Travel Desk

MSE, founded by Martin Lewis, has shared the handy trick online

Money Saving Expert (MSE) has shared a handy trick that could help you get more items on board your next flight. This means you may not need to pay for extra luggage.

On its website, the financial experts have said that anyone flying with easyJet may be able to boost their luggage allowance in a post-security “loophole”. MSE wrote: “If you don’t want to pay for a second bag, there is a loophole to get one on for free.

“It lies in post-security shopping. In addition to your standard hand luggage allowance,easyJet allows you to take one shopping bag on board.” It directs people to the easyJet website, where it notes under ‘Accessories’ that passengers are “allowed to bring some extra things into the cabin. e.g. umbrella, overcoat, crutches, walking stick, one standard bag of goods bought at the airport.”

MSE, founded by Martin Lewis, continued: “It’s worth noting that easyJet says this must be “one standard bag of goods bought at the airport” – and of course, we’re not suggesting you purchase unnecessarily. But if you do have a carrier bag from duty-free or similar, it’ll give you some room for manoeuvre when you walk through the departure gate.

“Some passengers report they’ve been able to stuff the odd item which won’t fit in their hand luggage into it, or even a handbag – others say they’ve successfully boarded with a carrier bag they brought with them specially.” Currently, each easyJet passenger, including children and infants, may purchase up to three checked (hold) bags. A standard checked bag allows 23kg, and you can add extra weight in 3kg increments up to a maximum of 32kg per bag.

If you’re travelling with family or friends on the same booking and flight, you can combine your total weight allowance. This allowance can be distributed across all booked bags, provided no single bag exceeds 32kg. The maximum total dimensions (length + width + height) must not exceed 275cm.

This means it’s good news for travellers. If you’ve picked up a few extras after passing through security, you may now have space to bring a bit more on board.

THINK crystal clear waters, dolphin spotting and independent boutiques – well, the UK’s best seaside destination has all of this.

Less than three miles from its popular and busier neighbour – Tenby – you’ll find Saundersfoot in Pembrokeshire, Wales.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

Named the best seaside spot in the UK by Time Out, it said: “Saundersfoot is one of Pembrokeshire’s most energetic spots” adding that it has a “lively spirit”.

One of the top things to do in the village is of course heading to the beach, which stretches more than half a mile long.

The Blue Flag beach is a popular spot for families as it has shallow water and boasts a lot of fun activities such as canoeing, windsurfing and swimming.

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The beach has also previously been named as one of the cleanest beaches in the world by TripAdvisor.

You might even be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of dolphins or a grey seal from the beach.

At one end of the beach you’ll find the harbour, which dates back to 1829 and was built as an industrial port to export coal from local mines.

Today, the harbour is a tourist hub for Saundersfoot, with a number of places to grab a bite to eat as well as a ship you can play crazy golf on.

If you like history, make sure to walk around the entire harbour, as at the end you’ll see Saundersfoot Lighthouse, which was built in 1848 to mark the entrance to the harbour.

From the harbour you can also hop on a boat trip with Saundersfoot Sealife Adventures to see local wildlife and Caldey Island for an hour and a half.

Each trip costs around £25 per adult and £20 per child.

Just steps away from both the beach and the harbour, you’ll find Hwyl Outdoor Sauna where you can enjoy a sauna session from just £9 per person.

Spread across a couple of roads, again just steps from the beach, there’s also the high street with independent boutiques, cafes and art studios.

Back in 2024, The Telegraph even noted how Saundersfoot is a “little-known hip town” that is the “perfect bolthole for those who want to see West Wales’s sights and lively towns but also enjoy quiet, sunset-watching downtime in the evening”.

From the village, you can head on a number of walks as well along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, where you will see amazing views of the coastline.

And just outside of the village, you can visit Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo which is home to a number of animals, rides and a recently updated play area.

The Pirate Adventure has a castle and a number of accessible play areas, including low level options for wheelchair users.

You can also opt to stay at the holiday park onsite, which in November was named one of the best family campsites in South Wales by the Campsites.co.uk awards.

There are other places to stay in and around Saundersfoot though, including Sunnyvale Holiday Park.

The holiday park has 53 caravans ideal for families and is less than a mile from Saundersfoot Beach.

Facilities at the park include a games room, kids play area, hot tubs, pet-friendly options and an indoor pool.

A two-night stay in August costs from £300.

For more ideas on UK staycations, here are some cheap last-minute UK holidays still available for the May bank holiday weekends.

Plus, UK staycations are set for record high in 2026 – here’s our top holiday wish list from trendy beach resorts to historic cities.

GREECE has slapped a sunbed ban on 251 of its beaches meaning tourists will have to ditch the loungers for a simple towel.

The rule aims to limit overtourism on the beaches as well as tourist developments, such as hotels and sunbeds for hire, to keep the beaches in their natural state.

So for tourists heading to the 251 beaches on the list, they’ll need to stick to either a towel or just sitting on the sand.

And some spots have even stricter rules – on beaches that are part of the Natura 2000 programme, you won’t see hotels cordoning off areas as a ‘private beach’ section, instead they will be open to everyone.

There will also be no changes to how the beach looks, so no concrete piers, sea walls or paved paths.

Essentially, anything that messes with the natural state of the beach, is not allowed.

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So, if you want a beach bar and to rent an umbrella, you’ll need to head elsewhere.

A release from the Greek Environment Ministry stated that the ban “seeks to effectively protect beaches that have particular aesthetic, geomorphological or ecological value, as well as to preserve the types of habitats and the species of flora and fauna found on these beaches”.

The Ministry added: “In particular, the number of shorelines and beaches within areas included in the National List of Areas of the European Ecological Network Natura 2000 is increasing and in which the granting of simple use, as well as any other action that may endanger their morphology and their integrity in terms of their ecological functions, is now prohibited.”

The ban follows Greek authorities dealing with a number of incidents in recent months on the protected beaches.

According to local reports, riot police recently took down a number of shacks on the island of Gavdos, just south of Crete.

One of the beaches included on the list is Elafonissi Beach found on the southwest coast of Greece as it is a protected Natura 2000 nature reserve.

Its not the easiest to get to – visitors must head across a shallow lagoon.

It was named the second best beach in the world by TripAdvisor‘s Travellers‘ Choice Awards Best of the Best 2026 and also 15th best in Europe in the World’s Best Beaches 2025 awards.

The beach is known for its pink sand, which gets its colour from crushed seashells – though removing any of the shells or sand is forbidden.

One recent visitor said: “One of the most beautiful natural paradises in the world.”

Other beaches include Kalamaki Beach near Athens, Tobruk Beach near Heraklion and several beaches on the island of Samos.

If you are heading to Greece and are not sure what beaches the ban applies to, download the Gov.gr MyCoast app, where you can see a map of all the 251 beaches.

If you are thinking of going on holiday to Greece, there’s one city that’s better in spring with funiculars, sunset rooftops and wine tastings.

Plus, there’s a stunning Greek island that will pay you to move there and give you a house.

Everything travellers need to know about online check-in rules and bag drop deadlines for Ryanair, EasyJet and Jet2 in 2026

With the two May bank holidays fast approaching, numerous travellers will be plotting to make the most of the long weekends by jetting off on getaways. Among the most popular airlines operating at UK airports are Ryanair, Jet2 and EasyJet, and passengers flying with these carriers are being urged to familiarise themselves with the latest check-in regulations.

There are specific policies and rules that holidaymakers need to be aware of, including various timing requirements to avoid missing their flights. Due to longer queues at passport control following the rollout of EES (Entry/Exit System) for passengers travelling to non-Schengen destinations, travellers are advised to factor in additional time when arriving at and departing from overseas airports.

