British

AS an ignorant southerner, I barely believed the idyllic world I had seen on TV of Cumbria’s lakes, valleys and mountains could truly exist here in Britain.

And even as I gazed across the shimmering Ullswater lake, with the sun setting over the trees, I had to pinch myself.

I was so mesmerised I even tried to get the kids (aged five and seven) to stop fighting with sticks to take in the view with me. It didn’t work.

Even if it was a slightly different holiday to the one we’d taken in 2017BK (Before Kids), the 328-mile journey from East Sussex to the Lake District sure was worth it.

The drive even felt like part of the adventure, travelling in Skoda’s fully electric 2025 Elroq SportLine 85, complete with heated seats.

We only needed to stop to charge once, which gave us a welcome coffee and toilet break.

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Forty minutes and about £40 later we were off again, weaving past rolling hills, dry stone walls and flocks of curious sheep.

Our home for the next few nights was a cottage in picturesque Sedbergh, on the border of the Lakes and Yorkshire Dales.

Our home for the next few nights was a cottage in picturesque Sedbergh, on the border of the Lakes and Yorkshire Dales.

Known as England’s official “Book Town”, thanks to the high number of book shops here, its Emmerdale-esque scenery inspired my first attempt to get my children to “just look at the views”.

But like all later efforts to get them to marvel at, arguably, Britain’s greatest natural landscapes, it failed miserably.

I was told by my son that “I don’t really do views, I prefer doing things, like knee slides”.

Fair enough, and luckily for him there was plenty to keep him and his sister happy other than the scenery.

There’s lots for adults too, not least the food.

Cumbria claims to have the most Michelin stars outside of London, but my partner and I left the fine dining for a trip without youngsters.

Cumbria claims to have the most Michelin stars outside of London, but my partner and I left the fine dining for a trip without youngsters.

Instead, we spoiled ourselves in top-notch pubs, enjoying delicious, hearty grub.

Our local, The Dalesman, dished up beautiful pies by a roaring fire.

And the nearby Black Bull cooked up a stupendous full English and the biggest bacon sandwich I’ve ever seen, setting us up nicely for a day exploring.

Choosing where to eat is almost as important as picking which lake or waterfall to visit.

But while the Elroq features a smart windscreen display and huge navigation screen, I didn’t find cruising around narrow country lanes on a dark night that much fun.

They didn’t waste a penny on tarmac when they built the roads.

So we were lucky the 17th century Punch Bowl Inn in Crosthwaite was nearby and that its renowned cheese souffle lived up to the billing.

We also made use of the brilliant local produce by raiding the nearby Meat Hook butchers for fire-side steak and sausages at home.

While our electric Skoda may be the future of travel, we still enjoyed heading back in time with an unmissable trip on the steam train from Haverthwaite to Lakeside.

It is a great way to see some of the area and we combined it with a boat ride up the mighty Lake Windermere to Bowness where, once again, the views are jaw-dropping.

Bustling Bowness boasts a huge choice of pubs and shops, but we spent the afternoon in the magical, and reasonably priced, World Of Beatrix Potter Attraction.

As well as a Peter Rabbit cafe selling home-made cakes and afternoon tea, there is a free activity trail and interactive videos showing yet more cracking Lake District views, except on a screen.

The kids loved completing the puzzles about Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle-Duck and Co.

And while that kept their little minds entertained, the best way to burn off energy was climbing through the trees and adventure playgrounds of Brookhole on Windermere.

There, you can brave tree-top adventures in Zip World, try axe-throwing or take a boat out on the lake, among other activities.

We left there with the kids suitably exhausted and ready for an eight-hour drive home.

Luckily, they slept the entire way, tucked up in the back of the car, while I soaked up the last of those views.

WANTING to go on holiday but don’t want to spend much money? Well, British Airways has just launched a sale.

British Airways is offering up to 25 per cent off flights to Europe and beyond, including popular destinations such as Malta, Marrakech, Madeira and Faro.

The sale on return flights operated by Gatwick-based subsidiary airline, BA Euroflyer, is running from February 19 to 24 and is available on travel between March 1 and July 31.

Passengers will also get a complimentary drink and snack onboard, as well as hand luggage allowance.

For example, you could head off to Faro in Portugal from London Gatwick from £104 return.

The city is the capital of southern Portugal‘s Algarve region and is known for its historical buildings including the 13th century Faro Cathedral.

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Visitors can also head to the Municipal Museum, which is inside a 16th-century convent and boasts a collection of prehistoric displays and medieval artefacts.

Or perhaps you want to go further afield? Well, you could travel to Marrakech in Morocco from £118 return.

Dubbed the ‘Red City’, Marrakech features a large medina – which is the old walled city that was built centuries ago.

In the medina, visitors can explore a network of narrow, winding alleyways with hidden treasure shops selling everything from brass lamps to freshly made flatbreads.

Elsewhere in the city, you can head to Ville Nouvelle, where you will find the modern part of the city with art galleries, boutiques and cafés.

Want to spend less than that? Travel to Majorca, Spain, for £84 return.

This Spanish island is loved for its blue waters, sandy beaches and secret coves.

You can spend time exploring charming villages, but there are also a number of world-famous beaches to venture to.

Make sure to try some of the local food, which consists of Mediterranean dishes with pork, lamb, fresh vegetables and olive oil.

And it isn’t just flights you can save on…

British Airways Holidays is also offering up to £200 off European holidays.

Currently, you can get £200 off a £5,000 holiday, which includes flights and a hotel.

Or £100 off a £2,500 holiday, which includes flights, hotel and car reservations.

There is also a £50 discount on £1,250 holidays and £25 off of £625 holidays.

For example, you could head to Majorca for seven nights and stay at the five-star Hotel De Mar Gran Melia costing from £1,229 per person between May 1 and 31.

If you don’t fancy spending quite that much, then head to Morocco for seven nights, staying in the four-and-a-half-star Movenpick Hotel Mansour Eddahbi Marrakech from £879 per person between May 1 and 31.

