Recently updated on November 24th, 2023 at 04:56 pm
Holidays are back on again this summer for fully vaccinated UK citizens, with over 70 more countries now ready to welcome visitors back with no requirement to quarantine on return to the UK. So the choice is yours on where to go to get the best holiday and the best travel experiences. If you need a little inspiration before you make the all important decision on where to go, read on for 12 unique travel experiences to try that are all quarantine-free.
Sail around the Greek island of Corfu
What better way to kick off the summer than a relaxing sailing trip around the stunning island of Corfu? We’ll be boarding a traditional caique boat for a lazy afternoon of gorgeous views across the Albanian coastline. Here you’re free to cool off in the Ionian Sea or share the company of local dolphins and monk seals. All you need to bring is your sunhat and suncream… the quarantine-free vacation has begun.
BE INSPIRED: Your summer escape to Greece
Join a truffle hunt in Istria
After a picturesque drive through the fortresses of Motovun, we find ourselves on the edge of a forest. Our aim for the day? To join forces with a local farmer on an exhilarating hunt for truffles. A unique delicacy with a flavour profile like no other, we’ll hear all about the significance and history of these fungi whilst journeying through the woods. After a bountiful harvest, we’ll then sit down to enjoy the fruits of our labour – a feast of truffle-based Istrian specialities.
BE INSPIRED: Explore the jewels of the Adriatic
Admire the muse of Van Gogh in Arles
Admire the vibrant landscapes and dreamy scenery that served as muse to many of Van Gogh’s masterpieces. Local Specialist at your side, we’ll delve into his life in Arles, his friendships with other acclaimed artists, and see the exact location that inspired the famed ‘The Starry Night’. Not only that, but for budding art historians we’ll also have a chance to explore his studio and living accommodation at the time.
BE INSPIRED: The best of France in 13 blissful quarantine-free days
Cruise like a Viking around Breiðafjörður
What do Viking ships and sushi have in common? They’re both part of our sailing trip around Breiðafjörður’s innumerable islands of course. This breathtaking cruise showcases the best that Iceland has to offer; magical fjords, awe-inspiring landscapes, and wild birds of every shape, size and colour. And if your stomach begins rumbling on the journey, you only need look down into the deep blue waters to spot your dinner. The freshest scallops, starfish, crabs, and sea cucumbers are all on the menu tonight – all you have to do is wait for the boat to plow it up. Talk about a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
BE INSPIRED: Explore magical landscapes and blue lagoons in Iceland
Listen to a 200-year old tradition in Lisbon
In the corners of the bustling Lisbon nightlife, you may find yourself hearing the lilting sorrowful sounds of a woman’s voice. This is Fado singing – an expressive musical art with origins that date past the 1800s. And whilst you may not speak Portuguese, you’ll find it hard not to be swept away in the nostalgic sounds of songs about lost loves, wartime and working-class life. All this alongside a sumptuous meal of Portuguese food and wine at a local restaurant.
BE INSPIRED: Travel quarantine-free and explore the Best of Portugal this summer
Step into a quarantine-free fairytale in Segovia
Dreamy landscapes, sparkling rivers, and an adventurous climb up to an idyllic castle make up the fairytale of Segovia. It’s no wonder that the magic of Walt Disney was said to be inspired from this unique Spanish city. Here, a Local Specialist will act as both friend and experienced historian, guiding you around the iconic 13th-century castle and the 2,000 year old Roman aqueduct.
BE INSPIRED: Living la buena vida in Spain
Kiss the clouds on the top of Zermatt
All aboard! We’re jumping on an electric taxi through the snowy landscapes of Switzerland to the foot of Zermatt’s most spectacular mountain ride. After a couple (hundred) snaps against the icy backdrop, we’ll then be boarding Europe’s highest cable car to the top of the mountain for our fill of fresh mountain air and breathtaking views.
BE INSPIRED: Mother Nature at her finest on our quarantine-free Switzerland tour
Wining and dining in Trier
Never heard of wine from Luxembourg? We’ll let you in on a secret – this small European country makes world-class Moselle white wine. With the guide of a Local Specialist, we’ll be delving into why the local region has become so popular, as well as stopping off at the nearby hills to admire the gorgeous Moselle River. Working up an appetite? A three-course dinner with plenty of local wine awaits.
BE INSPIRED: Go off the beaten track in LuxembourgÂ
Dive into the pages of history in Ypres
Visit the historic town of Ypres, well-known for its costly involvement in World War I. Here, a local expert will guide us around the city’s iconic landmarks whilst regaling us with wartime stories from the past. We’ll then have the chance to attend the Last Post Ceremony, which honours the fall of the British army and her allies in Flanders Fields. For anyone fascinated by world history, this is an experience not to be missed.
BE INSPIRED: Step back in time on our quarantine-free Belgium tour
Admire picture-perfect windmills in Kinderdijk
You’d be forgiven for thinking you’d walked straight into a postcard on your trip to Kinderdijk. One of the most unique and famous attractions in Holland, Kinderdink is a UNESCO Heritage site comprising of lush green landscapes, scenic waterways, and 19 working windmills. Originally built in the 1700s to pump water out of the reclaimed ‘polder’ lands, these windmills now serve as local homes and historic reminders of Holland’s innovative practices against rising water levels. To round off your day here, we’ll also take a turn around the river bend on a relaxing boat ride – the perfect way to soak up the classic Dutch scenery.
BE INSPIRED: Man-made wonders and stunning landscapes in The Netherlands
Drive towards the sunset in the Sahara Desert
From the doorstep of your hotel to the foot of the rippling Sahara sand dunes. An unforgettable quarantine-free experience like no other, we’ll be taking a jeep ride to one of the world’s greatest wonders. Once there, we’ll witness the amber colours of the sunset wash across the Sahara, and even have the chance to try on the traditional headdress of the Berber tribe.
BE INSPIRED: Vibrant cultures & breathtaking scenery on our Best of Morocco tour
Cruise along the ‘Venice of the North’ in St Petersburg
Over 100 islands and 300 elaborate bridges come together to form the capital of Russia – St Petersburg. Named the ‘Venice of the North’, we’ll be exploring how the city got its title with a private cruise through the canals. As we float along, you’ll be able to listen in on a live commentary about St Petersburg’s most iconic Baroque landmarks. All that whilst having your glasses topped up with plenty of complimentary bubbly – not too shabby for your first quarantine-free holiday!
