Holidays

My new grandson arrived in Australia last Monday. Obviously my flight had been cancelled, so I can only look on, in envy, while the in-laws get lots of cuddles. Lockdown has been greatly relaxed over there, just in time for them.
I have had two emails from the company I booked through, making excuses why they can’t yet give me a refund. If I want a refund they are going to keep £50 for ‘handling charges.’ Otherwise I can have a voucher, and hope that fares don’t rocket up when travel is allowed again. Heaven knows when I will get to cuddle the baby! ?
As for U.K. holidays, I’m not even bothering to think about them yet. I was shocked to see that Shearings Coach Holidays’ U.K. branch looks like it’s going bust. They are a huge company, based locally in Wigan. If they go, they will probably drag dozens of hotels down with them.

Why would anyone even think of going away for the next few months?

All the things that make a holiday would be shut including galleries, museums, restaurants, bars and cafes.

Also....one very important point.....walking is lovely but at some point I would need a loo...especially if we took a picnic.
If nothing is open, this would be a very real issue for me.

Gillybob is only stating facts. It will be convenient for them, and others. Sadly, not for all.

We were going to Cornwall at the end ofJune but the holiday company contacted us and asked if we’d like to postpone until next year. We are now going in July 2021.
Fingers crossed!

We are not booking anything. I can't see how hotels can operate safely and I'm not sure that I would be confident in a holiday cottage. If it had been occupied before we arrived the owners would have had to deep clean it and I doubt that would be feasible.
Travel abroad is still unclear. Not sure I'd want to come back to two weeks quarantine.

I've been following Simon Calder on Twitter and Instagram. He has for the past few days, posted a live video with question and answer session.

Seems to me though that while there may be flights going to holiday destinations - facilities may not be open once you get there, you will probably have to quarantine for 14 days upon return to the UK (other than travel in from France) , and Travel Insurance could be invalid (particularly if the FCO are still advising against non-essential travel.

So I won't be going to the USA in June - even if flights are happening. It is too soon. The state I will be visiting (to see family) is still on lockdown similar to that of the UK so there will no restaurants/sights/public transport.

I do have a trip to Iceland later in the year planned- I am half thinking that that WILL happen.

Other than that it will be a staycation at home. A good opportunity to finish off all the gardening and DIY jobs.

We’ve got a holiday booked for October in Cornwall. I hope we can go then but I’m not convinced as there could be another spike . I really hope we can go as my Aunty has booked nearby and I am so looking forward to seeing her.

Had to cancel butlins which was for wk before easter(was taking youngest GD who has never been on hols with me before!) And at the time had also booked Haven in august bank holiday for me& my 2 'boys' still at home(21&17) but they were saying back then they were still open,but not the bars,restaurants,entertainment,& spa on the park, so what would have been the point??But then they closed week after anyway.so ive only just got refunded. I think will wait till they develop a vaccine tbh.

From what I’ve read it seems as if July will be the earliest month when holiday areas may be open.

Shops will start to open from early June and restaurants etc in early July.

That’s all dependent on the R number being below 1 though.

It’s so difficult not being able to plan. We are certainly not going abroad this year even if restrictions are lifted.

I would hate the thought of being stuck in one of the European countries with a stricter lockdown than we have had here.

think holidays this year will be totally on hold - have just had renewal notice for annual travel insurance - no point in renewing that in the foreseeable future so a saving there for the moment

No one knows what is going to happen in the future with this virus so it's all guessing and supposition at the moment.
Word was yesterday that many food venues MAY be open from the beginning of July , as possibly will be hairdressers, beauty salons etc.
There are some food businesses currently opening some drive thru facilities but these are few and far between.
One of our nearby towns has several food companies - pubs, restaurants, cafes and catering companies have been offering either takeaway or non contact deliveries to homes, which seems to be going pretty well.
However, that is just one town and many other places haven't got that.
At the moment, many holiday places are asking people to stay away - the fear is that people from outside their area may well be either infectious or unknowingly be suffering from the virus that can be then passed on to the residents in what is usually small villages and towns where maybe no one has had it. So basically, it's wait and see. Personally I'd cancel the holiday or rebook for next year, wherever you are planning to go if possible.

I sold my guest house in Plymouth and moved out in February.
Thank goodness as we were already struggling financially as we were surrounded by Airbnb’s that had become strong competition. Online booking agents were wanting 20% of every stay and my health (Arthritis) and age (63) was making it more and more difficult to run a four storey building with 7 guest bedrooms.
I would have been so worried as tourism has ground to a complete halt and all the summer plans (Mayflower 400) and other events In Plymouth have all been cancelled.
Out of curiosity I checked to see what government help we would have received and we fell through the gaps and would not have got any. We would more than likely have gone out of business and I am not sure what we would have done.
I am now living is a seaside resort in Wales (retired but without a pension) and we are still in lockdown here as Wales is doing its own thing.

