Author: Brian Ogle

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ABTA has launched new guidance to help travellers consider accessibility and assisted travel needs when planning a holiday, travelling on business or visiting family and friends. 

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TRAVELLERS are being urged to be aware of an important ESTA update when heading to the United States or travelling through the United States.

JET2 is partnering with global tours and activities business Musement to offer an extensive selection of excursions, activities and attraction tickets for customers travelling on a Jet2holidays package holiday or Jet2.com flight

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IN A bid to tackle overcrowding at one of Italy’s most popular tourist attractions, visitors hoping to visit the Trevi Fountain in Rome will now have to pay €2 admission fee.

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UK tour operators are anticipating a surge in travel to the Far East following the visit of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to Beijing last week.

…. AS EMIRATES LANDS IN CORK AND DUBLIN FOR RECRUITMENT EVENTS

AS THE UAE (United Arab Emirates) designates 2026 as the Year of the Family, two Irish sisters from Kilkenny are living proof that family bonds can stretch far beyond home, right across the globe.

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A GROWINGT shift toward slow, more considered travel is reshaping how older UK travellers plan their European holidays, with multi-destination itineraries fast emerging as a preferred alternative to traditional fly-and-return breaks.

While rail journeys have long been synonymous with the slow travel movement, the trend is now expanding. Increasingly, mature travellers are choosing carefully curated European itineraries that combine two or three destinations in a single trip, reducing the need for multiple flights while offering a richer, more immersive experience.
Driven by heightened awareness of environmental impact, rising flight costs, and a desire to travel with greater purpose, this approach allows travellers to enjoy fewer airport touchpoints, smoother journeys, and a more relaxed pace. By linking destinations seamlessly, travellers are also finding better value for money and making smarter use of their time abroad.
According to Jason Waldron, spokesperson for luxury escape specialist Super Escapes Travel, this marks one of the most significant behavioural shifts among the brand’s core audience over the past year.
“Customers are increasingly looking for journeys that feel purposeful rather than piecemeal,” says Waldron. “They want holidays that flow naturally, where each destination adds something different to the experience without feeling rushed or fragmented.”
Super Escapes Travel Responds with Thoughtfully Designed Multi-Stop Itineraries
In response to this evolving demand, Super Escapes Travel has expanded its product offering with a new collection of multi-stop European itineraries tailored specifically for older travellers. These trips prioritise comfort, convenience, and cultural depth, with centrally located hotels, seamless transfers between destinations, and itineraries designed to allow guests time to truly savour each place.
Rather than ticking off cities at speed, the focus is on balance, pairing contrasting destinations such as coastal retreats and historic capitals, or vibrant cultural hubs and quieter scenic regions, all while minimising unnecessary travel stress.
Example Multi-Destination Escape
Super Escapes Travel reports particularly strong demand for itineraries that make the most of Europe’s close proximity, often using rail to connect cities and reduce internal flight legs.
Prague & Budapest Twin-Centre City Break
A 4-night twin-centre break combining two iconic Central European capitals. Guests stay at the Wenceslas Square Hotel in Prague and the Bohem Art Hotel in Budapest on a room-only basis. The itinerary includes flights into Prague and return flights from Budapest, with rail travel between the two cities included. Departs London on selected March 2026 dates (1st, 3rd, 8th, 11th and 15th) from £179pp, http://www.superescapes.co.uk | 0203 883 8242
Waldron notes that combinations like this are proving particularly popular with travellers seeking a fuller holiday experience without increasing travel fatigue or carbon footprint.
“By combining destinations, travellers feel they’re getting more from one carefully planned trip, rather than spreading themselves thin across multiple short breaks,” he adds.
A More Mindful Approach to Travel
Waldron believes this evolution reflects a broader shift in how older travellers view holidays today.
“Slow travel is no longer just about taking the train, it’s about taking your time,” he says. “We’re seeing travellers become more mindful of spend and more selective about the trips they take. That means fewer holidays across the year, but ones that last a little longer and offer greater value. People are choosing to invest more in the experiences that matter, and we expect this trend to continue.
“We’re seeing a clear shift toward experience-led itineraries – travellers want the moments that make a place memorable, whether that’s food and wine, history and culture, or simply the feeling of living like a local for a few days. Twin- and triple-centre trips make that easier because they create variety without the stress of constantly moving or re-starting a holiday.”
For more hand-picked destinations and short-haul luxury escapes, visit
www.superescapes.co.uk

Swimming lessons are mandatory

BATHING in thermal baths is an Icelandic tradition that dates back to the settlement period and continues to be a vital part of the local culture that utilises the naturally renewable geothermal waters.
The famous Blue Lagoon opened over 30 years ago and today there are 11 spa facilities operating all around Iceland with four more under construction and 12 others in various stages of development.Geothermal pools are found in communities across the country – at last count there were 120 public pools and swimming lessons are even mandatory in schools. In fact, Iceland’s bathing culture is so special it has recently been added to UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. 

Drinking beer was illegal in Iceland for 74 years

ICELAND banned beer in 1915 as part of a wider alcohol prohibition. While wine and spirits were later legalised, beer remained banned until 1st March 1989, which is now celebrated annually as Beer Day. The ban was due to concerns over heavy drinking as well as political tensions with Denmark, where most beer was imported from. Today, Iceland has a thriving craft beer scene, with breweries having opened all over the country and even a spa in the north, where visitors can bathe in beer at  Bjórböðin Spa, which can be booked all year round and has access to some of Iceland’s most famous beers.

