TRAVEL

Booking your holiday on a specific day could actually make your trip cheaper when compared to the rest of the week – and it’s good news for those who want short breaks

There’s a lot to think about when it comes to booking a holiday. Once you’ve chosen where you’d like to go, you have to consider what time of year you’d like to travel, how long you want to go for, and whether you want an all-inclusive resort holiday or want to get out and experience a new culture.

But what you might not have considered before is the exact day of the week you want to fly out. Most people will either pick the start of the week if they’ve taken time off from work, or will opt to travel on the weekend in order to squeeze a couple of extra days out of their trip.

According to one travel expert, however, travelling on specific days of the week could actually make your holiday cheaper or more expensive – and it’s not always a good idea to avoid the weekends.

A holiday expert named Rob, who is an insider for On The Beach, shared a TikTok video in which he looked through the On The Beach data for 2026 holidays and found that some days of the week are cheaper to travel on.

He stipulated that the data he looked at was specifically for couples’ holidays in 2026, but said that “it goes to show that picking the right date can save you a lot of money”.

Rob ran through the days of the week, starting with the most expensive day to travel – Wednesday.

Explaining why this is, he said: “It’s probably because midweek flights are packed with business travellers, so that pushes the price up, especially on short-haul flights. So that’s your baseline, and one to avoid if you can.”

Next, saving just 1% in comparison to Wednesday, is Tuesday, and the third most expensive day to travel is Saturday. Sunday is marginally cheaper as the middle day on the list, coming in at the fourth cheapest and fourth most expensive.

Speaking about Sunday, Rob said: “Sunday gives you about a 5% saving versus Wednesday. Not to be sniffed at, 5% can be a big difference. Hotels love a Sunday check-in, [as there are] quieter lobbies and fewer crowds, and often, because of this, [there are] lower rates. Plus, you skip the weekend airport chaos.”

The third cheapest day to travel is actually a Monday, as Rob said people “tend to hate the idea” of travelling on a Monday on a psychological level, as it reminds people of going to work.

Second place went to Thursday, as you miss out on the weekend rush, but coming in first place, and saving a whopping 13% compared to those travelling on Wednesday, is actually Friday.

While travelling on a Friday might seem like it would be expensive because it’s so popular, Rob said that’s actually why it’s cheap – as there are more flights and more package deals available.

He said: “There are more flights. Airlines put on more leisure routes because there’s more demand, which means prices get driven down. It’s also the day most hotels want you to check in, meaning more package deals, more discounts, and overall better value.”

Rob ended his video by stating that his data is “foolproof” and booking a holiday on a Friday won’t always work out cheaper, but it’s certainly worth a look if you’re planning a holiday for 2026.

ALASKA Airlines was forced to ground all planes across the US on Thursday after being hit by an IT outage.

It’s the second time in three months that the carrier has been forced to halt all operations.

The outage has since sparked widespread travel chaos across the US. 

More than 200 Alaska Airlines flights were delayed on Thursday, and more than 100 canceled, according to FlightAware data.

More than 300 flights heading out of Dallas and Chicago were delayed.

Over 140 planes jetting out of Seattle airport were delayed, according to FlightAware.

Federal aviation chiefs issued a ground stop for Alaska Airlines’ entire fleet just after 7:30pm local time on Thursday.

Passengers in Seattle airport were seen lounging on their suitcases in the terminal as they waited for information.

Luggage was piling up in the airport’s baggage reclaim area.

Airport staffers had to check labels to reunite passengers with their bags.

Others managed to get onto their planes but were left sitting on the tarmac.

Pilots told passengers on board jets they would be taking off but planes didn’t move.

“They were like, okay, we’re going to be taking off, it’s an hour fifty-eight to Burbank, and then we didn’t move,” Wilder McCullough, who was heading to California, told KOMO-TV.

Travelers in Austin, Texas, said gates were jammed, as reported by CNN.

Airline bosses have since spoken out and have apologized for any disruption.

“We apologize for the inconvenience,” the carrier posted on X.

“If you’re scheduled to fly tonight, please check your flight status before heading to the airport.”

Some travelers opted not to rebook canceled flights and decided to drive 16 hours to reach their destinations, as per the NBC affiliate KING-TV.

The outage is not a cyberattack and services are gradually being restored.

Passengers have been warned to expect delays on Friday.

Alaska Airlines was hit with an IT outage in July, which also sparked widespread chaos. 

The airline is the fifth largest in the US, with a fleet of more than 200 planes.

Meanwhile, the government shutdown is now in its third week.

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Federal officials have warned passengers to expect delays at airport security checkpoints.

Transportation Security Administration staffers are considered essential workers but they are not being paid as it stands.

Winning tip: fabulous food and views on a Scottish island

There are not many pub lunches that require a trip across the Atlantic, but to reach Tigh An Truish (a 30-minute drive south of Oban), visitors must cross the 250-year-old Bridge over the Atlantic – Clachan Bridge, which links the west coast of the Scottish mainland to the Isle of Seil. This transatlantic journey is well worth it for delicious and lovingly presented local fare (think Argyll venison and mussels brought into Oban harbour). The pub bustles with visitors and locals, while the adjoining restaurant is a warm space to coorie in from the wild west coast and enjoy the stunning views down the Clachan Sound.
Calum Hamilton

Homegrown ingredients in the South Downs

Halloween is a big deal in the UK, and one of the most famous pumpkin patches is Tulleys’ Pumpkin Farm, which plays host to a pumpkin festival each year

Halloween certainly feels different now that I’m on the cusp of 30, but my memories of past celebrations vary greatly. As a child, I spent Halloween trick or treating around my village, while my university years were marked by celebrating a Halloween birthday, reports the Express.

Now, in my mature years, it’s all about recreating a sense of nostalgia. I’ve never been particularly drawn to the Americanised version of Halloween, even less so as an adult (what on earth is a Boo Basket?). However, one tradition that remains constant is the art of pumpkin carving.

Last weekend, I embraced the Halloween spirit slightly more than usual, visiting one of the UK’s most renowned pumpkin patches and festivals. Tulleys’ Pumpkin Farm in West Sussex has a rich history of embracing all things autumnal and Halloween-related. Each year, it hosts Tulleys’ Pumpkin Festival, Tulleys’ Pumpkin Nights, and Shocktober Fest.

Shocktober Fest was a big deal during my teenage years, along with Thorpe Park’s Fright Night, with hordes of friends making the journey across county borders to scream into the night. Tulleys’ Farm has been around for quite some time, because when I mentioned to my mum that I was heading to the Pumpkin Festival, she gasped, recalling that it was a place she used to visit with her parents when she was younger. That surely means it’s legendary.

Two Irish mates were keen to embrace the Halloween spirit, and as their London tour guide, I was more than happy to whisk us away from the city with their Golden Retriever, Millie, for a soggy afternoon in a muddy field brimming with pumpkins. The relentless downpour and heavy grey skies only added to the autumnal atmosphere.

The Pumpkin Festival is a blend of traditional British farms and Colonial America – think Salem Witch Trials – teeming with hundreds, if not thousands, of different types of pumpkins and squash. Ever seen a star-shaped pumpkin? Well, now’s your chance.

You’ll encounter knobbly ones, wrinkled ones, green ones, white ones, big ones, small ones, striped ones. They’re absolutely mad about pumpkins.

There’s an entire field dedicated to capturing that perfect pumpkin patch Instagram snap, with row upon row of vibrant orange pumpkins. Over 600,000 seeds are sown across 100 acres of land to yield one million pumpkins and gourds for the festival.

It’s the ideal spot to wear out kids or four-legged friends while you wander amongst the field. Personally, I enjoyed perusing the plethora of pumpkins in the garden centre/pumpkin-village.

You can purchase as many as you like, and plenty of people were carting them around in wheelbarrows. Prices vary depending on size, and the most unusual variety could set you back as little as £1.

We acted like proper Millennials, ensuring that Millie was the centre of attention, snapping pictures of her like mums and dads do with their little ones and tots. She adored it, I’m certain.

Next to the pumpkin patch sits the American-style village, complete with typical Yankee street grub, a dive bar plastered in memorabilia that screams “USA! USA!”, a big wheel, and a mock cemetery showcasing cringe-worthy spooky dad gags.

