Germany: don't just fly over it – be there

Catch the Alpine Express for mountains, meadows and music ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     [The Independent](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0QvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvP2xpZD16bnVkODl1em42b2ZXBXNwY2V1QgpmNPDVPWb91WWyUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) Friday, May 10, 2024   [Simon Calder's Travel Week](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0Q1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsP2xpZD00d2psbjJ1NjU4ZGpXBXNwY2V1QgpmNPDVPWb91WWyUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) [Simon Calder's Travel Week](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0Q1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsP2xpZD1xd240eWw4NGdzeDBXBXNwY2V1QgpmNPDVPWb91WWyUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) As a mobile definition of the excellent German term Wanderlust, I give you the 8.13am from [Munich](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0SQaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9nZXJtYW55L211bmljaC10cmF2ZWwtZ3VpZGUtYmVzdC1ob3RlbHMtY2l0eS1yZXN0YXVyYW50cy10aGluZ3MtdG8tZG8tYTY5NTAwNjEuaHRtbD9saWQ9cnhhZHNubzYydTB0VwVzcGNldUIKZjTw1T1m_dVlslIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj)’s main station to Mittenwald. Each Saturday and Sunday a smart red regional train sets off on the 100-minute journey to and through the Bavarian Alps. The Alpine Express, I call it. Last weekend the payload mainly comprised hikers and bikers. The train glides past the sparkling Starnberger lake, swerves through the Alpine foothills and reaches its conclusion at a preposterously pretty mountain town 3,000 feet above sea level and one mile short of the Austrian frontier. Beneath the steeply-raked roofs, cherry, cream and honey are the predominant tones. Alpine towns tend to specialise in dairy products, yet in Mittenwald the hills are alive with the sound of violins: the instruments have been made here since the 18th century, with [Mozart](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9mb2xsb3dpbmctaW4tbW96YXJ0LXMtZm9vdHN0ZXBzLTMzNTcyMS5odG1sP2xpZD15ajltMzl1cHA3Ym5XBXNwY2V1QgpmNPDVPWb91WWyUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) himself among the customers. Last Saturday morning, music wafted through the cobbled streets. Even more atmospheric: the wide-screen murals decorating many homes, depicting human activity from saintliness to drinking and gambling. The most intense appeal of [Bavaria](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0R_aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvaW5kZXBlbmRlbnRwcmVtaXVtL3RyYXZlbC9iYXZhcmlhLW11bmljaC1nZXJtYW55LWd1aWRlLW9rdG9iZXJmZXN0LWIyMjcyODI1Lmh0bWw_bGlkPTE0cWF0bzU3d3J4OVcFc3BjZXVCCmY08NU9Zv3VZbJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)’s deep south resides in the mountains, still dusted with snow. I took another train to Garmisch-Partenkirchen (so good they named it GaPa) – venue for the 1936 Winter Olympics. A tangle of trails leads through forests of pine and beach, past mountain lakes and down to meadows speckled with wild flowers. And over the hills and not too far away: the campest castle in Christendom, Neuschwanstein. Walt Disney himself chose Ludwig II’s hilltop citadel as the model for the Sleeping Beauty’s castle. [Germany](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0R3aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9nZXJtYW55L2dlcm1hbnktY291bnRyeS1ndWlkZS10cmF2ZWwtaG9saWRheS1iMjExNjM1Ni5odG1sP2xpZD03amtza2w2YjhzYmhXBXNwY2V1QgpmNPDVPWb91WWyUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) has immense touristic wealth – yet the British are far more likely to fly over the country en route to Croatia, Greece or Turkey than to make it their chosen destination. Take the Alpine Express soon. And by soon, I mean before 14 June – when Scotland's footballers take on the host nation at the start of Euro 2024 in Munich. - Poll plane: ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0R3aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS90cmFpbi1yYWlsLXN0cmlrZXMtYXByaWwtMjAyNC1hc2xlZi1iMjUxNjE0OS5odG1sP2xpZD13MTA3YmZmMml0a3FXBXNwY2V1QgpmNPDVPWb91WWyUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~[Ryanair