Wings of desire: Plan your 2024 adventure during Advent

Simon Calder’s Travel Week [The Independent](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0QvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvP2xpZD04cjI0aThoN2FnZTRXBXNwY2V1QgplX9eFaWWUiDp4Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) Friday, December 1, 2023   [Simon Calder's Travel Week](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0Q1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsP2xpZD1xdmJwa25oMm1iam1XBXNwY2V1QgplX9eFaWWUiDp4Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) [Simon Calder's Travel Week](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0Q1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsP2xpZD12aWJxN3NyMHZocnlXBXNwY2V1QgplX9eFaWWUiDp4Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) December, eh? Today the sun rises in [Manchester](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0SQaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL3VrL2VuZ2xhbmQvbWFuY2hlc3Rlci1jaXR5LXRyYXZlbC1ndWlkZS1iZXN0LWhvdGVscy1yZXN0YXVyYW50cy10aGluZ3MtdG8tZG8tYjE5NTA3NDkuaHRtbD9saWQ9bTVvMmlxNzdxcTBpVwVzcGNldUIKZV_XhWlllIg6eFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) after 8am and sets before 4pm. The start of the final month of the year coincides with [the latest outbreak of industrial action on the railways](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0RxaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9hc2xlZi10cmFpbi1zdHJpa2UtcmFpbC11bmlvbi1iMjQ1NjAwNy5odG1sP2xpZD13amFkYTI2aHlqZzNXBXNwY2V1QgplX9eFaWWUiDp4Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~). Yet as we head towards the bleak midwinter, the anticipation of adventures ahead can provide some inner warmth. The launch of nonstop flights between London Heathrow and Lima is a good example. At 10pm tonight the first Latam Boeing 787 is due to take off for the Peruvian capital. Thirteen hours later, it should touch down at sunrise. - Train pain: [Nine days of industrial action by train drivers belonging to Aslef](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0R5aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS90cmFpbi1zdHJpa2VzLW5leHQtd2Vlay1kZWNlbWJlci0yMDIzLWIyNDU1MzYwLmh0bWw_bGlkPWV4cGRhZjVteXA2bFcFc3BjZXVCCmVf14VpZZSIOnhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) - Nowhere fast: [Eurostar passengers to Amsterdam spend eight hours outside the Channel Tunnel](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0SLaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9ldXJvc3Rhci10cmFpbi1wYXNzZW5nZXJzLXN0dWNrLWxvbmRvbi1hbXN0ZXJkYW0tdHVubmVsLWIyNDU2MzA2Lmh0bWw_bGlkPXduZ3Vuc2hqaGxhbVcFc3BjZXVCCmVf14VpZZSIOnhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) - Cost of living: [Singapore and Zurich top the worldwide list](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0R1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS93b3JsZHMtbW9zdC1leHBlbnNpdmUtY2l0aWVzLTIwMjMtYjI0NTYwMjguaHRtbD9saWQ9bG1kaG8xZnZrdDZqVwVzcGNldUIKZV_XhWlllIg6eFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) ~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0R2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9ldXJvc3Rhci1sb25kb24tcGFyaXMtdHJhaW5zLWNoZWFwLWIyMzg5NzQ0Lmh0bWw_bGlkPXl3OWRlaWJpY2IyN1cFc3BjZXVCCmVf14VpZZSIOnhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ Sacred Valley: Thirteen hours from Heathrow can take you to another world   Get inspired... ~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0RqaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2FzaWEvamFwYW4vamFwYW4tYXV0dW1uLWxlYXZlcy1ob2xpZGF5LWIyNDUxOTEwLmh0bWw_bGlkPXpub28xbzQ3c2cyZVcFc3BjZXVCCmVf14VpZZSIOnhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ [Japan in autumn](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0RqaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2FzaWEvamFwYW4vamFwYW4tYXV0dW1uLWxlYXZlcy1ob2xpZGF5LWIyNDUxOTEwLmh0bWw_bGlkPTBuOGw3dmxtdXdubVcFc3BjZXVCCmVf14VpZZSIOnhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) Swap spring cherry blossom for fall foliage and follow the changing leaves across the country for the most colourful, Insta-worthy