My transatlantic bargain – in 'ultra basic' class

Plus Italian slow travel by rail for less ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     [The Independent](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0QvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvP2xpZD04aWJ5cGs5ZHkzeXBXBXNwY2V1QgpmUd7ea2ZFd3XeUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) [The Independent](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0QvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvP2xpZD04dmhzZWR4cjY1cWNXBXNwY2V1QgpmUd7ea2ZFd3XeUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) Friday, June 14, 2024     [Simon Calder's Travel Week](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0Q1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsP2xpZD11Ymh1NGZxNnh1bzNXBXNwY2V1QgpmUd7ea2ZFd3XeUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) [Simon Calder's Travel Week](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0Q1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsP2xpZD11N2JmYjVqcGdmb2RXBXNwY2V1QgpmUd7ea2ZFd3XeUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~)   Some travel purchases seem too good to be true. In a summer when transatlantic air fares are soaring, this week I managed to bag a late July ticket to [Canada](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0R9aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25vcnRoLWFtZXJpY2EvY2FuYWRhL2NhbmFkYS1jb3VudHJ5LWd1aWRlLWNpdGllcy1ob2xpZGF5cy1iMjIxOTM3MS5odG1sP2xpZD1kZGM5NTB6ejd6M3VXBXNwY2V1QgpmUd7ea2ZFd3XeUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) for just £218. But as you might surmise, it comes with a few catches. The fare is one-way only; I have no clear plan about how or when I might return from the world's second-largest nation. The airline, WestJet, describes the ticket category as “ultra basic”; not a product for travellers with any substantial baggage (beyond the emotional variety). The Boeing 737 Max aircraft will not take me deep into Canadian territory: only as far as Halifax Nova Scotia, barely halfway to Vancouver British Columbia. My eventual target is not the Pacific shore but the Canadian capital, Ottawa. From Halifax, that is a 600-mile journey which I plan to cover at surface level. My cunning strategy involves a ferry from the far west of Nova Scotia to the northeastern US state of Maine, then… well, let’s see. Oh, and one reason for the low fare: UK Air Passenger Duty of £88 does not apply. That is because the flight departs from Dublin. An additional challenge but, hopefully, an extra travel dimension in the Irish capital along the way. Despite lacking in some key details, I am ridiculously excited about the prospect of a cheap transatlantic hop followed by a journey across the top of New England. In case you want a transatlantic escape too, there are plenty more cheap seats aboard the 29 July WestJet departure from Dublin in old Ireland to Halifax in “New Scotland”. [Combine Nova Scotia with New England](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0SXaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2FtZXJpY2FzL25ldy1lbmdsYW5kLWFuZC1ub3ZhLXNjb3RpYS1leHBsb3JlLWJvdGgtZGVzdGluYXRpb25zLW9uLWEtdHdpbmNlbnRyZS10cmlwLWE2MDE0MzQxLmh0bWw_bGlkPXNwZXBmdGdibjE1c1cFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) - Baltic blunder: [Barcelona-bound couple end up in Lithuania after airport foul-up](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0SFaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9yeWFuYWlyLWZsaWdodC13cm9uZy1jb3VudHJ5LXNwYWluLWxpdGh1YW5pYS1yaWdhLWIyNTYwMzY4Lmh0bWw_bGlkPWN0ZnJyN2plYXV3ZVcFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) - Liquid