Travel Desk

MAJOR airports in Spain are introducing Brit-only border control to avoid travel chaos this summer.

New EES requirements have resulted in large queues at airports for British holidaymakers.

According to local media, the Spanish operator Aena has revealed that four airports will adapt their security and border control for Brits.

These airports are in Ibiza, Menorca, Malaga and Palma, Majorca.

It’s set to be put in place to ease the queues caused by new EES rules.

These will have a single access point to non-Schengen boarding zones to be used only by UK and non-EU passengers.

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There’s concern that the new EES requirement is causing delays in airports and will only grow during peak travel times, like the summer holidays.

Officials have expressed their worry that queues could be up to four hours or more.

The changes form part of Aena’s huge investment plan to its airports set to take place between 2027-2031.

These airports will use the investment ‘redesign control areas to improve passenger flow’.

They will allocate 29 per cent more space for passengers to ‘ensure smoother processing and better service quality’.

Malaga Airport could receive €1.5billion (£1.3billion) which could see it double the size of the terminal and increase capacity to handle 36million passengers each year.

Palma Airport (called Son Sant Joan) could receive €621.6million (just over £544million) for upgrades.

The investment is set to go towards the airport’s platforms, runway and taxiway pavements, taxiways, and renovation of boarding bridges.

In the case of Ibiza, the investment is set to be €229.7million (£201million), and in Menorca, the investment will reach €170.7million (£149million).

It will also include the adaptation to border control regulations to improve its efficiency.

At all four of the upgrade plans at these airports include allocated areas for Brits and non-EU passengers.

In order to fund the investment, Aena has proposed an average annual increasing its fees for airlines.

This hasn’t been well-received by the likes of Ryanair which has planned to axe over a million seats to certain Spanish routes, with some being cut down or cancelled completely.

Here’s more on the Spanish city which is getting MORE Ryanair flights after budget airline scrapped millions of seats.

And here are the cheapest destinations to fly to from six major UK airports including Spanish resorts to Greek islands.

BRITISH Airways have launched another sale and it could see you land some mega cheap business class flights.

British Airways and British Airways Holidays’ are launching a business class sale today.

Running until March 17, travellers can get savings on a number of business class flights and holiday packages.

For example, travellers can save up to £500 on Club World return flights.

Club World is British Airways’ long-haul business class and Club Europe is the airline’s short-haul business class.

If you fancy a European getaway, then in Club Europe you could get return flights to Berlin, Germany from £270 and Dublin, Ireland from £199.

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Other cheap business class flight offers include to Amsterdam in the Netherlands, from £124 each way.

And there are lots of offers on Spain flights including to Barcelona from £132 each way, Ibiza from £119 each way, Madrid from £133 each way, Palma from £156 each way and Valencia from £138 per way.

When it comes to further afield, you could head to Barbados from £1,899 and Sao Paulo from £2,899 with Club World.

Don’t want to spend that much? Then you could opt for return flights in Club World to Agadir in Morocco for £457 return.

Or you could venture off to Cairo in Egypt for £723 return.

Perhaps you want to book an entire holiday package?

Well, you could head off to Berlin in Germany for three nights, staying at INNSiDE Berlin Mitte hotel from £399 per person.

If you would rather head to Spain, you can holiday to Valencia for three nights staying at the Senator Parque Central Hotel from £399 per person.

If you want your holiday to last longer, then you could spend seven nights in Tuscany, Italy at the four-star Ilaria & Residenza Dell’Alba, costing from £589 per person, including breakfast.

For a holiday further afield, you could go to Marrakech in Morocco, staying at the Kasbah Africa Hotel for seven nights, with breakfast, costing from £808 per person.

To get any of these offers, you must book by March 17.

In other holiday deal news, thousands of new £9.50 holidays go on sale this weekend – join Sun Club for early access.

Plus, here are the most popular UK holiday park from £9.50 Hols – with beachfront pods, hot tub lodges and a surfing simulator.

A rare weather phenomenon known as calima is set to sweep across parts of Europe, hitting major holiday hotspots with ‘blood rain’ possible, leaving dramatic orange-coated scenes

Brits could be battered by ‘blood rain’ during a rare weather phenomenon set to engulf parts of Europe.

A Saharan dust cloud is set to sweep across parts of Spain and the Balearic Islands, hitting major holiday hotspots such as Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Majorca, Menorca and Ibiza. The phenomenon, known as Calima, is being driven by a high-altitude, isolated depression (DANA) that is transporting large amounts of sand from Morocco and Mauritania into southern Europe.

Instead of basking in the Spanish heat, tourists face the prospect of orange-tinted dust, hazy skies and reduced visibility. The Spanish weather agency, AEMET, also warned that calima “worsens air quality due to microscopic particles, which can reach the respiratory tract”.

READ MORE: Foreign Office warns about Turkey after seven Brits dieREAD MORE: Passport holders told to take action now or risk ‘being turned away at airport’

Holidaymakers and locals should also brace themselves for “blood rain,” which occurs when the orange dust is mixed with rain. Heavy rain has been predicted for parts of Spain, which could result in thick layers of dust engulfing the Spanish hotspots, dramatically changing the scene, leaving cars scattered with dust and murky swimming pools.

The weather is forecast to be worse in the southeast parts of Spain, along the Mediterranean coast and the Balearic Islands. The AEMET issued a weather warning on X, formerly Twitter, and said: “Very adverse weather in the Canary Islands: showers that could be very heavy, today accompanied by storms in the eastern islands; very strong wind gusts; rough seas.”

The agency noted on Sunday that the “weather is expected to improve.” The phenomenon has also brought an unusually warm air mass, with soaring temperatures up to 25C in southeastern regions and the Canary Islands, and Bilbao hitting a blistering 27C in February.

This isn’t the first time the Canary Islands have experienced a calima, including Lanzarote, which typically occurs during the winter months. The calima is a hot, oppressive wind that arises when high pressure builds over the Sahara, subsequently driving winds that carry Saharan temperatures and sand.

Explaining further, Lanzarote Information said: “During a calima, the air turns a white or even a yellow colour and you can literally smell the sand in the air from the Desert.

“Visibility is reduced, and there’s a kind of otherworldly quality to the light. Often strange insects accompany the winds – in recent years we have had locusts, ladybirds and dragonflies that arrive on the island.

“They rarely last for very long here, as there is so little for them to eat due to the desert nature of Lanzarote. Sometimes unusual birds are blown over on the wind as well, so look out for them.”

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This source provides a historical overview of the Dominican Republic’s Independence Day, celebrated annually on February 27th. The text traces the island’s colonial beginnings from the arrival of Christopher Columbusthrough centuries of Spanish governance and a subsequent era of Haitian unification. It highlights the pivotal role of the secret organization known as La Trinitaria, led by foundational figures like Juan Pablo Duarte. The narrative culminates in the 1844 revolution, marking the moment the national flag was first raised to signal sovereignty. Additionally, the document functions as a digital news digest, briefly referencing various global current events alongside this central historical commemorative  … 

A leading travel journalist who visited 27 Greek islands has concluded which three are their favourite and which two they would not return to again with popular islands like Crete and Mykonos ignored

A travel writer who visited 27 Greek islands has concluded which of the islands she has visited are her favourites.

Hannah Logan, a full time travel writer, travelled the length and breadth of the islands to ascertain which they would return to and which they would avoid.

After much consideration, they identified three they’d try again and two they would skip. The three islands in question were Symi, Milos, and Skiathos.

Writing in Business Insider Hannah praised Symi because it felt “more lowkey” than other places such as Mykonos and Santorini. She described it as “the perfect place to relax”.

Meanwhile, Milos was highlighted for having “some of the most stunning beaches in Greece” with Sarakiniko Beach standing out. Hannah added: “Several tiny fishing villages also add a unique factor to this island. In some of them, traditional boathouses have been renovated into cozy, waterfront villas and hotels.”

The third island Hannah took a shine to was Skiathos which she described as “charming” with a “lively” nightlife element and some of the greatest food Hannah had experienced on her travels. Also noted was the open air screenings of Mamma Mia, as some parts of the iconic film were shot on the island.

Whilst Symi, Milos, and Skiathos were favoured by Hannah, she noted that Kos and Mykonos was not to her liking as much. She described Mykonos as “overhyped” and said she wouldn’t return to Kos because “it didn’t feel special” to her.

Hannah isn’t the only individual to comment on the beauty and majesty of some of Greece’s islands with Crete also attracting positive attention.

Recently, Elafonisi beach came second in Tripadvisor’s survey of the world’s best beaches with visitors entranced by its ‘pink sand’.

Although it was beaten by Mexico’s Isla Pasion beach, it was the highest placed in Europe in the table with users praising the area for its “natural beauty, crystal clear waters and unforgettable views”.

However, the beach’s prowess has come at a cost. Despite averaging 4.4/5 across 16,000 reviews holidaymakers have been advised to time their visit right to avoid the crowds with 8am to 11am the best window of time.

Even the official page on Tripadvisor warns visitors, it said: “The amount of pink on display varies with conditions and the season. Regardless, the crystal clear waters make this a popular summer vacation spot, attracting sunbathers and water sport enthusiasts alike.

“Visit in the morning to beat traffic and secure a chair and umbrella before the crowds arrive. Or come in the evening for a stunning sunset when most people have left.”

THERE’S still time to take advantage of the ‘stay for a night, play for a year’ theme park offer for huge savings.

The deal means that my family can visit theme parks and attractions like Alton Towers and Legoland all year round, plus enjoy an overnight stay and breakfast for less than it would normally cost for two annual passes.

We’re avid fans of rollercoasters and rides and last year visited Alton Towers, Chessington, Thorpe Park and Warwick Castle, so I couldn’t believe my eyes when this offer popped up.

I paid less than £250 for an overnight stay at Thorpe Park, which includes breakfast and free parking during your stay, and now have four Merlin passes that I can use all year round.

An essential pass is normally £139, so it’s a massive saving just on the passes alone.

You need to be clever about how you use the deal, which ends this weekend, to get the most for your money.

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First of all, try to find a midweek date for your theme park stay by checking out if you have a school inset day during the promotion period, which runs until June.

If you go in the school holidays or on a Saturday night, an overnight stay will invariably cost more.

Luckily we have an inset day in May, which is the perfect time to make the most of this offer.

Secondly, take a look at all the different Merlin attractions that offer accommodation, as there’s often a huge difference in room prices.

In general, I’ve found Thorpe Park to be the cheapest and Legoland or Alton Towers the most expensive.

Don’t forget to check out Warwick Castle as it’s easy to overlook that as a place that offers overnight stays and the rooms there tend to be good value for money, especially if you’re visiting with small children.

