The Travel Expert with Simon Calder

This week, Simon Calder and Greg Dickinson dive into the rising number of bomb threats on European flights, breaking down what's happening and what passengers need to know about their rights.

We also look at tourist tax increases for 2027 - including Malta's hike to €8 per night - and share the very best winter sun deals to help you bag a bargain for under £200 a week.

Plus, we tackle listener questions with travel advice on whether it's safe to take a self-drive holiday covering Cape Town, the Garden Route, and the winelands in South Africa.

Send your questions to thetravelexpert@telegraph.co.uk.

Let The Travel Expert newsletter from Simon Calder be your guide to inspiring destinations at home and around the globe. Every week, Simon and our team of experts will send you the latest news, features, opinion, and advice. Sign up here.

Video Producer: Carla Mercer

Producer: Georgia Coan

Commissioning Editor: Louisa Wells

Head of Travel: Ben Ross

Highlights:
European flight bomb threats and rising tourist taxes for 2027
Best winter sun holiday bargains under £200 per week
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Simon Calder and Greg Dickinson dive into the most exciting new winter flight routes launching to Granada, Giza, and the Red Sea, alongside crucial British Airways terminal changes at Heathrow.

Plus, we're joined by travel health expert Thorrun Govind to discuss how to stay safe and healthy overseas, covering essential vaccinations, first-aid tips, water safety, and beating jet lag.

We also tackle listener questions on Tenerife safety following recent holiday incidents and share top recommendations for a weekend trip to Palermo, Sicily.

Send your questions to thetravelexpert@telegraph.co.uk.

Let The Travel Expert newsletter from Simon Calder be your guide to inspiring destinations at home and around the globe. Every week, Simon and our team of experts will send you the latest news, features, opinion, and advice. Sign up here.

Video Producer: Carla Mercer
Producer: Georgia Coan
Commissioning Editor: Louisa Wells
Head of Travel: Ben Ross

Highlights:
New winter flight routes to Granada, Giza, and the Red Sea
Expert travel health tips on vaccinations and beating jet lag
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Simon Calder and Greg Dickinson tackle your most pressing travel questions in a special Q&A edition. From finding the best budget-friendly seaside towns in southwest England and choosing between the Chilean and Argentine routes to Patagonia, to essential tips for solo backpacking in South Korea and exploring China by public transport.

Plus, we debate the world's best airports, decode airline baggage fees and lost luggage rights, and share top recommendations for a special celebration in Sardinia.

Send your questions to thetravelexpert@telegraph.co.uk.

Let The Telegraph Travel newsletter from Simon Calder be your guide to inspiring destinations at home and around the globe. Every week, Simon and our team of experts will send you the latest news, features, opinion and advice. Sign up here.

Video Producer: Carla Mercer
Producer: Georgia Coan
Commissioning Editor: Louisa Wells
Head of Travel: Ben Ross

Highlights:
Budget-friendly seaside towns and Sardinia celebration spots
Airline baggage fees, lost luggage rights, and the world's best airports
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we're joined by Britain's foremost hotelier and star of Channel 5's The Hotel Inspector, Alex Polizzi, to share her views on the biggest challenges facing the hospitality industry, her favourite hotels in the world, and what it really takes to run a successful stay.

Plus, Simon Calder and Greg Dickinson discuss the devastating airstrikes on Riyadh Airport and what the escalating regional conflict means for global air corridors and tourism.

We also look at the controversial new mandatory travel insurance being introduced by Kenya and Tanzania, and share essential travel updates for the weekend ahead, including planned disruptions affecting journeys to Heathrow and Gatwick airports.

Send your questions to thetravelexpert@telegraph.co.uk. Let The Telegraph Travel newsletter from Simon Calder be your guide to inspiring destinations at home and around the globe. Every week, Simon and our team of experts will send you the latest news, features, opinion and advice. Sign up here.

Video Producer: Carla Mercer
Producer: Georgia Coan
Commissioning Editor: Louisa Wells
Head of Travel: Ben Ross
Studio Operator: Meghan Searle

Highlights:
Hotel inspector Alex Polizzi on the secrets of great hospitality
What the Riyadh Airport airstrikes mean for global air corridors
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, as British airports prepare to introduce "contactless borders" with facial recognition at e-gates, Simon Calder and Greg Dickinson discuss whether passport checks are finally becoming a thing of the past and how the new technology will work.

Plus, following the British Museum's decision to ban cameras for the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition, the duo explores why tourist attractions are cracking down on photography and how snapping photos impacts our travel experiences.
We're also joined by loyalty guru Rob Burgess, founder of Head for Points, to dive into the dark art of airline loyalty schemes and whether earning and burning is still worth your time.

And finally, answering your travel questions, Simon and Greg share recommendations on whether to fly or take the ferry to the Isle of Man and look into China visa rules for 2027.

Send your questions to thetravelexpert@telegraph.co.uk.

Let The Telegraph Travel newsletter from Simon Calder be your guide to inspiring destinations at home and around the globe. Every week, Simon and our team of experts will send you the latest news, features, opinion and advice. Sign up here.

Video Producer: Carla Mercer
Producer: Georgia Coan
Commissioning Editor: Louisa Wells
Head of Travel: Ben Ross
Studio Operator: Meghan Searle

Highlights:
Are contactless facial recognition borders the future of UK airports?
Why the British Museum has banned cameras for the Bayeux Tapestry
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.