Anyone actually gone on holiday?

[Gem8701]

Look at booking a green list holiday!

We're thinking about Majorca, and I can't decide whether I'm being a complete idiot event thinking about it, or whether we should grasp the nettle and go.

The pros are that there's some really good deals, nice weather, quiet, due to not many people going etc.

BUT there are lots of cons, my biggest worries are that my teen DD will need to do a test on her way out, and I've heard it's really stressful waiting for the result. Also, cases are sky rocketing here, and I'm fully expecting Spain to change the rules again before we're able to go (mid-July). Their vaccination programme is no where near as far ahead as ours.

We could self-isolate if it went amber while we were there, so that's not an issue.

Aaaargh! Don't know what to do!

I'm in the same boat. Humming and aaahing about Spain. I have an EU Green Pass but DD (17) gets her first Vax on 5/8 so would need to do a PCR both ways. It doesn't worry me outbound, it's the scare of having to stay if the PCR is positive before coming back!

@Geamhradh We'll all have to test before we come back, and I am also worried we might get stuck there, isolating in a soulless hotel for 2 weeks or something.

I read something on the BBC website today about huge numbers of Spanish students holidaying in Majorca, who have all been rounded up and forced to quarantine in a hotel, due to a spike in cases amongst them. That could happen to us if we test positive or if there's a positive case at the hotel.

But how likely is that? And we don't need to get back to the UK ASAP after our holiday, if we do get stuck there, but I really don't want to be stuck in a hotel for 2 weeks, not allowed out at all!

Yes we’re in France. No problem getting through the Tunnel with our paperwork. It’s great to be here at our holiday home. Our area here in France is 10 per 100K which is way less than our area in UK.
Amber for now will stay a few weeks and see if it’s changes. DH & I can work as long as wifi available which we have.

I'm going to Majorca on Monday. Happy to report back.

We don’t live in the UK but just got home from a week in Cyprus and it was great. The travelling itself was pretty stressful - lots of paperwork etc but it was totally worth it.

@Pootle40

I'm going to Majorca on Monday. Happy to report back.

Oh please do Pootle! I am desperate to get away! Everyone that has gone says it was worth it.

Mexico last September. It was wonderful. The only downside was having to wear a mask for the flights. That was uncomfortable.

Fingers crossed I'm off to Tenerife (amber destination) in two weeks. We went to Spain last July and it was lovely, no issues at all. This year it's been a bit of a faff to organise all the tests we need (one to go out, video test to come back, two tests whilst isolating on return) but so far so good.

I'm on maternity leave and my husband works from home so isolating when we get back isn't an issue.

I'm off to Majorca a week on Friday. Just need to sort out a test whilst out there (I'm double jabbed) and then my day 2 test.

Not yet and I found out yesterday that the flights for our August holiday have been cancelled, probably because UK citizens are banned from entering the country we planned to go to so all flights on that route have been pushed back to September at the earliest.

Are you looking at Malta? I think that's your best bet for lowest risk of suddenly going Amber because they've advanced on vaccinations and want UK tourists, so are less likely to red list us, which is the other worry as well as having to isolate when you return.

Only fly in ointment is that you can't currently take 12-17 YOs there because they won't be vaccinated which is a requirement. Oh, and last time I looked it was essential travel only to Gozo, which you should look into if that's important to you (we've been to Malta a lot and usually spend more time on Gozo).

I'm hopefully going to Crete in a couple of weeks and Malta in August. I didn't go away last year because of the insurance issue. If Crete doesn't go green before my return I can quarantine.

@Gem8701

Only issue for me is i cant isolate on return :(

I wouldn't bother anyway. Go, love and enjoy yourself

I have to admit when I came back from holiday a couple of weeks ago I did my day2 test but then had zero contact from anyone at any point to check I was isolating so I didn’t bother buying a day8 test. I could’ve easily got away with no isolating either. I can only imagine as more and more people travel the less they’ll be able to actually check.

@porkincider where did you get your day 2 test from? I don't need to isolate or take a day 8 test. From a quick look it seems day 2 and 8 come as a package. Looking for as cheap as possible.

if you cannot isolate on return there is no point in going

I could isolate if I had to, but I don't have to, so why should I isolate?!

I got mine from Randox. They were really good and result came back less than 12 hours after I posted it. The only problem was that the nearest drop box to me was an hour drive away. I do live rurally though so probably less of an issue for a lot of others.

I'm desperate to get away, hopefully for a week in late September. Am I mad? We've had 5 holidays cancelled and have rebooked our main holiday for next year.
However I keep looking and wonder whether we should book for late September/early October to Kos or Rhodes.

We are both fully vaccinated and can isolate on returning if necessary.

I just need to convince DH.

Just go. The weather is crap here and no sign of improving.

Only thing is if you DH is moaning and something goes wrong/long queues IT WILL BE ALL YOUR FAULT!

Greece at that time will be lovely and there is a long time between now and then. I also think (and I always book my hols months if not eyars in advance) that this year will be different. You arent going in school holidays and watch this space re what happens in a few weeks.

I would also go for something mainstream i.e fly from a MAIN airport to stop a flight only a quarter full being cancelled. Book a package - we are going with BA holidays and Trailfinders are good and I suspect TUI is worth a look because of their trail blazing cheap cv19 tests.

Randox are the cheapest tests and have a good reputation. However I do think the Drop Box option is holding them back. I will be booking my Day 2 test with a company that allows Royal Mail Priority Mailbox posting (there are 1000's of Priority Boxes!).

I am going to a Green List country so no need to self isolate. If the company I book my Day 2 test through is flaky it doesnt stop me just carrying on as normal. Its not as though a flight depends on the test result coming back quickly

Like a PP my nearest Randox Drop box is 45 mins drive away.

I'm currently on the sunbed in 33c sunshine in Greece! It's utter bliss being away and I'm gutted we're flying home tomorrow. All the testing throughout has been smooth and negative. We are in excellent health apart from a manky mosquito bite on my leg which had to be seen by a doctor! The Greeks are strict on mask wearing on transport and shops. Masks and disposable gloves have to be worn to the breakfast buffet in our hotel. They relaxed rules around mask wearing outside due to high temperatures. All in all I'd say as long as you're organised about the paperwork and can do the quarantine, take the trip! We've stayed in lots of family run hotels on this trip and they've been so relived to have guests again.

We have decided to take the plunge and have our holiday to Greece (booked ages ago) on the 17th. DD will have to have a negative test as she's over 12, so there's a little bit of anxiety for that... and DH is worried about catching it over there and having to quarantine. I have told him it's less likely than hospitalising himself snowboarding, mountain biking or any of the other mad things he has done on holiday but I hope he can relax. I'm so looking forward to it.

@WhiteChocTwix you've been my inspiration on this travel board the whole time haha. Due to fly tomorrow if all goes well.

@TheExtraGuineaPig we'll be there at the same time, all the best with sorting tests etc.

@WhiteChocTwix

I'm currently on the sunbed in 33c sunshine in Greece! It's utter bliss being away and I'm gutted we're flying home tomorrow. All the testing throughout has been smooth and negative. We are in excellent health apart from a manky mosquito bite on my leg which had to be seen by a doctor! The Greeks are strict on mask wearing on transport and shops. Masks and disposable gloves have to be worn to the breakfast buffet in our hotel. They relaxed rules around mask wearing outside due to high temperatures. All in all I'd say as long as you're organised about the paperwork and can do the quarantine, take the trip! We've stayed in lots of family run hotels on this trip and they've been so relived to have guests again.

Brilliant! Sounds perfect! You've inspired me to go for it as well!