Going to Italy

[hardyloveit]

Myself and a few friends are going to northern Italy next month. However where we are going is literally where they have it on lock down due to coronavirus. The travel agent isn't replying to my emails to ask wether it's been cancelled. We aren't sure what to do. Insurance won't pay out if we cancel but where we are going is all locked down - we wouldn't be able to do anything. One of the friends has already pulled out due to this

YABU- to cancel
Yanbu- to go

What would you do?

Is next month like next week or in about a month? If in a month, I would probably wait and see a bit. Is it a package holiday? Or can you use the flights and then get a cheap accommodation in another city?

I wouldn't go to be honest

When do you travel? My guess is the travel agent isn't replying because he doesn't know anything. I'd be inclined to wait a few days to see what happens - it might be that there are some travel restrictions to that part of Italy before you travel anyway. I think travel insurance would pay out then

When next month? I would give the Travel Agent more time to cancel the trip so that you then get offered an alternative holiday.

Check the government site as well as they may well advise UK tourists not to travel there.

Try not to cancel yourself unless you really have to because, as you say, you will not get an insurance payout.

I agree - wait for a few days to see how things pan out. Your insurance may well pay out if there is formal government advice not to travel. For the time being, hold your nerve!

We're also supposed to be going in the first week of April. Flights are to Milan, staying around Lake Garda.

At the moment I think it's just wait and see, but it's not looking good is it? Ours isn't a package deal so I'm already starting to accept that we may well just lose our money. There's no point stressing about it now though, it's not like we can change anything , what will be will be.
We have insurance, I'm guessing we wont have a claim unless official travel restrictions come into place.

I would wait. If the govt advises against travel to the area and flights are cancelled you will receive a refund.
I have a lot of experience of this at the moment as I live in China and one by one all my flights have been cancelled until mid April. I did not cancel anything myself and just waited for the airline to do so and received a full refund.

I called the travel agent and because flights etc haven't been cancelled yet they won't refund but have said they will keep us updated. We go the beginning of March

I imagine it will be cancelled - is it a package holiday? If your insurance won't pay out if you cancel then you can only really wait and see anyway. Personally, I would cancel any reservations that could be cancelled with no penalty (e.g. accommodation that can be cancelled in advance) and wait for the rest. I am in northern Italy (in a city which hasn't had any cases yet) and all the museums are closed this week so not great for tourists!

I would wait. If the govt advises against travel to the area and flights are cancelled you will receive a refund.

One of mine is due to travel around east Asia starting in May. We're waiting to see what, if anything, happens.

I think you just have to hang fire as government instructions are changing hourly. We live in the south but I just met two of my ex students' mums, one kid is coming home from Milan because they've closed all unis, the other has been here for the weekend, due to fly back today but can't because the uni is closed.
A group of my students HAS left for New York this morning despite all school trips being cancelled.
Tbh, if things continue to escalate, the decision will be taken out of your hands because they'll close the airports.
Friends visited last week and were met by health officials suited and booted to check them over and that was in the south, before the confirmed cases in the north.

I certainly wouldn't go. You'll have to wait and see if flights will be cancelled but as suggested, see if you can cancel accommodation now without penalty.

Definitely wouldn’t be going if it was me. However I would do as others have said and hang fire on cancelling it yourself and wait for it to be cancelled by the travel agent.

You won't necessarily get a refund. The Italian govt has blocked all school trips BUT my kids going to NY decided to go ahead anyway because they would not have been refunded.
Apparently it depends on airlines/agencies used, "acts beyond airline control" on your insurance Doc's etc.
I'm also waiting as dd's class is supposed to be going to Malta in 3 weeks.

Thanks everyone. It's a package holiday. Flights and accommodation included. I just don't want to get there for everything to be closed! It's good they are locking everything down to try and contain the virus. If it does get cancelled we will hopefully try and rebook (hard to do when we all have kids and work! We booked this 8 months in advance as we had to all get the same dates off work and also have our dh off to have the kids too!) urgh!

We’re due to fly to Milan at the end of April, just have to see what happens but we fully intend to go if there is no Government advice to indicate we shouldn’t.

We were due to go to Barcelona last October when the riots were happening so we’re determined not to miss another trip!

A month is a while - things might change so I'd try not to commit one way or the other.

We are due to travel to East Asia (not China) in about 6 weeks, and I am intending to go as planned, but ready to bail and suck up any financial consequences if things do worsen.

We all decided not to go (should be there now!) luckily we're didn't as the whole of Italy is now on lock down! Got an email from travel people to say we will be in touch with refunds!

Glad you're getting a refund OP and that you made the decision not to, that could have been stressful.

Phew! Glad you’re getting a refund , sounds like you made the right choice

Me too! I'm surprised it has taken so long to stop flights to Italy!

We are going in September, not on a package though. Fingers crossed it will have blown over by then.