Auctioning off houses for €1 has become a common way for Italy’s depopulated villages to boost their resident numbers.

Now, one town in Sicily is using a similar scheme to entice more tourists to visit.

For less than the price of an espresso, holidaymakers can spend a long weekend in the coastal town of Siculiana, Sicily.

The €1 getaway hopes to draw more visitors to the area during the off-season and put the destination on tourists’ radars.

What do you get on a €1 holiday in this Sicilian town?

Siculiana is offering a handful of lucky travellers an all-expenses paid escape – all they have to fork out for is Sicily’s €1 tourist tax.

Accommodation, meals and guided tours for a two-night stay are all included in the offer, although holidaymakers have to make their own way to the town on the island’s west coast.

The getaway is organised by the Siculiana Tourism Board and winners will stay in one of the organisation’s partner facilities.

On arrival, the selected visitors will be greeted with a welcome drink at the hotel, and they will also enjoy a drink by the marina at the end of the break.

There will be guided excursions to the area’s highlights, such as the Siculiana Marina and the Torres Salsa Nature Reserve with protected beaches and dramatic cliffs.

But to be in with a chance of winning, you’ll have to get creative.

Those interested in applying for the bargain break will have to submit an original video explaining their motives for wanting to participate.

If you’ve never heard of Siculiana, this might be tricky. But the Siculiana Tourism Board lists a few ideas of things to say such as ‘we deserve a holiday’, ‘we love Sicily’, and ‘we want to eat Sicilian food’.

To apply, you must be over 18 and film your video as a pair. Make sure you include your relationship (e.g. friends, family, or spouses), ages, city of residence, and telephone and email contact details in your application.

The submissions will be judged by the Tourism Board, which is looking for various elements in a successful application, including originality and creativity, reasons for visiting, and enthusiasm and desire to discover Siculiana.

There are spots for 10 duos available and winners will be announced on 20 March. The first holiday will take place from 4-6 April.

Applications must be submitted by 15 March.

During the holiday, participants will be required to record a video diary of their time in Siculiana, sharing the highlights of each day with the Tourism Board.

Air passengers in Europe enjoy some of the best consumer protections in the world. But the European Union is contemplating watering down these passenger-friendly measures, which could leave travellers out of pocket.

The current regulation, known as EU261, has been in place since 2005, providing passengers with compensation and support in the event their trip doesn’t go to plan. A revision to these rules has been debated since 2013, but has resurfaced this week as Brussels once again comes under pressure from airlines and lobbying groups.

It would mean the amount of time your flight needs to be delayed before compensation is paid could change.

Currently, passengers must arrive at their destination at least three hours late in order for EU261 to apply. A new proposal led by Poland, which currently holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union, could see this threshold raised to at least five hours.

“These changes would be hugely detrimental for consumers,” says Coby Benson, flight delay compensation solicitor at Bott & Co, noting that the current three-hour threshold incentivises airlines to run a punctual operation. “If the threshold was raised to five hours, airlines would face no penalty for those lengthy delays and therefore passenger inconvenience will increase.”

What is EU261 and how does it protect passengers?

Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, commonly referred to as EU261, is a European Union regulation that establishes the rights of air passengers in cases of flight delays, cancellations, and denied boarding. It ensures passengers are entitled to compensation, assistance, and reimbursement when their travel plans go wrong.

EU261 applies to any flight departing from an EU airport, regardless of the airline’s nationality, and flights arriving at EU airports if they’re operated by an EU airline. It does not cover flights heading to Europe on non-EU airlines, or non-European flights that have a layover in Europe.

The regulation covers all member states plus Iceland, Norway and Switzerland. The UK has adopted the same criteria for compensation, with the law referred to as UK261.

Currently, passengers are entitled to compensation if they are delayed for more than three hours, if the flight is cancelled within 14 days of departure, and if they were denied boarding because the flight was overbooked.

Compensation is not payable for ‘extraordinary circumstances,’ which include extreme weather, air traffic control restrictions, strikes not involving the airline’s staff, and political instability.

