By Jon Cager, Stanhope Travel
IT’S been a little while since my last feature, but there has certainly been plenty happening around the world.
With the ongoing situation in the Middle East and the continued conflict in Ukraine, many people have understandably been concerned about how global events might affect their travel plans. Despite this, the travel market remains incredibly buoyant, with demand for holidays continuing to be very strong.
There has also been some positive news from major tour operators and airlines, with Jet2, easyJet and TUI confirming that they will not be introducing fuel surcharge increases. In fact, they have gone a step further by removing fuel surcharge clauses from their booking terms and conditions, reflecting confidence that there will be no immediate impact on fuel supplies going forward.
As a result, there are some fabulous late deals and special offers currently available, including free child places on selected holidays. We are also finding that more people are getting in touch or visiting us in person, wanting to take advantage of expert advice and the reassurance of speaking face-to-face with someone who genuinely understands their travel needs.
Looking ahead, we will be celebrating 20 years in Weardale next year, which is a fantastic milestone and one we are incredibly proud of. We must be doing something right! Thank you to all our customers for your continued support over the years.
New Travel Requirements
Many customers have been asking about the new biometric entry requirements for travel to Europe.
The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) is now being introduced and will require non-EU travellers to register their fingerprints and facial biometrics when entering participating countries. While this may add a little extra time at immigration on your first trip, the good news is that once registered, your details will remain valid for three years, making future journeys much smoother.
As mentioned previously, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is also expected to be introduced later this year. This will be a simple digital travel authorisation requirement for UK travellers visiting many European destinations. There is absolutely no need to worry—we will keep all our clients fully updated as the launch approaches and will be on hand to assist with any applications if required.
Special Hosted River Cruise – November 2026
Finally, I would like to highlight a very special hosted river cruise that we are operating in conjunction with Emerald Cruises.
Departing on 1st November 2026, this wonderful voyage takes in the beauty of the Danube, sailing from Munich to Budapest. We have secured an exclusive rate with a range of additional benefits for our customers, including:
- Free Premium Drinks Package
- Return flights from Newcastle
- All excursions included
- Optional door-to-door transfers on request
- Hosted by Stanhope Travel representatives throughout the cruise
With outside cabins starting from just £1,799 per person, this represents exceptional value and offers a fantastic opportunity to experience one of Europe’s most beautiful river cruise itineraries. We will also be onboard to help ensure you get the very most from your holiday experience.
We now have only a small number of cabins remaining within our allocation, so if this sounds of interest, please get in touch or pop into the shop and have a chat with us.
Stanhope Travel
51 Front Street, Stanhope
☎️ 01388 529436
Safe travels, and I look forward to keeping you updated with everything happening in the world of travel.
