holiday

For all those in search of pop star-infused festive cheer, Mariah Carey’s Holiday Bar opened earlier this month at the Mondrian Hotel’s Skybar.

The pop-up’s Los Angeles debut is steeped with the signature seasonal touch from the Queen of Christmas — neon signs of her lyrics light up the room, massive portraits of the star fill the space and every single song that plays — holiday-themed or not — is from Carey’s discography. (Disclaimer: “All I Want For Christmas Is You” does play every 30 minutes.)

“For as long as I’ve known Christmas, Mariah has always been there. It signals to me that childlike wonder and excitement of Christmas time that kind of harkens back to when I was a kid,” said Cathy Kwon, who was posing for a photo on the decorative sleigh. “The fact that the song itself [‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’] has stayed this popular for this long is remarkable.”

Ever since releasing her holiday album, “Merry Christmas,” in 1994, Carey has established herself as a permanent fixture in the holiday season. Every year, the 56-year-old singer has gift-wrapped a new festivity for her fans.

Last year, she embarked on Mariah Carey’s Christmas Time tour to celebrate the album’s 30th anniversary and this year, she’s doing a Vegas residency called “Christmastime in Las Vegas.” She’s also previously hosted several holiday specials for Apple TV and CBS. And nearly every year, her modern holiday classic, “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” climbs to the top of the charts.

Mariah Carey’s Holiday Bar will be open until Dec. 28.

(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)

For her holiday bars, she partnered with the event company Bucket Listers to open four locations across the country, in Los Angeles, New York City, Miami and Las Vegas. The WeHo bar is complete with endless photo ops, including life-size cutouts and large-scale holiday-themed portraiture of the “Obsessed” singer, as well as cocktails featuring her own liqueur company, Black Irish. The bar’s pool is filled with candy cane floaties, twinkling Christmas trees decadently line every walkway and bursts of soapy snow fly through the air (occasionally landing in a cocktail or two).

Bucket Listers founder Andy Lederman says the demand for this experience has “surpassed every expectation” that the company had.

“She’s the queen of Christmas. Outside of Santa Claus and the Grinch, I don’t know if there’s anything more iconic,” Lederman said. “There’s really nothing like her during this time of year. It gives you such a great feeling to be able to celebrate her and to be a part of her wonderland with the people you love.”

Though Carey has since built out her holiday world far beyond its original soundtrack, many of the bar’s patrons came to indulge in the nostalgia provided by the 1994 holiday album. The record is a 10-track collection of reworked classic holiday covers and a handful of originals, offering a diverse selection of love songs, traditional festive tunes and modernized religious hymns.

Shannon Armah was sitting in the bar, catching up with a group of friends. The Miracle Mile resident grew up with the Mariah Carey Christmas album on repeat and describes early memories of listening to its songs in a car seat. To her, it’s the perfect balance of “fun and playful music” and music that is rooted in the religious “reason for the season.”

“We went to a Baptist church growing up, so hearing the gospel influence in the album is reminiscent of our usual Sunday experience,” Armah said. “It was very relatable. It also taps into the ‘90s nostalgia and brings back that feeling of simpler times.”

Maria Castillo takes a picture of Amanda Rico at the pop-up Mariah Carey Holiday Bar at the Mondrian Hotel.

(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)

Beyond being played in almost every festive setting, the eternally cheery earworm has tied for yet another record this year. Despite its release 31 years ago, the single currently sits at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It is now tied with Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” and Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus for most weeks on top. The track is also Carey’s 19th No. 1 on the Hot 100, the most for any solo artist.

Anthony Escalante, a real estate agent and manager of a luxury retail store, came to the Christmas bar dressed in his holiday best — a well-fitted, all-white vest and matching pants. He says he admires Carey’s holiday music for its ability to tell a story beyond the typical seasonal festivities.

“She’s the pioneer of reinventing modern Christmas songs,” said Escalante. “She speaks beyond a generic Christmas. [‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’] is about experiencing a holiday without the love of your life. She sets a tone for something that is more than just another Christmas song.”

People attend the pop-up Mariah Carey Holiday Bar at the Mondrian Hotel.

(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)

The track’s ability to amass popularity year after year is what makes it one of the few contemporary holiday classics. Decked out in their Carey holiday apparel, Sara Rushton and Benji Flowers credit the singer as being one of the few pop stars to successfully put a modern twist on Christmas.

