Holidays

Nothing quite prepares you for your first glimpse of Chatsworth. As we turn into the drive, the house reveals itself, a handsome limestone edifice framed by a steep ridge of wooded hills, ablaze with autumn colours, and fronted by rolling parkland where sheep graze on the riverbanks. Despite its bucolic aspect, this is a landscape that has been carefully honed and crafted over centuries by successive generations of the Cavendish family, who have lived in this beautiful corner of Derbyshire for more than 450 years.

Some of the most significant alterations were made in the 19th century by the 6th Duke of Devonshire (also known as “the Bachelor Duke”), an extravagant character who had the estate village demolished and rebuilt over the brow of a hill because he felt it was spoiling the view from the house. His perfectionism paid off; as the long queue of cars snaking up to the ticket office on a beautiful October morning attests, Chatsworth is one of the most popular stately homes in the UK today, welcoming more than 600,000 visitors a year.

Opening its doors to the public is just one of the ways that this grand old pile keeps the show on the road. The estate is a sprawling enterprise that covers a sizeable chunk of the Peak District national park and has grown to encompass the Chatsworth Farm Shop, dozens of holiday lets – ranging from shepherd’s huts to a 16th-century hunting tower – two pubs (the Beeley Inn and the Pilsley Inn), and the Cavendish Hotel.

The latest addition to the fold is the Hide hotel, which is being pitched as an affordable, family-friendly alternative to some of the pricier accommodation in the Chatsworth Escapes portfolio, with doubles from £80 a night, room only. Previously known as the Highwayman hotel, it sits on the A619 road from Chesterfield to Bakewell and was run as a Premier Inn and Beefeater restaurant for many years (“lots of orange and pictures of cows”, as one staff member described it to me). It reopened in October after a refurbishment overseen by Laura Burlington, daughter-in-law of the current Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. We’re among the first guests to stay in the new-look hotel.

After completing the automated check-in (there’s no reception desk, but staff are on hand in the bar/restaurant next door), we settle into our family bunk room, which has a kingsize bed and built-in “cabin bunks”. The decor is simple but cosy, with soft woollen blankets and carpets, furniture made from reclaimed wood and modern artwork from the Cavendish family’s private collection.

We’re booked in for dinner at the Hide Grill and Pizzeria, which offers a “campfire-inspired menu designed for sharing and cooked over an open flame”. Fears of being marched outside and forced to sing Ging Gang Goolie quickly dissipate as we’re shown to a fireside table in a quiet corner of the large and sprawling restaurant. The menu offers a long list of crowd-pleasers from fish and chips to wood-fired pizzas and barbecued spare ribs, as well as kid-friendly desserts such as s’mores sharing boards. The food isn’t the only thing that’s designed with families in mind. There’s a dedicated play corner, with books, toys and a miniature kitchen to keep younger diners entertained while they wait for their food. It’s a Sunday, so we order from the roast menu – a choice of rotisserie chicken, Chatsworth estate-reared beef or lamb with all the trimmings, followed by ginger parkin with custard. The food is great, the portions generous and, at £18 a person, it’s incredibly good value.

Entry to the house and grounds is not included in the room rate, but multi-entry tickets are available, which give unlimited access for the duration of your stay. Hotel guests can buy a day pass to the Chatsworth Health and Fitness Club, a couple of miles away, with its pool, gym, tennis courts and treatments, and can book conservation tours during the winter when the house is closed to the public. Another perk is having direct access to the estate’s 14,000 hectares (35,000 acres) of park and moorland.

In our room is a booklet of circular walks that start from the hotel or the nearby village of Baslow. One route takes you from the hotel’s back gate across the fields to Chatsworth House, a walk of around 5 miles; another takes you up to Curbar Edge, one of the Peak District’s distinctive gritstone escarpments. Walkers and cyclists are made to feel welcome here with bike and boot wash stations, cycle storage and an outdoor dog bath and shower for those bringing a four-legged friend. There’s also a bus service that runs from Chesterfield to Chatsworth with a stop outside the hotel, making this a viable base for exploring the national park without a car.

We’ve arranged to have a private tour of the house, and our guide, Martin, proves to be a mine of fascinating facts about the 17 generations of Cavendishes who have called this their home. He leads us through the breathtaking Painted Hall with its colourful frescoes, the regal State Rooms, the chapel, the cosy library (where a huge Christmas tree is being installed) and the purpose-built Sculpture Gallery, pointing out some of the artworks, which range from Roman and Egyptian sculpture to old masters.

Impressive though these masterpieces are, it’s the everyday details that bring the place to life. Martin tells us the house was used as a girls’ boarding school during the second world war. When the 17th-century tapestries in the State Drawing Room were removed for cleaning, they found Cadbury’s chocolate wrappers dating back to the 1930s stuffed behind them.

We spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the grounds – the greenhouses, grotto, maze and spectacular Emperor Fountain, built in 1844, another addition by the 6th duke, who wanted to build the tallest fountain in the world to impress Tsar Nicholas I. In the event the tsar was a no-show, although Chatsworth has had its fair share of illustrious guests, from King Edward VII to novelist Elizabeth Gaskell and political philosopher Thomas Hobbes. There has been speculation that Jane Austen based her descriptions of Pemberley on Chatsworth, although there is no evidence that she visited. Nevertheless, the house stood in for Mr Darcy’s grand estate in the 2005 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen. “There is not a finer county in England than Derbyshire,” wrote Austen in that same novel. If you’re looking for an affordable, comfortable and friendly base from which to explore the county, the Hide is a very decent place to start.

