MAXIMISE YOUR CHANCES

In this newly uncertain world of traffic lights, infection rates and new variants, there are plenty of factors outside your control that might derail your plans. However, there are ways you can minimise these risks and give yourself the best possible chance of a smooth, trouble-free holiday.

The first way is to book late – perhaps only a couple of weeks before your intended departure date. Now that peak season is over, there will be plenty of availability to most European destinations. It’s true that airfares might rise a little closer to the departure date, but

equally they might fall, and there is plenty of spare capacity in most hotels, so you will always be able to find somewhere to stay.

When it comes to travel insurance, don’t assume that it will cover you if you want to cancel, or even if you are forced to do so because of a shift in the rules on Covid-19. Policies vary hugely, but are generally only of use if you actually contract the disease, not if you face costs or delays because of the need to self-isolate. Our guide to choosing the right policy can be found at telegraph.co.uk/ tt-insuranceadvice.

As all travel insurance policies now have Covid-related exclusions, you need to make sure that whichever tour operator, hotel or airline you book with will allow you to rebook your arrangements if you need to. Most are offering “free” changes to bookings (though note that they are only free if the price isn’t higher for the new date) – but you will need to check how much notice you have to give and how long the window for rebooking will be to make sure it covers your needs. Only if the company itself cancels will you normally be able to get a refund.

Be fashionably late: now that peak season is over, there should be plenty of spare capacity in hotels