Unless you live on the moon, you’ll be familiar with the furore over Ryanair’s recent flight cancellations. You may even be affected by them yourself.

The Dublin-based budget airline has said that 315,000 customers have been affected so far, reportedly due to issues over pilots’ leave. Ryanair’s website states that: “Up to 50 flights per day (less than 2% of flights) have been cancelled for the next six weeks. Your flight is operating as usual unless you receive an email.”

The full list of cancelled flights up until the start of October can be found on their website and include departures from Barcelona, Lisbon, Brussels and Dublin. London Stansted, the third busiest airport in London, is one of the worst hit airports as it is a major hub for Ryanair, with more than 255 flights cancelled so far.

What to do if you are affected
The airline says emails or texts are being sent to affected passengers. They are given the choice of a refund or an alternative flight if the original booking is cancelled. You will be given the option of applying for a full refund, or of being booked onto a replacement flight as early as possible, without charge.

If you are given 14 days’ notice of cancellation (or less) you may also be entitled to compensation – €250 for flights up to 1,500km, €400 for longer EU flights. For a fuller explanation of the facts and advice see what the news team at ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) say with a link for further details on EU regulation on cancelled flights. Do keep checking Ryanair’s website.

If you’ve been affected by the above ease the stress with one of our relaxing breaks in the UK.

Good luck and we wish everyone involved a swift resolution.

N.B. Since writing this blog there have been further flight cancellations by Ryanair, and further news that Ryanair is in breach of the law, see BBC news. Do check if you have been mislead by Ryanair about compensation owed to you, read this BBC news.

Jo Fernandez is a leading UK travel journalist, with much of her career spent working for the London Evening Standard where she was Travel Editor until 2015.
Now a freelance travel journalist and copywriter, she lives in Essex and has one daughter. As a travel expert, she still enjoys jetting off to write travel pieces, with favourite destinations including Mexico, Croatia and, of course, Essex.

The post Ryanair flight cancellations: What to do if you are affected appeared first on Neals Yard Holidays Blog.

Before my sister went on her year abroad to Granada I helped her pack a year’s worth of clothes in her student rucksack by rolling everything into neat cigar shapes. This simple method stops creasing and packs a lot in a small space.

Now thirty years on she still tries to take ten times what she needs and I still need to edit what she thinks she needs. The key to packing perfectly is to be realistic. If you always come back with clean clothes then halve what you normally pack. Unless you are a Paparazzi-followed celebrity you can wear a skirt or pair of trousers twice, just with a different top. So, coordinate items.

Keep it simple. If every year you pack your trainers ready for that sunset jog along the beach in Brittany but have never yet achieved it then don’t pack them. Or wear them. If you follow the guidelines below you can take a carry-on case and avoid high charges for hold luggage. And what to take it all in? A soft-sided wheeled case is less restrictive than a hard-sided carry-on and easily expands to fit more if you want to check it in.

Six steps

1. If you’re travelling to a country with guaranteed heat then don’t bulk up your luggage packing unnecessary coats and jackets. I always pack a thick pashmina or wrap which works well for in-flight comfort and anywhere else with over fierce air con.

2. Beauty queens take note. Pretty much all brands offer mini versions but, if not, then see it as a chance to try another product line. After all, a different climate changes your skin. Also, consider decanting multi-purpose products such as coconut oil into smaller 100ml (or under) bottles that you can take in your cabin bag, whether checking in luggage or not. Don’t be scared to ask for samples at beauty counters.

3. I’ve travelled the world with my trusty debit card and pretty much never gone without, but the safest, surest money method is to pack the prepaid multi-currency money card. Withdraw cash with no fee (most providers offer this), top up when the exchange rates are at their best but the main advantage is that they are secure. If you lost it in the back of a taxi, it can be cancelled and replaced, usually for a small fee.

4. It may sound incredibly obvious but check the expiry date on your passport before you even book your trip. Certain countries require at least six months validity. We once discovered that my daughter’s passport had expired the night before a long haul flight and so had to cancel the trip. Not very impressive for a travel writer… Avoid such travel stress by checking both your passport in advance and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website’s country-by-country guide.

