TRAVEL

They said the hotel was dirty and food on the all-inclusive trip was undercooked. They also claimed to see faeces in the swimming pool on more than one occaision

A family say their £4,000 holiday was ruined by a “filthy” hotel which left their five-year-old on antibiotics. Samantha Smithson, 34, and husband Dion Hart, 31, took their two children – aged two and five- and Samantha’s parents away to Tunisia in August.

But when they arrived at their hotel on August 10, they were apparently put in a room that had just a double, which Samantha shared with the children, and a single bed, which Dion took. The couple also claim they found exposed cabling, wobbly balcony railings, a smashed light, and a shower tray that did not drain inside the room.

They said the hotel was dirty and food on the all-inclusive trip was undercooked, so they shelled out around £500 extra buying food from outside the hotel. They claimed to notice faeces in the swimming pool twice and alerted staff. Booking provider On The Beach has offered the family a partial refund of £496.

Samantha, an operations manager, from Canterbury, Kent, said: “It was the most horrendous experience. Our room wasn’t safe and I spent the whole week feeling anxious about the kids. I was in tears all the time, it was awful. We just couldn’t wait to get home.

“I do not believe that £496 fairly reflects what our family experienced or the significant difference between the holiday we paid for and the holiday we actually received.”

The family said rubbish was left out, and their towels were dirty. Samantha said the hotel had no air-con in the 40-degree heat. Playground equipment was broken, and the advertised spa and gym were not open, Samantha said.

Their five-year-old has been given antibiotics for 40-degree temperatures and gunky eyes since coming home, and doctors said it was likely caused by dirty water, Samantha said. Samantha and builder Dion booked the holiday, in the Abou Sofiane Sousse hotel and aqua park, through online-travel-agent On The Beach.

Samantha made a complaint on August 17 and on August 25, and was offered a partial refund 28 days later. Samantha, who shared the story on Talk to the Press, said: “It’s just unacceptable to book in more people than they have capacity for, and to take bookings for rooms they don’t have.

“I’m really disappointed that On The Beach didn’t help us at all. We trusted them with our money and have been completely let down. We spent the whole time trying to contact them, but you can’t speak to anyone.

“It was filthy everywhere; it was horrible. Our kids were hungry the whole time because the hotel food we had paid for was so bad, and dangerous.”

A spokesperson for On the Beach said: “We’re sorry that Ms Smithson was disappointed with her hotel stay and we have been in contact directly in an effort to resolve her complaint.

“A partial refund of the hotel cost has been offered and has not yet been accepted.”

Abou Sofiane Sousse Hotel and Aqua Park were contacted for comment.

Foreign Office issues updated Thailand travel guidance for Brits on Monday

The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has revised its travel guidance for those planning a trip to Thailand.

The South East Asian destination is growing increasingly popular with British holidaymakers, with over a million making the journey every year. On top of this, tens of thousands of UK nationals live, work, or retire in Thailand – in locations such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, and Phuket. To enter Thailand as a tourist, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive and have at least one blank page.

The FCDO warns: “You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.” As of September 15, 2026, if you enter Thailand on a British passport, under the visa exemption scheme, you can stay for up to 30 days for tourism only.

This does not extend to business travel, including attending conferences, meetings or other business activities. Those travelling for business purposes should secure the appropriate visa prior to departure.

New Foreign Office Thailand alert issued

New FCDO Thailand advice, issued on Monday, reads: “Visa-exempt entry for tourism through land-border immigration checkpoints is normally limited to two entries per calendar year. This restriction does not generally apply to arrivals by air.

“If you frequently enter Thailand as a tourist, immigration officials may ask for evidence of your onward travel, accommodation, or sufficient funds, and may refuse entry if they believe you are not a genuine visitor.”

All overseas nationals travelling to Thailand, whether by air, land or sea, are required to complete a digital arrival card online prior to their arrival. Travellers are able to register for an arrival card up to three days before they land.

Should you overstay your visa, you face a penalty of 500 Thai baht (around £11) per day, rising to a maximum of 20,000 baht (around £449). You also risk being detained, deported at your own cost, and banned from returning to Thailand for as long as 10 years.

‘He had a personality that could light up a room, bring people together and make everyone around him smile’

A football coach has died suddenly while on holiday with friends at just 37 – leaving behind his fiancée and two young sons. Warren Coard, from Co Antrim, Northern Ireland, died while on a trip in Tenerife with a group of friends.

The dad-of-two was a former goalkeeper and coach for several clubs and is remembered as a much-loved character who could light up any room. A fundraiser has been launched to help his fiancée Olivia Greer cover medical costs and funeral expenses.

It reads: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the devastating news of the sudden loss of Warren Coard, who sadly passed away in Tenerife while away on a trip with his friends. At just 37 years old, Warren was taken from us far too soon, leaving behind a heartbroken family, friends and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

“Warren was the life and soul of every gathering. He had a personality that could light up a room, bring people together and make everyone around him smile. He was the kind of person who made memories wherever he went, and his presence, laughter and infectious spirit will never be forgotten.”

The appeal paid tribute to Warren’s fiancée, his sons Charlie and Levi, his mum Carol and his wider family. It added: “No family should ever have to experience such heartbreak, especially so suddenly and at such a young age. At this incredibly difficult time, Warren’s loved ones are facing the unexpected financial burden of funeral costs.

“This has placed additional pressure on his family during an already devastating time, when they should be able to focus on grieving, supporting one another and remembering Warren for the amazing person he was.”

Football clubs Warren played for also paid tribute to the former goalkeeper and coach. A spokesperson for Barn United Football Club in Carrickfergus said: “Everyone at the club is devastated to hear of the untimely passing of our former goalkeeper coach, Warren Coard aka Coardy.

“Our thoughts are with the entire family circle at this difficult time. Rest easy Coardy.”

Islandmagee Football Club said: “The club are saddened to hear of the passing of our former goalkeeper, goalkeeping coach and long term supporter Warren Coard. Everyone at the clubs thoughts are with ‘Coardys’ family and friends at this awful time.”

The fundraiser appealed for donations to help ease the financial pressure on Warren’s loved ones as they prepare to say their final goodbyes. It said: “Warren was loved by so many, and the number of lives he touched is a testament to the person he was.

“At only 37, he had so much more life to live, so many more memories to make and so much more love to give.

“Fly high, Warren. You were taken far too soon, but you will never be forgotten. Forever loved, forever missed, and always in our hearts.”

Nestled a short stroll from the Griffith Park Ranger Station, near some tennis courts and not far from the remains of the park’s original zoo lies a gem that is on most days behind lock and key. The Griffith Park merry-go-round, which turned 100 this year, stands motionless, many of its 66 wooden horses weathered and caught mid-ascent.

But the effort to ensure that they once again rise, fall and spin around a spherical base has begun. The Griffith Park merry-go-round is being resurrected by a group of passionate supporters and volunteers, some of whom are veterans of the theme park industry. Collectively, they argue that this isn’t simply a relic from another era, but a place of multigenerational connection, a reminder of the beauty of handmade art and a statement piece of Los Angeles.

Tracy James, who works in the Department of Recreation and Parks and focuses on Griffith Park, is helping to lead the plans to refurbish the Griffith Park merry-go-round.

Visitors ride the Griffith Park merry-go-round, a favorite haunt of Walt Disney and his daughters, on Aug. 24, 1951.

Shuttered since the COVID-19 pandemic, save for a brief but limited run in 2022, the Griffith Park carousel is now under city control, purchased last year for $1 million. That’s a veritable bargain for such a museum piece, argues Tracy James, who is leading the efforts to restore the project, one that’s expected to take at least two years and cost millions.

“This is the jewel in the middle of the city,” says James, who works in the Department of Recreation and Parks and focuses on Griffith Park. “The ornamentation and the craftsmanship represent a bygone era.”

There was a real fear, James says, that the merry-go-round would fall into the hands of a private collector, as the carousel, if not officially, has long symbolically belonged to L.A. A piece of whimsy, artistry and play in the middle of a natural wonderland, it is where Walt Disney is said to have dreamed up the vision for what would become the Disneyland Resort and a site that has withstood Civil Rights actions and ’60s-era love-ins. To some, it’s a beacon of hope in the midst of an imperfect urban fabric that has long prioritized the fantastical.

“I got teary-eyed when I walked up,” says Wendy Osmundson, who approached the carousel during a recent open house while on a stroll around the park. Osmundson reflected on a day, decades ago, when the merry-go-round saved the family’s Christmas.

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1. Details from the Griffith Park merry-go-round, which is in need of refurbishment. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) 2. The horses of the Griffith Park merry-go-round are known for their flowing manes. 3. Each horse at the carousel is outfitted with jewels.

“I was 21, and my mom’s kitchen burned down,” Osmundson says. “We couldn’t have Christmas at my mom’s house. Everyone came to my one-bedroom apartment in Los Feliz, and me and my three sisters came here and rode the carousel. We were adults, but it was really great. I’d love to see it restored.”

Joining the project to do just that are some of the brightest minds in the theme park and amusement industry, and they’re doing so without pay and on their own time. Kurt Sawitskas has already spent weeks analyzing the carousel’s innards, marveling at its antique nature, but also being amazed that it’s still mostly intact.

“Honestly, I don’t think carousels were ever intended to last 100 years,” Sawitskas says. “And now here we are with a carousel that’s 100 years old. We want to honor it and make it run again.”

Sawitskas’ day job is at Walt Disney Imagineering, the creative arm of the company responsible for theme park design. Beginning to think ahead toward retirement, Sawitskas says he was looking for a project in which he could volunteer his time and expertise. He found it.

The painted panels at the Griffith Park merry-go-round will also need to be restored.

Built in 1926, near the end of what many consider the heyday of the American carousel, the Griffith Park merry-go-round began its life in San Diego and was relocated to Los Angeles in the depths of the Great Depression in 1937. It is the showcase product of the Spillman Engineering Co., whose carousel horses were known for the flowing, wind-blown manes and heavily detailed secondary carvings on the portion of their bodies that face viewers, known as the “romance” side.

A few, for instance, have lion heads extending from their chest. Others have cherubs reaching toward the horse’s face. All are adorned with jewels and tails made of real horse hair, many of which have been eaten by squirrels or other critters. Griffith Park’s carousel is especially unique in that it also has horses from master carvers Charles Looff and Charles Carmel, considered the finest carousel craftsmen of the era.

The few carousel companies that survived the Depression largely did so by switching to a cheaper, mass-produced product, such as transitioning from wood to aluminum. An art was lost.

“It’s brought to me a real appreciation of the deeper aesthetic,” Sawitskas says. He mentions this as he’s giving a tour of the horses, emphasizing how the thickness of the paint created a sense of depth in the figures — a saddle, for instance, of a crisscrossing chessboard-like pattern, or elsewhere an aged leathery toughness. “I recognize what is attractive about an amusement like this, and that’s the ability to return again and again and still see something different.”

Horses and a mural at the Griffith Park merry-go-round.

Sawitskas has recruited a pair of co-workers, Troy Leverton and Pim Renting, who work in various aspects of ride engineering, to help in the task. For Leverton, restoring the carousel is important in bringing a piece of history back to the city, one centered on affordable outdoor entertainment.

“I brought my nieces here 10-plus years ago, and rode it and it was really cool,” Leverton says. “Unfortunately, since my daughter has been born this has been shut down. So it was like, you know what, I live in the city, and it’d be really cool to be a part of something that is doing something for the city. I want to bring my daughter back here when it is running.”

It’s also not lost on them that there’s an association between the company they work for and the carousel, although it’s important to stress they are not volunteering their time as representatives of the Walt Disney Co.

The organ inside the Griffith Park merry-go-round.

“There’s obviously a connection with Walt Disney and what we do,” Leverton says. “There’s a lot of history here. The industry was born out of Disneyland, and Disneyland was born out of this place.”

The story goes that Disney would bring his daughters to the merry-go-round, sit on a bench and dream of a place where adults and children could be entertained together. Both Disney and the company have long told this tale, and a bench, as well as one of the original horses from the carousel, can be found on Disneyland’s Main Street, U.S.A. (There were initially 68 horses, but one, says James, is at Disneyland, and another is with a former owner.) With Disneyland’s King Arthur Carousel, which itself dates to the 1920s, Disney requested a number of modifications that closely match the Griffith Park attraction, such as wanting all its animals be “jumpers” that look like they’re galloping.

