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Charming UK town set to transform into bustling Christmas market this winter

The town’s Christmas markets are a must-visit for anyone looking to get into the festive spirit, with a wide range of stalls selling everything from food and drink to handmade gifts

Christmas in Kent is a truly enchanting time, with charming town centres adorned with sparkling lights, festive decorations and an abundance of holiday cheer.

One of the highlights of the winter season is undoubtedly the return of the delightful Christmas markets, offering a plethora of fantastic options across Kent.

Full details for this year’s Faversham Christmas Markets, which will be taking place over one weekend in December have now been confirmed. This year, the festivities are set to occur from Friday, 12th December to Sunday, 14th December.

Over these three days, a colourful mix of stallholders will descend on Market Place and Court Street, presenting a diverse range of local food and drink, unique crafts and handmade gifts that are perfect for filling up those stockings.

On Friday, locals and visitors alike will have the opportunity to explore the Festive Food Market, showcasing the very best of Kent’s remarkable food and drink businesses, reports Kent Live.

Then, on Saturday, the town will play host to the Bumper Charter Market and Best of Faversham artisan market, ideal for discovering unique, locally-crafted gifts.

Finally, Sunday will see the arrival of the Christmas Gift Market where you can complete your holiday shopping – whether you’re searching for that perfect, unique gift or need to stock up on cards to send to all your friends and family over the holidays, you’re bound to find what you’re looking for.

There will be live Christmas carols and plenty of festive music for all to enjoy, and there is even a planned visit from the Happy Endings donkeys for guests to pet and feed.

These markets will follow the fabulous Christmas lights switch-on in Faversham town centre, which will take place on the evening of Saturday, 29 November.

Crowds will flock to the historic Market Place to see the spellbinding illuminations come to life at 5pm, bathing the town in a sea of colour. Again, there will be Christmas carols and live music to add that extra Christmas spirit.

From 4pm to 8pm on this day, the Festive Night Market will run on Preston Street, bringing plenty of opportunities to shop and tuck into delicious seasonal food. Between the numerous craft stalls and mouth-watering street food choices, this is one event you won’t want to miss.

Faversham may be rich in history, with its ancient port, maritime industry and hop-growing heritage, but it’s also brimming with contemporary attractions that today’s visitors will love.

The town offers a wealth of shopping opportunities and businesses, a theatre, thrilling events and activities, and a vibrant market, which proudly proclaims itself as “Kent’s oldest”. There are also beautiful scenic spots, such as Mount Ephraim Gardens, which will soon be ablaze with autumnal hues.

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Bustling UK city named by as one of the best places to visit – not London

Oct 22, 2025 Travel Desk

Lonely Planet has unveiled its worldwide Best In Travel list for 2026, with one UK city making the cut

Bristol has been named as a must-visit destination for 2026 by travel guide giant, Lonely Planet, thanks to its vibrant street art scene. The city is the only one in the UK to feature on the Best In Travel list for next year.

“Bristol’s street art scene makes for a fantastic inclusion in Best in Travel, Lonely Planet’s annual celebration of essential journeys and experiences for the coming year,” said Tom Hall, Vice President of Lonely Planet.

“As well as showcasing the talents of local artists, we’re delighted to shine a light on one of the UK’s most exciting cities. Exploring the colourful, creative murals dotted around the city is the perfect first step in getting to the heart of Bristol.”

The city reportedly boasts over 250 street artworks scattered throughout its streets. ‘Our Common Ground’, a massive new artwork that adorns part of the Centre, was revealed in September, although it received a somewhat mixed response.

Bristol’s own Banksy, arguably the world’s most renowned street artist, is a major draw. Kathryn Davis, CEO of tourism organisation Visit West, expressed her delight at Bristol’s inclusion in Lonely Planet’s 2026 edition, highlighting how the local arts scene significantly contributes to the city and wider region’s economy, reports Bristol Live.

“Our ever-evolving outdoor gallery draws thousands of visitors from around the world each year, contributing millions of pounds to the local visitor economy,” she said.

