While no one enjoys The Independent's daily political newsletter View from Westminster more than I do, many of us try to escape the barrage of backstabbing and by-elections by heading abroad. Yet increasingly many people are travelling to explore other countries' political landscapes. Political Tours, a travel company led by reporters around the world, is filling its tours fast. "People really want to get under the skin of a place," says the director, Nicholas Wood. "Going with a journalist is the best way to understand how the world works. We're living through very interesting times. Why is that? Go and find out for yourself."
Nicholas navigates through a series of political hotspots: "We've got Hungary next week, Taiwan the week after, Turkey in May, Lithuania and Poland in June to look at Nato and relations with Russia." The Mexican tour in September still has space available: this week's turmoil may either deter you or spark your interest (see the poll later in this newsletter).
After that you could head north of the border. "We've got a tour to the US midterm elections in October and November, which is selling like hot cakes," he says. "The catch is that because we've travelled to so many odd and interesting places – Iran, North Korea, Cuba – you've got to get a proper visa. My visa is up for renewal, so I've got to sort that out." Then there is the prospect of US Customs and Border Protection scrolling through your social media activity.
On the subject of red tape: after China scrapped visas for British travellers last week, could India follow? The world's two most populous countries both offer intriguing culture stretching back for millennia, delicious cuisine and joyful travelling. The People's Republic is now fully open for British holidaymakers; I will arrive there on Monday. In contrast, India's tortuous visa system remains a serious deterrent to travellers: you could book an expensive trip only to find your eVisa application is refused for unknown reasons. I invested the necessary and gruelling online hours and secured a permit before booking flights for my Indian winter trip in December. But China is now the simple alternative.
Independent Trips: Join us for an adventure through Morocco Scandi thriller: New train to connect Denmark, Sweden and Oslo Spanish practice: Barcelona to double hotel taxes from April Blame game: When airline and agent point fingers at each other Mexican ways: Why I keep returning to Mexico |
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Worth the effort: the people and cuisine in Amritsar justify any amount of red tape |
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| Inspired by the Winter Olympics, Rashmi Narayan remembers her trip to Ladakh. Read more. |
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| After a year of political disruption, Cambodia has become a celebrated destination in its own right. Read more. |
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| An outstanding stay for luxury lovers who want to be close to the action in Italy's fashion capital. Read more. |
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| Stretching along the Mediterranean coastline, Andalucia's blessed with sun-kissed shores and charming resorts – and you can experience it for less, with £100pp off all Jet2holidays! Find out more |
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My week has been dominated by the full implications of the UK electronic travel authorisation being made mandatory from Wednesday. I have been covering the ETA since it was first announced three years ago. For almost all that time, my concerns have been two-fold: will overseas visitors be aware of the requirement, and will the cost and complexity deter some inbound tourism? But I failed to spot, in the legal texts, the significant effects on dual nationals planning trips from their adopted country to the UK. It is only in the past six weeks that I, and many prospective travellers, have become aware of the impact on the "dormant diaspora". Someone who is British by birth or descent may happily have been coming and going for years on their passport from Australia, Canada or Singapore. They could have allowed their UK passport to lapse because it did not appear to provide any extra value. Others may never have had one, having inherited Britishness from a parent – indeed, they might not even have realised that they were British citizens, as the rules for transmitting citizenship have changed several times over the years. Yet these people have learnt they must change their travel arrangements. UK citizens cannot apply for an ETA on a foreign passport. So anyone planning a trip to the mother country must try to renew their British passport (£94.50); renounce their UK citizenship (fee £482); or spend £589 on a "certificate of entitlement" – a digital verification that the holder has the right of abode in the UK. But trips in the near future may prove impossible: these processes take weeks. Which is why, at the 11th hour, the Home Office introduced a workaround. Airlines can accept an expired British passport issued at any time since 1989, along with a valid foreign passport. The biographical details – full name, date and place of birth – must match exactly. This will prove a problem for someone whose name has changed since the now-expired UK passport was issued. The Home Office says airlines can choose whether to allow the two-passport combination. Six carriers have confirmed to me that they will permit travel: British Airways, easyJet, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, United and Virgin Atlantic. Others have given answers hedged with uncertainty. But I reckon the current/expired passport combination will swiftly be adopted as an option for all airlines flying to the UK. Expired passports will be regarded as proof of citizenship until, well, their owners expire. |
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| The best wireless chargers for hassle-free travel |
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Essential listening: Independent travel podcasts |
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After the upsurge in Mexican drug cartel violence, would you visit Mexico? |
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As amber spreads across the Foreign Office map of Mexico following an upsurge in drug cartel violence, I want to know if you would still visit Mexico? Are tourist resorts such as Cabo calling, or is ongoing cartel violence not worth the risk? Vote using the buttons above. Reacting to last week's poll, six in ten readers said they do drink alcohol on flights, suggesting the post-take-off tipple remains a firm part of the travel ritual for most. |
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Egypt visa fee rises on Sunday |
The price of an Egyptian visa rises on 1 March from $25 (£18) to $30 (£22). Discover Egypt boss Philip Breckner says: "To be fair, this is the first increase in many years." If you are travelling only on a short holiday to the Sinai Peninsula, flying into Sharm El Sheikh, you do not need a visa. Going elsewhere in Egypt? You could apply for an eVisa online by tomorrow – use only the official site, visa2egypt.gov.eg. But it is a clunky process to save a few quid. I suggest you simply turn up armed with $30 in US currency to buy the visa on arrival at the Egyptian airport. |
Gibraltar to get Schengen rules |
The final frontier? Almost a decade after the UK voted to leave the European Union, one last border issue appears to have been resolved. A treaty on Gibraltar's status has been agreed, meaning British visitors to the Rock will be checked by Spanish frontier officials. Should their passport be valid for the British Overseas Territory but fail to meet the more stringent Schengen area rules, they will be sent home on the next plane. Holders of Irish passports, or any identity document issued by an EU nation, will be allowed entry to Gibraltar up to the document's expiry date. There is likely to be a fast track for EU arrivals. |
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I am travelling to Grenada next week. Any recommendations? |
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Grenada is the ideal small Caribbean island. It has flights from London on both British Airways from Gatwick and Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow (though they require a stop in St Lucia and Barbados respectively). Islanders are welcoming. The capital, St George's, is beautifully situated on a pretty harbour and boasts some impressive 18th- and 19th-century architecture. Two highlights help Grenada stand out above other islands. The first is the chance to take a hike into the rainforest at the heart of the island – best enjoyed on an organised trip, as it can get tricky underfoot. Even better is the underwater sculpture park in the Moliniere-Beauséjour Marine Protected Area. You need only be a competent snorkeller to dive below the surface and see works of art in a wholly original setting. |
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| | Save on a romantic Lake District getaway in Bowness-on-Windermere with this two or three-night stay at Aphrodites Boutique Suites. Selected dates available throughout March. Learn more. |
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| Get behind the wheel of a classic car and enjoy the ride of a lifetime – now £40 at Buyagift. Valid for 12 months, with bookings at seven UK locations on selected dates. Learn more. |
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| Book your dream Caribbean getaway for less with Sandals' special offers. Enjoy all-inclusive, adult-only luxury with premium dining, entertainment, airport transfers and more. Flexible dates and departures available. Learn more. |
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| Flying soon? Stay comfy in the air with these travel socks from the London Sock Company. Use code "BOOST" for a discount! |
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| Get some shut-eye on long journeys – this blackout sleep mask is just £8 for Prime members. |
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