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Winning tip: ebike tour of Sardinia’s west coast

We explored Sardinia’s wild west coast by ebike with Bosa Bike Experience, who had us whizzing up into vertiginous mountain villages with views of the sparkling azure sea, then back down in time for mirto spritz at a sunset bar right on the seafront. Then back into Bosa’s maze of colourful cobbled streets for delicious Sardinian specialities like seafood fregola, smoked ricotta and wine from local vines grown on volcanic soil. The nearby beaches were perfect – some family-friendly, others wild and deserted.
Emma

A spectacular Italian hotel beneath Sorrento’s cliffs

One of my favourite autumn escapes is the Hotel Admiral (doubles from about £140 B&B) snuggled into the cliff face of Sorrento. I would spend my mornings here dozing on warm black sand and swimming in the sea, pleasantly warm after having had summer to heat up. At about two o’clock, the sun retreats behind the cliffs, leaving afternoons for wandering a network of shady passages and rickety stairways that lead to charming restaurants and shops. Come evening, lambent orange lamplight cloaks the village in sleepy romance while wine taverns murmur Italian music. And, ever-present across the bay is looming, magnificent Vesuvius.
Catrina Conway

Cycling in the golden light of Tuscany

Lucca is a perfect late summer escape, bathed in golden Tuscan light and alive with cultural charm. Its tree-lined Renaissance walls invite leisurely bike rides, while the car-free old town offers tranquil strolls through winding alleys and piazzas. In September, the city glows during the Luminara di Santa Croce, a candlelit procession that transforms Lucca into a living artwork. Markets brim with seasonal produce, and nearby vineyards begin their harvest. Whether you’re savouring buccellato in a shaded cafe or climbing Torre Guinigi for rooftop views to the Apennines, Lucca blends serenity, history and sensory delight. It’s ideal for those seeking warmth without the crowds.
Catherine Taylor

The party boats have left Formentera – but not the sunshine

Ibiza’s quieter sister, Formentera, is bliss once the August party boats depart. By early September the heat has mellowed, but the sea still feels like silk. Hire a bike at La Savina, pedal along pine-scented lanes to the dazzling sands of Platja de ses Illetes, then linger over sunset paella at a chiringuito (beach bar) as flamingos swoop across the nearby salt flats. With most day-trippers gone, even the island’s lone lighthouse at La Mola feels yours alone, and off-season ferry deals from Ibiza make this pocket-sized paradise surprisingly gentle on the wallet.
Azeem

A French B&B that has the Lot

For a gentle late-summer escape, head to Le Relais du Chien Bleu (doubles from €80 a night), a hidden B&B on the Lot-Aveyron border. Set in a 19th-century townhouse, it serves superb vegan dishes (yes, in France!) made from local market produce. Stroll down to the Lot River, nibble figs straight from the trees, and wander the medieval streets of Capdenac-Le-Haut, while the nearby railway town of Capdenac adds historic charm. With fewer crowds and warm, attentive hosts, this is the perfect spot to savour the relaxed rhythms of rural southern France as summer eases into autumn.
Liam

Ancient island trails scented with thyme, Greece

For a blissful late-season escape, head to the Cyclades island of Sifnos a few hours on a ferry from Piraeus, Athens’ main port. The summer crowds have faded, but the sun still warms the quiet beaches and whitewashed villages. Enjoy fresh seafood at harbour tavernas, hike ancient trails scented with wild thyme, and join locals at gentle evening festivals. With lower prices and a slower pace, Sifnos reveals its authentic charm – perfect for unwinding before autumn truly arrives.
Sandra

Wander Roman ruins in Portugal’s Alentejo

The Alentejo basks in golden light well into late September and October. The region stretches from cork oak forests to wild Atlantic beaches, with daytime temperatures still hovering above 20C. In the whitewashed town of Évora, Roman ruins and quiet plazas invite slow wandering. Farther west, the coastline near Vila Nova de Milfontes offers warm surf and near-empty sands. Alentejo is languid and sun-drenched, a secret escape where summer lingers and time seems to pause.
Matthew Healy

Take the Tarragona train in Spain

Tarragona is really easy to reach by Eurostar, TGV, then local train from Barcelona. Self-catering accommodation in the old city centre is within apartment buildings that may well incorporate the ancient city walls or the foundations of the Roman circus and mean you can experience living like a local with narrow communal staircases and markets on your doorstep. Outdoor tables at restaurants are delightful well into autumn and the waves at the beach are still warm. Entrance to the amphitheatre is only €5 (beat that Rome!) where you can see surviving painted wall plaster.
Amy

Agritourism amid Ottoman splendour in Albania

The Unesco-listed town of Berat, nicknamed the “town of a thousand windows”, not only offers amazing places to see such as castles, Ottoman-era houses, museums and so on, but also it’s a perfect place for agritourism. If you want to experience harvesting fruits such as grapes and figs (Alpeta is one of the many vineyards and farms offering agritourism), then September is an ideal time to visit.
Gentian Agalliu

Stay on a rewilded nature reserve, south-west France

The sleepy woods of south-west France are wonderful for a late summer break. Stay near Limoges at Le Moulin de Pensol (gîtes from €60 a night), run as a nature reserve with plenty of rewilded land. Mushrooms take over from butterflies as the main September attraction, with the advantage that they stay still for photos. I walked miles along golden, leaf-lined trails in the Périgord-Limousin natural regional park. The annual chestnut festival at Dournazac completed the autumn package.
Rachel

A PARENT was left baffled after she was scorned by her child’s school for ‘failing snack time’.

