Travel Desk

The package holiday provider issued advice to passengers in a social media post

Holidaymakers may need to think twice before packing a common grooming item in their hold luggage. Airline passengers have been advised that items containing lithium batteries must be packed in hand luggage, not in hold baggage. This could include electric shavers and any similar products, which passengers often pack in their toiletries bag.

Issuing the advice on social media, TUI highlighted its policy to passengers. The package holiday provider was responding to a question from one of its customers, who reached out to the airline on X.

Sharing a question for TUIUK, a passenger named Anthony Chesney asked where he should pack two items he wanted to take on his trip. The customer wrote: “Hi, I’m flying to the Dominican Republic next week and am wondering if I can put my rechargeable speaker and shaver in my hold luggage?”

Responding to Anthony’s message, the travel company revealed that both items would need to be placed in his hand luggage if they contain lithium batteries. A TUI team member said: “Hey Anthony, if they contain a lithium battery then we advise these need to be in your hand luggage but if not, then hold baggage is completely fine.”

Passengers can find more information about TUI’s luggage allowance and rules on its website. There are specific guidelines for passengers using electronic devices.

Sharing advice online, TUI told customers: “You’re allowed to carry devices like mobile phones, digital cameras or MP3 players in your hand luggage. If you’re carrying any larger electrical items – a laptop, for example – you’ll need to take them out of your hand luggage before you get to the security search point.

“This is because they’ll need extra screening. Small vehicles powered by Lithium Batteries commonly known as Hoverboard, Segway, Balance Wheel, Solowheel and Airwheel are not allowed to be carried in either carry-on baggage or checked-in baggage.”

The airline added that there are ‘new airport security measures for electronic devices’. The rules require passengers to ensure they are fully charged for airport security checks.

TUI explained: “If you’re carrying any electronic devices in your hand luggage that are capable of holding a charge, you’ll need to make sure they’re fully charged when you go through airport security.

“This is part of new security measures that have been introduced by airports in the UK and abroad. We recommend you keep things like mobile phones switched on until you board the plane, as there might be more checks at the departure gate.”

A MAJOR airline is carrying out a two-day strike from today and it will impact Brits travelling to Europe.

Pilots at Lufthansa will be striking today and tomorrow due to pension disputes, leaving hundreds of flights cancelled.

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

The cancellations started just after midnight on April 13 and are expected to continue until one minute to midnight on April 14.

Travellers can expect disruption across a number of locations.

For example, over 200 arrivals at Frankfurt Airport in Germany have been cancelled.

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A number of UK flights with Lufthansa are included in this today, such as:

• 9:25am from Glasgow to Frankfurt
• 9:30am from London Heathrow to Frankfurt
• 10:20am from Birmingham to Frankfurt
• 11:55am from Newcastle to Frankfurt
• 12:45pm from Edinburgh to Frankfurt
• 1:35pm London Heathrow to Munich
• 3:30pm from London Heathrow to Frankfurt
• 4:25pm London Heathrow to Munich
• 5:30pm from London Heathrow to Frankfurt
• 5:50pm from Edinburgh to Frankfurt
• 5:50pm London Heathrow to Munich
• 6:05pm from Manchester to Frankfurt
• 6:20pm from Birmingham to Frankfurt
• 7:10pm from London Heathrow to Munich
• 7:30pm from London Heathrow to Frankfurt
• 8:25pm from London Heathrow to Munich

Pilots are also striking at Eurowings, which is a subsidiary of Lufthansa, until 11:59pm tonight.

However, only flights operated by Eurowings Germany are impacted, and not Eurowings Europe.

If you are getting a Eurowings Germany flight, here are the cancellations so far:

• 8:30am from Manchester to Stuttgart
• 12pm from London Gatwick to Cologne
• 12:10pm from London Heathrow to Dusseldorf
• 1:40pm from Edinburgh to Cologne
• 2:45pm from London Heathrow to Dusseldorf
• 2:50pm from London Heathrow to Hamburg
• 3:20pm from Manchester to Dusseldorf
• 3:45pm from Birmingham to Dusseldorf
• 5:35pm from London Heathrow to Dusseldorf
• 7pm from London Heathrow to Berlin
• 7:15pm from Edinburgh to Dusseldorf
• 7:25pm from London Heathrow to Hamburg
• 7:55pm from Manchester to Dusseldorf
• 8pm from London Heathrow to Stuttgart
• 8:05pm from Birmingham to Dusseldorf

A number of flights are also cancelled tomorrow, meaning there will be further disruption for Brits travelling to Europe.

Union Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) called the strike following pension disputes, saying that Lufthansa had not presented an acceptable offer, according to Reuters.

The president of Union VC, Andreas Pinheiro said: “The Cockpit union feels compelled to take this step after the employer’s side showed no real willingness to reach a solution in several collective bargaining disputes.

“Despite our deliberate decision not to take strike action over the Easter holidays, no serious offers have been made.”

Lufthansa commented that the union’s announcement was a “new level of escalation” and that the union’s demands are “absurd and unachievable”.

The airline added: “Lufthansa and Eurowings are working intensively to keep the impact on passengers as low as possible.

“We are trying to have as many flights as possible operated by other airlines within the Lufthansa Group and by partner airlines.

“However, despite these efforts, flight cancellations are unavoidable.

“Travelers who are affected by an irregularity will be informed accordingly, provided their contact details are stored in the booking.

“We ask passengers to check the status of their flight before setting out on their journey.

“We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the disproportionate and very short-notice strike announcement.”

If your flight is cancelled, you will be able to rebook once free of charge or have your ticket refunded.

The airline also shared that flights operated by Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, SWISS, Air Dolomiti, Discover Airlines, Edelweiss and Lufthansa City Airlines will not be impacted by the strike.

Flights to the Middle East – such as to Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates – have also been excluded from the strike action, due to the Iran conflict.

In other flight news, another major airline has axed hundreds of flights until summer due to ongoing fuel crisis.

Plus, easyJet passengers have been ‘left vomiting’ in new border control queues as flight to UK takes off with 100 people left behind.

In 2019, the Bob Baker Marionette Theater needed a lifeline. Forced out of its edge-of-downtown home of more than 55 years, the beloved troupe with its thousands of handcrafted puppets — a saucy black cat in heels, a fish out of water that can’t help but wiggle — ultimately found a new location in a Highland Park theater.

Signing a 10-year lease was a sigh of relief for the company, the result of a lengthy search that included more than 80 spaces and ensured its playful, fanciful shows would continue to be a multigenerational, SoCal tradition. But yearly rises in rent, as well as the looming end of the contract, remained a cause of stress for the nonprofit.

The Bob Baker Marionette Theater can exhale once again.

The saucy black cat puppet in a performance at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater.

(Chloe Rice / Bob Baker Marionette Theater)

The theater’s executive team said it has entered into an agreement to purchase its current location at the corner of York Boulevard and North Avenue 50, which had former incarnations as a movie theater and a Korean church. Once completed, the $5 million acquisition will ensure the theater has a permanent home, a place where skateboarding clowns and leek-haired onions can continue to frolic and dance for decades to come.

“This is monumental for us,” says Alex Evans, the theater’s co-executive director. “It’s been decades of us struggling to survive. Now we’re at this moment where it’s not a struggle. It’s a blossoming moment where our future is set up forever.”