holiday. ~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0RpaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2luZGVwZW5kZW50LXRyYXZlbGxlci9jb2xsZWN0aW9uL2hvdGVscy1pbi1sYS1wYWxtYT9saWQ9azF5dW1yNmszbXkxVwVzcGNldUIKZV_XhWlllIg6eFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj [La Palma hotels](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0RpaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2luZGVwZW5kZW50LXRyYXZlbGxlci9jb2xsZWN0aW9uL2hvdGVscy1pbi1sYS1wYWxtYT9saWQ9bGNha3V3amw0Y3R2VwVzcGNldUIKZV_XhWlllIg6eFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) The chicest places to stay on the most north-westerly Canary Island, from Santa Cruz boutiques to a 150-year-old lighthouse turned hotel. ~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0RqaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS90dXJrZXkvYmVzdC10aGluZ3MtdG8tZG8tdHVya2V5LWIyNDUxNzg5Lmh0bWw_bGlkPW5tcWpsZG0zbzRscFcFc3BjZXVCCmVf14VpZZSIOnhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ [Turkish delights](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0RqaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS90dXJrZXkvYmVzdC10aGluZ3MtdG8tZG8tdHVya2V5LWIyNDUxNzg5Lmh0bWw_bGlkPTZiNW1uYTZ6YWdxY1cFc3BjZXVCCmVf14VpZZSIOnhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) A Neolithic history, Unesco-listed sites and tantalising street eats – dipping into Turkey means much more than a swim in the Mediterranean. ~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0STaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9pbnRlcnJhaWwtdW5saW1pdGVkLWV1cm9wZWFuLXRyYXZlbC1yYWlsLWlkZWFsLWl0aW5lcmFyeS10cmFpbnMtYTkxNjkzMzYuaHRtbD9saWQ9Mm0zbjJxMG5xNjR1VwVzcGNldUIKZV_XhWlllIg6eFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj Deal of the week: London to Paris or Amsterdam, £78 return Many cheap Eurostar tickets are available early in the New Year. The lowest £78 return fare from [London](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0SJaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL3VrL2xvbmRvbi1jaHJpc3RtYXMtd2ludGVyLXRyYXZlbC1iZXN0LWhvdGVscy1yZXN0YXVyYW50LXRoaW5ncy10by1kby1iMjQ1NDMxNi5odG1sP2xpZD1lZHF3OGhtZXVmM2xXBXNwY2V1QgplX9eFaWWUiDp4Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) to [Paris](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0RZaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9mcmFuY2UvcGFyaXM_Q01QPUlMQy1yZWZyZXNoJmxpZD04bGFpdWVoaHJwMTNXBXNwY2V1QgplX9eFaWWUiDp4Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) Gare du Nord is usually elusive. But cheap tickets are available in either direction on the last four Wednesdays in January 2024. Some Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday departures are also available at the cheapest rate; inbound options are more plentiful. From London to [Amsterdam](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0RSaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9uZXRoZXJsYW5kcy9hbXN0ZXJkYW0_bGlkPXN6MTF0bHo2MWM4elcFc3BjZXVCCmVf14VpZZSIOnhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~), the picture is brighter, with most outbound dates in January available (though no weekends). On the Eurostar app or website, click on “Find Lowest Fares” and search by month to track down the best deals. [ENJOY PARIS LIKE A LOCAL](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9mcmFuY2UvcGFyaXMtbG9jYWwtY2l0eS1ndWlkZS1iMjQyNzI2OC5odG1sP2xpZD05bWx3dHpwczUyY3lXBXNwY2V1QgplX9eFaWWUiDp4Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) Tip of the week: Stansted faster The Stansted Express train between London Liverpool Street and the Essex airport is set to improve dramatically from next weekend. Starting on 10 December (after the latest overtime ban by train drivers belonging to the Aslef union), the full four-trains-an-hour service will be restored. Trains will be accelerated by a few minutes, with an average journey time of 47 minutes. But they are still slower than when the Stansted Express was first introduced three decades ago – with a capital-to-airport time of just 41 minutes. [WORLD'S BEST CONNECTED