James, along with Sawitskas and his pals, want the carousel to be restored to its original glory, a magnificent, gleaming merry-go-round that inspired Disney to dream. On a recent Saturday, Sawitskas hopped on a ladder to analyze the condition of the mechanisms that raise and lower the horses and started poring over carousel history books to match the horses with their original paint colors. In the 1920s, lead paint was used, which must be stripped away.

Wendy Osmundson takes a moment to appreciate the memories of riding the Griffith Park merry-go-round.

“There’s no way to just keep painting over this and hiding the problem,” Sawitskas says. “We really need to get down to the bottom. A lot of the horses have small fractures in the wood joints that need to be repaired as well. You can’t do that on top of paint. You need to be at the wood. We have some very nice ways to get down to the wood without destroying the wood itself, just lifting the paint off. We want to restore all the worn wood and reintroduce the carving lines.”

And that says nothing of the mechanical adjustments and efforts to make the carousel ADA accessible. The Griffith Park carousel has one speed — 14 mph — and the hope is to update it with some modern controls to create a smoother ride. All of this is why James is estimating the tally to restore the carousel will top $3 million or $4 million. An assessment is expected in the coming weeks, and fundraising will occur via the nonprofit Friends of Griffith Park. James will be hosting open houses on as many Saturdays as she can, posting updates on the Griffith merry-go-round project Instagram page.

As the world turned, so did the carousel. In 1961, for instance, a riot erupted at the merry-go-round when police officers alleged a 17-year-old Black rider failed to pay for his admission. Onlookers leapt to the teen’s defense, and it took 75 officers to quell the disturbance. Later that decade hippie love-ins were held regularly at the base of the carousel, occasionally drawing the likes of the Hells Angels or law enforcement. The merry-go-round also became a gathering spot for a candlelight vigil when the Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia died in 1995.

And today, even in its shuttered and bruised state, it stands defiantly — a testament to handmade art at a time the world is spinning toward all-digital everything.

“One of the biggest challenges here is making it look new again,” Sawitskas says. “But I think if we do that, it’s going to be a treasure.”

One that, by the time it’s operational, will twirl gallantly into its next century.

NEW ‘contactless’ e-gates have just been introduced at a major UK airport.

Brits returning to the UK won’t have to scan their passport in a new government scheme to speed up arrivals – and it’s now in place at Gatwick Airport.

East Midlands Airport was the first to introduce the new system on October 6, followed by Gatwick – and eventually it will be rolled out at 13 UK airports.

The contactless system is set to be up to 25 per cent faster than current e-gates.

When one writer for The Times tested out the new e-gates, she said it took just 12 seconds to get through.

How it works is that passengers will have their photo taken at an e-gate which will be checked by the system, verified against immigration, travel and passport information.

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Essentially it takes away the need to both have a picture taken and scan the passport.

Once the checks are complete, the e-gates will open automatically.

If there is a need for further checks, then passengers will need to place their passport on the reader – or they could be asked to see a Border Force officer.

Passengers are still being told to keep their passport with them at all times.

At the moment, the contactless system will be for British citizens only, but eventually could be used by other nationalities.

The other airports which will have the new e-gate system are Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Glasgow, London Heathrow, London City, London Luton, Manchester, Newcastle and London Stansted.

Phil Douglas, director general of Border Force, said: “This is a win for travellers coming to our brilliant country.

“By using state-of-the-art technology, we are making journeys smoother and faster, all while fully maintaining the UK’s robust border security.

“Our digital transformation also builds on our work this summer to extend eGates to children aged eight and above, making life a little easier for families.”

A MAJOR UK airport that sees millions of passengers through its doors each year could come to a complete halt this week.

A strike at Leeds Bradford Airport may mean that no flights will be able to land or depart across two days.

If it does go ahead as planned, then it will mean no flights will be able to land, depart and passengers won’t be able to pass security.

Nearly 130 workers are staging a walkout at Leeds Bradford Airport in a dispute over pay.

Those striking includes a mix of air traffic control workers, security, customer service and cleaners.

The industrial action is set to start on October 16 and last until 6am on Sunday 18.

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There have been ongoing talks over pay since December 2025 but Unite members involved said it “didn’t go far enough”.

Unite regional officer Neil Whitaker said they had “no choice but to strike,” and what would be needed to call of the action is a “fair pay rise”.

In a statement from the airport, it said: “Leeds Bradford Airport acknowledges the proposed industrial action due to take place between 16-18 October involving a group of operational colleagues.

“We respect the right of employees to participate in lawful industrial action. However, we are disappointed by this and do not believe strike action is the right way to resolve the issues still under discussion.

“The airport has made what we believe is a fair and responsible offer that is significantly above inflation and reflects both current economic conditions and the need to ensure the long-term sustainability of the business.

“Our priority now is to minimise disruption for customers, many of whom have worked hard and saved for important holidays, family visits and business travel. At this stage we anticipate running near-normal operations during the period.”

“Leeds Bradford Airport plays a vital role in connecting Yorkshire to the world. Industrial action has the potential to cause inconvenience for thousands of customers and local businesses who rely on those connections.

“We remain committed to constructive dialogue with Unite and would welcome continued discussions aimed at reaching a resolution.

“It is important to recognise that any profits generated by Leeds Bradford Airport are reinvested back into the airport and has been for a number of years. Those funds support improvements to facilities, infrastructure, operations and customer experience including the ongoing LBA:REGEN project which saw the opening of a new central search zone and staff welfare facilities this week.”

The airport is predicted to handle 4.5million passengers this year, after undergoing a huge £100million terminal renovation last year.

The terminal was renovated with a modern arrivals process with 83 per cent more seating and two premium lounges.

Flight compensation rules

A look at your rights if a flight is delayed or cancelled, when your entitled to compensation and if your travel insurance can cover the costs.

What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?

Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.

If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.

You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven’t used yet.

So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.

But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.

When am I not entitled to compensation?

The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.

Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.

Some airlines may stretch the definition of “extraordinary circumstances” but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?

If you can’t claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.

Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.

Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.

If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.

She was celebrating her 390th birthday but now has a broken back – her family wants to bring her home

A woman has been badly injured after falling from a third-floor hotel balcony while celebrating her 30th birthday on a dream holiday in Greece. Denby McLaren suffered a broken vertebra, multiple broken bones in her foot and other injuries in the fall.

She his now in hospital in Greece, with her family desperate to bring her home to Larkhall, South Lanarkshire. Denby had been enjoying a birthday getaway with her mum.

A fundraiser set up to help get her home said: “No family should ever have to experience something like this, and never in a million years did we imagine we would find ourselves in this position. Denby was on holiday in Greece with her mum, celebrating what should have been a very special milestone – her 30th birthday.

“What should have been a happy time filled with memories has turned into every family’s worst nightmare.”

The fall left Denby with serious injuries and facing a long road to recovery far from home and her loved ones.

The fundraiser adds: “Denby has now spent four days in hospital in Greece, far away from home, her family and the people who love her most. It is impossible to put into words the fear, heartbreak and uncertainty that Denby and our family are experiencing right now.

“In a matter of moments, everything changed, and we are now facing a situation none of us could ever have prepared for. Our biggest wish is simple: we just want to bring Denby home.”

Denby requires specialist repatriation by air ambulance, travelling on a stretcher with medical assistance throughout the journey. But the cost has added further strain to the situation.

The fundraiser said: “We want nothing more than for Denby to be back on home soil, surrounded by her family, where she can receive the ongoing medical care and treatment she needs and begin the long road to recovery with her loved ones by her side.

“Right now, being able to get her home safely is our greatest priority. No one ever expects something like this to happen to someone they love, and the emotional and financial strain has been overwhelming.”

The fundraiser had raised more than £10,700 at the time of writing. The appeal added: “Any donation, no matter how big or small, would mean more to us than we could ever explain.

“Every single contribution will help us get one step closer to having Denby safely back with her family, where she belongs.”

The breathtaking island is about a four-hour flight from the UK and boasts heaps of history, culture, TV links and a new hotel that is going to be a hit with rock fans

There are few better places where you can move effortlessly between sunshine, sea and centuries of history than the stunning island of Malta. Friends and family had recommended it to me as the perfect holiday for a mix of sightseeing and relaxation, and it certainly delivered.

As a small island, Malta packs a punch, offering tourists everything they want right on their doorstep. There are few bigger mood killers than a day tour entailing hours and hours cooped up in the car, but Malta’s size means you can hop from place to place in no time at all.

You can easily get a boat to Gozo or the Blue Lagoon in half a day, drink in the incredible sights of Malta’s shoreline, and be back in time to hit the pool before dinner. Meanwhile, Valletta, the EU’s smallest capital, is easily accessible by car or bus, and you need only a few hours to soak up the famous yellow architecture, pretty alleyways and sea views.

The city blows you away with its vivid colours as you arrive. Valletta may be modest in size, but it is extraordinary to look at, boasting a rich history closely connected to the UK. It played a major role in World War Two and became a favourite destination of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. Even today, a British influence is visible on the streets, with our famous red postboxes and iconic Victorian architecture everywhere you go.

Despite being only 0.3 square miles, Valletta offers plenty for a day trip; it boasts 320 historic sites, from the famous St John’s Co-Cathedral to Fort St Elmo. Not only that, it has been the backdrop for several hit Hollywood films, including Assassin’s Creed and Napoleon, making the city a treat for film buffs. At every turn, you are greeted by grand churches and colourful balconies, and all with a jaw-dropping coastline backdrop. A mere few hours was the perfect amount of time to explore before settling down with an Aperol Spritz.

Just a few miles along one of Malta’s most vibrant stretches of coastline lies St Julian’s, a perfect spot for those who like to swim and sunbathe during the day and head out at night. If Valletta is Malta’s historic beating heart, St Julian’s is its party spirit. As it gets dark, restaurants spill onto terraces and the waterfront fills up for sunset drinks.

Nestled nearby in the beautiful St George’s Bay is the Hard Rock Hotel Malta, which opened its doors this summer and could quickly become Malta’s go-to destination. Boasting stunning panoramic sea views, a state-of-the-art gym, a luxury spa area, and eleven (that’s right) swimming pools, it has truly thought of everything. Forgotten your sunscreen? That’s okay, because the hotel even has its own huge shopping centre and supermarket, with everything you could possibly need just a few steps from your room.

The swim-up bar at Hard Rock Hotel was also a particular highlight; I loved basking in the water with a chilled glass of wine while people-watching down onto the beach below. It made the lazy afternoons flow perfectly into the evenings, with sunbathing by the water giving way to sunset drinks on the terrace as guests soaked up the views at all points of the day.

Inside, music memorabilia gave a personal touch, while the hotel’s luxury amenities almost tempt you to forgo exploring. The hotel also boasts a wide range of stylish restaurants and bars serving impeccable food and cocktails from around the world. The experience could be a little overwhelming, but as someone who typically prefers a smaller, boutique stay, I loved the convenience that the Hard Rock Hotel offers when you have only a few days to enjoy. The spacious rooms were also gorgeous with sea-themed decor and a large balcony, and the best part is you’re guaranteed a sea view, with both sides of the hotel offering a stunning glimpse at the Maltese coastline.

If you do want to venture a little further afield for dinner, Cristiano Ronaldo’s restaurant TATEL is a must. Expect beautiful views of the bay’s sparkling waters and a menu that served up some seriously delicious fare (don’t miss out on the iconic Basque Cheesecake).

That’s why Hard Rock Hotel’s location is ideal. The comfort, convenience and style summed up my stay in Malta – everything you need is right in front of you. Exploring doesn’t have to be an ordeal when a morning in ancient streets can be quickly followed by a slow afternoon by a gorgeous pool. You have the beach, the sights, delicious food and drinks all at your fingertips. After a day of sightseeing, returning to the hotel and settling down for a terrace drink felt like part of the holiday rather than a break from it.

Travellers looking for a cost-effective and peaceful Mediterranean escape that offers more than beaches would do a lot worse than enjoy Malta’s ideal combination of history, culture, food and contemporary island life right on your hotel doorstep.

