I don't know what to do about our holiday to Greece!!

[Plantsandwine]

I have booked flights with Ryanair to Greece with my husband and two toddlers. We booked it last summer assuming everything would be fine by now.
I have looked at the guidance and it says it is not illegal but you shouldn't go... I am so confused by this.
We are both teachers so we can both isolate as it is summer holidays. I am so confused if we are allowed to go, and if we should. My husband has had both vaccines and I have just had one if that makes any difference. We desperately want a holiday and are happy to isolate on arrival back to the UK.

The answer is, you shouldn’t go, as it says on the guidance.

But if we shouldn't go, why isn't it made illegal?

Yesterday's fiasco with Portugal shows that no one can predict anything, as despite saying that they would put places on a Watch List for at least a week they haven't.

What is the cancellation policy?

Same here and it’s impossible to know what the answer is! We are booked for Skopelos one of the smaller islands. I also work in a school so can isolate. I don’t think the vaccinations make any difference (from the Uk end). This is why Amber lists shouldn’t exist, I’m with the Labour Party on that. Because people like you and I are in no mans land.

We’ve cancelled our holiday to a Greek island in July - postponed from last year. We are both fully vaccinated but we won’t be adding to the chaos this year by travelling unnecessarily.

Dont understand what there is to be confused about. Travel is not illegal, but if a journey is not essential the guidance is you shouldn't be going. It couldn't be much clearer.

Because some people need to go for urgent family reasons op. That’s why it’s not illegal. But no as they guidance says you shouldn’t go.

@Plantsandwine - Greece or a Greek island?

(FCDO advice differs in this regard£

It's going to set you back £1000+ in testing and more cost for idolating when you get back.

Why would you assume everything would be okay by now? I’m not being horrible but honestly we’ve never been in this situation before; anything can and does happen! Personally I think anyone going abroad on holiday is crazy but since you’ve booked and can take the hit isolation wise maybe you might as well go.

Isolating

I don't think you would be allowed to isolate at home and I have heard some grim stories about the hotels. It would be even more miserable with DC.

We have a holiday booked to Crete and won’t be going - it’s one we booked in 2019 for last year and we moved it this year.

The two people I know who have booked to go abroad recently have had so much hassle with testing requirements - one had their test come back inconclusive so they couldn’t travel and the other was waiting in the airport car park for her DHs result to come through. Doesn’t sound like much fun to me!

Hi OP,
Completely understand you wanting to go with your family. Sounds perfectly reasonable but one thing I did notice was that my travel insurance will only cover for a green country (others may be different) and most people wouldnt want to risk it incase one of you was sick or injured.

@WeAllHaveWings

Dont understand what there is to be confused about. Travel is not illegal, but if a journey is not essential the guidance is you shouldn't be going. It couldn't be much clearer.

This.

Also think about the rigmarole of getting the flight, pre flight Covid PCR tests paired for by yourselves; tests again upon returning; isolating upon your return; possible changes to Greece's status while you're away meaning possible hotel quarantine upon your return.

Doesn't sound like a lovely getaway to me.

*paid for

You can go on holiday in the UK. It’s not Greece vs no holiday.

But also, I don't know if I would be able to get any money back as I think with Ryanair you can only change the location I didn't think you could change the date. So we would be losing £900 in flights.

@Snowwhite83 that is a good point!! Thank you. I will check that.
@Velvian why can't you isolate at home?

When actually is it? The situation will probably have improved by July/August.

@Plantsandwine

But also, I don't know if I would be able to get any money back as I think with Ryanair you can only change the location I didn't think you could change the date. So we would be losing £900 in flights.

Depends on your insurance and contract you signed up for.

It is shite if you can't get a refund, but it doesn't change the clear message, if it is non essential you shouldn't be going.

Unless it moves to the green list (unlikely) then no, you shouldn't go. The guidance is very clear that travel to amber countries for leisure purposes should not go ahead.

I'm sorry, I know it sucks. We would all love to go abroad but we can't.

So your trip is it 2 months away? If you can't get your money back or reschedule, id just wait and see.

No one on here can tell you what the situation will be. I have a holiday booked for the 1st week of the school holidays that I'm 99% certain isn't happening (rescheduled twice already, paid for in December 2019!), we're waiting until closer to reschedule again and if we can go, great. If not, shifting to Easter 2022.

Hold off. Annoying not being able to plan anything. But there are people who did go away last summer, did go away this week! A lot can happen in 2 months.