foreign

Switzerland formally reopens diplomatic office in North Korea after its closure in 2020.

Switzerland has formally reopened its diplomatic office in North Korea as Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis held talks in Pyongyang about normalising political relations between the two countries.

On Friday Cassis wrapped up a two-day visit to North Korea – the first by a Swiss government minister in more than two decades – in which he discussed “regularising political relations and reestablishing a political dialogue”, he wrote on X.

Cassis, who is also Switzerland’s vice president, met Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui and Jo Yong Won, a secretary of the Central Committee of the ruling Korean Workers’ Party.

“We also exchanged views on security on the Korean Peninsula and broader Eurasian security challenges,” he added on X.

After the formal reopening of the Swiss diplomatic office on Thursday, Cassis posted that he was “pleased” to mark a “new chapter” in his country’s presence in Pyongyang, hailing the office as a “concrete step towards strengthening direct dialogue” with North Korea.

The office, operational since October 19, will not have an ambassador. It reports to the Swiss embassy in Beijing, which handles diplomatic and consular relations with North Korea. The office had closed in March 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This office will help to strengthen direct contacts with the authorities of the DPRK [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] and support political dialogue with them,” the Swiss Foreign Ministry said.

North Korea’s state news agency KCNA confirmed Cassis’s arrival in the country on Thursday but gave no details on the purpose of the visit. It had not been known beforehand whether he would meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and there has been no report of a meeting.

Bern said it intended to maintain its commitment to the region amid heightened tensions and limited international contact with North Korea, having been one of the few Western countries to keep up a dialogue with Pyongyang.

The last Swiss Federal Council member to visit was then-Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey, in 2003.

Cassis crossed into South Korea on Friday for the final leg of his regional trip.

According to the Swiss foreign ministry, his talks in Seoul will focus on security on the peninsula, prospects for easing regional tensions and bilateral ties.

Switzerland’s involvement on the Korean Peninsula dates back more than 70 years, including its role on the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission.

Also in South Korea, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz invoked his country’s reunification during a visit to the inter-Korean border. “Let us hope that Korea, too, will one day have the chance to regain its national unity,” he said.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel advice for 13 countries, including Turkey and Egypt, amid ‘regional tensions’ in the Middle East

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel advice for 13 countries, including Turkey and Egypt, due to ‘regional tensions’ across the Middle East. ‘Do not travel’ warnings remain in force for various areas as the situation ‘remains deeply unpredictable’.

In the update issued on Tuesday, 27 October, under ‘regional tensions’, the FCDO warned: “The context in the Middle East remains deeply unpredictable, and the risk of sudden escalation is high. Since conflict began in early 2026, Iran has stated its intention to target locations associated with the US and Israel, including, but not limited to, organisations, businesses, facilities, and institutions. There have been strikes and retaliatory attacks by Iran and others across the region against civilian and US military infrastructure.”

The Foreign Office went on to caution that British nationals planning to travel through the Middle East or who are currently in the region “should be prepared for possible flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions”. They advised doing the following:

• Read If you’re affected by a crisis abroad – GOV.UK. This includes guidance on “how to prepare for a crisis” with suggestions on what you might include in your emergency supplies and “what to do in a crisis”
• Sign up to FCDO Travel Advice email alerts
• Follow advice from the local authorities
• Monitor local and international media for the latest information, including updates relating to airports and airspace, which could close at short notice
• Stay away from areas around security or military facilities
• Keep your departure plans under review, and ensure your travel documents are up to date
• If advised to take shelter, stay indoors or find the nearest safe building or designated shelter. An interior stairwell or a room with as few external walls or windows as possible may provide additional protection. The greatest risk is from falling debris caused by intercepts, and you are safest inside a secure structure. Do not approach or touch any drone or missile fragments or unusual objects.

While the most recent travel guidance for the 13 nations concerned ‘regional tensions’, it’s crucial to consult the FCDO directly for any additional warnings or advice for your chosen destination, as there may be additional or differing advice, and updates can be issued at extremely short notice. There are also critical ‘do not travel’ warnings in effect for various locations, alongside guidance ‘against all but essential travel’ to other areas, reports the Daily Star.

