Tag: European

Americans Can Relocate To This European Country Without A Visa At All
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With all the craziness going on in the States right now, what with the loop of political controversies and economic upheavals, are you thinking of relocating elsewhere, even if only for a while? Perhaps somewhere far from all the culture wars and where life is not as cripplingly expensive? Well, we might know just the place… and surprisingly, Americans don’t need a visa at all to live there for up to a year.

Have you ever heard about Georgia, the country?

A Hidden Gem Nestled In The Far East Of Europe

Georgia is located in the Caucasus, an ambiguous territory marking the European and Asian boundaries, known to compile the very best of the two continents it is sandwiched in between – even then, it has been traditionally considered to be a part of the easternmost reaches of Europe. Sounds confusing still? It is located precisely northeast of Turkey, and south of Russia.

It is also one of the world’s most seriously underrated destinations. Although relatively obscure to Americans, Georgia is an incredibly ancient country, dating back more than 12,000 years. It has centuries upon centuries of History, and there is a lot to unpack here, though its exciting capital, Tbilisi, is a good place to start.

Tbilisi’s cityscape is dominated by picturesque Eastern Orthodox churches, the monumental Sameba Cathedral, a hilltop fortress boasting views of a colorful Old Town and the meandering river below, and countless museums where visitors – and long-term residents – can immerse themselves in, and learn about Georgian/Caucasian culture.

Beyond Tbilisi, Georgia has a myriad of other attractions ready to be discovered, such as the ancient cave city of Vardzia, similar to Turkey’s more famous Cappadocia, picturesque Black Sea towns with beaches that have hardly seen a massive influx of tourists in recent years, the natural wonders of the Mtirala National Park, and many more.

Additionally, for History lovers, the city of Gori in eastern Georgia is the birthplace of Soviet leader Stalin. Those are already reasons enough to consider a move to fascinating Georgia, but this is where things get truly interesting:

No Pre-Departure Visa Required For Stays Up To One Year

The country allows Americans to stay for up to a whole year without requesting a visa in advance. That means you can easily pack up all your belongings – which if you’re a digital nomad won’t be many at all – and move to Georgia with just your passport. No registration required, to Consulate appointments, no pre-issued permits. Simple as that.

For that reason, Georgia is one of the easiest countries to emigrate to. Unlike other European nations, that normally require a truckload of documents to grant Americans residence permits, Georgia is pretty lax about it. If you want to come and make it your base, whether temporarily or for a whole year, you’re more than welcome to.

On the other side, having relaxed immigration rules does not mean Americans enjoy freedom to move into and out of Georgia as they wish. It is still a sovereign country, and some rules must be respected. If they are residing in Georgia for more than 183 days, and are employed, for instance, Americans are liable to pay tax.

Small Business Owners May Be Eligible To Pay Only 1% In Taxes

This includes those working as entrepreneurs, or for an American-based company while living in Georgia. Those who don’t comply risk getting fined, and although the Personal Income Tax rate is relatively high at 20%, it is still far lower than other more popular European nations like Germany, at 37.7%, or Italy, where taxing can reach a staggering 43%.

If you’re still not happy about contributing this much to the Georgian Treasury, there is an easy way to bypass the high fees: for young entrepreneurs and freelancers coming from America and other countries, Georgia allows them to register for a ‘Small Business Status’, allowing them to pay 1% instead of 20%.

The only requirements? Do not have earnings originating from consulting and gambling, and an annual turnover of less than 500,000 lari, or approximately $184,000. Not that difficult to fulfill being a full-time traveler, right? With all this money talk, you may probably be wondering: is Georgia an expensive place to live in?

How Expensive Is Georgia?

To sum it up, not at all. Georgia has long been a haven for digital nomads looking to escape mainland Europe’s extortionate prices, and according to Numbeo, a platform compiling cost of living data across several destinations, a single person is expected to spend an average $538 a month living in the country, not including rent (August 2022 numbers).

It 42.42% more affordable living in Georgia than in France, for example. When planning to stay longer than a year, or even make Georgia their full-time home, Americans have a number of options to consider, though they are advised to contact local authorities to inquire about visa extensions, or permanent residence permits.

