The Daily Telegraph - Saturday - Travel
TRAVEL WARNING
From waterside hotels and city escapes to secluded country dwellings, our resident expert Suzy Bennett suggests 10 great getaways in one of England’s loveliest counties
There are travel restrictions in force throughout the UK governing trips both within
the country and abroad. For more information, see gov.uk/coronavirus; gov.scot/coronaviruscovid-19; gov.wales/coronavirus
major issue for readers who contacted me in early summer last year – they didn’t think their holiday would go ahead, but if they didn’t pay the balance, they would lose their deposit.
Of course, as we shall see below, operators can and do argue that financial protection schemes are in place to ensure that our money is safe, so we can’t lose out if we book. But the industry as a whole does not have a great track record of providing timely refunds, and many of us can’t afford to pay for a substitute holiday while waiting to get our money back for one that has been cancelled.
A ROUTE THROUGH THE MAZE
OF UNCERTAINTY
So how do we navigate our way through this incredibly frustrating situation? The solution I think is to box clever and be aware of the significant difference in prospects between UK holidays and foreign travel.
As deaths and hospitalisations continue to fall in response both to lockdown and the vaccine programme, it will become harder and harder for the Government to persuade its backbenchers, and of course the Treasury, to support continuing restrictions, and get the public to follow them.
There are already hints that pubs, restaurants and hotels may be allowed to open in some form at Easter. Although we don’t know if this is true, personally, if I wanted a holiday in Britain between June and September, I would book now, whatever Grant Shapps may say. Speak to any holiday cottage agency, or try to book with a holiday company such as CenterParcs and you will find the availability is already extremely thin on the ground for the school holidays. So if you don’t act now, you may well lose out.
Just make sure – in case things do go wrong again – that the company or individual you are booking with offers a clear cancellation and refund policy that you are happy with (check review sites and social media to see if people have had problems getting Covid-related refunds in the past).
As for foreign holidays, I would remain patient just a little longer. This week, more than 100 leading companies called on holidaymakers to ignore government advice and book their summer holidays abroad. But this seems rash when the road map for easing lockdown is to be announced next week. I would wait until then and make my decision based on when I was thinking about travelling, as set out in our timeline [see below].
My own situation is a good example. I have a boat booked for a sailing holiday in the Ionian islands in Greece for the second week in June. It was rolled over from last year when travel was impossible. I converted the BA flights into vouchers last May, but haven’t rebooked yet because I think the chances are only about 50:50 that we will be able to travel then.
I don’t think they will sell out, though there is always a risk that – with some good news about vaccinations – there might be a sudden rush of confidence which would push fares up sharply. I’ve decided to wait until after Easter before I make a decision about booking the flights, and I may leave it even later. By then, most people will have had jabs and we will know much more about the impact vaccination will have had on transmission and how things are progressing in Greece.
If I wanted a holiday in Britain between June and September I would book now
WHAT ARE THE OPERATORS
DOING?
Of course, it isn’t only government we need to keep an eye on. There is also the industry itself. What are travel companies doing to try to help the situation? First, we need to remember the huge pressures tour operators and airlines are under. Virtually all companies are now on their knees after a year of cancellations, refunds and a decimated cash flow. One operator even admitted to me that he thought that – had they known last March how long the crisis would continue – some would have chosen to go into voluntary liquidation rather than try to keep battling on. If the furlough scheme is not extended after March, there will surely be some failures in the spring (which is why it is important to book with an Atol-protected tour operator and pay for your travel arrangements with a credit card).
On the other hand, given that forward bookings for the summer were so strong in January, there is also plenty of optimism – Jet2, for example, the UK’s second biggest operator, has just managed to raise £422million from shareholders to tide it over the costs of the current travel ban.
It has been very decisive in its forward planning, automatically cancelling all holidays until April 15, which is well after Easter, and issuing full refunds. The rationale? “We know that customers will remember this approach, and the way we have looked after them will play an important part in our long-term strategy to continue to grow successfully.”
