holidays

Even as recently as a decade ago, Las Vegas hotel concierges and plenty of locals would have described the gap between the Strip and Fremont Street as something of a dead zone. This was a ragged corridor of old warehouses and auto shops, with more boarded-up storefronts than open doors.

“You couldn’t park your car and not worry,” remembers artist Gem Jaxx, who moved to Vegas in 2006 from Monterey County, Calif. “You couldn’t even walk the streets.”

Yet the idea of an arts district had been taking shape since the early ’90s, when the city identified an 18-block area south of downtown as ripe for creative development. Loosely framed by Hoover Avenue to the north and Colorado Avenue to the south, with Commerce Street and Fourth Street marking its west and east edges, this region became known as the 18b Arts District. First Friday, launched by a small group of artists and gallery owners in 2002, started pulling crowds into the neighborhood. Sometimes tens of thousands at a time, if only once a month.

The regular influx of visitors (combined with cheap rents and plenty of retail space) drew a wave of interesting tenants: antique dealers, secondhand clothing boutiques, microbreweries, cocktail bars. As the mix of businesses grew, 18b began to matter less as a set of boundaries and more as an identity.

“Very quickly it changed,” says Josh Kellman, president of the Arts District board. “Businesses here were saying, ‘Hey, I want to be in 18b.’ No one wants to feel like they’re outside the neighborhood.”

Today, the Las Vegas Arts District is a low-key alternative to the Strip for dining, drinks, art, shopping and beyond. Centered on Main Street, but with plenty to explore on neighboring Commerce Street and Casino Center Boulevard, it’s easy to spend an afternoon browsing vintage shops and gallery spaces, catch live music or a stage show, grab dinner, coffee and craft beer — and still have money left for tomorrow.

But the neighborhood is at a crossroads. After a tragic shooting happened earlier this month during First Friday, the monthly arts festival is now on hold as organizers and city officials consider how to move forward. Meanwhile, a proposed Business Improvement District intended to fund additional safety measures and neighborhood services has stirred debate over how to improve the area while preserving the independent spirit that made it a destination in the first place.

As questions swirl, fans of the Arts District hope it holds on to what makes it such a distinctive place. At a time when Las Vegas can feel increasingly engineered around sky-high bottle service, celebrity-chef tasting menus and cocktails edging toward $30, the neighborhood remains one of the places locals actually hang out and where tourists can experience Sin City beyond the slot machines. Here are 11 worthwhile stops on a visit to the creative hub.

A NUMBER of flights to and from a UK airport have been cancelled today as Storm Austen hits the UK.

The country is set to be battered with 80mph winds with the south of England and the Channel Islands set to be affected the most.

Southampton Airport has cancelled the majority of its flights this morning to destinations like the Channel Islands, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Belfast.

Some of the flights that have been taken off the schedule including the 11.20am flight from Southampton to Alderney and the easyJet flight to
Glasgow this afternoon.

Guernsey-based airline Aurigny has cancelled all its services this morning due to the weather.

Departures have been cancelled until at least midday and arrivals until 2pm.

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The Aurigny spokesperson said: “We recognise how frustrating and disappointing these cancellations will be over the holiday period.

“However, these decisions are never taken lightly, and safety must always come first.”

On its website, travel information explained that ‘all cancelled flights will be eligible for a full refund’ and affected customers will be contacted by the airline.

Some flights from Southampton remain on the schedule for this afternoon including the 12.35pm to Belfast with Aer Lingus and the 2.35pm Loganair flight to Newcastle.

On the Channel Island of Jersey, the airport has cancelled all flights this morning but should restart this afternoon.

Meanwhile, holidaymakers flying from Heathrow, Gatwick, or London City Airport have been advised to check the status of their flight today.

The area where Gatwick is located has a yellow wind warning today with predicted wind speeds of up to 60mph.

This lesser known traditional Christmas market has been crowned the world’s best Christmas market for 2026 with up to 180 stalls

With Christmas fast approaching, a trip to a traditional Christmas market abroad tops many people’s festive wish lists, and there’s one that truly stands out from the rest.

Plenty of people choose a weekend break to soak up the seasonal atmosphere, and this particular destination has just ranked highly in new research carried out by Christmas Tree World, which assessed various markets based on key criteria.

They examined Google searches, December hotel costs, admission charges, number of stalls and access to public transport to ultimately crown the world’s finest Christmas markets for 2026.

Their findings revealed that Nottingham’s Winter Wonderland is ideal for budget-conscious travellers, Dresden’s Striezelmarkt is perfect for families, and Winter Wonders in Brussels serves up the most affordable mulled wine.

Yet, there could only be one overall champion, and that honour went to the hidden treasure that is Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany.

If any location could stake a convincing claim to wearing the crown as the ultimate Christmas market destination, it would be Nuremberg.

It’s nestled within a picturesque and historic city and provides the ideal traditional escape with reasonable prices, accommodation and excellent value for money.

It achieved an impressive 8.2/10 in the study, as a market that has been running for 398 years and still attracts huge crowds today.

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Thanks to its fascinating history and delightful setting, it represents the quintessential traditional German Christmas market many people fantasise about, and with its enormous range of stalls, it certainly delivers. It’s thought to feature around 180 stalls, offering glühwein, bratwurst and the market’s own distinctive Zwetschgenmännle, which are small and adorable decorative figures traditionally crafted using dried prunes.

After paying a visit, one traveller left a review, writing: “The Nuremberg Christmas Market is absolutely magical. The atmosphere is festive and authentic, with beautiful lights, traditional wooden stalls, and a wonderful holiday spirit.

“There is a great variety of local food, mulled wine, and handmade crafts. It can be busy, but it’s well organised and definitely worth the visit. A must-see Christmas market in Germany.”

Another shared their experience, saying: “Visited here after seeing multiple reviews, stating that Newberg market is one of the best in Germany and it truly lived up to the expectation.

“The number of stalls, different handicrafts, and gift items – and obviously the gluhwein was one of the experiences. There are multiple parking spots around the market and easily reachable by train and bus.”

In comparison to other markets throughout Europe and beyond, a December hotel stay costs an average of £144 per night, making it considerably more affordable than other destinations. Most significantly, admission to the market is entirely free, and mulled wine comes at a relatively modest price.

The market runs from Friday 27 November until Thursday 24 December this year, situated in the heart of Hauptmarkt, Nuremberg.

A MAJOR airport is about to spend billions on a huge upgraded terminal.

Not only that, but British Airways is launching the new route in January with year-round flights every day.

Melbourne Airport has announced its one step closer to its $4.5 billion (£2.35million) International Terminal expansion.

New designs show off expanded check-in, arrivals and departure areas.

It will have a larger check-in hall with high-tech, common-user systems and expanded baggage claim with additional carousels.

Five additional aircraft stands will accommodate more flights.

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Throughout the International Terminal will be windows to maximise natural light for a calming atmosphere.

There will also be more retail, dining and lounge options as well we improved waiting areas for passengers.

Works will coincide along the construction of Melbourne Airport’s third runway.

Stats revealed that in January, more than 1.26million passengers travelled through the international terminal which was their busiest month on record.

Just last month the airport opened its new Pick up and Drop off zones for Terminals 1,2 and 3 and a new pedestrian bridge linking passengers to the terminals.

For anyone who lands and immediately wants a slice of Australia, the famous “kangaroo spotting trail” is right next door to the airport at Woodlands Historic Park.

British Airways is launching its Melbourne route on January 9, 2027 – flights will operate year-round from London Heathrow, via Kuala Lumpur, on a daily basis.

Flights will take off from Heathrow at 9.10pm and land in Kuala Lumpur at 6.05pm the following day.

The plane will then take off again at 7.45pm and land in Melbourne the following morning at 6.40am.

Return flights will start on January 11, taking off each day at 4.35pm and landing in Kuala Lumpur at 9.35pm.

The flight will then take off from Kuala Lumpur at 11.15pm and land back at Heathrow the following day at 5.20am.

Return flights will cost from £1,130.

Melbourne is well-worth the visit too being Australia’s second-largest city.

It was recently named the world’s best city by Time Out for its food scene, art and culture scene nightlife.

There’s the lively arts scene in Fitzroy which also has vintage shops, record stores and cosy cafes.

The city often hosts major sporting events as well, such as Formula One, and the flights are in time for the Australian Open.

Saira Hayati and her daughter wanted a ‘better lifestyle’

A British mum moved abroad to afford a better lifestyle and said she saves £2,141 a month as well as enjoying weekly £20 massages, polo lessons, a cleaner and a pool.

Saira Hayati, 50, from Gravesend, Kent, relocated in 2024 after years of navigating financial uncertainty and learning to prepare for economic downturns. The mum-of-five said her monthly household budget in the UK was around £3,612 to £3,929 and stretched to the rare massage, a gym membership and access to a lake in the summer.

She now estimates she spends £1,788 to £1,874 a month in Melaka, Malaysia, and gets more luxuries – including a weekly massage and a cleaner. Her plan was originally to retire, but she has found work doing social media and doesn’t stress about inconsistent earnings as she doesn’t “need” it.

Saira, a content creator and entrepreneur, said: “The problem is in England no matter how much you earn it’s not enough. I’m swimming, juicing, enjoying the sunshine. I feel healthier, happier, and more relaxed. My kids have said they noticed a difference.”

About more than money

The move has been more than just money saving for Saira, who is now embracing a new chapter with her youngest child while working to rebuild connections with her older children after spending most of her time focused on her career. Her other children are still living and working in England.

After a 22-year marriage ended, she found love again in Malaysia and remarried four months ago. The former director of a national mortgage brokerage says the lower cost of living has given her more freedom to enjoy everyday luxuries without the same financial pressure she experienced in England.

She said: “Over here for me to have a two-hour massage is £20. So I go for massages every week.”

Her Malaysian monthly budget includes £150 for a cleaner, £300 for her daughter’s online tuition and £87 for weekly massages. She pays £20 a month in local charges, compared with £280 in UK council tax, while her electricity costs around £100 a month – three times less than her gas and electricity in England.

Her water bill is just £5 a month, compared with £150 in the UK, while her mobile phone costs £10, rather than £50. Saira spends around £639 a month on eating out and takeaways in Malaysia, covering breakfast and dinner for three every day rather than food shops.

In England takeaways and eating out was a treat, at £100 to £200 per month. Buying her 3,700sqft five-bedroom, six-bathroom, home outright in Malaysia cost her £165,000 and Saira benefited from a better exchange rate in December 2023. In Kent, her monthly mortgage was £1,400 a month for a four-bedroom detached house.

How Saira’s outlook was shaped

Saira’s financial outlook was shaped by experiencing four major recessions and the impact of the 2008 crash on her property management business. At the time, she was working as a director of a property management agency and had a professional portfolio of 350 properties, alongside around ten properties in her personal portfolio. She spoke about the fear of falling into negative equity and having to “tighten the purse strings” on her family’s finances during the credit crunch, including pulling her children out of private school.

She said: “The cost of living is making people squeezed from every angle. The burden is heavier now than it was and people just aren’t in a position to do what they strive to.”

She said the pressure facing households in England had become increasingly difficult, regardless of how much people earned. Saira began selling properties from her personal portfolio before leaving the UK, eventually putting more than £100,000 into a Singapore vault with gold to give her family a financial safety net.

The fund means she no longer feels compelled to keep earning more money simply to feel secure. She said the £100,000 was enough to protect her family for years in an emergency living in Malaysia.

She said: “I’m comfortable in the sense that I don’t need any more emergency fund and I don’t need to earn any more than I need.”

For Saira, moving abroad was not just about cutting bills, but about finding somewhere she could enjoy a better quality of life and spend more time with her family without constantly worrying about money.

She said: “I’ve positioned myself somewhere that I know I can have a decent lifestyle that isn’t going to cost me a lot of money. That’s the kind of guidance I’m giving people having done it myself.”

Saira’s costs

Mortgage/rent

UK: £1,400

Malaysia: £0 – home owned outright

Council tax/local collection charge

UK: £280

Malaysia: £20

Service charge: grounds, pool and gym

UK: Not included

Malaysia: £30

Gas and electricity

UK: £300

Malaysia: £100 – electricity only

Water

UK: £150

Malaysia: £5

Internet

UK: £50

Malaysia: £50

Mobile phone

UK: £50

Malaysia: £10

Groceries

UK: £650 to £867

Malaysia: £80 – fruit, juicing supplies, and toiletries

Eating out/takeaways

UK: £100 to £200

Malaysia: £639 – breakfast and dinner for three daily

Fuel

UK: £217

Malaysia: £87 to £173

Car costs: insurance, tax, service, repairs

UK: £200

Malaysia: £110

Home insurance

UK: £75 – buildings and contents

Malaysia: £20 – buildings

Cleaner

UK: Not included

Malaysia: £150

Child tuition

UK: £0

Malaysia: £300

Gym

UK: £40

Malaysia: Included in service charge

Clothes, toiletries, haircuts and dental

UK: £100

Malaysia: Toiletries above; other costs not totalled

Weekly massages

UK: Not included

Malaysia: £87

Monthly totals

UK: £3,612 to £3,929

Malaysia: £1,788 to £1,874

Annual totals

UK: £43,344 to £47,148

Malaysia: £21,456 to £22,488

Need to know

HM Passport Office has issued an alert to anyone applying for a new or replacement child passport in the UK

All you need to know as HM Passport Office issues alert over children’s passports:

• HM Passport Office has issued a new alert for parents applying for a new or replacement passport for a child.
• All children must hold their own passport to travel internationally – a rule that has been in place since October 1998. The sole issuer of UK passports shared the alert on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday.
• It stated: “A child’s application must be completed by a person with parental responsibility. You’ll also need to provide documentation to confirm this.”
• Parental responsibility is automatically granted to those who give birth to the child. Fathers or second female parents may also have automatic parental responsibility depending on their circumstances.
• For example, parental responsibility is also automatically granted if you are married to or in a civil partnership with the birth mother at the time of the child’s birth.
• Should the biological father wed or enter into a civil partnership with the child’s birth mother following the birth, he will automatically obtain parental responsibility.
• A standard child’s passport costs £66.50 online or £80 by paper form, rising to £80.50 or £94 for a 54-page frequent-traveller passport.

READ THE FULL STORY: HM Passport Office alert to anyone applying for a child

Free travel to a Salzberg gem

Bad Gastein is a relatively unknown gem. The Austrian state it sits in, Salzburg, offers free local transport (the guest mobility ticket) if you are staying in the state, so you can travel to the resort via train for nothing. The slopes are directly next to the station, too.

Rob Owen

Family fun in the French Alps

Puy-Saint-Vincent in France is a wonderful, small, child-friendly resort. Our grandchildren learned to ski each morning with great instructors on the gentle slopes under amazing azure skies. Three generations then made memories of a lifetime, skiing the wide quiet slopes together each afternoon. We enjoyed dog sleds and cosy hot chocolate in the slopeside cafes. A wonderful trip.

Barbara

A historic railway and superb skiing in Norway

Gausta, Norway, is such fun. Stay at Gaustablikk, the hotel built by Kirk Douglas’s stuntman, a wonderfully quirky piece of local history. Explore Vemork, the historic heavy-water plant where British and Norwegian resistance fighters carried out their daring sabotage during the second world war. For families, the on-piste skiing is friendly and accessible; while the cross-country trails are simply stunning. Then there’s the real adventure: an old US military train climbs Gaustatoppen, opening up spectacular off-piste skiing with views and terrain that rival much of mainland Europe. It’s a brilliant mix of history, skiing, scenery and adventure, and somehow remains a wonderfully under-the-radar destination.

Fiona

Markets and gluhwein in the Austrian Tirol

As a family of four, we loved St Johann in Tirol. It’s a comfortable Austrian village with Christmas markets, picturesque churches and gorgeous frozen valley walks – with little marmosets and weasels to look out for along the river. Wherever you stay, you can walk to a gondola. It’s really near to Salzburg airport, too. In Austria, kids get all-day lessons, which is a big bonus. Parents can just kick back or wander around and have a gluhwein or two. Prices were very reasonable in the Christmas holidays.

Nick

A locals’ favourite on the Italian border

Tarvisio-Monte Lussari on the Italian-Slovenian border covers 24km (15 miles) of skiable terrain interconnected across two main sectors: the historic and stunning Monte Lussari pilgrimage peak and the Priesnig area. Used by local people and those in the know, it offers sufficient ski runs and good value ski passes and restaurants, and is much cheaper than neighbouring resorts in Austria.

Neil

Magic in the air at La Rosière, France

Stay in the attractive resort of La Rosière in France, in the foothills of the Mont Blanc region. Enjoy the short forest walk to the village, with wind chimes and magic in the air, for an après-ski drink and a cheese fondue in a local tavern with the kids.