My friend found a room for her family of four for just £219.

My third tip would be to think carefully about what combination of people you’ll book for. 

We have two adults and three children in my family and if I book an overnight stay for all of us, that rules out some of the cheaper accommodation options because the camping pods at both Alton Towers and Legoland can only sleep four.

There’s more choice for a smaller family, so it could be more cost-effective to choose that, especially if some of your family won’t be available for the overnight stay anyway.

I have children at both primary and secondary schools now, so they don’t all have the same inset days.

If you go down that route, you won’t then have free passes for all your family members.

But an easy hack to sort that is to sign up for Sun Club membership, as you get two free tickets to many Merlin attractions like Chessington and Alton Towers with that.

So you can book your pair of free tickets when they are on offer with Sun Club and then use your annual passes for entry for the rest of your party on the same day.

There are a few pitfalls you need to watch out for – some dates are excluded from the essential pass, but maybe not as many as you might expect.

The 25 days you can’t use your pass mainly fall on bank holiday weekends and Saturdays in August. I was pleasantly surprised by how many dates were included.

Remember that you’ll need to pay for parking each visit as that’s not covered by the essential pass.

If you’re going to be visiting a lot, a gold pass costing £239 does include parking, so it may be worth grabbing one for a single family member to use alongside your essential passes.

Parking at Alton Towers has risen to £13 this year and the other parks aren’t far behind, so it can quickly add up if you visit multiple times over the year.

It’s not just theme parks that are covered – you get free entry to 20 attractions like Cadbury World in Birmingham, the London Eye and the Legoland Discovery Centres in Birmingham and Manchester with the pass.

One notable exception is the Alton Towers waterpark, but you do get discounted entry with your annual pass.

So don’t miss out – book before this bargain ends for a full year of family fun.

For more on theme parks, one writer went to the European theme park where you ‘travel through time’ and the rides roar past your hotel room.

And another writer spent three days at Universal’s huge new £7bn theme park – all the things worth doing… and the bits to skip.

Now you can pair your big show with dinner and a more intimate listening experience. The Hollywood Palladium, an Art Deco music venue graced by performers like Frank Sinatra, Richard Pryor, Jimi Hendrix, Lady Gaga and Jay-Z since 1940, has debuted a swanky lounge known as Vinyl Room.

Inspired by 1970s Japanese high-fidelity (hi-fi for short) listening rooms and operated by entertainment company Live Nation, it’s a space where concertgoers can have dinner, grab drinks and catch a vinyl DJ set before or after their ticketed event in the same venue.

With a name like Vinyl Room, you can expect to see vinyl records everywhere.

“You’re in [for] a whole night of music,” says Geni Lincoln, president of the California region for Live Nation, adding that her team put “so much thought” into the sound and design of the space, which was in development for more than two years.

“I’ve been coming to the Palladium since I was a teenager, so it’s really special to see,” she says.

Entering Vinyl Room feels like you’re stepping into a secret speakeasy for music lovers, one with iconic music memorabilia, a thoughtful food menu and premium sound quality. Want to check it out? Here are five things to know.

Everything inside of Vinyl Room is inspired by the sounds and the musicians who’ve played at the Hollywood Palladium since 1940.

1. Vinyl Room is exclusively open to members and concertgoers with an upgraded ticket

Vinyl Room is open only on Hollywood Palladium show nights, starting 90 minutes before doors open, and remains open one hour after the concert. Admission is limited to concertgoers who purchase a ticket upgrade, which starts at $35. Early reservations are recommended.

Vinyl Room also offers annual membership packages, which start at $2,000 and come with various benefits such as complimentary guest passes to Vinyl Room, access to an exclusive menu, valet parking, table reservations inside the lounge, a dedicated private entry, complimentary coat check and concert ticket credits.

Tip Dunn, also known as DJ tenSpeed, played records during opening night at Vinyl Room at the Hollywood Palladium.

2. Hi-fi is having a moment in Los Angeles — and Vinyl Room delivers on sound quality

From Common Wave Hi-Fi in Boyle Heights to Slow Jamz Gallery in the Arts District and Gold Line bar in Highland Park, hi-fi — a 1950s term used to describe the high-quality reproduction of sound — venues and experiences have been slowly popping up around L.A. over the last few years. Vinyl Room joins a short list of places where audiophiles can go to listen to music on hi-fi equipment, which many argue is the best way to experience it.

Much like the Hollywood Palladium, which is known for its top-tier sound, Vinyl Room also makes sound a priority. The lounge utilizes hi-fi sound equipment including Master Sounds Clarity-M speakers to ensure that the records sound as crisp as possible. Live DJs spin records on a set of turntables, which helps to create a richer and more analog sound that is closer to the original track than compressed versions such as MP3s.

Ruthie Embry, vice president of architecture and design at Live Nation, says the records and other memorabilia inside the space “connects you directly to the venue’s history the second you walk in the door.”

3. All of the decor ties back to music and the Hollywood Palladium’s rich history

With a name like Vinyl Room, you can expect to see vinyls everywhere. Records line most of the walls and shelves, drinks are served on vinyl-shaped coasters and tables and light fixtures are designed to the theme. There’s even vinyl wallpaper in the photo booth. In one corner of the lounge, you can dig through records under a neon sign that reads, “But have you heard it on vinyl?”

Ruthie Embry, vice president of architecture and design at Live Nation, says the records and other memorabilia inside the space “connects you directly to the venue’s history the second you walk in the door.”

Some standout items include a Red Hot Chili Peppers show flier, a Hollywood Palladium postcard signed by late musician and host Lawrence Welk and a photo of late singers Bonnie Baker and Orrin Tucker at the venue. Even the bathroom creates a memorable photo moment: The stalls are filled with photos of musicians and an “on air” studio sign lights up when a stall is occupied.

Vinyl Room’s menu, created by Chef Ryan DeRieux, is inspired by Asian flavors and includes items like the “Vinyl Roll,” which is made with spicy tuna.

4. Don’t worry about dinner plans before or after the show. Vinyl Room has got you covered

Eliminating the need to find a pre- or post-show restaurant, Vinyl Room has a full Asian-inspired menu created by Chef Ryan DeRieux.

Think sushi tots (like crispy tuna but with tater tots instead of rice), tuna poke nachos, chili crunch chicken wings and shiitake tempura burgers. There’s also a mouth-watering 100-ounce American wagyu skirt steak served with shishito peppers, pickles and charred carrots. For dessert, try the taiyaki, a popular fish-shaped Japanese street food, which is served with a delicious passion fruit cream that I wanted to take to go because I liked it so much.

Signature cocktails at Vinyl Room, inspired by popular songs, include the Superfly, Escape (if you like piña coladas) and Smoke on the Water.

5. The craft cocktails aren’t just delicious — they each have a story

Vinyl Room’s old-fashioned is made with Nikka Yoichi whisky, which is made in Japan.

The cocktail program, developed by third-generation bartender Sean Kenyon, is inspired by the songs created by musicians who’ve graced the Hollywood Palladium stage. A nod to the 1970s, the Superfly is a fizzy, citrus-forward play on Curtis Mayfield’s 1972 track and is made with Roku Gin and yuzu and sencha syrup. Other signature drinks include the rum-based Escape (if you like piña coladas) with coconut oolong syrup, pineapple juice and miso, and the tart yet sweet Smoke on the Water, which is reminiscent of Deep Purple’s 1972 song. The bar also offers an espresso martini (called the MT Joy), a signature old-fashioned (made with Nikka Yoichi whisky) and a Japanese whiskey highball (made with Hibiki Harmony whisky). The bar offers a number of non-alcoholic options as well.

Andy Richter has found his place.

The Chicago area native previously lived in New York — where he first found fame as Conan O’Brien’s sidekick on “Late Night” — before moving to Los Angeles in 2001. Three years ago, he moved to Pasadena. “Now that I live here, I would not live anywhere else,” he says.

There are some practical benefits to the city. “I am such a crabby old man now, but it’s like, there’s parking, you can park when we have to go out,” Richter says. “The notion of going to dinner in Santa Monica just feels like having nails shoved into my feet.”

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But he mostly appreciates that Pasadena is “a very diverse town and just a beautiful town,” he says.

For Richter, most Sundays revolve around his family. In 2023, the comedian and actor married creative executive Jennifer Herrera and adopted her young daughter, Cornelia. (He also has two children in their 20s, William and Mercy, from his previous marriage.)

Additionally, he’s been giving his body time to recover. Richter spent last fall training and competing on the 34th season of “Dancing With the Stars.” And though he had no prior dancing experience, he won over the show’s fan base with his kindness and dedication, making it to the competition’s ninth week.

He hosts the weekly show “The Three Questions” on O’Brien’s Team Coco podcast network and still appears in films and TV shows. “I’m just taking meetings and auditioning like every other late 50s white comedy guy in L.A., sitting around waiting for the phone to ring.”

This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for length and clarity.

7:30 a.m.: Early rising

It’s hard for me at this advanced age to sleep much past 7:30. I have a 5 1/2-year-old, and hopefully she’ll sleep in a little bit longer so my wife and I can talk and snuggle and look at our phones at opposite ends of the bed, like everybody.

Then the dogs need to be walked. I have two dogs: a 120-pound Great Pyrenees-Border Collie-German Shepherd mix, and then at the other end of the spectrum, a seven-pound poodle mix. We were a blended dog family. When my wife and I met, I had the big dog and she had a little dog. Her first dog actually has passed, but we like that dynamic. You get kind of the best of both worlds.

8 a.m.: Breakfast at a classic diner

Then it would probably be breakfast at Shakers, which is in South Pasadena. It’s one of our favorite places. We’re kind of regulars there, and my daughter loves it. It’s easy with a 5-year-old, you’ve got to do what they want. They’re terrorists that way, especially when it comes to cuisine.

I’ve lived in Pasadena for about three years now, but I have been going to Shakers for a long time because I have a database of all the best diners in the Los Angeles metropolitan area committed to memory. There’s just something about the continuity of them that makes me feel like the world isn’t on fire. And because of L.A.’s moderate climate, the ones here stay the way they are; whereas if you get 18 feet of winter snow, you tend to wear down the diner floor, seats, everything.

So there’s a lot of really great old places that stay the same. And then there are tragic losses. There’s been some noise that Shakers is going to turn into some kind of condo development. I think that people would probably riot. They would be elderly people rioting, but they would still riot.

11 a.m.: Sandy paws

My in-laws live down in Long Beach, so after breakfast we might take the dogs down to Long Beach. There’s this dog beach there, Rosie’s Beach. I have never seen a fight there between dogs. They’re all just so happy to be out and off-leash, with an ocean and sand right there. You get a contact high from the canine joy.

