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A PUB chain in the UK has been named the best for hotels in the UK – beating some very big names.

A new study conducted by Which? looked at both large and small hotel chains across the UK.

The research – which spoke to 1,776 people – looked at eight categories such as customer service and cleanliness as well as breakfast, bed comfort and value for money.

And coming in first place was Coaching Inn Group, which scored 81 per cent.

While you may not have heard of the pub/hotel chain, there are 35 inn-style hotels in the UK.

Dating back to 1996, this includes ones such as The Kings Arms & Royal in Surrey, The Pheasant Hotel in Norfolk and The Swan Hotel in Somerset.

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They recently closed The Warwick Arms ahead of a huge £1million renovation.

It was even named the ‘Best Accommodation Operator’ at The 2025 Publican Awards earlier this year.

When it comes to the Which? study, it scored a full five stars for customer service, as well as it matching the description online.

Despite the average room price being around £128, it still was given four out of five stars for value for money.

One person said it was a “very good mid-price range chain that does all the basic things well”.

Yet a surprising entry for the top five large hotel chains was Wetherspoons, who have a number of hotels across the country.

It was also the only hotel chain to be given the Which? Great Value badge, the first time for Wetherspoons.

With 50 hotels to choose from across the UK, rooms start from just £69 – most likely why it was given four stars for value for money.

Breakfast can be found for as little as £2.99 as well, with free tea and coffee refills.

Previous guests raved about it, calling it “clean, comfortable and good value”.

Other winners included Intercontinental, (80 per cent) and Hotel Indigo (79 per cent).

Sofitel followed suit with 78 per cent.

Premier Inn dropped in the survey with a score of 73 per cent, with one saying “prices are no longer budget level”.

Coming in last place once again was Britannia, which is often named the UK’s worst hotel chain (and the 12th year in a row for Which).

With a score of 44 per cent, it scored one star for bedroom quality.

The study also looked at small hotel chains, with the top going to both Andrew Brownsword and Brend Hotels, scoring 83 per cent.

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The world’s best hotels were recently revealed.

And here is what it is like to stay at an all-inclusive hotel in the middle of London.

IN A lesser-known corner of Europe is an amusement park with its own mini Colosseum, a nightclub on a plane… and a helicopter observation tower.

The park has no traditional rides, replacing thrilling rollercoasters and carousels with giant building bricks, a farming village and 18-metre high slides.

Irrland in Kevelaer, Germany is a huge hit with families – with one parent who goes by thestrongmamaphysio on Instagram describing it as a “kids’ dream” and one of the “best days out we’ve ever done”.

At the park, her kids helped to build an enormous mountain with over-sized Lego-style bricks, and had a rave in a disused plane.

They also enjoyed enormous slides, sand and water play, mazes and a go-karting track.

Plenty of other parents agreed, with one saying: “Best place we have ever been to – we managed to go in the summer and spend two full days at the park.

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“I genuinely think you’ll struggle to find anywhere as good as this and for £10 per head is ridiculously cheap.”

Irrland i park is split into three parts – Irrland-West, North and South, with more than 90 different attractions.

In the West part of the park is where you’ll find the Disco Plane, it also has a huge Trojan Horse climbing frame and jumping pillows.

There’s also a waterslide and an Airport Tower with 18-metre tall slides.

Irrland North has a helicopter observation tower, a toddler play barn, and a huge treehouse.

It’s also home to the world’s largest building construction site – with enormous Lego-style bricks.

In the South is a toddlers’ farming village with pedal tractors and petting zoo, bamboo mazes, even a mini-colosseum, and a small splash park called ‘South Sea’.

The cut off in the park is for children who are 12 years old.

An online day ticket is €12 (£10.53) per person, children under two years old won’t need a ticket.

Any child’s whose birthday it is on the day of their visit can also enter for free – but they will need a form of ID to prove this.

If you’re in a large group and want to spend time together during the day, there are on-site villas which have lockable rooms and fenced areas – perfect for outdoor picnics.

These are available for the day only as the park doesn’t offer overnight stays – you can enter from 10am with the key needs to be handed in by 5.30pm.

During the summer, barbecue areas are available to book too – the cheapest spot being €25 (£21.94).

Before you look at booking a ticket, the park is closed for the winter season.

Currently, it looks like it will reopen on Saturday March 14, 2026. But check back nearer the time as it’s likely to be weather dependent.

The closest airport to Irrland is Weeze, but you can’t get direct flights to there.

For direct flights, head to Eindhoven in the Netherlands and from there it’s just an hour away by car.

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For more theme park inspo, check out the one in Europe that’s less than three hours from the UK named the best in the world – beating Disney and Universal.

Read more from one travel writer who visited one of Europe’s biggest theme parks with more than 40 attractions and record-breaking rollercoasters.

If you’re looking to save money on a UK hotel stay, there’s one day of the week you should always book on

Whilst holidaymakers frequently look to secure a staycation during this period, it might seem logical to book over the weekend whilst enjoying a relaxing brew. Nevertheless, this approach could result in higher costs.

Rather, you should hold off until the surge of weekend reservations subsides and corporate travel arrangements are finalised. This puts Tuesday as the optimal day for holiday booking, given increased availability and booking platforms seeking to fill remaining accommodation swiftly.

Consequently, being adaptable proves beneficial if you can tolerate the uncertainty.

Hotels generally maintain a cancellation period of 24 to 48 hours, prompting them to market any cancelled accommodations – occasionally at discounted rates, reports the Express.

Whilst extremely risky and spontaneous, some excellent hotel bargains can emerge after 6pm – provided you happen to be nearby.

Nevertheless, these guidelines are reversed regarding major chains such as Premier Inn and Travelodge.

Travel specialist Linda Reynolds, from Personal Travel Agents, informed The Guardian that she advises travellers to reserve early for optimal deals.

For instance, Travelodge promotes “rooms from £35 or less” when secured in advance; and particular travel platforms prove valuable additions to your toolkit.

Google Hotels, Kayak and Trivago, for example, will alert subscribers when rates drop, ensuring you’re informed about fantastic holiday bargains.

When to book a holiday

When it comes to choosing your actual hotel dates, Sunday through to Thursday typically offers the best value, helping you dodge those weekend price surges targeting short-break travellers.

It’s also worth keeping school holidays, bank holidays and local festivities in mind, as these will inevitably push costs up and are worth swerving if possible.

Reynolds said: “Sunday nights in cities are usually cheaper than Friday or Saturday nights because leisure demand dips after the weekend.

“In rural locations, including coastal areas, midweek (Monday to Thursday) is often cheaper than weekends, when leisure travellers arrive.”

If you’re plotting a London getaway, think about booking accommodation outside the city centre in zones two to three.

These areas offer better value, excellent transport links and still provide an authentic taste of the capital.

The same principle works for other major cities including Glasgow, Manchester, Edinburgh and Bristol.

Meanwhile, money coach Maddy Alexander-Grout suggests checking out Plans Change marketplace, which lets holidaymakers flog their trips at reduced rates – with discounts starting at 25% off.

“In my job, I travel around the country a lot, and I regularly use the site, saving about 20% on a hotel booking direct,” she said.

FOR quiet medinas, pretty beaches and winter highs of 20C, this African capital is set to be a popular spot next year.

National Geographic named the destination one of its best place to visit in 2026 – and luckily for Brits, it’s just three hours away from the UK.

The publication added the capital of Morocco to its must-visit spots for next year, calling it the country’s “relaxed Atlantic-coast capital”.

The city is much lesser-known than the likes of Marrakech, Tangier, Agadir and Essaouira.

But it still has all the charm of the other spots, just much quieter, so you can stroll around the traditional medina souks without it being so busy.

When it comes to the top things to do, one is visiting Kasbah des Oudaias – a fortress looking over the Atlantic Ocean and Bouregreg River.

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When you visit, you’ll find winding blue-and-white painted streets, the historic Kasbah Mosque, and the Oudaias Museum, which is inside a former royal pavilion.

There’s also the Hassan Tower, which dates back to the 12th century and is a symbol of the city.

It’s not all history, there’s modern architecture too, like the Mohammed VI Tower, which is a 250-meter-tall skyscraper in Salé, Morocco, near Rabat, and opened in 2023.

It is the tallest building in Morocco and the third tallest in Africa.

As for affordability, you’ll be happy in Rabat, overnight stays can start from as little as £17 per person.

Food and drink is affordable too, with an inexpensive meal costing £3.26 and dinners at a mid-range restaurant starting from around £16 per person.

Draft beers cost roughly £3.25, with soft drinks like orange juice coming in at 80p.

One writer visited Rabat who said: “Walking through the monumental kasbah gate, called Bab Oudaia, is like stepping back in time.

“Rather than maze-like alleyways, there is a tranquil labyrinth of wide lanes, with white houses and blue, grated windows that are lit up by pretty vines of purple and pink flowers.”

She added: “Pick up a strong black coffee — Turkish style, I’m told — and an almond pastry at the cooling Udayas botanical gardens is the perfect fuel before a venture into the National Finery Museum.

“Extravagant bejewelled crowns, breast chains, rings and belts once worn by young women, perhaps on their wedding day, sit on faceless models.”

In fact if you want to visit Rabat this month, you can get flights for as little as £17 with Ryanair who fly directly.

From the UK, you can be in the city in three hours and 20 minutes.

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Head of Sun Travel Lisa Minot visited another destination in Morocco…

Lisa Minot, Head of Sun Travel, filled us in on her recent trip to Marrakesh. She said: “I’ve just returned from a wonderful long weekend in Marrakech and the city is as exciting as ever.

“We were sunbathing on the roof of our riad in the Medina in glorious 22 degree temperatures – and I loved the amazing desert landscapes just 40 minutes from the hustle and bustle of the souks.

“Tourism is booming in the city and while the streets are as colourful and chaotic as ever, the influx of visitors has brought some gorgeous new bars, restaurants and stunning hotels.”

She added: “It pays to do your research and book restaurants and tours in advance though as even in February and the start of Ramadan, the souks were teeming and lots of places were fully booked.

“We did a three-hour food tour of the Medina with Get Your Guide and while stuffing ourselves on some fantastic street food I probably would never have had the courage to try on my own, our guide revealed the secrets of the city and its fascinating past.”

For more holidays, check out these five lesser-visited coastal resorts that are crowd-free alternatives for 2026… with VERY cheap hotels and flights.

Plus, the peaceful African city right by the sea that feels ‘more like Europe’ – but tourists always miss it.

A contract the U.S. Navy recently awarded to defense startup Castelion may point to its pursuit of a new, lower-cost, air-launched hypersonic strike weapon. The service has something of a gap to fill now after halting plans for an air-launched, air-breathing hypersonic anti-ship cruise missile roughly a year ago, due to cost and industrial base factors. A version of Castelion’s Blackbeard hypersonic missile could also find its way onto Navy ships and submarines, as well as ground-based launchers.

Last Friday, Castelion announced that it had received contracts from the Navy, as well as the U.S. Army, for “integration” of Blackbeard onto unspecified “operational platforms.” TWZ has reached out to the Navy for more information. The Army has already made clear it is interested in employing Blackbeard in a ground-launched mode, as you can read more about here.