Oliver

Off-piste heaven in the Norwegian Alps

About 50km (30 miles) from Ålesund, Strandafjellet has excellent pistes, but also some of the best off-piste skiing in Norway. Strap on a pair of randonnée skis and you can use the lifts to access spectacular backcountry skiing in the Sunnmøre Alps. The views down to the fjord make this truly special. Pistes are illuminated for evening skiing.

Graham

A charming village in Les Trois Vallées

Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, in the French Alps (Les Trois Vallées), is low at about 1,500 metres, so go mid-season. The single run ends smack in the centre of the village, which has retained its historical features along with small, friendly bars and places to eat. Plus, it gives access to the whole of the Trois Vallées ski area – absolutely amazing from one small but beautiful village. There are plenty of choices for accommodation, both expensive and cheap.

Russell Walker

Queue-free skiing for all in Italy’s Dolomites

Brunico is tucked away in the Dolomites, just a 90-minute transfer from Innsbruck. I had a great week at the beginning of March. Unlike bigger resorts, queues were nonexistent here. There are runs for beginners through to experts. Great snow and plenty of opportunities to use it.

Ian B

Winning tip: Bavarian charm and quiet slopes

Oberstdorf in Germany continues to be my go-to for a quiet and restorative ski week away. There are 130km (80 miles) of pistes for all levels, stacks of Bavarian restaurants, a wide variety of mountain huts, plenty of hotels for all budgets and family sizes, and the novelty of skiing into and out of Austria daily. Neuschwanstein Castle is a short hop away for a day off. Unbeatable value.

Daniel Stephens

This quaint town in Somerset has been named one of the best places to live in the UK time and time again – so I headed back to find out what all the fuss is about

I recently found myself back in Somerset for the first time in several years, taking a nostalgic journey with my friend who had flown halfway across the globe to mark their mum’s 60th birthday. A road trip from the capital to sweeping fields of countryside felt like the perfect way to spend a crisp autumn weekend.

My friend is originally from Frome, Somerset, but now lives on the shores of New South Wales. I hadn’t visited this charming West Country town for nearly eight years, yet had noticed its name cropping up in headlines as one of Britain’s finest places to live.

In fact, it appeared so frequently that I’ve lost track. It featured once more on Muddy Stiletto’s Top 260 Best Places to Live in 2025.

I’d never given it much thought, as Frome has always simply been my mate’s hometown, but if it’s collecting awards repeatedly, there must be something I’ve overlooked over the past decade.

What’s more, Frome’s Rye Bakery also earned a mention in Britain’s Best Bakeries by Milly Kenny Ryder. The Times even branded the town “Wokeville”, home of the “conscious hipster”. Yet to me, it’s always been a tight-knit community hub that’s cricket-obsessed, where everybody knows one another, and where pints are shockingly affordable compared to London prices.

Nestled on the edge of the Mendip Hills, Muddy Stilettos described Frome as a “community-minded town packed with arty, artisan shops, eateries and other businesses, with an indie cinema and a music venue where the likes of Paul McCartney ‘just pop in’. And it hosts the best designer-maker-producer street market in the West.”

Either I’d never properly clocked it before or the town has experienced a remarkable transformation during my eight-year absence. The town centre, filled with cobbled side streets that climb upwards, is lined with tiny boutiques and quirky independent shops, stocking everything from vintage clothing and antiques to its very own apothecary emporium.

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Streets like Cheap Street and Catherine Hill are packed with independent retailers, upmarket coffee shops, and sufficient micropubs and wine bars to keep you busy for ages. What Muddy Stilettos celebrated as “interesting indies”, my mate’s mum labelled “artisanal… and we aren’t the artisanal type”.

Another draw for both locals and visitors from further away is Frome’s abundance of markets, which by pure coincidence were running the weekend I wasn’t there. At the Frome Independent Market you’ll discover designer makers alongside artisan food and drink producers.

You’d struggle to spot many chain shops or restaurants here, which is brilliant if you’re keen to avoid the overwhelming presence of typical high street brands. I spotted just one Costa Coffee, and that was it.

My first real stop was Rye Bakery at its Station Approach site. The other branch can be found inside a church on Whittox Lane.

Even the old railway house at the station has been transformed into a compact independent food market and events venue. Alongside Rye Bakery, you’ll discover its sister wine bar, cheesemonger The Cheese Lord, Indian and Trinidadian street food, a charcutier, another wine bar, plus a community sauna and cold plunge.

Oh, and there’s a milk vending machine thrown in for good measure. You genuinely wouldn’t need to venture beyond the station.

Naturally, it would be churlish not to sample Rye’s offerings. I devoured a cinnamon bun alongside my iced coffee (on a freezing cold Sunday morning), plus a special sandwich crammed full of salami, Glastonbury cheddar, and salsa verde mayo.

It’s precisely the sort of fare I crave from a bakery, though I can appreciate that to some it might appear a touch… gentrified. The sandwich was bursting at the seams, with the heat of the salami tempered by the zesty mayo and punchy cheddar. All these trendy new bakeries have turned the humble sarnie into something rather fashionable.

Rye’s cinnamon bun proved just as delightful as the sandwich, boasting soft, fluffy dough and beautifully spiced cinnamon sugar. Not overly sickly sweet, but sweet enough to satisfy my appetite.

We even discovered an Australian serving behind the counter, and if that’s not an indication of quality coffee, I don’t know what is.

It was also pleasant to revisit some of the neighbourhood drinking establishments. You’ll encounter a mixture of traditional country pubs or independent craft beer venues. Personally, I’d head just beyond the town limits for an authentic taste of Somerset living.

I nearly shed a tear when I discovered a pint of cider for under £6. It makes me appreciate just how costly London has become, and truly, that the prices needn’t be as eye-wateringly steep as they are.

Frome has both evolved and remained unchanged. It’s still the same charming Somerset town where everybody knows everybody; where the tranquillity of the town centre feels so unfamiliar to someone from London.

The residents may not have altered, but it appears the atmosphere has, attracting a fresh generation of people to its cobbled streets. There’s a feeling of togetherness that you only encounter in small towns like Frome.

It offers an escape from hectic urban existence, where you can retreat into the countryside within moments rather than hours. It may not be exactly the same Frome I recall, but I’ll always maintain a warm attachment to the town.

I was trying to discern whether I’d made a wrong turn when I heard a loud whoosh next to me. Somehow, I’d missed the red-tailed hawk perched on a small tree, watching me from an arm’s length away.

That was one of many delightful surprises I encountered as I developed a 6.7-mile urban hike that I will share in this edition of The Wild, our weekly outdoors newsletter.

Back in May, I published a 13.5-mile urban hike (see map) that connects trails along the Arroyo Seco and in Elephant Hill Open Space, Ascot Hills, Lincoln Park, Flat Top Park and Ernest E. Debs Park. I wanted to celebrate our local hillsides but also showcase natural areas that remain under threat of development.

I have wanted to expand the route ever since I published it. I got motivated, though, when I saw that the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, or MRCA, will receive a $200,000 grant in Proposition 4 money to develop a trail connecting open spaces in Northeast L.A.

MRCA will consider how to connect Elephant Hill Open Space with other land that it owns and manages, including Elyria Canyon and Rainbow Canyon, along with parks and open spaces owned by other public agencies.

The view from Kite Hill, a high point in Mount Washington, from near North Avenue 37.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

“We’ve been thinking about connectivity in Northeast L.A. for a while, the idea being that we connect the protected hilltops and canyons creating access to the Arroyo Seco, which ties up to the Angeles National Forest and down to the L.A. River,” said Sarah Kevorkian, deputy chief of wildfire resilience at MRCA, noting that there’s great energy and momentum built by community members who want to see their neighborhood open spaces protected.

I am eager to see what MRCA and its partners develop. Based on what I’ve experienced, urban hiking trails can lead to better connection among neighbors and a deeper appreciation for nature nearest to us. In the interim, I developed the trail below that envisions what a regional connector trail could look like.

The total extension to the River to the Hilltops route is about 9.4 miles when you include the three “connector” trails that I indicate via a dotted blue line on the map. In total, the full route is now about 23 miles. Below, I explain the heart of the extension through Cypress Park and Mount Washington, which is about 6.7 miles without the connectors, including the two that would take you to the larger original trail. I made this route in a “Choose Your Own Adventure” style, hoping to inspire folks to (legally!) explore their city, hence the flexibility (and complications in explaining mileage).

