Earlier in the year, our team member Jordan was lucky enough to get away for some sunshine literally just before lockdown hit. Now with some travel corridors beginning to open it was time to test out how complicated it is if you want to get that sunshine fix…
That’s it … 2020 is over. No chance of getting away anywhere this year now. And with things on a local level looking just as grim, it will be a long time before I get a break away ANYWHERE and feel that warm sunshine on my face again … sad times.
Or so I thought.
Thankfully there are some much needed signs of life in the travel industry with increasing routes from the UK to some countries and areas: being allowed to visit these places without the need to quarantine for 14 days on return home. The announcement late last week that the Canary Islands are now open is a MASSIVE boost for travel and tourism. This is such a key area that relies on winter sunshine breaks and is very popular for British and Irish visitors.
The week before however, more of the Greek Islands opened to the infamous “Greenlist” and it was the sunspot location of Crete that peaked my attention as I decided to make a last minute decision to escape the restrictions that are at home in search of some much needed vitamin D!!
After consultation with a local travel agency I found myself booked with them onto a 3 night trip to the resort of Georgioupolis the very next day – flights, transfers and hotel for just over £200 – if only it was that good value all the time!
I was actually flying from Dublin with Ryanair and although the Republic of Ireland does not recognise Greece on a “Greenlist”, because my final destination is actually in Northern Ireland I would qualify as not having to quarantine upon my arrival home.
There is of course some admin that is required before you travel these days. I had to fill in an online form from the Greek Govt website: a simple form asking basic questions about your travel that takes 3-4 mins. Once you have completed this form, you are sent a confirmation email that has a code that is scanned on your arrival into Greece.
So with the usual holiday essentials all packed I added in some extra face masks and hand sanitizer alongside the suncream and speedos, and headed off for Dublin Airport. Its a little sad to arrive at the carpark to see it so empty, normally parking in areas like C, D or E and on this occasion being able to get parked at the very first entrance in A3!
With face mask now on, the first trip was on the car park shuttle bus to the terminal, and the first prominent signage of social distancing with certain seats marked off, stickers on the ground and even hand sanitizing outlets on the bus itself.
Again, proceeding through security feels weirdly eerie with it being so quiet, maybe the first time I’ve ever felt not rushed getting all the toiletries, gadgets, laptops, phones, belts etc into the trays in an orderly prompt fashion – I even had time to be able to have a chat with the security staff!
Dublin Airport itself has really embraced their duty to offer a safe travelling environment. Signage is EVERYWHERE regarding social distancing and even the shops have one way systems for entering / exiting. And it feels like you are never more than 20 yards away from the nearest hand sanitizing station. Its something I felt impressed by and very safe and secure.
Seats around the airport and at the gates are marked out – which ones you can / cannot sit on, unless of course you are in a family bubble with each other. Even queuing at the gate to get on the plane is marked out on where you should stand, creating the correct social distance between you and other passengers.
Once onboard it was apparent the flight was not relatively busy, approx 25% full and I had a row to myself which was much needed when you have long legs on a Ryanair flight! Face masks are compulsory when you are on the airplane for the duration of the flight – the only times you are permitted to take them off is when you are eating and drinking.
Upon arrival into Crete, all passengers had to prove they had completed the Greek Govt form and get scanned through – all available on your mobile device or via a print out. And although I wasnt expecting it, a Covid test was then done straight after this and scanned / linked to your form. The whole process took no more than 20-25 seconds though so very quick and easy. After that, a short transfer to my destination and I had arrived at the hotel resort.
Whilst the resort I was staying in was relatively small (and being the time of year was quite quiet) it is clear that certain precautions are still to be taken on your holiday. The hotel I stayed in asked me to wear the mask when indoors while walking around. However whenever you arrived at a table, the pool, sun-lounger, the gym, etc then you are of course allowed to remove the mask. When walking outdoors (while not essential) there were some people wearing masks – which of course is their choice. Anytime you entered a premises, whether it be a supermarket or shop it is best practice to wear a mask. And in most places there are hand gels, sanitizers or sprays available at entrance to always keep hands cleaned.
After 4 days or relaxation in the sunshine it was time for home. Again, a form had to be completed online to allow me to return to Ireland – this was done on my sun-lounger the day before I left in about 2-3 mins. A confirmation email was sent and this was to be shown to customs agent upon arrival into Dublin.
If you are booking a holiday through a local travel agency they will advise on all the necessary forms and procedures that you will have to follow. Doing these, wearing face masks when appropriate, and adhering to social distancing and general hand washing means that you can enjoy your holiday away as you normally would, but without worrying about Covid.
Click to view article images:
