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I MIGHT be biased when I say my seaside town is the best in the UK – but this year is set to be an exciting one for it.

From restored funiculars to new beach saunas, there are lots of new openings to be excited about.

Named one of the UK’s best places to live in 2024, and the top place to visit in the UK last year by Time Out, Folkestone has been on the up in recent years.

Folkestone West train station is also one of the fastest growing in the South East, welcoming more than 970,000 passengers from 2024/2025 – compared to 678,000 the previous year.

And one of the biggest transformations to the town will be the creation of the Bouverie Square park, set to become the town’s ‘green heart’.

Converting the current bus station, the new landscaping and seating are part of the mega £20million renovation of Folkestone.

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Fountains, bike stands and a small playground are also part of the plans.

Councillor Clive Goddard (Con) said: “To me, this is the up-and-coming part of Folkestone.

“Yards to the left, you’ve got Guildhall Street, with all the fine development happening down there. This seems to give the businesses a new lease of life.”

Folkestone’s Lower Leas Coastal Park is also getting a huge renovation after 25 years.

One of the largest free playparks in the region, the £750,000 project will see a huge new wooden climbing structure.

More seating, bike and buggy parking and landscaping are part of the plans, while the original pirate ship and sand diggers will remain.

It hopes to be complete in time for the summer holidays this year.

Cllr Connor McConville, Cabinet Member for Assets and Local Government Reorganisation, said: “We wanted something that would make people sit back and go ‘wow’ – this incredibly impressive design with fun equipment certainly does that.”

And opening next month is the Sea Scrub sauna – the largest beach sauna in the country.

Opening from March 14, guests will be able to book sauna sessions in the seaside pods.

It joins their current beach saunas in Margate, Faversham and Whitstable.

Guests can book an hour session for £20 at either the Scandinavian Sauna or Shepherds Hut Sauna.

And finally, after years of delays, the Leas Lift funicular is set to reopen.

Forced to close back in 2017, the restoration of the lift will connect the clifftop to the beach.

A new upgraded cafe is also part of the plans with a waiting room and outdoor terrace.

Estimated to cost up to £6million, the 138-year-old lift is one of only three water-balanced funiculars remaining in the UK.

So if you are planning a trip to a seaside town this summer? Folkestone is looking better than ever.

Trains from London take 52 minutes from St Pancras train station to Folkestone.

Need to know where to stay in Folkestone? Here is what to expect from the Rocksalt Rooms.

And here are some other top tips on where to eat and drink in Folkestone, according to the locals.

ONE of the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean will soon be getting new flights from just £14.99.

There’s a reason Sicily, Italy, is dubbed the ‘Pearl of the Mediterranean’, with its soft sand beaches, clear waters and warm climate.

And now, one city on the island – referred to as the ‘city on two seas’ due to its centre sitting on a peninsula with the Tyrrhenian Sea to the north and the Mediterranean Sea to the south and west – will be getting new flights from Bournemouth Airport.

Ryanair will launch new flights to Trapani in Sicily from the end of March.

The first flight from Bournemouth Airport to Trapani will take off on March 31, costing £60.59 each way.

Though, if you wait a bit, the fares get cheaper – for example, you could fly on April 7 for £14.99 one-way.

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Sun Travel found that the airline will be flying to the Sicilian destination twice a week, with one flight on Tuesdays and another on Saturdays.

Trapani sits on the west coast of Sicily and is well-known for its historic old town and harbour.

Throughout the city visitors can explore Baroque architecture, especially in the old town, Centro Storico.

Here you will find a maze of narrow alleyways that you would expect of any charming old town, but what makes it particularly special is Corso Vittorio Emanuele.

This is the main street in the old town and is home to unique pottery shops where you might even catch the store owners painting the ceramics.

It’s on this street that you will also find the city’s cathedral, Cattedrale di San Lorenzo.

Don’t miss Piazza Mercato either, a sprawling square which used to be the home of the city’s main fish market for over a century.

There are a lot of famous landmarks in the city too, such as Torre di Ligny which was a watchtower and is now a museum.

You can also see the Saline di Trapani salt pans, which is a protected nature reserve.

In total, the pans span across 2,400 acres and dates back to the 12th century when they were used to harvest sea salt.

If you prefer the beach, you can visit Spiaggia delle Mura di Tramontana, which has the “clearest water in Sicily” according to one visitor.

Along the beach is the old Spanish wall, which you can walk along – providing a great spot to catch the Italian sunset.

If you happen to visit the city during Easter, look out for the Processione dei Misteri, which is a famous, 24-hour long religious event that dates back to the 17th century.

There are plenty of places to stay in Trapani, including the four-star Hotel Punta Tipa which overlooks the beach and costs from £73 a night.

If you want to have access to a spa during your stay, then head to Palazzo Gatto Art Hotel and Spa, costing from £127 per night.

When exploring Trapani, you can expect to pay around €50 (£43.58) for a three-course meal for two people and if you add a beer, that will set you back an additional €3.75 (£3.27).

The city is just an hour by car from Palermo as well, if you wanted to spend more time exploring Sicily.

The new flights are one of 20 new routes that have been announced for this summer from Bournemouth Airport.

Other holiday destinations include Alicante and Malaga in Spain and Edinburgh in Scotland.