5. Try to retain the handy overnight kit you get in certain classes on some airlines (even in economy, Virgin, for example, provide a clear zip up recycled case complete with pen, ear plugs, eye mask, socks, a toothbrush and paste which proves invaluable for a last-minute stash in my cabin bag). You may think the eye mask is for long haul travel but try sleeping in a city hotel surrounded by lights or a hotel with paltry curtains.

6. On our last holiday, my 12-year-old daughter had the foresight to pack a reusable KeepCup with some herb tea bags secreted inside and ask the cabin crew for some hot water. Not only are these more environmental than buying a drink but a ‘nice’ cup of liquorice tea helped her sleep on a cramped low-cost flight.

Happy packing…

For further useful packing tips see our previous blogs:

Going away? Don’t forget the travel packing checklist

I never go on holiday without

Jo Fernandez is a leading UK travel journalist, with much of her career spent working for the London Evening Standard where she was Travel Editor until 2015.
Now a freelance travel journalist and copywriter, she lives in Essex and has one daughter. As a travel expert, she still enjoys jetting off to write travel pieces, with favourite destinations including Mexico, Croatia and, of course, Essex.

The post How to pack perfectly in six simple steps appeared first on Neals Yard Holidays Blog.

Free inflight meals used to be an essential part of flying. Possibly born from boredom and hunger, as opposed to a love of them. National carrier British Airways recently hinted that it may no longer provide economy passengers with free inflight meals on long-haul flights, following recent comments by Chairman Alex Cruz. This remains unconfirmed, however in January of this year their short haul flights ceased to provide a free meal. But BA didn’t partner with just any catering firm… it was M&S’ on-board range.

Free inflight meals RIP?

On the back of this news, flight search website Cheapflights was quick to compare 22 of the most popular airlines used by British travellers flying short-haul, finding that two thirds now charge for inflight dining, with average prices ranging from £11.80 to £13.60 for a sandwich and a hot drink.

While BA’s decision is certainly giving less to its passengers, for those of us with dietary restrictions, or who just find the high-altitude snacks overpriced and unhealthy, what are the options?

Healthy eating options when travelling

Many of us who are vegetarian or vegan may prefer to bring food from home than be at the culinary mercy of either an airport or an airline. This way you ensure you get a supply of healthy food to your taste. But remember to check whether it will make it through airport security. Always check the customs regulations of both the airport your are travelling from and your destination as something that was okay to carry on board may not be allowed on arrival. Gatwick states clearly that you can carry fruit, vegetables and all solid foods in your hand baggage. However, foods in sauces or with a high liquid content (such as sauces, pastes, soups and stews) cannot come through security and remember the 100ml rule.

DIY airline meals

For me the answer is, if possible, to eat as healthy and filling a meal as possible before boarding and then take on dry snacks along with bottled water. Think:
1. Hydration (e.g. grapes, apple slices, herb tea bags)
2. Protein (e.g. nuts, seeds)
3. Firm foods you can chew on (e.g. sliced vegetables, dried fruit).

If you forget or run out of time – life is never perfect – most airport branches of Boots sell fresh fruit pots, salads, rice cakes and protein bars.

Dine before you fly

Restaurant options at Gatwick include the Grain Store, which serves vegan and vegetarian meals as does Wagamama. Heathrow Airport’s website usefully lists which restaurants offer menus to cater for vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, wheat-free diets and so on including Comptoir Libanais (also at Gatwick), with a vegetarian (vegan also but listed under their vegetarian icon) and gluten-free options. Leon has branches at Stansted and Heathrow (slightly reduced menu here) and offers vegan and vegetarian options with children’s versions surprisingly reasonable at £2.75.

What happens to our taste buds at 35,000 feet altitude?

In fact, if you can you may indeed wish to eat before you fly. Here’s why inflight food just does not taste the same as it does on the ground, even your own. The science behind it, and the solution to make it taste better, is quite surprising, see video:

And if you wish to know how to go about finding cheap flights, regardless of inflight meals, remember here are our 5 tips.