Bob Baker’s Highland Park home was originally built as the York Theater in 1925, hosting movies and vaudeville performances during that era. It most recently housed the Pyong Kang First Congregational Church. Over the years it has also been a barbershop and the site of an organ sales and repair store.

The purchase comes at a celebratory time for the troupe. While its annual Bob Baker Day Festival at the Los Angeles State Historic Park had to be postponed from April 12 to the fall due to a forecast of rain — the historic and fragile puppets cannot be exposed to water — the company still took its show on the road to the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival. Its adults-only May fundraising event the Puppet Prom, which typically raises more than $30,000, is nearly sold out, and the theater, which also hosts film screenings and concerts (with puppets, of course), continues to pack in full audiences — partly due to its location in a walkable neighborhood with young families.

And in the coming weeks the theater will launch its first new show in 40 years, “Choo Choo Revue.”

“Now is the time,” says Evans, who notes that while they have built new puppets and tweaked existing shows, this is the first proper new production since 1981’s “Hooray LA!” “We have the staff to implement it. We have a sustainable business to be able to pull off what is going to be close to a half-million-dollar production to mount a new show.”

In going public with its intent to secure the York Boulevard theater, the company is initiating a new round of fundraising. Bob Baker over the last year has raised $4.5 million of the $5 million purchase price. It is seeking $500,000 to close the gap as well as an additional $2 million for what it describes as critical renovations, such as repairing the building’s roof and restrooms.

Some of the eccentric canines puppets.

(Chloe Rice / Bob Baker Marionette Theater)

Mary Fagot, Bob Baker’s co-executive director, says the theater has in place a $500,000 loan to ensure the deal closes. Yet Bob Baker does not want to to begin its new era with debt.

“We think it’s an achievable gap,” Fagot says, pointing to community fundraising the theater had to enact to stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the days of the shutdown, for instance, the company was able to raise $365,000 in 365 days.

Rising rent, say the co-executive directors, was a key driving factor in the decision to approach the building’s ownership to purchase the space. This year, Bob Baker will pay close to half a million in rent, an amount, says Evans, that is double the theater’s budget when it was in its prior space near downtown L.A. That, coupled with the lease’s impending expiration in a couple of years, acted as a sort of deadline to craft a proposal that could appeal to its building owners.

“We started to have discussions in 2023 with the owners of the building, and those evolved into this becoming a real possibility,” Fagot says. “Then we started the hard work of talking to our biggest supporters about getting behind us.”

Bob Baker, founded in 1963 by its namesake puppeteer, now attracts more than 145,000 audience members per year, including about 20,000 students via school field trips. Funding for the building purchase was secured, in part, by gifts from the Perenchio Foundation, the Kohl Family Foundation, the Ahmanson Foundation, the late Wallis Annenberg, and celebrity donors such as Jack Black and Tanya Haden.

A sidewalk performance outside the Bob Baker Marionette Theater featuring ladybug puppets.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

“I’m proud to have played a small part in helping safeguard such a beloved institution that has enriched Los Angeles for decades,” says Brian Mikail of Capstone Equities, which rents the space to the troupe. The hope when signing the lease, says Mikail, was that Bob Baker could someday be set up to purchase the venue.

The agreement, says, Fagot, is a win-win for both sides.

“I think we were the ideal owners for this space,” Fagot says. “If it’s for any other purpose, it would need a giant transformation, and for us, it’s exactly what we need.”

“Choo Choo Revue” is set to open May 16 and will feature more than 100 brand new, handcrafted puppets. Look, for instance, for a conductor with a clock as a face, dancing luggage and a cicada jug band, among a host of other oddities. Expect, perhaps, a crescent moon in pajamas to be a new favorite. Or maybe audiences will instead fall for the singing mushrooms.

“The show invites audiences to go on a train ride, where the show is looking out of a train window and seeing flights of imagination,” Evans says. “It’s daydreams outside of a window. Windmills run around. It’s weird, fantastical abstractions of what’s possible. The hope is by the end of the show people are inspired to be more creative and to look at the world more beautifully.”

There’s also a clear hunger for the type of whimsical, family-friendly entertainment that the theater provides. Gross revenues topped $3.1 million in 2025, up from $699,211 in 2018, according to its most recent annual report. Fagot says the COVID pandemic only increased the demand for the “special brand of magic” that Bob Baker creates.

“People needed community,” she says. “They just need joy. They need inspiration and creativity and want to do it together, and that is what we do.”

Tourists could get caught out by tough new legislation

Holidaymakers heading to France are being warned about strict new rules that could result in on-the-spot fines of up to €500. France remains one of the most popular destinations for UK travellers, but a nationwide ban on oral nicotine products, which came into force on April 1, 2026, is expected to catch out many visitors.

A spokesman for tobacco product retailer Northerner said: “Under the new law, nicotine pouches and similar oral nicotine products are completely banned in France. Despite objections from many European countries, the ban includes the sale, import, possession, and use of oral nicotine products, meaning holidaymakers could fall foul of the law just by having pouches in their possession.

“Possible consequences include fines, which some sources suggest can be around €100–€500+ on the spot, and potentially criminal penalties. If you’re going to France, don’t pack nicotine pouches at all.

“Any products containing nicotine (synthetic or natural), packaged for sale, and designed for oral use are included within the ban. This includes non-medicinal pouches, gums, lozenges, beads, pastes, strips, and liquids. The ban does not apply to smokeless tobacco products such as chewing tobacco.”

Separate from the pouch ban, France is also tightening smoking rules. Smoking is banned in many outdoor public areas such as beaches, parks, areas near schools, outdoor sports venues, and bus stops. Fines for breaking these rules are typically around €90–€135, rising to much higher amounts if unpaid.

Markus Lindblad, Head of External Affairs from Northerner, said: “France still has an exceptionally high smoking rate, around 23% compared to about 12% in the UK. Nicotine pouches are an effective alternative to cancer-causing cigarettes, so completely banning them removes the option for French smokers.

“Absurdly, this ban doesn’t include chewing tobacco, which is known to be cancer-causing. If the French government’s goal really is to improve public health, then given the harms we know are caused by alcohol, it would actually make much more sense for them to ban champagne rather than nicotine pouches. We want to see strong regulation of nicotine pouches, not total prohibition.”

THE new EES travel system came into full effect just days ago – and it is causing travel chaos at airports in Europe.

Over the weekend, huge queues at border control meant some passengers were forced to miss their flights while others waited hours to leave the airport.

EES, which is the EU’s Entry/Exit System, became fully operational on April 10, 2026.

The new rules require all non-EU nationals to register their details like fingerprints and facial images before going abroad.

It will replace the need for stamps and is designed to make border crossings quicker.

But so far, lots of passengers have faced huge queues at border controls, some over four hours long.

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This weekend, the use of EES biometrics at three Portuguese airports; Lisbon, Porto and Faro, were actually stopped because of excessive passenger wait times.

To ease the queues, EES registration was halted on the morning of April 11 – it later restarted in the afternoon.

