holidays

THE Sun Travel team have holidayed all over the world, from cheap trips to UK seaside towns to no-expense-spared jaunts to far-flung tropical islands.

But there are a few special, and surprisingly affordable, places that really stand out – including life-changing holidays right here in Britain, and even bucket list trips abroad where you can get PAID to go there.

From interrailing across Europe to backpacking down Australia’s East Coast, here are our top holiday destinations, and how you can recreate them…

Disneyland Paris

Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

I’ll always remember the giddy look of excitement on my mum’s face when she said: “We’re almost there” on our trip to France in 2002, when I was 10 years old. 

“We can’t be”, I’d thought, rubbing my eyes. But there it was – Mickey Mouse’s face plastered on a sign at the edge of the road. 

My childhood dream of visiting Disneyland Paris was about to come true and Cinderella’s Castle looked even more spectacular than it had in friends’ pictures.

As we approached the main park’s entrance, a stall selling character backpacks caught my attention – Mum bought me one shaped like Eeyore from Disney’s Winnie the Pooh series.

I soared high above visitors on the Dumbo ride, bounced on the rope bridge near the Pirates of the Caribbean ride and devoured ice cream while waiting for my brother and step dad to return from the “scary rides”.

I still feel that same sense of magic and nostalgia when I return to the park today, as an adult. It’s a magic that other theme parks can’t quite capture.

And it’s affordable. Disneyland Paris offer hotel and ticket packages for a three-night stay from £88pp, based on a family of two adults and two children.

Then Eurostar tickets from London direct to Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy (which is just a two minute walk to Disneyland Paris) start from around £62 each way.

Camp America: Santa Rosa, California

Jenna Stevens, Travel Reporter

My sister Emma-Rose and I are both massive fans of US pop culture – from its punk rock bands to its sitcoms… as well as its yellow school buses, fire hydrants, picket fences and mailboxes.

So it was only right that our first solo US adventure as young adults was the ultimate in Americana – 10 weeks at a summer camp and horse ranch in Santa Rosa, California.

Cloverleaf Ranch is a magical place. Think vast, green sports fields where we sprinted through sprinklers, breakfasts of pancakes with syrup, and bunk beds set up in colourful, old-fashioned trailers.

As Camp Counsellors, we taught groups of kids activities like archery, football and animal care. I soon bonded with my groups of four to five year-olds, herding them around camp like a mother duck, and collecting heartfelt drawings and letters which I still have today.

Evenings were spent singing songs and making s’mores by the campfire, taking sunset horse-riding trails, or playing camp-wide games like hide and seek.

My Camp America experience was the all-American adventure of a lifetime – and I’d recommend it to anyone looking to take a gap year or travel their twenties.

Simply set up an account at www.campamerica.co.uk, and once it’s approved, they’ll guide you through sponsorship, visas and camp placement.

Placements typically last between eight to 10 weeks, with camps looking to hire young people who have previously worked with kids or have specialist skills.

Signing up with Camp America costs £489. You also get paid for working at the summer camp, with rates varying between $1,000 – $2,150 (£745 – £1,600) based on your placement.

San Francisco, USA

Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter

I’d dreamt of visiting San Francisco for many years but the cost always held me back, until I managed to find a way of doing it all for under £1,000.

I stayed at the Green Tortoise Hostel, which is centrally located in Downtown, as for four nights in a four-bed female dorm in June it costs just £138.88 per person – less than a hotel for one night.

And if you want privacy, hostels are a great compromise—a room with two bunk beds or a double bed costs £324.30 for four nights in June.

When it comes to things to see and do in the city, many activities are free—like visiting the Golden Gate Bridge and its visitor centre, walking down the winding Lombard Street, and wandering the vibrant Haight-Ashbury district with its vintage shops.

If you do spend money on a couple of things, make sure it is SFMOMA (£22.51) the modern art museum and heading to Alcatraz Island (£35.98).

The city often hosts free days too, so check these before heading there.

You can bag a cheap return flight to San Francisco from as little as on £437 on KAYAK.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter

Denmark’s Copenhagen is the world’s happiest city that embraces an al fresco lifestyle with outdoor dining – even in winter.

It has outdoor lamps with heated blankets on seats, and warm drinks aplenty from spiced Gløgg – a type of mulled wine – to hot chocolate and tasty baked goods. Honestly, I was surprised at how much I loved it.

The city is so easily walkable and easy to navigate, it also has great shops and even its own theme park – Tivoli Gardens.

I loved the Botanical Gardens too which are completely free and beautiful whichever season you visit.

Nyhavn is a must-see, the bright district with tall colourful houses sits right on the waterfront where boat bars bob on the water.

Flights to Copenhagen can be as little as £14.99 each way with Ryanair, or if you want it all sorted for you, book a city break to Copenhagen with TUI.

A three-night stay at the stylish four-star Scandic Sydhavnen (with return flights included) starts from just £234pp.

Tour of India

Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

India has long been on my bucket list as a holiday destination, but was wary to explore it as a young woman by myself.

So one of the safest ways to do it is on a guided tour, and not only do Intrepid have a number of them, but they have a Women’s Expedition where you have a local female guide the entire way as well.

We ticked off all of the famous stops such as the Taj Mahal in Agra, as well a exploring the pink city of Jaipur.

But we also managed to explore local places you wouldn’t just stumble upon without knowing someone.

We stayed in Chandelao Garh, a tiny boutique hotel in a small village where we learned about the art of henna and rangoli, between dips in the pool.

We even managed to enjoy some delicious street food without getting sick, thanks to our amazing guide knowing all the safe spots.

Being able to see a country I had wanted to in years, with a mix of tourist attractions and little known areas, while staying safe? It’s one I’ll be talking about for years to come.

Intrepid’s 13-day Women’s Expedition of India starts from £904pp. You can also lock in a trip with just a £1 deposit!

The trip starts and ends in Delhi. Skyscanner offers return fares from just £270.

The Devon and Cornwall coast

Caroline McGuire, Head Of Travel (Digital)

I love Cornwall and try to visit every summer, and one of my favourite holidays of all time was when I toured the coastline from Ilfracombe to Salcombe in a VW campervan.

My guide for the week was travel writer Daniel Start, in the form of his West Country ‘Wild Guide’ book – which details all of the hidden beaches, rural gems and pubs that are worth visiting in that corner of Britain. 

I visited more than 20 beaches in a week and was stunned at the beauty of the English coast, which can be just as exotic as Ibiza or the Maldives and just as rugged as northern Scotland.

Of course, Cornwall and Devon isn’t just about the coast. They also have fantastic local cuisine and we dined on Cornish pasties, local cider, clotted cream ice cream, huge portions of fish and chips, and crab sandwiches. 

Both Cornwall and Devon are famous for their big-name beaches, but my favourites were dotted among the more remote areas, like Porthcurno beach near Lands’ End.

There are scores of campsites along their coast, and Pitch Up has some of the coolest ones. For example, you could camp at Trevella Holiday Park in Newquay from just £12pn.

To find out more about Daniel Start’s Wild Guide books, click here. 

Kruger National Park, South Africa

Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

An African safari holiday has been on my bucket list ever since I first watched The Lion King (disclaimer: the film was actually inspired by the landscapes of Kenya in East Africa).

This year, I was finally able to tick it off with an adventure through Kruger National Park.

I’d been heavily researching all the dos and don’ts and was fully prepared to see nothing more exciting than a few fascinating birds and maybe the odd elephant (they’re easy to spot in these parts). 

We saw the Big Five in less than 24 hours, however – even the elusive leopard, skulking through the long grass.

This was mainly due to the expertise of our guides, which emphasises the importance of picking the right lodge or accommodation for your trip. 

Skukuza is a wildlife rich area within the park, so staying in and around this region increases your chances.

Two guides are better than one on game drives, I quickly learned, so pick your lodge accordingly.

I wrote down all of my top safari tips here that are well worth a read before you head off.

British Airways flies from Heathrow to Johannesburg from £598pp return.

Two-person tents at Rhino Walking Safaris Plains Camp start from about £422pp per night, with a minimum stay of two nights, including all meals, walking safaris and game drives.

Orlando, Florida

Lisa Minot, Head of Travel

My kids have been lucky enough to visit Orlando’s theme parks as youngsters, falling in love with Disney characters and Universal’s thrill rides.

But it was the holiday we took to the Sunshine State when they’d all grown up that stands out as one of the best of my life.

With my youngest son Ben turning 21, we booked a mega villa in Kissimmee complete with outdoor pool, games room and cinema snug for a very different look at the family-friendly destination.

Of course, we couldn’t miss out on the theme park fun but with everyone older, it was the terrifying chills of Universal’s Halloween Horror Night that had them screaming.

Eldest Sophie is a horror movie fan and loved every one of the haunted houses.

But with the kids having very different priorities now, there were just as many amazing memories made as middle child and family shopaholic Abbi insisted we fit in some retail therapy at the many malls.

And as well as the park fun, we took time as a family to explore the other side of Orlando, heading to Winter Park, the historic heart of the area on the shores of Lake Osceola for a scenic boat tour followed by a slap up lunch with lashings of craft beers at The Ravenous Pig gastro pub.

We flew out with Virgin Atlantic, who fly daily from Heathrow and Manchester to Orlando. But a top tip for saving is to look at fares to Tampa, around an hour from the theme park capital and often cheaper, with return deals from £516.

Jeeves Florida Rentals has a huge range of villas in Kissimmee with prices from £112 per night.

Australia’s East Coast

Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

In 2015, the year I graduated from university, I hatched a plan with my best friends Jade and Megan to backpack along Australia’s east coast.

We kicked things off in Melbourne with a festival on the beach before hiring a car to travel a patch of the Great Ocean Road, eyes peeled to spot koalas in the trees above.

We then travelled along the coast via the Greyhound bus, stopping at Sydney, Byron Bay and the city of Brisbane, where we drank in hostels, our hair windswept and salty from long days on the beach.

Then it was onto the Whitsundays, a stunning archipelago of 74 islands with the brightest white sands and bluest waters I’ve ever seen (they beat the Caribbean, hands down), then on to Magnetic Island to skydive over the Great Barrier Reef and driving around in Barbie-style cars.

Sydney was our hub and I returned here to do a stint of work as a receptionist (thanks to the Working Holiday visa) before our final adventure in Bali.

I returned home after six incredible months, but Jade fell so in love with the climate and lazy, wine-fuelled beach afternoons that she’s been there ever since, now married to an Aussie.

Qantas flies from Heathrow to Sydney from £1,130pp return. East coast passes for the Greyhound bus start from $319pp (£168pp) for seven days to $519pp (£276pp) for 60 days.

Those aged 18-35 can apply for a Working Holiday visa that allows them to travel and work for up to 12 months on the Australian Government website.

Road tripping through the Deep South

Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel – Digital

I’ve visited everywhere from Vegas to Texas and Florida to California… but my favourite US holiday has to be a family road trip I took with my mum and sister through the Deep South.

We started out in New Orleans, then headed to Memphis and ended up in Nashville.

In New Orleans, we dined on beignets, Po-boys (a traditional Louisiana sandwich) and the best Bloody Marys I’ve ever drunk, then soaked up the architecture and fascinating history during the day.

At night, we made our way between New Orleans best-know jazz clubs – from Fritzel’s to Preservation Hall.

From there, we drove to Memphis – home of the blues and the birthplace of rock n’roll.

We dined on famous Memphis barbeque food and then went out every evening to listen to live blue music.

Last stop on our journey was Nashville – home of country music.

We spent our daylight hours visiting some of the famous Nashville institutions, like the Country Music Hall Of Fame and the Ryman Auditorium.

After fuelling up on hot chicken, we then spent our nights watching live country – both at the famous Bluebird Cafe and then at a small venue on the outskirts of town, where we paid $8 to see a bluegrass band perform at their album launch.

Ten years and many, many work adventures later, the road trip remains in my top three holidays of all time.

If you’re looking to do similar, I highly recommend booking through Dial A Flight – they sorted out our flights, car hire and much of the accommodation, getting us a big discount on each.

On their website you can find offers like the Southern Belle Fly Drive for 12 nights from £1,825pp.

Eilean Shona, Scotland

Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter

For a bucketlist trip without the ned for a passport, try Eilean Shona in the Inner Hebrides which inspired J.M. Barrie’s Neverland in Peter Pan.

You can make your journey to the island part of your experience and holiday as well, by hopping on the Caledonian Sleeper from London Euston costing from £50 for a seat or £190 for a room, one way.

Once you reach Fort William, your best bet is to hire a car, which costs about £30 a day.

Eilean Shona is then an hour and 20-minute drive away. You can park in a small car park there before catching the small passenger ferry across to the island.

Because the island is privately owned (by Sir Richard Branson‘s sister) you must stay on the island to visit.

A range of cottages and huts are available, costing from £53.58 per person, per night. There are plenty of cheap cottage options available on airbnb.

A low-key and cosy eatery in a market town has been crowned Best Pasta Restaurant at the Italian Awards 2026, putting the Derbyshire hidden gem on the culinary map

Italian cuisine is always a firm favourite when it comes to dining out but what you might not realise is that some of the finest examples can be found right on your doorstep.

In what has essentially become the Oscars of the Italian hospitality world, the Italian Awards 2026 took place recently, celebrating the very best pizza, pasta, restaurants and cafés across the UK.

And in a fiercely competitive category, the winner of Best Pasta Restaurant turned out to be a hidden gem nestled in New Mills, High Peak, Derbyshire.

A Tavola Gastronomia Siciliana, the authentic Italian eatery, claimed the coveted prize – and will no doubt see a wave of curious food lovers descend upon them as a result.

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Led by award-winning chef Alessio Muccio, the restaurant takes great pride in producing fresh pasta, gelato and pastries on the premises, using traditional Sicilian ingredients.

Their website states: “Our restaurant is small and cosy and adorned with Sicilian artefacts; it’s a little slice of Sicily here in the High Peak.”

One delighted customer left a glowing review on TripAdvisor, saying: “A Tavola is a colourful, warm, and welcoming trattoria located in the dark, cold, wintery heart of the Peak District.

“Highly recommended for those longing for those rich Sicilian flavours but far from the light and abundance of the Bel Paese. Sicilian sweet and sour flavours are present in many dishes, from pistachio and fennel to sardines with pine nuts and raisins.”

Another reviewer said: “What a wonderful restaurant! A lucky find as we were looking for somewhere to eat before going to hear some live music nearby. Very friendly staff, delicious food and a convivial ambience.

“I only wish it were not over 100 miles from my home. I highly recommend a visit, especially if you are missing being in Italy! You will be transported!”

The Derbyshire eatery bills itself as a ‘labour of love’ from the chef, who has crafted a menu designed to accommodate all dietary needs. What’s more, his specials change with the seasons to guarantee fresh and seasonal ingredients year-round.

These touches haven’t gone unnoticed by diners, with one writing: “Absolutely fantastic food and service. From start to finish totally delicious. Thanks so much. Can’t wait to go back. 5 stars!”

It’s an unexpected location to discover authentic, mouthwatering Italian pasta, nestled in a market town, but it’s definitely worth stopping by while exploring the Peak District.

The restaurant sits on Albion Road, New Mills, High Peak, roughly eight miles south-east of Stockport and just 13 miles from Manchester.

While it might seem somewhat off the beaten track, it wasn’t quite concealed enough to escape the notice of the Italian Awards, which bestowed upon it the recognition its patrons believe it richly deserves.

Awards Director Warren Paul, discussing the launch of the Italian Awards for 2026, expressed his delight in celebrating the efforts of “passionate people”. He added: “That’s why we do what we do.

“It’s to make sure the hard-working inspirational people and businesses get the recognition they deserve.

“Everyone jumps to criticise and leave a negative review or complaint over the tiniest thing, but very few rush to praise good service, food and experiences. That’s where we come in. So congratulations to our winners.”

Highly Recommended restaurants in the same category included:

• Italian Touch By Ivano Pizzeria & Ristorante (Bedford)
• Mele e Pere (London)
• Primavista (Bury St Edmunds)
• Shambles Restaurant & Winebar (Teddington)
• The Kettlebridge Inn, Bar & Italian Restaurant (Cupar)
• A Tavola Gastronomia Siciliana (New Mills)

A new route to the Italian city means Brits can indulge their love of cheese and even book a factory tour and tasting, as well as enjoying the historic sights in this sun-soaked destination

A new Ryanair route has launched from London-Stansted and it’s the perfect city break for those who love cheese, or Italian food in general.

Booking is now open for London to Parma flights, with the first of the twice-weekly flights taking off on June 4. The service will run on Thursdays and Sundays, making it the perfect route for a long weekend, and the flight time is just under two hours. Fares start from £20.95 one way.

Parma is found in northern Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region and is a major foodie city thanks to two of its most famous products that are enjoyed around the world. Firstly, the pungent Parmesan cheese comes from this city, and there are a number of factories and tours you can take which end with cheese tastings. You can even visit the Museo del Parmigiano-Reggiano just outside the city and learn about the history of cheesemaking in the area.

Prosciutto di Parma, or Parma ham as Brits tend to call it, also hails from this region. There are a few Prosciuttificio around the city where you can see the giant legs dangling from the ceiling as they go through the curing process for months on end. Some Prosciuttificio have cafes attached where you can enjoy platters of prosciutto and cheese served alongside a glass of Italian wine.

Parma is a walkable city, and many tourists start of at the old town, known as Centro Storico. Down its narrow medieval streets you’ll find impressive Romanesque architecture, colourful terraced houses, and cobbled town squares full of cafés.

At the heart of the old town is Piazza del Duomo, and here you’ll find the 900-year old gothic cathedral and 12th-century Bishop’s Palace which was built with repurposed Roman stone blocks.

Other incredible architectural sites include Teatro Farnese, one of Europe’s largest Baroque theatres, built entirely in timber. This grand auditorium dates back to the 17th century and the elaborate wood carvings are a testament to the craftsmanship of the time. Parma was the birthplace of composer Verdi, so there’s usually a packed schedule of operas and classical concerts across its historic theatres.

Music lovers can also visit the fascinating House of Sound, a museum that is focused on how technology developed for music, from the creation of the gramophone and radio to modern music devices. The museum also features 228 speakers, grouped in 64 audio channels, which allow visitors to experience ‘sound rains’ as they move around.

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Parma has a huge number of restaurants, including two with Michelin stars, making it the perfect destination for foodies. There are endless Trattoria and Osteria found down narrow streets where you can experience authentic, inexpensive Italian cuisine. Osteria dei Servi comes highly recommended, and you can dine in this cosy restaurant among the hanging prosciutto legs while choosing specials from the chalkboard.

Trattoria Corrieri has a similarly rustic Italian feel. One page of the menu is devoted to prosciutto and other cured meats, and local ingredients are the cornerstone of this cosy Italian restaurant, which has been open since the 1800s.

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

Ride a dragon in Calais

You don’t need to venture too far into France to find its wow factor. Indeed, within minutes of exiting the ferry or Channel Tunnel, you can be staring a fire-breathing dragon in the face. The Dragon de Calais is a 25-metre-long mechanical beast that stomps along the renovated sea front carrying 48 passengers on its back (adult ticket €9.50), emitting jets of fire, steam and water from its nostrils. It was created by the team behind Les Machines de L’île, a collection of steampunk wonders including a 12-metre elephant, in Nantes.

This year, Calais’ dragon is joined by Le Varan, a giant iguana that crawls around the town and the old fishing district with room for 25 passengers (adults €8.50). While you’re there, explore the beaches along the coast at Hardelot-Plage and visit the Chateau d’Hardelot, with its history of Franco-British relations.

Celebrate Monet in Rouen

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Claude Monet’s death and many galleries and venues in Normandy and Paris have events planned. You don’t need to face the crowds at Giverny or the Musée d’Orsay to appreciate the great artist’s work, though. Instead, visit Rouen, where Monet found the ever-changing, silver-grey light on the intricate and imposing facade of the cathedral so inspiring he painted it more than 30 times (from the window of what was, at the time, a ladies’ undergarment shop opposite).

The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen has the largest collection of French impressionist works outside Paris, including one of the cathedral paintings and works by Camille Pissarro and Alfred Sisley. While you’re there, explore the Boucles de la Seine natural regional park, where you can cycle between the loops of the River Seine through orchards and past the ruined Abbaye de Jumièges.

Visit a postman’s palace in Drôme

The Dauphiné region, close to Grenoble, combines breathtaking scenery and curious attractions. Chief among them is the Palais Idéal, a whimsical monument built over 33 years from the late 19th century by Ferdinand Cheval, a postman whose inspiration came from the travel journals and postcards he delivered on his 20-mile round. On the facade of the 10-metre-high palace, you’ll see mythical creatures and mysterious grottoes, Egyptian temples and Swiss chalets, while the small on-site museum recounts the stories of Cheval’s tragic life, and those who fought until the 1960s to have the structure recognised as a listed monument.

Nearby, explore the jaw-dropping Vercors mountains, with precipitous roads such as the Combe Laval route, which was chiselled out of the rock in the 19th century to transport timber. Also visit the fascinating Grotte de Choranche underground caves, with curious, spaghetti-like stalactites, and the town of Pont-en-Royans, where medieval houses hang high over a gorge.

Discover Brittany by bike

Cyclists have always been spoiled by the smooth, car-free cycle paths throughout France, and now the Traversée Bretonne, a new route through the heart of Brittany, offers a fresh challenge. Starting in the city of Nantes, the 14-stage route takes riders past the curious mid-century architecture of Saint-Nazaire (such as the Soucoupe, a sports centre shaped like a flying saucer), then on to the “Atlantic Riviera” at La Baule, with its belle époque villas and vast beach.

Further along, the lively city of Rennes is perfect for rehydrating: Rue Saint-Michel is nicknamed Rue de la Soif (thirsty street) because it has a bar approximately every 7 metres. The route finishes with a nice flat stage at Mont-Saint-Michel.
traversee-bretonne.com

Celebrate figs in the Var

Plan a late-summer sojourn in the Vallée du Gapeau, inland from Toulon, which is renowned for its fig orchards: local people say the trees like their heads in the sunshine and their feet in the water. At the end of August, the start of the harvest is celebrated with the lively Fête de la Figue in the village of Solliès-Pont. As well as the bountiful market, there are tours of the groves and a lively four-course dinner with music in the village’s main square.

While you’re there, hike in the wooded valley and admire the curiously shaped “elephant rock”. Visit the local olive oil mill at Moulin à Huile du Partégal (entry free) to explore its ancient grove and taste its oils; and stroll the unspoiled villages of Solliès-Ville and Solliès-Toucas.
valleegapeau-tourisme.fr

Taste cheese in the Jura mountains

To truly understand the flavours of French cheeses, it pays to visit the landscapes in which they are made. One of the most enchanting areas for a foray in fromage is the Jura mountains, the home of comté cheese. Here, as part of the Routes du Comté, you can visit the so-called cathedral of comté at the Fort Saint-Antoine (tour reservations essential, €11), where Fromageries Marcel Petite ages its 100,000 wheels of comté between the stone arches of a 19th-century military fort. Nearby, next to the Lac de Malbuisson, Restaurant du Fromage offers a comté and savagnin wine fondue in its Swiss-chalet-like surrounds.

An hour west, the town of Poligny is home to La Maison du Comté, a visitor centre dedicated to explaining how the cheese is made and infused with the flavours of the 130 plants from the spectacular landscape on which the cows graze.
montagnes-du-jura.fr

Hunt for bric-a-brac in Normandy

Take a road trip to the bucolic Perche regional natural park in southern Normandy, an area of rolling hills, cider farms and charming villages. It is ideal, too, for those who love hunting for vintage treasures and bric-a-brac. Near the towns of Bellême, Mortagne-au-Perche and along the D923 road between La Ferté-Bernard and Nogent-le-Rotrou, you will find many brocante shops and warehouses with artfully displayed items on offer.

The area is a popular weekend destination for Parisians, hence the abundance of good restaurants. In the village of La Perrière, La Maison d’Horbé B&B and wine bar (rooms from €142.50) is set in an antiques shop, while in Saint-Hilaire-le-Châtel, the Hotel les Prés has its own restaurant (rooms from €142).
perche-tourisme.fr

Relive history in the Vendée

You need never utter the word Disney once you’ve discovered the Puy du Fou, a theme park like no other, in the countryside of the Vendée. With bombastic historical re-enactments of Viking invasions, Roman chariot races, medieval jousting and more than 2,500 actors across the park, many of the shows are big on wow factor.

Yet there are also experiences that evoke a quieter sense of wonder – walk through the cabins and hull of the 18th-century ship La Pérouse and see its myriad flora and fauna gathered from around the world, before it sinks in a storm in the South Pacific. Moving, too, is the Amoureux de Verdun experience, which puts you in the trenches of Verdun in the first world war, where actors play out a love story.
Adult tickets from €47, puydufou.com

Swim in a tidal pool in Brittany

There are several tidal swimming pools along the Emerald Coast in Brittany. At Dinard, the Piscine de Mer overlooks the vast main beach, alongside stately belle époque villas and maritime pines; and from Saint-Malo’s Piscine de Bon Secours, you can walk at low tide to the island of Grand-Bé for a great view back to the walled town.

The Emerald Coast is good for hiking too, so make a point to stroll out to the dramatically perched Fort La Latte on the Cap Fréhel headland.
dinardemeraudetourisme.com

Explore the wild Aubrac plateau

Many holidaymakers speed through the centre of France on the autoroute known as La Méridienne (A75), bound for busy beaches of the Med. Those who prefer more solitude, however, should exit sooner (exit 39 to be precise) and venture west on to the extraordinary, volcanic landscape of the Aubrac plateau. Here, stone-walled meadows abound with wild flowers and the buron huts that once housed cowherds and cheesemakers have been converted into welcoming rustic restaurants, such as the Buron de Born, serving local potato and cheese dishes such as aligot and truffade. At night, the total absence of light pollution makes it ideal for stargazing.
tourisme-en-aubrac.com

Carolyn Boyd is the author of Amuse Bouche: How to Eat Your Way Around France (Profile, £10.99). To support the Guardian, order your copy at guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply.

The pretty market town is famous for many things, including being the home of former Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith

A pretty market town home to an iconic TV judge blew me away – not least because of its high street. Moreton-in-Marsh in the Cotswolds clearly attracts a remarkable number of visitors, judging by the sheer volume of eateries lining its streets.

A visit to the town’s high street reveals an almost unbroken row of bakeries, cafés, pubs, and artisan bistros – quite the sight for a town with a population of just over 5,000 residents (5,015 according to the 2021 Census).

Philip, 53, a cellarman at the local brewery, reflected on the changes: “It’s more touristy stuff. You don’t get so much. The old tour shops gone, the old card’s shop gone. Some of the shops have disappeared, definitely got more touristy. It’s got pluses and negatives. Got a supermarket and the market’s still here.”

When asked whether he ever crosses paths with the town’s most celebrated resident – former Great British Bake Off star Prue Leith – Philip was blunt: “I don’t.”

It seemed only fitting to pen this piece from within The Bell Inn. This much-loved establishment was once frequented by J.R.R. Tolkien himself, reportedly inspiring The Prancing Pony Inn featured in The Lord of the Rings.

We won’t Tolkien the micky (apologies…) and claim any resemblance to that literary giant, but there are certainly far worse spots to settle in than a pub crowned winner of The Pub of the Year in the North Cotswold Campaign for Real Ale Pub of the Year competition, reports Gloucestershire Live.

Inside, the atmosphere is wonderfully unpretentious – a lengthy rope allows dogs to wander freely, locals chat about everyday matters, and a map of Middle Earth adorns the wall.

The walls are adorned with vintage cameras, motorsport posters advertising motor oil, and numerous plug sockets for customers to charge their laptops and other devices.

According to two staff members I chatted to, regulations stipulate that no single pub can claim victory two years running, meaning the Bell may miss out on silverware this year.

Nevertheless, the establishment, which I selected after Google reviews highlighted its affordability, delivered a peppermint tea alongside fish and chips for a reasonable £12.50.

This followed a £3.90 cappuccino from Grouch Coffee, a nine-year-old enterprise near the local train station that began life serving coffee from the rear of a Piaggio.

Fresh from a 100-mile journey in my cherished MINI, and despite my reservations about Allpress beans, it was unmistakably a vital fixture in the community.

The proprietor and staff engaged warmly with families, while comedy posters and tea towels were scattered throughout the tastefully furnished cafe; a cafe situated in a town brimming with spring sunshine.

Emerging from New Road onto the fittingly named High Street, a bustling market was trading trinkets, carpets, fruit, vegetables, and antiques. Venture past the market, beneath which lies a sizeable car park, and you’ll find yourself facing an extensive row of shops, seemingly positioned every six feet or so.

Most of them, as Phil mentioned above, are coffee shops and cafes. Choosing where to grab a bite proved tricky, but if anyone’s concerned about the decline of the high street, Moreton’s appears to be thriving – particularly with a large Co-Op and Tesco Express nestled amongst the independent coffee shops and pubs.

Was it attractive? Certainly in the surprisingly mild spring sunshine, it felt like somewhere you could do more than simply pass through. It had the feel of a town worth pausing at during a long journey – a worthwhile and peaceful pit stop.

Regarding the former Bake Off judge, I’d also enquired at Grouch whether Prue was frequently spotted, and the response was no, not particularly; though perhaps she travels through on her way to the station to catch the 1h 31m £32 15:54 service to London Paddington for an evening out.

Prue has opted to make her home here, in a property she constructed with her husband John Playfair, and it seems to be an excellent town. The key question, though, remains: ‘Should I visit?’.

Absolutely. It would be a pru-dent choice.

The woman jumped out of her seat as soon as the plane hit the tarmac and ignored flight crew instructions to return to her seat while the seatbelt sign was still on

A pilot has been praised as a “hero” for ridiculing an entitled woman who rushed down the aisle in an attempt to be the first passenger off the aircraft. A fellow traveller recounted how the woman leapt from her seat the moment the plane touched down and bolted towards the exit.

Despite the seatbelt sign remaining illuminated, she disregarded the cabin crew’s requests to return to her seat until the aircraft had come to a complete stop. Recounting the incident on Reddit, the passenger explained: “The woman in the back unbuckled and darted to the front of the plane to get off first.

“She did not make any eye contact and felt that she was special. I’m talking about going from the very last seat on the plane, down the whole row, and past first class, basically standing at the little kitchen thing in the front.

“The seat belt sign was still on and we were still rolling down the runway. The flight crew had asked her to return to her seat until we reached the gate but she was not even responding.”

The passenger went on to describe how everyone aboard shifted their focus to the woman following the gruelling eight-hour journey. But that’s when the pilot chose to intervene personally.

“Suddenly the captain announced we had a special guest onboard and he would be coming out to greet them after we were settled at the gate,” they continued.

“The woman stood there awkwardly until we did the whole rolling into the gate thing, and whatever planes do when they land, for about 15 to 20 minutes.”

They went on: “Everyone sat there waiting to see what the captain was talking about. Eventually, the captain came out and asked the lady to please move back a little to get to his special guest, then a little more, then a little more.

“He was looking from row to row trying to find a specific person. Everyone is watching and looking around to see who it could be. “

The pilot kept ushering her back one row at a time until she reached the very back of the plane.

Finally, as they approached the rear of the plane he asked her to sit for a second while he grabbed the intercom at the rear of the plane.

The person recalled: “The pilot said: ‘Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to announce our special guest sitting in seat 42C. Let’s give her a round of applause’. The whole plane went wild with laughter and applause. I loved every moment of that.”

Responding to the pilot’s power move, one user remarked: “That pilot is a hero to the people.”

Another user added: “I was hoping that the special guest was a federal marshal coming onboard to arrest the woman for refusing to follow safety-related commands given by members of the flight crew.”

One passenger said: “Sometimes when a plane is late getting in there are people that have a connecting flight that will be very tight to make. They need to get off the plane quickly to have any chance at their connection.

“The best way to handle that is to inform the stewardess and they can make a general announcement. Of course, sometimes people ignore that announcement and block the aisle for those people anyway.”

Is it possible to have a luxury staycation with the kids in tow? This hotel offers a range of features to make family holidays more fun, including complimentary childcare for kid-free time

If you’re looking for a family staycation that’s close to the coast, yet also has plenty for the kids to do, and even gives you the chance for some child-free time, then read on.

A hotel in Dorset is offering luxury family-friendly accommodation overlooking spectacular Chesil Beach, with lots of thoughtful touches to make your time away easier. Moonfleet Manor is set in a beautiful Georgian property and is an excellent place to explore the Jurassic Coast.

While we all love spending time with our kids on holiday, one of the main services that’s bound to appeal to worn-out parents is the hotel’s Four Bears Den Kids Club.

This Ofsted-registered onsite club takes care of kids from three months to eight years, and all guests get a complimentary two-hour session per night’s stay, starting at either 9.30am or 2.30pm. This gives you kid-free time to enjoy a romantic stroll, have a spa treatment, or just read a book in peace.

In the evenings, you can also hire a video monitor for free, so while the kids nap in the room, you can enjoy a nightcap. The hotel also offers a babysitting service for an additional fee if you want to explore the local area.

During the school holidays and weekends, the kids club offers a program of activities designed for family fun, from toasting marshmallows to scavenger hunts, so all ages can enjoy quality time together.

Just a short walk from the hotel is an indoor pool available for guests to enjoy throughout their stay, plus there’s a sauna and the option to book spa treatments for the grown-ups, including facials and ocean-inspired rituals.

Kids can enjoy the colourful play barn, where you’ll find an under-5s play area, table tennis, arcade games, and even a hands-on Science Room for young Einsteins to play in.

The problem with some family hotels is that they tend to focus just on practicalities, and they can be quite dull for adults. But Moonfleet Manor has a luxury, design-led style, so rooms are inviting whether you are staying as a couple or with kids.

There are also two-bedroom family rooms available that offer a separate sleeping area for the kids. This means you can tuck them away in bed and enjoy your evening without worrying about keeping them awake.

The hotel overlooks the unspoiled shingle shores of Chesil Beach, an 18-mile stretch of seafront that’s full of incredible fossils and spectacular scenery. Between the beach and the hotel is the Fleet Lagoon, a marine-protected area full of wildlife and seabirds, so you can’t walk directly onto the shingle from Moonfleet. However, you can drive a short distance to Abbotsbury or Portland for a beach walk or fossil hunt.

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Less than 20 minutes away is the seaside town of Weymouth, a family favorite for many generations. Here you’ll find a SEALIFE Center, Sandworld – an impressive collection of sand sculptures and castles, and the sandy Weymouth Beach, which is set in a cove, so kids can paddle and swim on sunny days.

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

The team at Money Saving Expert shared simple steps to take to get the best price for a new passport

Brits have been urged to follow some simple steps to ensure they get the best price for an essential travel document. According to experts, “millions” of people could have overpaid for their passports.

A passport is required for travel abroad. In the UK they are valid for 10 years for an adult, or five years for those under 16.

When your passport is due to expire, it is important you apply for a new one ahead of time, to ensure you don’t risk having to cancel a holiday. However, you may not realise that the way in which you apply for a new passport can affect the price.

Addressing this issue, the team at Money Saving Expert (MSE) said on its website : “Millions of Brits applying for a passport last year may have been able to save money by taking their own photo or applying online, MoneySavingExpert.com can reveal. If your passport’s due for renewal, here’s how to get it for less.”

The three main steps to remember are:

• Apply online rather than via post
• Take your own photo
• Renew before fees rise on April 8

Applying online

MSE said: “Currently, it’s £12.50 cheaper to apply for a passport online through GOV.UK instead of using a paper form. Of course, this isn’t an option for those excluded from, or who struggle to use, digital services – though if this is the case, you may want to consider the Post Office’s ‘Check & Send’ service.”

Check & Send is an optional extra that costs £16 on top of the standard passport fee.

Take your own photo

MSE continued: “If it’s been a while since you last applied for a passport, you may be surprised to learn that you can now take your passport photo yourself at home and upload it directly into your online application. This means you don’t need to shell out for photos taken at high-street shops or photo booths, which can typically cost between £5 and £13ish.”

Here are some pointers to help you get your photo right first time:

• You can use your smartphone – just make sure the photo is clear, in focus and in colour
• Take it against a plain, light background. The photo should include your head, shoulders and upper body, with no other people or objects in the frame
• Avoid editing or altering it. It will be cropped for you during the application process, so there’s no need to do that yourself

Renew before fees rise

Passport fees will rise on Wednesday, April 8. This is how much they will rise by:

• Adult: takes up to three weeks to arrive – online cost now – £94.50, online cost from April 8 – £102, postal cost now – £107, postal cost from April 8 – £115.50
• Adult fast-track – arrives one week after appointment – online cost now – £178, online cost after April 8 – £178
• Adult ‘Premium’ – given at the appointment – online cost now – £222, online cost after April 8 – £239.50
• Child – takes up to three weeks to arrive – online cost now – £61.50, online cost after April 8 – £66.50, postal cost now – £74, postal cost after April 8 – £80
• Child fast-track – arrives one week after appointment – online cost now – £145, online cost after April 8 – £145

For full details and to renew online visit GOV.UK here.

The iconic Dorset beach featured in one of the most emotional scenes in Ryan Gosling’s new film, and fans are now visiting the picturesque Jurassic Coast location for spring walks

One of the most iconic coastal spots was recently featured in Ryan Gosling’s latest film, Project Hail Mary, and the good news is it’s located right here in the UK for those who want to visit.

There’s always a thrill when you recognise a familiar location in a film or TV programme, whether it’s a documentary or the backdrop for a fictional tale. While the UK serves as a popular setting for numerous blockbuster films and television series, one of this year’s biggest cinema releases actually filmed one of its most memorable scenes in the UK – and it’s accessible to visit right now as a stunning walking destination.

That’s precisely what one London-based couple decided to do, bringing their dog, Presto, along to the Jurassic Coast near Lulworth in Dorset to see the Project Hail Mary filming location after recently watching the film at the cinema.

“Cried at the cinema at this beach so we went in real life,” they captioned their video, before sharing footage from their day trip adventure.

Without giving away any spoilers, the beach serves as a significant location for one of the film’s characters, with several of the more poignant scenes captured here, making it particularly meaningful for fans to experience. That said, the breathtaking views alone make the journey worthwhile.

Durdle Door stands as one of Dorset’s most photographed and iconic landmarks. Situated on the Lulworth Estate in south Dorset, it forms part of the stunning Jurassic Coast.

The coastline holds such exceptional geological significance on the world stage that UNESCO designated it as England’s first natural World Heritage Site in 2001, placing it alongside iconic natural treasures such as America’s Grand Canyon and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

The stunning natural limestone arch was created when powerful waves eroded the rock and carved a hole through its centre. The name Durdle comes from the old English word ‘thirl’, meaning to pierce, bore or drill.

The film also features the neighbouring Man O’ War Beach, which visitors can normally reach via a footpath. However, the pair revealed that during their late March visit, storm damage had swept away the steps leading down to this beach, rendering it currently inaccessible.

Still, they weren’t bothered, as they were able to take in the spectacular views from the clifftops overlooking the beach.

How do you get to the Jurassic Coast? If you’re travelling by car, you can park at the sizeable car park reached through Durdle Door Holiday Park. From there, it’s a 15-minute walk down a steep path to the steps above the beach.

For those without a car, the iconic landmark is also reachable by bus, with a brief journey from Wool in Dorset taking you straight to the beaches.

The London pair weren’t alone in their admiration for the landmark, as numerous others quickly flooded the comment section to share their own visits.

“Went back in 2022 and loved it, need to go back again now that I saw it in the film,” one person wrote. Someone else added: “I wish I hadn’t seen that this was in the movie before we saw it but it was special seeing it with my boys who I took there in 2022.”

WHEN on holiday, the place you choose to stay doesn’t have to be boring – so why not choose one where your breakfast is delivered by pulley system?

Set in a woodland around two hours from Paris is Les Cabanes de Fontaine-Châtel, with treehouses that sit up to 12 metres from the ground.

All of the treehouses have been individually designed to fit the tree that they are in.

Littered throughout the woods, the treehouses are between a five and 20 minute walk from the reception for the ultimate peace.

There’s the Berceau, which is suspended 12m high with a ‘puzzle’ bridge you need a harness to get across.

Or try the Terrier which has two zip lines, one of which is 50m long.

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Thankfully some are much lower, with ‘Siamese’ treehouses sleeping up to eight people.

Each one is totally off-grid, meaning no Wi-Fi, no electricity and no water.

But don’t worry about having to venture out for your early morning breakfast – as each is delivered by rope.

With fresh pastries inside, guests can hoist up the hamper by a pulley system connected to the treehouses.

Other treehouses are accessible either via a suspension bridge or even zipwire.

Each treehouse has dry toilet facilities, although additional toilets and showers are then available by the entrance to the site.

There are some that are more accessible than others, with trails to them – ideal for families or those with accessibility needs.

You’ll need to bring your own towels and sheets, though you can also rent some from reception.

One recent visitor said: “Brilliant place to stay, with incredibly made tree houses.

“We stayed in the family hut – Robin de Bois with four kids from zero to 10-years-old and had a great time.

“The breakfast basket was delivered on a rope and pulled up, with the bread and croissants still warm!”

Stays start from £120.15 a night based one for two adults.

If you want to explore the surrounding area, the French city of Rouen is just 20 minutes away.

Dubbed the ‘City of a Hundred Spires’, Rouen is famous for its Gothic Cathedral (painted by Monet) and as being the site where Joan of Arc was executed in 1431.

Visitors can explore the cathedral to retrace Monet’s footsteps as well as head to numerous museums and art galleries, as well as explore the Old Town.

Another thing to do is to wander through the Old Town, which is full of cobbled streets.

The quickest way to get from the UK to Rouen is by catching the train or hopping on a flight to Paris, and then catching an hour-and-a-half train costing about £8 per person, per way, to Rouen.

For more places to stay with treehouses, here’s some of the best with free wine, cheese hampers and hot tubs.

Plus, the new cosy treehouses in the middle of the Cotswolds.

CATCHING fish has never been top of my holiday to-do list.

But from the moment my six-year-old son Alex spotted a boat offering fishing trips in the Cretan harbour of Panormos, he pleaded to go on one.

And when he offered to pay with his pocket money, I knew he was serious.

With three-hour excursions starting at 50 euros a head, I buckled under the pressure and am so glad I did.

Panormos is a village in the Rethymno area of the Greek island, 45 minutes from Heraklion Airport in the north and where Eva’s Fishing is based.

The owner, unsurprisingly called Eva, spent years fishing for a living before welcoming tourists.

WAIL OF A TIME

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ISLE GO

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After taking us through stunning caves, with crystal-clear water, she put bait on to our poles and insisted: “You will find it the most relaxing thing you ever do.”

She wasn’t wrong. And now, pardon the pun, I am hooked. We caught fish after fish and it was relaxing, but also exciting and fun.

Back on land, Eva has an agreement with a lovely restaurant, Agkyra, to grill her customers’ catch and they served ours with roasted vegetables and lemon butter.

Although Alex had seen her gut and descale the fish, my husband Chris and I watched in amazement as he tucked in enthusiastically — even picking his way through the bones and asking for more.

I opted for tzatziki and a Greek salad.

With wine, complimentary orange cake and a shot of raki, it cost less than 25 euros for all three of us.

The boat fun was the highlight of our holiday —  but not the first exciting trip.

On our flight from Manchester, with Tui, Alex got to visit the cockpit — then the fancy ceiling lights of our airport taxi made us feel like we were in a limo.

Our hotel, The Royal Senses Resort & Spa, which is part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, was also pretty fancy — and not least its reception, with floor-to-ceiling gleaming glass doors and the smartest- looking staff you have ever seen.

By the way, those staff were also the kindest of teams, ensuring each guest felt like a VIP.

Like Yorgos, who ushered us into a golf buggy to whisk us to our room — and let Alex help with the driving.

Along the way, Yorgos pointed out the kids’ club, as well as the main pool, a waterslides zone, adult pool, gym, spa, bar and four restaurants.

There are 178 rooms, ranging from doubles to villas, and spread out up a hill so that each has a sea view.

A cable car-style glass lift travels up and down the hill, lest you have to work too hard.

We were upgraded to a room with, joy of joy, a private plunge pool.

Our room had a kingsize bed plus sofa-bed for Alex, plenty of storage, a coffee machine, free bottled water, fluffy white towels and locally made toiletries crafted from olive oil and mandarin.

But we didn’t get to relax in our room for long.

At 5am, Alex was up, trunks on, goggles ready and raring to go. And breakfast only added to his giddiness.

Although he tucked into fresh pineapple and watermelon, I struggled to divert him from the temptaion of fresh cookies, pancakes, cakes and waffles.

I loved the Cretan breakfast with rusks, fresh tomato, olive oil and feta cheese while Chris struggled to resist the free- flowing fizz.

The hotel isn’t bang on the beach but its sister, The Royal Blue, is and guests share facilities.

There is a free shuttle bus but we walked.

It took five minutes and there’s a supermarket en route.

Although the city of Rethymno, with an old Venetian harbour, is just 30 minutes and 25 euros away in a taxi, we loved the relaxed vibe in Panormos.

It is six minutes from the hotel by taxi, £7 each way.

Or the green and yellow Magic Train travels by road to and from the village several times a day. It’s £2.60 for kids over five and £4.35 for adults.

It felt like an easy funfair ride and Alex loved it.

Panormos has a sandy beach, church, bakery, supermarket, taxi office and a few tourist shops.

We bought olive oil from a man whose family have farmed locally for hundreds of years.

There are several restaurants, too.

Our No1 was the Locus Deli, on a cobbled pedestrian street where local musicians played Greek music and Alex ran around, danced and played with the local cats.

It served Greek food with a modern twist.

We had chicken with pistachios and a fava-bean dip with fresh basil oil.

Even the child pasta was made with chopped local tomatoes.

With drinks, our bill came to less than £50.

The hotel also offered great dining options.

The evening buffet had amazing variety, plus homemade pizzas that could have come from Italy.

Other treats included a restaurant with Michelin-starred chef — which welcomed kids and offered adult mains from £30 — as well as wine-tasting evenings.

Musicians played of an evening, and the hotel even invited loom weavers to demonstrate their art — we crammed a new bath mat into our suitcase, which was already bulging with pottery after a Tui trip to Margarites.

The mountain town stands on rich clay, and pottery has been made there since 3000BC, during the Minoan period.

But my best trip was to the hotel spa. It’s the largest on Crete, with therapeutic thalassotherapy seawater pool.

I celebrated my birthday on holiday so also had some pocket money.

And during an hour-long massage for £58, chiropractor Costos rid me of longstanding shoulder knots.

We spent our last night at Geropotamos Beach’s Old River taverna, 1km from the hotel.

As Alex played on the beach and the sun set, we had some very drinkable local wine and reminisced.

We agreed few places could beat Crete, for its warm hospitality, fab food, glorious beauty — and modes of transport.

A MAJOR airline has slashed the price of fares by 50% for summer as the Middle East war tumbles demand for long-haul flights.

Etihad is now offering some of the lowest ever prices seen for long-haul flights from the UK for May and June as it kicks off a price war with Gulf airlines.

Travellers can get return economy flights with the gulf airline from London to Sydney, via Abu Dhabi, from £688.

This is almost three times cheaper than flying to the Australian capital with British Airways (BA), via Singapore, on the same dates – which is £1,850 in economy.

The Foreign Office is currently advising against all but essential travel – which doesn’t include holidays – to the United Arab of Emirates amid the ongoing conflict.

But Etihad, which is the official airline of the UAE, appears to be gambling on hopes that the situation in the Middle East will have eased by next month.

C NYTHING

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An Etihad insider told The Times, which analysed the airline’s prices: “As soon as travel picks up, we want to be back to flying planes 100 per cent full in all cabins, as we were before the conflict. These prices will help.”

The airline is also offering market-leading fares to other popular destinations from the UK, including the Maldives, Tokyo and Bangkok.

Brits can get return economy flights to the Maldives with the airline in May and June from £581 – compared with £3,380 with British Airways.

Flights to Singapore are form £391, but are £980 with BA.

Emirates and Qatar Airways, the other main Gulf airlines, have not cut their prices.

Demand for long-haul flights has plunged since the war in Iran first broke out at the end of February, with flights cancelled and the Foreign Office issuing “do not travel” warnings for countries in the Middle East.

Countries in Europe including Spain have seen demand rise, as Brits look for alternative destinations to travel to.

The UK Foreign Office states: “FCDO advises against all but essential travel to United Arab Emirates.

“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).”

TORONTO has long been a place of discovery and invention.

Insulin, for example, was discovered at the city’s university in 1921.

While the CN Tower was the world’s tallest building until 2009, when it was surpassed by Dubai’s Burj Khalifa.

Decades on, the city continues to impress with its newness.

It is gearing up to stage the country’s first World Cup match as Canada co-hosts the tournament alongside Mexico and the US.

There will be six games in Toronto — including Canada’s opening Group B match against Bosnia Herzegovina — and the region is prepared for an influx of visitors thanks to its Fan Festival with huge screens, music, art and food.

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WHY SHOULD I GO?

Toronto is one of the world’s most multicultural cities and you can experience a flavour of that at the Royal Ontario Museum.

If you are a sports fan but didn’t manage to bag World Cup tickets, head to the Rogers Centre to watch the Toronto Blue Jays.

Canada’s only Major League Baseball team, play in the shadow of the CN Tower.

Adrenaline junkies can walk the CN Tower’s EdgeWalk, 1,168ft in the air.

It’s not for the faint-hearted though, so if you have a fear of heights you may want to head to the observation deck instead.

STREETS MADE FOR WALKING?

Absolutely — make sure your footwear is sturdy.

But also pack your flip flops for a visit to the car-free Toronto Islands, home to gorgeous beaches and waters you can paddle in.

Ward’s Island Beach is the place to head for spectacular sunsets, while in the opposite direction is Hanlan’s Point, a nudist beach where shoes — and everything else — are optional.

ANYTHING FOR THE BUCKET LIST?

Niagara Falls hardly needs an introduction and it’s absolutely worth a visit.

The huge waterfall is jaw- droppingly magnificent and you can sail directly into its base on the Maid Of The Mist boat tour (adult tickets start from £22).

You will be provided with a poncho for the trip but it’s rather flimsy, so I’d recommend bringing your own waterproofs too.

WHERE SHOULD I EAT?

The 206-year-old St Lawrence Market is the best choice for those who can’t decide as it is home to 120 vendors flogging an abundance of seafood, meats and artisanal cheeses.

The peameal bacon sandwiches from Carousel Bakery are legendary.

If you are after dinner with a view — and motion sickness isn’t an issue for you — try the 360 Restaurant inside the CN Tower.

True to its name, the restaurant slowly revolves to give you a full panoramic view of Toronto.

It takes 72 minutes to complete the rotation so, unless you’re a speed-eater, you’ll get the full cityscape with your meal.

I FANCY A DRINK . . . 

King Street West in downtown Toronto is known for its thumping nightlife.

You may even spot a few A-listers, as Toronto International Film Festival holds its red carpets and premieres there.

For something a little less raucous, the Harbourfront area is lined with cool bars, many of which offer a skyline view of the Toronto Islands.

WHERE SHOULD I STAY?

The Chelsea Hotel is very well located.

From the airport, you can take the UP Express to Union Station, then jump on the subway and you arrive at the hotel in under ten minutes.

Moments from Sankofa Square (formerly Yonge-Dundas Square and Toronto’s answer to Piccadilly Circus) the hotel is in the heart of the action.

It’s Canada’s largest, with nearly 1,600 rooms spread across 26 floors.

Of course, Canada’s largest hotel isn’t short on entertainment, either.

The highlights include a rooftop terrace, two restaurants and a 130ft water slide in its family-friendly pool area.

ALONG the Essex coast are well-known seaside towns like Southend, Clacton-on-Sea, but most won’t have heard of Brightlingsea.

The seaside destination is visited far less than its neighbours, and is said to have one of the ‘best kept traditional high streets in the East of England‘.

During the summertime, Brightlingsea is much quieter than its neighbours where holidaymakers are more likely to flock to.

However, it’s shingle beach is recognisable thanks to its line of colourful beach huts on the promenade.

The Blue Flag beach is popular for paddling too and has excellent water quality.

On a clear day, holidaymakers can even see across to Mersea Island.

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One visitor wrote on Tripadvisor called it a “traditional beach without the noise.”

Another added: “Very unspoilt, family oriented, beautiful beach. Traditional town back in the 50’s.”

As well as a beach, Brightlingsea also has its own beachside lido, with tickets from £3.50 to £5.

There’s no date for the lido reopening for 2026 but last year it opened for the season in May.

Around the corner from Brightlingsea Beach is its harbour which in the summer has an influx of visitors by boat.

In the summer months, Brightlingsea can get as many as 2,500 visiting yachts in a single season and hundreds of local boats.

For anyone wanting to visit neighbouring islands, it’s here you can hop on a ferry to the likes of East Mersea and Point Clear.

Unlike other towns across the country, Brightlingsea’s high street is considered one of the ‘best kept traditional high streets’.

Rather than lots of typical chains, it’s dotted with independent shops.

Some sell records and plants like Roots & Grooves; others like Toggs is where you can pick up women’s clothes and handbags.

For another seaside stay – head up the coast to this pretty Norfolk town…

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Old Hunstanton, Norfolk
This town has some of the best beach walks beside striped limestone cliffs, a Victorian lighthouse and 13th century ruins. The beach has golden sands with rolling dunes and colourful beach huts, backed by a pretty pinewood forest. Stay at a beachfront hotel from £100 per room.

BOOK A STAY

There are also beauty salons as well as food shops like Joy Thai Spices and Bumbles greengrocers.

Little Boat Gifts is a sea-themed shop filled with lots of knickknacks and gifts while at River Colne Food Co. Deli there are lots of homemade treats like chocolate brownies and cinnamon rolls.

Opposite is Ye Olde Swan, which is a pub, bed and breakfast, and is one of the oldest buildings in the town dating back to the 1300s.

Another pub on the high street is The Brewers Arms and head to Winkies for takeaway fish and chips.

Minutes from the high street is the popular Rosebud Pub & Seafood Restaurant which is the top-rated spot to enjoy seafood in the town.

Here you can get an entire seafood platter for £26.

When it comes to where to stay, Brightlingsea has its own Hoseasons holiday park.

It has a choice of holiday caravans from the Bronze which has two bedrooms, an open lounge, kitchen and dining area.

In April, a stay for four in a Bronze caravan starts from £10 per person per night.

Here’s another pretty seaside town that’s one of the UK’s driest places…

Shoeburyness is a small town along the Essex coastline that’s one of the driest places in the country…

It 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.

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.

Plus, here are 10 of the most affordable English seaside towns for Easter holidays with £1 rides, £2 pints & mega cheap hotels.

And here are our favourite old-fashioned English seaside resorts – with quaint promenades and retro beach huts.

This seaside hotel is arguably one of the most famous in the UK, and it overlooks the city’s long shingle beach and lively promenade, as well as being just steps from the easily-recognised pier

A weekend at a seaside hotel is a classic British staycation. From windswept walks on the promenade to fish and chips on the beach, it’s fun no matter what the weather.

Seaside accommodation can vary massively from independent B&Bs to chains, and a recent article by Which? uncovered some of its inspectors’ favorite seaside hotels from across the UK, with properties from Fife to Kent making the list.

However, clinching the number one spot is a five-star property that overlooks the famous Brighton Beach. The Grand is over 155-years old, and has had a complete refurb in recent years, restoring much of the former glory to this long-running hotel.

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Even among Brighton’s long promenade which hosts many huge hotels, the Grand stands out as a landmark of the city. Its marble columns and iron balconies harking back to when Brighton was a stylish seaside destination for Victorians.

The hotel has over 200 rooms, from simple doubles with comfy beds to grand sea-view suites, and each room has suitably nautical colors and touches that will get you in the mood for seaside fun.

Downstairs, guests can relax in the thermal suite with a hydrotherapy pool, jacuzzi, and steam room, or can book a spa treatment such as a facial or massage, the perfect end to a long day exploring the city. It also has a stylish restaurant overlooking the seafront, where you can enjoy a classic afternoon tea or a dinner menu featuring freshly caught seafood.

Staying at the Grand means you’re just a short stroll from many of Brighton’s attractions. Brighton Palace Pier is a must-see. Dating back to 1899, it’s another example of Brighton’s ornate Victorian architecture, and you can enjoy amusements, fairground rides, bars, and colourful end-of-the-pier shows.

Explore the Royal Pavilion and gardens, a unique Regency-era palace inspired by Indian architecture. This ornate building is often compared to the Taj Mahal on the outside thanks to its dramatic domes and minarets. A newer addition to the skyline is the Brighton i360, an observation tower that gently lifts visitors 138-metres into the sky. Walk around the glass viewing pod and you can enjoy sea views on one side and the city and the South Downs on the other.

Holidaymakers bringing kids along, or just those who love seeing colourful creatures, will enjoy SEA LIFE Brighton. It’s the world’s oldest continuously-running aquarium, having been open since 1872, and includes the classic glass tunnel for spotting sea animals up close.

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The Lanes and North Laine are also must-visit areas when you spend a weekend in Brighton. North Laine is full of colourful independent shops offering vintage clothes, unique household items, and artworks, while The Lanes include boutique shops, stylish cafés and upmarket restaurants. As the name implies, these are found down narrow, pedestrianised streets where you can wander for hours and find the city’s hidden gems.

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

Centuries before Donald Trump started playing around with the world economy, “tariff” was a levy paid to Spain by ships using the strait of Gibraltar; it was named for Tarifa, the town near the strait’s narrowest point. France’s kings had long dreamed of a waterway linking the Atlantic to the Mediterranean: as well as depriving the Spanish monarch of easy money, it would save ships a long voyage around Spain and Portugal, risking storms and pirates.

From the Atlantic, vessels can reach Toulouse from the Gironde estuary (on the Garonne River), but not until the 1660s did anyone have a viable plan for the remaining 200km to the Med. Considered one of the biggest engineering feats of the 17th century, Pierre-Paul Riquet’s Canal du Midi (finished in 1681 and called the Canal Royal du Languedoc until the revolution) rewrote the history of transport and commerce in the south of France – for centuries it carried wheat and wine, people and post.

In 1996, Unesco added the canal to its world heritage list, citing the way Riquet “turned a technical achievement into a work of art”. Today, the canal attracts more than 70,000 visitors a year, almost three-quarters of them from outside France. From La Ville Rose (as Toulouse is known) to the sea, here is how to enjoy it, however you decide to travel.

Toulouse-Carcassonne

The canal south-east of Carcassonne sees the most tourists; the Toulouse side has fewer attractions, but is enjoyably quieter, all sunflower fields and old windmills. In centuries past, horse-drawn barges would make their first stop at Négra lock; it’s a good place to clock the unusual oval shape of the lock basins, which helps the stone walls withstand water pressure. The inn that served passengers lunch is now a Locaboat rental firm, which hires out barges sleeping from two to 12.

The technically minded will enjoy the Seuil de Naurouze, the canal’s highest point, where it crosses the watershed between the Atlantic and the Med. Key to Riquet’s plan was feeding the canal with water channelled from the Montagne Noire, north-east of here. It’s a peaceful spot, with an avenue of plane trees leading to an obelisk commemorating the engineer. A short walk away, Le Pas de Naurouze offers a meaty (this is south-west France) but excellent set lunch for €23.

Eight miles on is Castelnaudary, home of rib-sticking bean cassoulet, invented while the town was besieged by the English in 1355: try it at the renowned restaurant Chez Marty. The coming of the canal boosted this town’s fortunes: waterside terraces on its lake-like Grand Bassin have an expansive feel, and a 10-minute climb to the restored 17th-century Cugarel windmill offers great views. Across the water, Le Grand Bassin is, in high season, an eco-friendly holiday let sleeping 15, but in shoulder season it lets out individual en suite rooms from €90. Handy for the station and boat jetty, it also offers cycle storage and repairs, and luggage transfers.

Carcassonne – and on

Much has been written about Carcassonne’s medieval citadel, but it is best avoided in the summer season. The canal grows more attractive from here though, even if the towpath gets bumpier. Sleepy villages in golden stone include Trèbes, between the canal and the Aude River, with its 13th-century church, marina and Sunday market. A lovely walk south-east takes in the Domaine des Pères olive oil mill (book visits online), and a three-lock flight on which boats drop seven metres of their 80-metre descent to the Mediterranean.

Paraza, 25 miles on, is an arty village, home to several studios and the unfortunately named CLAP gallery (Centre Local d’Art Parazanais). Château de Paraza winery offers tastings – and luxury castle rooms for a splurge. Cheaper options include Domaine Méditerranée (from €85) with a pool and dinners on request.

Toulouse is just under 200km from the sea, but the canal’s many loops and meanders add another 40km. One loop, just after Paraza, runs to France’s first canal aqueduct, the 1676 Pont-Canal de Répudre, the parapets of its one-arch bridge spanning the river of the same name.

Escape the canal

There’s a holiday feel to the route after Capestang. The countryside is more open, there are more pleasure craft on the water, and plenty of attractions.

It’s worth detouring a few miles to the village of Saint-Chinian, in Languedoc’s oldest winemaking area. It has narrow streets, shady squares and a Benedictine abbey, but also lots of ways to get active. Rock climbers can tackle any of 15 routes up the magnificent west-facing Notre-Dame cliff nearby. There’s kayaking on the Vernazobre and Orb rivers, horse riding and cycling among the vines on Oenovélo 1, a mostly off-road bike route that links Saint-Chinian to the canal at Colombiers (see below). This makes a nice change if you have been riding the towpath for days.

South of here is the circular, spiral-built village of Puisserguier, topped by its 1,000-year-old battlemented castle (entry free but hours can be erratic; try +33 6 62 14 70 96). Then it’s back to the canal at Capestang, with its chunky stone bridge and great market (Wed and Sun) by the tall Saint-Étienne church. There’s good food at Le Pourquoi Pas, right by the canal a few miles west, while La Pause Sous le Pin (doubles from €90 B&B) is a welcoming B&B with a pool and garden, five minutes’ walk from the centre.

To Béziers and the coast

The area around the ancient village of Colombiers used to be classic Insta-worthy Canal du Midi – curved stretches of waterway reflecting rows of tall planes – but severe canker stain infection saw about 1,600 trees felled. Many have been replanted, though, and are now thriving. Before Colombiers, there are two sites of note. The Oppidum d’Ensérune is a Gallic hill fort dating from the sixth century BC (€9 including museum). A scenic walk away (and free) is the world’s oldest canal tunnel, the Malpas, bored through a ridge. Finished in 1680, it takes just a few minutes to pass through but is a unique experience for boats, bikes and walkers.

Colombiers is the place to take to the water if you haven’t already. Sunboat offers permit-free day boats for 4-12 people from €35, all with cushions and sunshade; larger ones have a Bluetooth speaker and table for musical lunches. There are also rowing boats, kayaks and paddleboards to hire – and guided sightseeing trips. Colombiers’ 12th-century chateau is mostly closed for restoration, but there are guided tours on Wednesdays. Check out the wine cellars, glazed in multicoloured metro tiles.

Just outside Béziers is maybe the canal’s most remarkable sight: the “nine locks” of Fonseranes, allowing boats to drop 21 metres. It’s a lively spot, with plenty of spectators on the banks. Boats now enter and leave via basin seven, so the flight is six locks, but it’s impressive all the same.

And relax …

The canal empties into the Étang de Thau at Les Onglous, but boats would then cross the lagoon to unload at Sète harbour, which Riquet also designed. Sète is a pretty, lively port town, with train links on to Marseille and Avignon or back to Toulouse. It has canals of its own, sandy beaches, a covered market and traditional water jousting tournaments (great fun to watch). Les Terrasses de Saint-Clair is a peaceful B&B with three bedrooms (from €130), pool and boules court on the hill between the port and lagoon. After a canal odyssey of any kind, Séte makes a great place to stay still for a few days.

Find information about this year’s events at canal-du-midi.com

According to a flight attendant for a major UK airline, there’s a big difference between the seats you choose on the plane, and the extra legroom might not always be worth it

Securing extra legroom on a flight is often seen as a major perk, but a flight attendant has revealed that it can have a major downside.

Adam Hodge, 35, originally from Newcastle, has worked as Wizz Air cabin crew for eight years, and during that time he’s travelled to around 30 countries. He loves nothing more than providing the best service to his passengers, and knows the cabin like the back of his hand.

So much so that Adam, who is based at Luton Airport, knows exactly where the best seats are on a plane, the seat he’d recommend for nervous flyers, along with the seats that are the least desirable. And while most travellers long for extra legroom so they can stretch out, he said it’s actually more “restrictive”.

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Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, Adam explained: “It’s all great having the extra leg room at the emergency exit, but the problem is, you can’t have your bags on the floor for take-off and landing, and you can’t have your headphones on. They’re great as you do have a bit more space, but they are more restrictive.

“For me, I like to have my bag under the seat so I can get stuff in and out of my bag when needed, change my headphones, or get a book out. So it’s good to have more freedom and flexibility.”

There’s one desirable spot Adam suggests securing on the plane, but it has to be within specific rows. “I always recommend a window seat.”

On his own seat preference, Adam, who is also a representative on Wizz Air’s Cabin Crew People’s Council, added: “I don’t like to be at the very front, but I don’t like to be at the very back. I like to be in the middle.” Therefore, he recommends that passengers choose a window seat between rows 5 and 10 or 25 and 30.

“It’s the middle, but it’s not right at the back or right at the front,” he added. “You still have easy access to the toilet, or you’re not having to wait long for the trolley service to pass by.”

In reference to securing a window seat, the flight attendant noted: “For me, I like to see what’s going on, take some photos, especially if we’re flying over the Alps, for example.

“The aisle is great too if you like a little bit more access to get in and out, but not the middle aisle. I call it the friendship seat. I’ve made some very good friendships over the years sitting in the middle seat, but I definitely prefer a window.”

Having spent almost 10 years flying to various destinations, Adam has been able to explore some of the lesser-known holiday spots, with Wizz Air operating more than 750 routes across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. One capital he couldn’t recommend more highly is Tiranë, Albania.

“Not only does it have the city, but it also has the beach and coastal areas as well. It has the best of both worlds. If you want to do a city break, or visit the beaches along the coast, and towards the top are the European destinations similar to the Maldives,” he said.

“Tiranë has everything, and it’s very good value for money.”

For more information about Wizz Air flights or to book your next trip, visit their website.

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A travel content creator based in Tenerife believes there are five common mistakes tourists make when visiting the largest of the Canary Islands and has advised how to avoid making them

If you’re planning a getaway to Tenerife in the near future, a travel content creator based in the popular Canary Islands resort has highlighted five common blunders many visitors make. Taking to TikTok, Tenerife Ambience suggested that such missteps stop tourists from experiencing the “real” island.

Around 2.3 million Brits flock to the sun-soaked destination each year. However, Brits travelling to Spain this weekend could face severe travel disruption amid major airport strikes.

More than a million travellers could be hit by industrial action taking place at popular destinations across Spain. Tenerife Ambience warned against falling victim to these pitfalls.

Staying only in the South

“The South is for sun and hotels,” Tenerife Ambience said, “but the soul of the island is in the North (Anaga, La Orotava, Garachico) – that is where the real magic begins.”

Fearing the North’s weather

Connected to the previous point, Tenerife Ambience urged prospective holidaymakers not to be deterred by the supposedly more challenging weather conditions in the island’s northern region. “Mist in the laurel forests is not a ‘bad forecast’,” they explained.

“It is the most photogenic atmosphere you will ever see. Just pack a light jacket.”

Overlooking logistics

While mountain roads may look short on the map, these winding ‘serpentine’ routes require time to navigate. Therefore, Tenerife Ambience recommends: “Do not rush through the drives. Tenerife is not for hurrying.”

Visiting Teide

Mount Teide is a 3,718-metre-high active stratovolcano situated on the island, and is an absolute must-see. However, Tenerife Ambience cautions against visiting around midday, when it tends to be heaving with crowds.

“The heat and crowds kill the scale of this place,” they said. “Stay for the sunset. Watching the sun go down above the clouds is a life-changing experience.”

‘Tourist’ food

Rounding off Tenerife Ambience’s list is a word of warning about dining out. “Forget frozen paella in the ports,” they advised. “Look for Guachinches in the North. Local wine and fresh octopus are the true taste of the island.”

For those who love exploring on foot, Tenerife Ambience has put together five “iconic” oceanfront routes to “feel the real energy” of the Atlantic, taking in “wild cliffs to misty palm groves”. In their own words, these are:

1. Costa de El Sauzal. A hidden scenic boardwalk directly above the crashing waves.

2. El Médano to Montaña Roja. Windy dunes and a stunning view of the Red Mountain. Pure freedom.

3. Lago Martiánez to Playa Jardín. The best of Puerto de la Cruz: saltwater pools, black sand, and lush parks.

4. Punta del Hidalgo. Walking between huge volcanic mountains and natural ocean pools. North side vibe.

5. Rambla de Castro. A lush palm forest trail right above the powerful Atlantic ocean. A total fairytale.

Newly opened Ella Álkyna is an adults-only, all-inclusive 5-star resort on Corfu’s west coast with stunning sea views and private pools

There arrives a moment in life when the notion of an adults-only, all-inclusive resort suddenly seems less of a luxury and more of a relief. No inflatable pool toys hurtling towards you, no frantic early-morning buffet chaos – simply sea vistas, excellent cuisine and the freedom to do absolutely nothing if that’s what you fancy. That’s precisely the atmosphere Ella Álkyna delivers to Corfu’s west coast.

Recently launched and positioned high above the dramatic bay of Agios Gordios, it’s crafted as a sophisticated, luxury retreat, yet without the eye-watering bill you’d typically encounter at other 5-star Mediterranean resorts.

The accommodation

The resort boasts 349 rooms, suites and villas, all orientated towards the Ionian Sea to ensure the panorama is practically inescapable. I stayed in a private pool sea-view room, which swiftly became the standout feature of the entire visit. At the more budget-friendly end of the spectrum, you can also reserve charming comfort rooms that still offer equally stunning vistas.

Inside, the design is serene and modern, featuring touches of pale timber, sandy hues and linen finishes that mirror the scenery beyond. But the genuine showstopper is the terrace. My compact private pool gazed straight out across the water, meaning mornings commenced with a pre-breakfast swim and evenings frequently concluded with another plunge as the sun descended behind the cliffs. Bathrooms are spaciously proportioned with rainfall showers and sumptuous robes, reports OK!.

The resort Álkyna is carved into the hillside overlooking Agios Gordios beach, and the location is breathtaking. The resort’s terraces tumble downwards, meaning virtually every spot – from the pools to the dining areas – boasts sweeping sea vistas. Amenities include two primary outdoor pools, an indoor pool, and a contemporary spa and wellness centre.

One point worth noting: the sunloungers surrounding the main pools tend to get snapped up fairly swiftly as the morning progresses. There’s no requirement for a crack-of-dawn towel dash, but if you’ve got your eye on a specific view, it’s wise to head down following breakfast rather than waiting until mid-afternoon.

Food and drink

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Dining takes centre stage here, with three restaurants – Cocura, Nafs and Lucáta – plus six bars dotted throughout the resort. Several of the culinary concepts were developed alongside Michelin-starred chef Alex Tsiotinis, which accounts for why evening meals feel more akin to a chic metropolitan eatery than a typical hotel buffet.

Anticipate abundant Mediterranean touches such as grilled seafood, seasonal vegetables, regional olive oil and dishes crafted for leisurely, convivial dining rather than hurried consumption. Most tables are positioned outdoors, as you’d expect, meaning dinner frequently comes accompanied by a sea breeze and a stunning sunset.

It’s worth noting, however, that Corfu’s late-summer wasp season can make alfresco dining slightly more animated than anticipated. They appeared especially drawn to sweet cocktails and anything containing honey during my visit, so a touch of patience or a well-chosen seat makes all the difference if you’re planning to go in August or September.

What’s on offer at the resort

There’s no shortage of activities if you fancy keeping busy. Visitors can take part in fitness classes, yoga and Pilates sessions, or indulge at the spa with massages and facials designed to promote complete relaxation. I was especially taken with the on-site Roée Wellness spa’s Finnish sauna and steam room, and enjoyed the most soothing (and aromatic) 50 minutes of tranquillity thanks to the bespoke massage featuring Greek botanicals and natural oils.

Exploring the local area

The resort is located near the charming village of Agios Gordios, where traditional tavernas dot the seafront and the sunsets are renowned throughout the island. If you venture out just once, I’d urge you to visit Akrogiali Family Taverna, where I sampled the finest honey-drenched baklava and ice cream of my entire life.

I’d also strongly suggest making the journey to Kaiser’s Throne in the quaint town of Pelekas, merely a 20-minute drive away. The walk is brief, and the restaurant perched at the summit serves superb Greek salads alongside endless emerald vistas. For a change of scenery, Corfu Town is approximately a 30-minute taxi journey away and certainly worth a visit. Its Venetian alleyways, independent boutiques and bustling squares make it one of Greece’s most characterful island capitals. Boat excursions along the west coast are also sought-after and showcase some of Corfu’s most striking beaches and secluded coves.

Book it

Comfort Room with Sea View prices start from £215 per night based on an all-inclusive basis. To book, visit here. Flights to Corfu from major UK airports are served by Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2 and more.

A scenic train journey from London to Geneva via Paris offers some of Europe’s best views – and can cost half the price of a plane ticket at around £135 return

A rail journey linking three capital cities boasts some of Europe’s most breathtaking scenery—and could set you back half the price of a flight.

The Eurostar and France’s TGV whisk passengers from London to Geneva, making the very most of a trip that spans three nations. The train departs from St Pancras with a change in Paris before heading onwards to the Swiss capital.

It’s a nearly six-hour journey in total, passing through Montbard, Dijon and Bourg-en-Bresse, offering stunning vistas of national parks and rolling countryside. Passengers can hop off in Paris to discover the city—with landmarks including the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, the Champs-Élysées, Sacré-Cœur and the Louvre.

Once the train pulls into Geneva, visitors can take in Lake Geneva, Cathédrale de Saint-Pierre, the Palais des Nations, the botanical gardens and the Brunswick Monument.

From there, it’s also a brief trip to the nearby Alps, with day excursions available from the city to ski or snowboard on the slopes and savour the local restaurants. The train can be half the price of a plane ticket. According to Skyscanner, return flights this month cost up to £394.

During the same period, return train tickets cost around £135, half the price of a flight, according to Trainline.

Families can also cut costs by purchasing Interrail passes—£482 for a family of four to travel on four days within one month, plus seat reservation charges. And expense isn’t the sole advantage.

According to the Times, four passengers journeying from London to Geneva and back by rail produce approximately 44kg of carbon emissions, compared with 108kg by car and 1,608kg by plane. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change states that, to maintain climate change within sustainable limits, each person has a carbon “budget” of 1,500kg of carbon emissions per year.

Although there are a number of factors that determine how polluting different forms of travel are, such as the type of electricity production used to power trains, riding the rails is typically greener than flying.

Back in 2023, carbon calculations made by the Rail Delivery Group found that travelling by rail from London to Edinburgh creates 10 times fewer carbon emissions than by car and 13 times fewer than by plane.

One of the tricky considerations for passengers is generally cost, with budget airlines such as Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air typically offering cheaper plane tickets than the equivalent train tickets.

The route from London to Geneva shows that it is not always the case. The price gap between the two forms of transport may also be getting smaller.

Travellers are facing rising airfare costs and reductions in flight schedules as the conflict in the Middle East causes oil prices to soar, with concerns that ticket prices could remain elevated for months even if the war de-escalates. Cathay Pacific, AirAsia and Thai Airways are among a growing number of airlines increasing fares to offset the hikes.

While train services are also impacted by rising oil prices, fuel tends to be a much smaller proportion of their operating margins than with airlines.

While Center Parcs is a great family choice, it’s certainly not the cheapest. So, could a short journey to Europe actually save you money? We compared the price of a break in the school holidays at the two holiday parks

Center Parcs may be famous for its massive swimming pools, endless family activities, and beautiful lodges, but it’s also notorious for being a bit expensive, especially once you hit the school holidays.

Despite its prices, the five Center Parcs in the UK and one in Ireland has no trouble attracting families. But if you’re on a budget, you might be wondering if it’s possible to enjoy the Center Parcs experience without the premium prices.

One option that many families with school-aged kids will be looking at is staying in a European Center Parcs.

Although it is run by a different company, there are 28 Center Parcs holiday parks across Europe, and they can be found on the Belgian and Dutch coast, deep in Germany’s forests, and even close to Disneyland Paris, so there are lots of locations to choose from.

While accommodation prices are lower than those at Center Parcs in the UK, I was curious whether, once travel costs were included, it would still be a cheaper option.

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Which is cheaper?

Firstly, I looked at a short break in May half-term week, from Monday, May 25, for four nights. I priced this up as a family of four with two school-aged children and looked for the cheapest options.

In the UK, the cheapest park seemed to be Whinfell Forest, Cumbria, and the least expensive accommodation was a two-bedroom Woodland Lodge, which comes with a dishwasher, private patio, and pretty much everything you need for a family staycation.

This came in at £1,349 and the price includes entry to the famous subtropical swimming pool, adventure playgrounds, and cycle routes.

It does sting a little that the same break a week before is £599, showing just how dramatically the price differences can be for the school holidays.

Onto France, and for a short break, most parents would likely opt for somewhere without too long a journey. Center Parcs Les Bois-Francs is about two hours from Le Havre ferry port or three-and-a-half hours from Calais. For the same four nights in a Premium Cottage, the price is €440 (about £380), for about the same grade of accommodation as the UK.

Of course, you then also have your travel costs. A ferry from Dover to Calais can be found on those dates for four plus a car at £164, if you don’t mind driving in France. Fuel costs can vary a lot, especially with the current global situation, but a quick calculation shows the journey to and from Calais in my car would cost about £70 in fuel.

This puts the cost of a Center Parcs break in France for four at £614, including accommodation and travel, nearly half the cost of the UK. If you don’t live near the south coast, then your travel times could vary, but if you’re close to a ferry port and enjoy the adventure of exploring a new country, it could be a fun break.

Next, I looked at a longer break in the six-week holidays, which are notoriously expensive wherever you go. I wanted to see how a seven-night break would compare in Center Parcs UK versus Europe on these premium dates.

I chose breaks starting Friday, August 7, in the middle of the summer holidays, and again looked at prices for a family of four. A Woodland Lodge in Woburn Forest, Bedfordshire, is priced at £2,378 for a week.

But would the cost of a European break be any less painful on your pocket?

One of the cheaper European options for this week is Le Lac d’Ailette in the Picardy region of France. This pretty lakeside park is big on indoor and outdoor water activities, and being at the heart of the Champagne region means adults can enjoy stocking up on bottles to take home.

A Comfort Cottage is €1872 for the week (about £1,634) plus the cost of fuel to and from Calais, which is about a two-and-a-half-hour drive. A return ferry from Dover to Calais on these dates comes in at about £241 for four people in a standard car, so again, it’s cheaper than the UK option, but involves a longer journey.

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In conclusion

While my basic calculations show that a Center Parcs holiday in Europe could be cheaper, it’s worth also bearing in mind the additional costs of travel abroad such as passports. And for families short on time and annual leave, the UK parks are likely a better option simply because it’s a shorter drive.

Food in supermarkets also tends to be more expensive in France than the UK, apart from the wine, although you can often eat out more affordably thanks to prix fixe menus.

However, if you’re a Center Parcs fan and fancy a change, or don’t mind the extra time spent on a ferry and in the car, you might want to consider trying one of the parks on the continent for your next break.

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