TRAVEL

BRITS are ditching popular Greek spots for less-visited parts of the country for better value holidays, says TUI.

According to new data, Brits are heading to quieter spots in Greece including Samos, Preveza, Kefalonia and Halkidiki.

TUI is dubbing this surge in bookings to lesser-visited islands as the ‘Hidden Greece Revolution’.

Here are the ones you need to know about.

Samos

Samos is leading this change with bookings up by a staggering 118 per cent year-on-year.

TUI believes this is in part due to the extra weekly TUI flight from London Gatwick Airport.

Samos is known for relaxing beaches, serene water and traditional tavernas, like Welcome Bar Restaurant, a TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Award for 2025, where tourists can grab fresh seafood dishes including grilled cod and octopus.

One popular thing to see on the island is the monuments of Kings’, Priests and other significant figures.

And there are two UNESCO monuments on the island, including the ancient city of Pythagoreion and the ancient Temple of Hera, Heraion of Samos.

The island is also a great spot for keen hikers, with mountains, caves and ravines to explore.

For example, you could head to Mount Kerkis, which stands 1400 metres above sea level.

If hiking isn’t your thing though, there is plenty more to explore on Samos including the town, where you’ll find neoclassical buildings.

The island has several beaches too, including Tsamadou Beach, which is lined with pine trees and features clear water.

Alternatively, head to Kokkari Beach, which is located in a charming village.

A meal on Samos is likely to set you back around €10 (£8.76) and a beer around €4 (£3.50).

Preveza

Meanwhile, Preveza has also seen an increase in bookings, up 10 per cent.

It is the ideal destination for reaching Lefkada, meaning travellers can experience two destinations in one trip.

Preveza is located at the edge of the Amvrakikos Gulf and features a number of ancient sites as well as stunning landscapes.

In the Old Town, visitors can explore the historic port and get lost in a number of narrow, cobbled alleys that lead away from the harbour, with several traditional buildings too.

One key spot worth discovering is Saitan Bazar, which is a historic lane featuring tiny independent shops and cafes, that are covered in vines and known for having lively atmospheres.

For beaches, there is plenty of choice too, including Monolithi – which is one of Europe‘s longest sandy beaches, stretching between 13.5 and 15.5 miles long.

One recent visitor said: “Monolithi Beach is a long, beautiful, and mostly empty beach – perfect for those who enjoy peace and quiet by the sea.

“There is plenty of space to relax without crowds, as well as lots of natural shade near the parking area.”

A meal in Preveza is likely to set you back around €8 (£7.01) and a beer around €3 (£2.63).

Kefalonia

Kefalonia has seen growth, especially with couples and families visiting.

Caroline McGuire, The Sun’s Head of Travel – Digital, said: “I visited Kefalonia on a family holiday a few years ago, after looking for the ideal Greek island for a trip with a three year old. 

“The island in the Ionian Sea — a Hollywood star in its own right thanks to the 2001 film version of Louis de Bernieres wartime novel — ticked all the boxes and boasts what is often claimed as Greece’s best beach. 

“We spent a week on the island in mid-May and enjoyed everything it had to offer — without spending too much money. 

“Our timing (outside of school holidays) meant we were one of the few tourist groups on the island. 

“The weather was still perfect though. The average is highs of 21C in May and the same in October.

“There were no crowds, either. Looking out at Myrtos beach, which is regularly named one of Greece’s top five, it felt like we were being let in on a great secret.”

A meal on Kefalonia is likely to set you back around €13.50 (£11.82) and a beer around €4.25 (£3.81).

Halkidiki

In Halkidiki, another island seeing a boom, there are more stunning beaches, as well as secluded coves.

An amazing spot to explore is Mount Athos, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important centres of Orthodox monasticism.

It is known as the ‘Holy Mountain’ and is home to 20 historic monasteries, including ones that date back over 1,000 years.

In this region you can expect a meal at an inexpensive restaurant to set you back around €7 (£6.13) and a beer around €2.75 (£2.41).

Commercial director at TUI UK & Ireland, Chris Logan said: “What we are seeing is Brits exploring Greece in a whole new way.

“These picturesque islands offer incredible beaches, amazing food and fantastic value without the crowds allowing people the chance to truly relax and indulge.

“The demand shows travellers are ready to go beyond the classics and discover Greece’s hidden gems and TUI makes it simple, with flights, transfers, hotels and 24/7 support all sorted.”

For other places worth visiting in Greece, there is an island with 70 beaches that experts warn you should see before it gets too popular.

Plus, Wizz Air to launch six new routes with cheap flights to Greek islands and the capital of wine.

A proposed tax increase in one European country has sparked concern

Ryanair has blasted moves that could see passengers pay higher bills under moves to increase airport departure taxes in one popular European destination by as much as double the current rate. In Belgium, the current federal tax stands at five euros per passenger and will be increased to 10 euros per passenger from 2027, which may see costs pushed onto passengers.

On top of this, Charleroi Airport in Belgium will reportedly make passengers spend three euros on their flights, according to proposals made by the Charleroi City Council. Some European publications have speculated this will push competition onto cheaper flights in neighbouring airports such as Paris-Beauvais and Lille Airport.

Ryanair are furious. In response to the proposed tax change, the airline has already confirmed this week that it will cut one million seats from its Brussels Winter 2026/27 schedule.

Ryanair said this move will also affect 20 routes on the schedule while arguing that the move is in direct opposition to other EU markets such as Slovakia, Sweden, Italy, and Hungary, where it claims such taxes are being cut down to drive up tourism. Because of this, Ryanair is calling on both the Belgian Prime Minister De Wever and the Mayor of Charleroi, Thomas Dermine, to reverse the proposed plans.

Ryanair’s Jason McGuinness said: “The De Wever Govt has bizarrely decided to further increase Belgium’s already sky-high aviation tax by another +100% from Jan 2027, on top of the +150% in July last. These repeated increases to this harmful aviation tax make Belgium completely uncompetitive compared to the many other EU countries, like Sweden, Hungary, Italy, and Slovakia, where Govts are abolishing aviation taxes to drive traffic, tourism, and jobs.

“As a result of this second tax hike in just 5 months, Ryanair has been forced to cut -22% of its Brussels traffic (-1m seats), -5 aircraft from our Charleroi base (loss of US$500m investment), and 20 routes (13 from Charleroi & 7 from Zaventem) for Winter 26/27. Should the Charleroi city council proceed with its ill-judged proposal to introduce further taxes on passengers departing from Charleroi next year, these cuts will deepen as Ryanair will be forced to reduce flights, routes and based aircraft at Charleroi from as early as April 2026 with thousands of local jobs at risk.

“If Prime Minister De Wever and his Govt really wanted to revive Belgium’s economy, they should abolish this harmful aviation tax, not double it. Despite so many other EU countries taking this step to support their economies, Belgium is going in the opposite direction, driving up access costs and pushing airlines and tourism elsewhere.

“We urge Prime Minister De Wever to scrap this damaging aviation tax before Belgian’s traffic, tourism, jobs, and the wider economy collapse any further. Furthermore, the Charleroi city council needs to abandon its lunatic plans to increase taxes driving job losses with the effect of lowering payroll, VAT and corporate tax receipts for the local economy.”

Belgium receives more than 18 million tourists each year. According to the latest data from the British government, around 1.3 million Brits travel to Belgium each year.

The proposed doubling is reportedly designed to help finance airport infrastructure and meet new environmental requirements, according to Air Journal.