Some quick logistics before I dive into the route:

• I developed the route using CalTopo, an online mapping software with a desktop site and mobile app. You can download the CalTopo app onto your phone and follow the route there; you can also download the trail from CalTopo to use on your Garmin or other device. I also uploaded it to my AllTrails profile.
• In May, I dubbed the original trail “River to the Hilltops” in CalTopo and on AllTrails. Afterward, a reader suggested “Jewel Necklace” as a name. What do you think?
• I haven’t marked everywhere you can find a restroom or water, but will try to add those as time allows. Please plan accordingly, as some stretches run through neighborhoods or open spaces where there isn’t much nearby.
• There is no single place to start this route, although this newsletter will focus on the latest extension. You can start and stop this route in several spots though.
• Trail access and conditions can change. Please follow all posted signage (and contact me if you encounter major issues).
• This route travels through several neighborhoods. Please refrain from using Bluetooth speakers and anything else that would be disruptive to residents.
• There are several places along the route where you will walk in the street of a neighborhood because it lacks sidewalks; please use caution!
• At several junctures along the suggested route, you will have an option to take a different path that will essentially get you to the same place. Do what’s best for you, and most important: Have fun, be safe and don’t trespass!

A red-tailed hawk flies over Bob Scholfield Park in Mount Washington.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

Now let’s talk more about the route (full map here).

To begin this extension into the neighborhoods of Mount Washington and, briefly, Cypress Park, I started at the Lincoln/Cypress Metro station off the A Line (previously, and forever in our hearts, the Gold Line). The station has a series of stairs and ramps that you can take down to West Avenue 26, which borders the station on its eastern-ish side.

You’ll quickly turn right (or northeast) onto Lacy Street, passing Lacy Street Neighborhood Park. I chose this option because, as you’ll see after about a quarter of a mile on Lacy, it leads to a pedestrian bridge.

A pedestrian path that leads to a bridge taking walkers and hikers over the 110 Freeway.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

It is not a well-marked or particularly welcoming pedestrian bridge, but it exists nonetheless. You’ll see a narrow walkway lined with a green metal fence topped with spikes and, later, razor wire. Did I mention it’s not terribly welcoming?

Head over the 110 Freeway via this bridge, and turn right onto Arroyo Seco Avenue and then soon left on Amabel Street. But appreciate this little jaunt, as it’s the last bit of flat walking for a bit.

A pedestrian bridge over the 110 Freeway near Cypress Park.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

Cross over North Figueroa Street, and trudge up the hill before you, which has an average grade of about 15%. You’ll pass a neighborhood sign for Mount Washington as you bear left on Isabel Street before making a quick right (north) turn onto Glenalbyn Drive. Continue northeast onto Beech Street and feel as amazed as I was when it becomes a dirt path.

As I trotted through here, I enjoyed watching a kettle of turkey vultures soaring high above the homes perched on the hillside, looking for a fine carrion brunch.

Rather than continuing on the dirt path that heads southeast, I headed up Montalvo Street. Be careful here, as there is no sidewalk. I headed north onto Andalusia Street, or Avenue on some maps, and then further northwest onto West Avenue 37.

A gate was installed on West Avenue 37 in the late 1980s to block rowdy visitors from driving to and partying on Kite Hill in Mount Washington. The route remains open to pedestrians.

You’ll soon arrive at Kite Hill, which The Times described in 1988 as “a scenic Mt. Washington location popular with kite-flyers by day and partying teenagers by night.”

The rambunctious youths were so noisy, L.A. City Council spent $1,200 — about $3,500 in today’s money — to install gates to prevent vehicle traffic. The route remains open to pedestrians.

“It’s like the Hollywood Bowl up there, but it goes on all night,” resident Bob Cummings, a real estate agent who had lived on Mount Washington for 18 years, told The Times in 1988. “It’s like a cancer that started. We’re asking for the city’s surgeons to cut it out.”

When I visited Monday, I saw no evidence of kites or parties, but I did appreciate the glorious views of our local hillsides and San Gabriel Mountains.

One perk of walking the Mount Washington leg of the route is the Halloween decor you’ll spy along the way.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

At the juncture of West Avenue 37 and San Rafael Avenue, you have two options in terms of the route I’ve charted out: You can continue northwest on West Avenue 37, where you’ll quickly be frolicking in Elyria Canyon, or you can take San Rafael Avenue and a short winding path down to Rainbow Canyon, which is also lovely.

Although I designed this leg of the River to the Hilltops route to start at the Lincoln/Cypress Metro stop and end at the Southwest Museum Metro station, you can also turn it into a loop, as you’ll see on the map.

For the purposes of this newsletter, I’m going to explain the route via the first option, continuing northwest on West Avenue 37 and then right (or northwest) onto Killarney Avenue for about 400 feet until you turn right onto some wooden, dirt-covered steps. You’ve reached Elyria Canyon Park!

Wooden stairs lead down into Elyria Canyon Park, where hikers will find several species of native shrubs and trees.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

Be mindful as you take the steps, as the loose dirt can be slippery. You will have lovely views of L.A. and its landscapes as you meander past native shrubs and trees, including black sage, toyon and wild cucumber. This 35-acre park “boasts one of the finest examples of California black walnut woodland in Southern California,” according to the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, which manages the land.

That’s one reason that a 1996 Times story dubbed this park “a living example of the Los Angeles of 200 years ago.”

There are multiple routes, and I won’t discourage you from exploring beyond what I’ve mapped out, which from the map, you can see is a quick loop, passing through the park (including Akuutet Learning Nursery and the surrounding neighborhood. If you find yourself needing a snack break, you’re in luck. (I will admit that I wanted the same while in Elyria Canyon and took a short walk over to Little Barn Coffee House, one of my favorite spots in L.A.)

The path through Elyria Canyon travels through the 35-acre park that features a California black walnut woodland.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

After the loop, you’ll head out of the canyon onto Elyria Drive and then make a left back onto San Rafael Avenue, which you’ll take for about a third of a mile. Continue north past San Rafael Avenue and Danforth Drive onto Sea View Avenue. In about a third of a mile, Sea View will transform into a dirt path as you enter Bob Scholfield Park (per the name etched into a rock under a tree).

Two red-tailed hawks flew overhead as I entered this charming stretch of the walk. I chatted with another hiker and petted his Great Pyrenees dog, as I grew up with the breed and have a soft spot for these giant fluffy goobers.

After following this dirt path as it curves around, you will return to a paved Sea View Drive. Head southeast, and you’ll quickly find yourself at Moon Canyon Park.

Moon Canyon Park in L.A.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

Developers had wanted to construct 18 homes and a parking lot in this 4.5-acre canyon, but the L.A. City Council instead set aside $550,000 to preserve it, according to a 2003 Times story.

“I couldn’t be happier because the canyon will be left open,” resident Sharon Roesler, a member of a group opposing developing the canyon, said at the time. “We don’t have enough of these places to go to in Los Angeles.” (If you want to learn more about restoration efforts here, you can visit the Friends of Moon Canyon website, which is working to restore the canyon.)

You will walk southeast down a pleasant dirt path through the canyon, noticing those restoration efforts, before you hit pavement for just a moment and then immediately bear right onto West Pheasant Drive, another dirt path.

A Chevy van parked ahead on the trail.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

I was enjoying my hike when I followed the bend of West Pheasant Drive and noticed a van parked ahead. Now, I’ve seen enough horror movies that I quickly started to write the opening scene to my demise.

EXT. DIRT HIKING TRAIL

“JAC, a well-meaning but unfortunately oblivious hiker, spots a vintage camper van on the trail. They have no idea what lurks ahead.”

Thankfully, there was nothing other than a funky DIY project lurking in the distance. I approached the van to find a cardboard sign attached (which, again, sounds creepier than it was).

“The process is as WiLD as the circumstances!” it read. “This van is unable to leave the road (you may have noticed 🙂 ) so we are resituating it to optimize space (something special, incoming!).”

A narrow dirt path called West Pheasant Drive on some maps.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

After you pass the van art project, you’ll soon reach a nest of streets, as each has a bird name. You will turn right from West Pheasant onto Quail Drive and then quickly left onto Dove Drive. Follow Dove Drive southeast and quickly take a hard right (northwest) onto Glenalbyn Drive, followed by a hard left (southeast) onto Mavis Drive and then soon a right on Frontenac Avenue, then left on West Avenue 46 to head into the park area around the Carlin G. Smith Recreation Center.

