holidays

The island is popular with Brits who can’t wait until summer to get some sunshine, with 22C weather and plenty of sunshine to enjoy in March, and lots of stunning unspoilt beaches

Those looking for a cheap, sunny escape for March might want to take a look at this island that offers plenty of sunshine and inexpensive pints. Best of all, it’s a short haul destination so you don’t have to spend hours on a flight.

Gran Canaria is often overlooked when it comes to the Canary Islands, with Tenerife welcoming the most visitors, but it’s growing in popularity as a destination especially for winter sun. In March, the island enjoys daily highs of 22C and seven to eight hours of daily sunshine; a tempting prospect seeing as the UK only gets three to four hours on average in early spring.

Flights from the UK average about four-and-a-half hours, and there’s a range of routes to choose from. EasyJet has flights from Bristol, London Luton, and Manchester year-round, as well as offering seasonal services from regional airports. Meanwhile Jet2 offers routes from airports including Belfast, Birmingham, and Glasgow, with a new London-Gatwick service beginning end of March.

TUI flies from Cardiff and Newcastle upon Tyne year-round, while Ryanair offer routes from Birmingham, Bournemouth, and London-Luton among many others. Flights from London-Stansted on Ryanair start from just £24.99 in March.

Most Brits head to the south of the island, the warmest part of Gran Canaria. Maspalomas is famous for its sand dunes which cover an area of about 1.5 miles. Dunas de Maspalomas is a protected nature area that has hiking trails that allow you to explore the desert landscape surrounded by palm trees and set around a natural lagoon.

Walk along the promenade and you’ll reach the lively Playa del Inglés neighbourhood. Known for its bars, restaurants, and lively nightlife including live music, it’s also home to several shopping centres. In Maspalomas, you’ll also find the Yumbo Centre, which is where many of the island’s LGBT+ friendly bars and clubs can be found. At night, the area is known for its colourful drag shows and it’s especially busy in May with the arrival of Pride.

Pint prices vary across the island, but are generally inexpensive as you’d expect in a Spanish destination. You can generally find pints from €2 to €3 (about £1.74 to £2.60), although some bars notoriously offer happy hour deals from €1 (about 85p).

Across the island, there’s plenty to do, from visiting volcanoes to days at water parks. Many people hike the Roque Nublo trail, which takes just over an hour and takes you to one of the island’s highest points. A relatively easy hike, it offers incredible views of the volcanic landscapes, and looks particularly lush and green in spring.

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Palmitos Park is a fun family day out set in the mountains and has nature walks, exotic reptiles, and even dolphin shows, while the Angry Birds Activity Park is a colourful playground that’s a must for kids who love the mobile game.

Puerto de Mogán is often called the ‘Venice of the Canary Islands’ and is well worth a visit for its sheltered beach and stylish marina. It even has canals, and you can take a boat ride through its narrow waterways with whitewashed traditional houses along the way. The capital of Las Palmas is also a popular day trip, especially the old town of Vegueta where you’ll find museums, historic sites, and art galleries.

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

DISNEY Cruise Line fans were treated to a welcome surprise this week when it was announced that the Disney Wish would be making its way to the UK for the first time.

Arriving next year, the ship will sail on a series of European itineraries departing from Southampton – meaning no need to faff around with flights.

And without the need to splurge on airfares, travellers have more cash to splash on board.

This year will see many mega ships sailing out of Britain on no-fly itineraries.

Sophie Swietochowski takes a look at five top cruise ships – of varying sizes – to keep your eye on in 2026 for some cracking European voyages . . . 

ROYAL CARIBBEAN’S LIBERTY OF THE SEAS: NORWAY

FUN is never in short supply on Royal Caribbean ships, and Liberty Of The Seas is no ­exception.

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Kids can hurl down three storeys on whooshing waterslides, twirl on an indoor ice rink and test their nerves in a mind-boggling escape room, all while the adults kick back with a frozen daiquiri at the Solarium Bar.

On top of al that, there are 15 lip-smacking restaurants — pizza, Mexican, teppanyaki, they’ve got it all — as well as a selection of all-singing, all-dancing theatre shows that will amaze.

And with plenty of space on the upper decks for soaking in the views, this vessel is a great choice for a Norwegian fjords cruise.

GO: A six-night Norwegian Adventure is from £547pp, departing Southampton on October 10 and calling at Stavanager and Oslo.

See iglucruise.com.

CUNARD’S QUEEN ANNE: CANARY ISLANDS

THOSE who like the finer things in life will love the grand and sparkling lobby, swish drawing room and sophisticated games room.

Cabins are equally elegant, decorated in navy and gold.

If wellness is your thing, the spa and fitness areas are some of the best and brightest at sea, home to a yoga and meditation studio, plus thermal rooms including a steam bath, Himalayan salt sauna and cold room.

And when that cold room gets too much, head to the upper decks — a late November sailing around the Canary Islands is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of sunloungers, thanks to temperatures in the 20s.

GO: A 14-night Canary Islands sailing is from £1,035pp, departing Southampton on November 29 and calling at Lisbon, La Palma, Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and Funchal (for Madeira).

See cruise.co.uk or call 0870 990 8824.

AMBASSADOR’S AMBITION: HOLLAND AND BELGIUM

AMBITION is an ideal size for first-timers, with capacity for just 1,200 passengers, meaning it won’t feel overwhelming when on board.

If you start with a short cruise, like the four-night Holland and Belgium one, you can get a feel for cruising without jumping in headfirst.

Swing by The Cavern bar, named after Liverpool’s Cavern Club which was visited regularly by the Beatles back in the day — there is live music and fresh pours flowing day and night.

If that doesn’t bowl you over, The Palladium sure will, with its constant dance, music and comedy performances.

For something special, splurge extra dosh on the Chef’s Table — a nine-course celebratory fiesta.

GO: A four-night Weekend Escape to Holland and Belgium is from £410pp, departing London Tilbury on November 27 and calling at Zeebrugge for Bruges, Amsterdam and Rotterdam.

See iglucruises.com.

P&O’s IONA: PORTUGAL, SPAIN, CANARY ISLANDS

YOU need not worry about the weather when you’re sailing on P&O Cruises’ Iona.

The ship’s vast Skydome means you can swim in the main pool come rain or shine, thanks to a glass-domed roof that gives the area a greenhouse feel.

Take That fans should grab a ticket to the Greatest Days theatre show, adapted from the West End musical with sing-along bangers.

Among the 30 bars and restaurants are Sindhu, the British-Indian fusion joint that does a knockout lamb bhuna, as well as The Olive Grove which celebrates all things Mediterranean.

A two-week Med cruise will give you plenty of time to explore the on-board shopping and bars.

GO: A 14-night Spain, Portugal and Canary Islands sailing costs from £978pp, departing Southampton on November 21 and calling at Madeira, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Lisbon, Vigo and La Coruna.

See cruise118.com/cruise/POG638.

PRINCESS CRUISES’ SKY PRINCESS: NORWAY

COUPLES should set their sights on Sky Princess, which has a more grown-up atmosphere than the other ships mentioned here.

Entertainment extends throughout the day, well into the evening.

Creative types can attend history of art lectures in the Fine Arts Gallery, while the boozier crowd can stomp their feet several storeys above at one of the famous top-deck parties.

When the sun dips beyond the horizon, snuggle down in the open-air poolside theatre for a movie under the stars and then, if you’re feeling lucky, swing by the Vegas-style casino.

Balcony cabins are still available for the Norwegian fjords cruise — you will be grateful for them with the jaw-drapping views coming your way.

GO: A seven-night Norwegian Fjords sailing is from £843pp, departing Southampton May 23 and calling at Bergen, Skjolden, Olden and Stavanger.

See cruise118.com/cruise/PRINCESSY618?variant2=1.

A travel enthusiast and On the Beach worker shared the cheapest time to book flights and hotels

People hoping to get the best deal on their summer holiday might need to set an early alarm. A travel influencer claims he knows the ‘cheapest time’ for booking flights and hotels – and it’s bad news if you like to sleep in.

The tip was shared on social media by Rob Brooks, a travel enthusiast and influencer with the travel company On The Beach. He is well-known online for providing budget-friendly travel advice, hotel reviews, and holiday tips, which has helped him amass a significant following on social media, especially on TikTok where he goes by the username @Robonthebeach.

In a recent video, Rob shared ‘three bad holiday booking habits that could be costing you £100s’ and explained how the timing of your holiday booking can affect the price. Introducing the three tips, Rob said: “I look through holiday bookings every single day, and I see these mistakes all the time.”

For his first point, Rob suggested that people shouldn’t book their holidays in the morning unless they get up early. “Your first bad booking habit is booking holidays in the morning,” he claimed.

“We see so many people book holidays between 7am and 10am in the morning. Often, that’s people booking just before work, on the commute, or even at the desk with their first coffee. And I get it, it feels like you’re being really productive and taking off something big right at the beginning of the day.

