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The Sun
22-04-2025
- The Sun
Tiny Spanish-speaking country is one of the cheapest European destinations year-round – and you may not have heard of it
WEDGED between France and Spain is a cheap year-round destination that is often overlooked by Brits. Measuring only 468sqkm, the Spanish-speaking Andorra is mostly known for offering a cheap ski season between early December and late April. 5 However, the small destination also offers cheap hotels year round, especially in the summer. Whilst December is one of the most expensive times of the year to stay in Andorra - as the ski season kicks off - the price of a hotel is still less than staying in other ski spots for the same time of year. The average price for a hotel per night in Andorra in December is $217 (£162.23), but in comparison France would set you back on average $346 (£258.67), Switzerland $504 (£376.80) and Austria, a staggering $825 (£616.78), according to Go2Africa. May offers the cheapest month to visit the landlocked country, costing around $83 (£71.37) a night - making it a cheap summer holiday destination too. In addition, prices when eating and drinking out in Andorra are relatively cheap. The average cost for a local beer is €2.60 (£2.24) and a mid-range three-course restaurant meal for two people costs around €44 (£37.84). Visitors can also expect to pay around €6 (£5.16) for a glass of wine in restaurants or a bar. In addition to great skiing, the summer months Andorra have a wide variety of outdoor activities on offer. As the snow subsides, a number of hiking routes and mountain biking trails emerge with natural attractions like the Compapedrosa Valley National Park and the Estanys de Tristaina being popular spots. In Compapedrosa Valley National Park, visitors can explore numerous different hiking routes, including one to Comapedrosa Peak, which is the highest point in Andorra at 2,942 metres. I visited the 'secret' European ski resort that Brits often overlook with empty slopes and perfect snow Many of the routes include forests, small lakes and waterfalls and there are a number of high mountain refuges where a number of excursions take place, including an astronomy festival. One route, Estanys de Tristaina, is of moderate difficulty but takes hikers four kilometres around the Tristaina lakes in approximately three hours. There is also a car park where visitors can walk from and to the first lake it only takes around 40 minutes, making it the ideal route for families. However, during the summer months access via road is not permitted and the only way to reach the area is via cable car, unless you cycle or walk. Though, bathing is permitted in the area in the summer. For those who prefer to explore history, Andorra la Vella is the capital's old town, which boasts narrow winding streets, Romanesque architecture and many shops. 5 5 One building, Casa de la Vall, served as the seat of government for Andorra for centuries and Sant Esteve Church one of the region's examples of Romanesque architecture. For a slightly quirkier destination, head to La Noblesse du Temps - a museum dedicated to the history of timekeeping. Alternatively, head to Tobotronc - the longest alpine slide in the world, which is open from late spring to early autumn. There is also a Tibetan suspension bridge, which offers panoramic views of the Vall del Rui valley. There currently aren't any direct flights from the UK to Andorra and the easiest way to get there is to fly to Barcelona in Spain and then hop on one of the buses from the airport to Andorra, taking around two hours. The cheapest months to fly to Barcelona are May and July, costing on average £28 return. The Andorra direct bus runs 16 daily services between Barcelona Airport and Andorra la Vella, costing around €60 (£51.60) for an open return ticket. Temperatures fluctuate throughout the year, but the hottest month to visit is July with average highs of 28C and the coldest months to visit are January and February, which the temperature sits around -2C. The Sun's Julia Atherley recently visited the 'secret' European ski resort that Brits often overlook with empty slopes and perfect snow. Plus, the tiny European island where the sun doesn't set for 69 days a year. 5
Daily Mirror
22-04-2025
- Daily Mirror
'Cheapest' African country to visit in May with £2 pints and bargain hotels
New data has revealed the best time to visit Botswana for a budget-friendly getaway, with hotels offering up major discounts in May - and pints can cost as little as £1.81 If you're yearning for an unforgettable African adventure that won't empty your wallet, May is the ideal time to jet off. New data from Go2Africa's comprehensive travel price analysis reveals Botswana as the most affordable African destination in May, with average hotel prices plummeting by a staggering 54.04% compared to the rest of the year. This means you can discover the abundant wildlife, shimmering salt pans, and serene waterways of the Okavango Delta without splashing out. And there's more good news for budget-conscious explorers - pints in local pubs can cost as little as £1.81, according to Finder, making Botswana not just a haven for nature enthusiasts but a pocket-friendly one too. The cost of travel, it seems, isn't just about where you go, but also when. Go2Africa's report, which scrutinised millions of global hotel bookings, found that timing your trip right could slash accommodation costs by up to 83 per cent. While December is globally the priciest month to travel due to holidays and peak tourism, May emerges as a golden opportunity for savvy globetrotters, reports the Express. Botswana tops the list for savings this month, followed by other economical African treasures like Malawi, Mozambique, and South Africa, all offering hefty discounts as the tourist season kicks into gear. May is a prime time to visit Botswana. It heralds the start of the dry season, bringing cooler temperatures and fewer mosquitoes, making it perfect for safari escapades. National parks are less crowded, wildlife spotting is top-notch, and luxury lodges become more attainable thanks to their reduced accommodation rates. Botswana, renowned for its eco-luxury and conservation-centric tourism, also offers budget-friendly experiences in its capital, Gaborone, and local villages. From mouth-watering street food to locally brewed beer that won't break the bank, there's plenty to enjoy. So, if you're yearning for an affordable adventure, choosing Botswana in May could be your best travel move this year.
