Brits

First Choice has launched holiday deals for 2026 including savings of up to £500 on trips to destinations including Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura

As 2025 draws to a close, many of us are already dreaming about our summer escape for the upcoming year – and luckily, travel companies are starting to roll out some tempting deals.

First Choice has discovered that nearly half (48%) of holidaymakers this year are keen to cut their travel expenses compared to previous years. Coupled with the escalating costs of flights and accommodation, it can be a tough task to snag a budget-friendly break without sacrificing your dream destination.

To help ease the strain on your wallet, the holiday booking giant is offering up to 10% off selected package holidays when you spend £500 or more, and there are savings of up to £500 off to be found on holidays departing between May 1, 2026 and October 31, 2027.

Bargain breaks start from a mere £225 per person, with a 10% discount automatically applied to some of the most sought-after destinations from 2025, including Cape Verde, Turkey, the Balearics, Cyprus, and Mexico. The stunning Canary Islands are also part of the deal, allowing sun-seekers to soak up the rays in popular spots like Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote, all at a reduced price.

Among the First Choice 10% discounts is a 7-night stay in June 2026 at the four-star TUI BLUE Atlantic Hills in Tenerife, on a half-board basis with flights included from around £567 per person. This holiday offers a generous total saving of around £580, including checked-in luggage and transfers, with two adults sharing a double room.

The same package but for May 2026 starts from around £618 per person, offering a total saving of £446. Other discounted holidays to the Spanish island are also available at a catalogue of luxurious beach resorts.

Moreover, holidaymakers can book a 7-night stay at the four-star Hotel H10 Lanzarote Princess in Lanzarote, on a half-board basis with flights included from £548 per person. This offers a total saving of around £310 and is based on two adults sharing a twin room, although transfers and checked-in luggage are not included.

Beyond the reductions, customers can also benefit from additional deals, including a £0 deposit scheme that allows holidaymakers to reserve their getaway and spread payments throughout the year. Furthermore, hundreds of hotels and resorts provide free accommodation for children, creating opportunities for even greater savings.

First Choice has also partnered with Airalo to offer all guests a complimentary 1GB eSIM, helping to reduce expenses when using mobile roaming overseas. Kevin Nelson, Managing Director of First Choice, commented: “We know people don’t want to compromise on amazing holiday experiences, but the impact of the cost of living is hitting us all.

“That’s why we’re offering our biggest ever discounts, on top of other great ways to save. So people can get the most holiday for their budget and take a break they deserve in 2026.”

For further details or to book your next getaway, you can visit the First Choice website.

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

Looking for a new way of life, one family said goodbye to their Yorkshire town and moved across the Atlantic to a country which has its own British community and nickname

Would you sell your home and uproot everything to start again abroad?

For an increasing number of Brits, the answer to that question is ‘yes’. Since 2023, there has been an almost 10% increase in Brits relocating abroad for a new way of life, with 639,000 people reportedly leaving the country last year, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). In the hope of a fresh start, one family just that and uprooted their lives to an area across the Atlantic packed with Brits and ‘insane’ prices.

Jack Masterson, 36, and his wife Natalie, 35, moved from the Yorkshire town of Huddersfield to a vibrant Canadian city. “For years, Natalie and I both had this nagging question in the back of our minds, ‘what if we moved elsewhere?’ Then the conversation quite quickly became ‘where and when,'” videographer Jack said.

“We just wanted something new from old England for our two children, and that’s when we came across the Canadian Express Entry visa.” As Natalie was a former NHS nurse, the Yorkshire couple, along with their two children, were able to pack up their lives in the UK and move to Canada in just six months on the category-based Express Entry visa.

This type of visa falls under six categories, with healthcare professionals making up the majority. It was launched in 2023 and aims to address the national shortage of healthcare professionals across Canada, with thousands of Brits reportedly moving to Canada in the last two years.

Jack shared: “With this option available to our family, Canada became a no-brainer. They’re short on nurses over here. So, Natalie came across in March, followed by the kids and me a month later – if you can do it and want an adventure, look no further.

“Life here is such a drastic change from Yorkshire. I used to run a videography business in England; so, since the move, I’ve been slowly building up a Canadian client base. On the flip side, it’s given me the opportunity to explore, ski, and hike around Lynn Canyon Park with the family. But what has really surprised us is the number of Brits we’ve encountered in the area.”

