Metro is launching an exclusive new service designed to transform how its readers plan and experience their holidays in 2026. The Getaway Expert is a seven-day guide curated by the publication's Consultant Travel Editor, Alice Murphy, promising to turn anyone into a more assured and savvy traveller.
Learn From a Decade of Global Adventures
The guide is penned by Alice Murphy, a journalist with ten years of international experience. Born in Ireland, she has lived across the globe in Sydney, Melbourne, Chicago, Switzerland, and now London. Her career has taken her from the ancient Silk Road cities of Uzbekistan to a remote music festival in Australia's Red Centre, where she witnessed a festival-goer give birth in the town's sole pub.
"Panic at borders, nights on the floor of deserted bus terminals, 27 hours in Heathrow with no money to pay for a hotel — you name it, I’ve weathered the nightmare," Murphy states. This wealth of hard-won experience forms the backbone of the guide, allowing readers to benefit from lessons learned in almost 60 countries without the accompanying stress.
What The Seven-Day Guide Delivers
The programme, which begins on January 12, 2026, is structured to systematically build travel knowledge and confidence over one week. It pledges to remove the headache from travel planning by providing practical, modern advice.
Subscribers will receive insights on the best eSIMs for data abroad, which taxi apps to use where Uber isn't available, and even how to convert currency in real-time using a smartphone calculator. The guide also shares coveted insider tips, such as how to secure free stopovers in cities like Istanbul or Reykjavik with certain airlines, and which European cities offer free public transport to visitors.
Your Week of Travel Transformation
The daily guide will cover a comprehensive range of essential topics designed to prepare any traveller for their next adventure. Key components include:
- A quiz to determine your personal travel style.
- Straightforward strategies for saving money on hotel bookings.
- The secret to finding cheap flights and leveraging free stopovers.
- Clever packing hacks that save both time and money.
- Common visa and paperwork pitfalls to avoid.
- Expert advice on planning a seamless, regret-free itinerary.
By the end of the seven days, readers will not only possess a toolkit of practical skills but also have a clearer idea of which global destinations suit them best and where it's worth splashing their cash.
Inspiration for the Year Ahead
Alongside the instructional content, The Getaway Expert will provide ample destination inspiration for 2026. It highlights lesser-known gems such as fascinating Georgia, dubbed Europe's last hidden gem, along with insights into the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and a beautiful, car-free Turkish island.
The guide will also feature fun quizzes and expert analysis to help readers pinpoint the type of adventures they should book next. It represents a direct effort by Metro to equip its audience with the confidence to explore the world more intelligently and affordably in the coming year.
To receive the exclusive seven-day guide packed with clever hacks, personal travel tales, and money-saving advice, readers can sign up directly through Metro.