In other holiday news, here are cheap holidays for under £250 – city breaks and family deals not to miss.

Plus, 10 cheap holiday spots about to go BIG in 2026 that you’ve probably never heard of – with a week away from £189.

POP superstar Lady Gaga is set to release a concert film about her record breaking Mayhem Ball.

The Sun can reveal the Abracadabra hitmaker, 39, has secretly enlisted British director Sam Wrench to help bring her vision to life.

The special is set to be filmed over Lady Gaga’s four nights at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles this week.

While no release date is set, the film is expected to be released later this year after being snapped up by streaming bosses following a fierce bidding war.

Sam is no stranger to concert documentaries, having previously worked with Taylor Swift on her 2023 Eras Tour film.

Not only was the film released on Disney+ but it also was rolled out across cinemas – breaking box office records in the process.

Most recently Sam teamed up with Christina Aguilera for her festive special;  Christmas in Paris.

It’s not the first time Gaga and Sam have worked together.

They previously teamed up on Gaga’s 2024 Chromaica Ball HBO special which documented her 2022 stadium tour of the same name.

A source said: “Gaga has poured her heart and soul into The Mayhem Ball.

“She is so proud of everyone who has helped make the tour what it is and is keen to give it the full concert film treatment.

“Not only is it arguably her most elaborate show of all time, it’s also reminded the world that almost two decades into her career she is still at the top of her game.”

The insider added: “Gaga and Sam have a close working relationship so bringing him on board was a no brainer.

“The show will be filmed across her four dates in Los Angeles and is pencilled in for release late 2026.”

The Sun understands Sam is joining the creative team headed up by the superstar.

He will sit alongside Gaga’s fiance Michael Polansky, 42, and her choreographer Parris Goebel, 34, who are also helping creatively manage the project.

Michael is now an integral part of the Poker Face singer’s inner circle.

He was listed as an Executive Producer alongside Gaga on Mayhem – as well as landing a number of writing credits including on the record’s lead single Disease.

Gaga previously said: “Michael was in the studio every day with me.
“He oversaw the whole process of making the record, completing it, helping me shape the sound of the record creatively.

“It was an amazing thing to do with your partner, because when I start to doubt myself, there is nobody that’s going to call me on it better than he is”.

Kicking off in July last year, The Mayhem Ball is one of Gaga’s biggest ever tours, seeing her play 87 dates across four continents.

Last September and October Gaga played four sold out shows at London’s O2 before a further two dates at Manchester’s Co-op Live.

By the time she takes her final bow at Madison Square Garden in April, she will have played to over 1.3million fans.

The concert film comes off the back of an already packed 2026 for Gaga.

Despite only being weeks into the year the singer has already filmed a concert special for Apple Music, performed at the Grammys and the Super Bowl and wrapped up the Asian leg of The Mayhem Ball.

Next week she will go head to head with some of the biggest artists in the world at the 2026 Brit Awards.

While she is unable to attend the ceremony due to playing a show in Texas on the same date, she is up for two of the biggest gongs of the night.

Gaga is nominated for International Artist of the Year and International Song of the Year thanks to her Bruno Mars collaboration Die With A Smile

It marks the first time in over a decade she has been nominated.

TUI, easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2 and British Airways rules on flying with pets including the airlines that do allow you to bring animals into the cabin

Every pet owner has found themselves missing their cuddly companion when away from home. If you’re particularly close to your dog or cat, you might even be wondering whether it’s possible to take them with you. Policies vary from airline to airline, as does the cost. It’s also worth checking the requirements for bringing pets to your destination, as well as returning to the UK with your pet, as you’ll need to follow a number of steps to get them through customs.

Here’s what some popular airlines say about travelling with animals.

TUI

Pets aren’t allowed in the cabin of TUI’s aircraft, although registered assistance dogs can travel with their owners for free. Any other animals need to travel in the hold, and TUI say pets will usually go on the same flight as their owners. Its website reassures owners that: “The hold is pressurised and at the same temperature as the passenger cabin.”

Pets need to be kept in a travel box with a water bowl, and cannot be medically sedated, although herbal calming products cam be used. Owners will need to call or email TUI beforehand to check whether their pet can be accommodated, as some routes have restrictions, and to arrange for their pet’s travel in advance.

EasyJet

EasyJet’s policy is clear: “Animals are not allowed on our flights, apart from recognised registered guide and assistance dogs.” Animals can not be carried in the cabin or hold.

Passengers travelling with assistance dogs will need to contact the special assistance team in advance, at least 48 hours before the flight, and will need to provide documents that the pet is a trained assistance dog. The dog will also need an animal health certificate, or pet passport if accepted, and the necessary vaccination certificates depending on the destination.

Ryanair

Ryanair also say: “We do not carry animals on board any Ryanair flights, except guide/assistance dogs on certain routes.” Assistance dogs need to be registered with an organisation such as Assistance Dogs International (ADI), Assistance Dogs UK, or the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF).

Ryanair added: “Emotional support or therapy dogs that are not recognized as assistance dogs by the above organizations are not permitted to travel with Ryanair.” It also has a list of requirements for assistance dogs on its website.

Jet2

Jet2 does not allow pets in the cabin or hold, and assistance dogs are the only animals allowed onboard. Assistance dogs travel with their owner for free, and Jet2 advise that passengers should contact their Assisted Travel Team before travelling so arrangements can be made.

It advises: “Please note an additional seat may be required to ensure there is enough floor space for the assistance dog to lie down, and if this is the case, an additional charge may be applicable depending on the size of the assistance dog.” Jet2 also warned: “If the assistance needs (including carriage of assistance dogs) of customers on the same flight create conflicting health issues, we reserve the right to decide how the conflict shall be resolved at our absolute discretion.”

British Airways (BA)

BA advise that all pets must be carried in the hold on flights to and from the UK. It has partnered with cargo services that specialise in the transport of pets, details of which can be found on its travelling with pets page.