Book it

• Rooms at the Hard Rock Hotel Malta start from £210 a night, based on two adults sharing a Superior Room. Book at hotel.hardrock.com/malta.

Cromore Retreat in Northern Ireland’s Portstewart has just opened a series of the kind of bubble domes that have been setting Instagram and TikTok alight this year

If you’ve been on Instagram or TikTok this past year and your algorithm has a travel slant, there’s a very good chance you’ve seen the bubble tents.

There are countless wanderlusty clips of people twirling around in large inflatable dome tents that look as if they’ve been blown out by a giant with an oversized pot of bubbles. They are striking, beautiful structures, standing three or four metres high, often on top of rolling hills or in the middle of woodland.

But to my eyes, there is also something a little insubstantial, let alone gimmicky, about the translucent tents that had left me wondering if they were more Temu yurt than Glastonbury tipi. So when I visited Portstewart in Northern Ireland at the beginning of this week, and was given the opportunity to stay in a bubble of my own, I was intrigued and a little skeptical.

The bubbles in question are set up on the grounds of the Cromore House, built by the town’s founder John Cromie back in 1776. From the outside at least, the considerable property appears to be empty today, having recently ceased operating as a care home. If anything, the lack of movement at the grand house was a benefit. For the duration of my trip, I didn’t see a soul, which left me feeling cut off from the world in exactly the right way.

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

The outside

With the lockbox keys, I let myself into a private, wood-fenced area with trees lining the perimeter and a dome in the centre. “Won’t they see you naked?” my wife had asked when I explained that the accommodation walls were completely see-through. Happily, ‘they’ may as well not have existed, so private and snugly tucked away are the bubbles.

The location is perfect. A 40-minute walk out through the woods takes you to the highly rated Portstewart Arms, where perfect pints of Guinness go for £5, or you can stay on-site and enjoy a steam in the communal sauna.

The inside

Inside the bubbles is where the action really is. On a brisk October day, I was relieved to find the dome warmed to a very snug 22 °C thanks to a ground-source heat pump. My particular accommodation, the McDonnell Suite (named after a former estate owner), consisted of three domes squashed together.

One is occupied by the shower and toilet, which are wisely hidden from the rest of the dome by a partition wall and from the outside world by some tastefully opaque section of dome. It comes complete with an information-rich smart tablet and a high-tech touchscreen mirror.

The central bubble stands in for the living room. A low coffee table sits between two armchairs, a comfortable spot for reading. There’s also a tea and coffee area with a Nespresso machine and a fridge stocked with a breakfast hamper from Chestnutt’s Farm in Portrush. As in Covid, there is a joy in the isolation that comes with bubbles. Instead of trooping over to a breakfast buffet, Cromore Retreat guests are given everything they need for a solitary and delicious start to the day: soda bread, strawberry jam, granola, absurdly creamy butter, and a little bottle of particularly thick milk.

Hungry after an afternoon’s surfing, I ripped this open a good 14 hours early and tucked in, in the third and final wing, the bedroom. Here you will find a wide four-posted bed with curtains around the side but no roof, allowing you to wall yourself in and watch the stars twinkling through the tree canopy above.

At the end of the bed is a large standalone tub in which I ate my way through the breakfast box while enjoying a long, needlessly indulgent soak.

The final feature, and arguably the stand-out, is the private hot tub that sits outside the dome. To my shame, I did not bubble in it, forgoing the ultimate indulgence of a solo jacuzzi on a Monday evening in favour of a second bath and then a quite flawless night’s sleep.

The verdict

I was entirely wrong. There is nothing gimmicky or insubstantial about these see-through domes. They are pure, indulgent, slightly silly fun, right until you check out and step into the bubble-bursting Northern Irish drizzle.

Book it

Stays cost from £235 a night, with breakfast hampers costing an additional £20. Go to cromoreretreat.com/book

Rust red and burnt sienna speckle the green mountain rising from Lake Iseo. Golden autumn sunlight shimmers on the water. Monte Isola, Italy’s largest lake island, is a peak of sheer cliffs and dense forest, dotted with old fishing hamlets and hillside villages, each as pretty as the terraced villas of Lake Como and Garda, but with far fewer visitors. I arrive at the small port town of Peschiera Maraglio – where striped wooden boats jut from the water like the gondolas of Venice – on a ferry from Sulzano, a five-minute hop across the water.

“Only three people on the island are allowed to own a car: the priest, the doctor and the mayor,” says Chiara, my tour guide from Brescia. Residents can zip up and down the steep island roads on mopeds, and a small fleet of van-sized buses trundle around throughout the day, but nearly all cars are forbidden and visitors have to explore on foot or bike.

Even bikes are banned from boats at the weekend. Not that it matters: the harbour front is lined with bike rentals (from €4 an hour for a standard bike). I’m normally a nervous cyclist, but car-free roads raise my confidence. Plus, most other visitors have the telltale front-wheel wobble of novice riders. This isn’t the place for Lycra and personal bests; the smooth-as-silk, quiet roads are for slow pedalling, and neck swivelling to take in another gorgeous view of Lake Iseo.

The circular lakeside route winds past olive groves tumbling to the shore. I thought I’d need base layers and gloves this far into autumn, but I’m in shorts and a T-shirt and already working up a sweat in 24C sunshine. I pedal through the lakeside hamlet of Sensole in the island’s south-west and stop in Menzino, just along the shore. There’s a cafe-bar catering to cyclists, so I fuel up with an espresso con lake view.

The view from the western side of the island is somewhat marred by a huge concrete factory on the mainland, so I keep my head down on the pedal to Siviano, the island’s capital. The shambling streets are sleepy; the stacked skyline of orange, lemon and magnolia villas is punctuated by the looming facade of Santi Faustino e Giovita church and a medieval stone tower. Monte Isola has been inhabited since the Roman era. Venetian rule in the 15th and 16th centuries left the main towns resembling those on Garda and Como: hillside terraces of wooden-shuttered pastel villas. In the late 18th century, Monte Isola found its main industry: net making. At Retificio La Rete Srl, a small shop and net factory at Siviano’s port, fishing nets have been handwoven for centuries, along with nets for basketball hoops, football goals, shopping bags and hammocks.

At the northern tip of the island, I get the best views of Lake Iseo’s craggiest mountains. The south of the lake is chalk-white bell towers against gently undulating hills, draped in franciacorta vineyards. The north is where jagged peaks scrape the sky, plummeting to the emerald-green lake water. Just off the shore, a speck of an island (Isola di Loreto) is topped with a grand, castle-like building, which Chiara says is privately owned. A flotilla of kayakers from Marone make their way towards the private dock, slipping across the glass-still water.

In Carzano, I pause to admire thepink-and-white facade of San Giovanni Battista church, before cycling along the more functional stretch of road along the eastern shore. The traffic-free spell is broken by an old Fiat Punto, apologetically crawling along the road. Maybe the driver is the doctor or priest.

I complete my circle back in Peschiera Maraglio, where a late lunch of lake fish awaits at La Foresta restaurant. To begin, pickled tench so vinegary it makes my mouth water and a chub carpaccio that tastes like fresh lake water; followed by the island staple of dried, salted sardinas on grilled polenta. “Sardina is not a sardine; it’s actually a type of shad fish,” Chiara explains. “In the middle ages, when Monte Isola had to pay tax to Venice, they didn’t understand how money worked, so they paid in salted sardinas instead.”

As the last ferries leave for the evening, it feels as if I have Peschiera Maraglio to myself. Accommodation is private holiday apartments or restaurants with rooms. At Decio, a modern bistro dominates the ground floor, with a handful of sleek bedrooms above. The glass front shows off an uninterrupted lake view and the room is bathed in orange light at sunset. I spend the evening perched on a stool outside L’Isola dei Sapori, a no-frills alfresco spot where sparkling franciacorta wine is perfectly chilled, and snacks of local salami, olives and fish dishes combine for a light dinner.

The next day, I forgo my bike and lace up my hiking boots. The steep trail to the top of the island begins with the enclosed cobbled streets of Peschiera Maraglio and wends into thick chestnut forest. I pocket a particularly beefy conker, unable to resist the childhood urge for a blinder. My legs start to burn against the gradient – the trail is 450 metres of climbing. Rocks and twisting roots burst through the forest path and there’s a sheer drop to one side, but the glimpses of Lake Iseo between the trees are worth every wheeze.

After an hour, the trees thin out and I emerge at Santuario della Madonna della Ceriola. The striking white sanctuary was built in the 13th century, on the remains of a pagan temple and early Christian chapels. A vast golden altar and detailed frescoes adorn the interior, but it’s the panoramic view outside that really makes the hike worthwhile. The ferry to Sulzano is a toy boat, leaving a white tail of wake.

From up high, I see that autumn colours are already creeping into the forest. I wipe the sweat from my eyes. This view is only going to get prettier as the season evolves, and the prize conkers are yet to fall.

The trip was arranged by Visit Brescia. Bike rental starts at €4 an hour. The ferry from Sulzano to Monte Isola is €2.60 each way. Trains run from Brescia to Sulzano from €4.10. Rooms at Decio start at €90 B&B

ONE coastal road in Wales which is nicknamed Millionaire’s Row has been compared to the Hamptons in New York.

The houses on the rocky headland have epic sea views – but it’s also right next to one of the cheapest seaside towns where you can book a room for less than £20.

Marine Drive on Great Orme, which is a headland on the north coast of Wales, and it’s considered one of the country’s most expensive streets.

Currently, a home called Plas Craig is on sale for £2.5million – perched high up on the cliff the five-bedroom house has incredible views of the coastline.

The Hamptons is a celebrity hotspot where stars like Beyonce and Jay-Z, and Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick own homes.

While Great Orme isn’t home to any celebrities (that we know of) it was recently visited by Sigourney Weaver and Miles Teller to film a new movie called The Gorge.

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Interestingly, Marine Drive is just minutes away from one Wales‘ most budget-friendly seaside resort’s Llandudno.

Hotels are super cheap , looking at dates in October, a one-night stay or two adults on the beachfront can be as little as £23pppn.

This is the case at the Hydro Hotel which is across the road from the beach and half-a-mile from the town centre.

The Marine Hotel which is also on the promenade can be booked from £32pppn in October.

This hotel also has an indoor swimming pool, restaurant, bar and it’s a very short walk from the door to the pier.

Staying at the local Travelodge can cost £19.50pn in November.

Llandudno itself is well-known for its beautiful promenade which has multi-coloured hotels and palm trees.

It also has two main beaches, North Shore which is the town’s main and busiest beach and then West Shore, considered its ‘quieter sister’.

Last year, Llandudno in Wales was also voted one of the most affordable places for a beach holiday and one of the best too by Which?.

One popular seaside activity is to ride the Great Orme Railway which heads along the Great Orme cliffside.

Return tickets for adults start from £11.25 with tickets for children (3-16) starting from £6.80.

For anyone wanting a more varied view of the hills and seascape, you can always head up on the cable cars, which are the longest in Britain.

Catch them from Happy Valley where they travel 679 feet up into the air all the way up to the summit of Great Orme.

By visitors, Llandudno has been called one of the “very best of British coastal resorts” to a “very grand old seaside town”.

IT’S not my first rodeo, as the saying goes. Actually, it is though, so I thought why not make it the biggest in the world?

Like many Brits, I’ve a new-found obsession for country music, listening to songs on repeat from Luke Combs and Ella Langley and binge-watching Western drama Yellowstone on Netflix.

But it’s time to pull on my boots and hat for real — and it doesn’t get much more cowboy than the Calgary Stampede.

Once a niche show of Western and indigenous cultures, the Stampede has evolved into one of Canada’s largest festivals, attracting more than a million visitors each year.

Every summer, the Blue Sky City is taken over for ten days by the self- proclaimed “greatest outdoor show on Earth” — and tickets have just gone on sale for 2027.

As well as the world’s biggest outdoor rodeo, the Calgary Stampede has live music, fairground rides and a gut-busting feast of food and drink.

WAIL OF A TIME

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TEMPTED?

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Boot heels click down every street and white cowboy hats bob past every window.

