holiday

AS Cruise Week draws to a close today, we’ve been highlighting the best deals and giving you inspiration for your next trip.

But what if you’re yet to step onboard?

We asked cruise experts for top tips for first-timers.

Scott Sanders, cruise director of Marella Cruises, TUI’s UK line, says: “One of the biggest mistakes I see is guests sticking to what they know and not trying something new.

“Whether it’s a dance class, a quiz or one of our West End-style shows, some of the best holiday memories come from stepping outside your comfort zone.”

Scott also encourages guests to make staff aware of any special occasions.

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“If you’re celebrating a birthday, anniversary or another milestone, let us know,” he said. “We love helping guests mark those special moments and making their holiday even more memorable.

“And take time to chat to cabin stewards, as they often have some really good tips on ports of call on your sailings or the best places on the ship for a quiet drink or sundowner cocktails.”

Scott also advises familiarising yourself with the ship before embarking.

“Many guests spend their first day trying to work out where everything is.

“Watching an official ship tour or browsing guest videos online before your cruise can help you get your bearings before you even step on board.”

Finally, Scott says to check your phone.

“I always remind guests to switch their phones to airplane mode when we’re at sea and use the onboard wifi instead. It can save people from unexpected roaming charges when they get home.”

Bob McGowan, chief experience officer at Ambassador Cruise Line, has some advice for packing the essentials.

He says: “Always carry the essentials on your person when travelling to your destination (even if that is your cabin). Aside from passport, wallet and personal items, a change of clothes, medication, toothbrush and toiletries are worth packing in hand luggage, as you may arrive to your cabin ahead of the rest of your luggage.

“Handy items to bring on your first cruise include a backpack – great for a big day out enjoying any onshore excursions – and a small evening bag for carrying a few essentials when on the move around the ship.”

He adds: “Seasickness tablets or sea bands are a must. While most first-time cruisers find their sea legs soon after setting sail, if you’re prone to motion sickness it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

And he’s got advice for choosing your cabin, too.

“If you like to have plenty of downtime relaxing in the privacy of your cabin, you may prefer to book one with a balcony to ensure you can make the most of the weather and scenery.

“But if you plan on spending the sailing out-and-about socialising and enjoying all the fantastic experiences on offer, an inside cabin could be better suited and will be a more affordable option.

“If you or a fellow traveller suffers from the occasional bout of seasickness, choosing a lower level midship cabin offers a more stable position, so could be the best choice.”

October half-term has had a nasty habit in recent years of making holiday prices go even more silly than usual.

With summer getting more and more expensive, you end up competing with thousands of other families for the same handful of dates, the same flights and the same hotels that properly cater for families and children.

So I went digging through our booking data to see where families were still getting decent value for the October school holidays.

And, as a dad of two young kids myself, I asked myself one more question: would I actually book it?

For me, a cheap family holiday isn’t much of a bargain if the flight times are horrendous, the hotel has nothing for the kids or you’ve got to spend half the holiday buying meals and snacks on top.

Every deal I found falls inside the school holidays, is all-inclusive for a family of four, still has availability for October half-term and comes with direct flights.

9. Melia Durres Albania, Albania – from £510pp

I’ll start with the most expensive hotel on the list, but probably one of the best examples of why I wouldn’t judge these deals purely on the number at the bottom.

Melia Durres is a proper five-star resort, and it feels much more expensive than the price I’ve found.

You’re getting that big, contemporary resort feel, a huge pool running through the heart of the hotel and a beachfront location rather than a basic base for exploring.

Albania is also one of the destinations I’d be watching closely for family holidays.

It doesn’t yet have the familiarity of Spain, Greece or Turkey for British families, and that can create some really interesting value when the obvious half-term destinations become expensive.

At £510pp all-inclusive during the school holidays, I think this is the one for parents who were already expecting to spend a little more but want something that genuinely feels like an upgrade.

The direct Stansted flights also work nicely: out on Sunday 25 October and back on Friday 30 October, so you’re getting the break firmly inside half-term without eating into school days.

Book a five-night all-inclusive stay at Melia Durres Albania from 25 October, with direct return flights from London Stansted, for £510pp.

8. Duja Didim, Turkey – from £420pp

Turkey has become one of my go-to recommendations when families ask me how to make their budget work harder – and this is exactly why.

Duja Didim is a five-star ultra-all-inclusive resort with eight swimming pools, separate areas for children, a kids’ club for four to 12-year-olds and its own 250-metre private beach.

And even in October half-term, you can bag all of that for just £420pp.

This is the sort of hotel where, once you’ve checked in, you don’t really need a plan: pool, food, kids’ club, beach, another pool, repeat.

And that matters to me with young kids, because there’s a huge difference between a hotel that accepts families and one that’s been designed around keeping them occupied.

Didim also gives you another advantage at this time of year: you’re heading considerably further south than many of the other options on this list, which is worth bearing in mind when you’re chasing the last bit of proper heat before winter.

Book a five-night all-inclusive stay at Duja Didim from 25 October, with direct return flights from London Stansted, for £420pp.

7. Marrakech Ryads Parc & Spa, Morocco – from £410pp

I love a wildcard holiday, and for this list, this is it.

When people think October half-term, I suspect plenty immediately start searching the Canaries, Spain, Portugal… but I wouldn’t ignore Marrakech.

For one thing, you’re buying yourself a much better chance of proper warmth without going long-haul.

And this hotel, Marrakech Ryads Parc, works particularly well if you like the idea of Morocco but aren’t quite ready to drag the kids around the medina from breakfast until bedtime.

It’s a resort-style property away from the busiest part of the city, with a big outdoor pool, kids’ club, daily activities, sports and all-inclusive food and drink.

So you can have the easy family resort holiday and still have Marrakech sitting there when you fancy actually going out and seeing something.

The other thing I like is the flight: direct from Manchester, with an 18:40 return flight, meaning you get a full extra day exploring Marrakech – a perfect pick for families with older kids.

At £410pp, I think this is a very strong half-term alternative to falling into the same trap of booking Spain again.

Book a five-night all-inclusive stay at Marrakech Ryads Parc & Spa from 27 October, with direct return flights from Manchester, for £410pp.

6. Tivoli Alvor Algarve Resort, Portugal – from £410pp

This one’s the same price as Morocco, but for a very different holiday.

Tivoli Alvor is the hotel I’d show someone who says: “Yes, we need somewhere brilliant for the children, but I’d quite like it to feel like a holiday for me as well.”

This is a five-star all-inclusive resort with six swimming pools, four restaurants, two bars, a junior club, wellness centre and a shuttle into Alvor.

Some brilliant family hotels are essentially enormous children’s entertainment centres with bedrooms attached, but Tivoli feels far more suited to adults too, without sacrificing the things that make a family holiday easy.

Alvor itself is another reason I’d choose it, because you’re not trapped in an isolated resort: you’ve got a lovely Algarve town nearby if you fancy getting out for a wander.

And at £410pp for a family of four for a five-star all-inclusive school-holiday break, I think the hotel quality you’re getting for the money is excellent.

Book a five-night all-inclusive stay at Tivoli Alvor Algarve Resort from 24 October, with direct return flights from London Stansted, for £410pp.

5. Canvas by Mitsis Messonghi, Corfu – from £368pp

This is probably my personal favourite pick on the list.

Beach, pools, slides, an all-inclusive wristband… very little thinking required.

Canvas by Mitsis Messonghi has four outdoor pools, three children’s pools, a mini aquapark with waterslides and a kids’ club for four to 12-year-olds, alongside its beachfront setting.

That’s exactly the kind of combination I look for when I’m comparing family hotels because it gives you options.

If the children are bored of the main pool, there’s the aquapark.

And if they’re bored of you, there’s the kids’ club.

Or if everybody’s had enough of chlorine, you’ve got the beach.

And £368pp is where this list starts getting particularly tempting.

