Travel Desk

If you want the perfect staycation weekend, this is one of the best

England is beautiful in the autumn, the leaves come alight with colour, and the many cobbled lanes and cosy pubs scattered across the country begin to beckon to eager tourists. However, there is one place where the magic of autumn shines brightest of all.

It’s jam packed with heritage, atmosphere and charm and perfect for a weekend getaway. The historic city of York is one of the best places to see the seasons change.

Hazel Rickett, travel expert at small-group tour operator Rabbie’s said: “There’s something about York in autumn that’s hard to put into words.

“As the temperature drops and the evenings grow darker, the city takes on a wonderfully atmospheric quality, with its narrow cobbled streets, ancient walls and glowing pub windows creating the perfect backdrop for a seasonal escape.”

One of the best things about York is that it’s small and walkable – you don’t need to worry about how you’re going to get around, you can just wrap up warm and wander through its streets, soaking up the history.

York has got history in spades, from the towering Gothic Cathedral of York Minster to the beautifully preserved medieval lanes of The Shambles.

The Shambles are an iconic part of the city. This lane is flanked by timber-framed buildings, leaning so dramatically that they almost touch overhead. It’s packed with independent cafes, shops and boutiques, making it a fabulous place to get lost.

On its outskirts, there’s the city walls which encircle the city and date back to medieval times.

Hazel said: “York is encircled by the longest and most complete medieval city walls in England, tracing a roughly two-mile route around the historic centre. The walls offer a raised walk that takes in some of the city’s finest views.

“Visitors can stroll the ramparts between the historic gateways, known as bars, and look out over the Minster, the rooftops and the surrounding countryside as the trees turn shades of amber and gold.

“It’s one of the most rewarding ways to see the city and appreciate just how much history is packed into its streets.”

For the brave, the city comes alive after dark. Famously one of the most haunted places in Europe, the city is packed with spooky tales of ghosts. Those looking for a paranormal experience can join one of the many ghost tours offered in the city and learn more about the legends said to stalk its streets.

EUROSTAR is set to slash the price of tickets to as low as £35 – with five destinations included in the epic sale.

The iconic train service connects London directly to countries such as France, Belgium and The Netherlands and travellers will soon be able to secure bargain trips.

Providing an easier alternative to flying, the railway to Europe can whisk Brits to Paris in just over two hours and to Amsterdam in under four.

And as part of a major flash sale, passengers will be able to snag Eurostar tickets for as little as £35 to the two popular destinations – along with Lille, Rotterdam and Brussels.

The discounts, which went live on the Eurostar website on September 9, will be bookable until September 14 at 10:59pm.

The one way standard class tickets can be snapped up for rides on specific travel dates between September 23 and December 18.

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The eligible travel timeframe means the discounts are perfect for planning a bargain trip over this year’s October half term break or a Christmas treat.

The autumn school holiday is set to begin around the second to last weekend of October, running through to the first weekend of November, providing the perfect slot for those with kids to book a discounted Euro getaway.

However, some dates within this window are subject to a “blackout”, during which discounted tickets aren’t up for grabs.

There are also some dates that travellers are unable to book, as Eurostar services are set to be halted for engineering works.

Unavailable dates include September 25, October 2, October 9 and November 1 for trains from St Pancras to Paris.

Meanwhile blackout dates for trains from Paris to London include September 27, October 5, October 25 and November 1.

Sharing news of the £35 sale online, Eurostar confirmed that a discount code isn’t needed to benefit from the price reductions.

The low prices are already live on eligible journeys and dates – so all you have to do is add the tickets to your basket.

“Down in the dumps at your desk? Grab a second helping of holiday with adult tickets for just £35 one way. Travel for less in Eurostar Standard to Paris, Lille, Brussels, Amsterdam direct, or Rotterdam direct,” the Eurostar website says.

“You don’t need a Eurostar promo code. Simply book to travel in Eurostar Standard from London between 23 September and 16 December 2026. But you’ll have to be quick – our sale ends on 14 September at 22:59.”

While Eurostar run similar flash sales throughout the year, the company has confirmed that a Black Friday sale won’t take place.

So now is the time to strike if you’re after cheap tickets for a December city break.

WHAT’S better than an annual trip to the theme park? Several trips, of course.

If your family is a big fan of rollercoasters, there are some brilliant value annual passes for parks across the UK that offer HUGE savings for repeat trips.

But which one should you go for? Instead of having to research them all yourself, we have gathered the annual pass prices for the most popular theme parks in the UK.

So here’s all the attraction passes you could get, and how many times you’d need to return to your favourite attractions to get your money’s worth.

Merlin Annual Pass

Starting off with probably the most famous annual pass in the UK, the Merlin Annual Pass gets you access to more than 20 attractions.

These include Alton Towers, Thorpe Park and Legoland Windsor, Cadbury World, Windsor Castle, Legoland Discovery Centres and much more.

An essential pass costs from £139 per year and allows members 339 days of access to Merlin’s top attractions.

For £239, you can get a Gold pass which also gets you free parking and 20 per cent off shopping and dining.

The Platinum Pass is then £299 per year, giving you all that plus four free bring a friend passes each year, one free fast track per visit and free Coke Freestyle cup & refills.

Tickets for Alton Towers alone start from £32 per person when booked in advance online, while Warwick Castle tickets cost from £25.38 online, so if you’re planning on doing several Merlin attractions each year there are big savings to be had.

To make the most of the £139 annual pass, you’d need to go to just four or five attractions across the entire year.

For example, if you booked Alton Towers (£32), Warwick Castle (£25.38), Thorpe Park (£32), Cadbury World (£18) and Legoland Windsor (£32) once each across the year, you’d make up the price of the pass.

Alton Towers

Alton Towers is the UK’s largest theme park with several thrill coasters.

There’s a CBeebies Land as well, ideal for younger children with themed rides and live shows.

The theme park also has its own waterpark with a tropical splash area.

You can stay onsite at the main Alton Towers Hotel, the CBeebies Land Hotel, Splash Landings Hotel, themed Woodland Lodges or at Stargazing Pods.

An annual pass costs £64, while day tickets start from £32 per person when booked in advance online,

You’d need to visit just twice across the year to get your money’s worth.

Thorpe Park

Surrey’s Thorpe Park is often considered the UK’s main thrill-seeker theme park.

The theme park itself sits on an island and has a number of record-breaking rides.

For example, you can head on Hyperia, which is the UK’s tallest and fastest rollercoaster, and in the autumn, the theme park is well-known for its Fright Nights.

The Thorpe Park Annual Pass costs £64 per person and allows you access to the park across 189 days over 12 months, as well as access to the Fright Nights.

Thorpe Park one-day tickets start at £32 per person when booked in advance online

Passes are only required for guests over 1.2metres tall.

Again, you’d need to visit just twice across the year to make the pass worthwhile.

Legoland

Legoland Windsor is aimed at families with kids aged between two and 12 years old.

You’ll find miniature worlds made out of bricks and family-friendly coasters, plus plenty of Lego building opportunities.

The Legoland Annual Pass costs £64 per person and allows you access to the park across 236 days, over 12 months. Day tickets start from around £34 when booked online.

Passes are only required for guests 90cm and over, and after two visits you’d have made your money back.

Crealy

Crealy theme park in Devon has a number of different annual passes.

The theme park is the largest in Devon with more than 60 rides and attractions including rollercoasters.

The cheapest is £99 per person, per year – which you can pay in one go or you can pay a £30 deposit, then £6.90 a month on direct debit for an annual pass (costing £112.80 total).

This annual pass gets you unlimited entry to the theme park, a 10 per cent discount across food and drink as well as in the shops and exclusive viewings of Crealy events.

