Surprise and delight rail passengers by all means – but get the basics right

Simon Calder’s Travel Week [The Independent](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP0S4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvP2xpZD16djdwZG11Mm5wOTAmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1Db3B5IG9mIFNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjAtMTAtMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUuX1M7ZYy2ldlSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) Friday, October 27, 2023   ~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP0S-aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsP2xpZD1hZXl0bnFwdzVvYzkmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1Db3B5IG9mIFNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjAtMTAtMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUuX1M7ZYy2ldlSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ ~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP0S-aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsP2xpZD03bzM1bzNmbXlxcXEmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1Db3B5IG9mIFNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjAtMTAtMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUuX1M7ZYy2ldlSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ Surprise and delight passengers: that is a stated aim of TransPennine Express, the intercity train operator for northern England and southern Scotland. ~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP0TPaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS8_bGlkPTdlemMzeDNtMHNqZiZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPUNvcHkgb2YgU2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAyMC0xMC0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZS5fUztljLaV2VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj Red alert? TransPennine Express is cutting back trains through Leeds station and elsewhere   [Get inspired...](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP0TKaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2luc3BpcmF0aW9uP2xpZD00cm8wNWVvZHQ5eTkmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1Db3B5IG9mIFNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjAtMTAtMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUuX1M7ZYy2ldlSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) ~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP4QDAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9hc2lhL3NyaS1sYW5rYS9zcmktbGFua2EtaG9saWRheXMtYWZmb3JkYWJsZS1hZHZlbnR1cmUtYjI0MzU3ODguaHRtbD9saWQ9czJ3aTZ6NHBidTRhJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249Q29weSBvZiBTaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIwLTEwLTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplLl9TO2WMtpXZUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ [Affordable adventure](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP4QDAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9hc2lhL3NyaS1sYW5rYS9zcmktbGFua2EtaG9saWRheXMtYWZmb3JkYWJsZS1hZHZlbnR1cmUtYjI0MzU3ODguaHRtbD9saWQ9aHk4ZDQ2bTNlYjY2JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249Q29weSBvZiBTaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIwLTEwLTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplLl9TO2WMtpXZUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) Sri Lanka is firmly back on the holiday map – here’s why now is the time to return to the ‘teardrop of India’. ~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP0T7aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2luZGVwZW5kZW50LXRyYXZlbGxlci9jb2xsZWN0aW9uL2FmZm9yZGFibGUtaG90ZWxzLWluLWJlcmxpbj9saWQ9NHRxajM0bWlwcmIyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249Q29weSBvZiBTaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIwLTEwLTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplLl9TO2WMtpXZUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ [Budget Berlin hotels](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP0T7aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2luZGVwZW5kZW50LXRyYXZlbGxlci9jb2xsZWN0aW9uL2FmZm9yZGFibGUtaG90ZWxzLWluLWJlcmxpbj9saWQ9Zjc4NHpjaGd3cXl6JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249Q29weSBvZiBTaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIwLTEwLTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplLl9TO2WMtpXZUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) The very best places to bed down in the German capital, where you can stay in style without breaking the bank. ~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP0T4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL3VrL2VuZ2xhbmQvY29ybndhbGwtZGV2b24tdGFtYXJhLWNvYXN0LXdhbGstYjI0MzI0NTIuaHRtbD9saWQ9NjBtb2VzZ2c3ZG55JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249Q29weSBvZiBTaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIwLTEwLTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplLl9TO2WMtpXZUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ [Coast to coast](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP0T4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL3VrL2VuZ2xhbmQvY29ybndhbGwtZGV2b24tdGFtYXJhLWNvYXN0LXdhbGstYjI0MzI0NTIuaHRtbD9saWQ9czNsZWYwczZ5N3VhJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249Q29weSBvZiBTaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIwLTEwLTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplLl9TO2WMtpXZUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) Cornwall’s newest walking trail takes you through landscapes of unsung beauty that most tourists skip.   Simon’s dispatches TransPennine Express connects Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, York and Newcastle with each other and with southern Scotland. But the train service was so lousy that the operator was [brought into public ownership in May this year](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP4QSAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9uZXdzLWFuZC1hZHZpY2UvdHJhbnNwZW5uaW5lLWV4cHJlc3MtZ292ZXJubWVudC1jb250cm9sLWNhbmNlbGxhdGlvbnMtYjIzMzY3OTIuaHRtbD9saWQ9ZWhramFmamR1Ym42JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249Q29weSBvZiBTaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIwLTEwLTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplLl9TO2WMtpXZUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~). TransPennine Express is the latest rail firm in the Last Chance Saloon: transferred to the Department for Transport (DfT) as Operator of Last Resort. Under previous ownership by FirstGroup, the rail firm had made “continuous cancellations” according to the transport secretary, Mark Harper. As I reported this week, [TransPennine Express is now planning continuous cancellations for a year](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP4QPAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9uZXdzLWFuZC1hZHZpY2UvbWFuY2hlc3Rlci10cmFpbnMtbGVlZHMtbG9uZG9uLWF2YW50aS10cmFuc3Blbm5pbmUtYjI0MzQxMzIuaHRtbD9saWQ9NWI5bHQxaWU4MmgzJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249Q29weSBvZiBTaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIwLTEwLTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplLl9TO2WMtpXZUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) from December. In a document named Our Plan for the Future: A Prospectus, the state-run train operator says: “We’ll run a slightly reduced timetable as this will enable us to improve reliability, trust and confidence.” The move will also reduce choice between Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds and York and deliver slower journeys. Yet TransPennine Express has a cunning plan to win back passenger loyalty: a “[package of ‘surprise and delight’ events](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP4QTAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9uZXdzLWFuZC1hZHZpY2UvdHJhbnNwZW5uaW5lLWV4cHJlc3MtdHJhaW5zLXJhbmRvbS1hY3RzLWtpbmRuZXNzLWNoYXJtLWIyNDM1MjMxLmh0bWw_bGlkPWFrdjZ2MzJzMnJjcyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPUNvcHkgb2YgU2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAyMC0xMC0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZS5fUztljLaV2VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj)”. These will range from handing out coffee, cakes and ice cream at stations to “random acts of kindness”. This involves awarding retail vouchers worth up to £50 to “disgruntled customers at times of disruption”. The predictable reaction from long-suffering passengers: they would prefer a non-random rail service to a random act of kindness, and the most delightful surprise would be trains turning up on time, with seats to spare. But with the newest TransPennine Express rolling stock about to be mothballed, that may take some time. Meanwhile, let passengers eat cake. The TransPennine Express document also provided an intriguing insight into how passengers buy tickets. Out of every 30 travellers: 15 buy digitally through Trainline; 14 through all other means, including online direct with the train operator, from [ticket offices](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP4QSAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9uZXdzLWFuZC1hZHZpY2UvdHJhaW4tc3RhdGlvbi10aWNrZXQtb2ZmaWNlLWNsb3N1cmVzLXRyYWluLXBhc3NlbmdlcnMtYjIzNjk4MjMuaHRtbD9saWQ9MDJmNGg2MDZ1ZnFmJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249Q29weSBvZiBTaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIwLTEwLTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplLl9TO2WMtpXZUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) and from machines at stations; and one passenger in 30 doesn’t bother buying a ticket at all. To its credit, though, TransPennine Express is following Avanti West Coast in expanding the market by offering very cheap "we choose the train" tickets – see Deal of the Week below. And a £1 sale is promised for the new year. Earlier this month the prime minister probably delighted some non-train users but surprised rail travellers by [scrapping the one remaining stretch of HS2 that would have reached the North of England](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP0T_aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvbmV3cy91ay9wb2xpdGljcy9yaXNoaS1zdW5hay1oczItc2NyYXBwZWQtdG9yeS1jb25mZXJlbmNlLWIyNDIzNzM3Lmh0bWw_bGlkPXU3MDV2ZjBqeWk2ayZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPUNvcHkgb2YgU2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAyMC0xMC0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZS5fUztljLaV2VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj). High speed travellers also mourned [20 years this week since Concorde last delighted