Tempted by my alternative to the transit lounge?

How to get from the West Midlands to East Asia for £270 ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     [The Independent](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0SwaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvP2xpZD1qdDl5MmF5bHkyY3AmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE1LTAzLTI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpl7yT082VP3vUMUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) Friday, March 15, 2024   [Simon Calder's Travel Week](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0S2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsP2xpZD1mNmlwbnFjZHJ5eW8mdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE1LTAzLTI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpl7yT082VP3vUMUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) [Simon Calder's Travel Week](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0S2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsP2xpZD1mbmZtaXJoZGx4enMmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE1LTAzLTI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpl7yT082VP3vUMUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) The first time I flew to South Korea, the journey seemed to take forever. It was 1988, Olympics year for Seoul (no, I wasn’t competing in the Games, and yes, I was young, thanks). Cathay Pacific was a new kid on the UK aviation block: its Jumbo jets flew from London Gatwick to [Hong Kong](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0TqaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2hvbmcta29uZy1zZXZlbi1hZHZlbnR1cmVzLXNldmVuLWRheXMtYjIzODU1NzQuaHRtbD9saWQ9YWpwcDY0bzlvd29nJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNS0wMy0yNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZe8k9PNlT971DFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) via Bahrain. [The landing at Kai Tak airport involved a spectacular weave through tower blocks](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0T5aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvbmV3cy93b3JsZC9hLXdhcm0tZmVlbGluZy1mb3Itd2FzaGluZy1kcmllZC1pbi10aGUtamV0c3RyZWFtLTE1Mjc2MjEuaHRtbD9saWQ9NXBkZzdlMmR0b2plJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNS0wMy0yNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZe8k9PNlT971DFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) with passengers in window seats able to wave at local residents in their high-rise apartments. The onward flight to the Korean capital required a stop in the Taiwanese capital, Taipei; the journey from Sussex to [Seoul](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0TmaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2FzaWEvc2VvdWwtY2l0eS1ndWlkZS1zb3V0aC1rb3JlYS1iMjI1MzAzMi5odG1sP2xpZD05aHNrejkzMmlxa2YmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE1LTAzLTI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpl7yT082VP3vUMUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~)took 24 hours. A dozen Olympiads later, I plan to return to South Korea in May. The journey I have booked will take just as long. But I hope it proves to be the pretty way, with pauses in Beauvais in northern France and Croatia’s capital, Zagreb, that avoid drab transit lounges. And all for less than the air fare decades ago. - Road to hell: [M25 closes at 9pm tonight between Junctions 10 and 11](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0T1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9tMjUtY2xvc3VyZXMtdGhpcy13ZWVrZW5kLWxvbmRvbi1iMjUxMTc2My5odG1sP2xpZD1mdHQ1bTczbHRkc2gmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE1LTAzLTI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpl7yT082VP3vUMUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~)~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0T_aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS93aXp6LWFpci1haXItdHJhZmZpYy1jb250cm9sLWV1cm9wZS1zdW1tZXItYjI0OTkwMjguaHRtbD9saWQ9Nmh0MGcxOW5mMHZrJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNS0wMy0yNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZe8k9PNlT971DFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj - Point of failure: ~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0T5aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9jYXJkaWZmLWFpcnBvcnQtbG9zc2VzLWJyaXN0b2wtd2FsZXMtYjI0OTcyNjcuaHRtbD9saWQ9YnhvZTIwa3VqcWd0JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNS0wMy0yNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZe8k9PNlT971DFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj[How the Nats air-traffic control failure unravelled](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0T8aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9mbGlnaHQtYWlyLXRyYWZmaWMtY29udHJvbC1mYWlsdXJlLW5hdHMtYjI1MTI3MTguaHRtbD9saWQ9eWZ1MTR0MjlrZDlvJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNS0wMy0yNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZe8k9PNlT971DFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj)~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP4QBAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9uZXdzLWFuZC1hZHZpY2UvZnJlbmNoLXJhaWwtc3RyaWtlLWV1cm9zdGFyLWJyaXRpc2gtZmFtaWxpZXMtYjI0OTY1NTUuaHRtbD9saWQ9am1oN3ZoNWtiZ3pqJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNS0wMy0yNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZe8k9PNlT971DFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj - Rock steady? [British visitors to Gibraltar may face EU checks](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0T7aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9icmV4aXQtdHJhdmVsLXJ1bGVzLWdpYnJhbHRhci1zY2hlbmdlbi1iMjUxMDc3NS5odG1sP2xpZD03b2Yza3d1b3BheWYmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE1LTAzLTI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpl7yT082VP3vUMUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~)~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP4QGAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9uZXdzLWFuZC1hZHZpY2Uvc291dGhhbXB0b24tbmV3Y2FzdGxlLWNydWlzZS1jYW5jZWxsZWQtZnJlZC1vbHNlbi1iMjUwMzcyOS5odG1sP2xpZD05dW1mcWRnb2Nyc2kmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE1LTAzLTI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpl7yT082VP3vUMUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ Blossoming opportunities: Zagreb, location for one end of the summer's weirdest air route [Try 6 months of Independent Premium for just £6](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0S5aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3Vic2NyaWJlP2xpZD1wZW1iMXZ4aHkxNjkmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE1LTAzLTI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpl7yT082VP3vUMUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~)   Get inspired... ~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP4QKAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9ub3J0aC1hbWVyaWNhL3VzYS9ncmVhdC1hbWVyaWNhbi1yb2FkLXRyaXAtbmV2YWRhLXNvdXRoZXJuLWNhbGlmb3JuaWEtYjI1MDM5NDAuaHRtbD9saWQ9Nnd5b3BheTh3c3J5JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNS0wMy0yNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZe8k9PNlT971DFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj [The Great American Road Trip](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP4QKAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9ub3J0aC1hbWVyaWNhL3VzYS9ncmVhdC1hbWVyaWNhbi1yb2FkLXRyaXAtbmV2YWRhLXNvdXRoZXJuLWNhbGlmb3JuaWEtYjI1MDM5NDAuaHRtbD9saWQ9YTE4YmZydjhuOHcyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNS0wMy0yNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZe8k9PNlT971DFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) On an epic journey across the States, our writers explore the extraordinary desert landscapes of Nevada and California (plus Vegas and Palm Springs). [Follow the trip here](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP4QKAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9ub3J0aC1hbWVyaWNhL3VzYS9ncmVhdC1hbWVyaWNhbi1yb2FkLXRyaXAtbmV2YWRhLXNvdXRoZXJuLWNhbGlmb3JuaWEtYjI1MDM5NDAuaHRtbD9saWQ9OWtncHNkdGczYjZsJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNS0wMy0yNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZe8k9PNlT971DFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj). ~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0TgaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL3VrL2Jlc3QtZWFzdGVyLWVnZy1odW50cy11ay1iMjUxMTQ0OC5odG1sP2xpZD02dGx4eGI1MzlkdHgmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE1LTAzLTI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpl7yT082VP3vUMUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ [An eggs-traordinary day out](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0TgaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL3VrL2Jlc3QtZWFzdGVyLWVnZy1odW50cy11ay1iMjUxMTQ0OC5odG1sP2xpZD05YnViZWVhNnB5czkmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE1LTAzLTI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpl7yT082VP3vUMUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) The UK is bursting with Easter egg hunts, from grand palaces, chocolatier heavyweights and even steam railways hosting trails. Get hopping – [find one near you with our guide to the best](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0TgaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL3VrL2Jlc3QtZWFzdGVyLWVnZy1odW50cy11ay1iMjUxMTQ0OC5odG1sP2xpZD0xcDI4dm9jeW9wZnAmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE1LTAzLTI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpl7yT082VP3vUMUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~). ~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0T2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9tYWx0YS9iZXN0LWJlYWNoZXMtY292ZXMtbWFsdGEtZ296by1pc2xhbmQtYjIyOTE5MjkuaHRtbD9saWQ9ZjJ3dTVoanZzMmhnJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNS0wMy0yNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZe8k9PNlT971DFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj [Best of the beaches in Malta](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0T2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9tYWx0YS9iZXN0LWJlYWNoZXMtY292ZXMtbWFsdGEtZ296by1pc2xhbmQtYjIyOTE5MjkuaHRtbD9saWQ9bzlmOHZnYzY5M2kwJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNS0wMy0yNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZe8k9PNlT971DFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) This Mediterranean archipelago is chock full of natural beauty – with no shortage of sun, sea and sand. If you're looking for a strip of shore in Malta or Gozo, start by [checking out our guide](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0T2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9tYWx0YS9iZXN0LWJlYWNoZXMtY292ZXMtbWFsdGEtZ296by1pc2xhbmQtYjIyOTE5MjkuaHRtbD9saWQ9NTBjcXNlcmlsencxJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNS0wMy0yNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZe8k9PNlT971DFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj).   