Welcome to Monday's travel news here on FREEDOMtravel! This week it's all about everything from AI imagery and adventure tourism to... space travel! Anyone keen to book a group trip on board a spacecraft?
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Winter travel prices plummet after the sports holidays
As the winter season draws to a close and the sports holidays are almost over, prices for winter travel are falling. The travel agency Ticket has just identified a bargain for those who can travel in March or early April. Right now, it is easiest to find good prices to popular destinations such as the Canary Islands, Thailand and Cape Verde. Also Egypt and The Gambia has many affordable trips for those looking for a holiday.
SJ has released the summer tickets
From 5 March, it will be possible to buy tickets for all SJ trains within Sweden for the period 10 June-31 August. At the same time, tickets for SJ's night trains to Hamburg for the period 1 September-30 November. "Summer tickets are always popular, so if you want to secure your ticket at the lowest possible price, my advice is to book as early as possible," says Sofie Struwe, Director of Commercial Traffic at SJ.
Croatia named best destination in Europe 2025
Croatia has been named the best country to visit in Europe in 2025 by European Best Destinations. Over 1.2 million travellers from 139 countries took part in the extensive poll, which Croatia took first place among 44 countries with an impressive 118 261 votes. The official award ceremony took place on 4 March 2025 at the ITB Berlin, the world's largest travel fair.
Armenia named Adventure Tourism Destination of the Year
Armenia has been named Adventure Tourism Destination of the Year at the PATWA International Travel Awards 2025, held at the ITB Berlin travel fair on 5 March 2025. This prestigious award highlights Armenia's growing reputation as a top global destination for adventure seekers. From rugged mountains and scenic hiking trails to rock climbing and paragliding, Armenia offers it all.
What customers in the travel industry think about AI images
A new survey by TUI Musement, the experiences and excursions business area of TUI Group, shows that many people have difficulty distinguishing between real and AI-generated images. The study, conducted by Appinio on behalf of TUI Musement in June 2024, involved 1,200 participants from Germany, Spain and the UK. The survey is part of TUI's efforts to ensure the ethical implementation of AI. Key insights from the survey:
- Difficult to distinguish between AI and real images.
- AI-generated images aroused "interest" but also "scepticism".
- AI-generated images were twice as likely to "arouse curiosity", but were not considered more compelling for purchase decisions.
- A majority felt that a mix of "high-quality professional images" and "authentic, user-generated content" was crucial to building trust and influencing purchasing decisions.
HX Expeditions revamps its fleet with a new visual identity
HX Expeditions, the world's oldest expedition cruise company, is now unveiling its new visual identity with the colours "indigo blue" and "sand". The colour change is the final phase of an extensive rebranding exercise following HX's official separation from its Norwegian sister company Hurtigruten last month. The new colour palette has been inspired by marine wildlife with colours such as "pearls, sand and arctic white".
Where Swedes are travelling in summer 2025
Many Swedes have already booked their summer holidays with TUI. TUI's booking statistics for the summer show that bookings have so far increased by four per cent compared to the same time last year. The destinations with the largest percentage increases are Costa del Sol (36 per cent), Croatia (28 per cent) and Samos (25 per cent). Top 5: TUI's most booked destinations in summer 2025:
- Crete, Greece
- Larnaca, Cyprus
- Rhodes, Greece
- Mallorca, Spain
- Antalya Coast, Turkey
Rolfs Flyg & Buss invests in space travel
Swedish Rolfs Flyg & Buss, the Nordic region's largest group travel organiser, is expanding to ... space. According to Emanuel Karlsson, CEO of Rolfs Flyg & Buss, travelling to space as a Rolfs traveller is between five and ten years away. Although Emanuel believes that the price tag for the first trip will be around SEK 5 million per traveller, he is still optimistic that more people will sign up. Rolf's Flyg & Buss space trip will include the following:
- Training and preparation for one week.
- A few days in space with accommodation on board the spacecraft.
- Return flight to the United States, where take-off and landing take place.
- The definition of an unforgettable experience!
Reflection of the week
When we read the news about space travel, we quickly checked the calendar to see if it was 1 April, but it wasn't ... Personally, we're not that keen on space actually (not even if we could afford it) but it will be interesting to see the development in the future! Group trip with "Rolfs Flyg & Rymdfarkost" ... ojoj!
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Netti Starby says:
It would have been really cool to travel to space but as I said, it is very expensive. Hugs <3
10 March 2025 - 6:22
Helena says:
Yes, you have to have "a little" left in the bank if you are going to make such a trip ...
11 March 2025 - 6:56
Hanneles book paradise says:
Likes stars and space phenomena, watched from the ground, read 5 points of Astronomy, watching stars and planets with eldest granddaughter, who managed to adjust our stargazer. We were up on midsummer night a couple of years ago when the planets lined up, saw by eye, three planets!
10 March 2025 - 18:08
Helena says:
Glad you took 5 credits of astronomy, I (Helena) have actually done that too. I took a summer course once many, many years ago ... 😉
11 March 2025 - 6:56
BP says:
Didn't Rolfs Flyg och Buss receive an award a few months ago? I seem to recall that "the whole company" was on stage to receive the award.
If I wasn't too old and had a few million to spare, I would definitely want to go into space, just because. But you can always start with the millionaires who have tired of their luxury residences on the Mediterranean. You have to start somewhere...
10 March 2025 - 18:32
Helena says:
Yes, that's right, they got a prize at the Grand Travel Award! Funny that you would venture into space, I would be too cowardly I think ... But I also think there may be the occasional millionaire who is prepared to jump on.
11 March 2025 - 6:59
Susjos says:
Space certainly does not attract!
But a bus trip with Rolf's bus would be fun....though not to space ;-D
10 March 2025 - 21:56
Helena says:
I have to admit that I would also prefer a bus journey. Space travel certainly sounds exciting, but a bit too scary for me... 😉
11 March 2025 - 7:00
Yossu says:
Space travel is just scary for me. I'm going to stay on our planet, luckily it has lots of interesting places to discover.
11 March 2025 - 20:21
Lena in Wales and a bit everywhere says:
Nice mix.
Space travel, maybe not for me.
Read about your travel agency thoughts. Good luck in a tough, but fun industry. Know from experience.
Wishing you a good time Lena from New Zealand
11 March 2025 - 23:55
Monnah says:
What exciting news! I feel like an old man when I realise that it is really getting closer to the time when not only astronauts and cosmonauts can go into space. It doesn't appeal to me at all, but I'm happy to stand and dream about the universe and enjoy the free entertainment of the sky!
12 March 2025 - 8:06