Tiers on Tour

[rookiemere]

So following from another thread, this is to talk about our aspirational holiday plans and trips for the coming months.

We have a few things planned, but all cancellable mostly with Scottish back ups. So keen to get away somewhere.

Looks wonderful @WaxOnFeckOff I love Turkish food. Hope we get to go

We had starters and mains and bread on the table, nearly couldn't walk back to the car. I love Turkish food. Had a nice Turkish meal in Aberdeen too.

@Lockdownbear. How about a week in different places? One week in Yorkshire, one in the park district. Neither too far.
We stayed near bedale in North Yorkshire and there was lots to do even in midwinter. Or Pickering area is nice and has flamingo land near by. In the Peak District you’ve got pretty amazing countryside, nice towns and pubs and Alton towers.
A few people have mentioned Whitby and we have good friends who live there so been there a few times. It’s lovely but insanely busy in the summer. I found it worse than Cornwall in early July as it’s easier for Scottish people on school holidays to get to

That should say Peak District

@rookiemere inn my think it could be worth the risk. I’m thinking of the same thing but in December. I think jet2 were the best of the bunch for refunds so hopefully okay either way

Looking at holidays. Would you expect to pay full price for a thirteen year old? On a package holiday?

@WouldBeGood yes. Flights are full price over 2 and I don't think I've seen anywhere with free places over age 6 maybe?

Thanks that’s helpful

@rookiemere id just book it, jet2 have been great with refunds.

Icannever thats not a bad shout to have a week at the coast and a week inland. Thanks for the heads up about Whitby i couldn't cope if somewhere is too busy.
I remember being in Keswick one cold crisp November day, it was lovely and calm, we went home and started looking up Rightmove. 6 months later we were back, it was heaving and horrible, I was 'get me out of here' it was worse than Sauchiehall St. And that was the end of all plans to move.

Wouldbe I'd think 13 would be full price, the flights are normally full price from as 12. If all inclusive foodwise 13 year olds, particularly boys will be putting away adult portions.

That’s true! I might choose all inclusive on that basis 😃

We've just booked a week in Northern Ireland in the summer as a back up to our international holiday that is unlikely to go ahead. DH is totally unexcited about it but then he hasn't been stuck in the same 4 walls for a year.

Our big decision now is whether to make the decision to move the big holiday (for the third time) to 2022 or just hold our nerve for it to be cancelled and get our money back.

Like you rookiemere we're looking at October for a cheap and cheerful European hol - we'll both have had both vaccine doses by then and Europe will surely be opening up bt the too ........ I just want to sit outside and eat a meal without a jacket!

I'd risk October-Dec holidays, Jet2 and Tui both have good refund policies.

So people booking rUK holidays in July, you think we'll be allowed to go? I've found a great place in Craster but they've got one week in July left until November and it's the cost of a week in Madeira all inclusive!

@anon444877 I've booked Cornwall for the start of June and barring actual roadblocks at the 'border' I'm still going.

@anon444877 what's the refund policy for the place in Craster?
FWIW I think traveling to England will be like it was last Summer. NS will try and make out that it's banned and encourage people not to do it, but if the numbers are low enough,people will travel regardless.

good point rookie the refund policy on Craster looks decent.

I still have to convince DH that he's not going to Italy - I read the latest from their tourism person saying they'd allow vaccinated travellers, no way we can guarantee we'd have had that, and our DC won't have so even if by some magic we could travel, we'd be unlikely to have the vaccinations.

We in the West, near Loch Lomond. Booked to go to the outer Hebrides. Absolutely love it up there. Speaking to the owner of the cottage we’ve booked. She said bookings have gone through the roof.

We've booked the borders for the May weekend (just a chalet thing) but I can't see us being allowed out of dirty Glasgow. Most other possible dates are booked so I reckon that's our lot.
And on a related note, all these holiday homes are popping up on my Facebook - £1500 for 3 days. Who is paying that? £3000 for a self catering house in Scotland with no weather guarantee when that's what you'd pay for a week's half board in Spain plus flights (in non-covid times).

@anon444877 talking of Italy I still remember the time that DH, DS and I were in Orlando.
We had a moderately priced apartment and were sitting on the rather sparse terrace with the view of next doors wall and DH looked around rather sadly and said "It's not Tuscany is it?" which has become our family catch phrase for any disappointing holidays.

DH still convinced we're going to Majorca in August as is DM from other family. Personally I can't cope with the stress of thinking about it and am mentally resigned - actually looking forward - to our backup option near Oban.

For one reason or another my dh hasn't been away for 4 years so he's so reluctant to face facts. Summer 2022 feels a long way away.

I agree on the prices, I suppose people desperate to book any holiday are paying them, a lot of things are now booked up til October!

There’s no way I’m spending a fortune on a midgey bothy.

Keeping my powder dry for sun

Yes on the prices and availability, even a week ago there were loads of options available at reasonable prices, I looked at the weekend to have a backup plan for one of our trips in Scotland and there's hardly anything now. Tell me I really don't need a Scottish back up plan for Whitby 24-31st July ?

I hope the cottage owners and hoteliers have a good season - they definitely deserve it.

@WouldBeGood I do feel obliged to point out that there are more options than midgety bothies available in Scotland. Although they may be booked out by now we've had lovely holidays at Forest Holidays near Callander and Loch Tay Lodges last summer.

I don't think you'll need a Scottish back up for July.
The odds of England refusing you would be incredibly remote and if things were bad enough for that to happen Scotland would be closed for business too.

Thanks @Lockdownbear - I think you're right.

I meant to say for those planning to holiday in our own fair country, the one notable exception to decent accommodation being available was Edinburgh. Obviously I live here so not of interest to me - unless still in Tier 3 by summer - but noticed there were absolutely loads of lovely luxury 2 bed apartments at less than £1000 per week. I guess because festival unlikely to be on there's lots of availability.

For those with younger DCs there is quite a lot to do that will definitely be open and also good day trips from the centre.