BBC News
10-03-2025
- BBC News
The African elephant in the room: Is there such a thing as guilt-free safari?
Electric Jeeps and carbon credits are unlikely to make up for gas-guzzling private flights and building mini towns in the remote savannah. So, what should travellers be looking for? Fourteen Jeeps idle near the dozing lion cubs, burning fuel. The smell of petrol hangs in the morning air as a couple of guides illegally park off-road in Botswana's Chobe National Park, crushing the vegetation so their guests can get a better view. One by one the vehicles pull away towards other animals or to their lodges where their passengers will have lunch – likely flown and driven in from South Africa – before boarding a tiny bush plane themselves. Gas-guzzling private flights and building mini towns in the remote savannah might seem at odds with one of the industry's most notable movements: green travel. Yet responsible safaris play an important role in conservation by expanding protected areas, investing in environmental research and creating economic support for local communities. Now, as the pressure of climate change rises, an increasing numbers of travellers are seeking out environmentally and socially ethical safaris that minimise their carbon footprint. According to one report by B Corp-certified travel advisor Go2Africa, interest in sustainable safaris has grown by more than 1000% over the last four response, many of the continent's largest and most popular safari operators tout carbon-neutral (and even carbon-positive) trips, swapping out traditional Jeeps with electric vehicles, installing fields of solar panels and purchasing carbon credits to make up for their guests' air travel. With them, it's promised, travellers can enjoy a guilt- and carbon footprint-free vacation. But some sustainability experts suggest that these efforts might be a savvy attempt to tap into society's rising climate anxiety, which is at an all-time high according to a recent survey by the World Economic Forum. At best, safari operators simply know what will grab the attention of eco-conscious travellers. "It's called green-crowding," says Judy Kepher-Gona, executive director of Sustainable Travel and Tourism Africa, a consulting company that helps destinations and businesses achieve their sustainability goals. "Marketers in the tourism industry are smart. If you talk about carbon neutrality, people hear you more than when you talk about sustainability generally. It's easier to understand and, for lack of a better word, sexier – so they crowd around that term." Greenwashing or a model for green living? The African elephant in the room: is there such a thing as a true carbon-neutral safari?"I suppose that in a spreadsheet it might be possible," says Lisa Scriven, general manager of Fair Trade Tourism and Africa Coordinator of Green Destinations. Data manipulation, loopholes and even differing opinions of what defines a "carbon-neutral" camp make it difficult to know how strict safari operators are being when they tout the label. For example, Scriven says that some lodges claim to be carbon neutral yet decline to calculate their Scope 3 emissions, which include everything they don't produce. In remote Africa, where every supply, guest, employee and bottle of imported Champagne must travel long distances to reach a private concession in the middle of the Serengeti or Okavango Delta, this cost can quickly skyrocket. Both Kepher-Gona and Scriven also warn against blindly buying into the promise of carbon offsetting, which most carbon-neutral operators include automatically as a levy or offer for a fee to guests. To be effective, reputable carbon-offset programmes should be linked directly to the destination you're visiting and invest in climate justice. When in doubt about the legitimacy of a camp's initiative, Scriven suggests checking with a third-party such as Credible Carbon. In the worst-case scenario, a well-meaning lodge may not purchase their carbon credits wisely; unfortunately, the market has become rife with scams. Even when a safari comes close to carbon neutrality, sustainability experts agree that achieving net-zero carbon emissions alone is not enough to ensure a long-term, eco-friendly future. In fact, it can distract from bigger, more relevant issues. "I think when a business says they're carbon neutral, there's immediate awe," says Scriven "It's not greenwashing because maybe they are carbon neutral. But it can be very misleading in terms of the potential burden they're placing on the destination." Grant Cumings, managing director of Chiawa Safaris in Zambia, agrees. "Just because a company is climate positive, that does not mean it's taking good care of the wildlife, habitat, local people or the economy of Zambia. All these are just as important – in my view, more important." Leading the charge on holistic sustainability standards There's good news, however. More responsible safari brands than ever before are reducing their carbon emissions while simultaneously developing multifaceted standards that extend throughout their business. Segera, the founding member of The Long Run – a network of nature-based tourism businesses that includes some of Africa's top purpose-driven safaris such as Singita Kruger National Park and Tswalu – defines its commitment through the 4Cs framework: conservation, community, culture and commerce. Originally a cattle ranch, the property has transformed into East Africa's largest private conservancy reforestation project and a thriving wildlife sanctuary, with plans to reintroduce critically endangered rhinos in 2025. Located in Laikipia, Kenya, a region known for historic land injustices since the colonial British government pushed the Maasai out in the early 20th Century, Segera prioritises its relationship with neighbouring villages. "Carbon neutrality is one part of sustainability, but we focus a lot more on the community," says Joy Juma, programme manager of the ZEITZ Foundation that spearheads Segera's sustainable initiatives. "We empower them to be part of the value chain by providing employment opportunities, bursaries, education and medical care." More like this:• How will air pollution change where and when we travel?