Openings Desk

Editorial desk

Openings Desk

The Openings Desk follows what is new and timely across European travel: new access rules, overtourism measures, new routes, seasonal changes and the developments that affect how and when to plan a trip. This is where Holiday.it covers the rules and changes shaping travel to Italy and the wider Mediterranean, rather than evergreen guides.

We report on openings and restrictions with an eye on what they mean for the traveller, not just the announcement. The desk is edited by Giovanbattista Cimmino.

Sardinia in September: Where to Stay, What to Book and What Still Needs ReservationsSardiniaSardinia in September: Where to Stay, What to Book and What Still Needs ReservationsSeptember is Sardinia's smartest month: warm sea, softer light, fewer crowds. But beaches, restaurants and boats still need planning. Here is the honest guide.17 August 2026Sardinia Beach Reservations 2026: Which Beaches You Need to Book Before You GoSardiniaSardinia Beach Reservations 2026: Which Beaches You Need to Book Before You GoMany of Sardinia's most famous beaches require advance booking in 2026. Here is how La Pelosa, Cala Brandinchi, Lu Impostu, Tuerredda, Cala Goloritzé and Cala Coticcio work.31 July 2026Venice Access Fee Ends Today: What Travellers Should Know After July 27VeniceVenice Access Fee Ends Today: What Travellers Should Know After July 27Venice's 2026 access fee trial ended on July 27. Here is what day visitors, hotel guests and travellers should know now, and why the fee may return stronger.28 July 2026Benagil Cave 2026: How to Visit Without Breaking the RulesPortugalBenagil Cave 2026: How to Visit Without Breaking the RulesBenagil Cave in the Algarve can still be visited in 2026, but swimming, landing on the sand and unguided access are restricted. Here is how to plan it.23 July 2026Tuerredda Beach 2026: How to Book Sardinia’s New Reservation BeachSardiniaTuerredda Beach 2026: How to Book Sardinia’s New Reservation BeachTuerredda beach in southern Sardinia now requires booking from June 2 to October 15, 2026, with 1,100 daily places, QR access and a 3 euros fee.23 July 2026Malta’s Blue Lagoon Now Needs a Booking: How to Visit Comino in 2026MaltaMalta’s Blue Lagoon Now Needs a Booking: How to Visit Comino in 2026The Blue Lagoon on Comino now runs on free timed bookings with a cap of 4,000 visitors at a time. Here is how the system works and which slot to choose.20 July 2026Mallorca Eclipse 2026: Why You Should Not Drive Into the TramuntanaMallorcaMallorca Eclipse 2026: Why You Should Not Drive Into the TramuntanaMallorca restricts Tramuntana roads, beach car parks and lighthouses from mid afternoon on eclipse day. Here is how to plan August 12, 2026 properly.20 July 2026Caminito del Rey in 2026: The Booking Decides the DayAndalusiaCaminito del Rey in 2026: The Booking Decides the DayThe Caminito del Rey runs on timed tickets, one direction and a shuttle between the ends. Here is how to book it and build the Malaga day around it.19 July 2026Acropolis in 2026: How Timed Entry Changed the Athens MorningGreeceAcropolis in 2026: How Timed Entry Changed the Athens MorningThe Acropolis now runs on timed entry slots and a daily visitor cap. Here is how to book the right hour and build the Athens day around it.19 July 2026Navagio Beach in 2026: Closed Below, Open AboveGreeceNavagio Beach in 2026: Closed Below, Open AboveNavagio Beach on Zakynthos stays closed until 31 October 2026 over landslide risk. Here is what the closure means and how to see the shipwreck properly.18 July 2026Berlengas Pass 2026: How to Visit Portugal’s Limited Island ReservePortugalBerlengas Pass 2026: How to Visit Portugal’s Limited Island ReserveBerlenga Grande requires the Berlengas Pass before the boat from Peniche. Here is how the permit works and how to plan the island day properly.18 July 2026Cíes Islands 2026: How to Get the Permit Before You Book the FerryGaliciaCíes Islands 2026: How to Get the Permit Before You Book the FerryThe Cíes Islands require Xunta authorization from May 15 to September 15. Here is how to book the permit, ferry and day properly.16 July 2026Formentera by Car in 2026: The Permit Rules Travellers Need to KnowBalearic IslandsFormentera by Car in 2026: The Permit Rules Travellers Need to KnowFormentera limits vehicles from June 1 to September 30, 2026. Here is how the permit system changes ferry plans, rentals and beach days.16 July 2026Santorini Cruise Rules 2026: How to Visit Without Losing the Day to the Cable CarGreeceSantorini Cruise Rules 2026: How to Visit Without Losing the Day to the Cable CarSantorini's 2026 cruise cap limits daily cruise visitors to 8,000, while Fira's cable car remains the key bottleneck. Here is how to plan the island.15 July 2026Tre Cime di Lavaredo 2026: How the New Parking Rules Change the DayDolomitesTre Cime di Lavaredo 2026: How the New Parking Rules Change the DayTre Cime di Lavaredo now requires online booking for the toll road and car park. Here is how to plan the Dolomites' most famous hike in 2026.15 July 2026Restonica Valley 2026: Corsica’s most beautiful road now runs on a shuttleCorsicaRestonica Valley 2026: Corsica’s most beautiful road now runs on a shuttleThe upper Restonica Valley is closed to private cars in 2026, with a shuttle to the Grotelle trailhead. Here is how to plan the lakes properly.14 July 2026Cap de Creus 2026: how to visit the lighthouse without a car mistakeCosta BravaCap de Creus 2026: how to visit the lighthouse without a car mistakeCap de Creus restricts private vehicles on the road from Cadaqués to the lighthouse in summer 2026. Here is how to plan the visit properly.10 July 2026Madeira hiking in 2026: the trails now need reservationsMadeiraMadeira hiking in 2026: the trails now need reservationsMadeira's classified PR trails now require mandatory reservations in 2026. Here is how to book, what it costs and how to avoid a bad hiking day.8 July 2026Formentor 2026: Mallorca’s most famous drive now requires a planMallorcaFormentor 2026: Mallorca’s most famous drive now requires a planCap de Formentor has strict 2026 road restrictions from May to October. Here is how to visit the lighthouse, beach and viewpoints without ruining the day.7 July 2026Marseille’s Calanque de Sugiton now needs a reservationFranceMarseille’s Calanque de Sugiton now needs a reservationThe Calanque de Sugiton and Pierres Tombées require free reservations on key summer dates in 2026. Here is how to plan the day properly.7 July 2026