Cafes are full on the pavements of Paris. Gondola rides have returned to Venice, and promenaders to the piazzas of Rome. Rowdy British tourists are carousing again in Ibiza and Mallorca. Across Europe, people are revelling in a summer awakening from the COVID-19 lockdown nightmare.
It's not quite the same old Europe. Mask-wearing is rife. Hugging and cheek-pecking is out. And for every unbuttoned teenager trying to get out and enjoy life, there's a host of Spaniards, Italians or French folk still anxious about even a trip to the shops.
Hans van LeeuwenEurope correspondentHans van Leeuwen covers British and European politics, economics and business from London. He has worked as a reporter, editor and policy adviser in Sydney, Canberra, Hanoi and London. Connect with Hans on Twitter. Email Hans at hans.vanleeuwen@afr.com