“Growing up, everything Christmas was old-fashioned. Christmas movies were really old, and there wasn’t really a new version of Christmas for millennials, or postmillennials,” said Rushton, who received her first Carey record in her stocking as kid. “But Mariah was someone who celebrates Christmas in a different festive way.”

Flowers, who works as a yoga instructor, looks to the pop star as one of the last exciting elements of the season. He proposes that the Mariah Carey bars should stay open all year, as Carey’s discography can lend itself to more than just the holiday season.

“I do think that it could be like a year-round thing, and they could have seasonal changes to it. She has a song for every moment in life. She’s got slow romantic songs and heartbreak. She’s got hip-hop and old disco. I mean, I can go on and on,” Flowers said. “It’s not a bad idea. At night, it could be all about the EDM remixes of her songs.”

Mariah Carey’s Holiday Bar will be open until Dec. 28.

This past week, my dear friend Bob and I went to Griffith Park in search of a little bit of holiday magic in the hillsides. We were looking for bright red toyon.

In the fall and winter, toyons produce iconic red berries, a signal that the temperatures are lowering around L.A. and that winter is coming.

“Though the most common name ‘toyon’ is thought to be a Spanish alteration of the plant’s Ohlone name (“totcon”), Indigenous peoples around California have given the plant many names,” according to environmental nonprofit TreePeople. “It has also more recently been referred to as ‘California holly’ or even ‘Christmas berry’ due to it’s similar appearance to English holly in the winter months.”

For many Angelenos, myself included, toyon brings about a warm sense that the winter holidays are nearing too.

“During the fall season, after several months of growing and maturity, toyon fruits change color from green to red; it’s a signal to birds and other larger animals that a meal is ready for them,” wrote Jorge Ochoa, a professor of horticulture at Long Beach City College. “It is also during the fall that the hills of Griffith Park are adorned with striking red colors reflecting the many toyon plants growing in the hills of the park.”

Although Los Angeles County is warmer in the winter and thus doesn’t produce iconic scenes of a winter wonderland, you can easily drive nearby and find it, whether it’s by hiking past toyons, frolicking in the mountain snow or, as you’ll see here, catching a cosmic light show during Hanukkah.

If L.A. is your ho-ho-home for the holidays, I hope visiting these three natural places below helps you catch the holiday spirit, regardless of how you celebrate. Let’s sleigh these trails! (I had to!)

Bright red toyon berries in Griffith Park.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

1. For red berry bliss: Griffith Park’s Five Points-Beacon Hill Loop

The Five Points-Beacon Hill Loop is a six-mile moderate hike past several toyon trees, laurel sumac and California black walnut (with bright yellow leaves at the moment).

Friends of Griffith Park developed that trail option as part of the Griffith Park Explorer, 15 routes along more than 50 miles of trails in L.A.’s outdoor sanctuary. As someone who has gotten lost (or just forgot where I parked) in Griffith Park more than I will readily admit, I am grateful for these efforts.

Also, the Griffith Park Explorer makes it easy to discern which trails will provide the best red berry bliss! If you’d like to determine the best trail for your physical conditioning that has toyons, you can look at iNaturalist, a citizen science app, to see where toyons grow in the park and match that with the best Explorer trail.

That’s how I identified the Beacon Hill loop. As Bob and I started our hike, I quickly spotted red berries on the hillside. We also savored the quiet that Griffith Park offers just before sunset as the hillsides become blanketed in yellow, orange and scarlet light. At Beacon Hill, I paused and took in the clear views that winter brings. I felt grateful to be here now, which, to me, evokes gratitude and joy, two essential elements of the winter holiday season.

Distance: A six-mile loop
Elevation gained: About 1,200 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Dogs allowed? Yes
Accessible alternative: Bette Davis Picnic Area

The snow-covered road to the Buckhorn Campground in Angeles National Forest in 2024. The campground is a common spot for anyone near L.A. who wants to snowshoe and frolic in the powder.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

2. For snow-dappled trees: Buckhorn Campground trail

The Buckhorn Campground in Angeles National Forest is a special place to me, bringing me and my family joy every season. In the winter, it is often covered in snow, as it sits above 6,000 feet in the San Gabriel Mountains.

Crunching over the snow-covered road into the campground this past March — the campground is closed for camping in the winter — I was transported back into a childlike sense of wonder. The evergreen conifers towered above, like giant Christmas trees for squirrels, deer and bobcats.