The UK’s biggest tour operator, Tui, says it is doing its level best to adapt to the situation, though it is frustrated by the regular changes in messaging from government. It sees flexibility as key to winning its customers’ confidence and is continuing with the two-pronged approach which it has had in place since the pandemic began.
Where restrictions look certain to continue, it is cancelling holidays a few weeks in advance, though not as far ahead as Jet2 – currently all departures until March 7 – and regularly rolling that date forward. But customers are also able to postpone and rebook any Tui holiday booked after Feb 10 and due to depart before the end of Oct 31 to a date as far ahead as October 2022.
It hasn’t changed its “balance due” lead times, so you have to cough up 12 weeks ahead of departure. But it does say that “if a customer isn’t in a position to pay, we encourage them to call and speak with one of our travel advisers who will be able to help.”
It’s a different story for smaller companies such as Steppes Travel, which is a long-haul specialist (though in response to the pandemic it has recently branched out into Spain, Romania and Greece).
Managing director Justin Wateridge says Steppes can take a more tailored approach, because, unlike the big operators that use automated systems, it will normally speak directly to customers. If a balance payment becomes due, but travel looks uncertain, “we call up our clients, talk to them about whether it is likely to go ahead, and what the potential solutions are. Most are loyal and leave the deposit with us against a later departure date… our clients are our business and we can’t afford to upset them. If we try to push them, we may lose them.”
Martin Randall, whose eponymous company is the leading provider of cultural tours for small groups, has had a similar experience with customer loyalty. Since April last year, nearly 80 per cent of cancelled clients switched their booking to another departure or accepted a refund credit note for a future trip. The rest he has refunded with cash. But he is frustrated with his industry in general – “aggrieved that so many companies… have refused refunds; this cannot help the travel industry when pleading for government support.”
Trailfinders, meanwhile, is putting huge emphasis on its record for refunds, and its financial protection scheme, which means customers’ money stays in a trust fund until after they have travelled. It sees the current climate as an opportunity for people, rather than a risk, arguing that with Trailfinders, “you can take advantage of the great bargains on offer right now, which will dry up when restrictions are lifted. With our unblemished record for immediate refunds or rearranging travel plans (at no cost to you), there is no risk other than missing out.”
Keep an eye on the ball if you want a British break this year
Any decision you make will be partly determined by where you are thinking of going and what sort of holiday you fancy. Currently we are not allowed to travel abroad for holidays, and many countries are not allowing UK citizens to visit anyway. But we can make educated guesses about which are likely to offer the best and worst prospects. Below – as an at-a-glance guide – we have colour-coded some key destinations and types of holidays. Use in conjunction with our Timeline for Travel.
BRITAIN
For departures in July onwards, book your British holiday now. Such is the demand that you may already be too late for the main school holidays.
THE MED AND
MAINLAND EUROPE
Despite a relatively slow start to vaccinations in Europe, these will certainly accelerate and there are some encouraging signs that some key countries will open, at least for peak season. Spain has expressed determination to restart tourism this summer and Greece has said it may allow vaccinated tourists to skip quarantine on arrival.
NORTH AMERICA
The US is reasonably well advanced in its vaccination programmes, and while the news last week that those who have been vaccinated can skip quarantine rules does not apply to incoming travellers, but only to those who have been exposed to someone with the virus, it is a hopeful sign for future travel. Canada is lagging behind at the moment but is aiming to vaccinate the entire population by the end of September, with vulnerable groups protected well before then.
THE CARIBBEAN AND
THE INDIAN OCEAN
These are some of the most popular resort destinations anywhere, and they have generally been pretty successful at controlling the virus and keeping tourism going. The Maldives, Barbados, Antigua and St Lucia have been some of the few destinations to remain open to UK travellers in recent weeks, and they seem likely to offer some of the best bets for holidays from early summer onwards, though you may want to wait until late autumn or winter for climatic reasons. The Seychelles has already vaccinated half its population.
