WEEKLY TRAVEL NEWS ROUNDUP

Avoid Easter Travel Disruptions: How to Navigate Easter Travel Chaos in Europe

🇪🇸 Spain: Strikes at 17 Spanish airports:

Unionised workers at Swissport, a ground services and cargo handling company, are set to strike every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday between 27 February to 13 April at some of Spain's busiest airports.

These airports include Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona-El Prat, Reus, Alicante, Valencia, Murcia, Málaga, Almería, Salamanca, Valladolid, Burgos, Logroño, Zaragoza, Huesca, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, and Tenerife Sur airports. It is unclear how much disruption the strikes will cause as unions are required to provide minimum services by Spanish law.

🇵🇹 Portugal: Warning about Easter border disruption

Starting on April 6, Portuguese immigration officials are set to strike for six consecutive days, which will coincide with the busy Easter weekend. The walkout is expected to cause significant disruptions at airports, according to news agency LUSA.

🇩🇪 Germany: Public sector pauses strikes

I wrote a segment about megastrike happening in Germany last week. Following unsuccessful discussions regarding pay, German public sector workers have entered into an arbitration period, causing recent strikes in the transport sector to be effectively paused until after the busy Easter holiday period.

🇫🇷 France: Travellers warned about ongoing French pension protests

Protests by French unions against the proposed increase in the legal retirement age from 62 to 64 have caused significant disruptions to travel in France. Unions have also called for an 11th day of protest action across several sectors - including transport - on Thursday 6 April. Once more, the French Civil Aviation Authority has recommended that airlines cancel approximately 20% of their flights to Bordeaux, Marseille, Nantes, and Toulouse on 6 April, due to ongoing disruptions.
Paris-Orly airport is the only airport exempt from these cancellations.

🇬🇧 UK: Disruption likely during the Easter holidays

Over the Easter holidays, around 1,400 security guards at London’s Heathrow Airport are set to strike for ten consecutive days, from 31 March to 9 April. The strike will take place at Terminal 5, which is the primary hub for British Airways and numerous international flights.

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🇩🇪 “Skilled Worker ? Germany Offers This Visa System For You.”

Germany has launched a new points-based visa system to attract highly skilled workers to address the country's labor shortage, which is estimated to have 1.2 million job vacancies. The system will prioritize applicants with in-demand skills and experience and offer benefits such as fast-tracked visa processing and permanent residency after a certain period.

The new visa system will assess applicants based on factors like their qualifications, work experience, language skills, and other criteria, with higher-scoring candidates given priority.

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Tinder in the sky ? Flight centers new matchmaking service

Did you hear about Flight Centre's latest innovation? They've just launched a new service called "Captain Cupid" that aims to connect travelers with similar interests for romantic getaways. It's basically a matchmaking service, but for travel!

Here's how it works: When you sign up, you fill out a survey that asks about your preferred destinations, budget, and travel style. Flight Centre then analyzes your responses to match you with a compatible travel partner. It's like having your own personal travel buddy!

The best part? The service has reportedly been really successful, with over 80% of participants who completed the survey being successfully matched with a travel partner. So if you're looking for a romantic getaway but don't have anyone to go with, Captain Cupid might just be the perfect solution for you.

EU Offers a tempting jackpot of 35,000 Free Train Tickets to Young People

The initiative is called "DiscoverEU" and is open to young people aged 18 years old from any of the 28 EU member states. It was launched in 2018 and the European Parliament has since continued to fund it. In 2021, the budget allocated to DiscoverEU was increased to €25 million to provide travel passes for 60,000 young people.

The article quotes Manfred Weber, the leader of the European People's Party in the European Parliament, who said: “With DiscoverEU, we enable young people to experience the richness of Europe's diversity, to discover different cultures and to connect with fellow Europeans. The EU is giving 18-year-olds a chance to explore our continent's rich cultural diversity, to connect with others and to get a sense of what Europe stands for.”

To apply for the program, young people need to answer a few quiz questions on EU culture and values, and then they will be chosen randomly. In some cases, the program may also take into account social and economic factors, such as whether the applicant comes from a disadvantaged background.

The DiscoverEU initiative has been praised for promoting intercultural exchange and fostering a sense of European identity among young people. According to a Eurobarometer survey, 90% of participants said they felt more European after participating in the program.

COVID-19 WATCH

India reports - Highest single-day rise in 163 days as new infections reach 4,435.

Marburg Virus - The US CDC (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has issued a warning about a Marburg virus outbreak in Africa.

PARADISE MEMEING

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LOOKING FORWARD TO

MUSIC FESTIVALS in April 2023

1. Rolling Loud Thailand 2023
   13-15 APRIL 2023 |

   Save Location (google maps link) - LEGEND SIAM • Pattaya City

2. Coachella Music Festival 2023
   Fri, 14 Apr, 2023 – Sun, 23 Apr, 2023 |
   Save Location (google maps link) - EMPIRE POLO CLUB • California

FESTIVALS

1. Sun 9th Apr - Easter

2. Thu, 13th Apr - Songkran, Thailand

QUICK TAKES

1. London City Airport has now eased restrictions on liquids and laptops in carry-on baggage, allowing passengers to leave them in their bags when going through security. The change in policy is aimed at improving the passenger experience and reducing wait times. The new measures come into effect immediately, and are expected to make the airport more competitive with other London airports.

   
   

2. The rise of budget rail travel services like Lumo, Ouigo, and Avlo are competing with low-cost airlines. These providers offer cheaper fares, flexible booking options, and amenities like Wi-Fi and charging outlets. The rise of budget rail travel is seen as a response to the environmental concerns associated with air travel.

   
   

3. Delta Air Lines has opened a new Sky Club lounge at Kansas City International Airport, which features a range of amenities including locally-inspired cuisine, premium drinks, and high-speed Wi-Fi. The new lounge, which is open to Delta Sky Club members and certain eligible passengers, is part of the airline's ongoing efforts to enhance the travel experience for its customers. The opening of the Kansas City lounge brings the total number of Delta Sky Club locations to 36.

   
   

4. Donald Trump & MNC Group (the Indonesian business partner of former US President) , has launched a new $1.7 billion tourism complex in Java, Indonesia. The complex includes hotels, golf courses, and a theme park. The launch comes amid ongoing controversy over Trump's business dealings and political career.

   
   

5. Bellagio Las Vegas is investing $110 million to transform their Spa Tower into a luxurious oasis for guests seeking an elevated experience. has embarked on a $110 million renovation project that will transform its Spa Tower, rooms, and suites. The renovation will feature upgrades to in-room technology, redesigned spaces, and new dining options that draw inspiration from the resort's iconic fountains. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2023 and is aimed at enhancing the guest experience at one of Las Vegas's most iconic hotels.

   
   

6. A day in the life of luggage: how hold bags arrive at the correct airport.

💡 EASE YOUR TRAVELS

Health On The GO!

01. Working Out if you're staying at a hotel that has a gym, make sure to get your workouts in during your stay. Even if it's just a quick 30-minute session on the treadmill or a few sets of weights, any exercise is better than none. If your hotel doesn't have a gym, don't worry! You can still sneak in a workout by going for a jog or a walk outside. This is a great way to explore your surroundings while getting some exercise in.

Another option is to pack some lightweight exercise equipment such as resistance bands or a yoga mat. This way, you can do a workout in the comfort of your hotel room, even if you don't have access to a gym.

02. Don’t have access to a kitchen ? You can still make healthy choices when dining out. For example, you can ask for dressings and sauces on the side, choose grilled or baked options instead of fried, and add extra veggies to your meal.

Explore local markets: One of the best ways to experience a new destination is by visiting local markets. Not only is this a great way to surprise yourselves with new foods, but it's also a great way to support local businesses. 

03. Hydration - Drink coconut water: If you're traveling to a tropical destination, try drinking coconut water. It's a natural source of electrolytes and is great for hydration. Plus, it's a refreshing alternative to sugary drinks. Eat hydrating foods: Eating fruits and vegetables with high water content like watermelon, cucumber, and tomatoes can help you stay hydrated, are all great choices. Plus, they're healthy and nutritious.

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MY TRAVEL BUCKETLIST

A Trip through the Life, Death, Rebirth & More..

Wat Rong Khun

Ever heard of the White Temple in Thailand? It's called Wat Rong Khun and it's located in the Chiang Rai province. The reason it's called the White Temple is because it's all white, with a lot of intricate carvings and mirrored glass on the exterior. The temple was designed by a famous Thai artist named Chalermchai Kositpipat, and it's still being worked on today.

What's really unique about the White Temple is how it combines traditional Thai temple architecture with modern art. When you go inside, you'll see lots of bright and colorful murals and sculptures that mix Buddhist themes with pop culture references. You might even spot some famous superheroes or movie characters in there!

Entry Fee - 100 Bhat | Google Map Link - Save Location |
Best times to go - Mornings

Expect a crowd. The White Temple has become a pretty popular tourist spot, with lots of people from all over the world coming to see it. It's definitely worth checking out if you're ever in the area!

As you approach the temple, you are immediately struck by its brilliant white exterior, which is adorned with intricate silver details that sparkle in the sunlight. The temple's reflection in the crystal-clear waters that surround it is truly mesmerizing.

As you step inside the temple, you are enveloped in a serene atmosphere. The walls and ceiling are decorated with intricate murals that depict Buddhist teachings and mythological figures. The lighting inside the temple creates a surreal and otherworldly ambiance.

One of the most captivating features of the temple is the bridge that leads to the main entrance. The bridge is guarded by two giant hands, which symbolize the journey from the cycle of rebirth to enlightenment.

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TRAVEL & BEYOND

Staying Connected with the world beyond your travels..

1. Trump in Hot Water: Former President Faces Felony Charges and Denies Any Wrongdoing.
   

2. Cash App founder Bob Lee tragically killed in San Francisco stabbing.
   

3. The Masters: Tiger Woods endures ‘constant’ pain during turbulent first round.
   

4. Lady Gaga wraps up filming for upcoming Harley Quinn and Joker movie.
   

5. Rare Pink Moon 2023 light up social media.

GUESS THE PLACE

The World’s Largest Solid Gold Buddha statue is in this Country
(Answer revealed in next issue)

- - A - - A - -

Hint - 8 letters, think South East

Last week’s answer to:
This country tops the list of world’s Happiest Country everytime. Finland

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