passengers](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP4QIAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9uZXdzLWFuZC1hZHZpY2UvY29uY29yZGUtc3VwZXJzb25pYy1qZXQtMjAteWVhci1hbm5pdmVyc2FyeS1iMjQzMzEzMS5odG1sP2xpZD11bGRsYm5oZm1xbjkmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1Db3B5IG9mIFNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjAtMTAtMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUuX1M7ZYy2ldlSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) (and surprised bystanders by the incredible din) by getting them from New York to London in three hours. [Could supersonic travel return?](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP0T9aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9zdXBlcnNvbmljLXBhc3Nlbmdlci1mbGlnaHQtYm9vbS1iMjQzNDU0NS5odG1sP2xpZD1rZnhlb3dzMDNhOWMmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1Db3B5IG9mIFNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjAtMTAtMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUuX1M7ZYy2ldlSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)Time will tell. [Watch our latest virtual Q&A event](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP4QMAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9uZXdzLWFuZC1hZHZpY2Uvc2ltb24tY2FsZGVyLXRyYXZlbC1xdWVzdGlvbnMtbGl2ZS1vbmxpbmUtZXZlbnQtYjI0MzY1MzEuaHRtbD9saWQ9dDVsaThleTVzZGVhJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249Q29weSBvZiBTaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIwLTEwLTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplLl9TO2WMtpXZUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~), in which The Independent’s travel team tackled issues ranging from the best Christmas markets to Middle East journeys   Deal of the week: Secret fares from the Mersey to the Tyne Liverpool to Newcastle from £10, Edinburgh to Preston for £9 and Sheffield to Liverpool for £4: those are some of the deals available through the new [TransPennine Express Secret Fare](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP0TBaHR0cHM6Ly9zZWNyZXRmYXJlLnNlYXRmcm9nLmNvbS9ib29raW5nP2xpZD1lbmMxZHhnZno2cDYmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1Db3B5IG9mIFNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjAtMTAtMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUuX1M7ZYy2ldlSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~). Choose from a morning, afternoon or evening slot; the time of the journey will be revealed 24 hours ahead. The scheme mirrors [the Avanti West Coast Superfare](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP4QNAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9uZXdzLWFuZC1hZHZpY2UvYmlybWluZ2hhbS1sb25kb24tY2hlYXAtdHJhaW4tcmFpbC1mYXJlcy10aWNrZXRzLWIyNDI1MjM5Lmh0bWw_bGlkPWNveHJzOWhzOWdnNCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPUNvcHkgb2YgU2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAyMC0xMC0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZS5fUztljLaV2VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj), which has seen express trains between Birmingham and London cost as little as £9. [Make Liverpool your next city break](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP4QIAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC91ay9lbmdsYW5kL2xpdmVycG9vbC9saXZlcnBvb2wtY2l0eS1ndWlkZS1iZXN0LXRoaW5ncy10by1kby1iMjMzMjUxMi5odG1sP2xpZD05Y2RxNjhxMjloZmYmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1Db3B5IG9mIFNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjAtMTAtMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUuX1M7ZYy2ldlSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) PICK OF THE WEEK: VALUE ADDED TRAVEL ~/AAAHagA~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~ [Nestled on the UAE's Fujairah coast, the 5-star Fujairah Rotana Resort & Spa offers a luxurious beachfront escape with Ultra All Inclusive. Newly renovated rooms, beachside dining, and a host of water activities await.](~/AAAHagA~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~)   ~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP0TFaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3Vic2NyaWJlL2FwcD9saWQ9bTBpNWxsNXJveXBpJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249Q29weSBvZiBTaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIwLTEwLTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplLl9TO2WMtpXZUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ ~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP0TGaHR0cHM6Ly9pbmRlcGVuZGVudC5vbmVsaW5rLm1lL25vNXgvZDI1ZTc0Y2M_bGlkPWFyNGs5OHQ0cGNzdyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPUNvcHkgb2YgU2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAyMC0xMC0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZS5fUztljLaV2VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj   Tip of the week: All change on European rail The November edition of the [European Rail Timetable](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP0S_aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXVyb3BlYW5yYWlsdGltZXRhYmxlLmV1Lz9saWQ9bjRvaWs0OGs1Y3p5JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249Q29weSBvZiBTaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIwLTEwLTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplLl9TO2WMtpXZUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) reveals the intercity link between Amsterdam and Berlin will have overall journey times reduced by around 30 minutes this winter, taking the journey between the Dutch and German capitals below six hours. New Nightjet sleeper services are planned from Berlin to both Brussels and Paris. And a new rail link between Warsaw