Will I be going on holiday to Greece at the end of July?

[awaywiththecircus]

We have booked flights and accommodation (in a private villa) separately. We can cancel the villa until the end of May and get a refund, bit would go if it was feasible. What do you think are our chances?

I'm very much hoping the Greece won't be open to travel, my young DC is meant to be going for his father's wedding, I am totally not comfortable with him going under these circumstances and I'm not looking forward to the fight I'm going to have by telling my ex that DC won't be going.
I'm hoping Greece takes the argument out of my hands.

I should as we speak be travelling to Manchester airport for my flight to Rhodes. I'm sad about that, but pleased to say that Jet2 (with whom we booked a package) refunded the whole lot within 5 days of calling me to ask what 'option' I wanted to take.

Anyhoo...I doubt very much that you'll be going, OP. I have Greek friends who run a cafe on one of the islands and they tell me they've been told they might be allowed to open the cafe from June, that flights into Greece will involve people being tested and quarantined...and that rstrictions on ferry travel to the islands will remain in place, though adapted for people deemed to be from 'ess risky' places, etc.

No idea how they'll manage it all, mind.

Yes, the Greek tourist minister has said they will start opening the country to tourism from June but only to countries in northern Europe and from the near/middle East where the virus has been better controlled. I would have thought it would be fairly obvious why they wouldn't want people from the UK there (or Spain, France, Italy etc) since we have had 30 000 deaths and Greece has only had about 150!

We were due to go to Kefalonia in July (we go every year) but know we won't be going this year. We have already been in email contact with the little hotel where we stay and will be rebooking for next year.

What could possibly go wrong if tourists go piling into Greece from all round Europe, mingle and then fly back into their scattered communities without proper quarantining , vaccines or antibody tests?

I think we'll be lucky to holiday in Blighty, TBH.

Assume you’re talking about July 2021 OP? Even at that I’d say it’s 50/50. No one is flying for recreational reasons this year.

Slim to zero chance of going on holiday abroad this summer.

No.
No cross-border travel until widespread vaccine/minimal deaths.
Could be 12/18 months.

It's possible. The tourism industry is pushing hard to open things back up again and looking into making adjustments such as perspex screens to help separate families from each other on beaches etc.

Does this private villa have a private pool? Because I read this morning that any shared pools are likely to be closed.

I'd be pessimistic about overseas travel from the UK this summer to be honest, and I say that as someone who loves their holidays! Its going to be rough for Greece as so many livelihoods depend on tourism. Maybe get busy for planning something good for 2021

Yes I'm hoping Greece and Easyjet take the decision out of our hands for refund purposes.

I cannot understand why people might think that travel is going to be OK in the near future.

Get a grip. I would not go anywhere for a year or so, until I get a handle on how the virus is controlled.

But then again, I suppose we are all different.

I'd hang on cancelling it until the last minute. They were talking about antibody tests in tonight's press conference and within a week we will know more. They are pushing on with trying to find out if we become immune.

We've had massive break throughs in treatments. I wouldn't go, but i might if i was younger and healthier. Me and my DD have had it, so I'm hoping something comes of the antibody tests.

Some of the destinations that people want to go to have much more dangerous stuff than Covid.

Pre Covid. Those were the days my friends.. And I was there in Galway too.

I'm hoping to - they could use the tourist money and it's still 2 months away.

Small glimmer of hope for your holiday OP

[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-52491204 [Greece and Croatia]]

Try that again

Greece and Croatia

No

If you're happy to spend 2 weeks in quarantine when you return to the UK, then I don't see a problem (at the UK end).

Some people really need to grow up and smell the roses.

I don't want to go anywhere and pick the virus up, nor do I want to bring it back to my loved ones either.

Take a break for a year or so and rest up.

It is not the end of the world.

I think August in other parts, so you might be lucky in July with Greece from what tourism board have said.

Nope.

Yes.

Supposed to be going mid July final payment due in couple days don't think it will happen but looks like we will have to cancel and loose deposit as I don't want to pay balance and spend months waiting to get it back
And if slim chance. We could go but with loads of restrictions I don't think it will be a holiday , you go to relax etc
But I wish they would all just decide so we could get all our money back and put towards next year in hope we are in better position by then

Good luck getting your money back if you cancel. I booked directly with a Greek villa and despite having a clear refund policy they have refused - instead offering me vouchers for next year.

No