Summer: places to go on holiday – with or without a mask!
We’re not all going on a summer holiday – but you might want to think about the options
Brigit Grant is the Jewish News Supplements Editor
“He who would travel happily must travel light,” said The Little Prince author Antoine de St Exupery. It’s unlikely any of us will be truly happy holidaying this summer, or light considering the weight of Covid worry.
Yet we’ve earned a break – and though some countries have yet to be granted ‘air bridge’ privileges, as the virus peaks and falls, things change.
We are all waiting for Israel to open fully, without quarantine restrictions, but thought you might enjoy looking at places to go now (with or without a mask) and in the future.
Turkey
Hillside Beach Club, a five-star resort in Fethiye, Turkey, has made many logistical changes in order to welcome families, including table service in place of buffet-style dining and social distancing in communal areas. But the entertainment team are in place for childcare and evening shows, staff are primed for assisting guests and the smell of pines is ever pervasive. From the balcony of one of the spacious rooms staggered down the densely wooded hills there is a view worth travelling to see. Turkey has been open since 12 June and on arrival you will receive a medical evaluation for coronavirus symptoms, including temperature checks and depending on results, a Covid test.
Flights with www.easyjet.com to Dalaman
Mallorca
Mallorca has always been one of our favourites and the most likely place to bump into friends from Radlett. If you don’t have your own pad, the Zafiro Palace, in a private zone in Port Alcudia is reliably good. Only ten minutes on foot from the nearest beach and a five-minute drive to historic Alcudia town with its cafés, and shops, the hotel is family friendly and spacious with a garden of towering palms.
The several bars and 12 pools are being carefully managed and although the gym and Zen Spa are not currently open, they may very well be by the time you go. If you love low-rise properties, the 369 suites with glass-fronted balconies will impress as will the food at the themed à la carte restaurants which include a sushi bar.
Flights to Palma with easyjet,on arrival you must provide the Spanish Ministry of Health with mandatory contact information and
any history of exposure to COVID-19 48 hours prior to travel.
Portugal
After months in lockdown, a fortnight of self-isolation on return from Portugal is not a problem with so many of us continuing to work from home and getting groceries delivered. As it’s only a matter of time before Boris Johnson gives the Algarve a green light for an air bridge, with such low prices it’s worth booking. For anyone who wants to avoid shared space in a big hotel, a quiet stay in a beautiful farmhouse in Bouliequeme is the answer.
The hosts at Casa De Mondo have self-isolated since early March and sterilise the property on a daily basis. With only three double rooms with kitchens and private terraces set around the pool and verdant gardens, six guests feels comfortably safe.
The beaches – quiet and clean – are a 15-minute drive away, and there are restaurants nearby. Casa De Mondo is the perfect home away from home right now and ridiculously affordable.
www.casademondo.com /+44 7903 525941.
Flights to Faro with Ryan Air and easy jet with temperature tests on arrival.
Italy
Villa San Pietro is a B&B in the quiet Italian town of Montichiari in Brescia, near Lake Garda. Louisa Walters stayed in this wonderful house, which has been in the same family for 500 years, and the owners Anna and Jacques will welcome you with warm Italian hospitality, but are taking hygiene measures and social distancing very seriously.
Monitchiari itself has a Castello, a Duomo and a Sunday morning fleamarket, plus it’s a perfect base from which to visit Lake Garda and the medieval village Borghetto. Cooking classes and wine tastings will eventually be available on site.
www.villasanpietrobylakegarda.com
Greece
Overlooking the volcano with stunning views of Santorini’s celebrated sunsets, Vora is a group of three private villas carved into the caves.
In one of the most beautiful spots on earth, the Cycladic-designed white villas have custom-made furniture in soothing palette of beiges and grays private infinite spa tubs with views of, well just look for yourself. If you go to Greece, you will need to complete a Passenger Locator Form at least 48 hours before travel.
Direct Flights to Santorini from London with EasyJet or BA.
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