This picturesque coastal village offers spectacular scenery and a peaceful atmosphere – ideal for a summer escape away from busy tourist hotspots
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This beautiful village has so much to offer(Image: Southern Lightscapes-Australia via Getty Images)
Summer holidays are on the horizon and many people are starting to map out their getaways. With jet fuel costs climbing, jetting off abroad might not be the most affordable option, but fortunately, there are countless beautiful destinations right here in the UK.
Plenty of people travel overseas to the same spots year after year, but the UK is actually home to numerous hidden treasures that provide just as much natural beauty for a fraction of the cost, and with far fewer crowds.
From seaside escapes to woodland getaways there’s so much to choose from.
Hazel Rickett, travel expert at small-group tour operator Rabbie’s, said: “Some of the UK’s most memorable summer escapes can be found in the lesser-known towns, villages and coastal communities that people tend to overlook.
“For travellers hoping to avoid overcrowded tourist hotspots, long airport queues or the rising cost of overseas travel, these destinations offer the chance to slow down and experience a different side of the UK, whether that’s through coastal scenery, historic charm or access to incredible landscapes.”
Hazel has revealed one of her top picks for a summer break in the UK – a beautiful coastal village nestled in the Scottish Highlands.
She said: “Plockton is a brilliant destination for travellers looking for a summer escape that combines coastal scenery with a peaceful village atmosphere.”
The village sits on the shores of Loch Carron and is renowned for its breathtaking waterfront.
You can go kayaking, take a boat trip on the lake or simply relax and take in the views.
Plockton is also home to Attadale Gardens, a stunning 20-acre expanse of vibrant blooms, water gardens and glasshouses, reports the Express.
Among its highlights are century-old rhododendrons, while youngsters can seek out hidden sculptures dotted throughout the grounds or try their luck catching frogs and newts in the ponds.
Hazel said: “Plockton offers visitors the chance to experience spectacular Highland scenery while enjoying the charm of a traditional coastal village.
“Its relaxed atmosphere and beautiful setting make it a memorable stop for travellers looking to explore a quieter side of Scotland away from the usual tourist crowds.”
During a trip to the beautiful desert city of Palm Springs in California, home to Golden Age Hollywood stars, I found myself with a Guinness World Record after a jolly great time
12:24, 08 Jun 2026Updated 12:26, 08 Jun 2026
I found myself with a Guinness World Record after a trip to Greater Palm Springs(Image: Getty Images)
If someone told me earlier this year I’d have a Guinness World Record to my name, I would have thought they were joking. But here I am, with the notorious title following a trip to the United States.
You’re probably wondering what on earth I did to secure a Guinness World Record, and no, it wasn’t some ludicrous challenge. Instead, all I needed was a blond wig, red lipstick, and a white dress.
I was in the beautiful desert resort city of Greater Palm Springs, known for its Hollywood glamour, mid-century modern architecture and natural hot springs, when this all took place. The Southern California oasis, nestled in the Coachella Valley, was once home to Golden Age Hollywood stars, including Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley, but I was there for Marilyn Monroe.
The iconic American actress and model became a global sensation during the 1950s and early 1960s, and was often known for her persona as the ‘blonde bombshell’. She tragically died at the tender age of 36 in 1962, but spent much of her adult life in Palm Springs and is known to have spent time in a trendy bungalow known as the Marilyn Monroe Doll House, which I passed by during my trip, still with its signature pink letter box on the front yard.
This year, on 1 June, marked what would have been Marilyn Monroe’s 100th birthday, and to mark the occasion, Greater Palm Springs hosted a celebration and mega event to secure a new Guinness World Record. And I was lucky enough to be there and take part.
The idea was to gather as many Marilyn Monroe lookalikes as possible in one place for a Guinness World Record attempt. The previous record was 254 in 2020, so there were high hopes that Palm Springs, the home of Hollywood, would surpass it.
I had no idea what to expect, but after signing up for the event and securing my iconic Marilyn Monroe outfit of a styled blond wig, white dress and red lipstick, I was ready to take part. So on Saturday, 30 May, the day before her birthday, I dressed up as the glamorous star and joined my fellow doppelgangers around the Forever Marilyn statue in Downtown Palm Springs, to secure a Guinness World Record.
Remarkably, there were a whopping 1,037 Marilyn Monroe lookalikes in attendance, and it was incredible to be around so many people celebrating the icon. Everyone went all out with their outfits, accessorising with pearls, diamonds, sparkly heels, fans and feather boas.
To secure the Guinness World Record, all attendees had to be dressed in the same iconic white halter dress, platinum wig and red lipstick, and everyone absolutely was. So after gathering in our hundreds, singing happy birthday to Marilyn Monroe, and being thoroughly counted, we successfully obtained a new Guinness World Record.
“People are on a high that they get to participate in this”, Palm Springs mayor Ron deHarte told me. “It’s not unusual to have something flashy going on in Palm Springs, but this is something different.”
The Pride organisation was connected to the event, as Ron noted, “Marilyn Monroe had a voice, and she used it.” And I could feel the celebrations, the love, kindness, acceptance, and overall pride of this city as I put on my best Marilyn Monroe impersonation and joined the joyful, spirited community of Palm Springs for a Guinness World Record.
It was certainly an honour to take part in such an event, and one I won’t forget in a hurry. After all, there are only 1,037 of us across the globe who can say we broke a record by dressing up as Marilyn Monroe in the desert.
Important message for anyone with a package holiday booked
09:50, 08 Jun 2026Updated 09:53, 08 Jun 2026
Simon Calder reminded people to give ‘immediate notice’ and to not wait if they encounter issues(Image: ITV)
Travel expert Simon Calder has shared important advice for anyone with a package holiday booked, as people are being urged to act ‘as soon as possible’. His message comes ahead of the peak travel season, and as new research by Citizens Advice has revealed that four million people have faced issues with their package holiday over the last year.
On today’s (June 8) episode of ITV’s Good Morning Britain, TV host Kate Garraway spoke to correspondent Nick Dixon about the findings. He said: “The complaints that we’ve been hearing about were involving all-inclusive holidays, with many saying they just didn’t ultimately match up to the glossy brochures we see online, or indeed at the travel agents.
“Citizens Advice say that they found 33% of holiday-related complaints ultimately were about things like poor quality hotels, bad food, facilities being unavailable as well – 19% down to customer service.” He added: “Things like long waits on the phone, complaints ignored and administration errors, and 25% of complaints ultimately led to stress, anxiety or upset.
“And if your dream holiday does turn into a wee bit of a nightmare, there are steps you can take… Many of us with these kinds of complaints about our holidays end up trying to fight for compensation, which is why it is so important to keep a record of everything just in case to have any chance of getting money back.”
British travel journalist and broadcaster Simon Calder then spoke to viewers, sharing a crucial message for those with a package holiday, especially if they encounter problems during their trip. He urged holidaymakers to act ‘immediately’.
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He said: “If you get to your destination and things aren’t right, maybe there’s a problem with your room, maybe the facilities are simply not as described, then you have to give the travel company immediate notice and allow them the opportunity to sort things out.”
How can I claim compensation for a holiday?
Reporting a problem right away is a legal concept called “mitigating your losses”. If you don’t allow the travel provider to address the room or facilities issue while you’re there, you could really hurt your chances of receiving a full refund or compensation.
Citizens Advice says: “If you’re still on holiday, tell the company or travel agent about the problem as soon as possible. You might be able to get it sorted quicker – like if there’s a problem with the room. If you don’t say anything until you get home, you might get less compensation or none at all.”
The person you need to contact depends on how you arranged your holiday. If you went for a package holiday, reach out to the customer service team of the tour operator you chose.
However, if you organised it yourself or set up a linked travel arrangement, you should contact the accommodation or service provider directly, such as the hotel or the company offering excursions. Make sure you include:
your booking reference
clear details of what went wrong
copies any evidence you have – like photos
copies of receipts
how much compensation you want
Citizens Advice adds: “It’s a good idea to send the letter by registered post and keep a copy, so you have proof that the holiday company received it. You can also email them – some of them have online forms. Keep a copy of what you send. If the company makes you an offer that you think is too low, you can ask for more. They might come back to you with a higher offer.”
