Month: February 2026

Holiday expert Rob has shared the four ‘best’ places to visit in March, saying the destinations offer the same level of sunshine as your usual July to August getaways but at lower prices

It’s no secret that jetting off during the summer months can set you back nearly twice as much, prompting savvy holidaymakers to shift their breaks earlier in the calendar. Lending a hand, travel guru Rob has revealed his top four destinations to visit this March, promising sunshine levels that rival your typical peak season getaways.

In an Instagram clip, Rob, who goes by @rob.onthebeach online, explained: “I’ve seen loads of people asking me recently, where’s hot in March? But the better question is, where’s hot and cheap this March? Because March might just be the perfect month for a holiday. We’re coming out of winter at home, the mornings are brighter, but it’s still freezing and wet. And in March, holiday demand is still relatively low, which means some destinations really fly under the radar on heat and price.”

To compile his recommendations, he examined multiple countries based on their March climate, booking patterns and current prices.

Kicking off his rundown, he revealed: “In fourth place, I’ve picked Fuerteventura, because March is one of my favourite months for the Canaries, and Fuerteventura is probably my favourite island.”

“You’re getting heat in the 20s, loads of sunshine, and it’s warm enough all day without feeling sticky like it can do in summer. Plus it’s quieter, calmer, and everything just feels easier.”

Moving along, he spotlighted Paphos, declaring: “March in Cyprus is criminally underrated”. He remarked: “It’s not roasting, but it’s still really warm. Sun on your face, lunches outside, pool days when the sun’s out, and it’s way less touristy than summer.”

Egypt claimed his runner-up spot thanks to its pleasant climate, with him adding: “High 20s to low 30s most days. Wall-to-wall sunshine, and seawater that’s perfect for swimming in, snorkelling in, or just floating in doing absolutely nothing.”

Topping his list, he crowned Las Vegas as the ultimate March getaway destination.

He explained: “I know it’s a bit of a wild card, but hear me out. March in Vegas is bang on. Hot days, cooler evenings, loads and loads and loads to do. And prices that are way softer than people expect.

“Now if you don’t believe me still, check out this deal I found. For four nights in March at the Strat Hotel with flights from Heathrow, it’s coming in at only £563 per person.

“For maybe the US’s best ever city break with sunshine, entertainment, pools, food, shows. This is seriously strong value in March.

“It’s warm, it’s unrivaled when it comes to fun, and it’s way more holiday than you’d expect to get at this price.”

Feb. 20 (UPI) — The 43-day government shutdown in the fall stymied U.S. gross domestic product growth in the fourth quarter, the Bureau of Economic Analysis reported Friday.

GDP for the fourth quarter of 2025 grew by 1.4% on an annual basis, more than a full point below the Dow Jones estimate of 2.5%. Consumer spending climbed more slowly than expected, while government spending lagged behind greatly.

The slowdown in growth is significant when compared to the 4.4% growth recorded in the third quarter.

While economic growth slowed, inflation continued to apply pressure. The personal consumption expenditures price index, the key measurement of inflation used by the Federal Reserve, increased by 2.9%, well above the Fed’s 2% target.

The price index for GDP purchases rose 3.7%, accelerating from 3.4% in quarter three.

The BEA report says the full effects of the record government shutdown “cannot be quantified” as the data cannot be separated. It still estimated the effects of reduced labor services by government employees.

Hundreds of thousands of government employees were furloughed during the shutdown.

“BEA estimates that this reduction in services provided by the federal government subtracted about 1.0 percentage point from real GDP growth in the fourth quarter,” the report says.

Government spending in defense and nondefense declined, as did spending on exports.

Health care services were a leading source of growth in consumer spending. Decreased spending on goods offset this growth.

A travel influencer sparked controversy after branding a popular city the ‘worst in Italy’ and claiming it was filthy. She was so unimpressed, she willingly lost money on her hotel booking so she could check out earlier

A travel influencer has labelled a city the “worst” in Italy, claiming she was so disappointed during her visit that she left early and deliberately lost out on money by cutting her stay short.

Yet her remarks have sparked controversy. This is likely because Italy remains an extraordinarily popular destination among holidaymakers and travel enthusiasts from all over the world.

Celebrated for its exceptional, world-class cuisine, elaborate architectural heritage, artworld masterpieces, prestigious fashion brands, rich historical tapestry and cultural significance, plus much more. Despite Italy’s abundant offerings, one woman has denounced one of its most popular cities, describing it as “filthy”.

Karo, who shares content online as @karosolotravel, turned to TikTok to voice her opinions about Bologna, a city celebrated for its extensive collection of UNESCO-designated medieval porticoes set among characterful red-roofed historic buildings.

It’s equally renowned and cherished for its indulgent pasta specialities, such as tortellini and tagliatelle al ragù, yet Karo remained underwhelmed.

Throughout the clips she recorded, she captured some graffiti daubed on metal waste bins and stone columns, along with a discarded cigarette end on the ground.

She additionally filmed a rough sleeper covered by a sleeping bag and blankets positioned outside a shop entrance. Karo also featured footage of multiple Bologna streets, which appeared deserted but otherwise pristine and devoid of any litter or vandalism.

During one segment, she directed the camera towards herself and filmed while she walked about with a tissue pressed against her nose, claiming the area smelt offensive. In the caption beneath her video, she wrote: “The worst Italian city I’ve ever been to. It smells of urine everywhere, it’s filthy, and you can tell it hasn’t been cleaned in years.

“Why aren’t the city authorities cleaning the streets and buildings? Those orange buildings are black. And that awful stench.”

Karo went on: “I came here to eat pasta bolognese, but I felt like vomiting and barely ate a thing! Why do people on TikTok recommend Bologna? It’s disgusting! I fled Bologna for Rimini, gave up on my hotel, and lost my money.”

However, other TikTok users were quick to dispute her assessment of the historic city. One commented: “I spent five days in Bologna last April. Walked everywhere including St Luca. TOTALLY DISAGREE. I LOVED BOLOGNA”.

Another said: “Bologna is beautiful!” while a third quipped: “Complaining that the 2000 year old buildings look like they are 2000 years old”.

A fourth person wrote: “One of the most beautiful cities I visited!!”

Meanwhile, someone claiming to be a resident shared: “Bologna became much much worse since it became a heavily touristy city. Mass tourism is destroying my city!”

Another user countered: “I respect your opinion but in my view, [it] does not represent the reality at all. I guess [you] didn’t match with the place. Bologna is an amazing city with unique character.