The entire setup is part of the charm, designed to whisk you away from dull West Sussex to Salem, Massachusetts, 1692. You’ve got to chuckle at it. But honestly, it’s all part of the entertainment.

The Pumpkin Bar serves as an excellent refuge, and believe me, you’ll likely need it. There are also loads of food choices, though my selection of chips with cheese sauce probably wasn’t the wisest pick. I should have opted for the build your own crumble or DIY s’mores. It’s the ideal spot to get you and the clan in the spirit for spooky season.

Tulleys provides a complete experience for young and grown-up children alike. It was my first experience at a pumpkin patch as an adult, and despite resembling a soaked rodent from the instant we turned up, it was the perfect way to spend a weekend.

Tulleys left my mates so impressed that they’re keen to tackle the two other Halloween attractions next year. There’s something extraordinary for the whole family to enjoy, even the four-legged variety.

Daytime tickets for Tulleys Farm’s Pumpkin Festival, for adults (over 14) and children (from aged two to 13), are priced between £8 and £13.95, with carers admitted free of charge. For the Pumpkin Nights at Tulleys, prices range from £11.95 to £19.95 for both adults and children.

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THE TEMPUS, Northumberland is a hotel surrounded by natural serenity and an immersive, sophisticated experience. 

Here’s everything you need to know – from room rates to dining options at the hotel’s restaurant.

Where is the hotel?

Located just 7 miles from Alnwick and just off the A1, The Tempus is just 12 miles from the nearest station in Alnmouth, where taxis can be arranged for an easy journey. 

What is the hotel like?

Sparkling blue sea, rolling sand dunes and sunshine beating down on glorious ancient ruins. I could be on an island in the Med.

But this was a plush hotel in Northumberland.

The barns of this 18th century estate have been tastefully converted into 32 rooms. 

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What are the rooms like?

Inspired by Alice In Wonderland, the Superior King with a Terrace was decorated with eye popping hot-pink walls, a comfy sofa and two armchairs, alongside a gorgeous gold and marble coffee table.

The bathroom was huge with multiple lighting options, giving guests the choice of a disco shower, while rooms come with a Nespresso machine and biscuits, as well as dressing gowns and slippers.

Double rooms cost from £195 on a B&B basis.

What is there to eat or drink there?

 A gastro pub-style menu at the hotel’s Orangery restaurant combines hearty with sophisticated dining and features favourites such as burrata, succulent beef burgers and salty chips.

I had a veggie ragu pasta while my partner Jonah devoured lamb coupled with shepherd’s pie, followed by a delicious cheese board.

For brekkie, guests can pick a range of cooked options or there’s a continental buffet.

What else is there to do at the hotel?

There are some excellent walks on your doorstep, including a four hour coastal hike, starting at Embleton and ending at the grandiose Bamburgh Castle.

Relatively flat, the trek winds through villages that have lovely cafes and pubs.

We also enjoyed an evening in Alnwick town, which features an array of characterful boozers filled with friendly, chatty locals.

Absolutely a place to go back to. Owners Judith and Nigel were a delight. 

Is the hotel family friendly?

Yes, there are dog-friendly rooms available, as well as family suites. 

Is the hotel accessible?

Yes, The Tempus Northumberland offers ground floor rooms, accessible accommodation and accessible dining spaces.

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Additionally, there are plenty of ramps making movement around the site easier. 

Looking for a place to stay? For more hotel inspiration click here.

I felt like a child again as I wandered down to the riverbank to look at crawdads.

“Oh, the L.A. River folks posted on Instagram about this, but I didn’t know they were right here,” my walking partner said.

Dozens of bright red crustaceans swam and fought and hid in the warm shallow water of the Glendale Narrows of the Los Angeles River. A Cooper’s hawk swooped down to grab a branch presumably for a nearby nest. A black-crowned night heron accidentally dropped its lunch, perhaps a frog, back into the water.

Crawdads, or crayfish, fight each other, eat and bask in the sun in the L.A. River.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

Later, I’d witness Canada geese arriving in formation before landing on the river for their evening dinner and rest.

In all honesty, I hadn’t expected such abundant life less than a quarter of a mile from the 5 Freeway. But that’s what you’ll discover along the sandy, soft bottom segments of the L.A. River where nature rejected concrete and instead built back life.

Jason Wise, an L.A.-based conservationist, was my walking partner who spotted the crawdaddies, as I was raised to call them in Oklahoma. I had asked Wise, who regularly hosts educational hikes, if we could walk along the river and explore one of its soft bottom segments.

Since moving to L.A., I’d wondered why certain parts of the river were lush and beautiful. My wife and I had biked a few times from Koreatown to the river trail, usually eating at Spoke Bicycle Cafe. Why did this segment look like an actual river and not the concrete flood channel featured in the 1978 film “Grease”?

Ducks stand on rocks in the sandy bottom of the Los Angeles River.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

We’ll get to that precise answer, but first, a bit of geography and history.

The L.A. River has existed for thousands of years and was the site of Indigenous villages for more than 1,000 years. It is, in its current iteration, a 51-mile “engineered waterway” whose banks were channelized with concrete starting in 1938 and finished by 1960, according to the county public works department.

Three portions of the river, though, remain unpaved:

• The Sepulveda Basin in the San Fernando Valley.
• The Glendale Narrows, a 7.4-mile stretch through Glendale, Atwater Village, Elysian Park and Los Angeles.
• The Long Beach estuary.

Wise and I met at Elysian Valley Gateway Park, which provides access to the natural streambed.

As we watched its waters flow by, Wise explained that the L.A. River was a wild, free-flowing river that often changed course.

The Glendale Narrows area of the L.A. River.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

For example, as Times columnist Patt Morrison pointed out: “From today’s downtown, it coursed west and southwest all over the Los Angeles Basin until around 1825, when another flood redirected it toward where it flows today, more or less south from the original pueblo.”

This was a problem for L.A.’s developers. And not only that, Wise said, but the river flooded seasonally throughout the 1930s. At the same time, L.A. was growing rapidly, with lots of money to be made in building industry and homes as close to the river as possible.

In 1938, L.A. experienced a great flood — which in today’s meteorological lingo, we’d explain as essentially back-to-back atmospheric rivers hitting in 4½ days, bringing about 16 inches of rain, which is on average how much the area gets in a year. At least 96 people died (although experts say the number is probably higher).

The flood was the impetus for controlling the river, especially given that officials wanted to keep building near it.

At that time, two plans emerged, Wise said. This moment, dear Wilder, would be a good one to correct if you perhaps have a time machine on hand.

A beautiful evening at the Glendale Narrows of the L.A. River.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

In a report titled “Parks, Playgrounds and Beaches for the Los Angeles Region,” designers recommended the region create an “emerald necklace,” or a series of parks along waterways, including the L.A River, the Rio Hondo, the San Gabriel River, Ballona Creek and Compton Creek. Officials could engineer the river with slopes to better handle flooding, and parks would soak up water and replenish the water table.

Areas near the river still might flood, and “we might have to replace some picnic tables or a playground, but otherwise, the whole city has all these parks, and a connection to nature and our wild river that is actually the foundation of the city, the reason that L.A. exists,” Wise said.

We didn’t do that.

Instead, officials asked the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for a faster, simpler (and, in other words, cheaper) solution, Wise said. “Not that it was cheap to dig up and concretize a river, but if you locked this into place … you can then develop right up to the edge,” Wise said.

But in certain places, including the Glendale Narrows, the plan didn’t work. The Glendale Narrows has a higher water table than other areas of the L.A. River, and the engineers realized the concrete wouldn’t set because of the high amount of water and springs bubbling up.

White-faced ibises mingle on rocks at the Glendale Narrows of the L.A. River.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

With the soil exposed, seeds could take root, plants returned, and wildlife came back. The ecosystem, as best it could, rebounded.

“It was an amazing mistake,” Wise said of the Corps’ inability to lay concrete over the entire L.A. River. “I’m so grateful that the Army Corps screwed that up.”

And now, there’s momentum to rethink the landscape of our river’s design.

My first question about that was: “Would we have to tolerate flooding again?” Wise told me that’s a common misconception. For one, it’s arguably impossible to “rewild” the entire river.

