Rich Thomaselli | (TNS) TravelPulse
Austria, Hungary, Greece and Italy have been particularly vulnerable to Mother Nature of late.
A heat wave, wildfires and even a volcanic eruption threaten to make things difficult for residents and cause chaos for tourists.
These are unprecedented conditions that even forced the brief closure of the Parthenon earlier this year.
At times, temperatures across Europe have risen to 104 degrees. Austria and Hungary have been particularly hard hit, where both residents and tourists are asked to stay indoors between 12.00 and 16.00. Cities such as Vienna and Budapest have set up outdoor cooling stations.
The situation has been worsened by forest fires in some places in Greece and Italy. The heat and dry conditions have forced evacuations in southern Greece, including some tourist spots on the popular Greek islands. Some attractions and accommodations have already closed, making it advisable for travelers to check in advance. People have already been warned to wear masks for the smoke and ash from the fires.
And there is nothing anyone can do about Europe’s most active volcano.
Mount Etna in Italy erupted on August 14, forcing the closure of Catania International Airport in Sicily. It has since reopened, but tourists are advised to check with their airlines about any further disruption. Tourists are also advised to invest in travel insurance.
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