Airlines have been put on alert after a massive volcanic eruption on Russia’s remote Kamchatka Peninsula.Shiveluch - one of the country’s most active volcanoes - started erupting at around midnight on Tuesday.Within six hours, it had sent a 10km high ash plume into the sky and developed a 108,000 square km ash cloud.The violent eruption carpeted nearby villages with 10 centimetres of ash.If you’re … [Read more...]
Where in Europe are people flying less – and what's the one country where flights are surging?
The number of people taking domestic flights is dropping across Europe as travellers opt for more sustainable options.‘Flight shame’ seems to be working - at least for short-haul trips within a country’s borders.According to new Eurocontrol data, 38 per cent fewer domestic flights took off in Germany in 2022 than in 2019.In Lithuania and Finland, such trips declined by 38 per cent and 35 per cent … [Read more...]
Visa-free EU travel could be on the horizon for Turkey after next month’s election
Turkish opposition leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has promised visa-free travel in the Schengen Area if he comes to power on 14 May.Turkey’s upcoming election will decide whether to keep long-time President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who has led the country for two decades.Kılıçdaroğlu is the unity leader for six opposition parties including secularists, nationalists, conservatives and liberals.In a recent … [Read more...]
Work remotely in one of the cheapest countries in the world: Colombia launches a digital nomad visa
As the popularity of remote working grows, Colombia is one of the latest countries looking to attract visitors with a new digital nomad visa.Its visa scheme opened to applications last month and now the country is hoping to highlight the benefits of moving there.Colombia was named one of the cheapest places to live in 2023 in a recent ranking by International Living magazine. In Bogata, six … [Read more...]
Brits will get paid to move to this sunny Spanish town, but there’s a catch
A town in Spain is luring Brits to move there with cash incentives - great news for anyone mulling a move to the country.Ponga, a town and municipality in northwest Spain, says it will pay £2,600 (€2,971) to each person who chooses to relocate there.The scheme aims to bolster the local economy, like many similar initiatives launched in rural Italian towns and villages.So what’s the catch?Get paid … [Read more...]
Equatorial Guinea, Tanzania: What is the Marburg virus and how can travellers protect themselves?
Travellers to Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea have been warned to check themselves for symptoms of a deadly virus.The Marburg virus - which has a fatality rate up to 88 per cent - is a highly infectious viral haemorrhagic fever, meaning it affects multiple organ systems at once. It can cause bleeding in these organs, impeding the body’s ability to function.Outbreaks have been confirmed in … [Read more...]
This South African city is pinning tourism hopes on growing cruise market
The global cruise tourism market is expected to be worth an estimated $17.4 billion (€15.9 billion) by 2032, and Durban, a scenic seaside city on South Africa’s eastern coast is keen to get in on the action.Part of the wider province of KwaZulu Natal, Durban Tourism estimates that 1.2 million tourists will visit the city this April, which is the start of high season in the region. To … [Read more...]
French pension protest warning: Where in Europe are travel strikes happening over Easter?
Europe is a hive of strike action right now, with many employees unhappy that sky-high inflation has not been matched by higher wages.Walkouts are planned all over Europe, showing that it always pay to check before you travel.Luckily, we have gathered all of the strike information together below.Read on to find out where and when are walkouts taking place.If your flight or train is cancelled or … [Read more...]
Visiting Pompeii will be easier thanks to a new high-speed train line from Rome
Travellers to Italy’s capital will soon be able to visit the ancient city of Pompeii in an easy day trip.The Italian government has announced it will add a new high speed train link from Rome to the archeological park near Naples.Culture minister Gennaro Sangiuliano said the €35 million project will offer a much faster and simpler way for visitors to reach the tourist attraction.The train route … [Read more...]
‘Deutschland-Ticket’: Germany's monthly €49 ticket for trains, buses and trams is now on sale
On Monday 3 April, Germany's monthly €49 nationwide public transport ticket went on sale.The ticket will be valid on local and regional transport throughout the country from 1 May. Customers can now pre-purchase the 'Deutschland-Ticket' or 'D-Ticket' on Deutsche Bahn's website and app, and from transport companies across Germany. It is available as a digital subscription that can be … [Read more...]
