holidays

THERE are thousands of pubs around the UK – but if you want to enjoy a pint and bite to eat in the very best, head to Eccles.

The Queens Arms, which is also the world’s oldest surviving passenger railway pub, has just been declared the top boozer in the country.

The accolade comes from the Good Food Guide which created the ranking from 20,000 reader nominations.

While The Queens Arms might look like a traditional British pub from the outside, don’t expect any pie and mash here.

Instead, it has a Japanese izakaya-style menu serving up katsu, noodle bowls, eel and wagyu burgers.

It was praised by Good Food Guide for its ‘unexpected’ blend of culture and that proves to be popular with visitors too.

On Tripadvisor, one punter called it an ‘old fashioned relaxed traditional pub with a Japanese twist’.

Others called it a ‘gem of a place’ – lots praised the food too, especially ‘light and crispy’ tempura battered prawns and crab.

Despite its Japanese menu, the Grade-II listed pub still retains lots of its original features like fireplaces, bar fittings and booth seats.

For anyone who still wants a more traditional experience, there’s also a drinking den which has a dartboard and draught beers.

Historically, the pub was named The Patricroft Tavern – it opened in 1828 aligning with the launch of the Liverpool & Manchester Railway.

According to history, Eccles cakes and beer were even sold to passengers, but this had to stop eventually because it was delaying the trains.

It was a busy hub for passengers for years and it’s rumoured that Queen Victoria even stepped inside a few times.

This was reportedly the reason as to why the pub was renamed The Queens Arms later on.

As for where you’ll find, it the boozer is in Eccles, Greater Manchester

The town shares its name with the well-known Eccles cake, a flaky pastry filled with currants and mixed spices.

These were first sold in Eccles back in 1796 and consequently, the cakes were named after the town.

So one must-do for any visitor is to pop into one of its cafes to try one of the baked goodies.

Lots of the independent cafes are found on Monton Road including Playfoots Cafe and Bar, Oats & Honey, and Monton Village Bakery.

Another popular activity in Eccles is a stroll or cycle along the waterfront.

The Bridgewater Canal which connects Runcorn, Manchester and Leigh runs through the town of Eccles and there are lots of trails beside it.

The nearest train stop to The Queens Arms is Patricroft, which is also just 17-minutes away from Manchester Piccadilly.

If you’re planning heading to the city, check out the best hidden gems according to locals from even more shops to family-friendly attractions.

BUSINESS class is a rare luxury – a chance for those with deep pockets to sip champagne, lie flat and catch the latest movies at 35,000 feet.

But what if the option to recline was taken away…

As well as the large TV screen… Would you even be left with a business class seat? One airline thinks so.

Trinity Airways’ new business class seat features a sofa-like chair and a wraparound privacy screen… And that is it.

There is no recline option nor a TV screen.

The plane does have WiFi onboard so you can watch films on your own laptop or tablet though.

This ‘no frills’ seat is the new option on the South Korean budget carrier’s rebranded cabins on its new Airbus A330-900neo jets.

The seat is called SoFab and is despite being around since 2023, Trinity recently adopted the seat and is currently the only airline to have it onboard its planes.

Unlike most business class seats that recline, have a large – and usually – LED screen and a cosy lie-flat bed, SoFab instead takes it back to basics.

When you do want to sleep, you will have to pull a tab and a cushioned ottoman will slide out, filling the gap between the seat and the footwell to create the long bed.

This means you can sit upright with your legs stretched out or slouch down into the chair, lying across it and the ottoman.

Reports claim that SoFab’s bed is around 25 per cent larger than other business class seats.

In total it stretches, 198cm long (roomy enough for someone who is 6’5 to lie flat) and 102cm wide.

Across the cabin, these seats are arranged in a 1-2-1 layout so that each passenger can directly access the aisle.

Instead of each seat featuring a door, a curved shell wraps around the passenger acting as a privacy screen,

And for the two passengers in the middle of the plane, there is also a privacy divider between them.

Of course, like most seats, there is air conditioning as well as a USB socket.

As for when it comes to meal time, the tray table can also be a side table – which means passengers don’t have to fully collapse the table just to get up and pop to the loo.

And because the seats down have a screen, the plane is cheaper to fly, which also means cheaper tickets.

While Trinity Airways doesn’t fly direct from the UK, a one-way trip from Rome to Seoul for example, costs around £1,296.21 for a business class seat in December.

In comparison, a one-way trip from Rome to Seoul with Korean Air in business class costs around £1,816.96.

DREAMING of a white Christmas?

With grotto visits selling out fast, it’s time to get your yuletide crackers in a row.

You don’t want to be left with the crumbs from the mince pie tray.

From train rides to cosy cottage stays, we’ve rounded up our pick of festive experiences and staycations to lock in right now.

BLENHEIM PALACE

This grand Oxfordshire country pile puts on a magical sparkling light show.

This year’s highlights include a 10metre ‘butterfly tree’ to mark the start of the light trail, hot air balloons that release bursts of fire and a cheery festive choir.

The gardens will light up from November 13 to January 3. Tickets cost from £25 per adult, £19 per child and £1 for under twos – book here.

SANTA EXPRESS TRAIN

The Santa Steam Express is a really charming Christmas experience for all ages.

The 90-minute journey on a steam locomotive departs on a loop from London Victoria, with vintage carriages covered in decorations and a snack and activity box for each family and a very cute mock-version of a Lapland newspaper.

These days, it’s really exciting to see an old-fashioned steam train on Britain’s railways – even the jaded London commuters stop to take pictures as it waits to board passengers.

Once everyone is seated, Santa and his cheeky elves make their way through the train, handing out gifts, engaging in conversation and roping guests into games and songs.

What’s particularly lovely about this festive experience is that it’s not hard work on the legs, so there were plenty of grandparents who came along with their families.

Tickets from £45pp for Saturday journeys in December.

POLAR EXPRESS TRAIN

If you haven’t seen the film that inspired this heart-warming night-time railway experience, make sure you watch before you visit.

This spectacularly recreates scenes from the film on a moving train.

Pyjama-clad visitors hand over their golden tickets to board (at stations around the UK).

On board there will be dancing chefs delivering hot chocolate and cookies, story time and visits from Santa and his entourage of elves.

Tickets from £35.95. Click the ‘other locations’ tab to book at londonthepolarexpressride.com.

KEW GARDENS

A highly popular London lights trail so expect tickets to sell like hot cakes.

Details are yet to be revealed but visitors can expect glittering installations and sparkling tunnels that make great photo backdrops.

There will also be a traditional fairground, festive street food and mulled wine and hot chocolate.

Tickets cost from £25.50pp and the experience runs from November 13 to January 3 – book here.

SKATING AT SOMERSET HOUSE

Tickets go on sale this Friday and popular slots will likely be gone by Monday. For good reason, too.

The experience is not only in one of London’s grandest locations, but it is jam-packed with the finest seasonal fun.

A giant Christmas tree stands at the centre, while wooden chalets serving themed street food line the outside of the rink.

There’s an Aperol spritz van plus a cosy clubhouse with live music sponsored by Virgin Atlantic.

It opens on November 11 and runs until January 10, with tickets from £11 – book here.

AWAY STAYS ‘THE HOLIDAY’ COTTAGE, DEVON

This dainty, thatched-roofed cottage is the spitting image of the one in The Holiday although don’t expect Jude Law to come knocking on your door.

Set in rural Hartland, Devon, Philham Water Cottage sleeps up to four and is dog-friendly.

Hunker down in front of the roaring fire and work through the collection of board games.

Seven nights’ self-catering is from £595 (or £1,225 over Christmas). See coolstays.com.

TEATIME AT TYLNEY, HAMPSHIRE

If Christmas for you is all about the sweet treats, you’ll love Tylney Hall Hotel near Hook, where the festive afternoon tea will ensure you’re as stuffed as a turkey.

Finger sandwiches have Crimbo-inspired fillings plus classics.

After the scones, come gingerbread choux buns, mince pies and a mousse reindeer.

The afternoon tea costs from £45pp (Mon-Thurs) and £58pp (Friday-Sat). Bookable from Nov 30.

A pre-Christmas overnight stay costs from £380 for a family of four sharing a Junior Suite and including breakfast – book here.

A CAMP CHRISTMAS

The Caravan and Motorhome Club says sites are already filling up for Christmas.

The three-day Thursford & Sandringham Festive Delight Tour gives travellers access to the Thursford Christmas Spectacular plus tickets to the Sandringham Estate Christmas Craft, Food & Gift Fair.

Included in the tour price is three nights at The Sandringham Estate Club Campsite and entry to Sandringham’s glittering light trail.

Tour is from £399pp departing on November 24 – book here.

Thursford Christmas Spectacular

Known for being the largest Christmas show in Europe, Thursford Christmas Spectacular in Norfolk features a cast of 130 performers backed by a 30 piece live orchestra.

The three-hour show mixes carols, show tunes, comedy and variety acts.