You’ll pass through a gate and meander down the path, with an optional side quest to have a friend push you on the tire swing. After shenanigans, walk through the basketball court to where the path continues in the court’s southeast corner.

This route, when I traversed it, was loose and narrow. If it feels too sketchy, take the road or use a trekking pole if you’ve brought one. No reason to turn an ankle after you’ve had an otherwise splendid day!

At the end of this rustic route, take West Avenue 45 down to the Rainbow Canyon Test Plot, a publicly owned area where volunteers are readily restoring the canyon with native plants and shrubs. There is a pleasant little trail from the test plot that goes through the canyon. You will take it up to West Avenue 44.

A previous walker left a message on a utility pole to remind us of one reason we hike.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

From here, you can either use the connector trail I’ve mapped out or head down West Avenue 44 to Marmion Way and the Southwest Museum Metro stop.

That is the end of the Mount Washington trail extension, but doesn’t have to be the end of your day. If you’re feeling adventurous, I have mapped out a connector route through Sycamore Grove Park that will take you to the Arroyo Seco and Debs Park — and beyond that!

The total route now includes about 23 miles of urban hiking. Where should I extend the route next? I’d love your feedback on how to connect our public lands.

3 things to do

The Devil’s Punchbowl Natural Area sits near the San Gabriel Mountains.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

1. Be with the bats near Pearblossom
L.A. County Parks and Recreation will host Bat Weekend on Saturday and Sunday, from 4 to 7 p.m. both days, at the Devil’s Punchbowl Natural Area near Pearblossom. Guests can participate in crafts and a night walk and visit educational booths. Learn more at the park’s Instagram page.

2. Seek out scares in Culver City
Walk ‘n Rollers will host a Halloween-themed bike ride from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Sunday in Culver City. Cyclists will travel five miles on city streets and bike paths, exploring the best Halloween decor in the area. Riders will meet at Village Well Books + Coffee. Register at eventbrite.com.

3. Blend science and the spooky in Orange
SoCal Science Hikes will host a Halloween-themed evening hike from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday through Irvine Regional Park in Orange. Participants will first try to spot diurnal animals as they hike 2.5 miles, and then after, meet at a faux campfire for ghost stories. Costumes welcome, as long as you can hike in them. Register at eventbrite.com.

The must-read

Finley Kilgo pauses during a birdwatching bike ride through the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary at the northern end of the Humboldt Bay Trail. The trail could eventually become part of the Great Redwood Trail.

(Andrew Cullen / For The Times)

Advocates of the Great Redwood Trail, a proposed 307-mile route that follows defunct railroad lines, say the route could become as epic a bucket-list trip as other great multi-day scenic trails. But at what cost? Times staff writer Lila Seidman spoke to Perry Lincoln, a member of the Wailaki Tribe, who said he and other Indigenous people in the area have been left out of the planning process for a hiking trail that cuts through their ancestral land. “We’re barely getting access to these areas ourselves, but we’re going to allow outside communities to have full access to these places?” Lincoln’s daughter Tisanche Warren said. “That doesn’t seem fair.” About 40% of the trail is complete, with major efforts planned to clean up railroad pollution and restore fish habitat. The Kinest’e Community Coalition, composed of Lincoln and other tribal members and their allies, continues its fight to not only have a say in the project but also to reroute the trail to protect sacred sites, including graves.

Happy adventuring,

P.S.

Are you interested in getting into mountain biking? Or do you want to find a community of mountain bikers? The California Mountain Biking Coalition will host Rally for the Trails, a gathering of the Southern California cycling and trails community from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Cub House in San Marino. You’ll learn from guest speakers, watch short films and learn about local ride events. Plus, you can meet volunteers from several local outdoors groups. Sounds like a great way to meet new pals!

For more insider tips on Southern California’s beaches, trails and parks, check out past editions of The Wild. And to view this newsletter in your browser, click here.

AS a live music lover, I have visited London’s The O2 – the UK’s most popular live entertainment venue – numerous times in my adult life.

But with my primary school aged child? Despite living half an hour from the venue, I’ve never even considered it as a day out. 

Until that is, I took my son to iFly Indoor Skydiving over the summer holidays and we had a whale of a time. 

Swapping my O2 beer goggles for mum goggles, I suddenly became acutely aware of all the other activities the massive dome offered, outside of huge concerts and bar-hopping. 

So we boomeranged back there during a rainy weekend to try out yet another one of their kid-friendly attractions – Activate. 

Activate bills itself as a ‘live-action gaming adventure,’ with nine different interactive game rooms featuring a bunch of activities for all ages and skill levels. 

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In the laser room, we dodged moving laser beams to reach a target, in the hoops room we had to sink a certain number of basketballs in the hoop, in the grid room we pranced across a lit-up dancefloor, and in the strike room we aimed balls to blast asteroids out of the sky. 

The best thing was every activity took max two minutes, so you were never waiting longer to get into your next game. 

During our session, which costs from £22.95pp for 60 minutes, there were families with kids my son’s age, groups of ten year olds, mums with teenagers and twenty-somethings who’d come for an afternoon out, because you can set the level at each room before you enter. 

It was the same when we visited iFly. In our group of seven, there were two tweens, a 16-year-old and a twenty-something couple on a date alongside my seven-year-old son and I. 

And we all had an equally brilliant time. 

While anyone aged 3 to 93 is welcome at iFly, you do need a degree of bravery because you have to get inside a huge, glass wind tunnel that sends air upwards at speeds of 120mph to 165mph, and attempt to do your best flying squirrel impression.

The wind is STRONG. So strong that you simply have to flop forwards as you enter the tunnel.

But I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a big grin on my son’s face as the moment he first flew off the ground, which only got wider when he opted for the special “High Flight” add-on, where the instructor took him on a spinning flight, 40 feet up towards the top of the tunnel.

Each session lasts around a minute, and everyone in our group got four sessions as part of their package (although that might change depending on group size), with the opportunity to add a High Flight to each of their goes in the wind tunnel, which cost £15 a pop.

It’s well worth doing the add-on at least once if you can afford the extra cost, as unless you’re planning on jumping out of a plane anytime soon, this is the closest you’ll ever come to flying high above the ground.

There are plenty more family attractions at the O2 too, especially the famous roof climb – with a special ‘Halloween Up at The O2 climb’ scheduled for on October 31.

But there’s also Oxygen Activeplay trampoline park and Clip N’ Climb, plus later this year they’ve got Guinness World Records London opening – the first permanent entertainment venue from Guinness World Records.

If all that fun makes you hungry, there are stacks of restaurants offering kid-friendly food – from pizza and burgers for the less adventurous eaters, to Mexican, Brazilian street food and Chinese hotpot.

We opted for Maki and Ramen, a chain inspired by the ramen shops of Japan.

As well as an extensive sushi menu, they serve up very good bowls of steaming ramen – we opted for their signature pork tonkatsu with a side of beef (my son) and the tofu hell ramen with a side of kimchi (me).

If you visit during the week, you can also take advantage of their £18 lunch deal that gets you a main, side and drink.

We popped next door to Haute Dolci for pudding, sharing two of their signature gelato sundaes garnished with warm chocolate cake, fondue chocolate and crushed Ferrero Rocher.

Stuffed to the brim with noodles and ice cream, my son was unusually compliant about a trip to the O2’s outlet shops.

The venue has a number of high street brands like Nike, Adidas, Kurt Geiger and Whittards offering up to 70 per cent off RRP, and I managed to pick up a couple of dresses for a significant discount and a pair of Nike trainers for my son for £20.

Great fun, great grub and great shopping in a totally rainproof destination? We’ll definitely be back.

Only problem now is my son’s keen to go to a gig now too…

MOVE over St Pancras – there’s a new kid on the block for rail services to Europe.

Lord Sadiq Khan has revealed plans to launch trains to Europe from Stratford International Station within the next four years.

Despite its name, the station has never had international services, but according to The Standard, the station is set to undergo a £20million project to launch trains to France by 2030.

One in three trains to and from France could stop at the station under the new plans – being a stop on services, rather than a new origin or destination station.

It’s predicted that the stop would add five to eight minutes to the overall journey time.

Sadiq Khan told The Standard: “We’ve been working closely with the Government to make Stratford International truly ‘international’ for the first time – opening up new opportunities for jobs, investment and tourism, while connecting one of the UK’s fastest-growing economic centres directly to Europe.