Tonga is a Polynesian kingdom located in the Pacific Ocean, 1,250 miles north of New Zealand. It is composed of over 170 South Pacific islands, of which only about 36 are inhabited.
In some countries, notably those in the Caribbean, Emancipation Day means the abolition of slavery by the European colonial powers in the early part of the 19th century. Emancipation in Tonga means the abolition of the system of serfdom which had been used by the local chiefs for centuries as a means of forced labour.
On June 4th 1862, Tonga’s first Christian king, George Tupuo I declared the abolition of serfdom in the official emancipation edict as part of his 1862 Code of Laws:
“All chiefs and people are to all intents and purposes set at liberty from serfdom, and all vassalage, from the institution of this law; and it shall not be lawful for any chief or person, to seize, or take by force, or beg authoritatively, in Tonga fashion, anything from anyone.”
Influenced by Christian missionaries, the abolition was a key milestone in the history of Tonga as it freed commoners from the virtual ownership of chiefs.
Another important event that took place on June 4th is also celebrated on this day.
Tonga became a British protected state under a Treaty of Friendship in May 1900, to fend off European settlers and rival Tongan chiefs who had tried to overthrow the king. This Treaty of Friendship and protected state status expired on June 4th 1970 under arrangements established prior to her death by the third monarch, Queen Sālote.
SIR Ranulph Fiennes and Bear Grylls most likely pop into your head when you think of adventurers. But now, you can add Wizz Air customers to that list.
And me. Last month, I was invited to join some competition winners on a flight to . . . who knows where?
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Zvartnots ruins and Mount Ararat in ArmeniaCredit: GettyThe architectural highlight was the Mother See of Holy EtchmiadzinCredit: Alamy
As part of the Hungarian airline’s Let’s Get Lost promotion, 22 lucky travellers and their plus-ones were going on an all-expenses-paid trip, to a secret destination.
Even after boarding the plane we were still none the wiser, all we had was a pre-provided packing list and a rough idea of the climate.
It was only once the flight had exceeded three and a half hours that we could guess it was Armenia. A tannoy announcement confirmed it, prompting a round of applause.
I’ll be honest, Armenia was never on my radar as a holiday destination, but that’s exactly what made this trip so special.
Arriving in Republic Square, the heart of the capital city Yerevan, the Saturday evening atmosphere was electric with hordes of people enjoying live music alfresco.
We stayed in the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, perfectly located in the city centre of Yerevan.
A walking tour was the best way to get our bearings. We wandered the main streets past buildings made from pink volcanic stone, before reaching the Cascade Yerevan.
Made up of 572 steps (we took the interior escalator), this mighty landmark is a must-visit. From its peak, we had stunning views of the snow-capped Mount Ararat, now in modern-day Turkey.
A 30-minute drive away is Charents’ Arch, a monument dedicated to a much-loved poet in this region. The curved brick structure provides the perfect natural frame for the landscape and is a great photo spot.
The architectural highlight for me was the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin — the Mother Cathedral of the Armenian Church.
Remnants of it date back to the 4th century (Armenia was the first nation to adopt Christianity in 301AD), and it is the most ornate church I’ve ever seen.
The ruins of the 7th-century Zvartnots Cathedral are also worth a visit.
The whole place has an otherwordly feel, and with the hot sun beating down on us, it felt spiritual.
In just two days, we ticked off key landmarks, including Garni Temple and the Geghard Monastery, with lunches and dinners in between, accompanied by Armenian wine, which I would highly recommend.
With such a short time on the ground, this trip didn’t allow for loafing, but that’s the brilliance of a Wizz Air mystery getaway — cramming in all the best bits.
The Cascade, made up of 572 steps, is a mighty landmark and a must-visitCredit: GettyYerevan, pictured at night, can be navigated independently and you can tailor-make a cultural and/or foodie breakCredit: Getty
Our final evening was spent at Tavern Yerevan Riverside. The setting, grub and entertainment were truly amazing. Armenian wine was flowing while we tucked into khorovats, traditional Armenian barbecued meats scorched over an open flame.
While we had a curated itinerary, Yerevan can be navigated independently and you can tailor-make a cultural and/or foodie break.
After attempting, and failing, to say ‘shnorhakalutyun’ — Armenian for ‘thank you’ — throughout, I was advised that the French equivalent would also be appreciated.
So, merci Armenia — a destination I’d never planned to visit, but am so glad I did.
GO: ARMENIA
GETTING THERE: Starting tomorrow, Wizz Air flies twice a week from Luton to Yerevan with one-way fares from £45.99.
Malta’s position in the Mediterranean sea has made the islands a strategically important location since classical times, with the islands passing from one ruler to another through the ages.
In 1800, the British had assisted Malta in removing the occupying French forces and the Maltese people had asked to become a sovereign nation in the British Empire. This was ratified in the treaty of Paris in 1815.
Following the end of World War I, tensions had been rising due to the inability of the colonial government to ensure basic supplies to the island. This had led to some merchants being seen to have made a lot of money from the situation, while others fared badly.
Added to this was the feeling that political moves for greater autonomy and independence for Malta were seemingly going unheard.
In early June 1919, a change in the governor of the island was treated with scepticism by some and on June 7th, a crowd started removing British flags from buildings that had been flying at half-mast across the island due to the recent death of the President of the Court.
The mob grew in size and turned their attention to the homes of the merchants who had been doing well from the recent supply issues. It was at one of these houses that a standoff between the mob and the army ended in tragedy with the soldiers firing and killing three protestors and injuring fifty others. The uprising continued for a few days during which time, a fourth civilian died from injuries received while resisting arrest.
The uprising was short-lasting, but the bloody events of June 7th 1919 led to the National Assembly drafting the new Constitution. Two years later, Malta was given responsibility for self-government and home affairs and the first Maltese Parliament was set up.
It’s said the 19th-century Parisian flâneur, intent on not rushing past the beauties of the street, would take a tortoise on a lead to set the pace. I thought about this as my donkey bent his head to another thistle and I turned my attention to the view, waiting for him to finish. Every way I looked, layers of mountains receded in deepening shades of eggshell blue. There were no sounds but the wind, the squeals of marmots and the giggles of my two young kids. I was extremely, uncomplicatedly happy.
Our donkeys were on loan from Burrotrek, a small outfit run by Swiss-born Denise Wirth. Twenty years ago, Denise spent four and a half months walking the Camino from Switzerland to Santiago de Compostela with two donkeys. She liked Spain, and she loved donkeys, so she settled on the idea of offering donkey treks in the Pyrenees. She has not looked back. For much of the year she is based where she settled, near Cadaqués, and offers a variety of self-guided itineraries through the vineyards in the foothills and along the Mediterranean coast, with trips lasting between a day and a week. But for the summer months, when temperatures soar, she relocates with her donkeys to Cal Jan de la Llosa in the province of Girona, a gorgeous ruin of a farm several miles up an unpaved track. From here, she lends her animals to people who, for whatever reason, have a romantic notion of what it might be like to take a donkey up a mountain.
Illustration: Guardian Graphics
My family (myself, Ulli, and our two kids, aged five and seven) bought Interrail passes (under-12s go free)and caught the sleeper down from Paris, crossed the border to Catalonia at Puigcerdà and, after a late lunch of tapas at the station bar, piled into a taxi for an hour’s drive up a long series of switchbacks to the farm. That first night we pitched our tents in a field behind the barn. The dark welled up from the valley floor and house martins shuttled through the dusk. We fell asleep to the rushing of the river and the occasional braying of a donkey.
The next morning we met our animals. We would be borrowing two donkeys, Om and Rebot, which we called Robot or, in moments of frustration, Roadblock. Om was described by Denise as “sporty”, and seemed up for most things, while Rebot was older and content to bring up the rear. Denise ran us through the basics: how to saddle them; how to groom them; how to check their hooves. A donkey can carry a fifth of its bodyweight, which meant around 30kg each. It was just as well, as we had a lot of stuff with us: a week’s worth of food and the explosion in camping gear that seemed to have occurred along with having children.