Public Security Police spokesperson Sérgio Soares, told press “the collection of biometrics at departures from Humberto Delgado (Lisbon), Francisco Sá Carneiro (Porto) and Gago Coutinho (Faro) Airports was interrupted from the beginning of the operation this morning.

“The interruption continues and is currently being reevaluated. This is to ensure that the waiting time is not longer than what we intend, namely so that people do not miss flights.”

However this was the case at Milan Airport in Italy.

Some passengers were left behind over the weekend as a result of the huge EES registration queues.

The BBC reported that over 100 people were left stranded when an easyJet flight to Manchester left without them.

The delays due to the new EES checks means travellers were waiting in lines over three hours long.

Some passengers left in the heat of the airport were throwing up and passing out.

One passenger told the BBC that her having to rebook her flights cost her an extra £520 as a result.

Another stranded passenger who spoke to The Independent said they had booked another flight at the cost of £1,600 – and with a connection through Luxembourg.

easyJet told The Sun: “Due to delays in EES processing by border authorities, some passengers departing from Milan Linate yesterday experienced very long waiting times at passport control.

“We held flight EJU5420 from Milan to Manchester for nearly an hour to give passengers extra time but it had to then depart due to crew reaching their safety regulated operating hours. Customers who missed the flight have been offered a free flight transfer. 

“We continue to urge border authorities to ensure they make full and effective use of the permitted flexibilities for as long as needed while EES is implemented, to avoid these unacceptable border delays for our customers.   

“While this is outside of our control, we are sorry for any inconvenience caused.”

Meanwhile, at Brussels Airport on the very first day of the EES rollout, the Airports Council International reported that in one instance there weren’t any passengers on a plane when the gate closed.

It said one flight from Brussels to the UK was missing 51 passengers at departure.

And then, “another flight had zero passengers on board at gate closing time, and 90 minutes later, 12 passengers were yet to reach the gate”.

There were concerns raised about the new travel rules prior to the full rollout, with officials asking for EES to be delayed until later in the year.

If you’re heading abroad soon, here are our seven tips for the new EES rules.

And this travel app could help you avoid massive airport queues caused by EES.

The airline has issued guidance online after a passenger shared their concerns

EasyJet Holidays has responded after passengers shared concerns online that they may miss their flights due to long queues at popular European airports. As the European Union’s (EU) new Entry/Exit System (EES) continues to roll out across the continent, passengers face long waits because it requires non-EU travellers to register biometric data, such as fingerprints and photos, on arrival, replacing passport stamps.

The new automated digital border system launched on October 12, 2025, and is expected to be fully operational in the Schengen Area by April 10, 2026. A statement on Gov.uk reads: “EES may take each passenger extra time to complete, so be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border.”

The 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. Many airports are reportedly facing long border check queues due to the new system.

The Republic of Ireland and Cyprus are not part of the Schengen area, so EES is not required when travelling to either country. Gov.uk adds: “You may also be asked to provide either your fingerprint or photo when you exit the Schengen area. The checks may take slightly longer than previously, so be prepared to wait during busy times.”

People have taken to social media to share their concerns about missing their flights due to long passport control queues, including EasyJet passengers. One woman, called Jenny, who goes by the username @MunchkinMumsie on X, posted about her worries of not getting through border control on time for her upcoming flight home.

She said: “Hi @EasyJetholidays, I’m returning home from Palma tomorrow, our coach transfer is picking us up at 12.30, our flight is at 15.40 and we are 90 minutes away from the airport. I’m worried this will not give us enough time to get through the airport with my child, will this be ok?”

A spokesperson replied: “Hello Jenny, thanks for reaching out. Our transport providers are the local experts and will use their knowledge of the destination and airport experience to calculate your transfer pick up time to ensure your journey to the airport is stress free and that you arrive with enough time to drop off your bags and clear security. Do let us know if you’d prefer to make your own way, and we’ll be happy to update our suppliers! – Alex.”

Jenny then asked: “If we catch your transfer and don’t get through in time, do you cover all our expenses and book our alternate flight home?” The spokesperson told her: “Yes – our dedicated On Holiday Support teams will be more than happy to assist with rescue flights if required – Alex.”

Jenny responded with: “Thank you, there are lots of posts on Mallorca travel forums of the children’s queue for border control at Palma being 2-3 hours long. It seems crazy you are not arranging transfers for families to get to the airport earlier.”

Updating Jenny with guidance, the spokesperson issued an alert about ‘missed flights’ and what happens. They told her: “If we are alerted to any flights being missed, we will work alongside our in destination teams to address the issue at hand. As it stands, our customers have not advised us of any major issues with flights being missed – Alex.”

In another post in the thread, the spokesperson added: “Please do let us know if you are looking to make your own way to the airport on this occasion, and we’ll be more than happy to update our suppliers. We are unable to assist with adjusting your pick-up time – Alex.”

A statement on Palma Airport’s website reads: “The EES is mainly designed to save time and improve border security. It automates passport checks, identifies travellers who overstay, and helps detect fraudulent documents. It also supports authorities in preventing and investigating terrorism and other serious crimes.”

When passengers find out they might be late to their boarding gate, they should tell their airline using their app, email, or phone. They can also ask airport staff for assistance, since some airports have electric cars or allow passengers with short connections or flights leaving soon to skip to the front of the line.

It is advised that passengers arrive at the airport early to handle any unexpected delays at security or passport control. A spokesperson for ABTA, the association of travel agents and tour operators, says: “We’re advising passengers to go straight to passport control as soon as you have gone through check-in and security; that way you get the EES checks out of the way as early as possible.

“We’re also advising passengers to follow their transport provider’s advice on when to arrive at airports/ports etc. If flying, the usual rule is to arrive at the airport for a flight from Europe at least two hours before, so we’d encourage people to apply that as a minimum, but to also check with their airline and airport.”

Ryanair has strict hand luggage rules with the free small personal bag limited to 40x30x20cm, but there are some surprising items you can bring onboard

As you prepare to board flights for your spring and summer holidays, knowing exactly how big your hand luggage should be and what you can and can’t pack can be a stressful affair – but Ryanair’s regulations allow some surprisingly unusual items.

While their free ‘small personal bag’ policy continues to leave countless travellers scratching their heads over whether their bag qualifies, the airline appears considerably more relaxed about what’s actually inside it.

Most airlines, Ryanair included, allow passengers to bring a ‘small personal bag’ on board free of charge, provided it fits beneath your seat.

If you haven’t bought the additional hand luggage option, there’s a considerable risk you’ll face a fine for carrying a bag larger than 40x30x20, making it absolutely essential that everything you pack serves a purpose.

Ryanair bans a lengthy list of items from their flights, including certain razors, some alcoholic beverages and sports equipment – however, people are astonished to discover what you are actually permitted to bring aboard.

The catalogue of items the airline allows on board encompasses many things that wouldn’t necessarily seem essential to the average traveller. Essentially, if it doesn’t appear to pose any danger, they’ll welcome even the most peculiar of items on board.

According to the Ryanair website, passengers can in fact travel with ashes on board the aircraft as a permitted item in cabin bags or as an addition to their standard allowance. However, these must be accompanied by both a death certificate and cremation certificate.

They state: “Please make sure that any ashes are very securely packaged inside a suitable container with a screw-top lid and that this is protected against breakage.”

