COVID-19 Updates

Update

May 19, 2020

As we leave winter behind and our days fill with more sunlight, countries around the world are slowly easing out of COVID-19 confinements, restrictions are being lifted and economies are taking the first tentative steps toward reopening.

We continue to monitor the situation with COVID 19 very closely, as we are sure everyone is. Not only does the safety of our hikers remain our number one priority, but we are also concerned about the safety of the communities through which our trips travel. As the world starts to gradually find its way back to some semblance of normalcy, we will look to find our way back to the trail in ways that assure the wellbeing of our hikers and only impact our trip areas positively.

At the present, most if not all countries are closed to international tourism. The US State Department's Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory remains in effect worldwide. The CDC’s Warning Level 3: Avoid Nonessential Travel also remains in effect.

European, as well as other, countries imposed stringent restrictions, and are now taking cautious and measured steps to ease them. It seems most likely that European countries will first establish "travel bubbles" with neighboring countries or regions with “similar epidemiological situations” before opening more widely to intercontinental tourism and eventually international tourism.

At this point, it is still difficult to predict with any certainty when our trip areas will be open to travelers, or when, as Americans, we will be able to move about more freely both here and abroad. We hope the information and updates below will help answer some of your questions. We will continue to update this page as the situation evolves.

We are grateful to all of you who have chosen to travel with us. This is certainly a journey we hadn’t anticipated. There is definitely a lot for all of us to think about, consider, and juggle as we navigate this very unfamiliar territory. What we've learned from our years of venturing into the unknown is, that if we keep our eyes, minds, and hearts open, we will get there!

As always, you are welcome to contact us with any questions or concerns, and we will endeavor to get back to you as quickly as possible.

Final Payments

Going forward, we will not be asking for any final payments unless we are confident that there is a high likelihood a trip will be able to run as scheduled.

Will My Trip Run?

As the situation evolves, we will be assessing trips 60 days prior to departure. At that time, for guided trips we will either:

• Cancel the trip
• Reschedule the departure to a later date in 2020, if possible.
• Wait until 45 days prior to departure to make a final determination, if there is a significantly positive trend.

For self-guided and private trips, we will be contacting hikers directly to discuss options.

Rescheduled Trips

To date we have rescheduled the following trips:

• England Coast-to-Coast, May 20 - June 6 is now August 11 – 25
• Hadrian's Wall, June 18 - 27 is now August 13 - 22
• Colors of Provence, June 26 – July 5 is now August 27 – September 5

Cancellation Policy for Guided Trips

Should we find it necessary to cancel a trip due to COVID 19-related issues, we will be offering the following options:

• Transfer your deposit to the new departure or to another trip in 2020.
• If you are unable to rebook with us in 2020, transfer your deposit as a credit, plus a 5% discount, to a future guided trip with no expiration.
• Receive a full refund of your deposit.

Please note: Discounts will be applied to the base land cost of your future guided trip. Credits will be applied solely to final payments. Once you make a deposit for your next trip, the normal terms and conditions will apply, but the credit will be good until you use it for a final payment.

Cancellation Policy for Self-Guided Trips

Should you be unable to undertake your trip as planned due to COVID 19-related restrictions, you may:

• Transfer any non-refundable payments as a credit to a future trip. No expiration date.

Please note: Credits will be applied solely to final payments. Once you make a deposit for your next trip, the normal terms and conditions will apply, but the credit will be good until you use it for a final payment.

Status of Restrictions by Country

• Some border crossings on major routes are open for limited traffic (foreign nationals with properties or boats in Croatia, or close family).
• No date announced for borders reopening to other tourists.
• Some international and domestic flights operating and transit permitted.
• Parks, shops, museums, hotels and outdoor restaurants and bars are open
• Some public transport is operating.

• June 2 - restaurants, bars, beaches, some parks, and museums may reopen at the earliest.
• June 15 - borders are due to reopen, initially with Switzerland and Germany.
• No date announced for borders reopening to non-essential travelers.
• Public transport is starting to run more frequently.
• Masks are mandatory.
• Some shops have reopened.
• A health certificate stating that the traveler does not have coronavirus will be required on entry until at least July with an alternative of 14 days’ self-isolation.
• A déclaration de déplacement(certifying the reason for travel and proof of address) is required for domestic travel beyond 100km of the home.

• June 15 - the government expects to start easing restrictions on international arrivals.
• A coronavirus test will be required on entry, with the alternative of 14 days’ self -isolation.
• Arrivals will also have to download the country’s tracing app.
• Some flights are operating, including Icelandair, as are some buses and taxis.
• Social distancing of two meters is mandatory in all public places, including hotels, restaurants and shops, which are now open.

• May 18 - bars, restaurants, non-essential shops and museums are due to open.
• June 3 - borders are due to reopen to tourists.
• Parks are open and restaurants can sell takeaway food.
• Some hotels will reopen in June, depending on bookings.
• Some flights are operating and one airport is open per region (Rome Ciampino and Terminal one at Rome Fiumicino airport are closed).
• Trains are operating reduced services, but no international services are running.

• Restrictions to non-essential travel will remain in place until August 20.
• 14-day quarantine is required for everyone entering the country.
• June 15 – will consider opening travel between Nordic countries.
• July 15 – will consider opening travel between nearby European countries.
• Some hotels, shops and restaurants are open.

• Borders and airports are open to international travel, with restrictions, but flights are limited.
• All arrivals from outside the EU must self-isolate for 7 days and provide proof of accommodation.
• Shops, galleries, some smaller hotels, and bars and restaurants are allowed to open.
• Some public transport and taxis operating.
• Face masks mandatory.
• Mountain activities are being discouraged and mountain huts remain closed.

• June 8 - Theaters, museums, cinemas, swimming pools, ski resorts, spas, mountain services and other leisure activities due to resume.
• June 15 - Border crossings to and from Germany, France and Austria due to reopen
• Hotels, shops, markets and restaurants are open.
• In situations where it is not possible to keep distance, the government recommends a face mask.
• Outdoor sports with up to five people permitted.
• September 1 -Large events with a thousand-plus people may resume.

• As of now, a 14-day quarantine requirement is in effect for all travelers entering the UK.
• June 1 – plan to reopen some shops and primary level schools. Pubs may be able to sell beer and food as market-style outdoor stalls or beer gardens.
• July 4 – plan to open some of the hospitality industry
• Scotland remains under stay-at-home orders

For more information and updates, you may visit the World Health Organization , Center for Disease Control , Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center , and the U.S. State Department