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UK holidaymakers travelling to popular destinations like Spain and Greece could be turned away at airports

British holidaymakers jetting off to Spain, Greece and many other countries must follow a post-Brexit rule – or be refused boarding at the airport. While the prospect of an overseas getaway is thrilling, it’s important for travellers to be aware of all requirements before setting off.

This has become especially vital following Brexit, which has introduced new regulations in recent years. Prior to Britain’s departure from the European Union (EU), UK passport holders could visit the Schengen Area without requiring passport stamps and weren’t subject to any time limits on their stays.

However, British visitors are now limited to a maximum of 90 days during any 180-day period. To assist with this, an application called Schengen Simple has been developed.

George Cremer, founder of Schengen Simple, said: “We built a travel app that handles the 90/180 calculation for exactly this reason. The tricky part most people miss is that it’s a rolling 180-day window, not a fixed calendar period.

“So someone who did a long summer trip to Spain might unknowingly be restricted on a winter break months later. The European Commission has its own calculator, but it only looks backwards.

“It tells you how many days you’ve used, not how many you have left for a future trip. That’s the gap we fill. Users enter past and upcoming travel and can see exactly how long they can stay without risking an overstay.”

The Foreign Office’s guidance for all Schengen nations warns: “If you overstay the 90-day visa-free limit, you may be banned from entering Schengen countries for up to 3 years.”

The Schengen area consists of: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

New Entry/Exit system and ETIAS requirements coming to Europe in 2026 mean British passport holders need to prepare for biometric checks and travel authorisation.

As winter fades away, millions of Britons are probably mapping out their summer getaways. Some might already have flights secured, and if that’s you, it’s crucial to familiarise yourself with the new regulations taking effect.

Whether you’re jetting off to Europe or across the Atlantic, fresh legislation is being implemented that could result in substantial hold-ups at airports and railway terminals. Updated requirements covering visas, biometric information and passport checks mean that international travel is growing increasingly complex.

That said, provided you understand what’s needed, your journey should remain hassle-free.

For those bound for Europe, the new entry/exit system may trigger bottlenecks. The introduction of this began in October 2025, and by April 2026, it’s anticipated to operate throughout all Schengen zones.

It demands biometric information – fingerprints and a facial photograph – at the airport, reports the Express.

This may create hold-ups at border crossings, so it’s vital to factor these in and avoid leaving your travel arrangements too tight.

Also anticipated in 2026 is the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). This will oblige non- European Union nationals to secure ETIAS approval if they intend to visit Europe for up to 90 days.

The application will set you back £17.46 but comes free for those under 18 and over 70, and remains valid for three years or until your passport runs out.

Whilst this won’t launch until the final quarter of 2026, specialists are encouraging travellers to get ready and stay informed about the upcoming transformation.

Those planning a journey to the US will be required to use the Mobile Passport Control App. The application was created to cut down queuing times at airports and do away with paper documentation.

Upon arrival in the US, passengers must download the app, set up a profile and respond to a number of questions about themselves.

After completing your submission, you’ll be given a QR code to present at passport control.

Nicole Kerr, CEO at ground transportation platform Mozio, said: “UK searches for ‘summer holiday deals’ have increased by 123% in the past three months, as Brits look to secure their travel plans ahead of peak season.

“While a holiday is meant to be a relaxing and stress-free experience, experts have warned that changes to the travel industry could cause delays and confusion.”

Thousands of Uber, Bolt and Addison Lee drivers will log off on Valentine’s Day, urging customers to boycott ride-hailing apps as unions accuse firms and TfL of failing to address falling pay, safety risks and unfair working conditions.

Private hire drivers across the UK are urging customers to boycott major ride-hailing apps on Valentine’s Day as part of a protest over pay, working conditions and what they describe as regulatory failures.

Members of the Independent Workers of Great Britain (IWGB) Private Hire Drivers branch are asking consumers not to use Uber, Bolt or Addison Lee on Saturday 14 February, while drivers log off the platforms and join a motorcade in central London from 5pm to demand legislative reform.