Additionally, passengers are permitted to bring a parachute in their carry-on luggage, including paragliding wings, provided they conform to the standard size and weight restrictions.

For those wanting extra peace of mind, you can even bring your own life jacket, as long as it contains two carbon dioxide cylinders and two spares.

Confusion frequently arises regarding which electronic devices are permitted in hand luggage, and it turns out the answer is far more generous than most would expect. According to their website, Ryanair permits “up to 15 personal electronic devices” onboard.

These include smartphones, tablets, laptops, cameras, handheld gaming consoles, headphones and power banks. The caveat is that each must not exceed 100 Wh, which applies to spare lithium batteries and power banks, all of which are permitted provided they fall within this limit.

The stipulations for these electronic devices are somewhat more precise, however, with the airline specifying: “Spare lithium batteries must be individually protected to prevent short circuits by: placement in original retail packaging, or insulating terminals by taping over exposed terminals, or placing each battery in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch.”

Regarding items deemed ‘strictly prohibited’, this primarily refers to objects that could inflict harm or present a significant danger. Their catalogue includes:

• Guns, firearms and other devices that discharge projectiles — devices capable, or appearing capable, of being used to cause serious injury by discharging a projectile.
• Stunning devices — devices designed specifically to stun or immobilise
• Explosives and incendiary substances and devices

The following items Ryanair state must not be carried on board for health and safety reasons, but can be carried in your hand luggage.

• Items designed for chopping, such axes, hatchets and cleavers,
• Ice axes, ice picks and ice skates,
• Razors and razor blades (except safety or disposable razors with enclosed blades and razor heads held in plastic compartments),
• Box cutters,
• Knives with blades of more than 6cm, including lockable or flick knives, ceremonial or religious knives and hunting knives made of metal or any other material strong enough to be used as a potential weapon, craft knives and utility knives and scrapers,
• Scissors with blades of more than 6cm, as measured from the fulcrum,
• Martial arts equipment with a sharp point or sharp edge, including throwing stars,
• Swords and sabres,
• Swordsticks, meat cleavers, machetes, Scalpels, crampons, grappling irons, hooked bars of iron and plates with iron spikes used in mountaineering,
• Harpoons and spears,
• Ski poles and walking or hiking poles
• crowbars, drills and drill bits, including cordless portable power drills
• tools with a blade or a shaft of more than 6 cm capable of use as a weapon, such as screwdrivers and chisels,
• saws, including cordless portable power saws,
• blowtorches,
• bolt guns and nail guns,
• hammers, pliers, wrenches and spanners
• Baseball and softball bats,
• Clubs and batons, such as billy clubs, blackjacks and night sticks,
• Martial arts equipment (for example, knuckledusters, coshes, flails),
• Tennis rackets, squash rackets and so on,
• Cricket bats,
• Hockey sticks, hurley sticks and lacrosse sticks,
• Kayak and canoe paddles,
• Skateboards,
• Billiard, snooker and pool cues,
• Darts,
• Fishing rods.

When it comes to liquids, each container must not exceed 100 ml and must be transported in a single, see-through plastic bag measuring up to 20 cm x 20 cm.

Ryanair requires that you’re able to “completely seal the bag” and accommodate it within your hand luggage. It will probably be removed from your baggage for separate screening.

The first hurdle to overcome when searching for the Spanish capital’s top bodegas is the correct interpretation of the word “bodega”. It is defined as a warehouse, winery, wine cellar and wine shop or bar specialising in wine. In Spanish slang it can also mean a convenience store.

I asked several people working in the Madrid wine trade, and they all struggled to define exactly what a bodega is – and sometimes disagreed with each other. For example, while La Bodega de los Reyes fits the description because it has a wine cellar, a nearby bar owner said it couldn’t be classed as a bodega as it was just a wine shop.

An internet search suggests dozens of Madrid bodegas, yet some are not the atmospheric, historic bars you may be hoping for. Bodegas de los Secretos, for example, is very much a restaurant. The excellent De Vinos retains some historic fixtures (a winning feature of Madrid’s most established bodegas), such as a marble bar and traditional decorative flooring, and offers a choice of 600 wines, but it is a modern wine bar. La Taberna de La Copla used to be known as Bodegas El Mañon and its brick-walled basement reveals a mini-museum of antique bottling paraphernalia and tinajas (large, traditional clay or earthenware jars used for storing wine). Which all seems to indicate being a bodega, but co-owner Alejandro Simon insists that it isn’t any more: “This building has a strong bodega history, but it is just too difficult to operate a bodega with the regulations in place now, and too small a market for us just to focus on wine, so we are now a bar offering a wider range.”

Here, then, is a selection of places that would undisputedly be classed as bodegas: unpretentious, inexpensive bars specialising in wine, and with a strong sense of history.

Close to Atocha station, Rosell is spread over several rooms, including a restaurant. The main bar area, with some seating around tables made from wine barrels, has three maroon wrought iron columns to lean against when you’ve had one too many. It is a pleasingly rough and ready room, with a mishmash of guitars and other instruments, dated photos and wine bottles gracing its walls.

It was founded in 1920 and boasts a facade with tiles painted by Alfonso Romero Mesa, who also decorated Las Ventas, Spain’s largest and most prestigious bullring. During the Spanish civil war the cellars served as air raid shelters.

It was buzzing with locals on my visit. My €4.20 glass of rioja came with crisps and a mussel, and popular tapas here include pork tenderloin, oven-baked cod and wild mushrooms.
9/10

Dating from 1892, this bodega in the Malasaña neighbourhood is a proper exhibitionist, with a bright red frontage and vintage-looking engraved glass signage. There were no more than three or four tourists inside (it was March) but some evenings in peak season it gets so popular there are queues to get in.

The lower half of the walls are lined with bright blue, yellow and white tiles; the upper half does its best to hide the grimy wallpaper with a host of antiquated pictures. Behind the bar, as well as wine bottles, there are old beer bottles and cans.

The bar serves vermouth on tap, which is made in-house, but I pushed the boat out and ordered a €2.80 glass of ribera (accompanied by a free small plate of olives) and a €4.25 sardine in delicious olive oil on a tomato paste-coated cracker. Somehow, the latter appeared within minutes despite the general chaos of this packed, buzzing bar.

One quaint feature is a second, quieter room out back, which you have to duck under the bar to reach. 8/10

I’m not surprised that Ernest Hemingway frequented this gorgeous bodega near Puerta del Sol, which has curated its decrepitude to such a skilful degree that it really does feel like stepping back in time. With its molasses-stained oak sherry barrels, antique cash register, vintage bullfighting posters, chipped floor tiles that have certainly seen better days and several hundred very dusty bottles on shelves reaching almost to the ceiling, it is, needless to say, full of character. A raised area at the back is a bit more secluded.

The place was bustling with locals and some Americans when I visited, but the only thing that lets it down is the rather brusque service non-local people have reported online, and which I witnessed when someone attempted to take a photo. However, the no-photo rule is longstanding, going back to the Spanish civil war (the walls and ceiling clearly haven’t been painted since then) when people were wary of spies. And be warned: La Venencia also has a ban on tipping (another quirk rooted in its republican, socialist history) and spitting.
7/10

At unpretentious Vinícola Mentridana, in the Lavapiés neighbourhood, two walls are lined with old, dusty wine bottles reaching up to the ceiling. However, despite being established in 1920 it doesn’t feel as historic as the other bodegas mentioned. Perhaps an overenthusiastic renovation in 2010 took away some of that bodega feel?

