Re: Where to for Christmas....?
I’m in the same boat too, so am interested to read these recommendations.
However who’s done the homework?
From the UK Government travel advice:
Japan....no entry to anyone who has been in UK in last 14 days. Visas suspended. 14 days quarantine on arrival.
Cuba... “
Foreign tourists can visit Cuba on international charter flights into the following destinations only: Cayo Coco, Cayo Cruz or Cayo Guillermo (served by Jardines del Rey airport); Cayo Santa Maria (flying into Santa Clara airport), or Cayo Largo del Sur. No travel from USA permitted.
All other commercial and charter flights are still suspended.
Taiwan...
“ Foreign nationals are permitted to enter Taiwan provided they are NOT entering for study, TOURISM or to visit friends. You will need to apply for a visa before travelling.
14 days quarantine if arriving from UK
I’m not booking anything until I’m sure I can travel and so will leave anything until the last minute, even if it costs more. I’m not prepared to lend my money to an airline with little chance of a refund (unless I accept a coupon which I won’t want or need).
Re: Where to for Christmas....?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
gerefan2
. I’m not prepared to lend my money to an airline with little chance of a refund (unless I accept a coupon which I won’t want or need).
Funny on that very note - it was only just this morning that I received my refund from Emirates for a flight I'd paid for back in November to fly in early April time, they firstly offered me my full refund which I said yes to in writing after completing all their various (long) forms. They then refunded my seat purchases as listed on that same form but no main flight refund. I waited thinking it was just slow admin on their part, but no, nothing arrived so I called them - "oh yes it's all ok we see it on the system you'll get it "shortly" they said - but still no money arrived.
I called again only to be told that they'd emailed me offering a voucher instead and better than that that I had in fact replied and accepted that ! (needless to say on my request to find that email they couldn't locate it - which wasn't surprising as I'd never SENT nor received any email from then. I was then asked to RE fill in their (long) refund request form and even then it required at least another four calls from me over the following few weeks until they relented and just today returned my money.
So, yes I think your waiting until you can travel before you part with any of your hard earned cash wit ANY airline is a damned good idea perhaps - no matter WHAT refund guarantees they claim to have in place as just like many of the rest of us god knows WHERE the airline industry is going to find itself in the coming months cash flow wise ! :-(
Re: Where to for Christmas....?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Nirish guy
Funny on that very note - it was only just this morning that I received my refund from Emirates for a flight I'd paid for back in November to fly in early April time, they firstly offered me my full refund which I said yes to in writing after completing all their various (long) forms. They then refunded my seat purchases as listed on that same form but no main flight refund. I waited thinking it was just slow admin on their part, but no, nothing arrived so I called them - "oh yes it's all ok we see it on the system you'll get it "shortly" they said - but still no money arrived.
I called again only to be told that they'd emailed me offering a voucher instead and better than that that I had in fact replied and accepted that ! (needless to say on my request to find that email they couldn't locate it - which wasn't surprising as I'd never SENT nor received any email from then. I was then asked to RE fill in their (long) refund request form and even then it required at least another four calls from me over the following few weeks until they relented and just today returned my money.
So, yes I think your waiting until you can travel before you part with any of your hard earned cash wit ANY airline is a damned good idea perhaps - no matter WHAT refund guarantees they claim to have in place as just like many of the rest of us god knows WHERE the airline industry is going to find itself in the coming months cash flow wise ! :-(
Sounds like sensible advice. Much as we are dying to escape the winter months for some much needed R&R, this year looks like we're pretty well gated!
Holidays have been wrecked thanks a virus that appears to have its origin known only to Trump. The wife of a friend of mine loves nothing better than to climb on the back of his Harley-Davidson in the summer and head for France. This year she's had to settle for him sitting on her stomach in bed, while training a hair dryer on her face and throwing dead flies at her teeth.
Re: Where to for Christmas....?
As we got to the end of August, I've also started to think about where to go in the winter. This year, I doubt any early booking will be necessary, which is just as well, as most of the candidates are shut or have 14 day quarantine.
Thailand -no
Vietnam -No
Cambodia -No (think there was a $3000 deposit, which you don't get back if failing a covid test, so of course you will fail.
Last time I looked, the Philippines was closed, but must check again soon.
Brazil has a quite nasty covid infection rate at present, but if that slows down by December, it might be an interesting candidate.
I'm intending to go SOMEWHERE in the next few months.
Re: Where to for Christmas....?
FYI: You better check carefully before planning any trip to other countries..Japan/Korea/Taiwan/Philippines, etc..ALL require Covid-19 negative test results taken 3 days prior to entry AND you will be quarantined for 14 Days before you are permitted out of the hotel........Forget travel this year...check it out..
Re: Where to for Christmas....?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
paperboy
iam all booked for brazil, 5 weeks over christmas and new year
cant bloody wait
Are you serious? You do know that Brazil has one of the highest infection rates of KoVid-19 in the world, right?
