Let’s get away in May: The top holiday hotspots!
Book now! Flight prices fall in time for summer
WHILE you were sleeping we were heading to the airport. We’re on a super early flight from Gatwick to Bordeaux, which btw means on the border of water aka the land of castles and red wine. We won’t land in time for a breakfast of oysters and Champagne but we will be there for a vin rouge lunch. On the very empty BA plane we conduct a highly scientific survey of the main types of wine we drink. The embargoed results – just released – are thus: 30 per cent red, 10 per cent white, 30 rose and 30 per cent fizz. We also like sangria, a spritz, Kir royale, a calimocho, and a mulled wine in the winter months. Heck, maybe we need a new poll? We’ll think about it on the trip back. Shhhhh now, it’s time for sleepies before we land. While we rest, here’s this month’s travel headlines. Santé mes amis!
START THE JOURNEY!
Top of the list: Jet2 signalled that holiday prices are slowly starting to fall especially for trips in May. The holiday operator said more than half (55 per cent) of its tickets and package holidays had already sold out. Analyst Russ Mould, at AJ Bell, said: “This could be a sign that the pricing power enjoyed by the sector, with people prepared to pay whatever it takes to get their week in the sun, is starting to ease.” The Manchester Evening News has the full story.
Next up: British Airways is often cheaper than budget airlines Which? declared. They did some maffs and found out that on flights from London to Malaga, Athens and Naples, BA was cheaper than Ryanair and Wizz Air flying to two of the three cities. To Naples, BA was cheapest and to Malaga easyJet was cheapest followed by BA. To Athens, Jet2 had the best price. All this happens because of add-ons where a passenger books a flight but then pays more if they want extra baggage and to choose a seat. In diva-like fashion Ryanair cried “fake news”, while Wizz Air and easyJet said the extras weren’t required to fly. Good point. The first rule of travel is to check, check, and check the prices of different airlines. Bon voyage!
Still not ready: The EU’s border checks and visa scheme for Britons has been pushed back again to 2025. The high-tech biometric screening Entry/Exit System (EES) was due to be rolled out last year. That was postponed until after the Paris Olympics in October but has been put back again. This time the delay has been put down to app issues and delays in getting the infrastructure installed at every airport in Europe so they alll go live at once. When it is finally launched, huge queues are feared at borders because every British traveller will need to have their photo and four sets of fingerprints taken, plus they’ll need their visa checked and to answer border control questions on where they are staying and for how long.
Stop the phones: The Sun had a scoop that thousands of flights had been attacked by “Russian jamming” said the front page. This is when radio signals are so strong they drown out the GPS location of a plane, and it doesn’t know where it is risking its safety. However the Civil Aviation Authority jumped into clarify that “GPS jamming does not directly impact the navigation of an aircraft and while it is a known issue, this does not mean an aircraft has been jammed deliberately.” They also said it can be a by-product of military activity rather than deliberate attack on an aircraft.
On that note: A Mail on Sunday investigation revealed eco activists are continuing with plans to disrupt planes this summer. They are planning on getting jobs at airports, with Heathrow top of the list, which enables them to work airside so they can storm runways and cause havoc preventing planes from taking off. The wider plan is to cause disruption across Europe and work with eco groups in Norway, Denmark, Italy, New Zealand, Canada, Austria, and Switzerland.
All at sea: Stockholm is a capital city of 14 islands built around Lake Mälaren. For a whistle-stop run down, the city is divided into neighbourhoods, and Gamla stan is its 13th century medieval heart made up of three islands: Stadsholmen, Riddarholmen and Helgeandsholmen. Here you’ll find the Royal Palace, Parliament Building, The Prime Minister’s home, Sager House, and City Hall where they feast after the Nobel Prizes have been handed out. You’ll also come across the Rune stone carving, the narrowest street, Mårten Trotzigs gränd, and the tiny statue Järnpojke or Iron Boy. Finish on Plaza Stortorget filled with its mustard-coloured buildings that are the backdrop to many holiday snaps. It’s filled with cafes and people sitting out on the pavement. Even though this is northern Europe, the Swedish capital can get super hot in July. With the sun beating down, it’s Scandi eye-candy. Oooh, hot dogs!
Have you seen our pictures: Our fantastic travel photos, which capture some of our favourite destinations around the world, are now available for sale on Alamy. Woohoo!
