TRAVEL

At the crumbling colonial farm buildings in Porto Real, agricultural worker Kimilson Lima, 43, has signed the agreement and he’s happy. “With this money we can have a proper floor in the house,” he said. “And an inside toilet.”

Lima is part of a ground-breaking experiment on the West African island of Príncipe, where villagers who agree to follow an environmental protection code will reap a quarterly dividend. To date nearly 3,000 have joined the Faya Foundation’s project, more than 60% of the adult population. The first payment of €816 (£708) has just been delivered, a large amount of money on the island. “This will be truly transformative, both for nature and for the people,” said the president of the self-governing region, Felipe Nascimento.

The special nature of Príncipe’s flora and fauna has been known since the 20-mile-long island was stumbled upon by Portuguese navigators in 1471. Uninhabited and separated from the African mainland by over 160 miles of ocean, both Príncipe and its larger southern neighbour, São Tomé, had evolved unique rainforests where giant land snails and crabs were among the top predators. Even now, new species are still being discovered, leading to the nickname “African Galapagos”.

The Portuguese started a cacao plantation economy, but after independence in 1975, that business fell apart. On Príncipe, the descendants of slaves and labourers from Angola and Cabo Verde became tight-knit communities of subsistence farmers, camping out in the increasingly decrepit colonial-era buildings. For the occasional visitor, it was picturesque, but problems were mounting for residents who were being pushed deeper into unexplored parts of the island, cutting trees and foraging.

Then, in 2010, South African billionaire Mark Shuttleworth arrived, looking for somewhere to build a house, an idea that was soon replaced by a philanthropic urge to help. One former plantation house was converted into a hotel with locals retrained as staff, but Shuttleworth did not stop there. His quest was to fund the type of sustainable development that also protected and improved the environment. “The normal path to development for Príncipe would be to cut down forest and grow ‘fair trade’ peppercorns,” Shuttleworth said. “But we want to reward them as stewards of their precious environment.”

That dream has now reached fruition, much to the surprise of local sceptics. “They’ve been let down in the past,” says Faya project CEO, Jorge Alcobia. “They didn’t expect us to keep our promises.”

There is still, however, a learning process about how to help the environment. “We have to explain that it’s not free money,” said Alcobia, “Dividends are reduced, for example, if there’s unauthorised tree-felling.” Faya is funding school improvements, organising the moribund cacao business, and giving financial advice. “A lot of people here have no bank account and little experience of handling money.”

So far, however, all the money comes from Shuttleworth’s fortune, a past and future commitment that totals about £87m. Among the developments is a new village, home to Clara Gomes and her daughter. “My money is going on a new kitchen and training in carpentry,” she said.

Her neighbour, Edmundo, is selling cacao to the project. “I had no one to buy it before,” he said. “I’m hoping they might take vanilla next.” He has signed up for the dividend, but others remain sceptical. “It’s a monopoly,” shouted a bystander, “Is that good? And what if everyone buys motorbikes and chainsaws?”

For one man, years spent foraging in the forest have now blossomed into a career as wildlife guide. Yodiney dos Santos now leads scientific expeditions into the forest, discovering several new species, including a previously unknown owl. He knows only too well how fragile this environment is. “My ancestors came here from Angola,” he said. “And, for food, they brought the edible West African snail, which then escaped. Now those snails are pushing out the endemic Príncipe snails.”

This unique social experiment will be watched closely. “If it’s successful,” said Shuttleworth, “I hope other irreplaceable ecosystems might benefit from the idea at scale.”

RAIL passengers commuting over the Easter period can expect major disruptions to services.

The UK’s biggest intercity line will be closed for six consecutive days early next month.

Engineering work has been planned for the busy route, which carries over 75 million passengers a year, from Good Friday (April 3) to Wednesday, April 8.

There will be no west coast mainline services between London Euston and Milton Keynes on these dates, with services between Preston and Lancaster halted on Easter weekend (Saturday, April 4 and Sunday, April 5).

The upgrade works are part of a wider £400 million project, which will see improvements to the line’s reliability as well as repairs to tracks.

Jake Kelly, Network Rail’s regional director for the north-west and central region spoke to the Guardian about the latest upgrade.

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“The four-day period at Easter gives us a valuable opportunity to complete projects that simply can’t be delivered during a normal weekend,” he said.

“This ensures we maximise the time our teams are out working on the tracks.”

While the north London neighbourhood of Willesden, north London will see new tracks laid, there will also be repairs and upgrades at Harrow and Wealdstone station.

And a historic bridge in Ledburn, Buckinghamshire, which gained international notriety in the Great Train Robbery, is also scheduled for upgrades over Easter.

Kelly added that Network Rail is working hard “to keep as much of the network open as possible while carrying out these vital upgrades”.

Avanti West Coast will run services between Preston and Carlisle via the Settle-Carlisle line over the Easter period, while Anglo-Scottish services will be diverted via Dumfries and Kilmarnock between Good Friday and Easter Monday.

Network Rail has advised passengers to check before they travel on these dates.

Over 270 other upgrade projects are planned for various rail routes over the Easter period this year.

The ORICO small power strip is smaller than a mobile phone and features a wrap-around design that can fit into any package suitcase

For anyone who regularly travels, be it for work or pleasure, they’ll know the familiar frustration of arriving at a hotel room to discover there are barely any plug sockets – and the ones that do exist are often hidden behind beds, miles away from a mirror or in awkward corners. With most people now travelling with multiple devices, from phones and smartwatches to tablets, cameras and laptops, an extension cable has become a travel essential, and we’ve found one on offer for under £15.

For a limited time, the ORICO Travel Extension Lead has been reduced from £21.99 to £14.99 in the Amazon spring sale. Designed specifically with travel in mind, the small power strip is roughly the size of a smartphone and features a wrap-around cable so it packs neatly into a suitcase or hand luggage without taking up valuable space.

Despite its compact design, it still manages to offer plenty of charging options. The device includes two traditional plug sockets alongside two USB-A ports and a USB-C port, allowing travellers to power up to five gadgets at once. That means you can charge your phone, laptop, camera and other devices from a single wall socket without needing multiple adapters, especially if travelling abroad.

READ MORE:

One feature shoppers have praised is how flat it is, meaning it can fit into tighter spaces than traditional plugs. The staggered socket layout also prevents one plug from blocking another, making it easier to use every available port.

Safety features have also been built into the design, including protection against overheating, overcharging and short circuits, while the extension cord itself uses thick copper wiring designed to handle higher currents. The casing is also flame-retardant, adding an extra layer of reassurance when charging multiple devices overnight.

Orico Travel Extension Lead

£21.99

£14.99

Amazon

Buy here

ORICO small power strip is smaller than a mobile phone and features a wrap-around design that can fit into any package suitcase.

For travellers looking for alternatives, there are a few other compact charging solutions worth considering. The Anker Tower Extension Lead is another popular option, offering a similar combination of standard plug and USB ports. However, this is more expensive at £29.99.

Meanwhile, the Belkin 8-Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip is £39.99 down from £44.99, with room for 12 plugs plus 2 USB-C ports – though no USB-A ports on this particular design.

Shoppers who have already bought the ORICO extension lead say it’s become a go-to travel accessory thanks to its size and practicality. One reviewer said: “Great travel pack! Comes with a really handy tie to keep the wires nice and neat. Two USB ports and two plugs, really good to charge all your devices on the move.”

Another wrote: “Very convenient and compact! I love how this wraps up perfectly for travel or for my work bag. I have had no issues with it, and all the ports work well. I use this to charge my MacBook Pro.”

Of course, not every experience has been perfect. One reviewer said their extension lead stopped working after several trips, though they added that the company rectified the issue. They said: “Bought it in July for travel use but stopped working in November after about four trips. Update: After posting my review, the company reached out and offered a refund or replacement.”

One said it was ‘brilliant for packing for holiday’, adding: “Took up little space. Had USB ports for all devices.”

Another shopper commented: “ It’s the best for travelling. My kids travel and I bought one for each of them. It also makes a good gift. Something people don’t think about but need. Most people have multiple devices to plug in and having one power strip is awesome! It is also the perfect size.”

Whether it’s the train station, airport, holiday home or busy cafe, this nifty extension cable has become essential for many who need plenty of power on the go, without needing to sit right next to a socket. Shoppers can find the deal here.

Harry Poulton, who moved to the Alicante region from the UK, visited the Duke of Wellington pub and Ray’s Chippy in Benidorm to find out if they serve the best fish and chips in the city

A Brit living in Benidorm has voiced his astonishment at the cost of fish and chips in the popular holiday spot after popping into a takeaway in the Spanish tourism hotspot. Harry Poulton, who provides travel tips and insights into the Alicante region, paid a visit to the Duke of Wellington pub in the Costa Blanca resort, which also houses Ray’s Chippy.

“I’m here to find out if this really is the best fish and chips in the whole of Benidorm,” he kicked off in a TikTok video. Settling down, Harry chose cod and chips, served with a pot of curry sauce and a can of Coca-Cola to wash it down.

Once his meal arrived, he complimented the waitress, saying it looked “absolutely amazing” before tucking in.

Sprinkling salt on the chips and dunking one in the curry sauce, Harry expressed his delight: “Oh, proper chip shop fries. It’s really nice. You can’t beat a chip shop fry, can you?”

Turning his attention to the fish, meanwhile, Harry, who selected the smaller option from the menu, described it as looking “gorgeous” before taking a bite.

“That is amazing,” he proclaimed. “Super crunchy – the batter is really nice and it’s proper fresh. Really, really tasty – it’s absolutely gorgeous.”

Harry headed to the till to pay the bill afterwards which, at €13.50 (£11.69), he hailed as an “absolute bargain”.

On TripAdvisor, The Duke of Wellington and Ray’s Chippy boasts a rating of 3.8 out of five based on 289 reviews.

Reacting to Harry’s post, one TikTok user commented: “Great place, we go every time we are in Benidorm.”