The view of the snowy mountains near Mt. Hawkins from Angeles Crest Highway in the Angeles National Forest on Nov. 23.

(Raul Roa / Los Angeles Times)

If you celebrate Kwanzaa, Buckhorn would be a great place to visit to observe multiple of the seven principles, including unity, as you and your friends and family slog through the elements together. (Microspikes recommended!)

And if you can’t make it up to the mountains, but still want to observe Kwanzaa with community, the annual Unity Run/Walk is scheduled for Dec. 27 at Balboa Park in San Diego. Either way, you can be in a natural environment hopefully in unity with each other and nature.

Distance: Varies
Elevation gained: 300 to 500 feet
Difficulty: Easy to lower-level moderate
Accessible alternative: Large turnouts after snow along Highway 2 east of Camp Valcrest

A Perseid meteor streaks low in the sky in this 16-second exposure, as seen from White Tank campground in Joshua Tree National Park early on Aug. 12, 2024.

(Raul Roa / Los Angeles Times)

3. For cosmic candlelight: Joshua Tree National Park

On Dec. 21, during the second to last night of Hanukkah (and also the start of the winter solstice), the Ursids meteor shower will peak, allowing anyone watching to see around five to 10 meteors per hour, according to the American Meteor Society.

If you’re celebrating Hanukkah, you can experience your own cosmic Festival of Lights as the sky lights up during the meteor shower at Joshua Tree National Park. I checked, and there are still several campsites available at the park on the peak night. It’s also a great place to celebrate the winter solstice, lighting a campfire (if allowed under fire restrictions) and taking in the natural elements. There are endless hiking options too.

If you want to camp closer to home, you could try Chilao Campground in Angeles National Forest for a darker sky option. (Chilao is at 5,300 elevation, and it’ll be cold. And it is sometimes closed because of snow.) To check whether it’s open, you can call the Angeles National Forest office in Acton at (661) 269-2808. The office is generally closed Wednesday and Thursday, so another option is to call the Gateway District office at (818) 899-1900.

Either way, be prepared for an awe-inspiring light show, a beautiful way to be together with the people you love (who can also keep you warm, in body and spirit).

Happy holidays to you, my dear Wilder!

3 things to do

Members of Paddle LA and OC participate in annual Christmas paddles near Long Beach, dressing in festive costumes.

(David Sanchez)

1. Paddle past pretty lights in Long Beach
Paddling LA and OC will host an evening paddle from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday through Alamitos Bay to observe holiday lights near the water. Guests are encouraged to don holiday costumes and light up their boards with good cheer. All skill levels are welcome, but paddlers need to be comfortable in the water after dark and around slow-moving boats. Register at eventbrite.com.

2. Secure Fido’s ranger badge in Calabasas
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area will host its B.A.R.K. Holidays event from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at the King Gillette Ranch visitor center. Dogs and their owners can visit ranger-led booths and take part in a special swearing-in ceremony where pups will earn their official B.A.R.K. Ranger badge. Learn more at the park’s Instagram page.

3. Hike among native plants in Sylmar
Scorpio Gardens, a queer, Latinx-owned native plant landscape design company, will host a hike along the May Canyon trail from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday at Veterans Memorial Community Regional Park in Sylmar. Guests will first be guided in mindfulness and stretching before heading onto the trail. Hike leaders will help participants with native plant identification, discussing the roles the plants play in the larger San Fernando Valley ecosystem. The event is free, but donations are welcome. Register at eventbrite.com.

The must-read

(Ruthy Kim / For The Times)

In highlighting these hikes and natural places where you can celebrate the holidays, I don’t want to seem oblivious or excessively positive. It would be a massive understatement to say it has been a hard year for L.A. “In the past 12 months, we’ve witnessed homes destroyed by fire, families broken up by ICE, skyrocketing anti-trans hate and massive layoffs across the entertainment and media industries leaving thousands in our city unemployed,” wrote Times staff writer Deborah Netburn. Amid all this devastation, it is even more important to try to find joy. That was the message Netburn heard from experts she spoke to about how to still find joy this holiday season in L.A. Joy is an essential element of our lives, refilling our tanks not only to help us survive but also to keep doing good in the world. “The purpose of oppression, hatred and discrimination is to disconnect us and dehumanize us,” said Thema Bryant, a psychologist and minister at First AME Church in Los Angeles. “It is an act of resistance to say, ‘I’m not going to give all my peace to those who are working to stress me out.’”