1 p.m.: Lunch in Belmont Shore

That would take us to lunchtime and we’ll go somewhere down there. There’s this place, L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele, in Belmont Shore. It’s fantastic for some pizza with grandma and grandpa. It’s originally from Naples. There’s also one in Hollywood where Cafe Des Artistes used to be on that weird little side street.

4 p.m.: Sunset at the gardens

We’d take grandma and grandpa home, drop the dogs off. We’d go to the Huntington and stay a couple of hours until sunset. The Japanese garden is pretty mind-blowing. You feel like you’re on the set of “Shogun.”

The main thing that I love about it is the changing of ecospheres as you walk through it. Living in the area, I drive by it a thousand times and then I remember, “Oh yeah, there’s a rainforest in here. There’s thick stands of bamboo forest that look like Vietnam.” It’s beautiful. With all three of my kids, I have spent a lot of time there.

6:30 p.m.: Mall of America

After sundown, we will go to what seems to be the only thriving mall in America — [the Shops at] Santa Anita. We are suckers for Din Tai Fung. My 24-year-old son, who’s kind of a food snob, is like, “There’s a hundred places that are better and cheaper within five minutes of there in the San Gabriel Valley.” And we’re like, “Yeah, but this is at the mall.” It’s really easy. Also, my wife is a vegetarian, and a lot of the more authentic places, there’s pork in the air. It’s really hard to find vegetarian stuff.

We have a whole system with Din Tai Fung now, which is logging in on the wait list while we’re still on the highway, or ordering takeout. There’s plenty of places in the mall with tables, you can just sit down and have your own little feast there.

There’s also a Dave & Buster’s. If you want sensory overload, you can go in there and get a big, big booze drink while you’re playing Skee-Ball with your kid.

9 p.m.: Head to bed ASAP

I am very lucky in that I’m a very good sleeper and the few times in my life when I do experience insomnia, it’s infuriating to me because I am spoiled, basically. When you’ve got a 5 1/2-year-old, there’s no real wind down. It’s just negotiations to get her into bed and to sleep as quickly as possible, so we can all pass out.

Foreign Office has shared its concerns

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) continues to issue warnings for those travelling to Turkey following the deaths of several UK nationals. The FCDO is responsible for issuing regular travel guidance covering roughly 226 countries and territories worldwide.

Many Brits travel to Turkey to for medical treatment, with the most popular procedures being cosmetic surgery, cardiac surgery, and dental care. The FCDO warns: “The standard of medical facilities and available treatments can vary widely globally and also within countries.”

The department confirmed it is aware of 7 British nationals having died in Turkey in 2025 following medical procedures, and guidance reads: “Some British nationals have also experienced complications and needed further treatment or surgery following their procedure”.

Those thinking about a trip to Turkey for medical, surgical or dental procedures are strongly advised to consult with your UK doctor, clinician or dentist beforehand. It’s also recommended that you conduct thorough independent research, as “private companies have a financial interest in booking your treatment and their literature should not be your only source of information”.

The Turkish Ministry of Health maintains a register of approved medical providers on the HealthTurkiye website. The FCDO emphasises it “cannot usually help if you have travelled abroad for medical treatment, for example if you have issues with the care received or costs involved”.

This is due to the fact that planned medical treatment is viewed as a commercial arrangement.

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A HUGE new lido complex is set to transform an English holiday park this summer.

The plans are part of a £10.2million expansion at Unity Beach holiday park in Brean.

In time for the summer holidays, will be a new lido surrounded by private cabanas and outdoor dining area.

The existing flumes and water rides will remain, and the outdoor pool is expected to open in July 2026.

Other plans included in the development are a trampoline park, bandstand, boardwalk, landscaped gardens and a dog agility area.

There will also be an outdoor activity centre where guests can have a go at archery, axe throwing and rifle shooting.

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Unity Beach Resort Director Jonny Green said: “These are exciting times for our owners, our holidaymakers and the local community.

“Our improved pool facilities will help us sustain and grow participation in swimming lessons and recreational activity — not only for guests staying on the park, but also for the wider community across Somerset.”

The new outdoor facilities are part of the huge refurbishment of the site that has been underway throughout the winter months.

The site has been upgrading its soft play, changing rooms, the Wave Café and gym.

Other improvements have been to the 25-metre indoor pool and the addition of poolside showers.

A new indoor Splash Pad will replace the baby pool so that children of different ages can swim and play in the same space.

The unisex changing rooms have been upgraded with larger family cubicles – with space for up to four.

For accessibility, a new lift and pool hoist have been installed, as well as a refreshed accessible changing area.

The Wave Café has also been refurbished and will continue to serve meals throughout the day.

Visitors can enjoy sweet treats like cookies and donuts to breakfast options, sandwiches and paninis.

At Unity Play, children can explore different soft play zones; Ocean World for under-4s, the main soft play area for ages 4 to 11, and Ninja Warrior zone for ages 7 to 11.

There is also a new reception area with a dedicated buggy park for families.

The refurbished indoor facilities are due to reopen shortly.

Previously, the site underwent a £15million upgrade with a new Wonky Donkey pub and restaurant, with a new pavilion, sports bar and arcade.

The Wonky Donkey serves up traditional pub food like mac n’ cheese and scampi and chips.

Inside the Pavilion Theatre, there’s plenty of family entertainment and shows as well as silent discos and movie sing-along challenges.

As well as the 2025 additions, the park is home to a theme park with 40 rides and attractions from rollercoasters to dodgems and a ghost train.

For more on staycations, here are the most popular UK holiday park from £9.50 Hols – with beachfront pods, hot tub lodges and a surfing simulator.

And one writer has found an incredibly cheap UK holiday park that brings the best bits of Center Parcs, Butlin’s and Haven to ONE site.

Airbnb has gained popularity over the years for its cozy and unique places to stay across the world, but one user of the app is ‘begging’ hosts to stop using 1 thing

An Airbnb user is “begging” hosts to stop using 1 thing in their rooms, calling it “weird” and “uncomfortable”.

When visiting new towns, cities or countries, people have different ideas of where they would like to stay.Some people prefer the convenience of a well-placed hotel where you know you’re going to get a comfy and clean room with a number of amenities, such as a hairdryer and even a kettle for hot drinks.

Others, however, prefer to stay in an Airbnb, which are homely and often have even more perks, such as an entire kitchen, a hot tub or even a balcony, depending on where you stay.

There is no right or wrong way to travel, but one Airbnb user is asking hosts of properties and rooms to stop using one thing in their bedrooms that they find ‘weird’.

The user took to Reddit to write the post titled “Hosts: please, for the love of five stars and good repeat guests….”

The post read: ” Don’t use microfiber bedsheets. They don’t stay put. Unless you get into bed and immediately become corpse-like, the whole thing gets wrinkled and baggy almost immediately.

“They don’t breathe. No matter how nice and cool the ambient temperature is, inside the sheets is uncomfortable.

“It’s weirdly warm on the skin in the same way sleeping in a thin plastic bag is. Actually, that’s exactly what sleeping in microfiber sheets feels like, minus the crinkly sounds.

“They feel cheap. Yes they don’t wrinkle, yes they’re smooth to the touch, but so is a painter’s tarp. Basic cotton sheets—they don’t even have to be of a high thread count—will fix this! That is all.”

Dozens of people agreed with the poster after noticing a number of hotels also moving away from cotton sheets.

One person said: “Plastic sheets are the worst! Cotton sheets. Hell, most hotels only have 350 threadcount cotton sheets. All you “need” per say.

“I’m with you though. I cannot stand microfiber, anything with polyester or rayon or any of that plastic rooted fibers.”

A second added: “I am a host and sometimes a guest and fully agree, nothing worse than microfiber or polyester sheets, I only use linen or cotton.“And for pillows and duvet cover just feather and down. They can actually be washed and drycleaned and are so much more comfortable.”A third said: “I totally agree. I recently stayed at a VERY expensive AirBnB in Sonoma, CA and they had microfiber sheets! I hate them. Automatic deduction of a star in the review.”

THOUSANDS of new breaks have been added to the Sun Hols from £9.50 website this weekend

So you’ll be glad to know it’s not too late to book that summer staycation or autumn break at your choice of over 300 holiday parks.

We’ve spotlighted 10 of our top UK resorts that have had a boost of new breaks added – included previously sold-out dates.

From beach pod stays in Cornwall to action-packed family fun in Northampton, here’s 10 UK holiday parks to pick from over at Hols from £9.50.

Park Holidays UK Sand le Mere, Yorkshire

Sand le Mere holiday park in Yorkshire is a thriving family resort just steps from the stretches of Tunstall Beach.

Entertainment is what this resort does best, and there’s something here for all ages in the family.

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From March to November, costume characters Burrow and Buddies host dance and sing-a-long performances onstage.

And with Segways, go karts, pottery painting, an arcade and heated swimming pool with a waterslide, you won’t get bored finding things to do as a family.

Plus for the grown-ups there’s Link-up Bingo, comedy and cabaret to enjoy in the evenings – and there’s even bingo with prizes up to £20,000.

Accommodation ranges from the standard Gold Caravans with fully-equipped kitchens and comfy, modern lounges, to Platinum Lodges with sun decks and luxury bedding.

Food and drink comes as un-fussy classics like burgers, pizza and salad options served up in the main restaurant – as well as food trucks and takeaway service options available in peak seasons.

Nearby you can visit one of Yorkshire’s most magnificent country houses, Burton Constable Hall, or visit renowned aquarium The Deep in Hull.

St Ives Bay Beach Resort, Cornwall

This beachfront resort in St Ives, Cornwall is a true beach bum’s paradise – whether you want to laze out on the sand, or take to the waves for some surfing.

Just steps from a 3 mile-long sandy shore with its own surf school, St Ives Bay Beach Resort is perfect for getting out and exploring the great outdoors.

Activities include disc golf, a Nerf challenge and an outdoor cinema, as well as indoor activities for the colder months like karaoke, bingo and DJ sets.

Stay in dreamy Stargazer caravans or sea-view lodges with large dining tables where you can enjoy a family meal with a view.

Plus it’s well worth taking a day-trip out from the resort into the local town to do some sightseeing.

The picturesque town of St Ives has long been popular among holidaymakers thanks to its postcard-perfect harbour and artsy streets with quirky shops.

Billing Aquadrome Holiday Park, Northampton

Spread across 235 acres of land and lake, Billing Aqudrome in Northamptonshire is top of the list when it comes to adventure activities and things to do for kids.

This newly-upgraded park has loads of unique activities on offer include a TikTok dance masterclasses, alpaca feeding, a pump track for BMX riding, and taking a ride on the resort’s very own miniature railway.