The next level up is the Gold Pass at £120, which gets the same perks but you will get 15 per cent off food and drink, 30 per cent of entry for family or friends and 20 per cent off glamping and camping breaks at the park.

Get a Platinum Pass for £170 and you’ll get 20 per cent off food and drink, 50 per cent off entry for family and friends, 50 per cent off glamping and camping stay and even a free two-night camping break.

One-day tickets for Crealy Theme Park & Resort cost around £24 per person when you book online.

You’d therefore need to visit five times at least across the year to make the pass worthwhile.

Woodlands

Woodlands Theme Park, also in Devon, is home to massive indoor play areas including soft play, water coasters and a toboggan run.

There’s also a number of barns with farm animals in.

The annual pass, costing £110 per person over 1.1 metres and £86 for those under that height, includes unlimited free access to Woodlands Family Theme Park with outdoor rides, indoor soft play, an eight-acre zoo farm, and falconry.

You’ll also get 15 per cent off at the gift shop, 10 per cent off food and drink and 20 per cent off camping stays.

One-day tickets cost £29.75 for adults and kids over 110cm, and £21.95 for kids.

As an adult, you’d need to visit four times across the year to make the pass worthwhile, and the same amount of visits to make the kids pass worthwhile.

Drayton Manor

Drayton Manor in Staffordshire is ideal for families with kids aged four to 12.

The rides are tamer, with a Thomas Land including Thomas the Tank Engine himself and a Viking-themed area with spinning and rocking rides like the Thor Zampa Disco.

Drayton Manor has three different passes.

The cheapest is the Silver Annual Pass, which costs £75 per person (£45 per child aged two to three-years old) or you can pay for annual pass monthly, costing £35 for the first month then £5 a month for 11 months (£90 total).

This pass gets you unlimited visits to the park, 10 per cent off food and drink as well as the shop, free mini golf, 10 per cent off hotel bed and breakfast, 20 tickets for £20 for family and friends and discounts on photos.

The £99 annual pass (£65 per child aged two to three-years old) gets you all of the above, but discounts are 20 per cent on food and drink and the shop.

And last but not least is the ultimate pass costing £249 per person over the age of three (under this age no pass is needed).

With this pass you get all of the above, but also unlimited visits to West Midlands Safari Park and Waterworld, as well as discounts at each of those attractions.

Drayton Manor one-day tickets start at £25.80 for visitors aged 12 and over, and £14 for children aged 2 to 12 when booked online.

You’d need to visit three times across the year to make the annual pass worthwhile (four times for under three-year-olds).

The Big Sheep

The Big Sheep in North Devon has farm experiences as well as rides and live shows.

Season tickets for The Big Sheep cost £50 per person.

You then pay £1 each time you visit if you book online, or £2 at the door.

The pass includes a member’s day where you can bring a guest for free, discounts on events, a 10 per cent discount on food and drink, as well as a 10 per cent discount in the shop.

One-day tickets for the Big Sheep in North Devon start from £14.95 for adults and children over three feet tall when booked online.

You’d need to visit at least four times to make the annual pass worth it.

Gulliver’s World

There are a number of Gulliver’s World theme parks across the UK including Warrington, Matlock Bath, Milton Keynes and near Sheffield.

Each park is slightly different, with themed zones and attractions aimed at kids under the age of 13.

The parks often host events too such as Fright Fiesta for Halloween and the winter Land of Lights lantern festival.

For £99, you can get a 12 month pass allowing unlimited entry to all Gulliver’s Theme Parks (Warrington, Matlock Bath, Milton Keynes & Rother Valley).

You’ll also get entry to Gulliver’s Dinosaur & Farm Park in Milton Keynes, plus discounts on short breaks.

One-day tickets for Gulliver’s World Theme Park Resort cost £28 when booked as an online advance ticket.

You’d need to visit four times across the year to make your money back on the pass.

Flamingo Land

Flamingo Land Resort in North Yorkshire spans across 375 acres and features a zoo as well as rides.

For example, there’s Velocity, the UK’s first motorbike launch coaster.

You can also head to a Peter Rabbit Adventure area, ideal for younger kids.

An annual pass costs £199 to Flamingo Land and gets you unlimited access year round to the theme park and zoo.

Flamingo Land one-day tickets start from £46 per person when booked in advance.

You’d need to visit five times to make your money back on the annual pass.

Pleasure Beach Resort

Pleasure Beach Resort in Blackpool sits right by the seafront and is more than 125 years old.

Inside the park, there are a range of attractions including thrill rollercoasters.

There’s also a Nickelodeon Land, which has themed rides including Wallace and Gromit Thrill-o-matic.

The Platinum Annual Pass at Blackpool Pleasure Beach costs £125 per person and gives you unlimited entry for a full year.

But what makes it even better is that, included in the price, you get free entry to seven theme parks across Europe, including Efteling, Europa Park, Liseberg, PortAventura World, Emerald Park, Tripsdrill and Isla Magica.

All you need to do is show the Pleasure Beach Resort Platinum Pass Card when you arrive.

You are allowed one free entry to each attraction per pass holder, per year.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach one-day tickets start from around £30 to £34 when booked in advance online.

You’d need to visit between four and five times to make your money back on the annual pass.

Paultons

Paultons Park in Hampshire is spread across 140 acres and is home to more than 70 rides and attractions, including the official home of Peppa Pig.

The theme park has a number of different annual passes, but the cheapest is the Essential Pass which costs £172.

With this pass you get unlimited off-peak visits over 12 months.

And at the end of the year, if you renew, it will set you back £153.

The Star Pass costs £225 and gets you unlimited off-peak visits including some weekends (renewal would cost £203.50).

The Premium Pass costs £290 and gets you unlimited access to the park at any time, as well as discounts on food and drink and in the shop (renewal would cost £262).

Paultons Park one-day tickets start from £46.75 per person when booked in advance, and kids under 1m are free, so paying visitors would need to go at least four times to make the annual pass worthwhile.

Pleasurewood Hills

Pleasurewood Hills in Lowestoft, Suffolk, is home to more than 35 rides and attractions, as well as live shows.

The park’s main thrill ride is Wipeout, which boasts six inversions.

A Standard Season Pass for unlimited access all season, but with some blackout dates (dates where you cannot attend the park – usually during peak season) costs £79.

Alternatively, you can get a Premium Season Pass, which gets you unlimited visits all season as well as exclusive perks and discounts such as 50 per cent off entry for family and friends and free parking for £99.

One-day tickets for Pleasurewood Hills start from £16.41 per person when booked online.

You’d need to visit at least five times across the year to make the most of the £79 annual pass.

Chessington World of Adventures

Chessington World of Adventures, about 12 miles from central London, is home to more than 40 rides across a number of themed lands.

And next year, the park is set to open a new Minecraft World, which will be the world’s first Minecraft-themed land.

A Chessington Annual Pass allows visitors access to the park across 339 days, costing £64.

Passes are only needed for guests 90cm and over.

Chessington one-day tickets start from £32 online in advance.

Visit the park twice to make your money back on the annual pass.

Lightwater Valley

Lightwater Valley Family Adventure Park in North Yorkshire is ideal for families with younger children, with safari-styled areas, pirate-themed rides and classic fairground favourites.

A seasonal pass costs £89 and includes unlimited entry throughout the park’s open days, including special events and Bank Holidays.

One-day tickets for Lightwater Valley Family Adventure Park cost between £22.00 and £27.00 when booked online.

You’d need to visit between four and five times across the year to make the pass worth it.

M&D’s

M&D’s Scotland’s Theme Park is Scotland’s largest theme park and is in North Lanarkshire.

