European

Paris-Orly airport has been hit by flight cancellations and delays after the air traffic control systems suffered a malfunction, which caused widespread disruption

A glitch with air traffic control systems has caused havoc at Paris-Orly airport.

On Sunday thousands of passengers found themselves stuck on planes that were about to take off only to be cancelled at the last minute at the French airport. The chaos has continued today, with dozens of planes grounded.

“The situation is improving,” the DGAC assured, while instructing airlines to cut Monday’s flights by 15%, an improvement from Sunday’s 40% slash. “Despite these preventive measures, delays are expected,” they warned in a fresh alert to passengers. The DGAC held back from explaining the cause of the system failure.

According to La Depeche, the air traffic control issue relates to a radar malfunction. In order to ensure maximum safety, the civil aviation authority has asked airlines to reduce their flight schedules by 15% at Orly. This allows air traffic controllers to space out flights further.

READ MORE: Labour’s new deal with EU could massively improve Brits’ holiday experience

In addition to these cancellations, the DGAC also indicates that “despite these preventive measures, delays are to be expected.” It advises all affected passengers to contact their airlines to find out the status of their flights.

The situation at the French travel hub was considerably worse on Sunday than it is today. Yesterday, roughly 130 flights were cancelled, with a roughly 50:50 split on arrivals and departures.

Agnes Zilouri was one of those who was caught up in the chaos. The 46-year-old was trying to find a seat for her 86-year-old mother and six-year-old son after her flight was grounded. The family had been travelling to Morocco for a funeral, Mail Online reported.

Many found themselves about to take-off only to be told their flights had been cancelled last minute. “We were on the plane, all seated and belted up, ready to leave, when they made us disembark and collect our luggage… Then we had to struggle,” Azgal Abichou, a 63-year-old business owner, told AFP.

“The only solution is a 300-euro flight, but there’s only one seat left, and there are two of us. And we’re not sure it’ll take off,” 22-year-old student Romane Penault lamented. So, “for now, we’re going home.”

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Others took to X to share tales of their aviation woes. One wrote: “My 7.45pm flight to Orly from Dublin was cancelled. It’s been almost two hours, and still no email that informs me of a cancellation. It’s ridiculous to have to find out right as I walk into the airport.”

Paris-Orly, the capital’s secondary hub, deals with both domestic and international destinations, including to other European nations and the USA. A specific hit has been taken by flights bound for Italy, Spain, Portugal, and southern France, which saw numerous cancellations on Monday.

Flight Aware, which tracks delays and cancellations across airports globally, notes that 37 flights to and from Orly have been cancelled in the past 24 hours up to 11am on Monday. Last year’s passenger figures show more than 33 million voyagers passed through Paris-Orly, less than half of the traffic seen at Paris’ leading airport, Charles-de-Gaulle, data from Aeroport de Paris revealed.

Travellers can’t stop raving about this cheap and cheerful city less than three hours from the UK, that is home to a slew of free attractions (and, more importantly, £1.20 pints)

Escape the daily grind and explore this stunning EU city that won’t break the bank. Renowned for its majestic architecture, ubiquitous history, and geothermal spas – Hungary has long shimmered under the tourist spotlight.

In fact, a record-breaking six million holidaymakers flocked to the country’s capital, Budapest, last year – a whopping 24 per cent increase compared to the year before. It’s a great base for those wanting to inter-rail around Europe on their gap year – and make a perfect city break year-round.

Unlike most European capitals, Budapest is an affordable city that won’t wreak havoc on your finances. For example, the average pint costs £1.20, while dinner for two (without booze) in a ‘moderately-priced’ restaurant will set you back around £10.

Keeping under budget in Budapest is also easy as many of its main attractions are free. You can hike Gellért Hill – which only takes 30 minutes – and get rewarded with sweeping views of the city, Here, you’ll also find Citadella, a mighty fortress built after the 1848–49 War of Independence to defend the city from further insurrection.

If you’re not wanting to break a sweat, stroll along City Park with a coffee – or take advantage of the shade at Ervin Szabó Central Library. “Housed in a former 19th-century palace, the Ervin Szabó Central Library invites visitors to take a break from the dizzying pace of the Hungarian capital and unwind in regal surroundings,” explains Lonely Planet.

