JUL.
GUIDE
TO TRAVELLING TO IBIZA
With Ibiza
now added to the UK’s green list this has quickly become a highly searched
destination in recent days with those looking to get away, escaping the dreaded
isolation period on return to the UK.
When you
think of this lively Balearic Island, for most, they will associate it with all
night partying! Ibiza has so much more to offer than this.
Firstly, let’s
talk travelling to Ibiza during Covid-19 (the pandemic can not be avoided at
this time!)
On July 2nd
2021 Spain changed its rules on Brits entering the country due to the rising infection
rates of the Delta variant here in the UK. Those travellers over 12, looking to
enter the island of Ibiza, are now required to either produce proof of vaccination
(must have had both jabs, with the second being done 14 days before arrival) or
a negative certificate of an active infection diagnostic test or as we
recognise it these days a RT-PCR, RT-LAMP or TMA. In addition to this a health
check form must be completed before you arrive. For more information on the
entry requirements follow this link to the Balearics Tourist Board.
On return to
the UK, you will be required to produce a negative covid-19 test result. The UK
border control will accept the private rapid antigen tests which can be
performed online in the comfort of your hotel or accommodation by companies
such as Breathe Assured or Qured. These tests are cheaper than the PCR ones.
You are then required to do another test on or before Day 2 of you arriving
back in the UK, and lastly complete a passenger
locator form.
With your entry and return conditions taken care of now let’s talk about this beautiful island in the
Mediterranean.
Family
Friendly
Ibiza is a
great option for a short haul family holiday. With its short flight time of two
and a half hours from London, if you are travelling with toddlers this makes
for a great option to avoid the long flying time with small children. High
season here is between April and October with plenty of scheduled flights offered
via budget airlines to choose from.
With average
temperatures reaching low to high twenties, it makes for a more comfortable
break when getting away with the children.
The island
has idyllic beaches to relax on and views to saviour. Suggested resorts to stay
in with the family include Santa Eulalia, Cala Tarida, Es Cana, and Portinatx.
Suggested hotels
to stay at include Insotel Tarida Beach Sensatori Resort in Cala Tarida, Grand
Palladium White Island Resort & Spa in Playa D’En Bossa. Both offer a 5* all-inclusive option
for guests to enjoy.
Nightlife
There is no
getting away from Ibiza being one of Europe’s premier partying scenes. World
famous DJs flock to this island in the height of the season to entertain the
ever-growing crowds.
San Antonio
is renowned for being the clubbing capital of the island. Here you will find a
whole mix of places to sample; from the real laid back to the more hardcore
venues you will not be short of nightlife options to choose from. For the
ultimate sunset viewing on the island be sure to visit Café Mambo. Enjoy dinner
or a drink or 2 while taking in the sun going down with a background of chilled
Ibiza tunes. This is always very popular around the time of sunset so be sure
to prebook on arrival.
Over the
years Ibiza Town has grown in stature and is proving to be the hotbed of
late-night revelry. Close to Ibiza airport, here you will find the iconic
Pascha and Amnesia. In recent times Ibiza Town has seen the emergence of
glitzy, upmarket venues attracting big celebrities to the area. Be prepared to
break the budget to make a visit to Lío but the experience is second to none. Another place
to note is Heart which fuses gastronomy, music and art all under one roof. Be sure to
check these out for the alternative to all night raving!
For those
who prefer to party during the day the island has several beach and pool
parties to sample. O Beach (owned by
the famous Wayne Lineker) is described as the ultimate day club experience and has
recently added to its portfolio Bam-Bu-Ku,
a family friendly day club for adults and children alike to enjoy. For anyone
lucky enough to have been and seen O Beach you will know it lives up to its
description! Other day parties available include Ibiza Rocks , Blue Marlin, and for a more laid-back
vibe head up to Santa Eulalia where you will find Nikki Beach situated next to the very
swanky W Hotel.
Other Things
to Do
It is highly
recommended if you don’t mind travelling by boat to venture over to the
neighbouring island of Formentera. It takes approximately 40 mins and there are
multiple crossings a day making it very accessible. Once in Formentera the
popular way to explore the island is by bicycle, although if this is not
feasible there are other options. The island itself is only 20km tip to toe so
can all be done in the one day. Es Pujols is the most built-up area on the
island, with a variety of little bars, restaurants, hippy stalls and shops to roam
around.
Ibiza offers
numerous excursions. In addition to trekking, you can get to know the island
via kayaking, hot air balloon or even quad bike.
Ibiza is
also proving popular for diving enthusiasts. More than 200 kilometres of Ibiza
has a spectacular seabed, including the Posidonia prairies, which have great
ecological value and were recognised as a World Heritage Site in 1999.
