Four things we checked this week, each about thirty seconds to read.
The Verdict: Dubrovnik is worth it. The rules just changed.
From 2026 you have to book a wall-walk slot in advance through the 40 euro Dubrovnik Pass, and cruise ships are capped at two a day. Go at the 8am wall opening or after 6pm, once the day-trippers leave.
The Fine Print: a delay flying home from Europe can be worth up to 600 euros
EU261 covers every flight departing the EU, on any airline, including your US carrier home. Land more than three hours late and you are owed 250, 400 or 600 euros per passenger, depending on distance. Most EU countries let you claim three years back, France five and the UK six.
The Window: the Christmas market sweet spot is two weeks long
Weekdays from December 1 to 15 get you fully open markets and hotels 20 to 40 percent below peak. Prices peak from December 20 to January 3. If you are going this year, you are booking now.
Quick Check: Europe's new travel permit is not live. Do not pay anyone for it.
ETIAS, the EU's online travel authorization for Americans, still has no launch date. In July the EU removed its "last quarter of 2026" target from the official portal, which now says only that the system is not operating and no applications are being taken. The EU has said it will announce the date months in advance, so trips in the next few months are unaffected.
Two things worth knowing: any site taking an ETIAS application today is not the EU, and the UK's equivalent, the ETA, has been required for Americans since January 2025. The official EU page is the only place you will ever apply.
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