Starfish Travel Corporation Team

A limited selection of beaches are now offering evening swimming according to the Dubai Municipality. The civic organisation made this disclosure during the Arabian Travel Market (ATM), which began today in Dubai. As a metropolis, “Dubai is alive 24/7,” according to Bader Anwahi, CEO of the Public Facilities Agency of Dubai Municipality (DM). So, since swimming is prohibited after sunset, tourists who visit the city during the day miss out on the opportunity to enjoy the beach. We wanted to allow them to take in this aspect of Dubai. That is why we are starting the beach swimming facility at night. At a few beaches in Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah, new lighting systems have been installed as part of this new campaign. Additionally, there are LED screens with instructions and directions, according to Bader. These displays have already been set up, and they’ll soon start working. In addition to lights and screens, lifeguards will be stationed along the shoreline throughout the nocturnal action, claims Bader. Rescue professionals would be present at certain beaches at night because “we want to ensure the safety and security of our visitors,” he stated. MILLIONS OF VISITORS FRAME DUBAIAccording to data provided by DM, more than 1.5 million people visited the Dubai Frame in 2022. According to Bader, “It is putting itself very high up on the tourist roadmap.” It has evolved into a symbol of Dubai. It is situated in Zabeel, which is going through a significant reconstruction of its own. With “Old Dubai” to the north and “New Dubai” to the south, Dubai Frame, which was inaugurated in 2018, provides visitors with an uninterrupted view of the city and serves as a link between the past and present. The rectangular shape of Dubai Frame, which rises 48 storeys, was influenced by the ‘golden ratio’ of 1.618, which many artists and architects consider to be the perfect ratio for a building’s structural equilibrium. The attraction’s galleries also provide visitors a peek at the city’s past and a picture of what Dubai may look like in the future. HOW TO IMPROVE DUBAI SAFARIOfficials from the DM keep an eye on and try to enhance the Dubai Safari experience. More interactive elements and chances for kids to connect directly with nature will be there, according to Bader. It is undergoing significant changes. Every season, we work to better understand what our visitors desire. A wildlife park, animal refuge, and educational facility all rolled into one is called Dubai Safari Park. More than 2,500 animals from around the world live at the Dubai Safari Park, which spans a massive 119 hectares. SOURCE: breakingtravelnews

On Saturday, April 29, The Walt Disney Company and Make-A-desire commemorated World Wish Day, the anniversary of the desire that sparked the establishment of Make-A-Wish in 1980. Since the first official wish was granted at the Disneyland® Resort, Disney and Make-A-Wish have collaborated to grant 150,000 wishes worldwide, bringing happiness to children and their families just when they need it most. Disney has grown to be the largest wish granter in the world for Make-A-Wish over the past 43 years, giving children with life-threatening diseases and their families the life-altering power of a wish. “Disney and Make-A-Wish are a perfect match — we’re both in the business of creating happiness,” said Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Parks Experiences and Products and a member of the Make-A-Wish America Board. We are aware of the positive difference we can make in the lives of wish children and their families. We’re delighted to celebrate Make-A-Wish and Disney’s shared legacy and look forward to producing memorable experiences for many more years to come. In honour of World Wish Day this year, Disney revealed unique, exclusive windows on Main Street, USA at Disneyland Park that were created especially for Make-A-Wish and all the wish children worldwide. Windows on Main Street, USA have traditionally been devoted to persons who have contributed significantly to Disney over the previous 100 years. The windows, which are the first ones ever devoted to a nonprofit, are a symbol of the particular bond that has grown over the years between Disney and Make-A-Wish. The three windows include a central one honouring Make-A-Wish and all of the organization’s past, present, and future wish children, as well as side ones honouring Chris Greicius, whose wish served as inspiration for the organization’s founding, and Frank “Bopsy” Salazar, who made the organization’s first official wish (and the first Disney wish).Disney has been one of our most devoted and significant sponsors from the beginning, according to Leslie Motter, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America. “World Wish Day presents an opportunity to bring together the global community of supporters that makes wishes possible,” she