Things That Make Georgia Great

Here are other reasons why Georgia is a great place to relocate to:
- It has universal, publicly-funded healthcare
- Georgian and Russian may be the preferred language of a majority, but English is widely spoken too, particularly in major urban centers like Tbilisi and among the younger demographic
- World-class cuisine, some of the best in the Caucasus
- The country’s main international airports, particularly Tbilisi and Kutaisi, have direct links to other destinations all across Europe and Asia, facilitating travel for American expats
- Entrepreneurs with a ‘small business’ registration pay only 1% in tax
- It has access to the sea, namely the Black Sea, meaning there is an extensive beach stretch available for bathers in the hot summer months
- Georgia experiences hot summers, with temperatures ranging from 20 degrees to 32, and winters that are cold, but quite bearable (-1 to 7 degrees)
- Wine was invented here 6,000 years ago! And trust us, there is surely no shortage of the famous Georgian wine, or picturesque wineries, across the nation
Not sure about you, but we’re taking the next flight out like, right away. To find out more about travel to Georgia, entry requirements, health insurance requirements, and long-stay visas, make sure you access this link.

Read More:

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This article originally appeared on Travel Off Path. For the latest breaking news that will affect your next trip, please visit: Traveloffpath.com

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August 13, 2022
These Are The Last 3 European Countries With Entry Requirements
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As the first official post-pandemic summer unfolds, millions of travelers are heading to their favorite European destinations. Most travelers do not need to worry about Covid entry requirements, as nearly all European nations have removed all entry requirements. The most recent country to do so was France, which removed entry restrictions on August 1^st, 2022. After France’s announcement, only three European countries still have Covid entry requirements for international travelers.

The last three countries in Europe with entry requirements are Spain, The Netherlands, and Luxembourg. For travelers heading to other European nations, they won’t have to worry about: vaccination status, recovery proof, testing, or quarantine. Unfortunately, for those wishing to visit any of the three countries listed above, there are still restrictions in place that may force some travelers to seek out other destinations.

Spain Entry Requirements

For travelers from EU or Schengen Associated countries, there are no restrictions for entering Spain. For those coming from countries like America or Canada, there are still entry requirements in place.

Travelers Must Show Proof of One of The Following:
- Certificate of Covid-19 Vaccination
- A negative NAAT test taken within 72 hours of departure, or an Antigen test taken within 24 hours of departure.
- Certificate of recovery from Covid-19.
For those willing to fulfill one of the requirements above, Spain currently allows tourists to visit. Restrictions on occupancy in establishments have been lifted, and it is no longer mandatory to wear masks indoors or outdoors unless on public transport or in health centers. For travelers planning to head to Spain, we recently announced the cheapest and most expensive Spanish cities to visit this summer.

The Netherlands Requirements

For travelers from EU or Schengen Associated countries, there are no restrictions for entering The Netherlands. For those coming from countries like America or Canada, there are still entry requirements in place.

Travelers Must Show Proof of The Following:
- Certificate of Covid-19 Vaccination
For those who are fully vaccinated that wish to visit The Netherlands, their trip should not be hindered too much. Masks are not required anywhere, including on public transport. Public venues like restaurants or bars are operating as usual and no longer require a Covid entry pass.

Luxembourg Requirements

For travelers from EU or Schengen Associated countries, there are no restrictions for entering Luxembourg. For those coming from countries like America or Canada, there are still entry requirements in place.

Travelers Must Show Proof of One of The Following:
- Certificate of Covid-19 vaccination
- Certificate of recovery from Covid-19
For fully vaccinated travelers, Luxembourg is still an option for a visit. There is no quarantine requirement, and no curfews are in place. There is no longer a mask mandate, except in hospitals and elderly care centers.

When Will Entry Requirements End?

Unfortunately, the end dates for entry requirements for Spain, The Netherlands, and Luxembourg can only be speculated. However, they have each given signs that an end to entry requirements is looming. All three countries have revised their entry requirements for EU or Schengen Associated nationals, allowing them to visit without restriction. As the countries monitor case counts and infection rates after easing restrictions on EU and Schengen Associated country nationals, they are sure to move forward with removing restrictions on the rest of the world.

Are Restrictions Gone For Good?

Let’s hope so! Travelers have suffered restriction whiplash in some countries over the last few years. Countries like the UK saw almost all Covid restrictions go away in July of 2021, only to see them come back with a vengeance as Omicron swept through the nation in December of the same year. It seems that most countries have decided enough is enough.

