A WINTER holiday away from the cold weather is popular with Brits, yet is unlikely to happen for many this year due to the travel restrictions in place at popular destinations.
There is just one destination which is quarantine and covid-test free, which is Gibraltar – all other destinations have some procedures in place for UK travellers.
Thankfully, some of the rules are not too complicated, meaning you won’t have to jump through too many hoops to get there.
We’ve rounded up the best winter holiday destinations you can visit this month – without too much difficulty.
Gibraltar
All arrivals must fill in a Passenger Locator Form before arriving.
While on holiday, tourists must wear masks in public places and bars and restaurants close by 11pm.
Greek islands
All arrivals must fill in a Passenger Locator Form before arriving, as well as have a negative coronavirus test 72 hours before travel.
However, there are no quarantine restrictions on arrival, nor in the UK if you are travelling to Rhodes, Kos, Zante, Corfu or Crete.
The rest of Greece is on the UK ‘red’ list meaning a two week quarantine in the UK.
While on holiday, tourists must also wear masks in public places and avoid leaving their hotels unless essential.
Canary Islands (Spain)
All arrivals must fill in a Health Control Form 48 hours prior to travel and have a negative coronavirus test taken up to 72 hours before travelling.
However, there are no quarantine restrictions on arrival or back in the UK for the Canaries, although there is for the rest of Spain.
While on holiday, tourists must wear face masks in public spaces but the Canaries is exempt from the current curfew across the rest of Spain.
Madeira (Portugal)
All arrivals must have a negative coronavirus test taken up to 72 hours before travelling (you can take one at the airport for free but will have to quarantine).
Cuba
All arrivals must fill in a Health form on arrival, pay $30 for a negative coronavirus test and have Covid travel insurance.
You will not need to isolate if arriving on a holiday charter flight – if travelling with TUI, arrivals will not need a negative coronavirus test before travelling, as this is included in the holiday cost along with Covid cover.
If travelling on a commercial flight, you will have to self-isolate until you receive a second negative coronavirus test.
However, there are no quarantine restrictions when returning to the UK.
Tourists may be required to wear face masks at hotels, with some limited capacity at communal areas.
Maldives
All arrivals must fill in a Traveller Health Declaration form 24 hours before travelling and have a negative coronavirus test taken up to 96 hours before travelling.
However, there are no quarantine restrictions on arrival or when returning to the UK.
Dubai (UAE)
All arrivals to Dubai can get a negative coronavirus test at the airport – for the rest of the UAE, you must get one up to 96 hours before travelling, and one 96 hours before departing the UAE.
Dubai arrivals must also fill in a Health Declaration Form and a Quarantine Form, which must be printed out and shown.
However, there are no quarantine restrictions on arrival or when returning to the UK.
Antigua and Barbuda
All arrivals must have a negative coronavirus test taken up to seven days before travelling.
There are no quarantine restrictions on arrival, unless randomly chosen by the government, nor when returning to the UK.
St Lucia
All arrivals must fill in a Pre-Arrival registration form and have a negative coronavirus test taken no more than seven days before travelling.
You must also stay at a Covid-registered hotel or resort and are not allowed to leave it.
However, there are no quarantine restrictions on arrival or when returning to the UK.
All tourists must wear face masks while in public places.
Iceland
All arrivals must have a self-isolate for five days, with a free test on day one and day five.
However, from December 10, anyone who has already had coronavirus will be able to avoid both quarantine and negative tests.
We’ve explained how to get a negative coronavirus test for your holiday, as they cannot be done on the NHS.
The government are also slashing the UK quarantine from 14 days to just five days, although this will include two coronavirus tests at your own expense.
The vaccine, being rolled out next week, has also provided hope for holidays – here is how it will affect yours.
