Holiday in August

[bigmamama]

So is anybody going abroad in August with children?
I'm looking at booking a family holiday but I'm unsure... what's everyone doing

We've cancelled ours - it's all too unpredicatable at the moment. I was reading today that people on holiday in Spain at the moment might have to isolate for a fortnight when they come home due to infections rising there. It would be a real pain if schools finally reopen but the dc are in isolation and can't go.

Also worried about being locked down if there was an infection in hotel and getting stuck there.

We cancelled, just felt it was too risky for us

Iv popped in to TUI today.. it's basically the holiday we were meant to have in June which was obviously cancelled.
So TUI have said it's safe to go to the hotel in Turkey it's all inclusive it may just be quieter and with no buffet just table service.
All I really want is a bit of sun and maybe some kids entertainment. We'd sit all day round the pool anyway. Apparently the cleanliness and hygeine will be top notch ha.

Not us. We're staying in the UK this year. I'd love a Mediterranean escape but it's just all too predictable this year and rules on self isolation/social distancing/face masks keep changing all the time. I read that face coverings are required everywhere in Balearics at the moment - including on beaches and by pools (could make for interesting tan lines!) and a lot of hotels are asking guests to book slots to use the pool etc. When you add it all up it just doesn't sound like a very relaxing experience to me. Each to their own though!

*unpredictable

We've booked a holiday to Kos going mid August. We realise it's a risk but we got an amazing deal in a hotel we would never be able to afford in normal times. It's been such a depressing year we just want to get away and have some fun.

We are, Majorca mid August with our 4 year old. Looking forward to some sun and all inclusive

It depends on a couple of things.
What are infection rates like in Turkey and are they on the rise or in decline ? Just googled it and yesterday they had 912 new infections so it's still quite high although looks to be declining.
Do you have travel insurance, and what if you get identified through track and trace? What happens if there is a local lockdown or your flight gets cancelled - will your travel insurance cover you for that ?

@ladyflower23

We've booked a holiday to Kos going mid August. We realise it's a risk but we got an amazing deal in a hotel we would never be able to afford in normal times. It's been such a depressing year we just want to get away and have some fun.

Lucky you. We went last September and loved it. Where are you staying?

No, too many risks.

Now Greece numbers seem to be genuinely under control 5 new cases yesterday. I'd have no hesitation going there other than if you get randomly selected for testing.

@SingingGoldfinch Not sure where you've got your information about the Balearics but it's incorrect. I work for a small operator specialising in Majorca so am on top of all the latest restrictions; as it stands today (albeit could change of course) masks are required everywhere indoors except bars and restaurants. They are not required on beaches or round pools, and if you can maintain 1.5m distance on a beach promenade or in the countryside then you don't need one there either.

We're receiving updates from all our partner hotels, and I've heard nothing about booking pool slots from any of them.

We're going on Sunday so I can check it all out for myself and better advise clients on my return.

Sorry HowFast - I got the info on Balearics from the BBC website! The article was published on Tuesday and says: "for example masks are compulsory everywhere including on beaches and swimming pools in Andalusia and the Balearic Islands". Just goes to show how hard it is to keep up with all the different regulations and how quickly things can change I guess!

And the booking slots at a pool came direct from a friend whose tour operator (Greece) told her that's what the hotel she'd booked would be implementing - along with booked dining slots rather than buffet style dining.

Fair enough @SingingGoldfinch; apolgies is my post came off a bit harsh, it wasn't meant to be. Things are changing often but we're lucky in having business partners 'on the ground' over there reporting to us regularly, and clients down there now sending us feedback.

Booking slots for dinner and table service rather than buffet is common, but to be honest hotel buffets have always been a melee so that might be better for a lot of people!

I'll do a post on this board when I'm down there myself with my experiences 🙂

Self-catering for a week in France. Have a 90 minute ferry crossing where we have to wear masks, but hoping to stay on deck for most of that. One supermarket trip for the week, also with masks but apart from that just planning to do outdoorsy stuff - walks, going to the beach, picnics or relaxing at the gite which has its own play equipment. We did have a big campsite booked but have changed that as the whole point is for the DC to be able to socialise with lots of other children.

Not sure I would stay in a hotel with lots of other people, but I don't go on hotel holidays anyway and am happy to self-cater.

@rookiemere
Yes Iv checked, the "TUI promise" covers us incase of any drastic changes and won't send us out there if they happens to be a local lockdown or if half of the hotel is closed off etc.
I literally just feel like I need a bit of a chill some sun on my bones and the kids to be able to play in the pool. Not bothered about venturing out anywhere or eating out in different places every night. We will most likely be in bed by 10.30 every night and we don't drink. The only thing stopping me right now is the price has gone up since Monday !

No, we've abandoned plans to go abroad, and are going to Cornwall instead.

Go for it then, but as a precaution I'd be very circumspect about what you do the two weeks before the trip so you don't get caught out with track and trace.

We are going to Turkey in August :)

@Ginfordinner we're staying at the Atlantica Beach Resort. It's near Kardamena. Everything about the sounds wonderful so fingers crossed it goes ahead without any covid incidents 😬

@rookiemere we're staying away from all our family and friends for the 2 weeks before we go for exactly that reason!

Also abandoned any plans to go abroad and booked UK staycation for end of August

Lol at the TUI "promise" even letting you know if half the hotel is shut. They see that as well, it's half open....not so much fun when the "half" that is closed is the pool and restaurant

@ladyflower23 we’ve booked there for August too!

@ladyflower23 If there are boat trips from Kardamena I recommend going across to Nisyros, a volcanic island. You can climb down into the crater of tis dormant volcano.