In other destination news, here are six of the best holiday destinations to book for some quick Vitamin D including 28C Spanish islands.

Plus, here are the cheapest family holiday destinations under three hours from UK that are over 20C this Easter.

A British man who moved to France has spoken about the emotional journey he went on before the making the life changing decision to leave the UK behind two years ago

Although there are now more barriers in place for Britons, the lure of living and working in Europe is still incredibly strong. As a result, every year there are stories of people leaving the UK to live and work in the European Union, sometimes temporarily, sometimes permanently.

One man who moved to France from the UK has opened up about how the working culture in London led him to struggling with burnout. Liam Rondi, 30, and his husband Xavier Rondi, 33, eventually moved to Montpellier, France, in 2024.

Now, nearly two years on, Liam, a freelance copywriter, has talked about the anxiety and stress he experienced whilst living and working in central London.

Liam, originally from Medway in Kent, said: “I was watching the state of the country deteriorate in many different ways. I used to struggle a lot financially and I think the general mood of the country started to sour and I could really tell it started to wear on me.

“I was very anxious. In the mornings before work I would often be crying and be on the Tube bordering on a panic attack. I was exhausted and I couldn’t keep up with the work that was being set.”

Liam said that one of the turning points for him was when he visited his husband’s family in France and saw how people seemed “to be a lot friendlier and happier”. This, in turn, has shaped his opinion on how he views people working nine to five jobs in the UK and his belief that the “UK government is gaslighting people”.

He explained: “I think people in the UK pretend to be happy with the 9-5 lifestyle. I think a lot of people are very good at just keeping calm and carrying on – but for me that wasn’t a life that I wanted to live.”

Liam says he’s now decided to prioritise happiness over money, even if it has meant that the area he’s moved to has fewer career opportunities for him. He said: “The downside [to living in France] is I feel like the career opportunities aren’t as plentiful.

“I don’t think I’ll ever earn as much here as I could have done in the UK but I’ve realised over time that money isn’t the thing I’m most bothered about, it’s more happiness.”

Liam now encourages other people to at least consider moving somewhere else, even if it’s only to try it out, after saying he won’t return. He explained: “I can’t see myself ever moving back. France feels like home already because of the way of life. I definitely encourage people to consider it at least, just remember that it’s possible.”

Furthermore, Liam has also shared a video on TikTok detailing some of his experiences, one which has gone viral with around 294,000 views, likes, shares, and comments.

Liam’s story of experiencing burnout isn’t a new one, with data showing that more and more Britons are suffering from it.

Last year, a STADA Health Report showed that one group particularly affected was British women with 56 percent of women between the ages of 18 and 24 and 44 percent of those between the ages of 35 and 44 saying they had experienced the phenomenon.

Men were also shown to experience burnout with 43 percent of 18 to 24-year-olds and 36 percent of 35 to 44-year-olds experiencing symptoms.

Speaking about the matter to the Mirror, GP and TV doctor Dr Anisha Patel said: “I myself have suffered from burnout and as clinicians, we’re seeing more and more people at breaking point mentally, which can also impact their physical health and it’s clear that our mental health services need not only more investment, but cultural change.

“What’s striking is how stigma continues to hold us back. Despite widespread experiences of burnout, the UK still reports low levels of people taking sick leave for mental health reasons compared to other European countries.”

For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.

TWO major UK train stations are shutting down for 22 days over the summer.

Southern Eastern Railway will carry out engineering works which will affect journey time for 10,000 commuters.

From Sunday 26 July to Sunday 16 August, Charing Cross and Waterloo East stations will be closed for essential track and bridge repairs.

Officials say the closures are part of a £20 million overhaul that’ll see nearly 1,800 metres of old, worn-out track ripped up and replaced between Waterloo East and Charing Cross.

Customers have been advised that their journeys might be different and take longer.

Routes to London will remain open but will instead be diverted to other stations.

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Southeastern services into Charing Cross will be redirected to Victoria, Cannon Street and Blackfriars stations.

Some trains will be terminating at London Bridge while tickets will be accepted on alternative rail routes, London Underground and buses.

The ageing track, which was last replaced more than 35 years ago, has caused repeated faults on the approaches to Charing Cross.

This has led to hundreds of hours of delays, leaving frustrated commuters stuck on platforms or stranded on packed trains.

As well as ripping up and replacing worn-out track, engineers will tackle drainage upgrades at Waterloo East and carry out vital structural repairs to Hungerford Bridge.

The three-week closure is expected to prevent future shutdowns during bank holidays and weekends and will deliver more reliable service.

Scott Brightwell, Director of Operations and Safety, South Eastern Railway, said: “We know closing Charing Cross and Waterloo East for 22 days is a significant change and we’re sorry for the disruption it will cause.

“This is not a decision we’ve taken lightly. We’ve looked long and hard at every possible option and although none of them are without impact, a single summer closure is the least disruptive and most efficient way to carry out this vital work.”

While it may not be at the top of your packing list, health experts tell passengers to pack a tennis ball in their hand luggage when flying long-haul for one reason

Packing a tennis ball isn’t to cure mid-flight boredom, it’s actually for something much more important.

If you’re already packing your bags for a holiday, or starting to think about where to jet off to in the summer, make sure you remember to pack a tennis ball.

