Holiday plans. Do you have any?

[mistyoptic]

Just booked. Driving down to the Algarve for a couple of weeks, end of this month

 

[figbat]

Summer next year will see both of our kids finishing exams - daughter a level 3 advanced diploma and son his GCSEs. We’re planning a big holiday by way of celebration and reward. At first we were looking at a long-planned fly-drive around western Canada but the kids have decided they don’t want to “sit in a car all day looking at mountains”. We’ll park that idea for when the nest is empty.

To hit the more interesting brief of hot, beaches AND some interesting scenery we have identified Hawaii. Perhaps a 2-3 location holiday on different islands. Probably self-booked using AirBNB etc, as getting hotel rooms to cover 4 adults is tricky (nobody likes the idea of a pull-out bed or sofa bed in the same room).

Need to sit down and do some research. Flights, accommodation, hire car(s), ESTA etc. I’ve concluded that Hawaii is far enough from the contiguous states (both geographically and culturally) to be worth the visit to “USA”.

OK, with the state of the USA right now, and the hoops you need to jump through to get in, we’re scratching Hawaii.

Latest thought is French Polynesia, maybe a two centre holiday in Tahiti and Moorea. It’s effectively just going to France, albeit with 18 hours of flying (the only route seems to go through LAX but I assume that if we’re not clearing immigration there then less of a problem).

 

[fossyant]

Off to Seville first weekend in May with some friends hopefully.
Second May BH, have booked a flight and hotel for Oslo for the Women's CL final, whether I go will depend on who's in it (and that I can get a ticket)!
Long weekend in Kent in late June with elderly mum, bro and SiL

Oh plus my Caribbean Cruise next month!

A colleage has just come back and said he couldnt find anywhere to eat before 12pm, then restaurants shut mid afternoon until around 8 and most bars didnt open till 9pm. Im off back to my room at those times

 

[Adam4868]

Bologna for four days in Feb....planning on a few more trips abroad as the year goes on.

 

[travellingwest]

Amsterdam in may with my daughter for a week. A friend has just asked if I want to go camping in Wales in June, which is a big yes, so holiday request made at work. I've no doubts there will be more camping as the year goes on but no fixed dates yet.

 

[vickster]

A colleage has just come back and said he couldnt find anywhere to eat before 12pm, then restaurants shut mid afternoon until around 8 and most bars didnt open till 9pm. Im off back to my room at those times

Yep that's normal in Spain unless in the Costas.
We're on holiday so doesn't matter if late nights but we will try to be organised if needed and book. There's always tapas otherwise 👍

 

[Alex321]

OK, with the state of the USA right now, and the hoops you need to jump through to get in, we’re scratching Hawaii.

Latest thought is French Polynesia, maybe a two centre holiday in Tahiti and Moorea. It’s effectively just going to France, albeit with 18 hours of flying (the only route seems to go through LAX but I assume that if we’re not clearing immigration there then less of a problem).

No such thing, I'm afraid. USA does not really have the concept of "transit passengers" staying airside like other nations do, everybody has to go through immigration control, then check in for the outward flight.

It isn't unknown for people to miss he connection because the queues for immigration control are so long. And rarer but still not completey unknown, for US officials to deny entry and send you back to your originating point.

And you will need a transit visa
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/other-visa-categories/transit.html

 

[figbat]

No such thing, I'm afraid. USA does not really have the concept of "transit passengers" staying airside like other nations do, everybody has to go through immigration control, then check in for the outward flight.

It isn't unknown for people to miss he connection because the queues for immigration control are so long. And rarer but still not completey unknown, for US officials to deny entry and send you back to your originating point.

And you will need a transit visa
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/other-visa-categories/transit.html

Ok, I didn’t know that so thanks for the update. Will investigate further.

 

[figbat]

And you will need a transit visa
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/other-visa-categories/transit.html

My reading of it is that as a UK resident I can use the visa waiver program and just need an ESTA.

 

[figbat]

My reading of it is that as a UK resident I can use the visa waiver program and just need an ESTA.

I have confirmed this, and also found that the requirements for mandatory social media details are not yet in place; same for DNA submission. Since an ESTA lasts two years it might be worth getting one now before these proposals are implemented.

 

[vickster]

I have confirmed this, and also found that the requirements for mandatory social media details are not yet in place; same for DNA submission. Since an ESTA lasts two years it might be worth getting one now before these proposals are implemented.

I did an ESTA last week. I was very much asked for social media details which I gave as the risk of being denied as a result wasn't worth the risk when holiday (cruise out of Florida) is booked and paid for! I don't post much on the ones I declared. You have the option of saying you have no social media presence, whether they check yet, don't know. No mention of DNA. They asked for a lot more info like parents names, employer than I remember but it's been a fair few years since I last did.
It took a couple of hours for the approval which was a bit nerve wracking!

 

[figbat]

I did an ESTA last week. I was very much asked for social media details which I gave as the risk of being denied as a result wasn't worth the risk when holiday (cruise out of Florida) is booked and paid for! I don't post much on the ones I declared. You have the option of saying you have no social media presence, whether they check yet, don't know. No mention of DNA. They asked for a lot more info like parents names, employer than I remember but it's been a fair few years since I last did.
It took a couple of hours for the approval which was a bit nerve wracking!

Thanks. My understanding is that social media info is currently voluntary?

 

[vickster]

Thanks. My understanding is that social media info is currently voluntary?

It didn't say that hence filling in.
You still get quizzes by customs and I wouldn't put in past them being so and so's about not giving the info!

 

[Tashman]

Booked 4 nights in Fuengirola for Feb for myself and Tashwife. Nice for a little winter sun top up

 

[MrGrumpy]

Just on our way back from a week in Fuerteventura, top tips be prepared for queues either coming in and/or going back out . The new EU passport entry system is fugging mare .

Plus side weather was top notch