Visitors can also separately book Santa’s Magical Journey, which is an interactive world for visitors to explore and the Enchanted Journey of Light with an illuminated outdoor light trail.

Tickets cost from £46 per person – book here.

Carols at the Royal Albert Hall

Christmas isn’t complete without Christmas carols and could they be even more special when performed at the Royal Albert Hall?

Across six days there are 15 carol performances in the Hall with festive favourites and more modern tunes.

Tickets cost as little as £22 per person and you can book here, but many of the favourable dates and times already have tickets for this price sold out.

You will also have to opt for a more expensive ticket if you wish to have a seat and not stand.

Tulleys Christmas Santa Experience

Tulleys Farm in Surrey is known for its ‘all out’ Halloween and Christmas events and this year there will be an outdoor ice rink, gingerbread decorating, circus performances and of course, a Santa’s Grotto.

Visitors can head on the North Pole Adventure as well, where they can step into Elf Town and meet the townsfolk before carrying out festive tasks.

Several dates already have low availability so you will need to book quick.

Kids tickets cost between £46.95 to £69.95 and adults tickets (age 14+) cost £29.95 to £39.95 – book here.

Chatsworth House at Christmas

Christmas at Chatsworth is an annual festive celebration at Chatsworth House in Derbyshire and this year takes place between November 7 and January 3, 2027.

Inside the house, the theme this year will be The 12 Days of Christmas with sculptures, large installations and a garden light and sound trail.

Admission also includes access to the Farmyard and Adventure Playground, where there will be decorated animal areas and festive kids’ craft sessions.

Adult tickets cost from £36.36 each and children’s tickets cost from £10.90 each – book here.

Train of Lights

What happens when you mix a light trail with a festive train journey? You get a steam train entirely covered in neon Christmas lights.

And that is exactly what the Train of Lights is in Dartmouth, Devon – where you go on a railway journey in the dark, with cosy interiors and the exterior completely covered in lights.

You can also add on a visit to Santa, but this comes at an extra cost.

Tickets cost from £31.50 per adult and £24 per child – book here.

NOTHING screams Christmas like the smell of roasted chestnuts, sizzling sausages, and hot mulled wine floating through the air.

Europe’s legendary Christmas markets are preparing for the festive season – and now is the best time to lock in a cheap getaway.

Whether you want to eat gooey Raclette cheese under the Eiffel Tower, gorge on cheap chimney cakes in Prague, or visit a quiet, snowy Venice, we’ve found the very best package deals to get you there for less.

Here is our ultimate guide to Europe’s best festive city breaks, with flights and hotels from just £84pp.

Paris – from £124

Paris is magical enough in winter, with the Eiffel Tower twinkling, cosy bakeries with warm bread and pastries, and plenty of chic cafes for a tasty hot chocolate.

But if you visit from November 12, you can go rooftop skating at Galeries Lafayette, or browse the near-350 Swiss-style chalet stalls at La Defense Christmas Market.

This is the largest Christmas market in the region, offering massive food tents packed with oozing Raclette cheese, mulled wine and chocolatey crepes, plus plenty of handmade souvenirs and even regular DJ sets.

This £124pp Wowcher offer puts you up in a stylish Parisian hotel for two nights, just a 15-minute walk from La Defense, and bundles in return flights from London, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester or Edinburgh.

Budapest – from £84

If you want a fairytale festive break, book in a trip to Budapest from mid-November onwards.

The Hungarian capital doesn’t just do one Christmas market – it practically turns the entire downtown area into a glowing winter wonderland.

The two heavy hitters you have to visit are Vorosmarty Square market, packed with around 100 stalls selling handmade Hungarian gifts, and the Advent Bazilika market, with a skating rink, 3D lights show and more right beneath the basilica.

This £84 Wowcher deal includes a stay at your pick of two four-star hotels (the Carlton Hotel Buda Castle or Gold Hotel Budapest) plus return flights from London, Birmingham, Newcastle, Manchester or Edinburgh.

Brussels – from £140

On the Beach doesn’t only offer fly and flop hols – you can actually get cheap Christmas Market deals on there too, like this Brussels break.

The popular Winter Wonders event takes place in the city centre, with over 200 glowing wooden chalets serving melted chocolate and mulled wine, plus a massive Ferris wheel and ice rink.

Wrap up the chilly nights by thawing out in a cosy local tavern with a Trappist beer, local beers brewed under the supervision of monks.

On the Beach offer a two-night break at the Jam Hotel, a swanky spot that blends industrial decor with warm rugs and cosy fires, from £140pp with return flights.

Riga – from £129

Underrated Riga in Latvia sees a maze of cobbled Old Town streets light up at Christmas, overlooked by towering Gothic churches and pastel-coloured buildings that look magical under a thick blanket of snow.

The main event, Riga Christmas Market, takes place in the Dome Square under Riga Cathedral. To warm up, chow down on hot smoked sausages or sip on a steaming cup of hot cranberry juice.

Unlike the mass-produced, samey bits you find at some popular markets, the stalls here are packed with genuine Latvian crafts, like thick woollen mittens, carved wooden sculptures and beeswax candles.

This £129pp Loveholidays offer includes your return flights plus a two-night stay at the gorgeous Rixwell Old Riga Palace Hotel, a homely spot with cosy sloping ceilings, exposed brick and wooden beams.

Prague – from £114

With its towering, needle-like spires and busy market squares, the Czech capital is breathtaking in the winter.

Under the Prague Astronomical Clock in the Old Town Square, you’ll find wooden huts selling pretty glass ornaments, handmade wooden toys and more, all surrounding a gigantic Christmas tree.

With food famously cheaper than spots in Western Europe, you can fill up on spit-roasted meats, sugary chimney cakes and dirt-cheap mugs of hot honey wine.

This £114pp Wowcher offer includes a two-night stay at the four-star Deminka Palace, plus return flights from London, Bristol, Manchester or Edinburgh.

Krakow – from £110

Krakow is a popular winter city break for good reason, with magical horse-drawn carriages, medieval architecture and an epic Christmas market.

Browse stalls with amber jewellery and hand-painted ornaments, and enjoy mulled wine poured straight from giant wooden barrels.

As for food, go for some sizzling-hot dumplings and some crispy oscypek, which is smoked cheese with cranberry formed into a diamond that looks more like a pretty bauble than something you can eat.

This £110 On the Beach deal includes your flights plus a two-night stay at modern hotel and bar Metropolo By Golden Tulip.

Venice – from £84

Christmas may just be one of the best times to visit Venice, with peaceful gondola rides and smaller Christmas markets where you won’t get caught up in crowds.

St Mark’s Square glows with twinkling lights, while the main Christmas market in Campo Santo Stefano sells unique Carnival masks, jewellery, ceramics and more.

Of course, you cant’ leave without gorging on a tall slice of fluffy Panettone – make sure to wash it down with a rich Italian hot chocolate.

This £84pp Wowcher deal includes a two-night stay at Hotel Al Vivit, plus return flights from London, Manchester, Bristol and Edinburgh.

Christmas Market Mystery Holiday – from £94

If you just can’t pick where to go, try a Christmas Market Mystery Holiday. For £94, you could land anywhere from Vienna all the way to New York.

Some stays even come with special experiences, like Santa Village visits in Lapland, glass igloo stays in Finland and a Northern Lights-themed stay in Iceland.

Other destinations you could land include Helsinki, Toronto, Nice, Amsterdam and Chicago.

The Christmas Market Mystery Holiday ticket currently costs £94, saving £5 on full price.

Prices correct at the time of publication.

POTTERHEADS will need their wands (and wallets) at the ready as the biggest Harry Potter shop in Europe opens tomorrow.

The enormous store on Oxford Street will be a haven for fans with plenty of photo opportunities, exclusive merchandise and Butterbeer treats.

In fact, the shop is so big that it’s the joint biggest Harry Potter store in the world alongside the one already open in New York.

The UK shop will be set across two floors and as visitors first walk into the shop, they’ll be transported to Diagon Alley – the famous shopping street in the franchise.

There will be ‘hidden magical details’ along the way, and you’ll be likely spot familiar stores like Ollivanders Wand Shop and Flourish and Blotts.

Visitors should watch out for the enormous dragon that towers over Gringotts Bank.

At the Leaky Cauldron pub, shoppers can take a break from browsing and enjoy a refreshing pint of Butterbeer.

They will also serve up Butterbeer Ice Cream and other sweet treats.

There are plenty of photo opportunities throughout the store including one inside a full-sized purple Knight Bus – so you’ll feel fully immersed in the action.

Inside the Oxford Street shop will be exclusive merch for sale including a Diagon Alley wand, a Harry Potter Funko Pop and artwork.

There’s also the Hogwarts Bear Ceremony – an interactive experience where fans can ‘celebrate the magic of the Sorting Ceremony’.

It will also sell goodies like knitwear (think Ron’s Weasley’s jumper from the Philosopher’s Stone), as well as gift and even Christmas decorations.

There will be an option to personalise the products too including customised house robes, exclusive trunks and notebooks.

You can even get a Hogwarts Acceptance Letter personalised with your name and address.

