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Travel

Thousands of tourists are still being let in to the UK every day

‘We’ve got no grounds to refuse them’

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Thousands of tourists from other countries are reportedly being allowed into the UK every day, at a time when British people are banned from going on holiday abroad.

According to Border Force estimates which have been shared with The Times, around 40% of the 20,000 people arriving at British borders daily are holidaymakers, which equates to about 8,000 tourists per day.

Hundreds of these visitors are granted holiday visas from the Home Office, with one traveller from Peru getting a visa after saying the reason for their UK trip was to ‘visit Big Ben’.

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A Border Force source revealed to the Times that hundreds of people coming to the UK each day are ‘basically coming here on a two-week holiday’, adding that the agency has ‘no grounds to refuse them’.

They said: “As long as they’ve got an address where they say they’ll quarantine, and they’ve completed their pre-departure tests, they’ve got their certificates and everything else, they’ve got means and a return ticket, we’ve got no grounds to refuse them.”

On average nearly half the people arriving here are tourists, but at Gatwick and the Eurostar Terminals that number jumps to 80 or 90%, according to the data from whistleblowers.

Portuguese Gravity / Unsplash

However, the Home Office has responded by saying it ‘does not recognise these figures’, insisting that ‘tough health measures’ are being enforced at airports, train stations and ports.

Minister for Future Borders and Immigration, Kevin Foster, said: “We do not recognise these figures. We are enforcing tough health measures at the border for the small minority of people coming to the UK, including those entering on a visitor visa for legitimate reasons.

“Since January 2021, we have paused all decisions on visitor visas to applicants applying from a ‘red list’ country or where it is apparent an applicant has visited one of those countries in the last ten days.

“Border Force officers also have the right to refuse entry to any visitor who they believe has travelled to the UK to carry out activities not permitted under current local health restrictions, such as holidays or tourism, or who will not comply with self-isolation and testing requirements.”

Travel

Wizz Air launch mystery holiday deal where you find out destination when you land

Enter the competition to win a ticket

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If you’re dreaming of catching a jet plane to just about anywhere, well Wizz Air have launched a holiday deal where the mystery location isn’t revealed until you land.

The Hungarian airline will take a plane full of holiday hopefuls from London Gatwick for a four-day mystery getaway as part of its #LetsGetLostwithWIZZ campaign.

Those who win a ticket to the unknown location, will turn up to London Gatwick on March 7th to board a Wizz Air flight for ‘four days of fun, including cultural, culinary and adventure activities’ – it could turn out to be the trip of a lifetime!

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To be in with a chance of winning a seat on the flight, UK residents can visit the Wizz Air’s Instagram page and follow the prompts on the Let’s Get Lost London pinned post.

“Entries close on February 22nd at 00.01am”, the low-cost airline says. 

The lucky chosen ones will be able to bring a plus one on the trip and winners will be contacted via Instagram.

In a post shared to its official Instagram page, the airline put: “It’s time to get onboard our latest venture to the unknown with Let’s Get Lost London, departing from London Gatwick to…

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“Do this by the 22nd February and you could be in with a chance of departing with us on an exciting flight to the unknown.

“The trip will take place between 7th – 10th March. Open to UK residents only, please make sure you’re following WIZZ on Instagram and that your profile is public.”

If you’re wondering whether you’ll need your bathing suit, suncream, hiking boots, rain coat or winter woollies, don’t worry, the 35 lucky winners will be told the climate to pack for a few days before the trip.

No other clues will be given away until touch down in the unknown destination.

UK Wizz Air Managing Director, Marion Geoffroy said: “We love connecting our passengers to new countries, allowing them to meet new people and try new experiences. 

“Going on a flight to an unknown destination is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we are pleased to be able to offer this to lucky winners here in the UK.

“Let’s Get Lost is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to our British passengers and we hope to continue serving them as they travel the world and make new memories.”

Pedro Szekely / Flickr

Wizz Air flies to more than 70 destinations from the UK. Last year, the most popular destinations among Brits included Morocco, Cyprus, Greece, Turkey and Spain.

It is unclear whether the airline will jet the 35 lucky ticket holders and plus ones off to one of its more popular destination choices, or whether it will choose to take them somewhere a little more alternative and secluded.

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Travel

P&O launches ‘80s and ‘90s themed mini cruises to Amsterdam from £89

Sounds great!

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P&O is offering two-day ‘80s and ‘90s mini cruises to the Netherlands from £89.

If you’re curious about going on a cruise but not sure you could manage a long trip, look no further because P&O is offering short cruises to the Netherlands, perfect for you to give it a try.

The cruise line company has a wave of deals on mini cruises so you don’t have to splash out. But these aren’t just any old cruises, they are ‘80s and ‘90s themed cruises playing music from both decades for all those who love a bit of nostalgia.

P&O

First-time cruisers can travel between Hull and Rotterdam, and go on a day trip to Amsterdam, with return ticket prices starting from £89 per person.

The mini cruises include a two-night stay in an en-suite cabin, sailing across the North Sea from Hull to Rotterdam and back.

These short themed cruises will be filled with music, fun and entertainment for all to enjoy on board during the journey. 

Tambako The Jaguar / Flickr

The Jam’d Mini Cruise welcomes guests to party like it’s 1985 and prepare for a mini cruise full of the ‘nuttiest, loudest and best loved tracks from the ’80s onwards’.

Live tribute bands The Jam’d and Ultimate Madnezz will play on board to keep the ‘80s party flowing as it sets sail for Rotterdam on Friday, March 8th 2024.

And that’s not all – when you arrive in Rotterdam, you’ll also enjoy return coach transfers to Amsterdam for your day trip.

P&O

A P&O spokesperson said: “The Jam’d’ are now the UK’s best-known and most popular tribute to the live performance and sound of The Jam, and are totally committed to giving an unforgettable, authentic performance with all the energy, passion and style of the Woking three.”

The ’90s Mini Cruise sets sail from Hull on Friday, February 23rd 2024, offering guests a nostalgic throwback filled with all your favourite music of the decade.

P&O promises a voyage packed full of incredible entertainment including live bands, DJ’s, and a dynamic live production on stage – all while you sail to the Netherlands.

P&O

Entertainment will be provided by Ultra 90s – a ‘premier Dance Anthem Production Show’, which promises to ‘take you back to the most exciting musical movement in decades – the unforgettable era of dance anthems!’

Take That tribute band Re-Take That will also be performing.

After a night of entertainment, cruisers will disembark the ship in Rotterdam, and take a coach for a day trip to Amsterdam.

John Morgan / Flickr

Holidaymakers can explore the city’s elaborate canals lined with beautiful architecture and visit art galleries and museums before tucking into local cuisine. Whatever you choose to do in this fascinating city, you’re sure to have a fantastic time on a short Amsterdam break.

So, if you’re thinking about trying a cruise and love the ‘80s and ‘90s, you can book a ticket today on a P&O Ferries Amsterdam Mini-Cruise and make the most of a short break in the ‘Dam. Click HERE to book and find out more.

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Travel

EasyJet launches ‘grans go free’ holiday deal on trips to Europe

The operator wants to encourage families to go on holiday with three generations or more

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EasyJet Holidays has announced it is offering ‘grans go free’ places on family holidays to Europe.

It comes after research found half of families had never gone on a holiday abroad with their grandparents.

The ‘first of its kind’ offer will allow one grandparent on the trip to travel free of charge to countries including Spain, Greece and Italy.

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The deal has been launched as part of easyJet’s Big Orange Sale where holidaymakers can save up to £400 on trips, though places are limited and the offer will end soon.

The tour operator says it hopes the deal will encourage Britons to go on ‘3G’ holidays – with families of three generations or more.

In easyJet’s survey of 2,000 British adults, just over half said they regret not spending more time with grandparents and hoped to take them on upcoming holidays. 

Dronpicr / Wikimedia

Matt Callaghan, chief operating officer at easyJet holidays, said the company was proud to offer ‘thousands of free kids places’ but also wanted to ‘recognise the grandparents’.

The poll found that 77% of Brits agreed the bond between grandparents and grandchildren was one of the most special relationships within a family. Yet, 27% of those who took the survey said they spoke to their grandparents less than once a week.

Mr Callaghan said: “This research shows how important grandparent and grandchild relationships are and how much can be learned from making time for them.

“We’ve launched our ‘grans go free’ offer to tighten these important family relationships.”

Rob Mitchell / Flickr

The offer begins today February 1st and will be available for a limited number of customers only, with the easyJet Holidays website saying the offer ‘ends soon’. The operator said some additional spaces would also open on Monday (February 5th).

To qualify for the deal, the grandparent must be travelling as part of a family booking with at least one child.

To find out more about the easyJet Holidays ‘grans go free’ offer, click HERE.

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