As the summer travel season ramps up, the State Department is warning Americans to “exercise increased caution” when visiting several popular European destinations, including Italy.
A travel advisory dated May 23 said, “There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Italy.”
Italy is considered a Level 2 country on the State Department’s advisory scale, which ranges from Level 1, “exercise normal precautions,” to Level 4, “Do not travel.” It has been at that level since April 2022, according to a State Department spokesperson.
Other Level 2 European countries with a risk of potential terrorism include but are not limited to Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
Travelers can find the latest safety advisories for every country on the State Department’s website.
For Italy and other destinations where extra caution is advised, the State Department recommends travelers:
While travelers are encouraged to “be aware of increased risks to safety and security” in Level 2 destinations, they are not discouraged from visiting nor does it mean these places are unsafe.
A State Department spokesperson told USA TODAY each country’s safety and other conditions are regularly reviewed, and advisory levels are based on established risk indicators like crime, civil unrest, natural disasters, health, wrongful detention and more, so travelers can make informed decisions.
It’s also worth noting that the State Department only offers guidance on foreign travel, and some countries have warned their citizens about visiting the U.S.
