NEW rules being rolled out this summer will make it much easier for families with young kids to get through the airport.
Airport eGates will be lowering the age of passengers who can use them from 12 to eight.
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Confirmed by the Home Office, kids will need to be at least 120cm (3ft11) to be able to use them, as they require them to be able to see the biometric screens.
Currently, only families with kids aged 10 and over can use them – any younger and they have to go in the standard (usually much longer) queue.
It is expected to help as many as an extra 1.5million children use the eGates.
This will affect 13 airports across the UK that currently use eGates. These are:
The new rules will also affect a number of non-British residents including those from the US, Australia and Japan, along with non-Schengen countries in Europe.
Chief executive of AirportsUK Karen Dee said she welcomed the change, saying: “It will give more families the ability to take advantage of this technology, speeding up the border process and reducing waiting times for many.”
“Airports work very hard with border authorities to ensure the UK’s front door is both secure and welcoming, with those coming home and visiting enjoying a smooth experience.”
Brits are currently facing problems travelling via Europe, however, as new EES rules are resulting in massive queues, some even missing their flights.
Airlines will not be able to continue “absorbing the cost” of disruption caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in the long term, according to the director general of the International Air Transport Association. Willie Walsh told the BBC there was no need to panic over potential jet fuel shortages, but warned rising fuel prices would inevitably feed through into higher ticket prices.
He said: “There’s just no way airlines can absorb the additional costs they’re experiencing. There may be some instances where airlines will discount to stimulate some traffic flow… but over time it’s inevitable that the high price of oil will be reflected in higher ticket prices.”
While Mr Walsh did not think there would be widespread cancellations, he added: “I think the concern will be that if sufficient alternative supply isn’t sourced, there may be some shortages when we get into the peak summer period.”
Last week, British Airways’ parent company IAG warned its profits will be hit as it expects to spend about two billion euro (£1.72 billion) more than planned on fuel this year. Chief executive Luis Gallego said IAG does not believe there will be “any interruption for the summer” in terms of jet fuel supplies.
Earlier this month, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said summer holiday plans will not face major disruption because of shortages. She revealed that more fuel has been imported from America, and UK refineries have upped their production.
The Government has also introduced a temporary rule change allowing airlines to group passengers from different flights together onto fewer planes to save fuel. It comes amid data that showed airlines have increased the number of flight cancellations for May.
Aviation analytics company Cirium said that as of Tuesday, airlines have axed 296 departures from UK airports this month, equivalent to 0.75% of the total. That is up from 120 cancellations six days ago.
Figures for the peak summer months show week-on-week schedule reductions are currently limited. The number of outbound flights planned for June is 48 lower than a week ago, after 0.2% of flights were cancelled.
For July the week-on-week reduction is 31, while the figure for August is just four. Airlines avoid being liable for compensation if they axe a flight with at least two weeks’ notice, meaning they can delay decisions on summer cancellations and still avoid payouts.
The price of jet fuel has more than doubled since the start of the war in the Middle East, as Iran continues to have a stranglehold on tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz. A Government spokesperson said: “UK airlines are clear that they are not currently seeing a shortage of jet fuel.
“Aviation fuel is typically bought in advance and airports and suppliers keep stocks of bunkered fuel to support their resilience. We continue to work with fuel suppliers, airports, airlines and international counterparts to keep flights operating.
“We are also consulting on measures to help airlines plan realistic flight schedules which will avoid last-minute disruption and protect holidays.”
Paraguay is a landlocked country in South America, bordered by Brazil to the east, Argentina to the south and west, and Bolivia to the northwest. Before the arrival of Europeans, the territory was inhabited by various indigenous peoples, including the Guarani, who still make up a significant portion of the population today.
Paraguay was first colonised by the Spanish in the 16th century. The settlement of Asunción, now the capital of Paraguay, was founded by the Spanish on Ascension Day (August 15th) 1537.
There are two theories about where the name “Paraguay” comes from. One version says it means either “River of the Payaguas”, an Indian tribe, or “crowned river” after the native Indian Guaraní words for palm crown and water. A more colourful versions is that there was a parrot named Frank that the first Jesuit settlers befriended when they arrived in the region. To back up this theory, on old maps, Paraguay was labelled as “Parrot”.
The region had shown dissent against the Spanish for several years and tension had risen in the early years of the nineteenth century due to the growing influence of Argentina in the area.
Some bad decisions by the Governor had weakened Spanish presence, which was already affected by the Napoleonic Wars, enabling the Paraguayans, led by a lawyer, Dr José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia., to overthrow the Spanish in a fairly bloodless revolution on May 14th 1811.
As a result, Paraguay became the second independent nation in the new world – the United States was the first. Dr Francia became the first President of Paraguay, ruling from 1814 to 1840.
He was influential in the design of the flag of Paraguay, which uniquely is the only national flag in the world that has a different image on each side. In the center of one side is the Paraguayan coat of arms, and on the opposite, the treasury seal with the national motto: “Paz y justicia” (“Peace and Justice”).
Saint Peter de Regalado is a local public holiday in Valladolid, the capital of the Spanish autonomous community of Castile and León on May 13th each year.
San Pedro Regalado was a Franciscan monk who lived in the 15th century and was canonised for his charitable actions, his dedication to the poor and his miraculous works.
He was born in 1390 and was baptised in the current church of San Salvador, which at that time was called the church of Santa Elena.
He was beatified by Pope Innocent XI on March 11th 1684 and canonized by Pope Benedict XIV on June 29th 1746.
Castile and León is an autonomous community in north-western Spain. It is Spain’s largest region and was created in 1983.
BUTlIN’S is about to get loud as has launched new karaoke pods across all three of its three resorts.
Whether guests are on a family holiday or a Big Weekender, everyone can sing their heart out inside the newest attraction.
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Hotshot Karaoke Pods have been launched at all three Butlin’s resortsCredit: Butlin’sThe new attraction is a 55-minute session with over 45,000 songs to choose fromCredit: Butlin’s
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The new karaoke pods are a fun-filled private sing-along experience found inside state-of-the-art pods.
Groups of up to 12 can sing their hearts out and won’t have to worry about have a song stolen as there are over 45,000 tunes to choose from.
If you want to re-live the 55-minute stardom session, the high-tech pods capture everything with photos, videos and even GIFs.
Each pod also has studio-grade soundproofing and immersive effects too.
You don’t have to leave the pod for any part of the sing-along either as drinks can be ordered and delivered straight to the pod.