Nader Awaad, chairman of the IWGB Private Hire Drivers branch, described drivers’ experiences as “systemic exploitation” caused by fare structures, rising operating costs and what he calls insufficient oversight from Transport for London (TfL).

Awaad, 59, from Walthamstow, began driving in 2019 after being made redundant from a senior management role. He told The Mirror: “The UK’s private hire industry is a wild west. With no protection from unfair dismissal, drivers see their livelihoods disappear in the blink of an eye.

“With no real safety measures, we are left unprotected from passenger violence, frequently resulting in serious injuries or, in the tragic case of our member Gabriel Bringye, death. And that’s before we even start talking about pay,” he said.

Gabriel Bringye, 37, was a much loved private hire driver from Tottemham, north London. In February 2021, he was fatally stabbed during a robbery by a group of teenagers who had booked his cab by chance. He died from blood loss despite attempting to defend himself.

The attack left a deep mark on the driving community, and following the trial, Bringye’s family established Gabriel’s Campaign for Driver Safety, calling for stronger protections for private hire drivers and measures to prevent future tragedies.

According to the IWGB, drivers can work 12 to 18-hour days just to break even, covering fuel, insurance, vehicle maintenance, traffic fines and platform commission. Awaad highlighted a case where a Heathrow-to-central London ride cost £111 for the passenger, but the driver was paid only £29. “After expenses, many drivers are earning less than the minimum wage,” he told us.

He also criticised “upfront” or “dynamic pricing,” which sets fares for passengers and pays drivers via algorithms. Research from Oxford University found that Uber driver pay has declined since the model’s introduction. Under this system, drivers have no say over fares and can bear the cost of delays or route changes.

The protest follows the Supreme Court ruling that Uber drivers are workers, entitled to minimum wage and holiday pay. Awaad argues operators responded by adjusting pay structures in ways that reduced earnings. Uber has said it complies with the ruling and provides worker protections, including holiday pay, pensions and minimum earnings guarantees.

Beyond pay, safety remains a concern. Drivers report risks of assault and abuse, along with sudden account deactivation by operators. Awaad insists TfL, as the licensing authority, should oversee any suspension decisions. The union also wants stricter passenger identity checks after incidents involving stolen or fraudulent accounts.

Awaad’s attempts to raise these concerns directly with TfL Commissioner Andy Lord, including offering detailed evidence, were reportedly declined.

When The Mirror reached out to TfL, a spokesperson said: “We take our responsibilities as the licensing authority seriously to ensure that everyone can travel safely and reliably. Operators must meet high standards in order to be licensed in London and we continually keep licensing requirements under review to ensure safe services for Londoners.”

The IWGB is lobbying Parliament for legislative changes addressing pay transparency, commission levels, safety protections, and due process in account suspensions.

Alex Marshall, IWGB president, urged public support: “If drivers and riders unite, we can push TfL and the government to implement protections similar to New York, France, Mexico and Barcelona. Drivers deserve fair pay, capped hours, holidays and safety measures. The time for change is now.”

Responding to concerns around pay and transparency, an Uber spokesperson said: “We regularly engage with drivers, especially through our industry-leading agreement with GMB Union, who are not taking part in this action. More and more people choose to earn with Uber because we offer flexibility over where and when they work, as well as offering the best benefits in the sector.

“Drivers have transparency over every trip they take – including the destination and their earnings – before they decide whether to accept it. All drivers receive a weekly summary of their earnings, which includes a clear breakdown of what Uber and the driver received from trips,” the statement concluded.

Similarly, a Bolt spokesperson said the company operates a different model outside London. “Through Bolt Flex, the first model of its kind in the UK, drivers outside London can set their own fares, negotiate directly with passengers, and operate on a transparent, flat commission with no hidden fees. Drivers are already earning up to 7% more per trip on average, while receiving 24% more orders per hour.”

In response to safety concerns, Bolt added: “The safety of drivers is our top priority. We have committed €100 million globally to strengthen safety across our platform, contributing to a 14% reduction in safety-related incidents year over year.