A POPULAR seaside town will be losing half of its direct trains to and from London next week.

Currently, there are four direct trains a day between London and Blackpool, operated by Avanti West Coast.

The service currently operates Monday to Friday.

However, they have confirmed that changes to the timetable means that the four daily services from Blackpool will be reduced to two – one in each direction.

The two routes being scrapped are the 9:39am London to Blackpool North service, and the 12:52pm Blackpool North to London service.

The routes that will continue to run include the 5:35am Blackpool North to London Euston route and the 5:40pm London Euston to Blackpool North route.

Instead, they will be increasing routes between Blackpool and Liverpool as well as restarting a morning route from Manchester.

Avanti West Coast slammed the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) who are the economic and safety regulator, regarding the new restrictions being introduced.

An Avanti West Coast spokesperson said: “We are disappointed with the Office of Rail and Road’s decision not to grant access rights from December for three weekday services that we currently operate, including the 09:39 London to Blackpool North service, and the 12:52 Blackpool North to London service.

“This will clearly impact those customers who already use these services.

“However, we will still be delivering even more services across our network from the start of the December timetable, including further additional trains on our Liverpool route.”

An ORR spokesperson said they “recognised passengers would be disappointed”.

However, they explained: “In every timetable change train operators bid to add or amend services, and we are informed in our decision making by what Network Rail tells us is possible.

“In this case, Network Rail provided evidence and recommended that ORR decline the applications to secure better reliability on the network as a whole. 

“We would welcome the opportunity to work with Network Rail and train operators should they consider that there is room for these services in future timetables.”

Several commuters who use the route have taken to social media to express their thoughts on the news.

One said: “Another kick in the teeth for Blackpool.”

Another added: “The reason why no one is using Avanti, is because the prices of their train tickets is crazy.

“Avanti trains are always cancelled or delayed. Get rid of them!”

News of the route cancellations come as a blow to the seaside town that is hoping to attract more tourists as it plans to spend £459,000 on revamping its major tourist attractions.

This includes the Winter Gardens, which first opened back in 1878.

A £300million project is also in the works to improve Blackpool’s Golden Mile, with a new indoor entertainment complex with rides, restaurants and bars.

Last month, passengers were left furious as Avanti revealed it would run an empty ghost train to London.

The rail regulator ruled that the weekday morning service from Manchester to London would run without passengers for five months.

A spokesperson for the ORR told the BBC that the decision was based on “robust evidence” from Network Rail, arguing that running the service with no passengers would allow more flexibility to better assist with “service recovery”.

However, this has since been reversed.

In other rail news, here’s the first look at the new Great British Railways trains being rolled out across the UK.

Plus, Eurostar reveals plans for direct trains from UK to new European country for first time ever.

A SPANISH holiday can still be found for a bargain – if you know where to look, that is.

Destinations like Turkey, Tunisia and Egypt are becoming more and more popular because of their affordability

Yet Spain is still one of the best holiday destinations on the cheap depending on which island you choose.

Fuerteventura is known for being the cheapest of the islands, both across the Balearics and the Canaries.

Some of the cheapest deals on the market are found on loveholidays, with a seven-night package with flight for just £169 each.

You’ll have to travel in March 2026, but that works out to just £24 a day, although you can currently secure it with a £19 deposit.

Hotel choices include Castillo Beach or Castillo Beach Park Bungalows, both in the Caleta de Fuste area.

Want to go all-inclusive? You can upgrade at each hotel and instead pay £299pp or £339pp for the holiday, respectively.

Weather on the island remains high – its set to hit 23C this week, but even in the rest of winter it remains around 19C.

One of the most famous beaches on the island – of which there are around 150 – is Playa del Bajo de la Burra, also known as Popcorn Beach.

This is because of the rocks that look like small pieces of white popcorn.

Or there is Corralejo Natural Park, which you can explore by dune buggy, as well as the Acua Water Park.

Local tips

We spoke to TUI rep Samuel Gonzalez who was born and raised in Fuerteventura for his top tips too.

He recommended visiting Jandia, which has white sand beaches and was even been used in a few films like Star Wars and Wonder Woman.

Or for the best hidden gem, he said to go to the town of Betancuria which was once the capital of the Canaries and he calls one of the most “beautiful places in Spain“.

Travel expert

The Sun’s Head of Travel – Digital recently visited the island with her family as well.

Caroline McGuire said: “My hotel was on the seafront among the Corralejo sand dunes of Grandes Playas, it boasts sweeping views of the Atlantic ocean.

“The beach is one of the island’s most ­popular but it never felt overcrowded.

It’s not just the beaches, but the amazing amount of activities for kids too.

She continued: “We ended up in a big top in Puerto Del Rosario, celebrating Carnival with local families, with a pirate show laid on for the kids and a funfair out back, followed by a parade through the streets.

“The town has a twice-weekly crafts market, where we picked up some pretty jewellery, a handmade toy and a living cactus fridge magnet.

“We even took the boat out to Lobos Island, a protected islet with a large nature reserve and shallow bays, with paddling water 30 metres out to sea that was warm enough to splash about in for hours.”

Here’s everything you need to know about Tenerife and Lanzarote as well.

And here’s how to find Spain’s smallest inhabited island.

When you’re already paying hundreds of pounds for flights, baggage, transfers and hotels, it can be a kick in the teeth to then have to fork out for extra legroom on a flight

Experts have revealed exactly what seats to pick when flying with easyJet or Ryanair to get extra legroom for no further price. When it comes to booking a holiday, there are so many costs to think about including flights, hotel, transfers and excursions.

It’s clear why people have an issue with paying extra for an allocated seat when they could already be paying hundreds of pounds for the flights themselves and more for baggage allowance. For some people, paying for seats with extra legroom is an expense they’re just not willing to pay.

Experts at Which? have revealed that you don’t have to pay through the nose to have extra legroom on a number of aircrafts, including some used by easyJet and Ryanair. The expert explained that if you’re flying on a Boeing 737, used by Ryanair, you can choose one of 33 seats to get an inch of extra legroom.

She said: “Want more legroom on a flight? Just sit on the right. Take Ryanair for example almost all of their planes are Boeing 737 so choosing seats D, E or F in rows three to 15 will give you the most legroom.

“With easyJet, meanwhile, you should choose seats D, E or F in rows three to 13 if you’re flying on their Airbus A321neo. It will give you an extra inch of legroom compared to sitting in rows six to 17 on the left hand side of the plane.

“It might not seem like much, but it could make all the difference on a near five hour flight to Tenerife.”

The expert explained the reason there is extra legroom in these seats is due to airlines squeezing in an extra row on the left side of the plane by removing storage lockers.

She continued: “It might make the airlines more money, but squeezing in an extra row can leave us with less room.

“All planes are different, so it’s always worth checking before you book. Just head to Google Flights and type your destination and date in to find the model number.

“Then use seat plan experts AeroLOPA to find your aircraft’s configuration.”

Underneath the video explainer posted by Which?, one commenter warned other viewers about what they will find if they choose one of the seats with extra legroom.

They said: “What they don’t tell you is that there are no windows on those seats.”

EasyJet flies from major UK airports like London Gatwick, Manchester, Bristol, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Belfast. RyanAir fly from airports including London Stansted, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Belfast International.

EasyJet’s seat allocation involves paying to select a specific seat or checking in for free up to 30 days in advance, which assigns a random seat. Ryanair seat allocation is either free and random or reserved and paid.

