From the Canary Islands to Cuba: In these countries you can take a relaxed holiday despite the Corona
Due to the pandemic, the federal government advises against travel abroad, but it is not prohibited. In fact, German tour operators are currently offering package tours. We provide an overview of where you can currently go on vacation and what you need to consider.
Corona has a firm grip on us. This will not change in the next few weeks either: the federal and state governments have tightened the partial lockdown and now even extended it until January 10th.
A big blow for many affected industries, including the tourism industry. Because Germany's leisure, gastronomy and hotel businesses must remain closed – overnight stays are only allowed for professional purposes.
The position of the federal government is also clear when it comes to vacation trips abroad: it expressly advises against tourist travel. But they are not prohibited.
High numbers of infections in many holiday countries
But the number of countries to which German vacationers can currently travel without major restrictions or quarantine requirements is not particularly large. Similar to Germany, many popular travel destinations are currently in a lockdown, have strict entry restrictions or have been classified as risk areas by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI).
The RKI's list currently includes over 130 nations, including all EU states such as France, Italy and Austria, which are either completely affected or individual regions of them.
Traveling in high-risk areas in particular not only carries an increased risk of infection, it also entails unpleasant measures. Because holidaymakers must register at www.einreiseanmeldung.de before returning to Germany and immediately go to a 14-day quarantine at home, which is monitored by the health department. It can only be ended with a negative PCR test, which can be done after five days at the earliest (the regulations may differ in the individual federal states).
Nevertheless, those wishing to travel do not have to forego vacation. The following travel destinations, which are currently not considered risk areas, are on the program of German tour operators:
1. Canary Islands, Spain
While mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands are classified as risk areas by the RKI, the islands of eternal spring are excluded. What luck, because the Atlantic islands are one of the most popular sun destinations in Europe, especially in winter.
For example, Tui, Germany's largest tour operator, is currently offering many last-minute trips there that offer savings of up to 50 percent. "There is an extensive range of hotels in the Canary Islands as well as various direct flights to Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and Tenerife," a company spokeswoman told FOCUS Online.
When entering the country, vacationers have to be careful: Since Germany is a risk area in Spain, travelers have had to present a negative test result that is no older than 72 hours upon arrival in the Canary Islands since November 14th. According to the Federal Foreign Office, holidaymakers who stay in hotels and holiday apartments must also install the Spanish Corona app "Radar Covid" on their mobile phones, which should remain active for 15 days after their return.
Price examples:
- Fuerteventura: One week at the 4-star hotel Tui Blue Riu Calypso Resort & Spa from 638 euros per person in a double room with half board and flight; bookable at www.tui.com
- Gran Canaria: One week at the 5-star hotel Riu Palace Oasis from 687 euros per person with breakfast and flight; bookable at www.tui.com
- Tenerife: One week at the 5-star hotel Riu Palace Tenerife 787 euros per person in a double room including half board and flight; bookable at www.tui.com
2. Madeira, Portugal
Another sun destination that the RKI does not currently classify as a risk area is Madeira. The flower island in the Atlantic, which belongs to Portugal, is also a popular winter travel destination and has pleasant temperatures of around 20 degrees.
Here, too, holidaymakers must present a negative PCR test upon entry, which must not be older than 72 hours. But it is also possible to be tested on arrival. Then you have to isolate yourself in the hotel until the results arrive – according to the Federal Foreign Office, this usually takes no longer than twelve hours.
Price examples:
- One week at the four and a half star Hotel Riu Palace Madeira from 404 euros per person in a double room with breakfast and flight; bookable at www.tui.com
- One week in the Sentido Galosol from 439 euros per person in a double room with breakfast, flight and transfer; bookable at www.dertour.de
3. Namibia
There are also a few holiday destinations on the long haul that are not considered a risk area. For example Namibia. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of total infections that have occurred in the country since the beginning of the pandemic is just under 14,300. The number of new infections every day is currently usually below 100 – a value that we in Europe can only dream of. To enter the country, the state requires tourists to pass a negative PCR test, which must not be older than 72 hours.
The usual hygiene and distance rules apply on site – also in shops, cinemas, theaters and restaurants. In addition, it is mandatory to wear a mask in public spaces.
Price examples:
- 13-day rental car tour "Under the Southern Cross" with 12 nights in a double room from 1079 euros per person (flights not included in the price); bookable at www.fti.de.
- 12 nights group tour "Multifaceted Namibia", middle class hotels, from 2400 euros per person in a double room with breakfast and flight; www.dertour.de
4. Cuba
Those who long for white Caribbean beaches can actually travel there. At least Cuba is not on the RKI's list of risk areas due to the low number of cases. According to information from the Federal Foreign Office, all international airports are open to entry – however, holidaymakers must submit a declaration of their state of health on arrival and do a PCR test.
Quarantine in the hotel is required until the negative results are received, after which vacationers can move freely. Warning: If the test is positive, travelers must expect admission or isolation in a hospital.
Price examples:
- Varadero: Two weeks in the 5-star Hotel Melia Internacional with all-inclusive meals from 1977 euros per person in a double room with flight; bookable at www.fti.de.
- Varadero: Two weeks in the 5-star Hotel Royalton Hicacos with all-inclusive meals from 1932 euros per person in a suite with garden view and flight: bookable at www.tui.com
- Varadero: Two weeks at the 5-star Hotel Selection Varadero All inclusive catering from 2112 euros per person in a double room with flight; bookable at www.tui.com
Important information for travelers:
Attention, since the current corona situation and entry conditions in the holiday country can change quickly, holidaymakers should inform themselves carefully before booking and leaving. If the Foreign Office issues a travel warning for the travel destination, vacationers can cancel or rebook their package tour free of charge. According to the consumer advice center, this also applies if the Federal Foreign Office advises against it, if an entry ban is issued or if quarantine is mandatory for the outward or return journey.
In addition, vacationers should definitely take out travel health insurance with repatriation transport that includes Covid-19. TUI customers, for example, automatically receive Covid-Protect travel protection when booking a package tour, which covers the costs of medicines, return transport and quarantine costs, etc.
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