However, the World Health Organization recently urged Europe to reinstate Covid restrictions before it is too late ahead of the fall and winter season. Time will tell whether or not Covid restrictions stay gone for good, but it seems the majority of travelers and countries are ready to put it to rest.

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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
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August 2, 2022
United Airlines Adding New Flights To 3 European Capitals
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Not even the latest woes affecting the aviation sector can stop United Airlines from fulfilling its ambitious post-Covid goals. In response to the current travel surge, the carrier is adding flights to 3 more European capitals, providing Americans with easier links to some of the world’s top city breaks.

After Europe’s busiest airports, including London Heathrow and Amsterdam Schiphol, curbed the number of daily departures in order reduce air traffic congestion, it seemed unlikely United would be able to increase flight frequency and unleash its true potential. England and Holland may be off the table, for now, but most of Europe isn’t.

Here is everything you need to know about United’s latest move:

Travel Chaos Won’t Stop United From Expanding Further

United is having a busy 2022. Having launched 5 brand new flight routes in late April, and experiencing a strong rebound, curtailed only by the industry’s own staffing issues, they continue expanding into markets where demand is higher. That includes freedom-loving Europe, a vast continent of 44 countries where only a handful still have restrictions in place.

Interestingly, United is launching service exclusively to three European countries that removed all of their health-related travel rules. Starting May 2023, New Jersey/Newark-based travelers will be able to fly nonstop to Prague, Czech Republic, and Stockholm, Sweden. Additionally, Washingtonians are benefiting from a new air bridge to Berlin, Germany.

These three flights were meant to launch as early as this year, but due to the industry-wide setbacks, they were pushed back until 2023. Once they finally open simultaneously on May 25, frequency will be daily, making Newark-Prague, Newark-Stockholm, and Washington-Berlin some of United’s busiest routes.

Details are as follows:

Newark to Prague
- Outbound departs Newark daily at 18:05, arriving to Prague the next morning at 08:25 (8h20)
- Returning flights leave Prague every day at 10:10, landing in Newark 13:25 local time, same calendar date (9h15)
- Operated on a B767-300ERs
- 214 seats available – 30 Polaris, 46 Economy Plus, 138 Regular Economy
Newark to Stockholm
- Outbound takes off 17:15 local time, landing in Stockholm 07:25 the next day (8h10)
- Returning flights depart from Stockholm Arlanda at 9:10, arriving back to Newark at 11:55 (8h45)
- Operated on a B757-200ERs
- 169 seats available – 45 Economy Plus, 108 Economy
Washington-Dulles to Berlin
- Outbound scheduled for departure 17:45 daily, touching down at 8:20 the following day (8h35)
- On the way back, flights depart at 11:10, landing in Newark 14:30 (9h20)
- Operated on a B767-400ERs
- 240 seats available – 39 Polaris, 70 Economy Plus, 131 Economy
Why Prague, Stockholm And Berlin?

Why these specific destinations, one might wonder? To begin with, The Czech Republic is a strategic market for United. The carrier had inaugurated a seasonal service between Newark and Prague all the way back in June 2019, though its follow-up year obviously did not go ahead as planned due to the pandemic.

With capacity at 84% for the first season, the Newark-Prague link proved extremely successful for United, especially in August of that year, when 88% of seats were sold. As reported by Simple Flying, the booking data at the time suggested six in ten Prague-bound passengers traveling from the U.S. departed from Newark.

It should come as no surprise, then, that the service is being reinstated in time for summer 2023. Similarly, Stockholm is a seasonal route currently on hold due to Covid. In 2019, capacity was estimated at 86% with 36,472 tickets sold. As for the uncharted territory that is the Dulles-Berlin route, there are high expectations.

Berlin may be Germany’s capital, but it is home to its third busiest airport only. Usually, Americans arriving in Germany land in Frankfurt, the nation’s centrally-located financial center. Despite the obvious lack of a nonstop service, in 2019, Washington arrivals had become Berlin’s sixth-largest customers, proving there is a whole market to be explored.

It Will Be A Tough Pick Between These 3 Capitals

Prague is one of Europe’s prettiest capital cities. Its cityscape, dominated by the impressive medieval Prague Castle and the picturesque Charles Bridge, has been the subject of many artists and a filming location for countless films, the latest being Netflix’s The Gray Man. Once in Czechia, visitors are also free to explore lesser-known destinations in the country.

Those include Cesky Krumlov, a quaint town built alongside the scenic Vltava River where one of Europe’s most famous castles can be found, dating back to the 13th century, and the Gothic open-air museum that is Brno, the second largest city. Even better: as a Central European nation, the Czech Republic has direct links to numerous other destinations.

Train travel is much trendier now that airports are in turmoil, and Prague has multiple rail lines connecting it to cities in Germany, including Berlin and Dresden, Bratislava in Slovakia, Budapest in Hungary and many more. As for Berlin, it is a capital reborn after the last World War and the fall of the wall that kept it divided for nearly 30 years.

Famous for its modernist, post-War architecture that contrasts vividly against its medieval heritage, it features some of Germany’s most iconic landmarks. Here, visitors can learn of the country’s dark past visiting the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, see remnants of the Berlin Wall, and marvel at the neoclassical wonder that is the Brandenburg Gate.

Last but not least, Stockholm is a treasure waiting to be rediscovered as well: a world-class city that is at the heart of Scandinavia, it has been a sought-after destination for centuries due to its ochre-colored Old Town and small interconnected islets. Fortunately, Sweden is open for tourism with no travel restrictions – much like Czechia and Germany.

Read More:

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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
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July 29, 2022
This Fascinating Eastern European Country Has A New Digital Nomad Visa For Americans
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Remote workers based in the United States, rejoice! Yet another country has embraced the Digital Nomad trend and will start issuing residence visas for eligible foreign nationals, including Americans. If you’ve never heard of this Eastern European country before, allow us to introduce you to the wonders of the fascinating Latvia:

One of the most affordable places to visit in the continent, it is a Baltic Sea jewel bordering Lithuania and Estonia and a nation steeped in History and tradition. Although it is not the most obvious of tourist destinations, Latvia has been growing in popularity in recent years, especially among travelers looking to escape overtourism.

So what exactly makes Latvia such an appealing Digital Nomad destination?

A Country That’s Been A Digital Nomad Hotspot In The Making For Years

Latvia is a relatively new country. While the Latvian language dates back centuries, the region the Latvian people today call their home has existed as a province under several Empires throughout History. The most recent example is the Soviet Union, that collapsed in the early nineties and opened the path for Latvia to proclaim independence in 1991.

Fast forward 31 years later and you will find a well-developed nation that managed to shake off the ghosts of its Communist past, and despite being in close proximity to Russia, is now a member of the European Union and NATO. Latvia is no stranger to change, and since it found its freedom it’s been constantly looking for ways to revitalize its economy.

Riga, its picturesque, 632,000-people strong capital, has been an entrepreneurship hub for years, attracting people from all over Europe and beyond due to its highly affordable cost of living and low bureaucracy for those starting a business. In fact, the Latvia Government has been committed to a ‘Zero Bureaucracy‘ policy.

Their aim is to reduce the unnecessary paperwork in the public sector and make it easier for businesses to prosper. Because of that, Latvia is at the forefront of the digital revolution in Europe: according to data from the European Commission, it ranks at number 17 in the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI), out of a total of 44 European countries and territories.

Unsurprisingly, launching a new Digital Nomad residence permit is the next natural step moving forward. As we have discussed extensively in this other article, both solo travel and long-term travel are here to stay, now that the pandemic has boosted the digitization of the economy and remote working is more popular than ever.

Latvian Digital Nomad Visa: The Easy Path To EU Citizenship For Americans?

As of now, only citizens and residents of OECD countries (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) will be able to apply for the Latvian Digital Nomad Visa. This includes natives of the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Israel, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Turkey, and many more.

The visa allows digital workers, whose business or companies that employ them are registered in OECD states, to live in Latvia for up to two years, without requiring local sponsorship. Additionally, the country will be offering a path to permanent residence for those who apply to remain in Latvia once two years have elapsed.

After five years of continuous legal residence in Latvia (e.g. two years under the Digital Nomad scheme, and then a further three years as a permanent residence), foreigners are eligible to apply for Latvian citizenship, which would grant them EU citizenship as an extent, and the right to move freely across the whole European Union.