The new Entry-Exit system (EES) has been rolled out across Europe, and UK holidaymakers have been warned to expect long queues at airports this festive season — here’s how to avoid delays

Brits planning a festive getaway have been warned to brace themselves for queues of up to four hours at European airports, following the launch of the new Entry-Exit system (EES) on October 12. The EES, which swaps traditional passport stamping for biometric checks, requires every non-EU traveller to undergo fingerprinting and facial scans.

This extra step, combined with the influx of passengers travelling during the holiday season, can cause significant delays when multiple flights land at the same time.

Early signs show that major hubs like Paris and Amsterdam are already struggling with congestion during busy times, and with Christmas fast approaching, more chaos is anticipated. Representing one of the biggest overhauls to European border control in years, the EES applies to all non-EU travellers — including Brits — entering the ‘Schengen area’ (29 EU countries including France, Italy, and Spain).

While registration only takes a few minutes per person, when multiplied by hundreds of passengers, it leads to lengthy queues.

This alert comes as winter holidays continue to rise in popularity, with 51% of Brits planning to jet off abroad between November and February. To help holidaymakers dodge the mayhem, travel guru Jane Bolton from ski holiday specialist Erna Low shares her top tips for navigating the new rules and ensuring a hassle-free trip, reports the Express.

Arrive well in advance

“Airport wait times can vary, but with the new EES checks, queues of up to four hours are expected at peak times,” Jane explains. “In the past, travellers were advised to arrive at the airport two hours prior to a domestic flight and three hours for an international flight. Now, it’s worth allowing more time than usual – especially during school holidays and weekends. I’d recommend arriving at least three to four hours before your flight to make sure you don’t miss it.”

Keep tabs on your departure airport’s latest information

Jane advises: “As the EES rolls out across Europe, it is unavoidable for airports to be at different stages of this process, given the scale of the system. Some major airports like Charles-de-Gaulle (France), Düsseldorf (Germany), and Rome Fiumicino (Italy) have already implemented self-service EES kiosks, while others will still be manually registering the biometric facial and fingerprint recognitions.

“Those doing it manually are expected to take longer, so check your airport’s website before you leave home to plan appropriately.”

Choose ‘fast track passes’ wherever available

With lengthy queues anticipated, passengers are urged to consider alternative time-saving options. The travel expert’s advice?

“Purchasing fast-track tickets for security is a great method for reducing the time needed prior to a flight. These tickets cost between £3 and £12 per person, depending on the airline, and can shave off hours within peak travel times. It’s a relatively small investment for peace of mind.”

Allow additional time when travelling with families

Jane explains: “Whilst the new system requires facial and fingerprint recognition, children under twelve are exempt from this requirement and instead must be linked to an accompanying adult who is registered on the system.

“For families or large parties travelling, allowing extra time at the airport is essential. This process will take longer than average, so plan ahead and keep all documents ready.”

Verify passport validity

Jane warns: “Since Brexit, many Brits have been caught out by new passport rules. Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before your travel date and be valid for at least three months after departure.”

The travel specialist further adds: “The key date to look at is the issue date rather than expiration. For example, a passport issued in March 2015 and expiring in December 2025 won’t be valid for EU travel after March 2025. Checking this before you book is essential to avoid being turned away at the airport.

“Whilst the new entry/exit system may seem likely to cause chaos for your upcoming travels, holidaymakers should be assured that this process will, in the long-term, streamline your travel. Once registered, the travel process will become much smoother for those travelling within the Schengen area.”

The travel expert concludes: “If you check your passports, allow extra time for queues, purchase fast track where possible and check your departure airport for updates, your holiday should be off to a great start.”

From electronics to food, what you think is a harmless addition to your hand luggage could actually lead to frustration, delays, or even further checks

From gadgets to grub, what you perceive as a harmless addition to your carry-on could actually lead to unnecessary hassle, delays, or even additional checks. As holidaymakers gear up for their winter escapes, experts at Fulton Umbrellas have compiled a list of typical items that should be avoided in hand luggage, reports the Express.

While hand luggage is often the go-to spot for valuables or items needed during the flight, the company urges caution when deciding what to take on board. The first crucial piece of advice from the experts pertains to packing electronic devices powered by lithium-ion batteries.

Although rules can differ among airlines, passengers are generally advised to only stow electronics with batteries between 100Wh and 160Wh in their carry-ons. It’s also vital to ensure all devices are fully charged before packing them and that they are switched off, as this can help avoid any hiccups at security.

The company also underscored the importance of being mindful about the types of food items you choose to stash in your hand luggage. While it’s common for travellers to pack nibbles or souvenirs, foods like jams, soft cheeses, and chutneys fall under the 100ml liquid limit and could be seized.

Different countries enforce their own specific regulations regarding food, and some may impose extra restrictions on certain items. That’s why it’s highly recommended to research what’s allowed and what’s prohibited in advance, to avoid disappointment or issues with airport security.

Fulton Umbrellas also highlights that, although umbrellas generally pose no issue in hand luggage, larger styles-such as golf umbrellas-could be problematic. These larger umbrellas may be better suited for holding luggage, as they could present a safety hazard if they cause accidents while being handled in the confined space of your carry-on.

Plus, packing a large umbrella in the hold luggage frees up more space in your carry-on bag for other essential items, making your overall packing experience more efficient.

Lastly, the company cautioned fitness-conscious travellers about the potential downsides of packing protein powders in their carry-on. While these powders are not typically prohibited by airlines, they have the tendency to obstruct the view on X-ray machines, which can lead to delays during security screening.

As a result, those who pack protein powders in their hand luggage may find themselves facing more extensive checks, as security personnel will likely need to manually inspect the contents of their bags.

With so many rules, it’s always worth double-checking each airline’s guidance on luggage, as well as each country’s specific restrictions, before embarking on a trip.

If you want ideas and inspiration to plan your next UK adventure plus selected offers and competitions, sign up for our 2Chill weekly newsletter here

Since 1963, people have taken the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway on a 10-minute, 2.5-mile ride from its Valley Station, about 2,650 feet elevation, to its Mountain Station, at just over 8,500 feet elevation where passengers can continue their adventure in Mt. San Jacinto State Park.

My friends and I have experienced the kind of contradictory adventure this route allows: playing in the snow in the same weekend we visited an oasis shaded by hulking palm trees.

That’s always been the goal. As a 1937 Times story about the plan to build the tram explained, “the desert dwellers then would be able to whisk from one-piece bathing suit swimming under the ultraviolet ray sun at the Desert Inn pool to woolen undies and snowshoe land in an hour.” (Although the Desert Inn has since closed, you can find plenty of other Palm Springs hotels.)

The only hitch for anyone wanting to visit now is that the winter holidays mark one of the busier seasons for the tram, especially since it snowed at Mt. San Jacinto around Thanksgiving. Spots fill up quickly online and in-person lines can be long. Here’s what you need to know about snagging a ticket and planning a trip.

How do I get tickets for the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway?

A limited number of each day’s tickets are available to prepurchase on the tramway’s website. Most tickets are sold in person, said Rachel Anderson, public relations manager at the tramway.

To avoid long lines on the weekends, Anderson said guests should arrive at 7 a.m., an hour before the first tram goes up at 8 a.m. The ticket booth opens at 7:30 a.m. “Otherwise, wait times can be several hours long during the holiday season,” she said.

Wait times are especially long closer to Christmas, when children are out of school and out-of-town guests are visiting Southern California.