said. “That we have come to the point where our wish families are being recognised with their very own, dedicated windows at Disneyland Resort is a testament to the passion and generosity of cast members past and present.” The Wish Lounge, which has been renovated and rededicated so that wish families may unwind discreetly while visiting Disneyland, is positioned above the three windows. This amazing wish lounge was created by Walt Disney Imagineering in collaboration with story artists and animators at Walt Disney Animation Studios and was inspired by the visual aesthetic and characters from Disney Animation’s upcoming animated feature, “Wish.” This past weekend, Disney also revealed that Mikayla, a gifted 16-year-old from Florida who “lives and breathes theatre,” will grant the company’s 150,000th and last wish. Mikayla was the Grand Marshal of the Disney “Festival of Fantasy” Parade when she stunned her family with the news on World Wish Day at Disney’s Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort. After the parade, Mikayla received another surprise from Disney that was exclusive to this very special occasion commemorating our 150,000th wish: a chance to stay in the renowned Cinderella Castle Suite. Her dream to play on stage at Disney will be granted when she returns to the park later this year for a special celebration. Disney also commemorated World Wish Day by welcoming wish children and their families at numerous additional Disney Parks, showing us that our dreams do come true: The local Make-A-Wish affiliate was the beneficiary of a charity concert held on Saturday, April 15 at Shanghai Disney Resort.Javis’ 10-year-old dream to play the drums on stage was granted at a World dream Day celebration party held at Hong Kong Disneyland.Wish Weekend was hosted in Disneyland Paris, welcoming 88 wish children and their families for a weekend filled with wishes being fulfilled. There were other events in honour of wish kids all around The Walt Disney Company: Kyle wanted to reveal the first-round selection for his favourite team, the New York Jets, at the NFL Draught in Kansas City, and ESPN made his desire come true. Kyle also had the opportunity to tour the NFL Live and College GameDay sets on ESPN.Four wish children were welcomed to the Los Angeles world premiere of Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. They walked the red carpet, met the actors, and got a sneak peek at the much anticipated third movie in the series. In honour of World desire Day 2023, Pixar revealed Addie’s desire. With her visit to the Pixar campus, Addie’s dream of becoming a voice actor came true.Together with Make-A-Wish, The Walt Disney Company grants a variety of wishes, including visits to studios, meet-and-greets with celebrities, sports-themed experiences, cruises, and vacations to theme parks and resorts. Many members of the Disney cast are wish-granting volunteers, wish alumni, or parents of wish children. Visit wish.org/Disney to find out more about the history of the partnership between Disney and Make-A-Wish. SOURCE: breakingtravelnews

One of the final Covid-related travel limitations in the US is set to be lifted. Beginning May 12, foreign visitors will no longer be required to have received the full Covid-19 vaccination, according to a Monday announcement from the Department of Homeland Security. According to a statement from DHS, “DHS intends to rescind these Title 19 travel restrictions in alignment with the termination of the Presidential Proclamation on air travel and the end of the Public Health Emergency.” The news is being welcomed by the travel sector. It claimed that the ban had hurt its ability to conduct business. According to U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman, “today’s action to lift the vaccine requirement eases a significant entry barrier for many international travellers, moving our industry and country forward.” The decision’s effects may also be felt strongly in the world of sports.The vaccination restriction has forced Novak Djokovic, the top-ranked tennis player in the world, to miss numerous events in the US. “Novak entering the nation and participating in the 2023 US Open is something we surely aim for. We would love to have him at this year’s event since he is a terrific champion and a fan favourite, USTA spokesperson Chris Widmaier told CNN in a statement.The choice is being made as the globe and the United States work to recover from the pandemic. The public health emergency in the US will end on May 11. As a tool to monitor the infection’s spread, the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention will also discontinue publishing its color-coded Covid-19 Community Levels. SOURCE: cnn.com

