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?

We flew on Saturday at 21.30 from Heraklion. It was chaos. We were 1.5 hours queuing at EasyJet check in. No air con and queue was so slow due to all the document checking, we got to airport 3 hours before the flight and I'm glad we did.
Once bags dropped security was quiet and all went well. Flight about 2/3 full.
Any one going I wish you happy holidays😊

Can I ask a question to those of you who have used the Tui chronomics rapid antigen tests please.

How long from taking/registering the test did it take to get the confirmation/fit to fly certificate? Also did the website work as it should when doing this as I've found it very glitchy just trying to order tests let alone anything more complicated.

My anxiety about these tests is going through the roof after what I've been reading on Twitter and I'm tempted to just run the kids up to our local airport and pay for tests to be done there.

Is it pre flight tests?
We had tui chronomics package, we didn't need pre departure to Greece tests as all dbl jabbed.
But coming home antigen tests worked brilliantly.
The day 2 and 8 didht work, never got sorted, now arguing for refund.
We got certificate in five minutes

Thanks for the heads up ladies!
Think we will find out what time the coach is leaving our resort and make sure we avoid arriving at the airport at the same time as it or after and one of us can stay in the queue whilst the other keeps DS occupied til we get to near the front!

@Theredjellybean thanks yes it's the pre departure test for the DC that I'm worried about but 5 mins sounds ok. Glad to hear it worked ok for you. We have ordered day 2 tests but not day 8 as we are doubled vaccinated and the kids are exempt ( I do hope I've understood that correctly - I've read the guidelines about a million times)

So if the day 2 and day 8 tests didn't arrive for you what on earth can you do? Could the government now fine you for not doing them? What a mess!

I think this testing business is going to be the next big scandal. The government may as well scrap the arrival tests if the companies they've authorised to handle them can't do it.

I have just done DD’s pre departure LFT @Theredjellybean, really straightforward process, certificate arrived by email within a minute or so.

So it looks like we’re going on holiday…

Eek we are flying back from Heraklion on Thursday. Thanks for the heads up the the queues. It's gonna be fun with a 6 year old and a toddler 🥵

So pleased for you @GrealishHairband I’m still feeling nervous and probably will until we arrive but just done a lateral flow just to be safe and it’s negative so I think we’ll make it as well.

Now just need to lose 2kg from my suitcase!

@AngelsWithSilverWings

We never did day two or eight.
Told track and trace each time they rang. Had to repeat the saga every call.. They clearly made no notes on your file. On day four I was told "oh don't worry about it, just pop down to your nearest test site and get an nhs one"... We didn't.
No one phoned us after day 8.
So this idea that the test results some how link to and show up on your track and trace file seems not to be true.
You do seem to literally need a reference nber for plf, but track and trace cannot see your results.
I am so tempted to re use our chronomics reference numbers for our next trip in two weeks.
But haven't and bought day two tests...

We dutifully did the Day 2 PCRs last night and I posted them this morning (NWP) but as pp said not much point as nobody is checking. The other thing is probably could have just bought tests for DH and I as teens went on my PLF and they only asked for one Day 2 booking ref for me!!

Fantastic news @GrealishHairband

Having travelled twice in the last two months test wise I think if I did it again I would do the following:

In person antigen tests for DC 48 hrs before - too many horror stories of postal stuff not arriving in time
Local LFT book or turn up there
NWP for Day 2 - order a day or two before return don't bother buying for any kids incl on your PLF

Help!

My Covid pass is in my married name- my passport is still in my maiden name. I'll dig out my marriage certificate- do you forsee a problem?

Hi! Anyone in Rhodes now? Is the covid situation stable there? Worried about Greece going Red. Due to travel this weekend.

@ArabellaPilkington don't you need the codes for the kids on the PLF form?

[quote Wizzbangfizz]@ArabellaPilkington don't you need the codes for the kids on the PLF form? [/quote]
Nope!

Does anyone know what time the TUI bag drop at Gatwick opens? Our flight is 7am so I’m thinking we get there for 4.30am but don’t want to be sat there if it won’t be open until 5

Our flight time has changed.. annoying because we now don't land until 9pm.. after getting through security and to our hotel, what are our chances of being able to eat in skiathos at 10.30 ish? Or should I take some pot noodles

Haha @Summersdreaming we’re packing crisps and other dry snacks as our flight gets in at 21.20 so assuming nearer 23.00 by the time we actually get to the hotel. By which time we’ll all be clamming!

I'll make sure we've got something then in case! It's naughty really we've basically lost a full afternoon of our holiday! Definitely doing 2 weeks next year when hopefully things are more normal.

@FizzyPink
We had a tui 7 am flight to crete few weeks back.
Got to bag drop at 5:10...through bag drop, documents check and security and drinking coffee at 5:20

@Summersdreaming - Skiathos town will be in full swing and you will have lots of food options - if you need a quick delicious snack then head for Noname who do gyros/salads/ etc, delicious and cheap (I think Noname is open until 4am!) and then you should be able to finish with an ice cream

For anyone in Skiathos I have been (reliably) informed that at the Port in Skiathos town you can get free tests to return home with fit to fly certificate (otherswise 20 euros if you want to pay at airport or local health clinic)

I was so anxious about coming to Greece- I was in a complete panic about testing positive at the airport and being whisked to a government quarantine facility.... however we had no testing at the airport and are now enjoying baking hot sunshine and incredible Greek hospitality - totally worth it.

We made it!!!
Landed in Rhodes late last night from Manchester. Manchester airport was really quiet and so easy. Flight was probably 75% full, no fizz which was the biggest disappointment!! There was wine though
From landing in Rhodes to getting in the cab it was about 20 minutes! Only our flight landed at that time (around 11pm). Straight through passport control the. A quick check of our plf and vaccines docs and that was is. Taxi was waiting (Rhodes transfers - highly recommend) saw one or two people getting tested, not sure if they were unvaccinated so can’t comment on that but they were 20’s.
Taxi to Princess Andrianna Hotel in Kiatori was about 50 minutes. It is absolutely beautiful! The sun is shining, it’s hot hot hot and I’m finally relaxed (although shattered)
You need to wear masks inside but that’s all. Everybody is so friendly and happy to see visitors. I’m so happy I can’t tell you, all of the stress was so worth it!

@rufus77 have a fabulous holiday! I've told DH I want fizz on the plane to celebrate finally getting away. Maybe we'll but a bottle in duty free to have when we get to the villa just in case.

Just had the confirmation that out chronomics pre departure fit to fly tests have been dispatched ( a day late!) so keeping my fingers crossed they arrive tomorrow or it's it's a quick trip to Stansted on Thursday to get drive thru tests for the kids.

The return tests have not been sent yet - why do they leave it so late to send them!