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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Absolutely gutted we cancelled our Greek holiday because of covid :{

208 replies

mostwonderfultime · 28/07/2020 11:41

We decided to cancel this year because we were concerned about having to isolate if anyone on the plane was found to have covid, and also because we thought it was too much money or a holiday that was potentially not going to be as good as pre/post covid what with masks, social distancing etc. But now I keep seeing pictures on Facebook etc of people seemingly having amazing holidays abroad. I also feel bad for my dc who've complied with home learning and been cooped up for months and should be on a lovely holiday nowSad

OP posts:
Aridane · 30/07/2020 06:55

Thank you, @PurpleFlower1983. I am having a lovely time - so much so that I have contacted TUI to extend my time here

wapphighwood · 30/07/2020 07:01

Just back from Greece, had a fabulous holiday. Breezed through airports because they are quiet, masks on the plane but you get used to it. Hotel right amount of busy, enough for atmosphere but not crowded. We've said if we come back next year it probably won't be as good because it will be busier. Staff wearing visors but you just get used to that and don't even notice after a short time. The infection level in Greece is so low we are at a lower risk here than at home, and by taking ourselves out of the Uk where the infection rate is higher aren't we reducing the risk to others in uk? (Not an expert!) we appreciate how lucky we have been, the dates just worked out for us and we managed to get away as planned. If you can book last minute? We also appreciate that the chance to come away might not be there next year if the virus carries on and peaks again so we went for it while we could.

daisypond · 30/07/2020 08:07

The infection level in Greece is so low we are at a lower risk here than at home, and by taking ourselves out of the Uk where the infection rate is higher aren't we reducing the risk to others in uk?
You’re increasing the risk to people in Greece, in transporting the virus to them.

HeyBlaby · 30/07/2020 08:16

'How thoughtless and self centred of people to be posting Greek holiday pictures on facebook in the current environment, when so many have had holidays cancelled'

You must be permanently offended.

wapphighwood · 30/07/2020 08:27

Yes we could be bringing the virus with us but equally Greece is so reliant on tourism for their economy that our spending here is helping prevent those deaths that would happen as a result of their economic problems. I think that argument works both ways

Charlottejade89 · 30/07/2020 08:31

We just had our holiday to Greece cancelled yesterday and we are gutted. It was supposed to be out honeymoon but obviously wedding has been postponed and first holiday was cancelled. We got a refund and when we heard about the air bridges we rebooked the same holiday but the hotel emailed us yesterday saying that basically they haven't had enough bookings to justify opening so they are going to remain closed until next year. We are kind of relieved in a way though too as we aren't wernt taking our two year old (staying with my mum) and were getting anxious about the possibility of getting stuck out there due to having to quarentine or lockdown. Trying to find a get away in the UK but everything is booked or mega expensive!

Ohsuchaperfectday · 30/07/2020 08:32

We've cancelled holidays too op I only know a few people that didn't.

We are going here instead.
Holidays mean different things to different people.
To me when we couldn't afford anything at all for years, a '' holiday '' is a change if scene even for one night.

I remember one night, £90 last minute in a family room next to a beach.
We left really early in the morning and got on the beach at 10am. Stayed late the next day and were blessed with amazing weather. It felt like a weeks holiday on our return it was wonderful.

We are doing a few nights in a b and b and I'm grateful for that. Hope we have good weather. Everything we booked is moved to next year as most people have done.

I hope you have a break somewhere op... It's important to have a change of scene at least!

Holidayaddict · 30/07/2020 08:35

I only know one person (so far) who has gone abroad and it's their 2nd home and they can WFH if need to quarantine. I know several others who would normally always go abroad but have cancelled in favour of UK breaks, including one who should be in Greece right now. We took the decision to cancel ours in early June while there was still UK availability and before prices shot up. I did wonder if we'd done the right thing as it looked like we could've gone after all but now of course things are changing again so definitely not worth the hassle and worry!

We're on our UK break now, weather has been ok and it's a much needed change of scenery and a rest as I worked flat out throughout lockdown. Personally, I enjoy UK holidays but understand it may not be for everyone. We're self catering in a fairly remote location and have not been to any pubs or restaurants as DH is worried about being caught by test & trace as he can't WFH.

I believe availability in the UK is now low but Premier Inn are doing good deals if you want to get away for a night or 2. Or just do some nice days out.

Yanbu to be disappointed but you've done the right thing.

PurpleFlower1983 · 30/07/2020 09:01

We had a cruise cancelled and cancelled our holiday to Florida early on as Trump is batshit crazy but we did manage to book 4 days camping in the forest and a week in a cottage in Cornwall. I’m worried about Cornwall as their numbers have shot up a little recently so the risks of Staycations are there too.

SteelyPanther · 30/07/2020 09:02

We decided not to book. And we wont be going in October either as that’s the start of the flu season. Don’t want to risk a double whammy !
We’ve just accepted that it will probably be next Easter before we go away.

minipie · 30/07/2020 10:17

You must be permanently offended.

Not offended as these pictures aren’t offensive Confused. Just rather show-offy.

Barney60 · 30/07/2020 11:05

i think youve done the right thing, although totally get why your p**d off. ive missed 2 free holidays!! 1 a friend lives abroad invited to go, 2nd another friend had hired a 10 bed villa was invited to join. so not free as such just free accommodation. But mine and family,s health is MORE important. I couldnt afford to be away then isolate /ill abroad for another 10 days/ 2 weeks , or until recovered.

Aragog · 30/07/2020 13:15

Just rather show-offy.
^*
Not really, not if you have social media for real friends and family.*^

A photo of me on holiday in a pretty french village is ultimately no more show iffy than a picture of my friend on holiday in a pretty English village.