plasters Boeing with slogans urging Europeans to vote](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0RyaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9yeWFuYWlyLXVyZ2VzLXZvdGUtZXUtZWxlY3Rpb24tYjI1NDE1MzMuaHRtbD9saWQ9ZG1rbGZmOGhkN3BwVwVzcGNldUIKZjTw1T1m_dVlslIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj)~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0R0aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9tMjUtY2xvc3VyZXMtdGhpcy13ZWVrZW5kLWxvbmRvbi1iMjUxMTc2My5odG1sP2xpZD10eGg2bnFraTd3dmdXBXNwY2V1QgpmNPDVPWb91WWyUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0R-aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS93aXp6LWFpci1haXItdHJhZmZpYy1jb250cm9sLWV1cm9wZS1zdW1tZXItYjI0OTkwMjguaHRtbD9saWQ9NjloNTE4bW05cDNvVwVzcGNldUIKZjTw1T1m_dVlslIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj - Tunnel vision: ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0R4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9jYXJkaWZmLWFpcnBvcnQtbG9zc2VzLWJyaXN0b2wtd2FsZXMtYjI0OTcyNjcuaHRtbD9saWQ9dGg5anh3OHNrMThvVwVzcGNldUIKZjTw1T1m_dVlslIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj[How the link beneath the](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0RzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9jaGFubmVsLXR1bm5lbC10cmFpbnMtdWstZXVyb3BlLWIyNTQwMTgzLmh0bWw_bGlkPWYxa2t2eWM5ZTVld1cFc3BjZXVCCmY08NU9Zv3VZbJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)[Channel](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0RzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9jaGFubmVsLXR1bm5lbC10cmFpbnMtdWstZXVyb3BlLWIyNTQwMTgzLmh0bWw_bGlkPWJnZzZjc3dtN2JxOFcFc3BjZXVCCmY08NU9Zv3VZbJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)[can reach its potential](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0RzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9jaGFubmVsLXR1bm5lbC10cmFpbnMtdWstZXVyb3BlLWIyNTQwMTgzLmh0bWw_bGlkPXAxNGZpN2hieGNha1cFc3BjZXVCCmY08NU9Zv3VZbJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0SAaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9mcmVuY2gtcmFpbC1zdHJpa2UtZXVyb3N0YXItYnJpdGlzaC1mYW1pbGllcy1iMjQ5NjU1NS5odG1sP2xpZD1ld2xmZzRrNTIwZ2hXBXNwY2V1QgpmNPDVPWb91WWyUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ - Cruise news: [A first look at Cunard's newest ship](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0R1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2NydWlzZS9jdW5hcmQtcXVlZW4tYW5uZS1jcnVpc2Utc2hpcC1saW5lci12b3lhZ2UtYjI1MzkyMDYuaHRtbD9saWQ9ejc3dW9vb2c3ZDMzVwVzcGNldUIKZjTw1T1m_dVlslIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj)~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0SFaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9zb3V0aGFtcHRvbi1uZXdjYXN0bGUtY3J1aXNlLWNhbmNlbGxlZC1mcmVkLW9sc2VuLWIyNTAzNzI5Lmh0bWw_bGlkPXgyd3h4YWNoNncwcVcFc3BjZXVCCmY08NU9Zv3VZbJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ Bavarian rhapsody: southern Germany is an adventure playground [Enjoy 6 months of Independent Premium for just £66 £6](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0Q4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3Vic2NyaWJlP2xpZD1hZWZuaXJqbTdscjRXBXNwY2V1QgpmNPDVPWb91WWyUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~)   Get inspired... ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0RjaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9iZXN0LXNwYXMtZWFzdGVybi1ldXJvcGUtYjI1NDA4MTAuaHRtbD9saWQ9OWhpZjgwbjBrM2h2VwVzcGNldUIKZjTw1T1m_dVlslIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj [The best spas in Eastern Europe](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0RjaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9iZXN0LXNwYXMtZWFzdGVybi1ldXJvcGUtYjI1NDA4MTAuaHRtbD9saWQ9NG52aXo3aXhnc2R5VwVzcGNldUIKZjTw1T1m_dVlslIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) Combine your next city break with a soothing wellness experience at these luxurious yet affordable spas – including Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. [These are our favourites.](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0RjaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9iZXN0LXNwYXMtZWFzdGVybi1ldXJvcGUtYjI1NDA4MTAuaHRtbD9saWQ9NjM3YXN1M20zcWRzVwVzcGNldUIKZjTw1T1m_dVlslIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0RwaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9pY2VsYW5kL2ljZWxhbmQtcmV5a2phdmlrLWZvb2RpZS10cmlwLWIyNTMyMjMwLmh0bWw_bGlkPW11cDRhZG01ZWFiZFcFc3BjZXVCCmY08NU9Zv3VZbJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ The joy of North Queensland David Attenborough has described this nature-filled region as his 'favourite place' thanks to the rivers, rainforests, wildlife and the Great Barrier Reef just off its coast. [Read about it here.](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0RwaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9pY2VsYW5kL2ljZWxhbmQtcmV5a2phdmlrLWZvb2RpZS10cmlwLWIyNTMyMjMwLmh0bWw_bGlkPTZ0dWJ2NWx0b3JoMlcFc3BjZXVCCmY08NU9Zv3VZbJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0SDaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25vcnRoLWFtZXJpY2EvdXNhL2NhbGlmb3JuaWEvbG9zLWFuZ2VsZXMtcGFsbS1zcHJpbmdzLXJvYWQtdHJpcC1iMjUyODkwMy5odG1sP2xpZD1jajNpYWdxYXZha25XBXNwY2V1QgpmNPDVPWb91WWyUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0R7aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL3VrL2VuZ2xhbmQvdmlzaXQtcGVhay1kaXN0cmljdC1jYXItZnJlZS13YWxrcy1idXMtdHJhaW4tYjI1MzkyODAuaHRtbD9saWQ9dTZvY2R1NW4wejk5VwVzcGNldUIKZjTw1T1m_dVlslIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0RvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL3VrL2JyaWRnZXJ0b24tYmF0aC1sb25kb24tZmlsbWluZy1sb2NhdGlvbnMtYjI1MjcyNDMuaHRtbD9saWQ9c2k3MjE1ZXllbDZzVwVzcGNldUIKZjTw1T1m_dVlslIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj[Visiting the Peak District car-free](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0R7aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL3VrL2VuZ2xhbmQvdmlzaXQtcGVhay1kaXN0cmljdC1jYXItZnJlZS13YWxrcy1idXMtdHJhaW4tYjI1MzkyODAuaHRtbD9saWQ9N3NwemxtbnZod2d5VwVzcGNldUIKZjTw1T1m_dVlslIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) Save yourself the traffic jams and searching for a parking space by travelling by public transport to these picturesque valleys and sprawling moorlands. [Find out how here.](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0R7aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL3VrL2VuZ2xhbmQvdmlzaXQtcGVhay1kaXN0cmljdC1jYXItZnJlZS13YWxrcy1idXMtdHJhaW4tYjI1MzkyODAuaHRtbD9saWQ9cXljYm16bmtqaHg0VwVzcGNldUIKZjTw1T1m_dVlslIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj)   Tip of the week: Northern lines ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0SEaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvbmV3cy91ay9hdmFudGktd2VzdC1jb2FzdC1sb25kb24tZXVzdG9uLXdvbHZlcmhhbXB0b24tbnVuZWF0b24tY292ZW50cnktYjI1MzcxMTEuaHRtbD9saWQ9dnVwc3Bkbjd3eHVhVwVzcGNldUIKZjTw1T1m_dVlslIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj The summer rail timetables, beginning across Britain on 2 June, will see a new destination on the ScotRail network: Leven on the coast of Fife. The journey from Edinburgh, via the Forth Bridge, will take just over an hour; day return fare from the Scottish capital is £13.60. In northern England, a new Saturday service will link Manchester Victoria direct with Ribblehead in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, via Clitheroe and Settle. The two daily trains each way will take two hours, for a day return fare of £25. [UK'S MOST SCENIC RAIL NETWORKS](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0R2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9yYWlsLWJlc3Qtc2NlbmljLXRyYWluLW5ldHdvcmtzLXVrLWIyNDMxMjY0Lmh0bWw_bGlkPXRqODdjdmlkY2Y0OFcFc3BjZXVCCmY08NU9Zv3VZbJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)   Deal of the week: Is easyJet Plus worthwhile for you?~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0R4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9ldXJvcGVhbi1zbGVlcGVyLXRyYWlucy1wYXJpcy1iZXJsaW4tYjI0NjI5MjkuaHRtbD9saWQ9YWExaDh3dnJlb3R0VwVzcGNldUIKZjTw1T1m_dVlslIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj Low-cost airlines [don’t offer conventional loyalty schemes](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0SCaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9yeWFuYWlyLWZyZXF1ZW50LWZseWVyLXNjaGVtZS1lYXN5amV0LXdpenotYWlyLWIyNTM1MTY3Lmh0bWw_bGlkPXd3eGhkYWY3MnlnY1cFc3BjZXVCCmY08NU9Zv3VZbJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~). But Britain's biggest budget airline has a subscription deal, easyJet Plus, which can deliver significant