Currently, the Foreign Office has advised ‘against all travel to parts’ of the following nations: Turkey, Egypt, Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the FCDO has advised ‘against all travel’ to Iran, Yemen and Syria. It’s worth noting that some of these warnings were in place before the events in the Middle East and are unrelated to the tensions.

For example in Yemen, the FCDO states: “Since July 2026, the Houthis have launched air strikes against Saudi territory and Saudi shipping vessels in the Red Sea. There is an ongoing risk of further military escalation, including in Yemen and the Red Sea, which could occur at short notice.”

Full list of 13 countries with updated travel advice

1. Egypt
2. Turkey
3. Qatar
4. Iran
5. Israel
6. Kuwait
7. Palestine
8. Bahrain
9. Jordan
10. Yemen
11. Syria
12. Pakistan
13. Saudi Arabia

For more information, or to check travel advice for a specific country, visit the Foreign Office website.

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

• This article was updated to reflect that the Foreign Office’s advice ‘against all travel to parts’ of certain countries are not all linked to the events in the Middle East.

The Foreign Office has issued a travel warning for France amid the country’s worst civil unrest in years, with partial curfews now imposed in cities including Paris, Nice and Lyon after rioters clashed with police, torched cars and looted thousands of businesses.

The Foreign Office has warned British travellers heading to France that local curfews could be introduced at short notice following some of the country’s worst civil unrest in years.

Rioters clashed with police, set cars alight and stormed public buildings, while a historic city hall was engulfed in flames. Around 2,400 people were detained over the weekend, and authorities said thousands of businesses had been damaged or looted.

The violence overshadowed peaceful demonstrations over rising living costs and poor school conditions, during which hundreds of thousands of people marched without incident.

By Monday evening, several French cities had introduced partial curfews after Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu gave some local mayors the power to impose restrictions.

In advice issued last night, the Foreign Office told British travellers: “In response to recent events, the French government has announced that local curfews may be introduced at short notice. To find out if you are in an affected area, check local media. Follow the instructions of local authorities.”

Have you had your travel disrupted by the protests? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

The reported restrictions were:

• Paris: Movement in parts of the capital was banned from 11pm local time on Monday until 6am on Tuesday.
• Nice: A curfew for young people ran from 9pm to 6am local time (8pm to 5am BST) each night until next Sunday.
• Lyon: A curfew ran from 9pm local time on Monday until 6am on Tuesday (8pm to 5am BST).
• Coulaines: Young people were banned from being out after 11pm local time (10pm BST).
• Lille, Douai, Wattignies and Denain: Partial curfews were reported from 8pm to 6am local time (7pm to 5am BST).

President Emmanuel Macron condemned “unrestrained violence” by “insurrectionist elements from radical far-left groups, joined by numerous criminals.” Further demonstrations could follow, with high school and university student organisations calling for protests on Thursday and Saturday.

The National High School Student Coordination group urged young people to “take to the streets” and backed continued blockades and demonstrations.

Activists seeking to revive the 2018 yellow vest movement against perceived social injustices also announced nationwide protests for Saturday under the slogan “Macron must go.”

Sebastian Roché, a research professor at the Sciences Po Grenoble political institute who specialises in policing, said the damage was comparable to the yellow vest protests at their height.

“In terms of destruction and damage, it is probably close to the first two weekends of December 2018,” Roché said.

The yellow vest movement began in opposition to fuel tax rises and led to repeated demonstrations against Macron’s government. Some descended into violence, with cars burned, shops ransacked and the Arc de Triomphe vandalised during clashes in Paris.

France also experienced days of nationwide disorder in June 2023 after police killed a 17-year-old outside Paris. Rioters looted shops and set public buildings alight, with thousands detained and hundreds injured.

In 2005, three weeks of rioting prompted the government to declare a state of emergency.

Roché, who has spent more than 30 years studying policing and violence, said injuries caused by police weapons distinguished the latest unrest from previous episodes.

“We have a toll that has not been seen in the past 40 years,” he said.

He said six people, including minors, had lost hands or eyes during three weeks of protests. Officers have faced intense scrutiny over their use of grenades and other riot-control weapons during recent demonstrations.

Authorities have repeatedly blamed some of the violence on groups of “far-left radicals,” followed by criminals exploiting the unrest to loot. Lecornu described “disorder organized in an unprecedented way.”

But Roché questioned whether the far-left fringe was large or well coordinated enough to be solely responsible for violence on this scale.

He said French intelligence services estimated the movement at around 3,000 people across various factions, which lacked formal structures.

European diplomats and officials were attacked on Saturday amid a surge in settler pogroms across the occupied West Bank in recent weeks, coinciding with olive harvest season.

The settler pogroms have escalated just weeks before Israel heads to the polls on October 27.

The European Union (EU) on Sunday condemned settler attacks on European diplomats and Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. A day earlier, a veteran American journalist working for the Washington Post was also brutally attacked.

But this is not the first time Israeli settlers have assaulted foreign officials or prominent Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

Here’s a timeline of some of the recent and past attacks:

October 17, 2026

Israeli settlers assaulted European diplomats, including a French mayor, near the Palestinian village of Taybeh in the occupied West Bank.

The delegation was visiting Palestinian olive harvesters on Saturday when the Israeli attackers confronted the group.

In Saturday’s incident, the settlers targeted Belgium’s consul general, French and Polish diplomats, and Catholic representatives, Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Prevot said.

“A French mayor was assaulted and a Belgian vehicle damaged,” Prevot said, linking the incident to Israel’s “illegal settlement policy” and pledging to push for further EU sanctions.

Bernard Baudoux, the French mayor who was assaulted, told the AFP news agency the attack suggests that “there is a tolerance on the part of the Israeli government” towards settler violence.

Video shared by an activist at the scene, Amit Orfali, shows Baudoux leaning against a vehicle while sitting on the dusty ground. Other clips showed young masked men knocking insistently on a driver’s side window and asking for identification, while other masked men carrying sticks advanced in the distance. Orfali said the masked men “threatened to kill us”.

France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot called on Israel to arrest the “extremist settlers” who “violently assaulted” Baudoux, and bring them to justice. “They must urgently halt this criminal violence and guarantee the safety of civilian populations, as they are compelled to do under international law,” he said in a post on X.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has, however, appeared to question the reports of the attack on the Europeans, saying on X that they are “alleged” and require “compelling evidence”, despite acknowledging that published footage of the incident exists.

“We take positive note of statements by several Israeli representatives who condemned the attacks,” the EU said in a statement on Sunday. “But we expect full accountability as well as effective measures to prevent continued acts of violence and violent harassment against Palestinians, including during the ongoing olive harvest season, as well as against journalists.”

October 16, 2026

Palestinian farmers harvesting olives and veteran American journalist Heidi Levine, 64, who freelances for the Washington Post, were brutally attacked by settlers.

Levine fell to the ground during the assault before she was set upon, witnesses said. “We looked and saw that there was a journalist … on the ground with people surrounding her, beating her, clubbing her, robbing her, pulling her up, beating her again and kicking her,” Jasper Nathaniel, an independent journalist who witnessed the attack, told Al Jazeera.

Levine later told reporters that her attackers “just kept kicking me and kicking me, like probably 50 times”.

Levine was wearing a protective vest marked “PRESS” on the front and back. Her cameras and phone were taken from her during the assault, the Washington Post reported.

Nathaniel said he and others managed to reach her when the settlers briefly backed away, but she struggled to stand. “She was in very, very bad shape. She couldn’t really get up off the ground,” he said.

As they helped Levine towards paramedics, settlers charged again, throwing more stones, he added. The journalist was eventually taken to a hospital in Ramallah.

Nathaniel said Israeli soldiers arrived after the settler assault and opened fire and used tear gas against Palestinians, shooting a man in the leg. “They do nothing to stop the settlers, and they speed into town and start firing their guns and tear-gassing, and they shoot a Palestinian man in the leg,” he said.

“They’re pointing their guns at the paramedics who are helping him, shoving journalists, including myself,” Nathaniel said, adding that the injured man was eventually taken away in an ambulance.

Wafa, the Palestinian news agency, reported that Israeli forces fired live ammunition and tear gas at Palestinians during the attack. After the soldiers left, Palestinians returned to harvesting their olives, Nathaniel added.

Netanyahu’s office has said the facts around the settler attack “remain unclear”, as it offered a conditional condemnation.