The mum received a passive-aggressive note which accused her of breaking the “classroom policy”.

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She shared a snap of the letter and told her followers: “Day 1 of school and I’ve already failed snack time.

“Strong start, mom,” she added.

Her child had taken pretzels into class, which, according to the note, is one of three foods that are banned from school grounds.

The note read: “Your child’s snack of pretzels today did not meet our 4K classroom snack policy.

“Please make sure to send only fruits, vegetables, meat, cheese or yoghurt for their snack.

“Goldfish, popcorn and pretzels are not allowed for 4K students.

“If your child was without another snack, they were offered a classroom snack in place of this non-approved snack.

“Thank you for helping keep our 4K students safe due to severe classroom allergies.

The teacher added: “If you have any questions, please let me know. Thanks!”

The post was reshared by an influencer, and the identity of the parent and the school in question is currently unknown.

The controversial note sparked conversation in the comment section, with one saying: “Those snack restrictions are insane.”

“Please make a charcuterie board and send it,” joked another.

“Please send a rotisserie chicken,” said a third.

“Please send only perishable snacks so your 5yo lets it rot in their bag all day until snack time, thanks,” echoed another.

One wrote: “Good morning darling, please remember to take your snack time ribeye with you. Have a great day!”

The post was also shared on Reddit, where one person argued: “Speaking as a teacher: I hate teachers who are militant about snacks.

“So many families are just barely holding on, and you’re going to crawl up someone’s a** about food?”

Whilst many of the people who saw the post made a joke out of the situation, allergies are an incredibly serious matter.

Benedict Blythe died when he was just five years old after accidental exposure to cow’s milk protein in 2021.

Benedict had asthma and several allergies, including eggs, nuts, kiwi fruit and milk.

His parents had worked with the school to put together an allergy action plan in case of a reaction.

The school was responsible for storing oat milk in the staff fridge, which was labelled with the child’s name, and pouring it into Benedict’s cup in the classroom before handing it directly to him.

However, the jury inquest found that, on the day of his death, that process was not followed because his milk had been poured in the staff room rather than the classroom.

His parents were called to pick him up after he vomited and later “collapsed”.

Benedict was rushed to hospital but tragically couldn’t be saved and died later that day.

This year, his sister, Etta, six, took a petition to Downing Street to campaign for higher food safety regulations in schools.

She was joined by five other primary school students who took placards and the letter to Whitehall.

They called for Benedict’s Law to be implemented across the country to end the “postcode lottery” of allergy safeguards in schools.

Etta and friends joined other children affected by allergies to stand in front of No 10 and knocked on the door to hand over the petition signed by more than 13,000 people.

It comes following July’s jury inquest into Benedict’s death at Peterborough Town Hall, which found that Barnack Primary School, between Stamford and Peterborough, did not follow all the measures in place to prevent the fatal anaphylactic reaction.

It also found there were risks of contamination and delays in administering the adrenaline pen.

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Evelyn Plummer, the soap battle axe played by Dame Maureen Lipman, returned to Coronation Street on Friday after several months away as she helped celebrate Swarla’s engagement

Evelyn Plummer returned to Coronation Street on Friday after several months away.

The battleaxe, who is played by Dame Maureen Lipman, was last seen on the ITV soap for a brief appearance in March, but has mostly been away at university.

On Friday night, fans were delighted to see her make a return as she appeared in the hospital and bumped into Roy Cropper (David Neilson) as he was waiting for an appointment to get his bad back checked out.

In typical Evelyn style, she stormed down the hospital ward with a girl in a wheelchair, who was dressed as legendary painter Frida Kahlo for freshers’ week, as she complained about how complicated the signage was.

READ MORE: Coronation Street fans predict history-making plot for anniversary as Swarla engagedREAD MORE: Coronation Street’s Maureen Lipman getting married this weekend after proposing on train

She fumed: “I’m telling you, I am a highly intelligent woman and this signage is a challenge to me! Oh Roy!” When she explained that the girl with her had sustained an ankle injury whilst partying, she asked Roy what he was doing there.

She suggested ‘bobbing about on a beach ball’ to ameliorate his bad back as she said: “It’s all the rage in halls, nobody sits on a chair anymore!”

