Do you think the British will be more welcome in Spain/Italy/Portugal or the South west of England in July?

[ihatethecold]

Just pondering really, Our holiday abroad will be cancelled by the TA next week (Asia) and we've been thinking about whether we could have a week away in a villa in the welcoming, open places in Europe or Cornwall/ Devon?

Im not convinced that Devon and Cornwall actually wants anyone visiting?

I do understand why, I know they only have 1 main hospital.Im not here to criticise them for wanting to protect themselves. If the virus does become weaker and less virulent do the locals what tourism this summer?

Would we be more welcome in parts of Europe?

This is a good English language source for keeping up with the situation here: www.theportugalnews.com/

Feel free to PM if you have any specific local questions.

Thanks. That’s really helpful.
It may all be pie in the sky 🤷🏼‍♀️

I would be going to Spain/Portugal!

I can understand ifv5they dont want us there just yet, they have worked hard to reduce their covid cases and are slowly coming out of lockdown whilst we seem to be going full steam ahead even though we have a significant number of new cases every day.

I live in cornwall too and I haven’t seen anything like that at all TBH. Not even on fb. I’m not in any particularly 'cornish' FB groups so only see my actual social circle and businesses I follow.

Everyone is just trying to cope as best they can, with exactly the same rules and regs as the rest of the country.

I think we’re all just expecting a localised peak when movement is less restricted.

Ive seen on the news twitter feeds this morning that quarantine might stop by the end of June.... I am not convinced it will ever be put into practice. we are so incompetent in this country!

@ihatethecold I think it will for the 3 weeks but if other countries are opening up July then we will too

So much uncertainty. I've given up believing anything that is announced anymore. It's all bull.

Go abroad. Cornwall doesn’t want tourists. I won’t step foot in the place because of their attitude to tourists

I'm in the Algarve too, we've been eating out every night since the restrictions have been eased, I'm not even in a popular tourist town. Places are operating a 50% reduced seating capacity, it's hot enough to eat outside so that's no problem.
Restaurants are welcoming customers with open arms, they're really pleased to see you.
The link provided up thread will give you plenty of advice, In English too.

We’re booked for Italy at the end of July & if we’re allowed to go, we’ll go. I can’t speak for the SW here, but I expect they’ll be pretty welcoming in Italy, as they always are. Like it or not, the country needs tourist money, and we’re very very well-behaved Brits

@ihatethecold, do you have a link to the tweet? I am in Spain and have heard nothing of the sort.

I dont @Anyonebut

I am often on Twitter and saw a comment about it. Because I was doing this thread yesterday and im thinking of travelling it must have entered my brain. It could have been on Simon Calders page as a comment under one of his. I do follow him. Im on lots of travel pages on twitter and FB.

Oh btw, it’s Sicily that will be offering financial incentives for tourists to visit

@Institutkarite. Thats good to read. Until the borders open up again in the UK its pointless doing much about decisions on travel.

@noraclavicle. I love Italy so much, I hope you get there

How do I find out about that noraclavicle?

Ive not been to Sicily before, always wanted to though.

I live in Southern Portugal, everyone’s really keen for the tourists to come back! We all need the business. Also - we have had hardly any Covid cases here...

Are people there not worried about an influx of the virus into the area from tourists?

Cornwall does want tourists, but only when it is permitted for people to visit. We have experienced a significant influx of people staying down here and breaking the lockdown, and it's frightening. I'm absolutely not condoning the shocking behaviour from some, but I believe that much of it comes from fear.

I wish I knew when it would be likely that we will be permitted to go abroad. Planning is a huge part of the fun.

And I can't say I've heard much from Cornwall/Devon to suggest there won't be open hostility towards tourists.

ihatethecold just click the link in my post. The article links to the official Sicily tourism site. I don’t know full details of how the incentive will work (or from when).

Yes, me too @MonsteraCheeseplant!
Would be lovely to have something to look forward to 🙂

And thanks OP, we love Italy too! Had a very good holiday on the eastern side of Sicily a few years back

DD and her dad are due to go to Portugal at the end of August, booked last Autumn as it's a super-snazzy waterpark hotel that gets booked up really quickly, as long as the hotel and park are open they are intending to go...........I have everything crossed and it's looking slightly more positive every week. I would normally go somewhere else with DH at the same time and we've been eyeing up Crete instead of a UK break, mostly because of some of the vicious comments I've seen on here from people who love in tourist areas. I know that not everyone will feel the same but still off-putting

Living in Portugal.
I'd worry more about being able to travel. So far, there are no restrictions on incoming people for mainland Portugal, but Madeira and Azores have been stricter. Tests and confinement until result may be required.

However, hotels have been opened and people seem to be booking what we call Rural Tourism. Basically motel or cottage style accommodation in the country, often with a swimming pool. Quiet and fewer people, but more expensive.

Keep in mind that beaches will have access controlled. Literally, each beach has been set a maximum capacity. Larger ones can go to over 10 000, though.
You're required to wear masks indoors and public transport, except restaurants/cafes to eat, but outside capacity has increased.

Nobody knows what will happen in a couple of months, though.
The good thing is that testing and tracing is working fairly well.

Thanks Lweji, I definitely think a villa is the way to go this year if we can travel.