To wonder why people are booking holidays abroad...

[MrsMillhouse]

... when the rules seem to change every 5 minutes?

I understand those desperate to see family. But otherwise I don’t get why you would take the risk of getting your holiday canceled or have to spend £000s on quarantine as the bloody rules seem to change from day to day

The people I know who have been/ are going abroad: 1) have a holiday home where they’re going and would be permitted by that country’s laws to quarantine there if necessary 2) are double jabbed/ have children under 18 3) have robust travel insurance 4) have weighed up risk v benefit and are going for it 5) are actually pretty responsible and test regularly etc / keep covid rules. So I have no issue with it even though my risk assessment may be different.

I really feel for people who have booked holidays abroad only to have the rules changed at the last minute. We usually holiday in the UK so not much has changed for us (apart from prices and availability), but I know I’d be devastated if we had to cancel. That’s still a risk if we had to self isolate but at least we wouldn’t have to deal with extra costs.

Personally I wouldn’t have want to take the risk, but people are desperate to get away so I can understand it.

Because the culture shock you get from being abroad is good for the brain and soul, we’re double vaccinated, really bored, and we’re going to have to live with Covid around maybe forever. Holiday place is cancellable until the day before, have accepted that the flights might be too much rigmarole to claim (they were quite cheap) and have accepted we might lose that. Also know that things could get really complicated when we’re there - if we get there - and we may regret going. Booked a month ago for a week at end August; things were looking simpler a month ago. But I’m just so, so bored - low level depression, I think - and want to remind myself of the good times.

My neighbours were in their garden loudly booking a holiday to Mexico yesterday for their entire family (grandparents 65 + 75), 3 children aged 25-40 + 2 partners and 11 year old granddaughter. All of them are extremely overweight and the oldest one has a variety of health conditions.

The holiday isn't rebooking something that was planned prepandemic, it's a totally new one. They're planning to go in 2 weeks time and we're having a half-hearted discussion about what they'll do if everything changes whilst they're there and which ones in the party have been double vaccinated. It would be too risky for me, but they seemed happy about it.

Because people have jobs that can be done anywhere and travel is fun is why?

I agree OP, I’m stressed enough about our UK holiday at the end of August incase Wales locks down and stops people coming in again (we have had it cancelled twice already). I can’t imagine why people would book a holiday abroad knowing there’s a very high chance it will be cancelled or they may get stuck either isolating or unable to fly home. I wouldn’t be able to relax even once out there incase you have to drop everything and leave.

If we didn't have two small children we'd definitely be chancing going away somewhere.

Can someone explain to me what I’ve done that is so bad? I really don’t understand it.

I’ve needed a few days abroad because I’m burnt out and I need to relax. My MH is not great and I know a few days for the first time in a lifetime of just no one to worry about but me and spending time with my best friend will do me the world of good.

I’ve only booked flights, because I’m staying with my friend, and even if I do have to cancel them and rebook they weren’t that expensive.

What am I doing that is so terrible?

But lots of people wouldn’t have to drop everything and leave. Those with holiday homes abroad can stay there and may be able to work remotely- that gives them more flexibility.

And I work from home. If I get stuck I can work from abroad it makes no difference.

Work are planning for my travel to resume in September anyway so surely it’s no odds?

@Cornishmumofone

My neighbours were in their garden loudly booking a holiday to Mexico yesterday for their entire family (grandparents 65 + 75), 3 children aged 25-40 + 2 partners and 11 year old granddaughter. All of them are extremely overweight and the oldest one has a variety of health conditions.

The holiday isn't rebooking something that was planned prepandemic, it's a totally new one. They're planning to go in 2 weeks time and we're having a half-hearted discussion about what they'll do if everything changes whilst they're there and which ones in the party have been double vaccinated. It would be too risky for me, but they seemed happy about it.

Good for them. I hope they have a great time. Even tho they are extremely overweight

I can understand people visiting family

I can't be bothered with all the forms, tests, cancellations etc

I've already had a couple of lovely holidays in UK & I've got some more booked. Have been lucky with the weather so far. Why make life difficult ? Spend money to help our economy

Our french one was moved from last year and isn’t cancellable.
Might as well try (otherwise we’d lose the whole 8k)

The tests and forms really aren't much effort as long as you are well informed and organised.

Braver than me, but that's not a remotely bad thing.
Probably my weakness to be a control freak is why I'm not so brave.

How does the weather make a difference to me? What I need is a break and some downtime and I can’t get that at home.

The places I normally travel to are not open yet for foreigners

@5823MintY

The places I normally travel to are not open yet for foreigners

Try somewhere new then? A lot of the places I want to go to aren't letting people in either.

In addition - I can’t get almost a week away for under £50 plus spends at home.

People have always had differing attitudes towards risk- why is that so difficult to understand? Some people always focus in the worst case scenario and others are optimistic and happy to take the risk. Life has ever been thus.
We have just got back from Greeve and it was amazing. Yes, there was a bit more preparation involved in it than normal but it wasn't too onerous. We got our heads around the possible (very small) risk of testing positive and having to delay our return home and we assimilated that risk. So far this year that hasn't happened to anyone on the Greek island we visited.

We were in South America when the original lockdown happened last March and we had to change our plans and fly home early. It was a bit of a pain but so what? Who wants a quiet life? Not me :)

I wouldn't risk it right now and not just because of the rule changes.

I have a double jabbed friend (52) who did a few days in Blackpool last week, caught covid and has been very unwell this week. Wouldn't want that and unable to get back home on a flight.

@lljkk

Braver than me, but that's not a remotely bad thing. Probably my weakness to be a control freak is why I'm not so brave.

To be fair the week before we went away (Mallorca) it was somewhat stressful cos they brought the PCR to arrive there rule in the day after we booked, which was 4 days before we were due to leave. But we figured it all out and forgot about the hassle as soon as we were on the plane. I'd do it again, but I do also get why people don't feel like they could be arsed or wouldn't want to risk it.

@99victoria

People have always had differing attitudes towards risk- why is that so difficult to understand? Some people always focus in the worst case scenario and others are optimistic and happy to take the risk. Life has ever been thus. We have just got back from Greeve and it was amazing. Yes, there was a bit more preparation involved in it than normal but it wasn't too onerous. We got our heads around the possible (very small) risk of testing positive and having to delay our return home and we assimilated that risk. So far this year that hasn't happened to anyone on the Greek island we visited.

We were in South America when the original lockdown happened last March and we had to change our plans and fly home early. It was a bit of a pain but so what? Who wants a quiet life? Not me :)

Jealous of the South America thing. I was meant to be going to South America April 2020. I am still sad I haven't been able to go yet. One day...

It's because things have been changing so fast that we've been travelling a bit more than usual, between Iceland and the UK. Seize the opportunities while they're there because unfortunately it can't be taken for granted at the moment.

Because actually it's not that bad? I went abroad last week (green list) but even amber list is ok if you've had two jabs. No pre travel test needed, antigen test for €30 in resort before returning which was very simple to arrange, and day 2 test (£42) on return. I'm very glad I went, we had a lovely time. I'm also very glad that so many others are supporting the travel industry. If people are expecting completely normal holidays anytime soon, they're going to be disappointed.