destination

It’s not too late to soak up the sun and book a last-minute getaway, with a stunning European country offering 28C weather in September and beaches that compare to the Maldives

A beautiful European destination is emerging as a new holiday hotspot, with balmy temperatures in September. It’s even been hailed as a cheap alternative to the Maldives, thanks to its azure waters and sugar-white sand beaches.

If you’re looking for a September escape at a budget price and without the crowds, Albania should be top of your list. Data from TripAdvisor revealed that Albania saw a 60% increase in interest during the first half of the year, emerging as a fast-rising destination in Europe. And it’s particularly beautiful in September, with sun-soaked rays of up to 28C and an unspoilt collection of beaches.

Albania’s coastline stretches along both the Adriatic and Ionian seas, with some of its stunning shores found along the Albanian Riviera in the south, offering crystal-clear turquoise waters and unspoilt white sand. They’ve been celebrated among the finest in Europe, with the Ksamil Islands a standout.

Dhërmi and Jale Beach are another exceptional spot for sun-seekers looking to bask on the beach, complete with lively beach parties and buzzing bars. But it’s not just the southern coast that impresses; the northern shores provide a more peaceful alternative, with pristine beaches tucked away amongst bays and hidden coves.

Aside from its beaches, there’s plenty to explore in Albania, including its vibrant capital, Tiranë (Tirana), where visitors can ride the Dajti Ekspres cable car for breathtaking views, or admire its unique architecture, vibrant street art and sprawling green parks. There are also its famed underground bunkers, Bunk’Art 1 and Bunk’Art 2, which are now history and art museums, as well as nearby walking trails through the dramatic scenery of the Albanian Alps.

And that’s not all. Albania remains one of Europe’s most budget-friendly destinations, with a three-star hotel stay in the walkable city of Tiranë costing just £41.72 per night, research from Hoppa revealed. Meanwhile, a draft beer in the city can cost just £2.41, and a meal can start from a mere £7.27. What’s more, flights in September start from just £15 one-way, according to Skyscanner.

The European country has even been recommended by the professionals, as Adam Hodge, who has worked as Wizz Air cabin crew for eight years, said it starkly resembles the Maldives. “Albania has similarities to the Maldives, especially with its beachy vibes, lovely sun loungers, and its aquamarine waters,” he previously told the Mirror. “If you want to do a city break, it’s brilliant, or if you want to do a beach getaway along the coast, and towards the top, you have the European destination alternative to the Maldives.”

Adam added: “Albania is definitely one of my favourite destinations, and I’d say that it’s one to watch out for. Plus, it’s good to try somewhere lesser-known. It’s got everything which is great, and it’s very good value for money. Some of the destinations we fly to are not using the euro currency, so actually you do get a little bit more value for money with the destinations out of the euro currency as well, when it comes to eating out, drinks and destination activity trips.”

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

In his first offseason as the Angels’ owner, Arte Moreno landed the best player available in free agency: Vladimir Guerrero, the only player to wear an Angels cap on a Hall of Fame plaque.

Could Stan Kroenke do the same thing in his first offseason as the Angels’ owner?

Kroenke is not expected to be approved as Moreno’s successor until early next year. By then, players might be in spring training — or might still be sitting home, awaiting the end of a lockout and a subsequent free-agent signing frenzy.

The best player in this fall’s free-agent class is certain of one thing: Whenever Kroenke takes over, Anaheim instantly becomes a preferred destination for stars across the major leagues, with a new owner not just promising to spend to win but a demonstrated history of doing so.

“Absolutely,” Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal told The Times. “Not only an owner that has obvious financial backing, but an owner that has turned the Rams into what the Rams are. I think they’re the Super Bowl favorite this year. There’s an owner that cares about winning.

“The impact he brings to the Angels? You bring an owner that really cares about winning and is willing to do whatever it takes to win and invest, not only with players on the field but all the stuff behind the scenes, like clubhouse renovations. I’m sure there will be a lot of stuff there that changes to make it state-of-the-art, because all that stuff matters.”