What Are The Visa Requirements?

In order to apply for this visa, digital nomads will need to satisfy the following requirements:
- They cannot hold Latvian or another EU/EEA citizenship, or Swiss citizenship*
- Their own company, or company they work for must be registered in an OECD country, such as the United States, Canada or Mexico
- They must be highly qualified professionals
- They need to prove at least six months of employment with a foreign employer, or register as an entrepreneur abroad
- Their monthly salary must be 2.5 times higher than the national average in Latvia**
*EU, EEA (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein), and Swiss nationals already enjoy freedom of movement in Latvia as per the Free Movement directive, with no requirement other than nationality. If you are a U.S. passport holder, as well as a European citizen, you can already take up residency in Latvia freely by presenting proof of your other nationality.

**The minimum wage in Latvia is roughly USD 521,00 as of January, 2022, according to Eurostat.

Other requirements, such as filling out an application form, presenting proof of mandatory health insurance and payment of a visa fee may be detailed at a further date, once the new visa is officially launched. Essentially, non-Europeans must prove they are qualified professionals in their field and a stable source of income of at least USD 1,302.50 a month.

Latvia is the latest European country to issue Digital Nomad Visas, following:
- Croatia (Already launched)
- Italy (Planning to launch)
- Romania (Planning to launch)
- Hungary (Planning to launch)
Latvia Could Be The World Capital For Digital Nomads

Several other EU countries will also be opening the doors to Digital Nomads in the coming months, though none has been as generous as Latvia in regards to financial visa requirements. Authorities in the country believe that introducing this category will ‘help the tourism industry’ by bringing in a ‘large number’ of international travelers working remotely.

Marija Golubeva, the Latvian Interior Minister, has conceded that countries with a ‘more open’ immigration policy have higher GDP, lower unemployment rates, and ‘better-educated’ labor force. Besides being open to the digital revolution, Latvia has the potential to be one of the world’s digital nomad hotspots.

It is a front-runner in broadband coverage and is already prepared for the wider 5G roll-out set to take place next year. As stated by the European Commission on its latest DESI report, one of Latvia’s ‘main strengths’ is the extremely advanced coverage of fast broadband, comprising 93% of the territory – slightly higher than the EU-wide average of 87%.

Latvia has a 4G coverage of 99.9% and has been one of the first in Europe to allocate a radio spectrum for 5G once it’s been fully implemented. This means digital nomads can find a reliable internet connection to carry out their daily work anywhere, from the metropolitan Riga to the idyllic Latvian countryside.

Bottom Line

Eastern Europe is our favorite destination to travel right now, mostly due to its affordability compared to other Western states, like France or Spain, and the freedom travelers now enjoy country-hopping in the region. Bar a few exceptions, the East has no travel restrictions in place whatsoever – fortunately, Latvia is part of this collective.

When making Latvia (an EU country) their base, American nomads will enjoy higher standards of living compared to the United States, incredible culture, and nearly negligible crime levels. As aforementioned, they will also have the opportunity to apply for Latvian citizenship, so long as they integrate into Latvian society and show proficiency in the language.

More information can be found on the Government website.

Read More:

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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
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July 2, 2022
These Are the European Airports Travelers May Want to Avoid This Summer

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If you’re planning a trip to Europe this summer, you might be in for long travel delays and there are a few airports across the continent you may want to avoid.

Europe has been inundated with travel interruptions that have caused headaches and frustration for hundreds of thousands of people in the past few weeks alone. Things aren’t getting better either. In fact, it may be getting worse.

Airports in Europe are struggling to keep up with traveler demand.

There are a few European airports travelers may want to avoid this summer if they want to steer clear of the chaos that is looming over the travel industry.

Every day it feels like there’s another issue at a major airport across the globe. From flight cancellations, and hour-long delays, to airline strikes that cripple entire operations.

Traveling in the summer of 2022 is back but it’s not going to be easy.

In the front of it all is Europe, home to the 5 most visited countries in the world. Each year Europe welcomes north of 700 million tourists, and this summer is bound to be a record year for international travel to the historical continent.

London Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted Airport

Airports throughout the U.K. including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, and many more have been hot-spots for thousands of cancellations over the past weeks.