As for travelling this winter in general, wouldn't book too far in advance. Pretty much every health official in the world states there will be a resurgence this fall / winter. For example, Hungary is the first EU nation to announce its closing its borders as of Sept 1st to prepare for this fall / winter, and you can expect the same to happen throughought the world in the coming few months.
Re: Where to for Christmas....?
TRAVEL BY LAND - NOT BY AIR!
Being right in the middle of a global pandemic...with international travel bans in place...health risks galore...not knowing if commercial flights will even be flying to your destination...14 day quarantines in place even if you do reach your destination, you may want to consider taking a Winter vacation somewhere on your own continent this year, versus plunging into the obis.
I know without a shadow of a doubt, that if I were stuck in the U.S. this year the last thing I would be interested in would be international travel. I would simply side-step this entire mess and select a fun place to vacation where there's no quarantine in place...a little beach...a bar...a boy,...a bottle Tres Generones Tequila...and a room with an electrical outlet to cruise the apps.
The pastures always look greener on the other side, until you get there, only to find that the grass in a burnt-yellow. Then you get chained to the charred ground for 14 days before you're even allowed to graze.
Not my cup of tea anyway.
Re: Where to for Christmas....?
As a newbie, thanks all for the ideas and comments in this thread. I'd love to be somewhere warm with a hot bod beside me this Xmas but this virus is moving so quickly and recurring again and again that I just see no point in lashing out cash for a holiday that may never happen. I don't want to go through the fun and expectation of planning for a two week holiday that is then cancelled.
I heard the Gulf airlines have started flying to Bangkok again. Then I read the government has not opened the country and these flights won't happen. It's all the uncertainty that pisses me off.
Re: Where to for Christmas....?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
gerefan2
I’m in the same boat too, so am interested to read these recommendations.
However who’s done the homework?
From the UK Government travel advice:
Japan....no entry to anyone who has been in UK in last 14 days. Visas suspended. 14 days quarantine on arrival.
Cuba... “
Foreign tourists can visit Cuba on international charter flights into the following destinations only: Cayo Coco, Cayo Cruz or Cayo Guillermo (served by Jardines del Rey airport); Cayo Santa Maria (flying into Santa Clara airport), or Cayo Largo del Sur. No travel from USA permitted.
All other commercial and charter flights are still suspended.
Taiwan...
“ Foreign nationals are permitted to enter Taiwan provided they are NOT entering for study, TOURISM or to visit friends. You will need to apply for a visa before travelling.
14 days quarantine if arriving from UK
I’m not booking anything until I’m sure I can travel and so will leave anything until the last minute, even if it costs more. I’m not prepared to lend my money to an airline with little chance of a refund (unless I accept a coupon which I won’t want or need).
Wise words.
But many are now are being led by the wrong head! The brain has been ousted and the penis has taken control.
As painful as it is, guys y'all ain't goin' nowhere ! Its not your decision.
'The problem is, God gave man a brain and a penis and only enough blood to run one at a time.' - Robin Williams
Re: Where to for Christmas....?
My plan for September is Brazil. Now waiting for confirmation from my travel health insurance, and them I'm ready to book a flight.
No requirement of negative covid test maximum 72 hours before flight on Air France and KLM (I will probably fly with those), and no quarantine in Brazil or on return to Germany (current situation, can change).
For December to early to make plans now, and quarantine requirements are different for all combinations of countries (holiday destination and your home country upon return).
Quote:
Originally Posted by
goji
Cambodia -No (think there was a $3000 deposit, which you don't get back if failing a covid test, so of course you will fail.
Last time I looked, the Philippines was closed, but must check again soon.
The deposit has been lowered to 2kUSD, and it's in case one of the passengers on the plane is positive, then all passengers will have to pass two weeks state quarantine and that 2kUSD is to pay for accommodation, food and medical examination/treatment.
Cambodia is my plan for November unless something changes to the positive. I hope Cambodian embassy in Berlin hands out business visa without asking questions, and I'm prepared to do two weeks home quarantine in Cambodia (a friend lives there and keeps me updated, there are hotels that are eligible starting from 15 USD per night; whereas in Bangkok - moot point as I'm not eligible - numbers of 60 kTHB are reported for ASQ).
I mentioned many times that Cambodia is not among my preferred places in SEAsia, but if I can't get anywhere else, she will have to do. The good point is that I know several boys from Thailand who are now back in Cambodia and all are very eager to meet me, and so am I.
Japan too cold, too expensive.
Taiwan maybe.
Philippines or Sri Lanka yes if they are open.
Myanmar YES if open (my second choice after Thailand).
Vietnam why not if they are open.
Colombia yes if they are open and Brazil experiences positive (however in that case I might better go back to Brazil), Cuba ditto.