Travel
Extremely posh train coming to UK railway with onboard spa and marble bathrooms
A NEW luxury train service with an on-board spa, private cabins and other lavish touches is set to launch in the UK next year.
The Britannic Explorer will be the first luxury sleeper train in England and Wales by the hospitality and leisure company Belmond.
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Brit holidaymakers will know Belmond as the luxury train operator behind the British Pullman, the Royal Scotsman and the Orient Express.
A statement on the Belmond website reads: “See Britain through new eyes aboard the first ever luxury sleeper train in England and Wales.
“Paying homage to the Great British tradition of touring, the Britannic Explorer celebrates the art of slow travel, preserving Britain’s pioneering railway history while ushering in a new era of culture and creativity.”
Train journeys will launch in July, 2025, with services departing from London.
Holidaymakers can choose from three routes, including the Lake District, Cornwall and Wales.
One each route, passengers can explore some of the UK’s prettiest destinations like St Ives in Penzance, Haverfordwest and Porthmadog in Wales and Ribblehead Viaduct in the Lakes.
Curator-led tours of art galleries, foraging experiences and wild swimming excursions will also be organised for passengers.
It’s not just about the destination but rather the journey.
The luxurious locomotive will have 18 private cabins, including three grand suites, double suites and twin suites.
Each of the grand suites will feature a double bed, a marble dining room, an en-suite bathroom with a marble basin and shower cubicle and a personal butler.
Meanwhile, the double suites, which have been decorated with a green colour scheme, will have a double bed, an en-suite bathroom, and a fold out table and stool.
Lastly, the twin suites have twin beds with an en-suite bathroom and a fold-out table and stool.
The twin suites will also feature artwork by English artist and designer Luke Edward Hall.
On-board dining on the Britannic Explorer has been described as a “moveable feast” by the luxury travel brand.
The food menu has been designed by chef Simon Rogan, owner of L’Enclume, a restaurant in the Lake District that holds three-Michelin stars.
Each train journey includes lunch, dinner and an afternoon tea, with meals served in the Dining Car.
Alternatively passengers can unwind in the Observation Car that features a bar where cocktails, gins and craft beers are served.
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The luxury sleeper train will also have an on-board spa where passengers can book massages and facials.
Tickets for three-night stays start from £5,800 per passenger for a twin suites, with six-night stays start from £11,600 person for the same cabin.
Breaks are already on sale, with more information available here.
Other luxurious train journeys
At the end of last year, the Royal Scotsman in Scotland was named one of the best train journeys in the world by Conde Nast Traveler.
The Scottish train made the list thanks to its indulgent and intimate atmosphere.
Another fancy train journey in the UK is the four-night Welsh Dragon holiday, run by Steam Dreams Rail Co.
Travelling from London Paddington through Wales, there is an onboard bar as well as a dining car with a specially made menu.
Starting from £995pp, the steam train trip is set to run this September.
Sun Travel’s favourite train journeys in the world
SUN Travel’s journalists have taken their fair share of train journeys on their travels and here they share their most memorable rail experiences.
Davos to Geneva, Switzerland
“After a ski holiday in Davos, I took the scenic train back to Geneva Airport. The snow-covered mountains and tiny alpine villages that we passed were so beautiful that it felt like a moving picture was playing beyond the glass.” – Caroline McGuire
Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen
“Nothing quite beats the Shinkansen bullet train, one of the fastest in the world. It hardly feels like you’re whizzing along at speed until you look outside and see the trees a green blur. Make sure to book seat D or E too – as you’ll have the best view of Mount Fuji along the way.” Kara Godfrey
London to Paris by Eurostar
“Those who have never travelled on the Eurostar may wonder what’s so special about a seemingly ordinary train that takes you across the channel. You won’t have to waste a moment and can tick off all the top attractions from the Louvre to the Champs-Élysées which are both less than five kilometres from the Gare du Nord.” – Sophie Swietochowski
Glasgow to Fort William by Scotrail
“From mountain landscapes and serene lochs to the wistful moors, I spent my three-hour journey from Glasgow to Fort William gazing out the window. Sit on the left-hand side of the train for the best views overlooking Loch Lomond.” – Hope Brotherton
Beijing to Ulaanbatar
“The Trans-Mongolian Express is truly a train journey like no other. It starts amid the chaos of central Beijing before the city’s high-rises give way to crumbling ancient villages and eventually the vast vacant plains of Mongolia, via the Gobi desert. The deep orange sunset seen in the middle of the desert is among the best I’ve witnessed anywhere.” – Ryan Gray
Meanwhile, this is one of the best overnight train journeys in the world.