In the deal I found, you’re flying direct from Gatwick on Tuesday 27 October and returning Sunday 1 November, staying at a four-star Greek all-inclusive hotel – all for under £400pp.

Book a five-night all-inclusive stay at Canvas by Mitsis Messonghi from 27 October, with direct return flights from London Gatwick, for £368pp.

4. Puente Real, Torremolinos – from £330pp

This is one I’d call the safe pair of hands.

Torremolinos isn’t going to win any prizes for being an undiscovered holiday destination.

But sometimes, particularly when you’re travelling with kids, being a known quantity is a selling point.

Puente Real sits right by the beach and has the stuff families actually use: pools, children’s entertainment and a kids’ club for ages four to 12.

Its all-inclusive package also includes meals, local drinks and snacks between restaurant sittings.

And because you’re in Torremolinos rather than a purpose-built resort in the middle of nowhere, you’ve got plenty around you when you fancy getting out.

The price is the headline for me, though: £330pp in October half-term, all inclusive, with direct Bristol flights.

Once you start looking at what families can easily spend on a UK break during the same week – before you’ve bought three meals a day – this deal starts to look very, very sensible.

Book a five-night all-inclusive stay at Puente Real from 27 October, with direct return flights from Bristol, for £330pp.

3. O7 Be Klub, Alcudia, Majorca – from £283pp

This is our first hotel to come under the £300pp mark, so it’s officially time to start taking notes.

You might recognise this hotel by its old name, Bellevue Club, but it’s now O7 Be Klub – and the sheer scale of this place is a big part of the appeal for families.

The resort covers around 250,000 square metres and has 11 swimming pools, including pools specifically designed for babies, plus two children’s waterpark areas with slides, fountains and playgrounds.

That’s worth knowing because a three-star rating can sometimes make people scroll straight past a hotel, but I wouldn’t here.

If your priority is having loads for the kids to do rather than marble reception desks and fancy toiletries, this is exactly the sort of place where the star rating tells you less than the facilities list.

You’re also based in Alcudia at this hotel, which remains one of my favourite easy recommendations for families in Majorca because of the huge sandy beach and very family-orientated resort.

For £283pp all-inclusive in the school holidays, this is seriously cheap.

Book a five-night all-inclusive stay at O7 Be Klub from 27 October, with direct return flights from Birmingham, for £283pp.

2. Magic Sports, Oropesa del Mar – from £268pp

This is the hotel I’d expect kids to pick themselves.

Magic Sports is Spain’s first sports-themed hotel, with rooms themed around sports including football, basketball, tennis and motorsport, plus a sports-themed waterpark with some properly substantial slides.

And Oropesa del Mar is an interesting resort to pick too.

It doesn’t have the same instant name recognition as Benidorm, Salou or Alcudia, which is probably part of why bargains can still appear here.

But for families, there’s a huge resort and a long beachfront – without you paying purely for the destination name.

I’ve previously flagged Magic Sports as one of those under-the-radar Spanish family hotels worth knowing about, and this price only reinforces it.

Because I found a deal for a family of four, all inclusive during October half term, for just £268pp.

That’s flights and hotel for less than plenty of families could spend on accommodation alone for a UK staycation during a school holiday week.

Book a five-night all-inclusive stay at Magic Sports from 27 October, with direct return flights from London Gatwick, for £268pp.

1. Ohtels La Hacienda, La Pineda – from £263pp

I’ve been banging the La Pineda drum for a while now, and this hotel shows exactly why.

Ohtels La Hacienda is a four-star hotel in La Pineda, just 250 metres from the beach, with its own children’s waterpark, outdoor pools, spa, football and padel facilities.

And there’s another reason I really like the location for families: PortAventura World is less than three miles away.

So if you’ve got older children who need more than five straight days around the pool, you’ve got one of Europe’s biggest theme park resorts practically on your doorstep.

You don’t need to do it, obviously – the hotel has enough going on that this still works perfectly well as a straightforward all-inclusive break – but having the option is a massive plus.

A family of four can get away for £1,050 in total (£263pp), with direct Gatwick flights, during the school holidays.

That is the sort of half-term price I’d personally stop scrolling for.

Book a five-night all-inclusive stay at Ohtels La Hacienda from 27 October, with direct return flights from London Gatwick, for £263pp.

FROM Art Deco architecture and superstar football to incredible Cuban sandwiches and sizzling nightlife, Miami packs a serious punch for a short stay. 

For Brits, it’s often combined with cruises from the Florida city’s port, making it the perfect start or end to a Caribbean cruise this winter.

The weather remains gorgeous throughout our colder months, with temperatures still in the mid to high 20s.

For first-timers, a stay on Miami Beach puts you right at the centre of the very best of this captivating city.

ARE THESE STREETS MADE FOR WALKING? It’s America — so no, the car remains king. But that’s not to say there aren’t walkable districts.

South Beach and Mid Beach excel with their paved Beachwalk and pedestrianised Lincoln Road is a shoppers’ paradise with all the popular brands and a host of cafes and restaurants offering al fresco dining.

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In trendy Wynwood you can easily explore on foot to take in street art, galleries, boutiques and a buzzing nightlife scene.

ANYTHING FOR THE BUCKET LIST? Learn all about the huge Cuban influence on Miami on a food and drink tour of Little Havana with Miami Culinary Tours.

Over two and a half hours, you’ll stroll the streets learning how Cuban exiles transformed the city’s flavours and culture.

Among my favourites were the Cuban sandwich stuffed with roasted pork, ham, swiss cheese and pickles at Old’s Havana Cuban Bar & Cocina, washed down with a perfect mojito and the crispy beef empanadas from El Pub.

But the tour also features stops at a traditional Cuban cigar shop and Domino Park to watch the locals play fast-paced games.

Another must is a stroll along South Beach’s Ocean Drive to admire the gorgeous Art Deco buildings — book a guided walk through getyourguide.com to bring the history to life.

And football fans won’t want to miss a match at Nu Stadium — home to Inter Miami CF, co-owned by David Beckham and famous for signing Lionel Messi.

WHERE SHOULD I EAT? Award- winning Austin chef Tyson Cole brings his very modern take on Japanese cuisine to Miami with not one but two restaurants, each offering a vast variety of unusual sushi, sashimi and nigiri paired with quirky flavours from citrus to smoke.

Uchi in Wynwood leans into the citrus while sister restaurant Uchiko is all about char and open-flame cooking. The vast menus can be a bit overwhelming but the brilliant staff will guide you and the quality is outstanding. Visit during the daily Happy Hours to enjoy it for a fraction of the price.

I FANCY A DRINK: Of course, for the in-crowd and those with deep pockets, there are plenty of stunning cocktail joints and seriously cool hotel bars on South Beach — including MILA just off Lincoln Road and the Matador Bar at the Miami Beach Edition.

But for those of us with smaller bank balances, taking advantage of happy hours is a great way to save. Sweet Liberty in Collins Park in Mid Beach has a popular happy hour from 4pm to 7pm with cocktails from £7.40 and craft beers from £4.50. Cafe La Trova in Little Havana sees waiters formally serving up Cuban daiquiris and mojitos.

Or head to Veza Sur Brewing Co. & Cerveceria La Tropical in Wynwood for an outdoor beer garden with pints from £5.20.

WHERE SHOULD I STAY? For all the benefits of South Beach without the crowds, stay at gorgeous Art Deco gem, The Palms Hotel and Spa.

Just ten minutes by car from Ocean Drive and Wynwood, the hotel’s lush gardens feature a pool and tiki bar plus plenty of loungers.

You can stroll onto the stunning white sands where even more loungers and shades await.

The hotel has a great focus on sustainability — you can pick up a bucket on the beach to help tidy up and be rewarded with a free gelato.

The light and airy rooms have an understated, tropical vibe and the ocean views are stunning.            

STANDING on the deck with an Aperol spritz in hand and watching the beautiful Sicilian city of Messina fade into the distance, I feel like I am living the dream.

