Europe holidays are a common choice for Britons – there’s sunshine, fascinating culture and delicious food all just a couple of hours away by plane.
But with the threat of terror attacks hanging over much of the continent how can we make sure we’ll be safe abroad?
According to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, “There is considered to be a heightened threat of terrorist attack globally against UK interests and British nationals, from groups or individuals motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria.”
So while complete safety can never be guaranteed when we travel, the FCO has offered detailed travel adviceon each country and its threat from terror.
Express.co.uk has mapped the continent to help you decide where it is safest to travel to this summer.
VERY LIKELY TERROR THREAT LOCATIONS
Some of our most loved holiday destinations are unfortunately classified as being “very likely” to suffer a terror attack.
Tourist hot-spots France, Germany and Turkey are all countries where visitors should be alert.
“Attacks could be indiscriminate in France,” the FCO warn. “Due to ongoing threats the French government has warned the public to be extra vigilant and has reinforced its own domestic and overseas security measures. You should follow the advice of local French authorities.”
As for Germany – “The German government has announced that increased security has been put in place as a precaution at public buildings, major events, transport hubs and large public gatherings,’ state the FCO.
“You should be vigilant and follow the advice of local authorities. The main threat is from extremists linked to Daesh.”
In Turkey there are a number of active terrorist groups including Daesh which have publicly threatened to attack tourist sites.
Vigilance in public places is equally key in Belgium and also Russia, where kidnapping has also been a concern in the past with a number of western national sequestered and some even killed.
The current threat level for international terrorism in the UK is listed as severe, say MI5.
Countries classified as ‘Very Likely’ to face terror threat
- Belgium
- France
- Germany
- Russia
- Turkey
- United Kingdom
LIKELY TERROR THREAT LOCATIONS
Terrorists are “likely” to carry out attacks in Spain and Italy, the FCO writes. There were two terrorist-related incidents in Barcelona in August last year.
“Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners,” the FCO say of both countries.
“The Spanish authorities take measures to protect visitors, but you should be vigilant and follow the instructions of the local authorities,” they advise.
Of Italy they state that there are isolated cases of domestic terrorism, generally aimed at official Italian targets.
Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands and Sweden are also listed as being at risk of a “likely” terrorist attack.
Countries classified as ‘Likely’ to face terror threat
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Denmark
- Italy
- Kazakhstan
- Kosovo
- Macedonia
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Ukraine
