Inbound tourism: the closest a nation can get to free money

If the Spanish islands don't have room for you, other destinations are available ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     [The Independent](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0QvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvP2xpZD1kMjVyMXVsZ2cyZmRXBXNwY2V1QgpmRi8TR2Yz6Dn0Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) Friday, May 17, 2024   [Simon Calder's Travel Week](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0Q1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsP2xpZD10eDhhbDFodGRsenBXBXNwY2V1QgpmRi8TR2Yz6Dn0Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) [Simon Calder's Travel Week](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0Q1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsP2xpZD1vbm4zamZseXlhZWNXBXNwY2V1QgpmRi8TR2Yz6Dn0Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) Sunshine, culture, adventure, indulgence are four dimensions that travellers cherish in a destination. We put a high value on those rewards: in the last couple of days easyJet and Tui have reported ever-higher selling prices for flights and package holidays this summer. And most of the world puts a high value on us. Visitors spend freely on local amenities from bars to museums, creating jobs, paying tax and enriching the community. In turn, we are enriched by the experience. Inbound tourism really does foster peace, love and understanding. It is also the closest any location can get to free money. Yet some heavily visited locations are channelling Gloria Gaynor: “Turn around now, you’re not welcome any more.” They want to limit the damage caused by tourism to the host community and environment. Last year Amsterdam vowed to [crack down on badly behaved, largely British stag and hen parties](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0R4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9hbXN0ZXJkYW0tc2V4LWRydWdzLWJyaXRpc2gtdG91cmlzdHMtYjIzMTAyMDUuaHRtbD9saWQ9c2ZjanJmN3Z3aDU1VwVzcGNldUIKZkYvE0dmM-g59FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj), and to [ban cruise ships from the city](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0R5aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9hbXN0ZXJkYW0tY3J1aXNlLXNoaXAtYmFuLWNpdHktY2VudHJlLWIyMzc5NDg5Lmh0bWw_bGlkPTZ4end2dnBnOG92aFcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~). Last month Venice imposed [a day-tripper tax](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0R_aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS92ZW5pY2UtZW50cnktZmVlLWNvc3QtZGF0ZS1ydWxlcy1leGVtcHRpb25zLWIyNTM0NTI4Lmh0bWw_bGlkPWUxNDNuM29kaHkxNVcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) on peak days, while in the Canary Islands to thousands took to the plazas to complain about us lot on the playas. At the other end of Spain, the [Balearics](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0SDaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9zcGFpbi1ob2xpZGF5LWhhbGYtdGVybS1pYml6YS1tYWxsb3JjYS1wcm90ZXN0cy1iMjU0NTQwNC5odG1sP2xpZD1xZTl3enE5b3JybDVXBXNwY2V1QgpmRi8TR2Yz6Dn0Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) are imposing sterner measures on alcohol to try to limit drink-fuelled binges, and cutting back on the number of beds for visitors. The president of the Mallorca Hoteliers’ Association, Maria Frontera said: “We are in critical situation.” Her job is to represent the interests of the hotel owners, who presumably want their rooms profitably filled. Yet she recognises the need to find “a balance of coexistence between residents and visitors”. You and I can help ease the overtourism burden by contemplating the emptier shores of the Mediterranean, from Albania to Algeria. - Aggrieved airport: [Heathrow lashes out at transit visa