The information below is correct at time of publication, but always check for updates.
I wasn’t a very good Girl Guide and Pork Belly never joined the Scouts, but ‘Be Prepared’ has always been the motto we aspire to live by.
Cue the goat song from Hoodwinked, my all-time favourite animated cartoon, or possibly Scar’s big number from the Lion King – both will do very well as incidental music while you read this post.
Just over two years ago, those of us living in the UK lost our privilege to travel freely.
Ironically, when the ban on non-essential travel came in, it was the last day of our Antiguan holiday. Less than a week later, all British travellers overseas were told to come home and our domestic lockdown began.
Since then, we’ve travelled only short distances and stayed within our borders.
But as we enter phase two of the global pandemic, things are beginning to ease.
It’ll be a long time before we can travel freely again, and we need to remain COVID-aware, but travel planning doesn’t seem a waste of time any more.
Now’s the time to make sure you can turn your travel dreams into reality, the minute you’re ready to spread your wings.
9 things you can do now to prepare for post-pandemic travel.
Check your paperwork
We’ve always had a grab-and-go travel folder with relevant documentation, but now it’s time to give it an overhaul.
Passports run out when you’re not paying attention.
Driving permits for car hire abroad need checking
And there’s a whole extra raft of Covid related tests and health status checks required now for almost every destination, both at home and abroad.
Ensure you’re insured
Now more than ever is the time to check the small print.
Look for policies with enhanced Covid-19 cover, to include last minute cancellation if you were to fall ill with Covid and therefore not able to travel.
Many policies also have additional payouts for medical should you fall ill with Covid whilst away.
Most importantly, get insurance from the moment you make your booking, so you can be covered for if something stops you going away.
Protect your money
Wherever you are going, it’s best to pay on credit card as this will give you an extra layer of compensation to call on, should things go awry.
Money Saving Expert has a useful guide on the best credit cards for travellers, some with added savings.
If you’re taking a package holiday from the UK, make sure it’s ATOL protected. This gives the added security that if something should happen to the company while you’re abroad (and many travel firms are experiencing difficulties at the moment) you’ll be entitled to support while you’re away and at least partial reimbursement on your return.
Choose local
Staying nearby is the easiest and safest option. Foreign travel is still hedged about by rules and regulations.
And for those of us in the UK, there’s an extra layer of post-Brexit complexity.
Start by having a look at what lies within easy travelling distance of your home.
Day trips or a mini-break in a village or seaside town you’ve always meant to explore but never quite got around to, still count as holidays.
It’s greener too – and cheaper given the current fuel costs!
Now the weather’s getting better we’ve scheduled lots of local day trips, family visits and short breaks a bit further afield.
Pick evergreen holiday destinations
The travel industry is crying out for us to return to sun-kissed beaches, busy cities and beautiful islands.
Companies are being as flexible as possible on bookings, so if you have to change your plans it shouldn’t cost you any extra. They’re also bending over backwards to provide assurance on safety and comfort.
But wherever you go, it’s essential to check and re-check the entry requirements.
Whilst some countries have opened up to fully vaccinated travellers, others still have testing, and even quarantine restrictions in place.
And once you’re at your destination, be ready for local restrictions like mask-wearing, temperature checks and so on.
Before you book, check out the latest advice from an accredited source, then check again with the country’s own guidance. For UK residents the best starting point is the Foreign Office which regularly updates advice for travellers.
There’s a lot to be said for sticking with the tried-and-tested in uncertain times, and most of the in-demand travel spots for Brits are ready to welcome us back.
Spain
Value for money drives Spain’s long-standing popularity. It’s been the home of bargain breaks for decades.
But you don’t have to head for the touristy hotspots to get the best deals.
Try a cultural city break, explore Spain’s wine-producing regions, or seek out the less well-known Mediterranean villages.
Summary of current travel rules
• Everyone must fill in and sign an online Health Control Form. On arrival, you must show the QR code (hardcopy or digital) issued when you completed the form.
• You must show valid proof of being fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to arrival OR proof that you have recovered from COVID-19 in the last 6 months
Entry requirements for Spain
USA
High on our ‘must return soon list’ mainly because
a. We have family there
b. It’s such a vast country, you can never be bored!
Florida and New York are the most popular destinations, but there’s more to America than theme parks, Broadway shows and shopping.
The National Parks are a string of green pearls from coast to coast, great for wildlife and fresh air.
Plus, there’s never been a better time for that classic American Road Trip (if you can afford the fuel prices!)
So if you’re ready for a long-haul flight, America is ready for you.
Summary of current travel rules
• a visa or an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) visa waiver
• most fully vaccinated foreign citizens can enter the USA
• masks remain mandatory on aircraft, trains, buses and at airports
Entry requirements for USA
France
Right on our doorstep and a country we’ve returned to year after year, it’s been very frustrating not to pop across!
Land of wine, cheese, fairytale castles, sophisticated cities, sizzling summer beaches and fascinating history.
Summary of current travel rules
• Fully vaccinated travellers aged 12 and over must continue to provide:
• Proof of vaccination AND
• A sworn statement (déclaration sur l’honneur) self-certifying you’re not suffering from COVID-19 symptoms and haven’t been in contact with confirmed cases in the 14 days prior to travel.
Entry requirements for France
Italy
Look, we don’t have a bucket list, but if we did, Pompeii and Herculaneum would be on it!
Italy was badly hit in the first few months of the pandemic, and its travel industry is still struggling. In 2021, they received just 60 million visitors, compared to pre-pandemic figures of around 100 million.
That means cities like Rome and Venice, that are usually heaving, may be a little less packed this year.
Summary of current travel rules
• Travellers need to complete a passenger locator form (EU PLF) and show one of the following:
• proof of vaccination OR
• evidence of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before entering Italy or a negative rapid lateral flow test taken within the 48 hours before entering Italy OR
• a COVID-19 recovery certificate, certifying that you have recovered from COVID-19 in the last 6 months
Entry requirements for Italy
Greece
Always popular with holidaymakers for its sun, sand and delicious food, during 2021 Brits googled Greece’s travel restrictions more often than their own!
And with blue skies, sparkling seas and a host of islands to choose from, it’s no wonder we were dreaming.
Now that dream can be a reality.
Summary of current travel rules
• A Passenger Locator Form is no longer required, but you must show:
• a valid vaccination certificate OR
• a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 OR
• proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test, within 72 hours before arrival into Greece.
Entry requirements for Greece
Check trains, planes and automobiles …
Flights are back, and neither short nor long-haul destinations are out of the question. Whilst some airlines have dropped the mandatory mask-wearing rules, others still enforce them and check-in takes a little more time and attention to detail than before.
Having your own car is obviously the best and most convenient way to go, but it’s not the greenest option.
Would a cycling or walking holiday suit you?
What about a scenic train ride?
Or, if you live near a system of waterways, a leisurely canal boat trip could be a possibility.
Go for last minute bargains
Not gonna lie, this is the option we’re going for in 2022. We’ve kept our summer months as free from other commitments as possible, with the intention of going online at the last minute and picking somewhere that’s easy and affordable.
I’m hoping for a touch of luxury and blue skies, Pork Belly’s looking for dawn-to-dusk activity.
Wonder which of us will win out when we roll the ‘book now’ dice?
Get mentally and physically fit
If this pandemic has taught us anything at all, it’s to never take your health for granted.
Travel is wonderful, and unwinding on holiday is the best feeling ever, but if the stresses and strains of getting there and back outweigh the benefits then it’s a waste of time, money and your own energy.
You may not be planning to hike Machu Picchu or tackle Everest, but a day of sightseeing is much more fun if you don’t have to keep stopping to rest.
Most of us haven’t been in full-on holiday mode for a couple of years, but with a bit of pre-planning and a set of realistic expectations, you’ll have a wonderful time.
Where to next?
• How to travel responsibly in 2022
• How to get the best out of an all-inclusive holiday
• How to win holiday competitions