Check-in desks have designated closing times for passengers to drop off their luggage before shutting. For anyone heading abroad with bags to check in, here are the current rules for Ryanair, Jet2 and EasyJet you’ll want to get to grips with to avoid last-minute panic.

Ryanair’s latest check-in rules

Ryanair has overhauled how check-in and boarding passes operate in a bid to streamline airport procedures. The most significant upcoming change is that check-in and bag drop desks will close earlier, coming into effect from November 10, 2026. The current deadline means desks typically open two hours before and close 40 minutes before your scheduled departure.

In November, desks will close 60 minutes before departure across all airports. The airline is introducing this change to allow passengers more time to clear security and passport control, particularly owing to potential delays from the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES), reports the Liverpool Echo.

Should you fail to check in online up to two hours before your scheduled departure time, you may still check in at the airport up to 40 minutes before departure, however you will be charged an airport check-in fee. See Ryanair’s table of fees. “We urge all passengers to check in online before arriving at the airport to avoid these fees,” the airline says.

Towards the end of last year, Ryanair switched to 100% digital boarding passes via the Ryanair App, with exceptions for certain destinations such as Morocco and Turkey, which still require printed passes. If you have checked in but are unable to access your digital pass, staff can provide a free replacement.

You can check in via the Ryanair.com website or through the mobile App. Once logged in, select check-in and input your travel document details. For your safety and security, and for the safety and security of your fellow passengers and crew, the check-in process must be completed by you personally, by a passenger on your booking, or by someone with personal knowledge of you and your luggage.

If you have pre-reserved a seat, online check-in is available up to 60 days before your scheduled departure. Bear in mind that both your outbound and return flights must fall within that 60-day window. If you haven’t reserved a seat and one is being randomly allocated to you, check-in opens 24 hours before your flight and closes two hours before departure.

Airport check-in is also an option, though you’ll be charged a fee per passenger for the additional service – refer to Ryanair’s table of fees for full details. Should you have already checked in but are unable to display your boarding pass on the app upon arriving at the airport, you will be issued a replacement boarding pass free of charge.

Jet2’s latest check-in rules

Online check-in through Manage My Booking is available from 28 days up to six hours before departure via Jet2’s website or app. You’ll need to either print your boarding passes, download them to your device, or check in at the airport no later than three hours before your scheduled departure.

At the airport, Jet2 check-in desks typically open at least two hours and 30 minutes before your scheduled departure, and potentially up to three hours beforehand. Jet2 says: “Please arrive at the airport in good time, as our check-in desks will close 40 minutes before your scheduled departure time. By this point, you must have completed the check-in process.” If you have checked luggage, you must arrive at the check-in desk by the time stated on your itinerary, or at least two hours before your flight departs. You are also required to be at the boarding gate no later than 30 minutes before the scheduled take-off time.

Jet2 is unable to provide online check-in for flights departing from Turkey. It says: “You can still complete the process and get your pre-allocated seats, but you’ll need to visit our airport check-in desks to collect your boarding pass before you go to security.”

In line with European Regulations, passengers are prohibited from carrying certain items into security-restricted areas or aboard an aircraft. To view the complete list of banned items, visit the Jet2 website. At select UK airports, Jet2 provides a Twilight Check-in service, allowing passengers to drop off their luggage at the airport the evening prior to departure, provided their flight is scheduled before noon.

Due to the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) which launched on April 10, 2026, travellers should allow additional time at the airport for the mandatory biometric registration process. Once you have checked in online, amendments to your booking, such as adding extra baggage or changing names, cannot be made without contacting customer services directly.

EasyJet’s latest check-in rules

Passengers can check in online from 30 days up until two hours before departure, downloading or printing boarding passes for all their flights. A passport or identity card may be required, and EasyJet might ask travellers to verify their contact information.

The airline doesn’t accept PDF scans of boarding passes on mobile devices, as airport security personnel cannot scan them. Passengers must use either the official app version or a clearly printed paper copy. Lost boarding passes can be reprinted, and when printing, the entire pass must be legible.

Should any booking amendments be made – such as adding hold luggage or altering flight times – passengers must check in again and obtain a fresh boarding pass. EasyJet says: “If you have any technical problems whilst checking in, please don’t give up and do try again later. If you continue to have difficulty, please ask our ground crew for help when checking in at the airport: this must be done before the bag drop closing time.”

The airline emphasises there are crucial timings for travel. Passengers need to have all documentation prepared and allow sufficient time to navigate the airport to arrive punctually for their flight. Those running late may be refused travel by EasyJet, resulting in a missed flight. All timings are calculated from your flight’s scheduled departure time. Unless EasyJet informs you otherwise, these timings remain valid even if your flight is delayed, as the airline states it always endeavours to recover any lost time. You can view the complete list of crucial timings on the EasyJet website.

A statement on the website reads: “Please note – airport times may change after you’ve booked. For example, if there’s major disruption or new airport procedures such as increased security. We’ll send any updates using the contact details we have for your booking, so please check with the booker that we have the correct details. Please also check our Flight Tracker for the latest updates about your flight.”

Arrival times differ by airport, but general deadlines are calculated from your scheduled departure:

• Bag drop opens: Usually two to three hours before departure.
• Bag drop closes: Strictly 40 to 60 minutes before departure, depending on the airport.
• Gate closes: Promptly 30 minutes before departure.

It’s 7:50 p.m. on a Tuesday as I enter the dimly lighted metaphysical supply store the Crooked Path. Even inside, it almost looks closed; I barely see the crystal-necklace-studded walls, the bowls of runes and bins of long, black candles around me. Half-filled glass jars (perhaps potions?) sit beyond the store’s elongated bar — the apothecary — where a silent man in black points me past Egyptian deity figurines and a large python named Drakina to … my yoga class.

The backroom that Goth Yoga LA calls home is all black paint, purple lights and sage-y smells; music growls ominously from the speaker system above. Devotees gather for the intimate, pay-what-you-can classes, held at 6:30 and 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday nights. It feels like an open mic night in the Upside Down — and yes, everyone is wearing all black. Everyone but Goth Yoga LA’s leader, Brynna Beatnix. Tonight, Beatnix is giving more Y2K occult-glam. She chats with one heavily-tattooed man stretching in the corner, and welcomes in an older woman in heavy eyeliner who tentatively peeks inside. Is she in the right place? Of course she is.

Students take part in a Goth Yoga LA class, complete with burning incense.

Goth Yoga LA’s masterminds are Beatnix and her partner, James David (who DJs each class). The couple has been active in L.A.’s goth/alternative music and event scene for years, co-creating the popular outdoor roller disco event Skate Oddity during the pandemic. This “goth club on wheels,” brought an inspiring blend of physicality, niche goth music and connection to alt-Angelenos at their most isolated.

As Skate Oddity (and athletically-forward goth events like it) became more popular, so did some pretty gnarly injuries. As a response, Beatnix began hosting communal stretching sessions before the event, complete with vibey dark ‘80s, goth and post-punk soundtrack. “It started as a gathering,” Beatnix said. “And with James and my background in nightlife and music, it gained momentum and grew.”

Soon, Beatnix got her yoga certification and a couple of her goth friends, Sal Santoro and Popi Mavros, offered the backroom of their Burbank-based occult store, the Crooked Path. And from the shadowy, crystal-studded darkness Goth Yoga LA was born.

Brynna Beatnix’s classes are defined by deep stretches and dark sounds.

DJ James David provides the music for Goth Yoga LA classes.

Beatnix and David created and practice Goth Yoga LA much like yoga itself — slowly, with intentionality. It took them years to fuse music and movement to “get the space right,” and they hope that the result helps participants’ mental health. “The music and the alternative world can already be a coping mechanism. Well, yoga is also a great coping mechanism. So let’s combine the two.”

