How the most searched-for tourist attractions are prepping for post-lockdown life

Summer may yet be salvaged
Barcelona's Sagragada Familia just missed the top ten, but Spain is the most searched-for European country by Brits under lockdown
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New data reveals the European tourist attractions Brits have been Googling the most during lockdown.

The data, collated by river cruise company Emerald Waterways, shows that confinement cannot stop our minds from wandering, and holding hope that summer getaways could still be on the table.

But with the ever-present risk of a resurgence of the virus, it is not as simple as just reopening the museum doors - changes will have to be made.

Here, we take a look at how these top attractions are adapting to ensure the safety of visitors, as tourism beings to open up.

1. Eiffel Tower, Paris

Brits searched for the Eiffel Tower more than any other European landmark since March 23
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At 324 metres tall, Paris' skyline signature towers over the list, attracting 135,000 searches a month.

France remains in a state of “health emergency”, despite museums and monuments being authorised to open on June 2. This means businesses can be held criminally accountable for contagions occurring on their account, so many have delayed opening until precautions can be carefully implemented.

The Eiffel Tower is one of those holding off, with no indication online of when it is set to open.

A spokesperson from the Tower said the goal is to resume business at the end of the month, or in early July at the latest, but that final precautions remain unclear.

"Plans are being finalised over the next 10 - 15 days, and will be posted on the website as soon as they are complete."

It is expected that capacity will be reduced, with the tower "opening progressively, and responsively to the national situation". While the stairs will open from the start, for example, the lift will remain out of bounds for some time.

People are encouraged to pre-book slots online, although a ticket office will still be available on site.

Brits should note that travellers arriving in French territory from the UK will also be subjected to quarantine for a maximum 14-day period.

2. Notre Dame, Paris

Notre Dame, Paris
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The Eiffel Tower's neighbour, Notre Dame Cathedral, comes in second place with 49,500 monthly searches.

The cathedral is closed, but coronavirus cannot take the blame for this one - it has been closed since the devastating fire of April 15 last year, and will remain closed until 2024, at least.

However, the monument's forecourt reopened last weekend for the first time since the incident. Several deep cleaning operations have been conducted to remove traces of toxic dust, after the Gothic lead structure scattered tonnes of poisonous ash onto the ground when inflamed. The site will face regular cleaning to protect public health, and samples will be taken for monitoring and analysis purposes.

In what French Culture minister Franck Riester described as "a very important moment," Mayor Anne Hidalgo joined senior clergy at the opening of the forecourt on Sunday afternoon.

The forecourt is an outdoor, public space, meaning national social distancing rules apply. On the French government's website, this means an obligatory one metre between people, according to the latest advice from the World Health Organisation (note: the UK has stuck to two metres on the the simple basis that the greater the distance, the lower the risk of transmission).

3. Colosseum, Rome

The Colosseum has significantly reduced its capacity
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Italy also has more relaxed social distancing rules than the UK, requiring only 1.5 metres between people. This allows for an additional 50 per cent capacity in venues.

And with its coronavirus curve on the downward slope, the Italian government is clambering to salvage its tourism sector which accounts for 13 per cent of the country’s GDP.

Wednesday, June 3 saw borders opening up, not only between regions, but with EU states, allowing most travellers to enter without quarantining.

Rome’s famous Colosseum reopened on Monday, June 1, after three months untrodden by visitors. Nevertheless, what could once hold 3,000 tourists now allows groups of 14 at 15 minute intervals. Staff will ensure people stick to social distancing, with medical professionals on hand in case symptoms are spotted on site.

Visitors must purchase tickets online, wear face masks, and have their temperatures taken before entering.

4. Leaning Tower of Pisa

Italy's Leaning Tower of Pisa
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Among other Italian favourites, The Leaning Tower of Pisa, Pompeii’s archaeological park, and Florence’s Uffizi gallery also opened this week.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is Britons' fourth most searched-for European hotspot, but they are going to have to get in line: only 15 visitors are allowed in at one time, under strict social distancing enforcement.

Each visitor will have to wear an electronic device that sends out signals should they come within a metre of anyone else.

"Our budget will suffer heavy losses but we still wanted to send a signal of confidence and hope," said Pierfrancesco Pacini, president of the board of directors responsible for Pisa's attractions.

5. Sistine Chapel, Vatican City

The Vatican museum is open once again, but must be pre-booked online
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Some 1,600 people booked their place online for the reopening day of the Vatican Museum's awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel, after a three-month coronavirus shutdown.