When the bridge to Messina is done, like in the English phrase “when hell freezes over,” there is a common expression in Italian that means “I’ll do it.” The idea of a bridge spanning the Straits of Messina between the mainland and Sicily dates back to Roman times, when Consul Metellus, according to writings by Pliny the Elder, strung together barrels and wood to transport 100 war elephants from Carthage to Rome in 252 BCE. Since then, there have been a number of designs, including a concept for a tunnel that was very briefly considered. If constructed, the bridge over the Straits of Messina would be the longest suspension bridge in the world, measuring two miles (3.2 km) in length. Thanks to a decree passed by the government of Giorgia Meloni last month after Transport Minister Matteo Salvini revived a plan that had previously been advanced when Silvio Berlusconi was prime minister, the enormous engineering project may now actually be realised. The consortium, currently known as WeBuild and managed by the Italian company Salini Impregilo, won the bid to construct the bridge in 2006. The plans to construct the bridge also broke apart with Berlusconi’s administration that year because Romano Prodi, the new prime minister, thought they were a waste of money and a danger to the environment.Since then, other administrations have made efforts to resurrect it, and the current ruling alliance of Meloni, Salvini, and Berlusconi included it on their list of election pledges. Salvini made it his top goal when he was appointed minister of transport, pinning his future on the bridge. WeBuild, which still holds the bid award on paper, filed a lawsuit against the government for breach of contract after the project was put on hold. However, despite “expressions of interest from all over the world, including China,” Salvini said in March when he presented the plan, WeBuild remains the most likely candidate to be given the job back. Without specifically mentioning WeBuild, he remarked, “The ones who won the 2006 tender are the ones who will probably continue with the final version of the project.” On April 18, the engineering director of WeBuild, Michele Longo, was called to speak before parliament on the resurrected scheme.“The project to build a bridge spanning the Strait of Messina may be started right now. The project may begin as soon as the contract is amended and restored, Longo told lawmakers. “It is anticipated that the executive design will take eight months, while the bridge construction will take slightly longer than six years.” According to the plan provided to the transportation ministry, the project will cost 4.5 billion euros ($4.96 billion) for the bridge alone and 6.75 billion euros ($7.4 billion) for the infrastructure needed to support it on both sides. This infrastructure will include improving the road and rail connections, constructing terminals, and preparing the land and seabed to “reduce hydrogeological risks” during construction. According to the Italian Treasury Department, public monies totaling $1.3 billion have already been spent on feasibility studies since 1965. Salvini frequently claims that it will be more expensive “not to build the bridge than to build it.” Lines of Discord and the Mob Although the plans appear to be well developed, the difficulties are numerous. Two significant organised criminal groups, the Sicilian Cosa Nostra and the Calabrian ‘Ndrangheta, excel at infiltrating building projects, making the southern region of Italy particularly corrupt. A triumph was achieved with the recent capture of Cosa Nostra leader Matteo Messina Denaro, who had spent 30 years evading capture in Sicily. According to evidence from informants who assisted in Denaro’s arrest, Denaro was opposed to the construction of the bridge, as are some other mob bosses, in part because the organised crime syndicates subsist off of poverty and underdevelopment. Fears persist despite this. A 20-year-old anti-Mafia research from the Nomos Centre think tank, which is currently being revised, cautioned that the project’s transportation and supply may come under criminal control and that there was a chance that local gangs would demand protection money. Salvini has downplayed worries. He recently told the assembly, “I’m not frightened about criminal infiltration. We will be able to ensure that the greatest Italian, European, and international enterprises work there. For each euro invested in the bridge, there will be supervisory bodies on which we are now working. There are further geophysical issues that could be much harder to solve.In 1908, a magnitude-7.1 earthquake in the Strait of Messina triggered tsunamis that wreaked havoc on the coastal communities on both the Sicilian and Calabrian sides of the ocean, killing more than 100,000 people. It is still the most fatal earthquake event yet to be seen in Europe. The seas are also choppy. According to NASA, the intense wave patterns are visible from orbit and the currents are so strong that they frequently tear seaweed off the bottom. They also alter every six hours. The bridge deck would be constructed to resist gusts of up to 300 kph and may continue to be open to traffic with winds as low as 150 kph under WeBuild’s initial proposal, which is the only one presently being considered since bids have not been launched and perhaps won’t be. With train tracks running in the centre, there would be three car lanes in each direction: two for regular traffic and one for emergencies. 