BA warn: “British Airways is unable to accept emotional support dogs for travel in the cabin on any British Airways operated flights. Your emotional support dog can travel as a pet.” However, it also makes an exception for assistance dogs, which can travel free of charge in the cabin. Assistance dogs will need to be registered and trained with a suitable organisation, and the dog will need to be registered ahead of the flight’s departure.

Air France

Air France is one of the few European airlines to allow pets in the cabin, but there are restrictions. It only allows cats or dogs up to 8kg in weight, and up to 75kg in total with its carrier. Pets over this size must go into the hold.

Owners will need to contact Air France before they travel and check the strict list of requirements. Certain breeds with snub-noses will need to be cleared by a vet to fly. This includes pugs, bulldogs, and Persian cats. Pets can’t travel in the cabin on intercontinental flights and aren’t allowed in business class.

Vueling

Spanish airline Vueling also allow some pets onboard including dogs, cats, birds, and turtles, although they must be kept inside a carrier at all times when in the cabin. It does not allow pets in the hold.

The maximum weight for pets travelling on Vueling is 10kg including the carrier, and it’ll need to go under the seat in front of you. Pet owners will need to check the requirements for their destination country and should contact the airline to book their pet’s space.

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

Eight years later, the latest UK Sport funding allocation of just under £2m has been presented as a total for short track, figure and long track speed skating.

So short track is caught in the situation which befalls many Olympic sports in Britain – they need to perform at the Games to get more funding, but without the funding they struggle to achieve success.

Asked what work is being done to fix short track, British Olympic Association (BOA) chair Dame Katherine Grainger told BBC Sport: “As much potential as we have in that team, there is more untapped.

“It is not a sport we have a legacy in, so that opens the door – we need to learn from other countries where we can.”

Add in the fact that there are few sports in the world more chaotic and unpredictable than short track.

Christie was Britain’s most recognisable speed skater a decade ago when she won three gold medals at the 2017 World Championships, but a series of crashes and disqualifications ruined her Olympic dreams in 2014 and 2018.

And this year, Treacy’s luck was also out. Take his 1,000m final – usually this event would have six racers, but in Milan had nine because three athletes were advanced to the medal race after being illegally hindered in their semi-finals.

Would Treacy, who was running in third when he tangled with Liu, have won a medal if there were fewer men on the track? Ultimately, hypotheticals do not put cash in the bank.

Treacy could not hide his funding frustrations when speaking to the BBC following that final.

“If we only had a bit more support going through the Olympic cycle,” he said. “In the UK we don’t even have an ice centre which is safe enough for competitions.

“In the UK we have to look at ourselves and see we need a facility where we can train at the top level, instead of having to go to other countries.”

Treacy is correct that there is no venue in Britain that could host an international short track event, because there are no rinks with the soft boards needed around the border to protect racers when there are crashes.

Feb. 13 (UPI) — Three British men will serve a combined 69 years in prison for planning a terrorist attack on the Jewish community in Greater Manchester, a court ruled Friday.

The Preston Crown Court ordered Walid Saadaoui, 38, of Abram, to serve at least 37 years in prison, while Amar Hussain, 52, will serve at least 26 years. No hometown was listed for Hussain, according to the Greater Manchester Police.

Also sentenced was Bilel Saadaoui, 37, of Hindley, who will serve a six-year sentence, plus another year of community service. He is Walid Saadaoui’s younger brother.

“Today’s sentencing brings a conclusion to one of the most significant terrorist plot disruptions we have seen in the U.K. for several years,” said Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts, who oversees counterterrorism policing in the northwest.

“Walid Saadaoui and Amar Hussein intended to target members of the Jewish community in an evil act born out of hate and intolerance,” he continued.

“If they had been successful, then what followed would have been devastating and potentially one of the deadliest terrorist attacks to ever take place on U.K. soil.”

“Walid was the ringleader,” Potts added. “He was the driving force behind the plot, and he recruited Hussein to join him.”

Walid Saadaoui and Hussein were convicted in December for plotting the terrorist attack in violation of the Terrorism Act of 2006, while Bilel Saadaoui was convicted of failing to disclose information about an act of terrorism.

Prosecutors said Walid Saadaoui in late 2023 established contact online with someone he thought shared his views and frequently exchanged messages in which he discussed carrying out a “significant terrorist attack targeting Jewish people,” the police said.

The contact was an undercover operative going by the name “Farouk” in court documents.

Walid Saadaoui introduced Farouk to Hussein, and the pair thought Farouk could supply them with automatic firearms from an overseas source to enable them to carry out their planned attack.

The two would-be terrorists conducted reconnaissance in Upper Broughton in Salford and the Port of Dover, which is the port of entry through which they thought the automatic weapons would be delivered.

Evidence gathered showed Walid Saadaoui discussed the plan with his brother, Bilel Saadaoui, which the elder brother initially denied but later admitted to during cross-examination in court.

In an incredible offer, British Airways is offering flights for just £2 to two popular sun-soaked destinations, but only some holidaymakers will be able to take advatnage of the flights

To help beat the winter blues, British Airways is offering flights to two beautiful holiday hotspots for as little as £2.

Holidaymakers could jet off to the sun-soaked city of Madrid, Spain, with its famed landmarks and beautiful parks, or to the coastal city of Toulon in France, home to one of the most spectacular harbours in Europe, for just £2. However, not everyone will be able to take advantage of the British Airways offer, as the £2 flights are Avios-only and available only to members of The British Airways Club.

Yet, for members, it’s a deal worth noting with flights departing from London City Airport to Madrid and Toulon. Plus, with the promise of blue skies, blistering sunshine and picturesque vistas at either of these popular destinations is more than appealing amid the gloomy British weather, especially when it could cost less than a cup of coffee.

Seats are now available to book, with prices starting from just £2 plus 21,500 Avios for Toulon, and £2 plus 28,000 Avios for Madrid. What’s more, 23kg of checked baggage is included, making it even more affordable.