savings if you fly frequently with the carrier. You pay an upfront annual fee of £215 (or, for a couple, a total of £400). But this investment can soon pay off if you fly frequently with easyJet. The two immediate benefits: free seat selection, including at the front of the plane and extra legroom; and avoiding the fee for a large cabin bag (typically a roll-along case). If you value these benefits at the typical saving of £50 per sector, profits begin when you take any more than four flights (or two round-trips) on easyJet during the year. Two additional benefits may be even more valuable: the right, when on a return trip, to switch to an earlier easyJet flight home if space is available; and a guarantee that if the fare you paid falls before you travel, you can claim a refund of the fare difference. One marginal perk: 10 per cent off inflight food and drink. [BEWARE SELF-CONNECT BOOKINGS](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0SAaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9lYXN5amV0LXNlbGYtdHJhbnNmZXItaXRpbmVyYXJ5LWZsaWdodHMta2l3aS1iMjQ2NTI5NS5odG1sP2xpZD1pZmdwZ3d6eHl3dDhXBXNwY2V1QgpmNPDVPWb91WWyUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) PICK OF THE WEEK Explore Vietnam's Hidden Gems: Book Your Dream Tour Today! ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0SwaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudmFsdWVhZGRlZHRyYXZlbC5jb20vdHlwZXMvdG91cnMvdmlldG5hbS9nZW1zLW9mLXZpZXRuYW0tdG91cj91dG1fc291cmNlPWluZGVwZW5kZW50JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09cmVmZXJyYWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPWdlbXNfb2ZfdmlldG5hbV90b3VyX21heV8yMDI0JmxpZD10Y2N5Yno1dDYwbXdXBXNwY2V1QgpmNPDVPWb91WWyUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ [Discover Vietnam's treasures on a 6-day tour featuring Hanoi, Ninh Binh, and Lan Ha Bay. Includes international flights, selected meals, private transfers, and engaging excursions. Prices start from £1550/pp.](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0SwaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudmFsdWVhZGRlZHRyYXZlbC5jb20vdHlwZXMvdG91cnMvdmlldG5hbS9nZW1zLW9mLXZpZXRuYW0tdG91cj91dG1fc291cmNlPWluZGVwZW5kZW50JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09cmVmZXJyYWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPWdlbXNfb2ZfdmlldG5hbV90b3VyX21heV8yMDI0JmxpZD14N2d1aGQ5cGFxbGpXBXNwY2V1QgpmNPDVPWb91WWyUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0RhaHR0cHM6Ly9wbGF5LmFjYXN0LmNvbS9zL2dyZWVuLWxpc3QtdHJhdmVsLXdpdGgtc2ltb24tY2FsZGVyLWFuZC10aGUtaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQ_bGlkPXZ4OHVkOWJteW93bFcFc3BjZXVCCmY08NU9Zv3VZbJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0RhaHR0cHM6Ly9wbGF5LmFjYXN0LmNvbS9zL2dyZWVuLWxpc3QtdHJhdmVsLXdpdGgtc2ltb24tY2FsZGVyLWFuZC10aGUtaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQ_bGlkPXZjem1zaHdjaGV6blcFc3BjZXVCCmY08NU9Zv3VZbJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ [Best travel wallets](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0SJaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0L3RyYXZlbC1vdXRkb29ycy9iZXN0LXRyYXZlbC13YWxsZXQtZG9jdW1lbnQtaG9sZGVyLW9yZ2FuaXNlci1iMTgxMDI4OS5odG1sP2xpZD04ZXRpeG1tYmhpenZXBXNwY2V1QgpmNPDVPWb91WWyUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) Browse [the best travel wallets](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0SJaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0L3RyYXZlbC1vdXRkb29ycy9iZXN0LXRyYXZlbC13YWxsZXQtZG9jdW1lbnQtaG9sZGVyLW9yZ2FuaXNlci1iMTgxMDI4OS5odG1sP2xpZD0xeTUxZHE1YWc2Zm5XBXNwY2V1QgpmNPDVPWb91WWyUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) for organising passports and holiday documents.   