AIRPORTS](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0SKaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS93b3JsZC1iZXN0LWNvbm5lY3RlZC1haXJwb3J0cy1pc3RhbmJ1bC1oZWF0aHJvdy1kdWJsaW4tYjI0MDk1NjkuaHRtbD9saWQ9MW9vNnNpampoYm9mVwVzcGNldUIKZV_XhWlllIg6eFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj)   [Travel mugs and insulated flasks](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0SUaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0L3RyYXZlbC1vdXRkb29ycy9vdXRkb29yLWVhdGluZy9iZXN0LXRyYXZlbC1tdWctaW5zdWxhdGVkLWZsYXNrcy10aGVybW9zLWE5MzMzMjAxLmh0bWw_bGlkPWl0eHp2ZGdwaDVibFcFc3BjZXVCCmVf14VpZZSIOnhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) Keep drinks hot (and cold) for hours with these tried and tested travel mugs and insulated flasks. [Shop now](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0SUaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0L3RyYXZlbC1vdXRkb29ycy9vdXRkb29yLWVhdGluZy9iZXN0LXRyYXZlbC1tdWctaW5zdWxhdGVkLWZsYXNrcy10aGVybW9zLWE5MzMzMjAxLmh0bWw_bGlkPXNkcnFvbTVvbTJpOFcFc3BjZXVCCmVf14VpZZSIOnhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)   Simon’s dispatches If you are spending Advent planning a 2024 adventure, [Peru](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0RIaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL3NvdXRoLWFtZXJpY2EvcGVydT9saWQ9MzB2NHc4c2NvdGFyVwVzcGNldUIKZV_XhWlllIg6eFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) makes a formidable destination: from the high-altitude heart of the Inca empire in Cusco and the Sacred Valley to the depths of raw nature delivered by the Amazon (a river, not an online retailer). South America’s most intriguing nation is in the top three adventure best-sellers, alongside Thailand and India. That is according to a global purveyor of lasting memories, G Adventures. I learnt that yesterday from Bruce Poon Tip, the inspirational founder of the travel firm devoted to providing value for host communities as well as travellers. He takes people out of their comfort zone and into locations where they will be amazed, exhausted and enlightened. Sales are booming, Bruce says: “We've now surpassed 2019 numbers comfortably.” Some of the fresh demand is coming from older, wealthier clients – which is why the company has launched an upmarket adventure brand called (wait for it) Geluxe. When my pal Mick and I hiked the Inca Trail to [Macchu Pichu](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0SEaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL3N1c3RhaW5hYmxlLXRyYXZlbC9wZXJ1LWluY2EtdHJhaWwtbWFjaHUtcGljY2h1LXN1c3RhaW5hYmxlLXRvdXItYjIxMTMwNDUuaHRtbD9saWQ9YWY3OGhvcnZva201VwVzcGNldUIKZV_XhWlllIg6eFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj), we carried all our own gear, including a sadly defective tent (lent by another friend, Graham), that enabled us to experience the full repertoire of high-altitude Andean weather through the many gaps in the canvas. Bruce has a more comfortable offer for you. Someone else will lug your pack along one of the world’s greatest walks, At night you can rest in comfortable camp beds in top-notch tents (not supplied by Graham) and enjoy "upgraded food" (not cooked by Mick). But to witness dawn at the Gate of the Sun, you still need to make it up and over Dead Woman’s Pass, almost 14,000 feet high, on your two legs. Environmentally, there is the matter of the 12,600-mile round trip between London and Lima. Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) was the topic of the week, with [Virgin Atlantic claiming a world first for flying a Boeing 787 Dreamliner from London Heathrow to New York JFK powered entirely by SAF](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0SFaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9zYWYtdHJhbnNhdGxhbnRpYy12aXJnaW4tYXRsYW50aWMtcmljaGFyZC1icmFuc29uLWIyNDU0MzI3Lmh0bWw_bGlkPXdsOTBsMnlhbnRzbFcFc3BjZXVCCmVf14VpZZSIOnhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) – made up of waste cooking oil, inedible animal fat and household waste. The amount of CO2 pumped out by the engines is exactly the same as traditional aviation fuel (kerosene); the savings come over the lifecycle of the fuel – for example growing plants, which takes CO2 from the atmosphere. But many voices say that sustainable aviation fuel is unsustainable. Indisputably, though, Virgin’s Flight100 has put the topic at the top of the travel agenda. [Is Virgin Atlantic Flight100 the key to sustainable aviation?](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0R9aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9zdXN0YWluYWJsZS1mbHlpbmctcGxhbmVzLXZpcmdpbi1hdGxhbnRpYy1iMjQ1NDMyMy5odG1sP2xpZD00YTk4Z3ZwZGlvazNXBXNwY2V1QgplX9eFaWWUiDp4Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~)   Question of the week Question of the week Nuremberg city break     How long should I allow for a trip to Nuremberg?     