Museum workers are taking visitors' temperature on entry, with everyone required to wear face masks inside.

The museum's director, Barbara Jatta, described the opening on Monday, June 1, as a day of "great joy," and said she was "pleasantly surprised" to see so many eager customers.

Advanced bookings are now compulsory for visitors, a novelty at the Vatican Museum, where tourists typically queue hours during peak months to earn their place inside.

"We want to share this patrimony," said Ms Jatta, "but we want to share in safety".

6. Arc De Triomphe, Paris

Paris is the single city with the most landmarks on the list
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Erected to celebrate the victories of Napoleon I, Paris' Arc De Triomphe casts a grand shadow over the Champes-Elysées which went eerily quiet after lockdown struck.

Now, Paris' streets are lively again, but the monument remains closed.

Philippe Bélaval explained the opening of French monuments will be a gradual process spanning June and July.

"As for the Arc de Triomphe, it will not be one of the first monuments to reopen, because it is not the simplest. We must control people going up and those going down," he said in an interview with AFP. Full precautionary measures are still being finalised.

7. Pantheon, Rome

Rome's Pantheon typically attracts 7 million visitors a year
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The Pantheon trails behind other Italian monuments in reopening to the public, but says "celebrations will resume regularly" from Saturday, June 6, kicking off with the feast of the Holy Trinity.

Bookings should be reserved online here, available from July 1, with admission being part of a one-hour guided tour. These are available in English, Italian, French and Spanish.

8. Acropolis, Athens

Outdoor destinations like the Acropolis have a lower risk of transmission than indoor ones
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Greece’s Accropolis opened, along with 200 outdoor archaeological sites, in May after 60 days of closure. Indoor museums, however, remain closed until June 15.

Up to 2,000 people are allowed on site at one time, and the use of masks is strongly advised— though not required, except for guides. Large guided groups are barred, and separator screens are designed to keep visitors 1.5 metres apart.

Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said the sites were disinfected before opening, and that hand sanitiser and face masks are being distributed at the entrance.

On Monday, Greece’s Tourism Minister confirmed Brits would be able to holiday in Greece without quarantining, from certain UK airports. This followed an apparent nationwide ban the week before, forbidding flights from Britain, which sends four million tourists to the country each year. It was described as a “misunderstanding,” and has since been cleared up, although some British arrivals will be screened on landing.

9. Neuschwanstein Castle, Hohenschwangau (Bavaria)

Complicated spelling has not stopped Brits searching for Bavaria's spectacular Neuschwanstein 
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Bavaria's fairytale-like castle has been a popular escape for the British imagination, the ninth most searched-for attraction of lockdown.

Happily, it is once again open to the public, although visits are only possible as part of a guided tour (available in English and German), which will be operating at a reduced capacity.

The tours each last around 30 minutes, allowing the venue to regulate flow, and late arrivals will not be allowed to join. They can be booked online with an additional fee here, no later than 3pm two days prior to the visit.

As part of the restrictions, certain areas, including the multivision room and lift, will remain out of bounds, and routes will be altered to prevent cross flows.

Germany has a policy of 1.5-metre compulsory social distancing, with face masks “strongly recommended” in public and compulsory on public transport (children under the age of six are exempt). ​Britons (excluding those coming from Ireland) will have to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival in the country.

10. Palace of Versailles, Paris

The Palace of Versailles has enjoyed a lockdown makeover
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At number ten on the list, Versailles opened Saturday, June 6 after 55 days of confinement.

Like many of us, the palace’s garden has had a lockdown makeover, with “everything mowed and maintained,” in the words of Alain Baraton, chief gardener of the park.

A new pandemic protocol is also in place: the palace will open for its usual hours, offering guided tours around the different areas for groups of up to 10 people. But a strict booking process will regulate flow.

Visitors are encouraged (and for some areas, required) to book advance tickets online. A ticket office will open on-site on Thursday, June 4, offering compulsory hourly bookings.

Masks are compulsory in the museum for all visitors from 11 years old. Traffic will be directed one way, without a cross flow, and visitors are required to wash hands on entry with a hydroalcoholic gel. A Covid-19 Information Assistance point will be available at the South Minister’s Wing.

In the meantime, these venues have virtualised their experience for those who remain unable to reach them:

Versailles' VR tour gives you a crib-style spin of the Sun King’s quarters in all its florid decadence:

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