Europeans dip their toes in beaches post-lockdown

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, European nations had imposed strict lockdowns which are slowly being lifted. According to an AFP report, after anxious months confined at home, eager Europeans are digging out their suitcases, sunscreen and flip flops, and daring to plan a post-coronavirus summer holiday.

In France, the world's number one tourist destination, the government is banking on the French staying in the country for their holidays, to help kickstart the key tourism sector. To hammer home the message and remind the French what's on offer at home, it is about to launch a #CetetejevisitelaFrance campaign, meaning This summer I'm visiting France. Many seem to have already heeded the call.

Spain's borders will remain closed Monday as it goes through the final stages of rolling back one of the strictest lockdowns in the world -- although German tourists will be allowed to visit the Balearic Islands as part of a pilot project. So, for a few more weeks, Spaniards have their tourist sites to themselves.But, from July 1, the likes of Barcelona's monumental Sagrada Familia or the ancient Alhambra in Granada will reopen to foreign visitors.

Britain is not strictly speaking affected by Monday's reopening since it didn't close its borders in the first place. But to enable Brits to head to sunnier climes, the government has said it is looking at establishing "air bridges" with countries with low rates of the virus.

Benvenuti in Italia! is the catchword in Italy, which was the first European country to be hit hard by the coronavirus. Three months after going into lockdown, but keen to turn a page and revive its key tourism sector, Italy reopened to travellers from Europe on June 3. In fact, many of its world renowned historic sites and monuments have been reopening since May, including Saint Peter's Basilica in the Vatican and Rome's Colosseum.