“But not many people know it’s actually one of the most expensive windows to book, because you’ve got loads of people searching at the same time. Everyone’s had the same idea, which means demand spikes, flight prices spike too, and then package prices follow.”

Rob continued: “The best times to book are statistically in the evening, between 8pm and 10pm. And actually the very cheapest time to book is first thing in the morning, between 4am and 5am. But no one’s setting their alarm for that habit.”

Continuing his video, Rob shared two more mistakes that he said holidaymakers should be wary of. In his second tip, he suggested people shouldn’t wait when they find the right deal for them.

“Don’t forget, when you find a really good deal, it’s very likely that someone else has found the same deal too. So waiting doesn’t protect you; it usually just means that the best price then disappears. So I would say this: when you find a holiday that you think is a really good price and you’ve checked it against other people, don’t wait, just get it booked,” he advised.

Finally, the travel influencer warned people against being ‘super rigid’ with their holiday dates. Rob pointed out that switching your holiday from seven days to six days, for example, could make a big difference to the price.

WHEN it comes to seaside resorts, Relais Cooden Beach Hotel is one of the most beautiful along the English coastline.

Here’s everything you need to know from room prices to dining.

What is the Relais Cooden Beach Hotel like?

A recently restored mock-Tudor hotel, the former holiday home of the aristocratic De La Warr family, set right on Cooden Beach.

A lot of hotels claim to be by the sea but this one really is – and with uninterrupted views across the Channel.

It’s friendly, welcoming and perfect for relaxing or for walking the dog.

What are the rooms like?

Take your pick from a range of comfortable and spotless sea-themed rooms and suites, many with sea views and all with wifi, 24-hour room service and tea and coffee-making facilities.

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There are single rooms, family rooms, accessible and dog-friendly ones available.

Rooms from £170 a night with breakfast included.

What is there to eat and drink there?

The Rally Restaurant offers a good range of evening meals, from burgers, steaks and pork belly to fish and chips and catch of the day, much of it locally sourced.

Plenty for veggies too.

If it’s sunny, sit on the terrace and enjoy the view as you eat.

What else is there do to at the hotel?

For a real taste of luxury visit the hotel’s spa.

We had a Deep Sea Soother facial, which was 90 minutes of bliss – but make sure you book treatments when you book the hotel room as it gets very busy.

The Relais is also very handy for Cooden Beach Golf Club and there is free parking.

It’s a great base for a holiday exploring East Sussex, for a long weekend or that special celebration.

It’s also perfect for an overnight stay if you go to a gig at the De La Warr Pavilion in nearby Bexhill.

Is it family friendly?

Yes, there are family rooms that sleep four and have direct access to the shoreline.

The restaurant has a kids menu, along with an ice cream cart and garden games in the summer.

Does it have accessible facilities?

They have accessible rooms which have wide doorways and an adapted bathroom with grab rails and a walk-in shower.

OVER the past four years, I have lived in the ‘danger zone’ of Infernos nightclub in South London yet somehow managed to avoid visiting it.

But this past weekend, in the name of journalism (and perhaps self-sabotage) I finally crossed the threshold after Hollywood royalty, Margot Robbie, confessed her love for the venue.

In fact, the actress – who is currently celebrating the release of her latest film Wuthering Heights – admitted to signing the lease on a house just down the road from Infernos, because it was close to the club.

Infernos has welcomed partygoers since the 1980s, previously named Cinatra’s, before it became the famous Infernos in the 90s.

Since then, it has become somewhat of an institution for London newbies moving to Clapham, with other young celebs even including Lola Tung being spotted inside (as well as the lads from Inbetweeners after it doubled as Malia in the movie).

Despite only opening on Friday and Saturday nights, it has remained one of London’s most popular clubs – so what is it really like inside?

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The Sun’s Travel team have spent their own time there – Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey said: “I lived in South London for more than eight years, so that included a trip to the famous nightclub.

“It’s safe to say I only went a few times. Call it a ‘rite of passage’ if you will, it’s the kind of place where you go in with great intentions, and come out with a drained bank account, wet hair from thrown drinks, missing half your friends and a shoe, before passing out at one of the few kebab shops still open at 3am”.

Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski echoed this: “Infernos is like Disneyland for 20-somethings.

“I’m a terrible dancer, but here no one cares. The only rule is make sure you’ve fuelled well at pre-drinks and come with an anything-is-possible attitude.

“You don’t need to be cool to visit. And there are no hard rules. Want to let loose? Go for it. After a dancefloor snog? So is everyone else. Tight for cash? Brian, who you met just five minutes ago will probably buy you a drink – because that’s just the type of friendly and deliriously happy environment this club fosters.”

Now, myself – I hate clubbing. I don’t like the crowds, the cost of it or the conversations that feel more like talking to your deaf grandmother.

And one thing you should probably know about Infernos is that most nights, its queue snakes down Clapham High Street, as it tries to fit in as many as the 1,500 capacity allows.

And that’s before you fork out as much as £20 for entry.

My night started off pretty well – not only did the queue move pretty quickly even at 11pm, but I was left disappointed by the lack of sticky carpets I was so-warned about.

There are two rooms to choose from – the main club and the 70s vibe ‘Discotheque’.

I squeezed past finance bros chugging VKs to the massive dancefloor, where hundreds of mid-twenty-somethings danced to noughties throwbacks like Beautiful Girl by Sean Kingston and Black Eyed Peas’ I Gotta Feeling.

It has all the makings of a cheesy nightclub from the discoball DJ booth to the dancing podiums on either side.

Waiting my turn from the revolving wannabe-dancers of the podiums, I took to one myself.

Any embarrassment I thought I would feel from essentially dancing on a table top in front of the club was quickly gone.

For a few minutes, I scream-sing, becoming feral and questionably moving to the music.

I hopped off on a buzz, before being replaced by another woman wearing an outfit much more appropriate for the dancing occasion.

The debauchery continues over at the two ‘Kissing Corners’.

I watched clubbers linger as if they were auditioning to be on Love Island – just Clapham’s own version.

My courage did fail me here, having never aspired to become a Love Islander, although I may have yelled “I’ve got a text” just to get away from it all.

Not that anyone would have believed me – the lack of mobile phone service in Infernos means you have no hope of contacting any lost members of the group.

If you feel you have swayed too close to the dark side, then tucked away in another corner of the vast club is, bizarrely, a confessional booth.

I lined up to confess to the ‘priest’ although sadly my sin was not sin-worthy enough. If it had been, I’d have been rewarded my own sacramental wine in the form of a shot.

It’s here I spotted a Blue Plaque too – Margot’s very own shrine installed about six months ago.

My plans to leave the club by 1am had already been thwarted by this point, but there were more surprises in store.

If you manage to stay until 1:30am, you’ll be there for the balloon drop too, another nod to teenage nostalgia.

After venturing around every corner of this chaotic club, why Margot loves Infernos became clear.

In a world of nights out curated for Instagram, Infernos is unapologetically itself and invites everyone who visits to be the same.

It’s a fever dream experience where unseriousness is celebrated and you become just another member of the crowd.

Most people say Infernos is grotty, unhinged, sticky-floored and expensive (a double G&T is £12, while cloakrooms are £3.50 per item).

Though they all come to the same conclusion that it is a great night out.

Will I return soon? Let’s not be dramatic.

But if Margot Robbie felt even the slightest bit of liberation that came with being unashamedly yourself, then I finally understand the appeal.

Staggering out at 3am – I think I did Margot proud. Even I didn’t get thrown out like she did…

In other travel news, here are the 50 best bars around the UK.

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The charming Georgian market town is packed with independent shops, cafés and a rich history dating back to the 1708 Great Fire – and it’s one to have on your staycation wishlist

Strolling through the delightful market town of Holt, situated near the north Norfolk coastline, you’ll undoubtedly be captivated by its wealth of exquisitely maintained Georgian architecture.

Yet without a devastating blaze, the town’s appearance might have been entirely different, and its heritage extends much further back than the Georgian period. Holt featured in the 1086 Domesday Book, where it was recorded as a market town boasting five watermills and twelve plough teams, establishing it as a thriving and affluent community by medieval measures.

Its fortunes shifted dramatically on 1st May 1708 when The Great Fire of Holt swept through the town, its timber-framed medieval structures proving powerless against the inferno. In just three hours, a substantial portion of the town’s heritage vanished forever, with damage exceeding £11,000 reported – equivalent to more than £2.1 million today.

Contributions flooded in from throughout the nation and reconstruction commenced, though this time with a striking Georgian character that persists to the present day. Among the handful of structures surviving in an earlier architectural style is the Norman church of St Andrews.

Whilst its thatched roof was consumed by flames, the majority withstood the fire and it remains amongst the town’s most ancient buildings. Many of the watermills were decimated and never restored, but Letheringsett Watermill emerged in their stead in 1802, reports the Express.

It now holds the distinction of being Norfolk’s oldest operational watermill, producing flour to this day. Visitors can delve into the mill’s rich history or indulge in a homemade cake at the tearoom, made with locally sourced ingredients.

