How to plan a holiday to key countries exempt from England’s travel quarantine

Summer holidays are back on as the government has released a list of more than 60 quarantine-exempt countries. 

France, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Croatia and Greece are among the popular destinations that Britons can travel to from July 10 without needing to self-isolate on their return. 

Here we look at the best travel routes and accommodation options for some of the key countries on the list…

France

Travel to Languedoc in France (above) or head to Calais to stock up on food and drink

Coronavirus cases: 166,378 confirmed cases and almost 29,875 deaths.

What’s going on? Strict social distancing at bars, cafes and restaurants, with tables spaced three metres apart, and face masks worn when walking inside. Beaches have reopened. Masks are compulsory on public transport. British tourists are welcome.

How to get there

Plane: Returns from £30 in August.

Train: Eurostar trains are operating twice a day between London Kings Cross and Paris, with tickets from £39 one-way.

Drive: Eurotunnel Le Shuttle has resumed its Folkestone to Calais service and allows passengers to order food, drink and groceries to their car. From £72 per car one-way.

Ferry: Brittany Ferries has resumed its Portsmouth-Caen route from £42pp one-way.

Villas

Budget: Seven nights’ stay at The Cabanon, in Provence, which sleeps five, is from £357 a week (homeaway.co.uk).

Mid-range: Seven nights’ stay at Villa Les Amandiers, in Cote d’Azur, which sleeps six, is from £1,229 (jamesvillas.co.uk).

Luxury: Seven nights’ stay at Moulin De La Peche, in the Languedoc, which sleeps ten, is from £4,959 (oliverstravels.com).

Italy

Adventure: Catch the Eurostar to Paris followed by a train to Milan

Adventure: Catch the Eurostar to Paris followed by a train to Milan

Coronavirus cases: More than 240,961 cases and almost 34,818 deaths.

What’s going on? British tourists can travel freely within the country, with the exception of Sardinia, Sicily, Apulia and Calabria where registration is required before arrival. Beaches have reopened, with 1.5-metre social distancing. Most museums are open.

How to get there

Plane: Returns from £17 in August.

Drive: Catch the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, or a ferry, to France and drive to Italy.

Train: Catch the Eurostar to Paris followed by train to Milan (from £26 one-way).

Villas

Budget: Seven nights’ stay at Villa L’Arco, in Sardinia, which sleeps five, is from £699 (justsardinia.co.uk).

Mid-range: Seven nights’ stay at Villa Camelia, in Tuscany, for two, is from £1,577 (firefly-collection.com).

Luxury: Seven nights’ stay at seafront Scale Nove, in Puglia, for six people, is from £2,714 (thethinkingtraveller.com).

Spain

Brittany Ferries’ service from Portsmouth to Santander, pictured, has resumed

Brittany Ferries’ service from Portsmouth to Santander, pictured, has resumed

Coronavirus cases: 250,103 cases have been recorded and more than 28,368 deaths.

What’s going on? A royal decree to wear face masks has been issued for hotels, restaurants, museums and shops when social distancing of 1.5 metres is impossible. Failure to comply will result in a 100-euro fine. British tourists are welcome.

How to get there

Plane: Returns from £25 in August.

Ferry: Brittany Ferries’ service from Portsmouth to Santander has resumed. From £350 per car.

Train: Catch the Eurostar to Paris followed by a six-hour train to Barcelona (from £26 one-way).

Villas

Budget: Seven nights’ stay at Moderna One, in the Costa Blanca, which sleeps four, is from £567 (villaselect.com).

Mid-range: Seven nights’ stay at £1,575 Villa Lantana in Menorca, which sleeps eight, is from £1,575 (freelance-holidays.co.uk).

Luxury: Seven nights’ stay at Casa Luminosa, in Andalucia, sleeps eight, from £2,845 (akvillas.com).

Croatia

Pack your bags: British holidaymakers will be able to head to the beach in Croatia

Pack your bags: British holidaymakers will be able to head to the beach in Croatia

Coronavirus cases: 3,008 cases and 112 deaths.

What’s going on? British tourists are welcome but need to fill out a form at entercroatia.mup.hr before arrival. Restaurants, hotels and beaches are open. Nightclubs are reopening, too. Masks are mandatory on public transport.

How to get there

Plane: Returns from £35.

Villas

Budget: Seven nights’ stay at Villa Nin, in Rovinj, which sleeps six, is from £818 (villaplus.com).

Mid-range: Seven nights’ stay at Villa Domus Lauri, in Istria, for six, is from £1,569 (jamesvillas.co.uk).

Luxury: Seven nights’ stay at Villa Sunset, in Bilice, for eight, is from £2,018 (oliverstravels.co.uk).

Greece

Coronavirus cases: 3,458 cases and 192 deaths.

What’s going on? Flights from the UK are banned until July 15. All beaches, shops, restaurants and museums have reopened.

How to get there

Plane: Returns from £50.

Villas

Budget: Seven nights’ stay at Melodia, in Lefkada, which sleeps two, is from £498 (vintagetravel.co.uk).

Mid-range: Seven nights’ stay at Aphrodite, in Corfu, which sleeps eight, from £1,660 (ionian-villas.co.uk).

Luxury: Seven nights’ stay at Contona, in Paros, which sleeps four, is from £3,150 (thegreekvillas.com).

Turkey

British tourists are welcome in Turkey. Pictured is Bodrum's beautiful marina

British tourists are welcome in Turkey. Pictured is Bodrum’s beautiful marina 

Coronavirus cases: 202,284 cases and 5,167 deaths.

What’s going on? Hotels have reopened with temperature checks. There is a 8pm-10am curfew for those aged 65 and over. British tourists are welcome.

How to get there

Plane: Returns from £104.

Villas

Budget: Seven nights’ stay at Panter, in Dalaman, for four, is from £549 (jamesvillas.co.uk).

Mid-range: Seven nights’ stay at Dream House, in Bodrum, sleeps six, from £1,463 (homeaway.co.uk).

Luxury: Seven nights’ stay at Harbour View, in Kalkan, sleeps eight, from £2,358 (premiervillas.net).

Cyprus

Coronavirus cases: 999 cases and 19 deaths.

What’s going on? British tourists OK from August 1 if UK’s outbreak continues to decline. Before arrival, a negative virus test is needed.

How to get there

Plane: Returns from £67.

Villas

Budget: Seven nights’ stay at Villa Evanthia, in Latchi, for six, is from £899 (jamesvillas.co.uk).

Mid-range: Seven nights at Pomos View Villa, in Pomos, for eight, is from £1,059 (oliverstravels.com).

Luxury: Seven nights’ stay at Althea Kalamies, in Protaras, which sleeps eight, is from £3,655 (oliverstravels.com).

Malta

Head to Comino island, pictured, in the Maltese archipelago for a turquoise sea and socially-distanced sunbathing

Head to Comino island, pictured, in the Maltese archipelago for a turquoise sea and socially-distanced sunbathing

Coronavirus cases: 672 cases and nine deaths.

What’s going on? Tourists from all countries, including the UK, are welcome from July 15.

How to get there

Plane: Returns from £59.

Villas

Budget: Seven nights at Gawhra, in Gozo, which sleeps six, from £1,006 (baronholidayhomes.com).

Mid-range: Seven nights at Farmhouse Nera, in Gozo, sleeps five, from £1,374 (oliverstravels.com).

Luxury: Seven nights at Villa Munqar in Zurrieq, sleeps six, from £3,049 (jamesvillas.co.uk).

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