“Under these agreements, Castelion will work with both services to integrate the hypersonic Blackbeard weapon system onto operational platforms and demonstrate its capabilities in live-fire tests – advancing the Department of War’s effort to evaluate and accelerate new, cost-effective strike capabilities for conventional deterrence,” according to a company press release. “Blackbeard is Castelion’s first long-range, hypersonic strike weapon, designed for mass production and rapid fielding once integration and testing are complete. The system leverages vertically integrated propulsion and guidance subsystems to achieve performance at a fraction of the cost of legacy weapons – supporting the Department’s objective of building credible, non-nuclear deterrent capacity at scale.”

Many questions remain about the expected final design and capabilities of the Blackbeard missile, including whether or not it will feature some form of air-breathing propulsion. The full “weapon system” could also incorporate multiple designs. Castelion has already conducted numerous live-fire launches using different test articles.

The designs seen in testing to date “are representative of the low-cost internally developed test vehicles we use to enable rapid subsystem design iteration and to ground our performance models in real-world test data,” Castelion told TWZ back in June. “Castelion’s approach to development focuses on getting into hardware-in-the-loop and flight testing early in development to support learning cycles across design, production, and test. As such, flight vehicles shown on social media are not representative nor intended to be representative of our final weapon systems.”

As TWZ has noted in the past, the term “hypersonic missile” typically refers to weapons designed for sustained hypersonic speed across a relatively shallow and even maneuvering trajectory. This can include designs that use a ballistic missile-like booster to loft an unpowered glide vehicle to a desired velocity and altitude before releasing it toward its target, as well as air-breathing cruise missiles capable of traveling at hypersonic speeds. Hypersonic speed is generally defined as anything above Mach 5, which larger ballistic missiles do reach in the course of their flights.

The testing that Castelion has disclosed so far has also been centered on the employment of Blackbeard in the ground-launched mode, which is fully in line with what is known about the Army’s plans for the weapon. The Navy could have a similar eye toward surface (or sub-surface) launch modes from ships, submarines, or even launchers on the ground.

At the same time, there are indications that the Navy is pursuing Blackbeard, at least in part, as an air-launched weapon. In February 2024, Castelion received a contract from the Office of Naval Research (ONR), valued at just under $3 million, to “perform an initial trade study to identify cost, schedule, and performance estimates of producing an air-launched anti-surface weapon and shipping system not to exceed 212″ in length with an on-aircraft weight limit of 2,750 lbs. and an air-to-air weapon with not-to-exceed dimensions of 7″ diameter x 144″ long with production quantity of >200 no later than 2027 for both weapons.”

Whether or not the air-to-air weapon design mentioned here is part of the larger work Castelion is doing on Blackbeard, or a separate project, is unknown. The company has previously said that it was aiming to have a more finalized Blackbeard design by 2027.

This is not the first time that work on an air-launched variation of Blackbeard has come up, either. In its 2026 Fiscal Year budget request, the Army said that the ground-launched version of the weapon that it expects to receive will leverage an “existing air-launched, extended-range Blackbeard design,” but did not elaborate. TWZ has reached out to the Army for more information in the past.

As noted, the Navy has had a stated requirement for an air-launched hypersonic anti-surface warfare capability for years now. Starting in 2021, the service had been pursuing an air-breathing hypersonic cruise missile to meet that need through a program called Hypersonic Air-Launched Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare (HALO). Raytheon and Lockheed Martin had been working on competing designs.

The Navy had hoped to begin fielding HALO before the end of the decade. However, in late 2024, the service scrapped plans to move the program to the next phase of development.

“The Navy cancelled the solicitation for the Hypersonic Air-Launched Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare (HALO) Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) effort in fall 2024 due to budgetary constraints that prevent fielding new capability within the planned delivery schedule,” Navy Capt. Ron Flanders, a service spokesperson, told TWZ in April of this year. “The decision was made after the Navy conducted a careful analysis, looking at cost trends and program performance across the munitions industrial base compared to the Navy’s priorities and existing fiscal commitments.”

“We are working closely with our resource sponsors to revalidate the requirements, with an emphasis on affordability,” Flanders added at that time. “The Navy is committed to its investment in Long Range Fires to meet National Defense objectives, with priority emphasis on fielding continued capability improvements to the AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM).”

Castelion’s focus on lower-cost and producibility for Blackbeard, coupled with the schedule it is targeting for development of the missile, all align with the Navy’s stated post-HALO plans. The service had previously described HALO as a critical capability, especially in the context of future high-end fighting, such as one in the Pacific against China.

The Navy could well be looking at multiple options to meet this ongoing requirement for a new, air-launched, high-speed, anti-ship weapon. The service is already fielding an air-launched version of the Standard Missile-6 (SM-6), called the AIM-174B, ostensibly in the anti-air role. However, in its surface-launched form, the SM-6 also has an anti-ship capability, and the AIM-174B could be used in that role, as well.

As mentioned, the Navy could still pursue other versions of Blackbeard beyond an air-launched type. Previously stated plans for HALO also included the eventual development of variants that could be fired from ships and submarines.

Other services could be interested in air-launched variations of Blackbeard, as well. The U.S. Air Force has also awarded Castelion contracts in the past in relation to long-range strike weapon concepts, and TWZ has previously reached out to that service for more information.

All of this is also heavily contingent on Castelion meeting its schedule, cost, and other goals for Blackbeard. The Army’s budget documents show it is pursuing Blackbeard aggressively, but through a phased approach that offers multiple off-ramps.

Castelion has certainly received a new vote of confidence on Blackbeard, regardless of launch modes, with the new integration contracts from the Navy and the Army.

Contact the author: [email protected]

WHEN it comes to booking a holiday, Brits are starting to look at destinations off the radar – and slightly cheaper too.

Rather than heading to the Algarve, the Costa del Sol, or even the French Riviera – here are some alternative, but still beautiful coastlines where you can get everything you want from a holiday, at a fraction of the price.

Black Sea Coast, Turkey

First up is the Black Sea Coast in Turkey, essentially the opposite side of the country to where you’ll find the likes of Antalya and Bodrum.

National Geographic even named the Black Sea Coast in Turkey as one of its “best places in the world to travel to in 2026”.

As for why, the publication added the coastline is “an adventurous, less travelled alternative to the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts”.

When it comes to attractions, some of the most popular sites are the Sumela Monastery which was built into a cliffside, and the Yedigoller National Park for natural beauty and lakes.

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Some of the most popular towns include Amasra which is known for its pretty beaches and traditional culture – it sits peninsula jutting into the sea.

Another is the city of Samsun which while it isn’t known for its beaches, the coastline is a pretty picture.

Atakum Sahili is a popular spot as it has a long promenade full of shops, restaurants and cafes.

Hotels in the Black Sea Region of Turkey can cost as little as £69 for five nights (based on a two person stay) – which works out at £6.90pppn, according to Booking.com.

As it’s lesser visited, to get to the likes of Samsun, Brits will have to take a flight that requires a stopover in the likes of Istanbul.

Northumberland, UK

If you want to stay closer to home, check out the pretty coastline of Northumberland.

The county was named by Airbnb as being one of the ‘trending’ beach destinations around the world.

The northern county of Northumberland has been getting lots of attention during summer 2025, with plenty of pretty beaches that are usually less busy than those in the south.

Airbnb said: “Northumberland is drawing more summer visitors, with searches up over 50 per cent this summer, thanks to its pristine North Atlantic beaches.”

Usually when the hot weather hits, it’s the south of England that tourists – international and national flock to.

But actually, trends say people are looking more towards the north in towns like Bamburgh and Embleton Bay.

An overnight stay in Northumberland can be as little as £45 per night.

In comparison, staying in and around Cornwall‘s St Ives, one of the busiest towns during the summer season tends to be upwards from £150.

Albanian Riviera, Albania

Albania is becoming more popular every year with some even calling it the affordable dupe of Italy‘s Amalfi coast.

It’s cheaper, with incredible beaches, pretty towns and bustling cities.

In terms of affordability, in Albania, meals cost under £10 and accommodation averages £40 a night.

Popular spots along the Albanian coastline include Sarandë, a hub for the Riviera with access to Corfu, there’s also Dhërmi, a scenic town with a long, beautiful beach and Vlorë, which is considered the ‘budget Maldives of Europe‘.

Ksamil is a beautiful destination known for its islands and turquoise waters.

A five-night stay in a hotel in Ksamil for a family of four during the height of summer in August next year can be as little as £275, which works out at £13.75pppn.

You can get direct flights to Tirana from London and Manchester for as little as £15 with Ryanair – and the journey is under three hours.

Black Sea Coast, Bulgaria

Just around the corner from Turkey is the Black Sea Coastline in Bulgaria where you’ll find cities like Varna in the north, and Burgas in the south.

In-between are popular resorts like Sunny Beach and Albena – which are known for their affordability.

You don’t have to stick to the big resort towns though, there are other, quieter places like Nessebar, which is also one of the cheapest destinations in Europe.

The ‘Pearl of the Black Sea’ is where you can get beers for £1.60 and stay in a three star hotel for just £45 per night.

The average price of an ice cream is £1.20, a family meal is priced around £28, and a three course dinner for two cost just £22.

To get to the UK, Brits should fly to either Burgas or Varna along the coast.

Silver Coast, Portugal

There are plenty of beautiful places in Portugal and most of them are very well known like the Algarve which has golden beaches, and cities like Lisbon and Porto.

Just between those two cities is the Silver Coast which is more overlooked despite it being more affordable than other destinations.

Here you’ll find the Aveiro, also called the ‘Venice of Portugal‘ because of its canals and gondola-style boats.

Ericeira is a popular beach spot and where you’ll see lots of surfers as it has some of the biggest waves in the country.

One writer visited Nazare, another spot on the Silver Coast, he said: “Nazare has thankfully retained its charm, despite the rising number of visitors coming to see the waves and daring surfers.

“Its narrow, cobbled streets are home to various family-run restaurants, each serving an array of fresh seafood as well as the omnipresent bacalhau, or salted cod.

“Strolling down from the old town and along the shore, we were greeted by great lines of barcos, the local fishermen’s boats, painted in bright, vibrant colours, their nets hung out to dry in preparation for the following day.”

It’s easy to get to the Silver Coast if you fly to either Lisbon or Porto which you can do with Ryanair and easyJet.

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THE year of 2025 is coming to a close, which means it’s time to think about where you should be taking a break next year, and we have some very good deals for you.

Holiday expert for On the Beach, Robert Brooks, has found some incredible deals for each month of 2026 – and every holiday is under £1000pp.

January

To kick off 2026 right, Rob says holidaymakers should head to Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands where “prices actually drop after the New Year”.

The island has beautiful beaches, theme parks, plenty of nightlife as well as pretty old towns.

The island is known for having year-round sunshine, which is why it makes for a great pick in January – it has highs of 20C.

As for where to stay, Rob revealed his choice would be Laguna Park II which he described as “a proper sunshine escape to kick off the year.

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“This Costa Adeje spot has a massive pool and mountain views, with plenty of space for little ones to splash about. It’s simple, sunny, and unbeatable value for winter warmth.”

Five nights in January at the Laguna Park II for a family of four (self-catering) starts from £168pp.

For more on what to do when you get to the island, discover where the locals like to visit, from the best beaches and bars in Costa Adeje to budget attractions and must-do activities.

February

Knowing what Brits want, Rob was on the hunt for a holiday that’s “warm, fun and cheap” in February, which Marrakech has in abundance.