“I did not find it dirty at all and it was nice and tidy. In my view, I did find Bologna more authentic in comparison to other Italian cities.”

Sir Paul McCartney has been opening up about his career and personal life as a new documentary about him nears release, and a biopic about The Beatles begins filming

Musician Sir Paul McCartney has made a heartbreaking admission about his time in the spotlight. For around six decades, Paul McCartney has been beloved worldwide thanks to his work as part of The Beatles, as a solo artist, and with his former band, Wings.

Reflecting on his career in an interview with director Morgan Neville Paul, 83, spoke about how he feels when criticised by people.

Making the comments in a new documentary about the musician called Man On The Run, Sir Paul talked about how he bought into some of the criticism.

He remarked: “Whenever I hear someone damning Paul McCartney, I tend to agree with them. So when everyone was saying I broke up the Beatles and I was just overbearing and all of that, I kind of bought into it.”

This isn’t the only time Sir Paul has become emotional when talking about the documentary, as he admitted he felt “emotional” upon seeing his late wife Linda McCartney in the programme.

Linda, who died in 1998, shared four children with Sir Paul including Heather, 63, who was adopted, Mary, 56, Stella, 53, and James, 48.

At a screening of the documentary at London’s Ham Yard Hotel, Sir Paul said the film triggered some powerful memories of Linda, who Sir Paul said helped him deal with the tumultuous time he faced following the break up of The Beatles.

He said: “Seeing me and Linda interacting is very special because, you know, she is not here anymore. Me and Linda, the kids. The music. Me and John [Lennon].

“These memories, it is like a life flashing in front of you. There are so many cool things. Even though there are some embarrassing moments, I come out of it thinking, ‘Yeah, I’m OK’.

“All the stuff with the kids and Linda is lovely to see. Obviously it’s emotional because she looks so beautiful. She’s so cool.”

Sir Paul also has another daughter, 23-year-old Beatrice, with his second wife Heather Mills, who he was married to between 2002 and 2008 when their divorce was finalised.

Sir Paul is currently married to Nancy Shevell, with the pair tying the knot in 2011.

The documentary is set to be released on February 27 as filming continues on four individual biopics about each member of the Beatles, in which Paul Mescal, 30, will play Sir Paul. The films will be directed by Sir Sam Mendes.

WANTING to go on holiday but don’t want to spend much money? Well, British Airways has just launched a sale.

British Airways is offering up to 25 per cent off flights to Europe and beyond, including popular destinations such as Malta, Marrakech, Madeira and Faro.

The sale on return flights operated by Gatwick-based subsidiary airline, BA Euroflyer, is running from February 19 to 24 and is available on travel between March 1 and July 31.

Passengers will also get a complimentary drink and snack onboard, as well as hand luggage allowance.

For example, you could head off to Faro in Portugal from London Gatwick from £104 return.

The city is the capital of southern Portugal‘s Algarve region and is known for its historical buildings including the 13th century Faro Cathedral.

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Visitors can also head to the Municipal Museum, which is inside a 16th-century convent and boasts a collection of prehistoric displays and medieval artefacts.

Or perhaps you want to go further afield? Well, you could travel to Marrakech in Morocco from £118 return.

Dubbed the ‘Red City’, Marrakech features a large medina – which is the old walled city that was built centuries ago.

In the medina, visitors can explore a network of narrow, winding alleyways with hidden treasure shops selling everything from brass lamps to freshly made flatbreads.

Elsewhere in the city, you can head to Ville Nouvelle, where you will find the modern part of the city with art galleries, boutiques and cafés.

Want to spend less than that? Travel to Majorca, Spain, for £84 return.

This Spanish island is loved for its blue waters, sandy beaches and secret coves.

You can spend time exploring charming villages, but there are also a number of world-famous beaches to venture to.

Make sure to try some of the local food, which consists of Mediterranean dishes with pork, lamb, fresh vegetables and olive oil.

And it isn’t just flights you can save on…

British Airways Holidays is also offering up to £200 off European holidays.

Currently, you can get £200 off a £5,000 holiday, which includes flights and a hotel.

Or £100 off a £2,500 holiday, which includes flights, hotel and car reservations.

There is also a £50 discount on £1,250 holidays and £25 off of £625 holidays.

For example, you could head to Majorca for seven nights and stay at the five-star Hotel De Mar Gran Melia costing from £1,229 per person between May 1 and 31.

If you don’t fancy spending quite that much, then head to Morocco for seven nights, staying in the four-and-a-half-star Movenpick Hotel Mansour Eddahbi Marrakech from £879 per person between May 1 and 31.

In other holiday news, here are cheap holidays for under £250 – city breaks and family deals not to miss.

Plus, 10 cheap holiday spots about to go BIG in 2026 that you’ve probably never heard of – with a week away from £189.

THERE are hundreds of cities across Europe – but this one in Spain has been named the best place to visit this year.

European Best Destinations has announced the ‘best places to travel in Europe 2026’.

This ranking was made from the votes of travellers from 154 countries, highlighting the most “captivating places”.

Madrid claimed top spot with the publications said it’s “one of Europe’s most compelling capitals — where culture, lifestyle, gastronomy and quality of life converge with rare intensity”.

Madrid is a hit with Sun Travel too. Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey even called it her “new favourite Spanish destination“.

She praises it for its liveability along with its food and drink scene.

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Kara revealed some of her favourite spots too, she said: “At Pez, the only thing on the menu is huge sloppy pieces of tortilla chased with a cana (small beer) or tinto de verano for €2.50.

“My favourite rooftop bar is El Cielo de Montera, which felt more like a swanky rooftop members club.

“The pool is reserved for hotel guests, but its the best place for an Aperol Spritz and views of the city (costs €10 but it gets taken off bill).”

One highly-rated drinking spot is the Sky Bar terrace at the top of the Hotel Riu Plaza Espana.

It has 360-degree views of the city which visitors can enjoy with classy cocktails.

Or check out Calle 365 Discoteca, a stylish nightspot with dancing, delicious food trucks, cocktails and beers from just £2.50.

For live music head to Sala Equi which is a former adult-movie theatre turned bar and music venue.

Madrid is the birthplace of tablao flamenco and there are often high-quality performances with tablaos (flamenco venues) in the city centre.

In the summertime Madrid has lively plazas, and long, grand, tree-lined boulevards full of shops.

Madrid’s largest public park is El Retiro Park it has over 15,000 trees and is described as a ‘green oasis in the heart of the city’.

If you fancy getting on the water, visitors can hire a €4 rowing boat to take in King Alfonso XII’s monument from the lake.

