It’s a dark day. There is hope for people who see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Of course, it involves a degree of bravado because all this testing is taxing — but there are some fabulous bargains to be had as companies scramble to drum up some business for the New Year. What’s more, package holidays and flights can be booked with greater flexibility than ever. We’ll be looking at the top bargain travel options for 2022.
CUT-PRICE CROATIA – SAVE £300
Get rid of your worries and book now for 2022 to save money on a sun-filled holiday. The Croatian town of Dubrovnik is shown in the picture
WHAT TO DO: Seven nights’ half-board at Hotel Croatia in Cavtat, a village just a short ferry ride away from the old walled city of Dubrovnik, from £539pp including flights. For travel between January 3, 2022 and December 23, 2022, book now. (tropicalsky.com)
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW? Must present one of the following — proof of vaccination, not older than 365 days; a negative antigen test not older than 48 hours; negative PCR test not older than 72 hours; or a doctor’s certificate of recovery.
JAMAICA BOUND – SAVE 48%
WHAT TO DO: Seven nights all-inclusive at the Ocean Coral Spring in Jamaica’s Trelawny is from £852pp including return flights on January 2. (firstchoice.co.uk)
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW? Travellers aged 12 or above must undergo a PCR/antigen test within 72-hours of their arrival. Visitjamaica.com requires authorisation
ST LUCIA SLASHED – SAVE 65%
The Pitons of St Lucia. Virgin Holidays has a special deal on a seven-night Caribbean trip.
WHAT TO DO: Seven nights all-inclusive at Coconut Bay Beach Resort and Spa, St Lucia, from £1,565pp including flights on January 15. (Virginholidays.com)
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW? Complete a pre-arrival form at stlucia.org/en_UK/covid-19. Every traveller over the age of five must present proof of negative PCR testing within five days.
SRI LANKAN STINT – SAVE 40%
In Sri Lanka, a stick fisherman works. Destinology allows you to save 40% on your South Asian trip.
WHAT TO DO: Ten nights half-board at Shangri-La Hambantota Golf Resort and Spa in Sri Lanka from £1,469pp including flights. Get your booking for February 2022. (destinology.co.uk)
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW? Fully vaccinated travellers and under 12s don’t require a PCR test on arrival.
MALTA HALVED – SAVE 50%
Valletta is the capital of Maltese. At arrival to Malta, proof of vaccination is required
WHAT TO DO: A week all-inclusive at the Soreda Hotel in the popular Maltese resort of Qawra from £279pp including flights on January 9. (olympic holidays.com)
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW? At arrival you must present proof of vaccination at least 14 days before travel. A negative PCR test must be shown by children aged 5-11 years old within 72 hours after travel.
MEXICAN WAVE – SAVE 25%
Get all fired up! Flying over Mexico’s Rio Grande. Mexico traveller must sign up on Vuela Seguro before they arrive
WHAT TO DO: Seven nights all-inclusive at Paradisus Playa del Carmen on the Yucatan Peninsula’s Mayan riviera, from £1,629pp including flights. Reserve for dates from October 31st, 2022. (caribtours.co.uk)
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW? Register on Vuela Seguro and show your QR code at arrival
MAURITIAN MAGIC – SAVE £2,450
WHAT TO DO: Ten nights B&B at Constance Prince Maurice is from £1,699pp including flights in January. (Trailfinders.com)
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW? Travellers who have been fully vaccinated must submit a negative PCR test within 72 hours.
THAI TREAT – SAVE £798
WHAT TO DO: Seven nights B&B at Casa de La Flora in Khao Lak from £849pp including flights. For departures January 2022, book now (tropicalwarehouse.co.uk)
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW? Before leaving the UK, you must take a PCR test. You will need to wait 24 hours before being allowed into Thailand.
PLUSH IN PORTUGAL – SAVE £349
WHAT TO DO: Seven nights in Villa Rafael II, just ten minutes from Albufeira on the Algarve, from £849 on January 2 sleeping four people (jamesvillas.co.uk). Ryanair flights (Ryanair.com) London to Faro from £30 return.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW? Everybody must fill out an online passenger locator. Every traveller over the age of 11 must submit to a negative antigen or PCR test.
DUBAI DASH: SAVE 25%
British Airways offers a 25 percent discount if you plan ahead for a March trip to Dubai.
WHAT TO DO: Three nights B&B at the Grand Hyatt Dubai from £599pp including flights, for selected dates in March. (ba.com)
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW? At check-in, travellers should have proof of negative PCR testing, which must not exceed 72 hours prior.
CANARIES CALLING – SAVE 49%
WHAT TO DO: Three nights all-inclusive at Paradise Island in Lanzarote from £521pp including return flights on December 20. (tui.co.uk)
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW? Any traveller over 12 years of age must provide proof that they were fully vaccinated within 14 days of their arrival. Everybody, except children below the age 12, must complete an online form within 48-hours of departure.
These PRICES WILL SHIP TO YOU SHIP-SHAPE
- Ambassador Line’s seven-night Springtime Fjordland cruise to Norway has been reduced from £779 pp to £599 pp. Departs on April 24 (ambassadorcruiseline.com).
- Sail with Fred. Olsen Cruise Line’s Borealis in January with all tips covered. This includes the 34-night Cultural Caribbean and the Americas cruise, which starts at £4,499pp. (fredolsencruises.com)
- Celebrity Cruises is offering 50 per cent off the second fare when two people travel — plus flight discounts on selected itineraries from January 2022 until March 2023. Make your reservation by February 28. Drinks and tips included (celebritycruises.co.uk).
- Free flights, drinks and wi-fi on Seabourn Odyssey’s seven-night ‘Alaska Inside Passage & Glacier Bay’ cruise from Vancouver on May 27. Price £4,941 pp (seabourn.com).
- Iona’s seven-night Norwegian Fjords cruise on May 14 starts from £599 pp — and third/fourth guests sharing the cabin pay only £199 each (pocruises.com).
River magic: Cruise the scenic Norwegian fjords. File photo