Travel Desk

Looking over the edge of the snow-smoothed canyon down to dark rushing water, we thought we saw a moose or a reindeer, but it could have been a rock. The light was fading fast so it was hard to tell. It was time to turn back; we didn’t want to get lost in the wood, or fall into the river. By the time we’d retraced our steps to Abisko, the blue world had turned to black and dust-like snowflakes whirled around the little village. Back in our hotel room after our expedition, I looked at my phone – it was only 2pm!

Travelling to the Arctic Circle in winter had always been a dream, but when I realised the sun wouldn’t get above the horizon on my holiday, it made me twitchy. I usually pack my limited annual leave as tightly as I pack my working life. I was already using up three days’ holiday travelling by train from London to Abisko. How would I make the most of my time there with barely any daylight?

My partner and I chose to stop in this small village in Swedish Lapland almost by chance, when we researched the most northerly stops on the train line between Stockholm and Narvik. Abisko looked on the map like a tiny enclave surrounded by lakes and mountains. Reading more about it, we found that it was home to the Abisko blue hole – a unique microclimate where the geography creates frequent clear skies, making it one of the most reliable places on Earth to see the aurora borealis.

After a blur of cities and sleeper trains, we arrived at Abisko Ostra, a tiny station comprising just one low platform and a glass shelter over the exit door, at 11am. We jumped down from the high step of the carriage into soft, deep snow, our feet creating the only imprints on the length of the walkway. White mist hung all around us, and the couple of buildings we could see were fading into the sky. Apart from the icy train tracks cutting a sharp black detail, everything in the landscape appeared icing soft.

We walked along an empty road that curved up to the Abisko Mountain Lodge, one of a handful of accommodation options we had found online. Our room wasn’t quite ready, so we spent a while in the hotel’s warm, firelit bar watching people change into their outdoor gear then disappear into the cold. Knowing that darkness would soon set in, I was itching to get outside as well – while we could still see our surroundings.

By the time we were salopetted up, thick clouds had made the white world grey, but it was still everything my Christmas-film-loving inner child had imagined. The path we followed was lined with low lights glowing yellow against the white landscape, guiding us among houses with bright windows illuminating the dusk. We followed our phone map towards a viewpoint by a river. It was only half an hour’s walk, but in the deep snow it seemed much longer, and felt like walking through a thick white cloud.

We had expected to spend the day exploring. Instead, we’d somehow finished our outing before the afternoon had properly begun. Feeling the luxury of time stretching out, we made tea in our room and read for a while, but we still had plenty of time before dinner, so we went for a few rounds in the sauna.

In the restaurant later, we heard an excited murmur among the diners. The aurora! We rushed out, wearing the clothes we’d been eating dinner in, and watched the green glow, our feet growing more and more numb. But the night was still young, so we got back into our cold-weather gear and walked up a path to higher ground where a family were making snow angels while watching nature’s light show. Their enthusiasm added to our excitement, and we found ourselves not wanting to look away from the dancing sky in case it got better or brighter. Our initial walk to the canyon felt like days ago but we’d only arrived 12 hours earlier.

The next day, after a long and leisurely breakfast of pickled herring, gherkins and lots of delicious rye bread, we hiked a few hours along the bank of Lake Torneträsk. The snow on the path was compact enough for us to explore in our hiking boots, but we saw a few adventurous groups snowshoeing through the wilderness. We followed a narrow path through bare silver birches weighed down with bulbous drifts, until we found a picnic spot near a frozen waterfall, where we enjoyed some provisions we’d squirreled away from the generous breakfast.

I did a double-take as I looked back at the way we had come. The sunrise-like colour seemed to be glowing in exactly the same way as when we’d set off, hours before. Unable to tell if it was morning or afternoon, I felt my sense of time opening up. The sun remained below the horizon, but its colourful glow hung in the sky for hours. The pinks and oranges slowly brightened, lingered, then imperceptibly began to fade. The ideas of dawn, midday and evening began to fade, too.

From the waterfall, we walked up to a high viewpoint and ate flapjacks as we watched the hidden sun cast a last ray of deep orange towards the horizon. We warmed up with hot chocolate in the Abisko Turiststation hotel, drying snow-damp clothes on a radiator before heading back into the cold. The stars were out by then – in the mid-afternoon. We took the long path back to the village and headed through the misty gloom towards the red neon sign and strip-light interior of the supermarket to stock up on snacks for the next day’s train journey.

The supermarket was designed for people likely to get snowed in, with lots of produce for sale in bulk, but we found delicious jars of pickled herring, cloudberry jam and more of the region’s dense rye bread to tide us over, along with a squeezy tube of cheese spread from the surprisingly varied range that covered almost a whole aisle. Back at our hotel, we had another sauna, then dinner, before a beer in the cosy hotel bar. Then we headed outside again. It had been dark for hours, but it was still only early evening.

We were due to take a cable car up to Abisko Sky Station, a mountain viewpoint 900 metres (nearly 3,000ft) above sea level, but high winds meant the 20-minute cable car journey was too dangerous, so our evening’s plans changed shape. Our guide took us to an outcrop above Lake Torneträsk, where we got another spectacular show of the aurora, complete with shooting stars, courtesy of the Geminids. I have no idea how long we stood there, admiring the sky. I’d stopped trying to fit the holiday into my idea of what should be done when.

Later, we warmed up with reindeer soup in a building shaped like a traditional Sámi lávvu, a conical structure with a central fire for warmth and light. Our guide told us some of the myths and legends surrounding the aurora: that the lights were ancestors dancing, or a fox spirit running through the sky with snow attached to its tail. He also showed us the best forecasting apps to use, like the Aurora Buddy and My Aurora, and what all the bars on the various graphs meant. The northern lights lit the darkest part of our walk home.

I came to Abisko worrying that darkness would take something away from my trip, but instead it removed the boundaries that normally suggest what I should be doing when. When the distinction between night and day dissolved, there unexpectedly seemed to be more holiday in front of me. It felt like a surprisingly liberating way to travel.

WE ALL have our travel preferences but did you know there are some items you should absolutely not wear on a plane?

Whether it is for your health or safety on the plane, there are actually several items you should avoid wearing on your flight.

While you might want to wear your favourite pieces from your wardrobe, it might actually increase your chances of becoming unwell or injured in an emergency.

Flight cabin crew have also warned against certain items. So here’s your breakdown on what not to wear on a flight.

Flip flops & heels

A number of flight attendants have warned against wearing flip flops on flights as they don’t provide your feet with any comfort.

Plus, other passengers don’t want to see your toes – or smell your feet.

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More importantly, flip flops are not good in an emergency.

If you need to get off the plane in the dark, people might slip on loose flop flops.

Plus, they aren’t practical for when you are off the plane.

The same goes for high heels – instead, you should wear comfortable and practical shoes.

Jewellery

Another item you should avoid wearing on a flight is jewellery.

This is because it can snag on items and possibly even puncture an emergency slide.

Also, you wouldn’t want to lose valuable jewellery – so it is better to keep jewellery safe in your luggage or even at home.

Anything constricting

You want to be comfortable on a flight, so wearing tight clothing is already a bad idea.

But it is actually bad for you as well.

Tight clothing can restrict blood circulation, which is vital for avoiding deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

DVT is when a blood clot forms in a vein, usually in the legs, hence why the only constricting item you should wear on a flight is compression socks.

This also includes tight underwear, as it could dig into your skin,

Dr Rachel Ward previously told The Sun: “The main blood vessels supplying and draining our legs pass together in the groin area.

“If you have tight underwear, when in a sitting position for a prolonged period, it will add extra pressure to these vessels and worsen leg swelling and leg numbness and tingling.”

Leggings

Christine Negroni, who released a book on the world’s most mysterious air disasters, previously told Sun Travel that when it comes to fires onboard a flight, leggings could leave you with terrible scars.

She said: “Everyone is wearing yoga pants on planes now, but I avoid all artificial fibres because they are more likely to burn and stick to you if there is a fire.

“I’d advise wearing cotton clothes or anything made of natural fibres.”

Contact lenses

If you are used to wearing contact lenses, you might not realise that you should stick to your glasses for a flight.

The dry environment in a plane cabin isn’t great for your eyes, and if you are wearing contact lenses, they will become dry.

On the London Vision Clinic website, it states: “With the average humidity on planes coming in as low as 20 per cent, our skin and eyes can dry out pretty quickly.