Simon’s dispatches Miraculous: that sums up the minimal cost of mobility in Germany. With the [Deutschlandticket](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0R7aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9nZXJtYW55L2dlcm1hbnktdW5saW1pdGVkLXRyYWluLXJhaWwtcGFzcy10cmF2ZWwtYjIzMDU0MzcuaHRtbD9saWQ9dDd2cHEwcWdsOThvVwVzcGNldUIKZjTw1T1m_dVlslIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj), unlimited travel by rail, tram and bus anywhere in the nation costs €49 (£43) per month. You can venture almost anywhere (except on faster intercity expresses) for just £1.40 per day. That extends even across the border into Salzburg in Austria, Basel in Switzerland and anywhere in Luxembourg – where all public transport was miraculously declared permanently free four years ago. Yet if you are tempted to travel far and wide, build plenty of slack into your schedule. Last Saturday I misjudged the hike down from the hills. With minutes to go before the bus to my next destination, Oberammagau I found myself on the highway – but a long way from any Bushaltestelle. The bus turned up exactly on time. I waved vainly at the driver, who waved back with a smile and accelerated past me. Autostop was the only option – and miraculously, a lawyer named Dominikus in a very nice soft-top Audi picked me up, took me to the home of the Passion Play and even gave me a tour of the town – depositing me just as the bus rolled into town. By Monday, I had crossed most of Germany – and heard a wide range of the national train operator’s excuses for delays. “Intervention by authorities”, delayed the flagship ICE from Basel to Berlin. “Delay outside of Germany” explained why the Amsterdam to Frankfurt Sprinter was behind schedule. My final journey involved a four-minute transfer at Offenburg station in the far west. But the inbound train arrived four minutes late, just in time to see the service for Strasbourg set off. With a two-hour wait before the next one, I had no choice but to hit the road again – and promptly hitched my first-ever ride with a Schornsteinfeger – a chimney sweep. “Excuse the dust,” she said. Of course I did, and celebrated the miracle of human kindness. [The best lifts ever – including two in Germany](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0SfaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9zaW1vbi1jYWxkZXItYmVzdC1saWZ0cy1ob2xpZGF5cy10cmF2ZWwtMjUtYW5uaXZlcnNhcnktbWFuLXdoby1wYXlzLWhpcy13YXktYTg5MTUzMDEuaHRtbD9saWQ9Z2xoODR2dm80c3JhVwVzcGNldUIKZjTw1T1m_dVlslIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj)   Question of the week Question of the week Italia a piedi (Italy on foot)     Best location for exploring Italy’s Cinque Terre?     The [Cinque Terre](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0RyaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9wYXRoLW1hc3Rlci1saWd1cmlhLXMtZml2ZXN0YXItc2hvcnQtY3V0LTIyNDYwNDMuaHRtbD9saWQ9djZnM2pkZHhpanR1VwVzcGNldUIKZjTw1T1m_dVlslIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) – “Five Lands” – comprise the pretty waterside villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. They are ranged along nine miles of the jagged coastline of Liguria in Italy's northwest. The tangled paths linking them offer a rewarding range of hikes and won the area a place on the Unesco World Heritage List. In reasonable physical condition, you could cover the ground in a day – or even a morning. But this is a location that rewards deeper exploration, and I suggest you plan for a couple of days to delve into each of the villages. You could stay in one or two of the Cinque Terre, but I would set up a base in the fine town of La Spezia: a busy port city with good places to stay, eat and sightsee. Trains to Riomaggiore run at least every half-hour and take just seven minutes. The fare of €5 is best paid on the excellent Trenitalia app while you are walking to the station; no need to pre-book. Assuming you are between the ages of 12 and 69, you will also need the Cinque Terre Card to access the national park in which the five villages and the paths are located. Again, obtain it online. The daily cost is €7.50, or €15 on each of 19 specific high-season days during the year. Finally, while in La Spezia please take the scenic bus ride out to Porto Venere on the end of the peninsula. The sublime location is one of my favourite places in Italy, which is saying a lot. Essential reading ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0RwaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9jb3Jud2FsbC10b3VyaXN0LXRheC1ob2xpZGF5LWIyNTM4MDA5Lmh0bWw_bGlkPTc5cmlqYXJ3b3lobFcFc3BjZXVCCmY08NU9Zv3VZbJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ [Cornwall tourism chief warns holidaymakers could be taxed](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0RwaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9jb3Jud2FsbC10b3VyaXN0LXRheC1ob2xpZGF5LWIyNTM4MDA5Lmh0bWw_bGlkPWh1OTVod2c3Z3dnd1cFc3BjZXVCCmY08NU9Zv3VZbJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) STAT