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We've booked a hotel in the Neukôlln district in Berlin. The hotel reserves the right to refuse guests from some areas but accepted ours. Kitkatklub is shut apparently... .
I am beginning to think I might just consider going abroad at the end of August - we had been considering taking a break in the UK but at £1,600 for six nights in a bog-standard hotel room only (not even B&B) in Whitby with four of us crammed in versus £2,000 for 14 nights All Inclusive in a 4-star (4.5 customer rating on TripAdvisor) in the Med is making me reconsider.
I had Austria & Holland booked this summer, both countries are still stating any UK visitors either need to have a recent (few days old) negative test result or 2 weeks of self isolation. Thankfully I took the decision to cancel a while back as having booked back in December my cancellation terms were about a week ago for full refund (actually made 5% thanks to the £ vs € rate change). If it frees up still want to head over there as Tunnel crossing is still in place.
Keeping an eye on the Austrian Embassy London website for updates. UK & Sweden are the only 2 countries in Europe that have this test/2 week rule in place.
We could actually have gone to Duinrell when we were supposed to, DFDS and Duinrell themselves open fro travel, but things like booking pool time etc sounds utter shit, so er, naw.
EasyJet have just cancelled our out-bound flights to Cyprus but not the in-bound flights. They have offered a free switch to the next available flight. The only available outbound flight is the day before we fly back...
They have offered a voucher, plus and extra £5 per passenger plus a £50 EasyJet holidays voucher. As I (occasionally) forward plan, in anticipation of just this event we've been looking at EasyJet Holidays to Croatia in October. That little lot would cover most of it, except...
...you can't combine the ****ing vouchers, they have to be used separately and the flight voucher can only be used for flights. ****ing useless. Oh well, their loss. Refund time.
just cancelled my Eurotunnel for Saturday. Was planning on a week's riding in Morzine, but its just not worth the hassle or risk in my opinion. Too many variables with local lockdowns, travel insurance, getting the contagion!
Family holiday to Croatia in august is still on the cards. But only due to the holiday company not giving us the option of a cancellation or changing the dates... so come the time, we will have to decide if we go or lose all our money...… ho hum.
We had 11 days booked in Greece in August. 4 nights in a hotel, then 7 days sailing in the Ionian Islands.
I’ve changed my outbound flights to bin the hotel, just keeping the sailing. 7 days isolated on a yacht, coming ashore for meals in outdoor Tavernas seems ok to me. Our oldest daughter is still unsure about the flights, but we shall see.
We changed ours to the same dates in 2021 now - 2 weeks at a 'Eurocamp' type place in Lake Garda.
Even the Novotel in Geneva which we'd booked for way down (which was a non-cancel-able booking) has given me a credit note to be used before Dec-21.
I'm sure we could go this summer, but we've talked it to death and just don't want to - too many unknowns, and an expensive exercise only to find its crap.
Apologies, I started another thread on this but it died the quickest and quietest of forum deaths, sinking off the bottom of the page like a stone!
Anyone see any Covid-related reasons not to book July 2021 flights with Ryanair?
I assume they will only get more expensive, and it's pretty much as far out as it is possible to book, plus we know refunds from Ryanair are possible, however painful and protracted.
So what's the risk? A massive second/third/fourth wave, flights not cancelled but prohibitive quarantine measures in place?
Could Ryanair (or Air Malta, who are operating these flights) fold due to the collapse in air travel and we lose the money?
I'm of a mind just to book it and hope for the best, just interested what others think.
The biggest issue for me is if it's possible to get insurance to cover COVID-19 related medical costs.
Why book through Ryanair for an Air Malta flight?
I can think of 100s of reasons not to fly RyanAir, but I’m pretty certain they won’t be going bust.
I'd just go for it Iain, book with a credit card too. Our Dutch holiday that isn't happening will be getting booked with the credit from this years abandonment, as soon as.
We're off to majorca tomorrow, assuming that the flight does actually go, the same flights as ours but on other days this week have all gone ok, so barring some kind of negative change in the state of affairs it looks like it will be flying.
