holidays

A REGIONAL UK airport has issued a warning for all travellers heading to the airport from this weekend.

The Metro at Newcastle Airport will close between August 15-23 for repair works.

No trains will run between the airport and South Gosforth across the week while repairs are carried out on the tracks, stations and cabling.

Trains will be cancelled from 5am on August 15 to 11:59pm on August 23.

During the nine-day disruption, there will be replacement bus services.

Travellers are being advised to plan ahead and allow extra time for travelling.

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Trains will be running elsewhere on the line.

Travel North East states on its website: “Your journey will take longer, so please plan ahead and leave extra time for travelling.”

Newcastle Airport recently completed a major upgrade that including refurbishing the departures area by adding 450 new seats.

This was part of a larger project that will grow the airport from eight million passengers by 2035 and nine million by 2040.

The project will include a three-storey airport extension with more restaurants.

There will also be two additional luggage carousels and 20 new plane stands by 2040.

A British travel content creator has shared her thoughts after visiting Los Angeles admitting she should have a listened to a warning she received when exchanging her currency

A British woman who visited Hollywood recently has explained how the “reality” surrounding Tinseltown is “definitely not what you think”.

Travel content creator Jasmine admitted she had been warned about Los Angeles by her local Post Office’s staff when she changed her pounds to dollars. “A lady on the counter asked if I was going anywhere nice and I told her was going to LA and she looked at me a bit gone out,” she began in a TikTok video. “I was a bit confused at this point and she asked if I had ever been before and that it would not be what I thought it’d be.”

And as Jasmine’s clip continued in California, it appeared the Post Office clerk clearly wasn’t wrong. “As soon as I got there I understood exactly what she meant,” she said.

On a dreary looking day, Jasmine headed to Mel’s Drive-In Celebrity Bar to order French toast. There, she continued: “It was exactly what she said it’d be and absolutely nothing like I had imagined.”

While Jasmine acknowledging Hollywood does boast some “fantastic places to go”, she couldn’t help but highlight other “really run-down places” as she strolled the Walk of Fame.

“There’s definitely a misconception of what LA actually is, especially when you are from the UK,” she mused. “If I had known what it was really like, I probably would have planned my trip a whole lot differently and missed Hollywood completely.”

Jasmine added that on her return to the UK she was regularly asked if she visited the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “It actually makes zero sense because it’s probably the worst place in LA to go,” she said as she ate a hot dog. “Just be mindful if you are going there from the UK, it’s not going to be how you imagine.”

In a follow-up video, Jasmine headed out for an early morning walk where she showcased little more than “all the cleaning crew out” and areas that were “dealing with homelessness”.

“There was rubbish and human waste on the floor, which can be a real issue,” she slammed. “It definitely gave me a bit of a reality check.”

Jasmine did offer praise for Santa Monica and Beverly Hills, however. “We tried so much amazing food there and experienced so many different sides of the city,” she enthused. “I guess what surprised me the most about LA is that every area feels so different. You can go from Hollywood to beaches to food spots all in one trip.”

Writing in response, a frustrated local asked: “No one in LA cares for Hollywood. Why do you guys always come to Hollywood? That’s like the last place we ever go to!”

A second person agreed with Jasmine: “I went to the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was absolutely shocked.” A third fumed: “Totally agree, I was massively disappointed, especially Hollywood, that was like a crack den.”

However, a fourth TikTok user exclaimed: “Los Angeles is gorgeous. You just need to have realistic expectations and stay slightly off the beaten track to see the real LA Hollywood and Downtown are must avoids.”

JUST like their sunlounger-hogging cousins, the beach blaggers start early in their bid to grab as much precious sand as possible.

With multiple guy ropes and pulleys stretched across the sands, they construct complicated cabanas and tents that occupy nearly EIGHT times more space than a standard umbrella while providing no extra shade.

It’s been an increasing problem on busy Mediterranean beaches but now the selfish beach-dwellers with their sand-stealing contraptions are beginning to invade UK shores.

As millions of us escape to the UK’s gorgeous beaches to cool off in the heatwaves, we’re increasingly having to fight for every square inch of sand stolen by these modern monstrosities.

A traditional beach umbrella takes up around 0.5sq metres of sand -whereas the new modern beach cabanas can take anything from four to nine square metres of prime shoreline.

That’s the equivalent of a small studio apartment!

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Once set up, the hoggers then begin emptying multiple beach buggies of chairs, tables and more to furnish their tented encampments.

And what’s even more irritating, once set up they promptly disappear – for HOURS – leaving everyone else on the beach scrabbling for a little bit of space or helplessly trying to navigate their way through the ropes and chains.

Just last month I watched a family set up not one but THREE different huge marquees on the sands of Fuengirola complete with a huge barbecue and full dining table and chairs.

But as they start to lay claim to British beaches, authorities across the Mediterranean and beyond are beginning to fight back against the sand grabbers with confiscations, strict bans and heavy fines.

On Spain’s Costa Blanca, municipal wardens and local police are doing early morning sweeps. Anyone who plants a tent, cabana or even an umbrella before 9.30am to reserve a spot – or leaves their gear unattended for more than three hours – has their kit confiscated by council trucks.

Those wanting to reclaim their possessions must go to a warehouse – after paying a €250 (£210) fine!

And with wildfires raging across Europe, these tented constructions caught the attention of concerned authorities in Sardinia. 

When the forest of pop-up structures and guy ropes physically blocked beachgoers from evacuating safely from a wildfire, authorities moved swiftly to ban them.

 And Greece has now expanded its ‘untouched beaches’ protection law, designating more than 250 beaches where pop up structures and commercial sunbeds are banned to give the public back their sand.

And even Australia’s Prime Minister has weighed in on the subject after social media was flooded with videos of popular Gold Coast and Sydney beaches completely swallowed by rows of interlocking 2metre x 2metre ‘Cool Cabanas’.

Anthony Albanese declared that using cabanas to reserve spots was ‘not on’ adding: “One of the great things about Australia is that everyone owns the beach. It’s a place where every Australian is equal. It’s a breach of that principle, really, to think that you can reserve a little spot as just yours.” 

Of course, as temperatures soar and with heatwaves getting ever more common, we all still do need to make sure we have ample shade on the beach.

And no doubt, for young children and babies it is essential their delicate skin is protected. No one is arguing against small tents for children to escape the worst of the sun’s rays.

They can be picked up online and in shops from as little as £6. 

Absolutely fine by me. Babies, of course, take up very little space.

But as our beaches become ever more crowded in the peak summer months, those of us who don’t fancy paying a fortune to rent a lounger for £50plus a day need other options.

What’s wrong with a towel and beach umbrella with a good, hardy base that either is filled with sand or screws into the ground to avoid being blown away in the wind. 

With a basic umbrella and a low-rise beach chair plus a towel for stretching out, there’s no need to take up so much space.

It’s time UK councils took a leaf out of Europe’s book and kicked the sand-grabbers off our shores for good! 

WINTER Wonderland tickets have dropped today with a whole host of new attractions and cheaper tickets.

The UK’s largest Christmas event has released its tickets for this year’s event which will run from November 19 to January 3.

And this year there will even be £1 tickets available.

All entry tickets from Monday to Thursday throughout November will be off-peak and priced at just one quid per person.

New attractions at this year’s event include a K-Pop circus as well as a frozen ‘Neverland’.

Gandeys K-Pop Dragon Circus, will debut exclusively at Winter Wonderland featuring storytelling, comedy and “breathtaking visuals with an electrifying soundtrack”.

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The Magical Ice Kingdom will then be home to ‘Neverland’ in association with Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity).

Inside, people can explore ice sculptures and for the first time ever, visitors will be able to step though the Jolly Roger and into a world inspired by Neverland with Peter Pan and Wendy.

Fan favourites will also return including The Giant Wheel, which is the world’s largest transportable wheel, stretching 70 metres high.

And of course, there’s the UK’s largest open-air ice rink too.

Little ones are left out of the fun, as Winter Wonderland is home to the UK’s largest free Santa’s Grotto as well.

Also new for this year, is The Coaster Pass which allows visitors to head on all the rollercoasters.

There’s The Explorers Pass, which gets fans access to the most loved attarctions including the Real Ice Slide and the Haunted Mansion.

Great for families, there’s The Sand Land Unlimited Ride Pass, where you can go on the 16 Santa Land rides as many times as you like for £27.50.

There are three different advance entry ticket options including off-peak for £1, standard for £5.50 and peak for £8.25.

Entry fees are also waived when visitors spend £25 on activities in advance.

THERE’S last-minute, and then there’s “I could be sitting on a sun lounger by next Wednesday” last-minute.

Well, we’re at that exact point in late summer when airline and hotel booking engines do some very interesting things.

Flights with remaining empty seats need filling, hotels want their final unoccupied rooms gone, and package prices are suddenly sitting far below where they were just a few weeks ago.

So, I’ve been digging through our live booking data to track down the destinations offering the absolute cheapest last-minute summer holidays on the board.

These aren’t bottom-of-the-barrel options either, by the way.

Every deal below includes return flights, accommodation, food and drinks, with these particular all-inclusive holidays starting from just £315 per person.

Here’s the breakdown from number eight down to the single cheapest steal on the map.

You’ll need to move fast though, because these departures are all within the next two weeks.

8. Skanes, Tunisia (from £430pp)

If you want guaranteed August heat and a fully-loaded hotel setup without paying top dollar, Skanes is the place to look.

This purpose-built coastal strip sits directly between Monastir and Sousse, meaning the resorts come with massive swimming pools, palm gardens, and access to sandy beaches.

It’s quieter than the major Tunisian city hubs, but our recent booking data shows holidaymakers have been landing stays here for an average of £82.86 per person, per night – in the school holidays!

You can lock in a five-night, all-inclusive stay at the four-star Hotel Liberty Resort from 22 August, with return flights from Cardiff, for just £430pp.

The property is a brilliant family base with a massive outdoor pool network, but the real insider win here is the hotel’s private, free return shuttle down to their dedicated beach plot.

It means you can swap the poolside lounger for the sea in under three minutes without doing a hot, dusty trek in the August heat.

7. Marmaris, Turkey (from £408pp)

Marmaris came in as the second-cheapest resort overall, averaging just £75.43 per person, per night for extreme last-minute bookings this summer.

It remains one of Turkey’s best all-rounders because it caters to every type of traveller – whether your sightseeing limit is walking from your lounger to the snack bar, or you want a buzzing marina, waterfront seafood spots, and boat trips around the pine-clad bay.

I tracked down a five-night, all-inclusive package at the four-star Hawaii Hotel, flying from Birmingham on 21 August, for just £408pp.

The hotel sits right on its own section of shingle beach, but the standout feature here is easily the location.

Because it sits right on the border of the main seafront promenade, you can enjoy a quiet, self-contained resort atmosphere during the day and walk straight out into the bustling town centre after dinner without ever needing a taxi.

6. Sunny Beach, Bulgaria (from £378pp)

Sunny Beach has built its entire reputation on being dirt cheap, and the latest figures show it still thoroughly earns that crown.

Recent breaks have been averaging just £76.90 per person, per night, making it the third-cheapest resort in my research.

And in Sunny Beach, its broad, sandy beach stretches for miles, packed with waterparks, family attractions, and beachfront bars.

You can bag a five-night, all-inclusive stay at the three-star Yunona from 20 August, flying direct from Manchester, for just £378pp.

Getting five full days of accommodation, food, and drinks – plus flights included – for under £400 in peak August is nuts.

And at Yunona, I love the sheltered design – because despite sitting right in the heart of the resort near the main attractions, the pool area is entirely enclosed by the hotel block, creating a surprisingly quiet and relaxed sanctuary away from the main strip’s noise.

5. Playa del Ingles, Gran Canaria (from £373pp)

Playa del Ingles serves up reliable sunshine all year-round, but summer is when I think it’s at its best.

It’s one of Gran Canaria’s liveliest spots, boasting a huge beach, sprawling shopping centres, and the famous Maspalomas sand dunes right on your doorstep.

While my data shows the resort averaging as little as £83.43 per person, per night, live deals offer a way to beat that average significantly.

I found a five-night, all-inclusive deal at the Green Field aparthotel, flying from Bristol on 19 August, for £373pp.

That works out to £74.60 per person, per night – nearly £9 below the resort average.

What makes this three-star property a standout for me is the apartments – every unit comes with its own kitchenette and a wide private balcony, giving you a proper, spacious living area to retreat to rather than feeling crammed into a standard hotel room.

4. Icmeler, Turkey (from £370pp)

Icmeler is the calmer, considerably greener neighbor to Marmaris.

The resort wraps around a sheltered bay, surrounded by mountains, with a beach, canal, and quiet seafront tavernas.

While our booking data shows travellers currently paying an average of £79.43 per person, per night here, live availability drops well below that baseline – even when you’re looking at the very last-minute.

I clocked a five-night, all-inclusive break at the four-star Club Munamar Beach Resort, flying from Bristol on 19 August, for £370pp – bringing the nightly cost down to just £74 per person.

The hotel features three separate pool zones, an excellent entertainment team, and its own private beach section.

They even provide reserved sunbeds and shades exclusively for guests, saving you from paying daily commercial beach fees down on the main shore.

3. Maspalomas, Gran Canaria (from £340pp)

Maspalomas actually registered as the most expensive of these eight resorts in the recent booking data, averaging £89.43 per person, per night.

However, hunting through live availability reveals a massive price loophole that completely flips that narrative.

You can lock in a five-night, all-inclusive package at the Maspalomas Oasis Club, departing Bristol on 19 August, for £340pp.

That slashes the daily price down to just £68 per person, per night – more than £21 below the resort average.

The property itself is a low-rise, bungalow-style complex in the quiet Campo Internacional area. 

And the apartments even have a duplex layout – instead of sharing corridors in a noisy multi-story block, you get your own self-contained bungalow with a private ground-floor terrace surrounding the pool.

2. Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote (from £338pp)

Puerto del Carmen came in as the absolute cheapest overall resort for super-last-minute holidays, with guests paying an average of just £73.15 per person, per night, according to the data.

That’s remarkable value given that Lanzarote is one of the most reliable options for guaranteed weather in Europe.

I even spotted a five-night, all-inclusive holiday at the three-star BLUESEA Los Fiscos, flying direct from Manchester on 22 August, for £338pp – coming out at just £67.60 per person, per night.

And this place is an apartment-style hotel tucked into the hillside above the old town.

The absolute best feature here is the elevated panoramic terrace, Because it sits above the main harbour, the pool bar serves up sweeping, uninterrupted views across the Atlantic Ocean while you grab an evening drink. Beauty.

1. Laganas, Zante (from £315pp)

Laganas takes the number one spot on our board for the absolute cheapest complete holiday package.

While it’s famous for its nightlife strip, move away from the main strip and you’ll find the protected Zakynthos Marine Park, traditional tavernas, and excellent boat trips out to spot loggerhead turtles.

While average bookings sit at £87.62 per person, per night, the live deals reveal a massive price drop that you can take advantage of.

You can secure a five-night, all-inclusive stay at the four-star Majestic Hotel and Spa, flying from Bristol on 19 August, for just £315pp.

That works out to a rock-bottom £63 per person, per night for return flights, accommodation, and all your food and drinks in peak August.

The hotel sits right in the heart of the action, featuring a massive central pool deck and an on-site spa, making it the ultimate budget launchpad for anyone wanting to be right in the center of the resort energy.

THE most beautiful beaches in the world have been revealed and good news – you can find a number of them in the UK.

Compiled by Big 7, the top 50 for 2026 are a mix of very well-known spots to some very hidden islands.

The study looks at a number of factors, such as cleanliness, social media mentions and expert knowledge.

You’ll have to hop on a long flight to find the no.1 beach, as that was given to Anse Source d’Argent in the Seychelles.

The website praised it for looking like “it should be on the front of a postcard,” with its calm waters and and shallow lagoons.

In second place was Entalula Beach in the Philippines – which you can only get to by boat – followed by Indonesia’s Pink Beach which yes, has pink sand thanks to the red coral mixed into it.

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When it comes to Europe, the highest ranked beach was Cala Macarella in Menorca, which came in eight place.

The Spanish island beach was praised for being the “quieter and smaller sibling of Majorca and Ibiza” as well as its soft sands and turquoise waters.

But if you don’t want to go too far, then the three in the UK are easy to get to.

Porthcurno Beach in Cornwall came in ninth place, and was the only English beach to make the list.

The website stated: “Porthcurno Beach is easily one of England’s most beautiful.

“With the clear waters and bright sands of Porthcurno Beach, it’s easy to imagine that you’re in the tropics.”

This was closely followed by Luskentyre Beach in Scotland, which just missed out on making the top 10 by being in 11th place.

Also compared to the Caribbean, they stated: “The white sands and turquoise waters make it hard to believe that you’re closer to Norway than Cornwall.”

And then in 31st place was the only Welsh beach to make the list, with Whitesands Beach making the cut.

It states: “Located on Wales’ spectacular Pembrokeshire coast, Whitesands Beach proves that you don’t need tropical weather to enjoy a stunning beach.

“Rolling surf foams onto the golden sands, while the rugged cliffs which provide the backdrop to the beach make Whitesands a favoured spot for families, hikers, and surfers alike.”

Other highly rated European beaches include Ksamil Beach in Albania (19th) which is often called the Maldives of Europe.

There is also Navagio Beach in Zante (21st), Haukland Beach in Norway (25th) and Palombaggia Beach in Corsica (28th).

Beaches in Madeira, Sardinia and Iceland also made the top 50.

World’s 50 Best Beaches

1. Anse Source d’Argent, Seychelles
2. Entalula Beach, Philippines
3. Pink Beach, Indonesia
4. Sandy Lane Beach, Barbados
5. Ee Motu Beach, Cook Islands
6. Whitehaven Beach, Australia
7. Matira Beach, French Polynesia
8. Cala Macarella, Menorca, Spain
9. Porthcurno Beach, UK
10. Mirissa Beach, Sri Lanka
11. Luskentyre Beach, UK
12. Starfish Beach, Vietnam
13. Tortuga Bay, Galápagos Islands
14. Keem Beach, Ireland
15. White Beach, Philippines
16. Unawatuna Beach, Sri Lanka
17. Eagle Beach, Aruba
18. Copacabana Beach, Brazil
19. Ksamil Beach, Albania
20. Boulders Beach, South Africa
21. Navagio Beach, Zakynthos, Greece
22. Dhigura Beach, Maldives
23. Radhanagar Beach, Havelock Island, India
24. Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman
25. Haukland Beach, Norway
26. Railay Beach, Thailand
27. Horseshoe Bay, Fiji
28. Palombaggia Beach, France
29. Reynisfjara Beach, Iceland
30. Santa Monica Beach, Cape Verde
31. Whitesands Beach, Wales
32. Chumbe Island, Tanzania
33. Champagne Beach, Vanuatu
34. Le Morne Beach, Mauritius
35. Waikiki Beach, Hawaii, USA
36. Plaua Kenepa Grandi, Curacao
37. Piha Beach, New Zealand
38. Playa Varadero, Cuba
39. Playa Blanca, Colombia
40. Bavaro Beach, Dominican Republic
41. Long Beach, Cambodia
42. Fteri Beach, Greece
43. La Jolla Cove, California, USA
44. Shoal Bay East, Anguilla
45. Playa Akumal, Mexico
46. Sugar Beach, St Lucia
47. La Pelosa Beach, Sardinia, Italy
48. Karon Beach, Thailand
49. Seixal Beach, Madeira
50. Manly Beach, Australia

A CRUISE company has cancelled a number of sailings due to low water levels across Europe.

Riviera Travel has cancelled 10 European river cruises and changed six other services in parts of the Rhine, Danube, Moselle and Main rivers.

The cancellations and changes come after a week of high temperatures across parts of Europe as well as little rainfall.

The UK cruise company said it had no other choice but to cancel some sailings, while six others that were due to run on the Rhine and Danube have been altered.

All passengers due to head on a Riviera Travel cruise are being updated multiple times before they travel, from two weeks to 72 hours as the company continues to monitor river levels.

If you are due to travel with Riviera but your sailing is impacted, the company will try to make other arrangements including coach transfers, itinerary changes and ship changes if needed.

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If your cruise is cancelled though, you will get a full refund.

And it isn’t just Riviera Travel that is impacted.