The hotel isn’t one you’ll want to miss either, Rob describes it as “a red-walled palace that’s pure Moroccan magic.

“Think palm gardens, serene pools and spa vibes a few minutes from the Medina buzz. Perfect for a romantic February reset with sunshine and mint tea by the pool.”

It’s called the Palais El Miria, which is a few minutes drive away from the centre of Marrakech.

Each room is decorated in traditional Moroccan colours, and has an ensuite bathroom with shower and a private terrace.

Some suites also include baths and private indoor gardens.

Head of Sun Travel Lisa Minot recently visited Marrakech, where she revealed it to be as “exciting as ever” with plenty of spots to sunbathe but also explore the markets and head across the desert dunes.

Five nights in February at the Palais El Miria for two adults on a bed and breakfast basis starts from £273pp.

March

The weather in the Mediterranean begins to warm up in March, so you can take a short trip to the likes of Malta or Madeira

But where Rob actually recommends is the legendary American city of Las Vegas, where Rob adds it’s “22C in March and you can go for the weekend, it’s really not that bad – plenty warm for me and plenty to do”.

As for the hotel, head to the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino which has “bright lights, big pool, and blackjack. This classic Vegas resort delivers that proper Strip energy with everything on your doorstep.

“Perfect for a short hit of glam, shows, and sunshine before spring kicks in back home.”

If you want to head into the city, the hotel has a monorail that takes you to the heart of the local attractions like the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, the Neon Museum, and of course, you can’t miss the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign.

For more on what to do and the best attractions in Las Vegas, read more on our guide to the ‘world’s biggest adult playground’.

Four nights in March at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino for two adults for room only starts from £595pp.

April

Rob told Sun Travel: “In April, one place springs to mind straight away because April’s the sweet spot in Rome before all the crowds turn up”.

He continued: “It’s warm enough for gelato and piazzas but cool enough to walk through them all day. Rome is at its best when locals outnumber the tourists”

The B&B Hotel Roma Tuscolana San Giovanni is conveniently placed in the heart of the city and it’s right next to the train station is any other parts of Italy tickle your fancy.

Rob adds: “This comfy, modern hotel puts you close to the sights without the faff. Perfect for pizza, piazzas and people-watching before summer crowds arrive.”

For top tips on visiting Rome, one writer revealed some of the best places he discovered on a trip there – like eating in a restaurant that was a former sculptor’s workshop.

Of course you have to see the classics too; no trip to the Italian city is complete without seeing the iconic Colosseum and Trevi Fountain.

Two nights in April for at B&B Hotel Roma Tuscolana San Giovanni for two adults for bed and breakfast starts from £208pp.

May

In May, Rob says: “We’re into summer and I want to go somewhere that’s already in full swing, 27C all-inclusive and prices that are half of what they’ll be in July – Antalya’s my pick”.

The seaside resort in Turkey is known for being a hit with families thanks to its abundance of activities like the Land of Legends theme park, to spending time on its beautiful beaches.

Rob suggests staying in the Numa Konaktepe Hotel for “family sun and zero stress.

“With its private beach, slides, and stacks of food options, this place is made for lazy pool days and warm evenings. May sunshine guaranteed – and your wallet stays happy too.”

During May, temperatures reach pleasant average highs of 24C and there’s an average of just two days of rain during the entire month.

An all-inclusive seven night stay for a family of four at the Numa Konaktepe starts from £237pp.

June

Halfway through the year, and Rob is firm on where to head during June.

He said: “I’m going to a Greek island, and they don’t get better than Rhodes for me. Hot but bearable, crystal waters and lovely beaches before peak season.”

You can stay at Pefkos Beach, which Rob dubs a “Greek gem” which has both “a laid-back and lively vibe”.

It’s also got a big outdoor pool with a poolside bar, and while it has an on-site restaurant, it’s very near to local eateries.

One writer recently visited the island where she saw the Acropolis ruins, pretty windmills and discovered that you can sign up to an olive oil or wine tasting course.

Seven nights at the Pefkos Beach in Rhodes for a family of four (self-catering) starts from £324pp.

July

During the summer months, prices can quickly increase, but Rob has his eye on somewhere which doesn’t seem to have been hit so hard.

He says: “In recent years, I’ve seen so many great value bookings to the Algarve: family-friendly, easy to get to with loads of flight availability, you can even party there if you want, and it’s cheaper than Spain at this time of year.”

With On the Beach, you can book to go to Colina da Lapa, a luxury apartment complex with pretty gardens and a huge swimming pool.

You can laze about on the sunbeds, or splash about in the pool, but for entertainment, you can play tennis, table tennis, basketball, beach volleyball, billiards, minigolf and golf.

It has an outdoor terrace and a restaurant and for daytrips, it’s very near the the town of Carvoeiro .

For more tips on where to go in the Algarve, head here where Sun Travel delves further into what to do in Faro, Silves and Lagos.

Seven nights for a family of four (self-catering) at the Colina da Lapa during July starts from £315pp.

August

“There are few places as beautiful as Croatia in August, yes it’s busy, but worth it. Island hopping, beach clubs, turquoise water, it’s like Ibiza but half the price and double the charm.”

The Zaton Holiday Resort in Zadar will be a hit with families who will never be bored thanks to its nine swimming pools with plenty of slides, a private beach, restaurants, pizzeria and kids club.

It’s home to the Flip Flop Activity Park which has mini-golf, adventure golf, table tennis and archery.

And you can do watersports too like diving, para-sailing, jet-skiing, and wind-surfing.

The Sun’s Alex Goss revealed more on their visit to Zadar, which despite being in August was surprisingly quiet, and joined plenty of excursions from river rafting to island hopping.

A five night stay for a family of four (room only) at the Zaton Holiday Resort during August starts from £298pp.

September

One month on and Rob suggests hopping over to Spain for September.

He says: “September’s got to be the best time to visit Spain’s hottest city, literally. The crowds are gone, but the heat is still there, and you’ll find some of the best tapas in Europe. S is for September, and Seville.”

The Patio de la Alameda in the middle of Seville’s Alameda de Hércules is a charming boutique hotel with three courtyards lined with orange trees.

There are 39 rooms that all come with private bathrooms, air con, plus there’s an on-site cafe for snacks and drinks.

Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey is a big fan of Seville where she sipped on cheap wine and wandered around the royal palaces.

Two adults can stay in Patio de la Alameda (room only) for two nights from £218pp.

October

It’s cooling down in the UK, so you’ll have to go away for some seriously hot weather.

Rob says: “For 28C in October and glorious sunshine whilst everyone else is wearing jumpers at home, Cyprus is perfect for half-term or one last swim before winter”.

Ayia Napa might be known as the party part of Cyprus, but there’s a lot more to it (but you can party if you like).

It has budget-friendly holidays, the comparatively short travel time — roughly five hours from the UK.

With On the Beach you can stay at the Makronisos Village which is a colourful village-style resort with pools, palm trees and easy beach access.

A five night stay for a family of four (room only) at Makronisos Village starts from £238pp.

November

Descending further into winter means heading further afield – if guaranteed heat and activities like sea snorkelling is on your hit list then head to Egypt.

Sharm El Sheikh has been described as the “forgotten winter sun destination” but it’s is ideal for winter sun as it rarely drops below 20C, even in December and January.

Rob recommends the Falcon Hills Hotel which has two outdoor pools, kids club and spa.

Rob adds: “Falcon Hills is a low-key winner – think big pools, friendly staff and easy access to coral reefs that’ll blow your flippers off.”

Ten nights at Falcon Hills for two adults (bed & breakfast) starts from £740pp.

December

As for December, Rob said: “End the year in style in Dubai temperatures of 28C, beach clubs, rooftop cocktails, and it’s way cheaper than you’d expect if you book early.

“And seeing as we’re in Dubai for this one, let’s go big with the hotel too.”

Head to the Hampton by Hilton Marjan Island for a truly luxurious stay on Al Margan Island.

All rooms have either a sea or island view, there’s an elevated infinity pool with views of the Arabian Gulf, plenty of on-site restaurants where you can get barbecue to Pan-Asian style food.

There’s plenty to keep kids entertained, as well as the adults with a kitted out fitness centre, plenty of treatment rooms for massages and evening entertainment.

An all-inclusive stay for a family of four across five nights at the Hampton by Hilton Marjan Island starts from £945pp.

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FANCY a cheeky city break but worried about blowing the Christmas budget?

Fear not, because we’ve rounded up nine of the best bucket-list weekenders, where you can find bargain flights, as well as cheap eats and drinks during the winter months.

Bilbao, Spain

For easily accessible winter warmth on a shoestring budget, Bilbao is a good bet. 

This is the Spanish city that is the fastest to reach from the UK, with flights from Bristol taking approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes (and under two hours from London).

It’s also super affordable to reach – one-way Gatwick fares with Vueling Airlines start at just £23 this autumn. 

Step off the plane and into double-digit temperatures – the city has highs of 17C in November, ideal for exploring the lush green landscape and Casco Viejo, the picturesque old town with its cobblestone streets and medieval architecture.

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You can’t visit without indulging in pintxos – the Basque version of tapas – paired with the local tipple Kalimotxo (red wine and cola). 

Cheap but highly-rated pintxos bars include local hangout Bar Bacaicoa, known for its griddled mushrooms, £1.13 (€1.30), cod croquettes, £1.50 (€1.70), and spicy chorizo. £1.65 (€1.90).

Beer at a restaurant or pub is also cheaper than in the UK, with a “zurrito” (small glass) of local beer like San Miguel costing around £3.50 (€4).  

The world-famous Guggenheim art museum is the city’s main attraction, home to popular works by artists such as Richard Serra, Robert Rauschenberg and Yayoi Kusama.

Although you need a ticket to enter, it’s completely free to admire the outdoor art installations, such as Jeff Koons’s Instagrammable Puppy sculpture guarding the entrance.

Dublin, Ireland

Close to home, Dublin offers a quick city getaway with affordable prices if you know where to look. 

Flights from most UK airports are very short, taking just an hour from Manchester and 1 hour 20 minutes from London.

November is the cheapest month to travel to Ireland – return fares to Dublin cost around £36 with Ryanair from the East Midlands and £72 from Heathrow with British Airways.

This leaves extra spending money for its lively pub culture.

The typical price range for a pint of Guinness in city boozers – like O’Donoghue’s, Doheny & Nesbitt’s, Toners and The Baggot Inn – is similar to the UK’s national average of £5.15 (€5.80-€7.00), depending on location. 

Tourist hotspots like Temple Bar push prices to £9 (€10.45) for a pint of the black stuff. 

Avoid this by heading to a local boozer like The Auld Triangle, where a pint will set you back less than a fiver (€4.95).  

You’ll still get traditional live music at a slice of the price.

But there’s much more to Dublin than a giddy Guinness binge. 

Take in the city sights, including Phoenix Park and the grounds of Trinity College, both free to explore. 

If you’ve got a spare £16 (€18), the Little Museum of Dublin is also well worth a visit.

Set in a cute Georgian townhouse, it’s a quirky one-stop shop for history fans.

Peckish? Wood-fired pizza costs less than £6 (€6.50) from Sano Pizza, while other cheap eats include Brother Hubbard (mezze plates from €7.50) and street food at EatYard, which is open Thursday-Sunday. 