“You can’t get rid of this right now because there are homes right there,” Wise said. “We can’t completely undo the mistakes of the past, but we can find a way to create a better future and learn from those mistakes. The best thing to do with a mistake is to learn from it and do things better. It’s harder now, but what can we do to bring some wild back?”

Geese and other birds float along the Glendale Narrows of the Los Angeles River.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

A few days after my visit with Wise, I returned to the L.A. River for sunset. I parked again at Elysian Valley Gateway Park and walked about a third of a mile south to an area of the river where heaps of rocks make it easier to cross the still-concrete part of the river to reach the natural area.

And then for an hour, I stood in awe as a concert of birds performed their evening serenade. White-faced ibises stood perfectly balanced on rocks among the calm river. Great blue herons passed by overhead. American coots submerged themselves underwater in search of food. A few large fish popped up to eat bugs.

Then I heard honking. Not the kind from the nearby 5 Freeway, which for this moment in time, didn’t exist. Four Canada geese appeared above in formation, swooping down to land together on the water. They floated over to the bank, just 15 feet or so from me, where one goose stood watch, protecting its three flock members as they ate and rested. I felt lucky to witness that, like I was living in a Mary Oliver poem.

A Canada goose watches out for its flock members as they eat and rest on the L.A. River.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

It grew darker, and I soon left — only to hear more honking as nine more geese landed.

On my way home, traffic felt less obnoxious. My empty fridge felt less of a problem. Even the Trader Joe’s parking lot left me unaffected. Instead, I felt connected to not only our river and our city, but to the humans around me. As Wise reminded me:

The L.A. River “is the foundation of the city. Nature is all around us, and it’s even there within the city. There should be more of it … and through that connection, we realize we are nature. We are also animals on this planet, that everything is connected. We’re all one big living, breathing organism. Nature is a conduit to the rest of community and supporting each other and building each other up and helping each other out.”

3 things to do

Children’s paintings of P-22, L.A.’s late lion king who lived in and around Griffith Park for more than a decade, at the 2022 P-22 Day Festival.

(Save LA Cougars)

1. Keep P-22’s memory alive in L.A. 🦁🕯️
The #SaveLACougars campaign will host its annual P-22 Day Festival from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday in Shane’s Inspiration (4800 Crystal Springs Drive) in Griffith Park. The event honors the legacy of P-22, a male mountain lion who inspired countless Angelenos into advocating for our local wildlife. Several local conservation and Indigenous groups will host tables with information about how attendees can get more involved in protecting our public lands. Guests can also meet the people behind the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, take home native plants, enjoy art, crafts and food-trucks and check out the latest P-22 merchandise. Learn more at savelacougars.org.

2. Prowl for the phantasmal in Pasadena
L.A. Fright Club, a horror-themed fitness group, will host its spooky hike club at 7 a.m. Sunday at the Lower Arroyo Seco trail. The group will meet at the trailhead in the San Pascual Stables parking lot (221 San Pascual Ave. in South Pasadena). Costumes are encouraged. Learn more at the group’s Instagram page.

3. Embrace the eerie in Elysian Park
We Explore Earth will host Forest Bridges Day Camp, a Halloween-themed community celebration, from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday in Elysian Park. Attendees can participate in guided hikes, workshops, pumpkin carving, cornhole and more. Participants should bring a blanket, camping chair and/or pillows for the movie “The Nightmare Before Christmas” at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are available at eventbrite.com.

The must-read

Spanish mountaineer Kilian Jornet climbed 72 summits over 14,000 feet in the contiguous U.S. in 31 days this fall. Jornet is pictured here in the Sierra Nevada range known as the Normans 13, which connects 13 summits over 13,000 feet (3,962 meters).

(Andy Cochrane)

In just 31 days, Spanish mountaineer Kilian Jornet recently climbed all 72 summits in the contiguous United States that stand over 14,000 feet tall — a feat similar to climbing Mt. Whitney 2½ times per day, every day, for a month, writes Times staff writer Jack Dolan. Jornet’s journey included California’s “Norman’s 13,” which is 13 summits over 14,000 feet in remote alpine terrain between Lone Pine and Bishop. My first question, reading Jack’s piece was: “Why?” Jornet said he doesn’t do it for the glory. “I do these things because I love them, because they bring me joy and happiness, not because I think they’re very important,” he said.

Happy adventuring,

P.S.

For fans of one of California’s silliest native animals, I have great news! Reservations opened Monday for guided elephant seal tours at Año Nuevo State Park, which is about 6½ hours northwest of L.A. Every December, these massive sea mammals migrate to the beaches of Año Nuevo for their breeding and birthing season. There is fighting — drama! — along with lots of vocalizing and “galumphing,” the park said on its Instagram page. To reserve your spot for a tour, visit this website, and from the “category” dropdown menu, choose “guided seal walks” before choosing which day you’d like to go. Reservations are available 56 days (eight weeks) in advance of your desired walk date.

For more insider tips on Southern California’s beaches, trails and parks, check out past editions of The Wild. And to view this newsletter in your browser, click here.

Finland, a Nordic nation of 5.6 million, has been named one of Lonely Planet’s 25 Best Destinations in 2026 – and it’s not hard to see why the Finns are so happy

One of the globe’s finest destinations also happens to be amongst Europe’s most sparsely populated.

Finland, a Nordic country home to 5.6 million people, has earned recognition as one of Lonely Planet’s 25 Best Destinations in 2026. The nation was the sole European country to secure a place on the list, though it did share its ranking with regions across Italy and Ireland, amongst others.

Recent years have seen considerable attention focused on Finnish contentment levels. This March, Finland claimed the title of the world’s happiest nation for an eighth consecutive year, as reported by the World Happiness Report 2025, reports the Express.

“Happiness isn’t just about wealth or growth – it’s about trust, connection and knowing people have your back,” said Jon Clifton, the chief executive of Gallup. If we want stronger communities and economies, we must invest in what truly matters: each other.”

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The formula behind Finland’s contentment proves fascinating and complex.

Trust forms the foundation of Finnish culture. Numerous youngsters in the country bundle up warmly to attend woodland schools, even in the country’s northern regions during brutal Finnish winters.

They’re permitted to clamber, leap, scramble, and engage in countless other activities to their heart’s desire, with educators choosing to allow learning through experimentation rather than stepping in. Beyond this bedrock of trust lies an immense pride in their homeland.

Finland boasts one of the globe’s highest national service participation rates. Roughly 27,000 conscripts commence service annually, with approximately 80% of Finnish men fulfilling their duty. Moreover, increasing numbers of women volunteer for service, with more than 1,500 enlisting each year.

Another major contributor to Finnish contentment is the nation’s stunning natural landscape. Known as the Land of a Thousand Lakes, Finland features nearly 200,000 lakes and remains roughly three-quarters blanketed in woodland.

The nation serves as an ideal spot for witnessing the Aurora Borealis, visible on countless evenings, particularly throughout Lapland.

“Whether you are paddling through Finnish Lakeland in the golden light of a midsummer evening, feeling the heartbeat of Sámi reindeer-herding culture in Inari or embracing the bitter cold of Lapland on a dogsled ride as the northern lights come out to play, you will realize that Finnish happiness is tuning into nature, in touch with your inner child,” Lonely Planet writes.

Fortunately, there’s ample room to savour this magnificence.

Finland ranks amongst Europe’s most thinly populated nations, averaging merely 17 residents per sq km, contrasted with 227 per sq km in the UK. Lonely Planet’s Kerry Walker says if you do visit Finland, you shouldn’t leave without first embracing Sámi culture in Lapland.

“Give Santa the slip and head to Inari or, further north still, Utsjoki, for reindeer-driven sleigh rides and joik (rhythmic poems) sung around a flickering campfire in a simple lavvu tent. Go for the whole Arctic shebang with husky mushing, snowshoeing and ice fishing, then hole up in a log cabin, igloo or aurora-gazing dome to watch the flakes silently fall,” she suggests.

The Sámi inhabit Finland’s northern territory of Lapland, a region that extends into Sweden and Norway too.

Many still engage in age-old reindeer herding practices, though contemporary methods and gadgets like drones and snowmobiles are now employed.

If the prospect of holidaying somewhere with minimal crowds appeals to you, Mongolia could be perfect.

This vast landlocked nation, nestled between China and Russia, spans more than 603,000 square miles yet houses barely 3.5 million residents, making it the globe’s most thinly populated independent country.

Indeed, roughly half the nation’s inhabitants reside in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital city.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at [email protected].

IT WAS like being back in Blockbusters, with video tapes stacked on shelves and a rogue Pepsi machine in the corner that would take me on a funky 90s adventure.

Formerly Bunga Bunga, located in London, Bunga 90 is a fun experience bar themed all around the 90s.

It follows the massive success of a previous site in Battersea, which often hosted wild parties and was a haunt for major celebs including Cara Delevingne and Margot Robbie.

Prince Harry was such a regular that he earned the title of the ‘Bunga Bunga Prince‘.

Sadly, the venue closed its doors in 2022 but I have a feeling Bunga 90 in Covent Garden more than makes up for it.

Upon entering, I was surrounded by video tapes – cult classics like the 1996 Romeo and Juliet and Fight Club and 90s memorabilia.

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Everything was a feast for the eyes, with an ‘Adult Only XXX’ section and even two PlayStations set up on old TVs – static fuzz and all.

There was no way this was the entrance to a bar, I thought, looking around for a doorway but failing to see one.

At the back of the store stood a classic Pepsi vending machine.

“This is no regular Pepsi vending machine, this is the Pepsi Time Machine”, the host announced gesturing to the front of the appliance.

Before I knew it, he was prying at its edges and for a second I thought he was genuinely mad.

But lo and behold, the front peeled off to reveal a portal into a world of neon lights.

Venturing through the drinks machine, I found myself in a neon-lit room, with a mass of cables running across each wall.

Music was thumping and the lights pulsing – it felt like what I would imagine travelling in Doctor Who‘s Tardis would be like, only a bit more hip.

At the other end of the small room was a door which opened to reveal a landing and a set of stairs adorned with 90s wallpaper and wooden frames, leading to the bar.

And much like Doctor Who‘s Tardis where it looks smaller on the outside but is huge on the inside – a sprawling bar appeared before my eyes.

Old TV screens with grainy music videos playing sit behind the bar, giant sneakers hang from the ceiling and wooden paneling is plastered across the walls.

I sat at my table, looking around with my mouth open – every single inch of the venue was covered in things from the 90s – The Spice Girls, Champagne Supernova… you name it.

And the theming doesn’t stop at what surrounded me.

For drinks, I ordered three of the bar’s signatures that have been doing the rounds on social media – Fresh Prince, Britney B*tch and The Brick – costing £13 each (for London prices, I didn’t think this was too bad).

The cocktails each come in giant mugs of either the celeb or the item – I never thought I’d say I drank out of Britney Spears‘ head.

Both Fresh Prince and Britney B*tch were great, the former being tequila, Aperol, cactus, prickly pear, hibiscus, lime and grapefruit and the latter being gin, bergamot, lychee, raspberry, lime and lemonade.

The Brick on the other hand – coming in a giant ceramic brick phone – was not to my fancy, but I can imagine others would like it.

It featured spiced rum, Malibu, even more rum, pineapple, coconut and lime.

For my fourth choice, I had The $10 Shake, costing £10 and featuring Belvedere Dirty Brew vodka, vanilla ice cream and Pepsi, but couldn’t manage more than a few sips.

The bar also offers some food choices including giant 20 inch pizzas for £25 a pop.

They are great for sharing and the pepperoni one was super tasty, with gooey, stringy melted cheese.

I had a great time in at my table, which meant I wasn’t quite ready to leave when the 90-minute table booking was up.

If you plan on going, I’d suggest that two people book back-to-back slots, so you can spend more time enjoying drinks and food at your own table.

Not that you have to leave afterwards, as there is a bar and dancefloor.

Make sure to drop your stuff in the cloakroom so you don’t have to worry about it when you no longer have a table.

There are lots of activities and photo ops throughout the venue, like classic arcade machines and karaoke.

Not a karaoke fan myself, I sat back and thoroughly enjoyed someone defrosting Mariah Carey‘s ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ way too early, and a man perfectly reciting Sir Mix-a-Lot’s ‘Baby Got Back’.

For those who like a sing-along but with a bit more privacy, head to the foyer of the toilets, where you’ll find a screen constantly playing karaoke.

I left through the ‘staff only’ door of the video game store – a nice touch to keep you feeling like you are in the 90s, and not a bar.

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If you love themed bars, then also head to the Benidorm-themed bar in the UK with bingo, karaoke and cabaret.

Plus, ‘Capri-inspired’ beach bar with real sand and Ibiza-style DJ sessions opens in UK city.

With autumn well under way, we’ve put together a list of some of the top pumpkin patches in the UK for a seasonal, Halloween-inspired day out for all the family

With autumn well under way and Halloween fast-approaching, many of us will be looking for some spooky fun. Pumpkin patches are a great way to enjoy autumnal vibes while also getting out in the fresh air – and you get to take your own pumpkin home with you to carve, turn into a delicious meal, or simply decorate your home with.

Pumpkin patches have become more and more popular in recent years, and many now offer a full day out including activities and photo opportunities. We’ve put together a list of the top patches in the UK for you to enjoy this October …

Tulleys Pumpkin Farm, West Sussex

Tulleys Pumpkin Farm is one of the best known in the UK. Located in the West Sussex countryside, the farm will this year be offering more than 1 million pumpkins and gourds for visitors to pick. The site offers a range of photo opportunities with vibrant backdrops and set-ups, and there are even characters from the “Pumpkin Village” wandering around the site.

There is also food and drink on offer including smash burgers, loaded hot dogs, loaded fries, hot donuts, toffee apples, and pumpkin spice lattes. Other attractions include roaming musicians, an observation wheel, the Pumpkin Bar and the Boozy Cauldron Bar.

The farm will be running the pumpkin picking experiences from 9.30am to 5.30pm and visitors can get tickets online here .

Doddington Hall, Lincolnshire

Doddington Hall in Lincolnshire is offering 30 different varieties of pumpkins, squashes and gourds for visitors to pick from. To get to the patch, guests can follow the spooky walk through the Kitchen Garden and they are encouraged to wear Halloween fancy dress.

The patch is open until October 31st and visitors can come from 10am to 4pm daily, while stocks last. The entry is free, and you will simply need to pay for what you pick. Some of the pumpkins in the patch will have golden bottoms – and guests who find one will win the pumpkin, a family ticket to Christmas in the Hall, and a Doddington homegrown Christmas tree. No tickets are required.

Millets Farm Centre, Oxfordshire

Millets Farm Centre promises a pumpkin-picking experience with “loads of Halloween themed props and photo opportunities”. Visitors will pay for an entry ticket, and then for the pumpkin or squash they pick when they leave the field.

A SEND session will be held on October 27 which offers exclusive early access to the patch, reduced noise levels, with lower capacity. On October 31, a dog day will take place, which allows guests to bring along their furry friends.

You can buy tickets here . Additionals can be bought too, like goodie bags and a pumpkin carving experience – and guests can also enjoy hot chocolates and marshmallow toasting.

Farmer Copleys, West Yorkshire

Farmer Copleys has promised a “bigger and better than ever” pumpkin festival. Visitors can wander through more than 300,000 homegrown pumpkins in more than 40 varieties and snap photographs along the way.

Alongside pumpkin picking, guests can enjoy tractor fields, live shows and entertainment, archery and vintage fairground rides, fancy dress contests, and a dog parade. There will also be the chance to enjoy some street food and drinks from the festival bars. You can get tickets here .

Bell’s Pumpkin Patch, Lincolnshire

Bell’s Pumpkin Patch is one of the largest in the country and offers visitors the chance to pick pumpkins and enjoy the range of entertainment and attractions on offer. Guests can visit the pumpkin carving tent, take a look at the Pumpkin Cannon which can fire a pumpkin over a quarter of a mile, and have a go on the funfair rides.

There are bounce and climb areas for kids to enjoy, a tiny tots play area, face painting, and ride-on pedal tractors. Other attractions include tractor rides, a Maize Maze, a makers’ market, garden games, an assault course, singing pumpkins, and food and drink. You can get tickets here .

Lathcoats Farm, Essex

Lathcoats Farm in Essex will be offering “lots of sizes and varieties” to choose from, as well as an undercover pumpkin patch, outdoor games, and “plenty of photo opportunities”.

Visitors can also book onto the Halloween Hunt which will include access to the trail, an activity sheet, and a delicious prize. Guests are encouraged to visit the orchards at the farm and pick their own apples too. Tickets to the event must be booked in advance, and you can get them here .

Vale Pick Your Own, Vale of Glamorgan

The Pick Your Own farm in the heart of the Vale of Glamorgan offers fruit picking all year round – including strawberry and raspberry picking over the summer. In October, the farm’s pumpkin patch will be back for more “spooky season fun”.

Visitors can also get tickets for the Twilight Pumpkin Picking experience, which will include live band entertainment and a fully licensed bar. There will be a fire pit to roast marshmallows and a face painter during the day and night sessions. You can get tickets here.

Bob. Mermaid. Code 300. Gate lice. These are all code words that flight attendants use to subtly discuss passengers when whizzing along at 30,000 feet. Knowing how to crack the code is key to working out what they’re talking about

Flight attendants have a subtle way of letting each other know if there is a hottie onboard.

When working the aisles at 30,000 feet, there isn’t much room for maneuvering a food trolley around or gossiping about which of the passengers has caught your eye. Which is why flight attendants use two code words to make it clear which way their heart is beating.

“If you hear them refer to someone as ‘Bob’, they are using the secret acronym ‘babe on board’. When you are disembarking from the aircraft, if the flight attendant says ‘cheerio’ to you this could also be code they have a secret crush!” a flight attendant, who asked to remain anonymous, told eShores.

“We always run back to the galley and let the rest of the crew know where the sexy passenger is sat. We will be extra nice to them and give them freebies. I can confirm phone numbers have definitely been written on napkins!”

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Sherry Martin Peters, a veteran flight attendant and founder of Atlas + Wild AtlasAndWild.com, is keen for passengers to know that, behind the professional exterior, she and her colleagues lead intriguing and sometimes less glamorous than you might expect.

“I’ve been an international flight attendant for 26 years, and passengers only see the smiling, polished version of us—but there’s an entirely different reality behind that image,” she told the Mirror.

“We speak in acronyms because airline lingo becomes its own mother tongue. Trips aren’t described by days, but by city: ‘I’m flying Athens this month.’ Casually mentioning having lunch in New York, then breakfast in Paris is not bragging — it’s just Tuesday and it’s our normal. Confusing to outsiders, yes. You may start to understand it, and even speak our language to some extent if you are married to us, or are close friends.

“Our geography is fluid. Our bodies no longer belong to a single time zone. So we build rituals to feel grounded — even when we’re 35,000 feet above it.”

There are plenty of other codewords that flight attendants deploy when subtly chatting about passengers. They include:

• Mermaid – A playful yet passive-aggressive nickname for a passenger who deliberately sprawls out across empty seats to deter others from sitting in their row.
• Code 300 or Angel – These indicate that someone has died on board.
• ABP – translates to ‘able-bodied passengers’. These are individuals that the crew seek out just in case of an emergency.
• Gate Lice – This term refers to passengers, often inexperienced flyers, who crowd around or line up at a gate at an airport, completely blocking the boarding area and preventing First and Business Class passengers from getting on the plane when they’re allowed to.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at [email protected].

Hawkshead in the Lake District is a picturesque village that feels as if it has been frozen in time, with cobbled streets, whitewashed cottages, and the absence of cars on many of its pretty lanes

There’s a stunning village tucked away in the Lake District that transports visitors straight back in time.

Hawkshead, situated in the heart of the National Park, provides a charming window into days gone by. With its cobblestone pathways, whitewashed homes, and vehicle-free lanes, the village appears completely untouched by modern life.

Beatrix Potter remains the village’s most celebrated resident and one of its greatest champions. The Tale of Peter Rabbit writer purchased vast expanses of countryside surrounding Hawkshead after developing feelings for solicitor William Heelis, whom she encountered in the village and subsequently wed, reports the Express.

Potter’s fierce dedication to preserving the countryside, as a distinguished member of the agricultural community, led her to collaborate with the National Trust to maintain the picturesque landscape in its natural state. She wasn’t the sole writer to discover creative fuel in Hawkshead.

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“His experiences in and around Hawkshead, where William and Richard Wordsworth began attending school in 1779, would also provide the poet with a store of images and sensory experience that he would continue to draw on throughout his poetic career,” writes the Poetry Foundation.

It’s hardly surprising that Potter and the poet laureate drew such creative inspiration from Hawkshead, which boasts a modest population of just 500 residents.

Hawkshead’s car-free village centre, featuring its winding lanes and passages, remains completely protected from motor traffic. Nestled amidst breathtaking natural landscapes, Hawkshead serves as an ideal hub for outdoor enthusiasts.

With a plethora of hiking trails, cycling routes, and water activities in nearby lakes such as Windermere and Coniston, there’s something for everyone, from seasoned hill walkers to those who prefer a leisurely stroll. The local fells offer both accessible paths and more challenging hikes.

Among the popular walks are the sculpture trail through the neighbouring Grizedale Forest and the route to Tarn Hows, one of the most cherished beauty spots in the entire Lake District.

After working up an appetite, you can quench your thirst and satisfy your hunger at one of the village’s four quaint country pubs, including The Queen’s Head. This dog-friendly inn has been welcoming guests since the 17th century with its roaring fires, cask ales, award-winning food, and overnight accommodation.

On a sunny day, what could be more delightful than savouring an ice cream while meandering through the village’s charming streets or pausing for a cuppa and homemade cake at a traditional tearoom?

You can even take a piece of Hawkshead back home with you, in the form of jams and chutneys from Hawkshead Relish, or some Grasmere Gingerbread. The renowned bakery has its only shop outside of Grasmere in the village.

The tranquil pace, picturesque scenery, and rows of unaltered, listed houses in Hawkshead have made it a firm favourite among visitors.

Local resident Ruth, writing for Lakeland Hideaways, describes the charm of her town: “The higgledy-piggledy cobbled streets lead you to village shops, bakeries, cafes and boutiques. Cars are banned from the village which makes this a particularly nice place to wander about and soak up the Cumbrian culture”.

She proudly adds, “Our village has been described as the ‘prettiest village in the Lake District’.”

Long-time visitor Clive Wheat shares his fond memories: “When I think of the Lakes I think of Hawkshead. I have been visiting this village for over forty-five years and even stayed here on our honeymoon. It’s always a pleasure to revisit this wonderful Lake District village.”

In its guide to the town, Choose Where paints a nostalgic picture: “Hawkshead feels like a step back into a quieter, more romantic version of England.”

They continue, “Hawkshead is worth visiting for its unspoilt character, literary heritage, and position as a gateway to some of the Lake District’s loveliest countryside. Unlike some Lake District towns that have been heavily modernised, Hawkshead retains its medieval street plan and historic charm, with car-free lanes winding past ancient buildings.”

Nestled between Coniston and Windermere, the village centre is car-free, but there is a large pay-and-display car park on the outskirts. Public transport options, including the 505 Stagecoach bus service, connect Hawkshead with nearby towns like Ambleside, Coniston, and Windermere.

AS A born-and-bred Devonian, I’ve always considered Dartmoor National Park to be a magical place, and it turns out I’m in good company.

Because the park is now being used as a new filming spot for HBO’s Harry Potter TV series.

Dartmoor spans 368 square miles in total, meaning the park has an abundance of different spots to explore, but Harry Potter fans will want to head to Lustleigh, a small village where filming crews have been spotted.

In a video on Instagram, one fan used public footpaths to access the village during filming and spotted several items relating to Harry Potter – including a ‘Celebrate Halloween at Godric’s Hollow’ poster.

He also saw some older cars parked up outside a cottage and a Godric’s Hollow post office sign.

In a second video, ‘@sirwizardingworld’ speaks to a woman who points to a building that is her home, but has been transformed into ‘The Lions Heart’ pub for the series.

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The village of Lustleigh is small and home to only 600 people, yet it is full of thatched cottages and in the centre, an old church.

Sitting on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, the village is around a 40-minute drive from Exeter.

The village makes a scenic stop on the way into the national park, where visitors can go on a number of hikes and see towering tors, with ancient tales.

One popular spot I would recommend is Haytor, which is roughly a two-hour walk from the village of Lustleigh or a 16 minute drive.