and Lviv in Ukraine has begun, changing trains at Rava Ruska. The service is only available to international travellers, and the Foreign Office warns against travel to Ukraine. [Travel by sleeper train can be cheaper than budget flights](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP4QAAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9uZXdzLWFuZC1hZHZpY2Uvc2xlZXBlci10cmFpbi1jaGVhcGVyLWZsaWdodHMtd2hpY2gtYjIzMzMxMTUuaHRtbD9saWQ9eHJmbzNkdm96aHM0JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249Q29weSBvZiBTaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIwLTEwLTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplLl9TO2WMtpXZUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~)   Question of the week: Northern Ireland to western Scotland by ferry? Q Why is there no ferry service between Northern Ireland and Scotland’s Kintyre peninsula? A The distance between the Antrim coast of Northern Ireland and the southern tip of the Kintyre peninsula in western Scotland is only 12 miles at its closest. But all ferries from Northern Ireland to Scotland currently serve Cairnryan in the far southwest. The road journey from Cairnryan to the Kintyre peninsula takes many hours. A ferry connection of the kind you suggest would make access much easier – and indeed from April to October there is such a link. A 12-seater, passenger-only fast ferry sails from the port of Ballycastle in Northern Ireland to Campbeltown, the main port in southern Kintyre, as well as [Port Ellen on the island of Islay](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP4QgAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9uZXdzLWFuZC1hZHZpY2Uvc2V2ZW4tYWR2ZW50dXJlcy1kYXlzLWJlbGZhc3QtZ2xhc2dvdy1pc2xheS1pc2xhbmQtdHJhaW4tYm9hdC1wbGFuZS1hOTA3NDAyNi5odG1sP2xpZD14ZTNoZTN0ZHg1YXYmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1Db3B5IG9mIFNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjAtMTAtMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUuX1M7ZYy2ldlSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~). A car ferry to Kintyre would be even better, and once again I have been lucky enough to sail on one. Briefly, in the late 1990s, [the Argyll & Antrim Steam Packet Company sailed from Ballycastle to Campbeltown](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP0ThaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL3BhY2stdXAteW91ci10cm91Ymxlcy0xMjQ2ODA2Lmh0bWw_bGlkPXFpYmQwN3JqNjhxdCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPUNvcHkgb2YgU2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAyMC0xMC0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZS5fUztljLaV2VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj), enabling drivers to combine two fabulous parts of the United Kingdom. But the link closed after a couple of seasons. I hope it will return soon. The obvious shipping line is Caledonian MacBrayne. But CalMac’s fleet is in disarray and the line is facing serious difficulties maintaining its current schedule. So I fear we may be waiting a while. [Best beaches in Northern Ireland for next summer](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP0T-aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL3VrL25vcnRoZXJuLWlyZWxhbmQvYmVzdC1iZWFjaGVzLW5vcnRoZXJuLWlyZWxhbmQtYjIzNTY2NzcuaHRtbD9saWQ9MWkxYTc4dWZrb3Z3JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249Q29weSBvZiBTaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIwLTEwLTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplLl9TO2WMtpXZUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) STAT OF THE WEEK 27% Proportion of [airline passengers who pay to use a lounge](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP4QIAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9uZXdzLWFuZC1hZHZpY2UvYWlycG9ydC1sb3VuZ2UtYWNjZXNzLWJ1c2luZXNzLWNsYXNzLWZsaWdodC1iMjQzNjIyNS5odG1sP2xpZD1icWYzaHZpYmlnOGwmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1Db3B5IG9mIFNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjAtMTAtMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUuX1M7ZYy2ldlSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) at UK airports, according to our online survey of more than 13,000 travellers~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP4QaAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9uZXdzLWFuZC1hZHZpY2UvY29uY29yZGUtc3VwZXJzb25pYy1wbGFuZS1icml0aXNoLWFpcndheXMtaGVhdGhyb3ctYWlyLWZyYW5jZS1hOTYzNTY4MS5odG1sP2xpZD14ajF3NXlqbWwyZWkmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1Db3B5IG9mIFNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjAtMTAtMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUuX1M7ZYy2ldlSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~. What you might have missed... Jordan advice: [The latest guidance on travel to the Middle Eastern nation bordering Israel](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP0T6aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9qb3JkYW4tdHJhdmVsLWFkdmlzb3J5LWlzcmFlbC1iMjQzNjM4OS5odG1sP2xpZD1kMXJydDJleDZnYTAmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1Db3B5IG9mIFNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjAtMTAtMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUuX1M7ZYy2ldlSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) Flying high: ~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP4QMAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9zdXN0YWluYWJsZS10cmF2ZWwvY2FyYm9uLWxhYmVsbGluZy1zdXN0YWluYWJsZS10cmF2ZWwtaG9saWRheXMtYjI0MzI1NzIuaHRtbD9saWQ9Y3Vjd2xrOWN4ZGRuJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249Q29weSBvZiBTaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIwLTEwLTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplLl9TO2WMtpXZUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~[Pilot who tried to bring down plane blames being on magic mushrooms](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP4QEAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9uZXdzLWFuZC1hZHZpY2UvYWxhc2thLWFpcmxpbmVzLXBpbG90LW11c2hyb29tcy1lbWVyc29uLWIyNDM1NzIwLmh0bWw_bGlkPXd4dXZzOGgwZGU0ZSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPUNvcHkgb2YgU2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAyMC0xMC0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZS5fUztljLaV2VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj)~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP4QMAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9zdXN0YWluYWJsZS10cmF2ZWwvY2FyYm9uLWxhYmVsbGluZy1zdXN0YWluYWJsZS10cmF2ZWwtaG9saWRheXMtYjI0MzI1NzIuaHRtbD9saWQ9dWZxbXlza2tvcHhnJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249Q29weSBvZiBTaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIwLTEwLTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplLl9TO2WMtpXZUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ Jump seats: [The rules on using an extra seat on the flight deck](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP4QFAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9uZXdzLWFuZC1hZHZpY2UvZmxpZ2h0LWRlY2stanVtcC1zZWF0cy1waWxvdC1jcmFzaC1wbGFuZS1iMjQzNTE2Ni5odG1sP2xpZD16ZjNzdGE3bnJ0dWomdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1Db3B5IG9mIFNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjAtMTAtMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUuX1M7ZYy2ldlSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) 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~/RgRnHdheP0TtaHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tL3Nob3cvMHMwSGwyaExoazR5VTFIMGFHVG5Vdz9zaT05V2dSS3NjYlROMlc1eElLYi1zT0lBJm5kPTEmbGlkPWs0MjZsYWVuc2Z5ciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPUNvcHkgb2YgU2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAyMC0xMC0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZS5fUztljLaV2VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj), [Apple Podcasts](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP4QEAWh0dHBzOi8vcG9kY2FzdHMuYXBwbGUuY29tL2diL3BvZGNhc3QvZ3JlZW4tbGlzdC10cmF2ZWwtd2l0aC1zaW1vbi1jYWxkZXItYW5kLXRoZS1pbmRlcGVuZGVudC9pZDE1NjY5MTU3NzA_bGlkPXdvMHNjbjNwdzFiZSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPUNvcHkgb2YgU2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAyMC0xMC0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZS5fUztljLaV2VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj), [Pocket Casts](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP0SxaHR0cHM6Ly9wY2Euc3QvbXU0bDNjd2Q_bGlkPTF5Mmo2eG04OWt5cyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPUNvcHkgb2YgU2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAyMC0xMC0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZS5fUztljLaV2VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) or [Acast](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP0TqaHR0cHM6Ly9wbGF5LmFjYXN0LmNvbS9zL2dyZWVuLWxpc3QtdHJhdmVsLXdpdGgtc2ltb24tY2FsZGVyLWFuZC10aGUtaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQ_bGlkPTkxb2M2a3cyc3g5YSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPUNvcHkgb2YgU2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAyMC0xMC0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZS5fUztljLaV2VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj). 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~/RgRnHdheP0TtaHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tL3Nob3cvMHMwSGwyaExoazR5VTFIMGFHVG5Vdz9zaT05V2dSS3NjYlROMlc1eElLYi1zT0lBJm5kPTEmbGlkPWFucG9wMWt2MWwzbSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPUNvcHkgb2YgU2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAyMC0xMC0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZS5fUztljLaV2VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj), [Apple Podcasts](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP4QEAWh0dHBzOi8vcG9kY2FzdHMuYXBwbGUuY29tL2diL3BvZGNhc3QvZ3JlZW4tbGlzdC10cmF2ZWwtd2l0aC1zaW1vbi1jYWxkZXItYW5kLXRoZS1pbmRlcGVuZGVudC9pZDE1NjY5MTU3NzA_bGlkPXY4aGJ6cng2NHY4cyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPUNvcHkgb2YgU2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAyMC0xMC0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZS5fUztljLaV2VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj), [Pocket Casts](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP0SxaHR0cHM6Ly9wY2Euc3QvbXU0bDNjd2Q_bGlkPW50YzdkMmJjOW95ayZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPUNvcHkgb2YgU2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAyMC0xMC0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZS5fUztljLaV2VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) or [Acast](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP0TqaHR0cHM6Ly9wbGF5LmFjYXN0LmNvbS9zL2dyZWVuLWxpc3QtdHJhdmVsLXdpdGgtc2ltb24tY2FsZGVyLWFuZC10aGUtaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQ_bGlkPXg2enpraXVpcGVpMiZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPUNvcHkgb2YgU2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAyMC0xMC0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZS5fUztljLaV2VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj). 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~/RgRnHdheP0S8aHR0cDovL3d3dy50d2l0dGVyLmNvbS9zaW1vbmNhbGRlcj9saWQ9ZW93a2U0d2phYm9xJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249Q29weSBvZiBTaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIwLTEwLTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplLl9TO2WMtpXZUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) 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~/RgRnHdheP0S8aHR0cDovL3d3dy50d2l0dGVyLmNvbS9zaW1vbmNhbGRlcj9saWQ9MXpldW40Y2cxNTVhJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249Q29weSBvZiBTaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIwLTEwLTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplLl9TO2WMtpXZUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) 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~/RgRnHdheP0TBaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9zaW1vbl9jYWxkZXIvP2xpZD0weXkwbmlhdWZ2MnkmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1Db3B5IG9mIFNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjAtMTAtMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUuX1M7ZYy2ldlSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) 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~/RgRnHdheP0TBaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9zaW1vbl9jYWxkZXIvP2xpZD11Z2t4ZmJ3MjR3b28mdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1Db3B5IG9mIFNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjAtMTAtMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUuX1M7ZYy2ldlSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) 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~/RgRnHdheP0TGaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGlrdG9rLmNvbS9kaXNjb3Zlci9TaW1vbi1DYWxkZXI_bGlkPXBkMHRlaXc4eXl2cyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPUNvcHkgb2YgU2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAyMC0xMC0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZS5fUztljLaV2VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) 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~/RgRnHdheP0TGaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGlrdG9rLmNvbS9kaXNjb3Zlci9TaW1vbi1DYWxkZXI_bGlkPXN6ZHBmajdkZWZxbyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPUNvcHkgb2YgU2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAyMC0xMC0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZS5fUztljLaV2VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj)   [Anti theft rucksack ](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP0SxaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXpuLnRvLzNRMTFCb2o_bGlkPTkzaTBydzI5bzVuNCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPUNvcHkgb2YgU2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAyMC0xMC0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZS5fUztljLaV2VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) Looking for a savvy way to keep your valuables safe on-the-go? [This combination lock rucksack](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP0SxaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXpuLnRvLzQ2WGdtUEU_bGlkPWtoOGdrdDAwMWoxZyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPUNvcHkgb2YgU2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAyMC0xMC0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZS5fUztljLaV2VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) is the solution – and it's on sale. [Neck pillow](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP0SxaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXpuLnRvLzQ4UkFEck0_bGlkPXphaWFyOTM1cnQyaSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPUNvcHkgb2YgU2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAyMC0xMC0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZS5fUztljLaV2VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) A neck pillow is a must on long haul flights. [This one from Amazon costs just £12.99](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP0SxaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXpuLnRvLzQ4UkFEck0_bGlkPXFzOGc1dmRqeW03bSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPUNvcHkgb2YgU2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAyMC0xMC0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZS5fUztljLaV2VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) and is made from memory foam. Essential reading ~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP4QAAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9uZXdzLWFuZC1hZHZpY2UvdHJhdmVsLWFkdmljZS1tZXhpY28taHVycmljYW5lLW90aXMtYjI0MzU2MTYuaHRtbD9saWQ9dGhrbHdxMmlmcm1jJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249Q29weSBvZiBTaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIwLTEwLTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplLl9TO2WMtpXZUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ [Is it safe to travel to Mexico amid Hurricane