The town boasts a delightful high street dotted with Georgian buildings that have been transformed into quaint independent boutiques. Meander through the streets and you’ll stumble upon cosy cafés, historic pubs, and traditional tearooms.

From April to December, on the first Sunday of each month, Holt Sunday Market commandeers the town centre, featuring a plethora of traders peddling crafts, artisanal local food and drink, and global street food.

Holt also serves as a gateway to some of north Norfolk’s top attractions. Baconsthorpe Castle is merely a 10-minute drive away, offering free entry to explore the remnants of this once magnificent 15th-century castle.

Once the pride of a wealthy family, the castle was gradually sold off piece by piece as their fortunes dwindled, though parts of the edifice still stand.

A short journey will also take you to the Muckleburgh Military Collection. This family-run museum, located in a former Royal Artillery Anti-Aircraft training camp, is a treasure trove for military enthusiasts, housing an extensive collection of tanks, weaponry, and uniforms.

It’s a must-visit for any history aficionado. For those seeking somewhere distinctive to rest their heads, Byfords in the town centre is worth considering. Housed within a grade II listed building that ranks among Holt’s most historic, it offers 16 well-appointed bedrooms alongside a favoured restaurant downstairs dishing up seasonal fare.

Alternatively, secure accommodation at The Feathers, a Georgian coaching inn boasting 24 rooms – including dog-friendly options – and a welcoming pub below complete with an open fireplace.

If you’re looking for alternatives to Benidorm, there’s a destination that’s becoming increasingly popular with Brits who are seeking sunshine, inexpensive pints, and lively nightlife

Benidorm is the perfect choice of destination if you like a lively atmosphere, plenty of beach space, and clubs within walking distance of your hotel. However, in recent years, many tourists have been looking for alternatives to the Spanish town, and if you’re bored of Beni, there’s another fun destination about 3.5 hours from the UK.

Sunny Beach in Bulgaria has many similarities to Benidorm. Both resorts were developed in the 1960s with the package holiday boom, and Sunny Beach’s promenade with its high rise hotels could easily be mistaken for Benidorm’s Levante Beach area.

However, with some tourists complaining about Benidorm prices in recent years, Sunny Beach offers a cheaper alternative. YouTuber Travel with Col made a video of some of Sunny Beach’s prices in June of last year and showed deals such as two cocktails for £4.60, and beers for £1.50.

As the name implies, Sunny Beach sits on a long stretch of sandy coast. The Blue Flag beach is about six miles long, and there are quieter spots to be found for those who want to relax or enjoy more of a family-friendly atmosphere. The sand gently slopes into the Black Sea, and waters are shallow, clear, and calm, ideal for swimming or snorkelling.

Central Beach is at the heart of the action, and along the coast is a huge number of beach bars, nightclubs, and large hotels. By day, you’ll see people lounging on sunbeds with cocktails and enjoying DJ sets, while at night, the clubs are packed with people dancing until dawn. Many clubs open until five or six am, just as the sun comes up, but some spots such as Cacao Beach open 24-hours a day, so the party never stops.

Inland, the town is a tourist haven, full of shops selling beachwear, a market with lots of colourful stalls, and inexpensive fast food joints. You’ll find restaurants serving cuisine from around the world, as well as a few Bulgarian places where you can try Balkan dishes. Sunny Beach Amusement Park is popular with families, offering fairground rides and rollercoasters, while the Action Aquapark has pools, slides, and a lazy river.

Most Brits arrive via Burgas Airport, which has seasonal connections with airlines including easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair, TUI, and Wizz Air. It’s about half an hour from Sunny Beach, and has good public transport connections.

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It’s worth taking a day trip to Burgas to explore this historic Bulgarian city. Attractions include The Sea Garden, famous for its pier which looks a lot like something you’d see at the British seaside. Dino Park is an amusement park with animatronic dinosaurs, allowing you to feel like you’ve stepped back in time, and there’s the vast Mall Galleria where you’ll find lots of popular European chains.

Finish your day with a boat trip to St. Anastasia Island. Dating back to medieval times, this tiny 2.5 acre island has a monastery, museum, and historic lighthouse to explore.

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

A POPULAR UK holiday park has gone into administration after nearly 20 years.

The future of the resort, which features a retail village, golf course, and theatres, currently remains uncertain.

Stonham Barns Park, based in the Suffolk countryside, filed the notice on Monday, February 16.

David Hudson and David Hinrichsen of FRP Advisory have been appointed as joint administrators following a period of financial pressure on the business”.

The administrators confirmed they are focused on continuing to trade the site while seeking a buyer, with the aim of securing the park’s future as a going concern.

All existing holiday bookings will be honoured, and the site will continue to take new bookings, with all facilitiesoperating as normal throughout the administration process. 

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David Hudson, joint administrator and partner at FRP, told The Sun: “We are very much focussed on business as usual and want to reassure guests with existing bookings that these are unaffected.

“Anyone considering booking a visit can make one with confidence too.  

“We are actively marketing the site for sale and would welcome bidders who see the opportunity here with a well-established and popular caravan park.” 

Located conveniently on the A1120 tourist route, Stonham Barns Park was first opened in 1987, with the current management taking over in 2001.

Stonham Barns eventually evolved into a multi-facility destination, offering fun for all the family for 362 days of the year.

The park is famous for hosting niche enthusiast shows, including historic re-enactments of the Viking era, as well as classic car shows and darts tournaments.

Visitors can also enjoy countless onsite attractions, including an indoor soft play area, a pirate-themed adventure golf, a vibrant shopping village, an owl sanctuary and Meerkat castle, fair rides, and fishing lakes.

The park is also popular with golf enthusiasts, offering a nine hole golf course, simulator bays, a street golf driving range, a chip n putt course, golf darts, and foot golf.

Stonham Barns Showground is also located within the park, hosting numerous events throughout the year, including an annual dog show and a Christmas spectacular.

Visitors can also rent or buy holiday homes on-site, including luxury lodges situated around the scenic lake.

In December, the HMRC issued the park with a Winding Up Petition, a last‑resort enforcement tool when other collection options have been exhausted.

A deadline was reported for the end of January, with no official amount disclosed.

At the time of issue, company directors publicly stated that the park was fully in funds to meet the obligation and that there was no risk to the ongoing operation of the resort and its on‑site businesses.

The Sun has reached out to Stonham Barns for comment.

At one of the most popular tourist destinations, which dates back more than 5,000 years, visitors throw coins into a toilet in what they believe is a wishing well

The UK’s ‘lost city’ has been attracting tourists from around the world – but most of them want to toss pennies into a toilet.

Skara Brae, on the Orkney archipelago in Scotland, is a preserved Neolithic village that was inhabited by a farming community around 5,000 years ago. It stands as one of the finest-preserved farming settlements across the British Isles and is known as the “Scottish Pompeii”.

The village was inhabited between 3100 and 2500 BC, and its close proximity to the sea allowed its residents to easily hunt for fish while also growing crops and tending to their various animals. It isn’t exactly clear why Skara Brae was abandoned, but it’s thought to have become uninhabitable due to climate change and severe weather.

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It was left largely untouched until a storm in 1850 uncovered the site, revealing its fascinating past and prehistoric dwellings. Following a dig at Skara Brae, remnants of the community were further uncovered, including stone dressers and box beds, along with artefacts such as tools, gaming dice, pots and jewellery.

Together with a substantial chambered tomb (Maes Howe) and two ceremonial stone circles (the Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar), the settlement now forms part of the “Heart of Neolithic Orkney” collection of monuments, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.

Dating back thousands of years, the site remains one of the island’s most popular tourist attractions, drawing crowds near and far. In a long-standing tradition, superstitious visitors have frequently thrown pennies into an ancient hole in the ground of the preserved Neolithic village, believing it to be a wishing well.

However, it’s actually a toilet – and not everyone realises. Experts have outlined that the hole in the ground is merely an “old sewer” and a network of well-constructed drains and substantial cisterns.

Local tour guide from Orkney Uncovered, Kinlay Francis, previously shared on Facebook: “For years, people have been throwing money down a subterranean hole in the Skara Brae ground, thinking they are throwing money down a well to make a wish.

“I have great delight in telling my clients and anybody who throws their money down there that they are, in fact, throwing money down a toilet.

“This is the old drain/sewer from the Skara Brae site. It is not, and I repeat, not a wishing well. So don’t go there to spend a penny.”

The post quickly amassed over 2,000 reactions and nearly 150 comments, as people couldn’t believe the hilarious mix-up. One person remarked: “Oh! So! Priceless!”, while a second said: “Really a p*****g well not a wishing well then”.

A third commented: “It’s not a wishing well…it’s a s******g well.” Yet, not everyone was prepared to ditch their beliefs, as one noted: “Still…maybe brings good luck”, and another stated: “Where there is muck, there is brass!”

The confusion hasn’t stopped visitors from marvelling at the Neolithic village, and it’s received outstanding praise on TripAdvisor. One traveller shared: “Skara Brae Prehistoric Village is a must-see if you are in the Orkney Islands. Such an interesting place. You will be blown away by how well-preserved this 5000-year-old site is.”