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“It’s time to unlock the full potential of this station and help write the next chapter in Stratford’s remarkable success story as we continue building a better, greener, more prosperous London for everyone.”

If trains to Europe did launch at Stratford International Station, around five million people in and around London would have better access to international rail services.

Services could run to Paris, Brussels, Rotterdam and Amsterdam.

And eventually, there could be trains to Germany and Switzerland as well.

The current plans are also backed by a number of businesses as well as the train drivers’ union Aslef.

Stratford International finished construction in 2006 with four platforms.

However, the two platforms for international services as well as the area for international passengers have remained abandoned for the past two decades.

In order for the area to open, more work would need to be done including making the flow of passengers through security more efficient.

The station would be able to handle around 250 to 300 passengers at a time.

Meanwhile, Virgin is set to launch services from London St Pancras also by 2030, competing with Eurostar.

A POPULAR English Island will be closed to visitors for an entire day due to Storm Austen.

It comes as winds of up to 70mph are set to batter parts of the UK, on Thursday evening and Friday.

Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour will be closed on Friday, October 23 due to Storm Austen.

It is still unclear if the National Trust owned isle will open on Saturday.

A spokesperson for National Trust Brownsea Island also told Bournemouth Echo: “We apologise for any disappointment or inconvenience this may cause.

“The safety of our visitors, volunteers and staff is our top priority and this decision has been made to ensure everyone remains safe during the adverse weather conditions.”

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The Island, which can be reached via boat from Poole Harbour, was already due to close on November 1 and will not reopen to the public until mid-March 2027.

Typically, it costs £12 to visit but National Trust members can enter for free.

It comes as the Met Office has issued weather warnings for wind and rain across parts of the UK, with two named storms due to bring disruption.

Storm Austen is expected to affect south-west England on Friday – with an amber warning for wind issued in parts of the region.

Over the weekend, Storm Boelo will affect Northern Ireland, Scotland and parts of northern England with what the Met Office described as “impactful winds”.

TUI Cabin Manager Rosie Poulios has spent over 30 years travelling across all continents – but there’s one destination that tops her list.

It has beautiful beaches, wildlife, colourful fishing villages and the best news for Brits, absolutely no jet lag. The destination in question? Senegal.

Talking about the West African country, Rosie says it combines “sunshine, culture, character and experiences” that you can’t easily find elsewhere.

Senegal is six hours away from the UK and TUI is reintroducing its direct route from London Gatwick on November 2.

There’s no time difference between Senegal and the UK either, so holidaymakers can get their winter sunshine without any jet lag. 

There’s plenty to do too like exploring Gorée Island, a UNESCO-listed island that’s car-free with pastel-colored buildings.

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On the island is the House of Slaves ‘Maison des Esclaves’ a pink-coloured building and memorial museum from 1776 commemorating millions of enslaved Africans.

For those looking to see wildlife, there’s a chance to see all sorts of animals at the Bandia Reserve.

On a safari-style drive, visitors can spot giraffes, zebra and rhino. 

Another popular experience is visiting the Saloum Delta which is waterways and mangroves which is lush with birdlife.

If you go on holiday with TUI, you can book these tours with TUI Musement – full day tours of Goree Island from £69 per adult and £48 per child.

Half-day safaris at Bandia Reserve from £59 per adult and £41 per child. 

When it comes to staying in Senegal, Rosie suggests checking into the Riu Baobab.

The all-inclusive resort has four swimming pools, a waterpark and is a few short steps away from Pointe Sarene beach.

Guests can try out water activities, lazing about by the pool and enjoying meals at its restaurants.

Rosie said:”It gives families all the convenience of an all-inclusive beach holiday while also offering the chance to discover a fascinating destination beyond the resort.

“And it’s brilliant for adults too with kayaking and paddleboarding on offer on the beach, or thatched parasols to laze the day away beneath.” 

TUI offers a one week all-inclusive stay at the Riui Boabab in Pointe Serene from £1046 per person. 

This is based on a family of four departing London Gatwick on November 30.

For anyone who has Africa on their bucket list, Rosie described Senegal as “one of the easiest introductions to Africa you can find.”

Rosie also describes the Senegalese as “some of the friendliest I’ve met”.

She added: “They’re welcoming, proud of their culture and genuinely happy to share their country with visitors.”

“You get the wildlife, the culture, the history and the scenery people dream about, but in a way that feels accessible and completely unintimidating.” 

The best time to visit Senegal is during the dry season from November to May – and temperatures sit around 30C all-year.

There’s something special about this place, known for its laid-back vibe and thriving bohemian culture, and what I think is arguably one of Britain’s best high streets.

Living in London, life can sometimes feel rather frenetic. While I adore city living, I do try to escape at least a few times a year to properly unwind.

Among my favourite retreats is Totnes, a market town renowned for its relaxed atmosphere and delightful high street, celebrated for its artistic community and flourishing bohemian spirit. It also boasts, in my view, one of Britain’s best high streets.

Beginning at the lower end of the street, you can cross the bridge spanning the River Dart and truly absorb the town’s character from there.

During the summer months, the town is adorned with vibrant bunting, while small boats drift across the water.

In autumn, it’s equally gorgeous, as the trees turn red and gold and the high street lights up with cosy shop fronts to escape from the biting wind.

There is abundant riverside greenery, and the town buzzes with energy. After crossing the bridge, pop into The Curator for a coffee – the first of numerous independent establishments scattered along the high street

The coffee is excellent, and they offer a delightful range of pastries if you fancy settling down for a snack – though don’t overindulge, there’s plenty more to discover.

The high street climbs gradually upwards and is flanked by hundreds of independent retailers, charity shops and tearooms.

Further along the high street, you’ll find the Cornish Bakery, which fills the street with the delicious savoury scent of pasties. They cater for all tastes; even my vegan brother discovered something he truly enjoyed.

As the high street curves round to the left, you’ll come across Butterworth’s Vintage Co, a compact yet impressive secondhand shop stocking everything from knitwear to workwear and even vintage magazines.

Once you’ve had a good root through the merchandise, you might fancy a swift drink or perhaps another bite to eat – and you’re in luck.

Just a short walk from Butterworth’s sits The Bull Inn, a fantastic establishment boasting an extensive organic food menu alongside nine guest rooms, should you need somewhere to stay for the night.

The highlight of The Bull Inn for me is its delightful garden, where you can kick back in the sunshine and watch the world go by. Situated directly across the car park, and much like the rest of the town, it’s frequently adorned with gorgeous bunting.

On a glorious day, it’s truly hard to beat – and if you’re anything like me, you’ll be more than ready to take the weight off your feet after all that browsing along the high street.

easyJet has announced a new scheme to pay for baby passports, but families will need to book by its deadline if they want to use the offer

EasyJet has issued a travel update for all parents planning a holiday with their babies. It’s part of a new initiative to make travelling with little ones even easier, while also helping to save money on their first trip abroad.

The cost of a standard child’s passport in the UK, including for babies, is £66.50 when applied for online, or £80 when applied for by paper. However, in an exciting announcement for parents, easyJet and easyJet holidays confirmed they will cover the £66.50 cost of newborn babies’ passports.

The offer will be available to parents who book an easyJet holiday, and you’ll need to have booked by November 26. The aim is to make travel for young families as easy as possible, while helping to save extra cash. It comes after a survey from the airline and tour operator found that 75 per cent of parents said the cover of their baby’s passport would make a holiday feel more affordable.

Elsewhere in the study, easyJet found that 4 in 5 parents said a baby’s first holiday was a defining family moment, with more than half noting it was one of their proudest milestones as a parent. Meanwhile, 47 per cent of parents said that taking their children abroad makes them more curious about the world, with easyJet holidays seeing a 10 per cent increase in the number of babies travelling this year compared to 2025.

With the cost of the baby passport covered by easyJet when booking a holiday through the provider, the parents will just need to capture an approved passport photo. Almost a quarter of parents surveyed said it took them about six attempts to capture the right image, while almost one in 10 admitted they didn’t know their baby needed a passport until they started planning their getaway.

While it can be challenging to get a baby passport photo, parents can take it with their phones at home before submitting it online, as long as it meets the official guidelines from HM Passport Office. Certainly a much easier task than having to take a baby to the passport booth at the local supermarket.

In addition, families can watch easyJet’s new short video on the Peppa Pig Muddy Puddle Parenting YouTube channel, starring easyJet Captain Kate West, a new parent, alongside Mummy Pig and the family. The video provides advice to parents on taking a baby passport photo, as well as tips for jetting off abroad with little ones.