200 trains could pass each day and 6,000 automobiles and trucks could pass each hour under the existing design.The 600-meter-long navigation channel created by the bridge would allow even the highest cruise liners and freight ships to pass. The bridge would be situated around 74 metres above sea level. Additionally, it would be built to withstand an earthquake with a 7.5 magnitude. Longo informed the house that the building phase alone would generate 2.9 billion euros for the country’s GDP, employ 100,000 people, and use 300 suppliers. He said that “the majority of these people would come from the regions of Sicily and Calabria where there there

Millions of Australians visit foreign countries each year because they like travelling. It’s common to unwind and let loose while travelling. But once you’re on the plane, keep your manners and common sense at home. Observe the culture of the area You may fully immerse oneself in different cultural experiences through travelling. You may find certain cultural differences to be upsetting because many cultures are considerably different from what you are used to in Australia. Don’t insult or mock local customs just because you don’t understand them or because you disagree with them. You could like spending the day at a local temple or cultural centre, but these locations aren’t just for tourists. They frequently have profound meaning for the local population. Respect the villagers’ wisdom and do what they say. Recognise that cultural norms for dress and attitude might differ greatly. Try to change what you do to reflect this. Keep in mind that you are a visitor at someone else’s house and that unruly visitors may be asked to leave. If you act in a way that the locals find disrespectful or disruptive, several nations will revoke your visa. Observe local laws It is your obligation to learn about and abide by local regulations where you are travelling. even if by Australian norms they seem severe or unjust. Like in Australia, local law enforcement is unlikely to accept the justification “I didn’t know” for breaking the law. Do not anticipate special treatment from local authorities simply because you are an Australian. If you contravene a local law, the Australian Government is constrained in how and when we may assist. We are unable to resolve your legal issues, keep you out of jail, or cover any associated costs. You won’t require our assistance if you comply with the law. Top advice Read the travel guidelines for the place you’re going. Before you arrive, familiarise yourself with your destination. Recognise the customs and laws of the area. Don’t do something abroad that you wouldn’t do at home. Utilise neighbourhood customs as a model for your own. Ask if you’re unsure. You can get advice on what is appropriate and inappropriate from your tour guide or hotel management.Recall that you are a visitor. Be considerate. SOURCE: smartraveller

Workers are protesting low wages and unfavourable working conditions by going on strike across Europe. Many workers are on strike in Europe right now because they are dissatisfied that the sky-high inflation has not been matched by higher wages. There are scheduled walkouts all around Europe, proving that it always pays to research your destination. Fortunately, we have included all of the strike-related data here. Find out where and when walkouts are occurring by reading on. You are entitled to a replacement ticket or compensation in the event that your train or flight is cancelled or delayed. For all of the information, see our guide. Italy: May will see transport strikes Italian rail workers will go on strike from 9 p.m. on April 30 till 9 p.m. on May 1. There are presently no specifics as to which rail companies or services will have the most inconvenience on that particular day. On May 26, there will be a 24-hour general strike across the country. Bus and tram services as well as metro lines will be impacted by the strike, and there will likely be substantial delays and cancellations that day. As of this writing, it is unclear whether the walkout will also have an impact on local and interregional train services. Italian union USB (Unione Sindacati di Base) launched the walkout in opposition to insecure employment conditions and poor pay. On May 19, cabin crew of Air Dolomiti, a Lufthansa subsidiary that operates flights from Germany to 13 different Italian locations, will participate in a 24-hour nationwide strike. On the same day, from 1pm to 5pm, Volotea cabin employees across the nation would go on strike. Germany: Active strikes