The park has more than 40 rides and attractions to explore, including rollercoasters and children’s adventures such as a sky trail and Scotland’s only indoor tropical rainforest.

A season pass to the theme park costs £75 and allows you unlimited access to the park when it is open.

You will also get other offers like discounts on food and drink and a day where you can bring a friend for free.

M&D’s Scotland’s Theme Park offers free entry with ride all day wristbands costing from £20.13.

Visit four times across the year to be quids in.

A BELOVED UK seaside town is set to get a new, faster train to London – slashing journey times by 15 minutes.

Visitors and commuters travelling to and from the coastal area will soon be able to make it to London in just over an hour.

The new rail service will connect the capital with the East Sussex town of Hastings and its set to launch in December of this year.

Hastings boasts a charming shingle and pebble beach and plenty of pubs, cafes and restaurants.

Journeys from London to the quaint seaside town can currently take as long as 1 hour and 47 minutes.

The new Southeastern Railway service will connect the two locations with a train that takes just 1 hour and 18 minutes to get to London Bridge.

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The new service will depart from London’s Charing Cross before calling at Waterloo East, London Bridge, Tunbridge Wells, Battle, St Leonards Warrior Square before arriving in Hastings.

The new transport project has been described as being in a “pilot” phase – and demand for the service will have to be shown for it to be made permanent.

It comes as part of an upcoming timetable shakeup that aims to better connect South East London, Kent and East Sussex.

The new service will run to London once in the morning, with a further return journey scheduled in the evening.

The morning train is set to depart Hastings at 8:05am and arrive at Charing Cross at 09:33am.

The evening train journey will set off from Charing Cross at 4:11pm and arrive in Hastings at 5:42pm.

Speaking about the introduction of the speedier service, Helena Dollimore, MP for Hastings, Rye and the villages, said: “Securing a faster train service for our town has been one of my top priorities as our local MP. When we are almost the same distance from London as Brighton, why should our train take twice as long?”

Highlighting the importance of the trains that serve both commuters and tourists, she added: “This new service is great news for commuters and for our local shops, hotels, pubs, and restaurants that rely on tourists coming down to visit us.

“This new fast train will be a pilot service. If we want it to stay, we all must use it to show the demand.”

GET into your liederhosen, your dirndls and grab your beer jug because it’s almost time for Oktoberfest.

If you want to celebrate the festival without the flight to Germany – these are some of the best ones in the country with fancy dress and even bratwurst eating competitions.

Albert’s Schloss

It’s go big or go home at Albert’s Schloss which calls itself the ‘UK’s ultimate Oktoberfest 2026 party.

It has venues across the country too from Manchester to Birmingham, Liverpool and London.

There are Bavarian feasts with generous helpings of crispy pork knuckle and juicy schnitzels to bratwursts and sauerkraut.

When it comes to entertainment, there are bratwurst eating competitions, traditional keg tapping and best Lederhosen Competitions.

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Enjoy live performances from Oompah Bands, Brass Bands and DJs.

For fans of beer (or bier) – it’s one of the only places outside of Munich you can try all six Oktoberfest beers.

If you want to taste them all, make sure to even book a Bier Masterclass for a beer-tasting experience hosted by in-haus tapsters.

Celebrations run from September 19 to October 25 – and book in advance to guarantee entry.

Finsbury Park Oktoberfest

If you’re a London local, Finsbury Park will be the place to be – it’s the biggest Oktoberfest celebration in London.

The huge Bavarian-style beer festival takes place inside a giant blue-and-white festive tent from October 1-3.

Enjoy authentic German food from bratwurst in bread, schnitzel to pretzels.

Make sure to wash it down with specially brewed Bavarian FestBeer in a traditional stein.

Of course there’s lots of live entertainment from German oompah bands and Schlager music – oh, and dressing up is highly encouraged.

General admission starts from £10.

Oktoberfest

The UK’s biggest Oktoberfest tour will return this year in cities across the country.

Enormous tents will be transformed into traditional bierkellers with long bench-style seating, and lots of German Bier.

Don’t forget about the live music and bands, competitions all with a party atmosphere.

The tours will head to Colchester, Chichester, Milton Keynes, Guilford, Southend, Beverley, Chelmsford, Plymouth and Portsmouth from October 2-31.

Tickets start from £16.95.

Brewhemia

Brewhemia is known as Scotland’s “beer palace” – so it’s no surprise it’s a top spot for Oktoberfest.

Have your costumes at the ready and enjoy an Oktoberfest beer from Paulaner, Hacker-Pschorr to Flotzinger Wies’n-Märzen and Bitburger Premium Pils.

There’s plenty of food to go around from fresh pretzels to bratwursts to smoky Käsekrainers and spicy Chilliwursts.

You can even try all three with Sausage Fest where you get a platter of all of them with all the trimmings.

The celebrations run from September 19 to October 4 – and of course there’s live music throughout.

You can reserve a drinks area for parties of 4-40 guests – if there’s less then just walk-in.

THE UK’s best theme parks have been announced and coming out on top is a little-known seaside spot.

Pleasurewood Hills in Lowestoft, Suffolk has been named the best theme park in the UK for under one million visitors by the UK Theme Park Awards 2026.

More than 260,000 members of the public voted on the awards that included 36 theme parks.

Pleasurewood Hills is a 59-acre coastal theme park that originally opened back in 1983 and today has more than 35 rides and attractions.

The biggest ride at the park is Wipeout, which stretches nearly 40 metres into the air and has six inversions.

There are also other rides such as Cannonball Express, Marble Madness wild mouse coaster and the Jolly Rodger drop tower.

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The park introduced some new rides for this year, which include a Big Wheel, Starflyer and a spinning coaster.

If you don’t mind getting a little wet, head on the Water Fun Factory log flume as well.

Little kids aren’t left out either as there is a double-decker carousel, miniature railway and a classic theatre.

Tickets cost from £16 per person when bought online in advance and kids under 90cm go free – though it is worth noting that the park closes at the end of October for the season.

One person who visited the park this week, said in a review: “Park has had a massive regeneration, new rides and a general tidy up.

“Place has improved loads and the staff were all super cheerful and polite.”

Another visitor simply said: “Great value for the money.”

Freddy Stokes, Director at Pleasurewood Hills, said: “To have all the hard work that’s gone into Pleasurewood Hills over such a short period of time recognised by people from across our own industry is a massive achievement for the park and the whole team.

“We’ve always believed in what Pleasurewood Hills can be, but to receive an award like this in our first season really shows what can be achieved and, more importantly, where we can take the park from here.”

Paultons Park was named the country’s best theme park for more than one million visitors, on the other hand.

It is the second year in a row the much-loved family theme park has won the award.

And it also scooped up awards for the best new attraction, best large theme park for families, best theme park for toddlers, best Christmas event and best customer service.

Lawrence Mancey, Marketing & Technology Director at Paultons Park and winner of Theme Park Personality of the Year said: “We are thrilled to have been awarded 11 awards at the UK Theme Park Awards, and honoured to have been crowned Theme Park of the Year once again.

“These trophies are a reflection of the hard work of the whole Paultons Park team.

“We couldn’t be prouder of what they’ve achieved over the past year; from the teams who brought Drakon and Valgard to life, to everyone across the park who works so hard to give families and toddlers unforgettable days out in Peppa Pig World and across the park.”

A MUCH-LOVED family experience that’s one of the world’s largest truck shows will be returning to the UK in just months.

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live is returning to the UK in early 2027 – and this time with a new feature.

The show will tour four cities across the UK – Glasgow, London, Manchester and Birmingham.