At least two full days. As with many interesting “second-tier” European cities, ideally visitors should spend 48 hours to make the most of Bavaria's beautiful second city. Nuremberg is compact, and well connected with other German cities. It has an obligatory – and particularly attractive – Alstadt (old town), which includes the spectacular half-timbered Albrecht Dürer House, the only surviving residence of the Renaissance artist outside Italy. Nuremberg has an implausible number of convivial places to eat and drink. I recommend the cosy and historic Bratwursthäusle, adjacent to St Sebald's church. The sausages are cooked over wood and served with some of Bavaria’s best beer. St Sebald’s, incidentally, is said to be where Pachelbel first played his Canon in D. Many visitors will be drawn to the Way of Human Rights: a sequence of stone pillars engraved with the 30 articles of the UN declaration. At the Reichsparteitagsgelände, the former Nazi Party rally grounds, you find chilling accounts of the rise of Hitler. Another key location is the vast Burg – the former imperial palace, which dominates the city as a symbol of the importance of Nuremberg in the Holy Roman Empire. Nuremberg also has a wide repertoire of museums, from rail to modern art, that may persuade you to extend your stay. [Bavaria beyond Oktoberfest](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0R_aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvaW5kZXBlbmRlbnRwcmVtaXVtL3RyYXZlbC9iYXZhcmlhLW11bmljaC1nZXJtYW55LWd1aWRlLW9rdG9iZXJmZXN0LWIyMjcyODI1Lmh0bWw_bGlkPTAyZGVpMWtlaGlnMFcFc3BjZXVCCmVf14VpZZSIOnhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) Essential reading ~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0SDaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9ldXJvLTIwMjQtdHJhdmVsLWRlYWxzLWVuZ2xhbmQtc2NvdGxhbmQtZ2VybWFueS1iMjQ1Mjc4OC5odG1sP2xpZD01MzM4dGFoc3gzMmdXBXNwY2V1QgplX9eFaWWUiDp4Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ [Euro 2024: The cheapest ways to follow England and Scotland in Germany next summer](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0SDaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9ldXJvLTIwMjQtdHJhdmVsLWRlYWxzLWVuZ2xhbmQtc2NvdGxhbmQtZ2VybWFueS1iMjQ1Mjc4OC5odG1sP2xpZD0yMHdwMm9uNWQwcXZXBXNwY2V1QgplX9eFaWWUiDp4Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) STAT OF THE WEEK 100 [National Express coaches on Christmas Day between central London and Heathrow airport; no trains will run anywhere in the UK](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0R6aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25ld3MtYW5kLWFkdmljZS9nYXR3aWNrLWFpcnBvcnQtbmV3LXRyYWluLXN0YXRpb24tb3Blbi1iMjQ1MDk4Ny5odG1sP2xpZD0xdzMwbm1zOWlrdzFXBXNwY2V1QgplX9eFaWWUiDp4Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~)   ~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0R1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9mcmFuY2UvbmFwb2xlb24tZmlsbS1jb3JzaWNhLWZyYW5jZS10cmF2ZWwtYjI0NTE4MjEuaHRtbD9saWQ9NncwMXhhMnhpbDl2VwVzcGNldUIKZV_XhWlllIg6eFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj [How Corsica, Napoleon’s birthplace, fell out of love with the dictator – but his ‘trail’ is still worth a visit](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0R1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL2V1cm9wZS9mcmFuY2UvbmFwb2xlb24tZmlsbS1jb3JzaWNhLWZyYW5jZS10cmF2ZWwtYjI0NTE4MjEuaHRtbD9saWQ9dHA2Z3JpMHg1ZTdhVwVzcGNldUIKZV_XhWlllIg6eFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj)   