Arrivals & Departures Weekly Travel News & Views 15 January 2025

CONFUSING COUNTRIES

It’s been a longstanding joke that “the world” can confuse Australia with Austria. There was even an internet surge when it was claimed Salzburg Airport in Austria had a help desk specifically for people who intended to fly to Australia. That’s not true. But we’re not the only ones with this sort of problem. Visit Sweden is currently running a campaign called: “Welcome to Sweden (not Switzerland).”

It explains: “People all over the world keep mixing up Sweden and Switzerland.”

Really? Intriguing. I liked the campaign they ran about four years ago: “Welcome to Sweden, when the time is right.” (Equally intriguing.) visitsweden.com

VITAL DIFFERENCES

Visit Sweden goes on to explain some differences between the two countries ...

“Switzerland has one of the world’s largest gold reserves. In Sweden however, you will find something else: Chanterelles. Or as Swedes call it, forest gold. Each autumn, people here head out on a scavenger hunt for these golden mushrooms. During season, they are found in forests pretty much anywhere, but most Swedes have their spots that they know deliver.”

“If you’re interested in impressive and historic banks, Switzerland is the place to go. But if you prefer strolling down beaches and sandbanks, you really should visit Sweden. With 48,000km of coastline and more than 100,000 lakes, this truly is a water world.”

ENTER THE ETA

The travel world changed a bit for lots of Australians last Wednesday. As of January 8, Australian passport holders need an ETA to enter the UK. But the Electronic Travel Authorisation is no big deal. It costs £10 ($20), is processed quickly, and lasts two years or until the holder’s passport expires, and is valid for multiple trips. Children and babies will need one, too. Apply through the UK ETA app or gov.uk.

The ETA is part of a system of strengthening border security as it enables pre-arrival screening of travellers, identifying potential risks before they turn up at the country’s borders. I’m happy to take part in that.

PLAY IT SAFE

Readers have been concerned about the introduction of the ETA, particularly where they hold both Australian and British passports. It should work that they can exit Australia on their Australian passport and enter the UK on their British passport without an ETA.

That’s the information we are being given — but until I’ve actually done it, I don’t vouch for things. I have both UK and Australian passports, and I’ll still have an ETA for my Australian passport.

A350 GAME CHANGER

Emirates’ first Airbus A350 has just entered commercial service, flying its inaugural flight from Dubai to Edinburgh (pictured at the top of the page). It’s a significant milestone.

The plane combines new cabin design and a high level of passenger comfort in the most fuel-efficient large wide-body aircraft in commercial service today.

The plane has very high ceilings and wider aisles, faster wi-fi with uninterrupted global connectivity, and 4K and 4K HDR ultra-responsive touch screens. There are 21 premium economy seats, 259 economy class seats, and 32 lie-flat business-class seats. It is the first of 65 A350s that will join the Emirates fleet in coming years.

Why Edinburgh? Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ deputy president and chief commercial officer, tells us: “Our first Airbus A350 making its maiden journey to Edinburgh underscores the strategic importance of the UK within our global network.”

INDIAN PACIFIC ITINERARY

At home, 2025 is a big milestone for the Indian Pacific train trip between Perth and Sydney. This week it started its new itinerary and off-train experiences. The trip has been extended from four to five days, giving better arrival times in some spots, and an exclusive dinner at Seppeltsfield estate in the Barossa Valley, South Australia, showcasing the region’s flavours and wines.

Indian Pacific general manager Alberto Isaza is delighted with the new five-day, four-night journey, with its all-inclusive meals, fine wines, beverages, and excursions.

“Highlights included unique off-train experiences in Kalgoorlie, Cook on the Nullarbor, the Barossa Valley, Broken Hill and the Blue Mountains,” he says. “The hardest decision guests had to make was what to have for lunch and which experience to join.”

There is even a “paint and sip” session in artist Pro Hart’s original studio in Broken Hill.

The Indian Pacific has journeyed between Perth and Sydney for more than 50 years on the world’s longest stretch of straight railway track. I will be experiencing and writing about the new itinerary soon. journeybeyondrail.com.au.

CANCER & INSURANCE

A regular reader has been asking for help in getting travel insurance for cancer patients. We’ll keep him anonymous, as his wife is on chemotherapy medication which is controlling her cancer. He writes: “We are planning a week in Singapore in March, and I don’t know where to get good information from, trying to find online is very confusing.”

I am, of course, sorry to hear of the situation, but better news is that many insurance companies specifically address this issue.

I’d start with allcleartravel.com.au (look under “travel insurance”, then “pre-existing medical conditions”, then “cancer travel insurance”).

fastcover.com.au will cover travellers with “cancer or cancerous condition” and has an online medical screening form to go through. “Having a pre-existing medical condition doesn’t mean you can’t get travel insurance,” it says.

“In fact, it may be even more important to make sure you do have travel insurance that will cover your pre-existing medical conditions, just in case you’re unexpectedly sick or injured during your trip.”

covermore.com.au will also cover people with cancer.

I also suggest talking to someone at comparetravelinsurance.com.au — a good Australian company.

EXPLORING INCENTIVES

Viking’s 2025 Explorer Sale is on, offering free airfares, up to the value of $2400 per person, on some river, ocean and expedition voyages through the 2025-2027 sailing seasons. Some travellers will also get an additional $500 in shipboard credit on ocean and expedition journeys. The offers are available for new bookings made before or on March 31, 2025.

It includes river sailings on the 15-day Grand European Tour between Amsterdam and Budapest, from $9195 in a standard stateroom.

It also includes the 16-day Malta, Morocco and the Mediterranean ocean voyage from Barcelona, which is from $12,295 each in a veranda stateroom. 138 747 or viking.com

PARKS & AN APP

It’s tricky keeping up with all of WA’s new national and marine parks. The Partnership for the Outback campaign group this week said: “Over the last five years, WA has added 6.5 million hectares of new or expanded conservation areas — that’s as big as Tassie! By signing petitions, attending events and meeting with MPs, you have inspired the Government to take action. Together, we’ve created more than 50 new or expanded parks to look after our unique wildlife, fight climate change, and keep our nature healthy for future generations to enjoy.”

A new Marine Parks WA app has all WA’s marine parks (including Commonwealth marine parks) from Walpole to Camden Sound. It has details for each park and 72 marine wildlife species. Oddly, there’s only an Apple version — free in the Apple app store.