Throw in bug hotel and den building, pond dipping, survival skills workshops and a lake for paddleboard and pedalo hire, and you’ve got yourself a great mix of activities to pick from.

Choose to stay in a lakeside pod by the glossy Kingfisher Lake for calming views over the water, or bring a tent and pitch up in family camping for a true back-to-basics experience.

Top picks for food and drinks include the Bak’D & Swirls sweets and dessert shop and Smash’d Town burger joint – but there’s healthier options like grazing boards available, too.

Evening entertainment includes all the usual singing and dancing shows, as well as silent discos and an outdoor amphitheatre with performances in the warmer months.

Parkdean Resorts Southview, Lincolnshire

Southview Holiday Park is close to seaside resort Skegness, popular for its traditional pier, rollercoasters and rides at Fantasy Island.

Whilst Skegness is brilliant for family days out, this resort itself has plenty to do to keep the whole family entertained.

On site you can have a go at pirate mini golf, climb an outdoor adventure playground, go head-to-head in a gaming arena and more.

There’s some unique activities available here too, like underwater aqua jets and a Bear Grylls Survival Academy.

Plus if you prefer to relax, there’s a large indoor pool with a sauna and steam room to unwind in.

Lodges and caravans are tiered from Bronze through to Gold and even upwards to Prestige, but even the most basic accommodation comes stylishly-decorated and fully-equipped.

Food options include the popular Thunderbird Fried Chicken, as well as several family restaurants and the colourful Scoops ice cream parlour.

Hendra Holiday Park, Newquay

Hendra Holiday Park in Newquay, Cornwall is perfect for explorers of all ages.

Exciting activities available here include the Hendra’s Superheroes training, kid-sized 4X4 off-roading and a mini jet ski course.

Evening entertainment takes place in The Venue, where you can expect to see everything from acrobatics to magicians – plus you may even get to meet mascots Henry and Henrietta Hippo.

Caravans are clean, comfortable, and well-located, so you won’t have to walk too far to get to all of the activities.

Alternatively, there’s an exclusive area of the park called Meadow Retreat. Here, Meadow Lodge residents can make use of Oasis – one of the largest indoor fun pools in south west England.

Outside of the resort, there’s the popular Camel Creek Adventure Park with plenty of rides, as well as a local Lobster Hatchery and Cyder Farm.

Plus with Fistral Beach and the resort town of Newquay on your doorstep, there’s endless options for family days out.

Parkdean Resorts Camber Sands, Sussex

Camber Sands Holiday Park in East Sussex is a popular choice thanks not only to its beachfront location, but the exciting family atmosphere of the resort itself.

Here you’ll see families pedalling past your caravan on fun carts, dancing to evening entertainment or building sandcastles and paddling in the sea on Camber Sands beach.

If you’re not up to swimming in the sea, there’s four fantastic pools here, as well as water flumes, underwater jets, inflatable jet skis and kayak races.

Plus if you’ve got any little fans of Paw Patrol or Milkshake!, you’ll be glad to know there’s Milkshake! Mornings and Paw Patrol Mighty Missions to keep your tots entertained.

Accommodation comes as brand new, dog-friendly caravans and lodges just steps away from the beach.

And as for food and drinks, you can choose between Parkdean Resorts favourites like the Pizza Box container and the Fish & Chippery.

Nearby, there’s a seven-mile stretch of golden sand to explore, plus the medieval town of Rye is only a 10-minute drive away.

Golden Coast, Devon

Golden Coast Holiday Park in Woolacombe, Devon is set amongst rolling green fields and is just two miles away from the award-winning Woolacombe Beach.

Choose to stay in relaxing Driftwood, Ocean Breeze or Seascape Villas – each of which comes with large comfy beds, multiple TVs and a spacious decking area.

There’s also the budget-friendly Surf Wave and Shoreline Apartments, which have plenty of bedrooms for large families and fully-equipped kitchens.

When it comes to things to do, thrill-seekers can have a go at the high ropes course and climbing wall, or you can take it easy with mini golf and bowling.

The park’s evening entertainment program is packed with game shows, musical bingo, and top-quality tribute acts.

And as for food, the Beach House Restaurant serves up everything from full English breakfasts to tasty chicken burgers and roast dinners.

Plus The Old Mill Pub is a dog-friendly watering hole on site with a spacious beer garden and outdoor playground.

Parkdean Resorts Cayton Bay, Scarborough

Cayton Bay Holiday Park in North Yorkshire is just a stone’s throw away from the beach, and a few minutes’ drive to the seaside towns of Scarborough and Filey.

This resort is built for families – with hoverboards, bumper zorbs, karting and a soft play available.

Plus the Starland Krazy and Professor Slime activities make for even more fun additions on top of the already action-packed activity program.

Stay in a budget-friendly 2 bed camper with all the facilities you’d need, or splash out on a lodge with a hot tub for some added luxury.

Food and drinks on offer are familiar Parkdean favourites, including great-value Street Eats and BBQ favourites at Joe’s American Grill.

And if you fancy a day out, there’s plenty of family-friendly attractions nearby. Meet the animals at Playdale Farm Park, jump on rides at Flamingo Land, or check out the historic Scarborough Castle.

Unity Beach, Brean Sands, Somerset

Somerset‘s Unity Beach remains a consistent top choice for £9.50 holidaymakers, and it’s clear to see why.

If you’re looking for a park with lots to do, you can take your pick from rifle shooting, archery, games of Padel and burning off energy in the site’s new trampoline park.

There’s also an 18-hole golf course and sports pitches, plus there’s even discounts to be had at nearby Brean Theme Park for the adrenaline junkies.

Alternatively, make a splash at the indoor pool, outdoor heated pool, waterslides and toddler splash park. Plus bumper boats are an adorable away for tots to get used to the water.

There’s plenty of unique spots to eat like the Wonky Donky family restaurant, plus the Breakers Bar is the perfect place to relax with a drink after an action-packed day.

Make sure to explore the nearby beaches and scenery of Brean Down by bicycle or simply by heading out on a walk, as it would be a shame to not make the most of the breath-taking nature here.

Parkdean Resorts Trecco Bay, South Wales

Parkdean Resorts Trecco Bay in Porthcawl sits within our top ten most-booked UK holiday parks for families over at Sun Hols from £9.50.

This resort is one of the largest holiday parks in Europe, and it’s very hard to get bored or run out of things to do at this giant site.

Pirate crazy golf, an arts and crafts den, a sports dome, VR experiences and a colourful splash park – this is just the start of activities on offer at this resort in South Wales.

Plus if you visit when it’s hot there’s an outdoor wet play zone to cool off in, or if it’s chilly outside you’ve got bowling, amusements and more indoors.

The best in food and drinks include the site’s island-themed cocktail bar Aloha, as well as an on-site Burger King and Papa Johns.

And if you set off to explore the local area, there’s a range of award-winning beaches to explore nearby.

In fact, Trecco Bay Beach itself has just been awarded Blue Flag status for the 14th year in a row.

SUN Holidays from £9.50 is back with a restock of brand new breaks to book.

Thousands of new breaks have been added across over 300 holiday parks over at Sun Hols from £9.50 – but which resort is the most popular?

Some of the most popular resorts to book include Unity Beach in Somerset and Hendra in Cornwall, but one park consistently comes out on top.

Seal Bay in Chichester, West Sussex is an award-winning holiday park that tops the list of both our most popular parks for families and most popular holiday parks in general.

And with its range of activities for all ages and setting smack-bang on the sands of Selsey, it’s easy to see why this resort is such a big hit among holidaymakers.

When picking a place to stay, you can choose from simple seaside caravans to beachfront pods or glamping options.

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All stays come with kitted-out kitchens, bed linen, as well as access to swimming pools and entertainment – so there’s no need to fork out on costly entertainment or linen passes.

The most simple option is camping, where you can pick between grass, electric or serviced pitches – each with room to park your car and access to hot shower facilities.

Plus the best part is you can pitch up just steps from the beach, whether you’re bringing a pop-up tent, your own caravan or giving a luxurious pre-pitched Safari Tent a go.

Caravans, on the other hand, range from comfy Bronze bases where six to eight guests can sleep comfortably, to Platinum caravans that feel more like a homely countryside cottage than a static.

Lodges are larger, starting at a 20ft-width minimum with private decks to enjoy your morning coffee or evening cocktail. Some luxury lodges even come with a private hot tub.

Beachfront pods, on the other hand, are cosy hideaways facing the sea with mezzanine and fold-out double beds to retreat to, as well as private decking to enjoy that sea breeze.

Or if you’re visiting as a large party, you can even book an entire self-catering house to turn your holiday park stay into more of a coastal cottage retreat.

There’s accessible and dog-friendly options too – just make sure to seek out these options specifically when booking.

When it comes to entertainment, you’re absolutely spoilt for choice at Seal Bay.

There’s all the usual options such as pool activities and a soft play, but this adventure-driven resort also offers axe throwing and a surfing simulator.

Families with young children can enjoy a create-your-own teddy bear factory, as well as sand art sessions and mini archery for ages 2 – 5.

Plus the beloved Cove Crew, made up of characters Sandy the seal, Fisher the penguin, Luna the wolf and Laurel the otter, are never too far away to meet and greet.

And if you’ve got older kids that need to burn off some energy, they can run around zorbing or have a go at climbing or laser tag.

There’s plenty for adults and couples too, like live music and comedy nights, as well as the park’s twist on classic holiday activity: Big Red Button Bingo.

If you can manage to drag yourself away from this award-winning holiday park, the local area of Selsey has plenty to see and do, too.

This park has its own private beach, so if you visit in the warmer months make sure to pack your buckets and spades.

Plus there’s a reason this resort is named Seal Bay – stroll down to the shores and you may spot adorable seals and even dolphins popping up out of the water.

But the best way to explore the local area is by picking one of its walking trails to explore.

Take the aptly-named Seal Art Trail and stop by artsy seal sculptures where signposts with QR codes will teach you all about the local wildlife and history.

Or head to the nearby high street, where there’s quirky cafes and fish and chip shops to check out, as well as colourful independent shops.

But there’s no need to spend money on dining out – the food and drink at Seal Bay offers something for everyone.

Executive Chef Jason is Michelin Star-trained, and put together a high-quality menu that really makes this holiday park’s food and drinks stand out.

Grab a proper burger or a sizzling steak from Smokey’s BBQ Kitchen, or sit down to hand-crafted cocktails in the Secret Garden.

The Viking pub is designed with sports fans in mind, with plenty of screens for you to catch the big game, and if you fancy a takeaway treat there’s a Greek Street Food Box and a Papa John’s on site.