Bon voyage and happy eating!

Jo Fernandez is a leading UK travel journalist, with much of her career spent working for the London Evening Standard where she was Travel Editor until 2015.
Now a freelance travel journalist and copywriter, she lives in Essex and has one daughter. As a travel expert, she still enjoys jetting off to write travel pieces, with favourite destinations including Mexico, Croatia and, of course, Essex.

The post Free inflight meals could be a thing of the past: is this so bad? appeared first on Neals Yard Holidays Blog.

Our reliance on electronics and desire for constant connectivity means it’s rare to travel without at least one gadget. Technology has silenced our children’s cries of ‘Are we nearly there yet?’ and with summer approaching, the skies will be full of children glued to their devices. We adults are no better with very few of us embarking a plane without a gadget.

Following new rules set in place by Donald Trump, last week the UK government introduced new security measures concerning travelling with larger electronic devices from six specific countries. So let’s talk about the rules regarding devices.

What gadgets can you travel with?

For direct flights to the UK from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia all phones, tablets or laptops must be checked in with your hold luggage if they are larger than:
* 16cm (length)
* 9.3cm (width)
* 1.5cm (depth)

To put it in context, large smartphones such as the iPhone 7 Plus and the Samsung Galaxy 7 Edge are still allowed in your carry-on luggage. You can’t take any phone, tablet or laptop that is larger than this as hand luggage, even if you bought it at the airport (for example, at a duty free shop). These rules also apply to connecting flights via these countries, even if your journey started elsewhere. For more information visit the UK Department for Transport’s website.

How will the electronics ban affect flying?

Initially British Airways is the UK airline most affected as it flies from all the named countries except Tunisia, followed by EasyJet, Jet2.com, Monarch, Thomas Cook and Thomson. Inevitably the electronics ban will cause confusion and frustration. There are already reports of a lack of uniformity from country to country regarding how thoroughly checks are made. Meanwhile, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) was quick to denounce the measures, questioning their effectiveness and calling for an alternative – see below video by Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

On a financial note, travellers preferring a cheaper fare that allows hand luggage only will now have to pay to check a bag in if they are carrying large electronic devices. For both travellers and industry insiders there are strong concerns including the possibility of a government ban on laptops and tablets from cabins on all flights. And if you need tips on really flying on a budget check our previous blog on 5 tips.

If you have any concerns or are not completely clear on what you can take always contact the airline that you are flying with in advance.

Happy travelling!

Jo Fernandez is a leading UK travel journalist, with much of her career spent working for the London Evening Standard where she was Travel Editor until 2015.
Now a freelance travel journalist and copywriter, she lives in Essex and has one daughter. As a travel expert, she still enjoys jetting off to write travel pieces, with favourite destinations including Mexico, Croatia and, of course, Essex.

The post Electronics ban: what gadgets can you travel with and where? appeared first on Neals Yard Holidays Blog.

Heading off to escape ‘summer’ in the UK? I’m not jealous, I promise. I’m not. In fact – here’s a parting gift of my own handy list of holiday essentials to take when I go away, designed for swift and compact packing that beats budget-airline red tape.

(But really, I’m not jealous at all.)

My top 10 holiday essentials

1. Ear plugs. Probably not what you’d expect at the top of anyone’s list of holiday essentials. But it’s not just light sleepers that might find this an essential item both on the bedside table and in the bric-a-brac pouch of the rucksack. Earplugs come in handy when your underway too, for example to muffle the sound of cranky children. Or stag parties. I use regular soft ear plugs, but air-pressure-regulating earplugs could be an alternative for the plane, potentially helping to keep your ears happy as the altitude changes.

2. Flip-flops. Even if towels are provided at my destination, comfy indoor footwear often isn’t. I’ve trodden on cold floors, wet floors, and less regularly cleaned floors; all situations where flip-flops help. On the flip (ha!) side, they also come in handy in a heatwave.

