Travel

The Yorkshire town is renowned for its foodie credentials, with independent shops and eateries producing unique and acclaimed products – all sourced locally from the area

Food lovers travel from far and wide to sample the culinary delights of this market town, renowned for its locally sourced produce and skilled artisan makers.

Throughout Malton, you’ll find an abundance of independent shops and eateries crafting distinctive and sometimes award-winning products. Numerous local restaurants and pubs serve up mouth-watering dishes prepared with ingredients sourced from the surrounding area – including seafood from the nearby coast, meat from the moorlands and organic vegetables.

Experience it all at Malton’s Monthly Food Market, where visitors can sample everything from artisan breads to locally crafted beers. Beyond the food, the town also hosts a vibrant marketplace brimming with gifts, homeware, clothing and antiques, ideal for a leisurely browse. The market runs every Saturday from 9am until 4pm, making for a perfect day trip.

The town offers restaurants serving nearly every type of cuisine, from Italian to Indian and classic English pub fare, but topping TripAdvisor’s rankings in Malton is the welcoming pub, The Royal Oak. One recent guest described their visit, saying: “Visited on a very dark, rainy evening and found a lovely, cosy pub with great food and fantastic service.

“The friendly pub atmosphere was made by a great landlord and happy local clientele. Wish we lived closer; would definitely recommend.”

Another highly praised establishment in the town is Forty Six, offering an array of small plates and delectable cocktails. One satisfied diner raved: “This is by far the best place to eat in Malton. The food is great; the staff are first class. I have visited a few times over the last few months and will be visiting again soon.”

For those with an insatiable appetite for culinary exploration, Malton Food Tours provides guided tours allowing you to savour a variety of flavours. You’ll get the chance to meet the passionate individuals behind the food, pop into artisan shops and eateries, and sample the produce firsthand on the second Saturday of every month.

Beyond its beloved gastronomic scene, Malton serves as an ideal base for exploring the breathtaking Yorkshire coastline and the nearby North York Moors National Park. History buffs will also enjoy a trip to the Eden Camp Modern History Theme Museum, a former prisoner of war camp that offers a fascinating journey back in time.

Visitors have praised it as “educational” and “interesting”, with one individual describing it as a “brilliant place full of history and knowledge of what happened in the war”. They added: “Another place we visited on our week in Yorkshire and another great place of history of the war.

“Each hut had so much insight into what happened during the war – a place I would highly recommend to visit.” Spanning 33 huts, visitors can gain a sense of life during the Second World War and appreciate its historical significance, all thanks to the family who made the decision to open this site to the public three decades ago.

The idea of the sea that I grew up with was associated with sundowners and souped-up cars and skipping classes to sunbathe with the models who took over Cape Town’s beaches each summer. As a student, long nights would end, not infrequently, with a swim at sunrise (until, one morning, the police arrived to remind us that sharks feed at dawn). So it’s hardly surprising that, after moving to Norwich to study in my 20s, the British seaside trips I made felt tepid. Cromer, with its swathe of beige sand sloping into water an almost identical colour, seemed to suggest that over here, land and sea were really not that different from one another. That the sea as I’d known it – with all its ecstatic, annihilating energy – was an unruly part of the Earth whose existence was best disavowed.

It was only several years later, burnt out from a soul-destroying job, that I took a week off and boarded a train to Cornwall. I was 25, poor and suffering from the kind of gastric complaints that often accompany misery. With a pair of shorts, two T-shirts and a raincoat in my backpack, I arrived in St Ives and set off to walk the Cornish coastal path.

On my second day, to my surprise, I was joined by an Iranian philosophy student I’d met at my local cafe – perhaps he was lonely and ill at ease too – and we skirted the cliffs in single file talking Hegel and subsisting almost entirely on the blackberries which burst from the verges demanding to be eaten. Beneath us, the sea shifted between being darkly rageful and a blue so pure that, if you squinted, could be the Mediterranean. By day three, we were sleeping together, and by day five, having suddenly become allergic to each other, I carried on alone.

I didn’t discover Portscatho on that trip, but I did discover the pleasures of tracing the Cornish coastline on foot. Which is how, a decade later, coming round the headland of the Roseland peninsula while hulkingly pregnant, I laid eyes – in the next bay – on a group of oddly gentle-looking Georgian houses surrounding a small harbour.

The feeling I had, coming into that village, reminds me of a passage in a Nabokov story, Cloud, Castle, Lake. A bachelor, who’s been forced to go on a communal holiday by the “Bureau of Pleasantrips”, unexpectedly comes upon a configuration of elements – a dark castle overlooking a lake on which a cloud is reflected in its entirety – whose particular arrangement simultaneously reveals and fulfils a longing so deeply buried in himself that, until then, he hadn’t known it existed.

It was late autumn. As the narrow path dropped from the cliffs, the landscape became almost tropical: dry grasses turned into passionflowers. Crepey pink rhododendrons peered from the front gardens of the houses on the outskirts of the village. I remember the clouds that had brooded over the landscape for days suddenly clearing, giving way not to a half-hearted sunshine, but to the kind that makes you want to strip off your clothes and inhibitions and become your true self. In the village square, above a pier, off which a group of children were throwing themselves into the sea, was a pub that spilled on to the pavement, where a group of men sang sea shanties watched by people leaning against the low walls of houses over the road, sipping pints.

Writers, in my experience, prefer disillusionment to transcendence. I, for one, suspected – even as it occurred – that my Cloud, Castle, Lake experience would, on repeat visits, turn out to be false: the product of novelty or pregnancy hormones. And yet, in the decade since – and not a year has passed when I’ve not gone back to Portscatho at least once – it hasn’t lost its sheen.

What does one picturesque seaside village, with its two pubs and its fish and chip shop, its Harbour Club hosting cover bands on Saturday nights, give that another does not? Sometimes, my love for it seems embarrassing. An indictment on my heart. As though, if I were less naive, less needing of tenderness or comfort, I’d give myself over to wilder, more difficult beaches – like Towan Beach, a mile or so further along the coast, whose crescent of empty sand resembles the beaches in New Yorker cartoons where a bearded man washes up to spend eternity eating coconuts.

I should be able to enjoy a wild sea surrounded by nothing but wilderness, rather than a sea, like Portscatho’s, in which one is always a few steps from humanity and the comforts of the low-ceilinged Plume of Feathers, or a chowder cooked by local celebrity chef Simon Stallard (whose latest venture, the Standard Inn, is up the road in Gerrans). Or a grocery shop selling artisanal cheeses and New World wines. Or a gallery with paintings in the style of Georges Braque, instead of the bits of driftwood bric-a-brac and watercolour paintings of boats that wash up in most coastal towns. I ought to join the local wild swimming group for its daily 8am dip without needing the comforts of an espresso from a beachfront coffee bar to warm me afterwards. But, just as ghost stories are best enjoyed from a cosy chair by the fire …

What redeems me, in my own eyes, is my preference for the winter months over the summer ones. I love being in Portscatho when the clocks change, and we’re meant to stay indoors watching whatever’s done well at the Emmys, but are often still on the beach at 5pm when the clear night sky brings out its wares. I love New Year, too, when Stallard cooks up a meal on the slipway – one year it was paella – and everyone gathers for the annual firework display.

I love, best of all, the moment when, turning down the steep road into the village at the end of the long drive from London, I see the Plume, and the two roads extending from either side of it like outstretched arms towards the bay. How the sea, every time I arrive, seems to say: “Here you are, at the edge of the world, you’ve arrived at the end of the place where you’ve carried out your labours, so you can finally relax.”

Katharine Kilalea is the author of OK, Mr Field, published by Faber at £8.99. To support the Guardian, order your copy at guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply.