And indeed we pretty much have been since me, my husband Alistair and our 15-year-old twins Riley and Harris set off from the port of Barcelona on a seven-night Mediterranean cruise.

As first-time cruisers, from the moment we step on to NCL’s 2,100-room, 18-deck Norwegian Epic – which underwent a massive refurb last year – it is brilliant fun.

Having checked on to the ship, we head to deck 15, with its two pools and three waterslides, to wait for our luggage to be delivered to our balcony state cabins.

Here, we take a peek at our fellow passengers – an eclectic mix of young and old from America, Canada, the UK and everywhere in between – as we settle on sunloungers with drinks and enjoy the live music, while waiting to depart.

Leaving Barcelona, we pass another ship and everyone cheers and waves to our fellow cruisers.

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The party atmosphere makes for the most lovely holiday vibe.

All decked out

With so much to do on the ship, you could never be bored.

There are 16 restaurants, including brilliant inclusive eateries such as the buffet Garden Cafe and the waiter-serviced Manhattan Room and Spice restaurants, plus seven speciality options, which we can dine at as part of our free-at-sea package.

For our first night we opt for Shanghai’s Noodle Bar, which we talk about for days afterwards.

There, we tuck into starters including sushi and spare ribs before mains of black pepper beef with broccoli, melt-in-the-mouth snapper, chicken and prawn chow mein, and egg fried rice, all washed down with sake for me and Alistair.

Our cabins have super-comfy twin beds pulled together into doubles, a sofa, shower and toilet, as well as tonnes of storage space and a TV.

We barely feel the boat move as we fall into a deep sleep, waking the next day in Marseille, where we decide to spend our first full day exploring the ship’s decks from top to bottom, taking advantage of enjoying the attractions while most guests are on shore.

Riley and Harris are delighted to find a Starbucks, while I love the serene Mandara Spa with its 50 different treatments, and we all gasp at the huge gym.

There is also teenage club Entourage, as well as Epic Theatre, where evening shows take place.

We particularly enjoy Red, White & British – a show of covers from Brit artists through the decades.

Plus, there’s a video arcade centre and a huge casino, as well as countless bars.

Exploring done, we head to the pool to test the water slides, including the 200ft bowl slide.

Excursions – which start from £37 per person – can be booked via the NCL app pre-departure or on board, and save you having to find your own way around new destinations.

However, our second stop is Villefranche-sur-Mer, a pastel-coloured coastal town where the shingle beach is just a stroll from where we disembark the ship’s tender, making a beach day a no-brainer.

Afterwards, we hit the town’s cobbled backstreets and pretty shops, marvelling at the handmade jewellery in Jour De Plage and eclectic clothes in cute Le Shopping De Nat on Rue de l’Église.

The station, with regular trains to nearby Nice and Monaco, is a stone’s throw away though, and many of our fellow cruisers set off to explore those cities instead.

Pisa The Action

That evening, we try Cagney’s Steakhouse, where we feast on jumbo shrimp cocktail or lobster bisque, followed by ribeye and fillet steaks served with a choice of sides – we love the parmesan truffle fries.

For dessert, the seven-layer chocolate cake is divine.

Our first excursion of the week is the following day when we arrive at Italy’s Livorno and take a coach to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa in all its glory.

Close by, we happen upon amazing pizzeria Santa Maria, where an extra-large pepperoni pizza costs £16.50 and feeds Alistair, Harris and me, while Riley plumps for a focaccia sandwich with mozzarella, £7 (Ristorantesantamaria.com).

The day ends with a trip to the historic seaside town of Viarregio, where we cool off with a dip in the crystal-clear water.

Opting to go it alone in Messina – as the port is located right in the city – we pop into the stunning Messina Cathedral, home to the world’s biggest, most complex astronomical clock, which stands 60m tall inside its bell tower.

Feeling suitably cultured, we then grab a taxi to Capo Peloro, a beautiful beach on Sicily’s north-eastern tip, where the Tyrrhenian and Ionian seas meet.

Just Our Vibe

Back on the ship, both teens decide to chill in their rooms, so Alistair and I grab the opportunity to head to Vibe Club, an oasis of adults-only calm on the 18th deck with four-poster sunbeds and a hot tub, where we sip cocktails as we say our goodbyes to Messina.

Dinner that night at the Teppanyaki is our stand-out meal of the week.

We feast like kings on miso soup and seaweed salad, and marvel as the chefs sing songs, catch eggs for the fried rice in their hats and cook up a storm.

My steak-and-prawn combo is delicious, as is the sake-based wasabi cocktail I wash it down with.

We finish the night at our favourite bar, Shaker’s Martini Bar, where I’ve developed a taste for the Dirty Martinis, and my whole gang love their nightly live music.

Our last full day cruising is spent on the stunning Amalfi Coast, where our excursion takes us past Mount Vesuvius and to the Phlegraean Peninsula, so we can snorkel above the Roman resort of Baia, with its marvellous mosaics that now lie submerged up to 13 metres below the sea, before relaxing on the golden sands.

It’s an Italian bank holiday, and at the nearby beach club dozens are drinking prosecco, eating whitebait cooked in a huge metal vat of oil and dancing to their hearts’ content.

This couldn’t be a more fitting end to our cruise – pulling up in the port of Civitavecchia, near Rome, the next morning, we’ve laughed, danced, eaten, drunk and experienced some of the most beautiful places in the world.

THE SUMMER holidays are in the rearview mirror now, so it’s likely you’re already daydreaming about next year’s getaway.

As for where to book, these spots have been revealed as the trending destinations for 2027 including one place in Europe with tropical-looking beaches, and another country with highs of 30C even in winter.

Advantage Travel Partnership, a UK-based consortium of independent travel businesses has said Albania as the destination to watch for 2027.

The country is much lesser-visited by Brits than the likes of France, Spain and Greece – but it has so much to offer, including beautiful beaches and hot summers.

One spot along the Albanian Riviera called Ksamil is regularly labelled the ‘Maldives of Europe,’ for its stunning coastline.

The village is in the south of Albania very close to Corfu – in fact on a clear day you can see across to the island.

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Ksamil has white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and offshore islands that you can swim to from the mainland, giving it similar attributes to the Maldives.

The easiest way to get to Ksamil is actually to fly into Corfu Airport and take a quick ferry crossing across.

Another spot in Albania that is loved by singer Dua Lipa is the seaside village, Dhermi, which in the summertime is called a ‘bustling seaside paradise’.

It has pebbled beaches, beach clubs, a historic old town, and one of the biggest attractions is Pirates’ Cave.

Albania during the spring sits around the mid-20s, and during summertime can be over 30C.

There are direct flights from London Heathrow, Stansted and Luton to the country’s capital, Tirana, which start from £30.

Visitors to Albania have been steadily rising, previous statistics reveal that tourists visiting Albania nearly doubled from 6.4million in 2019 to 11.7million in 2024.

Other places that the data revealed are on the up next year include Egypt, an affordable winter sun hotspot.

The country and particularly Red Sea resorts attract Brits in the later part of the year thanks to its high temperatures.

In October, Egypt can still bask on the beach in 30C heat – meanwhile the UK’s average is around 10C.

In recent years, Egypt has been named the ‘best value for money’ destination, according to the Post Office Travel Money.

According to Wise, a beer in Egypt can be as little as 50EG which is 77p.

Coffee can be as little as 54p and a meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs an average of £2.75.

Earlier this year, Chris Logan, Commercial Director at TUI UK&I named Egypt as one of their “most in demand destinations.”

He named Sharm El Sheikh as a popular spot for couples with its blend of relaxation, vibrant nightlife, and world‑class reefs.

Hurghada is a spot that’s “especially popular with families thanks to its impressive all‑inclusive offering, shallow beaches, and brilliant snorkelling”.

Nearby Marsa Alam is also gaining in popularity thanks to its “pristine beaches, exceptional diving, and a more laid‑back atmosphere”.

There are plenty of direct flights to Egypt from the UK, particularly in the winter months, with an average flight time of just over five hours.

