Ryanair today launched £5 flights to amber list Athens and Lisbon in the latest sign the holiday market is heating up following a rush of good news for Britons hoping to travel abroad this summer.
Other destinations included in the £5 offer – which only covers one leg of the journey – include Madrid, Faro, Seville and Dublin.
It comes as holiday hotspots Malta, Madeira and the Balearic Islands recently moved onto the UK’s quarantine-free green list, with package breaks for a family of four to Menorca available from £456 for three nights.
And in a further dose of good news for travellers, reports suggested the requirement to quarantine upon return to England from amber list countries could be dropped for double-jabbed travellers from June 30.
A minister told The Times it is hoped the change ‘will be in place by the first week of the summer holidays’.
The move could reopen travel to much of Europe but the extent to which trips will be possible will be largely determined by the border rules imposed by European capitals.
As a result, UK ambassadors have been instructed to launch a charm offensive to persuade EU member states to ease restrictions on British travellers.
So what destinations could open up from August, and where can you travel now? Below MailOnline guides you through the summer travel maze and reveals some of the best deals still to be had.
A person jumps into the water as tourist enjoy the weather at Magaluf beach, following a decision by the British government to ease travel restrictions to the island, in Palma de Mallorca
Holiday hotspots Malta, Madeira and the Balearic Islands (Mallorca pictured) recently moved onto the UK’s quarantine-free green list
Rules for arriving in England from a green list country You must take a Covid test on or before day 2 after you arrive.Children aged 4 and under do not need to take this test.You do not need to quarantine unless the test result is positive.You must quarantine if NHS Test & Trace informs you that you travelled to England with someone who has tested positive for Covid. Advertisement GREEN LISTPopular holiday destinations you can travel to without having to quarantine Gibraltar
The British Overseas Territory’s coveted position on the UK’s travel green list has made it a mecca for tourists this summer – and due to the surge of interest many of the Rock’s hotels are fully booked for months.
Known as ‘Britain on the Med’, Gibraltar combines familiar red post boxes and royal history with sandy beaches and its famous Barbary macaque apes, which were introduced from Africa.
Arrivals from the UK must take a free lateral flow test at the airport, and must not have been in any other country 14 days before arriving.
Holiday package –
Located in Gibraltar’s business district, Westone Luxury Self Catered Apartments offers sea-view accommodation with views of the famous rock.
A room for a family of four comes with a large kitchen, breakfast bar and private balcony.
Each apartment has a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, and there is an en-suite bathroom.
Details: One-bedroom apartment, two adults and one child, £762, Aug 12 – 15, flights not included. Provider: Booking.com.
Located in Gibraltar’s business district, Westone Luxury Self Catered Apartments offers sea-view accommodation with views of the famous rock
EasyJet joins with Boots to offer pre-flight Covid tests
EasyJet will allow passengers to book Covid tests through its app after agreeing a partnership with Boots.
Customers will be able book an in-store test for £85. Alternatively, a home PCR test will be £65.
The results will come 24-48 hours after the sample arrives in the lab.
Asif Aziz, Director of Healthcare Services at Boots UK, said: ‘This new partnership between Boots and easyJet is designed to make lives easier for people who are travelling abroad this summer.’
Advertisement Iceland
Fully vaccinated travellers from any country who can show a digital or paper vaccination certificate are now free to enter Iceland.
They do not have to quarantine or have any tests. Unvaccinated travellers will have to have tests and a five-day quarantine period.
The country recently became the first in Europe to drop all domestic Covid restrictions.
Holiday package –
As its name suggests, the Hotel Reykjavik Centrum is right in the centre of the Icelandic capital, with plenty of bars and restaurants a short walk away.
And in a classically Nordic touch, it even includes its own Viking museum.
The spot could suit couples wanting a short break in the beautiful country, which is home to the world famous Blue Lagoon.
Three nights in the hotel costs £766 per person.
Offer details: Thu 29 Jul 2021, 3 nights, room only, flights from Manchester, provider: Tui.
As its name suggests, the Hotel Reykjavik Centrum is right in the centre of the Icelandic capital, with plenty of bars and restaurants a short walk away
Destinations that were added onto the green list from 4am yesterday Malta
The Mediterranean island only allows fully vaccinated Britons to visit quarantine-free, with everyone else having to quarantine for 14 days.
Previously the island was only accepting printed letters sent by the NHS as proof of vaccination, but today it emerged the NHS Covid app would also be accepted, transport minister Baroness Vere announced.
Holiday package –
A couple can enjoy four nights at the sea-view Hotel Qawra Palace for £398.
The hotel is just 15 minutes from the beach, and right on top of bustling shops, restaurants and bars.
There’s plenty of choice when it comes to activities, too, with things like minigolf, scuba diving and sailing all on the cards.
Offer details: Fri Jul 9 2021 – 4 nights, twin room with half board, leaving from London Gatwick. Provider: Tui.
A couple can enjoy four nights at the sea-view Hotel Qawra Palace for £398. The hotel is just 15 minutes from the beach, and right on top of bustling shops, restaurants and bars
Balearics
The hugely popular Balearic islands – Mallorca, Ibiza and Menorca – have all been downgraded from amber to green.
