Ten test-free half-term holidays to book now
Rejoice! The Government has dropped the day two test for fully vaccinated arrivals, opening up the possibility for a fully test-free half-term holiday.
Following the UK Government dropping the pre-departure test earlier in January, the scrapping of the day two test (set to come into effect at 4am on February 11) opens up the option for start-to-finish test-free travel for fully vaccinated Britons.
There are a few dozen countries that are welcoming eligible visitors without the need to take a test, allowing for a fully swab-free getaway. Spain, Croatia, Costa Rica and Mexico are among the countries, and Ireland has also recently dropped all restrictions for arrivals from the United Kingdom.
This doesn’t necessarily mean the end of tests for travel. As we saw following the omicron outbreak in November, testing regulations can be brought back in at a moment’s notice. And many countries, including France and the USA, require a mandatory Covid-19 test before entry, regardless of your vaccination status.
There are also still plenty of questions for holidaymakers, such as whether countries will start requesting evidence of a booster shot for entry.
But for now, let us focus on the positives. Half term is around the corner, and there is plenty of availability on some wonderful, sun-filled holidays without a swab in sight. Below we list ten options.
Before you book, note that international testing requirements change often, so check in with gov.uk before you travel to ensure you have the correct tests and documentation for entry.
Sun, sea and sand on Egypt’s Red Sea coast
Family checklist
Proof of full vaccination (12 years and over)
If not fully vaccinated, a negative PCR test is accepted
A paper health declaration (issued by airline or on arrival)
For full information see gov.uk
You won’t come home with the tan of a lifetime – temperatures hover in the early twenties – but Egypt is your best bet for a straightforward sun, sea and sand getaway without travelling to the other side of the world this half term. Hurghada is a reliable option, if it’s an all-inclusive family getaway you are looking for. All of the major package holiday companies will have options.
Book it
Tui has a family all-inclusive option at the Jaz Bluemarine Resort in Hurghada. Seven nights departing February 12 comes in at £1,808 per person for a family of four, staying in a family room with a balcony with flights included (0203 451 2688; tui.co.uk). Depart a day earlier and the price will be quartered.
Thomas Cook has a full-board option at Robinson Soma Bay in Hurghada. Five nights departing February 12 costs £5,204 based on a family of four staying in a family suite, flights included (020 8016 3295; thomascook.com).
Tranquility on the Turquoise Coast, Turkey
Family checklist
Proof of full vaccination (12 years and over)
If no proof of vaccination, negative test or proof of recovery are accepted
Ages 11 and under do not need proof of vaccination or negative test
Complete an online form
For full information see gov.uk
The temperatures won’t be wildly warm in February, with the mercury hovering in the low to mid teens, but it is still a pleasant time to visit and you will be able to enter without any tests so long as you and your teenagers are fully jabbed. The snag of visiting Turkey is that masks are mandatory in all public spaces, although if you book a villa or an all-inclusive hotel you’ll be able to enjoy your holiday without too much fabric-on-face time.
Book it
Oliver’s Travels has a two-bedroom villa on the Turquoise Coast, Villa Sahil, for £2,016 for seven nights. It is close to Kalkan, where you will be able to wander its narrow streets lined by whitewashed houses without being burdened by hordes of tourists (0333 888 0205; oliverstravels.com).
For a blowout all-inclusive experience, Jet2Holidays is selling seven nights at Regnum Carya resort in Belek for £6,032 for two adults and two children in a family room, departing February 12 (0800 408 6264; jet2holidays.com). Flights from London Stansted included.
Get exotic in Costa Rica
Family checklist
No proof of vaccination needed, nor tests
Fill in the advance epidemiological information form
Non-vaccinated adults over 18 must provide evidence of insurance
For full information see gov.uk
The jungle-cloaked wildlife haven of Costa Rica will let you in without proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test. This, along with the balmy temperatures (lows of 21, highs of 34) makes Costa Rica a very appealing half term option. Flights from the UK take around 11 hours and 15 minutes.
Book it
British Airways Holidays has a seven-night room-only family escape to the JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa, costing £4,524 for flights and accommodation for a family of four, meals not included, departing February 13 (0344 493 0787; britishairways.com).
A family escape in Spain
Family checklist
Proof of vaccination (12 and over) and booster if second dose was more than 270 days ago; no testing options for unvaccinated teenagers
Under 12s are exempt from vaccination or test restrictions
For full information see gov.uk
While Spain is allowing in fully vaccinated adults over the age of 12, and under 12s with no restrictions whatsoever, if your teenager is not double-jabbed there is no testing option to enter. But if you are eligible, our favourite holiday destination is ready and waiting. Consider the Canaries or the far south of Spain for your best chance of sun. In Tenerife, you’ll be looking at early twenties, and in Andalucia you’ll find temperatures in the mid to late teens.
Book it
Sovereign has a seven-night B&B stay at the Vincci La Plantacion del Sur in Tenerife from £1,029 per person, based on a family of four sharing, This includes flights, private transfers, and breakfast daily. The rate is based on Feb 2022 departures (01293 324683; sovereign.com).
Secret Escapes has availability at the Melia Salinas in Mallorca, starting from £579 per person for a family suite over half term (020 3608 0135; secretescapes.com). Flights included.
A group getaway in Croatia
Family checklist
Proof of vaccination (if 12 and above)
If no proof of vaccination, negative test or proof of recovery are accepted
Complete an online entry form
For full information see gov.uk
Don’t expect soaring temperatures, with the mercury hovering around highs of fifteen degrees. But Croatia remains an excellent option for a last-minute group getaway, without a test in sight if you are fully vaccinated. There is also scope for unvaccinated teenagers or adults to enter with a test (something you cannot do, for example in Spain).
Book it
Oliver’s Travel has a number of divine coastal options for larger groups, including Vila Studena, sleeping six costing £1,969 departing February 12 for seven nights (0333 888 0205; oliverstravels.com)
Go deluxe in Mexico
Family checklist
Register using the Mexico Vuela Seguro Platform
No vaccine or test required for children or adults
For full information see gov.uk
Mexico is a rarity; a country which will allow Britons in without any evidence of vaccination or tests. It is mandatory to register on the Mexico Vuela Seguro Platform before boarding your flight to Mexico, and to show a QR code generated by the system upon arrival at the airport. But that’s it. As a result Mexico becomes a very alluring half-term holiday option. We have listed a ‘splurge’ option below, but if your budget is slightly smaller there are plenty of holidays available with the likes of Tui, Thomas Cook, BA Holidays, Jet2Holidays and Virgin Holidays.
Book it
If you’re looking to splurge, Virgin Holidays has a seven-night half term option in the luxury Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita in Cancun, from £3,265 per person in a master suite (0344 472 9646; virginholidays.co.uk).
Guaranteed sun in Dominican Republic
Family checklist
Proof of vaccination required for everyone aged seven or above
If unvaccinated, children aged seven and older or adults can present evidence of a negative PCR test to enter
Children under age seven do not need take a PCR test to enter
Health screenings and random testing could take place upon arrival
For full information see gov.uk
A sublime option for sunseeker families on a budget, the Dominican Republic is welcoming in the fully jabbed without a test, and unvaccinated can enter without quarantine as well (although a test will be needed). Expect highs of 28 and lows of 22, with few showers and clear blue skies. Bliss.
Book it
Love Holidays has a seven-night holiday at Vista Sol Punta Cana Beach Resort & Spa in Dominican Republic from £1,857pp, flights included (loveholidays.com).
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