expensive

FORMER Love Islander Maura Higgins was given a £17,000 Birkin bag by the man who betrayed her on the final of The Traitors US.

Maura, 35, was fooled when American snake wrangler and TV personality Rob Rausch nabbed all the £165,000 prize money.

But he made it up to her by giving her a burgundy Hermès Togo Birkin 30 bag on Bravo TV show Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.

Maura said: “See this is my win.

“I knew I’d have my moment.

“You’re forgiven.

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“I love her.

“She’s beautiful.”

She also poked fun at herself for not guessing Rob was a Traitor by wearing a T-shirt with “I’m dumb?” printed on it.

Maura was later pictured leaving the Bravo TV studios in New York wearing a white outfit with huge fur collar and cuffs.

She also spoke to Elle USA, about the moment she was betrayed in the final.

She said: “The crazy thing about it is, I always have something to say.

“And in that moment — I don’t think I’ll ever forget it — I was genuinely speechless.

“I couldn’t speak.

“It was so crazy.

“Even my mum, she was, like, ‘You always have something to say’.

“And I was like, ‘But I genuinely believed he was a Faithful.

“Honestly, winning best-dressed of the castle, being runner-up on a show that I have never watched, and I’m getting a free Birkin, for me, that’s a win.

“I don’t need anything else.

“I genuinely don’t.

“That is a win.”

However, her movie career is off to an underwhelming start — her debut film, The Spin, took just £12,000 in its opening weekend in the UK and Ireland.

ONE country in Asia with incredible mountain scenery, Alpine lakes and a vibrant capital city is now so much cheaper for Brits to explore.

To encourage more holidaymakers to visit, Armenia has dropped visa fees, ahead of a budget airline beginning direct flights in just a few months.

Armenia isn’t a popular holiday destination for Brits yet, but this could soon change as it has scrapped visa entry requirements for the first half of 2026.

Travellers can stay in Armenia for up to 180 days within a one year period.

The rules are less strict to encourage tourism, particularly longer holidays as well as short city breaks.

Previously, the visa system meant travellers had to apply and pay a fee to enter the country – which at its most expensive cost around £30 and for a stay of up to 120 days.

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Lusine Gevorgyan, chairman of the tourism committee of Armenia, said: “This decision is a clear invitation to travellers around the world. Armenia is open and welcoming, and we look forward to sharing our culture, landscapes and hospitality with more visitors throughout 2026.

“With its ancient monasteries, dramatic mountain scenery, vibrant food scene and rich traditions, Armenia offers travellers a unique blend of history and modern life.

“From exploring Yerevan’s cafe culture and museums to discovering hiking trails and Unesco World Heritage sites, the country provides diverse experiences year-round.”

In a few months, Brits will be able to visit Armenia very easily as one budget airline will begin direct routes.

Wizz Air has gained new slot at London Luton Airport and will fly to  Yerevan, the capital of Armenia.

The flights will start on June 8, 2026 – these will be the only direct flight routes from the UK.

In August, one-way flights are as little as £38 and will take just over five hours.

The direct flights from Wizz Air will stop on October 23, 2026.

Armenia is incredibly affordable too.

Last year, travel insurance company HelloSafe studied the average daily budget required by travellers in 131 countries.

Taking into account expenses like accommodation, food, and transport, Armenia came out as being the sixth cheapest destination.

According to Wise, a meal at an inexpensive restaurant is on average £8.85 with a local beer costing as little as £1.57 and a coffee is under £3.

The country shares borders with Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Iran.

In the capital of Yerevan there’s lots to see like Yerevan Cascade which is a giant, art-filled stairway which has incredible views of the Mount Ararat mountain which sits across the border in Turkey.

Also in Yerevan is Republic Square, the central town square in the city which is a symbol of Armenia.

The buildings in the square include the Government House, the History Museum, the National Gallery and Armenia Marriott Hotel.

It also has huge fountains that are lit up and in the summer there’s even an evening show.

For those wanting to pick up a souvenir, head to Vernissage Market which sells handmade crafts, artwork, and jewellery.

An hour outside of is the popular spot of Lake Sevan which is one of the world’s highest freshwater alpine lakes.

It’s popular in the summertime with swimmers and those wanting to bask on its sandy banks.

The best time to visit Armenia is between May and June as well as autumn between September and October due to the mild temperatures up to 25C.

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For more on cheap holiday destinations, one in Asia is getting a new £168million airport.

And one man who left the UK to travel on £35 a day loved this unheard of destination with fairytale canyons.