Each traveler's potential loss varies, depending on how much of your trip is prepaid, the refundability of the air ticket you purchased, your state of health, the value of your luggage, where you're traveling, the financial health of your tour company and airline, and what coverage you already have (through your medical insurance, homeowners or renters insurance, and/or credit cards). (But three countries especially popular with travelers are not part of Schengen: Croatia, the Republic of Ireland, and the United Kingdom.). It's different from what I normally get. Jobs | Rick Steves' Europe. Many on the forums discuss travel insurance, including health coverage. Total travelers testing positive for Covid: 380 (2.3%). These measures aren't aimed at tourists, but don't be surprised if you encounter an ID check within the EU at an airport, train station, or highway border crossing. Weve cleaned out the places that did close. 2023 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | CST# 2086743 | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy, Ethiopia: An Inspiring Visit Comes to a Close, Comrades No More: Thoughts on Russias Invasion of Ukraine, The Tour du Mont Blanc: Some Tips I Learned Along the Way, The Best Hike of my Life: The Tour du Mont Blanc. Steves: Oh, no. When in serious doubt, eat only thick-skinned fruitpeeled. Technically, I was within my rights to shrug it off and get on the plane. It will challenge givens that you always assumed were above the test of reason, and most of Europe on the street doesn't really care that much about what you, the historical and cultural pilgrim, have waited so long to see. Frequently Asked Questions | Rick Steves' Europe Tours Know how much sleep you need to stay healthy (generally 78 hours per night). If you need your passport in less than six weeks, make an appointment to go in person to the nearest US Passport Agency. In a personal account, Rick Steves opened up about his health struggles and challenges. He also warned that this summer may be a particularly busy oneperhaps the continents busiest yetand offered practical tips for traveling amid crowds. His favorite example is losing your travelers checks. We are capable of handling American bacteria with no problem at all, but some people can go to London and get sick. (Heck, maybe Id be sitting next to someone nursing their own COVID fever.) Evacuation insurance covers the cost of getting you to a place where you can receive appropriate medical treatment in the event of an emergency. But COVID let me settle in and enjoy some shows Id only flipped past before. Health Post in the Middle of Nowhere? - Rick Steves' Travel Blog But our local favoritesthe little bed-and-breakfasts and bistrosthey survived. Nyce: What have you noticed about the post-COVID tourism rebound? Hard to say. If you need to cancel a trip and want to cancel your coverage too, check your policy to see if you're eligible for a refund on your premium. If you're a couch potato, try to get in shape before your trip by taking long walks. It's not necessarily dirty. How does the policy handle bookings added to a package trip? Now more than ever, you can count on Rick Steves to tell you what you really need to know when traveling through Italy. We rode the lift to . ), Ive heard some people say, I got fully vaccinated and I still got COVID! Again, I was so tempted to head home. Landing in Seattle, I felt confident Id made the right decision by delaying my return. He is known for his adventurous spirit, insightful travel guides, and infectious passion for exploring new places. Rather than buying separate insurance, it may make more sense to add a rider to your existing policy to cover expensive items while you travel. Or, if you're on a tour and have an accident on your first day, you'll be reimbursed for the portion of the tour you were unable to use. When I tested positive for COVID on the morning I was supposed to fly home from Europe on day 46 of a 46-day trip I realized something: At this stage in the pandemic, every traveler is expected to be their own ethicist. Hand sanitizers, such as Purell, can be helpful. Grant Hindsley. The . Probably never. Keep an eye on your passport's expiration date. Despite the challenges, Rick Steves continued to travel and work, but it soon became evident that his health issues were impacting his travel schedule. It was workable last year, and I think its going to be better this year. Getting or Renewing Your Passport. Your trip won't get off the ground if you don't prepare your documents passport, vaccination proof, rail pass, international driving permit well before your departure date. Canadian citizens can refer to the government of Canada's travel site for passport information. Rick Steves Edmonds-based European travel expert Rick Steves wrote the following regarding his selection as the 2017 Edmonds Citizen of the Year. It's important to note that most policies won't cover you if you change your plans to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19. Note the difference: Trip cancellation is when you don't go on your trip at all. Motion Sickness: To be effective, medication for