Travel to Europe During Covid and My Experience...

Happy Monday! I got home Saturday night from my trip to Germany to meet my sweet grandson Bristol and I felt like a bus ran over me. I was very jet lagged, but also very glad to be home. I’m finally feeling a bit more like myself today! My trip was very interesting and I want to share a little about what helped make my travel easier. This information may be irrelevant soon because things are changing very quickly in Europe as far as restrictions because of the vaccine, but until sometime this summer, this is the way things are.

From the New York Times…

“American tourists who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 will be able to visit the European Union over the summer, the head of the bloc’s executive body said in an interview with The New York Times on Sunday, more than a year after shutting down nonessential travel from most countries to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

The fast pace of vaccination in the United States, and advanced talks between authorities there and the European Union over how to make vaccine certificates acceptable as proof of immunity for visitors, will enable the European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union, to recommend a switch in policy that could see trans-Atlantic leisure travel restored.”

I’m not sure of the exact date that things will begin to open up, but if you want to travel between now and then, be prepared to have a good reason and to quarantine for 10 days. They really don’t play around.

When I started to plan my trip, I first did my research on the German Embassy website and it was a good resource for what the travel restrictions were and what exceptions were allowed. Just from talking with my daughter, I knew that I needed documentation for my reason for travel and after looking at the website, I was still somewhat confused about what documentation was needed, so I actually called and spoke to someone at the embassy and they were very helpful. Since my son-in-law is in the army, one of the best suggestions was to get a letter from Will’s (Sarah’s husband) commander stating the reason for my trip. Visiting a new grandchild is considered essential travel, but I needed proof of that! I had Sarah’s and Will’s birth certificates, Bristol’s birth certificate, my birth certificate, the letter from Will’s commander, my passport, copies of their passports and 3 negative Covid tests. I did have my bases covered because I didn’t want to get to the airport just to be told I couldn’t get on the plane!

When I arrived at the airport here, I was, needless to say, very prepared, but the only things I ended up needing were the letter from Will’s Commander, my negative Covid test, and my passport. The thing is…no one really knows and I think that to some extent, it depends on the person that’s checking you in when you get to the airport. My best advice would be to over prepare and have every piece of documentation you can come up with that proves your reason for travel!

About the Covid test…

Be sure to check with the airline and country you’re traveling to for specific instructions on which Covid test you need. I was a little confused and ended up getting 3 tests the day before I left just to be on the safe side. They will also look at the date and most countries require the test to have been taken within 72 hours of travel. My test was checked at every airport!

What I didn’t think about until I got to Germany was getting a Covid test for the trip home. The Germans don’t really have a rapid result test (I think that’s an American thing)! I waited until the week I was supposed to leave on that Thursday and tried to get a Covid test on Monday…it was not possible and no one seemed to care one bit that I was in a panic. I had to schedule the test online and the earliest appointment was 12:53 (very specific) on Tuesday. When I got to the testing site, I told them I needed the test back the next day and they said it could be 48 hours which would not have worked. I was so nervous about the whole thing that I decided to delay my flight until Saturday. Originally, I was supposed to have flown out on Thursday from Nuremberg, arriving in Amsterdam and have a NINE HOUR layover in Amsterdam! I think that would have killed me! I know that everything happens for a reason and the Saturday flight, although still long, ended up being much better! When I got to Amsterdam, I barely had enough time to make my connection which is so much better than a nine hour layover before a nine hour fight!

When I arrived in Nuremberg, I collected my bags and just as I was looking around, Sarah and Will walked into the airport with Bristol. It was such an emotional moment and of course, there were lots of tears on my part! I’m a cryer and I was so happy to see them and finally meet my grandson.

We made our way to the Army post in Vilseck and my 10 day quarantine began. Like I said earlier, when they say 10 days, they mean 10 days. Sarah and I took long walks almost daily with her dog John Wayne and Bristol and we cooked almost every night! It was fine but I’ll admit I did get a little stir crazy.

When my quarantine was over, we drove to Amberg, and a little town called Sulzbach-Rosenberg and we also went to another army post nearby! The little towns were beautiful and the drive was also beautiful…mostly green farmland. I did enjoy getting out, but nothing was open so it was kind of disappointing! I’m excited to go back when we can take the train and actually travel to other European countries. The real purpose of the trip was to get to know Bristol and I had so much time to just be with him. It was a real gift.

On Saturday morning, I got up at 3 am and got ready for my flight home! It was such a bittersweet morning because I was ready to get home after 16 days and get back to my life, but also sad to leave!

My thoughts on the vaccine…they might not be very popular!

I’ve been very on the fence about getting the vaccine! It scares me a little because it’s so new and there is no data about what lasting effects it could have. I feel a little bullied into getting it, but I really don’t feel that there will be any option if I want to travel again…and I do definitely do want to go back! Sarah and Will are going to be there for as long as three years an it’s such a great opportunity to be able to see more of Europe and visit my grandson!

I couldn’t resist sharing a few of the pictures from my trip! Bristol is just getting to stage where he’s smiling and more alert…he’s absolutely adorable and has more hair than I’ve ever seen on a baby in my life! I also just this second found out that Sarah and Bristol will be coming home to stay with us for a few months the end of June! I’m very excited to have this time with both of them!

The weather in Germany is still kind of chilly and I wore sweat pants and jeans and sweaters the whole time. The sweater I’m wearing in these pictures is by Anine Bing and is one of my favorite sweaters I’ve ever owned. I love the color and it’s soft and warm!