Get the picture

GET THE pict ure

A MESSAGE FROM THE PUBLISHER

We’ve all spent the last two months watching, and being increasingly horrifi ed, by Russia’s unprovoked attack on the people of Ukraine at the command of Vladimir Putin. I, like you I am sure, am full of questions, not least because I had the immense pleasure of visiting Kyiv on holiday in 2017 with a friend. We explored the capital’s grand streets, tasted the famous chicken and marvelled at its ornate churches – I’m standing next to St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral in the picture below and the main picture is St. Andrew’s church. But now I can’t help but wonder, what has happened to all the wonderful people I met there? Are they amongst the ten million refugees fl eeing Ukraine, are they serving in the military and risking their lives, or are they casualties or fatalities of this unprovoked war? The humanitarian impact on Ukraine is devastating but we applaud the huge effort by our fellow Brits, and others around the world, in donating to great causes, hosting refugees, supplying provisions for Ukrainians in need, and much more. As publisher of Charitable Traveller magazine and founder of both Charitable Travel and the tourism support charity, Charitable Travel Fund, my thoughts also go to my colleagues in Ukraine’s once fl ourishing tourism industry, another victim of Putin’s agression. According to the World Bank, a pre-pandemic year high saw Ukraine receiving over fourteen million tourists, just like me, who visited to experience the hospitality, history and culture in places like Kyiv, Lviv, Chernobyl, Odesa, Kharkiv and Dnipro. I wonder what has happened to the hotel and restaurant staff, the tour guides, airport staff and tour operators. Sadly, we can’t travel to Ukraine to support its economy, but Charitable economy, but Charitable Travel allows you to Travel allows you to support great causes with support great causes with every holiday you book, every holiday you book, creating a free donation creating a free donation equal to 5% of the price of equal to 5% of the price of your holiday. Please think your holiday. Please think of the people of Ukraine of the people of Ukraine when you book your when you book your well-earned break and well-earned break and let’s all hope for an end let’s all hope for an end to this evil invasion of a to this evil invasion of a friendly nation. friendly nation. Mel iss  Till ing

The joys of spring Spring is now in full swing across the northern hemisphere. In Japan, locals have already been admiring the delicate pink cherry blossoms which, to them, signal renewal and the fl eeting nature of life. In mountain regions ranging from the Alps to the Rockies, rivers rush with snow melt and alpine meadows are coming alive with a kaleidoscope of wild fl owers. In the UK we’ve had the cheery nod of daffodils and a bluebell blush carpets our woodlands along with fragrant wild garlic. What’s next? Daisies, blue cornfl owers and red poppies will fi ll our meadows, pink thrift will spring up on coastal paths and purple foxgloves will appear in shady woods.

Prot ect ing Venice

Day trippers to Venice will now be charged up to €10 (£8.30) to enter the historic city, after visitor numbers hit pre-pandemic levels over Easter. The city’s authorities have long debated such a measure but the busy weekend prompted them to take decisive action on the overtourism that has wreaked havoc on this fragile canal-crossed city. A booking system will be launched in June but there will be a six-month pilot before the scheme potentially takes full effect in January 2023. Those staying overnight will be exempt as they pay a tourist tax. There will also be a maximum of 40,000 to 50,000 visitors a day.