Deal of the week: Cheaper airport deals by coach ~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0TGaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmF0aW9uYWxleHByZXNzLmNvbS9lbi9haXJwb3J0cy9zdGFuc3RlZD9saWQ9NzB3OXhrcHdva3JlJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNS0wMy0yNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZe8k9PNlT971DFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj National Express says passenger numbers have grown by 25 per cent so far this year, with airport services most successful. The coach company has links to leading UK airports, particularly London Heathrow, Luton and Stansted. A promotion for the next two weeks offers a straightforward 25 per cent discount on every ticket if you [book online at least 24 hours ahead](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0S0aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmF0aW9uYWxleHByZXNzLmNvbS9lbj9saWQ9M2xldnN4N2FhZzRvJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNS0wMy0yNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZe8k9PNlT971DFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) and use the code COACH24 at checkout. If you're travelling between London and Stansted airport, you may find yourself on the new all-electric coach, launched this week. [EUROPE'S TOUGHEST AIRPORT LINKS](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0T4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS93b3JsZC13b3JzdC1haXJwb3J0LXRyYW5zcG9ydC1saW5rcy1iMjQ1MzcxNy5odG1sP2xpZD02aXE3MDhuYnl3Ym4mdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE1LTAzLTI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpl7yT082VP3vUMUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) PICK OF THE WEEK: THE VILLAGE BOUTIQUE & SPA MALTA ~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0S0aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudmlsbGFnZWhvdGVsbWFsdGEuY29tLz9saWQ9ZTFhZzR5d2phbWUzJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNS0wMy0yNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZe8k9PNlT971DFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj [Discover a 500-year-old hidden gem in the historical village of Naxxar, with country views to Mdina. Experience superb cuisine, in luxurious surroundings. Relax in our outdoor garden pool. Indulge yourself at our unparalleled spa for beauty and cosmetic therapies.](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0S0aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudmlsbGFnZWhvdGVsbWFsdGEuY29tLz9saWQ9eW00dHNmNzVkaW5nJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNS0wMy0yNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZe8k9PNlT971DFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj)   Looking for more travel deals? Sign up to receive offers, competitions and updates from The Independent’s carefully selected travel partners. [SIGN UP NOW](~/AAAHagA~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~) ~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0TiaHR0cHM6Ly9wbGF5LmFjYXN0LmNvbS9zL2dyZWVuLWxpc3QtdHJhdmVsLXdpdGgtc2ltb24tY2FsZGVyLWFuZC10aGUtaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQ_bGlkPXBkaGdkcXc5Y2pubCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTUtMDMtMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmXvJPTzZU_e9QxSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ ~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0TiaHR0cHM6Ly9wbGF5LmFjYXN0LmNvbS9zL2dyZWVuLWxpc3QtdHJhdmVsLXdpdGgtc2ltb24tY2FsZGVyLWFuZC10aGUtaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQ_bGlkPWo3aGV3OGY4enlwYSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTUtMDMtMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmXvJPTzZU_e9QxSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ Tip of the week: Ecuador alert~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0T5aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9ldXJvcGVhbi1zbGVlcGVyLXRyYWlucy1wYXJpcy1iZXJsaW4tYjI0NjI5MjkuaHRtbD9saWQ9bjk3czR3NDNpZG1zJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNS0wMy0yNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZe8k9PNlT971DFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj “Prison riots and the escape of gang leaders” led Ecuador’s president to declare a state of emergency earlier this year. This week, it was extended until at least 8 April. The Foreign Office warns: “Crimes with the threat of violence, such as gunpoint robbery and home invasion, have occurred throughout Ecuador.” The