Safest Places in Europe to Travel to currently?

Croatia, Greece, Denmark that's pretty much the green list of countys right now that are on par or below us.

The weather should get a lot better here in the next few weeks though.

Although bear in mind the risk of infection that the journey itself may entail. If you're flying, this is likely to be higher than the risk of infection at your destination.

Peregrinus wrote: »

Although bear in mind the risk of infection that the journey itself may entail. If you're flying, this is likely to be higher than the risk of infection at your destination.

is it really though?

• Most go to the airport by car, so zero (corona) risk.
• At Dublin/ Cork airport - its ireland, so by definition (by Tony and the lads) the safest place on the planet, aside from anywhere thats safer like the antarctic, or quarantine for space flights.
• On the plane, next to zero chance of catching anything. All passengers will be wearing a mask/ mouth covering so that substantially reduces any particles in the air, and the air conditioning sucks out all air within 2 minutes anyhow.
• At destination airport, likely that you'll be wearing masks along with everyone else, so again grand.
• On way to hotel/ apartment, again likely to wear mask if using shared transport, if you arent renting a car or getting a taxi meaning again its only your family to worry about.

All in all theres a very low chance of anything happening from what I can figure.

Not all European airlines require the use of facemasks and those that do vary in the strictness with which they enforce the rule. And there will always be cases of people removing their masks to eat, drink or talk, or just not wearing them correctly. Aircraft air conditioning systems don't exhaust the air in the cabin; they recycle it. To prevent the spread of viruses, bacteria and other infectants you are reliant on the filtration system, but these vary in efficacy depending on how old they are and how well they are maintained.

You can reduce both these risks for yourself by getting and wearing an N95 mask on the flight (and not removing it for any reason). But they are pricey, and not re-usable.

I wouldn't want to overstate the risks, but there is evidence that cabin crew have a high rate of covid-19 infection, despite (obviously) being motivated to take all the proper precautions, and most observers put that down to the relatively high-risk environment in which they work. This is likely a more dangerous environment, infection-wise, than being out and about in any European country. It will probably be the most dangerous part of your holiday.

Sleety_Rain wrote: »

Looks like Germany could be the call. Also if locked down guaranteed routes back as Berlin route never stopped during pandemic

Munich?

should also mention that from July 22nd to early September theres a new initiative "Summer in the city" which will be 22 pop up beergardens, concerts, 2x big wheels and amusements, spread over all corners of the city to ensure theres a bit of craic in the summer but all outdoors and not concentrated into one place

Therell be a roller coaster and one of those wild water rides set up in the olympic park among other things.

the reasoning behind is is also to give a chance for the octoberfest stand owners (sausages/ toasted nuts and all that sort of stuff) and amusement ride owners to make a few euro seeing as the oktoberfest itsself and probably all other community festivals are cancelled.

https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.muenchen.de%2Ffreizeit%2Faktuell%2F2020%2Fsommer-in-der-stadt-das-ist-geplant.html

munchkin_utd wrote: »

is it really though?

• Most go to the airport by car, so zero (corona) risk.
• At Dublin/ Cork airport - its ireland, so by definition (by Tony and the lads) the safest place on the planet, aside from anywhere thats safer like the antarctic, or quarantine for space flights.
• On the plane, next to zero chance of catching anything. All passengers will be wearing a mask/ mouth covering so that substantially reduces any particles in the air, and the air conditioning sucks out all air within 2 minutes anyhow.
• At destination airport, likely that you'll be wearing masks along with everyone else, so again grand.
• On way to hotel/ apartment, again likely to wear mask if using shared transport, if you arent renting a car or getting a taxi meaning again its only your family to worry about.

All in all theres a very low chance of anything happening from what I can figure.

As above but travelling by ferry in our own vehicle and accommodation. Taking bikes too so zero need for transfers, public transport, taxis etc.
All eating, sight seeing etc will be outdoors and we’ll be socially distancing and wearing masks indoors as we do here and carrying them with us for cases where socially distancing might be difficult (but will be avoiding busy and crowded areas).

ted1 wrote: »

Achill is nice this time of year.

Absolutely !
Or even one of those islands with less population:
Garmna, Galway 1019
Inis Mór Galway 762
Valencia Island, Kerry 657
Leitir Móir, Co. na Gaillimhe 513
Árainn Mhór, Donegal 469
Inis Oírr, Galway 281
Haulbowline Island, Cork 216
Leitir Mealláin, Co. na Gaillimhe 204
Inis Meáin, Galway 183
Inchydoney Island, Cork 183
Inishbofin, Galway 175
Bear Island, Cork 167
Clare Island, Mayo 159
Cléire, Cork 147
Maínis, Galway 137
Toraigh, Donegal 119
Sherkin Island, Cork 111
Eanach Mheáin, Galway 104
Ringarogy Island, Cork 84
An Chruit, Donegal 60
Foirnis, Galway 60
Inishturk, Mayo 51
Inis Ní, Galway 43
Aughinish Island, Clare 34
Inishbeg, Cork 34
Samphire Island, Kerry 31
Tawin Island, Galway 31
Inishodriscol (or Hare Island), Cork 28
An Ros, Galway 22
Long Island, Cork 20
Inishbiggle, Mayo 18
Hop Island, Cork 18
Whiddy Island, Cork 18

otnomart wrote: »

Seriously though: anywhere in Europe where they have (and enforce compliance of) decent policies on wearing masks and on proper distancing of tables in cafès/restaurants

is that a question?

if it is, you can start with Bavaria and Baden Wutermburg in southern germany (other German regions seem to be less strict in actual enforcement) plus Italy

Austria has removed the compulsion to wear masks in hotels and elsewhere, but thats good for the rest of us as they are essentially voluntary guinea pigs to see how the virus spreads unchecked for a second european wave. I just hope it doesnt backfire.

MattS1 wrote: »

Looking for any ideas. Potentially Greece. Any help welcome.

I've a suggestion...

Greece.. Athens and then Island ferry hop.

theoldbreed wrote: »

We're going to Crete, have booked since end of January. Greece have handled it very well overall, Crete in particular. As long as it's on the green list we're going!

Good choice, Crete is the only Greek Island with direct flights to and from Dublin on Ryanair, and they are around €50 one way depending on when you travel.

theoldbreed wrote: »

We're going mid August and paid 530 return for two of us including seats but as I said we booked way back! Flights are a lot cheaper now.

€530 for two people, accommodation included?

Tenzor07 wrote: »

€530 for two people, accommodation included?

No, I wish! 1,100 for 10 days for two.