“Serious questions remain”, said a post on the official X account of the prime minister’s office, calling for an investigation to “establish the facts, including who initiated the violence”.

October 6, 2026

Israeli settlers beat Palestinian AFP news agency photographer Jaafar Ashtiyeh, 58, with rifle butts near Aqraba, south of Nablus. He suffered bruises to his head and torso and was taken by ambulance to a hospital, according to witnesses, his family and fellow journalists cited by AFP.

AFP photographer John Wessels was with Ashtiyeh when the incident occurred.

The news agency reported that a quadbike had raced towards the journalists and a man had opened live fire.

“At least six other people then rushed towards the AFP journalists, firing guns,” AFP reported. “As Ashtiyeh attempted to enter a car, which was clearly marked ‘Press’, two men jumped on him and beat him repeatedly with the butts of their rifles. ‘I could hear his screams,’ said Wessels, who was also threatened at gunpoint.”

While Ashtiyeh is now conscious in a hospital in Nablus, the assailants have taken his camera equipment, according to his colleague Wessels.

The Israeli military has yet to respond to the AFP news agency.

July 11, 2026

United States Congressional Representative Ro Khanna said he and his tour group were detained by rifle-wielding Israeli settlers during a trip to Palestine.

In a post on X, Khanna had accused the Israeli army of supporting the settlers.

“When the [Israeli army] arrived, they sided with the settlers and continued our detention,” Khanna wrote.

Khanna, a Democrat who is considering running for US president in 2028, told the Reuters news agency that “hoodlums … with machine guns” had detained his group a day earlier. “They block off the road. And then they call the [Israeli military] and the [Israeli military] is on their side,” Khanna said.

He added that the settlers were armed with US-made assault rifles.

In an interview with DRM News, Khanna said his experience in the occupied West Bank and Israel was the “first time” he had “really been acutely aware of being brown”.

“I saw the arrogance in the eyes of those settlers. Twenty-one and 22-year-olds with guns, laughing that they had detained us. The arrogance of those young [Israeli army] soldiers that my tax dollars are funding. Having no respect for the fact that they were detaining Americans,” he added.

The Israeli military disputed Khanna’s version of the events, saying that it “dispersed” civilians who were blocking the road.

Israeli officials have, however, ruled out apologising to Khanna or holding the settlers accountable.

Three months after the incident, on Saturday, October 17, Khanna called Netanyahu a “liar” after his office released an October 16 statement on X saying that “serious questions remain” about “who initiated the violence” and other details of the attack on Washington Post journalist Heidi Levine.

“Netanyahu called me a liar when settlers detained me, along with a NYT photographer, in Zanuta this past July,” Khanna wrote. “Netanyahu, you are the liar with the blood of Palestinian children on your hands.”

November 2025

One Canadian and three Italian activists were injured by illegal Israeli settlers in the Ein ad-Duyuk village in the Jericho governorate in the central West Bank, local sources told the Anadolu news agency.

Anadolu reported that settlers had stormed into a Bedouin community where the activists were residing and then assaulted them. Three activists sustained moderate injuries, while one was critically wounded, the news agency said and added that their passports, phones, and belongings were also taken.

July 2025

Palestinian activist and English teacher Awdah Hathaleen, who contributed to the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, was shot and killed on July 28, 2025, in the occupied West Bank village of Umm al-Khair in the Masafer Yatta region.

The beloved 31-year-old activist and father of three fell to the ground as people rushed over to try to help him. Then an ambulance came out of the nearby illegal settlement of Carmel and took him away.

Footage published by Israeli human rights group B’Tselem appears to show the suspect Yinon Levi opening fire on Hathaleen during a confrontation in the village.

Despite the visual evidence and prior sanctions imposed on Levi by both the EU and the United States over past attacks on Palestinians, Israeli authorities released him to house arrest.

US President Donald Trump also removed the penalties against Levi and other settlers accused of extremist violence after assuming office in January 2025.

July 2024

Israeli settlers attacked a group of foreign volunteers helping Palestinian farmers in the occupied West Bank.

David Hummel, an American-German in the group, told the AFP news agency that eight mainly American volunteers were working with the farmers in an olive grove near the Palestinian village of Qusra when settlers attacked them.

“They started attacking and beating us all with sticks and metal pipes, and they were throwing rocks as well at us,” he said.