“Combine this with the moisture-sapping effects of contact lenses, and you can have a real recipe for disaster on your hands.”

As a result, keeping your contact lenses in could cause you to have itchy or irritated eyes and could result in “distorted vision”.

Shorts or short skirts

If you are travelling somewhere warm, there is the temptation to wear shorts or a skirt.

However, TikTok user Tommy Cimato has warned against wearing bottoms that end above the knee in a viral video.

This is because the chairs on planes aren’t regularly cleaned.

He said: “Don’t or try not to wear shorts when you’re on a plane.

“You never know how clean it’s gonna be, so if you have pants [trousers], you’re going to have fewer germs.”

WHILE Guy Fawkes prepared to blow up King James I and his government with a deadly haul of explosives under the Houses of Parliament, a sprawling country estate 100 miles away was poised to become a crucial yet little-known part of the Gunpowder Plot.

James’ nine-year-old daughter Elizabeth lived at magnificent Coombe Abbey near Coventry and Fawkes’s co-conspirators had planned to kidnap her and install her on the throne as a puppet queen.

An anonymous letter rumbled the London end of the plan while, in Warwickshire, the plotters – led by Robert Catesby – abandoned the kidnapping on hearing about the failure.

To this day, the foiled plot is commemorated with fireworks and bonfires on November 5.

And Coombe Abbey is now a magnificent hotel worthy of its regal connections.

Built by Cistercian monks in 1150, it became the biggest abbey in Warwickshire before being seized during Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries.

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Later it was sold to nobleman John Harington, who agreed to act as Elizabeth’s guardian, raising and educating her at his home.

In a rather peculiar twist four centuries later, Game Of Thrones star Kit Harington, a descendant of Catesby, played his ancestor in BBC One drama Gunpowder.

Guests arriving at the hotel nowadays pass over its ancient moat then enter through the original stone cloisters, where a pulpit still stands.

You can take a pew on an ornately carved throne-like chair, admire the hanging wall tapestries and marble busts or examine the tomb of murdered monk Abbot Geoffrey, whose cloaked figure is said to still roam.

Fittingly, our room for our night’s stay was The Princess Elizabeth, decked out in deep mulberries and glimmering golds and with an oak four-poster bed set upon a plinth.

Luxurious floor-to-ceiling curtains embossed with the same heraldic design as the wallpaper enhance the royal feel, while the bathroom with roll-top bath and golden taps also adds to the drama.

The hotel lies in 500 acres of parkland, set to host a mile-long light festive trail throughout December.

Little ones will love the Hermit’s Hollow play area and families can enjoy Go Ape adventures.

Nearby Coventry is full of medieval buildings and cobbled lanes.

The ruins of its 14th-century cathedral – bombed during World War Two – are preserved alongside a modern replacement, as a symbol of peace and reconciliation.

Coventry Transport Museum is brimming with bikes and vehicles that have helped shape the world including ThrustSSC, the fastest-ever car.

Lesser known but eye-wateringly beautiful is St Mary’s Guildhall.

Built in the 1340s for traders and crafts people, it’s re-opened after a £6.2million refurbishment.

The Great Hall has hosted monarchs and its intricate stained glass windows and painted wood carvings in the roof are breathtaking.

There’s also a rare nine-metre tapestry from the early 1500s depicting Henry VI, who moved his royal court to Coventry, effectively making it England’s capital.

Uncovering another secret gem was the perfect end to a historic stay.

A MUCH loved waterpark in the UK won’t be open this winter, with plans to close until next year.

Waterworld in Staffordshire is a tropical indoor waterpark that is 30C year round, with an outdoor pool open in the summer months.

However, from tomorrow, the waterpark area will be closing due to huge refurbishment plans.

The waterparks’ Managing Director Wayne Goodall explained: “At its heart, Waterworld offers families a place to spend time together, escape from everyday life and enjoy that holiday feeling, whatever the weather.

“The upgrades we have planned are set to build on that sense of fun and enhance the way we tell our story, creating a more immersive experience for our guests.

“We can’t wait to reveal more about the upcoming investment soon.”

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Little is known yet about the upgrades, but it has confirmed it will reopen by early 2027.

It also isn’t the first upgrade in recent years – back in 2024, it underwent a £13million refurbishment.

Calling itself the UK’s “No.1 tropical indoor aqua park,” Waterworld is home to 30 attractions.

This includes Thunderbolt, which was the first trap-door drop waterslide in the UK, as well as Nucleus, a water rollercoaster.

Along with both the indoor and outdoor pool, there are also wave machines and river rapids for a thrill too.

Thankfully, only the waterpark area is closing.

The 18-hole tiki-themed Adventure Mini Golf will remain open, as will the Adventure Mini Village which opened in 2023.

The waterpark itself opened back in 1989, and welcomes around 400,000 people a year.

DREAMING of five-star winter sun without the five-star price tag? Check out Morocco’s wild north-west coast.

The Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort is vast. Sprawling across 250 hectares — roughly the size of 350 football pitches — it sits alongside four miles of empty and pristine Atlantic coastline.

The resort is built in the style of an ancient Moroccan citadel, with ochre- plastered walls capped with crenellated roofline and towers.

Rooms are set around central courtyards and landscaped gardens.

Long reflecting pools, marble fountains and rows of manicured palms are framed by grand horseshoe arches decorated with intricate, carved plasterwork.

With 15 restaurants and bars, an 18-hole golf course, spa and endless activities, my stay revealed a luxury hotel that comes at a surprisingly affordable price, with rooms from £145 a night.

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And you get a lot of room for your money. My spacious, modern room had fabulous ocean views with delightful Moroccan-inspired touches, including hanging lanterns flanking the king-size bed.

Sliding open the balcony doors rewards you with a sweeping panorama of the Atlantic surf crashing against the sand.

Early morning, with a sweet tea in hand, I caught sight of horses galloping along the beach.

Surf instructors were waxing down their boards and lining up life jackets ready for a day of training tourists how not to topple into the swell.

But there was no time to dawdle, with so many activities at my finger tips.

First stop was the resort’s award- winning spa for a double dose of indulgence.

I was treated to a deeply relaxing hot stones massage, followed by a traditional grand hammam ritual. Inside a glowing, marble-clad steam room, I was bathed, scrubbed and polished top-to-toe with black soap, oils and eucalyptus.

Staff said the locals insist on scrubbing down with one of these treatments at least once a week — and after seeing the glow on my own rejuvenated skin, I can certainly see why.

Suitably refreshed, it was time for some high-octane adventure.

And that’s where Mazagan feels less like a hotel and more like a high-end luxury playground.

The golf course, designed by Gary Player, is the longest in Morocco, stretching over 7,400 yards.

Then there is North Africa’s largest casino (housing 37 gaming tables and nearly 400 slot machines open 23 hours a day), a 22ft climbing wall, go-karting tracks, paintball fields, pickleball courts and more.

And at the centre of the maze of courtyards that connects the more than 400 rooms, a glistening pool invites you in for a dip — though I had barely any time to kick off my flip-flops before I was on to the next activity.

I upped the ante with a thrilling quad bike ride along the resort’s flat, wide sands, feeling the salty Atlantic spray as we neared the water’s edge before heading into the rolling sand dunes and scrubland surrounding the resorts.

On longer drives, your guides will even take you inland to zip through the neighbouring eucalyptus and pine forests that fringe the coastline.

And after some serious speed, I switched to a very different horse power with a gentle ride along the beach.

The hotel’s onsite stables are home to local barb and Arab-barb horses.

Historically bred by the North African cavalry and Berber horsemen, these magnificent beasts are sure-footed in the soft sand, calm-tempered and well-accustomed to the heat and Atlantic winds.

Heading out on to the broad, tidal flats we were soon trotting along at a fair pace on the wide open, empty sands before steering our steers towards the coastal forest trails, lined with fragrant mimosa.

All that activity means treating yourself when it comes to food and drink and Mazagan doesn’t disappoint.

Trying just a fraction of the resort’s 15 restaurants and bars, I feasted on rich, fragrant tagines, fresh seafood and mountains of velvety houmous.

Sel de Mer was an absolute highlight. Here, the catch of the day is transformed into culinary perfection.

Select your own from the fresh, tempting line-up resting on a bed of crushed ice and then choose to have it grilled on the plancha or oven-baked, served up with a choice of sauces.