The granite tor towers to 1,499 feet and offers breathtaking views across the moors.

For those who don’t fancy a long walk, there is a visitor centre with a car park at the base of the tor – it then takes about 20 minutes walking to reach the top from there.

In the autumn I particularly love seeing the colour of the gorse and bracken change to a dozen shades of brown and orange.

And in the winter, snow on the moors makes me feel more like being in the Alps.

From Haytor, I usually head along the Haytor tramway, which is a stone-railed line that was built in 1820 to transport granite from Haytor Quarry down to Stover Canal.

Now known as the Templer Way heritage path, visitors can still see the tramway today poking out of the ground.

If you follow it, you will then reach Haytor Quarry which was used until 1860.

Today, many signs of the quarry works remain, including marks in the granite where dynamite was used to break it into pieces.

And there is even some abandoned machinery dotted around the edge of the pond that has filled the quarry.

Not many trees grow on a lot of the moors due to the harsh weather conditions, but in the sheltered quarry there are several – and during autumn, they turn into a large blur of yellows, browns and oranges.

But it isn’t just Haytor that is worth exploring.

Dartmoor is also home to lots of sites with remains of years gone by including Bronze Age settlements – think small versions of Stonehenge.

Like at Hound Tor, there is a deserted village and in Fenworthy, near a sprawling forest, is a large stone circle.

On the other side of Dartmoor, you could head to Ditsworthy Warren House, a ruined cottage which was used as a filming location in the movie adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s War Horse.

And of course, littered at the edges of the national park are a number of villages and towns worth exploring.

For example, Princetown is home to the notorious Dartmoor Prison – a building that still scares me every time I drive past it.

If heading to the town, definitely visit the prison museum.

Or head on a tour to learn about crazy legends including the ‘Hairy Hands’ of Dartmoor that takes over the steering of cars in the area – the ideal Halloween activity.

Dartmeet is another top spot, popular with walkers, nature lovers and even cold water swimmers.

The location has a Clapper Bridge, that has five granite stones and crosses the East Dart River – which many people like to take a dip in.

Here you will also find Badgers Holt – an 18th century fishing cottage that has operated as a tearoom for the past century.

Wherever you go on the moors, you will find some amazing spots to explore.

Narrow roads wind across the entire national park, and small car parks can be found at most scenic spots, making it super accessible as well.

Even the smell of the moors is something special (it is a bit like peat mixed with crisp straw).

I’m even becoming nostalgic thinking about it…

I honestly think, Dartmoor and all of its cosy villages are just as nice as the Cotswolds.

HBO‘s Harry Potter series is due to launch in 2027, in seven parts.

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Earlier this year, there was a huge announcement for wild camping lovers as Brits were told they can use one of UK’s best-loved national parks in blow for millionaire nimbys.

Plus, the English national forest that you’ve never heard of – and it’s bigger than the Isle of Wight.

THE south of England has some incredibly popular beaches, and one is getting even bigger in time for next summer.

From next month, work is starting on the beach in Brighton and Hove to protect it from erosion and that’s great news for holidaymakers – because let’s face it… size matters.

Brighton and Hove is a one of the busiest spots in the UK with 11 million people visiting every year.

Worries about flooding and erosion across the busy Brighton and Hove seafront have led to new plans involving adding new groynes and extending the shingle beach.

Starting in late November or early December, a new groyne field will be built on the beach between the King Alfred Leisure Centre and Second Avenue in Hove.

The new timber groynes will be supported by filling the bays between each one with thousands of tonnes of shingle – which has been dredged from a site in the English Channel.

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Effectively, this will slow the movement of shingle along the coastline, helping to protect the area from flooding and erosion.

It will also reduce the amount of shingle which washes up onto the promenade during storms and high tides.

What’s probably more interesting for tourists is that the plans will see the beach extended by approximately 25 metres out to sea.

Not only does this mean the beach will be better protected, but it will create more room for tourists during busy seasons.

There’s a public engagement event taking place today (23 October) so locals can learn more about this phase of the scheme.

The work is scheduled to finish next year so by summer.

Following that, the next phase of the plan is the rebuilding of sea defences on Southwick beach which is set to be complete in 2027.

Councillor Trevor Muten, cabinet member for transport and public realm, said: “This scheme is vital for the city, to safeguard homes and businesses from coastal flooding and protect our local economy for decades to come. By taking action now, we will help make our city more climate resilient and able to adapt to increasing storms, extreme rainfall and rising sea levels.

“We are committed to value for money to deliver the best for our city. £4.5 million is a substantial sum but our local visitor economy alone is worth £5 billion.”

That’s not the only work that has been taking place in Hove – the Kingsway to the Sea project, also known as Hove Beach Park has been underway since around 2023.

The project has seen the construction of a skate and pump track, padel tennis courts, and a new tennis pavilion which opened last year.

The project has focused on creating landscaped gardens and making new pathways at a cost of £13.7million.

There will be an official opening in spring 2025 when the majority of the project will be complete.

Brighton and Hove isn;t just about the beach though.

It’s also famous for shopping in The Lanes, Brighton Palace Pier, beachfront, and the Royal Pavilion.

There’s lots of nightlife, and plenty of pubs – in fact, Brighton & Hove has the most pubs in the UK per person.

Sun Travel‘s favourites include The Station Inn, The Tempest Inn and Hove Place , which has a beautiful Italian-inspired garden.

Brighton is also home to Volk’s Electric Railway, which is the world’s oldest operating electric railway – and it’s right on the front of Brighton Beach.

It’s been operating since 1883 which makes it over 140 years old and is still going today.

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One Sun Writer recommends a visit to this beach club in Hove whatever the weather…

HOVE is the vibey neighbour of the popular Brighton – and my top choice for a weekend break.

It’s more relaxed, still with a pretty pebble coastline and blue waters, but much quieter. On Friday afternoon, just under two hours from my home in Hertfordshire, I hit Brighton.

The seaside town that everyone knows and loves for its sea lanes, pop-up market stalls, quirky creatives and music scene.

It was immediately quieter with a notable absence of Brighton’s squawking seagulls. Hove still retains its beach charm, and in fact, it’s recently been named one of the best seaside towns to live in.

Almost as soon as I hit Hove, I discovered a gem of a beach club called Rockwater.

Rustic-looking on the outside, Rockwater completely blends in with its surroundings with wooden slatted exterior, huge glass windows, and the inside is spectacular.

It has plush chairs, a beautiful bar and a holiday-like atmosphere – imagine the sun shining through open windows, the clinking of glasses and happy tourist chatter.

You might think beach bars are just for summer, but this one has lots of activities all year round from relaxing yoga to book socials, sip and paint – and of course, plenty of Christmas fun.

In Brighton you’ll find one of the UK’s most popular seaside towns has California-like beach bar named one of the best in the country.

Plus, one of the UK’s most popular seaside towns is set to get new train station revamp in huge ‘spruce up’.

Tom Hanks is one of several celebrities who have fallen for the charm of Muskoka in Ontario, Canada, a region filled with thousands of lakes and tens of thousands of craggy islands

When you consider Hollywood getaways, you might envision classic destinations like Italy’s Portofino, Monte Carlo, or the Hamptons, but Tom Hanks appears to have discovered the ideal spot for a tranquil retreat, well away from bustling beaches and heaving resorts.

Boasting thousands of lakes and countless rugged islands, the relatively unknown Muskoka region in Ontario, Canada, has attracted the star for serene and scenic breaks before the masses discover it.

It’s a realm of tranquil azure waters, small wooded islets, and timber boathouses that feels worlds apart from Hollywood and mirrors the Lake District but amplified, minus the coach parties and with far superior weather.

Merely two hours from Toronto, Muskoka spans an enormous area of central Ontario, peppered with over 1,500 lakes and encircled by coniferous woodlands.

It’s frequently dubbed “the Hamptons of the North”, owing to its blend of wilderness splendour and waterside opulence, reports the Express.

The ambience here is considerably more relaxed than what you’d experience in that exclusive New Jersey enclave.

You’re far more apt to spot families paddling canoes or toasting marshmallows beside a bonfire than moored, ostentatious vessels with champagne flowing.

Tom Hanks is amongst numerous celebrities who’ve been captivated by the region’s allure.

