WHEN YOU think of the Canary Islands, you probably imagine Tenerife or Lanzarote – but one smaller island that’s a hidden gem is the ideal winter sun spot.
La Gomera, Spain, is known for its natural beauty thanks to being home to the Garajonay National Park, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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La Gomera is one of the Canary Islands in SpainCredit: GettyAnd next week it will reach temperatures up to 21 CCredit: Alamy
In addition to the National Park, the island is defined by volcanic landscapes that are a treat for keen hikers.
And next week, the island is set to hit a high of 21C.
If you prefer a beach day, there are plenty of pretty spots including black-sand beaches.
When it comes to life on the island, visitors can explore a number of traditional villages.
In San Sebastian, the capital of the island, you will find several Columbus-linked spots, as La Gomera was the famous explorer’s final stop to resupply and depart from Europe for his 1492 journey to the Americas.
For example, you could visit Torre del Conde, a 15th-century fortress.
There is also Casa Colon, which was Christopher Columbus‘ home and boasts pieces of pre-Columbian art and information about his voyages.
Playa de San Sebastian is one of the beaches on the island that features black sand, and can be found in the capital.
A recent visitor said: “A pretty promenade with plenty of seating runs along the beach.”
“The beach itself makes a positive impression. The water is calm and clean as it is protected from the port by a large breakwater wall.
“The nature of the beach varies between fine black sand and larger pebbles.”
If you want to spot a bit of local wildlife, you can hop on a boat tour from the harbour to see whales and dolphins.
Once back on dry land, there are plenty of spots to grab a bite to eat.
For example, you could head to El Roquillo Las Galanas where you can pick up empanadas for just €2.70 (£2.35) each and Heineken beer for just €1.20 (£1.04).
In fact, food and drink across the whole island is affordable, with the average beer price being around €2.00 (£1.55) and the average meal costing around €12.00 (£9.32).
There are plenty more things outside of San Sebastian to see and do as well.
One must-see spot is the Abrante Viewpoint, which sits high up on the ravine in the north of the island.
On the island, you can head to a viewpoint that hangs over the edge of a ravineCredit: Alamy
Instead of being a normal viewpoint, visitors ‘float’ in the air thanks to a seven-metre glass floor that overhangs the edge of the ravine.
The viewpoint offers great views of the island, as well as the Canary Islands more widely.
Los Órganos is another breathtaking spot on the island.
The unique rock formation has vertical pillars that look somewhat like the pipes of a traditional church organ.
In total, it measures 87 metres tall and 191 metres wide, with each pillar thought to be over one metre thick.
The formation was formed by a volcano and to see it, you have to head out on a boat trip where you will most likely see whales and dolphins as well.
There is also the Los Órganos rock formation which looks like organ pipesCredit: Alamy
To get to La Gomera, you will need to fly to Tenerife before getting a ferry to the island.
If you wanted to catch the warm weather next week, then you could catch a flight from London Stansted on January 14 for just £16.
Or head off on January 11 and return on January 15 for £38 return from London Stansted.
For the ferry, the more in advance you book it the cheaper it is, with tickets costing as low as £8 per way.
However, fares usually cost on average £33 per way, per foot passenger.
There are a number of places to stay on the island and you can expect to pay between £80 and £120 per night.
For more inspiration on Spanish holidays, one of the country’s most underrated cities is in the ‘Garden of Europe’ – with £17 flights.
The 8-kilometre bridge is crossed by about 70,000 people each day
Talya Honebeek Content Editor – Spare Time, Isobel Pankhurst Audience Writer and Holly Kintuka
09:46, 06 Jan 2026
The bridge sees an average daily footfall of 70,000 people(Image: EyeEm Mobile GmbH via Getty Images)
For more than 24 years, the 8-kilometre Øresund Bridge has served as a crucial link between Sweden and Denmark, providing a combined railway and motorway connection across the Øresund strait.
The bridge, a joint venture between Swedish firm Svedab and Danish company A/S Øresundsforbindelsen, makes up half of the journey from Sweden to the Danish Island of Amager.
Beginning near the city of Malmo on the Swedish coast, it extends to the man-made Danish Island of Peberholm, situated in the middle of the strait.
From Peberholm, a tunnel completes the remaining journey to the island of Amager, where Copenhagen airport is located, bringing the total distance travelled to around 16 km.
Construction on the bridge began in 1995, and it officially opened its lanes to traffic in July 2000. Just two years later, it was recognised with the IABSE Outstanding Structure Award, reports the Mirror.
Peberholm acts as a junction between the tunnel and the bridge.
It’s fitted with a motorway exit, restricted to authorised vehicles only, and a helicopter pad for use in emergencies.
