The tragedy that unfolded yesterday in Ahmedabad is beyond words. Aviation, an industry devoted to unifying and enriching the world, took the lives of hundreds of people who had so much to give and to experience. The loved ones of the passengers and crew aboard flight AI171 to Gatwick are heartbroken. Beyond feeling profound sympathy for the families and friends of those who died in the Air India crash, all one can do is recognise the courage and dedication of the people dealing with the disaster. Three groups of professionals in particular deserve appreciation: the firefighters and paramedics who rushed to the site of the accident; the emergency response teams who will diligently and humanely work through the aftermath of such a high fatality event; and the air safety investigators who are dedicated to finding clues about the calamity that will help make future air travel safer for us all. Meanwhile, aircraft flying between the UK and India overnight have been diverted because of the Israeli attack on Iran. Five Air India flights between London Heathrow and India diverted to cities including Sharjah and Vienna, or returned to the airport of origin. |
|
|
Reporting on tragedy: News crews at London Gatwick airport this morning. |
|
|
| The capital city is fast becoming a favourite among those seeking an authentic Moroccan experience. Read more. |
|
|
| From navigating Brexit red tape to rules on expiration dates, Simon Calder shares his advice. Read more. |
|
|
| On the 50th anniversary of the classic film, here's how to sink your teeth into the best of New England. Read more. |
|
| Don't forget to complete your registration |
We've noticed that you still have not completed your registration to The Independent. Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism. It allows us to better understand our readers and tailor your experience. |
By registering, you'll also gain access to a range of exclusive benefits, including: |
- Limited access to Premium articles
- Access to The Independent app
- Access to more than 20 newsletters
- Commenting on independent.co.uk
|
|
|
"Secret Tory?" That was one response to my coverage of the news that Eurostar plans direct trains from London St Pancras International to both Frankfurt and Geneva. "The Eurostar announcement is brilliant news from Labour. So why are you being so lukewarm about it?" I agree that stepping aboard a train in the UK and stepping off in Germany or Switzerland will be a welcome advance for millions of travellers. Eurostar will run from London to Frankfurt in five hours; reaching Geneva will take 20 minutes longer. Yet the incumbent cross-Channel train operator will not launch the new routes until "early 2030s" – perhaps as late as 2034, four decades after the Channel Tunnel opened to passenger trains.
Meanwhile, the high-speed link from the capital to the tunnel and through to France will continue to be woefully under-used, squandering capacity that could handle twice as many trains – and passengers – as now. Three companies are desperate to compete with Eurostar on the existing routes, particularly London to Paris. But there is a limiting factor: depot capacity at Temple Mills in east London. The Office of Rail and Road has concluded there is room for only one rival firm, or for Eurostar to expand, but not both. The airlines are delighted, as high fares and restricted choice drive travellers to the skies.
Reaching the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, would have been a treat by rail last week. But Eurostar wanted £219 for a late-notice ticket only as far as Brussels. In contrast, as I mentioned in the last newsletter, Ryanair sold me a flight from Luton a day ahead for £24. Travelling through eastern Europe proved an analogue joy. A tangle of trains and buses connects Vilnius with the salubrious health resort of Druskininkai in the deep south of the nation. Wooden houses and elaborate churches decorate the lakeshores and forests, while in elegant spa hotels masseuses deliver robust treatments to revive weary travellers. The only fly in the essential oils in both Lithuania and Poland: the spread of "dynamic currency conversion". That's when you are offered the option of sterling rather than local currency when settling a bill with plastic. Always choose local: merchants and banks combine to try to extract an extra 10 per cent from international visitors. And beware traders who make the choice for you – then, when you complain, blame the card machine. |
|
|
Each week, we'll invite you to vote in our exclusive Travel Week poll, where two travel experiences go head-to-head. This Friday, we're delving into two of Portugals most beautiful cities and asking: Would you rather spend a long weekend in the capital Lisbon, or explore the smaller city of Porto? Let us know by selecting the photo above. In last week's poll, 66 per cent of you said you'd prefer the luxury of a country house hotel over the DIY vibes of an Airbnb. |
|
|
Early dinners in Mallorca |
Many British visitors to Spain struggle to cope with the traditional dining hours, with evening meals sometimes not starting until 10pm. But there are signs that restaurants may be opening earlier. Restaurateur Marc Fosh told The Independent's daily travel podcast: "I think that's actually changing. Here in Mallorca, it's getting earlier and earlier – which is nice for us, to be honest, in the restaurant." Many hospitality staff prefer to finish before midnight.
