Spain this summer (MOD WARNING IN POST 1)

Ray Donovan · 20-06-2020 8:14pm

otnomart wrote: »

True. expecially to the main resorts.
Have met British tourists and expats in Italy, France, and they were well educated and pleasant.

I go to Lanzarote twice a year at the moment and I’ve never had any problems with the British.

Now the Dubs on the other hand....

casio4 · 21-06-2020 8:31am

Any news on the swimming pools are they still 30% capacity? Due to fly on 24th July to Salou but this is putting me off as kids spend most of the day in the pool

faceman · 21-06-2020 9:27am

casio4 wrote: »

Any news on the swimming pools are they still 30% capacity? Due to fly on 24th July to Salou but this is putting me off as kids spend most of the day in the pool

EDIT it’s now 75% as of today

It’s still 30%. As always with Spain things aren’t always clear. We are unsure what or if this capacity will be increased to from July. We kept out pool closed in June as the rules would have required us hiring someone to monitor pool. As I understand it though community pools are expected to reopen from July 1st but at what capacity is unclear.

We are considering keeping ours closed in July too. The potential fine for non conformance is very high

faceman · 21-06-2020 9:58am

casio4 wrote: »

Any news on the swimming pools are they still 30% capacity? Due to fly on 24th July to Salou but this is putting me off as kids spend most of the day in the pool

Just had this sent to me. This is the current rules as of today.

faceman · 21-06-2020 1:40pm

Breakdown per region of restrictions and limitations

https://english.elpais.com/spanish_news/2020-06-21/spains-new-normality-the-new-rules-region-by-region.html

Atlantic Dawn · 21-06-2020 1:59pm

Does it look like there will be entry controls at Spanish airports on your return trip back to Ireland or will they be happy enough for you to be leaving the place?

olestoepoke · 21-06-2020 2:04pm

So looks like there aren't many restrictions in the Canary Islands. Is anyone considering going? We had written our family holiday off this year, nothing booked thank god but according to that article it may be back on the cards.

dartboardio · 21-06-2020 2:27pm

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Does it look like there will be entry controls at Spanish airports on your return trip back to Ireland or will they be happy enough for you to be leaving the place?

Cant see why they would...?

They check you when you're coming into their country, so then it's Irelands job to check you coming in

stargazer 68 · 22-06-2020 12:32pm

olestoepoke wrote: »

So looks like there aren't many restrictions in the Canary Islands. Is anyone considering going? We had written our family holiday off this year, nothing booked thank god but according to that article it may be back on the cards.

If they lift the 14 day thing here I will be looking at somewhere all right!

Carol25 · 22-06-2020 1:19pm

Knock Airport have opened with a selection of new Ryanair routes from July 1st, including Malaga, Alicante, Palma, Girona, etc. Great news and an interesting development...

https://twitter.com/Irelandwest/status/1274325228022386690?s=20

sideline warrior · 22-06-2020 1:22pm

stargazer 68 wrote: »

If they lift the 14 day thing here I will be looking at somewhere all right!

This is the $6M question? Due to fly on July 5 to Lanzarote and return on the 20th. If Ireland's 14 day quarantine ends on July 9, then we're fine or even if they extend it to July 20 (final stage of roadmap). If not, we can't go and our family loses €1,700 to Ryanair. Cost of switching slights is almost as much as the flights. Insurance won't cover us even if Irish Govt's non-essential travel advice is still in place. I'm sure there are thousands of Irish families in the same boat and waiting for some clarification or light at the end of the tunnel. If Ryanair cxl the flight, at least we get a refund or voucher. By the way flight was booked way back in January. It's now a waiting game. Cabinet committee are due to review later this week.

faceman · 22-06-2020 3:15pm

sideline warrior wrote: »

This is the $6M question? Due to fly on July 5 to Lanzarote and return on the 20th. If Ireland's 14 day quarantine ends on July 9, then we're fine or even if they extend it to July 20 (final stage of roadmap). If not, we can't go and our family loses €1,700 to Ryanair. Cost of switching slights is almost as much as the flights. Insurance won't cover us even if Irish Govt's non-essential travel advice is still in place. I'm sure there are thousands of Irish families in the same boat and waiting for some clarification or light at the end of the tunnel. If Ryanair cxl the flight, at least we get a refund or voucher. By the way flight was booked way back in January. It's now a waiting game. Cabinet committee are due to review later this week.