lottery:~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0SIaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9jaXR5LWNlbnRyZS1jaGVjay1pbi1nYXR3aWNrLWV4cHJlc3MtZmxpZ2h0cy1haXJwb3J0LWIyNTQ0ODk0Lmh0bWw_bGlkPXQwYjFud3lpbGRxb1cFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0R2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9oZWF0aHJvdy1haXJwb3J0LXRyYW5zaXQtZXRhLWxvcmRzLWIyNTQ4NDg4Lmh0bWw_bGlkPWtsdTkydWxwYjEzd1cFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0SIaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9jaXR5LWNlbnRyZS1jaGVjay1pbi1nYXR3aWNrLWV4cHJlc3MtZmxpZ2h0cy1haXJwb3J0LWIyNTQ0ODk0Lmh0bWw_bGlkPW81OHV3Yzdramxsc1cFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0R2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9oZWF0aHJvdy1haXJwb3J0LXRyYW5zaXQtZXRhLWxvcmRzLWIyNTQ4NDg4Lmh0bWw_bGlkPW4wcG5jbXZlMDIxblcFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0R4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9tb3VudC1mdWppLXZpZXctamFwYW4tYmxvY2stdG91cmlzdHMtYjI1NTcwMDUuaHRtbD9saWQ9NnRsb3M3ZzEzb3R5VwVzcGNldUIKZlHe3mtmRXd13lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0SIaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9jaXR5LWNlbnRyZS1jaGVjay1pbi1nYXR3aWNrLWV4cHJlc3MtZmxpZ2h0cy1haXJwb3J0LWIyNTQ0ODk0Lmh0bWw_bGlkPW9nbWwzbG5jcjhka1cFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0R4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9jYXJkaWZmLWFpcnBvcnQtbG9zc2VzLWJyaXN0b2wtd2FsZXMtYjI0OTcyNjcuaHRtbD9saWQ9dmNlaTBkdzh5czNxVwVzcGNldUIKZlHe3mtmRXd13lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0RzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9jaGFubmVsLXR1bm5lbC10cmFpbnMtdWstZXVyb3BlLWIyNTQwMTgzLmh0bWw_bGlkPTFrem11ODVoZGlzZlcFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0SIaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9jaXR5LWNlbnRyZS1jaGVjay1pbi1nYXR3aWNrLWV4cHJlc3MtZmxpZ2h0cy1haXJwb3J0LWIyNTQ0ODk0Lmh0bWw_bGlkPTNieGlocHZ2enEzMFcFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0RzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9jaGFubmVsLXR1bm5lbC10cmFpbnMtdWstZXVyb3BlLWIyNTQwMTgzLmh0bWw_bGlkPThrc3pueXpqMHVyelcFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0SIaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9jaXR5LWNlbnRyZS1jaGVjay1pbi1nYXR3aWNrLWV4cHJlc3MtZmxpZ2h0cy1haXJwb3J0LWIyNTQ0ODk0Lmh0bWw_bGlkPWJtZWVzcDhvazl6NVcFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0RzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9jaGFubmVsLXR1bm5lbC10cmFpbnMtdWstZXVyb3BlLWIyNTQwMTgzLmh0bWw_bGlkPWgxaGVydmF1ejJxZlcFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0SIaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9jaXR5LWNlbnRyZS1jaGVjay1pbi1nYXR3aWNrLWV4cHJlc3MtZmxpZ2h0cy1haXJwb3J0LWIyNTQ0ODk0Lmh0bWw_bGlkPXlyd3NmZWVwbG5zaFcFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~[Airport security rules change yet again](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0R5aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS8xMDBtbC1saXF1aWQtcnVsZS11ay1haXJwb3J0LXNlY3VyaXR5LWIyNTIzMTQwLmh0bWw_bGlkPTloZHEwaXgyNTN4M1cFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0R2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9oZWF0aHJvdy1haXJwb3J0LXRyYW5zaXQtZXRhLWxvcmRzLWIyNTQ4NDg4Lmh0bWw_bGlkPXVpdHZleTU1bjFwNlcFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0SIaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9jaXR5LWNlbnRyZS1jaGVjay1pbi1nYXR3aWNrLWV4cHJlc3MtZmxpZ2h0cy1haXJwb3J0LWIyNTQ0ODk0Lmh0bWw_bGlkPTFnN2Vvcm5pNXoyZFcFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0SIaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9jaXR5LWNlbnRyZS1jaGVjay1pbi1nYXR3aWNrLWV4cHJlc3MtZmxpZ2h0cy1haXJwb3J0LWIyNTQ0ODk0Lmh0bWw_bGlkPWJsNnFiOGUxYTl2MFcFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ - Euro 2024: [As Scotland prepare to take on hosts Germany tonight, travel tips for the festival of football](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0SMaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9ldXJvLTIwMjQtdHJhdmVsLWRlYWxzLXNjaGVkdWxlLWVuZ2xhbmQtc2NvdGxhbmQtZ2VybWFueS1iMjU0NDkwMC5odG1sP2xpZD1wdmI3c2JyYTV6YzdXBXNwY2V1QgpmUd7ea2ZFd3XeUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0R4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9nZW5lcmFsLWVsZWN0aW9uLWp1bHktdHJhdmVsLWhvbGlkYXktYjI1NDk5NDcuaHRtbD9saWQ9YTM2b3VhYXByNjA5VwVzcGNldUIKZlHe3mtmRXd13lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj Which way now? Halifax Nova Scotia is merely the beginning of an adventure   Get inspired ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0R5aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2FmcmljYS9hZnJpY2EtY3J1aXNlLWhvbGlkYXktc2VuZWdhbC10aGUtZ2FtYmlhLWdoYW5hLWIyNTYwNjc4Lmh0bWw_bGlkPW5yN2xzMDZ6MW9qdlcFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ [A cruise along Africa's wildest coastline](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0R5aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2FmcmljYS9hZnJpY2EtY3J1aXNlLWhvbGlkYXktc2VuZWdhbC10aGUtZ2FtYmlhLWdoYW5hLWIyNTYwNjc4Lmh0bWw_bGlkPWM2NDc5NmdxcDRoclcFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) Our writer sets sail to cover seven countries in 13 days, including Ghana, The Gambia and Senegal. [Read more.](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0R5aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2FmcmljYS9hZnJpY2EtY3J1aXNlLWhvbGlkYXktc2VuZWdhbC10aGUtZ2FtYmlhLWdoYW5hLWIyNTYwNjc4Lmh0bWw_bGlkPTZnNTB3MzdrOHlselcFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0RvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL21pZGRsZS1lYXN0L3NhdWRpLWFyYWJpYS13b21hbi1kcml2aW5nLXNvbG8tYjI1NjIyNzMuaHRtbD9saWQ9dXJqMHdzc2J4amN4VwVzcGNldUIKZlHe3mtmRXd13lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj [Driving across Saudi Arabia as a solo woman](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0RvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL21pZGRsZS1lYXN0L3NhdWRpLWFyYWJpYS13b21hbi1kcml2aW5nLXNvbG8tYjI1NjIyNzMuaHRtbD9saWQ9YzJhc3lpeWQzYWc1VwVzcGNldUIKZlHe3mtmRXd13lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) With stretches of desert and camel-lined roads, this road trip presents both rewards and challenges. [Read more.](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0RvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL21pZGRsZS1lYXN0L3NhdWRpLWFyYWJpYS13b21hbi1kcml2aW5nLXNvbG8tYjI1NjIyNzMuaHRtbD9saWQ9ZThyN3B0anhsOTZiVwVzcGNldUIKZlHe3mtmRXd13lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0RzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9nZXJtYW55L2Jlcmxpbi9iZXJsaW4tbXVzaWMtc2NlbmUtdW5lc2NvLWIyNTU5ODg1Lmh0bWw_bGlkPWFuOXdjbmQyeXJoMVcFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ [Exploring Berlin through its music scene](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0RzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9nZXJtYW55L2Jlcmxpbi9iZXJsaW4tbXVzaWMtc2NlbmUtdW5lc2NvLWIyNTU5ODg1Lmh0bWw_bGlkPTl6cm5rcGFnMDJxZ1cFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) From techno to opera, music can be found in surprising places across Germany's capital city. [Read more.](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0RzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9nZXJtYW55L2Jlcmxpbi9iZXJsaW4tbXVzaWMtc2NlbmUtdW5lc2NvLWIyNTU5ODg1Lmh0bWw_bGlkPWhnZ2p2NzR5aGdpNFcFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)   For 30 years I have been writing as The Man Who Pays His Way – with the strongest of incentives to seek out the best value in travel, and to hold holiday companies, airlines and the rest of the industry to account. They still advertise with The Independent, and work with us in partnership on commercial ventures (all of which are clearly badged, incidentally, to keep them distinct from pure editorial). During those three decades, the travel desk has always been small but focused: telling the stories of innovation, indulgence and adventure, along with a reliable tangle of transport chaos along the way. My excellent colleagues (all of whom seem to be even younger than me) are also formidably productive. The work has become sharper and faster since The Independent went entirely online eight years ago, and as a reader I believe the journalism is even better. To judge for yourself, [try taking out a subscription](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0Q4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3Vic2NyaWJlP2xpZD0xMHZ6ajBsb3Rxc2RXBXNwY2V1QgpmUd7ea2ZFd3XeUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~); by doing so, you will join the elite who can ask direct travel questions of me every week, in [our special Premium Ask Me Anything newsletter](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0Q4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3Vic2NyaWJlP2xpZD1xN3c2ejk0dGNidDhXBXNwY2V1QgpmUd7ea2ZFd3XeUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~). And