Travel
Airlines including Ryanair, Jet2 and easyJet give new updates on when flights will resume
Fingers crossed!
Ryanair, TUI, easyJet, Jet2 and other airlines have released more updates on the likelihood of holidays going ahead.
Many people are wondering when they will be able to go on holiday again, especially as we’ve been in the midst of a thunderstorm all week and are craving some sun.
Major airlines are providing new updates to the dates and lifting of travel restrictions each week, and a number are now planning a gradual return.
This week, easyJet has resumed flights across the UK and France and it looks like many others will ramp up their flights over the next few weeks too.
However, the UK Foreign Office’s warning regarding non-essential travel remains the same – that all international travel other than essential travel is advised against.
The government has also now imposed a mandatory 14-day quarantine policy for anybody arriving in the UK.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab was asked on BBC Breakfast why Brits aren’t being questioned for leaving the country. He said: “That is a fundamental misunderstanding of Foreign Office travel advice.
“We – based on the risk to UK travellers abroad because of terrorism or because of Covid-19 or the vulnerability of the systems in the country – give advice.”
He added that the final decision of travel is for the traveller themselves to make.
TUI had previously announced that it would be restarting travel on July 1st, however this has been pushed back a further nine days with trips on or before July 10th being cancelled.
The tour operator has revealed that they are confident things will restart soon with partial operations this summer. They also revealed that winter holidays are up by 6% and summer 2021 looks promising.
Jet2 has recently pushed back restarting flights from June 17th to July 1st. However, the most recent updates look to July 15th as the date operations will commence.
The company said in a statement: “Due to the ongoing uncertainty caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we’ve decided to recommence our flights programme on 15 July 2020. If you’re travelling before this date, unfortunately, your booking will be affected as our flights won’t be operating.
Ryanair has said that 40% of its regular flight schedule will resume on July 1st, with CEO Eddie Wilson saying: “Ryanair will be offering up to 1,000 daily flights from 1 July, and we have a range of low fare seat sales, perfect for that summer getaway, which we know many parents and their kids will be looking forward to as we move out of lockdown and into the school holidays.”
He continued: “All Ryanair flights will operate with new health guidelines in place, which will require all passengers (and Ryanair crews) to wear face masks at all times in the airport terminals and on board our aircraft, in compliance with EU guidelines.
easyJet restarted some domestic flights on June 15th within the UK and France. They state that almost half their routes will be open by the end of July and a further 25% by the end of August.
Between July and September flights will be at a lower frequency than normal, meaning easyJet will be operating at around 30% its normal capacity.
Virgin Atlantic has announced its plans to restart passenger flights on July 20th, with flights from London Heathrow to Orlando, Hong Kong, Shanghai, New York and Los Angeles. More destinations are expected to be added in August.
Norwegian has announced that flights to and from UK airports will begin on July 1st on four main routes that will connect Gatwick and Edinburgh with Oslo and Copenhagen.
The airline’s chief executive, Jacob Schram, said: “Feedback from our customers has shown that they are keen to get back in the air and resume their travels with Norwegian beyond the current domestic services that we have been operating.”
Air Malta is set to commence its summer schedule on July 1st flying to 22 destinations within Europe. Flights from Manchester Airport will begin in August.
There will be flights to Rome, Lyon, Marseille, Catania, Munich, Frankfurt, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Vienna, Zurich, Geneva, and Prague. From July 15th there will also be operating flights to Amsterdam, Brussels, Milan, London Heathrow, Lisbon, Madrid, Palermo, Paris Charles De Gaulle and Orly.
Travel
This gorgeous Greek island is paying people €500 a month to live there
Fancy packing up your family and moving to a secluded paradise?
The stunning Greek island of Antikythera is welcoming new inhabitants and will pay them €500 a month to live there.
This idyllic 20 sq km paradise has plenty of beautiful empty beaches where you’re sure to find a peaceful spot all to yourself.
There is something a little disconcerting about taking a lone ferry ride to a remote island and stepping foot onto eerily quiet shores as the boat heads back to civilisation, leaving you among just a few dozen residents already living there.
In stark contrast to the bustling and noisy holiday resorts in Greece and its popular islands that fill up especially during the summer holidays, this island is so quiet there’s no continuous droning of traffic and you may even be able hear your own pulse.
If you’re not much of a people person and you’re very happy spending time in your own company, this offer could be the one to entice you.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to get away from the hustle and bustle and live life a little slower, in a serene and simple paradise?
Well, you’re in luck because the small remote island of Antikythera is ready to move new families to its gorgeous land and make it their home.
Not only that, you will be paid to make the move. Antikythera will pay families an allowance of €500 a month to live there for three years, as well as receiving housing and land.