Happy adventuring,

P.S.

For almost 20 years, the Mojave Desert Land Trust has worked to preserve prime desert habitat, protecting more than 125,000 acres of California desert. Recently, the trust acquired 1,280 acres at the entrance to Mojave Trails National Monument, a massive swath of federal land south of Mojave National Preserve that had been suffering from illegal dumping, graffiti and more. If you’d like to help support the trust’s efforts to protect the desert, consider attending a fundraiser at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Last Bookstore in Studio City. Barret Baumgart, author of “Yuck,” and Josh Jackson, author of “The Enduring Wild,” will discuss their books that underscore the importance of protecting our diverse desert landscape. Guests can imbibe free beer and buy signed books and limited-edition desert posters and tote bags. Half of sales will support the trust. 🏜️

For more insider tips on Southern California’s beaches, trails and parks, check out past editions of The Wild. And to view this newsletter in your browser, click here.

JET2 has teamed up with Eurocamp to launch holiday park packages for the first time.

The new holiday park deals with Jet2holidays will launch from summer 2026.

Eurocamp – the UK’s leading European outdoor family holiday specialist – has parks across France, Italy and Croatia.

Each package includes return flights with Jet2 as well as 22kg baggage, 10kg carry-on baggage, car hire and accommodation.

In total, 32 parks have been chosen with locations ranging from pretty beaches to beautiful mountains and lakes.

The destinations can be found in the Paris area, South of France, Dordogne, Provence, Roussillon and Languedoc in France, Sardinia and Lake Garda in Italy and the Istrian Coast and Dalmatia Coast in Croatia.

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You can leave the towels and bed linen at home too, as they are also included.

There will be a range of two and three bed mobile homes to book and each site will also have entertainment and activities.

Whilst the sites do differ, a lot of them do have pools and outdoor activities to choose from.

There are also different levels of accommodation to choose depending on your budget.

The most affordable is the Classic option, which are self-catered homes on the lower end of the price scale.

However the most popular option is Comfort, one level up from this.

Or you can splash out on Premium, Premium Exclusive, Ultimate or Ultimate Plus.

These all have extras such as free WiFi, larger living areas and outdoor spaces, or private hot tubs.

Jet2 boss Steve Heapy the launch was to offer “unforgettable outdoor holidays across Europe with Jet2holidays”.

He added: “We know just how popular Eurocamp is, and we are very confident that its appeal, together with the perks of a Jet2holidays package, will mean that this new proposition is a huge success.”

Ross Matthews, chief marketing officer at Eurocamp: “For this launch, we have curated a selection of 32 standout locations from our wider European network, chosen for their quality, location and strong alignment with Jet2holidays’ routes, pairing our premium outdoor accommodation with Jet2holidays’ award-winning service and flight network.

“Together, we are introducing an exciting new way for UK holidaymakers to discover Europe’s most beautiful regions.”

Eurocamp has 400 parks in total across a number of European destinations including France, Italy, Spain and Portugal.

It’s latest expansion included 16 new sites across France.

Most of the parks tend to be self-catering and families can participate in a number of activities such as swimming, sports and games.

In other holiday park news, there’s a UK holiday park that’s a ‘better value Center Parcs’ with Christmassy Blue Lagoon and kid elf uniforms.

Plus, Center Parcs confirms opening date for newest UK holiday resort – its first in nearly 15 years.

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!”

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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.

THE last time Britain had a white Christmas was 15 years ago – and its unlikely to be one this year either.

But there is one way of guaranteeing one in the UK thanks to a holiday lodge that has a sneaky way to make sure you have snow.

You can get festive quite easily with cosy log fires, a cup of mulled wine, and a classic Christmas dinner.

But there’s one thing that would make it that extra special – a blanket of snow outside.

And Holiday Lodges have announced a stay that will actually guarantee snow – thanks to hidden snow machines throughout.

Tucked away in the heart of Wales is its White Christmas Lodge where in December guests will wake up to snow outside.

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The description reads: “From the moment you arrive, you’ll step into a winter wonderland. Fully decked out in Christmassy decor and covered in snow”.

The lodge sleeps up to eight people and has its own hot tub, games room, cosy living and dining room along with icy lake views and you can stay there from £350 per night.

For further festivities, you can add a “decorate-your-own tree” experience or a festive wreath-making class.

