break

For a true sense of freedom and escape, nothing quite compares with an island getaway. Whether it’s island hopping in Greece, exploring a Scandinavian archipelago by kayak or simply getting on a ferry to the Isle of Wight, we’d love to hear about your favourite European islands.

The best tip of the week, chosen by Tom Hall of Lonely Planet wins a £200 voucher to stay at a Coolstays property – the company has more than 3,000 worldwide. The best tips will appear in the Guardian Travel section and website.

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Feb. 20 (Asia Today) — People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk rejected calls to sever ties with former President Yoon Suk-yeol on Thursday, intensifying internal divisions within South Korea’s main conservative party ahead of local elections.

At a press conference at the National Assembly, Jang said Yoon’s life sentence in a first-instance ruling does not negate the principle of presumption of innocence.

“This is still a first trial,” he said. “The presumption of innocence must apply to everyone without exception.”

Jang dismissed demands from within the party to formally break with what critics call the “Yoon Again” faction. He argued that forces seeking to distance the party from Yoon are instead fueling division.

“Division is the worst form of incompetence,” he said. “Those who exploit the president’s name for their own interests, and those who use calls for severance to split the party, are the ones we must decisively cut ties with.”

His remarks appeared aimed at the pro-Han Dong-hoon faction and a group of younger lawmakers who had urged the leadership to declare a clear break from Yoon following Wednesday’s verdict.

Rep. Lee Sung-kwon criticized Jang’s stance, saying it showed a refusal to accept the judiciary’s decision. “By shifting responsibility for unconstitutional emergency rule onto others, he cannot call himself the leader of a conservative party before the people,” Lee said.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon also weighed in on social media, warning that politics centered on the slogan “Yoon Again” would fail to persuade centrist voters and younger generations.

Former party leader Han Dong-hoon issued a sharper rebuke, writing online that Jang was “merely a host for the Yoon faction” and calling for him to be removed to save the conservative movement.

The controversy has exposed differences within the party leadership. Floor leader Song Eon-seok said a day earlier that the party “deeply regrets” the guilty verdict against a former president it produced and apologized to the public, reaffirming that no one stands above the law.

A party official said views appear to be divided even between the party leader and the floor leader, complicating efforts to present a unified message.

With tensions rising, lawmakers are expected to convene a general meeting as early as next week to discuss the party’s direction. Observers warn that continued infighting could weigh on the party ahead of the June 3 local elections.

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.

Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260220010006110

FANCY swapping the springtime showers for scorching temperatures, sandy beaches and a fruity cocktail? Of course you do.

But if all that sounds like it might break the bank, then The Sun’s travel team is here to help. Going abroad for some sun this March or April doesn’t have to be expensive or involve a long flight. Here, we take a look at some bargain options for you and your family.

Some mid-haul destinations are truly the sweet spots for warm temperatures and affordable prices in spring.

Plus, being all-inclusive means there’s no need to worry about splurging on random snacks or meals whilst you’re away.

With that in mind, we’ve rounded up some of the most affordable all-inclusive sun holidays out there, ready to book for Easter 2026 – and you won’t believe what’s included in some of these amazing packages.

Catty Cats Garden Hotel, Side, Turkey

This colourful hotel is just as fun as it sounds, with three swimming pools and several water slides to entertain the whole family.

If zipping down slides wasn’t enough to tire out the children, they can enjoy the kids club and mini discos, whilst adults can unwind in the on-site spa, with its steam room and Turkish bath.

Choose between a standard, large or family room, all of which are spacious options. Plus, the family room feels more like an apartment, as it comes with a handy kitchenette too. Great for cooking up cheaper meal options.

And if you choose to venture out into Side, history lovers will have a field day soaking up the sights of the Roman amphitheatre and Temple of Apollo.

Plus temperatures in Side can reach 24°C in April, meaning you can swap the downpours back home for an Easter break spent sunbathing.

On the Beach offer a 7-night stay from 10 April including return flights from London Luton from £212pp.

El Mouradi Club Kantaoui, Tunisia

This hotel is situated on Tunisia’s Port el Kantaoui, where a vibrant marina features upmarket shopping, cafes, and restaurants.

This pretty port is also home to plenty of beach bars and nightclubs, making it a lively spot to visit in the evenings.

The El Mouradi Club Kantaoui hotel has 456 rooms, each of which has a large comfy bed, air con and many come with a private terrace or balcony.

There are also four restaurants to pick from, including a pizzeria and a beachside dining option.

Cool off in one of two large outdoor pools, or take a swim in the sea – it’s right on the hotel’s doorstep.

Loveholidays offer a 5-night stay from 26 March including return flights from Edinburgh from £259pp.

El Pueblo Tamlelt, Agadir, Morocco

Just a 15-minute hop from the airport, El Pueblo Tamlelt is tucked away in 11 acres of lush, tropical gardens in Agadir.

This Moroccan gem sits right on the southern coast, where you can spend your days lazing on the crescent-shaped beach or taking in the views from the fascinating Agadir Oufella Ruins.

With year-round sunshine and a prime location near the coastal city‘s vibrant centre, it’s the ideal pick for a spot of sun that’s easy to reach.

And with temperatures reaching 23C during the day, you can explore all the coastal resort has to offer with the warmth of the sun on your back.

Loveholidays offer a 5-night stay from 29 March including return flights from Glasgow from £239pp.

Broncemar Beach Suites, Fuerteventura

These bright white, stylish apartments are laid out as a small village, centred around three swimming pools and two hot tubs.

These spacious apartments boast large beds, kitchenettes, living areas and balconies, plus there are bars, restaurants and shops to make use of during your stay.

Just a few minutes’ walk will take you to Caleta de Fuste Beach, where you can lie back on soft sands or search for sea creatures in crystal-clear rock pools.

Alternatively, stroll into the fishing town of Caleta de Fuste to stroll its picturesque marina and dip in and out of independent shops.

And with this Canary Island’s climate reaching 23C in April, you can finally trade those wellies for some flip flops.

Jet2holidays offer a 5-night stay from 10 April including return flights from London Stansted from £587pp.

Plus, you can currently save an extra £100pp off all holidays before June using code EXTRA100 at checkout.

Gavimar Cala Gran Costa Del Sur Hotel & Resort, Majorca

This hotel sits on Majorca‘s Cala Gran Beach, where shallow turquoise waters are backed by hills of Mediterranean pine trees.

Cala Gran is the largest beach in Cala d’Or, a beautiful cove just a short drive away from the coastal town centre, with its trinket shops and relaxed bars.

The hotel itself has all the activities and entertainment you’d expect, including bingo and live music – as well as some unique extras like mini golf and archery.

Loveholidays offer a 4-night stay from 29 March including return flights from Exeter from £179pp.

Maxeria Blue Didyma, Bodrum, Turkey

Holidaying at this super affordable five-star all-inclusive will leave you wondering how you’ve managed to bag such a bargain.

This modern hotel has entertainment and activities galore, including a mini cinema, arcade room, basketball and volleyball courts.

You can really make the most of the food in this all-inclusive package, grabbing late-night treats from the main restaurant or desserts from the resort’s very own patisserie.

Throw in a giant waterpark and beach just a stone’s throw away, and you’ve got yourself a bargain family resort nearing perfection.

Loveholidays offer a 7-night stay from 27 March including return flights from London Stansted from £344pp.

Htop Olympic, Costa Brava, Spain

This Calella hotel is the perfect base for a cheap and cheerful sun holiday, with comfy air-conditioned rooms just a few minutes’ walk from the bustling bars of Costa Brava.

Make use of three delicious meals a day with this all-inclusive package, where you can enjoy a varied buffet stocked with plenty of family favourites like fresh salads, grilled meats and chips.

Choose to make use of the hotel gym, pool and daytime entertainment activities, or head out to a range of affordable bars, shops and restaurants within walking distance.

On the Beach offer a 7-night stay from 27 March including return flights from London Luton from £297pp.

Mitsis Messonghi, Corfu

This Corfu resort was built for families and is buzzing with a whole host of entertainment and activities.

With four adult pools, three kids pools, a mini waterpark and a beach on your doorstep, there’s plenty of spots for you to stretch out on a sun lounger and for the kids to splash around.

When it comes to rooms, choose anything from a standard room all the way up to a beachfront superior bungalow, which swaps a standard balcony with a beachfront terrace.

Dining also goes down well, with a beachfront restaurant serving family favourites and a main buffet restaurant offering rainbow salads and international cuisine.

And as the day winds down to a close, the party starts with mini discos, Greek dancing, lively quiz nights and karaoke.

Loveholidays offer a 5-night stay from 29 March including return flights from East Midlands from £289pp.

El Mouradi El Menzah, Hammamet, Tunisia

This four-star all-inclusive option in Tunisia’s Hammamet doesn’t disappoint, with multiple pools, an extensive buffet restaurant and its own private beach.

Plus, day temperatures in April sit in the 20s, with 9 hours of glorious Tunisian sunshine per day.

This resort is an ideal option for families, with a dedicated kids pool, kids club, sports and crafts options, as well as evening discos to keep children entertained.

Head out to the water to try your hand at kayaking, windsurfing or jet-skiing.

Or if you prefer to completely chill out, there’s a spa with a sauna and hammam to make use of, as well as a range of beauty treatments and massages.

Loveholidays offer a 5-night stay from 28 March including return flights from Glasgow from £369pp.

Bellevue Club, Alcúdia, Majorca

There are more pools than days of the week at the Bellevue Club in Alcudia.

With 11 swimming pools, a 24-hour bar and a garden theatre offering evening entertainment, you’ll hardly want to leave this resort once you arrive.

There’s seven tennis and squash courts plus a gym here, too – just in case you’ve still got some energy after all that swimming.

Nearby, there’s the family-friendly Alcudia Beach as well as the historic old town and promenade of Port D’Alcudia to explore.

The weather in April is pleasant and mild, reaching temperatures of 21C – perfect for playing out in the sun without getting too hot and bothered.

On the Beach offer a 7-night stay from 29 March including return flights from Exeter from £251pp.

Hotel Palia Don Pedro, Costa Del Silencio, Tenerife

Club Palia Don Pedro is a top choice for families, with plenty of activities as well as spacious family suites available.

Rent a bike, try your hand at tennis, or simply get set up for a day’s relaxation on a couple of comfortable poolside loungers.

Plus, this hotel is situated 20 minutes from Playa de las Americas, meaning you’re in a quiet, scenic spot away from large resorts, with the option to taxi to the strip if you do fancy a busier day out.

Temperatures sit at a warm 22C, with bright, sunny days and cooler, comfortable nights.

