Travel Desk

The UK seaside town, which is perfect for a staycation this summer, is renowned for its golden sandy beaches, striking sandstone cliffs, and the historic thatched-roof Old Village

As the UK continues to bask in a spell of scorching weather, droves of Britons are swapping their office chairs for deckchairs and heading off on a well-deserved coastal staycation.

If you’re among them, you’ll want to pay attention, as one seaside gem has been hailed as nothing short of ‘like a fairytale’. Nestled on the southeast coast of the Isle of Wight, Shanklin is a picturesque, traditional seaside town renowned for its golden sandy beaches, striking sandstone cliffs, and the quaint thatched-roof Old Village, making it one of the island’s most beloved holiday hotspots. The town strikes a wonderful balance between coastal fun and rich heritage. Shanklin Beach and The Esplanade is a vast, family-friendly expanse of golden sand.

The Esplanade is brimming with seaside entertainment, classic fish and chip shops, water sports, and several crazy golf courses (including pirate and dinosaur themes).

The Cliff Lift is another must-see attraction. Those staying atop the sandstone cliffs can skip the gruelling descent to the beach by hopping aboard the historic Cliff Lift, which has been ferrying visitors down to the Esplanade since 1957.

The island’s oldest visitor attraction, meanwhile, is Shanklin Chine, which first opened its doors in 1817. This verdant, wooded coastal ravine boasts spectacular waterfalls, winding jungle-like pathways, and a breathtaking illuminated evening light display.

Situated directly above the Chine, the Old Village is renowned for its charming, centuries-old thatched cottages, welcoming tearooms, and independent craft boutiques.

Visitors might also explore Shanklin theatre, a lively year-round entertainment venue hosting over 150 performances annually, encompassing comedy and music through to drama and pantomimes.

Digital travel influencer Reiko, posting as @heyreiko on Instagram, recently used her platform to champion the town to her 39,100 followers.

She posted footage of the breathtaking town, writing: “Why does no one talk about this fairytale town tucked away on the Isle of Wight?

“Shanklin… or as it feels when you’re here, somewhere between a dream and a postcard you swear you’ve stepped inside.”

She continued: “If you ever needed a sign to disappear for a while and find a little pocket of peace that feels unreal… this is it.”

Followers were loving the post, with it accumulating more than 4,900 likes.

One commenter described it as “so beautiful”, while another declared: “What a cool spot.”

A third who had visited previously added: “Stayed there while at the Isle of Wight festival – such a lovely little place and the beach is lush.”

Two more airports could ditch the need for Brits to register their biometric details when entering the Schengen area in the hope of avoiding ‘disaster’ this summer

The EU’s new travel rules have caused growing concerns for the peak travel season, prompting a number of destinations to look at options to waive them for holidaymakers.

The European Union’s (EU) Entry/Exit System (EES) was fully rolled out on 10 April 2026, requiring all Brits heading to the Schengen area to “create a digital record” and register their biometric details, including fingerprints and a photograph. While it’s been successful in many countries, it continues to cause significant travel disruption at European airports.

There have been reports of Brits being asked to submit their biometric information again, despite having already provided it on their first visit to the Schengen zone. Holidaymakers have also been stuck in gruelling queues lasting up to four hours as they attempt to navigate the digital border system, with missed flights and ruined holiday plans.

In an attempt to ease the travel chaos, particularly during peak travel times, Greece opted to waive the EU requirement for Brits to provide fingerprints and facial scans at airport border controls earlier this year. In an official statement, the Greek Embassy confirmed: “In the framework of the implementation of the Entry/Exit System, as of 10 April 2026, British passport holders are exempt from biometric registration at Greek border crossing points.”

Now, it appears that Rome Fiumicino Airport and Rome Ciampino Airport could join Greece in waiving the EU requirements in a bid to avoid “disaster” during the peak summer travel months.

Aeroporti di Roma Chief Executive Officer Marco Troncone told the Financial Times, “We are very worried for the summer”, and said his concerns were an “eight or nine” out of 10. He added: “The process proves to be incompatible with the peak volumes that we are going to face. So the only way is to open up the valve. There is no way that we can deliver 100% of the enrolment.”

While Rome is yet to make such a change, Greece remains the only country to have officially eased the EU requirements for British travellers. However, an EU official has indicated that European airports could relax EES requirements until September this year.

Uku Särekanno, Deputy Executive Director of Frontex, which helps to manage the external borders of the EU, said earlier this month: “We have until the end of the summer, the possibility during the tourism season to lift the biometric controls or the biometric registration temporarily.