FCDO urges British travellers to stay away from almost everywhere on the Pacific coast. But [the official travel advice](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0TWaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ292LnVrL2ZvcmVpZ24tdHJhdmVsLWFkdmljZS9lY3VhZG9yL3NhZmV0eS1hbmQtc2VjdXJpdHk_bGlkPTl6c3cxdXQ0ZDdheCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTUtMDMtMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmXvJPTzZU_e9QxSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) adds: “This does not apply to airside transit within Guayaquil airport, including onward or return travel to the Galapagos. [GALAPAGOS GUIDE](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP4QLAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9hbWVyaWNhcy9nYWxhcGFnb3MtaXNsYW5kcy10b3VyaXNtLXdpbGRsaWZlLWVudmlyb25tZW50LWVjdWFkb3ItdHJhdmVsLWE4ODk0MjA2Lmh0bWw_bGlkPWZnMzI1OWI1YXFtYSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTUtMDMtMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmXvJPTzZU_e9QxSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)   [Antler spring sale](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP4QRAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL2V4dHJhcy9pbmR5YmVzdC90cmF2ZWwtb3V0ZG9vcnMvbHVnZ2FnZS9hbnRsZXItc2FsZS1sdWdnYWdlLXN1aXRjYXNlLWNhYmluLWJhY2twYWNrLWIyNTEyNTY0Lmh0bWw_bGlkPXB6YWhpeHV4NnJrbSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTUtMDMtMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmXvJPTzZU_e9QxSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) Need some new luggage? Save up to 40 per cent in [Antler's spring sale](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP4QRAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL2V4dHJhcy9pbmR5YmVzdC90cmF2ZWwtb3V0ZG9vcnMvbHVnZ2FnZS9hbnRsZXItc2FsZS1sdWdnYWdlLXN1aXRjYXNlLWNhYmluLWJhY2twYWNrLWIyNTEyNTY0Lmh0bWw_bGlkPTVhbzdxZGo3bGNnaSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTUtMDMtMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmXvJPTzZU_e9QxSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~).   Simon’s dispatches The trip I booked this week is, for me, ridiculously exciting. (You may view it simply as ridiculous). On 18 May I shall be at Birmingham airport to board a short, 70-minute hop to Beauvais in northern France – known to Ryanair as “Paris”. But I will not visit the French capital. Instead, I shall walk into town to appreciate the intriguing Gothic cathedral: still half-built, eight centuries after work began. If time is on my side I shall lunch at the Zinc Bleu, just opposite, and then wander back to the Second World War airport the Germans built with a view to invading Britain. Waiting, I hope: another Ryanair flight, this time a two-hour, 700-mile trip to Zagreb. The Boeing 737 is due to arrive late on Saturday afternoon, allowing enough time to appreciate the blossom in the city before dinner and, yes, heading back to the airport. Then I plan to step aboard flight TW506. That was once the number for the Trans World Airlines flight from Cedar Rapids to St Louis, but from May it will be the code for the strangest new flight of 2024. T’Way, a Korean budget carrier, has decided to dive into the European market in an unusual manner. Not, though, serving the likes of Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Paris or London? Instead, the new route to Seoul starts in the Croatian capital. At around 8.30am British time on 19 May I should be emerging, rather blearily, at Incheon airport – hopefully with memories of brief encounters with Beauvais and Zagreb, not to mention Birmingham. The venture has risks and rewards. Each of these flights involves “self-connecting”. Unlike a through ticket, if something goes awry with the first or second part of the trip, T’Way has no obligation to offer a later flight. Yet the one-way fare totals just £270: comprising £18 from Birmingham to Beauvais, £30 from there to Zagreb and £222 for the final 5,500 miles of travel. The cheapest UK-Seoul nonstop costs three times as much. And my itinerary comes with connections long enough to spend time appreciating two extra European cities in early summer: the antidote to hours spent in transit. Coming home, I have booked on Lufthansa via Munich to Heathrow. The one-way fare is a very reasonable £460, with a protected connection at the Bavarian capital; if the flight from Seoul arrives late to Munich, the German airline will automatically rebook me on one of the two later flights. While I do not expect to have time to leave the airport, Munich boasts the world’s only microbrewery in a terminal. I intend to make the most of changing planes. [Fly with confidence: a British Airways captain talks aviation safety](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP4QMAWh0dHBzOi8vc2hvd3MuYWNhc3QuY29tL2dyZWVuLWxpc3QtdHJhdmVsLXdpdGgtc2ltb24tY2FsZGVyLWFuZC10aGUtaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQvZXBpc29kZXMvbWFyY2gtMTF0aC1mbHlpbmctd2l0aC1jb25maWRlbmNlP2xpZD1wdmVka3l3ZHpxYW8mdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE1LTAzLTI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpl7yT082VP3vUMUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~)   Question of the week Question of the week Naples and the Amalfi Coast?     