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Metro
4 days ago
- Metro
I thought British holidays were boring, but this island changed my mind
In the seventh installment of Metro Travel Hot Takes , Lifestyle Editor Kristina Beanland reveals how she fell in love with an island in the English Channel. Growing up, I spent two weeks every summer in Portugal. Back then, I didn't know how lucky I was to be so well acquainted with such a beautiful country, but I did know one thing: I hated holidaying in the UK. Yes, I was being a brat. My only defence is that 10-year-old me had no idea how much a family holiday costs. The two years that we headed to Scotland instead of the Algarve were met with teenage outrage: 'Doesn't it rain in Scotland?' The pictures are almost comical — I refuse to smile, ignoring the dramatic views from John O'Groats behind me. So it wasn't until 2021 that the possibility of a UK-based vacay came up again. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. It was when the world was still living in the shadow of Covid, when travel to far-flung destinations involved PCR tests and paperwork — but like so many of us, I craved a change of scenery. And that's when I landed upon Jersey, the small Channel Island 14 miles off the coast of France. The only people I knew that had visited were my grandparents, then in their 80s. But a friend who grew up on the island had been posting pictures of her time back home, and I couldn't quite believe that this place, with its stunning beaches, was really in the UK. It was the most fuss-free option, and with a flight time of one hour and five minutes from London to the capital of St Helier, it was just a hop, skip and a jump away. It might sound odd, but the first things I noticed after landing in Jersey were the signs outside cafes, advertising illy coffee — people were drinking al fresco espressos, and it just felt oh-so European. And that pretty much became the theme. The island has long been described as having a split personality: British with its classic pubs and fish and chips, but with road names like Route de la Liberation, a Norman food market, and beaches with long stretches of white sand that you can hardly believe aren't on the continent. I've never been one to need a 'taste of home' on holiday — you won't catch me ordering a full English in 30C heat or heading to an Irish pub — but there's was something easy about being among the familiar, while also excited to explore somewhere new. The vibes here are relaxed too. You get the sense there's not too much to stress about when you can shake the day off with a dip in the sea or an al fresco pint. Of course, it's not always sunny — and I experienced my share of drizzle when I was there — but the weather is generally mild and warmer than in the UK. Everyone knows everyone, so if you walk into a pub (The rowdy Trafalgar in St Aubin, with it's live music, became my favourite), people know you're an out-of-towner. But rather than making you feel intimidated, locals are keen to chat — whether it's to tell you just how long next-day-delivery really takes out here, or to insist that they know someone who knows someone from your hometown. At just nine by five miles, it's easy to get around — the bus network is straight-forward, but my preferred mode of transport was two wheels. After hiring a bike from Aaron's Bikes, I cycled the 40ish minutes from St Helier to the Portelet Inn pub, with its stunning views over the bay. If you do just one thing in Jersey, it should be to get on a boat. Jersey Seafaris offer exhilarating RIB boat tours around the coastline and beyond. One of their most popular tours takes you to The Ecrehous (prices start from £45.99 for adults) – a small group of isolated islands just eight miles from France. There's enough time for you to hop off, have a wander (and drink your tinnies) before heading back home. You might even spot some dolphins (and brace yourself for some high-speed doughnuts in the harbour). I loved the experience so much, I booked another tour for the following day. If you're after something a little more relaxing, I visited two of Jersey's stunning beaches. The Club Hotel & Spa is located right in the center of St Helier. Rooms are spacious, but it's USP is the small outdoor pool with waterfall, a tranquil place to unwind (or nurse your hangover). There's also a library space complete with Gin Honesty bar, plus it's restaurant, Bohemia, has held a Michelin star for more than 20 years. My favourite was St. Brelade's Bay, loved by locals and tourists alike for its wide swathes of golden sand and the original Jersey Crab Shack. I hadn't realised quite how popular the seafood institution would be and ended up missing out on a table – so be sure to book in advance. Instead, I opted for take out pizzas from the nearby Pizza Express, and had a picnic on the beach. Another beautiful spot is Portelet Beach, with its steep steps that descend from the cliffs to a sun-trap beach. If you don't want to venture down to the sand itself, the Portelet Inn is an olde worlde pub with panoramic views over the bay. The pork belly roast I had was delicious, and at £26.95 for three courses, a bargain for this Londoner. There's fascinating history here too. Jersey was under Nazi occupation during 1940 to 1945, and the eerie tunnels of a German underground military hospital is now the island's most visited museum, The Jersey War Tunnels. The moving exhibitions