Why selling imaginary seats can actually be a good thing

Simon Calder’s Travel Week [The Independent](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0SwaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvP2xpZD1iNXk3YzhvNmphbWQmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDA4LTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpk8i_X-mQGsgeXUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) Friday, September 8, 2023   ~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0S2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsP2xpZD0yczBubnhjNDcwa3EmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDA4LTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpk8i_X-mQGsgeXUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ ~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0S2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsP2xpZD0xeWNudWxxMG00aWYmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDA4LTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpk8i_X-mQGsgeXUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ Southwest Airlines is highly unusual: it doesn’t overbook flights and offers only “open seating”. The Texas-based giant guarantees you a seat on the plane; you just don't know which one it will be. But selling imaginary seats can actually be a good thing... Full house: Southwest Airlines never sells more seats than are available on its fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft   [Get inspired...](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0TCaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2luc3BpcmF0aW9uP2xpZD1oZmNmcWFycGQ3NjUmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDA4LTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpk8i_X-mQGsgeXUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) ~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0TyaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL3VrL2xha2UtZGlzdHJpY3QtY2FyLWZyZWUtYnVzLXRyYWluLXVsbHN3YXRlci1iMjQwMTc3MC5odG1sP2xpZD1xM28wMmxzY3YxamkmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDA4LTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpk8i_X-mQGsgeXUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ [Car-free Lake District](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0TyaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL3VrL2xha2UtZGlzdHJpY3QtY2FyLWZyZWUtYnVzLXRyYWluLXVsbHN3YXRlci1iMjQwMTc3MC5odG1sP2xpZD1jcnQ2OXdwZ241MnkmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDA4LTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpk8i_X-mQGsgeXUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) Leave the motor at home: a new bus scheme in Ullswater is opening up the legendary national park to pedestrians. ~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0TraHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2luZGVwZW5kZW50LXRyYXZlbGxlci9jb2xsZWN0aW9uL2hvdGVscy1pbi1iYXJjZWxvbmE_bGlkPW9qZW9oaTY0dmk3ZCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMDgtMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmTyL9f6ZAayB5dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ [Bed down in Barcelona](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0TraHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2luZGVwZW5kZW50LXRyYXZlbGxlci9jb2xsZWN0aW9uL2hvdGVscy1pbi1iYXJjZWxvbmE_bGlkPTZlZDBsb25tOHV2eSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMDgtMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmTyL9f6ZAayB5dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) Discover our collection of the best hotels in the Catalonian capital, from design-led boutiques to budget boltholes. ~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0TxaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL3VrL2ZpcnN0LWN5Y2xpbmctaG9saWRheS1iaWtlLXRyaXAtYmVnaW5uZXJzLWIyNDA0NTI5Lmh0bWw_bGlkPW0yM2R0OWZweWdneiZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMDgtMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmTyL9f6ZAayB5dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ [Biking for beginners](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0TxaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL3VrL2ZpcnN0LWN5Y2xpbmctaG9saWRheS1iaWtlLXRyaXAtYmVnaW5uZXJzLWIyNDA0NTI5Lmh0bWw_bGlkPTVkMTU3ZWpqeHRucyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMDgtMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmTyL9f6ZAayB5dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) Everything you need to know to plan your first ever cycling holiday, from where to go (and how far) to what to pack.   