Go away: Venice finally introduced its €5 (£4.30) tourist tax for day-trippers in April to deal with overtourism. It’s the first city in the world to charge an entrance fee. Locals said it made them feel they were living in a theme park. Authorities hope the fee will help reduce tourist numbers on busy days but most admit €5 won’t put anyone off. For now the charge is on trial, only on peak weekends until the end of July.
Pub of the week: Taylor Swift fans have been busy buying beer in a south London pub the pop star went to when she was with ex-boyfriend actor Joe Alwyn. It’s name checked on the track The Black Dog on her latest album The Tortured Poets Department. The song refers to “some bar called The Black Dog”, and that “some bar” happens to be Vauxhall. Fancy a swift one? (We stole that off X!) cos’ it’s been packed ever since, with security added and it’s booked out when her Eras tour hits the UK in August. The Guardian has more.
Destination 2024: Albania? That’s so 2023. This year’s bargain getaway is the Amalfi Coast! Yep, you read that right. According to the experts at Which? Italy’s glittering blue coastline is one of the surprisingly best options for a cheap package summer break, after they analysed 4,500 different holidays. They found that across 15 European countries, the typically expensive destinations came out cheaper than traditionally low-cost hotspots Bulgaria and Turkey, which didn’t even make the top 10. The Amalfi Coast, took sixth place, and cost just under £1,000 at £977. The Greek Island Kalymnos came in first place costing on average £847. The researchers put this anomaly down to there being a wider choice of package holidays (which includes the flight and accommodation) available from full board to b&bs, plus there are tons of budget flights which keep costs down. Which? has the full list. They warn to stay clear of the south of France where the average price for seven days in the sun is £1,637. Scorchio!
On a mission: Step forward the Civil Aviation Authority. It is fighting for greater powers to fine airlines when flights have been delayed or cancelled. Speaking to the government at the Commons’ transport select committee, Anna Bowles, from the CAA, said they struggle to get airlines to pay out and when they do, it takes too long. She added: “Fining powers, I think, would be helpful and also provide a disincentive to behave in certain ways.” Let’s hope they make good on this.
The flame has been lit: Paris is officially getting ready for the Olympics, which start on Friday 26th July. Due to security risks, tickets for the opening ceremony are no longer available to the general public. But 250,000 tickets for events have been released at paris2024.org. Of course, soon after, the website crashed. If you get on and don’t fancy heading to Paris, there will be basketball and football held in other cities including Lille, Bordeaux, Lyon, Nice, Nantes and Marseille. To avoid high hotel prices Mail+ ran through a list of day trip options. The cheapest fare on Eurostar they found was a £213 day return. Then there’s flying with easyjet.com from Gatwick costing from £106.40. A return crossing from Dover to Calais on P&O Ferries was £163, and it’ll be around £200 to use the Channel Tunnel. Their advice is book as soon as possible as everything is selling out fast.
Sunshine emoji: Dangling 262ft (80m) high, we focus on not being scared and keeping my arms back. One of Europe’s longest zip lines in Croatia, “Beware of the Bear,” promises thrills. Nervous yet intrigued, we launch, taking in the stunning Lika region below. The zip line’s two-mile journey offers breathtaking views and an adrenaline rush. Sasa, the guide, envisions more adventures for the area. Landing safely, we toast with rakia and reflect on the exhilarating experience. The next day, we explore Plitvice Lakes National Park, a photographer’s dream. Cascading waterfalls and vibrant lakes captivate, reminding us of nature’s wonders. Why did no one tell us Croatia’s so beautiful? Get the lowdown.
What is Špica? The Croatians gave the world the tie, the fountain pen, and Dalmatian dogs – now, they present Špica, originating with a simple cup of coffee. Zagreb, the capital, embraces European coffeehouse culture without Starbucks or Costa Coffee. Špica, a Saturday morning tradition evolved over two centuries, transforms streets into catwalks. Clad in their finest, locals gather for coffee, reminiscent of Friday night cocktails. Špica epitomises Croatian values of family, friends, and fashion. Flower Square and Ban Josip Jelačić Main Square host this phenomenon from 10am to 3pm. Zagreb boasts more than 200 independently owned coffee shops, from cozy bars to open-air cafes. This glamorous ritual, dating back to the 19th century, encourages savouring coffee over two leisurely hours, while watching the fashion show walk past. Here’s where to find it.
