Many people avoided travel during the summer of 2020 in an effort to stay safe and conserve funds at a time when the economy was still quite fragile. This summer, more and more Americans are planning to travel, and if your personal finances are in order, you might want to get on a plane and cross the ocean to Europe.

The good news is that many European countries welcome American tourists. The bad news is that due to the Delta variant of COVID-19, which is now wreaking havoc around the world, some countries are imposing additional restrictions.

Nightlife can be off the table

According to CNBC, a number of European countries are issuing new guidelines in an attempt to prevent the spread of the Delta variant. In parts of Spain, namely Catalonia and Valencia, new restrictions have been announced, including the closure of most nightclubs. Tourist regions also impose capacity limits on social gatherings.

Meanwhile, in an effort to keep the Delta variant at bay, the Netherlands announced late last week that it would have to reimpose rules on bars and restaurants and shut down nightclubs completely, some just days after their reopening.

On a related note, the Wall Street Journal reports that France and Greece have both announced plans to make coronavirus vaccines mandatory for healthcare workers. And France will only allow people who have been vaccinated to enter bars, restaurants and shopping malls.

Know the rules

If you are hoping to travel to Europe this summer, familiarize yourself with the restrictions imposed by any country you wish to visit. For example, Spain has reopened but only allows Americans who can provide proof of vaccination. (There is an exception for children who are not old enough to be vaccinated, but they will need to show a negative COVID test to be allowed entry.)

Read each country’s rules carefully before making any plans. You may also want to work with a travel agent, who may be more familiar with the latest regulations and requirements.

Budget accordingly

You may end up incurring additional expenses if you travel to Europe this summer, especially if you visit a country that requires you to quarantine for a period of time upon arrival. This is why it is important to establish a detailed budget for your trip. Understanding your costs could help you avoid going into debt.

At the same time, it is beneficial to use a travel rewards credit card when booking your trip. The right card can help you earn additional airline miles and hotel points while providing cost-effective benefits like free checked baggage.

Finally, you may want to consider purchasing travel insurance for your European adventure, even if you book your trip with a travel reward card. Make sure you read the fine print of this policy carefully to see what its COVID-related coverage entails.

If you choose to visit Europe this summer, it might end up being a different experience than you imagined. Understand any restrictions you might face in order to determine whether it’s worth taking a trip now or perhaps waiting for things to improve.

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