It’s possible to dive between two continents

ONE of the most unique diving experiences in the world can be found in Iceland’s Silfra Fissure. Located in Þingvellir National Park in South Iceland, this underwater rift lies between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Divers and snorkellers can literally swim between continents in the crystal-clear glacial waters, with visibility reaching over 100 metres. The dramatic rock formations and vibrant shades of blue make this a once-in-a-lifetime experience for adventure seekers. 

Iceland doubled as the moon

SPACE tourism is now taking off with celebrity flights, but did you know that back in the 1960s, Iceland’s lunar landscapes doubled as the moon for Apollo astronauts?  In 1965 and 1967, NASA sent groups of astronauts, including Neil Armstrong, to Iceland for geology field training because the rugged volcanic terrain resembled the moon’s surface, providing the perfect place to test out kit and prepare for the journey of a lifetime.

The ground is hot enough to bake bread

‘HVERABRAUD’’ or geothermal bread, is a traditional Icelandic rye bread that is slow-baked underground using the heat of natural hot springs. The dough is placed in a pot, buried in the hot earth, and left to cook for up to 24 hours. The result is a dense, sweet loaf often served with salted butter or smoked trout for a taste of traditional Icelandic cuisine.

Visitors can see eight volcanoes on one drive

KNOWN as ‘Eldfjallaleiðin’ in Icelandic, the Volcanic Way in South Iceland and the Reykjanes Peninsula is a 700km route featuring eight major volcanoes: Fagradalsfjall, Hengill, Hekla, Eyjafjallajökull, Eldfell, Katla, Lakagígar, and Öræfajökull. This scenic journey includes diverse landscapes such as lava fields, hot springs, black sand beaches, 17 towns and villages and sub-glacial volcanoes. Highlighting slow travel, it encourages visitors to fully experience the region’s geological wonders and local culture, promoting sustainability and environmental interaction. The route consists mostly of paved lowland roads with a speed limit of 90 km/h. It is accessible year-round, and it’s recommended to take one day for each of the eight stages to fully appreciate the experience.

They have more than 100 words for wind in Icelandic

GIVEN Iceland’s varied weather and climate, it’s no wonder that the Icelandic people have so many words for wind. With more than 100 words dedicated to different types of wind, Icelanders have finely tuned descriptions for everything from a gentle breeze ‘andvari’ to a powerful storm ‘hríð’. 

Iceland is home to the world’s largest Atlantic puffin colony

ON the Westman Islands Vestmannaeyjar (an archipelago of 15 islands and 30 rock stacks off the South Coast of Iceland) lives the world’s largest Atlantic puffin colony. Each year between May and September, 10 million puffins nest in Iceland, with many flocking to the Westman Islands. At the end of the season, the birds often get confused by the lights of the town as they try to make their way towards the sea, and it has become a tradition for children to rescue them and guide them towards the water. Puffins can be seen on tours of the Westman Islands, which also include outdoor activities, culinary adventures, and whale watching.

The Icelandic horse is the only horse breed in Iceland  

ORIGINALLY brought by Norse settlers between the 9th and 10th centuries, Icelandic horses have been isolated for more than 1,000 years. To uphold this exclusivity, Iceland has strict import laws: once an Icelandic horse leaves the country, it can’t come back, and it is not legal to import other horse breeds. The result is a breed with unique characteristics that has long been protected from equine diseases.

Iceland remains a top book-publishing nation

ICELAND was leading the world per capita before the UK took the top spot and one of the top drivers of this phenomenon is Jólabókaflóð (or Christmas book flood), the tradition of buying and giving books for Christmas. The first and only Icelandic recipient of the Nobel Prize in any category, celebrated author Halldór Kiljan Laxness was awarded a Nobel Prize in Literature in 1995. Iceland Noir festival started as a celebration of crime fiction in 2013 but has evolved to showcase works of all genres. Highlights from the 2025 line up included legendary author George R.R. Martin, creator of the A Song of Ice and Fire series, the inspiration for HBO’s Game of Thrones and Hwang Dong-hyuk, the creator of the Netflix thriller Squid Game.

Iceland leads in gender equality

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EMIRATES airline achieved an unprecedented clean sweep at the recent annual Irish Travel Industry Awards, winning all four categories in which it was nominated.
• Airline of the Year – Best Long haul
• Airline of the Year – Best Business Class
• Airline Trade Team of the Year
• Sustainable Travel Company of the Year
Anita Thomas, Emirates Country Manager for Ireland joined her team in celebrating the win at Dublin’s Mansion House and said: “To be recognised by our peers in the travel industry is a huge honour, and I’m thrilled to accept these awards on behalf of both the airline, and my team.  We are committed to providing exceptional travel experiences to our customers, and these awards inspire us to continue raising the bar.”
The multiple-award achievement highlights Emirates’ leadership in the aviation industry, particularly in terms of passenger experience. Customers travelling with Emirates enjoy the warm hospitality of the airline’s multinational crew, regionally inspired meals, and award-winning inflight entertainment system that offers up to 6,500 channels of the best movies, TV shows, podcasts and more.
Passengers travelling in Business and First Class also experience an essence of Ireland onboard with VOYA bathroom amenities, Keogh’s Crisps and Killowen yogurt.
Emirates boosted its operations in Ireland last year adding a third daily service to the Dublin–Dubai route for the busy October to March period.  The airline also launched its retrofitted Boeing 777 in Ireland, with stylish interiors and new, award-winning Premium Economy cabin, together with the latest Business Class experience.
The Irish Travel Industry Awards bring together the travel industry’s leading figures to celebrate and showcase excellence in the delivery of travel services to both leisure and business customers.

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PASSENGERS at Britain’s biggest airport, Heathrow, can now leave liquids in containers up to two litres in their bags while going through security.