Brussels, Belgium

The capital of Belgium is within striking distance of the UK – super affordable flights take just over an hour.

One-way fares this November cost from as little as £33 from Luton with easyJet, with a flight time of 1 hour 20 minutes. 

You can find even cheaper flights to the city’s second airport, Charleroi, which is around an hour from the city centre by bus. 

The city’s main highlights – including the magnificent Grand Place, Sablon’s Gothic church and the famed Manneken Pis statue – are walkable and free to see. 

You can keep costs down by visiting museums on reduced admission days.

For instance, the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium (normally €10) are free on the first Wednesday of each month from 1pm.

Sample gaufres de Liège (waffles), frites (fries) and Belgian chocolate – but find them at street food stalls, trucks and small cafés for the best price.

Maison Antoine sells a small cone of fries for around £3 (€3.50), while many good chocolate shops give out free samples.

When it comes to beer, avoid tourist trap bars around Grand Place and head to local boozers instead. 

Beer Capital has beers from £2.87 (€3.30), and happy hour from noon until midnight, while Cafe Belga is a firm favourite with students. 

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

With its quaint canals, treasure-packed museums and vibrant dining scene, Amsterdam is perfect for a European city break. 

You can reach this Dutch metropolis in 1 hour and 20 minutes, with easyJet flights from Manchester costing as little as £67 return this winter.

Walking is the best way to see the city’s gorgeous neighbourhoods of Prinsengracht, Herengracht and Keizersgracht, and the trendy Nine Streets area with its independent boutiques.

Planning to see as much as possible? You could save money with the I Amsterdam card, which allows free entry to some museums, including the Van Gogh Museum (but not the Anne Frank House, which you need to book in advance), travel discounts and bicycle rent. A 48-hour card costs £78 (€90).

Grab a £2.61 (€3) beef croquette straight from the wall at FEBO, automated snack machines dotted around the city.

Or head to a street stall to sample Dutch herring with onions and pickles for around €3, or stop by a Stroopwafels stand for freshly made caramel-filled wafers.

Fancy a drink? De Pilsener Club is a cosy, wood-panelled pub and one of the best spots for a cheap beer in the city centre.

Meanwhile, Kriterion is a trendy arthouse cinema with a student bar offering cheap beer (around £4.54 a pint), while Waterhole has happy hour every day (noon-9pm) with beers from £3.48 (€4).  

Paris, France

Just 1 hour and 15 minutes from the UK by plane, Paris should make your budget-break bucket list. 

While the City of Love has its fair share of overpriced tourist traps, there are ways you can shave euros off the prices you pay.

Avoid eating and drinking around the city’s main attractions, like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre and Arc de Triomphe, where restaurants charge a premium.

Instead, head to neighbourhoods just outside the most central zones (like the 11th, 19th and 20th arrondissements) for cheaper bars and restaurants.

With the average Parisian pint, or ‘pinte’, costing £5.22-£6.96 (€6-8), your best bet for finding budget beer in Paris is to avoid tourist zones and look for happy hour. 

The cheapest pint in Paris is reportedly at Chez Marie in the 10th arrondissement – where you can enjoy a pint for £2.18 (€2.50) at happy hour (6-9pm).  

When it comes to top-notch food, the French do it well – and crêpes (pancakes) are both filling and good value. 

You can find street-side stands selling crêpes or eat them “à emporter” (to go) from around £3.48 (€4). 

For lunch on the run, locals grab sandwiches and quiches from boulangeries (bakeries).

Other cheap eats include croque monsieur (ham and cheese toastie), which costs around £6-£8 (€7-9). 

Other money-saving tips for Paris include taking the Metro instead of expensive taxis and visiting big museums like the Louvre and Musee d’Orsay on the first Sunday of the month, when they offer free admission.

You can also bag a bargain with flights – easyJet and Vueling offer one-way prices from as little as £24, with Fridays in November and March often offering the best results. 

San Sebastian, Spain

In the heart of Spain’s Basque Country, San Sebastian is a foodie’s delight that won’t break the bank.  

This city in the north of the country is home to amazing pintxos – tapas-style snacks that are small in price but huge in flavour.

Think olive and pepper skewers, chistorra (AKA smoky sausage), and traditional tortillas – with each dish typically costing less than £4 (around €2-€5).

A pint of beer typically costs around £5 (€5-7) in San Sebastian bars – but you can save money by ordering a smaller ‘caña’ (200ml draft beer), which is usually priced around £2.60 (€3). 

British Airways flies direct to San Sebastian from London City, with one-way fares from £120 this autumn.

And with a flight time of 1 hour 55 minutes, you’ll be exploring its golden beaches, lush hillsides and cobbled lanes before you know it. 

Even in winter, the weather can be pretty mild, with daytime temperatures rising to around 15 °C in November. 

Some of the cheapest pintxos are in the Gros District, a surfing neighbourhood that’s a 10-minute walk from the old town.

The best way to burn the pintxos-hopping calories is to explore on foot.  

Walk the scenic promenade along La Concha Bay or hike up Monte Urgull for epic city views that won’t cost you a penny.  

Prague, Czech Republic

A couple of hours from the UK by plane, Prague is a firm favourite as a European city break, with cheap food and pints costing a couple of quid.

Even in the centre of the Czech capital, a pint will only set you back around £1.70-2.50 (50-70CZK).

Head further out, and you can expect to pay just £1-1.78 (30-50CZK) for similar drinks. 

Hany Bany, a boozer in the city’s old town, sells a small draft beer for just 78p (22CZK) and a pint for £1.25 (35CZK).

Working up an appetite? Grab a plate of hearty goulash and dumplings for £4.20 (119CZK) at Havelská Koruna, which opened as the country’s first fast-food restaurant in 1931. 

Located in the old town, it’s a thriving and affordable diner, so arrive by 11.30am to beat the lunchtime crowds.

Save even more on your trip by sampling cheap street food at Havel Market and exploring the grounds of Prague Castle for free. 

For a culture fix, some museums have free or cheap entry days, like the National Gallery Prague, which is free to enter on the first Wednesday of the month after 3pm. 

In the Old Town Square, you can also watch the Astronomical Clock’s hourly dancing figurine show without spending a single koruna.

Return flights from London to Prague this winter cost from £34 with Ryanair, from £44 with Wizz Air and from £57 with easyJet. 

Bordeaux, France

Also under two hours from the UK, the French city of Bordeaux offers cheap wine, local markets and a UNESCO area to discover. 

It’s also affordable to reach, with easyJet offering return Bristol flights from £44 this winter.

While a pint of beer will set you back around £6 (€7) in most central bars in Bordeaux, wine is inexpensive. 

In Le Bar à Vin Bordeaux, located opposite the tourism office, you can get glasses of decent wine for less than £3 – like a 15cl glass of Bordeaux rose for €2.50.

Meanwhile, you can keep costs low by chowing down street food near Place de la Victoire, or indulging in “canelés”.

These sweet, cylindrical pastries are typically priced less than a euro – La Toque Cuivrée sells them for a mere 60p (€0.70).

When you’ve eaten and drunk your fill, take in the historic centre and 18th-century architecture – a UNESCO World Heritage site.

It won’t cost you a penny to see sights like Place de la Bourse with its beautiful reflecting pool of water. 

Later, find souvenirs at the Grands Hommes market or on the rue Sainte Catherine, one of the longest streets in Bordeaux.

If you’re on a tight budget, pick up a steal in Mad Vintage, a second-hand shop, or head to the southern end of the street, which has cheaper, more student-oriented boutiques compared to the higher-end shops of the north. 

Munich, Germany

The Bavarian capital is under two hours away, with return Gatwick flights costing from just £59 with easyJet this winter. 

Which leaves plenty of spending money once you touch down in this edgy metropolis, which has lakes and mountains on its doorstep and oodles of cultural sights. 

Contemporary gallery Museum Brandhorst is a must if you enjoy pop art, and is one of many museums that offer cheap entry for 87p (€1) on Sundays.

Other free must-do activities include watching the famed Glockenspiel show in Marienplatz and strolling around the lush grass and shimmering lake of the English Garden.

Of course, Munich is the beer capital, so it’d be rude not to sample the city’s tipple of choice, Dunkel, which ranks among the best German beers. 

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A pint of this dark, malty lager is best enjoyed in a noisy beer hall like Augustiner Bräustuben, where it’s £3.35 (€3.85) a pint. 

For a cheap bite, make for Viktualienmarkt where you’ll find stalls selling sausage sandwiches for less than £6.09 (€7) or try a bakery for a €1 fresh pretzel. 

We’ve scoured the UK for the best festive holiday park deals on offer, with everything from Christmas entertainment and crafts to Santa’s grottos, for less than the price of a McDonald’s.

The three-night breaks work out as little as £9 per person and most cost under £15pp a night – at award-winning parks with waterparks, fairgrounds, as well as access to the UK’s best parks and beaches.

As a travel blogger and influencer, I’m regularly being asked for things to do in the UK over Christmas.

And these cheap UK holiday parks offer some fantastic festive extras at Christmas, such as lights and decorations across the park, children’s craft workshops, visits from Santa and special shows and pantomimes.

Haven Craig Tara, Scotland

Nine of Haven’s holiday parks across the UK will be hosting special festive breaks this year.

These Christmas getaways start from mid-November and include access to entertainment throughout the day and evening, a Christmas tree in your accommodation, and yuletide food and drinks, including a turkey dinner on Christmas Day. 

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Christmas meals are priced separately, and it’s recommended that you book them in advance.

Caravans have a fully-equipped kitchen, so you also have the option to cook dinner in your caravan to save money.

The best value break we could find over the Christmas week, including Christmas Day, is at the beautiful Craig Tara Holiday Park on the Scottish coast in Ayrshire, with stunning views of Ailsa Craig and the Isle of Arran.

With chances of a white Christmas here pretty high, this is a magical place to spend the big day.

For a winter break, the resort has a choice of indoor activities, including a water park with slides and an indoor sports complex called Airspace, which has everything from roller discos to crazy golf, a multi-level soft play area and a climbing wall.

Festive offerings include make-a-bear workshops, sand bottle creations, pic ‘n’ paint, bauble-making, stocking workshops, reindeer food, and family activities with a Christmas twist.

Plus, children can meet Santa in his grotto, though there is likely an extra fee for this, and it should be booked in advance. 

There is also an on-site pantomime of Jack and the Beanstalk, special festive shows from the Seaside Squad, lots of interactive fun with the elves and plenty of opportunities for a boogie.

If you’re staying for Christmas Day itself, you are able to book your dinner now, subject to availability.

Haven parks that have a J D Wetherspoon pub as their main venue (Primrose Valley, Kent Coast, Devon Cliffs) will also be open for Christmas Day table bookings, and you’ll choose from the menu on the day.

The other Haven parks hosting festive stays are: Seton Sands, Scotland, Blackpool, Devon Cliffs, North Wales, Kent Coast, Primrose Valley, Yorkshire, Dorset and Norfolk.

The price per night for Haven Craig Tara is £54.75 (based on four nights in a three-bed holiday caravan, which sleeps six), which works out at £9.12pp a night.

The holiday parks vary in price, and the next cheapest Haven parks to stay in over Christmas are Primrose Valley, Yorkshire, at £85 per night, and Rockley Park, Dorset, at £83 per night (based on four nights in a three-bed holiday caravan sleeping six).

