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Sicilia Express Sleeper Train Offers Affordable and Scenic Christmas Travel for Sicilians

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TURIN: Homesick Sicilians will have a unique and affordable way to travel home for Christmas this year, thanks to the launch of the Sicilia Express, a special sleeper train connecting northern Italy to the southern island.

Announced by Sicily’s regional president, Renato Schifani, the Sicilia Express is tailored for workers and students wishing to reunite with loved ones during the festive season. The train departs from Turin on December 21, offering an overnight journey to Sicily, and returns to Turin on January 5, ahead of Italy’s Epiphany holiday.

Addressing a Costly Journey

For many Sicilians, particularly younger generations, relocating to northern Italy offers better work and educational opportunities. However, high airfare costs often make travel back home challenging. Return flights between northern cities and Sicily can exceed €700, as reported earlier this month.

The Sicilia Express provides an affordable alternative, with ticket prices starting at €29.90 for standard seating. For passengers seeking additional comfort, sleeper compartments are available for €129.90. Tickets go on sale on December 3 and can be purchased through the FS Treni Turistici Italiani website or train station ticket offices.

A Journey with a Sicilian Flair

This is no ordinary sleeper train. The Sicilia Express promises passengers an immersive experience celebrating Sicilian culture.

According to FS Treni Turistici Italiani, the 18-hour trip will feature masterclasses, artistic performances, and appearances by influencers and prominent Sicilian figures. The train will also offer two dining cars serving traditional Sicilian cuisine, turning the journey into a festive celebration of the island’s heritage.

“The experience on board will be enriched by the presence of well-known personalities narrating the journey to Sicily,” noted the service’s website.

Sicilian Government Support for Travel Costs

The Sicilia Express initiative complements the Sicilian government’s existing subsidy program for domestic flights. To ease the financial burden on residents, the government reimburses 25% of flight costs throughout the year, increasing to 50% during December and January.

An Opportunity to Celebrate and Save

The Sicilia Express is not only a cost-effective option but also a sustainable and scenic alternative to flying. By offering special entertainment and showcasing Sicilian traditions, the service ensures that the journey home is just as memorable as the holiday itself.

With ticket sales beginning soon, the Sicilia Express is set to become a festive lifeline for many Sicilians eager to spend the holidays with their families.

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Rome Braces for Travel Disruptions Following the Death of Pope Francis

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Travellers to Rome over the coming weeks should expect significant disruptions and closures at some of the city’s most iconic religious sites following the death of Pope Francis on April 21.

The Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, died on Monday after suffering a stroke that led to a coma and subsequent heart failure. His passing has set in motion a series of deeply traditional rituals, including a funeral, public mourning, and the election of a new pope.

Among the immediate impacts is the closure of the Sistine Chapel, which will be used exclusively by the College of Cardinals for the conclave—the secretive process to elect the next pope. The Vatican announced the chapel will close to the public from April 28 and remain inaccessible until several days after the conclave concludes, likely reopening in mid-May.

Other nearby attractions will also see changes. The Vatican Museums will remain open except for April 26, when they will close to honor the Pope’s funeral. However, access to the Sistine Chapel will be suspended, and security will be tight throughout Vatican City. Tours of the Vatican Gardens and the Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis are also suspended due to increased security measures as cardinals travel between the chapel and their accommodations.

St. Peter’s Basilica is currently hosting thousands of mourners, with the late pontiff’s body lying in state until April 25. Public access is possible from 7 a.m. to midnight on April 24, and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on April 25. However, long queues and strict dress codes are in place. Parts of the basilica, including the dome, are closed to visitors, and all guided tours are suspended.

The Pope’s funeral is scheduled for April 26 at St. Peter’s Square and is expected to draw millions. Hotel and flight prices have already begun to climb in anticipation of the influx of visitors, many of whom are traveling to witness what is considered a historic and spiritual milestone.

Following the funeral, attention will turn to the election of the new pope. Tourists and faithful can witness the traditional smoke signals from the Sistine Chapel chimney—black indicating no decision, and white signaling that a new pope has been chosen. Crowds are expected to gather in large numbers in St. Peter’s Square for this moment.

While some visitors may be disappointed by limited access to key religious sites, others are embracing the rare opportunity to witness the Vatican during a pivotal moment in modern Church history.

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Travel Industry Faces Scrutiny Over Website Accessibility Failures

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Travel companies are coming under increasing pressure for failing to make their websites accessible to people with disabilities, potentially missing out on millions in revenue and facing new legal risks under incoming EU regulations.

Reports by WebAIM, a nonprofit focused on digital accessibility, and AudioEye, a technology company specializing in accessible design, have both identified travel websites as some of the least accessible across the internet. According to WebAIM’s “Million” report, the average travel homepage contained nearly 60 accessibility errors—a 17% increase from the previous year.

