European

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned NATO and the EU at the UN General Assembly that any aggression against Russia would be met with a ‘decisive response’. While asserting that Moscow has no intention of attacking the West, he emphasised that Russia is prepared to respond if provoked.

Explore Van Gogh’s Provence

There’s nothing sweeter than leaving London on the Eurostar in the morning and to be sipping something cold and pink in Provence by aperitif time (tip: switch to the TGV in Lille to avoid having to change stations in Paris).

Just 10 minutes in a taxi from Avignon TGV station, Le Moulin d’Aure is a charmingly restored mas (farmhouse) on the edge of the village of Graveson. The best of the 19 bedrooms have balconies or terraces overlooking the olive trees, while in the large garden there’s a pool and plenty of quiet corners.

Local bike hire companies can deliver bikes for the 30-minute ride to pretty Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, with its Wednesday morning market. This is where Vincent Van Gogh was a patient in the Saint-Paul de Mausole psychiatric hospital after cutting off part of his left ear. It is where he painted The Starry Night, among other works, and there’s a signposted tour around town, taking in landscapes that inspired the artist.

Back at Le Moulin, its Italian restaurant Tutti Quanti dishes up fresh pasta beneath the pergola, while for more variety Graveson, 15 minutes’ walk away, has a handful of restaurants on its long central square.
Doubles from €75 room-only, breakfast about €18, hotel-moulindaure.com

Sleepy, leafy Normandy

In the Orne region of Normandy, Le Perche nature park is the kind of rural idyll Parisians decamp to in order to explore sleepy villages and quiet forests. Just half an hour by train from the French capital to L’Aigle, then a 30-minute taxi to Mortagne, Trama en Perche is the new four-bedroom guesthouse of two former Parisian restaurateurs, Marion Trama and Paul Hayat.

Breakfast is a highlight, served in the garden when the sun is out. Local produce (sheep’s milk cheeses, freshly baked bread, fruit jams) feature alongside brioche French toast and blinis with crab remoulade.

Marion and Paul are also a fount of local knowledge, and can arrange bike hire (an autumnal favourite includes a detour to family-run cider producer La Maison Ferré) or recommend walkable restaurants, such as La Biscuiterie for salads and cakes or La Vie en Rouge for natural wine and small plates.

Much of the decor at Trama en Perche has been sourced from the area’s antique and brocante shops, and there are numerous stores around Mortagne to rummage in.
Doubles from about €170 B&B, tramaenperche.fr

Beach life in Zeeland, the Netherlands

There’s a quiet, wild beauty to coastal towns in autumn, and with its wide beach looking out to the North Sea, Zeeland’s Cadzand is a perfect example. Strandhotel, on a dune just back from the golden sands, is a lovely vantage point to watch whatever weather rolls in. It’s a great time right now for kite- and windsurfing offshore, or stick to dry land and beachcomb at low tide for the fossilised shark teeth that part of the coast is famous for.

Just a couple of miles north of the Belgian border, the easiest route here is via Brussels, changing for a direct train to Knokke-Heist (about 1½ hours), where you can pick up a taxi across to Cadzand (30 minutes). This being the Netherlands, there are excellent cycle paths, and bike hire across the street from the hotel. The nearby Zwin nature reserve offers good birdspotting – you can also explore the salt flats and polder behind the dunes.

Back at the hotel, there’s an indoor pool and saunas to unwind in, while the three restaurants range from Michelin-starred Demain to laid-back Beach Boy, which overlooks the marina and serves Zeeland oysters.
Doubles from €212 B&B, strandhotel.eu

Family-friendly forest fun near Paris

A former royal hunting estate on the south-west fringes of Paris, the 14,000-hectare Fôret de Rambouillet sprawls across the capital’s commuter belt. Cycle tracks and walking trails cut through thickets of oak and pine trees and, in autumn, mushrooms and chestnuts. In among it all, Le Barn is a modern country house for city-weary citizens (train to Dourdan or Rambouillet from Paris; from there it’s a 15-20 minute taxi).

The hotel shares an estate with the renowned Haras de la Cense horsemanship schools and equine activities are a big part of the appeal. They include children’s first rides, proper hacks through the woodland (riding from about £13) and horse whispering sessions (complimentary on daily activity schedule). Other options are yoga, archery, rowing boats on the lake – with some spooky extra fun over Halloween weekend.

There’s also a spa for grownups, and a restaurant serving classic French fare – and with no checkout deadline on Sundays, there’s plenty of time to get stuck in.
Doubles from about £175 room-only, including a daily programme of activities, lebarnhotel.com

Yoga, eco-living and a garden restaurant in Wallonia, Belgium

Many British travellers don’t venture far beyond Belgium’s circuit of cities (canal-crossed Bruges, funky Ghent, fashionable Antwerp), but those who do find dense forests, ancient castles and historic villages to explore.

The battle of Waterloo took place at the village of the same name in the rolling Wallonia countryside south of Brussels, and 10km further south again is Indrani Lodge, a wonderfully peaceful bolthole on the fringes of Genappe (take a train from Brussels to Nivelles, then a 15-minute taxi). A former medieval farm, it’s now a 12-bedroom eco-minded yoga hotel.

A large part of the gardens is turned over to permaculture, growing produce that makes its way on to plates in the Petits Éléments restaurant. In autumn that might include Jerusalem artichoke, pumpkin and butternut squash, alongside eggs from Indrani’s chickens, honey from its bees and apple juice from its orchards.

There are numerous yoga classes each day (iyengar, vinyasa, hatha), as well as retreats and twice-monthly Sunday Slow Days, which include two classes, brunch and a workshop (ceramics, flower arranging). Or slow down under your own steam with a massage, or a dip in the geothermally heated pool in the old barn.
Doubles from €163 B&B, indranilodge.com

Cycling – and tastings – in the vineyards in Burgundy

Tom Kevill-Davies knows a thing or two about cycling and eating. In 2005 he set off from New York and rode 12,000 miles to Rio de Janeiro in search of the perfect meal. After writing a book about his experience, he settled in Burgundy and added wine to the equation, turning a derelict 17th-century water mill in the village of Auxey-Duresses into The Hungry Cyclist Lodge. Guests can set off each day to pedal around the surrounding vineyards, winding between tastings and lunches, and relax back at the lodge (which has a swimming pool).

Bring a bike on the train (TGV from Paris to Dijon), then a short connection to Beaune and a 10km bike – or taxi – ride from the station. Or rent one when you get there (€22 a day for a hybrid). Next door to the lodge is a small vineyard of Gamay, where Tom’s family produce around 500 bottles a year of their Vin Du Moulin. Try it over a dinner that Tom whips up from fruit and veg grown in the garden and meat from the local butcher – in autumn this might include guinea fowl roasted over raisins and tarte tatin with fig leaf ice-cream.
Doubles from €170 B&B, dinner €40pp excluding wine, thehungrycyclist.com

Sept. 27 (UPI) — Denmark on Saturday reported more suspicious drones flying above its largest military base, the second time its airspace was violated this week after another group of drones grounded commercial flights days ago.

Finland, Germany and Lithuania on Saturday also reported sighting drones in their airspace, which follows reports from other NATO nations, including Estonia, Poland and Romania, that reported airspace violations.

