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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Help! Madeira - anyone else going this half term?

12 replies

minimuffin · 20/10/2021 19:05

Long shot in case anyone has any knowledge! Booked a 4 day trip to Madeira on Tuesday, we're going on Friday. Me & DH are straightforward, have Covid passes. DS3 is 10 - no requirements. DS 1 and DS2 are 15 & 13. Both had 1 vaccine. It seems to be that they need either a negative PCR before we go OR a test on arrival at Madeira airport, but I can't find any clear info about this. Has anyone been recently with teenage kids??!

OP posts:
Fenelladepompom · 20/10/2021 19:08

Ask your travel agent?

Original poster
minimuffin · 20/10/2021 19:14

Thanks - I booked flights and hotel directly, so no agent involved

OP posts:
Longdistance · 20/10/2021 22:49

We’re going to Portugal. Similar situation to you. Myself and dh jabbed, dd2 10 all fine, dd1 12, jabbed but we’ve just ordered an LFT for her which she’ll do on Friday afternoon, we arrive Sunday morning.

MyrtlethePurpleTurtle · 24/10/2021 20:08

Yes - you can have a PCR test on arrival and stay in your accommodation until you get the results later that day.

HOWEVER - some airlines < looking at you, British Airways > refuse to believe this

Clymene · 24/10/2021 20:24

I would emphatically not have the PCR on arrival. In theory you have been able to do that for ages. In practice, airlines (not just BA) won't let you board without a negative test.

Original poster
minimuffin · 25/10/2021 17:06

Thanks for the replies. I got PCR tests done, at huge expense, and I'm glad I did as we were asked for the results at bag drop at Gatwick and I'm not sure we'd have been allowed to fly without them but didn't need to worry about that, so it was worth it for peace of mind.

It's not clear though. I also read that you can test on arrival for free but you have to stay in your room until the result comes through (up to 12 hours).

Anyway, it's gorgeous here. Everyone just getting on with life, feels totally normal, but using face masks and cleaning hands and surfaces as a matter of course.

OP posts:
Clymene · 25/10/2021 19:31

@minimuffin

Thanks for the replies. I got PCR tests done, at huge expense, and I'm glad I did as we were asked for the results at bag drop at Gatwick and I'm not sure we'd have been allowed to fly without them but didn't need to worry about that, so it was worth it for peace of mind.

It's not clear though. I also read that you can test on arrival for free but you have to stay in your room until the result comes through (up to 12 hours).

Anyway, it's gorgeous here. Everyone just getting on with life, feels totally normal, but using face masks and cleaning hands and surfaces as a matter of course.

Have a lovely holiday Smile
Campervan69 · 28/10/2021 17:45

We loved madeira, went last October. They were offering free pcr tests at the airport and it was stress free. Got them done, went straight to the villa and went to bed. When we woke in the morning we had our results so were able to have a lovely peaceful holiday.

Sandgroper · 28/10/2021 18:03

Hi mini muffin

Can I ask if you would recommend it for a family holiday? Also would you recommend the hotel you stayed in?

We had booked Malta for Xmas and just had confirmed DS 13 & 16 one dose vaccination is not acceptable for 12-18 year olds. The Maltese gov website is very confusing, so looking for alternatives?

Had suggestions of Spain as only need a PCR test but Madeira sounds interesting.

Thanks

Franklin12 · 28/10/2021 18:11

Cliff Bay Hotel is very nice. Download the Fork website. It will give you lots of discounts off upmarket restaurants.

Original poster
minimuffin · 10/11/2021 20:43

@Sandgroper

Hi mini muffin

Can I ask if you would recommend it for a family holiday? Also would you recommend the hotel you stayed in?

We had booked Malta for Xmas and just had confirmed DS 13 & 16 one dose vaccination is not acceptable for 12-18 year olds. The Maltese gov website is very confusing, so looking for alternatives?

Had suggestions of Spain as only need a PCR test but Madeira sounds interesting.

Thanks

Hi sorry I’ve just seen your message. Yes, would definitely recommend Madeira. It’s not a traditional beach holiday, as there aren’t many beaches and they are hard to get to (it’s a crazy steep island!) but the food is great, the people are super friendly and there is a lot to do and see. We hired a car and zipped about all over the island, but could probably have spent our 4 days just in Funchal. Funchal is big - much bigger than I expected - so I might stay in a resort outside it next time, but it is a lovely city too, with an old centre then built up suburbs with hotels on either side.

Our hotel was the Alto Lido - definitely recommend it. I thought it was brilliant value for the standard. Hope that helps! I think you’d need to get your children a PCR test before going, that’s the only drawback.

Hope that helps!

OP posts:
Sandgroper · 11/11/2021 08:00

Thanks so much for all the useful info, sounds like you had an amazing time.

Yes Looks like we would need to PCR test the boys, although one of ours is getting a second jab due to an underlying health condition so we will have one fully vaccinated and the other with one dose (not fully vaccinated in the EU and other countries)🤪

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