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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think it's OK to travel now?

161 replies

dabbydeedoo · 18/11/2021 17:41

I have absolutely tons of annual leave to use up and am looking at places to travel to over the next month or two. A friend of mine made a really snippy comment about it not being right to travel "in the middle of a pandemic" and AIBU to think she's wrong?

I think that attitude made sense throughout 2020, and I didn't go anywhere, but we're now almost two years into the pandemic and most of us are vaccinated and there are systems and testing in place to mitigate risk. I don't think it's reasonable to expect people not to go on holiday or travel to see friends and family at this point. Covid is everywhere and it's here to stay, so I don't understand why it's acceptable to go for a long weekend in Edinburgh but not Prague or Barcelona. Provided we're prepared to take precautions like wear masks and be sensible, I don't think we can be expected to curtail our lives for much longer.

AIBU?

OP posts:
MsTSwift · 18/11/2021 23:17

It’s a right pain with teens as they deemed unvaccinated so lots mire admin and restrictions but as long as you don’t have teens it’s fine

Oriunda · 18/11/2021 23:22

@GreenFingersWouldBeHandy

Just be prepared to allow a lot more time at the airport (both departing and arriving and in return), get all your forms and paperwork printed out (including passenger locator forms) and expect other people queuing behind you and on the plane to cough everywhere without a mask, then get arsey when you ask them to put one on.

I found it so stressful on a break last month I'm not planning on leaving the UK again anytime soon (although the week in the sun was gorgeous).

Don’t print your forms out- it’s people doing that that makes the queues longer as they shuffle bits of paper around! Plus no one wants to be handling it. Have all your forms ready to show on your phone.

Everyone on the flights I’ve been on has been wearing a mask. Some countries like Italy also require a negative test before you fly.

Depending on where you go, you will be much less at risk of getting Covid than here on plague island. Particularly in many countries in Europe, where you can’t get into an indoor venue unless you show your vaccine pass, and mask up on public transport etc.

I’d probably avoid red states in the US, though.

Zaplollies · 18/11/2021 23:25

I went last summer and I was told it was ‘absolutely ridiculous to be going during a pandemic’, I went this summer too and I’ve heard the ‘selfish’ comment.

A lot of it is jealousy

Apparently it’s totally ok to holiday in the UK though Hmm at 3 times the cost

Original poster
dabbydeedoo · 18/11/2021 23:38

@Zaplollies

I went last summer and I was told it was ‘absolutely ridiculous to be going during a pandemic’, I went this summer too and I’ve heard the ‘selfish’ comment.

A lot of it is jealousy

Apparently it’s totally ok to holiday in the UK though Hmm at 3 times the cost

I just couldn't afford to holiday in the UK during the annual leave I had to take in August. I genuinely tried, but anywhere remotely nice was booked up or hundreds of pounds a night, and trains were rammed. I had a wonderful week abroad for about a third of the price - perfect weather, change of scenery, change of culture. I came back feeling like I'd had a proper break. I did do the Isle of Wight for a few days in early summer, on a cheapish (comparatively) midweek hotel deal, but it just didn't feel like I really went 'away'. It was still nice but I just didn't feel like it was worth spending so much money to essentially still be in England.

Can't understand what's selfish about travelling abroad when fully vaccinated and taking precautions. How is it any different to travelling in the UK, or doing anything at all? It seems like a very 2020 attitude to me. Vaccinations were supposed to be the way out, weren't they?

OP posts:
Zaplollies · 18/11/2021 23:41

Exactly, if vaccinations aren’t our way out then I don’t know what is. It’s not selfish at all to want a holiday or to travel abroad. With that mentality it’s basically selfish to do anything that involves leaving home and being near other people. People have been through enough by now

immersivereader · 18/11/2021 23:43

Just go for it op.

Only reason we're not travelling this Christmas is because the kids are vaccinated and would have to isolate from school for two weeks upon our return!

Go and enjoy 🏫🍸

MajorCarolDanvers · 18/11/2021 23:43

Go for it and enjoy

Luredbyapomegranate · 19/11/2021 00:10

@RuggerHug

Travelling to family abroad and being sensible is one thing. I'm bored and want a holiday Hmm not so much.
It’s Nov 21 PP, not Nov 20…

Travelling is allowed. You might choose not to, but it is a reasonable choice to go ahead, not least for its contributions to the economy.

OP, just tell your friend you will have to agree to differ, and close down any further discussion.

Hairbrush123 · 19/11/2021 00:32

Go for it OP. I have been on holiday five times since March 2020 and am due to visit Brazil next month. Cheaper than ever, not many tourists, covid protocols in place - just follow the rules and you’ll be fine! No need to feel guilty for supporting an industry that supports millions globally.

Iflyaway · 19/11/2021 08:08

No need to feel guilty for supporting an industry that supports millions globally.

Well said.

