TRAVEL

A woman named Maria Dinca has shared a video online urging travellers to follow proper airport security tray etiquette to avoid causing delays for yourself and other travellers

A woman named Maria Dinca has urged people to follow simple ‘airport etiquette’ when going through security as it can help prevent any unnecessary delays.

Whether you’re jetting off on a domestic trip or heading overseas, passing through airport security is an unavoidable part of air travel. You’ll need to place your bags, liquids, electronics, and any metal items through a security scanner to ensure you’re not carrying prohibited goods onto your flight. You’ll also pass through a separate scanner yourself to check for any restricted items. Typically, this process moves fairly swiftly. But during peak travel periods, queues can stretch on for what feels like an eternity – sometimes taking hours if you’re particularly unlucky – potentially causing you to miss your flight if you haven’t arrived with time to spare.

Now, one savvy traveller called Maria Dinca has taken to social media to highlight a common mistake that holidaymakers make at security checkpoints, warning it can cause unnecessary hold-ups for everyone.

In her video, Maria kicked off with: “PSA: airport security tray etiquette,” before demonstrating what she considers the ‘correct’ approach to handling those plastic trays at airport security checks.

In her video, Maria proceeded to demonstrate the correct way to manage your trays at airport security, filming herself navigating through security at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.

The initial step involved collecting your tray from the conveyor belt whilst your belongings remained inside it.

She then progressed to the second stage, which involves positioning the tray on one of the available counters nearby, allowing you sufficient time to retrieve your items from the tray and reorganise your bag if necessary.

Once finished, you can advance to the third stage, which requires returning your tray to its proper location, enabling it to smoothly travel back to the beginning of the conveyor belt.

“Please don’t leave them sad and lonely like this,” she noted, displaying a queue of numerous empty trays occupying space on the belt, blocking other trays from passing through the security scanner.

She continued in the post’s caption: “Every time I travel I’m amazed how many people just leave them on the conveyor belt, which leads to more delays and more work for airport staff or other passengers to deal with.”

Whilst some viewers supported Maria’s perspective, others mentioned they had been instructed to simply disregard the trays. “Every airport I’ve been to tells you to get all your stuff out of the tray without taking it anywhere then slide it to the stack at the end,” one individual explained, further explaining in a separate comment that they hail from the US and that there are no tables available for unpacking their trays.

In response, Maria said: “Oh that’s interesting! My experience is based on Europe. I’m flying out of the US today though so will now keep an eye out for how it works here.”

WHEN it comes to holiday heartbreak, there’s only one place to get back on track, and it has white sand beaches and clear waters.

One TUI agent who has worked at the Penarth store for 31 years reveals there’s only one place to heal a broken heart.

TUI agent Hannah Sterling said: “Thailand. It works for everyone, but especially for people going through relationship changes. I’ve seen it work magic for hundreds of my customers over the years.”

“The beauty of Thailand is that it offers exactly what both groups need, just in different ways. For newly singles, it’s the perfect solo travel training ground.”

Hannah continued: “Don’t underestimate the power of Thailand for relationship transitions. It’s not just a beach destination – it’s a place that genuinely changes people.”

She carried on to say one of the biggest draws is “stunning beaches” and “incredible food”.

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For solo travellers, Hannah suggests starting with beaches that will be slightly busier like Railay Beach near Krabi.

Another spot is the popular island of Phuket where Hannah said there’s a good mix of solo travellers and couples.

Hannah’s advice for newly single travellers is to learn a few Thai phrases so you can order dinner, or try some bold activities like taking on a “surf lesson”

You get everything with Thailand from big and bustling cities like Bangkok to the beautiful island of Phuket.

One Travel Writer, Hope Brotherton, visited Phuket and here’s what she found: “When I touched down in Phuket, I was immediately greeted by the vibrancy of the island and my senses were somewhat overwhelmed by the sounds and sights.

“The mountainous island is framed by magnificent beaches like Rawai Beach, Patong Beach, Karon Beach, Kamala Beach, Kata Yai Beach, Kata Noi Beach and Mai Khao Beach. There’s also Bangtao Beach, which stretches for 8km and is home to soft white sand and crystal clear water.”

She added: “All the major beaches in Phuket like Patong Beach, Kata Beach, Karon Beach and Nai Han Beach offer instruction and equipment for diving, snorkelling, windsurfing and sailing.”

Another option is Koh Samui, an island which Travel Reporter Alice Penwill visited last year.

The island not only has incredible beaches and hotels, but lots of nightlife – Chaweng Beach has lively beach clubs with fire shows and music.

The best time to visit Thailand is between November and early April – so you can set off as soon as tomorrow.

During this time of year, temperatures average between 32 and 36C, and there are up to nine hours of sunshine every day.

One-way flights from London Heathrow to Phuket in January, start from £275 with a stopover in Shanghai.

TUI offers package holidays to Phuket, the cheapest being in Maikhao Palm Beach Resort which starts from £1369pp in January – which works out as £195 per night.

It’s a 7-night stay from January 26, 2026 with flights Manchester Airport staying in a Deluxe Double Room with bed and breakfast.

The resort has 225 elegant rooms, gardens, traditional Thai-Lanna architecture and a pool.

For more, here are 10 top solo holiday trips from Moroccan retreats and exotic islands to UK walking tours and no-fly cruising.

Plus, here are five winter sun holiday destinations where you can get more for your money – and the expert guide to each.

Brits looking for a city break often overlook this city, but it can be a great budget option offering plenty of historic sites and culture, as well as cheap beer and lively nightlife

Budget airline Ryanair has revealed its top destinations for 2026, and at number one is a historic European city that’s often overlooked by tourists despite cheap food and drink and a number of breathtaking historic landmarks.

Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, welcomes about one million tourists annually, compared to nearby Prague’s six million visitors, and the nearly nine million who visit Vienna. However, its numbers are expected to rise in 2026, with new Ryanair routes from European cities and tourists seeking cities with fewer crowds.

