What we learnt from our Summer of post vax travel.....
What we learned from our summer of post vax travel?
At Mercator, we had a mostly British summer – with a trip to Greece thrown in for good measure. Here’s what we learned from this very strange season…
The Welsh borders have sustainability sorted
Staying in Old Lands, a country pile with self-catering cottages and an emphasis on rewilding, we got to that sustainability is firmly at the top of the agenda in this neck of the woods – how can it not be when you’re surrounded by natural beauties such as Symonds Yat and Sugarloaf Mountain? Local food suppliers were in evidence everywhere, from Old Lands’ own honesty shop to the pedestrianized high street in Monmouth. Monmouthshire itself signed up to the Declare A Climate Emergency movement back in 2019, and implemented a plan that includes extra charging points for electric vehicles, buying energy from renewable resources and piloting locally-made hydrogen-powered cars. And there are a slew of environmentally-friendly activities on offer – from kayaking and wild swimming in the River Wye to mountain biking in the Forest of Dean and various forest school activities for kids.
Post-Covid international travel is relatively straight forward
Especially if you make the PCR tests count by booking an extended trip (which serves the dual purpose of stretching the carbon footprint of any flights you take). A journey to Greece went without a hitch: despite many articles suggesting the opposite, airport queues in Terminal Five were minimal (but be aware that you may be subjected to random Covid tests as one of our party was at Athens airport). At the airport and on the plane, everyone wore masks including the kids, and we felt safe and well looked after. If you are travelling by plane, there are now lots of tools to assess the impact of your travel too. Skyscanner, for example, highlights flights with the lowest carbon footprint for every search.
The British Coast has got it going on!
Notably Deal, which is having its time in the sun despite the largely gloomy British summer. As travellers eschew the carbon footprint and Covid tests that come with foreign city breaks, towns within easy reach of London are having their moment. Almost devoid of the Kiss-Me-Quick detritus of many British seaside towns (the pier comes with an upmarket steak and lobster restaurant at the end and nothing else), Deal has become the new week ending spot for Londoners looking for local appeal. Partly to blame is The Rose, the low-key chic pub with rooms on the High Street, which has become a destination in itself. Elsewhere, Hut 55 does incredible picnics – and bike hire so you can head off in search of the perfect spot to eat them.
Aldeburgh was busy with holidaymakers too, thanks to the huge array of wholesome pursuits that make it a perennial summer favourite. From a mask-free Treasure Island at the new woodland theatre at Thorington to sourdough-making courses at the Magpie Bakery and long seafood lunches at newcomer L’Escargot sur-Mer (sister to Soho’s famed L’Escargot), there’s something for everyone. Escape the crowds by driving north to the empty stretch of sandy beach at Covehithe, strewn with pebbles and petrified trees and bracingly uplifting.
Greece is the word
We’re firm believers that immersing yourself in another culture, language and environment is balm for the soul, and this trip raised our spirits and allowed us to hit the reset button after a long hiatus from international travel. Mainland Greece has been bubbling under for years now, and it’s the perfect place for a family holiday encompassing the city and the beach. In Athens, we stayed at the newly-opened Philia Boutique Hotel and mooched around the fleamarkets, rooftop bars and (happily air-conditioned) Acropolis Museum. Then we spent some sleepy days on the beach near Porto Heli, diving for sea urchin shells, swimming in the Aegean and dozing in the sun, before rounding our trip off at the ancient vineyard estate of Kinsterna Hotel.