Heidi Watson, Head of Innovation at Butlin’s, said: “We’re thrilled to have partnered with the Coca-Cola brand to bring this exciting, new karaoke experience to all three of our resorts.”
The private pods have special lighting and are soundproof tooCredit: Butlin’s
Heidi continued: “It’s the perfect activity for families or groups of friends, to create unforgettable memories together while singing their hearts out to their favourite tunes.
“We’re confident the new Karaoke Pods will be popular with our guests, and an amazing addition to the activities already on offer across all of our different breaks.”
Found in Hotshots at all three resorts, pods can be booked in advance or on the day for £36.
The karaoke pods are already up and running, so can be booked in time for May Half Term breaks which start from £184 between May 22 and June 1.
You can book in advance or on the day at Butlin’sCredit: Butlin’s
For families there’s plenty of entertainment when it comes to shows from MPW Maximum Pro Wrestling to The Masked Singer Live as well as Peppa Pig and the Theatre of Rock.
Guests can also enjoy swimming pools and slides at waterworld, fairground rides, and daytime activities like Playxperience and soft play.
The karaoke pods will no doubt be a hit for adults heading on Big Weekenders too whether that be for the 90s Reloaded to the Ultimate 80s.
Currently with Spring Savings you can get an extra 10 per cent off on selected weekender breaks from £79pp.
Headline artists this year include iconsFatboy Slim,Wet Wet Wet,Jason Donovan,Madness, Peter Andre andScouting for Girls.
RYANAIR is axing MORE flights to Europe – hitting four popular airports this year.
The budget airline has confirmed that it would be closing its base at Thessaloniki as well as reducing flights at Athens.
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Greek holiday destinations Crete (pictured) as well as Athens and Thessaloniki are the latest to have Ryanair flights scrappedCredit: Alamy
Not only that, but off-season flights to Chania and Heraklion in Crete have been scrapped.
This means 700,000 fewer seats on sale this winter, working out to a 45 per cent reduction, and resulting in 12 routes being scrapped in total.
Ryanair has cited airport charges as the reason behind the reduction in flights, saying the airports are “no longer competitive” in the off peak season.
Ryanair’s Chief Commercial Officer, Jason McGuinness said they “regretted” the closures and reductions, but said it was because of the “failure to pass through the ADF reduction” unlike other airports in Greece.
He added: ” The Fraport Greece monopoly have hiked airport charges +66% since 2019.
“Unfortunately, there will now be less low-cost air fares for Thessaloniki’s citizens and visitors, and year-round tourism will be harmed as a result.
“These aircraft will be reallocated to Albania, regional Italy and Sweden, where airports have passed on their Govt’s aviation tax savings – resulting in more connectivity, tourism and jobs this Winter in those regions.”
Last summer, they airline confirmed two million seats across Spain would be scrapped, with all routes to Tenerife North, Santiago de Compostela, Vigo, Jerez and Valladolid cancelled.
A KEEN traveller is determined to visit EVERY country that flies from his local airport – and is more than halfway there already.
Savvy jet-setter Neil Loft is attempting to tick off all 120 destinations that fly from Bristol Airport.
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Neil Loft has ticked off 86 destinations all departing from his local airportCredit: SWNSOne destination Neil visited this year was Basel in SwitzerlandCredit: Alamy
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So far, Neil has ticked off 86 locations offered by Bristol Airport, leaving him with 34 left – although he does have an advantage working as cabin crew.
But not all of his travelling is done through work. Neil also spends lots of his free time exploring the world – last year he managed to visit 21 destinations.
Neil has only upped his efforts this year visiting as many as three places in one day, which he managed to do for as little as £3.
Neil said: “It was quite straightforward, really. Without even realising, I had crossed the bridge and walked into a new country.”
On day two of his trip to Basel, Neil caught the tram to the French border, where he walked over to St Louis to enjoy a local delicacy: croque monsieur.
Neil is determined to tick off 120 destinations from Bristol AirportCredit: SWNS
Neil then returned to Basel before hopping on a tram across the border to Weil am Rhein in Germany.
There, he had a beer at a rooftop bar before heading back to his Swiss hotel.
Despite travelling to three different countries in 24 hours, the entire day trip cost him just £3 thanks to the travel pass he got on arrival in Basel.
Neil explained: “It was shockingly easy. I took a bit of time in each to have a drink and a mooch about but you could have done all three countries in two or three hours if you wanted to.”
Other spots in Europe that Neil has visited include Zurich, Vilnius, Kaunas, Almeria, Bilbao, Turkey, Innsbruck, and Bucharest.
When it comes to being savvy with flights, Neil says his jobs as a holiday rep and then cabin crew for 10 years helped.
From Basel, Neil ticked off a further two countries for £3Credit: SWNS
Through this, he knows how to get the best flight and pair them up with the hotels and transfers.
Neil added: “I am well on track to achieve [all 120 destinations]. I have only got a handful more to do.
“I have no commitments to hold me back, so I am just an intrepid traveller really.
“I have to go on my airline apps to remind myself where I am going some of the time. I just tend to see a deal and go book it.”
Martin Lewis has advice for stretching your holiday money
Most holidaymakers assume using their normal bank card abroad is fine. But Martin Lewis says a simple switch to a specialist card could save you from paying an extra 2.75% to 3% on every single purchase – a hidden fee that quietly adds to your bill without you even noticing.
In a clip shared on This Morning’s official TikTok, the MoneySavingExpert founder explained how most high street banks add a “non-sterling exchange rate fee” when you spend abroad. Ignore it and a £100 purchase effectively costs you £103. Switch to one of the specialist cards he recommends, and you get the same near-perfect exchange rates the banks use – without the markup.
Martin started by explaining what happens when you spend on plastic overseas. “Your bank gets a near perfect exchange rate on the day – the same as what’s called the spot rate, the city market rates. When you spend on your card abroad though, normally the card company adds what’s called a non-Sterling exchange rate fee of between 2.75 or 3%,” he said. “So your hundred pounds worth of euros cost you £103.”
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The solution, he explained, is using specialist cards. “With the specialist cards, they don’t have that. So you get the same near perfect exchange rates that the banks or the card firms do.”
As for which cards to choose, Martin noted there are quite a lot available now. He judges them on the cashback they give you. The Barclaycard Rewards credit card is currently giving 0.25% cash back on spending in the UK and abroad. “So you get perfect exchange rate and cashback,” he said.
He added a crucial warning for anyone using a credit card: “Only do this if you’ll pay it off in full at the end of every month, or there is interest. That will credit score you to get it.”