Toulon is a new destination for the British Airways fleet arriving this summer, making it the ideal opportunity to explore the picturesque French city and discover its fascinating harbour. Meanwhile, Madrid has long been a route for the UK airline, yet it remains just as popular with its art hub, thriving food scene and gorgeous architecture.

British Airways launched Avios-Only flights in 2023 and has since operated 48 Avios-Only flights to 16 destinations across Europe, the Caribbean, Africa and the Middle East, including Cape Town, Barbados, Sharm El Sheikh, Málaga and Marrakesh. The return flight from Madrid to London will mark its 50th dedicated Avios-Only flight.

Colm Lacy, British Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, said: “We’re excited to release these latest Avios-Only flights to two top leisure destinations for summer. These flights are always incredibly popular, and we’re delighted to give our loyal customers even more opportunities to enjoy the benefits of The British Airways Club.”

Adam Daniels, IAG Loyalty’s CEO, said: “While it’s not been too long since our last Avios-Only flight, we are excited to be starting the year by announcing another two flights on London City Airport’s hottest new routes to Toulon and Madrid. With all seats onboard only available to book with Avios, the initiative shows the continued power of loyalty and opens up greater redemption opportunities for customers during the peak summer months.”

British Airways confirmed that the flights for the Madrid Avios-Only flight are as follows:

• 22 May 2026, BA3272, Depart London City 09:50, Arrive Madrid 13:10
• 25 May 2026, BA3273, Depart Madrid 13:55, Arrive London City 15:15

Meanwhile, the Avios-Only flight to Toulon, which also offers the chance to explore St-Tropez, will take place on:

• 13 June 2026, BA8747, Depart London City 07:00, Arrive Toulon 10:00
• 20 June 2026, BA8748, Depart Toulon 10:45, Arrive London City 11:50

For more information or to book your seat, you can visit the British Airways website.

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

FANCY a cheap holiday? Well, British Airways has flights for a couple of quid, but there is a catch.

British Airways has released its latest batch of Avios-Only flights to two picturesque European destinations.

Avios-Only flights are where all of the seats on the plane are Reward Seats.

And the latest version of this offer includes flights from London City Airport to Madrid in Spain and Toulon Saint-Tropez in France.

But you will need to be a member of the British Airways Club to get the offer.

Seats included in the offer will be available to book from February 12, with return prices starting just £2 plus 21,500 Avios for Toulon and £2 plus 28,000 Avios for Madrid.

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The flights include 23kg checked baggage as well.

For Club Europe (business class) the Avios-Only flights to and from Madrid cost from £30 and 49,000 Avios.

The flight departs on May 22 at 11am and arrives in Madrid at 2:20pm.

The return flight is then on May 25, leaving Madrid at 3:10pm and landing down at London City Airport at 4:30pm.

For the Toulon St-Tropez Avios-Only flight, Club Europe costs from £30 and 36,000 Avios for a return flight.

The flight will leave London City Airport on June 13, arriving into Toulon at 10am.

The return flight will be on June 20, leaving Toulon at 10:45am and landing down back in London at 11:50am.

Travellers that also have a British Airways American Express Credit Card can use their Companion Vouchers on these flights.

These allow members to get a second seat for no extra points – all you have to pay are the taxes and fees.

Colm Lacy, British Airways’ chief commercial officer, said: “These flights are always incredibly popular, and we’re delighted to give our loyal customers even more opportunities to enjoy the benefits of the British Airways Club.”

Adam Daniels, IAG Loyalty’s CEO, said: “With all seats onboard only available to book with Avios, the initiative shows the continued power of loyalty, and opens up greater redemption opportunities for customers during the peak summer months.”

The British Airways Club is free to join and when you fly with British Airways or its partner airlines, you collect Avios.

You can also collect them by shopping at over 2,000 retailers.

The points can then be used towards flights.

In other flight news, hundreds of flights cancelled at short notice in Europe with thousands of Brits hit.

Plus, a budget airline is scrapping six routes from Europe – including a mega-cheap UK flight.

A NEW luxury train experience is coming to the UK later this year.

A new carriage will appear on the British Pullman named Celia, after the fictional character created by director Baz Luhrmann and cinematic designer Catherine Martin.

According to the duo, Celia is a West End icon from the 1930s who once played Titania in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Set in an original 1932 Pullman carriage, Celia will boast a cocktail bar, lounge, dining and entertainment area that feels as if you are heading back to the 1930s.

Up to 12 guests at a time can experience the carriage via private and bespoke events.

The carriage is designed to create a luxury private dining experience, as well as showcase the train carriage’s historical charm.

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During the day, Celia will be a reception carriage and then in the evening it will turn into the “most refined venue”.

When guests reserve Celia for an event, a Guest Experience Curator will plan each detail.

Passengers will also get private luxury transfers within Greater London to and from London Victoria.

And there will even be a personal chef, butler and steward.

On the menu, passengers can create their own brunch, lunch and dinner menus.

Welcome drinks, such as a seasonal cocktail or champagne, will also be provided.

And to elevate the experience even more, there will be bespoke activities available to book.

Baz Luhrmann said that Celia is based on a woman who, after a Sunday matinee of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, headed off with her friends to escape the crowds and head on the British Pullman.

Baz said: “From the moment someone receives an invitation, or chooses to board Celia, they should be drawn instantly into her world and be swept into the glamorous, mysterious life of the actress for whom the carriage was named.”

He added: “Celia also has the capacity to transform into a performance space; I have no doubt a musical artist could have great fun staging an unplugged session or making an album announcement there.

“And of course, we’ll be fitting out the carriage with a terrific sound system and speakers to support that.”

On the idea behind the carriage, Catherine Martin revealed that once they had Baz’s character of Celia, the interior design of the carriage was based on Celia’s life story.

Baz added: “We’re both devoted lovers of slow travel as there’s an undeniable magic and romance to these kinds of journeys.