The store will join the King’s Cross Shop as the only official Harry Potter retail destinations in the UK.

Celebrating the announcement of the magical new store, Karl Durrant, Warner Bros senior vice-president of worldwide retail, said: “Following the success of our Harry Potter shops around the globe, opening the Harry Potter Shop in London is a truly special milestone.

“We’re incredibly proud to bring the magic back to the city where Harry Potter’s story began.

“There’s no better place to create a destination that celebrates the magic, creativity and storytelling that has captivated generations of fans around the world.

“Step inside and you’ll feel as though you’ve walked straight into Diagon Alley. Every detail has been designed to transport fans into the wizarding world.”

The shop on Oxford Street will open ahead of the new HBO series launching on Christmas Day.

On a Wednesday morning in Terminal 1 at LAX, traveler Nikki Hexum found herself in tears. Crying, on its face, is not an unusual occurrence at LAX. The notorious airport is a tender spot for Angelenos and tourists. Nearby, a displeased lawyer squabbles about a case into his phone. Flight attendants whisk by in pressed uniforms. A delay is announced over a speaker.

Today, an unexpected brush with poetry brought Hexum to tears. She was about to board a flight to Nashville, where she would discuss AI regulation at a film festival for her job, when she stumbled upon Brian Sonia-Wallace, the poet laureate of Los Angeles, sitting at a 1940s-model Underwood typewriter writing custom poems for passing travelers. As Hexum told him about her trip, he began to type, the clacking of the keys echoing through the terminal. When he finished, he read the poem aloud. Hexum’s eyes began to well.

“I sat in something where there was discomfort, but at the end of it, it became something amazing,” Hexum says. The encounter affirmed something for Hexum: the importance of spontaneous human interactions in a world where communication is increasingly relegated to AI. “I think we lost that ability to do that a lot,” she says as she wipes her eyes.

Hexum was one of dozens of travelers who received a custom poem from Sonia-Wallace as they waited to board their flights. Some were traveling to funerals, weddings and family reunions that the poet laureate commemorated in a poem written in minutes. Even flight attendants confided in Sonia-Wallace about their love of travel, which he honored in a poem. Soon, a line of eager travelers began to form.

“We had a couple of criers today,” says Sonia-Wallace. “There’s something about the typewriter and poetry that brings out the best in people.” On the table beside the typewriter, a placard reads: “Retro Chat GPT.” Behind the poet, a banner reads: “Everyone deserves a poem.”

Traveler Silvia Portillo was waiting to board a flight to Colorado. She was heading to her hometown of Glenwood Springs, Colo., to attend her sister’s wedding when she encountered Sonia-Wallace and his typewriter. She asked for a poem dedicated to her sister’s wedding, which she plans to present on the big day. “I thought it would be really cool if he made a personalized one for her, a little extra wedding gift,” Portillo says.

Waiting for a delayed flight, traveler Cassie Feldman tells the poet that she’s looking to shed old patterns before boarding a flight to St. Louis for a family gathering. He begins to read her the poem: “We gather with our old new selves.”

Feldman is delighted. “It was really cool,” she says. “It was an experience you don’t really get, especially at the airport.”

Sarah Cifarelli, the LAX arts program director, was thrilled when Sonia-Wallace reached out about doing an installation at the airport. “Airports can feel very transactional with lots of logistics and very functional. Being able to engage with someone like Brian brings more humanity to that journey,” says Cifarelli. She works on programming art and installations at LAX that showcase the city’s vibrant arts scene, including its literary merits. “I think this helps us recalibrate our brains … to connect with others and take notice of what’s going on around us.”

The interactions between subject and poet can be surprisingly intimate. Travelers described lost loved ones, personal tragedies and battles with insecurity, regret and doubts. “My favorite people will be like, ‘I didn’t know this was going to be therapy,’” says Sonia-Wallace. “It’s whatever you want to use it for.”

Over the last decade, Sonia-Wallace has made it a habit to bring poetry to unexpected places like the Los Angeles airport. Since being announced as the poet laureate of Los Angeles in April, he has hit the ground running — delivering poetry to civic spaces like the L.A. Zoo and animal services. “What a poet can do is create pause,” he says. “Like, ‘hold on, what am I thinking? What am I feeling?’”

Sonia-Wallace describes the clacking of the typewriter as his siren song. The inherent theater of it lures a crowd. “If you see someone with a notebook or a laptop, that person wants to be left alone. If you see someone with a typewriter, there’s something happening here,” says the poet. He’s become something of a collector, with 10 typewriters stored in the trunk of his car because he’s run out of room in his studio apartment, even storing one in his bathroom.

Clad in a newsboy hat, Sonia-Wallace sees his practice as being as much about performance as the poetry, comparing his work to that of a pastor or tarot reader. “I was really into [the performance artist] Marina Abramovic, and this idea of the artist is present, and how does the presence of someone making something influence how we think about art,” he says.

The collision of LAX pandemonium and poetry intrigues Sonia-Wallace. The poetry softens people even in the throes of a hectic travel day, he argues. “I love the element of surprise. If someone comes to a poetry event, they’re expecting that. If someone’s just in the airport, and then there’s poetry there. All of a sudden, poetry becomes more interesting,” he says.

The practice began in 2010 when Sonia-Wallace wrote custom poetry for travelers at a Metro line opening on a borrowed typewriter. In 2014, when he got laid off, Sonia-Wallace experimented with making a living from poetry by writing at farmers markets, festivals and the Venice Beach boardwalk — and accepting tips. “I just popped up wherever I could,” he explains. Eventually, the poet began writing custom poetry at private events like weddings and corporate parties before he partnered with the city of Los Angeles.

The poet hopes to humanize bureaucratic spaces like the airport, a thorny subject for many disgruntled travelers. “I think about using poetry as a stand-in for arts and culture more generally to humanize bureaucratic spaces and create an experience for people that’s a little more personal.”

Cifarelli plans to bring Sonia-Wallace and his typewriter back to LAX in the coming months, and to invite a piano and other poets along.

Hexum prepared to board the plane to Nashville with her freshly inked poem in hand. “I’m gonna treasure this forever,” she says, gripping the poem as she floats toward her gate, and soon, into the sky.

Upcoming poetry pop-ups with the poet laureate of Los Angeles:

• Nov. 21 — Poets in the Wild at the Los Angeles Zoo
• Dec. 7 — Terminal 3 at LAX, a three-poet activation marking National Letter Writing Day.
• Feb. 11 — Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX, West Gates, a full performance activation with multiple poets and a pianist, ahead of Valentine’s Day.

Connors is a culture journalist in L.A. She covers books, food, entertainment and offbeat Los Angeles. She’s currently at work on a book of essays about tourism in all its forms.

What does it mean when a Sunset Strip hotel installs a white pool table with gold balls and puts a swing set on the roof?

It means that Ian Schrager, the New York lifestyle entrepreneur who co-founded Studio 54, is again reaching west to try some new ideas.

This time, his new hotel property is known as the Public West Hollywood. It opened Oct. 30, occupying the same 1962 building that was home to the Standard Hotel from 1999 to 2021.

Though rates start at about $450, Schrager said he is guided by the idea of “luxury for all.” The hotel, which also goes by PUBLIC, includes 137 guest rooms and suites and plenty of cultural and health-and-wellness programming, including Pilates, sound baths and DJs. There’s a bakery/coffee shop, a lobby bar and restaurant, a poolside scene festooned with greenery. There’s a small club called Studio with black velvet walls and six Renaissance portrait “paintings” in ornate frames. (If you watch those portraits carefully, you may see their expressions change.)

And then there’s the roof.

Faced with a snug property that has already been declared a protected local cultural resource, Schrager persuaded West Hollywood officials to let him reinforce some walls and open the hotel’s roof up as a 14,000-square-foot park-like area for up to 400 guests. Surfaced with artificial turf and pebbles, it has a swing set, firepits, picnic tables, a running track, a bar, a 30-foot-wide screen for movies and panoramic views of the Hollywood Hills and city skyline. (Non-hotel guests can access the area until 5 p.m. by buying a $35 day pass.)

“Approximately 75% of the public space in the hotel is outdoors,” Schrager said. “We feel that’s just the right thing to do when you’re in Southern California. It brought another dimension to the hotel.”

Yet Schrager confessed that he’s still not exactly sure how that will work.

“We never know how people are going to use the space,” Schrager said. “We do the best we can … and then we make adjustments.”

The Public’s building, a three-story structure by Midcentury Modernist architect Herbert R. Kameon, opened as the Thunderbird Inn and featured wave-shaped balcony walls, which remain. Later it became the Hollywood Sunset Hotel, then the Golden Crest retirement home. Its profile grew when the Standard Hotel, a venture by André Balazs, opened in 1999 and raised eyebrows with its upside-down sign, a DJ booth next to the front desk, a poolside deck covered in blue artificial turf and (as shown in a 2000 episode of “Sex and the City”) a glass box in its lobby, which often contained models and actors in provocative poses. After the Standard shut down, the building fell idle for years.

