Re: Visiting UK
 

Thanks for confirming. It seems that a rapid test is enough to get into the UK and get back into Italy though.

Re: Visiting UK
 

Yes. Frustrating that different countries have different rules for the same thing. I've just had to fly back to the UK for a couple of days. I'm fully vaccinated. To enter the UK I need a pre-flight lateral flow or PCR test and then a day 2 PCR test, but no quarantine. To enter Italy I need a pre-flight test (lateral flow or PCR), then quarantine for 5 days followed by a lateral flow test. But we should count ourselves lucky that we're not travelling from France!

Re: Visiting UK
 

For anyone intending to travel by P&O Ferries, a warning,: the Passenger Locator Form has to be completed before you board, not before you reach UK, and Day 2 test booked. They did the booking, £40. I booked via Direct Ferries and was not warned with the booking confirmation or other messages. Regarding the PLF, the GOVUK web site, and 4 emails confirming my application repeat " ... before arrival at UK border.".
It took more than an hour to get the form cleared on-line; the GOVUK site was playing up. I was fortunate to have arrived 3 hours early and just before a party of 8 Swedes with the same problem!
The A61 in Germany is closed between West Köln Kreuz and Kreuz Meckenheim, sourh of Bonn. The diversion isn't well signed (Venlo only appears right at the end) but the traffic flow takes you on to the A565; take "Koln" (A555) and not "Koln Ost/ Airport" then follow "Aachen" (A4) to West Koln Kreuz and the A61. Best to avoid the area altogether
There is no sign of a border from Italy to Holland but at Brennero they at least have a flag.

Re: Visiting UK
 

At Hull passport control:
"What do you need to see?"
"Only your passport, Sir."
And no Customs check.

Re: Visiting UK
 

No quarantine in the UK because you're double jabbed with a paper certificate and digital QR code?

Re: Visiting UK
 

Yes

Re: Visiting UK
 

:thumb:

Re: Visiting UK
 

Postscript
The literature I read and the exchanges at check-in referred consistently to "an appointment"".
Not so. I received diy kit by post this am.

Re: Visiting UK
 

That would be challenging for us - we don't get post delivered to the house, we have to use a post service in town.

Re: Visiting UK
 

I wondered about saying I was going to be travelling around in a camper but chickened out: I wanted to board.

Re: Visiting UK
 

Hi,

We came by camper via Hook of Holland last Tuesday. Did the free PCR test in the Netherlands. All very straightforward and easy to book in English. Obviously we had to spend a day in Holland waiting for the results, but that suited us. On the passenger locator form you still had (might have changed since last week) to give an address for ten days in case they need to contact you, but in practice you're free to move about as you wish (on the train to London at the moment writing this).

But it doesn't matter if you can't receive post at the address. You have to choose an authorised tester for the day 2 PCR test here, and when you do that you can see which providers allow you to collect from them. We went to the chemist, got the kit, did the test and sent it off, and you get the results by email.

I was very nervous about it all, and it was a bit stressful and time consuming (filling in the same details numerous times), but in the end it was all okay.

​​​​​​Trying not to worry about coming back to Italy in a few weeks because the rules might well change again, but at the moment it seems doable (with the issues about quarantine mentioned in other threads)

Re: Visiting UK
 

That was a good move going to the UK. The thermometer is going up to 40C next week in central Italy.

Re: Visiting UK
 

I think I prefer 40C over 16c and rain ;)

Re: Visiting UK
 

Very much agree about the rain, but 40c....

Re: Visiting UK
 

The problem with 40C is that the structure of the house starts to heat up. It is impossible to get it cooled down at night. I dont know how those folks in Canada coped with 50C. I look forward to September and more managable temperatures.