The guide continues: “Spaces that once functioned as grand dining rooms and living quarters have been converted into a number of truly dazzling public reading rooms. Giant chandeliers dangle above plush armchairs, enticing visitors to spend an afternoon flicking through one of the two million-plus texts that line the library’s shelves.”

History buffs will need to head over to Pest and Óbuda to explore the Roman ruins. “Aquincum is the most complete Roman civilian town in Hungary and contains both a world-class museum and an open-air archeological park,” Lonely Planet added. While there is an entrance charge for this attraction, you can get a glimpse of the ruins without paying.

On the banks of the Danube River, close to the Hungarian Parliament building, you’ll find sixty pairs of old-fashioned shoes made from iron. These are a sobering memorial to the Hungarian Jews who, during 1944-1945, were shot on the banks of the Danube River.

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Of course, no trip to Budapest is complete without making the most of its ‘healing waters’. Often touted as the world’s ‘Spa Capital’, Budapest is home to an array of geothermal pools, which are an integral part of Hungarian culture. Széchenyi Thermal Bath, one of the largest bath complexes in Europe, is by far the most popular – and tickets cost less than £20.

If a jam-packed itinerary isn’t your kind of style- don’t worry. Budapest is a compact city filled with mouth-watering food markets, themed-bars, and beautiful architecture. It’s the perfect place to roam around and just see what takes your fancy.

You can fly directly to Budapest from most major UK airports, including Leeds, Norwich, Newcastle, Birmingham, London Stansted and Luton. Flights, which take an average of two and a half hours, can be bought for as little as £37 in June.

Booze isn’t the only cheap thing in Budapest, with a wide range of accommodation suiting different budgets. For example, a weekend’s stay (Friday, June 20-22) at the Chill & Stay – a two-bedroom apartment – costs just £135, based on two adults sharing. For those wanting a more luxurious city break, check out the Continental Hotel Budapest, which sits on the former site of Hungaria Bath. You can stay in a standard double or twin room on the exact same nights for £261.

*Prices based on Skyscanner and Booking.com listings at the time of writing.

What’s your favourite European city? Let us know in the comments section below

This secret beach is only accessible by boat – making it the perfect retreat for those seeking a true hidden gem on a paradisiacal island in one of Europe’s most beautiful oceans

It can be hard to find a true hidden gem these days, but this secluded island beach is rarely visited and boasts jaw-dropping views of the Ionian sea. It is also considered one of the world’s best beaches.

If you’re planning to take a trip to the Greek islands this summer, it might be best to miss the tourist hotspots of Santorini and Mykonos. Both locations have had to implement restrictions due to overtourism. But this doesn’t mean you need to skip out on enjoying a glorious beach trip. Instead, the little-known island of Antipaxos has much to offer those seeking a quiet retreat.

Sitting 4 miles from its larger neighbour, Paxos, Antipaxos has a permanent population of around 50 people. Relatively untouched, it draws its appeal from miles of unspoilt nature and sapphire beaches.

READ MORE: Underrated European island 4 hours from UK where colourful houses line the beach

In fact, in 2025, the island was voted one of Greece’s best destinations by over 1.2 million travellers, according to European Best Destinations . They described it as “Greece’s hidden paradise for serenity and seaside luxury”.

While not suited for those looking for a hedonistic party scene, the island offers a treasure trove of coastal paradises. Not least, the hidden Voutumi Beach.

Primarily accessible by boat, the beach remains unspoilt and spectacular. It lies at the foot of a steep green hill with Cypress trees that reach close to the shore, giving it an almost mythical appeal.

Unsurprisingly, it has been declared one of the world’s top 50 beaches by worlds50beaches.com , even beating out white-sand beaches in Brazil and Mexico. Voutimi’s beach is composed of a mix of silky sand and pebbles – but the real beauty comes from the ocean, which is both shallow and warm.

Despite its seclusion, you can still find sun loungers on the beach. There is also a tavern on the hill behind the beach, serving up coffee, snacks and cocktails as you prefer.