At the heart of the city is Bratislava Castle, which sits atop a hill overlooking the medieval old town. This baroque-style fortress dates back to the 13th century, where its strategic position 80-metres above the River Danube helped keep the city safe. It’s worth visiting to see its spectacular interiors trimmed with gold leaf, wander round the Baroque Garden full of statues, or climb the Crown Tower for amazing views across Bratislava.

The old town is also home to Michael’s Gate (Michalská brána), a 14th-century medieval gate, and the pretty Old Town Hall, which dates back to around the same time and has been turned into a local museum. St. Martin’s Cathedral (Dóm svätého Martina) is also popular with tourists thanks to its gothic interiors with dramatic high ceilings.

Bratislava is a compact, walkable city, and the old town in particular is a pleasant place to explore its winding streets. You’ll find many charming cafes and rustic restaurants serving Slovakian cuisine. A favourite with visitors is the Bratislava Flagship, which is set in a renovated old theatre with dark wooden walls and sparkling chandeliers. It’s a great place to try local cuisine such as Bryndzové Halušky, potato dumplings with sheep cheese topped with crispy fried bacon.

Many local restaurants either brew their own beer, or serve Slovakian brews. A large beer will generally set you back between €2-3 in the touristy areas, which is around £1.70-2.60. Beer is extremely cheap in supermarkets, with many travellers claiming that it’s cheaper to buy a beer than a bottle of water.

A distinctive building you may come across in the east of the old town is the Blue Church. Its facade, mosaic, and roof are a beautiful shade of blue, and attracts visitors due to its unique Hungarian Art Nouveau style, which makes it a popular sight on Instagram feeds.

If you’d like to see a more modern side to the city, visit the UFO Observation Deck. a 95-metre high tower topped by a flying saucer shaped structure. Zip to the top in an elevator and you can enjoy 360-degree panoramic views, and there’s even a cocktail bar that opens late into the night so you can see the sun go down across Bratislava.

Not quite ready for bed yet? Bratislava is well-known as a party destination, and the old town is the hotspot for nightlife with clubs that open until the small hours. There’s a mix of traditional pubs where you can simply get a pint in cosy surroundings, and chic cocktail bars with DJs and dancing. The music scene is also diverse, from small venues offering live music to large clubs playing EDM and techno until dawn.

READ MORE: Controversial ‘book 10 middle seats’ technique when flying criticised by passengersREAD MORE: ‘I spent £137 on hotel room then was told I’d be fined £2.5k for opening curtains’

Ryanair flies from Edinburgh, London-Stansted, and Manchester to Bratislava with a seasonal route from Leeds-Bradford, or there’s a Wizz Air route from London-Luton that runs year-round. Flights start at two hours 20 minutes from London, with fares from Stansted from £37 one-way.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

UZBEKISTAN is where you can get bargain beers and stay in 5-star hotels for as little as £63 per night.

And it could get much easier for Brits to visit as it’s set to fully opening a new airport next year.

A new international airport is set to open in Uzbekistan in early 2027 at an estimated cost of $226 million (£168million).

The new airport which is already being constructed is in the Bukhara region in the southwest of the country.

On completion it will be able to handle over three million passengers each year and could grow to as many as eight million within the next three years.

The airport will have a 3.3km runway capable of accommodating all aircraft types and the terminal will have a capacity of up to 1,200 passengers per hour.

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Construction started in 2024 and the full opening is set for next year.

New flight routes are yet to be confirmed, but there’s a possibility there could be some from the UK.

There has been a surge in interest to visit the country as Uzbekistan has seen tourist numbers increase from just over two million in 2017 to more than 10 million in 2025.

There are few direct routes from the UK to Uzbekistan – but one was added just last month.

In December 2025, Qanot Sharq announced it would launch two direct flights per week between London Gatwick and Tashkent.

Flights between London and Uzbekistan’s capital take seven hours.

Uzbekistan is one of Asia’s cheapest holiday destinations. According to
Numbeo, the price of a local beer is 17,500 UZS (£1.08)

The average price of a cappuccino is 23,030 UZS (£1.42).

When it comes to hotels, you can get a budget stay for as little as £9 per night.

If you’re looking for luxury, 5-star hotels don’t break the bank either, the Hilton Samarkand Regency can cost as little as £63 per night.

Travellers who have been to Uzbekistan have recognised it as being affordable.

Race Across the World winner Alfie Watts told Sun Travel: “Uzbekistan has great value for money.

“When I went, we were on the tourist trail which made things a bit more expensive. But we got a half an hour taxi which cost 20,000 UZS which is is £1.24.”

As for what to do in Uzbekistan, the country has lots of Silk Road cities – which are stops on historical trade routes.

Some of the most-visited of these are Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva.

There’s plenty of beautiful architecture like Registan Square and Bibi-Khanym Mosque in Samarkand.

The country has incredible mountain scenery with ranges like Uzbekistan the Western Tian Shan in the northeast and the Gissar-Alay in the south.

When it comes to food, you can pick up speciality dishes like Plov (Pilaf) which is a one-pot rice dish which generally contains rice, meat, and carrots.

You can also try steamed dumplings called Manti, savory pastries Samsa, and spicy noodle stew called Lagman.

The best times to visit Uzbekistan are spring and autumn when the temperatures are mild.

For more on travelling to lesser-visited countries, hear from one man who left the UK to travel on £35 a day.

Another man who has visited every country on Earth named Uzbekistan as one of the most underrated destinations.

The method has has been praised by some but others say it’s a really bad idea

A controversial technique to avoid getting a seat you do not want has been criticised by a number of passengers. Many airlines charge more for seat selection on the plane – or automatically put you in a middle seat.

However, according to one travel specialist, there is a method that can stop the system from giving you a middle seat. And they say it comes without paying anything on top.

Jorden Tually explained the technique in a video on his TikTok account (@jordentually). He said low-cost airlines often automatically assign middle seats to those who select “random seat allocation”.

He says that this encourages passengers to pay for a window or aisle seat. Yet he argues that there is a technique that can help here – although it has been criticised by some online.

He says the method stops the airline’s system from automatically assigning you a middle seat. First up, he said he looks at how many seats of this type are still available on the flight when checking in.

In a test of the method, he said he found a total of 10 middle seats available on a flight. He said the next step is to simulate the purchase of that number of tickets.

“I go straight to the website and pretend to buy 10 more middle seats,” he said. He said when doing this, he enters the name of each made-up passenger.

You can just put in ‘a bunch of letters in there,’ he said. Then, in the seat assignment, he selects all the middle seats or those he wants to avoid and clicks ‘continue’.

He said ‘the system is going to hold those seats for about 10 to 15 minutes.’ This is the amount of time users will have to actually check in and get a better seat.

When passengers select ‘random seat allocation,’ the system will not be able to assign the seats it has previously blocked. He said: ‘It only took me two minutes, and now I have a window seat. It has never failed me and is 100% successful when done correctly.”

He advises completing the process from a computer and says it is more effective if done as close to the check-in date as possible, as there are fewer seats available.

But while some praised the technique, others pointed out the obvious consequences it would have. One commenter online said: “OMG, the self-entitled brigade again. If this does work, everyone will now try it, freezing up loads of seats and could stop genuine people wanting to book that flight, all because you think you deserve a better seat than those who have paid.”

Others criticised the idea and said it would lead to prices going up where dynamic pricing is used, which sees prices fluctuate according to demand. One person commented on the YouTube post put up late last month to say: “Don’t you know about airlines’ dynamic pricing??” Yet another echoed this, saying: “Damn, that will spike up cost by 10-20%”

Another person said: “Now you delayed your flight 10 minutes while they wait for the computer queue to clear so other passengers can select their seats.” A further commenter agreed, saying: “This is not a good hack, cause your ticket costs more when the system thinks it’s fully booked.”

Another added: “Congrats. Due to dynamic pricing, you’ve just raised the price of your ticket by 50%”

A HUGE festival that is completely free to visit will land in the UK next month.

Bristol Light Festival will return to Bristol for 10 nights next month, between February 19 and 28.

One of the headline events recently announced will be an installation called The Lite Series.

Visitors will be able to see a number of illuminated hot air balloons gathered by Cameron Balloons, which when fired will create a burst of colour in the balloon.

The more people who fire the hot air balloons, the brighter they get and more sound plays from them.

Jess Siggers, marketing manager at Cameron Balloons, said: “Bristol’s skyline has been shaped by our balloons for generations, so we’re thrilled to bring that heritage back down to earth in an entirely new way for Bristol Light Festival.

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“The Lite Series invites everyone to feel the magic of ballooning up close.

“It’s playful, it’s interactive and above all, it celebrates the engineering and imagination that Bristol is famous for.”

Another exhibit at the festival will be an installation by artist Liz West, who will transform Cabot Circus’ multi-storey car park into a light show.

The entire festival will sprawl across the city and will host a number of events for the public to get involved in.

Other details about the festival will be announced in the coming weeks but in previous years activities and events have included a Neon Kids Rave.

The rave was free of charge and kids even ate for free.

Other family-friendly activities have included art clubs as well.

It isn’t just about families though, as there are plenty of adult activities on as well such as paint in the dark, dine in the dark and run club events.

And there are usually photography and walking tours.

A number of venues around the city usually have offers too, such as cheap drinks.

Last year’s festival brought in £11million to the city, with visitors spending £9.4million across the event.

Many people have taken to social media to express their excitement for the festival.

One person commented: “We’re coming up from Cornwall again for the festival ! Can’t wait was brilliant last year !”

Another added: “I can’t wait to return to epic Bristol.”

A third person said: “One of the highlights of Winter – can’t wait to see what spectacular light you’ll be bringing to the darker months!”

If you are looking for somewhere to stay in the city, there is a spa hotel with an award-winning restaurant and salt sauna.

Or you could head to another hotel with a sauna, that is opposite the historic railway station.

And for inspiration on what to do when you are there, the city has street art tours, 19th century hotels and ‘top-notch’ cuisine.

In other festival news, pop megastar in talks to play massive UK festival comeback show nine years after last British concert.

Plus, new farm-themed festival to launch in the UK and Jeremy Clarkson is headlining – with live music and tractor shows.

A journalist who spent a night in one of Blackpool FC’s hotel rooms claimed he was told there would be a fine a jaw-dropping sum if he opened the curtains during one key moment

A man who spent £137 on a hotel room was shocked to discover that he might be fined £2,500 if he simply opened the curtains.

Said hotel room is inside Blackpool FC’s Bloomfield Road ground and sits behind one of the goals at either side of the team’s pitch.

However, the individual staying in the room, journalist Ben East, was warned that if he opened the curtains during a match, he could be fined £2,500.

Baffled by the instruction, Ben said he checked the rules with members of staff downstairs, who said they didn’t police it as a hotel, but that ‘apparently’ guests could be fined if they are caught opening the curtains.

Commenting on the matter for the Telegraph, Ben remarked that keeping the curtains shut during a match rather ruined the experience, especially during Blackpool’s game against Bradford.

He said: “All of which slightly ruins the executive pitch-view selling point, of course – it’s now just an incredibly beige room with a hint of maroon.

“I then hear about Swan’s finish on BBC Radio’s 5 Live Sport, minutes after hearing the roars from outside. It was deft, sure, but it wasn’t worth £2,500 to see in the flesh.

“To threaten people with this sort of penalty for peering out of the window of a room that has been converted from an executive box sounds absurd – or at least conceptually flawed.”

Furthermore, Ben added that other stadiums don’t have the rule, such as Bolton Wanderers, who he said didn’t require the curtains to be closed in their stadium rooms.

A spokesperson for Blackpool FC said: “Whilst the hotel and football club understand any frustrations this may cause, all EFL and FA regulations must be observed. This includes limitations on the consumption of alcohol within sight of the pitch whilst a match is in play.”

Ben’s comments about Blackpool FC’s hotel room came months after data showed the city of Blackpool received a boost in tourism numbers.

The annual STEAM report, that independent measures tourism indicators, shows that visitors to the area were on the rise, with the city attracting 21.5m tourists in 2023, six percent up on 2022 figures.