For those who prefer a debit card or don’t want to undergo a hard credit check, Martin offered two alternatives. “The easiest one to get is the Chase card, which you can apply for without switching banks and only does a soft credit check, so it doesn’t mark your credit file, and virtually everybody can get it,” he said. It offers near-perfect exchange rates, no ATM withdrawal fees, and some cashback on UK spending.
Alternatively, for those willing to switch banks: “First Direct, if you’re willing to switch bank to it, will give you a near perfect exchange rate fee debit card and pay you £175 quid if you switch bank to it.”
A spokesperson for travel experts Lapland Famille said: “When spending abroad, choosing the right payment method makes a real difference. Specialist cards often work out far cheaper than standard bank cards. And if you’re ever asked to pay in pounds or the local currency, always choose the local currency – paying in cash locally is another good way to avoid hidden conversion fees.”
With no need to switch your main bank account for the easiest option, Martin’s advice shows that cutting the cost of spending abroad may be simpler than many travellers think – as long as you pick the right card before you go.
In Samoa, the value and importance of raising a family and honouring your parents is shown by making the Mondays after Mother’s Day and Father’s Day public holidays.
The date of Mother’s Day is the same as the day popularised in the USA by Miss Anna Jarvis.
In 1907, Miss Jarvis began a movement to set up a national Mother’s Day in honour of her mother. Anna’s mother, Mrs Anna M. Jarvis, had been instrumental in developing “Mothers Friendship Day” which was set up to assist in the healing process after the Civil War. Miss Jarvis wanted to set aside a day to honour all mothers, living and dead.
The first Mother’s Day observance was a church service favourite the second anniversary of her mother’s death, the second Sunday of May. By 1911, Mother’s Day had spread nationwide and was being celebrated in almost every state in the Union.
WE’VE searched high and low to find holiday parks across the UK where you can stay this summer for the price of a cinema ticket.
And we’ve found a range of deals that ALL work out to £10 per person, per night or less.
Cleethorpes Beach resort in Lincolnshire has a space bowl flume and a lazy river to enjoyCredit: TripAdvisorSunnydale Holiday Park in Saltfleet is a relaxing site with a fishing lake and coastal walksCredit: Parkdean Resorts
In 2026, £10 barely buys you lunch – but at these holiday parks, it gets you four nights of sea air and sunshine.
And given the uncertainty over the fuel crisis caused by the Iran War, plenty of Brits are looking to stay closer to home this summer.
By making the most of current sales and saving events at holiday park companies like Haven and Parkdean Resorts, you can still lock in a staycation this summer for ridiculously cheap.
From action-packed family mega resorts to quiet coastal retreats, here’s a range of UK seaside holidays you can book in for this summer for bargain prices.
Cleethorpes Beach, Lincolnshire – £2.88pp a night
This Haven holiday park is in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, often considered a quieter and prettier alternative to nearby Skegness, with clean beaches and traditional attractions.
The holiday park has all the typical top-quality Haven goodies, like a children’s Adventure Village, a glamorous bar and stage for live entertainment, a nine-hole golf course and a fishing lake.
Plus, this park even has its own Wetherspoons on site, so you can enjoy an affordable pint or share a cocktail pitcher among friends.
Out in the town, Cleethorpes has a large promenade lined with family-friendly activities like crazy golf, arcades, bowling and more.
One of the town’s highlights is the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway, where you can enjoy a two-mile-long scenic journey with sea views in a diesel or steam train.
The train also makes a stop at the Signal Box Inn, the smallest pub on the planet! A return journey costs £5.75 per adult and £5.25 per child.
The deal
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You can bag a four-night stay from 15 June in a bronze caravan for six people for just £69 total as a Haven Hideaway package.
That works out to just £2.88 per person, per night when you split the cost between everybody.
Sunnydale Holiday Park, Saltfleet – £8.06pp a night
Craig Tara in Scotland has a massive, multi-level splash park that kids will loveCredit: Caravan Lodge Holidays
This small and peaceful holiday park is one of Parkdean’s real hidden gems. On site you’ll find a heated indoor pool, a huge fishing lake, and plenty for kids, including soft play, a kids club and an adventure playground.
The resort sits on Lincolnshire‘s coast in the seaside town of Saltfleet, where you’ll find coastal walks beside quiet marshlands and calm seas.
Once you’ve had your fill of relaxing sea air, you’ll find lots of excitement in nearby Mablethorpe, just a 15 minutes’ drive. There you will find a huge, award-winning sandy beach, plus a sand train which drops you off by a seal sanctuary, and traditional donkey rides.
The train costs £2pp each way, with under 3’s going free.
The deal
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You can book a three-night stay in a caravan for six people from 26 June for just £145 total.
That works out to just £6.04 per person, per night if six of you go.
This massive, action-packed holiday park in Ayr is perfect if you want a full-on family holiday with plenty of activities.
For starters, Splashaway Bay may be the most exciting water park of them all.
The on-site park is one of the largest in Scotland, with a water complex that spans multiple floors. There’s a multi-lane water slide, lazy river, illuminated flume slide, a giant tipping bucket, toddler pool and lots more.
When it comes to other activities, there’s plenty you’re unlikely to find elsewhere. There’s a NERF Training Camp, Crazy Pool (pool’s answer to crazy golf) and a brand new Tiger Club Show for evening entertainment.
There’s also batting cages, a climbing wall, karting, segways and archery, whilst adrenaline junkies of the family will love ‘The Jump’ and ‘The Extreme Drop’.
For food and drink, enjoy everything from Chopstix noodles to Burger King meals or Papa John’s pizza. You can even end your meals with a sweet treat from Millie’s Cookies.
If you can tear yourself away from this action-packed park, there’s a friendly farm park Heads of Ayr just 5 minutes’ drive away.
Plus, the impressive National TrustCulzean Castlewhich looks out to sea atop a dramatic cliff is 20 minutes away.
The deal
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To top it all off, you can book a holiday there for just £55 total. This deal is for a four-night stay from 1 June, for six people in an apartment.
Split between six of you, that’s just £2.29 per person, per night – the cheapest deal on this list for one of the UK’s most exciting parks!
Carmarthen Bay Holiday Park, Wales – £8.94pp a night
Carmarthen Bay Holiday Park in Wales has attractions like a miniature railway and Kidwelly CastleCredit: Getty
Set on the sunny coast of Kidwelly in South Wales, Carmarthen Bay is a holiday park that comes with some seriously stunning scenery. Here you’re just steps from the vast St Ishmael beach, plus the spectacular Kidwelly Castle is only eight minutes away.