It was much quieter than the others when I visited, with just a few locals at the bar – which was welcomed as buzzing bars can become exhausting after a while. There’s a good choice of wines from across Spain and my €4.20 glass of tinta de toro was bold and delicious. However, the €7.20 cheese and ham toastie accompanying it was not nice.
6/10

The sign of this busy little place, close to Antón Martín metro station in the city centre, shouts BODEGA in large letters, but it also calls itself a restaurant, tapas bar and taberna. It has a good selection of wine on offer as well as sherries and sangria, and a wide choice of tapas – they were slicing a leg of Iberian ham with great enthusiasm when I visited.

Banks of wine bottles line the walls, and on higher shelves there are rows of old books (a pity they are so high up you can’t reach them, but they do add character). A television showing a football match spoiled the atmosphere a tad for me, and after a recent revamp it all feels a little too neat to evoke much history, despite being founded in 1929.
6/10

Accommodation was provided by CoolRooms Palacio de Atocha (doubles from €275 room-only)

Chaos erupted as British passengers were left stranded at Linate airport in Milan due to huge delays at border control meaning they missed their flight back to Manchester

easyJet passengers were ‘close to passing out’ after being left in the heat as their flight left to Manchester without them due to border control chaos.

About 100 people have been left stranded in Milan on Sunday, April 12 after facing up to three hour queues at Milan’s Linate airport because of new border control checks.

As well as concerns over how to get home, many passengers were left vomiting and passing out due to the heat, according to the BBC.

easyJet said it was working to support passengers but that the situation was “outside of our control”.

Large queues formed at the international airport causing mayhem.

Pictures and videos shared online showed scenes of mayhem as large queues formed at the international airport.

The carnage comes after the UK government updated its guidance to people travelling to the European Schengen area, meaning they may have to register biometric details when they arrive.

The implementation of the EU entry and exit system (EES) is an electronic system that replaces the physical stamping of passports when going through boarding control.

The airline said that it held the plane for almost an hour extra, but eventually had to depart due to crew working hours.

Passengers have been left disappointed after arriving at the airport in plenty of time and now facing huge delays to return home.

Emily Benn, from Grimsby, was travelling with five others on the 11am flight. Her new flight will now go to Gatwick rather than Manchester, meaning a £400 taxi fare on arrival.

She told the M.E.N: “We got to the airport at 8am and our flight was due to leave Milan Linate at 11am. As soon as our gate came on the board, we went straight to it and there was already a huge queue.

“The queue was for three separate flights, and there were hundreds of passengers all trying to get through. The new EES wasn’t working, so we all had to be checked by two people on passport control.

“It got to 11:20am and we were told the flight had left without us. They put us all on a shuttle bus and sent us back to the arrivals area, where we had to go back to the easyJet desk.

“We were told to rebook flights, so have booked to Gatwick and will then pay £400 for a taxi back to Manchester as that’s where our car is parked. We are a party of five adults and one child, who is due to have spinal surgery in a few days.”

Other passengers shared the ‘nightmare’ experience on social media. One posted: “What a nightmare!

“You abandoned me and 122 other passengers in Milan. You flew to Manchester with 34 onboard.

“We queued for three hours and all the time the flight info remained at ‘boarding’ we were then told the delayed flight had left.”

An easyJet spokesperson said: “We are aware that some passengers departing from Milan Linate today experienced longer than usual waiting times at passport control and we advised customers due to fly to allow additional time to make their way through the airport.

“We held flight EJU5420 from Milan to Manchester for nearly an hour to give passengers extra time but it had to then depart due to crew reaching their safety regulated operating hours. Customers who missed the flight have been offered a free flight transfer.

“We continue to urge border authorities to ensure they make full and effective use of the permitted flexibilities for as long as needed while EES is implemented, to avoid these unacceptable border delays for our customers. While this is outside of our control, we are sorry for any inconvenience caused.”

A NEW “holiday tax” will add £500million a year to the cost of UK breaks, business leaders warn.  

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been urged not to allow mayors the power to raise funds by slapping a levy on overnight stays at hotels, campsites and B&Bs.

The Confederation of British Industry said it will drive up inflation, hamper investment and mean more red tape. 

Two hundred bosses from firms such as Butlin’s and Haven have written to Ms Reeves hitting out at the plans.

A consultation closed in February.

CBI head of tax policy Alice Jeffries said: “The Government should be sending a clear message that Britain is open for business and tourist visitors alike — not making it harder for people to spend their time and money here.” 

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She said the policy could apply a handbrake to investment, jeopardise jobs and squeeze margins for a sector facing one of the country’s heaviest tax burdens. 

UK Hospitality say it could add £100 to a two-week family stay based on £2 per person per night.  

Its boss, Allen Simpson said: “The Government should keep holidays relaxing, not taxing.”  

A Government spokesman said: “The final design of the visitor levy has not been decided.  

“We are clear it will ensure hugely popular areas benefit even more from tourism and mayors will have more money to invest in local priorities.” 

The provided text originates from a digital news digest that commemorates National Redemption Day by recounting the volatile political history of Liberia. It explains how the nation, originally established for freed slaves from America, suffered from long-standing friction between indigenous populations and settler descendants. The narrative focuses on the transition from the stable presidency of William Tubman to the eventual downfall of William Tolbert, whose economic failures led to civil unrest. This historical overview culminates in the violent 1980 coup d’état led by Samuel Doe, which resulted in the assassination of the president and a radical shift in government. Addition … 

As the world famous Settle to Carlisle line celebrates 150 years of service, the Mirror joined the 1 m passengers expected this year.

It is widely lauded as one of the best train journeys in the world, and is just about to celebrate its 150th anniversary.

A huge public outcry and an appeal that raised £3m saved it from closure in the 1980s.

The Settle to Carlisle line survived and remains one of the most scenic in the country, crossing the Pennine Hills, the Yorkshire Dales and Cumbria’s Eden Valley.

It celebrates 150 years since its first rail passenger journey with a series of events including a steam train service.

The Mirror joined some of the 1 million passengers expected to travel on the route this year.

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It was wet, wild and stormy as we ventured south from Carlisle to the Ribblehead Viaduct.

Its magnificent 400m arches are 400 meters (1,300 ft) long. A huge workforce of 6,000 men – 2,300 specifically on the Viaduct – built it between 1870 and 1875.

You can imagine the conditions they faced during winter on the wide open moorland surrounding the giant structure.

The navvies who died are buried in the cemetery at Chapel-le-Dale. Even in the pouring rain, the path passing under its 24 arches remains busy with hikers and cyclists.

You must take a short break during your train journey to see the viaduct in all its glory.

From your train seat, you have a breathtaking backdrop of rolling countryside.

Wind bent the trees on the distant hills. The stations are straight out of a 1930s black-and-white film.

“I say that is my office window,” said Yvonne Harland, 52, a Carlisle-based conductor on the route.