Two other on-the-rise destinations for 2027 include Hong Kong and Vietnam.

The Sun’s Business Affairs Editor James Flanders visited Vietnam last year where he was delighted to find beers for £1.

James said: “From the moment I touched down in Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, I knew my trip would be unforgettable.

“The city doesn’t just welcome you — it wraps you in its embrace with the hum of motorbikes, the aroma of street food, and a culture so vibrant you can’t help but fall in love. 

“My favourite memories of Hanoi, however, were on Train Street. This narrow alley is famed for its railway, which runs straight through the centre, so close to the tiny cafés flanking the street that you can feel the rush of air when the carriages whoosh past.”

Outside of the capital, one popular activity is kayaking along Ha Long Bay which has emerald waters and is surrounded by towering limestone cliffs.

No one will be disappointed by the food and drink scene in Vietnam, James enjoyed Huda beer, crispy fried spring rolls, and a stir-fried rice noodle dish for less than £8. 

LOOKING for your next big holiday? Look no further as British Airways has revealed a major update to its summer 2027 schedule with flights to TWO East African destinations.

British Airways (BA) has announced that it will be launching new flights to Tanzania from May 29, 2027 – which last took off 14 years ago.

The flights will take off from London Gatwick Airport and head to Kilimanjaro before heading onto Zanzibar.

The flights will then continue for the season, until October 31.

In Kilimanjaro, you can obviously visit the famous mountain, which is Africa’s highest peak and the world’s highest free-standing mountain.

It takes about 45 minutes from the airport to reach Moshi – the gateway town.

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The National Park is home to rainforest, as well as an arctic summit.

In the region, there’s also Tanzania’s loved Northern Safari Circuit to explore, which is one of the continent’s most famous wildlife routes.

It includes the Serengeti Wildlife Park, where the Great Migration is found, as well as UNESCO World Heritage Ngorongoro Crater, which is home to the Big 5.

Or head to Tarangire National Park as well, which is well-known for its elephant herds.

Meanwhile, Zanzibar is famous for its white, sandy coast that’s home to an abundance of marine life including dolphins and sea turtles.

There’s also the UNESCO-listed streets of Stone Town to explore, with hand-carved wooden doors and coral-stone buildings.

Across the island, there are a number of spice plantations, giving visitors the chance to sample fresh vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Flights will take off three times a week from London Gatwick, landing in Kilimanjaro, before going on to Zanzibar.

Flights from London Gatwick to Kilimanjaro International Airport and then onwards to Zanzibar, will take off on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

The flights will depart at 9:05am and land in Kilimanjaro at 8:20pm,before then taking off to Zanzibar at 9:20pm and landing there at 10:25pm.

Return flights from Zanzibar back to London Gatwick, will take place on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, departing at 12:25am and landing at 7:55am.

Flights will cost from £849 return.

Neil Chernoff, British Airways’ Chief Planning and Strategy Officer said: “We’re excited to be launching flights to two exceptional new destinations that showcase the very best of Tanzania.

“From the vast plains of the Serengeti and the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro to the turquoise waters and white-sand beaches of Zanzibar, these new routes strengthen our footprint in East Africa and open the door to some of the world’s most extraordinary travel experiences.

“Alongside these new routes, we are strengthening our wider long-haul network, adding capacity to a number of popular destinations across Africa, the Americas and the Caribbean.

“By increasing frequencies and extending seasonal services, we’re giving customers more choice and flexibility, while deepening London’s connectivity to key destinations around the world.”

In addition to the Tanzania flights, BA is increasing its capacity to Latin America by 25 per cent.

There will also be new non-stop flights to Buenos Aires, Argentina and onward service to Santiago, Chile.

Additional seats have been added to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil as well, and flights to San José, Costa Rica, will become year-round.

Las Vegas in America and Cape Town in South Africa will also gain additional flights.

A NEW hotel has opened at Bristol Airport that couldn’t feel farther from a classic pre-flight stay.

Each room is inside a former shipping container, it even has an orchard area and the airport is under a 10-minute walk away.

Called Nodpods, each room is self-contained and inside visitors will find a king size bed and en-suite with a shower.

There’s complimentary tea, coffee, hot chocolate, biscuits and there’s the option of a croissant in the morning.

There’s also a smart TV, WiFi, hairdryer, full length mirror, and towels are provided too.

One woman who stayed inside a Nodpod described it as being “really cosy” thanks to its small, snug size.

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And unlike airport hotels, the pods have some outdoor space too, it even has an orchard area where some visitors have spotted wildlife, like rabbits and squirrels.

Someone else who had stayed wrote in the comments: “I’ve stayed in this place, so convenient for Bristol airport, and it’s spotless.”

On Tripadvisor, the Nodpods have 22 reviews with a high average rating of 4.5 out of 5.

Lots praise the alternative accommodation for its convenience, others for their affordability.

One wrote: “Staying at nodpods has cut our pre-flight costs in half (we used to stay in a hotel in Bristol and paid for parking overnight) so we have more money to spend on holiday!”

The pods can be booked for as little as £90 for one night for two people which works out to £45 each.

Meanwhile, a stay at Hampton by Hilton Bristol Airport starts from £129.

At the Nodpods there is free parking at the pods, although it is caveated that this is for your stay there only – not for the duration of your holiday.

While there isn’t a restaurant at pod site, The Airport Tavern is a three-minute walk away, and The George & Dragon is a five-minute drive.

Bristol Airport recently submitted plans to expand with thousands more flights and long-haul journeys – so the NodPods would be a great option to stay before jetting off.

Along with more passengers the terminal will be larger, there will be new shops, restaurants as well as an extended runway at the cost of £500million.

The proposal revealed the airport had plans to reach “world cities within Europe and beyond”.

This includes a limited number of new flights to North America, the Middle East and Asia.

I headed to Eurocamp for the last week in August to enjoy the last of the summer sunshine, and found a lively park packed with plenty for the kids to do and an impressive location to explore Normandy

Finding a holiday that suits my family is a tough call. The age gap between my kids means I have a primary school aged child who wants to go to kids clubs and make friends by the pool, while my teenager would happily emerge at noon and sit on a sunlounger scrolling through their phone all day.

Eurocamp felt like the type of holiday that could be an excellent compromise. You get the convenience of a caravan break, separate rooms for the kids and living space, yet still get the entertainment for younger ones.

We picked Eurocamp La Vallée for a week at the end of August, and its location about three hours from Calais made it an easy journey down. I hadn’t been on a holiday via ferry for a while and forgot just how chilled it is compared to taking the kids on a plane. You can load up the car the night before, devices can be charged in the car, and once you’re onboard you aren’t stuck in a tiny seat for hours. Driving in Northern France is incredibly easy too, with flat, wide toll roads that had barely any traffic.

Arriving at Eurocamp we got a friendly welcome and drove through the maze of caravans, lodges, and tipi tents of various grades, trying not to run over the unsupervised children who’d occasionally dash into our path. Our caravan was a Premium Exclusive, which was set on a spacious area of the park and had its own little garden area with loungers and parking.

The main difference between accommodation in UK and French holiday parks is size. While our mobile home was clean and well-equipped, it was definitely smaller than accommodation at British parks. There’s an open plan area with a kitchen, which surprisingly managed to fit in every utensil known to man and a dishwasher, and a plasticky seating area, but it’s clear that the accommodation is designed for those who don’t want to spend their evenings sitting indoors and watching TV.

While the inside is compact, the outdoor terrace more than made up for any lack of space. Our wooden decking area had outdoor tables and chairs, a big comfy outdoor sofa, and a flat top griddle which was fabulous for cooking outside. We’d often spend the evenings drinking wine and playing cards on the deck as it got dark.

But the big draw of Eurocamp isn’t necessarily the accommodation. It’s the facilities and entertainment, which were definitely much livelier than we expected. Outside the kids’ club there was a daily timetable of events looked after by the colourfully dressed animation team, and separate activities for younger and older kids, so teenagers aren’t stuck doing crafts with a bunch of four year olds.