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~/RgRnTArXP0RkaHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tL3Nob3cvMHMwSGwyaExoazR5VTFIMGFHVG5Vdz9zaT05V2dSS3NjYlROMlc1eElLYi1zT0lBJm5kPTEmbGlkPTI5c3ZsYzNyazhhMlcFc3BjZXVCCmVf14VpZZSIOnhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~), [Apple Podcasts](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0R7aHR0cHM6Ly9wb2RjYXN0cy5hcHBsZS5jb20vZ2IvcG9kY2FzdC9ncmVlbi1saXN0LXRyYXZlbC13aXRoLXNpbW9uLWNhbGRlci1hbmQtdGhlLWluZGVwZW5kZW50L2lkMTU2NjkxNTc3MD9saWQ9bHFrNzB1Zms5emJ5VwVzcGNldUIKZV_XhWlllIg6eFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj), [Pocket Casts](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0QoaHR0cHM6Ly9wY2Euc3QvbXU0bDNjd2Q_bGlkPTd3d2x5dDV3cnlrcFcFc3BjZXVCCmVf14VpZZSIOnhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) or [Acast](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0RhaHR0cHM6Ly9wbGF5LmFjYXN0LmNvbS9zL2dyZWVuLWxpc3QtdHJhdmVsLXdpdGgtc2ltb24tY2FsZGVyLWFuZC10aGUtaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQ_bGlkPWF2dm0yeXVwa2kycVcFc3BjZXVCCmVf14VpZZSIOnhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~). 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~/RgRnTArXP0RkaHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tL3Nob3cvMHMwSGwyaExoazR5VTFIMGFHVG5Vdz9zaT05V2dSS3NjYlROMlc1eElLYi1zT0lBJm5kPTEmbGlkPXJhdzVjZ2c0dnpmdlcFc3BjZXVCCmVf14VpZZSIOnhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~), [Apple Podcasts](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0R7aHR0cHM6Ly9wb2RjYXN0cy5hcHBsZS5jb20vZ2IvcG9kY2FzdC9ncmVlbi1saXN0LXRyYXZlbC13aXRoLXNpbW9uLWNhbGRlci1hbmQtdGhlLWluZGVwZW5kZW50L2lkMTU2NjkxNTc3MD9saWQ9ejN5Yjh6MjUwdDJoVwVzcGNldUIKZV_XhWlllIg6eFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj), [Pocket Casts](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0QoaHR0cHM6Ly9wY2Euc3QvbXU0bDNjd2Q_bGlkPXJkeXRhcDh5ZXZ1cFcFc3BjZXVCCmVf14VpZZSIOnhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) or [Acast](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0RhaHR0cHM6Ly9wbGF5LmFjYXN0LmNvbS9zL2dyZWVuLWxpc3QtdHJhdmVsLXdpdGgtc2ltb24tY2FsZGVyLWFuZC10aGUtaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQ_bGlkPWluazhmcnd3OHU1dlcFc3BjZXVCCmVf14VpZZSIOnhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~). 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~/RgRnTArXP0QzaHR0cDovL3d3dy50d2l0dGVyLmNvbS9zaW1vbmNhbGRlcj9saWQ9djFyOXBsdTM5bXE0VwVzcGNldUIKZV_XhWlllIg6eFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) 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~/RgRnTArXP0QzaHR0cDovL3d3dy50d2l0dGVyLmNvbS9zaW1vbmNhbGRlcj9saWQ9anRycmU4Z3gzejg3VwVzcGNldUIKZV_XhWlllIg6eFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) 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~/RgRnTArXP0Q4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9zaW1vbl9jYWxkZXIvP2xpZD13dDB1anBtcjF5Z21XBXNwY2V1QgplX9eFaWWUiDp4Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) 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~/RgRnTArXP0Q4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9zaW1vbl9jYWxkZXIvP2xpZD0xbWh2YTNyaHY0Z3RXBXNwY2V1QgplX9eFaWWUiDp4Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) 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~/RgRnTArXP0Q9aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGlrdG9rLmNvbS9kaXNjb3Zlci9TaW1vbi1DYWxkZXI_bGlkPWpma2w4dHNuNTE4NlcFc3BjZXVCCmVf14VpZZSIOnhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) 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~/RgRnTArXP0Q9aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGlrdG9rLmNvbS9kaXNjb3Zlci9TaW1vbi1DYWxkZXI_bGlkPWpyZmdsNGFuMW44aFcFc3BjZXVCCmVf14VpZZSIOnhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)   [Real Techniques brushes](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0QoaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXpuLnRvLzQ4MDVGd3g_bGlkPWN0cnBlMzJjdTRob1cFc3BjZXVCCmVf14VpZZSIOnhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) Top up your make-up on-the-go with Real Techniques' travel brush kit – now on sale with 35 per cent off. [GET DEAL](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0QoaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXpuLnRvLzQ4MDVGd3g_bGlkPXpkcGVseXBxeWM1NFcFc3BjZXVCCmVf14VpZZSIOnhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) [Amazon