And this scenic train route is in the UK and costs just £23.
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RYANAIR is launching a new route between Teesside and Malaga, with flights to start operating in March.
Earlier this year, Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen, vowed to bring new Costa del Sol flights to the tiny UK airport.
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Direct services will start operating between Teesside and Malaga on March 31, 2025.
The twice-weekly service will operate every Monday and Thursday until October 23, 2025.
Monday flights will depart Malaga at 5.50am, touching down in the UK at Teesside at 8am.
Return journeys will then leave the UK airport at 8.25am, arriving in Malaga at 12.35pm local time.
Thursday flights will operate slightly later, with services leaving Malaga at 7am and arriving in the UK at 9.10am.
The return service will then depart from Teesside at 9.35am, landing in Malaga at 1.45pm.
Sun Online Travel have found one-way fares from £68.99 per person, with tickets already on sale.
When the new flights were announced, Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen, said: “The people of Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool have been asking for more sunshine destinations, and we’ve delivered exactly that with Ryanair’s fantastic support.
“This is a huge win for our airport and our region, but we’re not stopping here. Our goal is to keep growing, breaking records and getting more holiday flights for local people.”
A statement from the airport reads: “The announcement follows another successful summer for Ryanair at Teesside, where routes to holiday hotspots including Majorca, Faro and Corfu have seen booming demand.”
The news comes after Teesside Airport announced its pre-tax and interest profit in 12 years.
Teesside is mainly served by airlines like Ryanair and TUI with passengers already able to fly to destinations like Dalaman in Turkey, Corfu in Greece and Majorca in Spain.
It is hoped that more flights will be introduced at the regional airport.
Teesside International Airport was named the favourite small UK airport for leisure travel by passengers at the British Travel Awards in 2023.
Last year, Teesside International Airport saw the highest number of passengers pass through its terminal for 11 years.
Meanwhile, Mayor Ben Houchen has promised to pump £20million into renovating the airport’s train station.
Teesside Airport Station closed in May 2022, and it has yet to reopen.
Houchen told the Northern Echo: “As a serious airport we need a working rail link that passengers can use to get to the airport, and with the current state of the train station this is simply not possible.
“We are ahead of schedule on our plan to turn things around, and the next phase of development following the opening of our business park and cargo facility, will see us build a new station at the airport.”
The other small UK airport set for new flights
RYANAIR looks set to launch three brand new flights at a small UK airport, as it already begins to cast its eyes on next summer.
In April, the budget carrier started new routes from Norwich Airport for the first time.
Passengers in Norfolk were able to book flights to Alicante in Spain, Faro in Portugal and Malta, with some routes starting from as little as £17.
Now the airline could be set to launch more new routes from the regional travel hub, according to its managing director.
Richard Pace has said that he is hoping to see at least two or three more flights added to the airport’s route map in time for summer 2025.
In an interview with BBC Radio Norfolk, he spoke of the success of the first few months of flights from Norwich Airport and said he would know more about the future routes from next month.
At the moment, there is no indication of where the new routes will travel to, or when they will begin.
Meanwhile, Jet2 is set to open a brand-new airport base at London Luton Airport next year.
From the London-based airport, Jet2 will fly to 17 destinations, with 36 flights operating every week next summer.
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The Almaty lounge will operate 24 hours a day and can accommodate up to 100 guests at a time
Continue reading Air Astana opens its first-ever business class lounge at Business Traveller.
