Neil Steedman
@neilsteedman.bsky.social
After 50 years as a trade (mainly travel) journalist, editor and proof reader, I am now retired, living in #Arklow in Ireland, a #Buddhist, and Manager for Tibetan singer and Real World Records recording artist #YungchenLhamo. #Buddhism #Travel
Travellers entering the USA could soon face expanded biometric screening and new digital reporting requirements, including their social media accounts from the past five years. The proposals come as border searches of personal devices have drawn increasing attention and concern from travellers.
December 11, 2025 at 7:13 AM
Travellers entering the USA could soon face expanded biometric screening and new digital reporting requirements, including their social media accounts from the past five years. The proposals come as border searches of personal devices have drawn increasing attention and concern from travellers.
Royal Caribbean will open two new private beach clubs in 2026: Royal Beach Club Cozumel, Mexico - a premium resort with pools, cabanas, dining, and water activities, and Royal Beach Club Santorini, RCI's first European beach club, offering a luxurious alternative to Santorini’s tourist hotspots.
December 4, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Royal Caribbean will open two new private beach clubs in 2026: Royal Beach Club Cozumel, Mexico - a premium resort with pools, cabanas, dining, and water activities, and Royal Beach Club Santorini, RCI's first European beach club, offering a luxurious alternative to Santorini’s tourist hotspots.
UK-based Travel Counsellors is acquiring Canada homeworking group The Travel Agent Next Door for an undisclosed sum. TTAND founder Flemming Friisdahl will continue as CEO after the acquisition, which is subject to regulatory approvals. TC opened a Toronto office in 2008 but closed it in 2015.
December 3, 2025 at 9:27 AM
UK-based Travel Counsellors is acquiring Canada homeworking group The Travel Agent Next Door for an undisclosed sum. TTAND founder Flemming Friisdahl will continue as CEO after the acquisition, which is subject to regulatory approvals. TC opened a Toronto office in 2008 but closed it in 2015.
Turkish Airlines has partnered with Samsung so that passengers are able to seamlessly track their baggage using Smart Tagged Baggage Service, powered by SmartThings Find, which enables faster and more efficient tracking of misplaced or delayed baggage that is equipped with Galaxy SmartTag.
December 2, 2025 at 6:31 AM
Turkish Airlines has partnered with Samsung so that passengers are able to seamlessly track their baggage using Smart Tagged Baggage Service, powered by SmartThings Find, which enables faster and more efficient tracking of misplaced or delayed baggage that is equipped with Galaxy SmartTag.
Rail Europe is offering a 25% discount on Eurail and Interrail Global Passes and One Country Passes until Wednesday 17 December 2025 at 10.00 CET, applicable in 1st and 2nd class, across all travel categories, with no travel restrictions, for an 11-month activation period. #RailEurope #Trains
November 26, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Rail Europe is offering a 25% discount on Eurail and Interrail Global Passes and One Country Passes until Wednesday 17 December 2025 at 10.00 CET, applicable in 1st and 2nd class, across all travel categories, with no travel restrictions, for an 11-month activation period. #RailEurope #Trains
Reposted by Neil Steedman
Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona 😍
November 18, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona 😍
The US State Department has issued guidance recommending that overweight people be denied immigrant visas to enter the USA. The Directive also includes “cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, cancers, diabetes, metabolic diseases, neurological diseases, and mental-health conditions”.
November 13, 2025 at 2:48 PM
The US State Department has issued guidance recommending that overweight people be denied immigrant visas to enter the USA. The Directive also includes “cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, cancers, diabetes, metabolic diseases, neurological diseases, and mental-health conditions”.
IAG airlines will equip aircraft with Starlink satellite internet from early 2026. Installation timetables will vary by carrier. Aer Lingus, BA, Iberia, and LEVEL will offer the service free of charge in every cabin from gate to gate without login codes. Vueling and Iberia Express plan paid tiers.