We had not taken our children to the mountains before, and I hadn’t had an interaction with a donkey since Bournemouth beach about 35 years previously. The learning curve was steep. The donkeys had a powerful sense of what they wanted, which didn’t always align with ours. Yet they were generally amenable, and we soon grew very fond of them. Denise waved us off with our children clutching the ropes and Om and Rebot trotting amiably behind them. She had suggested a loop that would take a week, with a mix of wild camping and mountain huts.
The going was easy, along wooded valleys, through pretty stone villages. At lunchtime, we tied the donkeys up to graze beside a stream while we splashed around, and then lay basking on the rocks, eating bread and cheese. Four hours in and I felt like Laurie Lee.
The path unwound along a series of thin rivers that burst out of the mountainsides
On the second night, we camped in a meadow during the worst storm I’ve ever known. It came out of a wide blue sky and suddenly it was hailing, the ground blanketed white. The donkeys stood stolidly beneath a tree, ears drooping. The downpour continued until dawn, the thunder like cannon fire. The kids, of course, slept through it, while Ulli and I sat up all night, watching their faces in the lightning. Were we out of our depth? Our tents were not meant for such weather and by morning the kids were the only dry things we had. The sun was out and the grass was steaming. We saddled the donkeys and carried on.
We dried out in Refugi dels Estanys de la Pera, a wonderful cabin alive with warm hospitality and good food. And then the path began to climb in earnest, winding up towards Andorra. At times it felt as though we were carrying two donkeys up the mountain. A group of Spanish hikers advised us to shout “arré,” an Arabic word imported by the Moors. It was unclear if it worked, but it gave us something to do. The donkeys took cautious, dainty steps, selecting each foothold before placing it. We were learning that they set the pace, and we should follow where they led.
‘A gorgeous ruin of a farm several miles up an unpaved track’ … camping at Cal Jan de la Llosa at the end of the walk
By the time we made the border at the Perafita Pass, at an altitude of 2,574 metres, we were in the cloud and giddy with success. We squatted in an ancient corral of stones and ate biscuits. But as we descended the cloud burned off and Andorra opened up before us. A vast plateau of long grasses and crooked, lightning-struck spruce trees, scattered with lakes in craters gouged by ancient glaciers. It was achingly beautiful, silent and wild. A herd of chamois, flushed from their hiding place, took off down the slopes at full pelt.
The path unwound along a series of thin rivers that burst out of the mountainsides, Riu de Perafita, Riu Madriu, rattling urgently along their rocky beds. We drank straight from springs bubbling out of the rocks and plunged into small pools, blisteringly cold. A herd of horses approached us one morning to examine their diminutive relatives, and Om and Rebot stood there, stoic as ever, until the horses galloped on.
I had worried this trip might be a hard sell to the kids, but their capacity to create fun proved boundless. Every time we stopped, and we stopped a lot, they found a stream to paddle in, a frog to play with, a marmot to sneak up on. The days weren’t long, six or seven miles at most, but if we try a walk at home we rarely get beyond the car park. The donkeys and the mountains meant they scarcely noticed we had tricked them into walking. In the evenings, they groomed the animals and charged about the camp. They ate everything we gave them – noodles, lentils, pasta – and fell asleep in seconds. It was a revelation.
Rebot the donkey set the pace
We spent our last night in Refugi de l’Illa, a vast, metal-clad, solar-panelled structure on a barren plateau that appeared to have touched down from space. We washed in hot water, drank wine at dinner and slept on a mattress. It was nice, but I hadn’t missed it. We were keen to get going again. As we walked back into Spain, the donkeys seemed to know they were nearing home. The path eased down across pastures of wild flowers and by dinner time on the eighth day we were back at the farm.
Some of my happiest moments as a parent are when I am doing something that I loved before having kids, but now with these brilliant, curious people – sharing the basic pleasures of cooking after a long day outside, or looking up at a sky bright with stars. We pitched our tent for one final night outside and reluctantly handed our donkeys back. They trotted into their field with the others, nosing each other’s necks in welcome. We were very sorry to see them go.
The trip was provided by Burrotrek; donkey hire from €55 a day including an introductory course and equipment. Half-board at Refugi de l’Illa, €61 adults/€48 children. Half-board at Refugi dels Estanys de la Pera, €46 adults/from €33.50 children
Lone Wolf by Adam Weymouth is published in paperback by Penguin on 25 June (£11.99). To support the Guardian, order your copy at guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply.
The Korean War began on June 25th 1950, when troops from Communist-ruled North Korea invaded South Korea.
There was a boycott of the United Nations by the Soviet Union at the time, and therefore, no veto, which allowed the UN to intervene when it became apparent that the superior North Korean forces would easily take over the entire country.
The Soviets and the Chinese backed North Korea, with the participation of millions of Chinese troops. After large advances on both sides, the war eventually reached a stalemate.
The 1953 armistice, never signed by South Korea, split the peninsula along the demilitarized zone near the original demarcation line.
No peace treaty has ever been signed and technically, the two countries are still at war.
The Korean War was the first war in which a world organization, the United Nations (UN), played a military role and a major challenge for the United Nations, which had come into existence only five years earlier.
Across South Korea, officials and citizens will pray and lay flowers at the graves of the war dead. It is common practice to display the flag of South Korea on the front doors of homes to commemorate the civilians and soldiers who died in war.
In 1956, South Korea held its first memorial ceremony for soldiers who died in the Korean War. Memorial Day was declared a public holiday on April 19th 1956, just three years after the war ended.
Turkish airline SunExpress says it has cancelled four routes from UK airports to popular holiday destinations in Turkey due to ‘ongoing geopolitical developments’
21:50, 05 Jun 2026Updated 21:50, 05 Jun 2026
SunExpress has suspended some routes (stock)(Image: Getty)
A major airline says it has been forced to cancel flights from the UK to three popular holiday destinations.
Turkish airline SunExpress cited “ongoing geopolitical developments” and the rising cost of jet fuel as it announced the temporary suspension of four routes from the UK to Turkey for the summer 2026 season.
The routes that have been cancelled are Manchester to Bodrum, Leeds Bradford to Antalya, and Glasgow to both Dalaman and Antalya. Flights on these routes have now been taken off sale.
However, Brits wanting to travel to Turkey this summer have a number of other options. SunExpress is still running routes to Antalya from Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted, Luton, Manchester and Newcastle, as well as to Dalaman from Birmingham, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Manchester, and Newcastle.
Sadly, the changes do mean SunExpress will not be operating a UK to Bodrum service this summer.
A spokesperson for the airline told Travel Gossip: “Due to the ongoing geopolitical developments, the aviation industry is currently operating in a highly volatile environment, characterised by significant cost increases, particularly for jet fuel. SunExpress is therefore taking steps to improve fuel efficiency and optimise flight operations.
“As part of this, we have temporarily suspended our services from Glasgow and Leeds Bradford, and our route from Manchester to Bodrum, along with a number of short-term frequency reductions on other services.
“We regret any inconvenience caused, and will continue to provide UK travellers with a wide range of flights and routes to Türkiye from airports across the UK.”
They added that the airline is not in a position to confirm when the suspended services may be reinstated. SunExpress will provide further updates as soon as more information is available, they said.
This comes after British Airways said flights will not resume to Dubai and three other destinations in the Middle East until at least October, two months later than previously planned.
The airline previously said it would cut flights to some key Middle East destinations after the start of the Iran war with flights to Dubai, Doha and Tel Aviv originally set to resume at the start of July.
British Airways has now said that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has prompted further changes to the flight schedule.
Fights to Dubai, Tel Aviv, Bahrain and Amman are now not set to resume until after the end of the summer season. The current date for flights to re-start is October 25.
British tourists should expect long airport queues due to new biometric border checks
15:29, 05 Jun 2026Updated 15:30, 05 Jun 2026
Expect crowds this summer(Image: 400tmax via Getty Images)
European airports have recently launched the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), which replaces the traditional manual passport stamping process with biometric registration (facial image and fingerprint scanning) to record the entry of non-EU citizens, including British holidaymakers. The new EES system is now fully up and running across all Schengen Area countries, including much-loved destinations such as Spain, Portugal and Greece.