“These barriers don’t just impact user experience—they also hurt the bottom line,” said Jared Smith, Executive Director of WebAIM. “With around 20% of the population reporting a disability, ignoring accessibility excludes a large pool of potential customers.”

Common problems flagged by the reports include poor colour contrast, missing image descriptions (alt text), vague links, inaccessible forms, and issues for keyboard-only users. AudioEye noted that 41% of travel and hospitality websites were especially difficult to navigate without a mouse, severely limiting functionality for visually impaired users or those relying on assistive technology.

The World Health Organization estimates that one in six people globally lives with some form of disability. Visual impairments alone affect over 2.2 billion people worldwide, with 43 million registered as blind.

Among the worst offenders is Booking.com, the world’s most visited travel site, which ranked a dismal 712,074th in accessibility among the top one million websites. Other travel giants like Airbnb and Trip.com also scored poorly. On the other hand, companies like Uber and Skyscanner ranked significantly higher, indicating that accessibility improvements are achievable.

Accessibility advocate and blind presenter Lucy Edwards says her experience with travel sites is consistently frustrating. “It’s so infrequent that I can book a holiday independently,” she told Euronews Travel. “Pop-ups break my screen reader, and most images have no descriptive text.”

Screen readers are critical tools for users with visual impairments, converting digital text into speech or Braille. But many travel websites are poorly structured for these tools, making even simple tasks—like choosing a destination or confirming a booking—nearly impossible without assistance.

The issue is gaining urgency ahead of the European Accessibility Act (EEA), which takes effect on June 28. The EEA mandates that all digital services in the EU, including travel websites, meet standards defined by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). These include readable fonts, clear navigation, image alt text, and full keyboard accessibility.

Failure to comply could lead to fines, legal action, and exclusion from public procurement, not to mention damage to brand reputation.

“Overall, the web experience has left me in tears,” Edwards said. “I’m lucky to have help, but it shouldn’t have to be this way.”

With the EEA deadline fast approaching, experts say travel companies must act quickly—not only to meet legal requirements but to ensure that travel is accessible to all.

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World’s Largest Cruise Ships Set to Make Waves in 2025

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The cruise industry is gearing up for a landmark year in 2025, with several colossal ships preparing to set sail, promising unprecedented scale, luxury, and innovation at sea. With 17 new vessels expected to debut, five stand out as the biggest and most ambitious, redefining what it means to cruise in style.

1. Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas

Leading the fleet is Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas, a sister ship to the current record-holder, Icon of the Seas. Weighing in at a staggering 250,800 tonnes—slightly heavier than Icon—this floating city will embark on seven-night cruises from Port Canaveral, Florida, visiting popular Eastern and Western Caribbean destinations, including the cruise line’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

The ship features eight themed neighborhoods, 40 dining and bar venues, multiple pools, waterslides, and even a three-level Family Townhouse. Royal Caribbean has announced that Star of the Seas will begin full operations on August 31, with early “showcase sailings” offering shorter trips starting earlier in the summer.

2. Disney Cruise Line’s Adventure

Disney Cruise Line is launching its largest ship yet, Disney Adventure, in December. At 208,000 tonnes and 342 meters in length, it will carry around 6,000 guests. Based in Singapore, Adventure will offer three- to five-night cruises with no port calls—just immersive Disney entertainment at sea.

This ship will be the first Disney vessel based in Asia and will feature unique attractions such as a rollercoaster at sea, Marvel-themed experiences, and seven different “lands.” It is currently under construction, with a float-out planned for May and a maiden voyage scheduled for December 15.

3. MSC Cruises’ World America

Weighing 205,700 tonnes, World America is the second in MSC’s World-class series, following World Europa. From its Miami base, the ship will alternate seven-night Caribbean routes, including stops in Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic.

The 22-deck ship boasts 19 restaurants, 20 bars, a Family Aventura park with over-water swings, and an onboard waterpark. World America is already completed and will be officially named in Miami on April 9, with Hollywood actress Drew Barrymore as its godmother.

4. Princess Cruises’ Star Princess

Star Princess, a 175,000-tonne vessel, is Princess Cruises’ second Sphere-class ship and the largest ever built in Italy. Slated for delivery in September, it will initially sail Mediterranean routes before heading to the Caribbean and Alaska in 2026. Amenities include pickleball and basketball courts, expanded bars, and new dining experiences.

5. TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff Relax

Already in operation, the 160,000-tonne Mein Schiff Relax entered service in March, focusing on wellness. With a spa, yoga deck, and over 30 dining venues, the ship currently runs Mediterranean cruises and will later shift to the Canary Islands.

Despite their grandeur, such mega-ships face challenges. Port capacity, local tourism limits—like those now enforced in Santorini—and environmental concerns around LNG fuel use are reshaping the future of cruising. With passenger preferences shifting post-pandemic, it remains to be seen whether “bigger is better” will remain the industry’s guiding mantra.

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