Holidays

Hurrah! The long awaited “green list” has been published.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-57026936

Any forum members planning their hols in the Faroes or he South Sandwich Islands?

 

Anyone planning a holiday outside the UK this summer is mad.

 

Why? Why wouldn't you want to go to Portugal for some sun and relaxation?

 

We have booked our holiday in the UK. We may not get as much sun, but it will be relaxing. I am also relaxed now because I am not worrying about extra costs or hassle we may have to actually go on holiday etc.

 

I hope you are right and you do get away, the uncertainty of if you can go and what testing/isolation/costs may be involved has deterred us.

 

Heading off with a tent for the sunny climes and lovely local beer of The North Wales coast late in June…fingers thoroughly crossed (but, having spent many a happy day throughout Wales - expecting all of these in our two weeks )

 

Ah, Scouseland on Sea. Enjoy!

 

For anyone who doesn’t have kids and doesn’t need sun and beach, a self drive around Iceland is amazing. Went there in 2014 and may well go back this summer.

 

Yeah. Expensive as hell though.

 

Booked for Portugal in August for a wedding that was cancelled last year. Fingers crossed that all will be ok. I was on the understanding that if I'd had both vaccine jabs I wouldn't need to be tested on y return to the UK but reading that may not be the case. Does anybody know the actual ruling?

 

Definitely. I'm going to look about 2 weeks before the schools finish and book then.

It's not a popular opinion I know, but I just don't consider a trip in the UK a holiday. British accents and the same shops I see at home just get me down. Most of my mates are going somewhere in the UK this year and I appreciate that it's just me.

 

It’s not just you.

 

Well, what do you and the future Mrs Dom enjoy? Beaches? Walking? Castles and historic houses?

 

One area that you might not have thought about is the North East. You could have a night or two in a posh place in York or Harrogate to start (good hotels and restaurants), maybe a night or so in Durham or Newcastle, and then base yourselves in Northumberland (you could even pop up to Edinburgh for a day trip). The beaches there are absolutely outstanding and there are plenty of interesting historic sites to visit too. It's nowhere near as expensive as Devon or Cornwall, although it does have the disadvantage of being a wee bit chilly!

 

Similarly, I don't like going abroad to places full of Brits. Worst holidays I've had were Lanzarote and Albufeira, which was full of "English" pubs advertising fry ups and showings of Eastenders and Terrible restaurants that just rely on passing trade, so make no effort.

 

My BR railway pension comes up this year.

So far we are planning to go to:-

Cuba (of course - planned tour of the East, Santiago, Guantanamo, Sierra Maestra etc. Travelling with Cuban comrade looking for 'el autentico' in Cuban Son Montuno, Conga and Changui music)
Mexico (to visit the Mayan ruins for a second time)
Uruguay (Montevideo Air B&B - the Paris of South America)
Argentina (day trip over the River Plate from the above)
Switzerland/Austria (always wanted to see the Alps)
Channel Islands (probably Guernsey).

I haven't been on holiday since 2009, so I have a fresh passport and I'm ready to make up for lost time.

 

It's certainly quieter than the obvious tourist spots (Devon & Cornwall, the Lakes, Pembrokeshire), yes. I got the impression when we were there that most of the people on the beach were locals rather than holidaymakers.

If you spent a couple of nights in York or Harrogate on the way there you could do a quick daytrip to the Yorkshire Dales or Moors, both of which are lovely (and some great pubs...).

I would have suggested Scotland but in the middle of August you would probably be plagued with midges every time you went outside!!

 

You'll hate Cuba. Awful place. The current government seem to have let the country go to the dogs. I'm amazed the voters have stuck with them for so long.

 

Yes, good call: I did think of suggesting NI. The North Coast is glorious and Belfast has some great restaurants.

 

As you know, I was due to go to NI for a few days in half term in June, but there's still no news on when the 10 day quarantine from other part of the UK will end, so we've switched it to go to Glasgow and Inverness instead.

Don't know if anyone has any recommendations for those two places? Booked a speed boat trip on Loch Ness.

 

Look out! That might annoy Nessie.

 

If you get the chance try and visit Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay. The old town is a world heritage site and is a fantastic place to spend a day.

 

Kelvingrove Gallery/Museum is excellent if you like that sort of thing.

 

Israel booked for the summer which will be great to be back home!

 

Certainly not true of all of Cornwall...

 

I hope all will be OK, but with what is going on over there at the moment sadly it must be touch and go whether will be able to go