Albena seems deserted in the absence of tourists, and in Athens you can only eat on the terraces

It's only been two days since Romania , Bulgaria and Greece decided to open their borders and allow tourists to travel without imposing isolation or quarantine measures. On June 15, dozens of Romanians set off for the two countries as if in a desperate need to travel (I admit that I can't wait for a foreign vacation either). Here are the first impressions of some tourists who went on vacation to the Albena resort in Bulgaria , but also to Athens, Greece.

In Albena there are absolutely no tourists, and many spaces are closed 

The Albena resort is preferred by Romanian tourists used to all inclusive. The family who sent me this information is on a week's holiday purchased for €700 (family with two children) paid in January. After a rescheduling, they chose to go on vacation from the very first day the borders opened. "We are not obliged to wear masks in the hotel, but the employees do! We are few tourists. The fact is that the all inclusive system has remained the same. It's no different than years past! The restaurants are open. No single-use cutlery is used."  

From the images received from tourists, it can be seen that there is no mention of social distancing at mealtime.

Perhaps also because of the weather conditions this week, Albena seems like a closed resort. Many terraces and shops are closed. The German and Russian tourists who filled the hotels in the Albena resort during this period are missing.

On the other hand, the pools are open, and you don't find many sunbeds on the beach because they don't have anything to put them on. Compared to last year, there are 70% fewer tourists in Albena.

Athens comes to life only after sunset

Greece, another favorite destination for Romanians, has been allowing tourists to enter since June 15. The information and photos come from a Romanian couple on vacation in Athens. “When we arrived in Athens (June 15), many shops and terraces were closed. It was only the next day that we noticed that the Greeks were starting to restart their engines. Compared to Romania , in commercial spaces in Greece you are allowed to enter without a mask, but you receive a sequence number so you know how many people are inside. On the second day of vacation, in the evening, we noticed that all the terraces opened, and Athens came to life as if everyone had forgotten about COVID 19.”

As for the prices on the terraces, the two Romanians, used to Greece, admit that they don't see any change compared to last season. 

For example, at a terrace in Piraeus Port, a Greek salad is 8 euros, a gyros platter for two people 22 euros, a beer 2 euros, a platter of appetizers 6 euros, and a bottle of wine 30 euros. 

As sanitary safety measures, the two Romanians noticed that the tablecloths are disposable (the Greeks used this option for a long time), the waiters do not wear protective masks, and upon entering any space you have napkins and disinfectant devices.