detail what life was like for those living there at the time, and are an important visit during your time in Jersey. Both St Helier (the capital) and St Aubin are worth taking a stroll around. Walk along the harbour in St Aubin, or enjoy dinner at The Old Court House Inn, where you can satisfy your hunger while watching the boats bob in the distance. I loved Jersey so much, I'm scared to go back. More Trending Yes, I appreciate the logic is confusing, but the four days I spent on the island were so much fun, I worry it simply can't be replicated. Latest figures show that around half of the visitors that head to Jersey are over the age of 55, but as far as I'm concerned, Millennials and Gen Z are sleeping on this underrated gem. It has everything you'd want from a trip away: beautiful beaches, good food (and booze) and relaxed island vibes. It changed what I thought I knew about a British holiday — don't miss out. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: I spent a week at a 5-star hotel in the Maldives — here's how much it really costs MORE: EasyJet launches new holidays to 'charming' but underrated Italian seaside destination MORE: I fell in love with Japan's fourth biggest city – and its lesser-known neighbour
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
International tour company now offers river cruising in Europe
River cruises have always been in demand in Western countries, particularly in Europe. This isn't surprising, as Europe has plenty of long rivers (like the Volga, Danube, Rhine and Loire) that usually takes a few days to sail through. While river cruise tourism is not common in Asia – except perhaps in China where the Yangtze River and Yellow River stretch for much, much further than those in Europe – Asian travellers do appreciate a good sail. The Asia Pacific market for cruise tourism is expected to soar, especially when it comes to luxury cruises. With that in mind, tour operator Trafalgar, more known for its guided land tours and experiences, recently launched its own river cruise product with two sail routes in Europe: Rhine and Danube. The river cruises will begin sailing in April 2026 with two ships, Trafalgar Verity and Trafalgar Reverie . At a recent launch event in Singapore, Nick Lim, chief executive officer (Asia) of The Travel Corporation, said that it made sense for Trafalgar to start offering river cruises as the trend has seen an uptick in recent years. 'That's the trajectory that we have seen. River cruise as a travelling style has caught on, especially in this part of the world. I think Asia Pacific is one of the fastest regions to catch on to this market, so we need to pluck into the demand, especially in Malaysia,' Lim said. He added that river cruising is still quite a novel idea in Malaysia, and that he hopes it will eventually appeal to the wider public. 'Trafalgar is a brand that has always come with a value proposition, and with our price points, we are hoping to get more Malaysians to try our river cruise experience.' Verity will set sail on the Rhine for 10 days, while Reverie runs on the Danube for eight days. The ships are pretty similar in size and capacity – each one is fitted with 64 staterooms (128 passengers on double occupancy), which includes river-view and balcony suites. Both ships will carry 39 crew members, boasting a ratio of about one staff per three guests. The ships were last refurbished in 2010 and are currently undergoing another round of refurbishment, to prepare for the April 2026 sailings. 'You can expect something new and fresh, yet at the same time the decorations and style will largely remain the same,' Lim shared. He revealed that the ships were formerly owned and utilised by Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, which is under the same parent company as Trafalgar, The Travel Corporation (TTC). 'Uniworld always puts in a lot of effort into making their ships look great. In fact, Beatrice Tollman and her daughter (Vicki) hand-picked the paintings, chandeliers and most of the furnishings in the Uniworld ships. 'So that means there isn't a cookie-cutter ship under the brand; there's a bit of a personalised feel to it. And since Trafalgar took over the ships from Uniworld, we decided to keep the general style and design,' Lim said. (The Tollman family started TTC in the 1920s and has held ownership of the company until last year, when it was sold to US-based asset management firm, Apollo Private Equity Funds.) A preview of a stateroom on the Trafalgar Reverie. The cruises will include numerous ground excursions in the itineraries. Highlights for the 'best of the Rhine and Amsterdam' cruise on the Verity include landmarks like the Airborne Museum and Bridge Too Far in Arnhem, the Netherlands, as well as the Deutsches Eck or German Corner in Koblenz, and Rheinstein Castle in Trechtingshausen, Germany. Meanwhile, the 'best of the Danube' cruise on the Reverie features walking tours in Germany's historic city of Passau where the Inn, Danube and Ilz rivers meet, the Medieval Old Town of Bratislavia in Slovakia, and other exciting cultural experiences. 'We've always been about making it easy for travellers to connect with the heart and soul of every destination. Now, we're bringing that same philosophy and unmatched experience to Europe's iconic rivers,' said Lim in an earlier statement. Guests will also be able to immerse themselves in local culture when they participate in Trafalgar's popular 'Be Our Guest' and 'Make Travel Matter' experiences. Onboard entertainment will include regional performances and in-house demonstrations like baking. There are also wellness programmes to look forward to like spa and yoga sessions, as well as complimentary bicycles for off-shore excursions. As for meals, guests will be treated to local and regional favourites and specialties during each meal, with lots of other international varieties at hand. You can rest assured that everyone will be well fed onboard! Trafalgar's river cruise journeys are now open for bookings for sailings beginning April 11, 2026. Rates start from US$2,799 (RM11,931) per person, based on double occupancy. For more information visit
