The most likely contenders for the 'green list' in August
Looking forward to your next overseas holiday? Well, you might need to wait just a little bit longer.
As the Government confirms a four-week delay to what was dubbed ‘Freedom Day’ – originally set for June 21 but now pencilled in for July 19 – the reopening of international travel is likely to be pushed back too.
A number of international tourist officials have told The Telegraph that they have received messages from UK Foreign Office officials, advising them not to expect the lifting of travel restrictions out of the UK until the beginning of August.
The next green list update is due on June 24, but it seems highly unlikely that any holiday favourites will be joining the only two viable options on the list: Iceland and Gibraltar. Portugal was dropped from the list earlier this month, to the dismay of holidaymakers and the travel industry.
So where are your safest bets for an overseas holiday booking in August? Obviously the provisos apply – we live in uncertain times, and there is a considerable chance that any holiday you book might be cancelled due to Covid restrictions. Or, even worse, your holiday might be unfeasible (ie ‘amber listed’) but you might not be eligible for a refund if you booked flights and accommodation independently.
Here we take a look at the four top European holiday destinations that are most likely to ‘go green’ by August, with holiday options with current availability.
Portugal
Chances of going ‘green’ by August?
Shockwaves rippled through the travel industry when Portugal was stripped of its ‘green list’ status in early June, just weeks after it was given the holiday go ahead. Cases in the country remain relatively low (49 per 100,000 over 7 days; the UK is 76) and more than 50 per cent of the population has now received a first jab. Portugal has become the fall guy of the UK’s topsy turvy travel policies over the past twelve months, and will be hoping for some consistent trade from August onwards.
Any hassle to get in?
Portugal is doing everything it can to make itself as appealing as possible for UK holidaymakers. In fact, UK arrivals can now arrive with a cheaper antigen test result, rather than the pricier PCR test, before leaving the UK. A vaccine passport will allow fully inoculated arrivals to enter the country without any tests – potentially by the end of June.
While Portugal does fall on the UK’s ‘amber list’, the FCDO does not recommend against non-essential travel there, meaning your insurance will remain valid if you go. More information on travel to Portugal, here.
Telegraph’s top tip
Head to Aveiro. Mary Lussiana writes: “The town is often called the Venice of Portugal for its canals and the colourful, gondola-like boats (or 'moliceiros'), which navigate them. These vessels were traditionally used to collect seaweed but now transport the tourists lucky enough to visit the town instead. Aveiro is also famous for bright Art Nouveau facades which line the main canal. Visit the bustling fish market, filled with eels and sea snails that feature in the local cuisine.”
Holidays with availability
easyJet holidays has availability at the five-star Pestana Carlton Madeira, on a B&B basis from ￡661 per person including flights from Gatwick, luggage and transfers. Departs August 4. More information here.
Tui has availability at the 4T+ TUI BLUE Falesia in Olhos D’agua, on a half-board basis. Prices from ￡861 per person, based on two adults sharing, flights from Gatwick and transfers. Departs August 8. More information here.
Scott Dunn has availability at Six Senses Douro Valley from ￡2,700 per person, B&B including flights and transfers. More information here. For more ideas on where to stay, see our guide to the best hotels in Portugal.
Malta
Chances of going ‘green’?
The Mediterranean island nation has twice missed out on the ‘green list’, despite its low cases and strong vaccination drive. There were only 11 cases of Covid-19 reported over the last seven days (that’s 2.5 per 100,000 over a week) and 78 per cent of the population has received a first jab. If Malta does not go ‘green’, surely nowhere will.
Any hassle on arrival?
Malta classifies the UK as ‘amber’, meaning all passengers need to arrive with a negative PCR test, taken 72 hours before travel. Because the UK does not advise against non-essential travel to Malta, your insurance will be valid if you visit (though you will, of course, have to quarantine on your return to the UK).
Telegraph’s top tip
Our expert, Juliet Rix, says: “The best of the beaches along Malta's northern 'hammerhead' and the Gozo channel, Paradise Bay, is a stretch of golden sand beside clear blue waters, with a thatched café and attractive views of Malta’s smaller islands of Comino and Gozo. It's a little close to the Gozo ferry terminal, but it is nonetheless backed by vegetation. It's also convenient for the resort hotels along this coast, and attracts a local crowd on summer weekends.”
Holidays with availability
easyJet Holidays has availability at the four-star San Antonio Hotel and Spa on an all-inclusive basis from ￡726 per person, including flights from Gatwick, luggage and transfers. Departs August 20. More information here.
Hays Travel has availability at a four-star all inclusive in Qawra, Malta. Seven nights cost ￡615 per person, departing August 2. More information here. For more ideas on where to stay see our guide to the best hotels in Malta.
Canary Islands
Chances of going ‘green’?
In the build up to the last traffic light announcement on June 3 there were high hopes that the Canary Islands could go ‘green’, but that didn’t happen. The seven-day rate in the Canaries stands at 40 per 100,000, compared to 73 per 100,000 across the whole of Spain. The Spanish Government aims to have 70 per cent of the Canaries population vaccinated by the summer of 2021, making it a strong contender for an August holiday.
Any hassle on arrival?
Spain now welcomes travellers to the country without the need for a negative PCR test result. This means that everyone – even the unvaccinated – can enter. The same applies for the Canaries. More advice on travel to Spain here.
The FCDO advises against non-essential travel to all of Spain and its islands except for the Canary Islands, meaning your insurance will remain valid if you fly there.
Telegraph’s top tip
For edge-of-the-world appeal, head to El Hierro. Helen Ochyra writes: “Before Columbus set sail westwards, El Hierro was the edge of the known world and the island retains an end-of-the-road feel to this day. Stroll through the highland flower meadows and dense El Pinar pine -forest, swim in the rock pools at La Maceta and feast on seafood at sleepy La Restinga – you will soon slip into island time. Don’t head back before taking a hike among the wind-battered juniper trees at El Sabinar, bludgeoned by the powerful westerlies to form eerie bent-over shapes unlike anything you will have ever seen.”
Holidays with availability
easyJet holidays has availability at the four-star Occidental Jandia Mar in Fuerteventura, on a half-board basis from ￡512 per person including flights from Gatwick, luggage and transfers. Departs August 30. More information here.
Thomas Cook has availability at the adults-only Coral Suites & Spa in Tenerife. Rates from ￡725 per person including flights from Stansted, departing August 29 for seven nights. More information here.
Tui has availability at the 4T + TUI Magic Life in Fuerteventura on an all-inclusive basis. Prices from ￡997 per person, based on two adults and two children sharing, departing Gatwick on August 11 – transfers included. More information here. For more ideas on where to stay, see our guide to the best hotels in the Canary Islands.
Greek islands
Chances of going ‘green’?
Grant Shapps has indicated that the Government will be treating islands independently of their mainland counterparts, and the Greek islands will surely be top of the list come August. To facilitate tourism, Greece has pledged to fully vaccinate the population of its 6,000 islands by the end of June (something it’s on track to achieve). The FCDO does not advise against non-essential travel to Rhodes, Kos, Zakythnos, Corfu and Crete, hinting that these could feasibly go green come August.
Any hassle on arrival?
Right now, you will need to take a PCR test 72 hours prior to travel unless you have two doses of the vaccine, in which case the NHS Covid app will allow you into Greece without any restriction. You’ll just need to fill in a Passenger Locator Form prior to travel. More information here.
Telegraph’s top tip
Rachel Howard, one of our Greek experts, is a huge fan of these overlooked islands: "A two-hour ferry ride from Naxos, the twin islands of Ano (Upper) and Kato (Lower) Koufonisi are a castaway dream. Ano Koufonisi is small enough to walk around in a day. The coastal path from the pocket-sized port peters out at Pori, the largest of the island’s milky blue beaches. Kalofego is a laid-back beach bar where the owner, a musician, often stages impromptu jam sessions with his friends. On Kato Koufonisi, the only inhabitants are goats and the Venetsanos family, who run a wonderful taverna. Order fish soup or slow-roast kid goat."
Holidays with availability
easyJet holidays has availability at the Lindos Royal Resort in Rhodes on an all-inclusive basis from ￡796 per person, including flights from Gatwick, luggage and transfers. Departs August 26. More information here.
Thomas Cook has availability at the four-star Cyprotel Faliraki, with its own waterpark on site and multiple pools and restaurants. Fly from Manchester on August 30 for under ￡600 per person. More information here.
Thomas Cook also has availability at the five-star Andronis Concept Wellness Resort in Santorini. Flights from Stansted depart August 29, from ￡2,100 per person. More information here.
Tui has availability at the 5T Tui BLUE Atlantica Grand Mediterraneo Resort in Corfu on a half-board basis. Prices from ￡921 per person, based on two adults sharing, departing Gatwick on August 8. More information here.
Scott Dunn has availability at Kalesma, Mykonos, from ￡7,600 per person based on two sharing on a B&B basis. Includes flights from UK. More information here. For more ideas on where to stay, see our guide to the best hotels in the Greek Islands.
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