February holiday. Where to go?

[Chickpea22]

So we were supposed to be skiing in Feb but it looks like that is not going to happen. Any suggestions of places to go that will allow a 12yr old single vaccinated child in? It doesn’t need to be a skiing destination just somewhere interesting with lots of activities. Thank you

If you have the budget then Central America is worth a look. The Riviera Maya in Mexico is packed with activities suitable for that age group. We went in November and had an amazing time.

Thanks BlowDryRat will take a look. Sounds good.

Iceland perhaps? Heaps of I retesting sights and activities. Having said that, you'd need to check the vaccination situation.

I’m not entirely sure an 11 year old would enjoy Iceland in Feb. Maybe try May half term?

Really fancied Iceland but they are only accepting fully vaccinated or certificate of recovery from what I understand.

I think that’s going to be the issue with lots of countries. Get 12 year old vaccinated and plan for later? When is second due? Surely by now?

Had covid so had to wait 12 weeks to get first. Now has to wait another 12 for second so easier said than done. That’s why I posed he question.

It’s going to affects so many teens this summer

Some countries not even accepting covid recovery eg Spain
Some asking for boosters even for teens eg Austria

It’s going to put prices up in places they can get into

It's not very exotic but you could book somewhere like Aviemore in Scotland that's got the option of skiing if there's snow but plenty of other activities if there isn't.

I don’t think that’s a bad idea emmathedilemma. The kids haven’t been to Scotland and are keen to go. I think we just want to look for the opportunities that are there now rather than be frustrated by the things we can’t do.

Madeira? It's usually been one of the more relaxed wrt covid, was on green list when that was a thing.

Weather should be good, hiking, mountain biking, watersports, swimming.

Or somewhere like the Peebles Hydro. On site activities, spa, on edge on Glentress forest park with mountain biking, Go Ape etc.

forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/forest-parks/tweed-valley-forest-park/glentress

But weather might not be good in February, could even have snow etc.

@Chickpea22

Really fancied Iceland but they are only accepting fully vaccinated or certificate of recovery from what I understand.

If your child is 12, they are not included in the requirements for adults. The cut off is 2005 birth year. 12 year olds can come straight in, no testing or pre-registration or anything (unless desired).

DryRat, Dh suggested this very thing tonight, for Feb 23, for my 50th. He suggested America and then Mexico, a week in both.

@Oblomov22

DryRat, Dh suggested this very thing tonight, for Feb 23, for my 50th. He suggested America and then Mexico, a week in both.

Go, go, go! We had such an amazing time. I'd go back tomorrow.

Ah Brilliant on the Iceland front. This is great loads of great possibilities.

@BlowDryRat

If you have the budget then Central America is worth a look. The Riviera Maya in Mexico is packed with activities suitable for that age group. We went in November and had an amazing time.

Where do you start with a holiday like this? @BlowDryRat? Did you book a package or independently?

Apart from a liveaboard diving holiday in Egypt, I've never left Europe but would like to see more of the world, but I wouldn't know where to start.

I don't want to go to 'Mexican Benidorm', anywhere where you can't leave an AI resort in case you get shot, robbed, pestered to buy trinkets, marry a local, or where eating out costs eleventy million pounds or it's hurricane season.

But I do speak reasonable Spanish, I know the diving is great in Mexico and have been to a few non touristy places in Europe so it should be fine, but it seems a bit of a big step

@BarbaraofSeville normally we travel independently but booked AI with TUI for our honeymoon. Good job too as we had to rebook 3 times because of Covid! Once we had the hotel and flights sorted we got a guide book and made a list of what we wanted to see and do. I wanted to see Chichen Itza so we hired a car through a price comparison website and booked a local hotel through Booking.com. We kept the car for a week so we could go to various other places we wanted to see. It was all fine. Cancun is definitely popular for American students on Spring Break but we stayed in a lovely hotel south of Playa Del Carmen and it was fine. I love planning holidays - I make a spreadsheet, budget everything so we know how much currency to take and do a lot of research and pre-book as much as possible. I've learned to leave a few days spare though so we can add something on once we get there and see what's on offer locally.

The only time I've felt completely out of my depth was my first time in China. Normally I can work out the road signs etc. even if I don't speak the language but the different alphabet totally threw me. That was pre-smartphones and the second time I went I'd pre-loaded Mandarin into Google Translate

We are going to Iceland and your 12 year old can go. Minors under the age of 18 are always allowed entry when travelling with a guardian who is allowed entry. Children born in 2005 and later are exempt from testing and quarantine requirements.

Look carefully at the criteria for entry as I think Austria will accept a positive covid test plus one vaccine as fully vaccinated (well last time I checked anyway)

I've been looking at Italy for a February half-term holiday and we can get in fine, just need to do an antigen test on the way out, and another before day 2 when we get back, now that the restrictions have changed.

Forgot to mention, we'd be taking an 11year old who isn't vaccinated at all, but Italy let in unvaccinated children as long as they're accompanied by parents who are vaccinated. This is quite common in a lot of countries, we're going to America at Easter, and our DD can get in to America no problem - it's similar rules as for Italy.

Reading with interest as we have the same problem, looking for a destination in Europe where is easy to travel with a 14 year old who only has one vaccine. I am not sure I can bother with all the tests, etc; so maybe a short trip to Scotland is not a bad idea. I like Italy too.