“If there is a peak hour, you see that there are hundreds of people queuing, their queues are getting too long, then member states still have the possibility to lift biometric registration. The EU has considered, for the period of summer, to make sure that there is still some relief for the worst-case scenario.”

The new digital border system is required for the initial arrival at the airport border within the Schengen zone and has replaced the traditional manual passport-stamping process. Once the initial registration is complete, the EES remains valid for three years.

Countries in the Schengen area include: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. Meanwhile, the EES system is not needed for travel to the Republic of Ireland and Cyprus, as neither falls within the Schengen area.

The Foreign Office confirmed the EES change for Greece on its travel advice page. It read: “Greek authorities have indicated that they will not collect biometric data (fingerprints and photos) for UK travellers as part of EES. Follow the advice of authorities on the ground. If you are resident in Greece, make sure to show your residence documentation at passport control to ensure you are not registered in EES.”

Some of the major mainland airports in Greece include: the International Airport of Athens, Thessaloniki International Airport, Kalamata International Airport and Aktion National Airport. Meanwhile, those on the islands include Corfu International Airport, Kefalonia International Airport and Zakynthos International Airport.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

Families heading abroad for the summer have been warned

With countless families anxiously awaiting their summer break at the beach, the holidays could end in tragedy for some if they don’t heed some advice. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel guidance for Spain, urging parents to put their children’s safety first particularly in swimming pools and beaches at the popular holiday destination this summer.

In the update on June 26, the Foreign Office issued specific advise for each swimming location and highlighted a sad but startling truth parents should keep in mind even while trying to relax on holiday: “Every year, people drown in the sea and in swimming pools in Spain.”

According to the Royal Life Saving Society UK, an average of 82 UK citizens drown each year while they are abroad.

Swimming pools

The Foreign Office advised parents to always keep an eye on their children, regardless of their age, while they are in or near swimming pools. For small children, the office urged parents to keep them no further than arms-reach away even if they are able to swim or there is a lifeguard nearby.

Beaches

The Foreign Office advised: “Take care when swimming in the sea. Always supervise children and keep small children within arms-reach. Some beaches, especially around Spanish islands, may have strong undercurrents.”

In the ocean, there are a few more concerns that both everyday beachgoers and parents may need to keep in mind when swimming to avoid serious injuries. This includes hidden rocks, shallow depths, strong undertows and waves coming into shore further and quicker than expected.

The warning continued: “Many beaches have a flag system. Make sure you understand the system and follow any warnings (a red flag means you must not enter the water). Take extra care and get local knowledge if there are no lifeguards, flags or signs.”

It also recommends people heading for pools or beaches in Spain this year check out ABTA’s swim safe pages and Water Safety on Holiday from the Royal Life Saving Society UK.

The Royal Life Saving Society UK recommends a few simple steps to avoid having an emergency in the water. Including keeping children within arms-reach as it notes: “86% of child drownings occur in the absence of adult supervision.”

Before you head into the water, the experts recommend:

• Review local safety notices and learn what the signs and flags mean
• Look out for potential hazards in your surroundings and warn the rest of your group
• Wear brightly coloured swimwear so you can be seen underwater
• Never use inflatables in open water as it can easily be blown out to sea
• Take extra care when intoxicated around water and never enter the water whilst under the influence

The FCDO provides travel advice for more than 220 countries and territories across the globe, covering everything from entry requirements and safety risks to health precautions and local regulations.

School’s (almost) out … and with a long summer stretching ahead, we want you to share fun activities that will help others fill the family diary. We’d love to hear about your favourite summer days out and adventures in the UK. Perhaps it’s a trip to an outdoor sculpture park or gallery, a great picnic spot by a river, a small theme park or coastal hike to a quiet cove.

The best tip of the week, chosen by Tom Hall of Lonely Planet wins a £200 voucher to stay at a Coolstays property – the company has more than 3,000 worldwide. The best tips will appear in the Guardian Travel section and website.

Keep your tip to about 100 words

If you have a relevant photo, do send it in – but it’s your words we will be judging for the competition.

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A POPULAR Victorian-era attraction used to spy on tourists will stay closed for weeks while essential maintenance work is carried out.

The “hidden gem” is a beloved tourist spot that offers 360 degree views of the area.

The Great Union Camera Obscura will stay temporarily closed for several more weeks while a number of repairs are carried out.

The tourist attraction, located on the Isle of Man, first shut down on June 14, with a notice posted online by volunteers.

The notice read: “Please note that the Camera Obscura is currently closed while essential work is being carried out.