In the latest incident, the BBC reported drones were observed above Karup airbase, forcing the nation’s military base to close airspace to commercial traffic. Drones were spotted flying over the country on Thursday near Skrydstrup air base, causing the closure of Aalborg Airport, as others were detected over the southern cities of Esbjerg and Sonderborg.

Additionally, on Saturday, Lithuania report that three drones were noticed near Vilnius, which delayed several commercial flights, Lithuanian broadcaster LRT reported, while Yle reported that a drone flew over the Valajasosky power plant in Rovaniemi, Finland.

Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen has said that there is no evidence directly linking the aircraft to Russia, though there has been a significant rise in Russian violations of allied airspace, according to European leaders.

“There can be no doubt that everything points to this being the work of a professional actor when we are talking about such a systematic operation in so many locations at virtually the same time. This is what I would define as a hybrid attack using different types of drones,” Poulsen said Thursday after drones were spotted over the country.

In a separate incident, Danish authorities said a Russian warship was spotted near their waters with the tracking system off, the Danish outlet Ekstra Bladet reported.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the allegations “unfounded.”

The Danish Defense Ministry confirmed that drones appeared near multiple military installations but did not specify which ones, according to the BBC. Denmark’s Defense Command, which did not disclose the number of drones it detected, told the Danish news outlet DR News that it deployed resources in response to the drone incursions.

Karup airbase is home to all of the Danish Armed Forces’ helicopters, airspace surveillance and parts of the Danish Defence Command.

Earlier in the week, on Monday, Denmark’s Copenhagen Airport also halted operations because of drone sightings, as did authorities Norway’s Oslo Airport.

Overnight Wednesday, the airspace above Aalborg Airport in northern Jutland was closed — several flights were cancelled and two inbound flights were diverted for about 1 hour — after police reported a drone, Danish broadcaster TV2 said.

German media also reported drone sightings on Friday night in Schleswig-Holstein, which is near the Danish border.

The incursions over NATO members’ borders have increased in the last few weeks after Poland shot down Russian drones violating its airspace on Sept. 10, which came at the same time as a massive strike on Ukraine at the same time. This was the first time NATO had engaged Russian assets over its territory since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Romania reported a similar violation on Sept. 13 and scrambled F-16s after detecting a Russian drone.

Three Russian MiG-31 jets later entered Estonian airspace over the Gulf of Finland on Sept. 19, which spurred Estonian leaders to invoke Article 4 of the NATO treaty, which allows any member of the alliance to call for consultations if it feels its “territorial integrity, political independence or security” is under threat.

While most European holiday destinations are winding down in October there’s one island in the Mediterranean where the resorts are still lively and the weather stays warm

If the thought of chilly autumn mornings, rain and wind fill you with pure dread, you may be looking to book a break in October for a final taste of warming late summer sun.

Many resorts start to shut up shop at this time of year and wind down their tourist attractions as visitor numbers decline, the nights draw in and the temperatures start to drop.

However, there’s one island in the Mediterranean where the main destinations remain very much open with plenty to offer holiday makers who aren’t quite ready to accept summer is over or who want to treat the kids to a half term trip to help ease those back to school blues.

The third largest island in the Med, Cyprus, is located in sparkling azure waters southeast of Greece and south of Turkey. Less than a five hour flight from the UK, it is one of the warmest places in this part of the European Union thanks to its subtropical climate and the summer generally lasts eight months from April through to November.

Temperatures during October can reach 28C or higher on occasion and even in the cooler four months, it’s possible to enjoy 20C. Coastal areas in December enjoy as many hours of sunshine as London does in May on average so sun seekers are certainly well catered for.

The main resorts make the most of their balmy climes and welcome holidaymakers late into the season. On the East Coast restaurants and kids’ clubs in Paphos and Limassol are still running and lively.

The beaches in Protaras and Ayia Napa are heaving in high summer but by this time of year are much calmer so great for families to make the most of with the sea temperature averaging around 24C.

Those with younger children or elderly travellers may prefer the sandy, serene beach of Fig Tree Bay in Protaras where it’s possible to explore the beautiful turquoise waters with a spot of snorkeling or on a boat trip. Limassol offers a long stretch of gorgeous coastline with some Blue Flag beaches and a stunning marina.

For those wanting something more energetic than making sandcastles and dozing in the sun, the island has plenty of water and amusement parks.

The always buzzing Ayia Napa is home to a number, with the Greek mythology-themed WaterWorld being the most famous, while the naturally landscaped Aphrodite Waterpark is situated in Paphos.

It’s here that fans of ancient history can also visit the Tombs of the Kings. The UNESCO World Heritage Site offers visitors a glimpse into the mysterious burial practices in underground tombs dating back to the 4th century. Larnaca, the oldest city in Cyprus also has a wealth of historical sites, museums, churches and cathedrals.

Traditional Cypriot cuisine is influenced by Greece and the Middle East. Meze is very popular, with a selection of small dishes such as dips, grilled meats, seafood and cheese, particularly halloumi, which is the national cheese.

Souvlaki (charcoal skewered meat) and Stifado – a hearty stew as well makaronia tou fournou, which is a baked pasta dish, is also very popular and tasty. There are plenty of options for the fussier palate or younger visitors, with restaurants offering British inspired menus.

Recent visitors to Cyprus have shared their experiences on Tripadvisor, with one advising on the weather during autumn. “We have been four times to Paphos in October,” they wrote.

“The temperature in mid October in the early afternoon has been around 28 degrees with beautiful blue skies. We have been able to eat outside in the early evening and used a pashmina later.

“Could still swim in the pool but it was a bit chilly. The sea, however, was fine to swim in.” Another added: “We’re always there mid-October and it’s lovely – still short sleeves in the evenings.”

Recently, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said that US support for “everything that the Israeli government is doing” limits the EU’s leverage to change the situation on the ground in the Gaza Strip.

Subsequently, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, proposed sanctions to Israeli ministers and partial suspension of Israel trade deal. On Wednesday, the EU Commission’s review discovered – after 21 months of mass atrocities in Gaza and violent pogroms in the West Bank – that actions taken by the Israeli government in the Palestinian-occupied territories represent a ‘breach of essential elements relating to respect for human rights and democratic principles,’ which permits the EU to suspend the agreement unilaterally.

Recently, these sentiments were reinforced with the recognition of the state of Palestine by U.S. allies – the UK, Canada and Australia – and more recently by France. 

Observers of Brussels declared that the EU had become tough on genocide. In reality, it was a last-minute effort by the two EU leaders to fuse rising outrage against EU’s Gaza policies and charges they were complicit in Israel’s atrocities.

How Kallas emboldened Israel in Gaza

Addressing the annual EU Institute for Security Studies (EUISS) conference in Brussels, Kajas said that US backing of Israel undermines EU leverage to stop the “Gaza war.” Yet, the United States has supported Israel for more than half a century.

“We are struggling because 27 member states have different positions,” on the issue, Kallas explained. “Europe can only use full force when it acts together.” In this way, accessorial complicity is first deflected to Washington and then attributed to the absence of European unity, which Kallas has long called for, to confront Russia. In other words, the EU Gaza apology was a thinly-veiled effort for a plea to unity Kallas hoped to turn against Russia in Ukraine.

When asked about “double-standard” accusations towards the bloc on its Gaza policy, Kallas said it is not true that the EU is inactive on Gaza. Yet, previously she had opposed intervention in Gaza. In mid-July, Kallas and the foreign ministers of the EU member states chose not to take any action against Israel over alleged war crimes in the Gaza war and settler violence in the West Bank.

The then-proposed sanctions against Israel would have included suspending the EU-Israel Association Agreement, suspending visa-free travel, and blocking imports from Israeli settlements. This decision emboldened the Netanyahu cabinet, which saw the EU’s decision not to impose sanctions on Israel as a diplomatic victory. It also led UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese to conclude that EU officials like Kallas were complicit in Israeli war crimes in Gaza.

The EU is Israel’s biggest trading partner, accounting for a third of Israel’s total trade in goods with the world in 2024, whereas Israel is only the EU’s 31^st largest trading partner. Consequently, the EU could easily have sanctioned Israeli trade right after the first genocidal atrocities in late 2023, yet it chose not to. Why?

How von der Leyen undermined EU’s credibility

Von der Leyen has a track-record of intimate relations with Israel. It was a source of controversy already before the Gaza catastrophe. On the 75^th anniversary of Israel’s independence, half a year before October 7, 2023, she referred to Israel as a “vibrant democracy” in the Middle East that made “the desert bloom.” These remarks were criticized as racist by the foreign ministry of the Palestinian Authority because they erased the history of Palestinians in what is today Israel.

After the Hamas offensive, von der Leyen was criticized by EU lawmakers and diplomats for supporting Israel and not calling for a ceasefire. A week after October 7, she rushed to visit Israel to express solidarity, even as the Netanyahu cabinet spoke openly on the coming destruction of Gaza, and the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. Then-EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell criticized her for the pro-Israeli stance which “had a high geopolitical cost for Europe.”

The visit and the rhetoric also sparked furor among 841 EU staff who signed a letter to von der Leyen criticizing her stance on the conflict. In their view, the commission was giving “a free hand to the acceleration and the legitimacy of a war crime in the Gaza Strip” and warned that the EU was “losing all credibility and the position as a fair, equitable and humanist broker.”

In reality, that credibility has eroded for years. By the early 2020s, more than 800 European financial institutions, including Europe’s most luminous financial giants, had financial relationships with over 50 businesses that were actively involved with Israeli settlements.

Why the belated moral outrage

Recently, the European Commission presented a proposal for tougher measures against Israel to the European Union, which featured suspending parts of the EU-Israel trade agreement and sanctioning Israeli far-right ministers and some West Bank settlers, along with Hamas leadership. These measures are very much in line with the EC chief’s previous warning. But why do they come only now – after 21 months of genocidal atrocities, the obliteration of Gaza and a quarter of a million killed or injured Palestinians?

A qualified majority vote among EU governments will still be required to pass the measures, with the support of at least 15 of the 27 EU members representing two-thirds of the EU population.

Moreover, von der Leyden’s Gaza criticism was carefully calculated to limit the scope of possible sanctions. “Man-made famine can never be a weapon of war,” she said. “For the sake of the children, for the sake of humanity – this must stop.”

Yet, Israel’s weaponized famines did not start few weeks ago. They date from the 2006 Palestine democratic election, which was won by Hamas in both Gaza and the West Bank. It led to Israel’s blockade, which was supported by the U.S. and the EU, and the Israeli-manufactured famine, designed to starve Gaza. The blockade paved the way to almost two decades of impoverishment, hunger, unemployment and thus to October 7, 2023. But it did not trigger condemnations by von der Leyden or the then-EU leaders.

Worse, the world witnessed the first starving victims in Gaza already in spring 2024. Yet, neither von Der Leyden nor other European leaders demanded the end to Israel’s actions at the time. And by the turn of 2023/24, still another famine way ensued, with similar silence in Brussels. It was only the third wave of famine in mid-2025 that changed their views. But why?

“What is happening in Gaza,” von der Leyden said, “has shaken the conscience of the world… These images are simply catastrophic.” That was the difference: not the realities of weaponized famines, which the world had witnessed for almost two decades in Gaza, but the images.

As those photos of starved bodies, particularly of children and babies, could no longer be halted or sidelined in international media, EU politicians, pushed by their constituencies, were compelled to act.

What European leaders chose not to do

It was when the European leaders were charged for accessorial complicity that von der Leyden and Kallas reacted. What the former proposed was “a package of measures” against Israel over its ongoing genocidal assault on Gaza. Or as she put it – and let’s italicize the key terms – “We will propose sanctions on the extremist ministers and on violent settlers. And we will also propose a partial suspension of the Association Agreement on trade-related matters.”

The EU would not use its full arsenal to change Israel’s conduct. It would only go after a few ministers of the Netanyahu cabinet, but not the cabinet itself, even though most of its members had been complicit to the Gaza catastrophe with some supporting even harsher measures, including “nuking” Gaza.

Similarly, the EU would only go after a few token settlers, not the illegal settlements that now house up to 750,000 Jewish settlers. Nor would the EU go after hardline Israeli politicians and civil administrators who have been preparing the incorporation of the West Bank into the pre-1967 Israel since their electoral triumph in late 2022.

The ties between Israel and the United States have expanded from hedging and strategic partnership into a virtual symbiosis. Since 1950, Israel has received more than $120 billion in U.S. aid, most of it in military aid; after October 7, this aid has soared up to $23 billion. But Washington is not Israel’s only ally. In the past half a decade, only three countries—the US (66% of Israel’s total arms imports), Germany (33%) and Italy (1%) —have supplied most of Israel’s arms.

Several other European countries have supplied vital military components, ammunition and services, including the UK, France and Spain. Meanwhile, small EU members like the tiny Finland are increasingly reliant on Israeli arms imports.

The elevated arms transfers reflect the contested European shift toward rearmament, at the expense of welfare and social services – despite the soaring challenges of aging demographics and climate change.

Genocide investigation against von der Leyen

Both Washington and Brussels are complicit to mass atrocities, due to their arms exports to Israel and financing through military aid, not to mention diplomatic and intelligence support. Article 3 of the Genocide Convention defines the crimes that can be punished under the convention, and these crimes include complicity.

In May 2024, the Geneva International Peace Research Institute (GIPRI), an NGO with UN consultative status, requested an investigation against the EC president, Ursula von der Leyen, for complicity in war crimes and genocide against Palestinian civilians. Her complicity was attributed to “violations of Articles 6, 7 and 8 of the Rome Statute by her positive actions (military, political, diplomatic support to Israel) and by her failure to take timely action on behalf of the European Commission to help prevent genocide as required by the 1948 Genocide Convention.”

According to Professor William Schabas, perhaps the leading scholar of genocide, ”von der Leyen is clearly reflecting a position taken by many EU-governments, which is one of very unconditional support of Israel, and they’re doing this flying in the face of public information suggesting that Israel is committing terrible crimes in Gaza and the West Bank.”