I am still on holiday in Crete! Came in March to my house for six weeks and still here! Not complaining, it is a beautiful place to be and very safe from the virus. When I do get back to the UK I won’t be going anywhere for a while!
We were going to Croatia for a month in May in our camper van which is brilliant for self isolating as it only fits two! Next year maybe!

Per some posts it looks like some holiday companies are taking the Michael. You are entitled to a no quibble full refund on booked holidays in cash (refund to card etc) not vouchers. Check out martinis money tips for more expert advice on this. Due to quarantines etc I’d say abroad is out. All the best

I was due to go away for my usual week with my DD to Majorca at the beginning of May obviously this was cancelled and we are rebooking for next year when we can.
In the news yesterday it states that the Baleric Islands are planning on opening by end of June but holiday makers would have 2 weeks isolation when they return how that can be enforced I just don't know.

GreenGran78- NO ONE, aside from its parents, should be 'cuddling' the baby!!! SAFE distancing remember??? That includes GC at the moment, and i too have a new GD due, very soon, but even though could probably now travel the 78 miles i still could not go get cuddles- so the other grandparents shouldnt be doing that to your GC either! Stewth,what part of all this dont folk understand still??!

We had the half term week booked in May in two caravans one for myself and DH and one for DD, her partner and DGD. The parks are closed until the end of May and they have given us three options 1. transfer to a date later in the year or any time in 2021 with no admin fee plus a voucher for £50 to use on meals or entertainment per caravan, 2. put money in a holding account until we decide the dates we want (also with the voucher) or 3. full refund. Looking at the other posts Haven seem to be one of the better ones to have booked with. Still hopeful for Jersey in September tho.

Just had a weekend in Wooler , Northumberland cancelled by Airbnb. This was in June. Our flights to Pisa in April and Girona last week were cancelled. Waiting for promised refunds from Jet2 and Airbnb. Refused voucher from Ryanair!! Flights to Lanzarote Already cancelled by Jet2 but got a refund. This is my 70th birthday year hence the trips! Hope to get to Amble in August for our hooked week away for actual birthday. I feel desperation fir the tourism and hospitality industry. Some very careful planning required to avoid another spike. I am nit keen to fly anywhere until they find a vaccine.. so my trip to India is very dodgy for October.
I am happy to do staycations and celebrate year later ???‍♀️?

I sent an email to the host of an AirBnB last night to hopefully move a booking for 16th June, until the same time next year, here in N.Ireland to go to our beautiful North Coast. We have been told cafes, pubs, some shops etc; probably won't open again until Nov so what is the point of going even later in year, if we are allowed to leave our area, to just to sit in another house, the beaches are great but not good if it rains....

Luckily we had not finalised details of our annual fortnight in Rhodes.
I'm hoping it will be possible for the later end of summer.
Not only will we need a break by then but I know how much the Greek people need the income.
We have not missed a year for 15 years now.
Luckily the weather here in South East has been great so far.

Thanks Grandadoscar, id been told by Haven that as id said to cancel week before they closed down, and had their insurance, that id lose the deposit, & insurance cost- but looking at what they gave me(in lots of different amounts) it looks like they may have given me deposit too& just kept insurance?? So i may be best just accept this?It was quite expensive though as it was a luxury lakeside lodge,not just a caravan- first time i could get hold of one & this happens!

We should be in Wales at the moment but that naturally was cancelled.
We have also got a holiday booked in Menorca with TUI at the beginning of September. Balance is due beginning of June. We aren't keen to go and DH is on the vulnerable list anyway. We don't really know how to proceed. If we cancel we are likely to lose the money but if TUI cancels we can probably claim a refund. Think I will leave things as they are for the time being and see what happens.

Hi Gillybob,
From what I’m hearing on the news, your DD firm have to accept that there is no childcare available at the moment for her to return to work, even on reduced hours. She cannot be discriminated for this either, so don’t feel guilty about not being able to look after your granddaughter. I’m in a similar dilemma in that my son has been furloughed and was asked to return but I can’t look after my grandson and am also self isolating from my own part time job for health reasons. Try not to worry - there are thousands of grandparents in the same position

I have had to cancel a holiday booked to France and my daughter has cancelled her holiday in Turkey so to keep our spirits up we are doing research and compiling a list of 'luxury' holidays for 2022, so that we can have time to save up and hopefully things will be more normal. At the moment I'm favouring a safari in Africa. I always find that the planning of a holiday is a big part of the fun of travelling.

Glamananna yes that's going to be a problem. How are they going to implement a 2 weeks quarantine for all entering-reentering the U.K.? They would have to trust that you are responsible enough to do it.