demands](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0R-aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9oZWF0aHJvdy1haXJwb3J0LWdvdmVybm1lbnQtdmlzYS1kdXR5LWZyZWUtYjI1NDQ2MDguaHRtbD9saWQ9YmdkZTdxN2Njam8xVwVzcGNldUIKZkYvE0dmM-g59FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj)~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0R0aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9tMjUtY2xvc3VyZXMtdGhpcy13ZWVrZW5kLWxvbmRvbi1iMjUxMTc2My5odG1sP2xpZD1iZmFwdzQwYXppd3lXBXNwY2V1QgpmRi8TR2Yz6Dn0Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0R-aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS93aXp6LWFpci1haXItdHJhZmZpYy1jb250cm9sLWV1cm9wZS1zdW1tZXItYjI0OTkwMjguaHRtbD9saWQ9ajlrNW5qb2ZjYXR2VwVzcGNldUIKZkYvE0dmM-g59FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj - Airport links:~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0SIaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9jaXR5LWNlbnRyZS1jaGVjay1pbi1nYXR3aWNrLWV4cHJlc3MtZmxpZ2h0cy1haXJwb3J0LWIyNTQ0ODk0Lmh0bWw_bGlkPTF1bTJmZ3d0cW90cVcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0R4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9jYXJkaWZmLWFpcnBvcnQtbG9zc2VzLWJyaXN0b2wtd2FsZXMtYjI0OTcyNjcuaHRtbD9saWQ9ZXV1MzNhcXF0cWlqVwVzcGNldUIKZkYvE0dmM-g59FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0RzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9jaGFubmVsLXR1bm5lbC10cmFpbnMtdWstZXVyb3BlLWIyNTQwMTgzLmh0bWw_bGlkPWU0bjltcmR5cm44b1cFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0SIaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9jaXR5LWNlbnRyZS1jaGVjay1pbi1nYXR3aWNrLWV4cHJlc3MtZmxpZ2h0cy1haXJwb3J0LWIyNTQ0ODk0Lmh0bWw_bGlkPTI0anNsdm4xbjI4OFcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0RzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9jaGFubmVsLXR1bm5lbC10cmFpbnMtdWstZXVyb3BlLWIyNTQwMTgzLmh0bWw_bGlkPTBxN2FjaHFjd25sNlcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0SIaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9jaXR5LWNlbnRyZS1jaGVjay1pbi1nYXR3aWNrLWV4cHJlc3MtZmxpZ2h0cy1haXJwb3J0LWIyNTQ0ODk0Lmh0bWw_bGlkPXRrcnhyaG41YTVpZFcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0RzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9jaGFubmVsLXR1bm5lbC10cmFpbnMtdWstZXVyb3BlLWIyNTQwMTgzLmh0bWw_bGlkPTZ4aWFhaDF3ajJxaFcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0SIaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9jaXR5LWNlbnRyZS1jaGVjay1pbi1nYXR3aWNrLWV4cHJlc3MtZmxpZ2h0cy1haXJwb3J0LWIyNTQ0ODk0Lmh0bWw_bGlkPW8zY2loZXVjejBzdFcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~[As Gatwick Express hits 40, whatever happened to city-centre check in?](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0SIaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9jaXR5LWNlbnRyZS1jaGVjay1pbi1nYXR3aWNrLWV4cHJlc3MtZmxpZ2h0cy1haXJwb3J0LWIyNTQ0ODk0Lmh0bWw_bGlkPWp5a2gxdDZ4MW94MFcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) - Two's company: [Pilots' unions angry at talk of reduced crew operations](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0R4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9wbGFuZS1vbmUtcGlsb3QtZmxpZ2h0LWRlY2stZXUtcnVsZXMtYjI1NDQyODMuaHRtbD9saWQ9bmV6cmo0NHB5NTY3VwVzcGNldUIKZkYvE0dmM-g59FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj)~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0SFaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9zb3V0aGFtcHRvbi1uZXdjYXN0bGUtY3J1aXNlLWNhbmNlbGxlZC1mcmVkLW9sc2VuLWIyNTAzNzI5Lmh0bWw_bGlkPW1sbzR2ZjVpMG9jMVcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ Empty quarter: mid-morning at Timgad, one of Algeria's many archaeological sites [Enjoy 6 months of Independent Premium for just £66 £6](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0Q4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3Vic2NyaWJlP2xpZD1oNmF2YmI4emlnMGdXBXNwY2V1QgpmRi8TR2Yz6Dn0Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~)   Get inspired... ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0SLaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9kZW5tYXJrL2NvcGVuaGFnZW4vY29wZW5oYWdlbi1jaXR5LWJyZWFrLWNoZWFwLWZhbWlseS1hY3Rpdml0aWVzLWIyNTQ0MjgxLmh0bWw_bGlkPWg2d213ZDR1NnQycFcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ [A family trip to Copenhagen for £1k](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0SLaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9kZW5tYXJrL2NvcGVuaGFnZW4vY29wZW5oYWdlbi1jaXR5LWJyZWFrLWNoZWFwLWZhbWlseS1hY3Rpdml0aWVzLWIyNTQ0MjgxLmh0bWw_bGlkPXE5NzNjM2YycXBhY1cFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) In search of an affordable break, our writer headed to the Danish capital with his wife and kids to see if he could spend a long weekend on a budget of a grand. [This is how he got on.](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0SLaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9kZW5tYXJrL2NvcGVuaGFnZW4vY29wZW5oYWdlbi1jaXR5LWJyZWFrLWNoZWFwLWZhbWlseS1hY3Rpdml0aWVzLWIyNTQ0MjgxLmh0bWw_bGlkPW1iZHVxejRzZGJmMFcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0RsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2FzaWEvdGFzaGtlbnQtdXpiZWtpc3Rhbi1mbGlnaHRzLWdhdHdpY2stYjI1NDIxNTQuaHRtbD9saWQ9bXlyeWE0ZnZyenN4VwVzcGNldUIKZkYvE0dmM-g59FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj [How to spend a city break Tashkent](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0RsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2FzaWEvdGFzaGtlbnQtdXpiZWtpc3Rhbi1mbGlnaHRzLWdhdHdpY2stYjI1NDIxNTQuaHRtbD9saWQ9OXQ5N3RyNjV5YWtpVwVzcGNldUIKZkYvE0dmM-g59FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) The Uzbek capital is full of wonderful discoveries, from Metro stations with beautiful designs to a 1980s “solar furnace” complex. [Read about it here.](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0RsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2FzaWEvdGFzaGtlbnQtdXpiZWtpc3Rhbi1mbGlnaHRzLWdhdHdpY2stYjI1NDIxNTQuaHRtbD9saWQ9MnAzdG0xdHh0MHkxVwVzcGNldUIKZkYvE0dmM-g59FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj)~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0SDaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25vcnRoLWFtZXJpY2EvdXNhL2NhbGlmb3JuaWEvbG9zLWFuZ2VsZXMtcGFsbS1zcHJpbmdzLXJvYWQtdHJpcC1iMjUyODkwMy5odG1sP2xpZD1ra3pnc2NmMjJjaHZXBXNwY2V1QgpmRi8TR2Yz6Dn0Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0SDaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9iZXN0LWV1cm9zdGFyLWRlc3RpbmF0aW9ucy1wYXJpcy1hbXN0ZXJkYW0tYjIzNDgzNTMuaHRtbD9saWQ9bzJraGVvZzF5b2l1I2NvbW1lbnRzLWFyZWFXBXNwY2V1QgpmRi8TR2Yz6Dn0Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0RvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL3VrL2JyaWRnZXJ0b24tYmF0aC1sb25kb24tZmlsbWluZy1sb2NhdGlvbnMtYjI1MjcyNDMuaHRtbD9saWQ9dDZ6ZHJveDdmcmhmVwVzcGNldUIKZkYvE0dmM-g59FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj[The best places to visit on Eurostar](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0SDaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9iZXN0LWV1cm9zdGFyLWRlc3RpbmF0aW9ucy1wYXJpcy1hbXN0ZXJkYW0tYjIzNDgzNTMuaHRtbD9saWQ9Nmx3d2k2a3VyMnVtI2NvbW1lbnRzLWFyZWFXBXNwY2V1QgpmRi8TR2Yz6Dn0Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) These are the European hotspots you can visit with just a quick trip over the Channel, From London and Paris to Brussels and Lille – and how long it will take to get there. [Read more.](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0SDaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9iZXN0LWV1cm9zdGFyLWRlc3RpbmF0aW9ucy1wYXJpcy1hbXN0ZXJkYW0tYjIzNDgzNTMuaHRtbD9saWQ9eDE5enplajd6bmE3I2NvbW1lbnRzLWFyZWFXBXNwY2V1QgpmRi8TR2Yz6Dn0Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~)   Deal of the week: Northern flights ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0SgaHR0cHM6Ly9zaG93cy5hY2FzdC5jb20vZ3JlZW4tbGlzdC10cmF2ZWwtd2l0aC1zaW1vbi1jYWxkZXItYW5kLXRoZS1pbmRlcGVuZGVudC9lcGlzb2Rlcy9tYXktMTV0aC1sb29raW5nLXNreXdhcmQtd2l0aC1hc3Ryb25vbWVyLWRyLWpvaG4tbWFzb24_bGlkPWVmeXR4aGdjZWN1blcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ Seekers of the Northern Lights can look forward to a winter fares war to the capital of Arctic Norway, [Tromsø](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0RwaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL3Zpc2l0LW5vcndheS93aHkteW91LXNob3VsZC10cmF2ZWwtdG8tdHJvbXNvLWE3OTk1Nzc2Lmh0bWw_bGlkPXh5dzJsZ3V3N2UxZVcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~). SAS Scandinavia Airlines has announced a new weekly link from London Heathrow to the city deep within the Arctic Circle. It will compete against Wizz