( CNN ) -- Fewer crowds and pleasant weather make autumn a great time to explore Europe , but for many Americans the destination has suddenly become fraught with worry and potential danger . A day after the United States issued a general travel alert for Americans in Europe amid concerns that al Qaeda is planning attacks similar to the 2008 massacre in Mumbai , India , many travelers may be trying to figure out what to do next . Still , the alert should scare no one from going to Europe , said current and former U.S. State Department officials -- a sentiment echoed by some travel experts . `` I do n't think anyone should cancel a trip . The chances of something happening to a particular individual are very , very slim , '' said George Hobica , president of Airfarewatchdog.com , who just returned from London , England , on Sunday . Travel alert issued for U.S. citizens in Europe . Travel agents said they 've seen limited impact from the alert so far . Two people with trips booked to London and Paris , France , have called Altour in New York asking what they should do , said Martin Rapp , senior vice president of leisure sales at the travel agency . He was able to offer the worried clients few answers beyond letting them know how much money they might lose if they decide to cancel . `` That 's all we really can say since it 's a rather nebulous warning , '' Rapp said . `` I expect more calls . Nobody has canceled yet ; they 're just questioning , seeing what their options are . '' There may be few new bookings this week because of the alert , but most travelers with plans already in place likely will not cancel them , said Jill Jergel , a travel agent who specializes in France and works for Frontiers International Travel in Wexford , Pennsylvania . Not only do most affluent travelers like to go in September and the first half of October because schools are back in session , but it is a particularly busy time in Paris because of fashion week , she added . `` I 've had one client say , 'Gee it 's a little intense right now , ' but I 've certainly have not seen any effect on bookings , '' Jergel said . Not intimidated . American tourists already in Europe are on alert , but many continue to flock to popular landmarks , refusing to be intimidated by the threat . Susan Smith , who arrived in London last week from Texas to celebrate her birthday , went to see the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace and said the place was packed . She 's also not changing her travel plans . `` The only thing we 've changed is we 've elected not to go downstairs [ at the hotel ] in the evening to have a drink in the very large lobby bar , '' Smith said . `` I do n't believe in allowing terrorists to do what they do , which is to terrorize me . If we act terrorized , then they win . '' Because the alert is so vague , travel agents said people should take the same kinds of precautions they always would when traveling : Be cautious , stay alert and look for anything suspicious . How to protect yourself abroad . Watch out when you go to a large gathering , added Marion Harbison , a travel agent who specializes in Germany and works for Sterling Brownell in Birmingham , Alabama . Most of her clients avoid the big cities and go to southern Germany , where she believes there is little or no threat . Travelers should also look beyond their activities and sightseeing . `` Just be aware of your surroundings , keep an ear on the international news -- people do n't always do that when they 're traveling , '' Jergel said . Meanwhile , travel agents are watching and waiting to see what kind of a long-term impact the alert will have . `` Certainly , we 're always worried when something like this happens because it always affects travel . There are always going to be people who are going to say , ' I 'm going to put it off , ' `` Rapp said .
Alert ##s stop no one from going to Europe , U.S. State Department officials say . ` ` I do n't think anyone should take a trip , '' Airfarewatchdog ' says . Travel agents say they ' ve seen limited impact from the threat so far . Some American tourists already in Europe refuse to be intimidated by the threat .