A second visitor praised: “Very good when we both went. 10/10 Good prices too.”

While a third recommended: “You should try Gwen’s Bar in La Cala on a Friday tea time. Their fish and chips are unbelievable.”

Harry also offered guidance to Brits heading to Benidorm while the Cheltenham Festival is taking place back home. The annual horse racing spectacular is being held at Cheltenham Racecourse from today (March 10) through to Friday.

“It’s a little bit cloudy here at the moment,” Harry cautioned those planning to watch the races while abroad. “It’s quite cold as well – currently just 13 degrees and it looks there is more rain and wind on the way.”

He concluded by urging those travelling to the Costa Blanca this week to pack jumpers and jackets alongside summer clothing. “You know what Benidorm is like,” he remarked. “Cloudy one minute, but blue skies the next. It’s good to be prepared.”

A MEDITERRANEAN destination nicknamed ‘the land of jasmine’ will soon have an even bigger airport with space for millions more passengers.

Plans have been revealed to expand and modernise Tunis-Carthage International Airport in Tunisia, Africa as it aims to quadruple its passenger numbers in just five years.

The airport – which is the 10th busiest in Africa – will undergo a major £743million makeover over the next five years.

The country’s Transport Ministry shared that the plans will include building a new passenger terminal as well as the existing terminal being renovated.

Between the two terminals, the Transport Ministry aims to increase passenger numbers from five million people per year to 18.5million passengers by 2031.

There will also be a new technical building and the air traffic control tower will be upgraded.

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Some reports suggest that the broader project will involve adding VIP lounges as well.

In addition, the Transport Ministry hopes that it will improve connectivity placing Tunisia as a gateway to the Mediterranean with links to Africa, Europe and emerging destinations.

The upgrade could also pave the way for new airline partnerships and flight routes.

News of the makeover follows original plans for building a new airport being put on hold.

Known as ‘the land of jasmine’ for its use of jasmine flowers in festivals, cultural traditions and perfumes, Tunisia takes about three hours to fly to from the UK.

And flights in April are as cheap as £30 one-way.

The capital and main city to visit is Tunis.

The Sun’s Deputy Digital TV Editor Jill Robinson recently visited the city and said: “Winding my way through narrow streets, the smell of jasmine and mint tea fills the air as I pass craftsmen, locals doing their shopping and an abundance of cats.

“It would have been easy to think I was in the souks of Marrakech, but I’m in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia.

“While its Medina is not as chaotic as its Moroccan counterpart, the historic streets bustle with locals selling their wares as tourists like me squeeze through.

“From traditional clothing to jewellery, perfume to sweet treats, there’s any amount of treasures to be found just as long as you’re prepared to haggle.

“The Medina was built around the big mosque — nicknamed the Olive Tree Mosque due to the trees there in the 8th century — but it is also home to 100 smaller mosques.

“While Tunisia is an Islamic country, its history and influences are vast — including Arab, Andalucian, Turkish and Berber — and are visible to see as you take in the colourful arched doorways, former palaces and humble homes.

“On a day trip from my hotel, I learned about the rich culture of Tunis and the ancient ruins of Carthage, whose most famous son Hannibal (of elephants fame) became one of history’s most celebrated generals and took on the might of the Roman Empire in the Second Punic War.”

If you fancy a beach day, head to La Marsa where you will find a number of calm beaches, with cosy cafes and crystal clear waters.

Nearby, you can also head to the blue-and-white village of Sidi Bou Said, which sits on a clifftop and is often compared to Santorini in Greece.

There’s Djerba Island as well, which is loved for its sandy beaches and vibrant nightlife.

The temperature can reach up to 20C in March and 22C in April, making it the ideal destination to grab a bit of warmth while the UK remains around 10C.

Nouvelair Tunisie offers direct flights from London Gatwick to Tunis-Carthage Airport and Tunisair offers direct flights from both London Heathrow and Gatwick Airports.

In other airport news, a closed UK airport reveals latest plans to finally reopen after 12 years.

Plus, a major UK airport is getting a new £30million upgrade with more shops, seating and even a ‘hidden speakeasy bar’.

IF you’re planning your next holiday but you’re on a strict budget, the experts have stepped in to help you save hundreds.

TUI‘s Commercial Director, Chris Logan – who has worked there for 17 years – as shared some of his top tricks to shave hundreds of pounds off your holidays.

One of those is forgetting that Saturday departure.

He explained: “Mid‑week departures offer a sweet spot of value and convenience for travellers.”

“Flying midweek, especially Monday to Wednesday, could save you hundreds on the exact same holiday. 

” For example, this week there’s a deal for a 7-night all-inclusive stay at the 4T TUI Suneo Kenzi Europa in Agadir, Morocco for just £523pp.

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“Travelling on May 4 (Monday) instead of May 3 (Sunday) currently saves you nearly £300 per person.”

Not only that, but travelling just a month out of the busy season can save you loads.

He continued: “May and September offer gorgeous weather without the peak prices. 

“You’ll get balmy temperatures upwards of 20 degrees in destinations like the Canaries and Greece but pay a fraction of the cost.” 

When it comes to what board you want to book, he also advises not always going for the all-inclusive.

He explained: “If you’re not a big drinker, you don’t need to splash out on all-inclusive. 

“Half board could work out as much better value for money. 

“And if you love exploring local restaurants and heading into town for dinner, self-catering or bed and breakfast are your best bets.”

He added: “The best hack is to always scroll down on our holiday pages – there’s a calendar that breaks down prices by departure date, so you can instantly see which days are cheapest.” 

Otherwise TUI has a secret “under £500” page for all holidays that are less than that, if you don’t mind where you travel to,

Chris finished by saying: “The ‘Holidays under £500‘ page brings together all the best deals in one place – you can filter by your local airport, star rating and board type. 

“It’s how customers can find some incredible deals for five-star hotels for under £500.”

One of the cheapest deals we found was seven nights in Greece in May for just £265 each.

Otherwise there are a number of five star holiday packages in Spain, Bulgaria and Tunisia that just come under £500 each.

Chris says his inside advice could save holidaymakers huge amounts on their next trip – but his hacks come with a warning: “Bargain hunters really need to act fast – my biggest tip is to lock in your next trip asap to secure the best rates, as the deals are constantly updating and changing.” 

As we inch closer to spring, the best UK destinations for a day out have been revealed, thanks to their sprawling gardens, historic landmarks and charming riverside walks

The UK boasts stunning cities that provide a perfect day out, especially as we edge closer to spring, with the prospect of brighter days and milder weather.

Organising a day out, whether it’s with your partner, family, or on your own, can occasionally feel daunting. Some destinations are just around the corner, others require a road trip, and many can be reached by train, which only enhances their appeal as we get to relax before arriving.

In an effort to help Brits make the most of the sunnier weather and the magnificent locations the UK has to offer, LNER has revealed the ‘UK’s best spring days out’ that can be reached by train, reports the Express.

To identify the best UK destination for a day out during spring, the train operator examined historical weather data, the proportion of green and blue spaces, land and woodland, and the number of walking trails available in each area. From Norwich, Colchester and Plymouth, here are the UK destinations that could be the ideal getaway during spring.

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Dundee

Recognised as one of the sunniest cities in Scotland, Dundee tops the LNER list. One of its standout attractions is the University of Dundee Botanic Garden, featuring beautiful gardens that flourish in spring, along with water gardens and glasshouses brimming with tropical plants.

There’s also the Dundee Law landmark that offers a steady climb where you’ll be rewarded with views across Dundee and the River Tay, and the over 400-acre park, Camperdown Country Park – perfect for a picnic! Or perhaps a trip to the V&A Dundee is more your cup of tea to explore Scotland’s design museum.

Maidstone

Kent’s largest town, Maidstone, is, somewhat surprisingly, among the destinations LNER suggests visiting. This is largely thanks to its Mote Park, which boasts expansive green spaces and a peaceful lake. It provides waterside walks, pedal boat hire, plus climbing walls and high ropes – perfect for keeping youngsters occupied.

Telford

This delightful Shropshire town truly comes into its own during springtime when over 170,000 daffodils burst into bloom at Telford Town Park, which also features 450 acres of green space, gardens, and lakes. LNER highlighted that guests can pick up a coffee and enjoy a leisurely walk whilst taking in the vibrant colours that transform the park.

Aberdeen

This Scottish port city has plenty to discover on a day trip, from its seaside panoramas and period architecture to the Cruickshank Botanic Garden in Old Aberdeen. The park covers 4.5 hectares and includes rose gardens, water features, and tree-lined pathways.

There’s also one of Scotland’s most cherished gardens, Duthie Park, to explore, alongside the impressive St Machar’s Cathedral. However, a visit to Aberdeen wouldn’t be complete without experiencing its breathtaking coastlines at Greyhope Bay, where bottlenose dolphins can occasionally be seen.

Edinburgh

It comes as no shock that the beloved capital of Edinburgh has secured its place on the LNER list, given its wealth of attractions and beautiful landscapes that come alive with colour throughout spring. There’s the famous Edinburgh Castle, Arthur’s Seat offering sweeping views across the city, the Royal Botanic Garden and Princes Street Gardens.

For those wanting to delve deeper into its past, there are the Georgian House and Lauriston Castle. The Union Canal is also an ideal location to discover the tucked-away corners of the city, whether strolling along the waterfront or cycling along the dedicated path.

Lincoln

The East Midlands city boasts plenty to discover during a spring day out, from Lincoln Castle and Hartsholme Country Park to the Whisby Nature Park. However, Lincoln Arboretum is unquestionably a highlight, with its refurbished gardens, fountains, duck pond and play area, all paying tribute to its Victorian heritage.

Norwich

The vibrant city of Norwich is another destination absolutely worth visiting, whether for a day trip or weekend getaway. The Cathedral Close has been praised as ‘one of the best places to spend your spring day out’ with its magnolia trees, daffodils and verdant lawns coming into bloom beneath the city’s medieval skyline.