Air from Luton and Norwegian from Gatwick. Checking flights in November – an excellent time to see the Aurora Borealis as well as enjoying some daylight in Tromsø – most Wizz Air flights are between £70 and £90 one way. This is remarkable value for a 1,400-mile trip, more than halfway to the North Pole. [OUR PODCAST ON NORTHERN LIGHTS](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0SgaHR0cHM6Ly9zaG93cy5hY2FzdC5jb20vZ3JlZW4tbGlzdC10cmF2ZWwtd2l0aC1zaW1vbi1jYWxkZXItYW5kLXRoZS1pbmRlcGVuZGVudC9lcGlzb2Rlcy9tYXktMTV0aC1sb29raW5nLXNreXdhcmQtd2l0aC1hc3Ryb25vbWVyLWRyLWpvaG4tbWFzb24_bGlkPXh2OHJzeGMweGVhdFcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)   Tip of the week: Free birthday travel~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0R4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9ldXJvcGVhbi1zbGVlcGVyLXRyYWlucy1wYXJpcy1iZXJsaW4tYjI0NjI5MjkuaHRtbD9saWQ9YnM0ejM0dWprODNwVwVzcGNldUIKZkYvE0dmM-g59FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj Anyone lucky enough to live in [Bath](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0RpaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL3VrL2VuZ2xhbmQvYmF0aC9icmlkZ2VydG9uLWJhdGgtZ3VpZGUtYjI1NDU0NDMuaHRtbD9saWQ9Y213M2d6YzRwb2VyVwVzcGNldUIKZkYvE0dmM-g59FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) and North East Somerset, [Bristol,](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0SVaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL3VrL2VuZ2xhbmQvYnJpc3RvbC1zdG9rZXMtY3JvZnQtdHJhdmVsLWd1aWRlLWJlc3QtaG90ZWxzLXJlc3RhdXJhbnRzLXRoaW5ncy10by1kby1iMjA3MzE4MC5odG1sP2xpZD1rZjZzdmxzMGN5NjhXBXNwY2V1QgpmRi8TR2Yz6Dn0Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) North Somerset or South Gloucestershire can get a Birthday Bus Pass valid on most buses in the region for the entire month in which their birthday falls. [Apply](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0RkaHR0cHM6Ly90cmF2ZWx3ZXN0LmluZm8vdGlja2V0cy10cmF2ZWxjYXJkcy9mcmVlLWJ1cy10cmF2ZWwtb24teW91ci1iaXJ0aGRheS1tb250aC8_bGlkPWNoeXRyZWQ0MXZ0cVcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) a week in advance of the start of that month. In Germany, [Munich](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0SfaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsLzQ4LWhvdXJzLWluL211bmljaC10aGluZ3MtdG8tZG8tZ2VybWFueS1jaXR5LWd1aWRlLW9rdG9iZXJmZXN0LWJlc3QtaG90ZWxzLWJhcnMtcmVzdGF1cmFudHMtYTkxMjgyODEuaHRtbD9saWQ9NDJ3NnR5dm96OXJhVwVzcGNldUIKZkYvE0dmM-g59FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj)’s public transport undertaking, MVV, offers free trips on your birthday if you register for its app, MVGO. Whenever your birthday falls, though, [free rides are about to end in the US state of Vermont](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0R2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9mcmVlLWJ1cy10cmF2ZWwtdmVybW9udC1sdXhlbWJvdXJnLWIyNTQzNDE3Lmh0bWw_bGlkPXRtd2lxcDNqNjJyMlcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~); after four years, bus fares return from Monday 20 May. [BRISTOL TO LONDON BY ELECTRIC BUS](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0RzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9lbGVjdHJpYy1mbGl4YnVzLWxvbmRvbi1icmlzdG9sLWIyNTE2Nzc1Lmh0bWw_bGlkPWR4cXU1aXJoajY3clcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) PICK OF THE WEEK Malaysia Airlines ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0RkaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubWFsYXlzaWFhaXJsaW5lcy5jb20vdWsvZW4vcHJvbW90aW9ucy90aW1lLWZvci1hbWF6aW5nLWRpc2NvdmVyaWVzLmh0bWw_bGlkPTU3Nnp2OWh0eGt6blcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ [Time for amazing discoveries with the Malaysia Airlines sale. Explore Sydney, Perth and Melbourne from £949 economy and £4,369 business class. Discover Kuala Lumpur from £649. Book by 22 