Paul Helps People - Travel

20/09/2026

Over the past few days, I’ve been helping a new client prepare for their very first trip to New Zealand to visit family.

They’re not a seasoned traveller, so this booking has been about far more than simply arranging flights.

I’ve helped guide them through applying for their New Zealand eTA, completing the online arrival declaration, arranging travel insurance, entering their passport details and checking in for their flight.

We’ve also talked through what will happen at their connecting airport, where they need to go, what to expect and, importantly, reassured them that their checked baggage will travel through to their final destination.

They also have my number on WhatsApp should they need me while they’re away, and when it’s time to come home, I’ll be there to help with their return check-in too.

To some people, that might sound like overkill.

To me, it’s called looking after my client.

Not everyone travels regularly. Things that might seem obvious to an experienced traveller can be confusing or even daunting when you’re doing them for the first time.

Sometimes my job is to book a holiday. Sometimes it’s to find the right flight. And sometimes it’s simply to provide reassurance and make sure somebody feels confident about their journey.

After 42 years working in travel, I still believe there’s enormous value in having a real person you can turn to when you need help.

Every client is different. Some want me to handle almost everything, while others just need me in the background if something goes wrong. Either is absolutely fine with me.

If you’re planning a trip and would appreciate experienced, personal support rather than being left to work everything out yourself, please get in touch.

Paul Smith
Independent Travel Agent
WOT Travel

Email: [email protected]
Mobile/WhatsApp: 07919 992288

Your journey may begin at the airport, but my service starts long before you get there.

20/09/2026

🇪🇸 SMIFFY’S TRAVEL TIP – GRANADA 🍺🍤

Here’s something I love about travel…

Sometimes it’s the little local traditions that make a destination memorable.

And Granada has a particularly good one!

Walk into many of the traditional bars, order yourself a drink and something rather wonderful can happen…

A plate of food arrives with it.

And I’m not just talking about a few olives or a handful of crisps.

Depending on where you go, your complimentary tapa could be fried seafood, Spanish tortilla, meat, a small burger, stew or whatever happens to be coming out of the kitchen that day.

Order another drink and another tapa may arrive.

Suddenly, a casual drink has turned into something of a culinary adventure!

This tradition is still very much part of life in Granada, and for me this is exactly what travelling is about — getting away from the obvious tourist experience and discovering how the locals actually live.

One of the best-known names is Bar Los Diamantes, particularly famous for its seafood, while Bodegas Castañeda offers that wonderful traditional Spanish atmosphere.

But here’s my tip…

Don’t always choose the smartest-looking bar with the prettiest terrace.

Wander a couple of streets away from the main tourist areas. Look for the busy little bar where locals are standing at the counter, chatting, eating and enjoying themselves.

Take a look at what everyone else is eating.

Then order a drink and see what arrives!

You might just discover that one of your favourite memories of Granada isn’t only the magnificent Alhambra…

…it’s what unexpectedly appeared on a little plate beside your drink. 🇪🇸

And that, for me, is why travel should be about experiences as much as destinations.

If Granada - or anywhere else in Spain - is on your wish list, speak to me. With over 40 years in travel, I’m always happy to help turn an idea into a holiday.

Paul – WOT Travel ✈️

18/09/2026

✈️ TRAVELLING ABROAD? HERE’S A TRAVEL MONEY TIP

After more than 40 years working in travel, I’m always interested in things that can make travelling that little bit easier — and that includes how we manage our spending money overseas.

One option worth looking at is the Wise multi-currency debit card.

With Wise you can hold and spend in 40+ currencies, convert money through the app and use the card for everyday spending while you’re away.

One of the things I particularly like is the transparency. Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate and clearly shows the conversion fees rather than hiding a markup within the exchange rate.

You can also use a digital card with Apple Pay or Google Pay, which can be particularly handy when travelling.

As with any travel money product, I always recommend checking the current rates and charges and comparing them with your existing bank or card before deciding what works best for you.

If you’d like to take a look, I have a Wise referral link below:

https://wise.com/invite/ilpc/pauls2680

Depending on the referral offer available when you sign up, you may receive a benefit for joining through the link, and I may also receive a referral reward if the qualifying conditions are met.

Another little travel tip from Paul Helps People — because helping you with your holiday doesn’t have to stop once the booking is made. ✈️🌍

Sign up to claim your gift.

17/09/2026

✈️ FLIGHT DELAYED? DON’T ASSUME THE AIRLINES HAVE WON!