In the evening, the kitchen is full-kitted out so you can relax with a cup of hot chocolate, mulled wine or spiced cider.

Not to mention it’s the perfect place to watch movies like Home Alone, Elf and for classic fans, White Christmas.

There might even be a special visit from Santa himself.

The following morning you’ll actually get to see snow falling outside (thanks to the hidden snow machines too).

The lodge has captured attention on social media too. TikTok‘s @_miawootoon said “I feel like it would be the most incredible experience in the world to have a white Christmas – why hasn’t it been done before?”.

@alexandratealeaf added “it looks like it’s straight out of a Christmas movie”.

More details are yet to be announced and the lodge isn’t available for booking quite yet.

But if you’re interested in a stay at the White Christmas Lodge next tear then head here to register your interest at holidaylodges.co.uk.   

For more on Christmas, check out the popular UK attraction with the tallest Christmas tree in the WORLD – and they need a crane to decorate it.

And here are 15 unusual places to see Santa this Christmas from underground mines to water attractions.

EVEN if you enjoy crisp mornings and a bit of snow, it’s hard not to daydream about a sunny break during the British winter. 

You could be looking for a half term getaway with the family or simply trying to escape the UK at its chilliest.

Whatever your motivation, the desire to shed your winter coat is understandable. 

There is a great variety of destinations ranging from long to short-haul which offer a chance to catch some February rays, whether that be in the sizzling tropics or the mild Mediterranean.

We’ve rounded some of these up, along with great deals that will get you there, so that you can chase the sun all year round. 

Agadir, Morocco

Average high temperature: 21C

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Just under four hours from the UK lie the golden sands of Agadir’s crescent-shaped beach. 

The six mile stretch of coast is a hotspot for surfing – but it’s also popular with holidaymakers who simply want to kick back and enjoy the sunshine, which the city gets 300 days of per year. 

And Agadir boasts more than just a beach, with a bustling souk and stunning 16th century ruins adding to the reasons it was named a top travel destination by British Airways in 2025. 

The Sun’s Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey visited and said: “You can easily sunbathe on the beach with highs of 21C in February, and I was easily able to walk around in a t-shirt during the day. Just make sure to bring a jumper for the evening as it can drop to 10C by night.”

Plus, this Moroccan gem is incredibly easy to reach from the UK as most major European airlines offer direct flights from London, Manchester, Edinburgh or Glasgow.

Orlando, Florida

Average high temperature: 24C

Florida benefits from a powerful Atlantic Ocean current which causes warmer water to be brought in from the tropics, which means it’s warm year-round.

With temperatures reaching highs of 24C in February, a tan is definitely on the cards.

It might still be worth packing a brolly, as chances of rain do increase in February with the average total rainfall being 77mm across the month.

That being said, Orlando is home to some of the world’s best theme parks, and February might be one of the best times to visit as you won’t be queueing under the scorching summer sun.

Gran Canaria, Spain

Average high temperature: 21C

Winters in the Canary Islands are balmy, with temperatures regularly surpassing the 20C mark.

Gran Canaria sees little to no rainfall during the whole month of February, making it a safe bet if you want to enjoy outdoor activities like hiking or boat tours for dolphin-watching.

The island boasts over 80 beaches with both white and volcanic black sand, so visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to sunbathing spots.

One of these is Playa de Maspalomas, which was recently named the sunniest beach in Europe due to getting over 10 hours of daily sunshine, even during the winter months. 

Cape Verde

Average high temperature: 25C

As an archipelago off the coast of West Africa, Cape Verde is surprisingly close to the UK in terms of flight-time. 

The six hours it takes to travel from Blighty – and the added benefit of no jet lag – makes it a convenient, mid-haul destination for sunseekers. 

Strong breezes keep the warm temperatures comfortable while also making the islands ideal for activities like windsurfing and kiteboarding. 

“I visited Cape Verde in February, when the sunshine is guaranteed and there is less than a millimetre of rainfall in a month,” said Jacob Lewis. “I was also lucky enough to be around for Carnival, the nation’s biggest annual celebration.”

Of its 10 islands, head to Boa Vista for pristine white-sand beaches, Sal for watersports and Santo Antão for breathtaking landscapes.

Malta

Average high temperature: 16C

If you prefer milder weather, Malta is a fantastic option for a winter trip.

Even with an average high of 16C, it can reach up to 20C on the warmest days. 