Having relocated to North Vancouver, south of Grouse Mountain in British Columbia, Jack discovered that it’s become an increasingly popular destination for other Brits seeking a new way of life. In fact, a common phrase among locals is, ‘There’s a reason it’s called British Columbia, it’s because there are so many Brits here.’

There’s even a specific nickname for Brits living in the Great White North, which is ‘limey’. The term originated in the 19th century and was originally a reference to the practice of giving sailors lime or lemon juice; however, it is now slang for a British person.

“We’ve got quite the limey community here in Lynn Valley,” Jack said. “But while there are a lot of Brits here, we’re missing one thing: English drinking culture and pubs.

“They’ve got a lot of microbreweries here, which is ace, but the pub is a British institution; I mean, they don’t even sell beer in the supermarkets in British Columbia – you must go to these special government liquor stores. Some Brits and I have been joking around about eventually opening a pub out here and staking our own claim on Lynn.”

However, when reflecting on the major differences, despite supermarket price increases in the UK due to inflation, Jack noted that a loaf of bread in Canada is pricey. “While the taxes tend to be lower out here than back home, it’s the prices of everyday items that are insane. A loaf of bread can cost you about CA$5, so about £2.50 – which is a hell of a lot more than it costs in a Tesco or Sainsbury’s,” he revealed.

However, it’s been well worth the move as Jack added: “Life in Vancouver has certainly been an adjustment, but one I wouldn’t change for the world. In comparison to Yorkshire, you’re just in a prettier place in Canada. People are more welcoming, and the kids love it.

“While the strange culture around tipping is something I’m still not used to, you can’t beat just hopping in the car and going for a hike with the family in one of the most beautiful regions in the world.”

Simon Hood, relocation expert and Executive Director of the company the pair used to move to Canada, John Mason International, added: “What Jack says is certainly true. Questions around affordability and a general cost-of-living crisis are rife in Canada since COVID. They’re experiencing many of the same issues we are here in the UK.

“But at John Mason International, clients are telling us they’re relocating to Canada not for affordability, but because they feel it offers something more: sometimes the intangible is a bigger push than the economics.”

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

ARE you a “Just-in-case Jetsetter” or a “Chill Improviser” when it comes to travelling abroad?

A new travel quiz aims to uncover what type of traveller you are, by asking a series of trip-related questions.

Other outcomes include “The master planner” and “The social explorer”.

It comes after a poll of two thousand adults who go on holiday revealed Brits’ biggest travel blunders including getting lobster red sunburn (26 per cent).

Going exploring and winding up completely lost (24 per cent) and spilling my drink all over myself or even an unsuspecting stranger (14 per cent) also made the list of blush inducing mishaps.

Misreading a menu and ordering something unexpected (12 per cent) and accidently boarding the wrong train or bus (nine per cent) also made the top 30 list.

MOVE ON

One of Europe’s top holiday destinations will pay half your rent if you move there

FLIGHTMARE

Chaos at major UK airport as dozens of flights DELAYED before Christmas

The study was commissioned by ibis to support the launch of its new social media miniseries, the Go Getters.

Jean-Yves Minet, global brand president of ibis, said:  “Everyone travels differently. Some people prepare for every possibility, and others prefer to go with the flow – but no matter your style, the odd mishap is part of the experience and the story you tell when you get home.

“This research shows just how universal those moments are.

“We focus on making travel feel simple and stress-free, whether you’re the spontaneous type, or somewhere in the middle.

“What matters most is feeling confident on the move and being able to enjoy the journey, even when it does not quite go to plan. Sometimes the magic is in the mayhem – it certainly makes for the best story.”

The research found as many as 86 per cent have experienced some kind of mishap on holiday, with 11 per cent experiencing a mishap during most or all of their trips.

And while 68 per cent said other people had had a little laugh at their blunders, 77 per cent did manage to see the funny side too eventually.

When a holiday blunder strikes, 44 per cent would try to fix it, while 22 per cent said they would laugh it off straight away.

But while 56 per cent think a few travel dramas are all part of the adventure, 77 per cent believe they are pretty good at planning to avoid them in the first place.

