Can the warring rail factions make a connection?

Simon Calder’s Travel Week [The Independent](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0SwaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvP2xpZD0zM2hqN25iOTdoZGYmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIyLTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplAO02DWVoFOJjUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) Friday, September 22, 2023   ~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0S2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsP2xpZD1kYTV5c3U4NzN2YnomdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIyLTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplAO02DWVoFOJjUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ ~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0S2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsP2xpZD10aGx4NDc0ajd5aG8mdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIyLTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplAO02DWVoFOJjUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ The first nationwide rail strikes since the 1980s began 15 months ago. So far half a million trains have been cancelled and more than 100 million journeys scuppered by strikes and overtime bans. ~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0TxaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS90cmFpbi1zdHJpa2VzLTIwMjMtc2VwdGVtYmVyLWIyNDE1NjE4Lmh0bWw_bGlkPWF3dXpycGc0cnFtcyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjItMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUA7TYNZWgU4mNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ Empty quarter: London Euston during a strike by train drivers belonging to Aslef on 1 September 2023   [Get inspired...](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0TCaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2luc3BpcmF0aW9uP2xpZD1sbmR0cDgwZWdubTImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIyLTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplAO02DWVoFOJjUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) ~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0TuaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9iZXN0LXdpbnRlci1oaWtpbmctaG9saWRheXMtZXVyb3BlLWIyNDE1NzA0Lmh0bWw_bGlkPXo2ZWRjZnJ0ZmVwbCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjItMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUA7TYNZWgU4mNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ [Winter walking](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0TuaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9iZXN0LXdpbnRlci1oaWtpbmctaG9saWRheXMtZXVyb3BlLWIyNDE1NzA0Lmh0bWw_bGlkPXYxZHhkaXlobnhweiZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjItMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUA7TYNZWgU4mNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) The best hiking holidays in Europe as the temperature drops, from trekking Mont Blanc to strolling in Madeira. ~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0TsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2luZGVwZW5kZW50LXRyYXZlbGxlci9jb2xsZWN0aW9uL2hvdGVscy1pbi1uZXctZm9yZXN0P2xpZD1weHpiZnV4ZHFmd3UmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIyLTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplAO02DWVoFOJjUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ [New Forest retreats](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0TsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2luZGVwZW5kZW50LXRyYXZlbGxlci9jb2xsZWN0aW9uL2hvdGVscy1pbi1uZXctZm9yZXN0P2xpZD1ldjlmMXJqaWpvdXYmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIyLTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplAO02DWVoFOJjUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) Discover our collection of the best hotels in this idyllic region, from country houses with spas to boutique B&Bs. ~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0TwaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9tb250LWJsYW5jLXJ1bi11bHRyYS1tYXJhdGhvbi1mcmFuY2UtYjI0MTEzNjguaHRtbD9saWQ9b2Nqd3phbWk1Mmc4JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAyMi0wOS0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZQDtNg1laBTiY1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj [Climb every mountain](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0TwaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9tb250LWJsYW5jLXJ1bi11bHRyYS1tYXJhdGhvbi1mcmFuY2UtYjI0MTEzNjguaHRtbD9saWQ9aXY0ajRjZm43eGx1JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAyMi0wOS0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZQDtNg1laBTiY1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) What it’s like to run around Mont Blanc non-stop in Europe’s toughest – and most beautiful – ultra-marathon.   Simon’s dispatches The warring factions comprise the main rail union, the RMT, and Aslef, the union representing train drivers, up against the 14 English train operators whose operations are directed by the government. In a possibly futile bid to accelerate a settlement, this week I asked the parties [to come up with some fresh thinking](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0T5aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9yYWlsLXN0cmlrZXMtMjAyMy1kZWFkbG9jay1ybXQtdW5pb24tYjI0MTU2NTkuaHRtbD9saWQ9eHQxOWR0d2Z1a2JzJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAyMi0wOS0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZQDtNg1laBTiY1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) about how to end the economic and emotional harm of the strikes, and to stem the erosion of passenger confidence. My conclusion: the train operators and the RMT union are edging closer to an agreement. It will involve a basic across-the board settlement plus additional deals at a local level. But train drivers belonging to Aslef – whose strikes are now much more effective than the RMT in shutting down most of the network – are still as far apart as ever from the train operators. Talks ended five months ago, and Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan believes [the dispute could rumble on until there is a change of government](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP4QBAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9uZXdzLWFuZC1hZHZpY2UvcmFpbC1zdHJpa2VzLXRyYWluLWRyaXZlcnMtYXNsZWYtbWljay13aGVsYW4tYjI0MDMxMjguaHRtbD9saWQ9cHp1MGtrZzVqZTNsJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAyMi0wOS0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZQDtNg1laBTiY1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj). The next train driver walk-outs are on 30 September and 4 October, with [London Underground staff belonging to the RMT stopping work](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0T6aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS90dWJlLXN0cmlrZXMtbG9uZG9uLXRmbC1vY3RvYmVyLWRhdGVzLWIyNDE1MDE4Lmh0bWw_bGlkPXpuOHplbnNscmRvNCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjItMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUA7TYNZWgU4mNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) – and the Tube – on 4 and 6 October. Eurostar trains from London to Paris will be unaffected by the strikes, but once in the French capital your problems may only be beginning. Last weekend I wrote about "[The great trans-Parisian challenge: how long does it take to change stations](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0RiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9wYXJpcy1ldXJvc3Rhci10Z3YtbG9uZG9uLXRyYWluLWIyNDEyODc5Lmh0bWxXBXNwY2V1QgplAO02DWVoFOJjUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~)?". It all started with Anne Wells from Sussex contacting me concerned about a Eurostar through-booking from London St Pancras via Paris to Avignon. She had been given just 47 minutes to make the connection, which requires crossing the French capital. I was confident she could make it from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon, and [to improve the odds in her favour, posted her a Métro ticket](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0T4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9sb25kb24tcGFyaXMtc3RhdGlvbnMtY2hhbmdlLXRyYWlucy1iMjQxMzMzMS5odG1sP2xpZD0xZ2g4YWt3bHV4MmYmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIyLTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplAO02DWVoFOJjUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) left over from a carnet of 10 that I had bought. Anne made the Avignon train, but with just seconds to spare. Many readers offered advice for future travellers, including Steven Salmon, who said: “If you haven't bought your cross-Paris ticket, don't panic. At Gare du Nord you will come to ticket machines with crowds of people. Keep going and you will find more machines without the crowds. They take cards. You can buy a ticket for your return trip at the same time.” Experience can be crucial, says Iain Lindley: “Such a big difference between what can be done and what you’d recommend to someone unfamiliar with the station. I can get from Wallgate to North Western in Wigan in under 90 seconds but I would never suggest it to others.” The Greater Manchester town is the starting point of the [Wigan to Pyongyang Express](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP4QcAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9uZXdzLWFuZC1hZHZpY2Uvbm9ydGgta29yZWEtd2lnYW4tcHlvbmd5YW5nLW1vc2Nvdy10cmFucy1zaWJlcmlhbi1yYWlsd2F5LWdlb3JnZS1vcndlbGwtYTg5MzYzMTEuaHRtbD9saWQ9dXR5ZnVhdTJma3RhJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAyMi0wOS0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZQDtNg1laBTiY1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj), a rail