Luxury cruise company AmaWaterways has said: “Due to unusually low water levels on sections of the Rhine and Danube rivers, operational adjustments on select sailings have been deemed necessary.

“As river conditions continue to evolve, modifications may include changes to ports, embarkation or disembarkation locations, motorcoach transfers, ship scheduling, or other itinerary elements.

“Please know that every adjustment is made with the comfort and safety of guests as our highest priority. Guests on affected sailings will be contacted individually via email.”

And Emerald Cruises and Tours has said: “Europe continues to experience an extended period of dry weather, with above-average temperatures and limited rainfall across many regions.

“As a result, water levels on parts of the Danube, Rhine and Main Rivers are significantly lower than usual and are impacting river navigation.

“Some stretches are currently not navigable due to water levels, and our teams are implementing alternative arrangements where required to maintain the best possible experience for our guests.

“All guests due to join impacted cruises departing up until 31 August 2026 should have received an initial notification.

“In circumstances where itinerary adjustments are required, Scenic Group, which includes Scenic and Emerald Cruises, is committed to supporting our guests throughout their journey.”

TUI and Viking also previously warned of disruptions.

Currently, the Danube is at the lowest level ever recorded and the Loire, which is France‘s longest river, has even partially dried up in areas.

The Rhine, which flows through Germany, has also dropped in level.

Everyone knows the stars of Southern California’s driving landscape: Pacific Coast Highway, the cinematic connector of beach cities; Angeles Crest Highway, a stunning and winding mountain route; and “The Snake,” Mulholland Highway’s infamous roadway that reopened late last year.

A sign along California 33 near Ojai.

(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)

But there’s a less-traveled route that feels just as quintessentially SoCal: California 33 to Hudson Ranch Road, passing through Ojai, Maricopa, New Cuyama and Frazier Park.

Parts of this road curl in on themselves into tight, technical twisties — catnip to car enthusiasts and motorcyclists. But this two-lane motorway also showcases the splendor and diversity of the rugged region, from the forested mountains and canyons in Ventura to the jagged rocks and chaparral of the desert vistas, making it appealing to thrill seekers and sightseers alike. While roadways like the 5 serve to get you from one point to another quickly and efficiently, this one begs you to relish the journey.

“A road like this forces your mind to focus on the immediate needs of car control, while rewarding it with the beauty of the natural world,” says Dave Coleman, a Mazda R&D engineer from Long Beach who incorporates Hudson Ranch Road into his drives to and from the Bay Area. “While driving, there just isn’t enough mental bandwidth left to worry about the stressful things in life.”

This route brings people together, including me and my car enthusiast friends, who regularly go on these driving excursions — gas prices be damned. “We drive these roads for the excitement and euphoria, just like people go to Disneyland,” says Matt Kometer, a SkyLink supervisor from San Pedro who drives a 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata. And, unlike Disneyland or the traditional getaways that involve a hotel stay or a flight, these outings can be put together in a manner of hours.

I was a passenger on a recent Sunday pleasure cruise with a caravan of nine cars, which started in Ojai and ended at the base of Mount Pinos in the Los Padres National Forest. That’s 28 miles as the crow flies, but our route, with a detour for lunch in Cuyama, swelled the journey to more than 100 miles.

An 2026 Audi RS 3 heading to the lunch stop in Cuyama.

(Caroline Pardilla)

If you’re planning a trip of your own, a few things to note before you hit the road: Always check the road conditions, top up the tank because there’s only one gas station in Cuyama, download maps because cell service is spotty, and, if you’re caravanning with friends, it’s nice to bring walkie-talkies to stay in contact. The tunnel section of 33 in Wheeler Springs will be closed Aug. 28-31. Check the Caltrans website for updates.

Here’s a play-by-play of our day on the road.

10 a.m.: Breakfast at Pinyon on Ojai Avenue

Arriving from all corners of the L.A. Basin, the drivers meet up and fuel up at Pinyon Ojai, a pizza restaurant on Ojai Avenue. The shop serves single-origin coffee from Ventura’s Beacon Coffee and breakfast sandwiches featuring house-made bagels. Street-side seating affords prime car spotting, which today includes a right-hand-drive Toyota Land Cruiser Prado SUV and an immaculate brown-on-tan Mercedes-Benz SL Pagoda two-seater. Those who time their trip for the second Sunday morning of every month can check out the cars and coffee event a few blocks away at Westridge Midtown Market.

In the restaurant, the friends catch up, chatting about the cars they drove here, the progress of their current car projects and the route for the day. There is an air of anticipation. For many in the group, it’s their first time driving this route. Miatas feature heavily in this crowd, but there are also high-performance rides, like a Porsche 911, a first-generation Audi R8 and an Audi RS 3.

Traveling the canyon on the two-lane highway through Wheeler Springs and Wheeler Gorge is beautiful but slow going, past houses and campgrounds as well as high rock walls that threaten to rain down scree. Three narrow, dark tunnels along the way throttle speeds because of the sudden contrasts from broad daylight. Highway 33, at a modest 3.5% grade, meanders over and along creeks that are invisible from the road but marked by riparian vegetation.

Drivers gather around their cars while stopping along State Route 33.

(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)

After the road opens up, the drivers make short work of the curves while maintaining a respectful distance from one another. Occasionally, a leisure driver bunches up the group until they pull over at the next turnout to let the faster drivers pass. The series of switchbacks with hairpin turns offer a satisfying run up to Pine Mountain Summit. “That’s some world-class sports car fun there,” says Alex Vendler, a cinematographer from Glendale who drove up in a 2003 Miata. The 5,160-foot-high summit allows us to catch our breath and take in the views of the San Rafael Mountains in the west.

Chris Floren of Torrance poses in front of his “Viccup,” a 1960s truck draped over a Ford Crown Victoria.

(Caroline Pardilla)

1 p.m.: A break and more car talk at roadside motel Cuyama Buckhorn

The Buckhorn Restaurant at Cuyama Buckhorn, a midcentury roadside hotel refurbished in 2018, serves as the perfect respite. It’s about 10 miles off our route but is an air-conditioned oasis of burgers, pie a la mode and endless ice water.

If there’s a downside to stopping in the “hidden valley of enchantment,” it’s the distinct lack of shaded parking. But at least there are plenty of spots in front of the hotel. Through the diner’s large front-facing windows, we watched a cowboy mosey past on his horse, checking out the variety of vehicles.

A group of friends has lunch at the Buckhorn Restaurant at Cuyama Buckhorn.

(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)

Even though there are 12 of us walk-ins, the hostess immediately pushes several tables together to accommodate the group. The dynamics of this long table invite several different conversations to break out — all about cars. “I have a Miata, and I want a Miata,” says Vendler. Apparently, his tablemate William Benedict, a software engineer from West Hollywood who drove the R8, was skeptical about all the love for the Mazda roadster. Elsewhere, motorsports manager Chris Floren of Torrance is getting props for the surprising prowess of his sleeper “Viccup” — a Ford Crown Victoria police car with a ’60s-era pickup body draped over it. Another group discusses how “One Battle After Another” features the most Nissan Sentra SE-R content of any movie.

After last-minute gulps of water, everyone filters back into the heat of the desert and hurries to air out the cars’ ovenlike cabins. There is a mini photo shoot with Floren’s truck in front of the vintage hotel sign, and then we jump in the cars and backtrack up the 33/166 toward Hudson Ranch Road.

The Hudson Ranch Road is more fun in a Mitsubishi Evo IX.

(Caroline Pardilla)

3:30 p.m.: A ‘roller coaster’ of a road and a reunion in Pine Mountain Club

Unlike Maricopa Highway 33, Hudson Ranch Road features coarser asphalt, no guardrails and more passing zones than turnouts. Kometer said it should be a tarmac rally stage while professional stunt driver and Long Beach local Sarah Fairfield, who piloted the second ’26 MX-5 on this trip, equated it to a roller coaster. The road was originally built in the ’30s to accommodate traffic heading to the ski resort, which closed in the ’70s. Now, the group deems it the highlight of the day. “It let me enjoy the act of driving without having to go too fast,” says Karl Buchka, an aerospace engineer from El Segundo who drove up in the 911.

Although the friends were separated on this leg, having each taken the route at their own pace, they reunite at Pine Mountain General Store in Pine Mountain Club. The Village Center convenience store beckons with shaded parking and a freezer full of frozen treats. Between bites of a chocolate ice cream bar, Coleman proposes continuing on toward Santa Clarita, via the twisties on Bouquet Canyon and Spunky Canyon roads. With competing commitments, however, most of the drivers reluctantly bow out.

A look back at the caravan on the 166/33, heading toward Hudson Ranch Road.

(Caroline Pardilla)

In any case, the daylong cruise served its purpose of resetting the week and reconnecting the friends. “A lot of what this hobby or lifestyle or whatever is about is ultimately an excuse to spend time with friends, and to make new ones,” says Jason Kavanagh, a turbopump engineer from Mid-City who brought a Mitsubishi Evo IX to the outing. “So, yeah, the road is a means to that end.”

The drivers at Pine Mountain Club Village. From left, Matt Kometer, William Benedict, Alex Vendler, Dave Coleman, Sarah Fairfield, Jason Kavanagh, Chris Floren and Derek Dicker.

(Caroline Pardilla)

Shaved ice might be the perfect summertime treat. Melt-on-your-tongue ice crystals and endless combinations of fruity syrups, condensed milk, red beans or even cereal flakes mean that you can customize them to your liking and never get bored.

In L.A., in addition to your typical American snow cones, there’s a global array of shaved ice at our fingertips, including Korean bingsu, a milk-based ice with an ultra-fine, powdery texture that’s topped with sweet red beans or rice cakes, and Japanese kakigori, with ice shaved into delicate, fluffy shards and flavored with sweet, poured-over syrups.

Then you have Hawaiian shave ice, with powdery ice topped with island flavors like guava, passion fruit and pineapple. It often features a hidden scoop of vanilla ice cream or dairy-free Dole Whip and toppings like sweet condensed milk, mochi balls or toasted coconut. All around town, you’ll find raspado vendors selling the Mexican treat, traditionally made by hand-scraping a block of ice and topping it with sweet syrups, condensed milk and savory chili-lime seasonings.

