Holiday Currency Exchange

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is a system that will now start in 2024. It was originally scheduled for 2023, instead ow information campaigns will start in 2023 with introduction following.

The European Commission will be willing out an electronic travel authorisation system for visitors that are from countries which are not part of the EU.

The ETIAS must be applied for online prior to arrival to the EU. Each eligible traveller, regardless of age, will require an ETIAS to visit EU member countries.

ETIAS, which is modelled on the US ESTA scheme, will mean non-EU travellers will have to fill in a form and pay €7 before entering Europe’s passport-free zone. The €7 fee will apply to everyone aged between 18 and 70 and is valid for unlimited visits over three years.

Whether you are looking to holiday within the UK or abroad make sure that you protect your upcoming
travel plans as soon as you are booked with Post Office Travel Insurance.

Depending on which cover level you choose, you can get cover for loss of luggage and personal money as well as delayed* or missed departure*; for flights delayed by 1+hours you will get a £50 payment into
your PayPal account or a Lounge Voucher^. Plus, there is no upper age limit on Single Trip policies and all
medical conditions are considered.

On top of that, with our insurance you’ll be covered for Covid-19 related reasons including:
• If you need to cancel your trip because you test positive for Covid within 14 days of travelling
• If you need to cancel your trip because a close family member passes away due to Covid
• Emergency medical treatment whilst abroad and costs to get you home if needed

For an additional premium you can add Covid-19 upgrade cover if you need more protection than the standard policies, to include cover for missed departures, cutting your trip short & changes to UK testing
or quarantine rules.

Post Office have won Best Travel Insurance Provider 2021 at the Your Money Awards.

*not available on Economy levels of cover
^only available on Premier levels of cover

This is an affiliate posting.

The US has lifted COVID-19 testing requirements for international travellers arriving by plane from midnight on 12th June 2022.

Arrivals no longer have to show a negative COVID-19 test result or proof of recovery to enter the country.

Vaccine rules – banning non-vaccinated travellers from visiting the country will remain in place. People under the age of 18, US citizens, US nationals, lawful permanent residents and green card holders are exempt from the vaccination requirements.

P&O Ferries have instructed all of their ships to return to and stay at port ahead of a major announcement later this morning. There is much speculation and this isn’t action seen before.

Expect updates on their P&O Ferries Updates twitter feed later today.

France has once again introduced additional measures for its citizens.

French Prime Minister Jean Castex announced a number of new coronavirus restrictions that come into force from Monday 3rd January 2022 and last for three weeks initially.

These include;

• Gatherings will be limited to 2,000 people indoors and 5,000 people outdoors
• Eating food and drink will be banned on long-distance transport
• Mask wearing will become mandatory outdoors in built up areas
• Working from home will become mandatory at least three days per week, where possible

The Transport secretary, Grant Shapps announced that from 4am today (1st November 2021) the red travel list would in effect be scrapped.

The last countries until today were Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Panama, Peru and Venezuela

Red list countries previously included Brazil, India, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates and at one point anyone returning from a red list country had to quarantine in a hotel for 11 nights at a cost of £1,750.

Many people have heard of TransferWise, they entered the market offering fantastic rates when transferring money between currencies. They recently rebranded to Wise.

Payments by bank transfer are the cheapest way to use their service, but you can pay by card too if that is easier for you which also offers a slightly faster service.

The service is transparant, you can view your trnasaction, transfer and confirmation in an easy to use portal.

Wise is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 for the issuing of electronic money.

Check out their great rates.

Portugal, Gibraltar and Israel are amongst the first countries announced on 7th May to be given the green light.

The Transport secretary, Grant Shapps announced that the following countries would be put into the green band on 17th May 2021 – Portugal, Gibraltar, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Brunei, Iceland and the Faroe Islands, plus several small remote islands which are British Overseas Territories.

There will be additional restrictions as to who can actually enter Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Brunei and the Faroe Islands.

Travel to Gibraltar is unrestricted and no tests or proof of vaccine will be required.

Israel will open its border to travellers on 23rd May if people can prove they have had both covid jabs.

Whilst entry to Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Brunei and the Faroe Islands will be severely restricted.

Being on the green list means people can return from the above countries will no requirement to isolated or test on return to the UK.

Amber list

The amber list will initially cover the most popular holiday destinations such as Spain, France, Italy and Greece.

Grant Shapps said “you should not be travelling to these places right now”.

People who choose to go will need to take two post-arrival tests when coming back to the UK. They will be required to self-isolate at home for 10 days, although can take a test on day five and if negative stop isolation.

Red List

Red list countries include Brazil, India, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates and will shortly include Turkey and the Maldives.

Anyone returning from a red list country must stay in a quarantine hotel for 11 nights at a cost of £1,750.

Holiday To Help Out is an initiative organised by travel media business TTG. Special offers are available for bookings made between 2-8 November 2020, for travel in 2020 to 2022.

The recent lockdown announcement for England from November 5 until December 2 hasn’t stopped families taking advantage of the bargains if heading abroad next year.

The Scheme has a wide number of participants, check out the website for details of everyone taking part and their deals.