First Choice offer a 7-night stay from 29 March including return flights from Glasgow Prestwick from £351pp.

RR Club Amarilis, Praia Da Rocha, Algarve, Portugal

The RR Club Amarilis aparthotel sits on the Algarve’s Praia da Rocha, a large and lively beach framed by dramatic limestone cliffs.

If you want to soak up the exciting holiday atmosphere, there’s a variety of affordable bars, restaurants and nightclubs within walking distance of this comfortable base.

Or for a more peaceful Portugal trip, simply explore the expanse of rugged coastline by foot or bike, as this hotel offers bicycle rental.

This hotel certainly isn’t short of sporting facilities, with a pool, gym, tennis courts, fitness classes and even a diving station offered within the complex.

First Choice offer a 7-night stay from 29 March including return flights from Newcastle from £420pp.

Blue Bay Beach Resort, Rhodes, Greece

Lalyssos in Rhodes is a traditional Greek resort town with plenty of charming tavernas to dip into and a beautiful mixed sand and pebble beach.

The four-star Blue Bay Beach Resort sits a stone’s throw away from this beach, and has its own pools, splash park and water slides.

There’s also a hotel spa and sauna to unwind in, offering massages and beauty treatments at an additional cost.

Here you’re only a 15-minute drive away from Rhodes Old Town, where UNESCO-listed medieval streets wind through castle-like architecture.

Make sure to check out the Street of the Knights, one of the best-preserved medieval streets in Europe.

Loveholidays offer a 5-night stay from 29 March including return flights from Bristol from £289pp.

Magic Cristal Park, Benidorm, Spain

For a Benidorm holiday more luxurious than the norm, try a stay at Magic Cristal Park.

This hotel is packed with entertainment from day to night, which ranges from an arcade room and three kids’ clubs to evening karaoke and performances.

There’s also plenty of perks, such as a kids stay free policy – but by far the best of which is their “ultra all inclusive” package.

This includes premium drinks, a beachfront brunch and even excursions for guests staying over four nights.

Excursion options include the Medieval Magic Robin Hood Challenge, Princesses and Knights show, and a trip to see a Magic Show.

Plus, if you’re staying at least seven nights, you’ll even get entry to Terra Natura Animal Park and Aqua Natura Water Park included.

On the Beach offer a 7-night stay from 28 March including return flights from Newcastle from £311pp.

Xafira Deluxe Resort & Spa, Antalya, Turkey

The Xafira Deluxe Resort & Spa is stunning to look at – and you’ll feel a bit like royalty staying here, too.

Spend days hopping between a heated indoor pool, spa, outdoor pool and waterpark, or simply walk down to the beach to enjoy the 22C Easter sun.

The main buffet restaurant serves up a banging breakfast as well as a range of international foods at lunch and dinner, whilst a la carte options include Italian, BBQ and seafood restaurants.

There are also seven bars to try out, so you’re never far from a refreshing cocktail.

Choose to sip your drink at the beach, by the pool or in the nightclub at the disco bar.

On the Beach offer a 7-night stay from 10 April including return flights from London Luton from £218pp.

We used to have more films like “Midwinter Break,” in which the combination of a couple of great actors, a gifted writer and the unfussy shepherding of a thorny, intimate scenario gave discerning moviegoers their recommended weekly allowance of adult drama about the human condition.

That’s no longer the case, so you would be forgiven for attaching more importance to the small-scale appeal of this adaptation of Irish author Bernard MacLaverty’s 2017 novel. Without gimmicks or pomp (save a picturesque setting) and through the supreme talents of Lesley Manville and Ciarán Hinds, it offers up an affecting two-hander about a couple on the brink who’ve never really acknowledged said precipice. As directed with low-key confidence by Polly Findlay, the movie is both good and, in a certain way, good enough.

Should a marriage be merely good enough? Because hiding in the 40-year togetherness of retired teacher Stella (Manville) and ex-architect Gerry (Hinds) is an unmistakable chasm. It’s a divide with roots in the turbulent Belfast of their youth, which necessitated starting their family in Glasgow. It manifests now in a brittleness that tints their everyday exchanges as ossifying empty nesters.

Stella’s restless energy in wanting to fix things spurs her to arrange an impromptu trip for them to Amsterdam. Initially they rekindle a genial intimacy over art, meals and the city’s beauty. She eases off her intolerance for his drinking by tagging along to bars, while he accompanies his faith-driven wife to the Begijnhof, a historical religious site of dwellings initially intended to house a sisterhood of single Catholic women. We gather her keen interest isn’t entirely touristy but also, because Hinds is so good, that his wisecracks about religion — which she bristles at — have a basis in something personal, too.

We eventually learn what it is that has kept Stella and Gerry in a state of deepening apartness. But these expected revelations aren’t as cathartic as one might hope, probably because what “Midwinter Break” had going for it was a gathering totality of unhurried observance, as if we, too, were stumbling in the dark along with these nervous dancers, who once knew each other so well yet had lost the ability to turn knowing into understanding.

Still, the chance to see Manville and Hinds give heart, soul and edge to a cracked marriage is a display of nuanced skill that no screenwriting choice (even if true to the source material) can fully hamper. Manville, one of our greatest actors, is achingly real, giving Stella the protective bearing of a wounded soldier. Hinds, meanwhile, masterfully shows an affable partner’s emotional immobility.

Findlay knows to stay out of the way when her actors are deep inside what’s lived-in about their situation, or when grace notes — especially the story’s real ties to the Troubles — needn’t be overstruck. Modest to a fault, “Midwinter Break” seems to float like something cautious and wishful, hoping along with the audience that this union’s individual strains will fall into harmony once more.

Holiday expert Rob has shared the four ‘best’ places to visit in March, saying the destinations offer the same level of sunshine as your usual July to August getaways but at lower prices

It’s no secret that jetting off during the summer months can set you back nearly twice as much, prompting savvy holidaymakers to shift their breaks earlier in the calendar. Lending a hand, travel guru Rob has revealed his top four destinations to visit this March, promising sunshine levels that rival your typical peak season getaways.

In an Instagram clip, Rob, who goes by @rob.onthebeach online, explained: “I’ve seen loads of people asking me recently, where’s hot in March? But the better question is, where’s hot and cheap this March? Because March might just be the perfect month for a holiday. We’re coming out of winter at home, the mornings are brighter, but it’s still freezing and wet. And in March, holiday demand is still relatively low, which means some destinations really fly under the radar on heat and price.”

To compile his recommendations, he examined multiple countries based on their March climate, booking patterns and current prices.

Kicking off his rundown, he revealed: “In fourth place, I’ve picked Fuerteventura, because March is one of my favourite months for the Canaries, and Fuerteventura is probably my favourite island.”

“You’re getting heat in the 20s, loads of sunshine, and it’s warm enough all day without feeling sticky like it can do in summer. Plus it’s quieter, calmer, and everything just feels easier.”

Moving along, he spotlighted Paphos, declaring: “March in Cyprus is criminally underrated”. He remarked: “It’s not roasting, but it’s still really warm. Sun on your face, lunches outside, pool days when the sun’s out, and it’s way less touristy than summer.”

Egypt claimed his runner-up spot thanks to its pleasant climate, with him adding: “High 20s to low 30s most days. Wall-to-wall sunshine, and seawater that’s perfect for swimming in, snorkelling in, or just floating in doing absolutely nothing.”

Topping his list, he crowned Las Vegas as the ultimate March getaway destination.

He explained: “I know it’s a bit of a wild card, but hear me out. March in Vegas is bang on. Hot days, cooler evenings, loads and loads and loads to do. And prices that are way softer than people expect.

“Now if you don’t believe me still, check out this deal I found. For four nights in March at the Strat Hotel with flights from Heathrow, it’s coming in at only £563 per person.

“For maybe the US’s best ever city break with sunshine, entertainment, pools, food, shows. This is seriously strong value in March.

“It’s warm, it’s unrivaled when it comes to fun, and it’s way more holiday than you’d expect to get at this price.”

SPRING Break travelers are set to be hit by disruption amid the partial government shutdown.

Major airlines and travel groups have urged Congress to sort out funding for thousands of Transportation and Security Administration workers.

It comes as millions of high school and college students are preparing to travel nationwide for Spring break.

The annual one-to-two-week academic vacation period is kicking off soon.

But, holidaymakers and flyers will be hit by annoying flight delays and longer wait times at security due to the partial US homeland security shutdown, according to travel groups and airlines.

And, TSA staff are likely to suffer financially, reported Simple Flying on Saturday.

“Not again: 50,000 TSA officers face unpaid work as shutdown threatens Spring Break travel,” its headline warned.

“As yet another government shutdown looms, so does one of the busiest travel times of the Year — spring break,” said U.S. Travel, Airlines for America, and the American Hotel & Lodging Association in a joint statement last Friday.

“Travelers and the U.S. economy cannot afford to have essential TSA personnel working without pay.”

They warned that the funding delays raise “the risk of unscheduled absences and call outs, and ultimately can lead to higher wait times and missed or delayed flights.”

The partial government shutdown began on Saturday over money for the Department of Homeland Security.

Congressional Democrats and President Donald Trump’s team failed to reach a deal on legislation to fund the department through September.

And their inability to reach a compromise has sparked huge concern within the travel and hospitality industry – particularly with Spring break looming, plus the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The United States, along with Canada and Mexico, will be hosting the biennial football competition from June 11 through July 20.

Airlines for America also warned that funding uncertainty is “creating lasting damage to the entire travel ecosystem.”

The organization said the damaging interruption would hit “airlines, hotels and thousands of small businesses the travel industry supports.”

Tips on getting through TSA security faster during the 2026 partial shutdown

Funding for the DHS expired at midnight last Friday

The 95% of TSA workers deemed essential personnel will be required to keep working – but without pay.

To minimize delays at the airport:

• Arrive at the airport with ample time to pass through airport security – about 1–2 hours before your flight
• Ensuring you are dressed without excess layers or metal devices
• Slip-on shoes also make the screening at TSA much quicker

Source: Simple Flying

“With America’s 250th anniversary and the 2026 World Cup this summer, the nation should be focused on showcasing the country on the world stage and maximizing the multi-billion-dollar economic opportunity these events bring,” the statement added.

“A lapse in TSA funding will significantly undermine those efforts.

“Last year’s shutdown alone resulted in an economic impact of $6 billion —nearly $140 million per day — and disrupted travel for more than 6 million travelers.”

FATAL SHOOTINGS

It comes days after Delta Air Lines’ boss told international visitors ahead of the World Cup that the U.S. remains a welcoming destination despite the controversial crackdown on immigration.

