Would you vacation in Europe this year?

[Patman]

Scott I can assure you with no reservation that South Africa is not or will ever be in our travel plans. Actually we don't have travel plans as in multiple trips.

I was in Scotland for a month on a foreign study trip when I was 15 and could easily go back. It's on the table.

South Africa is a dangerous country. Never in a million years would I go there. I’ve heard a few stories about the crime there. In fact my sister was there a few years ago and witnessed an armed robbery in a strip mall. 4 guys got out a car carrying machine guns and robbed a store. She was sitting in a car just a short distance away

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

My aunt had similar concerns last year, she went to Germany and Scotland last June and then Ireland in September, but didn’t have any issues.

A friend’s daughter went to The Netherlands and Ireland a couple weeks ago and it was ok for her too.

Spent a few days in Amsterdam, people were more friendly than the average American interaction. At the bars many people were excited to talk to foreigners, met people from Ireland, Italy, England, locals too. Normal people get along no matter where they are from. Even sang some great American songs together after a few drinks and

 

[HemiBenny]

South Africa is a dangerous country. Never in a million years would I go there. I’ve heard a few stories about the crime there. In fact my sister was there a few years ago and witnessed an armed robbery in a strip mall. 4 guys got out a car carrying machine guns and robbed a store. She was sitting in a car just a short distance away

A story that can be told of any city here in the United States.

 

[Sedin26]

I’d happily go to Europe at any time. Past trips to Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, and and The Netherlands were wonderful.

I would, however, avoid going anywhere near Russian airspace on any flight I’m on. Probably safe but it wouldn’t be the first time they shot down an airliner, whether by accident or not.

Having said this, my travel plans for this year are an Alaska cruise with family and a trip down to Washington State to visit friends and attend a hobby gathering. I’ve always found Americans to be a friendly lot, in general, and enjoy my visits.

 

[slo town]

Scott I can assure you with no reservation that South Africa is not or will ever be in our travel plans. Actually we don't have travel plans as in multiple trips.

I was in Scotland for a month on a foreign study trip when I was 15 and could easily go back. It's on the table.

South Africa is a dangerous country. Never in a million years would I go there. I’ve heard a few stories about the crime there. In fact my sister was there a few years ago and witnessed an armed robbery in a strip mall. 4 guys got out a car carrying machine guns and robbed a store. She was sitting in a car just a short distance away

According to recent events I suspect it's a country in transition and/or turmoil. Like you, I wouldn't go there now.

In fact, a funny side comment, but when I traveled there in 2008 I didn't get vaccinated for anything. The thought hadn't even crossed my mind until my colleague told me when we met at the airport that she got shot up with 2 or 3 different vaccinations. The thought never crossed my mind! Thankfully, I returned home healthy and happy.

The beauty of Cape Town is fabulous. One thing that makes Cape Town different is the way the sun felt. The color of the ocean, the color of the sky, the feel of the air - everything felt different down there. It's hard to describe, other than to say everything feels different. Geographic beauty abounds. They are very proud of their wine country. I enjoyed several bottles of the area's finest stuff. Very nice!

We drove the coastal point where the Atlantic meets the Indian. It was an hours long drive that took us right along the rocky coast - or over expansive inland areas of rolling green colored pastures with large farm houses, many of them old. A beautiful drive that leaves you amazed the whole time.

This long and meandering highway had long sections with packs of hardcore road bicycles blasting along with us. I wanted my bike so BAD. I was pretty tuned up at the time and would have ridden well there!

Scott

 

[slo town]

Spent a few days in Amsterdam, people were more friendly than the average American interaction. At the bars many people were excited to talk to foreigners, met people from Ireland, Italy, England, locals too. Normal people get along no matter where they are from. Even sang some great American songs together after a few drinks and

I always enjoyed my time in Amsterdam.

Scott

 

[Pablo]

I’m considering buying a place in Italy so I can be hated in place

 

[GON]

I’m considering buying a place in Italy so I can be hated in place

In 2005 I was working in Sicily. On the far south of Sicily, in cities like Pachino and Pozzallo, we would see American flags flying upside down. The so-called sentiment we see today has been going on for some time. It is just a very small amount of people who are able to make headlines. Happened in 2005, might be happening today. This very small group of people flying the American flag upside down in no way reflected the sentiment of the overall population of Sicily then, and I suspect the overall population of Europe appreciates and values visitors from the United States today. The news today is meant to influence, not inform. Then one has to ask who is behind the influencing, and what are the motives.

Supplemental- absolutely loved Sicily. Sicily gets a bad rap from some of its fellow countrymen to the north. The terrain breathtaking, the food to die for, the produce- grown in the ash from Mount Etna is absolutely wonderful. And the woman, very modest.

 

[JHZR2]

The Europe of today is not the Europe of the last century. Not even close.

In 2015 I was working in Munich. Like all visitors to Munich, I went and visited the downtown. A very magical place. Yet, walk just a quarter mile outside of the central Munich downtown (tourist) district, not a single business sign was in Hochdeutsch (Standard German). Every sign was in revised Arabic Script (Turkish Alphabet). Most every cook in many urban areas in Western Europe will be from a non European nation.

Not discouraging a trip to Europe, but one should understand a trip to Western Europe is not the Western Europe of yesteryear. I think a trip to Eastern Europe, such as Poland, might provide a more authentic European experience.

This is very true. Strikingly so, including in Nordic countries.