The shallow waters also make it an ideal place to do some snorkelling. The turquoise water is crystal clear and perfect for spotting exciting marine species like wrasse and parrotfish.

One TripAdvisor reviewer wrote: “The best beach alongside Vrika and Mesovrika I’ve ever been to. Fine white sand, amazing view and Caribbean like sea water. A must see!”

Another said: “Amazing beach, not too busy either which meant we really enjoyed our time here. Recommend going to the bar high up on the left of the bay, the views of the bay were incredible. The sea was so clear as well, and it was a sandy beach!”

You can reach Voutoumi Beach by getting a boat from the port of Gaios, Paxos. You can either take a taxi boat or a ferry, which can take between 15 to 20 minutes.

CRYSTAL PALACE are taking on Manchester City in a stunning FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium!

The Eagles headed into the match on the back of a mixed season in the league, but have ended the campaign in good form.

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Palace boss Oliver Glasner has had a huge impact on the side since his arrival at Selhurst Park in February 2024.

Glasner said ahead of the FA Cup final: “I’m very pleased. Not just with the improvements, but I think with the environment we have created here at the training ground and also in the club.

“We are very ambitious, everyone is working very hard to progress, and this is the main reason why we are where we are now at the end of the season.

FA CUP FINAL LIVE – LATEST UPDATES

“We are really settled in mid-table and looking at the teams in front of us more than looking at the teams who are behind us.

“We are also playing the FA Cup final and very pleased with what has happened in the last 15-16 months.”

Have Crystal Palace ever won a trophy?

Crystal Palace won the Second Division twice in their history – in 1979 and in 1994.

They have also been promoted via the playoffs four times – 1989, 1997, 2004 and in 2013.

However, what is considered a top-flight honour has eluded the club so far.

While the club have now reached three FA Cup finals, including taking Manchester United to a replay in 1990.

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United won 1-0 in the replay after the original clash ended in a 3-3 draw.

Before their final in 2025, the last time Palace were in an FA Cup final was in 2016.

Palace also played United that day, but lost 2-1 after extra-time in a match famed for manager Alan Pardew’s dance with the side 1-0 up.

Winning the FA Cup today will send The Eagles into the Europe.

The last and only time they played in Europe was the 1998 UEFA Intertoto Cup, but were knocked out in the third round to Turkish side Samsunspor.

A group of seven European nations has called for an end to Israel’s military assault and blockade of Gaza, as the United Nations aid chief says time should not be wasted on an alternative United States-backed proposal to deliver aid to the Palestinian territory.

In a joint statement late on Friday, the leaders of Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Slovenia, Spain and Norway said they “will not be silent in front of the man-made humanitarian catastrophe that is taking place before our eyes in Gaza” as Israel’s blockade has prevented the delivery of humanitarian aid for two and a half months.

“We call upon the government of Israel to immediately reverse its current policy, refrain from further military operations and fully lift the blockade, ensuring safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian aid to be distributed throughout the Gaza strip by international humanitarian actors,” the statement read.

“More than 50,000 men, women, and children have lost their lives. Many more could starve to death in the coming days and weeks unless immediate action is taken,” it said.

Meanwhile, the Council of Europe, a body that works to safeguard human rights and democracy, also noted that Gaza was suffering from a “deliberate starvation” and warned that Israel was sowing “the seeds for the next Hamas” in the territory, referring to the Palestinian armed group.

“The time for a moral reckoning over the treatment of Palestinians has come – and it is long overdue,” said Dora Bakoyannis, rapporteur for the Middle East at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

The European calls came hours after UN aid chief Tom Fletcher said 160,000 pallets of relief and 9,000 trucks were ready to enter Gaza.

“To those proposing an alternative modality for aid distribution, let’s not waste time. We already have a plan,” he said in a statement.

“We have the people. We have the distribution networks. We have the trust of the communities on the ground. And we have the aid itself – 160,000 pallets of it – ready to move. Now,” he said.

“We demand rapid, safe, and unimpeded aid delivery for civilians in need. Let us work.”

Israel has halted the entry of food, medication and all other essentials into Gaza since March 2. UN agencies and other humanitarian groups have warned of shrinking food, fuel and medicine supplies to the territory of 2.4 million Palestinians facing acute starvation.

