tuscany travel

The owners of Happy Feet Travel Club recently returned from an Italy familiarization trip that started in Rome and ended with Tuscany. We know many of you have already visited Roma or the Tuscan region but maybe it has been a while and is now time for a return visit. Our goal is to have first-hand experience so we can offer you the best service possible. So, let’s start with current travel regulations. This blog will be in three parts with the first one being about travel regulations.

TRAVEL REGULATIONS
Each foreign country has Covid-19 protocols that must be followed or entry to the county may be denied. As well, the rules and health guidance change frequently, so it pays to have a travel advisor on your side. Being vaccinated is one requirement for ease of travel. Beliefs aside, having the vaccination opens the doors to entering restaurants, museums, and attractions.

The unvaccinated can travel too; however, there are restrictions and possible quarantine. A PCR or Antigen Covid test is required within 3-days of your flight or cruise ship departing the United States. One option is the at-home test from emed.com approved for travel. No, we are not an affiliate of emed, we just used their kits to satisfy the Covid testing requirement.

The rapid test is administered through a web portal on the emed website via a live feed allowing camera access. The guide will direct you through the process with step-by-step instructions. Once that is complete there is a 15-minute wait for the results. Once the results are determined, emed will send your certificate via email. Save the results in your notes for easy access.

We flew Lufthansa, during the check-in process you can upload your negative test results (if negative) along with the EU Digital Passenger Locator Form (dPLF). The dPLF is a detailed account of where you are traveling from, where you will be staying, and then departing information. Lastly, the airlines attendant will ask to see your CDC Vaccination Card. Be sure to have this information at the ready along with your current passport.

Moving through the airline check-in process was easy having uploaded the forms the day before departure. The current status is that you will need to have a KN95 or surgical mask while onboard the aircraft, no exceptions. Once outside the airport terminal, the mask may be removed at your option, after a long 13-hour flight that mask came off the moment we stepped outside.

Lastly, I cannot stress enough about passports being current and having correct spellings of all names as indicated on all government documents such as a drivers license. As well, it is good practice if the passport expiration date is nearing, make sure six months is remaining before expiration after the last day of your trip. So, if the last day of your trip is October 30, make sure the expiration date is past the following April 30th. Some immigration checkpoints will not care, but the EU is very strict on passport expiration dates and the six-month rule.  
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It’s time to travel! The safety measures are in place as best as possible, and Europe is welcoming tourism. As responsible business owners, we would not recommend travel if we did not experience what it is like in this Covid environment. Keep following us on Facebook and Instagram for current promotions and offers. 

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