“Hopefully, the World Cup will bring a lot of Europeans, a lot of international visitors into the US market,” said Ed Bastian last Thursday.

“Yes, the US has a focus on immigration. This is not immigration. This is tourism,” Bastian added.

“And as long as people are coming with the proper credentials, they’re not having any issues.”

Democrats are demanding changes to how immigration operations are conducted after the fatal shootings of U.S. citizens Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal officers in Minneapolis last month.

Congress is on recess until February 23.

OFF SICK

The longer the shutdown continues, the more likely flyers will be hit with delays as they will have to queue in longer lines at airports if workers call in sick.

Ha Nguyen McNeill, the acting TSA administrator, explained last Wednesday that TSA remained “laser-focused on returning the U.S. back to being the top global travel destination.”

Spring break 2026 – in numbers

• Spring breakers are primarily high school and college students
• 2 million college students travel for the holiday nationwide
• Florida enjoys a $2.7 billion economic windfall from Spring break
• Cancun’s Spring break tourism brings in $300 million yearly
• More than 500,000 students flock to South Beach Miami
• 1.5 million visitors attend Spring break in Panama City Beach
• Only around 30% of bookings are made within 30 days of travel
• The most popular domestic beach destinations this year are: Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Los Angeles, and San Diego

Sources: Travel Awaits and Gitnux

However, this can’t happen “in a timely manner if Congress does not fund DHS through the end of Fiscal Year 2026.”

“With the United States hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup in June of this year, TSA does not have the luxury of time to prepare for the influx of passengers and international travelers,” McNeill warned.

“A lack of funding and predictability will pose significant challenges on our ability to deliver transportation security for the American public with the level of excellence we expect, and the American taxpayer deserves.”

It follows a record 43-day shutdown last fall.

TSA agents fall under the DHS.

WHEN people ask me about city breaks, the question they ask has changed over the years.

It used to be about nightlife, food scenes or ticking off landmarks.

Now, more often than not, it’s parents asking a much more practical version of the same thing. Where is a good place to go with kids?

I’m Rob. I work in travel, I look at holiday pricing and trends every day, and I’ve stayed in more hotels than I can count.

I’m also 32, with a two-year-old and an eight-month-old. That combination has completely reshaped how I think about city breaks.

For me, the right family city break is about timing as much as place.

Sensible weather. Walkable centres. Enough going on without it feeling overwhelming. Somewhere forgiving if the day doesn’t go to plan.

This is my month-by-month guide to where I’d go on a city break with kids, based on value, weather, popularity and what’s actually on.

They’re all places I’d genuinely feel comfortable taking my own family.

January – Budapest, Hungary

January is a month where calm matters. After Christmas, families tend to want somewhere affordable, predictable and easy to manage, and Budapest fits that bill perfectly.

It is cold, usually around 3 to 5C, but that brings real advantages.

The city is quiet, hotel prices drop significantly, and the city moves at a slower pace. That makes it far less stressful with buggies and tired legs.

Budapest is compact, flat and well-connected by trams, which makes getting around simple.

Indoor attractions like cafés and historic bathhouses give you plenty of warm places to dip into throughout the day.

I’ve found January breaks from around £114pp for a family of four, which is exceptional value for a European capital.

February – Venice, Italy

February works for families because it offers spectacle without the chaos you get later in the year.

Venice Carnival brings colour, parades and street performers, particularly during the daytime when it feels surprisingly family-friendly.

Children get the magic of masks and costumes, while parents avoid the summer (and summer prices).

Temperatures hover around 7 to 9C, which keeps days comfortable for walking.

Vaporetto boats also turn everyday transport into part of the experience, which is always a win with younger travellers.

I’ve found February stays from around £130pp for a family of four, especially when staying just outside the historic centre.

March – Amsterdam, Netherlands

March is one of the most reliable months for a family city break, and Amsterdam is one of the easiest cities to do with children.

The weather sits around 10 to 12C, the city starts to feel brighter, and peak tourism is still a few weeks away.

It is flat, organised and designed for everyday life, which makes navigating it with kids feel intuitive rather than stressful.

March is also when parks, canal walks and museums like NEMO Science Museum really come into their own, giving you options that work whether the day is high energy or low key.

I’ve found March breaks from around £140pp for a family of four, before spring demand pushes prices up.

April – Athens, Greece

April is a sweet spot for Athens, especially for families who want warmth without exhaustion.

Temperatures typically range between 18 and 22C, which makes sightseeing genuinely enjoyable.

You can explore historic sites without battling summer heat or shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, and there is more space to take things at a slower pace.

Easter often falls in April, bringing local celebrations, food and atmosphere that make the city feel lived in rather than purely touristic.

It is a good month for mixing big sights with relaxed neighbourhood wandering.

I’ve found April city breaks from around £140pp for a family of four, which is strong value for such a bucket list destination.

May – Istanbul, Turkey

May works brilliantly for families because Istanbul becomes warm and lively without tipping into intense heat.

Temperatures sit around 22C to 25C, which is comfortable for walking, ferry rides and outdoor meals.

The city naturally breaks days into short, varied experiences, which is ideal with children. A boat ride, a park stop, some street food, then a rest.

Public transport is efficient, parks like Gülhane provide breathing space, and the sheer variety of sights keeps everyone engaged without needing a rigid plan.

I’ve found May breaks from around £130pp for a family of four, making it one of the best-value big cities in Europe at that time of year.

June – Stockholm, Sweden

June is when Stockholm really makes sense for families.

Long daylight hours, mild temperatures around 18 to 22C, and a strong outdoor culture mean days feel relaxed rather than rushed.

Parks, islands and waterfront walks are everywhere, and ferries turn getting around into part of the fun.

The city feels calm, clean and safe, with lots of space to pause when needed. Museums are interactive, and many attractions are designed with families in mind.

I’ve found June breaks from around £147pp for a family of four, which is good value considering how expensive Stockholm can be later in the summer.

July – Krakow, Poland

July is peak summer, but Krakow works for families because it combines warmth with value and a very manageable city layout.

Temperatures can reach 25 to 30°C, but the city centre is compact and full of shaded squares where you can slow things down when needed.

Summer festivals and outdoor cafés give the city energy without it feeling overwhelming, and everything is close enough that you are never committing to long days out.

Food prices are low, accommodation is good value, and it is an easy city to dip in and out of at your own pace.

I’ve found July breaks from around £144pp for a family of four, which is strong value for a European city in the heart of the school holidays.

August – Edinburgh, UK

August is Edinburgh at full tilt, but it is one of the rare cities where busyness actually works for families.

The Fringe Festival fills the city with daytime street performers, pop-up shows and family-friendly entertainment that you can stumble across without planning ahead.

That makes it ideal if you want flexibility rather than rigid itineraries.

Temperatures usually sit between 18 and 21C, which is perfect for walking without fatigue, and green spaces are never far away if you need a break.

I’ve found August flight and hotel breaks from around £217pp for a family of four. You could do it cheaper with hotel-only and driving or getting the train, but flights are often so reasonably priced that it still makes sense to fly.

September – Munich, Germany

September is a great time to visit Munich with kids.

Early autumn brings warm but comfortable days around 18 to 22C, and the city feels open and easy to navigate.

Oktoberfest adds colour and atmosphere during the day, with fairground rides and music that children enjoy, while the rest of the city remains calm and spacious.

It is easy to sample the buzz without being consumed by it, which is exactly what families need.

I’ve found September breaks from around £180pp for a family of four, particularly when travelling outside the busiest Oktoberfest weekends.

October – Seville

October is the month Seville really starts to shine for families.

The extreme summer heat has gone, leaving warm, comfortable days that suit walking and exploring.

Crowds thin out significantly, which makes the city feel calmer and easier to enjoy with children.

Public squares, parks and shaded streets give you natural places to pause, and the pace of life slows after peak season.

I’ve found October breaks from around £204pp for a family of four, which is good value for southern Spain at its most comfortable.

November – Naples, Italy

November is ideal for families who want a more relaxed, authentic city break.

Temperatures stay mild, usually between 15 and 18C, and tourist numbers drop sharply. That brings better prices and a much more local feel, with everyday life taking centre stage.

Naples is lively and unapologetically real, which many children find fascinating.

Simple pleasures like waterfront walks and excellent, inexpensive food carry the experience.

I’ve found November breaks from around £140pp for a family of four, making it one of the best-value Italian city breaks of the year.

December – Cologne, Germany

December works for families because everything is concentrated and atmospheric.

Christmas markets cluster around the cathedral and surrounding squares, making the city easy to explore on foot.

Lights, music, hot chocolate and gentle fairground rides deliver festive payoff without long days or complicated planning.

Short days actually suit the experience, as you do not need to do much to feel like you have seen plenty.

I’ve found December breaks from around £180pp for a family of four, outside the busiest Christmas market weekends.

City breaks with kids are not about doing more – they’re about choosing the right place at the right time.

Get the month right, and suddenly the weather cooperates, prices feel fair, crowds ease off, and cities become enjoyable rather than exhausting.

These are the places I would confidently take my own family. Thought-through, well-timed choices that work in real life.

The tunnel will become the world’s longest underground railway connection at 64km long when it opens

The Brenner Base Tunnel is presently being built to link Austria and Italy. This remarkable tunnel, destined to become the world’s longest, is due to open in 2032.

The railway tunnel will join the Austrian city of Innsbruck with Franzensfeste/Fortezza in Italy, connecting two nations across different time zones. Construction expenses are projected at 8.54billion euros (£7.4billion). The extraordinary BBT will stretch for 55km (34 miles) as a cutting-edge railway tunnel.

BBT explained: “In May 1994, a railway bypass was opened south of Innsbruck, known as the Inn valley tunnel. This 12.7 km tunnel links to the Brenner Base Tunnel.

“Passenger and freight trains along this stretch will therefore not only travel through the Brenner Base Tunnel, but for a few kilometres, through the Inn valley tunnel as well. This line, totalling 64 kilometres, will become the longest underground railway connection in the world.”

An unusual characteristic of the Brenner Base Tunnel is the “exploratory tunnel running from one end to the other”.

“This tunnel lies between the two main tunnels and about 12m below them and with a diameter of 5m is noticeably smaller than the main tubes.

“The excavations currently underway on the exploratory tunnel should provide information on the rock mass and thereby reduce construction costs and times to a minimum.

“The exploratory tunnel will be essential for drainage when the BBT becomes operational.”

Additional remarkable railway projects include the globe’s lengthiest train route, which links three nations spanning eight time zones.