What resulted is an intimate, therapeutic yoga class shrouded in darkness (literally), where goths, alts, punks — anyone feeling outside of the norm — can work through “heavy feelings” via moody vinyasas. “It just feels really nice to be in a room of people who are kinda literally leaning into the discomfort of being in the chaos of the world right now,” says Heather Hanford, a regular at Goth Yoga LA.

For many, it’s not just about mental health but simply a more welcoming alternative to the Lululemon-coded homogeny of L.A.’s wellness culture. “Some people feel scared of going to traditional yoga studios. One, the prices are really high. Or they don’t really feel accepted there,” Beatnix says. “I’ve even had guys be like, I’m scared to go, because people are going to look at my tattoos and think that I’m a satanist and stare at me.”

The intimate Goth Yoga LA classes are distinctive because they are mostly shrouded in darkness.

And, of course, it’s not just for goths. Class participant Hanford, who identifies as a neurodivergent non-goth, experiences Goth Yoga LA as much more regulating than a mainstream yoga class. “The lighting and mood music makes it easier to focus on the internal experience than other classes I’ve taken,” she said. “Either intentionally or not, really helps minimize sensory overload.”

As we cat-cow to the Cure, the irony that goth yoga is more approachable, more calming and far less expensive than most traditional classes isn’t lost on me. With its donation-based entry, alternative clientele and bespoke DJ experience, Goth Yoga LA is like the anti-yoga of L.A’.s yoga scene. “I didn’t particularly want to rebel against the yoga studios, I just … am,” Beatnix tells me later. “We just saw something that didn’t exist, and wanted to create it.”

I know the class is coming to an end as ambient noiserock leads us into corpse pose. I inhale, letting new smells — something minty and palo santo-y, maybe? — waft over me. Now back into our original sitting positions, I’m not expecting a namaste. No, I have been warned this class concludes … differently than most.

Class participants Ellie Albertson and Jenn Rivera recline in corpse pose.

In Sanskrit, namaste translates to mean “I bow to you,” or, ”the light in me honors the light in you.” It is meant to be an invitation: a means of being deeply and profoundly seen.

“But that’s just ignoring the dark,” Beatnix says. In her opinion, to truly be seen we must acknowledge our alternative natures, our shadow sides, the otherness of our beings. “My ending is — and it ranges class to class — but generally I say, ‘the darkness in me honors and acknowledges the darkness in each and every one of you.’ We have both light and dark. We are both.”

A HUGE new “world class new visit destination” is set to open in the UK.

Xanadoo is a new indoor attraction concept that has been designed by some of the people behind the Eden Project.

They claim it will be “unlike any other museum” with massive playgrounds, art areas and food halls, as well as being educational.

When guests arrive, the will be a market hall with food and drink stalls.

The first area is the “Road to Happiness” with a series of art installations along the way.

Then there is “The Gallery of Marvellous Situations” which they say will take people “back in time” using immersive experiences.

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The Playground in the third area, with images showing slides, a huge helter skelter, climbing structures, mazes, and even a life-size snakes and ladders.

Then in the fourth area is “Tomorrow’s World” with futuristic designs showing the world in hundreds of years time.

“Call to Action” is the final area, which has a life-size “game” with levers and dials that show the impact on the current world.

The entire attraction ‘will bring “science and art” together, and be for all ages.

The cost of the project hasn’t been revealed, but it is thought that £840million will be brought to the local economy, they predict.

They hope it will encourage year-round visitors, including families and school trips as well as locals.

Where it will be built is also yet to be revealed, although they are looking at locations across South Wales.

Gaynor Coley, co-founder of the Eden Project, told local media: “We believe Xanadoo can do the same for South Wales as the Eden Project did for Cornwall.

“An economic impact assessment has just been carried out and it has bought £6 billion to Cornwall and the West Country which is more than the whole of European funding and we’d like to do the same for South Wales.

“It will bring sustainable tourism, support hospitality and creativity, storytelling, digital and health and wellbeing.”

Eden Project opened in Cornwall back in 2020, and remains the only one of its kind.

However, a second site – Eden Project Morecambe – is set to open next year.

Other planned Eden Projects include Scotland as well as Costa Rica, China and Australia.

And another huge indoor attraction set to open in the UK is Therme Manchester, a massive water resort with pools, slides and spas.

AN AIRLINE that recently axed flights has warned Brits to expect more cancellations in the future.

Earlier this month, Norse Atlantic axed all its flights from London Gatwick to Los Angeles in America due to rising fuel prices.

And now the airline has warned of even more cancellations.

Eivind Roald, CEO of Norse Atlantic Airways, said to BBC Newsnight: “From our side we will continue flying from London Gatwick and from Athens and Rome this summer, we don’t have any plans to cancel more flights.

“When it comes to our competitors, I can’t really say, I assume you will see more cancellations coming, we often see it coming in short haul flights in Europe.

“The long haul flights are still there.”

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He also said that travellers “will see that things will be changed” including some companies’ “existence”.

The CEO then added that he was confident jet fuel prices would fall in six to nine months time.

Even though the airline hasn’t announced more cancellations yet, the London Gatwick to Los Angeles route was only introudced by the airline in 2023.

And at that time, it operated seven flights per week from London Gatwick to Los Angeles.

The route was due to re-start next month, but instead will be cancelled for the entire season until October.

As a result, Norse will only have four long-haul routes this summer, including London Gatwick to New York and London Gatwick to Orlando.

A number of other airlines have also made the decision to cancel some flights or increase prices.

For example, earlier this month KLM said it was axing 160 flights across Europe over the next month due to the fuel crisis.

Despite the airline not yet having a shortage of fuel, the cancellations will impact flights travelling to and from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands.

Lufthansa also announced that its subsidiary airline CityLine is stopping all operations due to both the Iran War and recent strike action.

The airline would fly to Frankfurt and Munich from the UK.

As for long haul flights, Virgin Atlantic had raised the price of flights.

Those now travelling in economy have to pay an extra £50, those in premium economy have to pay an extra £180 and those in business class will need to pay an additional £360.

In other flight news, a closed UK airport has revealed the latest details about being able to reopen as part of huge £193million project.

Plus, a UK travel company has gone bust with all holidays cancelled – but Brits won’t get any refunds.

Tourists in Tenerife were recently taken aback when they looked up from their sunbeds to be met with an unexpected sight. Many couldn’t believe their eyes due to what they saw

Tourists in Tenerife recently witnessed an unexpected sight after looking up from their sunbeds, and it comes after people have encountered unlikely experiences at the destination. Many tourists jet off to the Canary Islands hotspot in hope of catching a tan and having a much-needed rest but some admitted they were faced with a rather different holiday lately.

It was brought to people’s attention by a man known as Sam T, who claimed the weather in Tenerife is very “deceiving”. After he posted footage from his sunbed, looking up at the sky, it got many people talking about how their holidays have been impacted by the same surprising factor.

This isn’t the first time the topic has been brought to people’s attention either. Just weeks ago, holidaymakers made another similar complaint.

Lying on his sunbed, Sam was hoping to get some sun on his skin, but it looks as though mother nature had other ideas. As he filmed up towards the sky, you could see the blue sky was gradually clouding over and turning grey.

It also sounds like there may have been a bit of thunder and lightning too. The footage quickly got people talking, as they were keen to share what their own experiences at the destination have been like.

One said: “I just don’t get the hype with the Canaries. Beaches ain’t pretty and there’s always so much cloud.”

Another wrote: “Been here since the 19th and it’s been so inconsistent. It’s cloudy then a bit of sun. Rubbish really.”

A third replied: “The weather sucks. No sunshine, clouds always around the mountains. Five more days then I go home.

“Never ever coming back. I’ll try to leave earlier. Biggest disappointment of this year.”

