travel

Barcelona ending apartment rentals by foreign tourists

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CNN – Barcelona, a top Spanish holiday destination, announced on Friday that it will bar apartment rentals to tourists by 2028, an unexpectedly drastic move as it seeks to rein in soaring housing costs and make the city liveable for residents.

The city’s leftist mayor, Jaume Collboni, said that by November 2028, Barcelona will scrap the licenses of the 10,101 apartments currently approved as short-term rentals.

“We are confronting what we believe is Barcelona’s largest problem,” Collboni told a city government event.

The boom in short-term rentals in Barcelona, Spain’s most visited city by foreign tourists, means some residents cannot afford an apartment after rents rose 68% in the past 10 years and the cost of buying a house rose by 38%, Collboni said. Access to housing has become a driver of inequality, particularly for young people, he added.

National governments relish the economic benefits of tourism – Spain ranks among the top-three most visited countries in the world – but with local residents priced out in some places, gentrification and owner preference for lucrative tourist rentals are increasingly a hot topic across Europe.

Local governments have announced restrictions on short-term rentals in places such as Spain’s Canary Islands, Lisbon and Berlin in the past decade.

Spain’s Socialist housing minister, Isabel Rodriguez, said she supported Barcelona’s decision.

“It’s about making all the necessary efforts to guarantee access to affordable housing,” she posted on X.

Vacation rentals platform Airbnb, which hosts a significant number of Barcelona listings, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

“Collboni is making a mistake that will lead to (higher) poverty and unemployment,” Barcelona’s tourist apartments association APARTUR said in a statement, adding the ban would trigger a rise in illegal tourist apartments.

Hotels stand to benefit from the move. The opening of new hotels in the city’s most popular areas was banned by a far-left party governing Barcelona between 2015 and 2023, but Collboni has signaled he could relax the restriction.

“Those 10,000 apartments will be used by the city’s residents or will go on the market for rent or sale,” Collboni said of the measure.

Barcelona’s local government said in a statement it would maintain its “strong” inspection regime to detect potential illegal tourist apartments once the ban comes into force.

No new tourist apartments have been allowed in the city in recent years. The local government has ordered the shutting of 9,700 illegal tourist apartments since 2016 and close to 3,500 apartments have been recovered to be used as primary housing for local residents, it said.

The 5 cheapest countries to travel to

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According to MoneyWeek

5. COSTA RICA

Costa Rica tops the charts for the best place to retire in 2024, according to the latest index by International Living. The destination might be among the smaller Central American countries, but it has tonnes to offer. It’s a quiet destination with access to both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, jungles to explore, and volcanos to hike.

Average daily cost: £94

Average accommodation cost per person: £48

Average daily meals cost: £20

4. HUNGARY

Budapest is a beautiful historic city with lots to offer at affordable prices. The countryside is home to picturesque villages and beautiful valleys, rivers, thermal baths and mountains to enjoy. If you’re looking for a city break, there’s plenty to do with the capital broken up into two parts to explore – Buda (the quieter side of the city filled with sights to see) and Pest (an area filled with tourists and more hustle and bustle). 

Average daily cost: £55

Average accommodation cost per person: £27

Average daily meals cost: £14

3. THAILAND

Don’t be put off by expensive flight costs. If you’re looking to travel east, the lower cost of accommodation and meals in Thailand can make up for pricey flights. The country is known for its jungle temples, tropical beaches, delicious food and bustling cities. Again, Thailand offers the best of both worlds – you can find city life and night markets in Bangkok and Phuket, but if you’re looking for somewhere to wind down, its islands are a must including Koh Phi Phi and Koh Samui. 

Average daily cost: £67

Average accommodation cost per person: £29

Average daily meals cost: £14

2. INDONESIA

Bali regularly ranks as one of the best places to visit in the world, but with over 17,000 islands Indonesia has plenty to offer – from orangutan colonies to volcanoes to beautiful beaches, all of which you can enjoy for low prices. For a more city vibe, its capital Jakarta offers culture, museums and lively evenings. 