Book at Haven.com.

Butlin’s Holiday Park, Skegness

Butlin’s is known for offering exceptional value family breaks, and Christmas is no exception.

Across its three holiday parks in Bognor Regis, Skegness and Minehead, Butlin’s offers festive breaks from November and specially-priced Christmas breaks, which run over Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

The huge parks get a magical makeover with fairy lights, decorations and indoor snow.

When you arrive, you’ll be rocking around the Christmas tree at the family welcome party.

Other special additions include a festive show, Christmas movies, a present drop, a firework display, children’s craft workshops and winter character meet-and-greets, all included in the price.

Better still, every family gets a visit to Santa’s Grotto for the Father Christmas’ Express Delivery, and each child gets a gift, fully included in the price.

Dining packages are available at Butlin’s and usually work out as excellent value. During the festive breaks, expect to see roasts with all the trimmings and mince pies, which aren’t available all year round.

Even if you decide to book without a dining package, the family can still sit down for a four-course Christmas dinner with all the trimmings for £58 per adult and £39 for kids. Choose from a set menu and finish up with coffee and mince pies.

The best value deal for Christmas week at Butlin’s is Skegness, which is £224 for four days (based on two adults and two children sharing). At only £14 per day per person, this is a superb seasonal staycation. 

Skegness has a huge weather-proof waterpark called Splash, which will also play host to a Christmas pool party during the festive breaks. 

There is also the award-winning Skypark, laser tag, bowling, a climbing wall, and go karts all on-site, as well as arcades and performances from the Redcoats.

Christmas Day breaks at Minehead and Bognor Regis come in a little bit more expensive, with Minehead starting at £15 per person and Bognor Regis at £22.50 per person.

Book at butlins.com

Parkdean Resorts at Trecco Park, Wales

Eight Parkdean Resorts are hosting Christmas Getaway breaks, with Trecco Park in Wales being the best value for money over Christmas Day.

Fun, festive activities include feeding Santa’s reindeer, a ‘pawsome’ Christmas party with the characters from Paw Patrol, breakfast with Santa, ice skating, a search for Santa game, a kids’ Christmas party and bauble-making workshops for the whole family. 

Plus, children can meet Santa when he comes to visit the on-site grotto.

One of the largest holiday parks in Europe, Trecco Bay – on the stunning Wales Coastal Path, spanning approximately 10 miles from Ogmore to Sker Point – is a beautiful site that overlooks the water. 

It’s probably too cold for a dip – unless you’re feeling particularly brave – but perfect for a Boxing Day walk.

Inside the large clubhouse, there is an amusement arcade and bowling, as well as the Aloha cocktail bar for adults and festive movie nights.

On Christmas Day, restaurants are closed for pre-booked Christmas lunch. Priced separately, the four-course dinner and nibbles are £49.99 for adults and £29.99 for kids 12 and under.

Over 21s get a welcome glass of prosecco too. Spaces are limited so booking in advance is essential. 

The price for a four-night stay at Trecco Bay is £473, staying in a four-bed Bronze caravan that sleeps six people, which works out at £19.70 per person. 

If you don’t want to go over Christmas Day, breaks for a family of four start from £169 (£42.25 per night) and include all the seasonal extras.

Book at parkdeanresorts.co.uk.

Hoseasons Dartmoor View, Devon

Hoseasons holiday parks tend to be quieter and more chilled-out than some of the other major brands. 

Over Christmas, there are no extras at the park itself, but they do make for brilliant budget places to stay for families who just want to get away for Christmas week. 

You’re very much left to your own devices, meaning a turkey dinner in your cabin.

The best deal is at Hoseasons Dartmoor View in Devon. This pretty park is set close to Dartmoor National Park, with easy access to a wealth of picture-postcard villages bursting with quaint shops and cosy, traditional pubs.

Nearby boozer The Globe Inn in Chagford is a local institution. It’s closed on Christmas Day, but they still have availability on Boxing Day if you fancy some good pub grub and festive atmosphere.

The price for a four-night stay in a standard caravan (sleeping six) is £259 for four nights, which works out at £10.79pp per person, per night.

Book at: hoseasons.co.uk

Away Resorts, St Ives Bay, Cornwall

This friendly resort could not be in a more perfect location, surrounded by rolling hills and with its own private beach.

You may not be up for a seaside dip or cold water surf at St Ives Bay, but a Christmas Day walk on the beach is certainly one way to do Christmas a bit differently. 

There’s also an indoor pool, a clubhouse with arcades and live entertainment.

For Christmas, kids can become an elf recruit and join the Sleigh Team, do Christmas crafts, experience the Elf Slime Factory, make snow globes and post a letter to Santa at the Christmas Post Office. 

Families can also join Mrs Claus in her kitchen to bake Christmas cookies. 

A three-night stay in a Comfort Caravan (sleeping six) over Christmas is £213 for three nights, working out only £11.84 per night, per person.  

If you opt for Away Resorts’ Tattershall Lakes location in Lincolnshire, it’s slightly more expensive, but there is more on offer.

The price for three nights is £294 for a Comfort Caravan, sleeping eight, which is £98 per night (£12.25pp if there are eight of you!), but you also get access to the evening Christmas show and can book a Christmas Day dinner at the Tattershall Park Pub. 

Three-course Christmas dinner is £79.95 for adults and £39.95 for kids (under-5s £4.95).

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They also have their seasonal Winterfest event, which is free to enter and includes Christmas workshops, a North Pole-themed food courtyard, Santa’s silent disco and Father Christmas’ grotto. Some activities are priced extra.

Book at: awayresorts.co.uk

ON Spain’s Costa del Sol, the city of Malaga is rich in heritage with a buzzing social scene.

It also offers a winning combination of a city and beach break rolled into one, meaning you can blend shopping and sight-seeing with downtime and relaxation.

Here we pick Malaga’s highlights.

WHY SHOULD I GO?

THE weather in Malaga is unlikely to disappoint, at any time of the year.

Right now temperatures are ideal — sunshine in the mid-20s — which is perfect for relaxing with a book by the pool or on the beach, as well as pounding the city streets without getting too hot and bothered.

Even if you’re not one for lying in the sun, a few days can easily be spent exploring the city’s excellent shopping scene or its old town with Roman ruins and Renaissance architecture flanking the streets.

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The city centre is also just 15 minutes from the airport by car, which makes it an ideal destination for a short break.

STREETS MADE FOR WALKING?

MALAGA is the sixth largest city in Spain, and fairly sprawling.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t explore it easily on foot.

It does depend on where you’re staying as to whether you’ll want to grab a taxi to the city centre, though.

All of the city’s main landmarks, including the cathedral, Alcazaba fortress-palace and Roman Theatre, are within a few minutes’ stroll of each other.

ANYTHING FOR BUCKET LIST?

HIKE up to the top of Gibralfaro Castle for fantastic views over the port and city.

This fort was built in the 14th century to house troops and protect the Alcazaba.

Standard entry is seven euros, which allows you to walk the perimeter of the fort via its tall walls as well as visit the small on-site museum.

Be sure to wear comfy shoes as the winding path visitors must climb to reach the castle from the town is pretty steep, and smooth paving means it’s easy to lose your footing.

If you do struggle with hills, you can grab a bus to the top.

For equally impressive views, a walk around the adjacent Alcazaba is not to be missed (standard entry is ten euros).

This stunning building is a marvel of medieval architecture.

Malaga is the birthplace of artist Pablo Picasso and it would be remiss not to visit the Picasso Museum, which showcases some of his famous works.

WHERE SHOULD I EAT?

ALMOST all tastes are catered for on the beachfront, but seafood should be the order of the day here.

Make sure you have at least one serving of pil-pil prawns, which features on most menus here.

I loved Majumi Beach Club, which has a relaxed vibe and dishes up some excellent local grub.

Try the sardines, which are grilled on an outdoor fire. The tomato salad with anchovies is also a hit with visitors.

For a nice evening meal, Los Marangos in the old town serves top paella, tapas and other authentic dishes from the region.

FANCY A DRINK?

PICASSO Bar Tapas has a really buzzy atmosphere.

As the name suggests, you can enjoy tipples such as fruit-loaded sangria alongside tapas-style nibbles.

Or if you’re looking for more of a party vibe, there are plenty of late-night venues in Torremolinos including Irish bars and karaoke venues.

I preferred to take advantage of the Cosmos Sky Bar at my hotel — Hotel Costa Malaga — which poured me freshly shaken cocktails while I soaked up the excellent views from the rooftop.

WHERE SHOULD I STAY?

HOTEL Costa Malaga is very affordable at around £50 a night.

It is best suited to adults rather than families with young children, due to its lack of kids’ facilities.

And that is a big sellling point as it means the hotel attracts a laidback crowd who come for the balmy weather and good food.

Rooms are modern, with the ocean visible from many of the balconies.

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As well as a reasonable-sized pool, there’s a gym area and on-site buffet and breakfast restaurant.

The best part is that the beach is just a ten-minute walk away, where you can spend the day flopped on a lounger in one of the many beach clubs — or have a go at one of the watersports on offer.

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday announced a plan to offer $11 insulin pens through the state’s pharmaceutical venture.

Beginning Jan. 1, consumers can purchase a five-pack of pens for a suggested price of $55, according to the governor’s office. The packs will be available to California pharmacies for $45.

California is the first state in the nation to sell its own brand of generic prescription drugs as Newsom and other state leaders seek ways to drive down rising healthcare costs.

Insulin users without health insurance today can pay $400 for a small vial.

Newsom, in a statement Thursday, said that Californians shouldn’t “ration insulin or go into debt to stay alive.”

“California didn’t wait for the pharmaceutical industry to do the right thing — we took matters into our own hands,” Newsom said.

Officials hope the drug will lower costs across the board, not just for the consumers ultimately picking up the drug. Major drug companies have also cut prices on insulin, but critics contend those cost savings are passed on to other consumers.

Earlier this week, Newsom signed legislation, Senate Bill 40, capping insulin co-pays at $35 for the first time in California.

“This law ensures no family will be forced to choose between buying insulin and putting food on the table in California again,” the bill’s author, Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), said in a statement.

Newsom, who vowed to be the “healthcare governor” during his campaign, in 2020 unveiled a proposal for California to make its own line of generic drugs.

Three years later, he announced a $50-million contract with the nonprofit generic drugmaker Civica to produce insulin under the state’s own label.

Earlier this year, the state began selling Naloxone, a medication that blocks the effects of opioids, at below market prices.

Whether your dream escape involves tanning on a tropical beach or exploring Europe with a backpack, a smart booking strategy can make it a reality. Here are some tips to help you save money when booking your 2026 holiday…

As the bitter cold arrives and we wrap ourselves in our cosiest knitted jumpers, it’s perfectly normal to start fantasising about warmer climes and thrilling getaways.

Whether you’re picturing yourself soaking up rays on a paradise beach or trekking across Europe with just a rucksack, clever booking tactics can turn those dreams into reality.

Making magical memories doesn’t have to break the bank, so here are two travel experts’ step-by-step guides to slashing costs when planning your 2026 getaway, and making sure that your break is budget-friendly as it can be.

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Book far in advance

“If you can book three to nine months in advance you can often get good deals, especially for packaged holidays or if you’re booking for a family,” says Laura Carden-Lovell, travel expert and head of operations at Transfer Travel.

“We’ve seen that slow travel, so taking longer to get to a destination, has been increasing in popularity,” Carden-Lovell points out. “So, taking the scenic train for example. Trains can be quite expensive so I would recommend booking these far in advance.”

Utilise comparison websites

Fight the temptation to snap up the first bargain that appears in your social media feed, as a little extra patience and detective work could uncover an even better offer.

“Have a look around and use comparison sites to compare prices before you hop onto the first holiday you see,” advises Carden-Lovell. “Comparison sites like Skyscanner and Hopper are brilliant.”

Purchase individual flights

“Booking one-way flights is often a great hack and can be a good way to reduce the prices of flights, as booking a return flight can often be more expensive,” says Carden-Lovell.

Is an all-inclusive break really good value?

Do your homework and weigh up self-catering options. Carden-Lovell suggests, “I think that all-inclusive holidays can be more convenient and potentially cheaper for families and bigger parties, but for solo travellers I think there are ways you could do it cheaper by just buying local food, for example,”.

Consider booking a holiday outside of the peak season to avoid inflated flight costs and crowds

“Shoulder season, typically between September and March (excluding Christmas and New Year), is probably the best time of year to go on holiday to get cheaper tickets,” Carden-Lovell advises. “Most destinations also tend to be less crowded this time of year.”

Jakes Maritz, co-founder of Expat Explore, added: “Timing is everything. If you can, book flights for a Tuesday or Wednesday as midweek departures are often significantly cheaper than weekend travel. It’s also worth checking prices from regional airports, where lower demand can translate into smaller surcharges and more affordable fares.”

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Resale platforms might be worth considering if your dates aren’t flexible

“If you can’t be flexible with dates, using resale marketplaces are often a good way to get a cheap holiday package,” says Carden-Lovell. “If someone can’t go on their holiday, they can list it on a resale marketplace like Transfer Travel and you can often get a really good bargain.”

Despite some negative perceptions, Carden-Lovell assures, “I know resale platforms have had a bad rep for not being safe and secure, but they are usually a simple, safe and legit way to do it, rather than Facebook marketplace. Just make sure you check that customer services are verifying each listing and that the platform you are using has a secure payment method.”

Consider trips to the Mediterranean, Eastern Europe or Scandinavia

Carden-Lovell suggests, “I think it is a good idea to stay away from the really popular destinations and to consider going on holiday somewhere like Eastern Europe instead, for example, which is likely to be cheaper in 2026,” He also mentions that “Coolcations are also trending and Scandinavian countries are really good and are generally cheaper to visit now. Mediterranean countries like Greece and Portugal are also looking super cheap in the forecast for 2026.”

Look at alternative accommodation

Why not swap those pricey hotels for something a bit different?

“For budget travellers, places like hostels are often really cheap and Airbnbs can often be a cheap alternative to typical hotels as well,” Carden-Lovell advises. “Staying outside the major tourist hubs is also a good tip to save money on accommodation during the summer holidays.”

Check on Sundays

“When it comes to accommodation, keep an eye on Sundays,” advises Maritz. “Industry data consistently shows that this is the cheapest day of the week to book hotels. Travellers should also consider package deals, as bundling flights, hotels and sometimes activities together often comes out cheaper and protects you from hidden costs.”

Milo Boyd from the Mirror’s travel desk headed down to Brixham in Torbay, Devon to check out the town’s pub, restaurant, fishing and music scene over a long October weekend

Milo Boyd is a Digital Travel reporter who covers aviation news, the environment, the cruise industry and much else including travel tips, bargain holiday suggestions and inspirational global trips.

Brixham is a small town on the Devon coast that may be the perfect place to go on holiday.

That’s because it is not your typical UK seaside destination. It is a whole lot more interesting, prettier and unexpected than that.

Historians will tell you that William of Orange first put Brixham on the map when he landed his army there in 1688, before marching off to London to claim the throne and mark the Glorious Revolution as a “big success”.

A short 111 years later, Parliament approved the construction of its fish market, which grew to be the biggest in England. Back then, 270 sail-operated decked trawlers and 1,600 seamen battled the elements to land thousands of tonnes of fish, which steam trains chugged up the railways to the Capital.

Today, a post-Covid online auction system means buyers across the world order some of the £25 million of catch landed annually at England’s most valuable fish market.

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But for me, and I suspect most holidaymakers who visit Brixham, it isn’t the royal connection or fishing that make the town an excellent place to visit. It’s Brixham’s beauty, and how much locals love to party.

On the beauty front, the good looks of Brixham are undeniable. My wife and I stayed in the Petite Maison apartments above the quayside, meaning we awoke each morning to the bucolic scene of fishing boats bobbing on water lit up by the rising sun like a rainbow oil slick.

Brixham climbs up 100m on both of the quay, with rows of cottages perched on the hillside. Traditionally, these were painted different colours so sailors could find their way home on poor visibility days at sea (or so a cabby told us). In recent years, the Light Up Brixham community group has encouraged homeowners to turn their properties pastel. The effect is an exceptionally pretty place that looks more than a little like Balamory.

While most will visit during the summer when Brixham’s quayside chippies, rock shops and arcades are fully staffed and bustling, a winter stay is an intriguing option.

Thanks to Light Up Brixham, the town is bejewelled in Christmas lights throughout the festive season, turning it into a blinking beacon of fairy lights and waving Santas that returning fishermen would struggle to miss even on the stormiest of nights.

In November, the town gathers to remember those who have died on the waves, paying their respects to the sound of Abide With Me, which was written by local Reverend Henry Francis Lyte weeks before his death.

“One of the most moving moments of the year for me is Remembrance Sunday when the town band plays Abide With Me and it coincides with the lifeboat going out to sea to lay a wreath for the merchant navy seamen lost at sea,” explains local Paul Jolly on the Brixham Today podcast.

Trips to Brixham have changed quite a lot in recent years. The town was home to three holiday parks, including a Pontins, which closed in 2014 and was subsequently destroyed by an arson attack. Today, long caravanning breaks have been swapped for weekend stays in Airbnbs and guest houses.

But that doesn’t mean that the lively heart of Brixham won’t be opened to you. Community is found in plentiful supply in the town’s pubs, which are some of the booziest and most raucous I’ve visited in a long time.

On Friday night, local funk duo The Schofields brought The Bullers alive, coaxing punters into makeshift Cossack dancing with a slap-bass version of Rasputin. A day later, guitarist Oli Syrett inspired those in the Golden Anchor to provide backing vocals to AC/DC’s Thunderstruck. After he finished off the set with an acoustic cover of Insomnia, we headed to Liberty – a cocktail bar where they’ll emboss a picture of your wife’s face onto her drink for just £1.50.

The merrymaking continued in less obvious spots. To coincide with the Tory Party Conference in Manchester, my wife and I decided to break the habit of a lifetime when in Rome and visit the Brixham Conservative Club.

There, the 80- and 90-year-old players of Odds and Ends brass band delivered a mix of 60s and 70s classics as punters necked £3.50 pints and disco lights swirled.

Our trip into the foreign political lands came to a sudden end when two friendly men from Herefordshire sandwiched us on the banquette, asked if we were “young Tories” and then explained why Keir Starmer was “rotten to the core”.

My wife and I escaped for dinner at the charming Olive on the seafront. The small plates restaurant has a lively atmosphere, a very extensive wine list, and perhaps the best fried halloumi I’ve ever had.

The next morning we shook off our hangovers and headed out to sea at 6.50 am aboard the Dolphin Explorer, for a fry-up and some porpoise spotting – all for £12.50. We’d been invited along by a charming local we met during an incredibly boozy bar and restaurant crawl in Torquay the day before.

“It’s my birthday in two weeks,” she explained while filling up four glasses with fizz as the sun rose above the horizon. “What people need to know about Brixham is it’s a drinking town with a fishing problem.”

It’s a little hard to imagine now, but not so long ago, Target (TGT -0.54%) was a much-loved stock. The ubiquitous retailer seemed to be making all the right moves, with improving fundamentals reflecting a successful strategy.

That was then, this is now. Target’s share price has cratered by 34% so far this year while other retail favorites — Walmart and Costco Wholesale, to name two — have retained their luster. Target is the very definition of the beaten-down stock these days, but I don’t think it’s going to stay that way for long.

A perfect storm of negativity

Target’s woes are the result of several negative factors converging to hurt the fundamentals.

The current administration’s trade policy has seen tariffs come and go, at times unpredictably; this isn’t good for a retailer like Target that imports regularly. The supply chain issues that were a feature, not a bug, of the early 2020s weren’t managed all that well by the company; meanwhile, it had to contend with persistent inflation that kept many consumer wallets shut.

Image source: Getty Images.

Target’s recent performance has been disappointing, at least on the surface. In its second quarter, the results of which were published near the end of August, the company’s net sales slumped by nearly 1% year over year to just over $25 billion. That was on the back of a nearly 2% drop in comparable-store sales.

Net income as measured by generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) fell more precipitously, diving by 22% to $935 million. This wasn’t the only recent quarter to feature top- or bottom-line declines.

Retail is a tough industry, though, stuffed as it is with much competition and low margins. Prior to its current doldrums, Target was an outperformer, if anything, and that memory is making the recent slides look more dire than they might otherwise appear.

Besides, there are numerous reasons to be positive about the company’s future if you know where to look. One is its well-managed same-day delivery service, where it has effectively copied a page from the Amazon playbook. Its take from same-day delivery increased a robust 25% in the second quarter, contributing to a more than 4% increase in overall digital sales.

And new-ish premium programs such as the Roundel advertising service and third-party sellers marketplace Target Plus have been posting double-digit gains of late.

A turnaround is in the works. Yes, analysts tracking the stock are collectively modeling slides over full-year 2025 for both revenue (projected to fall 1.4% against the 2024 figure) and per-share profitability (by 17%). However, they’re anticipating a comeback in 2026, with the annual top line inching up by nearly 2%, and a rise in headline earnings per share by a relief-inducing 9%.

A generous member of dividend royalty

What makes Target even more appealing as a turnaround-to-be story is that its quarterly dividend, generous during the good times, is especially rich now. It yields more than 5% on the current sunken share price, putting it firmly in high-yield dividend territory. It also beats the pants off the average dividend yield of S&P 500 component stocks, which sits at less than 1.2%.

What’s more, unlike other beaten-down companies, the payout looks sustainable. In its most recently reported quarter, free cash flow (FCF) approached $4.5 billion, far more than enough to fund the slightly over $2 billion in dividends it doled out during the period. It even had sufficient monies for activities like share buybacks and debt retirement.

Target’s shareholder payout is clearly important to the company, so much so that it has declared dividend raises annually for 54 years running, making it a Dividend King. That’s one of the longest dividend-raise streaks going for any company of any size, and it’s beaten by only a handful of publicly traded businesses.

So ultimately what we have here is a stock that feels extremely oversold and is cheap not only in price, but in key fundamentals (its forward P/E, for example, is less than 12). It’s also a monster of an income generator these days, with that 5%-plus yield. Target continues to be a bargain, in my view, and is absolutely tempting as a buy.

DOES it feel like you’re constantly squirming against the waistband of your jeans? And does your tummy often feel uncomfortably swollen?

Bloating is all too common – especially after a long day or a large meal.

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But it doesn’t make it any less uncomfortable when your guts just won’t play ball.