According to health experts, they can help avoid stiffness or aches while in the air, as well as helping to enhance circulation. They can be used by gently applying pressure and rolling it up and down the thighs, legs, or even shoulders mid flight.

If you’re prone to feeling a bit groggy and sore after a flight, this handy trick might just do the job – and it won’t take up too much room in your carry on bag either.

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Osteopath Tracy Hannigan urged all passengers to pack one and said: “A tennis ball is small and light and can help you to apply soothing pressure to points you might otherwise not be able to reach,” as reported by Metro, and added: “‘A tennis ball is small and light and can help you to apply soothing pressure to points you might otherwise not be able to reach.”

If you do struggle with stiffness, the expert also recommended stretching regularly to help, noting that the side of the neck can be extended by “turning the chin towards the armpit and gently applying pressure to stretch the opposite side of the neck.”

She said you can also stretch your lower back in your plane seat by crossing your legs and leaning forward as if you’re “trying to reach down to the crossed-over foot with your elbow.”

Another of Tracy’s hacks is to use a hand towel and put the tennis ball in the middle of it and “roll it like a sausage” so when you apply pressure with the ball, it’s “easier to position” and will also help to keep it in position.

Flight attendant Cher, who has been working on aircrafts for five years, has also shared some of her own travel hacks, including urging people to put important items in carry-on baggage rather than checked suitcases. She even recommends these essentials be kept in the personal bag that sits at your feet.

She warned: “It is not uncommon for somebody to mistake your carry on as theirs and take it off. I have seen this dozens of times.” Cher advises packing underwear, a toothbrush, toiletries or “anything you couldn’t go a couple days without” in this bag. She noted: “The best thing in aviation is to basically prepare for the worst.

“Flight attendant bags are marked up to the nines with custom tags so we can identify them as ours. I would recommend doing something on your bag that will prevent somebody else from confusing it as theirs.

Hear the name the Witch’s Cottage and you might conjure a mystical vision. And inside the new North Hollywood space, here there be witches, yes. But that’s just the start of it.

In one area of the two-story cafe, restaurant and bar, constellations beckon. A guide to crystals calls forth in another. An azure booth is flanked by an abstracted mermaid sculpture, and elsewhere howling wolves are engraved into the bar tops.

Witch’s Cottage co-founder Celina Lee Surniak, left, with investor/partner Ana Lovelis and co-founder Danielle Ozymandias. The three envisioned a welcoming space that views the world through a magical lens.

Hidden wonders are everywhere. Circle the cottage’s hand-constructed tree trunks, and maybe, if you’re lucky, you’ll spy a tiny door hiding a little witch. Sit at one of the tables, and don’t be surprised to hear the sounds of birds chirping from the man-made trees. Branches spring forth from paintings and every nook is a nod to something born of a fable.

A decade-long vision of the founders, the Witch’s Cottage has transformed the old Federal Bar into a colorful, whimsical fairy-tale-like forest of a gathering spot. A place where one can come for the fantasy, and stay for the chicken etouffee and the Hex Breaker, a tiki-style, rum-heavy drink for grown-up sorcerers.

“I wanted this to feel lived in,” says Danielle Ozymandias, who dreamed up the space with business partner Celina Lee Surniak, a fellow creative who like Ozymandias very much identifies as a witch. “I wanted this to be a visual feast because I think maximalism is just so interesting. That may be the ADHD talking, but I knew I wanted a lot.”

The dining room of the Witch’s Cottage aims for a fantasy forest-inspired look.

While they certainly designed the Witch’s Cottage to be family-friendly, Surniak and Ozymandias say part of their creative intent was to bring joy to adults.

“Everybody tries to shame you,” Surniak says. “Like, ‘You can’t buy that coffee. Save your money.’ No, let them have the coffee they really love. Let them get that annual pass to Disneyland. Let them have a weekly night at the movies, even if they go alone. The world is so weird right now. What we can do is find joy in tiny things.

A fairy at a media preview for North Hollywood’s new Witch’s Cottage.

“Being able to give adults the opportunity to say ‘I’m a fairy,’ is the best feeling ever,” Surniak continues. “And it’s not just at Renaissance fairs. Be a fairy here.”

Or be anyone. A sign near one of the restaurant’s restrooms makes it clear it doesn’t matter which one guests use. It asks that they simply wash their hands. “You can walk in as a witch, or a dragon, or just a FedEx worker,” Ozymandias says. “There’s no judgment.”

The Witch’s Cottage had its grand opening this weekend, and the community immediately responded with lines out the door. That wasn’t entirely surprising — the project was built by a collective. More than 200 volunteers donated more than 3,000 hours to bring the space to life, and the two founders attracted more than 100 investors via an online crowd-funding campaign that raised more than $167,000.

“We’re regular people,” Surniak says. “We don’t have a lot of money. We don’t have a nest egg. We don’t own property. If we were going to do anything, we would need help.”

Surniak says within three days of creating their campaign, they found an angel investor who offered them the funds to secure the building. Other investors followed, including Ana Lovelis and her husband Kenny Enea, known in the area for the elaborate haunted houses they have hosted at their home. The two joined as creative partners and helped with construction. Lovelis says she recognized in the Witch’s Cottage a similar outlook on life as hers. She recalled once years ago dating someone who had a skeptical and practical view of the world.

