Villa Mimarmel

@SimonCalder We are wondering just how “joined up” the system is. Fingerprints and photo collected on exit at Vienna airport in November but also again yesterday on exit at Paris CDG. On the other hand entering at Orly last week was so simple. Used E-gate (no Q) and passport quickly stamped.

EU entry-exit system. The whole digital borders plan is due to be complete within weeks: 9 April 2026. But confusion abounds, eg: “I’ve registered on a previous trip. Am I fast-tracked next time?” (No) “Can I register my biometrics in advance?” (No) More🔽 independent.co.uk/travel/news-an…

@British_Airways Thanks for the information!

@mimarmel Hi there! Our BA2704 to Lanzarote was delayed this morning due to a required change of aircraft. Corry

@British_Airways Can you tell us why flight BA 2704 LGW to ACE was so late leaving this morning please? Thanks

On now. See Lily and Luke in Ginestas.

A cold but Sunny Boxing Day in Paris

Happy Christmas everyone! A few pictures from Paris over the last few days.

@SimonCalder Well, we didn’t have attending the Golden Shears shearing and wool handling championship on our agenda when visiting New Zealand but some friendly locals we met in a little local museum told us about it and it was a great few hours!

Minor miracles of travel 2025. I've met kind people who open doors to travellers or, in the case of Heilbronn, lend you the keys to city towers, as well as some magnanimous givers of lifts. Has anything miraculous happened to you on your travels this year? independent.co.uk/travel/news-an…

@SimonCalder @SLRRHODES @HamiltonNashHR No evidence of any EES booths on arrival at Carcassonne today!

EU entry-exit system not going well at Prague airport: busiest arrival point where the EES is due to be happening 100% on day one. Queues of up to 90 minutes reported for arrivals from the UK and other non-Schengen nations by @SLRRHODES and @HamiltonNashHR independent.co.uk/travel/news-an…

@MoneySavingExp Find it’s always worth locking in a price in advance with car hire but checking nearer the time. Best result was in Malaga a few years back. Originally booked at €165.07 rebooked at €32.50. Same company same car. 😀

Have you cancelled and rebooked a hotel OR a car rental to take advantage of a lower price? ❌ We want to hear your success stories!

@SimonCalder An annual trip to glorious Wandsworth in order to get a six month visa to visit France?🇫🇷

Five years ago tonight, I was aboard the first ferry from Dover to arrive in Calais after Brexit took effect. I think we can all agree that leaving the European Union has been marvellous for travellers since then. Keen to hear your Best Benefits of Brexit. independent.co.uk/travel/news-an…

@DrivinginFrance Carcassonne

If you could suggest one place in France (NOT Paris) that someone should visit. Where would it be?

@SimonCalder Blakeney. Photo taken at the time of The Beast from the East.

Good morning from Saltburn-by-the-Sea in North Yorkshire. (The sea in question was, until the early 20th century, commonly known as the German Ocean.) Your favourite UK seaside resort in challenging weather?

Badminton earlier today. A couple of French pairs, spurred on by an enthusiastic crowd, gave the Koreans a good run for their money. #Badminton #OlympicGames #PARIS2024

@tco01 @SimonCalder Lots of beautiful stations in France 🇫🇷

@mimarmel @SimonCalder Wow, what a beautiful station.

Good morning from cheap and cheerful Paris. “The city is empty,” says Rachida, who runs the good £75-a-night, 3* hotel where I am eating breakfast. The only queues are for the Louvre. Olympic tickets still available. Go for tourism gold on a bronze budget. independent.co.uk/travel/news-an…

Good morning from Gare de Rouen where the trains 🚂 are running to time 😀. On our way to #Paris2024

@SimonCalder See you there! We are catching the ferry to Dieppe (5 day return + over 60s discount) driving to Rouen and catching the train into Paris from there. Not the quickest route but economical when we booked it.

Paris: planning to head out for the weekend to a city that I predict* will be almost empty of tourists? British Airways has just opened up Avios availability outbound on 27 July. Yes, Eurostar is much better, but the cheapest ticket is £195. (*I have been wrong about many things)

🇫🇷 Bonne #FêteNationale ! Happy 14th of July everyone! #14juillet @PAFofficiel

@SimonCalder Where to start! Oradour-sur-Glane has to be on the list as truly unique.

Do you have a favourite "remarkable village" in France or anywhere else?