Something to declare: festive Eurostar; Mexican air waves; when in Russia...
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Destination of the week: book now for festive Eurostar
While many airlines allow you to book seats almost a year in advance, the "time horizon" for train operators is much shorter. Eurostar (08705 186 186; www.eurostar.com), which runs from London to Paris, Brussels, Disneyland Paris and (starting 28 December), Bourg St Maurice in the French Alps, has one of the most generous: 120 days, which means that you can now book for the whole Christmas/New Year holiday.
Note, though, that connecting services on UK or French trains are not yet open for booking. The one bright spot for people who need onward travel is Belgium: every Eurostar ticket to Brussels is automatically valid to any Belgian station on "classic" (non-Thalys) trains, and no reservations are necessary.
In the week in which Eurostar made the first test run with passengers on the high-speed line all the way from Paris to London, the latest edition of the Thomas Cook European Timetable (£12.50) contains a special feature on high-speed trains in Europe, and in particular what you can look forward to in the future.
France is pressing ahead with new lines and plans for 230mph trains, which will eventually allow travellers to get from Paris to Madrid in six hours flat. Eastern European nations are catching up fast, with the Czech Republic and Russia both accelerating journeys between their two biggest cities. And two much-delayed high-speed links are finally likely to materialise next year: Madrid to Barcelona and Brussels to Amsterdam.
Bargain of the week: Mexican air waves
Cancú*, on Mexico's Yucatá* Peninsula, can provide an excellent gateway to the country, thanks to the new breed of low-cost airlines. Far more flights from the UK go to Cancú* than to any other destination in Mexico, and from a wide range of airports, including Cardiff and Doncaster – though, as usual, Gatwick and Manchester have the most departures.
The main operators are Thomsonfly, First Choice Airways, MyTravel Airways and Thomas Cook Airlines; they sell seats mainly as part of packages, but also offer "flight-only" deals which you can combine with no-frills flights.
Volaris (00 52 11 02 80 00; www.volaris.com.mx) is based at Toluca, which is the second airport for Mexico City. A return flight from Cancú* to Toluca, booked a month or so in advance, is often available for around 1,800 pesos (£90). Click, the no-frills subsidiary of Mexicana (00 52 80 01 12 54 25; www.clickmx. com) flies to Mexico City's main airport; a return from Cancun typically costs 2,500 pesos (£125).
Warning of the week: How to avoid faux pas in Russia
The latest edition of Bryn Thomas's guide to the world's longest train ride, the Trans-Siberian Handbook (Trailblazer, £13.99), contains useful advice on how to avoid causing offence in Russia, or transgressing national superstitions.
These are the seven essentials:
Shaking hands or kissing across the threshold of a doorstep will bring bad luck.
When in the metro or on a bus, don't let your feet come close to a seat or another passenger.
Be prepared to accept all alcohol and food offered when visiting friends.
Refusing a drink or a toast is a serious breach of etiquette.
An open bottle must be finished.
Never light a cigarette from a candle.
Do not whistle indoors.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments