Holidaying in covid-19 times

I am sure you are all the same as me and itching to travel once again to places far and wide. But with the ever-changing ‘green list’, with places you've never heard of or thought of travelling to, it can be difficult to navigate the options.

While Australia and New Zealand are on our green list, they have both closed their borders to UK residents. However areas that caught my eye are Israel and Jerusalem. Yes they are and have always been fragile, but their history and culture still place them on my bucket list. Tel Aviv on the Mediterranean with blue seas, blue skies and temperatures reaching 30°c is the place to holiday, with budget airline flights from London and some fantastic hotels.

On the green list updated 30 June, the UK Government has added a few more holiday destinations BUT with a twist – the ‘green watchlist’, which means their status could change. To our great relief, UK’s go-to holiday destinations the Spanish Balearic Islands (Menorca, Majorca, Ibiza), are now on the green watchlist. There are only three countries on the green list which I would class as ideal for short-break holiday destinations - Gibraltar, Iceland and Malta. Gibraltar is part of the UK and as close to the traditional summer holiday in Spain as you can get. Iceland is ideal for the traveller who doesn't sleep, with sunrise at 3am and sunset at midnight, but it’s great if you're into adventure, and outdoor activities - and yes, you will need to pack shorts, T-shirts and swimwear. Also once the sun sets you may get the chance to view the fantastic phenomenon that is Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights). But the dark horse of the pack if you are double vaccinated, is Malta, with its dramatic coastline and stunning clear blue seas great for snorkling, diving or just a simple paddle.

Or enjoy a staycation and help the UK hospitality industry bounce back. These beautiful British Isles can offer you the same as our European counterparts, for example if you enjoy surfing in Lagos in the Algarve then there is no better place in the UK than Newquay and Polzeath in Cornwall with their sandy beaches and great surf ideal for all abilities. Or if you like to golf, the UK has some of the best golf in Europe such as The Belfry near Birmingham which won ‘world’s best golf hotel’ in 2020. Then for history you have the Cotswolds, Bath, and London where you can also take in a show. CPC Travel offers complete packages with rail tickets from your local mainline station, a choice of shows and hotel to suit your budget.

Just ask us for advice on any of the above options and current travel rules at CPC Travel or visit our website at cpc-travel.co.uk for up-to-date information.

By CPC Travel