For spain you need to complete this form ( https://spth.gob.es/)no earlier than 2 days before you fly, which will email you a QR code, which you need to show when you land.
Why book through Ryanair for an Air Malta flight?
Dunno, I'm not a very savvy flier, when I googled flights to Toulouse it was Ryanair and KLM that immediately came up, but KLM not direct. It's a Ryanair flight, just operated by Air Malta, if that makes a difference...
I’d just go for it Ian, book with a credit card too.
Yeah, that's my inclination.
Well, according to Grant Schapps (or whatever his name is this week) you can go where you want as travel restrictions are only "advisory" so it is fine for you (and "Johnson" Johnson's father) to travel to Greece, circumventing their ban on Brits by stopping off in Bulgaria (and ignoring Bulgaria's quarantine laws).
We have just renewed our annual insurance with Yellow Jersey, specifically asked over COVID 19 medical costs and its not covered as of yet. I did a lot of ringing round the ones that give good MTB cover as Abigale was planning on disappearing on an Alps tour once the FO guidelines are lifted. Shes decided its a risk willing to take to salvage her Summer
Non would give any cover so stuck with what we know
This is the wording that's been added
GENERAL EXCLUSIONS
The following exclusions apply to the whole of this policy
We will not pay for claims arising directly or indirectly from:
For any policy issued from 23:59 on 13 March 2020, there will be
no cover provided for any claim directly or indirectly caused by,
arising or resulting from, or in connection with: Coronavirus
disease (COVID-19) or any mutation of the disease.
Not good but I suppose understandable from an underwriting point of view
I’ve just googled, and Ryanair have just launched an airline called Malta Air. I imagine it’s them rather than national carrier Air Malta.
The biggest issue for me is if it’s possible to get insurance to cover COVID-19 related medical costs.
This is the biggest barrier to me going anywhere abroad this year. It's not so much if I get ill, more if the area I'm in gets put into an emergency lockdown - could just be the hotel I'm in to the province/region. The costs of dealing with that would be uninsured and could run into possibly thousands of pounds. I stress enough worrying about having to face my boss if I come back from the Alps inujured and that's with insurance, sod going somewhere and having a big potential cost hanging over my head for something I'll have no control over!
I’ve just googled, and Ryanair have just launched an airline called Malta Air. I imagine it’s them rather than national carrier Air Malta.
Lol, yes, blame my laziness, I did (briefly) wonder why a Maltese airline would be flying between Scotland and France...
I’ve just googled, and Ryanair have just launched an airline called Malta Air. I imagine it’s them rather than national carrier Air Malta.
Probably to do with Malta being (allegedly) the most corrupt country in Europe.
Confirmation of the excluded quarantine countries
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53283375
And FCO clearance
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-countries-and-territories-exempt-from-advice-against-all-but-essential-international-travel
Just bought Eurostar tickets for next weekend!
That is good news, now to put tentative plans for a roadtrip into gear...
Main obstacle is the travel insurance issue but that seems to be only wrt covid and not the expected cover for bike-related injuries i.e. broken bones etc, but this just means being super-careful socially and as i'm planning on camping that should be manageable.
"The mountains are calling, and i must answer..."
We've bitten the bullet, and booked for Belgium next weekend. It had been planned for a year, and it didnt look like it was going to happen.
A Sportive on Saturday, and if the weather is good, some Road classic sections on the Sunday around Roubaix and Gerardsbergen.
No problem at all booking a B&B for De Panne, loads of choice, the tunnel has gone up by £50 since last weekend, which I would think is due to demand. I can see next Saturday being busy in the tunnel.
On the chunnel Tuesday! Just need to sort some travel insurance now for a 9 month trip in our motorhome.
just cancelled my Eurotunnel for Saturday. Was planning on a week’s riding in Morzine, but its just not worth the hassle or risk in my opinion. Too many variables with local lockdowns, travel insurance, getting the contagion!