Its new incarnation features design contributions from Schrager and British minimalist designer John Pawson and departs from upscale boutique hotel tradition in several ways.

The lobby floor is white, the furniture supplying pops of blue, green and red. The front desk is a trio of pink podiums (one for self-check-in, two to be staffed). The luminous LED lighting in public rooms and corridors hints at a UFO arrival and pays homage to artists James Turrell and Dan Flavin. Room service is limited because, Schrager said, the cost of delivering a soft-boiled egg to someone’s room makes no sense for anyone anymore.

“I think really what’s important is that everybody who is working at the hotel is personable, is friendly, is charming and genuinely interested in being helpful,” Schrager said. “I think that’s more important than the gold buttons, gold epaulets and all the other accoutrements.”

As much as he loves coming up with design ideas, Schrager said, most are “a little bit like the special effects in a movie. They can make a good movie better, but they can’t make a bad movie good.”

In the Public Hotel’s guest rooms, almost everything is white and there are no visible TVs. Instead, each room has a bench housing an angled projector. Click your remote control and you have an 11-foot-wide image on a white wall — a sort of private screening room.

“I couldn’t bear to have a big, black ugly TV on the wall in my pristine hotel room,” Schrager said, adding that “it’s going to change the industry. Everyone’s going to do that and get rid of the television because it just makes sense.”

Schrager, 80, speaks with a thick Brooklyn accent. He won wide attention as co-owner of the New York night club Studio 54, which opened in April 1977, nearly 50 years ago. Though it lasted just under three years, that scene became an emblem of its era, but it ended poorly for Schrager. In 1980, he was convicted of tax evasion and served about a year in federal prison. In 2017 — after reinventing himself as a hotelier, achieving sustained success and expressing remorse — he was pardoned in 2017 by President Obama.

“I wanted it for my family,” Schrager told the New York Times. “It’s hard to be a good example for your kids when you did something like what I did, and you try to teach your kids to live by the rules and be an upstanding person.”

Schrager’s rise in the hotel business was steep. In 1984, he and business partner Steve Rubell opened Morgans Hotel, a pioneer in the “boutique hotel” category. Soon Schrager and Rubell expanded Morgans Hotel Group to include the Royalton and Paramount hotels in Manhattan and the redesigned Mondrian (now known as the Valorian) in Los Angeles. After selling his interest in Morgans Hotel Group, Schrager teamed with Marriott International to build that company’s Edition brand, including the Edition hotel that has been in business on Sunset in West Hollywood since 2019.

With the Public in WeHo, Schrager is building yet another brand, one which already includes New York’s Public Hotel (opened in 2017). Schrager’s partner in Public Hotels is Highgate Hotels, a New York-based global hotel that is handling financing and management while Schrager focuses on “branding, marketing and creating the vibe.” If all goes to plan, Schrager said, Public will soon open three more hotels in Manhattan, the first within 18 months.

But first, he needs to help introduce the Public to West Hollywood. In the run-up to opening, the New York-based Schrager said, he’s been visiting L.A. weekly for the last few months.

And since his own hotel was unfinished, where has he been sleeping?

“I hate to say this. The Four Seasons.”

A UK travel company that sells holidays to Turkey, Greece and Portugal has entered administration after nearly four decades.

Wroxham Travel first opened in 1987 as an independent travel agency selling holidays to numerous destinations including UK staycations, short-haul trips and long-haul holidays.

The company also sold ocean and river cruise trips.

However, the Norwich-based company officially closed on October 30.

The company had two high street stores – one in Hoveton and one in Aylsham.

While the impact of the company’s closure isn’t clear, it is expected to primarily affect holidaymakers in the Norfolk and Greater Norwich areas.

The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) said in a statement: “We are sorry to inform you that Wroxham Travel has ceased trading with effect from 30 October 2026.

“We are now treating this as a financial failure.

“If you booked a holiday through Wroxham Travel, the tour operator or principal business with whom Wroxham Travel booked your holiday will be named on your paperwork (or ATOL certificate if it was a flight inclusive holiday; this would be stated on your ATOL certificate under “Who is protecting your trip”).

“To ensure your holiday can continue as planned, you will need to contact the credit control department of your tour operator or other principal travel business with whom you have a contract.

“Your booking should continue as normal, and they will be your direct point of contact.

“Please ensure that you have all your documentation with you, as they may require information from it to assist you.”

LOOKING for a holiday where your cash goes further? These destinations have been revealed as the best value for money.

Skyscanner recently unveiled its list of top spots across the world where the price of flights has dropped the most – and in some cases, hotels too.

At the very top of the Skyscanner list is the city of Bilbao which has seen a 66 per cent drop in flight prices from last year.

It’s a great choice for Brits too as it’s the closest Spanish city to the UK taking less than two hours to get there.

One-way flights to Bilbao can be as little as £20 with with the cost of hotels down by 63 per cent from last year, rooms start from £29 on Booking.com.

If you fancy booking a whole trip, with loveholidays the cost of a seven-night break to Bilbao in April 2027 starts from £42pppn.

As Bilbao is that it doesn’t get as many tourists as lots of other Spanish cities, it’s a lot quieter than its neighbours.

In 2025, just 1.6 million visited Bilbao last year compared to 16 million in Barcelona.

There’s lots to see too like the neighbourhood of Iralabarri which has been compared to Notting Hill thanks to its colourful town houses.

Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey who visited earlier this year suggested heading its top attraction, the Guggenheim Bilbao museum which is filled with modern and contemporary art.

When it comes to food, Kara attempted the art of txikiteo which is where you hop between tapas bars for snacks and drinks.

Kara added: “My number one spot was Cafe Bar Bilbao for its tasty pork sliders, as well as Taberna Ona for freshly sliced Iberian ham. 

“The most famous Bilbao drink is txakoli, a Basque white wine which you can find pretty much anywhere.

“Squeeze into the family-run Taberna Basaras, a tiny bar with barrels for tables and bottles from floor to ceiling, for a hearty glass. You might also spot the locals ordering a mariano, a vermouth “daytime” cocktail that’s lighter than a negroni.”

The second city on the list is Wrocław in Poland which has had a flight price drop of 47 per cent.

One writer who recently visited called it one of Europe’s ‘best-kept city-break secrets‘.

The Polish city has colourful market squares with cobbled streets and tall pastel townhouses.

It’s known as a city of festivals with lots going on throughout the year from films and jazz to classical music.

If you fancy visiting during the festive period, Wroclaw’s Christmas market is one of the largest in Poland.

One-way flights to Wroclaw start from £27.

With loveholidays, a three-night break in the city starts from £149pp or £50pppn.

Another place not far from the UK that has seen a drop in price is Bordeaux in France where air fares have decreased by 34 per cent.

The port city in southwestern France is known for its 18th-century architecture and wine culture.

Make sure to pop into Bassins des Lumières – a former World War Two submarine base which has been transformed into a digital art installation.

If you’re planning a summer holiday next year, a trip to Rhodes in Greece shouldn’t put a dent in your wallet.

The beautiful island is the largest of the Dodecanese and is known for having pretty beach resorts, ancient ruins and it has highs of over 30C in the summertime.

It’s seen a drop in flight prices by 22 per cent and on Skyscanner, one-way tickets are as cheap as £28.

Pula, which is considered the ‘Rome of Croatia‘ came in seventh spot.

The city on the tip of the Istrian Peninsula got its nickname from its ruins – the amphitheatre is one of the best-preserved Roman monuments in the world.

The spot on the Adriatic coast has lots of history and it’s under three hours from the UK too with flights having dropped in price by 20 per cent.

Fez in Morocco came in eighth on the list with a drop of 19 per cent when it comes to flights, which are as cheap as £15.

The city in northern Morocco is known for its vibrant markets and attractions, including its ancient medina.

It’s a popular winter sun city with highs of 20C in November.

For more on Fez, Travel Reporter Jenna Stevens recently visited the city to try out cooking classes and pottery.

For more travel inspiration, Skyscanner has also revealed the 10 holiday destinations that are set to be huge next year.

This includes far-flung Kyrgyzstan to Hurghada in Egypt and pretty Greek islands.

In the 1820s, a young painter left London to live in Shoreham in the west of Kent. In his waterside cottage, Samuel Palmer – remembered now as a key figure of British Romanticism – depicted moonlit cornfields, apple trees bowed under fruit and hills swollen with light. He dubbed the area his Valley of Vision. Two centuries on, Palmer’s own vision of Shoreham – and the surrounding Darent Valley – as a demi-paradise isn’t too far from the canvas.

I’ve lived in the area for five years and can’t quite believe how few people come to Shoreham. It feels like a secret yet is less than an hour from London by train. The village itself sits on the River Darent, remarked on by Edmund Spenser in his poem The Faerie Queene for its gentleness and clear water: “The still Darent, in whose waters cleane, ten thousand fishes play and decke his pleasant streame …”.