The offering will rotate to other suites and first class routes on a three-month rotational basis
Dubai-based carrier flydubai has begun flights to a second destination in Nepal, recently launching direct flights to Bhairahawa. The inaugural flight touched down at Bhairahawa Airport, also known as Gautam Buddha International Airport (BWA), on 9 November, 2024
Continue reading flydubai begins flights to Bhairahawa, Nepal at Business Traveller.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation and ALDAU Development have opened the Hyatt Centric Cairo West – the first art-centered lifestyle hotel in Cairo, promising to take guests on an immersive journey through Egyptian history reimagined for modern travellers.
Continue reading Art-inspired Hyatt Centric Cairo West opens to guests at Business Traveller.
Travel
Art Deco lido forced to close until the end of the year – despite just re-opening after £11million restoration
ONE of the UK’s most beautiful lidos has been forced to temporarily close – despite just re-opening.
Saltdean Lido, in Brighton reopened this summer after a huge £11million renovation.
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The 14-year project was part of National Lottery funding, which revamped the cafe and pool area.
However, the pool has been forced to close already, due to unexpected damages.
The underground leak – one of several in recent years – means the lido has had to close at short notice.
The lido said on social media: “We have experienced a few underground leaks around the pool in recent years and again earlier this year.
“We now have another leak and it is apparent that we have a problem with the pipework all around the pool.
“Despite our best efforts to keep the pool open during this period, we have been advised that there are structural risks in doing this and the water level should be reduced while excavation takes place.
“This means, very sadly, that it is necessary to close the pool until these essential works are completed.
“There is no good time to do this, but on balance, winter is better than summer.”
The works are estimated to take up to four weeks, meaning the pool could reopen by the end of the year.
Other improvements include replacing some of the roofs and windows.
They added: “We hope you will continue to support us through gym memberships, attending our events and enjoying the café and restaurant and look forward to welcoming you back into the pool soon.”
People were left gutted by the news.
One wrote: “What a great pity after all of your efforts.”
Another agreed: “So sorry to hear this … how very sad.”
Saltdean Lido has a 40 metre outdoor heated pool, meaning it remains open even during the winter months.
A kid’s splash pool and grassy area make it a popular spot in the summer months.
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There are even three food eateries, along with co-working spaces and gym classes.
The Art Deco lido was built in 1938, and was seen as such an innovative design of its time.
However, it closed just two years later due to the war.
It was even nearly bought by Butlins in 1958 when it was derelict although this was scrapped.
Last summer, a new Brighton lido opened right on the beach.
Swimming safety advice
Experts have revealed some of their top advice for both adults and kids heading to the water this summer:
How to stay safe at the beach
Gareth Morrison, Head of Water Safety at the RNLI said: “If you find yourself being swept out to sea in a rip, try to relax and float until you are free from the rip and you can then swim to safety.
“If you see someone else in danger, alert a lifeguard or call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.”
How to stay safe at the swimming pool
Tiny Hearts Education, former paramedic and CEO Nikki Jurcutz said: “Always put your little one in bright or contrasting colours that would be easy to find in an emergency.
“It only takes 20 seconds to drown, little tips like this could save a life”.
An Auqabliss spokesperson added: “Swimming toys such as noodles, dive rings, floaties and beach balls can be dangerous if left in the pool.
“Children may try to grab these from the pool’s edge and fall in.”
How to stay safe at a waterpark
Ali Beckman, Puddle Ducks Technical Director, said: “Never send a child down the slide on their own, not only are they going to be entering the slide pool area independently, they then have to exit the pool and wait for an adult.
“And wave pools should be avoided until your child is really confident with water going over their faces and you know they are able to regain their feet independently.
“Waterparks are often very busy places and it’s easy to lose sight of a child in a split second.”
Sea Lanes Brighton has a 50 metre, six-lane heated pool, with sea views too.
And here’s another lido hoping to reopen in the UK.
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