adventure originally planned by Lupine Travel for April 2020. It was an inevitable Covid casualty, but overnight news suggests North Korea may finally re-open to tourists in 2024 – by which stage at least some of the rail disputes may be over. [My podcast about the forthcoming Tube and train strikes](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP4QnAWh0dHBzOi8vc2hvd3MuYWNhc3QuY29tL2dyZWVuLWxpc3QtdHJhdmVsLXdpdGgtc2ltb24tY2FsZGVyLWFuZC10aGUtaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQvZXBpc29kZXMvc2VwdGVtYmVyLTIwdGgtc3RyaWtlcy1zaGlmdHMtdGhlLWJhbGFuY2Utb2YtdHJhbnNwb3J0LXJpZ2h0P2xpZD11YnZ6cHI0Mm41NjEmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIyLTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplAO02DWVoFOJjUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~)[Protected by Outlook: ~/AAAHagA~/RgRm0yKWP0SVaHR0cHM6Ly9zaG93cy5hY2FzdC5jb20vZ3JlZW4tbGlzdC10cmF2ZWwtd2l0aC1zaW1vbi1jYWxkZXItYW5kLXRoZS1pbmRlcGVuZGVudC9lcGlzb2Rlcy9hdWd1c3QtMzB0aC13aGF0LWRpZC1nby13cm9uZy13aXRoLXRoZS11a3MtYWlyLXRyYWZmaWMtY29udHJXBXNwY2V1Qgpk6Zad8GRMpG7fUhdzaW1vbmNhbGRlckBob3RtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~. Click or tap to follow the link.](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP4QLAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9uZXdzLWFuZC1hZHZpY2UvcGFzc2VuZ2VyLWNvbXBlbnNhdGlvbi1mbGlnaHQtcmlnaHRzLWNhbmNlbGxlZC1kZWxheWVkLWIyMzk3MDYyLmh0bWw_bGlkPTFvZzBoOHNka3VxdSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjItMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUA7TYNZWgU4mNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)   ~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP4QFAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9ldXJvcGUvZmlubGFuZC9sYXBsYW5kLWZpbmxhbmQtY2hyaXN0bWFzLWZhbWlseS1ob2xpZGF5LWNoaWxkcmVuLWIyMjQ0NDYwLmh0bWw_bGlkPTJocmE5dTFzaHBjeSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjItMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUA7TYNZWgU4mNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ Deal of the week: Finnish fares war Next month the opening salvo will be fired in a new fares war to Finnish Lapland. [Ryanair](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0SvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucnlhbmFpci5jb20vZ2IvZW4_bGlkPWx5dnl4NWtxN2p0diZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjItMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUA7TYNZWgU4mNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) launches flights from Liverpool to Rovaniemi – astride the Arctic Circle – on 30 October. In November return trips are available for under £40. On 16 November [easyJet](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0SsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZWFzeWpldC5jb20vZW4_bGlkPWQ1NW50OGpobm85ZiZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjItMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUA7TYNZWgU4mNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) begins a service from Manchester to Kittila, even further north, which will be joined by a link from Gatwick on 25 November. Fares from Manchester start at £92 return. To complete the picture, easyJet adds services to Santa’s claimed home in Rovaniemi on 3 December from Edinburgh and on 9 December from Luton. [The perfect family holiday in Lapland](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP4QFAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9ldXJvcGUvZmlubGFuZC9sYXBsYW5kLWZpbmxhbmQtY2hyaXN0bWFzLWZhbWlseS1ob2xpZGF5LWNoaWxkcmVuLWIyMjQ0NDYwLmh0bWw_bGlkPTJuMjNxZ3g1cjlzMiZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjItMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUA7TYNZWgU4mNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) PICK OF THE WEEK: GO ISRAEL ~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0SnaHR0cHM6Ly9nb2lzcmFlbC5jb20vP2xpZD03NjA2d2l5YzRiMzEmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIyLTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplAO02DWVoFOJjUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ [Israel offers the perfect blend of captivating beach destinations and rich cultural experiences. Whether you're seeking relaxation on the Mediterranean coast, adventure in the vast deserts, or a journey through ancient history and vibrant traditions, Israel has it all.](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0SnaHR0cHM6Ly9nb2lzcmFlbC5jb20vP2xpZD1tZHV1bjBpNDlzaXAmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIyLTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplAO02DWVoFOJjUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~)   ~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0S-aHR0cHM6Ly9pbmRlcGVuZGVudC5vbmVsaW5rLm1lL25vNXgvZDI1ZTc0Y2M_bGlkPWluNHZhMWFkbG11eiZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjItMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUA7TYNZWgU4mNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ ~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0S9aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3Vic2NyaWJlL2FwcD9saWQ9MGtxNDc1NXRvZnoxJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAyMi0wOS0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZQDtNg1laBTiY1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj   Tip of the week: All about self-driving vehicles Do you know your Lidar from your Radar, and understand the difference between V2I (vehicle to infrastructure) and V2V (vehicle to vehicle) communications? With self-driving vehicles promoted as the future of mobility, we have put together [an explainer on all the advantages – and risks – of autonomous transport](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP4QAAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9uZXdzLWFuZC1hZHZpY2Uvc2VsZi1kcml2aW5nLWNhcnMtYnVzZXMtYXV0b25vbW91cy12ZWhpY2xlcy1iMjQxMzY4MS5odG1sP2xpZD1rdXZqczZtaHFrNXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIyLTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplAO02DWVoFOJjUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~). [Cyber-attacks and dozy drivers: the potential dangers of self-driving cars](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0T9aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9hdXRvbm9tb3VzLXZlaGljbGVzLWN5YmVyLWF0dGFja3MtZGFuZ2VyLWIyNDExOTI5Lmh0bWw_bGlkPTFuOHR0dXh6Z3NiZyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjItMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUA7TYNZWgU4mNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)   Question of the week: Late autumn in Rhodes? Q I am keen on a five-day trip to the Greek islands (ideally Rhodes) at the very end of October, returning early in November. The air fares going out from the London airports seem extremely low with lots of choice. But coming back there only seems to be one flight all day and it costs many times more. What’s going on? A You have chosen to travel out over the last weekend of the summer, according to the aviation industry. Over the weekend of 28-29 October, a couple of things happen. Many airlines in the northern hemisphere change their schedules from the early hours, from the summer programme to the winter season. Typically the number of flights reduces, and summer destinations are replaced by business routes. Overlaid on this, the final weekend of October marks the end of the half-term holiday for many British schools, as you say. Accordingly, airlines will typically fly their final missions to many Mediterranean destinations on Saturday or Sunday. [Greek island hopping: A guide to the best routes](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0TuaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9ncmVlY2UvZ3JlZWNlLWlzbGFuZC1ob3BwaW5nLWdyZWVrLWIyMzQyMTk1Lmh0bWw_bGlkPXhudmhhZDE1ZTF1byZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjItMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUA7TYNZWgU4mNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) Outbound flights on their last departures of the summer are effectively “empty legs”: trips that are not carrying out mainstream holidaymakers, because there is not a corresponding flight to bring them back a week or two later. Consequently you can almost name your price, starting at around £25 one way from a London airport (in this case Luton on easyJet) to Rhodes, a distance of over 1,700 miles. The catch, as you have discovered, is the lack of choice coming home. From many Mediterranean locations flights simply disappear. From Rhodes, Jet2 has shrewdly concluded that there is still a market in early November – which is why you are seeing a single daily departure from the island to Stansted, currently priced at £232. You could instead easily put together a trip on Ryanair via one of its many eastern European destinations from Rhodes: it does not take too much research to find options under £100. Your choice will depend on how much hassle and risk you are prepared to tolerate. ['Free holidays in Rhodes' for tourists who had to evacuate this summer](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0T9aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9ncmVlay1wcmltZS1taW5pc3Rlci1yaG9kZXMtaG9saWRheS1mcmVlLWIyMzg2MjEyLmh0bWw_bGlkPXRzcXRsOW42M2NkeSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjItMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUA7TYNZWgU4mNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) STAT OF THE WEEK 10% ~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP4QLAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9uZXdzLWFuZC1hZHZpY2Uvd29ybGQtYmVzdC1jb25uZWN0ZWQtYWlycG9ydHMtaXN0YW5idWwtaGVhdGhyb3ctZHVibGluLWIyNDA5NTY5Lmh0bWw_bGlkPWJwbmpvdHlvMXFzMyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjItMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUA7TYNZWgU4mNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~[Tax