Public transport

Car hire is at its peak over summer, with people using them to travel around the UK and beyond. And getting it right is easy with a bit of knowhow, says travel expert Jamie Holt

Hiring a car is not particularly sexy nor glamorous – but it’s a task completed by Brits in their hundreds of thousands every summer. “We’re seeing families prioritise flexibility and convenience more than ever, whether that’s for a summer holiday abroad or a UK staycation,” says Jamie Holt, SIXT’s Head of Operations and Resident Travel Expert. “Whether it’s a week in Cornwall, a weekend in the Lake District, or driving straight from the airport to a resort abroad, people want the journey itself to feel easy and enjoyable.” Here he shares his top tips for getting it right.

Don’t leave it too late

Jamie says: “Summer is always busy, and family-friendly vehicles – SUVs, estates and 7-seaters- get booked up first, particularly during school holidays. Booking early gives you more choice, better value and the right vehicle for your trip. It’s also worth being realistic about space: once you add luggage, pushchairs and everything else, a slightly larger car makes the whole journey more comfortable.”

Embrace flexibility

Jamie says: “My biggest tip is to embrace the flexibility a car gives you – stop at a beach on the way down, visit smaller villages that are harder to reach by train, and avoid the pressure of fixed schedules. Make sure you plan for busy roads during peak weekends: setting off slightly earlier or later than the main rush makes a real difference. Keeping snacks, entertainment and chargers easily accessible helps too. We’re seeing more families turn short UK breaks into proper road trip experiences.”

Understand local rules when abroad

Jamie says: “Book in advance, especially in popular destinations where availability drops quickly in summer. Make sure you understand the local driving rules before you travel – speed limits, road signs and right-of-way rules can vary significantly. Check what’s included in your rental: unlimited kilometres, protection options and 24/7 breakdown assistance make a big difference abroad. And always take five minutes to familiarise yourself with the vehicle, the navigation system and local road apps before you set off.”

Book the right car for you

Jamie says: “Comfort and practicality should come first. People focus on price, but choosing the right vehicle completely changes the experience. At SIXT, we specialise in premium vehicles, so customers can expect a comfortable drive from the moment they collect the car. For summer, whether you’re heading on a UK road trip or hiring abroad, SUVs and larger family vehicles are popular because they offer the room and comfort that longer journeys demand. Think beyond getting from A to B; the journey should feel like part of the holiday.”

Take five minutes before setting off

Jamie says: “It makes a real difference, especially when driving somewhere unfamiliar or abroad. Before anything else, do a full walk-around of the car and take photos and videos – it only takes a moment and gives you peace of mind for the journey ahead. Check the navigation system, phone connectivity, charging points and child seat fittings before leaving the branch. Test how luggage fits in the boot rather than assuming it will all squeeze in later. Travel days can already feel hectic during summer, so a little preparation upfront helps everything run more smoothly.”

Plan, plan, plan

Jamie says: “Extra planning goes a long way during peak season. Whether you’re collecting from an airport, heading off on a staycation or navigating busy roads, giving yourself extra time helps. Keep an eye on live traffic updates and avoid the busiest routes where you can. If you’re travelling with children, build regular breaks into the journey. Hiring a car through SIXT already takes a lot off your plate – with flexible booking, 24/7 support and out-of-hours returns, families can focus on enjoying the trip.”

Hire straight from the airport

Jamie says: “Hiring straight from the airport removes unnecessary stress. After a flight, the last thing you want is to navigate train connections or wait for taxis with lots of luggage. Having a car ready means you continue your journey comfortably and on your own schedule – especially useful in destinations abroad where public transport is limited. We also see strong demand for same-day and short-notice bookings during summer, so flexibility is built in for when plans change.”

Look beyond the headline price

Jamie says: “Features like unlimited kilometres, vehicle protection and 24/7 breakdown assistance make a huge difference, particularly for families driving long distances or abroad. Adding an extra driver for longer trips is also worth considering – sharing the driving makes the experience more relaxed, especially with children. And for UK staycations, you can often book and collect from city centres and local branches, not just airports.”

