Would we be crazy to book a holiday?

[RedPandaFluff]

DD is nine months old, and I'm knackered. I would LOVE a change of scenery, a few days in the sunshine, a wee adventure. Under normal circumstances we would book a week away in October somewhere and I was thinking Crete, or the Canaries, or Cyprus . . . anywhere, really!

However - would it be crazy to do this, in the current state of the world? What would be the worst that could happen? I'm still on maternity leave, and DH has been working from home since lockdown started (and probably will, for the foreseeable future), so if we had to quarantine it would be doable.

Could we? Should we? My brain is too befuddled as to what we can and can't do now

I wouldn’t as it wouldn’t resemble a normal relaxing holiday for me with all the restrictions that could alter overnight.

Not crazy at all IMO.

We just did it and it worked wonders for our mental health.

We’re not big holiday people and only go away once a year.

It was so much quieter and safer where we went. Rules, masks etc were being used and followed.

The fact we felt safer there also was very calming.

Go for it. Don't see why you shouldn't.

We’ve got our honeymoon in two weeks. It’s been horrendous waiting for news. We’ll have no idea if we’ll make it until the day or so before, I don’t think. It was originally May, but got cancelled in April. I think this time is somehow worse, because it’s already the reschedule, and it feels so close but so far away?

I think we’ll need the holiday to prepare for trying to go on the holiday...

We went away at the end of July and it was great (am also on maternity leave). We were supposed to go away again but quarantine rules out paid to that. The idea of spending two weeks stuck inside with a very active baby/toddler was too much for me. In terms of actually travelling and being away, I had no concerns at all.

I recently went to Crete. Had to cut it short because of the new rules around quarantine as am a healthcare worker and can’t work from home. It was so peaceful, relaxing and safe. I ate like a king every night by the sea, drank raki and spent the days on the beach or by the pool. Just a lovely island. Highly highly recommend at this time.

Probably best to go somewhere not on the quarantine list though simply because it might invalidate any insurance if the FCO is advising against travel to a particular area. Your EHIC would still be valid though.

Another thing to consider is entry requirements, Cyprus for example wand a negative Covid test taken 48 hours or less before departure. If you can afford a private test, great, if not it ,might be tricky to get one done at the moment.

I'm tempted by a very last minute break at Half Term but there are a lot of things to consider. Including, what is health care like and how accessible is it, should you come down with something non Covid related. DD had an ear infection in Cyprus a couple of years ago, we received excellent health care at the time but not sure how things are now.

Do it and tell us all about it so we can enjoy vicariously!

@RedPandaFluff I got back from Greece just before the quarantine and it was absolute bliss being away in the sunshine, did us the world of good. The island we were on was much quieter than normal. We ate outside and everywhere took Covid precautions seriously. We took plenty of masks, gel, Dettol wipes etc and social distanced as much as we could. Been home 10 days and we are still very healthy. Hope you have a nice time if you do get away

Not crazy at all - we've just booked to go to Turkey at half term, Wanted to go to Cyprus but was put off by the need for -ive test to get in to the country. Out thoughts are it could either a) be added to the list before we go in which case holiday will be cancelled or b) added to the list while we are there and we will have to isolate when we get home. Kids have 2 week half term and we're going the first week so at worst they will miss first week back. But looking at the options Turkey seemed the best option in terms of what is likely to go on the quarantine list.

Oh wow . . . so it wouldn't be THAT crazy, then . . . I feel nauseous with burgeoning excitement

So, we should go somewhere that doesn't require a -ve test, and somewhere that isn't on the quarantine list for insurance-coverage purposes. Turkey sounds like a good bet . . . I've never been there. Will have a look.

Thanks everyone!

We just got back from Turkey (Antalya-Kemer) over 2 weeks ago and it was amazing. I wish I could go back. The only recommendation I could give is look at their daily case rates on the places you want to go and make sure it's under 1600-1800 cases a day and book straightaway to go in the next few days unless you are ok to self isolate for 2 weeks on the way back. That's what I did with Turkey as they are on the safe list, I kind of predicted that by booking 3 days in advance and staying 7 days which makes it 10 days in total would be enough time for the daily cases not to
dramatically jump up for me to self isolate on my return. I'm 2 weeks back now and it's still safe there. I would recommend anyone to go as it works wonders on your mental health and you get guaranteed sun/vitamin D, eat proper local fruits (vitamin c's), dress up in the evening for lovely food and actually not think about what to cook for dinner for the next 7 days. I went with DH and my toddler and wearing masks in airports and on flight is not too bad and is totally worth it.

but the rules cold change whilst youre there-also remember you have to wear mask for the entire flight

We also went to Turkey and loved it, it was just the break that we all needed.

Booked the week before and booked with TUI so we knew we would have a refund if cancelled or put on quarantine rate - and kept an eye on infection rates so felt it was a calculated risk.

Mask on plane and restrictions similar to here with masks in shops or indoor places, but not outdoors around the complex or when sitting down to eat. It was lovely.

*quarantine list

So, don't book yet, book just a couple of days in advance of departure? We were thinking of going on 17th October-ish.

what half term?

Not crazy. I would do it but I can't quarantine as I can't WFH so can't risk it.

Go for it.

I want to go to Lille with my 4 year old during half term but not sure if I should book either.

Go for it! Either book very last minute, or make sure you book something that will give you a full refund if you have to cancel.

A month is a long time in Corona times! Maybe have a look a week into October, compare rates in different places then to hedge bets. Have a look at @PPaulCharles on twitter for weekly reviews of infection rates in Europe.

Also consider, what happens if one of you develops covid symptoms whilst abroad. You won't be able to fly back so may be stuck out there and need suitable accommodation for 10-14 days and rearranged flights.

@RedPandaFluff if you're not tied to school holidays then I'd go earlier than that if you can. We break up for Oct half term on 16th (which is quite early I think) as so it'll be cheaper earlier in the month.

Personally I wouldn't want to be on a plane right now.

I'd suggest avoiding half term.