How to Find Cheap Flights in 2024

Russians Are So Desperate To See Western Pop Stars, They Are Paying To Go On 'concert Vacations' Abroad

A Russian tour operator is offering concert-themed package vacations.

Russian fans can pay to see pop stars like Ed Sheeran and James Blunt in Europe.

The company has sold 150 concert vacations since last year, according to The Telegraph.

Western pop stars have largely boycotted Russia amid its invasion of Ukraine.

Russian music fans, however, appear to be so desperate to see their favorite artists that they are paying thousands to go on "concert vacations" abroad.

Tour operator Russian Express has seen large demand for its concert-themed vacation packages, according to The Telegraph. The packages include the chance to see Ed Sheeran in Zagreb, Croatia, and James Blunt in Dubai.

A spokesperson for the operator told The Telegraph that it had sold 150 concert vacations since it launched its packages in the fall of last year. The spokesperson said these kinds of vacations are "consistently popular" and that it selects artists that appear to both "young people and the older generations."

"Imagine Dragons and Snoop Dog are the choice of young people. Scorpions and Rammstein are the choice of older people," the spokesperson told The Telegraph.

One of the packages — a five-day trip to see Ed Sheeran perform in Belgrade, Serbia, in August — costs around $1,123.

Sheeran, who last performed in Moscow in 2019, has publicly expressed his support for Ukraine and performed at the Concert for Ukraine fundraiser in 2022.

"Western superstars don't perform in Moscow anymore," Jonny Tickle, a British man living in Moscow, wrote on X. "As a result, some companies have set up travel packages including flights, accommodation, and concert tickets for Russians who want to watch their favourite singers like Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa and Adele.'"

Tickle also posted ads by Moscow-based radio station Europa Plus, which is running a competition called "Live Tour 2024." Prizes include packages to see Adele in Munich, Coldplay in Budapest, and Taylor Swift in Vienna.

In 2021, Coldplay's bassist Guy Berryman wrote on X that the band would "for sure" want to perform in Russia after a fan asked if there was anywhere he would like to play that he hadn't visited.

However, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Coldplay didn't include Russia dates on its tour.

In 2022, Coldplay invited Svyatoslav Vakarchuk, lead singer of the Ukrainian rock band Okean Elzy, onstage at their show in Brussels.

"We are at war. I want you to know we are fighting not only for Ukraine, we are fighting for world peace, freedom, and democracy," Vakarchuk said in a video of the concert posted to X.

Russian Express and Europa Plus did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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Brexit Blamed As Ski Operator Alpine Action Ceases Trading

UK ski operator Alpine Action has announced on its website that it ceased trading on Tuesday (May 7).

The statement from directors to clients said: "It is with much regret that we announce Alpine Action has ceased trading for chalet holidays as of 07-May-2024.

"Despite our very best efforts to overcome the significant commercial challenges, we have come to the point where we can no longer continue.

"If you've booked a holiday with us for the 2024/25 season, we will contact you soon to arrange a full refund of your deposit.

"Thank you for your understanding. We offer our sincere apologies and best wishes to all of you."

A statement from ski agency Ski Line said that Alpine Action ran five catered ski chalets in Meribel and had been trading since 1993.

Ski Line said it had worked with the operator since 1995 and had bookings for its clients in Alpine Action's chalets for the 2024-25 winter season.

It has already transferred its customers to other properties in the resort, added Ski Line.

Angus Kinloch, managing director of Ski Line, said: "Alpine Action were the second tour operator who agreed to appoint us as agents after I started skiline.Co.Uk in 1995. The owner Dennis Heasman and his daughter Dionne have been brilliant partners ever since.

"Unfortunately, the changes brought about by Brexit to the ski chalet holiday sector has taken another great British business."

Mal Sargeant, a senior sales advisor at Ski Line, added: "Skiers want chalets with flight and transfers included, and Atol packages continue to be the most popular choice for groups, wanting a more private ski holiday than our hotels can offer.

"But you can now count the Atol-bonded ski chalet operators that remain on one hand."