And of course, there are the pools, which in La Vallée were particularly impressive. There was an outdoor pool area with lazy river, a covered indoor pool, some rather terrifying looking flume things, and a big splash zone for younger kids.

Unfortunately, sunbed wars had broken out in the resort, and the lifeguards seemed reluctant to play the role of peacekeeper. The first morning we arrived, half an hour after the pool opened I found the sole remaining sunbed without a towel draped over it, only for a sunburned man to tell me “that’s my kid’s sunbed, my love”. I thought about arguing with him, especially for calling me ‘my love’, but was being glared at by a five year old in a Minecraft towel whose lounger I’d so rudely tried to take. It was a common theme of the week, rows of sunbeds with nothing but a scrunchie or pair of goggles to keep them occupied.

Despite the lack of sunbeds, the pool was much enjoyed by the kids, who swam in circles for hours and took part in the noisy dance and exercise sessions led by the seemingly infatiguable animation team.

The only downside to the constant activities is that it can be noisy. I’m travelling with two kids, so I’m under no illusion that I’ll be resting on holiday, but it can be an overstimulating environment at times. I sat with my espresso on the terrace one morning only for the thudding sounds of Timber by Pitbull to drift through the park at 10am. During an afternoon lull, I went to read my book and maybe take a cheeky nap, only for the sounds of Lady Marmalade to suddenly blast through the park. Voulez-vous coucher avec moi? You won’t get much coucher, alone or otherwise, before midnight.

But the upside to the lively environment is that the kids pretty much entertain themselves, reverting to a feral state where they run around barefoot and make friends from all over Europe who teach them French swear words. There were bouncy castles and a playground for the kids to enjoy in the evening, plus the mainstay of all French holidays, ping pong.

The mini disco also impressed my youngest, as it involved some guy dressed as a cat chasing the kids around in circles, and the evening entertainment was fairly basic but kept everyone happy. Sadly, we had to face it sober as the bar service was laidback, to say the least, so we mostly drank our own stash from the supermarket.

Location-wise, Eurocamp La Vallée is close to everything you’d want from a French holiday. There are the Normandy beaches, World War 2 history sites, seaside towns, and utterly charming rural villages just a short drive away. So if you’re looking for a holiday where your kids can join a Lord of the Flies-style pack and you find yourself increasingly relaxed about it as the week goes on, then Eurocamp is a winner.

Book the holiday

Seven nights from Saturday 3rd April 2027 (Easter) staying in a Comfort two bedroom holiday home that sleeps up to four guests, from £331.87 per party. Book at eurocamp.co.uk.

Seven nights from Saturday 3rd July 2027 (School summer holidays) staying in a Comfort two bedroom holiday home that sleeps up to four guests, from £856.80 per party. Book at eurocamp.co.uk.

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

IF you’re itching for your next getaway but don’t want to break the bank, we’ve found the travel hack for you.

Travelzoo scours the internet for the best value holiday deals and piles them all into one place – and Sun readers can unlock these bargains instantly for £1.

Sign up to Travelzoo for £1 (30 day trial)

A Travelzoo membership usually costs £30 for the year, but right now you can try it out for 30 days for £1.

Once you’re signed up, you’ll have access to hundreds of affordable package holidays across the UK, Europe, Asia, the Caribbean and beyond.

We’ve rounded up our favourite Travelzoo deals, including UK staycations from £79 and all inclusive holidays from £151pp.

Snowdonia break – £79

Save 49% on a Snowdonia staycation with this mini break in Betws-y-Coed, a pretty mountain village at the base of Eryri.

QUID IT

Little-known £1 travel trick for free airport booze & VERY cheap all-inclusive hols

SPARE CHANGE

This £1 travel hack unlocks VERY cheap holidays – with package deals from £127

Stay in a Stables Lodge Room and wake up to a traditional Welsh breakfast, with the waterfalls and hiking trails of Gwydyr Forest on your doorstep.

You can bag an overnight break for two for £79 (which saves you 49% compared to booking direct) or upgrade to a two night stay for £149.

Athens break with Acropolis tour – £299

Save £182 on a trip to Athens plus enjoy an Acropolis tour with this Greek package holiday.

This four-night trip includes flights, transfers and a stay with breakfast in a deluxe, fountain view room at the posh Athens Tiare by Mage Hotel.

Four nights gives you plenty of time to wander the city’s ruins, outdoor markets, sip cocktails on its rooftop bars and pack in your Acropolis, Parthenon & Acropolis Museum guided tour.

Sign up to Travelzoo for £1 (30 day trial)

All inclusive Marrakech – £151

This deal is for a three night stay at the 4* Aqua Mirage Club & Aqua Par on an all inclusive basis, so get ready for that buffet and those endless cocktails.

On-site you’ll find tennis courts and a football field to work up an appetite, plus three pools and a daily shuttle bus into central Marrakech for exploring.

With temperatures still hitting 30°C in September and October, it’s the ideal option for a slice of sunshine as the weather gets chilly.

2 night Victorian seaside break in Devon – £169

Take a trip to “Little Switzerland” in North Devon, so-named due to its gorges, deep valleys and dramatic cliffs that will mentally transport you to the Swiss Alps.

Hop on the Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway to ride the highest and steepest water-powered railway in the world, or watch wild goats climb at the Valley of Rocks.

This deal includes a two night stay at The Crown Hotel in Lynton, a restored 17th-century inn, plus a delicious hot breakfast and £25pp credit for dinner.

Sign up to Travelzoo for £1 (30 day trial)

All inclusive Croatia – £258

This all inclusive Croatia break includes your flights plus a five-night stay in a sea view room at Hotel Osmine for £258pp, which shaves off up to 57% off full-price.

This hotel sits in the sleepy fishing village of Slano, a village centred around a sweeping crescent bay of sparkling water backed by lush emerald green pines.

When you’re not wandering the pretty village, try out archery, kayaking or surfing back at the hotel, then sit down to a Mediterranean meal in the hotel restaurant and sit back to enjoy the evening entertainment

Istanbul, three nights and flights – £129

Bag flights and three nights in Istanbul for £129 with this deal, and tick off the only city in the world that sits between two continents: Asia and Europe.

Stay at the Ramada Encore By Wyndham Istanbul Kartal Hotel, a modern, four-star hotel with a gym, clean and comfortable rooms and a sleek lounge to chill out in.

Here you’re close to Aydos Castle and Hill, where castle ruins weave through thick forests, and the Kartal Municipality Story Museum, where you’ll find whimsical statues and models from local legends.

Sign up to Travelzoo for £1 (30 day trial)

THERE’S lots of exciting things happening in 2027 across England, with plenty to interest all ages.

From the opening of the world’s first Minecraft land to a beautiful resort in Oxfordshire and the reopening of a funicular cliff lift in Kent – these spots should be on your radar.

Chessington, Surrey

If you’re a fan of the Minecraft video game, head to Chessington World of Adventures in Surrey for the opening of an immersive new land.

Minecraft World will cost £50million and will also have the first ever Minecraft coaster.

There will be other interactive features too like “epic block built playscapes” along with themed food and drink stores and a gift shop.”

It’s easy to make a day of it too by checking out the other 40 rides and attractions at the theme park.

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Paultons Park, Hampshire

Over at Paultons Park in Hampshire, the theme park will be opening its very first water coaster.

Called Serpent’s Curse, it will be an exciting new addition Valgard: Realm of the Vikings and it will be one of the biggest rides ever built in the theme park.

The watercoaster will be 471-metres long, with top speeds of 44mph and will open next spring.

For ride enthusiasts the details say that it will have ‘a lift hill, fast-flowing twists and curves, and a dramatic plunge into a final splashdown.’

The exact date of the opening of the ride is yet to be confirmed.

Blackpool, Lancashire

Blackpool Pleasure Beach is known for having it all, and it’s about to reopen a much- loved attraction, the River Caves.