Buying travel insurance (56 per cent), triple checking their passport is there (48 per cent) and continually applying sun cream (43 per cent) were among the key hacks to avoid disaster.

Followed by double checking the locks and keys (36 per cent), packing a first aid kit (31 per cent) and keeping a watchful eye on the weather forecast (30 per cent).

The research, carried out via OnePoll, also revealed 31 per cent want to travel more in 2026 than they did this year, with 35 per cent claiming the experience is more important than just ticking somewhere off their list.

When it comes to planning these trips, they prioritise location (61 per cent), as well as price (59 per cent) and reviews (44 per cent).

While 64 per cent think the key to affordable travel means getting the best value for money and smart planning and budgeting (40 per cent).

Jean-Yves added: “Everyone has had a moment on holiday that didn’t quite go to plan.

“These findings show just how common they are, and how quickly most people turn them into moments of connection, laughter and shared stories.”

A new study of 2,000 holidaymakers has uncovered the UK’s most embarrassing travel blunders – with 86% admitting to cringeworthy mishaps abroad

Brits’ top holiday gaffes include suffering lobster red sunburn, purchasing something they couldn’t bring home and missing their flight, according to a poll. The survey of 2,000 holidaymakers revealed that a whopping 86% have experienced some sort of mishap while on holiday. With 11% admitting to making at least one blunder during most or all their trips abroad.

Getting utterly lost while exploring (24%) or spilling a drink all over themselves (or an unsuspecting stranger) (14%) also made the list of cringe-worthy incidents. The study was commissioned by ibis to promote the launch of its new social media mini series, the Go Getters.

Jean-Yves Minet, global brand president of ibis, said: “Everyone travels differently. Some people prepare for every possibility, and others prefer to go with the flow – but no matter your style, the odd mishap is part of the experience and the story you tell when you get home.”

Are you a ‘Just-in-case Jetsetter’ or a ‘Chill Improviser’ when it comes to travelling abroad? Take this new travel quiz to find out.

“We focus on making travel feel simple and stress-free, whether you’re the spontaneous type, or somewhere in the middle,” he added.

“What matters most is feeling confident on the move and being able to enjoy the journey, even when it does not quite go to plan. Sometimes the magic is in the mayhem – it certainly makes for the best story.”

When a holiday blunder strikes, 44% try to fix it, while 22% said they would laugh it off straight away. But although 56% think a few travel dramas are all part of the adventure, 77% believe they are pretty good at planning to avoid them in the first place.

Purchasing travel insurance, triple checking their passport is there, and continually slapping on sun cream were amongst the key tricks to avoid disaster. This was followed by double checking the locks and keys, packing a first aid kit and keeping a watchful eye on the weather forecast.

The research, carried out via OnePoll, also revealed 31% want to travel more in 2026 than they did this year, with 35% claiming the experience is more important than just ticking somewhere off their list.

When it comes to planning these trips, they prioritise location (61%), as well as price (59%) and reviews (44%). Whilst 64% think the key to affordable travel means getting the best value for money and smart planning and budgeting (40%).

Jean-Yves added: “Everyone has had a moment on holiday that didn’t quite go to plan. These findings show just how common they are, and how quickly most people turn them into moments of connection, laughter and shared stories.”

THE TOP 30 BIGGEST HOLIDAY MISHAPS:

1. Got badly sunburnt
2. Got lost
3. Spilled a drink all over myself or someone else
4. Misread a menu and ordered something unexpected
5. Couldn’t connect to Wi-Fi when I needed it most
6. Got hit with unexpected roaming charges
7. Mistakenly boarded the wrong train or bus
8. Lost my luggage
9. Missed a flight
10. Going over the luggage allowance and having to repack at the check-in desk
11. Missed a scheduled tour or activity
12. Said Muddling up phrases in the local language, leading to a mix-up
13. Requesting a stranger to snap a photo of you, only to find later that your head’s been chopped off or they’ve taken a single blurry shot
14. Alighting at the wrong stop because you misinterpreted “next station” as the current one
15. Purchasing an item that I couldn’t bring back home
16. Accidentally entering the wrong hotel room
17. Jet-lag blunders – Waking up raring for breakfast… only to realise it’s still pitch dark outside
18. Getting stuck in a loo
19. Dropping my towel/swimwear from the balcony
20. Stashing my valuables in the hotel safe and promptly forgetting the combination
21. Luggage confusion, picking up someone else’s suitcase at the airport
22. Experiencing a suitcase malfunction and having all my clothes spill out
23. Engaging in a row with a stranger over reserving a sun lounger
24. Tripping or slipping while capturing a selfie
25. Arriving at the airport on the incorrect day
26. Taking an unplanned dip in the pool fully dressed
27. Misplacing or dropping my mobile in the sea or pool
28. Swimwear going missing (losing them) on a waterslide
29. Locking myself out of my room clad only in swimwear
30. Ending up at a completely different destination than planned