Rodeo director Kristina Barnes tells me: “This began as a last blast of the Wild West just as it was going away, and that’s what it continues to be. People come from all over the world to be here.”

Animals are the star of the show — the Alberta province has more cows than people — so the rodeo was top of my agenda at the festival.

Events including bronc and bull-riding, roping and barrel racing run every afternoon.

I watched as brave cowboys and girls clung doggedly to thrashing horses and bulls, or tried to lasso and tie calves in under eight seconds.

Later the crowds really got going and the beer flowed as the evening entertainment kicked off with chuckwagon racing.

This involves teams of four riders racing six horses and a wagon around the “half mile of hell” dirt loop.

And I got goosebumps when I watched the indigenous bareback relay event.

Here, athletic young riders leap from the ground on to their horses, thunder round a lap of the racetrack, dismount the moving horse and jump up on to a second horse, then repeat the feat for a third lap.

The crowd goes wild for the horses and riders, who wear barely any equipment — no boots, saddles or shirts.

If all this leaves you itching to get in the saddle yourself, the Boundary Ranch in Kananaskis sits an hour’s drive west of Calgary and offers hacking and trail rides suitable even for total beginners.

Kananaskis is in the foothills of the breathtaking Rocky Mountains, meaning the drive there was worth a day trip on its own.

That’s the other glorious thing about Calgary, it is the gateway to some of Canada’s most stunning landscapes in Banff, Jasper and Lake Louise, so a Stampede-based road trip practically plans itself.

At the ranch, I mounted my bay horse, Jake, for a group stroll through lush pine forest.

Jake turned out to have no respect for authority and a naughty habit of stopping to eat grass, but it was a pinch-me moment when we turned the final corner to a view of a huge snow-spotted mountain towering behind the trees.

If you are not one for riding, the city has enough going on to keep you entertained during the ten days of the Stampede.

Locals reckon the night-time party scene can compete with Nashville, the home of country music.

But it is not just that genre on offer. Big-name headliners this year included Rihanna’s rapper beau ASAP Rocky, punk-pop legends All Time Low and Canadian DJ Deadmau5.

Marquee stages are dotted around the city centre as well as in the Stampede grounds.

I was already a fan of young country star Bailey Zimmerman so seized the chance to see him on the festival’s biggest stage, Nashville North.

Music and drinking goes on into the early hours. And according to local legend, the city has a baby boom every spring, around nine months after the Stampede.

It’s also reportedly a great place to advertise if you’re a divorce lawyer . . . 

It is also reportedly a great place to advertise if you are a divorce lawyer . . . 

The late crowd is young and glamorous, with more skin on show but still heavy on the Western vibe with denim, boots and hats all-round.

But by day, the Stampede is more a family affair.

The Midway grounds, which sit at the heart of the festival, host a huge funfair with water slides, rollercoasters, a Ferris wheel and haunted house.

You’ll need some hearty grub to fuel the long days and the Stampede’s bonkers food scene is impossible, and foolish, to ignore.

There are more than 400 stands and if you can think it, you can probably order it.

Mad recipes included Oreos deep-fried in butter, moose pizza and Spam fries.

I tried loaded mac ’n’ cheese, ginger beef perogies (dumplings), a grilled cheese sandwich with spicy ramen noodles inside, churros in a pina-colada sundae, and a bison burger.

I can’t pick a favourite but I am gutted I couldn’t squeeze in the deep-fried pickle pizza.

On the last day we grabbed breakfast at one of the city’s 30-odd pop-ups, which give out free pancakes every morning through the Stampede.

It was set to be another 30C day in Canada’s sunniest city and a woman with a cowboy hat and guitar was standing on the roof singing Lainey Wilson song Country’s Cool Again.

Hot damn, she’s right.

CONSIDERING an all-inclusive break with drinks on tap or looking for a cheap midweek staycations that include theme park tickets?

Well, we’ve found some of the best package deals in the UK that you might not have even known existed – with breaks that start from an unbelievably low £2.43 per person, per night.

Short Break Deals

Many holiday parks will drop the prices of midweek breaks and offer deals on outstanding dates they want to fill which make it perfect for a break if you have leftover annual leave.

Hoseasons has its own specific tab for breaks under £150 with holidays still on offer from now through December.

In Exmouth at Devon Cliffs, a family of four can stay in a Saver 2 Caravan between November 9 -16 for £89 – or £3.17pp per night.

The holiday park has direct access to an award-winning beach as well as a heated indoor swimming pool, arcade, climbing wall, as well as a bar, restaurant and Wetherspoons pub.

For those who want some added thrills, it’s very near Crealy Theme Park which has over 60 rides and attractions.

Away Resorts has a ‘Midweek Breaks 2026’ tab where you can select three or four night holidays – some of which are also under £150.

The cheapest is a four-night break to Whitecliff Bay on the Isle of Wight between October 12-16.

A family of four can stay in a Value Chalet from £80 – or £5pp a night. The accommodation has everything you need including a kitchen with all the essentials, a TV and comfy beds.

From the holiday park, it’s a short walk to the beach, there’s an indoor swimming pool with a flume, and plenty of activities like crazy golf and adventure playground.

There’s entertainment aplenty with shows for kids as well as karaoke, late DJs, quizzes and outdoor cinemas.

Butlin’s

Butlin’s is renowned for cracking deals for less and those taking advantage of its ‘showtime term-time midweek’ will be even more enthralled by the price.

Midweek holidays start from just £39 – we found a family of four can stay at the Bognor Regis Resort for four-nights between November 2-6 in a Comfort Room for this price, which works out as £2.43pp per night.

That price doesn’t just cover accommodation either – included in the price are the live shows, daytime activities, fairground rides and waterparks.

There are restaurants and bars on-site too – but if families want to stay in control of their food and drink, Butlin’s also offers dining packages.

The cheapest is the food court dining plan which includes buffet breakfast and dinner from £25.95 per adult per day.

Prices for those age 6-14 start from £25.95 and children 2-5 can eat from £7.25, those under two years old can go free.

Check out the all-inclusive drinks package too which start from £25.95 per adult per day and £10.50 per child per day.

This includes use of the new self-serve bars which have than 20 drinks options including popular brands, including Madri, Guinness, Smirnoff and Butlin’s own cocktails.

UK Breakaways

UKBreakaways.com offers ‘Sensational Value Superbreaks’ which start from £59.95 per person.

These can be across the UK ranging from seaside resorts to rural breaks.

Currently there’s an offer for a two-night break at Adamton Country House Hotel in Ayrshire from £79.95 per person.

This includes a three-course evening meal at the hotel restaurant each evening and full English breakfast in the morning.

The hotel itself is an 11th- century manor and sits just outside of Prestwick and is a 15-minute drive from Ayr.

The resort town has a stretching sandy beach and a mile-long promenade where on a sunny day visitors can see across to the Isle of Arran.

It’s also possible to add on an excursion to the Christmas market in Glasgow with a two-night stay available from December 11.

With the Christmas market addition, the break would start from £129pp.

Great Little Breaks

For anyone who wants a staycation with extras that make the break all-inclusive, Great Little Breaks has over 100 options.

For anyone who fancies a short stay in Harrogate, one break offers a bed and breakfast stay with dinner at The Old Swan Hotel.

On arrival there will be a chilled bottle of sparkling wine waiting for you, and enjoy dinner at the hotel (with a £30pp allowance).

This can be booked from £76.50pp with breaks available from now until December 17.

Other popular breaks include a two-night bed and breakfast holiday at Netherwood Hotel and Spa in the Lake District.

This includes dinner on the first night (£35pp allowance), access to the thermal suite for 90-minutes, a 25-minute treatment each, and late check out from £169pp.

The hotel is set in Grange-over-Sands and Morecambe Bay is steps away too.

Myhotelbreak

Myhotelbreak specialises in packages across the country – it has some where breakfast is included every morning, as is dinner on at least one evening of the stay.

One of the best deals is a two-night dinner, bed and breakfast stay from £129.50pp at the Peebles Hydro Hotel & Spa in Scotland.

This includes a two-night stay in a double room, £30pp allowance towards dinner on the second night, a full Scottish breakfast each morning and full access to the pool and sauna.

The hotel is set in 30 acres of grounds, it also has a swimming pool, spa bath, sauna and steam room, along with games like table tennis and pool.

The Scottish hotel is set in amongst plenty of countryside so it’s the perfect spot for hikes and even mountain biking, or stay in the hotel and relax at the spa.

Another offer is at the Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa where you can enjoy a two-night stay bed and breakfast with dinner on the first night from £130pp.

Included in this is a £25pp allowance towards dinner, two-nights’ accommodation, full breakfast each morning and complimentary use of the facilities.

These leisure facilities include a fitness suite, Himalayan salt sauna, steam room, relaxation area, indoor swimming pool, ice fountain, experience showers and heated loungers.

Virgin Experience Days

Sometimes a Virgin Experience day means skydiving, hot air ballooning or spa breaks – but did you know it can also include hotel stays?

We’ve found a couple that could really tickle your fancy – for those who want to combine the joys of the seaside with theme parks -there’s an offer for a one -night stay for £162 for two – or £81pp.

It includes an overnight stay at The Big Blue Hotel in Blackpool with breakfast in the morning, a three-course dinner at Blues Brasserie and access to Pleasure Beach Park.

For rail enthusiasts, check out the one-night break with a Heritage Railway trip for two for £194 – or £97 each.

The experience includes an overnight stay at the Mercure Tunbridge Wells Hotel, along with a £50 dinner allowance, a full English breakfast and a day out on the Spa Valley Railway.

Along the way, it stops at Eridge, Groombridge, High Rocks or Royal Tunbridge Wells.

If you fancy more of an experience along with an overnight stay rolled into one, Virgin offers a Sunday Night Manchester Dining Break and The Coronation Street Experience for £225 – or £112pp.

It includes a stay at Trafford Hall, a two-course dinner at the restaurant, and the following morning, a full breakfast.

During the day, head to Coronation Street for a 90-minute tour of the sets and see the likes of Roy’s Rolls and The Rovers Return for yourself.

Britannia Hotels

As part of its packages, Britannia Hotels offers Relax & Refresh Breaks from £45pp.

It includes a one or two-night stay, full English breakfast each morning, three-course buffet meal for one evening.

There’s also a bottle of sparkling wine in the room and guests taking advantage of the offer will also have access to its leisure facilities.

The offer is available across 21 of its hotels with the cheapest being Europa Gatwick Hotel and Norbreck Castle Hotel Blackpool which start from £45pp.

This is available until December 22, 2026.

Potters Resorts

Potters Resorts prides itself on having ‘UK’s only Fully Inclusive Family Breaks’ where everything is included from food and drinks to activities and entertainment.

The five-star retreat has two UK resorts, Hopton-on-Sea is in Norfolk and Five Lakes is in Essex.

For a four-night midweek stay at Hopton-on-Sea from October 19, adults can book from £649pp – and this includes absolutely everything.

It’s full board dining involving four meals a day, accommodation and West End entertainment with musicals, and live music.

There’s a full schedule of activities including archery or laser clays, golf, go-karting, use of the heated indoor pool, sauna, climbing wall, table tennis, badminton, snooker, darts and bowls.

Drinks are fully included too like coffees, soft drinks after an activity, a glass of wine with lunch or a gin and tonic.

After a family break? It has all-inclusive over half-term too and at the moment there are October savings.

Rather than £719 per adult, half-term breaks can be booked for £649. Breaks for children between 10-17 will cost £489 and three to nine year olds start from £389 – those under three cost £30.

Just like with the adults midweek breaks, everything is included and kids can enjoy activities like the VR experiences, Cliffhanger Climbing Wall, assault course, quizzes and games.

The Cumberland, Bournemouth

Heading down the seaside? The Cumberland in Bournemouth has deals to take advantage of including dinner, bed and breakfast from £98.

It includes a buffet-style breakfast with both full English and continental available as well as a three-course dinner and an overnight stay.

The hotel has a spa too for those wanting a little extra with treatments and massages available to book.

The Cumberland is minutes away from the seafront, so it’s the perfect spot to take an autumn walk along the beach or head into the town.

For more to do in Bournemouth, one local has all the best bars, restaurants and attractions to visit.

