Touching distance to Russia – Travel Desk Tuesday
“In both Finland and Poland I somehow found myself as close as it is possible to be to Russia without actually crossing the border”. Global travel editor Annabel Grossman is frustrated that she cannot...
19 Touko 8min
The best of Armenia in six minutes flat
Direct flights from London Luton to the Armenian capital, Yerevan, begin on 8 June, and I am getting a preview of this fascinating nation. Today I have joined the outstanding tour guide Gevorg Rashoya...
18 Touko 5min
Hope for better public transport in Derbyshire's Hope Valley – "Mini Switzerland"
Transport expert Thomas Ableman has been telling me about his vision for “joined-up” mobility in the UK – giving people the freedom to live without a car, even in a small village. “Mini Switzerland” i...
15 Touko 10min
Should you plan a trip to Pakistan?
Over the past few days I have heard several people speak very warmly about Pakistan - saying it is a much-misunderstood country full of wonders and diversity. To find out more, I have been talking to ...
14 Touko 7min
90 days until it goes dark during the day – with the 2026 total solar eclipse
Dr John Mason, eclipse chaser extraordinaire, has been studying the astronomical event on 12 August, when a total solar eclipse will sweep down from Greenland to the northern half of Spain.While Score...
13 Touko 8min
Over from Dover: how is the EU entry-exit system working at the UK's main ferry port?
Chief executive of the Port of Dover, Doug Bannister, tells me about the investment made in preparing for the digital borders scheme in a location where frontier controls are "juxtaposed" – you check ...
12 Touko 6min
UK visitors will get fast-track entry to Greece until better solution is found, minister tells me
After Greece decided unilaterally to scrap biometric border checks for British visitors, the tourism minister has said the “UK fast track” will continue until the EU entry-exit system (EES) is improve...
11 Touko 5min
How to cope with long-haul flights
Top cinematographer Douglas Bolton shares his secrets of transatlantic travel – basically, stay awake to bedtime.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get...
8 Touko 8min