The new Entry-Exit system (EES) has been rolled out across Europe, and UK holidaymakers have been warned to expect long queues at airports this festive season — here’s how to avoid delays

Brits planning a festive getaway have been warned to brace themselves for queues of up to four hours at European airports, following the launch of the new Entry-Exit system (EES) on October 12. The EES, which swaps traditional passport stamping for biometric checks, requires every non-EU traveller to undergo fingerprinting and facial scans.

This extra step, combined with the influx of passengers travelling during the holiday season, can cause significant delays when multiple flights land at the same time.

Early signs show that major hubs like Paris and Amsterdam are already struggling with congestion during busy times, and with Christmas fast approaching, more chaos is anticipated. Representing one of the biggest overhauls to European border control in years, the EES applies to all non-EU travellers — including Brits — entering the ‘Schengen area’ (29 EU countries including France, Italy, and Spain).

While registration only takes a few minutes per person, when multiplied by hundreds of passengers, it leads to lengthy queues.

This alert comes as winter holidays continue to rise in popularity, with 51% of Brits planning to jet off abroad between November and February. To help holidaymakers dodge the mayhem, travel guru Jane Bolton from ski holiday specialist Erna Low shares her top tips for navigating the new rules and ensuring a hassle-free trip, reports the Express.

Arrive well in advance

“Airport wait times can vary, but with the new EES checks, queues of up to four hours are expected at peak times,” Jane explains. “In the past, travellers were advised to arrive at the airport two hours prior to a domestic flight and three hours for an international flight. Now, it’s worth allowing more time than usual – especially during school holidays and weekends. I’d recommend arriving at least three to four hours before your flight to make sure you don’t miss it.”

Keep tabs on your departure airport’s latest information

Jane advises: “As the EES rolls out across Europe, it is unavoidable for airports to be at different stages of this process, given the scale of the system. Some major airports like Charles-de-Gaulle (France), Düsseldorf (Germany), and Rome Fiumicino (Italy) have already implemented self-service EES kiosks, while others will still be manually registering the biometric facial and fingerprint recognitions.

“Those doing it manually are expected to take longer, so check your airport’s website before you leave home to plan appropriately.”

Choose ‘fast track passes’ wherever available

With lengthy queues anticipated, passengers are urged to consider alternative time-saving options. The travel expert’s advice?

“Purchasing fast-track tickets for security is a great method for reducing the time needed prior to a flight. These tickets cost between £3 and £12 per person, depending on the airline, and can shave off hours within peak travel times. It’s a relatively small investment for peace of mind.”

Allow additional time when travelling with families

Jane explains: “Whilst the new system requires facial and fingerprint recognition, children under twelve are exempt from this requirement and instead must be linked to an accompanying adult who is registered on the system.

“For families or large parties travelling, allowing extra time at the airport is essential. This process will take longer than average, so plan ahead and keep all documents ready.”

Verify passport validity

Jane warns: “Since Brexit, many Brits have been caught out by new passport rules. Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before your travel date and be valid for at least three months after departure.”

The travel specialist further adds: “The key date to look at is the issue date rather than expiration. For example, a passport issued in March 2015 and expiring in December 2025 won’t be valid for EU travel after March 2025. Checking this before you book is essential to avoid being turned away at the airport.

“Whilst the new entry/exit system may seem likely to cause chaos for your upcoming travels, holidaymakers should be assured that this process will, in the long-term, streamline your travel. Once registered, the travel process will become much smoother for those travelling within the Schengen area.”

The travel expert concludes: “If you check your passports, allow extra time for queues, purchase fast track where possible and check your departure airport for updates, your holiday should be off to a great start.”