The classic water ride first opened in 1905 before closing in 2024 due to technical complications – it will reopen next year after a period of “reimagination”.

It’s one of the oldest operating dark rides in the world and takes visitors through Ancient Egypt and lost jungles past dinosaurs and temples on a boat.

Amanda Jean Thompson OBE, the managing director of Pleasure Beach Resort teased some details, she said: “What I can tell you is what will remain – the Egyptian scene will remain but it and the Angkor Wat scene, which is so integral to Aviktas will remain, but rethemed and redone.”

She added: “I think the Blue Grotto may stay because I particularly like that area. The rest will be new and remains top secret for now, because I keep changing my mind.”

For anyone heading to Blackpool, another must-do is head to Sandcastle Waterpark which was recently voted the best waterpark in the country.

It’s kept at a toasty 29C and has more than 18 waterslides and attractions including a spa.

Don’t forget to pop into the seafront Wetherspoons either – called Velvet Coaster, it sits right on the front with views across the pleasure beach.

It’s across three floors, there’s a beer garden on the ground floor, a balcony on the first floor, and a roof garden on the pub’s highest level.

Morecambe, Lancashire

Work has officially started on the £100 million Eden Project in Morecambe and the majority will open in 2028.

But part of it will actually open next year – and it will be completely free to enter.

Called the Bring Me Sunshine Garden, it will have tall Austrian pine trees, grasses, a natural flower meadow as well as a solar-powered, shell-shaped outdoor pavilion and classroom that harvests rainwater.

The garden was shown off at the 2026 RHS Chelsea Flower Show and will open as a permanent part of the Eden Project in Morecambe in spring 2027.

The rest of the Eden Project Morecambe is scheduled to fully open in winter 2028.

There’s plenty to see in Morecambe like the Happy Mount Park, the Eric Morecambe Statue and The Smugglers Den pub all rated highly on TripAdvisor.

Folkestone, Kent

If you love the Kent coast, Folkestone might be the seaside town to visit next year as its funicular lift is set to open after being closed for 10 years.

Folkestone’s Leas Lift first opened in 1885 and was forced to close back in 2017.

But a long campaign has finally seen restoration works start – and it’s set to reopen in 2027.

The £6.6million works will restore the main systems, which connect the top of the cliff to the beach.

The cafe is also being restored, along with the waiting room and addition of an outdoor terrace.

It remains one of the oldest in the UK, and one of just three of its kind left, being a water-balance funicular.

Along with its beach, the town has its own art trail, including a 2014 Banksy, as well as the Antony Gormley cast iron statues and ‘Folkestone Mermaid,’ similar to the one in Copenhagen.

Pop by its Artist’s Quarter to see local artwork and coffee shops.

Oxfordshire

If a bit of R&R is part of your 2027 plans then perhaps a trip to Oxfordshire is on the cards.

CABÜ is set to open a new resort just outside of the Cotswolds – and it will be the third of its kind in the UK.

It will have beautiful luxury cabins, a relaxing nature spa as well as indoor and outdoor swimming pools.

There will be a new range of 51 “ultra- cool timber cabins” which will have either one, two or three bedrooms.

Guests will be able to use all of the facilities which include a nature spa, hot tubs, saunas and plunge bucket.

There will be an indoor swimming pool too surrounded by loungers and huge windows which will let in lots of natural light.

During the warmer months, guests can enjoy the outdoor pool – also on site will be a shop, restaurant, two bars and a studio events space.

The resort will open in Langley and will be a short distance from popular Cotswolds villages like Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold and Burford.

Isle of Wight and East Yorkshire

If you’re looking for a holiday park break next year, then two Parkdean Resorts are getting major makeovers for spring 2027.

The first is Thorness Bay on the north-west coast of the Isle of Wight.

Added to the site will be the new Hat-Tricks Sports Bar with pool and darts.

Joe’s American Grill is its new dining and there will be Minigolf & Adventure Activities which include high ropes, low ropes and climbing wall.

The second resort undergoing an upgrade is Skipsea Sands in East Riding of Yorkshire.

As part of a £5million makeover, it has recently added a Clip & Climb wall, Bear Grylls Escape Rooms and Fairground Golf.

Paignton, Devon

If you fancy a trip to the seaside this summer, one of the biggest hotels in Paignton is getting a huge refurb.

The Redcliffe Hotel is set to open in early 2027 and when it does, it will have been closed for a full year for the refurbishment.

The hotel has Indian-style architecture and sits right next to Paignton Beach and Preston Sands.

During the refurb, the 67-room hotel will be reduced to 55 rooms and the ground floor function room will be converted into guest rooms.

There will be a new restaurant and bar, and enhanced spa facilities.

Outside, there will be a restaurant patio with seating pods, planters and benches, terraced terraced gardens, guest patios and a refurbished outdoor pool area as well.

If you want to find a slice of Greece in Devon, then head to Elberry Cove which sits on the South West Coast Path between Paignton and Brixham and has crystal clear waters.

BOOKING a weatherproof autumn break with luxurious lodges, woodland spas and tropical indoor waterparks doesn’t have to be expensive.

We’ve tracked down the UK’s ultimate budget-friendly staycations this autumn to save your rainy weekends – from less than £3pp per night.

From clever Center Parcs dupes in stunning forests, to mega family holiday parks with tropical pool complexes, these sites guarantee a great time even when the British weather turns grim.

Whether you want to float along a lazy river while rain taps against the window, or enjoy a drink in a private hot tub under the pine trees, we’ve found some unbeatable breaks for the cheapest rates this autumn.

Finlake Resort & Spa

Set across 130 acres of Devonshire woodland, Finlake gives you the premium forest village feel of Center Parcs – but for far less money.

Fill your days with an action-packed itinerary of axe-throwing, Segways, laser tag, den building, horse riding and more. Activities start from £7, and there are plenty of free options, too.

When rainy days hit, Finlake Falls is your best friend. This indoor waterpark boasts a spacious indoor pool heated to 30C with a ‘beach style’ entrance for little ones, where they can gently wade into shallow waters.

For older kids and young-at-heart adults, there’s high-speed waterslides and flumes – plus activities like Seascooters, where you can twist and glide through the water holding onto a propeller.

Similar to Center Parcs, there’s also a woodland spa here, the Sirona Spa, where you can enjoy a soothing massage or Elemis skincare treatments.

The holiday resort is only two miles from Dartmoor National Park, where you can spot wild ponies, and three miles from Canonteign Falls – a breathtaking waterfall with a friendly gift shop and cafe nearby.

Four people can spend a week in Scandinavian-style woodland cabin with a log burner from £265 this autumn, working out at £9.46pp per night. A luxury woodland lodge won’t cost you much more, with a week from £305.

In contrast, we found a seven-night October break at Center Parcs Longleat Forest in their cheapest accommodation for £1,458. That’s a saving of £1,193.

Bluestone National Park Resort, Wales

If you’re wanting a luxury woodland break this autumn that won’t break the bank, book in at Bluestone National Park Resort in Pembrokeshire.

The crown jewel of Bluestone is the Blue Lagoon Water Park, a massive, heated, subtropical indoor pool complex that is completely free for guests.

The subtropical waterpark has a huge wave machine, four twisting, high-speed flumes, a lazy river and even warm, bubbling spa pools to retreat to.

Little ones can make a splash in Nippers Cove, a shallow pool with its own mini waterslide, water cannons and indoor rockpools.

You might even find mermaids and pirates at the waterpark during themed events.

Outside of the pool, you can try an indoor zipline, take an electric bike tour through the woods, tackle a climbing wall or even have a go at bushcraft skills including fire lighting and outdoor cooking.

As for accommodation, you can stay in everything from a stylish apartment, to a cosy pastel-coloured cottage, to a mega six-bedroom wooden lodge.

We found a three-night break in a silver lodge sleeping four for £420, working out at £35pp per night.

Highfield Grange, Essex

This newly-upgraded Essex holiday park reopened in spring of this year, packed with £5million worth of shiny new activities.

