Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport will continue to limit passenger numbers in April and May due to staff shortages.Although restrictions will gradually ease from the end of March, departing flights will still be capped during the peak morning hours.Between 6am and 1pm every day, airlines will need to book five per cent fewer seats - meaning around 5,000 fewer passengers per day.The new rules will apply … [Read more...]
Venice’s famous canals are running dry due to low tides and lack of rainfall
Venice is famous for its winding network of canals.The waterways - which are navigated by thousands of water taxis and gondolas every day - offer a unique perspective on the city’s attractions.Between October and January, the city’s main concern is usually flooding. A few days each year the water levels rise and cover low parts of Venice like Saint Mark’s Square.But a combination of factors means … [Read more...]
Wizz Air, Ryanair and Lufthansa: These are the best and worst airlines in 2023
It has been a trying 12 months for airline passengers but some airlines have been more helpful through the chaos than others.Consumer body Which? asked 8,000 UK travellers to rate airlines based on a number of criteria like value for money, customer service and boarding experience. They used these experiences to predict what will be the best and worst carriers for 2023.After a year filled with … [Read more...]
Spanish airports: What are the new liquid and electronics rules coming into force from 2024?
Passengers at Spanish airports will soon be able to take more than 100ml of liquids in their hand luggage.From 2024, restrictions on liquids will be removed at some Spanish terminals, airport manager AENA has announced. Passengers will also be able to leave electronics in their luggage after new 3D X-ray technology is installed.For the first time in over a decade, people will no longer be left … [Read more...]
EU countries are lifting COVID testing requirements for travellers from China later this month
EU countries have agreed to phase out pre-departure COVID-19 testing for travellers from China by the end of the month.When China reopened its borders and eased its strict zero-COVID policies last month, the EU initially failed to agree on a unified approach to incoming tourists.As concerns mounted about China's suspected lack of transparent reporting on the virus, some countries ramped up their … [Read more...]
US airport security intercepted over 6,500 guns in 2022. Why are people flying with firearms?
American airport security intercepted more than 6,500 guns at last year - an all time record.US’s Transportation Security Administration seized around 18 firearms per day throughout 2022, confiscating 6,542 over the course of the year.The number reflects a wider trend towards increased gun ownership, TSA administrator David Pekoske said."What we see in our checkpoints really reflects what we're … [Read more...]
UK passport holders urgently warned to check expiry date before summer flights
Do you know when your passport expires?Brits should check their passport validity before heading to Europe this spring and summer as travel documentation rules have shifted since Brexit.Here’s everything you need to know about the new rules - and whether or not you can still use your current passport.What are the passport rules for Brits travelling to Europe?You might assume that your passport is … [Read more...]
Machu Picchu: Inca citadel reopens to tourists after month of civil unrest
The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu has reopened to visitors, three weeks after anti-government demonstrations forced it to close.Hidden high in the Andes, the UNESCO world heritage site is usually filled with thousands of daily visitors.But for 25 days, the historic ruins have been all but empty.Last month, protests over Peru’s new president blocked key access routes to the site. Demonstrations are … [Read more...]
What are ‘golden visas’ and which EU countries hand them out?
Getting the right to live and work in another country can be a long and difficult process. But that’s not always the case for those with money to spend.Golden visas offer the opportunity for wealthy people to essentially ‘buy’ the right to residency - sometimes without even having to live in the country.And their popularity in the European Union is growing as people look to move away from … [Read more...]
EU Blue Cards: Are you eligible for this work permit and how can you apply?
If you are a non-EU citizen looking to relocate to a country in the European Union, an EU Blue Card could help the transition.The Blue Card scheme is a lesser-known option when it comes to moving abroad for work.The benefits vary between countries, but it essentially works as a residence and work permit.Here’s what you need to know about whether you are eligible for the card and how to apply.What … [Read more...]