“It’s a form of travel that lends itself to being told in the most evocative and cinematic ways.”

The Belmond British Pullman usually travels day and weekend journeys around Britain.

In other rail news, here’s the UK train journey that feels like the Hogwarts Express with stunning views along the way.

Plus, picturesque English town is getting new £27m train line for first time in 60 years – and it will cut journey times by an hour.

WHY leave the Valentine’s Day fun to couples?  

Without a significant other, you can splash your hard-earned cash on yourself – and what better way to spend it than a blow-out trip? 

Sophie Swietochowski shares the best long and short-haul destinations for singletons, plus tips for solo travel from destination experts at British Airways. 

NEW YORK 

EVEN when solo, it’s impossible to get bored in the Big Apple. It was British Airways’ most searched-for route last week and has long been a hit among independent travellers. 

Some of the typical tourist attractions are worth it, while others can probably be skipped if you’re strapped for time and cash. 

The must-dos, according to BA’s Destination Manager Nicole Lawson, are The Metropolitan Museum of Art and a Broadway show. 

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Last-minute tickets can be picked up for a fraction of the usual cost from todaytix.com, and those who are part of the BA loyalty scheme can collect Avios on tickets. too. 

Free activities bring just as much joy, though, Nicole explains, with a wander through the vast Central Park and crossing the Brooklyn Bridge both top of her must-do list.  

Solo dining is rarely an issue in the city, thanks to bar-style seating at many restaurants. Take advantage of happy hours, where you can get discounted drinks or oysters for $1 at certain hours of the day. 

GO: Flights from Heathrow from £437 return. 

AMSTERDAM 

ITS walkability, café culture and proximity to the UK makes this city a great spot for travellers going on solo adventures. 

According to Katie Williams, Destination Executive at British Airways Holidays, singletons should make a beeline for Museumplein – a square in the city centre renowned for its museums, including the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh and Stedelijk museums. 

Then, take a stroll around the neighbourhoods of Jordaan and De Pijp, to soak up markets, galleries and boutique cafes.  

Instead of heading to a restaurant, Katie recommends the Foodhallen – an indoor market in Oud West with stalls serving everything from sushi and burgers to local delicacy, bitterballen. 

GO: Flights from Heathrow start from £71 each way.  

BARCELONA 

SOLO demand for this Spanish city has rocketed, with British Airways reporting a 93 per cent increase in searches compared to last month. 

Home to a sandy beach just a short stroll from the city centre with world-class restaurants and cracking shopping, it’s a great spot for anyone who’s not coupled up.  

Sara Di Lenardo, BA’s Destination Manager, recommends grabbing a hop-on, hop-off bus ticket on day one to help familiarise yourself with the area. 

Then tick off Antoni Gaudi’s famous church, the Sagrada Familia, which is finally due to be completed this year after more than 140 years under construction. 

Solo travellers may also find the Gothic Quarter’s narrow streets, crammed with wonky boutiques and diddy tapas bars, less overwhelming than the main touristy strips like Las Ramblas. 

GO: Flights from Heathrow are from £48 each way. 

GENEVA 

BACHELORS and bachelorettes seeking escapism will appreciate the tranquility of the Swiss city.  

For those not used to travelling solo, the city is simple to navigate on foot and has an easy-to-use tram system, with day trips to the Alps more than doable. 

A lakeside stroll should definitely be on the bucket list, says BA Destination Manager Nina McMaster, with the water reflecting a picture of the nearby looming mountains.

You’ll be able to treat yourself to much better sweet Valentine’s treats than you’d get back home, too, with skilled chocolate makers found throughout the city. 

Nina suggests buying a Choco Pass (around £38), which gets you a tasting plate from five different chocolatiers — you can pick which ones you want to visit. 

Wine tasting is big here, too. And if you’ve got a bit of spare cash, there are some top notch wine tours on offer with viator.com. A three-hour tuk-tuk tasting tour costs from £176. 

GO: Flights from Heathrow start from £60 each way. 

LOS ANGELES 

FOR those seeking some self-care, few places in the world do wellness better than LA – home to glorious hiking trails, sun-drenched beaches, epic spas and workout classes that keep the A-listers shipshape.

The temperature is in the mid-20s right now, so it’s no surprise this was British Airways’ tenth most searched-for route last week. 

What should you get stuck into first? BA’s Destination Manager Robyn Harvey-Jones suggests a cycle from Santa Monica to Venice Beach –– it’s a very easy route, passing trendy coffee shops and quirky restaurants on the way. 

Even if you don’t have a full wallet, walking along Rodeo Drive and the tree-lined streets of Beverly Hills should be on your list, just for the people-watching.  

And for the best views of the world-famous Hollywood sign, hike up Runyon Canyon. It takes around two hours and is suitable for those with moderate fitness levels. 

GO: Flights from Heathrow are from £424 return. 

In October 2001, two years into his presidency, Hugo Chávez made a trip to London to meet with then UK prime minister Tony Blair and other high-level officials.

Official records detail how the Venezuelan president’s proposed Hydrocarbons Law, a major restructuring of Venezuela’s oil industry, was high on the British agenda.

The law aimed to assert sovereignty over Venezuela’s resources by mandating at least 50% state ownership in mixed enterprises and increasing royalties on foreign oil interests.

This was a serious cause for concern for Britain, whose main interests in Venezuela centred on Shell, BP, and BG Group’s investments in the oil and gas industry.

“British companies have over $4bn already invested” in Venezuela, noted one Foreign Office official, with new investments of another $3bn planned for the oil industry.

Blair was thus instructed by advisers to impress on Chávez that the UK government was “following your proposed hydrocarbons legislation very closely”.

In private, Blair’s adviser and future MI6 chief John Sawers wrote that “the only reason for seeing him is to benefit British oil and gas companies”.

Sawers’ note drove at the core issue which had been guiding Britain’s relations with Venezuela for over a century: oil.