This 21-mile chalk stream glides into the Thames from Westerham and can be explored by the scenic waymarked Darent Valley Path. Shoreham is a pretty place. The road into the village drops to a stream under a weeping willow, flanked by two good pubs, and it makes a good base for exploring. Lopsided Tudor chimneys and pastel cottages lean over the lanes, and the Grade I-listed church of St Peter and St Paul keeps watch over the churchyard. It’s no surprise artists still come here to capture Palmer’s magic.

Neighbouring Otford and Eynsford are minutes on the train (or a short drive). Otford is the antique-hunter’s village, with waterside houses, the ruins of a 16th-century palace and a listed duck house on the pond – check out the labyrinthine Otford Antiques and Collectors Centre. Eynsford has the history: Lullingstone Roman villa with its beautifully preserved painted walls; Lullingstone Castle, favoured by Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn; and the ford, ringed by half-timbered houses.

Don’t miss

My top recommendation is cream tea at the Shoreham Aircraft Museum. The valley saw heavy aerial combat in the second world war, and this volunteer-run museum remembers it. You enter through the garden door of artist and proprietor Geoff Nutkins’ home, past overgrown flowerpots, witty hand-painted boards and an antique Hovis sign above a converted bakehouse, now a tearoom frozen in the early 20th century. The delicious puddings and doorstop sandwiches come from Nutkins’ own kitchen. (My Tunisian girlfriend describes it to friends as “exotically English”.) The £5 ticket to the museum buys entry to a lifetime’s collection, plus the story of his work building memorials to lost servicemen from both sides.

Take a hike

Bring comfortable shoes. The beautiful gentle four-mile stretch of the Darent Valley Path from Shoreham to Eynsford suits all abilities, and is as good on a crisp winter day as in July, following the river through empty woodlands and rolling hills. It’s just four minutes by train if you’d rather ride back.

A 20-minute stroll from the churchyard in Shoreham brings you to Castle Farm (five minutes by car), one of the UK’s largest lavender growers. The farm shop, under rafters hung with hops, sells lavender oils, teas and ice-cream made from the harvest. Stock up on a box of gypsy tarts, a Kentish staple made with condensed milk and muscovado sugar. Grab some lavender honey, too (the farm keeps beehives). A coffee shed serves lavender teas and coffees. In summer you can picnic among the rows, à la Provence, or book to join in the harvest.

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Where to eat

In Shoreham stop by The Crown for lunch. This dog-friendly locals’ pub has an intimate dining room and serves hearty, locally sourced classics such as fish and chips and a handmade pie of the day. Portions are large, but leave space for dinner at The Samuel Palmer. The beamed, fire-lit bar serves traditional pub favourites and small plates, while the bright, kid-friendly restaurant at the back presents chef Kieran Farquhar’s elevated seasonal discovery menu at £48 a head. At Mount Vineyard, the on-site restaurant has a pizza menu, and a quaint cafe by the vines serves coffee and handmade pastries.

In Otford try The Bull, with its pretty gardens. In Eynsford, The Malt Shovel is a favourite locally for lunch, with big portions and fair prices.

Where to stay

My pick is White Hill Woods, five minutes’ walk from Shoreham station, which has a log cabin for families (from £150 a night), and a shepherd’s hut for couples and solo travellers (from £100 a night, both two night minimum). There is a heated pool or just relax in the forest. Book ahead, as it’s popular with repeat visitors.

Getting there and around

There is a twice-hourly train from London Blackfriars to the villages, which takes about an hour, and using it to hop between them takes minutes. The Line 2 bus from Swanley to Sevenoaks runs along the road between the villages. Drivers will have no trouble parking, even on weekends.

WINTER is coming – and it’s bringing a whole host of scenic travel destinations with it. 

France’s Strasbourg is top of holidaymakers’ hotlists, according to the latest Tripadvisor Travel Index, while Tromsø in Norway is creeping up the popularity scale. 

The travel report revealed the most up-and-coming holiday spots for this season, based on search data for breaks between November 1 this year and February 28, 2027. 

Here Sophie Swietochowski shares her pick of the most popular holiday packages this winter. 

STRASBOURG, FRANCE 

SO much for Paris — the Notre Dame Cathedral in Strasbourg is just as glorious.

It was named among the top experiences in France in the 2026 Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice awards.

The city’s Christmas market is one of the oldest in Europe, founded in 1570, and is home to more than 300 traditional wooden stalls.  

Strasbourg’s Franco-German cuisine is just what you would fancy during the colder months — hearty and comforting.

Think casseroles and lots of potatoes. 

GO: Five nights’ room-only at the 4* Okko Hotels Strasbourg Centre is from £559pp including flights from Luton on December 27.

Save £100 now with code BLKFRIDAY. See easyjet.com/en/holidays. 

TROMSØ, NORWAY 

THIS area, AKA the Gateway to the Arctic, was crowned second most popular spot for this winter.

While its location means that during winter, the sun never rises above the horizon, that doesn’t mean you need to hunker down inside — far from it. 

Among popular activities to try are dog or reindeer sledding, whale watching, snowmobiling, ski touring and fishing in the icy fjords.  

It’s also one of the best spots in the world to catch the Northern Lights in all their colourful glory. 

GO: Five nights’ room-only at the 4* Moxy Tromsø is from £909pp including flights from Gatwick on January 17.

See loveholidays.com. 

GHENT, BELGIUM 

THE nearby hotspots of Bruges and Brussels typically steal the limelight when it comes to winter getaways. 

And that’s just why Ghent should be top of your list.

The fact it is less crowded means you can explore its Gothic and medieval architecture at leisure, although it’s best to do so at night when the intricate alleyways and twisted spires are illuminated by spotlights, giving the spires an even more dramatic appearance against the night sky. 

Ghent’s winter festival, which operates throughout December and into early January, is magical, with a mini ice rink, ferris wheel and rows of stalls that lead from the canal to the central square. 

GO: Seven nights’ room-only at the 3* Hotel Gravensteen is from £489pp including flights from Heathrow on November 26.

See loveholidays.com. 

SAARISELKA, FINLAND 

IF Tromsø’s coastal location doesn’t tickle your fancy, then Saariselka, where earthy pine woodlands are buried in deep powdery snow, just might.  

Make sure to stay in a glass igloo — after all, this is the place where they were popularised. And what a spot for them.  

From your bed, you have high chances of spotting the aurora borealis painted across the night sky.  

Make sure to test out the longest toboggan track in Europe, which stretches 1.8km from the summit of Kaunispaa mountain.

Then warm up those chilled bones in a traditional Finnish sauna. 

GO: Three nights’ B&B at the 3* Holiday Club Saariselka is from £914pp including flights from Gatwick on November 29.

See tui.co.uk. 

CHAMONIX, FRANCE 

A COSY and typically French resort town, Chamonix has maintained its traditional charm, despite having sparked the big ski boom. 

And unlike the purpose-built ski resorts, this town is vast and sprawling, with lots of wooden chalets dotted around.  

While it is a destination that is known for its skiing, there is still plenty else to do in winter.  

Le Pas Dans Le Vide is an awesome glass skywalk, suspended at an altitude of metres, at the summit of Aiguille du Midi.

It gives visitors the thrilling sensation of floating above the spectacular Bossons Glacier.  

There are also ice caves and ice sculptures and you can dig in to some of the best cheesy raclette in the country. 

GO: Seven nights’ self-catering at the 3* Residence Pierre & Vacances La Riviere is from £551pp, including flights from Gatwick on January 2, plus 20kg luggage per person.

See crystalski.co.uk. 

Breakfast burritos are one of L.A.’s most iconic foods and you’ll find the hefty, all-day dish offered at taquerias, Aussie-inspired cafes, French bakeries and everywhere in between, with new entrants frequently unseating former favorites. Restaurant critic Jenn Harris adds a new Long Beach cafe to the county lexicon, with a full menu of breakfast burritos wrapped in Chihuahua-style flour tortillas. At Masa y Taza, you can get your burrito stuffed with red pork chorizo; green chicken chorizo; sauteed nopales and bell pepper confit for a vegan take (vegan tortillas are available upon request); or the classic bacon, egg, potatoes and cheese. Tacos and churro French toast round out the food options, while beverages include a selection of aguas frescas made fresh daily, café de olla, a mocha with Mexican chocolate and specials like a mazapán banana latte.

Mum of two Hannah Britt took her kids to the Mallorcan beach resort this summer, and fell in love with it’s laid back vibe. From historic churches to mini golf, there’s something to do for all ages

Sat on the white sand of Palmanova beach, I watched as my daughters splashed on the shore. I absentmindedly filled and unfilled their bucket and plotted where to go for lunch as they played, the morning sun gently rising high in the sky above us.

I’ll be honest, I’d never heard of Palmanova before this summer. But with its laid back vibe and pristine sandy beaches, it’s time to put it on the map. A compact beach resort town spanning about 2km of coastline in the southwest of Mallorca, it’s a 20 minute car ride from Palma. Known for its clear turquoise waters and welcoming atmosphere, its calm environment appeals to families, couples and older visitors.