Yes, Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live won the Pollstar Family Show of the Year award this year, in the prestigious awards by Pollstar magazine —which reports on global live entertainment and concert industry

Fans can expect “huge trucks, jaw-dropping stunts and an arena transformed by explosions of colour”, according to Family Entertainment Live and Mattel.

The show, called Colour Bash, will have paint splattered trucks that perform different stunts including wheelies, jumps, donuts and even crashes.

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The show begins with one of the trucks, Skelesaurus, taking all the colour away from Monster Truck Island.

Then Rhinomite, Mega Wrex, Tiger Shark, Bone Shaker and Bigfoot have to fight to win back the island and all its colour.

The big twist this year though is that they will be joined by a new truck ally, who will be revealed this autumn.

There will be FMX bikes flying across the arena and a fire-breathing robot as well.

The UK tour dates are as follows:

• The O2, London – January 9 & 10
• OVO Hydro, Glasgow – January 23 & 24
• Utilita Arena, Birmingham – April 10 & 11
• AO Arena, Manchester – April 17 & 18

The shows will have both matinee and evening performances and fans can also book VIP packages and pre-show party packages that allow you to get up close to the trucks.

Tickets go on sale on September 18 at 10am, with prices starting from £25 per person.

And there is a discount available for kids under the age of 13.

Ken Hudgens, CEO, Family Entertainment Live said: “Colour Bash is the most vibrant Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live experience we’ve ever created.

“We took everything fans love about the show — the massive trucks, the jaw-dropping stunts, the can’t-look-away energy — and supercharged it with colour.

“It’s a brand-new way to experience the action live, and we can’t wait to bring it to families in the UK in 2027.”

A TRAVEL firm has been forced to close down after going bust and plunging into liquidation.

The company had previously said it had experience in “crafting journeys that turn moments into lasting memories,” but has now cancelled all trips.

London-based holiday firm Immaculate Travel has been ordered to close after seven years in business.

The travel firm offered holidaymakers “expertly arranged tours” on its private hire mini buses and coaches.

Immaculate Travel lists a host of UK landmarks and Europe holiday favourites as its coach trip destinations, from Rome and Amsterdam, to Stonehenge and Windsor Castle.

Its website also states it is available for a host of events, including school trips, attending festivals and travelling to sports events.

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Now, following a court order, all holidays and trips will be cancelled and the business will not be operational.

Yesterday, A notice in the public record revealed that the High Court issued the company a winding up order, instructing them to end all business affairs.

The decision to wind up the business came from a petition issued in May by business loan firm Bizcap Limited, which was later heard before a judge in July.

Prior to closing down, the firm shared a five-star review for a trip to Bath, Somerset, encouraging customers to get in touch to plan their next trip.

Companies House records now show that Immaculate Travel is in liquidation after the winding up order under the Insolvency Act 1986 was issued.

The Sun has approached Immaculate Travel for comment.

A MAJOR UK airport has now become the first to introduce robotic valet parking – which uses no human interaction at all.

But one catch could see certain travellers excluded from the service.

London Gatwick Airport has officially brought in a new Robotic Parking system, said to be designed with customer comfort in mind.

Officially announced two months ago, passengers have already begun to use the parking service from August, which sees drivers leave their vehicle at a private drop-off garage before heading to the terminal.

The “state-of-the-art” robot then takes over, gently hoisting the car from underneath its wheels and moving it to an access-restricted parking area.

One key difference from traditional airport parking is that customers are able to keep hold of their car keys throughout their trip.

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When a passenger returns from holiday, the system receives an alert that they have landed.

This means that when they arrive at the South Terminal car park, their vehicle should already be ready for collection.

However, there are some limitations, with 5 per cent of vehicle models not compatible with the new technology.

This includes popular models such as a Range Rover Sport Hybrid, Renault Trafic Van, as well as SUVs with roof boxes.

It also costs around £109 for a five-day stay (travellers are unable to use the service for shorter stays) and passengers are currently only able to drop off their vehicles on weekdays between 9am and 5pm.

Located at the South Terminal, passengers can reach the parking lot following the marked signs for Robotic Parking, once within the Long Stay car park entrance barriers.

Gatwick airport also said the area includes 24-hour security patrols, automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) at the entrance and exit, perimeter fencing, floodlighting and no public access.

THE UK’s most famous observatory will soon close for two years for a massive renovation project.

Royal Greenwich Observatory in London dates back 350 years and will close for two years on November 2 to undergo a £77million upgrade.

The project, dubbed ‘First Light’, “will bring the story of this historic site to life”, according to the Observatory, as well as “give everyone the chance to experience the wonders of space and time for themselves”.

The Observatory will be home to new galleries, refreshed displays, innovative architecture, as well as improved access for visitors.

As part of the project, there will be a new visitor centre which will be “the jewel in the crown of Greenwich’s UNESCO World Heritage Site”.

Inside the pavilion, there will be a gateway to the rest of the site, which will also have improved access overall, including full accessibility to the Great Equatorial Telescope for the first time.

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There will be new galleries too, in which visitors can explore observation and scientific work that took place at the Observatory.

And there will be new, interactive astronomer galleries, ideal for kids who want to become scientists themselves.

They will explore the fundamentals of astronomy: Light, Matter and Motion.

Many of the existing displays at the attraction will get a refresh including John Harrison’s timekeepers and instruments used for the Prime Meridian line itself.

Visitors can meet astronomers and scientists as well, in the ‘Astronomers’ Court’, with events including live science shows.

Outside the Observatory, Greenwich Park will get new landscaping as well as plants.

The First Light project already began in autumn last year and it is set to be complete by spring 2028

The Royal Observatory will close on November 2, 2026 but parts of the attraction such as the Meridian Courtyard, are expected to reopen in summer 2027.

BRITISH families could be charged up to an extra £100 to holiday in England, as Andy Burnham has announced plans to let England’s 14 regional mayors impose an uncapped levy on overnight stays.

But while it will be unwelcome news among cash-strapped Brits, there could be ways to avoid it depending on where you choose to staycation.

Yesterday, the PM announced revealed the tourist tax could be charged on overnight stays across the UK at hotels, B&Bs and holiday lets.

Labour’s regional mayors in England have pledged to cap a new fee on visitors’ overnight stays at 5 per cent.

But it could still hike the cost of a family holiday by as much as £100.

However, there are ways to get round it – the tax isn’t set to be introduced for another two years, and there are some places that might not implement it at all.

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England is split into 14 regions with different mayors looking after each – and the tourist tax will be added at their discretion.

It’s likely that all Labour mayors will add the tax, and some of the places where there is support are Greater London, the West Midlands, Liverpool City Region, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, York and North Yorkshire and the North East.

Therefore cities within those regions like Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle will all introduce the extra charge – including surrounding towns.

Where there are Reform UK and Conservative mayors ,the levy may not be introduced at all, as both parties have criticised plans for the optional levy.

For example, the mayor of Greater Lincolnshire has said that she won’t be introducing a tourism tax – where many of The Sun’s £9.50 Holiday parks are based.

She went on to warn that it could “drive out” people from visiting the region.

Dame Andrea Jenkyns (Reform UK) has reiterated that she won’t be introducing the levy as she fears it could discourage visitors.

Dame Andrea Jenkyns said: “The Government’s made more announcements about devolution powers that I completely welcome – having more powers and ensuring that your voice is heard here in our region.

“But one thing I won’t be implementing is the visitor levy. I can see how our hospitality industry has been quite frankly hammered over the years – the B&Bs, the hotels, the pubs and restaurants.

“I do not want to drive out people from visiting our region, so I will not be implementing it.

“People are struggling anyway, so don’t worry, your seaside holidays, the local businesses, I’ve got your back.”