For a more relaxed dining experience, the Beach Barbecue serves up freshly-grilled meats, fish and vegetables while your feet are in the sands.

Alongside the barbecue there’s a buffet of fresh salads, Moroccan cooked salads, couscous and freshly-baked flatbreads.

And for a truly Moroccan touch, Al Firma offers an open-air setting with traditional Bedouin and Berber carpets, low seating and lanterns as well as traditional tagines with vegetables from the onsite farm garden.

I topped it all off with cocktails at the Casablanca-inspired lounge bar — swathed in royal green velvet drapes and playing some live weekend jazz.

With adrenalin-charged activities alongside top-tier pampering, Mazagan delivers a great winter break option without breaking the bank.

Gift-giving season is here, and if your list is long and you’re feeling completely overwhelmed, food is the answer. Your food-loving friends, family and colleagues will love kitchenware, chocolates, coffee, spices and merch from their favorite restaurants.

This list has something for every kind of food fan. Find sweet-and-savory snack boxes filled with chocolate bars, candies, spicy Calabrian salami and antipasto olives. A monthly subscription keeps coffee fans in the best of expertly roasted beans from around the world. Local tiki bar Tiki Kai commissioned local artist Tom Laura — also known as BigToe — to create vintage-inspired stoneware mugs that serve as art pieces. A colorful prep bowl set from Hedley & Bennett, a chocolate advent calendar, a cake decorating workshop … we’ve got you covered.

Editor’s note: If you make a purchase using some of our links, the L.A. Times may be compensated. Prices and availability are subject to change. In some cases, listed websites may use location-based pricing.

It’s easy to get caught up in the idea that good gifts require you to break the bank. Don’t fall for that trap.

Great gifts don’t require deep pockets; they require you be intentional and to pay close attention.

Is your best friend obsessed with making their home smell good? Consider gifting them premium incense sticks that have been hand-rolled in a nearly 200-year-old shop in Kyoto, Japan. Does your little brother go to concerts every weekend? Give him a pair of earplugs that not only look stylish, but protect his hearing. Does your boyfriend love trying new hot sauces? Get him a bottle of El Chilito, which is a sister-owned, family-run brand.

On this Gift Guide list, you’ll find gifts that are $40 and under (not including shipping costs) for everyone on your list because it’s intentionality and thoughtfulness that count.

Editor’s note: If you make a purchase using some of our links, the L.A. Times may be compensated. Prices and availability are subject to change. In some cases, listed websites may use location-based pricing.

We felt like Julie Andrews in “The Sound of Music” putting together this year’s list of the best gifts for L.A. walkers, hikers and those who love the great outdoors. These really are a few of our favorite things!

That said, we stand by these products and the ones we wrote about for the Gift Guide in 2024 and 2025. Using our three lists, you should be able to shop for every outdoorsy person in your life, surprising them with great gadgets, gear and garb from major retailers and cottage companies, including multiple items in this list that are from California small businesses.

Editor’s note: If you make a purchase using some of our links, the L.A. Times may be compensated. Prices and availability are subject to change. In some cases, listed websites may use location-based pricing.

There’s a reason why people like to shop locally during the holidays. You don’t have to worry anxiously about when your gift will arrive — for the kids; it’s always for the kids. It doesn’t have to be like that.

This year, try visiting a local gift shop or a holiday craft fair and pick out a gift in person from a neighbor right here in L.A.

As in past years, many of the items in our Made in L.A. list are small-batch or made-to-order. You’ll find things including unique ceramics, puzzle candles, handmade jewelry and even a life-affirming baseball cap designed by an 11-year-old.

The best holiday gifts aren’t just those that arrive quickly. They also have heart. If you’re searching for the perfect gift, whether it’s the perfect handmade coffee mug or silk-screened tee boasting local pride, check out our list of favorites below.

Editor’s note: If you make a purchase using some of our links, the L.A. Times may be compensated. Prices and availability are subject to change. In some cases, listed websites may use location-based pricing.

The stocking stuffer is one of the toughest of holiday challenges: a small gift, but not an impersonal one, and ideally something on the more affordable end of the spectrum. But the stocking stuffer is also an opportunity, a chance to be a little playful, and maybe a bit silly in our gift-giving prowess.

The list here runs the gamut. There are tech-savvy items, contemplative presents and, yes, even a lighthearted option or two. Stickers, anyone? That’s because gift giving should be fun. You’re here, I hope, looking to be inspired, and that’s why this list prioritized variety. Here are some ideas to hopefully provide a bit of gift-giving motivation this holiday season.

Editor’s note: If you make a purchase using some of our links, the L.A. Times may be compensated. Prices and availability are subject to change. In some cases, listed websites may use location-based pricing.

In Los Angeles, we’re truly spoiled. We have sunny weather most of the year along with several beaches where we can cool off. We also have dozens of wonderful restaurants that showcase the diversity of the city as well as all of the entertainment one could ever ask for. As if that weren’t already enough, L.A. is home to some of the coolest and most exciting brands.

Looking for apparel? Home goods? Something else? There are several local businesses worth supporting year-round, but especially during the holiday season.

All of the gifts featured on this list are from L.A. brands — some of which were created by native Angelenos like visual artist Lauren Halsey and Cash Saunders of the Shea Parlor. Only a handful of the businesses have storefronts, while others serve their customers online (and sometimes at local flea markets). All of them, though, serve as reminders of why purchasing a gift from a neighbor is a way bigger flex than shopping at a big-box store.

Editor’s note: If you make a purchase using some of our links, the L.A. Times may be compensated. Prices and availability are subject to change. In some cases, listed websites may use location-based pricing.

When we went looking for the best independent gift shops in Los Angeles, we discovered a Tarot Arts store in South Pasadena, found a fun mix of paper goods — and stickers! — at Paper and Plant Co.’s new location in Highland Park and met three adorable shop cats at Adelaide, a charming flower and gift shop in Altadena, which was forced to close temporarily following the Eaton fire.

We’re fortunate in Los Angeles that holiday shopping doesn’t have to revolve around a crowded mall — or an Amazon delivery.

Shopping local can be fun.

At Little Flower in Pasadena, you can enjoy a meal or savory treat while browsing the shop’s shelves stocked with seasonal goods. At Curious in Hermosa Beach, you can book a haircut at a speakeasy-style barber inside the “pop and pop shop.” Or you might catch an art show at Tim Biskup’s Face Guts in Verdugo Village, right next to his unique lifestyle store, Home Guts.

This holiday season, why not try shopping in your neighborhood? Whether you need something for a teacher or loved one, shopping small helps support businesses that may have had a tough time of late. Many store owners shared that the holidays can make or break their entire year. “The holidays matter a lot to us,” says Ivana Suvak of Goods in Santa Monica. “I think in-person retail matters more than it used to. We’re all online all day, but walking into a shop, touching something, smelling it, discovering something you weren’t looking for and talking to another person … I don’t think that can be replaced.”

Shopping local makes a difference beyond just your gift recipient — it helps your neighbors. “My thought every year is: If you build it, they will come,” says Sonya Gallardo, who owns Highlow Gift Shop in Torrance. “To make the heavy investment, I have to have faith that my customers will remember my shop, and new customers will want to shop small and find me.”

Here’s a list of our favorite gift shops in Los Angeles.

Following centuries of Ottoman influence, Algeria was invaded by France in 1830 and uniquely incorporated directly into the French state rather than treated as a standard colony. As European migration surged and native land was seized, deep-seated grievances among the local Muslim population continued to multiply. This mounting frustration culminated on November 1, 1954, when the National Liberation Front launched numerous synchronized strikes against military and security positions, igniting the Algerian War. Although French forces ultimately suppressed the uprising militarily, the extreme brutality of the crackdown alienated domestic and international observers alike. Consequently, this widespread loss of backing eroded French authority and directly cleared the path for Algerian independence in the summer of 1962.

IF my algorithm is anything to go by, Gen Z love nothing more than a bit of #selfcare because #selfcareisntselfish and #metime matters.

And as a semi-perennial singleton (and geriatric millennial), I don’t really have much say in the matter.

So it came to pass that, after booking a last-minute week off work, I went on my first ever romantic mini break for two — the “two” being me and my miniature Dachshund, Dora.

