City breaks

These are big savings.

It’s never too early to start planning your 2026 getaway and it might be the best time yet as Jet2 has launched a huge sale, offering up to £400 off on all holidays. In a bid to help holidaymakers secure their getaway for next year, Jet2holidays has launched a sale just in time for Christmas. The UK’s biggest tour operator is offering travellers £100 off per person on all holidays, and a generous 20% discount on all Jet2.com flights, including one-way journeys.

This means a family of four could save a hefty £400 on a holiday to Spain or Italy, even during the school holidays. Additionally, hundreds of hotels and resorts offer free stays for children, providing the chance for even further savings.

But it’s not just families who can benefit. Couples booking a getaway with Jet2holidays during the sale can also enjoy a £200 discount on trips to destinations such as Greece or Cyprus.

The sale applies to all holidays, across all seasons booked through Jet2holidays, Jet2CityBreaks, VIBE by Jet2holidays, Indulgent Escapes and Jet2Villas. There are a bundle of holiday options available to suit everyone, from private villas nestled in Majorca near the Mediterranean coast, to an all-inclusive resort in Egypt with excursions to the sprawling desert.

However, there’s more. Holiday-goers can also secure their 2026 summer holiday for a low deposit of £25 per person.

Jet2 flies to more than 75 destinations across Europe from 14 UK airports so there’s a destination to suit everyone. However, if you’re hoping to take advantage of these savings you don’t have long as the sale runs until Monday, January 12, 2026.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: “Nothing beats the joy of booking a holiday and we are spreading that joy far and wide through the launch of this fantastic sale, making it easier for customers to getaway for less.

“Launched in time for the busy holiday booking season, Jet2 is offering holidaymakers fantastic savings on their holidays and flights, and we know that this, alongside our industry-leading customer service, will be a huge hit.

“With so much value and choice available, we look forward to welcoming even more new and existing customers, whilst showcasing what makes us the UK’s favourite tour operator and airline.”

For more information or to book your next getaway, you can visit the Jet2.com and Jet2holidays websites.

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A study has identified the European cities with the highest ratio of tourists to residents, and the top spot didn’t go to London, Barcelona or Paris.

Europe boasts a diverse array of holiday destinations, from sun-drenched beaches and snowy ski resorts to vibrant city breaks in the spring.

Many of these locations have become tourist magnets, drawing millions of international visitors annually. As a result, even some spots once deemed ‘hidden gems’ are now grappling with overtourism.

Albania, a small Balkan nation, exemplifies this trend among European countries experiencing an unprecedented surge in tourism. Last year, Albania welcomed over 7.5 million tourists, with more than 10 million expected next year.

However, it’s not just the lesser-known destinations that are feeling the strain of overcrowding. A study carried out by the Holidu team earlier this year identified cities with the highest ratio of tourists to residents.

While one might expect London, Barcelona or Paris to feature, these renowned capitals didn’t make the list. Instead, a rather unexpected destination claimed the top spot, reports the Express.

10. Tallinn

Estonia’s capital city isn’t on everyone’s travel bucket list, but those who have visited it would say it’s a must-see.

With a beautiful old town branded by some visitors as one of the best in Europe, it makes for a charming summer city break.

Tallinn also boasts a unique Nordic-Eastern European fusion culture and is well-known for being a cruise ship destination. But its popularity, thanks to major sights like the Lahemaa National Park, means it’s become overrun with 10 tourists for every resident, according to Holidu. Those looking for a quieter Estonian break will find plenty to explore beyond Tallinn.

9. Dublin

Unsurprisingly, another major city has snagged a spot in the ranking, this time in the Republic of Ireland. Dublin ranks just inside the top 10, with 11 tourists for every resident, claims Holidu.

Temple Bar is one of the city’s most crowded spots, attracting approximately 3.5 million visits annually. The Guinness Storehouse is another renowned Dublin attraction, but visitors say it’s like a well-oiled machine, and you can beat the queues by booking tickets in advance.

8. Amsterdam

As one of Europe’s top tourist hotspots, Amsterdam has 12 tourists for every resident, which is straining the city’s housing market, local neighbourhoods, and character.

Similar to Prague in the Czech Republic, the city has grown frustrated by the influx of drunken stag parties. A campaign to discourage young Britons, particularly groups of men aged 18-35 from visiting was launched in Dutch capital. Additionally, Amsterdam has implemented one of the world’s highest tourist taxes, which might deter travellers in the future.

7. Heraklion

Crete is the largest island in Greece and the fifth largest in the Mediterranean Sea. While it is home to some incredible remote beaches like Balos, the island’s capital, Heraklion is quite the tourist attraction.

It’s been named one of Europe’s most overcrowded destinations, with 13 tourists for every resident. The city’s archaeological sites are a major attraction, but those seeking tranquillity can find quieter spots elsewhere on the island, particularly in the west near Chania.

6. Florence

This romantic Italian city ranks just outside the top five, with 13 tourists for every resident. Home to several cultural treasures, including Michelangelo’s iconic David statue, Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Brunelleschi’s dome, Florence is popular among global visitors.

However, concerns over over-tourism have sparked frustration among locals, with some workshop owners reporting that they’ve had to close due to the overwhelming number of visitors.

5. Reykjavik

Reykjavik is another European city impacted by over-tourism, with 16 tourists visiting for every resident. Once considered an unexpected tourist destination, the city now has around 140,000 inhabitants and has around two million visitors yearly.

Reykjavik is Iceland’s capital and has taken steps to combat tourism by reinstating its tourist tax in January after it was paused during the pandemic.

4. Rhodes

A second Greek island on the list proves the appeal of a Mediterranean beach holiday, and Rhodes is even more popular than Crete. Rhodes hosts 21 tourists for every resident but faces a crisis affecting its population and visitors.

Wildfires in 2023 saw the island experience the largest evacuation in Greece’s history, while a surge in tourism has triggered overdevelopment and the accompanying pollution.

3. Bruges

The Belgian city of Bruges has 21 tourists for every resident, making it feel very crowded in the peak summer season and during the Christmas period.

Some locals are frustrated with the high volume of visitors, and tourism officials recommend visiting outside peak times to experience Bruges in a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere. In 2023, more than 8.3 million people visited Bruges, but the city has implemented measures to address over-tourism, including a ban on new hotels in the historic centre and new holiday home permits across the city.

2. Venice

The iconic Italian city hosts 21 tourists for every resident, so it’s no surprise that it’s landed second place on the list. Venice has attracted attention with its daytripper tax and a ban on cruise ships entering its lagoon, but the Italian hotspot remains severely overcrowded-so much so that UNESCO has included it on its list of endangered cities.

As for the local population, Venice has seen numbers decrease dramatically since the 1950s, going from 170,000 residents to less than 50,000 in just 75 years. The exodus has primarily impacted lower- and middle-class residents, youth demographics, and people who rent, according to travel guides at Adventure.com.

1. Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is crowned Europe’s most overcrowded holiday destination, with 36 tourists for every resident. Known as Croatia’s historic coastal gem, its once quaint cobblestone streets have become plagued by the noise of suitcases being wheeled across them, and the limestone surface has been buffed by thousands of flip-flops and sandals to a marble-like finish.

The Old Town, surrounded by its famous walls, is the busiest part of the city and has become increasingly expensive as it grows in popularity. This means Croatian residents have been priced out of the city at prices far higher than anywhere else.

Amsterdam’s iconic Christmas market serves glühwein, raclette and festive treats just one hour from the UK – it needs to be on your radar this winter.

There’s only so much time to soak up the Christmas spirit before the big day, and despite work and life becoming more hectic than usual, I managed to swap the hustle and bustle of London for Amsterdam. It was my first trip back to the Dutch capital in a decade, with my arrival coinciding with the start of one of the city’s most iconic Christmas markets, reports the Express.

Christmas markets in the UK can be hit or miss, and I must admit, the ones I’ve visited over the years have never quite matched those on the continent. The first time I realised our markets didn’t measure up was just a few years ago when I visited Vienna, which can only be described as Christmas on steroids.

The largest Christmas market in Amsterdam springs up in the shadow of the Rijksmuseum on Museumplein, where you can blend the festive spirit with a visit to some of the city’s most renowned museums and galleries.

We arrived on its opening day, and even though we visited in the evening, we managed to dodge the wall-to-wall crowds. This was something I never experienced in Vienna, and on this occasion, I was extremely grateful for it.

Entry to the market is free, but you’ll have to fork out €16 for the joy of skating on its ice rink. Much like other European markets, Amsterdam’s was adorned with wooden chalets offering everything from knick-knacks to treats, piping hot cups of glühwein and food from all around the world.

There was even a cabin flying the Union Jack selling fudge. Who would have thought that British fudge was such a hit overseas?

No visit to a Christmas market would be complete without trying some of the local specialities. A Dutch wurst is a robust cured pork sausage typically served with stamppot, a blend of mashed potatoes and kale. However, it seemed we had arrived too late. No wursts for us.

So we settled for the next best thing: barbeque jumbo sausages served on toasted slices of bread with pickled onions and gherkins, topped with crispy onions and mayo. This isn’t your average sausage sandwich. Trying to tackle every bite is a mouthful, overflowing with chunks of smoky sausage and crumbly onions.

It was evidently a popular choice, with crowds gathering around the open flame grill right in the heart of the action, with sausages sizzling and emitting a tantalising aroma. A barbeque might not be what you expect in the depths of winter, but blimey, was it needed.

