Editor's note: This is the first of a monthly column on travel and tourism, providing news and information about destinations near you here and abroad.
2024 is expected to be a great year for international travel. And what exactly are the most popular destinations for Pennsylvanians this year? You guessed it, Italy.
Thousands of Pennsylvanians are researching vacation destinations online in the coming months, at least according to travel research company Places to Travel. And Italy has emerged as this year's top destination. While many Pennsylvanians take package tours to Rome, Venice, and Florence, intrepid travelers go solo and explore Italy at their own pace and schedule.
Some people may even decide to rent a car and drive.
If you're planning a trip abroad this year, you need to be prepared. You need to know now what's happening where you're going. It can make the difference between your trip being a dream vacation or a nightmare.
Being prepared doesn't just mean packing enough deodorant, underwear, and T-shirts into your suitcase. That means seriously investigating where you're headed. That includes learning about a destination's history, culture, and climate. While it's certainly important to know the weather, it's also important to know the political climate where you're going. Do you have social anxiety? A protest in the town square? A deadly virus? Terrorist threat?
Too often, Americans head overseas without checking to see if the U.S. State Department has issued a travel advisory or severe danger warning.
At a time when war is raging in Ukraine and now spreading to the Middle East, every American should have access to the U.S. Department of State's country information for what are considered quintessential tourist destinations, like Italy. You should review travel warnings, including:
As it turns out, Pennsylvanians heading to Italy may be surprised to learn that Italy is under a Level 2, or enhanced travel advisory, due to the growing global instability and terrorist threat.
The State Department ranks travel advisories on a four-level scale:
Level 1 – Take normal precautions.
Level 2 – Pay extra attention.
Level 3 – Rethink travel
Level 4 – Do not travel.
Several European countries, including major destinations such as France, Spain, Germany, and the United Kingdom, are currently in Level 2 due to growing concerns about terrorism due to the escalating fighting in the Middle East. You can go on a trip and have a great time, but be aware of potential problems due to severe global instability.
Countries like Pakistan, Egypt, and Haiti could be fun tourist destinations, but they are not right now. They are at Level 3, and Americans are being warned of serious risks in traveling there. So, which places should you absolutely avoid? You were right again, Russia.
President Putin has jailed two American journalists. One is Ars Kurmasheva, editor of the Tatar-Bashkir language broadcasts of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which is funded by the U.S. government. and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. Both are being held on false espionage charges aimed at harming the United States' opposition to President Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine, according to the State Department.
Ukraine, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudan, Syria, and significant areas of the world should be avoided because of wars, civil unrest, and hostility toward Americans and Europeans. This is a shame because all of these countries have great histories, cultures, cuisines, and amazing architectural and natural beauty. Definitely worth a visit, but not right now.
Importantly, many parts of the world are unstable these days, and the situation in any country can change rapidly. In addition to checking the State Department's advisories, international travelers should enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) through the State Department's website (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories). ) is advisable. /traveladvisories.html/
This program helps the State Department track Americans abroad, letting the nearest embassy know you're there and getting help if you need it.
STEP also sends updated information about safety issues to registered Americans, giving travelers direct access to information about potential hazards, including natural disasters and health emergencies. It's worth your time to register. It's also worth checking out the State Department's Traveler Checklist: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-checklist.html. We provide specific guidance for specific types of travelers, such as faith-based groups, women, students, seniors, and even journalists.
For all you Pennsylvanians heading to Italy this year, relax and have fun! And it is clear that there are thousands of Americans together in the Uffizi Gallery. Italy was found to be the most popular destination for people from 10 other states. English may sound better than Italian in Rome this year.
Joyce M, Davis is PennLive's Outreach and Opinion Editor, author, and former foreign correspondent who has lived and worked around the world.
Follow @byjoycedavis on Facebook and Twitter.