From 2 July, the Spanish government will require all arrivals to Spain from the UK to provide either a negative Covid PCR test taken within 48 hours of leaving, or proof you have been double-jabbed.
Holiday package –
A couple travelling with two children can stay for three nights at the all-inclusive Sun Club El Dorado for £456.
The hotel in Llucmajor includes a fitness centre, bar and a water park and dedicated entertainment staff for the kids.
An on-site sports centre offers table tennis, darts and squash.
Offer details: Fri Jul 9, three nights, 2 single beds and 2 sofa beds, flights from Gatwick. Provider: Booking.com.
A couple travelling with two children can stay for three nights at the all-inclusive Sun Club El Dorado in Menorca for £456
Tourists carry their luggage at Magaluf beach, following a decision by the British government to ease travel restrictions
Madeira
Madeira is an autonomous region of Portugal, so is free to set its own rules for entry.
Non-vaccinated travellers do not need to quarantine when visiting the island, but will need to present a negative PCR test within 72 hours of arrival.
Alternatively, visitors can take a free PCR test at the airport on arrival or departure with results in six to 12 hours.
Holiday package –
Vila Bela overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and is just 100 yards away from Praia da Alagoa, a local beach popular with surfers.
The sea-view restaurant serves an a la carte menu of local cuisine, and there’s an onsite bar.
Six nights for two adults and two children in August costs £711.
Details: One suite, breakfast included, flights not included, Aug 16 – 22. Provider: Booking.com.
Vila Bela overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and is just 100 yards away from Praia da Alagoa, a local beach popular with surfers
Rules for arriving in England from an amber list Quarantine at home or in the place you are staying for 10 days. Take a Covid test on or before day 2 and on or after day 8.You may be able to end quarantine early if you pay for a private Covid test through the Test to Release scheme.Advertisement AMBER LISTHoliday destinations where you DO have to quarantine – but could go quarantine-free in time for the school holidays
The Government is still advising against travel to and from ‘amber list’ countries, with people returning to the UK from those nations forced to self-isolate for 10 days.
However, recent reports suggested that double-jabbed Britons could be able to travel quarantine-free to these countries from July 26.
A senior government source said: ‘No final decision has been made on timing yet. There are various issues that need to be worked through and we are waiting for public health advice on exemptions and operational factors.
‘Those need to be worked through before we set out further details but the expectation is it will be the end of July or the beginning of August.’
Greece
Greece, along with Spain, is keen to welcome Britons and has been leading the resistance to Germany’s demand for Europe to effectively ban British holidaymakers this summer.
Travellers from Britain must provide proof of a negative PCR or antigen Covid test, or proof they have been double-jabbed.
Holiday package –
A family of four can stay at the family-run Ananias Hotel in Corfu for £1,031 for five nights.
Located in a tranquil corner of St. George South a short distance from the beach, the site features self-catering apartments around a pool overlooking the Ionian Sea.
The area is blessed with sandy beaches, and is some distance away from the usual tourist hotspots.
Offer details: Aug 10 – 15, five nights, flights from Luton. Provider: EasyJet.
A family of four can stay at the family-run Ananias Hotel in Corfu for £1,019 for five nights. The local area is blessed with sandy beaches, and is some distance away from the usual tourist hotspots
France
Holidaymakers arriving in France must be able to show they have received two Covid vaccinations.
Anyone else will not be allowed to enter.
France is currently on Britain’s amber list, but may move to become quarantine free in August.
Holiday package –
The seaside city of Nice is one of France’s most popular holiday destinations, and is sure to be bustling with Britons again as soon as it opens up to quarantine-free travel.
The four-star Hotel Le Grimaldi is right in the heart of town and within easy walking distance of the Promenade des Anglais, which runs along the seafront.
All rooms are sound proofed and air conditioned, and have cable TV, safes, minibars and private bathrooms.
Details: Aug 16 – 22, buffet breakfast included, flights from London, £662 for two adults. Provider: Lastminute.com.
The four-star Hotel Le Grimaldi is right in the heart of Nice and within easy walking distance of the Promenade des Anglais, which runs along the seafront
Spain
Spain is the UK’s most popular holiday destination, with around 18million visits in 2019 alone.
To visit the country from the UK you must provide either a negative PCR test taken 48 hours before leaving, or show proof you have received two vaccine doses.
Holiday package –
The Villa Romana on Spain’s Costa Dorada puts you within easy distance of PortAventura, a major theme parks, and the shops, bars and restaurants of Salou.
The hotel has a main pool and a small pool for very young guests next to it, with a restaurant mixing Spanish favourites with regular holiday favourites. The beach is around half an hour away.
A five-night stay there for two adults and two children would set you back £2190.
Details – Five days from August 8, half board, twin room with balcony, flights from Manchester. Provider: Tui.
The Villa Romana on Spain’s Costa Dorada puts you within easy distance of PortAventura, a major theme parks, and the shops, bars and restaurants of Salou
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