Testing Travel to Europe as COVID Restrictions Ease by Guest Poster Julie H. Ferguson
This post may contain affiliate links to products or services I'm happy to recommend. If you click on an affiliate link and then make a purchase, Artsy Traveler may earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you!
With COVID restrictions starting to ease around the world, intrepid travel writer and photographer–and new Artsy Traveler guest poster–Julie H. Ferguson decided to take the plunge and fly to Europe after two years of staying home. What were the COVID restrictions? How did she adapt? What was it like to fly again? Read Julie’s answers to these questions and more!
Written by Julie H. Ferguson for Artsy Traveler
On March 13, 2022, clutching a supply of high-quality masks, tamping down some anxiety, and grinning broadly, I boarded the first of four flights to begin my trial.
I couldn’t help wondering how safe international travel would be for a seventy-six-year-old after the two-year COVID hiatus. Was Portugal the safest country to visit? What if I caught COVID while I was away?
For months, I’d followed the COVID stats and studies, as well as the opinions of infectious disease specialists so I could analyze my risk when countries began to ease travel restrictions. Perhaps Spring 2022 was the moment before the world began to travel like crazy.
Could I beat the rush?
Why I Chose Portugal to Test Travel
For me, traveling to Europe at this time was a more sensible option than traveling to remote destinations such as the Sahara or Zimbabwe that I usually favor. In February, I selected Portugal. It has one of the highest vaccination rates in the world and at the time of my visit still maintained a mask mandate for indoor public spaces. The latter has since been lifted.
I was triple vaxxed and healthy. I also knew that Portugal had a good health care system, so I booked flights and accommodations a month before flying to Lisbon for my five-week trip.
Easing COVID Restrictions in Portugal
Portugal proved a delight. Instead of using crowded trains and buses to tour the country, I decided that a rental car would reduce my risk. I also opted for two timeshares and chain hotels rather than Airbnbs, which I usually prefer.
The Portuguese were cheerfully masked inside, everywhere was clean, and my accommodations were spotless. Taxis (which I used in Lisbon and Porto) had a partition between the driver and passenger.
Prices were lower than in other European cities, particularly for food, wine, and taxis. And although the weather was unseasonably cool, I spent most days outside even when eating so I felt safer.
Flying in Spring 2022 as COVID Restrictions Ease
Air travel was good despite full planes. The timing of my trip meant that the requirement to be tested outbound had ended for Portugal, although all the airlines I used required me to show the Canadian vaccination certificate for three shots and to wear a mask on board.
I was not particularly worried about the risk in planes because ventilation and the HEPA filters are excellent.
I did find the big airports in Toronto, Frankfurt, and Lisbon a mite stressful despite their mask mandates. Each one was as busy as they were before the pandemic, but I still didn’t need the recommended three hours before international flights to negotiate check-in and security.
Social distancing was often impossible while standing in immigration and security lines, and waiting in departure lounges and baggage claim areas. Calgary airport, by contrast, was quiet and fast both leaving and returning.
Coming Home Safely to Canada
While I was away, Canada ended its COVID testing requirement for re-entry for vaccinated citizens. As a result, getting home was easy with just the ARRIVECan app to complete before departure.
Once home, I isolated for five days so I wouldn’t infect anyone here if I had caught COVID en route. I can report that I had not.
I continue to keep current with the COVID situation overseas because it makes sense to know what I may be getting into when I travel next.
Where to Next?
I’m booked to go on an Arctic expedition in August that has been cancelled twice. I’m so excited! After this test trip to Europe, I feel confident in my ability to avoid COVID while traveling by air and sea.
© Julie H. Ferguson 2022
Cover photo of Julie H. Ferguson © Janet W. Williamson
Read about Julie H. Ferguson on the Artsy Traveler Guest Posters page. Here are some other contributions from guest posters to help you with your travel planning:
- Hidden Gem: Santa Maria del Popolo in Rome by Andie Easton
- Camino Journal: Pamplona to Santiago de Compostela by Elizabeeth Petrie
- Discover Lyon–Friendly, Vibrant & Very French by Liz Reding
Have you traveled to Europe in 2022? Share your stories about coping with COVID restrictions in the comments below.
In mid-May, some European countries changed their entry requirements and some airlines removed their mask rules. So my blog post is now a bit out-of-date, and I advise travellers to check with the countries they are visiting and the airlines they are using.
The one rule that supersedes everything is that rules are changing fast.
Safe Travels!