A second commented: “This was my second time to Skara Brae and it was just as wonderful as the first. The setting of this village is spectacular, and on this visit, the weather was outstanding. On my first visit, the rain was blowing sideways. It is fantastic to view the site and then visit the reconstructed house to see how these people lived. Not so different from us – pretty pots, stone dressers and reasonably comfortable beds with skins as duvets!”

One more noted: “A must-see bucket list experience older than the Giza pyramids. Although the museum is small, the recreated room really brings alive the site. They even had plumbing. Once you are at the site, you can tour the homes from the walkway, which shows the genius of the ancient culture. Plentiful parking with a good gift shop/cafe.”

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

SPRING Break travelers are set to be hit by disruption amid the partial government shutdown.

Major airlines and travel groups have urged Congress to sort out funding for thousands of Transportation and Security Administration workers.

It comes as millions of high school and college students are preparing to travel nationwide for Spring break.

The annual one-to-two-week academic vacation period is kicking off soon.

But, holidaymakers and flyers will be hit by annoying flight delays and longer wait times at security due to the partial US homeland security shutdown, according to travel groups and airlines.

And, TSA staff are likely to suffer financially, reported Simple Flying on Saturday.

“Not again: 50,000 TSA officers face unpaid work as shutdown threatens Spring Break travel,” its headline warned.

“As yet another government shutdown looms, so does one of the busiest travel times of the Year — spring break,” said U.S. Travel, Airlines for America, and the American Hotel & Lodging Association in a joint statement last Friday.

“Travelers and the U.S. economy cannot afford to have essential TSA personnel working without pay.”

They warned that the funding delays raise “the risk of unscheduled absences and call outs, and ultimately can lead to higher wait times and missed or delayed flights.”

The partial government shutdown began on Saturday over money for the Department of Homeland Security.

Congressional Democrats and President Donald Trump’s team failed to reach a deal on legislation to fund the department through September.

And their inability to reach a compromise has sparked huge concern within the travel and hospitality industry – particularly with Spring break looming, plus the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The United States, along with Canada and Mexico, will be hosting the biennial football competition from June 11 through July 20.

Airlines for America also warned that funding uncertainty is “creating lasting damage to the entire travel ecosystem.”

The organization said the damaging interruption would hit “airlines, hotels and thousands of small businesses the travel industry supports.”

Tips on getting through TSA security faster during the 2026 partial shutdown

Funding for the DHS expired at midnight last Friday

The 95% of TSA workers deemed essential personnel will be required to keep working – but without pay.

To minimize delays at the airport:

• Arrive at the airport with ample time to pass through airport security – about 1–2 hours before your flight
• Ensuring you are dressed without excess layers or metal devices
• Slip-on shoes also make the screening at TSA much quicker

Source: Simple Flying

“With America’s 250th anniversary and the 2026 World Cup this summer, the nation should be focused on showcasing the country on the world stage and maximizing the multi-billion-dollar economic opportunity these events bring,” the statement added.

“A lapse in TSA funding will significantly undermine those efforts.

“Last year’s shutdown alone resulted in an economic impact of $6 billion —nearly $140 million per day — and disrupted travel for more than 6 million travelers.”

FATAL SHOOTINGS

It comes days after Delta Air Lines’ boss told international visitors ahead of the World Cup that the U.S. remains a welcoming destination despite the controversial crackdown on immigration.

“Hopefully, the World Cup will bring a lot of Europeans, a lot of international visitors into the US market,” said Ed Bastian last Thursday.

“Yes, the US has a focus on immigration. This is not immigration. This is tourism,” Bastian added.

“And as long as people are coming with the proper credentials, they’re not having any issues.”

Democrats are demanding changes to how immigration operations are conducted after the fatal shootings of U.S. citizens Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal officers in Minneapolis last month.

Congress is on recess until February 23.

OFF SICK

The longer the shutdown continues, the more likely flyers will be hit with delays as they will have to queue in longer lines at airports if workers call in sick.

Ha Nguyen McNeill, the acting TSA administrator, explained last Wednesday that TSA remained “laser-focused on returning the U.S. back to being the top global travel destination.”

Spring break 2026 – in numbers

• Spring breakers are primarily high school and college students
• 2 million college students travel for the holiday nationwide
• Florida enjoys a $2.7 billion economic windfall from Spring break
• Cancun’s Spring break tourism brings in $300 million yearly
• More than 500,000 students flock to South Beach Miami
• 1.5 million visitors attend Spring break in Panama City Beach
• Only around 30% of bookings are made within 30 days of travel
• The most popular domestic beach destinations this year are: Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Los Angeles, and San Diego

Sources: Travel Awaits and Gitnux

However, this can’t happen “in a timely manner if Congress does not fund DHS through the end of Fiscal Year 2026.”

“With the United States hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup in June of this year, TSA does not have the luxury of time to prepare for the influx of passengers and international travelers,” McNeill warned.

“A lack of funding and predictability will pose significant challenges on our ability to deliver transportation security for the American public with the level of excellence we expect, and the American taxpayer deserves.”

It follows a record 43-day shutdown last fall.

TSA agents fall under the DHS.

Considered to be one of the UK’s best cities with Roman ruins and a historic market, I was expecting more, but after visiting at the weekend, I left feeling underwhelmed and wouldn’t rush back.

I’m passionate about exploring fresh destinations across England, so when a particular city kept appearing on my social media timeline, I knew I had to make the trip. St Albans is a historic cathedral city in Hertfordshire, England, situated approximately 20 miles north of London.

Nowadays, it’s recognised as an appealing and wealthy commuter hub, yet its heritage extends back almost 2,000 years. Combining Roman archaeological remains and medieval thoroughfares with contemporary retail outlets, St Albans has evolved into one of the most historically significant cities in southeast England.

St Albans’ roots trace back to the Roman settlement of Verulamium, established in the 1st century AD and growing into one of Roman Britain’s largest urban centres.

The settlement served as a vital hub for commerce and administration, featuring temples, bathhouses and a theatre. Sections of the Roman fortifications and mosaics remain visible today, especially in and surrounding Verulamium Park.

The vestiges of this Roman community constitute a significant element of the city’s character and draw numerous tourists annually.

The city takes its name from St Alban, traditionally regarded as Britain’s first Christian martyr, who was put to death for sheltering a Christian priest.

A memorial erected in his memory eventually became St Albans Cathedral, which continues to be the city’s most renowned monument.

Currently, it’s a thriving and affluent city celebrated for its heritage, open spaces and excellent transport connections to London. I popped over to St Albans this past weekend and left feeling somewhat let down.

Given its stellar reputation, I’d anticipated something rather more refined, yet sections of the town centre appeared decidedly weary.

Certain streets looked decidedly shabby, whilst the uneven footpaths made strolling about considerably less enjoyable than I’d envisaged.

The town was absolutely heaving as well, which contributed to a feeling of disorder rather than character, and securing a parking spot proved far trickier than expected. This might have been down to it being market day.

I kicked off my morning at The Ivy for brekkie, what should have been a proper treat at a restaurant I previously adored. However, it failed to impress, with sluggish service and subpar fare.

That being said, alternative dining options were genuinely brilliant. I grabbed a bite at Japes, where the pizza was absolutely cracking, and also popped into Knoops for a decadent hot chocolate.

Regarding places to grab food, drinks and browse, the town absolutely excels, as it does with its historical offerings.

It’s also difficult to write off entirely a place boasting shops like Anthropologie, Oliver Bonas and Space NK – that trio alone typically indicates a respectable retail destination. Yet, notwithstanding that, I’m uncertain I’d be keen to return in the near future.

Just in time for the February half-term and to prevent the stress of travel, Wizz Air is offering a new nifty bag drop of hack for UK holidaymakers who have early morning flights

Ahead of a busy travel period, Wizz Air has introduced a new check-in procedure that allows UK travellers to drop their bags off at the airport the day before they fly.

Airports are expected to be busier than usual as hundreds of families jet off abroad during the February half-term for a sun-soaked getaway, while other travellers seek a winter escape amid the chilly British weather. In a bid to help Brits have a smooth start to their holiday, Wizz Air has introduced a twilight check-in option.

Available from today (Monday, 16 February), the new service allows passengers to check in and drop their luggage off at London Luton Airport the night before they fly. It will be available seven days a week, between 9pm and 2am, for travellers departing on a flight scheduled up to 9am the following morning.

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Wizz Air is the third airline to offer twilight check-in at Luton Airport, following EasyJet and Jet2, who introduced the option to their passengers last year. It comes at the perfect time amid the February half-term, as Luton Airport alone is predicted to handle a whopping 325,000 passengers during the week. (It’s worth noting that TUI also offers the service although not from Luton, but other airports including Gatwick).

Following Valentine’s weekend, Amsterdam, Bologna and Paris are thought to have been Luton Airport’s most popular destinations for couples jetting off for a romantic escape. Meanwhile, Berlin, Budapest, Lisbon, Prague and Seville are among the favourite destinations for a half-term city break, offering warmer climates and charming streets to explore.

