On Wednesday 13 May 2026, the European Commission proposed new rules to simplify train travel, enabling single-ticket booking across Europe. The move aims to boost sustainable travel and help the European Union meet its climate goals by making rail a more attractive alternative to short flights. Rail companies will have one year to adjust their…
Tag: European Union
PASSENGER PACKAGE | European Union wants seamless rail travel with one ticket across Europe, but critics see major obstacles
On 13 May 2026, the European Commission has unveiled sweeping plans to make rail travel across Europe simpler and more integrated, promising easier booking, stronger passenger rights and smoother international journeys. But shortly after the proposals were published, railway experts, passenger organisations, and others argue the reforms risk becoming too rigid, too complex and ultimately…
Belgium slips to 4th in European LGBTQIA+ rights ranking: stagnation and unaddressed gaps
Belgium has dropped from second to fourth place on the Rainbow Map & Index 2026, ILGA Europe’s annual ranking of LGBTQIA+ rights across the continent. The ranking, published on 12 May 2026, reveals a troubling trend: while Belgium has long been regarded as a pioneer in LGBTQIA+ rights, its failure to address critical gaps has…
RAINBOW EUROPE MAP AND INDEX 2026 | Spain breaks Malta’s decade-long hold on Europe’s LGBTQIA+ rights top spot
As the rules-based international order fractures and democracy is under pressure from east and west, Spain‘s top ranking in ILGA-Europe‘s Rainbow Map of 49 countries on LGBTI human rights laws and policies stands as proof that political courage remains the most powerful answer. Belgium retains its score of 85% but falls to forth in the ranking,…
GERMANY | Introducing Cologne
November and December 2017. During my solo trip to Taiwan – the vacation which was a catalyst to start Trip By Trip – I met Ugo. Fast forward to August 2025. Ugo is touring Europe and we decided to meet up. Showing him Antwerp was an option, but fitting the metropolis into his itinerary was…
Deutsche Bahn, DSB and Vy present direct Berlin – Oslo route, from summer 2028
Deutsche Bahn (DB) will launch a new daily direct connection between Berlin and Oslo via Hamburg, Copenhagen, Malmö, and Gothenburg from summer 2028. This initiative, in cooperation with the Danske Statsbaner (DSB) in Denmark and Vy in Norway, will be one of Europe’s longest rail routes.
European Rail Passengers Union: EU must act now to make cross-border rail travel seamless, fair, and green
Cross-border rail travel in Europe is at a crossroads, says the European Rail Passengers Union. While trains are the most sustainable option for connecting communities and meeting climate goals, passengers continue to face fragmented services, unclear rights, and a ticketing system that often feels designed to deter rather than encourage travel.
Brussels Airlines has fuel for at least next 4 to 6 weeks
Brussels Airlines has received assurances from its fuel suppliers that kerosene deliveries are secured for the next four to six weeks, CEO Dorothea von Boxberg announced on Wednesday. The airline has hedged 80% of its kerosene, locking in prices and shielding itself from recent price spikes. This strategy provides a competitive edge, particularly over United…
NETHERLANDS | The Hague aims to become Europe’s gateway with direct links to Brussels, Paris, and Berlin
The Hague, the Dutch seat of government and home to over 500 international organisations, is pushing to restore its direct rail connection to Brussels in Belgium by 2029. The city, which hosts institutions like the International Criminal Court, the United Nation’s International Court of Justice, and Europol, currently lacks a direct passenger link to the…
Leuven wins silver at European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Awards
The city of Leuven (Louvain) in Flemish Brabant, Flanders, Belgium received a silver award at the fifth European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Awards, held in Brussels on Tuesday 21 April 2026. The awards, organised by the European Commission, recognise cities, municipalities, and regions that excel in promoting inclusion, diversity, and combating discrimination.