In the next scene, Evelyn explained that her fellow university student had had an allergic reaction to the glue she had used to secure her fake eyebrows on so was being kept in overnight.

Roy told Evelyn of the happy news that Carla Connor and Lisa Swain had got engaged and that they would soon be celebrating at the Bistro, so Evelyn promptly invited herself along. Carla was thrilled to see that Roy had made it to the party having already asked him to walk her down the aisle, and Evelyn threw her coat at her as she said: “We bumped into each other in the hospital!”

Carla said she she hoped it was ‘nothing serious’ but couldn’t have been less interested in the response. Evelyn then dropped a huge hint for someone to buy her a drink and asked for a double brandy.

She added: “Mind you, should I have a drink on an empty stomach?” as Nick offered to get her something from the kitchen. As she continued to gatecrash the proceedings, she said: “This is quite sophisticated for Weathefield.

“We’ve got loads of lesbians at uni! Gay weddings are two a penny. A month ago, we had a throuple handfasting, yep! That was nice.”

This all came after Carla and Lisa had already been dealt with a whole load of drama when a girl claiming to be Tia Wardley turned up on the scene, although all was not as it seemed.

Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.

Herring festival in The Hague

Despite its name, Flag Day (Vlaggetjesdag) in Scheveningen – a seaside resort close to The Hague – is actually more about fresh herring. Fishmongers bring in the first catch of the year in June, the hollandse nieuwe, and mark the start of the herring season with festivities, marching bands, wearing traditional costumes, and even an auction of the first vat of fish to raise money for charity. Don’t miss the chance to share a jenever (gin) with a Scheveninger, who will tell you how this year’s herring compares with last year’s.
Olivia

Flatbread heaven in Bosnia and Herzegovina

On the road from Sarajevo to Mostar, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, there is a small bakery in the town of Ostrožac called Pekara Centar. There, for less than a euro, you can enjoy lepinja with kajmak – a charred traditional flatbread made in a stone oven and filled with a rich, creamy spread from a local dairy. The bakery is on one of the most picturesque roads through the Neretva River canyon, making this delicious bite even more special.
AG

Catch of the day in Bavaria

In the beautiful surrounds of Chiemsee, southern Germany, my partner and I enjoyed a lunch of fresh fish at the family-run Chiemseefischerei Stephan, just west of the lake. With just a couple of options available on each daily menu, we didn’t have to faff around with a complicated order, and instead enjoyed the simplicity of the fish, rich potatoes, crisp salad and local Bavarian weissbier in the modern wood-panelled room. There was also Chiemsee sushi on the menu. I remember stepping out of the restaurant afterwards into the bright sunshine, hand in hand with my partner, mountains in the distance, and thinking: could life get any better?
Ellen

A mountainous feast in Kosovo

After scaling Kosovo’s highest peak, Gjeravica, Gacaferi Guest House provides delicious home-cooked food in an idyllic setting surrounded by mountains and shepherds herding flocks. Expect delicious byrek (savoury pastry), fergesë (Albanian red peppers and feta cheese), speca në ajkë (fermented peppers with yoghurt), and homemade cheese – all cooked over a wood fire and washed down with local rakia.
Ross Cameron

A brilliant kitchen garden in the Czech Republic

In the off-the-beaten-path Klatovy region of the Czech Republic’s south-west, I spent a few days driving around rolling countryside, climbing lookout towers and cooling off in rivers while looking out for kingfishers. The food scene was surprisingly excellent, with the highlight being Hospůdka U Štěpána, a fantastic restaurant near Sušice. A huge kitchen garden provides most of the produce, accompanying the wide range of different steaks from self-reared charolais beef. Fried courgette flowers followed by striploin in chimichurri sauce were some highlights in our August visit, along with the rustic vibe and more than fair price.
Enrico

My favourite pizza in Rome

Having tested a few pizza-piazza combinations in Rome, we enjoyed a pizza from Antico Forno Roscioli sitting on the kerb in Piazza Navona. It’s a 500-metre walk from the 19th-century bakery to the 15th-century public space (built atop the first-century Circus Agonalis). It’s the best pizza in Rome (in my humble view) and a relatively uncrowded and spectacular baroque spectacle of a square (oval?).
Daniel Becker

Gourmet cycling in the Netherlands

We caught the train to Groningen in the Netherlands and spent five days cycling its extensive paths. Every night we indulged in a four-course, fine-dining experience. Ginger soup or fried polenta with wasabi, local beef or salmon tartare followed by organic Dutch cheeses, and a liquorice sorbet with blackberry creams. Perfect after a 30-mile cycle ride, and a constant source of conversation.
Sophie