Mewame owner Ben Kang moved to L.A. from Korea six years ago and started out as an employee at a local shaved ice shop.

“When I used to work at my previous job, a lot of people asked if we have dairy-free options,” said Kang.

Kang, who is lactose intolerant, was inspired to open Mewame in West Hollywood last summer, serving bingsu-inspired treats that are completely dairy-free, swapping condensed milk for oat or coconut milks.

From late-night bingsu in Pasadena to matcha kakigori at an NYC-founded ramen shop, L.A.’s shaved ice shops are a refreshing escape from the unrelenting sun.

The Russian River was running low and slowly. A few miles outside Guerneville at Steelhead Beach, several men stepped into the water, laden with flotation devices. A duck, a flamingo, a unicorn …

“Don’t you know?” asked Anna Deurloo, standing by me on the shore. “It’s Lazy Bear Week! That’s why the river is full of bears: big hairy men with beards. And Speedos.”

Deurloo, who lives in Guerneville, had made glittery bandannas for her crew of bears to wear at the annual celebration. Out on the water, Joe Souza of Long Beach adjusted his blinged-out headgear, hollering that he’d been coming to Guerneville every summer for more than 20 years.

“It’s a nice place to meet our friends from all over the country,” Souza said, “and get tricked into this river.”

1

2

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1. Steelhead Beach is a popular starting place for warm-weather floats down the Russian River. 2. Families play in the Russian River near Johnson’s Beach. 3. The view from Korbel Winery includes vineyards and forest along the Russian River. (Photographs by Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

When the weather is warm, the Russian River draws dawdlers of all kinds, including LGBTQ+ vacationers, longtime locals and Bay Area families. On summer weekends, thousands show up in Guerneville with kayaks, canoes, inner tubes — just about anything that will float, preferably with a cooler attached. Then they spend hours gliding downstream past scenery that might as well be a Northern California highlight reel: vineyards, redwood forests and eventually a beach scene full of driftwood and sea stacks.

They know that time is of the essence. Many places on the river in and around Guerneville shut down November through early May because it gets cold and rainy and the river can run high and fast.

But for now through early October, with little rain and seasonal dams controlling the water’s flow, this might be California’s laziest river.

Still, for plenty of Californians, including me, this corner of Sonoma County is little-known territory. I’ve just gotten my first good look at the area, which is about 85 miles north of San Francisco, and I’m glad I arrived when I did.

For years, as Sonoma County’s wine country has grown ever more pricey and elegant, the communities of the lower Russian River have clung to their rustic, quirky and more affordable ways, in part because of the area’s vulnerability to changing seasons.

But the riverside scene is evolving. Since the pandemic, several new or revamped lodgings have boosted glamping and other upscale elements in a territory once better known for old cabins. At privately owned Johnson’s Beach in Guerneville, where parking was free in the old days, the fee is up to $10 a day. In the Johnson’s Beach lodgings, long known for summer-camp vibes, some rooms now come equipped with luxury linens and a French press. On the menu at the River Electric, there’s a “high-low dog” — a hot dog with black caviar — for $40. In other words, the lower Russian River is edging up-market.

“There’s a lot more new blood up here. A lot of new people in the last five years,” said Robert Baba, who runs Ideal Hardware in Forestville.

“Prices are going up and hotels are getting more posh,” said Michael Rex, owner of Guerneville’s Russian River Bookstore. But still, he said, “there’s a lot to do here where you don’t have to spend a dime.”

Here’s what I found in four days as a Russian River rookie.

River guide Keith Chandler prepares to kayak at the Russian River estuary at Jenner on the Sonoma County coast.

(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

Forestville: Stepping into the river

If you want to imagine time standing still, start at Burke’s Canoe Trips, which has been renting canoes and kayaks for decades. At Burke’s, which sits at the edge of Forestville (population: about 3,300), most customers rent a watercraft ($95 per canoe, $60 per kayak) before noon, drift 10 miles down river to Guerneville, then catch a Burke’s bus back to where they began.

The river water is shallow, often 3 to 5 feet deep. The beaches are pebbly. The redwood groves begin within stone-skipping distance of the Burke’s property and follow the river downstream. Drinking water and sunblock are vital. Sightings of blue heron, egrets and river otters are common. (Burke’s also has camping with hot showers and fire rings, at $20 per person per night.)

Canoes await paddlers at Burke’s Canoe Trips in Forestville along the Russian River.

(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

A cat sleeps alongside a Jesus statue and beach gear at Burke’s Canoe Trips in Forestville along the Russian River.

(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

“People know that no matter how the world is doing, when they come to the river, it’s going to be like it used to be,” said Linda Burke, second-generation owner of the business.

“It could be 1946 when you’re paddling,” said Ted Schroeder, longtime manager at Burke’s.

But even at Burke’s, things change: Demand is up for kayaks, down for the metal canoes, which are heavier.

Along Front Street, Forestville’s tiny commercial core, you could get a corn dog for $3.30 at Carr’s Drive-Inn, which looks like a time capsule from 1979. Or you could get some wood-fired pizza on the big, bright patio of Sonoma Pizza Co., which opened in 2022; or maybe a cup of organic ice cream at Angela’s (since 2023).

If you want to go luxe, you can eat or sleep at the Farmhouse Inn, a 6-acre property on River Road that includes 18 rooms and cottages, a pool and some spa services amid lushly landscaped grounds. Its restaurant occupies an 1873 farmhouse. (Nightly rates start around $440.)

For a lot of people, however, Forestville is just a place to slip into the lazy river — often at Steelhead Beach, half a mile downriver from Burke’s.

Glamping tents are a central part of Dawn Ranch, near the Russian River in Guerneville, Calif.

(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

As glampers arrive, Guerneville gets fancier

Guerneville (population: about 4,500) is the hub of human activity on the Lower Russian River. River Road becomes Main Street there, and in summer its shops and restaurants buzz with people. Riverfront recreation at Johnson’s Beach is a block away. A network of redwood forest trails awaits 2 miles up the road in Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Preserve.

Be warned, however, that on weekends, Guerneville is often short on parking. Consider parking for the day ($10) in the big dirt lot at Johnson’s Beach, which has food, drinks, rental kayaks, canoes and inner tubes, campsites, historic bungalows, modern tiny cabins, canvas cabanas and a four-bedroom lodge. There are about 35 units in all, open mid-April through October. (The bare campsites start at $55, historic bungalows at $165.)

“It’s a lazy river and walkable to town, so we can camp and eat at restaurants,” said Kim Loda of Oakland as her son, Axel, 10, showed off his juggling skills near the Johnson’s Beach snack bar. “I don’t know why my family didn’t bring me here growing up.”

The River Electric, a resort along the Russian River in Guerneville, Calif., includes glamping tents.

(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

Guerneville grew up as a 19th century logging settlement, prospered as a weekend getaway for San Franciscans arriving by ferry and train in the 1920s, slumped in the ‘30s and suffered extensive flooding in the 1960s. It entered a new chapter in the late 1970s, when a handful of gay entrepreneurs began buying up and revamping rustic resorts and bars.

First, in 1978, was a riverside getaway called Fife’s. Another early gay-owned venture was the Rainbow Cattle Company bar, still in business on River Road, a.k.a. Main Street. (Every week on Give Back Tuesday, the bar stages raffles, offers $5 dinners and earmarks 10% of revenue for charities.)

When the 1980s and 1990s arrived, Guerneville suffered deeply — from the AIDS epidemic and from repeated floods.

Nimble & Finn’s sells ice cream inside the Guerneville Bank Club building in Guerneville, Calif.

(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

Yet a generation later, the community has gained ground.

Since 2008, entrepreneur Crista Luedtke has built a series of businesses, including Boon Eat+Drink and Boon Hotel+Spa. The Guerneville Social Club, “Russian River’s First Queer-Owned Social Club,” is due to open with a restaurant, bar and shop in 2027. Lazy Bear gatherings have been staged every July since 1996 by the nonprofit Lazy Bear Fund to raise money toward LGBTQ+ community health. There’s also a Russian River Pride parade Sept. 19.

Cars park along Main Street on July 30 in Guerneville.

(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

Timing my visit to avoid weekend crowds, I ate a dinner of chicken in tasty mole negro at Three Cultures Kitchen, which opened last year. I got ice cream at Nimble & Finn’s, lunch at Coffee Bazaar and a $15 sandwich to go at the Korbel Winery, which offers a deli, tasting room, wine shop and free tours at its scenic site about 3 miles west of Guerneville. I also browsed at Russian River Books & Letters.

“I ended up here because of the pandemic. It just went on and on, so I decided to open the bookstore,” said bookshop owner Michael Rex. Since that time, Rex said, he’s seen a growing number of remote workers.

Most notable among the new and renovated Guerneville resorts: Dawn Ranch and the River Electric, both with a glamping focus, both with docks on the river.

Dawn Ranch, dramatically upgraded in 2023, is a 22-acre, all-ages property that once held the Fife’s resort. The verdant grounds feature 86 cabins, cottages, chalets and glamping tents (open year-round) that share bathrooms and showers. There’s an upstairs restaurant, spa services, a pool and boathouse bar, along with a dock and private beach at the end of the short trail that feels like a secret path.

The tents, which start at about $300 nightly, have furniture, electricity and Wi-Fi, but if you show up on a 93-degree afternoon, as I did, your un-air-conditioned tent will be about the same temperature. That’s when it’s time to jump in the pool or river.

The Russian River runs past a dock at Dawn Ranch in Guerneville, Calif.

(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

The River Electric is sited on long-idle, flood-prone 12-acre expanse of riverside land that old-timers remember as the site of J’s Amusement Park in the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s. In 2025, the current owners unveiled a newfangled resort with a restaurant, two pools (one of them round) and 46 furnished, electrified tent units, which start at about $260 nightly.

The resort stays open until Oct. 31. Then, by design, most of the resort will be carted away or submerged when the river rises.

“Everything except the concrete, we take off-site, Which is wild,” said River Electric’s Jessica Baker, who gave me a tour. The resort also sells day passes for $38 and hosts many weddings and special events.

Yet another glamping option is Guerneville’s Autocamp Sonoma, which opened in 2016. It doesn’t have river frontage, but it includes 25 Airstream trailers and 10 glamping tents in the shadow of a redwood grove.