The issue with too many European leaders is no longer only the crime of complicity, but also the concerted effort to deny that Israel’s crimes and atrocities against Palestinians constitute genocide. Such denials should be seen as a form of “incitement” to hatred and violence, condemned by the Genocide Convention.

Legal efforts to go after genocide complicity entered a new stage recently, when a group of lawyers filed a criminal complaint against German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, key government officials and arms trade executives on Friday. A dozen high-ranking officials of the former and current German government and CEOs of arms manufacturers were accused of aiding and abetting Israel’s genocide in Gaza, by the European Legal Support Center (ELSC). “Given the undeniable, genocidal consequences of this support, we seek to hold them accountable,” said Nadija Samour, ELSC’s senior legal officer.

Recently, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez noted that “what we’re now witnessing in Gaza is perhaps one of the darkest episodes of international relations in the 21^st century.”

Tragically, the European leaders share full accessorial complicity in the decimation of Gaza and the genocide of its residents, plus the incorporation of the West Bank – that is, the massive moral collapse that is likely to cast a long, dark shadow over the 21^st century because what has happened in Gaza is likely to be replicated elsewhere, with even more lethal results.

Author’s note: Building on The Obliteration Doctrine, the original commentary was published by Antiwar.com on September 23, 2025.

Emma Ansley Knight has shared her top three recommendations for city break getaways on the continent this October, claiming they are on her ‘bucket list’ of autumnal escapes

If you’re mulling over an October getaway but haven’t settled on your destination, one travel expert has compiled a trio of European locations she believes are perfect to visit in the coming weeks. Each month, Emma Ansley Knight turns to TikTok to share video advice concerning her travel picks for the immediate period ahead.

And next month is no exception, with the revealing that as autumn vibes are kicking in, it’s time to unveil her “bucket list” of spots that are ideal to explore over the course of October before the much cooler weather sets in across the continent.

Ghent, Belgium

“This has been on my list for such a long time,” Emma admitted. “I’ve already done Bruges and Brussels, but Ghent often gets overlooked.”

Nevertheless, she noted that Ghent appears “a lot more charming” especially during autumn. “The thought of waking up there on an October morning with crisp blue skies, a little chill in the air and throwing on a jumper and walking down the canals with golden leaves on the floor is the picture of heaven in my head,” Emma declared.

Travellers can anticipate average temperatures of 14-15C in October.

Piedmont, Italy

“This place is an absolute paradise for foodies, wine lovers and truffle lovers as well,” Emma said of Piedmont, a region which borders Switzerland to the north and France to the west.

She continued: “It’s the white truffle capital of the world and there’s actually a lot of festivals that start in October (including the 2025 International Alba White Truffle Fair), so you can try pastas with different truffles or cheeses, and pair them with the local wine.”

Another advantage of travelling to Piedmont is its location at the base of the Alps – something Emma says offers “breathtaking views of unbelievable mountainous backdrops and golden vineyards”.

The area also enjoys an average October temperature of 18C, while Emma recommends flying into Turin.

Bratislava, Slovakia

Rounding off Emma’s recommendations is Slovakia’s capital, Bratislava, which she explained lies just an hour from Vienna, Austria and therefore presents a practical option should you wish to “tackle” both cities during one trip.

Emma added of the city positioned along the Danube: “Because so many people do visit Vienna, it [Bratislava] seems like a bit of a hidden gem. The old town looks so colourful, so charming and it’s also a really walkable city.”

She also highlighted that Bratislava is “a lot more affordable” than many of Europe’s other capital cities, making it an ideal choice for those wanting to keep costs down. With an average October temperature of 15C, though, anticipate a somewhat chillier experience than Piedmont.

One TikTok user, responding to Emma’s post, gushed about Ghent: “I recently did Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp in one trip to Belgium and Ghent was definitely top of the list, it’s lovely!”

While a second person shared their approval of Emma’s third recommendation, writing: “Love Bratislava and the Christmas markets are ace.”

“I agree with President Donald Trump.” Polish President Karol Nawrocki told the UN General Assembly that an “ideological madness” had taken over Europe in recent years, leading to “bad decisions on migration” and a “green craziness.”

Holidu has shared the ultimate European destinations for “one night only” trips, and the top-ranking destination is in France – notable for its walkability and proximity to the UK

Brits low on time but in desperate need of an escape can make the most of their holiday in one of the European cities. Named the best for “one night only” trips, these destinations are convenient to visit from the UK and can be thoroughly enjoyed — even if only for a day.

The holiday rental search engine, Holidu, has created a list of Europe’s best cities for one-night breaks, looking at the factors that can make all the difference in 24-hours, including travel time from the UK, the distance from the airport to the city centre and how long it takes to walk between the city’s three main attractions.

Overall, French cities reigned supreme for one-night stays, according to Holidu’s findings. Destinations in France took three of the top ten spots, with Rennes, Nantes, and Montpellier all performing well.

It is the short flights from the UK and compact city centres convenient for exploring on foot that make them perfect for quick holidays. That said, one destination was cited as the best of the best.

Taking first place for the best one-night European city break is France’s Breton capital, Rennes. The city scored exceptionally well for how quickly British travellers are able to get there from the UK, with flights taking just 59 minutes from London and the journey from the airport to the city centre taking less than 15 minutes.

One-night city breaks have become massively popular in recent years, as time-strapped travellers forgo weeks of planning and preparation for short escapes that don’t drain their holiday allowance.

But that’s also why choosing the right destination for a short trip can be tricky, and not all European cities work well for a one-night experience. According to Holidu’s research, big-name capitals aren’t always your best bet for one-night trips.

Paris sits at 47th on the search engine’s best ‘one night only’ destination list, while Rome comes in at 85th, and Athens at 95th. A large reason for this is because of how spread apart popular attractions are, making it difficult for those with only a day free to explore efficiently.

Coming in second on Holidu’s ranking is Nantes, France. The city ranked well for its short flight time of around 1 hour and 6 minutes from London, as well as a very short airport transfer time of just 14 minutes to the city centre. Nantes is also a highly walkable city, with its major attractions all situated within a 39-minute walk.

Bremen, Germany came in at third place, while Basel, Switzerland and The Hague, Netherlands came in fourth and fifth place respectively.

With almost 340 days of sunshine a year, Cyprus is one of Europe’s sunniest destinations within a short-haul flight of the UK. However, it doesn’t always shine on the sunny isle

A hotel has begun offering sunshine-guaranteed stays so rained-on guests don’t miss out.

Guests at City of Dreams Mediterranean in Limassol can enjoy a complimentary return stay if they don’t have a sunny holiday this autumn and winter. With almost 340 days of sunshine a year, Cyprus is one of Europe’s sunniest destinations within a short-haul flight of the UK.

“City of Dreams Mediterranean is the only luxury five-star resort ready to put its weather where its mouth is: if the sun doesn’t shine during your stay, you’ll receive a complimentary night on your next visit for every day that doesn’t meet the Sunshine Guarantee definition,” the hotel tempts in a statement about the offer.

“Sunshine” is defined as a day with at least 70% direct sunlight between 9am and 5pm, as measured by AccuWeather.com. A weekly sunshine calendar will be shared online so guests can track it.

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Guests receive a free stay next time they visit, in the form of one complimentary night for every full day that doesn’t meet the Sunshine Guarantee during their current stay. That means if it rains all week, you can come back and get a week’s free accommodation.

The hotel is fourteen storeys and has more than 500 guest rooms and suites, as well as an outdoor amphitheatre, a family adventure park, and a variety of premium dining outlets and luxury retail.

“We want to give our guests complete confidence when booking their trip,” says Grant Johnson, Senior Vice President and Property General Manager. “With the Sunshine Guarantee, they know they’ll enjoy the famous weather here in Cyprus and if not, they’ll be rewarded. Coupled with our new excursion programme, it’s the perfect time to explore everything the island has to offer.”

Cyprus has long been a favourite getaway for British holidaymakers. A unique gem in the Mediterranean, the island lies just south of Turkey and to the southeast of Greece. Its appeal as a travel destination is immediately apparent.

It is also an increasingly popular place for British OAPS to retire to.

With fresh sea air and a wealth of five-star hotels, luxury resorts, and top-tier restaurants, it’s the ideal place to unwind under the sun. Beyond the beaches and upscale amenities, Cyprus also exudes a natural charm and deep cultural richness that adds to its allure for travellers.

Almond blossoms and roadside orange stalls colour the Cypriot countryside, where life moves at a more relaxed, peaceful rhythm. From the charming villages of the Troodos Mountains to the ancient ruins of the Paphos Archaeological Park—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the famed Tombs of the Kings—the island is a treasure trove for curious explorers. But what makes Cyprus especially attractive for retirees?

First and foremost, the climate is a major advantage. Although air conditioning is essential in the hotter months, the island’s long, sunny seasons mean you can enjoy the Mediterranean lifestyle well into the cooler months. Compared to Spain, the cost of living in Cyprus is lower. According to Rest Less, retirees can benefit from a flexible tax system, and real estate remains relatively affordable. Healthcare standards are high, with both public and private medical options available. For those who want to stay active, there are plenty of hiking trails and even a ski resort in the Troodos Mountains.

Cyprus is also known for its safety, a comfort to both travellers and retirees. The island hosts a thriving international community and has two major airports—Larnaca and Paphos—making travel to and from the UK or elsewhere simple and convenient. The local cuisine and warm Cypriot hospitality are also major draws. Think: tender slow-cooked lamb, sweet loukoumades (deep-fried dough balls), and juicy naval oranges—all sure to keep your tastebuds happy.

Popular places to settle include Larnaca, Paphos, and the capital city, Nicosia. Still, with Cyprus’s stunning scenery and cultural depth, deciding where to put down roots might be the toughest decision of all.

Brits looking for winter sun holidays don’t need to commit to long-haul breaks as there are some beautiful European hotspots that are worth having on your radar

Summer travel may be coming to an end as those crisp autumn days approach, but it often feels like in the blink of an eye, winter hits.

The good news is that there’s no need to give in to those winter blues, as there are heaps of beautiful destinations where you can avoid the dark and dreary weather.

If it’s nearly-guaranteed hot and sunny weather you want then long-haul is your best bet, but if you just want a bit of sunshine and an escape from the inevitable UK rain, Europe also has a plethora of options.

While the Greek Islands are typically associated with the summer months, don’t rule them out in winter. Mykonos has recently been named as one of Europe’s top 10 best destinations for a winter sun break, thanks to the lack of rainfall and ‘paradise’ beaches which can be an ideal spot for a scenic stroll.

Of course you won’t get the vibrant nightlife that comes with the peak season crowds, and some of the bars and tavernas may be closed for the season, but there’s still heaps to see and do on the island, from hiking trails to museums and attractions such as its world-famous windmills, without needing to jostle through crowds of tourists for the best views.

Plus as the streets are empty, there’s ample opportunity to enjoy those cobbled streets you’ve seen all over your social media feeds, including those white-washed buildings and blue windows and doors, again without having to fight crowds just to get a photo.

Oh, and those sunsets remain just as spectacular even if they are a little earlier in the evening!

A recent study from the team at Ferryhopper looked at the warmest winter sun destinations, across factors such as the average temperature, average daylight house and hotel prices during the winter months. Mykonos came out as the top Greek destination, taking eighth spot in the top 10 rankings.

There are plenty of direct flights from the UK to Mykonos, with airlines including easyJet and British Airways. In terms of prices, when we took a look on Skyscanner we found return fares from around £110 during the winter months.

It wasn’t just Mykonos which impressed in the rankings. When it came to Greek destinations, Santorini was another island tipped to be a must-visit for Brits who want to enjoy a break where the weather won’t always be dreary and rainy. Again thanks to the lack of tourist crowds during this season, you might be able to get unrivalled views of the island’s world-famous white-washed, blue domed buildings, not to mention some epic viewing spots for those sunsets.

In the meantime if you’re after more winter sun inspiration, you can check out FerryHopper’s top 10 best winter sun destinations below…

1. Malta
2. Majorca
3. Sardinia
4. Kusadasi, Turkey
5. Split, Croatia
6. Piran, Slovenia
7. Vlorë, Albania,
8. Mykonos, Greece
9. Santorini, Greece
10. Bar, Montenegro

Do you have a travel story to tell us? Email us at [email protected].

Germany says it’s possible to temporarily delay sanctions after E3’s top diplomats hold call with Iranian counterpart.

Germany says the “ball is still in Iran’s court” after the French, British and German foreign ministers held talks by phone with their Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, regarding Tehran’s nuclear programme.

Wednesday’s phone call came after the European powers last month triggered a 30-day deadline for “snapback” sanctions to come into force in the absence of a negotiated deal on the Iranian nuclear programme.

A German Federal Foreign Office spokesman told the AFP news agency on Wednesday that the offer from the so-called E3 powers “to discuss a temporary extension of the snapback if Iran fulfils certain conditions remains on the table” but added: “At this point, the steps taken by Iran have not been sufficient.”

Before the call, Tehran called for a “positive approach and goodwill” from the E3.

The E3 has been warning Tehran for weeks that United Nations sanctions could be reimposed by October when a 2015 nuclear agreement between Tehran and major powers expires.

A spokesman for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has warned that renewing the sanctions would have consequences.

The E3 has accused Tehran of violating provisions of the 2015 nuclear pact, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The agreement, which all three countries signed, saw Iran agree to curb its nuclear programme in exchange for a lifting of international sanctions on its economy.

A component of the nuclear deal, the “snapback” mechanism, allows sanctions to be reimposed quickly if Iran is found to be in violation of the accord.

The call, which also included European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, followed an agreement reached by Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) last week on resuming cooperation between Tehran and the UN nuclear watchdog, including in principle the inspection of nuclear sites. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council has backed renewed nuclear inspections.

Earlier in the week, Iran was pushing for a resolution prohibiting attacks on nuclear installations at the IAEA’s General Conference, which started on Monday in Vienna and ends on Friday.

According to Iran’s deputy nuclear chief, Behrouz Kamalvandi, who is in Vienna, the United States is putting pressure on member states to block the resolution and has “even threatened the agency that they will cut off assistance to the organisation”.