Simon’s dispatches While almost all major carriers allocate seats, making money in the process, [Southwest](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP4QFAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9uZXdzLWFuZC1hZHZpY2Uvc291dGh3ZXN0LWFpcmxpbmVzLWZsaWdodHMtY2FuY2VsbGF0aW9ucy10cmF2ZWxzLWIyMjU4NzQyLmh0bWw_bGlkPXJwOGtjMml4cjM2aiZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMDgtMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmTyL9f6ZAayB5dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) believes that passengers are better served by choosing their own seats on board. And the airline guarantees a place on board by never selling more tickets than there are seats available. Jet2 and Ryanair also operate “no overbooking” policies on their Boeing 737 aircraft. All are outliers. You may applaud the attitude of these highly successful airlines in not selling imaginary seats. Many people believe overbooking is fundamentally wrong, little more than a money-making scam. Certainly, selling the same seat to two different people is highly profitable if the airline predicts correctly that one of them won’t show up at the airport. Yet [when carried out properly, selling more tickets than available seats benefits everyone](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP4QAAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9uZXdzLWFuZC1hZHZpY2Uvb3ZlcmJvb2tpbmctZmxpZ2h0cy1wbGFuZXMtcGFzc2VuZ2Vycy1zZWF0cy1iMjM3MzM5OC5odG1sP2xpZD15ZXpjM2FrODRrbmYmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDA4LTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpk8i_X-mQGsgeXUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~). Someone who is desperate to travel on a particular departure, perhaps because of a family emergency, can buy a ticket for a sold-out flight. And with 5 per cent of passengers typically being no-shows, shrewd overbooking also allows flights to depart with higher loads – a small mitigation for the environmental harm caused by aviation. Sometimes airlines’ predictions of no-shows are overoptimistic: passengers with confirmed bookings exceed the space available. At this point, European air passengers’ rights legislation requires carriers to ask for volunteers. But in a high-pressure situation, with minutes until departure and 10 too many passengers, ground staff often seem arbitrarily to choose people to turn away. Except, as I discovered this week, the process at easyJet is not random. [The airline has a pecking order when denying boarding](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0T_aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9lYXN5amV0LXBhY2thZ2UtaG9saWRheS1vdmVyYm9va2VkLWZsaWdodHMtYjI0MDY5MDEuaHRtbD9saWQ9dzUyYnVpNnY2ZDFuJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAwOC0wOS0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZPIv1_pkBrIHl1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj), with easyJet Holidays customers prioritised to make the flight. This increases the risk of “ordinary” passengers being turned away. The case I investigated when I discovered about easyJet’s prioritisation was not, as it happens, a case of overselling: a technical problem meant the airline had downsized the aircraft. It shouldn't matter. For overbooking to be benign when airlines guess wrong and too many people turn up, incentives must be generous enough to persuade enough passengers to travel on a later flight. The spectrum of disruption afflicting travellers seems to get more extreme with every week this summer: [flooding on the Greek island of Skiathos](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0T9aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9za2lhdGhvcy1mbGlnaHRzLWNhbmNlbGxlZC1zdG9ybXMtZ3JlZWNlLWIyNDA2MzEwLmh0bWw_bGlkPTlxY2VtNzlvd2RqdCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMDgtMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmTyL9f6ZAayB5dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~); dozens of [flight cancellations triggered by staff shortage in the control tower at Gatwick; queues at airports and ports due to the manhunt](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP4QOAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9uZXdzLWFuZC1hZHZpY2UvbWFuaHVudC1mbGlnaHQtZGVsYXlzLWdhdHdpY2stYWlycG9ydC1uYXRzLXN0YWZmLXNob3J0YWdlLWIyNDA2OTkzLmh0bWw_bGlkPWRmY3ZmcmZsanZvcCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMDgtMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmTyL9f6ZAayB5dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) for the escapee from Wandsworth prison. Exogenous events abound; more than ever, the travel industry needs to be on top form. [Ov](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP4QLAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9uZXdzLWFuZC1hZHZpY2UvcGFzc2VuZ2VyLWNvbXBlbnNhdGlvbi1mbGlnaHQtcmlnaHRzLWNhbmNlbGxlZC1kZWxheWVkLWIyMzk3MDYyLmh0bWw_bGlkPTNjaXV3b3VmcmNjcSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMDgtMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmTyL9f6ZAayB5dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)[erbooked, delayed