Heatwave Europe

Not wishing to capitalise on natural disasters you understand but........Got a couple of weeks available in a cottage in Pembrokeshire, if anyone's interested........Book early folks.
I was born there. Haverfordwest to be precise.

Sweated my knackers off on Malagueta beach today. Half of the city had the same idea.
 
I think there are pros and cons for packages vs DIY.

Using the Rhodes situation as an example....
Jet2 have cancelled all holidays until 30th July.
If you booked Jet2.com flights leaving tomorrow, you'll get refunded on them due to the cancellation, but you could be on the hook financially for a hotel/villa (very few would let you cancel FOC at this late stage and it could be part of the island unaffected so business as normal for them)

Ryanair, being Ryanair, are still flying a normal schedule as per their 10am update this morning.
So if you had accommodation booked in an impacted area, that naturally won't happen now but if the flight still goes you ain't got a chance for a refund from Ryanair.
Best bet would be to try and find alternative accommodation on the island, but at what cost and availability would be ridiculously tight now.

I do most, in fact almost all, of my trips DIY but there are occasions where the protection of a package (and I mean a proper package and not On The Beach/LoveHolidays etc) really comes into their own.
True, but we only ever book accommodation where you can cancel up to day of arrival (or in some cases 48 hrs before - which admittedly in this case, might not have helped).

Totally agree about On The Beach etc. Never used them and never would, but have read stories where if something changes with the flight, you (as the customer) have to contact the airline! Madness.
 
Confirmed on BBC Weather the other day. The current position of the Atlantic Jetstream over the UK and the West of Europe is the reason behind the huge difference between the weather in the UK and in Europe. Until the Atlantic Jetstream moves we are stuck with this very poor wet and cold weather in the UK. :-(
 
Confirmed on BBC Weather the other day. The current position of the Atlantic Jetstream over the UK and the West of Europe is the reason behind the huge difference between the weather in the UK and in Europe. Until the Atlantic Jetstream moves we are stuck with this very poor wet and cold weather in the UK. :-(

Hardly cold is it haha, rather this than what the meds going through tbf.
 
I think there are pros and cons for packages vs DIY.

Using the Rhodes situation as an example....
Jet2 have cancelled all holidays until 30th July.
If you booked Jet2.com flights leaving tomorrow, you'll get refunded on them due to the cancellation, but you could be on the hook financially for a hotel/villa (very few would let you cancel FOC at this late stage and it could be part of the island unaffected so business as normal for them)

Ryanair, being Ryanair, are still flying a normal schedule as per their 10am update this morning.
So if you had accommodation booked in an impacted area, that naturally won't happen now but if the flight still goes you ain't got a chance for a refund from Ryanair.
Best bet would be to try and find alternative accommodation on the island, but at what cost and availability would be ridiculously tight now.

I do most, in fact almost all, of my trips DIY but there are occasions where the protection of a package (and I mean a proper package and not On The Beach/LoveHolidays etc) really comes into their own.
This is the first time I’ve booked with On The Beach, am I basically screwed?
 
This is the first time I’ve booked with On The Beach, am I basically screwed?

When are you due to depart, who are the flights with and where on the island is your hotel?

Sorry for the multiple questions but depending on how you answer will likely depend on how screwed or unscrewed you are.

As a general rule of thumb, companies like OTB/LoveHolidays should be given a wide berth for a multitude of reasons, none more pressing than their leaving of ABTA during the pandemic so they can fuck people over with refunds, and ultimately sell package holidays that really aren't package holidays.
 
When are you due to depart, who are the flights with and where on the island is your hotel?

Sorry for the multiple questions but depending on how you answer will likely depend on how screwed or unscrewed you are.

As a general rule of thumb, companies like OTB/LoveHolidays should be given a wide berth for a multitude of reasons, none more pressing than their leaving of ABTA during the pandemic so they can fuck people over with refunds, and ultimately sell package holidays that really aren't package holidays.
Cheers for your info, much appreciated. I booked the holiday for me and my two kids with On the Beach. We fly on Tuesday 25th July, for a 10 night stay. We fly out with EasyJet, and return with Ryanair.
 
Cheers for your info, much appreciated. I booked the holiday for me and my two kids with On the Beach. We fly on Tuesday 25th July, for a 10 night stay. We fly out with EasyJet, and return with Ryanair.

I'd keep a close eye on the socials of OTB (below is their update this morning, notice the complete absence of the word 'refund' in it for those travelling today/tomorrow)

Easyjet (the airline, not Easyjet Holidays) are still flying as normal as things stand.
1690127483127.png

Ryanair are also flying as normal.
1690127522845.png

I think the crux of the matter is likely to be where you're due to stay on the island.
If you're in a resort or area that remains unaffected, and with the airlines involved in your itinerary not currently cancelling services, then it's looking likely your holiday will depart 'as normal' and any requests for a cancellation and refund from OTB will fall on deaf ears (if you can even speak to anyone)

It's a very fluid situation though and it can all change very quickly.
Interested to find out if/when OTB contact you and what they might say or offer....


1690127461509.png
 
I'd keep a close eye on the socials of OTB (below is their update this morning, notice the complete absence of the word 'refund' in it for those travelling today/tomorrow)

Easyjet (the airline, not Easyjet Holidays) are still flying as normal as things stand.
View attachment 87460

Ryanair are also flying as normal.
View attachment 87461

I think the crux of the matter is likely to be where you're due to stay on the island.
If you're in a resort or area that remains unaffected, and with the airlines involved in your itinerary not currently cancelling services, then it's looking likely your holiday will depart 'as normal' and any requests for a cancellation and refund from OTB will fall on deaf ears (if you can even speak to anyone)

It's a very fluid situation though and it can all change very quickly.
Interested to find out if/when OTB contact you and what they might say or offer....


View attachment 87459
Sorry forgot to say we are staying near Pefkos which I believe is being threatened by the wildfires.
 
Currently in Protaras, Cyprus. 40° today which probably isn’t too much of a change given it’s July.

But it’s warm, very warm
 
Sorry forgot to say we are staying near Pefkos which I believe is being threatened by the wildfires.

Yeah that's pretty close to the action.

I'd like to think OTB will do the decent thing and cancel the holiday and issue a full refund, but sadly I'll be surprised if it's as straightforward as that.
There is a lot of shit buried in their Ts and Cs about elements they won't refund; the big one being they don't refund flights if the flight still operates (this is ultimately why they left ABTA in 2020)

Do post on here if they contact you with options, I'll also keep my eyes peeled for anything relevant to the situation.
 
Yeah that's pretty close to the action.

I'd like to think OTB will do the decent thing and cancel the holiday and issue a full refund, but sadly I'll be surprised if it's as straightforward as that.
There is a lot of shit buried in their Ts and Cs about elements they won't refund; the big one being they don't refund flights if the flight still operates (this is ultimately why they left ABTA in 2020)

Do post on here if they contact you with options, I'll also keep my eyes peeled for anything relevant to the situation.
Thanks, much appreciated.
 

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