“It is absolutely stunning. Many passengers are hikers and dog lovers heading outdoors.

“It does not matter if you are in the valleys around Dent or the Ribblehead Viaduct.

“It is a tonic. You have to get off the train to see the viaduct; otherwise, you only catch a glimpse.

“The Three Peaks are just beautiful too. No disrespect to people who work in an office, but it takes some beating.

“I was in education for 20 years, and I fancied a change.”

Regular passenger Robin Gilder, 83, a retired ITV newsman, remembers the campaign to save the line in the 1980s.

Now he enjoys bringing along his grandson Finley Doran, 12, for days out. “I use it regularly now,” he said. “Especially since I retired.

“They had a dog sign the petition to save the railway and there is a statue to him at Garsdale station.

“There was huge public outcry when they announced they were closing this line.

“They raised millions of pounds to keep it open. So I think we should use it as much as we can.”

Finley, tucking into some sweets and pop, added: “I have been on about twenty times now. We use it all the time.”

For Scottish pharmacist Amy Robertson, it is her maiden journey. The 28-year-old is heading to Leeds to see a former friend with the misty hills rolling by her window.

“It does remind me of Scotland,” she said. “This is really lovely and you get some really nice views when you go up to the north of Scotland around Fort William.

“The weather may not be very good, but the countryside is beautiful.”

Northern recorded 995,000 passenger journeys on the line in 2025, the highest number since the Covid-19 pandemic.

But demand is expected to rise this year. Commercial and customer director Alex Hornby said he was confident passenger numbers would hit 1m.

“Customers can enjoy miles of breathtaking scenery, which changes throughout the year, and there are plenty of opportunities to get off and explore,” he said.

The Settle to Carlisle section of the line was completed in 1875; freight trains ran for a year before passenger trains were introduced on May 1, 1876.

The Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company will run a chartered steam train between Carlisle and York on May 23.

Karen Morley-Chesworth, their community rail officer, told the Mirror: “The Lonely Planet said it was in the Top 10 most scenic railway journeys in Europe.

“So it brings in many tourists and serves local people all year round. It runs down the backbone of Britain through Cumbria, Yorkshire and the Pennines.

“But it is the beauty of it that stays with you; every station takes you back in time, and the history of the line still fascinates people. It remains important to communities all along the route.”

Northern is set to offer £1.50 tickets to customers travelling on the route to mark the milestone.

Thousands of workers contributed to its complex construction, which includes 14 tunnels and more than 20 viaducts along its 72 miles (116km) of track.

In 1983, British Rail announced plans to close the line to passengers amid concerns about the cost of repairing the Ribblehead Viaduct. But £3m was spent between 1988 and 1991 to bring it back into use.

The Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company’s chairman, Pete Myers, said the company was working with communities along the line to mark the “special anniversary year.”

He said: “The Settle to Carlisle line is unique, connecting communities from Yorkshire through to Cumbria, and also providing a sustainable and beautiful way for visitors to explore the Yorkshire Dales, Westmorland Dales and Lake District.”

The iconic Kew Gardens offers a range of activities – many of them out of hours – including sunset and sunrise yoga in the stunning Temperate House

Kew Gardens – the world famous botanic garden in London – attracts millions of visitors every year, with many thronging to the iconic site during the summer months.

However, as a regular to this oasis of calm on the edge of the capital I have to say spring is by far my favourite time to visit the lush landscape.

Yes, in summer the blooms are at their most showy, the trees are all in full leaf. Autumn brings golden leaves, scrunching underfoot, and a raft of bronze colour on the plants and winter is arguably blissfully quiet during the day only to explode in a riot of colour when the incredible Kew at Christmas lights burst into being.

However, there’s something about spring in this stunning place. Crisp days with some sunshine and the first shoots appearing on the trees, letting us all know the cold, dark months of winter are finally over. And that’s before we even get started on the explosion of daffodils, tulips and other spring flowering bulbs bursting into life in immense carpets all over the stunning Kew Gardens.

However, the highlight for me has to be the cherry blossoms. Gracefully coming back to life in pinks and whites, bringing with them a new season, only to shower the lucky visitor with their petals in the breeze.

Nestled close to Kew Gardens’ Temperate House, a gigantic glass house which underwent a huge renovation six years ago and containing more than 3,000 varieties of plants, many of them critically endangered, there is stunning cherry blossom walkway.

An avenue of glorious cherry trees in full bloom, watching over a carpet of proud tulips was the perfect stroll before trying Kew Gardens sunset yoga in the Temperate House. I already felt serene walking into the incredible building but nothing could have prepared me for how I would feel after the season was over and I left.

Inspired by the cherry blossoms just outside, and also the many others around Kew, this yoga experience was centred on lightness and renewal – just like the season itself.

Led by Kew’s resident yoga instructor, Anil Jangi, this sessions are said to “cultivate mindfulness, enhance flexibility and invite a sense of deep calm for both body and mind”.

Held inside one of the most iconic buildings at Kew Gardens – and let’s be honest there’s no shortage to pick from – the sessions are suitable for every level. And believe me when I say if there was a level below beginner, that’s where I’d be, but Anil made sure every ability was catered for as she guided us through the practice.

Accompanied by live sound bath music, enhanced by gongs, crystal and Tibetan singing bowls, we began lying on the floor of the Temperate House. Before closing my eyes to start breath work I was struck by a sense of awe in what was described as a “cathedral of plants”.

The soft green of the fronds – some giant, many at risk of extinction – floating above us, the gentle singing of birds and a sense of being somewhere truly special couldn’t help but wash over everyone taking part in this yoga session.

This was a gentle practice, full of stretching, strength poses, balance, restoration and relaxation. I could feel any stress melting into the floor of the Temperate House.

As the sun gradually set, the warm spring light was replaced with gentle candlelight, deepening the sense of calm and closeness to the incredible plants we were surrounded by.

It ended with a blissful sound bath before a warming mug of herbal tea.

As I walked out of the Temperate House almost two hours later, I was filled with such a sense of peace and calm – something we’re all finding increasingly hard to come by in these troubled times.

Kew Gardens is holding both sunset and sunset yoga, all accompanied by live acoustic music, on a variety of dates between now and September.

For more information, visit the website.

“WHAT will we be cooking today?” I asked.

“Any Moroccan dish you’d like,” my host, Mohamed, grinned.

My eyes lit up, growing larger than my stomach. I was in his family home and we had just returned from the souks of Fes to buy fresh ingredients for our feast.

I had watched Mohamed expertly barter down the price of meats, olives and grains. The sights and smells of the markets were as lively as you’d expect.

Street cats gathered under the butcher’s stall, gazing up longingly for a spare scrap of meat.

Flatbreads were slid into wood-fired ovens with the warm waft of freshly-made dough.

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Behind the vegetable stand, a Premier League match played on a fuzzy old TV, the grocer keeping one eye on the game and one on the giant tomatoes he was weighing.

Back in their kitchen, Mohamed and his wife Jessica worked all six hobs in a perfectly-coordinated dance, darting between pots and pans to stir and toss in spices.

The couple host home cooking classes via the experiences site GetYourGuide, and you’d struggle to find a more authentic Moroccan experience for £34.

I chopped vegetables for a tagine, occasionally ditching the dicing to dance along to traditional music in an impromptu kitchen disco.

By the time dinner was served, we’d gone from strangers to friends.

This was just one of three local expert-led experiences I undertook in Fes, known as the cultural capital of Morocco. The city, which was previously the country’s actual capital, is a history-lover’s dream.

It’s home to the largest and oldest medina in the world, which is a maze to explore, with 9,000 narrow streets jam-packed with people.

So I was thankful to have an expert to show me around on a walking tour for my second excursion.

Local guide Fatah made sure to stop by all of the city’s key landmarks. We began at the Royal Palace gates, where seven grand, golden doors stood framed by intricate green and blue mosaics.

Next was the Mellah, or Jewish Quarter. Here, wooden balconies jut out over sun-dappled streets, housing the best handmade jewellery and metalcraft in town.

When it comes to exploring the ancient medina, the entrance alone is enough to take your breath away.

The grand Bab Boujloud gate welcomes you with its striking cobalt blue archway, a colour reflecting the famous pottery produced in Fes.

The medina is a wonderful whirlwind for the senses.

Inside its fortified walls, you’ll find donkeys transporting goods, as well as souks stocked with silks and spices.

And that freshly-baked bread scent follows you around the city, with 350 communal ovens marking each neighbourhood.

Fatah guided us to Mnebhi Palace, where an ordinary-looking brown door opens up to a lavish interior. Vivid geometric patterns jump out from the walls and a marble fountain at its centre is filled to the brim with rose petals.

I thought I recognised the bright pink patterned sofa sitting in the corner — it turns out Madonna had posted it on her Instagram a few months prior.

Next was the University of al-Qarawiyyin, the oldest higher education institution in the world. This beautiful building used to be a mosque and was founded in the 9th century.

We rounded up the walking tour with a visit to the Chouara Tannery, where leather goods have been hand-crafted for more than 1,000 years.

I was confused to be handed a sprig of fresh mint at the entrance, but the reason why soon became apparent — plenty of pigeon droppings are used in the leather tanning process!

Clutching the leaves to my nose, we head up to a viewing platform.

Here, you can look out over pools of vivid red, blue and purple dye, watching workers dip and soften the leather hides.

This view marked the end of the walking tour and I couldn’t believe the amount of value packed into an expert-led experience, which you can book from just £10.

My last activity was a hands-on pottery and mosaics workshop, starting with a tour of the studio to see the masters at work.

These artists are true professionals, constructing massive designs entirely from memory — no tracing or templates required. Then came my turn to hit the pottery wheel.

I had oodles of fun smoothing the clay into weird and wacky shapes, though I instantly knew that my work wouldn’t be sitting on their shelves any time soon.

But the endless supply of Moroccan mint tea and syrupy treats really sweetened the deal.

And at £35 with a handmade souvenir to take home, who can complain . . . 

From rugged coastlines to sandy shores with turquoise waters, the UK is home to many stunning beaches

Discovering a beach in the UK where the water isn’t freezing cold is a genuine bonus, particularly given the abundance of breathtaking beaches on offer. From dramatic coastlines to sandy stretches boasting turquoise waters, these stunning locations are typically synonymous with icy seas, especially during winter when UK sea temperatures hover around 10C on average.

Research has identified the warmest coastal waters throughout the country, helping Brits plan their next seaside escape for the sunnier months to come. The study, carried out by SIXT, measured sea temperatures around the UK, with a Cornish “hidden gem” claiming the number one position.

Portloe, tucked away on the Roseland Peninsula in Cornwall, holds the crown for the UK’s warmest sea, with an average annual temperature of 15.9C, providing a far more pleasant experience for those fancying a paddle, reports Cornwall Live.

Situated within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Cornwall, the picturesque fishing village overlooks dazzling turquoise waters and is surrounded by verdant rolling hills.

The village’s beach features a small sandy shoreline at low tide, ideal for a gentler swim.

With a pleasant average maximum sea temperature of 15.2C, Rye in East Sussex secures second place on the list.

This delightful town attracts numerous visitors each year with its charming cobblestone streets and Georgian architecture.

TripAdvisor reviewer Ruth M described Rye’s beach, known as Camber Sands, as: “In my view, possibly the best beach in the UK.”

The breathtaking sand dunes of Camber Sands have frequently served as a filming location for major blockbusters, including the 2014 hit The Theory of Everything, which charts the life of physicist Stephen Hawking.

Taking third spot is another East Sussex treasure – Hastings. The coastal town has steadily climbed the rankings of late, attracting visitors with its impressive selection of new hotels and restaurants.

Boasting a mix of pebbles and golden sand, the beach offers sweeping views across the English Channel, where sea temperatures can reach as high as 15.1C.

Travel expert Mark Wolters have visited over 100 countries, but he is now urging travellers not to make one mistake when swapping their holiday money

A travel expert has warned holidaymakers there is one thing they should “never, ever do” when they are exchanging their money. Mark Wolters, known as Wolter’s World online, has visited over 100 countries across the years.

And Mark says he increasingly finds himself travelling with very little cash. This he explains is because he knows he can “take cash out” from an ATM in a majority of destinations he visits.

However he urges travellers to “make sure you pay attention” if you are drawing out money at the airport. In a video, he explained: “They will often have a higher fee or they’ll say, ‘Oh, do you want to do the conversion in your home currency?’

“‘Yes, because then I know how many dollars I’m taking out in Euros’. No, no, no, never take that conversion, take it out in Euros so you have some cash. Honestly, I never fly with much cash with me, because I can get it wherever I go.”

Mark suggests that many travellers would be better off getting their cash exchanged in a local city. He says the rates at the airports are “not good”.

He explained: “You’re better off keeping your cash and going to exchange it in the city, you’ll get better rates there, but honestly, I would just take your debit card from home and get cash out from an ATM.”

Mark went on to explain that frequent travellers will be aware that prices at airports “suck”. Describing the prices as a “way of life,” he says there is simply “no point complaining about it”.

He added: “If you don’t want to pay $7 for water, bring your reusable water bottle and fill it up after you go through security, bring some snacks with you. If you hit that gas station on the way to the airport, you’re getting your Snickers for a buck instead of $2.50.”

Mark also warned that regular travellers will soon realise that access to the airport lounge “isn’t always worth it”. He says that while he gets in free of charge from his credit card, he often travels as a family, meaning he would have to pay for his wife and children.

Instead he urges travellers to spend some of the money they would spend accessing an airport lounge in one of the restaurants, opting for a meal instead of a sandwich or another snack option.

When considering “unwritten rules” of travel, Mark also turned his attention to hand luggage. He says many travellers often believe they can “beat the rules” when it comes to flying.

He added: “I’m not going to lie to you man, if you’re in an airline that charges for carry-ons, or they say, ‘Hey, we have a limit on size’, some of them actually give little bonuses to their employees that fine people who try to cheat to the system, so they’re looking at you.”

He urges travellers to always “accept” what airline staff say when it comes to hand luggage. And finally, Mark stresses that it is important to “keep your cool” with the staff.

LOATING on my back along the narrow channel fringed by mangroves, the gentle current pushes me onwards in the warm, clear waters.

This incredible natural lazy river just south of Tulum represents everything that is magical about the raw beauty of Mexico’s Riviera Maya.