motion sickness (Dramamine or Marezine) should be taken one hour before you think you'll need it. I consider British television an important cultural experience. The various types are usually sold in some combination rather than buying only baggage, medical, or cancellation insurance, youll usually purchase a package that includes most or all of them. If one in eighteen people in Scotland had COVID at that moment, there were likely at least ten active cases on that plane. In addition, Rick hosts a radio show called "Travel with Rick Steves.". Second cities, I call them. You'll pay an additional $60 expediting fee, plus overnight shipping both ways, and you'll get your passport by mail within seven weeks (likely much sooner). (Consider heading to less-popular destinations, and dont bother checking a bag!). Another lesson: This was a reality check that these days, nothing prevents someone with COVID from traveling however they like. Traveling runners can enjoy Europe from a special perspective at dawn. And Im really thankful for that. Dive into a world of wisdom, with posts unraveling the mysteries and complexities of various fields of knowledge, Rick Steves Health: An Inside Look at His Journey to Wellness, What to Eat for Lunch to Lose Weight Fast: Healthy and Easy Ideas, Who Can Prescribe Mental Health Medication? If they test positive, they must leave the tour. It can do wonders to refresh the struggling traveler's spirit. I gave my immune system clear instructions and ran it through drills for exactly this eventuality. Buy your insurance policy within a week of the date you make the first payment on your trip. Romantics can get the sensory bends, patriots can get their flags burned, and anyone can suffer from culture shock. If you plan to rebook your trip rather than cancel, check with your travel-insurance provider to see if you can move your policy to the new date (but know that you may have to pay more on the premium for your new date). After what felt like an eternity in that little hotel room, I had reached the CDC-recommended five-day isolation period. Its trailing off with a whimper. It apparently made not one iota of difference that my sole reason for rescheduling was not wanting to expose Lufthansas passengers to COVID. Some states allow for annual policies such as geo blue. In much of Europe, the only travel document a US or Canadian citizen needs is a passport. It's smart to make copies of the following: Don't copy a debit or credit card instead, keep just the number in a retrievable place. Some Americans travel around the world eating and drinking everything in sight and don't get sick, while others spend weeks on the toilet. This report is updated monthly. October 19, 2012 by Rick Steves My Readers Share Their Own European Health Care Stories On Wednesday, I posted a story on my blog and facebook from one of my tour guides whose "socialized medicine-phobic" tour members had a surprising wake-up call in France. From the Mediterranean to the Alps, from fine art to fine pasta, experience it all with Rick Steves! The things that distinguish a Rick Steves guidebook are all of the little mom-and-pop places. A thoughtful traveleran ethical traveler coming out of COVIDcan reduce the toll of travel by paying for their carbon. If you're visiting one of these countries, your cancellation and medical insurance will likely not be honored, unless you buy supplemental coverage. The company has had to cancel some of its tours and adjust its itineraries to accommodate his health concerns. Probably moreconsequentially,I also got in the habit of eating in restaurants. And then, when the coast is clear, all of those travel dreams are dusted off, and people turn them into reality. After two and a half years of struggling with this virus, we know of two things that are unequivocally, demonstrably effective in slowing the spread and reducing the impact of COVID: vaccinations and masking. Travel agents recommend that you get travel insurance (because they get a commission when you buy it, and because they can be held liable for your losses if they dont explain insurance options to you). If you plan to file an insurance claim, you'll need to get a police report right away. In the interim, for me, its too early to throw caution entirely to the wind. Rick Steves. In Madrid, the paseo is still the paseo. But not requiring tests makes far less sense when masking on board planes is optional. Also, can you can change the dates of your coverage should you decide to reschedule a trip, rather than cancel it altogether? And CFAR coverage is limited by strict requirements for example, you must buy it no more than 21 days after purchasing your trip, and to be reimbursed you must cancel your trip no later than 48 hours before departure. ), Is the policy premium is refundable, and if so, for how long? Be proactive to stay well. I saw only about a dozen people who, like me, were wearing masks. All tour members, guides, and drivers are vaccinated. Im a pretty idealistic person. Budget travelers often eat more carbohydrates and less protein to stretch their travel dollars. A CFAR policy usually adds about 50 percent to the