Your first instinct might be to try and keep your stomach sucked in, or pop a Rennie to provide some relief.

According to pharmacist Dipa Kamdar, there are natural ways to support your gut health and bring down your bloat.

“For centuries, herbs and spices have been used in traditional medicine for their digestive benefits, and modern science is beginning to back up some of these age-old remedies,” the senior lecturer in pharmacy practice at Kingston University wrote in The Conversation.

She shared five cheap ingredients “linked to better digestion” – some of which you might already have in your kitchen.

These range from peppermint and chamomile tea to cumin seeds.

Dipa said: “Herbs and spices are not a replacement for medical treatment, but they can complement a balanced diet and offer gentle support for everyday digestive issues.

“In normal amounts they are generally safe to cook with, but anyone with underlying conditions or on medication should consult a healthcare professional first.

“For many, though, a cup of chamomile tea or a sprinkle of cumin may be a simple – and tasty – step toward better digestive health.”

Here are five ingredients to eat or drink to slim down your waist and ease stomach discomfort.

1. Peppermint tea

Dipa said: “Peppermint is one of the best-known herbs for easing digestive distress.

“Its active compound, menthol, relaxes the muscles of the gut, helping to reduce bloating, gas and abdominal pain.

“It may also reduce sensitivity to pain, fight harmful bacteria and calm inflammation.”

According to the pharmacist, clinical trials have shown that taking peppermint oil capsules can relieve irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms – from stomach cramps, to bloating and constipation.

But steer clear of peppermint oil if you have acid reflux, she warned.

The oil can relax the lower oesophageal sphincter – the muscle that stops stomach acid flowing back into the throat – which may trigger heartburn, especially if you haven’t eaten anything.

Sipping on peppermint tea will be gentler and may offer similar benefits, Dipa noted.

2. Chamomile tea

Do you like to sip on chamomile tea before bed?

It may do more that make you feel sleepy, according to Dipa, who said the flower “may also soothe the digestive system”.

“Chamomile tea is one of the world’s most popular herbal drinks and has long been used to ease indigestion, gas, stomach upset and gut irritation,” she wrote.

“Evidence is mostly traditional, but animal studies show chamomile extract can reduce stomach ulcers thanks to its antioxidant properties.”

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The popular tea may also help ease an upset tummy, Dipa added.

“Another trial found that children with mild diarrhoea recovered more quickly when treated with a chamomile mixture.”

She noted that the study combined chamomile with other herbs

Dipa also cautioned that some people may be allergic to chamomile.

3. Fennel seeds

Known for their sweet anise-like flavour, fennel seeds are frequently added to stews and curries – but they may also help gut discomfort and bloating.

“Fennel is traditionally chewed after meals in many cultures to freshen breath and aid digestion,” Dipa said.

“Its seeds are high in insoluble fibre, which helps prevent gas build-up and bloating.”

Eating more insoluble fibre can help with bloating in the long run.

The NHS recommends about 30g of fibre a day.

But make sure you gradually add fibre to your diet, as overdoing it can actually lead to more gas and bloating.

Dipa went on: “Anethole, fennel’s main active compound, is chemically similar to dopamine and relaxes gut muscles – a mechanism confirmed in lab studies.

“In a small trial in people with IBS, fennel reduced cramp-like abdominal pain, probably due to this muscle-relaxing effect.

“Human trials are limited, but fennel’s long history of safe use supports its traditional role in digestive care.”

4. Cumin

“Cumin has an equally long track record for easing digestive problems,” Dipa added.

“Modern studies suggest it boosts digestive enzyme activity, speeding the breakdown of food.

“It also encourages the release of bile from the liver, which helps digest fats and absorb nutrients.”

She cited one study conducted on rats, which found cumin shortened the time food spent in the digestive tract by about 25 per cent.

This is “likely due to these enzyme and bile effects”, the pharmacist said.

“In a clinical trial of 57 people with IBS, concentrated cumin significantly eased symptoms within two weeks,” she added.

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5. Carom seeds

Carom seeds, also known as Ajwain, are a spice with a strong, bitter, thyme-like flavour, and are a staple in Indian cuisine.

“They’ve been used for centuries to relieve gas and bloating, probably because of thymol, a compound that stimulates the stomach to produce more acid — sometimes up to four times more,” Dipa said.

Again, studies on the spice’s digestive effects tend to conducted in animals.

A study on rats found that carom seeds made food move through the digestive tract faster, boosted digestive enzyme activity and increased bile secretion, which helps break down fats in food.

But Dipa warned: “Pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid large doses, as high intakes have been linked to miscarriages.”

WITH winter approaching there’s a simple step you can take to attract robins to your garden.

Santa’s little helper will be drawn to your outdoor space with this budget buy.

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Adding this one plant to your garden will boost the wildlife, particularly robins.

As Britain’s favourite bird, robins provide ecological benefits to your space.

This includes acting as a natural pest controller and aiding in seed dispersal.

While you can try to attract these birds with food, providing nest material can also be a huge draw.

Ivy benefits

According to the experts at Woodland Trust, robins are drawn to nest boxes if they’re under a natural cover.

This makes ivy or other climbing plants ideal additions to your garden set-up.

And you can now pick up pots of Ivy Mix for just £1.99 each from Wilko.

Available in classic green or with white detailing on the leaves, this budget plant makes the perfect autumn addition to your garden.

According to the product description, this “vigorous climbing foliage” can be “wonderful for creating dense coverage to create shade, cover structures, or act as a backdrop to other plants”.

It is also versatile and hardy, making it ideal for even the most inexperienced of gardeners.

Role of robins

Like all birds, robins can prove useful for tackling insects and creepy crawlies in your garden.

And with the decline in insects during the colder weather, robins are known to forage more on the ground.

This can help to aerate the soil in your garden throughout autumn and winter.

Meanwhile, their droppings can help to act as a natural fertiliser in your garden.

And since the species mainly feed on fruits and seeds, they can also help with seed dispersal.

October gardening jobs

The Sun’s Gardening Editor, Veronica Lorraine, has shared the jobs you need to tackle in October.

“It’s a good time to trim deciduous hedges – like box, yew, hawthorn, hornbean and beech – plus hedge trimmers are a great upper body workout!

Make leafmould – gather up all the fallen leaves and fill either bin bags or plastic carrier bags. Seal the top, stick a few small holes in the bag – and then store for a year or more. Free compost!

It’s unlikely you’ll get any more red tomatoes so have one final harvest and chuck the plants on the compost. See if you can get the green ones to ripen by putting in a drawer (some say with a banana). Also keep the seeds from a couple – and plant again next year if they went well.

Finish getting in your spring bulbs. Ideally you’d have done daffs and alliums, but tulips are better in the ground when the soil temperature gets a bit colder. 

It’s good to leave some plant litter in the ground – it adds to the nutrients as it rots down, and provides shelter and food for insects. But remove the manky brown bits collapsing all over the lawn/winter structure. 

Mulch – it not only suppresses weeds, but keeps the soil warm, improves water retention and adds a little winter duvet to your outside space. 

October’s a good month for carrots, peas, asparagus, broad beans, and rhubarb.”

More on garden tips

A gardening pro revealed the £1.99 Lidl plant that is the secret to filling outside space with colour all autumn.

Plus, the best flowers to add to your garden for 10 months of colourful blooms.

You can also stop weeds growing all autumn and winter with this quick gardening task.

And a £2.49 item you need to sprinkle on your patio or driveway to banish weeds for good.

Plus, the exact date you should store your outdoor furniture away for winter.

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Do you like low-cost stocks? If so, you’re not alone. So does legendary stock-picker and Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A 0.20%) (BRK.B 0.24%) CEO Warren Buffett. His company is currently holding about four dozen value stocks, which collectively account for one-third of the conglomerate’s total market cap.

One of these names is absurdly cheap right now, and could make you measurably richer at some point in the foreseeable future. That stock? The Kraft Heinz Company (KHC -0.15%).

Surprised? Just hear me out.

Yes, that Kraft Heinz

Anyone keeping tabs on Kraft Heinz for the past few years might be more than a little shocked at the suggestion. While hopes were high for the merger of then-separate Kraft and Heinz that Warren Buffett helped orchestrate back in 2015, by 2017 it was clear the pairing was a bust. Buffett eventually conceded in 2019 that “we [Berkshire Hathaway] overpaid for Kraft,” although the assessment still understated the ultimate problem. Delivering that ugly truth is the fact that KHC stock — including Berkshire’s 325.6 million shares — continued to fall well after that confession, recently hitting a multiyear low that’s more than 70% below 2017’s peak.

What went wrong? A handful of things. Chief among them is that these two companies should have never been combined in the first place.

Corporate culture is a real thing. That’s arguably even more the case for older, bigger, and more complex companies like Heinz as well as Kraft, each of which also managed in-house departments like advertising and product development. Although Heinz’s then-CEO Bernardo Hees thought he had the right plan in place to successfully meld the two companies into one when he took the helm in 2015, in retrospect he clearly didn’t.

Hees was replaced by Miguel Patricio in 2019, who was replaced by Carlos Abrams-Rivera in 2023, neither of whom was able to rekindle the magic of either iconic brand. (That being said, in their defense it’s worth pointing out that both companies were struggling with relevancy and marketability prior to the merger. It may have been a lost cause no matter who was in charge.)

Fast-forward to today… or, at least earlier this month. After 10 torturous years, Kraft Heinz announced in early September that it would be splitting back into two separate publicly traded entities in an effort to unwind the disastrous merger.

It’s not quite a reversion back to pre-merger Kraft and Heinz. One of the companies will own Heinz, Philadelphia cream cheese, and Kraft macaroni and cheese. The other will own Oscar Mayer, Kraft singles cheese slices, and Lunchables. But this divvying up allows for at least a bit more focus than is currently possible. That can only help.

Shrinking its way to success

Not everyone agrees this is what the struggling combined company needs at this time. In fact, given the stock’s stumble following the announcement, most interested parties aren’t enthusiastic about the split. Buffett is reportedly disappointed as well, implying he thinks what’s not working can still be fixed without breaking the company up. Or if nothing else, as independent food industry analyst Nicholas Fereday noted, “The very fact they’re splitting up doesn’t change any of it and explain how they’re going to inject energy, excitement and clarity.”

And maybe these criticisms are fair.

Consider this, however: After more than five (and really, seven) years of poor performance, what could have been fixed arguably should have been and would have been fixed by now. If nothing else, separating the complex food behemoth into two better-focused players certainly can’t make matters any worse — once the disruption stemming from the split is in the rearview mirror anyway.

Image source: Motley Fool.

That’s the crux of the argument for stepping into a position of this beaten-down stock while its forward-looking dividend yield stands at 6.2% and the stock is priced at only about 10 times this year’s and next year’s projected per-share earnings. Most of any risk is already reflected here, leaving only upside even if that upside is modest for now.

Bolstering this bullish thesis is what’s likely to happen once Kraft Heinz becomes two companies and two stocks. Although it’s only speculation at this point, Mizuho Securities’ managing director John Baumgartner writes: “Asset sales (notably Oscar Mayer) could prune material underperformers and enhance portfolio growth prospects. We believe strategic acquirers exist, and that asset sales can prove accretive for shareholders.”

That being said, it’s worth adding that the sweeping bearishness surrounding this ticker now also makes it something of a contrarian prospect. That won’t keep it moving higher forever, but it could get it moving in that direction.