There’s even Millie’s Cookies and the Box Treats sweets and desserts shop to satisfy those with a sweet tooth.

If all this sounds up your street, you’ll be glad to know that new breaks have been added to Sun Hols from £9.50 website – including stays at Seal Bay.

Plenty of other popular parks are being updated with extra availability too, such as Parkdean Resorts Trecco Bay in Wales and Golden Coast in Devon.

There’s even holiday parks abroad in countries like Spain and Italy being topped up with extra breaks, so if you fancy heading overseas make sure to check out the European resorts.

New breaks will be added from midnight on Sunday 1 March, so make sure to hop on to the Hols from £9.50 website fast with Sun Club access to secure your stay.

QUEEN of Sun Holidays from £9.50 Tracy Kennedy is back to answer all your burning questions on booking your break

The £9.50 holiday deal is the ultimate steal, but with hundreds of parks and dates to choose from, how do you make sure you’re bagging the best of the bunch?

Having taken Sun holidays for the past 30 years, our expert Tracy Kennedy has plenty of experience when it comes to Holidays from £9.50.

So whether you’re looking for the holiday parks with the most beautiful beaches, or the very best in entertainment, Tracy is here to answer your questions and help you find the perfect park.

This week, Sun reader Maureen Findley has been awarded best question of the week – which means she’s been selected to win a £100 Amazon voucher. Congratulations, Maureen!

What is the best place to travel in the winter?

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Dawn Baines

If you’re planning a holiday in the winter, I’d recommend looking for somewhere with a lot of indoor things to do.

Start by checking the websites of parks you’re interested in to see what activities they have that take place indoors.

And if you don’t mind going out for a brisk winter walk, a lot of places look really pretty in the snow, too.

Scotland and North Wales are beautiful in winter. From some sites in North Wales you can see the top of Mount Snowdon, and it looks so lovely in the snow.

Which holiday is suitable for a mixed age family?

Maureen Findley

I’d recommend somewhere like Billing Aquadrome in Northampton. That site truly has everything for all ages.

You can go fishing or swimming, plus you’ve got arcades and a ball pit for the little ones.

There’s lots of walks all around the area and the lakes too, if the older members of the family want to get some peace and quiet.

Plus they have an outdoors amphitheatre with entertainment for all sorts of different age groups.

Is there a specific week in the year that is less popular and therefore easier to book?

Ceri Mullen

This depends on if you’re bringing children on your holiday. But if you’re going as a couple or group of adults, you should definitely book during term time.

I’d say the best week to go would be when the kids go back to school in early September.

You get some really good deals and nice weather then, too. Early June just before the schools break up is another good time.

If you’ve bringing the kids, then October is less busy than summer, but still packed with activities and things to do for Halloween.

Sometimes the half term dates are different throughout the UK, so if you live in a different part of the country to your holiday park, then you might be able to go the week before or the week after their half term.

Which park has the best evening entertainment for families?

Nikki Lewis

I’ve always loved the entertainment at Parkdean Resorts holiday parks.

I found Lower Hyde on the Isle of Wight had some fantastic entertainment.

You had bingo and quizzes which were both great for mums, dads and kids to all join in together.

Then you’ve got discos and character meet and greets, which are great for the kids.

Some of us adults then stayed up and watched a couple of comics, and they were absolutely fantastic. They had some hilarious jokes which I definitely can’t repeat!

What are some of the most popular locations?

Rebekah Lewington

I see the names of lots of popular parks pop up over and over again.

Seal Bay in West Sussex is one of the top parks and for good reason, it speaks for itself. There’s loads to do on that park, it’s massive!

There’s a free bus that picks you up and takes you where you want all around the park – which is especially great if you’re not so mobile.

Trecco Bay in Porthcawl is another popular one. The whole park is absolutely gorgeous, and people always recommend it after going there.

Lyons Robin Hood in Rhyl is also very popular. There’s loads to do on that site, with family entertainment all through the day into the evenings.

There’s a fantastic arcade, a soft play and even a train on site that takes you for a little ride around the park.

Now they’e building a high ropes course, so if you’ve got kids that enjoy adventurous activities then I’d recommend it!

Plus you’ve got the beach across the road where you can go seal spotting.

Before I book a location, can I find reviews to see what other families made of the park?

Graeme Sutherland

There’s lots of reviews online for the holiday parks, and you can check Google reviews to see what other people thought about their stay.

But I’d also recommend searching the park name on Facebook. People in my Facebook group put their photos and reviews up all the time from their £9.50 holidays.

It’s also a good way to see what’s on at each park, and get some extra tips and tricks on what people enjoyed doing there.

There’s also people in the Facebook group who post about what’s going on in their area, so you can get clued up before you go!

Which park would you say has the best beach?

Lisa Evans

I’ve stayed in a lot of coastal resorts and love visiting beaches, so this is a really difficult one!

But I think the best beach I’ve found would be Towan Beach in Newquay, as well as Fistral Beach.

They’re both absolutely stunning, clean beaches in Cornwall with clear water.

There’s also surf schools, cafes, ice cream shops, restaurants and more nearby – Newquay has everything you’d want from a beach.

IF you missed out on the January launch of The Sun’s Hols From £9.50, there’s no need to worry.

From March 1, thousands of new breaks will be added to the Sun Holidays from £9.50 website – where you can gain early access from one minute past midnight if you’re a Sun Club member.

This includes previously sold-out dates at some of the most popular UK holiday parks, as well as breaks at plenty of sunny resorts across Europe.

Plus if you’re a Sun Club member, you’ll be able to catch a head start when booking.

Sun Club members can head straight online at midnight on Sunday March 1.

Others must wait until morning to collect code words from the newspaper to unlock booking.

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How do I go about booking?

There’s multiple ways to get access to £9.50 holidays, including collecting tokens from the newspaper to enter online to unlock the deal.

However there is a faster and easier way to gain access, which is by joining Sun Club. Join Sun Club at thesun.co.uk/club for £1.99 a month or £12 for a year.

Once you’re a member, go to the Sun Club Offers hub and find the Hols From £9.50 page – book your break from midnight on Sunday March 1.

This gets you ahead of those collecting codes, who have to wait until morning to purchase a newspaper to find the final code.

Plus once you’ve signed up you can enjoy plenty of other benefits too, such as discounted tickets to top UK attractions.

So why not stay up and join the midnight service to be among the first to access these new breaks?

What are Hols from £9.50?

The Sun’s Holidays from £9.50 are a selection of breaks available to book across the UK and Europe that can cost you as little as £9.50pp.

These holidays range from mega family parks in the UK to sunny beachfront stays abroad.

Over at Hols from £9.50, there are more than 300 holiday parks to choose from.

These range from romantic adults-only resorts such as Sand Bay in Somerset, to fully-fledged family resorts like Billing Aquadrome in Northampton.

Some of the most popular UK holiday parks for families include Seal Bay in West Sussex and Unity Beach in Somerset, both of which have an action-packed entertainment program.

Plus it’s not just UK holiday parks receiving a major boost in booking dates – there’s sunny hotspots across Europe that you can book, too.

These include holiday parks in Spain, Italy, France, Portugal, Croatia, the Netherlands and more.

And with sunny holiday resorts like the palm-fringed Bella Terra in Spain and Orbitur Valverde in the Algarve to pick from, you could be jetting off abroad for cheap.

These are just some of the 300+ resorts available under Sun Hols from £9.50.

And if you had your eye on a resort that quickly sold out in January – we’ve got good news!

Even previously sold-out dates at a range of popular parks are back with a fresh restock this March.

Tips for bagging your break

Queen of the £9.50 holiday Tracy Kennedy has been booking these holidays for nearly 30 years, and has shared her top tips for logging on and bagging the resort you want.

Tracy recommends getting prepared with your top picks for parks, as well as joining the website at midnight with Sun Club membership.

She said: “Come up with a list of your top four parks from the list of those available.

“Popular sites like Seal Bay and Unity Beach tend to go really fast.

“So if you’re set on which park you want, book it as soon as possible.

“But you should also add a few extras you wouldn’t mind going to, just in case you don’t get your top picks.

“To be in with the best chance of getting the one you want, you should set an alarm.

“I book through Sun Club  at midnight, so I make sure to stay up.

“I call it The Midnight Service. It started years ago when we could start booking online.

“A few minutes after midnight comes, then Sun Club people can book. Which includes me, straight after midnight. The people collecting codes have to wait a bit longer”.

“I love the convenience of having it all online. And it’s nice getting that extra priority with it opening early.

“I definitely recommend joining Sun Club to get first dibs.”

Two people took the Bakerloo line on one of London’s shortest Tube journeys while another walked between the stations – with surprising results showing walking was faster

While the London Underground is undeniably handy most of the time, there are some journeys that seem barely worth the hassle. By the time you’ve reached the station, scanned your ticket or Oyster card, gone down the stairs or escalator, waited for your train, then made the return journey back to street level and scanned back out, you could probably have walked the distance just as quickly.

The people at secret.london decided to put this theory to the test, with two people tackling one of the capital’s briefest Tube journeys, whilst another made the same trip on foot to determine who’d arrive first.

The journey from Marylebone Station to Baker Street on the Bakerloo line lasts just 57 seconds – however, the time spent getting to and from the platforms, plus waiting for the train, will bump this up. The stations sit just 0.2 miles apart, with the walk between them taking around six minutes, according to Google Maps.

Kicking off the video, narrator Tom said: “This has got to be the most pointless Tube journey in London.” He continued: “Today we’re racing between Marylebone and Baker Street, with Google predicting a six minute walk versus a one minute Tube ride, who’s going to get there first?”

The footage then shows Tom and two female colleagues at Marylebone Station simultaneously starting timers on their phones, before he heads off on foot whilst the women dart into the station, reports MyLondon. The footage captures the women striding quickly – but not running – through the station, while navigating the ticket barrier and commuters blocking the escalator.

Tom, meanwhile, is filmed making his way through the streets, remarking: “Of course we’re doing it in such terrible weather. You’ve got to be prepared for everything, so I have come with a brolly.”

He continues: “I’m feeling good about this. Those guys have got to get onto the platform (and) find a tube that’s hopefully on time.”

The women are then spotted reaching the platform, with the next service due in two minutes, while Tom encounters his “first obstacle” – a set of traffic lights. “A fun fact about Baker Street Station: it’s the oldest Tube station in the world,” he says. “It was created on January 10 in 1863.

“But was it built to be the fastest? I don’t know.”

The women are subsequently shown getting on the train, their timers displaying four minutes and 20 seconds, and counting. “It’s not our fault we’re tiny and petite and he’s big and lanky and long,” one remarks.