“The closure may last for several weeks, but we’ll keep you updated and let everyone know as soon as we’re able to reopen.”

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Now, it has been revealed that the site will need to remain closed for longer as the latest condition survey unearthed a series of repairs that would need to be carried out.

Department of Education, Sport and Culture Minister Daphne Caine confirmed the repairs when responding to a written question about the work.

She said: “Since the last condition survey, issues have been found that require further repairs and maintenance, and the Department of Infrastructure is currently engaging with a contractor to address these issues.

“At the present time, these include the removal and replacement of wooden joists and decking, and the removal and replacement of corroded steelwork, fastenings and bolts located underneath the decking.”

The latest condition survey occurred in March 2025, and also identified areas of the sailcloth roof edging that had begun to fail and nails used to fix timber panels that were showing signs of decay.

According to Mrs Caine, the Camera Obscura underwent extensive repairs in 2017-18.

The Great Union Camera Obscura was first built in 1892, offering visitors a 360 degree view of the surrounding area, including the Douglas harbour and lighthouse.

According to the Isle of Man tourist website, the optical effect of the camera works through a series of mirrors and lenses located around the roof line above a darkened room with views of the surrounding area then projected onto a circular table.

The “unique” Camera Obscura boasts eleven lenses to create its views, whereas most only have one.

The “hidden gem” tourist attraction offers visitors a look into how Victorians first saw moving pictures and according to reviews is “well worth visiting to see how things were”.

Visitors have praised the “knowledgeable volunteers” at the attraction and the “stunning” views.

“You have to go to understand it,” wrote one visitor. “Like watching an old movie with movement.”

“People watching at its best,” read another.

Travel expert Simon Calder has explained the rights of British Airways and easyJet passengers after numerous flights were cancelled

Travel expert Simon Calder has issued a stark warning to British Airways (BA) and easyJet passengers, telling them they ‘will not be getting any cash’ after thousands found their flights axed over the weekend. Hundreds of services were thrown into chaos following a bout of thunderstorms, with Heathrow and Gatwick bearing the brunt of the disruption.

On Saturday alone, more than 900 inbound and outbound flights were delayed — some by as much as 11 hours — with dozens cancelled outright. South-East England and North-West Europe were among the worst-hit regions.

Travel expert Mr Calder said the chaos had left approximately 40,000 passengers ‘stranded’. He broke down exactly what passengers are entitled to when flights are delayed or cancelled, and precisely what obligations airlines have towards them, reports the Express.

What are your rights?

Mr Calder said: “It has been a miserable Saturday for 30,000 or more passengers on British Airways to and from London Heathrow and EasyJet in and out of Gatwick. The reason? Thunderstorms in the London area have caused air traffic control restrictions, and as those airports are operating at full stretch, especially on Saturdays in summer, unfortunately there’s no slack in the system, and the biggest airlines at those airports have no option but to cancel flights.”

“BA’s cancelled around 100, including an Airbus superjumbo going to and from Los Angeles. EasyJet has cancelled 82, including some really long ones to Hurghada in Egypt and also Antalya in Turkey.

“Under air passenger rights rules, the airline must get you to your destination as soon as possible, including booking a flight on another airline if necessary. Meanwhile, they have to provide you with hotel accommodation and meals as necessary until they can get you where you need to be. You will not, though, be getting any cash compensation. Good luck, everybody.”

What happened?

Mr Calder continued: “200+ flights cancelled today on British Airways to/from Heathrow and on easyJet to/from Gatwick, with 35,000 passengers stranded.

“Under air passengers’ rights rules, they are entitled to be flown to their destination as soon as possible on any airline, plus meals/hotels as appropriate.

“Dozens more flights cancelled on Sunday to and from Heathrow and Gatwick airports by British Airways and easyJet due to poor weather”.

“(It) follows more than 200 grounded flights on Saturday (and) brings the number of passengers whose flights have been cancelled this weekend to around 40,000.”

In an updated statement on Saturday afternoon, NATS said: “Severe thunderstorms across the south east of England and Europe continue to impact flights, and this is expected to continue for the remainder of today and overnight.

“To ensure the safety of the travelling public, aircraft need to avoid affected areas and be spaced further apart, which limits the number of flights that can operate safely.

“We understand disruption is frustrating, but we’re working closely with airlines and airports to reduce disruption as much as possible.

“Passengers should continue to contact their airline for the latest information on their flight.”

The consumer experts shared a money-saving hack for holidaymakers this summer

MoneySavingExpert (MSE) has issued an alert for holidaymakers who still need to book their hotel or rental car. The consumer advice website, founded by journalist and broadcaster Martin Lewis, regularly shares tips for Brits.