The only thing in your favour is that come 9th July Ireland will be the only EU country (forget the UK, they have different issues) with a quarantine in place and it will be very hard for the government to justify to not only Brussels but to businesses here aswell.

Also by July 9th the government can see how opening borders has impacted other EU countries.

Fingers crossed!

Zonda999 · 22-06-2020 3:49pm

Does anyone see the 14 day quarantine lasting beyond July 20th, assuming that date as being the date we enter the final phase does not change?

olestoepoke · 22-06-2020 3:58pm

sideline warrior wrote: »

This is the $6M question? Due to fly on July 5 to Lanzarote and return on the 20th. If Ireland's 14 day quarantine ends on July 9, then we're fine or even if they extend it to July 20 (final stage of roadmap). If not, we can't go and our family loses €1,700 to Ryanair. Cost of switching slights is almost as much as the flights. Insurance won't cover us even if Irish Govt's non-essential travel advice is still in place. I'm sure there are thousands of Irish families in the same boat and waiting for some clarification or light at the end of the tunnel. If Ryanair cxl the flight, at least we get a refund or voucher. By the way flight was booked way back in January. It's now a waiting game. Cabinet committee are due to review later this week.

Whats the word from Lanzarote? Business as usual? Swimming pools operating as normal? Black Buffalo still flipping steaks?

DvB · 22-06-2020 5:08pm

sideline warrior wrote: »

Insurance won't cover us even if Irish Govt's non-essential travel advice is still in place.

Have you spoken to them about that yet?

Ray Donovan · 22-06-2020 9:26pm

olestoepoke wrote: »

Whats the word from Lanzarote? Business as usual? Swimming pools operating as normal? Black Buffalo still flipping steaks?

I just saw that the Lanzarote Village Hotel where I had booked from July 20 to July 28 is now not opening until September 1st.

olestoepoke · 22-06-2020 10:26pm

Ray Donovan wrote: »

I just saw that the Lanzarote Village Hotel where I had booked from July 20 to July 28 is now not opening until September 1st.

Oh, I hope you get your money back. The 14 day quarantine is a deal breaker but we also have concerns about the restaurants and most importantly the swimming pools for the kids when you get there. According to the article shared in this thread the canaries doesn't have the same pool restrictions as other parts of Spain. restricted swimming pools would be a deal breaker for us as it keeps the kids busy.

casio4 · 22-06-2020 11:31pm

olestoepoke wrote: »

Oh, I hope you get your money back. The 14 day quarantine is a deal breaker but we also have concerns about the restaurants and most importantly the swimming pools for the kids when you get there. According to the article shared in this thread the canaries doesn't have the same pool restrictions as other parts of Spain. restricted swimming pools would be a deal breaker for us as it keeps the kids busy.

same here about the pools not sure where you are going but I'm heading to Salou in Spain I emailed the apartments to see if pool was going to be open and then through a lot of googling and asking here found out the pools are allowed 75% capacity. Got email back to say pool definitely open so I'm going to take the chance and hope with a lot of people staying home and not travelling there won't be too many at the pool anyway

casio4 · 22-06-2020 11:33pm

Also the restaurants won't be as busy either so just book in advance that day

Ray Donovan · 22-06-2020 11:38pm

olestoepoke wrote: »

Oh, I hope you get your money back. The 14 day quarantine is a deal breaker but we also have concerns about the restaurants and most importantly the swimming pools for the kids when you get there. According to the article shared in this thread the canaries doesn't have the same pool restrictions as other parts of Spain. restricted swimming pools would be a deal breaker for us as it keeps the kids busy.

It wasn't a pre-pay so I'm ok that way. We're still going to go just going to sort something else accommodation wise.

Carol25 · 23-06-2020 3:41pm

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/make-way-for-summer-government-taskforce-says-non-essential-air-travel-ban-should-be-lifted-on-july-1-39308901.html

Interesting development...

DvB · 23-06-2020 4:10pm

Carol25 wrote: »

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/make-way-for-summer-government-taskforce-says-non-essential-air-travel-ban-should-be-lifted-on-july-1-39308901.html

Interesting development...

I may as well laugh about this, you couldn't make it up... thats us a couple of grand out of pocket... spectacularly poor timing from our POV.

one thing I'll never do again after this is book a holiday early, I'll wait until the last minute & see whats available

manniot2 · 23-06-2020 4:11pm

Carol25 wrote: »

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/make-way-for-summer-government-taskforce-says-non-essential-air-travel-ban-should-be-lifted-on-july-1-39308901.html

Interesting development...

Great news

Dublin Mum · 23-06-2020 4:45pm

manniot2 wrote: »

Great news

Brilliant news. And great news from Britanny Ferries too- Rosslare to Bilbao sailing resumes 1st July!

olestoepoke · 23-06-2020 5:13pm

DvB wrote: »

I may as well laugh about this, you couldn't make it up... thats us a couple of grand out of pocket... spectacularly poor timing from our POV.

one thing I'll never do again after this is book a holiday early, I'll wait until the last minute & see whats available

Sorry but I don't follow, I thought this is good news so how are you out of pocket?

DvB · 23-06-2020 5:23pm

olestoepoke wrote: »

Sorry but I don't follow, I thought this is good news so how are you out of pocket?

Its bad news because I was looking to get the cost of my flights back (we have no intention of travelling to Lanzarote so soon with a young family) & was told if the DFA advice was still in place I could make a claim (well, got mixed advice on that score) against my insurance policy, but if the DFA advice changes I have no basis of a claim.

Now its likely to change I'm 100% out of pocket. I've already come to terms with losing the money spent to date but whilst there was still a glimmer I said I'd give it a bash & pursue it as best I could. Some you win, some you lose.

Carol25 · 23-06-2020 5:58pm

DvB wrote: »

Its bad news because I was looking to get the cost of my flights back (we have no intention of travelling to Lanzarote so soon with a young family) & was told if the DFA advice was still in place I could make a claim (well, got mixed advice on that score) against my insurance policy, but if the DFA advice changes I have no basis of a claim.

Now its likely to change I'm 100% out of pocket. I've already come to terms with losing the money spent to date but whilst there was still a glimmer I said I'd give it a bash & pursue it as best I could. Some you win, some you lose.

Can you opt to change the flights? I do think that option should be there for people such as yourself this summer if you don't feel comfortable travelling.

olestoepoke · 23-06-2020 6:00pm

DvB wrote: »

Its bad news because I was looking to get the cost of my flights back (we have no intention of travelling to Lanzarote so soon with a young family) & was told if the DFA advice was still in place I could make a claim (well, got mixed advice on that score) against my insurance policy, but if the DFA advice changes I have no basis of a claim.

Now its likely to change I'm 100% out of pocket. I've already come to terms with losing the money spent to date but whilst there was still a glimmer I said I'd give it a bash & pursue it as best I could. Some you win, some you lose.

Ah sorry to hear that, sucks. You definitely wouldn't go? Seems like it's gonna be safe.

DvB · 23-06-2020 6:19pm

Carol25 wrote: »

Can you opt to change the flights? I do think that option should be there for people such as yourself this summer if you don't feel comfortable travelling.

Best option we got from Ryanair was to switch flights (at a significant markup) and only in a short window which was no good to us unfortunately due to prior commitments.

DvB · 23-06-2020 6:24pm

olestoepoke wrote: »

Ah sorry to hear that, sucks. You definitely wouldn't go? Seems like it's gonna be safe.

We have friends who live a few km outside of where we are due to be staying and they've told us theres not a chance the resort will be anything like up & running tomorrow week, the vasy majority of hotels, bars & restaurants are still all closed up & whilst they may look to start opening from July onwards its unlikely many will be ready with short notice.