The Hide has doubles from £80 a night, and bunk rooms sleeping two adults and two children from £125, both room-only

Ever dreamt of walking on a beach resembling popcorn? A European shore on the Canary Islands has a striking natural phenomenon that is well worth a visit for some winter sun

With temperatures plummeting in the UK, holidaymakers are turning their attention to European winter getaways to bask in a warmer climate, and there’s one fascinating place with a ‘popcorn beach’ that reaches a welcoming 24C in November.

The Canary Islands, known as the sunshine centre of Europe, have long been top of the list for Brits hunting for some sun, with beaches offering golden sand and crystal clear blue waters. But it’s not just the picture-perfect coastlines that entice tourists to the southern region of Spain.

Elsewhere on the islands, visitors can stumble upon beaches with shimmering or dark sand, due to the islands’ volcanic origin, or admire the sand dunes in Gran Canaria that resemble those in the Egyptian desert. With a fascinating collection of shores, there’s one that has caught attention, so much so that it’s been given its own nickname.

Popcorn Beach, officially called Playa del Bajo de la Burra, is one of the most striking beaches in the world. Found in Fuerteventura, the beach is fantastically composed of white, fossilised coral or calcareous algae that has been washed up on the shore, resembling puffed-up popcorn pieces.

The similarity to edible popcorn on the beach is so striking that in photos, it could easily be mistaken for the tasty cinema snack. Holidaymakers have flocked to the beach to marvel at the natural wonder, labelling it the “most bizarre in the world” and comparing it to the likes of the Caribbean.

One traveller shared a review of Popcorn Beach on TripAdvisor and said: “Great place to visit and just sit and relax. Nice wind and when the tide is out, plenty of rock pools to explore. Beware of the slippery lava rocks, very dangerous. When the tide is in, the white popcorn algae makes it look like the Caribbean!”

A second holidaymaker commented: “This a brilliant little beach near Corralejo Town, the bits of stoned algae that look like pop corn allow for brilliant photos. We visited with our toddler and filled in a nice half hour.”

“Unusual beach that truly looks like popcorn. Very nice views. Beach itself is a bit small,” a third shared. While another warned that you can’t swim in the sea, “Unfortunately, there is no direct water access on site, but the experience of Popcorn beach belongs on every adventure list on Fuerteventura.”

However, anyone planning to visit Popcorn Beach should be aware that there is a strict law against taking any of the coral home, no matter how tempting it might be as a souvenir. Unfortunately, it’s such a problem that the beach reportedly loses around 1,000kg of natural material per month.

Tourists have been urged to preserve the endangered ecosystems and refrain from removing any of their precious sand in the Canary Islands. Otherwise, visitors can face a fine of £128 (€150) to £512 (€600) for “minor” offences, or up to £2,563 (€3,000) for “major” breaches, depending on the amount pocketed, according to the Canarian Weekly.

Despite the strict laws, visitors are welcome to capture themselves among the popcorn-shaped coral in photos and stroll along the shore to admire its distinctive beauty. It’s well worth a visit to admire the natural phenomenon, and with temperatures in Fuerteventura reaching between 22 to 24C in November, it’s the ideal spot to bask in some sunshine.

Not only this, but the island is incredibly easy to reach with direct return flights from London Stansted to Fuerteventura, starting from as little as £36.99 with Ryanair.

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STEPPING into the impressive atrium of Disney’s newest cruise ship, it has all the magic you would expect from the fairytale brand – and some exciting world-first additions.

Stepping onto Disney Destiny, I’m dazzled by how striking and glossy the three story high atrium is, with its enormous meteorite chandelier towering above the winding staircase. 

Suddenly, in a flash of light the whole room glows in vivid green and a mysterious character appears on the balcony. 

It’s Loki, star of Marvel’s Avengers, and villainous resident on this new ship – where all is not what it seems… 

Disney Destiny is the seventh ship from the Disney Cruise Line, setting sail on November 20, 2025 from Port Everglades in Florida. 

I watched the dramatic Christening ceremony, complete with incredible drone show above the ship and state-of-the-art projections illuminated onto the side of the vessel. 

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Sister ship to the Disney Wish and Disney Treasure, the Destiny is doing things a little bit differently.

While you’ll still find Disney Princesses and classic characters like Mickey and Minnie on board, this voyage celebrates Disney’s darker side, with some rather mischievous Disney villains on board too.

The theme of the ship is the brilliantly modern, Heroes and Villains.

Look closely and you’ll see Spiderman on the Stern, quite the sight when sailing the Caribbean. 

Inside, the Evil Queen scowls at children who scream and giggle at her in return. 

It’s a new era for Disney Cruise Line, stepping away from the classic Disney themes and dazzling guests with a thrilling new energy, drawing inspiration from its live action films, such as Marvel Cinematic Universe.

In fact, the dazzling chandelier in the main hall, now glowing bright green, is a nod to the meteorite that brought vibranium to Wakanda.

But, Disney ‘baddies’ were around long before Marvel weaved its magic with Spidey and friends.

The Destiny honours some fan favourites on board, with bars and shops inspired by villains such as Cruella De Vil and Maleficent.  

There is also a bar themed on a popular Walt Disney World attraction – the Haunted Mansion – complete with ghostly goings on, a spooky fish tank and those famous hitchhiking ghosts. 

However, with 1,256 luxury staterooms, Disney still want you to sleep at night. 

Guests are given a personalised heroes’ welcome as they step on, with each family welcomed in by name.

