Your must read travel round up 🚞
Hiya 👋
Today’s newsletter has been typed up in advance of boarding a train across Canada where the wifi is expected to be ropey at best.
Therefore, let’s see if this works. If the internet has allowed, our lovely editor Katie will have been able to upload a photo of us for you. If not, I am allowing her free reign to put whatever photo in she wants instead…
KATIE: Mwahahah. Don’t worry, scroll down for the actual photo Chelsea is talking about - I just couldn’t pass on this opportunity! 😉
Whilst our present is all about trains, this newsletter is delving into the details of our recent winter sun trip to ask: was it worth going in January?
And yes, it did include many a gin and tonic… Very important work that.
Right, let’s see what’s coming up in this week’s newsletter:
Is winter sun worth it? ☀️
Ikos All Inclusive alternatives ⛱️
The best airline stopover programmes 🛫
Cheap alternatives to the Bucharest viral spa 🫧
Viral Vacay: Stay in student accommodation for less 🎓
Is winter sun worth it?
My 5 star holiday was a whole 72% cheaper - but what’s a January trip REALLY like?
11 best Ikos alternatives
We rate these dreamy All Inclusives as great alternatives to the mega-popular Ikos resorts.
Viral Vacay📲
Where we track down travel videos that have gone viral, find out how much it actually costs and if needs be, suggest a cheaper alternative 🕵️♀️
What is it? The Olympic Village apartments have got us thinking about uni digs as a cheap accommodation option.
How viral? This TikTok by @phebebekker has more than half a million views.
What are the options? We found some solid options for stays that will have you reliving your youth in no time.
Seen a viral video you want me to do this for? Reply with it to this email! 📧
The best airline stopover programmes
Bag 2 trips in 1 and see more of the world for less with an airline stopover programme.
Cheap alternatives to the Bucharest viral spa
If crowds aren’t your thing, check out these cheap alternatives to the Bucharest viral spa.
My deal of the week 💸
Win a Two Together Railcard! 🎟️
Thanks to the kind folks at raildcard.co.uk I’ve got three Two Together Railcards to give away. This gets you and a plus one 1/3 off most rail fares - perfect for a romantic Valentine’s (or Palentine’s) trip perhaps?!
Just reply to this email with who you’d share it with, and we’ll pick three people at random to win!
This competition is for GB residents only, terms apply. Entries close on Saturday 7 February at 11:59PM (GMT) so be quick. Good luck!
You can also browse even more package holiday deals over on the Holiday Expert website!
What the team’s been loving this week! 🤳
When we’ve not been working really hard - ahem - here’s some of the things that we’ve been enjoying over on socials.
Chelsea: I am MESMERISED! 🧳
Jack: It’s just mad what this guy has done! 🚲
Katie: Logging off early to do my homework for Sunday 🐰
Anna: This has to be a nightmare if you’ve got flying anxiety… ✈️
James: This is the best reason to lose something I’ve ever seen… 🥁
(P.S. We actually compete every week on who gets those most clicks on these 😆)
More from Holiday Expert 📣
Look mum I’m on the radio!
I’ve been busy this week, chatting to Elis James and John Robins on their podcast, as well as BBC Online and Radio 4’s You and Yours.
Passports Please! podcast
Find out how to dodge hefty one-way flight prices, and we tackle a grimy holiday nightmare.
Me in the Metro
Read about my race with James through airport fast track in my monthly Metro column.
And that’s a wrap!
That’s all for this week – thanks if you made it this far and why not let me know you did so by answering the poll below ⬇️
If you have a mate or family member who loves to travel and could do with a helping hand from us here at Holiday Expert, just hit the button below and share the link!
Would you take a trip on a sleeper train?
Speak to you soon!
Chelsea x
THIS is the pic I meant… Hello from Canada!
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