The offers with The Cumberland are valid until April 2027.

There are lots of other deals too like the sea view winter escape two- night deal from £134.50 per night – this includes accommodation for two, a two-course dinner, breakfast and hot chocolate on arrival.

Best Westerns

Best Western has around 200 hotels in the UK – and many of them offer overnight stay packages too whether you’re after a weekend getaway or midweek break.

One stay Sun Travel found is for two adults and one child at the Best Western Plus Centurion Hotel from October 1-2 from £137 per night.

It not only includes an overnight stay with breakfast – but also included in the price is Planet Volt Soft Play Tickets.

This is the hotel’s own soft play and inflatable centre with lots of slides, tunnels, and interactive fun for all ages.

For an adult weekend, head to the Kings Court Hotel which includes a guided gin tasting at Shakespeare Distillery from £85.35 per night.

The deal includes an English breakfast buffet, guided gin tasting tour, a welcome gin and tonic – and of course, the overnight stay.

A PICTURE tells a thousand words. But how about a thousand pictures?

If the camera roll from our trip to Butlin’s is anything to go by, it tells of a jam-packed, non-stop, rip-roaring, grin-inducing, memory-filled festive-as-anything time of it.

My two pre-teen daughters, husband and I hadn’t been to Butlin’s before but we were keen to hurl ourselves stocking-first into the resort’s Christmas spirit.

We decided that whatever the weather (pouring rain was forecast all weekend) we were going to have as much sparkly, festive Santa-filled fun as one still-believing family could in a single weekend.

And boy, did we meet our match at Butlin’s Bognor Regis. Arriving on a Friday after a long day, our Christmas spirits were a little on the low side.

But after the all-inclusive buffet, the magical call of the Bingo Bango hosts at the Reds venue (and a welcome glass of wine) I could feel my shoulders loosening and a smile spreading across my face.

WAIL OF A TIME

I drove Irish Route 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands

TEMPTED?

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

And once the Silent Disco got going — with a choice of hard house or Christmas hits — I couldn’t stop beaming.

And judging by the hols snaps, it stayed there the whole time.

We quickly discovered you could almost divide the resort into two.

There were the non-Christmassy activities — an incredible VR arcade, escape rooms of various types and the excitement of Laser Quest where we all shot each other repeatedly.

And then everything else.

Christmas arts and crafts? Tick. Puppet Castle’s Christmouse Wonderland? Shockingly blue panto Snow White And Her Magnificent Friends? A skyline ‘snowstorm’ involving singing reindeer? Tick, tick, tick.

And when you’ve raised a couple of true believers — expectations at Christmas events tend to be high.

But Father Christmas’ Express Delivery didn’t disappoint.

The world’s most famous Redcoat was ready to meet and greet our two in a grotto that could’ve been in a high-end department store.

There was a naughty or nice wheel, children’s letters to Santa whirring round the ceiling and elves busily spreading Christmas cheer.

Once the girls’ handwritten letters to Santa had been delivered through suction tubes, we were whizzed up in a lift through the snow to meet the big man himself — who had twinkly eyes and decent bants.

After more festive fun in the North Pool (the huge indoor swimming pool), it was a short walk back to our home, Butlin’s Ocean Hotel. Our family room was a decent size with a balcony. It was clean, comfortable and had a good bed.

We’d opted for the hotel dining plan, giving us breakfast and dinner in the Kaleidoscope restaurant.

It goes without saying my girls were delighted by the beige buffet — hoovering up pizzas, hot dogs and chips.

There were pastas, curries, a roast and themed nights — and a salad bar for something lighter.

For lunch, you’ll find more high street faves from Burger King and Papa Johns to SOHO Coffee.

And there was just as much variety when it came to entertainment.

From gameshow bonanzas to tribute acts and singalongs, it never stopped.

And if you need some fresh air, the fairground stays open with bumper cars, an old fashioned helter skelter, waltzer and a chair-o-plane.

The best part? The fairground is all free. And our take home after the festive weekend?

We went into Butlin’s blind, but now we have seen the twinkling, tinselly light.

OUR Spotlight On column uncovers the top things to see and do in the best holiday destinations, as well as lesser-known spots, in the UK and abroad.

This week, we’re shining the light on the already well-lit destination of San Diego, which sees more than 300 days of sunshine a year.

The Sun’s Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey recently visited, and said: “I love exploring Belmont theme park, which dates back to 1925, which felt like going back to the 50s with wooden rollercoasters and spinning ice cream rides.

“Then hop over to South Mission Beach for some insane sushi at Cannonball overlooking the ocean, before a drink in Part Time Lover, a very cosy listening bar with a vinyl shop at the back.

“Save time for Barrio Logan too, named one of the best neighborhoods in the world with fantastic independent stores and street art.”

Here are some of our other top tips.

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MUST SEE/DO

You’ll want to take advantage of that glorious weather.

So head to La Jolla Cove which was recently named the best beach in the USA in the Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards.

The shoreline is home to crystal-clear waters that are ideal for snorkelling in – keep your eyes peeled for wild sea lions slouched on the rocks and sand, too.

If you’re not much of a snorkeller, grab yourself a kayak from one of the many rental stores or indulge in one of the gorgeous clifftop hiking trails that will take you along the coast.

HIDDEN GEM

Ditch the tourist attractions and crowded shores. Instead you should make a beeline for North Park, where the locals and creatives hang out.

Make sure you come thirsty as this area is crammed with independent coffee shops and some of the best craft beer in the States.

Make sure to admire the colourful murals splattered along the streets and pop into the vintage stores for a souvenir.

Take a look at the historic Observatory North Park ahead of your visit as you may time if perfectly to catch one of the regular gigs,

BEST VIEW

Take a stroll from Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, just south of Ocean Beach.

This dramatic 1.5-mile stretch of rugged coastline is one of San Diego’s most spectacular viewpoints, where you can watch the Pacific waves crashing into rock arches while the sun sets beyond the horizon.

If you’re not one for a nature walk, then Mister A’s is a cracking rooftop restaurant perched high above downtown with sweeping panoramic views across San Diego, the bay and the flight path into the city’s airport.

Cocktails are being continually shaken and the atmosphere is warm and buzzy.

RATED RESTAURANT

Exciting new openings are cropping up all over the city, including Ikaria in La Jolla which is due to open towards the end of this year.

The restaurant is inspired by the Greek island which shares its name and will feature a vibrant Mediterranean menu alongside wine tastings session and cooking classes.

For a slap-up brunch, Morning Glory is set a few streets back from the waterfront, near the Harbor View area, and stars in the Michelin guide for good reason.

Decorated in hues of candy floss pink, with mirrored furniture and a champagne vending machine, it’s got an air of Palm Springs about it.

Star dishes include the indulgent souffle pancakes and fried chicken and waffles.

BEST BARS

Swap your cocktail for a pint from one of San Diego’s independent breweries – after all, this city is known as the IPA capital of the world.

Mujeres Brew House in Barrio Logan is run entirely by women and offers a whole host of craft pours including crisp lagers and bold West Coast IPAs.

It hosts regular events, live music sessions and pop-up food stalls in a casual but lively setting.

HOTEL PICK:

The 4* Pearl Hotel in Point Loma is affordable and elegant, with retro-inspired furniture and decor that make it feel like its from another era.

It’s quickly become one of San Diego’s coolest places to stay with stylish rooms, excellent cocktails and easy access to both downtown and the beach.

Rooms cost from £115 per night based on two people sharing a double. See thepearlsd.com.

More than a third of British holidaymakers have experienced ‘travel tummy’ in the past 12 months

More than a third of British holidaymakers (36%) have suffered from ‘travel tummy’ over the past year, new research has revealed. The term describes stomach upset or illness experienced while on holiday.

Safa noted the findings indicated that digestive problems were a widespread concern amongst travellers, often having a detrimental effect on overseas trips. The Saga Travel Insurance study, which surveyed 500 UK holidaymakers, discovered that half (49%) had endured diarrhoea while away, with nearly one in 10 (8%) battling gut troubles on every single trip.

Those with pre-existing conditions, such as IBS, may face a heightened risk of digestive complications when abroad, as travel can worsen symptoms. Local chemists are the first stop for most holidaymakers grappling with travel tummy overseas (35%), while almost a third (30%) resort to Google and one in 12 (8%) consult AI to assess their symptoms before seeking professional advice.

Doctors create tumour-eating bacteria, infections cause cancer, why sleep is so important, and why Putin’s scheme to live forever won’t work – all this and more in our science newsletter

Saga Travel Insurance consulted Dr Nick Burr, a gastroenterologist at healthcare provider LivingCare, to explore why travel tummy happens and what holidaymakers can do to prevent problems on future getaways.

Bacteria often the cause of travel tummy

Travellers’ diarrhoea is a frequent problem among holidaymakers, especially when heading to destinations where food hygiene standards differ.

Dr Burr said: “Traveller’s diarrhoea is usually caused by bacteria, most commonly E. coli, picked up from contaminated food or water, particularly in parts of Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Central or South America. Symptoms can include loose stools, cramping, bloating and nausea, often within the first week of travel.”

Tap water standards differ significantly from one country to another. Numerous countries have updated plumbing infrastructure, which typically means tap water is safe for consumption.

In other nations, it may be wiser to opt for bottled water, as unsafe drinking water can harbour dangerous bacteria, parasites and chemicals.

According to the NHS, boiling water is the most dependable method to purify it and eliminate any bacteria or viruses. Chemical disinfectants, such as iodine or chlorine, can also be employed, but may prove less effective than thoroughly boiling water and allowing it to cool in a sterile container.

Water filters ranging from 0.2 to 1 micron can also be utilised to remove dirt or parasites from water before applying chemical disinfection.

Two-fifths of Brits reckon their symptoms were triggered by local food

Local cuisine emerged as one of the most frequently mentioned causes of travel tummy amongst holidaymakers in Saga Travel Insurance’s survey, with 44% of respondents blaming their holiday stomach troubles on this. Dr Burr explained: “Common sources [of infection] include untreated water, ice cubes, buffets, shellfish, undercooked meat and food left sitting in the heat. Exploring local food is one of the joys of travel and most people can do so safely as long as they apply common sense. For example, freshly cooked, piping hot food in a busy restaurant is usually OK.”

Dehydration poses one of the greatest threats to your wellbeing while travelling

Diarrhoea was the most frequently reported symptom of holiday tummy among UK travellers, with more than a quarter (28%) of individuals suffering from it while abroad over the past 12 months, according to Saga Travel Insurance’s survey. Loose and watery stools can lead to dehydration as your body is losing more fluids and electrolytes than you’re capable of replenishing.

Dr Burr said: “Dehydration [can be serious], especially in hot climates. Alcohol and caffeine can both worsen dehydration and have a laxative effect, so it’s best to limit these while symptoms are severe. Intense exercise while dehydrated or unwell may also slow recovery, so it’s usually best to rest, drink fluids, and stick to simple foods until symptoms improve.”

Rehydration solutions are an effective method to prevent dehydration and support recovery. If you’re unable to obtain rehydration sachets, Dr Burr points out that you can prepare your own from scratch.

He said: “If oral rehydration sachets are unavailable, a homemade solution can be made using six level teaspoons of sugar and half a teaspoon of salt in one litre of clean water.”

Routine disruption

While bacteria and infection remain the most frequent culprits behind traveller’s diarrhoea and stomach complaints, there may be more environmental factors at play when holidaymakers feel under the weather.

Dr Burr explained: “[In other cases], symptoms are not due to infection, but are related to changes in routine. Prolonged disruption to normal routines, including sleep patterns, hydration, alcohol intake, stress and diet, can make the digestive system more sensitive, particularly in people prone to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or functional gut symptoms.”

The survey by Saga Travel Insurance revealed that a third of holidaymakers (34%) said travel-related stress played a part in their travel tummy, while over a quarter (27%) pointed to long journeys as a contributing factor.

Dr Burr said: “For those who experience an upset tummy when flying, this is often linked to cabin pressure changes, dehydration, reduced movement, disrupted sleep, stress and unfamiliar foods. Staying hydrated, moving around during flights and eating lighter meals can help reduce discomfort.”