And Disney’s good guys, including characters from Hercules, Mulan, Brave and The Incredibles feature prominently in the room designs and in public areas. 

Meg from Hercules has her own coffee lounge and the Sanctum Bar is Dr Strange inspired, serving curious cocktails that spin and fizz.  

As well as the classic staterooms, the ship has IncrediSuites – designed in the style of The Incredibles and Hero Suites – themed on Hercules. 

The show-stopping Tower Suite, uniquely featured in the ship’s funnel, is a sensational take on Iron Man’s HQ – however, at a rumoured £100k per cruise, a heroic salary is required to get a look in there. 

Us mere mortals are left with the ship’s main decks, which really do offer so much for all ages. 

There are two Broadway-style shows on board, and the Disney Hercules show is a real knockout.

Disney’s high quality entertainment is expected, but this really does blow you away.

Disney Destiny also has immersive dining restaurants based on the Marvel franchise and The Lion King, featuring interactive elements and live performances.

These restaurants are fully inclusive with your cruise package, but alcohol costs extra. 

As well as the main restaurants, there are two buffet restaurant areas Marceline Market and Mickey’s Festival of Foods, which between them are open all day. 

Plus, adults travelling without kids, or parents utilising the hugely popular Disney Oceaneers Club (kids club), can enjoy an adult-exclusive area with a bar, pool and hot tubs.

There is also stylish restaurant Palo, an elegant 21+ dining room that is found on every Disney cruise ship. 

Families playing together can cool off in six swimming pools or splash down the on-board water slide, the AquaMouse.

Disney’s unique water slide winds around the ship and has visuals inside the tube – this time with a few villainous cameos too. 

Disney Destiny will be sailing on four and five-night cruises to The Bahamas and Western Caribbean, including visits to one or both of Disney Cruise Line’s island destinations, Disney Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.

Soaking up the sun on Disney’s private beach, with a cold cocktail in hand certainly feels like a champion move.

Although, it always feels mischievous when there is so much to do on board the impressive ship, currently stood glistening in the sun. 

It’s fair to say there so much on offer during a Disney cruise, you may need your own superhero powers to see and do everything.

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Plus, Disneyland Paris has two-night breaks this Christmas from £289pp – including three-day park entry.

TRYING to figure out what to get someone for Christmas often feels like a part-time job – but if they love to travel, then they will love these finds for less than £15.

From frantic packers to document forgetters, travelling can sometimes be stressful.

On the other hand, it is the perfect time to indulge and get something for someone else that will make their holiday even more special.

Here are Sun Travel’s top gifts for under £15… bargain!

Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter

Important documents case

After leaving my home to catch a flight, I have already unzipped my bag to check I have my passport at least five times.

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But it can get lost in my bag, and often this is when the panic sets in.

Add to it trying to find you debit and credit cards, printed documents such as booking references and insurance and of course, once you’re at the airport, your boarding pass – it becomes a flustered nightmare.

All of this stress goes when you have a documents purse.

This sleek travel wallet from Amazon for just £13.98 is ideal.

It has several pouches and pockets for all your important bits, meaning they don’t get lost.

And the wrist strap means important documents are right in your hand.

Reusable travel cup

If you are anything like me, you will never be able to face the day or journey ahead without a good old cup of coffee.

And often, when I am rushing between airport, train, hotel and attractions, there is nothing I want more than a caffeine hit.

Paper cups just don’t do it for me – I am fed up of the dribbles down the side thanks to a loose fitting lid, having burnt hands when no coffee collars are available and of course, my drink going cold in a matter of seconds.

Husk’s reusable 12oz travel cup is simple and stylish.

It is made from the husks of coffee beans, hence the name and is super lightweight to throw in a bag.

The cup itself is super durable and keeps my coffee hot for much longer.

For £12, it’s a steal.

Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter

Pretty hand luggage bag

After a series of unfortunate events in which my suitcase was misplaced twice during one trip, I’ve learned that one essential every holidaymaker needs is a sizable hand luggage bag.

Any seasoned traveller will know that to take just a handbag on a flight is unwise, especially if you’re taking a connecting flight.

You need at least a day’s worth of clothes and your essentials on the plane with you.

So a stylish bag for taking on the plane that you can slide under the seat in front of you is a great Christmas gift.

This one from Amazon fits airline dimensions of 40x20x25 and even has a separate compartment for shoes.

Or opt for this navy duffel bag which is water-repellent, tear-resistant with various pockets and strap options too.

And both are under £15.

World scratch map

Whether you know someone who is a casual jetsetter, loves a family holiday or a keen solo traveller, a scratch map is a great gift.

It’s incredibly satisfying to mark off everywhere you’ve been across the world, and if you get the right one, it can make for some fun wall art too.

Scratch The World Map Print from Not on the High Street is A2 size and has all the countries covered in gold until you scratch them off leaving colourful destinations underneath.

Plus, whoever you gift it to can even pop it in a frame and put it on the wall if they like – and it’s just £13.59.

Jenna Stevens, Travel Writer

Hot drinks flask

When you’re dragging yourself out of bed at 4am to catch a flight, a hot cup of coffee is essential to kick you into gear – especially if it is cold.

And if you’re choosing between downing a rushed cuppa out the door or forking out on an expensive airport latte, neither sound particularly appealing.

That’s where this simple gift becomes a travel lover’s saviour.

A reusable coffee flask is the underrated travel lover’s best friend.

From the airport journey, to filling up at the hotel for a day of exploring – and it’s especially handy for a caffeine hit mid-hike.

For skiers and snowboarders, a flask is a life saver when battle sub zero temps too.