“Drivers are provided with passenger ratings and ride history before pickup, can share live trip details with trusted contacts, and have access to 24/7 in-app and phone support. Our Emergency Assist button connects directly to emergency services and alerts Bolt’s 24/7 safety team, and our trip monitoring technology flags unexpected or prolonged stops. We also offer one of the sector’s most affordable CCTV schemes for drivers.

“Drivers on the Bolt platform operate as independent partners, and access is conditional on compliance with our safety and community standards. Accounts are only ever deactivated following a full investigation, with a clear review process. We will continue working with drivers to raise standards across the sector.”

The Mirror contacted Addison Lee for comment.

Gillian Philip met Henry during a solo trip and it changed her life

A teacher who met her now-husband on a solo trip in China and moved more than 5,500 miles – 9,000 kilometres – across the world after only meeting him four times in person has said “you will find love when you least expect it”. Gillian Philip, a teacher from Scotland, decided to “give up on dating” when she turned 30 and moved to South Korea to start a new chapter, where she could focus on herself and “enjoy (her) life”.

In October 2019, however, Gillian, now 39, found herself on a Flash Pack trip to China after her original holiday plans fell through – and this is when she met Henry Philip, 42, a software developer, also from Scotland. They soon formed a bond while exploring Beijing, riding motorbikes and watching the sunrise at the Great Wall, describing the trip as “unforgettable”, but they both “didn’t expect to meet anyone” romantically.

Despite living in different countries, they kept in contact via messaging and video calls, and Gillian decided to move across the world to be with him in July 2021 after only seeing him in person four times. Now living in Edinburgh together, they have since married and welcomed their first child, and Gillian wants to encourage others to travel the world and “dream big”.

Speaking about an amusing anecdote, Gillian said: “I remember talking to one of Henry’s best friends, and he said to me, ‘So what’s going on with you two?’. I said, ‘Well, it’s probably just a holiday fling that’s overrun’, and he went, ‘Why do you say that?’.

“I just said, ‘We live 9,000 kilometres apart, there’s a nine-hour time difference in our relationship. In reality, it’s going to go nowhere’. What’s funny is I said that to the person who ended up being the best man at our wedding.”

Gillian explained that she had a long-term relationship while at university but, otherwise, she tried the usual avenues for dating in her 20s. She downloaded various dating apps, including Tinder, signed up for online platforms such as Plenty of Fish, and her friends tried to set her up with potential partners – but without success.

“I’d go on a date and I’d be thinking, ‘I could genuinely be doing anything else with my time right now’,” Gillian said. “I could be getting my marking done, I could be sorting out my emails instead of sitting in this pub.”

When she turned 30, Gillian decided to move to South Korea to teach at an international school. Although “terrifying” at first, she said she wanted to focus on herself and enjoy activities such as walking, swimming and travelling.

“I just thought, I’m going to stop trying to do this stereotypical route – you work hard in your profession, you work up the ladder, then you buy a house, you meet a partner, you get married etc.,” she said. “I just wanted to go and enjoy my life.”

While in South Korea, Gillian said she ventured on her first solo Flash Pack trip to Vietnam and Cambodia in 2018. Flash Pack is a social adventure travel company which specialises in creating bucket-list experiences for like-minded solo travellers, and Gillian thoroughly enjoyed the trip. Then in 2019, she decided to go on another Flash Pack holiday after other plans fell through – this time, to China.

“In 2019, I was originally meant to be going to the Rugby World Cup in Japan with my sister and her husband, but they couldn’t go in the end,” Gillian said. “I didn’t know if I wanted to do that by myself, so I just thought, ‘Actually, while I’m here, I’m not far from Beijing and I know Flash Pack’s a great company, so let’s just go and do that trip’.”

Gillian booked her spot in September and Henry booked his in August, and they both flew out separately to China in October that year with no expectations to meet anyone. The 12-day adventure included seeing the Great Wall at sunrise, exploring Beijing and being invited into the homes of locals to make dumplings by hand, along with seeing the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an.

The group practised tai chi, explored lantern-lit streets, visited various food markets, travelled on high-speed trains, rode motorbikes, saw pandas and journeyed by boat in Shanghai. It was on this trip that she met fellow adventurer Henry, but she admits it was not love at first sight.

“The first time I met him, it was in a group in the evening, when everyone is introducing themselves,” Gillian explained. “It wasn’t like, ‘Oh, wow, he’s amazing’, it was more, ‘He seems like a nice person’.”

Gillian remembers spending time with Henry one afternoon when they had time to do some shopping, and he helped her pick out a jumper as she had only brought 6kg of hand luggage for the trip. They then ended up “sitting and chatting” on various train journeys and visiting food markets, allowing them to form a closer bond, and Gillian said he was “really kind and really easy to talk to”.

“I thought by fluke we just ended up sitting next to each other on every train journey, but I found out later he planned some of that,” Gillian said. “It was nice to just sit and chat and, as we chatted, we realised we had a few mutual friends in common.”

In Shanghai, they ended up “staying up all night talking to each other”, and they shared their first kiss there before flying home. However, Gillian did not think they would see each other again and even considered setting Henry up with one of her friends in Edinburgh.

“I knew he was a great guy, but we lived so far apart,” Gillian said. “We did say that we travel really well together, so it would be great to travel again, but it was one of those things where you say that and don’t know if it will ever happen.”

Despite living 9,000 kilometres apart, they maintained contact and managed to meet up a few times in December 2019, where they visited the Christmas markets in Edinburgh and spent New Year together. Then, after months of not seeing each other because of Covid-19, countless messages and an “I love you” moment over a video call, Gillian decided to quit her job and move across the world in July 2021.

“If any of my female friends said they’re moving halfway around the world for a guy they’d met four times, I’d say, ‘What are you doing?’,” Gillian said. “Surprisingly, only two people turned around to me and said, ‘I don’t think that’s a wise idea’… but a part of me thought, if I don’t give this a go, I’ll always regret it.”

After moving in together in Edinburgh, Henry proposed in May 2022, they got married in July 2023 and they have since welcomed their first child, who is now 17 months old. They have continued to travel together, visiting Alaska for their honeymoon and other places such as Toronto, Vancouver and Croatia, and they love “spending time as a family”.

Reflecting on how they met and her advice to others, Gillian said: “Henry and I say to each other, if we saw each other in a bar, I don’t think either of us would have had the confidence to go up to each other. Our paths were meant to cross, we just took the long way round to get there. It’s the old cliche which people used to say to me and I hated them saying it, but you will find love when you least expect it.”

Wizz Air has added a new route to the Greek island of Santorini from London Gatwick starting July 2026, with flights from £45.99 offering crystal-clear waters and whitewashed villages

Wizz Air has unveiled new routes to a stunning island boasting scorching sunshine and crystal-clear azure waters, with fares kicking off at just £45.99.

As dreary British weather continues, many of us are fantasising about a sun-drenched holiday, making it the perfect moment to discover that Wizz Air has expanded its routes to the iconic Greek island of Santorini. The breathtaking destination has remained a firm favourite amongst holidaymakers craving a peaceful retreat amongst its whitewashed and blue-domed clifftop villages.

The fresh Wizz Air route connecting London Gatwick to Santorini will officially launch on 1 July 2026, as the airline bolsters its Greek connections ahead of the busy summer travel season. The new service, offering Brits greater flexibility for their summer holiday plans, will run twice weekly on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Direct flights begin at only £45.99 one-way, making it simpler than ever to secure that tranquil getaway during the summer break without the eye-watering cost. Santorini delivers plenty for travellers, from its spectacular clifftop vistas and black volcanic sand beaches to some of the most breathtaking golden sunsets imaginable.

Tourists can meander through cobbled pathways flanked by whitewashed structures adorned with pink bougainvillaea blooms for a picture-perfect Mamma Mia! moment. Due to its dramatic position perched atop volcanic cliffs, there’s an array of hiking trails to appreciate the island’s distinctive charm, including the renowned Fira-Oia trail.

Beyond that, visitors can discover the ancient ruins at Akrotiri, embark on a boat excursion across the turquoise waters, enjoy a dip in Santorini’s hot springs, and taste local wines during a vineyard tour. Additionally, there’s a wide selection of delightful restaurants, lively bars and authentic cafes where guests can savour Greek cuisine, from Gyros to Horiatiki.

The introduction of the new Wizz Air route to Santorini arrives as the carrier continues to broaden its UK- Greece connections. Wizz Air has also announced extra flights to Chania, Corfu, Mykonos, Rhodes and Zakynthos launching this summer.

Yvonne Moynihan, Managing Director at Wizz Air UK, said: “The addition of Santorini to our London Gatwick network comes at the perfect time ahead of the peak summer season. Our upcoming Greek routes are already set to become firm favourites with our customers, and Santorini is a bucket list destination that people dream of visiting.

“As London’s low-cost airline, we’re delighted to give travellers the opportunity to experience this iconic island destination at an affordable price. We listened carefully to what customers wanted, and through our Customer First Compass framework, we are making sure their needs remain front and centre in every decision we take.”

The upcoming flights from London Gatwick to Santorini, with a journey time of less than four hours, will soon be available for booking on the Wizz Air website or through their app. Prices for a one-way direct ticket will kick off at £45.99, with the inaugural flight scheduled for 1 July 2026.

Got a travel tale to tell? Drop us an email at webtravel@reachplc.com

LIKE theatre, gigs and festivals but hate the price tags that go with them?

There are plenty of little-known sites that offer heavily discounted or even FREE tickets to top-name events to fill empty seats. This even includes recordings for TV shows that have audiences.

With London West End shows easily setting two people back £100, heading to the theatre may seem possible only once in a blue moon.

But thanks to the following sites, you could save hundreds on tickets – we’ve tested all of them, and got incredible tickets to some huge shows for a fraction of what everyone else is paying.

TodayTix 

If you don’t already have the TodayTix app, you should download it now. 

It is an app for booking theatre and stage shows, including the London West End performances. 

It’s especially great for anyone looking for last-minute shows.

There is a feature called ‘Rush Tickets’, which offers a chance to get discounted tickets on the day of a performance. 

Shows this offer is applied to include MJ The Musical (£30), The Producers (£30), Titanique (£30), Stranger Things The First Shadow (£25), Back to the Future (£29.50), Six (£25), The Book of Mormon (£25) and Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap (£25). 

I recently watched The Mousetrap on a £25 Rush Ticket and managed to get the first row of the upper circle – a seat that usually costs considerably more than £25. 

The app also has a ‘lottery’ feature for some shows, where you can enter a lottery for tickets from as little as £10.  

Under this feature, you do have to be resilient, as the likelihood of getting lottery tickets is slim.

However, after a few months of entering the lottery every week, I managed to bag £40 tickets to both parts of Harry Potter and The Cursed Child – tickets which can usually set you back over £400 for the stalls or dress circle. 

Other shows that have lottery offers include Hamilton, which, if you won, you’d only pay £10 for. 

Some shows also have their own offers on the app, for example, Moulin Rouge offers Bohemian Seats, which are reduced tickets (£30) for same-day performances. 

Applause Store 

Applause Store claims to be the world’s best television audience company and gives out tickets to a range of shows. 

I have been using Applause Store for about four years now, and in that time, I have seen a couple of shows, including QI.

The one major downside, though, is that you get tickets and then queue for a long time and don’t necessarily get in. 

This has put me off using Applause Store as frequently, though it is great if there is a show you really want to see being filmed for TV. 

For example, at the time of writing, Applause Store is booking tickets for the BAFTA Awards fan areas, something that I would love to see, and so I have applied for two tickets. 

Other shows often available include Britain’s Got Talent, Love Island Aftersun, Michael McIntyre’s Big Show and Ant and Dec’s Limitless Win. 

Tickets are free, but just because you get tickets doesn’t mean that you are guaranteed entry, so if you are desperate to see the show, make sure you get there early. 

SRO Audiences 

SRO Audiences is similar to Applause Store.

For SRO Audiences, you don’t need to sign up – simply head onto the website, look at the shows available and request tickets. 

Current shows available include The Martin Lewis Money Show Live, Mock The Week and The Jonathan Ross Show. 

Similar to Applause Store, tickets do not guarantee entry, so it is best to get there early on the day.

Central Tickets 

Central Tickets is primarily for London theatre events – and by this I don’t necessarily mean London West End shows.

You have to sign up, but it is free of charge to do this, and then you get access to heavily discounted or even free tickets to shows.

Before Christmas, I nabbed two free tickets with a £6.50 admin fee (so £13 total) to see Burlesque: Unwrapped instead of a minimum of £45 per person. 

The festive-yet-saucy burlesque performance was, of course, adults only and featured performers twirling around and undressing to Christmas tunes – I’m talking Rudolph nipple tassels and lots of glitter. 

It was no London West End show, but for £6.50, my friend and I had a great laugh and a fun evening out.

A lot of the events and shows will most likely be things you haven’t heard of before, but all have a description, meaning you can learn what the show is about before booking. 

Sometimes there are some real gems, though; for example, at the time of writing, you could head to Phantom Peak’s immersive experience for £10 instead of £35, or you could head to Sabrage, “featuring international circus elites and theatrical misfits”, for £15 instead of a minimum of £30. 

Show Film First 

Similar to Central Tickets, Show Film First offers heavily discounted tickets to shows and events.

You do have to sign up for an account, which is free, and their newsletter to get the offers.

Some of the current offers include seeing the London Lions basketball team playing against the Niners Chemnitz team, and you would only pay the access fee. 

They have also had tickets to top London day festivals, featuring international popstars as headline acts – for an access fee of just £7.95 (but we won’t say who, to spare their blushes).

Other offers include travel conferences and comedy shows. 

Age-bracketed tickets

When living in London, it is often easy to forget that theatres, cinemas, and so on offer age-related discounts, and it isn’t necessarily always for youngsters.

For example, the National Theatre offers 16-25/18-25 tickets.

The Young Vic then offers £12 tickets for under 25s, and the Barbican and Almeida Theatre both offer £5 tickets for 25s and under.

A bit older than that? Well, if you are under 30, joining the mailing lists for the Royal Albert Hall and Donmar Warehouse allows you to grab £20 tickets.

At The Royal Albert Hall, past events have included Barbie: The Movie in Concert, Video Games in Concert and BBC Proms: The Traitors. 

There is also Kids Week, which usually takes place in the summer, and allows children under the age of 18 to visit many West End shows for free with a paying adult.

Restricted view

One way to get cheaper tickets at pretty much any show is by opting for the restricted-view seats. 

Sites like SeatPlan and A View From My Seat help to show what sort of view you would get, so you can always check a restricted seat’s view before actually booking it. 

If you do book this kind of ticket, you can expect to save between 30 and 50 per cent compared to a seat with a non-restricted view. 

Standing tickets 

It is unusual to find standing tickets but Shakespeare’s Globe in London does. 

Whilst this offer isn’t available at the moment, it will be in the summer again, every Friday at 11am when tickets are released for the following week. 

And each ticket only costs £5. 

Last summer I watched The Winter’s Tale on a standing ticket.

Half of the show was conducted inside, where I did stand but had a barrier to lean on, and then the other half was outside, and thanks to the show not being fully booked, I got a seat. 

It is worth checking the length of the show and thinking whether you can stand for that long, though, before committing. 

Disney discounts

If you head to the ‘Disney Tickets’ website, you can grab tickets to Disney’s West End shows for less than usual. 

For example, you can grab tickets to The Lion King and Disney‘s Hercules on Mondays at noon for that week’s performances for £29.50.

Known as Magical Mondays, it means you could see The Lion King for considerably less than the usual ticket price, which sits around the £70 to £110 range.

All you need to do is create a MyDisney account, which is free to do.

For more cheap days out, here are 10 days out in the UK that cost less than a pint, from free-to-visit lidos to cheap cinema mornings.

Plus, here are four savvy ways to enjoy cheap days out with the family in summer 2026.