TRAVELLER’S TALES

By Roger Wheeler

Opening Up (sort of)

As expected, the government has abolished the travel traffic light system except for the red list, which now just has seven countries you probably wouldn’t want to go to anyway. From November 1, the US and Australia have reopened their borders to fully vaccinated visitors from the UK.

But just going to any major European country, there are still a few hoops that you have to jump through with various tests, but these have been simplified and appear to be quite straightforward. The French and in particular the Dutch are almost rolling out the red carpet for all UK visitors, but you will need proof of vaccination to visit any museum, attraction or restaurant. To visit any EU countries, you will need proof of double vaccination and the usual PCR tests.

The exciting news is that British Airways is on a journey to create a better, more sustainable future. It’s BA Better World. They’ve gone all sustainable and very green. I doubt that the fares will be very green.

From October 1 you can no longer have a GB sticker on your car or, if it’s incorporated in your numberplate, you must now have a UK sticker as well.

British motorists heading for Continental Europe must ‘cover or remove’ the traditional GB sticker, and instead use either a UK sticker or have a UK ‘signifier’ on their number plates. In Spain, Cyprus or Malta, a UK sticker is now mandatory regardless of the numberplates.

You now have to pay £5 to drop off or collect someone from Gatwick or Heathrow and for that you are just allowed 10 minutes. You should use the short stay car parks if you’re collecting someone as the new fee can quickly rise to £25.

Out of Office is one of the better gay travel agencies and is currently getting excited about the Greek islands, now they are of course completely accessible and are quite beautiful, but I think that we all knew that. The Greek tourism industry has had a particularly rough time during the pandemic as most of the famous resort islands rely almost entirely on tourism. It is also promoting a wonderful, but expensive, tour to Peru and the famous destination of Machu Picchu. Along with most travel companies, it relies heavily on the most over used word: luxury. What exactly is luxury? I recently saw it applied to toilet paper.

There are quite a few gay travel companies, which can only be a good thing. I was once interested in Sandals, a very luxurious group of resorts which was decidedly aimed at the straight market. I spoke to one of the senior directors who, of course, hurriedly reassured me that of course same-sex couples would be welcomed at all their resorts. On further research it seemed that if you went you would be the only couple there. Make up your own mind on that one.