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Tourists Warned Of EU Roaming Charges

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Silhouette of a hand holding a smartphone in front of the flag of the European Union (EU.) Credit: James Lovering, Shutterstock

Planning a European holiday? Some travellers face surprise roaming charges that could wreck your budget. Find out which networks charge, who still offers free EU roaming, and how to avoid a shocking phone bill!

UK tourists face surprise phone bills in Europe — check your roaming plan now

British sunseekers packing their flip-flops and Factor 50 for Europe this summer are being warned: your mobile could burn a bigger hole in your pocket than the midday Med sun.

Major networks including EE, Three, and Vodafone continue to charge daily roaming fees across Europe—turning what was once a carefree perk of EU travel into a potential minefield of unexpected costs. Years after Brexit ended guaranteed free EU roaming for UK residents, many travellers are still caught out, facing fees that could leave them crying into their sangria.

Guaranteed free roaming days are long gone — but many Brits still get caught out

Always check your phone plan. There is no guaranteed roaming anymore. Before Brexit, UK mobile users strolled the beaches of Benidorm with worry-free YouTube, WhatsApp, and calls thanks to EU rules banning roaming charges. But since Britain left the EU, those protections have long since expired—yet confusion remains, and many Brits still assume free roaming comes as standard.

The reality? Some telecom giants have kept daily roaming fees firmly in place: Three demands £2 per day for EU roaming, EE starts at £2.59, and Vodafone slaps on £2.42 a day—each with enough data caps and sneaky terms to send your bill sky-high.

Three’s £2-a-day sting: Punishing data caps

Three’s customers must pay £2 daily in the EU, but beware: there’s a strict 12GB monthly roaming limit. Go over and you could rack up extra charges bigger than your hotel bill. Heading to pricier ‘Around the World’ destinations? Expect £5 or £7 daily—ouch!

EE: confusing charges, costly overages

EE’s charges depend on your plan: £2.59 daily for pay-monthly, or £2.50 daily for pay-as-you-go—unless you grab a seven-day pass for £10. Venturing outside Europe? You’ll need ‘Roam Further’ passes starting at £25 a month. And if you exceed your roaming limit: £3 per extra 500MB, enough to bankrupt a Netflix binge.

Vodafone: Fair usage? fair shock!

Vodafone offers a £2.42 daily EU charge, or budget-conscious holidaymakers can pick multi-day passes—£15 for eight days or £20 for 15 days. But watch your usage: after 25GB, Vodafone charges £3.49 per extra gigabyte. That TikTok scroll could cost more than your flight.

The lucky few: Who still roams for free?

Not all hope is lost: providers like O2, Giffgaff, and Lebara still include EU roaming in many plans. But don’t bank on it—consumer champions warn every traveller should check their plan before boarding, as policies can change overnight.

Experts warn: ‘Roaming charges could ruin your holiday’

Consumer groups and the UK government continue to remind tourists to get wise to roaming fees or face a nasty bill. The advice? Download offline maps, turn off automatic updates, and use Wi-Fi wherever possible.

The Citizens Advice Bureau warns that many travellers wrongly assume free roaming still applies. But it doesn’t. They urge holidaymakers to check their contracts before travelling.

How to dodge the roaming charges

  • Check your provider’s EU roaming policy before you fly.
  • Buy a roaming pass if you’re away for a week or more; it’s often cheaper than daily charges.
  • Use Wi-Fi whenever possible in hotels, cafes, and airports.
  • Turn off mobile data and automatic app updates to avoid sneaky background downloads.
  • Monitor your usage through your provider’s app to stay under data caps.

The final word: Avoid a bill shock this summer

The days of carefree European roaming for Brits are over. With roaming charges now a long-standing reality, it’s up to travellers to read the fine print or risk a financial hangover worse than any tequila-fuelled night on the Costa.

Stay savvy, stay connected—and keep your holiday funds for the things that matter: ice creams, beach bars, and cheesy souvenirs.

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Claptone’s Daytime Dance Fever At Nikki Beach

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Claptone & Mood Sax at Nikki Beach. Credit NB

Nikki Beach Marbella has a very special daytime event coming up – “Sol & Sound”, headlined by the internationally celebrated house music artist Claptone. 

On Friday, July 25, from 1pm to 9pm, the beachfront venue will transform into a hot dance haven under the Mediterranean sun, offering a unique experience with pulsating beats.

Recognisable by his trademark golden mask and a sound that fuses deep house with melodic and atmospheric elements, Claptone will take the decks. The enigmatic DJ, who previously performed at Nikki Beach Saint Barth for a New Year’s Eve celebration, is no stranger to captivating audiences worldwide. This time, he trades the dim lights of nightclubs for Marbella’s sunlit shores for a magical daytime set that’s a rare treat for fans.

Behind the golden mask lies an artist who has masterfully balanced mystery with a shining career. Claptone burst onto the house music scene in the early 2010s, and has become a global force in clubland ever since. His discography includes several studio albums and remixes for artists like Depeche Mode, Elton John, and Dua Lipa. As a festival favourite, he has performed at events like Tomorrowland and Coachella. His “The Masquerade” events, which have become known for their theatrical twist, have gained him a reputation as a leading figure in contemporary house music.

“Sol & Sound” will feature a dynamic lineup besides Claptone, with a back-to-back set by Dann Martin and Frank Osorio, as well as Stan Courtois. To add a touch of sophistication, Mood Sax will deliver a live saxophone performance, giving the day a fresh, elegant feel. It’s said the the beach club will be adorned with golden decoration and shimmering spheres, reflecting the warm tones of the sunset.

Nikki Beach Marbella remains a top destination for those seeking the best in house music, an exclusive atmosphere, and a prime location by the Mediterranean. The venue’s summer lineup is impressive, with upcoming performances by artists like Milk & Sugar on August 1 and David Penn on August 8, and with weekly events such as Catch Us Dancing! and Sun to Sea.

On July 25, “Sol & Sound” invites everyone to dance, relax, and soak up the unique energy of Claptone under the sun. Beds and tables can be booked at nikkibeach.com/marbella for this unmissable daytime party.

Nikki Beach is at Carretera de Cádiz, km 192, Marbella.

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Mallorca’s Eco-Tourism Transformation

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Mallorca’s tourism model is going green. Photo Credit: lapping via Pixabay

Now a global reference for tourism, and already one of the most desirable holiday destinations in all of Spain, the vibrant island of Mallorca is looking to the future, to position itself as an example for sustainable tourism efforts. With local development strategies, growing resident awareness, and more ecological projects taking place on the isle, Mallorca is beginning to reinvent itself more consciously, and taking steps to increase its sustainability.

Beginning with the promotion of ecologically conscious tourism projects, Mallorca tourism has begun to push for energy savings, the usage of renewable energy, and the responsible usage of water in hotels and accommodations. Many hotels also source their food and other items from local suppliers, giving guests an authentic taste of Mallorca. Additionally, attractions more related to nature are stepping to the forefront, with hotels and accommodations offering activities such as hiking, organic farming, and cycling.

Not only this, towns are taking care to diminish their carbon footprint. Towns like Valldemossa and Sóller have introduced car restrictions, encouraging public transport, and protecting natural areas. Palma, the wildly popular tourist destination, has also taken part by way of establishing a Low Emission Zone that limits vehicle entry.

Sustainable tourism is also resulting in a boom from the local economy, as holidaymakers are encouraged to shop local, at family-run stores and restaurants, and purchase artisanal and handmade products, putting money directly in the pockets of the locals. The current model, moreover, is committed to preserving Mallorcan culture by way of initiatives that promote Mallorcan art, music, food, and traditions.

In Mallorca, schools, associations, and centres are making it their mission to spread awareness about the importance of incorporating sustainability into activities, respecting the island, consuming water and electricity responsibly, and participating alongside the community.

Mallorca’s new sustainable tourism model is not just a marketing strategy – it’s a reinvention of the island’s identity itself, and a firm foot down to declare that sustainable tourism is not only possible, it’s the future.

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Lithuania’s Justina Kripaityte – Speaking European

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Justina Kripaityte and her art. Credit: JK

Justina Kripaityte, a Lithuanian photographer, felt an unexplainable pull to Spain’s Costa del Sol, where she now pursues her passion. 

Growing up amid forests and fields, she recalls, “I was one of those kids who could sit in the grass for hours just watching how the light shifts through the trees.” This connection to nature sparked her love for photography, initially a “side hustle” while working in finance.

An impulsive move brought her to Spain. “I felt a strange pull that I didn’t know how to explain,” she says, describing her 4,000km solo drive from Lithuania. “I just felt that something bigger was waiting for me here.” In Spain, she found both purpose as a professional photographer and love, meeting her partner.

Now, Justina captures authentic moments, like lovers, weddings, families, focusing on genuine emotions. “Photography isn’t just a job for me – it is my passion,” she explains. “I capture what’s important.” Spain’s amazing light and nature inspire her, as “the light here just hits different.”

She loves Spain’s golden hour and spontaneity, saying, “People value connection over productivity. Life is slower here.” However, she finds inefficiencies frustrating: “The slower life can feel romantic until you’re chasing a missing order for the third week.” Despite bureaucratic challenges, Justina embraces Spain’s unique beauty, saying, “You learn to trust the process even when it’s wildly imperfect.” Justina’s dazzling photography can be seen at justinakrisphotography on Instagram.

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