Not your typical buy-and-hold investment

It’s admittedly unusual to tout the breakup of a food giant as a means of unlocking value. Technology and industrial companies? Yes. But consumer staples? Not so much. It’s an industry that’s historically benefited from scale rather than been crimped by it.

The marketplace is changing, though. So are consumers. People are generally eating more pre-prepared and processed food these days, or eating more restaurant-prepared meals; the made-at-home meal space that Kraft Heinz operates in is a shrinking no-man’s land. And to the extent the company’s products are still relevant, technology and consumers’ interest in exploring brands other than the ones they grew up with are making it possible for smaller players to compete with giants like Kraft Heinz.

So, perhaps a breakup followed by the sale of some of both new companies’ brands to smaller, nimbler food companies is what’s needed to unlock the value that’s buried deep within Kraft Heinz.

Just don’t lose perspective on the kind of trade you’d be taking on. The Kraft Heinz Company is anything but a foundational holding for anyone’s portfolio. There’s no certainty here, but there’s sure to be plenty of volatility as long as splits, sales, and spinoffs are being considered.

A TikTok travel influencer has shared her “favourite” trick for enjoying five-star accommodations and facilities around the world on a budget, with a single-purchase day pass

A budget-conscious travel influencer has shared one of her top tips for being “bougie on a budget”. This little-known hack allows travellers to enjoy luxury service without the hefty price tag.

Em, aka @emsbudgettravel on TikTok, frequently shares cost-efficient travel advice and tips with her over 100,000 followers. On a recent solo trip to Mumbai, the content creator disclosed one of her favourite hacks to indulge without breaking the bank.

At the tail end of her trip, Em booked herself into a five-star hotel—but only for a day. In her TikTok video she shares: “As my flight isn’t until this evening, I thought I’d treat myself with a day pass to a five-star hotel.”

The travel influencer shared that while “hotels rarely advertise” the day passes, but she opts for them “all the time” during her many adventures.

“It’s perfect if you have a flight home in the evening as it means you don’t have to drag your bags around the city after you’ve checked out,” Em said. She also emphasises that the often cushy accommodations are a “great way to relax after a busy trip.”

This hack is a great way to experience a hotel you may not otherwise be able to afford. “It’s usually way cheaper than actually staying the night, but you still get full use of the facilities,” she confirmed.

Em strategically booked her day pass for the Aurika by Lemon Tree Hotel, which sits conveniently close to the Mumbai airport. “Literally [the] perfect location as well,” she said, “so I can go straight there in the evening and I don’t have to worry about traffic.

But what exactly is the price for a day pass at a five-star hotel? “It cost me £36 for the day rate—and that’s per room, not per person,” Em states. “So if you’re travelling with someone else, it would be even cheaper.”

In her TikTok video, Em shared footage of her luxe single room and the pool area where she was able to relax and recharge before her evening flight. “The room was really nice and I got food delivered for lunch,” she said, which amounted to a cost of £5.

During her day, she “spent a few hours chilling by the pool and having a swim” heading back to the room to take a very long shower, wash her hair and enjoy a nap before catching an Uber to the airport.

She ended the video by saying how she felt it was an “excellent” way to spend her final day in Mumbai.

To get access to a day pass like Em, you can head to Resort Pass, DayPass and Hotel Treats—these are only some of the apps offering a day’s access to facilities for around £30.

Europe’s most beautiful cities often boast breathtaking old towns but there’s one budget-friendly destination that’s worth having on your radar especially when the festive season kicks off

While we may be coming to the end of ‘Euro summer’, have no fear; there are still heaps of incredible European destinations to be explored, some of which particularly shine in the autumn and winter months.

In fact the colder months can be an excellent time to plan European city breaks, as the crisp fresh air makes for ideal conditions to go wandering through fairytale-worthy cobbled streets, enjoy a spot of sightseeing without fighting the crowds, and come winter even exploring a Christmas market or two.

One city that’s well worth having on your radar is Krakow in Poland, which has recently topped the list for having Europe’s most charming Old Town. Highlights include the breathtaking St Mary’s Basilica and Wawel Hill castle which never fail to be hits with history buffs.

READ MORE: Europe’s ‘safest city’ has beautiful Old Town, hidden beach and Game of Thrones link

At the centre of the medieval Old Town sits the aptly-named Central Square, where you’ll find plenty of restaurants, cafés, museums, bars and hotels, not to mention it’s a short walk to most of the region’s most famous landmarks. The city’s nightlife also offers up heaps of choices, so it’s no surprise that it’s also a firm favourite with stag and hen dos.

Meanwhile the pretty buildings and eye-catching architecture throughout the Old Town make for countless photo opportunities (it’s easy to see why this city is popular with the social media crowd). The bulk of the area is pedestrianised too so you can stroll around at your leisure.

READ MORE: Beautiful UK canal is one of ‘best leafy spots’ for a long weekend this autumnREAD MORE: UK’s ‘most family-friendly city’ has Vikings, chocolate and Harry Potter alley

While for some it may feel far, far too early to be thinking about Christmas, there’s no denying that there’s something extra magical about Krakow during the festive season. After all, the Polish city regularly features rankings of Europe’s best Christmas markets, not to mention that last year it picked up the crown for being Europe’s ‘most festive’ destination thanks to the wide array of stalls offering up everything from trinkets and Christmas decorations, to mulled wine and plenty of delicious food.

Throw in the fact that come December time it’s not uncommon for snowy weather to hit the city, and you can see why it’s earned a reputation as quite the winter wonderland. It also tends to be one of the more budget-friendly options with heaps of cheap flights and stays available.

This year the main Christmas market is expected to return to the Central Square, with dates between November 29, 2025, to January 1, 2026. Of course because of its festive reputation, it can be one of the busier markets so be prepared during those peak Christmas weeks for a few crowds! (There are some smaller markets nestled throughout the city too so that festive cheer is spread across a few destinations if you want to escape the hustle and bustle).

Krakow’s picturesque city centre saw it recently named as Europe’s most charming Old Town, in a new study from the travel insiders at Tourlane. Researchers ranked cities on a number of factors including their age and history, the cost of a guided tour, their appeal for pedestrians and popularity as a photo spot on social media. Krakow impressed with roots dating back to the 7th century, while a guided tour could be picked up for approximately £10.

“Krakow offers an incredibly easy way to experience centuries of history,” explained Roman Karin, Head of Travel Experience at Tourlane. “Its old town is so thoughtfully laid out that you can simply stroll from the Main Market Square to St. Mary’s Basilica and up to Wawel Castle, taking in all the highlights on foot.”

You can also find out more about Krakow and its old town on visitkrakow.com.

Do you have a travel story that you want to share with us? Email us at [email protected].

A LITTLE-known resort with white sands, a Unesco-listed old town and beer for less than £2 tops a new listing of most affordable autumn beach breaks in Europe this year.

Nessebar, on a peninsula in Bulgaria, is No1 in budget airline easyJet’s Cheap Beach Index, thanks to its affordable hospitality and dependable deals on flights and hotels.

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The research analysed areas within easy reach of airports that offer affordable direct routes from the UK, and the costs of a typical holiday “basket” of essentials including beer, ice cream and family meals out.

The Budva Riviera in Montenegro came second, followed by Spain’s Costa de Almeria then Costa Dorada.

Next came Croatian towns Nin and Medulin.

Lisa Minot describes what makes these autumn breaks winners, and offers some great deals . . . 

NESSEBAR, BULGARIA

THIS little gem offers the best of both worlds with golden sands on South Beach and plenty of charm in the Old Town with its Roman and Ottoman architecture, 19th-century wooden houses and cobbled streets.

It’s not all culture, though – the resort has plenty to keep visitors happy with lots of bars and restaurants and a lively nightlife.

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The report found beers would cost on average £1.60, while a three-course meal will set you back around £22 for a couple.

GO: Seven nights’ all-inclusive at the 4H Festa Panorama, Nessebar is from £477pp including flights from Manchester departing on September 30, 23kg luggage and transfers.

See easyjet.com/en/holidays.

BUDVA RIVIERA, MONTENEGRO

LOCATED on Montenegro’s gorgeous Adriatic Coast, the Budva Riviera has more than 35km of stunning coastline.

There are several beaches, from the lively, expansive Jaz and Slovenska Plaza to the picturesque coves of Mogren.

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At its heart is the charming medieval Old Town (Stari Grad) with its Venetian walls and historic churches.

The index found beers will set you back just £1.90, a meal for two is £30 and ice creams a bargain £1.50.

GO: Seven nights’ B&B at the 4H Eurostars Queen of Montenegro is from £452pp, from Gatwick on September 30, 23kg luggage and transfers.

See easyjet.com/en/holidays.

COSTA DE ALMERIA, SPAIN

FOR a more authentic Spanish experience, distinct from the more crowded Costas, the Costa de Almeria is Europe’s only desert landscape, providing a dramatic backdrop.

Highlight is the Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park, a protected area with volcanic geology, hidden coves like Monsul and vast, unspoiled beaches for you to set aside the pressures of life.

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Roquetas de Mar is a perfect beachfront town with lots of shops, bars and restaurants close by.

The report found beers will cost just £3 and a meal for two £36.

GO: Seven nights’ half-board at the Best Roquetas Hotel, Costa de Almeria is from £372pp including flights from Southend on September 27, 23kg luggage and transfers.

See easyjet.com/en/holidays.

COSTA DORADA, SPAIN

ALWAYS among the best value of the Costas, this area is known as the Golden Coast – perfect for families with its long, gently shelving golden sand beaches.

Salou has a buzzing nightlife scene and direct access to the ever popular PortAventura World theme park.

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Head to Cambrils for great seafood restaurants while Tarragona has a magnificent Roman amphitheatre overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

The index found beers would cost £2.55 and a meal for a couple around £36.

GO: Seven nights’ R/O at the 3H Hotel Eurosalou is from £306pp including easyJet flights from Southend on September 30, 23kg luggage and transfers.

See travelsupermarket.com.

MEDULIN, CROATIA

THIS family-friendly resort on Croatia’s Istrian Coast stands out with its kilometre-long sandy Bijeca beach with shallow waters.

The sheltered bay is also ideal for watersports such as paddle boarding.

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For nature lovers, the rugged Cape Kamenjak reserve has stunning cliffs, secluded coves and walking trails.

The nearby city of Pula with its historic Roman remains, is a short bus ride away.

The report found beers would cost around £3.10 and a meal for two £40.

GO: Seven nights’ B&B at the 4H Park Plaza Belvedere Medulin is from £580pp including easyJet flights from Luton, 23kg luggage and transfers.

See love holidays.com.

NIN, CROATIA

THE ancient Croatian town is on an islet within a lagoon on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea.

Known as the birthplace of Croatian kings, its historic centre is linked to the mainland by two 16th-century stone bridges.

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Nin is famous for beautiful sandy lagoons, among them Queen’s Beach, a 3km stretch of sand in a shallow, warm bay.

Nearby, you can experience the tradition of applying therapeutic mud, renowned for its healing properties.

The index found beers were £3.20 and a meal for two £40.

GO: Seven nights’ self-catering in an apartment is from £473 in total, based on four sharing, from Sep 23 – novasol.co.uk.

Fly EasyJet from Gatwick to Zadar from £136pp return.

See easyjet.com.