Travel in county Ventura

When compared to American resort ships or the ‘cheap and cheerful’ European lines, British cruise lines may seem traditional to the point of outdated. But one line, P&O Cruises, is undergoing a transformation as bigger ships join its fleet.

Hovering just off the coast of Southern California are a string of under-explored islands that offer a peaceful escape from the noise and hubbub of the mainland. If you fancy camping in serene scenery in front of epic sunsets, look no further than California's Channel Islands. 

Hundreds of vacationers sailing aboard a P&O Cruises ship have fallen ill with suspected norovirus. Suffering from what’s been referred to a “vomiting bug”, reports indicate that over 150 guests are currently in isolation on board the MV Ventura, which departed from Southampton, England on May 11 for a 14-night voyage around the Canary Islands, with stops in Spain and Portugal.

P&O Cruises and Cunard have announced the rollout of SpaceX’s Starlink across its fleet in order to improve on-board Wi-Fi connectivity and bandwidth.

There is a price to pay for California’s envious bounty: miles of salty coastline, bright, sun-filled days, dynamic cities, an infinite amount of tranquil and heart-pumping outdoor pursuits...we could go on forever.

In the 1991 surf-heist movie Point Break, Keanu Reeves learns how to ride waves in a day. My own experience is a little different. On my first attempt, I banana-skid backwards off my board, catapult into the foam, and swallow about a pint of brine. Next, I dive face-first into the waves; a process known as “pearling.” The phrase sounds almost glamorous when my teacher, Mary Osborne, says it. But I can assure you it is not.

California’s Central Coast – threaded by the iconic Pacific Coast Highway – is made up of six counties: Ventura, Santa Barbara, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, San Benito and Santa Cruz. Epic oceanside views and the dramatic coastline of Big Sur, stellar wineries and cool galleries all find their home in the region, as does the University of California, with campuses at both Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz. This is “Hollywood’s Backyard”, coastal hotspots stretching from LA to San Fran. We spoke to Cheryl Bagby, VP Sales & Marketing for Visit Ventura, as well as the VP of the Central Coast Tourism Council, about how the region was coping with coronavirus, and what plans are in the area moving forwards.

Travelling by train in the USA is an excellent way to see vast swathes of this vast country, especially if you're on a budget. While the USA's national rail operator Amtrak won’t get you everywhere, it's pretty darn extensive, with thirty routes throughout travelling to over 500 destinations across 46 states. What's more, travelling in the USA by train offers the exhilaration of seeing incredible landscapes zoom by, with tasty slices of Americana served up when you slow through quirky little towns. There’s also no better way to meet (or people watch) the huge range of locals who'll hop on and off during your journey. Tempted? Then read on for our 16 tips for travelling by train in the USA, covering everything from what to know before travelling to the USA for a railroad adventure, to practical booking advice — all of them top tips for USA train travel.