Something To Declare: Greek island hopping; Slower trains in France
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: Greek island hopping by seaplane
Destination of the week: Greek island hopping by seaplane
After a gap of 60 years, seaplanes have returned to Greece. A company called AirSea Lines (00 30 210 940 2880; www.airsealines.com) is promising a scheduled seaplane operation offering domestic flights and services to southern Italy. The airline, part-owned by Harbour Air of Canada, has begun services from Gouvia marina in Corfu to the nearby island of Paxos, with a fare of €50 (£36) return and a flight time of 10 minutes each way. Flights to Athens, Patras, Thessaloniki and Italy are promised, but have yet to materialise.
The flights are to be used by Tapestry Holidays for its new programme of holidays to Paxos next summer. A fortnight at the Levadi apartments near Logos costs £999 per person during the summer, including flights from Heathrow to Corfu on BMI and bus-seaplane-bus transfers. The firm (020-8235 7788; www.tapestryholidays.co.uk) will also offer holidays in Corfu.
Tapestry warns prospective customers that accommodation standards may not match those elsewhere in the Mediterranean: "Don't be surprised if from time to time in all accommodations electricity and water supplies fluctuate or are unavailable," says the company. In addition: "Wardrobe, drawer and cupboard space is often limited, particularly in more rustic properties - a wardrobe may comprise wall hooks so packing hangers would be advisable."
Warning of the week: slower trains in France
Britain is not the only nation having problems with its rail network. The French rail operator, SNCF, is to slow down some trains on 1,000 miles of its track. The speed restrictions, which are due to maintenance problems, will mainly affect "classic" Corail trains on cross-country routes, such as Lyon-Nantes, Strasbourg-Lyon and Nantes-Bordeaux. The high-speed TGV lines are not affected.
SNCF claims the rescheduling will add 10 minutes to journey times, but many such trips already take longer than in the past. For example, Lyon-Bordeaux takes eight hours 40 mins, almost an hour more than 20 years ago - though if you travel via Paris on the TGV, the trip takes around six hours.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments