Skiing

ANOTHER UK travel firm has entered administration after 15 years.

Travel Bespoke Ltd, which also operated under Chalet Bespoke, Ski Bespoke and Spa Bespoke, had closed after more than a decade of selling ski and chalet holidays.

According to The Herald, the company use to offer “bespoke luxury ski experiences”.

Many of the packages were to ski resorts across Austria, France, Switzerland, Canada and the USA.

And the packages could be booked with or without flights.

As for the chalet trips, many featured luxury accommodation with some including spa stays.

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It comes as the Midhurst, Sussex holiday company stopped being an ATOL (Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing) holder, which is the UK financial protection scheme that is run by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Due to this, anyone that had a holiday booked with the company will be refunded.

ATOL reported at the end of May that they had “contacted the affected ATOL protected consumers directly”.

It added: “If you have not been contacted and believe you are entitled to a claim against an ATOL protected booking, please supply your booking details with supporting documentation by email to claims@caa.co.uk”.

Travel Bespoke Ltd is one of numerous travel companies that have gone out of business this year.

Earlier this week Groupia Ltd – which focused on group trips such as hen and stag dos as well as weekend getaways – entered administration after 24 years, cancelling some holidays.

Other UK travel firms that have entered administration this year include luxury holiday firm Salamander Voyages with yacht holidays across Greece, Italy, Croatia, and Turkey as well as Regen Central Ltd, which used to sell package holidays.

A UK travel company has entered administration with future trips cancelled.

Groupia Ltd, which used to create group-based trips within the UK and Europe including hen and stag dos, weekend adventures, spa days and ski trips, has shut down.

More than 750,000 people have travelled with the company since it opened in 2002, with destinations including Prague and Barcelona.

The company also traded under other names including Groupia Golf, GoHen, StagWeb, Groupia School Trips and Company Away Days.

According to the company’s website, Groupia Ltd entered administration on June 16.

The website states: “Nigel Fox and Christopher Marsden of S&W Partners LLP appointed as Joint Administrators.

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“The Company has now ceased taking new bookings, and arrangements are in place with ABTOT (a UK government-approved travel protection scheme) to support customers with existing bookings.”

For anyone who had an upcoming event or holiday on or before August 31, “ABTOT have arrangements in place”with events “expected to go ahead as planned”.

Travellers can use the company’s existing VIP booking system to manage their bookings.

On the other hand, if you had something booked from September 1 onwards, the website states: “Your event will unfortunately be cancelled and is subject to a refund claim.” 

You can claim back in different ways – either by requesting a credit card refund or a debit card back-charge, with different letters for each available on the company’s website for customers can send to their banks.

There is also an option for anyone who paid a different way to either credit or debit cards.

The website also warns that refunds might take up to six weeks.

A woman has shared her experience on board a popular train route through Switzerland, which offers stunning views of Alpine lakes, waterfalls and mountain villages – and it’s only £30

A train journey boasting spectacular views of sweeping lakes, mountain villages and much more has been turning heads – and it’ll only set you back £30. Visiting new destinations ranks among life’s most fulfilling and thrilling experiences, opening up fresh cultures, cuisines, ways of living, and a wealth of things to see and activities to do.

For those eager to book a trip away but anxious about the financial burden, a scenic rail journey could be just the ticket. Switzerland sits near the top of many people’s travel bucket lists, owing to its breathtaking alpine landscapes, world-class public transport network, and its legendary reputation for chocolate and cheese.

There’s something for everyone, whether you’re after an action-packed outdoor adventure such as skiing or hiking, or something more laid-back like soaking in mineral-rich thermal baths, leisurely cruises across glacial lakes, or exploring car-free alpine villages such as Mürren or Wengen.

One woman has been full of praise for the iconic Luzern-Interlaken Express, which is billed as “an unforgettable journey right into the heart of Switzerland”.

The nearly two-hour trip carries passengers “along the shores” of at least five “crystal-clear lakes”, “past romantic waterfalls and over the magnificent Brünig mountain pass”.

Sweeping panoramic windows ensure travellers can fully soak up the stunning scenery throughout the journey.

Travel enthusiast Dani Dimitrova captured her onboard experience on camera and posted the footage to TikTok. Over the clip, she included text referencing Switzerland’s notoriously pricey reputation: “‘Switzerland is so expensive’. This panoramic train is only £30.”

In the caption, she went into further detail: “Everyone says Switzerland is expensive… and then I found the panoramic train from Interlaken to Lucerne for around £30.

“The Lucerne-Interlaken Express is one of the most scenic train journeys in Switzerland, taking just under 2 hours and passing lakes, waterfalls, mountain villages and some of the most incredible Alpine views along the way.”

Dani also shared some handy tips for those thinking about making the journey. She said: “Sit on the right-hand side when travelling from Interlaken to Lucerne for some of the best lake and mountain views.”

She also encouraged travellers planning to visit during the busy summer season to “book in advance”. Dani also noted that for those holding a Swiss Travel Pass, the journey is covered but “seat reservations are optional and cost extra”.

Lastly, she suggested keeping cameras at the ready for “the entire trip” as “the views change every few minutes”.

Dani added: “Honestly, if you’re visiting Switzerland and only have time for one train journey, make it this one.”

In the comments section, other TikTok users asked how to book, with one person describing the train route as “magical”.

Train tickets can be booked directly through the Luzern-Interlaken Express website. If you’re eager to secure the best views, seat reservations can be made as early as six months before your departure date.

U.S. alpine skiing great Bode Miller is facing two misdemeanor drug charges following his arrest in Idaho earlier this month.

The actual drug involved and who possessed it isn’t clear, with Miller and the arresting officer providing different accounts of those details from the June 6 arrest in Fremont County.

The six-time Olympic medalist has implied he was arrested because, unbeknownst to him, his friend was carrying cannabis and a pipe while riding in a car Miller was driving. While legal in several states for recreation or medical use, cannabis remains illegal in Idaho.

“I was pulled over for accelerating while passing another vehicle on a highway in Idaho,” Miller, 48, said in a statement posted Tuesday on Instagram. “My friend, who was traveling with me, had a small amount of cannabis and a cannabis pipe in his possession which I was unaware of. We fully cooperated with the officer.”

Fremont County Sheriff’s Deputy Jacob Hurt wrote in a probable cause statement that he found Miller with a white dispensary bag containing 4.1 grams of psilocybin mushrooms (a.k.a. magic mushrooms or shrooms).

While illegal under federal law, psilocybin has been decriminalized in Colorado and Oregon for treatments, with some health advocates saying it can help ease anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

On June 12, Miller pleaded not guilty to possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of one year in jail. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for July 29.

“I am hopeful the misdemeanor charges will be dropped once the facts are reviewed,” Miller said in his Instagram statement.

A five-time Olympic participant, Miller has won more medals than any other U.S. skier, including gold in the super combined at the 2010 Vancouver Games. He was the overall World Cup champion in 2005 and 2008 and won six World Cup discipline titles (three in combined, two in super-G, one in giant slalom).

The Associated Press contributed to this report.