The line’s length does ebb and flow throughout the day, she said, reaching its longest on the days around Christmas and New Year’s, and on weekends when children are out of school for their winter breaks. Weekdays are less busy, but can still see lines, she said.

The tram’s winter hours, which run from Sept. 2 to May 21, are: Monday through Friday with the first tram up at 10 a.m., last tram up at 8 p.m. and the last tram down at 9:30 p.m. On weekends and holidays, the last tram up is 8 p.m. and the last tram down is 9:30 p.m.

Tickets are $20.95 for children ages 3 to 10, $36.95 for older kids and adults, and $33.95 for adults 65 and older.

What can I do once at the top?

Yodel, dance, eat snacks — the possibilities are endless!

OK, in all seriousness, you have a snack or enjoy fine dining on dishes like vegetarian lasagna or filet mignon, hike any part of the 50-plus miles of trails, snowshoe, cross-country ski or just vibe out among the Jeffrey pines.

The tram offers hikers who don’t feel like taking the strenuous Cactus to Clouds route: From the tram’s Mountain Station, you can hike 10 miles out and back, which shaves off about 10 arduous miles.

Can I bring my sled and dog?

Many visitors take the tram to go sledding. Anderson said small plastic sleds are allowed while inflatable rafts or sleds, and those sleds with metal, aren’t. (Rolling down hills on your own accord is just fine, though!)

Unfortunately, unless Fido is a registered service dog, you’ll need to leave your pup at home. Dogs are not allowed on the tram and generally are prohibited from trails in the park.

Other banned items include drones and outside alcohol (but can buy booze on site).

What’s the parking situation?

Parking is $15 for most vehicles, and lots open at 9 a.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m. on weekends and holidays. A free shuttle bus takes visitors to the Valley Station, where they can buy tram tickets.

What else do I need to know?

I am personally a sucker for California trivia, so allow me to tell you more about the tram’s history and why it remains a unique opportunity to this day.

I wanted to understand how rare of an experience it is to ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, so I spoke to Peter Landsman, editor for LiftBlog, where he’s been compiling data on trams and ski lifts for about 10 years.

Landsman said the Palm Springs tram is special for multiple reasons, but in particular because the car rotates as it travels up and down the mountain, an experience found only on a few tramways across the globe.

Overall, there are only about a dozen tramways of similar builds in the U.S. — and not many are being constructed today. The recently completed tram in Big Sky, Mont., was the first new tram built at a North American ski area since 2008, according to Landsman’s blog.

The tram’s original construction cost, per a Times article on its opening day in 1963, was $7.7 million. That’s about $81.5 million in today’s money, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics inflation calculator.

“I would say $7.7 million wouldn’t get you much these days,” Landsman, who works in the ski industry, said. “That’s pretty remarkable.”

THERE’S a theme park in Europe named the word’s best – but it isn’t Disneyland Paris.

The huge Europa-Park in Germany was named Best Theme Park in the World at the Golden Ticket Awards.

It is the 10th time it has won the award – and with 100 attractions, I wasn’t surprised.

I visited the mega theme park last year, and was left seriously impressed by the scale of it.

Stretching across 230 acres, across the park are 15 country-themed lands placed on different destination around the world.

The area of Greece feels like you are in Mykonos, while the Switzerland area is like being in the heart of the Alps.

There is a St Marks Square in Italy, as well as a pizzieria, while there are lands based on Norway, the Netherlands and Spain as well.

There is an England themed land too, which yes, has a British pub.

The extravagance of the park reminds me of a family-friendly Las Vegas, without the casinos and neon lights or course.

Among the 100 attractions are 13 rollercoasters, my favourite being new Voltron Nevera in the Croatia section.

Created by Mack Rides – behing Thorpe Park’s Hyperia – it has a record-breaking 105-degree beyond-vertical launch, the steepest in the world.

It is easily one of the most innovative roller­coasters I’ve experienced, not to mention the most terrifying.

The park also has Rulantica, a huge waterpark with 50 slides and attractions.

Heated to 32C, it even opened a new outdoor pool this year, which has a massive swim up bar with 150 seats.

And if that wasn’t enough, there are a whopping 50 restaurants and bars at Europa-Park – my favourite being the mad Eatrenalin.

Sat at a “floating chair” I was transported to different rooms for different dishes while surrounded by immersive displays.

It combines gourmet cuisine with modern technology – and I was sold.

Europa-Park is constantly expanding too – back in June, the new Wild West themed land Silver Lake City opened.

Along with four themed diners, there is even a 630-bed Tipi Town accommodation village.

Next year will see the opening of the Riverside Western Lodge, with another 120 rooms.

It might not have the recognition of Disneyland, but with so much for all ages, Europa Park should top any theme park-lover’s list.

It’s not just me who was impressed, with one money-saving mum saying it was perfect even in half term holidays.

Content creator TheTravelMum said: “The theming is incredible, and the queue times are absolutely amazing.

“A lot of the smaller rides only have one minute queues.

“The park is fantastic for thrillseekers but at the same time it caters to the little ones,

“This place is fantastic value.”

Entry to the park costs £52 for adults and £44 for children (4–11) and seniors.

Despite being in Germany, the park is near the border of France and Switzerland, so the nearest airport for Brits is Basel.

Return fares in November start from £39pp.

A POPULAR seaside resort has secured a massive £20million in funding ahead of a decade-long transformation.

The coastal resort, which has been ranked the “best for a short break” in the UK, will undergo a series of upgrades, including the revamping of community spaces.

The Victorian town of Hastings, which was previously praised as an overlooked holiday hotspot, confirmed the ambitious plans this week.

As part of the government’s Pride in Place programme, the project will “spark civic pride and breathe new life into the town”.

Planned works

Safer streets and revamped public areas are prioritised in the new works, as well as improvements to sports, leisure, and play facilities.

And heritage sites across the town will also be set for restoration as part of the plan to create “a Hastings for everyone”.

Deputy leader of Hastings Borough Council Julia Hilton said the upgrades will be shaped “in collaboration with local people”, while Local MP Helena Dollimore praised the project for making Hastings “an even better place to live”.

Toursim

Hastings has received mixed reviews over the years, once vote the worst seaside town for a weekend to stay by Which?, it is now widely regarded as an underrated treasure.

While visitors have marked it down on value for money, and ease of getting around, artists and writers continue to flock to the town, turning it into one of the UK’s most exciting up-and-coming holiday destinations.

And from the old town to the stunning scenery, there’s something for everyone in this historic area.

The old town itself is rated number one on TripAdvisor, scoring 4/5 from more than 2,700 reviews, with visitors praising its independent shops, cafés, and buzzing character.

Tourists can walk the cobbled streets, enjoying vintage shops, a Tudor-looking pub, and five-star chippies and restaurants.

Hastings also boasts a number of music events, including the annual Hastings Beer and Music Festival, as well as playing host to well-known restaurants such as Yaaze Cafe Bistro & Meze Bar.

Music fans will also want to visit the Jenny Lind, which offers live performances and flamboyant local characters.

And Hastings Contemporary gallery is just around the corner – a nod to the town’s burgeoning art scene, with many tipping it to be the next Margate.

There are also pagan vibes in the area, with Jack on the Green festival ushering in the summer with incredible costumes, dancing, and music paraded through the streets.

To top off the unique experience, a huge puppet is then set alight on the West Hill.

Visitors can also escape the crowds by climbing up the East Hill and taking in the spectacular, peaceful views.

And over in the new town, you can visit all your usual high street shops as well as the popular The Hastings Bookshop.

