BRITS are eagerly waiting to find out which countries will be placed on the UK's "green list" from May 17, due to be announced tonight.
This means Brits can return from a holiday destination without having to quarantine.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is to hold a press conference tonight to reveal the green list of destinations for holidays this summer.
Destinations expected to make the list are Portugal, Malta and Gibraltar, as well as Iceland, Israel and some of the Caribbean islands.
The majority of Europe is unlikely to be on the list until later this year due to the slow vaccine rollout and high daily Covid rates.
Despite optimistism that holidays abroad can return, for the first time in months, Brits are likely to face a very different travelling experience still.
Here is what a trip abroad is likely to look like this year.
Covid tests
While low-risk countries will be able to avoid the mandatory quarantine restrictions, Brits will still need to have Covid tests wherever they are returning from.
The restrictions for green list countries still include a pre-arrival Covid test before entering the UK, as well as a second one on day two.
Amber and red list countries need a pre-arrival test as well as Covid tests on day two and eight of quarantine.
While tour operators and airlines are starting to reduce the prices of the test – TUI has launched holiday testing kits for £20 – it is still a costly and complicated procedure to add to a holiday.
Not only that, but travellers who are not fully vaccinated are also likely to have to take Covid tests when entering a foreign country.
Greece, Spain, Portugal and Malta have all said they will welcome vaccinated Brits without restriction – but if you don't have both jabs, will need a negative Covid test.
Masks on beaches and pre-booked bars and restaurants
Some of the best parts of a holiday is having a drink on the beach, although this is also likely to have complications.
Despite countries opening up to tourists, many destinations still have some Covid restrictions in place, such as limited capacities at bars and restaurants.
Pre-booking is also likely to be common for food and drink services, to be able to manage capacity, so an impromptu trip could be made difficult.
Masks could even be made mandatory on beaches – it was feared earlier this year that Spain could enforce this again, similar to last year.
While health chiefs have said they wont be needed when sunbathing or swimming, they have said they will be needed if just walking along the beach.
Long airport queues
Earlier this year, airport officials warned Brits could face queues of up to seven hours when returning to the UK, due to the new Covid restrictions being enforced.
Now, it is feared they could be as long as ten hours when holiday s resume.
Current travel restrictions require staff to check passenger locator forms, negative Covid tests as well as proof of where each passenger is staying with contact details, taking around 15 minutes per passenger, although this could rise to half an hour if there are problems.
Lucy Moreton from the Immigration Services Union (ISU), told I News: "We saw delays for seven or eight hours last summer, and with all the additional checks then we could see people waiting as long as 10 hours.
"'There's no way around the delays at the border because Border Force officers will have to check the Covid status of all arrivals and that takes around 15 minutes per person.
"So, people from all over the world will be mixing inside for a long time."
Last minute holiday cancellations
The government has warned that a holiday destination which is open to Brits would be quickly taken off at short notice if the situation in any approved country dramatically worsens quickly, or if a variant of concern is found.
One source said: "There can be emergency short-notice changes if something horrible crops up."
While many tour operators and airlines are offering a number of Covid protection schemes, with free date changes or quibble-free refunds, families could still be left out of pocket or without a holiday booked.
Fewer crowds
One positive aspect to come out of the pandemic to be expected is a much quieter holiday experience.
Not only are many people in the UK still unable to travel without restrictions or are still not willing to travel this year, it means many popular tourist destinations are much quieter.
Tourist attractions have already said their visitor numbers have dropped due to the pandemic.
Brits who want to head to Rome's Colosseum or Barcelona's La Sagrada Familia are much more likely to get tickets – and avoid busy crowds.
Cheaper prices
Families could also take advantage of cheap prices, as holiday resorts are desperate for Brits to return.
Benidorm bar owners are offering £1.30 pints as they gear up for a summer blow out, in the hopes tourists will return.
Malta is even offering to pay up to £173 if booking hotels on the island this summer, while the under-the-radar country of Georgia is offering hotel beds for just £1.50, the lowest ever seen.
Booking a cheap holiday is all about timing, however – ahead of the green list announcement tonight, flight prices for Malta and Portugal are already soaring.
Here is everything you need to know about booking a holiday this summer in regards to your refund rights.
Maldives is even offering to give vaccines to tourists on arrival this summer.
We've also rounded up some of the best holiday deals to destinations which could be on the green list.
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