After scouring Instagram for options, my non-negotiables — as Gen Z like to say — were: Dog-friendly, remote, not a hotel and, ideally, with an outdoor roll-top bath.

The plan was also to have a digital detox after my screen time had crept up to an abhorrent ten hours a day.

Enter HappenOak Treehouse. Yep, an actual treehouse in rural Cambridgeshire.

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If I couldn’t shut off the world from a giant oak tree in the middle of nowhere, there really was no hope for me.

On a quiet Wednesday afternoon, I made the drive to the pretty village of Balsham for my unique stay for the next 48 hours.

It took two and a half minutes of strolling through beautiful, signposted woodland for Dora and me to spot our arboreal home-from-home.

Tucked away in the delightful Le Creuset-stocked kitchen was a huge loaf and some homemade banana bread. A nice touch.

The highlight, though, was the location. I quickly decided to ditch my iPhone and go for a sunset stroll.

As a tractor ploughed its patch, and birds tweeted, I felt my shoulders drop.

That evening I did some yoga on the decking, and then ran a piping hot bath. It’s hard to explain just how magical this bath felt.

But soaking in bubbles, as fairy lights twinkled and the branches swayed above, I could have stayed in there forever. Well, an hour or so.

Instead, draping myself in one of the fluffy white robes provided, I opted for the outdoor, Finnish-style sauna, managing to last about six minutes before, dripping in sweat, I came out again to cool down.

It is the kind of treat I steadfastly ignore at my gym, insisting I never have time. Here, however, I had all the time.

After, Dora and I decided the best move was to cuddle up in the giant swing chair, watching the world (and the hard-working farmer still on his tractor) go by. No phones, no TikTok, no WhatsApp, no Spotify, no nothing. It was bliss.

That night, I slept like a well-rested baby, waking beneath two skylights showing gently falling leaves.

After breakfasting on homemade muesli provided by the owners — supplies like coffee, milk, olive oil, free-range eggs and seasoning are all included, and there is a farm shop a few miles away for anything else — it was time for a hike.

A gorgeous 12km round trip took me via gastropub The Black Bull, where we nipped in for a replenishing pint and a bowl of water.

Then it was off to the local shop for some pasta and cheese for an easy dinner.

I’d been so bowled over by my stay that by the evening I found myself hunting for homes in rural Cambridgeshire online, with grand visions of handing in my notice and starting a new life off-grid, in a tree.

My sleep on the second night was slightly restless, which I put down to slightly “flat” pillows. Literally my only complaint of the entire stay.

Otherwise, HappenOak is the perfect getaway for those who need to, well, get away.

In a world that runs at 100mph, it is a place to simply switch off. Who knew? #selfcare isn’t actually selfish.

The budget airline has this morning, Sunday, November 1, released an update to passengers flying to and from the UK

Ryanair has issued a warning to passengers flying to and from the UK today. The airline released the notice to passengers as it said some flights could be delayed.

The budget carrier issued the message on its website. And it told people to keep monitoring the app for updates as Britain faces more unsettled weather.

The airline’s message reads: “Due to heavy fog, some flights to and from the UK may be delayed today (Sun 1 Nov). Affected passengers will be contacted directly through the app. Passengers travelling through the UK should monitor the Ryanair app for the latest flight information.”

A yellow weather warning for fog is in place in parts of the UK today. It covers London, Birmingham, Nottingham and Hull, and stretches from Norwich in the east to Brighton in the south, and from parts of east Wales to Somerset in the south-west.

The Met Office warning says that fog this morning will be sense in places. It says that it will bring some travel delays.

The warning is in force until 10am today but patches could last into the afternoon and the Met Office says warnings can change. Visibility will be less than 100 metres in some places, the Met Office said.

The forecaster’s warning supports what Ryanair is saying. It warns people there is a chance of delays and cancellations of flights. The forecaster says bus and train journeys could also be delayed.

Met Office advice on Sunday, November 1 over dense fog

It advises people to give themselves extra time and check road conditions, and adjust plans where necessary. The Met Office warning says: “Be prepared for weather warnings to change: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.”

The notice comes as the Met Office advises that fog may be slow to clear in places today. Its latest UK forecast says there will be cloud and rainin some areas of the north.

It says this could gradually spread southwards. Yet it says for other areas, it will be mostly dry with sunny spells.

The advice comes after Britain was hit by two storms in a matter of days. Storm Austen and Storm Boelo led England to have its wettest week in two years.

Despite this, large stretches of the country are still officially in drought. Worse still, there is a severe drought in place across parts of the South West and Sussex.

I STOOD on a dark street as hundreds of ghostly figures dressed all in white walked quietly past me, each with a single flame illuminating their skull-painted face.

For a moment things felt spooky, even sombre — but then came the crackle of a sound system, the pop of a tequila bottle and deafening laughter.

You may be familiar with the Mexican tradition of Day of the Dead from that opening James Bond scene in Spectre, from the kid’s film Coco or from the ‘sugar skull’ makeup craze that became a Halloween trend.

Mexico City draws thousands of tourists annually with its impressive skeleton-themed parades around November 2, but the underrated city of Mérida also comes alive for the celebrations as well.

Set in the Yucatán peninsula — a patch of land more known for hotspots like Cancún and Tulum — Maya heritage is strong in Mérida, and it shows.

Day of the Dead is known here as Hanal Pixan (pronounced han-al pish-an), meaning ‘food for the souls’ in Mayan, and sees families and friends gather to celebrate departed loved ones, honouring them with a home-made altar often covered in pictures and their favourite foods.

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I visited Mérida as its days-long fiesta kicked off with the ‘parade of the souls’.

The candlelit procession from the cemetery into town made for an eerie sight, but this soon changed when they scattered and cleared the way for a huge street party along Calle 64.

This long avenue was decorated with giant skeleton structures and millions of orange marigold flowers while the pavements were lined with shrines set up by different families, each blasting reggaeton or ranchera music from speakers.

It’s a great place to tuck into some authentic Mexican street food, because as well as leaving the deceased’s favourite meal as an offering, the families make it in bulk to sell to passersby.

Try Yucatán’s specialty, cochinita pibil (slow-roasted pork), some pan de muerto (a sweet bread made for the event) or a marquesita (if you’ve ever wondered whether Nutella and cheese taste good together).

Even beyond the festivities this city is a foodie’s dream.

You can keep things cheap by eating tacos al pastor on virtually every street corner for as little as MX$10 (40p) each, or lunching at the sensational Taquería De La Unión.

The Museum of Yucatecan Gastronomy offers a fancier atmosphere, serving up traditional dishes in a gorgeous courtyard with a jungle-like tree canopy.

And no trip to Mexico is complete without a plate of chilaquiles for breakfast or brunch; Mérida’s best can be found at Marmalade 47.

It’s worth having pesos to hand everywhere in Mérida. Most bars and restaurants will take card, but you’ll need cash for food stands.

On the day of the main parade, people line the streets early to get a good spot.

I was glad we did the same, or we would have only caught sight of the skeleton stilt walkers and missed the ever-changing flow of mariachi bands, traditional dancers and even pets in costume.

The Catrinas — people dressed as elegant, sombrero-wearing skeletal women — were the most stunning aspect of the evening, each donning their own unique outfits and elaborate face paint.

Unlike so many Halloween extravaganzas happening elsewhere in the world, this display was free of gore and jump-scares, making it extremely kid-friendly.

It wasn’t all about the parades, though.

Smaller-scale events were scattered across the city for almost a week surrounding Day of the Dead, from concerts in squares to shamans performing ancient Maya rituals on street corners.

Plus, the end of the fiesta didn’t mean the end of the fun; we tracked down a speakeasy called Malahat tucked away behind one of the plazas, where what looked like a fridge door led to a haven of mezcal-based cocktails. 

Mérida is a picturesque and walkable city that’s easy to explore.

Its grand colonial architecture is splashed with colour as crumbling palatial buildings at every turn are painted pink, yellow or blue, and if you get tired of walking, you have the option of winding through its kaleidoscopic streets in a horse and carriage.

It’s a great base from which to explore the marvels of the Yucatán peninsula, too. 

The region is covered in hundreds of cenotes (natural sinkholes) that make for magical swimming spots, and if you still need your beach fix, the white sands of Puerto Progreso are just 40 minutes away.

Also close by is Chichén Itzá, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and the site of some of the planet’s most breathtaking Maya ruins.

