State Dept. warns travelers of terrorism risk in European hot spots, including Italy
State Dept. warns travelers of terrorism risk in European hot spots, including Italy
Show Caption
Hide Caption
Flying is the safest way to travel according to global safety experts
Flying is the safest way to travel, according to experts.
As the summer travel season ramps up, the State Department is warning Americans to "exercise increased caution" when visiting several popular European destinations, including Italy.
A travel advisory dated May 23 said, "There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Italy."
Italy is considered a Level 2 country on the State Department's advisory scale, which ranges from Level 1, "exercise normal precautions," to Level 4, "Do not travel." It has been at that level since April 2022, according to a State Department spokesperson.
Other Level 2 European countries with a risk of potential terrorism include but are not limited to Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
Travelers can find the latest safety advisories for every country on the State Department's website.
You guys are not afraid of this?' Why some travelers skip the U.S.
What are the safety tips for travel?
For Italy and other destinations where extra caution is advised, the State Department recommends travelers:
Review the traveler's checklist and prepare emergency contingency plans
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive embassy alerts and be easier to reach in the event of an emergency
Stay alert in tourist areas
Pay attention to local news coverage and pivot plans as needed
While travelers are encouraged to "be aware of increased risks to safety and security" in Level 2 destinations, they are not discouraged from visiting nor does it mean these places are unsafe.
A State Department spokesperson told USA TODAY each country's safety and other conditions are regularly reviewed, and advisory levels are based on established risk indicators like crime, civil unrest, natural disasters, health, wrongful detention and more, so travelers can make informed decisions.
It's also worth noting that the State Department only offers guidance on foreign travel, and some countries have warned their citizens about visiting the U.S.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
31 minutes ago
- Yahoo
This wild and wonderful state is an underrated gem for family vacations
'Family Travel' is a five-part series showcasing the best experiences and destinations for young families looking for an escape. If you'd like to contribute to our future reporting and share your experience as a source, you can click here to fill out this quick form. OAK HILL, West Virginia ‒ Extreme sports like whitewater rafting and rock climbing may seem like something best left to adults, but in West Virginia's New River Gorge, outdoor adventure can easily be an activity for the whole family. Guided excursions can be tailored to everyone's skill level and ability for those who want to go all-out, but there are less-extreme ways to get in touch with nature along one of the world's oldest rivers, too. Here are just some of the reasons West Virginia should be on your list if you're looking for a family-friendly outdoor vacation. Is it worth staying off property? What Disney, Universal guests should know. Affordability and accessibility are two of the big benefits to getting outside in West Virginia. Hiking and biking trails in state and national parks are free to access for everyone who visits the state, but even for more intense guided excursions, the prices are a good deal. (There is also an entry fee for Harpers Ferry National Historic Park.) 'We're definitely one of the most affordable destinations,' Lindsey Funk, a public relations assistant at West Virginia Department of Tourism told USA TODAY on a recent visit. 'Hiking is probably one of our most family-friendly activities.' Funk said there are plenty of short hikes, like the Endless Wall trail, which can be done in just a few hours, though guides are available for hire as well. For more intense activities like whitewater rafting and rock climbing, families may prefer to hire a guide to keep things safe. 'With a lot of those guided trips, like, in the Gorge specifically, you can kind of tailor it,' she said. 'There's a family-friendly option that's more of afloat, and then there's a more intense trip for more experienced people.' ACE Adventure Resort is one of the guide outfitters, and charges $99 per adult for a full-day guided family trip with rapids up to Class III on the New River. On that excursion, kids ages 6-11 go for free (one per full-fare adult), and youths ages 12 and up are charged $79.99. Cruise cabin math: When booking two rooms makes more sense than one For comparison, the Colorado Rafting Company charges $159 per person for a full-day guided excursion on the Colorado River. Pricier and more intense excursions are also available. Depending on conditions, rapids in some sections of the New River can hit Class IV or higher. West Virginia is also home to professional circuit bike races and other events, which Funk said attracts spectators and encourages more families to try outdoor activities. Outdoor adventures in West Virginia are available in many parts of the state, but the New River Gorge is certainly among the biggest draws with the most options for activities. Charleston, the state capital, is about an hour north of the National Park there, and other cities closer to the park include Fayetteville, Beckley and Hinton. The closest major airport to the New River Gorge is in Charleston, WV. Amtrak also serves the area, and of course, cruising the country roads is an option as well. Funk said that families should think about what their lodging priorities are when they book, because there are options at all different price points from traditional tent camping to boutique hotels. Because the Gorge is so accessible from Charleston, staying in the city is a viable option, too. 'The thing would be families to decide what they want their lodging to be like. If they're wanting more of a remote cabin, then staying in in the Gorge is best. Whereas if they want more of these city options, they could stay (in Charleston) and just go to the Gorge for a day trip.' Funk said that outdoor adventures aren't limited to the warmer weather months in West Virginia, either. 'The seasons is a big thing that we appreciate here and is interesting to a lot of other people that we are a four season destination,' she said. "We have beautiful fall foliage, but then we have ski resorts and snow in the winter, so people can try out a season-specific activity if they want to.' This story was updated to refresh headlines. The reporter on this story received access from West Virginia's Department of Tourism. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content. Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at zwichter@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why W. Virginia is the best-kept gem for affordable family adventures
Forbes
2 hours ago
- Forbes
What It Means To Be Wealthy In The Philippines
Entalula Island lagoon, Philippines getty With its breathtaking beaches, rich culture, and generous hospitality, the Philippines is a dream destination for travelers and digital nomads. But what does it mean to be wealthy in this Southeast Asian archipelago? From average salaries and cost of living to net worth and visa opportunities, here's what you need to know about being wealthy in the Philippines. The Philippines was the 11th most-searched-for country by Americans in 2024, with many looking to relocate or vacation there. Who wouldn't want to go somewhere that Lonely Planet describes as "emerald rice fields, teeming megacities, graffiti-splashed jeepneys, smoldering volcanoes, bug-eyed tarsiers, fuzzy water buffalo and smiling, happy-go-lucky people." (Tarsiers are the world's only entirely carnivorous primate, a mix between a lemur and a monkey.) These thousands of islands in the South China Sea offer beaches and biodiversity in abundance, a place that U.S. News ranks as the 45th best country in the world. A Spanish colony in the 16th century, it got its name after King Philip II of Spain; the country was ceded to the U.S. after the Spanish-American war in 1898 until it became a commonwealth in 1935—the country is predominantly Christian (83% of its residents). It celebrates its independence from the U.S. on July 4th, and its colonization by the U.S. has made it the third-largest English-speaking country in the world today. The Philippines is a developing economy with a growing middle class, but average salaries remain modest compared to Western standards. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the average household net-adjusted disposable income per capita in the Philippines is approximately $4,439 per year. This is significantly lower than the OECD average of $30,490 and the U.S. average of $51,147. In 2021, one report stated that the average annual income of a family in the Philippines was approximately $5,500, and to qualify as middle class, one would need to earn between $300 and $2,000 per month. However, salaries in the Philippines vary widely depending on the industry and location. For example, workers in Metro Manila, the country's economic hub, tend to earn higher wages than those in rural areas. The cost of living in the Philippines is one of its most attractive features for expats and retirees. According to Numbeo, the cost of living in the Philippines is significantly lower than in the U.S., the U.K., or many European countries. The cost of living is 116% higher in the U.S. than in the Philippines, excluding rent. The cost for a single person per month, not including rent, is as follows: Furthermore, when you factor in rent, it becomes clear that the Philippines offers more for your dollar per square meter; rents in the U.S. are 455% higher than in the Philippines. While rent in major cities like Manila or Cebu can be higher, it is still much more affordable than in most U.S. cities—rent in a city center can start at around $300. Groceries and utilities are also cheaper than in the U.S., and a meal at an inexpensive restaurant in the Philippines could be around $3. Wealth distribution in the Philippines is highly unequal, with a significant disparity between the rich and the poor. In 2022, the average wealth of adults in the Philippines was approximately $3,155, which is considerably lower than in the U.S., according to Statista. Over the past ten years, there have been roughly 500 ultra-high-net-worth individuals in the Philippines—that's to say, someone owning $30 million or more. Philippine billionaires, such as those on the Forbes Philippines Rich List, have amassed fortunes in industries like retail, banking, and property development. The Philippines offers several visa options for foreigners looking to live or work in the country, namely it offers a Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV), which is popular among retirees. To qualify, applicants must deposit a minimum of $10,000 to $50,000 in a Philippine bank, depending on their age and retirement income. The government has recently announced the launch of a new digital nomad visa for individuals aged 18 and above, allowing them to stay and work in the country for a year, with the possibility of a one-year renewal. The government is seeking to attract tourists, as it fell short of its 2024 target of 7.7 million arrivals by 23%. Being wealthy in the Philippines means more than just financial stability though—it's about travelers being able to enjoy a high quality of life in a country known for its natural beauty, rich culture, and warm people.