Hotel
Recommendation – HOTEL TORRE DEL MAR (4*SUPERIOR)
This luxury
hotel is based in Playa d’en Bossa and is within walking distance of Ushuaia
and Bora Bora beach.
This hotel
offers spacious, modern and opulent facilities and is within the heart of some
of the best nightlife on the island. The view when having breakfast is a real
treat!
Prices start
from approx £260 per night including breakfast (Based on stay on Sep 4th 2021 –
checked on July 6th 2021). For the best price go direct to the hotel’s website where
it will also offer you free use of the spa facilities as part of your package.
TRAVEL
MONEY
For all your
travel money needs for your trip to Ibiza head over to Currency
Online Group to get
the most competitive rates on the market for your Euros.
We offer
next day delivery on your travel money to your home address for all orders over
£750.
Alternatively,
if you would prefer to go cashless to Ibiza then why not check out one of our
new prepaid multicurrency
cards. Download the app now on Apple Store or Google Play to see how easy
it is to control your currency with instant top up and live conversion rates.
© Currency Online Group
6th
July 2021
MAY.
28th May 2021
Where can I get cheaper PCR tests for the UK’s travel
traffic light system?
All passengers are required to take pre-departure private
PCR tests when arriving back into UK from all categories of the new traffic
light system.
It’s fair to say there is much confusion over what is
required when it comes to booking testing and where to go to do this, as well
as which standard of covid-19 test will suffice to grant you permission to gain
re-entry into the UK.
Firstly, let’s address the small matter of what needs to be
done before you leave the UK in terms of your destination country. You must
check the specific conditions of the country you are travelling to and what is
needed to cross border control on arrival. The Government website provides
all entry rules per country in response to Coronavirus (Covid-19). Here you
will find any updated changes and which rules need to be adhered to/proof of
testing or vaccination shown. While some countries may not require proof of a
negative covid test result, some parts of certain countries may require this
when checking into tourist accommodation.
So, you need to book covid tests for pre-departure of the
country you are staying in? What do you do next?
The Government is not accepting the NHS tests as proof and
therefore all covid-19 tests need to be booked privately.
Antigen tests, PCR tests…which ones are acceptable??
According to Gov.uk the test must meet certain standards to qualify.
Its states that the performance standard of the test must be
≥
97% specificity, ≥ 80% sensitivity of viral loads above 100,000 copies/ml.
This means there is not one specific type of test that is
accepted and the options can include the following:
·
a nuclear acid test, including a polymerase
chain reaction or PCR test as we now refer to them
·
derivative technologies, including
loop-meditated isothermal amplification or LAMP tests
·
an antigen test, such as a test from a lateral
flow device
In light of the new travel covid testing requirements, many
companies now offer options to cover all criteria of countries placed in red,
amber and green categories. Airlines and travel companies have also teamed up
with such organisations to present those passengers with discounts and access
to cheaper private covid testing.
The airline has obtained a number of exclusive discounts and
options for all testing requirements across all three travel categories. These
include booking a PCR test for arrival into the UK or antigen tests via Qured that can be packed in your suitcase and
done via video call with a doctor at your convenience before departing the
country you are staying. Results come back generally in under an hour and at
around £39 is a cheaper option than the PCR tests and providing they meet the
testing standards, are accepted on arrival into the UK. They also have deals
with Let’sGetChecked,
Randox and many others. Click HERE
for the full list of suppliers and discounts.
Easyjet have teamed up with providers such as Collinson and Randox to provide at home testing where
possible and options for testing at many of the major airports they operate from.
They have a full Covid-19
travel hub on their website with lots of useful information and all the
discount codes for those passengers travelling or holidaying with the airline.
The airline provides useful information on their website of
locations for testing
centres in the UK, in many of the popular tourist countries and those they
fly to on the green list. They have also, like many of the other major
airlines, partnered with Randox
to provide exclusive discount packages for each of the green, amber and red
travel criteria.
Flights and holidays with Jet2 are currently not
recommencing until June 24th at a minimum. The airline is currently
in discussion with covid testing suppliers to be able to provide their
passengers with discounted offers once travel with the airline does restart.
TUI have partnered with Chronomics to provide their
discounted covid testing, for all passengers travelling for a package holiday
with the company. Chronomics are offering TUI passengers covid tests from just
£20 per person.
For those with flight-only option, accommodation only, and
again package holidays, the organisation has vetted and teamed up with Klarity,
Screen4 and Randox
to offer cheaper covid testing for their customers.
We hope you find all this information and links provided
useful in understanding the covid testing process for travel going forward and
remember if you are lucky enough to be taking to the skies and require travel
money for your holiday, be sure to head over to Currency Online Group for the
best rates on the currency market. Get more travel cash for your money and have
that extra drink on us!
©Currency Online Group
28th May 2021