Also interesting to people watch. Particularly how women attract to Arabic and Indian men. It has been obvious enough, in enough countries, to stand out.





But would I go? Sure. I’m not one to wear my citizenship on my sleeve or chest. I am respectful, and expect my children (who have all traveled Europe) to be respectful and well behaved.

I’m spending money, and don’t stand out. There is no issue, regardless of perceived problems.

 

[02SE]

We will be heading to Europe this year for several weeks of riding motorcycles. We've lived there for months at a time in the past, have many friends in several countries, and plan to have a great time.

 

[PandaBear]

Lots of German young men are scared to death of being conscripted to serve in the German military to defend their nation. These young German adults counted on the American taxpayers and American military to do defend Germany and neighboring European nations for decades. Free lunch is reportedly ending.

German youth's solution to solve defending their nation. Hire middle eastern and African young men, the local German young adults can't be bothered or inconvenienced.

I knew a mid ranking officer in the German military who decided to retire recently due to political reason (disagree with how the military wants to get involved internationally being different than when he joined as a young lad back then). I can go into the details of it but I would likely get that post removed by the mod.

In a nut shell, young people today do not believe in everything their own governments say. They have seen a lot of internal problems and the international conflicts only benefits the people who rule them instead of the protecting them. So, you can say they got more selfish, but I would say they are just getting more educated about how the real world economy and politics work, and decided what make sense for themselves instead.

In most countries the poor people are the one who want to join the military for a better future as a foot soldiers. Most elites who wants to join the military really means they want to join as officers or as a leader.

 

[PandaBear]

Will I travel to Europe this year? No, but not because of the anti-US sentiment. I don't think that is a big enough issue on that. There is a travel advisory for Asian being targeted by thugs (and many are from their own lower income nations within the EU as well as refugees they took in).

Yes they are no longer the fancy touristic place I was expecting them to be and they are probably more like San Francisco Tenderloin than how I wish they would be. I guess that's the "Paris Syndrome"? I would not go too close to the warzone so Poland is out for sure.

I was told that plane tickets in and out of US would be expensive this summer due to World Cup, but with how the El Mencho incident goes, I'm not so sure anymore. I saw a great deal on United Airline or American Airline to Mexico now on Facebook, but I saw a bunch of LOL and the comment section is disabled so go figure.

 

[Cropduster172]

Been to Europe and Scandinavia about 55 times in my second career. I'm not in a hurry to go back. But one of those Danube River boat tours looks relaxing to me and my wife. Might be in order this year.

 

[andrew_j]

I’m considering buying a place in Italy so I can be hated in place

I did hear a kind Indian Bolt(Europe Uber) driver mention the prices had spiked for housing due to folks from abroad buying retirement places. We were in a decent Peugeot 6 passenger car and guessing the $11 far for 20 mins was not going to pay for the $1.5-$2m house he wants. They used to be a third he said.

 

[Zee09]

I’m considering buying a place in Italy so I can be hated in place

I can offer you that here..

 

[Cropduster172]

The Europe of today is not the Europe of the last century. Not even close.

In 2015 I was working in Munich. Like all visitors to Munich, I went and visited the downtown. A very magical place. Yet, walk just a quarter mile outside of the central Munich downtown (tourist) district, not a single business sign was in Hochdeutsch (Standard German). Every sign was in revised Arabic Script (Turkish Alphabet). Most every cook in many urban areas in Western Europe will be from a non European nation.

Not discouraging a trip to Europe, but one should understand a trip to Western Europe is not the Western Europe of yesteryear. I think a trip to Eastern Europe, such as Poland, might provide a more authentic European experience.

100%
My last trip to Germany was 2012. I was traveling to Wiesbaden or Mainz monthly then. There's a street... mostly a walking street, Goldgasse, that has 4-5 Italian restaurants in a row. Some of the best Italian food and pizza I've ever had. Every person working in the places were Turks including the chefs.

 

[Zee09]

100%
My last trip to Germany was 2012. I was traveling to Wiesbaden or Mainz monthly then. There's a street... mostly a walking street, Goldgasse, that has 4-5 Italian restaurants in a row. Some of the best Italian food and pizza I've ever had. Every person working in the places were Turks including the chefs.

Turks in Germany is the norm

 

[jetman]

Or would you be concerned about the reception Americans might get due to the disruptions in world trade caused by US policies? Would you stay with canned tours with guides and groups of people or do a self guided type vacation? What you might have done 1year or 10 years ago vacation wise isn't of interest, things are different right now.

It's a tough ask but this is not about politics or parties or individuals, what happened and is happening is real right now. There's some interest in our house to do something we've never done. I'm okay with that but not interested in going where we might not be welcome. i'm mostly a better safe than sorry kind of person.

No
the open border policy has destroyed it
a neighbor is a business jet pilot for a wealthy family here and they quit traveling to europe 5 to 10 yrs ago for this reason.

 

[Cropduster172]

I always enjoyed Germany and Austria as I had many friends from those countries but Czech, Hungary and Slovakia were always my favorites. I was fascinated by the Soviet era underground subway stations. You could almost feel your ears pop taking those escalators back up to the street.

 

[GSCJR]

The first place I ever saw french fries on a pizza was Sicily ( or as you might say Sicilia).

The first place I ever saw french fries in a fried cutlet sandwich was in Capri, back in 2002. My wife and I looked at each other, and I said "what the ?"