November 7, 2025 at 11:00 AM
IAG airlines will equip aircraft with Starlink satellite internet from early 2026. Installation timetables will vary by carrier. Aer Lingus, BA, Iberia, and LEVEL will offer the service free of charge in every cabin from gate to gate without login codes. Vueling and Iberia Express plan paid tiers.
The USA plans to progressively reduce airline traffic to 10% at 40 “high volume markets” if the government shutdown does not end. Reuters said cuts would begin at 4% on Friday, increase to 5% on Saturday, 6% on Sunday, and reach 10% next week. International flights would be exempt from initial cuts.
November 6, 2025 at 12:41 PM
The USA plans to progressively reduce airline traffic to 10% at 40 “high volume markets” if the government shutdown does not end. Reuters said cuts would begin at 4% on Friday, increase to 5% on Saturday, 6% on Sunday, and reach 10% next week. International flights would be exempt from initial cuts.
Three Sandals and Beaches Resorts in Jamaica - Montego Bay, Royal Caribbean, and South Coast - will remain closed until 30 May 2026 in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. The other five - Dunn’s River, Ochi, Royal Plantation, Negril, and Beaches Negril – are expected to reopen from 6 December 2025.
November 5, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Three Sandals and Beaches Resorts in Jamaica - Montego Bay, Royal Caribbean, and South Coast - will remain closed until 30 May 2026 in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. The other five - Dunn’s River, Ochi, Royal Plantation, Negril, and Beaches Negril – are expected to reopen from 6 December 2025.
#AerLingus and #TescoIreland have launched an exclusive #Avios partnership under which every €2.50 in Tesco Clubcard vouchers can be converted into 600 Avios, the reward currency of #AerClub, and redeemed on flights, upgrades, hotel stays, car hire, and more.
November 4, 2025 at 10:44 AM
#AerLingus and #TescoIreland have launched an exclusive #Avios partnership under which every €2.50 in Tesco Clubcard vouchers can be converted into 600 Avios, the reward currency of #AerClub, and redeemed on flights, upgrades, hotel stays, car hire, and more.
In Danish schools an hour a week is dedicated to the “Klassens tid”, an empathy lesson for students aged 6 to 16 years. It is a fundamental part of the Danish curriculum. The hour of empathy is as important as the time spent, for example, on English or mathematics.
October 31, 2025 at 7:10 PM
In Danish schools an hour a week is dedicated to the “Klassens tid”, an empathy lesson for students aged 6 to 16 years. It is a fundamental part of the Danish curriculum. The hour of empathy is as important as the time spent, for example, on English or mathematics.
Please sign...
October 23, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Please sign...
Brand USA's new ‘America the Beautiful’ global tourism marketing campaign aims to accelerate growth ahead of 2026, a milestone year marked by the FIFA World Cup, America’s 250th anniversary, and the Route 66 centennial, and to counter concern among travellers about the tightened immigration checks.
October 21, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Brand USA's new ‘America the Beautiful’ global tourism marketing campaign aims to accelerate growth ahead of 2026, a milestone year marked by the FIFA World Cup, America’s 250th anniversary, and the Route 66 centennial, and to counter concern among travellers about the tightened immigration checks.
The EU Court of Justice has ruled that “although the common meaning of the term ‘baggage’ refers to objects, that does not allow the conclusion to be drawn that pets do not fall within that concept.” For flights, compensation for a pet's loss is subject to the liability regime laid down for baggage.
October 18, 2025 at 11:10 AM
The EU Court of Justice has ruled that “although the common meaning of the term ‘baggage’ refers to objects, that does not allow the conclusion to be drawn that pets do not fall within that concept.” For flights, compensation for a pet's loss is subject to the liability regime laid down for baggage.
Which company, or companies, will quote €140 for 10 days to USA/Canada for anyone, regardless of their age and existing medical condition?
Really, that’s your take?
