Has anyone been...

[kentishu]

I've never been to Bulgaria but would recommend Romania, a stunningly beautiful country, much of it totally unspoiled. The painted/wooden churches in Bucovina and Maramures are absolutely amazing.

Two other places worth considering - Oman and Namibia, both are safe and easy to explore in a hire car, and have a lot to offer, scenery and culture in Oman, scenery and wildlife in Namibia. Terrace Bay, a 200 km drive up the Skeleton coast of Namibia on a salt and mud road, with only a seal colony to visit, and no human settlements at all, was the most remote place I have ever been to, and came with the real risk of meeting a lion on the beach.

Anyway I am just leaving the Heritage Centre in Crewe on a wet miserable Sunday, and no one does depressing quite like us Brits...

Kentish

[martin018]

Croatia is also lovely, especially Istria in the North. Stayed at Rovinj, lovely old town. Very scenic. Also Pula has a complete Roman Ampitheatre.

[soulhalshall]

I love the Balkans. I've spent many happy hours sitting on buses through little Bosnian villages, and for all the beauty of the seaside spots and national parks, I'm very fond of Belgrade, which I think makes a super weekend break type place (if weekend breaks are still a thing) for people who would rather avoid the crowds of Prague, Budapest, etc.

[Mark Peters’ Bonce of Power]

So now that things are opening up, for better or worse, how do we feel about people travelling in this time? I find it hard to condemn anyone taking a holiday, seeing as it’s now technically allowed, but it doesn’t really seem to be in the spirit of things.

I ask as seeing as I’m likely to be furloughed for at least another month, I’m thinking of taking my tent down to The West Country and spending a couple of weeks walking The South West Coastal Path. On the one hand, I’m thinking well it’s allowed so there’s no reason not to if I feel like it, but on the other hand it seems selfish.

[Andrewlang]

I think you're fine tbh.

I don't think I would want to fly, or sit on a packed beach, or go to the pub or go on a city break...but spending my day walking and wild camping seems ok to me.

Andrew

[cufctheparrot]

Jul 7, 2020 19:06:55 GMT Mark Peters’ Bonce of Power said:

So now that things are opening up, for better or worse, how do we feel about people travelling in this time? I find it hard to condemn anyone taking a holiday, seeing as it’s now technically allowed, but it doesn’t really seem to be in the spirit of things.

I ask as seeing as I’m likely to be furloughed for at least another month, I’m thinking of taking my tent down to The West Country and spending a couple of weeks walking The South West Coastal Path. On the one hand, I’m thinking well it’s allowed so there’s no reason not to if I feel like it, but on the other hand it seems selfish.

Sound good to me, just try and avoid any hostile locals who might not want you there but I don't think they should have any problem if you keep your 1.5m distance and take your rubbish home with you. (And no that wasn't an auto correct on this website, I did type rubbish not anything else).

I'm still looking at where I could go on holiday, cant afford UK prices and I don't have a tent, so having to look at taking a cheap flight but there is a lot of countries out there which have restrictions either entering their country or returning to the UK, even the ones where I mistakenly thought I could get in without restrictions, such as Ireland, France, and at the moment Greece. Its going to be a long year if I don't get a holiday.

[Mark Peters’ Bonce of Power]

Thanks chaps, more or less confirms my feelings on the matter. To be clear, I was more thinking about whether it’s right to take advantage of all the free time I find myself with, whilst so many are struggling, (so far due to Covid, I’ve missed out on two holidays and a few gigs but seeing as I haven’t personally lost anyone and my wages are being paid, l consider myself one of the lucky ones!) more than I was about spreading the virus by walking the coast by day and hiding up in a field at night.

[Denton]

Jul 7, 2020 21:05:10 GMT cufctheparrot said:

Jul 7, 2020 19:06:55 GMT Mark Peters’ Bonce of Power said:

So now that things are opening up, for better or worse, how do we feel about people travelling in this time? I find it hard to condemn anyone taking a holiday, seeing as it’s now technically allowed, but it doesn’t really seem to be in the spirit of things.

I ask as seeing as I’m likely to be furloughed for at least another month, I’m thinking of taking my tent down to The West Country and spending a couple of weeks walking The South West Coastal Path. On the one hand, I’m thinking well it’s allowed so there’s no reason not to if I feel like it, but on the other hand it seems selfish.

Sound good to me, just try and avoid any hostile locals who might not want you there but I don't think they should have any problem if you keep your 1.5m distance and take your rubbish home with you. (And no that wasn't an auto correct on this website, I did type rubbish not anything else).

