Rory Poulter

Travel expert Simon Calder has urged UK holidaymakers visiting wildfire-prone parts of Europe to prepare an evacuation plan, keep a grab bag with essentials and medication by the bed, wear sturdy footwear, and position hire cars for a rapid departure. The advice, informed by the British Red Cross, follows wildfires that forced tourists to flee resorts in France, Spain and Italy. Calder stressed that travellers should not panic because most holidays will be unaffected. He also explained that package-holiday customers generally have stronger protections when trips are disrupted, while those booking flights and accommodation separately may have fewer rights. Airbnb has extended its major disruptive events policy to France’s Gironde department, allowing eligible guests to cancel without penalty.