Hastings Pier sits nicely between the new town and the nearby St Leonard’s On Sea, which is home to some incredible and unique restaurants, The Royal, Farmyard, Bayte, and Heist.

You can visit a year-round light installation at Bottle Alley or head to Norman Road, a stretch of street lined with art galleries including the Lucy Bell.

Or you may want to pop by the Stella Dore, whose owner Steph Warren used to work with Banksy, which has all manner of neon, psychedelic art on display.

And of course, the star attraction is obviously the sea, where locals swim throughout the year and mackerel make patterns in the water bi-annually, making for the perfect home made dinner.

Hastings is also home to top attractions including the Fishermen’s Museum, the Shipwreck Museum, Alexandra Park, and Hastings Country Park.

The seaside destination sits less than 90 minutes from London by train, making it a popular escape for city dwellers.

Budget stays start from around £25 per person per night, while nearby campsites offer pitches from £20.

And with the £20 million now secured and a decade of upgrades ahead, Hastings looks set to confirm its place as one of Britain’s most charming coastal towns.

Meanwhile, this seaside town in the UK is also home to dolphins, whales and puffins, as well as amazing castles.

And these are some of the most tranquil staycation spots in the country.

The Prime Minister says catching a bus ‘shouldn’t cost the earth’

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has issued a fresh message on public transport costs this morning, stressing that taking the bus ‘shouldn’t cost the earth’. His thoughts come after bus fares on thousands of routes in England were previously capped at £3 until 2027.

“Catching the bus shouldn’t cost the earth,” Sir Keir said on X, formerly Twitter, this morning. “That’s why we are capping bus fares at £3 and investing in new buses and stops.”

Earlier this year, the Government’s Spending Review revealed that its £3 bus fare cap would remain in effect until at least March 2027. This measure, which applies to most bus routes in England, was first introduced in January 2023. While the cap was initially £2, this was subsequently increased to £3 on single bus fares outside London from January 2025.

The Government has explained that participation in the fare cap initiative is voluntary, meaning some firms have chosen not to take part. Instead, local companies may offer ‘other types of tickets that are suitable’ for similar needs.

“Some types of routes are not covered by this scheme so they are not included, for example, coach services, school-only services or airport services,” the Government further advises online. “Fares are capped locally in London, so it is not included in this scheme. Routes listed as ‘not included’ in the national £3 fare cap may still offer a discounted fare as part of a locally run initiative.”

Despite this, residents of England who are considered ‘eligible disabled’ may obtain a bus pass for completely free off-peak local travel, thanks to the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS). Similarly, residents of England and Wales can obtain free bus passes upon reaching State Pension Age, or at the age of 60 in London specifically.

The regional disparity between London and the rest of England has recently taken centre stage in public debate, following a parliamentary petition that collected over 100,000 signatures. This campaign argued that the current situation is ‘unjust’ and free bus travel should be extended to all people over 60 in England.

The Department for Transport (DfT) responded to these complaints in February this year, stating that ‘any changes to the statutory scheme must be carefully considered for their impact on its financial sustainability’. However, the subject will soon be debated in Parliament on January 5, 2026.

The DfT response continued: “The ENCTS provides free off-peak bus travel to those with eligible disabilities and those of state pension age, currently sixty-six. The ENCTS costs around £700 million annually and any changes to the statutory obligations, such as lowering the age of eligibility, would therefore need to be carefully considered for its impact on the scheme’s financial sustainability.

“Local authorities in England do have the power to offer concessions in addition to their statutory obligations, for example, by extending the age of eligibility for the older persons’ bus pass. These are additional local concessions provided and funded by local authorities from local resources, depending on the needs and priorities of each area.”

At the time, it also added: “Concessionary travel is a devolved policy area and as such, the eligibility age for the bus pass differs between the devolved nations of the United Kingdom. This means, in effect, that there are different schemes in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so the administrative arrangements are entirely separate.”

If you are reaching State Pension age or are considered ‘eligible disabled’ and are interested in applying for a bus pass, refer to the Government’s website for further information. You can also read the now-closed bus pass petition at Parliament’s website here.

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JOJO Siwa fans will soon be able to experience a holiday with the star as she is launching a cruise next year.

The American singer and dancer who rose to fame after appearing on the popular reality TV show Dance Moms, has created a cruise which will set sail from June 12 to June 15, 2026.

Fans will board Royal Caribbean‘s Utopia of the Seas and across three days be able to enjoy meet and greets, q&a’s, dance parties, Build-a-Bow sessions and even a dance class with JoJo herself.

For the first time, there will also be an Infinity Heart Concert at sea, as part of her tour.

Fans must book through the JoJoSiwaCruise.com website to access all the JoJo Siwa events, activities, concerts and exclusives.

JoJo said: “This is the most immersive fan event I’ve ever created, and I cannot wait to share it with you!”

Other activities in the JoJo Siwa programme include a welcome party, a trivia session, Name That Tune with prizes, a photography and autograph session and finally, a farewell party.

Anyone who books directly through Royal Caribbean or another website will not get access to any of the JoJo Siwa programming.

Of course, the cruise also includes everything that Utopia of the Seas usually has to offer including pools, waterslides, sports courts and a day at CocoCay.

On day one of the cruise, guests will have half a day exploring the ship, where they can head off on a zip line over the boardwalk, play mini golf, rock climb, ice skate or explore the arcade.

For little kids there is also a Splashaway Bay children’s splash zone.

And if you get hungry, there are more than 20 dining options onboard the ship, with complimentary spots including the main dining room, buffet, pizza, cafes and quick-serve spots.

There is also the opportunity for some retail therapy with the Promenade shops.

Then on day two, the cruise will head to Nassau, in the Bahamas.

Day three will then be spent at Royal Caribbean‘s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, where there is Daredevil’s Peak waterslide, high speed waterslides, a wave pool and an adventure pool with obstacles.

The island also features several more chilled areas such as Oasis Lagoon – the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean.

From the island, guests can also participate in a number of other activities including snorkelling, kayaking and paddleboarding.

Sailings start at $1,050 (£786.08) for an Interior Stateroom based on two people sharing.

A Boardwalk View Stateroom then costs from $1,212 (£907.36) for two people sharing and a Central Park View Stateroom costs from $1,282 (£959.77).

There is also a Oceanview Balcony Stateroom available from $1,337 (£1,000.95).

In other cruise news, there’s a new luxury cruise ship which you can live on forever – and it’s cheaper than a London flat.

Plus, the world’s best sports-themed cruises – with NFL games, F1 drivers and pickleball-at-sea.

Ahead of one of the busiest times to travel, the National Rail has issued a warning and outlined some of the changes that could impact your train journey during the festive season

Train travel changes to be aware of between Christmas and New Year

• Plan and check your journey before you travel
• There will be no National Rail services running on Christmas Day
• Most train operators will not be in service on Boxing Day. However, there will be very limited services on some train operators, including Chiltern Railways, London Overground, Merseyrail, ScotRail, Southern and Stansted Express
• Timetables could be subject to change during the festive period, including late-notice changes, which runs from Tuesday, 23 December, until Friday, 2 January
• No trains will run to or from London Liverpool Street station from Saturday, 27 December, to Thursday, 1 January
• No trains will run to or from London Waterloo Station or Vauxhall on Saturday, 27 December, and Sunday, 28 December
• Bus replacements will be in operation between Milton Keynes Central and Rugby/Northampton from Saturday, 27 December to Sunday, 4 January
• There will be an amended service between Preston and Carlisle from Wednesday, 31 December to Thursday, 15 January
• Bus replacements will be in operation between Carlisle and Lockerbie from Thursday, 1 January, to Wednesday, 7 January
• An amended service will be in place between Leeds and York from Saturday, 27 December, to Friday, 2 January
• No trains will run between Cambridge and Cambridge North, Bury St Edmunds, and Stansted Airport from Saturday, 27 December, to Sunday, 4 January
• Bus services will replace trains between Dalmuir and Balloch/Helensburgh from Saturday, 27 December, until Wednesday, 31 December

National Rail stated that there will be “lots of planned essential engineering works and upgrades taking place as Network Rail works to improve the railway” over Christmas and the New Year. This may result in changes to train timetables, so it’s best to check your journey before setting off.

