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Christmas Travel: Should You Book SNCF Train Tickets This Wednesday to Save Money?

September 30, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

The countdown is officially underway. On Wednesday, September 30, 2026, SNCF opens its ticketing for the Christmas and New Year period. With advertisements and reminders on its app, the French company is urging travelers to book their tickets as soon as possible to secure the best prices. But is that really the best approach?

According to a study from the reservation platform Trainline, relay by RMC, travelers could save up to 30% on a train ticket by booking as soon as the booking opens. Especially since this period is extremely busy in transport, most French people travel to spend the holidays with family. Trains fill up quickly and the prices of remaining tickets tend to rise.

Which dates are the most popular for train travel in December 2026?

According to data from another journey-booking platform, Kombo, December 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26 will be the most sought-after travel dates this year. They correspond to the Friday and Saturday of the school holidays and the days surrounding Christmas, which falls on a Friday this year. Sundays December 20 and 27 and the period from December 30 to January 3 will also be highly sought after.

By booking early, you will therefore have more choice regarding the type of train you will take, the number of connections, or your seat in the carriages. In addition to avoiding price spikes as the holidays approach, you will also gain in comfort. If you wait too long, you risk ending up with pricier tickets on less comfortable trains, or even not being able to sit next to your loved ones.

Several tips to avoid paying more for your ticket than your neighbor

If you want to plan even further ahead, know that the European companies operating in France do not start selling tickets on the same date as SNCF. The Italian company Trenitalia, which offers trips toward the southeast from Paris, including to Lyon, has already released its tickets. The company Eurostar, which goes to London, Belgium, the Netherlands and some German cities as well. The German, Swiss and Spanish companies, they should open reservations in mid-October.

To pay less, don’t hesitate to compare prices across the different companies on dedicated platforms, to place options – valid for one week on InOui trains – so that the price does not change while you refine your departure plans, and to book rather quickly. If your train is sold out, you can still join a waiting list via SNCF or platforms like traincomplet.fr which, for a fee, try to find a last-minute seat on these apparently full trains.

Cruise Deal: Save Up to 60% on the Second Passenger for 2026 Departures

August 12, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

An Exclusive Promotion on CentralCruise!

Visuel généré par IA © CentralCruise

CroisiEurope

On CentralCruise’s site, an exceptional offer is highlighted that allows you to obtain up to 60% off the second passenger, accompanied, depending on certain cruises, by a discount of up to €200 per cabin.

As with any limited-time offer, this will only be possible on certain cruises. Thus, the cabins benefiting from this reduction can be booked quickly, especially on the most sought-after itineraries. In other words, if you wait too long, the discount is likely to no longer be available!

With more than 15 years of experience, CentralCruise supports its clients before, during, and after their booking, with a dedicated advisor and no processing fees. Among the agency’s advantages, in addition to the 60% reduction on the second passenger, you have the option to travel with more than 30 partner companies for a wide choice of destinations, and bookings with no processing fees.

How to Take Advantage of This Great Plan for Your Future Cruise?

Not sure how to take advantage of this great deal? No worries, this offer is accessible in just a few steps. Before booking, however, it is advisable to verify that the cruise you want to book indeed meets the promotion’s conditions to benefit from your discount.

Choose a cruise on CentralCruise

The first step is to choose an itinerary that matches your wishes. CentralCruise offers cruises to numerous destinations, with different companies, several departure ports, and a wide variety of stay durations. Regardless of your budget, you can thus select a trip tailored to your departure period and your desires.

Check cruise availability and application of the promotion

Not all cruises are covered by this discount, which is why it is necessary to verify that the cruise appears among the promotional offers, and that cabins are still available.

Moreover, remember that promotions are offered on a selection of cruises, so their availability changes hour by hour with bookings!

Book your cruise

Once your choice is validated and the promotion confirmed, all that remains is to finalize the booking. For this, when necessary, CentralCruise supports travelers during this step, and even offers several payment options.

And you, what will be your destination of choice?

2026 is a dream opportunity to set off on a world cruise. Whether you’re seeking sunshine, natural landscapes, or a culturally rich itinerary, many destinations are within reach.

The Mediterranean

The Mediterranean remains a must-see destination for a first cruise. It allows you to discover several countries in one trip, with stops in historic cities and renowned seaside resorts. Departures from Marseille, Barcelona, Genoa, or Venice offer numerous itinerary possibilities on CentralCruise.

The Caribbean

For those who dream of white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and a tropical climate, the Caribbean remains a highly appreciated destination. On CentralCruise, you’ll find companies offering departures throughout the upcoming winter season, with different itineraries to better explore the islands within a single cruise.

The Fjords and Northern Europe

Travelers drawn to spectacular landscapes can favor the Norwegian fjords or Northern Europe. Between mountains, waterfalls, coastal villages, and long summer days, these itineraries offer an experience completely different from Mediterranean cruises.

The Greek Islands

Finally, the Greek islands captivate with their historic heritage, whitewashed villages, and crystal-clear waters. This destination will let you alternate between cultural sightseeing, seaside relaxation, and discovering several islands during the stops, all while enjoying particularly pleasant weather conditions.

Greece: Zakynthos’ Shipwreck Beach to Be Expanded to Save Its Iconic Wreck

July 17, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Navagio Beach, situated on the western coast of Zakynthos Island in Greece, is routinely ranked among the world’s most beautiful beaches. This small, secluded cove, framed by towering white limestone cliffs and bordered by intensely blue waters, has even become a emblem of Greek tourism. This fame is not solely due to the island’s natural wonders.

In October 1980, the Panagiotis, a cargo ship carrying contraband cigarettes, ran aground on the beach. Forty years later, the wreck remains. Yet, driven by the force of the waves and the weather, it has been heavily eroded. To protect it, the authorities chose a surprising solution: widening the beach. The cost of the operation is estimated at 3.9 million euros.

Extending the Beach by 30 Metres Toward the Sea

This ambitious project, based on a study carried out gratis by the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), aims to add 45,000 m³ of gravel and sediments to push the shore about 30 metres further into the sea. The materials will be transported by barge and deposited along the coastline and on the seabed.

According to the project’s technical description cited by the Greek information site eKathimerini, “backfilling with appropriate sediments constitutes the gentlest form of intervention from the viewpoint of coastal engineering and will help protect the wreck from the action of large waves during winter storms.” Once the wreck is safeguarded, the Zakynthos municipality plans to proceed with its restoration for 2.5 million euros.

A Controversial Project on a Site Still Threatened

Is this solution a lasting one? Asked by the German daily Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung (WAZ), Manolis Vasilakis, a geology professor at the University of Athens, doubts it. The researcher believes this intervention represents a major modification of a natural site and questions the relevance of such expenditure to transport tens of thousands of tonnes of gravel that will be swiftly carried away by the sea.

It is also worth noting that facing the risk of landslides and rockfalls, and after several accidents involving tourists, access to the beach and the boat approach are regularly restricted during the tourist season. In 2026, access to the cove will remain forbidden until October 31. Visitors can only admire the wreck from an elevated platform or at a distance from the sea.