Three Countries in Europe You Have To Visit!
By Solveig von Wittenburg
Living through a pandemic for almost two years now, we have adjusted to a life full of taking precautions, abiding by rules, and staying indoors. By now, more and more countries around the world are beginning to lift COVID-19 restrictions and are welcoming tourists again.
Some people might have a full list of `must-visits´, but for those who need some more inspiration, we have picked out the best and easiest three places to visit in times of Covid.
1. Iceland – perfect for nature enthusiasts
The Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis are a really popular attraction.
It doesn’t matter if it is summer or winter. Iceland is the perfect place to be around the whole year. Probably one of the most popular attractions are the Northern Lights where from April to September, travellers have the best chances to admire the light spectacle at night. There are lots of experienced tour guides, making sure tourists get the best opportunities to see the lights.
It is not a secret that Iceland has one of the most beautiful landscapes. With natural pools like the Blue Lagoon, volcanoes, rocky beaches, and more, Iceland offers lots of outdoor activities. A popular natural attraction is the beach of Reynisfjara, a black beach surrounded by basalt columns. Another must-see are the well-known Icelandic horses. Being a special breed and a big part of Iceland’s rich history, Icelandic horses attract lots of travellers every year.
“Fun fact: Icelandic horses are not allowed to return after being exported.”
Apart from the wonders Iceland has to offer, a convincing fact are the entry requirements: There are none. Every visitor may enter the country regardless of their vaccination status.
2. Pizza, Pasta and more: Italy
Gorgeous sights a plenty in beautiful Italy!
Italy is probably the most popular place to visit in Europe and there are various reasons. With its rich history and lots of museums and historical sites such as the Vatican Museums right next to St. Peter’s Basilica or the colosseum in Rome, especially travellers interested in history will be occupied for quite some time. Speaking of impressive buildings: cities like Florence, Verona or Bologna stand out in terms of architecture. But Italy has so much more to offer. Beautiful scenery can be found all over the country. From beautiful lakes like Lake Garda to vineyards in Lombardy to stunning Amalfi Coast – there is something for everybody. And of course, you cannot forget the traditional Italian Cuisine! Where the South of Italy offers fresh seafood and vegetables apart from pizza, Northern Italy’s food is rich in dairy products such as famous the famous Parmigiano cheese, coming directly from kettle, goat and sheep grazing on mountain terrain.
To experience Italy, it doesn’t take much to prepare. On top of a passenger locator form, either proof of vaccination, a PCR test (72 hours prior), a rapid lateral flow test (48 hours prior) or a covid recovery certificate is required to enter Italy.
3. Portugal: a great place to travel on a budget
Often overlooked Portugal is gorgeous - especially in summer!
Portugal is often forgotten when it comes to great places to visit in Europe. Being rather spared from heavy tourism, there are very convincing reasons why to visit Spain’s neighbour. The capital city Lisbon attracts many people but is not expensive at all. The famous Tram 28, passes most of Lisbons famous sights and a ticket only costs about 2,90€. In general, everything is very reasonably priced. Drinks do not cost more than 3€ and the average hotel stay per night is around 75€, starting from 40€. Leaving the big city life behind, Natural Parks and Biosphere reserves offer great outdoor activities such as birdwatching, hiking and cycling. Close by Douro Natural Park, Alto Douro wine region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is worth a visit as well - offering great Portuguese wine with even greater scenery. Portugal is not only known for its wine but also for its delicious pastries. Pastéis de Nata are especially popular. The egg custard tart topped with cinnamon is a huge hit for everybody with a sweet tooth!
To enjoy Portugal, visitors only need a proof of vaccination, a negative PCR test at least 72 hours prior to entering, a negative rapid flow test at least 24 hours before entering or a covid recovery certificate (no less than 11 days and no more than 180 days).
After two years of holding back, it is time to pack your bags and get out to see the world. Less entry requirements are making it easier than ever!