Earlier, the US and Israel said they were preparing a plan that would allow the resumption of aid by an NGO, while keeping supplies out of Hamas’s hands.

Under the heavily criticised alternative aid plan, the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation aims to start work in Gaza by the end of May.

It intends to work with private US security and logistics firms to transport aid into Gaza to so-called secure hubs where it will then be distributed by aid groups, a source familiar with the plan told the Reuters news agency. It is unclear how the foundation will be funded.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has also asked Israel to allow humanitarian deliveries by the UN and aid groups to resume now until its infrastructure is fully operational, saying this is essential to “alleviate the ongoing humanitarian pressure”.

The UN, however, said it would not work with the foundation because the distribution plan is not impartial, neutral or independent. Israel says the blockade, alongside “military pressure”, is intended to force Hamas to free the remaining captives.

On Thursday, senior Hamas official Basem Naim reiterated the group’s position that the entry of aid into Gaza is a prerequisite for any truce talks with Israel.

“Access to food, water and medicine is a fundamental human right – not a subject for negotiation,” he said.

European leaders speak to US president after Russia-Ukraine talks fail to achieve major breakthrough.

European leaders have agreed to step up joint action against Russia over its failure to agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine at a meeting on Friday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, following talks with United States President Donald Trump.

As the Russia-Ukraine talks concluded in Istanbul on Friday, Starmer and fellow leaders from France, Germany and Poland – together with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy – called the US president from a summit in Albania to discuss “developments” in the negotiations, Starmer said.

The talks in Istanbul were the first direct talks between officials from the rwo sides for more than three years. They lasted less than two hours, and the sides agreed to the biggest prisoner exchange since the start of the war in 2022, but failed to make a major breakthrough on a ceasefire.

“We just had a meeting with President Zelenskyy and then a phone call with President Trump to discuss the developments in the negotiations today,” Starmer said from Albania’s capital, Tirana, where leaders of dozens of European countries were gathered for the European Political Community summit.

“And the Russian position is clearly unacceptable, and not for the first time.

“So as a result of that meeting with President Zelenskyy and that call with President Trump, we are now closely aligning our responses and will continue to do so.”

French President Emmanuel Macron told reporters that if Putin continued to reject a ceasefire, “we will need to have a response and therefore escalate sanctions”, which, he said, were being “reworked” by European nations and the US.

EU eyes Russia’s shadow fleet

Macron said it was too early to provide details on the “reworked” sanctions, but European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has pledged to “increase the pressure”.

She said on Friday that the measures would target the shadow fleet of ageing cargo vessels that Russia is using to bypass international sanctions and the Nord Stream pipeline consortium. Russia’s financial sector would also be targeted.

Earlier, Zelenskyy had said that Ukraine was committed to ending the war, but urged the European leaders to ramp up sanctions “against Russia’s energy sector and banks” if Putin continued to drag his feet in talks.

“I think Putin made a mistake by sending a low-level delegation,” NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said as he arrived at the Tirana summit. “The ball is clearly in his part of the field now, in his court. He has to play ball. He has to be serious about wanting peace.”

May 16 (UPI) — Microsoft said Thursday it is proposing a resolution to European Commission concerns over how it bundles Teams with MS Office and Office 365.

Microsoft said its proposed commitments to resolve issues with the Commission “require Microsoft to maintain availability of those suites in the European Economic Area over the next seven years, and they set minimum price deltas that Microsoft must maintain between the versions of those suites without and with Teams.”

“The proposed commitments are the result of constructive, good-faith discussions with the European Commission over several months. We believe that they represent a clear and complete resolution to the concerns raised by our competitors and will provide European customers with more choices.”

Microsoft said that if the Commission accepts their proposed commitments, “we have decided that we will, at the same time, align the options and pricing for our suites and Teams service globally, as we’ve done in the past.”

The commission launched a public consultation period Thursday on Microsoft’s offered commitments.

“Microsoft would make available versions of these suites without Teams and at a reduced price; allow customers to switch to suites without Teams, including in the framework of existing contracts; offer Teams’ competitors increased interoperability with other Microsoft products; and allow customers to move their data out of Teams to facilitate the use of competing solutions,” the commission said under the proposed commitments.