In the context of beverage pros, you might consider Jason Lee something of a spiritual counselor. He works with restaurants where the culinary viewpoints are exceptionally strong — Baroo, Pijja Palace and n/soto line his résumé — and creates specific, complex cocktails that further integrate those culture-based flavors into the experience. Lee is currently bar director at Darling in West Hollywood, the California debut of nationally acclaimed chef Sean Brock. Like many superlative talents who move to Los Angeles, Brock desires to know fresh terrain, to respectfully reflect the city back to itself through his style of cuisine. Many of us, meanwhile, are simply hankering for a taste of his generation-defining Southern cooking. Let’s consider all this at Darling over one of Lee’s drinks. “Almond” is a deeply savory keeper fusing tequila, sherry, roasted almonds and doenjang, brightened by the herbal liqueur Génépi and lemon. Most cocktails roll closely with the seasons, such as an autumnal warmer involving bourbon, brandy, gooseberries and winter squash distilled to its essence. Come early for a dry-aged steak burger, with a limited run of 24 per night, which makes for top-notch drinking food

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Tour operators are already saddling up, offering Three Lions fans the ‘ultimate match-day adventure’ with packages to watch England play in the World Cup 2026 in Texas

England fans heading to the 2026 World Cup are being tempted with special sporting packages which combine the first game with a trip to a Rodeo and a taste of the ‘Wild West’.

With the Three Lions playing their first match in Texas tour operators are already looking at laying on bespoke holidays to give supporters a ‘once in a lifetime’ adventure. Just a few miles down the road from the game against Croatia in Dallas on June 17 is the city of Fort Worth. There England fans can enjoy some incredible experiences and even become cowboys for the day on special ranches. Two tour operators in Cheshire are already trying to tempt some fans with the ‘ultimate match-day adventure’.

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England’s two super fans Neal Weekes and Fil Sollof have already they would be up for a bit of Wild West Texan fun. A spokesman for one firm said: “Calling All England Fans! The World Cup is coming to Dallas this June and your ultimate match-day adventure starts in the Wild West heart of Texas!

“Forget the usual city break – why not catch England’s group stage in the iconic Dallas (Arlington) stadium and stay in Fort Worth, just a quick ride away? This isn’t just football, it’s a real slice of American adventure…take it from me – Fort Worth is full of surprises and stories to tell!

“Picture this: Wandering the brick streets of Fort Worth’s famous Stockyards, where cowboy boots tap to live country music Sipping legendary Texan moonshine after the match Dining at incredible steakhouses and buzzing local restaurants Exploring unique museums, rodeos, and the welcoming square I’ve fallen in love with on my own visits.

“With rich history, welcoming southern charm, and that genuine cowboy feel, Fort Worth is the perfect home base for your World Cup adventure. I’ll make sure you get the best flights, hotels, and local tips for an experience you’ll never forget.

“Ready to join the Three Lions in Texas style? Drop me a message for match-day packages, handpicked Fort Worth stays, and all the insider info you need for cheering England on in true cowboy fashion!”

Tottenham fans Weekes, 60, and Sollof, 60, will be flying to the US to attend their seventh World Cup together. He laughed: “This sounds brilliant. We always try and do something a bit different around the England matches. It was camels in Qatar!

“A bit of ‘Wild West’ sounds great – it will be a bit different from going to west London to watch Spurs play Chelsea in the ‘80s. But certainly safer Think my bull riding days are over but some cowboy stuff sounds fun. This is going to be a great World Cup.”

British backpackers have been warned that a popular border crossing is off-limits after fighting between Thailand and Cambodia resumed following the failure of a Donald Trump ceasefire deal

British tourists heading along a popular backpacking route have been warned by the Foreign Office after deadly fighting erupted between two neighbouring countries.

Locals in parts of Thailand and Cambodia took shelter last night as the two countries fired a salvo of rockets across the border. Each side has accused the other of breaking a Trump-brokered ceasefire that ended a heated five-day conflict earlier this year.

It came as Cambodia’s senate president Hun Sen pledged a fierce fight against Thailand. And in a sign that neither side was willing to back down, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Cambodia had not yet contacted Thailand about possible negotiations – and that fighting would continue

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Around one million UK nationals visit Thailand every year. And in recent times, it has become a common practice among some travellers to make short trips across the land border to Cambodia by boarding a coach in the Thai capital, Bangkok.

But the border has been closed for much of this year amid the outbreaks of violence, with current UK Foreign Office advice as of this week stating that British nationals should avoid “all but essential travel” to within 31 miles of Thailand’s border with Cambodia. This includes Koh Chang, Koh Kood and other islands in between them.

The advice reads: “Land borders and crossings between Thailand and Cambodia continue to be suspended. Some tourist destinations in border areas such as the Khao Phra Wihan/Preah Vihear temple, the Ta Kwai/Ta Krabey temple and the Ta Muen Thom/Tamone Thom temple are closed. There are also unexploded landmines in the border area. We advise against all but essential travel to the affected border areas.”

While going to an area designated ‘essential travel only’ by the Foreign Office is not illegal, by doing so your travel insurance is likely to be void – even if it works in other parts of the same country that are deemed safe. This means you will personally liable for costs like medical emergencies, cancellations, or repatriation, and it will be generally be much more difficult to get assistance from the British Embassy if anything goes wrong.

Meanwhile, Cambodian senate president Hun Sen said in a statement posted to Facebook and Telegram that his country had refrained from retaliating on Monday but began to fire back at Thai forces overnight. He said: “Cambodia wants peace, but Cambodia is forced to fight back to defend its territory.”

And the Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said that military action was necessary to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty and ensure public safety. He said: “We’ve got to do what we’ve got to do.” He added: “The government will support all kinds of military operations as planned earlier.

Why are Thailand and Cambodia fighting and what was Donald Trump’s role?

The current conflict between Thailand and Cambodia marks an escalation between the two countries over a border dispute dating back several decades, which had up until this year largely resulted in only sporadic clashes.

In May, a Cambodian soldier was killed in one of these clashes – triggering an escalation of tensions that resulted in five days of full-blown conflict in July. At least 48 people were killed and 300,000 displaced as a result.

A peace deal brokered by Donald Trump was signed by the Thai and Cambodian governments in Malaysia in October, with US President having threatened not to make trade deals with either country if they refused the agreemeent. But this week, fighting resumed after the ceasefire was broken – and each side blames the other for shooting first.

Thailand’s military said Cambodia attacked Thai positions with artillery and rocket and drone attacks on Tuesday, having accused it of previous attacks on Sunday and Monday. Cambodia meanwhile claims that Thai forces attacked first, in the Preah Vihear province.

Cambodia’s military announced today that the new round of fighting had killed seven civilians and wounded 20. A Thai military spokesperson said that three soldiers have been killed.

PASSENGERS got their first look at the new Great British Railways trains today, ahead of a full rollout from next spring.

Before the switch up the transportation company’s trains were a standard white with red and yellow accents, and GBR scrawled on the side.

But now the trains have had an impactful makeover starring bold colours and shapes.

The new design features a red, white and blue colour scheme and sharp angles intended to mirror the Union Flag – as well as a striking yellow stripe on the nose.

The GBR logo has also been added to the side of each train, its iconic double arrow motif signifying the company’s proud heritage in getting people to and from where they need to travel.

The release comes as the landmark Railways Bill is being debated in the House of Commons today, and just after the Government made the decision to freeze rail fares for the first time in 30 years.

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The Bill will bring together 17 different transport organisations, in an aim to cut through the bureaucracy that continues to plague the railways, and instead run Britain’s railways as a single organisation for the first time in decades.

The new colour scheme is set to be fully rolled out in spring, cloaking every train.

It will also expand out to the company’s online platforms including their website and ticketing app.

Speaking on the fresh look Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “The future of Britain’s railways begins today.

“I’m immensely proud to unveil the new look for Great British Railways as we deliver landmark legislation to nationalise our trains and reform the railway so it better serves passengers.

“This isn’t just a paint job – it represents a new railway, casting off the frustrations of the past and focused entirely on delivering a proper public service for passengers.”

Travel experts say it’s not too late to book a Christmas getaway and save money as you can cut costs by up to 24% on flights

With Christmas on the horizon, families and solo travellers might fancy ditching the shopping and planning to jet off on a festive break instead. While the countdown is well and truly on and holiday costs are starting to climb, travel experts reckon there’s still an opportunity to snap up a bargain getaway whilst keeping costs down.

Stacey Hamilton, a travel expert at Private Tours England, reckons a brief window in early December presents the prime opportunity for securing an affordable Christmas escape. Even better news – that golden window is now open.

It’s a widespread rumour that December flights come with eye-watering price tags, but fresh research reveals a surprising price drop in the weeks leading up to the festive period, reports the Express.

According to Stacey, the most budget-friendly booking period for Christmas 2025 falls between December 2 and December 17 – a timeframe she claims most holidaymakers completely ignore.

She explained: “People tend to check prices very early or extremely last-minute, but they overlook this eight-to-23-day window where airlines often reduce fares to fill remaining seats. If you want Christmas savings, this is the period you need to keep your eye on.”

What’s the most cost-effective day to secure a Christmas holiday?

Within this sweet spot, Stacey highlighted two particular standout dates: Sunday, December 7 and 14, 2025. She revealed that Sundays consistently deliver below-average prices for both UK and overseas travel, with this pattern being particularly pronounced during the fortnight preceding Christmas.

She said: “Booking on a Sunday is one of the simplest ways to save. In many cases, travellers can cut costs by up to 24% without changing their destination or travel dates.”

Once you’ve secured your booking, Stacey suggests the next move is to pick the right day to jet off. For Christmas 2025, she recommends considering Friday December 12 and 19, two dates that consistently fall within a lower-demand period.

She said: “Flying on a Friday just before the peak Christmas travel week can cut your fare significantly. The 12th and 19th sit at that ideal point where demand hasn’t yet hit its highest level. They’re brilliant for keeping costs down without compromising on dates.”

However, she cautioned that the price rapidly shifts after December 17. She warned: “Once you get inside the final week before Christmas, most airlines increase fares in line with demand.

“Christmas 2025 falls on a Thursday, so that final weekend is going to be extremely busy. If you wait until then, you’ll almost certainly pay more.”

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. 

A NEW attraction in the UK lets you have all the fun of the fairground – just without the loud rides.

Thousands of visitors head to Thursford in Norfolk every winter to enjoy its award-winning £5million show, .

Performed by 130 cast members, its been going strong for nearly 40 years, with millions of people visiting since.

And now there’s a reason for families to visit the site the rest of the year, after they launched a new new adventure play fair earlier this summer.

My family love a themed playground and had high hopes that this would be up there with the woodland whimsy of Lillidorei in the North East, or Bewilderwood, which is about 45 minutes away.

Tucked away down windy country lanes, it was the perfect spot to stop and break our journey on the way to the coast for some autumn R&R.

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The new wooden playground is inspired by a vintage fairground.

Slides, climbing frames and teacup spinners based on retro rides like a carousel, a Ferris wheel and a Helter Skelter were a big hit with my boys aged six, 11 and 13.

There’s a dedicated toddler area themed around funfair sidestalls and a kart track for kids to zoom around beneath aerial walkways.

The site isn’t huge but it’s incredibly well designed to make the best use of the space, with something new around every corner.

My boys’ favourite was the musical play fountains, where they got absolutely soaked.

Make sure you bring a change of clothes or swimwear as your youngsters will get wet…

The splashpad is the first of its kind in a UK park, with 100 programmable jets shooting out of the floor in time to music, with the control box disguised as an old Victorian organ.

There’s a handy bank of spacious and clean toilet cubicles just behind the fountains if you need to wrestle soggy children out of waterlogged clothes.

Plus there’s plenty of picnic benches to eat at and an on-site food kiosk serving pizza, burgers, sandwiches and soup.

It was lovely sitting in the autumn sunshine with a cup of coffee, looking out at trees whose leaves were turning golden and listening to happy children splashing and laughing.

Once you’ve enjoyed all the fun of the fair outside, you can head indoors to marvel at the world’s largest collection of steam engines and organs, with entry to the museum half price if you have tickets to the adventure play fair. 

You can also pay extra to have a go on the museum’s collection of vintage rides, including gallopers, a children’s carousel and a gondola.

The museum has closed now until its 2026 season along with the playground, but visitors can still enjoy the adventure playground if you have booked to see Santa or the light trail on site.

Adventure play fair tickets are only available on the day during the winter season and cost £2.50 for adults and £5 for children aged three and above for an hour session.

Tickets to visit Santa’s grotto and light trail cost from £24 per child and £17 per adult

The Enchanted Journey of Light by itself is £18 per person off-peak and £24 at peak times.

Here’s what its like to go to the UK’s new National Fairground attraction.

Or there is a new indoor fairground themed attraction just for adults which opened in the UK this year.

Michael Virgil, 35, died on board the Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas cruise liner after being restrained following a violent outburst – his family are now suing the firm

A dad who died on a cruise after attacking fellow passengers was served 33 alcoholic drinks in a single day, his family claim.

Michael Virgil, 35, died on board Royal Caribbean‘s Navigator of the Seas cruise liner last year, after crew allegedly restrained him with sedatives and pepper spray when he became aggressive and violent. His family, who are now suing the cruise line, claim bar staff repeatedly served him drinks despite obvious signs of intoxication.

Mr Virgil, from Moreno Valley, California, was with his fiancée, Connie Aguilar, and their seven-year-old son when he launched into the foul-mouthed tirade just hours after boarding the cruise.

Some passengers reported hearing him use racial epithets during the outburst, and when he began threatening other passengers and attacking crew members, security put him into custody using a combination of cable ties, handcuffs, and pepper spray.

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Photographs show multiple members of staff appearing to pin him to the ground in a corridor. Mr Virgil was pronounced dead around an hour after being detained, and found to have suffered a cardiac arrest.

His family members claim he was given a sedative injection while in custody – and are blaming the cruise line for continuing to serve him alcohol despite him showing clear signs of inebriation.

US attorney Kevin Haynes told FOX 11’s Phil Shuman: “They have a legal duty not to do so. And if you’re serving someone 25, 30-plus drinks, in no world could you not see that the person is intoxicated.

“Once they created that situation, he acted out. He did not act as a normal person would. Clearly he was intoxicated. He is not a big drinker. He was known by his family as a gentle giant.”

Mr Haynes claims staff “physically restrained him with five people physically on top of him” resulting in a “mechanical asphyxiation”, similar to the fate suffered by George Floyd when policeman Derek Chauvin held his knee on his neck in 2020.

“It’s the same kind of concept that George Floyd suffered, except in this case, it persisted for three minutes, and there were other factors at play that causes death,” the attorney said.

Royal Caribbean said in a statement to US media: “We were saddened by the passing of one of our guests, worked with authorities on their investigation, and will refrain from commenting any further on pending litigation.”

IF you loved dancing to tunes like Mamma Mia, Waterloo and Super Trouper at ABBA Voyage then you might be excited by this other potential avatar concert.

Another city has announced that it could see potential in starting its own experience based on four very famous Liverpudlian musicians.

ABBA Voyage started back in 2022 and at the time was met by some scepticism.

That was until visitors entered the purpose built arena and were so blown away that what started as a limited residency initially set for a few months, is still going strong today.

Now, Steve Rotheram the Liverpool City Region (LCR) mayor has revealed he believes a similar show in Liverpool could benefit it greatly – especially if The Beatles were at the forefront.

The band that rose to fame in the 60s could appear as avatars in a show funded by Liverpool’s visitor levy.

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The charge was initially introduced in 2025 as a £2 per night “City Visitor Charge” for overnight stays in certain hotels and serviced apartments.

Steve Rotheram said he had been “looking at ways” since then in which “we might be able to deliver something similar but not identical to the Abba Voyage experience in London“.

“Just imagine if we could do something that features perhaps a local four-piece beat combo that did okay from these parts?”

Mr Rotheram continued: “We could have an immersive experience so people would flock in to see them. It means the footfall would increase exponentially, it means that this would be an international destination of choice.

“You’d go here and then perhaps go to London, whereas currently a lot of people go to London and sometimes jump on a train to come here, so we want to change that dynamic and I think this will be one of the ways in which we do it.”

Having the show based on The Beatles would be a popular choice for Liverpool with each of the band members born and raised there.

Mr Rotheram hinted that the potential show could be funded by the current levy – and its replacement coming in 2027.

The new charge will come into play in two years time once the current scheme expires.

This will mean that all properties in the Liverpool city Region – including Airbnb – will be affected.

It could bring in lots of money for the city too – it was reported that ABBA Voyage generated over £100million in ticket sales in 2023 alone.

As a result, it contributed £1.4billion to the UK economy‘s turnover by late 2024.

And the Beatles are set for another revival ahead of the new films based on each of the band members.

Directed by Sam Mendes, it will see four films released based on the four members.

Paul Mescal will start as Paul McCartney, Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr, Harris Dickinson as John Lennon and Joseph Quinn as George Harrison.

For more experiences in the UK, here’s how you can try out your very own Race Across the World.

And here’s more on the world-first gameshow attraction opening in the UK – with spin the wheel, music rounds and free prizes.

One writer tried the world-famous ABBA Voyage experience in the UK – here are her top tips & the best nearby bar…

Writer Hope Brotherton headed to ABBA Voyage earlier this year, here’s everything she loved about it – and the bar she found for pre-drinks…

She said: “I’m surrounded by sequinned jumpsuits, bright-pink feather boas and white go-go boots.

“It means I can be in just one place – the dance floor of Abba Voyage, the astonishing concert in London performed by CGI versions of the four bandmates in their Seventies glory days.

“The tech is so impressive, that it’s hard to believe the Swedish superstars aren’t really performing live on stage. I found my grasp on reality slipping even further when a real-life backing band appeared.

“I was mesmerised by every visual in the purpose-built venue, with a kaleidoscope of brightly coloured lights descending from the ceiling as Dancing Queen played.

“You can, of course, book seats but my friend Ellie and I preferred the standing tickets, where we had more than enough space to dance our hearts out to Mamma Mia and Waterloo.

“Getting in the right mood for a boogie was essential, and we had pre-show food and drinks at Stratford restaurant and bar The Print House – Jim & Tonic East to thank for our exuberance.

“It was then time for food and, to start, we shared the marinated prawns and a garlicky flatbread – both delicious.

“Aware of all the dancing ahead – it’s a marathon, not a sprint – I plumped for a parmigiana pizza, which totally hit the spot.

“Keen to sample a tipple from the on-site distillery, then I washed my main course down with a gin flight. Ambitious, I know – it came with three gins, my favourite being the Mediterranean.“

AN airline is launching its first flights from a major airport in the UK for the first time in decades.

Air France has confirmed it will start a new London to France route from London Gatwick Airport.

Two flights a day will run from London to Paris from March 29, 2026.

Flights will take off from London Gatwick Airport at 9:20am and 3:45pm.

The return flights from Paris to London Gatwick will be 10:30am and 5:10pm.

It joins the current London Heathrow to Paris flight route already operated by Air France.

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Gatwick chief commercial officer Jonathan Pollard said they were “thrilled” to offer more routes to Paris.

This was backed by Air France KLM UK and Ireland general manager Jrrome Salemi.

They added: “We are delighted to announce our new London Gatwick to Paris Charles de Gaulle service, further strengthening our commitment to the UK market. 

“We look forward to welcoming London Gatwick customers on board our flights and sharing the very best of Air France’s service, comfort and innovation.”

Air France operated from London Gatwick in the 1990s.

It was in 1996 that Air France teamed up with Pepsi to launch a blue-painted Air France Concorde.

It was backed by celebs including Andre Agassi, Cindy Crawford and Claudia Schiffer.

However, the French flag carrier scrapped flights from the London airport in 2004.

It’s last ever flight from London Gatwick was in 2007, although this was via Brit Air.

Yet a number of other airlines are expanding at London Gatwick.

Jet2 is launching its first ever flights from the airport next year.

From March 2026, the tour operator will launch 29 new routes from London Gatwick across Europe and Africa.

And Virgin Atlantic could soon return to London Gatwick, after scrapping all flights from there during the pandemic.

Virgin boss Richard Branson said he would “twist arms” to return, with the airport being where they launched their first flight in 1984.

Here’s everything you need to know about Gatwick Airport’s second runway.

A wet Sunday evening turned into a joyous 90-minute stroll through stunning light displays, interactive installations and ethereal music at this beloved festive attraction

Embracing the Christmas spirit can be a bit of a challenge when you’re penning festive articles from September onwards. However, this past weekend, I decided to shelve my inner Grinch and head out into the chilly, drizzly Sunday in Cardiff to experience Christmas at Bute Park.

This event, now in its fifth year, is a light trail that has previously brought me joy. I must confess, my excitement for the installation, nestled in Cardiff’s beautiful city centre park beloved by locals and tourists alike, did start to fade after the first few years.

I found myself pondering, ‘How much can a light display in a park change year after year?’ While I still believe the most curmudgeonly of Grinches might agree with me, my visit to Christmas at Bute Park 2025 rekindled my yuletide cheer, reports Wales Online.

So last year, I opted out of the mile-long amble along the path that snakes through Cardiff’s verdant heart. I simply wasn’t feeling it. Fast forward to 2025, and the opportunity presented itself again. Let me tell you, I’m chuffed I seized it.

It was a delightful 90-minute journey that began in the rain, offered us a bit more precipitation, and an array of displays, interactive elements, and mesmerising light shows synchronised with hauntingly beautiful music that genuinely brightened my day.

The journey encompassed the twirling, sparkling fountains, Christmas Cascades, and Bubblicious – an interactive row of giant cylinders radiating neon colours that we all took turns tapping to select our preferred hue.

We encountered a neon grove and Dancing Dandelions – bursts of colour illuminating the gently swaying trees on a dark autumn evening.

Two installations by Welsh artists – Abercynon’s Ruby June Walker and Cardiff’s Patrick Richards – were truly stunning. Ruby’s Golau y Gaeaf (Winter’s Light) was a standout gothic window showcasing the traditions and symbols of a Welsh Christmas, including Mari Lwyd and Sion Corn.

It added a touch of folklore to the event, alongside one of my favourite two installations – the dragon, but more on that shortly.

Patrick’s Annwyl Siôn Corn (Dear Father Christmas) was a magical post box encircled by floating letters, inspired by children penning their wish lists to Father Christmas – a captivating sight amidst the natural surroundings.

The light installations that captivated me the most, made me marvel the most – allowed me to lose myself in the moment, were the Water Willows, lights cascading down the towering willow trees and dripping off their weeping branches. The sporadic specks of colourful lights transformed into a wave of colour, all synchronised with subtle, ethereal classical music.

As a die-hard Stranger Things fan, I was captivated by the enchanting lights and mystical aura of the willow stop. If I had a tree and some spare cash for the electricity bill, I’d love to recreate this spectacle in my own garden.

I’ve replayed the video of the Water Willows multiple times. Adding a dash of elegance were the chandeliers at Crystal Avenue – when viewed head-on, they resemble a massive snowflake. Simply stunning.

Walking through Delilah Ddraig’s lair, the ground was speckled with soft, glowing red-orange lights, casting a delightfully eerie glow on the final few stops before we ventured into the night.

It was an evening filled with festive cheer in the great outdoors. There’s something special about feeling raindrops on your face, tucking into a generous pot of cinnamon apple and pear crumble with custard, and witnessing the unbridled excitement of a thrilled six-year-old.

While not everyone may have a little one to accompany them, I believe those carrying a sense of wonder will thoroughly enjoy their visit to Christmas at Bute Park, regardless of their company.

Christmas at Bute Park is open until 31 December. For more details, including ticket purchases and information on inclusive evenings, visit www.christmasatbutepark.com.

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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A HUGE new €1billion (£875million) attraction is launching in Europe and it includes a theme park based on DRACULA.

Dracula Land is set to open in Bucharest in Romania, one of the cheapest cities in Europe.

It hopes to become “the largest entertainment, retail, and technology destination on the continent, transforming the country into a new global entertainment hub”.

Being dubbed the Transylvanian Disneyland by local media, it includes a theme park, waterpark, thermal spa, shopping district, entertainment arena and a tech hub.

The main theme park will be set over 780,000sqm, with AI images suggesting what it could look like.

This will include six themed zones, with 40 attractions throughout – here is what we know about each land.

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Moonlit District

This is where guests will enter the park via a main street inspired by Bucharest.

Rides will include a Flying Theatre and a Transylvanian Railway, as well as carousels, drone shows and a Legend of Vlad walkthrough experience

There will also be shops and dining, which is open into the evening after the park closes.

The Family Kingdom

Another area called The Family Kingdom will have a “diverse range of vampire and supernatural creatures from global cultures”.

This will range from many of the Dracula myths as well as “Middle eastern Ghouls”.

Rides include a 4D cinema, as well as dark rides, toddler play zones and entertainment stage.

Transylvania

Named after the area of Dracula, Transylvania will be based on the famous legend.

Inside will be a traditional village as well as a forest, and is where the rollercoasters will be found.