OF THE WEEK 2-3 hours [Average wait for passport control among passengers at Heathrow airport on Tuesday night due to another UK-wide failure of eGates](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0SBaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9haXJwb3J0LWNoYW9zLXBhc3Nwb3J0LWVnYXRlcy11ay1ib3JkZXItZm9yY2UtYjI1NDEzNTguaHRtbD9saWQ9MWtsZWs3dXJnb3hyVwVzcGNldUIKZjTw1T1m_dVlslIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj)   ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0R3aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvbmV3cy9idXNpbmVzcy9jb21tZW50L2JyZXhpdC1sYWJvdXItd29ya2Vycy15b3V0aC1tb2JpbGl0eS1iMjUzNTQxOS5odG1sP2xpZD1vcWF6bXMzOTBwemlXBXNwY2V1QgpmNPDVPWb91WWyUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ [Blocking a Brexit free-movement scheme is spiteful and unforgiveable](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0R3aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvbmV3cy9idXNpbmVzcy9jb21tZW50L2JyZXhpdC1sYWJvdXItd29ya2Vycy15b3V0aC1tb2JpbGl0eS1iMjUzNTQxOS5odG1sP2xpZD14d2Rlb3dnMWx6NTdXBXNwY2V1QgpmNPDVPWb91WWyUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~)   ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0SwaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudmFsdWVhZGRlZHRyYXZlbC5jb20vdHlwZXMvdG91cnMvdmlldG5hbS9nZW1zLW9mLXZpZXRuYW0tdG91cj91dG1fc291cmNlPWluZGVwZW5kZW50JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09cmVmZXJyYWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPWdlbXNfb2ZfdmlldG5hbV90b3VyX21heV8yMDI0JmxpZD1paGdlcmw5bjUyYmhXBXNwY2V1QgpmNPDVPWb91WWyUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~   SIMON'S DIARY Every day from Monday to Friday I tackle a top travel story, or explore a topic in more detail than usual in ‘Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast’ – available free on [Spotify](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0RkaHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tL3Nob3cvMHMwSGwyaExoazR5VTFIMGFHVG5Vdz9zaT05V2dSS3NjYlROMlc1eElLYi1zT0lBJm5kPTEmbGlkPWl5dGJvaGwwZGRlcFcFc3BjZXVCCmY08NU9Zv3VZbJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~), [Apple Podcasts](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0R7aHR0cHM6Ly9wb2RjYXN0cy5hcHBsZS5jb20vZ2IvcG9kY2FzdC9ncmVlbi1saXN0LXRyYXZlbC13aXRoLXNpbW9uLWNhbGRlci1hbmQtdGhlLWluZGVwZW5kZW50L2lkMTU2NjkxNTc3MD9saWQ9NWRnejJybHptMGkyVwVzcGNldUIKZjTw1T1m_dVlslIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj), [Pocket Casts](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0QoaHR0cHM6Ly9wY2Euc3QvbXU0bDNjd2Q_bGlkPTZhNnhud2FiaXJ3blcFc3BjZXVCCmY08NU9Zv3VZbJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) or [Acast](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0RhaHR0cHM6Ly9wbGF5LmFjYXN0LmNvbS9zL2dyZWVuLWxpc3QtdHJhdmVsLXdpdGgtc2ltb24tY2FsZGVyLWFuZC10aGUtaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQ_bGlkPXkxcGEzNzM1c2x6aFcFc3BjZXVCCmY08NU9Zv3VZbJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~). Every day from Monday to Friday I tackle a top travel story, or explore a topic in more detail than usual in ‘Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast’ – available free on [Spotify](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0RkaHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tL3Nob3cvMHMwSGwyaExoazR5VTFIMGFHVG5Vdz9zaT05V2dSS3NjYlROMlc1eElLYi1zT0lBJm5kPTEmbGlkPXpoZzUyb3pmOXlwYlcFc3BjZXVCCmY08NU9Zv3VZbJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~), [Apple Podcasts](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0R7aHR0cHM6Ly9wb2RjYXN0cy5hcHBsZS5jb20vZ2IvcG9kY2FzdC9ncmVlbi1saXN0LXRyYXZlbC13aXRoLXNpbW9uLWNhbGRlci1hbmQtdGhlLWluZGVwZW5kZW50L2lkMTU2NjkxNTc3MD9saWQ9a2NkNWEzMXF4d2dtVwVzcGNldUIKZjTw1T1m_dVlslIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj), [Pocket Casts](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0QoaHR0cHM6Ly9wY2Euc3QvbXU0bDNjd2Q_bGlkPXRrZjFqY2ZvOTQzM1cFc3BjZXVCCmY08NU9Zv3VZbJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) or [Acast](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0RhaHR0cHM6Ly9wbGF5LmFjYXN0LmNvbS9zL2dyZWVuLWxpc3QtdHJhdmVsLXdpdGgtc2ltb24tY2FsZGVyLWFuZC10aGUtaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQ_bGlkPW55c2JnYWF1YWN6cVcFc3BjZXVCCmY08NU9Zv3VZbJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~). I