Unlike its high-energy and boisterous neighbour Magaluf, which is a short drive away along the coast, Palmanova is much quieter at night and focuses on laid-back evening entertainment like casual dining, live music, and quiz or tribute nights. Or so I heard. With two small children in tow the only nightlife on the agenda for me was a kids’ disco. But more on that later…

Lunch, I decided from my spot on the sand, was to be at Turtle Beach, a popular Mediterranean hotspot with a pretty view out over the sea. The restaurant welcomes children with open arms, and the sandy-toed vibe is the perfect co-parent for a mum travelling solo.

The menu had something to please both my six year old and my two year old, with BBQ and grill classics like juicy gourmet burgers, sizzling steaks, ribs and slow-smoked brisket. Once we’d polished off tacos, served to everyone’s delight on decorative turtles, and at least for me washed down with a crisp Aperol spritz, it was time to explore.

Palmanova bridges the gap between tranquil and lively, with plenty to keep little ones occupied. The Big Blue Diving company offers paddleboards, wakeboards, and scuba diving sessions for the nautically intrepid. We, however, opted for Golf Fantasia, where we played a terrible game of golf while marvelling at the real fish and turtles in the lagoons, plus birds in the garden.

Having all embarrassed ourselves, we walked along the Passeig de Mar to shop for magnets and trinkets. We then wandered to Corazón Helado, for what Tripadvisor promised was the best ice cream in town. The bright little cafe serves homemade gelato, waffles, coffee and fresh smoothies. My six year old chose strawberry, my two year old vanilla and I pistachio. They were all delicious.

Next, to beat the heat we slipped into Sant Llorenç church. Where architecture meets artistic heritage, it was designed by Josep Ferragut Pons and features works by Miquel Salvá, Aleix Llull, and Jean Osterlynck, alongside a striking Saint Lawrence mural by sculptor Horacio de Eguía. Small yet serene and with a surprising amount to see inside, it’s well worth a visit when tired of the beach.

Leaving the church, and with the late afternoon sun beating down, it was time to retreat to our hotel. We were staying at the Zafiro Palace Palmanova, a five star want-for-nothing complex – and the jewel in Palmanova’s crown.

From the moment you enter, guests – especially little ones – are treated like royalty. Staff remember drinks orders and names, despite the size of the hotel. The grounds are well kept and with shaded walkways ideal for pram naps. A handy back gate leads to Palmanova beach in minutes.

Rooms are immaculate and chicly decorated, all with balconies or terraces and some with hot tubs. We were lucky enough to have a swim-up suite, meaning we could roll out of bed and into the water at a moment’s notice. This was a huge win with two small children, as I had all the entertainment I needed on my doorstep. A secure boltable gate ensured safety and peace of mind too.

But you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to pools at Zafiro Palace Palmanova. Two large kids pools sit towards the back of the property with slides and a massive bouncy pillow, while several main pools sit in the middle of the complex, with a swim up bar for the thirsty and pool games for the energetic.

When hungry, food was sublime, with plenty on offer for even the fussiest little ones. The best flat white was to be found in the bar. As I sat that evening watching the girls dance at the kids’ disco, I had already plotted our return.

*Nightly rates at Zafiro Palace Palmanova start from €438 per night with All Inclusive Redefined

ILULISSAT, Greenland — Greenland has opened a new international airport, seeking to lure visitors from around the world as the Arctic island looks toward eventual independence from Denmark.

The inaugural international flight between Copenhagen, Denmark, and Ilulissat, Greenland Thursday was part of the island government’s efforts to grow its tourism industry to boost and diversify an economy still reliant on fishing.

Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen described the new airport as “one of the biggest investments” in the island’s history. Nielsen was one of 169 passengers on Thursday’s 4.5-hour flight on an Airbus A330neo. An Associated Press journalist also took the flight, operated by government-owned Air Greenland, as part of a trip organized by tourism agency Visit Greenland, for this story.

“If Greenland wants to be independent, we need to have a strong foundation, both economically and in terms of industry and business,” Nielsen told the AP before the plane departed.

The strategic island, home to roughly 56,000 people, has been a focus of President Trump since his first term, when he initially expressed his desire to acquire Greenland. His repeated threats to seize the territory from Denmark, a NATO ally, during his second term prompted months of tensions with other NATO allies. In September, Trump signed an agreement with the leaders of Denmark and Greenland to strengthen security in the Arctic and North Atlantic.

“There’s no doubt that it has been a shadow over the entire Kingdom of Denmark, but especially Greenland,” said Danish Finance Minister Peter Hummelgaard, who also took the inaugural flight. “The opening of this new international airport marks, I think, hope and optimism.”

New international airports seek to lure new visitors

Ilulissat, known as the “City of Icebergs,” sits along the island’s western coast and is home to some 5,000 people. Greenland’s third-largest city is also one of the island’s most-visited destinations. More than 342 miles north of the capital, Nuuk, its tourism offerings range from sled dog tours to icefjord cruises in picturesque Disko Bay, known for its towering icebergs.

Previously, travelers reaching Ilulissat had to arrive by cruise ship, take a small plane from Iceland or fly to one of Greenland’s international hubs and connect to smaller aircraft. There are no road connections from other big towns.

For decades, Greenland’s main international aviation gateways were former U.S. military air bases, distant echoes of World War II, in Kangerlussuaq and Narsarsuaq. Locals and international visitors had to land there before catching smaller aircraft to the island’s major towns, including Ilulissat and Nuuk. That changed in late 2024, when an international airport opened in Nuuk.

United Airlines last year began a new seasonal route between Nuuk and Newark, New Jersey. The inaugural flight was the first direct from the U.S. to Greenland by an American airline.

The Ilulissat airport, meanwhile, has a 53,820 square feet terminal and a new 1.37-mile runway, long enough to accommodate larger passenger aircraft. Air Greenland has committed to as many as six weekly flights between Copenhagen and Ilulissat during next year’s peak summer months, and Icelandair will also fly large jets from its Keflavik hub. Jens R. Lauridsen, CEO of Greenland Airports, said the company is also hoping to lure airlines in the U.S. and mainland Europe to serve Ilulissat.

“It’s quite wonderful that you can go directly right now,” said Kirsten Berthelsen, a 35-year-old Ilulissat resident and student who booked a ticket for Thursday’s flight without realizing it was the inaugural service. “Sometimes it’s quite difficult to travel from Nuuk and to other countries.”

Tourism boom remains elusive

While the number of international visitors to Greenland has grown by at least 65% since 2018, reaching almost 150,000 in 2024, the expected travel boom has yet to materialize. In 2024, tourism accounted for less than 5% of the territory’s GDP. Infrastructure, including hotel capacity, remains limited.

Aalborg University associate professor Carina Ren, who specializes in Arctic tourism, said some U.S. tourists were even deterred from visiting the island because of the recent Trump standoff, with a few canceling their flights.

“I’ve heard of people canceling their bookings, but also others canceling because they were afraid that perhaps they would not be welcomed,” she said, adding that many Americans still visit, particularly on cruise ships.

Even so, there are some local concerns about mass tourism and potential damage to Greenland’s fragile nature.

Palle Jerimiassen, a former regional mayor, said he fears the city’s environment, population and infrastructure may be overwhelmed by too many visitors.

“How many can we invite?” he said. “We are welcoming all the tourists, it’s a possibility to earn some new money.”

He added: “But we have to be careful.”

Brooks writes for the Associated Press.

FROM festive discos to free Santa meets – there are lots of reasons to book a Butlin’s break this Christmas.

And the holiday park has just announced two new shows this year as well.

Santa himself will be in his festive grotto at all three Butlin’s resorts as the Father Christmas Express Delivery returns for 2026 – and it’s included in the price.

During the 30-minute experience, families will take a magical journey in a lift to Santa’s grotto where they’ll write their Christmas Day wish list.

Of course, children will get to meet, chat and have a photo with Father Christmas too.

New for this year at all three resorts are two festive shows, the first being a live band playing classic Christmas tunes with a rock twist.

The second will be the Robbie Williams tribute show Rock DJ who will play his biggest hits.

Across the parks will also be two weekly pantomime performances of Jack and the Beanstalk.

Also included in all breaks are festive arts and crafts sessions, Christmas-themed pool parties, discos, Christmas film showings and character photoshoots.

Not to mention all the usual perks too like access to the Splash Waterworld pools, the rides at the fairground, SKYPARK playgrounds in Minehead and Skegness, and the Skyline Gang Soft Play centre in Bognor Regis.

The year-round Butlin’s entertainment will continue like Peppa Pig-Nic Celebration featuring Evie Pig and Animals and Mythical Beasts.   

Four-night Christmas Festive Wonderland breaks start from £39 which works out to just £10 per person.

These Festive Wonderland Breaks can be booked between November 23 and December 30.

For those who fancy a break over December 25, there’s an option to book the Christmas Day Breaks.

These can be booked between December 23 and December 27 and start from £184 or £46pp.

It doesn’t stop there either with New Year Breaks available to book too.