Jazz and open-air dining in rural France

We stumbled across the biodynamic vineyard La Guinguette du Domaine Gayrard in Virac, north-east of Toulouse, and found that not only did it produce some lovely wines but it also hosted a guinguette (open air dining from a simple menu with live music) during the summer months. We booked for dinner and were blown away. This gastronomic triumph was complimented by the most beautiful surroundings: we sat outside, looking over the vineyards as mellow jazz was played and the chef cooked our meal from a trailer. A truly unexpected gourmet experience.
Rachael

Honest hospitality in northern Italy

At Ca’Ordano in the hills of Monferrato, the tasting was simple but unforgettable. A glass of nebbiolo red wine came first with a simple plate of local salami and cheeses. Then, agnolotti pasta filled with roast beef, perfectly paired with a rich monferrato rosso. The visit was small-scale and personal, with no fuss or ceremony, just honest hospitality and food rooted in terroir – they’d hate me for calling it that, but it is what it is: a quiet, undiscovered corner of Piedmont with true flavours among the rolling hills.
Mariateresa Boffo

Winning tip: the old Crete ways are the best

In the hills west of Rethymno there is Atsipopoulo village, famous for Ta Souvlakia tou Gagani, a lovely restaurant sitting in a beautiful church courtyard. But a tiny restaurant called O Manolis, sitting in a less-illustrious location (the seating occupies empty parking spaces off the main street), embodies everything good about rural Crete. Deliciousness beyond description is produced in that restaurant and served with genuine Greek warmth. With no menu, Manolis serves whatever is harvested that day from his garden, declaring confidently it’s the greatest in Europe, or what he hunts and forages from the hills in the old Cretan way.
Rory Ferguson

Georgia Fowkes is a travel advisor who spends a lot of time in the UK and says there is one beach that is so special it gives her ‘goosebumps every single time’

A travel adviser has revealed the one UK beach that gives her goosebumps every time she visits. Georgia Fowkes, a travel advisor for Altezza Travel, which boasts a 5/5 rating on TripAdvisor with over 2,000 reviews, is an American based in Pittsburgh who frequently travels the globe and spends ample time with family in the UK.

She has declared Bamburgh beach in Northumberland as her personal favourite. “Bamburgh is the raw North in its purest form: endless sand with a castle rising straight out of the dunes”, she says. “You walk the shoreline and the dark fortress walls reflect in the wet sand, the sea stretching out like the castle’s extension.

“For me, Bamburgh is the best beach in Britain because it ties the vastness of the ocean to the weight of history. This isn’t just a holiday sea – it roars the same way it did centuries ago, when the castle walls faced the same waves I’m watching now. Standing there gives me goosebumps every single time.”

While Bamburgh Beach isn’t the only UK beach where a castle majestically overlooks the sea below, with other examples including Llansteffan and Harlech in Wales, as well as Tintagel in Cornwall, it still stands out as a unique feature of the UK coastline, boasting pristine sand, drifting sand dunes, and a magnificent view of the castle from almost every angle, reports the Express.

Bamburgh has been crowned the UK’s top seaside spot for five consecutive years, earning five-star reviews for its beach, seafront, scenery, and tranquil atmosphere.

One visitor to Bamburgh shared their love for the place with Which?, saying: “It’s a gem. The beaches are sandy, clean, and stretch for miles. There are walks galore, the food on offer is top-notch, the feel is of a time gone by, and there’s enough history to delve into to last several holidays.”

The castle, which boasts a history spanning 3,000 years, is now in the hands of Francis and Claire Watson-Armstrong.

“There is nowhere like Bamburgh. You can see dolphins, the sunsets, the sunrises. You just stand there and breathe in – the smell of the sea. It is unique. As it has been over the centuries, there is something about the soul of the place,” she expressed.

Despite the unpredictable British weather on the harsh North Sea coast, Bamburgh is increasingly becoming a worldwide attraction, drawing tourists from across the globe. It offers several dining and drinking options, including a seafood shack named Creel and Reel, the Victoria Hotel pub, and the Potted Lobster restaurant.

Georgia also mentioned Holkham beach in Norfolk as another favourite spot. She described: “Holkham is cinematic in scale. Dunes and a flat sweep of sand run to the horizon, so far you lose all sense of boundaries.

“It’s no surprise filmmakers chose it for Pride and Prejudice and Shakespeare in Love – standing here, you see why: the landscape itself looks like a film still. I’d call it England’s best beach because it turns a simple walk into a moment you want to hold on to. Empty yet majestic, it’s where sea, sky, and infinite sand shrink you down – but make you feel lucky to be part of the vast picture.”

Alesandra Dubin has flown business class with six airlines including British Airways and Virgin Atlantic but her favourite is one you might never have heard of

For the majority of us, jetting off on holiday means squeezing into an economy seat. The luxury of Business Class is often just a pipe dream due to its hefty price tag.

Yet not all business class experiences are equal. Travel expert Alesandra Dubin has sampled the business class services from six top airlines and has singled out one as particularly exceptional.

