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‘Air bridges,’ ‘travel bubbles’, and ‘holiday corridors’ are terms that we’re going to have to get used to as we navigate the new normal in the travel and tourism industry.

Until the virus hit, all we needed to travel was a visa. Now countries are looking at deals limiting who can visit when, and from where.

South Africa has been singled out as a prime destination for a number of people planning an adventure once the coronavirus is under control.

South Africans, on the other hand, may want to take a break from the continent for a while (once the airports are open for international travel).

If that’s the case, and Europe is your preferred destination, Forbes has a few tips:

“Many European countries are opening their borders and flights and hotels are also reopening now,” explains the European Best Destinations Organisation (EBD) which falls under the European Commission’s EDEN Network (“European Destinations of Excellence”), working to promote sustainable tourism on the continent.

Some sound advice for travellers before you take flight.

• Remain vigilant and do not forget the barrier gestures, social distancing, wearing masks when possible and necessary;
• Avoid traveling if your health is poor;
• People over 70, those overweight or who have respiratory problems should be particularly vigilant;
• It is travellers’ responsibility to protect their most fragile loved ones and residents of host countries.

Many of that advice applies to domestic travel, too, of course.

Forbes covers 20 European destinations worth considering, but we have picked five.

Tbilisi, Georgia

Image: European Best Destinations

Opening Borders: July 1, 2020

Safety info: Strict hygiene protocols, more hospital beds per thousand inhabitants than Sweden and Denmark, five times safer than Paris in terms of crime.

Tbilisi is the capital of Georgia, and one of the major cities least affected by the coronavirus. Georgia reacted very quickly to the pandemic and has kept it at a very manageable level.

Tbilisi is an open-minded destination, mixing past, present and future, culture and leisure. More trendy than ever, the city is an ideal destination for culture, gastronomy, diversity and architecture. “Wow” effect is guaranteed.

The city offers a large number of tourist apartments which are ideal if you’d like to maintain physical distancing.

If you’d like to stay in a hotel, a five-star establishment will cost you up to four times less than in other European capitals.

Corfu, Greece

Image: European Best Destinations

Opening Borders: July 1, 2020

Safety info: Up to 50 times fewer people infected with COVID-19 than other European countries, more hospital beds per capita than many European countries.

Greece is one of the European countries least affected by the coronavirus.

“This paradisiacal Greek island is a perfect destination to recharge your batteries after this stressful period,” writes EBD.

Relaxation, sun, and nature – all things many of us have been missing under the lockdown.

Cavtat, Croatia

Image: European Best Destinations

Opening Borders: July 1, 2020

Safety info: 20 times fewer people infected with COVID-19 than other European countries, the highest number of hospital beds per inhabitant, hygienic and sanitary measures in larger hotels, no quarantine requested.

Croatia is also among the European countries least affected by the coronavirus.

Popular with celebrities, families, lovers and fans of gastronomy, culture, nature and water sports, Cavtat is the destination.

You can book a private villa or a tourist apartment for extra privacy and physical distancing.

Azores Islands

Image: European Best Destinations

Opening Borders: July 1, 2020

Safety info: Low rates of infection, no quarantine requested.

Islands are always going to be a good choice, and the Azores in particular:

The Azores, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, is an archipelago of nine islands showing off nature in its purest state and one of the largest whale sanctuaries.

“A perfect destination if you need to reconnect with nature,” writes EBD. “If you like hiking, flora and fauna, dolphin- and whale-watching, tasting local products, living real experiences, the Azores are perfect for a holiday.”

The Azores offer ample private villas, tourist apartments, and family hotels.

Alentejo, Portugal

Image: European Best Destinations

Opening Borders: July 1, 2020

Safety info: Low rates of infection, no quarantine requested.

Another Portuguese gem, Alentejo is almost COVID-19 free, with only one death linked to the virus.

The Alentejo, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean in southern Portugal and 1 1/2 hours by car from Lisbon, attracts travellers in search of simplicity in an unspoiled nature.

“Don’t miss a visit to Evora, share a wine tasting (they are among the most famous ones in Europe) and treat yourself to a road trip along the coast from Comporta to Odeceixe,” advises EBD.

You can check out the full list of EBD travel destinations, here.

If you have managed to save money that would have otherwise been spent on nights out, weekends away, and other costs that have been curbed under lockdown, perhaps there’s a little something tucked away for an overseas trip.

When the time is right, of course.

[source:forbes]