Sources claim he owns a home on Lake Muskoka itself, one of the area’s most renowned locations, where he spends considerable time between shoots. Muskoka, a tranquil region in Canada, is rumoured to be the summer retreat of choice for many celebrities, including Harry Styles, the Beckhams, Justin Bieber, and even Steven Spielberg, all seeking respite from their hectic lives.

The area is defined by three main lakes: Lake Muskoka, Lake Rosseau, and Lake Joseph, each with its own unique charm. Lake Rosseau is renowned for its elegant cottages and grand holiday homes, while Lake Muskoka offers a more laid-back vibe, ideal for canoeing, paddleboarding or simply watching the sunset from the dock.

For those who love the great outdoors, Muskoka is a dream come true. Walking trails line the banks of the lakes, and there are plenty of places to rent a canoe or mountain bike.

With nearly 30,000 little islands scattered across the region, you can easily spend a day exploring and feel like you’ve truly escaped.

Despite its current status as a hidden gem, Muskoka has been a celebrity favourite for over a century. The iconic Bigwin Resort hosted big names such as Clark Gable and Ernest Hemingway back in the 1930s.

Steve Haid, a luxury waterfront estate agent, perfectly encapsulated the allure of Muskoka when he told Forbes: “To describe Muskoka is like trying to put into words a beautiful dream you just had.

“It’s best that you experience it rather than hear about it; beautiful lakes, unique boat houses, and a variety of cottage-style lake houses from different eras, it’s something out of a storybook really.”

CHRISTMAS markets sound fun and cosy, walking around cobbled streets with a cup of mulled wine and gazing up at twinkling light – but no one enjoys doing that in the pouring rain.

But there’s one place in the UK that has an incredible light trail, plenty of food, ice skating and it’s all inside.

During the day, the Eden Project in Cornwall is home to beautiful famous tropical gardens showing off exotic plants and flowers.

But come 4pm from the end of November, it turns into a winter wonderland where kids can meet Father Christmas and families can skate across the indoor ice rink.

The Biomes look like huge baubles from the outside lit up on reds and greens, and this year, there’s a new Christmas Light Experience inside the Mediterranean Biome.

The Rainforest dome will be lit up with rainbow lights behind the palm trees and waterfall.

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Father Christmas will be there too along with his elves, and families can meet them during a 45-minute experience.

It’s completely immersive, with ‘theatrical surprises’ and children get a gift too.

The ice rink is back as well and is also under cover so there’s no chance of bad weather ruining the experience, and there’s plenty of opportunity to munch on festive food too.

The cafes and restaurants will serve up winter warming snacks and drinks on Christmas Lights evenings – most will close at 7.15pm.

There will be everything from hearty family meals to mince pies and mulled wine.

Also available is the chance to book a luxury three-course Christmas lunch which will be served on the Med Terrace Restaurant.

Bookings for the festive lunch, include free entry to the Eden Project.

For most Christmas experiences you’ll have to wrap up, but make sure to be prepared for warmth if you visit.

During the Christmas events, the domes maintain their usual warm temperatures – especially in the humid Rainforest Biome which can reach up to 35C.

There are some areas that are outside still so it’s advisable to bring a coat too.

This year the Cornwall Christmas Market will return to the Eden Project for two days only, November 19-20, 2025.

There will be 70 stalls set up so you can get Christmas treats and stocking fillers.

Christmas at the Eden Project runs from Friday November 21, 2025 to Sunday January 4, 2026.

Entry to the domes for the Christmas lights between 4-8PM requires two tickets – the standard entry at £38 (for adults if bought in advance) and the specific Christmas experience which is £5.50pp.

Visiting Father Christmas also requires standard entry along with the experience ticket which is £32 – entry for one adult and one child.

The ice rink is open from now until February 2026, visitors can book a general skate session which is 40-minutes long and costs £13 for adults and £10 for children.

There are also family-fun session on selected mornings, parent & toddler ice play and even ice skating lessons.

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Here are five cheap Christmas markets in Europe…

Bratislava, Slovakia

The Christmas Market in Bratislava is found between the Main Square and Hviezdoslavovo Square, with an ice skating rink as well.

Last year, it was even named the cheapest Christmas Market break by the Post Office.

Vilnius, Lithuania

Vilnius is another cheap Christmas Market destination and even the European Christmas Capital this year.

The biggest market is at Cathedral Square, where you will find the huge central Christmas Tree, with a smaller one at Town Hall Square.

Riga, Latvia

Riga is also often named one of Europe‘s cheapest Christmas Market destinations.

There are live DJs as well as a Santa House alongside the usual market stalls.

Gdansk, Poland

For Gdansk’s Christmas Markets, you need to head to Targ Węglow where there is a fairground and light installations.

It even won the Best Christmas Markets in Europe 2025 award.

Vienna, Austria

Vienna’s Rathausplatz Christmas Market is a popular one, as well as one of Europe’s largest.

It has 150 stalls, a small theme park and welcomed three million people last year.

Here’s another underrated European town with a pretty Christmas market and festive train that costs less to visit than a UK staycation.

Plus, the prettiest Christmas markets in Britain – with hotel stays from £37.

Alexandra Dubakova, a travel expert with FreeTour who has visited more than 30 countries, is always on the move. She has come up with a neat trick to ensure she gets a good night’s sleep

A travel expert has mastered the art of getting a good night’s sleep in a hotel using a simple trick.

Alexandra Dubakova, a travel expert with FreeTour who has visited more than 30 countries, is always on the move.

While jet-setting has a reputation for glitz and glamour, as anyone who has been sent away to a far-flung town in a small central European nation will know, it comes with its challenges. One of them, particularly for those who enjoy their home comforts, is sleeping in a hotel.

Different bedding, the strange whir of a lift mechanism, and a room that is either too hot or too cold can all knock the sensitive sleeper off kilter. Luckily, Alexandra has a trick that can help you sleep through the night.

“Changing time zones, dealing with jet lag and the annoying strip of light between hotel curtains is a nightmare. I always grab the hangers from the hotel room closet and use them to pinch the curtains shut. It creates a blackout room and I get proper rest irrespective of the time zone,” she told the Mirror.

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Sherry Martin Peters, a veteran flight attendant, has similar advice. She told the Mirror: “Some flight attendants travel with rolls of black electrical tape, not to fix anything, but to smother light sources that feel microscopic until you’re sleep-deprived.

“The green dot of a TV on standby. The piercing blue glow of a USB charger. One by one, the light sources disappear until the room looks lifeless. Towels get stuffed under the crack of the door to block out hallway light, because even a sliver of brightness can convince a jet-lagged brain it’s still daytime somewhere, which it usually is.”

The curse of a bad night’s sleep is something that many hotel guests suffer from. In a 2020 paper published in Tourism and Hospitality Research, it was found that only one in three travelers reported being satisfied with their sleep while on the road.

Dr. Rebecca Robbins, assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and an associate scientist at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital, has been hired by Hilton as a sleep expert. Recently, she shared her tips for getting a good night’s kip with National Geographic.

Dr Robbins argues that “finding the familiar in the unfamiliar” is key. “The truth is that when we are in an unfamiliar environment, we fundamentally have a harder time unwinding,” she said,

When we’re at home, our bodies are able to relax more easily. When staying somewhere new, our brains are put on higher alert by the different sounds, smells and other sensory factors. One way to trick your brain into calming down is to spray smells with a positive or homely association. There is proof in the process. In 2024, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine researchers and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center published a study that showed familiar scents helped to break negative thought-cycles and overcome depression.

Another cause of bad sleep is a restless mind. While whirring cogs is an ailment that can strike anywhere, the stresses of travel mean you’re more likely to have things on your mind when away. Dr. Robbins suggests writing all of these worries down on a piece of paper as a way of relieving your mind of too many things to think about.

Recreating your routine at home is another top tip for entering the land of nod. “Being religious about these things is actually really important because your brain starts to understand that what comes next is sleep,” the sleep doctor said.

Parents loved the ‘genius’ tips when they were shared online in a popular video

Family holidays offer lots of excitement, but they can also involve high levels of stress. From making sure your children have packed all their essentials to dealing with travel disruptions, it’s a busy time for parents.