There’s also the opportunity to take in panoramic views across the city and explore the hilltop landscapes surrounding the Norman keep.

Colchester

The UK city is distinctive for its Roman Walls, described as the ‘longest and best-preserved town walls in Britain’. There is a circular route stretching back almost 2,000 years, providing a picturesque spring walk amongst the ancient stonework, with Castle Park the ideal spot to stop for a picnic.

Ipswich

Characterised by LNER as ‘slow and scenic’, the Suffolk town boasts low rainfall and the ‘highest spring sunshine hours’. It’s home to a waterfront that sparkles in the sunshine, where there are cafés and bars to savour a drink or lunch outdoors, or to simply observe the activity of the harbour.

Plymouth

Last but not least is the Devon port city, with The Hoe overlooking Plymouth Sound as its most recognisable landmark. This makes an excellent starting point for a day in Plymouth, with its expansive lawns and seafront promenade providing the ideal spring walk, before treating yourself to an ice cream or scaling Smeaton’s Tower.

For further information or to book your spring day trip, you can visit the LNER website.

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

It’s filled with thick exhaust fumes and lacking proper lighting or ventilation

The Anzob Tunnel in Tajikistan, Asia, also known as the “Tunnel of Death,” is regarded as the darkest and most treacherous tunnel on the planet. Situated on the M34 highway at an elevation of 2,700 metres in the Tajikistan mountains, the 5km tunnel lacks lighting or ventilation systems.

The pitch-black tunnel is shrouded in dense smoke, making breathing “hard and painful due to the thick mixture of exhaust gases”, according to specialists at Dangerous Roads.

The frightening underpass features massive potholes and lacks adequate lighting and ventilation, rendering it exceptionally hazardous.

The Anzob Tunnel links Dushanbe, the nation’s capital, and Khujand, the country’s second-largest city, and was constructed in 2006 to accommodate heavy traffic, reports the Express.

There are also no traffic signals to manage the thousands of vehicles passing through it daily; instead, just complete darkness.

The tunnel underwent partial renovation in 2018, with drainage systems installed and potholes repaired, but it still requires substantial improvement, according to specialists.

Dangerous Roads stated: “The tunnel is dark and dangerous with hardly any lights inside, and it’s suffocating as there’s no ventilation but one fan.”

“Locals have shared stories of a number of people dying inside it due to traffic jams that leave people trapped, where they succumbed to carbon monoxide. The poisonous air in the tunnel is barely shifted by one solitary fan somewhere in the middle of the tunnel, which gives some, but not sufficient, movement to the air.

“Expect huge, axle-snapping potholes threatening to swallow up the car, along with flooding that almost turns them into tunnel ponds. Your whole SUV can submerge if you drive in the wrong place.

“There are no road markings, so driving on the left or the right are optional, with the middle being the common choice.

“Halfway along the tunnel, water floods the road as a result of an engineering fault. Oncoming cars and trucks emerge in the darkness with headlights flashing for the other drivers to get out of their way.”

One visitor detailed their experience on Tripadvisor, writing: “We went through this tunnel twice with no ill effects other than fear!”

“The traffic was two-way, and the darkness and lack of ventilation were scary, but we survived. The drive was scenic and fabulous and well worth the risk.”

The scale of the disruption to aviation caused by the US and Israeli attack on Iran has been enormous. Of the 38,193 flights that were scheduled to fly out or into the Middle East since February 28, 21,915 have been cancelled

British Airways has cancelled hundreds of flights to countries across the Middle East as the war in Iran rages.

This afternoon, the UK’s flag carrier announced it would reduce its flight schedule across the region and cancel flights to certain cities. BA bosses have decided to ground all flights to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates until “later this year”.

Although the airline hasn’t said how many services have been cancelled, given its daily services to Abu Dhabi prior to the war, the total number of flights grounded comfortably stretches into the hundreds.

“Due to the continuing uncertainty of the situation in the Middle East and airspace instability, we’ve had to temporarily reduce our flying schedule in the region. We’ve cancelled all flights to and from Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai and Tel Aviv until later this month and to and from Abu Dhabi until later this year. We’re keeping the situation under constant review and are in touch with our customers to offer them a range of options,” the statement from BA reads.

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“We have limited seats remaining on our repatriation flights from Oman (Muscat) to London Heathrow on 11 and 12 March for customers with an existing booking. Following these dates, the flights will pause due to reduced demand but will be kept under continuous review.”

The scale of the disruption to aviation caused by the US and Israeli attack on Iran has been enormous. Of the 38,193 flights that were scheduled to fly out or into the Middle East since February 28, 21,915 have been cancelled. The latest figures show that most routes are getting back to close to normal. Of the 4,783 flights scheduled for today, 1,107 were or are expected to be cancelled.

If you are due to fly from or to the Middle East in the coming days, make sure you check your airline’s website for instructions and the Foreign Office website for the latest advice.

What have the airlines said?

• Aegean Airlines – Greece’s largest carrier cancelled flights to Tel Aviv until March 20; Beirut, Erbil and Baghdad until March 25; Dubai and Abu Dhabi until March 19; and Riyadh until March 14.

• Air France–KLM – Air France cancelled flights to Tel Aviv and Beirut through March 13, and to Dubai and Riyadh until March 12. KLM suspended flights to Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam until March 10, and to Tel Aviv for the rest of the winter season.
• Cathay Pacific – Cancelled all flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh until March 31.
• Delta – Cancelled flights from New York to Tel Aviv until March 22 and from Tel Aviv to New York until March 23.
• Emirates – Operating a reduced flight schedule but expects to return to full operations within days, depending on airspace availability and operational requirements.
• Etihad Airways – Resumed a limited commercial flight schedule between Abu Dhabi and several key destinations.
• Iberia Express cancelled all flights to and from Tel Aviv through March 10.
• Lufthansa Group – Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Swiss and Brussels Airlines suspended Tel Aviv flights through April 2 and Beirut flights through March 28. Flights to Tehran are suspended until April 30, and to Amman, Erbil, Dammam, Dubai and Abu Dhabi until March 15.
• Norwegian Air – Now plans to start flights to Tel Aviv and Beirut on June 15, instead of the previously scheduled April 1 and April 4.
• Qatar Airways – Operating a limited schedule to and from Doha, with some flights resuming from March 9 following temporary authorisation from Qatar’s civil aviation authority.
• Saudia Airlines – Suspended flights to Amman, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Bahrain until March 10, and to Moscow and Peshawar until March 15. Limited operations to Dubai have resumed.
• Wizz Air – Suspended flights to Israel until March 29, and flights from mainland Europe to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Amman and Jeddah until mid-September.

SOCIAL media is a great place for discovering hacks, but sometimes they don’t always work.

To save you the time and money, we have tried and tested some of the viral travel hacks that have popped up on our social media.

Whether it is grabbing an item you already have and using it for another purpose to save yourself some money or a specific product that can make travelling better, we know what works and doesn’t.

Tried and tested and would recommend

New toys for the journey

One of the best tips I’ve followed is to buy a couple of new toys and keep them out of sight until the plane journey, if you’re travelling with young kids.

Wiki sticks were recommended to me and went down a treat with my son.

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You can mould them into different pieces of art, then pack them away for the next trip.

A small box of Lego works very well too, and you can even pick these up in duty free at most airports.

If you’re looking to save money, a kids’ magazine with several naff plastic toys on the front works equally well – they have often kept my child entertained for the journey and the whole trip.

CBeebies magazine, Lego magazine and Pokemon magazine have held attention for a particularly long time.

– Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel (Digital)

Snoozeband

Any hack that promises to improve sleep will pique my interest and the Snoozeband did not disappoint me.

Essentially, it makes using headphones much more comfortable, particularly when you are trying to catch some kip.

I’ve used my band on many overnight flights – and it’s pretty much the only way I can ensure I’ll get some shut eye.

It looks a little like a sweatband or running headband in that it’s made from elasticated material that wraps around the circumference of your head, over the ears.

Built into the band are two mini speakers that line up with your ears and connect to your device via Bluetooth.

They most definitely save you that horrible discomfort that you get with traditional earbuds or AirPods-style headphones, particularly if you are leaning on a surface trying to catch some Zs or even when on a pillow.

– Sophie Sweitochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

Have an iPad for holidays-only

We have an old iPad that my child is only allowed to use on holiday.

Before the trip, I download audiobooks and Netflix shows and he’s allowed to watch as much TV as he wants on the actual flight.

He also has some apps that he is allowed to use on the holiday.

A big favourite at the moment is Simply Draw, with video tutorials on how to draw different things.

– Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel (Digital)

Universal plug adaptors over single country ones

Plug adapters are a travel essential that often prove to be more frustrating than you’d think.

It’s difficult to remember which countries use which type, and even if you think you know, you can sometimes still end up packing the wrong one.

Some countries will catch you out, too.

For example, even though Switzerland is in Europe it doesn’t use the standard EU Type C plug – it uses the Type J instead.

So the easiest way I’ve found to get around all of this is by packing a universal travel adaptor.

One simple block with prongs that fold in and out depending on which plugs and sockets you’ll need to use – nice and easy.

I often leave one in my suitcase: readily prepared for the next trip, no thinking required.

– Jenna Stevens, Travel Reporter

Inflatable booster seats

Hiring a booster seat from a car rental company can be astronomically expensive, costing up to £15 a day.

But you can buy an inflatable booster seat by BubbleBum for under £40 and take it on multiple holidays for years.

You’ll make the money back in just one trip.

Plus it’s also helpful for if you take taxis to the airport or go on coach transfers.

– Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel (Digital)

Balloons to cover bottles

If travelling with liquids, my biggest worry is always, what if they leak?

But a while ago whilst carrying out my daily doom-scroll session, a video came up of a woman cutting the stem off of a balloon, just to be left with the bit that would have been the spherical part of the balloon.

She then stretched this over a bottle of fake tan.

I was sold, and sure enough on my next trip I tried it out and it worked.

A bag of 20 plus balloons will set you back a couple of quid, which is well worth it when you could be saving your suitcase from being an entire ooey-gooey mess.

– Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter

TikTok underseat bag for budget flights

Ever since I had to fork out £65 in excess baggage fees at the Ryanair departures gate, I’ve made sure never to make that expensive mistake again.

I realised just before boarding that you can’t simply eyeball your travel backpack and hope for the best – especially since the eye-watering fee cost me more than my return flights to Dublin.

So when I saw the perfect underseat bag pop up on my TikTok For You Page – black, collapsible and barrel-shaped – I knew I had to grab it.

Since my purchase I’ve been able to stuff my new bag to the brim – and it still slides perfectly into the baggage sizer at the gate.

And at £11.99, this one-off purchase has saved an over-packer like me from endless extra luggage fees!

– Jenna Stevens, Travel Reporter

Ditching tours for Google Lens

A friend introduced me to the wondrous Google Lens a while back and it’s saved me hundreds on guided tours over the years.

Strolling around an unknown city and curious to know what a particular landmark is?

Snap it on your camera with Google Lens and it will be identified in a matter of seconds – and if you want to learn more about that monument’s story or historical significance, you can expand the description through use of Google’s integrated AI tools.

The Lens feature is built into the Google app, so it won’t take up an unnecessary storage on your phone.

It doesn’t just work on well known buildings either.

I often use it to identify unusual plants that I don’t recognise in tropical climates or even items of food and old artefacts in museums.

– Sophie Sweitochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

Packing cubes

If there is one thing I never do on holiday, I never check in a suitcase.

And trying all the hacks over the years, my failsafe?

The good old packing cube.

I’ve managed to cram in 10 days worth of clothes into just four packing cubes, which all fit into my hand luggage-size suitcases.

It also makes it so much easier finding my clothes, as everything is separated into tops, bottoms, jumpers and underwear.

You don’t need to spend too much on them either – certainly less than having to check in a suitcase, anyway.

– Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

Solid shampoo and conditioner bars

If you’re anything like me, packing your liquids bag often feels like an impossible challenge of fitting a million make-up items into one tiny pouch.

And once you’ve got your mascara, concealer, foundation and perfume in there, suddenly there’s no more room for your actual shower essentials.

So instead of buying a large (and often more expensive than you’d hope) shampoo and conditioner abroad, I recommend packing a solid shampoo and conditioner bar.

These won’t affect your liquids allowance, which is especially great when you’re travelling with hand luggage only.

My personal favourites are from Lush – the Squeaky Green shampoo is packed with fragrant herbs and flowers, and the ‘Big’ conditioner leaves my hair beachy and shiny with a coconut oil and vanilla scent.

– Jenna Stevens, Travel Reporter

Free calculator currency converter

Trying to work out if that Moroccan souk bag is really a bargain? Not sure if that cheap glass of wine is really so cheap?

You don’t need any fancy currency converter apps.

Did you know that the iPhone calculator app can be used instead?

Simply click the button at the top right and change it from Basic to Convert.

And there we go – every currency you can think of at your fingertips, so you don’t end up paying £1,000 for that rug you thought was £100 instead…

– Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

Tried and tested and wouldn’t recommend

Foot hammock

With an old knee injury, long haul flights in economy can be pretty unbearable.

So when everyone was raving about ‘foot hammocks’ which you can tie underneath the plane seat, I was intrigued.

The mini hammock is meant to raise your legs to a higher, more comfortable position to ease pressure on your knees and back.

However, I found it didn’t help at all, instead just making my feet slide together and feel even more crammed in.

My cheaper, easier hack?

Just put a small bag on the floor underneath the seat in front of you, and rest your feet on that instead. Voila.

– Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

Mobile phone straps

A strap for your phone that hangs around your neck, allowing you to go hands free, sounds great. In reality, however, it falls short.

I don’t think you’ll ever feel fully secure parading one of your most valuable possessions around on display for the world to see, especially in city or festival environments.

The only thing standing between you and a thief is your neck.

And I’m not sure I’d fancy putting my neck on the line (quite literally).

The one time I did use a mobile strap, I found that I wasn’t able to wear it for long as my neck started to ache – and wearing it across the body, on one shoulder, defeats the purpose of having your phone easily accessible as I’d have to remove it from under my arm to use my device.

The one time I did find it useful was at a theme park, when on a roller coaster – although many places don’t allow this.

In general, though, a cross body bag is much more practical. You can carry a shed load more, too.

– Sophie Sweitochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

Elastic band phone strap

I love taking photos and videos on my phone when away, but in some spots I am stressed about losing it forever.

For example, let’s say you are on a boat tour and want to lean over the edge of the boat to take photos of the vibrant blue water.

The fear is that you’ll drop your phone in the sea, right?

Well, if you have an elastic band or hairband, you can loop this through the bottom of your phone case and pop it around your wrist for a makeshift wristband.

After seeing this on Instagram, I thought it was a great idea.

That was until the hairband snapped and my phone plummeted to the ground. Luckily, I wasn’t there.

– Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter

Mini toiletries

So-called ‘travel-sized’ toiletries are not suitable for travel at all – unless you’re planning on only showering once on your holiday.

These often overpriced minis can set you back £3 to £5 per tiny bottle, or even more if you opt for the luxury brands.

I often find that I can only get one use out of mini shampoos and conditioners, especially when you have longer hair.

And when it comes to the mini spray deodorants, it soon seems like you’re only spraying air from these aerosols.

Other than the disappointing contents, these mini toiletries are also not the most sustainable option.

Plus it can save you both time and money to simply refill a set of reusable 100ml bottles each time you go away, rather than repeatedly fork out on minis.

It’s also worth checking the toiletries your hotel already provides ahead of time.

Most hotel bathrooms are stocked up with shampoo, conditioner and body wash as standard.

So once you’ve simply topped up your refillables with your holy grail products, you’re all set.

– Jenna Stevens, Travel Reporter

Paper to stop clothes creasing

When packing a suitcase, it is slightly heartbreaking to think the next time you open it you’ll see the clothes you meticulously packed, but now with loads of creases.

So you can imagine when I saw someone on social media saying that acid-free tissue paper helps to prevent clothes from creasing, I was thrilled.

You are meant to place a sheet between each folder layer of clothes and essentially, the paper acts as a buffer to stop creases.

Though, having now tried this a couple of times, it hasn’t worked for me.

In the future, I think I’ll stick to using the hotel iron…

– Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter

Boarding the plane first

You know that announcement at the beginning of the flight that says families with young children can board first? Ignore it.

Unless you have masses of cabin suitcases and are worried about there being enough space on the plane, wait until the end of boarding to get onto the plane.

Because the last thing kids need is MORE time stuck in a seat.

I’d also add that if you’re child can possibly walk to the boarding gate, do away with the buggy and let them.

Because it will tire them out before the journey.

– Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel (Digital)

For more travel tips, here are The Sun’s Travel Editor’s top hacks for having the cheapest ever break with Hols From £9.50.

Plus, Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey has visited more than 100 cities – here are her nine ways to do it on the cheap from ‘alternative’ airports to cheap business hotels.

WHEN I told my friends about my recent European getaway, many met me with two questions in quick succession: firstly, “Where?” and then pointedly “Why?”

I’m not surprised. I hadn’t heard of the city – a two-and-a-half-hour flight from London – until I decided to whisk my wife away on a romantic weekend there. What I found was meals out for less than £10, posh Airbnbs for only £50-a-night, and drinks at about half the price we pay at home.

In recent years, we’ve had weekend breaks in Paris, Barcelona, Berlin, Vienna, Lisbon, Rome and Amsterdam – but they can often feel too big to truly explore over a weekend.

Add in long airport journey times, expensive hotels and pricey restaurants, and you come home knackered and empty pocketed.

Increasingly, I’ve found that it’s simply more enjoyable to head somewhere smaller: instead of Paris, try Toulouse; instead of Barcelona, try Grenada. So, when we decided on a trip to Poland, we picked a trip to Lublin, rather than Warsaw or Krakow.

We wanted to go on a “couple weekend” – like a date night for married people, but conducted over 48 hours somewhere well away from home. 

Except for Vienna, all our previous minibreaks were in Western Europe – this time, we wanted something more exotic, perhaps to the East or North. 

Plus, we were seriously skint.  Anything in Scandinavia was prohibitively expensive.

One friend had just been to the chic Arctic Circle town of Tromso in Norway and warned: “For even a very average bottle of wine in a bog standard restaurant you are looking at eighty quid”.

I thought he must have mis-typed, but no, that number did indeed have a Y on the end – eighty.

So Norway was out. Sweden and Finland didn’t sound much better when it came to price. 

So when a friend suggested an affordable alternative, Poland, I was interested. Which is how we came to settle on Lublin.

In the east of the country, with a population of around 327,000, Lublin is closer to the border with Ukraine than the capital, Warsaw. 

The city featured prominently in one of our favourite films of last year, A Real Pain, which won Kieran Culkin a Best Supporting Actor Oscar.

It came across as both fascinating and charming. 

We then found we could get a smart Airbnb double room in the heart of this pretty city for £50 a night – and return flights out of Luton on Wizz Air for just £37 each. Sold!

Lublin is a tiny airport – just four gates – so easy and quick to navigate, then there’s a little single carriage tram-like train to ferry you very cheaply the few miles into the city to find that double room. 

Our rental was an absolute steal for the price: views from two large windows looking directly at the dramatic castle with ramparts that dominate the old town, and it also features as a backdrop in A Real Pain

A bottle here for the price of a glass there

The food and drink were a steal too; the wine in particular was a lot, lot cheaper than you’d find in the UK.

A bottle here for the price of a glass there.

In both restaurants, the food was less than half the price for something comparable at home – generous mains for under a tenner.

In fact, everything from Uber rides to gallery tickets seemed to have this “less than half” aspect, which left us thinking it might be even more financially advantageous to simply move here.  

Lublin was beautiful, intense, constantly interesting and surprisingly romantic- but also very, very cheap – perfect for the couple with no money. 

Even though Lublin is the largest city in eastern Poland, there are far fewer crowds than Krakow, making it the ideal family destination too.

Of course, we wanted to check out the locations features in A Real Pain too.

The film, a mix of comedy and tragedy, told the story of two cousins, Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg, visiting the city where their Jewish grandmother had grown up before being caught up in – and narrowly escaping – the Holocaust. 

That historic atrocity looms large in Lublin.

Until 1939, the city was one of the great Jewish centres in all of Europe, comparable to Oxford for its cultural reach.

First, we headed to the Old Jewish Cemetery – but it was closed for the sabbath so we could only peer in at the atmospheric stone monuments.

At a hotel around the corner, a travel group leader told me that the building had been the largest Jewish academy in the world when it opened in 1930.

But barely a decade later, its entire library burned in what is now the hotel carpark and its students were systematically slaughtered. 

Just outside Lublin is a concentration camp, Majdanek, where 78,000 died.

But of course, it wasn’t just Polish Jews who were murdered.

Outside that cemetery, for example, a sign proclaimed: “This place is hallowed by the blood of Poles, prisoners of Lublin Castle, executed by the Nazis on 23 December 1939.”

The fairytale castle we were looking at from our room had a dark past. 

The other film location we tried was a restaurant, Mandragora, in the old town, where Culkin’s character plays the piano.

On our visit to this delightfully old-fashioned place, there was also music, from a small band with accordion, fiddle and clarinet that seemed to give a pre-war atmosphere.

Even more retro-atmospheric was a restaurant not in the film, Zaczarowana, where a gothic interior of shadows, black curtains and candlelight made it feel like we were on the set of some composite film mash-up of the Frankenstein and Dracula stories.

Like travelling back in time

There’s lots to see in the city too.

If travelling with kids, you can head to the Open Air Village Museum, which is an immersive museum with historic farmhouses and of course, farm animals too.

There’s also a water fountain and light show in Litewski Square to watch in awe.

In the Old Town you will find pastel coloured houses, neatly lined up and there is also the castle – one of the oldest royal castles in the country – which has great views across the city.

According to Backpack Adventures, it is even like “travelling back in time” with a number of gates leading onto narrow alleys.

The city has over 150 trolleybuses to get around the city, which were introduced back in 1953.

And it is the perfect time to visit, as the city has been named one of Europe’s Capitals of Culture for 2029.

Hungry? Head to U Szewca in the Old Town, where you an discover a pub with sport-themed rooms, pizza for just £6 and Bolognese for around £7.50, and a beer for about £4.25.

When it comes to grabbing something to drink, head to Nocny Portier where you will find “upside-down pot plants, absurd monkey portraiture and terrific cocktails from a movie-inspired menu”, according to The Times.

You even need a password to head downstairs to the speakeasy and once inside, you will be able to grab a cocktail for just £6 delivered on a toy railway.

For more cheap European getaways, these are the cheapest European cities to fly to this year according to the experts – with loads of flights from £15.

Plus, these are Europe’s top 20 cheapest beach resorts.

UK passport holders are being urged to check theirs now

UK passport holders are being urged to check the whereabouts of their documents now, particularly if they’ve got any holidays on the horizon.

Many of us have mislaid our passports at some point, so it’s wise to store yours in a specific spot, such as a lockable drawer or cabinet. The Passport Office advises that you must cancel a lost or stolen passport immediately, to minimise the risk of someone else using your passport or stealing your identity. You can also report a lost or stolen passport on behalf of someone else if they’re unable to do so themselves.

However, it’s crucial to search your home thoroughly for your passport before declaring it lost. This is because once you notify the authorities that it’s lost or stolen, you won’t be permitted to use it if it turns up and regardless of how much validity it has remaining.

This is because, when you report a passport as lost or stolen, all the information on the document is forwarded to the National Crime Agency. If you try to travel with it, you’ll be stopped at the border and it will be seized.

If you do locate your lost passport, you should instead cut off the top right-hand corner and post it to the Passport Office alongside a Recovered British Passport Form. You’ll then need to apply for a new passport if you wish to travel abroad.

The current estimated processing time is a maximum of three weeks, though government officials warn it can occasionally take longer “if we need more information, or we need to interview you”. If this applies to you, you’ll receive notification within the three-week timeframe.

A standard adult passport, for those aged 16 and above, costs £94.50 when you apply online, or £107 if you use the paper application form. However, if you require a replacement passport urgently, a one-week fast track document costs up to £191 for an adult.

A one-day premium service costs up to £235.

BULLDOZERS have moved in on one of Britain’s most iconic seaside amusement parks, but thrillseekers have been thrown a lifeline.

Generations of holidaymakers have flocked to the legendary amusement park for more than a century of candyfloss and white-knuckle rides.

But Coney Beach Amusement Park in Porthcawl, South Wales, is now being reduced to rubble after bosses padlocked the famous gates for the very last time in October.

The park hosted a farewell fireworks display as it bowed out of the UK holiday scene for good.

The beloved attraction first opened way back in 1918 to entertain returning American WW1 troops, taking its legendary name from the iconic pleasure beach in New York.

Now, the massive plot is being completely flattened to make way for a mega-money waterfront regeneration project backed by the Welsh Government.

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This sweeping revamp will see the vintage arcades and dodgems replaced by up to 980 new homes, alongside a string of modern cafes and restaurants.

While gutted locals have mourned the loss of a true seaside legend, council chiefs insist the drastic facelift is the only way to secure the resort’s booming economic future.

However, devastated fans of traditional fairground magic won’t be left high and dry when the summer holidays roll around.

A new seasonal funfair is set to pitch up at the nearby Salt Lake site to ensure Porthcawl keeps its crown as a top tourist magnet.

Launching just in time for the Easter break, the brand-new family attraction will boast an epic big wheel, classic rides, and mouth-watering food stalls.

Run by the veteran showmen at Studt’s Events, the fully-stewarded site will even share its prime waterfront spot with the dazzling NoFit State circus this April.

It means that while the historic Coney Beach might be gone forever, the brilliant British tradition of seaside thrills is very much here to stay.

Amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has provided travel updates, including for Cyprus, Turkey and Egypt

The Foreign Office has provided travel advice for Cyprus, Turkey and Egypt amid the Middle East conflict.

The three countries are popular holiday destinations among Brits, thanks to their sand beaches, crystal-clear blue waters, diverse landscapes and sprawling resorts along the coastlines. They also deliver sunshine and warm weather from early Spring right through until Autumn, and are typically an affordable option for those seeking a sun-soaked getaway.

Many Brits have already secured their getaways to Cyprus, Turkey and Egypt, whether that’s for a stay over Easter or during the summer holidays, or have plans to hit ‘book’. However, the location of the holiday hotspots closer to the conflict in the Middle East than other popular destinations has made the latest Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) travel advice all the more important.

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As of Tuesday, 10 March, the Foreign Office has not added Cyprus, Turkey or Egypt to its ‘no travel’ list. However, there have been several updates that Brits should be aware of. Here’s everything you need to know…

Cyprus

The latest update from FCDO on Thursday, 5 March, which remains in place today, warned that “terrorist attacks in Cyprus cannot be ruled out”. It read: “There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.”

The advice adds that terrorist attacks “could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals.” Following the update, the FCDO said the UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack.

Despite this, there is currently no advice against travel to Cyprus. However, the Foreign Office warned that the “regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption,” and that “no travel can be guaranteed safe.”

Turkey

The Foreign Office has warned against travel to some areas of Turkey, “due to fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism”. This ‘do not travel’ warning applies within 10km of Turkey’s border with Syria, which was in place before the Middle East conflict. However, there is no FCDO guidance against travel to any of the popular tourism areas such as Antalya, Bodrum, Dalaman and Izmir, which are 1500-1600km from the border with Iran.

There is also a country-wide warning of “high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals”. The FCDO said most of these attacks have taken place in southeast Turkey, Ankara and Istanbul. It should be noted that similar warnings have been in place for a number of other countries long before the Iran war.

In an update last week, the FCDO warned that the “regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption”. However, it does not advise against travel to other areas in Turkey, with most flights and holidays currently going ahead.

Egypt

As it stands, the Foreign Office “advises against all travel to parts of Egypt” and “against all but essential travel to parts of Egypt”. One warning in place is against travel to within “20km of the Egypt-Libya border, except for the town of El Salloum”, where the FCDO advises “against all but essential travel.”

There are also travel restrictions in place for other parts of Egypt, including North Sinai, the Northern part of South Sinai, the Eastern part of Ismailiyah Governorate, the Western Desert, the Hala’ib Triangle and the Bir Tawil Trapezoid.

The FCDO has also warned of a “heightened risk of regional tension” and “escalation that could lead to travel disruption and other unanticipated impacts” for Egypt. There is also a “high threat of terrorist attack” warning in place for Egypt, which was in place prior to the Middle East conflict.

However, the Foreign Office does not advise against all travel to Egypt. They added that around one million Brits travel to Egypt each year and “most visits are trouble-free.”

If you’ve got a holiday on the horizon, it’s best to keep in contact with your holiday provider – although they are currently focusing on those with imminent travel plans. However, given the ever-changing nature of the situation, travel guidance can shift rapidly, and it’s important to check any restrictions before travelling or booking a holiday.

The above travel advice remains current as of Tuesday, 10 March, but it’s best to consult the most recent Foreign Office advice for your destination before finalising any travel arrangements. You can visit the Foreign Office website for information on travel restrictions for each country.

Have you been impacted by travel disruptions? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

IT MIGHT be super early to start thinking about Christmas but it is that time of year again where LaplandUK tickets drop soon.

LaplandUK has announced that tickets to its sought-after festive experience will be released later this month on March 27 at 10am.

The high-demand tickets usually sell out within a few hours after launch and this year is expected to be the same with the newer £30million Manchester LaplandUK experience running for its second time.

Similar to the rush for Glastonbury but for Christmas, LaplandUK is predicting that over one million people want to get tickets.

Last year, 350,000 tickets were available and before the tickets were released, over 750,000 people were waiting in the virtual queue online.

This year, LaplandUK will run from November 7 to December 24, with tickets costing between £60 and £195.

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On March 27, guests will be able to enter the virtual waiting room at 9am, via LaplandUK’s ticketing platform.

Each guest will then need to select their preferred venue – Ascot or Manchester.

At 10am, when tickets are released, each guest will be allocated a random place in the queue for the venue they have selected.

Once they reach position one in the queue, they will be able to select the number of tickets they want and the date they wish to visit.

Kerrie Thomas, 47, from South Wales said: “This year will be our 25th visit.

“The adrenaline of getting tickets to LaplandUK is literally like trying to get tickets to Glastonbury or Adele.

“We have everything ready before the sale opens, and get friends and family involved too.

“It really is worth it to see my daughter’s face when she steps into LaplandUK, it is just so magical.

“It has become an unmissable Christmas tradition in our household.”

Once guests purchase their tickets, they will be sent a personalised invitation.

Then, when it comes to the day of visiting, families will get to explore a snow-filled world with Elves, a frozen pond for skating and a Toy Factory.

Around the experience there will also be smells of the Lapland Bakery and the glistening of twinkling lights.

When guests arrive they will venture through “secret portals in the Whispering Woods of the UK and follow magical pathways to arrive in Lapland”.

The experience also includes performances and interactive activities such as helping out the Elves in the Toy Factory to make a toy to pop in Father Christmas’ Sleigh.

And of course, each child gets a special moment with Santa himself, who will give them a gift to take home and another surprise for Christmas Day – the specific toy they created in the Lapland Toy Factory.

To find out what it is like to visit LaplandUK, one Sun reporter visited the new experience in Manchester last year.

Plus, a mum has shared her top Lapland UK tips, including how to save money and the best areas to go to.

PLANS have been revealed to turn an abandoned attraction into a new leisure spot in a popular seaside town.

The Kursaal in Southend-on-Sea has stood empty for six years and during that time has fallen into disrepair.

But now, the once thriving attraction that had a circus, arcades, a ballroom, a dining hall and even a zoo, will be transformed into a new leisure destination.

Though the details of what the attraction will be have not been announced yet, Daniel Cowan, Council leader at Southend-on-Sea City Council, said: “The Kursaal is woven into the story of Southend and for too long the Kursaal’s future has been uncertain.

“Today we can say it has a credible local operator, a leisure vision for the building and a clear path to reopening,” reports the BBC.

The Kursaal – which translates to ‘cure hall’ and usually refers to the main hall of a spa town – opened back in 1901 and hosted famous musicians such as Queen, Black Sabbath, Rod Stewart and AC/DC.

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Former attractions included bumper cars, a ski jump, a ghost train and a figure-of-eight rollercoaster.

Under the plans to reopen the historic venue that currently sits on the list of neglected sites, essential repairs will be carried out first.

Currently managed by the property group AEW, the Grade-II listed venue’s lease will be handed over to Star Amusements by the end of this summer.

Star Amusements already runs a number of attractions along the seafront, including an arcades venue close to Southend Pier.

Bayo Alaba, the Labour MP for Southend East and Rochford, said that the Kursaal is “a building of historical significance and architecture“.

He added: “Great-grandparents met in the ballroom, children have grown up laughing in its arcades and bowling alleys, and countless memories made here connect generations across our city.”

Nick Singer, the operations director at Star Amusements also shared that the new attraction would be “high quality” and that whilst there is a lot of work to do, they are “ready to move forward”.

When the venue opened over 100 years ago, it was one of the world’s first purpose-built amusement parks.

And to date, several distinctive features remain such as a dome which was even featured on a Royal Mail stamp in 2011.

Between 1919 and 1934, the Kursaal was also home to Southend United F.C.

Most of the building was then closed down in 1973, before it fully closed in 1986.

It reopened in 1998 but closed again in 2020, with just a small Tesco Express remaining open on the ground floor.

The Kursaal is about a two-minute walk from Southend-on-Sea’s Golden Mile beach and promenade, where you will find amusement arcades, cafes, and entertainment venues.

Taking to social media, many people have expressed their excitement about the news with one person commenting: “Please have ballroom facilities there to host dance competitions!”

Another added: “So glad that this iconic, Grade-II listed building has been saved.

“I was worried that it was going to be torn down and flats built there.

“They say, it is to be entertainment-themed, so lets hope it may be a multi use venue – concerts, exhibitions, even perhaps an ice or roller rink.”

A third person said: “Fantastic news!! Such a Southend icon!”

In other attraction news, here are 15 attractions in the UK that have £1 per person tickets from huge castles to kid-friendly museums.

Plus, London’s biggest rooftop attraction is set to open this summer with live DJs and food festivals.

Dino Snores for grown-ups opens up the iconic Natural History Museum overnight

It’s one of the most iconic buildings and attractions in London and is known the world over.

The Natural History Museum is a marvel, containing tens of thousands of specimens from the natural world from across the globe and across time.

Not only that but the building is one of the most stunning in the capital, instantly recognisable and with some new wonder to be found on every visit.

And, in a real bucket list moment and a once in a lifetime experience, I was one of the people lucky enough to spend the night in this iconic building, sleeping under Hope the whale and wandering through the collections in the dead of night.

The Natural History Museum hosts Dino Snores for adults – and what an experience it is.

Not only do you get to spend the night sleeping beneath Hope the whale in the main Hintze Hall, there is so much going on there’s no way you’ll be getting your head down until the wee small hours.

Walking into the museum after the sun had gone down felt like living in my very own fairy tale. The exhibits in the incredible main hall were softly lit.

First up was a delicious three course meal in the T-Rex restaurant, followed by our first activity of the evening – stand-up comedy.

This is the Natural History Museum after all, so it did have a conservation theme in the form of comedian Simon Watt, founder of the Ugly Animal Preservation Society.

Who knew blob fish, frogs and the inexplicable inclusion of the kakapo flightless parrot could be so hilarious.

Next, there was a live animal workshop with ethical handling company, ZooLab, who encouraged us all to think how we would design our own dinosaur using traits from some of the amazing creatures who share the planet with us.

You were even allowed to touch some of these rare species – I very bravely overcame my terror to stroke a snake but have to admit to breathing a big sigh of relief when were were told the tarantula was a look only experience.

Then onto a lecture about sharks with a one of the museum’s palaeontologists – utterly fascinating.

A quick game of Dino Bingo, and then a stroll around the softly lit galleries with no crowds – the dinosaur section really is something else when the lights are out and it’s eerily quiet – and before we knew it it was 3am and we were ready to drop.

Tucking ourselves into our sleeping bags under the watchful gaze of Hope the whale, we were serenaded to sleep by a harpist – the theme from Jurassic Park as my personal favourite.

Throughout the night, there was a fully licenced bar as well as free tea, coffee and snacks to keep you going throughout the evening.

There was just so much to see and do, but for those who didn’t feel like roaming the halls of the Natural History Museum there was also a midnight film screening – what else but the original Jurassic Park.

Waking up in the iconic Hintze Hall was a real pinch me moment and off we went to our early morning yoga class – a stretch was just what we needed – before a full fry up and then some time to once again wander through the galleries, minus the crowds before the museum opened to the public at 10am.

This really was a magical experience and one I’ll cherish forever.

For more information about Dino Snores for adults check out the page on the Natural History Museum website.

There is also a Dino Snores event for kids, for more information visit the website.

Fête de la musique, France

Paris has some great festivals, such as Cercle (22-24 May), with dance music stars against the backdrop of planes and rockets in an outdoor aerospace museum, but the most accessible and democratic is Fête de la musique, which began in Paris in 1982 but is now popular across the country. It is a loose event encompassing dozens of free, semi-impromptu outdoor performances all over each host city, including plenty in Lille, which is even cheaper and quicker to get to than Paris on the Eurostar from London.

While the UK may cock its ear occasionally to English-singing bands like Phoenix and the “French touch” scene that birthed Daft Punk, Justice and more, Fête de la musique is a chance to immerse yourself in the music that rarely crosses the Channel, from spirited chanson to Francophone hip-hop and the breakneck carnival styles of shatta or bouyon, where MCs rattle through commands on tracks of more than 160 beats per minute.

Eurostar goes to Paris 12 times a day from London, and to Lille six times (eight at weekends).
21 June, free, fetedelamusique.culture.gouv.fr

Roadburn, Tilburg

If you don’t mind changing trains after arriving in Amsterdam or Rotterdam on the Eurostar, there are several Dutch festivals to choose from. Le Guess Who? in Utrecht (5-8 November) is celebrating its 20th year this year, and hands over some of the curation to a series of invariably excellent left-field musical guests: the likes of Animal Collective, Lonnie Holley, Mabe Fratti and Stereolab have held the reins in recent years. Rewire in The Hague (9-12 April) is even more out-there, calling on a global array of dynamic artists, from the most pristine ambient to the most audiologist-troubling extreme noise.

But the most prestigious is Roadburn, hosted in the little visited (by Brits, anyway) university town of Tilburg, which is also accessible via a change in Brussels. It has ringfenced its own black, slippery zone of adventurous heavy music, encompassing alt-metal, noise, desert rock, drone and the fringes of punk, hip-hop and electronics. Bands often play albums in full – or two albums, in the case of Japanese legends Boris this year – and thanks to a relative dearth of hotels and B&Bs in Tilburg, many festivalgoers stay on a municipal campsite complete with its own noisy (but not sleep-disturbing) live sets.
16-19 April, €284 (£247); two-day and day tickets also available, roadburn.com

The Black Lights, Blackpool

With rail-friendly Glastonbury taking a fallow year this year, June has a festival hole that needs filling – so the timing is perfect for the arrival of the most promising new British festival in years, the Black Lights. Conceived by the White Hotel, a Salford venue that has become a cornerstone of northern underground culture, it will be hosted across multiple venues – including the beach, hosting “a modern-day War of the Roses in brass”, as brass bands from Lancashire and Yorkshire perform together.

The rest of the music programme draws from the fraying edges of rave culture, ambient, rap and dream-pop, with artists including the Caretaker – whose ultra-poignant compositions have made him an unlikely hero to gen Z on TikTok – as well as industrial-trance producer Evian Christ, lo-fi singer-songwriter Joanne Robertson, and film composer and alt-pop icon Mica Levi playing with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.

Blackpool’s location, halfway up the British Isles and close to dozens of large conurbations across north-west England, makes it quick and accessible via train to millions, including direct routes from London, and only one change involved from Glasgow, Newcastle, Sheffield or Bristol.
26-28 June, £150, theblacklights.uk

Westival, Pembrokeshire

Escape the UK’s unpredictable weather with these toasty March and April holiday destinations within easy reach of Britain — cheap flights and even cheaper pints, what’s not to love?

With British weather continuing to swing between dreary downpours and (marginally) pleasant spring sunshine, holidaymakers are still hunting for getaway spots with guaranteed warmth and gentle breezes. That’s where we step in.

If you’re seeking holiday destinations within easy reach of Britain that are gloriously warm at this time of year, whilst remaining incredibly budget-friendly, look no further, because we’ve got you covered.

As the UK starts to shake off winter’s chill, we’ve compiled the finest options for a March-April escape in the meantime, with temperatures across these destinations hovering between 16C to 24C.

Picture yourself enjoying glorious sunshine as you plunge into crystal-clear waters surrounded by some of the most striking and awe-inspiring landscapes on earth – all whilst enjoying inexpensive drinks.

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Without further delay, here’s our selection of sunny destinations within easy reach of the UK you can explore in March and April without emptying your wallet, reports the Express.

La Graciosa

This diminutive Canary Islands treasure is remarkable in every respect – it features absolutely no tarmac roads owing to its heavily protected designation as the largest Marine Reserve in Europe and as a National Park, meaning there are no vehicles on this island whatsoever.

It’s the first hidden island on our list, and an absolute paradise for travellers yearning for tranquillity and isolation, with the island’s untamed, pristine and genuinely secluded nature ideal for those weary of overcrowded tourist hotspots and constant travel mayhem. Reaching La Graciosa couldn’t be simpler.

Take a direct flight from the UK to Lanzarote followed by a short ferry crossing to the island. At the time of writing, a direct one-way flight from London Stansted Airport to César Manrique-Lanzarote Airport on March 11 costs just £29.

From there, jump on a 30-minute ferry from the port of Órzola, which will carry you across to La Graciosa. Prices on this tiny island haven are affordable, with a pint of local beer costing around £2.

Caleta del Sabo, the island’s only village, is a must-see attraction during your stay and Playa de las Conchas is the island’s most celebrated beach.

The breathtaking sandy stretches of Playa de las Cocinas and Playa Francesa are also top-rated draws, providing magnificent views of the imposing Famara cliffs over in Lanzarote.

Del Ámbar, Del Salado, and De la Laja are among the other pristine beaches found on Graciosa. You can even indulge in a boat excursion to the neighbouring Isla de Lobos for some birdwatching.

Comino

The relatively unknown Maltese island of Comino, famous for its dazzlingly brilliant Blue Lagoon, is a gem hiding in plain sight, and our second under-the-radar secret island haven.

With no towns – and therefore no cars – visiting Comino is truly an experience like no other.

Considered a haven for swimmers, snorkellers, hikers and photographers – tourists are known to travel from around the world just to sample a slice of life in this deserted paradise.

To get to Comino, travellers can fly into Malta International Airport – a one-way flight from London Stansted Airport to Malta International Airport on 12 March would set holidaymakers back £51 – and then from mainland Malta, you can hop on one of the regular ferries from Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal, which will whisk you off to Comino in roughly 35 minutes.

As for beverages, pints on Comino can cost anywhere between £2.60 to £4.

Undeniably, the crown jewel of Comino – and arguably the entire Maltese archipelago – is the world-renowned Blue Lagoon, enticing visitors with its pristine white sands and shimmering turquoise waters all year round.

Santa Marija Bay, nestled on the quieter side of Comino, offers a serene beach, shallow waters and none of the tourist throngs found at the Blue Lagoon.

The Santa Marija Caves are another major draw on this island, and trekking up to the iconic Santa Marija Tower is a favourite pastime.

Gran Canaria

Often described as a ‘miniature continent’ due to its near-circular shape, Gran Canaria offers affordable flights, with a direct one-way flight on 13 March (including one carry-on bag) from London Luton Airport to Gran Canaria Airport priced at £29 at the time of writing.

A pint of beer in many spots across Gran Canaria will only set you back £2, and if that’s not tempting enough – there are numerous pubs offering the famed Canary Islands Happy-Hour €1 pints, which equates to roughly £0.87.

Las Alcaravaneras and Las Canteras, sandy beaches bordering Las Palmas – Gran Canaria’s biggest city, are major tourist attractions catering extensively to holidaymakers.

Additional popular beaches across the island include Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, San Agustín, Amadores, and Puerto de Mogán. The bustling tourist destination of Puerto Rico is also essential viewing for those wanting a vibrant atmosphere.

Anfi del Mar, Playa de Taurito, and Meloneras Beach are equally excellent choices for visitors to explore.

Roque Nublo, the 80-metre volcanic monolith rock is a major draw for hikers, whilst the ‘Dragon’s Tail’ in the Tamadaba Natural Park offers unrivalled panoramic vistas of the island in the north west.

Charming villages such as Tejada, Artenara, Fataga, and beautiful towns including Santa Lucía de Tirajana and Agüimes are equally worth exploring.

Natural pools, secluded coves off dramatic coastlines, untamed beaches, and vibrant cities – Gran Canaria offers everything.

Lanzarote

As the fourth biggest island in the perpetually popular Canary Islands in Spain, Lanzarote is a breathtaking destination.

Boasting black sand beaches in one area and a rocky landscape in another, the island’s terrain features the Famara mountain ranges in the north and Ajaches to the south.

At the time of writing, a direct one-way flight from London Stansted Airport to César Manrique-Lanzarote Airport on March 11 was just £29, and pints will set you back just £1.30 on this tropical paradise. Lanzarote’s all-inclusive resorts are a massive hit with budget-conscious holidaymakers, with luxurious options available for those looking to indulge.

The island’s unique landscape is another magnet for tourists – boasting mountains, vast craters, red terrain, black sand beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters, white sands, and the cherry on top; an active volcano named Mount Timanfaya which features lava fields formed centuries ago.

When it comes to leisure activities, there’s a wealth of options on this compact island, with activities such as surfing, scuba diving, kiteboarding, and windsurfing popular amongst visitors. Lanzarote also boasts numerous family-friendly beaches, particularly suitable for young children.

Gozo

Despite its small size, Gozo delivers in spades. The island can be accessed via various routes – initially by flying to Malta’s main international airport, then either taking a short yet scenic 25-minute ferry from Cirkewwa Terminal in northern Malta or a 45-minute ferry from the stunning capital Valletta to Gozo.

At the time of writing, a one-way ticket from London Stansted Airport to Malta International Airport on March 12 cost £51. The best part?

Drinks in Gozo are reasonably priced – chilled pints of delicious local beer for just £1.80.

Ramla Bay, regarded as one of Gozo’s best beaches, is a popular attraction, whilst the gantija temples, among the world’s oldest and best-preserved free-standing structures, are must-sees.

The Ta’ Kola Windmill stands as another significant landmark on the island, whilst the Cittadella, Gozo’s recently refurbished historic settlement at the heart of the island’s capital Victoria (Rabat), is another essential destination should you travel to this magnificent retreat.

It’s not just spectacular views on offer in Gozo, as the island also boasts four Michelin guide restaurants – Tmun, Level Nine at The Grand, Al Sale, and Ta’ Frenc.

The culinary and wine scene in Gozo is unmatched, with food and wine tours proving a popular activity amongst visitors.

For those wanting distinctive experiences, look no further than the traditional milking of sheep and goats in Gozo, which is then transformed into traditional Gozitan cheese.

For activity fans, clifftop hiking, kayaking and cycling are superb options for a perfect day out.

Fuerteventura

The oldest island in the Canary Islands Archipelago, Fuerteventura is genuinely stunning. Recognised as an ideal destination for watersports, especially for those passionate about surfing, waterskiing, and windsurfing, this exotic Spanish island embodies sun-drenched enjoyment.

A direct one-way flight from London Luton Airport to Fuerteventura Airport on March 15 costs just £29, and pints are reasonably priced at £1.70 on this vibrant island. With a staggering 152 individual beaches, this Canary Islands jewel boasts a unique landscape.

Some of Fuerteventura’s top beaches include Playa de Sotavento, Playas de Corralejo, Playas de El Cotillo, Playa de Cofete, Playas de Jandia, and Playa de Ajuy.

Popular resort destinations such as Corralejo, Caleta de Fuste and El Cotillo draw in hordes of tourists, with Corralejo’s historic quarter exuding authentic Spanish charm through its narrow lanes, tapas bars and seafood eateries.

The area is particularly renowned for the Corralejo Dunes, while the Calderón Hondo volcano trail is just a stone’s throw away, offering breathtaking panoramic views.

Family-oriented Caleta de Fuste boasts an upscale marina and traditional markets, making it a must-visit on any Fuerteventura itinerary.

El Cotillo is a charming, bustling fishing village famed for its surfing conditions and serene lagoon, whilst the secluded Cofete Beach and the ancient Ajuy Caves are also must-see attractions on the island.

Madeira

Madeira is a truly awe-inspiring destination offering a plethora of activities and experiences for travellers to indulge in, and getting to the island is remarkably straightforward.

A direct one-way flight from London Luton Airport to Madeira Airport on March 16 costs £43 at the time of writing, whilst the average price of a pint of beer is around £2.10.

Often dubbed the ‘Pearl of the Atlantic’, this small Portuguese volcanic island certainly deserves its glowing reputation, with one social media user calling it “unfairly beautiful”, whilst another labelled it “Europe’s Hawaii”.

Calheta Beach and Machico Beach rank amongst the island’s most popular destinations, whilst the Natural Pools of Porto Moniz represent another jewel in this Portuguese island’s collection – and undoubtedly its most famous attraction.

Another essential location in Madeira is Seixal Beach – a stunning natural black sand beach celebrated for its striking lush green setting, towering cliffs and the tumbling waterfall, Miradouro do Veu da Noiva, which flows straight into the sea and presents a magnificent spectacle.

Funchal, the lively historic capital of Madeira, proves a major attraction, with the city famous for the Old Town (Zona Velha), Monte Cable Car & Toboggan Ride, the Monte Palace Tropical Garden, and the Mercado dos Lavradores market.

The Laurissilva of Madeira is a 20-million year old forest praised for its incredible biodiversity, and a walk along its woodland paths is essential. Pico do Areeiro – Madeira’s third-tallest peak represents another unmissable spot, especially for keen hikers.

The trek from Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo delivers an exciting mountain expedition, connecting the island’s three loftiest peaks whilst providing unforgettable panoramas.

A nod to Madeira’s famous wine is unavoidable, with Funchal, the town of Câmara de Lobos, and the adjacent island of Porto Santo celebrated as the premier destinations for wine tastings and vineyard excursions.

Tenerife

Those visiting this breathtaking island can enjoy palm-lined beaches, dramatic volcanoes, enchanting landscapes, verdant forests, and mouth-watering cuisine – all during a single holiday.

The white sand, 1.3-kilometre-long Playa de las Teresitas beach remains a firm favourite with holidaymakers, as does the 850-metre long golden sand expanse of Playa de las Vistas.

Playa Jardin beach with its volcanic black sand also draws those wanting something distinctive during their coastal getaway.

Direct flights to this sun-drenched holiday island are wallet-friendly – at the time of writing, a one-way flight from London Luton Airport to Tenerife South Airport on March 24 was priced at £27 with one free cabin bag allowance, whilst pints cost just £1.30 on average.

The sophisticated Playa del Duque is ideal for upscale dining and relaxed family activities, whilst the sprawling natural beach of Playa de la Tejita provides stunning views of Montaña Roja aka the Red Mountain.

The secluded cove of Playa de Abama is celebrated for its golden sands and excellent snorkelling, and arguably, Tenerife’s most magnificent beach, Playa de Benijo is perfect for an isolated retreat surrounded by nature, remarkable cliffs and gorgeous black sand.

The south-west coastline of Tenerife, especially the area between Los Gigantes, Costa Adeje, and Los Cristianos, is renowned for dolphin and whale watching, while a visit to the Teide National Park and the Corona Forestal Natural Park is absolutely essential.

The colonial town of San Cristobal de la Laguna provides a unique retreat within Tenerife, whilst the island’s capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, acts as the lively heart of this sun-drenched paradise.

Believed to be one of the country’s most haunted houses, the stunning castle offers guided tours, grade I listed gardens and even bed and breakfast stays

A genuine reflection of Wales‘s magnificent historic landmarks, this castle certainly deserves its place amongst the ‘must-visit’ destinations topping everyone’s travel lists.

Nestled peacefully in the stunning Conwy Valley, the castle sits within the foothills of Snowdonia and is frequently described as one of Britain’s finest Tudor houses.

Fortunately for visitors, the impressive Gwydir Castle welcomes the public from April to September three days weekly to discover its splendour through guided tours.

Originally built as the grand ancestral residence of the influential Wynn family, it was first built in the 15th century. Today it holds grade I listed status after previously falling into a state of disrepair.

While the castle is celebrated for its beautiful peacocks wandering the grounds, it’s equally notorious for its eerie ambience.

Gwydir is thought to be amongst Wales’s most haunted properties, though this hasn’t deterred royal visits over the years, with King Charles making a return in July 2018, then as Prince of Wales, two decades after his earlier visit.

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Restoration

By 1994, the property had languished in a derelict state for years and desperately needed some serious attention, which was provided by its new owners, Peter Welford and Judy Corbett.

Though restoring this historic building has been far from straightforward, it’s a project to which they have essentially devoted their lives.

The restoration remains an ongoing endeavour, but the achievements so far have been remarkable, with the project funded almost entirely from their own pockets, apart from a modest grant from Cadw.

The work has been methodical yet painstaking, carried out with such dedication and devotion by its custodians that visitors can now appreciate the results.

This remarkable journey included repurchasing what was legitimately theirs and returning it to where it truly belonged – crucial architectural elements from the original dining room.

The fireplaces, wood panelling, and doorframes were removed and transported overseas after being purchased by William Randolph Hearst, the renowned newspaper tycoon.

Yet in 1995 they discovered Gwydir’s missing dining room features, languishing in a storage facility unused by the Metropolitan Museum in New York.

Following extensive negotiations and 75 years in America, they were finally restored to their rightful place at Gwydir Castle. To commemorate this restoration triumph, the Dining Room wing was officially reopened by King Charles himself in 1998, whilst he served as Prince of Wales.

Present day

Visitors aren’t limited to simply exploring the grounds – they can actually lodge in its magnificent accommodation, which provides a bed and breakfast service. What’s more, the property can also be booked for weddings and special occasions.

What truly enables visitors to fully appreciate the venue, however, is through its guided tours, which are available for groups of 15 people or more.

The attraction opens between 11am and 4pm, and is currently welcoming day-trippers at an entry fee of £12 for adults and £5 for children.

One recent guest described their visit to the castle on TripAdvisor, writing: “Without doubt anyone visiting this castle would be amazed by the history of the site and the surrounding grade I listed gardens beautifully kept.

“They also have beautiful peacocks roaming free all around the castle and are fantastic to watch.”

Another visitor said: “Absolutely fabulous! Highly recommend. The house is lovely, and the gardens are terrific. The period furniture throughout the house is beautiful. A lovely revisit of a special holiday after so many years.”

Those passionate about horticulture will delight in the outdoor areas, which hold the prestigious distinction of being among Wales’ only grade I listed gardens, effortlessly combining influences from the Renaissance, Tudor, and Stuart eras. During their visit, nature lovers can spot yew trees, Cedars of Lebanon, and wisteria alongside numerous elegantly crafted fountains scattered throughout.

A further visitor added: “This beautifully restored 17th-century castle is a hidden gem that deserves to be much better known. The house and gardens are magical. They also have holiday accommodation, but it is a perfect day-visit.”

A hidden gem on the UK’s coast boasts sparkling waters, golden sands and a breathtaking landscape, as well as a section popular with naturists

A beautiful beach with glistening waters that wouldn’t look out of place on a travel brochure for the Mediterranean has been named the best in the country.

As the warmer months draw near, there’s no better moment to pencil in a ‘beach day’ in your diary. And if you are, one magnificent location that is well worth a visit is Botany Bay.

The Kent beach consistently receives Blue Flag status, which is a recognised national mark of cleanliness and upkeep. But it’s not just a tidy, sewage-free spot. Botany Bay was recently crowned the best beach in the UK by Conde Nast

“Kent’s beaches make for a perfect day trip for down-from-Londoners, but many sunseekers opt for the likes of Margate’s Main Sands and Broadstairs’ Viking Bay as they’re close to lots of family-friendly amenities. Stray off the beaten track slightly and be rewarded with Botany Bay’s gorgeous sands and clear, shallow waters. Head down the main path and take a right to the buzzier side where in-the-know families set up base with cooler boxes and chunky picnic blankets, or stroll left for a more peaceful afternoon—things take a nudist turn at the far end,” the travel publication wrote.

When the tide retreats, Botany Bay unveils vast stretches of sand and offers the chance to explore its fascinating rock pools. The landscape is utterly captivating, with the bay bordered by iconic white cliffs and chalk formations.

The wide beach and amazing scenery have made it a favourite with casting directors. In recent years, it has been used by productions such as BBC’s D-Day: The Last Heroes, Tamil action drama Thaandavam, Sky Atlantic comedy Hunderby, BBC drama True Love, as well as music videos for Bat for Lashes, Bebe Black and Shawn Mendes.

Land Rover, Sainsbury’s and NatWest have also borrowed its good looks for adverts.

Another group with many big fans of the beach is the naturist community. The Foreness area at the western end of the beach is popular with those who enjoy getting their kit off, although the area does not have an official designation as a naturist beach. Thanet District Council has considered putting up signs to inform or warn non-nudists of the possibility of encountering naturists, but that hasn’t happened yet.

Those keen to take a dip should know that there’s lifeguard supervision between May 24 and September 7, from 10am until 6pm. And pet owners will be delighted to learn their four-legged companions are welcome on the beach beyond these hours, from May 1 through to September 30.

Getting to the bay, which was crowned the UK’s most photographed beach last February, is straightforward, thanks to the well-established route from the cliff top, or the concrete walkway near the water station at the seaward end.

The bay’s water quality has received an ‘excellent’ rating for swimming in 2024, maintaining the impressive standards recorded in recent years.

If you do visit, make sure you plan the time of your arrival well. Low tide exposes fascinating rock pools and enables access to **Kingsgate Bay**. The local authority has shared advice for beachgoers and adventurers: “When the tide is out, Botany Bay is a great location for fossil hunting and exploring rock pools. There is plenty of exposed sand to enjoy when the tide is in, but due to the bay’s shape the ends are cut off at high tide.”

If all of this wasn’t reason enough to visit, then the fact Botany Bay is in one of the best seaside towns in the country: Broadstairs. You can read about our recent visit to the town here.