Under Perry Minasian, the Angels’ general manager from 2021-26, the largest free-agent signing approved by Moreno: pitcher Yusei Kikuchi, for $63 million.

Kroenke would be the richest owner in baseball, with a net worth estimated by Forbes at $24 billion.

Skubal said he is focused on helping the Dodgers toward a third consecutive World Series championship and has not thought much about his free agency. Speaking generally, he said, it is likely that players that might not have considered signing with the Angels might now do so.

“You want to feel wanted,” Skubal said. “And you have an owner that is willing to do whatever it takes to win. Winning is the most important thing in sports. When you get yourself in that environment, I think guys do want to play there.

“Just look around the league: Guys tend to gravitate toward teams that are winning and teams that are in the playoff hunt every single year, with World Series aspirations every single year. I think free agents gravitate toward that in general. I’m sure that will be the case.”

From the players’ viewpoint, the successive sales of major league franchises at record values — the San Diego Padres at $3.9 billion, then the Angels at $4 billion — reflects good economic times. From the owners’ standpoint, the mid-market Minnesota Timberwolves of the NBA just sold at a $4.5 billion valuation.

Commissioner Rob Manfred has cited lagging franchise values in baseball as a reason owners want a salary cap, which the NBA has. Yet the Padres and Angels sold before their owners found out whether they could secure the salary cap the league insists is a primary objective in collective bargaining.

“I think it’s pretty obvious what that says, right?” said Skubal, one of eight players on the union’s executive subcommittee.

“If that’s the complaint that ownership and MLB is holding onto, I think they’re proving themselves wrong by selling these teams for record values. I think those clubs selling continues to support the argument that our game is in a really good spot.”

The owners also pitch a salary cap as a tonic for competitive balance, citing what they say is a $441-million gap between the Dodgers’ top-ranked payroll and the Miami Marlins’ bottom-ranked payroll.

The players point to franchise sales as another economic indicator. The Padres last sold for $800 million, in 2012. The Angels last sold for $183.5 million, in 2003.

“It’s a very profitable business venture,” Skubal said. “The sport itself is great. The product on the field is outstanding.”

OVER one million tourists visit Thailand every year – especially in the autumn, winter thanks to its sunny climate.

But for anyone heading there soon, there’s bad news as the amount of time you can stay is being slashed in half.

Since July 2024, the country allowed tourists from 93 countries – including the UK – to stay in the country for 60 days without a visa.

But in a matter of weeks, the allowance is being cut in half.

Starting September 15, 2026, nationals of 60 countries and territories, including the UK will be allowed to stay visa-free for up to 30 days. 

According to officials, the list was revised to “reflect current circumstances, taking into account national security and economic considerations as well as the promotion of tourism”.

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Tourists can visit still visit 30 days visa-free for tourism, business engagements, and urgent or ad-hoc work.

Advice on the GOV.UK has a warning for anyone who stays in Thailand longer than the given period – or if you stay without a visa.

It reads: “If you overstay the period of your visa, you will get a fine of 500 Thai baht a day up to a maximum of 20,000 baht. You risk being:

• held in detention
• deported at your own expense
• banned from re-entering Thailand for up to 10 years

“Conditions in detention centres can be harsh.”

Other entry requirements are that your passport has an expiry of at least six months after the date you arrive and have at least one blank page for stamping.

Travellers also need to complete a digital card at least three days before arrival.

ANYONE travelling through Italy could have their plans scuppered thanks to a series of strikes.

Throughout September, there are set to be a walkouts from staff working in airports, railway hubs, on ferries and public transport across the country.

The first strike will hit Italy on September 7 when railway workers have planned industrial action for 24 hours.

It’s set to begin at around 9.20pm on Monday evening for 24 hours until the same time on Tuesday.

The staff staging walkouts work at companies which carry out railway operations across Italy including train drivers.

Some operators that will be affected include Trenitalia, Trenitalia Tper and Mercitalia Rail.

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It’s likely there will be cancellations and timetable changes across the entire country’s network during this time.