They’re then filmed getting off the train and moving swiftly towards the exit. Tom, by contrast, stands across the road from the station entrance.

“I can see the entrance to the station and they’re not outside it, so I think I’ve got a good chance” he says. After a frantic dash up the escalator and a tussle with a stubborn ticket barrier, the women display the timer, reading six minutes and 26 seconds, as they reach the station entrance – only to find Tom already there.

Tom finished the journey in six minutes and 16 seconds, remarking: “So for this one, you probably should walk it.”

What are the shortest Tube journeys?

1. Charing Cross – Embankment 35 secs (Northern line)
2. Leicester Square – Covent Garden 39 secs (Piccadilly line)
3. Southwark – Waterloo 42 secs (Jubilee line)
4. Tottenham Court Road – Leicester Square 44 secs (Northern line)
5. Holborn – Chancery Lane 45 secs (Central line)
6. Warren Street – Goodge Street 46 secs (Northern line)
7. Cannon Street – Mansion House 50 secs (Circle and Hammersmith & City lines)
8. Cannon Street – Mansion House 50 secs (District line)
9. Embankment – Charing Cross 50 secs (Bakerloo line)
10. Monument – Cannon Street 50 secs (Circle and Hammersmith & City lines)
11. Monument – Cannon Street 50 secs (District line)
12. Marble Arch – Bond Street 51 secs (Central line)
13. Northfields – South Ealing 51 secs (Piccadilly line)
14. Oxford Circus – Tottenham Ct Rd 51 secs (Central line)
15. Charing Cross – Leicester Square 54 secs (Northern line)
16. Euston – King’s Cross 54 secs (Victoria line)
17. Finchley Road – Swiss Cottage 55 secs (Jubilee line)
18. Wood Lane – Shepherds Bush 55 secs (Circle and Hammersmith & City lines)
19. Goodge Street – Tottenham Court Road 56 secs (Norther line)
20. Baker Street – Marylebone 57 secs (Bakerloo line)
21. Bond Street – Oxford Circus 57 secs (Central line)
22. Marylebone – Edgware Road 57 secs (Bakerloo line)

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Winning tip: fossils and soaring cliffs near Cardiff

I’m a fan of the lesser-known beaches along the dramatic and rugged Glamorgan Heritage coastline; Wick, Monknash and Nash Point. One of my favourite routes requires a scenic hike across fields and a precipitous scramble down Cwm Bach ladder. The reward is a gorgeous expanse of rocky beach with only the occasional distant naturist and huge stepped cliffs absolutely full of fossils, including some enormous ammonites. The nearby ancient Plough & Harrow feels like a step back in time and you’re being served beer in someone’s living room.
P Thomas

A magical swimming spot in Pembrokeshire

Last July on the hottest day of the year my friend took me to the slightly hidden Witches’ Cauldron in Moylegrove. This is a collapsed cave where you can swim in water that glows magical emerald green in the sun. You can swim straight from the cave out to sea. It’s a bit of a scramble down on foot from the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, or you can access it by sea kayak through tunnels from the sea. Check that it’s accessible though, as sometimes it’s closed to protect local seals.
Anna

Eryri’s most enchanting castle

North Wales is famous for its castles: Conwy, Caernarfon and Harlech are lauded and filled with visitors, year-round. But forget these Anglo-Saxon fleshpots and seek out Castell y Bere. Located near Tywyn, in the south of Gwynedd, this stronghold of medieval Welsh ruler Llywelyn ap Iorwerth (Llywelyn the Great) stands on an impressive, windswept crag, surrounded by flat, fertile estuarine pastures. Looking over this land you can sense the herds of cattle that once roamed here and fed the people. The atmosphere of history is pervasive, almost crushing. If you go there, tread lightly and don’t stay too long, lest its magic be ruined for others.
Ian Statham

A petrified forest in Ceredigion

The submerged forest of tree stumps between Ynyslas and Borth is incredible. The stumps of oak, pine, birch, willow and hazel are up to 5,000 years old and were preserved in peat. I like to walk down the beach to touch them and imagine how the world was all those years ago.
Michael Gale

A slice of Bangor

Returning to Gwynedd where my dad grew up feels like a homecoming of sorts. A trip to Jones’ Pizza in Bangor after a journey on the marvellous North Wales mainline train fills hungry stomachs. It’s good value, bustling, and a pillar of community and student life. I like to take a scenic walk along the Menai Strait and wonder at both Thomas Telford’s Menai Bridge, built in 1826, and Britannia Bridge, before moseying around Caernarfon’s monthly Saturday craft fair and dried flower shop Herbariwm, and following the medieval castle’s walls, which snake around the town.
Flora

A north coast cycle to Llandudno

Not considering myself a serious cyclist, I found the 18-mile Prestatyn to Llandudno route to be a brilliant entry-level cycle ride. It’s almost all off-road, along national cycle network paths by the coast, so you can just focus on the beautiful north Wales coastline without worrying about cars or maps or anything else. There are plenty of lovely places to stop along the way to refuel and admire the view. Towards the end it gets pretty steep but you’re rewarded with beautiful views and the best chippy supper from Barnacles, which has a dedicated vegan menu. You can either cycle back again or take your bike on the train.
Esther

A forest garden near Dolgellau

Mountain bikers flock to Coed y Brenin, a few miles north of Dolgellau. After all, it’s the UK’s first purpose-built mountain biking centre. Few pause at the quietly enchanting Forest Garden though. Tucked away from the main trails, it offers a slower, more contemplative side of the forest. After slipping into disrepair in the early 2000s, it has been carefully restored. Redwoods, the tallest trees here, now rise above moss-covered boulders and a lively stream that swells into cascades after rain. Douglas firs from the 1920s stand alongside larch, spruce and pine from wetter corners of the world. Part of the circular trail is all-access, making this woodland retreat open to everyone – and it’s free entry.
Alina Congreve

A wild iron age site, Ynys Môn (Anglesey)

Tŷ Mawr Hut Circles on the slopes of Holyhead Mountain is a true under-the-radar treasure. More than just a fascinating archaeological site, it’s a beautifully preserved glimpse into iron age life – and an unbeatable picnic spot, with sweeping views. Visit year-round, but late summer is especially magical when the hillside glows with vibrant purple heather. It feels peaceful, wild and wonderfully untouched. From here, continue your walk towards the dramatic South Stack lighthouse, where the cliffs plunge into the sea. With a bit of luck, you might even spot seals bobbing below or puffins nesting.
Tatiana Campo

Artistic inspiration in Tenby and Cardiff

The tiny but fascinating Tenby Museum and Art Gallery, housed in a Grade II-listed building in Pembrokeshire, is the oldest independent museum in Wales, having been established in 1878. As well as featuring geology, local history and culture, it is home to several intriguing works by Gwen and Augustus John, famous sibling artists who spent their childhoods in Tenby. Appetite whet, from there travel to Cardiff where a major retrospective of Gwen John, Strange Beauties, is running until 28 June at the National Museum.
Adrian Brodkin

Atmospheric Welsh cemeteries

Welsh graveyards are special. From austere chapel burial grounds with their glass-domed immortelles to remote churchyards with Welsh-language inscriptions cut deeply into local slate, every village has something to see and something to teach you about life in the local community. Some recent discoveries of mine include Cefn Golau Cholera Cemetery, isolated on a windswept hill high above Tredegar (just south of the Bannau Brycheiniog national park) for fear of contagion from the dead; and the ancient circular-walled churchyard of St Baglan’s, Llanfaglan, set in a field overlooking the mouth of the Menai Strait just west of Caernarfon – a truly peaceful and magical place.
Emma Halstead

Jo Knox travelled to Tenerife for a relaxing break, but was left with only the clothes on her back after a shuttle service booked through easyJet Holidays lost her suitcase on the way to the hotel

A holidaymaker who was left without her luggage on a ten-night trip to Tenerife has slammed easyJet Holidays’ response as ‘unhelpful’ and ‘rude’.

Jo Knox arrived on the winter sun island on January 13, eager to enjoy some sunshine, but her holiday turned into a nightmare when her case went missing from a Canaryshuttle service en-route to her hotel.

Jo, who was travelling in a party of four with her husband, sister-in-law, and brother-in-law, has taken easyJet Holidays to small claims court as she claims it left her thousands of pounds out of pocket.

When contacted for comment, easyJet declined to give a statement, with a spokesperson saying: “We’re sorry to hear about Joanne’s missing luggage on her recent holiday to Tenerife. Our team in resort worked hard to assist in resolving the situation as quickly as possible. As this matter is now subject to legal proceedings, it wouldn’t be appropriate to comment further at this time.”

However, Jo says that easyJet have only given her £231 in compensation for her lost baggage, and her travel insurance company will not cover the claim as she willingly handed her luggage to the shuttle bus driver before it went missing.

She said: “We landed into Tenerife South and collected four cases, one each. We walked up to the coach and the driver was there. He took my case off me. I’m always a bit paranoid when I go on holiday, so I always stand there and make sure my case is definitely on.”

Jo claims that when the cases were loaded, they were put on neatly, “like a box of matches”, but later she noticed the luggage had been moved. Jo’s brother-in-law took a photo on arrival to show family members the sunny weather, and managed to capture proof that Jo’s distinctive red suitcase had been loaded onto the shuttle bus.

“He said,’ I’ve got a picture here’.”, Jo recalled. “So he’d sent me it and it was timestamped 12.33pm. Now as we’d got on the coach my husband said we definitely departed that coach at 12.42pm because they have big clocks at the front like digital clocks and I noticed the time. But he said on this picture my case is facing the other way he said it’s like it’s been turned as if it’s easy to get off”.

Jo said the shuttle bus made a couple of stops before hers, and she saw passengers get off at their hotels but didn’t see anyone take her red case. However, a short while later when they reached their destination, Jo’s luggage was nowhere to be found.

“It definitely never came off that bus”, Jo claimed. “So, we immediately spoke to the driver, and when we’d got on the bus he was laughing and joking with us. He could speak broken English. But the minute we started questioning about my case, he shrugged his shoulders.”

“So my husband and my brother-in-law are bending down, trying to look under, you know, inside the cage. And he put his arm out and he’s like, no, no, no, no. And then literally the, the flap came down and he got on the coach and drove away.”

Heading to reception, Jo rang easyJet immediately, and claims they were less than helpful. Jo says she couldn’t recall the name of the coach company at the time and easyJet were unable to give her the information. She began to panic, as she was there for 10 nights, and all of her belongings including some medication was in her case.