British Airways has been forced to cancel around 8,000 flights between March and October.

This decision was largely affected by the government’s involvement, urging airlines to cancel flights preemptively in order to prevent further chaos across U.K. airports.

The government wasn’t the only one asking, Heathrow airport which is the U.K.’s busiest airport with 1,300 daily flights, asked airlines to cancel around 10% of flights just earlier this week.

This isn’t even the worst of it, just this past weekend, travelers at Heathrow had to wait for hours to retrieve their luggage, ruining and delaying entire trips.

Meanwhile, Gatwick Airport, Britain’s second-busiest airport, announced that I will put a cap on departures and landings this summer. 825 departures and landings will be permitted in July, and 850 daily operations will be allowed in August.

The airport is hoping that with this limit, airlines will be able to better handle travelers during the peak summer season.

Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport

The Netherlands’ biggest airport is putting a limit on how many passengers will be permitted to fly out of the airport this summer. This comes after passengers have had to wait for hours outside the airport just to make it to the ticket counters, let alone make their way through security.

The airport and airline cited staffing shortages as the culprit and will also put a limit on the number of daily flights in and out of the airport.

El Prat airport in Barcelona, Malaga, and Palma de Mallorca

Easy Jet, a popular low-cost airline in Europe is facing difficulties with its Spanish cabin crew. Unions have urged cabin crews based in Spain to go on strike for nine days in July over ongoing pay disputes.

Despite the airline’s assurances that a strike would not impact airport operations throughout the country, it is unclear how a staff walkout could not impact flight operations given the already low amount of staff airlines have at their disposal.

Staff at El Prat airport in Barcelona, Malaga, and Palma de Mallorca are expected to go on strike from 1-3 July, 15-17 July, and 29-31 July.

Other European airports are at risk as well.

Lufthansa has also announced that it will cancel almost 1000 flights in July due to staffing shortages. This will mainly affect Germany’s two major airports in Frankfurt and Munich.

Travels may want to avoid those two airports, especially on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, as the airline announced cancellations will be affecting the weekends.

Brussels, Belgium’s capital, and home to its largest airport is also facing severe travel interruptions with thousands of employees taking to the streets and striking the country’s labor laws. The airport has already seen the cancellation of at least 315 flights, affecting around 40,000 passengers.

Similar strikes can be expected this summer.

The immediate future of aviation across the globe.

It turns out that in order to operate airports you need proper staffing, something that has been in short supply over the past 2 years. The global aviation industry lost around four million jobs since the start of the pandemic in 2020.

Getting the right people to fill those jobs takes time – time that airlines thought they’d be having more of.

No one predicted such a high demand for travel in a post-covid world. Airlines certainly didn’t.

It is unclear how long airlines and airports across Europe and beyond will need to get their staffing to proper levels, some experts believe it can take up to 12 months.

The only thing travelers currently have control over is what airports they fly in and out of. Avoiding the major airports in the U.K. , Spain, and The Netherlands will be your best chance to lower the possibility of having to deal with flight interruptions.

READ MORE:

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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories

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June 24, 2022
These European Hotspots Are Limiting Tourists Due to Overtourism

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Tourism and travel have made an astonishing return over the past few months. Crippled to it’s core by a global pandemic, tourism around the world grinded to a complete halt for 2 years. Now with an overwhelming amount of tourists visiting European hotspots, countries are taking steps to limit the number of visitors and prevent overtourism.

With the successful help of vaccination efforts around the globe, dozens of countries have loosened entry restrictions, some nations have even taken a ‘post-covid’ approach and learned to live with the virus – removing entry restrictions entirely.

People more than ever are willing and eager to travel, and many destinations are feeling the pressure. The numbers are so high in fact that popular vacation spots in Europe are unable to manage the number of tourists that they receive.

Marseille initiates a permit system.

Marseille located in southern France is one of the most popular tourist destinations in France. Filled with beautiful beaches and romantic quaint streets, Marseille is often considered the heart of the French Rivera.

This port city has been hit by over tourism for a while now, in recent years however it has gotten a lot worse. Now the city is trying to make a change.

The famous Calanque de Sugiton and beach nearby will now require visitors to apply for an online pass prior to arriving. Visitors will have the chance to make an online reservation up to 3 days prior and at 6pm the night before, the registration will be closed.