But due to Italian law, there has to be some guaranteed service during the strike, so some trains will be running during this period.

Later on in September, there will be strikes at airports in both Pisa and Florence.

On September 13, ground staff at Pisa and Florence airports will strike between 11am and 3pm.

Private security staff at Fiumicino, Turin and Malpensa airports will also walkout during these times.

The most disruption is likely on September 30 when there will be a four hour national strike by Italy’s national air traffic provider ENAV and a company called Techno Sky which looks after airport maintenance.

Staff look to strike during the afternoon which could see delays and cancellations at airports across Italy, although airlines are yet to confirm which flights will be affected.

Throughout September, there will also be frequent strikes on local public transport in the cities of Genoa, Venice, Vicenza, Trento, Bergamo and Perugia.

September 15 is set to be particularly disrupted with public transport staff striking in popular cities like Florence, Naples, Venice and Pisa.

On September 26, there will be a 24-hour general strike which will affect rail, ferry and bus services across the country.

It’s advised to check which services are still running before heading off as it may impact travel plans.

Under EU rules, passengers whose train or flight is cancelled because of strike action are entitled to a full refund or rerouting on an alternative service at no extra cost. 

Tenerife has long been an extremely popular destination for holidaymakers from the UK. Not only is it just a few hours away by plane – but there are plenty of deals on package holidays too

Tenerife is one of the most popular holiday destinations for Brits, with around 2.3 million people from the UK flocking to the sun-drenched island every single year. Just a few hours away by plane, the Spanish island is famous for its beautiful beaches, hot temperatures, and cloudless skies.

But, according to one Brit living in the Canary Islands destination, there’s one thing about the holiday hotspot lots of people don’t know. Andrew Knight, known on social media as The Knightsrider, runs a bar and a car hire business in Tenerife, and frequently shares looks into life on the island with his followers on social media.

In a recent clip on TikTok, Andrew revealed something he claimed “the internet isn’t telling you”. “That is the fact that this weather, the gorgeous ocean, the boat trips, the excursions, and everything, all run all year round,” he said.

What is Tenerife like in the winter?

Andrew said: “So many people message, or they call me up, or they ask me on the live streams, ‘Is this running in the winter?’, ‘Is this running in November?’, ‘What is open in December?’ Remember, Tenerife is 365 days a year.”

He continued: “So whether it’s winter, November, January, Christmas Day – everything is running. You’re gonna have average temperatures in the winter months of like 23 degrees in the daytime.”

Andrew added “the sea temperature doesn’t change much”, and the beaches remain busy in the winter. “We have a big rush and a big influx in the summer, but the winter months are actually our most solid months for me,” he said.

“That’s our busiest with the cars. We’re mad busy with the excursions then as well. So bear that in mind.

“It’s not spoken about enough, it’s not made clear enough online when you’re booking holidays and things. The Canary Islands, and Tenerife in particular, especially the south, is fantastic in the winter months, and we are an all-year-round amazing place to visit.

“So have a look, get it booked. You can find some great winter sunshine. Four hour flight from the UK, five hours from Germany, Sweden, etc, and you’ll be here in the sunshine rather than freezing, miserable, raining at home.”

Concluding, he said: “You can get some great deals, have a look at it. But Tenerife is an all-year-round destination. Ignore what the internet says.”

Why is Tenerife such a popular holiday destination for Brits?

Tenerife has long been an extremely popular destination for holidaymakers from the UK. Not only is it relatively nearby – just a few hours away by plane – but there are plenty of deals on package holidays to the island available too.

The south of the island is known for its stunning beaches, luxury resorts, and vibrant nightlife, as well as a wealth of places to eat and drink, but there’s more to see and do too. Tenerife is also home to the Mount Teide National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with volcanic rock formations surrounding an active volcano, while the north of the island offers a more authentic local experience, with beautiful architecture and incredible food and drink.

Siam Park, a huge Thailand-themed water park, and Loro Parque, an animal and conservation park home to wildlife including lions, dolphins, penguins, gorillas, hippos, and much more, are also popular with visitors of all ages.

