Christmas abroad with unvaccinated teenager

[happytoday73]

We are hoping to go abroad (preferably for some sun) at Christmas as I have two weeks off. 7-14days....
Eldest is over 12 but unvaccinated... What options do we have without having to isolate on arrival?
Cyprus, Malta and Turkey all look cool even if not red list. Tunisia if allowed? Morocco?

Canaries is the traditional Christmas holiday location.

@Pissinthepottyplease

Canaries is the traditional Christmas holiday location.

Really???!

I would go skiing personally. Far more festive surely?

Anyway OP sadly where is allowed right now wil have little to no bearing on where will be allowed come December. You’ll have to book somewhere currently Amber or green and hope for the best.

Thanks... Yes but the Amber and green options aren't always possible for unvaccinated over 12

@Frazzled2207 the OP is suggesting she wants to go somewhere warm.

Caribbean?

I’m off to Barbados for Christmas and my teen won’t be vaccinated, however if you are then neither you or children will have to isolate. The rules will be the same for them. It’s currently green but who knows it may change 🙄.

Malta is not an option as 12 and overs have to be vaccinated. It won’t be warm anyway. Canaries are a better option temperature wise.

Looked at Barbados this summer. Also had unvaccinated teens at the time.

They have restricted access to resort facilities until a negative PCR test taken either at the airport or in resort comes back (normally 48 hours)

Went to Antigua instead as only needed a negative PCR test prior to departure and ensured insurance covered cancellation in case of one of us tested positive.

I can see a lot of changes by December so I'd either book and hope for the best or go last minute ( as we did)

Either way make sure you have a comprehensive insurance policy which covers all eventualities.

There has been a huge switch in the Caribbean in the last couple of weeks. Most resorts will only take double vaxed holiday makers, including children over 12. I wouldn't choose there. This winter will be tricky. I'd look at Canaries, anywhere else further afield would be a huge risk. I know you ruled out Malta but that would also be an issue with over 12s.

Booking anywhere is a risk, less so for the vaccinated but even then, there's a hefty possibility of winding up on some other country's 'no' list or vice versa.

I'm hoping this age group will be vaxxed by then. It's going to make travel quite difficult if not.

I do think Canaries might be your best bet. Spanish are very very keen for British tourists. The rules for coming back from there could well change but I’d be staggered if they stopped letting families in.

@happilybemused we’re looking at Antigua, how did you find it? Did you book with a travel company? We will also have an unvaxxed teen.

@bendmeoverbackwards it was lovely. Weather very hot, had one cyclone warning but came to nothing. People very friendly and helpful. Food was lovely and enjoyed by all four of us ( I am very picky and nothing was too much trouble) We were on the the North side of the island so beaches were narrow but lovely warm water.

The paperwork was a pain but no delays coming in or out of the country if everything is to hand. Our main issue was that they were confused by our NHS vaccine confirmation letter as wanted our vaccine card so I'd bring both.

Thanks @happilybemused how old are your dc and were there any issues?

@bendmeoverbackwards

One is 14 and the other 16.

No issues at all. Bit of a rush packing as we only found out a day in advance that we were all negative. Hotel arranged tests for return home.

The only issue I had was I didn't empty the mini bar of alcohol in the boys room. I really am naive it would appear

We are also thinking of Antigua although there is an alternative plan for dh and I to go alone in Late Jan as ds has to get back at university by 9th Jan and might prefer to ski at Easter with friends. If we go alone I was thinking of Grenada, dh is being a bit grumpy about testing on arrival and 48 hours in hotel but I am so desperate for sun I would consider going alone ! , it sounds so shallow but I grew up in a hot country, maybe that’s why.

Thanks for the posts... Looks like I can either play 'safe' with canaries or take a more risky Caribbean option... My head tells me one.. My heart tells me another... 🤣

@happytoday73

Thanks for the posts... Looks like I can either play 'safe' with canaries or take a more risky Caribbean option... My head tells me one.. My heart tells me another... 🤣

I don’t think Antigua is necessarily a riskier option as long as you can get your money back from tour operator or change if travel advice changes

The riskier thing to do would be to book flights and accommodation independently which could mean that you can’t get your money back if you can’t go. Most tour operators have pretty clear policies now. Get decent travel insurance too.

Yes definitely a package this year and good insurance!

Canaries or a Canaries cruise.