“I was attacked on my legs, on my arms and here on my jaw as well and it was … very violent,” he added.

The Israeli army condemned the violence and said its troops were deployed to the scene and had fired warning shots into the air, causing the Israeli settlers to flee the area.

Need to know

The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued new ‘limited to two’ guidance for Thailand

Thailand Foreign Office travel advice change – what UK holidaymakers need to know:

• The Foreign Office has issued updated travel advice for British tourists heading to Thailand – here’s what you need to know.
• Thailand attracts over a million British holidaymakers annually, with tens of thousands living and working in popular destinations like Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai.
• Your passport must have at least six months’ validity from arrival date and one blank page. The FCDO warns: “You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.”
• British tourists can stay up to 30 days under the visa exemption scheme for tourism only. Business travellers need appropriate visas before departure.
• New restrictions limit visa-exempt land border entries to twice per calendar year. Air arrivals aren’t generally affected by this rule.
• All travellers must complete a digital arrival card online up to three days before arrival.
• Overstaying carries hefty penalties of 500 Thai baht (around £11) per day, rising to a maximum of of 20,000 baht (around £449). You also risk potential detention, deportation and 10-year bans.

READ THE FULL STORY: New Foreign Office Thailand alert to UK holidaymakers

Riot police clash with protesters for fourth day, as young Albanians protest corruption and poor university conditions

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has blamed “foreign hands” for the increasingly violent student-led protests that are calling on him to resign.

Riot police clashed with protesters outside the education ministry for the fourth day in a row, as thousands of young Albanians marched through the capital, Tirana, on Friday to protest government corruption and poor university conditions.

“This is not a student phenomenon,” Rama said in a video address on Friday. He said there were “foreign hands that do not wish for Albania to be at peace”.

Rama insisted that the protest had “absolutely nothing to do with the hardships, problems or legitimate aspirations of anyone who desires a better life”.

Police officers used water cannon and tear gas as demonstrators hurled rocks.

The protests have spread beyond the capital to Elbasan, Shkodra and Korca, where demonstrators broke windows and set fire to rubbish bins, local media reported.

The ongoing escalation follows months of mostly peaceful demonstrations, originally sparked by the sale of part of Albania’s coastline to a luxury resort development linked to Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law.

Days of unrest have increasingly targeted banks and government buildings. Protesters hurled bricks and concrete blocks at the education ministry on Tuesday. They also set fire to several buildings across the city, including the prime minister’s office, the finance and justice ministry buildings and branches of several banks.

According to a police statement, 160 people were detained over alleged acts of violence on Thursday evening.

The EU question

Demonstrators are demanding Rama’s resignation, as well as electoral and education reforms.

The prime minister, whose government denies corruption, said he would be ready to discuss rising education costs but rejected the calls to resign.

He said on Thursday, “My responsibility is to listen, address legitimate concerns and keep Albania moving forward.”

His dismissal “would be a betrayal of the Albanians who gave me a strong mandate to complete negotiations on European Union membership”, he added.

Corruption scandals have complicated Albania’s efforts to join the EU. Analysts say the country is a hub for gangs seeking to launder money from drugs and weapons trafficking.

Rama won a fourth term last year on promises to take Albania into the EU, aiming for membership as early as 2028.

SCHOOL holidays – two words guaranteed to make any parent’s bank account start sweating.

The moment the school gates close, holiday prices normally launch straight into orbit, leaving us staring at a rainy weekend in Morecambe rather than a gloriously sunny break abroad.

But if you know where to look, you can find some mega October half term breaks without having to remortgage your house.

I’ve dug up eight cracking five-night breaks with direct return flights starting at £295pp – and every single one is in October half-term.

We’re not talking about the bottom of the barrel here either – I’ve found Spanish beach favourites, theme-park thrills, Italian lakes and Croatian coastlines, all coming in under £334 each.

So you can get a proper change of scenery for the family without dipping into your overdraft.

1. Alicante, Costa Blanca – from £295pp

If your main mission this October is keeping the kids from tearing the wallpaper off while keeping costs down, this is a strong contender.

Alannia Costa Blanca is inland near Crevillente, where October daytime highs average around 24C – warm enough for spending time outdoors without the fierce summer heat.