for a limited time only, you can [secure 6 months for just £1](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0Q4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3Vic2NyaWJlP2xpZD1yNTVuMW0zcXdzNGNXBXNwY2V1QgpmUd7ea2ZFd3XeUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~). Looking forward to hearing from you. [SECURE 6 MONTHS FOR JUST £1](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0Q4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3Vic2NyaWJlP2xpZD1ocTh0bDU4djJmNXRXBXNwY2V1QgpmUd7ea2ZFd3XeUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~)   Essential reading - [Extreme heat in Greece and Cyprus: the consequences for travellers](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0R4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9jeXBydXMtZ3JlZWNlLXdpbGRmaXJlcy1leHRyZW1lLWhlYXQtYjI1NjIwODkuaHRtbD9saWQ9aXZ0dTRuaGc5bjZyVwVzcGNldUIKZlHe3mtmRXd13lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) - [How to avoid social media scams aimed at travellers](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0SGaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS90cmF2ZWwtc2NhbS1zb2NpYWwtbWVkaWEteC10d2l0dGVyLWFpcmxpbmUtaG9saWRheS1iMjU2MTQyMC5odG1sP2xpZD1yaHI4aW02YnhleHpXBXNwY2V1QgpmUd7ea2ZFd3XeUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) - [Heathrow hits new record for passenger numbers](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0R2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9oZWF0aHJvdy1haXJwb3J0LXBhc3NlbmdlcnMtcmVjb3JkLWIyNTYwNjEzLmh0bWw_bGlkPXFuMXNyZnYzeXRjdlcFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)   Simon’s dispatches Among the countless benefits of what I shall loosely describe as the “work” of a travel correspondent, readers’ questions comprise a prominent and never-ending source of joy. This week Jamela asked simply: “My friend lives in Austin Texas and I live in Esher Surrey. Where is a warm country halfway between them?” The globe reveals the halfway point on the most direct path between Esher and Austin is actually the Labrador-Quebec border in northern Canada. Even in the height of summer, you could not describe this area as warm. So instead I recommend the relaxed and sultry [Gulf Coast of Florida](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0R2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsLzQ4LWhvdXJzLWluL2Rpc2NvdmVyLXRoZS1vdGhlci1mbG9yaWRhLWd1bGYtY291bnR5LWE3NDc3NjQ2Lmh0bWw_bGlkPWQybXBxOWQycW82eVcFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) (much nearer Austin than Esher) or [Sao Miguel, magnificent main island of the Azores](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0SUaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9zYW8tbWlndWVsLWF6b3Jlcy1ub3ctYXMtYWZmb3JkYWJsZS1hcy1hLXRyaXAtdG8tdGhlLW1lZGl0ZXJyYW5lYW4tYTc5MzQ2Lmh0bWw_bGlkPTk2ODNlbzJ5NmRlMlcFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) (12 hours from Texas but only four from Surrey). “Where should we stop on a long drive between Calais and [Monaco](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0RwaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9tb25hY28vdmlzaXQtbW9uYWNvLWJ1ZGdldC1jaXR5LWJyZWFrLWIyNTI1NjEwLmh0bWw_bGlkPTZndnRwYWR3a2ZxYlcFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)?” To answer Andrew’s question about en route enrichment, I reached for the map of France and a piece of string – to identify the most rewarding locations on a straight line between the Channel port and the Mediterranean microstate. Spend the first night in [Reims](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0SJaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9mcmFuY2UvcmVpbXMtdHJhdmVsLWd1aWRlLWJlc3QtaG90ZWxzLXJlc3RhdXJhbnRzLXRoaW5ncy10by1kby1iMjAzODk4OS5odG1sP2xpZD1iOTY0cDM5MHJqZWxXBXNwY2V1QgpmUd7ea2ZFd3XeUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~), the capital of the Champagne region; and the second in the lakeside town – and Alpine adventure park – of [Annecy](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0R2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9mcmFuY2UvYW5uZWN5LWNpdHktZ3VpZGUtZnJhbmNlLWFscHMtaG90ZWxzLWIyMjMyMzI3Lmh0bWw_bGlkPTluZ3A1OWQ1b3RhclcFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~). Toughest challenge this week: [Greek island hopping](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0SFaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9ncmVlY2UvZ3JlZWNlLWlzbGFuZC1ob3BwaW5nLXJvdXRlLWJlc3Qtc2FudG9yaW5pLXNraWF0aG9zLWIyNTMzMzY5Lmh0bWw_bGlkPWZrOGlrbHJnOGUzeVcFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~), but via the mainland. Patrick wants to know how to travel across the “waist” of Greece, from the Aegean island of Skiathos to the Ionian isle of Lefkada, without a car? The smoothest journey, ridiculously, requires flying from Skiathos to Larnaca in Cyprus and then doubling back to Preveza, the airport for Lefkada. Sticking to ground level, the optimum itinerary is a celebration of slow travel: a ferry to Volos for an overnight stay; a bus, which runs only twice a week and may or may not connect with the necessary second bus; and possibly one or more informally convened collective taxis, if like-minded travellers can be recruited. In other words, making it up as you go along – as I will do between Nova Scotia and Ottawa next month. [Ionian island-hopping](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0RvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2dyZWVjZS1pc2xhbmRob3BwaW5nLWhvbGlkYXktdHJhdmVsLWJlYWNoZXMtYjI0OTk0ODAuaHRtbD9saWQ9M3E4Nzl5aXBzNWhwVwVzcGNldUIKZlHe3mtmRXd13lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj)   PICK OF THE WEEK Value Added Travel ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0StaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudmFsdWVhZGRlZHRyYXZlbC5jb20vdHlwZXMvdG91cnMvc3JpLWxhbmthL2hpZ2hsaWdodHM_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1pbmRlcGVuZGVudCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPXJlZmVycmFsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zcmlfbGFua2FfaGlnaGxpZ2h0c190b3VyX2p1bl8yMDI0JmxpZD16ZnlybW02NmF5bTBXBXNwY2V1QgpmUd7ea2ZFd3XeUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ [Experience Sri Lanka's beauty and heritage: 11-day, 9-night half-board tour visiting Negombo, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Trincomalee, Kandy, and Nuwara Eliya. Includes flights, accommodations, transfers, and entry fees from £1899/pp.](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0StaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudmFsdWVhZGRlZHRyYXZlbC5jb20vdHlwZXMvdG91cnMvc3JpLWxhbmthL2hpZ2hsaWdodHM_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1pbmRlcGVuZGVudCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPXJlZmVycmFsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zcmlfbGFua2FfaGlnaGxpZ2h0c190b3VyX2p1bl8yMDI0JmxpZD05MTdrYzhjcG05cTZXBXNwY2V1QgpmUd7ea2ZFd3XeUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~)   INSIDER TIPS Italy by rail for €10 a day ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0QjaHR0cHM6Ly90Zncud2FsZXMvP2xpZD02aDNzbm5lN2Ria3dXBXNwY2V1QgpmUd7ea2ZFd3XeUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ While Italy has a superb high-speed rail network connecting major cities, many travellers prefer [the “classic” trains](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0R3aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9pdGFsaWFuLXJhaWwtdHJhdmVsLXRpbWV0YWJsZS10cmFpbi1iMjE1MzU3My5odG1sP2xpZD1kaHkzNTBuYzUyMndXBXNwY2V1QgpmUd7ea2ZFd3XeUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~). They connect towns and cities at a more sedate pace, and have few of the long tunnels that can make fast intercity travel a largely viewless experience. Better still, you can travel anywhere on these trains for under €10 (£8.50) per day for either three or five consecutive days. Choose either the Italia in Tour 3 for €29 or Italia in Tour 5 for €49. You can use them on “regional, fast regional and metropolitan trains”. These trains do not reach all parts, and are particularly thin on the ground in the south. But they are excellent for exploring the nation east-west from Genoa to Trieste and north-south from Trento to Rome (pictured). The ticket even