And if you take a trip into the nearby Pembrey Country Park, you can take part in activities from toboggan racing through the trees (£3.50pp) to hopping on board a miniature railway (£1.50pp).
On site, there’s a large indoor pool with a flume slide, as well as soft play, crazy golf, amusements and a multi-sports court. When it comes to food and drink, you can enjoy everything from a Costa Coffee, to late-night takeaway options like pizza and burgers.
This affordable holiday park is even cheaper if you visit as a group of adults or with children not of school age, as we’ve found a bargain deal that’ll have you catching the last of the August heat as it turns to September.
The deal
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Score a four-night deal for the price of three with a stay for four people from 31 August in an Amroth Chalet for £143 total.
That works out to just £8.94 per person, per night.
Orchards Holiday Village in Clacton-on-Sea is an ideal spot for a traditional seaside staycationCredit: Haven
This exciting holiday village in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex is perfect for sporty and outdoors-y groups – or those that just want to be close to one of the UK’s most exciting seaside piers.
This AA four-star award-winning site offers both an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, a golf course, archery coaching and Footgolf to name just a few of the activities.
Plus this summer is set to be even more sporty at Haven parks such as this one, with live screenings of England and Scotland football games. There’s also a Football Fun Factory event popping up across the parks, too.
Visitors can expect new Haven entertainment shows, such as the Seaside Squad adventures for older children and the Electric Nights 80’s show for grown-ups.
Drive just 17 minutes to Clacton Pier and you’ll have even more activities to dive into, with everything from classics like the Helter Skelter and Dodgems to a Jurassic Pier experience that dinosaur fans will love.
The deal
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Bag a four-night stay in a caravan that sleeps six from 15 June for just £69 total.
That works out to just £2.88 per person, per night!
Lower Hyde Holiday Park, Shanklin, Isle of Wight – £8.06pp a night
Lower Hyde Holiday Park in Shanklin has excellent entertainment and kids activitiesCredit: Pitch up
A favourite of our holiday park expert, Lower Hyde in the Isle of Wight is an all-singing, all-dancing resort.
This lively site has top-quality entertainment, including classic kids discos and costume character meets, as well as dance shows and comedy acts.
Whizz down the water flume into the outdoor pool on hot days, or warm up in the indoor pool when it gets chilly out in the evenings.
One of the top perks about this park is that it is paired with a nearby sister park, Parkdean Landguard, meaning that guests can access the facilities of both sites during their stay.
Both parks are located in Shanklin, a quaint town in the Isle of Wight with traditional thatched roof houses and a fairytale feel.
Plus, you’re not far from the sea here, either. Shanklin beach is just 4 minutes away, decorated with colourful deck chairs and beach huts, plus there’s even a Pirate-themed adventure park.
The deal
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Snap up a deal for a four-night stay in a Clam Chalet for four from 8 June for just £129.
That works out at just £8.06 per person, per night.
Kessingland Beach Holiday Park is a resort in East Anglia located directly on the beachCredit: Pitch up
Head to East Anglia for a traditional bucket-and-spade summer holiday at Parkdean’s Kessingland Beach Holiday Park.
Directly on the beach, this resort is surrounded by unspoilt nature, calm waves and soft golden sands, perfect for letting little ones roam and get used to the water.
This site makes for a great base to explore top family attractions like Pleasurewood Hills theme park, Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens and the fascinating Merrivale Model Village.
Meanwhile, on site there are sports courts, an adventure playground, and a dazzling Showbar with entertainment like Starland Krazy for kids and all-ages bingo. Tuck into food like loaded fries and hot dogs at the takeaway stand, or enjoy juicy ribs and steak at the park’s new restaurant, Joe’s American Grill.
The deal
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We found a deal for a four-night stay for four people staying in a Goose Chalet from 6 July for just £160 total.
You could stay at Cleethorpes Beach Holiday Park from £2.88pp per nightCredit: HavenStay at Orchards Holiday Village in Clacton-on-Sea Essex, for £2.88pp per night this summerCredit: Breakfree Holidays
Around the world, Father’s Day is celebrated on different dates, though the day is celebrated in a similar manner, usually involving giving gifts to fathers and family activities.
The Father’s Day initiative in Romania seems to come from the tireless energy of a semi-obscure NGO called TATA, translated as the “Alliance Fighting Discrimination Against Fathers,” who, according to a journalist at an English-language Romanian newspaper I contacted, “convinced a group of MPs in 2010 about the importance of this law, and then had the MPs pass the law.” But she then reassured me the holiday is “not a big thing here.” Another Romanian journalist I asked told me, “I’ve heard about it, but honestly I don’t know anybody celebrating it.” This was not the big groundswell of support I was expecting.
Harry Poulton, 24, grew tired of life in the UK and decided to move to Benidorm, Spain, after falling in love with the popular hotspot. Now, he has zero plans to ever move back to England
Harry Poulton loves living in Benidorm, Spain(Image: Jam Press/@harrytokky)
A young British man took the dramatic step of moving to Benidorm for good following a lads’ holiday – and has pledged never to return to the UK again.
While Great Britain offers plenty of positives, it’s not without its shortcomings. Between the famously erratic weather and the ongoing cost of living crisis, it’s increasingly understandable why some people make the leap and move abroad. Such was the experience for 24-year-old Harry Poulton, who travelled to Benidorm for the first time on a lads’ holiday and immediately knew it was going to be his future home. For Harry, one of the factors that made his choice easy was the fun lifestyle available at a far lower cost than compared to “gloomy” Britain.
The travel vlogger, originally from Brighton, had become tired of life in “gloomy” England and, aged just 18, opted to transform his circumstances by abandoning his homeland in favour of Spain.
In a TikTok clip detailing his reasoning, he admitted one of the main motivations for moving was escaping the “horrible” British weather.
The cost of living was another reason behind his choice. Daily life in the Spanish coastal resort proves considerably more affordable for Harry.
He explained: “Everything in the UK is just going up, up, up and up, and no one knows when it’s going to stop. At least here in Spain, your money travels so much further – you’ll get way more for your money here in Spain than you would in the UK, and that’s my opinion.”
Speaking to Luxury Travel Daily, Harry explained: “I don’t know why anybody would want to live in Britain. It’s cold, dreary and gloomy all the time.
“There’s no room to have fun outside of the constant boring routine and work. After I visited Benidorm, I knew that it was the place I wanted to settle down.
“It offers great weather, beautiful beaches and such a laid-back vibe. It’s the complete opposite of the UK.”