Stand-up paddle-boarders are common at the Russian River estuary, next to Jenner on the Sonoma County coast.

(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

This is how the river ends: with roaring wind on an empty beach

Heading west from Guerneville, you roll through Monte Rio, seeing more redwoods, cabins and glimpses of river.

You might spot the 11-room Inn on the Russian River, a recently upgraded property whose riverside perch includes a private dock and summer rates of roughly $260 to $430 nightly.

Kayakers often come across harbor seals in the Russian River estuary at Jenner on the Sonoma County coast.

(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

What you’ll need to imagine is the Bohemian Grove, which hides in the nearby forest, serving as a haven for the rich, powerful, famous and all-male members of the Bohemian Club since the 19th century.

Gathering every July at that 2,700-acre compound, club members, who have included Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon and Bob Weir, are said to stage a ritual “cremation of care,” burning an effigy of “care” in front of a 40-foot owl statue. (Suddenly, Burning Man seems a little less original.)

Anyway, a casual tuber or kayaker can’t float all the way to the Pacific from Forestville. (Obstacles include seasonal dams at Johnson’s Beach and Vacation Beach.) But if you drive the river road past Monte Rio and the historic but touristy shops at Duncans Mills, you reach the coastal hamlet of Jenner. That’s where the water flows into the Pacific, where the Russian River goes from mild (in summer) to wild.

To see the converging waters and feel the roaring wind, you can drive to Goat Rock Road and Goat Rock Beach. Or you could stop for a snack at Cafe Aquatica, whose patio fronts the water’s edge.

Or you could do both, followed by a night at River’s End, where a restaurant and five woodsy guest rooms enjoy sweeping views of the river, sea and sea stacks.

Kayakers paddle through sunset on the Russian River estuary, which looks out at the sea and sea stacks near Jenner.

(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

I did that. And on my last morning along the river, I got up early and met Keith Chandler of Jenner-based Watertreks Ecotours at water’s edge. Then we paddled around the estuary on a pre-breakfast kayak tour.

“I never get tired of this,” Chandler told me.

Some tours go out by night, focusing on bioluminescent plankton. We skirted Penny Island, where native Pomo people lived and farmed for generations before immigrants from Europe arrived. In fact, Chandler’s boss, Suki Waters, is part Pomo. Jenner might be small, but river, sea, natives and newcomers all converge there.

For a good chunk of this morning, however, there was just two of us in a kayak, sidling up to egrets, cormorants and harbor seals, watching pelicans glide in formation over the long, empty beach where the Russian River ends.

PASSENGERS face further disruption in Europe as an Italian airport remains closed following a volcanic eruption for yet ANOTHER day.

Catania Airport in Sicily has been forced to cancel hundreds of flights since the weekend due to Mount Etna erupting and will remain closed until at least tomorrow.

Over the past few days, 700 flights have been cancelled with others diverted to neighbouring airports including Palermo.

As a result of the disruption, families who have had their flights cancelled have been left stranded, with videos on social media showing travellers sleeping on the airport floor and even luggage belts.

In its latest statement, the airport said: “Due to Mount Etna’s eruptive activity, the closure of Sector B3 has been extended, resulting in the suspension of arrivals and departures until 2:00 AM on August 14.

“Passengers are kindly advised to check the status of their flight with their airline before heading to the airport.

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“Further updates will follow in the coming hours.”

Evgenia Filimianova, 39, was caught up in the chaos after flew to Sicily last week from London to attend a friend’s wedding.

However, when she was due to fly to Athens from Catania earlier this week, her flight was cancelled just 30 minutes before it was due to depart.

Evgenia said: “We were having a very nice day in Taormina, at the wedding, enjoying our time there, but we could see the eruption and the volcano spewing lava.

“The locals seemed very chill and we didn’t get any emergency texts or direction from the people at the hotel, so we weren’t too worried.

“But then I started reading about travel. As soon as there is ash, the airports start closing.”

She added that there were loads of people “sleeping on the floor” when they arrived at the airport, with most other flights and buses already booked up.

Catania Airport isn’t the only spot impacted by the eruption either – Malta International Airport cancelled 19 flights earlier this week as well, with more delayed today.

A SUPER affordable UK waterpark is set to undergo a major refurb and will get new attractions.

Time Capsule in Coatbridge, Scotland, is set to undergo a £2.5million modernisation project.

As part of the project, there will be a new themed tipping bucket attraction, health suites and a Clip ‘n Climb arena.

The changing areas will also be upgraded, as well as the areas around the pool and the soft play area.

Plans include replacing the water flumes later this year as well.

The project will take place over the remainder of this year and add to already completed projects which include a refurbished gym.

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Councillor Geraldine Woods, Convener of the Communities Committee, said: “The Time Capsule has been at the heart of leisure and family life in North Lanarkshire for more than 30 years, and this investment demonstrates our commitment to its future.

“These exciting improvements will enhance the experience for everyone who visits, while creating modern, accessible facilities that encourage more people to be active and enjoy everything the venue has to offer.”

Councillor Jim Logue, Leader of North Lanarkshire Council, added: “This significant investment is about protecting one of our most valued leisure facilities and ensuring it continues to serve our communities for many years to come.

“Many of the new features have been designed to celebrate Coatbridge’s industrial heritage, creating a unique visitor experience while complementing the Time Capsule’s role as one of North Lanarkshire’s flagship leisure destinations.”

The Time Capsule waterpark is one of – if not the most – affordable indoor waterpark in the UK, with adult tickets costing less than a tenner (£9.55 per person) and kids tickets costing £7.90 per person.

Under threes go free and kids aged three or four-year-olds cost £5.25 per person.

In comparison, Sandcastle Waterpark in Blackpool costs from £22.31 per person over the age of eight and from £13.96 per child between the age of three and seven.

And Waterworld in Stoke-on-Trent costs from £17.50 per person.

Inside, you will find high-speed flumes including Tornado Tantrum – a high-speed raft ride, where four people ride together – and Storm Chasers –10hmetre-igh speed flumes.

For those who aren’t a big fan of thrills, you can enjoy the lazy river called Riptide River.

There’s also Cove Island, which is a gentle splash area for toddlers.

And of course, if you want a gentle splash or swim there is a 25-metre pool.

Away from the waterpark, the attraction has an ice rink and gym too.

FINDING somewhere to stay can be boring, but it doesn’t have to be…

If you are heading off on a staycation this summer, instead of opting for the same old hotel, why not consider something a bit more quirky?

There are a tonne of holiday homes out that that have something weird or unusual about them.

So we’ve picked out the best ones across the UK for you to check out – and some are a bargain.

Helipod, Lincolnshire

Never been in a helicopter before? How about staying the night in one?

Helipod in Lincolnshire is a converted helicopter that you can stay in at the former RAF Wainfleet in Friskney, near Skegness.

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The helicopter sleeps two guests with prices starting from £50 a night, which is just £25 per person per night.

Inside the helicopter you’ll find a double sofa bed, TV, mini fridge and a kettle.

Station Masters House, Scottish Borders

Switching from one mode of transport to another, you could stay inside a train station house in the Scottish Borders.

Known as Station Masters House, Saughtree Station used to once be a working train station and to get to the house, you have to head along the original platform and once inside you’ll find a spacious kitchen as well as a lounge with a Smart TV.

There’s then three bedrooms in total – one on the ground floor, and then another double and twin room – while outside there is also a patio area ideal for soaking up the sunshine.

Stays cost from £531 per night, which would work out at £88.50 per person per night.

The Old Chapel, Herefordshire

The Old Chapel is a two bedroom converted chapel, surrounded by countryside.

Inside, you’ll find an open-plan living space with a Smart TV, as well as two bedrooms.

Both rooms have an ensuite as well and there is an outside area with a lawn, patio and furniture.

Stays cost from £146 per night, though there is a minimum stay of four nights.

Tree House near Aberaeron, Ceredigion

If you always dreamed of having a tree house when you were a little kid, now is your chance to (sort of) live out that dream.

Tree House near Aberaeron in Ceredigion, Wales, is what it says on the tin – a tree house in the woods, with an open-plan airy living area.

There is one double bed and a sofa bed, ideal if also with kids.

Outside the tree house there is even a small veranda and also a hot tub.

Nant y Garnedd, North Wales & Snowdonia

If you are a fan of Lord of the Rings, make sure to head to Nant y Garnedd in Wales.

Somewhat resembling a hobbit hut, you can stay in a single storey hut built into the hillside.

The accommodation sleeps up to four people, has its own little kitchen and lounge as well as an outdoor area.

Bookings must be a minimum of three nights, which costs from £689 – working out at £229.67 per night.

Sprat & Winkle, Horsebridge

Sprat and Winkle is a converted 1922 railway carriage that sleeps up to four guests.

Inside, there are two bedrooms with ensuite shower rooms, a living area and a small kitchen.

Just a short walk away is a pub too, in case you fancy a tipple – if not, you can soak up the sunshine in the garden.

There’s a minimum stay of three nights, which costs from £538, working out at £179.34 per night.

Fingal Hotel, Edinburgh

Fingal Hotel in the Scottish capital isn’t your regular hotel – instead you will be sleeping on a boat.

Complete with a sun terrace, restaurant and bar onboard, you’d be staying on a former Northern Lighthouse Board ship that is permanently docked in the Port of Leith.

There are 23 custom designed cabins onboard as well as Art Deco styling throughout.

A one-night stay for two adults costs from £279.

Cley Windmill, Holt

If none of the above tickle your fancy, you could stay inside a windmill.

Cley Windmill in Holt is both historic and pretty, with its own terrace and garden.

Inside, you will find rooms with their own bathrooms, as well as a restaurant and bar.

Rooms cost from £150 per night for two adults (£75pp), with breakfast included.

Hocus Pocus Tiny Hotel, York

Love all things witchy? Check in to the Hocus Pocus Tiny Hotel in York.

Found inside a historic building in the city centre, the hotel has a range of rooms including family options.

You can expect quirky details, stone walls, historic paintings and four poster beds.

Stays cost from £169 per night, for two people.

If you’re looking for an inexpensive weekend away in autumn, you don’t need to go far, as this UK city has been named the cheapest for a budget-friendly break and it’s packed with history and culture

Autumn can be an excellent time for a weekend away, and if you’re looking forward to exploring some cities in the cooler weather, then you might want to consider some hidden gems in the UK.