May.](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0RkaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubWFsYXlzaWFhaXJsaW5lcy5jb20vdWsvZW4vcHJvbW90aW9ucy90aW1lLWZvci1hbWF6aW5nLWRpc2NvdmVyaWVzLmh0bWw_bGlkPTZmamF3N3Azc2x3OVcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0RhaHR0cHM6Ly9wbGF5LmFjYXN0LmNvbS9zL2dyZWVuLWxpc3QtdHJhdmVsLXdpdGgtc2ltb24tY2FsZGVyLWFuZC10aGUtaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQ_bGlkPW4xeHRzcGJqdGJjNFcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0RhaHR0cHM6Ly9wbGF5LmFjYXN0LmNvbS9zL2dyZWVuLWxpc3QtdHJhdmVsLXdpdGgtc2ltb24tY2FsZGVyLWFuZC10aGUtaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQ_bGlkPTUwN2RxbXFhYXZmZlcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ [Sunscreens](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0SLaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0L2Zhc2hpb24tYmVhdXR5L3N1bi1jYXJlLXRhbm5pbmcvYmVzdC1yZWVmLXNhZmUtc3Vuc2NyZWVuLWNvcmFsLWIxODY2MTQwLmh0bWw_bGlkPTJ4b2Zpczdqd2F3eFcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) Stay sun-safe and planet-friendly while you explore – we've reviewed the [best eco-friendly sunscreens](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0SLaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0L2Zhc2hpb24tYmVhdXR5L3N1bi1jYXJlLXRhbm5pbmcvYmVzdC1yZWVmLXNhZmUtc3Vuc2NyZWVuLWNvcmFsLWIxODY2MTQwLmh0bWw_bGlkPTl0djM4bXgyMGMydVcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) on the market.   Simon’s dispatches International tourism, for all its many blessings, can go too far. Hurray to activism that seeks to mitigate the damage. The demonstrations on Spanish islands (where more are planned in Ibiza and Mallorca at the start of the UK half-term holiday) are widely characterised as simple anti-tourist. Yet my reading is more nuanced than that: the protests are aimed at the authorities, who could do much to limit the harm caused by inbound tourists. National and local taxes dampen demand. Cruise ship calls can be constrained. The authorities can put strings on platforms such Airbnb, so that individuals may still rent out a spare room but industrial-scale letting – which distorts the local property market – is banned. And the police can always make a few examples of tourists who behave disgracefully. Conversely, tourists can choose from an increasingly long menu of destinations for which overtourism is only a dream. Athens may currently be daubed with graffiti urging “tourists go home” and – especially worrying for me – “no hipsters”. But neighbouring [Albania](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0R8aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9hbGJhbmlhL2FsYmFuaWEtdG91cmlzdC1kZXN0aW5hdGlvbi1jaGVhcC1mbGlnaHRzLWIyNDgxODE5Lmh0bWw_bGlkPXA4eWk1MDU1NXNiNVcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) is waiting to welcome you. This week I asked the boss of Europe’s biggest travel company about the potential package holiday appeal of the Balkan nation. “It’s a great country,” [Sebastian Ebel, chief executive of Tui, told me](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0R-aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9hbGJhbmlhLXR1aS1ob2xpZGF5LXN1bW1lci1hbGdlcmlhLXRvdXJpc20tYjI1NDUzNzIuaHRtbD9saWQ9bnpqa3Y5MXpzdXZsVwVzcGNldUIKZkYvE0dmM-g59FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj). “I think the prospect is huge and I wouldn’t be surprised if we start a significant programme there.” The other nation with Mediterranean shores that looks distinctly under-visited is Algeria. the largest country in Africa. It has a vast range of almost empty classical sites as well as a long, mostly empty, Mediterranean coastline. And the government in Algiers has introduced visas-on-arrival for tourist who have made holiday arrangements. The Tui boss has been in discussions about Algeria, but says security is still a concern: “I would be hesitating to do something before the overall situation improves.” Happily, low tourist demand translates to cheaper travel. Later today I shall embark on a long and winding journey to Korea. The trip begins in Birmingham – a city I always enjoy, despite [the ruling party’s recent disparagement of it](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0SCaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9sb25kb24tdG91cmlzdHMtY29uc2VydmF0aXZlcy1jcmltZS1iaXJtaW5naGFtLWIyNTIxMDI0Lmh0bWw_bGlkPXdjM3czbnJwNmZzNlcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~). Next