An article posted by ski news website PlanetSki blamed the closure on the "continuing fallout" from Brexit and Covid, noting how the chalet market had been particularly badly hit because of its small margins and reliance on British staff.

It reported that Sussex-based Alpine Action operated 10 ski chalets in Meribel and four in La Tania in France.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority, Alpine Action had an Atol for 815 passengers in the year to September 2024.

Travel Weekly has contacted the CAA for details.

News about Alpine Action ceasing trading follows the announcement in February about the closure of family chalet ski brand Esprit Ski.

More: Trade voices sadness over loss of Esprit Ski

Hotelplan UK withdraws family ski brand Esprit after 41 years

Carnival Issues Unusual Advisory For Popular Mexican Port

Cruise lines often alert guests to potentially dangerous situations at ports of call, such as advising travelers not to rent scooters or use unlicensed tour operators. Carnival Cruise Line has issued a more unusual advisory to guests aboard Carnival Radiance, however, regarding certain attractions operating in Ensenada, Mexico.

In a letter delivered to each stateroom, guests are advised not to participate in these unique wildlife encounters for a variety of reasons.

"As you get ready for our visit to Ensenada, we have an important advisory. You may encounter restaurants/attractions (not associated with the ship's shore excursions program) in the port of Ensenada that allow you to touch or otherwise interact with tiger cubs," the letter explained.

"For public health, safety, and environmental reasons, Carnival recommends that you do not partake in such attractions, including, but not limited to, the tiger cub attractions."

The letter is signed by the ship's master, Captain Eduardo Ferrone. There is no date on individual letters, as they are likely being distributed on every sailing that visits the Mexican destination.

The 101,509-gross-ton, Sunshine-class Carnival Radiance is homeported year-round from Long Beach, California, offering a variety of Mexican Riviera and Baja Mexico itineraries, as well as longer Carnival Journeys cruises to Hawaii.

Many travelers are eager for exotic, one-of-a-kind experiences, and cruises offer plenty of opportunities for those bucket-list moments at every destination.

Interactions with wildlife and animals are often tremendously popular, with passengers booking experiences such as dolphin swims, stingray feedings, swimming with pigs, horseback rides, aviary visits, and other options at different ports of call.

While the letter regarding tiger cubs does not go into details about why these interactions are not advised, it should be noted that tigers are not native to Mexico. The animals involved in these opportunities may have questionable backgrounds or could have been acquired by less-than-ethical means.

Did You Know? – Carnival Radiance Was Formerly Carnival Victory

For example, training, vaccinations, proper handling, humane treatment, and other critical details cannot be verified, and such interactions could easily be unsafe should any animals react poorly during a visit. Furthermore, organizers offering these encounters may not have proper insurance or licensure to safeguard visitors.

A tiger cub can weigh 75-150 pounds or more before it is mature, and is easily capable of inflicting serious injuries via teeth or claws if frightened, startled, or mishandled.

In addition to tiger cubs, other animals advertised as available for "interactions" in Ensenada – Cruise Hive will not share the name of the organization offering this activity – including monkeys, falcons, and farm animals.

It must also be noted that these activities are undoubtedly questionable by US standards, but they are legal in Mexico, and often have affiliations with local or regional conservation organizations.

Cruise travelers who want to experience local wildlife have plenty of safe, exciting options to try depending on where they visit.

In Costa Maya, for example, a treetop aviary right at the cruise port offers up-close visits with a variety of tropical birds. In Nassau, guests can easily visit Ardastra Gardens to see the famous flamingos and enjoy an interactive tortoise feeding experience.

Numerous Caribbean destinations offer snorkeling and dolphin, sea lion, or stingray encounter experiences, or guests can visit the Grand Cayman Turtle Farm to witness the conservation of sea turtles.

Meanwhile, in Alaska, whale-watching tours are always popular options, and some tours offer the opportunity to spot black bears. Glass-bottom boat tours also offer great ways to see tropical fish without getting wet.

Nature hikes in Hawaii, Alaska, and the Caribbean also offer opportunities to see local wildlife and numerous birds, and cruise guests can even spot pelicans, frigatebirds, dolphins, and flying fish right from the open decks if they keep a sharp lookout.

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