insiders

Travel firm Byway has mapped out a route to the Canaries solely by train and ferry. It takes 17 days and costs a pretty penny, but the journey takes passengers through some stunning parts of France and Spain at a leisurely pace

Travel insiders have revealed how to get to the Canary Islands without taking a flight.

The Spanish island chain is one of the most popular destinations for British holidaymakers. In 2024, approximately 6.3 million British visitors traveled to the Canary Islands, making them the UK’s most significant tourism market and accounting for over 40% of international arrivals.

And for good reason. The islands’ location off the northwest coast of Africa means they enjoy incredible year-round weather. The sun is almost always shining, and the landscape is a rich, dramatic mix of woodland, beaches, and mountains.

Those who try to limit the amount they fly or simply enjoy traveling a little more slowly may be surprised to hear that it’s possible to get from the UK to the Canary Islands without taking to the air.

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Byway has mapped out a route to the Canaries solely by train and ferry:

London to Paris via train: Journey time: 2 hrs 21 mins Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord. Relax with a drink and a good book or film as you watch the British fields turn into the French countryside from your carriage window.

Paris to Nîmes via train: Journey time: 3 hrs 5 mins Take the train directly from Paris Gare de Lyon to Nîmes. Enjoy views of rolling French countryside as you make the journey south. Home to some of the best-preserved Roman monuments in the world, Nîmes is often dubbed “the most Roman city outside of Italy.” Wander the picturesque streets before sitting down for a drink in one of the city’s beautiful squares.

Visit Les Arènes, a twin-tiered amphitheatre which is the best preserved of its kind in France. Over 2,000 years old, the arena once seated 24,000 spectators. Grab an audio guide to provide you with context as you explore the arena before viewing replicas of gladiators’ armour in the museum. Stay one night.

Nîmes to Madrid via train: Journey time: 6 hrs 50 mins Spain’s capital, Madrid, sits strategically at the centre of Iberia and is home to Europe’s largest palace, sprawling city parks, and a wealth of world-renowned museums and galleries. As the sun sets, the lively paseo weaves its way through the streets, and the city keeps going until sunrise. Stay two nights.

Madrid to Cádiz via train: Journey time: 4 hrs 37 mins Cádiz is an Andalusian port city surrounded almost entirely by water. The city is a maze of cobbled streets with Roman ruins and a thriving local food scene. Stay one night.

Cádiz to Arrecife via ferry: Journey time: from 12:30 pm to 4pm the following day Arrecife, the capital of Lanzarote, combines maritime destination charm with a laid-back island spirit. Stroll along its palm-lined promenades and golden beaches before discovering the lively harbour, historic fortresses, and colourful markets. At night, the waterfront comes alive with tapas bars and ocean views.

Byway offers the route as a package, which also includes the return journey, which takes roughly the same amount of time. The trip does cost just shy of £3,000, however, for that price, all travel is included along with accommodation for the duration of the 17 day trip.

Check out the Byway website for more details.

Dawn Morwood, co-director of Cheap Deals Away, has laid out all of the many reasons why she refuses to use complimentary toiletries when she is staying in hotels

A hotel insider has explained why she never used complimentary toiletries when travelling.

While hotel toiletries might seem like a convenient perk, Dawn Morwood, co-director of Cheap Deals Away, warns that what’s inside those bottles isn’t always what it appears to be. “Travellers often assume hotel toiletries are safe and fresh, but the reality can be quite different,” she explained.

Dawn says that when it comes to hotel amenities, it pays to be cautious. One of the biggest concerns is bottles that have been tampered with or refilled with cheaper alternatives.

“I’ve heard from travellers who’ve found bottles with broken seals or products that smell completely different from what the label suggests. Some hotels cut costs by refilling branded bottles with generic products, or worse, bottles that haven’t been properly cleaned between uses,” Dawn said.

The practice of refilling luxury-branded bottles with cheaper alternatives is more common than many travellers realise, particularly in budget accommodations looking to present an upscale image. Dawn claims that some hotels reuse containers without adequate cleaning. Dawn has encountered reports of bottles containing residue from previous guests’ use.

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“You might think you’re getting fresh product, but some hotels simply top up bottles rather than replacing them entirely. This creates a hygiene nightmare,” she added.

Hotels sometimes prioritise appearance over actual product quality, focusing on making the product look expensive and luxurious. “In some cases, the actual product will separate or change consistency, suggesting it’s been sitting there far longer than it should have,” Dawn said.

Dawn shares the red flags that should make you avoid hotel toiletries entirely:

1. Broken or missing seals: Check pump dispensers and bottle caps for signs of tampering. “If the seal looks damaged or there’s residue around the cap, don’t use it,” Dawn advises.

2. Unusual consistency or colour: Products that appear watery, lumpy, or discoloured are major warning signs. “Shampoo shouldn’t look like water, and lotion shouldn’t have chunks floating in it,” she says.

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3. Strange smells: “Trust your nose. If something smells off, chemical-like, or completely different from what you’d expect, step away.”

4. Sticky or grimy bottle exteriors: “Clean hotels maintain clean toiletry containers. If the outside of the bottle feels sticky or looks grimy, imagine what’s inside,” Dawn warns.

5. Generic or handwritten labels: Professionally branded products should have proper labelling. Handwritten labels or generic stickers are immediate red flags.

Dawn added: The safest approach is always to bring your own toiletries. Personal care products are exactly that – personal. Your skin and hair are used to specific formulations, so switching to unknown products can cause reactions even when they’re legitimate. But beyond that, you have complete control over quality and hygiene when you pack your own.

“I know the concern is always luggage weight, but there are smart ways around this. Invest in a set of travel-sized containers that meet airline regulations – usually 100ml or less. Decant your regular products into these before you travel.

“Alternatively, a lot of brands now offer travel miniatures of their full-size products. You can also look for solid alternatives like shampoo bars, which don’t count toward your liquid allowance and often last longer than you’d expect. The peace of mind is worth the small extra effort in packing.”