Dear Reader,

THE vocabulary has not exactly been inspired. ‘Social distancing’? ‘Self-isolation’? Even ‘lockdown’ has a sinister inference about it.

And what about ‘air bridges,’ otherwise known as ‘ travel corridors’? Double Dutch, really, but at least they’re harbourers of good news, opening up possibilities for summer holidays which, only a few weeks ago, seemed out of the question.

It’s been a torturous process, with the Government coming under relentless pressure and even being threatened with court action.

But, finally, the Prime Minister is on the verge of announcing that reciprocal arrangements have been made with a number of countries to allow travel without invoking the 14-day quarantine rule.

We can raise a glass to that (in the Dog & Duck, what’s more, from July 4), even though it may have come too late to save the jobs of hundreds of people in the travel industry.

There’s been a flurry of leaks from Downing Street in the past few days about moves to get tourism going again — but the details remain sketchy.

Spain, France, Italy and Greece ( pictured) look certain to be included in a first wave of air bridges, possibly joined by the Netherlands, Netherlands Belgium, Cyprus, Malta and Croatia. There’s some doubt about Turkey and Portugal, although the latter’s exclusion makes little sense now that the border with Spain is about to re-open.

Gibraltar, which we write about on pages 66-67, is certain to be afforded special status given it’s a British Overseas Territory.

But we will have to wait a little longer before we can enjoy the Californian charms of San Diego, which we feature on page 68.

Closer to home, this could be the Year Of The Caravan.

Not only have restrictions been lifted for stays in caravan parks (which we feature this week as our cover story), but it will be a comfort to some knowing that they are self-contained, with their own kitchens and bathrooms.

Here at Escape, we’ve been arguing about what the difference is between a mobile home and a caravan — and have not come to a consensus. But we agree that they make for wonderful holidays at a time like this.