“And then there was me, being like, ‘That butterfly is a sign from my grandma,’” Lovelis says. The Witch’s Cottage, she says, is reflective of viewing the world through a magical lens. At a time of much stress for many, such a place may be needed. As Lovelis says, “What’s the harm?”

The Witch’s Cottage is a two-story space that serves as a cafe during the day and a restaurant at night. Dinner service begins at 5 p.m.

Surniak still has a day job, working as a stunt and intimacy coordinator on theatrical and Hollywood productions. Ozymandias, who previously worked in the local theater world, is focusing primarily on the Witch’s Cottage at the moment, helping to devise recipes and ensure the bakery can accommodate as many dietary restrictions as possible.

Beyond new menu items, there’s more in the works, including community events like sound baths, comedy nights and classes on composting, native plants and parenting. Or even some workshops that are more lighthearted, such as a hoped-for night on how to make a broom.

Hidden behind the upstairs bar is what’s called the Tempered Flask Tavern, and it’s an elaborate tabletop role-playing game room. Here, one will find a smoke-puffing dragon, but also digital windows that game masters can use to trigger various effects. A long table sits at its center, flanked by a knight, a digital fireplace and weaponry. Not open yet, the plan is for the room to be rented out by the hour.

The Tempered Flask Tavern is a hidden room dedicated to tabletop games inside the Witch’s Cottage. It will be available soon for guests to rent out.

Though Surniak and Ozymandias say they’ve been building vision boards for more than a decade of what the spot could look like, recent cultural shifts gave them the confidence that the timing was right. They point to “Stranger Things” and how it spawned a conversation around “Dungeons & Dragons,” or the success of Disney+ series “Agatha All Along.” More locally, they watched the rise of a game-focused bar such as the Roguelike Tavern, which is relocating to Studio City, as well as the news that experiential art firm Meow Wolf would be building an exposition in the city.

Taken as a whole, they felt bolstered that North Hollywood could support a heavily themed cafe, a home for those who have rolled a 20-sided die, once looked up the meaning of the Tower card or just enjoyed a viewing of “The Lord of the Rings.”

But one need not know the inner workings of RPGs, tarot or Middle-earth to feel at home in the Witch’s Cottage. This is a space, after all, for anyone who has ever been touched by a fairy tale, dreamed of the fantastical or wanted to believe in the power of wishing upon a star.

Views from inside North Hollywood’s the Witch’s Cottage.

So spend a little time in the Witch’s Cottage, and maybe you’ll start to imagine that cocktail is a potion, and those deviled eggs did in fact hatch from a dragon. Diners may debate between the “iron forged fondue melt” (a patty melt) or the “meze heartwich” (a white bean purée on sourdough), but childlike wonder is the specialty of the house.

“Everybody is somebody’s kid,” Ozymandias says. “And I just want a safe space for people’s kids. Even if you’re 50, or 80, you’re my kid. I want you to feel loved, and to have a cup of something warm or magical. I want you to know that whatever is outside those doors, when you’re in here, I got you.”

TWO UK airports will be much easier to travel to in less than two weeks and could save you from a hefty fine.

Contactless payment will make it easier to travel to London Stansted and London Southend Airports from March 8.

The update applies to some Greater Anglia routes and means that passengers travelling from London Liverpool Street Station to either airport, can tap-in and tap-out on their journey.

In total, across Essex, 20 stations will be added to the contactless network.

Before, passengers were travelling to Stansted Airport using their contactless cards at the start of their journey not realising that you could not use contactless at the end of their journey, at the airport, reports London TravelWatch.

This meant that passengers would need to purchase a ticket instead, to avoid a £100 penalty.

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If they did try to tap-out, they would get an automatic £100 fine, plus the price of a standard single ticket – though the fine would be reduced to £50 if paid within 21 days.

Data released back in 2019 revealed that the number of people fined had risen by over 16,000 in just two years.

At the time, London TravelWatch’s boss Michael Roberts told the Daily Mail: “It’s plainly wrong that passengers continue to be unfairly penalised for not knowing that contactless payment isn’t accepted at London Stansted Airport.

“With ‘London’ in its name, people quite reasonably assume they’ll be able to tap out using a contactless card, especially when they were allowed to tap in using one at the start of their journey.”

Despite the update, passengers will still NOT be able to use their Oyster cards in the stations.

Contactless can sometimes be cheaper than purchasing a ticket.

Your fare will either be based on a peak or off-peak single for each journey you make.

And daily and weekly caps will be applied to journeys into and within London.

The Stansted Express links London Liverpool Street Station with Stansted Airport, taking about 48 minutes.

The trains are usually every 15 minutes, with fares starting from £9.90 per person.

In comparison, the journey from London Liverpool Street to Southend Airport takes about 50 minutes.

Commuters will benefit from the update too, as stops such as Southend Victoria, Witham, Chelmsford, Harlow Town and Bishop’s Stortford have all been added to the contactless payment option.

Greater Anglia’s managing director, Martin Beable, said: “We are pleased to be able to confirm that pay-as-you-go contactless ticketing will be introduced at a further 20 stations from March 8, making travel across our network simpler and more flexible for customers.

“This extension is another important step in modernising ticketing on the railway, allowing passengers to tap in and out and pay for the journeys they make, while improving the overall experience for those travelling into and out of London.”