Its fame too often eclipses Mérida in this part of the world, and the busloads of tourists you’ll meet there are usually heading back to the bustle and beach clubs of Cancún.

But if you linger in Mérida, you’ll find a city with its own pulse — and it beats strongest around during this famous, beautiful event.

AS the air gets chillier and the days get darker, there’s nothing better than cosying up in a warm cinema to watch a brand new movie.

And it’s even better when you get your cinema tickets for free…

Join Sun Club now — don’t miss out.

We’ve teamed up with Cineworld to give away 20,000 FREE tickets, so you can go and catch the latest films on us.

Click here to sign up to Sun Club for £1.99 a month to redeem this exclusive offer and many more.

Let’s be honest – is there any better feeling than sinking into a plush cinema chair, armed with a bucket of popcorn and a fresh fizzy drink, ready to watch the latest Hollywood blockbuster?

If you’re looking for something to do to break up the boring, drizzly November nights, a trip to the pictures can make this time of year all the more exciting.

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Sun Club members can redeem two free Cineworld tickets each, so you can enjoy a night at the movies with a friend or partner for zero cost.

With 87 cinemas across the UK to choose from, it’s as simple as redeeming your tickets, finding a Cineworld near you, and booking in whichever film you’d like to see.

Joining Sun Club will give you instant access to the Offers Hub, where you can claim your free Cineworld tickets.

But be quick, as they’re sure to go fast.

The best part is that these tickets can be used on any film showing from November 2 to November 17.

Here’s all the films you can go and see at Cineworld with your two free Sun Club tickets:

How To Rob A Bank

Nicholas Hoult and Zoë Kravitz lead an all-star cast in this action-packed thriller about a gang of bank robbers whose viral heists soon attract the attention of the FBI.

Clayface

Tom Rhys Harries stars in DC Studios’ dark and chilling horror-thriller about a rising Hollywood star whose search for fame takes a terrifying turn as he begins to lose both his identity and humanity.

Primetime

Robert Pattinson plays NBC journalist Chris Hansen in this high-stakes psychological thriller about the 2000’s reality television series, To Catch A Predator.

Wild Horse Nine

John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell play CIA partners whose mission to a remote island becomes increasingly complicated by secrets, politics and unexpected encounters.

Godzilla Minus Zero

As Japan rebuilds after the Second World War, a new threat emerges when the legendary Godzilla appears. Packed with action, drama and spectacular visual effects, this is one movie you will not want to miss.

Ebenezer

A fresh take on Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas story, starring Johnny Depp as Ebenezer Scrooge as he discovers the true meaning of Christmas. Full of festive cheer, heartwarming moments and family fun, it’s the perfect film to get everyone into the Christmas spirit.

Prima Facie

Starring Jodie Comer and Wicked star Cynthia Erivo, Prima Facie is a powerful and thought-provoking drama that explores justice, truth and the challenges faced by women within the legal system.

Wildwood

Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay and Mahershala Ali star in this enchanting animated adventure about a brave young girl who enters a mysterious forest to rescue her baby brother.

Join Sun Club now — don’t miss out.

Plus Cineworld is the place to do so, as their cinemas boast the latest film technology with IMAX, 4DX, SCREENX and Superscreen options.

You can also book onto accessible screenings, including viewings with subtitles and audio descriptions, ensuring everyone can enjoy a trip to the movies.

How to get this offer

1. Sign up to Sun Club for £1.99 per month here.
2. From Saturday, October 31 click the ‘Book’ button on the Cineworld page of the Sun Club Offers Hub.
3. You will receive an email containing a unique code and steps on how to book your two free tickets.

   You must claim and book your tickets by Sunday, November 15 when the booking code will expire.

Tickets are valid for screenings between Monday, November 2 and Tuesday, November 17,

18+ UK only (exc. NI & IoM & CI). Sun Savers multiple code collect 31/10/26–04/11/26 or digital subscription required. Online access required. Booking opens from 01/11/26. 10,000 pairs of tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis. Valid for cinema bookings 02/11/26 – 17/11/26. Redeem by 15/11/26. Non-transferable & non refundable. T&Cs apply, see sunsavers.co.uk or club.thesun.co.uk/sun-club. New customer offer: £1.99 per month or £12 for your first year, then £19.99 a year thereafter. Full T&Cs apply, visit thesun.co.uk/terms-and-conditions.

See full Terms and Conditions for the Cineworld offer here.

Prices correct at the time of publication.

Arctic thrills and survival skills in Finnish Lapland

At Ruka, the first skiers of the year slalomed down the slopes on 2 October. Just inside the Arctic Circle, Ruka’s long snow-sure season and cosy village atmosphere make it a popular ski resort with Finnish families. The long polar nights mean there are only a few hours of dim twilight each day, but the slopes here are floodlit, so that never stops play.

The Narnia-like setting offers just as much action off the runs as on them, and in December the resort launches Ruka Guides, guided adventures from a dedicated activity centre. Spend the morning e-fatbiking through snowy forests (from €90) or cutting a hole in a frozen lake to catch fish (from €89), before learning Arctic survival skills (from €85) or snowshoeing in the evening darkness on the hunt for the northern lights (from €89).

Other, more offbeat diversions include floating in a thermal suit down the freezing Kiveskoski river in meditative silence (from €135), whizzing down an alpine coaster at up to 25mph (from €11.88) and practising your sun salutation in the forest surrounded by grazing reindeer (from €45).

Dasher and Dancer are a clue to the other reason Ruka is such a hit with children: the main merry man himself. Father Christmas, Mrs Claus and the elves live at Santa’s Cottage, about 30 minutes’ drive from Ruka, where they test how good little helpers are at gingerbread baking and Christmas card making, before those wannabe elves sing Santa’s favourite carol to him in Finnish, post cards at the post office and sledge down the hillside outside (from €105).

All activities at ruka.fi. Rukariutta Superior apartments sleep up to six from €362 a night (rukapalvelu.fi). Lumo Lakeside Lodges sleep up to two adults and two children from €215 (rukasafaris.fi)

Stargazing in the Cairngorms

In the depths of winter, the sun sets just a shade after 3.30pm in the Cairngorms national park and doesn’t rise again until about 8.50 the following morning. Those long hours of darkness combined with low levels of light pollution (the area around Tomintoul and Glenlivet is an International Dark Sky Park) makes it the perfect place for stargazing.

While it’s easy to be dazzled by the Milky Way without even reaching for a telescope, the Discovery Centre in the village of Tomintoul lends out stargazing kits (pre-booking required) to help visitors delve deeper into the cosmos at one of their recommended viewing sites, such as the nearby Tomintoul Field of Hope, with its purpose-built Skyhide pavilion.

The centre is also the meeting point for astronomy events (there is a close-up look at the moon on 18 November and an evening of meteor spotting when the Geminids shower is at its peak around mid-December (suggested donation £7, cairngormsdarkskypark.org).

A short drive away, just north of Aviemore, storyteller Sarah Hobbs leads monthly Stargazing Storywalks. The 1½-mile after-dark amble weaves in Gaelic and Pictish tales of the night sky from thousands of years ago, from warrior queens to one-eyed giants, and ends with a cup of foraged wild tea (£20pp, Oct-March). For something a little more strenuous, Hillgoers organises regular three-mile night walks with certified star rangers, spotting glowing planets and nocturnal wildlife (£40pp, maximum of eight in a group).

The Lazy Duck continues the dark-sky theme with a clutch of off-grid huts among the pines of the Abernethy Forest with stargazing windows above the beds (from £187 a night in December).

There are plenty of winter activities in daylight hours too, from driving the SnowRoads route, which winds along the highest public roads in Britain, to meeting the country’s only free-roaming reindeer herd (guided hill trips run Feb-Dec from £29.40pp, cairngormreindeer.co.uk).

Toboggans and glaciers in Chamonix

At the foot of Mont Blanc, Chamonix is famous among skiers for its gnarly off-piste terrain and intense black runs. But that dramatic landscape makes it prime territory for action off the slopes too. One of Responsible Travel’s new trips this season is a four-night self-guided snowshoeing holiday in the Chamonix valley.

Using the traditional mountain spa town of Saint-Gervais-les-Bains as its base, the itinerary ventures deep into the snow-covered Vallorcine valley, hiking through larch meadows and pine forests, heading up the Flégère gondola to walk along a balcony trail facing Mont Blanc, and taking in the views from the summit of Mont d’Arbois at 1,833 metres.