payable on drinks consumed in Spanish waters by passengers on NCL cruises who have bought "inclusive drinks packages"](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0T2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9uY2wtZnJlZS1hdC1zZWEtcGFja2FnZS1zcGFpbi12YXQtYjI0MTU2MzEuaHRtbD9saWQ9ZThjOXh2bjJkZzN0JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAyMi0wOS0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZQDtNg1laBTiY1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj)~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP4QLAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9uZXdzLWFuZC1hZHZpY2Uvd29ybGQtYmVzdC1jb25uZWN0ZWQtYWlycG9ydHMtaXN0YW5idWwtaGVhdGhyb3ctZHVibGluLWIyNDA5NTY5Lmh0bWw_bGlkPXhkZGswMm02bHUweSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjItMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUA7TYNZWgU4mNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ What you might have missed... All aboard: [Rush for autumn cruises after dismal UK summer](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0T1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9hdXR1bW4tY3J1aXNlLXR1aS1ob2xpZGF5LXByaWNlcy1iMjQxNDA2OC5odG1sP2xpZD1nNzg3cXA1ZHlxMXgmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIyLTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplAO02DWVoFOJjUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) Price hikes: [Holidaymakers paying 27% more for post-pandemic packages](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0TyaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9zdW1tZXItaG9saWRheS1wcmljZS1yaXNlLXR1aS1iMjQxNDA5My5odG1sP2xpZD03eThuNDFqMHJlaGUmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIyLTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplAO02DWVoFOJjUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) Orient excess: [Tourist calls police over £500 Singapore restaurant bill](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP4QJAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9uZXdzLWFuZC1hZHZpY2UvY2hpbGxpLWNyYWItc2luZ2Fwb3JlLXRvdXJpc3QtcG9saWNlLXJlc3RhdXJhbnQtYmlsbC1iMjQxNTczMC5odG1sP2xpZD02emg5MGRmeW93OXQmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIyLTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplAO02DWVoFOJjUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) 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~/RgRm77vtP0TlaHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tL3Nob3cvMHMwSGwyaExoazR5VTFIMGFHVG5Vdz9zaT05V2dSS3NjYlROMlc1eElLYi1zT0lBJm5kPTEmbGlkPXRienRsY3Q4M2F5cCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjItMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUA7TYNZWgU4mNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~), [Apple Podcasts](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0T8aHR0cHM6Ly9wb2RjYXN0cy5hcHBsZS5jb20vZ2IvcG9kY2FzdC9ncmVlbi1saXN0LXRyYXZlbC13aXRoLXNpbW9uLWNhbGRlci1hbmQtdGhlLWluZGVwZW5kZW50L2lkMTU2NjkxNTc3MD9saWQ9YmR4ZGMwZGVvd3E3JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAyMi0wOS0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZQDtNg1laBTiY1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj), [Pocket Casts](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0SpaHR0cHM6Ly9wY2Euc3QvbXU0bDNjd2Q_bGlkPWh4OWNqcnFqaWJvMSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjItMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUA7TYNZWgU4mNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) or [Acast](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0TiaHR0cHM6Ly9wbGF5LmFjYXN0LmNvbS9zL2dyZWVuLWxpc3QtdHJhdmVsLXdpdGgtc2ltb24tY2FsZGVyLWFuZC10aGUtaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQ_bGlkPW0zNnR0Nmh4bWpnZSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjItMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUA7TYNZWgU4mNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~). 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~/RgRm77vtP0TlaHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tL3Nob3cvMHMwSGwyaExoazR5VTFIMGFHVG5Vdz9zaT05V2dSS3NjYlROMlc1eElLYi1zT0lBJm5kPTEmbGlkPTBxYnQyZ3RuN2E1ZCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjItMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUA7TYNZWgU4mNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~), [Apple Podcasts](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0T8aHR0cHM6Ly9wb2RjYXN0cy5hcHBsZS5jb20vZ2IvcG9kY2FzdC9ncmVlbi1saXN0LXRyYXZlbC13aXRoLXNpbW9uLWNhbGRlci1hbmQtdGhlLWluZGVwZW5kZW50L2lkMTU2NjkxNTc3MD9saWQ9ejhlaDh4cGoxdGllJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAyMi0wOS0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZQDtNg1laBTiY1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj), [Pocket