The Muyil Lagoon — and the canals carved by the ancient Mayans — are the ultimate in relaxation.

There’s a serene calm as you glide along with water so sparkling and clear you can easily see the sandy bottom and spot small fish darting through the reeds.

On all sides, you’re surrounded by dense vegetation and the roots of red mangroves and beautiful orchids.

Deep in the heart of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, our tour had started at the Muyil ruins.

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Quieter than the archaeological wonders at Chichen Itza or Tulum, it still has its stepped temple pyramids shaded by ancient trees and forests.

From there it was a thrilling boat ride over the Muyil and Chunyaxche freshwater lagoons before we were dropped off for our 40-minute lazy river ride.

Clambering out and along a boardwalk through the mangroves to return back to our boat, I was grateful for the water shoes we’d donned before our swim as the bleached wood was scorching hot in the sunshine.

We’d certainly earned a sunset cocktail back at our hotel — the TRS Yucatan, an all- inclusive 5H adults-only paradise in the heart of the Riviera Maya.

My ultra-modern room came complete with a minibar you can personalise with your favourite drinks, as well as a shaded terrace with plunge pool and hanging day bed.

But the lure of the multi-level infinity pool overlooking the beach was an easy way to tempt me away from my room, followed closely by the Ibiza vibes of the Helios beach club right on the soft sands of its private beach.

The TRS Yucatan is part of the Grand Palladium Resort and Spa and you can use the facilities across its nearby sister hotels, which tots up to a total of eight pools, 21 restaurants and 31 bars.

But the TRS Yucatan is the more premium of the hotels in the complex — top-shelf spirits and quality wines in the bars, and a butler caring for your every need in each of the small, luxury blocks.

The food is elevated too and you’d be missing out if you didn’t indulge at the El Gaucho Argentinian steak house or one of the other five restaurants serving Mexican, French, Italian and Caribbean cuisine exclusive to the adult-only hotel.

And while the lure of the multiple pools and 24/7 dining might mean you’re keen to stay put, it would be a shame to miss out on more natural wonders on the doorstep.

Just a ten-minute drive from the hotel is Akumal Bay, where snorkelling tours from the sandy shores reward you with multiple sightings of loggerhead and green turtles.

Grazing on the sea grasses in the calm bay and feeding among the reefs, the turtles are often joined by stingrays and a kaleidoscope of smaller fish.

Book as early in the day as you can, to beat the crowds and enjoy calmer waters.

We combined our early-morning snorkel with another unique Mayan natural wonder — a swim through one of the thousands of cenotes across the Riviera Maya.

These natural sinkholes occur when the limestone bedrock above underground rivers collapses, exposing the water below.

While some are large openings you can easily access, others involve swimming into underground caverns that in some cases can be vast.

We swam through a complex of incredible caves at Yaxmulito, a bit of a hidden gem and far less busy than some of the other popular cenotes in the area.

Its remote location means a host of wildlife to spot in the dense jungle, from spider monkeys and marmots in the trees to iguanas on the ground and even bats in the caves!

With a local guide to help us navigate through the maze of caverns, we swam through caves that were lit cleverly to illuminate the ancient limestone above us — squeezing between stalactite limestone columns that have formed over more than 10,000 years into tiny, unlit caverns.

While magical, some of the spaces were probably not ideal for anyone who is prone to claustrophobia.

Clambering out, we topped off a day in this natural paradise with a lunch of slow-cooked chicken marinated in spices and a hearty pork stew, served up with red rice, refried beans and handmade tortillas alongside delicious salads and salsas.

Served up in a rustic, open-air, thatched-roof building in the stunning jungle location and with a powerful margarita from the bar to wash it down, days don’t come much better.

People are being urged to check theirs as soon as possible before peak season

An alert has been issued by money specialists, as an important document is expected to expire for millions of people in the UK this year. It is raising concerns that large numbers of British travellers could be caught out just as the holiday season reaches its peak.

More than 1.2 million UK Global Health Insurance Cards (GHICs) are due to expire in 2026. Nearly 800,000 are expected to run out during the peak summer holiday months of July to September, according to new Freedom of Information data accessed by PayingTooMuch, a travel insurance comparison site.

The NHS says a GHIC lets you get necessary state healthcare in the European Economic Area (EEA) and in some other countries on the same basis as a resident of those countries. This may be free, or it may require a payment equivalent to that which a local resident would pay.

On the NHS website, it states: “A UK GHIC is free and lasts for up to five years. Apply for your new card through the NHS website. Avoid unofficial websites – they may charge you a fee to apply. The UK GHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance. We advise you to have private travel and medical insurance for the duration of your trip.”

The FOI sent to NHS Business Services Authority also highlights a significant rise in expiring cards this summer. The data shows that more than 290,000 GHICs are due to run out in August alone, coinciding with the busiest period for overseas travel.

In response, a money specialist warns that thousands of travellers could unknowingly head abroad with expired GHICs this summer. While this is a small detail often missed amid holiday planning, it’s one that could lead to serious consequences.

Hannah Mayfield (DipFA), founder of What Is Wealth, says the sheer volume of 2026 expiries could leave many people caught out. She said: “If you fall ill or face a medical emergency, discovering too late that your GHIC is no longer valid only adds stress at the worst possible moment.

“With such a high number of GHICs expiring this year, particularly during the busy summer holiday period, it’s vital that travellers check their card well in advance. It is an easy detail to overlook, but one that could leave you seriously exposed once you are already overseas.”

Mayfield warns that the risks do not stop at travelling with an expired card. The FOI data also shows how expensive medical treatment abroad can become, even when state support is accessible. The highest GHIC/EHIC claim last year exceeded £340,000, while the second highest topped £226,000.

“That is the part many travellers may not fully realise,” explains Mayfield. “While a GHIC can help to access basic state-provided healthcare, it is not designed to cover the full range of issues travellers commonly encounter – from private treatment costs if needed to flight cancellations, lost bags or emergency repatriation to bring you home.”

A GHIC is accepted in most EU countries, plus a few additional countries with reciprocal healthcare agreements. It can reduce your medical costs abroad if you need treatment, but it doesn’t make treatment completely free or cover everything.

You might still have to pay for your treatment upfront and buy prescriptions, which you can then claim back through your travel insurance. If you use your GHIC to pay medical fees abroad and make a medical claim through your travel insurance, some providers waive the policy excess on the medical claim, ultimately saving you money.

Mayfield reminds holidaymakers that travel insurance is an essential part of holiday planning, as a good policy provides protection in areas that the GHIC does not. When choosing a policy, she advises checking that cancellation cover matches the full cost of your holiday and ensuring it is tailored to your health needs, destination, and excursions. Comparing travel insurance is a good way to find cover that suits you and the type of trip you are taking, especially if you have with pre-existing health conditions.”

With so many GHICs expiring this year, experts recommend travellers check their card and travel insurance at the same time they book the trip. Renewing early is particularly important if your card expires within six months of your trip, as leaving it too late can lead to complications if treatment is needed overseas.

“You can apply for a free GHIC directly from the official UK government website. All family members should have one in their name. You’ll need your UK address and some basic personal details and usually it will arrive within 7-10 working days.