While the new system is designed to streamline travel into and out of the Schengen Area and simplify border procedures, some travellers have reported finding themselves stuck in three-hour queues.
In certain countries, passengers have missed their return flights after failing to clear the digital system in time. The new border checks are anticipated to cause significant disruption for British travellers heading in and out of the EU during the busy summer peak periods.
While some countries such as Greece attempted to briefly suspend biometric checks for UK tourists, the Greek Foreign Ministry confirmed they are fully rolling out the EES system this summer.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) issued the latest travel guidance on the new border checks, stating: “The European Union’s (EU) new Entry/Exit System (EES) is now being implemented across the Schengen area.
“This means that when you travel into the Schengen area for short stays, you may need to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photo. There is no cost for EES registration.
“On your first visit into a Schengen country, you may be asked to register your details at a special booth before proceeding to the immigration desk. Follow directions from your travel operator or the staff at your port of entry.
You may also need to provide either your fingerprint or photo when you leave the Schengen area.
Children aged 11 or younger will not have their fingerprints scanned but can be required to have their photo taken.”
“You do not need to take any action before you arrive at the border on entry to the Schengen area, but EES may take each passenger extra time to complete so be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border and to allow more time for immigration controls when you depart the Schengen area.
“EES is replacing the previous system of manually stamping passports when visitors arrive in the Schengen area for short stays. You may be asked to input biometric details every time you enter or exit.”
The EES has faced backlash from the travel sector, with the British Travel Association ABTA urging destinations and border officials to put in place stronger contingency plans for busy travel periods, reports the Express.
Mark Tanzer, chief executive of ABTA, said: “The ambition of a project like EES means it was never going to go completely smoothly, and we were prepared for that. However, what is frustrating is that border authorities have it within their power to ease queues and deal with issues as they arise – but that doesn’t seem to be happening across the board.
“As we head towards peak travel periods, we’re urging border authorities to plan for busy periods and use the contingency measure available. It’s critical the Commission keeps a close eye on this.”
The appeal of getting a free, quick, well-structured travel plan is easy to see, and something that is causing travel agents another Covid-sized thing to worry about
How good are bots at planning holidays?(Image: Getty Images)
Places that don’t exist. Events on the wrong day. Attractions miles apart.
Holiday itineraries designed by AI appear helpful and comprehensive, but are actually riddled with mistakes and old information that could ruin your holiday, analysis of them has found.
More and more people are turning to large language models (LLMs) to plan their trips away. One study puts the number of people who have turned to a bot for holiday inspiration at 40%.
The appeal of getting a free, quick, well-structured travel plan is easy to see, and it’s another Covid-sized thing travel agents have to worry about.
But how good are the robots at the delicate art of holiday planning?
I asked the four biggest LLMs to design weekend break itineries for four destinations, and then called on local experts in those places to assess their work. This is what we found.
Grok’s suggestions of a walk through Westminster is good, but better if you have a guide point out the smaller details, such as “gas lamps, torch snuffers, fire protection badges”.
The alternative river cruise and London Eye are solid bets for first-timers in the city, but other aspects of the itinerary are less well thought through.
Jonnie argues that the itinerary is far too busy. “I’m a big fan of spending some time people watching. Soaking things in rather than rushing around, and because of the amount in this itinerary, visits to The Tower of London or Westminster Abbey are really rushed,” he said.
The biggest mistake is including the Changing the Guard, which starts at 10:43am at St James’s Palace and doesn’t run on Saturdays.
He concluded: “I know this is a generic itinerary for first-time visitors, but I think London has so much more to offer. Loads of small museums, house museums, places of interest for all interests. They would also leave, not really knowing London.”
Claude
Although Claude breaks the itinerary down into activities and eating, offering the reader a little more freedom, its work left Jay Allen from Unseen Japan incredibly cold.
“Overall, this itinerary lacks any context, history, and rich cultural detail that our customers love hearing about on our tours,” Jay says.
The itinerary is full of old information. For example, Tsukiji is no longer the location of a wholesale fish market. It moved to Toyosu several years ago.
“Why did the original market arise in Tsukiji in the first place? None of this rich detail and historic background is included. Even if it were, this info would be drawn from general public sources, not from the rich background that our tour guides – most of whom have degrees in Japanese Studies or years working as journalists in Japan – can provide,” Jay adds.
The Saturday covers little ground and is too geographically spread out, missing “so much rich detail of the Tsukiji/Asakusa shitamachi area”, according to Jay.
Many suggested destinations are “trite”, “well known” or just “commercial”, such as the Starbucks in Shibuya Scramble. “You can get a much better view of the scramble, eg, from the bar at the top of the Magnet building – and you’d be fighting fewer crowds,” Jay notes.
“If you look at the second day, the itinerary gives you no suggestions of cool art galleries and small, uniquely Japan clothing shops to stop (such as the Ura-Harajuku area off the Main Street, where independent fashion still reigns), nor does it tell you about the less-crowded Brahms’ Path that runs alongside the packed Takeshita Street.”
The restaurant recommendations “are the same five places everyone else is going” and are hard to get tables at, as opposed to the real gems that require “a basic working knowledge of Japanese”.
Jay concludes: “Claude is giving you the wisdom of the crowds. That can be helpful in some cases. In this case, it equates to a bland, ordinary vacation that will likely prove an exercise in frustration for most travelers.”
Google AI
Amy Siegal, a luxury travel advisor based in NYC, praised Google AI for highlighting some “iconic spots”, but argued that only “a human expert knows the ins and outs of these places – what time of day to go where, and in which order they’d work best.”
On day one, Amy suggests arriving at TKTS earlier in the day to have more choice of shows and seats, and to avoid the line.
Saturday’s itinerary has too much “darting around”. She suggests it could be arranged more smoothly, with more interesting food options chosen.
Sunday is packed full of landmarks and history, which is good, but the order is wrong. “I would incorporate some lesser-known landmarks and eateries,” Amy added.
ChatGPT
Vicky Reeves, who is the director of The Real Algarve villa company, applauded ChatGPT for picking out some “amazing places” in its “very good overview,” but argued it failed to consider flow, how much is possible to fit in, and the weather.
“Understanding seasonality is important because this itinerary would feel very different in August compared to November and that is something an agent or guide would pick up on. I also think it’s a bit ambitious and that’s really down to a lack of practical knowledge and insight,” Vicky explained.
“For example, the plan suggests exploring Lagos, visiting Ponta da Piedade and potentially heading to Sagres before flying home. That’s fine if you’ve got a late return flight, but an agent or guide would check to make sure that everything was possible without adding stress or risking your flight home. Benagil is also another good example. It’s one of the Algarve’s most iconic attractions, but during peak season, travel times and parking can be difficult, and tours often need booking well in advance, which isn’t really considered at all.
“The AI did pick out some amazing places, but I do think it’s missing a personal feel. It doesn’t suggest any hidden beaches or lesser-known spots because that’s much harder for AI to uncover. That insight can really make all the difference in making a trip feel unique.”
In conclusion
What is most striking about the itineraries is how comprehensive and well thought out they seem – particularly Claude’s – but how riddled with issues they are once a closer look has been taken.
ChatGPT suggesting an event that doesn’t take place on the requested day is a rookie mistake that could disrupt a trip, while Claude not realising a famous fish market has moved is similarly clumsy.
All the AIs seem too ambitious when it comes to the number of activities and the distance between each.
Certainly, the bots are great if you’re looking for a broad overview of a place, but they lack the precision you’d want to fully rely on its suggestions, and the depth of knowledge a local guide can provide that can bring a place to life.
THE spotlight is on Bulgaria this year as one of the most affordable family holiday destinations for Brits.
Cheap beers. all inclusive hotels from £279 and flights under £15 – how could you go wrong?