Also, coffee shops like Pret a Manger and Starbucks discount your coffee if you bring your own cup – so they’ll be chuffed that you’re saving them money in the long run, too.

This bright choice from Smash is only £8.50 from Argos.

Power bank

Let’s be honest. No one is ever going to be mad that you’ve bought them a power bank.

It’s one of those gifts that can only be useful – whether you’re travelling, commuting, or stuck at a festival when your phone hits one per cent.

It’s a perfect choice for jet-setters, concert lovers and anyone who’s glued to Google Maps while exploring a new city.

A decent power bank means no more desperate searches for plug sockets in airports or cafés – and no missed photo ops because your phone’s dead.

It’s a small gadget that makes a big difference – the kind of gift they’ll be super thankful for when their phone survives a 12-hour travel day.

Just make sure that they are aware of the rules as to taking power banks on flights – they must be in your carry-on luggage, and some airlines don’t allow them.

This one from HMV is small and sleek, perfect to slide straight into your bag and it costs less than a tenner (£9.99).

Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

Lavender pillow spray

I have an overnight bag that I bring with me absolutely everywhere.

In it are several pairs of ear plugs, an eye mask and the most important (and giftable) item of all: lavender pillow spray.

As a self-confessed insomniac, there are few things that soothe me more ahead of a snooze than a cuppa and a spritz of my spray, whether that’s on an overnight flight or in an unfamiliar hotel room.

ThisWorks is my favourite brand, made from a dreamy combination of lavender, chamomile, and vetivert essential oils.

The mini 10ml spray costs just £10.80 in the Black Friday sale and is diddy enough to fit into a pocket.

For a more budget-friendly option, Feather & Down’s Sweet Dreams Pillow spray costs £8.

Packing cubes

Is your giftee a keen organiser?

If so, they’re sure to love a set of packing cubes.

I find them to be incredibly useful on short trips where I’m trying to cram a lot in.

They’re also great for more intrepid adventures where I’m travelling around a lot – that way I can keep track of where everything is without needing to fully unpack when I reach the hotel.

I use one for socks and underwear, one for trousers, one for tops and one for gym gear.

This Amazon bunch is an absolute steal at less than a tenner (£9.98) and it’s got a cube for everything: toiletries, shoe bag, cubes of varying sizes and even a laundry bag.

Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

Eye mask

If there is one thing I cannot do on a flight, it’s sleep.

And with my job taking me around the world 10+ times a year, I’ve tried everything to try and make that long-haul overnight flight easier.

But one game-changer I’ve found is ditching the travel pillow for an – albeit strange looking – eye mask that you attached to your head rest.

The contraption might look bizarre at first, but once you tie the straps around the seat behind you, it quickly looks like a normal eye mask.

Also padded, this means your head is kept in a much comfier upright position once you tie it around your head while blocking out any cabin light.

So if you care more about sleeping than how you look? Try this editor-approved bit of kit for just £9.99 on Amazon.

Toiletries set

I love to treat myself to a small kit of travel toiletries before I go on holiday, to get me in vacation mode.

And there are loads you can find for under £15 this Christmas that fit in your stocking.

There is the Space NK Caribbean Shores Body Duo, with body wash and lotion for £12, with smells that will take you straight to the beach.

Boots have both Sanctuary and Champneys travel essentials for £10 as well, with shower gels and moisturisers.

I wouldn’t blame you if you ended up keeping them for yourself this Christmas…

Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel

Travel gifts don’t have to just be for adults… these are all great stocking fillers, and I’ve tried and tested each of them on multiple trips with my child. 

Wikki Stix

These Wikki Stix are excellent for keeping kids occupied on planes.

You can mould them into all sorts of objects and animals and they pack away easily at the end for another use.

Plus, it’s super fun to use as an adult.

Pack of two for £13.99. 

Magnetic ball drawing board 

This magnetic ball drawing board has come on at least 20 holidays with my son, since he was just three years old. 

It’s great from an early age, as they don’t have to be good at drawing to create good designs.

Then as they get older, the creations can get more intricate.

As a family, we also play, guessing the drawing – where you have to guess quickest in order to have the next turn.

This works on planes, in cars, at restaurants – anywhere apart from the beach really. 

Available on Amazon from £6.99.

Magnetic chess board 

Ok, hear me out.

I never pictured myself as a chess player either.

But a friend taught my six year old a year ago and it has transformed mealtimes at restaurants on holiday. 

We’ve sat there for an hour as we battle it out, which gives me extra time to enjoy my wine. 

Definitely get a magnetic version though, as you’ll have a nightmare keeping track other the pieces otherwise. 

Available from £7.99 on Amazon. 

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If you fancy spending a little more money, you could get the item that travel reporter Cyann Fielding swears by – it’s a lifesaver and takes up very little room.

Or perhaps opt for the ‘high quality’ travel gadget that keeps your luggage safe – and means it will never get lost.

IF you fancy African sunshine but less of the hustle and bustle from the likes of Marrakesh and Rabat, check out this alternative.

It still has everything you’d want from a visit, from historical sites to souks as well as lively festivals.

This is the city of Meknes in northern Morocco. It’s just 50 minutes away from Fez – and it’s much quieter.

For those who love history, Meknes has an interesting one as it was once the capital of Morocco.

During the late 17th and early 18th centuries, Sultan Moulay Ismail made it the capital of Morocco.

Meknes was transformed into a massive imperial city with palaces, fortifications, and monumental gates – lots of which still stand today.