During a 12-day conflict in June, Israel and the US struck Iranian nuclear facilities, claiming Iran was getting too close to being able to produce a nuclear weapon, and IAEA inspections were interrupted over security concerns and complaints by Tehran.

Resumed cooperation between Iran and the IAEA is one of the three conditions set by European powers to hold off on completing the UN snapback mechanism, which they invoked in August.

“It is a natural expectation that Iran’s positive approach and goodwill should be reciprocated by the European side. … If some European parties start nagging this is not enough, that would mean they do not accept the IAEA,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Wednesday.

“We hope that with contacts like today’s and future ones, all parties will come to the conclusion that escalating tensions and perpetuating the current situation is not in anyone’s interest.”

Since US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the Iranian nuclear deal in 2018 and reimposed sanctions, the Board of Governors of the IAEA has adopted four Western-backed censure resolutions against Iran, which maintains its nuclear programme is for peaceful civilian purposes.

Neither US intelligence nor the IAEA found earlier this year that Iran was pursuing an atomic weapon.

Avis has ranked the best hidden European castles for a magical and secluded holiday. The list includes a Gothic fortress in Romania and two marvels of the Scottish Highlands

If you’re looking to trade city skylines for castles and rolling landscapes then these European destinations should be on your radar. Home to architecturally impressive and enchanting castles, these holiday spots are ideal for a secluded autumn adventure.

Avis has analysed social media trends, Google search data, TripAdvisor reviews and airport proximity to uncover Europe’s “most magical and secluded castles”. After assessing more than 50 destinations, these are the three that came out on top.

Corvin Castle in Romania was crowned the most secluded castle for a magical European holiday. The dramatic Gothic-Renaissance fortress in Hunedoara is less well-known and documented on social media than flashier landmarks, but that adds to its unique charm.

READ MORE: ‘I found a magical spot for a UK family holiday including beach loved by Royal Family’READ MORE: Underrated city break named Europe’s best for fifth year running—better than Prague

According to Avis, Corvin Castle garnered 18k monthly searches and only 15k Instagram hashtags. Situated slightly out of the way, it is approximately a two-hour drive from Timisoara.

As one of the largest castles in Europe and home to one of Romania’s Seven Wonders, Corvin Castle is said to have imprisoned Vlad the Impaler, the inspiration for Dracula.

Scotland’s hidden gems also feature heavily on the list of magical, secluded castles. Eilean Donan Castle, which is located where three lochs meet in Scotland, earned second place on the list.

Sitting on a tidal island, the castle is one of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks and dates back to the 13th century. However, with only 1000 Instagram hashtags and nearly 50k monthly searches, this destination flies surprisingly low under the radar.

Eilean Donan Castle is ideal for travellers looking to feel transported to another time period, or who wish to make their Highland fairytale come to life.

While the closest airport, Inverness, is about 83 kilometres away, the long drive offers an opportunity to explore the Scottish Highlands and take in feats of nature like Ben Nevis, Glen Coe and Loch Ness. While in Scotland, you could also add a trip to Inveraray Castle to your itinerary, another hidden gem that features on Avis’ top 10 list.

Another castle that deserves a worthy shout-out is Predjama Castle in Slovenia, which ranked third on the most secluded list. Built directly into the mouth of a cave on a cliff face, this castle offers a unique and unreal visual.

Situated 114 kilometres from Ljubljana airport, this castle has an average search volume of 111k and 117k Instagram hashtags according to Avis’ analysis. Dating back over 800 years, the Predjama Castle mixes natural beauty with human innovation and lore.

Full top 10 destination list

• Corvin Castle, Romania
• Predjama Grad, Slovenia
• Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland
• Inveraray Castle, Scotland
• Malbork Castle, Poland
• Hohenschwangau, Germany
• Heidelberg Castle, Germany
• Alcázar de Segovia, Spain
• Castello di Celsa, Italy
• Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg, France

With summer holidays behind us, now’s the perfect time to escape for a city break. Whether it’s a gastronomic getaway in Copenhagen, browsing the vintage stores of Lisbon or getting lost in the twisting, medieval lanes of Carcassonne, we’d love to hear about your favourite destinations in Europe for a short break.

The best tip of the week, chosen by Tom Hall of Lonely Planet wins a £200 voucher to stay at a Coolstays property – the company has more than 3,000 worldwide. The best tips will appear in the Guardian Travel section and website.

Keep your tip to about 100 words

If you have a relevant photo, do send it in – but it’s your words we will be judging for the competition.

We’re sorry, but for legal reasons you must be a UK resident to enter this competition.

The competition closes on Monday 22 September at 10am BST

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Published on 15/09/2025 – 15:34 GMT+2
•Updated
15:53

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A French liberal MEP has gathered signatures from 20 other lawmakers for a letter seen by Euronews calling on the European Commission to review its commitment made under the EU-US trade agreement to purchase US energy.

In the document— soon to be sent to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, and Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen—the MEPs led by Christophe Grudler of Renew call on the EU executive to reconsider its pledge to buy $750 billion worth of US energy products over the next three years.

These products include liquefied natural gas (LNG), oil, nuclear fuels, and small modular reactors (SMRs). The signatories argue the deal will undermine the EU’s climate goals, industrial competitiveness, and strategic sovereignty.

“Increasing LNG imports from US shale gas directly undermines our climate agenda and our methane emissions regulation,” the letter says, adding: “LNG is highly polluting when liquefied, shipped across the Atlantic and regasified. Such dependence is a climate time-bomb.”

The initiative was launched by Christophe Grudler, a French MEP from the liberal Renew group.

The letter also warns that beyond energy concerns, the deal risks exposing the EU to “political blackmail”, the US demanding changes to EU climate policies, including the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, under which the bloc will apply levies on the carbon footprint of foreign imports from 1 January 2026.

The energy purchase commitment forms part of the EU-US agreement reached over the summer.

Some MEPs view the arrangement as deeply unbalanced, given that the US continues to impose 15% tariffs on EU goods, while the EU has agreed to make major investments in the US, including in the energy and defence sectors.

‘Economic imbalance’

In their letter to the Commission, MEPs also slam what they describe as the “economic imbalance” created by the pledge to purchase $250 billion’s worth of energy over three years. 

The letter describes this figure as “astronomical” adding: “To put this in perspective, the entire Competitiveness Fund proposed in the MFF amounts to €362 billion over seven years. How can we ask European companies to massively buy from the US while urging them to strengthen our competitiveness at home?”

The inclusion of US small modular reactors in the deal has also raised concerns among MEPs.

“At a time when the EU is building its own SMR supply chain, opening the door to US competitors is total nonsense.”

They further stress that commercial decisions “should remain the prerogative of companies, not be preempted by political pledges.”

The European Union will implement new measures against Israel and further raise support for Ukraine, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said.

In her annual State of the Union address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday, von der Leyen condemned the situation in Gaza as “catastrophic”, announcing plans to cut support for Israel and implement sanctions.

She also noted plans to further raise support for Ukraine, urging EU members – some of which are likely to be unenthusiastic – to rally behind the measures on both issues.

“Man-made famine can never be a weapon of war. For the sake of the children, for the sake of humanity, this must stop,” the EU chief declared.