or cancelled](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP4QLAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9uZXdzLWFuZC1hZHZpY2UvcGFzc2VuZ2VyLWNvbXBlbnNhdGlvbi1mbGlnaHQtcmlnaHRzLWNhbmNlbGxlZC1kZWxheWVkLWIyMzk3MDYyLmh0bWw_bGlkPWNzZ2dpeGppbXdpNSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMDgtMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmTyL9f6ZAayB5dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)[? Your rights when a flight goes wrong](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP4QLAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9uZXdzLWFuZC1hZHZpY2UvcGFzc2VuZ2VyLWNvbXBlbnNhdGlvbi1mbGlnaHQtcmlnaHRzLWNhbmNlbGxlZC1kZWxheWVkLWIyMzk3MDYyLmh0bWw_bGlkPWc0NWRiaG9peGp0YyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMDgtMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmTyL9f6ZAayB5dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)   Deal of the week: Blackpool and beyond for 10p ~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0SwaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXVyb3N0YXIuY29tL3VrLWVuP2xpZD13YmJnaTJqcjB6bzQmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDA4LTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpk8i_X-mQGsgeXUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~Northern, the state-run train operator serving the north of England, is virtually giving away Advance tickets for travel between Thursday 14 September and Friday 20 October. The [flash sale](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0S_aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubm9ydGhlcm5yYWlsd2F5LmNvLnVrL29mZmVycy9zYWxlP2xpZD1ucGs0bmh1bXI1cXMmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDA4LTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpk8i_X-mQGsgeXUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) has fares ranging from 10p to £5, though with limited or no availability at weekends. I checked a wide range of routes and found plenty of availability at 10p from Sheffield to Leeds, Manchester Piccadilly to Buxton and Preston to Blackpool. For longer journeys, you can find tickets at £3 from Newcastle to Carlisle and £5 from Crewe to Manchester airport. [Our latest guide to the best Blackpool hotels](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0TvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL3VrL2VuZ2xhbmQvYmxhY2twb29sL2Jlc3QtaG90ZWxzLWJsYWNrcG9vbC1iMTk3MjAzMS5odG1sP2xpZD1wc3drOXBqMXVtbHImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDA4LTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpk8i_X-mQGsgeXUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) PICK OF THE WEEK: EXCLUSIVE AT THE ICONIC, 5* CONRAD ABU DHABI ETIHAD TOWERS ~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP4RYAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnZhbHVlYWRkZWR0cmF2ZWwuY29tL2Rlc3RpbmF0aW9ucy9taWRkbGUtZWFzdC9hYnUtZGhhYmktaG9saWRheXMvanVtZWlyYWgtYXQtZXRpaGFkLXRvd2Vycz91dG1fc291cmNlPWluZGVwZW5kZW50JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09cmVmZXJyYWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPWNvbnJhZF9hYnVfZGhhYmlfZXRpaGFkX3Rvd2Vyc19zZXBfMjAyMyZsaWQ9djhiMTI5ajd6NGc3JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAwOC0wOS0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZPIv1_pkBrIHl1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj [Experience luxury at its finest at the 5-star Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, one of the Iconic landmark in the City. With famous city skyline of Abu Dhabi, this modern marvel offers award-winning restaurants, guaranteeing a culinary journey like no other. Book your stay today with exclusive offer!](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP4RYAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnZhbHVlYWRkZWR0cmF2ZWwuY29tL2Rlc3RpbmF0aW9ucy9taWRkbGUtZWFzdC9hYnUtZGhhYmktaG9saWRheXMvanVtZWlyYWgtYXQtZXRpaGFkLXRvd2Vycz91dG1fc291cmNlPWluZGVwZW5kZW50JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09cmVmZXJyYWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPWNvbnJhZF9hYnVfZGhhYmlfZXRpaGFkX3Rvd2Vyc19zZXBfMjAyMyZsaWQ9MmhucjB1amM0OHRiJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAwOC0wOS0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZPIv1_pkBrIHl1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj)   ~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0S-aHR0cHM6Ly9pbmRlcGVuZGVudC5vbmVsaW5rLm1lL25vNXgvZDI1ZTc0Y2M_bGlkPTdjemdkcmx6OXlvMiZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMDgtMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmTyL9f6ZAayB5dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ ~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0S9aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3Vic2NyaWJlL2FwcD9saWQ9ajZnaHR6emF5aHdqJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAwOC0wOS0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZPIv1_pkBrIHl1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj   Tip of the week: ‘The Beach' is back The tropical Thai shore where Alex Garland’s novel The Beach was filmed [closed to visitors in 2018](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP4QpAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL2FydHMtZW50ZXJ0YWlubWVudC9maWxtcy9uZXdzL3RoYWlsYW5kLW1heWEtYmF5LWNsb3Nlcy10aGUtYmVhY2gtb3Zlci10b3VyaXNtLWRhbm55LWJveWxlLWxlb25hcmRvLWRpY2FwcmlvLWE4Mjc5MDcxLmh0bWw_bGlkPTJqY2RwOXdzMm1kZiZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMDgtMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmTyL9f6ZAayB5dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~). The authorities wanted to reverse the damage to the delicate ecosystem. Five years on, the beach on Phi Phi Leh island has reopened – but with strict rules on tourists’ behaviour. As the BBC’s Lucy Hedges reports for The Travel Show this weekend, there are bans on boats in the bay and swimming in the sea – and a maximum stay of one hour. Watch on the BBC News Channel at 12.30am, 5.30am and 2.30pm on Saturday, or afterwards on [BBC iPlayer](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0S7aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvLnVrL3Byb2dyYW1tZXMvbTAwMXFibWY_bGlkPTVqd2tvbjVibWczayZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMDgtMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmTyL9f6ZAayB5dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~). [Best times to visit Thailand – and how to avoid the rainy season](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0T8aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2FzaWEvdGhhaWxhbmQvdGhhaWxhbmQtaG9saWRheS13aGVuLXRyYXZlbC1yYWlueS1zZWFzb24tYjIzNjIzNzMuaHRtbD9saWQ9cDk4dmhqeDZ6Zmo0JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAwOC0wOS0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZPIv1_pkBrIHl1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj)   Question of the week: Why not just get the train back from Rotterdam? Q During the [air-traffic control disruption](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0T-aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9haXItdHJhZmZpYy1jb250cm9sLWZhaWx1cmUtd2hhdC1oYXBwZW5lZC1iMjQwNjMzNy5odG1sP2xpZD01eDB4NWExYjdtamQmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDA4LTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpk8i_X-mQGsgeXUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) I saw on TV a British couple described as stranded in Rotterdam. Why wouldn’t they simply get the Eurostar train from there to London? A Hopefully the couple returned swiftly and safely after the Nats air-traffic control debacle. The 28 August shutdown triggered 2,000 flight cancellations and stranded many people abroad. Some found terrestrial routes home, and in the case of this couple the Eurostar train from [Rotterdam](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP4QAAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9ldXJvcGUvcm90dGVyZGFtLW1pY3JvLXRyaXAtbmV0aGVybGFuZHMtZXVyb3N0YXItY2l0eS1icmVhay1hODg0MDc2Ni5odG1sP2xpZD1jOGRjZ3djZzhheDQmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDA4LTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpk8i_X-mQGsgeXUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) to London seems the obvious solution. But the lack of space on Eurostar trains from the Netherlands may well have prevented their escape by this means. Extra bureaucracy due to [post-Brexit passport checks means that the number of seats available from both Amsterdam and Rotterdam is capped](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP4QFAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9uZXdzLWFuZC1hZHZpY2UvZXVyb3N0YXItYnJleGl0LWxvbmRvbi1wYXJpcy1icnVzc2Vscy1kaXNuZXlsYW5kLWIyMTc2Mjc3Lmh0bWw_bGlkPWI4ZTFkN2JlaWQwdCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMDgtMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmTyL9f6ZAayB5dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~), with many places remaining empty. With numerous people trying to return by rail after their flights were cancelled, any spare seats are likely to have been snapped up quickly. Fortunately, the ferry from [Hook of Holland](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP4QeAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9uZXdzLWFuZC1hZHZpY2UvaG9lay12YW4taG9sbGFuZC1uZXRoZXJsYW5kcy1yYWlsLXRyYXZlbC1mZXJyaWVzLWV1cm9wZWFuLXRyYWlucy1ldXJvc3Rhci1hOTE4MDMxMS5odG1sP2xpZD01M2dvZ2M5YTJ5dWsmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDA4LTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpk8i_X-mQGsgeXUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) to Harwich in