All Your Post-Pandemic Travel Questions Answered: Navigating Travel with nemo Co-Founder Tom Harding

All Your Post-Pandemic Travel Questions Answered: Navigating Travel with nemo Co-Founder Tom Harding

Although travel’s (largely) been given the green light and summer plans are back on track, navigating the merry-go-round that is the UK’s traffic-light system can be tricky. To help keep you straight, we’ve called upon bespoke travel tour company nemo to answer your most pressing post-pandemic travel questions.



We
don’t want to jinx it, but our summer plans may have been
salvaged. With a fresh set of countries having been given
green-list status and the rules around post-holiday quarantining
changing, we’re optimistic that our summer jaunts might still be on
the cards. Although navigating the ever-changing travel landscape
can be a struggle.

To help you cut through the noise, we’ve joined forces with our
friends at bespoke tour agency nemo to guide you through everything
from booking PCR tests to navigating the UK
green list. Think of nemo as your very own back-pocket travel
concierge.

Green means go, go, go: your summer 2021 travel questions
answered



First things first, are we legally allowed to go on holiday
now?

Absolutely – and lots of people are. You can legally travel to
any green- or amber-listed country, as long as the destination is
open to travellers from the UK. This clears you for take-off to
some amazing destinations, from the sun-drenched Cyclades to
Morocco’s dramatic Atlas
Mountains
.

But what happens if a country turns amber when I’m out
there?

Stay calm: you will be able to get home safely and there’s no
need to make drastic changes to your plans. If you received your
second vaccine dose over two weeks prior to travel, you’ll be able
to return home without a home quarantine. If not, you would need to
quarantine at home for fiving days, using the Test To Release
scheme.

What do I need to do before I travel? Have you got a checklist
I can follow?

Your first order of business is to get excited! Check your
passport is valid for six months and head to the government website
to double-check entry requirements for your destination. Here,
you’ll find out if you need a PCR test to travel and what forms
you’ll need to fill out. The process is much easier than it might
originally seem when the steps are broken down – ask for advice if
unsure, as we’re always on hand.



I need some sun. Where do you suggest?

For nemo, this summer has been interesting as we’ve been able to
change people’s perceptions of classic destinations – namely
Mallorca,
the
Cyclades
and Portugal,
where there’s so much more on offer than people often assume. There
are some truly incredible hotels that still have availability and
there’s such variety that it feels like a real adventure. We love
to have a quick chat with all of our travellers to learn about how
they love to travel, then create an amazing curated journey for
them. If you need a sun-soaked getaway, we’ll help you work out
where you should be heading to.

What about a city break?

For savvy travellers, now’s the time to take a city break.
Cities are a lot quieter than they were 18 months ago, and there
are some real wallet-friendly finds – it feels very local, too.
Personally, Lisbon
is my favourite city, so I’m naturally biased there, but I’m also
off to Athens next
week. Palma is always a good choice – its food scene is insanely
good.

How about somewhere a little more off-the-beaten-track?

Zagori in Northern Greece often flies completely under the
radar. It’s a beautiful, mountainous region with everything from
design-driven boutique hotels to unspoilt beaches.

People also underestimate Portugal. For a back-to-nature escape,
go deep into the countryside and prepare to be amazed.

I’m seeking a bit of adventure. Where would you suggest for an
autumn trip?

Morocco is proving popular for those who miss long-haul travel
and want something different. It feels a million miles away when it
really isn’t – it’s only a three-and-a-half-hour flight to
Marrakech
, and the culture hit is just what we’re craving.
Travellers are often surprised when we tell them that Morocco is
amber-listed and open for UK
travellers, but it most definitely is. Go!

My long-haul honeymoon got cancelled this summer. Could a
European trip be just as memorable?

In short, yes. One of the greatest things about post-pandemic
travel has been hearing briefs like this and still being able to
deliver incredible honeymoons. We’ve put some epic trips together
to the
Greek Islands
, Mallorca,
Portugal and
Puglia.
Our agile approach has meant that when a country’s status changes,
we simply switch our honeymooners to a new destination, making the
whole experience as stress-free as possible.

I’m trying to change my travel habits. How can I travel more
sustainably?

Slow travel is the way forward. Try to take fewer internal
flights by opting to use trains, and stay for longer in each
destination. This immediately lowers your carbon footprint and
means you support the local area more, ultimately encouraging their
tourism offering to evolve in an ethical way. We also make sure
every traveller has a tree planted for their trip and donate 1 per
cent of all revenue to an amazing charity called Hello World.



What about hotels – how can I make sure they’re doing their
bit?

If you book your curated trip through nemo, you can rest assured
that we vet every hotel carefully, paying attention to their
ethical practices and community approach.

I want to book a long-haul trip at the end of the year. Do you
think that’s a good idea?

Travel’s revival is around the corner, if the announcements are
anything to go by. Things are looking a lot more positive. We’ve
learnt from the past 18 months to try not to predict the future. I
would stick to the green and amber countries for now and make sure
you plan with a company that can offer fully refundable terms… like
nemo.

So, where should I book?


Morocco
is our top pick for a long-haul destination outside of
Europe. There’s so much variety and it suits all types of
travellers.



I’m a bit anxious about travelling. How can I support the
industry?

Stay engaged. Whether you’re reading an article on SUITCASE or
checking out our journals or hotel partners, engaging with informed
content both gives you a dose of escapism and helps us to grow.

I know travel looks a bit different, but what can I expect to
see when travelling?

It does feel different but, personally, I found myself slipping
back into holiday mode so quickly. I think it was the thrill of not
hearing the monotonous British accent for a bit and being able to
unwind. People are excited to see people supporting the tourist
industry and everyone is really welcoming.

These rules are still confusing me. Can nemo help at all?

Yes. We talk through every question that our travellers have in
detail and cut out all of the background noise. Our role is to be
your travel partner, not an agency, and we want to make life as
easy as possible for you to help you travel with confidence again.
No question is too small and we are always ready to listen.

The Lowdown

By combining years of travel expertise with an easy-to-use and
interactive website, nemo is transforming travel planning. Giving
travellers complete control over their itineraries, with no nasty
add-ons or sales pitches, the company promises honest advice and
arms you with the tools to design your dream trip. Get planning at
nemo-travel.com