Topic: Holidays - UK or abroad?

[rob1966]

Yeah we had toyed with going to the Canaries in October half term. My wife’s a teacher too and not sure I can be arsed with the hassle of things change again or we have to quarantine. Better to wait again until next year.

We're due to go to Cyprus in Oct. With both me and the missus WFH, I'd happily quarantine at home now if we had to.

UK Holidays are going to get even more expensive now

[rawcusk8]

Was due to go to Dubai in a week but will have to postpone it for the 4th time. A shame it’s still on the red list but I suppose we just have to go with what the government say. Will probably look for dates in September, hoping by then things are a lot better but I’m not so confident. Like Rob and a few others on here I was looking forward to having a break after a challenging last year but it wasn’t meant to be, ah well hopefully next time.

[Crosby Nick]

We're due to go to Cyprus in Oct. With both me and the missus WFH, I'd happily quarantine at home now if we had to.

UK Holidays are going to get even more expensive now

Might go on my own.

[JackBauer]

Rob, I think your problem with your Lanzarote trip might have been that Spain has extended the ban on UK arrivals until at least 31 May. Even if you'd been able to get on the plane they wouldn't have let you in and if you had an EJ package I'm not surprised they cancelled it.

We're meant to be coming over from Bermuda in July for my mum's 70th. She really wants to spend it abroad so we had been looking at coming over then all of us going on a package trip to Portugal or the Canaries. There are loads of variables in that plan as it is and if they're not putting us on the green list then I think we might have to jib the whole thing as we certainly don't want to quarantine. Going to be a very fluid situation which we're just going to have to keep an eye on I think.

[rob1966]

Rob, I think your problem with your Lanzarote trip might have been that Spain has extended the ban on UK arrivals until at least 31 May. Even if you'd been able to get on the plane they wouldn't have let you in and if you had an EJ package I'm not surprised they cancelled it.

We're meant to be coming over from Bermuda in July for my mum's 70th. She really wants to spend it abroad so we had been looking at coming over then all of us going on a package trip to Portugal or the Canaries. There are loads of variables in that plan as it is and if they're not putting us on the green list then I think we might have to jib the whole thing as we certainly don't want to quarantine. Going to be a very fluid situation which we're just going to have to keep an eye on I think.

Yeah I twigged that in the end, just annoying as they opened online check in on Wednesday. If we had a competent govt, they'd have made plans with Spain to lockdown the Canaries a couple of months ago, then only allow UK visitors, with the guarantee they'd fill the island with vaccinated Brits. Helps both economies then.

Hopefully you can get it sorted for your Mums 70th

[gazzam1963]

So we booked Portugal for 8 of us late last year in a rented villa for June 5th , flights booked with easyJet all well and good but today had to book three pre flight tests for me the missus and one for my lad which come to £180 with a 50% discount off easyJet , one is arranged in Portugal at €100 each and need one two days after arrival in the uk which will possibly be up to £120 each , so not far off an extra £900 for a family of three even after second vaccinations .

[CHOPPER]

Has anyone ever flew Easy-Jet, to Port Stanley?

[rob1966]

So we booked Portugal for 8 of us late last year in a rented villa for June 5th , flights booked with easyJet all well and good but today had to book three pre flight tests for me the missus and one for my lad which come to £180 with a 50% discount off easyJet , one is arranged in Portugal at €100 each and need one two days after arrival in the uk which will possibly be up to £120 each , so not far off an extra £900 for a family of three even after second vaccinations .

Thats a total rip off that.

We were going to look again when they review the lits on the 28th, as we were due to fly on the 30th, but after reading that we're not bothering. Me and the missus get 2nd jabs on the 22nd, and with the eldest lad being 12, we would need 3 of us testing. We'll just stay at home and go to local pubs and restaurants, they can fuck off if they think I'm spending a load of money to go stay somewhere in the shitty UK.

[BlackandWhitePaul]

Going to the Scottish Highlands for a week in June staying at a hotel in the Kyle of Lochalsh and will be doing a bit of touring. I've wanted to go to Skye for a long time and now it's on.

[Buck Pete]

Has anyone ever flew Easy-Jet, to Port Stanley?

Even Tom Bradbury on ITV news at 10 took the piss following the report on the destinations allowed.

"So Holidaymakers can now enjoy a trip to Portugal or the Falkland Islands"

[Red Beret]

If I could afford some of the prices being bandied about, along with their "pre-flight" Covid related shenanigans, I wouldn't be flying fucking Easyjet in the first place.

I know UK holidays can be expensive, but if I have nine hundred quid to burn I know where I'd rather spend it.

[rob1966]

If I could afford some of the prices being bandied about, along with their "pre-flight" Covid related shenanigans, I wouldn't be flying fucking Easyjet in the first place.

I know UK holidays can be expensive, but if I have nine hundred quid to burn I know where I'd rather spend it.

Flown with Easy Jet loads of times, they are ace.