find the easiest way to rush out stories is to tweet them on X, formerly known as Twitter. It’s also an easy way to contact me. My direct messages are open and I read all DMs, though regrettably I can’t respond to every one. Let me know your thoughts [@SimonCalder](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0QzaHR0cDovL3d3dy50d2l0dGVyLmNvbS9zaW1vbmNhbGRlcj9saWQ9bWRwZGswdXA2MnM5VwVzcGNldUIKZjTw1T1m_dVlslIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) I find the easiest way to rush out stories is to tweet them on X, formerly known as Twitter. It’s also an easy way to contact me. My direct messages are open and I read all DMs, though regrettably I can’t respond to every one. Let me know your thoughts [@SimonCalder](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0QzaHR0cDovL3d3dy50d2l0dGVyLmNvbS9zaW1vbmNhbGRlcj9saWQ9YXdkYjFiczM2a2l6VwVzcGNldUIKZjTw1T1m_dVlslIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) Each Saturday and Sunday I take questions live at 5.30pm British time on Instagram Live – from wherever I happen to be in the world – so please do come and say hello. Follow me on Instagram (and also now on Threads) [@Simon_Calder](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0Q4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9zaW1vbl9jYWxkZXIvP2xpZD1qNHB4NWtzcmc3MmdXBXNwY2V1QgpmNPDVPWb91WWyUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) Each Saturday and Sunday I take questions live at 5.30pm British time on Instagram Live – from wherever I happen to be in the world – so please do come and say hello. Follow me on Instagram (and also now on Threads) [@Simon_Calder](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0Q4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9zaW1vbl9jYWxkZXIvP2xpZD0xaHNhbXQweXJmcXFXBXNwY2V1QgpmNPDVPWb91WWyUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) Or you can find me on TikTok. Come and have a look at what I have been up to as I bring you top travel topics and report on the latest changes in a minute or less via [@caldertravel](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0Q9aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGlrdG9rLmNvbS9kaXNjb3Zlci9TaW1vbi1DYWxkZXI_bGlkPTlnYW50MTk2ZHNtZ1cFc3BjZXVCCmY08NU9Zv3VZbJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) Or you can find me on TikTok. Come and have a look at what I have been up to as I bring you top travel topics and report on the latest changes in a minute or less via [@caldertravel](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0Q9aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGlrdG9rLmNvbS9kaXNjb3Zlci9TaW1vbi1DYWxkZXI_bGlkPTgzamJyajl2eHduZ1cFc3BjZXVCCmY08NU9Zv3VZbJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)   [Europe book](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0QoaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXpuLnRvLzN3b05aMHA_bGlkPXF0Mml3enhrb3ZheVcFc3BjZXVCCmY08NU9Zv3VZbJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) Where should you go in Europe and when? Discover more than 300 suggestions in this discounted [Lonely Planet book.](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0QoaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXpuLnRvLzN3b05aMHA_bGlkPXh2dDZzOXdzNHl2dVcFc3BjZXVCCmY08NU9Zv3VZbJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) [GET DEAL](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0QoaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXpuLnRvLzN3b05aMHA_bGlkPTQ5dmRodmZ6eXhuaFcFc3BjZXVCCmY08NU9Zv3VZbJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) [apple airpods](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0QoaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXpuLnRvLzNRQkE3OVU_bGlkPWZpMHpnNzR5ZmZsNVcFc3BjZXVCCmY08NU9Zv3VZbJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) Need some headphones for your travels? Save £30 on these [Apple AirPods](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoIFrwP0QoaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXpuLnRvLzNRQkE3OVU_bGlkPThjcmN3ejh6N3I2b1cFc3BjZXVCCmY08NU9Zv3VZbJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~). 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