price of a basic policy. Some Americans are inclined to dislike the UN. He was married to his ex-wife Anne. For example, many credit cards come with travel perks (some degree of flight insurance, car-rental coverage, and so on). Abrasions: Clean abrasions thoroughly with soap to prevent or control infection. In emergency situations involving costly procedures or overnight stays, the hospital will typically work directly with your travel-insurance carrier on billing (but not with your regular health insurance company; you'll likely have to pay up front to the hospital or clinic, then get reimbursed by your stateside insurer later). Much like the urge to point to yourself while watching Mister Rogers or allowing yourself to be hypnotized by the dance of Bob Ross's paintbrush, fans of Rick Steves' Europe have probably found themselves muttering the show's signature signoff along with host, Rick Steves: "Keep on . (For example, some credit-card coverage is not always accepted by European rental agencies. Before you leave, it's a good idea to take an inventory of all the high-value items you're bringing. Expat Health Insurance Recommendation - Rick Steves In general, people under age 26 are eligible for many discounts in Europe: Show your student ID at ticket counters, museums, and bus and train stations, and you'll be surprised at the number of discounts you'll receive. For routine care, a visit to a doctor will likely be an out-of-pocket expense (you'll bring home documentation to be reimbursed). And thats really the frustrating part about COVID. Rick Steves - Health on the Road in the Age of Coronavirus Since home tests became widely available, Ive tested myself more times than I can count: before or after a trip; before seeing someone I didnt want to expose; simply because I wasnt feeling great. Most travelers to Russia also need visas. One in eighteen! If I got on the plane with a 100-degree fever and an active case of COVID, I would be robbing my seatmate of that choice. Everybody in tourism is really thankful to get back at it. Or, try this rule of thumb: If I were healthy, would I want to be sitting next to me on that plane? If youre going to be sick anywhere, try to be sick in Glasgow where people are simply wonderful and kind and easy to talk to. If you're taking a tour, it may already come with some cancellation insurance ask. (Then again, Im also someone who never reclines my seat back. US had waived the requirement to present a negative COVID test, the importance of looking out for each other, one out of every eighteen people in Scotland had COVID, the CDC-recommended five-day isolation period, air circulation and filtration during a flight. But I am tired of waiting. Fortunately, everyone within two seats of me, in every direction, wore their mask the entire time. Rick Steves: Thankful to call Edmonds home (for 50 years) But its not surprising. Travel Is Back, and So Is Rick Steves - The Atlantic When choosing if travel insurance is right for you, do your homework, ask questions, and think about how much peace of mind is really worth to you. We've just completed May (one of our busiest months) with more than 100 tours on the road at the same time at one point. Some French people visit Boston and get sick. It's simply not worth taking eight Pepto-Bismol tablets a day or brushing your teeth in Coca-Cola all summer long to avoid a day of the trots. First, find out what your current health insurance covers (or doesnt cover) for international travel. First, if you want to travel but still really dont want to get COVID,dont let your guard down. Baggage insurance for luggage that is lost, delayed, or damaged is included in most comprehensive policies, but it's rare to buy it separately, and there's a strict cap on reimbursement for such items as jewelry, eyewear, electronics, and camera equipment. Rick Steves is an explorer at heart, so it should come as little surprise that he is finding unexpected joy in the midst of an awful situation. But I certainly did not want to spend another week or two in this little hotel room, far from home. And that leads to a question I asked myself again and again as I was waiting out this nasty bug: Is it somehow old-fashioned or deluded to be so worried about spreading COVID? Make your diet as bland and boring as possible for a day or so (bread, rice, boiled potatoes, clear soup, toast without butter, weak tea). Visas are not required for Americans or Canadians traveling in western and central Europe. Just like in the United States, its hard for restaurants to staff the restaurants and for airlines to staff the planes. Long flights are dehydrating. In any event, I was very glad for whatever protection my vaccinations gave me. But all over the developing world, health posts like this one help young mothers learn the rudiments of hygiene, health, and nutrition. Tours completed and on the road: 631 It was plenty comfortable, with a fun view over the train stations glass canopy. Early Life of Jackie Steves This means that even if your passport doesn't expire for a few months, you may be denied entry to a country.
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