Where Next?
Since arriving back in the UK from Greece, our thoughts have straight away turned to where we can go next and, despite travel restrictions having been given welcome simplification recently, there is still a minefield of information to work through in order to make any plans.
Our first thoughts were to take a relatively short break soon, and then after that, depart for another lengthy trip probably starting just before Christmas. And so began our wading through that minefield, bearing in mind that any destination which requires quarantine on arrival is not in our thoughts. Negative tests before departure yes, but quarantine no.
Initially, our choice for the short break was the Middle East, but we were unable to find a single country which doesn’t require quarantine for UK nationals, so unfortunately the Middle East fell quickly off the radar. Europe is a slight challenge, because having just spent 84 days in Greece, our post-Brexit 90-day allowance restricts any further stay in the Schengen region to, obviously, six days.
Then, as far as a longer trip goes, we are to a degree limited by our desire to avoid such things as miserable winters and monsoon seasons, but to a much greater degree by the large numbers of countries unwilling to allow access to UK residents without quarantine. There was, recently, much talk of Thailand becoming “clear”, but as yet that is not the case.
And then there’s the consideration of the COVID booster jab: we are both agreed that it wouldn’t be sensible to embark on another long trip until we have received the booster – which in the UK is available six months after the second vaccination. We become eligible for this booster at the end of November.
So for now the search goes on – though we are definitely homing in on both the short November trip and the longer adventure of perhaps December or January till March. All we can say at this stage is: watch this space.
25 Comments
Annie Berger
Loved reading about the challenges of finding places of interest that don’t conflict with weather complications, countries open to UK residents but who don’t mandate quarantine stays, and waiting for the booster shot.
Sorry to hear that the Middle East is out right now as it remains one of our favorite areas of the world. In March of 2020 we had begun a four-month-long trip that was to include several countries in the Middle East but that was of course cut way short.
Can’t wait to hear where the travel winds will take you next and next!
Phil & Michaela
Yes we loved our trip to Jordan, too….we have unfinished business in that part of the world.
Gilda Baxter
Travelling has become a bit of a minefield, but like yourselves we are also looking to the next travel destination. We have just returned home from doing the Camino de Santiago and after a few days relaxing we are ready for the next destination. We have decided to do another motorhome trip (just a short one this time) to Pembrokeshire, although the weather might not be great 🙁
We are also planning to travel to Brazil in January and February, but that is subject to Covid rules.
I am looking forward to finding out where you are heading next.
Phil & Michaela
Absolutely cannot wait to hear about your Camino experience Gilda!
Karen
We enjoyed reading about all you experiences in Greece. We haven’t travel much except to visit family in the continental US. Lucky we live in Maui as it’s so beautiful here and low COVID cases, but we’re still too paranoid to vacation travel. We got the Moderna booster on Friday. We hope you stop in Maui someday on your travels to visit with us. Since the pandemic I’ve gotten into ancestry.com and I have a lot of relatives in Essex, England- mother’s side and Kirkkudbright Scotland- father’s side. So we hope to go to those places.
Karen
Phil & Michaela
Well hello Karen, how lovely to hear from you! Wow we would definitely love to see Maui one day, it looks like paradise! Essex is very close to us..in fact one of my sons lives in Essex. Glad you’ve got your booster, maybe you’ll soon have the confidence to travel again.
Heyjude
A short trip to Iceland? Or Norway? And how about a longer trip to South Africa. I’m not up on the travel restrictions for any of these places, but South Africa is lovely from December to March – or better still January to April (avoiding the school holidays in December)
Phil & Michaela
Ah now those are very good ideas – thank you! We’ve got several places on our watch list now in terms of changing rules…and we’re very open to ideas.
Heyjude
I spent a month on a camping trip through southern Africa – SA, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe – could easily be extended with travel within SA with a camper van / motorhome.
Phil & Michaela
Wow sounds fabulous- we were actually looking at Namibia as one of our trips for 2021 or 2022 before the pandemic.
Toonsarah
I’ll certainly be watching this space! we have Seville lined up for a city break next month and hope to spend most of February in Sri Lanka, Covid-permitting. After that, we have vague ideas but no plans as such. Good luck with your search for suitable options!
Phil & Michaela
Well…we now have a city break in the diary for November… but will wait till the booster jab is sorted before we sort the next big one. But currently Sri Lanka is a distinct possibility for us, too. Enjoy Seville, it really is beautiful…the home of flamenco, and there’s a brilliant bullfighting museum, as long as you’re not too sensitive about such things…
Toonsarah
No, we’re not over sensitive (you’ve seen my post from yesterday!) so I’ll add that to the list – thanks 🙂 Where are you headed in November? Or do you prefer to surprise us?!
Phil & Michaela
Yes I did see it…it’s why I said it! It’s actually in the bullring building, which is beautiful in its own right. We’re keeping quiet about destination for now…
Alison
I think Thailand is opening up in November with no quarantine ..Covid certainly restricts you doesn’t it. How fabulous you can plan a trip, the WA premier is still digging his heels in even as the rest of Australia open up nationally and internationally. I ask myself is Australia one country or just a mass of small countries like Europe. Baffling
Phil & Michaela
Yes that’s how it looks from here too. I hope you’re right about Thailand, that would be one more on the “maybe” list
Alison
From 1 November apparently for vaxxed tourists
Phil & Michaela
That would be good…increasing our choices
Andrew Petcher
I have just had a week in Yorkshire and as always can thoroughly recommend it.
Phil & Michaela
Actually we will be darting around England a fair bit over the next few weeks, but mostly visiting friends and family rather than holidaying
Brian
Hi
I hope you find somewhere good to go!
If it’s of any interest we had a great time some years ago in Costa Rica
Cloud Forest, zip lining,volcanoes fabulous birds and wildlife and very nice people too.
Brian
Phil & Michaela
Yes Costa Rica is definitely on our wish list. It all hinges on how the COVID issues unfold really.
WanderingCanadians
Best of luck with your trip planning. Looking forward to hearing what you come up with. We’re hoping to finally travel outside of our home province in Ontario next month.
Phil & Michaela
Let’s hope things continue to get easier huh
leightontravels
Read this piece with much interest. Minefield is about right. How fortunate we’ve been to be able to wander around The Balkans these past few months with our Serbian papers. But our three month adventure is coming to a close and we have to face the depressing process of trying to spend 6 months in the UK. Like you, the COVID booster jab would be first on our agenda, hopefully achievable in Belgrade prior to departure. Then follows a trail of paperwork and risk assessment considerations related to COVID and Sladja’s visa application. Glad that you are getting on with things regardless and looking forward to the grand unveiling of your next stop…