• Could the airship be the answer to sustainable air travel?• Is it time to change how we buy travel souvenirs? In addition to community work, conservation is a key standard. Protecting animals from poachers, using environmentally responsible building materials and reducing waste are a starting point, but forward-thinking brands are taking the initiative a step further with transformative biodiversity and environmental management projects. In South Africa, &Beyond Phinda are working on a pangolin reintroduction programme while workers are creating a critical buffer zone for mountain gorillas at Rwanda's Singita lodge. What travellers should look for With so many layered aspects of sustainability to consider, it's understandable that the average traveller might become easily overwhelmed and feel tempted to fall back on a single metric, such as carbon neutrality. To avoid greenwashing, experts suggest choosing a property that's received a recognised, well-regarded sustainability certification – legitimate organisations do independent, on-site audits at least every three years. Dr Andrea Ferry, group sustainability coordinator at Singita, also suggests checking a lodge's website for clear data about their spending on conservation and community projects. Partnering with nonprofits is another good sign."Lodges that have a high sustainability maturity level are likely to have a separate fund or trust that performs the conservation and community work," she says. Guests must also be bold enough to ask the right questions prior to booking in order to hold operators accountable, says Kepher-Gona. "Ask them: what are your sustainability principles? Have the claims that you make been verified by a third party? How do you measure your targets? Where is your last report? What have you done for the local community in the last 30 years?" A legitimately sustainable property should be proud of their answers. According to Ferry, some lodges are excited to invite guests to view their recycling facilities, rainwater harvesting, solar power system and more. Above all, camps must prioritise accountability and transparency while acknowledging room for improvement and growth. For example, Segera hopes to reduce fuel use and switch to electric vehicles for game viewing, while Singita is working towards a system to calculate full Scope 3 carbon emissions and better manage water consumption. "Sustainability is multifaceted and it is rare to find perfect solutions," says Ferry. "The more holistically one can think, the better the solution." -- For more Travel stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Yahoo
Countries where tourists are expected to tip the most - and where it's rude
Even seasoned travellers can find themselves befuddled by tipping customs. Whether enjoying a meal out, grabbing a takeaway, or joining a tour, determining the right amount to tip can be puzzling. In Britain, service charges are usual in most places when eating out, yet tipping remains largely at one's own discretion, reflecting satisfaction with the service, with many choosing to leave a 10-15% tip. Nevertheless, those gearing up for a summer holiday should note that tipping expectations can vary broadly abroad. Travel experts at Go2Africa have detected a notable boost in curiosity concerning tipping practices, with Google searches for "tipping etiquette" having soared by 163%. Moreover, on TikTok, the hashtag "tipping" has accumulated an immense 567 million posts, prompting broad conversation on the topic. READ MORE: I visit Wales' 'best' seaside town twice a year — it's always better than I remember READ MORE: Hotel nestled on the Pembrokeshire Coast named among UK's most romantic spa breaks The World Population Review has offered some insight, citing the U.S. as the quintessential tipping nation, where it's almost like a social ritual - regarded in the hospitality industry as an essential gesture of gratitude. It indicates: "Standard tip amounts range from 15-20%. "You might see it added to your bill in a restaurant, a tip jar at a doughnut shop, or you may be invited by your conscience to leave one when you are served food or drink by a stranger. Most in the service industry are paid less, as they rely on tips as a large source of their income." The Canadian culture, renowned for its politeness, extends to tipping practices as well. Visitors are encouraged to leave a generous tip for exceptional service, typically within the 15-20% range, according to World Population Review. It states: "Their mindset behind tipping is very similar to America, with a standard tip range from 15-20% being acceptable. It might be added to your bill in some locations, or you may want to simply follow the country's mindset of offering money as a token of gratuity for service that usually is paid at the rate of minimum wage." However, it's considered impolite to leave an insultingly small tip, like a few pennies on a substantial tab, the site cautions. On the other hand, Belgium often adopts a more laid-back attitude, with customers typically indicating their satisfaction by saying 'keep the change'. Some destinations have different attitudes towards tipping. For example, in Japan, tipping could conflict with local customs and possibly cause offence. Instead, a small present might be preferable, suggests travel expert Justin Chapman at Go2Africa. Similarly, in Southeast Asia, tipping isn't a customary practice and travellers are advised to exercise caution so as not to offend inadvertently. As travel experts note, when in doubt, it's safer to lean towards not tipping in these areas. China and South Korea feature too on the list of nations where tipping isn't traditional. In Australia and New Zealand, tipping is typically not expected, though some high-end establishments in tourist areas may add a service charge to the bill. The seasoned traveller's golden rule is "when in doubt – ask a local." They suggest: "If you're unsure of what's expected and don't want to risk offending anyone, ask at your hotel or accommodation, or locals in the restaurant, for advice and guidance on how much to leave (or not leave! )."