The Mont Blanc massif is one of the most densely glaciated areas in the Alps, and while the ice is receding due to the climate crisis, taking the dinky red Montenvers cog train up to the Mer de Glace is still an impressive experience. This huge river of ice winds some 5 miles between the mountains, and at the top a cable car followed by around 200 steps descends into the Grotte de Glace, a blue tunnel carved into the glacier (€49.70 for the train, gondola and ice cave visit).

A more intrepid ice-spotting option is Les Contamines-Montjoie circular snowshoeing route, which climbs through pine forests to the Plateau du Truc, with its views of the d’Armancette, Miage and Covagnet glaciers.

Back in Chamonix, the Mont-Blanc Museum opened in July, tracing the valley’s history and Alpine exploits from the ice age to today, showcasing objects that include memorabilia from the first Winter Olympic Games (held in Chamonix in 1924) and the walking stick of Jacques Balmat, half of the two-man team that made the first ascent of Mont Blanc in 1786. That climb is only for serious mountaineers, but the cable car from Chamonix town centre is a shortcut to Aiguille du Midi’s almost-as-impressive 3,842-metre peak (€43 round trip) – leaving plenty of energy to hit the nearby La Luge toboggan run (€23 for the pedestrian lift pass and one descent; ski-saintgervais.com).

A four-night self-guided snowshoeing trip in Chamonix from £790pp with Responsible Travel, including B&B accommodation, route maps, smartphone navigation app, GPS trackers and 24/7 phone support

Snowshoeing and bear spotting in Transylvania

Hiking along narrow trails in the Piatra raiului national park, you’re more likely to come across bear or wolf tracks than other walkers’ footprints. The Carpathian mountains are one of Europe’s last bastions for large predators – there are thought to be more than 10,000 brown bears and around 2,500 grey wolves in Romania alone.

A week-long guided trip with Exodus makes tracks into Transylvania’s dramatic karst landscape, and is an atmospheric introduction to snowshoes and crampons. Base camp is the family-run Villa Hermani guesthouse, over 1,000 metres above sea level in the village of Magura, where there’s always a warming glass of homemade pălincă (fruit brandy) waiting.

Hikes climb up to the high ridge of Dealul Măgurice or to the plateau between the Piatra Craiului and Bucegi mountains, where the only thing that might break the silence is the howling of a wolf. One of the most spectacular walks heads along the Zărnești Gorge, its vertical limestone walls rising 200 metres above the icy canyon floor.

When not snowshoeing through Christmas-card scenes, take in medieval churches, the cobbled old town of Brașov and the Libearty bear sanctuary, which has rescued over 120 brown bears from the cruelty of captivity. And while Bram Stoker never set foot in Romania, let alone Bran Castle (often said to be the inspiration for Dracula’s lair), you can. With its frosty turrets and towers set against the Carpathians, it looks more gothic than ever, and even better without the bloodthirsty summer crowds.

Exodus’s seven-night Transylvania winter walk and snowshoe trip from £1,459pp, including all accommodation, meals, transport and activities, tour guide, snowshoes and poles

Igloos and Christmas markets in Innsbruck

Innsbruck is ringed by the Austrian Alps, meaning wherever you wander in the city – among the medieval alleys of the Altstadt or past the colourful houses along the River Inn – snow-covered mountains are the constant backdrop. Those jagged peaks are home to 12 ski areas within 15 to 75 minutes of the city by public transport, and some are worth the trip for the snow-plough-averse too.

Zaha Hadid’s swooping, modernist Bergisel ski jump is a dominant sight above the town and the vertiginous view is even better from its observation deck. The architect also designed four of the Nordpark Cable Railway stations that feature fluid glass canopies mimicking natural ice formations and glaciers. They take skiers and non-skiers up to the Nordkette mountains for a bird’s eye view of the Tirolean capital.

There’s plenty more to get pulses racing without clipping on a pair of skis, from bobsleighing down the 1,399-metre Olympic track at Igls at speeds of up to 115km/h (from €45 for bobrafting, €119 for piloted race bobsleighing) to night sledding at Rangger Köpfl (€25). For more icy fun, there are igloos to spend the night in at Iglu-Dorf in Kühtai, Austria’s highest ski resort (from €537 for up to three people, including cheese fondue, community sauna and breakfast).

Back down in Innsbruck, Christmas market season kicks off in November, and there are seven dotted around the streets and squares, from the historic old town market to the lofty Hungerburg – be sure to try kiachl, a doughnut-like pastry served either savoury with hot sauerkraut, or sweet topped with wild cranberry jam.

New skating experience Ice Magic also launches this winter, with illuminated ice paths connecting different parts of the city, alongside light installations and projections, ice disco nights and DJs (from €8).

Nordic ice-skating in Sweden

While Scandinavians started using animal bones to make primitive ice skates thousands of years ago, wild, or Nordic, skating as we know it (long-distance skating outdoors on natural ice for sport rather than utility) evolved in Sweden in the 1900s. Stockholm’s Skridskoseglarklubb (“Skate Sailing Club”) was formed in 1901 and today has more than 10,000 members, who share the latest ice information online to find the ideal skating locations.

Nordic skates have long blades attached only at the front of the boot, used to make long, rhythmic glides; other specialist safety kit includes long, pointy poles to assess ice thickness and a backpack that doubles as a flotation device.

Wild is the operative word here, and it is prudent as a beginner to skate with a pro. Stockholm-based Ice Guide runs a number of trips, from one-day introductions to multi-day tours, which head out on to Lake Mälaren or the Baltic Sea in the Stockholm archipelago (from £143 including all gear, transport and lunch). Hellasgården, less than half an hour outside Stockholm, is another popular skate spot with ploughed tracks on Lake Källtorpssjön, and there are holes cut in the ice for the bravest swimmers (and a sauna for after).

While in the city centre, get your frozen kicks at the ice rink at Kungsträdgården (skate rental about £7.50 an hour) or by joining the boisterous crowd at a Djurgården IF ice hockey match at the Hovet stadium.

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A foodie walk in the Dolomites, northern Italy

Hearty Tirolean food is made for winter: Knödel dumplings smothered in melted butter and parmesan, the ricotta- and spinach-filled pasta pockets of Schlutzkrapfen, the cast-iron skillet hash of Bauerngröstl. Hiking through the slopes and valleys of the Dolomites’ Drei Zinnen (Three Peaks) nature park on a week-long trip with self-guided walking holiday specialists Inntravel is a good way to work up an appetite.

From the charmingly traditional Hotel Drei Zinnen in the village of Sesto near the Austrian border, a network of 100km of well-groomed, partially cleared paths (meaning no snowshoes required) branches out through the Fischleintal valley and beyond into the nature park.

Mountain huts (rifugios) are dotted along routes for a warming lunch: Talschlusshütte serves mountain pine and porcini mushroom risotto and classic comforting Gerstensuppe (barley soup) along the Fischleintal valley walk; while the 100-year-old Dreischusterhütte among the fir trees in the nearby Innerfeldtel valley is much loved for its Kaiserschmarrn (shredded pancake) and homemade Apfelkiachl (fried apple rings).

Other routes start with a cable car ride and cut across the snowglobe landscapes of the Kreuzbergpass (stopping for a drink on the terrace at the Klammbach hut, of course) or loop around the banks of the frozen Lake Toblach.

Hotel Drei Zinnen has welcomed a fair few winter explorers through its doors since it opened in 1930. One regular guest – the mountaineer and author of Seven Years in Tibet Heinrich Harrer – inspired the hotel’s original owner Hans Watschinger to transform the establishment and the village of Sesto (Sexten in German) into a winter destination. It’s still run by the Watschinger family, and today there’s daily afternoon cake and a Finnish sauna to ease walk-weary muscles, and four-course nightly feasts of Italian favourites and local South Tirolean specialities to fuel up for another day in the mountains.

A seven-night Italian Dolomites Winter Walking trip from £1,076, including half-board accommodation, local bus pass and transfers (inntravel.co.uk)

Husky sledding, reindeer and the northern lights in Norway

For as long as the lights of the aurora borealis have danced across the sky, the people living beneath them have told stories explaining the mysterious, spectral glow – are they omens or gods, communication from spirits or threat of war? For some Sámi communities in northern Scandinavia, they were the souls of the dead, souls that were not to be disturbed by looking, talking, waving or pointing at them, in case the ghostly veil snatched you into the sky or cut off your head.