Think about the journey as part of the holiday…

…”not just the transport,” says Jamie. “The smoother the travel day, the better the trip starts for everyone. Booking early not only gives you the widest choice of vehicle categories – it’s also where you’ll find the best rates, with SIXT’s prepay option offering great value and transparent pricing with no hidden fees. At SIXT, we’re making it easier than ever to hit the road – browse the premium fleet at sixt.co.uk or download the SIXT app to book from our nationwide network including city centres such as London, Manchester, and airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Edinburgh and many more. SIXT gives people the freedom to travel on their own schedule, make spontaneous stops, and avoid the stress of crowded stations or peak-time public transport.”

People with hidden disabilities tend to use this as a way of making others aware

Travel can be made easier for some people living with an invisible disability or health condition by wearing a ‘Sunflower Lanyard’. Hundreds of airports around the world recognise it and what it may mean for some passengers – but not every airport is the same.

The Sunflower Lanyard isn’t recognised everywhere. Although many airlines and airports around the world support it, some international airports and locations ask you to use their own specific hidden disability programs or badges to get access to special fast-track lanes, priority boarding, or customised assistance.

Employees at participating venues are trained to recognise the lanyard and offer specific help, such as using simpler language, giving you extra time to process information, or guiding you to a quieter space. But, not every part of the world will instantly recognise or understand the lanyard.

On the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower website, it says: “It’s a misconception that people living with a disability don’t want to, or can’t travel. They do and they can. Globally, one billion people live with some sort of disability, and while some experience a disability that is visible, for many it is not visible.”

The system is designed for any condition that isn’t immediately obvious to others, including conditions like neurodivergence, mental health, sensory impairments, and chronic conditions, to name a few. The lanyard does not reveal your specific medical condition or disability.

What parts of the world accept and follow the Sunflower system?

According to the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower website, hundreds of airports and airlines do recognise the lanyards. As of April 2026, the number was around 325 – but checking the specific airport’s accessibility page can give more details such as finding out if staff can provide free Sunflower lanyards and where to collect them.

Because the lanyard operates on an “opt-in” basis for businesses, an airport will not recognise it unless its staff have been explicitly trained to do so. Holiday hotspot Spain made headlines because its airport authority (Aena) rolled out its own alternative system.

Most other non-participating airports simply do not recognise the lanyard at all, instead of replacing it with a local version. Outside of a few specific exceptions (such as Singapore Changi, Tokyo Haneda, and select major airports in India), the scheme is not widely adopted or understood by security staff across Asia and Africa.

What isthesystem

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard system is an initiative that allows people to discreetly let others know that they have a non-visible disability and may need additional support, time, or help. Wearing the bright green lanyard that features yellow sunflowers indicates to trained staff that you have a hidden condition.

Anyone who feels they have a non-visible disability can use the lanyard. You do not need to show medical records or a doctor’s letter to get or wear one.

The system is designed for any condition that isn’t immediately obvious to others, including conditions like neurodivergence, mental health, sensory impairments, and chronic conditions, to name a few. For more information, click here.

Hundreds of flights have been cancelled, official data from June 3 indicates

A UK tourist hotspot has been rocked by disruption today. Officials in Portugal say 44.7% of flights scheduled to Portuguese airports on the day of a general strike today, Wednesday, June 3, were cancelled.

Portuguese media reports say that out of 1,472 flights scheduled across the country, at least 658 were cancelled, officials say. Of the 658 flights scheduled for Lisbon Airport, 408 have been cancelled, equivalent to 62%.

EasyJet had said in advance that its passengers would be affected. It said on the eve of the strike: “Due to a national strike in Portugal on 3 June, like all airlines operating to and from the country we can expect some disruption to our flying programme. We will be doing all we can to minimise the impact of the strike action and will contact customers directly with their options if their flights are affected.

“While this is outside of our control we are sorry for any inconvenience this strike action may cause.” Ryanair said it would not be affected.

Sapo reports that the second-highest percentage of cancelled flights is in Ponta Delgada, where 41% of the 118 scheduled flights will not take place, according to ANA information. In Porto and Faro, nearly a third of flights will be cancelled.

In Madeira, 23% of the 102 scheduled flights were cancelled. Almost all flights were reportedly cancelled in advance. This enabled notifying passengers and rescheduling flights, local media reports said.

The National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel (SNPAC) said that of the 508 scheduled flights, “329 flights have already been cancelled, that is, 65% of the operations planned for June 3”.

The strikes, which also affected public transport and other services in the country, were the second in six month called over proposed government labour reforms.

A GuruWalk study found the world’s most walkable destination for travellers fascinated by ancient history

The old adage that the best things in life are free rings particularly true when it comes to travel. Exploring a city on foot, rather than wrestling with bewildering public transport networks or splashing out on car hire, is one of the finest ways to immerse yourself in unfamiliar surroundings — and it won’t cost you a penny.

Free walking tours are a firm favourite amongst seasoned travellers as a brilliant way to get acquainted with a new city while soaking up a bit of local history.

Europe is brimming with historic cities where you can stroll between landmarks in just a few minutes, including Cordoba in Spain, whose magnificent Old Town has even earned UNESCO World Heritage status.

The ability to simply wander up to a World Heritage Site is a remarkable privilege that’s easy to overlook, yet far from an everyday occurrence. But when it comes to exploring your surroundings on foot, one European city — dubbed an “open-air museum” — stands head and shoulders above the rest as the ultimate walkable destination.

A study by GuruWalk, the world’s largest platform for free walking tours, has crowned Rome the most walkable destination on the planet for “travellers fascinated by ancient history”, drawing on the preferences of more than four million users of the platform.

The city’s historic centre is packed with unmissable sights, while its surrounding streets and winding cobblestone alleyways are frequently too narrow for traffic to navigate, making it an absolute must for exploring on foot.

Many of Rome’s most iconic attractions, including The Colosseum, the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain are within a mere 20-minute stroll of one another, with countless stunning Baroque piazzas to pause at along the way.

The oldest surviving structure in Rome, the present-day Pantheon — which originally functioned as a temple dedicated to Roman deities — was finished in 126 AD and sits encircled by three of the city’s most cherished squares: Piazza Navona, Piazza di Spagna, and Campo de Fiori, reports the Express.

Reflecting on the awe-inspiring monument, one Tripadvisor reviewer remarked: “We didn’t get to go in so this review is only in regards to the outside. I thought it was so cool to see. You’re walking through a city and suddenly walk right next to this beautiful ancient structure. There’s so much history to it!”

Indeed, there’s no finer method of immersing yourself in Ancient Rome than by meandering through its storied streets. A visit to the Vatican — the heart of the Roman Catholic Church and location of one of the world’s grandest churches, St Peter’s Basilica — wouldn’t be complete without popping into the nearby Pizzarium.

This beloved Roman establishment, famed for its pizza al taglio (by the slice), is adored by both residents and tourists, and there’s an abundance more to discover while exploring — from velvety gelato and piping hot bowls of pasta to a crisp Aperol Spritz to round things off.

If you find yourself worn out from all that strolling, there’s plenty of coffee bars to choose from, but be aware that milky coffees are only deemed acceptable before 11am, with tradition suggesting it’s wise to order an espresso after that time.

According to GuruWalk’s 2026 top ranking for Rome, it stated: “Rome has captivated travellers for over 2,700 years thanks to its unparalleled historical legacy. Walking through its cobblestone alleyways reveals one treasure after another: the Colosseum, where gladiators battled before 50,000 spectators, the Pantheon with its unreinforced concrete dome that remains the largest in the world, and the baroque fountains that spring up at every corner. Every step transports you through empires, popes, and renaissances.”

GuruWalk’s top 10 walkable cities in 2026:

1. Rome, Italy
2. Madrid, Spain
3. Budapest, Hungary
4. Prague, Czech Republic
5. Lisbon, Portugal
6. Amsterdam, Netherlands
7. Porto, Portugal
8. Barcelona, Spain
9. London, United Kingdom
10. Berlin, Germany

The beautiful town will see a total transformation with the multi-million pound regeneration project — and work is expected to kick off in full force at the end of May.

A northern town that’s home to a famous 950-year-old historic abbey is all set for a massive £32million regeneration this May.

The North Yorkshire town already has a ton going for it — a majestic abbey, artisanal shops, cute cafes, countless craft beer joints, and picturesque green trails along the River Ouse. Now, it’s set to see a total transformation with the multi-million pound regeneration project.

Selby in North Yorkshire will be undergoing massive change by the end of May, with the long-awaited Selby Station Gateway project finally kicking off in the latter half of the month according to latest updates.

Spearheaded by North Yorkshire Council with support from Department for Transport, York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, Network Rail, Active Travel England, and Trans-Pennine Express, the £32million regeneration project is a joint effort aimed at boosting investment and encouraging sustainable travel in the town.

The project is being funded by the larger government-back Transforming Cities Fund, which was set up in a bid to encourage people to walk or cycle seamlessly between railway stations and town centres.

The multi-million pound regeneration will see the national civil engineering and highways contractor, Galliford Try Ltd, commence demolition work at the end of this month to make space for a brand-new car park and improved walking and cycling routes.

Demolition work of unused buildings around the site will start with James William House on Cowie Drive, followed by the former Railway Social Club and Selby Business Centre.

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for highways and transport, local councillor Malcolm Taylor, said of the project: “It represents a major investment to enhance the area and improve routes leading to the railway station, and we are confident that the project will act as a catalyst for further investment for Selby.”

Taylor added: “I’m pleased to announce that after many months of development, and through close working with partners and the community, we are ready to begin the scheme. We will keep the public updated when details of further phases come forward.”

The station will also become equipped with new accessible platform access, a completely remodelled bus station and a brand-new plaza which will connect it to the neighbouring Selby Park.

Over the next year, the first phase of the regeneration scheme is expected to deliver:

• New accessible platform access to the rear of the station building
• A brand-new station car park.
• A completely remodelled bus station.
• Major improvements to local walkways and cycleways.

This phase, which comprises the removal of existing unused buildings, is expected to take roughly 12 months to complete. While the initial timelines had completion set for autumn 2028, the unexpected delays have made it difficult to pinpoint exactly when work is expected to finish.

The first public consultation on the regeneration project’s plans was held back in 2019, with work touted to commence in October last year, however those plans were delayed and postponed due to bats living on parts of the site. Plans were then put in place for the project to kick off in March 2026, however it was met with delays once again.

With this £32million regeneration project, the town of Selby hopes to boost its appeal to both visitors as well as residents.

Natalie King visited Transport for London’s lost property office, which holds about 80,000 items waiting to be reunited with their owners at any one point, including some truly bizarre things people have left behind

Sometimes the behaviour of my fellow humans confuses me, and no more so than when I’m standing in front of a selection of items that people have somehow managed to leave behind on public transport.

A handbag? Understandable. A passport or phone? Also easily lost from a pocket when changing tube lines. But I do wonder how forgetful you have to be to leave behind two dining room chairs, a taxidermied fox, or a 1980s-era wedding dress complete with giant puffy sleeves.

Transport for London (TfL) runs its lost property office from a warehouse deep in East London, and from the outside it’s typical of the kind of vast grey warehouses that you find tucked away on industrial estates. But inside, it’s packed with 80,000 perfectly catalogued and sorted items, each one trying to find its way home to its owner.

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I was taken on a tour of the facility by Diana Quaye, performance manager for the site, who oversees the meticulous cataloguing of every item that comes through the doors. And with around 5,000 items being left behind on buses, tubes, or the back of taxis each week, it’s a huge undertaking, with 44 staff in the office and warehouse.

Many of the items you find are things you’d expect. About 80 phones a day are logged by the team, with the IMEI numbers put into the system to help reunite them with their owners. Bags are searched for clues that could help match them to their rightful owners.

But amongst the colorful array of umbrellas and never-to-be-finished paperbacks, the team often digs up some unusual items that clearly have interesting tales behind them. And while most items that aren’t reclaimed after 90 days either end up in a charity shop or at auction, a few of the most unusual items make their way into the warehouse’s collection.

One member of staff who has seen their fair share of oddities is Marilyn Palmer, a property manager with 36 years of experience reuniting people with their belongings. She happily shares some of the more unusual items and the stories behind them.

“We had a park bench in that some guys on a stag do decided they would lift it from a park in Acton, try and get it on the tube, couldn’t get it over the barrier and then left it.”, she tells me. “We managed to get it back to the park because it had a plaque on it that was dedicated to a husband, so we contacted the council and got it delivered back to where it should be.”

Other unusual items include: “A double bed. And two massive 70-inch screens that were left in a taxi. The taxi dropped (the passenger) off, thinking he was coming back, and he never did. But they did come and claim them.”

And if you think a giant telly is an expensive thing to lose, Marilyn went on to tell me the story of their most expensive find to date.