There’s been a lot of discussion about changes to European passenger compensation rules, but one important protection has survived.

And survived very convincingly!

The European Parliament voted 646 to just 12 to keep the 3-hour rule.

That means passengers on covered flights can still be entitled to €250–€600 compensation when their flight is delayed, cancelled at short notice, or they’re denied boarding.

But there’s much more to the new rules than compensation.

Passengers will also gain some useful additional protections:

✅ A free personal item with every fare.

✅ No charge for correcting a typo in a passenger’s name.

✅ Missing your outbound flight will no longer automatically invalidate your return flight.

✅ Stronger seating and assistance rights for families, pregnant travellers and passengers with disabilities.

However, the airlines have gained some concessions too.

On long-haul flights, compensation can be reduced by half if you’re rerouted or arrive within four hours of your original scheduled arrival time.

If a disruption is caused by circumstances outside the airline’s control, the requirement to provide hotel accommodation will be limited to three nights.

And there’s another important change to remember…

⏰ You’ll have nine months to submit your compensation claim, rather than the longer periods currently available in some countries.

But here’s probably the MOST important part of this post:

⚠️ NONE OF THESE CHANGES ARE IN FORCE YET.

The Council gave its final sign-off on 13 July, but the new rules only take effect after a specified period following publication in the EU’s Official Journal.

That means they’re expected to come into force sometime in 2027.

So if you suffer a flight delay this summer, the current rules still apply.

After more than 40 years working in travel, one thing I’ve learned is that knowing your passenger rights can make a considerable difference when something goes wrong.

So I’m interested…

Have you ever successfully claimed compensation following a flight delay?

Or did you start the process and eventually give up?

Source: European Council, AirAdvisor

16/09/2026

Marriott Hotels

With my travel hat well and truly on, I wanted to highlight a hotel chain that I regularly deal with.

Marriott, and their associated brands, are found worldwide.

As an independent travel agent I have access to all their properties, with live availability.

If you want to book a hotel from the Marriott portfolio, please do get in touch with me.

This is especially useful when you are a Bonvoy member and wish to collect points for each stay, as I also have access to members rates.

I can also book group accommodation (ten or more rooms for the same property and dates), so please remember this if you have any group needs.

When you book your accommodation through me, I do not charge a booking fee.

My contact details are as follows:

☎️ 020 8891 3169
📱 ⁨07919 992288⁩
📧 [email protected]

09/09/2026

🚢 NO KIDS ALLOWED! 😲

Before anyone starts complaining… those are the rules, not mine! 😂

If the thought of an adults-only cruise sounds rather appealing, then Virgin Voyages might just float your boat. ⚓️

No children’s clubs.
No kids taking over the swimming pool.
No wondering whose little darling is running down the corridor at full speed! 😂

Just an adults-only cruise experience with a rather different, modern and relaxed approach to life at sea.

Although Virgin Voyages has now stopped sailing from Portsmouth, don’t let that put you off.

✈️ There’s always the fly-cruise option!

I can help arrange your flights and cruise, and advise you on the options available rather than leaving you to disappear down an internet rabbit hole comparing dozens of different sailings.

And if Virgin Voyages isn’t your cup of tea — or should that be your glass of something bubbly? 🥂 — there are plenty of other cruise lines (including river cruises) I can help with too.

After more than 40 years working in travel, my job isn’t simply to sell you a holiday.

It’s to help you find the right holiday for YOU.

So, here’s today’s important question…

😇 Would you choose an adults-only cruise because you love the Virgin Voyages concept…

😈 …or simply because there are no kids onboard?

Come on, you can tell me! 😂

Drop me a message if you’d like to explore the possibilities.

08/09/2026

✈️ AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL DELAYS — WHEN TRAVEL DOESN’T GO TO PLAN

Unless you’re a real devil for punishment, I don’t think anyone wants to experience air traffic control delays — particularly when they become as disruptive as those affecting Gatwick and Heathrow today.

These situations are largely outside an airline’s control.

However, how an airline responds to delays, diversions and cancellations can make or break its reputation.

Today I’ve had four clients travelling back to the UK.

Two managed to miss the worst of the disruption, with their flight from Naples arriving into Heathrow at around 2.30pm. Phew! 😅

Unfortunately, two other clients returning from a lovely holiday in Ras Al Khaimah weren’t quite so lucky.

Their flight was scheduled to arrive into Heathrow at 4.45pm, but instead they found themselves being diverted to Birmingham.

Not exactly the end to the holiday they had planned! 😬

Thankfully, Emirates were on the ball and arranged coach transportation onwards to Heathrow.