Essex is a short Metro ride away from Rotterdam. There is plenty of capacity, on day sailings at least, with onward rail connections to London across East Anglia and to the Midlands and north of England. I hope the latest aviation foul-up meant some travellers reacquainted themselves with ferries and discovered the many advantages of slower travel. [How going flight-free can help save the planet](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0T9aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL3N1c3RhaW5hYmxlLXRyYXZlbC96ZXJvLWFsdGl0dWRlLWZsaWdodC1mcmVlLXRyYXZlbC1ib29rLWIyMDg3MTY2Lmh0bWw_bGlkPXFseDk3ZHl4dWVrNyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMDgtMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmTyL9f6ZAayB5dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) STAT OF THE WEEK £650,000 [Potential compensation bill for British Airways after three flights from London Heathrow last Saturday turned around mid flight due to technical issues](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0T9aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9icml0aXNoLWFpcndheXMtZmxpZ2h0cy11LXR1cm4tZGl2ZXJzaW9uLWIyNDA0ODgwLmh0bWw_bGlkPXM3cWo4ZGt3Ym95NSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMDgtMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmTyL9f6ZAayB5dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~). What you might have missed... Crunch time: [Passenger sues airlines after biting into a piece of broken dish in inflight meal](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP4QHAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9uZXdzLWFuZC1hZHZpY2UvdW5pdGVkLWF1c3RyaWFuLWFpcmxpbmVzLWJyb2tlbi1kaXNoLWluZmxpZ2h0LW1lYWwtYjI0MDcwNTAuaHRtbD9saWQ9azc3dnQ5YXhjNjM4JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAwOC0wOS0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZPIv1_pkBrIHl1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) Storm shutdown: [Hundreds of people were stranded on the Greek island of Skiathos due to extreme flooding](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0T9aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9za2lhdGhvcy1mbGlnaHRzLWNhbmNlbGxlZC1zdG9ybXMtZ3JlZWNlLWIyNDA2MzEwLmh0bWw_bGlkPWc4NTQxMHJ4M3F1NyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMDgtMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmTyL9f6ZAayB5dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) Culture war: [Tourist breaks off chunk of historic Florence statue](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP4QCAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9uZXdzLWFuZC1hZHZpY2UvdG91cmlzdC1icmVha3MtZmxvcmVuY2UtZm91bnRhaW4tc3RhdHVlLWl0YWx5LWIyNDA1NzExLmh0bWw_bGlkPTllY3ppdjN2ZTE3YSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMDgtMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmTyL9f6ZAayB5dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) 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~/RgRm3VwvP0TlaHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tL3Nob3cvMHMwSGwyaExoazR5VTFIMGFHVG5Vdz9zaT05V2dSS3NjYlROMlc1eElLYi1zT0lBJm5kPTEmbGlkPXZ3Z3JmbGI2N215NyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMDgtMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmTyL9f6ZAayB5dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~), [Apple Podcasts](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0T8aHR0cHM6Ly9wb2RjYXN0cy5hcHBsZS5jb20vZ2IvcG9kY2FzdC9ncmVlbi1saXN0LXRyYXZlbC13aXRoLXNpbW9uLWNhbGRlci1hbmQtdGhlLWluZGVwZW5kZW50L2lkMTU2NjkxNTc3MD9saWQ9aWJtbTMxaTN5bm41JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAwOC0wOS0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZPIv1_pkBrIHl1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj), [Pocket Casts](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0SpaHR0cHM6Ly9wY2Euc3QvbXU0bDNjd2Q_bGlkPWZueTlvbThha3A3eSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMDgtMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmTyL9f6ZAayB5dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) or [Acast](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0TiaHR0cHM6Ly9wbGF5LmFjYXN0LmNvbS9zL2dyZWVuLWxpc3QtdHJhdmVsLXdpdGgtc2ltb24tY2FsZGVyLWFuZC10aGUtaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQ_bGlkPWxheHMzYmd5Z2lxMSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMDgtMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmTyL9f6ZAayB5dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~). 