Even though Sam admitted it’s been hot during his stay, he noted it’s been “overcast a lot of the time”. He also admitted he’s visited a few times in the past, but this was the first time he’s experienced so much cloud.

Someone else wrote: “I was here 15th to 22nd and had lush weather!” Another responded: “Still absolutely boiling though.”

One more also noted: “Been here since 18th April. It’s been mid 20s every day – been scorching.”

What people need to know

Generally, Tenerife is not considered a cloudy island overall, but it has distinct microclimates. The north is greener and often cloudier, while the south is consistently sunny and warm.

Clouds commonly form over the central mountains, and occasionally spill over to coastal areas, particularly from September to May. However, it’s also been noted the weather in parts of the Canary Islands has been worse than usual this year.

During early 2026, Tenerife experienced significant, unseasonably bad weather, which has been described as some of the worst in over a decade. March was particularly impacted by Storm Therese, which brought heavy rain, high winds, flash flooding and rare snowfall at high altitudes.

It also led to travel disruption and flight cancellations. This is why people have been talking so much about the weather there recently.

As an Australian living in Italy, I grew up within an hour of some of the most pristine coastline in the world, so the Italian penchant for private beach clubs is something I’ll never quite grow accustomed to.

Along some of Italy’s most naturally beautiful stretches of beach, from the Amalfi Coast to the Cinque Terre, private, exclusive beach clubs and five-star hotels occupy the best patches of shoreline. The natural beauty that made these places famous can feel increasingly roped off.

In Australia, beaches are natural places to be shared. There’s a more relaxed approach to bathing along open stretches of sand framed by nothing but trees, rocks and dunes. For those seeking a back-to-nature holiday, here are six of Italy’s most beautiful free beaches where the coastline remains untouched and open to all.

Riviera del Conero, Marche

The Riviera del Conero is the Marche’s most precious jewel, in a region still largely unchanged by mass tourism. You’ll rarely hear any language other than Italian as it’s all locals and other Italians on their summer holidays.

Set against a stunning backdrop of limestone cliffs covered in pine trees, a series of protected bays with clear green-blue water and white pebbles make up this stretch of coastline within the Conero regional park.

Sirolo is a long, natural beach at the end of a meandering downhill walk through the trees. There’s plenty of space to lay down your towel on the smooth rocks, with the option of paid chairs and umbrellas, too.

Portonovo Bay offers low-key retro 60s beach clubs and long stretches of free beach. Ristorante Emilia has been the standout lunch spot here since 1950, serving up their signature spaghetti with mussels prised by hand every morning from the nearby rocks.
In Sirolo, San Michele Relais & Spa has doubles from €108, and Camping Village Internazionale has cabins from about €100

Gargano, Puglia

While southern Puglia’s beaches are at the top of many travellers’ bucket lists, the rugged Gargano peninsula, which juts out from northern Puglia into the Adriatic, is far less known. Part of Gargano national park, it’s full of rocky coves, quiet bays and long pebbled beaches framed by olive groves.

Portogreco, a tiny cove and popular free beach, is framed by sea caves and rocks perfect for high diving, and offers fantastic snorkelling in the clear waters.

Vignanotica is a long, skinny pebble beach, backed by a sheer limestone cliff that mercifully shades the shoreline by late afternoon in summer.

Make the scenic trip an hour north along the coast for lunch at Al Trabucco da Mimì in Peschici for fresh seafood caught and served on a traditional wooden fishing platform. Order the mixed seafood grill to sample it all.
HMO Glamping in Vignanotica has tents from about €110, or Baia delle Zagare resort in Mattinata has doubles from €150

Ponza, Lazio

A favourite summer escape for Romans, the island of Ponza sits a short ferry ride from mainland Lazio. Pastel houses cluster around a port town unchanged by time. The island opens up into wild coves and quiet swimming spots, the best ones accessible only by boat.

Frontone, the island’s longest beach, is reached by water taxi from Ponza. While some of the shoreline is occupied by beach clubs, there’s still plenty of free beach, and savvy locals know to perch on the rocks at the southern end.

Some of Ponza’s most spectacular swimming spots, such as Chiaia di Luna – a crescent-shaped cove surrounded by soaring orange cliffs – are accessible only from the water, so hiring a dinghy or a captained boat is part of the experience.

Take lunch at Ristoro da Gerardo, which has the best views over Frontone from its rustic raffia-shaded terrace. The homestyle menu offers aubergine parmigiana alongside Ponzese octopus stew, and dessert is figs picked onsite. Guests are invited to stay for a post-lunch nap on loungers shaded by trees.
Hotel Chiaia di Luna has doubles from €115

Pantelleria, Sicily

Closer to Tunisia than Sicily, this slow-paced island feels completely removed from mainland Italy and offers full immersion in the elements. Without a single sandy beach, visitors and locals lay down their towels on the flat volcanic rocks and dive into the clear blue water, amid arid, wind-battered landscapes.

Balata dei Turchi is a secluded bay of volcanic rock at the wilder southern end of the island that is ideal for snorkelling, with clean waters and submerged rocks teeming with bright coral and fish. Nearby at Nikà, underwater thermal springs bubble up out of the sea while you swim.

Laghetto delle Ondine lies at the end of a short hike across otherworldly volcanic terrain, where waves crash against the walls of calm rock pools the size of swimming pools.

At sunset, snag an outdoor table at Dispensa Pantesca in Scauri for an antipasto plate of local specialities, including Pantelleria’s aromatic capers. Or book a more formal dinner in the courtyard next door at sister restaurant La Nicchia.
Stay in traditional dammusi (houses made from volcanic stone) at Pantelleria Dream Resort near Kamma from €170, or at Dammuso Biancolilla near Scauri from €140

Elba, Tuscany

Part of the Tuscan Archipelago, Elba lies 35 miles (55km) east of Corsica, with similarly clear waters and mountainous terrain. Still relatively under the radar outside Italy, the island has 90 miles of coastline, scattered with wild bays and tiny beaches. It’s larger than many visitors expect, so where you base yourself makes all the difference.

Nisporto is a quiet, unspoilt bay enclosed by pine-covered hills at the end of a winding road, giving it a secluded feel, even in summer. The flat sand-and-pebble beach and the gentle waves make it perfect for families with kids. The transparent waters and seabeds rich in marine life are great for snorkelling, or rent a pedalo or canoe to explore the coastline beyond.

In Portoferraio, book dinner at Teatro Bistro for the spectacular views from the terrace, and order the spaghetti with cured mullet bottarga, a Tuscan coastal delicacy.
In Nisporto, Residence La Cota Quinta has apartments from about €80 a night (three-night minimum stay) or Sole e Mare camping village has bungalows from €400 a week for two

Maremma, Tuscany

Just outside the walled city of Grosseto, the regional park of Maremma stretches from the Uccellina mountains to the Tyrrhenian Sea, protecting one of Italy’s most untouched coastlines.

The park’s wild sandy beaches are completely devoid of umbrellas, bars and beach clubs, the only structures being improvised driftwood forts providing refuge from the sun.

Marina di Alberese is the most accessible beach inside the park, the shoreline stretching for miles. Traipse along the coast to quieter Collelungo, or reach it on foot or bike via trails within the lush park.

Easy cycle paths, with bikes and e-bikes readily available to rent, lead through the park from Grosseto to the beaches, passing herds of horned Maremma cows and wild horses.

Stop for a tasting plate of cheeses made at dairy La Maremmana. Their speciality is the buffalo mozzarella, and they’ll pack up extras to take away for a picnic at the beach.
Agriturismo il Melograno di Banditella in Alberese has doubles from €120 B&B

Major airlines cancelled 34 flights with 272 more delayed on Sunday, April 26, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded at several different airports

Hundreds of passengers have been left stranded after 34 flights were cancelled and a further 272 delayed across the region.

Widespread disruption was recorded throughout aviation networks across Australia and New Zealand on Sunday,April 26.

Travellers were left stuck at major airports, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Wellington, Auckland, and Christchurch.

Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia were responsible for the bulk of the cancellations, though the knock-on effect was felt throughout the broader travel network.

New Zealand saw numerous flights fail to operate, while Australian passengers endured lengthy hold-ups, reports the Express.

Melbourne’s Tullamarine airport bore the brunt of the delays, with 84 flights failing to depart or arrive on time.

A further seven flights from the Victoria airport were also axed throughout the day, all of which belonged to either Virgin Australia or Jetstar.

As Australia’s busiest airport, Sydney recorded the highest number of cancellations, with 10 flights failing to take off and leaving scores of passengers stranded.

A further 69 flights at the airport also faced significant delays.

Brisbane was similarly affected, with 62 flights experiencing considerable hold-ups and lengthy waiting times.

Across New Zealand, Auckland was hit with eight cancelled flights and 44 delays, with the disruption particularly affecting long-haul connecting services from the country.

Wellington experienced fewer disruptions overall, though four flights were still cancelled.

The travel disruption comes amid mounting concerns surrounding air travel as a result of the ongoing Middle East conflict and rising fuel costs.

While this is not considered the cause of the current chaos, New Zealand airlines have spoken out about the impact that soaring energy prices are having on the industry.

On April 7, Air New Zealand announced that it would reduce flights throughout May and June and increase ticket prices, noting it had been amongst the first carriers to introduce widespread fare hikes when the conflict erupted.

Passengers affected by the travel disruption have been advised to get in touch with their airlines to discuss compensation.

The fort was built in the 1890s as part of a series of facilities set up to keep a potential invasion from London. One historian revealed the incredible story behind the site

The UK is full of stunning places to visit, but one particular spot combines breathtaking scenery with a captivating glimpse into the past. A military historian recently explored the location and revealed the remarkable story behind its construction.

Military history specialist Dr Jen Howe shared the tale of Reigate Fort on Instagram. Now under the ownership of the National Trust, the fort was constructed on top of Reigate Hill in Surrey in 1898. And the purpose behind its creation is extraordinary.

According to the National Trust, which manages the site today, the fort was erected to fend off a possible French invasion as part of the London Defence scheme. This comprised a 72-mile network of defences consisting of 13 military installations intended to safeguard the capital. Beyond storing equipment and ammunition, there were also proposals to excavate enormous trenches to keep invading armies at bay from London.

Beginning her Instagram slideshow, Dr Howe remarked: “POV: You stumble into a world of forgotten military history just 30 mins from London.” Detailing the history of Reigate Fort, she continued: “Built in the late 1890s to defend London from a French invasion that never actually came. These buildings held shovels and guns, ready to build one huge trench around London…”

The National Trust notes that, by 1906, it was decided the British Navy possessed sufficient strength to repel any prospective invasion, and Reigate Fort was decommissioned. It was sold the following year. In 1972, it and the other mobilisation centres were designated as Scheduled Ancient Monuments by English Heritage in recognition of their significance to British military history. The site welcomes visitors every day, reports Surrey Live.

Those who visit can view two sets of gates – the first are steel and spiked, while the second are heavier and bulletproof. The tool store and the magazine – where munitions and explosives were once kept – are also on display, along with the underground casemates, which would have served both as storage facilities and as shelter from enemy bombardment.

Dr Howe also drew attention to a nearby memorial dedicated to nine US airmen, who died when the B-17 Flying Fortress they were aboard came down on Reigate Hill in March 1945. “A few metres on and you’ll find a tragic site,” she said.

“On March 19, 1945, nine US airmen were coming home from Germany when their plane went down in a thick cloud. None of them made it.

“They had an average age of 21. The oak wing tips laid out are the exact distance of the aircraft’s tips, and a haunting reminder of what fell here.”

According to the National Trust, the memorial sculpture was crafted by Surrey artist Roger Day, and was unveiled on the 70th anniversary of the crash. Both elements of the memorial are carved from ancient Surrey oak, positioned the same distance apart as the aircraft’s wingtips, with metal salvaged from the crash site incorporated within the sculpture.

Dr Howe also drew attention to another nearby structure. “Just beyond and you’ll find a mysterious WW2 structure,” she said. “Even historians aren’t too sure what it was used for.”

In the caption accompanying her post, she wrote: “40 minutes from London there’s a stretch of the North Downs where, in the space of a single walk, you pass a Victorian fort built to protect London from a French invasion that never came, a mysterious WW2 structure, a clearing where a US bomber crew were killed on their 13th mission together, and a WW2 training ground.

“Reigate is a genuinely beautiful walk, with wide open chalk downland, extraordinary views, ancient woodland. But the hidden military history adds so much to this place. You may not even notice these things if you didn’t know where to look!”

In the mood for more sun? Wizz Air are launching six new routes from London to Spanish hotspots this summer, and prices start from just £18 one way to some of the country’s best destinations

Nothing beats some Spanish sunshine, and if the British weather still isn’t warm enough for you, then some new Wizz Air routes can take you somewhere with better weather in less than three hours.

Wizz Air is launching new flights from London Luton Airport to six Spanish destinations, adding to its existing route from the Bedfordshire airport to Palma in Majorca. The new destinations include a mix of city breaks and coastal favourites, so whether you’re looking for a family holiday or a cultural weekend away, there is bound to be something to suit you.

Here are the new destinations now available to book from London Luton and what you need to know about each one.

Bilbao

Bilbao is set in Spain’s lesser-visited north, which has been growing in popularity recently as people look to explore different parts of the country.

This classic Basque city has a mix of old-world and industrial influences, and it’s a cultural hub for the area. There’s the Guggenheim Museum with a Frank Gehry-designed exterior, the medieval Casco Viejo old town, and Mercado de la Ribera, the world’s largest indoor market.

Barcelona

Can’t decide between a city break and the beach? Choose Barcelona, which not only has the long sandy Barceloneta Beach, but also has the gorgeous city center, including Gaudí’s iconic architecture, La Ramblas, a thriving food scene, and endless museums and things to do.

Best of all, the London to Barcelona flight time is just shy of two hours, so it’s perfect for a short break, such as a weekend away, and the compact size means you can fit plenty into a short trip.

Madrid

The vibrant and energetic capital of Madrid is an ideal city break thanks to its short flight times and streets packed with history and culture. It’s home to some of Spain’s most important museums such as the Prado, Reina Sofía, and Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum. The latter hosts a number of iconic paintings from renaissance to pop art pieces.

Visitors should also visit the grand Royal Palace, and walk along the historic Plaza Mayor, which is full of chic cafés and places serving authentic Spanish cuisine.

Valencia

An underrated city break destination, Valencia sits on the banks of the Mediterranean Sea. While it’s the third-largest city in Spain, it’s not often visited by Brits, despite having an impressive amount of things to do.

From historic markets to green spaces, the modern City of Arts and Sciences to the La Lonja de la Seda, an ornate palace, Valencia packs in the old and new. Its location also means it has an abundance of beautiful beaches, so you can get some time in the sun after sightseeing.

Alicante

Alicante needs no introduction. It’s that city you land in on the way to Benidorm. However, before you board the transfer bus, you may want to spend some time in Alicante itself. Walk the peaceful Explanada de España, lined with palm trees, or the Castell de Santa Bàrbera fort from the 16th century.

Alicante’s hillside Barrio Santa Cruz is full of traditional Mediterranean homes and colourful buildings, and feels a world away from Benidorm. There’s also the sandy Playa del Postiguet beach just steps from the town.