The next morning, she headed to the airport and tried to speak to members of the Canaryshuttle team, where she was told to email the office. One airport worker who worked for another airline told Jo that as she booked a package through easyJet, it was the company’s responsibility to assist her.

Going back to the easyJet desk, Jo said she pled with a rep to help her out, only to be told the case had already been investigated and closed. She claims the rep told her, “The case is closed. Move away. There’s nothing we can do.”

However, later the rep got in touch with Jo and agreed to escort her to the police station. While Jo wanted to make a complaint about the driver, she claims that the rep said she’d known the driver for eight years and could “vouch for him”. She requested that the police look at CCTV around the coach stand, but says that the airport has not provided the data to police.

Instead of relaxing on a sunbed, Jo faced a dash around the island’s shops to try and get some items together for her holiday. She managed to get replacement diabetes medication from a local pharmacy, and bought some basics such as dresses and knickers to replace the lost items. She said easyJet initially offered €25 a day for three days, a maximum of €75, which is just over £65.

When claiming online with easyJet, she submitted 16 receipts and says eventually they paid 12 of them, with her compensation so far totalling £231. However, she has been left unable to claim any other expenses or resolve her case with easyJet customer services.

Jo sat down and itemised everything in her case, estimating the total value would be £2,712. She’s now submitted a claim to a small claims court to cover the cost of her luggage, as well as the cost of her holiday for her and her husband, and £500 for the “severe distress” caused.

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Jo’s sunshine break was ruined by the events: “It spoiled all our holidays, literally, I was just in tears. I just wanted to come home. And my husband sort of said, look, if it’s just me and you, yes, I get it. Let’s go home. But because it was [my in-laws’] first time in Tenerife and they’d been looking forward to this for so long, I begrudgingly stayed but I just wanted to come home in all honesty.”

She added that “all I want in an ideal world is just my case to turn up”.

ALSA who own Canaryshuttle have been contacted for comment.

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

Elafonisi Beach on the Greek island of Crete is famed for its stunning ‘pink sand’ and offers “natural beauty, crystal clear waters and unforgettable views” – and return flights start from just £41

A breathtaking island renowned for its ‘pink sand’ boasts the ‘second best beach in the world’ – and Brits can snap up return flights for a mere £41. Elafonisi Beach, nestled on the sun-drenched Greek isle of Crete, recently clinched second place in a Tripadvisor survey of the globe’s top beaches.

It was pipped to the post by Mexican beach Isla Pasion, making it the highest-ranked in Europe, with visitors lauding its “natural beauty, crystal clear waters and unforgettable views”.

Even better, there are flights up for grabs in April for as little as £42 return, departing from and returning to Stansted Airport via Ryanair.

The beach has bewitched visitors with its signature ‘pink sand’. The unusual hue is reportedly due to mollusks, a vast group of soft-bodied creatures lacking a backbone.

With over 85,000 known species found in oceans, freshwater or on land, these creatures shed their shells at the end of their lives. These decompose and blend with the sand, resulting in the sand’s distinctive pink shade, reports the Express.

However, the beach has suffered due to its own popularity, scoring 4.4/4.5 based on more than 16,000 Tripadvisor reviews. Holidaymakers are advised to visit between 8am and 11am to dodge fellow holidaymakers.

The official Tripadvisor page also cautions visitors to “temper your expectations”. It states: “The amount of pink on display varies with conditions and the season. Regardless, the crystal clear waters make this a popular summer vacation spot, attracting sunbathers and water sport enthusiasts alike.

“Also, hike up to the neighbouring cedar tree reserves for a change of scenery. Visit in the morning to beat traffic and secure a chair and umbrella before the crowds arrive. Or come in the evening for a stunning sunset when most people have left.”

Elafonisi is located in the south-west of Crete, Greece ‘s largest island and amongst its most popular with holidaymakers. It is approximately 45 miles by road from Chania, the closest airport.

Recent Tripadvisor reviews are largely enthusiastic. One visitor commented: “Free to visit one of the most beautiful natural paradises in the world. We spent a week in the area and came here to chill out daily.”

Another remarked: “Elafonissi is the icing on the cake called Crete. you need to spend at least a day to taste the beauty of the place; we went there at the end of September and the tourism was nothing short of … mighty. the clear water and the shoreline attract.”

The critical reviews typically highlight one issue – overcrowding and a perceived lack of ‘authenticity’. One tourist commented: “I personally cannot recommend it.

“There are far too many tourists and influencers on the beach. Really enjoying it and experiencing it authentically is hardly possible. Getting to the beach is also not particularly easy, as you have to drive numerous serpentines by car.”

A passenger survey has found the short-haul airline that was ranked as the lowest for its overall customer satisfaction, including for the boarding process and value for money

The airline with the worst customer satisfaction in the UK has been revealed, and it’s not Jet2, Wizz Air or easyJet.

In a lot of circumstances, the airline we fly with can depend on the most affordable ticket available at the time of booking, with competition rife among major budget airlines like Jet2, Wizz Air, Ryanair, and easyJet for short-haul flights. But depending on the airline we choose for our journey, it can severely impact our overall travel experience, from the booking and boarding processes to the customer service onboard.

Now, an annual customer satisfaction survey of more than 5,500 travellers by Which? found that Ryanair was the worst-performing short-haul airline.

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A Ryanair spokesperson told the Mirror: “Neither we nor our 208m passengers pay any attention to these made-up manufactured surveys or their fake results. Every passenger booking a flight has a choice and last year 208m consumers chose Ryanair, while nobody reads or pays any attention to Which? fake surveys.”

In the Which? ratings, Ryanair secured a mere one star for seat comfort, while it scored two out of five stars for its booking process, boarding, customer service and cabin environment.

When it comes to value for money on short-hauls, the airline earned a three-star rating, the same as easyJet and Wizz Air, but fell behind carriers, Jet2, Lufthansa, TUI and Aer Lingus. Overall, Ryanair received a customer satisfaction score of 55 per cent in the short-haul survey and ranked bottom on a list of 24 airlines. Just in front of Ryanair on the customer survey, with a total score of 59 per cent, was Wizz Air.

The budget carrier, which had 259 passengers included in the Which? survey, received two stars for its booking process, boarding, customer service, and cabin environment. However, it was awarded three stars for its value for money.

A Wizz Air spokesperson also shared: “Once again, Which’s survey relies on a tiny sample size. It surveyed 259 people, which is only 0.002% of the 12 million passengers carried on our UK flights in 2025. No credible organisation can claim that such a sample is representative.

“Our strong passenger numbers – which rise every year – clearly show that travellers value WIZZ’s low prices and industry-leading operational performance. We’re continuing to deliver against the commitments outlined in our £12 billion Customer First Compass initiative. From October 2024 to December 2025, customer satisfaction rose by eight percentage points. At the same time, our flight completion rate in the UK was 99.7% – consistently among the best in the industry – while our on-time performance increased by 14% year-on-year.

“This year, we look forward to welcoming even more passengers on board Europe’s youngest and most modern fleet, taking advantage of our low prices on our biggest ever summer leisure network to many new destinations in Spain, Greece, and France.”

In stark contrast, Jet2 topped the list with 76 per cent, receiving a four-star rating for its booking process, customer service and value for money. One customer said: “Compared with other budget airlines, they give you a generous luggage allowance, which makes such a difference.”

Have you had a complaint-worthy flight? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

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NEW data has revealed the best – and worst – airlines in the UK.

In a new Which? report, Jet2 has been named the best airline in the UK, based on the responses of 5,500 travellers.

The airline – which was the only airline with short-haul flights to be named a Which? Recommended Provider – achieved an average score of 76 per cent based on several categories including boarding, customer service and seat comfort.

Last year, Jet2 cancelled fewer flights last minute than its biggest rivals.

This helped the airline to hold on to four stars for its booking process, customer service and value for money.

One customer said: “Compared with other budget airlines they give you a generous luggage allowance, which makes such a difference.”

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And unlike other budget airlines, Jet2 allows passengers to take on board one piece of hand luggage – as long as it weighs no more than 10kg and isn’t bigger than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm – free of charge, each.

And you can also bring a small, under-seat bag as long as it is not bigger than 40cm x 30cm x 20cm.

More than 76 per cent agreed they hadn’t had any problems with their flight, whilst only 63 per cent said this about Ryanair.

When it comes to other short-haul airlines that performed well, Lufthansa and Norwegian scored 73 per cent satisfaction, British Airways, TUI and KLM each scored 72 per cent, Aer Lingus scored 71 per cent and Air France scored 69 per cent.

At the other end of the table, it might not come as a surprise that Ryanair finished bottom, achieving a satisfaction score of just 55 per cent.

The airline, which is often called out for having hidden fees, scored two stars for its booking process, boarding, customer service and cabin environment.

It then also achieved just one star for seat comfort, with one customer commenting: “The plane is dirty and the seats are awful.”

And even though the airline did get three stars for value for money, another customer added: “It is billed as a budget airline but they make money from extras which far outweigh price savings on other flight companies.”

In total, over a third of Ryanair’s customers said something went wrong with their journey.

A spokesperson for Ryanair said: “Neither we nor our 208million passengers pay any attention to these made-up manufactured surveys or their fake results.

“Every passenger booking a flight has a choice and last year 208million consumers chose Ryanair, while nobody reads or pays any attention to Which? fake surveys.”

Wizz Air also didn’t do too great, scoring just 59 per cent for customer satisfaction.

The budget airline achieved two stars in most categories and then three stars in the value for money category, with one customer remarking that the airline is “consistently terrible and overpriced”.

Passengers also noted how the airline has poor customer service and lack of communication around delays.

A spokesperson for Wizz Air said: “Once again, Which’s survey relies on a tiny sample size.

“While the total number of passengers surveyed was 5,500 – only 259 of those actually flew with Wizz Air.

“That’s less than five per cent of those surveyed, and only 0.002 per cent of passengers carried on WIZZ flights to and from the UK in 2025.

“This tiny sample size of Wizz customers is a point we’ve raised with Which for the last three years, which has also been echoed by other airlines.

“Despite raising our concerns about how misleading this figure is, there have been no major improvements, and the survey remains entirely unrepresentative of what the vast majority of customers have experienced – and therefore an inaccurate source of information for the British public.”

EasyJet did slightly better, scoring 67 per cent overall, with three stars for its booking process and value for money and two stars for its customer service, seat comfort and cabin environment.

The budget airline also improved its punctuality over the past two years with fewer cancelled flights.

A spokesperson for easyJet said: “With around 40 per cent of our customers choosing to travel with just the fare and our customer satisfaction scores at a ten year high, it’s clear that customers continue to value this choice and our service.

“Given this survey is not weighted, it simply isn’t representative when comparing with airlines who carry far fewer passengers.”