3. Hot-water bottle. Talking about things warm – for those with perpetually cold hands or feet, a mini hot-water bottle can save the day on many an unheated bus/train/plane trip, and in cold hotel bedrooms. Boiling water is readily available in cafes if you’re on the go, and you can often get pretty hot water from airport/railway station bathroom taps.

4. Small shoulder-bag, for days when you don’t need to lug your rucksack around. Also handy for stashing documents, passports, keys and other valuables, and keeping them close on the plane/train/coach/boat.

5. Tablet with small keyboard. I’m by no means welded to my electronic entourage, but the trade-off of flexible working hours is that I sometimes need to check in while I’m away. After years of lugging around a ginormous 15-inch brick of a laptop, I invested in a small Bluetooth keyboard build to fit to my tablet, and haven’t looked back.

6. Think discount: Student ID any other cards that might potentially get you a discount are easy enough to stash away in your wallet, so take them.

Health cover could save you cash on a holiday abroad © Wolfilser

7. Think insurance: Definitely a must in any list of holiday essentials: I never go away without good cover. Citizen of the European Economic Area or Switzerland, and going on a European holiday? The free EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) is there for the taking, so don’t forget to apply for it in good time. You might still need extra health insurance, so check exactly how EHIC works in the country you’re visiting.

8. Think cash, in the form of a pre-paid travel card. There are many to choose from, and you can load some of them with a variety of currencies before and during your trips.

9. A ‘Pack this’ checklist – yes, I actually use these for my inbound as well as outbound trips. If you’ve ever forgotten to pack everything up after a holiday, you’ll know why packing checklists are a swell idea in both directions.

10. A pouch of ‘goes-without-saying’, including travel tickets and in-date ID (check the validity entry requirements for the country you’re heading to), medication and mini-toiletries. In 100ml refill bottles, not off-the-shelf, of course.

And with that, I bid you ‘farewell’, and wish you a truly fantastic time away!

The post I never go on holiday without… appeared first on Neals Yard Holidays Blog.

Affordability is a huge part of an enjoyable holiday. And since holidays invariably start with a journey, we thought it would be a good idea to look into flying on a budget.

In this blog post we focus on the usual suspects – cheap flights – and how to ensure you’re really flying on a budget. We’ve saved you the leg work and put together some tried and tested tips for keeping travel costs down.

Have a safe – and cheap – flight!

Updated 27 June 2018.

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My grandmother – or a friend, or some wise guy on Facebook – once gave me this travel packing advice: “Always take half as many clothes and twice as much money as you think you’ll need.”

If you’ve heard that one before, you’ll know it’s much harder than it sounds. Much, much harder.

Whether it’s the late-night stuffing of a large cabin bag or the frustration of forgetting your flip-flops and your camera charger, holiday packing is by far the least relaxing thing about going away.

But help is at hand.

One travel packing checklist? Tick

These days there are loads of different ways to keep track of what’s going into your bag. From printable PDF checklists to apps like Packing Pro, you should never have to do it all on your own.

Need a place to start? Here are our favourites:

1. Her Packing List has a huge range of checklists in the form of itemised web pages. Aimed at female travellers wizzing off to destinations including the Greek islands, Croatia, and Turkey’s Bodrum peninsula. There’s even a yoga-retreat travel packing checklist.
2. TravelSmith’s packing checklist: download, print, and off you go. Includes toiletries, all the travel essentials, and separate clothes prompts for men and women. Also check out Smarter Travel’s Ultimate packing list. Both are great for all sorts of journeys.
3. TripList: the self-proclaimed best packing app for iOS lets you create and store checklists for posterity using an items catalogue. Ticking off the items you’ve packed is pretty gratifying, and there’s an added bonus: it’s free.
4. Pack This: a hard-copy pad with categorised tear-off checklists that will last you a good while. You’ll need £5.95, but it’s been well and truly worth it for this writer.

Deciding what types of things to pack with the help of a travel packing checklist is a major win in the battle of you versus suitcase. But don’t get carried away by that victorious feeling. Remember also to keep the number of items you take as low as possible.

