Travel Industry, News and Analytics

European Countries Introduce New PCR Requirements

The emergence of the new Omicron variant of COVID-19 forced many European countries to tighten arrival requirements. Starting from December 7th, travelers arriving in the UK will need to take a pre-departure test (LFD or PCR). The test must be taken “as close to the departure as possible” but no more than 48 hours before it. The rule applies to everyone aged 12 or older.

Last week, 21 Omicron cases were reported in the UK, increasing the total number of cases to 134. The majority of the infected people returned from South Africa and Nigeria. Moreover, the UK introduced a new temporary travel ban for all international travelers who were in Nigeria at least 10 days prior to their arrival in the UK. This rule doesn’t apply to citizens and residents of the UK and Ireland, as well as travelers who only transited through Nigeria.

Moreover, the UK added 10 countries to its red list. Vaccinated passengers from these countries, who are coming to the UK, need to take two PCR tests on the same day and then self-isolate waiting for a negative result. As Omicron has a shorter period between infection and infectiousness, pre-departure tests are more efficient as passengers are likely to get a positive result before the flight. Travelers coming from countries that are not on the red list are also required to have a negative PCR or LFD test taken no longer than 48 hours before departure. This rule applies to children aged 12 or above and vaccinated travelers. In the wake of new requirements, hotels in London, Edinburgh, and other UK cities expect a new wave of booking cancelations that are going to destroy the already weak Christmas season.

France introduced a similar rule. Starting from December 4th, all travelers arriving from non-EU countries are obliged to have a negative PCR test on hand. Without it, passengers will not be allowed to enter France. The rule applies to both vaccinated and non-vaccinated tourists, as well as children aged 12 and above. Neither home tests nor antigen tests are accepted.

Travelers coming from the Schengen zone only need a PCR test if they are not vaccinated. This test must be taken no longer than 24 hours before the arrival. Before the new rule, passengers coming from the UK and non-EU countries could freely enter France with proof of vaccination and a declaration form.

Individual City Guides

Tossa de Mar travel guide

The charming resort town of Tossa de Mar has always been one of the most attractive destinations on the Costa Brava. For many years, the miraculous sea views of this region have inspired artists and poets. It’s hard to imagine, but yet 60 years ago, there was a small fishing village on the site of the modern resort. Ava Gardner was one of the main reasons for the skyrocketing popularity of Tossa de Mar. In the middle of the previous century, the small town became the filming spot of the movie … Read further

Cuisine of Manama

The national cuisine of Bahrain is truly distinctive and versatile. In addition to the traditional Arabic dishes, many of which are true delicacies, guests will be surely offered to try dishes from Pakistani, Indian and even Thai cuisine. Seafood is usually considered the basis of the local cuisine. The local food industry provides richest choice of various ingredients for the local restaurants. Meat dishes are no less popular, but the local restaurants are definitely not distinguished by the … Read further

Traditions and festivals in Ouagadougou

Burkina Faso locals have high respect for traditions of their predecessors. Just like many centuries ago, various crafts are well-developed in the city, so foreign tourists are continuously amazed and attracted by gorgeous souvenirs and handcrafts by local artisans. There are quite many artisan markets in the country where visitors can buy home décor items, items with skillful embroidery, stylish leather accessories, and items made of bronze. Masks remain a very popular souvenir that tourists … Read further

Vilnius cultural sights

The center of Vilnius is the location of one of the city's main attractions - Cathedral Square. Near the square you can see beautiful historic buildings and the cathedral, which has become the symbol of Vilnius. Fans of exciting excursions will be interested in visiting the Bastion of Vilnius Defensive Wall. This is a deep tunnel - underground tunnels were built here in the 17th century and were one of the major defensive facilities. If they go down into the tunnel, visitors will see a large … Read further

Burgundy attractions and entertainment

Going for vacations, all travelers are wondering how to diversify their leisure. As it would be hard to surprise modern travelers with an abundance of restaurants, entertainment venues and sports centers, Bourgogne would offer some pretty unusual ways of leisure. One of the main distinguishing features of the province is a number of pristine rivers, which in warmer months become attractive for fans of beach rest. Almost all the local rivers attract fans of water activities; you can find … Read further

Andros Island for families and kids

You should travel to Andros with your children if you plan a quiet and relaxing holiday. There are no water parks or attractions here. But playgrounds for children are equipped in almost every village. The beaches are excellent on the island. The child will be able to swim and build sandcastles here. Older children will be interested in water sports such as windsurfing or snorkeling. There are numerous interesting cultural sites and museums here. You can visit them as a family. You should … Read further

Shopping in Haarlem

Haarlem will please tourists and shoppers with a variety of specialized shops and malls. Tea drinkers and lovers of chocolate will be interested in coming by De Kale Jonker shop, which has truly original design. They offer a wide range of coffees and teas. In this store, you can buy all the necessary accessories for making coffee and tea and enjoy delicious chocolate. Pay attention to grocery stores. One of the most upscale in the city is Marqt store. Here, they sell locally produced fruits … Read further

Extreme and fun in Guadalajara

Descent into the Oblatos Canyon. There is a majestic canyon in Guadalajara. It is called Barranca de Oblatos. The canyon is located in a mountain range. Its depth is 600 meters and its area is 1.137 hectares. The battle between the Mexican and Spanish troops took place in it. The Parque Agua Azul nature reserve is located in the larger Barranca de Oblatos area at present. You will get here on the Tequila Express train. The trip will take about 2 hours. You will be able to descend into the … Read further