Anyone booked with Easyjet should try and check their flights as they’ve started to change the schedules.
Bugger due to fly Bristol to Geneva in a months time for Morzine and have just moved the flights to May 2021 which means when the flight schedule is released I'll have to move them again, if only I held my nerve as the flights are currently listed as "sold out" even though I just transferred 4 people off them!
I had same French lawn quoted from Huttopia for some campsite bookings. It does say if not used in 18 months then refund. We will probably rebook for next summer anyway. We have a couple of weeks in August booked at Rosemarie and Glenmore so fingers crossed we can get the Motorhome up there.
Everyone is running for cover and trying to shift the loss somewhere else.
If your holiday provider is open for business as usual and you have to cancel because either your home country won't allow you to travel or your flight gets cancelled then it should be an open-and-shut case to claim on travel insurance (assuming you both took out insurance and booked the trip before March). They will, of course, squirm and try to make it difficult for you to make a claim.
If your holiday provider cannot open because of local lock-down regulations, this is a different matter. In France, the new rules mentioned above would mean you would be offered the option to switch your trip to next year.
French tourism businesses are all either already allowed to open as normal or will be very soon (more restrictions will be lifted on 15th June) so it is ultimately the UK customer who is cancelling, not the provider, so please have sympathy!
Again, this is not intended to reflect our in-house policy, I'm just trying to give a general travel industry viewpoint. We don't take credit card payments for summer holidays (ironically, that's one thing we've been getting around to setting up during lockdown) so I don't know the full in's and out's, but from what other people have told me, it's a take the money back first, ask questions later approach.
Well we’re still hanging on hopeful of getting to Morzine in late August as planned. Currently only paid £700 ish of the air bnb costs with the balance due in July. Will see where we are then but increasingly hopeful.
I think the UK quarantine is likely to have been relaxed or scrapped before then and as we’re both registered HCPs we seem to be exempt anyway? Not sure where the kids stand though?
We’d be driving down using the tunnel so wouldn’t leave our car except for service stops and then going into a private chalet. If the the foreign office remove the guidance not to travel (Negating any insurance I would guess?) I can’t see the issue.
Well we’re still hanging on hopeful of getting to Morzine in late August as planned. Currently only paid £700 ish of the air bnb costs with the balance due in July. Will see where we are then but increasingly hopeful.
I think the UK quarantine is likely to have been relaxed or scrapped before then and as we’re both registered HCPs we seem to be exempt anyway? Not sure where the kids stand though?
We’d be driving down using the tunnel so wouldn’t leave our car except for service stops and then going into a private chalet. If the the foreign office remove the guidance not to travel (Negating any insurance I would guess?) I can’t see the issue.
I think you'll be fine, we only cancelled Morzine because they shifted Passportes and the lifts wouldn't be open when we were due to arrive.
I'm not sure on the rules about going on holiday with people outside of your home (if that's a factor for you) - in theory, and it's only a theory we could be fully into 'new Normal' by August, hell if the vaccine proves to be viable and / or the virus mutates to be non-lethal like it seems to be doing in China / Italy, we might be back to the normal, normal.
@steveomcd - that sounds a horrible situation to be in. Guessing by your comments you're accomodation/guiding somewhere mainland Europe? Best of luck to you.
It was Bourg St Maurice we were booked for - I believe Les Arcs is opening up 5th July. We might've been premature to cancel ferry though but based decision on what we believe will be the situation with travel restrictions at the time.
I had same French lawn quoted from Huttopia for some campsite bookings.
@NZCol, Huttopia for us too. BsM site location's perfect for family vs biking needs. We'd love to rebook for next summer but at the moment work is making that a near-impossibility.
If your holiday provider is open for business as usual and you have to cancel because either your home country won’t allow you to travel or your flight gets cancelled then it should be an open-and-shut case to claim on travel insurance (assuming you both took out insurance and booked the trip before March).
@ally The regulation you’re being quoted is a new law that was passed by the French government right at the start of the covid-19 crisis in order to prevent a total melt-down of the tourist industry.
Yep, I'd guessed that much already. No problem with that. CC will be last resort for us if travel insurance won't entertain it. Not keen on vouchers in case campsite doesn't survive as I'm sure it's changed name/ownership twice in quick succession. Definitely once although struggling to remember the name(s) pre-Huttopia / swimming pool / fancy toilets.
Ally, we're in Bourg Saint Maurice!
Campsite only changed once I think, to Huttopia, and they're a pretty solid company. Les Arcs is planning to open on 4th July, lifts are already running in Les Gets and Val d'Isere / Tignes are open again for glacier skiing.
@stevomcd, thanks for the info. Who/whereabouts is your chalet? Although we planned to bring the caravan this time, wouldn't rule out a return to a chalet especially if holidaying with another family or two. Hired a chalet in Vallandry in the past. Also stayed at Les Lanchettes with tent but won't get the caravan up that road from valley floor.
Argh the original name of the BsM campsite's going to bug me now. I'm still sure it changed name in quick succession twice, or maybe it was our map that had it called something else to what it's actual name was in the past.
Hopefully the quarantine will get ditched fast. It is economic suicide It was brought in by politicians without scientific advice. In fact the scientists seem to be against it. According to the Spectator
the scientists (who suspect they’ll be framed in the inevitable Covid inquiry) are fighting back now. It has emerged that ministers did not, in fact. consult the Sage committee about the quarantine policy. It appears that, had it done so, leading scientists would have advised against it. Speaking in a personal capacity, Professor Mark Woolhouse – a member of the SPI-M group which does modelling for the Sage committee – told the Times that it makes ‘no sense’ to bring in the quarantine now: ‘It’s a very odd time to bring it in… when quarantining people coming in from overseas is a really good idea is when there is a high probability they have the infection.’ In Wednesday's press conference, chief science officer Patrick Vallance chose his words carefully but in the process hinted that the policy was a political decision.
As an aside I'm attempting to drive to UK from N.Spain tomorrow. Before quarantine kicks in on Monday. Expecting to get turned back at the French border as I don't have an official 'compelling' family reason to travel, but the border's only 20 mins away so worth a shot.
According to my local paper Spain isn't opening its borders until 22/6 or even 1/7, Bob. You've got to get past the Spanish feds before you can try getting into France, just like so long ago I've almost forgotten the delights of getting through one interogation only to start over again 50m down the road.
Just saw this on facebook r.e. Spain
Sorry, we have just removed the post reporting that borders will be opened this 22nd of June. It is difficult to work with these Ministers when they actually contradict each other. 😔
TODAY
The Minister of tourism Sra. Reyes Maroto has stated a few minutes ago;
"Spain will open its borders with France and Portugal from the 22nd of June, lifting all the travel restrictions with these countries".
and the Government has replied to her; Not, the borders will open the 1st of July.
LAST WEEK
The Minister of Transport stated; "people will able to get around into provinces on the same phase", a few hours later, his colleague Sr. Illa, Minister of Health said that this won´t be possible.
There is no consensus even when the Ministers belong to the same political party. 🤦♀️🤦♂️
Reckon you've got no chance if traveling from the UK 🙁
Fully expect to get turned back at Behobia tbh but seeing as things will get very complicated (read: expensive) if I can't get over, it's worth a crack. It'll cost nowt, other than a flexi ferry ticket from Calais that I'll cancel if I don't get through.
I've seen a lot more french plated cars around so there's a bit of movement now.
Sorry to jump in. @bob_summers my phone updated and lost all my contacts. The other crossings were open at the weekend. Ibardin was open and we saw cars and bikes crossing. Not guaranteed but just so you know.
Good luck @stevomcd. Crappy situation for everyone, the Glasgow boys will survive 😉
Thanks for the heads up Doug. I was going to try Ficoba first, then Biriatou if no luck. Might as well try Ibardin as well before calling it a day.
Any news on when you will start guiding again?
Yes. The Huttopia at BSM used to be called the Versoyen. They sold it to Huttopia who have poured quite a bit of cash in - pool, etc. They are quite a big operation at multiple sites. They email me regularly...
It’s definitely worth a try. We are open from 1st July. We have a few bookings and some cool projects with brands which we wouldn’t normally have had time for as they don’t pay the bills. Things pick up a lot after August so we will be ok.
Good luck with the trip, give me a shout when you’re back if you fancy a beer. Number is same as always, it’s just all my contacts are gone.
Aye got your number @doug_basqueMTB.com , I'll send you mine. Will def be up for that beer!
Yes. The Huttopia at BSM used to be called the Versoyen.
@TroutWrestler, well remembered that's the one. Stayed there 2009, 2013 and 2017 interspersed with a year in Les Lanchettes plus a couple of chalet stays... I should really visit elsewhere but it works so well for us with young kids, plus I know my way around the off piste stuff. Tried PdS area a couple of times but much prefer Les Arcs.
Think we've little choice but to accept vouchers and plan for 2021.
Wife is being made redundant at the end of June, so she's driving down to Bourg St Maurice on 24th July to spend a month there (2 weeks on her own and then 2 weeks with me).
My plan was to go on 8th August for 2 weeks. Probably flying from Scotland and then driving back.
Since I'm working from home - and I haven't been told it has to be my own home... - I'll probably drive down with her. Work for 2 weeks, while wife bikes; then have my 2 week holiday.
Assuming the Chunnel is operational, I'm pretty confident/hopeful it's going to happen.
We can be pretty much self sufficient and hygeinic driving down (gloves, face masks, sanitiser) for any stops on route.
I'm hoping the Chunnel is operating, I've got a ticket for tomorrow 😂
I was sure I'd get turned back at the French border but they checked my passport and waved me through. Didn't check the travel declarations. Bit of rush hour traffic on the Bordeaux rocade, other than that it's mainly lorries on the road. Pulled in for the night, kipping in the van, then hopefully get on the Chunnel tomorrow, be a bugger to get that far and have to turn round...
We’ve, in theory, going to a wedding in Ibiza in very early September.
We can book flights and accommodation, the former with vague cancellation policies, the latter with free cancellations up to 14 days before departure.
I’m relaxed about the whole flying thing but less relaxed about losing the cost of the flights.
Hmm.
hmm Christmas skiing?
I'm still very hopeful we'll get to France in July in our motorhome. I'm keeping an eye out for the French opening their borders and as our numbers are continuing in a good direction it's much more likely they'll include us as well as their eu neighbours.
We were due to fly out to Geneva on 4th July with Easyjet.
We've canceled the holiday anyway and have no intention of getting on a plane just yet.
We have just had an email from Easyjet saying the flight should go as normal but they are "giving us the oportunity to cancell" and receive a voucher valid for 12 months and a £10 bonus.
I take it this is their way of trying to get us to take a voucher instead of waiting for them to cancel and get a propper refund?
Interestingly if you look at the flights to and from the same destination for that weekend they're saying they're all full.
We checked a couple of weeks ago and there wee only 23 people booked on.
I take it this is their way of stopping anyone booking a flight they know will be canceled?
Anyone got any thought on this please?
Duinrell in Holland have given us vouchers for 2021 instead of a refund, quite happy tbh, we'll be back nect year.
We’ve binned mid August to Morzine. Accommodation is bumped to next year which is amazing.
It’s not looking likely that we’ll even be let out of Wales at the moment...
If anyone is looking for somewhere to stay in Morzine then Apex Morzine now might have a 2 week vacancy in August in their self catering flat!
We’re hoping to be able to get to FoD and CyB in August now...but no guarantees.
There was a map on one of the channels I was watching earlier which included the UK in the EU area likely to open up for July. It's then up to the UK government whether they want to join in.
My planned holidays in Germany and Spain are back on unless the Covid situation gets worse rather than better. 🙂
Lots of hotels in France (Pyrenees) are not opening this year. We had a trip planned and have been given vouchers from three of them instead of a refund . Trip is/was September...
A little more hopeful of getting to Switzerland this summer. The race I was doing has been postponed to next year, but I have accommodation and tunnel in place. Just watching and waiting until I have to make a decision.
The hotel where I normally break the drive appears to have reopened, just unsure how those sorts of things are going to work going forward.
Are French hotels open? Trying the Accor website and it appears it will take my booking for Saturday night (haven't paid tho') but that doesn't mean it's actually going to be open when I get there...
