WINTER SUN? THE DEAL IS ON!
Yes there are restrictions, but some of the bargains on offer for the coming months are truly record-breaking — and irresistible
FACE masks, temperature checks, endless forms, Covid testing, ‘approved’ accommodation, travel corridors, quarantines ... the world of travel is bewildering.
Yet there is a silver lining: bargainbasement holiday prices. Deals abound, especially in the Caribbean, much of which is quarantine-free.
But for peace of mind, do book an ATOL-bonded package holiday, which provides the best protection in the unlikely (but possible) event of a tour operator going bust.
Here are some of the best wintersun deals.
LONG HAUL
MAKE IT TO THE MALDIVES
SAVE 50% SEVEN nights all-inclusive at the Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa in April from £1,599 pp (with a £99 pp deposit) including flights ( travelzoo.co.uk). SAVE £850 OR SEVEN nights’ half board at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Resort in December from £ 1,699 pp including flights ( trailfinders. com).
NEED TO KNOW
MUST present a negative Covid test on arrival taken within 96 hours of departure. Health screenings are conducted on arrival, with quarantines for any suspected cases. It’s now a UK travel corridor so there’s no need to quarantine for 14 days on return.
Face masks in public are mandatory. Worth checking resort rules before making a booking.
LUSCIOUS ST LUCIA
SAVE 51% A WEEK’S all-inclusive at Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa, on trips until January 2, 2022, from £1,279 pp including flights. Must book by October 31 ( tropicalsky.com). SAVE £760 OR SEVEN nights’ allinclusive at Mystique St £746 Lucia by Royalton in November from pp including flights ( firstchoice.co.uk).
NEED TO KNOW
A NEGATIVE test taken within seven days of flying is required as well as completing this form: stlucia. org/en_UK/covid-19.
Reservations for a Covid-19 certified hotel (which the above are) must be presented at the airport. Guests can only leave their hotel for activities organised by the accommodation.
AHOY ANTIGUA!
SAVE £2,339 A WEEK’S half-board at Jumby Bay Island in December £3,075 pp is from pp including flights ( elegantresorts.co.uk). SAVE 35% OR seven nights’ B&B at Blue Waters Resort & Spa between now and January 6 from £1,739 pp including flights ( caribtours.co.uk).
NEED TO KNOW
A NEGATIVE test taken within seven days of flying is required and the completion of a Health Declaration form. Visitors will be monitored for 14 days and further testing could cost £ 76. Guests can leave the hotel but face masks are mandatory in public areas.
BACK TO BARBADOS!
SAVE 70% SEVEN nights’ B& B at Fairmont Royal Pavilion in November from £ 1,775 pp including flights. Must book by October 31 ( elegantresorts. ) SAVE £750pp OR A week roomonly at Bougainvillea Barbados between now and December 31, 2021, from £ 1,049 pp including flights. Must book by October 31 ( tropicalsky.co.uk).
NEED TO KNOW
ONLINE immigration form ( travelform. gov. bb) must be completed 24 hours before arrival and a negative test 72 hours before travel. A free second test is needed four or five days after the first. While waiting for the result, visitors must remain in their hotel.
HOT IN SEYCHELLES
SAVE 45% SEVEN nights’ B&B at the H Resort Beau Vallon Beach for selected dates from November to April 17 from £1,869 pp including flights ( caribtours.co.uk). SAVE 20% OR A week’s B&B at Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort & Casino in January from £955 pp, including flights. ( awayholidays.
NEED TO KNOW
A NEGATIVE test is required taken within 48 hours of arrival. Visitors must isolate for five days at their hotel before a second test on the fifth day ( results take 24 hours).
Guests are free to roam their hotels while isolating. Face masks are required in shops, on public transport and outdoors.
JOY OF JAMAICA
SAVE 35% A WEEK’S B& B at Sandy Haven Resort, Montego Bay, from £1,069 pp in March including flights. Must book by October 28, with extra £125 pp off bookings made before Wednesday ( ba.com). SAVE 34% OR SEVEN nights allinclusive at Excellence Oyster Bay from £2,009 pp for travel until December 31, 2022, flights included. Book by October 31 ( xclusivity.co.uk).
NEED TO KNOW
ALL travellers must complete a Travel Authorisation form before checking in. Face masks are to be worn at the discretion of your resort. It’s not a UK travel corridor so you must quarantine on return.
SHORT HAUL SPANISH SUNSHINE
SAVE 59% SEVEN nights’ B&B at H10 Rubicon Palace Lanzarote in December from £533 pp including flights ( jet2.com). SAVE 56% OR FOUR nights’ selfcatering at Esmeralda Suites Apartments Costa Blanca in November from £293 pp including flights ( tui.co.uk).
NEED TO KNOW
A FORM must be completed at spth. gob. es 48 hours before departure. Not a UK travel corridor, so a return quarantine is in place. Masks for indoor and outdoor public spaces, but restrictions vary. The Canary Islands is now quarantine-free.
PORTUGAL PRIMED
SAVE 33% SEVEN nights’ allinclusive at Pestana Royal Hotel Funchal in November from £531 pp including flights ( travel supermarket.com).
SAVE 34% OR SEVEN nights’ halfboard at VidarMar Resort in January is from £ 408 pp including flights (broadwaytravel.com).
NEED TO KNOW
NEGATIVE test required before arrival for Madeira, Porto Santo and the Azores. Mainland Portugal not a UK travel corridor. In Madeira face masks must be worn in public.
GREEK TREAT
SAVE 40% SEVEN nights allinclusive at Blue Lagoon Resort in Kos in November from £595 pp including flights ( tui.co.uk). SAVE 30% OR A week’s all-inclusive at TUI BLUE Atlantica Aegean Blue Rhodes in November from £526 pp including flights ( firstchoice.co.uk).
NEED TO KNOW
A PASSENGER locator form must be completed 24 hours before travel ( travel.gov.gr). Rules for Scotland and Wales: gov.scot or gov.wales. Face masks mandatory in public indoor spaces.
CYPRUS FOR ALL
SAVE 37% A WEEK’S all-inclusive at the Royal Apollonia in Limassol in November from £737 pp including flights ( firstchoice.co.uk). SAVE 30% OR SEVEN nights’ allinclusive at Louis Sofianna Resort in Paphos in November from £423 pp including flights ( tui.co.uk).
NEED TO KNOW
MUST show proof of a negative test taken within 72 hours of travel and complete a Cyprus Flight Pass form 24 hours before departure ( cyprus flightpass.gov.cy). Face masks must be worn in enclosed public spaces.
DOM REP OPEN
SAVE 55% SEVEN nights’ allinclusive at Ocean El Faro El Beso from £899 pp including flights. Book by October 31 for travel until December 23 ( caribbeanwarehouse.co.uk).
NEED TO KNOW
MAY be required to take a Covid test on arrival if you self- declare symptoms. Quarantine on return for 14 days.
FRENCH FANCY
SAVE 53% OVERNIGHT stays at the Hotel West End in Nice are from £ 35 pp B&B for selected dates until March. A two-night trip including flights is from £118 pp ( travelzoo.com).
NEED TO KNOW
TRAVELLERS must complete a declaration that they are not suffering from symptoms on arrival. Quarantine on return for 14 days.
ALL GO MEXICO
SEVEN 52% nights’ allinclusive SAVE at Dreams 52% Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa until December 31 from £1,079 pp including flights. Book by October 31 ( tropicalsky.com).
NEED TO KNOW
TEMPERATURE checks on arrival. Quarantine on return for 14 days.