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Are you an exuberant traveller who jumps up from the seat as soon as the plane lands? That will cost you €62 (£54) if you happen to be landing in Turkey. Why? The Turkish Civil Aviation Authority deems that act to be a contravention of a brand new rule that says that if the plane is still taxiing, you must remain seated and buckled up. 

They are not the only airline to impose a fine. Ryanair may charge disruptive passengers £500 or more and eject them from the flight. The Irish airline and Europe’s biggest said this would be the “minimum” punishment and that it would continue to pursue ejected passengers for civil damages.

There is also a growing trend to scupper the antics of “unruly” holidaymakers abroad by making a dent in their wallet. In 2023, the Dutch capital, Amsterdam banned alcohol-fuelled guided tours and cannabis smoking in the Red Light District imposing on-the-spot €100 fines on those breaking the law.  

In Spain’s Mallorca, Ibiza and Magaluf (notoriously party towns), levies can reach up to €3,000 (£2,615) for drinking in public. Mallorca goes further by insisting there should not be any hanky panky on their beaches.

In Malaga, a 10-point Improve Your Stay campaign has been rolled out. You will see messages advertised on buses, billboards, and on social media feeds that warn against littering, too much noise, reckless scooter use and revealing dress in their streets. Fines for up to €750 (£650) will be handed out to those who do not comply.

In Portugal’s Albufeira, walking around town topless or in just a swimsuit and general nudity could set you back €1,500 (£1,307). In France, Yannick Moreau, the mayor Les Sables-d’Olonne is asking for decorum on their streets, saying topless tourists face fines up to €150 (£130) if they are caught without clothes away from the beach.

What makes tourists want to strip off away from the beach? According to psychodynamic psychotherapist Moya Sarner:

The “whatever happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” state of mind that some people can slip into when on holiday can feed a fantasy that we can split off parts of our lives and ourselves, and behave recklessly without consequences.

“In this state of mind, in a place far from home, looking onto a beautiful beach in the sunshine and supping a cocktail or 12, holidaymakers can lose their sense of values and propriety, and behave in ways they would never consider back home”

So, long sandy beaches, gloriously sunny days, and an easy local vibe can relax inhibitions, but taken too far, this kind of mindset is one that Juan Antonio Amengual, mayor of Calvià, Mallorca, would like to see gone. In a recent speech, he said:

“We must act with two main ideas in mind: the protection and preservation of the environment, and ensuring that tourism is in harmony with our society. Tourism cannot be a burden on citizens.”

Fining of bad behaviour is becoming the go-to deterrent, sometimes for behaviours that may seem bad. In Italy’s Cinque Terre, hiking in inappropriate footwear, such as flipflops, could see ramblers fined up to €2,500 (£2,180). In Spain, Greece, Italy, France, and Portugal, driving in flip-flops or bare feet may cost you up to €300 (£261).

In Venice, if you jump into a canal for a swim (not sure why you would want to), you will face a fine €350 (£305) or if you sit on the ground or steps to eat or drink, you’ll be banned from the area and fined up to €200 ($235).

In France, smokers are fined €90 (£78) on the spot for lighting up in public beaches and playgrounds. And, perhaps what may appear to be an innocent faux pas of taking a shell or pebble from a beach in Greece is not allowed. For this child-like infraction, you could be fined up to €1,000 (£871). Probably best to take a photo instead.

Some may feel that these measures are draconian and chip away at free-spirited fun. However, Jessica Harvey Taylor, Head of Press at the Spanish Tourism Office in London, told the BBC. ”

They are designed to protect the holiday experiences of the vast majority of people who behave responsibly on holiday.”

The message is clear: show restraint, as being away from home isn’t an invitation to behaving with abandon.
 

The post Why holiday hot spots and airlines are fining tourists appeared first on The Travel Magazine.

The buzz phrase in our high tech world, is “digital detox” and according to a recent survey is much desired by a growing band of people. According to a recent survey a hefty 55 per cent want to stop doom scrolling while 81 per cent want to feel more grounded in nature.

In fact, 71 per cent of us will attempt a digital detox at some point this summer, with the survey revealing 30 activities for the perfect screen-free summer, including park picnics (43 per cent), hikes in the countryside (28 per cent), and wild swimming (26 per cent).

According to the 2,000 surveyed, activities include berry picking (22 per cent), building campfires (19 per cent), growing herbs (18 per cent), bird watching (16 per cent), or picking wildflowers (14 per cent).

Overall, 84 per cent of those surveyed by Squeaky Bean want to spend less time in the digital world and more time in the real one, while 31 per cent will even try to have a completely screen-free holiday.

Almost half (43 per cent) say they feel excited about doing things which scare them, while 31 per cent feel a real buzz from doing something out of their comfort zone.

When it comes to what is holding Brits back from being more adventurous, lack of time came top (43 per cent). While work commitments (28 per cent), being afraid to try something new (20 per cent) and family commitments (28 per cent) are other barriers to living life to the full. 

Senior therapist, Sally Baker, comments: “Spending time in nature can often provide a sense of perspective. Being in the countryside reminds us we’re part of something bigger than ourselves. This shift in awareness can ease anxiety, reduce overthinking and nurture resilience. The Japanese have long recognised the value of ‘forest bathing’ or immersing oneself in an environment amongst trees.

“Being in nature aids an effective mindfulness practice to calm the mind and reduce stress. Wild water swimming in nature has been shown to have a profound impact on mental well-being. The combination of cold water, natural surroundings, and physical movement helps reduce stress, ease anxiety, and lift a low mood.

