On your marks! Get jet! Go! The Prime Minister has unveiled his roadmap out of the pandemic and holidays abroad could well be back this summer.
The amazing rollout of the Covid vaccines nationwide has given the prospects for overseas sunshine beach breaks a huge shot in the arm.
And now UK tour operators and airlines are cranking up for the expected big travel restart with some fantastic deals for both short haul and long haul.
Here's our pick of the best bargains for some much needed vacation elation for lockdown-weary Brits.
There's some amazing value out there, so happy hunting!
NB While the England roadmap offers hope of a return to holidays from May 17, there are various factors that come into play regarding whether travel will be possible including countries' own restrictions and entry requirements and the Covid situation at the time. Ultimately the choice to book now is up to you but you do so at your own risk.
Greece
© GettyA view of the cliffs and ocean in Kefalonia at sunset
Kefalonia from £495pp : two-star Irilena Hotel in Lassi, B&B. East Midlands on September 29. Book on olympicholidays.com or call 020 8492 6868.
Crete from £1,046pp : four-star+ TUI BLUE Atlantica Creta Paradise in Gerani, all-inclusive based on a family of four sharing with one free child place. Gatwick on July 13. Book on tui.co.uk.
Corfu from £269pp : three-star Royal Grand in Kanoni, B&B. Stansted on July 2. Book on loveholidays.com.
Crete from £403pp : five-star Mitsis Rinela Beach Resort & Spa, Kokkini Hani, all-inclusive. Gatwick October 18. Book on teletextholidays.co.uk or call 020 3001 1273.
Halkidiki from £329pp : four-star Philoxenia Hotel in Psakoudia, half-board. Gatwick on selected dates between September 12-26. Book on ba.com/halkidiki.
Skiathos from £1,179pp : five-star Skiathos Princess Hotel in Agia Paraskevi, B&B. Stansted on July 3. Book on olympicholidays.com or call 020 8492 6868.
Crete from £735 : three-star Dias Studios in Kavros Georgioupolis, self-catering, total price for a family of three sharing. Stansted on July 5. Book on thomascook.com.
Corfu from £599pp : four-star Roda Beach Resort & Spa in Roda, all-inclusive. Liverpool on August 26. Book on teletextholidays.co.uk or call 020 3001 1273.
Rhodes from £1,213pp : five-star TUI BLUE Atlantica Aegean Blue in Kolymbia, all-inclusive based on a family of four sharing with one free child place. Bristol on August 27. Book on tui.co.uk.
Zante from £325pp : three-star Zante Star Apartments in Tsilivi, self-catering. Gatwick on September 29. Book on olympicholidays.com or call 020 8492 6868.
Crete from £347pp : four-star Sunset Boutique Hotel & Spa Bali in Bali, B&B. Birmingham on August 31. Book on loveholidays.com.
Canary Islands
© GettyTeide volcano in Tenerife in the light of the rising sun
Lanzarote from £825pp : five-star H10 Rubicon Palace in Playa Blanca, half-board. Bristol on October 3. Book on charitable.travel or call 020 3092 1288.
Tenerife from £279pp : three-star RF Astoria in Puerto de la Cruz, room-only. Gatwick between September 1-29. Book on ba.com/tenerife.
Fuerteventura from £353pp : three-star Caleta Dorada in Caleta de Fuste, B&B. Manchester on July 8. Book on loveholidays.com.
Gran Canaria from £375pp : three-star Gold by Marina in Playa del Ingles, self-catering. Gatwick on September 29. Book on thomascook.com.
Lanzarote from £850pp : five-star Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort in Playa Blanca, B&B. Gatwick September 6. Book on prestigeholidays.co.uk or call 01425 480400.
Fuerteventura from £413pp : four-star Elba Sara Beach And Golf in Caleta de Fuste, half-board. Manchester on July 1. Book on teletextholidays.co.uk or call 020 3001 1273.
Tenerife from £960pp : five-star Hotel Jardines de Nivaria in Fañabé, B&B. Gatwick on July 10, Manchester on July 11 from £1,019pp. Book on prestigeholidays.co.uk 01425 480400.
Lanzarote from £585pp : four-star Los Zocos Impressive Lanzarote in Costa Teguise, all-inclusive. Depart Gatwick on July 4. Book on easyjet.com/en/holidays.
Balearic Islands
© GettyMallorca, Spain The small bay Cala Llombards on Mallorca, Spain. It has a nice beach and very clear water which makes it a very good location if you want to swim in the sea.
Majorca from £279pp : three-star Barcelo Ponent Playa in Cala d'Or, half-board. Depart Manchester on September 29. Book on thomascook.com.
Ibiza from £595pp : four-star Cala Llenya Resort in Cala Llenya, room-only. Birmingham on August 25. Book on loveholidays.com.
Majorca from £300pp : three-star Sol Lunamar Apartamentos in Palma Nova, room-only. Southend on August 30. Book on thomascook.com.
Menorca from £736pp : four-star Palladium Hotel Menorca in Arenal d'en Castell, all-inclusive. Luton on July 3. Book on easyjet.com/en/holidays.
Majorca from £858pp : four-star TUI BLUE Grupotel Mallorca Mar in Cala Bona, all-inclusive based on a family of four sharing. Newcastle on July 27. Book on tui.co.uk.
Menorca from £771pp : four-star+ Insotel Punta Prima Resort and Spa in Punta Prima, all-inclusive. Manchester on July 11. Book on tui.co.uk.
Ibiza from £719pp : four-star Nativo Hotel Ibiza in Siesta, B&B. Heathrow or Gatwick on selected dates between June 23-July 23. Book on ba.com/ibiza.
Mainland Spain
Costa del Sol from £239pp : three-star Pierre & Vacances Benalmadena Principe in Benalmádena, self-catering. Glasgow on August 19. Book on holidaypirates.com.
Turkey
© GettyA view of the beach in Kalkan, Turkey on a sunny day
Antalya from £403pp : four-star Eftalia Aqua Resort in Türkler, all-inclusive. Gatwick on October 8. Book on easyjet.com/en/holidays.
Dalaman from £485pp : five-star Orka Lotus Beach Hotel in Icemeler, all-inclusive. Gatwick on October 2. Book on thomascook.com.
Antalya from £396pp : five-star Kahya Resort Aqua & Spa Hotel in Türkler, all-inclusive. Gatwick on July 7. Book on teletextholidays.co.uk or call 020 3001 1273.
Dalaman from £460pp : five-star Grand Ideal Premium in Marmaris, all-inclusive. Gatwick on October 16. Book on easyjet.com/en/holidays.
Antalya from £452pp : three-star+ Aqua Princess in Kas, B&B. Manchester on August 23. Book on thomascook.com.
Egypt
Sharm el Sheikh from £234pp : five-star Xperience Kiroseiz Parkland, based on a family of four sharing. Luton on July 6. Book on holidaypirates.com.
Hurghada from £549pp : five-star Jasmine Palace Resort, all-inclusive. Luton on July 7. Book on loveholidays.com.
Malta
© GettyValletta skyline from Marsans Harbour at sunset
Bugibba from £272pp : three-star Topaz Hotel, B&B. East Midlands on August 11. Book on loveholidays.com.
San Anton from £969pp : five-star Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa, B&B. Gatwick on September 12. Book on prestigeholidays.co.uk or call 01425 480400.
Sliema from £589pp : four-star Waterfront Hotel, B&B. Birmingham on October 28. Book on jet2holidays.com.
Caribbean
© SANDALSA view of the pool at Sandals Ochi Beach Resort
Cuba from £845pp : three-star+ Memories Jibacoa in Playa Jibacoa, all-inclusive. Heathrow on September 7. Book on virginholidays.co.uk or call 0344 557 3859.
Jamaica from £1,449pp : five-star Sandals Ochi Beach Resort in Ocho Rios, all-inclusive. Heathrow on September 21. Book on sandals.co.uk or call 0800 597 0002.
Barbados from £1,199pp : four-star The SoCo Hotel in Hastings, all-inclusive. Heathrow on selected dates in September and October. Book on tropicalsky.co.uk or call 01342 310596.
Dominican Republic from £621pp : four-star Whala Bayahibe in La Romana, all-inclusive nine nights. Manchester on September 22. book on holidaypirates.com.
Barbados from £1,769pp : five-star Sandals Barbados in St Lawrence Gap, all-inclusive. Manchester on September 8. Book on sandals.co.uk or call 0800 597 0002.
Antigua from £799pp : three-star Hawksbill By Rex Resorts in Five Islands, all-inclusive. Gatwick between September 1-30. Book on ba.com/antigua.
Jamaica from £1,043pp : four-star Sunset Beach Resort, Spa and Waterpark in Montego Bay, all-inclusive. Heathrow on August 6. Book on loveholidays.com.
Grenada from £1,215pp : four-star+ Royalton Grenada in Tamarind Bay, all-inclusive. Heathrow on September 20. Book on virginholidays.co.uk or call 0344 557 3859.
Antigua from £799pp : four-star The Verandah Resort & Spa in Long Bay, all-inclusive. Arrive on October 8, flights extra. Book on eliteislandholidays.com or call 01245 459906.
Mexico
© GettyThe Mayan archaeological site of Tulum in Mexico with a beach on a sunny day
Riviera Maya from £835pp : five-star Grand Sunset Princess in Playa del Carmen, all-inclusive. Heathrow on October 4. Book on teletextholidays.co.uk or call 020 3001 1273.
Riviera Maya from £859pp : four-star+ Barcelo Maya Grand Resort in Puerto Aventuras, all-inclusive. Gatwick on selected dates in September. Book on ba.com/cancun.
Persian Gulf
Dubai from £459pp : five-star Canvas Hotel Dubai - Mgallery, room-only 11-nights. Heathrow on September 15. Book on holidaypirates.com.
Ras Al Khaimah from £487pp : five-star Doubletree By Hilton Resort & Spa Marjan Island, B&B. Gatwick on July 21. Book on southalltravel.co.uk or call 020 8705 0086.
Dubai from £564pp : five-star Dukes the Palm, a Royal Hideaway Hotel, B&B five nights. Manchester on July 1. Book on teletextholidays.co.uk or call 020 3001 1273.
Ras Al Khaimah from £539pp : four-star Doubletree by Hilton Ras Al Khaimah, B&B three nights. Heathrow on selected dates in September. Book on ba.com.
Dubai from £819pp : five-star Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, half-board five nights. Gatwick on selected dates in September. Book on travelbag.co.uk or call 020 3582 4703.
Indian Ocean
Maldives from £1,579pp : four-star Sun Siyam Olhuveli Beach & Spa Resort in South Male Atoll, all-inclusive eight nights. Heathrow on selected dates in September. Book on ba.com/maldives.
Sri Lanka from £928pp : four-star Centara Ceysands Resort & Spa in Bentota, half-board. Birmingham on July 7. Book on southalltravel.co.uk or call 020 8705 0086.
Mauritius from £958pp : four-star The Ravenala Attitude in Balaclava, half-board. Gatwick on September 14. Book on travelrepublic.com.
Maldives from £1,149pp : four-star Summer Islands Maldives in North Male Atoll, all-inclusive. Manchester on July 7. Book on holidaypirates.com.
Mauritius from £989pp : three-star Coin De Mire Attitude in Cap Malheureux, half-board. Gatwick on selected dates in September. Book on ba.com/mauritius.
Maldives from £1,439pp : four-star+ Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhi in Baa Atoll, all-inclusive. Gatwick on selected dates in September. Book on travelbag.co.uk or call 020 7001 4112.
Why a package holiday?
© iStockphotoBooking a package holiday brings extra peace of mind
We are still in uncertain times so I recommend booking package holidays from expert travel agents and tour operators for 2021.
This gives you the security of UK Civil Aviation Authority ATOL (Air Travel Organisers' Licensing) protection, which helps you if your travel company or airline goes bust.
You'll be covered for both a firm going under while you are away, or a failure before you travel.
Many tour operators also offer specific coronavirus cover if your holiday, or you, are affected.
If you prefer to book a DIY getaway, arranging your own flights and hotel separately, it's wise to pay on a credit card so you are covered for up to £30,000 under section 75 of the UK Consumer Credit Act, though this may not apply to bookings made via a third party.
Never travel abroad without a suitable travel insurance policy and it's definitely considering buying one with extra cover for Covid.
Vaccine passports
The earliest theoretical Government go-ahead for an international travel restart would be May 17, but I think mid to late June is more realistic.
Will you need some form of 'vaccine passport'? It's certainly looking on the cards, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen this week reported to be drawing up plans for an EU-wide 'Digital Green Pass'.
That could unlock getaways across the Continent for vaccinated and/or negatively tested EU citizens and Britain would no doubt look to sign up for it too.
Of course, safety must come first for travelling again and all the necessary precautions have to be in place, and we do need to be on top of virus variants both here in the UK and in holiday destinations.
Greece is set to the first country to launch its 2021 tourism reboot and welcome Brits this summer - and you can bet the likes of Spain and Turkey will be hot on their heels as they're desperate for some tourism income.
Is it time to start dreaming of that sunlounger by the pool in the sunshine? ???! Si! Evet!
Are you thinking of booking a trip abroad now for summer? Let us know in the comments below.