Harry is a passionate advocate for Benidorm, convinced many Britons unfairly make a “mockery” of the beloved holiday hotspot. The Spanish municipality is known and loved for its thriving hotel and live entertainment industry, its golden beaches, and impressive skyscrapers.
The town is said to receive just as many tourists from abroad as it does from Spain. He said: “Stop making a mockery of such a wonderful place. If you live here, you’ll know better than any British tourists what this country is really like.”
Harry continued: “Everyone says not to visit Benidorm, as you’ll get scammed or mugged. And that bars will rip tourists off with extortionate prices for drinks – but that’s all absolute rubbish.
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“It’s crazy what Brits believe. It’s not just for party-goers or stag dos. Benidorm has so much on offer and it’s not a place you’ll regret going. There are so many haters out there that like to spread misinformation or myths, stopping people from coming here.”
He added: “It’s mad. Look at the state of the UK – all of these things happen there more than they do in Benidorm.”
Harry believes he’s considerably happier living in Spain than he ever was in Britain.
For anyone contemplating a similarly dramatic overseas move, he suggested: “Learn some basic Spanish before coming. Ensure to plan financially, too. Be prepared for some paperwork, especially since Brexit, but it’s so worth it once you’re here.”
Looking back on making such a major decision at such a young age, he added: “It’s completely transformed my life – and being so young, I’m glad I leaped now rather than later. Who wants to wake up to grey skies every day, when you can have blue ones greeting you each morning? Benidorm is paradise – anyone who says otherwise is lying.”
At a speech in Paris in 1950, Robert Schuman, the then French foreign minister, set out his idea for a new form of political cooperation in Europe, which would benefit the participating countries economically and reduce the chance of any future war between Europe’s nations.
His vision was to create a European institution that would pool and manage coal and steel production.
The idea of the community was that its founding members – France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg – would pool their coal and steel resources and create a common market for them by lifting import and export duties.
A treaty creating such a body was signed in Paris just under a year later. Schuman’s proposal is considered to be the beginning of what is now the European Union.
The first recognition of a “Europe Day” was introduced by the Council of Europe in 1964. The “Europe Day” on 9th May was introduced in 1985 by the European Communities.
Pope Leo XIV is the 267th Pope and replaced Pope Francis, who had been Pope since 2013 until he died in 2025.
He is the first American to fill the role of Pope, although he is considered as much a cardinal from Latin America because of the many years he spent as a missionary in Peru, before becoming a bishop there.
Born in Chicago in 1955 to parents of Spanish and Franco-Italian descent, Prevost served as an altar boy and was ordained as a priest in 1982. Although he moved to Peru three years later, he returned regularly to the US to serve as a pastor and a prior in his home city.
He has Peruvian nationality and is fondly remembered as a figure who worked with marginalised communities and helped build bridges.
He spent 10 years as a local parish pastor and as a teacher at a seminary in Trujillo in northwestern Peru.
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Kazakhstan gained its independence in December 1991.
The new-found independence meant the need for Kazakhstan to protect itself and on May 7th 1992, President Nursultan Nazarbayev signed the Decree that established the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan. On the same day, the President enacted the transformation of the State Committee of Defence of the Republic of Kazakhstan into the Ministry of Defence, giving Sagadat Nurmagambetov the military rank of Colonel-General, and the appointment of the General-Colonel Nurmagambetov as Defence Minister of Kazakhstan.
From the 1990s Defender’s Day had been a holiday only for military personnel. In 2012, marking the 20th anniversary, the law was amended to declare it a national holiday for all Kazakhs.
Despite being called Defender of the ‘Fatherland’ Day, thousands of women serve in the Kazakh Armed Forces, so this is not a purely ‘male’ holiday in Kazakhstan.
The holiday is celebrated with military parades, demonstrations, concerts, shows and festive events across the country. It has become an annual tradition that on this day the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan issues a decree on awarding new military ranks and presents awards to distinguished military men.
This holiday is followed two days later with Victory Day, which celebrates the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany and the end of the Second World War, making this a very patriotic time of year.
Soaring jet fuel prices and the threat to supplies – amid the Middle East war – has left millions of Brits worrying about whether their summer holiday plans will be disrupted
Airlines have cut 13,000 flights in May as jet fuel prices soar(Image: Torsten Asmus via Getty Images)
May could mark the peak in flights being axed due to the Iran war, an expert has declared.
Families were urged not to panic about their summer getaway, despite fears over jet fuel shortages. Data shows airlines have cut 13,000 flights globally this month due to the conflict in the Middle East. In total, nearly two million seats have been removed from flights scheduled for May.
The reductions come ahead of the half-term holidays at the end of the month. Many people have been left worrying what will happen to holiday flights already booked over the peak months ahead.
Aviation analyst John Strickland insisted the 13,000 flights pulled this month amount to about 1% or 2% of all those scheduled. And he warned against assuming the same number – or more – would be impacted in the coming months.
“You can’t judge May against the peak summer,” Mr Strickland told the Mirror. “Airlines want to fly their full programme – this is not a wholesale chopping of flights that would disrupt people’s summer holiday plans.”
Mr Strickland said airlines were “relatively confident” they will have enough jet fuel available on a rolling six-week basis, with signs that additional supplies are being sourced from the US and elsewhere to replace those lost from the Gulf.
Some carriers have switched to smaller aircraft or more fuel efficient planes to brace themselves for possible disruption, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. It says 120 scheduled flights from the UK to global destinations have so far been cancelled in May. While it is still early days, the number of cancellations in June stands at 36, out of just under 22,000 scheduled flights.
It comes after the price of jet fuel doubled in the wake of the US-Israel war with Iran which erupted at the end of February. The conflict has crippled shipments through the key Strait of Hormuz.
German airline Lufthansa has axed 20,000 flights, and warned higher jet fuel prices could cost it £1.5billion this year. It joined around two dozen airlines that have now scaled back operations.
Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary said at the start of April his airline may be forced to cancel 10% of its flights this summer. He told ITV News: “We’re all facing an unknown scenario. And we are certainly looking at maybe having to cancel 5% to 10% of flights through May, June and July.”
British Airways owner IAG is due to issue updated results on Friday.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said she was confident most people travelling this summer would have a similar experience to last year. She said there was currently no disruption to the supply of jet fuel, but “this clearly is an evolving situation”.
Oil prices slumped to two-week lows on Wednesday amid reports that the US and Iran were nearing an initial peace deal. Brent crude fell 7% to $102 a barrel – down a recent peak of more than $120 but still well above the $60 before the war started.
Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, said: “It is understandable that holidaymakers are feeling apprehensive about their summer travel plans due to the wave of cancellations.
