launching

Virgin Atlantic will start daily direct flights from London Heathrow to Seoul from 29 March, with the South Korean city named favourite destination by millennials and Gen Z for the fourth year running

Virgin Atlantic is set to launch a new direct route from London Heathrow to Seoul, a city that’s become a must-visit for many millennials. The airline has confirmed that daily flights to the South Korean capital will commence from 29 March.

This exciting news follows Seoul being crowned the Favourite Worldwide City at the 2025 Trazees Awards, an accolade it has now won four years running. The awards celebrate destinations and brands that resonate with millennials and Gen Z travellers, highlighting Seoul’s appeal to the under 40s.

A key factor in attracting younger tourists to Seoul could be the global rise of K-Pop. With Korean bands like BTS dominating music charts and K-Pop Demon Hunters becoming Netflix’s most-watched film ever, 2025 was a landmark year for the genre.

K-Pop enthusiasts visiting Seoul can explore K-Star Road in Gangnam, the district immortalised by PSY’s 2012 smash hit Gangnam Style. This vibrant shopping street features giant bear statues, each one symbolising a different K-Pop band who’ve hit the big time, reports the Express.

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Another must-see is the Starfield COEX Mall, home to shops like the expansive KTown4U, brimming with K-Pop merchandise. It even boasts a massive Gangnam Style statue depicting the dance’s iconic crossed hands pose, providing the perfect backdrop for a memorable photo.

Seoul, a city of the future, is renowned for its colossal shopping centres like Times Square, home to the mammoth Shinsegae Department Store and multiple floors filled with shops, eateries, cafes, and even a hotel. Don’t forget to head to the rooftop for breathtaking views of the city.

For an unparalleled view, make your way to the Lotte World Tower. Standing at 123-storeys and 555 metres, it’s not only South Korea’s tallest building but also the sixth tallest globally.

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Daredevils can visit the Seoul Sky observatory for panoramic vistas and walk on the glass floor where just a couple of panes separate you from a dizzying drop below.

Despite its futuristic reputation, Seoul also boasts numerous well-preserved historical sites. Gyeongbokgung, a former Royal palace dating back to 1395, features a vibrant interior adorned with traditional artwork.

You’ll see locals donning national costumes, and if timed right, you can witness the twice-daily changing of the guard ceremony. Gyeongbokgung also houses the National Folk Museum of Korea and the National Palace Museum of Korea, both excellent spots to delve into the country’s history and view ancient artefacts.

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At Bukchon Hanok Village, you can gain insights into the lives of ordinary Koreans throughout history. Meander down winding streets lined with over 900 traditional homes, some centuries old, alongside artisan shops offering souvenirs crafted using time-honoured techniques passed down through generations.

No trip to Seoul would be complete without a visit to one of its bustling markets. The Myeongdong Night Market, open until 1am, is the perfect spot to taste local delicacies and snag vibrant keepsakes.

Be sure to try tteok-bokki, a rice cake smothered in a sweet and spicy fish sauce, Korean hot dogs encrusted with cheese and panko breadcrumbs, and flame-grilled skewered meats.

Each of Seoul’s districts boasts its own distinctive charm, making it easy to find an area that aligns with your travel preferences. Luxury seekers might gravitate towards the high-end district of Gangnam, while shopaholics will love the central location of Myeongdong, surrounded by numerous shopping centres.

Itaewon offers a lively atmosphere with an international flair, renowned for its vibrant nightlife, whereas Insa-dong provides a more traditional experience with weekend markets and street performances.

Virgin Atlantic’s new flight path to South Korea will utilise the airline’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, offering economy, premium economy, and upper class seating options. This latest addition to their routes marks Virgin Atlantic’s ongoing efforts to diversify its destinations beyond its typical transatlantic flights, with new paths to Ghana and the Caribbean also recently announced.

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IF you’re a train fanatic, or know someone who is, then this could be the perfect gift – or make it a great day out for yourself.

One steam railway is starting a brand new experience where enthusiasts drive their very own locomotive.

You’ll find the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway in Cumbria running from the coastal village of Ravenglass into the Lake District National Park.

Currently, the railway gives its passengers the chance to enjoy the countryside scenery from the comfort of its carriages.

But now, it’s launching a new weekend experience where people can actually step onto the footplate and drive the train.

Called the ‘Railway Engine Driver Experience’ it will offer hands-on experience of life on a steam train.

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Participants will get to be up front with one of the railway’s experienced drivers and spend 40 minutes taking the vehicle from Ravenglass to Irton Road.

The journey that newby drivers will go on includes an uncoupling in the passing loop.