Average daily cost: £48

Average accommodation cost: £26

Average daily meals cost: £13

1. LAOS

This destination in southeast Asia remains the cheapest country to visit. Despite being landlocked, Laos boasts more than 4,000 islands to visit. Its natural beauty remains largely untouched, and visitors can enjoy tasty local food, jungle treks, and temple visits as well as waterfalls in the mainland.

Average daily cost: £12

Average accommodation cost: £5

Average daily meals cost: £5

One-bag packing hacks to change the way you travel

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by Jacks Flight Club

If you’ve ever tried flying anywhere on a budget, you’ve no doubt run into low-cost airlines like Ryanair, Wizz Air or easyJet. With fares that are often dirt-cheap, it’s hard not to be lured in…

But when it comes to actually booking your flight, you quickly find out that these prices come with seemingly endless additional fees for things we used to take for granted. Sitting with your travel companions, having a drink (even water!), and—their top moneymaker—bringing a regular-sized cabin bag onboard can apparently be classified as true luxury these days.

That’s where so-called “one bag travel” comes in. More than just a logical way of being tight-fisted and sticking it to the man by refusing to pay up, it’s become a whole way of life with a passionate online community. In fact, many travellers prefer the one-bag life, even when they don’t have to pay extra for a checked bag

how on earth are you meant to pack for anything longer than just a couple of days using only a “personal item”?

The community of minimalist packers over on One Bag Travel has most of the answers you could possibly want.

Their example packing lists for different lengths of trip and destination are good for inspiration, but it’s the Carry-On Travel Backpacks section that is worth its weight in gold (or would be, if it weighed anything). It’s basically a comprehensive database of backpacks suitable for use on different airlines, including dimensions, capacity, user reviews and links straight to Amazon.

Rummaging around the site, I also spotted an ‘ Ultimate Guide to Packing for Carry-On Only Travel’. There are lots of handy pointers there to get you thinking practically before you pack, especially when it comes to being selective about the clothes you bring. That said, I personally draw the line at the suggestion of only bringing one pair of underwear!

Check out these budget items from Temu

The single supplement—the bane of every solo traveller’s budget!

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For anyone who isn’t familiar, it’s a charge that anyone travelling alone may have come up against when booking hotels or cruises in particular—especially if the room you book is designed for multiple occupancy. To make up potential losses from one less person in a room, guests have traditionally been expected to pay extra on top of the standard rate.

These days, hotels tend to be priced by the room regardless of how many people are occupying it. On top of that, it’s much more common to find single-occupancy rooms at lower prices. The same goes for cruises, with cabins designed for solo seafarers commonplace on newer ships.

When it comes to booking tour packages, there are also quite a few operators that won’t charge you double for going it alone. In fact, there are now so many companies that specialise in running tours for solo travellers that we would likely be here all day if we tried to list them.

That said, getting a private room is not a given if you join a solo tour. As anyone who’s ever booked a hotel will know, the cost of a single-occupancy room is rarely half that of a double. Many operators keep costs down by pairing you up to share a twin room with another traveller, unless you choose to pay a little extra for a private room.

Here are our top recommendations for tour operators that won’t charge you a hefty single supplement, if at all:

  • Intrepid Travel – More than half of travellers taking an Intrepid tour are going it alone, so you can decide whether to buddy up and share a room or pay a “small extra charge”. Trips range from exploring the streets of Budapest and Transylvanian castles to a gruelling trek to Everest Base Camp, and they run tours catering to various demographics and budgets.
  • G Adventures – Another one that receive rave reviews for their solo trips. They also work with the “modest additional fee” approach to private rooms for anyone who wants their own space. Around 40% of their guests are solo travellers, with ages anywhere from 20s-60+. They also offer tours for all kinds of travel styles, be it 18-35, wellness or a spot of luxury.
  • Flash Pack – Specialising in solo travel for those in their 30s-40s, 98% of Flashpackers join trips alone. They focus on once-in-a-lifetime experiences, so you can generally expect these trips to be a bit fancier and more expensive than other companies. They’re big into the social aspect of their tours, and take great care to pair travellers with a roommate they’ll mesh well with. Once again, single rooms are available upon request for an extra fee.
  • Jules Verne – Unlike the rest of the pack, JV negotiate special “No Single Supplement” dates on over half their group tours, where single travellers can actually get a room to themselves for no additional cost. They also run solo-only tours, so you can be sure you won’t be surrounded by couples or groups of friends who already know each other.
  • One Traveller – These trips cater exclusively to the mature solo traveller, with most travellers in their 50s-70s. All their trips prices are based on single-occupancy rooms with ensuite facilities, so you won’t have to worry about sharing at all. They’re based in the UK, but offer trips all over the world.

It is also worth checking out: https://solotravelerworld.com/solo-travel-deals/

India’s Golden Triangle

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The Taj Mahal is near the top of every traveller’s list as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, but it’s only one of the amazing sites of India’s “Golden Triangle”.

The established tourist route includes the home of the Taj Mahal, Agra, the city of Jaipur, and the country’s capital, New Delhi. Convenient air connections mean most people begin their trip in Delhi

Old Delhi is full of chaotic energy, where livestock, vehicles, and street food vendors all weave frantically between one another. It’s an assault on your senses that you have to experience at least once.

On now to Agra, and the thing we’ve all been waiting for—the Taj Mahal. You can absolutely do it under your own steam, but to get the most out of your visit, members recommend hiring one of the government-certified guides waiting outside or booking a private tour.

Once again, visiting early tends to be the best way to avoid huge crowds, although sunrise is a popular time to get the classic Taj picture. Don’t try to wait for a moment without other people in the background, that time is unlikely to come!

If you have more time, the gardens (and wildlife) surrounding the intricately designed Tomb of I’timad-ud-Daulah (aka the Baby Taj) are a dreamy spot to explore. Agra’s own Red Fort is another great example of Mughal architecture, even better preserved and more accessible than its namesake in Delhi.

Around 25 miles from Agra, the fortified ancient city of Fatehpur Sikri is often missed off tight schedules. It’s easy to spend a day here, soaking in the grandeur of the palace buildings, mosque and pavilions, which were designed as the first permanent Mughal settlement.

For those who’ve had enough of the red sandstone, it’s on to Jaipur, which is called the “Pink City” due to the colour of the buildings.

While Jaipur may not be as hectic as Delhi on the whole, it’s still a very busy place, so allow yourself a couple of days there. As well as the essential visit to the Amber Fort make time to see the Patrika Gate, and its daily musical fountain show, and the iconic Hawa Mahal palace.

You can spend hours just photographing the colourful buildings as you walk onwards to the City Palace and make sure you include Nahargarh Fort at the end of the day for sunset views over the city.

Zion National Park

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By Olivia from Jack’s flight club

Zion is the 3rd most visited National Park in the US, but only the 36th largest, and most of that land is wilderness that tourists can’t easily access. The main canyon area is a patch of lush, overgrown oasis between soaring tall peaks of red rock, surrounded by desert. This combination of tight space and popularity means that this skinny strip of Eden is pretty bogged down by crowds.

But if you want to get away from the noise, there’s an option — trek deeper down the Virgin River to where Zion Canyon narrows into a slot, aptly named “the Narrows.” While still considered a popular hike, the deep, ice-cold water and miles of boulders are enough to scare off the bulk of the tourist crowd. A couple miles in, and you might feel like you have the park nearly to yourself.

Here’s what is is actually like to hike the Narrows. if you are not accustomed to this sort of thing it can be a pretty difficult journey.

You won’t make it very far into the canyon without gear, so unless you already own the tools for river hiking, your first stop will be the rental shop. The most popular rental shop seems to be Zion Outfitter, since they’re right by the park entrance. I instead went with Zion Adventures (a few minutes from the entrance in the town of Springdale) for the more flexible pick-up time. This worked out nicely, because without the giant crowd that always surrounds the more popular shop, I was able to talk to the employees and work out my route.

They provided me with a walking stick, neoprene socks, water shoes, and dry pants with a bib. All of these items are 100% necessary if you want to make it in and out of the canyon without tripping, freezing, drowning, or generally having a miserable time. It was $60 for a day rental, which is around average compared to other shops.

Next you must find your way to the Temple of Sinawava. While the name sounds grand, it’s really just the end of the drivable path through the canyon. It’s around here where the canyon begins to narrow and the smooth rock walls close in tighter. The sandy riverbanks start to shrink and eventually disappear, until the only path through the canyon is the river itself. Get to this spot, and you can begin your adventure.

The scenic drive out to the Temple is only accessible via park shuttle for most of the year. I parked at the history museum, so I had to shuttle back to the visitor’s center, get off, wait in line, and then shuttle all the way to the Temple. From my arrival in Springdale to my arrival at the trailhead, two hours had gone by.

When you get off the shuttle at the Temple, you won’t see much. Just more trees and another view of the creek. But continue down the paved path called the Riverwalk, and you’ll find the edge of the water. The canyon walls that seem distant in the rest of the park start to form a passageway—this is the mouth of the Narrows. It’s also your cue to get wet.

The first few steps in the river feel strange as the water soaks into your neoprene socks. It’s chilly in the canyon, with your legs in icy water and minimal sunlight reaching your head. The temperature seems to drop dozens of degrees almost immediately. It feels less like starting a hike and more like entering some sort of massive and drafty stone building.

Soon, the trail weeds out those who aren’t prepared – right before Mystery Falls, a trickle that splays out over the right-hand cliff. This is where the water is deepest, and the reason why dry packs are recommended. The river here came up to my chest.

While the earlier part of the trail was alive with chit-chat, everyone in this section was silent and focused, fighting the current and trying not to trip. This bit only lasted about 25 yards. From here the path was much easier, and the water never reached my waist again.

The further you go, the more the crowd thins out, and the more you feel like you’re in an alien landscape. The cliffs gradually become higher and narrower, and you have to look straight up to see the tops of them. In some spots, the river was clean enough to look crystal blue. In others, it takes on the trademark Utah redness. Maidenhair ferns peek out from rocks and feed on the drippy dampness at the bottom of the canyon.

After about two hours, I decided to head back to the entrance, I’d heard that the return trip was faster because you’re going with the current instead of against, and that was my experience too. It only took about an hour and fifteen minutes to get back.

It felt lightning fast, like a blink. Stepping back onto dry land and out of the damp corridor feels like crash-landing back on Earth.

Recommended top activities

Cruising through the Panama canal

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Although the original Panama canal was completed in 1914, in 2016 the expansion project was completed. This added 2 new sets of locks, one each on the Atlantic and Pacific sides which doubled the canal’s capacity and allows larger vessels to pass. The ship I was on would not have been able to get through the original locks but we were able to transit the new Agua Clara 3-step locks. At dawn we cruised under the new Atlantic bridge which was built in 2019 to make a 3rd crossing over the canal.

Shortly after the bridge the canal separates, the new canal to the left and the old one to the right. Approaching the locks we are greeted by 2 tug boats to guide us through, one in front and one behind. A pilot also needs to come aboard our cruise ship to navigate us through the 3 new locks. This takes about 2 hours until we pass the visitor observation point and enter the Gatun lake.

The new locks are built with sliding gates and each lock has 3 water saving basins to reduce the volume of water that is needed from lake Gatun for lock operation. The operation of the new locks uses gravity and valves. There is no pumping involved. It was an amazing experience to watch the opening and closing of the gates.

Our cruise was staying on the Atlantic (north) side of the canal which meant that we were only going as far as Gatun lake before turning to go back through the same 3 locks. Once we had passed through the 3rd lock into Gatun lake, we stayed there for about another 2 hours while some of the passengers left the ship in tenders to go on various excursions.

The length of time in Gatun lake depends on how many other ships are coming through the canal as we needed to wait for them before going back through. Once back through the 3 locks we docked at Port Cristobel to collect the passengers who had been on excursions.

Oktoberfest

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Oktoberfest is a celebration of all things beer and Bavaria, its origins date back to 1810 and a royal wedding between Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. The meadow in front of Munich’s city gates was named Theresienwiese in her honour, and it remains at the epicentre of all the Oktoberfest.

The Bavarian charm has spread far and wide, however, and most of us can enjoy a special Oktoberfest Mass or two without even hopping on a plane. But that’s no fun, really. So we say, why not mix it up a little and visit one of the world’s other great Oktoberfests instead?

Blumenau, Brazil
The (joint) second-largest Oktoberfest in the world is held in the Brazilian city of Blumenau. Having been founded in 1852 by German colonists, the city’s heritage is still clear to see in its architecture, restaurants and—you guessed it— beer. The area is frothing over with exceptional breweries, so you might need to work on your bar crawling stamina in advance.

Festivities at the 19-day event serve up everything you could hope for, with Lederhosen, beer tents, parades and live music all on offer. Plus, there’s an added splash of Samba to spice things up. But it can also get slightly surreal at points. Just know that you’re not imagining things if you spot a giant herring named Rollmops presiding over a herring-eating competition.

Blumenau will undoubtedly transport you right back to Munich, but no matter how much you like beer, you probably aren’t going all the way to Brazil just to drink a pint.

Right on its doorstep is the Spitzkopf Ecological Park, where you can sweat off the hangover with a hike along rainforest trails towards panoramic views, before a refreshing dip in a river or waterfall. Keep your eyes peeled for protected species, like the white-bearded antshrike, white-necked hawk, cougar and margay.

Kitchener-Waterloo, Canada
Also in the running for second place after Munich is the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest in Ontario, Canada. This is another area with deep German roots, having been settled by German Mennonite farming families from the early 1790s. In fact, until a referendum in 1916, Kitchener was actually called Berlin.

Known as the Twin Cities, Kitchener and Waterloo both take Oktoberfest seriously. What started out as a modest trial run in 1969 has become three weeks of partying, feasts, and family-friendly fun across the two cities.

The official keg tapping is the ceremonial opening event, but it’s the Oktoberfest Thanksgiving Day Parade that really gets attention. The floats, marching bands and dancers make up the nation’s only Thanksgiving parade, drawing thousands come rain or shine.

Japan in 2024

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If you are thinking of visiting Japan in 2024 there are a couple of extra-special events in the calendar.

Our trip to the Sapporo Snow Festival returns, with departures in February ’24. Visit this fascinating festival to marvel at enormous snow and ice sculptures in the shape of cute characters, ice caves and architectural landmarks. Combine this with bullet train journeys through wintery landscapes and an ice-breaker cruise for a unique take on Japan – a great way to experience Japanese culture for the first time, or for an alternative view if you’ve already seen Japan in the warmer seasons.

Or, if springtime is more your season, did you know Japan is famous for its cherry blossom? In 2024 the blossom trail is expected to start from mid-March and run until early April. Join one of our bestselling Japan trips at this to be treated with a spectacle for the eyes, with landscapes blooming in pink and white as you explore this fascinating country.

How to Plan a Budget Trip to Europe

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FREE WEBINAR: Learn the Secrets to Travelling Europe on a Budget!

Join Sarah Weingust (founder of HostelPass) for this entertaining (and free) webinar packed full of tips and tricks on how to make the most of your trip to Europe. Sarah will share everything she’s learnt from her years of travel and industry-experience to help you save more than you ever thought possible.

Considering Europe? This webinar isn’t just a recommendation – it’s a must-attend!