Casts](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0SpaHR0cHM6Ly9wY2Euc3QvbXU0bDNjd2Q_bGlkPTVkMTQxOWcyZ2p1MSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjItMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUA7TYNZWgU4mNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) or [Acast](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0TiaHR0cHM6Ly9wbGF5LmFjYXN0LmNvbS9zL2dyZWVuLWxpc3QtdHJhdmVsLXdpdGgtc2ltb24tY2FsZGVyLWFuZC10aGUtaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQ_bGlkPWw4cHpobjBwOWgwYyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjItMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUA7TYNZWgU4mNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~). 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~/RgRm77vtP0S0aHR0cDovL3d3dy50d2l0dGVyLmNvbS9zaW1vbmNhbGRlcj9saWQ9MWZtbW83ejE3cjRyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAyMi0wOS0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZQDtNg1laBTiY1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) 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~/RgRm77vtP0S0aHR0cDovL3d3dy50d2l0dGVyLmNvbS9zaW1vbmNhbGRlcj9saWQ9aTQxM2M5aTZxbmdkJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAyMi0wOS0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZQDtNg1laBTiY1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) 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~/RgRm77vtP0S5aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9zaW1vbl9jYWxkZXIvP2xpZD14cTl5Y3JpcnEwY3UmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIyLTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplAO02DWVoFOJjUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) 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~/RgRm77vtP0S5aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9zaW1vbl9jYWxkZXIvP2xpZD14OTE4bWZpbTY5a2QmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIyLTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplAO02DWVoFOJjUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) 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~/RgRm77vtP0S-aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGlrdG9rLmNvbS9kaXNjb3Zlci9TaW1vbi1DYWxkZXI_bGlkPW9heWhsYmo4dG53NSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjItMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUA7TYNZWgU4mNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) 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~/RgRm77vtP0S-aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGlrdG9rLmNvbS9kaXNjb3Zlci9TaW1vbi1DYWxkZXI_bGlkPWo2cDVteG9nM3NwMCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjItMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUA7TYNZWgU4mNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) [INDYBEST](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0S_aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0P2xpZD1oaHFuMjU5bTZoOHcmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIyLTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplAO02DWVoFOJjUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) / [BEST TRAVEL BUYS](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0TQaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0L291dGRvb3ItYWN0aXZpdHk_bGlkPTFsMnh2bzZweXI5NiZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjItMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUA7TYNZWgU4mNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) [Best men’s summer shoes and sandals, for holidays, weddings and more](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0TsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0L2Jlc3QtbWVucy1zdW1tZXItc2hvZXMtc2FuZGFscy1iMjM2MTczMS5odG1sP2xpZD1oYWd2b2wxNDdtdm8mdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIyLTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplAO02DWVoFOJjUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) From [sandals](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0SpaHR0cHM6Ly9mYXZlLmNvLzNOb0RIU20_bGlkPWs1dnJtczJvYmE2ZiZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjItMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUA7TYNZWgU4mNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) and [slides](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP4QSAWh0dHBzOi8vY2xpY2subGlua3N5bmVyZ3kuY29tL2RlZXBsaW5rP2lkPWZaWWswbjB5WVlJJm1pZD00NjExOSZtdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LnJ1c3NlbGxhbmRicm9tbGV5LmNvLnVrJTJGbWlyYWdlJTJGMjQxNTk3JmxpZD12cWdjc2U0dHMxNXQmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIyLTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplAO02DWVoFOJjUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) to [clogs](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0SpaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXpuLnRvLzNOdGZuMUo_bGlkPTVoOHY0eTJ6eHM2biZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjItMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUA7TYNZWgU4mNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) and [trainers](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0SpaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXpuLnRvLzNDUjNFOGo_bGlkPWJqZmZ2bGt5anplayZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjItMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUA7TYNZWgU4mNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~), we’ve tested the [best men’s summer shoes](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0TsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0L2Jlc3QtbWVucy1zdW1tZXItc2hvZXMtc2FuZGFscy1iMjM2MTczMS5odG1sP2xpZD15ZHFtdHZjejNpdXYmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIyLTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplAO02DWVoFOJjUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~). [Shop now](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0TsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0L2Jlc3QtbWVucy1zdW1tZXItc2hvZXMtc2FuZGFscy1iMjM2MTczMS5odG1sP2xpZD15eDBjdzBmb2p1ODEmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIyLTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplAO02DWVoFOJjUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) Trending: [Best cool bags and ice boxes](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP4QCAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL2V4dHJhcy9pbmR5YmVzdC9ob3VzZS1nYXJkZW4vb3V0c2lkZS1lYXRpbmcvYmVzdC1jb29sLWJhZ3MtaWNlLWJveGVzLWIyMzYxNTE1Lmh0bWw_bGlkPWhqOGZsd3lyb2F4dyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjItMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUA7TYNZWgU4mNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)   Essential reading ~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0T1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9yaXNoaS1zdW5hay10YXhlcy1mbGlnaHRzLWZseWluZy1iMjQxNTgwNy5odG1sP2xpZD1nZ2l2Yzl1YmQ3bjcmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIyLTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplAO02DWVoFOJjUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ [No Rishi, there aren’t any ‘new taxes to discourage flying’ – if only there were](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0T1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9yaXNoaS1zdW5hay10YXhlcy1mbGlnaHRzLWZseWluZy1iMjQxNTgwNy5odG1sP2xpZD02eTE4M2Jkb3V3ZDgmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIyLTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplAO02DWVoFOJjUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~)   ~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0T3aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9pdGFseS92ZW5pY2UtaGF1bnRpbmctY2luZW1hLWRvbnQtbG9vay1rbm93LWIyNDEwMDA5Lmh0bWw_bGlkPTM2eWtnMDlhbWU1aSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjItMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUA7TYNZWgU4mNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ [How Venice, the city of love, became cinema shorthand for dread and despair](~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0T3aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9pdGFseS92ZW5pY2UtaGF1bnRpbmctY2luZW1hLWRvbnQtbG9vay1rbm93LWIyNDEwMDA5Lmh0bWw_bGlkPXE1MWt6cGpldDgxcCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjItMDktMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUA7TYNZWgU4mNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)   ~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0SnaHR0cHM6Ly9nb2lzcmFlbC5jb20vP2xpZD1pMWR0djUyeWRpMnMmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIyLTA5LTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplAO02DWVoFOJjUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ ~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0T2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXZlbnRicml0ZS5jby51ay9lL3dpbnRlci1hbmQtYmV5b25kLXlvdXItdHJhdmVsLXF1ZXN0aW9ucy1hbnN3ZXJlZC10aWNrZXRzLTcxNzIxNjg3Mzk3Nz9saWQ9OXltMHJrODAyZWFjJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAyMi0wOS0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZQDtNg1laBTiY1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj ~/AAAHagA~/RgRm77vtP0T2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXZlbnRicml0ZS5jby51ay9lL3dpbnRlci1hbmQtYmV5b25kLXlvdXItdHJhdmVsLXF1ZXN0aW9ucy1hbnN3ZXJlZC10aWNrZXRzLTcxNzIxNjg3Mzk3Nz9saWQ9NmJvNGZueDNzZzN2JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAyMi0wOS0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZQDtNg1laBTiY1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj The Independent proudly partners with [Refuge](~/AAAHagA~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~~) and the [National Domestic Abuse 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