Other top spots include the Prado Museum which contains some of Europe’s finest art collections.

There’s free entry between 6pm and 8pm Monday to Saturday.

Madrid is also one of Europe‘s most walkable cities so it’s easy for exploring, but it’s also very easy to use the Metro.

The city has over 3,000 hours of sunshine each year – mild temperatures start in spring at around 18C.

In the height of summer, the city can reach highs of 32C.

In March, Brits can fly from London Stansted to Madrid with Ryanair from £15.

Here are the ‘best places to travel in Europe 2026’…

1. Madrid, Spain
2. Nicosia, Cyprus
3. Stajerska Region, Slovenia
4. Verona, Italy
5. Paris, France
6. Camara de Lobos, Madeira, Portugal
7. Alaçati, Turkey
8. Burano, Italy
9. Lisbon, Portugal
10. Almeria, Andalusia

Plus, here’s the Spanish city closest to the UK that’s quieter than Barcelona is getting new TUI holidays.

And this Spanish city that’s rarely visited by Brits has been named top destination this year with new train routes and world-famous cider.

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court ruled Friday that President Trump’s sweeping worldwide tariffs are illegal and cannot stand without the approval of Congress.

The 6-3 decision deals Trump his most significant defeat at the Supreme Court.

Last year, the justices issued temporary orders to block several of his initiatives, but Friday’s ruling is the first to hold that the president overstepped his legal authority.

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., speaking for the court, said Congress has the power to impose taxes and tariffs, and lawmakers did not do so in an emergency law that does not mention tariffs.

“The President asserts the extraordinary power to unilaterally impose tariffs of unlimited amount, duration, and scope. In light of the breadth, history, and constitutional context of that asserted authority, he must identify clear congressional authorization to exercise it,” he wrote.

“And until now no President has read the International Emergency Economics Act to confer such power. We claim no special competence in matters of economics or foreign affairs. We claim only, as we must, the limited role assigned to us by Article III of the Constitution. Fulfilling that role, we hold that IEEPA does not authorize the President to impose tariffs,” Roberts wrote.

Justice Neil M. Gorsuch in a concurring opinion stressed the role of Congress.

“The Constitution lodges the Nation’s lawmaking powers in Congress alone,” he said.

Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel A. Alito and Brett M. Kavanaugh dissented.

Trump claimed his new and ever-shifting tariffs would bring in trillions of dollars in revenue for the government and encourage more manufacturing in the United States.

But manufacturing employment has gone down over the past year, in part because American companies have been hurt by higher costs for parts that they import.

Critics said the new taxes hurt small businesses in particular and raised prices for American consumers.

The justices focused on the president’s claimed legal authority to impose tariffs as responses to an international economic emergency.

Several owners of small businesses sued last year to challenge Trump’s import taxes as illegal and disruptive.

Learning Resources, an Illinois company which sells educational toys for children, said it would have to raise its prices by 70% because most of its toys were manufactured in Asia.

A separate suit was filed by a New York wine importer and Terry Precision Cycling, which sells cycling apparel for women.

Both suits won in lower courts. Judges said the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 cited by Trump did not mention tariffs and had not been used before to impose such import taxes.

The law said the president in response to a national emergency may deal with an “unusual and extraordinary threat” by freezing assets or sanctioning a foreign country or otherwise regulating trade.

Trump said the nation’s long-standing trade deficit was an emergency and tariffs were an appropriate regulation.

While rejecting Trump’s claims, the lower courts left his tariffs in place while the administration appealed its case to the Supreme Court.

Kompany was also critical of Mourinho for using Eusebio’s name as supposed proof that Benfica is not a racist club.

“Do you know what black players had to go through in the 1960s?” added the former Manchester City captain and Burnley boss.

“Was he (Mourinho) there to travel with Eusebio to every away game?

“Probably at the time the only option they had was to be quiet, to say nothing, be above it and to be 10 times better in order to get a little bit of credit for people to say ‘actually, he is good’.

“That was Eusebio’s life.”

Kompany, who also spoke about racial abuse he experienced as a player, said talk of Vinicius’ celebration should not distract from the player’s immediate response to Prestianni’s alleged remarks.

“I’m just thinking when Jose Mourinho is doing the knee slide at Old Trafford, when he does his celebration in front of the [Barcelona] fans in the Champions League semi-final with Inter Milan, when his Roma are playing Sevilla and he is fighting with the referee and the referee has to leave the country under protection,” he added.

“I know one hundred people who have worked with Jose Mourinho. I’ve never heard a person say anything bad about Jose.

“I understand he is fighting for his team and his club. You cannot be a bad person and have all the ex players you have had talk so positively about you.

“I don’t need to judge him as a person but I know what I’ve heard. And I understand maybe what he has done, but he has made a mistake.”

SEOUL, Feb. 20 (UPI) — South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI index continues to set records, driven by strong corporate performances, including semiconductor giants Samsung Electronics and SK hynix.

The index more than doubled over the past year to surpass 5,800 points Friday. Also fueling the bullish rally are Mirae Asset Securities and SK Telecom, which have invested in promising U.S. firms expected to list in the near future.

The share price of Mirae Asset Securities, South Korea’s leading brokerage house, more than tripled this year, buoyed by strong earnings. It reported $1.1 billion in net profit for 2025, up 72% from a year earlier.

In addition, observers point out the company’s investment in SpaceX, which is expected to go public this summer with a market capitalization of around $1.25 trillion, has also underpinned its stock.

In 2022 and 2023, Mirae Asset Group reportedly channeled $278 million into SpaceX, and roughly half of that came from Mirae Asset Securities, although It does not confirm the detailed figures. A listing could deliver significant windfalls for the brokerage.

Yuanta Securities analyst Woo Do-hung said that Mirae Asset Securities is likely to remain strong through SpaceX’s IPO.

SpaceX is the world’s top private aerospace manufacturer, while xAI is an artificial intelligence startup founded by Elon Musk. Earlier this month, the former acquired the latter in an all-stock deal.

“Following its merger with xAI, SpaceX’s current valuation is estimated at around $1 trillion,” Woo said in a report, expecting the figure to rise to as much as $1.5 trillion after listing, further supporting Mirae Asset Securities on the Seoul bourse.

Reflecting confidence in its long-term upside potential, Mirae Asset Securities also plans to keep holding stakes in innovative companies like SpaceX before they go public.

“We are not yet considering an exit strategy, as our investments in innovative companies remain unlisted,” CFO Lee Kang-hyuk told a conference call earlier this month.

“We aim to pursue exits at the most optimal timing and then reinvest the recovered funds into high-growth assets or use them for M&A, thus establishing a stable virtuous cycle,” he added.

Another beneficiary in the Korean stock market is SK Telecom, the country’s largest mobile carrier, which made a strategic equity investment of $100 million in Anthropic in mid-2023 through its venture arm.

Known for its Claude family of artificial intelligence models, Anthropic is also projected to go public in the coming years.

With its valuation estimated at about $380 billion, the value of SK Telecom’s stake has jumped several-fold to more than $2 billion, or nearly 20% of the company’s market capitalization.

The successful investment has bolstered its share price, which surged over 50% this year.

“The value of SK Telecom’s stake in Anthropic is estimated at around $2.1 billion,” Korea Investment & Securities analyst Kim Jeong-chan said in a report. “It has lifted SK Telecom’s valuation.”

He expected that AI-related revenue, including AI data centers and AI transformation, could put the firm on track to approach $1.4 billion in 2026 operating profit from $740 million last year.

Against this backdrop, industry watchers note that an increasing number of Korean corporations are likely to pursue long-term investments in promising startups from the advanced markets.

“As predicting the future has become increasingly difficult, companies are more often building portfolios of smaller investments rather than making large bets on a handful of prominent firms,” economic commentator Kim Kyeong-joon, formerly vice chairman at Deloitte Consulting Korea, told UPI.

“In the past, they might have made major investments in around five companies, but now it’s common to spread smaller investments across 30 firms. Even if only a few succeed, that is considered a success,” he said.

Kim noted that such a trend would accelerate across the country’s corporations with the advent of the AI era, when the future becomes even more challenging.

A seasoned cruise ship worker has shared the four things that crew members really hate about passengers

Cruising should be an enjoyable and tranquil getaway, but certain passenger behaviours can seriously spoil the atmosphere for everyone involved. Lucy Southerton, a veteran crew member with nine years under her belt working aboard cruise ships, has revealed some of the biggest gripes shared amongst her colleagues.

Boasting a loyal following of more than 65,000 subscribers on her YouTube channel Cruising as Crew, Southerton provides insider perspectives and practical guidance for cruise aficionados. In a recent upload, she explored the irritations encountered by crew members, from dishevelled cabins to inappropriate advances.

Here are four behaviours passengers ought to steer clear of to guarantee a more pleasant voyage for all, reports the Express.

1. Dishevelled Cabins

According to Southerton, crew members, especially those in housekeeping and stewarding roles, become exasperated by passengers leaving their cabins in complete chaos.

She stressed that their role involves cleaning and sanitising the accommodation, not picking up after guests.

“It’s crazy to think they’re only on board for five days because of the amount of stuff that’s everywhere,” Southerton remarked. She appealed to passengers to show consideration and respect for crew members’ duties whilst occupying their cabins.

2. Inappropriate Advances Towards Crew

Southerton warned passengers against making unwanted romantic or flirtatious overtures to crew members, describing it as a form of sexual harassment.

She shared accounts from male cabin crew who felt uneasy and irritated when travellers overstepped the mark. “It’s hard when they take it another way and they think that they have a chance with you just because you’re a sexy crew member,” Southerton explained.

3. Lack of Manners

Among the most frequent complaints from cabin crew is passengers’ failure to display basic courtesy. Southerton emphasised the significance of simple pleasantries like saying “please” and “thank you.”

She recalled occasions where travellers would bark orders without a shred of politeness, underlining the necessity for respectful conduct, particularly whilst on holiday.

4. Bragging

Finally, she voiced her frustration with passengers who show off, particularly those who parade their wealth in front of less privileged individuals.

She encouraged passengers to be conscious of their surroundings and avoid boasting, especially to crew members grafting hard to provide for their families.

“Brag to people who are on a similar level to you,” Southerton advised, emphasising the need for consideration and compassion.

By remaining mindful of these behaviours, passengers can help create a more enjoyable and considerate atmosphere aboard cruise ships, encouraging positive exchanges between travellers and crew members alike.

BUTLIN’S is already a cheap holiday, but what if we told you that holidays to its resorts are about to get a lot better?

Butlin’s is making one of its popular all-inclusive packages better value for money.

The all-inclusive drinks package now includes seven new drinks including spirits and cocktails.

Partnering with Coca Cola, there will be three new cocktails including the ‘Birthday Bonanza’ which features vodka, amaretto and Coca-Cola to celebrate Butlin’s’ 90th birthday.

In addition to the new cocktails, guests will also now be able to order Gordon’s Mediterranean Orange Gin, Captain Morgan Dark Rum and Disaronno.

And there will be another non-alcoholic and low alcohol option as well – Madri Excepcional 0.0%.

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Per adult, the drinks package starts at £25.95 per day and includes the above as well as soft drinks, wine, draught beers and cider and Proud to Serve Costa Coffee.

In total, guests get a choice of over 60 drinks with the all inclusive drinks package.

Travel writer, Helen Wright, who has tried the drinks package, said: “To add the all-inclusive drinks package onto the booking, it was an extra £41.45 for us and £51.95 for Gen and the boys per day. An overall £124.35 and £155.85 respectively.

“When you check in, you are given a wristband and a QR code to use when you want to order drinks during your stay.

“But with the amount of activities and entertainment, I was unsure whether I would get through £42 worth of drinks in one day.

“It was almost 1pm and with them occupied for 15 mins, Gen and I could enjoy our first cocktail of the weekend along with some adult conversation.

“Alcohol is served from 11am at the resort. A glass of house wine is £4.90 and a pint is £5.95.

“I’m more of a cocktail girl, so I decided to get into the holiday spirit with a margarita, usually £7.75, but free with my wristband.

“Doing a quick tally, it wasn’t even lunchtime yet, and I’d spent over a third of my initial £30 a day outlay already.

“Only the adults wear the band, so it does mean that kids can’t go up and order their own drinks.

“However, it was easy to get drinks, and despite the resort being very busy in high season, none of the bars were too crowded or had a long wait.

“There is no question, if you like a beer or cocktail in the sun or you plan on drinking at lunch and dinner, with a few extras like coffee and a lemonade in between, £30 a day is well worth the money. 

Alex Meyer, head of marketing at Butlin’s, said: “We’re all about offering incredible value for money, and with the latest additions to the All Inclusive drinks range the package is even better value for guests.

“Now with over 60 drinks to choose from, including our new cocktails and spirits, our All Inclusive drinks package continues to be unrivalled compared to other UK holiday resorts’ offerings.

“As we celebrate our 90th birthday, guests can raise a glass to the landmark occasion with our brand-new Birthday Bonanza cocktail.

“The new creation is set to rival our guest favourite cocktail, Butlin’s On The Beach, which has been the most popular cocktail since the drinks package launched in 2024.”

If looking to head off on a break to Butlin’s, you could book a Showtime Term-Time Midweek break with the drinks package for £399.

In September 2025, Butlin’s holiday resort also revealed it’s latest expansion plans with hundreds more lodges.

And here’s how to get a cheeky mid-week break at Butlin’s with all the frills for a fraction of the price.

News of Eric Dane’s death Thursday was met with an outpouring of grief by celebrities, who expressed their admiration for the TV star’s mischievous on-screen charisma and his advocacy efforts during his battle against ALS.

Dane is best known for his role as Dr. Mark Sloan, or “McSteamy,” on “Grey’s Anatomy” and recently portrayed the dark and secretive father Cal Jacobs in HBO’s “Euphoria.” He died at age 53, less than a year after publicly announcing his diagnosis with the neurodegenerative disease.

Alyssa Milano, who was Dane’s romantic co-star on “Charmed,” shared a heartfelt message on Instagram praising his cheeky, yet tender spirit and deep love for his daughters.

“I can’t stop seeing that spark in Eric’s eye right before he’d say something that would either make you spit out your drink or rethink your entire perspective,” said Milano. “He had a razor-sharp sense of humor. He loved the absurdity of things.”

HBO Max shared a statement on Instagram, lauding Dane’s talent and saying the network was “fortunate to have worked with him on three seasons of Euphoria.” The show’s creator, Sam Levinson, shared a statement with Variety saying he’s heartbroken by the loss of a dear friend.

“Working with him was an honor,” Levinson said. “Being his friend was a gift. Eric’s family is in our prayers. May his memory be for a blessing.”

Former “Grey’s Anatomy” showrunner Krista Vernoff shared an Instagram post fondly reminiscing about when Dane returned to the set in 2021 to film a dream sequence featuring his character, who died in Season 9. Although it was shot during the pandemic, he “broke the rules” and gave her a huge hug.

“The thing I will remember most about Eric Dane are his hugs,” Vernoff wrote. “The best hugs. Oh my friend. I wish you peace.”

Dane was preparing to publish his memoir, “Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments,” later this year with Maria Shriver’s publishing imprint, the Open Field.

Shriver said Dane was heroic in the way he handled his disease and used his platform to raise awareness about ALS.

“He told me he wanted his family to know how much he loved them, and he wanted to leave them a story they could be proud of,” she said in a statement on X. “My love goes out to his family, and to all those battling this cruel disease, as well as all those caring for someone battling it.”

In 2025, Dane drew on his personal experiences with the condition to portray a firefighter living with ALS on “Brilliant Minds” and advocated for legislation to provide funding for ALS research and give patients early access to treatments.

He worked closely with the nonprofit organization I Am ALS to raise money to research new treatments for the disease, which currently has no cure.

“Eric brought humility, humor, and visibility to ALS and reminded the world that progress is possible when we refuse to remain silent,” the organization said in a statement. “Eric was more than a supporter of our mission — he was part of our family.”

ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive disease that damages nerve cells controlling voluntary muscles, typically causing death two to five years after diagnosis.

Nina Dobrev, Dane’s co-star in the western romance movie “Redeeming Love,” wrote on her Instagram story that she was heartbroken by his death.

“He was warm, generous, prepared, and so passionate about what he did,” she said. “He led with kindness and made everyone on our set feel seen.”

Times staff writer Alexandra Del Rosario contributed to this report

In the summer months, temperatures regularly hit above 40C, trapping people inside their air-conditioned homes or hotel rooms. But a new system is allowing people to spend time outside in comfort

While the prospect of a heatwave might sound appealing to Brits right now, many countries are facing rising temperatures accelerated by global heating that are making day-to-day life increasingly complicated.

In countries such as Qatar, the summer months often see temperatures in the mid-40s and above, and according to a BBC documentary, the extreme heat has hit 50C at some points in recent years. For locals and tourists who are lucky enough not to have to work outside, this often means an indoor lifestyle, travelling in air-conditioned cars, and spending days in cooled offices and malls.

But on one of Doha’s man-made islands, visitors can stroll around outside year-round thanks to an artificial ‘forest’ that cools the air. Gewan Island is part of an artificial archipelago that stretches out into the Persian Gulf, connected to the mainland with a series of multi-lane motorway bridges.

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In the centre of the island is the crystal walkway, a 450-meter-long promenade with the sort of high-end shops, restaurants, and apartment buildings you’d expect in Doha. Underneath visitors’ feet lie thousands of crystals arranged into artworks that portray polar landscapes and oceans, ironically, also places affected by climate change.

But it’s the manmade ‘forest’ that really grabs visitors’ attention. Giant tree-shaped sculptures have been erected all along the promenade, capped with hexagonal designs decked in more crystals. The tops of these trees have solar panels, which reportedly help to power the area and its outdoor air conditioning.

Along the trunks of the trees, small holes blast out ice-cold air, with the shape of the sculpture designed to trap the cold air underneath. Ten tons of crystals were used in the construction process, and the area is finished off with mini fountains that spray cold water.

Temperatures under the ‘forest’ can be kept at around 21-23C, no doubt a welcome relief during the hottest days of the year. Nearby is Pearl Island, another artificial spot that consists of vast luxury residences, boutiques, and even its own manmade beaches, where tourists stay in sprawling 5-star hotels.

While outdoor air-conditioning might sound bizarre to people from outside the country, it’s not even Doha’s first attraction to crank up the cold air outside.

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An article on Time Out Doha lists 10 spots with outdoor air conditioning, which include parks, outdoor walking and jogging tracks, and outdoor dining areas. Oxygen Park, a green spot in the city, has outdoor walkways with air conditioning for chilled walks, and the outdoor mall 21 High Street has vented floors that keep the temperature at 20 °C for shoppers visiting its luxury shops and high-end jewellery stores.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

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Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has cast doubt on his immediate future at Selhurst Park after admitting he’s “not good enough” in the role, following the club’s 1-1 draw against Zrinjski in the UEFA Europa Conference League play-offs.

READ MORE: Glasner’s Crystal Palace future in serious doubt

Travel expert Simon Calder warns that dual British citizens with expired UK passports could face £589 certificate fees as new electronic travel authorisation rules come into force from February 25

Travel expert Simon Calder has issued advice to Brits travelling to and from Europe. The alert comes as a significant change affecting UK-bound travellers takes effect on February 25.

From that date, anyone wishing to visit the UK who isn’t British or Irish must register for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA). The Government describes it as delivering ‘a more streamlined, digital immigration system which will be quicker and more secure‘.

An ETA serves as digital travel permission – it’s neither a visa nor a tax and doesn’t guarantee UK entry – rather, it authorises someone to journey to Britain. However, Mr Calder highlighted another aspect that could trip people up.

Speaking to the Independent, he warned that British citizens holding out-of-date passports might encounter problems. He explained: “There’s growing confusion and concern about electronic borders. The first change that’s going to be happening is on the 25th of February.

“It’s going to be mandatory for everyone who is not a British or Irish citizen and who wants to travel to the UK to register for the electronic travel authorisation. This is the online permit that increasingly many countries are demanding.

“That is clear, except that it also means that dual citizens who have the right to live in the UK have to enter on a British passport or have a certificate of entitlement to live in the UK. British passports cost £94.50. That certificate of entitlement is £589. And there is concern that a lot of people who are British citizens but don’t have a valid passport for all sorts of reasons-they’ve never needed one, they had one but it lapsed, they’ve got a perfectly good passport from somewhere else-they are going to have to have either that passport or the certificate of entitlement if they want to come to the UK.

“Again, this does not apply to anybody with the immense wisdom and good fortune to have an Irish passport, because that is the passport with superpowers that will get you in and out of the UK and indeed the European Union without any problems at all.”

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According to the 2021 Census, approximately 1.26 million usual residents across England and Wales held multiple passports. The Home Office has cautioned that airlines will be verifying passengers have the correct documentation.

The right of abode that Mr Calder references permits you to live or work in the UK without any immigration restrictions whatsoever. If you possess the right of abode, you do not require a visa or ETA to enter the UK.

There’s no cap on how long you can remain in the country. Concerns have also emerged regarding Europe’s new biometric border system currently being introduced.

Several airports have allegedly experienced delays stretching up to six hours, prompting warnings of potential travel ‘chaos’.

The European Commission indicated it might be feasible to suspend the new system during busy periods until September. Mr Calder explained: “The European Union’s entry-exit system started to be rolled out in October. By the 9th of April, it is supposed to be in a position where everybody is able to enter or exit through those Schengen area frontiers, just being fingerprinted on the first occasion and having a facial biometric taken. After that, it’s going to be the facial biometric all the way.

“Now, the airports and the airlines are saying it’s a terrible thing, it’s not working properly. We’ve already seen two-hour queues; they’re warning of four-hour queues in the summer. They want it to be suspended. No sense that it will be or not at the moment. Europe says it is going well, but don’t be surprised if it is.

“The only advice I can offer, because this is simply something that’s done to you-you don’t need to prepare for it-is when you’re coming back from the Schengen area, I would turn up at the airport really early just to make sure you make your plane, because it applies on the way out as well as on the way in to the Schengen area.”

Ukraine expressed frustration with its ongoing peace talks with Russia and the United States this week, saying US pressure was too one-sided against it.

“As of today, we cannot say that the outcome is sufficient,” Zelenskyy told Ukrainians in a Wednesday evening video address.

Before Wednesday’s talks in Geneva had begun, Zelenskyy told Axios news service that ceding the remaining one-fifth of the eastern Donetsk region that Russia doesn’t control, as Moscow has demanded, would not be accepted by Ukrainians.

“Emotionally, people will never forgive this. Never. They will not forgive … me, they will not forgive [the US],” Zelenskyy said, adding that Ukrainians “can’t understand why” they would be asked to give up additional land.

Russia currently controls about 19 percent of Ukraine, down from 26 percent in March 2022.

Last month, 54 percent of surveyed Ukrainians told the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology they categorically reject transferring the whole of the Donetsk region to Russian control, even in return for strong security guarantees, with only 39 percent accepting the proposal.

Two-thirds of respondents also said they did not believe the current US-sponsored peace negotiations would lead to lasting peace.

Instead of ceding land now, Zelenskyy favours freezing the current line of contact as a pretext for a ceasefire and territorial negotiations.

“I think that if we will put in the document … that we stay where we stay on the contact line, I think that people will support this [in a] referendum. That is my opinion,” he told Axios.

Blaming Ukraine

US President Donald Trump told Reuters last month that Ukraine, not Russia, was holding up a peace deal.

But Zelenskyy said it was “not fair” that Trump was putting public pressure on Ukraine to accept Russian terms, adding, “I hope it is just his tactics.”

US senators visiting Odesa last week agreed with him, saying they want their government to put more pressure on Russia.

“Nobody, literally nobody, believes that Russia is acting in good faith in the negotiations with our government and with the Ukrainians. And so pressure becomes the key,” said Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island.

Russia unleashed a barrage of 396 attack drones and 29 missiles on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure on the day of the Geneva talks, its second large-scale blow in six days. On February 12, another attack had left 100,000 families without electricity, and 3,500 apartment buildings without heat in Kyiv alone.

“Russia greets with a strike even the very day new formats begin in Geneva – trilateral and bilateral with the United States,” said Zelenskyy in a video address. “This very clearly shows what Russia wants and what it is truly intent on.”

Zelenskyy has repeatedly asked Western allies to stop Russian energy sales that circumvent sanctions, and to stop exporting components to third countries, which re-export them to Russia’s armaments industry.

Russia is believed to be using a shadow fleet estimated at between 400 and 1,000 oil tankers to carry and sell its crude oil. France has seized two of those tankers, and the US seized a second tanker on Monday.

The US Senate has held off voting on a sanctions bill that has 85 percent support because of opposition from Trump. The bill would impose secondary sanctions on buyers of Russian oil – notably India and China.

Can Russia take Donetsk anyway?

Russia has fought since 2014 to seize the two eastern regions of Ukraine, which triggered its invasion – Luhansk and Donetsk – where it claimed a Russian-speaking population was being persecuted by the government in Kyiv.

Late last year, Russia managed to seize all of Luhansk, but analysts believe it is doubtful that it could take the remainder of Donetsk without serious losses, because Ukraine has heavily fortified a series of cities in the western part of the region.

That task has now become even harder, according to observers, since Russia this month lost access to Starlink terminals, which helped it communicate, fly its drones and coordinate accurate counter-battery fire.

As Russian ground assaults have faltered, Ukraine has seized the initiative to make gains in Dnipropetrovsk, said Ukrainian military observer Konstantyn Mashovets.

