The lockdown is now pretty much finished and zero-quarantine travel will be allowed to several European countries from July 4. These “travel bridges” include France, Spain, Portugal and Greece and the reciprocal arrangement will mean you can travel freely abroad and have no quarantine on your return to the UK.
So where can you go and what will your holiday experience be like? Western European countries have excellent governmental procedures and health systems and nearly all have been “ahead of the game” compared to the UK. For example, France is now completely open with shops, restaurants and bars, golf courses and hotels all open if they want to be.
Being sensible is the key to your confidence and experience. For example, I would suggest taking Eurotunnel or ferry instead of a flight and I recommend staying in a small hotel or villa instead of a large complex. Golf, as we all know, is a spacious sport – particularly if you’re slicing and your partners are hooking – and any sport is well-proven to be good for your health. I’ve got a fantastic choice of small hotels and have increased my selection of villas. I think longer and slower holidays will become more popular and short city breaks will not be as popular. In short, we’ll be going back to how we holidayed before low-cost flights became the norm.
What about your money?
I will only offer you an itinerary featuring suppliers guaranteeing a cash refund should there be another Covid 19-related travel restriction. Some airlines have been notoriously slow in refunding and some are still only offering a credit or free change of date so I am avoiding these and recommending good performers such as Jet2 instead.
The holiday deposit is 10% of your holiday cost with the balance payable just four weeks before departure date. The suppliers are now paid two weeks before departure so that gives you and I plenty of time to act safely. All your monies are kept in a Trust Account until they are used to pay for your holiday. Should your holiday be cancelled due to a government travel restriction. your monies will be refunded less 50% of the deposit (up to a maximum of £50 per person and £250 for groups of 8 or more). This fee covers the cost of the financial failure insurances and will be yours to use against a future holiday booked by you or any of your party members.
Can I insure against Covid 19?
Staysure and Saga are the first major travel insurance companies to offer a policy featuring Covid 19 treatment and repatriation
[Staysure ](https://www.travelweekly.co.uk/articles/373235/coronavirus-cover-added-to-travel-insurance)
[Saga](https://www.travelweekly.co.uk/articles/374675/saga-adds-covid-19-cover-to-travel-insurance)
Here are two offers – featuring top-quality destinations in spacious settings. Give me a call on 0207 8701258 for independent and expert advice and special prices on your favourite venue or [Email me](mailto:[email protected])
Domaine de la Bretesche, South Brittany
The Domaine de la Bretesche features a Relais et Chateaux hotel, self-catering cottages, a beautiful golf course, two restaurants, spa and plenty of leisure facilities…All set within a beautiful park in sunny South Brittany.
The cottages each feature one or two bedrooms with a bathroom for each bedroom, well-equipped kitchenette, lounge and private terrace. Deluxe cottages have free and direct access to WIFI. Included in my price is unlimited golf to La Bretesche so you can nip out for a few holes at any time of the day.
Motor down the excellent motorways from Calais in about six hours or take the overnight Brittany Ferries crossing to Saint Malo which is just two hours from La Bretesche.
– Two-in-a-car return Eurotunnel travel
– Seven nights’ self-catering in a One Bedroom Cottage
– Unlimited golf at La Bretesche
– Three rounds at La Baule and Nantes La Vigneux
– Free access to golf practice, gym, pool and tennis
– €15 spa voucher per room and
– Midweek linen and towel change
£599 per person from October 1 and £715 per person until September 30. Add £120 per person to upgrade to a Deluxe Cottage
Chateau de Chailly, Burgundy
Chateau de Chailly near Beaune in Burgundy is just under six hours from Calais and is motorway all the way via Reims and Troyes.
With just 45 bedrooms and 8 apartments, the facilities are nevertheless outstanding with restaurant, bar, spa, tennis, pool and excellent golf course (pictured below). Rated by Golf World as a Top 100 European Golf Resort, Chateau de Chailly is a hidden gem.
Surrounded by glorious countryside and famous vineyards, Chailly takes you back into time in the nicest possible way.
– Two-in-a-car return Eurotunnel travel
– Seven nights’ bed and breakfast in a Superior Bedroom
– Four days (unlimited golf) at Chailly
– Free access to leisure facilities
£939 per person until October 31 and £770 per person from November 1
Morgan