Driving down to Spain tomorrow, usually sleep in the van but it's rammed full of stuff so was thinking about booking a Formula-1 instead of a crappy night's sleep across the front seats.
Yes, Bob, some are. Make sure they've got safe parking if the vehicle is full of stuff.
Nothing particularly valuable Ed although there is a motorbike in there! Can't see it from outside.
I traveled to France for work last week via the Tunnel and stayed at a Best Western hotel in Les Herbiers.
Had a nice chat with a lady at the Channel tunnel this morning, who have allowed us to cancel the booking in two weeks time and are going to issue a credit note to be used in the next twelve months.
Its what we wanted but didn't expect it as it was a re book from last year when the camper gearbox broke on the way down.
Me and the family are booked to go to Croatia in August. We are booked via Airbnb. 2 adults, one 3 year old, one 13 year old.
We contacted our host to see if we can cancel and refund, which they denied. Which I do understand to a certain extent, as they are a company (Novasol) trying to keep afloat during these tough times.
fair enough we thought, we will see if we can go next year instead. So we tried to change the dates via the website, but none are available at all over the next 24 months.
So back to the host, asking if we can change the dates... once again they are refusing to allow us to do it.
Airbnb are updating their Covid policy on Monday, so hopefully they will extend their cancellation policy to include the dates that we are going and we can cancel and get a full refund.
Other than that, we will then need to make the decision of if we then cancel ourselves and lose the money, or suck it up and just go. Oddly There was an article in the paper a few days ago stating that Croatia is one of the safest places to go at the current time... so maybe we are worrying about nothing?!
Everywhere is pretty safe if everybody wears a mask when appropriate. Getting there is not going to be as safe if you fly as it's close proximity for long periods that's the risk factor.
Whilst in France we're back to normal in the green zones apart from masks in transport and shops, in Spain masks are obligatory anywhere you can't respect the 2m rule which means in most town centres.
Our local swimming pool opens tomorrow, I've booked a couple of sessions for next week. 🙂
I've booked an optimistic flight to Geneva on the 15th August with the plan to ride home. Fingers crossed the quarentine is no longer necessary elaee it's off. But at £80 one way Inc bike I can take the hit if it doesn't come off.
I'm slightly nervous about what might happen if the quarentine kicks back in as I'm riding from Geneva to Calais... By I can cross that bridge (channel) when I get there.
Edukator, if I stop at a petrol station on the peage, is it legal requirement to wear a mask, a moral thing, or no one cares? Same with Hotels? Any idea what the rules for Switzerland are?
And any idea how buffet type breakfasts In hotels are going to work?
It is still a couple of months away just trying to get an idea of what is and is not likely to be possible.
Apart from public transport (legal obligation) it's up to the trader in many situations. Here in the SW it's highly variable - everyone in Decathlon because it's enforced, no-one in cafés, everyone in the guitar shop, a few in the bakery. In restaurants you're supposed to wear a mask till you sit down but few do. In the orange zones (Paris) it's still terrasse opening only. Just carry a mask in your pocket, put it on when you go inside somewhere and see what everyone else is doing.
Many hotel restaurants are still shut even if the hotel is open.
In a couple of months I have no idea what measures will be in place, we get reviews every couple of weeks.
Thanks, I know a lot can and will change, but hopefully the worst is over. At least for now. Hopefully the restrictions won't get worse, even if they don't get better.
Ive cancelled my August trip flying from Gatwick was the final nail in the coffin, lost my deposit and will have to wait for EasyJet to inform me that my flights moved to grab the voucher
I'll grab a cheap deal when/if everything's settled down
The hotel I stayed in the restaurant was open, Dinner and Breakfast ordered in advance and collected at your chosen time to eat in your room or outside.
France is open from tomorrow.
But from that article:
“Arrivals from the UK, from Spain (air arrivals only, until 21 June) and from outside the European Area are asked to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival in mainland France."
France reciprocated when Boris imposed quarantine on people arriving in the UK. I suggest you check out the following page tomorrow when it'll be updated:
https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/conseils-aux-voyageurs/conseils-par-pays-destination/royaume-uni/
On our TV the "full" opening up talked about Shengen and even then it's progressive with Portugal delaying till the end of the month.
Wait for the official texts.