How about €140 for 10 days for someone over 70 as against €132k for ICU treatment, surgery, amd repatriation?
How about €140 for 10 days for someone over 70 as against €132k for ICU treatment, surgery, amd repatriation?
October 15, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Which company, or companies, will quote €140 for 10 days to USA/Canada for anyone, regardless of their age and existing medical condition?
Some travel insurance companies will not cover anyone over 75 years of age, and others anyone over 80. I agree that travel insurance provides peace of mind - and can save you a lot of money if something goes wrong - but some would not consider the premiums for over 70s "relatively inexpensive".
Why do people travel away on holiday without appropriate insurance with medical cover?
It’s a relatively inexpensive sum for peace of mind, both yours and your relatives. #Speirgorm
It’s a relatively inexpensive sum for peace of mind, both yours and your relatives. #Speirgorm
October 14, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Some travel insurance companies will not cover anyone over 75 years of age, and others anyone over 80. I agree that travel insurance provides peace of mind - and can save you a lot of money if something goes wrong - but some would not consider the premiums for over 70s "relatively inexpensive".
Reposted by Neil Steedman
Dr. Jane Goodall filmed an interview with Netflix in March 2025 that she understood would only be released after her death.
October 5, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Dr. Jane Goodall filmed an interview with Netflix in March 2025 that she understood would only be released after her death.
Reposted by Neil Steedman
European Robin (Erithacus rubecula): The "Robin Redbreast" was given its nickname long before a distinction was made in the English language between "Red" & "Orange". Superb photo taken by Martina Olivia of this fluffy Robin taken in the UK. #robin #europeanrobin #robinredbreast #vird #birds #nature
October 3, 2025 at 6:20 AM
European Robin (Erithacus rubecula): The "Robin Redbreast" was given its nickname long before a distinction was made in the English language between "Red" & "Orange". Superb photo taken by Martina Olivia of this fluffy Robin taken in the UK. #robin #europeanrobin #robinredbreast #vird #birds #nature
An Coimisiún Pleanála has granted a Railway order giving a green light for construction of MetroLink, a new 18.8km railway line from Dublin via Dublin Airport to Swords. Construction will take several years and final costs are not known. Dublin Airport to the city centre will take about 20 minutes.
October 2, 2025 at 11:27 AM
An Coimisiún Pleanála has granted a Railway order giving a green light for construction of MetroLink, a new 18.8km railway line from Dublin via Dublin Airport to Swords. Construction will take several years and final costs are not known. Dublin Airport to the city centre will take about 20 minutes.
Icelandic low-cost Play Airlines abruptly ceased operations yesterday, 29 September, leaving passengers stranded, flights cancelled, and around 120,000 bookings affected. Passengers should seek alternative flights with other airlines, who may offer rescue fares. This year Play reported a $66m loss.
September 30, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Icelandic low-cost Play Airlines abruptly ceased operations yesterday, 29 September, leaving passengers stranded, flights cancelled, and around 120,000 bookings affected. Passengers should seek alternative flights with other airlines, who may offer rescue fares. This year Play reported a $66m loss.
The Irish Government recognises Palestine - but not, it seems, the DFA! :-)
HERE are the FIVE updates to travel advice from the DFA this week www.travelextra.ie/here-are-the...
September 26, 2025 at 8:38 AM
The Irish Government recognises Palestine - but not, it seems, the DFA! :-)
Virgin Voyages' new fare structure, VoyageFair, is applicable for all bookings from 7 October 2025. The new fare classes – which also make gratuities a separate line item as opposed to having them bundled – were developed based on feedback from past guests and travel advisors. #Cruising
September 26, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Virgin Voyages' new fare structure, VoyageFair, is applicable for all bookings from 7 October 2025. The new fare classes – which also make gratuities a separate line item as opposed to having them bundled – were developed based on feedback from past guests and travel advisors. #Cruising
Reposted by Neil Steedman
September 19, 2025 at 3:16 PM