With Summer very much beating his hot and humid-ness down around us it’s time to plot you’re escape so the team at The Peaks 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!
Georgia
Reachable from Dubai in just over three hours, the beautiful 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. There are many lovely hotels in Georgia, but our favourite is the Rooms Hotel Group, with three stunning properties scattered across the country.
France
If you are vibing for croissant, cheese and charcuterie keep reading. Operating a colour-coded system, travellers from Dubai are eligible for quarantine-free entry to France provided their second doses of either Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna or AstraZeneca jabs has been completed two weeks prior to travel. Additionally, each visitor over the age of 11 plus show a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken 72 hours prior to arrival in France. Those who are not vaccinated will only be able to travel to France for essential travel only and self-isolation for seven days on arrival.
Greece
With FlyDubai now offering multiple weekly flights to Mykonos and Santorini and Emirates servicing Athens, options to get to Greece are endless! And the good news? There are tonnes of beautiful hotels and even better food awaiting you there. Unvaccinated travellers over the age of five will need to provide a negative PCR test taken in Dubai no later than 72 hours before arrival in Greece whilst those who have been vaccinated with Pfizer/BioNtech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Novavax, Johnson & Johnson, Sinovac Biotech, Sputnik V, Cansino Biologics and Sinopharm do not need to provide a negative test result. Just make sure you are 14 days clear of your second dose! Those who have tested positive with COVID-19 in the past two to nine months are also exempt from providing a negative test, as long as you can provide a positive PCR molecular test result, or a medical certificate confirming you previously had COVID-19.
Spain
On 7th June, Spain opened to the world allowing vaccinated travellers from the UAE to cross their borders (and indulge in their tapas!) Accepted vaccines include those authorised by the European Medicines Agency, as well as those approved by the World Health Organisation’s emergency use process. Currently, these vaccines are Pfizer-Biontech, Moderna, Astra-Zeneca, Jansen/Johnson&Johnson, Sinovac and Sinopharm. Tourists must also complete a health control form within 48 hours prior to departure on spth.gob.es, or using the Spain Travel Health app. Those who are not vaccinated will only be able to travel to Spain for essential travel only and self-isolation for seven days on arrival.
Italy
Culture, shopping, sunshine – there is nothing that Italy does not offer. All that will be required for visitors travelling to Italy is a negative COVID-19 test, with results dated no more than 48 hours before departure. On arrival, anyone over the age of two will need to take a rapid antigen test before they can head off and fill their bellies with all the pizza and pasta Italy has to offer.
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).
Montenegro
Are you looking to explore the great outdoors, medieval villages and secret sandy beaches? Then Montenegro is for you. To travel to the Balkan country, 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.
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!
Turkey
With FlyDubai now offering direct flights to the stunning coastal town of Bodrum, now is the time to get yourself over to Turkey for some sun. 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.
