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Pandemic? “It’s busy being a retiree!”

Remember Dee and Graham? They’re two Free Spirits who’ve continued to travel as much as possible during the Coronavirus pandemic. When we last shared their travel journey Corona was only ever thought of as a beverage. However, now the time has passed, we wanted to catch up with them to hear where they’ve ventured in and around the pandemic.

Early 2020 the pandemic emerged…

‘2020 was bad for everyone. We were in Malta when Covid-19 broke loose and had to return pronto – literally halfway through our holiday on the last BA flight out. Needless to say we didn’t travel at all during the remainder of 2020 due to the pandemic.’

Malta

Travel post lockdown

UK Holidays

‘2021 was much better. We did six one-week breaks in self-catering barn conversions/cottages in the UK – our first was in May. We stayed in Norfolk, Somerset, Rutland, the Peak District, and two in Shropshire.’

Travel post-pandemic was brilliant…

‘Again in 2022, starting in March we spent six one-week UK holidays to our favourite places in Norfolk, Somerset, Rutland, the Peak District, and Shropshire. Yes, we’re creatures of habit. However, we also decided to take the plunge and travel overseas.’

lake district post pandemic lockdown

River and Cruise Holidays

‘A 14-night P&O cruise holiday around the Western Mediterranean, visiting Toulon, Cartegena (Spain), Cadiz, Barcelona and La Coruna. All the fabulous places we’ve visited before. The weather was great too. Although Covid was very discretely apparent on board, we were unaffected.’

Eric and Ern

Next, a seven-night river cruise to Burgundy and Provence on the Rhone. We saw lovely lavender fields and visited Arles, Avignon, Lyon, and the Ardeche in France. Before, a seven-night river cruise on the river Rhine. It’s incredibly relaxing just meandering on the river and these Continental river cruises are favourites of ours.

From Cologne to Koblenz, through to Switzerland, we reached picturesque Lucerne. Then boarded the Bernese Oberland train up into the stunning snow-capped mountains.  It’s so beautiful and peaceful. Plus, the sun always seems to shine up there!

river-cruise-post-pandemic

Spanish holidays

Lastly, we booked an eight-night guided tour of Classical Spain.  This included an amazing tour of Grenada and the Alhambra of course. Plus, Cordoba, Seville, and Jerez. All brimming with history, beautiful architecture, and sunshine.

We’ve managed to keep clear of Covid (thank goodness) but having a travel insurance policy that includes Coronavirus Cover, was important to us. It made us enjoy our holidays even more.

dee and Graham in Seville

Travelling with Free Spirit Travel Insurance

‘Needless to say – we do already have our 2023 travel insurance policy in place with Free Spirit. Also, we have several holidays already booked. Still hoping to book more… It’s busy being a retiree!’

We must reiterate that without Free Spirit we wouldn’t have been able to travel within the UK and abroad at all.  It’s important that because of my health issue, we have a committed, reliable, and trusted relationship with Free Spirit.’

Plus, travelling with insurance is a good idea whatever your age or if you’re living with a medical condition. 

Travelling with a health condition

After Dee was diagnosed with Neuroendocrine cancer and carcinoid tumours (NETs), they sadly had to cancel eight holidays. However, after two infusions of some serious radionuclide treatment, then finding Free Spirit Travel Insurance, the pair have not looked back!

From taking time to understand Neuroendocrine cancer, carcinoid tumours (NETs) and many other medical conditions and disabilities, Free Spirit continues to cover people – like Dee and Graham – when other travel insurers have declined – or failed to call back.

at the Pont du Gard in the Ardeche

A review from Dee

‘This year is the first in several that we contacted a competitor.  They were competitive but not what we were looking for. And they never phoned back as promised.  We didn’t mind but that’s not how to win new business…

We have been clients of Free Spirit Travel for a few years now and have always found the right kind of cover for our extensive travel. One of us has a medical condition that other insurance companies and underwriters just will not entertain. Free Spirit has always been there for us, which means that we can enjoy travel and not worry about what could go wrong! We just don’t bother even trying to contact anyone else as it would be wasting our time, and theirs!

Thanks to everyone involved for providing us with what we need. We’re off to Devon for a week shortly, really need the break!’

Would you like to benefit from unlimited trips across one year?

Be Free Spirits like Dee and Graham.  Apply for a Free Spirit annual multi-trip policy. Learn more about Free Spirit and the cover we can offer by visiting the FAQ page. Also, you can find up-to-date travel advice on our travel tips page to travel, with confidence.

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