As well as big rides, there will be dark rides, water rides and a playground.

Dracula’s Castle

The centre of the park is Dracula Castle – similar to Cinderella’s castle in Disneyland.

However guests will be able to explore the castle with ruins and maze, as well as go on a ‘bat coaster’.

A railway stop and boating on the lake will be some other attractions.

Port of New Orleans

Inspired by Mardi Gras, Port of New Orleans will swap from Romanian architecture to French.

A 4D cinema rollercoaster, as well as spinning rides and carnival games are part of the land.

London Town

The park will even have a UK themed land called London Town.

This will be the shopping area for souvenirs, with Victorian London inspirations.

Not only that but there will be a theatre, horse and carriage ride and “vampire hunter training”.

Outside of the theme park will also be a waterpark and thermal spa, which will be across 50,000sqm.

Inside will be 30 water attractions, and claims it will even have one of Europe‘s biggest wave pools.

Guests will be able to choose from three kinds of accommodation, – the four-star Dracula Grand Hotel, as well as the three star Dracula Family Hotel and Dracula Inn.

Between the three of them there will be around 1,200 rooms.

A luxury fashion and home shopping outlet as well as a ‘multi-functional arena’ for concerts and festivals are also part of the plans.

A racing track and motor park as well as a tech hub have been confirmed as well.

Dracula Land will also have its own “metaverse” with DraculaCoin native tokens, so people can visit from anywhere in the world.

It hopes to welcome three million guests a year.

Dragoș Dobrescu, founder of Dracula Land, said: “Dracula Land brings together everything I’ve learned in real estate: discipline, rigor, vision, and the ability to keep complex teams with very different specializations together. 

“But more importantly, it adds a story that gives meaning to every square meter built. 

“For me, Dracula Land is a national project—a symbol that Romania can and must build landmarks, not just buildings or simple real estate projects.”

An official opening date is yet to be confirmed, nor ticket prices but the first phase could launch by 2027.

However, it will be easy to get to for Brits, being just 20 minutes from Bucharest Airport.

Ryanair currently has £15 flights to the Romanian city from the UK.

THE Cotswolds are one of the most popular spots in the country, especially during the summer months.

Yet some beautiful villages are being inundated with tourists – so a new tourist charge is set to be introduced.

It’s estimated that over 35million people head to the Cotswolds every year to see villages adorned with pretty cobbled cottages and quaint shops.

But the flood of tourists does mean that locals suffer and so a new visitor levy is being put in place at certain destinations to benefit those who live in the area.

One of these places is the village of Bourton-on-the-Water which is set to introduce a new parking fee – and a change to free parking hours.

Parking will be free before 10am at Rissington Road car park, rather than 8a.

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However, charges will apply until 8pm, rather than 6pm, so tourists will have to pay for an extra two hours later if staying the whole day.

The reason for the change in timings is to give residents easier access to village services in the morning and “accommodate the growing trend” of visitors staying later into the evening.

Paul Hodgkinson, cabinet member for health, culture and visitor experience, said: “I know first-hand the challenges the village faces during the tourist season.”

“This new approach is designed to give something back to residents and boost the money going back into the village.”

He added that earlier access would provide support to local shops and services.

Bourton-on-the-Water has had a tourism levy in place since 2021 – where some of the money made from parking fees goes towards local projects.

Cllr Paul Hodgkinson, cabinet member for health, culture, and visitor experience, added: “The levy in Bourton has funded important initiatives, including extra parking enforcement and the appointment of a village warden which are helping to alleviate some of the impacts of tourism on the village.”

Another village, Stow-on-the-Wold, which is just 8 minutes away, is also looking at doing the same.

Hodgkinson said that new charge would to bring “similar benefits for residents”.

The new Cotswold District Council strategy is due to run from this year until 2028.

Other measures include making parking in the district sustainable.

Plus, here is an English village that visitors call ‘a Cotswolds dream’ which has two of the country’s best hotels.

And check out this stunning Cotswolds village with its own sandy beach and lagoon – miles from the English seaside.

One Sun Writer says this Cotswolds town is always missed in favour of other prettier villages…

Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey said: “My hometown in the Cotswolds is often passed over in favour of its more glamorous trendy neighbours. But that could soon be able to change after one of its hotels was recently named one of the best in the world.

“The World’s 50 Best Hotels announced last week named everything from five-star beach resorts to thousand-pound-a-night city stays. And while I’ve been lucky enough to stay in a few – such as The Peninsular in Hong Kong – one that also made the list was Estelle Manor.

“One of five in the UK to have made the list, the Witney hotel is now putting the town on the map. Having only opened in 2023, Estelle Manor has boomed in popularity.

“Earlier this summer, Eve Jobs – the daughter of Steve Jobs – celebrated a four day wedding event at the cost of £5million. Other celeb sightings include Kate Moss, as well as Alan Carr and Molly-Mae.

“Set on 85 acres of a parkland estate, the hotel is the sister to the private members club Maison Estelle in London. Some of the 108 rooms are in the Grade II listed house, while there are also Woodland Cabins.

“The hotel’s Eynsham Baths opened in last summer, while activities include archery, axe throwing, air rifle shooting and clay pigeon shooting.

“The town of Witney itself is worth a visit, and is often much quieter than its nearby neighbour Burford. There is the free-to-visit Witney Museum, while kids will love Cogges Manor Farm with pygmy goats to see.

“Grab some tea and cake at Hunters Cafe, before shopping at many of the independent stores such as Witney Antiques and Lily’s Attic.

“If you see huge queues, they are likely at Sandwich de Witney, a sandwich shop with overstuffed baguettes that always sells out by lunch.”

On a nippy Monday night at the Zebulon in Frogtown, a man wearing a Jason Voorhees T-shirt steps onto a purple-lighted stage and stands next to a drum set. Audience members, seated in neat rows and cradling cocktails, enthusiastically applaud.

Then they look toward a glowing projector screen. Some clutch their pens, ready to take notes.

“In cinema, three elements can move: objects, the camera itself and the audience’s point of attention,” Drew McClellan says to the crowd before showing an example on the projector screen. The clip is a memorable scene from Jordan’s Peele’s 2017 film, “Get Out,” when the protagonist (Daniel Kaluuya) goes out for a late-night smoke and sees the groundskeeper sprinting toward him — in the direction of the camera and the viewer — before abruptly changing direction at the last second.

During his talk, McClellan screened several movie clips to illustrate key points.

(Emil Ravelo / For The Times)

“Someone running at you full speed with perfect track form, you can’t tell me that’s not terrifying,” McClellan says laughing with the audience.

McClellan is an adjunct professor at the USC School of Cinematic Arts and the cinematic arts department chair at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA). He’s presenting on two of the seven core visual components of cinema — tone and movement — as part of Lectures on Tap, an event series that turns neighborhood bars and venues into makeshift classrooms. Attendees hear thought-provoking talks from experts on wide-ranging topics such as Taylor Swift’s use of storytelling in her music, how AI technology is being used to detect cardiovascular diseases, the psychology of deception and the quest for alien megastructures — all in a fun, low-stakes environment. And rest assured: No grades are given. It’s a formula that’s been working.

“I hunted for these tickets,” says Noa Kretchmer, 30, who’s attended multiple Lectures on Tap events since it debuted in Los Angeles in August. “They sell out within less than an hour.”

Wife-and-husband duo Felecia and Ty Freely dreamed up Lectures on Tap last summer after moving to New York City where Ty was studying psychology at Columbia University. Hungry to find a community of people who were just as “nerdy” as they are, they decided to create a laidback space where people could enjoy engaging lectures typically reserved for college lecture halls and conferences.

Founders Felecia and Ty Freely pose for a photo with Drew McClellan (center) after his presentation.

(Emil Ravelo / For The Times)

“At the end of every lecture, people always come up to us and [say] “I hated college when I was in it, but now that I’m not, I would love to come to a lecture and have access to these experts without having to feel pressured to get a good grade,’” says Felecia, who makes “brainy content” on social media, like explaining the phenomenon of closed-eye visualizations.