In a recent social media post, the experts shared advice for people making travel bookings. Posting on X, MSE advised consumers to choose bookings that offer free cancellation if possible. The experts explained that travellers can use this tactic to get the best deal on their booking, as they can simply cancel and rebook if prices go down.

MSE wrote: “Top travel tip: Try to book a hotel or car hire with free cancellation. Why? Because if the price drops, you can simply cancel and rebook at this cheaper rate!” The post asked social media user to share their experiences in the comments.

The post asked: “Have you ever done this successfully? How much did you save?” In response, several MSE fans shared their own success stories.

For example, a commenter named Kathryn replied: “I’ve done this with a hotel. Got a much better grade room and saved about £50 on the price the original room would have cost! I usually try to do this now. I book the new room first though before cancelling the existing one… Just in case!”

Another social media user said: “I’ve done this for a hotel booking. Made a great saving on original booking price but found my room was at the furthest point away from the reception / dining areas. A good trade off in that situation.”

Someone else said they managed to find their £160 car hire reduced to just £80 using a similar tactic when they visited Portugal last year. Similarly, a commenter with another car story said they had booked their rental car three times, starting with an initial price of almost £300 and getting it down to £121, despite using the same rental company to book the same car.

They explained: “Pre-Christmas price over £300. 1st booking March £285. 2nd booking £185 early May. 3rd time mid-May £121.” Praising the method, the social media user added: “Refunded each time within four days. Result!”

Sharing another success story, a holidaymaker claimed to save £400 on a trip to New York. The comment read: “£400 saved on a trip to NYC. Free cancellation costs more but the flexibility makes it worth it.”

Airlines have different rules to cope with the new sports gear

A woman was left ‘in tears’ when her ‘lucky’ padel racket was confiscated before her flight home due to one simple error. Henrietta Jones-Chapman brought the racket ‘worth more than £100’ to Bali so she could play the sport during a work trip.

But the 27-year-old says that before her flight home, security staff at Bali Denpasar Airport, Indonesia, confiscated the orange racket. ‘Heartbroken’ Henrietta says she was left in tears and could only think workers were worried she’d start ‘hitting someone round the head’ with it’.

She filmed a TikTok video moments after the incident and captioned it ‘don’t bring your padel racket in your hand luggage coming home from Bali’. The clip, which now has more than 230,000 views, includes footage of Henrietta admitting ‘I’m actually crying, it’s so pathetic’.

She explains she brought the racket into the country in the same handbag so is confused why it’s been taken from her. Henrietta says she had to ‘kick up a fuss’ to convince staff to put the racket in the hold for free so she could keep it.

In Indonesian law padel rackets are not allowed in the cabin because they are classified as ‘dangerous devices’ so she should have checked it into the hold. UK Government guidelines allow tennis rackets to be taken as hand luggage but prohibit ‘heavy bats and sticks’ including ‘baseball, softball and cricket bats’.

The list doesn’t appear to contain a rule on padel rackets, which take a tennis shape but are stringless and more solid. However passengers should check with specific airlines regarding equipment restrictions as some allow them on board and others don’t.

Padel is booming in the UK, with an estimated 1,000,000 people now playing the sport. Player participation has surged by over 2,500% making it the fastest growing sport in the country.

Henrietta, from Harlow, Essex, said: “I was heartbroken. I know it’s a bit dramatic but it’s an item that was important to me. I was gutted. It was not just your average racket, it was more than £100 and personalised by my brother so it was sentimental.

“I took it there [Bali] and it was fine to take there so it was still in my hand luggage on the way out like normal and I had no issues at all. It was in my handbag and I didn’t even take it out at security or put it in the tray, I just left it in the bag.

“Then a lady came over with a sign with a padel racket saying it’s a new law that they’re not allowed to bring it in your hand luggage essentially. The lady said ‘no you can’t bring it through’ and I cried. I don’t know if it was because I was leaving Bali as well. I was panicked.

“She took it off me but she was apologetic because she could see I was crying. It was my lucky racket. I don’t see what the danger is unless I start hitting someone round the head with it on the plane but that could be anything, your laptop.

“Because I wasn’t expecting this I was kicking off a bit of a fuss and getting upset and saying ‘I think there should’ve been a warning before we got to that point’. If I hadn’t kicked off it would’ve just been in the bin and gone. I was really relieved.”

Airlines have their own rules on sports rackets such as Ryanair who prohibit them as ‘blunt instruments capable of causing serious injury’. However, British Airways allows passengers to pack padel rackets as long as they’re in a slim protective case.