Research carried out by ticket sellers SeatPick has shown the best UK cities for a budget friendly concert weekend, but you don’t need to have plans to see a gig to enjoy the top destination. There are plenty of historic and cultural sites to enjoy, and its famous for its buzzing nightlife.

Newcastle upon Tyne took the top spot to be crowned the UK’s cheapest city break, beating Liverpool into second place and Birmingham into third. Gilad Zilberman, CEO at SeatPick said: “Newcastle combines a vibrant nightlife with one of the UK’s most affordable city-centre accommodation.

“With average hotel prices of just £79 per night, a walkable centre and plenty of bars and restaurants close to major venues, it’s one of best-value cities for turning a concert into a weekend away.”

One of Newcastle’s most iconic sights is the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, and it’s worth visiting at night when its lit up to get the best photos. At weekends, visit the Quayside Sunday Market for a relaxed day walking along the waterfront with food stalls and arts and crafts.

The 12th century Newcastle Castle is also a major landmark. Walk through the rooms and enjoy immersive experiences that bring its past to life before heading to the roof for panoramic city views. Another place to see the city from above the rooftops is from Grey’s Monument. Climb 164 steps up the narrow winding staircase, but be warned, it’s not for the claustrophobic or those who get tired after a couple of flights of stairs.

You might prefer to stay on the solid ground of Grey Street, enjoying the historic vibes of its Georgian architecture, exploring colourful art galleries, or simply sitting in one of its many international restaurants, classic pubs, or stylish bars. You’ve also got major shopping streets and centres just a short walk away, with lots of independent stores among high street favourites.

Newcastle also has a lively cultural scene, and in the evening you can enjoy performances at the Victorian-era Tyne Theatre & Opera House, or the contemporary Northern Stage which has performances from Shakespeare to family-friendly shows. The city is also famous for its nightlife, its compact centre making it easy to go out without spending a fortune in taxis. Popular areas for nights out include Collingwood Street, sometimes known as the The Diamond Strip because of its stylish bars and Bigg Market which has inexpensive and vibrant clubs.

Of the second place choice, Gilad said: “Liverpool combines a thriving music scene with one of the UK’s best-value city breaks. Its compact city centre means fans can explore the Royal Albert Dock, Bold Street and the Cavern Quarter before heading to the M&S Bank Arena or nearby venues without relying on taxis for longer journeys.” While Birmingham was praised for its “excellent transport links and a compact city centre”.

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

Hayley Newland says after the crowd settled down, she was easily able to walk up to the pool and find a bed with no wait

A British holidaymaker has captured the moment hundreds of guests queued from 7.30am before racing for sunbeds when a hotel pool opened in Benidorm. Teaching assistant Hayley Newland, 39, from Brighton, was staying with her family at a hotel when she witnessed the scramble.

Hayley said she had never experienced anything like it, despite being familiar with the infamous holiday sunbed rush. The footage shows a large crowd waiting behind a barrier before security guards open the pool area at 9am.

As soon as the barrier lifts, guests stream through in a bid to claim their spot. Hayley said the same thing happened every morning during her 10-day stay, with some holidaymakers beginning to queue as early as 7.30am. She said: “It was madness, I have never experienced anything like this before. I would watch this all happening from the breakfast hall.”

Despite the dramatic scenes, Hayley said the rush was ultimately unnecessary – as she had no trouble finding sunbeds once the crowds had dispersed. She said: “Once the chaos was over, I would go and find some beds for my family with no problem.”

She described it as “chaos for no reason”, but admitted it was also entertaining to watch. The footage is likely to reignite the debate among holidaymakers over whether it is ever worth getting up at the crack of dawn to bag a sunbed.

From the bus window, the ridge looks like a giant slumbering beast stretched deep green across the flat farmland. “It feels alive,” I say to the woman beside me. “Yes,” she answers. “It is where you would run for safety, don’t you think?”

I am in southern Sweden to explore Söderåsen national park, established in 2001 to protect more than 1,600 hectares (4,000 acres) of the larger Söderåsen ridgeline. Shaped over millennia by immense geological collisions, fractures, volcanic eruptions and ice ages, today it is one of northern Europe’s largest continuous protected broadleaf forests, and only 90 minutes by car from Copenhagen or, in my case, two hours by public transport.

The little village of Röstånga at the gateway to the park is where travellers stop for supplies from the supermarket before disappearing into the forest on foot, bike or horseback, and people gather for food, live music and art.

My room for the first night is in Villa Söderåsen, a grand timber-framed yellow and white guesthouse, which has stood at the park’s entrance since 1904. It was built for tourists arriving via the new railway in search of connection to nature. Sebastian and Åsa, the owners, want to continue that tradition. “We humans are as loud as elephants in the wood,” says Sebastian. “Sit quietly for half an hour and see what happens.”

That evening, I eat with strangers at long wooden tables outside the hip restaurant and live music venue Stationen. Music drifts out of open doors, adults chat around the fire, children run circles around us.

The next morning, Åsa recommends I take a dip in Odensjön (Odin’s Eye) Lake. “Some say it is bottomless,” she says. It’s almost perfectly round, edged by steep beech-covered slopes, and fed by underground springs. Fifteen minutes into the forest and I am there.

A woman making her way back to the village says: “There is a rock in the water, heated by the sun, sit there, let your body adjust.”

Grasshoppers trill, spider silk trails from branches, noble chafer beetles glimmer like the aurora borealis, a dragonfly rests electric-blue on my now empty walking boots. I swim, the circle of blue sky rippling, and emerge ready for anything.

A few years ago, scientists obtained a sediment core from the bottom of the lake, providing detailed information from the past 600 years of land-use history. This showed that in the 18th and 19th centuries the plateau was largely deforested. I would have been walking across a heath, repeatedly burned to improve grazing grounds. It is difficult to imagine as I move through endless layers of beech, interspersed at times with birch, oak and rowan, mossy trunks, roots like octopuses.

Once I start searching, the signs of human history are everywhere too, from hollow ways to clearance cairns and dry-stone walls.

Two hours of hiking later, I arrive at the second entrance to the park: Skäralid, a rift valley. The visitor centre Naturum, packed with information and playful exhibits, shares its premises with Café Italia. Both look out onto a picturesque dam. A ranger explains that much of the initial conservation efforts since designation as a national park involved the felling of non-native Norway spruce and the planting of broadleaved trees in its stead.

In search of solitude, I choose the wilder three-hour Hjortsprångsrundan or Deer Leap circular, a trail named after a prehistoric hunting method where people drove game over a narrow cliff shelf. I pick my way along it, across heather and bilberry, to perch on the hard gneiss bedrock that blushes a startling mineral pink. A buzzard swoops down from the branch of a gnarled oak.

The descent is like scrambling and slipping back through time into an entirely other world. Many of these slopes managed to escape the historical land clearances and thus are the closest to ancient woodland. But all around this area, ferns, lichen, fungi, seeds and spores are recolonising the land.

The scree slopes are dotted with springs pushed up from a subterranean lake and laced with streams that feed into the Skärån river. The scent in the bottom of the valley is heady, sweet and damp, bringing with it a keen awareness of how much is always happening just out of sight.

I rest on a wooden walkway, pop a wild raspberry in my mouth and watch a slowworm the length of my forearm slither past. Then, a sudden crashing through undergrowth. Wolf? Wild boar? Moose? A young stag steps from a pocket of alder trees, pawing the ground. We look at one another. The sun drops, and as it does its light rises up the walls of the ravine.

My room for the second night is in Söderåsens Skafferi, a vandrarhem, or wanderer’s home. The house glows like a lantern on the edge of the dark wood. The owner Elisabeth, who spent her childhood exploring Söderåsen on horseback, says the house was once the first nature school in Sweden.

On my final morning I climb to Kopparhatten, the park’s highest viewpoint at 212 metres, and hold up a booklet with an image of a painting from 1840 of this same vista, almost bare of trees. “We used to holiday in the south,” a couple tell me. “But we’re searching for cooler climates now.” I wonder what stories they will bring home.

Summer, all green infusion; autumn, rust and gold; winter, snow and stone; spring, wood anemones and paper-thin leaves. The national park feels like living proof that damaged landscapes can recover if nature, and humans, are given half a chance.

Accommodation was provided by Villa Söderåsen (doubles from 1,095 Swedish Kronor, about £85, B&B). Coco also stayed at Söderåsens Skafferi (doubles from around £78). Söderåsen national park has multiple wild campsites with wind shelters and barbecue areas. For information on public transport access, visit skanetrafiken.se

AS the countdown begins for the most complete solar eclipse in almost three decades, millions are expected to be watching the rare phenomenon.

But which beauty spots in the UK will provide the most impressive views?

With more than 90 per cent of the sun set to disappear from view from most parts of the UK, hills, parks and even dams will be some of the best places to catch sight of the celestial event.

The rule of thumb is to head somewhere with elevation to ensure an unobstructed view of the phenomenon – without skyscrapers or trees blocking the sight.

One such place is Exmoor National Park, which has a maximum elevation of 5586 sq ft (519 meters) and spans across Somerset and Devon.

The park’s Valley of Rocks and Countisbury areas in particular have been highlighted as offering the best views of the western horizon – crucial for seeing the phenomenon.

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In Wales, Elan Valley’s Craig Goch Dam features wide, sweeping views of the surrounding landscape.

Fully accessible by car, foot or bike through the scenic regional Elan Valley road network, stargazers will be able to look across the water for sights of the celestial event.

Galloway Forest Park in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland remains Britain’s largest forest park, with more than 300 square miles of hills, trees, and more than 250 lochs.

From here, the tallest hill is The Merrick, standing at 2,766 feet high and with the lowest average cloud cover this month, it promises a crystal-clear view of the eclipse.

But for those in and around cities, there are a number of hills and viewpoints easily accessible to residents.

Greenwich Park, Telegraph Hill and Primrose Hill notably provide some of the most expansive views across London.

Those with tickets will be able to watch the spectacle from the historic Royal Observatory, while eclipse enthusiasts will be able to join any number of eclipse picnics taking place at these beauty spots later today (August 12).

WITH temperatures soaring towards 38C this week, a holiday close to home can feel like being abroad.

