The Holiday Guru is always available to answer your questions.
Here he helps one reader ask a question about Spain’s entry requirements and advises another – who finds the prospect of traveling abroad “overwhelming” – on the best ways to book a stay.
Q. We have booked a trip to America next month. My kids and I had Covid last month and the Centers for Disease Control website says the US accepts documentation of Covid recovery within 90 days. How can we get this? Also, we are aiming to fly from New York to Florida on the trip – what are the rules?
– Becky Metcalfe, via email
Strict: Visitors to America, including Miami Florida, above, face tough regulations
A. Ten days after recording a positive PCR test on your NHS Covid Pass, a Recovery Pass will automatically appear on it, in addition to your Covid jabs.
To travel to the United States you must have proof that you are fully vaccinated and have had a negative Covid test 24 hours prior to travel or such proof of recovery.
The latter might be necessary as people who have recently had Covid can still test positive beyond ten days, despite being officially clear.
Children under 17 traveling with vaccinated parents do not need to be tested. In the United States, the rules vary from state to state. It is best to check “Domestic travel during COVID-19” on cdc.gov.
Q. Will it be a cheap or expensive year to travel?
-Richard Knox, via email
A. Everything indicates that travel to Europe will be extremely cheap. Return flights to Rome are as low as £20 from Stansted in February with Ryanair, which also has Manchester to Seville returns from £53 in March and Edinburgh-Paris returns from £30 in February (ryanair.com).
Everything indicates that travel to Europe will be extremely cheap this year, according to the Holiday Guru. Round-trip February flights from Edinburgh to Paris (pictured) with Ryanair cost £30
Q. Can I enter Spain without being vaccinated?
-Edward Jenkins, via email
A. No. All visitors to Spain over the age of 12 must be fully vaccinated and complete an online health check form. See Spain’s “entry requirements” on gov.uk.
Q. As we are now outside the EU, I think when we go to a Schengen country we need our passport stamped on entry and departure.
Failure to have it stamped risks not being allowed to return to a country at a later date, as you cannot prove that you have not exceeded the 90-day limit.
We have booked two cruises to Schengen countries next year. Will we be dabbed?
-Ron Lewis, via email
A. Stamps must be given on entry/exit. Soon, however – probably within the next six months – the EU will introduce a new computer system known as the entry/exit system which will automatically register movements. View Entry/Exit System at ec.europa.eu. When this happens, patches may not be needed.
The Holiday Guru helps reader who was forced to cancel EasyJet flights
Q. My nerves are broken after making an easyJet booking for Belfast-Lanzarote flights (£653) and then canceled due to my husband’s poor health. I showed medical certificates but was only offered a voucher for his flight and the possibility of rescheduling mine.
We are retirees. I don’t know if my husband will fly again and I wouldn’t fly without him. Can you help ?
– Moyra and Patrick McSherry, Donaghadee, Northern Ireland
A. EasyJet has reviewed your situation and will refund both fares in full.
Q I’m tired of taking tests, I don’t like bureaucratic forms and I find the prospect of traveling abroad overwhelming. Do you have any travel tips?
-Sarah Silverman, via email
A. Yes: book soon. Cottages, vacation homes and hotel rooms are snapping up. For chalets, try ruralretreats.co.uk, sykescottages.co.uk, cottages.com and originalcottages.co.uk.
For hotels, it’s usually best to book directly through hotel websites, which often have the lowest prices and often offer special offers at this time of year.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU
If you need advice, the Holiday Guru is here to answer your questions. Email holidayplanner@dailymail.co.uk