For UK travellers looking for a sun-soaked getaway, Palma de Mallorca, Murcia and Malaga are ranked as Luton’s most favourable destinations. While Lanzarote, Madeira and Turkish hotspots Antalya and Dalaman have also proven popular among those looking for a winter sun escape with blistering rays.

To keep up with demand, Wizz Air is set to launch new routes from Luton to Barcelona, Madrid, Bilbao, Valencia and Seville from March 29. Meanwhile, Jet2 will launch five new routes to Corfu, Kos, Preveza, Skiathos and Menorca, from May 21.

Clare Armstrong, Head of Guest Experience at London Luton Airport, commented: “February half term provides the perfect opportunity to take a well-earned break and to escape the notorious British weather that we typically see this time of year. As ever, our teams will be working hard to deliver a simple and friendly passenger experience to all those travelling from the airport, from Valentine’s couples heading off for a romantic getaway, to families searching for sunshine and solo travellers exploring new regions.

“The launch of another twilight check-in service will mean even more passengers can get their travels off to the swiftest and simplest start and follows another hugely exciting year for LLA, with continued investment in passenger facilities, new shops and restaurants and record customer satisfaction scores achieved. We are all set for another busy and exciting week, and we’re thrilled to see so many passengers choosing LLA as the starting point for their travels.”

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

A MAJOR regional airport in the UK has launched its largest ever flight schedule as it prepares for its busiest year yet.

Newcastle Airport is expecting to see six million passengers this year, as it adds 19 new routes.

New destinations include Lisbon and Porto in Portugal; Nice in France; Palermo in Italy and Preveza in Greece.

A number of flight routes are also returning to the airport including Berlin in Germany; Copenhagen in Denmark and Enfidha in Tunisia.

And there will be services to:

• Malta
• Antalya
• Malaga
• Alicante
• Gran Canaria
• Tenerife
• Paris
• Faro
• Geneva
• Paphos

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Of the new routes, easyJet will start flights to Nice, France in March 2026 and Malta this summer.

The airline will also start flights to Faro in Portugal between March and October and to Enfidha, Tunisia, flights will begin in time for summer.

Jet2 will start operating flights to Preveza, Greece in May 2026, for the summer season and flights to Palermo, Sicily from May too, with weekly flights until November.

The airline will also launch its first flights to Porto in Portugal in May, running for the summer season until October.

The airport also recently announced that easyJet is launching new routes to Lisbon and Rome Fiumicino.

The two routes will launch this summer with the Newcastle to Rome route starting on March 30 and the Newcastle to Lisbon route starting on June 22.

Both new routes will operate on Mondays and Fridays.

Leon McQuaid, director of Aviation Development at Newcastle Airport, said: “Lisbon is a brand-new destination from Newcastle Airport and one we’ve been keen to deliver for the region on the back of strong customer demand and feedback, so it’s fantastic to see flights and package holidays now on sale, alongside easyJet’s new route to Rome.”

“With just two months to go until easyJet opens its new base, this investment is not only delivering exciting new routes but will also bring significant economic benefits to the North East, including creating 130 direct jobs and supporting around 1200 UK jobs in total as well as attracting more visitors to the region.”

The new routes come as the airport expects 120,000 passengers this half-term, which is a 10 per cent increase compared to last year.

In total, over 750 flights will arrive and depart the airport, with popular destinations including Alicante, Antalya, Dubai and Tenerife.

Ski trips are also expected to be popular, with families heading to Chambery, Grenoble and Geneva.

The new routes are part of a wider £60million investment plan at the airport, which will see facilities updated as well as a larger departure lounge and international arrivals baggage hall.

In the departures lounge, there will be more seating areas, toilets and additional food and drink spots.

The three-storey terminal expansion will also have a new security search area with extra check-in desks and new self-service bag drop counters.

By 2040, the airport hopes to welcome nine million passengers a year.

In other aviation news, the 37 new flights launching from a major UK airport this year, including budget routes to Asia and Jet2’s first ever.

Plus, four-hour airport queues set to cause chaos for Brits this summer.

THERE’S a small town along the Essex coastline that’s one of the driest places in the country.

Shoeburyness has a lower annual rainfall average than the rest of the UK – not to mention it has two Blue Flag beaches and is just one hour away from London.

Thirteen minutes from Southend-on-Sea is the lesser-known coastal spot of Shoeburyness.

The town is home to around 22,000 people and is one of the driest places in the country.

Its position on the southeast coast means it gets less rainfall than other spots around the UK.

Shoeburyness records an average of between 526.78mm and 527mm of rain per year.

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In comparison, the average annual rainfall for the entire UK is 1,163mm – Shoeburyness receives less than half of that.

So, it’s no wonder that lots of people flock to the town to visit its two Blue Flag beaches; Shoebury Common and Shoebury East Beach.

Shoebury Common is a sand and shingle beach that’s popular with families during the summer.

But it’s not just bucket and spade friendly, or for paddling, though. It’s also a popular place to launch boats and jet-skis, and is good for kitesurfing too.

Up on the promenade are colourful beach huts, as well as Uncle Tom’s Cabin where visitors can grab an ice cream, soft drink or cup of tea.

Shoebury East Beach is further along the coast, and is set to undergo a £600,000 makeover this spring.

The new inclusive playground at Shoebury’s East Beach in Southend will have themed zones inspired by the sea.

There will be a sandpit, climbing areas and a submarine structure in the middle of the playground.

The playground will be open to all age groups and abilities and include wheelchair-accessible swings, roundabouts and sensory features.

The area surrounding East Beach had a new addition last summer with the Beach House Cafe opening next door to the East Beach Cafe and marking the completion of a £2million regeneration project.

One visitor to the Beach House said: “Love it here! Come for brunch every weekend, drive up from London. Lovely beach setting, food is fresh, tasty & lush!”

Last year, The Telegraph also named Shoeburyness as one of the top 20 destinations in Britain for the best secret and remote beaches.

The Telegraph stated: “Just three miles from the mayhem that is Southend in summer, Shoeburyness has two Blue Flag beaches that are far less well known.

“Its East Beach is the nicest and is popular with local paddleboarders and kitesurfers, thanks to its long strand of sand.”

The town was once even accessible on the London Underground – although it was never officially part of the network.

The District line ran seasonal, direct services to Shoeburyness via Southend between 1910 and 1939 – and was known as the ‘Southend Service’.

Those who want to visit Shoeburyness can still do so very easily from London by getting on a direct train from London Fenchurch Street.

The journey takes just one hour and one-way tickets are as little as £11.30.

If you head further into the town of Shoeburyness, you’ll find a Wetherspoon called Parson’s Barn.

There’s also a popular restaurant called The Angel Inn which earned itself a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award last year.

Here you can dig into sizzling fajitas from £15, burgers, mains like steak with chips and salmon with broccoli and paprika cous cous.

Speaking of which, on Tuesdays, The Angel Inn does Pie and Pint Night where you can get any pie and any drink from its menu from £17.

Shoebury Park is another popular spot, it stretches across 20 acres and is filled with green areas and ponds.

It also has a tennis court, basketball court, cricket pitch, bowling green, BMX trail track, skateboarding facilities, fishing lake, and a children’s playground.

For more on Southend – here’s how the coastal city has become cool with celeb visitors…

Southend-on-Sea has become an unlikely hot spot for some of the UK’s best-known TV personalities.

The Essex town has seen a surge in popularity, thanks to its colourful beach huts, award-winning hotels and stunning coastline.

Dubbed the British Miami by fans because of its long golden beaches, the town often welcomes celebrity visitors.

Fool Me Once actress Michelle Keegan spent her first Mother’s Day as a mum, at the Roslin Beach Hotel on Thorpe Bay.

On Sunday 30 March, Michelle was spotted there with her husband, Mark Wright and their new baby, Palma, as well as other family members including Jess Wright.

They aren’t the only ones; the Roslin Beach Hotel has also opened its doors to Gary Barlow, Tyson Fury, Denise van Outen, and TOWIE stars including Frankie Essex, who have all visited.

It was reported earlier last year that the hotel would undergo a £10million makeover. Currently, the Roslin Beach Hotel has 37 bedrooms, but with the extension, it will have an extra seven rooms.

They also want to add a spa, a new wedding venue, and add outdoor restaurant facilities.

For more on Essex, this is Britain’s smallest town that was named one of the coolest spots in the country with cosy pubs and coastal walks.

And here you can swap the Cotswolds for a less-crowded but equally quaint weekend in Essex’s most perfect market town.

FEBRUARY half-term is already here and you might be looking at the week ahead thinking – what do I do with the kids?

Well, many places across the UK are hosting special half-term events and activities at no cost.

With so many different activities you can ensure the kids will have fun without having to spend any money.

The Super Duper Family Festival, Manchester

The Super Duper Family Festival starts on February 18 and runs through until February 21.

Across four days, families can explore Manchester‘s public spaces that will be transformed into free Play Zones with games, dancing, activities, crafts, movies and performances.

For example, The Carnival zone will feature a Victorian carousel, Hook a Duck, Spin the Wheel, a Coconut Shy and Ferris Wheel Hoopla.

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Family Day: impasto studio, National Portrait Gallery, London

On February 17, families can head to the National Portrait Gallery between 11am and 4pm for fun-filled activities.

Between 11am and 1pm and 2pm and 4pm, families can take part in a sketcher’s session, where you get to make your own sketchbook.

At the same times, there will be two relaxed workshops where you can draw from still lives.

Or head to animal attire, to draw and collage an animal accessory to wear.

Across the day there are also free activity trails to explore.

Pancake Day races, various

This year, Pancake Day falls within the half-term holidays which is ideal to enjoy some pancake-themed fun.

For example, you could head to Leadenhall Market in London to see the Pancake Race at 12:30pm, where teams of four run a 20 metre relay flipping pancakes.

In Devon, you could head to Dartmouth between 2:30pm and 4pm to see an afternoon of pan-flips.

There is also pancake making of course…

Search ‘Pancake Day race near me’ to find your local event.

February Festival, Blackpool

Between February 19 and 22, there will be a festival of circus, live entertainment and family activities in Blackpool.

Events include Elton Wrong, who will be roaming the town centre with his mobile white piano.

There will be dancers on the streets too such as ballerinas.

Railway family fun day, Clitheroe Castle in Lancashire

On February 16, Clitheroe Castle Museum is hosting a family fun day to celebrate 200 years of the modern railway.

Across the day, there will be hands-on fun, creative activities and immersive railway heritage.

At the castle, visitors will be able to see a working ‘Rock and Roll’ model railway, meet Lancashire children’s author Susan Brownrigg who will read extracts from her book Wrong Tracks, play train spotting games and decorate your own train wagon.

In addition, there’s the ‘Tracks of Life: Trains, People and Place’ exhibition, which celebrates the life and work of Ken Roberts (1928–2024) who was a local railway enthusiast and photographer.

Nottinghamshire Festival of Science & Curiosity

Nottinghamshire Festival of Science & Curiosity returns for another half-term full of activities.

Running until February 20, you can get involved in a number of different activities that are designed to inspire curiosity and imagination.

These include geology workshops, bath bomb making, Lunar New Year celebrations and Lego sessions.

Ikea events, various

Ikea is a great day out in itself, but did you know each store often hosts free events too?

For example, you could head to the Hammersmith store this week for Lunar New Year Fun sessions.

Or perhaps visit Ikea Exeter for spring flower garden canvas painting.

Just head to Ikea’s website and then to the events section and explore the activities at the store near you.

Seven Stories – The National Centre for Children’s Books, Newcastle

If your kids love reading and are good with their imagination, then head to Seven Stories – the UK’s National Centre for Children’s Books.

Inside, visitors can explore children’s stories through exhibitions, performances and workshops.

Cotswolds Designer Outlet

Across this week, the Cotswolds Designer Outlet will have special guests from Scrubditch Care Farm.

Kids can meet therapy farm animals, which include baby lambs and goats.

There will also be a farmyard trail where little ones can spot colourful animals around the shopping outlet.

There’s an indoor soft play area and adventure playground too.

Waterstones stores treasure hunts, various

Over this half-term, Waterstones stores across the country host scavenger and treasure hunts.

For example, at Waterstones York Monks Cross, there are events themed on Winnie the Pooh’s 100th birthday.

Every day at 11am there will be a storytime session, then there are themed colouring sessions and a picture hunt as well.

Or at Waterstones Carlisle you can browse the bookshelves to try and find Dav Pilkey’s Dogman.

For more inspiration on things to do during half-term, here’s 12 of the best free or budget activities across the UK to keep the kids busy in half term.

Plus, here’s how to have a fun half term entirely for FREE – from tennis lessons to kids’ meals and epic days out at the zoo.

Have you had a memorable family adventure? A trip where you stepped outside your comfort zone and tried something new together? Whether it’s a family backpacking trip, completing a long-distance hike, bike or canoe trail, wild camping, youth hostelling or trying out a new activity, we’d love to hear from you.

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.

Keep your tip to about 100 words

If you have a relevant photo, do send it in – but it’s your words we will be judging for the competition.

We’re sorry, but for legal reasons you must be a UK resident to enter this competition.

The competition closes on Monday 23 February at 10am GMT

Have a look at our past winners and other tips

Read the terms and conditions here

If you’re having trouble using the form click here. Read terms of service here and privacy policy here.

One airline has launched an incredible family deal that will see children aged up to 11 fly free to a European hotspot this summer. Make sure you don’t miss out on the offer

Plenty of us are daydreaming about a family summer holiday after the miserable conditions we’ve been battling lately, and if you’re itching to whisk the kids off for a European coastal adventure, you’ll want to listen up as one airline has launched an absolutely brilliant offer on flights.

Aegean Airlines is currently running a superb travel promotion for families, allowing youngsters to jet off to a European destination without paying a penny. The news was shared on Instagram by baby travel guru Diana, who posts under the handle @babylifewithdiana. She shared a reel with her 79,800 followers, showcasing clips from a gloriously sunny family holiday.

Text across the screen read: “Every parent needs to know this!

“Kids fly for free in Greece in 2026.”

Expanding on this in the caption, she wrote: “Forget everything what you’re doing! Aegean Airlines has launched an amazing offer for families.

“Kids will travel free to Greece this summer.”

However, there are a few strings attached if you’re hoping to snap up this bargain.

Bookings need to be made by February 19th, 2026 and you’ll need to jet off between March 1st, 2026, and November 30th, 2026.

The offer is valid for youngsters up to 11-years-old.

Through this promotion, children and babies fly at no cost, whilst other family members bag up to 30% off their tickets.

The Aegean Airlines offer is valid across all direct and connecting flights to and from any international or Greek destination. The announcement sparked excitement amongst users, racking up more than 3,000 likes.

One person enthused: “What a deal,” whilst another added: “On our bucket list.”

Which Greek destination works best for families with kids?

Greece makes for a brilliant family getaway suitable for youngsters of every age – offering gorgeous beaches, safe bathing spots, engaging pursuits, cultural experiences, and delicious food all wrapped up in glorious sunshine. Here are some top picks for a family-friendly Greek escape:.

Crete

• Greece’s biggest island boasting golden sandy shores and tranquil shallow waters ideal for youngsters.
• Plenty of family-oriented activities: boat excursions, water parks, gentle walks, and historic attractions like Knossos.
• Accommodation and hotels frequently feature kids’ clubs, splash pools, and family suites.
• Perfect if you’re after diversity and an extended break with abundant exploration opportunities.

Corfu

• Renowned for gentle, secure beaches with shallow waters, Corfu is perfect for tiny tots.
• Family highlights include Aqualand Waterpark offering slides suitable for all age groups.
• Picturesque towns, seafood tavernas, and convenient transport links make getting about straightforward.
• Ideal for families seeking both seaside entertainment and cultural landmarks.

Rhodes

• Blends medieval settlements and kid-friendly beaches like Faliraki with ample room for play.
• Pursuits in Rhodes include wildlife farm visits, aquariums, and straightforward day-trips across the island.
• Excellent if your children enjoy combining history with coastal adventures.
• Naxos Long sandy beaches with shallow water near towns like Naxos Town (very walkable).
• Less crowded than some islands but still plenty of tavernas and activities.
• Perfect for a relaxed holiday, especially with younger children.

Zante

• Beautiful sandy shores in places like Tsilivi and Alykanas with shallow water.
• Chance to see loggerhead sea turtles in the National Marine Park – exciting for kids.
• Great if your family enjoys nature and wildlife.

A BUDGET hotel chain with self-serve bars and private pod rooms is looking to open in the UK.

There’s talk of the brand, LyLo, opening several sites across the country, and it has its sights set on Southwark in London.

Hotels in the city, and across most of the UK can be expensive – but if it opens in the UK LyLo is set to be very affordable.

Its ethos is ‘lower prices and higher comfort at the centre of everything’.

If priced like they are in Australia and New Zealand, a stay in a pod could cost as little as £20.24 (AUD$39).

LyLo promises fuss-free check-in, on-site drinks and eats, WiFi, workspaces, and spaces to play encouraging guests to socialise with various events.

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Some of current pod hotels even have rooftop spots where guests are welcome to relax and play games.

LyLo also holds events like welcome drinks, pop-up dinners, local tours, surprise gigs, wellness activities and film screenings.

Some of the LyLo hotels like the ones in New Zealand’s Queenstown and Australia’s Brisbane, even have their own self-pour cocktail and beer wall.

Guests have to show ID to the bar manager, load up their hotel card, then tap and pour – when the balance runs low, just top up and carry on.

Visitors can help themselves to lager, beer, cider and even cocktails like espresso martinis on tap.

For those who need some peace and quiet for work, the hotel also offers a range of ‘quiet spaces’.

Each hotel has a kitchen fully kitted out with ovens, microwaves, fridges, freezers and plenty of cutlery.

At the current sites, guests can either stay in self-contained pods or private rooms.

Visitors can rent out a self-contained pod with a king size mattress, USB charging port and WiFi.

These pods are within a shared room which can sleep up to 10 guests – so each cabin comes with its own privacy screen.

There’s also the option for a female-only space.

Guests can also opt for a private room, or an ensuite room which comes with private bathroom facilities.

If travelling with a number of travellers, there’s also an option to book out a full room of pods for one large group.

LyLo managing director Tim Alpe said: “We are thrilled to introduce LyLo to Europe, with London as the perfect city to launch our first property.

“Our innovative pod hotel concept has already proven successful in New Zealand and Australia, and we are confident that the European market will embrace our unique blend of affordability and community-focused design.

“London’s dynamic and diverse traveller base makes it an ideal location to begin this exciting new chapter, and we look forward to bringing LyLo’s fresh approach to hospitality to the city.”

The brand currently operates 608 pods across New Zealand and Australia.

Here’s another cheap pod hotel that’s already opened in London…

Travel Writer Helen Wright recently spent the night in London’s newest pod hotel – Zedwell – here’s how it went…

“Zedwell is one of the city’s newest hotels to open, right in the middle of Piccadilly Circus. Being so central, you can normally expect hotels to have high prices – the nearby Ritz and the W Hotel can command nightly rates of £500 or more.

“Not Zedwell – the new hotel claims to be the world’s biggest capsule hotel, and with that, comes the small price of just £30 a night. That definitely makes it the cheapest hotel room in the city (unless you want to bunk up in an 18-bed dorm).

“Inside, decked out with a modern concrete and timber design, there are nearly 1,000 individual sleep capsules over five floors. Guests use an iPad to self-check in, before being directed to one of the correct floor and room.

“Each dorm needs a key card to access, too, so you can only enter the dorm you are assigned, which definitely makes it feel secure. It’s a twist on the traditional ‘dorm style’ hostel set up as each guest gets privacy and security of being tucked up in your capsule, with the ability to lock it from the inside. 

“Inside, I was surprised to find a cute little space, with mood lighting and welcoming interiors. Each capsule is made from oak and come with a single Hypnos mattress, Egyptian cotton bedding, individual mini aircon or heat, smart climate control, noise reduction, and ambient lighting.

“There is also a plug socket inside, two USB plugs and a mirror.  Make sure to bring your own padlock too, so you can lock your pod if you plan on going out (although reception let you buy them on-site as well).

“There are clean common areas, which felt more adult then teen-backpacker, which includes a lounge and co-working space. I was impressed with how clean the communal bathroom and toilet area as well, with light jazz music playing overhead.”

For more budget hotels that are currently open in the UK, check out the new 532-room that’s just opened in one of the priciest tourist destinations.

And one writer reveals how she takes her family on city breaks all over the UK – and stays at this budget accommodation for just £6 each night.

It’s a cheap holiday but is it worth it?

While doom scrolling and sipping a large glass of cava, I came across a deal that stopped me mid gulp: a mystery holiday for just £79. As a travel writer and podcaster, I’m constantly planning work trip itineraries, so I rather fancied the thought of letting someone else decide where I’m going. What could possibly go wrong?

If, like my husband, you are wondering what a mystery holiday is, allow me to explain. The popular Wowcher deal promises return flights and two nights in a hotel somewhere abroad for a low price. It was £79 per person when I booked it on a deal, but it’s normally £99 per person. It could be Dubai, New York, the Maldives, Las Vegas or Mexico, or European destinations such as Paris, Monaco, Sicily, and Lake Como.

Your destination is allocated via a randomised draw and is subject to availability. Every booking is randomly assigned to one of three tiers. Six holidays sit in Tier 1. Twelve in Tier 2. And a whopping 1,982 in Tier 3. That is 2,000 packages in total, enough for 4,000 travellers, all distributed by draw.

Tier 1 means the headline, long-haul, brag-on-Instagram trips, but the vast majority are European weekend breaks. You just have to make peace with the fact that you may end up posting sunset shots from Tier 1 Barbados or in an adequate three-star hotel in a European city. You have to decide if it’s worth the risk.

Darling husband was not wildly enthusiastic about paying to be surprised, but I deployed my usual negotiation technique: talking until he loses the will to live. We bagged the deal at £79 each in a special offer, and we were in the game.

Obviously, the odds of us swanning off to Dubai were, frankly, casino-level, but I chose optimism. I was determined we would escape the British drizzle and emerge somewhere glamorous.

Credit card in hand, I effectively gambled our annual leave on Wowcher and waited for the universe to reward my impulsiveness.

Shortly after paying, a code and redemption link arrived in my inbox, which felt very exciting. I entered our details into the site, selected our preferred departure airport, and discovered that flying from anywhere other than London costs extra, and if you want to take more than a t-shirt and a pack of fem wipes, you’ll have to pay for a bag. Of course.

Then came the grand reveal. I was mentally picturing us in the Caribbean, toes in turquoise waters, sipping piña coladas. Then I clicked. It was the Costa del Sol. I screamed the F word. And it wasn’t “fantastic!”

After my minor meltdown, I regrouped. Spain in February would be great, a chance of blue skies, tapas and cocktails by the sea. Given that it has rained every single damn day in Britain for weeks, this trip was destined to be the sunny salvation my vitamin-D-deficient heart deserved.

I pictured balmy afternoons in a cute seaside resort with an ocean view where I could watch epic sunsets. This is what I told myself as I boarded our delayed Ryanair flight in the freezing cold.

I stayed positive through the turbulence. Nothing could ruin my holiday. Then the captain spoke: “Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking from the flight deck. As we begin our descent, I’d like to give you an update on the weather conditions. The area is currently experiencing adverse weather, including heavy rain and strong winds.”

And that was it. Right there. Right there, that was the moment I officially abandoned all hope. I was landing in the middle of Storm Leonardo rather than in lovely Spanish sunshine. Things could not possibly get worse, until they absolutely did.

It turns out that Wowcher’s concept of a ‘minimum three-star hotel stay’ differs from mine. While I had imagined a cutesy hotel with an ocean-view terrace, what we got was a tired-looking budget apartment block in Benalmadena town that clearly hadn’t been updated since the 90s. To be fair, our apartment was fairly clean and of a decent size, but it was extremely basic.

No balcony, toiletries or even coffee. There was also the threat of “fines” if you left the light on when you went out, and you had to check out before 10 a.m. This was a bare bones stay for the budget traveller, not the mid-tier relaxing break I had hoped for.

I’m not sure what I was expecting for £79, but I was now fully in a negative spiral as Storm Leonardo raged outside, rain lashing and wind howling.

Husband, after living with my particular brand of travel chaos for 12 years now, seemed surprisingly calm about the whole thing, almost as if it had fully met his expectations for a holiday for less than £100. It’s always irritating when he’s completely right.

Undeterred, I confidently announced we would visit the aquarium, the perfect place for a wet and windy Wednesday. Surely penguins would cheer me up.

“Due to Storm Leonardo, the aquarium is closed”, the sign taped to the door read. Rightio. Of course. To the pub then. “Sorry love, we don’t do Sauvignon blanc.” Must. Not. Scream.

So why, you might reasonably ask, didn’t we admit defeat, check out, and head home? To take a short break from being a negative Nancy, the answer is that when the sun made appearances in between downpours, Benalmadena town really isn’t that bad.

The town is divided into three main areas: the traditional hilltop Pueblo, the central Arroyo de la Miel, and the seaside Costa, and there’s plenty to do here.

Sure, like most places in the Costa del Sol, you have bars for boozed-up Brits with blaring music, souvenir stores hawking tat, and vape shops, but there’s also a gorgeous seafront, swish marina and tasty tapas.

When the weather is behaving, plod along the 10-kilometre stretch of sandy beaches, including Blue Flag options like Santa Ana Beach. The palm tree-lined promenade is also dotted with ocean-view restaurants and bars where you can buy an Aperol Spritz and watch the waves.

Puerto Marina is also worth a visit. The major, uniquely designed marina features shopping, dining, and the Sea Life aquarium (when it’s not closed due to rain, despite the marine life living in tanks).

Attractions in the area include the 33-metre-tall Buddhist Stupa, Colomares Castle, and the Teleférico (cable car) to Mount Calamorro for panoramic views.

If you want a slice of more ‘authentic Spain’, wander away from the seafront, and you’ll soon stumble across tapas bars and restaurants like Asador Casa Miguel serving Andalusian dishes. The Iberian pork medallions were exceptional.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can always hop on a cheap, 30-minute train to Málaga, a historic port city packed with culture and excellent eats.

Explore the palm-dotted city, and you’ll find astonishing historical sites, such as Alcazaba (Moorish fortress), a Roman Theatre, and a 16th-century cathedral. There are also over 30 museums here, including the Picasso Museum and the Carmen Thyssen Museum.

As the weather alternated between rain and sunshine, we found that a trip to Málaga was an excellent way to escape the rain, and the sun also came out.