READ MORE: Ryanair says airlines will ‘abandon’ popular EU hotspot if new rule goes aheadREAD MORE: 15 airlines cancel flights amid fuel crisis as 20,000 axed and fares surge

Seville

Say olé to Seville and you could be enjoying vibrant flamenco shows, authentic tapas, and the beautiful narrow winding streets of this historic city.

Visit the stunning Alcázar palace, or walk the world-famous Plaza de España, enjoying the intricate mosaic designs. Seville also has the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, and as impressive as it is, it’s just one of the many breathtaking buildings you’ll see around the city.

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

This article outlines the historical evolution of Tanzania, focusing on the significance of Union Day celebrated on April 26th. It tracks the region’s transition from European colonial rule under Germany and Britain to the independent states of Tanganyika and Zanzibar. The text highlights the 1964 merger of these two territories following a socialist revolution in Zanzibar, which resulted in the formation of a unified republic. Interestingly, the name Tanzania serves as a linguistic blend of both original territories to symbolize their political integration. Today, the nation recognizes this history by maintaining Zanzibar as a semi-autonomous region within the larger country. Through this overvi … 

PLANNING a holiday, staycation or day out should be exciting but eye-watering prices can turn it into a wallet-draining nightmare.

But you don’t have to pay full whack. From dirt-cheap flights to cut-price hotels and bargain days out, there are loads of easy ways to cut the costs.

Whether you’re chasing a last-minute break, a cheap stay or discounted tickets, here’s how to do it for less and keep more cash in your pocket.

Websites

Secret Flying

The Secret Flying website hunts out super-cheap deals and “error fares” – bargain flights caused by pricing glitches – and links you straight to booking sites like Skyscanner.

It’s free to use and lists offers by region, but you’ll need to be flexible on dates and destinations to bag the best ones.

The biggest bargains sell out fast, so it’s worth signing up for alerts to stay one step ahead.

Holiday Hypermarket

Holiday Hypermarket is owned by the TUI group and is the discount website for TUI holidays where they guarantee that you won’t find a TUI, Marella or Crystal holiday cheaper anywhere else.

With up to 70 per cent off brochure prices, they sell a lot of last minute breaks – but with the same TUI flights, hotels and transfers.

Luxury Escapes

A website that offers high end holidays at affordable prices is Luxury Escapes.

They negotiate directly with hotels to get good deals on holiday bundles, including flights, accommodation and extras like free cocktails, massages and childcare.

Hostelworld

If you’re looking for something cheap and cheerful and don’t mind bunking up with other people then Hostelworld is a useful tool.

It will help you to search for hostels in the destination you’re heading to and compare prices.

It can also find hostels with private rooms too if you don’t want to share.

Cashback sites

While it might not save you money on you’re current holiday – it could save you some cash on the next one.

At Quidco you can get at as much as 3.75 per cent on an EasyJet holiday (which works out at as £11 back on a £300 trip)

Or there is hotels.com, which gives you seven per cent cashback (£14 if you book a hotel for two nights at £200).

Other brands include TUI, British Airways, Trainline and Skyscanner. so it is worth checking if you can claim anything before you book.

Apps

02 Priority

If your phone contract is with O2, then you really should download Priority.

In addition to entering competitions to win holidays, you can often get discounts on holiday packages, concerts, and events.

For example, you can get four tickets to Vue cinemas for £18 or two for £9.

Or save £220 when you spend £2,000 with lastminute.com.

MiXR.

The MiXR. app shows local pubs, clubs and bars where you can reserve a table and pre-book food or drink packages.

But it can also get you savings.

Each time you spend money on your linked card at a partnered bar or pub, you’ll get points.

Get to 5,000 points and you’ll have a £5 voucher (each £1 you spend you get 50 points).

There are also offers on the app including 25 per cent off Camden Hells beer.

Dusk

Dusk dubs itself ‘the free drink app’ and it isn’t lying.

The app shows you which bars and pubs in your area have deals on and the exact route to get there.

If you scroll, you’ll find specific venues have a sticker on them offering a free drink.

For example, it could say ‘free espresso martinis on Monday at 3pm’, which means you can get that drink for free if you visit that specific venue at the given time.

Some of the venues are marked with yellow stars which means you can earn points too.

Once you’ve collected a number of points you can exchange for drinks.

For example, 200 points gets you a free bottle of prosecco at Be At One, 500 points can get you 50 per cent off at Karaoke Room and so on.

You can use Dusk in a number of cities across the UK including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, Brighton, Leeds, Newcastle, Nottingham, Cambridge, Oxford, Cardiff, Sheffield, Bath, Exeter, Norwich, Bournemouth, Hull and York.

Eat Club

Having only launched in the UK last year, Eat Club is now available in London and Manchester.

The app shows you nearby restaurants that have spare tables, great for last-minute plans.

You can also get great discounts, such as up to 50 per cent off of your bill.

Too Good To Go

Too Good To Go is an app that prevents food waste by selling off items leftover at the end of the day.

The app is partnered with a number of brands including Greggs and Pizza Express.

If you jump onto the app and use the map function, you will find stores near you that have bags of food to sell for a few quid before the end of the day.

Having used the app numerous times, I usually pay around £3.50 for a bag that contains over £20 worth of food.

I have even used it in New York, when finding a budget lunch option seemed impossible.

Unidays

If you are a student or recent graduate, you should sign up to an account with Unidays.

It is free to joing, you’ll just need your student email and then you can make savings such as getting two Cineworld tickets for £13 and 30 per cent off Hilton hotel stays.

Student Beans

Similar to the above, Student Beans is a discount app for anyone studying. With a student email you can benefit from discounts such as 25 per cent off of National Express travel and 10 per cent off of Ryanair flights.

Cheapskate London

Cheapskate London is a free newsletter released each Monday that shares the best free and cheap things to do across the capital.

It’s a really useful tool for the school holidays too.

Previous free events include educational talks, family activity sessions at museums, and even building your own wormery.

Accor

If you subscribe to the Accor newsletter, you will typically get 10 per cent off hotel stays.

You’ll also get exclusive offers and personalised deals.

Nectar

If you shop at Sainsbury’s and don’t have a Nectar account then you’re really missing out.

When you do your weekly food shop, you’ll rack up points which you can then use on your holiday.

For example, you can spend your points on Eurostar journeys, British Airways flights and more.

Avios

Avios are loyalty points that you can collect and use mainly with British Airways for flights, hotels and upgrades.

You can earn them by flying with British Airways or its partners, as long as you have an account.

If you build up enough points, you can purchase flights and pay only a small cash fee for admin such as tax and fees.

Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott Bonvoy’s hotel loyalty programme is free to join and covers around 10,000 destinations across the globe.

Members earn points with each stay and then the points can be redeemed on free nights at Marriott Bonvoy hotels.

Hilton Honors

Hilton Honors is free to join, and much like Marriott Bonvoy, is the hotel’s loyalty programme.

Members earn points on stays and everyday activities which can then be redeemed on free stays and experiences as well.

Members tend to get 10 points per £1 spent.

Paid-for memberships

The Nudge

Costing just £5 per month The Nudge is an insider’s guide to London and often reports on the latest openings in the capital.

The discounts are easy to find on the app and include deals like 40 per cent off at Greek seafood restaurant Kimu in Marylebone or 50 per cent off food at The Culpeper in Spitalfields.

There are also discounts on events such as 50 per cent off of tickets to Burger Fest in Richmond and even pampering treatments like £50 off facials at Skinwork in Soho or 40 per cent off access to Lowlu open-air sauna in Kentish Town.

The Nudge will also run member events such as exclusive supper clubs.

Blue Light

If you work in the NHS or the emergency services, you probably already know about Blue Light.