Reports Spain are going to waive the covid tests for Brits so might be looking at going away in 3 weeks after all if they go on the green list.

[Red Beret]

Flown with Easy Jet loads of times, they are ace.

Reports Spain are going to waive the covid tests for Brits so might be looking at going away in 3 weeks after all if they go on the green list.

Had no problem with them myself either, other than a cancelled flight, which they refunded me and paid for a hotel for an extra two nights.  But if I were in gazzam's situation I'd be right pissed off.

It's the main reason I'll have to likely put off flying for another year. I get stressed enough travelling abroad without having to deal with the extra hassle Brexit and Covid will be layering on.

[rob1966]

Had no problem with them myself either, other than a cancelled flight, which they refunded me and paid for a hotel for an extra two nights.  But if I were in gazzam's situation I'd be right pissed off.

It's the main reason I'll have to likely put off flying for another year. I get stressed enough travelling abroad without having to deal with the extra hassle Brexit and Covid will be layering on.

Not Easyjets fault though, its the rules about having to take 3 separate covid tests that's added the costs - hopefully that will change.

[gazzam1963]

Even going to Spain Rob if that’s out on the green list and they waive a per test , you still will need two for the uk and one of them would have to be in Spain a few days before you arrive home then the day2 one after the trips over

[rob1966]

Even going to Spain Rob if that’s out on the green list and they waive a per test , you still will need two for the uk and one of them would have to be in Spain a few days before you arrive home then the day2 one after the trips over

Is the test in the UK to allow you on the plane, or needed due to the arrival country requiring it? I assumed we'd be OK in the UK getting on a plane full of Brits seeing as its leaving from here and that we'd just need to 2 day after arrival test?

We're fucking it off anyway now, can't be arsed with the hassle and lack of information.

[Nobby Reserve]

Even going to Spain Rob if that’s out on the green list and they waive a per test , you still will need two for the uk and one of them would have to be in Spain a few days before you arrive home then the day2 one after the trips over

Do you still need this if you've had both jabs?

[gazzam1963]

Do you still need this if you've had both jabs?

At the moment yet , the first jab you have in the uk is it to satisfy the county your arriving in , the next two are for the uk side . If you go to an amber zone it’s three tests for the uk one prior to leaving your destination for your arrival at uk immigration then one on day 2 then day 8 once your back home

[I've been a good boy]

These tests are really putting me off. Turkey said they won't need them but I'll still need two when back in the UK, that's £240. And no guarantee that Turkey will even be on the amber/green list.

[Nobby Reserve]

At the moment yet , the first jab you have in the uk is it to satisfy the county your arriving in , the next two are for the uk side . If you go to an amber zone it’s three tests for the uk one prior to leaving your destination for your arrival at uk immigration then one on day 2 then day 8 once your back home

Thanks.

Seems daft.

We're off to Jockland for our main holiday this year. I'm betting on a shitty summer of weather.

I've got a lads' weekend in Benidorm for a 50th in November. Presume the shitstorm will be over by then.

[Red Beret]

Not Easyjets fault though, its the rules about having to take 3 separate covid tests that's added the costs - hopefully that will change.

I've seen advertisement hoardings in Garston from "companies" offering swift, cheap Covid tests for travel purposes.  It feels positively vulture-like, how people swoop in to take advantage of such "opportunities".

I promised myself I wouldn't fly again after the stress fest of Paris 2019; the current situation is not doing anything to change that position.

[rob1966]

I've seen advertisement hoardings in Garston from "companies" offering swift, cheap Covid tests for travel purposes.  It feels positively vulture-like, how people swoop in to take advantage of such "opportunities".

I promised myself I wouldn't fly again after the stress fest of Paris 2019; the current situation is not doing anything to change that position.

Country is full of vultures now, feels more like America.

[rob1966]

Portugal has extended the state of calamity til 30th May, no decision has been made yet on whether UK travellers are allowed in from Monday.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-57107154

[I've been a good boy]

That green list is going well then, effectively rules out all but Gibraltar, that world-famous beach destination.

[rob1966]

That green list is going well then, effectively rules out all but Gibraltar, that world-famous beach destination.

Some fella high up on Gibraltar was on the telly last week, he sounded just like a racist Brexit voter. Saying things along the lines of food was none of that foreign muck and you can relax as everyone speaks English so its not uncomfortable, its like being in Britain but in the sun.

Made me determined to never ever go to Gibraltar.

[TheKid.]

Mate of mine works in Gib (as does most of the gambling industry it seems) and backs up them being racist weirdos. Apparently they voted heavily against Brexit though which shocked me

[Drinks Sangria]

I used to work in Gibraltar on secondment for around a year in 2014 as unfortunately I worked in the gambling industry for a few years in my early 20s before I saw sense and got out. It's an expensive shithole - London prices but dirty and full of odd people. It's like if you slapped Stoke-On-Trent on the Spanish peninsula. I know a few who still live there, they're being brought back or relocated to Malta due to something with the licensing there that stops the remote gaming companies fiddling their tax as they currently do. Gibraltar is filled with more backwards racist flag-shaggers than most towns in England itself. It's bizarre.