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Bulgaria offers Brits some of the cheapest all-inclusive holidays in EuropeCredit: GettyIt’s not all Sunny Beach party holidays – head to Plovdiv for its picturesque Old TownCredit: Alamy
The country regularly ranks as one of the best value holiday destinations for Brits, in reports such as the Post Office’s yearly Holiday Money Report.
Furthermore Bulgaria, and more specifically the Bourgas Area, has come out on top as the cheapest all inclusive holiday destination in 2026.
The country offers the most affordable week-long all inclusive breaks, beating destinations such as Tunisia and Turkey according to Travel Supermarket.
Plus a beer here costs as little as 89p, according to data from Wise.
A meal out at an inexpensive restaurant averages £8.82, and a cappuccino from a local cafe just 88p.
There’s some seriously affordable holiday deals available, including last-minute bargains for the summer and super cheap holidays to secure now for next year’s holiday
Here’s our roundup of the best value 7-night Bulgaria holiday package deals including flights.
All of these deals are for all inclusive hotels – so enjoy the unlimited poolside cocktails.
Izola Paradise, Sunny Beach – £279pp
Stay at the Izola Paradise Hotel for a sizeable swimming pool, spa and nearby golden beachCredit: Booking.com
This four star stay sits smack-bang in the lively resort town of Sunny Beach, just a short walk from its golden shores.
The family-friendly, all inclusive hotel has a kids club and adventure playground to keep the little ones entertained, plus a games room and activities like tennis and darts.
Adults can unwind at the spa, which has a hot tub, steam bath and fitness centre.
Plus with your all inclusive package covering three meals a day in the buffet restaurant, as well as snacks, soft drinks, cocktails and more, there’s no need to spend any extra on food and drink.
This four star hotel sees prices surge to £750pp+ in the summer months – but you can secure your stay for May next year for £279pp.
Book a 7-night all inclusive stay at the Izola Paradise in Sunny Beach from £279pp
Sunrise All Suites Resort All Inclusive – £309pp
Week-long stays at the Sunrise All Suites Resort start at £309ppCredit: Tripadvisor
This glam resort in the relaxed seaside resort of Obzor offers spacious suites, perfect for families.
This all inclusive hotel has three freshwater outdoor pools, plus activities like fitness classes, badminton and a kids daytime entertainment program.
Walk down from the hotel to its private beach to find reserved loungers and parasols propped on a stretch of sand facing the calm sea.
On the beach you’ll find various watersports, a beach volleyball set-up and even a fire pit to cosy up and enjoy your evenings outdoors.
Roomy suites come with a living area, kitchenette, air-con, a flatscreen TV and a balcony – everything you’ll need for a comfortable base.
Book a 7-night all inclusive stay at the Sunrise All Suites Resort from £309pp
Azalia Hotel Balneo & SPA – £349pp
The Azalia Beach Hotel Balneo & SPA is a huge, action-packed beachfront resortCredit: Booking.com
This modern hotel and spa offers a giant outdoor pool with waterslides and sea views, plus plenty of loungers and parasols on its own stretch of beach.
While kids have days packed with activities in the kids club, grown-ups can retreat to the spa centre with a gym, pool, sauna, steam bath and hammam.
Plus there’s treatments like massages and facials to add on for an extra bit of me-time.
Whether you’re wanting a fly and flop type of holiday, or one action-packed with activities like mountain biking, volleyball and tobogganing, this hotel caters to either.
The spa hotel sits in St Konstantin, a peaceful resort town with quiet woodlands and thermal springs close to Varna.
Book a 7-night all-inclusive stay at Azalia Hotel Balneo & SPA from £349pp
Gladiola Star – £349pp
Golden Sands is a resort on Bulgaria’s coastline overlooking the Black SeaCredit: Alamy
The four-star Gladiola Star hotel sits in Golden Sands, a bustling seaside resort with great nightlife and a fine sand beach that matches its name.
This hotel is just 100m from the beach and a lively promenade packed with bars, restaurants and shops that come to life at nighttime.
At the hotel you’ll find a large outdoor pool, plenty of loungers to laze on, plus there’s a sauna and massage treatments available, too.
Nearby there’s water sports like water-skiing and parasailing, plus the Aquapolis Waterpark is just over 10 minutes’ walk away.
Book a 7-night all-inclusive stay at the Gladiola Star from £349pp
More cheap Bulgaria all inclusive holiday deals
All of these 7-night, all inclusive package holiday deals include your flights and hotel
Not only is Bulgaria a cheap and cheerful holiday spot, but it’s full of beautiful beaches and landscapes, too.
There’s 26 Blue Flag beaches to choose from across the coastline, including the wide, flat sands of Albena in the north which provide plenty of room for sunbathers without the crowds.
There’s also the crescented cove of Bolata near Varna, with a calm turquoise bay and a more remote feel than other popular resorts.
Down near Burgas you’ll find Smokinya beach, which you’ll find a large beach with shallow, clear waters and plenty of parasols – perfect for families.
And there is of course Sunny Beach, with over six miles of golden sand, a strip of buzzy bars and restaurants and its renowned nightlife.
The resort lives up to its name, too, with temperatures reaching an ideal 30°C in the summer months.
If you prefer booking your flights and hotels individually, there’s plenty of very affordable flights from the UK.
You can fly from Birmingham to Sofia from £14.99, London to Burgas from £22 and Manchester to Varna for £40.
Cheap flights to Bulgaria
Snap up these cheap flights to Bulgarian holiday hotspots before prices rise
Currently there are only two more flights set to depart from Leeds Bradford for the city on the Turquoise Coast with the last being on June 7.
Flights between Manchester and Bodrum have also been axed – this has been done immediately as there are no tickets on sale or further routes planned on its website.
The Manchester to Bodrum route was only launched a month ago on May 4.
Routes from Glasgow to Dalaman and Antalya have also been axed.
The final flight from Glasgow to Dalaman will be on June 9.
There are no more flights between the Scottish airport and Antalya.
A spokesperson from SunExpress told Travel Gossip that the reasons for the routes being axed were “geopolitical developments” and a “highly volatile environment”.
Another was the increasing price of jet fuel and as a result of this it is also reducing the number of flights on other services.
They added: “We regret any inconvenience caused, and will continue to provide UK travellers with a wide range of flights and routes to Türkiye from airports across the UK.”
The route cancellations will affect Brits heading to destinations like AntalyaCredit: AlamyIt has cancelled one route to Bodrum just a month after it startedCredit: Alamy
“At this stage, we’re not in a position to confirm when the suspended services may be reinstated. We will provide further updates as soon as more information is available.”
SunExpress – a budget airline – will continue other routes to Antalya.
These go from Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted, Luton, Manchester and Newcastle.
The airline will also continue to fly to Antalya from Birmingham, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Manchester, and Newcastle.
OUR holiday park expert is back and ready to answer your questions.
If there’s anything you want to know about booking a Sun £9.50 holiday, now’s your chance to ask our expert.
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From caravan hacks to booking secrets, our Tracy Kennedy is ready to tackle your questionsCredit: Paul Tonge
One of the best ways to book The Sun’s Hols from £9.50 is through Sun Club, as you can skip the token collecting and also get access to booking early. To book your £9.50 Hols this way, simply head tothesun.co.uk/club and sign up to Sun Clubfor just £1.99 a month.
Simply ask Tracy Kennedy a question about £9.50 Hols using the form below, and you’ll be in with the chance to win a £100 Amazon voucher.
Your question can be about anything to do with Hols from £9.50 – from which holiday parks have the best beaches to how to go about booking the best deal.
Simply fill in the form with your question, name and email, and you may be contacted if your question is chosen.
As we release each £9.50 Hols Q&A with Tracy, one lucky person will be awarded the winning question – and they will be contacted to claim their £100 Amazon voucher.
Tracy has already given some great advice on £9.50 Holidays, such as her personal favourite caravan parks and her top picks of parks for couples.
She has also saved £974 in one year by being a Sun Club member, and taking advantage of perks like discounted attraction tickets and early access to booking £9.50 hols.
If you haven’t booked your £9.50 hol yet, or are ready to book yourself another one – you’re in luck.