At 217 miles (350km) above the Arctic Circle, Tromsø is the ideal destination for northern lights chasers and learning about the indigenous Sámi people – many of whom still herd reindeer across the vast wilderness.

The Oskal family have lived a way of life shaped by reindeer for generations, and their herd spends winter around the camp near Tromsø and summer roaming free in the mountains. The family now share that traditional way of life through Tromsø Arctic Reindeer, opening up their camp to visitors to sled ride, feed the herd and join the family around the fire in the lavvu (tent), for joik (traditional Sámi song) and perhaps glimpses of the aurora overhead (experiences start at 990 kroner/£75 for reindeer feeding).

At the gateway to Norway’s frozen far north, Tromsø is the launchpad for numerous activities – ice fishing and fjord cruising, husky sledding and snowmobile safaris – and the lively university town is interesting in itself. It was once the departure point for expeditions to the north pole – a history captured at the Polar Museum on the harbour front – and today also draws cultural travellers for concerts in the angular Arctic Cathedral and the international film festival in January.

Three-night trip to Tromsø from £767pp, including B&B and an aurora-chasing trip, with Discover the World

SOMETIMES you just want a break from the hum-drum of daily life, without having to spend too much money.

After all, what’s better than a beautiful hotel room where you can wake up at your leisure, or a cosy cottage with all your family?

So as the team of travel experts at the Sun, we’ve looked at all of our favourite places across the UK where we’ve stayed which DON’T break the bank.

And you certainly don’t have to splash the cash on expensive five star stays to enjoy a luxurious and restful break.

Not only have we searched the entire UK, from Edinburgh and the Lake District to Oxford and Kent, but all of these stays are less than £100, so £50 each an night.

Some are even a bargain £3 each, per night. You’re welcome.

Searles Hunstanton, Norfolk

A cheap and cheerful holiday park break can really jazz up an otherwise boring and drizzly November.

Growing up in north Norfolk, I spent my fair share of days at Searles Leisure Resort. I even worked on the mini golf course, so I have plenty of recommendations!

Visiting in the autumn is super affordable. Use of the pool, sauna, jacuzzi and £1m kids splash zone is completely free (as long as you book direct) – so no need to buy an expensive add-on swim pass.

If visiting over a weekend, make sure to tuck into their impressive Sunday carvery. While the main restaurant can get busy, I recommend eating in the Sports Bar which overlooks the golf course.

While on-site entertainment is limited in autumn, there’s plenty of indoor, kid-friendly attractions nearby such as Farmer Fred’s soft play in Heacham and shows at Hunstanton Princess Theatre.

The site practically backs onto Hunstanton promenade, so you can be on the seafront in only a few steps. On dry days, make sure to walk all the way along to Old Hunstanton’s stripey chalk cliffs for a stunning view.

Grab a pack of hot, sugary cinnamon doughnuts from Kay’s, then head to Hunstanton Pier amusements to spend your spare 2ps. You won’t miss the massive building right on the green with a bowling alley overlooking the sea.

With a November Super Savers break, you can bag a four-night stay for £119. If you stay as a group of six, that works out to £4.96pp per night. – Jenna Stevens, Travel Reporter

Maldron Hotel, Newcastle

If you’re looking for a fantastically central hotel to enjoy a night out in the party city of Newcastle while still getting a good night’s sleep, you can’t go wrong with the Maldron Hotel on Newgate Street.

This modern, fresh hotel delivers 4* quality at great prices.

There’s free wifi, smart TVs, air conditioning and tea and coffee making facilities and a choice of deluxe rooms, executive suites and family rooms.

There’s hearty breakfasts and all-day dining at the Grain and Grill bar and restaurant as well as options that can be delivered to your room.

But its main attraction is its central location. Opposite the Eldon Square shopping centre and close to The Gate leisure complex, it’s just a three-minute walk from Newcastle’s Central Station and close to local metro stations.

Footie fans will love the fact they can walk to St James’ Park and the Quayside is with its famous bridges, modern art galleries, lively bars and famous Sunday market is also just a 10minute stroll away.

Rooms from from just £68 a night for a double room, or £34 each. See maldronhotels.com. – Lisa Minot, Head of Travel

Cefn Nannau, Wales

An off-grid cottage staycation, deep in rural countryside just can’t be beaten – especially at this time of year when the autumn chill is finally starting to hit.

There’s room for the whole family (and more) in the gorgeous 12-person Cefn Nannau, buried among rolling fields in Corwen, North Wales.

It features two cosy living rooms with roaring log burners and board games so you can hunker down on those dark evenings, plus there’s an outdoor hot tub overlooking farming fields where sheep graze freely.

Rooms are cosy and come with glorious green views (and many feature en suite bathrooms, too) while the spacious kitchen, with a rugged Aga, is great for whipping up group feasts.

The property’s charm comes from its history as a former barn and character comes in the form of wonky beams and traditional terracotta floor tiles.

Its location is second to none, too.

Wales‘ largest freshwater lake, Bala Lake, is a short drive away,stretching 3.5miles in length. There’s also Snowdonia National Park right on your doorstep.

Cefn Nannau cottage costs from around £21 per person per night, based on full occupancy and a stay of seven nights. See sykescottages.co.uk. – Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

London & Paris Hotel, Folkestone

Sea views, check. Cosy rooms, check. Fantastic pub grub, check. With all the boxes ticked, the London & Paris Hotel in Folkestone I think is one of Kent‘s best, affordable places to stay.

The seaside town is short of boutique hotels, with the majority of options being B&Bs or pub stays.

But the London & Paris reopened back in 2023 after years of renovations restoring the historic building.

Now, every room has sea views, and each is designed in elevated beach chic, so kooky patterned interiors and blue striped walls.

It no longer has its own restaurant, but the downstairs Harbour Inn pub is one of the finest in town with fantastic fresh seafood and Sunday Roasts.

Even better, Folkestone is less than an hour from London so makes for a great weekend trip from the capital.

Rooms start from £90 a night, so £45 each – Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

Butlins, UK locations

Earlier this year, I made my first pilgrimage to Butlin’s at their Skegness resort, and was so overwhelmed that I drew up an hour-by-hour activities spreadsheet to make sure that we made the most of every opportunity.

In just three days, we saw six shows, swam in the pool, played mini golf and laser quest, explored the soft play, spent far too many pound coins in the arcade, enjoyed arts and crafts and went to the fun fair.

We didn’t have time for the bowling, go-karting, pottery, climbing and aerial adventure courses.

What’s particularly incredible is that so many of these activities are included in the price of your stay, even if you go for the cheapest accommodation.

Their base rates start from £49 for four nights for a family of four during school holidays, which is an astonishing £12.25pp per holiday (working out to around £3 each a night).

It doesn’t matter where you book – the cheapest or priciest rooms – the activities included in the price are the same.

The quality of the entertainment is top notch too – and much cheaper when you could easily be spending £40 each for tickets to the West End, while Butlin’s shows are included and the same standard.

If we’re conservative, that’s £120pp for three nights of quality shows already. – Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel (Digital)

Pinewoods Holiday Park, Norfolk

In my mind, holiday parks are rowdy places filled with screeching children and soft play fun barns, so imagine my surprise when I pulled up to the peaceful Pinewoods Holiday Park in Norfolk.

Saltmash Lodge in Wells-next-the-Sea has ample room for six people – and a dog too. 

Inside, the master bedroom is impressively large with a kingsize bed, spacious en-suite and plush dressing area. The other two had twin beds and a separate bathroom.

My favourite part though, is the open-plan dining, kitchen and living area surrounded by large windows and a skylight.

Outside there’s a wraparound deck with a barbecue. But during the autumn, evenings are best spent settled on the sofas in front of the coal-effect fire.

Pinewoods is in a top location too, an equal walk into the town of Wells which has pretty quayside pubs and boutiques. Walk the other way to get to Wells beach with lots of golden sand and backed with brightly decorated beach huts and, beyond that, a pine forest.

Lodge prices start from £747 for a three-night stay, sleeping six people in three bedrooms which works out to £41.50pp per night.– Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter

Mollies Motel, Oxford

Mollie’s opened its first ever motel in Oxfordshire in 2019 – a quirky concept inspired by roadside stays in the US, except more lavish.

