Holidays 2026

Macronate · June 3

Can't wait for Cornwall/Devon later on this year.

SporadicAddick · June 3

Macronate said:

Recently got back from Bali.

Not what I expected at all.

Beautiful parts v not so good.
Wealth v abject poverty.

I suppose a lot, if not the majority of countries/islands are the same but it surprised me.

And the traffic/peds, well fuck me. Describing it as madness doesn't do it justice.

Not having a pop (honest) but that's a long way to go to be surprised. I just put "what's Bali like" into google and the vast majority of articles suggest what you have described.

CheshireAddick · June 3

Heading to Malta next week. Has anyone got any suggestions for a decent car hire company based at the airport that isn’t ridiculously expensive?. Cheers

valleynick66 · June 3

CheshireAddick said:

Heading to Malta next week. Has anyone got any suggestions for a decent car hire company based at the airport that isn’t ridiculously expensive?. Cheers

Bolt / Uber was very reasonable prices out there.

Might be easier / hassle free given it’s not a big place.

LargeAddick · June 3

CheshireAddick said:

Heading to Malta next week. Has anyone got any suggestions for a decent car hire company based at the airport that isn’t ridiculously expensive?. Cheers

We were there early April, admittedly only for a five day break, and to be honest the public transport is really good.

IdleHans · June 3

LargeAddick said:

CheshireAddick said:

Heading to Malta next week. Has anyone got any suggestions for a decent car hire company based at the airport that isn’t ridiculously expensive?. Cheers

We were there early April, admittedly only for a five day break, and to be honest the public transport is really good.

I always love using public transport in Europe. It's a brilliant way to strike up a conversation with locals even if my language skills are patchy. Plenty of helpful suggestions for things to see or places to eat from locals, in Portugal, Budapest, Spain, Sicily.

jamescafc · June 4

Has anyone flown through the middle east recently? Just curious if all ok, outside of what you see online, as need to travel back from Asia next month.

PrincessFiona · June 4

https://metro.co.uk/2026/06/01/greece-backtracks-ees-border-check-exemption-british-holidaymakers-28600039/

I think they will still stop doing it, probably for extended periods but they have been told by the EU not to. Or told by the EU not to say they are not doing it, because it is annoying other countries because people are choosing to go to Greece instead

Will be interesting to hear Lifer's experiences - hopefully common sense will prevail!

Rufus is a dogs name · June 4

Flew out to Croatia on 24th (same as @valleynick66 by the sound of things!) and got back yesterday.

Hired a car and spent the 10 days exploring the Dalmatian Coast, stunning country!

CheshireAddick · June 4

valleynick66 said:

CheshireAddick said:

Heading to Malta next week. Has anyone got any suggestions for a decent car hire company based at the airport that isn’t ridiculously expensive?. Cheers

Bolt / Uber was very reasonable prices out there.

Might be easier / hassle free given it’s not a big place.

Thanks for the response. We are travelling with our 14 month old grandson and from what I've read it's compulsory to have a baby seat but taxis don't seem to carry them neither do transfer coaches apparently.

So planning to hire a car but that isn't cheap either from reputable car hire companies.

CheshireAddick · June 4

LargeAddick said:

CheshireAddick said:

Heading to Malta next week. Has anyone got any suggestions for a decent car hire company based at the airport that isn’t ridiculously expensive?. Cheers

We were there early April, admittedly only for a five day break, and to be honest the public transport is really good.

Thanks mate. As I mentioned in my other reply we have a baby with is so busses are going to be a real pain with the pram etc and taxis dont seem to carry baby seats so car hire is looking like the way we are going to have to get around unfortunatly

Rufus is a dogs name · June 4

@CheshireAddick - we hired a car in Croatia and with two kids (age 8 and 5) we didn't pay to hire a car seat.

For our eldest we got one of these second hand for about £15 - it's a car seat that doubles up as a hand luggage backpack https://www.trunki.co.uk/products/trunki-boostapak-2in1-booster-seat-kids-backpack?srsltid=AfmBOopSx4KBXP9accyElUsu96WduRxxs1oDtW8PemZGycmbbxifCJ2U

And for our youngest we took a cheap/light car seat on the plane - most airlines let you check in a free item (pushchair, buggy, car seat).