The amount of compensation you get will depend on the length of the delay and the distance of your flight. The maximum payable for any one claim is €600, which would involve a flight of more than 3,500 km and a delay of four hours plus.

“The importance of reliable and safe travel for consumers has been highlighted by the flight chaos of recent summers and the coronavirus pandemic,” Karolina Wojtal, head of the European Consumer Centre (ECC) in Germany, told Euronews Travel. “Far too often, passengers are faced with cancelled or delayed flights.”

According to data from flight compensation company Skycop, almost 2 per cent of departures from EU airports were either significantly delayed or cancelled in 2024. Between June and August, the busiest travel months, more than 60,000 flights were disrupted to the extent they were covered by EU261. Skycop estimates the total bill at €2 billion in passenger compensation.

What are the changes to flight compensation currently being considered?

The changes being debated now are the same ones proposed in 2013. These include introducing a structured compensation scheme for delays, moving from the current three-hour threshold to five hours for short-haul, nine hours for medium-haul and as long as 12 hours for the longest flights.

“Such a revision would significantly weaken passenger rights by raising the compensation thresholds,” says Reinhold Schranz, head of the European Consumer Centre in Austria. “This would lead to a situation where nearly 85 per cent of affected passengers would no longer be entitled to compensation—since most recorded delays fall between 2 and 4 hours.”

Airlines4Europe, an airline association representing 70 per cent of European air traffic, argues that extending the flight delay to five hours would actually result in more passengers getting to their destinations. They say it “would act as a strong incentive for airlines to solve any possible delays before reaching the threshold” and avoid a cancellation of the flight.

However, Schranz warns that passengers could face increased delays if the protections are weakened. “As compensation for cancellations remains due regardless of delay duration, airlines might be incentivised to delay flights rather than cancel them to avoid paying compensation,” he added.

Should airlines be paying passengers more compensation?

Despite the real term value of payouts changing due to inflation, the amounts paid under EU261 haven’t changed in two decades.

AirAdvisor, a flight compensation company, says reforms are needed to EU261 to maintain its value to consumers.

“EU261 compensation has been stagnant for two decades, and inflation has eroded its value,” says Anton Radchenko, CEO of AirAdvisor. “If EU regulators don’t adjust these rates, they will fail to incentivise airlines or provide meaningful compensation to passengers. Right now, passengers may not even bother claiming compensation for amounts as low as €250.”

Many airlines are completely opposed to EU261, particularly the low-cost and short-haul operators. With passengers paying as little as €20 for a flight on Ryanair, the airline can be left severely out of pocket if dozens of people claim compensation for a delay.

“We think the amounts are disproportionate,” Philip Meeson, CEO of Jet2, told the Independent. “We think it would be a great idea to review the rules and make them proportionate.”

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has long demanded a review of the rules. “They are a mess,” says director general Willie Walsh. “They cost airlines €5 billion a year and do nothing to drive improvements in some of the worst-performing corners of the aviation system or improve the flying experience.”

For the ECC in Germany, the focus is on maintaining existing standards rather than increasing the amounts payable. Head Karolina Wotjal points out that time thresholds are crucial to triggering payment, and that if these were changed, even higher compensation amounts wouldn’t help the consumer as fewer people would be able to claim.

“Consumers see the existence of strong passenger rights as a success for the EU,” says Wotjal. “Reducing their rights at this political moment is not a good signal at all.”

When will passenger compensation for flight delays change?

With new proposals floated and in discussion, there is now a long road ahead to get any changes cemented into legislation. Conversations are likely to continue over the coming months, with outcomes going through the European Parliament and the Council, both of which would have to sign off on the final text.

When the UK ‘Brexited’ the EU, it had the option to stop following the directives of the Union. However, it adopted EU261 into UK law, and passengers from the UK are allowed the same protections for flights as their European counterparts.

Should the rule change in the EU, it wouldn’t naturally alter in the UK. However, as Benson notes, “it remains to be seen whether the UK government would look to follow suit and voluntarily seek to bring our law in line with Europe.”

For now, the three-hour rule remains in place, so travellers who are delayed can still seek compensation. But the outcome of discussions in Brussels could have far-reaching impacts on passenger rights in Europe.

Unless you’re visiting a major city for your holidays, the last leg can be the worst of the whole journey. When you emerge from a busy airport, tired from your flight, the last thing you need is to try and figure out how to use local public transport.

As a result, many holidaymakers rely on hotel shuttles, taxis or rideshares for the final miles of their trip. While this is often convenient, it’s typically expensive and comes at a high carbon cost. Taking the train can be a more pleasant, affordable, and environmentally sound option. In some cases it is quicker too.

By combining rail tickets with flight bookings, passengers can take the guesswork out of this last stretch of their journey. Air-rail tickets mean you’ve got your booking in hand when you arrive and can simply head to the train station for your connection. On top of this, when booked all together, airlines will protect the passenger in case a flight delay means they miss their train.

Several European airlines already offer combined ticketing, with some even transferring luggage from plane to train for you.

Air France: Combining flights with trains to France

Air France offers not one but two ways to combine your flight with a rail trip.

For trips that include a train within France, the Train + Air tickets are available for any international travellers, including those arriving from or going to French overseas territories. The train network in France is expansive, with connections from both Orly and Charles de Gaulle in Paris to dozens of destinations across the country.

To book these tickets, passengers simply need to enter the name of the train station as if it were an airport. The airline will organise the train booking, and tickets are delivered as a downloadable e-ticket 30 hours before the trip.

Keep in mind that your baggage will not be transferred between the plane and the train, so manual retrieval and checking in will need to be done. Orly Airport is not walkable to Massy TGV station, but the airline provides a taxi transfer between the rail station and the terminal.

For those heading to or departing from Brussels, Air&Rail offers similar perks. In this case, a combined ticket will put you in first class on the TGV INOUI, and bags will be checked at the rail station on departure. However, if you’re arriving in Paris by plane, you’ll need to get your bags yourself and drop them at the Air&Rail agency before boarding the train.

Air France states that if you miss a connection due to a delay, the airline will transfer you to the next available flight or rail service.

ITA Airways: Accessing all of Europe on one ticket

Italian airline ITA Airways has teamed up with AccesRail technology to offer combined air and rail tickets that cover just about all of Europe. Launched in 2023, the service allows travellers to book train tickets at both ends of their journeys, including in the UK.

Available for any international or intercontinental flights, passengers can book train travel with several rail partners, including Trenitalia in Italy, Renfe in Spain, SNBC in Belgium and Deutsche Bahn in Germany. Most of the UK’s many train operators are also included.

This means that you could effectively travel from the picturesque Italian town of Orte in the province of Viterbo by high-speed rail to one of the airports in Rome. From there, you could catch a flight to London and immediately hop on a train to Edinburgh. All on one ticket and with a protected itinerary.

Booking is via the ITA Airways website, with separate boarding passes issued for each mode of transport. You will be responsible for picking up your luggage and taking it to the next stage of the trip.

Austrian Airlines: Connecting the world to Austria’s gems

Through its AIRail program, Austrian Airlines offers onward travel from any of its international flights to Linz, Salzburg, Graz and Innsbruck. Arriving into Vienna, passengers can connect directly onto ÖBB Railjet trains to get to their final destination stress-free.

Booking the ticket is simple on the Austrian Airlines website. As with other airlines, the desired train station should be selected as the final arrival point, which will then be shown on the itinerary as being ‘operated by ÖBB.’ The rail section will even have an Austrian Airlines flight number.

The connection is guaranteed, so if you face a delay during any part of your trip, a new booking will be provided. Baggage is transferred by the passenger between train and plane, and check-in for both modes of transport can be done online.

As an additional perk, Austrian Airlines provides a snack voucher to use on the train, and allows passengers to collect Miles & More points on the rail portion of their trip. As a Miles & More member, a discount of 20 per cent is also applied to car parking in Linz.