On the return run, the driver on the experience will go through authentic railway practice and get a genuine taste of what the job entails.

The driver gets to take control on the footplate, and any additional guests can enjoy the journey from the comfort of First Class Carriage 140.

At the end of the session the learner drivers will be awarded a Certificate of Achievement.

Afterwards, there will be a chance to relax with afternoon tea and enjoy sandwiches, pastries, cakes and a scone with jam and cream.

Coinciding with 150 years since the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway first carried passengers in 1876, the experience will launch from 14 to 22 March 2026.

Nicky Williams, General Manager at the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway said: “How many people dreamed of driving a real train when we they were young?

There’s a special kind of magic in taking the controls of a steam locomotive, and next spring we’ll be handing that magic directly to a select few.

“As we celebrate 150 years of carrying passengers through the Eskdale Valley, these new experiences put the public in the driving seat on one of Britain’s most cherished heritage railways, guided by the experts who continue to keep the line alive every day.”

Now for the technicalities, sadly this isn’t one for kids as drivers-for-a-day must be over the age of 21.

Anyone booking onto the experience can invite up to eight spectator guests to be part of the experience for an additional fee which does include afternoon tea.

Price for the driving experience start from £210pp and £99 for spectator guests.

For more information and to book, visit: www.ravenglass-railway.co.uk/gift-experiences

A brand new crime-themed train experience is coming to UK city…

A train journey across the UK can be a magical experience depending on the views – but a new train is launching that doesn’t actually go anywhere.

The Unseen Experience is set to open in London in December and unlike a normal train journey where you purchase a ticket, get on board and travel from A to B, this service stays in the same spot.

Visitors will ‘board’ in complete darkness, being blindfolded throughout their ‘journey’.

Then, each ‘passenger’ will be “transported through time aboard a mysterious train as 3D audio surrounds you from every direction”, according to the event’s creators, Fever.

The experience involves two stories on one train and is said to be “perfect for fans of mystery, crime and psychological thrillers” – so perhaps not one for people who are expecting the Orient Express.

According to Secret London, in the first world, you are a deserter on the run in 1980, during the Cold War.

Then, in the second world, you are a survivor on the same train, but this time it is around 100 years later in a post-apocalyptic world.

Your fate is decided by the fellow passengers. The journey lasts for 35 minutes in total and each passenger must be over the age of 14 years old.

For more on trains, check out the Thomas the Tank Engine train experience with outdoor shows and unlimited rides.

Plus, the incredible train journey that’ll ‘ruin every other railway trip you take’.

A BUDGET train operator is launching more cheap tickets between some major UK cities.

The Lumo train service between London King’s Cross and Edinburgh is being extended to Glasgow Queen Street.

The train will still run via Edinburgh, as well as Falkirk High, on the East Coast Main Line.

Passengers will be able to use two northbound services each weekday and one southbound service.

There will then be one service in each direction at the weekend.

As a result of the announcement, it is thought more people will head to the Commonwealth Games too, which will take place in Glasgow in July next year.

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Tickets for the route with the low-cost operator will cost from £33.10 between London and Glasgow.

If travelling between Newcastle and Glasgow, tickets will be as little as £10.90.

Stuart Jones, managing director of First Rail Open Access, said: “This is a landmark moment which will boost connectivity between Scotland and England, offering a sustainable travel option whilst also boosting economic growth.

Paul Tetlaw, Director of Policy at Transform Scotland, said: “We welcome the new Lumo services from Glasgow and Falkirk via the East Coast Main Line.

“There is a significant market of people who currently drive or fly to the North East of England and London who now have the opportunity to switch to the train.

“The new services soon to be launched from Stirling will help to build on that modal shift to rail.”

Lumo is also launching a new route which will connect Stirling with London Euston, in May 2026.

It comes as FirstGroup, which owns Lumo, revealed in November that it has submitted applications to launch new direct routes between Cardiff and York, as well as Rochdale and London Euston.

The Cardiff to York route would also include stops in Birmingham, Derby and Sheffield.

This service would run six times a day throughout the week.

And the stops on the Rochdale to London Euston route would include Manchester Victoria, Eccles, Newton-le-Willows and Warrington Bank Quay.

This route would feature three return services on weekdays and Sundays, and four services each Saturday.

The company is aiming for the route to operate by December 2028.

Lumo trains are electric and on board feature no first-class seating option, fitting in with their budget offering.

Seats do have tray tables though and USB sockets, as well as free Wi-Fi.

For more train news, here is the way that passengers can travel on UK trains without buying tickets.

Plus, this is where you can find the most beautiful train journey – it takes 10 minutes and costs £3.