You’ll get to enjoy impressive amounts of sunshine while you explore its ancient citadels and lesser-known islands – all without the crowds that arrive during the hottest months. 

February is also the cheapest time to visit, with direct return flights from the UK available for as little as £33 per person. 

Cape Town, South Africa

Average high temperature: 27C

February is Cape Town’s hottest month of the year, and allows you to swap the extremes of UK winter for South African summer. 

It is also one of the driest months, unlike in tropical destinations where you’d run the risk of a shower. 

There are many events happening in February, with the Cape Town Art Fair and the Pride Festival both taking place.

To make it even better, February marks the end of the peak holiday season, so you can make the most of significantly cheaper accommodation and flights.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Average high temperature: 26C

There’s a reason that February is the high season in Dubai. 

The days are pleasantly warm without reaching the sweltering temperatures of a UAE summer, meaning you can better enjoy daytime outings such as tours, water parks or even a desert safari.  

The Sun’s Daniel Tison holidayed in the city in February, saying: “The weather was hot, especially around noon which made the cold sea water very refreshing.”

With its opulent skyscrapers and luxurious resorts, Dubai during this month offers the best of its desert climate.  

The Gambia

Average high temperature: 32C

The hottest place on our list is the unsung nation dubbed ‘the smiling coast of Africa’ – The Gambia.

It has a small Atlantic coastline where soaking up the sun is best done in February, as the month falls within the dry season and guarantees endless sunshine. 

Besides beaches, The Gambia’s diverse natural environment includes savannahs and wetlands, making it a prime destination for nature lovers.

What’s more, it’s a highly accessible country for British travellers, with English as the official language, direct TUI flights and no time difference at all. 

Valencia, Spain

Average high temperature: 16C 

Just over a two-hour flight from the UK is Valencia, with its mild climes that make February feel more like spring than winter. 

Caroline McGuire – The Sun’s Digital Head of Travel – said: “I travelled to Valencia in February half term and the weather was lovely and warm. 

“There’s plenty to see and do for kids and it’s a beautiful city with a gorgeous beach. It wasn’t roasting, but definitely t-shirt and shorts weather – and it beat the 5C back in the UK for sure.”

At this time of year flights can be bagged for just £28 return per person, with budget airlines including easyJet, Ryanair and Vueling all offering direct routes. 

If you’re after a city break rather than a beach escape, Valencia’s striking architecture, vibrant atmosphere and exciting food scene make it an excellent choice for some winter warmth. 

You need to make sure you check before leaving

His Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO) has issued a crucial message to British citizens planning a winter trip abroad. Prospective holidaymakers are urged to make an important check before jetting off, as it could save them a lot of hassle.

In a post to X, formerly Twitter, HMPO said: “Jetting off this winter? Don’t let your passport hold you back! Check your passport’s expiry date today. If you need to renew, it’s not too late to use our urgent services.”

Even if your passport appears in date, it is essential to check the specific entry requirements of your holiday destination to confirm its validity. For travel to Europe and Schengen countries, your passport must be issued within the last 10 years and remain valid for at least three months after your planned date of return.

Australia, China, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates also require that your passport is valid for at least six months from your entry date. Advice issued by the Post Office earlier this year explains: “Different countries have their own rules about passport validity. Some countries might ask that your passport’s valid for your whole time away and even a bit longer, sometimes up to six months.

“If you don’t check these rules, you could run into problems, like not being able to board your flight or being denied entry when you land.”

The most affordable way to obtain a passport is online through the Government’s website, costing £12.50 less than postal applications. Usually, the passport arrives within three weeks, although it may take longer if additional information or an interview is required.

In emergencies, travellers also have the option to apply for an urgent passport using the Government’s one-day premium service or one-week fast track scheme. Both schemes are subject to different criteria and cost more than the standard service.

The one-day premium option is for adults renewing an existing passport. Online applicants pay £222 or £235 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport. Following each application, an appointment will be scheduled, with the earliest booking available two days later.

The Government explains: “You’ll need to hand in your old passport at your appointment. Your new passport will be ready to collect from the passport office four hours after your appointment.”

The one-week fast track option is similarly available to anyone looking to renew their passport, as well as in these specific circumstances:

• You need to get a child’s passport
• You need to replace a lost, stolen or damaged passport
• You need to change the personal details on a passport (your name, place of birth or gender)

The fast track option is more economical, priced at £178 for an adult passport (£191 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport) and £145 for a child passport (or £158 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport). You can schedule an appointment as soon as the day after you submit your application. Typically, the passport arrives about a week later.