Henrietta, who had been working in Bali as a girls-only holiday host, says staff told her about the Indonesian law surrounding rackets being banned from hand luggage. They reportedly added that in future they wouldn’t let her go back to check the racket into the hold.

She’s now warning holidaymakers the should always put their rackets in hold luggage to avoid making the same mistake she did. Henrietta said: “Make sure rackets are in your check-in bag if you’re traveling to Bali. Maybe if you’re worried about it getting broken get a proper case or padel bag.

“Make sure it’s checked in with all your rest of your stuff and not have it in your hand luggage because if I was any later my bag might’ve already gone through. There could’ve been extra costs but I was lucky they didn’t charge me but there would’ve been going forwards.

“Now you know it’s one of those things you can easily do. At least now people know it can be safely kept in the hold. I do think there’ll be a lot of people that travel back from Bali with their racket because it’s cheaper to get one over there and it’s played a lot.”

Bali Denpasar Airport has been contacted for comment.

Visit Medellín, and everyone will tell you to try one dish: bandeja paisa.

Translated as a “countryside tray,” you’ll find the loaded meat platter at any restaurant in Colombia’s second-largest city. The spread is loaded with savory red beans; white rice; ground beef or grilled steak; a long, curved strip of crispy chicharrón; chorizo; morcilla (blood sausage); a fried egg; golden lobes of sweet plantain; a mini arepa; and a slice of avocado.

Though its origins lie in the mountainous, coffee-growing region of Antioquia, known as the home of the paisas (derived from the Spanish word for countryman), the dish is widely celebrated and eaten across the country. It’s a hearty lunch meal meant for one person, a combination of flavors and textures that transport you straight to Medellín, known for its rich coffee landscape, blooming flowers and eternal spring weather.

“The bandeja paisa is the seal of the Colombians,” said Gloria Hernandez, owner of Nene’s Colombian Food in Lawndale.

The dish is believed to have started as a filling, nourishing meal for campesinos (field workers), providing strength to get through a day working in the fields. “There’s a gathering of various dishes to make a bandeja paisa,” said Cesar Gutierrez, owner of Arepa’s Colombianas in Redondo Beach.

Over 40,000 Colombians live in L.A., according to the Los Angeles Almanac. Three-thousand miles from home, the city is host to several Colombian restaurants, food trucks and even a rooftop night market in downtown L.A.

From a longstanding restaurant in Larchmont to a favorite for modern Colombian cuisine in Long Beach, here are seven places where you can devour a bandeja paisa.

As holiday prices go up, it’s always helpful to take on any advice you can to make it that little bit cheaper and as it turns out, that includes which day of the week you fly

Ahead of your last-minute summer trips or 2027 getaways, it’s best to be smart about your bookings, and a travel expert is here to tell you exactly why.

Flights are one of the most expensive aspects of any holiday, especially if you’re traveling further afield. If you’re not following these simple steps, you could be doing it all wrong.

To help holidaymakers navigate their bookings abroad with confidence, travel expert and head of aviation at Loveholidays, Gavin Brewer, has shared his expert advice for a stress-free getaway.

With three decades of experience in the aviation industry, he offers practical advice on securing cheap, last-minute deals and ensuring your trip is protected.

Something many people overlook when booking a holiday is the day they fly. While they often make sure to consider key dates, outside of school holidays for cheaper packages or outside of peak summer times altogether, they don’t stop to think about the difference flying on a Monday could have to flying on a Sunday, for example.

As it turns out, that difference could be quite a lot, especially if you’re booking for a family, where all those saved pounds soon add up.

Gavin suggests being super strategic with your departure date to ensure you’re saving money and getting the best flights for the best price. He explains that the start of the week is always the cheapest to depart, according to recent analysis of flights, meaning Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays are the best days to begin your holiday.

“If you’re on a budget, be flexible with your departure date and look at holidays departing on either a Sunday, Monday or Tuesday. Our research shows you could save up to £24 per person on the flight element of your package holiday, and every little bit helps,” he said.

To ensure you have the safest, stress-free holiday, the expert advises booking your travel insurance at the same moment in time you book your holiday and avoiding putting it off. This means it protects you from the moment the trip is secured, making it “one of the smartest moves you can make”.

Getting to grips with your cover is just as important as picking your destination, because when the unexpected happens, the right policy can be the difference between spending big bucks and flying away without a care in the world.