Speaking to Business Insider, one of her favourites wasn’t one of the big guns like Etihad, British Airways or Virgin. Instead, it was Fiji Airways‘ business class service. She said: “Flight attendants were attentive from the start, offering pre-flight drinks and warm towels, and there was even complimentary WiFi, a rare perk.”

Following a scrumptious vegetarian meal, Alesandra managed something almost unheard of on long-haul flights – a solid seven hours of sleep.

She attributes this remarkable feat to the Airbus A350’s ultra-comfortable seats that fully recline. She elaborated: “The seat, with direct aisle access, a 17-inch screen, ample storage, and lie-flat recline, was super comfortable.”

Alesandra also enjoyed the novelty of watching the plane’s landing gear via external cameras displayed on her seat-back screen.

Although it was her first time flying business class with Fiji Airways, she expressed eagerness to repeat the experience.

British readers will be pleased to know that Alesandra also spoke highly of UK-based airline British Airways in her international travels.

She lauded the “exceptional” meals on board and was particularly impressed with the beverages, noting: “The wine selection was well-curated, and I opted for a glass of delicious port with my cheese plate.”

Although British Airways didn’t offer complimentary wifi, she considered the £20 charge for in-flight internet to be “fairly priced.”

Virgin Atlantic also received praise but fell slightly short in Alesandra’s view due to the food being “a bit less plentiful” than desired on a 10-hour journey, and the 22-inch seat felt somewhat snug and tricky to adjust.

However, she acknowledged that Virgin’s onboard bar area made it an excellent choice for larger groups flying together.

When it comes to domestic flights within the United States, the travel guru was unequivocal in her preference. She stated: “If you ask me, there’s no superior US airline to Delta, and the competition doesn’t even come close.”

In her opinion, Delta One, which is marketed as business class, actually rivals first-class offerings with its private mini-cabins.

Delta’s perks include free wifi and lie-flat seats that are not only extremely comfortable but also simpler to adjust than those on Virgin, despite being slightly narrower.

Following an exclusive transfer from her plane to a connecting flight via Porsche, Alesandra expressed that Delta’s VIP treatment solidified its position as her top airline choice.

Into a Finnish labyrinth

One of the most magical places I’ve been is Lake Saimaa in eastern Finland – a huge labyrinth of islands and tranquil forests where you don’t come across many people. We rented a lakeside cabin (typically they cost from about €100 a night, sleeping two) and watched the midnight sun shimmer across peaceful waters. Days were spent kayaking between uninhabited islets or hiking pine-scented trails, with only the call of black-throated divers (or loons) for company. We visited the Linnansaari national park on an archipelago in the middle of the vast lake (the largest in Finland and fourth largest freshwater lake in Europe), where encounters with rare Saimaa ringed seals await. It’s nature’s embrace at its purest – remote, quiet and utterly rejuvenating.
Anthony

Canyons and forests in Montenegro

Last autumn, I visited Durmitor national park in northern Montenegro, a quiet and beautiful place in the Dinaric Alps. The road there passed through thick pine forests and opened on to wide valleys surrounded by tall, rocky mountains. I walked to the Black Lake (Crno Jezero), where the water was so still it perfectly reflected the autumn colours of the trees. In the hills, shepherds looked after their sheep, and small villages sold fresh cheese and honey. I also gazed down into Tara River Canyon, which is among Europe’s deepest gorges; right at the bottom, several thousand feet below me, I could see the bright turquoise ribbon of the river.
Lorna Walkden

Cycling through the Bosnian countryside

My partner and I cycled the Ćiro trail in Bosnia Herzegovina. We picked up the trail in Ivanica and followed it for more than 80 miles to Mostar. It follows the route of the Dubrovnik to Mostar railway line, which closed in the 1970s, and has a lot of spooky, bat-filled tunnels. We barely met another person on the route. One night we camped overnight in a pub beer garden because we were worried about mines. Stunning scenery, spooky history, and we saw tortoises on the trail.
Anna Fenton

Pyrenean hideaway, Spain

If there was ever a jaw-dropping way to enter Spain it has to be over the peaks of the Pyrenees to the village of Ochagavía in Navarre. Nestled in the valley of Salazar, its cobbled streets and whitewashed homes are surrounded by rivers, forests and peaks where walkers mingle with birds of prey, chamois, marmots and an occasional hermit. When civilisation and replenishment are needed, Sidrería Kixkia, a restaurant in Ochagavía, will fill your very grateful tank with local cider and a very meaty menu.
Liz Owen Hernandez

Remote islands off northern Germany

We stayed at the charming seaside resort of Cuxhaven in Germany and took the horse-drawn carriage over mud flats to visit the tidal island Neuwerk with its extraordinary 700-year-old lighthouse. I’d also recommend a ferry trip beyond Neuwerk to incredible Heligoland island to see the 47-metre-high Lange Anna sea stack and the large gannet colony. You can see the craters left by the British in 1947 when the occupying authorities decided to blow up the remaining German military installations on the island in one giant explosion, having already bombed the island severely in 1945. Yet the tiny island with its red cliffs and grassy plateau survived somehow, and is now home to more than 1,000 people.
Sue Kyson