And when there’s UK holiday parks with plenty of last-minute summer availability, there’s no better time to set off on a cheeky spontaneous staycation.

If you bag one of these last-minute offers, you could be cooling off in giant waterparks, floating down lazy rivers, or feeling the sand between your toes on the beach.

And with prices tumbling to entice holidaymakers, you can bag an action-packed family break from as little as £7.71 per person a night so here’s our pick of the best last-minute bargain holidays you can book right now – before they all sell out.

Cleethorpes Beach, Lincolnshire

If you’re looking for a last-minute getaway with loads to do for the kids, this park has plenty of excitement on-site. It’s also ideal for a dip in the sea, thanks to its direct beach access.

Sunny days are best spent cooling off at the outdoor splash park, dropping a line in the peaceful fishing lake, or tackling pedal go-karts and mini golf outdoors.

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For bigger thrills, kids can scale the giant climbing wall or battle it out in the NERF training camp.

Feeding the family is easy too, thanks to Slim Chickens, Papa Johns, Burger King, and even its very own on-site Wetherspoons pub.

Last-minute three night break in a Bronze caravan sleeping eight for £185 total, working out to just £7.71pp per night.

Todber Valley Holiday Park, Lancashire

Fancy a last-minute getaway to a relaxing holiday resort with two national parks on your doorstep?

Todber Valley sits in Clitheroe, where caravans are surrounded by nothing but rolling hills and greenery.

But if you do fancy a slice of history, you’ve got Clitheroe Castle and Museum just under 20 minutes’ drive away.

For kids, there’s an outdoor adventure playground and sports courts to burn off energy, and for grown-ups there’s a pub with a pretty beer garden that’s perfect for enjoying the sunshine.

Three night break for six people in a Bronze caravan for £313, working out to £17.39pp per night.

Combe Haven, Sussex

Set in sunny St Leonards-on-Sea, this Sussex park centers around an epic waterpark complex with a lazy river and a giant Space Bowl flume

Out of the water, you can test your aim with archery coaching, tackle Footgolf, or scale the massive climbing wall.

For dinner, tuck into a proper chippy tea at Cook’s Fish and Chips, then head to The Saxon Bar for evening drinks with sea views.

Plus historic Hastings is just 15 minutes away – ideal for exploring its famous castle and delving into the underground caves at Smuggler’s Adventure.

Three night break for four people in a Saver caravan for £279 total, working out to £23.25pp per night.

Craig Tara, Scotland

Perched on the dramatic Ayrshire coast, Craig Tara is one of the biggest Haven holiday parks in the UK.

This seaside spot delivers non-stop action no matter what the weather is doing. The star attraction is Splashaway Bay – one of Scotland’s largest indoor waterparks – with multi-lane slides, thrill flumes, a lazy river, and a toddler splash zone.

Indoors, the massive Airspace sports hall keeps the momentum going with climbing walls, soft play, a golf simulator, and electronic target walls.

Outdoors, at the Lighthouse Harbour Adventure Village, you can brave an aerial ropes course or take the plunge on the six metre-high ‘The Jump’.

Last-minute three night break in a saver caravan sleeping six people for £339 total, working out to £18.83pp per night.

Butlin’s

Butlin’s have a selection of last-minute breaks for the remainder of the summer holidays that can cost you as little as £22.50pp per night.

There are three and four night breaks available across all three locations – Skegness, Minehead and Bognor Regis.

Included in the price you’ll get waterpark and fairground access, as well as daytime activities like soft play, football and arts and crafts.

Plus you’ll be able to catch one of this summer’s exclusive shows before they end for the season, including performances from Diversity, The Masked Singer and Maximum Pro Wrestling shows.

We found one three night break at Minehead, including access to Diversity and The Masked Singer shows, for £269 total, or £22.42pp per night.

Prices correct at the time of publication.

A POLL of 2,000 adults found New Zealand, Japan and Australia were the locations the older generation most wished to visit but had never been to.

While Canada, the Maldives and Iceland also feature in the top 10 destinations which remain on bucket lists.

Taking spontaneous trips without overthinking it (21 per cent), going to bucket list destinations (17 per cent) and saying ‘yes’ to adventures rather than prioritising work (14 per cent) are also things over 50s wish they had experienced more.

But it’s not just older people who have travel pangs, with 42 per cent of Gen Z and 47 per cent of Millennials also wishing they had been able to travel more than they have so far.

While seeing the Northern lights tops the once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences they most want to have (41 per cent of Gen Z and 42 per cent of Millennials).

It also emerged 71 per cent of all adults polled are adamant it is never too late to make up for lost time, and many believe seeing new places (37 per cent) or experiencing natural phenomena (18 per cent) will positively impact their lives.

The study was commissioned by Icelandair, which has launched a competition to giveaway tickets to see the next solar eclipse in Iceland – in 170 years – as well as a visit to see the country in September, in a bid to cancel out regrets and reduce FOMO.

A spokesperson for the airline said: “Travel has never been more accessible, but our research shows once-in-a-lifetime experiences still sit firmly on people’s bucket lists and too many never get ticked off, leaving them with regrets about the things they didn’t do.

“We wanted to turn that idea on its head and encourage people to stop putting unforgettable experiences off and go live them.

“And if you’re going to think big, why not think really big? That’s why we’re giving someone the chance to experience the next total solar eclipse visible from Iceland — even though it won’t happen for another 170 years.

“With many often waiting for the right time, it’s a reminder some experiences are worth making happen — whether that’s this year, next year, or something you pass down for generations to come because you never know what might be on the bucket list of your future great-great-grandchildren, or give them the chance to say, ‘I was there.’”

For all adults, a lack of financial security was the top barrier to achieving their travel goals (44 per cent), followed by family responsibilities (24 per cent) and having other priorities that get in the way (22 per cent).

While 19 per cent admitted they are always waiting for the ‘right time’, with this rising to 31 per cent of Gen Zs.

The study, carried out via OnePoll, found the average adult reckons they’ll experience five truly once-in-a-lifetime moments.

But many hope this will increase for their grandchildren’s generation, with 47 per cent hopeful they’ll be able to make the most of life, while 38 per cent want them to enjoy the natural world more.

The spokesperson for Icelandair added: “Travel gives us a great opportunity for lifetime experiences and this week’s eclipse is the perfect reminder to start making those plans.”

TOP BUCKET LIST DESTINATIONS FOR OVER 50S:
1. New Zealand
2. Japan
3. Australia
4. Canada
5. Maldives
6. Iceland
7. Norway
8. Italy
9. Egypt
10. Vietnam

TOP 20 THINGS OVER 50S WISH THEY HAD EXPERIENCED:
1. Travelled more
2. Saved more money
3. Not lost touch with friends
4. Not worried too much about what others think
5. Make the most of life
6. Looked after their health
7. Made the most of their youth
8. Spent enough time with loved ones before they passed away
9. Learned a second language
10. Exercised more
11. Learned to play an instrument
12. Said how they really felt more often
13. Spent enough time with family
14. Taken spontaneous trips without overthinking it
15. Gained more qualifications
16. Not stayed in an unhappy job for too long
17. Been more spontaneous generally
18. Travelled to bucket list destinations
19. Not worked too much
20. Taken more risks

FORGET boring B&B stays – weekend getaways just got a lot more exciting.

Best Western have put together loads of unique “GEM packages“, which include not just your hotel stay – but food, drinks and quirky activities and attractions, too.

These value-packed package deals that bundle everything from private hot tubs with free-flowing Prosecco to psychic readings into one price.

Whether you’re wanting the ultimate girls’ night in or a couples’ Peak District hiking break, these staycation deals do all the planning for you.

Peak District adventure stay

Explore the great outdoors in comfort with this GEM stay at Mosborough Hall Hotel.

Here all your meals will be taken care of, including breakfast, a two-course dinner, plus a packed lunch to take out with you on your adventures.

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You’ll also be given a hiking map packed with trails to explore, plus free flask refills of hot drinks to keep you energised and hydrated.

With everything taken care of, all that’s left for you to do is get out into nature and soak up the beautiful sights around you.

Some of the top walking trails nearby include Mosborough and Eckington Woods, as well as the bluebell-dotted Moss Valley Trails.

Return back to Darcy’s restaurant and grab a well-deserved drink from the hotel’s cocktail bar, and you’ve got yourself a wonderful weekend away.

Book the Peak District stay at the Mosborough Hall Hotel from £113.80 per night

The “Ultimate Girls’ Night In’ staycation

You and your best mates, a hot tub lodge, flowing Prosecco and takeaway for dinner – what’s not to love?

The Ultimate Girls’ Night In Package at Brackenborough Lakes does what it says on the tin, and provides the perfect recipe for a girly staycation.

Brackenborough Lakes & Resort is a peaceful hideaway close to the historic market town of Louth. On-site there’s a bar and restaurant, plus evening entertainment like music tribute acts.

This package includes an overnight stay in a modern lodge with a stylish interior, plus decking and an outdoor hot tub overlooking the serene lake.

That’s not all – you’ll get THREE chilled bottles of Prosecco upon arrival, £15 takeaway credit per person, and a continental breakfast of bacon baps, fruit, pastries, juice and more delivered right to your door.

Book the Ultimate Girls Night In package in Louth from £89pp

Indulgent Yorkshire Cream Tea break

Two nights in a Victorian countryside hotel, Cream Tea, two-course dinners, wine, breakfast and even a packed lunch? This Yorkshire break is truly indulgent.

Upon arrival to The Craiglands Hotel, you’ll be treated to Cream Tea with scones and your choice of tea or coffee in the hotel Brasserie.

Then it’s time to explore the grounds or simply rest up in the room before sitting down to a two-course dinner with a seasonal, locally-sourced menu. Plus you’ll get to celebrate your getaway with a free bottle of wine or Prosecco.

Enjoy a Full English in the morning and grab your packed lunch to go, ready for a day of exploring Ilkley Moor or the Yorkshire Dales.

Then it’s back in time for dinner again, before lazily rolling out of bed with included late check-out in the morning. Dreamy.

Book the Indulgent Yorkshire Break package from £150 per night

Mind-blowing Clairvoyant stay in Bradford

If you’re into all things psychics and mediums, you’ll want to book onto this unique Evening with a Clairvoyant stay in Bradford.

