Can I get a refund when coronavirus rules change?

Simon Calder answers your questions on holiday homes, the best places to visit during the pandemic and how to avoid a quarantine destination

New regulations on gatherings have put a Dorset trip in doubt (Getty)

Q I have paid in full for a house in Dorset in November for a family gathering of six adults and three children. Ironically I paid the balance just four days ago – earlier than I needed to, because I was due to go to Crete next week when the final balance was due. Obviously the Greek holiday was cancelled because of the quarantine order, and Tui is refunding the money.

If the “rule of six” continues it will be illegal for us to take that break. But the owner says he will only refund the money if it can be re-let – which is unlikely to happen given the new rule about gatherings. Shouldn’t a full refund be given?

Linda M

A In this extraordinary year, many new consumer-protection issues are coming to light. In many cases, there is no clear-cut answer. Your situation is actually less opaque than most, because you can argue that your contract with the owners has been “frustrated”: it’s nobody’s fault, but the opportunity for nine people to get together at the property has been rendered impossible by the new rule of six.

You can cite Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) advice to help your cause. A refund is due, says the CMA, when “a consumer is prevented from receiving any goods or services, because, for example, lockdown laws … have made it illegal to receive or use the goods or services”. You can contend that the contract as agreed can no longer be performed because the sole purpose of renting the accommodation was to allow nine of you to get together.

Were I the owner, though, I might contend that you have simply rented a space. The fact that you are limited to six people is regrettable, but not my problem: the contract to provide the accommodation can be fulfilled. And the fact that I have your cash would strengthen my hand.

The best plan, I suggest, is to resume negotiations with the owner. Perhaps six of you could still hold a worthwhile gathering, in which case refunding one-third of the cost looks an equitable solution. Or the event could be postponed, at no extra charge, to some time in 2021 when Dorset might be even lovelier than in November.

I hope a suitable compromise can be found.

Q I begin a three-month career break this weekend. Where should I go?

Gareth D

A You might feel miffed that your long-planned career break is beginning just on the edge of autumn, at a time when much of the world is effectively off-limits to you. In a normal year I would prescribe an indulgent journey across Europe for the rest of September, going further east into India and onwards to southeast Asia before flying back in time for Christmas.

But I fear you have to assume that most of the world will be closed to you. So instead, plan a European adventure – but keep it flexible in case things open up more quickly. And keep an eye on rules for crossing borders, particularly in the Balkans.

Start with a flight to the holiday location of your choice in Turkey: I suggest Antalya because you can then add a side trip to the wild landscapes of Cappadocia. Spend a few days in Istanbul, then head across the Greek border to Kavala – or specifically the port of Keramoti, from where you can reach the fine island of Thassos, well worth 48 hours.

What happens next depends on how the attitude is looking to visits from North Macedonia and Albania. Ideally, head back to the mainland, then take another 48-hour pause in Thessaloniki. Then cross into North Macedonia, which feels very 20th century – with low prices to match. Stay south and make your way to Lake Ohrid, and cross into Albania.

If the borders seem tricky, then instead take an overnight ferry down to Athens and make your way across towards Corfu – from where you can take a ferry across to Brindisi, gateway to the fabulous Puglia region of Italy.

The sunshine, beaches and profound history of Sicily beckons, and from here you can fly to Barcelona for a long and delicious trip down the coast to Malaga. By now it will be November, and you can head across to the Canaries: La Palma is my favourite. 

Q I am scheduled to fly with KLM from Norwich airport to Amsterdam Schiphol later this month. Once there, I will almost immediately board a second (connecting) KLM flight from Schiphol to Zurich.

As I am disabled, I will be wheelchaired to the planes and lifted on to the plane. When I arrive at Zurich airport, I will be wheeled to a waiting car which will take me to Uberlingen on Lake Constance in Germany, where I have a professional engagement. My return is the exact opposite from the outbound (car from Uberlingen to Zurich airport, wheeled/wheelchair to a flight to Schiphol, then wheeled to a connecting flight to Norwich). Must I quarantine when I arrive back in the UK?

Name supplied

A I am afraid that two aspects of your proposed journey make you liable, as things stand, for 14 days of self-isolation when you return to the UK. Working backwards (which is the right thing to do because the government is concerned about when you were last in a “high-risk” country), your transfer at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport is enough to trigger the quarantine requirement.

Unlike some other countries, the UK regards changing planes in a high-risk destination such as the Netherlands as sufficiently dangerous to trigger two weeks of self-isolation. You will also be visiting high-risk Switzerland, which itself is regarded as posing a threat to British travellers and the UK public when you return home.

Is there any way you might be able to travel to Stansted airport (70 miles from Norwich) and fly direct to and from Germany? Although I cannot find flights to the obvious German airport, Friedrichshafen, there are some Ryanair departures to and from Baden-Baden, 100 miles away. Eurowings has more frequent flights serving Stuttgart, 70 miles away, but these operate from Heathrow.

While the extra road journeys would be arduous, they would save the kerfuffle of a transfer in Amsterdam in each direction – and the requirement to stay at home for two weeks on your return.

Email your question to s@hols.tv or tweet @simoncalder