Sadly, the warmth emanating from the grill wasn’t enough to heat our bones while we waited, so two cups of glühwein were called for. Glühwein is traditional German mulled wine, delicately spiced with cinnamon, cloves, star anise.

I’m not entirely certain what the secret is, but somehow the Germans manage to perfectly balance the red wine and spices in a way that all the mulled wine I’ve sampled at UK Christmas markets always seem far too acidic. Glühwein is the ideal beverage to warm you to your core, particularly in a freezing city in December, even if the city is renowned for its beer.

When our sausages finally turned up, they were heaped with pickled onions and gherkins. Much like a Scandi open sandwich, it was bursting with diverse flavours, so unlike any festive fare you’d find back home.

You received an entire jumbo sausage on one slice of bread, quartered to actually fit into your mouth. The smoky pork was wonderfully offset by the sharp tang from the pickles, with a different texture provided by crispy onions. This isn’t your typical Christmas market grub, but it was delightful to sample some local specialities.

However, no Christmas is complete without a generous helping of cheese. A classic choice at European Christmas markets is bubbling, ooey, gooey raclette.

We opted for the traditional pairing of raclette and potatoes. What could be more perfect? The humble new potato smothered in smoky melted cheese.

The cheesy spuds were served with some more crispy onions and a fresh coleslaw. Now this is what Christmas is truly about. I would devour a bucketful of raclette if they’d offered one.

Sausages, glühwein and raclette: the holy trinity of Christmas market food.

Even though it was late at night and the crowds were thinning, there was still a buzz among the youngsters and families huddled around the electric heaters trying to stay warm, sipping from steaming cups, welcoming the festive season. Compared to Vienna, Amsterdam’s markets offer a more tranquil start to the Christmas season.

Is this the best Christmas market I’ve ever visited? Probably not, but I’m always fascinated to see how other countries embrace the festive season.

Amsterdam is one of those cities where you can spend hours just wandering around, and we certainly did plenty of that. You can meander from spot to spot with ease, particularly if navigating foreign public transport baffles you. That being said, Amsterdam’s public transport runs like clockwork.

From the moment you step out of Amsterdam Centraal, you can sense the Christmas spirit in the air. I returned to the city for the first time in ten years, and up until this point, I hadn’t felt all that festive.

Amsterdam served as a stepping stone into Christmas for me before I head back to Vienna again for round two of Christmas on steroids. If there’s anywhere you should flee to in December, it’s Amsterdam. It’s only a train journey away.

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A travel blogger has shared three affordable European cities ideal for winter city breaks, which also stick to tight budgets

Winter has officially arrived and amidst the Christmas chaos, it might be time to consider a short getaway. We’ve still got a fair stretch until summer, which is the prime travel season.

But there’s no need to hold out for the warmer months to enjoy a budget-friendly escape from the UK. If you’re keen on embracing the winter vibes, a travel blogger has revealed her top three European cities that are ideal for a short trip.

Plus, they’re all quite affordable, so your wallet can breathe easy. TikTok travel enthusiast emsbudgettravel has divulged her top three budget-friendly destinations from the UK.

Em sets herself a £200 limit per country she visits, which she assures you’ll be able to adhere to as well. Her first recommendation is Yerevan in Armenia, which she declares as one of her favourites.

Em elaborated: “It is perfect on a budget. You can find really cheap connecting flights here and I recommend combining this city break with an overnight stop over in a city like Milan or Rome.”

“This is an amazing option if you are on a budget. The accommodation is so affordable, we got this apartment overlooking the city’s main tourist attraction for £12 each per night.

“And, the metro costs just 20p per journey. It is also surrounded by beautiful mountains and scenery and is cheap to take a day trip out of the city to visit.”

She also recommended Poznan in Poland, which she claimed rivals more renowned destinations like Krakow. Em continued: “My next destination has a beautiful old town and the food is also delicious and affordable.

“There’s loads to do on a budget like the Palm House or this amazing spa, which is the largest in the country and costs just £16 for a three-hour pass.

“I thought this was such an underrated Polish city, just as good as the more popular city breaks like Krakow and Gdansk. But, I actually found it to be a little bit cheaper.”

Her final winter getaway recommendation is Tallinn, Estonia. Em revealed: “The final recommendation is in the Baltic region of Europe with really affordable flights recently. It probably is one of the most picturesque cities I have visited.

“It is also really affordable for accommodation. We recently paid £21 each to split this Airbnb in the centre of Old Town.

“It’s one of Europe’s best preserved Medieval cities and every street is so photogenic. I’d say this is the perfect destination for a snowy weekend away and I have also heard it’s got a lovely Christmas market.”