Are you sitting comfortably? Have you got a nice cup of tea or coffee? Or even better, a cold beer, a glass of wine or a stiff G&T? So let’s just try and get the important stuff straight: UK visitors do not need a vaccine certificate or negative Covid test to enter mainland Spain or the Balearic Islands, in accordance with legislation that came into force on May 24th. You do still have to fill in the Spanish travel health control form before travelling. BUT, before you merrily chuck your bikini in your case: Spain – we’re talking about mainland Spain, the Balearic Islands and the Canary i ..read more

Today’s news that no holiday destinations are being added to the UK’s travel green list is a big blow to everyone working in tourism in mainland Spain, the Balearics and the Canaries. The situation for travelling to the Canaries has however improved slightly, as the regional government changed its rules yesterday with respect to the islands’ requirement for a negative Covid test to be shown on arrival at holiday accommodation. Now you do not need to show a test if you can prove you have had one or both vaccinations or have already had Covid-19. The islands were already the only part of Spain ..read more

The Balearic island of Menorca is one of the lowest-risk destinations in Spain for holidaying this summer, according to the latest report by the Spain Ministry of Health (with data analysis up to May 26th). The figures show that Menorca has a very low level of both Covid cases and risk of transmission, and the tourist board is optimistic about the island’s chances of being included on the green list update by the United Kingdom government later this week.  As of 31st of May, Menorca’s cumulative Covid rate is 8.4 cases per 100.000 habitants over the last seven days and 17.5 over the last ..read more

Iago Negueruela, Minister of Tourism for the Balearic Islands, has said that they recognise that the cost of PCR tests is a major barrier to travel for many people. New legislation limits the PCR price for tourists returning to the UK and other countries from the Balearics to €75 and to €30 for an antigen test. Covid-19 insurance for all non-resident international visits to the Balearic Islands Holidaymakers planning to visit the Balearics will be covered by a Covid-19 insurance policy during their stay with any regulated accommodation provider. The types of coverage and circumstances covered ..read more

Not that I really need any excuse to drink more sherry, but it is sort of inevitable during International Sherry Week, which runs from today until Saturday, November 8th. There are hundreds of events taking place, organised by sherry lovers all over the world, to appeal to everyone from those who have never even tasted sherry to enthusiasts (me!) and experts. There are always lots of online events so you can take part wherever you are – more important than ever this year of course – but there are tons of tastings and food pairings happening in actual tapas bars and Spanish restaurants too – j ..read more

I was saying a few days ago that obligatory Covid testing was on the cards for travel to the Canary Islands. The legislation has now been approved by the Canarian government and will come into force ‘in 10 working days’. Although no actual date is given in the Official Canary Islands Gazette or on the Canary Islands Tourism website, it looks like it will be Saturday, November 14th. So what do you need to do? All visitors who are staying in any kind of tourist accommodation must take a Covid test – either PCR or antigen (swab), with a negative result – between 48 and 72 hours before travelling ..read more

When the travel corridor to the Canary Islands was announced last week, which meant that UK tourists would no longer have to self-isolate for 14 days on their return home, I thought it was a bit odd that there was no mention of testing before travel, as the Canaries’ authorities had been insisting on it for months. It looks like something has been in the works, however, as the regional government has drawn up legislation aimed at reducing the risk of importing Covid to the Canary Islands. The ruling, which if approved is likely to come into force in the next few weeks, states that all tourist ..read more

Some good news at last! Grant Schapps, Secretary of State for Transport, has just announced that the Canary Islands have been added to the travel corridor list. From 4am on Sunday, October 25th, visitors returning from the islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria,La Gomera, La Palma, El Hierro, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and La Graciosa) will not have to self-isolate on their return to the UK. The Canary Islands are exempt from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s (FCDO) advice against all non-essential international travel. Huge sighs of relief all round I should think, as it was all ge ..read more

The Spanish government has finally reached an agreement with the regional governments of the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands to establish travel corridors with European countries in the hope of getting tourism going again. This would involve testing prior to travel for visitors from countries with an infection rate of higher than 50 per 100,000 inhabitants and all visitors would be tested before leaving the islands. Now we just need the UK government to treat the islands separately from mainland Spain, so that quarantine on return will hopefully no longer be necessary before too long ..read more

After allocating 15 Room Mate Group properties to provide support during the pandemic in Spain, Italy, France and the United States, the company is now leading the way again by becoming the first hotel chain in the world to offer free, rapid antigen tests. With the help of healthcare professionals from Quirónprevención, from mid October the Room Mate group will provide tests for guests checking in at its hotels as well as for its entire workforce. Guests will also be able to take the test free of charge before travelling by visiting a Quirónprevención clinic in their home town if available. T ..read more