This amazing experience for two includes exclusive tickets to The Mystery of Banksy Exhibition at Depot Mayfield, plus overnight stay in the Banksy-themed room at Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly

Fancy an unforgettable break in Manchester with art, culture and great food? We’ve teamed up with The Mystery of Banksy Exhibition at Depot Mayfield and Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly to give one lucky reader the chance to win an amazing experience for two.

The lucky winner and friend will win exclusive tickets to The Mystery of Banksy Exhibition at Depot Mayfield, where they can explore the story behind the world’s most famous street artist.

They will stay overnight in a deluxe room in the stunning Banksy-themed rooms at Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly, including breakfast. We’ll throw in £100 Freight Island vouchers to spend on food and drink and up to £250 to help cover your travel to Manchester.

This incredible prize combines culture, comfort and some of Manchester’s best food and drink, making it the perfect city break for art lovers or anyone curious about the mystery surrounding Banksy.

The prize must be redeemed between March 13 and June 30, 2026. Some blackout dates may apply. Terms and conditions apply.

Simply fill in your details on the entry form below for your chance to win. Closing date for entries is 23:45 March 1, 2026.

If you cannot see the form above CLICK HERE

Terms and Conditions: This competition closes at 11:45pm on Sunday, March 1, 2026. Entries received after this date will not be accepted. One winner will be selected at random from all eligible submissions after the closing date and will be contacted by email within 7 days to arrange fulfilment. To enter the competition, you will need to submit your name and valid email address on the entry form. The winner has 48 hours/ 2 days from the date of the notification email to claim their prize, failure to respond within 72 hours will result in forfeiture of the prize / pick another winner. The prize is: one night’s stay for two in a deluxe king room in the stunning Banksy-themed rooms at Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly, including breakfast the next morning. Tickets to The Mystery of Banksy Exhibition at Depot Mayfield, where you can explore the story behind the world’s most famous street artist. A £100 Freight Island voucher to spend on food and drinks (valid on selected dates). Travel costs covered up to £250 to help you get there and back. Travel expenses must be pre-approved and receipts may be required for reimbursement up to the stated limit. The prize must be redeemed between March 13 and June 30, 2026. Some blackout dates may apply. Prize cannot be exchanged, it is also non-transferable and no cashback alternative will be offered. Upon entering this competition there is an option to opt in to receive various newsletters sent via email. If you do opt in, you will receive these newsletters in accordance with their sending schedule. For those who do not opt in to receive any email newsletters, your data will be solely used for administration of this competition. The winners’ contact details will only be used to administer the competition and will be shared with the company’s prize fulfilment partner, We are Indigo – PR Agency to fulfil the prize. We are Indigo PR Agency will contact the winner to further liaise on the fulfilment of the prize (please make sure all entry details provided are correct). By entering this competition, you are permitting Reach plc to use your personal data to contact you to arrange prize fulfilment only. Entry to the competition is restricted to one entry per person. Multiple entries will be disqualified. Automated entries, bulk entries or third party entries will be disqualified. This competition is open to UK residents only. This competition is open to people over the age of 18. Employees of the promoter, their families, agents and anyone else connected with this promotion are not eligible to enter. By entering a competition, an entrant is indicating his/her agreement to be bound by these terms and conditions. Entry implies acceptance of these rules. These terms and conditions shall be governed by English law and the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any disputes arising under these terms and conditions. Standard competition rules apply. For more go to www.mirror.co.uk/rules.

With a palace, a castle and ancient volcano all within visiting distance of each other – it’s no wonder this Scottish city has been voted as the UK’s number for a break

The UK’s best city break has been revealed, and it’s famous for its beautiful buildings, historic castle, and even Harry Potter links.

From historic streets, to cultural spectacles, to iconic landmarks, scenic views or vibrant food scenes, the UK has a fantastic range of amazing cities for travellers to choose from but Sykes Cottages has revealed some of the highlights across the nation after a study revealed that 49 per cent of Brits choose cities for their top five breaks.

Edinburgh, which is also hailed as the UK’s most walkable city, took the top spot in the rankings. This bright and bustling city seamlessly combines the historic and the modern with Edinburgh Castle, one of the oldest fortified places in Europe, and Holyrood Palace, the official Scottish residence of the monarch originally built as an Abbey in 1128 connected by the Royal Mile, the historic spine of Edinburgh’s Old Town and the city’s world-famous Fringe Festival, one of the greatest celebrations of modern art and culture in the world.

As well as hosting the Fringe, Edinburgh is also the city where J.K Rowling lived when she was writing the Harry Potter books and people can visit The Elephant House café which is where the legendary wizard was first created.

There’s a wide array of accommodation too whether you’re looking for cosy holiday cottages or cheap hotels, although it’s worth noting that some popular seasons such as the Fringe can see prices surge in some areas.

Best UK holiday cottage deals

From £27 per night

Sykes Cottages

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Sykes Cottages offers a wide range of handpicked holiday homes across the UK and Ireland, from cosy countryside retreats to stunning coastal escapes. Prices start from £27 per night

For major Harry Potter enthusiasts, the city also offers a Harry Potter Magical Guided Walking Tour which allows people to explore Edinburgh through the lens of Harry Potter.

With storytelling, the written word and art and culture playing such a prominent part in the city, its contributions were recognised in 2004 when it became the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature.

Visitors can wander through the city’s cobbled streets and take in its incredible architecture and street designs, or hike up to Arthur’s Seat and enjoy the amazing views from atop the ancient volcano.

Calton Hill is also a must visit and is included in the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. The panoramic skyline views from the hill are renowned and pictures taken from there are regularly used in photographs or paintings of the city. The hill features the neoclassical landmarks including the National Monument, Nelson’s Monument and the Dugald Stewart Monument.

One reviewer of the city said: “Absolutely love Edinburgh, amazing city! So many gorgeous restaurants and cafes, lots of different vibes but I love the laid-back café culture Edinburgh does so well. Arthur’s Seat is great to climb and has gorgeous views across the city.”

Another said: “Edinburgh is a fantastic place to visit – the Royal Mile and the Castle are definitely worth a visit and there are some spectacular bars and restaurants that we thoroughly enjoyed.”

Do you think Edinburgh is the UK’s best city break? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

This season’s Oscar nominees for film editing have one thing in common: coping with trauma. The Envelope invited editors from each film to break down a pivotal scene that showcased their craft.

‘F1’

“F1” builds momentum for its underdog tale with an intricately constructed racing montage.

(Warner Bros. Pictures)

Editor: Stephen Mirrione
Scene: The montage in which Brad Pitt’s washed-up racer Sonny Hayes begins his winning streak through a momentum-building Grand Prix swing.

“There were more than a dozen structural versions of how we were getting through this story,” said Oscar winner Mirrione (“Traffic”). The three-minute, high-octane montage benefited from 5,000 hours of footage, captured with 20 cameras around the tracks. It was treated like a massive puzzle, with the racing order moved around for maximum impact. The key was seamlessly integrating in-camera footage with broadcast footage from actual races that offered happy accidents such as rain and a crash. “At one point, it was more focused on rookie driver Joshua [Damson Idris],” added Mirrione. “But then we realized that Sonny was more interesting, visually, in terms of his arc about dealing with the trauma of his near-fatal crash. And then once we saw it in context, it was not just about the two of them and their rivalry but also the team coalescing around Sonny.”

‘Marty Supreme’

A dinner in “Marty Supreme,” starring Timothée Chalamet as Marty Mauser, leads to a startling flashback.

(A24)

Editors: Ronald Bronstein, Josh Safdie
Scene: The jarring dinner scene/Holocaust flashback introducing nasty businessman Milton Rockwell (Kevin O’Leary)

In this scene from the 1950s-set psychological drama, we get a glimpse of Marty’s (Timothée Chalamet) motivation for his obsessive pursuit of table tennis: Jewish pride and survival instinct. “The adversarial impulse of the Rockwell dinner scene involves several characters, each with a distinct subjective agenda,” said Bronstein. “The act of cutting the scene [with close-ups and extreme close-ups] became inseparable from its sensations and emotions.” Yet Bronstein pushed it to extremes with the bizarre Auschwitz flashback involving Marty’s dinner guest, Béla (Géza Röhrig). Thanks to his table tennis prowess, Béla disarms bombs for the Nazis in the woods. But when he discovers a beehive, he shares the honey with his fellow prisoners by smearing it over his body. “That’s like a carrot on a rope that’s hanging in front of me at all times, and when I get to the end of that exchange, I’m allowed to break free and go into an entirely new set of tools, which are much more expressive,” added Bronstein.

‘One Battle After Another’

Leonardo DiCaprio as Bob Ferguson, nearing the conclusion of “One Battle After Another’s” climactic car chase.

(Warner Bros. Pictures)

Editor: Andy Jurgensen
Scene: The climactic roller-coaster car chase

Jurgensen assembled the best VistaVision car chase in history for Paul Thomas Anderson‘s turbulent father-daughter actioner. That’s where teenage Willa (Chase Infiniti) becomes the hero by outsmarting and killing the hired muscle (John Hoogenakker), who chases her up and down the rolling hills followed closely by Willa’s flummoxed ex-revolutionary dad, Bob (Leonardo DiCaprio). Shot at shaky high speeds, the scene actually took shape as a result of the unique San Diego location called the Texas Dip, which looks epic in the 8 perf/35mm horizontal format. The Hitchcockian cross-cutting among the three cars, favoring Willa’s POV, was achieved with close-ups from rearview and side mirrors. The layering of the propulsive soundscape and Jonny Greenwood’s percussive score completed the adrenaline rush. But the tender father-daughter reunion at the end required reshooting. “The moment Bob pulled up to the crash site, when we first did the scene, he ran over to her right away, and they embraced,” Jurgensen recalled. “When we watched the dailies, it just didn’t feel authentic. So we reshot it with more meat: Willa second-guessing everybody and Bob having to earn her trust by proving his identity with the secret code.”

‘Sentimental Value’

Renate Reinsve’s Nora plays a part in her father’s new film in “Sentimental Value.”

(Kaspar Tuxen Andersen)

Editor: Olivier Bugge Coutté
Scene: Actor Nora Borg’s (Renate Reinsve) early stage fright breakdown

Joachim Trier’s family drama finds Nora confronting the Borgs’ generational trauma when she reunites with her estranged director father, Gustav (Stellan Skarsgård). After an opening montage on the layered history of their Oslo home, which Nora once wrote about in a school essay, our introduction to the adult Nora is conveyed by the chaos and humor of her panic attack before a performance. But finding this arresting sequence first required trimming a very long setup of patrons entering the theater and sitting down, and the camera discovering Nora, frozen in fear, in the back of the dark stage. “It was so boring,” Coutté insisted. “But here we’re starting right on Nora’s face. Where are we? Has she become an actress? And then you slowly understand. There are no rules; just rhythm.”