is Beauvais, optimistically described as “Paris” by Ryanair. While it will be [among the airports closed during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0SMaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9wYXJpcy1vbHltcGljcy1uby1mbHktem9uZS1vcGVuaW5nLWNlcmVtb255LWVhc3lqZXQtZGF0ZS1iMjU0NjExNS5odG1sP2xpZD13N2NuMmY0bGk1Y2hXBXNwY2V1QgpmRi8TR2Yz6Dn0Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~), on Saturday the omens look good for exploring a little-known city. Next stop, Zagreb. Croatia's inland capital could usefully welcome a proportion of crowds who descend on the Adriatic shores. The city may finally see a surge from the strangest new route of the year: from Seoul to Zagreb aboard the Korean budget airline T’Way. It has chosen the Croatian capital for its first foothold in Europe. After the Koreans fly in, I shall fly out to Seoul. With whispers of a possible stop along the way in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, to take on fuel, this has the makings of a magical mystery tour. Gloria Gaynor once again provides the soundtrack: I will survive. [Podcast: 30 years of travelling the world for The Independent](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0SaaHR0cHM6Ly9zaG93cy5hY2FzdC5jb20vZ3JlZW4tbGlzdC10cmF2ZWwtd2l0aC1zaW1vbi1jYWxkZXItYW5kLXRoZS1pbmRlcGVuZGVudC9lcGlzb2Rlcy9tYXktMTZ0aC1jZWxlYnJhdGluZy0zMC15ZWFycy1hdC10aGUtaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQ_bGlkPXlxczJ6cXJlaHcyMVcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)   Question of the week Question of the week Thai timing?     What is the best time of year to explore Thailand?     November. While Thailand is perennially hot and humid, some months are better than others. November marks the start of the dry season after the May-October rains in all the key locations: [Phuket](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0RkaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2FzaWEvdGhhaWxhbmQvYmVzdC1waHVrZXQtaG90ZWxzLWE4ODMyOTQ2Lmh0bWw_bGlkPWxvNzNyajVnMTlvdFcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~), my favourite of the larger Thai islands; [Bangkok](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0SLaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2FzaWEvdGhhaWxhbmQvYmFuZ2tvay10cmF2ZWwtZ3VpZGUtYmVzdC1ob3RlbHMtcmVzdGF1cmFudHMtdGhpbmdzLXRvLWRvLWIyMDY1ODY5Lmh0bWw_bGlkPTEwZDVxN201dm9hZlcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~), the energetic yet cultured capital; and [Chiang Mai](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0R3aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2FzaWEvdGhhaWxhbmQvc29uZ2tyYW4tZmVzdGl2YWwtY2hpYW5nLW1haS10aGFpbGFuZC1iMjUzMTAzMC5odG1sP2xpZD1nNmoxc3BzejV3MndXBXNwY2V1QgpmRi8TR2Yz6Dn0Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~), the enticing northern city that is also a centre for trekking. Besides favourable weather, an absence of crowds rewards a November trip. You will find the temples and beaches relatively empty. And with low demand in November, air fares are below £500 return from London to Bangkok, and under £700 from Manchester and some other UK airports. Typically these fares double at peak times such as Christmas, New Year and Easter. If you plan to explore the nation from top to bottom, choose an “open-jaw” itinerary. Flying in to Chiang Mai and out from Phuket (for example on Air China) will not add substantially to the total cost of international flights, and will allow you to avoid doubling back at the end of your Thai journey. Essential reading ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0RwaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9jb3Jud2FsbC10b3VyaXN0LXRheC1ob2xpZGF5LWIyNTM4MDA5Lmh0bWw_bGlkPWFnaTZ0aXUyODQ2c1cFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ [Cornwall tourism chief warns holidaymakers could be taxed](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0RwaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9jb3Jud2FsbC10b3VyaXN0LXRheC1ob2xpZGF5LWIyNTM4MDA5Lmh0bWw_bGlkPWxuaG05aXppdnJlMlcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) STAT