Lectures on Tap, which also hosts events in San Francisco, Boston and Chicago, is the latest iteration of gatherings that pair alcoholic beverages with academic talks. Other similar events include Profs and Pints, which launched in 2017 in Washington, D.C., and Nerd Nite, which came to L.A. in 2011 and takes place at a brewery in Glendale. At a time when the federal government is moving closer to dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, AI is impacting people’s ability to think critically, attention spans are shrinking and literacy rates are down, events like Lectures on Tap are becoming more than just a place to learn about an interesting new topic.

“I think folks are passionate about keeping intellectualism alive especially in this age that is kind of demonizing that,” Felecia says. “We’re in the age of people not trusting experts so everyone out there who still does wants to be in a room with their people.”

“And there are a lot of them,” adds Ty. “It is actually alive and well, just maybe not mainstream.”

“In a weird way, this is kind of counterculture,” Felecia chimes in.

Wensu Ng introduces the speaker for the night.

(Emil Ravelo / For The Times)

During his presentation, McClellan broke down key film concepts in layman’s terms for the diverse audience who were mostly composed of film lovers and people who were simply interested in the topic. (Though there were some writers in the crowd as well.) To illustrate his points, he played several movie clips including the 1931 version of “Frankenstein” and Juan Carlos Fresnadillo’s “28 Weeks Later,” both of which made several people in the audience, including myself, jump in fear.

“This is how you scare the crap out of people,” he said while explaining why seeing a lighted-up character staring into an abyss of darkness is impactful.

Though some patrons like to go to Lectures on Tap events for specific topics they find interesting, others say they would attend regardless of the subject matter.

“I felt really comfortable and I loved the social aspect of it,” says Andrew Guerrero, 26, in between sips of wine. “It felt more like a communal vibe, but at the same time, I miss learning.”

Attendees mingle at the bar.

(Emil Ravelo / For The Times)

He adds, “I can absorb [the information] more because I’m not pressured to really retain it and because of that, I actually do retain it.”

After weeks of trying to secure tickets, which cost $35, Ieva Vizgirdaite took her fiancé, Drake Garber, to the event to celebrate his birthday.

“I didn’t go to college so I don’t have any prior experience with lecturing,” says Garber, 29, adding that he’s interested in film production and is a “big horror fan.” But the fact that “I get to sit and learn about something that I love doing with a pint? Like, that’s amazing.”

The relaxed environment allows the speakers to let their guard down as well.

“I can play with certain elements that I maybe haven’t used in the classroom,” says McClellan, who made jokes throughout his presentation. “It’s definitely looser and getting around people who’ve been drinking, they’ll ask more questions and different types of questions.”

“It’s kind of like mushing up the education into your applesauce — mushing it up in the beer,” says Drew McClellan.

(Emil Ravelo / For The Times)

After the talk is over, bar staff quickly remove the rows of chairs and clear the stage for a concert that’s happening next. Several Lectures on Tap attendees, including the founders, transition to the back patio to mingle. McClellan stays after to answer more questions over drinks.

“This is a nontraditional environment to be enjoying yourself but also learning at the same time,” he says. “It’s kind of like mushing up the education into your applesauce — mushing it up in the beer.”

We were well into our journey from Los Angeles to Chicago, surrounded by cornfields and grain elevators, when the train halted and a voice rang out.

“All right, folks,” said a man on the PA system. “We’ve come to a stop in what appears to be the middle of nowhere.”

To a traveler in a hurry, this is the stuff of nightmares. To a seasoned passenger on the L.A.-Chicago train known as Amtrak’s Southwest Chief, it’s just another day.

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When you board an American long-distance train in 2025, you are trading the airport routine for entry into a locomotive-driven realm where there is neither TSA nor WiFi. And AI might as well stand for aged infrastructure.

There will be delays, often because of passing freight trains. But in the bargain, you are freeing yourself from worry about aerodynamics or the chronic shortage of U.S. air traffic controllers and gaining access to ground-level scenery and idle hours.

You’re also joining a modest trend. Even before this fall’s bout of flight cancellations during the government shutdown, Amtrak had set records for passengers and revenue in fiscal 2024, then again in 2025. Ridership on the Southwest Chief rose 12.6% in the last year. Amtrak’s long-distance trains haven’t caught up with their pre-pandemic numbers yet, but we seem to like them a little more lately.

Passengers board the Southwest Chief at Los Angeles Union Station.

(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

To learn why, I boarded the Southwest Chief at Los Angeles Union Station on a recent Monday afternoon. I was ready to see a few desert sunsets from the Sightseer Lounge and hear what people say when they have the time to chat with a stranger IRL.

Before long, I had been party to conversations about fear of flying, doctors in Tijuana, how to make beef jerky and how to sleep in a moving metal box. I’d also heard these sentences:

• “I like watching the country go by. I draw and I paint,” said passenger Nancy Roeder.
• “I’m a fourth-generation model railroader,” said William Angus.
• “I’m not going to lie to you. I took his life.”

This last comment came from a fellow traveler, ruefully disclosing an act of self-defense many years ago. No proof was offered, but I believed it. I also found the teller of the story (whom I won’t name) to be good company, thoughtful and generous.

In other words, on a two-day train, you meet people and hear things that you might not on a four-hour flight.

What Paul Theroux wrote 50 years ago in “The Great Railway Bazaar” is still true: “Anything is possible on a train: a great meal, a binge, a visit from card players, an intrigue, a good night’s sleep, and strangers’ monologues framed like Russian short stories.”

Flagstaff by dawn

Passengers relax in the Sightseer Lounge on Amtrak’s Southwest Chief.

(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

There’s one Southwest Chief departure from Los Angeles every day (and one from Chicago). If everything goes right, the 2,265-mile, 32-stop trip takes about 43 hours.

But only a rookie would count on that. About 60% of the time, the Southwest Chief arrives at least 15 minutes late.

For much of its route through Arizona, the route is flanked by old Route 66 and other lonely desert roads.

(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

Back in 1936, when the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway introduced Southwest Super Chief service between Los Angeles and Chicago, this was a roughly 40-hour journey. The passenger list included plenty of show-biz people and the first stop was in Pasadena.

Nowadays, the Southwest Chief is run by Amtrak (which gets government funding but operates independently enough to be unaffected by recent government shutdowns). There are not so many show-biz people now, not as many frills. Instead of Pasadena, its first stop after Los Angeles is Fullerton, followed by a bend to the northeast. By the time I arrived in the dining car for my first dinner aboard, we were nearing Barstow.

“This way, young man,” lied the server winningly as he steered me to a table. (I am 65. In the dining car, every traveler, no matter how aged, gets greeted as a young man or young lady.)

Since booths hold four people, dining car stewards like Chuck Jones manage the delicate task of putting travelers together. Through PA announcements and whispers in the aisles, he encouraged us to introduce ourselves and keep phones off tables.

He also suggested we steer clear of politics — a tall order when traveling through a government shutdown from a city the president had just called “lawless” to one he had just called “the worst and most dangerous city in the world.”

Surprise: Almost everyone complied.

Over the course of six dining car meals as a solo traveler, I heard no political disagreements and met travelers from their 20s to their 80s.

Claudette Toth, a senior from Massachusetts, estimated that she’d only flown three or four times in her life. William Angus, a 24-year-old returning to Chicago from a pilgrimage to the San Diego Model Railroad Museum told of how much he loved running a 1/87 scale model of the Bakersfield-Mojave rail system, re-enacting operations from February 1953.

Ernie Haecker, of Sante Fe and New York, is a regular on Amtrak’s Southwest Chief train between Los Angeles and Chicago.

(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

As Angus spoke, Ernie Haecker, a longtime train lover, nodded in understanding, grinning beneath a handlebar mustache. Haecker, 77, an audiologist, told us he takes the train every six weeks, splitting time between Santa Fe and New York. After so many trips, he knows the crew, knows where the train will pause long enough for him to shave, knows he can count on chatting with “a whole panoply of folks every time.” He even knew the spot in Illinois where the train would switch from one old company’s tracks to another’s.

“We just left the old Santa Fe,” he would say when the moment came. “Now we’re on Burlington.”

My dinner on the first night was another happy surprise — a fairly tender and flavorful flat iron steak. There was a vase holding flowers at every table, along with white tablecloth.

A meal is served in the dining car.

(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

Still, nobody should expect a Michelin-star meal in an Amtrak dining car. It’s common for servers to bring out dessert before the main dish (to avoid running behind later) and at one meal, someone forgot my order and I had to start over half an hour later.