When the figures were released in March last year, Blackpool Council leader councillor Lynn Williams MBE said: “Blackpool welcomed large crowds thanks to a diverse programme of major events, the launch of new attractions, a two-month extension of the autumn Illuminations season, and the expansion of the hugely successful Christmas By The Sea village.

“All of these factors, combined with strong partnerships and impactful marketing, reinforce our commitment to keeping Blackpool as the UK’s most visited seaside resort and firmly establishing it as a thriving year-round destination.”

Nomin Chinbat’s job was to convince people to visit the world’s most barren country that 9/10 people had not even heard of in 2018

How do you convince tourists to visit the world’s most barren country that 90% of people have never heard of?

That was the job of Nomin Chinbat, who just stepped down as the Mongolian Culture and Tourism Minister after five years in government. It’s fair to say that the challenge facing Nomin and Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene was stark.

A 2018 global Edelman survey found only 10% of people knew Mongolia was a country, while 3/10 thought it was part of China. The question ‘what’s Mongolia?’ presented a major obstacle to the government’s plans to grow the tourism sector and to move away from the extractive mining industries that have formed the core of the economy for decades.

Trickier still, those who had heard of the country tended to associate it with less-than-flattering qualities. Ulaanbaatar is officially the world’s coldest capital city, known for its extremely harsh winters where temperatures regularly plummet below -20°C. To keep out the heat, most Mongolians burn coal fires, which has led to dangerously high levels of pollution.

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An estimated 7,000 citizens of the vast, thinly populated country of 3.48 million died last winter due to air pollution, indoors and out, while 881 people had lost their lives thanks to carbon monoxide poisoning in the country in the seven years up to February 2025.

If all of that wasn’t a difficult enough hand for a tourism and culture minister to deal with, then up trots arguably the world’s best-known warlord, Genghis Khan. Although all publicity is good publicity to an extent, the former Khagan’s reputation as bloodthirsty is a gross oversimplification, according to Nomin.

“Historically, we have Genghis Khan, one of the most famous men in the world. He was a peacemaker and diplomat, and he bridged the East and West. A big part of our policy is about reeducating people about who he was. For example, the passport was invited by Genghis. He wanted his envoys to travel across his land, so he gave them geregee passports that ensured their safe travel,” Nomin tells the Mirror during a visit to the South Korean capital Seoul.

Although the Mongolian government is shying away from Genghis’s notoriety, instead running a legacy-rewriting exhibition in France in 2024 and Switzerland today, Nomin would prefer visitors to engage with what the country has to offer today. Culturally, The Hu are Mongolia’s most famous sons, bringing a fusion of folk and metal that delivers old Mongolian war cries and traditional poetry to fans across Asia and the world.

But the real stars of the show, and a huge part of the reason why more and more people are coming to Mongolia every year, are the nomads.

Since at least the 3rd Century CE, residents of the Mongolian steppe have survived by herding livestock and living off the land. Today, roughly 40% of Mongolians are nomadic, and around one-third of the country’s population still lives in traditional dwellings called gers (yurts). These can be easily dismantled and moved to a new location, which nomads typically do four times a year.

At times, they join the 1.7million people who live in the rapidly growing Ulaanbaatar, before venturing out into the vast Mongolian wilderness. Dominated by the soaring Altai Mountains to the west and the harsh Gobi Desert to the south, the world’s second-largest landlocked nation is almost completely free of fences, meaning nomads can wander to their heart’s content. And they’re unlikely to be disturbed. Mongolia has a population of just 3.3million, which is less than the number of people living in Berlin, giving it a population density of just two people per kilometre. It is roughly a third emptier than the next less densely populated sovereign countries in the world – Australia and Namibia.

Perhaps all of these ingredients don’t add up to a typical holiday destination. However, in a post-lockdown decade in which travellers are increasingly answering the call of adventure, it’s catching a growing number of eyes.

“The UN Tourism Barometer found that Mongolia is one of the 20 fastest-growing tourism destinations, with a 16% increase in visitors from 2024 to 2025,” Nomin continues. The total number is not a lot compared to many countries, but it’s growing. There were 850,000 tourists in 2025, and around 500,000 before Covid. Our aim is 2 million by 2030.”

Whether the Go Mongolia campaign hits that target remains to be seen. So far, collaborations with Fulham as the club’s official kit and tourism partner, and “promotional piggy-backing” on international events such as the Paris Olympics, seem to be working. As does an “open sky policy” that has seen airlines including United, Air China and Turkish increase connections. Getting there from the UK remains pretty tough. Most flights from the UK stop in Istanbul and take around 15 hours to reach Ulaanbaatar. A return economy is likely to cost you around £1,000, so it’s far from cheap break material.

A recent Boston Consulting Group survey found that Mongolia had jumped 14 places in the global soft power rankings. Today, six out of the 10 people worldwide have heard of the country. Not a bad return, Nomin says.

“We’ve put in a lot of effort to make sure people know about us. I believe Mongolia has taken a very good policy to sustain tourism growth, which will really deliver for the Mongolian people. It will only grow. I think we’re on the verge of exploding.”

WHEN YOU think of the Canary Islands, you probably imagine Tenerife or Lanzarote – but one smaller island that’s a hidden gem is the ideal winter sun spot.

La Gomera, Spain, is known for its natural beauty thanks to being home to the Garajonay National Park, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.

In addition to the National Park, the island is defined by volcanic landscapes that are a treat for keen hikers.

And next week, the island is set to hit a high of 21C.

If you prefer a beach day, there are plenty of pretty spots including black-sand beaches.

When it comes to life on the island, visitors can explore a number of traditional villages.

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In San Sebastian, the capital of the island, you will find several Columbus-linked spots, as La Gomera was the famous explorer’s final stop to resupply and depart from Europe for his 1492 journey to the Americas.

For example, you could visit Torre del Conde, a 15th-century fortress.

There is also Casa Colon, which was Christopher Columbus‘ home and boasts pieces of pre-Columbian art and information about his voyages.

Playa de San Sebastian is one of the beaches on the island that features black sand, and can be found in the capital.

A recent visitor said: “A pretty promenade with plenty of seating runs along the beach.”

“The beach itself makes a positive impression. The water is calm and clean as it is protected from the port by a large breakwater wall.

“The nature of the beach varies between fine black sand and larger pebbles.”

If you want to spot a bit of local wildlife, you can hop on a boat tour from the harbour to see whales and dolphins.

Once back on dry land, there are plenty of spots to grab a bite to eat.

For example, you could head to El Roquillo Las Galanas where you can pick up empanadas for just €2.70 (£2.35) each and Heineken beer for just €1.20 (£1.04).

In fact, food and drink across the whole island is affordable, with the average beer price being around €2.00 (£1.55) and the average meal costing around €12.00 (£9.32).

There are plenty more things outside of San Sebastian to see and do as well.

One must-see spot is the Abrante Viewpoint, which sits high up on the ravine in the north of the island.

Instead of being a normal viewpoint, visitors ‘float’ in the air thanks to a seven-metre glass floor that overhangs the edge of the ravine.

The viewpoint offers great views of the island, as well as the Canary Islands more widely.

Los Órganos is another breathtaking spot on the island.

The unique rock formation has vertical pillars that look somewhat like the pipes of a traditional church organ.

In total, it measures 87 metres tall and 191 metres wide, with each pillar thought to be over one metre thick.

The formation was formed by a volcano and to see it, you have to head out on a boat trip where you will most likely see whales and dolphins as well.

To get to La Gomera, you will need to fly to Tenerife before getting a ferry to the island.

If you wanted to catch the warm weather next week, then you could catch a flight from London Stansted on January 14 for just £16.

Or head off on January 11 and return on January 15 for £38 return from London Stansted.

For the ferry, the more in advance you book it the cheaper it is, with tickets costing as low as £8 per way.

However, fares usually cost on average £33 per way, per foot passenger.

There are a number of places to stay on the island and you can expect to pay between £80 and £120 per night.

For more inspiration on Spanish holidays, one of the country’s most underrated cities is in the ‘Garden of Europe’ – with £17 flights.

Plus, from sea pools to hidden caves: Spain’s cheapest beach destinations this summer.

Calling all Potterheads. A new Harry Potter experience is set to open this year, where visitors can take a real-life journey to Hogwarts and interact with characters onboard

Those who have long dreamt of boarding the Hogwarts Express will now get the chance as a new Harry Potter experience is set to launch this year.

Currently, fans can snap a photo beside the iconic 9¾ platform at London’s King’s Cross, visit the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London to marvel at the making behind Harry Potter, or ride the Jacobite Steam Train in Scotland. Now, in a brand new attraction set to open this year, Potterheads can experience the real Hogwarts Express.

The Harry Potter: A Hogwarts Express Adventure will be the first of its kind, offering an immersive train journey to Hogwarts. Warner Bros. Discovery has partnered with Rail Events Inc. to launch the new attraction and has revealed some details about what to expect.

In a video, Jamie Ryan, Director of Marketing, said visitors will enjoy a “pre-boarding experience” with nods to the famed 9¾ platform, before boarding a “real moving train”. Onboard, visitors will be able to interact with Hogwarts characters that bring the real-life wizarding world to life.

Afterwards, there will be the chance to try the iconic Butter Beer drink and explore the Harry Potter merchandise. Jamie added that it will be “an unforgettable experience”.

They also shared on their website: “A Hogwarts Express Adventure will open in 2026 – giving us just a bit more time to make this journey aboard a real moving train, everything it’s meant to be. From house competitions to spell-casting thrills, this is no ordinary train ride – and we’re making sure every detail is unforgettable.

Further details, including the launch date, route, and locations, are yet to be announced. However, the news has already sparked excitement among Potterheads online.

One wrote underneath a post on Instagram: “Omgosh, well my 2026 is full.” A second commented: “This is awesome.”

“LETS GO I’M READY!!!”, acclaimed another. A fourth wrote: “This is going to be so magical. Can’t wait to ride it.”

One fan gushed: “This makes my heart happy,” before another said: “This is so cool!!!!” Someone else also penned: “Ahhh, this sounds incredible.”

Another noted the franchise’s ever-growing fame: “The gift that keeps on giving. Harry Potter’s popularity length has to be studied.”

One mega Harry Potter fan even left a suggestion as they shared: “This looks so exciting!!! Can we also get a Harry Potter cruise in the future? I’d love to be able to go from the Harry Potter locations in NYC to Universal Studios to the filming locations in England, and then finish back in NY. Or even leave out Universal and just do the other two locations. Would be so fun!”

Other fans urged for the location of the experience to be confirmed. One asked: “Where will this be at? And don’t say to go to the website, that doesn’t tell us anything.”

Another queried: “Where? Guessing not in the actual studio where it should be.” While one more exclaimed, “Where in the world is this going to be??” But it looks like they’ll have to wait a little longer as further details are yet to be announced.

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

ONE county in the UK is on the must-visit list for 2026 as it celebrates 200 years of a beloved children’s story.

The tales of Winnie-the-Pooh written by A.A. Milne were inspired by Ashdown Forest in East Sussex.

New York Times named ‘Winnie-the-Pooh’s England‘ as one of the best places to visit in 2026.

Winnie-the-Pooh first appeared in print on December 24, 1925 – and just over 100 years on the destination has become a must-see for fans of the bear around the world.

The publication said: “The focal point will be in East Sussex, where Milne lived in a 16th-century farmhouse with his wife and son, Christopher Robin, who played there with his stuffed bear.“

The author A.A. Milne lived in East Sussex for most of his life – and it’s where he was inspired to create Winnie-the-Pooh.

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Milne lived in Hartfield, which is found 30 miles south of London.

He based the story in the fictional Hundred Acre Wood which is inspired on the real-life Ashdown Forest just minutes away.

Fans of the tale can actually see locations like Poohsticks Bridge which was originally called Posingford Bridge and was built in 1907.

There’s also Galleons Lap which is the real-life inspiration for “The Enchanted Place” – essentially a circular clump of trees on a hilltop.

Visitors who want to explore the actual forest and find these spots to relive the magical adventures of Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, and friends can do so on a guided walk.

Throughout 2026 there are even organised Pooh Treks through Ashdown Forest.