Michelle Cooper, director of Saga Travel Insurance, added: “If you’re on a longer flight, try to walk up and down the aisle every two hours to help with your circulation and digestion.”

Travellers with pre-existing conditions could be at greater risk

‘Travel tummy’ can present heightened dangers for those with underlying health conditions.

Dr Burr said: “People with diabetes, kidney disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or weakened immune systems may become unwell more quickly.”

For individuals with pre-existing conditions, advance preparation is particularly crucial – not only regarding health matters, but also in making certain adequate travel insurance protection is arranged.

Michelle explained: “Many insurers offer cover for pre-existing medical conditions, however, it’s essential to declare them when taking out your policy. If you have an underlying health condition, becoming unwell abroad can be more serious and may require quicker access to medical care or more specialised treatment. Making sure you have the right cover in place means you can get the support you need without facing unexpected costs while you’re away.”

Most travel tummy is mild, but severe cases need treatment

While a dodgy stomach abroad might amount to little more than mild discomfort, it can occasionally prove more serious and necessitate a trip to a local doctor – or a call to your insurer’s 24-hour travel GP, if it provides one.

Michelle said: “Getting sick abroad is never ideal and you may be tempted to wait until you’ve returned to the UK to get checked by your doctor. However, it’s important that you seek out medical attention as soon as possible if you think you might be ill.

“Treatment costs abroad can add up quickly, particularly in countries where healthcare is private. Call your insurance provider’s 24-hour emergency number to check if they cover everything you need, including medical translation services. Travel insurance can help provide both financial protection and peace of mind if the unexpected happens.

“Having the right cover in place means you can get the care you need without worrying about the cost, so you can focus on recovering and enjoying the rest of your trip with confidence. Taking simple precautions before and during your trip could be the difference between a disrupted holiday and a smooth, stress-free getaway.”

Should you fall ill while overseas, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office holds a comprehensive list of English-speaking doctors, medical facilities and practitioners across the globe. In an emergency situation, don’t hesitate to contact the local emergency services in the country you’re visiting.

WINTER WONDERLAND returns next month – and you could nab TWO free tickets with The Sun – including entry to one of its most popular attractions.

As an avid fan who visits every year, this year has some very exciting new additions that will delight even frequent-goers.

And we have 10,000 FREE tickets up for grabs for Sun Club members, so you can enjoy the 150 rides and attractions inside.

The tickets, on a first come, first service basis, even include entry Magical Ice Kingdom presents Neverland in Partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity – a world made up of 500 tonnes of ice and snow.

Join Sun Club now — don’t miss out.

But how should you spend your time there?

Here’s a full rundown of what you MUST see from free things to do, to all of the new additions for 2026.

Read more on travel inspo

FREE FLY

All the best travel comps to enter NOW – £60k cabin, Lapland hol & £7k cruise

DIPPING IN

Best spa days & stays from just £28pp – dinner, free prosecco & 50min treatments

Free activities

Winter Wonderland actually has more free activities than you’d think.

Last year, the attraction launched a free Santa’s Grotto experience, which is the largest free grotto in London.

Visitors will head on a journey through the new Elves’ Workshop and visit Mrs Claus before meeting the big man himself.

Of course, you can browse the German-style Christmas markets for free too, where there are dozens of chalets selling handmade crafts, ornaments, food and gifts.

In the Bavarian Village, make sure to head to The Bavarian Village Hall where there are often live bands, acoustic performers and Oktoberfest-style singalongs.

The atmosphere of the park in general is brilliant as well, with twinkling festive light installations, giant illuminated Christmas trees and themed areas.

What’s new this year

There are several new features for this year too including Gandeys K-pop Dragon Circus.

The circus will be based on an adventure with dragons, magic and K-Pop music and dance. Tickets start from £10.45 per child and £13.75 per adult.

Bar Ice will have a new theme this year too, with tickets from £17.05pp.

As will Magical Ice Kingdom presents Neverland with tickets from £8 per child and £10.20 per adult.

Best adult activity

Stepping into Bar Ice is as close as you will most likely get to experiencing an igloo.

The chilly cocktail lounge is kept at -10C and made entirely of giant blocks of carved ice.

Everything – I mean everything including the tables and chairs – is made out of ice.

And when you grab a drink, that will even be served in a glass made out of ice.

When you enter, staff will give you a coat and gloves to keep you warm too.

Inside, there are also a number of ice sculptures and neon lights illuminating the icy mythical creatures.

Each session lasts 20 minutes and includes one drink per person.

Tickets cost between £17 and £20 per person.

Join Sun Club now — don’t miss out.

Best family activity

Magical Ice Kingdom presents Neverland, in Partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity is great for families and allows visitors to literally chill out.

Kept at -10C, this magical kingdom is made entirely out of ice and is a walk-though indoor exhibition.

This year the theme is the very exciting ‘Neverland’.

For the first time ever, visitors will step through the Jolly Roger and into a Magical Ice Kingdom inspired by the Neverland, with Peter Pan and Wendy.

All the sculptures inside will be hand-carved by ice sculptors from 500 tonnes of ice.

Many of the ice features are interactive too, making it the ideal place to snap some photos of the family.

You can explore the exhibition at your own pace, but I’d recommend no more than 30 minutes.

My visit last year I spent about half an hour in the exhibition before getting a little too chilly and heading back outside.

Best food spot

Last year, Jingle Bell Bistro also launched and it is a great food spot.

Not as busy as the other food areas, the Jingle Bell Bistro is designed to be more child-friendly with options including simple burgers and chicken nuggets.

Adults can get food from here as well, but don’t expect fussy food with all the bells and whistles – more comfort food that pleases everyone.

You can even get Buddy the Elf’s famous spaghetti for £8.50. Prices vary, including £8 per child-sized pasta dish or £12 for an adult portion.

How to save your cash

There’s a whole host of new pre-bookable packages too for this year.

There’s the Explorer Pass for example, which includes the Real Ice Slide, Haunted Mansion, Snow Jet, Pirate Ship and Après Ski Party Funhouse.

It also includes free entry to the event.

There’s also Ride & Game Credit pass, which allows you to buy credit for the rides and attractions online in advance.

You can select from £20, £30 or £50 of pre-paid credit.

Of course, this year there are more £1 tickets than ever before as well.

Ig you want to save your money on entry make sure to book online in advance for an off-peak entry time.

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland will run between November 19, 2026 and January 3, 2027.

Join Sun Club now — don’t miss out.

How to get your free tickets to Winter Wonderland

To claim your tickets, follow the steps below:

• Step 1: Join thesun.co.uk/club for just £1.99 a month or £12 for the first year, then £19.99 thereafter.
• Step 2: Go to the Offers Hub and select the Winter Wonderland page. You do not need to collect Sun Savers codes.
• Step 3: Your unique booking code will appear on this page. Redeeming a code does not guarantee tickets. Click the ‘Copy’ button and then hit ‘Book’. You will be directed to the Winter Wonderland website.
• Step 4: Select your preferred date and time, then choose ‘The Sun Winter Wonderland Entry & Magical Ice Kingdom Offer’. Two tickets will be added automatically to your basket. 
• Step 5: Continue to checkout to complete your booking. You must book your tickets by Sunday, November 1.

Our tickets are available for visits between Thursday, November 19 to Sunday, December 6.

18+ UK only (exc. NI, IoM & CI). Sun Savers multiple code collect 10/10/26-14/10/26 or digital subscription required. Online access required. 5,000 pairs of tickets available (7,000 off-peak, 2,000 standard & 1,000 peak) on a first come, first served basis. Subject to availability, daily allocation limits apply. Tickets available between 19/11/26 – 06/12/26. 2 tickets per person only. Non-transferable and non-refundable. T&Cs apply, see sunsavers.co.uk  or club.thesun.co.uk/sun-club. New customer offer: £1.99 per month or £12 for the first year, then £19.99 thereafter unless you cancel at least 7 days before your next billing date. Full T&Cs apply, visit thesun.co.uk/terms-and-conditions.

Mariánské Lázně, Czechia

In 2021, Unesco designated 11 historic spa towns across Europe as one transnational world heritage site, recognising their “exceptional testimony to the European spa phenomenon, which gained its highest expression from around 1700 until the 1930s”. This was the original wellness tourism, and these grand health resorts include Bath in England and the town of Spa in Belgium, as well as the west Bohemia spa triangle of Karlovy Vary, Františkovy Lázně and Mariánské Lázně.

Of that trio, Karlovy Vary is the most well known and within a day trip of Prague, but Mariánské Lázně is arguably the prettiest. The town offers three natural healing traditions: mineral springs, carbon dioxide springs known as Maria’s Gas, and therapeutic peloids (mud and clay). Czech nationals are still prescribed weeks-long spa stays to recover from surgery, severe illness or chronic conditions, but anyone can check into the Nové Lázně hotel (doubles from €234 B&B, including spa access), a canary yellow neo-renaissance confection built in 1896 that faces the central park.

Its spa is a trip back in time: baths surrounded by marble columns and intricately decorated treatment cabins, including one built for King Edward VII, who visited nine times. Join tourists and locals drinking the waters from special porcelain cups while walking along the colonnades, and don’t forget to pair it with a spa wafer – large, thin, crispy confections with sweet fillings such as hazelnut or chocolate. It’s not all virtuous.

Bad Kissingen, Germany

Germany is home to about 350 designated spa towns, including three of the Unesco Great Spa Towns of Europe: celebrity favourite Baden-Baden, quiet riverside Bad Ems and elegant Bad Kissingen in Bavaria. The latter’s striking architecture is arguably the most interesting of the three, much of the central spa district having been rebuilt by star German architect Max Littmann in the early 20th century. This includes the grand fountain hall, with its stained-glass roof, where Brunnenfrauen (fountain women) dispense different mineral waters from bronze pipes, and the huge basilica-style Wandelhalle, where the town’s spa philharmonic orchestra performs several times a day.

Music has always been part of the spa experience – the Staatsbad Philharmonie Kissingen holds the world record for the most concerts performed in one year (727!) – and the beautiful art nouveau-style Regentenbau houses one of the best concert halls in Europe.

The modern KissSalis Therme (from €19 for two hours) on the southern edge of town is the main public bathhouse today, with indoor and outdoor thermal pools, mud treatments and various – clothing-free – saunas.

At the more classical end of the spa spectrum, the Grand Hotel Kaiserhof Victoria (doubles from €209 B&B, including spa access) sits next door to the Wandelhalle on the town’s Kurgarten. The water used in the spa here is pumped up directly from the brine spring, while the inhalation room has a wooden graduation tower covered in knobbly salt deposits, which mimics the healing effects of mineral-rich sea air.

Bad Wildbad, Germany

Deep in the north of the Black Forest, this spa town offers ways of immersing in nature beyond soaking in waters from the thermal springs. Rising above the town, Sommerberg (meaning “summer mountain”) will get pulses racing. A funicular railway whizzes visitors to the top, the starting point for hiking and biking routes. For more heart-pumping views, the accessible Treetop Walk (€12.50) spirals above the dense pine trees to an observation tower 40 metres up, with a tunnel slide back down the middle for extra thrills, while the Wildline suspension bridge (€9.50) – with its 380-metre walkway – arches over the Enz valley for maximum views.

Back in town, there are two thermal baths to dip into: the modern Vital Therme, where those with joint and back problems are prescribed movement therapy and spa treatments (€14 for three hours); and the historic Palais Thermal, where the pools are surrounded by marble pillars, statues of Venus and Moorish tiles (€21 for three hours). Mokni’s Palais Hotel is connected to the Palais Thermal building, meaning guests can pad over in their bathrobes (doubles from €183 B&B, including access to the spa).

Bagnoles-de-l’Orne, France

Local legend has it that, after many battles, the medieval lord Seigneur Hugues de Tessé freed his faithful warhorse Rapide in Normandy’s Andaines forest to live out the rest of its days in peace. Much to the nobleman’s surprise, the horse later returned to him stronger and full of life, then led his master to the warm, sulphurous waters of Bagnoles’ spring. Centuries later, a spa resort sprang up so the Parisian bourgeoisie could also tap into this fountain of youth, with belle époque villas laid out on the shores of a lake in the middle of the forest (today, it’s also handily less than an hour and a half from the ferry at Caen for British wellness seekers).