While moving your family to a remote Greek island isn’t to everybody’s taste, the cash incentive might help those with a bit of an adventurous streak to take the leap of faith and give it a try.
While it doesn’t have any supermarkets, petrol stations, banks, ATMs or even taxis, the island is currently under development. It does have its own source of water, an autonomous power station and internet connection for those wondering.
Antikythera, a two-hour ferry ride from Crete, only has one coffee shop – a kafeneion – which also serves as a grocery store and meeting place for its current islanders.
The boat which supplies the island with food and gas cannot dock in especially stormy seas – which is, apparently, a fairly common occurrence in winter.
One interesting fact about this island is the discovery site of one of the oldest analogic computers ever found, the Antikythera Mechanism.
Built sometime around 150 and 100 BC, its gear wheels and clockwork mechanism were used to predict astronomical positions, eclipses, orbits, and even mark the four-year period between each Olympic Games.
The selection process for families could take a good while to complete, so you can sit back and relax – once you’ve packed your life up – in the meantime.
Be sure to do your homework and make sure this is the right move for you and your family if you’re thinking about it.
Travel
Shrek’s ‘moss-covered’ swamp home is now available to rent on Airbnb
Fans now have the opportunity to stay in his humble abode free of charge
Shrek fans can now live out their dream and stay in the huge, green ogre’s swamp home – now listed on Airbnb.
The ‘mud-laden, moss-covered’ real-life recreation of Shrek’s Swamp is located within the grounds of Ardverikie Estate, in the Scottish Highlands.
The idea for the cosy forest hideout is inspired by DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek film series, released between 2001 and 2010.
Airbnb released the listing on Tuesday, with Shrek enthusiasts able to book overnight stays from Friday, October 27th to Sunday, October 29th.
The live-in tree stump features a studio layout with two beds and one bathroom, where up to three guests at a time can make a reservation for free.
The short and long-term home stays firm said the offer is ‘a nod to the priceless refuge Shrek’s Swamp has provided fairytale creatures of all kinds’.
The murky den features ‘Danger’, ‘Beware Ogre’ and ‘Stay Out’ signs on the path leading up to the quirky property. But once inside, it is delightfully snug and inviting.
The unusual listing is hosted by Shrek’s animated sidekick, Donkey, who has agreed to ‘swamp-sit’ in his absence.
About the charming mossy refuge, Donkey posted on Airbnb: “Shrek’s Swamp is lovely. Just beautiful. The perfect place to entertain guests.
“You know what I like about it? Everything. The overgrown landscaping, the modest interiors, the nice boulders, all of it.
“I can’t wait for guests to experience this muddy slice of paradise for themselves.”
To coincide with the launch, Airbnb will make a donation to HopScotch Children’s Charity, which provides some of Scotland’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged children with respite breaks through nurturing and dynamic holiday trips.
Anyone interested in staying in Shrek’s Swamp can request a reservation from 6pm on Friday, October 13th.
To book a stay, visit the Airbnb website, HERE.
Travel
First look at new Legoland holiday park opening in the UK next year
Young ones can play on climbing frames and rope bridges based on spider’s webs and treehouses
Legoland in Windsor has revealed a first look into its brand-new holiday park, opening in 2024.
The newly built Woodland Village with over 130 lodges and 20 camping barrels will open to the public next May, with overnight stays on sale now. Prices to stay on the 10-acre site start at £295 or a family of four.
While most lodges sleep up to five guests, with 10 premium lodges able to sleep up to seven people.
Features at the Woodland Village include The Clubhouse Restaurant & Bar, which will serve up campfire-inspired grub in a woodland-themed setting.
Youngsters can explore the several woodland-themed play areas equipped with climbing frames and rope bridges based on spider’s webs and treehouses.
The family attraction will also have brick-building activities, nature trails, an entertainment hub, and colourful new Lego characters.
Helen Bull, Division Director at Legoland Windsor Resort, said: “The LEGOLAND Woodland Village has been a long time coming and we’re incredibly excited to now be taking bookings ahead of the official opening in May 2024.
“This moment marks years of planning and unwavering dedication to providing a magical experience for all our guests.
“The LEGOLAND Woodland Village is part of a significant transformation for the LEGOLAND Windsor Resort and we look forward to welcoming families to this new way to stay next year!”
But this isn’t the only exciting new addition to a Legoland-themed attraction, as an adventure golf attraction will be opening this October.
Also next month, the Legoland Discovery Centres in Birmingham and Manchester will be hosting their own Monster Parties, with a series of spooky attractions for Halloween.
Meanwhile, the Legoland theme park is set to close the Viking River Splash – one of its most popular rides – by the end of the month. The park haven’t given a reason as to why, but the ride will become part of Viking history.
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