But just think about the logistics involved.

When you have 500+ passengers onboard an aircraft, that’s a LOT of people to disembark, a LOT of baggage to unload and reclaim, and a LOT of coaches to organise.

It’s one thing when an airline already operates from the diversion airport. Emirates serves Birmingham anyway, alongside several other UK airports.

It’s quite another when an aircraft has to divert somewhere the airline doesn’t normally operate from. That can create a whole new logistical challenge.

I’ve been keeping in touch with my two clients throughout, and I’m pleased to say they’re now safely aboard a coach heading back towards Heathrow.

Not the ideal ending to a great holiday, but hopefully they’ll be sleeping in their own bed tonight. 🏠

And there’s another side to situations like this that’s worth remembering.

I completely understand passengers becoming tired, frustrated and even angry. But spare a thought for the pilots, cabin crew, airport staff, ground handlers and everyone else trying to sort out the disruption.

They didn’t want it to happen either.

I speak from personal experience.

A few years ago, I was flying from Atlanta to Gatwick when severe weather meant we were diverted to Dublin. I eventually arrived around six hours late.

Travel doesn’t always go according to plan.

And perhaps this is also where having an experienced travel agent can make a difference.

I can’t stop air traffic control delays, bad weather or diversions — I wish I could! 😂

But I can be there at the other end of the phone, keep an eye on what’s happening and support my clients when their journey suddenly goes pear-shaped.

After more than 40 years in travel, I’ve learned that sometimes the most important part of my job isn’t booking the holiday.

It’s being there when things don’t go to plan. ✈️🌍

07/09/2026

✈️🌍 Travelling Abroad? Don’t Forget This!

You’ve booked your holiday with your hard-earned money.

Flights sorted. ✅
Hotel sorted. ✅
Passport checked. ✅
Travel insurance arranged. ✅
Entry requirements checked. ✅

So, you’re ready to go… aren’t you?

Well, possibly not! 😲

There’s another travel requirement that can easily be overlooked — the arrival card or arrival declaration.

Those of us of a certain age (yes, I’m including myself! 😂) will remember cabin crew handing out a paper arrivals card during the flight.

You’d spend ten minutes trying to find a pen, balance the form on your tray table and desperately try to remember the address of your hotel! 😂

But things are changing.

🌍 Many countries are moving these forms online, meaning you may need to complete your arrival information electronically before you travel or before you arrive.

Canada, Singapore, China, South Korea, India, Thailand, Jamaica and Mexico are just some examples of destinations with various electronic immigration, customs or arrival processes.

⏰ And timing matters.

Depending on the country, you may only be able to complete certain forms within a specific period before arrival, so please check the requirements for your destination and your nationality well before travelling.

⚠️ A VERY IMPORTANT WARNING

Please try to use official government websites or official apps.

There are third-party websites that may look official but charge you for completing forms or services that could be available free through the official government service.

As someone who has worked in travel for over 40 years, my advice is simple:

👉 Don’t just check your passport.

👉 Check your visa or entry requirements.

👉 Check whether an online arrival declaration is required.

👉 Check when it needs to be completed.

👉 And make sure you’re using the official website.

A few minutes spent getting everything sorted at home could save you delays, stress and frantic form-filling when you should be starting your holiday! 😎🏖️

The holiday should begin with excitement, not an argument with an immigration form! 😂

Safe travels everyone. ✈️🌍

Paul Helps People — even before you’ve packed the suitcase! 😊

06/09/2026

🌊🌿🍋 All Inclusive Sicily 🍋🌿

How about a holiday in Sicily for 2027

🍋 Campofelice Di Roccella, Sicily
🌿 All Inclusive

💛 Direct access to the hotels private beach via the gardens with complimentary sunbeds and umbrellas

💛 Great range of facilities
💛 Private beach
💛 Stunning views
💛 Modern decor

If this property takes your fancy, please get in to to arrange a free, no obligation, quotation, departing from several different points.

To book:

☎ Call Paul on 020 8891 3169
📲 Send a private message on 07919 992288
📧 Email me at [email protected]

05/09/2026

Amsterdam - A Short Break Destination

If you have never been to Amsterdam, then it’s somewhere that I highly recommend.

So much to see and do, and getting there is really simple from across the U.K. (and from other countries) from many different airports, or by Eurostar from St Pancras.

With a wide range of accommodation, there is something for everyone.

To discuss your options, or to make a booking, bespoke to your requirements, please get in touch with me.