However, you are ineligible to apply for either service if you are outside the UK or applying for your first adult passport. The Government also adds: “If you’ve already applied for a passport and have not received it yet, do not pay for an urgent passport.

“You will not get your passport sooner and you will be charged a £32 admin fee for each additional application.”

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KATIE Piper has swapped the Loose Women panel to soak up the sun on Spain’s Costa Brava.

She’s battling it out with two of her ITV co-stars to find out who can organise the best excursions from horse riding to making human towers on The Great Escapers.

Katie Piper, 42, has ditched the gloomy UK weather for a slice of Spain alongside Sunetra Sarker and Denise Welch, so how did she feel about jetting off with her colleagues?

Katie told Sun Travel: “Whether you go away with friends or family, travelling in a group is difficult.

“You want everyone to be having the food they like, doing the trips they like, and everyone has different ideas of fun.

“Then, don’t forget if you throw in a bit of competition and jeopardy as well – it starts out friendly, but everyone wants to win.”

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Katie, Sunetra and Denise headed to Spain to organise the best excursions with the help of Jet2holidays‘ Gio who helped them create the ultimate holiday experience.

Once everyone has completed the excursions, the ladies take a vote to decide whose were the best and who is ‘The Great Escaper’.

For the Loose Women, activities ranged from going horse-riding, to trekking and even spending time on a luxury boat trip.

Katie however avoided the holiday stereotypes and instead, joined in the human tower festival which is a Catalan tradition.

She said: “I wanted to show people local culture and to see what brings people together.

“It happens during some evenings for people of all ages and anyone can get involved – men, women and children. It made me laugh thinking about British culture at 7pm in the evening.”

Katie continued: “We’re watching I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! with a takeaway on the sofa. But in Costa Brava, they come out straight from work and they stand on each other’s shoulders.”

The three ladies tried everything out – but there’s one thing that they couldn’t do.

Katie confessed: “The only thing we didn’t do was fly and flop, we never got a tan. I came back the same white as a sheet colour as when I went out.”

During the trip, Katie stayed in Tossa de Mar, which is on the coast and has pretty beaches, coves and is centred around a walled medieval old town.

Katie is a mum of two, Belle, 11, and Penelope, 7, and heading to the Costa Brava has meant it’s been added to their family’s travel list.

She said: “I think I’ll go back with my girls, the kids will watch the show and go ‘it’s so unfair you got to go’. It’s affordable and accessible, you can go self-catering or stay in an Airbnb – I think we will plan a trip there.”

“I’ve been to other much more touristy Spanish places, like the Costa del Sol.

“The Costa Brava is a bit of a hidden gem, it’s touristy enough to take your kids out and walk on foot to restaurants.

“But it’s not lost its culture, like along the strip there’s lots of architecture like gorgeous churches, cliffs, castles – it’s not neon signs and karaoke. It’s a great place for families as well because it’s such a short flight.”

The fact that the trip to Costa Brava was not a family holiday was a strange experience for Katie.

She said: “Usually any holiday for me is putting the kids first – we go somewhere that serves chicken nuggets.

“Our next holiday will be to Tenerife where there’s a kids’ club and water slides – we’re doing five days during half-term.

“We tend to keep it cheap and stay in and around Europe where the flights are shorter.”

Katie is no stranger to a staycation though, in fact South East of England is where she spent lots of time on holiday.

She told us: “My mum and dad didn’t have a lot of money, so we didn’t really go abroad. Instead, we went Kent most years; Margate, Deal, and Broadstairs.

“We’d watch Punch and Judy on the beach, there would be donkey rides and we’d eat big sticks of rock and go to the arcades – we absolutely loved it.

“Then as I got older, we went away with family friends to Spain, Greece or Portugal. It would be like your typical package holiday and we’d go to the kids’ club all day.

“Looking back I think my mum and dad were drinking all day and then we’d go out at night. They’d let us stay up late and we’d all play card games like Snap and Happy Families.”

For her next trip, Katie and her husband Richard, are planning on keeping it Britain-based too.

She said: “We’re looking into a trip at the moment that we want to do in the Easter which is to go to Scotland.

“We’re trying to plan to do it on the sleeper train because it’s a bit of an adventure to go on a sleeper train and my kids have never done that.