“Visitors not only stay in hotels and join tours, but they also contribute significantly to the visitor economy at large… Crucially, this impact extends beyond the city centre, helping to drive economic benefits across the wider city.”

According to Visit West, tourism contributes £2.6bn to the combined economy of Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.

Approximately 45,000 people are employed in the region’s ‘visitor economy’.

“We are thrilled that Lonely Planet has named Bristol in its Best in Travel 2026 for our city’s street art,” Ms Davis added.

“We look forward to welcoming many more visitors this next year and beyond, to discover the humorous, playful, political and subversive street art in and around the city.”

A celebration event marking Bristol’s inclusion in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2026 will take place at The Canteen in Stokes Croft this morning (October 22).

Prominent local street artist Alex Lucas – known as Lucas Antics – will create a brand new mural to commemorate the occasion.

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Tiny unspoilt Greek island which rivals bustling Santorini and Mykonos

Jun 22, 2025 Travel Desk

Cycladic islands like Santorini, Mykonos and Naxos have long been synonymous with Greek holidays, but if you’re looking to discover Greece without the crowds, consider this lesser-known neighbour

Aghios Nikolaos beach tavern in Folegandros showing tourists relaxing

This Cycladic offers access to stunning beaches and iconic architecture, as well as a glimpse of rural Greek life(Image: Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Destinations like Santorini and Mykonos are renowned for their iconic beauty – but also for the number of tourists that flock to the islands every year.

Overtourism is a growing problem all across Europe – which is all the more reason to explore some alternatives that are just as exceptional.

Travellers keen on immersing themselves in the Cyclades should consider a trip to Folegandros. One of the westerly Cyclades islands, Folegandros may be on your radar already because of the stone-paved capital of Chora, which has become an increasingly popular holiday destination of the years.

Home to the same whitewashed houses and blue-domed churches that define the Cyclades, Folegandros is a great way to enjoy a classic Greek experience around fewer crowds. It also boasts an incredible natural landscape that sets it apart from its neighbours.

An empty backstreet in Ano Meria showing whitewashed houses and blue accents

The white-and-blue architecture commonly associated with Santorini is also found throughout Folegandros(Image: Getty Images)

Following the zigzagging road up the dry hill to the Panagia church—the most famous church on the Folegandros islands—travellers can capture exquisite views of the Aegean Sea. But Folegandros has more to offer than can be found within the bounds of the capital.

There are two other key villages worth exploring. Just three kilometres from Chora is Folegandros’ only island port and one of only two seaside settlements: Karavostasis. The Karavostasis port functions all year round and is the arrival port for all ferry travellers headed to Chora.

Image of Karavostasis from sea, showing whitewashed houses near shore

There is plenty is explore in Karavostasis, including markets and beaches(Image: Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Karavostasis is also home to charming tavernas and mini-markets, as well as a beloved beach. The village’s main beach is only a small strip of pebbles but low-grown trees offer much-needed shade and Vardia – a more expansive beach – is close by.

The second biggest but fairly traditional village of Ano Meria is known as the calmest region of Folegandros, sitting on the northwestern tip of the island. It is 5.5 miles from Karavostasis and 2.4 miles from Chora, with the agricultural village being made up of only a few dispersed neighbourhoods perched on a small hill. Most houses in this village are “themonies” meaning they are dwellings as well as self-contained farming units.

The village is ideal for travellers seeking seclusion and unhurried exploration, offering a more authentic experience of rural Greek life. It is also perfectly carved for hikers, as there are four great hiking routes travellers can take from Ano Meria.

Apart from these three villages, Folegandros is also home to the Agali village—the newest island settlement and predominantly a summer one—and two additional rural settlements of Petousis and Livadi.

Keep in mind, this Cycladic island has no airport or cruise ship terminal, and there’s only one daily hour-long ferry from Santorini. The somewhat inconvenient trek to the island is what has helped it stay in the comfortable shadow of Santorini and Mykonos.

Other small Cycladic islands that should be on your radar if you’re looking for less crowded alternatives are Sifnos, Milos and Tinos. All three are as lovely as Santorini but have maintained an air of serenity and untouched beauty.