You’re staying in cabin-style accommodation with kitchen facilities, (a lifesaver when the little ones demand a third bowl of Weetabix at 5.30am).

And the resort has tropical pools and slides, playgrounds and an indoor pool, plus an on-site supermarket for when you inevitably run out of snacks.

This is my biggest bargain, as I found five nights self catering and direct return flights from East Midlands from £295pp.

It is a good shout for families who want plenty to do around their accommodation and the flexibility to keep some meals cheap.

2. Salou, Costa Dorada – from £297pp

Salou is a must-stay if you want options beyond staring at the same resort pool for five days.

You’ve got broad seafront promenades for a wander, big family-friendly beaches and PortAventura World nearby if you want to brave the big rides.

October daytime highs average around 22C, making it a good time for mixing exploring with beach afternoons when the sun’s out.

And my pick of hotel, Inter2 Apartments, is simple, affordable and practical.

You get kitchen facilities to keep breakfast costs down, a balcony for a quiet drink once the kids are asleep, and you’re around 500 metres from the beach and coastal path.

At £297pp for five nights self catering, including direct return flights from London Luton, it leaves a bit more in the holiday budget for ice creams and days out.

Just remember to budget separately for theme-park tickets.

(Here’s our thoughts on visiting the theme park).

3. Manilva, Costa del Sol – from £298pp

For southern Spanish warmth without staying in the thick of a busy resort, head west along the coast to Manilva.

It’s a quieter option that suits families who want to slow the pace down.

It sits right on the edge of the Costa del Sol, near Gibraltar, so expect great beaches without huge tourist numbers.

October daytime temperatures typically reach the mid-20s, which is comfortable weather for exploring, coastal walks and long lunches outside.

And Pierre & Vacances Terrazas Costa del Sol gives you spacious apartments with balconies or terraces and overlooking the water.

There are outdoor pools, a playground and a sports court, and plenty of options for transport down to the beach and exploring the surrounding area.

The five-night self-catering stay I spotted comes in at £298pp with direct return flights from East Midlands.

It makes for a super-practical option if you want room to spread out without spending a fortune on accommodation.

4. Lloret de Mar, Costa Brava – from £305pp

Lloret de Mar is an absolute staple for October half-term.

You’ve got beaches, coastal scenery and opportunities for days out, including nearby Tossa de Mar and its old town.

Plus, October daytime highs average around 23C, making this a good choice for getting out and exploring with a light jacket to hand.

Condado Apartments gives you equipped kitchens, living space to spread out and balconies.

There are also two rooftop pools, including one for children, and a sun terrace.

Having a kitchen means you aren’t forced to pay restaurant prices three times a day when the kids decide to eat two bites of dinner and declare themselves full.

With five nights on self catering and direct return flights from London Luton from £305pp.

It’s a straightforward way to keep holiday costs down while still getting a proper break.

5. Fuengirola, Costa del Sol – from £310pp

Fuengirola does the familiar Spanish family holiday incredibly well.

There are loads of beaches, a seafront prom and plenty of places to stop for food or coffee.

So you don’t need a complicated itinerary when a walk, some sand and a decent lunch can comfortably fill the day.

October daytime highs average around 23C, so there’s still a good case for eating every meal outside and enjoying the beach every day.

Las Palmeras Affiliated by FERGUS sits on the seafront promenade opposite the marina, with the beach and plenty of restaurants within easy reach.

But the real win: the hotel also has a pool and rooftop sun terrace overlooking the harbour. And it’s gorgeous.

It’s £310pp for five nights with return flights from East Midlands.

A great price and a decent hotel which I’d treat as a base for getting out and enjoying Spanish town life, rather than spending the whole holiday there.

6. Lake Garda, Italy – from £319pp

Here’s the wildcard: swap the sand for lakeside scenery in Italy.

Peschiera del Garda gives you canals, waterfront walks and plenty of opportunities for pizza and gelato, which tend to work well as encouragement when the kids have decided they’ve finished sightseeing.

Late October is a little cooler here, so you might not be out sunbathing.

But Gardaland theme park is nearby if you fancy a bigger family day out, (just make sure to check opening dates and budget separately for tickets).

Residence Eden has apartment accommodation in green surroundings outside the town centre.