So guessing it's not as easy with a little one until they are old enough to sit in a car seat rather than baby seat - but the 'free' car seat option on an airline should in theory enable you to take your car seat with you for free, and using it in taxis whilst you're there?

e.g. the EasyJet policy is 'We can also carry two additional items for your child in the hold for free, if you require them. These include a travel cot, pushchair, car seat, collapsible or non-collapsible pram, booster seat and/or baby back carrier'

DoctorCharlton · June 4

PrincessFiona said:

https://metro.co.uk/2026/06/01/greece-backtracks-ees-border-check-exemption-british-holidaymakers-28600039/

I think they will still stop doing it, probably for extended periods but they have been told by the EU not to. Or told by the EU not to say they are not doing it, because it is annoying other countries because people are choosing to go to Greece instead

Will be interesting to hear Lifer's experiences - hopefully common sense will prevail!

I'm heading to Santorini in 2 weeks so will let you know.

Interestingly, I came back from the Algarve last month where I thought EES was fully operational. I saw the fingerprint machines etc. but none of it was in use and passport control just operated as normal.

CheshireAddick · June 4

Thanks mate. I appreciate the comments.

We did think about taking a baby seat with us but it means lugging it about with us when we go anywhere (it wouldn't be small like a booster seat), so don't want to go down that route. I do love that fold up seat, I think we we will defiently get one for him when he is old enough for it 👍. Thanks again. Cheers

DiscoCAFC · June 4

Going to Benidorm next Thursday for a ‘quiet’ lads trip lol

Then going to Devon/Cornwall later this month

I have a travel account if any of you like to follow on Instagram: adanortravel

DiscoCAFC · June 4

DoctorCharlton said:

PrincessFiona said:

https://metro.co.uk/2026/06/01/greece-backtracks-ees-border-check-exemption-british-holidaymakers-28600039/

I think they will still stop doing it, probably for extended periods but they have been told by the EU not to. Or told by the EU not to say they are not doing it, because it is annoying other countries because people are choosing to go to Greece instead

Will be interesting to hear Lifer's experiences - hopefully common sense will prevail!

I'm heading to Santorini in 2 weeks so will let you know.

Interestingly, I came back from the Algarve last month where I thought EES was fully operational. I saw the fingerprint machines etc. but none of it was in use and passport control just operated as normal.

I love Santorini, one of my favourite places.

One advice to give you is when you visit Thira or Oia I’d check online when the least Cruise ships are docked there as you’ll enjoy these places more when it’s quiet.

fenlandaddick · June 4

Rufus is a dogs name said:

Flew out to Croatia on 24th (same as @valleynick66 by the sound of things!) and got back yesterday.

Hired a car and spent the 10 days exploring the Dalmatian Coast, stunning country!

Got a list of 101 good things to see?

I'll get my coat....

DiscoCAFC · June 4

jamescafc said:

Has anyone flown through the middle east recently? Just curious if all ok, outside of what you see online, as need to travel back from Asia next month.

You should be ok as they’ll re-direct the route if there’s an issue.

I know someone who got a connection flight via Dubai and was about to take off but had to stop as Iran was attacking them at the time! I think it stopped for an hour then flight actually took off.

Rufus is a dogs name · June 4

CheshireAddick said:

Thanks mate. I appreciate the comments.

We did think about taking a baby seat with us but it means lugging it about with us when we go anywhere (it wouldn't be small like a booster seat), so don't want to go down that route. I do love that fold up seat, I think we we will defiently get one for him when he is old enough for it 👍. Thanks again. Cheers

Yeah the combination of one of those second hand booster backpack seats and taking a second seat for free saves us a fortune - our car hire in Croatia for 10 days was c.£200 and it would have cost us an additional £170+ just to add the hire of two car seats

SporadicAddick · June 4

DiscoCAFC said:

jamescafc said:

Has anyone flown through the middle east recently? Just curious if all ok, outside of what you see online, as need to travel back from Asia next month.

