The Queen travelled further than any head of state in history as she brought nations together

Simon Calder’s Travel Week [The Independent]( September 09, 2022 [View in browser](   [The Independent]( [The Independent]( Queen Elizabeth II has been present throughout my life, and probably yours. How fortunate to live in a nation whose head of state was a woman so decent and so graceful. The Queen arriving at London Heathrow airport on a British European Airways flight in 1972 Her Majesty felt like a distant yet kind and ever-present family member. She was the ultimate public servant: fulfilling, with dignity and to the very end, a near-impossible role as figurehead for a kingdom and a Commonwealth. No one ever voted for her, yet the monarch of a small, unruly country on the northwest fringes of Europe became a steadfast, global figure who united nations (and did her very best to hold this one together). To achieve this, the Queen travelled further than any head of state in history. She is celebrated everywhere from the banknotes spent in Arctic Canada to the slice of the Antarctic known as Queen Elizabeth Land. Barely 12 hours after we learnt of her passing, all I can offer – besides condolences to the royal family and everyone else feeling sorrowful and bereaved – is to set out some consequences for travellers as they appear this morning. Within hours of the news, the RMT union called off its national rail strikes planned for Thursday and Saturday next week, on 15 and 17 September. Aslef, the train drivers’ union, did the same for its action on Thursday, but made clear this was merely a postponement of the walk-out. Because train crew rosters are typically assigned a week ahead, there could still be some disruption on Thursday as plans are redrawn. But Network Rail signallers will work normally, meaning the entire network should be accessible. Train operators are working on plans to enable people from across Great Britain to pay their respects to the Queen as she lies in state at Westminster Hall for about four days. I predict a combination of additional trains to and from London plus a widespread relaxation of fare conditions – probably classifying all services as off-peak over the appropriate days, to allow as many people as possible to travel at a reasonable cost. Airlines and coach operators may do something similar. As plans for the next two weeks emerge, flight and train schedules will be disrupted – in particular on the day of the funeral itself, when much of the normal life of the nation is likely to come to a halt. I hope and expect that transport operators and holiday companies will give travellers plenty of flexibility, especially those who are deeply affected by the loss and who wish to postpone imminent plans. Travel stresses and uncertainties will emerge in the coming days, with inevitable frustrations. Whatever happens, please be kind and respectful to one another. The Queen showed us the way.   [Get inspired...]( Swap Greece for Albania]( This under-rated corner of Europe has beaches and beauty to rival its brochure-ready neighbours [I'm an image]( [Stay of the week]( Enjoy a first-class wellness package at The Glass House hotel in Essex [I'm an image]( [We heart NYC]( How to plan the ultimate trip to New York City this autumn Tip of the week: Free online travel event Autumn escapes, Christmas breaks, winter sun and new year adventures: to discuss your best holiday options for the rest of 2022 and into 2023, join the next online event from the travel desk at The Independent. On Thursday 22 September, from 6.30pm, travel editor Helen Coffey and I will tackle your questions in a live online event. Helen, whose book Zero Altitude: How I Learned To Fly Less and Travel More was published in May, will provide top tips on holidaying flight-free. You can ask questions in advance or during the event. [Apply here for your free ticket](   Deal of the week: Cheap trains in Scotland for young and old ScotRail is offering two excellent autumn deals for train tickets within the nation. The first is for anyone with a valid student ID. Until 25 September, you can buy an off-peak ticket at half price – with the return journey up to one month later. No need to register or book in advance; indeed you can only buy them from a staffed booking office or, if there isn’t one where you start your journey, on board a train. At the other end of the age range, Club 50 is a £15-per-year subscription deal for anyone born in September 1972 or earlier. The big benefit here is a flat-fare return of £15 anywhere in Scotland between now and 13 November. On a long journey, the saving will easily exceed the subscription. [A rail journey from London to Inverness](   Question of the week: Barbados next August, on a budget? Q To celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary next August we are going to Barbados. Any particularly nice areas? Need affordable shops/restaurants nearby. A To be honest, in August Barbados would be far from my top choice of destination: it coincides with the height of the hurricane season, and you could choose from a thousand nearer, cheaper and equally delightful locations. But conversely you can see August on the island as a positive, with no daytripping crowds: cruise ships are busy in Europe and return to the Caribbean only with the arrival of the dry season in late November/early December. The south coast of the island between the capital Bridgetown and the airport is the area to aim for. I like staying at the friendly and good-value Crystal Waters guest house. In terms of eating and drinking, Bridgetown (accessible by cheap, frequent local buses) is the best place to pick up supplies for picnics, etc. For evenings out the fish-frying shacks at nearby Oistins offer excellent value – though unless the pound cheers up in the next 11 months, outright bargains will be hard to find anywhere in the dollar-denominated Caribbean. [Four hidden gems in Barbados]( STAT OF THE WEEK £17,000 The price of a [Rolex watch stolen from a British visitor to Mallorca]( this summer in a pre-planned theft. The victim has warned other holidaymakers to be aware of the risks when travelling there. What you might have missed... - Going nowhere: [Blue Air of Romania suspends all its flights]( - Ice squad: [Rome tourist fined €450 fine for eating gelato]( - Rail replacement: Staff shortage means some train passengers will end up on a bus]( 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](, [Apple Podcasts](, [Pocket Casts]( or [Acast](.         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](, [Apple Podcasts](, [Pocket Casts]( or [Acast](.         I find the easiest way to rush out stories is to tweet them. 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](         I find the easiest way to rush out stories is to tweet them. 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](         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 [@Simon_Calder](         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 [@Simon_Calder](         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](         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](   INDYBEST / [TRAVEL BEST BUY]( [10 best sleeping bags for camping, festivals and trekking adventures]( From kids’ options to cocoons for two, these will ensure the happiest of campers. [Click here for the full list](   Essential reading The great escape: Should you swap city for seaside?](   Articles available exclusively to subscribers Trendwatch: Hotels are embracing the hyper-local movement](   OTHER NEWSLETTERS YOU MIGHT LIKE [Race Report] The Race Report Fortnightly, 7am (UK time) Written by Nadine White [Join now]( [Health Check] Health Check Every Thursday, 7am (UK time) Written by Rebecca Thomas [Join now]( If you can spare a minute we’d love your [feedback]( on our newsletters. 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