Italy Reopening: What to Know, Where to Stay

Italy Has Reopened to COVID-19 Negative U.S. Visitors and travelers from Europe, the UK and Israel, effective May 16, 2021; here's what to know in terms of required COVID-19 testing, COVID-tested flights to Italy, and where to stay. Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs announced the change:

Luigi Di Maio Announcement of Italy Reopening with Covid Free Flights

What is the COVID-19 Testing Required?

In order to visit, U.S. visitors will need to fly in on a COVID-Tested AA, Delta or United flight (see below) which requires negative results from a COVID-19 PCR test taken within the 48 hours prior to boarding, a negative COVID-19 rapid antigen test result at the airport in the U.S. prior to boarding, and another negative COVID-19 rapid antigen test result at the airport in Italy after landing.

For flights arriving in Milan MXP, use this link to manage your COVID-19 Tested Flight Declaration. For flights arriving in Rome FCO, use this link.

For the return flight to the U.S., the U.S. requires negative results from a COVID-19 test taken in the 3 days prior to travel for all international travelers.

COVID-Tested Flights to Italy

American Airlines, Delta Airlines and United Airlines are operating quarantine-free flights to Italy. AA offers daily flights from New York JFK to Milan MXP and 3X weekly flights from New York JFK to Rome FCO. AA hopes to soon make its 4X weekly Dallas DFW to Rome FCO coronavirus tested flights as well.

Delta offers New York JFK to Rome 3X weekly, increasing to daily on July 1; New York JFK to Milan MXP daily; and Atlanta to Rome 5X weekly increasing to daily on May 26.

Future Delta flights that start later this summer include New York JFK to Venice commencing July 2; and Atlanta to Venice and Boston to Rome, both starting August 5.

United Airlines flies Newark EWR to Milan MXP 4X weekly and Newark EWR to Rome FCO 3X weekly, which will increase for both routes to 5X weekly on June 1, 2021 and to daily service on July 1, 2021.

Italy COVID-19 Situation

Italy's average daily new case count has been declining. At time of writing, per 100K population is ~11, which is comparable to South Carolina; better than states such as Colorado, Michigan, Florida and Washington, but worse than New York, Texas, California and Hawaii. Within Italy, it's best to avoid the Valle d'Aosta and other northern regions; better areas to go are Tuscany, Salerno and the Amalfi Coast, Sicily, Florence and Rome.

As with most other European countries, Italy's vaccination of its population is behind that of the UK and the U.S. Just over 30% of the population has received at least one vaccine dose.

Where to Stay in Reopened Italy

Before booking flights, keep in mind that not all places have reopened. Here are our clients' favorite Italy luxury hotels and resorts, including their reopening dates and Virtuoso benefits for TravelSort clients, as well as special offers:

Caruso, a Belmond Hotel, Amalfi Coast (Reopens May 27, 2021)

Special Offer: 4th Night Free for stays until 6/30/21

Caruso Virtuoso benefits

Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Buffet breakfast daily for two guests per bedroom
$100 USD Equivalent Food & Beverage credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full, to be utilized at the hotel restaurant for Lunch or Dinner)
Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi

Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Lake Como

Note: Due to the higher prevalence of COVID-19 in the Como and northern areas of Italy, we recommend waiting until cases come down in this region before visiting.

Grand Hotel Tremezzo Virtuoso benefits

Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Daily breakfast already included in rates
60 Euro SPA credit to be utilized during stay (valid only for treatments and not for retail products, not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
Complimentary entrance to Villa Carlotta and its Botanical Gardens
Italian wine tasting at L’Escale Trattoria & Wine Bar (3 flights of wine)
Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
Complimentary WiFi
With minimum of 5-nights stay, guests will also receive:
- 30 minute Boat Tour on board the Water Limos, the Grand Hotel's very own period boats to discover the Lake's magic in exclusive style
**For Villa bookings: grocery will be included (excluding premium food, wines and spirits)

Monastero Santa Rosa, Amalfi Coast (Reopens June 3, 2021)

Special Offer: Stay 4, pay 3 or Stay 7, pay 5 for June 2021 stays

Virtuoso Benefits

Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Full breakfast daily for two guests per bedroom, served in restaurant
$100 USD equivalent Food & Beverage credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi

Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel, Amalfi Coast

Castello Banfi Il Borgo, Tuscany (Reopens May 27, 2021)

Castello Banfi Il Borgo Virtuoso benefits

Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Full breakfast daily
Bottle of Cuvée Aurora Rosé in room upon arrival
Two course lunch paired to Castello Banfi wines, mineral water and coffee
Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi

Four Seasons Firenze, Florence

Special Offers: Double upgrade for Premier Room, Four Seasons Junior Suite bookings until 6/30/21; 20% off advance purchase, non-refundable stays. Each offer is combinable with FSPP benefits.

Four Seasons Preferred Partner Benefits

Daily full breakfast for two people per bedroom, served in a hotel restaurant or through In-Room Dining
Hotel/Resort Credit* (based on room category booked):
• Guest Rooms: USD 100 credit per stay
• Suites and Specialty Suites: USD 200 credit per stay
Upgrade of one category, based on availability at time of check-in

Four Seasons Taormina, San Domenico Palace (Opens July 1)

Special Offers: Guaranteed upgrade at time of booking for Junior Suite and lower categories, July 1-15 and Sep. 16-Nov. 30, 2021); introductory offer of 20% off for stays of two or more nights for stays until Nov. 30, 2021). The introductory offer is combinable with the guaranteed upgrade offer and FSPP benefits.