"And the rainbow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember
the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature upon the earth."

Home At First

BLESS YOU, BERMUDA

You keep us hangin' on...

          I guess you have heard the news. The EU has decided — quite rightly, based on the current upswing in COVID-19 cases across the US — not to include Americans on its current invitation list as it begins reopening for 2020 tourism. All of the Schengen countries (the European Union member nations plus Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland) have had to agree to the invitation list or risk going it alone. Canada — which Americans also cannot visit as of now, and who has flattened its coronavirus curve to acceptable numbers — has been included on the EU's invitation list. Here at home we have lost our positive momentum and the pandemic is winning at this moment.

          Americans may travel to some places. Mexico and much of the Caribbean have put out the welcome mat for us. But, among the many destinations Home At First offers on its travel menu, only Bermuda (currently) accepts American visitors, albeit with strict rules related to COVID-19 testing. This too can change.

          To our loyal suppliers in Home At First destinations around the world, and to our loyal travelers eager to travel overseas again, we urge patience, stoicism, and discipline. Stay home. Stay well. Stay fit physically and mentally. Encourage family, friends, and neighbors to do the same. Listen to the scientists. Going out? Wear your mask. We will all be rewarded with freedom of movement and freedom of choice only when we have driven down the number of daily infections to a level epidemiologists calculate as safe enough to minimize further spreading of the virus.

          The EU/Schengen zone countries plan to review the numbers every two weeks. If Americans can suppress the pandemic at home and bring down our new-case numbers to acceptable levels, we just might be invited back to Europe before the good weather is gone.

          Business here at Home At First remains anything but normal, as you might imagine. We have every intention of getting through these difficult times and resuming our trip planning services with renewed enthusiasm. We intend to travel again, too, just as soon as permitted and practical. The resumption of our business and restoration of our travel habit will heal us.

          In the ensuing weeks and months we will continue to monitor developments carefully so we can advise you prudently. It is our job to help you get underway again, but only with the best advice for when and where to travel and how best to travel safely. You have our renewed pledge that we shall do our best to continue to help make your travel dreams come true.

          In the meantime, stay safe, be kind, help one another, and dream big. And, if you would like to travel to a lovely place with an extraordinary British history, think Bermuda!

Best wishes and God speed,

Judi Taussig Fahnestock & Ron Fahnestock

Becca Fahnestock

Kristen Crowther

Jessica Sponheimer & Kane

and all our colleagues around the world