Green List Countries - Destinations for UK Travellers Eager to Get Away
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We’ve got the green light! The UK’s traffic light system for foreign travel has finally arrived, and with it an array of possibilities. Launched on Monday 17th May, there are currently twelve countries on the Green List and we could not be more excited to share some incredible destinations with you that we’re now able to visit!
After over a year of going in and out of lockdowns, phases of easing restrictions and various frustrating travel bans, many of us have been trying not to get our hopes up for a 2021 summer break. The prospect of a summer holiday without having to self-isolate when you return home is now a possibility and with the new traffic light system in place, we can confirm that the summer of 2021 will not be cancelled!
So dig out your passport, dust off your suitcase and get ready for a truly unforgettable escape full of some much needed R and R at one of these Hip Hotel approved havens!
Please note: The procedure for returning to the UK may vary depending on which country you’re flying into, so please make sure to check the government guidelines. Each country will also have their own guidelines for foreign visitors, so be sure to check those before you travel! We will be updating this article accordingly but bear in mind that travel may be subject to change; please stay updated with the travel news!
Since the publication of this article, Portugal has been removed from the UK Green List. Please be sure to stay updated with all travel news, to remain as informed as possible during any trips abroad.
Portugal
For a beautiful summer escape, stay closer to home and visit the stunning sun-drenched vistas of Portugal. Recently named the World’s Leading Destination by the World Travel Awards, Portugal checks every box for a glorious getaway. Whether your goal is to come away from your trip with sun-kissed skin, tantalised tastebuds or eyes mesmerised by magnificent architecture and enchanting cities, Portugal has got you covered.
For more information about entering Portugal safely, please check out the government guidelines here.
Heritage Avenida Liberdade
In the heart of Lisbon sits a recently renovated eighteenth century building, with a stunning blue facade that stands out amongst the surrounding architecture. Designed by Miguel Câncio Martins, the Portuguese man who “renovated Paris”, Heritage Avenida Liberdade bridges the gap between the designs of the past and modern composition, diluting the barriers between the city and the hotel to give you a stunning taste of true European elegance.
Situated on the shopping boulevard of Avenida da Liberdade, one of the city’s most bustling streets, this moorish marvel is surrounded by luxurious shops and restaurants for you to escape into and enjoy the highlights of Portugal’s capital city. Most of the hotel’s 42 rooms have a Juliette balcony, creating a romantic setting for views over the city. Also boasting a library, a fitness room, round the clock room service, a beautiful bar and an indoor pool, the hotel has everything you need for the perfect city break stay.
Many of the original features of the hotel have been meticulously restored to conserve the beauty of the Pombaline age, with the addition of hand painted murals, carefully chosen decor and stunning wooden floors. Whether you’re in Lisbon to explore the medieval castle or shop your worries away, Heritage Avenida Liberdade is a stunning hotel to return to after a long day soaking in the city.
Hotel Britania
Designed by the renowned modernist architect Cassiano Branco, Hotel Britania’s charm is rooted in 1940’s Art Deco design with its restored interiors combined with modernist flair, that transports the period into the twenty first century. The only hotel in the city that has remained intact since its 1940’s heyday, all elements of Branco’s design manages to revive its original spirit without losing its soul.
Nestled away on a peaceful side street, Hotel Britania gives you the city's central location without being in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Avenida da Liberdade. Each of its 33 spacious rooms boast an anteroom and a decadent marble bathroom, allowing for a stunning escape to one of Europe’s best cities. The hotel library is the perfect place to dive into a good book, the beautiful lounge another spot to escape to and the lively bar is stocked with dozens of delicious drinks for you to enjoy.
A sister hotel of Heritage Avenida Liberdade, Hotel Britania offers a cosy yet elegant stay surrounded by modern vintage decor. With the privacy of its quiet side street and lavish interiors, Hotel Britania has been known to feel like a private club, complete with sumptuous cuisine. Be sure to enjoy one of Lisbon’s most opulent hotels, when you relax and unwind after a trip to the city’s lively downtown streets or a longer day trip down to the coastal town of Nazaré.
Hotel Lisboa Plaza
Discover another fantastic boutique nestled within one of Lisbon’s most vibrant neighborhoods, Hotel Lisboa Plaza. Exhibiting the traditional elegance of 1950’s Libson, this classic hotel boasts stunning antique furniture and original decor, whilst blending with gorgeous designer pieces and modern tones to create a seamlessly combined haven of Portuguese culture.
Hotel Lisboa Plaza gives less of the feeling of being in a hotel and more of a sense of staying in a home-away-from-home, with 94 beautifully designed rooms and twelve extravagant suites to choose from. The long-serving team will treat you like family, the kind that lets you bring your loving pets with you to stay! A family and pet friendly hotel, Hotel Lisboa Plaza is perfectly situated for days out at the historic Eduardo VII park nearby, and adventures exploring Lisbon’s bustling cobbled streets.
A family friendly hotel is not complete without a reliable babysitting service, and Hotel Lisboa Plaza has parents covered so they can unwind from a busy day without the children. Relax upon the top floor roof terrace under the starry sky, have a drink or two at the terrace bar and enjoy the stunning panoramic views across the beauty of Lisbon. Marvel at the city from a distance before being amongst it the next day, savouring its delights, delicious cuisine and stunning scenery!