For the most of this year, wage negotiations have been on and off for German public sector employees. Federal and municipal public agencies already have a collective bargaining agreement in place, although negotiations with Deutsch Bahn and other train operators remain ongoing. Numerous strikes have occurred during these negotiations, some of which have caused significant disruption. It is essential to check transit shortly before you are scheduled to leave because there have also been walkouts that happened on the actual day. On April 26, local public transit in five federal states will be interrupted due to the upcoming strike. This will cause problems in Munich, Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria, and Baden-Württemberg, among other states. Travellers are cautioned about the continuing French pension demonstrations in France. Unions in France have been fighting against raising the retirement age from 62 to 64 for years. After President Emmanuel Macron decided to implement the change without a parliamentary vote, protests broke out all over the nation. In Paris, trash accumulated and was set on fire. In the French capital, protesters and police have fought. On strike days, varying degrees of travel disruption have occurred. However, there have been cancellations of flights and trains, and Paris tourist attractions occasionally close.  So if you plan to travel on a strike day, it is worth checking in advance. April and May are France travel strike months. On April 28, walkouts are anticipated, although no specifics have been released. France’s Labour Day, observed on May 1, is a customary day for labour union activity. Widespread demonstrations have been called for by unions, thus it is to be expected that routine services will be disrupted. It will be a “decisive” day, according to La France Insoumise’s left-leaning leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon. Instead of participating in earlier activities, the more moderate CFDT union has stated that it will concentrate its energies on “a big day of mobilisation on May 1st.” How long will the UK passport strike last? Even if no transit services are impacted by this strike, it can prevent you from travelling. From April 3 to May 5, more than 1,000 members of the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS), including those who work at passport offices in England, Scotland, and Wales, will strike. Employees in Durham, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Newport, Peterborough, and Southport will participate in the walkout. Over a million passport applications are expected to be processed during the strike, according to the Business Travel Association. There are no present plans to alter the official advice that states that getting a passport can take up to 10 weeks. UK: Work stoppages the weekend of the King’s Coronation In a salary dispute, security personnel at Heathrow plan to walk out from May 4 through May 10 and again from May 25 through May 26. How much disruption the walkouts will cause is difficult to foresee. Heathrow claims it kept the airport functioning well during the previous strike action, which covered about 1,400 security employees, despite the organising union Unite’s claims that it will bring “mayhem.” On the day of the Coronation (6 May), traffic wardens in Westminster, central London, are also striking over salary and working conditions. Scotland: Glasgow Airport might see delays Glasgow Airport security personnel are discussing a wage increase. They recently turned down a “derisory” offer of a 5% salary rise, according to the Unite union. Therefore, Unite has issued a warning that strikes may occur at Glasgow Airport during the busy summer vacation period, which they claim would result in “chaos.” At the time this article was written, no prospective strike dates had been published. Spain: Pilots of a struggling airline go on strike In response to a pay disagreement with the firm, pilots from Spain’s ailing carrier Air Europa will walk out from May 1 to 5. This week, the nation’s largest pilots’ union, SEPLA, made the walkout announcement. There will probably be 340 pilots flying in from all around Europe. The pilots’ list of demands includes an undisclosed salary raise, which they claim has not been made in the last four years despite the corporation suffering from a number of problems and the effects of COVID. The good news is that the airline must fulfil minimal legal obligations in accordance with Spanish legislation. To find out the status of your

According to the EU, manually stamping passports “takes time…and does not allow a systematic detection of overstayers.” Many visitors view passport stamps as badges of distinction because they provide a sentimental paper trail of their travels. But when entering the Schengen Area, they might soon become obsolete. With the new automated Entry/Exit System (EES), which is scheduled to be live in November 2023, non-EU visitors will be registered digitally without the use of physical stamps. According to a statement from the European Commission’s department for Migration and Home Affairs, “EES will replace the current system of manually stamping passports, which is time-consuming, does not provide reliable data on border crossings, and does not allow a systematic detection of overstayers.” The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is what, exactly? The EES will be an automated IT system for tracking foreigners with short-stay visas or visa exemptions who are travelling from third-countries. The system will record a person’s identity, kind of travel document, biometric information (fingerprints and facial pictures), as well as the time and location of entrance and leave, each time they pass through an EU external border. It will also keep track of entrance denials. Self-service kiosks and automated border controls are intended to speed up the passenger experience while enhancing security in the EU. However, the airline industry and a number of nations have warned that if the system is introduced without adequate planning, there may be some teething issues. It was supposed to debut in 2022, but delays until May 2023 and then until November prevented that from happening. The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will be used by travellers having visa-free access to the Schengen Area to get travel authorization. Once the EES is operational, this will be launched in stages. Before the EES launches, passport stamps are still necessary. Brits have been told that after Brexit, they would need passport stamps to leave and enter the Schengen Zone. This serves as evidence that they have not exceeded their 90-day visa-free cap for any 180-day term. For some people who love to travel, it has even turned out to be a little benefit of leaving the EU. It normally occurs automatically at security. SOURCE – euronews

Here is everything you need to know because we did the research for you. This year, traveller numbers have virtually returned to pre-pandemic levels, which has boosted popular tourism destinations that suffered during COVID-19 restrictions and closures. However, some well-known tourist destinations are already worried that overtourism-related issues will recur. Due to this, some decided to enact a “tourist tax” in 2022, while others want to do it this year. But if you’ve travelled abroad, chances are you’ve already paid one of the many tourist taxes that are already in place. Since it is occasionally incorporated into airline tickets or the taxes you pay at your hotel, you may not have ever noticed it. Here is all the information you want about the nations whose entry fees you must pay since we did the research for you. In 2023, Barcelona will raise its tourism tax. The mayor of Barcelona has announced an increase in the tourist fee for the next two years. The regional tourist tax and an additional city-wide levy have both been required on visitors to the Catalan capital since 2012. The municipal charge has now been increased, according to local officials. Visitors will have to pay €2.75 as of April 1, 2023. On April 1, 2024, there will be a second increase, bringing the cost up to €3.25. Visitors staying in authorised tourist accommodations are subject to the levy. The city’s infrastructure, including upgrades to the roads, bus services, and escalators, would be paid for with the revenues, according to the council. In 2023, Valencia will start charging a visitor fee. The city of Valencia has declared that it would impose a tourist tax on visitors who stay in any sort of lodging in the area, including hotels, hostels, residences, and camping grounds. At the end of 2023 or the beginning of 2024, it will take effect. Depending on the lodging they select, visitors will be required to pay between 50 cents and €2 each night for up to seven nights. According to the authorities, the charge would support the tourist industry’s sustainable growth in the area. Additionally, the money will be used to build more affordable housing for locals in tourist areas. Thailand will start charging visitors by the end of 2022. At the end of this year, Thailand will reportedly start charging tourists 300 Baht (about $8). According to the head of Thailand’s Tourism Authority, a portion of the cost would “be used to take care of tourists” because there have been instances where their health insurance hasn’t covered them. Additionally, it will assist in funding the expansion of popular tourist destinations like Bangkok’s Grand Palace. In 2023, Venice will enact a visitor charge. Venetian authorities may soon start charging visitors starting in the summer of 2023. In August, the Italian daily La Stampa stated that several mechanisms, including an online booking system, have been suggested to regulate the number of tourists. But additional measures, such as