I’m sure we could go this summer, but we’ve talked it to death and just don’t want to – too many unknowns, and an expensive exercise only to find its crap.
These are exactly the reasons we cancelled our Spain trip
These are exactly the reasons we cancelled our Spain trip
+1. Although pressure at work almost brought me to tears this week, and 10 days somewhere warm with no access to it is sorely in need.
On the chunnel Tuesday! Just need to sort some travel insurance now for a 9 month trip in our motorhome.
Epic! Good luck and have fun.
After Easyjet cancelled our LGW - Paphos flights on the 14th we've changed them to Luton - Paphos flights on the 18th. I just hope the Cypriots will let us in...
So we have flights booked to Malaga in two weeks time and now the restrictions are lifted we are having a debate about whether to go. Kids are keen, adults less so. We'll be in a house so fairly isolated so the only real concern is the flights and the chances of catching the virus on them. We can also stay in the house all summer if required so getting stuck out there isn't an issue either. So what's the consensus on the chances of catching the virus on the flight? I'd rather avoid it if possible but don't want to do the kids out of their holiday as a result of my own worries about the virus.
I'm not convinced anyone really knows mate. I wouldn't go personally, but I can see why some people may.
I think that in England it's thought that about 1 in 1800 people have the virus (might be even lower that that now) , so assuming 250 people on a flight (which is probably not the case at the moment as most flights won't be full) you need to take 8 packed flights to be on the same flight as 1 infected person, statistically speaking.
One in 8 flights from uk will have a virus carrier on it apparently
I'm in Manchester Airport airside t3 now, it's fairly dead, not many people about, all bars and restaurants are closed, whsmith and boots is open.
There was a queue for Ryanair checkin as usual, but security was quick and easy.
Ive managed to reserve seats on my EJ flight on an entire row that only has 4 seats (2+2) so my family will take the whole row. We will board last, wear masks the entire flight, sanitise our individual seat areas so minimising risks as much as possible. Cabin airflow once onboard in actually very good (high flow, top to bottom, HEPA filters for any recirculated air).
The flight I'm on (manchester to majorca) is approx 60% full.
Everyone being well behaved so far.
After Easyjet cancelled our LGW – Paphos flights on the 14th we’ve changed them to Luton – Paphos flights on the 18th. I just hope the Cypriots will let us in…
All signs are currently pointing to "No!"
The rumours coming out of Cyprus (locals my parents know and the dive centres I contacted) are all saying 1st August.
Might be booking something to Gran Canaria as soon as Easyjet cancel the flights, which is unfortunate as we hadn't budgeted on paying for accomodation and it's going to eat into my coil fund.
So we got to majorca last night, we have our own place so no risks with getting stuck out here if things get locked down again etc, but I figured this might be useful info to some of you.
Wearing a mask for 5 hours straight while travelling is not pleasant, no surprise there, so get to the airport as late as you dare to avoid wearing it for any longer than necessary.
Manchester Airport t3 was pretty quiet, all bars restaurants and shops are shut except for whsmith and boots.
Ryanair flight was 60% full, and people were quite well behaved, Ryanair are serving food and drink during the flight as usual.
Palma airport was busier that I expected, it felt about as busy as the May day Bank Holiday weekend is usually, but everything was slick with no significant queues. You go through passport control as usual, then further along there are another set of desks where you hand your completed entry form in, or scan the qr code if you completed the form online, then they check your temperature with an infrared thermometer. It took about 30 secs to get through these extra checks.
We got in at about 9pm last night and went straight to the local bar, they'd laid the tables out with at least 1.5 m distance, it wasn't very busy, just us and a few locals. But aside from th4 fact it was quieter than usual because of a lack of tourists, it all was pretty normal.
Were in quite a quiet part of the island anyway, so it's not hugely different to usual. I'd imagine the bigger resorts are ghost towns with everything shut.
