An extraordinary year is coming to an end. Already at the beginning of 2020, the coronavirus turned the whole world upside down and brought it to a standstill. No one knew what was happening to the world or what would happen next. In addition to wearing mouth-to-nose protection, complying with measures, and many other restrictions, tourism in particular came to a standstill. Travel was challenging, and in some cases outright impossible - even though vacations are the highlight of the year for many. What the travel ban means for Europeans, the holiday pirates found out together with mydealz in a survey.

The international comparison has shown how differently Europeans deal with the issue.

Italians miss a big part of their lives

No one misses traveling as much as Italians. Because when asked what was most frustrating during the lockdown, 90 percent of Italians answered that travel was impossible. In comparison, only 75 percent of Italians regretted not being able to see their friends and family. At 86 percent, the French also missed traveling more than their family and friends (76%). On the other hand, the Spanish seem to be the biggest family people according to the survey, as they are the most likely to say they would have liked to see their loved ones more often, at 80 percent. After family and friends (63%) and not travelling (57%), 37 per cent of Germans find it particularly frustrating not being able to go to restaurants and bars. Culinary delights also play a major role for the British: almost a third (31%) regret having eaten and drunk too much during the lockdown.

Southerners reminisce and get inspired

The southerners in particular found it difficult this year not to be able to travel and instead spend their leisure time within their own four walls. That's why a full 37 percent of the French, 32 percent of the Italians and 23 percent of the Spaniards were reminiscing, looking at old holiday photos. In addition, 58 percent of Italians, 53 percent of French and 40 percent of Spaniards were looking for inspiration for their next trip, while this was the case for only a quarter of Germans and Britons respectively. 

Film consumption and renovation are particularly popular

The Europeans spent their newly won free time in very different ways. However, watching films and series was most popular with all of them. The pioneers here are the Spaniards with 72 percent, while the English bring up the rear with 58 percent. While 36 per cent of the English and French and 35 per cent of the Spanish and Germans each started to redecorate their four walls, this only applied to 17 per cent of the Italians. However, while the latter invested a particularly large amount of time in reading (48%), 32 per cent of the French preferred to be active in sports. The British, on the other hand, were the least sporty during the lockdown, with only 20 percent. Cooking was also consistently popular: Here the Italians were the frontrunners with 46 percent, closely followed by the French with 44 percent. But the Spanish (36%), the Germans (30%) and the British (28%) also seem to have enjoyed using their free time for culinary highlights.

Picture Credits: Becky Phan / Unsplash, Matthieu Joannon / Unsplash, Luke Bender / Unsplash, Ksenia Chernaya / Pexels