OF THE WEEK £11,000 [Cost of Antarctic cruise holiday lost by Valerie Coleshaw after a mix-up with her cabin baggage between Manchester and Amsterdam](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0R_aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9jYWJpbi1iYWdnYWdlLWNvc3RzLWZsaWdodC1hbnRhcmN0aWMtY3J1aXNlLWIyNTQ1OTgwLmh0bWw_bGlkPTZreTRlcWwxeG01blcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)   ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0R3aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvbmV3cy9idXNpbmVzcy9jb21tZW50L2JyZXhpdC1sYWJvdXItd29ya2Vycy15b3V0aC1tb2JpbGl0eS1iMjUzNTQxOS5odG1sP2xpZD1icTd2YWk2aHBmdGlXBXNwY2V1QgpmRi8TR2Yz6Dn0Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ [Blocking a Brexit free-movement scheme is spiteful and unforgiveable](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0R3aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvbmV3cy9idXNpbmVzcy9jb21tZW50L2JyZXhpdC1sYWJvdXItd29ya2Vycy15b3V0aC1tb2JpbGl0eS1iMjUzNTQxOS5odG1sP2xpZD1jN3Rqenp4ZGM3ZGZXBXNwY2V1QgpmRi8TR2Yz6Dn0Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~)   ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0RkaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubWFsYXlzaWFhaXJsaW5lcy5jb20vdWsvZW4vcHJvbW90aW9ucy90aW1lLWZvci1hbWF6aW5nLWRpc2NvdmVyaWVzLmh0bWw_bGlkPW1oeTE5bHdsNDBteVcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~   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~/RgRoKZgvP0RkaHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tL3Nob3cvMHMwSGwyaExoazR5VTFIMGFHVG5Vdz9zaT05V2dSS3NjYlROMlc1eElLYi1zT0lBJm5kPTEmbGlkPWpqNXk4MDQ0MGN6ZFcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~), [Apple Podcasts](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0R7aHR0cHM6Ly9wb2RjYXN0cy5hcHBsZS5jb20vZ2IvcG9kY2FzdC9ncmVlbi1saXN0LXRyYXZlbC13aXRoLXNpbW9uLWNhbGRlci1hbmQtdGhlLWluZGVwZW5kZW50L2lkMTU2NjkxNTc3MD9saWQ9bmd5amphcHB0ajhyVwVzcGNldUIKZkYvE0dmM-g59FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj), [Pocket Casts](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0QoaHR0cHM6Ly9wY2Euc3QvbXU0bDNjd2Q_bGlkPWo4ZmIzb2NncWthOVcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) or [Acast](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0RhaHR0cHM6Ly9wbGF5LmFjYXN0LmNvbS9zL2dyZWVuLWxpc3QtdHJhdmVsLXdpdGgtc2ltb24tY2FsZGVyLWFuZC10aGUtaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQ_bGlkPXR6eW1rZWMxZXYxbFcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~). 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~/RgRoKZgvP0RkaHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tL3Nob3cvMHMwSGwyaExoazR5VTFIMGFHVG5Vdz9zaT05V2dSS3NjYlROMlc1eElLYi1zT0lBJm5kPTEmbGlkPWZtY2x6NTRkZnBzb1cFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~), [Apple Podcasts](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0R7aHR0cHM6Ly9wb2RjYXN0cy5hcHBsZS5jb20vZ2IvcG9kY2FzdC9ncmVlbi1saXN0LXRyYXZlbC13aXRoLXNpbW9uLWNhbGRlci1hbmQtdGhlLWluZGVwZW5kZW50L2lkMTU2NjkxNTc3MD9saWQ9aHhwYWRnazdjZWxjVwVzcGNldUIKZkYvE0dmM-g59FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj), [Pocket Casts](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0QoaHR0cHM6Ly9wY2Euc3QvbXU0bDNjd2Q_bGlkPWJ0aHMzdDdnNjZueFcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) or [Acast](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0RhaHR0cHM6Ly9wbGF5LmFjYXN0LmNvbS9zL2dyZWVuLWxpc3QtdHJhdmVsLXdpdGgtc2ltb24tY2FsZGVyLWFuZC10aGUtaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQ_bGlkPXhmdnE0Z3RwYzdoYVcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~). 