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Original poster

Anyone been to / going to Greek islands?

865 replies

Twobigsapphires · 18/07/2021 19:05

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

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
Anjelika · 29/07/2021 21:13

@poshme - must have just been the staff on our flight who couldn't be bothered. There was a guy in the row in front with his mask in his hand or round his neck the whole way. They even served him a drink and still didn't say anything.

Dontrainonmyparade · 29/07/2021 21:17

Those of you who are there: How busy were airports/flights? I’ve just had an email from holiday extras to say the airport lounge booking we had is cancelled as it won’t be opening in time fit next week. We are flying from Bristol. I’m now nervous about how busy the airport will be and whether we will get food etc.

hampsteadmum · 29/07/2021 22:32

@Dontrainonmyparade When we flew out on 20/7 the airport (Heathrow T5) was generally relatively quiet (but we went there super early-3.5 hours before the flight). We hardly queued at check-in and security. However many restaurants were closed with a very limited selection open compared to other years.

Dontrainonmyparade · 29/07/2021 22:48

Thanks. I don’t think I’ll relax until we are there at the moment. I feel like every day brings a new holiday related email.

Creteholidaywoohoo · 30/07/2021 00:49

We landed in Heraklion at about 10.30pm local time. Honestly the fastest I've ever got through arrivals. Usual passport check then they checked PLF just before baggage claim. No tests for us but some from our flight were sent in a separate queue for random testing, not everyone in the same party though. We flew from East Midlands, check in was very slow but security almost empty and had a choice of tables in the bar. I'm so pleased we decided to take a gamble (only booked 10 days ago)

Creteholidaywoohoo · 30/07/2021 00:52

Oh and we (2 adults) are fully vaccinated but flew with a teen. Did a lateral flow for the teen. No vac certs or test results checked on arrival

ArabellaPilkington · 30/07/2021 05:47

@Creteholidaywoohoo

We landed in Heraklion at about 10.30pm local time. Honestly the fastest I've ever got through arrivals. Usual passport check then they checked PLF just before baggage claim. No tests for us but some from our flight were sent in a separate queue for random testing, not everyone in the same party though. We flew from East Midlands, check in was very slow but security almost empty and had a choice of tables in the bar. I'm so pleased we decided to take a gamble (only booked 10 days ago)
I've read they are pulling certain QR codes @ Heraklion for random testing - what letter was on yours?
Creteholidaywoohoo · 30/07/2021 09:07

No idea, sorry. We printed it off and they only glanced at the 1st page.

Delatron · 30/07/2021 09:27

So a LF acceptable for 12 year old? Not just PCR?

Carrotcakeforbreakfast · 30/07/2021 10:38

Did anyone have any issues booking tests via TUI?

I ordered mine on Monday just gone
Due to fly next Thursday
The fit to fly LFT are estimated to be dispatched 1st August... which is a Sunday and only 4 days before we are due to fly.
Our flight is 6am Thursday so was hoping to drop the tests off to TUI Tuesday evening.

I've tried calling but no response and the automated message states they send the fit to fly at least 6 days before which isn't the case for us.

BeautifulDresses · 30/07/2021 10:52

Has anyone had experience with Jet2 going to Crete?

Creteholidaywoohoo · 30/07/2021 10:59

We did an lft for our teen. Booked through TUI. No need to drop off lft just upload result to Chromomics. Ours arrived on Monday and we flew yesterday.

Anjelika · 30/07/2021 11:40

@Delatron we flew independently and got a LFT for our teen done with C19. It cost £29 I think and the certificate arrived within a couple of hours. Couldn't fault the service. You test at home and register the test with your teen's passport and they send you a certificate.

GrealishHairband · 30/07/2021 12:30

Teen just tested positive for Covid 😐

Delatron · 30/07/2021 12:34

Thanks so much @Anjelika that’s really helpful. Sounds cheaper than PCR and quicker! Will check out that company.

PlumpCushion · 30/07/2021 12:35

@GrealishHairband, oh no!!!! When is your holiday booking? Is there time to recover before then??

PlumpCushion · 30/07/2021 12:37

Like someone else said upthread, I think all vaccinated people should also get a fit to fly test. My dh did. He was the only one of our family of four fully vaccinated…yet ironically he was the one most likely to jeopardise the holiday on arrival overseas!

GrealishHairband · 30/07/2021 12:37

17th August. It’s tight but doable based on infinite variabilities. Mainly that none of the rest of us get it after the next few days necessitating in a 10 day iso. And that she starts to test negative on LFT.

GrealishHairband · 30/07/2021 12:38

I’ve kinda resigned myself that it won’t happen although still have a bit of hope.

PlumpCushion · 30/07/2021 12:39

Oh that’s such rotten luck, @GrealishHairband. So sorry.

GrealishHairband · 30/07/2021 12:49

Not gonna lie there will probably tears about it at some point although right now I’m trying to be positive.

FizzyPink · 30/07/2021 13:18

Oh no @GrealishHairband that’s so disappointing! We’re due to fly on 17th as well and I’ve just been told the person I sat next to at work this week has tested positive. I know I can’t ask to wfh just because of a holiday but I’m getting very nervous now!

continuousmonotonousbeep · 30/07/2021 13:20

@Carrotcakeforbreakfast

Did anyone have any issues booking tests via TUI?

I ordered mine on Monday just gone
Due to fly next Thursday
The fit to fly LFT are estimated to be dispatched 1st August... which is a Sunday and only 4 days before we are due to fly.
Our flight is 6am Thursday so was hoping to drop the tests off to TUI Tuesday evening.

I've tried calling but no response and the automated message states they send the fit to fly at least 6 days before which isn't the case for us.

I booked chronomics tests for return to UK through TUI, they arrived 3 days before the flight. For peace of mind, you can pick up their tests from TUI at the airport if they don't arrive in time
Wincher · 30/07/2021 13:45

We are off to Corfu in a couple of weeks, in theory… I would worry about all the possibilities for things to go wrong but my DH would tell me I was being ridiculous, and there’s no way he would want to cancel, so not much point worrying!

I need to figure out testing now and what we need to book. There are some useful posts here, thank you. We are two double jabbed adults plus an 11 year old and a 7 year old. We will do our own LFTs before we fly (with a day or two to spare to get a confirmatory PCR if necessary). We might get selected for testing on landing but otherwise don’t need to book anything. Then coming home we need to do two tests for the UK side, one rapid before we leave and the day 2 PCR, is that right? We have booked independently and flights are with BA so I will look at their test offers, but any pointers would be good.

Abraxan · 30/07/2021 14:01

Friends are over in Greece at the moment.

They are double vaccinated so didn't need a pre departure test. Their child did which was fairly straight forward - my Dd had been through it for Portugal and discussed it with them.

Friend was a random selection to be tested in arriving in Greece. They didn't do whole plane, only a selection of the adults.

They have their test over there pre booked - having them done at their hotel to make it easier.

Currently having a lovely time.

Day 2 tests are ordered so they have their reference numbers. They've already completed their locator forms.