“The percentage of flights cancelled from the UK remains small, when you consider that the worst airlines cancel over 2% of flights less than a day before departure, even in normal times.
“Our advice for this summer is to book a package holiday, as that is the best way to protect the full cost of your holiday should greater disruption occur.”
Mark Tanzer, chief executive of travel trade body ABTA, said: “We really don’t want people worrying about their holidays; planes are taking off daily and people are continuing to get away on their holidays.
“The Government and airlines are clear that there isn’t a problem with fuel supply. If you have a holiday booked in for the coming months – including the May half term – we expect it to go ahead as planned.
“Whilst there have been reports about cancellations globally, these amount to less than one percent of overall flights.”
The Barcelo Corralejo Sands in Fuerteventura offers both adults and children a huge amount of freedom without sacrificing any of the fun
12:05, 06 May 2026Updated 15:35, 06 May 2026
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Fuerteventura hotel that’s perfect for family poolside fun
Going on holiday with young children can often feel like an all-or-nothing scenario.You let them stay up extra-late one night to see a show or musician, and all of a sudden, they think sweets at 10pm and bed by midnight is a holiday norm. The extra ice cream is suddenly seen as a daily divine right.When it comes to kids’ clubs, off they go on their merry way to develop their own holiday hinterland for however many hours a day, leaving you free to chill. If you don’t go down the kids’ club route, then you’re most likely trying to divvy up your time between being chief entertainer and having a good time yourself.But on the perma-sun-kissed island of Fuerteventura, I think I’ve found the perfect middle ground hotel that gives kids bags of freedom and entertainment, while offering adults the chance to relax – without the need to commit to a kids’ club.
Barceló Corralejo Sands, to the northeast of the year-round holiday isle that’s now got a direct TUI weekly route from Cardiff Airport, doesn’t set its stall out as a place geared purely towards families, nor as a bolthole for frazzled grown-ups.
Rather than feeling like it has no identity or isn’t sure what it is meant to be, this place feels like an optimum stay for families, solo travellers, and couples of any age.The main reason is a fantastic design that maximises the compact footprint of the site by putting the two pool areas within an easy line of sight of one another down. It means there are no distractions between one side and the other. If you’re on a child-free getaway or couples’ holiday, you can lounge by the larger main pool in what we found was generally a very relaxed and quiet atmosphere. Meanwhile, a matter of seconds away is a genuinely exceptional environment for children.There’s a shallow pool with two slides – one smaller and designed like a humpback whale that would be suitable for even the youngest of kids, and another part of a pirate ship setup that was easily safe and accessible.The water, which also features a palm tree waterfall, is only the beginning of the fun. There’s a generously-sized climbing frame suitable for toddlers, a set of football goals, table football, a table tennis table, and also a pool table. And there’s a small classroom-like building filled with things like toys, such as a role-play kitchen and colouring.Combine it with a set of nearby loungers around the water, access to both the bar and your room, and you’ve essentially got all you need to satisfy everyone for a full day in the sun.Kids can play freely and easily make friends. Provided your child is old enough, you can take it easy while being on hand to splash around in the water, act as cannon fodder in goal, or take them on in one of the tabletop games.In purely logistical terms, Barceló Corralejo Sands is a complete delight. It feels like you can get the best of all worlds as a family with the absolute minimum of stress and effort.
All that would count for a lot less, though, if the rest of the hotel did not rise to the same levels. Thankfully, it does in just the same non-showy way as it bills itself.It’s elegant and classy without being overblown or fussy. The staff are discreet, friendly, and almost without exception absolutely lovely and willing to help. Our poolside suite was light, airy and comfortably spacious for four, even with the ‘lounge’ area having been converted into a second bedroom.The balcony was large and sheltered and, on our side of the pool, the staggered design of the building meant it was completely private from the neighbouring room.There were lots of neat points of attention to detail, such as cute bathroom sets for the children, and handy features like the use of beach/pool towels and a mini fridge to keep any drinks you buy off-site cool.We stayed on a half-board basis and loved the array of breakfast options. It felt particularly decadent to start the day with cava, smoked salmon, and capers, as well as the nightly themes for cuisine from around the world (Spanish, Canarian, and Arabic being my particular highlights).Bottles of wine ranged between roughly €20 (£17) and €30 and a large beer was €3.80 at the time of our visit.We tried and failed to have eaten come the start of the mini disco in the bar each night at 8pm. If I were being picky, I’d say this could maybe have run a shade longer than 15-20 minutes. Part of the reason for its brevity, though, was the nightly bingo at 8.30pm. This was genuinely pacy and fun for all ages, and had us all laughing on several occasions. Each night, there was a musician or another type of performer on at 9pm.The resort, tucked away neatly down a side street, was only a matter of minutes on foot from the buzzy bars and famed ‘music square’ of Corralejo town. It’s an easy walk to an array of different beaches, too, though we generally preferred the relaxed vibes and on-tap fun of being around the pool, which doubled up with the advantage of the buildings offering screening from the island’s famous breeze.If you want to take a day or two further afield, there are plenty of boat trips and excursions on offer.We took a dolphin-spotting trip through TUI Musement (from £132 for a family of four, based on two adults and two children), and we were so glad we did peel ourselves away from the poo. Iit was a mesmerising experience.Put together with the island’s year-round sunny climate and a delightful setting, and in Barceló Corralejo Sands we’ve found a family holiday spot that could easily become a go-to.
Book it
TUI offers a seven-night holiday to Corralejo, Fuerteventura, staying at the 4T Barcelo Corralejo Sands on a half board basis from £847 per person.
The price is based on two adults and two children sharing a Suite with Balcony or Terrace departing with TUI Airways flights from Cardiff on June 6, 2026, with 20kg hold luggage per person and transfers included. To find out more about this holiday or to book go to tui.co.uk, visit your local TUI holiday store, or download the app.
If you fancy leaving later in the year the same trip can be booked for departure on September 19, 2026, from £871 on a half-board basis or £1,086 for all-inclusive.
RYANAIR boss Michael O’Leary has made the headlines today, calling for an early-morning ban on airports serving alcohol to passengers.
He’s calling for the big change following a rise in badly behaved passengers that have caused flights forced to divert.
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Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel (Digital) says banning airport bars from serving any booze outside of normal UK licensing hours – typically from around 10 or 11am – seems pretty unfair
He told The Times: “It’s becoming a real challenge for all airlines
“I fail to understand why anybody in airports bars is serving people at five or six o’clock in the morning. Who needs to be drinking beer at that time?