Thankfully, one parent who has picked up a few helpful tips has shared a video outlining some of her favourite hacks – and social media users loved the ‘genius’ ideas. Content creator @muddlethroughmummy often shares tips and tricks with her 627k followers on TikTok, where she is known for her ‘positive parenting’ videos.

In one post, the savvy mum shared a video captioned: “Here’s 10 tips on how you can make travelling with kids that bit easier.” In her video, the parent explained: “Take your own car seat. Most airlines let you check it into oversized luggage free of charge.

“Before you travel, save the whole family’s boarding passes to your phone wallet for ease. The less you have to carry, the better. Unfortunately, most airports have now monetised the fast track for families. But if you’re travelling in peak times, it might be worth paying the £6 per head to skip the long queues.”

She continued: “Take your push chair all the way to the foot of the airplane stairs. Gates can be a bit of a walk from the lounge, and it’s great for naps whilst you wait. Designate one person to unload all technology and liquids at security, and the other one can keep an eye on the kids.

“Having your kids carry their own luggage is a great idea. Mine really enjoy having that responsibility. They like to be involved, and it makes them feel important. And travelling with hand luggage only whenever possible is a great tip, so you’re not having to wait around at the other end.

“Don’t forget your reusable water bottles to fill up once through security. And take your own snacks. If we have early flights, I do breakfast pouches with individually packed pastries and fruit. And if you’re worried your kids won’t like the airplane food, take porridge or pasta pots with you and then just ask for hot water.

“Lollipops are great for takeoff to avoid ears getting popped, or milk works if they’re still having it. I hope you found this useful!”

Viewers loved the video, and it racked up over 16,000 views. Replying to the post, one parent said: “Oh genius idea about the pasta pots, I have a very fussy 6yo and was worrying about what she would eat. Thank you!”

Someone else shared: “All tech in one bag was a game changer for us. With phones and iPad and 3 switches it was a nightmare with it all in different bags!”

THERE are plenty of quirky pubs around the UK, and some of the best are the ones that take you by surprise.

I recently stumbled on one of the most extraordinary pubs I’ve ever been in – only to discover it’s unlikely to be around for very much longer.

We had gone for a walk on a fine autumn day on the North Kent Downs, that ridge of hills which runs along the southern edge of the M25 and are crisscrossed by ancient pathways.

There’s the Green Sand Ridge Path and The Pilgrims Way which was used by those walking to Canterbury Cathedral from London and beyond since the time of Chaucer and his tales.

Our starting point was Kemsing, a pretty village of historic redbrick cottages sitting at the foot of those hills.

Our walk was supposed to start from the Wheatsheaf pub – only for us to discover it closed in 2011. But Kemsing’s other pub, The Bell, is still going and looked rather nice.

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From there, the walk was quite a climb to get up to the top of the Downs, but when you get there you are rewarded with the most spectacular and far-reaching views across the Weald of Kent.

You can see as far as the counterpoint South Down hills many miles away by the coast.

Once up there, our route was to take us along a couple of those old paths in a loop across the hill top and back down again – about five miles in total.

As we walked, I was looking at the map on my phone to check we were on the right lines.

On Google Maps, I noticed the words “The Rising Sun” with no further explanation – as if a landmark just off the path we were on.

Could this indicate a still-functioning pub? Our walk guidebook hadn’t mentioned one but the name suggested ‘pub,’ and after climbing that hill the idea of a cheeky mid-walk pint was becoming increasingly appealing. 

If it was open, it had no website or social media footprint – but there were a few reports of ‘a time warp pub’ and ‘eccentric’ that sounded encouraging.

And then there it was, an old flint building, with a painted sign literally showing the sun rising, a slightly overgrown garden and no lights on inside.

We went up to the door and turned the handle with some trepidation… and it opened onto a dim room with just an older lady and her cat inside.

It was almost spooky, in a haunted public house kind of way, to be in this dark and slightly cluttered room that must be 400 years old – or it would have been spooky if landlady Michelle Hunter wasn’t so chatty.

But she was, so we talked to her at some length. She was very entertaining company, full of stories as a landlady should be. 

Michelle serves local beers from nearby Westerham, ciders too. She does have a card machine but it’s on the blink, so cash is advisable. They used to do food but not for years. 

She has been living in and running The Rising Sun for over 30 years, often single-handedly as when we met her.  

And this isn’t her first appearance in The Sun: there’s a newspaper cutting on the wall above the fire about the unexplained death of pet bird Charlie in the pub many years ago, headlined “Hercule Parrot”. 

Her cat has a story too – it just turned up one evening when she reopened after lockdown and stayed, then kept coming back for opening time, like a regular now it never leaves. It still has no name, just “cat”. 

She also has other animals – including 20 cows. Quite the menagerie. 

But there was a sad end to Michelle’s story. It’s hard work keeping the place going on her own and she barely breaks even.

Her state pension comes through in three months and after that she intends to give the pub another year, but if business doesn’t pick up dramatically she’s going to stop opening at all.

She’ll just live there with her animals in what will become yet another ‘former pub’. 

I reckon this plan gives The Rising Sun about 15 months more of opening. So I strongly urge you to go while you still can. 

There’s lots of stuff locally to combine with a visit. It’s just around the corner from one of the finest stately homes in the South East for example – Knole Park, with its magnificent deer park.

Kemsing, where we started from, down the hill, is just a short hop from the attractive commuter belt town of  Sevenoaks. But it feels like an altogether more old fashioned place – and The Rising Sun is its secret gem. 

The Bell isn’t bad either we discovered on our way back but it’s this quirky gem that will live on in memory. 

The CAMRA Good Pub Guide calls it ‘a remote hilltop pub that is difficult to find without the help of a map’. But even with one you may not find it open much longer. 

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For more great pubs, here are the top 35 best pubs in London – by the locals who drink in them.

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PLUGS with USB ports feel like a godsend when travelling abroad, as you don’t have to worry with adapters.

But it turns out that they risk doing more harm than good – and could end up costing you a fortune.

The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has warned passengers that using USB ports in airports can potentially make your phone vulnerable to a cyber attack.

In a Facebook post, TSA said: “Hackers can install malware at USB ports (we’ve been told that’s called ‘juice/port jacking’).

“So, when you’re at an airport do not plug your phone directly into a USB port.

“Bring your TSA-compliant power brick or battery pack and plug in there.”

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Juice jacking is essentially a form of cyber attack, where public USB ports are used to steal data from or install malware on a device.

The issue isn’t just limited to airports either, as any sockets with USB ports in a public place could be at risk – on board the plane, at train stations, in hotels and in coffee shops.

Through juice jacking, hackers can gain access to sensitive information such as passwords, emails and financial information.

Malware could also be installed, which allows hackers to track online activities – or even fully take over your device.

Firmware could also be impacted, meaning that the security measures on a device could be rendered useless.

The TSA also warned that travellers should not use public Wi-Fi, especially if planning to make online purchases.

So how do you protect your device?

According to cybersecurity company McAfee, “the most straightforward way to avoid juice jacking is to use your own charging cables, plugs and adapters.

They said: “By plugging into a standard electrical outlet rather than a public USB port, you eliminate the risk of data theft or malware installation through compromised USB ports.”

You could also carry a battery pack with you, but make sure to check your airline’s regulations as some do not allow power banks on board planes.

You can also use a USB data blocker, which is a small adapter that attaches to the end of your wire and blocks any transmission for a USB port.

This then only allows power to go through the cable to your phone.

WHAT IS JUICE JACKING AND WHY IS IT A DANGER?

By Jamie Harris, Assistant Technology and Science Editor at The Sun

So-called “juice jacking” has long been a known risk that applies to any USB port you hook your phone up to.

The humble USB can be used for two things – powering up and transferring data.

And it’s the latter that is a cause for concern.

Cyber fraudsters can pull this off pretty easily, using a modified USB port or cable to infect the port.

Once someone plugs in, they can sneakily pass on a virus to your phone, which is capable of spying and more.

The problem is serious enough that even the FBI has warned people against using public USB ports.

However, there have been no known cases reported of it affecting members of the public.

All examples demonstrated by experts have been in controlled environments.

If you want to err on the side of caution, use a traditional electrical outlet instead.

If you are looking to buy a portable charger, here are eight of the best power banks UK for 2025 that have been tried and tested.

Plus, here’s how to charge your phone if you forget an adaptor on your next holiday.