2 minute read
WALL'S WORDS
BY ROGER WHEELER
Summer holiday? Perhaps next year
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The entire country is screaming to be let out and allowed to go on holiday, but the headmaster and the other prefects have said NO, not this year. Only if you're especially good can you go to the Isle of Wight for a weekend.
As and when the world opens up to us there are many new gayowned places that welcome all the LGBTQ+ etc community. You will invariably need a vaccination certificate but don't rely on the NHS App, it's not acceptable in most countries, some don't even have the technology. You need a hard copy, which is easy to get.
Healthwatch has set up a new telephone number – 119 – initially designed for track and trace. Once you get through there is quite a lengthy menu, eventually you will hear a number to choose a hard copy passport. Then of course they will ask you all the usual security and personal questions but within a very few days you will get a hard copy of all your vaccination details.
When it comes to destinations everyone knows about Mykonos, Ibiza, and Sitges etc, nice though they are there must be other places, and there are.
Ever thought about Bulgaria? A few years ago, two guys from Hove, Paul and his partner, having worked extensively in the voluntary sector decided on a complete change of life and bought the Little River Guest House. On the edge of Boynovtsi, Gabrovo, Bulgaria, in a beautiful river valley, surrounded by nature and ancient forests. This looks like the ultimate peaceful getaway. The prices – and this is Eastern Europe – start at around £30 per night. It's 103 miles from Sofia Airport, there is a bus. The reviews are ecstatic.
A little closer to home is the Domaine de Monteils about an hour from Montpelier in the Languedoc. Two lovely French guys, Richard and Frédéric, bought the place about ten years ago, did most of the renovations themselves and have produced one of the most stunning collection of gites imaginable. We spent one of the best holidays ever in this beautiful 17C converted monastery. All seven apartments are totally private; we had one with its own private pool. It was the last holiday that we had together before Mike died, but I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Still in the Languedoc, which is fast becoming the gayest region of France, is Cinq & Sept, another very gay resort, more designed for groups but if fun is your thing this is the place to go. Montpelier is the closest airport and is very easy to get to from Gatwick.
Reykjavik, which comes highly rated on the gay holiday list, is a lovely city in an amazingly gay-friendly country. The gay scene is livelier than you would imagine for a country that is situated so far away from everything.
This is all very well, but right now we are strongly advised against all foreign travel until next year. We’ve been patient for so long, a few months won’t hurt.