Conservative Mayor of Tees Valley Ben Houchen also ruled out introducing any tourist tax last year.

Paul Bristow, the Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, wrote on X that “this is not the time to put extra costs on staying overnight in #Cambridgeshire and #Peterborough“.

While at the moment these regions have either said or implied that they won’t be introducing tourist tax, it could change if there are local elections and the ruling party switches.

Another question mark is on the places that do not have an elected regional mayor – for example Cornwall.

Cornwall does not have a mayor for the whole county, but is looking for a way to set up a foundation strategic authority (FSA) so it could be set up by 2028.

During a visit this summer, Burnham said an overnight levy could be a “major game changer” for Cornwall and wanted to start discussions about it “sooner rather than later”.

Other places like Cheshire and Warrington are setting up mayoral authority and will hold elections next year.

Parts of Scotland have a tourist tax – it first started in Edinburgh in July 2026.

Aberdeen is also planning adding a new levy in 2027 with a stay the city potentially costing an extra £4.90 per night.

FOURTEEN British cities are eyeing up a new “tourist tax” meaning tourists and Brits heading on staycations will face paying hundreds more for their trip.

This comes as Andy Burnham approved the plans yesterday (September 10) to add five per cent to overnight stays.

Yesterday, the prime minister announced plans to allow mayors to impose an uncapped charge on overnight stays, although Labour mayors have pledged to cap the new fee at 5 per cent or below.

The additional fee would be added to hotel bills, and apply to those staying overnight in hotels and holiday lets including Airbnb and guesthouses.

All visitors, regardless of nationality and reason for visit, will have to pay it. It will be uncapped, meaning mayors can choose how much to charge.

The money would then be used to fund local amenities such as public transport and infrastructure.

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Cities and regions that may soon introduce the additional charge include London, Liverpool, Bristol and Bath.

As well as cultural hubs such as Durham, Manchester, York and Newcastle.

Earlier, the government had promised to protect budget holidays “by making sure low-cost accommodation always pays lowest levy” and said the extra cash would be invested in high streets.

However, the chief executive of UKHospitality, Allen Simpson, warned the BBC that the new charge could add nearly £100 to £120 to the average cost of a UK family holiday.

This also comes at a time where the hospitality industry has already suffered from rises to Employer National Insurance and the minimum wage, costing the sector billions.

However, these would not be the first regions in the UK to implement the new charge – which could come as early as 2028.

In Manchester, a “city visitor charge” of £1 per room per night already applies to some hotels, however the new tourist charge would replace it.

iPhone users are being urged to take advantage of a little-known travel hack that could stop you feeling confused or panicked over potential changes to your upcoming flight

Turning on one setting on your iPhone could save you from panicking if your flight information changes. Flights in and out of the UK have been thrown into disarray this week after an air traffic control failure caused cancellations and delays to more than 2,000 flights, leaving passengers in limbo.

The majority of the disruption occurred on Tuesday (8th September) and Wednesday (9th September), and while airports are now back up and running, experts warn the knock-on effect of the catastrophic failure of the NATS air control system will continue to be felt for the rest of the week.

If you’re travelling soon and worried about potential disruptions to your flight in the aftermath of the system failure, then there is something you can do to give yourself peace of mind – and it’s all to do with your phone.

Michelle Winterfield, who usually shares finance tips on Instagram, recently shared a video in which she said if you do one thing with your iPhone on the morning of your flight, you’ll be spared any potential headaches if your gate is changed, your flight is delayed, or there are other updates to your travel plans.

She said: “Here’s a flight hack nobody tells you about. The morning of your flight, text yourself your flight number. But here’s the key: you have to include the airline code. So, if you’re on Delta Airlines flight 2358, you type DL2358.

“Then that text turns into a live link that tells you your gate, your departure time, your baggage claim number, and it updates in real time. No more hunting for screens in the airport. If someone’s picking you up, send them the flight number too, and they can literally watch your plane flying across the screen and see the exact moment your arrival time updates.”

If you have a connecting flight, you can text yourself both flight numbers and take all the stress out of trying to find the right information for your next flight when you’re racing through the airport.

The only downside to the trick is that it only works through iMessage on an iPhone or other Apple device, and there is no function for the same flight tracking on Android phones.

Michelle added in the caption: “The morning of your flight, do this before you leave the house. It changes everything.”

Commenters on the post thanked her for her advice, as many had no idea it was a feature on their phone. Others who used the hack before agreed with Michelle that it’s definitely a “life-saver”.

One person said: “I’ve used this for years, mostly for those picking me up! Works like a charm.”

Another added: “If this is right, it sure would be handy!” Someone else posted: “I never knew, wow! Thanks, girl, you’re a lifesaver.”

It’s important to note the phone trick doesn’t guarantee that your flight won’t be delayed, and it won’t take away the stress of dealing with airport chaos if something similar to the air traffic control nightmare were to happen again. However, it can help you keep track of your own flight information, no matter where in the airport you are.

How to track a flight on an iPhone

• Open the Messages app on your iPhone or other Apple device
• Type in the airline code and the flight number into a chat with yourself, or send it to a friend or family member
• Tap Send via iMessage
• Wait for the flight number to be underlined, as this indicates that your phone recognises it as a link
• Tap or press and hold the underlined text, then select ‘Preview Flight’
• You should now be able to see the flight information

You will need to know your airline’s IATA code as well as your specific flight number to make the trick work. Your flight number is specific to the flight you’re booked on, and should be on your ticket. Some common IATA codes include:

• British Airways: BA
• RyanAir: FR (in Ireland), RK (for RyanAir UK)
• EasyJet: U2
• Jet2: LS
• Virgin Atlantic: VS

Palma, the capital of Mallorca, is the perfect mix of seaside and city, and the ideal place for a weekend away. Mum of two Hannah Britt took her daughters – and they didn’t want to leave

Palma’s cobbled backstreets provided much needed shade as we went on the hunt for ice cream. It was 10am and the summer sun was already at boiling point as we meandered around the beautiful old town. My young daughters and I ducked into the Convent de Santa Clara to cool off.

Home to cloistered nuns, it’s a brilliant spot for children as you can ring a bell for cake. Once dung, a nun, hidden behind a traditional revolving wooden turnstile known as a torno, asks for your order, offering traditional handmade cakes, biscuits, and pastries.

Baked goods in small fists, we thanks the nuns, left and made our way to Palma Cathedral, also known as La Seu, a massive Gothic Roman Catholic landmark located right on the sea.

Not a quick project, construction on the cathedral started in 1229 after King James I conquered the island, and it was finished in 1601.

A short queue allows you inside, which is just as impressive as its imposing exterior. Famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí worked on interior restorations starting in 1904, adding a unique crown-of-thorns canopy over the altar.

But with the call of ice cream still beckoning, it was time to go. Luckily for us, Artello Gelato was just around the corner, a popular artisan ice cream shop rated five stars on Tripadvisor.

I chose pistachio, as did my two year old, while my six year old went for salted caramel. A blissful five minutes followed as we devoured what I must agree is the best ice cream in town. Careful not to waste a drop we walked over to Placa Court, an historic public square famous for its 17th-century town hall and a massive 600-year-old olive tree.

And what a tree indeed. Swirled and gnarled like something out of a story book, it’s a symbol of peace for Palma and around 7m in circumference.

Visitors often look closely at the twisted bark to spot natural formations that resemble faces, including a distinct feature known locally as the Orella de Mallorca (the Ear of Mallorca). That looks like you, mummy, said my six year old. I wasn’t sure whether to be proud or deeply offended.