AUSTRALIA AND
NEW ZEALAND
The incredibly stringent quarantine controls put on incoming travel to both Australia and New Zealand, combined with these countries’ success in controlling the pandemic, means it is extremely unlikely that either will risk reopening to tourists before Christmas. Best look ahead to 2022.
SOUTH-EAST ASIA
Countries such as Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos seem – according to official figures at least – to have escaped the worst of the pandemic. However, like Australia and New
Zealand, they have maintained some of the strictest border controls in the world and look unlikely to be feasible holiday options until next winter at the earliest.
SOUTH AMERICA AND SUB-SAHARAN
AFRICA
I have lumped these together because both regions are affected by variants which may be more resistant to current vaccines. There are differences – vaccination programmes in Latin America look much more advanced than in Africa – but the chances of quarantine-free travel to these destinations before the end of the year are not looking good for either continent.
Having said that, many countries in these regions, such as Ecuador, Brazil, Botswana and Rwanda, have been keen to lure tourists, so if variant fears are allayed, things could change. But it is certainly not a good idea to book until the situation becomes clearer.
SKIING
Some ski resorts are open – in Austria, for example – but only for locals. Sadly, the chances of British residents being able to travel to the Alps and ski this winter are looking more and more remote. If you want to ski in a peak week next season, however, it may be worth booking before the end of this summer because pent-up demand is likely to be significant in 2021-22.
CRUISES
Vaccination could transform cruising and offer hopes of a relatively early restart – especially for departures from UK ports. It seems reasonable to be optimistic about Caribbean cruises next winter.
ESCORTED TOURS
Until mass tourism restarts, escorted cultural tours will offer a remarkable opportunity to see sights without the usual crowds. Operators say that bookings are strong for departures from the autumn onwards, but whether or not they depart will depend entirely on the intended destination.
‘We’re desperate for something to look forward to,” reads the email from a London couple, as they book my Dartmoor holiday let, Moorland View, for a break this summer. It’s a sentiment echoed by dozens of holidaymakers, who in recent days of frenzied reservations, booked up the cottage for almost the entire season. Devon’s holiday accommodation agents report a similar surge, including Toad Hall Cottages, which saw a record 1,000 bookings in seven days.
But if you’ve been reticent about booking a getaway, it’s not too late. Although established hotels and holiday homes have limited summer availability, new properties, cottages in lesser-known locations and city hotels still offer plenty of choice. As a longterm resident here, here’s my roundup of the best, including luxury coastal retreats, dog-friendly hotels and wildlife tours. For more ideas, keep an eye on tour operators’ social media feeds – it’s where many post last-minute deals.
STAY AT A NEW WATERSIDE HOTEL IN SALCOMBE
If you’re quick off the mark, you’ll have top pick of dates at this new luxury hotel on South Sands beach in Salcombe, which opened the books for its summer launch on Feb 5. Owned by Harbour Hotels, it promises 50 stylish rooms and suites, many with sea views, a spa, beach bar and laidback restaurant. Doubles start at £340 per night, including breakfast (01202 400614; harbourhotels.co.uk).
JOIN A WILDLIFE TOUR Natural history specialist Reef and Rainforest has launched small-group tours of Devon’s wildlife hotspots, the most comprehensive of its kind in the county. The six-day trip, run by expert naturalists, takes in beaver-watching on the Otter river, birding in Dartmoor, Exmoor red deer-spotting, and a boat trip in
Torbay to see dolphins, seals and potentially even whales. Prices start at £893 per person, including accommodation, breakfast and some lunches. Guests will drive themselves to the hotels and between locations, but all excursions will be guided as a group with social-distancing measures in place. Departures on June 6, June 13 and June 20 (01803 866965; reefandrainforest.co.uk).
