Top European Travel News From May

May is the month the European travel season kicks into high gear, with Americans arriving en masse after schools let out for the summer. It's no surprise then that the month was full of travel news, and just in case you missed any of the headlines, this article will get you caught up. From new river cruise itineraries and flights to an ambitious infrastructure project and tales of both overtourism and "undertourism", it's all here. Click on the slideshow to get up to speed and be sure to register for the TravelPulse newsletter to keep up to date with the latest European travel news all summer long. 

One of Europe's most ambitious infrastructure projects took a big leap forward this month when it was reported that both the Spanish and Moroccan ministries of transportation have been holding high-level talks over the last year about building a rail tunnel under the Strait of Gibraltar. The goal would be for the tunnel to be operational before the 2030 World Cup, which will be hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco. If realized, it would be the first direct rail link between Europe and Africa and slash travel times between the nations. 

This month saw the first shows of the European leg of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour take place in Paris, a series of shows that served as a kick-off for and entire summer of Swift concerts around the continent. She will crisscross Europe through August 20 and all indications are that the Swifties are set to follow her in full force. This month, a report said that approximately 25% of tickets at her shows in Paris were sold to Americans.

United Airlines reaffirmed its commitment to the Canary Islands by announcing the extension of its seasonal Newark Liberty International-Tenerife South through the winter season of 2024-2025. The only airline that operates a direct flight to the Spanish island chain, United will begin its thrice-weekly flights on June 1, a service that will now run through at least March 2025. 

Tauck announced its 2025 cruise plans this month, and they are adding several European journeys to their portfolio. Paramount on the list are the new "Aegean Voyage: Istanbul to Athens" and "Rome, the Amalfi Coast & Sicily" ocean cruises and the "Romantic Capitals: Paris to Prague" river cruise. In addition, Tauck will double its capacity on the Seine River in France. 

After bubbling under the surface for years, things are getting heated on the Spanish island of Mallorca regarding overtourism, with a new group being formed recently employing the slogan “Menys Turisme, Més Vida", which translates to “Less Tourism, More Life." The group has threatened to bring Palma Son Sant Joan Airport to a standstill this summer through their actions, so this is a story to keep an eye on going forward. 

The lovely little village Lauterbrunnen near Interlaken sits in a pretty-as-a-postcard valley full of waterfalls, and apparently, that's causing it a major problem. Simply put, too many folks are showing up to take digital postcards, trampling all over the place in the process and now the locals are talking about enlisting an entry fee for day trippers who arrive by car. According to reports, village priest Markus Tschanz told Swiss public radio channel SRF last year “We feel like employees in an amusement park.” And let's be honest, when even the village priest is fired up, then there's a problem. 

Now for something completely different: while the rest of the continent is seemingly drowning under the weight of tourism, it was revealed this month that Germany is still well below pre-pandemic numbers when it comes to international tourists. The sentiment was echoed by guidebook writer Cameron Hewitt who is visiting Germany at the moment and posted on social media that things seemed quiet and that a few business owners had asked him where all the Americans were. Currently, the sector is being propped up by robust domestic tourism, with hopes that the upcoming European Soccer Championships can help kickstart an international tourism revival.  

Icelandic budget airline PLAY launched a flash sale this month that saw one-way flights to Iceland from the U.S. going for as low as $99. The deal covered travel from August until December and could be combined with other deals to destinations all over the continent. While the deal has since expired, it's worth keeping tabs on PLAY to see if they repeat the offer in the near future. 

Starting this fall, you'll be able to fly from Vegas to the capital of Ireland on a new service from Aer Lingus. The new seasonal route will start on October 25 and run until April 29, 2025. The Harry Reid International Airport-Dublin Airport will take off three times weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. In 2023, Las Vegas welcomed over 50,000 visitors from Ireland and the hopes are that this flight will help send that number north. 

Adventures By Disney announced that it has reimagined its 2025 Central Europe land tours. Travelers will now enjoy an itinerary that starts in Prague, stops by Salzburg and visits Vienna and is loaded with activities for the entire family. Highlights include a visit to Prague Castle, learning about the Czech tradition of hand-painting eggs, visiting the Schonbrunn Palace and Gardens and enjoying a special "Sound of Music" experience. The tour departs on seven dates in 2025.