For further details or to check your journey, you can visit the National Rail website.

READ MORE: Your refund rights if you face Christmas travel chaos as UK strikes loom

When I first came to London from Yorkshire in the late 1980s, I found the tube replete with bizarre novelties. Among them was the way most trains required me to sit sideways to the direction of travel, as on a fairground waltzer. Directly opposite me was another person or an empty seat, and while I knew not to stare at people, I did stare at the seats – at their woollen coverings, called moquette. I have since written two books about them, the first nonfiction, Seats of London, and now a crime novel, The Moquette Mystery.

I was attracted to moquette firstly because it, like me, came from Yorkshire (most of it back then was woven in Halifax), and whereas many foreign metros have seats of plastic or steel, moquette made the tube cosy. Yet it seemed underappreciated. The index of the standard history of the tube, for instance, proceeds blithely from Moorgate to Morden.

A moquette might last a decade or more on a particular vehicle, coinciding with a Londoner’s formative years, the design evoking forever after those tube rides to triumphs and disasters. For generation Z, the resonant one is likely to be Barman, introduced in 2010 to replace a range of moquettes deemed too diffuse. Therefore, our two-hour moquette tour begins on one of the many lines to use Barman: the Northern line, from Leicester Square to Charing Cross.

Barman is named after Christian Barman, publicity officer to Frank Pick who, as vice-chair of London Transport in the 1930s, commissioned the roundel symbol, the tube map, Charles Holden’s subtly modernist station architecture and many posters and moquettes. Barman was designed by Wallace Sewell (Harriet Wallace-Jones and Emma Sewell) and, unusually for moquette, it’s figurative; but it’s also mysterious. The landmarks it depicts seem suffused in a haze of blue rain, and the harder you stare, the more the top of Big Ben becomes Battersea Power Station – and is that Southwark cathedral looming ghostly behind the dome of St Paul’s?

At Charing Cross, we change on to the Bakerloo, which has a darker version of Barman, the same landmarks at night, perhaps. The sombre black, grey and brown colour scheme suits the crepuscular mood of these elderly trains; it is also historically valid. In the early 1920s, the first moquette widely applied on the underground – called Lozenge – was the colour of dried mud, a capitulation to the dirtiness of clothes in those days before widespread dry-cleaning.

In the late 1930s, Frank Pick commissioned brighter moquettes from leading textile designers, including Enid Marx and Marion Dorn. He favoured red and green – red symbolising the town, green the country – and he considered green serene. My novel is set in this golden age of the underground, epitomised by the lambent glamour of Piccadilly Circus station concourse, which features a sort of shrine to Pick, showing his watchwords in brass on the marble wall. These range from “Utility” to “Beauty”, and moquette has usually been filed under the first word, but the second applies to the best of it.

We go from Picadilly Circus to Green Park on the Piccadilly line – Barman again, but with a richer blue than on the Northern line. It reflects the line colour and the dark blue of the Underground roundel bar, which a transport designer once described to me as “the reassuring colour of an old-fashioned police lamp”.

At Green Park, we take the Victoria line to Oxford Circus. This unnamed moquette uses multiple V-shapes, evoking she who was not amused. The Vs are white, which shows the dirt, but the radiated light suggests diamond facets and alleviates the claustrophobia of this line which never comes above ground.

At Oxford Circus, we observe some Central line trains, waiting for a lucky break. Most have Barman, but some refurbished trains have a new red, black and grey moquette called Tuppenny, the Central having once been “the Tuppenny Tube”. It is reminiscent of a Central line moquette of the late 80s, my “home” line back then, when the red and black seemed consoling, like a coal fire.

I suggested to Paul Marchant, head of product design at Transport for London, that Tuppenny was “retro”. “Yes,” he said, “I was on holiday when it was commissioned!” A joke (I think), but moquette is meant to keep pace with London; it is not supposed to be retro. Currently, only two Central line trains have Tuppenny, so the odds are against our sitting on it while heading west to our next stop, Bond Street.

Here, we board the Elizabeth line for Paddington. Most moquettes have four colours, but on the luxurious, hi-tech Lizzy line, it has about eight. The designers (Wallace Sewell) were briefed to incorporate royal purple, a strident shade unlikely to be “serene” if emphasised. So it’s subsumed here amid others, representing connecting lines and suggesting train movements digitally represented in some futuristic signal box.

At Paddington, we board a Circle or Hammersmith & City line train heading east. We are now on one of the “cut-and-cover” lines just below street level. If you don’t know which lines are sub-surface, the moquette on those trains tells you. The colours of the small rectangles set against a black background denote the Circle, H&C, District and Metropolitan lines.

Moquette has a pile – tufts – that can be left as loops or cut for a more vivid colour and a velvety texture, and this sub-surface one is entirely cut, so it is not as hard-wearing as others. The seats near the doors (the most popular ones) are badly worn, with the backing fabric “grinning through”, to use the technical term. I am assured there are “big plans” to address this.

At King’s Cross we head south on the Piccadilly line to Covent Garden and the London Transport Museum. In the cafe, we sip the museum’s excellent coffee while sitting on seats covered with their own special moquette, which is red and green in homage to Frank Pick. In the museum shop, moquettes past and present are for sale as bags, cushions, pouffes and so on. That Londoners are willing to pay to have a symbol of public transport in their homes is a tribute to the legacy of Pick. As the man himself said: “The quality of our surroundings contributes to the quality of our own lives.”

Andrew Martin’s novel, The Moquette Mystery, is published by Safe Haven. To support the Guardian, order your copy at guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply

The festive season is one of the busiest times for travel, and it’s handy to know your rights when it comes to getting a refund and compensation for any delays or cancellations you may encounter

The Christmas period is famously one of the most chaotic times for travel, with thousands of Brits hopping on planes or trains to reunite with family and friends, whether that’s within the UK or abroad. With travel disruption already anticipated in the run-up to Christmas, it’s essential to understand your entitlements regarding refunds and compensation should you face any delays or cancellations.

Multiple strikes have already been confirmed, threatening to cause significant disruption to holiday travel. Approximately 200 check-in and baggage handling workers employed by easyJet at London Luton Airport are set to strike during the final two weekends of December amid an ongoing pay row.

Meanwhile, Heathrow Airport is bracing itself to handle seven million passengers across its four terminals throughout the festive period. It has also emerged that Friday, 20 December, and Sunday, 28 December, are set to be the busiest days for UK airports.

Furthermore, National Rail has confirmed there will be “planned essential engineering works and upgrades taking place as Network Rail works to improve the railway” over the festive period. There may also be reduced services, with some train operators making alterations to their schedules.

So if you’re journeying during the hectic festive season and encounter delays or cancellations, here’s your complete guide to refunds and compensation entitlements.