“There should be no alcohol served at airports outside [those] licensing hours,” he said. “We have been calling for many years for a limit of two drinks per person per airport, why don’t you limit people by boarding pass?”
So should we be banning morning beers at UK airports? Our travel experts go head to head…
‘Please don’t deny hard-working Brits this small holiday pleasure’ says Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel (Digital)
AIRPORT breakfast beers are one of those quirky British traditions, much like the Wetherspoons table number game and the dirty birthday pint.
It is pretty much guaranteed that you will see a number of sleepy-eyed Brits sinking a lager at the airport pub, no matter what time of day you arrive.
While I personally can’t stomach a drink before midday, I’m also not a fan of telling hard-working Brits how they can spend their precious seven days of holiday that they’ve been saving for all year.
Michael O’Leary has long called for there to be a two-drink limit on people drinking at airports and that is something that feels like a reasonable compromise to me.
But to ban airport bars from serving any booze outside of normal UK licensing hours – typically from around 10 or 11am – seems pretty unfair when passengers can still buy a drink on the actual Ryanair flight.
Pubs are under a huge amount of financial stress these days, thanks to a raft of anti-hospitality measures introduced by our current chancellor, Rachel Reeves.
Add to this the fact that pubs pay an extremely high rent for their airport locations, do we want to see boozers also disappearing from here too?
I’m not sure that cutting out morning drinking will see the solution to the problem that airlines are clearly having such a huge issue with, because it won’t have any effect on the thousands of flights that fly out of the UK post-midday.
I’ve been on more late-evening Ryanair flights to Ibiza than I care to remember, when I have deep sympathy for the cabin crew serving very rowdy passengers.
Mr O’Leary has been in the industry for a long time, in fact he’s one of the most experienced airline bosses in the business, and we should be listening when he says it’s a huge problem that needs sorting.
But banning the small joy of a breakfast beer in these stressful modern times, with everything that’s going on in the world? Please no.
Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey says that without airports willing to put a cap in place, more drastic measures are needed
‘More drastic measures are needed’ says Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor
LOOK, I get it – you finally got that time off work, and you’re ready for a week of sunshine and relaxing.
But it has forever baffled me as to how that translates to a pint of beer or glass of champagne at 6am when normally you wouldn’t even be awake.
I can’t think of anything worse than sinking a Guinness when I’m waiting for my flight, and certainly don’t want that sloshing around in my stomach before a long journey.
If people could restrain themselves then a ban wouldn’t be needed but sadly, without airports willing to put a cap in place, it seems more drastic measures are needed.
Haven’t we all been on that awful flight where rowdy passengers just make it worse for everyone?
With Ryanair saying that as many as a flight a day are being diverted, those costs are likely to be passed onto the passenger too.
So those drunken idiots are essentially going to make your flight more expensive.
Maybe a full ban is too far, but I would say that a drink limit is definitely needed.
I’d back airports being required to scan boarding passes, with a cap on 1-2 boozy beverages before you get on a plane.
Lets save it for the all-inclusive pool bar, guys.
Bulgaria became part of the Ottoman Empire in 1396. In the late nineteenth century, a growing tide of nationalism had been spreading across Europe, which had been threatening the break up of the western parts of the Ottoman Empire.
In April 1876, uprisings in other parts of the Ottoman Empire spread to Bulgaria. The suppression of the revolts by the Ottomans was horrific and when the atrocities were made public to the West and Russia, international condemnation was widespread. In April 1877, Russia formally declared war on the Ottoman Empire. The war ended in March 1878 with the signing of the San Stefano peace treaty which created the independent state of Bulgaria.
On July 22nd 1878, 12 battalions of volunteer units who had participated in the war, formed the Bulgarian armed forces.
May 6th was officially pronounced as the Day of the Bulgarian Army in 1880, though it has only been marked with a national holiday since 1998.
At the outbreak of the second world war, the Netherlands had declared its neutrality from the conflict. However, this did not stop the country being invaded by Nazi Germany on May 10th 1940.
After landing in Normandy in June 1944, the allied forces advanced across Europe with key engagements taking place in the south of the Netherlands by September of that year.
The Netherlands was liberated in a large part by the Canadians, British and Polish armies.
On May 5th 1945, General Foulkes of the Canadian forces and the German Commander Blaskowitz reached an agreement on the surrender of the German forces in the Netherlands in Hotel de Wereld in Wageningen.
Even though some German troops remained on Dutch soil until May 8th, the date of the surrender of the German forces is celebrated on Liberation Day.
MAKE convenience the driving force behind your holiday.
There are superb destinations within easy reach of ferry terminals in France and Spain.
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There are superb destinations within easy reach of ferry terminals in France and SpainCredit: Alamy
Escape to sunnier climes in the car with no pricey flights or fear of flight cancellations.
Sophie Swietochowski shares her pick of the five best getaways for families, all within an hour of the ferry terminal.
COMILLAS, SPAIN
DRIVE 40 minutes from the ferry terminal of Santander and you’ll find the rustic town of Comillas, crammed with striking Gaudi architecture and art nouveau buildings that overlook a pristine sandy shore.
It’s not as crowded as some of Spain’s more popular holiday resorts and it’s home to the Oyambre Natural Park which is littered with dramatic cliffs and has a plethora of bird life.
Make sure to try a dish loved by locals, marmitako.
The traditional fisherman’s stew comes loaded with tuna, seafood and veggies and will keep you feeling satisfied for hours.
GO: Five nights’ B&B at the 4H Abba Comillas Hotel in the town is from £439.06pp, based on a family of four sharing a room and including car ferry travel from Plymouth on July 20.
ACTIVITY-loving families will feel right at home in Boulogne-sur-mer, a 30-minute drive from the French port of Calais and with adventure on its doorstep.
Spend a day at the largest aquarium in Europe, Nausicaá, where you can gawp at over 60,000 creatures including reef sharks, manta rays, sea lions, penguins and giant tortoises — the Echappée Tropicale section is new for this year and is framed around mangroves and lagoons.
Nearby Wissant beach is ideal if you’re travelling with youngsters, thanks to its shallow water pools.
And Boulogne-sur-mer’s glorious old town with its cobbled streets, is a wonderful spot for an afternoon potter.
Boulogne sur Mer has a massive aquariumCredit: Alamy
GO: Two nights’ self-catering at the Evancy apartments is from £60pp based on a family of four sharing.
IF you’re less into fly-and-flop and more of a city dweller, look no further than the Spanish city of Bilbao.
The city centre is a 20-minute drive from the ferry terminal.
Once you arrive, ditch the car as everything is easily accessible on foot or by tram/metro.
