A new long-distance rail service set to launch this summer will connect central and eastern Europe in one continuous route, offering passengers one of the continent’s longest direct train journeys, with fares starting from as little as €10.

Prague-based operator Leo Express will begin the inter-European service on 25 June, creating a 1,300-kilometre connection linking Poland, Czechia and Germany with a direct extension towards the Ukrainian border. The service will operate once daily in each direction.

The route begins in Przemyśl in southeastern Poland, close to the Ukrainian border, and travels through Kraków, Ostrava and Prague before continuing into Germany via Dresden, Leipzig and Erfurt. It will then proceed to Frankfurt am Main and terminate at Frankfurt Airport, forming a key east-west transport corridor across multiple European regions.

Leo Express chief executive Peter Köhler said the service is designed to strengthen cross-border connectivity and improve mobility between eastern and western parts of the continent. He described the initiative as a step toward breaking down long-standing transport divides across Europe while improving access to Ukraine through established rail infrastructure.

The westbound journey departs Przemyśl at 1:31 p.m., with arrival at Frankfurt Airport scheduled for 7:53 a.m. the following morning. The return service leaves Frankfurt Airport at 8:27 a.m., reaching Przemyśl at 2:23 a.m. the next day.

According to the company, the timetable has been structured to allow passengers to connect easily with both regional and international travel networks. The early morning arrival in Frankfurt is intended to support onward flights across Europe and long-haul destinations, while the return schedule offers direct links to key cities including Prague and Kraków later in the day.

Köhler said the route will also improve links between major urban centres such as Prague, Dresden, Leipzig, Erfurt and Frankfurt, creating a continuous transport chain across central Europe. He added that the service is expected to appeal to both business and leisure travellers seeking more affordable and sustainable alternatives to air travel.

Onboard services will include Wi-Fi connectivity, power outlets at seats, air conditioning and onboard refreshments. The operator says the aim is to provide a consistent level of comfort across the entire journey despite its extended duration.

With tickets priced competitively, including introductory fares starting at €10 on selected routes, the new service is expected to increase competition in Europe’s long-distance travel market while offering passengers a more direct and cost-effective way to move between key cities across the region.

A chance to live on a picturesque Greek island without paying rent is being offered on Syros, but the opportunity comes with a very specific requirement: applicants must be committed cat lovers willing to care for stray animals.

The offer is being run by the animal welfare organisation Syroscats, which is seeking volunteers aged 25 and above to help look after its cat population. The group is calling for individuals or couples who are physically fit, independent and comfortable working in an outdoor, hands-on environment.

In exchange for their work, volunteers are provided with accommodation, breakfast and utilities. The role requires around five hours of work per day, five days a week, focused on feeding, cleaning and caring for cats, many of which are feral or semi-wild.

The organisation says prior experience as a veterinary assistant or working with stray animals is an advantage, though not essential. It stresses that reliability, responsibility and a willingness to work in sometimes challenging conditions are more important than formal qualifications.

Volunteers are expected to stay for at least one month, allowing enough time to settle into the routine of caring for the animals and supporting ongoing welfare efforts on the island.

Syros, located in the Cyclades island group, offers a backdrop that contrasts sharply with the work involved. Its main town, Ermoupoli, is known for its neoclassical architecture, marble staircases and broad public squares, reflecting its history as a major commercial centre in the 19th century.

Unlike better-known Greek destinations such as Mykonos, Syros has retained a quieter and more traditional atmosphere. It is considered less commercialised, with a stronger local presence in everyday life. Cafés and restaurants are often frequented by residents rather than tourists, and prices tend to be more moderate compared with more heavily visited islands.

The island’s appeal lies in its blend of authenticity and calm surroundings, attracting visitors who prefer a slower pace and cultural depth over nightlife and mass tourism. For volunteers, the experience offers both immersion in local life and the opportunity to contribute to animal welfare efforts in a scenic setting.

Syroscats says it is particularly interested in applicants who are willing to “get their hands dirty” and work independently while maintaining consistency in daily care routines. The organisation relies on volunteers to help manage the growing population of stray cats on the island, which requires ongoing feeding, medical attention and habitat maintenance.

For those selected, the arrangement combines practical volunteer work with the opportunity to live in one of Greece’s quieter island communities, offering a lifestyle shaped by both responsibility and the relaxed rhythm of island life.

More than 300 tourism executives and government officials from around the world have gathered aboard a luxury cruise ship on the Suez Canal to discuss the growing crisis facing global travel as conflict linked to Iran disrupts fuel supplies, aviation routes and summer holiday plans.

The three-day summit, organised by the World Travel & Tourism Council, comes as the tourism industry faces mounting pressure from rising oil prices and ongoing instability around the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy corridor through which much of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes.

Industry leaders warned that the conflict could lead to higher airfares, reduced flight schedules and weaker tourism demand during the peak summer season.

WTTC President and Chief Executive Gloria Guevara said the disruption was already affecting airline capacity worldwide.

“The crisis is affecting airline supply as there are fewer seats available,” Guevara said during the gathering, while expressing hope that the Middle East tourism market could recover within a few months if tensions ease.

Fuel shortages and rising energy prices have sharply increased operating costs for airlines, where fuel already represents one of the largest expenses. Tourism officials fear those costs will eventually be passed on to travellers through more expensive tickets and reduced route availability.

In its latest transport assessment, the European Commission warned that passengers could face delays, cancellations, longer travel times and rising prices if the crisis continues.

Guevara urged governments to consider reducing taxes on airlines to ease pressure on the sector and help prevent further increases in ticket prices.

Sherif Fathi, Egypt’s tourism minister, said the country was already feeling the economic effects of the regional conflict. He noted that tourism arrivals in Egypt fell 16 percent in April due to a reduction in available flights and airline seats.

“The main challenge for international tourism is not demand, but transport supply,” Fathi said, adding that disruptions in maritime, rail and land transport were also affecting global tourism and trade.

European tourism officials said governments across the continent were closely monitoring the situation. Eduardo Santander, head of the European Travel Commission, said European authorities were considering contingency measures if fuel shortages worsen.

He predicted travellers may increasingly choose destinations closer to home this summer, potentially boosting domestic and regional tourism within Europe.

Despite the uncertainty, tourism leaders attending the floating summit stressed that the industry had become more resilient after navigating previous crises including the Covid-19 pandemic and earlier geopolitical conflicts.

Tourism remains one of the world’s largest industries, supporting an estimated 376 million jobs globally and accounting for nearly 10 percent of the global economy. Industry executives said developments in the Middle East over the coming weeks could play a major role in shaping international travel patterns for the rest of the year.