The guided walk will “reveal awe-inspiring views across the forest, with story locations within comfortable walking distance of each other.

“With our expert local guide sharing the literary history and natural surroundings, your visit becomes something rather special.”

The experience is for four to six explorers and there can be tailored itineraries.

It can also includes lunch at a classic English country pub and afternoon tea at Piglets Tea Room in Pooh Corner.

Pooh Corner is also home to a range of original Winnie the Pooh sketches by illustrator EH Shepard, and another room filled with movie posters and other artwork.

If you fancy, taking a gander around Ashdown Forest on your own – it’s free entry into the woodland.

A.A. Milne lived at Cotchford Farm in Hartfield which is now a holiday cottage – so you can actually stay in it yourself.

The 16th-century farmhouse has six bedrooms and three reception rooms which includes Milne’s writing study and a music/library room.

There’s also a kitchen, oak-panelled dining room, family rooms along with two acres of gardens, wildflower meadows, swimming pool and a tennis court.

The whole property that sleeps 12 can be booked from £1,200 per night.

Check Out The Top Destinations Around The World To Visit In 2026…

Here are the 52 top destinations to go to New York Times…

1. Revolutionary America
2. Warsaw, Poland
3. Bangkok, Thailand
4. Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
5. Bandhavgarh, India
6. Dallas, Texas
7. Oran, Algeria
8. Route 66, USA
9. Saba, Caribbean
10. Poblenou, Barcelona, Spain
11. Nepal’s Other Mountains
12. Bayreuth, Germany
13. Canadian Rockies by Train
14. Top End, Australia
15. Penang, Malaysia
16. Los Angeles, California
17. Nagasaki, Japan
18. Breuil-Cervinia, Italy
19. Memphis, Tennessee
20. Armenia
21. Sorolla’s Spain
22. Winnie-the-Pooh’s England
23. Seychelles
24. Inhotim, Brazil
25. Iceland
26. Sanibel and Captiva Islands, Florida
27. Hyde Park, Chicago
28. Træna Islands, Norway
29. Miches, Dominican Republic
30. Portland, Oregon
31. Tien Shan Mountains, Kyrgyzstan
32. Assisi, Italy
33. Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska
34. Vietnam
35. Querétaro, Mexico
36. Medora, North Dakota
37. Camiguin, Philippines
38. Messinia, Greece
39. Guyana
40. Deer Valley, Utah
41. Yunnan, China
42. Bentonville, Arkansas
43. Cape Froward, Chile
44. Genoa, Italy
45. Dongseo Trail, South Korea
46. Okinawa, Japan
47. Río Pastaza Watershed, Ecuador
48. Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania
49. Melbourne, Australia
50. Virginia Beach, Virginia
51. Big Sur, California
52. Møn, Denmark

For more on country escapes, here are ten of our top country houses to visit in 2026 – including tropical seaside gardens, deer safaris and luxurious spas.

And here are six holiday homes from TV shows and films that you can stay at in the UK… with game rooms and hot tubs.

STORM Goretti is continuing to cause chaos across the UK as further travel disruptions are confirmed.

A number of rail lines have suspended services as the first storm of the year batters Britain.

West Midlands Railway officially cancelled routes this morning, Friday, 9 January.

In an official statement, the rail network said it is “unable to provide services until the afternoon”.

“Due to the significant ongoing transport and infrastructure disruption caused by Storm Goretti, we advise passengers not to travel on West Midlands Railway services on the morning of Friday, January 9,” the operator said.

“Passengers wishing to travel on the afternoon on Friday 9th January should check their journeys before they travel as we work to resume services.”

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No rail replacement road services will be provided due to “uncertain road conditions”.

Network Rail are also experiencing disruption after a “very intense heavy snow” hit the West Midlands/Shropshire and Staffordshire areas on Thursday night.

Efforts are being made to clear rail routes, with some services expected to be affected until Sunday, 11 January.

Meanwhile, Avanti West Coast issued “do not travel” advice to anyone planning to use Midlands routes until 1pm on Friday.

“An amended timetable will operate across all routes from 0700 until 1500, when we currently expect services to return to normal,” the train service operator said.

“We strongly recommend travelling outside these times if possible.”

Storm Goretti has also caused disruptions to air travel, with East Midlands Airport and Birmingham Airport forced to cease operations after flurries of snow left runways unusable.

Some areas of the country could see as much as 15-25cm of snow fall and settle as the extreme weather continues for a second day, while Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly were issued a rare red weather warning.

Gusts of 99mph were recorded at St Mary’s Airport on the Isles of Scilly while 90mph winds hit Culdrose, Cornwall where gales brought down power lines and trees.

National Highways said the A30 in Cornwall is closed in both directions between the A394 at Longrock and the A3074 at St Erth.

The closure is reportedly “due to a large number of trees that have fallen and are blocking the road”; Devon and Cornwall Police are assisting at the scene.

Specialist crews are working to clear the trees from the carriageway.

The A628 Woodhead Pass connecting Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire also remains closed in both directions between the A616 for Flouch and the A57 for Hollingworth because of snow.

National Highways has urged drivers to check the weather forecast before travelling today, saying: “Consideration of the weather forecast should be taken before commencing journeys, with considerable delays possible.”

AS STORM Goretti sweeps across the UK, many airports have been forced to delay or cancel flights.

The storm is currently battering the UK, with thousands of Brits experiencing power cuts, travel disruption and school closures.

Some winds are measuring up to 99mph and a rare red alert has been issued by the Met Office.

As for airports across the UK, more than 25 flights have been cancelled, meaning thousands are being affected.

Heathrow Airport is currently experiencing lots of delays and some cancellations, including to British Airways flights.