In a preliminary finding, the commission found Microsoft restricted competition in the European market by bundling Teams with other Microsoft software giving Teams a competitive advantage in distribution.

The commission said Microsoft’s proposed commitments include offering customers purchasing EEA versions of its Office 365 and Microsoft 365 suites without Teams to get a lower price than the one for corresponding suites that include Teams.

In addition, Microsoft would allow Team’s competitors and certain third parties to access effective interoperability with identified Microsoft products and services.

Customers would also be allowed to extract their Teams messaging data for use in competing platforms and to switch to software suites without Teams.

Microsoft’s blog statement said, “We are hopeful that following the market test, the European Commission will conclude that the proposed commitments resolve its concerns, and in the following months, adopt a final decision closing its investigation.”

Texas psych-Americana band Lord Buffalo has canceled its upcoming European tour after it claims that drummer Yamal Said was taken off a plane by border patrol agents on Monday.

“We are heartbroken to announce we have to cancel our upcoming European tour. Our drummer, who is a Mexican citizen and lawful permanent resident of the United States (green card holder) was forcibly removed from our flight to Europe by Customs and Border Patrol at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport on Monday May 12,” the band said in a Wednesday social media post.

According to the group, Said has not been released from custody.

“We are currently working with an immigration lawyer to find out more information and to attempt to secure his release,” the band continued in its post. “We are devastated to cancel this tour, but we are focusing all of our energy and resources on Yamal’s safety and freedom. We are hopeful that this is a temporary setback and that it could be safe for us to reschedule this tour in the future.”

Lord Buffalo later updated the message to announce that Said has secured legal representation.

According to a CBP spokesperson, Said was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection while aboard a May 12 flight heading outside of the U.S. due to allegedly having an active arrest warrant. He was subsequently turned over to local law enforcement.

The Times has reached out to Lord Buffalo for comment.

The Texas band is not the first musical act to claim they have needed to postpone or cancel shows due to immigration issues in recent months.

In April, British singer FKA twigs announced in an Instagram post that she had to cancel series of concerts for the month in North America — including a slot at Coachella 2025 — due to “ongoing visa issues.”

Earlier this month, Chicago’s Michelada Fest, a Spanish-language music festival that had acts scheduled from across the globe, was canceled due to concerns over artists’ visas.

“Due to the uncertainty surrounding artist visas and the rapidly changing political climate, we’re no longer able to guarantee the full experience we had dreamed up for you with all your favorite artists,” the festival’s organizers explained in a statement. “Although we tried to push through, it became clear that we wouldn’t be able to deliver the full lineup as planned.”

The organizers would go on to write that, as an independent outfit, Michelada Fest “can’t afford to take on a big risk with so much uncertainty ahead.”

Grupo Firme, Anitta, Danny Ocean, Tokischa and Luis R. Conriquez were scheduled to perform at the July festival.

New train lines running between European cities including Copenhagen and Hamburg, Tallinn and Vilnius, and Budapest and Belgrade will transform how passengers get around the Continent

A series of massive rail projects is currently underway, with train travel in Europe likely to look very different in less than ten years from how it does today.

In the UK we are a little too used to rail projects dragging on and on, facing as many delays as a standard Sunday afternoon service. Phase one of the HS2 high-speed railway project, connecting London to Birmingham, is currently expected to open between 2029 and 2033. That will be up to 13 years after building work began.

While continental European rail projects are also liable to be hit by delays, there are a few big projects that are currently well underway that should be completed within the next few years.

Hamburg to Copenhagen

The vast undersea tunnel is being built and will carry two rail lines and a pair of two-lane highways under the Baltic Sea. Construction of the Fehmarnbelt tunnel has started on the shores of the Baltic Sea, in the south of Denmark. Once finished it will link the country and Germany. The project will be the world’s longest road and rail tunnel, and the world’s longest immersed tunnel, stretching 11.2 miles.

‌The tunnel will enable both freight and commuter traffic, reducing carbon emissions, freeing up capacity on the roads and railways, and moving freight from lorries to more environmentally friendly electric trains.