Don’t pack clothes – pack outfits

Clothes are probably the bulkiest family of travel items you’ll be taking along, so take time to get your travel wardrobe right.

Check out Wanderlust and Lipstick’s packing tips for women travels, and heed this advice from blogger Kalyn Nicholson: “The first thing I do is lay out outfits.” – that is, visualise what you’ll wear day to day, rather than thinking about individual clothes items, and that should help you keep volumes down.

We wish you (hopefully at least a little bit) happier packing, and happy travels!

The post Going away? Don’t forget the travel packing checklist appeared first on Neals Yard Holidays Blog.

Most of us know it’s better to be safe than sorry – even if many still choose not to get good cover when they go away. But how do you find cheap travel insurance that’s right for you?

Flight delays and medical treatment abroad are among the most common disruptions to our coveted getaways, and compensating for those can be pricey enough.

But holidaymakers face other, much wider challenges too. Like financial instability and the threat of strikes in sunny but tumultuous Greece. Or natural disasters, from storms and tsunamis to eruptions of volcanic ash.

So unless your credit-card provider or your bank already covers you for these eventualities (check with them directly), be smart and buy piece of mind in the shape of a good, cheap travel insurance package.

What does good cover look like? According to Moneywise UK, your insurance should offer at least £2 million for medical expenses, £1 million for personal liability, £3,000 for cancellation, £1,500 as baggage cover and £250 cover for cash. Then there’s cover for delays, as well as airlines, hotels or other service providers going bust.

If all of this seems far too much to negotiate, don’t worry; we’ve compiled a checklist to make the search quicker and more focused.

Here’s everything you need to think about when you’re looking for cheap travel insurance that doesn’t just save you pennies but is effective too.

Cheap travel insurance DOs:

1. Use price-comparison sites to help you narrow things down – both in terms of price and the right policy for you. You’ll find a good range of insurers, but remember that not all are included.
2. Always, always, always (always!) read the small print. For example, does the insurance cover all the activities you’ll be doing – yoga, Pilates, horse-riding, wind-surfing, etc? Are there any significant exclusions from the policy that might affect you – for example ‘acts of nature’ or ’acts of God’? How does the provider define ‘weather-related events’, and do they include ash from volcanic eruptions?
3. Check if you’re covered for financial failure of service providers such as airlines and hotels. This is advisable in the current economic climate.
4. Make sure you’re happy with the excess on the policy. This can go into the hundreds of pounds – can you absorb it?
5. Take out travel insurance even if your wellbeing holiday is in the UK. Travel disruption, problems with accommodation and natural disasters can spoil any getaway.
6. Bring your EHIC card if you have one and you’re travelling in Europe. If not, apply for one now. It’s free. See our recent blog with tips for free EHIC card.

Cheap travel insurance DON’Ts:

1. Don’t wait to take out insurance. Buy one when you book your trip, and you’ll be covered immediately in case of cancellation.
2. Don’t pick a cover that doesn’t cover you. Make sure you have comprehensive travel and medical insurance that’s right for your trip.
3. Don’t lie about your medical history, or you’ll likely end up paying for your medical care.
4. Don’t assume anything. Double-check all insurance details directly with your provider.
5. Don’t forget to check the reviews. Is the provider reputable? Do they have a good track record in paying up for justified claims?
6. Don’t hesitate to take out an annual insurance – it can save you money. You might find it does if you’re making more than one journey in the year.

We hope this gets you going! For more detailed help and advice, consult the MoneySavingExpert, MoneyWise, or Which?

Updated 27 June 2018.

The post 12 tips for a cheap travel insurance that works appeared first on Neals Yard Holidays Blog.

EHIC card, what’s that you may ask? A health emergency might be the last thing on your mind when you’re heading off on a wellbeing retreat abroad.

But we all know it’s good to be prepared. And, if you’re a British or other EU national travelling in Europe, there’s an easy way to stave off costly medical bills.

Four letters for you: EHIC. Since 2004, the European Health Insurance Card and its predecessor, the E111, have helped tourists from the EU and several other nations receive state healthcare free of charge or at a reduced cost in each of these countries. It’s quick and easy to apply, and it doesn’t cost you anything.

