Family fun in Crete
First and foremost I had taken our eldest to East Midlands Airport 48 hours prior to departure as he needed a negative antigen test to enter Greece. A very simple process that took 10 minutes, probably would have been less if I hadn't spent time chatting to the staff, result actually arrived as we were driving back to Derby so was very impressed.
We were departing just after lunchtime with Easyjet from Luton. As always the meet and greet process is very simple here and before we knew it we were in a very quiet airport terminal waiting to check in. Armed with boarding passes, proof of vaccination for adults, a negative antigen test that was required for our 13 year old and a Greece entry PLF form, the check in process was very simple. The check in staff checked my printed documents and much to my relief, everything was fine and we proceeded to the bag drop. As soon as we entered the airport we all wore masks - except our 1 year old who was exempt.
Once through security I noted how very quiet the departure lounge was, this was school holidays season after all. I felt sad that perhaps many had been put off but at the same time you relish in the ease of browsing the shops and grabbing something to eat without it being chaos.
Pretty uneventful flight over to Crete which was fairly busy and was lovely to see lots of families travelling. Obviously during the flight you are allowed to take your mask off if you are eating and drinking and none of us felt this was an issue. This was also my youngest's first flight which she seemed to enjoy!
On arrival into Crete it was so nice to feel that warm air as you walk off the aircraft, nothing beats it does it. A short wait to proceed through passport control, the nice feel of hearing and getting that immigration stamp - okay I am a geek like that so glad its back! Nothing apart from passports was checked here. So off to baggage reclaim we went where another member of staff checked our Greece PLF form. A glance and we proceeded through to collect our baggage. This is the point where I was expecting to be randomly tested but we were just waived through. Even if I needed to be tested I was aware this would only take 15 minutes or so.
Bags collected and private transfer waiting outside, we may just make evening dinner yet!
A short 25 minute transfer to the hotel we arrived at the Stella Village and Greek night was well and truly under way with some dancing which was lovely to see. A very quick check in at the hotel and before you know it we headed for dinner (we made it!) and a few drinks to celebrate the start of our holiday.
Since arriving at the hotel we just relaxed and enjoyed the week. It was fairly busy which was good to see and after speaking to the manager they were fully occupied for the next few weeks. One thing I did note was the lack of British visitors which is quite rare at a resort like this.
So what was different at the hotel? Actually hardly anything. The only difference being that you needed to wear a mask on entry to the restaurants and you had to wear it whilst using the buffet along with some gloves that were provided each time. Once at the table, you obviously took your mask off. You also needed to wear a mask to enter any shops. That's it. Throughout the week it just felt like things were how they used to be. It was also so nice to see the staff working so so hard, whether it be the bar staff, entertainment or restaurant staff. They were really enjoying themselves and it reminded me how important tourism is for their livelihood.
To come back to the UK, 4 of us needed negative Antigen tests (lateral flow tests). On arrival to our hotel I had filled in a few forms and arranged for the tests to be done on site with the medical team the day prior to coming home (currently required at least 3 days prior to coming home). A very quick process that took around 10 minutes and 4 negative results received on email 2 hours after taking the tests. Very simple.
Finally to come home we needed to complete the UK arrivals form. Probably took around 20 minutes (there is 6 of us after all!) - once completed the form it was received on email to me and I forwarded them to our reception team who printed everything off for us.
On arrival back to Heraklion Airport the process was just as simple as going out. Required documents checked and bags dropped off. Uneventful flight home as was an evening flight and not very busy so was blessed to have 3 seats to ourselves and thankfully our 1 year old slept most of the way as well which is always a bonus.
Back at Luton airport where it all began. Quite a fairly long queue to proceed through passport control but this was due to many not having documents ready. Before you knew it we were back up on the M1 heading back to Derby and feeling blessed that we had such an amazing time away together.
The final thing we had to do was take a Day 2 PCR test once home for 5 of our party. I had ordered some home kits and these were ready and waiting for us to use. Simple process and once samples were taken I dropped them off at the nearest drop off point which was up at East Midlands Airport.
So do I have any concerns travelling during these strange times? Absolutely not. Am I put off by all the form filling and testing? Absolutely not. Would I go again next week? Absolutely I would.
Throughout these times I have been advising all of my clients to ensure that everything required is printed off and in paper format. This quickens the process up. It was actually quite infuriating at times as people were spending alot of times getting their phones out and this was causing delays throughout. I guess you could argue that you knew who booked with a travel agent and those that had booked independently.