lockdown from next week
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe...wn-2021-11-18/
Nov 19th, 2021 | 01:45 AM
#44
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,698
Likes: 0
Thanks for the tips jawsbite, I'll look at your suggestion for Evora. Most places seem a bit inconvenient to the train and bus station, but I assume getting a taxi would be easy enough?
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but things are not looking good for parts of Austria.
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe...wn-2021-11-18/
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but things are not looking good for parts of Austria.
- Provinces of Upper Austria and Salzburg are hardest hit
- Those provinces plan a joint lockdown from next week
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe...wn-2021-11-18/
Nov 19th, 2021 | 11:50 AM
#45
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
It's not looking so good for our family this year.....supposed to leave on the 26th for 19 days through Germany, Belgium and end in Amsterdam.....we responded to every update and requirement, had all our contingencies planned, and I gave up and threw in the towel this afternoon as soon as I heard that Bavaria cancelled it all. Not worth it...I will pick up the pieces and see if I can flip them to next year.....and instead I will see if I can just puzzle piece a quick10 days in Costa Rica instead.......LOL - Incidence rate of 4...I looked at every other place in Europe to see if I could rework it, but my heart's not in it anymore..
Nov 20th, 2021 | 08:20 AM
#46
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
hi
After a successful month long trip to Switzerland in October, we were reassured that our upcoming month long trip to Germany, Austria and Italy would go forward as planned.
Not anymore.
The itinerary:
Arrive Munich - one night - the original plan was to go straight to Austria, but then Lufthansa cancelled both our incoming and outgoing flights (and still haven't notified us I might add - we only learned this when a fellow Fodorite, who happened to be on the same flight, sent me a private message!), so we re-booked; leaving the US a day earlier and returning a day later. We could then either re-jig our entire itinerary or add a night in Munich on either end, which is what we did.
Fulpmes, Austria - five nights
Mayrhofen, Austria - five nights
St Cristina, Italy - five nights
San Candido, Italy - five nights
Salzburg, Austria - five nights
Munich, Germany - three nights
And then along came the COVID surge in Austria and Germany.
And things have gotten a whole lot more complicated.
While the US was removed form Germany's High Risk Area list effective yesterday (Nov 14), Austria was added.
Getting into Germany from the US isn't a problem.
Getting into Austria - not a problem from Germany as Germany is on Austria's Safe Countries List. However, the US isn't on Austria's Safe Countries List, but entering Austria is possible with 1) proof of full vaccination (max of 270 days from last jab), or past infection or negative COVID test - no drama. Travelers with this documentation do not need to register for pre-travel clearance and do not need to self-isolate.
But entering Germany from high risk areas (in this case Austria) now requires 1) digital entry registration - no drama, 2) proof of vaccination or negative test - also no drama - and, if I'm understanding this correctly and I think I am, 3) travelers who have stayed in a high risk area in the last 10 days before entering Germany must quarantine for 10 days - BIG drama.
And what about Italy?
Before entering Italy from Austria we must 1) provide a passenger locator form - no drama, and 2) provide a negative COVID test (even if fully vaccinated) taken 72 hours before arrival - a PITA, but no drama
To get back home - US citizens who are fully vaccinated need 1) proof of vaccination - no drama and, 2) negative COVID test three days before their flight - also no drama.
And, effective today Austria has imposed a lockdown on unvaccinated people. It'll be interesting to see how that pans out.
That pounding noise you're hearing? The nails on this trip's coffin.
Not anymore.
The itinerary:
Arrive Munich - one night - the original plan was to go straight to Austria, but then Lufthansa cancelled both our incoming and outgoing flights (and still haven't notified us I might add - we only learned this when a fellow Fodorite, who happened to be on the same flight, sent me a private message!), so we re-booked; leaving the US a day earlier and returning a day later. We could then either re-jig our entire itinerary or add a night in Munich on either end, which is what we did.
Fulpmes, Austria - five nights
Mayrhofen, Austria - five nights
St Cristina, Italy - five nights
San Candido, Italy - five nights
Salzburg, Austria - five nights
Munich, Germany - three nights
And then along came the COVID surge in Austria and Germany.
And things have gotten a whole lot more complicated.
While the US was removed form Germany's High Risk Area list effective yesterday (Nov 14), Austria was added.
Getting into Germany from the US isn't a problem.
Getting into Austria - not a problem from Germany as Germany is on Austria's Safe Countries List. However, the US isn't on Austria's Safe Countries List, but entering Austria is possible with 1) proof of full vaccination (max of 270 days from last jab), or past infection or negative COVID test - no drama. Travelers with this documentation do not need to register for pre-travel clearance and do not need to self-isolate.
But entering Germany from high risk areas (in this case Austria) now requires 1) digital entry registration - no drama, 2) proof of vaccination or negative test - also no drama - and, if I'm understanding this correctly and I think I am, 3) travelers who have stayed in a high risk area in the last 10 days before entering Germany must quarantine for 10 days - BIG drama.
And what about Italy?
Before entering Italy from Austria we must 1) provide a passenger locator form - no drama, and 2) provide a negative COVID test (even if fully vaccinated) taken 72 hours before arrival - a PITA, but no drama
To get back home - US citizens who are fully vaccinated need 1) proof of vaccination - no drama and, 2) negative COVID test three days before their flight - also no drama.
And, effective today Austria has imposed a lockdown on unvaccinated people. It'll be interesting to see how that pans out.
That pounding noise you're hearing? The nails on this trip's coffin.
Paris and Greece, which do you think would be a good week and a half vacation spot?
Nov 25th, 2021 | 04:56 PM
#49
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Im sorry Mel!
I was looking forward to meeting you on the flight to Munich
I am sure you are making the right choice Im holding out until Monday. Im not quite ready to give up.
happy thanksgiving
stay safe & well
Nov 25th, 2021 | 06:46 PM
#50
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 477
Likes: 0
Nov 25th, 2021 | 07:45 PM
#51
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,333
Likes: 0
Oh Mel, I’m so sorry to hear that. I assume it’s the Munich portion of the trip (if I recall correctly, you had to spend the last three days there?). It’s just so difficult right now to work things out, with these fluid situations. 😣
Nov 25th, 2021 | 09:57 PM
#52
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,508
Likes: 0
So disappointed for you, Mel. I know that, if it were possible, you would have found a way. Hope Covid will be tamed finally this winter, but in the meantime..... well, we have your gorgeous photos to look at and to keep our travel dreams alive.
s
s
Nov 26th, 2021 | 03:26 AM
#54
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,857
Likes: 0
Portugal seems jinxed for us too, we were to go in May 2020, then June of this year. Was all set for last month, then an unexpected work trip came up and its again on back burner.
And now theyre talking of this new variant from South Africa, where and when is this all going to end?
Nov 26th, 2021 | 09:04 AM
#55
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,362
Likes: 0
Too many spanners in the works now with each country deciding on its immediate strategy for dealing with the current situation. I have been planning a trip for late spring to Portugal, France and a bit of Basque Spain, and was on the verge of booking the air. So many things are changing day to day now, and I have decided to just wait until after the first of the year to reassess and possibly revise my itinerary to drop the travel between countries. Mel, so sorry you had to give up this trip you worked so hard to make happen. Here's hoping we all will have better luck with travel plans next year.
Nov 26th, 2021 | 09:48 AM
#56
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,168
Likes: 83
kecia - more room for you on the flight to Munich
. I hope your trip goes as planned.
Yes, it's the Munich portion that complicated things.
geetika - this is the second time we've cancelled Portugal too. I'm getting tired of cancelling trips, but so it goes. The good news is that I have several itineraries in place for future trips - the research is done, so if/when things improve, we can book again without too much effort.
And now theyre talking of this new variant from South Africa, where and when is this all going to end?
I asked myself that very question this morning. When, oh when?
Here's hoping we all will have better luck with travel plans next year.
From your lips to God's ears, MaineGG.
. I hope your trip goes as planned.Yes, it's the Munich portion that complicated things.
geetika - this is the second time we've cancelled Portugal too. I'm getting tired of cancelling trips, but so it goes. The good news is that I have several itineraries in place for future trips - the research is done, so if/when things improve, we can book again without too much effort.
And now theyre talking of this new variant from South Africa, where and when is this all going to end?
I asked myself that very question this morning. When, oh when?
Here's hoping we all will have better luck with travel plans next year.
From your lips to God's ears, MaineGG.
Nov 26th, 2021 | 02:42 PM
#57
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,560
Likes: 0
Nov 26th, 2021 | 04:08 PM
#58
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,398
Likes: 0
So sorry, Melnq8, for the latest disappointment. Travel is so hard these days with the constantly changes in the pandemic, and just when we think it’s finally getting better, another variant reads it’s ugly head. Sadly, I think we’ve all had far too much experience canceling trips,
I hope 2022 will be better!
I hope 2022 will be better!
Nov 29th, 2021 | 07:05 AM
#59
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 57,091
Likes: 5
So sorry Mel. i put off visiting my german friends in the summer and now I wish I'd gone then when things were easier than they are now and look like being for some months.
<<I hope 2022 will be better!>>
Here here, progol. [or is that Hear Hear?, I never know]
<<I hope 2022 will be better!>>
Here here, progol. [or is that Hear Hear?, I never know]
Nov 30th, 2021 | 11:45 AM
#60
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,333
Likes: 0
Mel, we’ve decided to postpone our trip as well, and I was able to re-do flights today on British Airways, with very little additional cost. We’re dropping London completely and flying direct to/from Lisbon - and we added a few more days there, too. I must admit, we’re all relieved. We decided the stress about the possibility of quarantine, where it was “safe” to eat, etc. would just take too much out of the joy of the trip.
Disappointed on the one hand, just fine with it on the other. I think (hope!) it will prove to be a good decision. Grateful to be able to go.
Disappointed on the one hand, just fine with it on the other. I think (hope!) it will prove to be a good decision. Grateful to be able to go.
