Travel

The first non-stop service between the UK and Taiwan arrived in London this week.  Having started its journey at Taipei’s Taoyuan International at 08:55 local time, the Airbus A350-900 undertook a 13 hour journey to arrive at London’s Gatwick airport. The first flight commemorates the start of the only non-stop service between Taiwan and the UK, and marks China Airlines’ return to the UK after a five year hiatus. The aircraft was greeted by water cannons on arrival to mark the occasion....

Christmas could be ruined for thousands of passengers with crackers, party poppers – and chestnuts – on many airlines’ naughty lists. Strict rules imposed by airports and airlines mean passengers aren’t always allowed to travel with these seasonal essentials - either in their hand luggage or checked bags. As a result of heightened security measures, the likes of Ryanair, Etihad, Emirates and Norwegian Airlines all have crackers on the no-fly list. Even those using airlines which do allow them can...

2017 will be remembered as the year that Ryanair  bosses got very red faces.  A bizarre decision to change their staff holiday entitlement proved to be a very poor judgement and left most of us thinking they should probably fire the person who made that call. Flight Chaos The changes they made resulted in many pilots and cabin crew having a lot of holiday entitlement to use up.  Knowing that it couldn’t really be denied the jaw-dropping decision was made...

It’s the time of year when Christmas market stalls are opening up, the glühwein is being warmed and antique fairground rides are coming back into action. The Christmas market is a longstanding tradition, but that doesn’t mean that tradition is followed without creative touches. Each offers its own unique slant, and of the many that are dotted around Europe, here are the most unique Christmas markets around. Valkenburg Christmas Markets, Netherlands The Netherlands is always a winner when it comes...

A retired couple took the trip-of-a-lifetime to visit their son in Hong Kong for his birthday – by travelling all the way there using only PUBLIC TRANSPORT. Phil and Emma Whiting spent three weeks aboard 16 different trains, travelling through Europe, across Russia, into Mongolia and eventually into the Chinese capital of Beijing. Their 12,000 miles of travels took them on buses, taxis, ferry boats, horses, a cable car and even on a fair amount of trekking on foot. Along...

Guess what? A toddler friendly hotel really does exist. Our lifestyle writer and mum of two Clair Hart, took her family to a boutique hotel that offers family time with a difference... A toddler friendly hotel with a difference Anybody with children knows that going on holiday or for a weekend away isn’t relaxing. The moment you kiss your baby for the first time, you kiss goodbye to those luxurious Mr & Mrs Smith nights away. Or that’s what we...

Thirty is the age we are at our most adventurous, according to a study. Researchers who polled 2,000 UK adults pinpointed the point when we're desperate to let our hair down and experience high-octane sports and new cultures. Upon reaching their third decade, those polled admitted they’re 'champing at the bit' to get away from the daily grind, having established themselves in their careers and social circles. The findings emerged after 59 per cent of the population said they tend...

By Phil Norris Pulling up outside Zadar's Old Town at dusk after a brief jaunt up the Adriatic Highway, I was acutely aware that this imposingly beautiful setting would be best accompanied by a frosty pivo. Over the next two days, I fulfilled this (admittedly very achievable) goal many times over, as I explored an offbeat city made up of brutal socialist-era architecture, winding Dubrovnik-esque alleys, Roman ruins, tourist-filled squares and tiny, dimly-lit watering holes. On the face of it, Zadar...

By Pat Levy Over the last couple of years Turkey has had a pretty bad press. On the border of  a devastating war zone,  damaged by political upheaval and terror attacks, trying  to accommodate thousands of refugees , its tourist industry is taking heavy body blows. Which is a terrible shame for those in Turkey whose livelihoods depend on tourism and for all travellers who enjoy new experiences. I spent a week in Cappadocia in central Turkey and experienced nothing...