The proposed “package of measures” includes sanctions on “extremist Israeli ministers” and settlers, a suspension of bilateral support for Israel, and a suspension of the EU’s association agreement with Israel, which gives it preferential access to European markets.

“Europe needs to do more,” said von der Leyen, adding that while she would attempt to move the bloc in unison, EU member states also needed to take “our own responsibility” on the issue.

“Europe’s goal has always been the same. Real security for Israel and a safe, present future for all Palestinians,” she said.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar was quick to slam the EU chief and claimed that she was offering support to Palestinian armed groups, including Hamas.

“The remarks made this morning by the President of the European Commission are regrettable. Some of them also echo the false propaganda of Hamas and its partners,” Saar wrote on social media. “Once again, Europe is sending the wrong message, which strengthens Hamas and the radical axis in the Middle East.”

Reparations and returns for Ukraine

Regarding Ukraine, von der Leyen said she was proposing a summit to coordinate international efforts to secure the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.

The use of frozen Russian assets to fund a “reparations loan” for Ukraine was also put forward in the speech, although von der Leyen said the bloc would not seize the assets itself.

The address came shortly after Polish and NATO forces shot down Russian drones that had violated Poland’s airspace. The EU chief branded Moscow’s actions “reckless and unprecedented”.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the EU has imposed 18 rounds of sanctions on it, targeting its economy, individuals and key sectors such as fuel, as well as nearly 140 billion euros ($164bn) in support to Ukraine, including financial, humanitarian, and military assistance.

Von der Leyen said as the EU prepares its 19th package of sanctions against Moscow, it will seek to accelerate efforts to phase out all purchases of Russian fossil fuels, as well as sanctioning the shadow oil shipping fleet used to circumvent such measures and any third countries involved.

Coalition of the unwilling?

However, Brussels is likely to encounter obstacles to such ambitions. Unanimous agreement is required to impose sanctions, and Hungary and Slovakia remain dependent on Russian energy and have blocked previous actions.

The 27-member bloc also remains divided over action regarding Israel’s war on Gaza, which started after Hamas led deadly attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.

Sanctions and the suspension of the trade agreement would require the approval of all 27 states, and could meet resistance from the likes of the Czech Republic, Hungary and Germany.

Other member states, such as Spain or Ireland, have been calling for economic curbs and an arms embargo against Israel for some time.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has said the “double standards” demonstrated by the West over the wars in Ukraine and Gaza threaten to undermine its global standing.

However, other member states have obstructed efforts to take action and continue to supply the Israeli military with arms and equipment.

Ranging into other topics, von der Leyen defended the much-criticised tariffs deal she agreed recently with Washington, saying it stabilised ties with the United States at a time of soaring global tensions and averted trade war “chaos”.

She also asserted that the EU needs a new sanctions system targeting people smugglers and traffickers, adding it should be part of measures allowing the bloc to manage migration “effectively”.

On the Beach and Lancashire Tea unveiled a brand-new teabag that, in their own words, “will tackle the age-old gripe of why a holiday cuppa never quite tastes like one at home”

This summer a travel company and tea brand attempted to solve a problem that has been plaguing British holidaymakers for centuries.

After months of research, testing and more than a thousand cups of tea, On the Beach and Lancashire Tea unveiled a brand-new teabag that, in their own words, “will tackle the age-old gripe of why a holiday cuppa never quite tastes like one at home.”

It is one of life’s most recognisable issues. You arrive in a resort in Spain, France or Portugal, pop the kettle on and then discover the only tea bag on offer is a Lipton’s. Worse still, the milk provided is UHT. Despite your best efforts to persevere, the resultant cup is even less tasty than the sum of its parts.

Weaker holidaymakers have been driven straight to the all-inclusive bar.

READ MORE: ‘No way to escape the crowds’ as three major factors shift Spain’s peak seasonREAD MORE: Tourists warned to swerve Europe’s ‘most overrated city’ and head to quieter alternative instead

According to world-renowned tea expert Jane Pettigrew, it is not tribal brand loyalty that has blinded Brits to the pleasures of European tea. It is genuinely worse (or different at least). And for two main reasons.

The first is the type of tea.

According to Jane, the colonial history of European countries has left the Continent’s various populations with very different tastes in tea.

Brits “still choose to drink cheap black tea grown in India, Sri Lanka or East Africa, and blended to give a strong, coloury tea without much in the way of subtle and wonderful flavours,” explained Jane, who is an advocate of the more complex, subtler flavours delivered by loose-leaf teas from countries including China.

Broadly speaking, in Germany, Spain, Italy and Portugal tea is bought from Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam which has a “flavour profile blended (which) is gentler, thinner, less robust than British blends and therefore British tourists don’t like” it.

Another differentiating factor is milk.

“Most Brits still put milk in their tea (and still sometimes sugar, although I think the use of sugar has reduced a little). That style of tea is very British and is due to the fact that British colonies were in the regions of the world from which our tea comes (India, Sri Lanka, and East African countries such as Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, etc), which all started growing tea under British colonial rule,” Jane explained.

“France on the other hand (as well as some African colonies) had colonies in French Indochina (Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos) where Chinese-style teas have been grown since the days of colonisation. So the sort of teas that the French drink tend to be lighter, more subtle, never with added milk or sweetener.”

READ MORE: You’re probably making one big booking mistake that gets you the worst roomREAD MORE: ‘I went on UK rail route named world’s most beautiful and it lived up to the hype’

Jane, who has won many different tea-related awards during her long career and is the author of World of Tea, despairs at the sense of superiority that many Brits have when it comes to a cuppa.

“Brits are really picky about how they like their tea, and don’t want those other types of lighter blends or specialty teas that Europeans choose,” she told me.

“The fact that Brits see their chosen brands of cheap black tea in paper tea bags as superior is evidence that they actually know nothing about tea. In general, Brits expect their daily brew to be cheap, strong and robust. In fact, what they prefer to drink is actually without any real subtle flavour, and is cheap because the cost of the types of tea that go into our traditional blends has hardly increased since the 1950s.”

Whether indeed picky or suffering from an unfounded sense of superiority, many Brits are convinced the teabag is the source of the issue. More than two-thirds (66%) of tea-drinking Brits admit to taking their own teabags on holiday with them, according to an On the Beach poll.

Even if you are armed with a solid supply of Yorkshire Gold or Barry’s before heading onto the Continent, that doesn’t mean your cuppa will be as comforting or delicious as it is at home.

The other major problem with mainland European tea is the water.

“The worst enemies to brewing good tea are limescale, chlorine, and dissolved heavy metals. So I advise everyone, except perhaps in Japan where the water is almost too soft, to use Brita filter taps or jugs to remove most of the offending ingredients,” Jane explained.

If tea is brewed in hard water, as in London and most areas to the north and south of the English capital, it can completely change the colour, aroma, and flavour profile of the brew. Often, this can cause a filmy layer to form on the surface of the tea, making the liquor cloudy.

Jane has carried out taste tests of the same tea bag brewed in filtered and unfiltered water, and says the results are stark. “People don’t believe you that it’s the same tea used for both brews,” she said.