I suspect if you go self catered to a place/town that isn't focused 100% on catering to tourists it will largely all just seem the same as usual. I bet the tourist resorts are not pleasant, but then they weren't that nice to start with. But I reckon that will change as European and UK school summer hols start in earnest in a few weeks.
thanks for the info julians
my flights for the (now cancelled) benicassim festival are outbound on Thursday.
no idea what to expect on arrival
booking parking is proving more difficult than ever, hire cars appear either fully booked or not open, no response from my usual taxi company....
There didn't seem to be any issue with hire cars or taxis in majorca.
I just used my usual hire car company, and there was the usual queues at all the others.
The taxi rank outside the airport had plenty of cars waiting.
What do we think the risks are for a self drive trip to the Alps, via the Euro tunnel (stay in cars) to a sole occupancy apartment? All the activities we would do would be outside. Lunch would always be picnic or in the apartment. Evening meal would be at the apartment, or maybe, takeaway pizza.
I have looked at, and registered with the French supermarket for click and collect, so that would eliminate the need to visit the supermarket.
I think the risks are minimal, maybe lower than at home, where the kids will want to play with local friends, and we will feel under a bit of pressure to interact with others locally or even family further afield.
@TroutWrestler - sounds like a decent plan.
Can you get insurance that covers covid-related medical costs? That's the kicker for me at the moment.
You could take all the precautions and still end up in a french ITU ward with a bill to look forward to.
Risk of it happening is likely to be tiny, but the impact if it did happen would be huge.
It's a bit the wrong side of the risk appetite line for me still.
You could take all the precautions and still end up in a french ITU ward with a bill to look forward to.
In Europe you shouldn't face any big medical bills as long as you have your ehic card and you don't accidentally go to a private hospital. Think ehic covers 80% of the hospital bill in france
I have an annual policy that predates Covid, but will check the policy.
Our old annual policy covered us. We have just renewed and the new one doesn't. We did a lot of ringing around and not surprisingly couldn't find new one that covered us.
If and when we want to go with the camper its a decision we will have to make.
Youngest daughter has decided to go on her Alps trip as it covers everything else she needs now the FO have changed the status.
@TroutWrestler we are doing similar and have decided that we are going to go now that FCO advice has changed our insurance covers us for medical expenses if needed due to covid etc. We are heading to southern Alps in a very quiet area and can be self sufficient. Obviously going has its risks but then that will always be there now whether at home or away so I'd rather try and make the most of it 😁
I figured this might be useful info to some of you.
Good info thanks.
Just booked two of my girls onto a Ryanair flight from Manchester to Majorca on the 27th to stay at their friends place for a week.
I didn't know about the online form.... I'll let them know.
I looked into this yesterday. Our annual policy (Nationwide) doesn't cover anything to do with Coronavirus - no cancellation, no medical, nothing.
There are a bunch of policies that you can buy online that do cover for medical bills. I am not to worried about cancellation as I can cancel the bookings for no penalty up until the day I go.
I am waiting for quarantine clarity, being a Scottish resident.
Anyone see any Covid-related reasons not to book July 2021 flights with Ryanair?
I assume they will only get more expensive, and it’s pretty much as far out as it is possible to book, plus we know refunds from Ryanair are possible, however painful and protracted.
I would be guessing that the prices would be expensive at the moment and may come down - plenty of people will be rearranging/rebooking their current flights to next year as well as unleashed lockdown fever so no reason for any of the budget airlines to be discounting just yet.
After spending 2.5hours listening to Easyjet's hold music today I have a satisfactory outcome to my upcoming flight issue so I'm now debating if we should head off to a hotel in Gran Canaria or Tenerife in two weeks time.
I'm having a pretty shit time at the moment for reasons I'm not in a place I feel I can discuss with internet strangers and I could really do with a break having worked the whole way through the lockdown but I'm not convinced the holidays will actually go ahead yet so I'm reluctant to tie up yet more money that could be better spent on my bike.
I’m now debating if we should head off to a hotel in Gran Canaria or Tenerife in two weeks time.
I can't speak directly about tenerife or gran canaria, but you should probably check that other bars restaurants etc are open in the place you are going to unless you are totally happy to rely solely on the hotel.
In mallorca currently, the towns that are 100% reliant on package hols are Completely closed, its only places that have locals and private apartment/villa owners that have bars and restaurants open. However There is talk in the local press of hotels starting to open in the next couple of weeks.
I've just been for a run through magaluf, the place is like a ghost town, there's a couple of tourists wondering about, but everything is shut, it's like a scene from a zombie apocalypse film. But where we are a few miles round the coast everything is open as usual.
I've been pushing for AI, so it shouldn't be too much of a problem. The wife wants to save money and go B&B or HB, but IME that's not cheaper in the long run.
Ibiza is also a possibility but I guess the situation is the same there. Mind you, one of the hotels we were interested in in San Antonio sold out yesterday while we were trying to decide which one to go for.
I looked into this yesterday. Our annual policy (Nationwide) doesn’t cover anything to do with Coronavirus – no cancellation, no medical, nothing.
Bummer! Thats probably knackered our camping trip to Spain then.....
Check what you insurance says.
I get 'free' travel insurance through my work AXA PPP private healthcare.
Reading this thread I got worried so logged into their site to check and they say I am covered (whether the policy was started before or after COVID). It's all down to the UK FO advice with them.
Thats all for medical.
Any post March bookings don't cover cancellation
Breakfasted in France this morning after a smooth trip through the chunnel. A few days milling about along the coast on the sandy beaches with the dog then off to the Alps for a month! So glad to be out of the uk and only a month after we originally planned.
just checked the travel insurance, as booking before march i am covered.
Normally i would stop overnight at a hotel in Troyes on the way down to the alps, anyone have any idea of anything i should be aware of doing this in the current climate?
Does this sound right? Had an Easter booking in a French Accor-group hotel. Non-flexi, 150€.
Cancelled and given voucher as per French govt ordonnance (can claim a refund but only on expiry of the voucher after 18mths).
Thought about going in a couple of weeks so emailed the hotel and got the reply:
We get availability for this stay but you can only use the voucher for the flexible price of 182.40€
Sods. Asked them to show me the T&Cs where this was mentioned, no reply yet...
This is from the Nationwide FAQ's:
//www.nationwide.co.uk/support/travel/important-travel-information#9">Am I covered for medical expenses if I catch coronavirus while on holiday?
You’ll be covered for medical expenses, and related reasonable additional travel expenses if:
You’re not travelling against Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) advice
You’re not travelling against your doctor’s advice
You opened your account, and booked your trip before 18 March 2020
Which means I'll need alternative insurance if I want to be covered for CV19 medical as I booked my Spain trip after 18th March.
Anyone know of any that cover CV19 for medical and aren't silly expensive for a family of four???
The FM has given the go ahead for France. We will be driving, going by tunnel as this reduces ferry-mingling risk. Overnight hotel on way to Alps. 1 week house rental, then 1 week ski appt. rental. We will be biking, climbing, via ferrataing, swimming in lakes and eating ice cream. The jury is out on eating out. I have registered with Intermarche for click and collect to avoid supermarket shopping.
Overnight hotel on way back, tunnel back to UK, and currently no quarantine. The Department that we are going to has had 18 deaths total.
The most dangerous part of the journey will be driving through England.
Nationwide travel insurance does not cover us. A one-off policy from Moneysupermarket cost less than £35 for a family of 4.
Not anxious, not apprehensive, but not fully relaxed either. Will dynamically risk assess. I want to avoid being inside with anyone that isn't family. We have a suitable supply of masks if req.
I actually can't remember the last time I ate out inside a building in France during the summer. Outside dining, if plenty of space, may be on the cards.
So is 14 days quarantine on entering France definitely dropped now we have stopped applying it to people entering from France since 10th July? I was assuming the French would have to officially confirm, but the gov.uk advice seems to suggests it was reciprocal so that as soon as we dropped it theirs was automatically dropped too?