Germany's new visa is aimed at foreign workers: When will it launch and who’s eligible?
The German cabinet has approved plans to attract skilled workers from outside the EU.By reforming its immigration legislation, the country hopes to make it easier for third country nationals to work in Germany.The reforms to the Skilled Immigration Act particularly focus on workers with vocational, non-academic training. Existing rules for qualified professionals with university degrees will … [Read more...]
From Italy to Romania: The best European destinations for a spring hike
After a mild yet miserable winter spent hiding indoors, many Europeans are craving some quality time in nature.Hiking is the perfect way to enjoy the spring fresh air, keep fit and admire some gorgeous scenery. But with so many epic locations in Europe, how can you choose where to stretch your legs?To help you out, we've compiled some of the best hiking destinations in Europe - a mix of our … [Read more...]
Sweden rebuked for 'backwards' climate policy despite wind power record
A ‘single European sky’ could slash emissions and reduce delays, the aviation industry says.But what is it - and just how effective and green would it really be?At the Airlines for Europe (A4E) summit on Wednesday, Ryanair, Easyjet, Lufthansa and British Airways owner IAG called on the EU to implement airspace reform.Single European Sky (SES) legislation would streamline the continent’s fragmented … [Read more...]
It will soon be easier for foreign workers to move to Denmark. Here’s which jobs need filling
If you’ve always wanted to move to Europe, there’s never been a better time. Labour shortages across the continent are making it easier to snap up a job as a non-EU worker.Denmark is the latest country to loosen its immigration rules in a bid to attract international talent.By lowering minimum salary requirements, expanding its work permit fast-track scheme, and opening up more jobs to foreigners, … [Read more...]
Pension protests: Here’s everything you need to know about travelling to France right now
Paris is a classic springtime destination.But this capital city, along with the rest of France, is currently seeing protests and strikes over an increase in retirement age. Rubbish has piled up on the streets of Paris, flights have been cancelled and public transport heavily disrupted.So what does this mean for anyone planning to visit the country in the coming weeks?Here’s everything you need to … [Read more...]
See Amsterdam's newest campaign urging drunken British tourists to 'stay away'
Planning a messy trip to Amsterdam? Think again, because the Dutch capital will not be welcomingThe famous European city has launched a new campaign discouraging British party tourism.Amsterdam draws around 20 million tourists a year - many of whom are drawn by the city’s liberal drug laws and well-known ‘redlight district’.But locals are fed up with these badly behaved visitors. The new ‘stay … [Read more...]
Rio’s iconic Sugarloaf Mountain is gaining a new tourist attraction but locals aren't happy about it
Flying down a 755-metre zip wire above Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Sugarloaf Mountain could attract adrenaline-lovers from across the world.But locals are not so keen.Hundreds of protesters gathered beneath Rio's world-famous hotspot on Sunday to protest the ongoing construction of four ziplines aimed at boosting tourism.What are the plans for Rio’s zipline project?Rio plans to install four steel … [Read more...]
Heathrow strikes: British Airways to cancel 32 flights a day during Easter holidays
Strike action will force British Airways to cancel around 32 Heathrow airport flights per day during the Easter holidays.More than 1,400 Security guards at the UK's busiest 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.BA will reduce its schedule by five per … [Read more...]
'Mega strike' in Germany: Flights, trains and buses cancelled during mass walkout on Monday
Germany awoke to widespread travel chaos on Monday, after two of the country's biggest transport unions called a nationwide strike. It is the biggest strike the country has seen in 30 years.The Verdi service workers' union and the EVG union, which represents many rail workers, announced the walkout.It is rare for unions to join forces like this in Germany. The mass strike follows a series of … [Read more...]
Flying into Croatia just got easier: Air border controls dropped for Schengen zone countries
Croatia has dropped its air border controls for travel to and from Schengen Area countries. After joining Europe's passport-free travel zone at the start of this year, the country's internal land and sea borders were abolished on 1 January 2023. However, its air borders remained in place until 26 March.Now, passengers flying between Croatia other countries within the borderless travel zone … [Read more...]