FelicisNox · 30/07/2020 15:38

YANBU, I think we all feel like this.

My boss sadly had Covid for 3 months and our department had to fend for themselves in the midst of a pandemic and she's now buggered off on holiday to Greece for a week. I'm really not that bothered (if anyone deserves a holiday it's her) but it's created a LOT of bad feeling in our workplace.

I'm still having my annual leave (after moving my abroad holiday to next year) and I'm having 1 week at the seaside and 1 at home.

Can't wait.

redgirl1 · 30/07/2020 16:01

I think in a rented house it’s manageable. Wouldn’t fancy going to big resort or campsite. I drove passed a campsite yesterday, overall didn’t look too bad but I could see lots queuing to go down swimming pool slide and I did think hmmmm.

redgirl1 · 30/07/2020 16:03

We drove to France, the euro tunnel is very safe. Airports don’t appeal much at the moment but I can’t see a problem to get in your car and drive to France doesn’t seem much different to driving somewhere in uk.

Leflic · 30/07/2020 16:10

@Aragog

Just rather show-offy. ^* Not really, not if you have social media for real friends and family.*^

A photo of me on holiday in a pretty french village is ultimately no more show iffy than a picture of my friend on holiday in a pretty English village.

Presumably being such real friends and family they already know you are going. Literally there’s no other point to posting photos other than to show you’re there. I absolutely defy you to say that out of 20 close friends and family there won’t be people who think you’ve made an error of judgement. To them it will look crass.Theres a big difference between holidaying in the U.K. where most people won’t do more than 500 odd miles and the massive continent of Europe.

I have friends holidaying in France, Spain and Austria at the moment for various reasons. Not a single one is posting “ look what a lovely time/place/meal we’re having”. Because it’s still an ongoing pandemic and they’re sensitive to that..
.

Aragog · 30/07/2020 17:01

I don't care if I'm being judged by a so called friend or family. It's my SM and I can post a photograph of a lovely french village etc if I want.

My SM photograph albums also act as a back up for me partially too - I download them when home to add to my SLT photographs I hold on U.K. computer.

I currently have friends and family posting about holidays in the UK and abroad, days out at the beach, nature reserved, restaurants and bars, tourist attractions, new hair cuts, etc.

My real friends and family know what a crummy time we've had this year before and since lockdown. My real friends and family aren't begrudging us having a few days away to completely stop with work and the relentlessness if dealing with the aftermath of so many deaths in such a short time

Delete, hide or unfollow if how a person uses their own SM bothers you. It's very simply - I do it myself regularly!

Most of my family and friends don't have the big issue with how others use SM to be honest either. That seems to be much more common in MN than in real life.

corythatwas · 30/07/2020 17:20

The infection level in Greece is so low we are at a lower risk here than at home, and by taking ourselves out of the Uk where the infection rate is higher aren't we reducing the risk to others in uk?

Just picking my jaw off the floor here.

So if the infection rates were low in the Uk and much higher, say, in Portugal, you think it would be a good and public-spirited thing for the Portuguese all to travel here so they could keep the other Portuguese safe from their infectiousness?

Or do you genuinely not think of other nationalities as people?

girlofthenorth · 30/07/2020 17:32

Yes it's rubbish- cancelled ours too- to Catalonia as it happens. But going somewhere in U.K. and fingers crossed for weather Confused

wapphighwood · 30/07/2020 18:33

Of course they are people, that wasn't the meaning of my post. Every Greek person we spoke to were pleased we had travelled despite the risk it brings to them, because they need the tourism income.

MorningManiacMusic · 30/07/2020 19:17

YANBU OP.
I wonder if the "I'm going to take a flask of hot tea and sit in the rain and you should do the same" posters are the same ones who make a chicken last for 8 weeks and buy their kids a toothbrush for Christmas.

I have had Denmark-Berlin and Vienna city breaks cancelled (the easyJet vouchers are piling up!) And I cancelled Spain last week (supposed to be going next week) I have also not yet booked my London-Kent annual happy place holiday because ironically maybe I'm not sure how safe is feel in the UK. (I'm not there)

Lots of offers on Greece with Tui at the moment and am sorely tempted, but would book totally last minute I think. I've not ruled it out .

Friends of mine are in the Algarve (one is from the north of Portugal others are Brits) and they confirm that everything is fine, open, clean and nicer than usual. Others I know are in Zante and I can see from their pics (so shoot the cheeky fuckers) that it's not nearly as Brits abroad as usual which is no bad thing.

I may end up holidaying here- Sorrento about 39-49% cheaper than usual. And really go for broke to Santorini next year.

Harls1969 · 30/07/2020 20:24

We should be in San Diego right now. Gutted we're not...but also slightly relieved. Not sure now is the right time for foreign travel. We've just had a nice couple of days at the seaside in the UK instead (it was really quiet too)

Aragog · 30/07/2020 21:13

We've actually made a last minute decision to return to England tomorrow just incase. We changed our Eurostar to tomorrow and will spend the last day of our holiday in London rather than France just incase the rules change suddenly. As my nana's funeral has now (this afternoon) been arranged for within the fortnight and it seems the U.K. government are making quick decisions and adding quarantine with no warning (ie Luxembourg taken off the exempt list this evening) it was worth our while.

Our holiday is still the same length we will just change the last day to England rather than France.

Just fingers crossed no more added this evening or tomorrow until I'm checked in!

Mumtumwobble · 30/07/2020 21:19

OP I think you’ve done the right thing. We cancelled our holiday to Turkey and I’m gutted we’re not going, but it was the right decision. Just look at what is happening in Spain right now. You never know, it could be Greece next. There will be other holidays.