Captain Kate commented: “We carry millions of families across Europe every year, and we know that travelling with a baby brings a whole series of exciting firsts. We want to make travel as easy and accessible as possible for everyone, including young families, so they can enjoy all the experiences and memories that travel can bring. We hope that covering the cost of a baby’s first passport goes a small way towards making that first family adventure a little easier and gives our youngest travellers a warm welcome to the world.”

For more information on the baby passport scheme, you can visit the easyJet website.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

Louis was flying home after a two-week holiday with his partner when cabin crew woke him to deliver some unexpected news about his ‘£5,000’ luggage

A Brit holidaymaker was left amazed after finding out that the plane he was aboard had driven over his suitcase – ‘completely destroying’ the bag and everything inside it. Louis Maybury, 27, was flying home from Madrid to Manchester Airport after a fortnight’s holiday with his partner when cabin crew woke him up with an unexpected request.

With approximately 30 minutes until touchdown, he was asked to remain on board once the other passengers had disembarked. He was then escorted to the cockpit, where the pilot delivered the unwelcome news: his luggage had been run over by the aircraft back in Madrid.

Louis could do nothing but watch in disbelief as his mangled suitcase appeared on the baggage carousel, containing what he claims was around £5,000 worth of belongings. His partner filmed the moment the battered bag was handed back to him in tatters on 11 July.

Louis, from Manchester, said: “I was extremely upset by the situation. I had packed two full weeks’ worth of belongings, including everything I needed for my trip.

“Unfortunately, all of my belongings were destroyed.” EasyJet staff informed Louis that his suitcase had been run over on the tarmac at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, resulting in a two-and-a-half-hour delay.

Since then, he has been engaged in a dispute with the airline over compensation for his possessions, which he valued at £5,000. Among the damaged items were a Burberry bag worth just over £1,000, an Invisalign retainer costing £500, and three Acne Studios shirts valued at roughly £300 each.

He said: “I was eventually left with no choice but to accept the minimum compensation offered and try to recover the remaining losses through my own insurance. Everything was destroyed, included a designer bag, four pairs of shoes, expensive chargers and an Oral B Toothbrush.”

An easyJet spokesperson said: “We’re very sorry that Mr Maybury’s luggage fell from a baggage cart and was damaged by an aircraft as it was coming onto stand. Safety is our highest priority and our engineers subsequently carried out an inspection of the aircraft and cleared it for departure.

“We know how important it is for customers to feel confident that their belongings are well cared for when travelling with us, so we investigated this with our ground handling providers in Madrid at the time and contacted Mr Maybury to apologise for his experience and provided him with the compensation he is due.”

Loyal British Airways customers should be aware that the UK’s flag carrier is making a change to its Avios loyalty points scheme that will come into force on November 24

British Airways passengers should put November 24 in their diaries, as the UK flag carrier is preparing to make a change that’ll impact repeat customers.

Avios is the loyalty scheme of more than 30 major airlines, including British Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus. It allows you to earn points that you can then exchange for flights, although you still need to pay taxes and fees.

Last year, BA announced a change to the scheme that left some repeat customers fuming. The price of trips booked through the scheme went up.

An off-peak return trip in economy from London to New York bought through Avios used to cost 50,000 points and £100 fee, now it costs 55,000 and £120. Similar hikes were introduced across premium economy, business, and first class.

However, now the airline has announced another change that will be a little more welcome. British Airways Holidays is updating its Avios offering. Launching on 24 November 2026, members of The British Airways Club booking a holiday package with British Airways Holidays can collect six Avios for every £1 spent on the total package price.

Avios will be calculated on the full booking value and then divided equally between all travellers on the booking. Club members will be able to collect their individual share or choose to pool their Avios through a Household Account.

BA has said that the change will make “booking with British Airways Holidays even more rewarding”. It replaces the current approach, in which all customers collect Avios on the flight element of their holiday package and the lead passenger can also collect one bonus Avios for every £1 spent on the holiday package booking.

BA has shared an example of how the new system could be better for customers. Two people heading to Crete could see each traveller collect 11,316 Avios – enough for them to secure a one-way Reward Flight to Paris each, using 10,000 Avios, plus a £2.50 fee. Previously, the lead booker could have collected 5,462 Avios and the second traveller 1,690 Avios from just the flight element of the booking.

Andrew Flintham, managing director at British Airways Holidays, said: “For many people, a holiday is the ultimate reward, so we want booking one to feel rewarding too. For Avios collectors, that relationship should be symbiotic. A holiday should not only be somewhere they can spend their Avios; it should also help them build their balance towards whatever comes next. Our aim is to create a simpler and more compelling offer for our Club members. Whether those Avios help reduce the cost of another holiday, contribute towards a future flight or make an upgrade possible, it means the value of the holiday can continue long after customers return home.”

On the balcony of a pink dockside building in San Pedro, a neon sign reading “Saturday Morning Fish Market” glows in the darkness. There’s a quiet stillness in the harbor — the only sounds are of the occasional gull and car whirring by. That is, until 1 a.m. rolls around.

Doors open at 1:30 a.m. at the Saturday Morning Fish Market.

This is when people begin to gather outside the roll-up door, some carrying backpacks ready to be filled.

At 1:30 a.m., a man in an orange apron lifts the door, releasing rays of white light onto the customers. They file inside, stepping onto the wet floor, eager to see the night’s beauties: freshly caught fish, filleted, deboned, washed and thrown onto thick mountains of crushed ice.

Shellfish, sardines, squid, mackerel and a market favorite, glowing salmon filets, sit on display. One employee pulls out crabs with a small net before letting a customer take their pick of the lot. Machines whir in an adjacent room, where fish are processed. Out back, sea lions bark, hoping for scraps.

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The Saturday Morning Fish Market, more formally known as J Deluca Fish Co., has existed for some time — owner John DeLuca claims a variation of the business began operating as early as the late ‘60s. As a child, DeLuca would greet his grandfather when he’d return to the San Pedro port with his catch, perhaps a fresh tuna or a bass to sell. For decades, the wholesale seafood distributor would open its market to the public just once a week — from 1:30 to 7:30 a.m. on Saturdays — usually seeing a smattering of mostly locals, the seafaring type, who might be shopping around after a late-night shift.

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1. Harikrishnan Babuchandran holds up his fresh fish. 2. Customers can watch their fish be processed. 3. The fish that’s for sale changes from week to week. (Linnea Stephan / For The Times)

The Saturday Morning Fish Market in San Pedro has existed in some form since the late ‘60s but thanks to social media, flocks of new customers are wanting in on the late-night seafood-buying adventure.

Neither DeLuca nor his son and co-owner, Chris, could have predicted the San Pedro institution would experience the boom in popularity it’s seeing now, especially in an industry that’s struggled over the past two decades.

Thanks to social media, the market is witnessing an unprecedented revival. At its pre-pandemic peak, it would get around 800 to 1,000 customers on a typical Saturday morning. Nowadays, up to 2,000 people walk through the doors, according to Chris, many of whom are visiting for the first time.

Owners John and Chris DeLuca.

Regarding Instagram and TikTok, where posts giving a glimpse of the late-night fish market have gone viral, John, 73, says, “I know absolutely zero.”

To his credit, he does exhibit some understanding of its effect. And he’s glad for it. “People that live within walking distance never knew we existed. Now they do, and it’s got nothing to do with me,” he says, grinning.

What’s most notable is the number of young people roaming around the market well before the crack of dawn, Chris says. The business has changed a lot since his “father’s generation,” and social media unlocked access to a new audience.

“I think people like those hidden gems and people like that fresh seafood experience,” he says.

Between rows of sea bass and salmon, the energy is buzzing. Abdul Fahwami, dressed in jeans and flip-flops, visits the fish market at least once or twice a month, depending on how many people he‘s having over at his house that week.

“Every time we come here, we buy a minimum of between 100 and 200 pounds,” he says. “Red snapper is one of the best fish.”

Branzino is a favorite among customers and employees.

He smiles as he watches employees process his fish on a long table. First, blades run against the fish scales, removing them in quick fashion. Then, there’s a swift slice across its belly, starting at a hole near the tail and ending up near the gill plate. Finally, the guts are removed and filets are cut, skin optional.

Prices change week in and week out, and depend on supply. While prices are typically 10% to 40% less than at stores, market representative Joe Castelao says the team values the “quality of our products” over “trying to cater to bargain finders.” Another advantage for customers is the ability to buy seafood in bulk, which often isn’t possible at your standard, local grocer.