If you want a little extra protection, package holidays are ideal. In the UK you get built-in protections you don’t get when booking separately. In the event of any disruption ahead of your travels, such as a cancelled flight with no suitable alternative, as a traveller you are fully protected, thanks to a set of consumer laws called the Package Travel Regulations. As a result of this, you are entitled to a full refund on your package holiday.

A UK travel company has entered administration with future trips cancelled.

Groupia Ltd, which used to create group-based trips within the UK and Europe including hen and stag dos, weekend adventures, spa days and ski trips, has shut down.

More than 750,000 people have travelled with the company since it opened in 2002, with destinations including Prague and Barcelona.

The company also traded under other names including Groupia Golf, GoHen, StagWeb, Groupia School Trips and Company Away Days.

According to the company’s website, Groupia Ltd entered administration on June 16.

The website states: “Nigel Fox and Christopher Marsden of S&W Partners LLP appointed as Joint Administrators.

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“The Company has now ceased taking new bookings, and arrangements are in place with ABTOT (a UK government-approved travel protection scheme) to support customers with existing bookings.”

For anyone who had an upcoming event or holiday on or before August 31, “ABTOT have arrangements in place”with events “expected to go ahead as planned”.

Travellers can use the company’s existing VIP booking system to manage their bookings.

On the other hand, if you had something booked from September 1 onwards, the website states: “Your event will unfortunately be cancelled and is subject to a refund claim.” 

You can claim back in different ways – either by requesting a credit card refund or a debit card back-charge, with different letters for each available on the company’s website for customers can send to their banks.

There is also an option for anyone who paid a different way to either credit or debit cards.

The website also warns that refunds might take up to six weeks.

There’s more than meets the eye with this picture-perfect market town, jam packed with independent shops and an idyllic river meandering through, as rowing boats pass by

Away from the hustle and bustle of London life, just a little further down the Thames, is a much quieter tow where people are flocking for an escape into independent shops and riverside walks.

With a real sense of vibrancy about it, this Buckinghamshire town is being put on the map as it continues to evolve into a cool and quirky hotspot for the capital’s commuters. Not just that, but for people wanting a day trip that feels a lot more wholesome and doesn’t cost quite as much.

Marlow is one to watch, especially for those looking to relocate out of the city. Its location along the River Thames makes for a peaceful spot, which could compare to the likes of Richmond or Cambridge, where people can hire both rowing boats and self-driving boats to explore the town from the water.

What makes it most recognisable to passers-by or those travelling through is its eye-catching suspension bridge which spans the River Thames, joining Buckinghamshire with Berkshire. It first opened in 1832 and has been somewhat of a landmark for the area ever since, as a distinctive feature that helped the town to grow as an inland port.

High Street

The charming town is made up of historic streets with listed buildings and an abundance of independent boutiques, cafes and bistros, adding to the atmosphere of the place. But above all, it’s Marlow’s High Street that has received the most considerable amount of attention. Recently, when it was dubbed the best in the UK.

Estate agent Knight Frank named the UK’s best high streets after the property experts took a look at some of the streets that offer the most charm, and this was their favourite. Their focus was on the areas that home buyers were flocking to, and Marlow came out as a seriously desirable spot that they described as both “charming and lively”.

Matt Davies, partner at Knight Frank, said: “We tend to see a slightly younger buyer base in Marlow, driven in large part by its outstanding educational institutions, including grammar schools such as Sir William Borlase’s.”

There’s an endless amount of unique little shops selling clothing, gifts, homeware, stationery and more. Some of the standout stalls include the gift shop Twenty Three Living, The Marlow Bookshop, URU Home and Saddle Safari, all joined by an array of local pubs, cafes, galleries and salons.

Marlow has also made a name for itself in the realm of food, with high-end chefs operating out of the area and it being home to Michelin-star cuisine. Celeb chef Tom Kerridge runs a pub in the heart of the town named The Hand of Flowers, a short walk off of the high street, which stands as the only UK pub to hold an impressive two Michelin stars.

A customer described their experience at the highly acclaimed pub on TripAdvisor. They said: “Service was excellent from the minute we arrived, and the atmosphere in the restaurant was great. We’d highly recommend!”

And of course, like any higher-end high street, it’s home to The Ivy and other high street chains such as Zizi, as well as having smaller bistros and traditional pubs to choose from.

Holidaymakers have been advised to carry out amateur detective work to ensure they do not book into fake accommodation this summer, as research showed a third of travellers had seen an increase in potential travel scams on social media.

Consumer experts have urged holidaymakers to do a reverse image search on photographs of holiday homes and check their locations on an online map to verify they are real.