Laughing, I dipped us inside the town hall, which houses a permanent display of giant festival folklore figures known locally as gegants (giants) or large festival dolls. These over-four-meter-tall mannequins are not everyday puppets; they are heavy, hollow-framed figures worn by dancers, paraded through the streets during major city celebrations, such as the Festa de Sant Sebastià (Palma’s patron saint festival in January) and Corpus Christi.

When not on duty, however, they guard the grand entrance hall to the town hall. Can I have one, asked my six year old, as I led her swiftly away.

With the midday sun now high in the sky, it was time to retreat to our hotel. We were staying a short taxi ride away at the Zafiro Palace Palmanova, a five star want-for-nothing complex ideally situated, as the name suggests, in nearby Palmanova. Set between Palma and along the coast from Magaluf, the area manages to bridge the gap between lively and tranquil – and the Zafiro Palace is the jewel in its crown.

The hotel’s back gate leads to the clean, sandy beach in minutes, lined with bars, cafes and ice cream shops. Our favourite was the breezy Turtle Beach, which made a perfect Aperol spritz. But once inside the complex, it’s hard to muster the will to leave.

Rooms are immaculate and chicly decorated, all with balconies and some with hot tubs. We were lucky enough to have a swim-up suite, meaning we could roll out of bed and into the water at a moment’s notice. Two large kids pools and several main pools lay close by however, tantalisingly beckoning us in.

When hungry, food was sublime, with plenty on offer for even the fussiest little ones. The best flat white was to be found in the bar. As I sat that evening watching the girls dance at the kids’ disco, I had already plotted our return.

*Nightly rates at Zafiro Palace Palmanova start from €438 per night with All Inclusive Redefined ®

*Hannah and her family went on a 2-hour private walking tour, available on Tripadvisor

Imagine Paris in the 1920s, only it’s Los Feliz today — the Figaro Bistro patio humming with literary gossip from mercurial poets through clouds of cigarette smoke. It’s a proposition that Sammy Ginsberg is willing to explore.

A longtime writer and former high school English teacher, Ginsberg found writer gatherings to be inaccessible — either too large in scope or too exclusive. Luckily, Vermont and Hillhurst avenues are just right. The Los Feliz Writer Festival was born.

“Los Feliz is super artsy and filled with writers. It’s fun to organize one in the neighborhood,” says Ginsberg.

Ginsberg is weary of the well-trodden conversations about the New York literary scene, steeped in endless mythology. We may not have the New Yorker or the Paris Review, but we have each other: “There are 40 million people who live in L.A. County. I’m like, ‘We don’t need New York. We have people.’ ”

Willa Lane writes in a notebook at the closing Los Feliz Writers Festival event that featured journaling and meditation in Barnsdall Art Park.

(Samahra Litte )

That scrappy DIY quality can make Los Angeles’ literary community feel mysterious, even to the people living in it. A San Fernando Valley native, Ginsberg knows there’s plenty happening around the city — you just have to know where to look.

“There’s a lot of things going on, but you have to be in the know,” she says. “It’s happening in someone’s living room because it costs so much money to book a venue.”

In late August, Ginsberg organized the second annual Los Feliz Writer Festival, a sprawling collection of readings, workshops, parties and other literary miscellany. “Last year we did it, and it went really well,” she says. “This year, it’s even bigger and crazier and magical.”

The festival is, in some ways, an extension of the community Ginsberg has been quietly building all year. Since October, she’s hosted a weekly “Shut Up & Write” at Los Feliz watering hole the Big Bar at Alcove. “We have dinner and then write next to each other quietly,” says Ginsberg. “You can see each other every week, and it’s a natural, slow way to get to know people.”

The Los Feliz Writer Festival kicked off with Poets Are the New Popstars, a reading-meets-house-party at a private home in Los Feliz. Over the course of the festival’s 13 events, writers could attend personal essay workshops, receive tarot readings, and celebrate the 100th birthdays of Frank O’Hara, Allen Ginsberg and Harper Lee at East Hollywood bar Tabula Rasa. “I made these limited-edition official after-party zines with a poem and quote from the authors,” says Ginsberg.

Alex Moreno reads from her poetry collection “Sticky Time” at Poets Are the New Popstars.

(Toby Shapiro)

Ginsberg imagines the literary scene as a collaborative project. “For me, this is kind of like hipster ‘Dungeons & Dragons.’ I’m playing with my friends,” she says of the festival, which she plans to organize annually. In the future, the festival hopes to include more diverse voices. “In the second year, we’re trying to open up the conversation,” she says. “We, too, believe that L.A. is for everyone and want it to be a writers festival for everyone.”

Christina Catherine Martinez, a critic, writer and comedian, has a more pointed take on the Los Angeles literary world.

“A lot of parties and readings, but not a lot of bylines,” she muses. “Substack IRL but still gunning for the traditional publishing deal — kind of an old world is dying, a new world is not yet born.”

Yet, Martinez welcomes the proliferation of readings that have emerged throughout the city. “I love that there are so many readings,” she says. “Fifteen years ago the only time I mingled with other writers was at the yearly Artforum dinner, when the lit scene was barnacled to the art scene.”

This fall, Los Angeles will host an eclectic mix of literary events, from readings by acclaimed novelists to intimate gatherings for emerging writers and readers. For those looking to immerse themselves in the city’s burgeoning literary scene, here are 16 readings and literary events taking place across Los Angeles.

GETTING paid to travel the world is the ultimate dream job – and one Brit who gets to do just that has revealed her top bargain sun spots to escape to on a budget.

Having visited more than 20 TUI hotels and resorts, Lucy Langtry has travelled all over the world for the past four years for the company as a public relations manager.

And as a result she knows the best sunny spots with cheap deals.

She said: “Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia have impressed me most for overall value.”

Though, for a closer-to-home great value destination she recommends visiting the Albanian Alps, where “the scenery felt pristine and there were hardly any crowds”.

One particular spot she recommends is the village of Theth, where temperatures reach up to 20C in October.

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She said: “There were hardly any crowds – it felt like discovering a part of Europe that not everyone had caught on to yet.”

The small mountain village in Northern Albania is surrounded by rugged and dramatic peaks.

In the village you will find traditional stone houses as well as amazing hiking routes that include waterfalls.

TUI has loads of accommodation options in the capital, Tirana, which makes a great base for exploring both the north and south of the country.

And packages could cost you as little as £173 per person for three nights in October, including flights and accommodation.

If you want to head slightly further afield, then Lucy recommends travelling to Morocco – where temperatures reach up to 20C in December.

She said: “Morocco is such a strong one for value, especially TUI BLUE Tikida Gardens [in Marrakech] which feels like a little oasis.

“It is so calm and relaxing, with that proper switch-off feel that makes you forget you are only a short flight from home, and you can spend your days exploring the colourful souks right on your doorstep.”

A three night stay at TUI BLUE Tikida Gardens costs from £335 per person in December including flights and accommodation.

But there are other packages available if you want to spend less, including three nights at the Moroccan House Marrakech in December from £216 per person.

Or in Egypt, Lucy recommends visiting TUI BLUE Crystal Bay in Hurghada, Egypt, where temperatures reach 35C in September.

“Egypt has become the destination I recommend more than anywhere else, and TUI BLUE Crystal Bay captures everything I love about it.

“The hotel has a beautiful setting on the Red Sea, lovely pools, incredible service and a relaxed atmosphere that makes you feel like you are on holiday as soon as you arrive.

“It is the sort of hotel where you can spend the morning relaxing beside the water, have a long lunch and then head out into the desert for a completely different experience,” she said.

You could stay at the hotel in December for six nights including flights for £810 per person.

Or for a cheaper option you could head to Palm Inn Hotel also in Hurghada for seven nights in September, with flights and accommodation included, from £400 per person.

