When would you consider traveling over the pond?

[_Sheffjs_]

We were planning going to Norway and Sweden mid August for 4-6 weeks. I feel it is possible however just when I say positive things the wife’s says but what if we get sick on the way or when first there?   Well dang, that stuff was not in my p brain!  I’m not getting younger and I have six weeks saved for this trip. Thoughts?

[Jess from VA]

Being a (constant) traveler is not the same as having a safe home.

And it's a lot of sitting in Airplane cabins (and terminals) with humanoids.

You can follow the news over there (and here) for how things are going, and maybe it's OK where you're going, but as a traveler I'd be trying to figure how to minimize my exposure to humanoids. (car rental, not buses/trains/cabs/ferries).  And all eating in restaurants, nights in motels, public rest rooms?

Lay out your plan, then asses your exposure risks.

How's your and the wife's physical condition (the other risk)?

This virus aside, I had some downside experiences traveling all over Europe just eating the food, and catching new bugs.  Not terrible, but I got food poisoned a number of times (and maybe not all botulism, just a reaction to weird food on my system), and regular colds seemed worse/longer than normal.

Non refundable tickets is probably a bad idea.  

[Valkorado]

August is a ways off.   If you haven't already,  book with the following caveat.   Most agencies,  hotels,  airlines,  etc.  are hurting so they are offering cancelation considerations for COVID;  I've read about some that are offering full refund just days in advance.   I'd inquire about this,  and request it in writing.   Then watch the news in all destinations.

I'd be most concerned in tight spaces with shared ventilation,  like airplanes.

[Funbaldguy]

Hi, we are going to be hosting a foreign exchange student this school year. She’s from Germany. She has not had school for just as long as us here in Michigan. Parents are dealing with shutdowns just like us. She gets school work (tasks) on internet. This past Saturday she had a meeting with the people in charge for this adventure. A adventure I’m not sure I could’ve been ok with at 17. So far the trip is happening. Her arrival is august 23. The 3 day stop in New York for orientation has been taken out. They will be doing the orientation with the local representatives. 
 Now this week they have been allowed to do things outside the house. Masks are a must. She just road the train to visit a friend for a couple of days.  They don’t drive till 18yrs if age. She said it was different people were quiet and kept to themselves. Yet she was very happy to able to be out and see her friend. Funny side note. Her friend is also coming to the state as an exchange student. Turns out after she googled it. They will actually be closer here than there. Lol . Here no more than 20 minutes. I don’t know exact address. Just town. So everywhere is in this situation Just be careful and you will probably be fine. Enjoy the trip!

[Rams]

I suggested to the wife that we could bring an 18 year old Swedish female college student to our home for a school year or three.   Of all the reasons she came up with to not do this, COVID-19 was never mentioned.    

Reference travel, I'm not qualified to offer more than an opinion.   And, it ain't worth much.

Rams

[Robert]

While illness is worth considering, another factor is the economy. There have been some drastic financial changes here in the US, we are not sure what will happen as the consequences for these changes take effect here and abroad. I would tentatively say ok but with the ability to cancel without penalty.

[_Sheffjs_]

So far it looks like positive feelings with a side of caution. To clearify we have no hotels saving stops on motorcycle trips while we are there (all friends are Motorcycle people and have bikes we use in both countries) We already have the invites discussed/planned with our friends and will stay in four different houses.  We might skip one flight and take the night train from Stockholm to Narvik leaving us with only one flight. Our thought is to plan on going but do not book until one or two weeks before and roll the dice then. Either it is favorable and reasonable or we stay home.

Robert, could you expound?  When you mention the economic impact is this flights or ? 

[Robert]

Robert, could you expound?  When you mention the economic impact is this flights or ? 

The impact on this basically almost world wide shut down has caused many industries to fail including deep cuts and problems on airlines, hotels,transportation, restaurants, and fuel. While the countries you mentioned did not really shut down they do have financial and even employment problems that could affect your trip. Even here we dont know the real financial affect of the shut down. You would like to go when and where you would not have to plan at every turn and compesate on your trip and miss the carefree traveling because of this outbreak.

I went to Homestead Florida after hurricane Andrew and it was not the same place I had seen months before. You know what Florida was like after a hurricane and we had not suffered financially yet.

[Alberta Patriot]

The Misses and I have flights booked to London (Gatwick) Sept 5th for 3 weeks. That was done before the "Planned-demic" came down. We have several places booked in Crete Greece. The only road block...getting from Gatwick to Crete. Easy Jet is the most popular Air Carrier to Crete from Gatwick. They are a very sketchy when it comes to handing out refunds or flight credits so we did not book them yet!! So here we are...on hold.
We have 'til late July to cancel our West Jet Calgary to London flight booking so it does give us time.
I feel bad for all the mom and pop operations in tourist places like Greece as these untold thousands of family run operations depend entirely on tourism. The summer hoards of tourists is already gone. Some of the places we booked may not even be there come September. All the places we booked through Booking.com are payment upon arrival ONLY!!

[Jess from VA]

We have several places booked in Crete Greece.

I do love that part of the world.  

Two military tours in and traveled all over Turkey (especially the Aegean coast and islands), and visited (for duty) Sicily, Athens and Crete.

Worked with Greeks for ten summers getting through school (steel mills), so I got a bit of the language (though much of it not for polite company).