Echo show 8](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0RxaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0L2dhZGdldHMtdGVjaC9hbWF6b24tZWNoby1zaG93LTgtZGVhbC1iMjQ0NDQ4NC5odG1sP2xpZD1uNmZ6aHczYTJ3bDNXBXNwY2V1QgplX9eFaWWUiDp4Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) The Alexa-enabled screen can make video calls, play music, show recipes and set reminders while travelling – and now it's half price. [GET DEAL](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0RxaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0L2dhZGdldHMtdGVjaC9hbWF6b24tZWNoby1zaG93LTgtZGVhbC1iMjQ0NDQ4NC5odG1sP2xpZD0zbnBkcTQ0c24yMGlXBXNwY2V1QgplX9eFaWWUiDp4Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~)   ~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0RvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXZlbnRicml0ZS5jby51ay9lL3Vud3JhcHBpbmctdGhlLWJlc3Qtb2YtZmVzdGl2ZS10di1hbmQtZmlsbS10aWNrZXRzLTc1NjE1MTMxNzk0Nz9saWQ9Z2JpYnVxdXE1am4yVwVzcGNldUIKZV_XhWlllIg6eFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj ~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0RvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXZlbnRicml0ZS5jby51ay9lL3Vud3JhcHBpbmctdGhlLWJlc3Qtb2YtZmVzdGl2ZS10di1hbmQtZmlsbS10aWNrZXRzLTc1NjE1MTMxNzk0Nz9saWQ9dzBjYmp6ZXc0dnkxVwVzcGNldUIKZV_XhWlllIg6eFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj 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~/RgRnTArXP0QvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvP2xpZD1mMHlpMm1pMDBneTBXBXNwY2V1QgplX9eFaWWUiDp4Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) Join the conversation or follow us [Twitter](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0QwaHR0cHM6Ly90d2l0dGVyLmNvbS9JbmRlcGVuZGVudD9saWQ9ZzRpOW9vbnlmazE3VwVzcGNldUIKZV_XhWlllIg6eFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) [Instagram](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0Q2aHR0cHM6Ly9pbnN0YWdyYW0uY29tL3RoZS5pbmRlcGVuZGVudD9saWQ9aGY2Mng2aTNpcHI0VwVzcGNldUIKZV_XhWlllIg6eFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) [Facebook](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0Q_aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL1RoZUluZGVwZW5kZW50T25saW5lLz9saWQ9YmsweDZlcGFlejBvVwVzcGNldUIKZV_XhWlllIg6eFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) Download the free Independent app [Google Play](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0Q9aHR0cHM6Ly9pbmRlcGVuZGVudC5vbmVsaW5rLm1lL3dnaUEvaGdvaG9veno_bGlkPWhwcWZxOHk3OTM0MFcFc3BjZXVCCmVf14VpZZSIOnhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) [Apple App Store](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0Q9aHR0cHM6Ly9pbmRlcGVuZGVudC5vbmVsaW5rLm1lL3dnaUEvaGdvaG9veno_bGlkPXpycm9mOXR1dmpueFcFc3BjZXVCCmVf14VpZZSIOnhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) [Google Play](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0Q9aHR0cHM6Ly9pbmRlcGVuZGVudC5vbmVsaW5rLm1lL3dnaUEvaGdvaG9veno_bGlkPTBnZDN2ZjU1OTJhd1cFc3BjZXVCCmVf14VpZZSIOnhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) [Google Play](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0Q9aHR0cHM6Ly9pbmRlcGVuZGVudC5vbmVsaW5rLm1lL3dnaUEvaGdvaG9veno_bGlkPXpmbDQ4anlkd2g1NlcFc3BjZXVCCmVf14VpZZSIOnhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Travel newsletter. To unsubscribe from The Independent's Travel newsletter, or to manage your email preferences please [click here](~/AAAHagA~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~). This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345 Read our [privacy notice](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0RTaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc2VydmljZS9wcml2YWN5LXBvbGljeS1hNjE4NDE4MS5odG1sP2xpZD02YWx3ZzRnMjZsZzlXBXNwY2V1QgplX9eFaWWUiDp4Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) and [cookie policy](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnTArXP0RSaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc2VydmljZS9jb29raWUtcG9saWN5LWE2MTg0MTg2Lmh0bWw_bGlkPWc1ZjlhMWg0dHB2Z1cFc3BjZXVCCmVf14VpZZSIOnhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)