Flight refunds

If your flight gets cancelled while you’re travelling to or from the UK, you’re legally entitled to either a refund or an alternative flight to your destination, according to MoneySavingExpert. However, there are a few key points that passengers should be aware of:

• The airline is responsible, even if your booking was made through an online travel agency
• If you booked a package holiday, the responsibility lies with the tour operator
• You’re entitled to an alternative flight at the earliest opportunity, and it doesn’t need to be with the same airline
• You can request a different flight, but don’t go ahead and book one yourself

Moreover, if your flight is significantly delayed, which could range from two to four hours, Citizens Advice states that the airline must provide you with:

• Food and drink
• Access to phone calls and emails
• Accommodation if you’re delayed overnight – along with transport between the airport and hotel

For more details, you can visit the Citizens’ Advice website. It’s also advisable to check directly with your airline to see if you qualify for a refund.

Flight compensation

When it comes to flight compensation for delays or cancellations on journeys to or from the UK, the rules can vary. It’s crucial to remember that even if an airline offers a credit note in lieu of a refund, you’re entirely within your rights to demand a cash reimbursement, potentially of up to £520.

As outlined by MoneySavingExpert, under the UK/EU flight delay compensation scheme, certain flights qualify for compensation at a fixed rate. For your flight to be eligible, it must satisfy the following conditions:

• Your flight arrived more than three hours late at its destination
• The flight was scheduled in the past six years
• The delay was the airline’s fault

You may also be eligible for compensation if you were unable to board your flight due to overbooking.

MoneySavingExpert highlights that compensation under EU/UK regulations concerns the “inconvenience of a delay”, rather than reimbursement of the ticket cost. The amount you could claim depends on how long your delay lasted and the distance of your journey.

Furthermore, what matters is your arrival time, not your departure time. Travellers become eligible for compensation when their flight lands more than three hours after the scheduled arrival time.

To determine if you qualify for compensation, you should check directly with your airline.

Rail refunds

National Rail states that if your train experiences delays or cancellations and you choose not to travel, you can secure a refund for your unused ticket without facing any fees from the original seller. If you purchased your ticket from a railway company, their contact information can be found on National Rail’s Find a Train Company page.

Furthermore, it’s worth noting that tickets purchased from self-service machines at stations often include instructions on how to request a refund.

Train compensation

Regarding compensation for rail journeys, National Rail confirms that passengers who arrive late at their destination due to cancelled or delayed services may be eligible to claim money back directly from the train operator.

National Rail states that eligibility depends on several factors:

• Train company you travelled with – different companies have different guidelines, but they all offer compensation
• Type of train ticket – compensation is calculated differently depending on the ticket purchased
• Length of the delay – each train company has its own “compensation threshold”

The most effective way to establish whether you qualify for train travel compensation is to check directly with the operator you booked through. Claims can usually be submitted online, and sometimes via post, or even through designated staff at stations.

For further details, you can visit the National Rail website.

BUDGET airlines are rarely charging their lowest advertised baggage fees, a new study has revealed.

Consumer group Which? analysed the cost of travelling with a cabin bag designed to fit in an overhead locker on a total of nearly 1,500 easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air flights.

These were spread across eight popular routes for each airline, and included peak and off-peak dates.

EasyJet’s website states it charges “from £5.99” for a cabin bag, but Which? said it found no price that low among the 520 flights it checked.

The cheapest price found was £23.49, and the average was £30.

Analysis of Ryanair found its lowest advertised cabin bag rate of £12 was only available for two out of 634 flights.

And Wizz Air’s lowest stated cabin bag price at the time of the research was €15 (£13.11), but that cost was only found twice across 338 flights.

The average fees found for Ryanair and Wizz Air were £20.50 and £28.93 respectively.

Which? said it handed its findings to regulator the Advertising Standards Authority as they “deserved to be called out”.

Travelling with a bag only in the overhead lockers is “likely to be considered an essential by many passengers,” they added.

It claimed airlines’ “failure to provide transparent fees” means consumers “don’t know what they are paying” until they have gone through multiple stages of the booking process.

Rory Boland, editor of magazine Which? Travel, said: “Our research shows that the tens of millions of passengers who need to take a cabin bag will pay much more than the cheapest price advertised.

“Rather than a few pounds, prices for bags can often be more than the flight itself.

“The tactics used by these airlines deserve to be called out.

“That’s why we have shared our findings with the regulator.”

A spokesperson for easyJet said its bag options and pricing are “transparent and well understood by our customers”.

It added that they allow passengers to “pay for only what they want”.

Ryanair said in a statement that the number of flights analysed was “too small to be representative or accurate”, adding that its cabin bag prices are “transparent and optional”.

A Wizz Air spokesperson said its prices “vary by route, season and demand”, and insisted it is “fully compliant with consumer protection laws”.

In August, Ryanair said it planned to raise bonuses for staff who spot passengers attempting to take oversized bags on flights, from €1.50 (£1.31) to €2.50 (£2.18) per bag.

At the time, the airline’s chief executive Michael O’Leary said he made “absolutely no apology” for catching people “scamming the system”.

Airlines are now offering “bundled fees” to make extra money.

And here are some of our tip tricks to avoiding luggage fees as well as seat fees.

An investigation by consumer group Which? has raised questions about how available the cheapest claimed cabin bag fees advertising by budget airlines are in reality

Advertising watchdogs are investigating claims about easyJet’s cabin bag fees.

The budget airline says passengers can take a bag on board from just £5.99 each way. But researchers from consumer group Which? were unable to find the price when they searched 520 easyJet options. The cheapest it found was £23.49, and the average £30 – about five times more expensive than the lowest price claimed. And as the cabin bag fees are one way, for most passengers the cost would be doubled when returning home from their trip.

The finding prompted Which? to lodge a complaint with the Advertising Standards Authority, and it is now being investigated.

A spokesperson for easyJet said: “EasyJet’s bag options and pricing is transparent and well understood by our customers, allows them to pay for only what they want and no more and enables us to keep fares low for everyone. This year 100 million passengers are choosing to fly with us and with our customer satisfaction scores up year on year, it’s clear that customers continue to value the choices that we offer.”

Which? also looked for Ryanair’s claimed lowest cabin bag price of £12 each way, and says it only found it available twice out of 634 flights – or just 0.3% of the time. The average fee for Ryanair was £20.50, it says.

It was a similar story for Wizz Air’s 15 euro claim, that Which? found was available just twice on the 338 flights checked.

Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, said: “Our research shows that the tens of millions of passengers who need to take a cabin bag will pay much more than the cheapest price advertised – rather than a few pounds, prices for bags can often be more than the flight itself. “The tactics used by these airlines deserve to be called out, that’s why we have shared our findings with the regulator.”

Ryanair hit back strongly to the claims against it, branding the Which? research “total rubbish”. A spokesperson said: “Ryanair operates over 100,000 flights each month or over 1.2million flights annually so your ‘survey’ of just 600 flights is statistically too small to be representative or accurate.”

A Wizz Air spokesperson said: “Wizz Air flies over 75 million passengers each year, so a sample of 350 flights isn’t representative of cabin bag pricing across our full network. “Given the small sample and the fact we’ve had no visibility of the data, we believe it is potentially misleading.”