This European city is making public transport free for citizens from December
Montpellier in southern France is set to introduce free public transport.It will become the largest French metropolis to introduce such a scheme.From 21 December 2023, local residents will be able to utilise a free transport pass across the city’s bus and tram network. The scheme aims to slash emissions, reduce pollution and improve accessibility for the city’s residents.“By introducing free … [Read more...]
Flight-free travel: The best new European train routes launching in 2023 and 2024
As flight-free travel gains momentum, European train journeys are experiencing a renaissance.Changing the way you travel is one the best ways to reduce your carbon footprint. As an example, flying from London to Paris emits 14 times more CO2 than travelling by train.Luckily, countries across the EU are investing in railways that provide better - and faster - connections than ever before.From … [Read more...]
What are ‘golden visas’ and why are they a threat to the EU?
Getting the right to live and work in another country can be a long and difficult process. But that’s not always the case for those with money to spend.Golden visas offer the opportunity for wealthy people to essentially ‘buy’ the right to residency - sometimes without even having to live in the country.And their popularity in the European Union is growing as people look to move away from … [Read more...]
Amsterdam to ban cannabis smoking in public to curb ‘grim’ tourist behaviour
Smoking weed on the streets of Amsterdam's inner city will soon be banned, the city’s council has announced.The destination has long been known for cannabis but local residents have complained that overtourism is making the centre of the city unlivable. More than 18 million travellers visited Amsterdam last year.“Residents of the old town suffer a lot from mass tourism and alcohol and drug abuse … [Read more...]
Lufthansa: IT failure causes cancellations and delays for thousands of passengers
Thousands of air passengers are currently stranded across Europe. An IT fault at Germany's flagship carrier Lufthansa has caused flight delays and disruption on all the airlines they own."There is a group-wide IT system failure," a Lufthansa spokesperson told Reuters news agency.Photos and videos from several airports across Germany show chaos, with thousands of stranded passengers awaiting news. … [Read more...]
Angkor Wat: Cambodian villagers face eviction as part of plan to protect famous heritage site
Chan Vichet lives and works just 500 metres from the Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia. He has been here for seven years, drawing inspiration from the surroundings to create paintings he sells to tourists.But soon the artist and 10,000 other families will have to leave the UNESCO World Heritage Site."Since I heard about the relocation plan, I feel numb," said 48-year-old Chan."I'm struggling to … [Read more...]
Easter travel chaos could hit Heathrow after Border Force strikes in February and March
Strikes at UK airports and ports are set to impact travellers in February, March and April.Half-term holidaymakers could face disruption when returning home between 17-20 February as UK Border Force go on strike. A further walkout is planned for 15 March, which is set to involve around 100,000 civil service workers, including Border Force staff at airports. More than 2,000 flights … [Read more...]
Hong Kong is giving away 500,000 free airline tickets. Here's when they'll be available to Europeans
Hong Kong is giving away 500,000 airline tickets in an effort to woo tourists back to the region.The tickets will be released in stages from March and will be available to Europeans from May onwards.The city has rolled back COVID travel restrictions in recent months including mandatory isolation on arrival. Travel to mainland China has recently been made seamless.Now it is hoping to bounce back … [Read more...]
Greener, faster, more accessible: A sneak peek inside France’s new generation of TGV trains
TGV’s new high speed, low carbon train is preparing for its 2024 launch far from the passengers it will serve.After unveiling the ‘TGV of the future’ late last year, French train manufacturer Alstom has begun testing the TGV M - also known as the Avelia Horizon - on a circuit in the Czech Republic.The double-decker train has 740 seats, up from TGV’s current maximum of 634 - a 20 per cent increase … [Read more...]
‘Unspeakable botch’: Spain spends €258 million on trains that are too big for its tunnels
Spain has spent €258 million on trains that are too big to pass through its rail network’s tunnels.Since the blunder was exposed by local newspaper El Comercio late last month, two transport bosses have been fired.The 31 commuter trains were ordered by Renfe in 2020. They are set to replace an ageing fleet in the poorly connected northern autonomous regions of Asturias and Cantabria.Originally … [Read more...]