Declassified has combed through dozens of files in the National Archives which expose how the UK government has repeatedly sought to thwart the nationalisation of oil in Venezuela since it was first discovered during the early twentieth century.

Working in partnership with Britain’s leading oil corporations, the Foreign Office has resorted to political pressure, propaganda activities, and covert operations to maintain control over Venezuela’s lucrative crude. 

The origins of Britain’s interest in Venezuela’s oil

In 1912, Royal Dutch-Shell began operations in Venezuela and, two years later, the company – alongside US firm General Asphalt – discovered a petroleum field in the small town of Mene Grande.

George Bernard Reynolds, a geologist at Venezuelan Oil Concessions Limited (VOC), a Shell subsidiary, described the supplies as “enough to satisfy the most exacting”.

By 1920, the CIA reported that practically all of Venezuela’s oil production and its most promising concessions were held by Royal Dutch-Shell and two American companies, Jersey Standard (SOCNJ) and Gulf.

Indeed, Venezuelan oil controlled by Royal Dutch-Shell had increased by over 600% from 210,000 barrels in 1917 to 1,584,000 in 1921. 

“Is there any other company more conclusively British than this”, asked Sir Marcus Samuel, chairman of the Shell Transport and Trading Company, in June 1915, “who have proved themselves more willing and able to serve the interests of the Empire?”

But foreign control over oil had serious consequences for Venezuela’s land and people.

In 1936, oil workers in Maracaibo called a general strike in response to low wages, poor living conditions and the association of oil firms with the late dictator, Juan Vicente Gómez. It lasted for 43 days, during which time oil production decreased by 39%.

In response, Venezuelan president General Eleazar López Contreras introduced a series of reforms to improve labour conditions.

This made him unpopular with the British and US oil executives, who were described by US ambassador Meredith Nicholson as belonging to “the old school of ‘imperialists’ who believed that might – in the business sense – was right”.

Venezuela’s oil nonetheless remained central to the British imperial project and, by the outbreak of World War Two, Venezuelan oil “took on particular significance within the British war effort as oil from the Middle East became less accessible following the closure of the Mediterranean in 1940”, according to research by academic Mark Seddon.

Officials therefore became increasingly worried about nationalisation in Latin America, particularly after foreign oil interests – including those of Shell – had been expropriated in Mexico in 1938.

That year, for instance, British diplomat John Balfour wrote: “We should do all we can to show that it is not in the interests of a Latin-American country like Mexico to eliminate British interests from participating in the exploitation of its oil resources”.

A dangerous opponent of capital

Concerns around nationalisation arose once again during the Rómulo Betancourt administration in the 1940s.

He was described by the Foreign Office in 1945 as “by far the most dangerous opponent of capital in Venezuela”, while the oil companies worried about his past support for communism.

These concerns proved overblown as Betancourt developed into a staunch anti-communist. According to a CIA file dated March 1948, Betancourt and his predecessor, Rómulo Gallegos, met to discuss “the proposed outlawing of the Communist Party in Venezuela.”

The first step, according to the document, “was the dismissal from the [oil workers union] Fedepetrol of all Communist Party petroleum syndicate delegates”.

Shell’s directors nonetheless responded positively to the military coup which toppled Betancourt in 1948.

They believed, as UK ambassador John H. Magowan noted in February 1949, that the new administration would “reverse the Betancourt tendency to hostility towards the ‘capitalists’ and ‘colonial’ powers”.

While US-owned SOCNJ had emerged as Venezuela’s main oil producer by this time, Shell remained the second most important player and, by 1950, the company had centralized its operations, building a modernist headquarters in northern Caracas.

The propaganda campaign

During the 1960s, as the shadow of the Cold War cast over Latin America, a propaganda unit within the Foreign Office secretly worked to protect Britain’s oil interests in Venezuela.

That unit, named the Information Research Department (IRD), had been set up in 1948 to collect information about communism and distribute it to contacts worldwide.

The goal was to build resilience against communist and other national liberation movements while cultivating foreign agents of influence such as journalists, politicians, military officers, and businessmen.

By 1961, the IRD viewed Venezuela as the third most important country in Latin America in light of the risk of left-wing “subversion” and Britain’s strategic stake in the country’s oil industry.

That year, the IRD worked with Britain’s intelligence services to promote a boycott of El Nacional, the largest newspaper in Venezuela, with the goal of forcing it “to abandon its campaign in favor of expropriating foreign companies and promoting communist agitation”.

The campaign not only had the backing of powerful conservative and anti-communist groups in Venezuela but also the foreign oil companies, who agreed to suspend their advertising in the newspaper.

By 1962, IRD officer Leslie Boas was able to boast that El Nacional had “changed its tone in a great way”, with the newspaper’s circulation also dropping from 70,000 to 45,000 per day.

Reactionary networks in Venezuela were also being covertly funded by Shell in this period, according to recently declassified files.

In April 1962, Boas wrote to IRD chief Donald Hopson about the Latin American Information Committee (LAIC) which was “now doing quite active work… in Venezuela”.

The first director of LAIC was Enno Hobbing, who divided his work between Time/Life magazine and the CIA and later played a role in Chile’s 1973 coup d’état.

Boas explained that he “had a long talk with Hobbing […] and there do seem to be one or two ways in which we can be of mutual help without either of us burning our fingers”.

Such help would include “an unattributable supply of IRD material to contacts” of LAIC in return for LAIC supplying Boas with access to and information about local anti-communist networks.

Remarkably, Boas disclosed that Shell was “contributing financially to” LAIC alongside US retailer Sears Roebuck and other “International Business Machines”.

He added that “none of the local branches of these companies such as Shell de Venezuela are cooperating either financially or overtly in any way, it is being done through their head offices and LAIC who have their own offices in New York”.

It was during this period that Shell and BP were also providing direct, “handsome” subsidies to the IRD to promote their oil interests across Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa.