It’s a great tool for accessing local medical services, as I found out on a trip to The Netherlands. A cycling accident left me with a broken shoulder and an eye-watering bill for over €800, to cover ambulance time, x-rays and a doctor consultation. My EHIC card proved I was entitled to the care I’d received. I didn’t pay a single cent.

A quick run through…

…what the EHIC card is:

• proof you’re entitled to treatment that allows you to continue your holiday until it’s time to go home. Care for pre-existing conditions is also covered.
• available to EU nationals aged 16 or over, and citizens of a few other European countries. Get EHICs for your young ones by including them as dependents in your application.
• free and easy to apply Any charge for an EHIC card is a scam.
• potentially helpful in getting the excess on your travel insurance (medical) claim waived, so keep any bills and receipts.

…and what the EHIC card isn’t:

• a substitute for a travel insurance. Make sure you have good medical cover alongside EHIC.
• a guarantee you won’t have to pay – if locals do, so do you.
• no repatriation costs covered and additional charges for hospital stay, etc, may apply.
• private healthcare costs not refundable, so pick a state-run healthcare provider to benefit.
• not accepted in Monaco, San Marino, The Channel Islands, The Vatican and The Isle of Man.

Though this might seem obvious, remember to take your EHIC card with you when you set off to a European retreat, or you may be billed privately in a medical emergency. When it expires, renew it. Look after your EHIC card, and it will look after you.

Sources: MoneySuperMarket, NHS Choices

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When you’re planning your next spring or summer holidays, you’ll want to make sure you get the best deal on flights. But how far in advance should you book your plane ticket?

Skyscanner and CheapAir analysed over 200 million flights over three years and came up with a formula that lets you know the answer to the question we all like to know:
When is the optimum time to book my flights?

The formula for cheap air tickets

According to the research, the optimum ‘window’ for bagging cheap air tickets is from 29 days – 104 days before date of departure.

The research shows that the cheapest time to book flights in advance from the UK is as follows:

Spain – 5 weeks
USA – 21 weeks
Italy – 6 weeks
France – 6 weeks
Greece – 3 weeks
Turkey – 13 weeks
Portugal – 5 weeks
Germany – 9 weeks
Cyprus – 4 weeks
Croatia – 6 weeks

However, air fares can fluctuate and so it’s advisable to sign up for price alerts so you know when the lower prices become available. Nonetheless the research is interesting and we decided to try it ourselves.

We searched for a flight from London to Athens (Greece) departing less than a week from the time of writing, returning in 7 days, and the cheapest direct flight returned was £95. We did the same search but for the optimum 3 weeks in advance of departure, again returning in one week, and the cheapest direct flight, albeit with a different airline, was £68. We decided to increase the time from 3 weeks to 5 weeks and found that the cheapest direct flight was cheaper still at £61.

But then we searched for a direct flight from London to Malaga (Spain), again, less than a week before departure, and the cheapest flight was £59. We searched again for a flight 5 weeks in advance and the cheapest flight returned was £45. Searching 8 weeks in advance however, returned a cheapest flight of £64, so the price had gone up again after the recommended 5 weeks in advance.

We think this formula works although you could probably push the number of weeks in advance like we did with our Athens trip. Yet be aware of holidays such as Christmas or Easter, because flights will always be more expensive around those times. So it’s worth double checking latest prices around the optimum time and earlier.

Here’s another crucial tip. After searching for flights online do clear your ‘cookies’. – According to the Telegraph newspaper, there is anecdotal evidence to suggest companies keep a record of your flight searches and push up prices the more you search to pressure you into buying before prices “rise” further. So if you search for a flight more than a couple of times in a week you could be targeted. To avoid this, clear your browser cookies after each search – or turn on anonymous browsing.

Now you’ll have the best chance to find cheap air tickets with this knowledge.

With this in mind you may like to plan your next yoga retreat and spring or summer holiday in good time.

To find out how to get cheap train tickets, see our previous blog here.

Happy holidays!

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