Anyone been to / going to Greek islands?

[Twobigsapphires]

Due to holiday on Greek Island in 2 weeks. Really anxiety inducing, anyone in the area boat or can offer reassurance?

Morning everyone, after ten days of stress about the prospect of testing positive on arrival, we are finally in Greece.

I can report that there is no testing on arrival at all london Gatwick flights arriving in Preveza over the last two days. Flight was about a quarter full. Might be an option for anyone considering a relatively low stress option to Ionian island of Lefkáda/ lefkas or mainland eg Parga.

I can’t quite believe we’ve made it…

I’m just off for a morning dip. Good luck fellow travellers/ wannabe travellers.

Have a fab holiday @PlumpCushion

@poshme for going out. 2 of us had covid in March so that would be 145 days when we fly out.
Annoyingly eldest dd I didn't get a PCR for as we had both tested positive on PCR and she had on lateral flow. Her throat was so sore that I thought it would be best not to do another test.
As she is 16 and we have no proof she is going to need to do all of the tests I think.

@PlumpCushion aaah brilliant!! I keep dreaming of the moment you're experiencing right now! Thanks for the update.

@Carrotcakeforbreakfast the Greek requirement going out is either
Double jabbed OR
Lateral flow (within 48 hours of arrival) OR
PCR (within 72 hours of arrival) OR
Proof of recovery certificate.

Thing is, the NHS don't provide a 'proof certificate', so it will depend on whether your airline/Greek authorities will accept the email saying you had a positive PCR...
I decided not to risk it and booked LFT for my 'recovered' kids.

Yeah I think I'll do the same in that case.
Just to be sure.

Thank you

Far far too hot. And really poor sanitary conditions. Gave up going there a few years ago. Cancel if it's an option

What a sweeping statement to make

We’re hoping to get to Paxos in 10 days….

I've never encountered poor sanitary conditions in Greece, even in the remotest places. What a stupid comment.

I love Greece. It’s our favourite place, the people, food, surroundings. I’m fussy about cleanliness and have never had an issue.

We're at the airport waiting to board for Rhodes! I used C19 for DS1's LFT - very quick and easy. Certificate came through in about an hour and that was in the evening.

@Anjelika exciting! Good to know re LFT. Have a great time

If people need LFT for going, some boots do them in store.
Not cheap (£60 each) but results within an hour by email. Ours actually only took 20 minutes to come through.

Can I ask who everyone has bought their insurance with or who is best to go with in case of Covid disasters?

I’ve just added Zakynthos to my weather app and it’s 35 degrees and glorious sunshine for the next week! This thread is giving me hope that we might actually get there 🤞🏼

@FizzyPink my insurance is through my bank account with HSBC, I had a good read and think it covers everything we might encounter (covid wise).

We went for Trailfinders for insurance

Thank you both. We do actually have insurance through Lloyds but I assumed it wouldn’t cover anything covid related so will check that first

We’ve gone with Holiday Extra. Seems to have all the cover we need.

‘Which’ have done a review of travel insurance with regard to Covid.
I remember that both HSBC and Lloyds came out well.

Arrived in Greece.

Gatwick checked all covid paperwork & Greek PLF before we could do bag drop. Got given a little slip of paper each saying CV checks done to show at boarding

Heraklion airport- normal passport checks, normal delay for collecting bags. Had to show PLF. Didn't see anyone being tested.

We arrived in Crete this afternoon! Sailed through Stansted all fine this morning - had to show proof of negative test from Chronomics. No issues with the flight at all (Tui), had to show PLF but no testing at Heraklion airport. Phew!

Have a fab holiday!

OMG so pleased for you both!!!

@poshme I've been following with interest as my teen DC have recently had Covid too. Although now testing negative it's just such a worry!!! Fit to fly LFTs tomorrow - not daring to pack til then.....

Arrived in Rhodes yesterday. Same as others have reported, PLF, COVID vaccine certs for DH & I & LFT cert for DS1 checked at UK airport and again at Rhodes but didn't see anyone being tested although did see curtained off bays.

Most stressful part was the EasyJet flight. Staff not policing mask wearing despite numerous emails & captain telling everyone they had to wear them. Plenty weren't or had them under their noses!! I was pretty disappointed with them tbh.

@Anjelika that's interesting- our easyJet flight people were being threatened with getting refused carriage home if they didn't put mask on properly.

@ArabellaPilkington waiting for that result was super stressful!

But the weather here is amazing,it's quite quiet, and I've Already swum in the sea!