a fee to enter the city, must be taken to reduce the population. Depending on whether it is low season or peak season, the proposed fee would range from €3 to €10. In 2023, the EU will enact a tourist visa. Non-EU nationals, such as Americans, Australians, Britons, and other visitors from outside the Schengen region, will have to submit a €7 application by November 2023 in order to enter. No money is required for those who are over 70 or under the age of 18. These are all the nations where there is already an entrance tax for tourists. For a number of reasons, there are already tourist fees in existence in many nations. Some people believe it has to do with attempting to reduce the number of visitors and avoid overtourism. Others see it as a kind of visitor fee for sustainability. These levies provide funding for maintaining tourism infrastructure and safeguarding natural resources. Austria In Austria, there is a province-specific overnight lodging tax that you must pay. You’ll pay an additional 3.02 percent per person on the hotel bill in Vienna or Salzburg. Other names for the tourist levy include Berherbergungsbeiträge and Tourismusgesetz. Belgium For each night you stay in Belgium, the tourist tax is also charged on your lodging. Sometimes the price is included in the hotel room rate, but some hotels separate the cost and add it as an extra charge, so you should carefully review your statement. There is a fee for each room in Antwerp and Bruges. The cost in Brussels varies according to the size and star grade of the hotel. It typically costs €7.50. Bhutan Bhutan’s tax is astronomically high in compared to most other nations’ visitor levies, which hover around €20. Most international visitors pay a minimum daily charge of $250 (€228) per person per day during peak season and a little less during low season. However, it includes a lot, such as lodging, local transportation, a guide, meals, and entrance fees. Bulgaria In Bulgaria, overnight stays are subject to a tourist charge. It is extremely inexpensive and ranges up to about €1.50 depending on the neighbourhood and hotel category. Jamaican Islands Most Caribbean islands charge departure fees or add tourist taxes to the price of hotels. The following destinations charge visitors in some way: Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and the US Virgin Islands. The Bahamas charge a fee of €13, while Antigua and Barbuda charge €45. Croatia 2019 saw an increase in the tourist tax in Croatia. However, the higher rate only applies during the summer’s busy season. Each visitor pays around 10 kuna (€1.33) each night. Prague Republic Only when visiting Prague, the nation’s capital, do visitors to the Czech Republic need to pay a tourist charge. It is extremely little (less than €1) and paid per person, each night, for a maximum

Low-cost railroads are competing with low-cost flights, but without the carbon emissions. Many environmentally concerned tourists experience flying guilt, yet they still find it difficult to say no to really inexpensive airfares. According to a 2021 research by the UK consumer organisation Which?, trains on common routes generate six times fewer emissions than aeroplanes but are 49% more expensive. The government provides billions of euros in subsidies to maintain this pricing advantage, which keeps aircraft in the air. But things are changing. New lines are being opened by budget train operators all throughout Europe. It’s also timely because short-haul aircraft will no longer be allowed in France starting in 2022, which would increase the need for affordable trains. They provide inexpensive, basic fares, much like low-cost airlines. They do not contribute to global warming, unlike low-cost aeroplanes. To learn everything, continue reading. Which European rail lines provide affordable travel? By using a few straightforward strategies, it’s feasible to get affordable rail fares on practically every European route. Even on premium trains, you may get a great discount if you book in advance and outside of peak hours. Additionally, governments are implementing a number of programmes to promote rail travel. Spain recently provided free tickets on a number of lines, while Germany just renewed its affordable regional transit ticket. In a programme that was announced earlier this week, the EU is giving 35,000 young people free rail passes. However, there are also more and more train companies who specifically promote themselves as “budget” options. Their branding frequently resembles that of budget airlines like Wizz Air—bright colours, strong fonts, and memorable names with fewer than three syllables. It’s wise to check before you travel because, like these airlines, they may have luggage restrictions and surcharges for extras like charging stations. France’s greatest affordable rail company is Ouigo. The low-cost, high-speed Ouigo trains connect Paris with important towns including