Nationalisation rekindled

The IRD continued to promote Britain’s oil interests in Venezuela through the 1960s and 1970s, until the unit was closed down in 1977.

In a country assessment sheet for Venezuela, dated 1969, an IRD official noted how “we have considerable investments in the country, particularly those of Shell, whose fixed installations alone have been conservatively valued at £300 million”.

The official continued: “Shell’s operations in Venezuela play an important role in the company’s very substantial contribution in invisibles [earnings through intangible assets] to our balance of payments”, noting that Britain’s key objective was therefore “to protect our investments”.

Two years later, IRD field officer Ian Knight Smith wrote to London with concerns about how “the emotional issue of economic nationalism, always a potent force in a country whose main natural resources are largely in the hands of foreign companies, was [being] rekindled”.

Worse still, the Venezuelan president, Rafael Caldera, had “made his own contribution to the new nationalism – in the shape of a law nationalising all natural gas deposits”.

The IRD consequently prepared briefings “on communist instigation of charges against the international oil companies” to be shared with contacts across Venezuela.

In addition, the propaganda unit “cast around for material with which to brief IRD contacts who are in a position to influence government policy or legislation affecting foreign investments in Venezuela”.

Officials were particularly interested in commissioning a “well-researched paper on the positive aspects of foreign investment in developing countries, helping to counter the growing assumption, carefully fostered by the extreme left, that all foreign investment is basically suspect”.

It was within this context that the Foreign Office privately advised that “we should protect as far as we are able Shell’s continued access to Venezuelan oil”.

Share of the gravy

For all its efforts, the IRD was not able to turn the tide of nationalisation in Venezuela, with plans developed during the 1970s for the early reversion of foreign oil interests to the state.

Venezuelan oil was officially nationalised in 1976, with foreign companies including Shell being replaced by the state-owned Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA).

But this was by no means the end of the road for Britain’s oil interests in Venezuela.

In a background briefing for a visit by Venezuelan president Carlos Andrés Pérez, dated November 1977, the Foreign Office observed that “Shell is still our largest single interest”.

The official added: “It should not be forgotten that despite nationalisation our largest commercial stake in this country is still Shell, and although they no longer, since nationalisation, produce oil here, they earn millions of dollars from their service and marketing contracts with their former company”.

The company also continued “to off-take very large volumes of Venezuelan oil for sale mostly in the US and Canada”.

Another official remarked upon the “furious activity of all European countries, including ourselves, in trying to get our share of Venezuela’s economic gravy”.

By 1978, the New York Times went so far as to say that Shell was “busier in Venezuela than before the oil industry was nationalized”.

‘Shell has been active‘

Even still, Britain’s oil firms wished to return to Venezuela’s oilfields.

Those hopes were stoked in the early 1990s by the “Oil Opening” of President Carlos Andrés Péres, whose austerity measures led to an explosion of poverty and street protests, but dashed once again by Chávez’ proposed Hydrocarbons Law in 2001.

In the lead-up to Chávez’ visit that year to London, Britain’s leading oil companies were once again in the prime minister’s ear about the projected impact on their interests.

Blair’s briefing noted unambiguously that UK and US companies were “concerned” about the oil reforms and wanted them watered down.

Days before the visit, Shell’s chairman Philip Watts offered suggestions on how Blair might handle Chávez.

“As you may have appreciated, Shell has been active in helping in the preparations for the visit through the Foreign Office”, Watts wrote.

“Considering the importance of the energy sector for both the Venezuelan and UK economies, I thought the PM may appreciate a small briefing on our… plans in Venezuela”, he added.

Those plans involved ameliorating the “uncertain investment climate” and softening the “fiscal and legal framework” in the country.

As part of the charm offensive, Watts also hosted a “farewell” banquet for Chávez, to which foreign secretary Jack Straw and other senior ministers were invited.

BP and BG Group also “registered their interest with No.10 about the visit”, with BP preparing “to put their case… forcefully” in favour of a meeting between the two leaders.

‘The Americans are concerned‘

The US government also weighed in on the matter.

On 18 October, an official in the British embassy in Washington wrote to London that “the Americans are concerned about the impact that the Hydrocarbons Law will have on investment in the energy sector”.

They continued: “The major oil companies, including BP, had all made clear that its tax and restrictive joint venture productions would hinder their operations”.

The US state department “thought it would be particularly useful for Chavez to hear these concerns in London, given his tendency to discount messages from the US”.

To this end, the George Bush administration hoped Blair would “talk sense into [Chávez] on the Hydrocarbons Law, where BP are among those who stand to lose”.

Further pressure was applied by Gustavo Cisneros, a Venezuelan billionaire and media mogul who was introduced to Blair in 2000 by Daily Telegraph owner Conrad Black.

Sawers, Blair’s adviser, noted that Cisneros’ “sole message” for Blair “was that Chávez was a real danger to stability and free markets (and, of course, rich Venezuelans like himself)”.

A briefing document prepared by Cisneros, for instance, warned that “Chavez will likely react” to oil prices dropping “by lashing out at the private sector”.

Sawers viewed Cisneros with suspicion but broadly agreed that Chávez was objectionable. There was, he wrote, “a chance that the picture [with Chávez] at the front door [of Downing Street] would come back to haunt us”.

He continued: “This is one of the World’s tyrants whose hand I won’t have to shake”.

The coup against Chávez

A coup against Chávez broke out in April 2002, orchestrated by dissident military and political figures with support from Washington.

Pedro Carmona, an economist who was unconstitutionally appointed Venezuela’s president, quickly set about dismantling the country’s democracy and reversing Chávez’s oil reforms.

He happened to be in the offices of Cisneros, the mega mogul who had taken the opportunity to “pour poison” into Blair’s ears about Chávez, when the coup broke out.

The declassified files show how Britain quietly hoped the Carmona regime would be more accommodating to foreign interests while noting the unconstitutional nature of the coup.

“The Cabinet is strong on experience and business” and “hopefully its management capability will be much higher”, wrote the British embassy in Caracas.

