Travel

DONALD WOOD | TravelPulse.Com Troy Warren for CNT   The European Union announced the United States has been added to its safe travel list on Wednesday, clearing the path to make it easier for Americans to visit Europe. According to CNBC.com, ambassadors from the 27 European Union nations recommended the region allow nonessential travelers from eight new countries and territories, including the U.S., Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia, Lebanon, Taiwan, Macau and Hong Kong. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen revealed in April that fully vaccinated American tourists would likely be welcomed to the EU by the summer, but Wednesday’s changes made the details…

PATRICK CLARKE | TravelPulse.Com Troy Warren for CNT   Allianz Partners USA has released its 13th annual Vacation Confidence Index, predicting that American travelers will spend a jaw-dropping $153.7 billion on summer vacation in 2021. The impressive figure marks a 160 percent increase over last year's pandemic-stricken season and a surprising 50 percent increase over the summer of 2019 long before the COVID-19 crisis came into frame. Each individual household is expected to spend an average of $2,122 on summer vacation this year, based on Allianz's research, which is up considerably from $1,888 last year and $2,037 in 2019. Plus, six out…