UK tourists will have to fork out to visit a number of holiday hot spots next year thanks to the introduction of a new visa system.
The EU’s visa waiver policy will come into force from November 2023, meaning British visitors will need to pay for an electronic permit.
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), is designed to enhance security and enforce the borders of the Schengen zone, which includes popular holiday destinations such as Spain, Greece, Portugal and Italy.
The ETIAS will be required for anyone over the age of eighteen and under the age of seventy travelling to a European country, whether it be by airplane, boat or car.
Eugene Zhyvchik / Unsplash
Tourists will need a passport or equivalent document to apply, and it’s estimated that for the majority of people, ETIAS will be approved within minutes.
However, those who are flagged as a potential risk could face a wait of up to ninety-six hours.
The visa applications will ask questions regarding identity, passports, education, jobs, recent travel and any criminal convictions.
This new visa system will also replace the current system of passports being stamped, with the new visa documents to be scanned electronically instead.
Julian Dik / Unsplash
An ETIAS will reportedly cost €7 (£5), with successful applicants being permitted to travel within the Schengen Zone for up to ninety days per 180-day period.
The visa will remain valid for three years and for multiple trips to Europe, with people who apply during the transition period being permitted to use the permit for the next three years, unless their passport expires.
There are currently 26 countries in the Schengen Area, all of which will fall under the new system:
Austria
Belgium
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
The Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
For more information and to see if you’re eligible to apply for the new ETIAS visa, visit the official ETIAS website here.
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!
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…
“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.”
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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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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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.
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.
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.”
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.