These will take place between December 30 to January 2 with prices from £313 or £79pp.

Mike Godolphin, Entertainment Director at Butlin’s, said: “As we wrap up an incredible year of celebrating our 90th birthday, we’re ending it on a festive high.

“The most wonderful time of the year is made extra special at Butlin’s, with non-stop festive shows and activities, all included in the price of breaks. 

“While most families will be heading to the sofas after their Christmas lunch, our guests can whizz down the slides at Splash Waterworld. Where else can you swap your Christmas jumper for a swimsuit on Christmas Day?

“There’s no better place for a well-earned festive getaway, and we can’t wait to welcome thousands of guests across our three resorts.” 

For those who want to guarantee no extra costs, Butlin’s also offers all-inclusive packages.

Dining plans with unlimited breakfast and dinner start from £25.95 per adult, per day, £15.50 per child (6-14), per day and £7.25 per child (2-5), per day.

All Inclusive drinks packages with a range of unlimited Costa Coffee, alcoholic and soft drinks start from £25.95 per adult, per day, £10.50 per child (6-14), per day and free for under 5’s.

Wondering if it’s worth the cost? One Travel Writer tested out the drinks package to see what she could get in one day from Prosecco to beer and Costa Coffee.

IMAGINE kicking off your holiday with unlimited Prosecco, a buffet meal, and a pre-flight massage.

And you can have it all without forking out thousands on a First Class flight.

Save 20% on Priority Pass across 1,900+ airport lounges

The secret to bypassing the chaotic departure boards and securing this VIP treatment is being a Priority Pass membership.

And right now, savvy Sun readers can slash 20 per cent off their first year by clicking here.

While the rest of the terminal fights over a single plug socket and pays premium prices for a meal deal, you could be enjoying some bottomless bubbles, or catching up on sleep in a private nap pod.

Priority Pass covers more than 1,900 airport lounges worldwide, including Escape, Aspire and No.1 Skylife lounges.

Whether you’re flying out of London, Manchester, Birmingham, East Midlands or another UK airport, you’re more than likely covered, as the membership covers 85 per cent of the world’s top 100 airports.

Inside these stylish lounges, you’ll be able to rest on much comfier seating, and enjoy free food and drinks, including free alcoholic drinks.

The VIP treatment extends beyond the lounge buffet – you can even bag a free spa treatment.

At airports with Be Relax spas, you can grab a free fresh manicure or relaxing massage before boarding if you’re a Standard Plus member or above.

Plus at some airports you can even catch up on rest inside a nap pod, or take a shower to freshen up before your flight.

A year’s Standard membership normally costs £69 a year, but our 20 per cent discount brings that down to £55.

Save 20% on Priority Pass across 1,900+ airport lounges

With a Standard pass, you simply pay a flat £24 fee each time you choose to use a lounge.

When you factor in the meals, Wi-Fi and free-flowing alcoholic drinks, that entry fee easily pays for itself when compared to an expensive airport restaurant.

On top of all that, Priority Pass members even get their workouts sorted for them with a free fitness app.

Members get completely free access to the WithU Fitness app, which normally costs £79.99 a year.

It gives you personalised audio coaching and workout programmes that you can use at the hotel gym, by the pool and when you get home.

Save 20% on Priority Pass across 1,900+ airport lounges

Prices correct at the time of publication.

Some cities take on that extra sparkle in winter offering a warm welcome as temperatures drop and nights draw in. We want to know your favourite city in Europe to visit at this time of year and what makes it special. Perhaps it’s somewhere with an atmospheric old town and plentiful cosy cafes. Maybe you discovered somewhere with particularly fabulous shopping that merits a pre-Christmas trip, or perhaps you found a city that impressed with its fun winter activities, from ice skating to snowy walks.

The best tip of the week, chosen by Tom Hall of Lonely Planet wins a £200 voucher to stay at a Coolstays property – the company has more than 3,000 worldwide. The best tips will appear in the Guardian Travel section and website.

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A HUGE new attraction with six immersive zones including a ride and even a waterpark is set to open in Europe.

Called Dracula Land, the theme park has been dubbed Transylvanian Disneyland and is set to be built at the cost of €1billion (£835million).

Plans are still in early stages to build Dracula Land in Bucharest which is one of the cheapest cities in Romania.

It hopes to one day be “the largest entertainment, retail, and technology destination on the continent, transforming the country into a new global entertainment hub“.

It will have everything from a theme park and waterpark to spa, shops, arena, hotels and a tech hub – all of which will be within six themed zones.

The first is the Moonlit District which will be the point of entry for guests where they’ll step through onto the main street.

Rides include a Flying Theatre and a Transylvanian Railway, as well as carousels, drone shows and a Legend of Vlad walkthrough experience

The main street which will have shops and dining will remain open into the evening.

The Family Kingdom will have an immersive zone where visitors can meet ‘legendary figures’ from vampires to ghouls.

It will also have a dark ride, 4D cinema, bat ride, toddler play zone and live entertainment.

The Transylvania area will ‘bring the legendary land of Dracula to life’.

Here there are plans for a water ride, dark ride set in a forest, a mountain coaster as well as a village playground and market.

Dracula’s Castle will be at the very centre of the theme park. Surrounded by a lake, it will have a maze, ancient ruins and dining in the Great Hall.

The Port of New Orleans is inspired by Mardi Gras and will be French-inspired.

There will be dining on a riverboat, as well as rides, shops and a werewolf coaster.

London Town will be familiar to Brits as it will transform into a busy street with red telephone boxes.

There will be plenty of shopping for souvenirs, with Victorian London inspirations as well as a theatre, horse and carriage ride and “vampire hunter training”.

Outside of the theme park will also be a waterpark and thermal spa, which will have 30 water attractions including what it claims will be one of Europe‘s biggest wave pools.

On-site are set to be three hotels, the four-star Dracula Grand Hotel, a three-star plus Dracula Family Hotel and the three-star Dracula Hotel.

Together, there will be space for 1,200 rooms.

Other facilities include an artificial ski slope for winter sports, a racing track, motor park and tech hub.

There’s also plans for an arena which will be the ‘most immersive’ in southeastern Europe.

It will have 22,500 seats for concerts, festivals and sporting competitions.

Dracula Land will also have its own “metaverse” with DraculaCoin native tokens which can be used across the digital and physical ‘metaverse’ world.

Dragoș Dobrescu, founder of Dracula Land, said: “Dracula Land brings together everything I’ve learned in real estate: discipline, rigor, vision, and the ability to keep complex teams with very different specializations together. 

“But more importantly, it adds a story that gives meaning to every square meter built. 

“For me, Dracula Land is a national project—a symbol that Romania can and must build landmarks, not just buildings or simple real estate projects.”

Currently, the master plan for the first phase is being finalised, and negotiations with investors are ongoing, so there are no details on when it could open.

Although when it does, the good news for Brits is that flights to Bucharest are cheap with return flights for as little as £45.

The Canary Islands are facing an overtourism crisis, with locals protesting over sewage-polluted beaches, soaring housing costs and water shortages following a record 18.4 million visitors

Canary Islands residents are warning that their communities are being pushed to breaking point as record visitor numbers put pressure on housing, water supplies and sewage systems.

“Tourist, go home!”, “Your paradise, our suffering” and “Even the Canarians have their limits” are among the slogans shouted at recent protests against overtourism across the Spanish archipelago.

The islands welcomed a record 18.4 million visitors last year, compared with 15.1 million seven years ago, before the coronavirus pandemic disrupted travel, according to the National Institute of Statistics. That means an extra 3.3 million visitors needing food, water and accommodation in an island chain with 2.2 million permanent residents. In 2009, visitor numbers stood at 10 million.

Development journalist Ava Hughes says the boom is taking a toll on residents and returning holidaymakers alike, reports the Daily Star.

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“Tenerife is currently trapped in a high-volume, low-value cycle that is alienating its most loyal visitors while simultaneously radicalising the local population against the very industry that provides 35% of their GDP,” she said. She described “viral images of high-rise construction looming over crowded beaches” as “symptoms of a systemic failure in the island’s infrastructure”.

“The primary grievance for many returning travellers is the feeling of being ‘sardined’ into a concrete jungle. When a visitor pays thousands of pounds for a sea view and instead spends their week staring at the rusted cranes of a half-finished luxury resort or the back of another tourist’s parasol, the value proposition evaporates. This isn’t a case of ‘fussy’ travellers; it is a rational response to a product that no longer matches its price tag,” Ava added.

The growth in tourism has been accompanied by a major expansion in accommodation. One estimate puts the number of operating hotels across the Canary Islands at 593, with approximately 265,000 tourist beds.

For Daniasa Curbelo, a young activist who grew up in a disadvantaged family in a small rural village in Tenerife, the changes are deeply personal. She remembers a local beach free of holidaymakers, with pristine water. Today, it is crowded for much of the year.

“Because of social media, no place has remained a secret from tourists,” she told IS.