She added that while in Hurghada you can head on a TUI Musement excursion into the desert and watch the sunset from the top of a mountain.

She revealed: “It felt like another world. One moment you are enjoying a beautiful beach and a lovely hotel, then you are surrounded by this incredible desert landscape watching the whole sky change colour.”

Off Hurghada, you can also travel to Mahya Island, on a TUI Musement experience, where you will see clear water that “rivals photographs of the Maldives”.

For a hidden gem, she suggests heading to Jaz Elite Amara in Marsa Alam.

She said: “Marsa Alam is one of my favourite places in Egypt because it still feels less discovered than some of the better known resorts.

“The Red Sea is unbelievably clear and the marine life is incredible.”

Off the island you can head snorkelling with dugongs, also known as sea cows, as well as turtles.

You’ll get beautiful beaches ideal for a relaxing too.

She added: “It is perfect for anyone who wants a quieter side of the Red Sea, with incredible snorkelling right on their doorstep.”

Her final recommendation is Holiday Village AQI Skanes Resort in Tunisia costing from £436 for a six-night break in October, which Lucy commented is great for families.

She said: “The kids’ club was amazing. There was so much for children to do and the team brought such brilliant energy.

“You could see how excited the children were to go back each day, which I imagine is music to any parent’s ears.”

She added that the whole resort felt designed to make family holidays easy, with activities, entertainment and spaces where different ages could have fun.

She continued: “Tunisia itself really surprised me too.

“The beaches were beautiful, the people were incredibly friendly and the overall experience offered fantastic value.

“It is somewhere I would happily recommend to families who want plenty to do without spending a fortune.”

IF you’re looking forward to the dark autumn nights and epic firework displays – you’ll want to bag tickets to the biggest in the country.

The event also has a huge fairground, live entertainment and monster trucks – tickets go on sale today and are bound to sell out fast.

Held at Abingdon Airfield, the firework display is the biggest in the country and will take place on November 14.

It’s an incredible wraparound display with 270 degrees of fireworks across the airfield’s horizon with flashing lasers and lights all to music.

There’s also an earlier kids singalong fireworks show especially for youngsters – both fireworks displays are followed by the lighting of roaring bonfire.

Throughout the event, families can enjoy the rides at the largest fairground in the south of England.

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There are over 100 rides and attractions like the waltzers, ghost houses, mirror houses and bouncy castles – each ride costs £2.

There will also be enormous monster truck rides doing donuts and epic fireball explosions too.

Music and live entertainment will be held throughout the evening including Kerin & Perry which are an act where ‘comedy meets dance nostalgia’.

When it comes to food and drink, there’s a food village with plenty of snacks to pick up, sweet treats, drinks and craft bars.

One visitor who went last year said: “It was an absolutely amazing event! Fireworks were out of this world, the fairground had a huge choice of rides and prizes for all games, food – delicious and not overpriced.”

Another added: “The fireworks are on another level! Each year tops the last; bigger, brighter, and more breathtaking every time. Easily the best we’ve ever seen.”

Another simply said they were “The best fireworks we have seen to date!”

One change for this year is there is less capacity in order to make the event more exclusive and comfortable – but it does mean fewer tickets are on offer.

So if you want to get yourself some, head to their website, here.

Adult tickets start from £20, tickets for children (3-15) start from £15 – those under three go free.

THE FINAL tickets for one of the country’s biggest Christmas events will drop TODAY.

LaplandUK will release its final batch of tickets today at midday.

These will be the final tickets available for the 2026 events and there will also be tickets to the Golden Experience available.

Tickets will be available for both Lapland Ascot and Lapland Manchester – which has more availability of the two.

Fans can also nab tickets to The Golden Experience – a VIP experience with a personal guide, private check in, a meal in Pumpernickel’s secret pantry in the Eleven Village, priority seating and access, honorary elf hats, Golden Explorers pin badge, onsite currency, a signed Lapland storybook and a 2026 bauble.

Each experience will have its own online queue.

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Those who are signed up to LaplandUK’s newsletter will receive an email before midday with links to all the queues.

Then at midday, all people in the virtual queues will be randomly assigned a place in line for tickets.

Once you reach the front of that line, you will be able to make your booking.

LaplandUK states: “We recommend joining ahead of midday to give you the best chance of securing your preferred visit.”

The experience is often dubbed the ‘Glastonbury of Christmas’ due to tickets selling out fast each year.

And earlier this year when tickets were released in March, they sold out within a few hours.

This year will mark the second edition of LaplandUK Manchester at Capesthorne Hall.

At both experiences, guests can enjoy immersive sets and live performances.

Tickets include a four-and-a-half hour journey through the Enchanted Forest and into the Eleven World.

Children get to help the elves make toys and Mother Christmas to decorate gingerbread.

And of course, after all that, guests will get to meet Father Christmas himself.

Both UK experiences will be open from November 7 to December 24.

And ticket prices range from £60 to £155 per person, depending on the day you visit.

Golden Experience tickets range from £299 to £599 per person.

ABTA has confirmed the closure of a UK travel company that offered trips to the likes of New York, Las Vegas and Greece, with issued advice for customers with existing bookings

A UK travel firm that provided worldwide holidays has shut down after nearly two decades in business.

Barnes Worldwide Travel Ltd was an independent travel agent in Liverpool that offered holidays to destinations around the world, ranging from New York and Las Vegas, to Egypt, Greece and Cyprus. It was established in 2007, but on Wednesday, 9 September, ABTA confirmed that the company has ceased trading.

ABTA said: “We are sorry to inform you that Barnes Worldwide Travel Ltd has ceased trading on 9 September 2026. If you’ve booked travel arrangements with Barnes Worldwide Travel Ltd, you should follow the specific advice set out below.”

Holidays already booked through Barnes Worldwide Travel Ltd should remain unaffected as the firm is a travel agent, rather than an operator. ABTA explained: “If you booked through Barnes Worldwide Travel Ltd, the tour operator or other principal travel business with whom they booked your holiday will be named on your paperwork. If you booked a flight-inclusive holiday, the tour operator or other principal travel business will be named on your ATOL Certificate under, ‘Who is protecting your trip’.

They further advised: “To ensure your holiday continues as planned, you will need to contact the credit control department of your tour operator or other principal travel business with whom you have a contract. Your booking should continue as normal, and they will be your direct point of contact. Please ensure that you have your documentation with you, as they may require information from this to assist you.” Barnes Worldwide Travel Ltd’s website has since gone offline. But it’s not the only UK travel firm to go under this year.

Golf Villa Rentals Ltd, based in Seaford, East Sussex, stopped trading on August 18, 2026. The firm specialised in golf package holidays worldwide, providing accommodation in villas and apartments for both small and large groups.

An ABTA spokesperson said: “We are sorry to inform you that Golf Villa Rentals Ltd has ceased trading with effect from 18 August 2026. The company sold package holidays which included accommodation and travel (excluding flight) and/or other services.”

Frasers Travel, a family-run business based in Scotland, was also confirmed to have gone bust after more than 40 years of operation. In a statement posted on its Facebook page last month, it read: “We regret to inform you that Frasers Travel Ltd has today ceased trading. We would like to thank all our past clients for their loyalty and support. If you have an existing booking can you please email details to info@mclenancorporate.com.”

In addition, TS Travel Realisations Ltd and Yourtravelshop.com Ltd were both confirmed as ATOL failures this month, a classification that can arise when a company stops trading or becomes insolvent. Travel Bespoke Ltd and Trav Expert Limited also shut their doors in May, while back in January, Asiara UK Ltd, Simply Florida Travel Ltd, and Regen Central Ltd were all confirmed by ATOL as no longer protected by their schemes.

