Rip Off Britain: Holidays

Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville explore the impact some of the travel stories dominating recent headlines will have on travel plans for 2018, from disastrous weather to airlines going bust. There is also a look at how the cost of trips abroad could go up as the industry acts to rein in false claims of hotel food poisoning. Simon Calder reveals some of his must-visit destinations for the new year, and holidaymakers share experiences that led to them being thrust into the spotlight- and the news bulletins - in 2017.

Gloria Hunniford, Angela Rippon and Julia Somerville look at shocking examples of trips that have gone disastrously wrong. With most airlines now routinely overbooking flights, there is the story of one woman who was split up from her family and refused the seat she had paid for. Paralympian Libby Clegg exposes the hotels breaking the law by telling guests their guide dogs can't stay and, after hearing from families whose holidays were drastically altered at the last minute, there is advice on how major a change has to be before you are entitled to get some money back. Simon Calder has money-saving tips on visiting Barcelona.

Julia Somerville, Angela Rippon and Gloria Hunniford tackle more of the travel and holiday problems viewers have asked them to investigate, including a terrifying accident that occurred around the hotel pool. Why is no-one taking responsibility for what happened? And after one couple was hit with a huge restaurant bill very different than the price they had seen on the menu outside, how much is too much when it comes to eating out in tourist hotspots? Plus the homeowners furious that the big name who let out their property seems much less interested if guests end up damaging it. And Simon Calder clears up the confusion on how much to tip when abroad.

Julia Somerville, Angela Rippon and Gloria Hunniford look into difficulties that can arise en route to or from a destination. Among the stories is a traumatic and costly experience for one family which highlights the very different ways that individual airlines treat passengers with an allergy to nuts. Plus the airlines still breaking the rules on how and where to seat families, with parents placed at opposite ends of the plane from their children, tips on how to cut costs in notoriously expensive Venice, and how the spiralling cost of airport parking has caused chaos in some neighbourhoods as drivers try to avoid the charges altogether by parking on residential streets nearby.

Julia Somerville, Gloria Hunniford and Angela Rippon get to the bottom of a fresh collection of scams designed to trick people out of hundreds of pounds. In Tenerife, the team is on the trail of fake lawyers claiming to help with timeshare problems, while back in the UK, fraudulent flight companies offering non-existent seats are exposed. Holidaymakers tell of their horror on discovering they had booked villas that don't exist, and Simon Calder has more tips on 2018's top travel destinations.

Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville investigate holiday disasters that can occur before people have even reached their destination - and that are totally outside their control. Among the stories is that of the holidaymakers left thousands of pounds out of pocket after being denied boarding thanks to an issue only the airline saw as a problem. Plus why lost luggage could be close to becoming a thing of the past, and the airport transfer company that left passengers stranded without the cars they had booked and paid for. And travel expert Simon Calder has tips on visiting increasingly affordable and accessible Shanghai.

Gloria Hunniford, Angela Rippon and Julia Somerville tackle more of the travel problems viewers have asked them to investigate, hearing how, for one couple, a ruined holiday couldn't have had more significance. Plus a look at a company that has failed to deliver the trips coachloads of passengers booked and paid for, and how hiring a motorhome ended up costing some holidaymakers a lot more than they bargained for. Simon Calder has more money-saving holiday tips.

Julia Somerville, Angela Rippon and Gloria Hunniford look at how people can ensure they are protected if something goes wrong while on holiday. A surprising exclusion from many travel insurance policies is revealed, and there is a look at whether those with mental health conditions are discriminated against when taking out insurance. Additionally, Simon Calder has tips for visiting St Petersburg.

Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville expose some surprising issues viewers have had with apparently 'free' cancellations and investigate whether the raft of companies offering to help claim compensation for flight delays are worth bothering with. An unexpected route to solving travel problems is revealed, and Simon Calder has more trips on visiting a top holiday destination.

Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville unravel some of the mysterious charges viewers have been hit with either during or after their holidays. Among the stories, the surprising loophole that means that even now data roaming charges have been scrapped in Europe, you could still end up with a much higher than expected mobile phone bill next time you pop over the Channel.

Also, the hidden costs of hiring a car abroad, and, after returning holidaymakers have received threatening letters - and even FINES - from courts overseas, what to do if you find yourself caught up in a foreign legal system, through no fault of your own.

Plus travel expert Simon Calder has money-saving tips for an increasingly popular city-break choice.

Gloria Hunniford, Angela Rippon and Julia Somerville investigate problems viewers have experienced around some holiday essentials, getting to the bottom of which countries are ones where it is, or isn't, safe to drink the tap water, and testing out the most effective ways to beat travel sickness.

Also, as travellers reveal how they have ended up out of pocket thanks to pre-paid currency cards, there is advice on how to avoid ending up in the same position.

And Simon Calder has advice on visiting California.

Julia Somerville, Gloria Hunniford and Angela Rippon investigate stories to do with staying safe on your travels, revealing how the shortage of a vital health jab could lead to holidaymakers planning to visit some top destinations having to pay increased costs.

Also, with cases of illness spread by insect bites rocketing across Europe, the team identifies what to do to avoid getting bitten.

Simon Calder has tips and advice on visiting South Africa, and a bumper crop of viewers' problems are tackled at the programme's pop-up advice clinic.

Problems with big-name airlines are the focus of this edition's investigations from Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford, and Julia Somerville. They reveal why, months after Monarch went out of business, some of the passengers left stranded overseas are still hundreds of pounds out of pocket.

Also, after a landmark ruling leaves holidaymakers unprotected if a bird hits the plane, the airport teams whose job it is to stop that happening demonstrate their tactics.

Plus travel expert Simon Calder has money-saving tips for anyone visiting the Canary Islands, and viewers unhappy with airline loyalty schemes discover how to get the most from their points.

Gloria Hunniford, Angela Rippon and Julia Somerville investigate whether the great deals advertised for holidays are always quite what they seem - or if they are even available at all. With viewers furious atwhat has happened when they have tried to bag the bargain prices they have seen, there is a test to see just how much the costs can rocket.

Also, why thousands of cruise passengers could be setting sail without the vital protection they need, and the hotel booking sites under official scrutiny to see if the way they try and push you into making a decision is unfair.

Plus Simon Calder has tips for saving money when visiting the theme park capital of the world, Orlando in Florida.

As big holiday companies announce the end of their traditional brochures, Julia Somerville, Angela Rippon and Gloria Hunniford hear how one family's trip abroad was ruined by a reality very different from the glossy photos the brochure had shown, and there is a test into the new ways people will be encouraged to book their travels in the future.

The programme also hears from the families furious that their apparently all-inclusive holidays ended up costing a lot more than they bargained for, travel expert Simon Calder reveals his pick of the undiscovered destinations people should consider for 2018, and there is a look at how travellers with disabilities can still find themselves booked into accommodation that doesn't match their needs.