Ukrainian forces gained 201sq km of territory from Russian occupation forces between February 11 and 15, according to observers, reportedly their fastest advance since a 2023 counteroffensive.

Russia has been trying to replace Starlink using stratospheric balloons, reported Ukrainian Defence Ministry adviser Serhiy “Flash” Beskrestnov.

Russia would likely take six months to replace Starlink, said a Ukrainian unmanned systems commander, offering Ukrainian forces a window to roll back Russian advances.

It also suffered 31,680 casualties in January, estimated Ukraine’s General Staff – a sustainable number given Russian recruitment levels of about 40,000 a month. But those numbers would rise in the event of a major assault on the remainder of Donetsk, experts say.

“Our goal is to have at least 50,000 confirmed enemy losses every month,” said Ukrainian Minister of Defence Mykhailo Fedorov on February 12, echoing a goal set by Zelenskyy last month.

Fedorov has set out to increase the production of remote-control FPV drones used on the front lines, which Ukraine says are now responsible for 60 percent of all Russian casualties.

As part of that effort, joint drone production facilities are planned in several European countries. The first started operating on February 13 in Germany, Zelenskyy told the Munich Security Conference, and nine more are planned.

In addition, Ukraine’s European allies pledged 38 billion euros ($44.7bn) in military aid this year during a Ramstein format meeting – the alliance of more than 50 countries which plans military aid for Ukraine – including 2.5 billion euros ($2.9bn) for Ukrainian drones – “one of the most successful ‘Ramsteins’,” Fedorov said.

The European Union has additionally voted to borrow 90 billion euros ($106bn) to give to Ukraine in financial aid this year and next.

The US stopped being a donor of military and financial aid to Ukraine after Trump was sworn in as president in January 2025.

Against Trump’s wishes, the US Senate voted to spend $400m in each of the next two years as part of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which pays US companies for weapons for Ukraine’s military. Europeans have pledged to spend at least 5 billion euros ($5.8bn) on US weapons this year.

Europe would also be the main contributor to a “reassurance force” policing the line of contact after a ceasefire, and on Ukraine’s insistence, US representatives also met with British, French, German, Italian and Swiss representatives before the talks in Geneva.

What looks to be a new 155mm naval gun has been installed on a Chinese weapons trials ship. This is larger than any gun currently found on People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warships. The weapon could offer a boost in naval gunfire support capability to aid in future amphibious operations, as well as additional firepower for use against enemy ships and aerial threats, including possibly incoming missiles.

A picture showing what appears to be a Type 910 test vessel with a very large caliber gun mounted in a turret on the bow began circulating online yesterday, but it is unknown when exactly it was taken. The location is readily identifiable as Liaoning Shipyard, also known as Dalian Liaoning South Shipyard. This yard, which is situated adjacent to the PLAN’s Lushun Naval Base, has been involved in other advanced naval developments in the past, including the testing of a stealthy Chinese corvette or light frigate.

Though it is a relatively low-quality image, what is visible of the weapon and its turret aligns with what has emerged in the past year or so about a new 155mm naval gun under development in China.

Specific details about the 155mm gun remain limited, but a picture of a data plate that previously appeared online indicates that it weighs 21,800 kilograms (roughly 48,060 pounds) and is capable of firing guided projectiles. There have also been reports that the Inner Mongolia Northern Heavy Industries Group division of the state-run China North Industries Group Corporation (NORINCO) has been responsible for the design. NORINCO is a heavy industrial conglomerate involved in a wide variety of military and commercial enterprises, including the development and production of ground-based 155mm howitzers and other large caliber guns.

The largest caliber gun in active PLAN service today is a single-barrel 130mm (roughly 5-inch) type known variously as the H/PJ-38 and the H/PJ-45. The design was reverse-engineered from the Soviet-era AK-130, a twin-barrel weapon. The H/PJ-38 / H/PJ-45 first appeared on the Type 052D destroyer in the early 2000s and is also now found on newer Type 055 destroyers.

Though the maximum range of the H/PJ-38 / H/PJ-45 is unclear, the AK-130 is said to have a maximum range of around 14 miles (23 kilometers). One would expect, then, that the new 155mm naval gun would have greater reach.

The larger 155mm caliber could also open the door to more novel ammunition types in line with other developments globally. The U.S. Army, for instance, has been actively pursuing ramjet-powered 155mm rounds for ground-based howitzers in recent years. The Army, as well as the U.S. Navy, have also been supporting work on a 155mm gun-launched glide munition from General Atomics called the Long Range Maneuvering Projectile (LRMP). Hypervelocity projectiles that could be fired from howitzers on the ground and naval guns on ships, and be used to engage land, sea, and aerial targets, have been another area of active development in the United States.

Long-Range Maneuvering Projectile

Other known 155mm naval gun developments elsewhere in the world have historically focused primarily on meeting requirements for naval gunfire support for amphibious operations. China has uniquely relevant needs to be able to bombard targets ashore, especially in the context of any future intervention against Taiwan, as well as operations in the hotly contested South China Sea and other littorals it may seek to control.

The PLAN has been making other major investments in recent years to expand its amphibious warfare capabilities, overall. This has included the construction of the new supersized Type 076 amphibious assault ship Sichuan, as well as the continued expansion of its fleet of smaller Type 075s. China has also been acquiring a fleet of barges with jack-up legs that could be used to establish temporary piers after beachheads are secured.

Chinese PLA Navy’s First Type 076 Amphibious Assault Ship “Sichuan” Conducts First Sea Trial

1/x New lengthy & detailed footage (2nd & 3rd videos) of the 🇨🇳Chinese Shuiqiao-type landing barges (self-propelled amphibious landing platform utility vessels) during some trials with civilian cars
(via wb/齐天的孙猴子) pic.twitter.com/ajphn4m0mu

— Jesus Roman (@jesusfroman) June 15, 2025

A long-range naval gun capable of firing hypervelocity projectiles, as well as other ammunition types, could offer new cost and flexibility advantages over missiles in certain scenarios against other types of targets, as well. The U.S. military has previously demonstrated the ability of a 155mm howitzer to down incoming subsonic cruise missiles when firing hypervelocity rounds that could cost $100,000 or less when produced at scale.

At the same time, the reach of any gun is still likely to be relatively short in the context of modern naval warfare, which is dominated today by missiles, another area where the PLAN has been making major investments. As such, there are still questions about the utility of a new longer-ranged gun in any naval context, given what it might take to get a ship armed with one within range of relevant targets. TWZ explored exactly these issues in detail when U.S. President Donald Trump made his first comments about plans for a new class of “battleships” for the U.S. Navy last year.