Thousands of new holidays will be released on the Hols from £9.50 website on July 8, with Sun Club members gaining early access to the new breaks on July 7.
These new breaks will be added across hundreds of holiday parks in the UK and Europe, and the best part is that they start from under a tenner.
Newquay Bay holiday park in Cornwall is just one of the UK parks listed at club950.co.ukCredit: Newquay BayHols from £9.50 has over 300 holiday parks to pick from, including peaceful The Lakes RookleyCredit: The Lakes Rookley
Being a Sun Club member, Tracy waits up til midnight to be among the first to gain access to new £9.50 holidays as they are released.
This is because Sun Club members get priority access to booking their £9.50 holidays, as they can log on online to book them the day before those who are collecting codes from the paper.
This is just one of Tracy’s tips and tricks to make sure you are in the best chance of booking a break at your desired holiday park, as dates can get very competitive.
Our expert Tracy is even the co-owner of a Facebook group dedicated to Hols from £9.50, which now has over 297,000 members.
Ask Tracy a question using our form and you could win a £100 Amazon voucherCredit: amazon
HALF of pet owners plan their entire holiday around their furry friends, a study has revealed.
A poll of 2,000 cat and dog owners found 26 per cent are ditching trips abroad in favour of staying in the UK and taking their pet with them – as stricter rules on pet travel to the EU have recently come into force.
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‘Pet Set Go’, Britain’s first pop-up travel agency for adventurous pets by Carnilove, opens in Chipping NortonCredit: Alex Morton/PinPepThe new venture will help pet owners find their perfect holidayCredit: Alex Morton/PinPepMore than half of Brits go on holiday with their petsCredit: Alex Morton/PinPepA third of Brits have previously had to change or cancel a holiday due to a lack of pet-friendly optionsCredit: Alex Morton/PinPep
More than half (54 per cent) decide to holiday with their animal offspring because they enjoy their company, while 39 per cent feel happier knowing they’ve given their pet a new experience.
When searching for somewhere to stay, 33 per cent like to ensure there are pet-friendly pubs and restaurants nearby, and 30 per cent will factor in how long the journey is going to be.
In response to these findings, pet food maker Carnilove has opened a pop-up travel agent ‘Pet Set Go’, where owners can get travel tips and advice on travelling with their pet, as a third have previously had to change or cancel a holiday due to a lack of pet-friendly options.
Owners can visit the travel agency at 21 West Street, Chipping Norton until June 4th at 5pm, or explore the five travel guides and expert advice online.
Cara Whitehouse, pet travel expert, said: “We’re seeing a massive shift in the UK when it comes to furry friend-friendly holidays.
“Pet parents no longer want a holiday where their pet is just ‘tolerated’ – they’re now at the heart of the adventure.
“By uncovering these incredible ‘hidden gem’ locations, from the sweeping dunes of Anglesey to the rugged, raw plateaus of the Cairngorms, we’re helping owners match destinations to their pet’s unique character.
“As international travel with pets gets tougher, we’re glad to help match more fuss-free destinations to a pet’s requirements to support their natural spirit.”
The study also found the biggest challenges of holidaying with pets include a limited choice of places to eat or drink (19 per cent), and restrictions on beaches, walks or attractions (19 per cent).
Nearly four in 10 (38 per cent) say no additional pet fees would make them more likely to book an animal-included holiday.
Trusted reviews from other owners (34 per cent) and access to pet friendly activities (26 per cent) were also considered important.
Of those planning a UK holiday with their pet this summer, the Lake District (24 per cent), Yorkshire Dales (21 per cent) and Cornwall (18 per cent) are among the top-rated destinations.
Colin Rodger, managing director at Carnilove, said: “We launched the ‘Pet Set Go’ agency because an active, adventurous life isn’t just a luxury for our pets: it’s a necessity to ignite their true spirit.
“Our research shows that owners are willing to go the extra mile to ensure their four-legged friends are part of the pack, but every great expedition requires the right fuel.
“By pairing our meat-first, potato and grain-free recipes with expert travel advice, we’re helping pet parents support the vitality and natural strength needed for a lifetime of shared memories on the trail.”
The OnePoll.com study also found 54 per cent claim holidaying with their pet gives them both a much-needed wellness boost.
A third even notice a significant boost in their animal’s mood several weeks after returning home, with 30 per cent saying they show more ‘vitality’ or ‘spirit’.
What’s more, 37 per cent of those with kids believe their pet’s needs are just as important as their children’s.
Izzy Judd, a brand partner, said: “Our home is always a bit of a whirlwind with three children, but our pets are such a huge part of our family’s heartbeat.
“We’ve always found that the best way to hit ‘reset’ is to take a trip together, so I’m happy to be part of ‘Pet Set Go’ because I know first-hand the ‘wellness boost’ you get from a shared adventure.
“It isn’t always easy to plan, but fuelling our pets with the right nutrition and being able to take them on our family holidays makes all the difference in creating those special core memories together.”
Sir Randol Fawkes was a free trade unionist, civil rights activist and author who had an important impact on the modern Bahamas. Fawkes is often referred to as “the father of Labour” in the Bahamas for the work he did in establishing the trade union movement in The Bahamas.
In 1961, he successfully a bill through the House of Assembly which established Labour Day as a public holiday. Fawkes pushed for a Labour Day Holiday as he thought a day should be set aside and designated as Labour Day as “a fitting memorial to the contributions made by the working people to the progress of the Colony.”
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the trade union movement and to the country, knighthood was conferred on Sir Randol by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth in 1978.
Sir Randol died in 2000 and in 2013, Senators debated and passed a bill to rename the Labour Day Holiday “The Randol Fawkes Labour Day”.
On this holiday, members of the labour unions from different organizations, as well as political parties, march in a large parade through the streets of downtown Nassau, usually in colourful uniforms. The parade ends at the Southern Recreation Grounds, where union leaders and local politicians deliver speeches.
On Independence Day 2020, Sir Randol Fawkes was awarded the nation’s top honor of the Order of National Hero in the National Honours Awards.
A HOLIDAY destination known for being home to one of the Wonders of the World is back open to Brits after being removed from the unsafe to travel list.
Earlier this year, the UK Foreign Office advised against non-essential travel to Jordan due to the Iran conflict.
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Jordan is open to tourism again after being removed from the FCO unsafe travel listCredit: AlamyPetra is the most popular attractionCredit: Alamy
However, earlier this week, the travel warning was downgraded to allow holiday travel again.
While this still excludes the 3km border of Syria, it means the popular destinations can welcome tourists again.
One of the main sites to see is Petra, one of the seven Wonders.
Nicknamed the Rose City, the ancient capital dates back to 300BC and is one of the most popular places visited by tourists, usually on day trips.
There is also Wadi Rum, which many compare to feeling like another planet and is where you can find amazing desert camps, or Wadi al Hasa, a 25-mile canyon that is popular with trekkers,
Or you can stay in the capital of Amman, where most UK flights operate to, or Jerash, called the “Pompeii of the East” for its ruins.
The Sun’s Alex Matthew’s visited. saying: “To get the most from your experience, you have to get up early — not just to beat the desert heat but to avoid the endless stream of families and elderly day-trippers wielding selfie sticks.
“Kick off your stay in Amman with a trip to the Citadel. Built on one of Jordan’s earliest settlements, these stunning ancient ruins include the impressive Temple of Hercules.
You can of course swim in the Dead Sea tooCredit: AlamyWadi Rum will make you feel like you’re on another planetCredit: Alamy
“A three to four-hour drive from the capital, a visit to Petra makes for a long day — but you won’t regret a single minute.
” The huge stone pillars and ornate figures of the Treasury will have you gawping in sheer disbelief. “
Flights to Jordan are with Royal Jordanian, which start from £270 return if travelling after summer.
Or you can book adventure packages, with Intrepid seven-day trips from £533pp.
Flights take around five hours, although try and avoid travelling in July and August – temperatures can hit 40C.
It can also drop to 11C or even freezing in the desert, but now is the best time to go with termpatures around 30C.
WITH summer well and truly on its way, you don’t need to empty your wallet to book an unforgettable family holiday.
