Vivid Travel

08/30/2022

05/03/2022

Avoid the summer crowds in Italy and go to one of these off-the-beaten-path Italian destinations instead.

02/25/2022

An excellent commentary by the always-thoughtful Rick Steves.

Comrades No More: Thoughts on Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine

Today is a profoundly sad day. Russia’s aggressive action is heartbreaking for the death, suffering, and economic turmoil it will cause in Ukraine and, indirectly at least, beyond. Here at Rick Steves’ Europe, we hope that a diplomatic solution can be found and peace will return to that fragile and long-suffering part of our world.

Our mission at RSE is to help Americans better know and understand our neighbors through travel. But when we bring travelers to another country, we also bring their dollars — dollars that would support Putin’s aggression. Therefore, as of today, we have canceled all 2022 tours that include a stop in Russia.

Of course, we will keep a close eye on unfolding events and monitor any travel impacts through the rest of Europe. But it is important to keep geographic realities in mind and remember that a war in Ukraine is as far from our European vacation dreams as a war in Guatemala would be from Texas or Florida. For 40 years now, we have lived, worked, and traveled through many periods of tragic warfare in lands far from where we lead our tours (and some closer). And at this time, we see no reason to change the rest of our travel and touring plans.

The tragic reality unfolding in Ukraine only reminds me how important it is for Americans to keep on traveling and to do so in a way that makes us better and more engaged citizens of our world. I’m flying to Europe next month for a 40-day trip through a dozen great cities from London to Athens — and I’m proud that thousands of my fellow travelers will experience the European trip of their dreams while having rich learning experiences far from home on a 2022 Rick Steves tour.

In the meantime, let’s be thankful for our blessings, support our nation’s leaders as they do their best to navigate this crisis, and keep the troubled corners of our world (Ukraine, Russia, Afghanistan, and more) in our thoughts and prayers.

—Rick

02/22/2022

02/15/2022

The federal government is eliminating the pre-arrival PCR test requirement for fully vaccinated travellers starting Feb. 28, Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos announced Tuesday.

02/15/2022

Fiji includes no less than 333 islands. Here are 5 of the best Fiji islands to visit, no matter what kind of trip you seek.

01/31/2022

I did, and it was amazing! Here's why you should too 😃

From visiting art museums to cozying up at an outdoor café (with heat lamps), here are ideal things to do in Paris during winter.

10/21/2021

Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland announced that, as of October 30, the Government of Canada will require employers in the federally regulated air, rail, and marine transportation sectors to establish vaccination policies for their employees. Also effec...

07/25/2021

https://globalnews.ca/news/8052018/italy-france-covid-19-vaccination/amp/

Italy's COVID Green Pass is a digital or paper certificate that shows if someone has received at least one jab, has tested negative or has recently recovered from COVID-19.

06/22/2021

This includes Canadians too! As of June 21st, travelers who can provide proof of vaccination, a certificate of recovery from COVID-19, or a negative PCR- or rapid-antigen test taken within 48 hours of arrival can travel to Italy without observing an isolation period on arrival.

As of Monday, American tourists can travel to Italy for the first time in over a year.

05/27/2021

Get away from the high-fiving bros.