People may be booking in a hurry this year as many have left it later than usual because of uncertainty around the impact of the Iran war, increasing the risk of falling victim to an online or telephone scam.

Some of those caught up in flight cancellations and delays at the start of the Iran war have already been victims of scams.

As well as fake holiday accommodation or flights, people may also be offered tours that do not exist, while scammers sometimes copy photographs from legitimate websites and often ask for bank transfers.

George Ralchev, head of risk at payment service provider emerchantpay, which commissioned the research, said holidaymakers were being targeted by social media scammers “looking to take advantage of the peak travel season”.

Seven in 10 people said they were wary of promotional emails related to holidays because of potential scams, according to the survey carried out by Opinium in May among 2,000 people in the UK.

Two-fifths of holidaymakers said they changed their behaviour while on holiday because of financial safety concerns.

Half now prefer to book holidays with online or high street travel businesses if they clearly explain how they are protecting consumers from fraud.

One woman scammed out of £6,500 while trying to book a Greek holiday villa previously told the Guardian that she had begged her bank to halt the money transfer, only to be told by staff that there was nothing they could do.

To help avoid scams, people could do research to check that a destination actually exists, look for independent reviews and check website links, emerchantpay said.

Holidaymakers may also want to check whether the company involved is a member of Abta, a trade association for UK travel agents, tour operators and the wider travel industry.

People booking package deals with a flight could also check if they are covered under the Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing (Atol) financial protection scheme.

Lisa Webb, consumer law expert at the consumer group Which?, said the findings were “sadly unsurprising” and reflected its own research that social media firms were “failing to take meaningful action to tackle the flood of scams on their platforms”.

Webb said: “The onus should not fall on consumers, but there are ways to help you spot fake holiday listings – such as using a reverse image search to check for stolen images or checking the property’s location on an online map to see that it exists.”

She advised travellers to book through trusted channels and avoid paying by bank transfer for anything advertised on social media. Anyone who thinks they have lost money to a holiday booking scam should contact their bank immediately and report it to Report Fraud or Police Scotland.

According to separate research from Which? undertaken in the summer of 2024 and spring 2025 on Booking.com reviews, hundreds of people complained that they had paid for accommodation that did not exist. Booking.com provided a detailed response at the time and said cybersecurity was a top priority. Expedia customers were also targeted in 2024.

Halfway across the first glacial depression, I leave the footpath to stand on a snow patch, disturbing a spider that runs off across the frozen crystals. A few yards farther along, the mountainside is awash with colour: tiny Alpine flowers alive with bees and crickets in a world surrounded by jagged peaks. A pair of chamois watch from a crag, then clatter off up an almost vertical face. Having stopped walking, I’m cooling down fast and put on a jacket. I am in Spain, I tell myself, during a European heatwave.

When I tear myself away from the wildlife, my hiking group are distant dots on a path that is snaking up a wall of rock. This is the Picos de Europa mountain range in northern Spain, a cluster of peaks rising to more than 2,500m and famed for the steepness of its slopes. I set off in pursuit, catching up with the group as they scramble over a ridge to find an unexpected view: a gun turret from a second world war aircraft carrier that is now a mountain refuge hut. (Cabin Verónica was cut from the USS Pulau in 1961 at a Bilbao breakers’ yard and dragged up here by mule.)

The custodian, Jorge, took it on as a project eight years ago and has since made it his summer home, adding solar power and water tanks to the gleaming aluminium dome. “I love it,” he says, grinning while he makes coffee in the tiny kitchen. “Why would I need cities and crowds when I have this?” The panoramas are spectacular. Far below, down the valley, a bearded vulture is soaring, one of a small number successfully reintroduced in 2005. The hut sleeps a maximum of six, too small for our group, but it’s popular with climbers and solo walkers.

This trip seems determined to throw up contradictions and improbabilities. For a start, on the Portsmouth to Bilbao ferry, I was alone on deck at 5am, surrounded by a cold fog so dense that I couldn’t see the waves below the rail. We were motionless, it seemed, in the outer reaches of the cosmos. As I stared down, the intergalactic mist lifted a fraction and three dolphins burst from the swell, reminding me that I was on planet Earth and not a spaceship. This ferry route, and its sister route to Santander, crosses an oceanic canyon 4,000m deep and cetacean sightings are common. The on-board expert, André, tells me he has seen orcas and several whale species, including the rare Cuvier’s beaked whale.

The Picos mountains that stand to the west of Bilbao have always had a reputation for the unexpected. In Spanish history, they were a centre for resistance to Roman rule and later the Moors. They have flowers and butterflies not found elsewhere; the chamois is a unique subspecies, and there are bears and wolves too. Beneath the soaring peaks lies another surprise: an underworld network of rivers and giant caverns almost a mile deep.