Kayaking between icebergs, Iceland

Starting in Reykjavík, with my 15-year-old, I took a rental car for a road trip, staying in small hotels and hostels on the way. We went kayaking between icebergs in the Jökulsárlón lagoon, snowmobiling and ice-climbing on the Sólheimajökull glacier and whale-watching near Húsavík. We were amazed to see the molten lava on the Reykjanes peninsula, as well as the interactive volcano museum near Vik. Highlights for my teen included taking a ferry to the island of Grímsey to snorkel with puffins while they were diving for fish.
Karen Guenzl

Brittany’s quiet side

Tucked away in western Morbihan, an hour from Vannes and the Breton coast, Inguiniel is a quiet corner of Brittany, where rolling hills and forests invite you to slow down. We stayed at picture-perfect Camping Pont Calleck, which was ideal as a walking and cycling base. From there we cycled to Le Faouët, a town with a pretty square, a 16th-century market hall, and striking gothic chapels. As evening fell, our ride took us along the River Scorff past weirs and watermills and eventually to a quiet auberge for a traditional Breton meal.
Kevin Atkins

Winning tip: bathed in constant daylight, Norway’s Svalbard

The Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard (which used to be called Spitzbergen) in summer is bathed in constant daylight because it is entirely within the Arctic Circle. Dog sledding on wheels is a great way to experience this remote landscape, guiding your teams of eager huskies over the tundra, past mountains necklaced with puffy Arctic cottongrass flowers. Boat trips, passing near the town of Barentsburg, the inhabitants of which are mostly Russian, allow closeup views of slumbering walruses, minke whales and dozens of seals. Nearby, huge cliffs at Alkhornet are the breeding ground for thousands of birds, and below the nests, arctic foxes wait patiently for their next meal. Afterwards, rent a floating sauna cabin, leaping into the sea to cool off.
Caroline

A SUPERSTAR Cheltenham Festival-winning horse has been blocked from a £175,000 race – amid a row over his handicap mark.

A Dream To Share won the Champion Bumper in 2023 and looked like being the sport’s next big name for legendary owner JP McManus.

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But he failed to win a race in his next season over hurdles and only recently returned to the winner’s enclosure with a 1m7f victory on the Flat at Leopardstown in June.

Iconic owner McManus entered the horse, who is trained in Ireland by John Kiely, for the Cesarewitch handicap at Newmarket on October 11.

He was made 7-1 favourite for the 2m2f marathon on the Flat with BetVictor while other firms made him joint-favourite.

But, as things stand, the seven-year-old gelding with almost £200,000 in winnings is not allowed to run because the Irish handicapper has twice refused to give him a mark, according to the Nick Luck Daily podcast.

McManus has apparently appealed the decision with the Irish and British boards.

But the BHA have declined the appeal on the grounds of reciprocity with the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board.

The most recent appeal to be turned away came last week.

It is believed those acting for McManus claimed enough time had passed between A Dream To Share’s most recent run on June 19 and now for a mark to be awarded.

Especially as several of the horses he beat, including runner-up Royal Hollow, had subsequently raced enough for the handicapper to be able to judge A Dream To Share accurately.

Interestingly, respected journalist Dave Yates said on the podcast that a mark of 104 had been ‘offered’ to A Dream To Share.

But still, nothing official has been granted meaning, as it stands, the favourite for the big race cannot run.

A Dream To Share won the hearts of punters at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival when schoolboy John Gleeson rode him to victory.

McManus bought the horse just a month before from Claire Gleeson, wife of ITV Racing pundit Brian, dad of John.

John said after the win: “Mr McManus was very generous. He said I would definitely keep the ride here today.

“There was no pressure from him. It’s brilliant. I’m very grateful.

“I’ve been going to John Kiely for as long as I can remember.

“I ride out this horse every day before I go to school so it is very special.”

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In July and August, many parts of southern Europe and the Med are too hot and too crowded for comfort. But as summer turns to autumn it’s not just the temperature that drops – prices are lower too, and visitors get to experience a gentler, more relaxed side to places as the season starts to wind down. We’d love to hear about your favourite late-season sunshine escapes.

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.

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SHOPPERS have gone wild for a fan-favourite Greggs product which has hit the shelves at Iceland. 

The incredible baked product only costs £3 and you can get 4 of the delicious treats in one pack.

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Greggs is known for its huge range of pastries, from its vegan sausage rolls to its steak and chicken bakes. 

The bakery’s pain au chocolat are a particular favourite and are normally only available in stores. 

However, customers now can pick up a four-pack of frozen pain au chocolat from Iceland. 