Blue Light, which costs £4.99 for a two-year membership, gets you discounts at major brands, restaurants and entertainment venues as well as £100 off your TUI holiday or 15 per cent off Away Resorts.

You can even get a discount on airport parking, such as five per cent at London Gatwick.

Railcard

Railcards aren’t just for youngsters, there are all sorts of railcards you can get.

In general, they will get you a third off most rail fares and cost between £30 and £35 each year.

Different railcards include 16-25-year-olds, 26-30-year-olds, Senior (over 60 years old) and Disabled Persons.

There’s also a Family and Friends Railcard which gets adults a third off their rail fare and then 60 per cent off kids’ rail fares if they are aged between five and 15 years old.

Trusted Housesitters

Accommodation costs can bump up the total cost of your holiday, but there is a way around this.

With Trusted Housesitters, you can head to someone’s home and stay there while they are away and all you need to do is look after their pet.

It operates in 180 countries and essentially is a win-win system as the person going away needs a pet sitter and you want somewhere to stay.

Members pay an annual fee to use the platform, which range from £99 to £199.

Dis-loyalty

Dis-loyalty is a travel and food membership that costs £12 a month to join.

In return, you’ll earn points and get discounts on hotel stays, such as 50 per cent off newly opened hotels.

You can also grab a free hot drink each day at one of the membership’s participating locations.

Days Out with the Kids

Days Out with the Kids is the perfect site if you are looking for inspiration during the weekends or school holidays.

The website is partnered with over 8,500 attractions across the UK, and offers members access to exclusive discounts.

The membership costs £4.99 per month, but according to the website, it saves families an average of £12.99 per trip.

Hols from £9.50

If you want to head to a holiday park in the UK or Europe, The Sun’s Hols from £9.50 has over 20 holiday parks to choose from.

To benefit from the £9.50 deal, you have to collect five codewords printed in the paper over a set period of time and enter them on the Sun Holidays website.

Alternatively, to avoid needing a passcode you can join Sun Club for £1.99.

For more offers on holidays travel companies have revealed the cheapest places to book – with week-long holidays from £189.

Plus, here are 200 all-inclusive hotels including the cheap ones that are actually worth it.

WHAT do a former Tory councillor from Kent and a Wimbledon-supporting socialist have in common?

They are both sharing a beer with me on my “solos” group tour of Portugal.

And the three of us are talking over the day’s activities with a Trump fan from the east coast of America.

Luckily, politics is off the menu.

Very much on the menu, however, is sardines, salted cod and the country’s speciality egg yolk pastries. But more on them later.

We are part of a 26-strong group on a dash around the southwestern-most territory of Europe, which is packed with old-world charm.

SWISS GRAND TOUR

I went on Europe’s ‘Route 66’ with 46 attractions and beautiful beaches

TEMPTED?

Tiny ‘Bali of Europe’ town with stunning beaches, €3 cocktails and £20 flights

Our adventure, organised by solo tour specialist Just You, starts in Porto, where the steep hills that rise up from the River Douro are dotted higgledy-piggledy with colourful houses.

Author JK Rowling lived among the granite streets here before she was famous — and it is said the city’s gothic architecture, along with the traditional robes of its university students, inspired her world of Harry Potter.

At least one establishment, bookshop Livraria Lello, cashes in on the fact, charging entrance fees to see its elaborate interior and upstairs cafe where Rowling would drink her coffee.

Talking of elaborate, it doesn’t get much more so than the “Gold Church”, real name the Church of St Francis.

Designated a Unesco World Heritage site, its interior is dripping with carved wood covered in gold leaf, with the precious metal having been shipped over from Portugal’s former colony of Brazil.

It’s certainly dazzling, as is a trip down the Douro River to the vineyards, which supply grapes for that most Porto of products . . . port.

Can you get more Portuguese? Well, actually, my guide informs me that, historically, it was mostly grown here by the British.

The two countries have long been allies, with many Englishmen living in Portugal in the 1600s.

Back home in those days, the English liked wine but were always at war with the pesky French, meaning booze cruises across the Channel were often a no-no.

Instead, they turned to north Portugal and the Douro Valley to grow their own.

It will come as no surprise then that many of the port brands bear English names.

These include Taylor’s, Cockburn’s and Sandeman, and you can see lots of them emblazoned on the wine cellars that fill the hills of the city of Gaia, which is just across the narrow river from Porto.

By the way, white port (yes, that’s a thing) is tipped to be the next big thing in the cocktail market.

After time in Porto, Gaia and the Douro Valley, day four of my eight-day trip sees the group begin to wind south to capital Lisbon, but not before stops at Aveiro, Coimbra and Obidos.

Let’s take them one by one. Aveiro is marketed as the “Venice of Portugal”. OK, it has some canals, but a trip on a large, electric gondola just doesn’t feel as romantic.

A fellow traveller did remark on its Art Deco beauty, though.

Coimbra could maybe be the Oxford of Portugal, boasting the country’s oldest university, which dates back to 1290. Bats live in its library to eat book-destroying bugs.

A guided tour of the city, which was once the capital, will take you into the grand university building, which sits among former church schools in a street that was the widest in Europe until the 1800s.

You will also likely hear the story of Don Pedro and Donna Ines. I heard it twice and am still a little hazy on the details.

Based on truth, it is Portugal’s Romeo And Juliet tale, which involves the 14th-century prince Pedro digging up the five-year-dead corpse of his mistress Ines.

He then crowned her queen and made his courtiers kiss her hand. The things we do for love.

The walled city of Obidos continues with the historic buildings. Perched on a hilltop, the medieval settlement is completely enclosed by its fortifications. And its small size makes its stunning streets very manageable to navigate.

While there, it’s worth trying its cherry liqueur, called ginjinha, which is served in chocolate cups that you can eat afterwards.

The final days of the tour were spent in Lisbon, a city built on seven hills.

This may make exploring its small streets a challenge, but you can always hop on and off the quaint yellow trams.

The downtown area and main squares are flat enough and filled with impressive buildings despite the earthquake that devastated the area in 1755. A couple of miles out from the centre lies the Belem district.

Its Belem Tower is a small, picturesque fort which marks the transition from tall forts (for shooting arrows) to horizontal ones (for hosting canons).

And it does this by combining both aspects of those designs as it juts prettily into the Tagus river.

Thirty minutes drive from the capital lies Sintra, another Unesco World Heritage Site. With its microclimate making it cooler and wetter than Lisbon, it stays green all year round.

It also plays host to colourful palaces where past royalty would spend their summers hunting.

I’m sure they feasted well, too. And I didn’t do badly on that front, either.
The Portuguese say they have 365 different recipes for cod (one for each day of the year).

It is often dried and salted, which they call bacalhau. I had bacalhau covered with onions and accompanied by wafer-thin fried potatoes.

Another national delicacy is pastel de nata, an egg custard tart pastry, often dusted with cinnamon.

Grabbing one with a coffee will only set you back a couple of euros for both the treat and the drink.

It’s the sort of thing you can do to while away the hours with new-found friends from the group of initial strangers on the tour.

Which, arguably, is the key factor of the holiday’s success. Do you like your travel companions? Are you cut out for solo travel?

Cards on the table, this was my first solos tour. I met people I liked and no one I disliked. Ages ranged from 40 to 95, though 85 per cent were retired.

Lots I spoke to had been using solo tour companies for many, many years.

For some it was their first time.

If you haven’t tried it before, all I can say is: You might like it, you might love it.

But you only live once (unless you’re Donna Ines) . . . and Portugal is well worth a visit.

TUI, Jet2 and easyJet have all confirmed they will not add fuel surcharges to pre-booked or new package holidays and flights this summer

Airline TUI has this afternoon released a statement for passengers worried about being slapped with surcharges on holidays they’ve already booked. The conflict in the Middle East has disrupted oil deliveries, raising the prospect of serious jet fuel shortages.

