THIS was my first flight/travel experience since August 2019 and I think its safe to say that travel and the world has changed a lot since then.
I am just back from a lovely short break to Venice and this is by no means a way to persuade anyone to travel – it is just an accurate reflection of travelling in this Covid-19 world.
Some people may feel confident and willing to travel but some others not so confident and happy to stay at home or have a staycation. Obviously any travel is dependent on Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advice and government guidance of both the UK and your overseas destination.
In every place in the UK and overseas social distancing was attempted or recommended but this is not always possible.
Sanitising facilities were available at every place in the UK and overseas during our journey.
We flew from Liverpool Airport, where you must sanitise when entering and face masks must be worn at all times except when eating and drinking.
The airport was exceptionally quiet and only a handful of shops and bars were open, our airport experience was excellent and very trouble free.
On the very busy flights, again face masks must be worn at all times except when eating and drinking and no queuing was allowed for toilets.
On arrival in Venice again face masks were compulsory and our temperatures were taken by infrared laptops.
A temperature check was taken numerous times during our stay in Venice by laptop or digital thermometer, including at our hotel and when entering numerous attractions and places of interest etc.
Our transfers in to Venice from the airport were by water taxi and again face masks were compulsory during this transfer. These transfers were excellent but social distancing was very difficult.
Face masks again were required within our hotel and again a temperature check was performed on arrival.
Our breakfast at the hotel was plated and given to us and no self service was possible.
Venice in general was very quiet, locals estimate it was operating at about 20-25 per cent capacity.
We felt very safe to wander about without face masks but masks were compulsory in shops and most tourist attractions.
Overall we had a wonderful stay in the beautiful city of Venice, it was very surreal to be able to experience such a normally bustling city at a reasonably quiet time and with relative confidence of being able to socially distance on most occasions.
Our overall experience was excellent and pretty stress free and I am happy we travelled.
At the same time it is very surreal to see airports and cities so quiet, especially in the month of August, which is a peak month for travelling.
Also having to wear masks on a number of occasions can be difficult, especially in the heat, but unfortunately this is the ‘normal’ across the world at this present time.