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The Kasbah of Moulay Ismail was built during the 1600s and is one of the most popular sites for tourists to see in Meknes.

It’s still used as an occasional royal residence by the current King of Morocco.

The medina of Meknes is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in itself and according to VisitMorocco, is nicknamed the “Versailles of Morocco”.

Place El-Hedim has all kinds of shops with locals selling all sorts, from vases, plates to bracelets.

There are green spaces within the city too, from orchards to olive groves and vineyards.

Just outside of Meknes is a popular historical site, called Volubilis, a well-preserved Roman city, where tourists will find ruins of mosaics, and even a Triumphal Arch.

While Meknes is quieter than the likes of Fez because it generally has less tourists, that doesn’t mean there’s not much going on there.

In fact, Meknes holds festivals through the year, like Festival International de Volubilis des Musiques Traditionnelles du Monde – a big music festival.

This includes the International Festival of Animated Film and its own Fantasia festival which is a traditional Moroccan horse festival.

Like most of Morocco, Meknes is pretty warm throughout the year.

In November, there are highs of 30C and lows of 9C and little rainfall. The coldest month is generally January – but there can still be highs of 16C.

The hottest months are July and August, where the city can experience highs of 34C.

Meknes does not have its own airport as the closest is in Fez.

Brits can take direct flights to Fez in as little as three hours 20 minutes and journeys in November start from £17 with Ryanair.

It’s easy to get there from Rabat too, which you can fly to from the UK in a little over three hours.

From there you can get a direct train from Rabat to Meknes which takes around two hours and tickets cost as little as £5.50.

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Here’s a little more on other citiies in Morocco…

Marrakesh

From a bustling Medina, to activities in the desert, vibrant cafes and spice stalls, you can’t go wrong with Marrakesh.

The city in western Morocco is at the bottom of the Atlas Mountains and in the winter months offers warm weather and lots of sunshine.

Lisa Minot, Head of Sun Travel, went on a trip earlier this year and said: “I’ve spent a wonderful long weekend in Marrakech and the city is as exciting as ever.”

Agadir

Morocco doesn’t just offer city breaks, Agadir has incredible golden beaches. It’s known to be a premier resort destination with beautiful hotels and pristine pools.

Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey visited Agadir last winter and enjoyed the much warmer weather of 25C.

Kara added: “The Moroccan city is home to the country’s largest market, Souk El Had, as well as a bustling harbour and modern marina. No wonder the North African country looks set to be a holiday hotspot as Brits look past Spain.”

Fez

Another lesser-visited city in Morocco is Fez. It’s found inland and has been referred to as the “country’s cultural capital”.

There’s plenty of shopping to be done in Fez at the Medina, which is the oldest in North Africa and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s made up of over 9,000 alleys that are separated from the outside world by high walls. 

Inside you’ll find lots of food, leathers, handmade rugs and hand-painted ceramics.

Tangier

The city at the very tip of Morocco is Tangier – on a clear day, you can even see Spain across the Strait of Gibraltar.

Tangier has been a major trade centre for thousands of years thanks to its location and busy port.

Visitors can learn about its interesting history with a guided tour, and wander through Kasbah, the walled part of the city full of tiny streets and alleys.

Kasbah has been used for Hollywood movies including James Bond and the Bourne film series.

For more on Morocco, read more about Head of Sun Travel Lisa Minot’s trip to Marrakesh.

Plus check out this peaceful African city right by the sea that feels ‘more like Europe’ – but tourists always miss it.

WE’VE all dreamt of having a white Christmas, and there are a number of places within three hours from the UK where it will most likely be snowy this festive period.

Festive films always show snowy destinations with pretty markets and twinkling lights.

And whilst the UK can be very pretty at Christmas, we don’t often get snow.

So here are the top places in Europe you can expect snow this Christmas with flights that take less than or around three hours from the UK.

Innsbruck, Austria

Innsbruck in Austria is the capital of the Tyrol region and at Christmas transforms into a living fairytale, according to Innsbruck Tourismus.

On November 15, the Old Town and Market Squares launch with oversized fairytale figures lining many of the medieval alleyways.

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At the markets, kids can enjoy a vintage carousel, puppet shows and even a virtual sleigh ride.

Visitors should also visit Wiltener Platzl, where you can experience traditional Tyrolean culture with local food and handmade goods.

Then from November 25, there will be the Maria-Theresien-Strasse Market with lots of stalls selling decorative trinkets and handcrafted gifts.

December temperatures: Highs of 4C and lows of -1C.

Snowfall: The average snowfall in Innsbruck in December is 73cm, with an average base depth of 12cm.

Return flights in December cost as little as £39 per person from Birmingham Airport to Innsbruck and each way takes around two hours.

Salzburg, Austria

The Austrian city of Salzburg sits on the border of Germany and has views of the Eastern Alps.

And over the festive season, the city is home to a brilliant Christmas market.

The Salzburger Christkindlmarkt hosts everything you’d expect of a normal Christmas market and more, including Mozart concerts and a parade.

The market is even one of the oldest in the world and is a great spot to enjoy seasonal foods.

December temperatures: Highs of 5C and lows of -2C.

Snowfall: The average snowfall in Salzburg in December is 8cm.

Return flights in December cost as little as £33 per person from London Stansted to Salzburg and each way takes around two hours.

Tallinn, Estonia

The capital of Estonia, Tallinn, is home to one of Europe‘s oldest Christmas markets which is often compared to Disney fairytale cities.

Located in Old Town’s Town Hall Square, visitors can explore a number of wooden chalets selling gifts and food and see a giant Christmas tree.

For the duration of the market, visitors can also catch a glimpse of street performers, glowing lights and carollers.

Make sure to try some traditional Estonian Christmas food such as blood sausage and roasted potatoes.

December temperatures: Highs of 1C and lows of -5C.

Snowfall: The average snowfall in Tallinn in December is 13.2cm.

Return flights in December cost as little as £35 per person from London Stansted or London Luton to Tallinn and each way takes around two hours and 45 minutes.

Vilnius, Lithuania

Lithuania‘s capital, Vilnius, is full of baroque architecture and has a quaint Old Town.

And when Christmas comes, this area feels like a festive village.

In the Cathedral Square, visitors will find a unique Christmas tree surrounded by a bustling market that includes ice sculptures and folk performances.

Then throughout the town there are light installations to find.

The city is even home to a festive train experience and an ice skating rink by the Town Hall.

December temperatures: Highs of 0C and lows of -4C.

Snowfall: The average snowfall in Vilnius in December is 5.9cm.

Return flights in December cost as little as £49 per person from London Luton to Vilnius and each way takes around two hours and 40 minutes.

Stockholm, Sweden

Over in Sweden, Stockholm features cobblestone streets and grand buildings including a 13th century cathedral.

At Christmas, the city lights up with twinkling lights and cosy markets.

One market, Gamla Stan’s Stortorget square features ice skating and a Julbord, which is a Christmas buffet.

Skansen open-air museum also has a Christmas market with illuminated streets and festive window displays.

The city also hosts a Santa Run, where hundreds of people dress as Santa and go on a run for charity.

December temperatures: Highs of 2C and lows of -1C.

Snowfall: The average snowfall in Stockholm in December is 20.3cm.

Return flights in December cost as little as £42 per person from London Luton to Stockholm and each way takes around two and a half hours.

Chambery, France

In France, you could head to the Alpine town of Chambery, known for its medieval Castle of the Dukes of Savoy.

In the historic town centre, there are a number of family-friendly festive activities and shows to watch.

The town’s ancient streets and squares then come alive with lights and stalls selling handcrafted gifts and seasonal treats such as hot spiced wine.

December temperatures: Highs of 7C and lows of 0C.

Snowfall: The average snowfall in Chambery in December is 3.3cm.

Return flights in December cost as little as £62 per person from Edinburgh to Chambery and each way takes around two hours and 40 minutes.

Reykjavik, Iceland

Reykjavik sits on the coast of Iceland and is both the country’s capital and largest city.

For festive things to do in the city, head to Reykjavík Northern Lights Market, which is near Grotta Lighthouse.

The market is set in a great spot to catch the Northern Lights whilst also having a wander around a number of stalls selling local crafts and geothermal footbaths.

The market also boasts street food, live storytelling and music by the fire.

Another cosy spot to head to in the city is the Bookstore Bar, which looks like a library on the inside.

December temperatures: Highs of 3C and lows of -2C.

Snowfall: The average snowfall in Reykjavik in December is 5cm.

Return flights in December cost as little as £53 per person from Bristol Airport to Innsbruck and each way takes just under three hours.

Helsinki, Finland

Finland‘s southern capital, Helsinki, is known for its architecture as well as being a business hub.

And at Christmas, the city becomes a wonderland of festive cheer.

The city’s main Christmas market is called Tuomaan Markkinat and is located in Senate Square.

It features a number of different attractions including a historic carousel for children.

Seasonal foods at the market include reindeer meat and mulled wine served with almonds and raisins.

And for something a little more luxurious, Helsinki has a lot of saunas that are open throughout the holidays.

December temperatures: Highs of 1C and lows of -4C.

Snowfall: The average snowfall in Helsinki in December is 6cm.

Return flights in December cost as little as £81 per person from London Stansted to Helsinki and it takes about two hours and 50 minutes to get there.

The flight back takes just over three hours, at three hours and five minutes.

Rovaniemi, Finland

According to travel booking platform Omio, the most magical market to experience this Christmas season is Finland‘s ‘Christmas Village’, also known as ‘Santa Claus Village’.

Located in Rovaniemi, the village includes visits from Santa himself, letter writing, crafting opportunities, rides, attractions and even the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights.

December temperatures: Highs of -4C and lows of -11C.

Snowfall: The average snowfall in Rovaniemi in December is 52 cm, with an average base depth of 20 to 40 cm.

Return flights in December cost as little as £51 per person from Birmingham Airport to Rovaniemi and each way spills just over three hours, coming in at around three hours and 15 minutes.

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For things to do in the UK, here are 27 free festive experiences for families including light trails and Santa’s grotto.

Plus, Winter Wonderland opens this week – here’s all the new attractions at Europe’s biggest festive event.

A HUGE car race track, retro arcade games and private Singpods – it certainly doesn’t sound like your classic pub?

Calling itself the ‘modern playhouse for Battersea,’ it recently reopened after a £1million refurbishment and I was one of the first to go down.

Formerly known as the Four Thieves, the ‘adult playground’ now called The Thieves, sits between Battersea and Clapham Common.

You can do everything you can do at a usual pub, like grab a cocktail, beer or bite to eat from their menu – from brunch to a hearty Sunday roast.

But beyond the pretty bar and plush velvet seating is also a plethora of other activities.

Let’s face it, the main event is upstairs inside The Thieves Gambit.

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Heading inside the arcade, you’re immediately greeted by a buzzy atmosphere, laughter, and of course, plenty of competitive jibes.

It’s slightly overwhelming at first because of the sheer amount of games – and the sound effects that go with them.