City officials will be patrolling the area and doing spot checks to ensure visitors are compliant with the new policy.

Daily numbers for visitors will be restricted to 400 people and one person can only visit the site 8 times for the duration of the summer.

This new approach will go into effect from the end of June all the way until the end of August.

Amalfi Coast to implement alternate plate restriction.

A few hundred miles away the Amalfi Coast is implementing their own rules to combat excessive tourism.

Local officials are beginning a new system that alternates who can access the famous 35-kilometer road between Vietri sul Mae and Positano.

On odd number days, only cars with odd number ending license plates are allowed to drive on the road. On even number days, cars with even number ending license plates can take to the famous street.

This new policy will run from the middle of June, all the way through the end of September 2022.

10am to 6pm on weekends, as well as during the Easter Holy week holiday.

However, residents of the region are exempt. So are public buses and taxis.

This isn’t the first-time officials in Europe have tried to combat over tourism.

Venice who at the height of summer receives up to 150,000 tourists per day has stopped cruise ships from docking in its ports because the city could not sustain the number of tourists it was receiving.

Local businesses were overrun with tourists, the canals overfilled, and locals were outnumbered 50 to 1.

The dangers of overtourism

Overtourism can wreak havoc on local municipals and the people that reside there. From hour-long traffic lanes, high cost of living and too many people in a limited space will always create challenges.

Europe has some of the most visited countries in the world; from Spain, Germany, Italy, and the U.K. everyone of these countries has their own challenges with over tourism.

One thing is for sure, restrictions on over tourism needs to be at the forefront of these nations in order to preserve the quality of life for locals and their surrounding environment.

READ MORE:

These Are The Last 7 Countries in Europe With Travel Restrictions

These New Cheap Flights Will Get You To Europe This Summer Without Breaking The Bank

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2022

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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories

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June 21, 2022
U.S. And European Airlines Launch New Direct Flights To Cancun
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New Flights To Cancun, Mexico

Cancun was the world’s second most popular tourist destination in 2021 behind Dubai. And during the COVID-19 pandemic—Mexico never closed. As a result, airlines from every corner of the world are starting direct flights to the region.

Not only that, Mexico was the second nation worldwide to scrap all COVID-19 entry requirements—including things like passenger locator forms, although they never had testing or vaccine requirements.

So Cancun really is the perfect destination in 2022, regardless of where you come from.

The New Flights To Cancun From The U.S.

As Cancun continues to grow in popularity for U.S. tourists, some U.S. airliners are increasing flights, including:
- Frontier Airlines – Frontier Airlines will increase their flights from Tampa to Cancun to three times per week. They will also begin flying from Houston to Cancun 4 times per week from May.
The New Flights To Cancun From Europe

Cancun has always been a popular destination for European travelers, especially British and German tourists. Therefore, it’s no shock that airliners are increasing flights to the region.
- Condor Airlines – Condor Airlines will add another weekly flight on its Frankfurt to Cancun route, From May, there will be five weekly flights instead of four.
- TUI – Popular British airliner TUI is increasing its flight frequency to Cancun. From May, travelers can fly to Cancun from Manchester, London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Bristol, Newcastle, etc. Moreover, travelers can catch direct flights to Cancun from Amsterdam and Brussels.
- Iberojet – Popular Spanish airline Iberojet began flying from Lisbon to Cancun in April; however, they will also increase their flight frequency from Madrid to Cancun in July. In addition, they’ve announced a new direct flight from Barcelona to Cancun in June.
- AirCaraïbes – French airline Air Caraibes will start its route from Paris to Cancun in October with two weekly frequencies until December, with an increase to 3 flights from December 2022.
The New Flights To Cancun From South America

Various South American airlines are increasing their flight frequency to Cancun, including:
- SKY Airlines – SKY Airlines will increase its flights from Lima to Cancun on a daily basis.
- Volaris – Volaris will start daily flights from Lima to Cancun in June.
New Flights To Isla Cozumel
- Southwest Airlines – Southwest Airlines will start flights from Denver to Cozumel in June.
- American Airlines – American Airlines will begin flights from Denver to Cozumel on Saturdays from June onwards.
- United Airlines – United Airlines will restart weekly flights from LAX to Cozumel in May.
- Suncountry – Suncountry will restart flights from Dallas to Isla Cozumel in June with two weekly flights (Thursday and Saturday.)
The COVID-19 Situation In Cancun

Cancun is recording its lowest COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began. The current 7-day case average is only 9.