I'm still looking at where I could go on holiday, cant afford UK prices and I don't have a tent, so having to look at taking a cheap flight but there is a lot of countries out there which have restrictions either entering their country or returning to the UK, even the ones where I mistakenly thought I could get in without restrictions, such as Ireland, France, and at the moment Greece. Its going to be a long year if I don't get a holiday.

I'm off to Spain next month, most of the businesses are reopen but fairly empty as nobody is out there. So other then the odd mask wearing session should be fairly normal

[Andrewlang]

Offset any guilt with a donation to a charity maybe..?

I don't think you need to feel any furlough guilt though. It's a situation not of our making all this...consider a bit of ecotherapy as a necessity for your mental well being.

Andrew

[cambcam]

Jul 7, 2020 19:06:55 GMT Mark Peters’ Bonce of Power said:

So now that things are opening up, for better or worse, how do we feel about people travelling in this time? I find it hard to condemn anyone taking a holiday, seeing as it’s now technically allowed, but it doesn’t really seem to be in the spirit of things.

I ask as seeing as I’m likely to be furloughed for at least another month, I’m thinking of taking my tent down to The West Country and spending a couple of weeks walking The South West Coastal Path. On the one hand, I’m thinking well it’s allowed so there’s no reason not to if I feel like it, but on the other hand it seems selfish.

Funnily enough I was down in Cornwall yesterday, right down past Truro near Penzance. There were enough campers and caravans on the road to suggest there are good few people doing the same thing. The numbers are probably a fraction of what they’d normally be but you if you went, you’d probably have the best of both worlds; enough fellow holiday makers for there to be acceptance from the natives and it’s unlikely you’d feel awkward, plus, you’d get to enjoy the place without the crowds.

I wouldn’t know about the bars/restaurant/accommodation situation though, I was in an out in one very long day (it is a bloody long way, Edinburgh is closer), but I would certainly go and have a nice time. As you say it’s allowed and there’s no reason not too.

Just stay within the sensible precautionary guidelines and you’ll be doing yourself and others no harm. You’ll inject a bit of cash back into the local economy and it will do you the power of good too.

[Mark Peters’ Bonce of Power]

Jul 8, 2020 8:56:44 GMT cambcam said:

Jul 7, 2020 19:06:55 GMT Mark Peters’ Bonce of Power said:

So now that things are opening up, for better or worse, how do we feel about people travelling in this time? I find it hard to condemn anyone taking a holiday, seeing as it’s now technically allowed, but it doesn’t really seem to be in the spirit of things.

I ask as seeing as I’m likely to be furloughed for at least another month, I’m thinking of taking my tent down to The West Country and spending a couple of weeks walking The South West Coastal Path. On the one hand, I’m thinking well it’s allowed so there’s no reason not to if I feel like it, but on the other hand it seems selfish.

Funnily enough I was down in Cornwall yesterday, right down past Truro near Penzance. There were enough campers and caravans on the road to suggest there are good few people doing the same thing. The numbers are probably a fraction of what they’d normally be but you if you went, you’d probably have the best of both worlds; enough fellow holiday makers for there to be acceptance from the natives and it’s unlikely you’d feel awkward, plus, you’d get to enjoy the place without the crowds.

I wouldn’t know about the bars/restaurant/accommodation situation though, I was in an out in one very long day (it is a bloody long way, Edinburgh is closer), but I would certainly go and have a nice time. As you say it’s allowed and there’s no reason not too.

Just stay within the sensible precautionary guidelines and you’ll be doing yourself and others no harm. You’ll inject a bit of cash back into the local economy and it will do you the power of good too.

Thanks, that’s reassuring to know that there enough tourists about that I won’t appear to have completely gone rogue.

Right, decision made, I’ve double checked with my boss that he doesn’t want to see me until August so I’m off down to Cornwall on monday.

[cambcam]

Holidays were always going to be an emotive subject with everything that has been going on, but with the vaccine roll-out well under way and a realistic pathway out of this misery appearing, it’s probably inevitable thoughts will start turning once more to holidays.

So on that note am going to ask, has anyone been to.... Mauritius?

[shaggy09]

Mauritius is gorgeous. Been there a few times. Long flight but worth it, usually book whole holiday with BA. Mauritius is a gem, too far for the party animals. 
The North West of the island is drier. Have been in July and September, their winter. Still @28degrees.

Unfortunately there is a lot of Chinese development starting there, so it may change a lot in the next few years, also starting to get many chinese tourists with their selfie sticks. 

[foolhandy]

I am biased, but I prefer Seychelles to Mauritius.

[shaggy09]

Not been to Seychelles, bit out of my price range but they say it is lovely. Hoping to return to Mauritius next year