The update comes as part of a wider programme to simplify fares and ticketing across the rail industry, which both the Department for Transport and Transport for London are working on.

In other rail news, thousands more Brits will get a £126 discount on rail travel as certain rules have been relaxed.

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WHEN it comes to jetting off this Easter it can be hard to pick the best destination for both affordability and great weather.

But that’s where Marmaris comes in; affordable with beautiful beaches and cheap hotels that have swimming pools and splash parks.

Which? did a price check of more than 3,000 package holidays over the Easter break – and Marmaris was revealed as the cheapest.

The resort town in the Mediterranean came out on top for the most affordable seven-night packages which were an average of just £594 per person.

It also came up trumps for average daily temperatures which can reach a high of 20C in spring – and nine hours of sunshine a day.

It’s not the first time Marmaris has been named one of the cheapest holiday destinations either.

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Last year, Post Office Travel Money partnered with tour operator TUI revealed Marmaris to be the ‘best value summer holiday resort‘.

According to Numbeo, a local beer can cost as little as £1.43 and a meal at an inexpensive restaurant can start from just £3.37.

And a three-course meal for two starts from just £20.21.

Sadly, the Atlantis Waterpark is closed until May, but there are plenty of hotels that have swimming pools and splash parks too.

Sun Travel found a 7-nights stay for a family of four on an all-inclusive package from £409pp (from March 31 to April 7, 2026).

Stay at the 4-star Pineta Park Deluxe Hotel – it’s a short walk from the beach and has multiple swimming pools, two restaurants and a kids’ club.

With Jet2holidays, a 7-night stay at Club Exelsior for a family of four during the Easter break costs £495pp.

The hotel has apartment-style rooms with a huge splash park and outdoor play area.

It also offers child-free places, has a kids’ club and entertainment program.

Of course there are plenty of incredible beaches too.

The main stretch is Uzunyali Beach, also known as Long Beach, but there are lots of others slightly further afield.

Just five miles away from the town centre is Icmeler Beach which is said to be a ‘family-friendly favourite’.

It has golden sands as well as calm and shallow waters making it an ideal spot for paddling.

There are also restaurants and cafes on the shoreline so it’s very easy to get a bite to eat, or drink.

Turunc Beach is a quiet spot away from the busy town centre and Kumlubük Beach which is popular for snorkelling.

Head to the Topkapi Bazaar if you want to try your hand at haggling and collect some local gifts or souvenirs.

For those who want a bit of adventure you can even explore some of Greece from Marmaris.

A popular daytrip is to head to the island of Rhodes which is just a one-hour ferry ride away.

Cheap Easter holiday breaks in 2026…

Here are the cheapest Easter holiday destinations in 2026 by Which?…

1. Marmaris
2. Krakow
3. Albufeira
4. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
5. Benidorm
6. Prague
7. Budapest
8. Porto
9. Milan
10. Dubrovnik

Here are other cheap family holiday destinations under three hours from the UK that are over 20C this Easter.

For more on Easter holidays, here’s where you can find guaranteed sun – with highs of 28C and UK flights from 3.5 hours.

Why go now

On a hill that rises up between Belleville’s Chinatown and Père-Lachaise cemetery, Ménilmontant was once a rural hamlet with vines and farms, before becoming more industrial in the 19th century. The quartier boasts a united, colourful community whose working-class Parisian roots have long been integrated with a strong north African diaspora. Bohemian, arty and socially committed, it remains off the tourist trail with no notable museums or monuments; it’s just a genuinely Parisian neighbourhood. The locals were bemused to learn that Time Out made Ménilmontant one of its World’s Coolest Neighbourhoods for 2025, though tourists who do venture here to discover a glimpse of a fast-disappearing Paris are sure of a warm welcome.

Where to eat and drink

Eating out in Ménilmontant is inexpensive, hearty, multi-ethnic and vegetarian-friendly. My favourite discovery is La Cantine des Hommes Libres, a retro bistrot where the dish of the day costs €11.50 for blanquette de veau, boeuf bourguignon or Algerian specialities such as tikourbabine, while the couscous is the best I have ever tasted. A happy hour glass of organic wine costs just €2. The owner, Monsieur Abdelkrim, created the Cantine 20 years ago, “to bring the culture of Algeria to Paris, initially through our cuisine, serving traditional dishes from our bleds (rural villages) that were unknown to French people. Over the years, the bistrot has became an unofficial cultural centre to discover the music, art and poetry of our Berbère people.”

Crates of colourful vegetables are stacked outside the popular diner Chez les Deux Amis Brocante, where the ever-smiling chef, Beyaz Balta, oversees a cosmopolitan kitchen brigade who create a raft of vegetarian meze, crispy dürum, spicy köfte and sticky-sweet baklava. She arrived in 2007 as a Kurdish refugee. “I could not have been made more welcome when I came to Ménilmontant, and am proud today that nearly all our customers are locals,” she says. Further up the hill, Rue Sorbier opens up into a semi-square lined with cafes, wine stores, bakeries and épiceries. On the corner, L’Entrepot’s serves classic brasserie fare – steak frites, confit de canard – and oozes Parisian charm with its flea-market decor, marble-topped bar and quirky chandeliers, unchanged from the days when Ménilmontant was home to Maurice Chevalier and Edith Piaf.