That belle époque quartier was the vision of local politician Albert Christophle, whose former hunting lodge on the edge of the village is now the very lovely five-bedroom Château du Gué aux Biches (doubles from €195 B&B).

This summer, its Danish owners, Klaus Bentin and Soren Rasmussen, added a new restaurant in the old kitchen, serving up smørrebrød (open sandwiches).

The hotel has a partnership with the nearby spa at B’O Resort, meaning Klaus or Soren will line up your treatments, and there are bicycles to borrow so you can pedal a couple of kilometres over for that clay body wrap or hydromassage.

The surrounding forest is crisscrossed with hiking, biking and trail running routes. In autumn, take things more meditatively by going mushroom foraging among the more than 1,700 varieties sprouting from the Andaines forest floor.

Bad Gastein, Austria

This genteel town in the Hohe Tauern Alps was built on water; indeed, a roaring waterfall cascades right through the middle of it. The healing reputation of its radon-rich waters, which bubble up from the town’s thermal springs, saw grand hotels built in the 19th century to house the emperors and aristocrats, writers and thinkers (Sigmund Freud among them) who came to be cured of their ills.

The fashion for “taking the waters” trickled away, but in recent years there’s been something of a revival, with a clutch of new hotels opening. The Cōmodo (doubles from €188 B&B) is one of them, a slick spot refashioned from a 1960s sanatorium. Bedrooms look out over the valley and mountains, as does the thermal water-filled indoor pool. There are several public fountains where you can still drink water straight from the source (warm, slightly salty and metallic tasting), but perhaps more palatable is to soak at the brutalist Felsentherme public bath complex with its numerous pools (€40 for a day pass).

Just as warming – but with fewer health benefits – is a bowl of Kaspressknödelsuppe (beef broth with cheese-infused dumplings) at the cosy cabin of Schafflinger Alm (soups from €4.50, mains from €17) after a bracing hike through the forest or carving up the Schlossalm-Angertal-Stubnerkogel ski area, where the season kicks off in late November.

Piešťany’s Spa Island, Slovakia

Just before crossing the Colonnade Bridge to get to Piešťany’s Spa Island, there’s a statue of a man breaking his crutch, symbolic of the healing powers of the town’s thermal waters and sulphurous mud, harnessed on this enclave of wellness in the Váh River. The first simple wooden bathhouses were built on the island in 1778, but the opening of the Thermia Palace hotel and its Irma Balneotherapy House in 1912 turned it into a health resort.

Further hotels and spas are dotted between the trees and become increasingly concrete and functional as you get further from the bridge.

The Thermia Palace is still the fanciest option, with a raft of treatment programmes in the spa, from extensive diagnostics and lab tests to mud packs and pools (doubles from €210 half-board, including spa access). The blue-black goop is applied all over the body at a toasty 45C and left for about 10 minutes before being unceremoniously hosed off.

Outside, the spa park also feels restorative, with lily ponds, fountains and free-roaming peacocks.

In town, Elektrárňa Piešťany is a former power plant turned cultural centre that feels surprisingly vital, with film festivals and rock concerts, while the strikingly brutalist House of Arts hosts chamber orchestras and tango music trios.

Rogaška Slatina, Slovenia

This town in eastern Slovenia is famed for Donat Mg, one of the world’s most magnesium-rich mineral waters, traditionally consumed for its digestive benefits. The company now sells millions of bottles of the stuff each year, but here at the source you can sip it for free from the fountains in the Pivnica Drinking Hall – although its salty, fizzy, metallic flavour is something of an acquired taste.

Like other towns of its ilk, Rogaška attracted the great and the good of Europe in the 19th century, and its confection of architecture is testament to that. A short stroll away from the drinking hall, through immaculately clipped gardens, the butter-yellow Grand Hotel Rogaška is straight out of the town’s golden age (doubles from €198 half-board include spa access). Bedrooms are traditional, but the spa has all the bells and whistles, from carbon dioxide baths and mineral water inhalations to reflexology and magnetotherapy.

Somewhat fittingly for a town famous for its drinking water, Rogaška is also known for its glassware – and visitors can tour the Rogaška crystal factory (€12) to see the glass-blowing in action before buying glasses for their Donat Mg from the on-site shop. The surrounding wooded hills are the place for autumn walks.

Salsomaggiore Terme, Italy

In Emilia-Romagna’s so-called “food valley”, not far from Parma, this small spa town will help balance out some of that indulgence. Last year, the Italian thermal brand QC Spa of Wonders reopened the beautiful art deco-style Terme Berzieri, where the gilded interiors – all frescoes, mosaics, majolica and stucco – are as much of a draw as the salty spring waters, rich in iodine and bromide (five-hour spa sessions from €62). There’s the usual thermal attractions, as well as a sauna cinema and infinity rooftop pool, while treatments in wooden barrels nod to the area’s winemaking.

Try some of those wines at the Cantina Il Poggio vineyard in the hills outside Salsomaggiore, which produces a range of styles including the local sparkling Malvasia di Candia Aromatica (tastings from €30). Continue the tastings with a visit to a parmigiano reggiano producer, such as Caseificio Ugolotti (tour and tasting €23), before picking up some ham from Parma’s famous La Prosciutteria. Stop for a roast pork sandwich at legendary panini place Pepèn, before feasting your eyes on the Pilotta Palace complex with the Galleria Nazionale, Palatine Library and Farnese theatre, while the opulent Teatro Regio hosts the annual Verdi festival in October. The organic agriturismo Case Zucchi, about a 10-minute drive from Salsomaggiore, makes a suitably foodie base, with bedrooms named after herbs and the breakfast table piled with fresh bread, eggs, ham, cheese and fruit each morning (doubles from £104 B&B).

Caldas de Monchique, Portugal

High in the Serra de Monchique mountains, surrounded by cork oak and eucalyptus forests, the whitewashed hill town of Monchique offers a slower-paced autumn escape than the nearby Algarve coast. Its cobbled streets are lined with craft shops, ceramic workshops and simple taverns serving chouriço (smoked sausage) with a small glass of medronho (fruit brandy). In a wooded valley below town, the spa village of Caldas de Monchique is little more than a handful of 19th-century buildings around a shaded square and park, where you can drink slightly warm spring water from the public fountain.

Wallow in the alkaline waters a little longer at Caldas de Monchique Villa Termal Spa Resort (doubles from €84, thermal water circuit £17 for 90 minutes).

The spa offers hydro rituals including a Vichy shower, massage and bath, or thermal water circuits around the pools, sauna and Turkish baths, before a dip in the outdoor pool.

Afterwards, the 1692 restaurant, with its stained-glass windows, dishes up bacalhau à Monchique (salt cod stuffed with chouriço and ham). It’s not far from here to Fóia, the highest mountain in the Algarve at 902 metres. It’s worth the walk to the summit for the views, or hike on a further 2½ miles (4km) to the Barbelote waterfall, which cascades over a rocky cliff face in the wetter months.

Chaves, Portugal

There’s a little run of spa towns in the north of Portugal near the Spanish border, a curative route through Pedras Salgadas, Carvalhelhos, Vidago, Carlão and Chaves.

In Chaves, the waters are some of the hottest in Europe, coming out of the ground at a scorching 76C. The Romans built a large therapeutic bathing complex here, that was only rediscovered by accident in 2006 when work began on an underground car park. Now, the free Museu Termas Romanas de Chaves allows visitors to explore the pools and soaking baths, perfectly preserved thanks to an earthquake in the 4th century that sealed them for millennia.

To take the waters today, head to the Aquae Salutem Thermal Complex (€30 for 90 minutes), a circuit of outdoor pools, saunas, steam and showers that opened in 2025.

About half an hour down the road, the Pedras Salgadas Spa and Nature Park sits on the fringes of one of the other small spa towns. The owners have built 18 eco-houses and treehouses on stilts (doubles from £171 B&B, spa access additional £17 per room) among the pine trees at the source.

Guests can do a spot of forest bathing before dipping into the spa – redesigned by one of Portugal’s most famous architects, Álvaro Siza – for a thermal water hydro-massage, or wander between the pink spring pavilions in the park. Pedras Salgadas is also a popular, naturally sparkling mineral water brand.

A DREAMY cottage in the highlands is a perfect destination to escape for a retreat.

It can also be a base for an action-packed family adventure break – with dolphin spotting among the highlights. Janice Hopper reveals all…

With our feet strapped into boots atop skis with wheels, coach Logan advises us to glide just like him.

Our wobbly attempts at roller-skiing aren’t great, so we soon move on to cross-country skiing on the dry-slope matting instead, where my husband Eamon and our sons Samuel, 12, and Joseph, 11, and I do actually glide.

We’ve booked a family session at Huntly Nordic And Outdoor Centre, which ends with us all flinging ourselves, whooping and screaming, down a slope on rubber rings.

It’s a fun way to experience the Scottish hills. Three-hour activity sessions cost £18.15 per adult, £12.15 per child (Livelifeaberdeenshire.org.uk).

PUMPED UP

I visited Europe’s biggest pumpkin patch right here in England & was shocked

PLANT IT

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ESTATE OF MIND

After all the exhilaration, it’s time to check into our two-bedroom cottage on the elegant Mayen Estate.

With a classy colour palette, the cosiest stove and a beautiful ”box bed” in the master, plus a fire pit and hot tub in the garden, Butlers Cottage is a gorgeous hideaway.

We task the boys with rolling out dough and sprinkling on the cheese and salami from our pre-ordered pizza kit, from £21, before popping it in the outdoor pizza oven as the sun starts to wane.

The next morning, we wake to the sound of Highland cows nearby, before taking a peaceful riverside stroll along the Deveron and exploring Mayen’s stunning two-acre Walled Gardens, open exclusively to holiday guests for £20 per cottage.

It’s August, so everything is in full bloom as we wander through walkways of lavender, white lilies and glorious glasshouses.

Huntly is also home to a cinema, castle, shortbread factory and swimming pool, but we head to scenic Greenmyres Lochan for Canadian canoeing and standup paddleboarding, £28 per person for an hour and a half.

Jumping in and swimming is a valid option, too, as my youngest discovers (Huntlydt.org/what-we-do/greenmyres).

After peeling off our wetsuits, we reward ourselves with a Sunday roast at The Bank Cafe & Restaurant.

Here, choose your carvery meat and three sides, such as sticky red cabbage and macaroni cheese, for just £15, or seven sides for £21 (Thebankrestauranthuntly.com).

Buttery orange biscuits from Dean’s Shortbread, £2.49 (Deans.co.uk) and Irn Bru ice cream, £3 a scoop, from long-standing Rizza’s wrap up our day nicely (Rizzas.co.uk).

While Butlers Cottage is set amid rolling hills, the golden sands of Banff Bay are only half an hour away.

After wandering along the shoreline, we warm up with hot chocolate, £4.50, and a dainty Victoria sponge tower, £3.40, at Annie’s Cakery (Facebook.com/anniescakery7).

Housed in the town’s former railway station, AKA The Platform, there’s a lovely homeware and fashion shop, too (Theplatform-macduff.co.uk).

Also close by is Portsoy, famous for its salmon. After learning more about the local catch at the free Salmon Bothy museum (Salmonbothy.org), we buy flavoursome smoked fillets, £4 each, from Messrs J Smith at the historic harbour to cook later, before hitting Spey Bay’s free Scottish Dolphin Centre, half an hour away (Dolphincentre.whales.org).

There are binoculars for trying to spot the bay’s resident 200 bottlenose dolphins and the chance to listen to recordings of their calls.

The local dolphins are considered the world’s “chubbiest”, thanks to their extra layers for keeping warm in the chilly waters.

We’re alright though, we have a hot tub to return to. . .

Famous hits from Steps, Bucks Fizz, JLS, the Celebrity Weekender breaks are perfect for those who miss the anthems of the eighties, nineties and noughties

Holidaymakers seeking inspiration on where to book their next break can enjoy an autumn getaway with a twist at a series of star-studded weekends at holiday parks across England and Wales. Parkdean Resorts has announced Celebrity Weekenders, mini-breaks filled with the music of the eighties, nineties and noughties with some famous faces joining the party.

