Advice

Australia is a land full of quirks, idiosyncrasies and contradictions. Vast but sparsely populated; searingly hot, but sees more snow than Switzerland; full of sharks, snakes and spiders, but nevertheless an inviting place for a holiday. It’s also home to the only mammals that can lay eggs, a flightless bird that can’t walk backwards and a

Fully vaccinated holidaymakers will no longer have to take any Covid-19 tests for return to the UK, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed.  The Day 2 lateral flow test for immunised arrivals will be dropped, Mr Johnson told reporters on Monday. The changes are expected to come into effect at 4am on February 11. This

There is reason to celebrate in Ischgl in the heart of the Tyrolean Alps: the snow is crisp and the Flügels and Jägerbombs are selling well again – and all within a new “covid-safe” environment. Ischgl, you may remember, made global headlines in March 2020 when it was blamed, unfairly as it turns out, for

In normal times January is the busiest month for travel bookings. People are desperate to beat the winter blues and cheer themselves up by booking their summer holiday and tour operators try to tempt them with discounts and special offers. This year, with the relaxation in the testing rules, operators and airlines are reporting a bigger

The UK’s snow centres and dry ski slopes are here to provide relief for the thousands of British skiers and snowboarders who are are still yet to return to the mountains.  Aside from being a fun day activity for the entire family, the UK’s vast array of dry ski slopes and indoor snow centres provide the perfect

Ski holidays in France are back and here in Tignes we have been deliciously spoiled with bluebird skies and near-perfect snow conditions all week. Uncrowded slopes assure that luxuriant serenity that comes with less-frenzied January skiing; and skiers, snow groomers, lift operators – everyone – seems to have a cock-a-hoop spring in their step. Even

British families hoping to take their teenagers skiing this winter are being urged to ensure they are fully vaccinated in order to hit the slopes, following the tightening of Covid restrictions across Europe.  The situation is fast-moving – as with all travel restrictions over the past two years – and as we write, although the

January has always received bad press. The month was named after the two-headed Roman god, Janus, and those backward-looking eyes always had the unfair advantage of seeing all that fun and laughter disappearing over a lost horizon. But looking forward is far more constructive than looking wistfully back. Instead, black out your rear-view mirror and

The new year is upon us and things are already looking brighter for holidays. If you’re worried you’ve missed out on the buzz already, fear not. We have the low down on every kind of trip you might be thinking of booking.  From world-class skiing in chalets that make the A-list swoon, and luxurious adventures

Nothing can match the feeling of unalloyed joy at being at sea, or the excitement as your cruise ship slowly eases away from the dock. Even after more than a decade of writing about cruises, I still get that same thrill and sense of anticipation as I linger on deck to relish the romance of

Expert guide to Lech Overview Hotels Restaurants Apres ski Snow reports Austria’s most exclusive resort Few resorts have a more exclusive image than Lech. Princess Diana was its most famous patron and other past visitors include the Jordanian royal family, the Dutch royal family and Monaco’s Princess Caroline. With a blue-blooded guest list like this,

Expert guide to Lech Overview Hotels Restaurants Apres ski Snow reports The village of Lech is based around a central church and on either side fast flowing river. Originally the domain of farmers, it has expanded over the years, and those with deep pockets are well-catered for with three five-star superior hotels, as well as

France is back – here’s why it’s the greatest holiday destination on earth The 20 best ski resorts in France and holidays to book in 2022 France lifts UK travel ban from Friday Full details to be published in a decree on Friday How to get a Government-approved day two test Ski bookings to France are

In Soho, every pore drips with style. This classic yet chic district, marked by quaint cobblestone streets and the world’s largest collection of cast-iron architecture, overflows with high-end shops, outstanding restaurants and bars, and contemporary art galleries. Soho is adjacent to all of downtown including Greenwich Village, Chinatown, Tribeca, and the Lower East Side, making

The European countries taking a draconian approach to omicron ‘​The latest travel announcement is the best news we could have hoped for‘ 20 of the best last-minute winter sun holidays for 2022 Travel firms report bookings surge on ‘Sunshine Saturday’ Italy has today tightened its Covid-19 restrictions, affecting ski holidays for British families this winter.

The Government is expected to ease the testing burden for travellers this week. The pre-departure test is expected to be scrapped entirely, and the requirement to take a Day 2 PCR test – and self-isolate while waiting for the result – could also go. The move would reduce the cost and hassle involved when heading abroad,

All fully vaccinated adults travelling to the UK are currently required to take a pre-departure test, a Day 2 PCR test and to self-isolate until they receive a negative result for the second test. Unvaccinated travellers face tougher restrictions. The regulations differ slightly for children depending on their age. However, testing can add hundreds of

The testing rules for fully vaccinated travellers arriving in the UK have been eased in the latest travel review. Those travelling to the UK will no longer have to take a pre-departure test from 4am on Friday (January 7) and the required Day 2 PCR test will been downgraded to a rapid lateral flow test

The winter holiday season was thrown into disarray with the emergency of the omicron variant. However, the UK Government has now rolled back the restrictions it put in place to slow the spread of the highly contagious variant.  Fully vaccinated travellers to the UK will no longer have to take a pre-departure test from 4am

Few months spark a yearning for somewhere brighter and hotter than the European take on January sun. And with the UK’s omicron-related travel restrictions rolled back, it’s time to start dreaming of swaying palm trees and whooshing waves.  Unfortunately, ongoing border restrictions mean some of our long-haul favourites, such as Thailand, are off limits. Happily,