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~/RgRoKZgvP0QzaHR0cDovL3d3dy50d2l0dGVyLmNvbS9zaW1vbmNhbGRlcj9saWQ9ZXA5c2V3Z2ZhN3JjVwVzcGNldUIKZkYvE0dmM-g59FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) 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~/RgRoKZgvP0QzaHR0cDovL3d3dy50d2l0dGVyLmNvbS9zaW1vbmNhbGRlcj9saWQ9a3pxdDNuanhodzN5VwVzcGNldUIKZkYvE0dmM-g59FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) 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~/RgRoKZgvP0Q4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9zaW1vbl9jYWxkZXIvP2xpZD1qOTJwNWp0Y2lxb2xXBXNwY2V1QgpmRi8TR2Yz6Dn0Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) 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~/RgRoKZgvP0Q4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9zaW1vbl9jYWxkZXIvP2xpZD1jaGdlOHAzbGp3bzVXBXNwY2V1QgpmRi8TR2Yz6Dn0Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) 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~/RgRoKZgvP0Q9aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGlrdG9rLmNvbS9kaXNjb3Zlci9TaW1vbi1DYWxkZXI_bGlkPXJuNDNtNDRlaGV6NFcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) 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~/RgRoKZgvP0Q9aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGlrdG9rLmNvbS9kaXNjb3Zlci9TaW1vbi1DYWxkZXI_bGlkPTVraDNxejYydGs2aVcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)   [suitcase deal](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0QoaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXpuLnRvLzRkS0dFc0k_bGlkPXRoOGl1OTI3c2FhYlcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) Need some new luggage for your travels? This sleek, carry-on suitcase is reduced to under £33. [GET DEAL](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0QoaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXpuLnRvLzRkS0dFc0k_bGlkPXJqbjM1czd5azE1N1cFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) [luggage scale](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0QoaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXpuLnRvLzRhb1JRc24_bGlkPTVnd2l1Ynd2b2tpZVcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) Avoid pesky charges at the airport with this handy luggage scale –and save £6 while you're at it. [GET DEAL](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0QoaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXpuLnRvLzRhb1JRc24_bGlkPWxrdmlwOHJodXhka1cFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) The Independent proudly partners with [Refuge](~/AAAHagA~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~) and the [National Domestic Abuse Helpline](~/AAAHagA~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-g59FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj): 0808 2000 247 [The Independent](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0QvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvP2xpZD16aDFwd3o2N2RrOXFXBXNwY2V1QgpmRi8TR2Yz6Dn0Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) Join the conversation or follow us [Twitter](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0QwaHR0cHM6Ly90d2l0dGVyLmNvbS9JbmRlcGVuZGVudD9saWQ9aDZ2bnUwdmRwZ2UwVwVzcGNldUIKZkYvE0dmM-g59FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) [Instagram](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0Q2aHR0cHM6Ly9pbnN0YWdyYW0uY29tL3RoZS5pbmRlcGVuZGVudD9saWQ9YmNiamt3ZXIzNGhkVwVzcGNldUIKZkYvE0dmM-g59FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) [Facebook](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0Q_aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL1RoZUluZGVwZW5kZW50T25saW5lLz9saWQ9dWl1c3FwemRweThqVwVzcGNldUIKZkYvE0dmM-g59FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) Download the free Independent app [Google Play](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0Q9aHR0cHM6Ly9pbmRlcGVuZGVudC5vbmVsaW5rLm1lL3dnaUEvaGdvaG9veno_bGlkPTFpNHQyZmlndnhzclcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) [Apple App Store](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0Q9aHR0cHM6Ly9pbmRlcGVuZGVudC5vbmVsaW5rLm1lL3dnaUEvaGdvaG9veno_bGlkPWpneDZ2N2g1Nnh2c1cFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) [Google Play](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0Q9aHR0cHM6Ly9pbmRlcGVuZGVudC5vbmVsaW5rLm1lL3dnaUEvaGdvaG9veno_bGlkPWNhMnFmOWFwanN3bVcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) [Google Play](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoKZgvP0Q9aHR0cHM6Ly9pbmRlcGVuZGVudC5vbmVsaW5rLm1lL3dnaUEvaGdvaG9veno_bGlkPTRxemkxcXJydTZkMVcFc3BjZXVCCmZGLxNHZjPoOfRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Travel newsletter. 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