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I’ve visited 12 new countries this year, and even though each one has its own charm, I’d say there’s one that didn’t quite cut it
This year has been a rollercoaster of adventures for me. I’ve had the good fortune to discover new cities, sample local cuisines, and meet individuals whose tales have lingered with me long after my journey’s end. From savouring Italian dishes in Sardinia to exploring Poland, I’ve ticked off 12 new countries on my travel list in 2025.
Each nation has offered something unique, but not every destination leaves you yearning for more. Among all the places I’ve visited, there’s one country I wouldn’t be in a hurry to return to.
That’s not because it wasn’t stunning, but because sometimes travelling teaches you what you do and don’t want from a trip.
One of my stops this year was Mauritius, a small island nation in the Indian Ocean that many people describe as a true paradise, reports the Express.
It was exactly that, turquoise waters, palm tree-fringed beaches and sunsets that look like they’re straight out of a film. It’s the kind of place that many people dream of visiting, but for me, it just didn’t live up to the hype.
For starters, it’s a very, very long way from the UK. It’s around 12 hours of flying, not including the connections and airport hours that make the journey feel even longer.
By the time I finally landed, I was expecting something truly unforgettable, but I found myself wondering whether the distance was really worth it.
The island itself is undeniably beautiful, but after a few days, I felt like I had seen most of what there was to see. Aside from the beaches and a few nature spots, there isn’t a lot to do.
Now, I understand that Mauritius isn’t typically a destination for exploration, but more of a tranquil retreat. However, during my visit, I realised that I’m more of an adventurer when it comes to holidays.
Mauritius is undoubtedly appealing to newlyweds or those seeking a serene getaway. It’s calm, and the locals are friendly and hospitable.
Yet, for me, it lacked the magic that makes me fall head over heels for a location. It’s one of those places I’m pleased to have visited once, but I don’t feel compelled to return.
On the other hand, out of the other 11 countries I’ve travelled to this year, some have left me eager to go back. From the late-night street food in South Korea to the relaxed allure of Belgium, each place has made a lasting impression.
Even closer to home, Jersey took me by surprise with its blend of British familiarity and tranquil island life, while Croatia won me over with its historic towns.
Mauritius might not have been the ideal holiday spot for me, but even that experience played a part in my year of globetrotting.
The destination is hugely popular among Brits(Image: Nico De Pasquale Photography via Getty Images)
Ryanair is offering flights to a destination boasting November highs of 21C from just £14.99. The budget airline recently announced a 37% increase in its operations at Murcia airport for the upcoming winter, introducing four routes, including a new route to London Stansted with four weekly flights, and additional flights to Birmingham and Dublin.
Starting fares for flights to and from Murcia are as low as £14.99, and the expansion in connections will create over 450 local jobs and provide passengers with more choices at the lowest fares, according to Alejandra Ruiz, Ryanair’s spokesperson in Spain.
Ryanair’s schedule in Murcia for the 2025/2026 winter season continues to strengthen connectivity outside the peak season, creating over 450 local jobs and boosting year-round tourism in Murcia.
Despite Ryanair’s growth at Murcia Airport this winter season, the airline has been forced to cut one million seats from its overall schedule in Spain for the 2025/2026 winter season due to excessive increases in AENA charges (+6.62%) and ineffective ‘incentive schemes’, which are making regional airports financially unviable.
Ryanair has long championed and invested in regional airports, supporting access to low fares to stimulate tourism and employment, but it cannot justify continued investment in airports whose growth is hindered by uncompetitive charges.
Alejandra Ruiz, Ryanair’s spokesperson in Spain, announced: “Ryanair is pleased to announce its schedule for Murcia for the 2025 winter season, with four routes, including a new flight to London Stansted, with four weekly frequencies, as well as additional flights to Birmingham and Dublin.
“This new offering increases Ryanair’s capacity at Murcia Airport by 37%, giving our customers even more choice at the lowest fares.
“Despite excessive AENA charges, which have contributed to the loss of two million seats in 2025 in other regions, Ryanair remains committed to Murcia, where it operates year-round and supports over 450 local jobs.”
British blogger Kieren Adam Owen, better known as JimmyTheGiant, has become a passionate defender of Ukraine since marrying Vlada after meeting her on a holiday in Thailand
Blogger Kieren Owen married Ukranian Vlada
“The first thing you notice about Ukraine is how spotless the toilets are.”
British blogger Kieren Adam Owen, better known as JimmyTheGiant, was taken aback by the sparkling state of the bathrooms in Lviv when he visited the Ukrainian city for the first time after meeting his now-wife, Vlada, whom he had fallen head over heels for during a holiday in Thailand.
But it’s not just the immaculate nature of the WCs that caught Keiren’s eye. He is now a great enthusiast for the food, the coffee, the community life in the countryside and much else in Ukraine.
He is not the only one to have fallen for a nation that has been devastated by the war, or who is willing to go to great lengths to get there. According to data compiled by the State Border Service of Ukraine and VisitKyiv.com for the first half of 2025, foreigners crossed the Ukrainian border 1,194,983 times – 6,000 more than in the same period last year. That is, of course, a much smaller number than before the war and the coronavirus pandemic. In 2019, 13.4million tourists visited Ukraine.
All those who do go are risking their lives to varying degrees. As of 30 September 2025, 14,383 civilians had been killed in the war, according to the OHCHR. The UK Foreign Office states bluntly that it “advises against all travel to parts of Ukraine.”
Kieren is clearly aware of these dangers and not immune to fear. When in the country, whenever the air raid sirens begin to ring out, he immediately rushes down to the shelter: unlike some war-weary Ukrainians. “I can imagine that when you live there, you don’t always want to go to a shelter — probably because it’s a headache, and you know that the actual attacks that hit are fewer than the ones you hear the sirens for. But when you’re traveling, you can kind of do it, so I always just go to the shelter whenever,” he told the Mirror.
While most today are travelling for work or family events, some head to the war-torn country simply to explore. Others are on pilgrimage to Uman – an annual trip when thousands of Hasidim visit the tomb of Rabbi Nachman, founder of Bratslav Hasidism. Humanitarian trips are common, with large numbers travelling to participate in dozens of reconstruction projects crucial for a country that has been battered by missiles and drone strikes since February 2022.
Surprisingly, it is not in the cities that Keiren has felt most scared. Rather, it is in the rural areas without bomb shelters where he’s most feared for his life. There, he has watched rockets falling right above his head, with nowhere to hide except the house he was living in. “You feel more vulnerable there — there’s only ‘God’s protection’,” he said.
Kieren was once best known for his analytical takes on economics and politics, before he began producing documentary reports from Ukraine. The change in direction came after he married Vlada.
Now he spends a significant portion of his time promoting the lesser-known aspects of one of Europe’s poorest countries.
In a 52-minute YouTube video titled ‘How Ukraine changed my life‘, which he published earlier this year, the Milton Keynes lad explained how the country stole his heart.
“Your image of Ukraine is of this very brutalist, post-Soviet, kind of depressing, poor place, and Lviv just shattered this mental image. You’re walking on these cobbled streets, and you see all these beautiful, stunning, classical buildings. Everyone around you is cooler than you, dressed cooler than you, they’re just stylish, chill bras. Every single restaurant or cafe is on the level of the coolest of cool places in London, even better in some cases. The coffee… I literally became a coffee snob because of that trip.”
Keiren’s adulation for Ukraine stretches to the rural areas, where his in-laws live. There, wages are much lower than in Lviv and the capital Kyiv, yet access to great stretches of arable countryside abounds. Many work the land alongside their day jobs, building up larders with conserves and wines, as small-holding, subsistence farmers.
“I would argue in some regards, they live a much more fulfilling life than many poor people in the UK,” Kieren says in his video, noting the level of community cohesion, access to nature and fresh food many rural Ukrainians enjoy.
Kieren makes clear that he “isn’t saying that their lives are heaven” or that serious poverty, access issues for disabled people, and low life expectancy aren’t serious issues in the country.
Kieren has never been close to the front line, where the level of danger is much higher. Despite the risks he runs by being in Ukraine, he is keen to keep returning to a country he has fallen in love with.
“This is how high-quality everything is. I miss how everywhere you go, everything just feels perfect. That’s super nice. And the vibe. It’s just nice to be in Ukraine — the trees, the streets of Kyiv, the people who, despite the war, remain friendly and create an incredible atmosphere,” he continued.
For many Brits who find a second home abroad, the financial clout of the pound is a significant benefit. As he earns money in Britain, Kieren can afford more than he would back in the UK.
“When you come here, you feel like a millionaire,” he joked. “So you can have a really enjoyable week, constantly visiting various establishments.”
Kieren’s top recommendation is the restaurant 100 rokiv tomu vpered (100 Years Ahead), run by renowned Ukrainian chef Yevgen Klopotenko, who serves up traditional dishes, such as borscht, and the less typical fried bees. Another favourite place is Musafir, a Crimean Tatar restaurant known for its fried, doughy chibereks.
When not indulging in the local fare, Keiren enjoys spending time on Reitarska Street, an artistic hub in Kyiv, and Andriivskyi Uzviz. Kieren also recommends visiting the Golden Gate in the city center, a historic structure that was once the entrance to Kyiv, as well as having a picnic in one of Kyiv’s parks, such as Taras Shevchenko Park.
The top 10 countries by number of entries into Ukraine in the first half of 2025
Meghan Law, who is an NHS nurse, has expressed her anger after her teenage son Alix Dawson was not allowed to board the Qatar Airways plane for Phuket, Thailand
Meghan Law is pictured with her sons; Alix Dawson (left) and 10-year-old Cole(Image: Kennedy News and Media)
A mum has blasted Qatar Airways after her 13-year-old son was denied boarding their flight for Thailand.
Meghan Law said there was “no justification” for her experience at Edinburgh Airport, which threatened to derail her £3,000 family holiday. Check-in staff, though, told Meghan there was a “luggage sticker mark” on Alix Dawson’s passport, which they said constituted “damage”.
The mum was ordered to go to Glasgow Airport — around 50 miles away — for a new emergency document. Scrambling to salvage her family’s holiday, Meghan contacted TUI, who she had booked the trip with, for their advice. The tour operator found no issues with the passport and put them on the next available flight to Thailand.
But Meghan, 33, has now vowed to never use Qatar Airways again. The NHS nurse, who has two kids, said: “If I hadn’t booked through TUI and booked it myself, we just wouldn’t have been able to go on holiday. One way from Glasgow on the same day of travel would’ve been £2,800. There’s no way I would’ve been able to pay that.
“I’d never had an experience like that at any other airport. There was no justification for it. I’ll never fly with Qatar again. It ruined the start of the trip – it was so stressful.”
Meghan, who lives in Aberdeen, has now returned from her two-week holiday, but wants to raise awareness of her experience. HM Passport Office classes a passport as damaged for several reasons, including if details are indecipherable, if there are missing or detached pages and if there is a chemical or ink spillage on any page.
But Meghan said Alix’s document had neither of these issues, and had previously been accepted dozens of times at airports. She continued: “I said I’ve used this umpteen times. No one’s ever mentioned any damage on it before. There were no rips or stains, I don’t know what she was trying to imply. I was really shocked.
“She told me that I need to get an emergency passport from Glasgow Airport. Then she said actually it’s not your passport that’s the problem, it’s your child’s, Alix.
“What they were trying to say was that the luggage check-in stickers that had been stuck on one of the pages [and] had damaged the page. But it wasn’t even on the photo page.
“There were no rips, it was just where the sticker marks had been. They said we couldn’t travel with it. I knew there were no issues with their passports. We’d probably travelled over a dozen times with those passports. We were just left in the airport with no help and no advice.”
The Mirror has contacted Qatar Airways for comment.
Spain is a fantastic place for a cockle-warming winter break that won’t break the bank. Here are the five warmest winter sun destinations in Spain for December escapes
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Spain is a brilliant choice for a winter getaway that won’t leave your wallet feeling light.
While far-flung locations such as Thailand, Dubai, Egypt and Morocco might be the traditional go-to spots for winter sun, there are loads of fantastic places in mainland Spain and its islands that are worth a look.
Not only are they often just as toasty, but they’re also cheaper and much quicker to reach.
Here’s our top pick:
1. Murcia, southern Spain
December temperature highs: 18C
In a big win for those itching to escape our drizzly isles, Ryanair has just revealed it will be running a London to Murcia flight four times a week, with the journey clocking in at just under three hours. The timing of this new route is spot on for those who’ve already had their fill of autumn weather. This week, Murcia has seen highs of 31C, while in November it can reach up to 21C.
While it’s not the warmest destination in December and January, with daytime highs of 18C and 17C respectively, it tends to be mild and have low rainfall. However, it’s worth packing some snug pyjamas, as it can get chilly at night. The city of Murcia is brimming with activities, making it a must-visit for history enthusiasts. It was settled by the Romans and the Moors.
Make sure to visit Murcia Cathedral, a stunning, Gothic cathedral that towers over the city, or the Santa Clara Museum, which was once a Muslim palace that became a monastery in the 14th century.
Flights from as little as £13 are currently available from UK cities including Manchester, London and Birmingham.
December temperature highs: 26C
Known as the “Island of Eternal Spring”, Tenerife is Spain’s top winter sun destination. The island offers a plethora of attractions, such as Mount Teide National Park, black- and golden-sand beaches, and bustling resorts like Costa Adeje or Playa de las Américas.
Tenerife has been a favourite among Brits for nearly a century. Mass tourism flourished throughout the 20th century, particularly after World War II, transforming areas like Playa de las Américas into major resorts to cater to the worldwide demand for sun holidays.
The YouTuber Escape With Us is such an enthusiast of Tenerife that he decided to spend Christmas there in 2023, leaving his family behind to jet off to the Canary Island.
“Why would you want to sit at home in the freezing cold when you can come here and enjoy this?” he queried while strolling through Las Américas in a T-shirt, before pausing for a £1.50 beer in the sunshine.
Currently, in December, flights are available from UK cities including Liverpool, London and Bournemouth to Tenerife for just £15.
3. Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
December temperature highs: 25C
While Tenerife is the most popular of the Canary Islands, attracting seven million holidaymakers each year, Gran Canaria is not far behind, drawing a remarkable four million sunseekers to its shores. Its southern coastline enjoys sunshine throughout the year.
The stunning sand dunes of Maspalomas and the picturesque harbour at Puerto de Mogán are essential visits. Journey inland to discover dramatic volcanic terrain and delightful villages such as Tejeda.
On a discussion thread regarding how warm Gran Canaria really is – and whether it’s too chilly to swim during the winter – one Brit wrote: “I’d never been abroad before and went to GC in March this year. It was 23-24 during the day. The sea was lovely and warm and I learnt to swim in it (I’m 52). I found the evening temperatures a bit cool but nothing a thin jumper wouldn’t sort out. I have booked again for March this year.”
Flights are available from cities including Edinburgh, Nottingham and Birmingham to Gran Canaria in December starting from just £13.
December temperature highs: 19C
Whilst the Balearics’ Mediterranean location and position further north than the Canaries means slightly cooler conditions, the gorgeous island of Majorca has been crowned Spain’s top winter sun spot this year – and it’s easy to see why.
The island enjoys pleasantly mild temperatures of approximately 23C well into October. Even throughout November and December, the island benefits from bright weather alongside temperatures ranging between 16-19C.
Whilst it might be too cool for an ocean dip, conditions remain perfect for a stroll along the seafront or dining outdoors – though an extra layer or two might be advisable. A visit to Playa de Muro Beach is a must; it’s been hailed as one of Europe’s most stunning beaches.
There are plenty of scenic walks nearby if you fancy a leisurely stroll, and it’s just a hop, skip and a jump away from the S’Albufera Natural Park. For cycling enthusiasts, the island’s hills and varied terrain are often a hit, and during the autumn/winter months, you won’t be battling hordes of tourists, which can make for a much more chilled morning’s adventure.
There are December flights from Birmingham, Bristol and Manchester airports to Majorca starting at £15.
December temperature highs: 17C
Before anyone pens a complaint, I should clarify that I’m well aware that Gibraltar is not in Spain. It is a British Overseas Territory that happens to be nestled on Spain’s southern coast. The area is dominated by the Rock of Gibraltar, a towering 426m-high limestone ridge, and is home to 39,000 residents.
Affectionately known as Gib by the locals, the peninsula is situated at the entrance to the Mediterranean, on the southernmost tip of Spain. Its strategic position has shaped its complex and intriguing history, through the changing hands of multiple nations – it was handed over to Britain in 1713 – and as a crucial Second World War Allied stronghold.
The Mirror’s Samantha Mallac recently paid a visit to Gib and was taken aback by what awaited her. “Was Gibraltar what I expected? The answer, unequivocally, is certainly not. Despite its small size, it delivers some memories,” she penned.
Flights in December from Birmingham, Bristol and Manchester are on offer starting from just £18.
What you’ll do: People can volunteer as individuals or in groups to sort and pack food and produce boxes at the warehouse. Other jobs include cleaning and tidying the warehouse and coolers. Westside Food Bank encourages food drives for its programs of non-expired food items, or you can just make individual donations at the warehouse. The Westside Food Bank’s partner agencies serve the neighborhoods of Santa Monica, Venice, Culver City, West Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Inglewood and the LAX area, as well as the West Los Angeles VA and several college campuses.
When: Volunteers are typically needed on weekdays in the mornings and afternoons. Corporate volunteer shifts are typically scheduled on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Weekend volunteer opportunities can be arranged by emailing[email protected].
Where: Volunteers are needed at the warehouse in Santa Monica Mondays-Thursdays or at their mobile pantries around their service area including the Gerard Mobile Pantry, VAP Mobile Pantry and West LA Civic Center Mobile Pantry.
Details: Register online for volunteer opportunities. Drop off food donations at the food bank between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Frozen and/or refrigerated foods can be accepted by calling (310) 828-6016 beforehand. Appointments are required to drop off large collections of food.