There’s air hockey, golf putting, Mario Kart, pool tables, virtual darts, basketball, and classic games like Pacman, Space Invaders, Tetris and Mortal Kombat.

Crazy Light was another favourite, buttons light up and you have to press them – the faster the better, obviously.

The main event though is the TRBO Raceway, previously called Moonshine Raceway, where players sit in gaming chairs and literally race cars around the track.

It might remind some of old Scalextric games – there’s even an MC hyping up drivers and if it’s possible, making everyone even more competitive.

It’s not easy either as I found out when coming last.

To play the games you need to add credit to your TRBO card which starts at £10 for 500 coins and you can top up throughout the night.

Downstairs in the basement is where you can sing your heart out inside the karaoke room.

If you fancy, you can book out a Singpod to privately belt out some ballads with your mates.

Not being much of a singer myself, this is one that I decided not to take on.

When you’re done with the games, head back down to the bar area where there are a host of live performances.

It’s not just a guy singing with a guitar either, I’m talking mega party vibes.

There will ABBA parties, Taylor Swift socials, cabaret shows, and themed brunches all under spinning disco balls and and flashing lights.

Coming up on the calendar are 70s dance parties to ‘Twisted Time Machine’ with tunes from the party eras, comedy nights, quizzes.

For guaranteed entry, time at the arcades, or a table for eating – make sure to book before you go.

Otherwise, happy playing!

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For more fun, check out the new adult-only indoor playground with pub games and prosecco-flavoured candyfloss to open in the UK.

And for when the sun is shining, check out the best riverside pubs across the UK including a moored boat and one ‘that feels like the south of France’.

Check if your holiday destination is affected after eight new countries were added to the Foreign Office’s methanol poisoning list following a wave of tragic deaths

The Foreign Office has added eight more countries to the methanol poisoning list as British tourists are warned of the deadly risks of fake alcohol abroad.

Ecuador, Kenya, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Uganda, and Russia are now on the list of destinations where the UK government advises travellers take extra care – in addition to backpacker favourites Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. It follows an increase in cases of serious illness and deaths caused by alcoholic drinks tainted with methanol.

Among the most memorable is the hostel horror late last year which killed six tourists in Laos, including 28-year-old lawyer Simone White from Orpington, Kent. Now, a travel expert has offered her top tips to anyone heading to these destinations on how to stay safe and avoid illicit alcohol – as well as what you should do if you end up drinking it.

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What is methanol poisoning and how do I know if I’ve got it?

Methanol is a type of industrial alcohol that can be found in antifreeze and paint thinners. It is very harmful to humans, and drinking even small amounts can leave victims dead or permanently blinded within hours.

Early signs of methanol poisoning can include blurry vision and confusion. Alicia Hempsted, travel insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, explained: “Early symptoms can include vomiting and drowsiness but as poisoning worsens, it may lead to abdominal pain, vertigo, difficulty breathing, blurred vision and even blindness.”

In September 2025 alone, an estimated 821 people worldwide were affected by methanol poisoning”, with internet searches up 593% since the tragedy in Laos last year. Alicia adds: “Untreated methanol poisoning has a fatality rate of between 20% and 40%.3 Avoid alcohol if you’re unsure of its source or if it seems unusually cheap or homemade.”

How to stay safe

You can’t see or smell methanol if it’s in your drink, meaning it’s best to stick to sealed bottles in high risk areas. Alicia said: “Methanol looks and smells almost identical to regular alcohol, so it can be hard to detect.

“The safest approach is to only drink from sealed bottles, avoid free or unlabelled drinks and to never leave your drink unattended. Methanol poisoning tends to affect you faster and more severely than normal alcohol.

“If you experience any of the symptoms of methanol poisoning, or suspect you may have consumed it, you must seek immediate medical attention. Treatments can include antidote or dialysis, depending on how advanced the poisoning is.”

Know before you go – and take out travel insurance

Emergency treatment for methanol poisoning can leave you with hospital bills in the tens of thousands. You should always take out travel insurance when heading abroad, no matter where you’re going, or for how long.

You should also check the Foreign Office’s travel guide for your destination to ensure you are up to date with the latest information. Alicia explained: “Unfortunately, even when you take every possible precaution, emergencies can still happen when you’re abroad.

“Travel insurance can provide cover for emergency medical expenses and hospital treatments helping to protect you from financial and additional personal stress if the worst does happen.”

What has the Foreign Office said?

The Foreign Office announced the eight new countries last month after an impassioned campaign by families who have lost loved ones to methanol poisoning abroad. Hamish Falconer, minister responsible for Consular and Crisis, said: “Methanol poisoning can kill – it can be difficult to detect when drinking and early symptoms mirror ordinary alcohol poisoning.

“By the time travellers realise the danger, it can be too late. That’s why we’re working hard to raise awareness of the warning signs and urging anyone who suspects methanol poisoning to seek immediate medical attention. I encourage all travellers to check our travel advice and Travel Aware pages before they go on holiday.

“No family should endure what the campaigners’ families have suffered. Their determination to prevent others facing the same tragedy has been instrumental in driving forward these vital updates to our travel advice.”

A MASSIVE new £37m waterfront park with a skateboard site and tightrope has been unveiled just minutes from a town centre.

Tourists and residents will be able to walk across a 55-metre bridge from the High Street to the revamped riverside, which will also feature a huge amphitheatre for live events.

In Stockton, the local authority is overseeing one of the most ambitious regeneration projects in Europe as it buys up swathes of land in the struggling town centre. 