Pintxos, essentially the basque version of tapas, is the theme of most menus here.
This means you can sample as many restaurants as you fancy, tucking into the best of the nibbles — they tend to be very affordable, too.
Little ones will love riding the funicular up to the peak of Mount Artxanda, offering jaw-dropping panoramic views of the city.
Adults, on the other hand, will want to sample a glass of Txakoli, a local wine that’s dry, crisp and pairs perfectly with warm weather.
There’s also a beach if you do want to dip your toes into the sea.
GO: Six nights’ B&B at the 4H Abba Euskalduna Hotel is £507.11pp, based on a family of four sharing a room and including car ferry travel from Portsmouth to Bilbao on July 19.
THE coastal resort, less than an hour from Calais, is chic French glamour meets old-world Britain.
Don’t take my word for it, though.
Back in the day, it attracted big names like Winston Churchill, Noel Coward, and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Sean Connery used to stroll its shores, and President Macron has been seen there.
You’re also within a short drive of France’s oldest amusement park, Parc Bagatelle, which will soon feature a new adrenaline ride, North Storm.
It is 33 metres high and throws riders around on 360-degree rotations.
On top of thrill rides, there are also shows and a mini animal farm.
GO: Two-storey family rooms at the 4H Le Grand Hotel Le Touquet cost from around £286pp with access to an indoor heated pool, a padel tennis court, games room and bike rental service.
A SWIFT 30-minute drive from Caen ferry port in Ouistreham, the sleepy fishing town of Courseulles-sur-Mer feels typically French and sits a little off the beaten tourist track.
Be sure to have a go at sand yachting.
Often described as a mix between go-karting and windsurfing, the sport relies on blustery winds to propel you across the sands in a three-wheeled cart with a sail attached to it.
Juno beach is a great spot to try it.
For adrenaline junkies there’s Parc du Chant des Oiseaux which has slides, climbing nets and a zipline, or for something more gently paced there’s an 18-hole mini golf course.
It’s worth renting a bike and exploring the nearby cycle routes while you’re here, too.
GO: Five nights’ B&B at the 3H La Crémaillère is from £454.85pp, based on four people sharing a one-bedroom duplex and including car ferry from Portsmouth to Caen on July 20.
MAKE convenience the driving force behind your holiday.
There are superb destinations within easy reach of ferry terminals in France and Spain.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
There are superb destinations within easy reach of ferry terminals in France and SpainCredit: Alamy
Escape to sunnier climes in the car with no pricey flights or fear of flight cancellations.
Sophie Swietochowski shares her pick of the five best getaways for families, all within an hour of the ferry terminal.
COMILLAS, SPAIN
DRIVE 40 minutes from the ferry terminal of Santander and you’ll find the rustic town of Comillas, crammed with striking Gaudi architecture and art nouveau buildings that overlook a pristine sandy shore.
It’s not as crowded as some of Spain’s more popular holiday resorts and it’s home to the Oyambre Natural Park which is littered with dramatic cliffs and has a plethora of bird life.
Make sure to try a dish loved by locals, marmitako.
The traditional fisherman’s stew comes loaded with tuna, seafood and veggies and will keep you feeling satisfied for hours.
GO: Five nights’ B&B at the 4H Abba Comillas Hotel in the town is from £439.06pp, based on a family of four sharing a room and including car ferry travel from Plymouth on July 20.
ACTIVITY-loving families will feel right at home in Boulogne-sur-mer, a 30-minute drive from the French port of Calais and with adventure on its doorstep.
Spend a day at the largest aquarium in Europe, Nausicaá, where you can gawp at over 60,000 creatures including reef sharks, manta rays, sea lions, penguins and giant tortoises — the Echappée Tropicale section is new for this year and is framed around mangroves and lagoons.
Nearby Wissant beach is ideal if you’re travelling with youngsters, thanks to its shallow water pools.
And Boulogne-sur-mer’s glorious old town with its cobbled streets, is a wonderful spot for an afternoon potter.
Boulogne sur Mer has a massive aquariumCredit: Alamy
GO: Two nights’ self-catering at the Evancy apartments is from £60pp based on a family of four sharing.
IF you’re less into fly-and-flop and more of a city dweller, look no further than the Spanish city of Bilbao.
The city centre is a 20-minute drive from the ferry terminal.
Once you arrive, ditch the car as everything is easily accessible on foot or by tram/metro.
Pintxos, essentially the basque version of tapas, is the theme of most menus here.
This means you can sample as many restaurants as you fancy, tucking into the best of the nibbles — they tend to be very affordable, too.
Little ones will love riding the funicular up to the peak of Mount Artxanda, offering jaw-dropping panoramic views of the city.
Adults, on the other hand, will want to sample a glass of Txakoli, a local wine that’s dry, crisp and pairs perfectly with warm weather.
There’s also a beach if you do want to dip your toes into the sea.
GO: Six nights’ B&B at the 4H Abba Euskalduna Hotel is £507.11pp, based on a family of four sharing a room and including car ferry travel from Portsmouth to Bilbao on July 19.
THE coastal resort, less than an hour from Calais, is chic French glamour meets old-world Britain.
Don’t take my word for it, though.
Back in the day, it attracted big names like Winston Churchill, Noel Coward, and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Sean Connery used to stroll its shores, and President Macron has been seen there.
You’re also within a short drive of France’s oldest amusement park, Parc Bagatelle, which will soon feature a new adrenaline ride, North Storm.
It is 33 metres high and throws riders around on 360-degree rotations.
On top of thrill rides, there are also shows and a mini animal farm.
GO: Two-storey family rooms at the 4H Le Grand Hotel Le Touquet cost from around £286pp with access to an indoor heated pool, a padel tennis court, games room and bike rental service.
A SWIFT 30-minute drive from Caen ferry port in Ouistreham, the sleepy fishing town of Courseulles-sur-Mer feels typically French and sits a little off the beaten tourist track.
Be sure to have a go at sand yachting.
Often described as a mix between go-karting and windsurfing, the sport relies on blustery winds to propel you across the sands in a three-wheeled cart with a sail attached to it.
Juno beach is a great spot to try it.
For adrenaline junkies there’s Parc du Chant des Oiseaux which has slides, climbing nets and a zipline, or for something more gently paced there’s an 18-hole mini golf course.
It’s worth renting a bike and exploring the nearby cycle routes while you’re here, too.
GO: Five nights’ B&B at the 3H La Crémaillère is from £454.85pp, based on four people sharing a one-bedroom duplex and including car ferry from Portsmouth to Caen on July 20.