An eagle-eyed shopper spotted the product whilst shopping and took to Facebook to break the news.

They captioned their post: “Greggs frozen Pain Au Chocolat spotted at Iceland Foods.”

Fans flooded the comments section, sharing their love for the baked product. 

One wrote:”I got a bag yesterday, £3.”

Another raved: “They’re the best!”

The news comes after Greggs quietly axed a fan-favourite sandwich. 

Exclusively revealed by The Sun, the Roast Chicken Salad Roll has been pulled from the bakery’s shelves. 

Greggs has been revamping its lunch range, with a new sandwich – also named the Roast Chicken Salad Roll – taking the old product’s place. 

It includes sliced roast chicken breast, topped with tomato, cucumber, mixed leaf salad and mayonnaise.

Earlier this year, Greggs was also forced to make a major change to some of its stores. 

Due to a surge in shoplifting offences, several of the lunch items were moved behind the counter. 

In some locations, the bakeries were enduring one robbery every twenty minutes – prompting the change. 

One Greggs worker told The Sun: “The stealing before was so bad.

“I couldn’t put a number on how many thieves came in every day.”

At the time, a spokesperson for the bakery said: “This is one of a number of initiatives we are trialling across a handful of shops which are exposed to higher levels of anti-social behaviour.

“Safety of our colleagues and customers remains our number one priority.”

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Winning tip: glorious north Wales circuit

Starting from the border town of Shrewsbury, a spectacular multiday circuit of north Wales is possible: take the Cambrian Coast line through Aberystwyth, Barmouth, Porthmadog, then the gorgeous Ffestiniog Railway to Blaenau, where you can link back to Llandudno on the coast, and return to Shrewsbury (change at Llandudno Junction). There’s no shortage of accommodation, allowing you to stop and explore without rigid planning. The Cambrian coast and the seaside towns are a largely unexplored jewel outside summer.
Dave Thomas

First-class trip to Romania

From Cluj we travelled through the snow-capped Carpathian mountains, stopping off to admire the historic Transylvanian cities of Sibiu and Brașov, before arriving at Bucharest’s chaotic Gara de Nord. The last leg of our journey took us eastwards to Constanța on the Black Sea. We arrived the day its stunning art nouveau casino was reopened after being rescued from dereliction. Romanian trains may not be the most luxurious or speedy, but with most of our journeys costing from £10 to £20 in first class, they are certainly value for money. Charmingly, at each station our train was greeted by a besuited stationmaster/mistress waving a flag to signal the train’s departure.
Brian Dutton

A day trip adventure around Edinburgh

For a delightful day trip I recommend taking the Scotrail service from Edinburgh to Cardenden, which takes just under an hour. Enjoy the view of Murrayfield with Edinburgh Zoo on the hill to the north. Soon you’ll see the Forth Bridge girders loom at Dalmeny before you fly over the Forth. Take in the stunning view east towards the Bass Rock, and look west past bridges towards Stirling and the Grampian mountains beyond. The ancient capital of Dunfermline is next, as you enter Fife. To the north of Cardenden you will see the peaks of the Lomond Hills regional park. An alternative route is to change at Inverkeithing on return and take a train up the Fife coast to Kirkcaldy, from where it’s a 50-minute ride back to Edinburgh. An unforgettable railway foray and respite from touristy Edinburgh.
Nigel Archdale

Taking it slowly from Stockport to Andalucía

We travelled from our home station of Stockport to Cádiz in southern Spain, stopping at London, Paris, Lyon, Barcelona and Seville en route. Not only was this a climate-conscious decision, but also a way to see more of Europe and to help us to relax and slow down. We took a river cruise in Paris, then the next day enjoyed lunch in Lyon where the local market place gave us a taste of the city. We next sped off to Barcelona, staying in the trendy neighbourhood of El Poblenou. From there we took in a panoramic view of the city from the castle of Montjuïc, followed by the bustling beach. Back on the train, our pace slowed again as we set out for Seville with its sweltering beauty and incredible history. Our final stop was Cádiz, where we saw the best sunset and sunrise. We wouldn’t be able to afford first class on a plane, but we could by rail. For example, Barcelona to Seville was under £60! We sipped wine as the beautiful landscape passed by, in a comfortable seat, with wifi and charging facilities, knowing there would be no wait for luggage at the other end.
Rebecca

Rome to Sicily via train and ferry

Hop on the sleeper train in Rome, or perhaps Naples, and wake the next morning in Sicily. There’s no bridge (yet) so the train is loaded on to a ferry for the crossing, while you are sound asleep in one of the functional little compartments. You can go direct all the way to Palermo or – if you prefer – to beautiful Syracuse in the south-east of the island.
Polly