HEAD OFF ON A LUXURY ESCAPE WITH YOUR DOG IN A NATIONAL PARK
A swathe of great-value, dogfriendly packages cater for the thousands of Britons who became dog owners during lockdown. In Dartmoor, Bovey Castle’s Barking Britain package, available exclusively through dogfriendly travel specialist PetsPyjamas, allows guests to stay with their dogs for free – a saving of £25 per pet per night – and includes a dine-with-your-dog option. Prices start at £650 for a twonight
GET IN SHAPE ON A
CYCLING HOLIDAY If lockdown has left you feeling unfit, a cycling holiday with The Bike Bus should help you get back in shape. Freewheel through the Exe estuary with a private guide, or take a selfled coast-to-coast tour, with transfers, accommodation and a meticulously planned bespoke itinerary. A two-night Exe estuary tour is £249 per person, while a three-day coast-to-coast tour is £295. Both prices include accommodation, and there’s plenty of summer availability (07773 362119; thebikebus.co.uk).
TAKE THE FAMILY CAMPING NEAR DARTMOOR
For those craving space and nature after months of being cooped up, Hideaway Camping has a 24-acre expanse to run wild in. Set in Higher Melbury, on the edge of Dartmoor, this glamping site has gipsy wagons, Airstream trailers, ‘igloos’ and camping pitches, all with summer availability. There’s a magical fairy glade for children, tree swings, a dedicated picnic area and hammock garden. A twonight stay in an igloo sleeping five in August starts from £80 per night (hostunusual.com).
REUNITE WITH YOUR FRIENDS IN WEST DEVON An option for extended families or groups of friends keen to reunite, Manor Cottages is a new collection of four self-contained cottages that can be booked together, allowing for as much socialisation as restrictions allow at the time. Set in the grounds of a Georgian manor estate near the little-known west Devon village of Bratton Clovelly, facilities include a swimming pool, sauna, tennis court, forested walking trails and a pond for wild swimming. Prices for an eight-night stay in June start from £8,689 (airbnb.co.uk).
ENJOY A CITY BREAK IN EXETER
With most holidaymakers booking countryside breaks, Devon’s city hotels are offering knock-down h Beak and call: a black-tailed godwit
j g Pretty impressive: Salcombe harbour
j Is this what people used to do before Sat Nav?
BE BESIDE THE SEASIDE AT WOOLACOMBE BAY, NORTH DEVON
For healthy sea air and wide open spaces, Woolacombe Bay Hotel’s location by a windswept three-mile beach is hard to beat. Facilities include a heated indoor and outdoor pool, spa, gym, putting green, tennis and squash courts, championship-sized snooker table, and for those who’ve been missing the big screen, private-hire cinema. Doubles start from £175 per night in July and £205 in August (01271 870388; woolacombe-bay-hotel.co.uk).
GO GLAMPING IN SIDMOUTH
If you’d rather steer clear of busy hotels, Harvest Pod is the latest addition to a collection of handcrafted glamping structures on a hillside above the Otter Valley, near Sidmouth and the Jurassic coast. Sleeping two, it’s furnished in a simple, country style and has a shower room, Wi-Fi and uninterrupted countryside views. Harvest Pod is well spaced from the other pods on site, and at the time of writing had availability throughout summer. Prices start 10
CHECK INTO A GREENMINDED GASTROPUB IN TOTNES
Geared for the shorter-term market, B&Bs and inns are a good option if you’d rather wait for Covid restrictions to be lifted before booking a break. One of my favourite inns is The Bull, in the vibrant waterside town of Totnes. The fourth organic pub opened by Geetie Singh-Watson, this sustainably run, eight-bedroom escape has solar panels, a heat recovery system, refillable toiletries and locally sourced produce and furnishings. Doubles in July and August start at £135 per night, including breakfast (01803 640040; bullinntotnes.co.uk).
Travel within the UK restrictions. See Page 3.
is subject to