And best of all, it’s super cheap.

In fact, I challenge you to find a more chic and handsomely-decorated bedroom for the same low price as this (less than £40pp a night).

The hotel started as the budget-friendly little sister to swanky members club Soho House and although it is now a separate entity, it still maintains a close relationship with the brand.

That means uber stylish furniture from Soho Home and Scandi-style decor. Think wooden panelling, earthy tones and funky lighting.

If you love American grub, then you’ll love the hotel’s diner which sticks to the American theme with huge burgers, dirty fries and hard shakes loaded with whipped cream.

Rooms cost from £37per person per night, on a room-only basis, with other hotels including Mollies Bristol and Mollies Manchester. – Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

Kickass Grassmarket, Edinburgh

Now hear me out: don’t knock a hostel until you try it. 

Kick Ass Grassmarket sits in the centre of Edinburgh, just a few minutes’ walk from all the major attractions and is a welcoming and secure hostel. 

Now, when you think of a hostel you probably picture dorms full of bunk beds and strangers, but at Kick Ass you can actually get a private room making it a great budget option. 

Plus you’ll get the benefit of social spaces and a fully-equipped kitchen. 

A double or twin room costs from just £70 per night, and has enough space for your luggage. 

Rooms have plenty of sockets, a full-length mirror and reading lights by the bed. And if you are lucky, you might even get a castle view – not bad for £35pp, eh?

Edinburgh is stunning all year and you don’t have to spend much to have a good time in the city, with hiking the famous Arthur‘s Seat is a top free activity. 

The National Museum of Scotland is also well worth exploring; its airy central atrium lets light flood the museum.– Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter

The Alan, Manchester

One of my favourite cities in the UK is Manchester, as it has all the elements of London – fantastic food scene, beautiful architecture and history – just with friendlier locals.

Oh and much cheaper hotels that are just as beautiful.

I love The Alan, built into the a former Victorian cotton warehouse.

The rooms feel elevated, so pink plaster rooms, marble tables and orange glass mugs, as well as brass bathroom fittings and fancy toiletries.

They have all the modcons, from flat screen TVs to Bluetooth speakers as well while the bar below is where you should be meeting your mates for a glass of wine and some nibbles.

Rooms start from £62 a night, or £31 each. – Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

THERE is nothing sinister about Tenerife or the capital of romance Paris. Or is there? With Halloween finally here, we uncover the spooky sides of European destinations.

From a cursed canalside palace in Venice to headless ghosts in Malta, Lisa Minot and Sophie Swietochowski share their pick of surprisingly scary holiday hotspots.

PARIS

THE French capital is reportedly home to the world’s largest underground ossuary — where the remains of six million people are buried beneath the streets.

Thrillseekers can stroll the network of underground tunnels, which are embedded with human skulls and bones.

You may see the City of Love in a whole other light after this.

GO: Seven nights’ B&B at the 3H Explorers Hotel is from £459pp including flights from Leeds Bradford on November 9.

MORE PENNE

The fantastic hotel with rooftop pool, insanely good Italian food and free fizz

PLACE IN THE SUN

Cheap 30C European country that’s EASY for Brits to move to… how I did it

Includes a 22kg baggage allowance. Approximately £28 in tourist tax is payable at the property. See jet2holidays.com.

ROME

DESCEND into the Capuchin Crypt beneath the church of Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini on the bustling Via Veneto and you’re greeted with a stunningly creepy sight — the bones of nearly 4,000 friars decorate five subterranean chapels.

The bones are laid out in intricate patterns across walls and archways and have even been turned into chandeliers.

GO: Two nights’ B&B at the 5H Villa Agrippina is from £399pp including flights from Heathrow on select dates in December. Price includes 23kg luggage. See britishairways.com/rome.

PRAGUE

IT may be famous for its pretty cobbled squares and fairytale spires but its medieval past has some chilling folklore.

The 14th-century Charles Bridge is said to be haunted by headless ghosts of executed nobles.

And the Old Town is famous for the legend of the Headless Templar Knight — a ghost who rides a white horse through the streets after midnight.

GO: Three nights’ B&B at the 3H Comfort Hotel Prague City East is from £419pp including flights from Bristol on November 27 and 22kg luggage. See jet2holidays.com.

TENERIFE

ANCIENT spirits lurk in one of Tenerife’s oldest buildings, the Palacio de Lercaro.

This is the former home of Catalina Lercaro, the daughter of a wealthy businessman who was forced into a loveless marriage.

Catalina tragically took her own life by throwing herself down a well, and rumour has it that she still walks the building today. Holidaymakers can explore the building, with a traditional stone staircase, before venturing into the gorgeous old town for a bit of light respite.

GO: Seven nights’ self-catering at the 3H Coral Compostela Beach Golf & Siam Park Waterpark is from £429pp based on four sharing and including flights from Manchester on November 1. Includes a 22kg baggage allowance and return transfers. See jet2holidays.com.

DUBROVNIK

JUST 600 metres off the shore of Dubrovnik lies the isle of Lokrum.

It may look like a lush paradise but local folklore has it that Benedictine monks placed a curse on anyone who tries to take control of the island, after they were forced out by French forces in the late 18th century.

A string of former owners suffered mysterious deaths and tragedies, and today you can visit the eerie ruins of the abandoned monastery.

GO: Three nights’ B&B at the Hotel Porto is from £338pp with flights from Gatwick on November 14. See easyjet.com/en/holidays.

MALTA

LISTEN out for whispers when you stroll in fortified medieval hilltop city Mdina — the headless ghost of Katrina still wanders the narrow lanes, calling to passers-by.

Traditional folklore claims she was sentenced to death for killing a knight in self-defence.

She was granted one final wish — to marry her true love — before being marched to her death immediately after the ceremony.

Mdina, known as the Silent City, is a spooky place to explore and many have claimed to see a woman in a bridal gown disappearing into the walls.

GO: Seven nights’ B&B at the 3+H Mayflower Hotel is from £519pp including flights from London Stansted on November 6, plus 22kg baggage and return transfers.

Approximately £18 in tourist tax is payable at the property for this holiday. See jet2holidays.com.

VENICE

IF you visit Venice, you may want to steer clear of the 15th-century Ca’ Dario that borders the Grand Canal. Many believe the palace is cursed, after seven owners and visitors have met tragic ends since the 1980s.

People became so suspicious that the property remained empty for many years until 2026 . . . when it was listed for sale.

GO: Three nights’ B&B at the 3H Il Mercante di Venezia is from £182pp including flights from London Stansted on December 13 and hand luggage. See tui.co.uk.

CRETE

GREECE is full of gory history so it’s no surprise that one of its fortresses is said to be crawling with an army of ghosts.

Head to Frangokastello, on the island of Crete, and you’ll find a restored Venetian castle overlooking a sandy beach.

At first glance, it may look peaceful but visit in the morning in May and you might be able to spot shadowy figures emerging from the misty waters.

They are said to be the ghosts of fighters who died in an horrific battle in 1828.

GO: Seven nights’ B&B at the 4H Creta Palm Resort is from £799pp including flights from from East Midlands on May 4 next year. Includes 22kg baggage and return transfers.

Approximately £58 in tourist tax is payable at the property. See jet2holidays.com.

Need to know

Rachel was on holiday with her husband when everything went terribly wrong

A 42-year-old Brit mum died suddenly in Spain while on holiday – what you need to know

• A British mum collapsed and died on holiday in Spain despite the best efforts of paramedics to save her life.
• Rachel Weston, 42, from Bury, Greater Manchester, had been to see a pharmacist about what she thought was just a cold, but her condition later worsened significantly – and she suddenly collapsed in her hotel room in Puerto del Carmen in Lanzarote in the Canary Islands.
• Local reports said she suffered a cardiac arrest, although no underlying cause has been confirmed. Hotel staff and paramedics tried to save her but tragically she couldn’t be saved.
• Her husband, Mark, said: “My world was completely turned upside down with the sudden and heartbreaking loss of my gorgeous wife, Rachel.” Rachel was a loving stepmum to his three children and he described her as “the absolute heart of our home”.
• Mark has launched a fundraiser to help cover funeral costs and has asked mourners to wear purple, Rachel’s favourite colour, at her funeral on November 6.

READ THE FULL STORY: ‘My gorgeous wife died suddenly in Lanzarote – it’s heartbreaking’