By the time we crossed into Arizona that first night, I was back in my roomette nodding off, lulled like a baby atop a washing machine.

We were near Flagstaff when I blinked awake, glad to catch sight of the sunrise and grateful to have a sleeping area of my own.

Arizona sprawl and the Amtrak class system

Roomettes measure about 23 square feet.

(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

Of the three ways you can travel long-distance on Amtrak, the fanciest option is a private room that’s about 50 square feet (including private bath). The cost — about $3,200 for a couple, one way, when I booked — includes meals in the dining cars. (Family rooms, which hold four people but share bathrooms, cost about the same. All rates fluctuate by season and demand.)

That was too pricey for me and my expense account, so I booked a roomette. The roomettes are about half the size of a private room, with dining-car access and upper and lower berths that allow two travelers to lie flat (or one to spread out). These share toilets and showers. This cost me $809. (For a couple, the tab would have been $1,112.)

The third option was coach class, which means sleeping in your seat. It’s a sensible choice if you’re traveling only a portion of the route, and it’s what I did when traveling this route as a college student 45 years ago.

I was intrigued to see that coach fares start at $198 — only a bit more than the starting price for a flight. But no, not intrigued enough.

As a coach passenger, you don’t get access to the dining car (unless there’s room and you’re willing to pay $20-$45 for a meal). Instead, you bring food, buy snacks in the cafe car below the Sightseer Lounge or, if truly desperate, try to arrange a restaurant delivery to an upcoming fresh-air stop.

Fortunately, all classes get access to the Sightseer Lounge, where armchairs and couches face big windows. I’ve heard of lounges getting pretty crowded and ripe on heavily booked trips, but our trained seemed less than half-full. A few coach passengers dozed in the lounge overnight (which is officially forbidden) and nobody seemed bothered.

That first morning, with coffee in hand, I tiptoed into the lounge, sank into an armchair and watched the desert sprawl while wispy clouds clung to the horizon under a brightening sky.

This postcard (or rather Instagram) moment came somewhere between Winslow and Holbrook. I’m told the scenery is more dramatic on the Coast Starlight (from Los Angeles to Seattle) and the California Zephyr (from Emeryville through the Rockies to Chicago). But this comes down to taste. If you like deserts, the Chief is hard to beat. (Though no matter the route, if you like photography, the train is a challenge: no open windows, so you’re always shooting exteriors through glass.)

As Arizona yielded to New Mexico, the dirt seemed to get redder and the ridges rose to form buttes. Along rivers and creeks, bright yellow cottonwood trees congregated in bursts of yellow. Occasionally we’d glimpse small towns and timeworn roadside attractions — a reminder that Old Route 66 basically follows Southwest Chief’s path between the West Coast and Albuquerque, N.M.

Amish in transit, elk at sunset

Travelers head toward seats at Chicago Union Station.

(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

“Living in L.A., you forget all this space,” said Kim Rinauro, a nurse from Los Feliz. “When you come out and see how vast this is, it really gives you a different perspective.”

“America is so ginormous,” said Jeanine Bass, a softball coach from Costa Mesa who was on her way to see family in upstate New York.

Meanwhile, one end of the observation car had been filled by several women in white bonnets, joined by men with straw hats, footlong beards and no mustaches. Occasionally I’d hear a sort of clapping sound. Amish families. Playing dominoes.

Amish travelers have been using this route for decades, one of the men told me, on their way to and from doctors in Tijuana. Seeking medical treatment that’s more affordable and easier to schedule than in the U.S., they take trains to Southern California, then continue overland across the border.

Just before we made a 45-minute stop at the station, which is surrounded by a grim neighborhood, an Amtrak staffer took the microphone to sternly address the coach-class travelers.

“Coaches: No alcohol,” she said. “If you bring alcohol, you can stay and spend all night here with the transients.” For those in rooms and roomettes, she continued, booze in private rooms is OK, but not in public spaces.

Farther into New Mexico, we passed the other Southwest Chief train, carrying passengers west.

Between Raton, N.M., and Trinidad, Colo., amid a gaudy sunset, we crept past a herd of elk, then plunged into a tunnel. Emerging, we caught a last bit of sunset, some of the most gorgeous miles of the trip.

Yet this, I learned later, is the part of the trip that Amtrak’s chief executive tried to replace with bus service in 2018. The effort failed and that executive is no longer in the job. But the battles in Washington over Amtrak funding and mission never end, which is why so many cars, like the Superliners on the Southwest Chief, were built between 1979 and 1996. Amtrak leaders have set a goal of replacing their older long-distance cars by 2032.

Speaking of hardware: Eventually I tried the shower. It didn’t go well. First, I saw that someone had stolen the shampoo dispenser. Then I couldn’t find a way to cool the scalding-hot water. I stood as far back as I could in the snug compartment and grimaced my way through it.

Missouri, Iowa and Illinois: The final miles

The concourse at Chicago Union Station is grand but quiet.

(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

On arrival day, I woke just as we reached the station in Kansas City, another gritty neighborhood along the tracks. Our news feeds were filled with fresh reports of nationwide flight delays because of the government shutdown.

Soon we were crossing the Missouri River, roaring through forest and skirting naked farmland where this year’s corn crop had just been cut. Then came Fort Madison, Iowa; the Mississippi River and the beginnings of Illinois. Water towers and grain elevators.

I zipped my bags shut, tipped the roomette attendant and dining car team. Soon I’d be stretching my legs at the Art Institute of Chicago, walking Millennium Park and along the Chicago River, checking out the skyline from Navy Pier.

We pulled into Union Station within an hour of our target time.

Was it a perfect trip? No. But it was full of humanity, scenery and comforting clangs and rumbles. I even liked the lurching way you had to walk down the corridors, adjusting balance as the train shifts. And then, to step off the train after two days into a brisk Chicago afternoon, 2,265 miles from home, having never left the ground? That’s almost magic.

Tracks dominate the view from the last car on the train.

(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

I genuinely love a good facial — the ritual of it, the permission to lie still for 90 minutes, the way my skin looks afterward. I’m the person who books facials on vacation, who will try whatever’s trending this month, who drives to San Gabriel for a treatment a TikToker described as “gua sha on steroids.” So, yes, I was willing to pay $430 to have someone’s fingers in my mouth if it meant potential jaw realignment. Even if it meant a tuning fork was somehow involved.

The service is offered in a cozy Beverly Hills storefront by Sonia Vargas, the aesthetician and owner of Sonia Vargas Skin. While I dubbed it the tuning fork facial in my brain, Vargas bills it as the “Restructuring & Rebalancing Facial.” The 90-minute, $430 treatment promises to physically restructure your face.

Vargas said that she left fashion design eight years ago for facial massage training in techniques like craniosacral work (gentle manipulation of the skull and spine), manual lymphatic work and TMJ release. She told me the treatment has become popular with different types of clients. “It just depends on the face, the person, what they need and their budget,” Vargas said.

Some come weekly when dealing with acute TMJ issues, while others book quarterly maintenance appointments or schedule sessions before weddings when they want what Vargas calls a “natural lift.” She’s had clients come after jaw surgery who get treatments twice a week for months, others dealing with bad filler or Botox who needed intensive work to break down adhesions.

Sonia Vargas performs a lymphatic drainage massage.

The room was like many I’d been in for facials, dim, with low music playing and a bed taking up much of the space. But this one had a special addition of LED lights and ‘chakra-aligning’ gemstones that Vargas claimed pulsed at 4 hertz — a frequency she said that’s meant to help the immune system.

First came the familiar parts. The tingle of glycolic acid, the pain of extractions, the warm towels heating my skin. Then Vargas performed myofascial release methods with the precision of someone who knows exactly what she’s doing. Her fingers moved across my face like a pianist working through complicated scales as she tackled lymphatic drainage and the loosening of my jaw — a pleasurable experience that wasn’t uncomfortable even once.

As she continued working, the gradual lifting of my facial muscles began to accumulate into something noticeable. My face felt suspended in what seemed like a permanent knowing smile, as if I’d heard a particularly good joke no one else got.