For a slice of local life, the best bars to check out include the historic La Pétanque, with its sunny terrace that looks out over the church, and, on the corner of bustling Boulevard de Ménilmontant, L’Express de Paris, which is packed from early morning coffee and croissants until after-midnight cocktails and artisan brews. The graffiti-covered Demain c’est Loin is a funky hangout for tapas, a lethal rum punch and a free jukebox; while, to catch a match during the World Cup, head for Chez Hubert, a lively sports and music bar.

Cultural experiences

Head straight to the neighbourhood’s cultural hub, Rue Boyer, beginning with Galerie Ménil’8, an extensive exhibition space run by and for the Artistes de Ménilmontant association, which also organises an annual Open Door festival of more than 60 venues in the last week of September. When I pass by, the gallery is showcasing an art collective, Cul-de-Sac, with an avant garde mix of experimental photography, sculpture and video. La Maroquinerie is housed in an old leather goods factory, hosting concerts and club nights, while the historic La Bellevilloise symbolises Ménilmontant’s commitment to transform its heritage industrial sites into socially engaged artistic venues. Once an immense self-help workers’ co-operative, founded in 1877, this cultural fortress today bears the provocative slogan: “Liberté, Équité, Utopie”. A glance at a typical month’s programming spans film screenings, queer disco, a French swing party, a jazz brunch, wine tasting and cabaret, and a night of pulsating Colombian cumbia. The roof terrace of its Halle aux Oliviers restaurant is ideal for a sunset cocktail looking out over Paris.

This is just the tip of the iceberg for the live music scene, as musician Thomas Ménard says: “Things have certainly changed since I came to live here 38 years ago, with bars like Scenobar, Les Apaches and Lou Pascalou providing a stage for local indie bands, slam poets and DJs. Hipsters will never take over here as there is too much social housing, such as the tower block where I live, which ensures the popular, multi-ethnic roots of Ménilmontant’s culture and community will never disappear.”

Where to shop

Foodies will love the chaotic street market on Boulevard de Belleville every Tuesday and Friday morning, perfect to pick up cheese and charcuterie, while the boutiques Rue des Narcisses and Vintage 77 are packed with retro fashion and decor bargains. DJs and fans of vinyl should check out the record shop Cracki, which also runs its own independent music label, while just next door, Dilia La Cave specialises in natural wines.

Don’t miss

The monumental Église Notre-Dame de la Croix de Ménilmontant is one of the largest churches in Paris and is a proud point of reference for the local community. Its forecourt is transformed into an open-air venue for concerts and movie screenings during the Festival des Canotiers in June, and then the Festival Septembre Indien. Take a neighbourhood stroll from the church by heading up steep Rue de Ménilmontant to a staircase on the left that plunges down to a walkway along La Petite Ceinture, an abandoned railway line that has been left for rewilding and vegetable allotments. Further up Rue de Ménilmontant, turn into Rue de l’Ermitage for a flashback to life in the 19th century – the labyrinth of shady cobbled lanes and lush gardens forming Villa de l’Ermitage and Cité Leroy are still lined with utopian worker’s cottages.

Stay

Ménilmontant is so far off the tourist radar that accommodation options remain limited. Your best bet is a spacious apartment in the self check-in Le Bellevue (from €100), located on the corner of the vibrant Rue Boyer.

It’s a foodie hotspot in Cumbria, with Michelin-starred restaurants boasting a ‘farm to table’ philosophy and famous sticky toffee pudding, ideal for a UK holiday

Despite its modest size, this Cumbrian gem wields considerable sway over travellers heading to the Lake District in need of excellent food and somewhere to lay their heads.

Cartmel has earned quite a name for itself amongst walkers, cyclists and visitors to the region as a culinary hotspot. Whilst the village boasts a rich heritage centred around Cartmel Priory and its agricultural roots, it has since carved out an entirely fresh identity.

Situated less than 20 minutes’ drive from the Lake District National Park, there’s no shortage of attractions on the village’s doorstep.

With Greendale National Forest nearby and the River Eea within easy reach, it’s an idyllic spot for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a base from which to venture forth.

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Michelin Restaurants

For those demanding nothing less than exceptional cuisine following a day’s rambling or sightseeing, the village boasts a prestigious Michelin-starred establishment, L’Enclume.

Led by chef Simon Rogan, the restaurant features a constantly evolving menu that shifts with the seasons – embodying the chef’s ‘farm to table’ ethos.

Also holding Michelin star status is Rogan and Co, a neighbourhood eatery situated in the village centre, likewise operated by the celebrated chef.

They provide a set lunch menu priced at £49 for three courses, offered Wednesday through Saturday, alongside evening dining options.

After dining at L’Enclume, which specialises in French and European fare, one visitor hailed it as the “best dining experience ever” in a TripAdvisor review.

They said: “We went for our wedding anniversary for a special experience. It delivered. Every one of the many dishes was made with the best quality ingredients and put together with great imagination and cooked perfectly.”

Similarly, diners are unanimous in their praise for the food and service at its sister establishment, Rogan and Co. One review states: “Rogan and Co gives you a more traditional à la carte (choose your meal) three-course deal.

“But that isn’t to say this is basic dining. You are still getting snacks, interludes, great drink pairings and, much like L’Enclume, absolutely top-drawer service.”

Pubs

Beyond the Michelin-starred offerings, the culinary delights continue. True to form for a quintessentially English village, Cartmel boasts several traditional, welcoming pubs.

Indeed, several feature amongst the village’s TripAdvisor top 10 dining destinations – quite an achievement given the stiff competition. All within easy walking distance, visitors can devise their own pub crawl following a day of exploration, or simply settle into one favourite spot.

The Pig and Whistle proves particularly appealing during summer months, thanks to its expansive beer garden offering picturesque vistas across the village and the surrounding Cumbrian fells.

Inside, the establishment has been given something of a revamp, including its menu which offers pub classics with a distinctive ‘twist’.

Numerous patrons sing the praises of their Sunday roast, with some describing it as “divine” and others deeming it “excellent”.

Alongside it are The Royal Oak, The Kings Arms and the Cavendish Arms, which prides itself on making considerable efforts to source exclusively from local producers and suppliers. This commitment shines through in its glowing reviews, with one declaring: “This place is truly on top of its game.

“Amazing varied exquisite food from all over the word but definitely with a French twist. Lovely cosy setting with candles on each table and quality wines. Could not ask for more.”

Shops

The village boasts numerous shops selling local produce, with the Cartmel Village Shop standing out as one of the most notable – renowned for its sticky toffee pudding. The family-run shop sells homemade toffee and the beloved Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding.

Cartmel’s “superb little shop” draws food fans from far and wide, all seeking a treat to satisfy their sweet cravings. One satisfied customer said: “Famous as the home of sticky toffee pudding, this delightful little shop is in the centre of this lovely village.

“As well as foodstuffs, they stock a good selection of deli produce and gifts. They also prepare a good selection of hot and cold sandwiches to take away, and we enjoyed some excellent, generously filled baps. The prices were most reasonable, and the service was charming.”

Another local gem is the Cartmel Food Shed, offering a delightful array of homemade soups, sandwiches, sausage rolls and sweet treats for takeaway or to enjoy in their welcoming dining space. Like many establishments dotted around the village, it’s very much a family-run operation with homemade produce at its core.

One thrilled customer raved in a review: “Delicious sandwiches, delicious cakes, scotch eggs. Possibly the best steak and ale pie I’ve ever had.”

They added: “Sandwiches are packed to the brim with quality produce. Everything is made with care and love. You can tell the owner takes pride in everything she makes.”

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Portugal is a firm favourite with Brits, and the capital city of Lisbon is one of the cheapest city breaks in Europe – and it’s less than 3 hours from the UK

A breathtaking European city offering £1.30 pints and 19C temperatures in March is merely a three-hour flight from the UK. Approximately 2.4 million Brits are believed to have visited Lisbon in Portugal for a city break during 2024.

Whilst the city might be viewed as a less conventional destination, it features filter coffees for under £1.25, whilst beer in the Portuguese capital is “among some of the cheapest in Europe”. A glass of wine will meanwhile set travellers back £1.93 in Lisbon, compared to roughly £9.86 in destinations such as Oslo in Norway.

Speaking on Channel 4’s Bargain Holiday Secrets, A Place in the Sun presenter Jasmine Harman commented: “It really pays to do your research. The capital city of Portugal has all the charm you could ask for but it’s one of the cheapest city breaks out there though it may not be your ideal destination.”

Lisbon also provides Brits with an opportunity to catch some winter sunshine if they venture there during the colder months. The capital city experiences average temperatures ranging from 17C to 19C in March.

During the summer, temperatures can climb as high as 28C in Lisbon. The city also remains dry for much of the year, with the majority of rainfall occurring between November and February.

A flight from London to Lisbon takes roughly between 2hrs 30minutes and 2hrs 55minutes. And on SkyScanner, flights from London to the city are available from just £49 next month.

The Portuguese capital has no shortage of attractions either. As one of the world’s most ancient cities, trailing only Athens in age, Lisbon showcases millennia of heritage, with the Castle of São Jorge hailed as an “unmissable” must-see.

Perched at the city’s highest elevation, the castle nestles within Lisbon’s most authentic neighbourhoods. Meanwhile, the Terreiro do Paço stands as the capital’s emblematic square, reconstructed in 1755 after a catastrophic earthquake devastated the area.

Visit Lisbon recommends the square for a “very pleasant walk” beside the River Tagus during late afternoon hours, noting: “It is also a very beautiful view from the river as you pass on a boat.”

Downtown, the remarkable Santa Justa elevator represents another essential stop. Crafted by celebrated architect Gustav Eiffel, this lift provides breathtaking panoramas across the city’s historic quarters.

Two UNESCO World Heritage Sites grace Lisbon – the Jerónimos Monastery and the Tower of Belém. Commissioned by King Manuel I, the monastery exemplifies the elaborate Manueline architectural tradition characteristic of the capital.

After dark, Lisbon truly comes alive. Travellers can browse boutiques in the fashionable Chiado neighbourhood before savouring dinner in the lively Bairro Alto district.

Culture enthusiasts, meanwhile, can explore the national tile museum or the coach museum. Portugal’s distinctive Fado musical tradition has also garnered international acclaim.

The music, typically featuring a vocalist accompanied by a guitarist, frequently echoes through the cobbled streets of Alfama, Mouraria or Madragoa. Meanwhile, the fado vadio tradition commonly sees an amateur performer take the lead, with guitar players joining in spontaneously.

A small hilltop town in Italy is home to stunning panoramic views and a wealth of history – but many tourists are flocking to it for something quite different

For those who want a challenge, there’s an alleyway is a gorgeous town in Italy that stands at just 43 centimetres wide – but amazingly that’s not the world’s narrowest.

The incredibly slender street is in Ripatransone, a small village in the province of Ascoli Piceno in the Marche region in central Italy, known for its breathtaking views and medieval, renaissance and baroque style buildings.

And, of course, famous for the incredibly narrow alleyway at Via Francesco Lunerti, 14 which has gained significant notoriety as a result of social media and has people flock from far and wide to see it. The narrowest part is only 38 centimetres wide before it widens, funnel-like, to 43 centimetres.

The alleyway received official certification from the local Tourism Office and has a dedicated tourism sign so visitors can find it easily, near Piazza XX Settembre and Via Margherita.

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Originally a service passage between two medieval houses, over time planning modernisation meant the space between the properties was reduced as a result of building expansion – paving the way for it to become Ripatransone’s main attraction.

However, the beautiful village is more than just a small walkway. A hilltop village situated between the valleys of the Menocchia torrent and the Tesino rover, Ripatransone has a stunning panoramic view of its surrounding landscape and boasts a rich historical and artistic heritage.

As one of the oldest and most important centres in the province of Ascoli Piceno, the historic centre is medieval in its layout with buildings from 19th Century and noble palaces which run lengthwise from north to south for about one kilometre.

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The neighbourhoods sport a myriad of narrow streets and alleys which open out onto small squares with characteristic nooks and crannies.

Of course, none of the alleys are quite as narrow as the 43 centimetres-wide space which actually took the title as Italy’s narrowest from Via Baciadonne in Citta della Pieve in the province of Perugia in central Italy which stands at 53 centimetres. It was given the title in 1968 which Professor Antonion Giannetti surveyed all the alleyways in the historic centre.

However, despite its incredibly slight size, the alley in Ripatransone does not hold the world record for the narrowest. That belongs to an alleyway in the hilltop town of Gassin in the heart of the Saint-Tropez peninsula in southeastern France.

At its narrowest point, that alleyway is only 29 centimetres wide and National Geographic has dubbed it the narrowest alley in the world. As for streets officially registered in the land registry, the narrowest in the world is Spreuerhofstraße in Germany which sits at 31 centimetres wide.

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A popular sun-drenched and culturally rich country has topped the poll as the place to book for Brits heading on holiday this year – but have you been?

As Brits look towards booking some summer sunshine, the UK’s top trending destination has been revealed – and it’s a sun-drenched country steeped in history just a four-hour plane ride away.

Tour operator Riviera Travel has compared bookings for January and February 2026 to last year’s and discovered the fastest-growing destination has had a 310% increase in demand.

The figures show travellers are increasingly looking beyond typical European destinations and spreading their net to the Middle East and even as far as Southeast Asia. The location with the biggest surge in demand for 2026 is Egypt.

In addition to Egypt’s mostly dry weather that sports lots of sunshine and very little rain, as one of the world’s oldest civilisations, the country has a wealth of unparalleled history.

The Ancient Egyptian civilisation – with a history spanning close to 3,000 years – left a compelling legacy in the many monuments that have stood the test of time. From the mighty pyramids to the impressive temples, sacred chambers, and treasure-filled tombs, there is an abundance of world-famous attractions for travellers to visit.

Many people take the opportunity to cruise down the world-famous Nile while holidaying in Egypt and Will Sarson, travel expert at Riviera Travel, explained why that was proving so popular for holiday makers in 2026.

He said: “Egypt’s 310% surge in interest reflects the timeless draw of the Nile, where travelling by river offers a uniquely immersive way to experience one of the world’s oldest civilisations. Ancient temples, riverside villages and fertile banks unfold gradually, creating a powerful sense of continuity between past and present.

“Time along the Nile allows for deep exploration of monumental sites such as Luxor, Karnak and the Valley of the Kings, balanced with quieter moments watching daily life along the water. The experience feels both awe-inspiring and surprisingly intimate, with history never far from view.”

The best time to visit the country is between October and April when the daytime temperatures are comfortable, and the nighttime temperatures are cool. The coolest month is January and the hottest are from June to August.

For those wanting to experience some sand and sea as well as some culture, Egypt’s beaches offer something for every kind of traveller. From the snorkel-friendly water in Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh to the wildlife-rich bays of Marsa Alam, Egypt’s Red Sea coast lines up some of the country’s best beaches.

Those deciding to visit and stay in one place often travel to the tourist-friendly region of Sharm El Sheikh or Hurghada, which offer a wide array of child-friendly attractions and hotels.

The Mirror’s Jess Phillips was recently blown away by a visit to Egypt. “I genuinely feel as though I discovered one of Egypt’s best-kept secrets after jetting off from London Gatwick on a direct TUI flight to Marsa Alam International – the country’s first privately owned and operated international airport, which opened in 2003,” she wrote.

“Marsa Alam is a burgeoning coastal resort catering to tourists from around the world. The area is still actively developing – though that definitely doesn’t mean it’s lacking in things to do – and offers the best of both worlds: incredible beaches, perfect blue water, and the more traditional Egyptian desert experiences.”

Check out her full story here.