Travel to Europe and Become Familiar With Its Travel Safety Issues

Europe is a fascinating place. There is so much to see and do that there are literally hundreds of millions of people who visit Europe each year. This is not to say that there is no security in Europe; crime is on the rise all over the continent and there are several countries that have very unsafe environments. However, there are still quite a number of attractive places for tourists to travel to Europe. Here are some things that you ought to be aware of when planning your next trip to Europe.

One of the most popular destinations for American travelers going back to the USA is Europe. Some American tourists visit Europe to experience the culture of European countries such as France, the Netherlands, Italy, and Spain. For many people, seeing these and other European countries is all they need to see on their vacation. In order to enjoy these activities fully, however, Americans need to be aware of some of the rules and regulations regarding entry requirements to Europe.

For citizens of the United States, or anyone traveling to Europe for the first time, there are several issues they will need to be concerned with. The first issue they will need to be aware of is the EEC/CETU Visa. Most European Union members are required to apply and receive a visa before traveling to Europe. Visas are often issued by the designated embassies and consuls in each country, and can take up to a month to process. The cost of a visa is based on a number of factors, including country location and the duration of a planned stay, but it can be expensive.

On October 1st, the world got word that America was experiencing a brief outbreak of a deadly disease. It was not SARS, as the public was warned, but Meningitis. Meningitis is a viral infection caused by a strain of bacteria called meningococcus, and was first identified in Milwaukee. This news came as a huge surprise to the rest of the world, and just as a new case of SARS was Outbreak of the nasty flu virus.

Meningitis is a serious illness that is spreading fast among the population. Those who have not had vaccinations or who have not received the recommended doses of meningitis are particularly susceptible to the disease. A contagious disease, meningitis can spread between people through direct contact, through secretions from the nose, mouth and eyes, or via the respiratory system. Because of this, all travelers need to be up to date on their routine vaccinations and meningitis vaccination as soon as possible. The countries most at risk for an outbreak of Meningitis are: France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Greece, Portugal, United Kingdom and Canada.

There have been cases of Meningitis outbreak among international travelers in several of these European countries. This is largely attributed to the unvaccinated traveler coming back from travelling abroad and contracting the disease. This can also happen if an international traveler travels to countries where the medical care is lacking. While the majority of medical professionals in these countries are capable of handling any case of Meningitis, they cannot be expected to do so without proper training, in this case.

While some travelers may think that travel restrictions against any or all countries surrounding them are absurd, the countries involved are ones with long-standing ties and friendship with each other. Close political and economic relations are present among these countries, and any slip in those bonds could jeopardize the smooth travel of the international travelers. As of now, there is no known cure to Meningitis. The best thing to do to avoid getting yourself infected is to avoid traveling to any of the countries currently listed above. International travelers should also consider the importance of vaccination and check if they are vaccines are up to date.

Travel to Europe does not need to be harrowing. With proper planning, preparation, and a little knowledge, any international traveler can be as safe as possible during his trip. While the recent outbreaks of Meningitis may be a scare to some people, knowing that there are safe countries to be found in Europe, it should not keep you from exploring Europe. Knowing your options and making informed decisions will increase your chances of enjoying your trip. Travel to Europe should be fun and exciting, but remember to keep your eyes open for any signs of danger.