Enjoy a two-course meal and free tickets to an event with Steven Holbrook, one of the UK’s top clairvoyants with thousands of Facebook followers.

During the event, Steven shares messages and connections with audience members in a goosebumps-inducing experience.

Then simply retire to your comfy room in the Bradford Guide Post Hotel, before waking up to a cooked breakfast to start your day.

Book the Clairvoyant Stay package from £111.48 per night

Click here to browse even more GEM package deals including tennis, golf and 80’s disco weekend breaks.

Prices correct at the time of publication.

FAMILIES are being left stranded abroad after more than 700 flights have been cancelled across Europe.

The ongoing eruption of Mount Etna has caused chaos in Sicily, with Catania Airport suspending operations since the weekend.

This has resulted in cancelled flights and hundreds of holidaymakers being stranded abroad.

Evgenia Filimianova, 39, flew to Sicily last week from London to attend a friends wedding.

However, after trying to fly back to Athens from Catania Airport yesterday, they were told their flight was cancelled just 30 minutes before it was due to depart.

Not only that, but their seven-year-old daughter is stuck with family in Athens without them.

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Evgenia said: “We were having a very nice day in Taormina, at the wedding, enjoying our time there, but we could see the eruption and the volcano spewing lava.

“The locals seemed very chill and we didn’t get any emergency texts or direction from the people at the hotel, so we weren’t too worried.

“But then I started reading about travel. As soon as there is ash, the airports start closing.”

She added that there were loads of people “sleeping on the floor” when they arrived at the airport with other families also stuck.

Despite spending a night at the airport hotel, they were told today that flights were still being cancelled.

She added: “It feels like there is no way out. Our daughter is in Athens, we have to get back to her.”

Not only are flights being cancelled, but she said “buses and trains are fully booked, taxis are too expensive, the hotels are getting booked up”.

Flights are still operating from Palermo Airport on the north of the island, but Evgenia has said that flights from there are fully booked too.

The couple are now planning to get to Malta and then make their way back to Athens from there.

She explained: “The plan is to get a cab to the bus station, then a three hour bus to Porto di Pozzallo, then a ferry to Malta, then a cab to a hotel, stay there overnight and then a cab to the airport.

“And then we’re just hoping we’ll be able to fly to Athens.

“Emotionally, it’s not easy. It’s stressful and tiring and we weren’t prepared for it.

She did find some humour in the situation though.

She added: “It’s like The Odyssey – we’re Greek, and we’re trying to get back there, and there are all these hurdles along the way.”

According to local media, between August 8 and 11, around 400 departing flights were canceled, with another 52 cancellations today.

More than 250 flights were redirected to other airports.

All flights to and from Catania Airport have been suspended until at least 4pm tomorrow.

It isn’t just Sicily being affected as flights to Malta are also being cancelled and delayed due to the volcano.

WHILE most might beeline for the coast of Cornwall in this weather, it is no lie that the locals don’t like visitors too much, with a lot of NIMBYism (‘not in my backyard’) behaviour.

Yet as someone who grew up just next door in Devon, I think more people should come our way instead – if not just for a bit of a warmer welcome.

Not only that but it is the only county in the UK with two coastlines, and some amazing beaches along the way.

Having lived there for over two decades, here are my top recommendations for visiting the county – and why it trumps Cornwall in every way.

Beaches

Devon is home to the beautiful English Riviera, where you can find 25 amazing beaches.

There’s Elberry Cove, for example, between Paignton and Brixham, which has a pebble beach and crystal clear water, making it feel as if you are sitting on a beach on some Greek island.

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At the end of the beach there is even a historic Victorian ruin that allowed the local Earl to swim directly into the sea.

For a more family friendly spot, head to Goodrington Beach, also in Paignton.

Here you will find the UK’s largest outdoor waterpark (more on this later), as well as crazy golf, karts and pedalos.

For golden sand and waves ideal for surfing, there’s Bantham Beach, while the best sunsets are found in North Devon Saunton Sands.

The neighbouring beach, Woolacombe Beach, is then another great spot for families with a number of cheap holiday parks within walking distance.

Here is some more on the best English Riviera beaches with a complete guide on them here.

Attractions

Devon is home to SIX theme parks; The Milky Way Adventure, Woodlands, Crealy, The Big Sheep, Diggerland and Watermouth Family Theme Park & Castle.

Growing up, I spent many days – especially during the summer holidays – at a number of them.

At Crealy, there’s the train-themed rollercoaster Maximus which is the ideal introductory ride for children.

Visit the park in the spring and you’ll get to see loads of lambs that visitors can even feed.

Make sure to go on the log flume too as it’s still the best I have been on, and I’ve been on a fair few (just make it the last thing you do as you WILL get soaked).

Tickets to Crealy cost from £23.25 per person (free for children under 90cm tall).

Over at Woodlands (tickets from £22.31), you’ll find the county’s largest soft play area with drop slides, ball pits, climbing frames and obstacle course sections.

As a child, my family knew they wouldn’t see me for hours on end and the only time they would is when I was worn out or wanting a drink after running around.

Another one for the kids is Diggerland with around 20 rides, drives and experiences to try out including ones where kids can operate actual diggers.

Tickets to Diggerland cost from £25.95 per person (free for children under 90cm tall) – but if you want 2-for-1 tickets, head here.

In all this hot weather, definitely head to Splashdown Quaywest at Goodrington Beach (tickets from £22.75).

This is the UK’s largest outdoor waterpark with 18 waterslides, a children’s splash play area and a pool.

Cities, towns and villages

Across the entire county you’ll find gorgeous towns and quaint villages, but here are a few of my favourites.

In South Devon village you’ll find Cockington near Torquay, which feels like stepping into a Bridgerton-esque fairytale.

The village is full of gorgeous cottages, all with thatched roofs and painted in pastel colours.

One of my fave spots in the village is Weavers Cottage Tea Garden, which is a must-visit for afternoon tea lovers (after all, you are in Devon).

There are a lot of walks you can head on around the village too, which are best followed by a trip to The Drum Inn pub after for a refreshing tipple.

(Here’s my longer guide on this pretty village here.)

Another quaint town is Totnes – which has historically been referred to as the hippie capital of the UK due to being devoid of chain stores.

The town is home to a motte and bailey castle (or the remains of), as well as a plethora of exciting independent shops and boutiques that quite literally feel like finding treasure.

Don’t miss the market on a Friday and Saturday either – it brings the town to life with antiques stalls, rug makers, food vendors and more.

You can read more about my Totnes recommendations here.

For a city spot, head to Exeter and explore the breathtaking Cathedral with intricately carved figures across its exterior.

The city’s main high street is great for a shopping spree, but there is also a hidden gem towards the lower end of the city.

Gandy Street is a narrow street with cute boutique shops thought to have inspired J.K. Rowling’s Diagon Alley in Harry Potter.

Despite refuting this, I have always seen – and felt – the resemblance, thanks to the cobbles and overhanging buildings.

You can read more about my thoughts on Exeter and the real life Diagon Alley here.

This list also wouldn’t be complete without mentioning some of Devon’s standout seaside towns.

In North Devon, head to Ilfracombe – a pretty seaside resort known for its dramatic cliffs as well as a medieval harbour.

Add a visit to Verity to your list which is Damien Hirst’s 20-metre sculpture of a pregnant woman.

Or there is Westward Ho! – the only place name in the UK to have an exclamation mark – where you can walk two-mile stretch of golden sand before venturing along the South West Coast Path.

Then in South Devon, make sure to visit Sidmouth and Salcombe.

More than just a pretty seaside town, Sidmouth is home to the free-to-visit Donkey Sanctuary that has over 100 donkeys as well as dramatic towering cliffs dating back 200 million years.

Then over in Salcombe – which has always felt more like a Cornish town to me – you will find cosy pubs as well as a vibrant seafront with small boutiques selling everything from handmade candles to local produce.

Dartmoor National Park

In my opinion, Dartmoor National Park is one of the most underrated places in the UK.

While most people head to the Lake District or the Peak District, I believe Dartmoor is far more accessible and quieter, but just as stunning.

Spanning 368-square-miles, the park has an abundance of different spots to explore including Haytor – a granite tor which towers to 457 metres.

If you happen to visit in the winter, you’ll most likely experience snow on the moors making it feel more like being in the Alps.

Across the entire National Park, you’ll find loads of historic sites including Bronze Age settlements that look like small versions of Stonehenge.

Wherever you walk on the moors it is pretty (and keep an eye out for Dartmoor ponies as well).

What makes Dartmoor even more special is that recently the Supreme Court ruled that Brits can wild camp on Dartmoor – making it the only place in England you can do so without landowner’s permission.

If camping isn’t your thing though, you can stay at The Moorland Hotel which sits right by Haytor.

If you want to discover more spots to explore on Dartmoor, then here are my recommendations.

Hotels

If you are spending more than a day in the county – which I would totally recommend – then you will obviously need somewhere to stay.

If exploring the English Riviera, book into Hotel Indigo Torquay – it is the newest kid on the block and kind of looks like a cruise ship docked just metres from the beach.

Inside it is sleek and modern with Art Deco touches and has a beautiful restaurant as well as a rooftop bar, ideal for soaking up the sunset views.

Rooms cost from £130 per night and you can read my review here.

If you are exploring Dartmoor, book into The Moorland, which is just a short walk from Haytor.

This cosy hotel has pretty gardens to wander around, is dog friendly and serves some of the best hotel food I have ever eaten.

Rooms cost from £80 per night.

Love camping? Try Harford Bridge Park campsite and caravan park in Tavistock.

You can pitch your tent right next to the River Tavy – which runs through the holiday park and is gentle and shallow.

When I used to visit the campsite as a child along with my family, we would always pitch next to river and then, in the blazing sun, my sister and I would put up our camping chairs directly in the river and sit with our feet in the water.

Make sure to book a ‘grass riverside’ pitch, which costs £24 per night for two people without electricity, working out at just £12 per person.

In North Devon, you’ll find my favourite Devon holiday park – Golden Coast Holiday Park.

Just five minutes from the beach, the holiday park has loads for families to do including a high ropes course, a climbing wall, adventure golf, go-karts and a whole host of other activities.

A two-night stay in August for a family of four costs from £265.

For a more comprehensive guide on the county, with all my recommendations as a born-and-bred Devonian, check out my guide here.