Belgrade to Stari Bar by day and by night

We took the night train in a sleeper berth from Belgrade (after a few days exploring this cool, arty city) and were delighted by the old-school, velvety cabins with corridors and big open windows. We woke up to Montenegro and Albania’s stunning Lake Skadar. After a few days exploring the lake, Stari Bar and Montenegro’s beautiful coastline we headed back up to Belgrade by day – the mountainous scenery on this 11-hour journey is absolutely spectacular, and all for the round trip cost of €50. We used Man at Seat 61 to learn about the route.
Jenny

Interrail to Morocco via the gardens of Córdoba

In March 2025 we travelled to Morocco via train and ferry from the UK. Travelling on an Interrail ticket through Europe, we made two three-night stops on our way to the port in southern Spain, and two two-night stops on our return journey. On the outward journey we stopped in Girona and Córdoba, both of which have picturesque old towns. In Córdoba we visited eight stunning courtyard gardens as well as the Palace of Viana and the Mezquita, surely one of the most astonishing buildings in the world. On the return leg we stopped in Málaga and Montpelier, both characterful places. We would have missed out on these four wonderful destinations if we had flown directly to Marrakech.
Louise

Anywhere in Belgium for €8.50

Last year, my wife and I explored Belgium by rail. We stayed in a self-catering apartment just a few hundred yards from Antwerp station, a fantastic cathedral to the railways containing several pink granite columns and panels, polished in our home town of Aberdeen. In Belgium over-65s can buy a day return to anywhere in the country for just €8.50! We visited several towns and cities, none involving lengthy journeys. On our travels we discovered the Unesco-listed begijnhoven of Flanders. These were medieval communities for widows or unmarried women, many now beautifully restored.
Jim Fiddes

Beach, mountains and gastronomy in France

My wife and I have travelled around a lot of Europe but our best trip for simplicity is a triangle of France: Eurostar to Paris, then the TGV to Toulouse for saucisse and architectural and historical delights; next, the slow train to Bayonne, gazing at the Pyrenees as the train trundles past Lourdes and on to the French Basque coast; before taking the TGV back up to Paris. City, gastronomy, mountains and beach all in one.
George

Laid-back vibes on the line to Ljubljana

Our trip began with the sway of a boat gliding into Venice. After days getting blissfully lost in quiet alleys and forgotten courtyards, we boarded the train from Santa Lucia station, speeding across the shimmering lagoon to Trieste. In a sunlit square, we savoured chocolate gelato, the Mediterranean sparkling nearby. Next, Ljubljana welcomed us with its laid-back vibes. We sipped cocktails in jars by the river, surrounded by art and colour. Finally, a graffiti-covered train carried us to Lake Bled, where we hiked and swam beneath the majestic Julian Alps, ending our journey in a cosy pod under stars and amid fireflies.
Alex

Destination X viewers were left outraged as as fan-favourite contestant as part of a shock twist as the competition nears the end

Destination X viewers were left outraged as as fan-favourite contestant left the competition amid a savage twist.

The BBC’s globetrotting reality series series follows a group of strangers hoping to to win £100,000 by correctly guessing where in the world they have been taken to. The programme hosted by Rob Brydon, sees the hopefuls dealt with various clues as to where they might be, ranging from languages written down and other key hints.

It has become something of a success with viewers, gaining around four million viewers per episode, and on Wednesday evening, fans tuned in to watch retired detective sergeant Claire, 51, Daren, 58, a taxi driver, and pilot Josh, 26, continue with their mission. They were joined by fellow contestants Judith 28, who works as a nuclear engineer, and endurance athlete Nick, 35, as well as marketing executive Saskia, 35.

But viewers were shocked at the end of the episode when Nick was dumped from the competition at the last moment, just one week ahead of the grand finale that is set to air on 29 August. Taking to X/Twitter, one fan fumed: “i knew he was leaving as soon as he said what he spend the money on! ffs ! i pray saskia don’t win #destinationx.”

A second fan raged: “Knew Nick was gone with the clip about what he would use the money for if he won. #DestinationX” and a third fan pointed out: “Nick has to win this in order to open his dog sanctuary!! #destinationx“

In the episode, Nick correctly guessed they were in Pula but couldn’t find it on the map and thus was kicked out of the competition. He was the only person who had guessed correctly – but his incorrect place on the map meant he struggled.

Last week, the contestants saw their loved ones but had to pretend they did not know them. Jackie’s surprise appearance on the BBC show left Daren struggling, as he admitted he’d found it “tough” to not interact with her. “Jackie P is 10 foot from me,” he said. “You don’t know how hard that is. It was really tough.”

His co-star Saskia was quick to notice his reaction too, saying: “As soon as I saw Daren shed a tear, I was like ‘Jackie P is in here’.” The contestants were tasked with matching portraits of each other with photos of their loved ones, as they attempted to guess who was linked to who. The winner would then get to spend some time with their loved one. Unfortunately, Daren failed to win the task, meaning he didn’t get to see his wife again.

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