However, although there are no entry requirements to visit Cancun from Europe or the United States, there are still internal COVID-19 restrictions. These include mandatory masks in indoor areas. However, since Mexico, at a federal level at least, has now declared this an endemic, indoor mask rules at the state level for Quintana Roo should be ending soon.

Cancun did, however, remove the outdoor mask mandate earlier in the year.

Tips For Heading To Cancun In 2022

Travelers wishing to visit Cancun in the summer of 2022 need to book their accommodation soon. According to reports, Cancun hotels are almost fully booked in the summer, with an impressive 90% occupation.

However, travelers can always choose another destination in Mexico if they want to avoid the crowds. Popular destinations with lower hotel bookings include Tulum, Playa Del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, and Cabo San Lucas.

Final Thoughts

As the Mexican tourism industry continues to rebound, Cancun remains an excellent destination for travelers. International flights are increasing, and the region is relatively back to normal.

Read More:

Is Cancun A Safe Destination To Visit For 2022?

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 In 2022

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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
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May 3, 2022
These 2 European Countries Are Among The Last To Finally End Mask Mandate
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Two European countries that were among the last to cling on to an indoor mask mandate have now officially dropped their mask wearing requirements.

Spain and Portugal, two heavyweights of European tourism and popular vacation destinations for travelers from all over the world, made the changes to their mask policies just this week, a move that is bound to put the two Iberian countries back on the map for millions of tourists this summer.

With these changes being made, travel to Europe has never been closer to normal than at any stage during the pandemic so far. Here’s a closer look at what exactly is set to change in Spain and Portugal – including in which situations masks are still expected to be worn by travelers – plus a recap of which European countries have ditched the masks already and which are yet to do so.

Spain Drops Mask Requirement – Information For Travelers

Spain’s decision to drop the indoor mask mandate became official on April 20th. The change means that travelers visiting the country will now no longer have to wear a mask in establishments such as bars, cafés, restaurants, nightclubs, cinemas, theatres, sports stadiums, concert halls, shopping centers, supermarkets, gyms, and schools – making the experience of visiting Spain for many travelers just like it was in pre-pandemic times.

Travelers will however be expected to wear masks in the following situations:
- Hospitals and other health-related businesses such as dental clinics and pharmacies
- Care homes
- On public transport, which includes airplanes, buses, trains, metros, taxis and ferries
It is also recommended that people who are over 60, immunosuppressed or pregnant should carry on wearing masks when appropriate indoors. Masks are also recommended in crowded spaces when social distancing isn’t possible.

Portugal Eases Mask Mandate – What Travelers Should Know

Spain’s neighbor Portugal has also removed their indoor mask mandate this week, with the change going live from April 21st. The change to the policy means that travelers will now no longer be required to wear a mask when visiting several different types of indoor establishments, such as restaurants, cafes, shopping centres and museums. The removal of the indoor mask mandate was made possible due to low infection and high vaccination rates in the country.

As is the case with Spain, there are still some exceptions to the rule which means that masks will still be required in some situations. This includes when using all types of public transport. Masks will also need to be worn by travelers when visiting healthcare institutions and places that are frequented by vulnerable people in order to minimize the potential spread of the virus in such places.

In removing their indoor mask mandate, Portugal and Spain have joined several other European nations that have also waved goodbye to face masks in recent weeks.

These include popular destinations such as the UK, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, Iceland, Netherlands, Croatia, Poland, Latvia, France, Czechia, Germany, and Romania.

Whilst Italy still has a mask mandate in place, it is expected to repeal it next month.

In order to enter Spain, travelers must either be fully vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19 in the past six months, with no testing requirements in place. Travelers to Portugal must either be vaccinated against Covid-19, have a PCR test within 72 hours of arrival or an antigen test within 24 hours of arrival. The need to fill in a passenger locator form prior to entering Portugal has also been removed.

Read More:

Top 3 Most Sought-After European Destinations This Summer

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2022

Switzerland Removes All Entry Requirements

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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
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April 24, 2022