Australia
If you’re wanting to travel further afield and don’t mind the longer flights, why not go all out and choose Australia for the ultimate getaway? Famous for its mesmerising landscapes and eclectic cities, Australia is the perfect destination for a rejuvenating escape. Enjoy the stunning beaches and incredible expanses of untouched natural beauty as you reset yourself and tune back into peace.
For more information about entering Australia safely, please check out the government guidelines here.
Bask & Stow
Nestled along the stunning Gold Coast in Byron Bay, Bask & Stow is a beautiful combination of simplicity and luxury. Designed by local architect Harley Graham, it captures the relaxed vibes of Palm Springs as well as the artistic flare of Bauhaus, creating an elegant amalgamation of mid-century design and tranquil coastal living. With illustrious designer touches and sleek modern furniture, every element of Bask & Stow has been meticulously planned, to give its guests the best of Byron Bay.
A family-run boutique hotel, this chic haven consists of only five suites - each named after elements of coastal living, Sun, Sea, San, Salt and the new Garden - which makes it the perfect place to escape to if you’d like to live like a local but still feel as if you’ve stepped into a beautiful oasis of tranquility. With a shared pool and plunge pool, your own kitchenette and stunning exposed bath tubs, you’ll find it difficult to leave!
If you’re able to tear yourself away from this incredible oasis, the infamously trendy Top Shop Café is only three doors down, and the town and some of the best beaches in the world are only a short walk away. Enjoy a cocktail or two by the pool, learn to surf, explore the idyllic blue coastlines, get lost in the sanctuary that is Byron Bay and simply soak up the local atmosphere of this truly spectacular escape.
Lake House
If you’re looking to escape your everyday life to the point of wanting to feel like you’re in a whole new world altogether, look no further than Lake House in Daylesford, Victoria. A perfect oasis nestled amongst the stunning scenery of the Wombat State Forest on the edge of Lake Daylesford, this charming retreat was created by husband and wife, Alla and Allan Wolf-Tasker, with the aim to create a venue “worthy of a journey”; and they have done that, and so much more!
Lake House beautifully combines the rustic elements of rural life with the sophisticated pleasures of exquisite scenery and fine dining. Alongside the exceptional restaurant with its sustainably grown farm-to-table menus, Lake House boasts The Argyle Library Bar, spacious tennis courts, a Spa with signature treatments using locally grown herbs and plants, an in-house bakery, immersive wine tours, interactive workshops, outdoor terraces and a glorious infinity pool, making it somewhere you will never want to leave. And surrounded by crystal clear lakes, magnificent waterfalls, volcanic plains, Australia’s largest collection of mineral springs and the brush of the surrounding forest, why would you want to?
If you’re interested in watching an artist at work, Allan’s working studio offers the perfect opportunity to do just that. As you wander the grounds, marvel at the beauty of his work as well as exquisite pieces by other local artists that are spread throughout the premises for a truly immersive experience. Enjoy the art and sculptures as you stroll through the beautifully designed gardens before veering off down one of the walking paths that lead away from the property. Follow them as they take you around the lake and into the 70,000 hectares of the Wombat State Forest and find the Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens that sit atop a magnificent extinct volcano nearby. The 33 beautifully curated waterfront suites, designed for those seeking some time at a slower pace, will be ready and waiting to comfort you on your return from a day of exploration in this remarkable area of Australia.
Dairy Flat Lodge and Farm
Established by the brilliant, creative thinkers behind Lake House is its smaller sister, full of luscious charm and idyllic spaces, Dairy Flat Lodge and Farm. Focused on sustainable luxury, this 38 acre regenerative farm sits amongst mesmerising rolling hills in the peaceful hamlet of Musk, a perfect spot to relax your worries away. Blending together modern aesthetic with vintage pieces, this family has once again managed to create a stunning retreat that you’ll find difficult to forget!
Offering only six unique suites, Dairy Flat Lodge and Farm is the perfect spot if you’re looking for a quieter escape. With interiors carefully curated by Larissa Wolf-Tasker, each room is adorned with specially commissioned pieces from local artists and artisans, bringing seamless elegance to this charming country lodge. Supplying most of the produce for the phenomenal restaurant at Lake House, be a witness to the inner workings of this sustainable growing facility and watch the gardeners work the harvest. Tantalise your sweet tooth and discover The Bake House. Supplying delicious freshly baked goods, they also host some magnificent sourdough baking classes available to each guest! If you’re feeling especially adventurous, try your hand at beekeeping and learn how to establish and maintain a hive of humble honeybees!
Take a stroll through the lush grounds, absorb the purity of your natural surroundings and indulge in the aromas of nature at its finest. A stay at Dairy Flat Lodge and Farm is an experience that will be remembered for a lifetime.
Additional Green List Countries:
Brunei
Falkland Islands
Faroe Islands
Gibraltar
Iceland
Isreal & Jerusalem
New Zealand
Singapore
South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands
St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
For more information on the Green List Countries, please visit the government website here. Please make sure you keep up to date with any travel restrictions!
