SINCE lockdown was first announced back in March, it has been difficult to make travel arrangements.

The rules are constantly changing, flights have been cancelled and holiday bookings have been amended after the coronavirus pandemic wreaked havoc on the travel industry.

Even now, England is still in lockdown and Brits are desperate to go on holiday and jet off to an exotic location for a while.

However, it’s not too late to start planning your dream trip.

We have compiled a guide which contains everything that the people of Warrington need to know before booking their next trip abroad, including some information about when we can travel again, which airports are closest and more information about the cheapest flights available at these airports.

A travel expert from Warrington has also weighed in, giving her advice on the best places to visit in 2021.

When can I go on holiday?

Currently, the rules state: “From 5 November to 2 December 2020, travelling away from home, including internationally, is restricted from England except in limited circumstances such as for work or for education."

Travelling to take a holiday can be punished by a fine, with penalties starting at £200 and going up to £6,400.

However, England's national lockdown will end on the 2nd December and a new tiered system will be put in place for winter.

Warrington has been placed in tier 2 and have been told to “avoid travel to or overnight stays in tier 3 areas”.

Although it is discouraged, you can still travel abroad and you will be able to travel into Tier 3 areas to board a flight.

Boris Johnson said the plan is to get the country back on the path of “normality” by Easter, which is thanks to the Covid-19 vaccination developments.

This means that we could start booking holidays with confidence after this time.

However, as with everything during the pandemic these rules could change at any time and nothing is set in stone.

Where is the nearest airport to Warrington?

Warrington Guardian: Liverpool John LennonLiverpool John Lennon

(Photo: Geograph/Richard Hoare)

Liverpool John Lennon airport is around 12 miles from Warrington and is the most convenient place for locals to get to.

However, Manchester Airport is also a convenient option for locals as it is only around a thirty drive from Warrington.

Where can I go on holiday?

Even when travel restrictions lift, some countries require you to quarantine for 14 days when you get there; you may also have to quarantine when you arrive back in the UK.

The government has posted a list of 'travel corridors', which currently includes countries such as Bahrain, Cuba, The Greek Islands and many more. 

You do not need to self-isolate if you’re travelling to England from one of the countries, territories or regions listed on this page. You also must have spent the last 14 days in one of these places, or in the UK

You can view the restrictions and requirements of your specific holiday destination by visiting the gov.uk website.

Jon Thorne, Traveller Expert at Skyscanner (metasearch engine and travel agency) said UK traveller have been “extremely reactive” to news around travel corridors and have “adapted their search and booking behaviour to be able to get away within the rules.”

He added that countries on the travel corridor list are subject to change, but booking

Booking a ‘flexible’ ticket with a provider could mean that you’re entitled to a free date or destination change if you should need it.

He added: "We've made this really easy by highlighting flexible tickets when searching on Skyscanner which helps you to save on your tickets and be protected should the situation in your origin or destination country change.” 

Which countries and territories shall I visit?

Jasmin Shaw is a personal travel agent based in Winwick, Warrington.

The majority of her clients come from Warrington and her aim is to find you a perfect break- no matter your preferences and requirements.

She told The Warrington Guardian: “It’s not too early for locals to start booking their next big holiday, but there are some things they need to think about first.

Warrington Guardian: Jasmin ShawJasmin Shaw

“There are still restrictions in place and we anticipate that it will get easier to travel after spring time next year.

“If you do book, book with as much flexibility as possible so you can change your flights and accommodation.”

Jasmine said Lapland is an “unbelievably popular” destination for next year, as well as the Maldives and the Seycehlles.

Many Warrington residents have booked their holidays in these areas.

She added: “I think people want their holidays to be more remote and somewhere they can really get away from it all.

“I’ve found that people don’t necessarily want to be in a big resort with a lot of other people.”

Jasmin has also noticed a greater emphasis on ‘bucket list’ style holidays.

She added: “I think people are booking big holidays like this because they think ‘life is short, let’s just do it’.

“For instance, America is another really popular destination for locals to book.”

If you want Jasmine to be in charge of your holiday, visit her Travel Counsellor’s page or her Facebook page to learn more.

How can I book an affordable holiday?
(Prices and information correct at the time of writing)

A spokesperson for Liverpool Airport said: "There are some great deals out there for flights for next Summer as well as Easter and Spring breaks next year too.

"Whilst there are no guarantees in the current climate regarding future disruption to air travel due to the coronavirus, we all hope to see a further easing of restrictions and many airlines offer flexibility to change bookings if circumstances change.

"Travel insurance is always important too, with some providing COVID-19 cover."

If you want to book an afforable holiday, then consider using SkyScanner.

They have a handy tool which allows you to see which countries have travel restrictions in place.

Skyscanner’s Consumer Travel Expert, Jon Thorne, said you can sign up for price alerts and newsletters in order to get the cheapest flight price possible.

Right now, there are some great flights and deals from Liverpool John Lennon airport.

In January, one of the cheapest places to travel to is Lithuania and prices to travel here start from £25 at the minute.

There are also some affordable flights to Ireland and Romania (prices start from £33).

In February, flights from Moldova start at around £34 and you can get to Ireland for as little as £36.

March is a good time to go to Spain as flights here start from £48.

The UK government predicts that April is the month when life will begin to return to normality.

Currently, the most affordable foreign destination to visit is Ireland where flight prices start from £36.

Czechia and Italy are also affordable locations to visit this month, with flights starting from around £45.

Planning a July summer holiday? You could visit Spain for as little as £48 right now and you could also visit Greece for £89 a ticket.

A spokesperson for Liverpool said the most popular holiday destinations right now include Malaga and Majorca. 

Right now, the cheapest time to fly to these exotic locations is in January or February where Sky Scanner prices start at around £45 per ticket.

Will you be going abroad next year? Let us know in the comment section.