Direct flights to Tenerife are available from most UK airports.

IF YOU are thinking about where to go on your next holiday, then you might want to consider Albania.

New research has found that Albania is among Europe’s fastest-growing holiday destinations.

In fact, according to Thomas Cook, bookings are up a staggering 293 per cent year-on-year.

And it isn’t surprising as Albania has loads to explore including pretty beaches with crystal clear waters, a quiet capital city and cheap wine.

Recently, even the cast of TOWIE were in the country, filming the latest series of the popular reality TV show in Drimadhë – a small village near the Llogara National Park on the Ionian coast.

Brits wanting to head to the under-the-radar country, can fly direct from London, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh and Liverpool during the summer.

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Head to Tirana

The capital of Albania is Tirana and despite being the capital, you won’t find heads of crowds here.

The city can reach 35C in the summer and is even one of the sunniest cities in Europe with more than 2,500 hours of sunshine each year. Pints in the city cost as little as £1.50 too.

Travel reporter Cyann Fielding who visited the city recently, said: “One thing I really love about the city is it still feels completely undiscovered by Brits, lacking crowds and the typical souvenir shops on each corner that tend to come with that.

“In the heart of the city, visit Skanderbeg Square, where you’ll be able to get a clear view of the surrounding architecture – a mix of traditional Albanian villas and Soviet grey concrete buildings.

“If you want to earn your pint, climb the city’s very own pyramid, which has spectacular views of the mountains that border the capital.

“Make sure to also look out for ‘pillbox’ bunkers which are littered across the city – many of which have been turned into vibrant and quirky bars and cafes.”

You could stay at Hotel Elisa Tirana, Affiliated by Meliá with a spa, cafe and bar, for seven nights from £360 per person.

Maldives of Europe

Albania is also home to the so-called ‘Maldives of Europe’ in Ksamil, which earns the nickname from its pretty beaches with soft sand and crystal clear water.

You can head to Ksamil Beach, where you will also find the hand of Ksamil, which is a set of stairs up to a platform that is the palm of hand, hanging over the water.

If one beach isn’t enough, you can also head to Lori Beach ans Paradise Beach, which aren’t a long walk from Ksamil Beach. On Lori Beach you can also rent sunbeds and umbrellas.

In the town itself you will find a number of bars and spots to grab a bite to eat as well.

You could stay at the four-stay Ventus Hotel right by the beach for a week costing from £171 per person.

UNESCO World Heritage sites

If you prefer exploring history, Albania has some beautiful historical towns such as Berat and Gjirokastra – which are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Berat dates back 2,400 years and is known as the City of a Thousand Windows with boxy white houses and numerous Byzantine churches from the 13th century.

Gjirokastra, on the other hand, can be found in the Drinos River Valley and is known for its ornate 17th century houses.

Known as the ‘City of Stone’, visitors can explore a 13th century citadel as well as an old bazaar, traditional marketplace.

You could stay at the Te Gjyshi at Grandfather Hotel for seven nights costing from £199 per person.

Durres

Less than an hour from Tirana, you could head to the city of Durres.

In the city, you’ll find the Durres Amphitheatre, which is one of the largest Roman amphitheatres in the Balkans.

Make sure to also head to Durres Beach, which boasts a long stretch of golden sand as well as shallow waters ideal for families.

Stop by one of the restaurants along the seafront as well, to try out a catch-of-the-day grill, often with mussels and squid.

You could stay at the four-star Hotel Alion in Durres, Albania from £165 per person, including flights.

Golem

Golem is a great destination for beach lovers, thanks to being sat on a long stretch of the Adriatic coastline.

This pretty spot is also less than an hour drive from the airport.

Visitors can head along the seafront and find a boardwalk full of cafes, bars, restaurants and shops.

Golem is also the perfect place to try out different water sports such as banana boat rides.

You could stay at the four-star Martiness Hotel in Golem for seven nights from £299 per person.