Where you can travel this Eid Al Fitr

With Eid Al Fitr just around the corner, we have put together a list of countries you can visit easily and safely. So if you’re a grounded traveller wondering where you can go on your next adventure, here’s a guide to help you!

Seychelles

This little island has finally opened up its shores to travel again and we couldn’t be more delighted! The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and tourism have confirmed that visitors are required to present a negative PCR test which should be taken 72 hours prior to departure, and complete a health declaration form prior to travel. There is no quarantine in place or restrictions on movement however people will be required to wear masks in certain places. We have so many fantastic hotel options in the Seychelles – from the super secluded Six Senses of Felicite Island to the gorgeous Constance Lemuria Praslin, the Seychelles really lends itself to social distancing. And when it comes to things to see or do, hiking the great outdoors and exploring the many beautiful beaches is always high on our list!

Sri Lanka

There have been some recent changes regarding travel to Sri Lanka but most importantly passengers no longer have to quarantine on arrival. However, all travellers must stay in a safe and secure certified hotel (Level 1) for the first 13 nights/14 days of their trip, before they are able to move freely around the country. There are nearly 60 level one hotels (check out the list HERE) ranging from Aman Resorts to Cinnamon Hotels. If travellers are staying In Sri Lanka for less than 13 nights/14 days then they must remain in a safe and secure certified hotel (Level 1) for the entirety of their trip. There is no minimum length of stay and visitors can come and go as they please. Travellers must apply for an online visa in order to enter Sri Lanka at www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/. When applying for their visa, each traveller (12 years old and above) will be requested to book and pre-pay for the PCR tests that they are required to take during their holiday (USD $40 per test). Hotels can arrange this for your within the hotel and will take care of all the organising stress so you can kick back and enjoy your holiday.

The first PCR test will be conducted on arrival at your hotel. The second test must be carried out on day five of the stay. The third test will be taken on the thirteenth day of the trip. No testing is required after fourteen days in Sri Lanka. Some airlines may require a negative test result from a PCR test taken prior to departure from Sri Lanka. If a guest moves to a different safe and secure certified hotel (Level 1) within the first 13 nights/14 days of their trip, then the subsequent hotel will arrange for their PCR testing from the moment they arrive on property. When applying for a visa, all travellers must also purchase a 30-day covid-19 insurance cover (USD $12 per cover) that enables every individual up to USD $50,000 for medical fees incurred as a result of contracting the virus. Travellers that wish to stay In Sri Lanka for longer than 30 days will need to extend their insurance cover. Before boarding a flight to Sri Lanka, every traveller must submit a negative result from a PCR test that has been taken in their home country within 96 hours before departure. The negative result will be presented either at the check-in desk in the airport or when boarding the plane for their flight to Sri Lanka.

Maldives

Travel to the Maldives is easy – all you need to do is present a Covid-19 PCR negative result, taken no more than 96 hours prior to departure. Island hopping is permitted again but tourists must apply for permission from the Ministry of Tourism at least 48 hours prior to their date of travel – this can be organised by the resort. The resort must also carry out exit screenings and temperature checks for travellers for contact trace purposes. Installing the contact tracing app “TraceEkee” is encouraged for all visitors. Speaking from experience, I felt like a Maldives holiday during Covid didn’t differ too much from previous trips. The hotels are super helpful and arrange your outbound covid tests for you. Arriving to the Maldives is similar to how it used to be, just make sure you bring proof of a negative covid test with you!

Armenia

Armenia is now welcoming international travellers who can present a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure. Those that can’t must undertake a test on arrival at their own expense, and self isolate until the result is returned (typically up to 48 hours).

Georgia

This country has recently opened up to all those who can prove they have had two doses of the vaccine. For those that haven’t, but are residents or citizens of approved countries including the UAE, KSA, Bahrain and Qatar, travel to Georgia is allowed if passengers present a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours. They will also need to take another Covid-19 PCR test at their own expense on their third day in Georgia. Georgia have also extended their ski season this year, allowing visitors to take advantage of a Covid safe holiday until the end of April. There are many lovely hotels in Georgia, but our favourite is the Rooms Hotel Group, with three stunning properties scattered across the country.

Montenegro

To travel to Montenegro, passengers must present a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours, or be able to prove they’ve been fully vaccinated at least 7 days prior to their trip. You also have the option to present a positive antibodies test result which needs to be issued within 30 days of travel. We love all the camping and hiking options in Montenegro all of which really lend themselves to social distancing – there are also some gorgeous hotels that we love including The Chedi, Aman Sveti Stefan and Nikki Beach Resort.

Turkey

Turkey is open for travel, except for arrivals from South Africa, Denmark and the UK. All tourists need to present a negative Covid-19 PCR test which needs to be taken within 72 hours of departure. Visitors must also complete the passenger information form when arriving to Turkey and wear masks in public places. All-inclusive is the way forward in Turkey and rising in popularity. As the country is still in lockdown but open for tourism with no restrictions for tourists, the all-inclusive packages are the best way to make the most out of your holiday.

Tanzania/Zanzibar

If travel to Tanzania is on your bucket list, then you’ll be pleased to hear that it is business as usual and that there’s no longer a 14-day quarantine on arrival. You will however have to submit to health screening and complete a Traveller Surveillance Form before arrival at Dar es Salaam, but tourists are no longer required to produce a negative Covid-19 test unless their airline or country of origin requires it. A fellow muslim country, we are sure there will be lots of celebrations happening for Eid Al Fitr.