Would a holiday to Madeira be worth it in November?

Simon Calder answers your questions on holidays to Portugal, self-isolation and changing travel rules

The Portuguese island still has bright weather during the winter months (iStock)

Q Is Madeira nice in November?

Itmlad123

A The short and accurate answer to your question is: yes, Madeira is a delight in November, as it is in every other month. The spectacular terrain is draped with superb flora, while the fishing ports and mountain villages are pretty and welcoming. The capital, Funchal, is a superb Atlantic city with a fine harbour, rich history and gentle buzz.

Yet November is not the month when the Portuguese island is at its most magical: I would say that is April or May when the fresh spring flowers are glorious, and also late December to enjoy the New Year celebrations – including the ocean’s most spectacular firework display.

However, a very useful metric is to consider the relative advantage that Madeira offers over the UK. By that, I mean the degree by which the warmth, radiance and ambience of the island outshines the UK.

That difference is at its minimum in July and August, when Britain is most in outdoor mode and the Atlantic is relatively benign. But it is at its maximum in November and January, when the UK is at its least appealing but Madeira is still bright and beautiful.

It is worth pointing out that Madeira is not quite in the same category as Spain’s Canary Islands, weather-wise. If you seek maximum sunshine within four hours of the UK, then Gran Canaria is 345 miles nearer to the equator than Madeira, a couple of degrees warmer and slightly drier.

But I would still take Madeira. I am glad to say there are thousands of holidays available in November this year – on Jet2, for example, from Bristol on a good range of dates with one-week packages widely available in the low £300s including flights (with baggage), transfers and accommodation with breakfast.

Capital gains: a view of City Hall in Cardiff (iStock)

Q Another question on Wales. I will fly to Heathrow at 6.30am on 4 October and am travelling to Cardiff by car. Should I be isolating myself? I am fully vaccinated with Pfizer from Saudi Arabia.

Pearl L

A The honest answer is: “I don’t know.” That is because the government in Wales has not yet decided what rules on arrivals from abroad will apply from 4 October.

England, Scotland and Northern Ireland will each make the same set of changes for arrivals. Specifically Saudi Arabia is one of more than 20 countries whose vaccinations will be recognised from that date – joining European Union countries and the US in that exclusive club. (Jabs from most nations around the world remain unapproved by the UK.)

The effect of this change is that fully vaccinated people arriving from Saudi Arabia will not need to self-isolate if their final destination is in England, Scotland or Northern Ireland. In addition, the “test to fly” will not be required, saving time and hassle.

Ministers in Wales have expressed concern about the changes, particularly on testing. When they were originally announced, the Welsh government said: “These changes are not without risk – they weaken the line of defence on importing infection and increase opportunities for new infections and new variants to enter the UK and Wales.”

But the problem for ministers in Cardiff, as it was for the equally alarmed Scottish government, is that many travellers enter through English airports – making it difficult to police their national requirements.

On Friday Scotland’s government “reluctantly” agreed to align with England. That evening I checked with the government in Cardiff to ask whether Wales will sign up for the same arrangement. No decision has been announced, but one will be made before 4 October – probably much sooner. I predict that Wales will join the other three UK nations. But if I am wrong then you will need a test-to-fly before you leave Saudi Arabia, even though your plane is landing in England.

(iStock)

Q On 3 October we will sail on a 10-day cruise from Southampton to the Canary Islands. We don’t understand the testing requirements when we come back. We were going to order the “day two” PCR test from Boots, but on the website it said there are new requirements for travel testing coming into effect from 4am on 4 October 2021 and that these tests will not be suitable.

Alec N

A New rules on testing for arrivals to the UK do indeed take effect at that time. But in terms of the ill-named “day two” test (which can be taken on the day of arrival or one of the two following days), it won’t make a blind bit of difference.

The significant change for travellers: you won’t need a test before you arrive in the UK. Because Boots does not supply such tests, the rule does not affect it. Yet I checked the Boots website for details of its day two test (for fully vaccinated arrivals to the UK) and read the following: “Important Update. There are new requirements for post-travel testing coming into effect from 4am on 4th October 2021. If you are arriving in England after this time these testing options are not suitable. New testing options will be coming soon.”

This is nonsense. Everyone will still need a day two PCR test until further notice, which is likely to be in late October – certainly after you return. When I contacted Boots, the company agreed and has taken down the unnecessary warning.

Thank you for drawing this to my attention; there is quite enough confusion surrounding the UK’s chaotic travel rules without highlighting problems that don’t exist.

Anyway, you will on your return – as of now – require a PCR test. How to procure it? You could book it now at Boots, or leave it longer: prices are falling as companies desperately try to drum up business before their PCR goldrush ends. Personally, I would book the test on the last night of the cruise, at the same time as filling in the annoying UK passenger locator form.

Email your questions to s@hols.tv or tweet @Simon Calder