In other news, Spain saying they're going to allow incoming UK flights from May 20th.

[Stubbins]

Portugal has extended the state of calamity til 30th May, no decision has been made yet on whether UK travellers are allowed in from Monday.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-57107154

Serious matter of course, but 'The State of Calamity' sounds as if it's been lifted from a Carry On film.

Like 'Carry on Abroad' when the regulars took themselves off for a nice holiday to the Spanish resort of Elsbels.

[gazzam1963]

Well  that’s Portugal on Saturday cancelled  , plenty of hassle sorting all the tests out and now out of pocket for them as well . Ended up rebooking flights for this time next year and awaiting on whether we will get anything back off the villa we booked right pain in the arse 

[rob1966]

Well  that’s Portugal on Saturday cancelled  , plenty of hassle sorting all the tests out and now out of pocket for them as well . Ended up rebooking flights for this time next year and awaiting on whether we will get anything back off the villa we booked right pain in the arse 

That's shite that.

This fucking government needs shooting, they are just a bunch of inept c*nts. Why allow travel only to pull it? Either grow some fucking balls and say no initially, or once open deal with it properly.

[gazzam1963]

Agree Rob , As one of the travel companies said they stated they would give a weeks green to amber notice to stop a scramble home ;what happened to that ..destroy anyone’s confidence in travel abroad

[TepidT2O]

Sorry to hear that.. that’s really crappy

[I've been a good boy]

I've cancelled mine now, Turkey in September. Pretty much zero chance it would go ahead and couldn't be bothered changing it to next year as there's no guarantee it'll be on the green list.

This incompetent government is determined to kill the travel industry. Absolutely ridiculous that not even a fully vaccinated person can visit a country like Portugal or Malta without having to quanrantine on return. World beating' vaccination programme my arse.

[killer-heels]

That’s really hard luck for those who have had to cancel. However, we should not be travelling abroad for a holiday.

[Jake]

That’s really hard luck for those who have had to cancel. However, we should not be travelling abroad for a holiday.

Agreed.

I'd bloody love a holiday, and can understand why everyone else wants one too. But there's a killer virus on the loose and our vaccines are maybe less effective vs the variants imported from other countries, so maybe ... lets not go to other countries for a bit eh.

[Stockholm Syndrome]

I think the government have treated the travel industry awfully. I feel holidays abroad may be a bad idea but this traffic light system and lack of warning just screwed everyone over.

On holidaying in the UK that's our plan now (either that or do nothing) and Jesus Christ prices for English holidays are absolutely disgusting. Self catering house for a week down in Somerset is WAY more expensive than comparable holidays abroad.

I am sure this is going to be a nice holiday but under normal circumstances there is no way my family would usually do this, and especially would not pay a premium way above abroad prices for the privilege

[clinical]

Me and my partner were stupid enough to risk booking a holiday earlier in year assuming vaccines would sort it out a bit. Nice trip to Dubai in September. Was a gamble but was an amazing deal. We decided to cancel yesterday not worth the risk and the hotel money was due in a couple of weeks. Lost £180 in admin fees for flights with a company called Travelup (never ever use these scammers, get you with low prices). But serves us right in a way. Was a stupid idea in hindsight.

[CraigDS]

We're booking in for Florence still at and of July and still going up to now. I work from home a lot anyway so quarantining for 5 days (will get the added test) when back isn't too much issue.

[I've been a good boy]

Me and my partner were stupid enough to risk booking a holiday earlier in year assuming vaccines would sort it out a bit. Nice trip to Dubai in September. Was a gamble but was an amazing deal. We decided to cancel yesterday not worth the risk and the hotel money was due in a couple of weeks. Lost £180 in admin fees for flights with a company called Travelup (never ever use these scammers, get you with low prices). But serves us right in a way. Was a stupid idea in hindsight.

Dubai's a funny one. They've got one of the highest vaccination rates in the world but the only reason they're on the red list is because DXB is a major transit hub, especially for the likes of India, Pakistan and Nepal so it's a huge risk in that sense. I was thinking of booking it for May 2022 but booking anywhere right now is pointless until we get some sort of clarity.

[clinical]

Dubai's a funny one. They've got one of the highest vaccination rates in the world but the only reason they're on the red list is because DXB is a major transit hub, especially for the likes of India, Pakistan and Nepal so it's a huge risk in that sense. I was thinking of booking it for May 2022 but booking anywhere right now is pointless until we get some sort of clarity.

Yeah that's the issue with Dubai it's a transit hub. Had chance to change to a voucher up until May 2022. But rather take the hit and wait. Was a gamble that didn't pay off. Was worth the risk for the discount in the first place.