Returning to Travel – Has It Changed?

Mr Fletche and I recently returned from a week’s holiday in Greece. The first time we’d left the UK since our trip to the Aachen and Cologne Christmas Markets in December 2019. Two and a half years since we were last on an aeroplane, arguing about who gets the window seat (always me by the way). Shocking behaviour from a couple that listed “Travel” as their top passion. But since COVID thwarted our 2020 Japan plans, the desire to travel disappeared. Too much uncertainty. Too much disappointment if plans were made and cancelled. UK staycations became more and more appealing. Faraway destinations became dreams once more.

But in January this year, something clicked. The world was opening up again. COVID might be here to stay in some form or another, but we were protected somewhat by vaccinations. As were our loved ones. I found myself casually browsing travel websites for inspiration. The Jubilee Bank Holiday in June meant an extra day off. Could we? Should we?

Before you know it, I’d created a spreadsheet of potential destinations, flights and hotels. Just like the good old days. Some skills never go away. My finger hovered over the Book Now button, wavering for just a brief second. We’d booked a holiday! There were no champagne corks popping or confetti showers, but we felt like celebrating nonetheless. It was the most exciting purchase since our patio jetwash.

Why Greece?

If you’re dipping your toe into the pools of travel again, then you want it to be somewhere familiar. And whilst we’d never visited Samos before, I have a huge love for the Greek islands – the mouth-watering food, the remarkable history, the hospitable people. And the sunshine, with perfect temperatures for a June break. Knowing that a lot of other people would be planning their first post-pandemic holidays we wanted somewhere a little less “Brits Abroad” and a little more off the beaten path. Although not so off the beaten path that we had to think too hard about the travel logistics.

Hence a package deal with TUI

It’s unusual for us; usually we book flights, accommodation, transfers separately. But I wanted to make this trip as easy and as stress-free as possible. After the headache of having to cancel so many different elements of our Japan trip, I just wanted a one-stop shop this time round. We certainly won’t stop travelling independently, but sometimes you just want to take the easy route. And in the back of my mind was always that there would be someone to help us deal with any cancellations or changes if they occurred. Pessimistic much? Maybe!

I watched the ever changing travel restrictions for each country with great interest. At the time of booking, Greece required a negative PCR test and Passenger Locator Forms; within weeks the PCR test had been dropped in favour of evidence of vaccination (such as the NHS app). By the time it came to our holiday though, there were no restrictions in place at all.

What was it like at the airport?

In the weeks leading up to our holiday, the anxiety was ramped up thanks to news reports of 40 hour flight delays, 8 hour check in queues and an ever-increasing stream of flight cancellations.

We arrived at Gatwick three hours before our flight time and there was already a snaking queue forming at the TUI bag drop. Although nothing like those that we had once faced at Dubrovnik airport. Staff were checking in the majority of the early morning flights from one set of desks; we queued for about 90 minutes to drop off our luggage. Passengers were called forward for flights which had imminent boarding, and whizzed through check-in and security. There were armed police and sniffer dogs in the baggage hall – I don’t remember seeing these before? I put it down to potential increased threat due to the jubilee celebrations in London. Or maybe just anticipation of rioting travellers.

We braced ourselves for a long wait at security – only to find no queues and we’re through within a couple of minutes. The so-called “fast-track” security line was a LOT longer. There were also signs saying that all electronics and liquids should be kept in our bags (a pending pilot scheme I think) but security staff were barking at us to remove everything vaguely electrical or liquid, along with shoes, belts and anything else that could potentially conceal a weapon.

The food and drink options at Gatwick are always frustrating, with queues as long as the bag-drop queue for most bars and eateries. Nothing is going to make me stand in line for a Wetherspoons. We do pick up a couple of things from Warrens Bakery, but our gate is open and boarding so we stuff everything in our bags to eat onboard.

Flying high

Turns out that flying doesn’t change. Although I do shed a few tears of joy when our wheels leave the tarmac. I’ve missed that fluttering feeling in your tummy as you soar into the air. Mr Fletche is already snoozing and misses take-off – and thus my emotional outpouring – completely. Other than a reminder to remove any face covering before putting on your oxygen mask in an emergency there’s no reference to COVID onboard. In fact, other than the now ubiquitous hand sanitizer on every table, and mask-wearing staff in our hotel, there are few signs that anything has changed since 2019 travel.

At Samos airport, we’re shepherded through the Non EU passport control. Some of us clutch burgundy passports, clinging on to those EU memories; others passports are new, shiny and blue. We do get a stamp when we enter Greece now though, so that’s one advantage to Brexit. A text message reminds us that we’ll be charged for our mobile data. Not an advantage of Brexit.

Have we become rookie tourists?

It turns out that travelling is like riding a bike. Opting for a package holiday meant that we were happy to let TUI make all the arrangements for us so maybe that made our trip a little easier – and a little less stress-free – this time round.

We did make a couple of rookie errors though. Namely booking a flight from Gatwick but not booking a hotel or parking at the time (when it was cheap). Instead we waited until three weeks before, when parking costs had soared significantly. Left with either paying almost £200 for a week’s parking or getting a National Express coach, we chose the latter, despite a four hour gap between landing and coach arrival. Never have we wanted a delay or those advertised queues on arrival so much 😂 Sadly, neither materialised. We got to spend plenty more time at Gatwick on arrival to make up for the missed time in departures.

Rookie error number two was being enticed by early morning warmth on the balcony, forgetting that we hadn’t packed any sort of bug spray. And oh boy, bugs LOVE me. A fact I’d conveniently forgotten from my “how-to-travel” repertoire. Mr Fletche had a touch of sunburn on day one after making the rookie error of forgetting that sun can still come through those bamboo parasols. And I had completely forgotten that sun bounces off me as if I’m some sort of reflective surface, and was surprised that my pale skin was still as translucent (if a little more freckly) at the end of seven days as when I’d arrived.

So how do I feel about travelling again?

I’ve missed travelling so much, but now I realise even more what a luxury it is to be able to do so. I’d become almost immune to the excitement of travel, ticking off countries, cities and experiences without actually thinking about the small joys of travel. But I approached this holiday with something of a wide-eyed wonder – THIS is what we’ve missed in the past two and a half years. Experiencing something new, enjoying it together, hearing different languages, eating different foods. Lazy days. Books and music and podcasts and conversation, with no distractions.

And with that first foray back into travelling completed, it’s only a matter of time before the next trip. In 2020 I was contemplating whether city breaks would ever be a thing again, but now I’m excited about planning a Rome itinerary, with a few days in Sorrento for a little R&R. A brand new city for me, if not a new country. I can finally put those 800 days+ of Duolingo Italian to good use. And with Japan opening up to some tourists again, maybe we will get that dream trip in the diary for 2023? Returning to travel has been my favourite part of 2022 so far.