Priced from £179, these themed weekends are taking place at five parks across North Yorkshire, Norfolk, Dorset and Wales, with celebrity guests including Chesney Hawkes, The Cheeky Girls, and Claire and H from Steps, plus members of Bucks Fizz, Atomic Kitten, JLS and loads more.

Music lovers can step back to the eighties at Cayton Bay Holiday Park this November, or enjoy nineties nostalgia at Ty Mawr Holiday Park. Elsewhere, Vauxhall Holiday Park will play host to a 90s vs 00s Weekend, as well as a Boybands vs Girlbands celebration and a Celebrity Tribute line-up, while Trecco Bay holiday park is the place for classic disco and retro dance music with its Disco for Grown-Ups weekend.

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These Celebrity Weekenders also offer plenty of activities to keep the celebrations going between music acts, from silent discos and bottomless brunches to bingo and fancy dress competitions, with the line-up varying by holiday park. Sites are also home to everything from amusement arcades and arts and crafts to high ropes courses, adventure golf and bungee trampolines.

However, Parkdean Resorts notes that while children are welcome to join a Celebrity Weekender, there will be limited entertainment and activities running for children, so these breaks are best suited to grown-ups. Those seeking a family-friendly staycation this autumn can check out Parkdean’s standard offering, as well as the likes of Haven, who are running Halloween-themed breaks throughout October, and Butlin’s, who have The Masked Singer Live shows on offer during October half term plus up to 20% off all 2026 and 2027 breaks.

Book a Celebrity Weekender break

From £178 for three nights

Parkdean Resorts

See all breaks

There are eight weekends to choose from across five Parkdean Resorts holiday parks.

Vauxhall Holiday Park, Great Yarmouth

Boybands vs Girlbands: Kerry Katona, JLS star Oritsé Williams, East 17, Liberty X, and Atomic Kitten’s Natasha Hamilton are among the celebrity guests joining the festivities at this weekend for music lovers. Starting on November 6, prices start from £164 for three nights.

90s vs 00s: Nineties icon Chesney Hawkes will be bringing his best hits to this weekend, while D:Ream and Betty Boo will also be flying the flag for the nineties, and DJ sets from Marvin Humes, Chris Moyles, Toby Anstis will ramp up the party atmosphere. Taking place from November 20, a three-night break over this weekend starts from £179.

Celebrity Tribute: This jam-packed weekend features tribute shows to legends like Elvis, Michael Jackson, Cher, Freddie Mercury, Elton John and Tina Turner, as well as sets celebrating modern icons including Take That, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Kylie Minogue, Ed Sheeran, Harry Styles, Bruno Mars and more. From November 13, this weekend is priced from £178 for three nights.

Sandford Holiday Park, Dorset

Hitman: The Hitman himself Pete Waterman will be joined by 911, Sybil and Brother Beyond’s Nathan Moore at this weekender, which is also a true treat for classic Neighbours fans with activities including a Kylie vs Jason fancy dress competition, Kylie karaoke, and a big-screen showing of Scott and Charlene’s wedding, as well as a dance class, lip sync battle, a Grease sing-a-long, and a retro-themed brunch. Taking place from November 13, prices start from £194 for three nights.

Celebrity Christmas: East 17, The Cheeky Girls, Marvin Humes, Pat Sharp, Kerry Katona and Black Lace will all be in attendance to end November with a bang and begin the countdown to Christmas with DJ sets and dance floor hits. Starting on November 27, this weekend is priced from £224 for three nights.

Trecco Bay Holiday Park, Porthcawl

Disco for Grown-Ups: Steps legends Claire Richards and Ian ‘H’ Watkins will be joined by Gareth Gates and Bucks Fizz stars Cheryl Baker and Jay Aston for non-stop famous hits, while In Da Bungalow legends Dick & Dom will host a DJ set. From November 13, prices start from £194 for three nights.

Ty Mawr Holiday Park, Conwy

90s Weekender: Vernon Kay will host a DJ set in this weekend enjoying the anthems of the nineties, joined by the likes of Big Brovaz & Booty Luv, Honeyz and A1. Re-Take That will also be bringing all the hits from the beloved pop group, while a live rock show will celebrate the female artists who defined the alternative music scene of the nineties. From November 20, prices start from £193 for three nights.

Cayton Bay Holiday Park, North Yorkshire

80s Weekender: The Real Thing, Black Lace, Thereza Bazar’s Dollar and Deniece Pearson Five Star are among the celebrity guests in attendance at this weekend celebrating all things eighties. Taking place from November 20, prices start from £238 for three nights.

WHAT luck! We admire the northern royal albatross – his jet-black wings spanning more than three metres as he circles above our little tour boat.

“They love gliding on this south-westerly breeze,” says Rachel, captain of the Sootychaser.

But within seconds our attention switches as Rachel spots some adorable blue penguins — the smallest in the world — on the other side of the boat.

With fur seals, oyster catchers, black swans and sooty shearwaters also ticked, this boat trip around Port Chalmers harbour in New Zealand’s South Island has turned into a wildlife adventure that keeps on giving.

Lady luck has been with me since I set out on a 12-night cruise from Sydney.

It was a bucket-list departure as we sailed past the Opera House on our way to Auckland on Norwegian Cruise Line’s ship, Norwegian Spirit.

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The Tasman Sea was unusually calm as Captain Nordin navigated Spirit into Milford Sound, a deep fjord with steep cliffs and gushing waterfalls, the low mist clearing to reveal a cloudless blue sky.

Cruising New Zealand’s scenic fiordlands, a vast, wild area at the bottom of the South Island, always promised to be a highlight of the trip and didn’t disappoint.

It was spectacular. From Milford we sailed past the softer scenery in Doubtful Sound — so-named because when Captain Cook was passing in 1770 he didn’t think his ship would get into it.

Last up was Dusky Sound, named by Cook as he first saw it as the sun set.
Port Chalmers is the nearest that most cruise ships can get to Dunedin, the Gaelic word for Edinburgh. “Scottish settlers travelled thousands of miles to this unknown land, but at least the weather was very familiar,” our guide Robert says with a laugh.

He’s not joking. We’re here in New Zealand’s summer, but the sky is grey and it is drizzling.

Things didn’t improve next day, when strong winds prevented Spirit getting into Lyttelton, the port for Christchurch.

Instead there was a day at sea with fabulous views as we sailed past snowy peaks.

I also worked up a sweat in Spirit’s thermal suite and followed up with an altogether different spirit — a margarita in Magnum’s, my favourite bar.

Built in 1998 and with room for just under 2,000 passengers, Spirit is NCL’s oldest and smallest ship, but looking very spruce after a £89million refurb in 2020.

They doubled the size of the spa, updated cabins, turned a waterpark at the back of Deck 10 into an adults-only area and added so many more places to eat and drink that it took me a week to try them all.

As NCL is the king of cruising casual, I booked whichever restaurant I fancied instead of being told when or where to eat, or what to wear. Jeans in the restaurant at dinner? No problem.

Steaks in Cagney’s, noodles in Silk, pasta in Onda by Scarpetta, stir-fry straight off the griddle in the fun Teppanyaki, and a superb Coq au Vin in the Bistro — I munched my way through the lot of them.

They were all really good (top marks went to the Bistro) and usually cost extra, but I paid nothing, thanks to NCL’s generous Free At Sea package.

It includes free meals in up to four speciality restaurants on cruises over nine nights (fewer nights nets fewer restaurants) as well as covering drinks and wifi and giving USD$50 (around £38) off the cost of shore excursions.

There were plenty of included places to eat as well.

Taste, one of two main dining rooms, was good, and I liked the outdoor seating at the Garden Cafe (a posh name for the buffet), but The Local was my favourite, for its salads, burgers, fish and chips and chicken wings.

Outside, the weather was getting better and better, with sunshine and blue skies as we explored New Zealand’s North Island. Wellington, the capital, stole my heart with its relaxed feel, clean streets and waterfront bars.

I rode a cable car to the top of the botanic gardens and wandered back to town, admiring the exotic plants and trees along the way.

In Napier the next day, I joined a hike and wine tour up the lofty Te Mata Peak with guides Helen and Anne.

“We’ve learned from experience it’s good to do the wine after the walk,” says Helen.

Wise words. What started as an easy path from the car park got steeper as we climbed — one foot wrong and you would be tumbling down the grassy bank.

Panting with exertion, it was a joy to finally dive into four tipples, including a cheery sweet rosé aptly named Fleurty.

Tauranga was different again — a beautiful beach resort, with miles of soft sand and stylish apartments that would look right at home on the French Riviera (but were a lot cheaper).

The next day, in Auckland, it was time to say goodbye to Spirit and New Zealand — but I’m not dis-Spirited because, with Lady Luck on my side, I’ll be back.

IF you’ve ever wanted to stay in a holiday home that has a touch of the celebrity about it, look no further.

These country cottages and glamping stays are all owned by TV stars including an Emmerdale actor as well as presenters of Countryfile and Escape to the Country – and you can actually stay in them.

Stag Cottage Sykes Holiday Cottage

Any fan of Emmerdale will know Kelvin Fletcher for playing Andy Sugden for 20 years.

Since then, he’s also appeared on Fletchers’ Family Farm following his new venture since leaving the ITV soap.

Also on the site of the farm is Stag Cottage, on the site of the Fletcher farm near Wincle, and you can book it on Sykes Holiday Cottages.

Inside, the cottage has been renovated into a cosy rental that sleeps up to six, there’s a sitting room with a woodburning log fire with squishy sofa and chairs.

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The kitchen has a central island and is fully-equipped with everything visitors need to make home-cooked meals.

The cottage sleeps six people and upstairs are three bedrooms all with king-size beds with plush bedding, and one has an en-suite.

There’s also a snug and conservatory, and outside is a garden with lawn, patio area, decking, furniture and hot tub.

Stag Cottage has 89 reviews all of which are five-star, one called it the “absolute chicest luxury retreat in the Peak District.”

Some even said they had met their hosts: “We loved our stay made all the more special meeting Kelvin and Liz who are both lovely genuine people, they made us feel so welcome and nothing was to much to ask.”

The cottage is largely booked up for the rest of the year, but if you wanted to book a break in January 2028, a seven-night stay starts from £1680 – or £40pppn.

Cotswolds Farm Park

Did you know that Countryfile presenter Adam Henson has his very own attraction called Cotswolds Farm Park?

It is a farm and petting zoo with animals like donkeys, cows and sheep for kids to see.

When it comes to playing, there are indoor and outdoor play areas with soft play, sand pits, Bouncy Pillows, swings, a zipwire, ride-on tractors, quarry play and a sensory garden.

For a peaceful experience, families can head on the wildlife walk or longer Woodland Walk through surrounding farmland.

Some decide to visit for the day – but it can be easily turned into a weekend getaway thanks to its range of stays from luxury lodges, cabins, safari tents, glamping pods.

There are also pitches to pop up your own tent which starts from £29.96pn.

Glamping pods start from £50 per night, it sleeps four people and has a private decking, electric BBQ along with a communal kitchen area and a shower block.

For a more glam stay, opt for a luxury lodge with a hot tub like the Exmoor and Ronaldsay.

These lodges both sleep up to six people, have a private bathroom and shower, fully-kitted out kitchen and with an upgrade come with a wood-fired hot tub.

A two-night stay from October 13 for four people starts from £654.50 – or £81.80pppn.

Mole Hill Hut

Hidden away in the rolling hills of Herefordshire is a glamping site owned by Escape to the Country‘s Jules Hudson.

Presenter of the BBC show used his skills to handcraft his very own bespoke shepherd’s hut that you can book.

On Jules’ own land near the Wye Valley, the hut is tucked away in a private meadow – the hut is designed for two people as a secluded, off-grid retreat.

Inside is a cosy double bed, a functional kitchenette, and an adjoining lounge area called “The Trough.”

Guests can spend their evenings around the outdoor wood-burning stove enjoying panoramic views of Herefordshire’s rolling hills.

Also provided are books, magazines, maps and board games and guests will find luxury toiletries.

The hut cost £150 per night (for two) with a three-night minimum stay – anyone who books a seven-night stay can get 15 per cent off.