Europe reopens: Spain, France, Denmark, and Greece welcome back tourists

If you're feeling overwhelmed by the ever-changing travel rules—from PCR tests to CDC guidelines to PPE requirements—you’re not the only one.

Thankfully, Dinogo Travel is here to help you navigate the complex maze of global travel restrictions, which are constantly shifting.

Visit these weekly updates for the latest on which countries are easing entry requirements, what attractions are reopening, and which destinations have closed due to Covid-19 outbreaks.

Breaking down the details

Our travel experts have been working tirelessly to create guides covering all the latest changes and updates in travel regulations.

Planning to visit Europe or already there? The EU Digital Covid Certificate, often referred to as a 'Covid vaccine passport,' will be available by July 1. Dinogo Travel has all the details on who qualifies, how to get one, and which countries have started using it.

In the United States? The CDC has updated its travel recommendations for over 120 countries. Thirty-three destinations, including Iceland, Israel, and Singapore, are now categorized as low-risk. Learn more here.

Cruise updates

The Celebrity Millennium, the first major cruise ship to welcome American passengers since the pandemic, set sail last weekend from Sint Maarten. Its first stop was Barbados, which is now open to fully vaccinated travelers.

However, it wasn't entirely smooth sailing. Two passengers were placed in isolation after testing positive for Covid-19 during the required end-of-cruise testing. Additionally, in the Mediterranean this week, two passengers on the MSC Seaside cruise also tested positive for Covid.

Join us again next Saturday for another travel round-up.

The ship will set sail from Florida in May 2022 with a select group of 500 guests aboard a 2,800-passenger vessel. But the highlight of the year might still be 'Golden Fan at Seas,' a tribute to 'The Golden Girls,' which will return next year.

Luxury barging specialist European Waterways plans to resume its barge cruises this June, offering trips across nine countries, including France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy.

Meanwhile, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises is set to restart operations on June 20, with a variety of itineraries in Italy, Portugal, and France.

The latest from Europe

The EU has a 'white list' of countries from which nonessential travel into the bloc is permitted, including Israel, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Japan, and Australia.

Although the European Union is working to establish more standardized tourism rules, entry requirements still vary from one country to another.

Spain welcomed vaccinated travelers from outside the EU on June 7, while France opened to international visitors on June 9, the same day it lifted its indoor dining restrictions and extended the national curfew to 11 p.m.

Travelers from France’s ‘green list’—which includes the European Union, Australia, South Korea, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, New Zealand, and Singapore—can enter without restrictions. Unvaccinated travelers must present a negative Covid test.

Vaccinated travelers from the ‘orange list,’ which includes the US and the UK, will need to take a test. Unvaccinated travelers are allowed only for essential reasons. United Airlines will resume nonstop flights from Washington Dulles to Paris Charles De Gaulle on July 1.

Denmark has opened its borders to fully vaccinated travelers from the UK and the US, while its neighbor Norway allows fully vaccinated visitors to skip quarantine.

Greece now permits all foreign tourists to visit without quarantine, as long as they provide a negative PCR test. The government aims to declare 80 islands, including key tourist hotspots, Covid-safe by the end of June.

Cyprus is welcoming vaccinated travelers from 65 countries, including the US and the UK.

Ireland, which has had one of Europe's strictest lockdowns, will reopen to the EU, UK, and US on July 19. Non-EU unvaccinated travelers must present a negative test upon arrival and self-quarantine until they take a second post-arrival test.

Slovenia has also reopened to tourism, with a traffic light system and testing protocols in place. More details can be found here.

The Netherlands is opening its doors to tourists from 'safe countries' with low Covid-19 risk, while Iceland, part of the European Economic Area, welcomed vaccinated travelers as early as April.

Croatia is allowing vaccinated travelers, as well as those who present a negative PCR test or proof of recovery from Covid-19 within the past 180 days, provided they have recovered at least 11 days before arrival.

UK Transport Minister Grant Shapps announced on June 9 via Twitter that a US-UK task force has been formed to help reopen transatlantic travel, though no news on the resumption of flights has emerged yet.

The Isle of Man, a self-governing British Crown dependency in the Irish Sea, is set to fully reopen its borders with the UK on June 28, having remained closed to almost all non-residents since March 2020.

After being removed from the UK's green list, Portugal is hoping to attract more tourists by welcoming vaccinated US travelers, though no official date has been confirmed yet.

The Americas

California is set to fully reopen on June 15, with masks becoming optional in many public spaces, though rules differ for the vaccinated and unvaccinated. Travelers should check local guidelines before heading out, as there are several exceptions.

New York City will follow California's lead with a reopening scheduled for July 1. To kick off the month in style, Macy’s will bring back its iconic July 4th Fireworks in person for all to enjoy.

Canada, which has only allowed essential travel since the pandemic began, is tentatively considering reopening its borders to fully vaccinated citizens as early as July.

The Caribbean island of St. Bart’s is now open to fully vaccinated travelers from the US, while those from the UK and EU only need to present a negative Covid test before departure. St. Lucia has also relaxed on-island restrictions for vaccinated visitors, including the ability to rent cars and dine at more local restaurants.

Middle East, Africa, and Asia

Morocco will open its doors to international tourists on June 15, while Algeria is also starting to loosen air travel restrictions. In the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi will lift its mandatory quarantine for travelers starting July 1, the same day Thailand’s Phuket island will reopen.

Covid escape plan of the week

The islands play a major role in the eagerly awaited and much delayed James Bond film 'No Time to Die,' set for release later this year. A new sightseeing tour takes visitors to the iconic locations featured in the movie—just be sure to keep your eyes closed to avoid spoilers.