Our hike across the range started to the north, walking first up to the mountain hut Vegarredonda at 1,410m. There’s a sprinkling of these huts across the Picos, most off-grid and supplied by mule. Expect good conversation, generous food portions and a plastic-covered mattress in what some might call “a snoremitory”. I am saved by the generosity of Arten, one of our group, who hands me silica gel earplugs. They work well, and in the morning I wake to find everybody already gone to breakfast.

Food is a major element of the Picos experience. That morning we hike to a few stone cabins by a lake, Ercina, and come across a handwritten sign advertising homemade cheese. Bruno and Cristina, our guides, get very excited. In a little stone-walled workshop, an old lady is sitting on a rustic milking stool, dressed in a nylon housecoat, waiting for customers.

“My grandfather built this cabin in 1944 when I was three years old,” says Maria. “Everyone would come up here for summer, bringing their animals with them. Now there’s only me.”

Hung on the walls are her ancestors’ drinking horns and wooden platters; on the shelves are wheels of cheese. The Picos technique is to blend milk from sheep, cows and goats. The results are delicious. “I feared this tradition might die,” Maria says. “But my son is interested, so there is hope it will continue.”

Leaving Maria, and still eating the cheese, we turn up a side valley and ascend steadily, passing boulders that harbour tiny gardens of saxifrage and stonecrop in their hollows. A wallcreeper flits away, one of the rarer birds that live here. Chamois pose on distant ridges, never far from the snow patches. Their world is shrinking, however, as Spain’s heatwaves encroach higher and higher. (I was glad to have travelled by ferry; as a foot passenger I produced less than 10% as much CO₂ as flying, according to the Direct Ferries carbon calculator.)

The night is spent in the Refugio Vega de Ario, a hut with the best cooking, and also hosting the Oxford University caving team. After more than 60 years of exploration and several generations of speleologists mapping some of the most extensive cave systems in the world, they tell me they are on the brink of connecting two huge cave networks. I promise to come back and see it – when the stairs are installed.

The next day, we cross one of the few places where you will see a car in the Picos, the village of Poncebos, which is on a fine gorge walk alongside the Rio Cares. From there, we ascend again through flower-strewn meadows and abandoned farmhouses into the clouds. Then, with perfect dramatic timing, the mists part to reveal the climactic wonder of these mountains: the Picu Urriellu, a soaring 2,529m pinnacle of rock under which is one of Europe’s most spectacular mountain huts, the Vega de Urriellu.

This is one of the most popular huts and sleeps 96, with many more camped nearby, but the place remains friendly and sociable. We stand outside with Bruno and Cristina as they point out their favourite climbing routes. Around us are small huddles of climbing groups discussing their plans. The south face is popular with guided groups; the west is a 750m monster.

The glacial depressions, with their spiders and flowers, lie ahead, but this is where I would choose to linger. You would not catch me down a cave, but I’m tempted by what Bruno describes as excellent climbing routes. As the sun goes down, the rock turns orange, giving Urriellu its Spanish name, Naranjo de Bulnes – the Bulnes orange.

Dusk falls, and I stroll up a mountain track for more panoramas, but find the world below the hut all smothered in cloud. I perch on a boulder and, after some time, become aware that I am being watched. A chamois is standing poised on a ledge above, its delicate curving horns silhouetted against the twilight like twin question marks. I watch the last orange glow fade on Urriellu’s summit, then glance back to that ledge, but the chamois has gone.

The trip was provided by KE Adventure Travel; the eight-day traverse of the Picos starts at £1,295, including all meals, accommodation and guides. Brittany Ferries sails up to twice weekly from Portsmouth to Bilbao and Santander, and from Plymouth to Santander, from £128 for foot passengers in August

The airport confirmed that it was notified of a bomb threat on a plane and it has been evacuated as emergency services are carrying out investigations

An Australian airport has been evacuated due to a ‘bomb threat’ on board an arriving plane.

Dubbo Airport, in New South Wales, 400km from Sydney, was evacuated on Monday morning (June 29) due to the threat.

All passengers on board the plane have safely disembarked.

Emergency services are carrying out investigations into the threat.

A council statement said: “Dubbo Regional Council was notified of a bomb threat on a plane destined for Dubbo this morning.

“The plane has landed safely and all 74 passengers and crew have disembarked. Further investigations are underway by relevant emergency services.

“The Dubbo Regional Airport terminal has been evacuated and is currently closed.