“We got in a necklace and earring set, and it was in an old-fashioned, sort of like 1920s oyster-shaped box, presentation box. When we got it valued, we didn’t have an inquiry at the time; we thought I’d kept it aside just in case an inquiry came in later. The necklace alone was £125,000.

“It turns out a mother or grandmother had lent it to a daughter on her wedding day. They’d used the taxi to go to the airport, to go on their honeymoon. They then trawled back and we managed to find it. She was really grateful. She’s since passed away as well. She was just grateful to have it.”

It’s not just objects that get left behind. Sometimes it’s people. “We’ve had ashes over the years that we’ve managed to get back. One we had for seven years. And we finally reunited them with family in Germany,” she said.

“One of the office assistants working at the time was fluent in German, so every so often we’d get them out, and we’d try again, and she’d written a letter to them in German, and they managed to track with the information that we’d had. We finally managed to track them down and got them back after seven years,” she added.

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Sadly, not every item gets back to its owner. Diana tells me the return rate is about 12%, and that’s partly because people don’t know that they can ask TfL for help finding their property. She admits: “I think if I left my mobile phone or something like that before I worked here, I’d be thinking ‘oh my God, insurance’, I’d go through that whole process.

“But now, if I lose anything, I automatically go online and fill out a form because it’s more than likely it will be here, as you can see,” she adds, gesturing at the warehouse floor and the thousands of items waiting to find their way home.

Find out more about TfL’s lost property office here.

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Travellers to the continent may soon be able to board a new direct route to Europe on Eurostar, removing the need to change trains and cutting the journey time by around two hours overall

Eurostar could soon offer a new direct route from London St Pancras to three European cities, offering a faster and easier way to get to central Europe.

The plans were unveiled in a press release by Eurostar, confirming that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) had been signed between Eurostar, SBB (Swiss Federal Railways), and French-operator SNCF Voyageurs to potentially offer a direct connection between London and Switzerland.

The move was described as “an important milestone” in the planning of the new route, which could see services from London to Zurich offered direct with a six hour travel time, direct trains to Basel taking five hours, and a route to Geneva which would take around five-and-a-half hours.

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Currently, passengers can book London to Switzerland trains with Eurostar, although this currently necessitates a change at Paris Gare du Nord, and means travelling across the city to Paris Gare De Lyon to get a connecting TGV train. Not only is this less convenient, as it means taking your luggage on the metro, it also adds an hour or more to most journey times between London and Switzerland.

Eurostar’s press release explained: “The signed MoU is an important milestone. The next step is to analyse potential timetables and operational concepts. Based on this, the key steps and milestones for the potential introduction of such a direct connection from London to Switzerland.

“The three partners aim to offer the potential direct connection to London as soon as possible and are continuously driving the project forward.”, adding: “Implementation would be feasible at the earliest sometime in the course of the 2030s.”

Eurostar currently offers direct trains from London St. Pancras to five destinations: Paris, Brussels, Lille, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam. However, passengers can book connecting trains to more than 20 destinations, including cities in Germany, Belgium, France, and the Netherlands.

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Eurostar has previously raised the possibility of running longer direct routes from London, with Marseille in the south of France and Milan in Italy mentioned among potential expansions of its rail routes.

It’s also announced that it has ordered up to 50 Celestia double-decker trains, which will be introduced onto its routes from May 2031, allowing it to offer increased capacity along popular routes. Eurostar also unveiled ambitious expansion plans last year for St Pancras International. The plans could allow the station to handle 5,000 passengers per hour by 2028.

By 2030, it’s expected that arrivals will be moved upstairs to increase capacity. At the time, Richard Thorp, chief operating officer at London St. Pancras Highspeed, said the station was ‘delighted’ to be joining forces with Eurostar to expand its capacity. “With growing passenger demand for international train travel, it is important that St. Pancras International station is future-proofed and optimised to accommodate this.”

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

This top destination combines a great European city break with stunning nature trails through parks, woodlands and historic districts

Summer holidays are fast approaching, yet countless travellers return home feeling utterly drained, having crammed far too much into their getaway. If you’re weary of needing a break to recover from your break, perhaps it’s time to embrace the slow travel movement.

One of the finest ways to adopt slow travel is by selecting destinations that promote rest and reconnection with the natural world, making walking holidays a superb option.

Dave Mills, Chief Commercial Officer at Iglu Cruise said: “Walking holidays offer flexibility and adventure, teaching travellers to enjoy the present moment and savour their travel experiences. You can still see the sights, but a more leisurely pace can offer a more rewarding trip.”

To assist travellers in striking the ideal balance, travel specialists from Iglu have put together a list of the finest European city breaks that also feature genuinely stunning walking trails.

They examined data from the outdoor app AllTrails to pinpoint cities boasting the greatest number of walking routes within a 15-minute radius of the city centre.

One of the finest spots to immerse yourself in nature while still making the most of your city break is Vienna in Austria.

Celebrated for its natural splendour, the city offers 250 walking trails and 12 official hiking routes, all readily accessible via public transport.

These 12 paths are conveniently numbered, making them simple to locate. For those seeking stunning vistas and a relaxing glass of wine, City Hiking Trail 1 is ideal. Beginning in Kahlenberg, this seven-mile route offers sweeping views of the Danube River.

The path meanders through expansive vineyards — some of which feature pop-up stalls where visitors can sample a glass.

Another favourite is City Hiking Trail 9, which threads through verdant woodlands and meadows before leading walkers along the boulevard in Leopoldstadt, where numerous cafés offer the perfect spot for a delightful snack or meal.

City Hiking Trail 5 is also highly regarded, situated in Floridsdorf. This route is beloved by locals and lies away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. Stretching six miles, it showcases open fields and abundant wildlife, including deer.

One visitor wrote on Tripadvisor: “We just returned from a week in Vienna. Absolutely magical city. It looks like a city of fairy tales. I think it’s more beautiful than Paris, and Prague. Gorgeous. It’s clean and well-kept, and there is an incredible amount of beautiful architecture and art. Trip of a lifetime.”

The top 10 best city breaks for walkers

1. Berlin, Germany
2. Vienna, Austria
3. Munich, Germany
4. Oslo, Norway
5. Prague, Czech Republic
6. Stockholm, Sweden
7. Madrid, Spain
8. Zurich, Switzerland
9. Dublin, Ireland

The island is a popular holiday destination for Brits

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has moved to reassure concerned residents in Tenerife that they will not come into contact with passengers from a hantavirus-affected cruise ship due to arrive on the island. Nearly 1million people call the island home, which also serves as a major holiday destination for British tourists and visitors from across Europe.

The UN health body confirmed there had been six cases of hantavirus linked to the MV Hondius vessel, with four patients currently receiving hospital treatment. It revealed that a total of eight cases, including three fatalities, had been recorded — though one suspected case has since been ruled out after returning a negative hantavirus test.

Around 22 British passengers and crew members aboard the ship are due to arrive in Tenerife on Sunday, with plans to fly them back to the UK on the same day. Representatives from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Foreign Office will meet the MV Hondius when it arrives in Spain’s Canary Islands, with British nationals on board undergoing hantavirus testing before disembarking.

Those who test negative and show no symptoms will be transported directly to a specially arranged repatriation flight with medical staff on board. British citizens returning home will be required to self-isolate for 45 days and will be prohibited from using public transport to reach their residences. The WHO confirmed on Saturday that no symptomatic passengers were currently aboard the vessel. In a letter to the residents of Tenerife, WHO director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus acknowledged locals were “worried”.

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The Ethiopian public health official described the virus as “serious” but stressed the outbreak was “not another Covid” and the “current public health risk from hantavirus remains low”.

He explained: “Spain’s authorities have prepared a careful, step-by-step plan: passengers will be ferried ashore at the industrial port of Granadilla, far from residential areas, in sealed, guarded vehicles, through a completely cordoned-off corridor, and repatriated directly to their home countries.

“You will not encounter them. Your families will not encounter them. Nearly 150 people from 23 countries have been at sea for weeks, some of them grieving, all of them frightened, all of them longing for home. Tenerife has been chosen because it has the medical capacity, the infrastructure, and the humanity to help them reach safety.”

Two British men are currently being treated for hantavirus in the Netherlands and Johannesburg, South Africa, while a third British man with symptoms is being cared for on the isolated South Atlantic island of Tristan da Cunha. The Foreign Office confirmed that a total of 30 passengers and crew aboard the MV Hondius are British nationals, with 22 still remaining on the vessel. The outbreak has been linked to a birdwatching trip in Argentina, which two of the passengers attended prior to embarking on the ship.