After examining my jaw, Vargas suggested I add the TMJ release, a $90 addition to the base treatment. What followed was surprisingly gentle intraoral work, also known as buccal massage. I’d seen aggressive videos online, where aestheticians appear to be trying to extract someone’s skeleton through their mouth, but this was very peaceful in comparison. Her gloved fingers worked along my jawline from inside my mouth, breaking the silence to note my left side was significantly tighter, working more slowly there. I hadn’t mentioned the growing asymmetry I’d been noticing in photos or that I’d been meaning to ask my dentist about it.

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1. Sonia Vargas wraps a warm towel around Jackie Snow’s face. 2. Sonia Vargas applies a cleanser. (Kayla Bartkowski / Los Angeles Times)

The tuning fork came last, with Vargas pressing it against various points on my face. It was supposedly vibrating at something called Schumann resonance, 93.96 hertz, she later explained, a frequency that allegedly helps with immune function and chronic pain. It mostly felt like what it was: a cold piece of metal against my skin, vibrating. Unlike the dramatic muscle work that had come before, this was neutral, a bit anticlimactic.

The treatment incorporates elements that straddle the line between established practice and less proven ideas. The lymphatic drainage component has solid scientific backing, according to Dr. Ivy Lee, a board-certified dermatologist at the Comprehensive Dermatology Center of Pasadena. “The scientific evidence really comes from the breast cancer literature,” Lee said, referring to post-surgical lymphedema treatment. For healthy clients seeking wellness treatments, the benefits are mostly limited to temporary swelling reduction.

Sonia Vargas places a vibrating tuning fork on Jackie Snow’s face.

The vibrational therapy occupies murkier territory. Lee pointed to small studies suggesting vibration might improve microcirculation and skin temperature temporarily. But research that exists varies wildly in frequency, duration and methodology. “We don’t know the optimal dosing of this,” she said. “We don’t have an optimal protocol of what vibration frequency, where you apply it and then how long you apply it.”

The traditional elements of the facial have clear benefits, Lee confirmed. As for the rest, she saw no potential for harm, and in our high-stress world, that might be what matters most.

“Anything that can help us have that little moment where we can center ourselves does help,” she said. “Chronic elevated levels of cortisol are not good for us.”

When it comes to the claims about restructuring and facial rebalancing, the medical community is skeptical. “There is no evidence-based medicine to support any of the claims,” said Dr. Lisa Chipps, a Beverly Hills dermatologist who reviewed the treatment details. While she acknowledged that practitioners might be able to feel differences in muscle tension — as Vargas did with my jaw — changing or correcting those imbalances is another matter entirely.

Still, Chipps noted what both dermatologists emphasized: There’s no evidence these treatments cause harm. “If it makes people feel good, there’s nothing wrong with it,” she said. For some, she suggested, it might be like actors doing exercises before an audition. If it helps them feel their best, why not?

Vargas views the face as connected to the entire body’s fascia system, which is either revolutionary bodywork or expensive fiction, depending on who you ask. When I mentioned breaking my little toe while surfing three years ago had impacted my back and now maybe all the way up to my jaw, she agreed it was possible. “The back of your neck and your shoulders are so tight,” Vargas told me. “When you get certain injuries, you think it’s only there, but it actually affects everything.”

My skin looked great for days afterward, glowy and lifted. Whether that came from the lymphatic drainage or the fascia work, the tuning fork or just 90 minutes of focused attention, I couldn’t say. In a city where everyone’s stressed and most people’s jaws are clenched without even knowing it, the result felt worth it. And while Vargas clearly believes in the deeper bodywork, she hasn’t lost sight of the basics.

“I’m still an aesthetician,” Vargas said. “I want your skin to look good.”

Travel expert Simon Calder recommends this walkable coastal town where retirees can enjoy average 18C December weather

Travel expert Simon Calder has championed an winter sun destination that is affordable and walkable. He has praised the Algarve in Portugal as an excellent getaway from the cold and wet UK.

The Algarve offers brilliant value for money with average daily highs of 18°C in December, though TUI notes that “during the day temperatures can reach up to 20°C in some areas”. This stunning coastal region boasts charming and easily navigable towns, making it a superb choice for pensioners wanting a peaceful winter break.

Those looking to discover the magnificent Algarve away from the crowds should visit in December, when even the busiest towns remain calm compared to the hectic summer months.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast previously, Simon highlighted Portugal as one of Europe’s top winter destinations, saying: “In Western Europe, it has to be Portugal – obviously a very popular package holiday destination.”

Among the Algarve’s most gorgeous and walkable settlements is Portimao, reports the Express.

A holidaymaker praised it on Reddit, they said: “Highly recommend Portimao, somewhere between the central city and Praia da Rocha area.

“The city of Portimao itself has tons of restaurants, cafes and a walkable riverside area. Then the Praia da Rocha area has the beautiful beaches and more touristy areas.”

Travel specialist Alice Smith described Portimao on her blog Adventuresofalice as a “wonderful” and genuinely “authentic” Portuguese town.

She said: “I loved how authentic it was. It’s simply a typical Portuguese working town.

“While I was there, I didn’t feel too overcrowded by tourists like you often do in other parts of the Algarve.

“The Algarve as a whole, is much busier, of course. One of the best places to visit in Portugal, it’s incredibly popular with travellers around the globe.”

The nearest airport to Portimao is Faro Airport, situated 30 miles away. Direct flights to Faro are available from most UK airports, including London Gatwick and Manchester Airport.

Simon Calder also recommended the town of Cassis, in the south of France, an “absolutely magical” place that’s easy to visit in winter.

Best places to visit in Portimao:

• Praia da Rocha
• Portimão Museum
• Marina de Portimão
• Nossa Senhora da Conceição
• Mercado Municipal de Portimão

ONE regional airport in the south of the UK has had a huge increase in passengers over the last year.

Thanks to an extra TUI aircraft and the introduction of KLM flights to Amsterdam, the summer of 2025 bought in thousands more flyers to Exeter Airport.

It said that over 450,000 customers passed through the terminal between April and October 2025 – which is an increase of 100,000 people.

It estimated the yearly figure would exceed 500,000 passengers for the first time since Flybe went into administration back in March 2020.

The ‘landmark year’ follows the launch of daily KLM flights to Amsterdam which started in March 2025.

Not only does this give customers a chance to explore the Dutch city, but also offers connecting flights to more than 160 places across the world.

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This was followed by the decision for TUI to base a second aircraft at the airport over the summer which meant it had capacity for 50 flights per week to 13 destinations.

Exeter Airport said that TUI’s increased capacity meant that there were over 65,000 seats to Greece.

Another 60,000 seats to the Balearics and 40,000 to the Canary Islands were also added.

There are plans to continue the growth of the regional airport too with TUI already announcing a new and direct route to Kos which will start in summer 2026.

There are flights only as well as packages so customers can book seven or 14-night holidays there.

Flights only will start from £377pp based on travelling in June 2026 with 15kg hold luggage.

Package deals start from £1013 per person for a seven-night trip to staying at the4T+ Holiday Village Atlantica Mikri Poli Kos on an all-inclusive basis in June 2026.

Stephen Wiltshire, the airport’s managing director said: “We’re delighted with TUI’s announcement of new flights to Kos from Exeter Airport for summer 2026, and it’s the first time this beautiful Greek island will be directly served from here.

“This exciting addition expands the choice of sunshine destinations available to our passengers and reflects the continuing strength of demand for holidays from Exeter.

“We look forward to working closely with TUI to make the route a great success.”

For more on TUI, here’s the latest update on relaunching flights from closed UK airport – three years after shutting.

Plus the popular holiday hotspot set to become a ‘super destination’ with more cheap flights and new TUI hotels.

Discover what on Sun Writer thought on her recent holiday to Kos…

The Sun’s Jane Atkinson went on a family trip to Kos earlier this year, she explored the island that’s just  26 miles long and discovered local tavernas serving Greek salad and tasty gyros.

Talking about her trip, she said: ” It only took us 90 minutes to drive from one end to the other and there is one main road too, so it wasn’t stressful. The first stop was the Melissa honey farm near the town of Kefalos in the west.

“We tasted all different types of the sticky, sweet stuff — including wild strawberry, pine and thyme — and left with plenty of jars, as well as a rich honey hand cream for me and baklava pastries packed with nuts.

“If you’re a nature fan then head to Plaka Forest, a natural park in the centre of the island which has trails for walkers. For a bit of culture, Antimachia Castle is bursting with history.”