I have a friend who is currently in Tulum - major envy at her numerous gorgeous posts on Instagram, but I continue to remind myself that there is no way in heck I would want to get sick in Mexico.

I watched a VICE piece on one of the reasons why their death rate has been quite high...many people don't want to go to the hospital (for obvious reasons) and they wait until it is too late.

There are plenty of excellent private hospitals in Mexico.

Tulum is a trendy place near cancun, which has many americans and for sure private clinics rotating around that so it must not be so bad with a good insurance and back-up money. I would suggest having a Rega Gönner card though in case it gets really bad.

Interesting questions- but I am pretty sure that REGA would not come and pick you up from Mexico if you choose to travel out in a pandemic

Why is it better, assuming you meant safer, to stay in Switzerland if one is going to go to stay at spa resors or hotels, where restaurants are open?

It is possible to travel around Switzerland and stay in places which are self catering. You have a car, get a cooler and you will be all set.

Are you really sure about it? My Rega news are saying they are keeping repatriating and helping people to come back home, because of corona, and they never stated that they are leaving behind those who went somewhere as tourists.

I can fully understand and feel the same. Also have holidays left from last year. I opted to staying in Switzerland because, like you, I won't fly at the moment.

So I share some of my favorite places in Switzerland. Not all of them might be ideal for now but have a look.

If you head south to Ticino I can recommend two hotels.
My favorite one is in Brissago, directly at the lake. https://www.rivabellaaulac.ch/
Small, family run but only a "Garni" meaning there is no restaurant for lunch an d dinner. They have a fridge and several restaurant within walking distance. I am sure some will do take away. You can eat in the breakfast room. Breakfast is lovely. And the owners are very friendly. I go there at least once a year.

The other one is in Locarno. Picolo Hotel. Also really nice breakfast and very friendly owners.
https://www.piccolo-hotel.ch/de/

Both will give you a Ticino Ticket to explore the area with busses and train for free.

Another hotel I can fully recommend is Auberge d'Ajoie closer to you, in Porrentruy
https://aubergedajoie.ch/
Very nice breakfast. (Yes, there is a pattern ;-) )
They also have a room with a kitchen (Suite).
The hotel is very close to the center and the city of Porrentruy is lovely. Also there is a brilliant chocolaterie close by Nora Mario https://www.facebook.com/Nora-Mario-...01445501554472

Another great place is the Berghotel Mettmen.
https://berghotel-mettmen.ch/
Unfortunately they are closed at the moment because the road is blocked.
The food is great

Thanks for this, these are some really lovely suggestions I might take advantage of too.

We are so lucky to be stuck in such a country...

I dont know about Rega, but for all other insurances is it pretty simple: Is there an official travel warning in place? If no, the insurance pays... if yes, your problem.



Not sure about Switzerland, but Mexico is on the warning list for Germany... the other problem is that these lists change weekly at the moment... so while it might be ok on your flight out you still might have to quarantine on return.

Traveling is not banned, not even traveling for leisure. There are actually sets of rules how to behave coming back from travel, even if it is non-essential. And for essential travel there are sometimes exceptions in quarantine rules.
"Der Bundesrat empfiehlt, auf nicht notwendige Reisen zu verzichten. Falls Sie dennoch eine Reise planen, beachten Sie bitte folgendes:..."
"The federal government recommends refraining from non-essential travel. If you are nevertheless planning to travel, please observe the following:..."

Do you know that insurance companies are declining support to people who got ill while traveling in corona times or you are just guessing so? I never heard about it, but of course, I could be just ignorant and wrong. Or were you talking about travel insurance, and expenses of coming home in case of canceled flights?

Thanks Irish T - appreciate the great suggestions! Just booked something for the first 2 weeks (will post separately on this) but will definitely look at these for week 3

After several pints of indecision with a couple of whisky chasers last night I booked an EasyJet flight to 'take the waters' in Majorca - flying out on Saturday.

Found I had an overwhelming urge to see the sea. Plan to wander the hills, communing with clouds; then down to the lonely sea to hunt for stars and tall ships (and maybe a nice kebab if there's a stall open). Hire car is booked and next job is some serious Googling to find somewhere to stay or if indeed I made a big mistake. The Easyjet 24 hour 'cooling off' ('sobering-up'?) period where I can cancel for free ends in 40 mins.... so time for another pint before bed.

Thanks again for all the ideas and I will definitely investigate these if I make it back (always assuming they let me in in the first place).

Are the Spanish letting tourists in at the moment?

Yes and no. Depends on the region/island. Canary ilands are open except of Lanzarote which I believe is in a total lock down. Balearic islands are open but have lots of curfews and rules. No idea about the rest.

Theo, get thee to Deia in the northwest. It's our favorite place on Mallorca. Stay at Sa Pedrissa for wonderful food and a gorgeous view...straight-down hike to the beach. Oh, you lucky one!

Well done. I am sure it will be good for you.
Check the situation in Palma de Mallorca. Its a nice city and might be worth to stay for a night or two unless everything is shut.

Thanks for the tip. Just looked at the hotel website and thought "Yes please!!!"..... but would you believe they're fully booked Seems I'm not the only one with this idea

Eateries close at 5pm so could be a perfect location for a detox diet or more likely to stuff down a few packets of crisps of an evening with a dodgy Rioja.

Any other tips for yomps or places to see?

Thanks, plan to stay there at the end to get a feel for the city (and I assume it will be the best place to get the covid test for getting back). Do you have any recommendations of things to see in the city, places for lunch or tapas? (Restaurants are open until 5)

Talking of covid tests I have mine first thing in the morning so time to turn in...

Its been a while that I have been to Palma so unfortunately cant give you a recomendation.
But what I always do in a city is a free walking tour. They are usually very good and give you tips for bars etc. Not sure if they run at the moment but you can also see where they go to so that gives you an idea on things to look out for. There are several companies, this is one example https://www.mallorcafreetour.com/en/

If you have only been violated in your throat and nose, then I would go for the trifecta... Vacation in China!

(I visited the UK a little while ago but all the testing left me with a nose like a cocaine addict and a throat like a porn-star - likewise, the quarantine isolation at both ends really sucked)