Felicity Long
Drum roll, please; the news that the European Union is moving toward reopening this summer for vaccinated travelers from so-called safe countries -- including the U.S. -- has taken us all by surprise and provided a much-needed shot in the arm for the travel industry.
Since individual countries will be able to set their own entry requirements, it's not yet clear how this reopening will play out in each destination, but they may take a page from the playbook from Greece, which reopened to Americans May 14.
As of this writing, tourists traveling to Greece must show proof of vaccination or a negative Covid PCR test, and once there, they can island hop, eat out, go to museums and enjoy their vacations almost like none of the past year ever happened. Almost.
For one thing, travelers shouldn't get giddy and throw out their masks or toss all other pandemic precautions to the wind. Capacity restrictions and other protocols are still in place for indoor activities, and there is a curfew from 12:30 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.
To further bolster everyone's safety, Greece is hard at work inoculating its population, including on the islands -- with an accelerated vaccination drive aimed at reaching most of the country's residents by the end of June.
That said, there is still a U.S. Travel Advisory in place for Greece, according to the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Greece, and so far the country has reported just over 370,000 infections in a country of about 11 million people, with more than 11,000 deaths.
Like the rest of Europe, the destination's tourism revenue was clobbered, and even with this summer's reopening, expectations are muted about how soon international arrivals will approach 2019 numbers.
So, for visitors who don't want to wait until 2022, what can they do now in Greece?
What can tourists do in Greece now?
For one thing, this may be the perfect time to visit the Acropolis in Athens, a site so popular that on my last few visits negotiating the crowds was by far the most arduous part of the climb to the top.
While there, a must see is the Acropolis Museum, located directly across from the Acropolis itself and hands-down one of the great museums of the world. The facility is rolling out the welcome mat -- as long as visitors continue to abide by mask-wearing and other Covid strictures.
Visitors may also be able to navigate the tiny streets of tourist magnets like Mykonos and Santorini a little more easily, at least until tourists return in full force.
Visiting the Greek islands
For those who want to venture to the islands while preserving their travel bubbles, Wimco Villas is among the companies offering villa rentals that pair exclusivity and relaxation.
Or try one of Relais & Chateau's Greek properties, including the Myconian Ambassador Thalasso Spa, for posh accommodations, fine dining and wellness treatments.
Butterfield & Robinson is promoting privacy by gearing up to offer bespoke and small-group tours to Greece.
Catching a cruise to Greece
Meanwhile, Viking is expanding its Welcome Back ocean cruises to include a new Malta & Greek Isles Discovery itinerary that will overnight in Valletta, Malta, before calling in Kalamata, Athens, Santorini, Rhodes and Souda Bay in Greece. The Viking Venus and the Viking Sea will sail the itineraries between July and early October 2021.
Tauck is offering a Treasures of the Aegean small-ship cruise this summer, with calls that include Mykonos, Delos and Patmos as well as two nights in Athens and a stop in Ephesus, Turkey.
Getting to Greece
As to access, airlines are ramping up service to the destination from the U.S.
To stay on top of travel to Greece, travel advisors can visit the Covid site prepared by the Greek government and the Greek Ministry of Tourism for the latest information.