Some of Haven’s most popular, award-winning UK holiday parks are cheaper to book than you’d think – and offer much more than a standard caravan stay.
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Haven Craig Tara holiday park sits on Scotland’s Ayrshire coastlineCredit: HavenHaven’s Devon Cliffs holiday park has caravans and lodges looking out to seaCredit: http://www.haven.com
From Scotland’s largest indoor waterpark to coastal Yorkshire parks with private lakes, these parks are set in some seriously stunning locations.
They’re also packed with activities like climbing walls, high-ropes courses and tube slides for kids to burn off energy and make lasting memories.
All of these Haven holiday parks offer 3 or 4 night stays in a saver caravan from £49 – working out to just £12.25 a night for four nights away. Plus, if you’re feeling fancy, there’s also room to upgrade accommodation.
Here’s our pick of affordable, award-winning Haven holiday parks.
Hopton Holiday Village is just steps away from a stretch of Norfolk beachCredit: Haven
This Haven holiday park was recently named the AA Holiday Park of the Year, and for good reason – there’s loads to see and do, and it’s right on the beach.
The holiday park sits in Norfolk‘s Hopton-on-Sea, just down the road from mega seaside resort Great Yarmouth, and just steps away from its own golden beach.
On-site, there’s a heated indoor pool with slides, flumes and a splash zone, a bar and lounge with Seaside Squad entertainment, and activities like crazy golf and segways.
In recent years the holiday park has seen new additions and renovations that have kept it a firm favourite among holidaymakers.
In spring 2026 the park gained its own Wetherspoons pub, The White Clover, as well as renovations to its swimming pool complex, doubling its capacity.
Book a 3 night stay at Hopton Holiday Village from £49
Craig Tara, Scotland
Splashaway Bay at Craig Tara holiday park is Scotland’s largest indoor waterparkCredit: Haven
Craig Tara holiday park in Ayrshire is Haven’s flagship Scottish park, home to the largest indoor waterpark in Scotland, Splashaway Bay.
Perched on the dramatic Ayrshire coast, this is one of the largest Haven resorts in the UK.
This seaside resort is a paradise for families who want non-stop, high-energy action where there is plenty to do no matter the weather.
Splashaway Bay is a giant indoor pool paradise with flumes, multi-lane water slides, a lazy rivers and an interactive splash zone for toddlers.
Beyond the waterpark, you’ll find activity zones like the Airspace sports hall, where you’ll find a climbing wall, soft play, a golf simulator and electronic target walls for sports.
Over in the Lighthouse HarbourAdventure Village, you can take on the six-metre high The Jump, or tackle an aerial ropes course.
Book a 3 night stay at Craig Tara from £49
Devon Cliffs
Grab a drink from the beach bar and enjoy the views at Devon Cliffs holiday parkCredit: Haven
Not only is this one of the largest Haven holiday parks, Devon Cliffs is also home to a private, award-winning beach: Sandy Bay.
The park slopes towards the sea, where you’ll find a Blue Flag beach backed by dramatic red cliffs.
Other than its scenic coastal setting, this holiday park has plenty more to offer for families.
Activities include bungee trampolines, rubber ring tube slides, a high ropes course and mini 4×4 off-roading.
Entertainment here is varied and exciting, with two venues hosting everything from bingo to the nostalgic 90’s Tiger Club Show.
Plus this year a Wetherspoons pub opened up on-site – The Red Rocks – feeding families on a budget.
Book a 4 night stay at Devon Cliffs from £49
Cleethorpes Beach, Lincolnshire
Stay at Haven Cleethorpes Beach to enjoy an outdoor waterslide and splash bowlCredit: TripAdvisor
With 1,827 caravans and lodges, Haven’s Cleethorpes Beach holiday park is a mega resort built for the ideal family seaside holiday.
This AA 5 star-rated holiday park has everything from a peaceful fishing lake and lazy river, to an exciting NERF training camp and huge climbing wall.
Plus there’s lots to do that the family can enjoy all together, such as mini golf and go karts.
When the sun comes out, head to the outdoor splash park to cool off with interactive water features and fountains, or simply walk down to the beach to swim in the sea.
This park has plenty of food and drink options that will please even fussy eaters, like a Slim Chickens fried chicken shack, Papa Johns, Burger King and – you guessed it – its very own Wetherspoons pub.
Book a 4 night stay at Cleethorpes Beach from £49
Thornwick Bay, East Yorkshire
Stay at Haven’s Thornwick Bay for dramatic coastal landscapes a short walk awayCredit: Emma and Gordon Taylor
Haven’s AA 5 Gold Star-awarded Thornwick Bay holiday park is a nature-lover’s paradise, with direct access to a golden beach with a stunning backdrop.
This cliffside resort sits on the dramatic Flamborough Headland, just a short walk from a rugged sand-and-pebble cove that is perfect for rock pooling, fossil hunting, and exploring hidden sea caves.
But you don’t just have to stick to the sea – this park boasts its very own private activity lake where families can hire pedalos and try out paddleboarding.
Indoors, the Activity Barn has plenty to keep kids of all ages occupied. There’s an indoor climbing wall, archery coaching, and creative slime and pottery workshops.
To burn off some energy, head to the heated indoor pool complex with three separate pools and a giant, multi-lane water slide.
Food and drink options include the park’s main Lighthouse Bar & Restaurant – complete with a kids sand pit on the terrace -as well as a Chopstix noodle bar and Papa Johns pizza takeaway.
A HOLIDAY park with bright blue waters compared to the Maldives has been named the best in the UK.
Clawford Lakes Resort and Spa won the best Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year in VisitEngland’s Awards for Excellence 2026.
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Clawford Lakes and Spa has overwater bungalows and podsCredit: HoseasonsInside is an open living area with huge floor windows for pretty lake viewsCredit: Clawford Lakes Resort and Spa
Clawford Lakes Resort and Spa is a 98-acre estate that sits outside of Clawton and is described as a “Devon delight” surrounded by private bright blue lakes.
One visitor even said: “Clawford Lakes is an absolutely stunning venue. The lakes look like something from the Maldives – such a stunning blue colour! It’s nice and peaceful as well.”
Visitors can also enjoy views across the water from a private deck.
Even if it’s raining, the views can still be seen as the pods have floor to ceiling windows, they also have open plan living and dining areas with a kitchen.
Theysleepup to four people, with a double bed and sofa bed meaning both couples and families can stay there – all of them are dog-friendly too.
One visitor compared the Lake Pods to those you’d find in the MaldivesCredit: Clawford Lakes Resort and Spa
The Luxury Cocoons are for those who want to try glamping – they have an open plan double bed, kitchen, dining and living area.
Other accommodation options include luxury apartments, holiday lodges and homes.
For those who’d prefer not to swim in the lake itself, the holiday park opened a new 25-metre heated outdoor pool last year – and it has three flumes.
It might be an angler’s paradise, but there’s plenty more to do for those less interested in fishing.
Guests can sign up to try their hand at archery, hire bikes and head out around the resort and during the school holidays there’s family entertainment.
For relaxing, guests should head to the spa where an infinity pool hangs over the lake.
The outdoor pool opened last year and has three flumesCredit: Facebook/Clawford Lakes
There are lots of treatments on offer too from facials to massages, reflexology and even sessions with a nutrition expert.
With so much to do, many guests return to Clawford Lakes with lots commenting on how ‘beautiful’ and ‘peaceful’ it is.
Another said: “Clawford Lakes is perfect for anyone looking for a relaxing and peaceful getaway surrounded by the beautiful Devon countryside.”
While the accommodation comes with full-fitted kitchens, there’s also an onsite is a restaurant and bar called The Apple & Grape for those who don’t fancy cooking.
If visitors fancy a trip to the beach, nearby is Bude, Widemouth Bay, Simmerleaze Beach, Crooklets Beach and Padstow.
The emergence of Corpus Christi as a Christian feast didn’t happen until the second half of the thirteenth century with the efforts of a nun called Juliana of Liège.
