Are you planning on holidaying this year?

Now that I know I'm having my first jab next week and the second in April, I shall try to book a holiday after that.
I've got credit from my holiday which was cancelled last year.
Yippee!

No holiday planned for either this year or next. Until the entire world has been vaccinated and Covid has gone, we will be staying in our local area.
Why anyone would choose to fly, or go on a cruise, is beyond me.

I've got a tour of New Zealand ending with a trip to Australia to visit DS2 and family, all booked for November/December. It had to be postponed from last year due to the Covid. I would bet it doesn't go ahead this year either. I can't see the New Zealanders letting germy Europeans in any time soon. I've also got a voucher for a postponed cruise, they've just sent me their latest brochure...starting this May. They won't happen. The FCO is still advising against cruising and, while they are, you won't get insurance. I have a few ideas for UK trips using B&Bs plus a visit to DS1 in Surrey but there's got to be a lot less virus about before I go anywhere even though I'm now getting vaccinated.

Ekwa, in your place I would be trying to get my money back from the cruise company. Now that we know cruise ships are Petri dishes for viral infections cruising is going to become a thing of the past. Vouchers will be worthless if the company folds.

Yes, Esspee, I must keep that in mind, even big, well- established companies are going to fold I suspect. Brits aren’t booking cruises and I am wondering if folk elsewhere are. I’m just risking hanging on to see what happens to these companies over the summer. If no one is booking, how long can they keep going?

Even when I’ve had 2 vaccinations, which is some months down the line I think, I will definitely not feel happy to go abroad, and will be wary in this country.

Vaccs arn’t 100% protective, it’s still possible to catch Covid, although hopefully not be seriously ill, but still be infectious. It has been said no one’s safe until every one’s safe, and that includes other countries, not just our small island.

Hannah Betts column in the Telegraph today:

“As more and more people are vaccinated, their confidence boosted, an unexpected rise in holiday bookings is being led by the over-fifties. Over the past couple of weeks, tour operators have witnessed a sudden surge in activity from those who have received the first jab and are awaiting a second.

Coach operator National Express reports that bookings made by those 65 and above have increased by 185 per cent during the past fortnight compared with last year. As one travel specialist tells me: “This spring’s going to be about frosty-tops going demob happy, while the young remain languishing on plague island.”

Can you imagine being stuck in an enclosed coach for the duration of a holiday?
Do these people think that having the vaccination stops you from catching Covid?

I didnt really have the chance to travel to the places I had always dreamed of visiting until a few years ago. I feel so lucky to have been able to do so.
There are so many issues with travel at the moment I do wonder what peoples expectations are.
There is the potential risk to health obviously. Theres also the impact on the cost of travel insurance.
There are many forms of holiday. I do wonder what peoples expectations are of their destination. Globally economies have been affected and business shut. Holidays for me are about experiencing a different country,the food-meeting the people. I wonder how people will feel if the experience is as limited as here but with sunshine?
I'm really interested in why people feel the absolute need to have a holiday. I think it's different if you have family members in a different country,but as a means of relaxation? Really?

Espee I totally agree. I have been on coach holidays both home and abroad and have had some really lovely holidays.
I imagine they are just below cruising as regards covid safety. One small local firm I have always used are excellent and frequently sent updates on how they were making their journeys covid safe. Surely to do this I would have thought it would make the trip economically not worth it.
I think the whole holiday issue may be a case of just because you can do something doesnt mean you should.
I'm sure the cruise ships will adapt,maybe encouraging those who are less vulnerable such as young families.
Depending on how long this situation lasts I do wonder if travel will return to being an option for the rich.
Finally although I recognise the impact on countries who rely on tourism, and although I love jumping on a plane as much as the next person, maybe this will benefit the planet?

Not sure if we can call it holidaying- we are planning to go to England very end of March to spend time with grandchildren and be at our flat for about 3 weeks. It seemed totally feasible not very long ago- now we are not sure. We will come when it is safe for us and for all we want to see and hug.

Going skiing for by 70th- small resort, self catering, ski in, ski out with take-away restaurants just down from studio. Out of season and week days only- end of Feb.

Booked to go to Umbria and Tuscany for our 50th WA in May - driving from here is about 8 hours. Again, we will wait and see. I have had Covid and OH will be vaccinated by then with both does at correct timing- so everything crossed.

No holidays booked and certainly not planning anything. For use the only thing that matters is seeing our DGC and AC again. Hopefully we will manage that over the summer.

Holidays would be wonderful but we can live without them. I don't think there should be any unnecessary travel into or out of the UK.

No idea when we will ever contemplate flying anywhere, certainly not, in the near future.

We can fortunately drive from home in Scotland further north to our other, rural home. House, to car, to house to enjoy walks without meeting another soul. Hope we can share this safely with family and friends at some point too. A get together celebration of all the ones we have missed, would be wonderful.

Good luck CBBL. I hope it’s not too long until you settle in to your new home. ?

I really don’t understand all the adverts for foreign holidays given the fact that the pandemic is nowhere near over and new variants are popping up in different countries. Even this country will be in danger of having local lockdowns at any time.

According to today’s World at One, many over 70’s and other older people are booking for 2022 -sensibly!
In the same programme I heard there is a recommendation that pubs and restaurants may not open until May which makes me think we can expect to be locked down to a greater or lesser extent until after Easter.
Taking about holidays seems premature to say the least.

Meant to add, my strong suspicion is that this is being talked up by the travel companies in an attempt to boost confidence - and consequently sales. If enough reports say other people feel safe and are doing something, there will always be those who follow suit.

It's looking increasingly unlikely that I will be able to go to France this Summer but I'm going to keep hoping as that will keep me motivated and less depressed.

We have two booked for this year which were moved from last year.
It's the thought of getting away again that keep me going.

just cancelled our long planned trip to England for Easter- after discussion with daughters. Not seen them since last Feb, nor grandchildren- and we were sure until not long ago that Easter would be fine. But ... it is what it is.

End of May for our 50th hopefully- see how it goes.

I think our Easter family get together that was cancelled last year will not be happening this year, either. Almost a year now since I saw my grandchildren except for a couple of times when I saw them from a distance. I really didn’t think this pandemic would go into a second year.

I heard Matt Hancock say that he was going to Cornwall for his holiday this Summer.

I think making trips and enjoying holidays has not as much of importance during this pandemic situation or you can <a href="https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/travel-advice">text</a> check here before you make travel plans.

We have booked a short break in Devon near DHs younger daughter. It's in August, and we can cancel if needs be. We would love to go to our favourite place, Venice, but will wait for the rest of the world to be vaccinated before we think about abroad.

I want to go to Australia to visit DD. There is absolutely no chance of that.
So... I’ll settle for going to Waitrose, 15 miles away and at the moment not allowed, with my DH and have a leisurely browse. Other supermarkets are available and are nearer to us.