‘Sinners’

Jayme Lawson performs “Pale, Pale Moon” in a pivotal scene from “Sinners.”

(Warner Bros. Pictures)

Editor: Michael P. Shawver
Scene: Pearline’s (Jayme Lawson) violence-inducing “Pale, Pale Moon” performance

In Ryan Coogler’s Imax spectacle, where the blues collides with vampires, the monstrous transformation commences with Pearline’s siren call: “Pale, Pale Moon.” This was Shawver’s boldest sequence, cross-cutting her mesmerizing performance with the rhythmic crowd stomping, the brutal beating of a card cheater and newbie vampire Mary (Hailee Steinfeld) seducing and murdering Stack (Michael B. Jordan). “When this was first cut together, it was about three or four times as long as the actual song that had been recorded and performed,” explained Shawver. “And so Ryan watched it and he liked what he saw, but he wanted to cut it to the length of the song. That first moment I wondered if I was the right editor, but that fear and anxiety gives you a bit of freedom to find those spiritual connections that built to this climax at the end. It was really just about Ryan’s ability to engage audiences on a personal level and unlock those things and find the ways that they can go together.”

As I stand and look at a six-metre skeleton of a domestic cat named Felix, the words of Alice in Wonderland spring to mind: “Curiouser and curiouser.” The sculpture is part of a thought-provoking and enchanting exhibition at the Centre Pompidou-Metz, and this isn’t the first time I’ve felt a sense of wonder during my weekend in this lesser-known city in north-eastern France. While most of us know what to expect from a city break in, say, Paris, Lyon or Bordeaux, Metz throws up surprises at every turn.

The giant feline sculpture is the work of Italian visual artist Maurizio Cattelan (of banana-duct-taped-to-a-wall fame), whose works form part of Dimanche Sans Fin (Endless Sunday), an exhibition he has curated that brings together more than 400 works from Paris’s Centre Pompidou, which closed for a five-year renovation last October. Each piece depicts a different way the “day of rest” could be interpreted, whether it’s the innocent play of Picasso’s sculpture Little Girl Jumping Rope (1950-1954) or Max Ernst’s figure playing chess in the King Playing with the Queen (1944).

TWO adults-only escapes in the Mediterranean – but which will you choose?

Take your pick from Barceló Hamilton Menorca and Giannoulis Grand Bay Beach Resort, Crete.

Barceló Hamilton Menorca 

Associate Editor Sarah Barns and friends found cool culture and a brill bar scene in the Balearics. 

The Pad: Set in the charming port town of Es Castell, a speedy 15-minute drive from Menorca airport, the star of this place is the rooftop sun terrace, with its gorgeous 360-degree views of Mahón Bay and six hot tubs. 

It’s the perfect spot for sipping refreshing pomadas – the island’s signature slushy cocktail, made with Xoriguer gin and cloudy lemonade, £8. 

You’ll also find two outdoor pools and a well-equipped gym, and while modern double rooms are compact, most have a balcony overlooking the Med, so keep an eye out for celebs on their superyachts! 

READ MORE TRAVEL DESTINATIONS

ON TRACK

Is this the most glam train ride ever? It travels the desert & has bar lounges

DRINK IT IN

Beautiful English village with top UK pubs and vineyards that feel like France

Explore: Want to stay local? Take a stroll to the picturesque harbour at Cales Fonts.

But sundowners at the iconic Cova d’en Xoroi, a dramatic cave bar perched on the cliffs famous for its Ibiza-style chillout tunes and breathtaking views, are well worth the 30-minute taxi ride and £12 entry (Covadenxoroi.com).  

Meanwhile, Ciutadella, Menorca’s historic former capital on the isle’s west coast, makes for a great day trip.

Potter around the narrow, medieval streets, lively market square (stopping to sample the delicious Mahón cheese) and Gothic cathedral. Grab pastisset – flower-shaped, shortbread-like cookies – and pop into Atelier Ansa per Ansa to admire the handbag brand loved by Spain’s Queen Letizia (Ansaperansa.com).  

Elsewhere, along the northern coastline you’ll find the North Menorca Marine Reserve, a protected area home to hidden coves and crystal-clear sea ideal for snorkelling, as well as the Cap de Cavalleria lighthouse. 

Refuel: Nestled among olive trees, the terrace at nearby Torralbenc was made for balmy evenings (Torralbenc.com).

Expect locally sourced, regional favourites, including ceviche, £23, spider crab stew, £24.50, and Mahón cheesecake, £16.

For a more rustic affair, head to Arjau Restaurant in Maó’s harbour for small plates, including Iberico flatbread, £15.50, rice with chicken, £19.50, and tiramisu, £6 (Arjaumao.com).

After exploring the northern coast, the fideua at Casa Emilio in the fishing town of Fornells is not to be missed. 

It’s a traditional, one-pan paella-like dish with thin noodles instead of rice, bursting with monkfish, cuttlefish and crayfish, £23.50 (Casaemiliofornells.com).  

Don’t Miss: Illa del Rei, a small, pretty island in Mahón harbour, is home to the art gallery Hauser & Wirth Menorca with shows from both local and international artists. Even better, there’s a free water-taxi service (Hauserwirth.com).  

Book It: Double rooms at Barceló Hamilton Menorca cost from £89 per night.

EasyJet now offers year-round flights to Menorca, from £23.99 each way (Easyjet.com). 

Giannoulis Grand Bay Beach Resort, Crete 

Fashion Editor Abby McHale and boyfriend Andy sought out R&R in the fishing village of Kolymbari. 

The Pad: Grab a seafront junior suite with a shared infinity pool for picture-perfect postcard vibes.

Decorated in warm creams with a hint of blue, you’ll find a super-king bed, sofa area and dining table, so you won’t be lacking in space.

A private spot on the sandy, shingle beach is reserved just for Grand Bay guests, and a 60-minute body-detox massage using reflexology points and essential oils in the spa, for a £10.50 supplement, hits the spot.

The buffet may not be the most varied, but rooftop a la carte restaurant Azzuro serves up fab Greek classics like keftedes and moussaka for dinner, before the evening entertainment – think everything from a violinist to a DJ – hit the terrace. Oh, and bartender Andreas makes a mean tequila sunrise, too. 

Explore: In Kolymbari itself, stroll to the tranquil Odigitria Gonia Monastery, £2.60 entry, and snap the stunning sea vistas.

Handily, the bus from right outside the hotel takes you to the ancient city of Chania, £3 for the 30-minute ride.

Wander down to its 16th-century lighthouse for panoramic views of a city built by the Venetians, then explore the narrow streets of the Old Town packed with handmade pottery and woven basket bags – Melody Ceramics was our fave find (@Melodyceramics).

Later, seek out the Rat Race Taproom, a craft-beer bar with arcade games, and order the tropical Welcome Abroad IPA, £6 (Rat-race.gr). 

Refuel: If you stay all-inclusive-plus, you don’t need to eat out. But dining in candlelight with the sound of waves and Zorba‘s Dance played on an accordion at chic Palio Arhontiko restaurant makes for a great date night just a short stroll from the hotel.

The seafood pasta is stuffed with mussels, clams and prawns, £19.50, and the lamb orzo comes with the meat still on the bone, £25.

A glass of Greek rosé, £7, will seal the deal (Palioarhontiko.gr).

Meanwhile, tucked away by Chania’s harbour entrance is tiny Gyros Chania, where halloumi gyros cost just £6.50, and make for a tasty lunch when day-tripping (Gyroschania.com). 

Don’t Miss: Picking up an award-winning bottle of local olive oil, £17.50, at Edia after a delicious tasting (Edia-crete.gr). 

Book it: Rooms at Giannoulis Grand Bay Beach Resort cost from £94 B&B (Giannoulishotels.com).

Flights from the UK to Chania start from £89 return. 

The impact the Rodríguez administration could have on the Venezuelan oil industry, even under the new Hydrocarbons Law, would be unsustainable and limited in scope. Structural weakness surrounding the Delcy government and the National Assembly’s lack of legitimacy, commitment to the rule of law, and popular support will restrain the reach of her reforms. Nevertheless, the law will test the willingness of the private sector to run both upstream and downstream operations. These measures could deliver a limited economic boost, that despite American supervision, will be weaponized politically by window-dressing the regime’s legitimacy and stalling further political and economic reforms. It’s precisely this flawed political and legal foundation that undermines the sustainability of the economic gains that the new law could provide.

For Venezuela and PDVSA to reclaim relevance in the international oil market what is required are not incremental improvements but a comprehensive overhaul of the industry, the company, and the constitutional framework that ties them together. The reforms must prioritize transparency, accountability, and insulating the industry and PDVSA from political pressures under strong political coverage that provides long term stability. These measures are something an interim administration, independent of who is in charge, will be unable to provide. Only then would international companies and capitals commit to the long term projects needed.

Once the country finds its political footing under a popularly elected and legitimate government can longlasting and durable reform take place. At this point multiple options may surface. There could be a scenario where we see PDVSA take a back seat while the country creates a competitive fiscal system prioritizing royalty collections while up and downstream operations are run by private enterprises. Remaining PDVSA assets and JV operations would be divested gradually as production capacity is recovered in the hands of private enterprises. However, revitalizing PDVSA as a competitive oil company should remain as a national strategic objective. Venezuelans would greatly benefit from building a company able to compete in and outside of the Venezuelan market.

However, the only way to relaunch PDVSA as a relevant actor in the international market is by allowing it to enter the 21st century oil dynamics and embracing a partial privatization via a minority share offering in international equity markets. Beyond the much needed capital that would be raised in the initial and consequent secondary offerings, plus the potential to tap debt markets along the way, going public will create an additional moat and isolate the company some steps from further political interference. A publicly traded PDVSA would not only need to answer to the government but to energy analysts, independent shareholders, and international compliance and regulatory frameworks alike. It will be the pressure generated by the external scrutiny that will enable PDVSA to be scaled up back into international relevance. Given the precarious financial and operational standing of the holding, a partial privatization is not feasible on day one or two of a political transition and economic recovery phase. But it is a question that will become relevant once the objective becomes long sustainable growth.

PDVSA would need to cut all non-essential personnel and assets, streamlining its operations. Every dollar spent should be evaluated under a return-on-capital framework, making financial discipline central to strategic planning.

The privatization of PDVSA has been a taboo for Venezuelan society despite serious attempts in late 1990s to execute such an operation. However, the devastation that the industry suffered under chavista mismanagement provides a clean slate opportunity to relaunch PDVSA and the oil industry under a modern governance framework. For too long the Venezuelan oil industry has been treated as the cash cow of whoever seats in Miraflores. Historically, this led to the centralization of political and economic power which hindered the development of democratic institutions and left the nation at the will of the administration’s oil revenue distribution policy. Taking control of PDVSA not only meant controlling the oil industry but the state itself. Reforms should aim to break the petro-state monopoly over oil revenue and to make PDVSA part of a dynamic national industry where other participants are allowed to play.

There are multiple precedents to back this move. Lessons from the partial privatizations of Chinese SINOPEC and Norwegian Statoil from the early 2000s could be drawn to prove that these operations are possible under different political systems. A PDVSA offering would be exceptionally complex, but in order to even start considering it there are three basic fundamentals that need to align.

First, the move would need overwhelming support from civil society to sustain the necessary political will. While that looks like a concrete goal in María Corina Machado’s energy proposals, the possibility seems remote under an interim Delcy government that still needs to appease other factions within the ruling coalition. In addition, chavismo’s current leader has not adhered to international transparency standards following her 2020 appointment as acting Minister of Economy and Finance—a role that earned her the title of Venezuela’s economic vice president before taking control of the national oil industry. Her tenure overlapped with the loss of an estimated $21 billion in oil payments, a scandal that ultimately led to the arrest and scapegoating of former Oil Minister Tareck El Aissami.

Second, Petróleos de Venezuela needs a robust rule-of-law framework that can deliver credible guarantees to investors The current interim president is unlikely to provide such assurances, given the deep mistrust surrounding Venezuela’s public institutions—many of which she does not fully control. As Juan Guillermo Blanco points out, her posture may swing from alignment with Washington on this occasion to an anti-imperialist rupture if the circumstances allow it.

Shifting to global best practices

PDVSA cannot move forward without the goodwill of the market. Francisco Monaldi has repeatedly stated that the main risks of Venezuelan oil are above ground. Beyond the politics, sanctions, and the legal framework, PDVSA needs to get its house in order to regain market credibility. For starters, the holding needs to address its debt issue—estimated at $34.5b—through an agreement where debtholders walk away feeling it was a fair deal. Without serious debt restructuring, a share offering roadshow would be impossible.

The company must also cut all non-essential ventures, subsidies, and social project funding from the nucleus. From PDVAL supermarkets to F1 teams, PDVSA bankrolled it all during chavismo. Despite how bizarre the outflows party got, these types of splurges and subsidies have been ingrained in the Venezuelan mindset and will be hard to get rid of. Such measures would represent a comprehensive detachment from century-old beliefs in the magical powers of the Venezuelan petro-state.

Furthermore, PDVSA would need to cut all non-essential personnel and assets, streamlining its operations. Every dollar spent should be evaluated under a return-on-capital framework, making financial discipline central to strategic planning. In addition, investors and banking partners must be able to track every dollar. Auditable records are not only essential for building reliable financial projections but also necessary for protecting stakeholders from anticorruption liability. This underscores the need for a new framework of transparent, efficient contract allocation and fully auditable accounting trails, ensuring that financial statements can withstand market scrutiny and compliance verification.

Making an example out of Petróleos de Venezuela would help generate a spillover effect that could contribute to more transparency, financial discipline, and compliance across the domestic market.

Figures such as the “productive participation contracts” (CPPs) or joint ventures that currently dominate private investments in the industry are compatible with this model as PDVSA should seek alliances in cases where it makes financial sense to do so. However, the secrecy under which these ventures have been working on needs to end.

Finally, PDVSA will need to bring in an independent leadership team and board with enough protection to isolate operational and financial decision-making from politics. Venezuela would be represented in the board as the majority shareholder, but would be restrained from running the day-to-day business operations and resource allocation. Studies that examine initial offerings of National Oil Companies (NOC) suggest that a substantial amount of the efficiency gains are delivered before an IPO is launched, as the company restructures itself to be introduced into the public market. PDVSA has a long way to go before we can consider this scenario. Nevertheless, aiming toward partial privatization would provide a blueprint for rebuilding PDVSA as an operationally, financially, and commercially viable company.

A share offering should consider a dual listing that includes the Caracas Stock Exchange, which is also in need of an extreme makeover (that’s part of a different discussion, however). The overhaul needed is not only about getting barrels out of the ground, but about including the company in the wider economy and making it subject to the highest managerial and corporate governance standards. Making an example out of Petróleos de Venezuela would help generate a spillover effect that could contribute to more transparency, financial discipline, and compliance across the domestic market. Ultimately, this would constrain the government’s ability to overreach into the private sector.

Whichever path is chosen for the future of PDVSA and the Venezuelan oil industry, it should be preceded by an inclusive debate that considers implications beyond the industry itself and sets the country on a sustainable growth path. This debate must happen in public, in conditions of full political and economic freedom, free from coercion by either internal or external powers. It should be the opposite of what occurred prior to the swift approval of the new Hydrocarbons Law, when secrecy prevailed and the legislative body responsible for drafting the statute showed no significant deliberation.

The one-sided vote in the illegitimate 2025 National Assembly should not overshadow the legislature’s failure to comply with its own parliamentary rules during the bill’s passage, as purported opposition lawmakers reportedly received a copy of the draft only hours before the first debate. That episode underscores why the legal and constitutional reforms needed to break the petro-state and refound PDVSA can only follow the renewal of all institutions, including a truly multiparty, independent congress.

The end goal is simple, yet history-changing: to dismantle Miraflores’ total control and discretion over oil-industry revenues.

After some late winter sun? This colourful Moroccan city should be top of your list to explore, with its magnificent palaces, stunning gardens and bustling souks

With its famous medina now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a labyrinth of souks to explore and luxury riads to stay at, there’s never been a better time to head to Marrakech. Whether you’re looking for a spot of winter sun or want to soak up the culture later on in the year, you won’t be disappointed. We were surprised by how much was on offer – and in fact, your only problem is likely to be not having enough time to explore.

Where to stay in Marrakech

Hidden down a little alleyway, you’d never find Tarabel Marrakech unless you knew it was there, which makes it the perfect place to rest and relax after a long day of exploring. Upon arrival you step into a courtyard filled with orange trees and are welcomed with fresh mint tea, served with the most delicious biscuits. Looks can be deceiving – you may think the riad is small but there are three hid- den courtyards and cosy alcoves to unwind in. One of our favourite features was the mirror which opened up to reveal the hammam and spa, where you can indulge in a much-deserved massage or facial.

The hotel is made up of just 10 individually designed rooms and suites, meaning peace and quiet is guaranteed. If you can pull yourself away from your room, take a dip in the outdoor pool or recline in the sun on one of several roof terraces.

While the hotel doesn’t have a restaurant, it does have a dedicated kitchen team who are on hand to ensure you get to sample the best Marrakech has to offer. We enjoyed a romantic candlelit dinner on one of the many terraces, which was the perfect start to our trip. Our three-course Moroccan meal was bursting with flavour, starting with a trio of salads and sweet meat samosas before tucking into a chicken tagine with a citrus infusion. To finish it was a heavenly molten chocolate cake accompanied by sliced orange with a dusting of cinnamon.

The kitchen is also open for lunch, but it was breakfast that stole the show – we still think about the fluffy pancakes with honey and fresh fruit juice served in the warmth of the morning sun on the roof terrace.

What to do in Marrakech

We’d never been to Marrakech before but had a long list of spots we wanted to visit – but with just two days to pack it all in, we had to be decisive. Just a five minute walk from the hotel and amongst the hustle and bustle of the medina is Le Jardin Secret, a small but stunning garden filled with plants from across the continent. Stop and spend a minute or two under the pergola that sits in the centre of the gardens.

If you love fashion then be sure to head to Le Jardin Majorelle and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum. The garden is an oasis of calm and will have you stopping to take photos at every turn. Make sure you book tickets online to avoid disappointment, and get an early slot to avoid crowds.

And if you love architecture then Bahia Palace is a must. You’ll be blown away by the stunning tile designs on the floors and walls along with the beautifully painted ceilings and wooden doors. Our favourite spot however was Dar El Bacha Museum, which is located just minutes from Tarabel. Set back from the street, you’ll be open mouthed as you step into the courtyard with its intricate tiled floors, handpainted ceiling and the garden full of pomegranate trees.

Stop for a drink at Bacha Coffee, which is hidden inside the museum (although be warned, you may be waiting a while for a seat).

And finally, you can’t spend time in Marrakech without heading to the souk. The little alleyways are lined with small shops selling everything from jewellery and leather goods to spices and rugs. It’s a visual feast and you can easily lose hours exploring.

Hidden hotspot

One of our favourite finds while exploring the city was Ice Mamman. Once you’re finished haggling in the souks or just tired from exploring, this ice cream parlour with a roof terrace has everything from sorbets, snacks and smoothies for you to enjoy. The winning flavour has to be the chocolate ice cream – absolutely delicious!

How much does it cost?

Rooms at Tarabel Marrakech cost around €350 per night including breakfast. Marrakech is served by direct flights with BA, easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair, TUI and WIZZ Air from various locations across the UK, and Aer Lingus and Ryanair from Ireland.

Bangkok, Thailand – The orange campaign buses of Thailand’s opposition People’s Party have been hard to miss in recent weeks, winding through cities and villages carrying reformist politicians on what they call the “Choose the Future” tour.

At rally stops, thousands have gathered to hear promises of change.

On social media, videos of the candidates have drawn millions of views.

For many, the support for the party before Sunday’s general election has stirred hope that the democratic future it promises may finally be within reach.

But in Thailand, winning an election does not guarantee the right to govern.

Known simply as the Orange party for its signature colour, the People’s Party is the latest incarnation of a progressive movement that has repeatedly clashed with Thailand’s royalist conservative establishment. Its predecessor won the last election in 2023, taking 151 seats in the 500-member House. Yet it was blocked from power by a military-appointed Senate and later dissolved by the Constitutional Court over its calls to curb the powers of the monarchy.

“Our ‘soldiers’ might have grown in number, but the conservative side’s arsenal is still devastatingly strong,” said Thankrit Duangmaneeporn, co-director of Breaking the Cycle, a documentary about the “Orange Movement”. But he said he hoped the party could still force the entrenched establishment into a compromise by demonstrating overwhelming support at the polls.

“We will fight at the ballot box on Sunday,” he said. “That is all we can do.”

Overturned mandates

For more than a quarter-century, Thailand – a nation of about 71 million people – has been trapped in a dispiriting loop. Reformist parties win elections, only to be removed by courts, coups or other interventions by judges, generals and tycoons, all loyal to the monarchy.

Many fear the pattern is about to repeat itself.

While opinion polls suggest the People’s Party will again win the most seats on Sunday, analysts say the conservative Bhumjaithai Party, led by caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, stands a better chance of forming a government.

A January 30 survey by the National Institute of Development Administration put the People’s Party leader, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, in first place for prime minister with 29.1 percent, followed by Anutin at 22.4 percent. For party lists, the People’s Party led with 34.2 percent, followed by Bhumjaithai at 22.6 percent. In third was Pheu Thai, the party of jailed former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, with 16.2 percent.

A candidate for the top job must secure the backing of 251 legislators. Unless the People’s Party can reach that threshold on its own, analysts say Bhumjaithai could manoeuvre – with the support of conservative power brokers, Pheu Thai and smaller parties – into forming the next government.

The People’s Party traces its roots to the Future Forward Party, founded in 2018 with a pledge to curb the influence of unelected institutions. It quickly became the most serious challenge to elite domination of Thai politics and the economy in a generation, winning 81 seats in its first election in 2019.

But it was disbanded by the courts the following year.

Reconstituted as Move Forward, the party went on to win the 2023 election — only to be dissolved again the next year.

‘We don’t use money to buy power’

Rukchanok Srinork, a 32-year-old lawmaker for the reborn People’s Party’s Bangbon District in Bangkok, said past defeats should not extinguish hopes. Speaking from a rally stop in the northern city of Chiang Mai, Rukchanok, who goes by the nickname “Ice”, said her party has already changed Thai politics.

“We are a party that won an election without spending a single baht on buying votes,” she told Al Jazeera, referring to the vote-buying practices that have long shaped Thailand’s elections, particularly in rural areas.

“We don’t use money to buy power,” she said.

Rukchanok’s own rise reflects the party’s appeal.

Once an online vendor, she built a following through social media critiques of corruption and military overreach, then entered the National Assembly on the strength of that support. Her story, she said, showed what could be possible in a fairer system.

“When people understand they have a role and that their voice matters, they won’t lose hope in politics,” Rukchanok said.

But that idealism might not be enough.

Prinya Thaewanarumitkul, a legal scholar at Thammasat University, warned that “money politics” could still tilt outcomes in rural areas, even if voters increasingly “take the money but vote with their heart”.

For the People’s Party, the possibility of forming a government “becomes real” only if it secures 200 seats or more, he added.

A conservative counteroffensive

Anutin, the caretaker prime minister, is the heir to a construction fortune and the face of Thailand’s cannabis legalisation. He became prime minister in August after the Constitutional Court removed his predecessor, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, over her handling of a border crisis with Cambodia.

Since then, he has skilfully exploited nationalist sentiment around the conflict, which killed 149 people on both sides before a ceasefire in December.

“Anyone can say ‘choose me and you won’t regret it,’” Anutin told a rally near the border with Cambodia this week. “But Bhumjaithai says that with the military on our side, we will never be defeated.”

Backed by the royalist establishment, Anutin has assembled a team of seasoned figures from business and diplomatic circles and drawn support from powerful political dynasties that trade their support for cabinet positions.

His party has also rolled out populist policies, including a subsidy programme that covers half the cost of food and has proved popular among struggling households and small businesses.

“I don’t know many other policies,” said Buapan Anusak, 56, at a recent Bhumjaithai rally in Bangkok. “But there also has to be a prime minister that’s patriotic,” she added, referring to the border tensions.

Bhumjaithai has also made inroads into territory once dominated by Pheu Thai, the party that won every election from 2001 until the People’s Party’s breakthrough in 2023.

Pheu Thai’s founder Thaksin, now 76, remains a hero to many for policies like universal healthcare. But Pheu Thai has lost its mantle as the voice of reform to the People’s Party, after it placed second in the last election and joined military-backed parties to form a government. Since then, two of its governments have collapsed, with two prime ministers — including Thaksin’s daughter Paetongtarn — removed by the courts.

Thaksin is currently in prison, with a parole hearing scheduled for May, around the time a new government must be formed.

“Thaksin remains a master of the ‘deal,’” said Prinya, the scholar at Thammasat University. And given Thaksin’s legal troubles and the pending cases against his daughter, the politician “is heavily incentivised to maintain a partnership with the conservative establishment,” Prinya added.

Economic strain

Whoever wins on Sunday will inherit a country in economic distress.

Tariffs have hurt exporters, growth has slowed to less than 2 percent, and tourist arrivals have declined.

“This may be a last chance to repair Thailand’s once-Teflon economy,” said Pavida Pananond, a professor of international business at Thammasat University, referring to the country’s historical resilience. But to bounce back, political stability would be essential, she stressed.

“Respecting the results and avoiding political manoeuvring that derails democratic processes is essential to restore economic confidence,” she added.

Back on the campaign trail, Rukchanok urged Thais not to give up.

“The moment you stop sending your signal by voting, that is when the 1 percent who hold this country’s resources will decide for you,” she said. “People may look at politics and see something ‘dirty’ — full of bluffing, mudslinging and endless arguing. But your life can only change if politics changes.”

She paused, then added: “We still have faith in the people.”

THE beautiful village of Dedham is getting a visit from royalty today.

King Charles and Queen Camilla will visit the pretty Essex village and pop into one of the country’s best pubs along the way.

The royal couple are heading through Dedham on their way to Colchester, to celebrate it being given city status two years ago.

The pretty Essex village is frequently named as being one of the most beautiful in the country thanks to its bright Tudor buildings, pretty high street and location on the River Stour.

The River Stour, which begins west of Great Bradley in Cambridgeshire and ends in the North Sea at Harwich, passes through the village.

It’s often used for canoeing and kayaking with picnickers sitting along the bank during the summer.

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Dedham village is found in the heart of Dedham Vale, which is known as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Last year, Dedham was named as one of ‘Britain’s 30 greatest villages’ by The Telegraph where it called it ‘picturesque’.

In 2024, The Times called Dedham Vale one of the best “off-radar places to target if you are craving countryside without the crowds.”

During their visit, King Charles and Queen Camilla will visit the Sun Inn pub – which was on 100 best pubs by the Good Food Guide.

The pub sits along the main High Street and was formerly a coach inn – the 500-year-old building previously served as a vital resting point for travellers and horses.

Now, it serves up grub to visitors – the Sun Inn has a seasonal menu and is well-known for its hearty roast dinners.

According to the Good Food Guide it’s a place where you’ll get some of the tastiest food in the country.

On the Sun Inn, the Good Food Guide said: “As slices of English heritage go, Piers Baker’s 15th-century yellow-washed coaching inn right in the heart of Dedham is nigh-on perfect.

“There’s a sense of seasonality too in menus that offer a winning mix of updated pub classics and more inventive, Italian-accented dishes built around prime seasonal ingredients.”

On Sundays you can get one course for £25, two for £35 and three for £45.

Mains include roast rump of beef, pork loin and celeriac puff pastry pie – each comes with roast potatoes, vegetables, Yorkshire pudding and gravy.

Upstairs are seven bedrooms available for visitors to book – some are dog-friendly, and all have big beds and ensuite bathrooms.

A one-night stay in February costs £185 and comes with breakfast.

The royals aren’t the only well-known figures to have stepped inside the pub – it’s previously been visited by Sting and ex-footballer Frank Lampard.

From the Sun Inn, King Charles and Queen Camilla will head to the Essex Rose Teahouse.

Here you can get breakfast, lunch and of course an afternoon tea, which comes with a selection of freshly made sandwiches followed by homemade fruit scones for £25pp.

If you don’t fancy a whole afternoon tea – you can get a cream tea from £9.95pp.

Dedham is 9 miles away from Colchester which was given city status just two years ago as part of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

For more UK villages, here are five that will make you feel like you’re in The Holiday with cosy pubs and cottages.

And here are even more quaint British villages with toy-town cottages, car-free roads and cosy pubs – handpicked by our travel writers.

PLANNING a UK city break can be a right headache when you’re skint and short on time – but one must-do activity lets you see a lot without spending a penny.

Recently, my family came to visit me in London and even though I live in the city, I don’t often get the chance to be a tourist.

Stumped on ideas of what to do that pleases everyone but didn’t cost much, I took to Google and stumbled across London Walking Tours by Richard Jones.

On the website, there are a number of free, self-guided walking tours – but what makes them even better is that they aren’t to cliche spots, instead you get to uncover hidden pieces of history.

In fact, there are 22 free walking tours on the site to choose from.

I opted for the Soho self-guided walk, taking about two hours starting from Tottenham Court Road Station.

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The walk takes you around the area showing streets and alleyways frequented by famous figures like Charles Dickens and the Beatles.

One of my favourite things about the tour is that it takes you to places you would have otherwise missed.

For example, it took us down this rather normal-looking road to a house with a blue plaque.

The blue plaque simply stated: “John William Polidori, 1795-1821, poet & novelist, author of ‘The Vampyre’, born and died here”.

I had no clue who this person was, but the tour informed me that Polidori was actually a personal physician to the famous poet Lord Byron – whom he idolised.

Upon showing Byron one of his submissions to Byron’s 1816 writing competition – ‘The Vampyre’ – Polidori was dismissed as having little potential.

Not long after, the New Monthly Magazine had published ‘The Vampyre’ but attributed it to Lord Byron – who denied any involvement.

Polidori wrote to the magazine, but was accused of plagiarism and ended up taking his life.

If you aren’t so much of a history fan though, there are other options that are more themed.

For example, you could spend the day on a magical tour that heads all over London showing you locations that have been featured in the Harry Potter movies.

Or perhaps, you want to add in a fun game?

Then head on the Mayfair to St James Quiz Trail, where, as you explore different places, you have to find the answers to a number of questions and complete photo challenges.

But what if you are on a city break elsewhere?

There are plenty of different sites out there offering free walking tours.

For example, if you are exploring Manchester you could opt for The Ultimate Manchester Free Walking Tour, where you can discover history about the famous Britannia Hotel and stop by the bustling Corn Exchange for some food.

In Birmingham, you could go on a self-guided Discovering Britain walking tour which takes you to the popular spots but shares information you may not know about them.

Lots of councils also have guides on their websites, as well as walking maps.

To get the best search result for the city you want to explore, make sure to search the name of your city along with ‘free self-guided walking tour’.

By doing this, you will get results which are free and also aren’t led by anyone, which means you can do the tour at your own pace and even stop along the way for a cuppa or bite to eat.

One thing I learned from the tour I did, was definitely print the tour if you can before heading off on it.

I had the tour open on my phone, but obviously walking around London, or any other large city for that matter, with your phone constantly in your hand isn’t the best idea…

For more things to do in the UK, here are the best free activities for Brits this week for families, couples and mates.

Plus, the top 15 UK attractions for 2025 revealed…including six which are totally FREE for the summer holidays.

FANCY a mini-break but don’t want to spend too much money? Well, how about a short cruise to Europe for the same price as a meal at Pizza Express for a family of four.

Travellers can head off on a two-night cruise between Hull and the Netherlands.

The P&O Ferries mini cruise allows you to travel overnight, usually leaving Hull at around 8:30pm and arriving in the Netherlands around 8:45am.

You can opt between heading to Rotterdam or Amsterdam on a return sailing from Hull to Europoort, with two nights in an en suite cabin, return coach transfers into the city centres and the live entertainment on board.

In between you will also get to explore either Rotterdam or Amsterdam – all for just £65 per person.

For example, one £65pp sailing heads off on March 3 and returns on March 5.

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Included in the price you pay is a two-bunk cabin with an en suite shower room with a WC.

Towels and bed linen are included too.

There are of course add-ons, if you wish to include them – such as the kitchen dinner for £25 per person, which is a buffet of international dishes.

If you fancy breakfast on board, that will set you back £13.50 each too.

Or you could get a package for both dinner and breakfast for £35.95 per person.

Though it is worth baring in mind, these prices are all per way.

Coach transfers from the port to either Rotterdam or Amsterdam are listed as £12 per person, per way – though they are included in the £65 per person price.

The cities of Amsterdam and Rotterdam in the Netherlands are both great to explore for a day.

In Rotterdam, you can head to one of the maritime museums to learn about its history as a port city.

Then, you could swing by the Cube Houses, known for their unusual architecture.

Opposite the Cube Houses you will find Markthal, which is a large market hall home to around 96 food stalls.

Alternatively, if you choose to head to Amsterdam you can explore the intricate network of canals that sprawl across the city.

One of the most popular tourist spots in the city is the Anne Frank House, which is a museum inside the actual house where Anne Frank hid during World War II.

To explore the canals further, you can also hop on a canal tour via boat.

If you fancy an even more memorable sailing you can head on a Mini Cruise Live.

These cruises have different entertainment onboard, often including celebrities.

For example, you could head on a Noughties Takeover cruise from February 27 to March 1.

On board, the entertainment includes JLS star Marvin Humes and Blazin’ Squad star and former Love Islander, Marcel Somerville.

This sailing costs from £139 per person.

With the family? Then head on the Family Cruise from April 8 to 10, with K-Pop Live and Cirque: The Greatest Show – a circus-musical experience with songs from The Greatest Showman, La La Land, Rocketman and Moulin Rouge.

There will also be face painters on board, and tickets to this sailing also cost from £139 per person.

Fancy something a little different? Head on the Murder Mystery Mini Cruise from March 4 to 6.

On board, passengers will get to enjoy two murder mystery experiences with Cheeky Blinders on night one and 1925-based mystery The Maiden Voyage on night two.

This sailing costs from £99 per person.

In other cruise news, the ‘affordable luxury’ Nordic cruise where temperatures hit 28C.

Plus, our pick of the eight best cruises for both hot and cold weather – from Caribbean sailings to Icelandic glacier tours.

It’s time to think about shaking off winter and looking forward to spring. Whether it was a coastal Mediterranean town without the crowds or a southern European city that comes to life at this time of year, we’d love to hear about places you’ve discovered on your travels that can be reached by rail. Tell us what you got up to and why early spring is a great time to visit.

The best tip of the week, chosen by Tom Hall of Lonely Planet wins a £200 voucher to stay at a Coolstays property – the company has more than 3,000 worldwide. The best tips will appear in the Guardian Travel section and website.

Keep your tip to about 100 words

If you have a relevant photo, do send it in – but it’s your words we will be judging for the competition.

We’re sorry, but for legal reasons you must be a UK resident to enter this competition.

The competition closes on Monday 9 February at 10am GMT

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OLBIA in Sardinia was recently named one of the ‘best places to travel to in 2026’ by Lonely Planet, and it’s arguably the easiest beach city break destination in the world.

Located on the northeast coast of the island, the city has a charming old town, ruins and white sandy bays, it also has one of the best transfer times – just 3 minutes drive from the airport to the town centre.

British Airways will soon launch a new service, with flights running twice a week on Saturdays and Sundays from London Stansted to Olbia – starting on May 23 and ending on September 27, 2026.

The journey takes two and a half hours and a one-way ticket starts from £127.

Olbia has a great mix of pretty beaches, Roman and Greek history, and plenty of bars and restaurants.

Be sure to try the local dish of bread lasagne,made of cheese and bread soaked in broth.

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Crispy Sardinian flatbread, mussels, stuffed dumplings and pecorino cheese also feature heavily on the menu, washed down with locally-made wine like Cannonau.

Late spring is a great time to visit, with highs of between 22 and 24C and rooms from £31pp a night.

For proper sunbathing weather, average highs reach the early 30s in July and August, when tourists head to the beach to cool down – two of the most beautiful are Costa Corallina and Porto Istana Beach, which has fine white sand.

Porto Istana also has views across to Tavolara Island which is a sought-after snorkelling spot where you’ll see shipwrecks and plenty of colourful fish.

Then, hop onto a boat for an excursion towards Figarolo and the Golfo Aranci for bottlenose dolphin-spotting.

Dolphin tours generally start at £30 per person.

For souvenirs as well as boutiques and gelato spots head down Corso Umberto which is the main shopping street that stretches from the train station down to the waterfront.

When it comes to staying in Olbia, you can book a seven-night stay at the Olbia City Hotel & Spa from May 23 to May 30, 2026 for £217pp – or £31 per night.

Just a five-minute drive from the city centre, the 4-star hotel has a garden, a bar, small swimming pool and air-conditioned rooms.

Lonely Planet named Sardinia as one of its best places to travel to in 2026 thanks to its “pristine beaches”.

Sardinia was also named as a Destination of the Year by Expedia Group’s Unpack ’26: The Trends in Travel report.

If you fancy exploring more of Sardinia, one must-see is the beach called Cala Goloritzè, which is two hours south of Olbia.

Cala Goloritzè is tucked away in-between enormous limestone cliffs and was awarded the title of being 2025’s best beach in the world.

For more inspiration, Travel Reporter Cyann Fielding headed to Sardinia last year where she ventured to the south side of the island.

She said: “Most travellers head to Olbia in the north of the island, but Cagliari in the south – the capital of the island – is also a great destination to explore.

“The south of the island and around Cagliari is full of quaint villages, rocky hills and breathtaking beaches. You can also do a number of activities from the resort, including a two-hour horse ride up into the island’s hills.

“The city is small, but even on a sunny Saturday at the end of August, its streets were quiet, free from hordes of tourists.”

For more on island holidays, here are five island-hopping holidays across Europe and the Maldives.

And see what one Sun Writer got up to when he went to a barely-visited Greek island with Hawaii-like beaches that wants Brits.

Dublin offers partying, parks and pints galore which make it a perfect place to visit for 48 hours from the UK

Whenever I have been to Dublin I find there’s always a buzz of excitement in the air. There are so many places to visit with a warm and friendly atmosphere, and it’s all created by the locals. Whether it be music or museums, Guinness or gourmet food, it is a great location for a 48-hour break.

Our base was the Ruby Molly Hotel, fewer than 10 minutes away from the main action. Our room offered a calm haven away from all the hustle and bustle, and if you get back and still have the energy for a nightcap or some food, the bar is open late and the signature cocktails are recommended!

There are a lot of great pubs and bars in Dublin but perhaps the best place to start for a pint is The Guinness Storehouse, which is both a museum and the place where the black stuff is brewed in the city.

Anyone who has watched House Of Guinness on Netflix will know there is a lot of history and drama behind the dark drink. The Storehouse goes through the legacy of the Guinness family, the brewing innovations and the extraordinary advertising around the brand. At the end of your seven-floor tour you are rewarded at the top in the Gravity Bar with a pint and a chance to take in an incredible 360-degree view of the famous city.

If you get a taste for this kind of thing, there are also whiskey distilleries dotted around, including the famous Jameson Distillery, where you can also do a tour and sample more booze.

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For those short on time, The Little Museum of Dublin is famous for its 29-minute guided tour celebrating the art of great Irish storytelling, with history, comedy and some of the friendliest people in Ireland.

The city’s Trinity College is also a place to visit with many landmarks, including a breathtaking library known as The Long Room which is home to more than 200,000 books.

Dublin is a great city to tour on foot, and while you’re there you’ll also be able to see a number of landmarks, including Dublin Castle, the Ha’penny Bridge and The Spire sculpture.

The city offers a Do Dublin Freedom Pass which includes public transport and the Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour, a great way to get around if you want to relax and learn about the history of the city at the same time, with many of the drivers adding in their own jokes or songs. Of course, all of this exploring can help you build up an appetite.

The Woollen Mills is a must-visit for literary fans, given that author James Joyce once worked in this very location. Expect hearty fare with plenty of Irish beef on the menu alongside long ray and chips.

Meanwhile, The Church Bar & Restaurant is, as the name suggests, set in a former church, with Taylor Swift as a recent guest when she dined there during the Eras Tour. The food is quintessentially Irish, and very tasty, and if you don’t have time to eat here, it’s worth a stop for a drink at the bar, where there is traditional Irish music and dancing in the evenings.

For something that feels a bit more decadent, Dublin’s newest rooftop experience, DÍON offers a wonderful way to spend an evening. The food and cocktails – as well as the amazing views – made it a perfect place for a romantic date. Dishes included Irish crab soldiers, dover sole, king prawns and fillet steak.

In terms of places to drink, there are far too many to mention. The pubs and bars seem to continue to thrive here, with live music in many of the bars. The Temple Bar area is considered to be for tourists only and you will pay more for pints there, but the pubs will be busy and the atmosphere is always good.

Recommendations from locals for the best pints include The Lord Edward, The Long Hall, The Cobblestone and Mulligan’s. I can also vouch for the odd-sounding Darkey Kelly’s and the oldest pub in Dublin, The Brazen Head. And if you want a change from Guinness and pubs, you could try the cocktails at Bar 1661 instead.

Book it

Rooms at the Ruby Molly Hotel start from €96 (approximately £83). Dublin hosts a brilliant series events around New Year’s Eve which are the climax of a winter programme. For more information on the city and further afield too head to ireland.com