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Spanish resort usually bustling with Brits empty as sunbeds lie abandoned

Jun 11, 2025 Travel Desk

Brits remain a big part of the tourist market in Magaluf and Majorca more broadly. Every year more than 2.3 million Brits head to Majorca, which accounts for around 26% of the total tourist traffic

12:10, 11 Jun 2025Updated 17:04, 11 Jun 2025

Magaluf is looking a little empty so far this summer(Image: MJS/SOLARPIX.COM)

A Spanish holiday island typically bustling with Brits has been snapped looking empty and ghostly.

Miguel Perez-Marsa, president of the island’s ABONE nightclub and entertainment association, has told local press business is booming in the German-popular party resort of Playa de Palma near the Majorcan capital.

However, he has claimed young Brits are turning their backs on Magaluf – where holidaymakers from other European countries were once a rare sight in the summer season – because they have been “demonized.”

Dozens of beach sunbeds lay empty yesterday as thousands of Spanish teenagers from Valencia partying after end-of-year school exams took over the resort, with some bar owners admitting they were opening up later to cater for the new type of tourists they were receiving.

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The resort has struggled with its debauched reputation in recent years(Image: MJS/SOLARPIX.COM)

Mr Perez-Marsa said the gap left by the British was being filled by French and Italian tourists who tend to drink less than UK party animals and don’t spend as much going out at night. He went on to claim that British youngsters who have traditionally packed out the noisy nightspots of Magaluf’s brash Punta Ballena party strip had been “steam-rollered”, by island authorities.

Mr Perez-Marsa also said more British families were visiting Magaluf but complained they were opting for all-inclusive deals that meant they spent less outside their hotels.

Magaluf’s infamous party strip has been under the spotlight since Majorca’s leading politician at the time, Jose Ramon Bauza, slammed Punta Ballena as “500 metres of shame”. This came after an 18-year-old girl was tricked into performing sex acts for a supposed free holiday, only to receive a cocktail named ‘Holiday’.

Germans have been turning up in good numbers to occupy the sunbeds (Image: MJS/SOLARPIX.COM)

Fines reaching up to £50,000 were introduced for tourists caught balcony jumping, and alcohol service with meals at all-inclusive hotels in areas like Magaluf was restricted under a regional government decree targeting ‘drunken tourism’, introduced five years ago.

Last year saw even stricter measures, including £1,300 penalties for street drinking and mandatory night-time shutdowns of alcohol-selling shops in parts of Magaluf.

Brits remain a big part of the tourist market in Magaluf and Majorca more broadly. Every year more than 2.3 million Brits head to Majorca, which accounts for around 26% of the total tourist traffic. The major share is still the Germans with more than 3.4 million, equating to 40% of the total. There are around 340,000 Scandinavians, 238,000 French, 160,000 Swiss, and 136,000 Irish.

Last year the mayor of Calvia, Juan Antonio Amengual, announced that that “all Brits are welcome” in Magalluf. The mayor says that there is some “tourismphobia” on account of the behaviour of some tourists, but most certainly not all. “We want people to enjoy their holidays with respect between tourists and residents.”

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Charming UK town set to transform into bustling Christmas market this winter

The town’s Christmas markets are a must-visit for anyone looking to get into the festive spirit, with a wide range of stalls selling everything from food and drink to handmade gifts

Bustling UK city named by as one of the best places to visit – not London

Lonely Planet has unveiled its worldwide Best In Travel list for 2026, with one UK city making the cut

Tiny unspoilt Greek island which rivals bustling Santorini and Mykonos

Cycladic islands like Santorini, Mykonos and Naxos have long been synonymous with Greek holidays, but if you’re looking to discover Greece without the crowds, consider this lesser-known neighbour

Spanish resort usually bustling with Brits empty as sunbeds lie abandoned

Brits remain a big part of the tourist market in Magaluf and Majorca more broadly. Every year more than 2.3 million Brits head to Majorca, which accounts for around 26% of the total tourist traffic

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