You should be ok as they’ll re-direct the route if there’s an issue.

I know someone who got a connection flight via Dubai and was about to take off but had to stop as Iran was attacking them at the time! I think it stopped for an hour then flight actually took off.

I don't think it's that straightforward. For example, Emirates are operating into / out of / through Dubai. But the FCDO advice is against all but essential travel, so even if you are just transiting, likely that your travel insurance will be invalidated.

Solidgone · June 4

SporadicAddick said:

DiscoCAFC said:

jamescafc said:

Has anyone flown through the middle east recently? Just curious if all ok, outside of what you see online, as need to travel back from Asia next month.

You should be ok as they’ll re-direct the route if there’s an issue.

I know someone who got a connection flight via Dubai and was about to take off but had to stop as Iran was attacking them at the time! I think it stopped for an hour then flight actually took off.

I don't think it's that straightforward. For example, Emirates are operating into / out of / through Dubai. But the FCDO advice is against all but essential travel, so even if you are just transiting, likely that your travel insurance will be invalidated.

I flew back from Kathmandu on 6th April via Dubai with Emirates (Fly Dubai into Dubai). Our turnaround time was between 2-3 hours. I must admit it was a bit nerve racking especially when waiting to take off. However Dubai airport was eerily quiet. I guess it all depends on your carrier.

Best of luck.

DiscoCAFC · June 4

SporadicAddick said:

DiscoCAFC said:

jamescafc said:

Has anyone flown through the middle east recently? Just curious if all ok, outside of what you see online, as need to travel back from Asia next month.

You should be ok as they’ll re-direct the route if there’s an issue.

I know someone who got a connection flight via Dubai and was about to take off but had to stop as Iran was attacking them at the time! I think it stopped for an hour then flight actually took off.

I don't think it's that straightforward. For example, Emirates are operating into / out of / through Dubai. But the FCDO advice is against all but essential travel, so even if you are just transiting, likely that your travel insurance will be invalidated.

It probably depends on where in Asia they’re travelling from and which airline they’re using. For example, flights from places like Singapore can be rerouted if necessary. My point was that airlines will generally alter routes or delay flights if there’s a security issue rather than simply flying through unsafe airspace. The insurance/FCDO side is a separate consideration that travellers should check themselves.

LoOkOuT · June 4

Guardy said:

…
Hopefully Cyprus later in the year, my partner’s father was from there.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5000498/uploads/editor/tn/bm1jp9lhd2fy.jpeg

stop_shouting · June 4

Went to New York last week. The place never ceases to excite me. Took the wife, kids and MIL. Did all the touristy stuff and had some great food. Pipe out tho as had five mouths to feed 😂 also Central Park for running is just epic. Don’t even feel like you’re running as you’re so in awe of your surroundings.

CheshireAddick · June 4

We were in Cape Town in March and our Qatar return flight was due to return to the UK via Doha.

To play safe we decided to book an additional Air France flight via Paris as we didn't think the Qatar flight would be running. Sure enough the flight was cancelled and since the end of March we have been trying to get a refund and still waiting. Don't think we will be flying with Qatar again!.

OhMyGodden · June 5

Just landed in Corfu. EES is off, queue would take 15mins at most to get through passport control

Redvaliant · June 5

OhMyGodden said:

Just landed in Corfu. EES is off, queue would take 15mins at most to get through passport control

Yep Greece has suspended EES. Arrived in Zante Monday, off the plane and out of airport with cases in 30 mins.

MrOneLung · June 5

Whereabouts you staying @Redvaliant ?

Redvaliant · June 6

MrOneLung said:

Whereabouts you staying @Redvaliant ?

King Jason Tsilivi

LargeAddick · June 6

Off on a 14 night P&O Med cruise tomorrow on Arvia. Booked over a year ago it’s finally arrived. Really looking forward to some much needed R&R.

Holidays 2026

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