Business Insider
7 hours ago
- Business Insider
European travel to the US slowed down this year — but travel companies say a summer rebound is already underway
Despite political tensions and growing anti-American sentiment, US travel is holding steady among European tourists — especially when prices drop. From January to April, several major travel platforms observed a slowdown in European bookings to the US. Thomas Cook reported a dip that exceeded typical seasonal fluctuations. "We did observe a softening in bookings to the US between January and April this year — a dip that goes beyond the usual seasonal adjustments," Nicholas Smith, holidays digital director at Thomas Cook and eSky Group, told Business Insider. However, by May, things began to shift. Smith said aggressive pricing strategies, including hotel rate cuts of around 25% and deposits of just over $1, triggered an uptick in bookings. "This has, in turn, helped stimulate demand, particularly among UK travelers adept at spotting good deals," he said. "We expect this rebound to continue into the summer months." Other travel firms echoed that optimism. TravelPerk, which serves business and corporate travelers, said bookings to the US from Europe rose 1% year over year in April, while US to Europe bookings climbed by 14%. Cancellation rates remained stable at 7 to 9%. Etraveli Group, which analyzed bookings through April, found that while demand for flights from the EU to the US declined by 7%, overall trip orders to the US from Europe jumped 19.5% year over year. However, bookings to other intercontinental destinations grew even faster, up 24.3% overall, 29% for Africa, and 25% for Asia. Shorter intra-European trips surged by 29%. Tariff backlash These shifts are unfolding against a politically charged backdrop. President Donald Trump's escalating trade war, with tariffs on EU imports swinging from 20% to 10% and now potentially rising to 50%, has triggered grassroots consumer backlash across Europe. Apps like Brandsnap in the Netherlands and Detrumpify in France are helping Europeans identify US brands to avoid in supermarkets and online. In Denmark, major retailer Salling Group labelled European-made products with black star labels, while Norway's largest oil bunkering operation company, Haltbakk Bunkers, made headlines for briefly refusing to refuel US Navy ships. Meanwhile, high-profile American brands like Tesla and Coca-Cola are already seeing a fallout. Tesla's sales in Europe dropped by 46% between January and April, according to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association, and McDonald's reported a global sales dip linked to "anti-American sentiment," especially in Northern Europe. This behavior may reflect more than a passing political reaction. In its March Consumer Expectations survey, the European Central Bank found that 44% of about 19,000 respondents preferred to switch away from US brands, regardless of tariff levels. The bank warned that this suggested a "possible long-term structural shift in consumer preferences away from US products and brands." It may not be a long-term shift French hotel giant Accor added to the concerns last month. CEO Sébastien Bazin told Bloomberg that summer bookings to the US from Europe were down 25%. Yet, travel industry analysts cautioned against assuming this signals a long-term shift. "While there is evidence of a temporary slowdown at this stage, the combination of price adjustments and strong interest in iconic US destinations suggests the market is poised to recover momentum," said Smith of Thomas Cook. Hosuk Lee-Makiyama, director of the European Centre for International Political Economy, told BI that politics isn't the only factor deterring travelers. "Some of it is a genuine disinclination against spending your holidays in the US," he said, "but much of it is the fear of harassment at the border."