READ MORE: UK train firms launch ‘Clubcard’ schemes with free tickets – but there’s a catch

Currently, travellers heading between Hamburg in Germany, and Copenhagen in Denmark, have to take a five-hour train journey. However, when the tunnel opens, the journey time will be cut in half, with the tunnel stretching from the Danish island of Lolland to the German island of Fehmarn. In total, the project will cost €7.4 billion (£6.2 billion) and is set to be completed in 2029.

Budapest to Belgrade

It is currently possible to travel between these two great cities on the Danube, but it takes a while and three changes. Next year that will change when a high-speed line built with Chinese backing gets going. The difference in effort required as well as the length of journey will be significant. Passengers will be whisked between the two cities in just two hours and 40 minutes instead of seven.

Tallinn to Vilnius

By 2030, the two Baltic capitals will be connected by a high-speed line that will cover a huge distance. Right now it takes close to ten hours to get between Estonia’s Tallinn in the far north to Lithuania’s Vilnius in the south. It will also go through Latvia’s Riga on the way.

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The travel time from Tallinn to Vilnius will be cut down to three hours and 38 minutes and cost €38. Trains will run every two hours, with two night trains each night.

Not only will the train line provide a fast and affordable way to get across the Baltic states, it will introduce a completely different gauge into the country. The three former Soviet republics will swap their 1,520mm tracks for 1,435mm, meaning integration with other European railways will be possible, the Telegraph reports.

Turin to Lyon

This one will take a little longer to complete, with the launch date slated for 2033. While the destinations at either end may sound a little less hefty than other projects, this scheme is a big one.

It will see the construction of the longest rail tunnel in the world at 57.5km. The Mont d’Ambin Base Tunnel will cut through the Alps from the Susa Valley in Piedmont and Maurienne in Savoie, reducing the journey time between Paris and Milan to four and a half hours, a reduction of more than two hours.

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Spain to Morocco

A vast £6bn tunnel connecting Spain to Africa has been on the cards for years, but in the last few months it has seemed that it will become a reality. Studies are being conducted into the feasiblity of an underwater railway crossing linking Europe and Africa. And deadline for the completion of the project will be 2030 according to reports.

The £6billion tunnel will allow a high-speed railway service to run under one of the most famous cargo routes in the world, the Strait of Gibraltar, Moroccan National Company for Strait Studies is reportedly trying to source funding for the project.

It is estimated to span 28km with its lowest point 475m below sea level. The underwater crossing is tipped to connect Punta Paloma in southern Spain and Malabata, near Tangier, Morocco. Both nations want the tunnel built in time for the 2030 football World Cup which is expected to be held in Spain, Portugal and Morocco. The football competition would be the first to be held in three countries and would cover two continents with Africa holding its first competition since 2010.

Just this week the Spanish government committed €1.63 million to a feasibility study on the scheme.

May 14 (UPI) — The European Court of Justice Wednesday ruled there was no plausible reason to block The New York Times from getting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s texts with a Pfizer executive.

The commission blocked the texts from being released to the newspaper, claiming it did not hold them.

“The Commission decision refusing a journalist of The New York Times access to the text messages exchanged between President von der Leyen and the CEO of Pfizer is annulled,” the court ruling said.

The court said Matina Stevi, a journalist with The New York Times, requested access to all text messages between von der Leyen and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla between Jan. 1, 2021, and May 11, 2022.

The texts were secret messages before a multi-billion-dollar vaccine deal was reached between the European Union and Pfizer.

The commission rejected the request for the texts on the grounds that the commission did not hold the requested documents.

But the court ruling said Stevi and The New York Times “succeeded in rebutting the presumption of non-existence and of non-possession of the requested documents.”

The court added that the commission “has not given a plausible explanation to justify the non-possession of the requested documents.”

The court found the commission should have provided a more detailed explanation on why the documents were withheld.

The commission has the right to appeal the decision.

“The commission will now closely study the General Court’s decision and decide on next steps. To this effect, the Commission will adopt a new decision providing a more detailed explanation,” it said in a statement.

