Anyone putting off going to Europe for vacation or work this spring/summer because of the Russia/Ukraine war?

Mary, I can understand why you would avoid Eastern Europe but there is no reason to be afraid to go to Western Europe right now.

It's reasonable to be concerned about the possibility of large numbers of refugees throughout Europe in coming months. Not just giving a sense of disorder but perhaps being temporarily housed in local hotels, making accommodation scarcer.

That’s what I’m mostly concerned about, R2. Well, that and potential radiation wafting over from one of those reactors.

I’m going to Germany and Italy in early May. I haven’t traveled internationally in 3 years, so I’m not canceling unless they force me to.

Hey, just come to New York and get shit-faced.

We planned a trip over Christmas to Germany in 2022. But when the EU shut everything down again in 2021, we changed to go to Europe in August. We didn't want to get screwed by making plans and seeing winter and covid fuck them up.

Now, we're just going to do something in the US.

I'm sure the Russian War is already being used by insurers to deny claims ("IT WAS A KNOWN CONDITION SINCE 1991!")

You mean that because of the war in Ukraine, it is very likely that we are not going to get legions of incredibly tacky, loud, vulgar and obnoxious American rubes who don't know the meaning of the word "civility"? Finally, Spring and Summer are going to be tolerable across the entire continent!

In fact, I'm writing a letter to Putin in this very moment: this war needs to last for all eternity for the sake of Europe's emotional well-being and social harmony! Perpetual war is preferrable to having to deal with your offensive vulgarity, ignorance and petulance.

Now, if you could please take to America all the refugees that the USA's regime-change and resource-stealing wars have caused (which we do not want nor should welcome into our countries, since we are not responsible for their plight), you would actually make yourselves useful to someone for once in your entire empire's existence.

R7 You say from the comfort of your European home heated by Russian gas.

I go to Europe every summer to visit the folks. This year will be no different.

I was hoping to get to the Baltics this summer (Lithuania, Estonia, etc.). Now I'm a little hesitant.

I’m supposed to go to Croatia, Slovenia, and Italy in late June but that’s not seeming very likely right now.

I wouldn’t be caught dead traveling over there right now. We’re one Russian screwup away from World War III. If they start shit with a NATO country, all hell is going to break loose. And you’ll be trapped there.

Yes, R12, that’s pretty much it in a nutshell for me. I’d also have loved to travel around Germany this summer like I did in late September and all of October 2019. I’d particularly love to visit Munich again. I was at the final night of Oktoberfest there which was an absolute clusterfuck. I wonder if it will finally return this September. I don’t care about ever going back to Oktoberfest, though, but the Viktuallien Market is another story altogether. It’s spectacular. A lot of the people in Munich act like their shit don’t stink but I’d happily put up with them.

I agree. Munich is a lot of fun.

OP should buy a map.

I'll be visiting Munich, Vienna, Bratislava, and Budapest in November. I have no plans to change that at this point.

R16- November is a LONG way off- people are concerned about going to Europe in May, June, July

There’s no reason to be afraid of refugees from Ukraine. It’s not like they’re coming from the Middle East or Africa.

I was going to go to Ukraine in 2020. Then after Trump started stirring up shit there I changed my plans to the Baltic Countries. Then COVID hit. This year I was hoping for the Baltic countries plus Poland to see where my family came from. I had also been thinking of getting a visa to visit Kaliningrad too. Now, ah fuck it!

I’m going to Italy at the end of the month. I wasn’t concerned until I saw a bunch of nervous nellies canceling their trips. It gave me pause for a minute, but fuck it-I’m still going to go. If WWIII breaks out, which doesn’t seem likely, I’ll be stuck in Italy. I’d be okay with that (but obviously, I don’t hope for escalation just so I can extend my holiday.)

I love Eastern Europe more than Western Europe. There is all kinds of beautiful architecture and you don’t have to worry about tourists from China hitting you in the face with their selfie sticks.

Will I ever get to Italy?

Europe will be radioactive and uninhabitable for a hundred years.

R19, if you visit Poland, you must go to Krakow. It's beautiful in the city center, and it has one of the best Italian restaurants I've eaten at (located in the old Jewish quarter).

Yes, when I found out I can’t go to Italy I literally fell out of my chair.

I do hope my April trip to Odessa and Kiev are still on schedule!

'll be going at least two or three times this year. I'm missing Italy and Germany and France. I want to go to the Nordics. I love Eastern Europe but I may pause on that area for a while. Thought part of me does want to volunteer to help provide release for hot Ukrainian soldier.

Why was Oktoberfest a clusterfuck?

If an all out war breaks out in Europe, Americans will be able to get out (as long as you leave right away when they ask you to). Putin can’t afford to continue this too much longer anyway. It will be done by next month.

R7 you sound so lovely and thoughtful yourself . Jealous much ?

R28, haha, all I meant is it was beyond crowded. It was insanely crowded. But it was the last night of Oktoberfest. And it was pounding rain (an omen, perhaps?). I got the hell out of there and enjoyed the best currywurst/pommes I’ve ever had in Germany and that’s saying a lot.

Going to Italy next month. I have no concerns.

What cities are you visiting, R32. I plan on going to Sicily this summer.

I'm horrified by the war in Ukraine, but I don't think it's going to spread outside Ukraine/Belarus/ Moldova at most, because Putin has already stretched his military to their full capacity and beyond, and the sanctions keep biting deeper. If, on the other hand, he goes nuclear, no place on earth will be safe.

So I'm carrying onwith my plans for Sicily in April and Saragossa in May.

I'm supposed to go to Ireland in April (for work) and I have no intention of canceling at this point.

I'll be looking for a refugee who looks like this

R36, There's nothing Russian looking about him.

R33 I’m not r32, but I’m going in the end of April/early May and I’m excited so I’m going to tell you about my plans anyway. My partner and have a couple of days in Munich, then fly into Naples, will ferry to Capri for 4 nights (day trip to Ischea), then ferry to Sorrento for 5 nights. We are hiring a private driver to take us on a tour of the Almafi coast from Sorrento. One more night in Naples before flying home (I really want to see the museum).

OP - you’ll be at The Boots in Antwerp then?

This sounds great, r38! I’m going at the end of this month, and I’m excited as well. Three nights in Sorrento with a day trip to Capri, three nights in Positano where I’ll hike the Path if the Gods and check out Ravello, and then two nights in Rome, where I’ll eat gelato and street pizza until I’m the size of a Macy’s Day Float! I can’t wait!!

That sounds great, r40! I’m excited about the food too. I have never been that far south in Italy and am hoping to get some good seafood. Will the ferry’s be running this early?

*ferries. I will ‘Oh Dear’ myself.

We’ll always have the smoldering crater that was Paris

[quote] Will the ferry’s be running this early?

I know there are some from Sorrento to Capri at least, r41. They apparently don’t publish the full schedule until later this month, so that’s why I’m staying in Sorrento for a few days rather than spending the whole time in Positano. Ultimately, wherever I end up down there should be pretty great.

R39, I did a day trip down to Antwerp from Amsterdam in early January. My train was packed with Dutchies desperate to go shopping and eating in restaurants. Thanks for The Boots rec, though, I definitely plan on going back to Antwerp someday.

R38, that's too much time in Capri and Sorrento. 2 at most at each site. Spend more time in Naples. It has fantastic museums, and Pompeii is near.

R46 Agree. Sorrento itself isn't much at all. Ischea is a good place much different and more down-to-earth than chi-chi Capri, but it's large and not really right for just a day trip.