Daily Mail
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
What British children are REALLY being taught in school: Transatlantic slavery becomes most studied topic in UK history lessons - with only one in 10 students learning about Trafalgar and Waterloo
Fewer than one in five schools are teaching students about inspirational British victories such as Agincourt, Waterloo and Trafalgar, a study has found. The report discovered that while almost all pupils are being informed about the Transatlantic Slave Trade and the First World War, children are by and large being left in the dark about other history-changing moments. Chief among these are the battles of Waterloo and Trafalgar, with only 11 per cent of UK secondary schools teaching the details to their students, despite their vital roles in the history of the British Empire. The Battle of Trafalgar saw the Royal Navy defeat the French and Spanish fleets in 1805, confirming British supremacy of the seas, while the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 marked the end of the Napoleonic Wars and the rise of British Empire. Meanwhile only 18 per cent of students are being taught about the Battle of Agincourt in the Hundreds Years' War, which confirmed Henry V as one of England's greatest kings. The report, by Policy Exchange, found that by comparison nearly all schools are teaching children about the Transatlantic Slave Trade, the Abolition of Slavery and the Norman Conquest of England. The data, which focuses on curriculums taught to Key Stage Three students - those aged between 11 and 14 - shows that schools have 'diversified' their syllabus after the Conservative government announced plans to focus on topics of 'cultural change' in 2022. The overhaul was introduced to allow children aged five to 14 to focus on the rich breadth of history, rather than being taught a narrow range of British-centric topics solely in preparation for GCSEs. However, many have said it's gone too far, former history teacher and chairman of Campaign for Real Education Chris McGovern said it was 'clear that the subject has been captured by the Left'. He warned that history is 'seen as a vehicle for undermining and destroying British national identity'. The top five most studied topics are now the Transatlantic Slave Trade (99 per cent), Britain in WW1 (99 per cent), the Norman Conquest (98 per cent), the Abolition of Slavery (96 per cent) and Reformation (95 per cent). Sitting right at the bottom of the list was the Battles of Trafalgar and Waterloo with only 11 per cent of students studying the topic. They were closely followed by the Battle of Agincourt (18 per cent), the Boer War (25 per cent) and the Irish potato famine (26 per cent). The former Secretary of State for Education, Nadhim Zahawi praised the report. He said: 'This thorough report from Policy Exchange demonstrates how much progress has been made over the last fifteen years, with increasing numbers of students receiving a knowledge-rich, chronological history education during Key Stage Three. 'It was heartening to see that core topics such as Magna Carta, the Reformation, the Industrial Revolution, the Slave Trade and its abolition, and Britain's roles in the World Wars are each taught in over 85% of schools. 'Though disappointing that inspiring events in English history such as the Battles of Agincourt, Trafalgar and Waterloo appear to have dropped off the curriculum.' While the report did warn that 'in too many cases this process has gone too far, leading to the teaching of radical and contested interpretations of the past as fact.' It also highlighted positive aspects of exposing students to varied studies, including key areas of British history such as the women's suffrage movement. The report also found that the topics studied at GCSE and A-Level are too narrow and competitive. Policy Exchange recommended a new British history survey paper from 1066 to 1989 to replace the current exams sat at GCSE. In another shocking revelation, it revealed that 53 per cent of people would say their knowledge on British history has been informed by film and television. And a whopping 15 per cent said they learn about history through social media. While as little as 12 per cent say their knowledge comes from newspaper and news media outlets. A spokesperson for the Department of Education said: 'High and rising standards are at the heart of the government's mission to break down the barriers to opportunity and give every child the best start. 'The independent, expert-led Curriculum and Assessment review is considering how to ensure young people have access to a broad and balanced curriculum that ensures young people leave school ready for work and ready for life.'