covers the Leonardo Express between Rome airport and the city centre, normally €14 for a half-hour hop. No need to book in advance; buy on the day from ticket offices, ticket machines in stations, [online](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0RJaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudHJlbml0YWxpYS5jb20vZW4vb2ZmZXJzL2l0YWxpYS1pbi10b3VyLmh0bWw_bGlkPXA1ODVxbWJ2M3VseVcFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) or via the excellent Trenitalia app. Children aged 4-19 half price. [7 BEST ITALIAN CITY BREAKS FOR 2024](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0R3aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9wYXJpcy1ob3RlbHMtb2x5bXBpY3MtY2hlYXBlci1yb29tcy1iMjUzMjU2MS5odG1sP2xpZD1vOGluaGJpcjU4NTBXBXNwY2V1QgpmUd7ea2ZFd3XeUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) Freudian trip Tonight sees the release of Freud’s Last Session, a film starring Sir Anthony Hopkins as the “father of psychoanalysis” during his final days. Sigmund Freud died at his home in Hampstead, northwest London, in September 1939. The house at 20 Maresfield Gardens is now the Freud Museum – where the couch used by his patients takes pride of place. [Listen to Dr Giuseppe Albano, director of the Freud Museum](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0SeaHR0cHM6Ly9zaG93cy5hY2FzdC5jb20vZ3JlZW4tbGlzdC10cmF2ZWwtd2l0aC1zaW1vbi1jYWxkZXItYW5kLXRoZS1pbmRlcGVuZGVudC9lcGlzb2Rlcy9qdW5lLTEydGgtZnJldWRpYW4tdHJpcC1pbnNpZGUtaGFtc3RlYWQtZnJldWQtbXVzZXVtP2xpZD02dnpvbTUzMmlobWJXBXNwY2V1QgpmUd7ea2ZFd3XeUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~)   ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0RhaHR0cHM6Ly9wbGF5LmFjYXN0LmNvbS9zL2dyZWVuLWxpc3QtdHJhdmVsLXdpdGgtc2ltb24tY2FsZGVyLWFuZC10aGUtaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQ_bGlkPWR3ODhkY29kMG9taFcFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0RhaHR0cHM6Ly9wbGF5LmFjYXN0LmNvbS9zL2dyZWVuLWxpc3QtdHJhdmVsLXdpdGgtc2ltb24tY2FsZGVyLWFuZC10aGUtaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQ_bGlkPXpkNHIwMmdoZXRxMlcFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~   [Hand luggage](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0R2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0L3RyYXZlbC1vdXRkb29ycy9sdWdnYWdlL2Jlc3QtaGFuZC1sdWdnYWdlLWIyNTQ2MzEyLmh0bWw_bGlkPXFtenFxMGl6b2lzblcFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) We've reviewed the [13 best hand luggage bags](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0R2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0L3RyYXZlbC1vdXRkb29ycy9sdWdnYWdlL2Jlc3QtaGFuZC1sdWdnYWdlLWIyNTQ2MzEyLmh0bWw_bGlkPW4ybjA0YmphaWRra1cFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) – to avoid airline fees. [SHOP NOW](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0R2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0L3RyYXZlbC1vdXRkb29ycy9sdWdnYWdlL2Jlc3QtaGFuZC1sdWdnYWdlLWIyNTQ2MzEyLmh0bWw_bGlkPWsyZW9jZ2U4bGE0eFcFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)   Question of the week Question of the week Canaries plus Madeira?     How easy is it to combine the Canary Islands and Madeira on the same trip? Could we fly to Madeira then travel on to Tenerife and fly back from there? Are there any ferries or flights between them?     Besides some cruise ships that combine Funchal in Madeira with one or more of the Canaries, I know of no passenger ships that sail between these islands. The 300-mile flight between Funchal and Tenerife Norte airport (just outside the island’s capital, Santa Cruz) takes off twice a week It is one of a handful of direct flights between Madeira and the Canaries. Similarly sparse frequencies apply from Funchal to both Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. The one solid daily connection is between Funchal and Las Palmas, the main city on Gran Canaria. All such services are operated by Binter, the Canary Islands’ “domestic airline”. Fares are annoying high, typically £150 for an 80-minute flight. No mainstream airline yet flies between Madeira and the Canaries, but it is surely only a matter of time before Ryanair tests this market. You may wish to join me in waiting for the first low-cost links before setting up that island-hopping trip. To ask your own question, get Simon's Ask Me Anything newsletter by [subscribing to Independent Premium](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0Q4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3Vic2NyaWJlP2xpZD0zY3JvOXpudm45a3dXBXNwY2V1QgpmUd7ea2ZFd3XeUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~).   ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0StaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudmFsdWVhZGRlZHRyYXZlbC5jb20vdHlwZXMvdG91cnMvc3JpLWxhbmthL2hpZ2hsaWdodHM_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1pbmRlcGVuZGVudCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPXJlZmVycmFsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zcmlfbGFua2FfaGlnaGxpZ2h0c190b3VyX2p1bl8yMDI0JmxpZD03Nm1vbmlzbGViNjhXBXNwY2V1QgpmUd7ea2ZFd3XeUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~   STAT OF THE WEEK 32 [Average departure delay, in minutes, of Wizz Air flights from UK airports in 2023.](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0R4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9mcmFuY2UtcGFzcy1yYWlsLXRyYWluLXRyYXZlbC1ldXJvcGUtYjI1NTYyOTYuaHRtbD9saWQ9a2hjZHQ1bXYzem11VwVzcGNldUIKZlHe3mtmRXd13lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj)     [Anker charger](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0QoaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXpuLnRvLzNVTEdWNVc_bGlkPWo5bG5wdXNydms2MlcFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) Ensure you don't run out of battery while travelling – there's 40 per cent off this [handy portable charger](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0QoaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXpuLnRvLzNVTEdWNVc_bGlkPXZ4cXZsd241MjZrcVcFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~). [GET DEAL](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0R2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0L3RyYXZlbC1vdXRkb29ycy9sdWdnYWdlL2Jlc3QtaGFuZC1sdWdnYWdlLWIyNTQ2MzEyLmh0bWw_bGlkPWpsOTEyOHM4Y29wZlcFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) [Travel pillow](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0QoaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXpuLnRvLzRhek5iRFk_bGlkPXVreTl6dXp4ZjVsY1cFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) Stay comfy on long journeys - this [memory foam travel pillow](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0QoaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXpuLnRvLzRhek5iRFk_bGlkPXp2ZnpmMWZlbzlvb1cFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) is under £9. [GET DEAL](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0QoaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXpuLnRvLzRhek5iRFk_bGlkPXJjY3QwcHZ4Mmx0clcFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)   MORE FROM SIMON Listen to my daily podcast, ‘Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast’ – available free on [Spotify](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0RkaHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tL3Nob3cvMHMwSGwyaExoazR5VTFIMGFHVG5Vdz9zaT05V2dSS3NjYlROMlc1eElLYi1zT0lBJm5kPTEmbGlkPWg4aTk4ajdocmxielcFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~), [Apple Podcasts](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0R7aHR0cHM6Ly9wb2RjYXN0cy5hcHBsZS5jb20vZ2IvcG9kY2FzdC9ncmVlbi1saXN0LXRyYXZlbC13aXRoLXNpbW9uLWNhbGRlci1hbmQtdGhlLWluZGVwZW5kZW50L2lkMTU2NjkxNTc3MD9saWQ9aHR4cjhoeWo1dG5sVwVzcGNldUIKZlHe3mtmRXd13lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj), [Pocket Casts](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0QoaHR0cHM6Ly9wY2Euc3QvbXU0bDNjd2Q_bGlkPXZweWxlYnQwYzgxblcFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) or [Acast](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTmPeP0RhaHR0cHM6Ly9wbGF5LmFjYXN0LmNvbS9zL2dyZWVuLWxpc3QtdHJhdmVsLXdpdGgtc2ltb24tY2FsZGVyLWFuZC10aGUtaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQ_bGlkPTF6bTk1ZXAydTE1clcFc3BjZXVCCmZR3t5rZkV3dd5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~). 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