On this day, there wasn’t much branzino, the fish Fahwami came early to look for. “I found only 11 pieces,” he says. “I took all of it!”

Not far away, a man named Terry Jackson waits in line; he’s wearing black overalls and swaying side to side, eager to advance.

Customer Terry Jackson at the Saturday Morning Fish Market.

“It’s definitely worth waking up a little late — or a little early, you could say,” he says. “The quality of the fish is good, plus the pricing.”

His fish of choice? “Tuna, my new favorite is tuna!” he says, proudly raising a plastic bag full of bright red filets.

Briskly pacing across the market floor are team members Mike and George Stahl, a father-son duo both wearing orange aprons and gloves.

Mike got into the seafood business about two decades ago. At the time, he lived in Florida and often purchased products from J Deluca Fish Co. By 2018, he’d moved his family out to California and started working at the market.

He says his favorite part is the variety of duties. “No two days are the same,” he says. “One day I could be selling a couple containers of squid, the next day I could be meeting face to face with someone at a conference on the other side of the country.”

Staff member George Stahl helps a patron.

He brought in his son George during the pandemic. As George explains, “We were bored and didn’t have anything to do at home so my dad said, ‘Why don’t you come down and put some boots on and start working?’”

George has become somewhat of a micro-celebrity around the market, frequently appearing in its Instagram posts. However, his time with the company might be temporary — he’s currently in school and plans to be a physical therapist at some point.

While the market is riding a wave of success, John doesn’t gloss over the grim outlook of the fishing and seafood industry as a whole. He says the industry has taken a hit over the years, between restrictions, overfishing and changing regulations.

“It’s a dying business,” John says, bleakly. “There’s very few seiners down here because it’s very difficult to make a living [fishing].

But for now, they’re able to survive. They watch as customers walk out of the market into the wee hours of the morning, proudly grasping their bags of the day’s freshest catch.

“A lot of things have gone the opposite direction,” John says. “But we’re still here.”

The fish market’s blue neon sign shines through the night.

Before it gets topped with seafood, seasonal produce and a medley of sauces, each tostada begins as a blank canvas. Local chefs are the artists, using the tostada as a vehicle to showcase their cultural backgrounds, kitchen expertise and the ingredients they love. Each bite is intentionally crafted to hit certain taste and textural marks: the crispy tostada, buttery seafood, zesty citrus and creamy avocado, plus unexpected elements that take it over the top, like tart grapefruit, piquant pickled onions or earthy salsa macha.

The best part? The seafood tostada comes ready to eat as-is, requiring no more than a dash of salsa or a squeeze of lime to complete the chef’s vision. It’s not unlike a meticulously prepared tasting menu course, except these chefs are handing over tostadas at taco trucks, food halls, raw bars and everywhere in between.

Seafood tostadas originated in coastal regions across Mexico, but in L.A., the dish pulls global influence, including a tostada topped with tuna carpaccio and cachucha pepper aioli at a Central American restaurant in Venice; salmon and chicatana ant mayo at a modern Mexican haunt in the Arts District; and scallops and wasabi aioli that merge Baja California and Japanese flavors at a Frogtown favorite.

For a refreshing bite on a hot day, or anytime really, here are 20 of the best seafood tostadas to try in L.A.

— Danielle Dorsey

PROTESTS have spread across Europe with cities like Milan and Rome affected – and with more strikes on the horizon, is it still safe to travel to?

Here’s everything you need to know right now about travelling to Italy right now.

Where are the demonstrations and strikes in Italy?

Following the unrest in France, around 100,000 people in more than 40 cities across Italy took part in a demonstration called “No Meloni Day” last Friday.

Some of the destinations most affected include Rome, Bologna, Milan and Turin.

The strikes have been around the rising costs of living, a new government budget plan and students are protesting over school conditions.

Over the weekend, protests in Milan descended into violence with clashes with police, vandalism and looting.

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Italy has said as a result, it will introduce stricter anti-riot laws. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said: “Demonstrating is a right, but destroying our cities is not.”

The new law will impact anyone joining a group of at least five people and will endanger public safety during protests with penalties up to five years in prison and a maximum fine of €20,000 (£16,759).

It’s not just demonstrations – there are strikes across the country for the next few months affecting public transport and air travel.

Ground handling staff at Bologna Airport have confirmed a four-hour walkout listed for October 29 between 12pm to 16pm, according to Italy’s transport ministry strike register.

The largest strike however is scheduled for October 30 which is a 24-hour walkout by workers in many public sectors across the country.

This includes ENIT/ENAV air traffic control and local aviation services at airports such as in Tuscany, Pisa and Florence.

Rail staff will also walkout affecting services on the Metro, on the motorways, staff and toll services are set to strike too.

Dockworkers and port staff are also set to strike and on the day there could be closures at attractions like museums.

Is it safe to travel to Italy right now?

The FCDO recently updated its advice: “Recent demonstrations across northern Italian cities have led to violent riots and looting.

“There is an increased presence of police and military personnel in Milan. Further demonstrations may take place in major cities. See Political demonstrations.

“A national strike is planned for 30 October and is expected to affect transport systems. Check with your travel provider for the latest information.”

However, Italy still remains a safe place to travel.

Are flights still going to Italy?

Currently flights are still going to and from Italy. But there could be problems in the coming days.

Wizz Air has warned its customers that flights to or from Italian airports could face delays because protests and road blockades are disrupting fuel supplies for several airports.

The airline added: “Our operational teams are closely coordinating with airports and fuel suppliers and reviewing alternative arrangements to minimize the impact on our customers, while maintaining safety as our highest priority.”

It’s advising customers to check the status of their flight before travelling to the airport.

On October 30, the planned strikes are scheduled to start at 12am until 11.59pm.

Passengers flying to or from Italy should check their airline’s flight status and monitor updates before travelling.

What if I have a holiday to Italy booked?

The FCDO has advised caution for anyone travelling to Italy, but a ‘do not travel’ warning has not been issued.

Holidaymakers can still visit Italy, and travel insurance should remain valid, but check your policy details.

If you decide not to go on a booked holiday, operators won’t have to give a refund because travel advice says it is still safe for travel.

Flight compensation rules

A look at your rights if a flight is delayed or cancelled, when your entitled to compensation and if your travel insurance can cover the costs.

What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?

Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.

If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.

You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven’t used yet.

So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.

But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.

When am I not entitled to compensation?

The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.

Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.

Some airlines may stretch the definition of “extraordinary circumstances” but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?

If you can’t claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.

Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.

Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.

If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.

A MAJOR regional UK airport is set to lose another airline – just weeks after easyJet announced it is withdrawing flights.

Aurigny, a Channel Islands airline, has announced that it is suspending its flights at Leeds Bradford Airport between Yorkshire and Guernsey.

The airline has been at the airport for a decade, with several thousand passengers using the service each year.

However, the route will be scrapped in 2027, with Aurigny saying citing aircraft availability as the reason.

The Yorkshire to Guernsey service used to operate twice a week between May and September.

According to The Press, a spokesperson for the airline said: “The route has been traditionally popular with travellers from the North of England and will not be operated next year solely due to aircraft availability.

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“Aurigny would like to place on record its thanks to the management at Leeds Bradford airport for all the support received whilst operating to the airport.

“Travellers to/from Yorkshire and beyond will still be served by Aurigny’s flights between Manchester and Guernsey, which will continue to provide good access to customers across the North and North-West of England.”

A spokesperson for Leeds Bradford Airport said: “Aurigny is choosing to prioritise its core island flying next year and, as a result, LBA sadly drops out of its programme for summer 2027.

“This will be disappointing for the several thousand passengers who have used the service each year, and certainly disappointing news for Leeds Bradford Airport as we know performance this summer was excellent.”

The decision follows easyJet‘s announcement of also withdrawing from the airport.

EasyJet will axe all its flights from the airport from January 5, 2027 including routes to Barcelona, Majorca, Malaga and Paris, as well as Geneva and Belfast.

The airline previously said in a statement: “Following a review of our routes from Leeds Bradford Airport, we have made the decision to no longer operate flights from the airport after 5 January.

“Our focus is on maintaining and developing routes which prove most popular with customers.

“We value the relationship we have built with Leeds Bradford Airport and we always keep options for our network under review, with the aim of providing more choice and connectivity where we see demand.”

Airlines such as Jet2 and Ryanair still operate from the airport.