Odds on, the cup of tea that you like will be determined by what you’re used to. And, given this is based on both bag and water, this can be tricky to emulate. For example, in Spain, regions like Burgos and San Sebastián are known for having soft water, whereas cities like Valencia, Malaga, and Almeria have hard water, meaning the brews in each will vary considerably.

Jane’s top tip is to invest in a water filter and to go loose.

“I always take some good loose-leaf tea with me when I travel because once you arrive at your destination, you may not find anything you like that is readily available. And if hotels and restaurants where you are staying don’t have any tea that Brits prefer, it is easier to ask for just hot water and brew your own,” she said.

So in conclusion, continental European tea may well taste rubbish to the British tongue, but only because it’s different.

When it comes to the special On the Beach and Lancashire Tea brew, I gave it a whirl in Sicily this summer. While my mind has not been blown or my life changed, I can confirm it delivered a decent cuppa.

World number one Luke Humphries defended his Czech Open title as he beat Josh Rock 8-5 in the final.

Rock, who had beaten Michael van Gerwen en route to the final, got an early break of throw to go 2-0 up but England’s Humphries broke back and then reeled off a 12-dart leg to level at 3-3.

The pair then traded legs to reach 5-5 before Humphries won the next three legs on the spin against the Northern Irishman.

Humphries sealed victory with a clinical final leg at the PVA Expo in Prague to retain the title he won a year ago and claim the £30,000 top prize.

The 30-year-old’s three-dart average of 93.89 was marginally less than Rock’s 94.1 but his checkout percentage (34.8% versus 26.3%) was superior.

Humphries has now won the tournament three times in four years following his victories in 2022 and 2024 as he earned the eighth PDC European Tour title of his career.

“If it were up to me, I’d have all 14 European Tours held here. You don’t win three times in the same place by accident and it’s clearly special to me,” Humphries said.

“Since winning the Premier League, the past three months have been tough. I’ve struggled at times, and I felt like I dragged Josh down at the start of the game. But I never give in – I always try to find a way.”

World champion Luke Littler was earlier knocked out in the third round, suffering a surprise 6-4 defeat by Dutchman Gian van Veen.

With temperatures of 25C in September and crystal-blue water, this underrated holiday hotspot is a must-visit for those looking to escape the crowds in September.

Italy is a favourite destination for late-summer and early-autumn beach holidays, thanks to its warm weather and status as one of the world’s most visited countries. Even during the shoulder season, top spots like Florence, Rome, and the Amalfi Coast are teeming with tourists.

However, there’s an under-the-radar region in this southern European country that remains largely untouched by international crowds – but probably not for much longer. This stunning part of Italy boasts sandy beaches so pristine they’re likened to the Maldives and enjoys balmy weather with average highs of 25C in September.

While Italians are well-acquainted with Puglia, it’s not usually the first place that springs to mind when planning a beach holiday in Europe.

Nestled between the Adriatic and Ionian seas and shaped like the heel of Italy’s boot, Puglia has a vast coastline peppered with dreamy coves, limestone cliffs and picture-perfect bays.

Among them is Polignano a Mare, a delightful coastal town perched on cliffs. Its small cove beach, Lama Monachile, is famous for its crystal-clear water and white pebbles, all framed by dramatic, rugged cliffs, reports the Express.

Further down south, Santa Maria di Leuca is the southernmost point of the region where two seas converge.

It’s an ideal spot for a sunset cruise or paddleboarding into caves before enjoying dinner at a local trattoria serving fresh seafood, orecchiette pasta, and robust Salento wine.

Inland, you’ll find the enchanting town of Alberobello, renowned for its UNESCO-listed trulli – traditional whitewashed stone huts with conical roofs. Many have been transformed into luxurious holiday accommodations, offering a truly local experience.

Just a short drive away, the dazzling white town of Ostuni, also known as La Città Bianca, boasts cobbled lanes and panoramic terraces. Nearby Brindisi provides easy access to the region, often with cheaper flights than other Italian hubs.

Puglia also serves as the perfect starting point for exploring the incredibly popular Matera in the neighbouring Basilicata region.

It’s the third-oldest city in the world, after Aleppo and Jericho, boasting over 10,000 years of history, and is famous for its ancient cave homes and rupestrian churches with hand-painted walls.

Naturally, no visit to Puglia would be complete without delving into its food culture. This is the land of burrata, orecchiette, and full-bodied wines like Primitivo, Negroamaro, and Salice Salentino.

The Istrian peninsula is one of the most underrated destinations in Europe and is the perfect place to soak up some September sunshine – and what’s better? Flights can cost as little as £20

September has arrived, and with the school holidays now officially behind us, it presents the ideal opportunity for a spontaneous getaway to prolong summer and soak up some rays before the lengthy winter nights set in.

Whilst France, Spain and Italy remain the go-to destinations for British holidaymakers, anyone who’s experienced Venice will tell you that swarms of tourists can completely destroy any hopes of a peaceful break.

However, one location that’s frequently overshadowed by its more famous neighbours has been hailed as the ideal spot to bask in some September sunshine – and here’s the cherry on top – flights can be snapped up for as little as £20.

Tucked away at Croatia’s most northern tip, and merely kilometres from both Slovenia and Italy, the Istrian peninsula stands as one of Europe’s most undervalued gems.

Encircled by the crystal-clear turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea, this destination is perfect for those seeking coastal adventures, both cultural and gastronomic, reports the Express.

Istria is frequently passed over in favour of its southern counterparts like Dubrovnik or Split, yet it offers a superior alternative for avoiding the masses.

Featured as one of Lonely Planet’s premier September hotspots, the travel bible declared: “Overflowing with asparagus, olives and oysters, there are few tastier destinations than Istria, the triangular peninsula nudging into the Adriatic in far northwest Croatia.

“And there are few tastier times to explore Istria than September, when grapes are harvested and truffles ripen beneath the forest floor.”

Istrians are passionate about their truffles, and a stroll through Pula, the region’s principal city, reveals market stalls and shops selling this culinary treasure in various forms – as crisps, preserved in oil, or served whole.

To build up an appetite before indulging in the delightful Adriatic gastronomy, take a walk through this ancient settlement and discover its massive Roman amphitheatre. Often confused with the Colosseum, Pula Arena stands as the sole surviving ancient theatre where all four corner towers remain completely intact.

Like much of Croatia’s shoreline, the beaches feature mainly pebbles with some rocky inlets, occasional sandy patches, and are encircled by verdant vegetation.

Dramatic islands also dot this peninsula, providing the perfect setting for sunrise views that create an unforgettable panorama.

Following a day of sea swimming, you’ll have built up quite a thirst, and fortunately for wine enthusiasts, Croatia crafts some excellent vintages.

The guide added: “But for the real gastro treats, crank up the calf muscles and explore the truffle-centric hilltop settlements of medieval Motovun, Buzet and tiny Hum in the north, and the wine regions around Buje and Momjan to the northwest – white Malvasia and red Teran are top local tipples.”

Ryanair operates direct services to Pula from several UK airports, with September flights available for as little as £23 at the time of writing. For those preferring to stay closer to home, the guide also recommends a September break to the Cotswolds.