The good news for travelers is that with some European countries now actively welcoming Americans, a number of forward-thinking adventure travel companies have started offering trips to these destinations. For those who enjoy walking, hiking and biking, not to mention eating, drinking local wine and relaxing in beautiful hotels, now is the time to return to Europe. In fact, now may be a good time to do so, as overcrowding appears to be the case in 2019.

The countries that have reopened are Croatia, Greece, Iceland, Montenegro and Turkey. UK may open in summer. On Sunday, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, announced a proposed policy for the Union’s 27 member states to accept American visitors who have received EU-approved vaccines.

Although restrictions vary by country, you can expect to be required to show proof of vaccination, a negative test result, or proof or recovery from COVID-19. Most of the following trips can be booked as private departures for those who want to travel only with family or friends, which may not be such a bad idea so early in the recovery of the pandemic.

Country roads

Backroads has trips planned for Iceland, Croatia, Greece and the UK this year. Their multi-adventure tour of Santorini and Crete has departures as early as July. This is a six-day trip with cycling in Crete and hiking in Santorini, as well as walking tours and yoga. Accommodation is at Blue Palace Resort & Spa in Crete and Santa Maria Oia in Santorini. The cost of the trip is $ 5,999 per person. As with all the trips mentioned, it is based on double occupancy and does not include the plane ticket.

Classic trips

A seven-day “culture and walk” trip is the centerpiece of Classic Journeys’ Dalmatian Coast of Croatia. The journey begins in Dubrovnik and continues towards Split and Hvar. Accommodation is at the Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik and Adriana, Hvar Marina Hotel & Spa. With departures scheduled starting in May, prices start at $ 4,895. Classic Journeys also sends travelers on trips to Iceland and Montenegro.

DuVine Cycling + Adventure Co.

Duvine Cycling + Adventure Co. has scheduled nearly a dozen six-day Croatia Bike Tour trips this year, starting in July. These trips combine dramatic scenery, a rigorous day in the saddle and upscale accommodation. The route includes Split, Hvar, Brač, Korčula and Dubrovnik and daily distances may vary depending on your abilities. Accommodation tends towards luxury, in establishments such as Palace Elisabeth in Hvar and Lešić Dimitri Palace, a Relais & Château hotel in Korčula. Starting at $ 5,395.

MT Sobek

MT Sobek, which has long been a company focused on physically active travel, offers a hiking trip to the East Icelandic Fjords which includes the Viknaslodir Trail, Reykjavik and the Blue Lagoon. It’s a 10-day trip to immerse yourself in lava fields, gigantic glaciers, waterfalls, snow-capped peaks, secluded sandy beaches, and an array of geothermal shows. This trip is rated level 3, with approximately eight hours of walking. Accommodation ranges from classic mountain huts to Fosshotel Reykjavik. This trip is priced at $ 8,295. They also have a trip to Greece this summer.

Travel in nature

Wilderness Travel offers a variety of trips to Greece, Turkey, Iceland and Croatia for those who are hungry back to Europe. The excursions include hiking in the Greek Islands: hidden trails and golden beaches of the Cyclades. You spend days hiking Tinos, Naxos, and the mountainous island of Amorgos, amid a rugged and historic landscape of domed churches and bougainvillea on this 13-day trip. Hotels tend to be comfortable, not fancy, and range from the Naxos Beach 1 hotel to the Viglia hotel on Amorgos. Starting at $ 4,795.