Top screen-free activities to get you off the sofa and bring you back to nature

1. Enjoy a park picnic – 43%
2. Go on a countryside hike – 28%
3. Go wild swimming (sea, river, lake) -26%
4. Go beach combing – 23%
5. Go stargazing – 23%
6. Go berry picking – 22%
7. Camp under the stars –  22%
8. Climb a big hill – 22%
9. Make a campfire – 19%
10. Host a garden festival / party – 19%
11. Grow your own herbs – 18%
12. Toast marshmallows – 17%
13. Go on a park run – 16%
14. Grow your own tomatoes – 16%
15. Make sandcastles – 16%
16. Go horse riding – 16%
17. Grow a veggie patch – 15%
18. Go glamping- 14%
19. Go wildflower picking – 14%
20. Start bird watching – 11%
21. Hug some trees – 10%
22. Go surfing – 10%
23. Go crabbing – 10%
24. Go sailing- 9%
25. Press flowers – 9% 
26. Roll down a hill – 9%
27. Go skinny dipping – 8%
28. Bury yourself in sand –  8%
29. Get an allotment – 7%
30. Make marmalade – 6%

Note: The research of 2,000 Brits of all ages was commissioned by Perspectus Global, on behalf of Squeaky Bean

The post 30 ways to enjoy a screen-free summer appeared first on The Travel Magazine.

In between Regent’s Park and Mayfair, and steps away from the hustle and bustle of noisy Oxford Circus, is the surprisingly lovely and peaceful Marylebone Village.

Tree-lined streets, tall Georgian architecture, and a fascinating selection of indie boutiques and restaurants jostle within a bubble of decorum, thoughtfully curated by The Howard de Walden Estate. I spent a whole day here exploring what this London gem has to offer.

A huge but pretty sign overhead announced that I was about to enter via Marylebone High Street, a long, handsome street that stretches through the heart of the village.

I made my way to the five-star Marylebone Hotel, which takes up a huge chunk of the corner on Welbeck Street and Marylebone High Street, to drop off my overnight bags. Then headed around the corner to 63 Marylebone Lane for breakfast at the tiny Ottolenghi for a coffee and pastry, which sits opposite the Marylebone Hotel’s 108 restaurant, for some morning nourishment before setting out for the day, checking out the shops.

I started at the very quirky Koibird shop next door. There are colourful garments and jewellery from several designers, and every item is one of a kind. The interior of Koibird is also one of a kind, with sparkling silver mirrored tiled walls and shelves showing off unusual homeware items, a huge silver ball around which clothes are displayed and an in-store Nutrition Cafe offering nutritious foods.

A little further on at 74 Marlebone Lane, I popped into Tracey Neuls, a  Canadian shoe designer and founder of TN29 and the eponymous Tracey Neuls labels. There’s a clever display of shoes hanging down from the ceiling and some staples on the side. I particularly liked her exceptionally comfy DOT parchment leather sneakers (£395).

On the corner of Marylebone Lane and Bulstrode Street is a rare find – a speciality hat shop. With its purple-clad exterior and ribbons fluttering in the wind, VV Rouleaux sells everything you could ever want in a hat, the base, the ribbons and accessories. Some are ready-made, but here is an opportunity to create your own.

I popped into O Pioneers to check out its range of clothes and its homewares downstairs. A pair of wine glasses made from seashells caught my eye, and I wondered how anyone could drink from them.

I spotted Mud, an import from Australia that famously sells porcelain homewares designed with minimal aesthetic and an artisan finish in 19 bold or pastel hues. Mud seems to be popping up in stylish places and now has 12 stores globally, including this one.

Nearby at 49 Marylebone Lane is Platform, a spacious designer clothes shop selling ceramics on the lower floor. The outlet specialises, they say, in design-driven slow fashion – a movement in fashion that prioritises ethical and sustainable practices. The idea is that you buy fewer longer-lasting clothes that you can wear over and over.

Lunch was at the convivial Lina Stores, who have a huge outlet on the corner of Marylebone Lane and Wigmore Street. There’s a large deli downstairs and a restaurant on the ground level with an open kitchen. I enjoyed a most gorgeous Carciofi Fritti fried artichokes, aioli, salsa verde to start and followed by Tagliolini con Limone, Zucchine e Pepe Rosa a truly gorgeous tagliolini, lemon, courgette, pink peppercorn, which gave the dish a delightful crunch.

Spending time scouring through books is a joy, and I got to do that at Daunt Books. Probably the most beautiful bookstore in London the interior is in a gorgeous Edwardian building at 83 Marylebone High Street. It has long oak galleries over three floors, a conservatory ceiling that lets in lashings of light and a stained-glass window at its end. It is known primarily for its travel books, but there’s also literary fiction, self-help, biography, and gardening books. 

Just off Marylebone High Street is Moxon Street, home to the Rococo Chocolates, a shop that has been trading for 36 years. Beautiful chocolates in myriad flavours made in Acton in the UK can be tasted by joining their tasting session hosted by Nadeem. He tells me there are key elements to tasting chocolate – the visual, the snap for the crunch, the smell, and the taste, which must be savoured. In the mix, Nadeem included the Dubai chocolate-filled kadayif and a pistachio-tahini cream, which seems to have gone viral on social media. Having tasted it, I now know why.

I concluded my tour at Margaret Dabbs nail salon, located at 7 New Cavendish Street, for a wonderful 90-minute luxury manicure.

I then spent the evening at Carlotta’s restaurant, at 77 Marylebone High Street, for a brilliant Italian-style sensory and culinary experience before retiring for the night in my gorgeous luxury suite at the  Marylebone Hotel.

The post A mooch around Marylebone Village, a hidden gem in Central London appeared first on The Travel Magazine.