Travel lover myself. Been to southern Europe twice this summer - 1 a family visit.

Snailhaterz2 · 19/11/2021 08:24

I'm off to Paris via Eurostar next week, and looking forward to it so much, despite the additional Covid/Brexit-related faff. I've got a lot of Eurostar vouchers left over from Before Times, and will be booking more weekends or similar for early 2022 - as something to look forward to. But, there's currently a lot of flexibility so that they can be moved if conditions change. But, basically, yes, I think its ok to travel - but with some caution. There's a big world out there and it would be a shame not to visit some of it!

borntobequiet · 19/11/2021 08:27

I’ve actually felt far safer on my trips abroad than here, and safer in the airport/on the plane than in my place of work.

Wowwowwowwowwow · 19/11/2021 08:33

Go for it OP. We can't stay locked up forever and I've lost enough to this already.

I went away twice in the S ummer. No way was I going to a rainy cottage in the UK that cost 4x as much.

No it's not 'necessary' but neither is anything fun or joyful and these are the things that make life great!

lololololollll · 19/11/2021 08:39

@Suspiciousmind20

ThePoisonousMushroom

I gave up flying for holidays a few years ago. The emissions are so high. I flew to get to a funeral as it was the only option and I needed to be there. We may fly to see relatives at some point in the future but gave up flying just for a holiday around 7 years ago and had cut right back before then. It’s an easy way to cut individual carbon footprint by a huge amount.

Regardless of the pandemic, flights just for holidays should become a thing of the past. There is a Swedish word for flight shame because of just this.

Youve saved the world babes, congrats
Tal45 · 19/11/2021 08:41

We've been on holidays in the UK a few times and abroad a few times. On our UK holidays the roads were a nightmare, prices were ridiculous, the weather was crap, two activities we planned were cancelled because of the weather and popular spots were over run and parking was a nightmare. Our holidays abroad the weather was wonderful, accommodation was half the price, flights were quiet, places were not over run and we had an amazing time.

Go abroad OP and have a fantastic time!

toomuchlaundry · 19/11/2021 08:45

Does the environment ever cross anyone’s mind when they book multiple holidays abroad?

TreaslakeandBack · 19/11/2021 08:48

Definitely go for it! We had a week in the Canaries in October and it was amazing. It’s definitely time for normal life to resume and that includes holidays.
We are jabbed and took lots of masks and hand sanitizer.

MsTSwift · 19/11/2021 08:50

Yeah I have flight shame now for sure. The person that took 40 flights! Don’t you feel guilty?! I would love to not feel guilty and fly to my hearts content… we are going to use train / car where possible to get away to Europe

gogohm · 19/11/2021 08:52

I'm away now... we were sensible and didn't travel far but decided to go for some winter sun ... you have to mask on the plane, in resort it's masks indoors when not eating or drinking otherwise pretty normal. People travelled last year too so don't see why we should be martyrs

OhGiveUp · 19/11/2021 08:53

Go for it OP.
I've been abroad a few times both for holidays and to visit family since the pandemic started.
Just check the status of the country which you want to visit prior to booking and fill in the passenger locator form etc.
Take no notice of the pandemic / environmental naysayers.
Enjoy. ☀️🏖️

Abraxan · 19/11/2021 08:53

@toomuchlaundry

Does the environment ever cross anyone’s mind when they book multiple holidays abroad?
To an extent yes.

But the reality is that I'm not about to only holiday in my local area for the rest of my life.

Instead I have looked at other ways I can reduce my environmental impact whilst still enjoying travel.

It's not ideal, I know.

But in my experience it's what most people do.

The only people I know who are willing to say no flying for holidays are ones who never did it (for a range of reasons but generally nothing to do with the environment) or who weren't interested before. It's easy to give up something that doesn't interest you

I could ask why everyone isn't becoming vegetarian to help the environment. But that's easy for me to say because way before (35 years ago) these current concerns I'd stopped eating meat.

I could ask why everyone isn't driving electric cars rather than petrol:diesel but again it's because I already do and am fortunate enough to be able to afford to do so, as they are currently dearer.

Or why people continue to have more than one child and no pets? Again a very easy decision for me as I had little say in whether I only had one child and pet ownership doesn't interest me.

gogohm · 19/11/2021 08:56

Oh and the airport was quiet both ends coming, Spanish entry paperwork is easy - it's approx 22 degrees max so do bring a cardi for the evening if you choose the canaries. Rates here are lower than Britain

OhGiveUp · 19/11/2021 08:57

@Toomuchlaundry Personally no.

toomuchlaundry · 19/11/2021 08:58

@OhGiveUp is there a reason you don't?

gogohm · 19/11/2021 08:59

@MsTSwift 40 flights is likely for work. Pre covid dp would fly 2-3 times a month for work, he manages the whole European region for a multinational - he doubts it will return though (brilliant) as everyone loves zoom!