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

This article commemorates Saint Teresa Canonisation Day in Albania, highlighting the life and global impact of the famous humanitarian. It tracks her journey from her Albanian heritage and birth in the Ottoman Empire to her transformative work in India where she founded the Missionaries of Charity. The text emphasizes her organization’s dedication to serving the destitute and suffering across over one hundred countries through various medical and social programs. Recognized with the Nobel Peace Prize, her legacy is defined by a commitment to extreme poverty and religious devotion. Additionally, the source provides a snapshot of global news and financial data from early September 2026.

THERE’S a travel club you can join that instantly unlocks some of the best holiday deals out there – and Sun readers can sign up for just £1.

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Sign up to Travelzoo for £1 (30 day trial)

Travelzoo is a money-saving club where members can bag super cheap holiday deals both abroad and in the UK.

We’ve found UK breaks from £89pp, Portugal holidays from £127pp, and even an incredible 11-night River Nile cruise and hotel package for £549pp.

Plus there’s extra benefits for members like free airport lounge access if your flight is delayed, so you can enjoy free food and drink and have somewhere comfy to sit.

Here’s some of the best bargains members can grab, which include a luxurious Italian island stay and an all inclusive break to the Canaries.

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Amsterdam – £137pp

Tick off an Amsterdam city break with this two night stay in the Dutch capital.

The deal includes return flights plus a stay at the Chasse Boutique Hotel, which puts you within walking distance of the sprawling Vondelpark, Amsterdam‘s largest park.

You’re also close to Foodhallen, where you can grab lunch from 20 different street food stalls including gourmet hot dogs and tasty dim sum.

A 10-minute bike ride will take you to Jordaan, a pretty, narrow street neighbourhood packed with boutique shops and canalside cafes.

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11 Night Nile cruise & beach stay – £549pp

If you tot up your flights, cruise, hotel, plus food and drink for this stay, it works out to less than £50pp per night – which is incredible value for a River Nile break.

This package combines an all inclusive four night stay at the Royal Lagoons Resort with a seven night MS Royal Adventure Cruise, with all of your transfers and meals included.

The Royal Lagoons Resort & Aqua Park is a spectacular hotel in Hurghada with four pools, its own waterpark, a spa and a private beach.

And the scenic Nile cruise itself has stops at places like Luxor, home to the Avenue of Sphinxes, and Edfu, a collection of temples covered in hieroglyphics.

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Porto – £127pp

Enjoy three nights in a swanky hotel plus return flights to Porto for £127pp with this bargain city break deal.

Swap the grey UK weather for Porto‘s sun-drenched cobbled streets, where riverside wine bars offer glasses of Vino Verde for as little as €3.

The package includes a stay at the HF Tuela Porto, which is close to the pretty Palacio de Cristal gardens, where you’ll find manicured gardens, fountains and wandering peacocks.

Plus the flexibility of Travelzoo deals means you can travel as soon as next weekend, or book ahead for next year.

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Italian island escape – £499pp

If you fancy visiting an Italian island with postcard-perfect, colourful towns, lush landscaped and even bubbling hot springs, look no further than Ischia.

This deal includes flights. transfers, and a five night, half board stay at the Hotel La Pergola & Villa Flavio Thermal Resort.

You’ll receive a cheeky welcome drink on arrival, before checking into the traditional, coral-coloured hotel and taking a dip in its hot spring baths.

You even get a half-day tour in Lacco Amen, an elegant coastal town, plus a Limoncello tasting session.

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Scandinavian tour – £499pp

Visit Sweden, Norway and Denmark on this combined Scandinavian sightseeing trip.

You’ll start by flying to Copenhagen, where you’ll spend two nights at the stylish Copenhagen Island hotel, where you can head out to explore the pastel-coloured houses that line the waterfront.

Next you’ll hop on an overnight cruise from Copenhagen to Oslo, before spending two nights at the Scandic Helsfyr hotel.

Spend your days here taking in the views of the city from the rooftop of the striking Oslo Opera House, or tour the medieval Akershus Fortress for a dose of history.

Then you’ll hop on a short flight from Oslo to Stockholm, where you’ll stay at the boujee Hotel Gio, BW Signature Collection hotel, a 10-minute walk from the royal Haga Park and the massive Brunnsviken Lake.

After enjoying a Stockholm archipelago cruise tour with a hot drink, you’ll be headed back to the UK having ticked off three countries.

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Tenerife – £499pp

This deal bags you flights plus an all inclusive seven night stay in Puerto de la Cruz, with airport transfers included.

Stay in the four-star Fergus Puerto de la Cruz, a hotel surrounded by suptropical gardens that feels like an island oasis.

The hotel sits on a hilltop overlooking the coastal town, plus there’s three outdoor pools to pick from with fantastic volcanic views.

Your all inclusive break includes a huge buffest restaurant with live show cooking stations, plus plenty of bars to grab a drink, including the lounge bar which comes alive in the evenings with live entertainment.

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Prices correct at the time of publication.

THIS is the scary moment a Ryanair plane’s wingtip hit the ground as it came into land at Dublin Airport.

A passenger filmed the moment the plane lurched to the right and suffered a “minor wingtip impact” during a rough landing yesterday morning.

The Boeing 737 Max, which took off from Bologna just after 8am came in to land at Dublin at 10.45am.

As it touched down on the runway, the plane tumbled onto its right-hand side.

Shocked passengers watched as the wing tips of the plane brushed against the runway.

Recognising the danger of the dodgy landing, the Ryanair pilots immediately brought the engines up to full power to perform a go-around.

This is where a plane aborts its landing attempt and flies in a loop around the airport to try again.

The two pilots were able to guide the plane safely onto the ground about 15 minutes later.

In a statement, Ryanair described the incident as a “minor wingtip impact”.

A spokesperson told us yesterday: “On landing in Dublin this evening (10 Sept) Ryanair flight FR9457 from Bologna suffered a minor wing tip impact.

“The aircraft landed safely and all passengers offloaded normally.

“Our engineers are now repairing this wing tip and the aircraft is expected back into service tomorrow morning (11 Sept).”

It comes as Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary came under fire for “shameful” comments he made describing other airlines as “high-fare rapists”.

The Ryanair chief landed himself in hot water ahead of his budget airline’s annual general meeting in Dublin yesterday.

The billionaire businessman, 65, claimed rising air travel prices at other airlines would see passengers switch to Ryanair, before doubling down on his claims.

In response, Labour’s Laura Harmon urged the notorious motormouth to engage with organisations like the Rape Crisis Centre, and to apologise for his “shocking” language.

The senator fumed: “Michael O’Leary must apologise for the comments he made in advance of Ryanair’s annual general meeting in Dublin.

“The casual use of the word ‘rapist’ to describe the prices of his competitors is deeply shocking and could be traumatising for any survivor of sexual abuse.

“We should have a zero-tolerance approach to sexual violence. In recent years, due to the tireless work of activists and the bravery of survivors of sexual violence who have shared their stories, Ireland has taken a strong stance in support of survivors.

“It is shameful to see O’Leary diminish the real experience of these survivors in such a way.”

Harmon continued: “Every week brings shocking new statistics and stories about the levels of domestic and sexual violence against women in our country.

“Reports conducted by organisations like the National Women’s Council of Ireland often detail the systemic challenges victims of domestic violence are faced with when they look for help – through the courts and the legal system, and through first responders like the Gardai.

“Having O’Leary make such ignorant comments only adds to this. I would urge him to come out and apologise today, and commit to informing himself about the real trauma of sexual violence.”

Fianna Fail’s Lorraine Clifford-Lee also condemned O’Leary’s comments as “a new low” for the Ryanair CEO.