Tackling travel uncertainty
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As I prepare for my flight to Tirana this weekend, I’m reminded of the importance of a travel ‘buffer’. Regular Travel Insider readers will remember that a few weeks back, when I last flew to the Albanian capital, I missed my flight following a perfect storm of train cancellations and road traffic. Although this was frustrating – not to mention expensive – I’d made sure I’d booked a flight to arrive more than 24 hours before I actually needed to be in the city. So after I’d finished smarting from the financial hit of the missed flight, I was able to book another, and the trip was salvageable (if a little more rushed than I would have liked).
This week, amid more “will they-won’t they” conversations about the suspension of the EU entry-exit system following long border queues, it occurred to me that I now subconsciously build in a buffer whenever I travel.
Gone are the days when I’d carefully time my arrival with just enough breathing room to scoot across town and catch a train, or land a few hours before I was due in the office. Nowadays, I like to ensure I have a full day (or at the very least a good few hours) between touching down and my next commitment. I avoid connecting flights where possible, and if I do need to change planes, I give myself a comfortable three-hour window, rather than the 90 minutes that used to suffice for my peace of mind.
And rather than bemoan this, I try to enjoy it. Last May, I allowed myself 12 hours between landing late morning at Venice Marco Polo airport and reaching my train, which departed in the evening from Venezia Santa Lucia – fortunate, since there was a rather tedious queue at the border, with the entry-exit system not running as smoothly as it could. Once through, I still had six hours or so to explore Venice (just enough time to leisurely wander across the Ponte dell’Accademia and enjoy a Hugo spritz by the Grand Canal), before hopping on a train to Rome.
Of course, a buffer is a luxury. Paying for an extra night here or there can easily add up, and many of us have work, childcare or other commitments that mean travel needs to fit into carefully allocated time slots. And when we’re travelling for holidays, the buffer is often part of our own well-earned time off. I was painfully aware of this when my British Airways flight was cancelled last October due to a “strange smell” on board, and I missed a night of my holiday in Italy. With gritted teeth, I traipsed home from London Heathrow and back again the following morning, just when I should have been waking up to a cappuccino in the Tuscan hills. I had to remind myself that this is the price we pay to travel: sometimes, unfortunately, things go wrong.
The summer of travel is still on. Prices are down, the Middle East is back (at time of writing, anyway), and there’s still a chance the EU will agree to suspend the entry-exit system (we can but hope). But my advice for anyone yet to plan their holiday would be: travel with a buffer – and a sense of humour.
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A few hours in Venice makes a buffer enjoyable
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Holidays to Dubai are 25 per cent cheaper than last year
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EU to delay new €20 pre-authorisation travel system
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Turkey blocks LGBTQ+ cruise ship from docking at its port
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Demand surges for Miami hotels ahead of England v Norway
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Eiffel Tower to host pop-up cinema this autumn
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Our travel writers’ expert picks of the best lesser-known destinations from across the country.
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Tom Murray checks in for a weekend of fire-cooked feasts, wild swimming and luxury in the Wiltshire countryside.
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You don’t need to splash out to enjoy the outstanding beauty of the region and its national park.
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A few weeks ago, in our Sunday Travel Insider newsletter, our travel team wrote about the un-touristy destinations in France we loved, and in response one of our readers wrote in to ask whether I’d considered visiting the Marais Poitevin region. This immense wetland, known as ‘Green Venice’ (La Venise Verte), covers more than 200,000 hectares in western France, with a network of more than 8,000km of canals. I haven’t yet made it there myself, but our France expert Anna Richards is familiar with the area and visited for us at the end of June.
This was just as the country was sweltering in a heatwave, and in her article Anna describes cooling off in the water in the village of Coulon, watching local kids jump from the bridge, before eating “lavish quantities of ice cream in cones almost as big as my head” from La Libellule, the sorbets studded with chunks of frozen fruit. Anna and her partner explored the canals on one of the traditional flat-bottomed boats, before heading to the little town of Arçais, which is full of artists’ workshops and cottages surrounded by vegetable gardens.
Anna writes: “We appear to be the only tourists, so we swim from the main slipway, the water just cool enough to be refreshing … Here, I float like a lily pad, the sunlight gentle as it dapples through a thousand leaves, every possible colour of green around me. The gentle croaking of frogs and my dogs snapping at the splashes they create in the water are the only noises.”
Read Anna’s full article about Marais Poitevin
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The Independent Travel Awards
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Is there a hotel brand you always use? A cruise line that took you on your favourite holiday ever? Maybe a short-haul airline that has demonstrated impeccable customer service? If so, we want to know about it. This year, Independent Travel is running its first-ever reader-voted awards to recognise the best brands in the travel business, as well as the places our readers love to visit.
We’ve also partnered with a number of travel brands, hotels and tour operators to offer the chance to win some great travel prizes. Complete our survey and you’ll be entered into a draw for a seven-night all-inclusive holiday for two at Sandals Ochi in Jamaica, a seven-night luxury European river cruise for two, or a three-night stay and afternoon tea for two at Mar Hall near Glasgow.
You can complete the survey for the Independent Travel Awards here. Or, to learn more about the awards and the prizes on offer, visit this page.
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With the recent spell of hot weather across the UK, many of us have been searching for ways to stay cool. The same challenge often comes with travelling, where keeping comfortable during the journey is just as important as staying cool once you arrive at your destination.
One of the more unusual travel essentials catching attention this summer is the fan jacket. I recently bought one to survive the UK heatwave, and it might just be my best purchase of the year. I’ve admired Japan’s innovative fan jackets for years, and the soaring temperatures finally convinced me to give one a try. If that’s a little too adventurous for your taste, there are plenty of other cooling gadgets worth considering. This £10.99 handheld fan was rated “the most powerful” we’ve tested and is compact enough to slip into your day bag, while a wearable neck fan is becoming an increasingly popular option thanks to its hands-free design – ideal for sightseeing, airports and long journeys.
Hot weather can also make getting a good night’s sleep more difficult, whether you’re at home or away. This tried-and-tested three-piece silk sleep set is small enough to fit in your luggage, costs under £50, and includes a mulberry silk pillowcase and eye mask. Both are naturally temperature-regulating, helping you stay cooler and more comfortable throughout the night.
And, of course, staying hydrated is essential, especially if you’re hiking, exploring cities or spending long days outdoors. Our tester found that this £32 Chilly’s water bottle was the best at keeping drinks cold, with ice still intact after 24 hours and the water remaining refreshingly chilled – making it a worthwhile companion for any summer adventure.
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Would you take a 22-hour flight?
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Following the maiden test flight of Qantas’ Project Sunrise aircraft, I want to know if you would take the 22-hour flight due to debut in 2027? Is the direct connection between Australia’s east coast, London and New York worth the ultra-long-haul journey? Or is a 22-hour journey just too long? Vote by selecting the buttons above.
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Dubai’s winter charms didn't win you over. When we asked whether you’d travel to Dubai this winter, 76 per cent of you said no, suggesting many readers are looking elsewhere for their winter sun this year.
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Stay at Bagden Hall Hotel, a Victorian country house in West Yorkshire. Surrounded by sweeping lawns, shimmering lakes and woodland paths. The offer includes breakfast, a three-course dinner, a bottle of wine, and late checkout. Find out more.
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Dreaming of adventure? Visit the USA's spectacular canyons, explore the Rocky Mountains, or cruise through Alaska with these Cosmos tour deals.
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Enjoy unlimited days out for a whole year at 400+ historic castles, abbeys, gardens, woodlands, ruins and more. Use code EHSUM26 at checkout.
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