The embassy was also informed by UK business leaders in Venezuela that “their operations should be back to normal by 15 April”, while Shell’s “production of oil was unaffected”.

At the same time, however, the Foreign Office was disturbed by the fact that “no one” had “ever elected” the Carmona regime.

“Venezuela may or may not have wanted to get rid of Chavez, but not necessarily to lose the other parts of their democratic system”, one official wrote. “The right-wing businessmen seem to have shot themselves in the foot”.

Notably, the UK government seemed to have some knowledge of Washington’s role in the events.

On 14 April, with Chávez imprisoned in a military barracks, the British embassy in Caracas cabled to London that the US ambassador had been spending “some hours in the Presidential Palace”.

“Please protect [the information]”, they instructed.

The opposition

The coup was short-lived.

Chávez was reinstated within 47 hours following a wave of popular mobilisations across Caracas.

With Chávez back at the helm, the Foreign Office quietly hoped that “the events of the last few days” would be seen as “a serious warning to change his ways”.

But the situation remained tense, with UK foreign secretary Jack Straw noting in July 2002 that Chávez’s position “remain[ed] shaky”.

The political opposition in Venezuela was seen by Whitehall as particularly intransigent, with Straw declaring that Chávez looks “positively resplendent compared with [them]”.

The Venezuelan opposition, Straw continued, “appear to be united, indeed motivated, by sheer indignation that someone like Chávez (not one of them and above all not white) should be in charge and have such a popular power base”.

An official in Britain’s embassy in Caracas similarly noted in 2002 that the Venezuela opposition “looks like a train that tried to breach a wall on one track in April and are now seeking to do the same on a slightly different track and at a slightly different angle”.

They added: “The opposition’s self-delusion is growing worse by the day: they claim alternately they are living in either a fascist or communist dictatorship”.

One of the key opposition figures in this period was María Corina Machado, with whom the UK government is currently in talks amid a renewed regime change campaign in Venezuela.

Source: Declassified UK

A MAJOR new safari park could be coming to the East Midlands.

The “ambitious” planning proposal would see bears, wolves, and even lynxes arriving to a 1,000-acre woodland.

Wild Rutland Partnership hopes to open a new nature conservation and wildlife park in Rutland, near Leicester.

If given the green light, Wild Rutland would house Eurasian brown bears, lynxes and wolves inside holding pens, with animal lovers able to see the mammals from various different viewing platforms.

The proposed safari park would be built on a huge site stretching from Burley Wood to Oakham bypass.

A barn already on the land is expected to be refurbished to house small reptiles and insects.

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Plus, Wild Rutland is also seeking approval of its Visitor Village.

This would consist of a main reception area with a shop, a café, a restaurant, an indoor play area, as well as an education and exhibition building.

There will also be 22 self-catering guest lodges and a communal dining area for visitors who wish to stay the night.

A decision by the council is expected to be made in May.

CEO of Wild Rutland, Hugh Vere Nicoll, said: “Wild Rutland aspires to be an exemplar model of conservation-led ecological-tourism – one that restores heritage landscapes, reconnects people with nature and sets a benchmark for sustainable land management in the UK.

“Wild Rutland is driven by a team with a deep knowledge and respect for the site and the local area, working with experts in the fields of restoration, conservation, education, tourism, attraction development and management.”

Restrictions on electronic items may vary between airlines – here’s what you should know

When preparing for a holiday abroad, it’s easy to get carried away and overpack. But did you know that several airlines, including Ryanair, British Airways and Lufthansa, limit certain items in the cabin?

This rule specifically applies to electronic items, with only 15 at a maximum of 100Wh each allowed in your carry-on. While numerous firms maintain this restriction, it’s still best to check your airline’s website for the most up-to-date information before flying.

Official advice from Ryanair reads: “You may carry up to 15 personal electronic devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops, cameras, handheld game consoles, headphones, power banks). You may also carry up to 20 spare lithium batteries or power banks, provided they do not exceed 100Wh each.” It then also adds: “Devices or batteries over 100Wh are not permitted in the cabin or the hold.”

British Airways (BA) similarly states: “For your own personal use you can take up to 15 battery-operated Personal Electronic Devices (PED) that containing lithium batteries such as laptops, tablets, smart phones, cameras, music players, smart baggage tags (e.g. Apple AirTag).”

It adds: “If the watt hour (Wh) rating is not shown on the battery or cannot be determined, then the battery cannot be accepted onboard.”

Both airlines are among those that also have strict rules around ‘smart bags’. This generally describes rucksacks, backpacks, and other luggage that may include a built-in power bank for phones and laptops.

For Ryanair, passengers cannot bring a smart bag in the cabin if it has ‘non-removable batteries above 2.7Wh’. If the battery is removable, it must be ‘removed and placed in small cabin baggage underneath the seat in front’. Smart bags containing non-removable batteries are not allowed in the hold.

Meanwhile, BA does not allow any smart baggage on the flight if the ‘lithium battery/power bank for recharging devices cannot be detached from the bag by the customer’. If it is detachable, it will be permitted, provided it meets certain criteria.

For more information, visit BA’s website here and Ryanair’s website here.

Government advice for electronics in luggage

While some airlines might have specific restrictions, the Government lists nine main items allowed in your hand and checked luggage. These include:

• Hairdryers
• Straighteners
• Travel iron
• Electric shaver
• Most cameras
• Mobile phones
• Laptops
• Tablet devices
• MP3 players

Despite this, its site adds: “Check the restrictions on certain types of batteries or contact your airline if you’re not sure what you can carry[…] You can take hair curlers containing a gas cartridge in hand or hold luggage as long as the safety cover is fitted at all times. You must not take separate gas cartridges on board.”

Passengers using e-cigarettes should keep them in their hand luggage rather than in hold luggage. During security checks, placing electronic devices in a designated tray allows staff to quickly see and verify that no prohibited items are hidden.

Additional details are available at GOV.UK here.

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