I was assuming the French would have to officially confirm, but the gov.uk advice seems to suggests it was reciprocal so that as soon as we dropped it theirs was automatically dropped too?
It was always voluntary for Brits to quarantine when arriving France up until the 10th,now its been dropped Entirely
We will be biking, climbing, via ferrataing,......
The most dangerous part of the journey will be driving through England.
Hmmm. I think not.
Back at our static in North Wales. Absolutely shattered as the garden was a mess. The site had said they were cutting the grass, nope they only did the ones near the entrance.
I'm working from the caravan tomorrow before returning home, then coming back Wednesday night for 4 nights. Bringing the bikes this time.
Not even going to risk booking anything overseas.
We are currently in Provence having taken the campervan through the chunnel (they ask you to stay in your vehicles on the train but the terminal toilets are open).
We stopped at a Hotel B&B in Saint Quentin on the way as we arrived very late. Booked in online and got emailed the door code so didn't speak to or go within 10 metres of anyone while we were there.
No issues in the services or shops but lots of places asking you to wear a mask unless you are seated, which isn't a problem. The weather here is excellent so eating outside isn't a hardship either. We are looking forward to a safe and fun holiday, with lots of cycling and being outdoors.
Does anyone know how to do a "show me the most recent review of a hotel in the Balearic Islands" search on Tripadvisor? I want to keep an eye out for people coming back and their real world experiences, without endlessly trolling through a long list of hotels.
Just got back from a long weekend in Belgium.
No problems at all in travel, hotel or cafes.
It is compulsory to wear a mask when in a shop or enclosed public place.
Street cafes have no masks outside. The one we frequent in De Panne said masks compulsory when going inside to use the toilet, though it wasnt policed very well.
All the shops we went in were keen on mask use,I'd forgotten mine this morning, just about to go into the corner Spar shop, and got stared daggers from the cashier, when I realised I didnt have it.
A bar in Poperinge yesterday didnt seem too bothered about their use, just like another bar on Saturday, where we sat inside. Some interpreting of the Law sightly differently I think.
And, Belgian road cycling. Just do it.
We did a 45km sportive, around Zwalm, cobble country. What a great event , 7 euro, got a cake and a waffle at the start, perfect signposting (unlike some of the ones I've done in the UK), a perfect choice of roads, including some classic road race sections, the map was marked with bars around the course, there was a lady at the end, when we were parking the bikes, she asked what drinks we'd like, and they were at the table as we sat down.
Couldnt have been better.
I have two weeks leave booked for mid Sept that I can't change, original plan was Le Mans first and then on to ride, but Le Mans is no go for us now ( Didn't have tickets booked before Covid). I really wanted to go to Soelden and then on to Dolomiti paganella as it's not too far from Soelden and maybe to Livigno too.
I'm currently thinking Paganella, Livigno and I've been in touch with MTB Beds about a few days in Finale Ligure. But I am having doubts about going anywhere.
The quickest way to drive to the Dolomites is through Austria.It's possible to transit Austria with need for a medical certificate but I am worried about being turned away at the border, even if I have accomodation booked in Italy and can show I'm just transiting. If I'm on the Autobahn (A7) does anyone know if I'll be stopped upon entering Austria? I speak almost zero German.
In Europe you shouldn’t face any big medical bills as long as you have your ehic card and you don’t accidentally go to a private hospital. Think ehic covers 80% of the hospital bill in france
That sounds to me like you could still end up with 20% of a very big medical bill!
Google suggests an average day in French ICU is about 1500eur and the average COVID patient who needs ICU is there for 16 days... so even with EHIC you could be looking at a 5k bill, not including any family members having to isolate before returning home, or staying to help you when released, and no repatriation etc. It’s unlikely you get COVID on holiday, it’s more unlikely you get symptoms before you return. It’s even more unlikely still you end up in a French ITU but if you do I’d say you are facing a big bill (by uk standards), if you aren’t insured.