We are travelling to Naples and the Amalfi Coast in the third week of April. What do you recommend?     Your timing is impeccable: after Easter, which is busy, but before the semi-official start of summer in May. The weather should be fine and bright but not too hot. Begin by spending [48 hours in Naples](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP4QKAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9ldXJvcGUvaXRhbHkvbmFwbGVzLXRyYXZlbC1ndWlkZS1iZXN0LWhvdGVscy1yZXN0YXVyYW50cy10aGluZ3MtdG8tZG8tYjIwNzc2MTQuaHRtbD9saWQ9Z244MDByZGV2YTl6JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNS0wMy0yNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZe8k9PNlT971DFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) – combining glamour and grittiness, culture and cuisine. It is my joint favourite Italian city alongside Turin. Then start making away your around the [Circumvesuviana](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP4QYAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9uZXdzLWFuZC1hZHZpY2Uvc29ycmVudG8taXRhbHktYnktcmFpbC10cmFpbi1mcm9tLXRoZS11ay10cmF2ZWwtYWR2aWNlLXNpbW9uLWNhbGRlci1hNzA2ODkzNi5odG1sP2xpZD1tOGtxNG9raDQzeDkmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE1LTAzLTI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpl7yT082VP3vUMUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~)railway, which hugs the Bay of Naples beneath [the shadow of Vesuvius](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0TkaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9pbi10aGUtc2hhZG93LW9mLXZlc3V2aXVzLTg1NDU1MDAuaHRtbD9saWQ9Z2t6YW1ldHJ1MngyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNS0wMy0yNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZe8k9PNlT971DFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj). Stop off at Herculaneum and Villa Oplontis, which are smaller but just as rewarding as the archaeological site of Pompeii. Once you have had your fill of ancient life, spend at least one night in Sorrento. The town has a gorgeous setting perched over the Mediterranean. After a night or two, take the amazing scheduled bus ride across the coastal range from Sorrento to the [Amalfi Coas](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0TqaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9pdGFseS9iZXN0LWhvdGVscy1hbWFsZmktY29hc3QtYjIzNDUyMTYuaHRtbD9saWQ9MG52czdjb2hhYjMwJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNS0wMy0yNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZe8k9PNlT971DFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj)t. The trip takes 90 minutes to reach Amalfi itself, but stops 50 minutes earlier at Positano – my favourite of all the villages along the coast. Returning home, you could take the ferry from Sorrento to Naples. [A retro trip to Ravello on the Amalfi coast](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP4RiAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC90cmF2ZWwtYS1iZWVyLXRoYXQtbGwtYmUtcG91bmRzLTMwMC1zaW1vbi1jYWxkZXItd2FzLWludml0ZWQtb3V0LWZvci1hLWRyaW5rLXRvLXJhdmVsbG8tb24taXRhbHktcy1hbWFsZmktY29hc3QtaXQtd2FzLWEtbG9uZy10cmlwLWJ1dC1oZS1kZWNpZGVkLXRvLWdvLWZvci1pdC0xNDYyNTExLmh0bWw_bGlkPXRyMDB4bTRqbzhydCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTUtMDMtMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmXvJPTzZU_e9QxSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) Essential reading ~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0T2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9zbW9raW5nLWZpbmUtYmVuaWRvcm0tYmVhY2gtc3BhaW4tYjI1MTExNzcuaHRtbD9saWQ9MGRwenNmMzUyNmhsJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNS0wMy0yNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZe8k9PNlT971DFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj [These are the rules tourists should know before their Spain holiday](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0T2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9zbW9raW5nLWZpbmUtYmVuaWRvcm0tYmVhY2gtc3BhaW4tYjI1MTExNzcuaHRtbD9saWQ9cmwxY2p6aWwxMndlJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNS0wMy0yNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZe8k9PNlT971DFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) STAT OF THE WEEK 45% [Proportion of UK trains run with "driver-only operation"](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0T-aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9kcml2ZXItb25seS1vcGVyYXRpb24tdHJhaW5zLXJhaWwtc3RyaWtlcy1iMjI2MjkzOC5odG1sP2xpZD1ydGM2Z2EzcjB4ZjEmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE1LTAzLTI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpl7yT082VP3vUMUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~)   ~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0S0aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudmlsbGFnZWhvdGVsbWFsdGEuY29tLz9saWQ9Y2Y2bzN3NnRkanJmJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNS0wMy0yNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZe8k9PNlT971DFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj   ~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0TyaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2x1eHVyeS10cmF2ZWwvYWlyLWNydXNpZXMtbHV4dXJ5LXRyYXZlbC10cmVuZC1iMjQ4OTQ2MC5odG1sP2xpZD14ZHRmOHR4bTVuOGImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE1LTAzLTI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpl7yT082VP3vUMUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ [The rise of ‘air cruises’, the latest travel trend for the mega-rich](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0TyaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2x1eHVyeS10cmF2ZWwvYWlyLWNydXNpZXMtbHV4dXJ5LXRyYXZlbC10cmVuZC1iMjQ4OTQ2MC5odG1sP2xpZD1hamZsZmszdnBwZ3cmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE1LTAzLTI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpl7yT082VP3vUMUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~)   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~/RgRn1nkkP0TlaHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tL3Nob3cvMHMwSGwyaExoazR5VTFIMGFHVG5Vdz9zaT05V2dSS3NjYlROMlc1eElLYi1zT0lBJm5kPTEmbGlkPTRjb2l4eXZtaWtyayZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTUtMDMtMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmXvJPTzZU_e9QxSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~), [Apple Podcasts](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0T8aHR0cHM6Ly9wb2RjYXN0cy5hcHBsZS5jb20vZ2IvcG9kY2FzdC9ncmVlbi1saXN0LXRyYXZlbC13aXRoLXNpbW9uLWNhbGRlci1hbmQtdGhlLWluZGVwZW5kZW50L2lkMTU2NjkxNTc3MD9saWQ9cmR1d2ZiMXRoejRsJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNS0wMy0yNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZe8k9PNlT971DFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj), [Pocket Casts](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0SpaHR0cHM6Ly9wY2Euc3QvbXU0bDNjd2Q_bGlkPXkzZ214YzR6cmkxdCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTUtMDMtMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmXvJPTzZU_e9QxSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) or [Acast](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0TiaHR0cHM6Ly9wbGF5LmFjYXN0LmNvbS9zL2dyZWVuLWxpc3QtdHJhdmVsLXdpdGgtc2ltb24tY2FsZGVyLWFuZC10aGUtaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQ_bGlkPXdwMWU2MjhwbnZ1YiZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTUtMDMtMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmXvJPTzZU_e9QxSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~). 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~/RgRn1nkkP0TlaHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tL3Nob3cvMHMwSGwyaExoazR5VTFIMGFHVG5Vdz9zaT05V2dSS3NjYlROMlc1eElLYi1zT0lBJm5kPTEmbGlkPWY5bmJybmdhZnR0YyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTUtMDMtMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmXvJPTzZU_e9QxSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~), [Apple Podcasts](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0T8aHR0cHM6Ly9wb2RjYXN0cy5hcHBsZS5jb20vZ2IvcG9kY2FzdC9ncmVlbi1saXN0LXRyYXZlbC13aXRoLXNpbW9uLWNhbGRlci1hbmQtdGhlLWluZGVwZW5kZW50L2lkMTU2NjkxNTc3MD9saWQ9MDgwcXBjdDdwYWxlJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNS0wMy0yNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZe8k9PNlT971DFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj), [Pocket Casts](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0SpaHR0cHM6Ly9wY2Euc3QvbXU0bDNjd2Q_bGlkPXpubjRmbGphaGxoNCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTUtMDMtMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmXvJPTzZU_e9QxSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) or [Acast](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0TiaHR0cHM6Ly9wbGF5LmFjYXN0LmNvbS9zL2dyZWVuLWxpc3QtdHJhdmVsLXdpdGgtc2ltb24tY2FsZGVyLWFuZC10aGUtaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQ_bGlkPWNpazUyNW9najZubCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTUtMDMtMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmXvJPTzZU_e9QxSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~). 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~/RgRn1nkkP0S0aHR0cDovL3d3dy50d2l0dGVyLmNvbS9zaW1vbmNhbGRlcj9saWQ9ZGltM2lheXpodHdmJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNS0wMy0yNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZe8k9PNlT971DFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) 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~/RgRn1nkkP0S0aHR0cDovL3d3dy50d2l0dGVyLmNvbS9zaW1vbmNhbGRlcj9saWQ9YWFxc2g0M25qM212JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249U2ltb24gQ2FsZGVyJ3MgVHJhdmVsIFdlZWsgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNS0wMy0yNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfVHJhdmVsX05ld3NsZXR0ZXJfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZe8k9PNlT971DFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) 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~/RgRn1nkkP0S5aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9zaW1vbl9jYWxkZXIvP2xpZD1qOXM2Ym1idXcyYnomdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE1LTAzLTI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpl7yT082VP3vUMUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) 