07 April 2020
Coronavirus ( Covid-19 ) is currently impacting many countries which are imposing different restrictions around movement and travel - as these can change rapidly, we continue to update our country level information below. If your travel date is within a period of restriction in one of these countries, we will contact you to discuss your holiday options. We are working in departure date order, prioritising those customers due to depart within the next 72 hours.
Our phone lines and emails are extremely busy and we would ask you to be patient whilst our dedicated Travel Team remains efficient and helpful during these difficult times. We are devoting even more resource towards helping customers - our opening hours have been amended to 10am-4pm, 7 days a week and we will refrain from monitoring social media, until further notice.
If your holiday is due on dates beyond the current travel advice below, please do not call or email us. It is simply not possible to definitively advise whether your holiday can proceed or not, as these circumstances are so fast moving and complex. We recommend you regularly check FCO advice at https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice for the latest information on travel by British nationals, as well as travel to the overseas country or region where your villa is located. The FCO website includes a link through to the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) TravelHealthPro website that provides specific travel health advice for countries. We would also suggest that you check your individual airline’s website.
Due to the rapidly changing situation, we will wait until closer to your departure travel date before any decision is made regarding operation of your booking with us.
Please also read our important information below:
The FCO regularly updates its country travel advice - our information is accurate for the date published on this news page:
SPAIN ( Mainland, Balearics & Canaries ) - travel restrictions are in place throughout these regions. Commercial flights to and from Spain will be impacted, as Spain closed its airspace, borders and ports on the 24th March through to the 24th April for all non-Spanish travellers. Tourist accommodation is also closed from the 24th March until 12th April. A State of Emergency has been declared until 12th April.
CYPRUS - travel restrictions are in place throughout the country - on the 15th March, the Cypriot Government declared a State of Emergency and UK nationals are no longer permitted entry for tourism. Tourism accommodation has been closed until the 30th April. Inbound commercial flights are cancelled until the 14th April.
ITALY - travel restrictions are in place throughout the country, which have been extended until the 14th April. The Italian authorities declared a State of Emergency on the 31st January and have advised against travel for tourism purposes throughout Italy. Only one airport per region is operational, and from March, commercial passenger flights to and from Italy have been cancelled or are running a restricted service up to the 14th April.
PORTUGAL - travel restrictions are in place throughout the country. The State of Emergency declared on 19th March until 2nd April has now been extended to the 17th April, with mandatory 14 day self-quarantine being imposed for any persons arriving into Faro from worldwide destinations from the 22nd March. Commercial flights are restricted in March and April.
CROATIA - travel restrictions are in place throughout the country, with land borders closed from the 19th March, for 30 days. Foreign nationals who do not have a valid residence permit are not allowed to enter Croatia until further notice. Some airports are closed from the 19th March until further notice and flights may be resticted. All tourist accommodation is closed until 1st May.
GREECE - some travel restrictions are in place throughout the country. No direct commercial tourist flights until the 15th April, which is likely to be extended. Tourist accommodation closed on the 22nd March and will remain closed until the 30th April.
FRANCE - From the 17th March, all residents were confined to their home for a period of 30 days. Tourist accommodation is not available before the 23rd May. Some commercial flights are suspended.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Many airlines are suspending flights, as worldwide airports are closing or limiting flight arrivals and departures, please keep checking your airline for their latest updates.
You may have some additional questions:
Q. What are my options if there are no restrictions on British nationals for overseas travel, but travel to the location of my villa is restricted by travel advice to that country or region?
A. If you've booked a flight inclusive package holiday with us, then you're protected under the current Package Travel Regulations. This means we can offer a refund, an alternative destination, or a deferred 2020 travel date. If we are unable to source an alternative destination or defer your travel date, you will be entitled to a full refund of the monies you have paid to us..
Q. I've booked a Villa Only with Villa Plus. Am I protected ?
A. Customers who have booked 'accommodation only' with us, are not protected by the Package Travel Regulations. If the FCO travel advice changes for the destination you are travelling to and your planned arrangements are impacted, please contact your travel Insurers. Villa Plus will do its best to explore alternative options such as an amended travel date, but there may be additional costs and you are not automatically entitled to an alternative holiday.
Q. What if I've booked other elements to my holiday?
A. If you have made your own arrangements, such as flights, car hire, airport parking, transfers or hotel stop-overs, direct with a company other than Villa Plus, then you will need to speak to the service provider / airlines that you made the booking with. They will have their own policy in regard to how they manage these claims. You should also contact your Travel Insurance.
Q. If my holiday booking is cancelled, what will happen ?
A. Our team will contact you to discuss options which may be an alternative destination, a possible 2020 date change to your arrangements, or a refund.
Q. What if I decide I don't want to travel ?
A. If holidays continue to operate, your holiday will be subject to normal booking conditions and cancellation charges will apply. If the FCO advice has changed for imminent departures throughout March / April, then our team will be contacting you to discuss available options.
Q. I have a trip booked but no insurance. Can I buy it now ?
A. Please note that most major Insurers, including ANY new policy that you purchase through Villa Plus, have suspended new policies offering travel disruption cover due to Coronavirus & related virus illnesses with immediate effect, from 14th March 2020.
Q. If I am unable to travel, am I entitled to compensation ?
A. You won't be entitled to any compensation, as the reason for the holiday not continuing, is outside the control of the Villa Plus.
All customers are rerecommended to have appropriate travel insurance in place, from the time of booking their holiday.
Villa Plus is ABTA bonded and ATOL protected. ABTA membership means we provide full financial protection by way of a bond held with ABTA. ABTA also provides assistance and we abide by their Codes of Conduct. Flight inclusive package holidays booked with Villa Plus are protected under our ATOL licence.
ABTA additionally provides general information and advice to consumers regarding Coronavirus, which can be found on their website: https://www.abta.com/news/coronavirus-outbreak
General queries about your travel arrangements with us, can be found in our website FAQ section.