Which? also found that the price for flights with low-cost airlines often shoots up once you add cabin bags to your booking.

And these prices usually don’t become clear until towards the end of the booking process.

Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel said: “It’s outrageous to see Ryanair and Wizz Air openly scoff at the poor experiences of their own customers.

“They love to blow their own trumpet about the number of passengers who fly with them, but on many routes, there is simply no other choice.

“Many other passengers fly with them because of the enticingly low headline fares.

“But ridiculously expensive charges for baggage and other add-ons mean they are no longer guaranteed to be the cheapest option.

“We’ve repeatedly found that airlines that include baggage and seat allocation in their fares can actually work out cheaper overall.

“Fly with anyone else, if you can.”

Sun Travel has also contacted the airlines mentioned for comment.

In other aviation news, two UK airports are about to be much easier and cheaper to travel to – after thousands fined £100.

Plus, another English airport introduces hugely unpopular charge for passengers.

Editor’s note: Although there will be references to the Eaton fire in this newsletter, there won’t be any images of active fire or burned buildings.

The Mt. Wilson Trail in Sierra Madre recently reopened after being damaged last January by the Eaton fire and subsequent flooding.

When the city of Sierra Madre announced the trail was fully open again, I was initially eager to return to this stunning trek in the San Gabriel Mountains.

But part of me felt anxious. What if the fire had killed everything I remembered so fondly from time spent on the trail?

Shortly after the Eaton fire, I scoured maps to discern which trails likely burned in the blaze. I remember my heart sinking when I saw the fire had scorched the entire Mt. Wilson Trail. It’s an area of Angeles National Forest with a significant amount of local history.

The first known trail to Mt. Wilson was established by Indigenous people, a trail they used to carry wood down the mountains when Spanish missionaries forced them to build the San Gabriel Mission in 1771, according to the Mt. Wilson Trail Race.

Then, in 1864, Benjamin D. Wilson built the first version of the current Mt. Wilson Trail. He was “following an ancient Tongva footpath,” according to a sign near the trailhead. It is the oldest trail in the San Gabriel Mountains, according to former Times hiking columnist John McKinney.

Water rushes through Little Santa Anita Canyon near the Mt. Wilson Trail north of Sierra Madre.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

The hike from Sierra Madre to Mt. Wilson is a suffer fest: It is a 14½-mile out-and-back journey where you climb just over 4,800 feet in elevation. It’s thrilling, though, once you’ve completed it, because you can look up at the towers at Mt. Wilson from L.A. and know you climbed that whole mountain.

It’s a hike that every L.A. hiker interested in upping their game should try at least once. Pro tip: I don’t consider it cheating if you hike from the trailhead in Sierra Madre to the top — and then get your nonhiker friend to pick you up where the trail ends in the Mt. Wilson Observatory parking lot. If it’s open, you could even treat them to a meal at the Cosmic Cafe!

On Saturday, I had planned to hike to Orchard Camp, a 7.2(ish)-mile journey that gains about 2,200 feet. It is one of my favorite places in the San Gabriel Mountains, and I was eager and anxious to see how it was doing.

Plants with blooms along the Mt. Wilson Trail, including, from clockwise, Menzies’ baby blue eyes, a poppy, longleaf bush lupine, streambank spring beauty and western wallflower.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

The site has a lengthy history. It was first home to Half-Way House, a repair station and rest stop built by the trail’s builder Don Benito Wilson in 1864. He named his establishment as such because Orchard Camp was the halfway point between Sierra Madre and Mt. Wilson.

The site was converted in the 1890s to Orchard Camp, “a resort named after the groves of apples, plums, cherries and chestnuts whose harvest was sold to travelers using the camp and trail,” according to a sign at the site.

In an advertisement published in The Times in 1908, Orchard Camp Resort told prospective guests it offered furnished tents and a “fine stream of water runs through camp.” By 1920, the accommodations had improved mightily, with the camp advertising “tennis, dancing, croquet and hiking,” and groceries, baked goods and meats at the camp store. (I can confirm the stream, hiking and, should you choose, dancing are all still available.)

To begin your hike, you’ll drive north through Sierra Madre. You’ll find the trailhead near the aptly named Mt. Wilson Trail Park, a small stretch of grass with a playground and, a rare luxury for hikers, a flush toilet. You will park on the street, close to the park if you arrive with the early birds.

Next to the park, you’ll find Lizzie’s Trail Inn and Richardson House, which the Sierra Madre Historical Preservation Society operates as living museums. Inside, you can learn more about the trail and other local history. They’re open most Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon.

Two hikers head up the first mile of the Mt. Wilson Trail near Sierra Madre.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

Head north onto Mt. Wilson Trail, a paved road, which will take you behind homes before reaching the large Mt. Wilson Trail entrance sign. It’s only up from here!

The first part of the trail is in direct sunlight until late afternoon and has minimal to no shade. The upside is that it offers incredible views of the San Gabriel Valley and beyond. I quickly spotted Santiago Peak, the highest point in Orange County, which was about 43 miles southeast from where I stood. The snow-covered Mt. San Jacinto, which was 82 miles away, came into clearer view as I gained elevation.

In the first two miles of the trail, I was delighted to discover several blue, purple and pink wildflowers blooming, including wild Canterbury bells, stinging lupine (don’t touch it!) and chia. These plants are known as “fire followers,” as they quickly sprout after an area burns. Later in my hike, I also noticed baby blue eyes, cardinal catchfly, lots of coast morning glory and exactly two poppies.

Two hikers consider the best path across a water crossing along the Mt. Wilson Trail.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

I was also surprised by just how many waterfalls I could see from the trail, including one just under a mile in that was gushing down the rocky canyon.

My first stop was First Water, which you’ll reach at just over 1½ miles in. You’ll find a short path at First Water that will take you off the main trail and next to the Little Santa Anita Creek.

If you’ve hiked this trail before, you will notice substantial differences in the trail to reach First Water. It is steeper and a bit more technical, but still an easy enough jaunt down to the creek.

The Little Santa Anita Creek at First Water.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

One of the starkest differences, though, comes about half a mile north when Mt. Harvard comes into view. I was expecting more healthy green slopes, and instead, I spotted rows and rows of burnt, dried-out trees. As I neared Orchard Camp, I passed burned manzanita and other trees with blackened bark, but the majority of what I observed was nature in recovery.

One hiker had told me there wasn’t any shade at Orchard Camp, and while I was skeptical, I was prepared for the worst. Instead, I arrived just before 2 p.m. and found several oaks and other trees, still healthy and growing, and thick green grass and other plants. I laid down on a boulder near a wooden bench and basked in the sun like the happiest fence lizard in all of the forest — although there were plenty of shady spots where I could have laid down.

Orchard Camp, a shady stop along the Mt. Wilson Trail.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

I didn’t go past Orchard Camp because I knew I’d hit snow. I don’t own crampons, which are needed to hike safely in the snow on any sort of incline. (That said, Luis De La Cruz, the Vamos Hiking Crew leader, whose group hiked to the top Saturday, told me that the trail is in good condition from Orchard Camp although there is some erosion.)

Leaving the trail just before 5 p.m., I felt immense gratitude for the hundreds of hours that volunteers with the Mt. Wilson Trail Race put into restoring the Mt. Wilson Trail to its current glory. I spoke to several folks along the path who felt similarly.

A trail recovering.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

It’s a feeling this trail elicits. As a Times story noted in 1915 about this hike, “Once this trip is taken, a desire for a repetition clings to the lover of the outdoor life.” May we all be so lucky!

3 things to do

Attendees of a full moon hike at Elysian Park hosted by We Explore Earth.

(Chiara Alexa / For The Times)

1. Marvel at the moon in Elysian Park
Outdoors nonprofit We Explore Earth will host a free sunset hike Tuesday from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in Elysian Park. After the hike, guests are invited to participate in yoga, a sound bath and music, all as the full moon rises over L.A. Register at eventbrite.com.

2. Connect with fellow humans in Ascot Hills Park
Intermission, a community-focused wellness company, will host a free sound bath at 11 a.m. Sunday in Ascot Hills Park. Guests will need to take a short hike to reach the hilltop where the sound bath will be offered. Learn more at Intermission’s Instagram page.

3. Crunch along the trail in Orange
Save Orange Hills, a local advocacy group, will host a bilingual 3-mile hike from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday through Irvine Regional Park in Orange. Barefoot Joel and Scott Keltic Knot will guide hikers along the Horseshoe Loop Trail, observing wildflowers and wildlife along the way. Guests might spot the locally rare Catalina mariposa lily. Tickets for participants 12 and older are $12.51 while children younger than 12 are free. Park entry is $5. Register at eventbrite.com.

The must-read

Ed LaRue, a longtime desert tortoise advocate and surveyor, looks for tortoise burrows in Johnson Valley.

(Ethan Swope / For The Times)

Desert tortoises are what scientists categorize as a “keystone species,” meaning other animals depend on them for their survival. In this case, it’s for the burrows that tortoises dig. Times staff writer Alex Wigglesworth wrote that that’s a key reason why U.S. District Judge Susan Illston recently ordered the federal Bureau of Land Management to shut down 2,000 miles of off-roading trails, saying the vehicles are “a significant ongoing cause of harm” to the tortoise population. And although climate change-supercharged droughts and large-scale solar development across the Mojave also threatened the tortoises and their habitat, off-roading trail use is different, biologist Ed LaRue said, because it’s “one of the threats that we could ostensibly control.”

I am not an off-roader, but I do want to acknowledge the outcome of this ruling: It is heartbreaking whenever you lose access to an outdoors space you love. “The vastness and the quiet and the peace you get here is unlike anywhere else you can find in California,” said Lorene Frankel, an off-roader who’d planned to launch an off-roading business with her husband. “It is devastating to realize a massive amount of land will be completely inaccessible.”

Even if you agree with the closure order’s purpose — protecting precious habitat for a critical species — it is important that we remain sympathetic to each other’s reasons for loving the outdoors.

Happy adventuring,

P.S.

Have you ever tried to reach Griffith Park without driving there? You probably discovered it wasn’t a straight-forward journey. Metro, our local transportation agency, is developing a plan to make it safer and easier to reach Griffith Park and the L.A. Zoo by transit, on foot and by bike. And you can give feedback on how to make that happen. Streets Are For Everyone will lead a workshop from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Autry Museum of the American West where the organization will gather feedback on these proposed improvements for reaching Griffith Park. Participants will discuss a proposed transit route to Griffith Park as well as pedestrian and biking connections between the Hollywood Bowl and the Ford. As a bonus, attendees will get free museum admission after the workshop. Register using this Google Form.

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