Kitchen facilities make it easy to knock together a quick pasta dinner without taking tired children out to a restaurant at 8pm.

And it leaves plenty of time for trips into town and around the lake.

With five nights and direct return flights from East Midlands from £319pp, it’s a wicked alternative to the usual half-term beach break.

7. Cala Galdana, Menorca – from £315pp

Cala Galdana is a proper postcard setting.

It has a curved sandy bay backed by pine-covered surroundings, with coastal walking routes for when you fancy stretching your legs.

It’s a good choice for families who want a slower few days away.

Menorca’s October daytime highs average around 22-25C, so I’d come for beach walks and exploring, with swimming as an added bonus.

Alta Galdana is a simple budget base with a pool and sun terrace.

The bay and surrounding scenery are the main draw here, rather than a big programme of hotel entertainment.

At £315pp for five nights on room only, including direct return flights from London Luton.

It’s definitely worth a look if you’re happy heading out for meals and letting the destination do most of the entertaining.

8. Seget Donji, Croatia – from £334pp

If you fancy something totally different from the usual Spanish escape, Croatia’s Dalmatian coast is well worth a look.

You’ve got Trogir nearby, Split as another option for a day out, and seaside walks around Seget.

October daytime highs around Trogir average roughly 22C, making this more of an exploring-and-long-lunches holiday than a guaranteed week of swimming.

Apartmani Medena is an apartment complex near the beach, around four kilometres from Trogir.

A seaside promenade connects it with Seget’s old fishing village, giving you an easy option for getting out for a walk.

The five-night stay I found comes in from £334pp with direct return flights from London Gatwick.

Food is extra but cheap enough around Seget, and this deal gives you a base for exploring a different stretch of Europe at a very, very reasonable half-term price.

Here are some great all-inclusive half term holidays that we’ve found for you as well.

The Foreign Office is urging UK travellers to ‘stay away’

The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has revised its travel guidance in an update today, October 13. In its latest update for those planning a trip to Mauritius, the Foreign Office is warning tourists about “localised demonstrations and community unrest” following a shooting.

The FCDO warns: “Localised demonstrations and community unrest have occurred in parts of Mauritius following a police shooting incident on October 9 2026. Further protests may occur at short notice and could result in road closures, transport disruptions and interruptions to public services.

“Stay away from demonstrations and large public gatherings, monitor local media, follow the instructions of local authorities and exercise caution if travelling in affected areas.” About 150,000 UK tourists travel to the island every year.

If you find yourself in a situation where you need help, you should report any incidents to the Mauritius tourist police by calling 999.

Emergency services in Mauritius

• Ambulance: 999 or 114
• Fire: 999 or 115
• Police: 999 or 112

Tourist police

Contact your travel provider and insurer

The Foreign Office stresses on its website: “Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.”

Mauritius temporarily shut schools after shooting say reports

Mauritius closed schools in some parts of the country on Tuesday, October 13, reports say. It came after ‌a night of unrest that began when a police officer allegedly shot a young woman.

An investigation is under way. It is being reported by local media that a police sergeant has been provisionally charged over the shooting of Élodie Thomas, 27.

She has since had successful surgery to remove the bullet. The incident led to protests. Police were dispatched as people burned tyres and blocked roads in parts of the country on Monday night.

Mauritius entry requirements

The island country in the Indian Ocean, located off the eastern coast of Africa, is becoming increasingly popular, with around 1.3 million tourists visiting every year.

In order to enter the country, your passport must:

• be valid for the duration of your stay
• have one blank page

The Foreign Office urges people to check with their travel provider to ensure their passport and any other travel documents meet the entry requirements, and to renew their passport if needed. Tourists could be refused entry if they do not have a valid travel document, or if they try to travel on a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Rescue operation underway after flash floods swept away home, bridges and parts of the Manaslu trekking trail.

More than 100 foreign trekkers have been stranded in central Nepal, according to a local official, a day after flash floods in the Gorkha district washed away bridges, hiking trails and hundreds of homes.

Bhuwan Raj Ojha, an official of the Manaslu Conservation Area Project, told the Reuters news agency on Monday that the trekkers were stranded in different areas of the popular Manaslu trekking trail because part of the route had been swept away.

“Those hikers who want to return because of the flood need to be rescued. Those who ⁠want to continue their trekking can do so from locations that are safe,” he told Reuters from Gorkha.

“There are ⁠restaurants and tea houses along the route. They are ⁠safe”.

The flash floods hit on Sunday, when a predawn landslide blocked the Budhi Gandaki River in the Gorkha district, about 100km (62 miles) west of the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu.

Authorities ⁠rescued 321 people, including 12 foreigners, on Monday, and the army said the rescue operation would continue on Tuesday, even as the water level in the river receded.

The river is a tributary of the Trishuli River, downstream from another tributary where a ‌glacier collapse caused a catastrophic flood in August that killed 1,457 people, with thousands still missing.

There were no reports of deaths in the latest flood, but five villagers were out of contact after black muddy sludge and debris washed away more than 200 homes and damaged infrastructure, including three hydroelectric plants, national disaster authorities said.

Md Shahadat Hossain, a Bangladeshi trekker stranded in Jagat village, told the Anadolu news agency that nine Bangladeshis were waiting for a possible evacuation by helicopter.

“We have been stranded in Jagat since yesterday. A flash flood came down from above the village and flowed through its lower part,” he said.

“We are safe, but there has been no electricity since yesterday, communication with the outside world has been disrupted, and food supplies are gradually running short,” he added.

Gorkha district authorities have asked villagers living along the riverbanks downstream to evacuate.

National disaster authorities had also alerted people living along the river in the Gorkha, Tanahun, Chitwan, East Nawalparasi and West Nawalparasi districts about the flood.

Foreign Office issues updated Thailand travel guidance for Brits on Monday

The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has revised its travel guidance for those planning a trip to Thailand.

The South East Asian destination is growing increasingly popular with British holidaymakers, with over a million making the journey every year. On top of this, tens of thousands of UK nationals live, work, or retire in Thailand – in locations such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, and Phuket. To enter Thailand as a tourist, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive and have at least one blank page.

The FCDO warns: “You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.” As of September 15, 2026, if you enter Thailand on a British passport, under the visa exemption scheme, you can stay for up to 30 days for tourism only.

This does not extend to business travel, including attending conferences, meetings or other business activities. Those travelling for business purposes should secure the appropriate visa prior to departure.

New Foreign Office Thailand alert issued

New FCDO Thailand advice, issued on Monday, reads: “Visa-exempt entry for tourism through land-border immigration checkpoints is normally limited to two entries per calendar year. This restriction does not generally apply to arrivals by air.

“If you frequently enter Thailand as a tourist, immigration officials may ask for evidence of your onward travel, accommodation, or sufficient funds, and may refuse entry if they believe you are not a genuine visitor.”

All overseas nationals travelling to Thailand, whether by air, land or sea, are required to complete a digital arrival card online prior to their arrival. Travellers are able to register for an arrival card up to three days before they land.

Should you overstay your visa, you face a penalty of 500 Thai baht (around £11) per day, rising to a maximum of 20,000 baht (around £449). You also risk being detained, deported at your own cost, and banned from returning to Thailand for as long as 10 years.

Police say the incident is not connected to ongoing investigations at the RAF Fairford airbase.

Police in the United Kingdom say they have arrested and charged a member of the Royal Navy accused of working with an unnamed foreign power after an investigation by counterterrorism police.

Teddy Young, 24, was charged with two offences under the National Security Act for allegedly obtaining protected information and preparing to transfer it for the benefit of a foreign power.

In a statement, authorities alleged that between November 2024 and May 2025, Young “obtained, copied, recorded or retained protected information, intending the conduct to benefit a foreign power… contrary to section 1 of the National Security Act 2023″.

Young is due to appear at London’s Westminster Magistrates’ Court later on Thursday.

“These are very serious charges against a serving member of the armed forces,” Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said in a statement.

“We have worked extremely closely with relevant operational colleagues within the Ministry of Defence as our investigation has progressed to ensure appropriate measures could be taken to mitigate any potential risks linked to this matter,” she added.

UK media reported that the officer was arrested at his home in Bedfordshire on Tuesday before he was taken into custody in London.

The police clarified that the case is not related to the ongoing investigation into an incident at the RAF Fairford airbase.