Where to Visit as Travel Re-starts
Which European countries should you consider visiting as travel re-starts? By Mark Bibby Jackson, TravelBeginsAt40.com
Slowly the world of travel is opening up, although we still have to deal with the slightly confusing traffic light system and various restrictions. A question you may well be pondering is which countries in Europe you might plan to visit for your long overdue holiday?
Pre-covid there was much talk of over-tourism. Destinations that had traditionally welcomed visitors with open arms, such as Barcelona, Lisbon and Venice had almost declared war on the international traveller, imposing tourist taxes, barring cruise ships and day-trippers, while locals adorned walls with graffiti making it abundantly clear that tourists were not welcome in their neighbourhoods.
Now countries are once more turning towards tourism revenue to stoke their economic recovery and provide much-needed income for those very same communities. Few of us advocate returning to the bad old days of mass tourism, but the past eighteen months has shown us how vital tourism revenue is to local economies. So, which European destinations might you put on your travel list?
And the lights are changing toโฆ
The first question is, of course, where can we travel? To provide a definitive answer to this question is as futile as painting the Humber Bridge. As soon as we state categorically that we can travel to certain destinations, such as Portugal, a new variant is discovered, and the traffic light changes colour forcing us to make an emergency stop. And that is not allowing for those people who get stuck on their holidays when the traffic light changes colour.
Last year, I was on a trip to Switzerland hosted by the Swiss Tourism Department, when the UK Government altered the travel status of the Alpine nation. Fortunately for us the tourism department purchased a new ticket home a day earlier than intended, so we were able to land at Heathrow before turning into metaphorical pumpkins. Many were less fortunate than us, frantically checking to see if they could reschedule their flights and whether their insurance covered their losses.
It is important to remember that even when the UK Government is content for us to return home without entering quarantine, this does not mean the destination nation is equally as welcoming. My key advice to you is that before you commit to any international travel you choose travel insurance to cover such an eventuality. I like to use Battleface Insurance when I travel.
For history buffs who may like the idea of experiencing the celebration of the bicentenary of Napoleonโs death on St Helena (the Island is off the coast of Africa but is a British possession) be wary. It is currently on the UK green list, but the catch is that you have to quarantine for 10 days upon arrival โ recently reduced from 14 days โ not exactly perfect for your two-week vacation.
Keep up to date
The list of green list countries will continue to be a changing scenario so it is best keep checking the government website for the rules applying to returning to the UK www.gov.uk/guidance/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for-entering-england#green-list and as the government also advises โ check the current requirements of the country you are thinking of travelling to www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-abroad-from-england-during-coronavirus-covid-19#check-the-rules-for-the-country-youre-going-to .
Taking one example, at the time of writing Croatia went onto the UK Governmentโs green list. This is a beautiful country with a wonderful coastline as well as plenty of historic sites to visit โ an affordable destination for a family holiday that is well worth considering. It currently requires proof of vaccination for entry from the UK and you can keep up with the precise requirements here: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/croatia/entry-requirements (You should also check with your travel agent).
And how about visiting the Rock of Gibraltar? This is one of the few places where you can get some sun without strenuous testing and quarantine regimens. Apart from the great weather you can go on a cycle tour of Gibraltar or visit the museums and art galleries. As of writing all arrivals need to take a Lateral Flow Test upon arrival, which can be booked here. www.covidrapidtest.gi
Looking ahead to the time when the travel restriction recede - where would you love to go? Is there a holiday destination you have dreamed of going to? Should you wish to travel beyond Europe the likelihood is that certain long-haul destinations will open up for the autumn/winter season. Perhaps youโll be able to get away and fulfil that dream.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mark Bibby Jackson is passionate about travel and sharing the joys of visiting new places and people. He is founder and group editor of websites Travel Begins at 40 and London Begins at 40, as well as the award-winning author of three thrillers set in Cambodia. He is the former editor of AsiaLIFE Cambodia, ASEAN Forum and Horizon Thailand magazines.
Web:
Twitter: @TravelBegins40 Facebook: @TravelBeginsat40 Instagram: @TravelBeginsat40
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