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~/RgRn1nkkP0S5aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9zaW1vbl9jYWxkZXIvP2xpZD0xOTFyejBsemloNTkmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1TaW1vbiBDYWxkZXIncyBUcmF2ZWwgV2VlayBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE1LTAzLTI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9UcmF2ZWxfTmV3c2xldHRlcl9DRFBXBXNwY2V1Qgpl7yT082VP3vUMUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) 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~/RgRn1nkkP0S-aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGlrdG9rLmNvbS9kaXNjb3Zlci9TaW1vbi1DYWxkZXI_bGlkPTI5dmRnczM5OWl0diZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTUtMDMtMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmXvJPTzZU_e9QxSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) 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~/RgRn1nkkP0S-aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGlrdG9rLmNvbS9kaXNjb3Zlci9TaW1vbi1DYWxkZXI_bGlkPXFsczg1NGVkbG14YiZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTUtMDMtMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmXvJPTzZU_e9QxSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)   [Europe train travel](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0SpaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXpuLnRvLzNQaWhreks_bGlkPXpjaTVlOXB4cHFuMCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTUtMDMtMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmXvJPTzZU_e9QxSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) Get inspired for your adventure - this [Lonely Planet guide to train travel in Europe](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0SpaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXpuLnRvLzNQaWhreks_bGlkPTNmM3RkZzc2eDl2dyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTUtMDMtMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmXvJPTzZU_e9QxSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) is currently discounted. [GET DEAL](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0SpaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXpuLnRvLzNQaWhreks_bGlkPWJlZ3pzdDdyM3ljOSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTUtMDMtMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmXvJPTzZU_e9QxSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) [Osprey packing cube](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0SpaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXpuLnRvLzN2ZGdCc1M_bGlkPXp6bnR0M2dvMHdteCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTUtMDMtMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmXvJPTzZU_e9QxSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) Keep your suitcase organised with this [reduced Osprey packing cube set](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0SpaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXpuLnRvLzN2ZGdCc1M_bGlkPW5nbnh1bnVmMWNrdiZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTUtMDMtMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmXvJPTzZU_e9QxSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~). [GET DEAL](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0SpaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXpuLnRvLzN2ZGdCc1M_bGlkPWo5eG9ueGkyejVuMyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTUtMDMtMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmXvJPTzZU_e9QxSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)   ~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0TraHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXZlbnRicml0ZS5jby51ay9lL3NoYXVuLXBpbm5lci1lc2NhcGluZy1ydXNzaWFuLWNhcHR1cmUtdGlja2V0cy04NTcwNjMyOTgzOTc_bGlkPTYzOGIyeDM2NDNqMCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTUtMDMtMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmXvJPTzZU_e9QxSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ ~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0TraHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXZlbnRicml0ZS5jby51ay9lL3NoYXVuLXBpbm5lci1lc2NhcGluZy1ydXNzaWFuLWNhcHR1cmUtdGlja2V0cy04NTcwNjMyOTgzOTc_bGlkPTV4cDM4MmM0bnN3ZyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTUtMDMtMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmXvJPTzZU_e9QxSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ 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 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Play](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0S-aHR0cHM6Ly9pbmRlcGVuZGVudC5vbmVsaW5rLm1lL3dnaUEvaGdvaG9veno_bGlkPXFoNDZtbWtsZmhpdyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTUtMDMtMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmXvJPTzZU_e9QxSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) [Google Play](~/AAAHagA~/RgRn1nkkP0S-aHR0cHM6Ly9pbmRlcGVuZGVudC5vbmVsaW5rLm1lL3dnaUEvaGdvaG9veno_bGlkPWZ0ZzVyMjdib2J6ZiZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNpbW9uIENhbGRlcidzIFRyYXZlbCBXZWVrIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTUtMDMtMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX1RyYXZlbF9OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmXvJPTzZU_e9QxSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Travel newsletter. 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