This week, British holidaymakers received news that has been eight months in the making. For the first time since May 17 last year, we can go on holiday and return to the UK without taking a single Covid-19 test.

For adults, full vaccination is required to avoid day-two tests; under-18s are treated the same as jabbed adults. Things have also become easier for unvaccinated travellers, who need only take a day-two lateral flow test on arrival back in the UK without the need to quarantine.

As of February 11, when the new rules come into effect, entirely test-free holidays will again be possible. And what a welcome return it will be, flipping the focus away from expensive, tedious testing logistics and allowing us to zone in on what matters: having a relaxing, enlightening break abroad.

So where to go? A few dozen countries let fully vaccinated UK travellers enter without a swab, among them Turkey and Egypt, plus further-flung destinations such as the Dominican Republic and Peru. Switzerland is the only test-free ski option, while some destinations, such as Mexico and Costa Rica, require evidence of neither vaccination nor test to enter. 

As always with Covid-era travel, however, the fine print is key. In many destinations, a Covid Pass (activated with either full vaccination or a negative test) is needed to enter indoor venues; in others, a booster shot is required for entry. For more information on this, see our country-by-country guide to travel rules.  

But right now, the forecast for holidays in 2022 is looking brighter than ever. So dig out your suitcase and dust off your swimsuit: test-free travel is back.

For a last-minute half-term break

Eagle-eyed readers will have spotted that the removal of day-two testing restrictions will come into effect from Friday February 11, just in time for the half-term break. While some of our favourite holiday spots – such as Spain, Turkey and Croatia – feature among the test-free destinations, to find sun in mid-February you will have to look further afield. Alternatively, there is still scope for some late-season skiing in the mountains of Switzerland.

Egypt

Egypt won’t be showcasing its signature bathtub-warm sea waters quite yet, but it is the closest place to home that will reliably offer some heat over half term and has plenty to offer families. 

Temperatures in the Red Sea resort destination of Hurghada, for example, will be in the low to mid 20s. However, the only snag is that if you are visiting with unvaccinated little ones aged 12 and above, a test will be required.

If you do decide to go this half term, the rewards will be great. Egypt’s Red Sea has some of the best diving and snorkelling in the world, hosting a kaleidoscope of sea life from banana-yellow butterfly fish to luminescent angelfish. If you get tired of all the swimming and sunbathing, not far inland from the major resorts you will find the vast desert, where sand boarding and camel ride excursions are guaranteed to keep the children entertained, and the Pyramids will give them a holiday with a history lesson attached.

You’ll need:

Proof of full vaccination (aged 12 and over) or a negative PCR result. A paper health declaration (issued by airline or on arrival). For full information see gov.uk.

Book it:

• For half term, Thomas Cook has a full-board option at Robinson Soma Bay in Hurghada. Seven nights departing Feb 12 costs £4,506 based on a family of four staying in a family suite, flights included (020 8016 3295; thomascook.com).
• Tui has a seven-night holiday at the Coral Sea Aqua Club resort in Sharm El Sheikh. A suite with a balcony costs £6,132 for a family of four, flights depart February 12 (0203 451 2716; tui.co.uk).