This Christmas Eve, slide into one of the wooden booths at chef-owner Keith Corbin’s sunlit restaurant in West Adams or order the restaurant’s signature California soul plates to complete your holiday spread at home. The regular menu with black-eyed pea fritters, smoked chicken and sausage gumbo and fried chicken with house-made Fresno hot sauce will be available for dine-in alongside the full beverage menu, with a wine list that highlights BIPOC and women producers, and cocktails including a creative limoncello martini. For those who prefer to enjoy the soulful spread at home, choices include smoked honey butter ham and house-smoked brisket with smoked apple barbecue sauce as mains; sides like cornbread bites, mac and cheese and brown-buttered candied yams; and banana pudding and brown-butter chocolate chip cookies for dessert. Catering orders must be placed online by Dec. 21 and will be available for pickup or delivery on Christmas Eve. Last-minute Christmas Eve takeout orders can also be placed via GrubHub. Adams Wine Shop, the restaurant’s neighboring bottle shop, will be open on Christmas Eve for those who need a last-minute host gift, with mulled wine kits available for purchase.

YOU don’t have to compromise on the quality of hotels when visiting London.

Stay at the Leonardo Royal Hotel Tower Bridge for a luxurious city stay with delicious breakfast buffet, huge rooms with comfy beds and panoramic views of London from floor to ceiling windows.

Where is Leonardo Royal Hotel London Tower Bridge?

As the name suggests, this hotel is in Tower Bridge, and is just minutes away from London’s most iconic attractions like the Tower of London. 

While it’s the perfect spot to explore some of the most iconic landmarks in the country, you won’t hear any of the noise you’d expect from being in the heart of the city.

The hotel is tucked away behind the busy streets, and I can confirm you’ll get a great night’s sleep.

It’s within walking distance to Tower Bridge (of course), The Shard, Leadenhall Market and the Sky Garden. The nearest tube station is Tower Hill, or Aldgate, and the hotel is a 10 minute walk from Fenchurch Street Station.

What is the hotel like?

The Leonardo Royal Hotel London Tower Bridge is contemporary and luxurious, but cosy too.

Inside the revolving doors, you’ll enter the lobby which is decorated with a huge seasonal display and the diffusers around the hotel make it smell incredible.

There’s an area for guests to relax with velvet sofas and brown leather armchairs. For those who are working, you’ll find desk areas with USB chargers.

What is there to do there?

Aside from the obvious tourist spots to visit, you can actually spend time having a great time in the hotel itself.

Underneath the hotel is a huge 25metre heated swimming pool with an infinity-edge spa pool, sauna and steam room.

For guests who want to make their experience extra special, check out the four pamper packages on offer, and spa treatment menu.

What is there to eat and drink there?

Of course you can head out into London during the evening for a bite to eat, but you can always stay in at Leo’s Restaurant.

I tried the delicious lemon and thyme herb chicken with roasted tomatoes, mushrooms and crispy chips.

The pot roast pork belly with Sauerkraut, mash and crackling which comes in a little hot pot, was also a favourite.

Make sure to check out the dessert menu for sticky toffee date pudding or white chocolate cheesecake.

There’s also a lengthy list of cocktails and a wine list, I enjoyed a refreshing glass of the Pink Flamingo grenache rosé.

In the morning, head back into Leo’s to eat from the huge breakfast buffet. It has everything to set you up for the day from continental options like yoghurt and fruit as well as cured meats and cheese.

For something more filling, there’s a selection of hot food like sausages, eggs, baked beans, bacon, tomatoes, mushrooms and a separate omelette station. You can fill up on as much tea and coffee as you’d like too.

What are the rooms like?

There are 370 spacious rooms ranging from a Superior Room with a double bed to the very impressive suites.

Each room comes with Wi-Fi, air conditioning, a hair dryer, television, tea & coffee station, as well a work space, and an ensuite 

Executive rooms and suites have extra perks, including a mini fridge with water and snacks, fluffy towel robes and slippers.

Executive guests also get 20 per cent off spa treatments, and access to the lounge which serves breakfast, dinner, as well as nibbles, soft drinks and coffee and tea throughout the day.

I was lucky enough to stay in a suite on the top floor, which has floor to ceiling windows and an incredible cityscape view across Tower Bridge to the Shard.

You can also see the beautiful skyline on your way up to the room in the glass lift.

Is Leonardo Hotel Brighton family-friendly?

Families can book into the larger Superior Room with two queen beds (sleeping up to four guests), cots can be added to rooms upon request. For connecting or adjoining rooms contact the hotel directly to request them.

Children are welcome in the pool from 9-11AM and 4-7.30PM – outside of these hours it’s 16+ only.

Is there access for guests with disabilities?

Yes, guests with accessibility needs will find rooms designed for wheelchair access, built to the highest specifications. 

The hotel has lifts to all floors and features like accessible bathrooms and toilets.

The Room rate for a superior rooms starts from £170 – see https://www.leonardohotels.co.uk/ for more.

For even more Leonardo hotels, check out this one in Brighton that’s the perfect base to explore the seaside city.

Plus, one Sun Writer checked into London’s cheapest hotel room and slept like a baby.

If you’re looking for the best Christmas market to visit this month then the good news is Hoppa has done the research for you and worked out the cheapest place to get into the Christmas spirit.

The airport transfer specialists have been analysing dozens of European winter getaway destinations, looking at the average cost of accommodation, reading the Tripadvisor reviews and adding up the price of a pint.

And the European spot that is the most cheap and cheerful this Christmas is…Prague! I must say I have to agree with them as I was lucky enough to travel to the picturesque city of Prague two years ago in the run up to Christmas and it probably is the most Chrismassy place I’ve been to.

With its stunning buildings, cobblestone streets, and historic Old Town Square, Prague is a pretty great place to visit all year round – especially in December when the Christmas lights are twinkling and locals are chanting traditional Czech carols.

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It has an iconic Gothic Church, a 20-Metre Christmas tree and is circled by dozens of wooden chalets selling everything from Trdelník (chimney cake) to Czech Marionettes (hand painted ornaments) and puppets.

And alongside a very good-looking Christmas market, you can expect to find a rather impressive 4,811 attractions to keep you amused. Scoring 7.5 out of 10, the average cost of a 3-star hotel in Prague is just £74 and the average cost of a pint is £2.17 according to secretldn.com

There are also some great restaurants where you can sit down and enjoy very reasonably priced food and drink while you people watch. You can expect to pay around 250-400 CZK (approx. £8 to £14) for a dinner with drinks, with street food being even cheaper.

And there’s so much choice – from classic dishes like Goulash, Svíčková (beef in cream sauce) or Vepřo knedlo zelo (pork, dumplings, sauerkraut) to mulled wine and roasted nuts.

In fact, the Christmas market is so picture-perfect, it’s been named the most photographed Christmas market in Europe, according to various media outlets and Prague City Tourism.

There’s still plenty of time to visit – the market runs annually from late November through early January, transforming the square into a fairy-tale scene dominated by the soaring Gothic towers of Týn Church and the Astronomical Clock.

One of the best things is that it might only be a two-hour flight from the UK but once your feet firmly land in the Old Town Square, you feel like you’ve stepped into the past. And you can get there for as little as £27 return (if you book it far enough in advance) leaving plenty leftover for a few £2 pints of Czech lager.

The 10 most affordable European winter getaway destinations:

1. Prague, Czech Republic
2. Bansko, Bulgaria
3. Sofia, Bulgaria
4. Budapest, Hungary
5. Tallinn, Estonia
6. Kraków, Poland
7. Tirana, Albania
8. Belgrade, Serbia
9. Bratislava, Slovakia
10. Vilnius, Lithuania

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