This is all reflective of a larger debate over the value, or lack thereof, of naval gunfire support globally. This played a notably central role in the development of the Zumwalt class stealth destroyers for the U.S. Navy. A pair of 155mm guns that would sit fully concealed with their turrets when not in use, and that would fire long-range guided rounds, was central to the original Zumwalt design. The Navy subsequently balked at the cost of the Long-Range Land Attack Projectiles (LRLAP), the unit price of which was pegged at approximately $800,000. That, in turn, threw the future of the guns into limbo. The U.S. Navy is now refitting its Zumwalt class ships with new vertical launch system cells for hypersonic missiles in place of the guns.

BAE Systems – 155mm Advanced Gun System (AGS) Long Range Land Attack Projectile (LRLAP) [480p]

The Trump class “battleship” design that has now emerged does feature an electromagnetic railgun, as well as multiple 5-inch guns, but also various types of missiles and laser directed energy weapons. The U.S. Navy had shelved previous work on railguns in the early 2020s, despite having seen promising progress, due to significant technological impediments.

China has also been developing railguns for naval use. A prototype design mounted in a large turret emerged on a PLAN ship in 2018, but the current status of that program is unclear. It is possible that Chinese work now on a traditional 155mm naval gun could be, at least in part, a hedge against issues with the railgun effort.

Other countries are also pursuing railguns for naval use, with Japan notably having now conducted multiple at-sea tests of a prototype design, as you can read more about here.

How the development of the new Chinese 155mm naval gun proceeds is still to be seen, but the project does look to be advancing now toward at least initial at-sea testing.

Contact the author: joe@twz.com

This town has been named among “Spain’s most secret destinations” by European Best Destinations, with colourful houses, fresh seafood and vibrant festivals

Tucked away between verdant rolling hills and the Cantabrian Sea lies a hidden gem of a village that European Best Destinations has crowned amongst “Spain’s most secret destinations”. Cudillero, situated in the Asturias region, is celebrated for its enchanting winding alleyways, vibrant houses down the slopes, and thriving fishing harbour.

Fishing has long been the lifeblood of the village’s economy, and today you can still observe fishermen carrying out their age-old routines along the waterside. Tourists can meander along the harbour, observe the fishing vessels gently rocking in the water, and savour fresh seafood and traditional northern specialities in the village’s eateries.

Asturian gastronomy, originating from the Asturias region in northern Spain, is celebrated for its robust and richly flavoured fare that frequently showcases fresh seafood, substantial stews, and locally procured produce, reports the Express.

Arguably its most iconic offering, the Fabada Asturiana, is a sumptuous and soul-warming bean casserole prepared with large white beans (fabes), chorizo, morcilla (blood sausage), and pork.

Another comforting treat worth sampling during the chillier seasons is the Caldereta de Pescado, an Asturian seafood casserole that highlights the region’s maritime treasures.

It comprises an assortment of fish and seafood including hake, monkfish, prawns, and clams, simmered in a richly flavoured stock with tomatoes, onions, and garlic.

The Empanada Asturiana, a savoury pastry filled with tuna, chorizo, or other ingredients is a beloved snack in Asturias and often taken on picnic trips and to family events by locals.

Visitors to this corner of Spain simply must sample the traditional Asturian Cider, known locally as Sidra Asturiana, which is customarily poured from a considerable height to oxygenate it and amplify its taste.

Cudillero is a village that invites discovery, boasting a historic quarter resembling a labyrinth of narrow, twisting lanes flanked by quintessential Asturian dwellings, many decorated with vibrant balconies with pots brimming with flowers.

Perched atop the village on a clifftop commanding views of the ocean sits the Church of Santa María, providing sweeping vistas across the vegetation-clad surrounding landscape.

Nature lovers will find Cudillero offers abundant opportunities for adventure, with neighbouring walking routes winding through dramatic coastal terrain and lush woodland.

Beyond its scenic splendour and seafaring character, Cudillero is also celebrated for its lively festivals held year-round, including L’Amuravela, which occurs every June 29th and commences with a local resident delivering, in rhyme and “pixueto” dialect, a sermon wittily recapping the year’s events whilst seeking divine protection for the 12 months ahead.

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WE all know Americans do things a lot bigger than in the UK – from fast food to drink sizes – and it goes for play areas too.

One in the US the size of a football pitch has caught the eye of Brits who say they’d love to see one open in the UK.

Called The Fun Station Cedar Falls, the enormous play area stretches across 70,000 square feet and is the state of Iowa‘s largest indoor adventure park.

It has over 20 attractions from zip lines to trampolines, an obstacle course, laser tag, racing slides, bowling alleys and fairground rides.

There’s a multi-level play maze, seven climbing walls as high as 22ft, a high-ropes course at 55ft, an arcade with 35 video arcade games where players can win prizes.

There’s food on-site too from a salad bar, to a cafe and fizzy drink station.

SIGHT SEA

£9.50 holidaymakers’ favourite Skegness activities… away from the beach

GO SEA IT

£9.50 holiday spot with shipwrecks, seals offshore & horseshoe-shaped waterfalls

It’s popular with local parents who say that their kids “love to climb for hours here”.

With a video doing the rounds on Facebook, it’s even caught the attention of UK residents with one even saying “wish we had this in the UK”.

For UK parents, one parent in the comments suggested heading to Riverside Hub in Northampton.

One writer Catherine Lofthouse visited the attraction that has the UK’s largest playframe across four floors, which they called ‘soft play on steroids’.

Catherine said: “Laser tag, crazy golf, two climbing poles, go-karts and even arcade machines all included in the price.

“The main issue is keeping an eye on all your children as they head off in opposite directions to make the most of everything on offer.

“While the youngest was taking a spin on the carousel, my middle son was clambering up the two 10m climbing poles, one in the shape of an oak tree and the other a beanstalk, in the centre of the hub.”

There are also Fun Stations in the UK – but these are owned by a different company.

In cities like Birmingham, Leeds and Milton Keynes, there are Fun Stations that are more like arcades.

It’s packed with immersive and action-packed video and VR games, along with carnival games where visitors can win top prizes like iPads and headphones.

Some destinations even have dodgems, mini bowling, laser tag, escape rooms and mini golf.

For more on play areas, here are five of the UK’s biggest indoor soft plays to escape the rainy weather with huge climbing frames and drop slides.

And here is a huge new wooden play attraction that’s set to open at a historic English house with den building, zip lines and racing slides.