Latest news with #holidaymakers
The Independent
8 minutes ago
- The Independent
How to avoid travel disruption across air, rail, road and ferries this weekend
At the end of the week in which many schools in England and Wales break up, more UK holidaymakers will be travelling than ever before. Friday will be the busiest day of the year so far for flights from UK airports: 3,255 departures are scheduled, carrying 556,000 passengers. Rail travellers face a range of disruptions, from crowded trains to engineering works. On the roads, the RAC warns: 'The 'end of summer term' getaway weekend will be classically busy.' Motorists heading for France via LeShuttle through the Channel Tunnel to Calais will face the biggest crowds on Friday, while the CEO of the Port of Dover has asked motorists not to arrive more than two hours ahead at the UK's busiest ferry port. The Independent has conducted in-depth research to identify the key pressure points for travellers. Air Most airports are reporting record figures. Friday 25 July is expected to be busiest day of the year at Birmingham; at Luton, it will be Sunday 27 July. Fridays in late July and August see the biggest crowds at five top airports. At London Gatwick, landings and take-offs will be just 65 seconds apart on key dates. A four-day strike by ground handlers at Portuguese airports – including Faro, Madeira, Lisbon and Porto – could cause problems for some holidaymakers between Friday and Monday, with further strikes threatened during weekends in August. But easyJet, Ryanair and Tui say their flights will be unaffected. The Independent has asked British Airways and TAP Portugal if their passengers could be hit by the strike. Air-traffic control (ATC) delays are impacting thousands of flights across Europe each day – to the extent that Ryanair, Europe 's biggest budget airline, has taken to sending emails to affected passengers headlined 'ATC delayed your holiday'. Eurocontrol, the pan-European coordination body, said that over the past week, 'network hotspots saw 31 per cent of network delays generated by France [due to] capacity and staffing issues compounded by adverse weather". Operations over Germany and Spain were also affected by 'weather and some capacity issues'. Airspace is constrained across Europe by the closure of Ukrainian skies to all passenger aircraft and Russian skies being off limits to most airlines. In addition, President Trump's visit to Scotland from 25 to 29 July is likely to cause airspace restrictions at Prestwick and Aberdeen. Rail After a week that has seen some extreme delays and cancellations, including at London Waterloo, train operators are hoping that Network Rail infrastructure will cope with the pressure over one of the busiest weekends of the year. Rail passengers face a combination of crowds, especially to the seaside, and engineering work that will close links including Crewe to Shrewsbury, Nuneaton to Leicester and halt all trains through Huddersfield. Eurostar is advising all but 'Premier' passengers to arrive at London St Pancras International for trains to France, Belgium and the Netherlands 75 minutes ahead of departure. The cross-Channel train operator says: 'To ensure you have enough time for all pre-departure steps, please come to the station at the recommended time and not just before the gates close.' Eurostar Premier passengers can allow just 45 minutes. Roads The RAC is warning motorists that 'Frantic Friday' on 25 July will see extremely busy motorways until around 7pm, as holidaymakers jostle with regular commuter and commercial traffic. The motoring organisation says that the worst affected roads on Friday will be the M5 between Bristol and Devon and the M25 around London – particularly the southeast quadrant approaching Dartford Crossing. The best time to travel will be after 7pm. The highest number of holiday journeys over the weekend are predicted to be on Saturday, with three million motorists on the move. Congestion is expected to be worst between 10am and 5pm. The M6 northbound through the West Midlands, from the M42 junction near Coventry to the M54 turn-off past Wolverhampton, is expected to be particularly busy, as is the A82 from Glasgow to Loch Lomond. An additional 2.7 million trips are expected on Sunday 27 July, The optimum time to reach a UK destination is before 11 am. From then onwards many motorways and trunk roads will be busy all day to 7pm, with the worst congestion predicted southbound from Wigan (junction 27) to the Stafford turn-off at junction 13. Ferry/Eurotunnel At the Port of Dover, drivers are being urged not to arrive too early for the key getaway ferries to France between 5am and 1pm. Doug Bannister, chief executive of the UK's busiest ferry port, told The Independent 's daily travel podcast: 'Certainly it's going to be very busy on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and into Sunday. Those are our peak travel days of the year.' More than 10,000 cars are expected to pass through the port on both Friday and Saturday. Dover's CEO said: 'Please don't turn up earlier than two hours before you're sailing. 'We know the sailings and we know the bookings on the sailings and if they all come through in an even rate then we can get on top of it.' LeShuttle, carrying cars through the Channel Tunnel, will see its busiest day on Friday 25 July. A spokesperson for Getlink, which owns the tunnel and runs LeShuttle, said: 'We wish to reassure our customers that we've closely analysed travel patterns, identified high-demand days, and taken a comprehensive approach to capacity management to help everyone travel with confidence this summer. 'We advise checking in at least one hour before departure, and no more than two hours before, to allow time for border checks and boarding.'
The Sun
39 minutes ago
- The Sun
Massive Spanish hotspot introduces 10 new rules for tourists including bikini bans – you can risk a £650 fine
A POPULAR Spanish holiday hotspot has launched a set of new rules for tourists including 'dressing completely'. Those planning a trip to Malaga this summer should watch out for the new regulations that tourists need to follow. 4 4 Among the 10 rules launched in Malaga Tourism's 'Improve Your Stay Campaign', holidaymakers must 'dress completely' and 'not be conspicuous'. The set of rules - which initially were introduced last summer - has been updated as part of a behaviour campaign in an attempt to curb rowdy tourists. The list of 'strongly suggested' rules has been plastered across buses, billboards as well as social media. In a post on social media platform X, Malaga Tourism shared more information about some of the rules. Under the 'do not be conspicuous' rule, the post states: "Do not shout, sing or turn up the volume of your music. "Respect the resting hours of your neighbours, including the elderly, the sick, students, children and essential workers." Under the 'dress completely' rule, the post states: "Both on the street and in public places, always wear an upper garment for respect and hygiene." The post adds that scooters should only be ridden by one person, and cyclists should stick to bike lanes - not the pavement. In addition, visitors are expected to not litter and use designated bins and toilets. Those who break the rules could be handed a fine of up to €750 (£649.05). Back in January, it was announced that Malaga was banning the registration of new holiday lets in 43 districts of the city. The ban will be in place for three years, though it could be extended. The different areas where the rules apply have all reached or exceeded eight per cent of houses in their region being short-term holiday lets. An additional 32 secondary zones have also been identified where the proportion of tourist housing has reached or exceeds 4.53 per cent. New short-term holiday lets will be allowed in these areas until the eight per cent threshold is reached. 4 Malaga is loved by many Brits for its host of beaches, vibrant live music venues and top dining spots. And what is even better is that the holiday hotspot gets more than 300 days of sun a year. In the city itself, the old town is mainly pedestrianised - making it perfect to explore on foot. The city also has an 11th century forest with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and ocean. Holidaying in Spain this summer? The locals have a name for British tourists … and it's not flattering. Plus, from sea pools to hidden caves - S pain's cheapest beach destinations this summer. 4
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
The new 'kiss and fly' spy cameras that could land you with a huge bill for a two-minute airport drop-off… and it's just one of the sneaky parking traps lying in wait for holidaymakers this summer
Before you jet off on your summer holiday, make sure you have the journey to the airport and parking sorted out. Otherwise, it could cost you more than the flight – and in the worst cases your car could end up vandalised and sitting in a field. These are the latest parking fee swizzes you need to know – and tips to slash the cost of airport parking.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
British mother on holiday in Spain causes outrage after reserving EIGHT sunbeds for her family at the pool - before going out for the day
A mother has been caught up in the great sunbed debate after revealing she gets up early to reserve eight loungers for her family - before heading off for breakfast and a shopping trip. Stephanie is currently on holiday in Fuerteventura in Las Palmas, Spain, with her partner and six children, and has faced a common dilemma affecting holidaymakers across the continent - the battle for a spot around the pool. The 29-year-old mother from Wales revealed her answer to securing sun loungers is to wake up at the crack of dawn to place towels on the beds, before going about her morning as normal. Posting a clip of her strategy on TikTok, Stephanie argued she has a 'big family' and so needs to take drastic measures to ensure they're all comfortable during the day. The video - which racked up 120,000 views - was met with criticism from viewers who questioned why she had taken up spaces at the pool during the height of summer. Stephanie told her followers: 'First things first, we have to claim our sunbeds at the pool area. We have come as a big family so we have to be there early.' However, instead of spending the first hours of daylight soaking up the Spanish rays, took her brood out for breakfast and a shopping trip - while their towels remained on the empty sunbeds. The family travelled into the town where they tucked into a traditional English breakfast at a cafe they had visited 'every single day' of the trip so far. She said the baked beans, sausages, black pudding, bacon, hash browns, tomato, toast and eggs were 'amazing', while her children opted to tuck into a frittata and pancakes. After tucking into their cooked breakfasts, the family set off on a shopping trip in the area, searching for holiday souvenirs in tourist shops. But it wasn't until they'd finished purchasing clothes that they returned to their hotel, where they then enjoyed the pool and the loungers, after seemingly