This has also caused fuel prices to skyrocket, leaving those who’ve already secured their holidays – and those preparing to – anxious they’ll be asked to stump up extra cash to offset the soaring costs facing airlines.

Jet2 and easyJet confirmed over the weekend that they will not be passing on any price increases to passengers via surcharges. Now, this afternoon, airline and tour operator TUI has announced it will not charge passengers additional fees.

Neil Swanson, Managing Director at TUI UKandI, said: “We understand that customers want both confidence and clarity when booking a holiday. Our teams are here to support people who are thinking about booking, and those who have already booked with TUI can be reassured that their holiday price is fixed, with no fuel surcharges added.”

easyJet has issued a fresh statement confirming the airline and tour operator will not add surcharges to any pre-booked flights and package holidays, or future bookings. The company said travellers can book their package holidays with confidence thanks to its Best Price Guarantee and Ultimate Flexibility policy: “easyJet and easyJet holidays has confirmed that it will not introduce surcharges on its flights or package holidays, giving customers complete peace of mind when booking.

“No surcharges will apply to any pre‐booked easyJet holiday packages or to any new bookings for summer 2026.easyJet currently sees no disruption to its jet fuel supply and all flights and package holidays continue to operate normally.” Garry Wilson, CEO of easyJet holidays, said: “We know that holidaymakers may have questions about what recent global events might mean for their travel plans this summer so we are giving our customers absolute peace of mind that no surcharges will be added to their flights or package holidays.”

“Our operations remain unaffected, so customers can be confident that not only will their holiday go ahead as planned, but there will be no surprise extra payments, and they can enjoy their brilliant holidays at unbeatable prices.”

Jet2 has confirmed it won’t be slapping surcharges on any pre-booked flights or holidays to cover increased costs, including those related to jet fuel. In an effort to calm growing anxieties, the Department for Transport yesterday issued direct guidance to passengers with bookings through carriers such as Jet2, Ryanair, Wizz, easyJet and British Airways. Jet2 has axed surcharge provisions across all its flights and holidays, despite the carrier never having previously imposed them. The policy applies to all flights and holidays booked through any channel, be it online, via the mobile app, contact centre or independent travel agent. It does not cover tourist taxes, which are payable at the resort during the stay and are settled directly with the accommodation provider.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2 said: “Holidaymakers should have every right to book their hard-earned break in the sun, without worrying about being hit with additional costs, and they can have that complete assurance when they book a flight or holiday with Jet2. As a result of today’s announcement, customers booking with Jet2 know that they are locking in their price without additional cost surprises later and we strongly believe that is the right thing to do by them. Ahead of a busy summer this is yet more evidence of why, on top of our incredible holidays and award-winning customer service, nothing beats a Jet2holiday.”

The DfT said on Friday: “There is no current need for passengers to change their travel plans. UK airlines buy jet fuel in advance, and airports maintain stocks to support their resilience. The government is working closely with the aviation industry to monitor risks and minimise disruption to passengers.

“If your flight is cancelled, you have clear legal rights, including the right to a full refund or re-routing. Read this factsheet for the full picture on the current situation and what it means for you.”

Meanwhile, IAG – the parent company of British Airways, Aer Lingus and Spain’s Iberia – has referred to “pricing adjustments to reflect these higher fuel costs”. A spokesperson commented: “We are not seeing jet fuel supply interruptions, but fuel prices have risen sharply and, despite our hedging strategy, which gives some shorter-term mitigation, we are not immune to the impact.”

OFF the coast of Spain are a group of islands that many say feels like the Caribbean, but for a fraction of the coast.

The archipelago called the Cíes Islands are made up of three islands; Monte Agudo, O Faro and San Martiño.

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The islands are completely car free, and are described as being ‘Caribbean-like’ but on a camping budget.

Monteagudo is the largest and northernmost of the three Cíes Islands which can be reached by ferry from Vigo.

This is where visitors will find one of the world’s best beaches called Playa de Rodas, or Rodas Beach.

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Coming in at 18th in the world, the beach has ‘soft white sand and clear, calm waters’ – much like those in the Caribbean.

Visitors agree with one calling it a “natural paradise” and another agreed that it is “absolutely beautiful, pale sand crystal clear water.”

Others have said it’s the perfect place to swim with small fish that appear in the shallow water.

But there are warnings of the sea being cold as it is in the Atlantic as opposed to the warmer Caribbean Sea.

The coast is popular for snorkelling with lots of lobsters, crabs and sometimes bottlenose dolphins even being spotted too.

The sandbar across Playa de Rodas is what connects Monteagudo to its neighbour, Faro island.

Meanwhile, San Martiño can only be reached by private boat or on kayak tours – it’s a wild island so the top activities here are swimming and birdwatching.

For more on Spain, here are some of our favourite holiday spots…

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Hotel Best Punta Dorada, Salou

The Spanish resort is a popular destination near PortAventura World, a theme park with over 40 attractions and huge rollercoasters. It’s also close to sandy beaches like Platja de Llevant, and the scenic Camí de Ronda coastal walk.The hotel itself has an outdoor swimming pool to enjoy, as well as two bars along with evening entertainment and shows.

BOOK HERE

Sun Club El Dorado, Majorca

With its palm tree-lined pool and Mediterranean backdrop, it’s a miracle this Majorca resort is so affordable. Expect a classic family holiday feel – where days revolve around soaking up the Spanish sunshine, chilling by the spacious pool and sipping on frozen cocktails. Set away from the busier resorts, it’s a good option if you’re after a more out-of-the-way escape.

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Magic Aqua Rock Gardens, Benidorm

The Magic Aqua Rock Gardens Hotel is African-themed and less than a mile from the beach. It has two outdoor pools, including a children’s freshwater pool with a waterfall and a tipping water bucket for the little ones. There’s also an aquapark with slides, and a kids club for both younger children and teens.

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Globales Montemar, Ibiza

For a calmer side of Ibiza, this hillside resort has two pools, a kids’ splash zone, and an all-inclusive buffet with a poolside bar. It’s a 10-minute walk from Cala Llonga’s shallow turquoise bay, offering a scenic, family-friendly base away from the island’s main party zone.

BOOK HERE

The islands are fairly quiet too as visitor numbers are limited because the islands form part of a national park.

During the high season it can welcome 1,800 visitors a day, but in low season, this drops to 450.

There are no overnight stays allowed until the Easter period and dates between May 15 to September 14.

But for those who want to stay, you can do so on Faro Island at the campsite.

You can pitch your own tent at Camping Islas Cíes from €10.90 (£9.49) per adult.

If you want to book and have a tent provided, prices start from €69 (£60.07).

On site are plenty of facilities like a phone charging station, snack bar, supermarket, even a souvenir shop.

There’s also a restaurant that looks across Rodas Beach which specialises in seafood like scallops and razor clams.

The site offers activities too from kayak tours to snorkelling, star-gazing and children’s workshops from games to arts and crafts.

When it comes to getting to the islands, it is slightly complicated.

The first thing you have to do is request a free authorisation code up to 90 days in advance.

After that then use it to buy a boat ticket for one of the crossings from Vigo which takes around 45minutes.

These leave the Estación Marítima port and operate frequently during high season which is between May and September.

From the UK, visitors can head to Barcelona, then take a transfer to Vigo Airport.

Return flights in May start from £100, with camping costs, a five-night stay equates to around £150.

Meanwhile, trips to the Caribbean can start from £850pp.

For more inspiration, here are 20 of Europe’s most beautiful islands that have direct flights from the UK – and some of the world’s best beaches.

And this beautiful Spanish island feels like Costa Rica without the long flight – with 31C summers and volcanic beaches.