Lyon, Aix, Marseille, Cannes, Nice, Nimes, Montpellier, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Rennes, Angers, Nantes, and Strasbourg. Ouigo was founded as the SNCF’s budget branch. How much do Ouigo rail tickets cost in France? When purchased in advance, tickets cost as little as €10, however they might cost substantially more on the day of departure. In March, the average cost of a ticket between Paris and Lyon is €65, according to the airline search engine Skyscanner. The cost of a flight from Paris to Marseille is €39. On both of these routes, Ouigo offers more affordable rates, beginning at €10. Does Ouigo impose additional luggage fees? Like a low-cost airline, Ouigo does charge an additional fee for extras, such as €2 for a seat with a power outlet. One piece of luggage, including handles and wheels, must not exceed 36 x 27 x 15 cm or 55 x 35 x 25 cm. There are no limitations on weight. Cheap trains in Spain: Avlo, offering ‘Basic’ yet affordable alternatives The low-cost division of Spanish rail company Renfe is called Avlo. They operate high-speed routes between Madrid, Zaragoza, and Barcelona at a speed of 300 km/h. The starting price for these services is €7, or €5 for those under the age of 14. The basic fee is the only class offered. Tickets for the low-cost service between Madrid and Andalusia have recently been made available by Renfe, with pricing beginning at €7 and service beginning on June 1. The first two trains each day, leaving early in the morning and returning in the afternoon, will run between Seville and Madrid and Malaga and Madrid on Avlo’s first service to Andalusia. These trains are far less expensive than flying. The average cost of a flight between the two largest cities in Spain is between €30 and €60. Does Avlo impose additional baggage fees? Passengers on the Avlo are permitted one piece of hand luggage with maximum dimensions of 36x27x25 cm and no weight restriction, as well as one cabin bag with maximum dimensions of 55x35x25 cm. Additional baggage may be purchased for €10 at the register or €15 at the train station. Cheap trains in Spain Iryo for frequent transportation between major cities Privately owned low-cost Spanish carrier Iryo faces up against Renfe. At the end of March of this year, the company launched its services between Madrid and Andalusia. Routes from Madrid and Barcelona are also available. Similar to Avlo, it takes around two hours and thirty minutes to travel between Seville and Madrid on an Iryo high-speed train. However, with four services per day from early in the morning to late at night, their trains provide more options. Starting at about €18, there are four different ticket classes from which to pick, depending on your budget. There are no restrictions on adjustments to any of the prices. Does Iryo impose additional baggage fees? As long as they fit in the area given and don’t obstruct security procedures on board the train, Iryo travellers are permitted to bring up to three pieces of luggage at no additional cost. Two of these items may have a maximum combined size of 85x55x35cm, and one of these items may be hand baggage with a maximum combined size of 36x27x15cm. Italy’s low-cost trains: Italo guidelines for fast, affordable solutions In Italy, a private enterprise that competes with the government-run rail operator runs the Italo trains. It runs extremely affordable train choices. Starting at €10.90, one may travel from Florence to Rome and from Milan to Venice. For these options, the typical flight in March costs about €45. You will need to pay €19.90 for tickets from Milan to Rome and from Rome to Venice. In contrast, a flight in March would often cost between $20 and $30. Does Italo impose additional baggage fees? There is no restriction on the quantity or size of the bags you can bring on board; they are included in the price of your ticket. Train service between London and Edinburgh: Lumo can assist with flight remorse Lumo exhorts tourists to choose a rail trip in order to

According to Chris Lanckbeen, many customers now have a fresh passion for travel after going through lockdowns that made it practically difficult to travel internationally. As a result, there is a trend where many individuals are travelling more frequently and for longer periods of time. You’re not the only one who has been itching to travel like never before. Due to lockdowns that made foreign travel practically impossible, many customers now have a renewed zeal for travel, which is fueling a trend whereby many individuals are travelling for longer periods of time and more frequently. What phenomena is this? Retaliation travel. The number of individuals packing their bags and travelling the world increased dramatically in 2022. According to data from ACI Europe, as more nations opened their borders to tourists in the first half of 2022, passenger volumes at European airports increased by over 250%. SOURCE – euronews