The bridge, which sees an average daily footfall of 70,000 people, came with a hefty price tag of around £3.4 billion. The cost is expected to be recouped by 2037.
Crossing fees vary depending on the type of vehicle. Motorcyclists are charged £25.68, passenger cars £50.77, and vans, motorhomes or passenger cars with a trailer pay a staggering £178.55.
The Øresund Bridge claims the second spot as the longest bridge in Europe, only outdone by the 18.1km Kerch Bridge.
The latter spans the Kerch Strait, linking the Taman Peninsula of Krasnodar Krai in Russia and the Kerch Peninsula of Crimea.
At least 6 protesters and a member of the security forces have been killed in demonstrations against rising living costs across Iran. The anger is driven by a cost-of-living crisis. The government has appealed for solidarity and says it will engage in dialogue.
Re “Lockyer Urges Steps to Cut Gas Prices,” Nov. 23: There you go again. The state attorney general, a typical Democratic politician, demagogues this issue without presenting all the facts. Your article and Bill Lockyer leave out the federal tax (14.1 plus 15 cents per gallon) which amounts to 29.1 cents for every gallon of gas. Add the five cents per gallon state tax and the four cents per gallon clean air cost and we have a total cost to the consumer of 38.1 cents per gallon.
If Lockyer really wants to lower gas prices, he should lobby the federal government to lower gas taxes.
HARRY BORLAND
Laguna Woods
*
One step Lockyer might consider is the state sales tax, assessed not only on the base price of gasoline but also on the federal taxes and on the state taxes. A state tax on a federal tax and on other state taxes. If that isn’t criminal, it ought to be. The state sales tax on gasoline is a dirty little secret. Every other item we buy as a daily need is clearly priced, and the sales tax clearly spelled out and added. At the service station, it’s carefully buried. So much at the pump, the placard says.
Take away the state sales tax, or even apply it just to the product, and you’ve removed much of the price differential. But don’t hold your breath until our Legislature recognizes this or does something about it.
Villa Vie Residences has announced plans for a new residential cruise ship where people can buy cabins and live at sea permanently – with prices starting lower than average London property
Passengers will live in a comfortable room such as this one on the Odyssey(Image: Villa Vie Residences)
Ever reached the end of a cruise and wished you could just keep on sailing? Well, your dreams might soon become reality. A US firm has unveiled plans for a residential cruise ship that lets you live permanently at sea. However, prospective passengers will need to dig deep into their pockets to secure a spot.
Villa Vie Residences already operates one residential cruise ship, the Odyssey, which has been embarking on a continuous global cruise since October 2024. Despite being delayed by technical issues and leaving Belfast several months late, it’s currently navigating its way through a 15-year planned itinerary.
The current cruise is set to circumnavigate the globe multiple times, with each journey lasting three and a half years, reports the Express.
The company has now announced plans, dubbed Project Lumina, to acquire a luxury cruise ship for residents to live on either full or part-time. They suggest these all-inclusive cruises could even prove cheaper than living on dry land.
Those seeking a permanent home on the ship can bag an oceanview room from $539,999 (around £404,000) or upgrade to a suite with a balcony for $899,999 (roughly £637,000). Monthly fees will apply for residents.
However, more affordable options such as five-year ownerships and rentals are available for those not planning to make the sea their long-term home.
The average cost of a flat in London, rather dishearteningly, typically ranges between £530,000 and £610,000, making the new cruise ship a potentially more affordable option. Those who purchase these rooms aren’t required to live in them permanently.
There are alternatives available, such as renting them out when not in use. Passengers also have the option to invite guests on board for a stay, at a fee.
While the exact details of the ship remain confidential, the company confirmed in a statement that the cruise will offer ‘ultra-luxury’ and operate alongside their existing Odyssey service.
On Villa Vie’s current residential cruise, the amenities are akin to those found on a standard cruise ship, with some bespoke extras for those embarking on longer-term journeys. There’s gourmet dining, entertainment, a swimming pool, optional excursions, and regular housekeeping.
Residents also benefit from a fortnightly laundry service and include medical visits. A social club and regular events for passengers ensure no one feels isolated during this extended voyage.
Although many current passengers on the Odyssey are retirees, the cruise is also targeting remote workers and digital nomads who can work from anywhere in the world. There’s a business centre on board and high-speed WiFi provided by Starlink, enabling people to make video calls on the go.
In a statement released to PR Newswire, the newly-appointed President Chris Cox expressed: “I’m thrilled to join Villa Vie at such a defining moment for the brand and for the category. There is incredible demand for authentic, residential oceangoing lifestyles-from attainable world-travel homes to ultra-luxury villa experiences.
“Project Lumina will be about listening carefully to that demand and translating it into beautifully designed, high-value products that feel both elevated and deeply personal.”
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