Flights cancelled from London Heathrow include:

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• 9:20am British Airways to Billund
• 9:45am Eurowings to Cologne
• 9:50am Aer Lingus to Dublin
• 10:20am Scandinavian to Copenhagen
• 11:05am Brussels Airlines to Brussels
• 11:25am British Airways to Berlin
• 11:25pm Iberia to Madrid
• 11:30am Lufthansa to Frankfurt
• 12:00pm United Airlines to New York City
• 12:00pm Air Canada to Ottawa
• 12:35pm American Airlines to Chicago
• 2:25pm British Airways to Frankfurt
• 2:25pm British Airways to Munich
• 3:20pm British Airways to Hamburg
• 5:10pm Swiss Air to Zurich
• 6:30pm Lufthansa to Frankfurt

Birmingham Airport was forced to suspend flights on the evening of January 8 due to snow but reduced runway operations have since resumed.

In a statement the airport said: “The safety of our colleagues and customers is our number one priority.

“We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. Passengers due to travel should contact their airline regarding the status of flights.”

Flights cancelled from Birmingham Airport include:

• 8:15am Aer Lingus to Dublin
• 8:25am easyJet to Edinburgh
• 8:35am easyJet to Glasgow
• 9:45am easyJet to Edinburgh
• 10:25am Air France to Paris

East Midlands Airport was also forced to close its runway in the early hours of this morning.

Flights have since resumed though the airport has warned of some delays.

Southampton Airport is telling passengers: “With a weather warning still in place today (Friday, 9th January), we advise passengers to check the status of the flight before travelling to the airport.”

Flights cancelled from Southampton Airport include:

• 6:50am Loganair to Newcastle
• 8:40am Loganair to Edinburgh

Aberdeen Airport has issued the same warning.

Flights cancelled from Aberdeen Airport include:

• 9:00am British Airways to London Heathrow
• 9:00am KLM to Amsterdam
• 10:35am Loganair to Kirkwall

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.

In other flight news, UK gets new flight route to world’s best airport – under 4 hours from the UK.

Plus, major airport forced to cancel another 700 flights with trains axed and passengers stranded.

This roundabout is the only one of its kind.

Travellers venturing to the Faroe Islands might be taken aback to discover the world’s first underwater roundabout during their visit.

The roundabout sits within the Eysturoy Tunnel, which was inaugurated four years ago in December 2020 and has significantly reduced journey times between the different islands in the archipelago.

Whilst positioned roughly midway between Scotland and Iceland, the Faroe Islands form part of the Kingdom of Denmark, though they’ve enjoyed self-governance since 1948.

The islands’ position means that unpredictable weather conditions can pose challenges for travel, prompting the development of an extensive tunnel network – 17 on land and four beneath the sea, with the deepest point sitting 187m (613ft) below sea level.

The Eysturoy Tunnel and its roundabout are thought to have slashed journey times from the capital, Torshavn, to the village of Runavik from an hour and 14 minutes down to a mere 16 minutes, reports the Express.

The Faroe Islands comprise 17 populated islands alongside numerous smaller islets and reefs.

Speaking about the tunnel network, Súsanna Sørensen, marketing manager of Visit Faroe Islands, remarked: “Though we are 18 islands, we often joke that we defy the fact that we are islands (thanks to the tunnels).”

Whilst the prospect of navigating an undersea tunnel in the Northern Atlantic might seem daunting, the tunnels were designed with precisely this concern in mind.

Teitur Samuelsen, chief executive of Eystur-og Sandoyartunlar, the firm running the tunnels, said: “The tunnels are designed by the world’s leading engineers and geologists, so safety with regards to the Atlantic above is not an issue.”

According to CNN, the Eysturoy Tunnel is “magical” to navigate, with the roundabout appearing so dramatic that its colours have drawn comparisons to the Northern lights, or even jellyfish.

And it’s not only this tunnel that boasts visual appeal – artwork and installations feature in several of the other tunnels as well.

Take the Sandoy Tunnel, for instance, which links the islands of Streymoy and Sandoy. It’s adorned with glow-in-the-dark totems, paying tribute to figures from Faroese folklore.

Speaking about the choice to invest in embellishing these tunnels, Teitur Samuelsen remarked: “We have a lot of good art in the Faroes, and we’d like to support our artists. In addition, it breaks up the monotony in a long, dark tunnel, so it’s good for driving safety.”

Thames Town was built as part of a development to ease overpopulation in Shanghai and was designed to look like a British village complete with cobbled streets, red phone boxes and Victorian terraces

An “amazing” town meticulously designed to replicate a British village has been constructed more than 5,000 miles away. Thames Town reportedly came with a £530 million price tag and sits just 19 miles from central Shanghai in China.

It’s modelled on an English market town, featuring cobbled streets, red telephone boxes, Victorian terraced houses and corner shops. Thames Town, named after the River Thames, formed part of the One City, Nine Towns development announced in 2001 to address Shanghai’s overpopulation crisis.

The wider development also included villages inspired by German, Dutch, Canadian and Spanish architectural styles.

Thames Town was previously labelled a “ghost town” due to sky-high property prices and numerous shuttered shops. YouTuber Ben Morris paid a visit to Thames Town and initially felt he “could be in Milton Keynes ” upon arrival.

In his video, he said: “I am from the UK, I have lived most of my life in the UK, and I feel as though I could be in the UK right now, except for the Chinese number plates and the lack of crime.”

Ben, who explored Thames Town during torrential rain, added: “I’m actually at home, this is amazing. What’s even more homely about this place is, the sprinkle on top, the weather is stinking, it couldn’t be gloomier and it’s cold.”

Properties in Thames Town were originally priced at approximately £400,000, but many were purchased as investments, driving prices even higher. The area has since become a sought-after location for Chinese couples seeking an authentically British backdrop for their wedding photographs.

Alongside the pedestrianised British-style streets and Tudor-inspired buildings, Thames Town features a church based on Christ Church in Clifton, Bristol, a fish and chip shop, a KFC, and even a replica Costa Coffee. The residential properties were designed in Georgian and Victorian architectural styles.

Ben concluded that Thames Town could provide families with a “taste of England” or an escape from Shanghai’s hectic city life.

He said: “Honestly, this town is a lot nicer than many towns I’ve been to in the UK. I don’t know what anyone is on about when they call this place a ghost town because it is full of activity.”

He added: “It was weird walking around a town that felt so familiar but, at the same time, not at all.”

Fellow YouTuber Harvey in China described Thames Town as looking “eerily close” to Britain during his visit a year ago. However, Harvey found the town “very, very empty” on a Saturday.

He added: “It is so surreal walking along the cobbled streets. It is a lot bigger than I thought it would be. It seems everyone here is some sort of vlogger, live streamer, or photographer, just here to take photos, or obviously tourists.”

Dean, a reviewer on Tripadvisor, has dubbed Thames Town as a “worthwhile visit” for those touring Shanghai. He penned: “It worthwhile to visit if you’re in Shanghai for longer than a week. You’ll have to spend more than one and half hours to travel to the place”.

Meanwhile, Anna, who visited in 2021, was equally impressed, stating: “The town is very nice! It really does feel like I’ve stepped back into the UK! Lovely little town to just walk around and escape Shanghai!”.

Roksana wants bigger passengers to have to be checked before they fly to make sure they fit

A woman says passengers who are overweight should be ‘checked like hand luggage at the airport’ after she was ‘squashed’ in her plane seat for hours by a woman who ‘used her as an arm rest’ and refused to get up to let he use the toilet.

Roksana Ashcroft, 22, was flying from Bangkok to London Heathrow, via Kazakhstan, after a month-long holiday when she found herself next to a larger passenger. Roksana claimed that the lady was “using her hip as an armrest.”

Roksana, from Nottingham, said: “I was sitting in the middle seat with a large lady to my right on the aisle seat who was using my hip and leg as an armrest. She was very rude when I asked her politely to let me out to go to the toilet seven hours into the flight, when I was in a lot of pain from her resting her arm on me.

“She refused to stand up, which is when, after 15 minutes, I decided to press the button to call for a flight attendant who was very helpful and didn’t take her ‘I’m too tired to stand up as an answer’. I was mortified. As soon as the lady sat down, she instantly lent her arm in front of mine, so it was like I was being pinned back by her arm.

“The flight was very uncomfortable and left my hip and leg in a lot of pain. I had to lean over to my boyfriend the whole flight to try and give her a bit more room. I believe airlines should either make seats bigger and accommodate plus-sized people, or they should bring in some sort of check-in method that would stop plus-size people from hanging over their seats just like they check baggage.”

The incident happened on an Air Astana flight on January 3. Roksana shared a video of the woman with the caption: “I’m sorry, but can we please start a petition for larger people to have to book two seats. Not to be rude, but because I spent nine hours with a lady leaning her arm on my hip and leaving me in so much pain”.

She said: “I took the video to document my journey as I do a lot of different vlogs. The reaction online has been quite mixed. A lot of people were agreeing and reposting the video, but then I had quite a few comments from people stating I should be buying an extra seat for myself instead of her.

“I obviously disagree with that after paying for a seat that I fit into perfectly fine. I understand not everyone wants to be filmed in public, but I think situations like this should be spoken about more to avoid these situations.

“A lot of people in the comment section have shared their own similar experiences. Air Astana is quite spacious compared to other airlines and offers booking a full row to yourself.”

Others were divided, as some agreed with Roksana and others slammed her for filming the passenger without her consent. One person said: “Can we please start a petition to stop filming people without them knowing.” Someone else said, “Or you could buy a first-class seat.”

Another person added: “I’m a bigger person and this is why I don’t fly. Because I don’t want someone filming me.”

A fourth person said: “I am a big lady and I always pay for two seats. It saves so many problems. I’m big because of medication so hopefully when I am off it I can go back to buying one seat.

“Do not expect to get the seats at the same price as everybody else.”

Someone else said: “Need to charge for person’s weight as they do with cases and provide larger seats.”

Another person added: “Airplanes should be like rides that have a specific seat size. If you can’t fit, you can’t fly.”

An Air Astana spokesperson said: “The airline regrets the impressions experienced by the passenger. Air Astana adheres to the principles of respectful and equal treatment of all passengers, and does not tolerate discrimination based on individual characteristics, and operates in strict compliance with aviation safety requirements.

“Passengers who prefer additional personal space may choose alternative seating options with enhanced comfort.”

A place in North Yorkshire is a “hidden gem” of a walk, with “fabulous views” – and it might look familiar if you’re a fan of a certain blockbuster film.

A striking limestone cliff offering panoramic vistas of the Yorkshire Dales has been described by hikers as a “hidden gem” – and it doubles as a filming spot for one of cinema’s most successful franchises.

Malham Cove, situated just north of Malham village in North Yorkshire, is an enormous, curved amphitheatre-like formation of limestone that rises approximately 80 metres and spans around 300 metres in width.

Created by glacial meltwater at the close of the last Ice Age over 12,000 years ago, the cove stands as one of the Yorkshire Dales National Park’s most distinctive natural features.

Typically, people reach the cove by foot from Malham village, often leaving their cars at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority car park before strolling through the village and down Cove Road.

From afar, the rock face commands the landscape, with one TripAdvisor user describing it as “a curving [structure] that looks like an impregnable wall of a fortress out of a summer blockbuster movie”, reports Yorkshire Live.

A footpath leads to the cliff’s base, whilst roughly 400 irregular stone steps wind up the western flank to the summit.

Hikers report the climb is demanding yet achievable. One commentator observed it takes “about 20 minutes to the top if you don’t hang around too much”.

Once at the summit, walkers are treated to sweeping vistas stretching back down the valley towards Malham and further afield.

Visitors consistently praise the spectacular scenery, with one remarking: “The views, especially on a clear day, are fabulous. In this spot, you can feel truly at peace and at one with nature.”

Another said that the “panoramic views of Malham are totally worth it”.

Atop the cove lies an extensive limestone pavement, a distinctive and uncommon terrain of fractured stone blocks called clints – with fissures that form a special micro-climate nurturing unusual ferns and wildflowers.

Malham Cove has also gained recognition for its appearances on screen. It featured significantly in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1, serving as an isolated camping spot for Harry and Hermione.

The landmark has additionally been shown in the BBC programme The Trip with Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon, alongside previous film versions of Wuthering Heights.

As one reviewer advised: “Prepare yourself, take plenty of water, allow plenty of time… and just go for it. You won’t regret it.”