Parkdean has pumped serious money into weather-proofing this park, with new Bear Grylls escape rooms, an expanded soft play area, and even an indoor Chocolate Factory where families can create their own concoctions.

Another new addition is the Hat Tricks Sports Bar, where you can spend rainy afternoons indoors playing shuffleboard, darts, pool and mini golf.

To cut costs, there’s also an all-inclusive food and drinks package, starting from £25 per day for adults and £10 per day for kids.

This includes three meals a day plus unlimited soft drinks and Costa Coffee, so you and the kids can cosy up with a hot chocolate whenever you please.

This park is only 10 minutes’ drive from Clacton-on-Sea, where you can stroll quiet beaches on dog walks or take a trip to the amusements without the frantic summer crowds.

We found a deal for a two-night break in a Bronze Caravan sleeping up to six for £99. That works out at £8.25pp per night.

Haven Hafan y Mor

Hafan y Mor is one of Haven’s biggest holiday parks, and is one of the top-rated, too, as a three-time winner of the AA 5-Platinum Star award.

On dry days, head to the Dragon Lakes Adventure Village for mini 4×4 off-roading, high ropes courses, and to battle it out at a NERF training camp.

Inside, Splashaway Bay is one of the biggest and best holiday park pool complexes in the UK, with a lazy river, giant tipping buckets and a four-lane waterslide.

For food and drink you can grab a bite from Chopstix, Slim Chickens, and family restaurant The Coast House Bar and Grill.

As for getting out and about, you can take a breezy beach walk just steps from the park or take a 10-minute drive to the pretty seaside town of Criccieth, where you can explore a historic 13th-century castle.

We found a deal for a four night stay in October for six people in a Bronze Caravan for £69 total, which works out at a tiny £2.88pp per night.

Vauxhall, Great Yarmouth

Vauxhall Holiday Park is another that has recently undergone a £5million mega-revamp, and it may just be one of the best UK parks when it comes to rainy day activities.

Kids can spend hours in the massive Tropical Waterworld, complete with slides and a splash zone, or burn off energy tackling the indoor soft play.

If you visit in October you’ll see the park go all-out for Halloween with spooky ghost walks, costume contests and creative craft workshops – plus the Parkdean chain-wide Monster Ball party.

The fairground indoor golf is a real highlight here, with a sparkly-new course decorated with swirls and pinstripes just as colourful as the sticks of rock and sweets sold on Great Yarmouth‘s Pier.

Twinning with Highfield Grange, this site also has a new Hat Tricks Sports Bar – but you can also hang out in the site’s other two entertainment venues, and take part in quizzes, bingo or rock and roll nights.

You can book a three night stay for four people in a Bronze Caravan this October for £135, which works out at £11.25pp per night.

Parkdean Resorts Warmwell

Parkdean’s Warmwell Resort in Dorset is a lodge-only park, meaning that you won’t find static caravans here – just cosy wooden lodges that are perfect for autumn.

Tucked away among the trees, these cabins offer instant access to the lake for swimming and fishing. And if you want to dial up the luxury, you can book a stay with a private hot tub.

You can even practice your skiing at this Dorset holiday park, with a 110-metre dry ski slope which you can tackle via skis, snowboard or sledge.

If the weather plays up, you can whizz around in the massive indoor roller rink, spend spare change in the amusements or warm up in the heated indoor pool – and yes it has a waterslide.

Autumn stays here are all about throwing on a coat, tearing through the woodland trails on biks, and returning to a cosy, heated lodge afterwards.

You can book a three-night stay in a superior lodge sleeping eight for £266 this October, working out at £11.08pp per night.

LOOKING to bag a bargain at sea? Now is THE time to embark on a booking.

The UK’s annual CLIA Cruise Week runs until Sunday and there are great deals to be had.

After a record 2.54million Brits headed up the gangway in 2025, it is time to join the party.

Nigel Thompson shares his pick of the offers to book now.

EASTERN CARIBBEAN – 14 nights from £1,349pp

JET away from selected UK airports on November 13 to join P&O’s newest ship Arvia in Barbados for a round-trip visiting Martinique, Saint Kitts, Tortola (British Virgin Islands), St Maarten, Antigua, Saint Lucia and Grenada.

Includes transfers and gratuities — and on applicable Select Price bookings up to December 17, get extra on-board spending up to £350 per cabin.

GO SI

Spain’s tiny island that thousands of tourists visit – but you won’t have heard of

SANDS GOOD

I found a UK beach with crystal clear water & no crowds that felt like Greece

See pocruises.com.

PORTUGAL, MOROCCO & MEDITERRANEAN – Seven nights from £449pp

SAVE £111pp on a winter warmer itinerary on Celestyal Discovery, sailing from Lisbon (overnight) to Tarragona (for Barcelona) via Tangier, Valencia, Majorca and Sete.

Soft drinks, wifi and gratuities are included, although flights cost extra. Departs on December 12.

See celestyal.com.

FRANCE, SPAIN & PORTUGAL – 14 nights from £1,115pp

ADULTS-only Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambition sails a no-fly Easter trip from Tilbury, Essex, on March 24, 2027 visiting Honfleur, Le Verdon (for Bordeaux), Vigo (for Santiago de Compostela), Cadiz, Malaga, Lisbon and Leixoes (for Porto).

Use code CLIA10 during Cruise Week to get ten per cent off, with up to £400 on-board credit per cabin also on offer.

See ambassadorcruiseline.com.

RIVER NILE, EGYPT – Seven nights from £1,279pp

SAVE £778 per couple on a Tui River Cruises all-inclusive round trip from Luxor, flying from Gatwick on October 20.

Tui Bahareya will have overnight stays in Luxor and also call at Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan.

Passengers get two included shore excursions, 25kg luggage allowance and transfers, with tips and service charges covered.

See tui.co.uk/river-cruises.

WEST MEDITERRANEAN – Six nights from £2,835pp

BOUTIQUE brand Explora Journeys’ Explora II departs for Malta from Barcelona on March 14, 2027, with 30 per cent discounts on offer.

Visit La Spezia (for Pisa/Florence), Civitavecchia (for Rome), Naples and Sicily (Syracuse), with passengers enjoying benefits such as nine culinary experiences, in-suite dining, unlimited drinks, wifi, spa access, wellness activities and gratuities.

Flights extra. See explorajourneys.com.

RIVER MAIN, GERMANY – Four nights from £675pp

IT is never too early to start thinking about Christmas — and you can get a festive fix on a four-night sailing aboard Viva Cruises’ Tiara, departing on a round trip from Frankfurt on December 14.

The itinerary ticks off Wertheim, Wurzburg and Miltenberg and comes with a £100 flight credit offer, selected premium drinks, one complimentary high tea, welcome bottle of prosecco, wifi and gratuities.

See viva-cruises.com.

MEDITERRANEAN & PORTUGAL – Nine nights from £2,515pp

GOT cash to splash? Grab a half-price luxury voyage on adults-only Oceania Sirena, sailing on January 4, 2027 from Civitavecchia (Rome) to Lisbon via Livorno (for Pisa/Florence), Genoa, Nice, Marseille, Barcelona, Alicante, Motril (for Granada), Cadiz and Lisbon.

The deal includes a balcony cabin, speciality dining, gratuities, wifi and either wine and beer by the glass or shore excursion credit.

Flights extra. See oceaniacruises.com.

RIVER RHINE AND DUTCH WATERWAYS – Seven nights from £1,299pp

SAVE up to £750pp on an all-inclusive voyage from Rotterdam (overnight) to Mainz, Germany, aboard Saga River Cruises’ Spirit of the Rhine, departing on October 26, 2027.

En route, it visits Zaandam and Arnhem in the Netherlands and Germany’s Cologne and Rudesheim.

Bonus extras include flights, nationwide return chauffeur service to the UK airport, transfers, excursions, wifi and gratuities.

See travel.saga.co.uk.

