And as accommodation is often the last thing left to book, Tripadvisor’s latest award-winners may be just the inspiration you need. The results are in for 2022 stays, showcasing the top-rated hotels across the world.

Europe has a good showing across the categories, and the UK especially triumphed in the ‘Best B&B’ league – with one humble Scarborough business topping the list two years in a row.

But if you’re set on some sunshine, then these celebrated hotels in Spain, Italy, France and Greece are the places to go. As the winners are based on the quality and quantity of traveller reviews and ratings posted on Tripadvisor over the last year, it’s extremely unlikely you’ll be disappointed.

The travel company has vetted the listings to ensure they deserve top-billing.

From the best hotels overall, to charming B&Bs and romantic resorts, here’s why thousands of travellers gave these places five stars.

7. Ikos Aria – Kos Island, Greece

This Greek gem came third out of all hotels in the world in Tripadvisor’s best of the best category, and – behind Costa Rica and Brazil – was the official European favourite.

Its location clearly helps, perched on the southwest coast of Kos island, with incredible views over the Aegean Sea. As part of the sunny Dodecanese islands, plentiful vitamin D surely inclines guests to write more positive reviews.

The upkeep of the grounds and friendly staff get glowing mentions too.

“An absolutely beautiful hotel in the most stunning of locations,” writes one reviewer. “With immaculately kept grounds, a wide sandy beach, crystal clear seas and views of the beautiful island.”

6. Bless Hotel – Madrid, Spain

Bless Hotel is described as an “exclusive and sophisticated cosmopolitan hotel”.Tripadvisor

If you’re wanting to explore Madrid in style this year, this sophisticated hotel is your safest bet.

Where better to enjoy a siesta than on one of the rooftop pool loungers, after a morning of traipsing the city’s amazing galleries and museums?

It came 10th out of all hotels worldwide, for an array of reasons, according to this reviewer.

“Not only is the place classy, elegant, and dynamic, the staff is also top class. They made sure that our time at Bless was unique, memorable and unmatchable,” they wrote.

5. Ikos Dassia – Corfu, Greece

Another Greek hotel came close on the heels of Bless Hotel – this time on the island of Corfu.

Ikos Dassia is a new 5-star resort with its own long sandy beach, so there’s no stress in finding your spot in the sun.

“The staff can’t seem to do enough for you, the restaurants, including the buffet, are very good, the place is spotless and the facilities are second to none,” said one happy customer.

4. La Maison Favart – Paris, France

La Maison Favart is exquisitely decorated throughout.Tripadvisor

It can be tricky to know where to start when booking accommodation in the French capital. Which arrondissement do you go for, when there are so many attractions around?

But only one spot in Paris made Tripadvisor’s list of top 25 hotels, and that’s La Maison Favart, in the 2nd arrondissement – between Jardin de Tuileries and Montmartre.

Not only well-located, it’s also ornately decorated and – according to at least one reviewer – “Absolutely great in every way!” The staff are particularly attentive, they added, and there’s a gorgeous spa to unwind after strolling the Parisian streets.

3. Salerno Centro Bed and Breakfast – Amalfi Coast, Italy

Salerno Centro is a firm favourite with travellers.Tripadvisor

Though no Italian hotels made the overall top 25, they are well-represented in the Best B&B category (as well as the UK which, though not always perfect across the board, excels in the fried breakfast department).

Best of all is Salerno Centro on the beautiful Amalfi Coast. It’s located in a former 15th century convent, just a stone’s throw from the train station. People report that it is very reasonably priced, with the owner brimming with advice for what to do and where to visit.

One frequent guest couldn’t wait to get back after lockdown last year. “It was quite an emotional moment for me when I experienced, again, the laughter and joy around Lena and Pasquale’s kitchen table during and following yet another cooking class,” they wrote.

2. Quinta Jardins do Lago – Madeira, Portugal

This year’s ‘most romantic hotel’ in Europe is located in a botanic garden. From its Tripadvisor page, it’s not clear where the gardens end and the accommodation begins.

But that’s clearly part of the beauty for thousands of guests who have hoisted it to the number 4 spot in the romance category.

“Magnificent quiet hotel,” wrote one guest last month. “Only a couple of minutes away from the busy tourist area in Funchal, it’s located in an outstanding botanical garden, with a beautiful pool area with sea view.”

If you’re curious about Madeira as a destination – check out our guide to the magical island of black sand beaches and ancient forests here.

1. Luxury Villa Excelsior Parco – Capri, Italy

Luxury Villa Excelsior Parco is the sixth most romantic hotel in the world, according to Tripadvisor’s rankings.Tripadvisor

Unsurprisingly, Italy also has plenty of romantic places to stay. Coupled up or not, you’re sure to fall in love with Villa Excelsior.

