Got any plans for summer 2024 yet? The organisers of the Paris Olympics are looking for 45,000 volunteers to help host the Games.The search is open to people all over the world; you just need to speak English or French and be available for 10 days during the Olympics or Paralympics.You won’t be paid for your time, but it’s a chance to see behind the scenes of the world’s biggest sporting event, … [Read more...]
German unions call for widespread transport strike on Monday
German unions are calling on thousands of workers across the country's transport system to stage a one-day strike on Monday that is expected to bring widespread disruption to planes, trains and local transit.The Verdi service workers' union and the EVG union, which represents many railway workers, announced the 24-hour walkout in a joint appearance on Thursday that come as employees in many … [Read more...]
British Airways, American Airlines, Finnair: The Easter flights that could be hit by Heathrow strike
Security guards at London’s Heathrow Airport are going on strike over the Easter holidays.The workers at Terminal 5, the main portal for British Airways, will be walking out for 10 days from 31 March in a dispute over pay.It is the outcome of a ballot by Unite workers, who last week voted to reject the airport’s offer of a 10 per cent pay increase. After years of pay freezes and pay cuts, and with … [Read more...]
Italy, Greece, Spain: The latest COVID rules if you test positive while travelling in Europe
The days of frantically hoping your COVID test would be negative some 48 or 24 hours before your flight or train are luckily behind us. But the worry you'll catch the virus is still very present as no one wants to spend their holiday feeling unwell.There are now no COVID-19 entry restrictions for Europeans in any country in Europe but the rules on what to do if you catch COVID whilst abroad … [Read more...]
Pantheon: You will soon have to pay to enter Rome's best preserved ancient monument
Tourists in Rome visiting the Pantheon will soon be charged a five euro entry fee under an agreement signed Thursday by Italian culture ministry and church officials.Built in the first century BC, the impressive domed temple is Italy's most popular cultural site and attracts millions of visitors every year. It was transformed into a Catholic church in 609AD, renamed the Basilica of St. Mary … [Read more...]
What is sleep tourism? The hotels offering pillow menus and a sleep concierge
Travelling halfway across the world and shelling out on an expensive hotel might seem overindulgent for a good night’s sleep.But studies have found the pandemic and lockdowns led to a rise in sleep disturbances so it’s no wonder people are looking to stabilise their circadian rhythms.This year, ‘sleep tourism’ is trending as travellers increasingly focus their holidays on getting some quality shut … [Read more...]
Lumo, Ouigo, Avlo: These budget European rail providers are competing with cheap airlines
Plenty of eco-conscious travellers feel the pangs of flight shame - but still struggle to resist ultra cheap flights.According to a 2021 study by UK consumer group Which?, trains emit six times fewer emissions than planes on popular routes, but are 49 per cent more expensive.This pricing edge - sustained by billions of euros in government subsidies - keeps planes in the sky.But the tide is … [Read more...]
‘Lufthansa is back’ says airline. But after IT failure and ongoing strikes, what’s the full picture?
The beginning of 2023 has been turbulent for Germany’s Lufthansa Group.In February, it was hit by a catastrophic IT failure that caused widespread flight cancellations across the six airlines it owns. Construction work damaged telecoms cables in Frankfurt which led to the collapse of the company’s network.Just days after, ongoing strike action at airports across Germany led to thousands more … [Read more...]
Free train travel: New EU scheme encourages young people to travel with 35,000 free tickets
The EU is giving away 35,000 free rail passes to young people.Dubbed DiscoverEU, the scheme is part of the Erasmus programme and aims to nurture cultural connections in the European Union. It will offer 18-year-olds the chance to explore Europe’s heritage and history while meeting people from across the continent.Here’s who’s eligible and how to apply.DiscoverEU: How to apply for a free EU rail … [Read more...]
Bali is banning tourists from renting motorbikes to crack down on bad behaviour
The Indonesian island of Bali is banning tourists from renting motorbikes.The new rules - part of a crackdown on antisocial behaviour - come after a series of traffic offences by foreigners.Visitors will be encouraged to rent cars instead." As tourists, [you should] act as tourists,” Governor I Wayan Koster said.“[This means] using the vehicles prepared by travel agents, instead of roaming around … [Read more...]
Easter travel chaos could hit Heathrow after Border Force strikes in March
Strikes at UK airports and ports are set to impact travellers in March and April.After striking over February half-term, UK Border Force are again walking out on 15 March.Although the UK government aims to minimise disruption, it warns that those travelling on the 15th and early the next day should be prepared to face longer wait times at UK border control.As with last year's strikes, government … [Read more...]
Cyprus digital nomad visa: Who can apply, how much it costs and how long you’ll be allowed to stay
Sick of the office? Cyprus has launched a digital nomad visa scheme.The sunny island is one of the latest countries to capitalise on the increase in remote working since the pandemic began.Open to non-EU nationals, the visa launched in 2021 with a cap of 100 nomads.In 2022, the Cypriot government increased this ceiling to 500 visas.So if beaches, Mediterranean weather and ancient history appeal, … [Read more...]
China is reopening to foreign tourists this month: Here's everything you need to know
China will reopen its borders to tourists and resume issuing all visas on Wednesday 15 March 2023. It is one of the last major countries to reopen its borders to tourists following three years of COVID-19 restrictions. The announcement Tuesday came after it declared a “decisive victory” over the virus in February.The country will resume issuing all types of visas will from Wednesday. … [Read more...]
Fines, prison and airport checks: European penalties for taking your kids out of school for holidays
As the cost of living crisis bites, a controversial trend is emerging: parents taking their kids out of school to take advantage of low season rates.“There’s definitely a trend of parents willing to face the wrath of schools to get the better deal,” says Liz Mathews, general manager at Flight Centre UK.After surveying parents on the phenomenon, the travel agent found that 67 per cent were … [Read more...]
What is the ETA? Everything we know so far about the UK's new digital border scheme
Visitors from Europe, Australia, the US and Canada will soon be required to apply for permission to enter the UK. Known as Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), the Home Office intends to introduce the scheme by the end of 2023. The system is part of the UK's plan to fully digitise its borders by 2025. Here's everything we know so far. How do I apply for an ETA to enter the … [Read more...]
Want to retire abroad? Here are Europe's best countries for healthcare, happiness and long life
With the current cost of living crisis, more people than ever are looking for alternative living arrangements.But relocating isn’t just for digital nomads temporarily picking up to move to sunny countries during winter.Searches for the “best country to retire to from the UK” rose by more than 90 per cent last year. It shows there is an increasing desire for older people to move in search of a … [Read more...]
Where are Europe’s best airports? Passenger survey reveals some surprising results
Tallinn, Belgrade, Budapest and Athens are home to some of Europe’s best airports, a new survey reveals.Since 2006, Airports Council International has been surveying passengers on their experiences at almost 400 airports in 95 countries. The results are shared in the annual ASQ (Airport Service Quality) Awards.Here’s how Europe’s airports shaped up in the recently released 2022 rankings.How do the … [Read more...]
Cheap but risky: Why Americans are travelling to Mexico for health care
This week, sombre news came of the deaths of two Americans who had travelled with two other companions to Mexico in search of health care.The four were headed to Matamoros, once a popular spring break destination but now overrun with violence from cartel infighting.The group were caught in a deadly shootout shortly after entering the city and kidnapped by armed men. Two died during the incident, … [Read more...]
Is it safe to travel to Mexico? Two Americans murdered on medical tourism trip
This week, sombre news came of the deaths of two Americans who had travelled with two other companions to Mexico in search of health care.The four were headed to Matamoros, once a popular spring break destination but now overrun with violence from cartel infighting.The group were caught in a deadly shootout shortly after entering the city and kidnapped by armed men. Two died during the incident, … [Read more...]
Updated: Where are airport and transport strikes happening between now and Easter?
After strikes caused disruption during the February school holidays, more industrial action is planned by transport workers in the run-up to Easter.Travellers could face disruption in Spain, France and the UK between now and the busy holiday period.Where and when are walkouts taking place?Strikes at 17 Spanish airportsSome of Spain’s busiest airports are facing strikes by unionised workers at … [Read more...]