This week's travel agenda: new flights, charity challenges and pop-up hostels
Where to go and what to know, from the Independent travel team
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.Finland flights
Finnair has launched flights from Edinburgh to Helsinki, opening up its long-haul route network to Scottish travellers. The new service will operate three times a week, increasing to four over the summer, with onward connections to destinations including Hong Kong, Beijing and Seoul. finnair.com
Accessible travel website
Limitless Travel is a new website with travel information for people with disabilities or mobility issues. Users can search for hotels or attractions based on their needs, for example, if they need wheelchair access or are hearing impaired. A disability advisor can also provide further information. limitlesstravel.org
Dublin attraction
Epic Ireland, a new interactive experience telling the story of Irish migration, opens on 7 May. Located in Dublin’s historic CHQ building in Custom House Quay, it will feature themed galleries, such as Motivation (why people left Ireland) and Influence (what Irish people did in their adopted homelands). Entry €16. epicirelandchq.com
Nepal challenge
Charity Challenge's new expedition to Nepal gives travellers the chance to help re-build the country after the April 2015 earthquake, after the FCO lifted its warning against all but essential travel to Nepal last month. The 10-day Nepal Community Challenge will visit the rural Gorkha region - the epicentre of the quake - in February 2017, with participants helping to build schools. Volunteers must pay a deposit of £500 and raise £2,975 in sponsorship, which will cover international flights, accommodation, all meals, transfers, a challenge leader, construction supervisor and medical backup. charitychallenge.com
Way to San José
Competition to Costa Rica is set to intensify from this winter when Air France starts a twice-weekly service from Paris CDG to San José. The non-stop link will have connections from airports across the UK, and will compete with the new British Airways service from Gatwick to the Costa Rican capital. airfrance.co.uk
Great escapes
Bletchley Park, the Second World War codebreaking base, is to host an open-air cinema for Second World War movies on 2 and 3 September - on its croquet lawn. The first screening is The Great Escape, followed by The Imitation Game - which tells the story of the codebreaker and pioneering computer scientist, Alan Turing, and was partly shot at Bletchley Park. bletchleypark.org.uk
Temporary hostels
The Scottish Youth Hostels Association is opening three temporary hostels using student accommodation in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth, from mid-June/early July to the end of August. 199 beds are at Cowgate in the centre of Edinburgh, with 110 in Glasgow and 65 in Perth. syha.org.uk
Overland for less
The Dragoman spring sale begins today, with 20 per cent off almost all land prices (i.e. not air fares or kitty) for departures before the end of June 2017. Excluded from the deal are family trips, Rio Carnival packages and journeys to Bhutan. dragoman.co.uk
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments