Crazy to book a foreign holiday??

[canary1]

Just that. Have time off work at end August, and am v tempted to book Greece, or Mallorca/ Menorca..... anyone think that’s reasonable, or is this just crazy talk! Anyone there now and think it’s ok?

I'd be worried about insurance, and a local lockdown wherever you go.

I would - considering it myself if my DD’s passport comes back.

Be smart about it, don’t spend more than you could afford to lose if there was a local spike etc. I think even in a local lockdown situation they would repatriate you pretty quickly and I don’t think anywhere in Europe did full lockdown with no notice.

I’m more comfortable in a villa than a hotel and don’t plan to visit restaurants etc but you can make your own judgement call on those things. I have three young children so restaurants aren’t relaxing anyway!

Typing this sat in an AI resort in Rhodes.

The staff are always cleaning. Can't self serve yourself any food or drinks. Staff in masks. Decent social distancing though the French and Germans are the worst for abiding by the recommendation. Lots of distance between sun beds. Wiped down between uses.

Honestly, it's fine. Get a decent mask for the plane - suspend some of your general expectations - and take it as it comes. No one here is having a shitty time and the weather is gorgeous. Frankly you spend most of your time outside where transmission is less likely. The limited capacity also helps.

I'd recommend Greece over Spain though.

I would go but not with kids (who are young) as I would be stressed about getting them the food they want at the time they want, more rules than usual, potentially getting stuck etc. Not particularly worried about getting covid, but would worry about what to do if for example I just got a regular cough when abroad.

Have also heard horror stories of people booking easyjet and they are cancelling flights left right and centre a few days/hours before.

If it was just me and DH I'd go but as it stands I don't fancy the stress and we've booked a UK self catering holiday instead.

Don't think you're crazy to consider though. It just sounds a bit too much hassle to me, but not crazy.

I'm going to Majorca on Sunday, so I don't think you're crazy! (well no more so than I am anyway).

Going to Rhodes on Saturday...

Hoping to go to Greece in 2 weeks
I think just be prepared fir an evolving situation and possible local restrictions

I have just booked Greece with Jet2. 10 days. Picked a lovely adults only resort.

I reviewed the hotels own website for their Covid policy and I was satisfied with what they had put in place.

Also jet2 will change your holiday for free if any of your party are affected by Covid and cannot travel. That includes any local lockdown.

The Greece government will pay for any medical treatment required if you are ill with Covid.

They are testing 1 in 10 travellers upon entry. If you test positive they will send you to a quarantine hotel for 14 days at their cost (apparently the hotel is great).

I felt confident in booking

I'm holding firm and not booking anything. My friend works in a large local hospital and the whole staff of the hospital are being swabbed this week because they're beginning to see a surge in cases again. If I had the opportunity I'd consider a short break in the UK, but not overseas.

I'm going to Turkey in September.

Only reason not going until then is it's too hot for me July and August.

Heading to France next week, driving over then self catering once there with private pool. Can’t wait!

Just back from Mallorca. It was great. Felt much safer than here!

I’d wait and book super last minute, so you know the situation in the place you are looking at. A lot can change in 4 or 5 weeks

I'm just looking around at all some options - is it me or is everything extremely expensive ?

We decided to go ahead with our holiday when I saw how reasonable insurance with COVID cover was (purchased a week or so ago). I’m glad we’re going by ferry but we’re not fans of flying anyway. Check you can get insurance then go for it I say.

I think booking a package is somewhat safer should something happen.

We were supposed to be going to Barcelona with BA in 3 weeks but due to the rising number of cases we asked to cancel and get a voucher instead and have just used it to book Palma. I really didn’t fancy Barcelona where you have to wear a mask at the pool and beach!

Our holiday to Mallorca was cancelled due to the return flight not running so we're going to Fuerteventura in September. I can't wait. We've been to the hotel before so we know that there's plenty of space to socially distance round the pools and in the restaurants.

We've still got the insurance we bought before all this kicked off so we're fine (I have checked).

We've got a villa in Turkey booked for early September.

We have a ‘big’ anniversary coming up, DH is talking about booking a week away for two in maybe Mexico or the Caribbean for November but I’m not sure how I feel about that... longer flights, AI hotel etc...

In Greece right now (holiday booked back in November and we were really lucky that the timing of them reopening to UK visitors just happened to work). It is lovely. We are in a villa so the only changes to "normal" are that you have to remember a mask for the supermarket. Restaurants all open, waiting staff with masks, shops all open. It is quieter than normal with fewer non-Greek tourists around.

For Greece I would bear in mind that they are concerned and the impact of letting British tourists in, and they may bar direct flights from the UK again if it causes problems, so check what cover you would have if that happens. At the moment a proportion of arrivals from the UK are selected for covid tests and have to self isolate for 24 hours (then you can yet on with your holiday if you are negative) but you can do this at your planned destination (if you test positive they will move you to another hotel where you quarantine for 14 days).

The flight and airport were fine, and we have 2 small children in tow. I thought it would be a nightmare, actually it was basically the same as always.

Booked to go Sunday to Greece. Hotel seems really organised. Cant wait.

@HostessTrolley

We've got a villa in Turkey booked for early September.

We have a ‘big’ anniversary coming up, DH is talking about booking a week away for two in maybe Mexico or the Caribbean for November but I’m not sure how I feel about that... longer flights, AI hotel etc...

A colleague had a holiday in Mexico end of October cancelled today

Ooh thanks for that info x I’m telling him that waiting for next year might be better, he’s saying that if we just check that it can be moved if it’s cancelled then we should be fine...

A relative is in Mallorca at the moment. Hos FB pictures show no social distancing.

If I was under 40, I would worry about Covid anymore than any other risks.

In the Dordogne at the moment having a lovely time. Staying in a villa, shops & restaurants all open as normal, insurance was fine, travelling through Stansted really quiet and well organised, really don’t see the downside?

I'm currently in Spain drinking wine on the balcony. It's lovely! Masks in airport, plane, transport and whenever out and about. But not round pool as we are in private apartment complex. Also ok sunbathing or swimming at the beach. Once you're in a bar or restaurant not needed. It's getting busier and apart from masks no different to usual.