TBH if it was just myself & my wife we'd probably chance it, but with young children thrown into the mix the whole thing just seems a bit too much in terms of stepping into the unknow.

I appreciate its essentially our own choice now not to travel but I am a little frustrated that the date we picked back on new years day (the day we booked) ended up being the very date everything seems to be trying to get moving again. Just a tad too soon for us to play guinea pig though

olestoepoke · 24-06-2020 9:49pm

Just looked at the prices for Lanzarote close to 1,000 cheaper for 14 nights family holiday flights and accommodation. Really tempted to go but still very nervous after all thats happened. I read that Lanzarote has been virus free for a few weeks now. Where would you find out if pools are 100% capacity and if restaurants etc are open as usual in Lanzarote?

24-06-2020 9:49pm

Dublin Mum · 24-06-2020 9:53pm

olestoepoke wrote: »

Just looked at the prices for Lanzarote close to 1,000 cheaper for 14 nights family holiday flights and accommodation. Really tempted to go but still very nervous after all thats happened. I read that Lanzarote has been virus free for a few weeks now. Where would you find out if pools are 100% capacity and if restaurants etc are open as usual in Lanzarote?

Loads of updates on the travel forum on Tripadvisor.

Pinklady09 · 26-06-2020 12:49am

Anyone going to Alicante area before July 9th? We have flights booked for the 3rd July, if the flight goes ahead we will be flying out with all fingers crossed that we won’t have to quarantine on return ðŸ€ž

sideline warrior · 26-06-2020 7:09am

Pinklady09 wrote: »

Anyone going to Alicante area before July 9th? We have flights booked for the 3rd July, if the flight goes ahead we will be flying out with all fingers crossed that we won’t have to quarantine on return &#55356;&#56350;

We’re booked to head to Lanzarote on July 5. Such a head wrecker! Flights booked in Jan, cost €1,700. Can’t quarantine on return if Spain isn’t on green list on July 9. If we don’t go we lose the money but if we decided not to travel but Spain was then on the green list we’d be kicking ourselves. Honestly don’t have a clue what to do. You’re meant to be looking forward to hard earned hols and not stressing about them. What chances of Spain being on the green list (don’t think that Canaries will be treated independently despite very low numbers). Help!

zerosugarbuzz · 26-06-2020 7:31am

olestoepoke wrote: »

Just looked at the prices for Lanzarote close to 1,000 cheaper for 14 nights family holiday flights and accommodation. Really tempted to go but still very nervous after all thats happened. I read that Lanzarote has been virus free for a few weeks now. Where would you find out if pools are 100% capacity and if restaurants etc are open as usual in Lanzarote?

Tripadvisor.com is always useful

CruelSummer · 26-06-2020 8:04am

RTÉ seemed to run a little don’t travel campaign yesterday from George Lee and the Doomsday scientist on Prime Time who wants us all still in lockdown. The fact is, the situation is improving across the EU. Yes there are localised outbreaks in meat factories being handled very efficiently but the overall picture is good. Spain should certainly be on the list with perhaps areas recommended not to travel to on the mainland, Lanzarote hasn't had an active case of Covid 19 currently at all. Balearics have had extremely low case numbers since April.

Pinklady09 · 26-06-2020 8:40am

sideline warrior wrote: »

We’re booked to head to Lanzarote on July 5. Such a head wrecker! Flights booked in Jan, cost €1,700. Can’t quarantine on return if Spain isn’t on green list on July 9. If we don’t go we lose the money but if we decided not to travel but Spain was then on the green list we’d be kicking ourselves. Honestly don’t have a clue what to do. You’re meant to be looking forward to hard earned hols and not stressing about them. What chances of Spain being on the green list (don’t think that Canaries will be treated independently despite very low numbers). Help!

Yes, it’s a head wreck not knowing if you can look forward to the hols or not, we had originally booked the 2nd July but when I checked the AL app for flight times on Tuesday it showed cancelled flight! No email or notification at all, so changed booking to the 3rd and now I’m worried that will be cancelled too! I’m keeping everything crossed Spain will be on the list, I’ll be sitting on the beach checking for updates on the 9th if I get there

Johann. · 26-06-2020 8:43am

Pinklady09 wrote: »

Yes, it’s a head wreck not knowing if you can look forward to the hols or not, we had originally booked the 2nd July but when I checked the AL app for flight times on Tuesday it showed cancelled flight! No email or notification at all, so changed booking to the 3rd and now I’m worried that will be cancelled too! I’m keeping everything crossed Spain will be on the list, I’ll be sitting on the beach checking for updates on the 9th if I get there

Hope you get there!

Have my finger on the button waiting to book a trip to Lanzarote, for the 18th July. Nobody can begrudge me it - as I’ve worked with the public throughout the whole thing and will not let anybody tell me I’m selfish

Hoping it doesn’t take over a week to publish the list of countries. I fear it will.

Edit: I think it’s easy to have a viewpoint that it’s terrible and scary if you’ve stayed at home for the last 3-4 months, but if you’ve had to work and become used to what’s expected of us as we get on with our lives - it’s not that scary a thing. Wash your hands, keep your distance, sanitise, face covering on the plane, airport etc.

I’ll take my chances that the likes of Spain, Italy - who have seen heartache like we couldn’t imagine - will be taking it seriously enough to not want to go backwards - therefore making it safe for me to travel to. Also, I expect that if any of us travel and don’t follow local guidelines we will be dealt with rather promptly.

In any case, PUBLISH THE LIST

Pinklady09 · 26-06-2020 9:05am

Johann. wrote: »

Hope you get there!

Have my finger on the button waiting to book a trip to Lanzarote, for the 18th July. Nobody can begrudge me it - as I’ve worked with the public throughout the whole thing and will not let anybody tell me I’m selfish

Hoping it doesn’t take over a week to publish the list of countries. I fear it will.

Edit: I think it’s easy to have a viewpoint that it’s terrible and scary if you’ve stayed at home for the last 3-4 months, but if you’ve had to work and become used to what’s expected of us as we get on with our lives - it’s not that scary a thing. Wash your hands, keep your distance, sanitise, face covering on the plane, airport etc.

I’ll take my chances that the likes of Spain, Italy - who have seen heartache like we couldn’t imagine - will be taking it seriously enough to not want to go backwards - therefore making it safe for me to travel to. Also, I expect that if any of us travel and don’t follow local guidelines we will be dealt with rather promptly.

In any case, PUBLISH THE LIST

I like your thinking Johann, I’ve been working too and am looking forward to the break

Dante7 · 26-06-2020 9:07am

sideline warrior wrote: »

We’re booked to head to Lanzarote on July 5. Such a head wrecker! Flights booked in Jan, cost €1,700. Can’t quarantine on return if Spain isn’t on green list on July 9. If we don’t go we lose the money but if we decided not to travel but Spain was then on the green list we’d be kicking ourselves. Honestly don’t have a clue what to do. You’re meant to be looking forward to hard earned hols and not stressing about them. What chances of Spain being on the green list (don’t think that Canaries will be treated independently despite very low numbers). Help!

Lanzarote will be fine to return from from the 9th July onwards. Even in the unlikely event that Mainland Spain isn't included in the list of safe countries for July 9th, the islands will be. Just make sure your EHIC cards are up to date if you don't have insurance.

faceman · 26-06-2020 9:13am

Pinklady09 wrote: »

Anyone going to Alicante area before July 9th? We have flights booked for the 3rd July, if the flight goes ahead we will be flying out with all fingers crossed that we won’t have to quarantine on return ðŸ€ž

4th for me. Eager to hear how easy/difficult it is to get through Dublin airport outbound. I understand that since borders opened in Spain on jun 21st, Alicante airport is smooth sailing despite the extra measures in place.

I have a feeling anyone flying from Dublin before July 9th will have less stress in Dublin airport due to less people travelling.

Beersmith · 26-06-2020 9:13am

Crazy they won't be giving a weeks notice at least about what will be on the list.

ASOT · 26-06-2020 9:30am

faceman wrote: »

4th for me. Eager to hear how easy/difficult it is to get through Dublin airport outbound. I understand that since borders opened in Spain on jun 21st, Alicante airport is smooth sailing despite the extra measures in place.

I have a feeling anyone flying from Dublin before July 9th will have less stress in Dublin airport due to less people travelling.

Also going on the 4th to Alicante, form what iv heard your spot on about Alicante being smooth sailing.

I have family that work in Dublin airport and the Duty free is open from next week, not sure if anything else will be so I'd imagine it'll still be pretty dead for us.

faceman · 26-06-2020 9:50am

ASOT wrote: »

Also going on the 4th to Alicante, form what iv heard your spot in about Alicante being smooth sailing.

I have family that work in Dublin airport and the Duty free is open from next week, not sure if anything else will be so I'd imagine it'll still be pretty dead for us.

See you onboard!

Tenzor07 · 26-06-2020 10:50am

faceman wrote: »

4th for me. Eager to hear how easy/difficult it is to get through Dublin airport outbound. I understand that since borders opened in Spain on jun 21st, Alicante airport is smooth sailing despite the extra measures in place. I have a feeling anyone flying from Dublin before July 9th will have less stress in Dublin airport due to less people travelling.

Dublin airport is extremely quiet as you'd expect, you'd get through the security check in a few minutes...! ....all shops closed with the exception of the Marquette restaurant, coffee, cooked meals and bottled drinks... From Monday though i'd expect everything from Starbucks to WH Smiths to open...

olestoepoke · 26-06-2020 11:00am

Regarding Lanzarote, will the pools be 100% capacity and will bars and restaurants be open. All well and good getting there but if the place is like a ghost town and there are pool restrictions what's the point?

Dublin Mum · 26-06-2020 11:07am

olestoepoke wrote: »

Regarding Lanzarote, will th pools be 100% capacity and will bars and restaurants be open. All well and good getting there but if the place is like a ghost town and there are pool restrictions what's the point?

Loads of current and up to date information on the travel forum on Tripadvisor.

Pinklady09 · 26-06-2020 11:07am

faceman wrote: »

4th for me. Eager to hear how easy/difficult it is to get through Dublin airport outbound. I understand that since borders opened in Spain on jun 21st, Alicante airport is smooth sailing despite the extra measures in place.

I have a feeling anyone flying from Dublin before July 9th will have less stress in Dublin airport due to less people travelling.

I’ll let you know how I get on on the 3rd, a quiet Dublin Airport sounds appealing, I hope there’s not too much hassle going through security

Stratvs · 26-06-2020 12:45pm

olestoepoke wrote: »

Regarding Lanzarote, will th pools be 100% capacity and will bars and restaurants be open. All well and good getting there but if the place is like a ghost town and there are pool restrictions what's the point?

This guy
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqyqzILrS_fA3z0UmDRebeQ/videos
does regular walkabouts in Lanzarote, mainly PdC, Matagorda areas. They give an idea what it's like right now. Very few bars/restaurants open. The ERTE ( Spain's version of furlough scheme) has been extended until September and may run later. If you reopen & disengage from ERTE you must reengage all staff. So for many places they're holding on for now. Face coverings are mandatory on public transport / taxis. Minimum €100 fine and the Policía don't mess around when it comes to fines in The Canaries. Distancing is now 1.5m. The beaches are open. Some residential complex pools are open but you have to sign in and give time that you are going and limit on time allowed.

As you say, what's the point. The situation may improve as flights commence but it's going to take time, certainly a couple of months.

As an aside, for anyone who may be interested -

Lanzarote had 85 cases total so far with 6 deaths, no active cases currently and has had only 1 new case in the last 2 months. I may be wrong but guessing that may be this gentleman !
https://traveltimes.ie/cabin-fever-strikes-lanzarote-bound-flight/

For COVID-19 & the Canary Islands as a whole this is an interesting resource.
https://thecanarynews.com/2020/06/06/latest-canary-islands-confirmed-covid-19-corona-virus-cases-2020-map/
You can get breakdown by island and area.

Spain this summer (MOD WARNING IN POST 1)

Comments

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens