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The couple quit their jobs and sold all their belongings so they’d be free to travel the world and on a recent adventure, they decided to book a ‘giant waterslide’ but it was very different to what they expected

A couple booked what they believed to be a “giant waterslide” while abroad on holiday – but the reality of their booking was jaw-dropping. Many people plan adventure holidays or book to go travelling in a bid to see more of the world.

Couple George and Crissa decided to quit their jobs and sell all their belongings so they could jet off on “the journey of a lifetime”. Originally from Tampa in Florida, US, they document their adventures on YouTube and other social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

On their YouTube channel, they explained their adventures initially began with the purchase of an RV, which they used to drive across North America for a year. In a recent clip, shared on TikTok, the couple shared their experience of a popular attraction in New Zealand.

New Zealand has long been a bucket list destination for countless people, thanks to its expansive, unspoiled natural scenery that’s seen it branded the “real Middle Earth”, a nod to the part it played in the making of the beloved Lord of the Rings trilogy.

It’s got a rich Maori culture, breathtaking fjords, varied wildlife, decadent and acclaimed wines, and much more. It’s also home to some exciting adventure hotspots and attractions, with George and Cris learning their perception of a “giant waterslide” was different to ZORB’s in Rotorua, NZ.

In a video shared on TikTok, the couple showcased the popular “slide”, which sees people jump into a giant inflatable ball and be pushed down “slides” made from the grassy, green hills.

Over the top of the clip, the couple added text which reads: “POV [point of view]: your husband books a ‘giant waterslide’ then realises that means something very different in New Zealand”.

In the caption, they explained: “Did you know you can roll down a massive hill inside a giant inflatable ball in New Zealand?! ZORB is one of New Zealand’s most iconic bucket list experiences.

“Spinning, bouncing, and laughing your way downhill in a transparent orb. It basically feels like you’re in a hamster ball water slide.”

Of the cost, they revealed they “did the ‘four ride combo’ for NZ$155/US$100 (£72)” but added “there are several other packages” on the ZORB website.

In the comments section, fellow TikTok users were keen to share their thoughts. One person joked: “I can’t explain it… but I know I would drown.”

Another said: “I’ve done this … it’s like being inside a washing machine [crying laughing emoji] very fun even though you feel like you’re gonna drown half the time”.

A third had a different perspective and commented: “I’ve done this and it was the worst experience of my life”.

A fourth said: “Yeah you wouldn’t catch me dead in one of those. I’m actually panicking at the sight of this”.

Someone else shared: “I did this back in 2018 and it was so fun! My life did briefly flash before my eyes though when I got stuck underwater beneath my two friends”.

One TikTok user revealed: “I got so much anxiety doing that, felt sick, was horrible, will never do it again”.

Another added: “Tempted to fly to New Zealand exclusively for this.”

Many money saving travel hacks are trotted out year after year, but do they really save money? Travel specialists have weighed in on some of the most common tips that are often repeated

January and February are peak times for booking holidays, and at this time of year you’ll often see lists of travel tips that claim you can save money by following certain ‘hacks’.

But do they really work? The travel insurance team at Tiger.co.uk has shed light on five travel hacks that are shared pretty much every year, but may end up being a waste of your time. Luckily, the team has also revealed some practical tips to save money that can actually help holidaymakers slash their travel costs.

1. Using incognito mode when booking

Some money saving sites will tell you to use incognito mode when you make a booking, claiming this can lead to cheaper fares. This is based on the assumption that if you make repeated searches, the airline or travel provider will take your history into account and raise the fares.

However, Tiger explained that flight pricing algorithms are much more sophisticated than that, and while fare prices do change over time, this is based on demand, availability, and pricing, rather than what’s in your search history. An article in Quartz backs up this theory, citing studies that have shown there’s very little effect on the overall cost.

Many airlines offer different fare classes even within economy, and once one type of fare sells out, it’ll automatically move to the next, higher-priced one. This is more likely to explain why a fare has jumped up in price the second time you search.

2. Booking flights during the night

In the early days of internet travel booking, airlines used to update their fares manually overnight. Savvy travellers could set an alarm for first thing in the morning to save money on their flights.

Nowadays, airline websites are much more sophisticated and update prices 24/7, meaning its unlikely to make a difference whether you book during the day or night. However, this outdated travel hack still gets repeated now and again.

3. Booking last-minute gets you the best deals

Travelling at the last minute used to be a great way to bag bargain holidays. If you’re not fussy about your destination and flexible on dates, there are still cheap package holidays to be found, though they seem to be getting harder to find.

However, Tiger says that if you’re looking for cheap flights, planning ahead is a better option. Fares often increase as the departure date approaches and seats become scarcer. Try using Skyscanner or a similar flight comparison site with a price tracker to alert you when fares to your destination drop.

4. Only looking at budget airlines

Budget airlines often appear the cheapest because they offer impressive headline fares, but once priced up, a budget carrier might not be the best option for saving cash.

Once you’ve added the basics, such as baggage and paid to select your seat, you may find the cost is comparable to standard airlines where these extras are included. Always look at the total cost for a true comparison.

5. Always book a return

In the past, travellers were always advised to book return tickets as it worked out cheaper. But nowadays, with flight comparison tools available, it’s easier than ever to compare return fares on the same airline versus buying two singles with different carriers. Mixing and matching could save you money and often makes it more convenient to book a flight time that suits you.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

The Beckhams have been papped at endless glamorous locations over the years, and if you’d like to holiday like David and Victoria, here are some of the glamorous spots the family have enjoyed

Whether you’re on Team Victoria or firmly siding with Brooklyn, there’s one thing we can all agree on: the Beckhams know how to holiday in style. In summers gone by, we have been treated to a raft of enviable paparazzi pics of the Beckhams in sun-soaked locations, from yachts to private beaches.

While the vast majority of us don’t have the Beckhams’ budget, it’s still possible to visit the family’s favourite locations. Here are some of the spots where the clan has been spotted over the years and where you can stay for a hopefully feud-free holiday.

1. Saint Tropez, France

Saint Tropez has long been a glamorous celebrity haunt and the Beckhams have often been spotted on a yacht just off the coast, as well as along the Côte d’Azur. The French Riviera never goes out of style, and you can enjoy a stylish break at the Hotel Brin d’Azur. Just outside of Saint Tropez, this four-star hotel has direct access to a private beach, an outdoor pool for Instagram selfies, and rooms with terraces or balconies.

The hotel is just a short walk from the port area, where you can indulge in celeb-spotting and look out for superyachts coming into dock. Prices start from £172 per night and can be booked on Hotels.com.

2. Portofino, Italy

David and Victoria were spotted dining in Portofino last summer, and this stylish part of the Italian Riviera is loved by many celebs thanks to its Mediterranean charm. Stay just minutes from Portofino in the Mediterraneo Emotional Hotel & SPA in Santa Margherita Ligure, which offers rooms from £88 a night.

The hotel is set in a 19th-century building that has been beautifully restored and features a wellness centre with an indoor pool, sauna, steam room, and relaxation areas, so you can get the full celeb pampering treatment.

3. Napa Valley, California

Brooklyn revealed that one of his favourite spots to escape to is Napa Valley in the heart of California’s wine country. He first visited the area as a child, and now returns alongside his wife.

Whether you’re planning a stay with family or as a couple, the Hotel Winters is a great base to explore the region’s wineries. Surrounded by vineyards, it has large rooms, a spa, and a rooftop bar.

Guests can enjoy farm to fork dining at Carboni’s, a relaxed Italian, and the hotel is just a short walk from the historic main street of Winters, a charming small town with tasting rooms and independent shops. Book on Hotels.com from £151 per room

4. Miami, USA

Another American destination that the family enjoys is Miami, and since David Beckham owns local football club Inter Miami CF, it’s no surprise the family spends a lot of time in this colourful city. The Beckhams often visit Miami for their Christmas getaway, but it’s a great destination to explore year-round.

Book a room at Circa 39 Miami Beach to enjoy a location close to the beach and the famous Collins Avenue, where you’ll find luxury shops, nightclubs, and restaurants. The hotel has a stylish pool area with palm trees, and offers complimentary beach chairs and umbrellas for guests so you can enjoy lounging on the seafront. Rooms start from £147 per night.