ALASKA & CANADA – Seven nights from £1,404pp

THE Last Frontier’s glaciers, mountains and wildlife await on a Holland America Line round trip from beautiful Vancouver.

Koningsdam sails on May 1, 2027 and visits Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay and Ketchikan with scenic cruising along the Inside Passage.

Cruise Week extras include £25pp deposit, alcoholic drinks package, one night’s speciality dining, $100 shore excursion credit, premium wifi, $100 on-board credit and pre-paid gratuities.

Flights are extra. See hollandamerica.com.

NHS worker Francesca Longhurst says the fine is worth it as they wouldn’t have been able to afford the holiday when schools break up

A couple who were fined £640 for taking their children out of class for a Disney World adventure say they have no regrets as the fee was still far cheaper than splashing out for a trip during the school holidays. NHS worker Francesca Longhurst, 32, and plasterer Liam Longhurst, 37, worked hard and saved for years to take their children Lily, 11, and George, six, on their dream vacation.

With steep pricing during school holidays, they say they had to pull the kids out during term time or not travel at all. Wanting to give their kids life-long memories, the hard-working pair decided on the former – and were subsequently punished. Francesca and Liam were handed fines of £160 per parent per child – leaving them with a total bill of £640 for a two-week absence.

But they say they would still do it all over again. The pair say going during term time likely saved them £9,000 minimum.

“It was a holiday we have dreamed of for years but never thought we’d be able to afford it as it’s so expensive,” said Francesca, from Sandwell, West Midlands. “We put every but of money we had spare into this trip and works extra hours and days to be able to afford it. To be able to take our kids on this once-in-a-lifetime trip was so magical.

“They thank us everyday for taking them and letting them experience it. We went in term time in June because the price is triple the cost to go during the holidays. I priced up for Easter holidays and the holiday was coming to £12,000 just for the flights and hotel – and that’s without park tickets on top.

“It’s the same for every holiday you look at even those in England at caravan parks and holiday camps.”

In the end, the family splashed out a total of £7,500, including £3,000 on flights and accommodation and £4,500 for theme park tickets.

They received their penalty notices on August – around two months after returning home. Although the couple were able to afford the £640 fine because they had budgeted for it, Francesca worries such “ridiculous” penalties could cause financial hardship for other families.

She said: “We knew we would have to pay this when we come back. The fines are ridiculous but what’s more atrocious is that if we did this again within a three-year-period we could be prosecuted and sent to prison for child neglect, when all we have done is taken our children on holiday.

“Every child deserves a holiday but not every parent can afford to go during school time. The amount is what it is – it’s a small price to pay compared to what we saved by going in the school holidays, but I’d love to know where the money goes to.

“You have real criminals out on the streets yet you are sending innocent families to prison for taking their kids out of school. The whole system is a joke.”

The parents deliberately waited until Lily had completed her SATs before travelling and believes neither child missed any essential learning. Francesca said: “While we was away, she missed out on two school trips, one to Alton Towers and the other to the Black Country museum, which we have been to many times.

“She also missed out on sports day. We were walking 20,000 plus steps a day. It was the holiday of a lifetime and we went to some of the best theme parks in the world but it was also very educational.

“We swam with dolphins, fed alligators, learned about wildlife and they tried different foods. What they learned in those two weeks I can guarantee was more than they learn in the last few weeks of the school year when everything starts to die down.

“The school was also closed or open partially due to the heatwave so we are being fined for our kids being off school when others were allowed because it was too hot. Both of my children are either excelling or exactly where they need to be in regards to education and have an excellent attendance other than when we go on holiday.”

While Francesca says she understands why attendance rules exist, she believes parents should be allowed a limited number of authorised holiday days each year. She added: “We unfortunately cannot take our children on holiday again during school time due to the risk of being prosecuted.

“I work for the NHS – this would mean me losing my job as you cannot have anything on your DBS. Myself and my husband have always worked and work hard and we don’t have fancy jobs.

“Any holidays we go on, we have to save hard for. It could really put families under financial strain. We live in a cost of living crisis, you can have a good week one week and a bad one the next.

“If you’re having a bad week or month when these fines come through with a date stating it must be paid by a certain date or you will be prosecuted, this could worry people, put them into debt and affect their mental health. I’m not saying I don’t agree with the fines completely, but I do think every child should be entitled to say 10 authorised days from school a year.

“After this then yes, send the fines out because education is important.”

A Sandwell Council spokesperson said: “We recognise that there is financial pressure on families and term-time holidays may be tempting. But attendance at school is vitally important for children to reach their potential, and to gain the skills and qualifications that will give them the best start in life and the best future.

“Like all councils across the country, we work with schools to implement Government policy on unauthorised absence.”

HOPPING from place to place in a motorhome may not sound a particularly relaxing way to spend a week, compared to lying on a sun lounger at a resort.

But there’s a sense of excitement with a road trip that no fly-and-flop holiday could ever match.

The sheer adventure, access to off-grid locations and freedom to move wherever the wind takes you are something money can’t buy.

That’s why I dragged my wife and two kids (aged six and three) away from the beach for our first ever campervan voyage, through the West Midlands, rural Shropshire and the North Welsh countryside.

And it beat all of our beach holidays, hands down.

We were in a Swift Trekker 584, a beast of a motorhome that’s nicer than my house, with sleeping space for four people, a roomy bathroom and mini kitchen complete with oven and hob.

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From day one my boy fully embraced #vanlife, becoming a key helper in the not-so-glam, but necessary, daily tasks as we moved between driving, eating and sleeping — hooking up the electricity and water, ensuring things were properly stowed away and always making sure the toilet hatch was closed.

We cheated a little by switching out motorhome staples like spag bol or soup for the occasional restaurant but, by the end, we’d fully mastered road-trip life.

Our first base was Llanberis, a stunning village at the foot of Snowdon offering brilliant hiking in the surrounding mountains and watersports at two lakes on its doorstep.

Ahead of arrival, we’d booked a pitch with Morris Leisure, a highly rated camping operator specialising in motorhomes and caravans, with parks across North Wales, Herefordshire and Shropshire.

Its Llanberis Touring Park is ideally located, with direct footpaths to Snowdonia and a five-minute walk to the village centre.

Some pitches have electricity and wifi while others have fresh water, plus there’s a shower block and a laundry area.

And the best thing is, if you are motorhome novices like us, there’s an on-site shop crammed with anything you may have forgotten, plus caravan accessories and essentials.

After Wales, we made our way to the market town of Oswestry and Park Hall Farm (make sure to watch one of the hilarious pig races), then it was on to the Shropshire town of Shrewsbury.

Its high street is frequently named one of the best in the UK, so we had high hopes.

It didn’t disappoint. Rather than being overrun with vape shops, bookies and barbers, the main stretch was littered with Tudor architecture and chock-full of independent shops, cafes, pubs, restaurants, ­museums and galleries.

The place is buzzing and a pleasure to walk around.

Kids will love the Quarry Park for the splash zone, while budding young artists may prefer to get stuck into one of the workshops at Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery.

Or you can ditch the road for the water and book a trip along the river Severn with Sabrina Boat.

Prefer to travel by train? The ­Severn Valley Railway is a delightful experience and offers day trips through the rolling countryside, as well as special themed events.

Those visiting during October half-term will be able to book ­Halloween-inspired journeys from Kidderminster station, with scare trains for little ones as well as those aged 18 and over.

Our only regret was missing out on a film at Old Market Hall cinema, an independent screen sitting in a beautiful building dating from 1596.

It’s not just the destinations themselves that make a motorhome trip so magical, though.

Journeying along the A4086 and the A5 offered gorgeous scenery and rolling hills that kept us entertained for hours.

When we eventually dropped off the van, our home for the week, it was with a very heavy heart.

No motorhome trip will ever be stress-free and it does require a level of planning and organisation beyond your average resort holiday.

But the freedom can’t be matched.

And the memories from our motorhome will long outlive those from a Spanish sun lounger.