“We’ve got a dog now. We got a puppy this year if we go on a sleeper train, then we can take her on the train with us.”

Watch the Loose Women on The Great Escapers on ITV, Sunday, December 14, at 6PM.

Catch up on previous episodes starring the cast of I’m A Celebrity, Coronation Street and The Chasers on ITVX.

CENTER Parcs has confirmed when its newest holiday park is opening in the UK.

Called Center Parcs Scottish Borders, works will finally start in spring 2026.

But you’ll have to wait a while to visit, with a planned opening date of summer 2029.

The resort – between the towns of Hawik and Selkirk in the south of Scotland – is the newest Center Parcs in the UK for more than a decade.

Inside the park will be a central village with 700 lodges and apartments.

The Village Centre will have all of the shops and restaurants.

Read more on Center Parcs

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And the family-favourite waterpark, Subtropical Swimming Paradise, will also be part of the resort, along with the Aqua Sana Forest Spa.

They are also planting their first forest, to create a new woodland around the park.

Two lochs will also be created, which will host the water sports and activities.

New nature trails, flower meadows and wetlands will be part of the Nature and Heritage Centre.

It is expected to cost £450milllion to build, and eventually attract as many as 350,000 people a year.

Center Parcs’ CEO Colin McKinlay, CEO of Center Parcs, said they were “thrilled” to have planning permission for the new park.

He added: “This village will be truly unique. The scale of the site, the setting and the ability to plant and shape a brand-new forest give us the chance to take a bold step forward in both design and sustainability.”

He said it will also attract a new market, including both Scotland and the North of England.

Mr McKinlay explained: “We’re also pleased to confirm that the new village will be named Center Parcs Scottish Borders. We explored a range of options, but this was the name we kept returning to.

“Put simply, we want the village to be an anchor destination that draws visitors to this wonderful region – and we believe this name will help do exactly that.”

While it is the newest Center Parcs resort in the UK, the most recent one opened in Ireland‘s Longford Forest in 2019.

However the most recent one in the UK was Woburn Forest which opened in 2014.

And the newest Center Parcs currently to Scotland is Whinfell Forest, in Cumbria, which opened in 1997.

Center Parcs also recently revealed its first-ever new treetop adventure attraction.

Here are the new check in rules rolled out at Center Parcs.

Plus, here’s how to bag an affordable Center Parcs stay with your family.

Rick Stein, one of the UK’s leading culinary voices, has written about the time he was robbed as a young man in Mexico whilst travelling the world following a tragic event

Rick Stein has opened up about how he was nearly killed during a terrifying incident abroad. The celebrity chef, now 78, said that after the death of his father by suicide he went abroad going as far away as Australia, the United States, Mexico.

He found it “very special” visiting Mexico and its bars, but things weren’t totally plain sailing. Rick told the Times: “The bars were not exactly glamorous, but there was something very special about drinking ice-cold beer and tequila in a room full of cowboys.

“Having said that, a couple of English lads and I did get robbed in Acapulco. They managed to take our backpacks — we were on the beach — without waking us up, which I was told was quite lucky. If we had disturbed them, they would probably have killed us.”

This isn’t the first time Rick has spoken about the events that shaped his life as a young man and how those experiences transformed him into the man he is today.

In 2020, he was asked by the Guardian how his father’s early death had moulded him as a father to his children and stepchildren.

In response, he said: “It really made me want to be a lot more communicative with my own children. I still think of my dad as being somebody really special in my life.

“I think it’s very confusing…On the whole, my dad was a hero, it’s just that it got really difficult in his depressive phases, very introspective. And I think he took it out on me really.”

Rick added that he had developed a good sense of “not being very good at stuff” and that despite his immense career success that he still sometimes doubts himself.

In the decades since his life travelling the world, Rick has built a multi-million pound empire out of the small Cornish fishing town of Padstow.

However, just like all hospitality business owners in recent years, Rick has been battered by economic headwinds caused by events such as Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis.

Speaking to the London Standard earlier this year, Rick called for more support for the industry.

He said: “I appreciate that the country is not in a good state, but it seems to me a complete ‘home goal’ to target parts of the economy that are not well-equipped to deal with it.

“Hospitality is always taken as slightly second-rate way of the national wealth, but tourism and hospitality are so important.

“The National Insurance increase in the last budget was really hard. It started with the war in Ukraine, and food prices have just continued to increase. It’s a tough business.”