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~/RgRm3VwvP0TlaHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tL3Nob3cvMHMwSGwyaExoazR5VTFIMGFHVG5Vdz9zaT05V2dSS3NjYlROMlc1eElLYi1zT0lBJm5kPTEmbGlkPW55bW10Y2JrZWo0cSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMDgtMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmTyL9f6ZAayB5dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~), [Apple Podcasts](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0T8aHR0cHM6Ly9wb2RjYXN0cy5hcHBsZS5jb20vZ2IvcG9kY2FzdC9ncmVlbi1saXN0LXRyYXZlbC13aXRoLXNpbW9uLWNhbGRlci1hbmQtdGhlLWluZGVwZW5kZW50L2lkMTU2NjkxNTc3MD9saWQ9bWpuMXp4Z2Zjb3V0JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAwOC0wOS0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZPIv1_pkBrIHl1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj), [Pocket Casts](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0SpaHR0cHM6Ly9wY2Euc3QvbXU0bDNjd2Q_bGlkPWs4dGoxbDJtY3k0NSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMDgtMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmTyL9f6ZAayB5dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) or [Acast](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0TiaHR0cHM6Ly9wbGF5LmFjYXN0LmNvbS9zL2dyZWVuLWxpc3QtdHJhdmVsLXdpdGgtc2ltb24tY2FsZGVyLWFuZC10aGUtaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQ_bGlkPWt4dTQ5ZXBnaDU5NiZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMDgtMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmTyL9f6ZAayB5dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~). 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~/RgRm3VwvP0S0aHR0cDovL3d3dy50d2l0dGVyLmNvbS9zaW1vbmNhbGRlcj9saWQ9MXBzbmtxdjg3MmJpJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAwOC0wOS0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZPIv1_pkBrIHl1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) 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~/RgRm3VwvP0S0aHR0cDovL3d3dy50d2l0dGVyLmNvbS9zaW1vbmNhbGRlcj9saWQ9OTIwcDZ0eW15ODQ2JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAwOC0wOS0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZPIv1_pkBrIHl1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) 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~/RgRm3VwvP0S5aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9zaW1vbl9jYWxkZXIvP2xpZD1zM3p1eHhqaGJtbzAmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDA4LTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpk8i_X-mQGsgeXUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) 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~/RgRm3VwvP0S5aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9zaW1vbl9jYWxkZXIvP2xpZD0xaHN6NzNnMzd5cmImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDA4LTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpk8i_X-mQGsgeXUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) 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~/RgRm3VwvP0S-aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGlrdG9rLmNvbS9kaXNjb3Zlci9TaW1vbi1DYWxkZXI_bGlkPXJ4ajFoa2JpYjNodSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMDgtMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmTyL9f6ZAayB5dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) 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~/RgRm3VwvP0S-aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGlrdG9rLmNvbS9kaXNjb3Zlci9TaW1vbi1DYWxkZXI_bGlkPWY2aDlhcW1iMG9vcyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMDgtMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmTyL9f6ZAayB5dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) [INDYBEST](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0S_aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0P2xpZD11b2VuZnJ3aG40N2MmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDA4LTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpk8i_X-mQGsgeXUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) / [BEST TRAVEL BUYS](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0TQaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0L291dGRvb3ItYWN0aXZpdHk_bGlkPTZsNHgzOW5xYWhlcCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMDgtMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmTyL9f6ZAayB5dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) [Best men’s summer shoes and sandals, for holidays, weddings and more](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0TsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0L2Jlc3QtbWVucy1zdW1tZXItc2hvZXMtc2FuZGFscy1iMjM2MTczMS5odG1sP2xpZD1lMzdhcm95Z2d6MDMmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDA4LTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpk8i_X-mQGsgeXUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) From [sandals](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0SpaHR0cHM6Ly9mYXZlLmNvLzNOb0RIU20_bGlkPTU2a3Z4YWw1dGh2YyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMDgtMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmTyL9f6ZAayB5dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) and [slides](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP4QSAWh0dHBzOi8vY2xpY2subGlua3N5bmVyZ3kuY29tL2RlZXBsaW5rP2lkPWZaWWswbjB5WVlJJm1pZD00NjExOSZtdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LnJ1c3NlbGxhbmRicm9tbGV5LmNvLnVrJTJGbWlyYWdlJTJGMjQxNTk3JmxpZD16M3VtMmZtZzBqNGcmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDA4LTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpk8i_X-mQGsgeXUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) to [clogs](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0SpaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXpuLnRvLzNOdGZuMUo_bGlkPWhtc20yaGJrOTlmayZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMDgtMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmTyL9f6ZAayB5dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) and [trainers](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0SpaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXpuLnRvLzNDUjNFOGo_bGlkPXB0b2sydDQzZmsyMCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMDgtMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmTyL9f6ZAayB5dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~), we’ve tested the [best men’s summer shoes](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0TsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0L2Jlc3QtbWVucy1zdW1tZXItc2hvZXMtc2FuZGFscy1iMjM2MTczMS5odG1sP2xpZD05M3BoZDMwNThtajgmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDA4LTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpk8i_X-mQGsgeXUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~). [Shop now](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0TsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0L2Jlc3QtbWVucy1zdW1tZXItc2hvZXMtc2FuZGFscy1iMjM2MTczMS5odG1sP2xpZD0ydmZ6YTZweTA5NHUmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDA4LTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpk8i_X-mQGsgeXUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) Trending: [Best cool bags and ice boxes](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP4QCAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL2V4dHJhcy9pbmR5YmVzdC9ob3VzZS1nYXJkZW4vb3V0c2lkZS1lYXRpbmcvYmVzdC1jb29sLWJhZ3MtaWNlLWJveGVzLWIyMzYxNTE1Lmh0bWw_bGlkPTJwdHp2YWk0d3l2byZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMDgtMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmTyL9f6ZAayB5dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)   Essential reading ~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0TvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL3N1c3RhaW5hYmxlLXRyYXZlbC9zbm93LWxlb3BhcmRzLWtyZ3l6c3Rhbi1iMjQwMzQ0NC5odG1sP2xpZD05OGZ4aG85b3lmencmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDA4LTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpk8i_X-mQGsgeXUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ [Snow leopards and citizen science: Seeking the grey ghost in Kyrgyzstan](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0TvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL3N1c3RhaW5hYmxlLXRyYXZlbC9zbm93LWxlb3BhcmRzLWtyZ3l6c3Rhbi1iMjQwMzQ0NC5odG1sP2xpZD1teTdwODlkMTVtNmgmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDA4LTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpk8i_X-mQGsgeXUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~)   ~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0TxaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2luc3BpcmF0aW9uL25vdmVsaXN0LXRyYXZlbC1tdXNlLWJvb2tzLXRyaXBzLWIyNDAxMjg1Lmh0bWw_bGlkPXY5OWRqN2Fkcmp5cSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMDgtMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmTyL9f6ZAayB5dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ [The world is my muse: As a novelist, this is why travel is the greatest ever ideas generator](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0TxaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2luc3BpcmF0aW9uL25vdmVsaXN0LXRyYXZlbC1tdXNlLWJvb2tzLXRyaXBzLWIyNDAxMjg1Lmh0bWw_bGlkPXhuZTEwb2xoOW45dCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMDgtMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmTyL9f6ZAayB5dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)   ~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP4RYAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnZhbHVlYWRkZWR0cmF2ZWwuY29tL2Rlc3RpbmF0aW9ucy9taWRkbGUtZWFzdC9hYnUtZGhhYmktaG9saWRheXMvanVtZWlyYWgtYXQtZXRpaGFkLXRvd2Vycz91dG1fc291cmNlPWluZGVwZW5kZW50JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09cmVmZXJyYWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPWNvbnJhZF9hYnVfZGhhYmlfZXRpaGFkX3Rvd2Vyc19zZXBfMjAyMyZsaWQ9aWZvazlqNmpuZ2J3JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAwOC0wOS0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZPIv1_pkBrIHl1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj   ~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0T0aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXZlbnRicml0ZS5jby51ay9lL3doYXQtd291bGQtYS1sYWJvdXItZ292ZXJubWVudC1tZWFuLWZvci10aGUtdWstdGlja2V0cy03MDQ0NjE2NzI4Mjc_bGlkPWFqN3ozMWNyM2NpZiZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMDgtMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmTyL9f6ZAayB5dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ ~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0T0aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXZlbnRicml0ZS5jby51ay9lL3doYXQtd291bGQtYS1sYWJvdXItZ292ZXJubWVudC1tZWFuLWZvci10aGUtdWstdGlja2V0cy03MDQ0NjE2NzI4Mjc_bGlkPTJkd3Z4N2t5bTE5ZCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMDgtMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmTyL9f6ZAayB5dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ The Independent proudly partners with [Refuge](~/AAAHagA~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~~) and the [National Domestic Abuse Helpline](~/AAAHagA~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_X-mQGsgeXUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~): 0808 2000 247 [The Independent](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0SwaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvP2xpZD0xdDBpM3c4aHJoOWcmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDA4LTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpk8i_X-mQGsgeXUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) Join the conversation or follow us [Twitter](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0SxaHR0cHM6Ly90d2l0dGVyLmNvbS9JbmRlcGVuZGVudD9saWQ9MWowb3F3MmI3bHY0JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAwOC0wOS0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZPIv1_pkBrIHl1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) [Instagram](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0S3aHR0cHM6Ly9pbnN0YWdyYW0uY29tL3RoZS5pbmRlcGVuZGVudD9saWQ9Y242ampibDdrcWhzJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAwOC0wOS0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZPIv1_pkBrIHl1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) [Facebook](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0TAaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL1RoZUluZGVwZW5kZW50T25saW5lLz9saWQ9ejRkeml6dHgwYmJyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAwOC0wOS0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZPIv1_pkBrIHl1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) Download the free Independent app [Google Play](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0S-aHR0cHM6Ly9pbmRlcGVuZGVudC5vbmVsaW5rLm1lL3dnaUEvaGdvaG9veno_bGlkPWZ5bXdnM2trMXFtOCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMDgtMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmTyL9f6ZAayB5dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) [Apple App Store](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0S-aHR0cHM6Ly9pbmRlcGVuZGVudC5vbmVsaW5rLm1lL3dnaUEvaGdvaG9veno_bGlkPXBpaDRmenp0Y2I0aiZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMDgtMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmTyL9f6ZAayB5dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) [Google Play](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0S-aHR0cHM6Ly9pbmRlcGVuZGVudC5vbmVsaW5rLm1lL3dnaUEvaGdvaG9veno_bGlkPXdkazFsbDJnYmdscCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMDgtMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmTyL9f6ZAayB5dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) [Google Play](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0S-aHR0cHM6Ly9pbmRlcGVuZGVudC5vbmVsaW5rLm1lL3dnaUEvaGdvaG9veno_bGlkPTlqazQyczFqOTZ0eCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMDgtMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmTyL9f6ZAayB5dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Travel newsletter. To unsubscribe from The Independent's Travel newsletter, or to manage your email preferences please [click here](~/AAAHagA~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_X-mQGsgeXUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~). This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345 Read our [privacy notice](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0TUaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc2VydmljZS9wcml2YWN5LXBvbGljeS1hNjE4NDE4MS5odG1sP2xpZD1sYjQzdDd2NXBmZncmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDA4LTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpk8i_X-mQGsgeXUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) and [cookie policy](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm3VwvP0TTaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc2VydmljZS9jb29raWUtcG9saWN5LWE2MTg0MTg2Lmh0bWw_bGlkPWFubHRlaXkyNmY3MiZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMDgtMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmTyL9f6ZAayB5dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)