The Austrian and German borders can be a funny one, tbh. Into Austria from Germany, I've never seen that policed. Into Austria from Czech there'll be a few Austrian polis a few metres down the road. Austria from Slovenia feels like a proper hard border at the best of times, polis with guns, most folk get waved through but the odd car gets pulled to the side. Into Germany from Austria can be an absolute nightmare as well, especially at that corner by Salzburg. Been pulled over there before and the polis were not particularly friendly.
We are definitely still planning on our trip to Greece 9 August. 8 days sailing in the Ionian with just my family on a boat, so in control of our social distancing. The plane is a slight worry, but face masks all round and a 2+2 row to ourselves.
We have holiday insurance from before Covid and the holiday was booked last year, so with the FCO travel advisory now lifted we are covered. My wife is a bit concerned about the Greek healthcare system post austerity though.
Just landed in Gran Can.
Easy Midlands Airport was the quietest I’ve ever seen it. Vast majority of people observing the mask rule. Flight was at about 75% occupancy but most seemed to be wearing those new-fangled masks that are 100% effective when worn over the chin. ****ers.
Cabin crew kept requesting for masks to be worn over the intercom but this was ignored and I didn’t see them approach anyone directly.
**** that.
Thought I’d follow up on my post a couple of pages ago. We’re here in Spain and it it was all quite painless. Manc airport was very quiet, most people very disciplined about wearing masks. The bar was even open, and you could drop the mask once sat down. There were a couple of mask refuseniks on the flight but the vast majority kept to the rules.
In Spain they’re obviously taking this more seriously than we are. You need to fill in the form with flight and contact details in advance or at the airport when you arrive, and they have infrared screening machines and nurses on hand to check for anyone with symptoms. The vast majority of people are wearing masks when out and about. Like the airport once you’re sat down in a bar or the beach you can dispense with it. So all pretty much as normal, just get used to wearing a mask.
So, ferry booked (at about 2.5x pre-c19 prices...but that's the price to pay)
Barring something major happening it looks like the Euro roadtrip is a go-er (fingers crossed)
We’re having to wear masks in the restaurant and bar to get served. The AI hotels must be loving it; 30 minute queue to get a drink and a 2 drink per person queuing maximum.
Into Germany from Austria can be an absolute nightmare as well,
Drove from Munich to Trento last Friday going via the Inn valley and over the Brenner.
Heading south wasn't a problem. No Austrian nor Italian controls. However, in the way into AT from DE we saw German police had set up a road block.
Given my previous experiences with the German fuzz we decided on crossing back into Germany via a quiet mountain road rather than the autobahn.
EMA website said all restaurants were closed but the Gin bar was open and serving food (and Gin) at 5am.
back from a week in Castellon, the masks, omg the masks.
While there, mask use was recommended, but the generalitat upped that over the weekend to obligatory. But as i saw it.... 98% of people outside their homes have masks, about 50% have it only covering their chin/forgot their nose/hanging from one ear.... masks are then momentarily removed to smoke, speak, breathe? so there is quite high hand to face contact, in my uneducated view, any societal benefits of wearing masks are being balanced by "incorrect use of PPE" - but then its not PPE, is it......
Beaches open with a few guidelines, which are enforced. Bars, somewhat like the UK, are open but each has its own interpretation of the guidelines.... best advice i can offer is to wait to be seated. supermarkets were enforced hand sanitiser on entry, plus disposable gloves as well as masks
a high percentage of tourism there is spanish and Orpesa itself was only slightly quieter than would be expected (quite likely as accommodation would have been booked out pre-CV19 for the festival - and the internationals chose to cancel?)
Spain checked our paperwork and took our temperature on arrival.... UK didnt check any thing (there is a matching passenger health locator form on gov.uk)
UK Airport was nice and quiet, Castellon always is.
worst half hour was in the back of a taxi to the airport, the rear fully sealed off with thick polythene/perspex.... shame the aircon only works for the driver!
I will be back later in the year, pending second wave lock downs