We spent a delightful few hours visiting cultural heavyweights like the Picasso birthplace and the Roman Theatre and eating our way around the buzzing Mercado de Atarazanas (Malaga food market).

Here you’ll find stalls brimming with local produce where you can slurp fresh oysters on the shell for €3 and sip cava for under €4 a glass. Lush.

Despite the stormy weather, our time in Costa del Sol felt all too brief, and it was soon time to head back to the airport. I suppose that’s the issue with this particular Wowcher mystery deal: you’re given a narrow window in which to experience your destination. If the weather is glorious, you’re smug. If it’s biblical, you’re essentially on a layover with sangria.

But here’s the real lesson the Wowcher mystery holiday taught me. In travel, as in life, you get exactly what you pay for.

During my 20s, while backpacking on the cheap, I stayed in three-dollar-a-night hostels with sanitary conditions so questionable the Red Cross would have intervened.

I am older now. Wiser. More aware of thread counts. I like comfort and hotels with fluffy towels and working air conditioning.

I have learned, repeatedly, that if you book a budget break, you must be prepared for budget realities: inconvenient flight times, accommodation with “character,” and dire customer service.

So, is it worth booking? That depends entirely on your expectations. If you’re dreaming of ticking off a bucket-list long-haul destination, swanning into a five-star resort with seamless transfers and a welcome Bellini, perhaps do not gamble £99 on a surprise getaway.

Especially when the “extras” (baggage, seat selection, breathing near the aircraft) begin adding up. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here

However. If you’re game for a laugh, can persuade your partner or a few pals to embrace chaos, and, importantly, you enjoy a story more than a sun lounger, then it’s worth a punt for under £100.

Sure, you might end up with awful flight times, a dingy hotel and landing during a storm, but at least you’re not at work, right?

Book the deal. Surrender to the travel gods, pack lightly and manage expectations heavily. Who knows, you might get Thailand, or you could be jetting off to Benidorm. May the odds ever be in your favour.

Get your Wowcher Mystery Holiday Deal here.

In the streets of Cartagena, Colombia, cumbia musicians beat tambora drums and blow into flautas, women in red, yellow and blue ruffled dresses whisk by, and sweating food vendors push carts, their arepas sizzling.

Among the music and striking color of Cartagena, my dad handed me my first arepa. Arepas are the most essential dish of Colombia and neighboring Venezuela, centered around South America’s most treasured crop: corn.

To prepare an arepa, corn kernels are ground into flour or pre-ground corn flour is used (often the iconic yellow bag of Venezuelan brand P.A.N.), and mixed with water and salt. The soft dough is then fried, grilled or baked into a pancake-like shape. The result is delightfully simple yet endlessly customizable.

“My memory of arepas is eating them morning, afternoon and night,” said Yesika Baker, owner of Chamo’s Venezuelan Cuisine in Pasadena. “In Venezuela, the areperas are open 24/7.”

The arepa has deep roots. Before Colombia and Venezuela came to be known as separate territories, they were unified by Indigenous groups with similar culinary traditions. When the Spanish first arrived in South America, Indigenous women were cooking corn cakes similar to the modern arepa, meaning the tradition likely goes back thousands of years, according to University of Venezuela anthropology professor Ocarina Castillo.

Today, the arepa is popular in both countries. In Colombia, an arepa tends to be simple: topped with cheese by street vendors, filled with egg for a tasty breakfast or, most often, served as a side to a hearty meal. Some say the masa of a Colombian arepa tends on the thinner side as well.

“Growing up in Colombia, the arepa is like the Mexican’s tortilla. Everything comes with an arepita,” said Santiago Restrepo, owner of Sus Arepas in East L.A. “Venezuelans, on the other hand, use it like a pita — stuffed. With Venezuelan-style arepas, you can really have fun with the fillings.”

The Venezuelan arepa “rellena” or stuffed style, is one that you’ll see dominate this list, with an experimental appeal that makes them a favorite for Angelenos. One of Venezuela’s most popular arepas is the Reina Pepiada, which translates to “curvy queen” and is typically filled with shredded chicken, avocado, cilantro and mayonnaise. According to Castillo, the name is in honor of a real beauty queen, Susana Duijm, the first Venezuelan to win Miss World in 1955.

In Colombia and Venezuela, it’s common to eat arepas at least once a day, especially at breakfast. But for a dish so essential to millions of people, for a long time, arepas were underrepresented in L.A.’s food scene.

“When I first moved to L.A. [in the ‘80s], you couldn’t find arepas anywhere,” Restrepo said. “Up until 2020, I wouldn’t have considered them a popular dish here. But just in the past few years, they’ve exploded.”

Restrepo credits their meteoric rise to a photogenic appeal. If you’re an avid consumer of food content online, then you’ve likely seen the arepa rellena — after a typical wait time of 20 minutes, they come layered and overflowing with ingredients like shredded beef, stewed beans, melted cheese or plantains.

“A good arepa rellena is all in the fillings,” said Mercedes Rojas, chef of the Arepa Stand, which pops up at local farmers markets on the weekends.

From creative picks stuffed with mango and cheese to a Koreatown-inspired arepa with bulgogi and plenty of traditional options, this guide features nine standouts in L.A.’s growing arepa scene.

Although, for your sake, don’t try to ask which country created the arepa, or who does it best. “It’s a long fight, amiga,” Baker said. “From Venezuela or Colombia, we defend our arepas.”

PARTS of the UK have seen rain every day of 2026 so far.

But there is a popular country in Africa where you can find sunshine as it has the least amount of rainfall in the world.

Egypt is constantly ranked the country with the lowest average annual rainfall in the world.

In one year, it only gets about 0.7 inches of rain – in comparison, the UK sees on average 47 inches.

This week, while the UK shivers in freezing temperatures and possible snow, Egypt is basking in highs of 30C.

The good news for Brits is that Egypt is incredibly accessible with the flight time being as little as five hours – and there are very cheap holiday offers throughout the year.

FEB-ULOUS TIME

February half term days out for UNDER £10, including free and £1 attractions

DREAMY DEALS

Our pick of the best long haul holidays for short haul prices

The most popular resort towns for Brits are scattered along the Red Sea – these are Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada, El Gouna, and Marsa Alam.

You can pick the destination depending on what kind of break you’re after.

Sharm El Sheikh, on the southern tip of Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, is a premier Red Sea resort city with world-class diving and snorkelling thanks to its stunning coral reefs.

Hurghada is also a Red Sea city and is known for having incredible beaches along with great nightlife in Sakalla.

Just up the coast from Hurghada is El Gouna – a secure and gated resort town with high-end hotels, golf courses and marinas.

Meanwhile, Marsa Alam is further south – its U-shaped Abu Dabab Bay is known for its sea turtles and sea cows.

You can spend 10 nights at in Giza for as little as £249 each with loveholidays.

The hotel has spacious bedrooms – some even have bathtubs in the rooms.

The rooftop is the perfect place to gaze at the ancient pyramids, and guests can hire out BBQ equipment for some outdoor cooking.

The price is room only and includes flights from London Stansted.

Staying in Giza, a city on the west bank of the Nile is the perfect stop for anyone wanting to explore Egypt’s history.

It is home to the last remaining Wonder of the Ancient World—the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Sphinx.

Over in Hurghada, you can stay at the 4-star Elysees Dream Beach Hotel which has its own beach, and lots of children’s facilities.

A 10 night stay at Elysees Dream Beach Hotel (starting on February 26) starts from £339pp this includes breakfast – and flights from London Stansted.

Hurghada is the perfect spot for a ‘fly and flop’ break – and February sees more mild temperatures as in peak summer season it can get as hot as 38C.

For a different kind of holiday, why not check out an Egyptian river cruise?

TUI offers package cruises from £1459pp with the Legends of the Nile.

This package is across seven nights, it’s all inclusive with a superior cabin which comes with air conditioning and shower as well as other room amenities.

Guests can explore spots like Aswan, Edfu and Kom Ombo seeing ancient cities and ruins.

One Travel Writer hopped onboard a TUI river cruise when it first launched.

She said: “I got to explore the ancient lands of Egypt in possibly the best way a tourist can — a cruise along the River Nile on board Al Horeya, TUI’s first river cruise ship to sail outside of the European waterways.

“Luxor was the first stop on my seven-night bucket list adventure.

“And I was desperate to explore the Valley Of The Kings where some of Egypt’s most illustrious — and notorious — Pharaohs are buried.

“After a busy day of exploring this fascinating city on the Nile’s east bank, the double bed in my Superior French Balcony Cabin seemed all too inviting.

“From the first night, the Egyptian rosé wine Shahrazade became my tipple of choice – luckily, stays aboard the TUI Al Horeya are all-inclusive which meant I could swig back as many wines as I fancied.”

For more on Egypt, here’s the perfect destination for families seeking adventure from scaling pyramids to snorkelling and desert safari.

Plus, Jet2 is restarting flights to one much-loved winter sun destination for the first time in 16 years.