5. The Bahamas, USA

Before rumours of a feud came to light, Victoria was spotted dancing and enjoying time with Brooklyn’s wife Nicola in the Bahamas in 2023. But who wouldn’t be in a good mood when visiting this island paradise?

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Many visitors head to Nassau, the capital of the islands, known for its white sand beaches and lively atmosphere. Sandyport Beach Resort is often listed among the best boutique resorts in the area, and it’s set around a marina with private beach access and lagoon-style pools. Rooms start at £280 a night with gorgeous rooms and suites set in pastel villas.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

SPAIN has always been a top holiday destination for Brits – but is quickly being taken over by a number of other destinations.

According to Jet2 CEO Steve Heapy, Spain has lost its appeal to holidaymakers with other destinations coming for its crown thanks to rising costs.

In an interview with Hosteltur, Mr Heapy predicted that Brits are ditching Spain for other destinations, all in North Africa.

The reason being? Money.

Mr Heapy explained: “Price is critical; inflation has affected Spain more than other emerging markets, making the destination more expensive.

“Tourist taxes don’t help either; paying an additional five euros per person per night on top of the trip cost represents a significant expense.”

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In places like Barcelona, the surcharge for overnight stays is rising to €5 £4.34) per night.

In the Balearic Islands like Majorca and Ibiza, there’s an eco-tax added to accommodation which ranges between €1 (87p) to €4 (£3.47)pppn.

It will soon also be more expensive to fly to Spain, as previously reported, Aena, which operates the majority of airports in Spain, is increasing its airport charges by 6.44 per cent in 2026.

With the increase in cost, Mr Heapy said that Brits are heading to other locations instead – which are still just a few hours away from the UK.

He said: “North Africa is performing well, with Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt standing out.”

Morocco is a great option for Brits, especially those seeking winter sun – and some destinations are less than an hour from the UK.

A flight from the UK to the vibrant city of Marrakesh takes just three hours and 40 minutes.

In February there are highs of 21C – much warmer than being in the UK at that time of year.

It’s cheap too, according to Skyscanner you can fly with Ryanair from London Stansted from just £15 on February 23, 2026.

On that same day, it’s more expensive to fly to Madrid which is £17 – and the journey is one hour less.

Head of Sun Travel Lisa Minot recently visited the Moroccan city where she discovered desert landscapes, colourful streets and new bars, restaurants and hotels.

Other popular destinations in Morocco include Agadir which has beautiful golden beaches, the country’s capital Rabat, Essaouira on the southern coast, Fez and Tangier.

Tunisia is also back in the game according to Jet2’s Mr Heapy.

The number of Brits heading on holiday there has risen significantly with around 350,000 British visiting in 2024 – 65 per cent more than the previous year.

And numbers are rising thanks to its great weather, short flights and beautiful beaches.

And according to TravelSupermarket, Tunisia offers some of the very cheapest 5-star holidays on the market, averaging at £614pp.

Egypt has plenty of beautiful beachside resorts that will appeal to Brits seeking a fly and flop holiday.

You’ve got beach resorts like Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada, or if you want more of the city life, head to Cairo of Luxor & Aswan.

With loveholidays, breaks to Sharm El Sheikh including breakfast and flights start from as little as £219pp.

There were other Mediterranean destinations that Mr Heapy said are keeping a good level of tourism – like Greece.

There you get the best of both worlds from ancient cities to beautiful islands.

It’s also home to the world’s best island for 2025 – Paros, where travellers will find secret beach clubs and incredible restaurants where holidaymakers dance on tables.

Spain’s neighbour, Portugal, is also continuing to be popular especially in places like Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve region.

One writer who relocated from London to Lisbon still can’t believe how cheap it is.

You can pick up booze for less than £5 – from local beer to wine, she said “you can still purchase a top-quality house white or red for just a few euros.”

Coffee can be bought up for around 80p if you like an espresso – or coffee with milk – called a ‘galão’ – will usually come in at under two euros.

For more on Portugal, here’s the secret side of the country crowned one of the best places in Europe to visit.

And hear from one Greece expert who names four better value islands where locals go on holiday with Santorini-like houses and secluded beaches.