The Michelin-starred chef said:"More and more Spanish people are getting used to eating early. We open at 7.30pm, for example, in the evening, so it's a reasonable time to come for dinner. When you come to a restaurant like ours, the tasting menu might take two hours at least, so you don't want to come too late." But, he added: "In Madrid it's still very late." |
Storm warning for SE England trains |
Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Thameslink and Southern services today could be disrupted by thunderstorms predicted from around noon until the early hours of Saturday. The train operators say they hope to run a full service, but warn: "Heavy rain and lightning can disrupt train journeys, and when this happens, it tends to occur at very short notice. There is a chance of flooding, and also some electrical damage if lightning strikes technical equipment. Please leave plenty of time, and check your train before you go to the station." |
|
|
| Save on this thrilling overnight murder mystery break for two from Buyagift. Enjoy a gripping evening, a three-course dinner and cooked breakfast at a choice of UK locations. Multiple dates and venues available. Learn more. |
|
| Hopping over to Kangaroo Island? |
|
|
We will be visiting our daughter in Australia this November and will spend some time in Adelaide en route. We would also like to visit Kangaroo Island. Is this do-able on a day trip or would you recommend a stay on the island? |
|
|
Kangaroo Island lies west of Cape Jervis in South Australia, which itself is about 100km southwest of the state capital, Adelaide. It is Australia's third-largest island, after Tasmania and Melville Islands in the Northern Territory – and bigger than some sizeable English counties, such as Kent and Cornwall. Yet if you want simply to see some highlights there are plenty of tours that will take you there for the day. They mostly involve the ferry from Cape Jervis – a 45-minute voyage to Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island.
Three main island attractions are on the western half of the south coast: sea lions frolicking at Seal Bay Conservation Park; the weirdly sculpted Remarkable Rocks on the edge of the Southern Ocean; and the boardwalk descent towards another natural feature, Admirals Arch, at Kangaroo Island's version of Land's End. The other essential: Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park, plumb in the middle of the island, where you can see the island's distinctive kangaroos – shorter, stockier and darker than the mainland marsupials. If time and money are not on your side, go for the Sealink one-day trip from Adelaide, costing around $300 (£145). While it is a long day – 16 hours – you will get a sense of the island.
Ideally, though, make it a longer adventure: three days with a rental car from Adelaide. This will allow you to pause and enjoy the scenery of the Fleurieu Peninsula along the way rather than racing through to Cape Jervis. More importantly, it will give you time to appreciate the island in more depth. In particular, you should sample at least a few hours on of the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail. The stretch of this trans-island path running east from the Southern Ocean Lodge is particularly rewarding for both coastal views and inland nature. |
|
|
| Oral-B'S iO3 electric toothbrush is better than half price and includes a handy travel case. |
|
|
| Answr's award-winning hair removal drop is carry-on approved and perfect for travel! Use code: DEAL15 to save. |
|
|
| Be the first to see big travel stories by following me on X/Twitter @SimonCalder. My direct messages are open – and I try to reply to as many as possible. |
|
|
| Follow me on Instagram @Simon_Calder. Join me here live every weekend at 5.30pm British time as I answer your travel questions. |
|
|
Join the conversation or follow us |
| |
Download the free Independent app |
|
|
Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Travel newsletter. To unsubscribe from The Independent's Travel newsletter, or to manage your email preferences please click here. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345
Read our privacy policy and cookie policy
|
|
|
|
0 comentários:
Postar um comentário