Pitching in: The Lake District is the camping experience of dreams, having taken the No1 spot for pitching a tent in the UK. The poll of 750 campers by OnePoll.com put Cornwall in second place, the Scottish Highlands third, the Peak District, fourth, and Devon fifth. They also said camping is more fun in the countryside than on the coast, and better in the summer than the winter. The Daily Record has more.
While you were waiting for a train: More services could soon be arriving on our station platforms as the government is in talks to increase the number of open access trains. These are a new type of service run by companies that don’t work on the traditional model of being paid fees by the government to operate. Instead they take all the risk. If passengers don’t book, they’ll go bust. Rail minister Huw Merriman said that open access services “give more choice to customers”, adding: “There’s no industrial action on open access operators.” Others say, don’t believe the hype as new services could impact the running times of current trains and overall could end up with passengers paying more if custom is taken away from mainline operators. PA Media has the detail.
Whisk off to the airport: From May, Heathrow is hosting a Whisky Festival, which is the holidaymaker’s favourite spirit. In 2023, 70 per cent of all spirits sold were whisky – that’s three bottles a minute. Gin and Cognac were second and third. Expect experts, tastings and whisky-based foods. Be warned though, if you are flying, you can only take 100ml through security. Heathrow airport added: “Heathrow reminds passengers to always drink responsibly when travelling. Liquor purchased in World Duty Free stores should not be consumed in the airport.” Warming words. Here are Chalkmarks top tartan treats.
Here’s Prince Harry: The Duke of California has told the travel industry it must do better to protect communities. Speaking at a conference for Travalyst, which he set up in 2019, he said: “Travel and tourism relies on destinations, held together by communities, without which we have nowhere to travel to. Communities are the beating heart of travel and we must do better by the people who are the custodians of the places we visit.” There was no response from the industry. Reuters has the news.
Heating up: News just in regarding where to travel in May. The experts at Which? have checked the weather forecasts and chosen the Lake District (13C), Champagne, France (18C), Sicily, Italy (21C), Memphis, US (27C), Tbilisi, Georgia (23C), and Bali, Indonesia (30C).
More of this: Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean and the biggest region in Italy. It’s home to many of Europe’s volcanoes – Etna being the biggest, Vulcano the stinkiest and Stromboli one of the most active on earth. The Valley of the Temples is older than the Acropolis in Athens. The Aeolian islands are outrageously stunning but so few tourists make it there. And if all this is not enough, Palermo has the best pizza on the planet and in Catania they eat ice (granita) for breakfast. Irresistible! Watch this to find out where to start.
Postcard from Bali: We write to you watching a volcano erupting on Bali. We’re on Gili Trawangan (better known as Gili T), which is the next island along, sitting on a sandy beach looking across at the smoking gun of Mount Agung. The weather is gorgeous. It’s early December and the sun is beating down. The Indian Ocean dazzles pale blue and the water’s so shallow you can walk for half a mile and it still doesn’t reach your knees. Behind us, wild palm trees blow in the breeze and the bars and restaurants are playing music. Beyond that there’s the sound of hoofs and bells from the horse-drawn carriages – the only transport on the island. We look at Agung. It looks at us. It could go bang any second now. A volcano won’t spoil our holiday. It’s gonna be a blast. Wish you were here.
Now this: Gatwick has been named the worst airport for flight delays – on average they ran 27 minutes late in 2023, according to the Civil Aviation Authority. The airport said it was working to improve its performance. Luton Airport came second (23 minutes late) and Manchester Airport third (22 minutes late). But, a flight has to be at least 2 hours delayed before any compensation kicks in. PA Media broke the news.
Over at air traffic control: Remember how the National Air Traffic Service (Nats) sparked out last August Bank Holiday leaving planes grounded and airline bosses very angry they had to pay out millions in hotels and meals for passengers? Well, Nats now has a new chairman – the former boss of Rolls-Royce will start later in the year. Wonder what he’ll do first? The FT has more.
Have you seen our pictures: Our fantastic travel photos, which capture some of our favourite destinations around the world, are now available for sale on Alamy. Woohoo!