Otis?](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP4QAAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9uZXdzLWFuZC1hZHZpY2UvdHJhdmVsLWFkdmljZS1tZXhpY28taHVycmljYW5lLW90aXMtYjI0MzU2MTYuaHRtbD9saWQ9b29kN2s1bTc4Z3BhJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249Q29weSBvZiBTaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIwLTEwLTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplLl9TO2WMtpXZUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) ~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP4QMAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9zdXN0YWluYWJsZS10cmF2ZWwvY2FyYm9uLWxhYmVsbGluZy1zdXN0YWluYWJsZS10cmF2ZWwtaG9saWRheXMtYjI0MzI1NzIuaHRtbD9saWQ9M3BrZTRkYW5yMTVsJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249Q29weSBvZiBTaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIwLTEwLTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplLl9TO2WMtpXZUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ [Is carbon labelling the big future travel trend that will make your holiday more sustainable?](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP4QMAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9zdXN0YWluYWJsZS10cmF2ZWwvY2FyYm9uLWxhYmVsbGluZy1zdXN0YWluYWJsZS10cmF2ZWwtaG9saWRheXMtYjI0MzI1NzIuaHRtbD9saWQ9czVrb3p5cGZqZ3J6JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249Q29weSBvZiBTaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIwLTEwLTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplLl9TO2WMtpXZUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) [INDYBEST](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP0THaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0P2xpZD1yd2c5M2JlZmRya3YmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1Db3B5IG9mIFNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjAtMTAtMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUuX1M7ZYy2ldlSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) / [BEST TRAVEL BUYS](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP0TYaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0L291dGRvb3ItYWN0aXZpdHk_bGlkPTYxdXN3ZG9jbjV4MCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPUNvcHkgb2YgU2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAyMC0xMC0yMyZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZS5fUztljLaV2VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) [women's ski jackets](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP4QjAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL2V4dHJhcy9pbmR5YmVzdC9vdXRkb29yLWFjdGl2aXR5L3dpbnRlci1zcG9ydHMvYmVzdC13b21lbnMtc2tpLXNub3dib2FyZGluZy1qYWNrZXRzLWluc3VsYXRlZC1iMjQyNDUxNC5odG1sP2xpZD11enl4ejdtMGFxeXcmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1Db3B5IG9mIFNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjAtMTAtMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUuX1M7ZYy2ldlSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) Heading on a ski holiday? Make sure to invest in one of [these tried and tested women's jackets](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP4QjAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL2V4dHJhcy9pbmR5YmVzdC9vdXRkb29yLWFjdGl2aXR5L3dpbnRlci1zcG9ydHMvYmVzdC13b21lbnMtc2tpLXNub3dib2FyZGluZy1qYWNrZXRzLWluc3VsYXRlZC1iMjQyNDUxNC5odG1sP2xpZD1tdnBzZ3Y2YzB6aGQmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1Db3B5IG9mIFNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjAtMTAtMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUuX1M7ZYy2ldlSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~). Trending: [Apple Watch straps](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP4QPAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL2V4dHJhcy9pbmR5YmVzdC90cmF2ZWwtb3V0ZG9vcnMvYWNjZXNzb3JpZXMvYmVzdC1hcHBsZS13YXRjaC1zdHJhcHMtYmFuZHMtYjE4MzM4ODguaHRtbD9saWQ9dDE0OHd4Mmw4MnZhJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249Q29weSBvZiBTaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIwLTEwLTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplLl9TO2WMtpXZUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) ~/AAAHagA~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~ ~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP0TsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHYvY3VsdHVyZS9iaWctYnJvdGhlci1pdHYtYmluZ2Utd2F0Y2gtYjI0MjUyODUuaHRtbD9saWQ9azd1dWZsbHRsbXk2JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249Q29weSBvZiBTaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIwLTEwLTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplLl9TO2WMtpXZUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ The Independent proudly partners with [Refuge](~/AAAHagA~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) and the [National Domestic Abuse Helpline](~/AAAHagA~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~~): 0808 2000 247 [The Independent](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP0S4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvP2xpZD14N2t4aDJpY3htancmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1Db3B5IG9mIFNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMjAtMTAtMjMmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmUuX1M7ZYy2ldlSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) Join the conversation or follow us [Twitter](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnHdheP0S5aHR0cHM6Ly90d2l0dGVyLmNvbS9JbmRlcGVuZGVudD9saWQ9bWowZHd3c3VyN2F0JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249Q29weSBvZiBTaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDIwLTEwLTIzJnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgplLl9TO2WMtpXZUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) 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