“Transparency has always been of paramount importance for the commission and President von der Leyen. We will continue to strictly abide by the solid legal framework in place to enforce our obligations.”

HEC Paris Business School law professor Alberto Alemanno said the court decision would enhance accountability for EU leaders.

“This judgment provides a fresh reminder that the EU is governed by the rule of law, with its leaders subject to the constant scrutiny of free media and of an independent court,” Alemanno said.

Dutch MEP Raquel Garcia Hermida-van der Walle called the court decision a “slam dunk for transparency.”

“People just want and are allowed to know how decisions are made, it is essential in a democracy. Even if it was done over a text message,” she said.

Europe is home to some fantastic cities and one has been voted the best for value – with a pint costing around £2.41. Here is why you should visit it this year

City breaks are a dream for those looking to quickly escape and hit the reset button. And if a European jaunt is what gets your travel juices flowing, then you’ve struck gold, as the experts at Flight Hacks have dished out a summer bargain travel list. They’ve crunched the numbers, factoring in daily averages for flights from any London airport, food and digs per night, to pinpoint the top bang-for-your-buck holiday spots.

Topping the charts as Europe’s most economical holiday spot is Bucharest, Romania. You can revel in all its delights for a neat £215.52 a day, with hotel stays hitting the jackpot as the continent’s cheapest averaging a mere £86.72 a night.

READ MORE: Adolescence star Ashley Walters on ‘finding peace’ riding electric motorbike

So if you’re tempted by the cheapest place let’s take a look at Bucharest more closely.

What is there to do in Bucharest?

Nestled in Southern Romania, this historical gem not only served as the stomping grounds for Vlad The Impaler but also snagged the moniker “Little Paris” for its elegant early 20th-century architecture. It boasts a population of about 1.83 million (circa 2019) and promises a cultural feast.

Tripadvisor’s crowned jewel for the city is the Stavropoleos Monastery, scoring an impressive 4.5 rating. Dating back to 1724, it stands proudly among the capital’s oldest structures.

Culture vultures can either discover its charms solo or opt for a guided tour around the monastery, reports the Express. One visitor raved about a church on Tripadvisor, calling it “beautiful” among numerous five-star reviews.

A user remarked: “What I loved most was the quiet and cosy atmosphere of the place, even if this architectural beauty is located in the middle of Bucharest, in the most crowded place.”

Another shared: “One of my favourite places in Bucharest! Amazing monastery is full of peace and harmony. I recommend visiting it Saturday and Sunday at 6pm and to listen to the prayers.”

And a fourth enthused: “Standing inside this monastery, takes your breath away. The walls and high ceilings adorned with beautiful religious artwork, it hard to put to words just how beautiful it really Is.”

Other must-see spots in the Romanian capital include the world’s second-largest building, the Palace of Parliament, and of course, the Old Town is a must-visit spot.

Expect to discover a host of bars and eateries offering traditional Romanian cuisine there.

Bucharest is also a magnet for those seeking vibrant nightlife, with a pint going for as little as £2.41 according to Numbeo statistics. There are plenty of top-tier venues to enjoy, including Player Club, Shoteria, and Club Revenge.

How to get to Bucharest

Getting to Romania is straightforward with many airlines offering flights. Direct services are available from London, Birmingham, and Glasgow with carriers such as Ryanair, BA, easyJet and Wizz Air flying to the destination.

Kayak reveals that one-way flights to Bucharest kick off from the capital, with the journey clocking in just over three hours from London.

When is the best time to visit Bucharest?

The milder months of April, May, June, September and October are ideal to dodge the sweltering summer climes, as it can get quite toasty in those parts.

Conversely, winter might charm with snow, but be wary as it can throw public transport into chaos. Also, tourist hotspots sometimes shut their doors owing to harsh weather, and expect the nights to start nipping at 4pm.

Top 10 budget-friendly European destinations to visit (average cost per day):

Immanuel Debeer, CEO at Flight Hacks, said: “Going on holiday in Europe doesn’t need to cost an eye-watering amount of money. This study demonstrates that by exploring various travel sites and researching the cost of living in certain cities, you can visit some of the most beautiful and culturally rich areas Europe has to offer without breaking the bank.”