TAP Portugal: Travel to any city in Europe

TAP Portugal allows passengers to book onward rail travel not just in Portugal but to many major cities in Europe. Its partnerships with several rail companies mean cities in Germany, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Switzerland are all reachable with just one booking.

The train ticket must be booked at the same time as the flight, as it cannot be added on later. Baggage is self-transfer, and the connection is guaranteed so any disruptions can be easily resolved.

Lufthansa: Go anywhere in Germany with Deutsche Bahn

Lufthansa’s Rail&Fly tickets offer connections to more than 5,600 train stations in Germany through its partnership with Deutsche Bahn. Unusually, the Lufthansa offer also allows travel up to one day before or after the flight, catering to those trips operating at unsociable hours.

Although the partnership is with Deutsche Bahn, passengers are only limited to DB stations, not to the rail operator. That means onward travel can also be on InterCity, EuroCity and ICE trains, opening even more options.

There are two ways to book Rail&Fly tickets. If you’ve already selected your flight, you can add a rail connection under ‘additional services’ on the booking page. Alternatively, you can simply book a trip selecting the rail station as the destination and the booking system will do the rest.

Baggage is self-transfer with Rail&Fly, and passengers do not have to take the train that is specified on the booking. The ticket is valid for any train on that route on that day.

SWISS Air Rail for connections to Switzerland and beyond

SWISS passengers can book Air Rail connections to any SBB station in Switzerland from Zurich and Geneva airports. It also includes some stations that are close to the border outside of the country, such as Bregenz in Austria and Munich in Germany.

Unlike some other airlines, the Air Rail connections are fully integrated into the SWISS booking system. This means a seamless booking experience and only one check-in required, with only one boarding pass for all parts of the journey.

The train ticket is valid for one day before departure and up to one day after the arrival of the flight. Unlike Lufthansa, SWISS notes that you must try to use the specific train service you booked, particularly for those services that cross the border.

Baggage must be carried with you on the train, both when arriving and departing the country. However, for an extra fee, SWISS offers a baggage transfer service throughout Switzerland called AirPortr, which will let you travel luggage-free.

KLM: From Amsterdam to the world

KLM was one of the first airlines in Europe to venture into air-rail tickets, offering onward transport to Brussels from Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport for over 20 years. Originally provided by Thalys, now Eurostar, the service has been used by more than 4.5 million passengers since 2001.

Passengers can choose to travel to or from either Brussels-Midi/Zuid train station or Antwerp Central station with their air-rail ticket. Both stations can be selected as your departure or arrival location, and will include a high-speed train journey from Belgium to Amsterdam.

Brussels-Midi/Zuid is also a connection for the air-rail service to Paris Charles de Gaulle for Air France, KLM’s sister airline. In March 2024, the airline group announced a refurbished lounge in Brussels for their Air&Rail customers, enabling customers to check in, drop their luggage and relax in pleasant surroundings.

Is booking an air-rail ticket worth it?

In general, booking both legs of a journey together is well worth it for the peace of mind alone. All the services mentioned here offer a connection guarantee, meaning if you miss your train or flight due to a delay, you won’t be stranded.

Cost savings vary depending on the service booked, but those offering a fixed cost for the rail journey (such as Lufthansa) tend to give great value. If you hold a loyalty card with the airline, you may also be able to earn frequent flyer miles for the rail portion of your ticket.

The carbon savings can be pretty significant, too. In general, train travel produces between 40g and 50g of CO2 per passenger kilometer, less for electric trains, compared with 150g to 200g per passenger kilometre for a short-haul flight. Choosing a train over a flight for a journey of 500 km, for example, would reduce the CO2 emissions by 70 to 90 per cent.

There are some limitations of combined air-rail tickets, most notably in terms of the lack of flexibility with the train portion. Not all rail companies are included in these offers, and fewer options may be presented when booking via the airline. The manual transfer of luggage may also be a problem for some passengers.

Nevertheless, the ease of having one booking and knowing you’ll be taken care of if things go wrong makes the air-rail offering an appealing option.