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?

and am really quite scared of the throat swab.

If you can't do the throat it's perfectly acceptable to do both nostrils instead, with both LFTs and PCRs.

All set to fly from Luton to Zakynthos first thing tomorrow. My two under 18s LFTs came back negative and DH and I have done them at home. Not going to lie I’m pretty nervous about the whole thing! Doubt I’ll sleep tonight, and have to be at the airport at 4.30am anyway!

If anyone's flown from Manchester recently, what time should I aim to get to the terminal for a 7am flight?

@Dontrainonmyparade

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.

Stansted yesterday morning (5-7am) wss pretty busy but not heaving. Went through check-in and security quickly. Our flight to Heraklion was I estimate 3/4 full. There are four of us and I ended up with a row to myself which came in handy for separating bickering DCs at several points

We are due to go to Zakynthos on 14th August. Both double vaccinated with a 6 year old. Our holiday was transferred from last year and can't believe a whole year has gone and we are in a similar position! One day we are thinking, lets just go, its only a small risk, weather will be good, only a quiet holiday sunbathing swimming etc. Next day, we are what are we thinking!! Of course we cannot possibly go and risk the 3 of us being in one room quarantined for a week. No idea which thought will win out but we have another week to decide where we can cancel/move again. However just seen that Greece's south Aegean islands were marked 'dark red' on the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control's Covid-19 map on Thursday after a rise in infections which includes Zakynthos so a no day today lol!

@Daisygirl123

We are due to go to Zakynthos on 14th August. Both double vaccinated with a 6 year old. Our holiday was transferred from last year and can't believe a whole year has gone and we are in a similar position! One day we are thinking, lets just go, its only a small risk, weather will be good, only a quiet holiday sunbathing swimming etc. Next day, we are what are we thinking!! Of course we cannot possibly go and risk the 3 of us being in one room quarantined for a week. No idea which thought will win out but we have another week to decide where we can cancel/move again. However just seen that Greece's south Aegean islands were marked 'dark red' on the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control's Covid-19 map on Thursday after a rise in infections which includes Zakynthos so a no day today lol!

This sums up exactly where my thoughts are, we're due to go on 10th changed from May 20/July 20/May 21/July 21, and still feel the same!

@Daisygirl123 do you have a link to that map? We’re still undecided about changing to a green country but need to decide by Monday so won’t be in time for the next update

Can anyone recommend a testing package - we are going to Kos, 2 fully vaccinated adults and an 11 year old - is it right just need to test twice on way back and do the PLF in both directions?

[quote FizzyPink]@Daisygirl123 do you have a link to that map? We’re still undecided about changing to a green country but need to decide by Monday so won’t be in time for the next update[/quote]
Here you go @FizzyPink

news.sky.com/story/amp/covid-19-eu-warns-against-visiting-popular-greek-tourist-islands-including-mykonos-rhodes-and-santorini-12367377

@Wizzbangfizz you'll all need LFT & PLF to return, and PCR for all of you on or before day 2 in UK.

We're wobbling as well. We're due to go to Samos in 3 weeks. TUI's flights aren't due to resume to there until next Thursday anyway but we still can't find out whether out flight is going. We've got until 5 August to change free of charge but we keep wavering between 'go' and 'flip to next year'. We'd definitely have to flip if it goes Amber plus as we wouldn't be able to quarantine on return. I just wish the government would make their minds up.

Thank you @mrsanflowerpot

@GrealishHairband

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.

I'll PM you. We have had a very similar situation and just got the all clear on the Fit to Flys this afternoon.

It's been quite the rollercoaster.

He who dares, Rodders!!!

Our teens had Fit to Fly antigen tests this afternoon - were nasal swab only.

I landed in Kefalonia today. It all went very smoothly. I wasn't even tested on arrival and left the airport ten minutes after landing!

It's very lovely to be here! I know it makes no sense whatsoever when people say 'it feels very safe' as Covid risk isn't a feeling! It's pretty busy where we are and feels very normal.

Not sure what to advise to those debating as things are so changeable. But I'm so glad I'm here, especially as I've seen the pictures in the news of people getting battered by the weather on their staycations!

@NeedWineNow

We're wobbling as well. We're due to go to Samos in 3 weeks. TUI's flights aren't due to resume to there until next Thursday anyway but we still can't find out whether out flight is going. We've got until 5 August to change free of charge but we keep wavering between 'go' and 'flip to next year'. We'd definitely have to flip if it goes Amber plus as we wouldn't be able to quarantine on return. I just wish the government would make their minds up.

Why don't you flip to next year and meanwhile book a last minute cheap flight depending on circumstances? We got ours fairly last minute with easyJet and it was £380 for the three of us.

@ArabellaPilkington thank you

Oh @GrealishHairband I really feel for you. This is my own fear made real. I hope you manage to go.

@izzy2076 we're leaning towards that idea.

We flew into Zakynthos on Thursday with Jet2 (we are on a package through Voyage Prive). Stansted was busy but OK, people are more stressed than usual. Not a big surprise... Flight was about a third full so pretty comfortable.
No one was tested on arrival and we got through the airport very quickly.
We then had to dick around for an extra hour because VP had messed up our car hire booking and the local partner didn't have a record of it. That's another thread.
Locals here have been really pleased to see us and very friendly and helpful. Food has been amazing and the beaches stunning, some of the clearest water I've ever seen I think. We are glad to be here.

@GrealishHairband...do try testing again. My 17 year d had covid asymptomatically about 5 weeks ago. Doing LFTs a few times at home before we left his results were mostly neg, one positive. Luckily he tested neg when it came to his fit to fly test. Traces of the virus can stick around for a bit apparently. You might find it's worked through if you try again.

I’m wondering whether to do that as well @izzy2076 We got an amazing deal on our Greece hotel by booking so long ago and now for the same price of a luxury all inclusive with swim up room in Zante we’re looking at an old fashioned B&B in Croatia or Malta which obviously adds £££ onto the cost.
I usually love the couple of weeks run up to a holiday getting all ready and making plans but this is so stressful

@WellWoman we’ll be testing every day, twice probably!!

@GrealishHairband we flew exactly 20 days after last member of family had positive PCR.

I was testing negative on LFT about 4 days after my positive PCR, and my kids were similar.

We are aware that we might test positive on day 2 when we return, but we can quarantine so not a problem for us.