spending a couple of hours sightseeing. This angered some viewers who commented their thoughts on the clip, with one writing: 'I can't believe you claim the sunbeds and then leave.' Another penned: 'Why claim sun beds if you're going out for the day?' A third said: 'All hotels should do the same thing. After 30 minutes of not being on sun lounger, towels are removed and other people get them.' A fourth commented: 'Sorry but your towels would be in the pool.' Elsewhere on her profile, Stephanie - who is a 'mummy to five boys and one girl' -was also unclear about whether her annual leave had been approved by her work. She filmed her Ryanair flight taking off and said: 'Too late when you're in another country.' Stephanie also wrote in another clip 'School: Your child is absent' and accompanied it with a video of her young daughter paddling around the pool in the resort. '[She's] living her best life,' the content creator wrote. The reignition of the sun lounger debate comes as the UK regions with the worst offenders for sun bed snatchers was revealed - with the West Midlands topping the list. Brits who live in this area are most likely to get up early when they're on holiday in order to reserve their sunbed. This was closely followed by people living in England's North West and North East, Wales and Northern Ireland. The results come from a YouGov survey of more than 2,500 UK adults, who were asked about their part in the so-called 'sunbed wars'. Those living in the South West and Yorkshire and the Humber are least likely to spring out of bed to snatch a lounger. Across the UK, 12 per cent of those asked admitted to this behaviour – with people in Northern Ireland and Wales just above the UK average, and Scotland coming in at 10 per cent. Though over one in ten revealed this habit, it marks a decrease from the 72 per cent who admitted doing so five years ago, according to GetYourGuide, an online marketplace for travel activities. Benjy Potter, a spokesperson for the company, said this shows that 'the days of getting up at the crack of dawn to simply sit are fading fast' – though footage on social media from this summer shows the dawn scramble is very much still a thing. Sunbed snatchers: Which area is guilty of breaking poolside rules? Region % of those of admit to waking upearly to reserve a lounger West Midlands 15 Wales 13 North East England 13 North West England 13 Northern Ireland 13 East of England 12 London 12 South East England 12 East Midlands 10 Scotland 10 Yorkshire and the Humber 8 South West England 8 But it seems that some habits are harder to break. The research revealed that almost a quarter of Brits still indulge in a full English breakfast at the airport before jetting off. Booze has been given a brush-off, with 30 per cent of UK travellers saying they drink less alcohol on holiday now than they did five years ago. Only 12 per cent admit having a tipple at the airport before flying, with those in the North East (18 per cent) most likely to hit up Wetherspoons for a pint.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Aldi is launching new exclusive range THIS WEEK – including ambient lighting & nostalgic games starting at just £1.49
Forget board games and the same old card tricks, holidaymakers can now lead the fun with a new range of outdoor range launching in stores this week. But shoppers best be quick, as with all Specialbuys, once they're gone, they're gone. Camping Games Table Whether it's a family camping trip, a weekend getaway with friends, or a festival under the stars, Aldi's Camping Games Table offers entertainment for all ages. This versatile 2-in-1 table provides fun-filled ping pong matches for the kids during the day (balls, paddles, and net included!), while parents can play a few nostalgic games once the kids have gone to bed. After the games wind down, the table easily converts into a dining area, a camp stove prep station or even a glamorous vanity for applying festival glitter touch-ups. It's the ultimate camping companion, practical, playful and packed with possibilities. And it is launching in stores from 24 th July, for only £24.99. Aldi positions the item as part of its new staycation range. Other staycation buys 3 The new exclusive range dropping this week - includes ambient lighting and nostalgic games starting at just £1.49. A Travel Bottle & Bag Set, retailing at £12.99, promises to help campers maintain hydration during outdoor adventures. For atmospheric lighting solutions, the supermarket will offer Kids Camping Lights at £2.99 per set. And your child can fidget on the go with fidget toys in a sweet storage case. Wake up to a weed-free lawn for months thanks to Aldi's £10 gadget that pulls them out without bending or kneeling down The Fidget Cases have 14 pieces inside and includes dividers and a carry handle. You can choose from Pink, Blue and Green themes for £4.00 each. You can also encourage some creative colouring with a set of Blow pens in a pack of 6. These water based pens are non toxic and come in assorted colours. They also include 7 card stencils in 8 different designs. Other bargains at Aldi 3 Every garden bargain hitting Aldi's middle aisle yesterday – including stylish rattan decor & wireless £4.99 gadget. The incredible Crease Releaser spray from Lenor is selling for just £2.49 at the retail giant - and shoppers will be rushing to get their hands on the handy item.