CNA
19-05-2025
- Business
- CNA
Tour operator Trafalgar launches river cruises in Europe
Tour operator Trafalgar has announced its expansion from land tours to river cruises, with two new itineraries set to launch in Europe. The company will debut its new offering with cruises along the Rhine and Danube rivers, now open for booking for sailings from Apr 11, 2026. 'We've always been about making it easy for travellers to connect with the heart and soul of every destination. Now, we're bringing that same philosophy and unmatched experience to Europe's iconic rivers,' said Nick Lim, CEO, Asia, of The Travel Corporation. 'Our strategy is simple: Unlock the best of Europe's rivers through trusted Trafalgar touchpoints including our much-loved 'Be My Guest' and 'Make Travel Matter' Experiences, giving travellers a fun, new way to river cruise that is as enriching as it is responsible,' added Lim. The sailings include the Best of the Danube cruise, an eight-day journey from Budapest to Passau aboard the 128-passenger Trafalgar Reverie. The Trafalgar Reverie is designed with multiple lounges for gatherings, a massage room, fitness centre and seven cabin categories. Highlights of the cruise include a visit to Budapest's storied landmarks and experiencing Bratislava's medieval charm and Vienna's famous cafe culture. It will also feature a 'Be My Guest' dining experience at Austria's oldest winery. Rates start at US$2,799 (S$3,627) per person, based on double occupancy. Guests can opt for extensions in Prague and Budapest. The Best of the Rhine and Amsterdam cruise takes guests on a 10-day journey from Basel to Amsterdam aboard the 128-passenger Trafalgar Verity. Guests will visit Strasbourg, Cologne and the Middle Rhine Gorge, with experiences including a family lunch at the Bohrers' farm and a visit to vinegar producer Weinessiggut Doktorenhof. Guests can opt for an extension in Lucerne. Like its sister ship, Trafalgar Verity offers seven cabin categories. Rates start at US$3,399 (S$4,404) per person, based on double occupancy.
The Independent
13-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
River cruise choice grows as tour operator Trafalgar enters the market
Tour operator Trafalgar has unveiled plans to bring its experience of land-based trips to the European river cruise market, boosting choice for passengers. Trafalgar, which is known for its land-based guided tours such as safaris or curated trips for couples and families, will launch two new river cruise itineraries along the Rhine and the Danube from spring 2026. Two luxury river cruise ships from its sister company Uniworld Boutique River Cruises will be chartered and rebranded to Trafalgar Reverie and Trafalgar Verity, each with capacity for 128 passengers. Trafalgar Reverie will sail on the Danube for eight days from Budapest to Passau, which includes a dining experience at Austria's oldest winery, Weingut Nikolaihof, and a day discovering Bratislava's Cold War history. Prices start at £2,649 per person based on double occupancy. For a longer option, Trafalgar Verity has a 10-day itinerary on the Rhine from Basel to Amsterdam, visiting landmarks such as the Unesco-listed Cologne Cathedral, the romantic Middle Rhine Gorge, and Strasbourg's charming old town. Fares start at £3,149 per person, based on double occupancy. Both will feature local specialists who will offer insights into each destination, while passengers will be entertained on board with activities such as regional performances, in-house baking demonstrations, yoga sessions and complimentary bike hire. Passengers can book now for sailings departing from 11 April 2026. Melissa DaSilva, deputy chief executive of Trafalgar's parent company TTC Tour Brands, said: "We've always been dedicated to making it easy for travellers to connect with the heart and soul of every destination. 'Now, we're bringing that same philosophy and unmatched experience to Europe's iconic rivers.' Trafalgar is the latest entrant to the growing river cruise market. Lindblad Expeditions revealed last week that it is bringing its exploration cruises to European rivers, while Celebrity Cruises has announced plans to enter the market in 2027. Established river cruise brand Viking is also growing its fleet and is aiming for 109 ships on iconic waterways across the world by 2028.