Like many young Canarians, Daniasa cannot afford to rent a home as tourism and the expanding hotel sector push up costs. Meanwhile, water supplies and waste systems are struggling to keep pace with demand. “Sewer pipes are breaking into the sea and beaches are being closed. Our islands are on the verge of collapse,” she said.

In Tenerife alone, Playa de El Médano, Playa del Socorro, Playa Jardín, Playa de Leocadio Machado, La Jaquita and Tabaiba Area Beach have all been closed this year because of sewage contamination in the sea. By one estimate, tourists use six times as much water as locals, adding to pressure on supplies and farms across the islands.

John Dale Beckley, founder of sustainability platform CanaryGreen.org, told Fodor’s: “Tenerife has been under an official water emergency, but honestly, on the ground, we’re not feeling a ‘water emergency’ at all. People are still showering, watering gardens, filling swimming pools, everything as normal.”

Yet tourism remains central to the islands’ economy, directly accounting for 35% to 40% of GDP. For some residents, its continued growth feels unavoidable.

“The bad part is that everything is tourism,” local resident Jorge told Sage. “The neighborhoods—as we see—are being destroyed.”

Canarian authorities have introduced a “Zero Growth” hotel policy restricting new hotel construction licences in an effort to manage expansion. This year’s visitor total is expected to remain broadly in line with 2025, rather than continuing the increases seen in previous years.

Alongside those restrictions, investment is shifting towards more expensive, upmarket holidays. Last year, €1.039 billion was invested in Canarian hotel developments, more than in any other region of Spain. Much of that money has gone towards turning ageing two- and three-star hotels into luxury accommodation.

According to EY Parthenon reports, 44 new hotels and luxury extensions are expected by 2028, adding 6,395 rooms. The developments include a €700 million masterplan in Gran Canaria intended to deliver five new premium hotels over the coming years. As the market moves upmarket, budget accommodation is becoming harder to find. The Hotel Price Index shows room rates rose by 65% in the five years to 2023. More recently, the average hotel room price across the islands increased by 4.3% from 2025 to 2026, reaching €131.94 a night.

Travelling to the islands is also becoming more expensive. Jet kerosene alone now costs roughly €84.60 per passenger each way on typical routes from London airports to Gran Canaria, partly because of the fuel price surge triggered by the US and Israeli invasion of Iran.

Travel publication Fodor’s has placed the Canary Islands on its ‘No List’, highlighting destinations holidaymakers should consider avoiding.

Campaign group Asociación Tinerfeña de Amigos de la Naturaleza has also warned about the pressures facing the archipelago.

“The continuous arrival of new residents—mainly Europeans—worsens overpopulation, environmental degradation, and land occupation, given the islands’ very limited space. Essential resources like water are also being pushed to their limits,” the group said.

“We are losing our identity, culture, and, ultimately, our right to exist as a community. Tourism has become unlimited, mass-oriented, and largely low-cost party tourism that doesn’t come to truly discover the islands, but to consume a fake backdrop.”

The Canary Islands tourist board has been contacted for comment.

A NEW set of rules is coming into play from tomorrow for anyone heading to the States.

It comes as the Democratic Republic of the Congo faces the second-largest Ebola outbreak on record.

Brits travelling to or through the States will have to sign a waiver to confirm they have not recently been to the Congo as a form of prevention.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said anyone ‘willfully providing false or misleading information may lead to criminal fines and imprisonment’.

Brits need to either physically or digitally sign a statement stating that they have not been in the Congo within 21 days of flying into the US.

Taking a connecting flight through an airport in the Congo still counts as being present in the country.

This is the case even for those who don’t leave the airport or even the plane during this time.

The order only applies to air travel, not land or sea travel.

The waiver can be completed by printing and signing the PDF from the CDC and handing it to the airline at check in.

Some airlines may have the declaration electronically for those who check in online.

For example, Delta said that passengers may complete the form upon check in via the app.

The rules look to vary airline to airline, so it’s advised to check the individual website and contact them for clarification if necessary.

As of October 27, the CDC said there havebeen moree than 10,200 Ebola cases in the Congo and nearly 5,000 deaths.

According to local news, there are currently no reports of an outbreak in the US.

It also adds that the chance of it spreading to the US is low, but that prevention is still necessary.

The new waiver rules will come into play from November 3 – there are more details on the CDC website.

This location is a living slice of British history, featuring one of the last chippies in the world still cooking in beef dripping over coal-fired 1950s fryers

If you are sick of endless notifications and modern life, this sprawling northern village offers the ultimate escape – complete with a legendary, coal-fired chippy.

A quaint northern location has been heavily praised online for its “insane” chip shop and its unique ability to take visitors on a genuine journey back in time.

Beamish, a sprawling, 350-acre open-air museum nestled in the County Durham countryside. Designed to offer an authentic window into northern England’s past, the “living” museum is packed with period-accurate shops, traditional eateries, Georgian gardens, and vintage transport, drawing hundreds of thousands of eager tourists every single year.

According to the official Beamish website, the world-famous attraction brings history to life across several dedicated exhibits, including an 1820s Pockerley setup, a 1900s Town and Pit Village, and 1950s farm areas.

To keep the historical illusion absolutely bulletproof, you will never catch any of the in-character actors sneaking a glance at a smartphone, either.

Combined with the notoriously patchy mobile signal across the sprawling site, visitors agree this enforced digital detox is actually a massive bonus, allowing them to completely unplug and fully immerse themselves in the Edwardian experience.

Using a clever combination of authentic reconstructions and meticulously relocated historical structures, visitors can fully immerse themselves in the past – right down to the food.

There’s a vintage sweet shop that attracts long lines, as well as a legendary chip shop that guests can’t get enough of.

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Inside Davy’s Fried Fish Shop

Food content creator Robbie Thompson made the trip to the preserved settlement to try the local grub. During his visit, he stopped by the celebrated Davy’s Fried Fish Shop, which is widely recognised for its fiercely traditional cooking techniques.

Nestled in the attraction’s 1900s Pit Village, the beloved chippy operates exactly as a traditional Edwardian takeaway would. There are no modern fryers or cheap vegetable oils in sight.

Instead, staff in period dress serve up piping-hot, golden-battered fish and chunky chips cooked the old-fashioned way – bubbling away in rich beef dripping over authentic, coal-fired ranges.

The intensely flavoursome, crispy results routinely draw massive queues of hungry tourists, and Robbie was quick to sing its praises.

In a video tour of the chippy and the surrounding town, the TikToker told his followers: “This is the fish and chip shop trapped in time – one of the last in the world that uses coal to heat the original 1950s fryers, with fish and chips cooked in beef dripping.”

Praising the wider village, he continued: “The sweet shop makes candy by hand, the bakery makes the same cakes as a century ago. There’s no mobile phone reception up here, so people actually have to talk to each other. A slice of England unchanged. It’s one of the most incredible fish and chips, it’s Davy’s in Beamish.”

Captioning the viral clip, he added: “Insane chippy stuck in history. Absolute scenes.”

“The best you will ever eat”

TikTok users were swift to flood the comments with their own rave reviews of the living museum and its famous food.

One gushed: “Beamish museum – if you’ve not yet been then go, it’s brilliant, them chips and fish best ever.”

Another agreed: crowning the meal the “best fish and chips [they] have ever had.”

A third nostalgic viewer reminisced: “We went on a school trip to Beamish when I was about 10. Loved it! I’m 57 now.”

Others were heavily drawn to the village’s lack of signal. One said: “Wonder if no mobile reception is a specific tactic. What a world with no mobiles and social media.”

The overall vibe of the historic settlement left many viewers wanting to pack their bags for good, with one begging: “Make the WHOLE of the UK like this.”

Another joked: “Not me Googling if people live here, in an attempt to escape modern society.”

RYANAIR is changing its luggage rules from next week – and it’s not good news if you leave checking in bags until the last minute.

From November 10, the airline will close its bag drop off service one hour before departure.

Currently, passengers can drop their bags 40 minutes beforehand – so they’ll be losing 20 minutes.

Ryanair announced this change in April adding that it will give passengers 20 per cent more time to get through security and passport control.

It will mean that those checking in a bag will need to arrive at desks earlier than before.

The change in rules does not affect passengers who are not checking in a bag.

Ryanair CMO, Dara Brady, said: “From Tue, 10 Nov, bag drop services at all Ryanair airports will close 60 minutes before scheduled departure, instead of the current 40 minutes.

“This small change will give the 20 per cent of Ryanair passengers who check in a bag, more time to clear airport security and passport control queues and get to their departure gate before boarding begins, particularly during busy travel periods when airport queues can be longer.

“We remind passengers using airport bag drop services to arrive at the airport in good time and ensure they have checked in and dropped their bags before check-in and bag drop closes 60 minutes before departure.

“The remaining 80 per cent of passengers who check in online and do not check in a bag are unaffected by this change.”

It comes after Ryanair has dropped its hidden charges for families in June.

Ryanair said that there will be free parent and child seats available together in the rear of its planes for families.

For adults travelling with children who choose this new seating option, they will be told of their seat allocation after they have checked in for their flight.