Since childhood, Juliana had been claiming that God had been telling her that there should be a feast day for the Eucharist and eventually she petitioned the Bishop of Liège. In those days bishops could order feasts in their local dioceses. The bishop agreed to the feast and convened a synod in 1246 and ordered that a celebration of Corpus Christi should be held annually.
The Corpus Christi celebration only started to become more widespread after both Juliana and the Bishop had died. In 1264 Pope Urban IV issued the papal bull Transiturus in which Corpus Christi was made a feast throughout the entire Latin Rite. He fixed it for Thursday after the “octave” of Pentecost when only designated celebrations or special feasts were blessed. This feast is celebrated on a Thursday in remembrance of the institution of the Eucharist (the last supper) which takes place on Maundy Thursday, the eve of Jesus’ death on the Cross.
Corpus Christi is primarily a Roman Catholic feast, but it is also acknowledged in the calendar of a few Anglican churches, most notably the Church of England. It is also celebrated by some Western Rite Orthodox Christians. Across many parts of medieval Europe, Corpus Christi was a popular time for the performance of mystery plays.
Along with Lent, Advent, Easter, Pentecost and Christmas, Roman Catholic Bishops have a duty to be present at their cathedrals on Corpus Christi.
The move will see passengers pay ’65 per cent’ less tax on a number of routes in a bid to make them more ‘affordable’
Robert Rowlands Deputy editor, money and lifestyle, content hub and Maria Ortega
15:24, 03 Jun 2026
An aircraft landing at the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris(Image: Getty)
The prices of tickets for a number of flights in a holiday destination for British travellers will be lowered in a bid to make them more affordable. The move will see flights on 26 specific routes cut in price as tax is reduced on many flights in France, which gets around four million visits from UK travellers every year.
The move was introduced on June 1. Philippe Tabarot, minister at the French Ministry of Transport, confirmed the update this week, and it will affect some international flights as well as trips to some of France’s biggest cities.
Travellers in the UK heading for holidays to France from Heathrow and Gatwick could benefit. Air France, for instance, travels to Paris Charles de Gaulle, while Manchester airport and Birmingham airport also daily flights to both Paris and Lyon, and Newcastle, Edinburgh and Southampton airports also have regular Paris flights.
The move is due to a change in the so-called solidarity tax on airplane tickets (TSBA). French media website 20 Minutes reports that the TSBA had been raised in March 2025 for all flights departing from France.
Local media say the amount rose from €2.63 to €7.40 per passenger. Now passengers flying on certain routes will see the figure returne to the original rate of €2.63.
The Ministry of Transport says this represents a 65% reduction in the tax. That amounts to a saving of €4.77 per ticket.
The flights in France to be affected by the TSBA change
This discount applies to the following routes:
Calvi-Marseille
Ajaccio-Paris (Orly)
La Rochelle–Lyon
Ajaccio-Nice
Brive–Paris
Rodez–Paris
Strasbourg–Madrid
Strasbourg–Munich
Bastia-Nice
Figari-Paris (Orly)
Tarbes–Paris
Calvi-Paris (Orly)
Calvi-Nice
Brest–Ouessant
Bastia-Paris (Orly)
Limoges–Lyon
Figari-Nice
Poitiers–Lyon
Aurillac–Paris
Bastia-Marseille
Strasbourg-Copenhagen
Limoges–Paris
Figari-Marseille
Ajaccio-Marseille
Castres–Paris
Le Puy–Paris
The minister said: “By making these routes more affordable, this measure reflects the government’s commitment to supporting connectivity in the least well-served regions and to reducing the cost of air travel to and from these destinations.”
The move is designed to support routes officials believe are sometimes poorly served by other means of transport. While the flights are almost all domestic, Brits travelling around the country could benefit.
There are also international connections to Strasbourg that are included, as well as most of the links between the French island of Corsica and the mainland. These routes have a special status as ‘public service’ routes because they are in areas where other transport options are limited, or where flying represents the only fast connection, The Local reports.
The eco tax was originally added to plane tickets under Jacques Chirac’s government in 2005, French media reports say. It was doubled in 2024 in a move that Ryanair blamed for its withdrawal from some regional French airports.
The tax is added as an extra fee to each plane ticket bought. It is charged at a sliding rate based on the length of the flight and whether the ticket is standard class, business or first.
One in five holidaymakers say they are less likely to visit a destination if they cannot pronounce its name correctly – here’s some of the ones people often get wrong
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The Slovenian capital Ljubljana is one of the hardest names to pronounce(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Millions of British travellers are limiting where they go on holiday due to a surprisingly simple barrier – not knowing how to pronounce the destination.
One in five holidaymakers (22%) are less likely to visit destinations like Ljubljana and Reykjavik because they are afraid of getting their names wrong while 23% avoid booking the trip altogether.
One in three meanwhile, are worried about sounding rude when they mispronounce a foreign destination, while 26% said they are embarrassed, according to multi-modal travel booking platform Omio.
From Ljubljana (lyoo-BLYAH-nah) to Reykjavik (RAKE-yah-vik) and Montjuïc (mon-zhwEEK), many of the world’s most culturally rich locations are being overlooked.
Anxiety about language barriers goes beyond place names. Half (48%) of British travellers admit they avoid ordering dishes they can’t confidently pronounce while travelling, often missing out on tasty dishes such as bouillabaisse, tzatziki and mille-feuille and açai.
Omio has partnered with language expert and polyglot Alex Rawlings to launch a pronunciation guide to help British travellers travel abroad with confidence.
From understanding how certain letters and sounds change across languages to focusing on using tools like AI and pronunciation apps, the guide highlights easy ways to improve communication while travelling.
Alex said: “Pronunciation can feel like a barrier, but it doesn’t need to be perfect. The key is to focus on the sounds rather than trying to replicate every letter exactly.
“Breaking words into smaller parts and practising them slowly can make a big difference. Even a small effort is often appreciated by locals and can help travellers feel far more confident when exploring a new destination”.
Veronica Diquattro, president B2C Europe at Omio, added: “At Omio, we believe travel should feel exciting and accessible, not intimidating. With so many incredible destinations reachable by train, bus, ferry or plane, we want to give people the confidence to explore beyond the obvious.
“We know that even small barriers, like unfamiliar place names, can make travel feel daunting, so pairing up with Alex to produce the guide will help keen travellers to discover new destinations with ease.”
Tips for mastering hard-to-pronounce place names
Tip 1: Don’t read it like your own language Even when languages use the same alphabet, letters often sound completely different. In German, Dutch, Scandinavian and many Eastern European languages, “j” is pronounced like a “y”, while in French, Portuguese and Catalan it becomes a soft “zh” sound.
Tip 2: Use technology to help If you can’t ask a local, use tools like AI or Google Translate’s listen function to hear pronunciations and identify unfamiliar sounds or stress patterns.
Tip 3: Focus on the stress Getting the emphasis on the right syllable is often more important than perfect pronunciation. Think about the word Birmingham – people are far more likely to understand “BIR-ming-ham” than “bir-MING-ham”, even if the individual sounds aren’t perfect.
Tip 4: Learn the pattern Many languages follow consistent pronunciation rules, meaning once you learn one pattern, you can apply it to lots of other place names too. In French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Catalan, for example, the letter “c” is pronounced like a “k” before “o”, “a” or “u”, but changes sound before “i” or “e” – becoming “ch” in Italian, “th” in Spain, and “s” in French and Portuguese.
Tip 5: Some letters are silent French is famous for silent letters, especially at the ends of words. That’s why places like Calais and Bordeaux are pronounced much more simply than they look. As a rule of thumb: if you’re in France and not sure whether you should pronounce the letter at the end of a word, you probably shouldn’t.
Tip 6: Don’t let language put you off Some of the world’s most exciting destinations – from Poland to Thailand – can also be the hardest to pronounce. Don’t let unfamiliar names stop you from exploring somewhere new.
Tip 7: Don’t be afraid to get it wrong Nobody expects perfect pronunciation – locals usually appreciate the effort more than accuracy. You might make a few mistakes, and you might earn yourself a few knowing smiles. But give it a go and see for yourself what worlds you might unlock!
The pronunciation guides are available to download now via Omio.
