Jon-Bxl

Hi Annetje
As the situation changes its best to look at the official site.

https://diplomatie.belgium.be/fr
I think you read French, but can choose the language on the top left...

https://diplomatie.belgium.be/fr
Other sites re travel restrictions I look at include
https://uk.ambafrance.org/COVID-19-r...r_ajax_redir=1 https://reopen.europa.eu/en and 90 day rules. https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/new...ace-penalties/
Jon

bons

I read that one of the ferries is thinking of doing a trip from the UK to Porto. They haven't decided yet, but they're selling it on the 'not waiting around in congested terminals, fresh air on board' angle.

borisface

A ferry is quite hilarious. Cruise liners were famously amongst the worst effected if someone on board was infected with the virus.

wellinever

Yes seen that.....would be interesting, esp at the moment.
For me would save a night in a hotel in Spain (only drive 5 hours a day max), Porto about 4 hours from Algarve according to Google.

wellinever

Its a ferry, not a cruise......you dont need to leave your cabin if you dont want to.
All people tested before departure, fresh air if you want on deck !! 20knots in bay of Biscay !!!!!

bons

It would bypass France and Spain which I don't think you can drive throjugh at the moment. I think it will be costly though.

borisface

I seem to recall BF marketing the long crossing to Santander as a mini cruise, but regardless of semantics isn't the issue that you're in your cabin for most of the journey breathing in recycled not fresh air. And if someone gets covid, the relevant authorities may not allow the ferry to dock - this is what happened last April with several cruises and hundreds of people died. Feel free to book if it comes about but not for me.

RichardHenshall

I'd rather be on a ship that's not allowed to dock than a plane that's not allowed to land.

borisface

I'd rather not be in either but I take your point! Chances are on a 2 hour flight someone is not suddenly going to develop covid symptoms whereas a 30 hr ferry crossing? Clearly, ships with covid cases on board haven't been permitted to dock whereas I don't think there have been any example of planes not being granted permission to land....

BillBullock

4 hours from Porto to the Algarve? I don't think F1 cars are allowed on the Portuguese motorways and even Hamilton would probably collide with another car eventually.

Fredbargate

Bing maps shows 3hrs 57 min Porto to Faro

BillBullock

I've driven there and back twice and I hate to think how much over the speed limit I would need to average to do it in under 4 hours.

Fredbargate

I must admit to being surprised

So I have just rechecked and now they claim 4;03 for the 552 kms 343 miles

Viamichelin claim 6;02 for 549 kms

Obviously french cars are slower

BillBullock

6 hours allows for sticking to the speed limit, slowing down at the tolls and short breaks to stretch your legs. Personnally, I would only look at distance and not someone's time estimate.