There’s a special thrill to staying on the site of a 2,000 year old ancient Roman residence, knowing they would have enjoyed the same view over the Bay of Naples.

It had a major refurb in 2006, which made it into the elegant boutique villa it is today.

“There are only 11 rooms in this hotel and they are all unique,” wrote one honeymooner last month. But, “as beautiful as the hotel is, it is the staff who really shine.”

The post The top 7 hotels in Italy, Spain and Greece, according to Tripadvisor first appeared on Magazin Haber Ajansı.

And as accommodation is often the last thing left to book, Tripadvisor’s latest award-winners may be just the inspiration you need. The results are in for 2022 stays, showcasing the top-rated hotels across the world.

Europe has a good showing across the categories, and the UK especially triumphed in the ‘Best B&B’ league – with one humble Scarborough business topping the list two years in a row.

But if you’re set on some sunshine, then these celebrated hotels in Spain, Italy, France and Greece are the places to go. As the winners are based on the quality and quantity of traveller reviews and ratings posted on Tripadvisor over the last year, it’s extremely unlikely you’ll be disappointed.

The travel company has vetted the listings to ensure they deserve top-billing.

From the best hotels overall, to charming B&Bs and romantic resorts, here’s why thousands of travellers gave these places five stars.

7. Ikos Aria – Kos Island, Greece

This Greek gem came third out of all hotels in the world in Tripadvisor’s best of the best category, and – behind Costa Rica and Brazil – was the official European favourite.

Its location clearly helps, perched on the southwest coast of Kos island, with incredible views over the Aegean Sea. As part of the sunny Dodecanese islands, plentiful vitamin D surely inclines guests to write more positive reviews.

The upkeep of the grounds and friendly staff get glowing mentions too.

“An absolutely beautiful hotel in the most stunning of locations,” writes one reviewer. “With immaculately kept grounds, a wide sandy beach, crystal clear seas and views of the beautiful island.”

6. Bless Hotel – Madrid, Spain

Bless Hotel is described as an “exclusive and sophisticated cosmopolitan hotel”.Tripadvisor

If you’re wanting to explore Madrid in style this year, this sophisticated hotel is your safest bet.

Where better to enjoy a siesta than on one of the rooftop pool loungers, after a morning of traipsing the city’s amazing galleries and museums?

It came 10th out of all hotels worldwide, for an array of reasons, according to this reviewer.

“Not only is the place classy, elegant, and dynamic, the staff is also top class. They made sure that our time at Bless was unique, memorable and unmatchable,” they wrote.

5. Ikos Dassia – Corfu, Greece

Another Greek hotel came close on the heels of Bless Hotel – this time on the island of Corfu.

Ikos Dassia is a new 5-star resort with its own long sandy beach, so there’s no stress in finding your spot in the sun.

“The staff can’t seem to do enough for you, the restaurants, including the buffet, are very good, the place is spotless and the facilities are second to none,” said one happy customer.

4. La Maison Favart – Paris, France

La Maison Favart is exquisitely decorated throughout.Tripadvisor

It can be tricky to know where to start when booking accommodation in the French capital. Which arrondissement do you go for, when there are so many attractions around?

But only one spot in Paris made Tripadvisor’s list of top 25 hotels, and that’s La Maison Favart, in the 2nd arrondissement – between Jardin de Tuileries and Montmartre.

Not only well-located, it’s also ornately decorated and – according to at least one reviewer – “Absolutely great in every way!” The staff are particularly attentive, they added, and there’s a gorgeous spa to unwind after strolling the Parisian streets.

3. Salerno Centro Bed and Breakfast – Amalfi Coast, Italy

Salerno Centro is a firm favourite with travellers.Tripadvisor

Though no Italian hotels made the overall top 25, they are well-represented in the Best B&B category (as well as the UK which, though not always perfect across the board, excels in the fried breakfast department).

Best of all is Salerno Centro on the beautiful Amalfi Coast. It’s located in a former 15th century convent, just a stone’s throw from the train station. People report that it is very reasonably priced, with the owner brimming with advice for what to do and where to visit.

One frequent guest couldn’t wait to get back after lockdown last year. “It was quite an emotional moment for me when I experienced, again, the laughter and joy around Lena and Pasquale’s kitchen table during and following yet another cooking class,” they wrote.

2. Quinta Jardins do Lago – Madeira, Portugal

This year’s ‘most romantic hotel’ in Europe is located in a botanic garden. From its Tripadvisor page, it’s not clear where the gardens end and the accommodation begins.

But that’s clearly part of the beauty for thousands of guests who have hoisted it to the number 4 spot in the romance category.

“Magnificent quiet hotel,” wrote one guest last month. “Only a couple of minutes away from the busy tourist area in Funchal, it’s located in an outstanding botanical garden, with a beautiful pool area with sea view.”

If you’re curious about Madeira as a destination – check out our guide to the magical island of black sand beaches and ancient forests here.

1. Luxury Villa Excelsior Parco – Capri, Italy

Luxury Villa Excelsior Parco is the sixth most romantic hotel in the world, according to Tripadvisor’s rankings.Tripadvisor

Unsurprisingly, Italy also has plenty of romantic places to stay. Coupled up or not, you’re sure to fall in love with Villa Excelsior.

There’s a special thrill to staying on the site of a 2,000 year old ancient Roman residence, knowing they would have enjoyed the same view over the Bay of Naples.

It had a major refurb in 2006, which made it into the elegant boutique villa it is today.

“There are only 11 rooms in this hotel and they are all unique,” wrote one honeymooner last month. But, “as beautiful as the hotel is, it is the staff who really shine.”

The post These are the top 7 hotels in Italy, Spain and Greece on Tripadvisor first appeared on Magazin Haber Ajansı.

The special flash sale – launched to celebrate Interrail’s 50 year anniversary – runs from today until 11.59pm on Tuesday 10 May.

The deal opens up thousands of kilometres of the European rail network, from northern Sweden to the sunny Greek Islands.

“A big celebration calls for a big adventure,” Interrail says.

How much will the new passes cost?

The massive discount applies to “global passes,” which allow unlimited travel for one, two or three months on the national railways of 33 European countries.

Passes purchased during the sale can be activated at any point over the next 11 months.

The one-month pass costs €335 with the offer – less than €13 per day.

A two-month ticket is €366, while three months costs €451, which is less than €7 per day.

Tickets cost even less for those aged 12 to 27. One month costs €252, while two and three months cost €274 and €339 respectively.

Mark Smith, the writer behind popular rail-travel blog ‘The Man in Seat 61’ has described the offer as “too good to miss.”

What’s the appeal of long distance train travel?

Generations of travellers have used the Interrail pass to explore Europe.

As consumers call for more sustainable travel, rail is an increasingly attractive option. Between 2005 and 2018, sales of interrail passes tripled.

This is great news for the planet.

According to the European Environment Agency, rail travel accounts for 14 grams of CO2 emissions per passenger mile. Air travel generates 285 grams per passenger mile.

What are the best national rail passes?

If you’re sticking to one country on your European adventure, it’s worth checking out national passes.

Interrail offers “one country passes.” Passengers on this ticket can book 3, 4, 6 or 8 days of travel around a nation of choice.

But national rail companies have their own passes, which can cut out the costly seat-reservation fees (up to €20) that train providers sometimes levy on Interrail pass holders.

Unfortunately France doesn’t have a whole country pass alternative to the Interrail pass. But other major European destinations do, so read on for all the details.

National rail pass in Italy

Rome is one of the many cities you can visit with a rail passCanva / Xantana

Craving a glass of vino under the Mediterranean sun?

Italy’s national rail provider offers their own railpass – the “Trenitalia pass” – for anyone resident outside Italy.

Unlike Interrail, it only covers Trenitalia high-speed, Intercity and sleeper trains. Regional trains are excluded, but costly seat-reservation fees are lifted.

Passengers buy a specific number of journeys (3, 4, 7 or 10 trips) in a set period of time. Prices start at €129.

Senior and youth versions are available and up to two children under 12 can be added to an adult pass for free.

National rail pass in Germany

Go from partying in Berlin to hiking in the Bavarian mountains with a German Rail Pass.

Non-German residents can purchase various consecutive or any-day passes, allowing unlimited travel on Deutsche Bahn trains for set periods within a month. Seat reservation fees are optional on most German trains.

Prices range from €182 to €470, and 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, and 15 day passes are available.

National rail pass in Spain

Spain’s national rail provider Renfe offers its own passCanva/ Mario Guti

Non-Spanish residents can purchase the Renfe spain pass. Travellers can buy either 4, 6, 8 or 10 individual one-way train journeys of any length in a one-month period. These journeys are valid on all of Renfe’s long-distance and medium-distance trains. The cost of the pass covers all booking fees.

Unlike the Interrail pass, it does not offer unlimited travel over the course of a day – if you change trains, that will count as two journeys. On the interrail pass, if you book a day of travel, you can take as many trains as you want.

Renfe pass prices range from €180 to €210.

Travel passes in Switzerland

Tourists to Switzerland can buy a Swiss Travel pass. This gives unlimited travel on the Swiss rail network over a continuous period of 3 days, 4 days, 8 days or 15 days.

A Swiss Flexi pass offers unlimited travel across the Swiss rail system for either 3, 4, 8 or 15 travel days with an overall period of a month.

Prices range from €232 to €439 for a second class ticket.

The post Interrail slashes price by fifty per cent to celebrate 50 years first appeared on Magazin Haber Ajansı.

Passengers booking Tui city breaks will be offered the chance to travel by rail from the Netherlands to six European cities.

The move will be launched by TUI’s Dutch division as part of a collaboration with train travel start-up Green City Trip.

Where will the Tui rail journeys go?

Passengers will be offered rail journeys from the Netherlands to Copenhagen, Prague, Vienna, Venice, Milan and Florence.

“Traveling more sustainably means offering your customers different transport options and trains are definitely part of that”, Arjan Kers, managing director of TUI Netherlands, told Dutch newspaper Dagblad van het Noorden.

“Where the train can be an equivalent replacement for the airplane, we will gladly put this in the spotlight.

“And even where it is not a replacement but a valuable addition, we want to draw attention to it.”

Flight tickets will still be available for these routes.

What is the environmental impact of flights?

A return flight from London to New York emits around 0.67 tonnes of CO2 per passenger – roughly the same amount the average person in Ghana is responsible for in a whole year.

Alongside this greenhouse gas, aircraft engines emit other elements like nitrous oxides and sulphur dioxide as well as particulates such as soot.

https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/05/04/co2-emissions-just-the-tip-of-the-iceberg-for-the-climate-cost-of-air-travel

CO2 emissions from tourism surged by at least 60 per cent from 2005 to 2016.

To tackle the climate crisis, there is a huge need to decarbonise travel.

Train travel is growing in popularity around EuropeCanva/ Pixabay

Green City Trip – the company partnering with Tui to offer passengers more rail options – are part of this change.

They promise “responsible and relaxed” train travel.

“Customers are looking for a sustainable alternative to flying – the way that people think is shifting,” says Maarten Bastian, Green City Trip CEO

“Our sustainable travel network has been very successful. The demand for greener travel is huge, and growing.”

According to the European Environment Agency, rail travel accounts for 14 grams of CO2 emissions per passenger mile. Air travel generates 285 grams per passenger mile.

Can train travel help you dodge plane queues?

Climate guilt isn’t the only reason to travel by train, Mr Bastian said.

“It’s not only about sustainability – the experience of train travel can be more enjoyable,” Mr Hessel said.

“People board the train, sit down in their compartment, enjoy a glass of wine. They can enjoy their holiday the moment they depart, not the moment they arrive.

“Everyone has seen the queues and cancellations at Schiphol – there are no queues for our trains.”

Travellers at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport have faced long queues, delays and flight cancellations over the last few days.

Last weekend the Netherlands’ national airline KLM cancelled more than 70 flights from Schipol, while other airlines – including Transavia, Tui and Corendon – rerouted flights to other Dutch airports.

The post Tui urges passengers to swap planes for trains on six European routes first appeared on Magazin Haber Ajansı.

Health minister Roberto Speranza signed off on the rules on 29 March, meaning that travellers to Italy will still have to present either a vaccination certificate, recovery certificate or a negative test result to enter the country.

Passenger locator forms are staying too, and travellers from all countries will need to fill one in before arrival.

The health minister will review the rules again at the end of April.

The extension comes as Italy’s domestic COVID-19 rules begin to ease. Green Passes and Super Green Passes are set to be dropped from 1 May but a mask mandate is set to remain in place until at least the 15 June. 

The country’s ‘state of emergency’ ended on 31 March and there is hope that Italy will remove all of its restrictions by the summer.

What are Italy’s travel rules?

Fully vaccinated travellers (those who have received one or two doses within the past nine months or those who have received a booster shot) from any country are no longer required to supply a negative COVID test to enter Italy.

That means if you’re fully jabbed, you can present either proof of vaccination status or a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 within the past six months.

Unvaccinated visitors can also enter Italy and are no longer required to quarantine (previously they had to quarantine for five days). But they will need to produce proof of recovery from COVID within the last 180 days or a negative COVID test.

Regardless of vaccination status, all passengers must fill in a Passenger Locator Form, which can be found here. If they do not, they will have to quarantine for five days on arrival.

Passengers flying to or from Italy must also wear an FFP2 mask at all times while on board.

Venice, ItalyCanva

Do I still need a Green Pass or Super Green Pass in Italy?

From 1 May, Italy plans to drop both the ‘basic’ and ‘super’ versions of its Green Pass – a digital certificate proving a person had been vaccinated or recovered from COVID – in almost all settings. This includes restaurants, bars and long-distance public transport. 

You’ll also no longer need it to enter cinemas, theatres, concerts, cultural centres, parties or discos. 

The Super Green Pass will still remain in place, however, for those visiting hospitals and nursing homes. 

Do I still have to wear a mask in Italy?

Despite plans to drop the mask mandate from 1 May, Italy has now extended its requirement to wear masks on public transport and in some indoor settings until 15 June. 

Everyone over the age of five must wear a high-grade FFP2 mask on all forms of public transport, in cinemas, at indoor sporting events theatres, concerts, hospitals, schools and universities. 

No other setting, including shops and workplaces, is included in the most recent announcement though it does still “strongly recommend” masks continue to be worn in all indoor public spaces. 

The Italian government has made COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory to police starting from December 15.Alessandra Tarantino/AP Photo

What’s the easiest way to find out travel rules for Italy?

Italy’s rules can change at short notice.

For the most up-to-date and reliable information, fill in this questionnaire from the Italian Foreign Ministry. It is in English and will give you the travel requirements based on your individual situation.

You can also check the Italian Health Ministry’s travel information page (in English).

Or you can call the Italian coronavirus information line.

From Italy: 1500 (toll-free number)

From abroad: +39 0232008345 or +39 0283905385

The post Italy entry rules: Testing, restrictions and where to wear a mask first appeared on Magazin Haber Ajansı.

Whether or not holidays are being hit by the same global factors is a more complex question, however. Though some airlines and travel insiders warn that rising fuel costs will soon be passed onto passengers, this isn’t yet the case across the board.

As more and more European countries simplify their entry rules – and people’s confidence in having a stress-free stay grows – increasing demand is set to ramp up ticket prices. But until fliers fully return to their pre-pandemic numbers, some carriers are still trying to entice people back to the skies with cheaper deals.

And with good reason. According to a recent Skyscanner survey, more than half of German participants and 36 per cent of Brits consider cost to be one of the most important factors when booking a trip abroad in 2022.

So as we satisfy our wanderlust this year, here are some key ways to make air travel more affordable. 

When is the best time to book a holiday?

Most travel experts agree it’s cheaper to book flights sooner rather than later.Getty Images/Anna Berkut

If you’re hovering over a summer holiday booking, it’s best to take the plunge now, according to one of the biggest travel search engines.

“For travellers in the UK, international flight prices for the summer have been on a steady decrease since the start of the year, but with increasing demand for the upcoming summer months, prices are likely to rise again soon,” explains KAYAK’s UK manager Evan Day.

Over the past two weeks, searches for summer travel on the site have surpassed pre-pandemic levels by about six per cent, he says, suggesting a rebound is well underway.

“In previous years, we found that around six weeks in advance was the optimal time for finding great international flights for summer, and that appears to still be consistent with what we’re seeing this year.”

By that calculation, it’s probably best to book this week if you’re planning a mid-June getaway.

But due to the complex way airlines price their tickets to try and maximise profits, there’s no one winning formula. As cheap flights guru Jack Sheldon explains, airlines have targets for how many seats need to be sold on each route by a certain date, and will lower or raise their prices accordingly.

The general rule is it’s better to book sooner – especially for short-haul flights when the cheapest seats are released immediately. This means planning at least eight months in advance. But as users of Jack’s Flight Club know, there’s plenty of good last minute deals to be found if you’re willing to wing it.  

How are holiday prices affected by the war in Ukraine?

More and more airlines are turning to sustainable aviation fuels for environmental reasons.Christophe Ena/AP Photo

Airfares could fluctuate more dramatically this year due to the high cost of oil, exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“Rising oil prices do put mounting pressure on fares, but the cost of oil isn’t the only factor; it’s that airlines are more likely to pass some of those eventual fuel-cost increases to purchasers if the demand for travel continues to grow as it has been doing,” a spokesperson for travel tech company Kiwi says. That growing likelihood is another reason to book flights sooner rather than later.

“Rising fuel prices have been a continuing trend for the past 18 months due to capacity bottlenecks and a pick-up in consumer demand,” the firm adds, “but the war in Ukraine has accelerated the inflation trend.”

Some airlines are more impacted than others, according to Kiwi. Low cost airlines typically have a more modern and fuel-efficient fleet than their steeper rivals, allowing them to better absorb the fuel costs. That said, fuel represents a larger percentage of their cost base than for traditional airlines.

Of course, flights aren’t the only major expense on a holiday. Car hires and hotel stays could also be more expensive this summer, depending on the local picture. If you’re planning a trip to the US, note that domestic airline fares are up by 24 per cent according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, amid an exceptionally high inflation rate.

Why flights might not be as expensive as you think

Some budget airlines, including Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air, have ‘hedged’ their fuel costs – meaning they have pre-ordered fuel at a capped cost for the next few months. This helps shield passengers from the soaring cost of oil – at least until next year.

“We are seeing travel providers continue to support the return of travel with competitive fares,” Naomi Hahn, Skyscanner’s VP of Strategy, tells Euronews Travel.

“As demand begins to match supply, it’s important to know how to weigh up your options and tailor plans to get the best price – whether it’s flying out a day or two early, hopping on a train to a nearby alternative airport or exploring an alternative destination that’s a fraction of the cost.”

Top tips for saving money on flights – from a Skyscanner expert

The Old Town of Dubrovnik. “Swapping your usual break on the Costas for Croatia could be an unexpected delight,” says Naomi Hahn, Skyscanner’s VP of Strategy.stocklapse/Getty Images

Hahn shared some other top travel hacks with us for making your flights more affordable:

Set up price alerts. This will ensure you’re the first to know when prices drop with any additional discounts or added supply. You can mark a flight you’re interested in and Skyscanner (or your search engine of choice) will email you whenever the price goes up or down.Friday is the cheapest day to travel. Flight prices are all based on supply and demand. Because some dates are more popular than others, prices will vary. On average, save up to 25 per cent by flying on a Friday and up to 51 per cent by booking four weeks ahead of departure. Be open minded about where you travel. “2020 and 2021 saw new destinations rise in popularity as corridors shone a light on some surprising gems,” says the strategy VP. “Swapping your usual break on the Costas for Croatia could be an unexpected delight.” On Skyscanner, you can let the algorithm decide with a search to ‘Everywhere’, which will present a range of options based on your travel dates, all ranked by price.Mix and match flights to save €€. Not just a summer fashion trend, mixing up the airlines and airports you choose to fly with and from can seriously cut costs. Fares don’t have to be booked as returns, adds Hahn. Flying out with one airline and back with another, or out of one airport and back into another, can help save money.

Which European destinations are cheaper than last year?

Flight prices to Milan are significantly down on last year, according to recent KAYAK data.f11photo/Getty Images

Against expectations, recent data from KAYAK shows that flight prices to several top European destinations are actually significantly down on last year.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife airport, serving Spain’s largest Canary Island, recorded a surprising price drop of 65 per cent last month. An average return flight price from London cost only £46 (€55) in the week commencing 18 April, despite Tenerife being a hotspot for Brits.

Second on the list is Milan which, despite having artworks to rival Rome and Florence – not to mention the catwalks you can see on the streets every day – is routinely cheaper than other major Italian cities to fly to.

Airfares are available for a staggering £4 one-way from London, according to KAYAK’s site, and on average set you back £12 in April. That’s a 46 per cent fall compared to the same week in 2021.

Bear in mind, though, that Milan Malpensa has seen some of the most flight cancellations of any European airports in the recent chaos at UK airports.

Paris, Edinburgh and Malaga also made the top five destinations with the biggest drop in flight prices, suggesting there are still plenty of deals to be found if you shop around.

You can find the cheapest current deals on KAYAK’s explore page by searching any destinations from a particular month and place of departure, and toggling the budget filter down. By this metric, Venice and Vienna are two of the cheapest destinations from London in August.

The post Book now for cheaper summer flights, travel experts advise first appeared on Magazin Haber Ajansı.

Whether or not holidays are being hit by the same global factors is a more complex question, however. Though some airlines and travel insiders warn that rising fuel costs will soon be passed onto passengers, this isn’t yet the case across the board.

As more and more European countries simplify their entry rules – and people’s confidence in having a stress-free stay grows – increasing demand is set to ramp up ticket prices. But until fliers fully return to their pre-pandemic numbers, some carriers are still trying to entice people back to the skies with cheaper deals.

And with good reason. According to a recent Skyscanner survey, more than half of German participants and 36 per cent of Brits consider cost to be one of the most important factors when booking a trip abroad in 2022.

So as we satisfy our wanderlust this year, here are some key ways to make air travel more affordable. 

When is the best time to book a holiday?

Most travel experts agree it’s cheaper to book flights sooner rather than later.Getty Images/Anna Berkut

If you’re hovering over a summer holiday booking, it’s best to take the plunge now, according to one of the biggest travel search engines.

“For travellers in the UK, international flight prices for the summer have been on a steady decrease since the start of the year, but with increasing demand for the upcoming summer months, prices are likely to rise again soon,” explains KAYAK’s UK manager Evan Day.

Over the past two weeks, searches for summer travel on the site have surpassed pre-pandemic levels by about six per cent, he says, suggesting a rebound is well underway.

“In previous years, we found that around six weeks in advance was the optimal time for finding great international flights for summer, and that appears to still be consistent with what we’re seeing this year.”

By that calculation, it’s probably best to book this week if you’re planning a mid-June getaway.

But due to the complex way airlines price their tickets to try and maximise profits, there’s no one winning formula. As cheap flights guru Jack Sheldon explains, airlines have targets for how many seats need to be sold on each route by a certain date, and will lower or raise their prices accordingly.

The general rule is it’s better to book sooner – especially for short-haul flights when the cheapest seats are released immediately. This means planning at least eight months in advance. But as users of Jack’s Flight Club know, there’s plenty of good last minute deals to be found if you’re willing to wing it.  

How are holiday prices affected by the war in Ukraine?

More and more airlines are turning to sustainable aviation fuels for environmental reasons.Christophe Ena/AP Photo

Airfares could fluctuate more dramatically this year due to the high cost of oil, exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“Rising oil prices do put mounting pressure on fares, but the cost of oil isn’t the only factor; it’s that airlines are more likely to pass some of those eventual fuel-cost increases to purchasers if the demand for travel continues to grow as it has been doing,” a spokesperson for travel tech company Kiwi says. That growing likelihood is another reason to book flights sooner rather than later.

“Rising fuel prices have been a continuing trend for the past 18 months due to capacity bottlenecks and a pick-up in consumer demand,” the firm adds, “but the war in Ukraine has accelerated the inflation trend.”

Some airlines are more impacted than others, according to Kiwi. Low cost airlines typically have a more modern and fuel-efficient fleet than their steeper rivals, allowing them to better absorb the fuel costs. That said, fuel represents a larger percentage of their cost base than for traditional airlines.

Of course, flights aren’t the only major expense on a holiday. Car hires and hotel stays could also be more expensive this summer, depending on the local picture. If you’re planning a trip to the US, note that domestic airline fares are up by 24 per cent according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, amid an exceptionally high inflation rate.

Why flights might not be as expensive as you think

Some budget airlines, including Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air, have ‘hedged’ their fuel costs – meaning they have pre-ordered fuel at a capped cost for the next few months. This helps shield passengers from the soaring cost of oil – at least until next year.

“We are seeing travel providers continue to support the return of travel with competitive fares,” Naomi Hahn, Skyscanner’s VP of Strategy, tells Euronews Travel.

“As demand begins to match supply, it’s important to know how to weigh up your options and tailor plans to get the best price – whether it’s flying out a day or two early, hopping on a train to a nearby alternative airport or exploring an alternative destination that’s a fraction of the cost.”

Top tips for saving money on flights – from a Skyscanner expert

The Old Town of Dubrovnik. “Swapping your usual break on the Costas for Croatia could be an unexpected delight,” says Naomi Hahn, Skyscanner’s VP of Strategy.stocklapse/Getty Images

Hahn shared some other top travel hacks with us for making your flights more affordable:

Set up price alerts. This will ensure you’re the first to know when prices drop with any additional discounts or added supply. You can mark a flight you’re interested in and Skyscanner (or your search engine of choice) will email you whenever the price goes up or down.Friday is the cheapest day to travel. Flight prices are all based on supply and demand. Because some dates are more popular than others, prices will vary. On average, save up to 25 per cent by flying on a Friday and up to 51 per cent by booking four weeks ahead of departure. Be open minded about where you travel. “2020 and 2021 saw new destinations rise in popularity as corridors shone a light on some surprising gems,” says the strategy VP. “Swapping your usual break on the Costas for Croatia could be an unexpected delight.” On Skyscanner, you can let the algorithm decide with a search to ‘Everywhere’, which will present a range of options based on your travel dates, all ranked by price.Mix and match flights to save €€. Not just a summer fashion trend, mixing up the airlines and airports you choose to fly with and from can seriously cut costs. Fares don’t have to be booked as returns, adds Hahn. Flying out with one airline and back with another, or out of one airport and back into another, can help save money.

Which European destinations are cheaper than last year?

Flight prices to Milan are significantly down on last year, according to recent KAYAK data.f11photo/Getty Images

Against expectations, recent data from KAYAK shows that flight prices to several top European destinations are actually significantly down on last year.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife airport, serving Spain’s largest Canary Island, recorded a surprising price drop of 65 per cent last month. An average return flight price from London cost only £46 (€55) in the week commencing 18 April, despite Tenerife being a hotspot for Brits.

Second on the list is Milan which, despite having artworks to rival Rome and Florence – not to mention the catwalks you can see on the streets every day – is routinely cheaper than other major Italian cities to fly to.

Airfares are available for a staggering £4 one-way from London, according to KAYAK’s site, and on average set you back £12 in April. That’s a 46 per cent fall compared to the same week in 2021.

Bear in mind, though, that Milan Malpensa has seen some of the most flight cancellations of any European airports in the recent chaos at UK airports.

Paris, Edinburgh and Malaga also made the top five destinations with the biggest drop in flight prices, suggesting there are still plenty of deals to be found if you shop around.

You can find the cheapest current deals on KAYAK’s explore page by searching any destinations from a particular month and place of departure, and toggling the budget filter down. By this metric, Venice and Vienna are two of the cheapest destinations from London in August.

The post Book now for cheaper summer flights, travel experts advise first appeared on Magazin Haber Ajansı.

Travel rules for every country in Europe are available here.

Czech Republic

After tightening testing requirements again for foreign arrivals back in December at the height of omicron, the Czech Republic removed all covid-related entry requirements for international arrivals on 9 April, 2022. It’s no longer necessary to wear a face mask in most public places – the main exceptions are public transport and taxis.

Denmark

Thanks to the country’s high vaccination rate, Denmark became the first EU country to lift all domestic covid restrictions at the beginning of February. All entry requirements for international arrivals were then abolished on 29 March, 2022 (before that, testing rules only applied for arrivals from outside the EU and Schengen).

Greece is lifting all restrictions on 1 MayCanva

Greece

After much to-ing and fro-ing, Greece officially confirmed that it would remove all covid-related entry measures on 1 May, 2022. Mask-wearing will remain compulsory indoors, but for many tourists to the Greek islands this will be virtually unnoticeable as so much dining, drinking and socialising takes place outdoors.

Hungary

City breaks to Budapest are back on thanks to the removal of all covid-related entry requirements for travel to Hungary. There are also no social distancing measures in place anymore, and it’s no longer compulsory to wear a face mask on public transport or in indoor public places.

Summer is the perfect time to road trip in IcelandCanva

Iceland

All of Iceland’s covid-related restrictions were lifted on 25 February, 2022, both for international arrivals and within the country itself. The wearing of masks is no longer mandatory anywhere and there are no social distancing measures in place. However the country still encourages testing and self-isolation to control the spread of covid.

Ireland

Guinness-lovers rejoiced when Ireland dropped all covid-related entry requirements on 6 March, 2022. This includes proof of vaccination, pre-arrival testing and the passenger locator form. Mask-wearing became optional a couple of weeks before that, on 28 February, 2022.

Latvia

As it stands, visitors from the EU, EEA, Switzerland or the UK can all enter Latvia without the need to take a test, show proof of vaccination or quarantining. However there are some hoops to jump through if you’re travelling to Latvia from third countries, which still requires proof of vaccination or a negative test result. FFP2 masks remain mandatory on public transport.

The Lithuanian capital Vilnius is an increasingly popular budget city breakCanva

Lithuania

Vilnius became one of Europe’s most hassle-free city breaks in mid-February when Lithuania announced that it was dropping all entry requirements for travellers from EU/EEA countries, as well as a number of others including the UK, US and New Zealand. However, you’re still required to wear a face mask on public transport.

Madeira

Although part of Portugal (which still requires testing or proof of vaccination), the popular holiday island of Madeira has removed all covid-related entry requirements for tourists. However, it’s not quite back to total normality.

The territory does still recommend that international visitors register on the Madeira Safe digital platform. And once you’re there, it’s still compulsory to wear a face mask at indoor public venues and carry proof of vaccination to enter restaurants, bars and other venues.

Montenegro

This lesser-known Balkan gem dropped all entry restrictions in mid-March, 2022. It’s also no longer necessary to carry a vaccine passport to enter social settings here, though Montenegro has kept its mask mandate for indoor public settings. This includes restaurants, bars and hotels.

Norway

“No testing, no quarantining, no registration!” – that’s been Norway’s entry policy since 12 February, 2022, when the Nordic country dropped all covid entry requirements for international arrivals. There’s also no testing requirements if you fall ill, which may raise some eyebrows among cautious travellers. All social distancing and face mask rules have been dropped in Norway, too.

Poland is back to business as usualCanva

Poland

In one fell swoop, Poland dropped on-arrival quarantining, proof of vaccination and pre-arrival testing requirements on 28 March, 2022. The new business-as-usual status applies to all arrivals from non-Schengen countries, as well as those from the EU. Poland has also removed all rules about wearing face masks in public.

Romania

This eastern European country dropped all quarantining, testing and passenger tracking requirements for international visitors on 9 March, 2022. At the same time, Romania declared that it was ditching the digital pass that had previously been required to enter certain institutions and made face masks non-compulsory in both indoor and outdoor settings.

Slovenia’s Lake Bled is a fairytale destination year-roundCanva

Slovenia

Travel to this Balkan nation became much easier from 19 February, 2022, when it removed all covid-related entry requirements for visitors, regardless of vaccination status. Most covid restrictions within Slovenia ended on 13 April, 2022, though you’ll still need to wear a face mask on public transport and in enclosed public spaces.

Sweden

On 1 April, 2022, Sweden dropped all covid-related entry requirements for visitors from the UK or outside the EU/EEA. This followed a temporary ban on third-country arrivals in March due to the omicron variant. Regardless of where you’re arriving from, it means you’ll no longer need to present proof of vaccination or a negative covid test.

Switzerland

Just in time for the summer hiking season, Switzerland announced that it would drop all covid-related entry requirements for international visitors from 2 May, 2022. Before then, travellers needed to show proof of vaccination. The Alpine country also got rid of face masks on 1 April, 2022, and at the same time mandated that people who have tested positive for covid no longer need to isolate.

The post A full list of European countries with no travel restrictions first appeared on Magazin Haber Ajansı.