Disgusting but amazing: Those were the two words from boss of the world’s first factory that will turn poo into jet fuel. The green energy plant is due to open in Harwich, Essex, and will start pumping out fuel by 2028. Firefly boss James Hygate told the BBC: “We’re turning sewage into jet fuel. I can’t really think of many things that are cooler than that.” Apparently there’s enough biosolids in the UK to satisfy half the demand for biofuel by 2030. Best not ask too many more questions tbh!
Hell is Brits abroad: It was March last year when Amsterdam told holiday-hungry Britons to “Stay away”. They were tired of the boozing and partying. This year it’s Tenerife telling sun-seeking Britons to “Fuera” – get out! Over Easter, holidaymakers arrived to graffiti that read “tourists go home”. Locals are tired of their cheap, beer-drinking antics. It has been trending on X, and tbh the row’s been going on all month. Some have said they would boycott the Canary Island, others have said they’ll be booking a holiday asap, and a very few have said it’s time to reflect how some Britons behave abroad. Good Morning Britain had a debate on the issue. Not so long ago Chalkmarks was told that Britons had thrown off their drunken “cheap and cheerful” image. Here’s what tourist boards had to say.
We’ve done it: We’ve come back to Tenerife but we have grown up. We’re not in one of those 18-to-30s-resorts where young Britons enjoy the sun, sea, fry-ups and Irish pubs. We have been there, and done that. In fact I thought the whole place was one big Spanish party island but all that noise is tucked away in a very small corner in the south. In the north, in the capital Santa Cruz, this is the place to be hot but lazy. It’s a whole different island, far away from the busy beaches, bars and sunburned punters. If we’d felt nostalgic for a foam party, dancing till sunrise and downing shots, we could have nipped into nearby Puerto de la Cruz for a dizzying all-nighter. Instead we did this!
By royal invitation: King Charles has opened up Balmoral Castle to tourists for the first time in its 170-year history. From 1st July to 4th August the royal home in Aberdeenshire will be open for an interior tour with afternoon tea. Tickets are limited to just 40 a day – and despite costing £100-£150 they are almost sold out. PA Media has all the details.
Scottish power: The Balmoral estate, built on a bend beside the River Dee and surrounded by pine trees, was the Queen’s holiday home and where she died on Thursday 8th September 2022. Built from white granite, the castle in Aberdeenshire was also a favourite of her great-grandmother Queen Victoria. Known for its rugged picture postcard Scottish landscape, it is where the late-Queen spent every summer since 1952. Her granddaughter, Princess Eugenie, once said: “I think Granny is the most happy there, I think she really, really loves the Highlands… walks, picnics, dogs, a lot of dogs, there’s always dogs.”
Behind the curtain: It was usually in August, the late-Queen would move up to Balmoral Castle for summer. She would then move on to Sandringham, Norfolk, to spend Christmas. Former press secretary at Buckingham Palace, Dickie Arbiter, gave some tips on what visitors should look out for on X. ‘For the keen observer keep a look out for fishing rods, wellies, door stops and lots of tartan in what must be the ultimate Balmoral experience,’ he wrote.
Yoohoo: Down here! At the opposite end of the county in London, Buckingham Palace was not to be out done. The royal London residence announced it would open the balcony room to tour groups for the first time. This is where the royals wait before stepping out to wave at the crowds in the Mall. PA Media broke the news.
At risk: The great English countryside could soon be off limits to walkers due to funding issues. The 10 national parks have warned they are running out of money to maintain footpaths, signposts and visitor centres, even wildlife habitats, after their budgets were frozen. From the South Downs up to the Lakes and over to the Peak District, cut backs have already been made. Nick Hall, from charity Campaign for National Parks told The Times “the funding squeeze is getting even more urgent”.
Blown away: There’s a cloud handing over tourism bosses, it’s called the BBC weather app. It displays one weather symbol for the whole day based on the gloomiest outcome – even though it might be bright and sunny with a teeny tiny, outside chance of rain… very late in the evening. Gill Haigh, of Cumbria Tourism, said it puts visitors off who might have wanted to get out to Windermere for the day. She told the Times: “Businesses can be frustrated when the headline symbol looks like it’s going to rain while they’re waiting in good weather to welcome customers, and people aren’t coming because the weather symbol has indicated a more pessimistic picture than the reality”. Ah, spoke too soon – it is raining.
THE WORLD IS CALLING!
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