The amphitheatre – with 402 granite steps – will gaze down on the River Tees, home to the Teesside Princess pleasure boat, the North-east town’s iconic tourist attraction, which hosts everything from Taylor Swift-themed boat parties to birthday celebrations, weddings and wakes.

The huge site – three times larger than London’s Trafalgar Square – will also include 10m watchtowers, an oval lawn and a land bridge.

“That’s going to mean people can mean people can walk from the High Street to the riverside, which is quite exciting,” councillor Paul Rowling, deputy council leader and cabinet member for resources and transport at Stockton Borough Council, told Teesside Live.

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Activities for children will also include a toddler trail, swings, climbing nets, trampolines and “exhilarating” slides connecting the amphitheatre to the riverside.

On its website, Stockton Council says “significant work has also progressed” on changes to Riverside Road, which will pass under the land bridge, reduced to a single carriageway each way.

Stockton Council says it has worked with members of the Stockton Parent Carers Forum to ensure that the park features meet the needs of as many families as possible. 

The final design has been shaped to incorporate their advice and feedback.

The site is set to open in spring 2026.

It includes tactile and sensory experiences, motion, sounds with musical instruments, social interaction and quiet spaces.

Councillor Richard Eglington, cabinet member for regeneration and housing at Stockton Council, said: “We know how popular our play areas are with families and that’s why we’ve ensured Stockton Waterfront will be a unique space like no other in the region for residents and visitors to spend quality time outdoors.

“The park’s feature elements, two huge play towers, will take children to new heights and we are looking forward to welcoming families when it opens.

“The play areas will complement the numerous exciting additions in the urban park, which is set to transform the town centre. 

“It’s part of our commitment to make the borough a great place to live, work and visit, providing an environment where all generations can thrive.”

The waterfront park is the latest regeneration project for Stockton – which straddles two English counties and six separate towns.

Work to refurbish the Globe Theatre in the town began nearly 15 years ago and was completed in 2021 at a cost of nearly £30m.

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With a capacity of 3,000 it is the largest live entertainment venue between Newcastle and Leeds.

Acts to have played the venue recently include Paloma Faith, The Waterboys and Fontaines DC.

A MUCH-LOVED family attraction is set to reopen with a major revamp thanks to new owners.

Pleasurewood Hills in Lowestoft, Suffolk, has new owners that are promising to return the theme park to its “former glory”, as well as add new rides.

The attraction’s new owners, Premier Attractions, plan to invest in at least three rides when the park reopens next spring, according to Great Yarmouth Mercury.

Run by three brothers, Freddy, Spencer and Davis Stokes, Premier Attractions is hoping to restore some of the rides, such as Cannonball Express – a figure of eight-style rollercoaster that was built back in 1983.

Freddy Stokes Jnr, 42, the eldest of the three brothers said: “We promise there will be more rides next year – three big rides, possibly four.

“Some people love the Cannonball, others hate it.

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“It’s an iconic ride at the park, but I need to get it to where I’m happy to operate it.”

He added that the ride needs more trains and to move from its current location to “stand proud” in the centre of the park.

He added: “It definitely has life left in it, but it’s how and what we do with it.”

Other changes at the park will also be seen in the car park, which currently charges visitors a fee of £3 a day.

Premier Attractions has inherited the contract from Pleasurewood Hills’ previous owners and it is owned by the park but operated by a third party.

Freddy added: “We’re not going to fix everything overnight, but we promise we will improve the park.

“But without people coming back, it’s all for nothing, so we need their support.”

Pleasurewood Hills expects to reopen on March 28, 2026.

And it will be the first theme park owned by Premier Attractions after purchasing the attraction from French operator Looping Group last month.

The company usually operates rides at events and fairs across the UK and has been based in Manchester since 2011.

Currently, nine of the company’s rides are at Kuwait’s Winter Wonderland and another seven are on the way to Hong Kong’s AIA Carnival, where they will be based for 66 days before heading back to the UK.

Premier Attractions has also operated rides at some of the UK’s biggest events and fairs, such as Winter Wonderland, Edinburgh‘s Hogmanay Festival, Leeds and Download music festivals, Hull Fair and the Hoppings in Newcastle.

At Pleasurewood Hills, there are currently over 35 rides, shows and attractions for all ages including the region’s largest rollercoaster, a large drop tower and a log flume.

Day entry would cost from £27 per person, but it is not clear whether this price will be the same when the attraction reopens.

The theme park then closed for the season on November 2.

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In other attraction news, the UK’s best value theme park to open all major rides this winter for the first time.

Plus, the ‘world-first’ £5billion theme park set to open – after plans for UK version were axed.

A NEW multi-million water wellness resort is set to open – and it might look familiar to Brits.

Therme has revealed its latest plans to open an attraction in Singapore.

The S$1billion (£584million) Therme Singapore will be a “state-of-the-art” facility.

Funded by the Singapore Tourism Board it will be on the Marina South Coast, near Marina Bay Sands.

Inside will be “wellness, culture and nature” mixed throughout the four-hectare site.

This includes thermal pool and botanical gardens, as well as art installations and huge spa facilities.

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While an official opening date is yet to be revealed, it hopes to welcome tourists by 2030.

As many two million tourists a year are expected to visit.

Therme Group CEO Dr. Robert Hanea said: “Backed by decades of science and innovation, Therme Singapore will be a state-of-the-art facility that transforms urban life by making holistic health enjoyable and accessible to all.”

This was backed by the Singapore Tourism Board who said it would make Singapore a “leading urban wellness haven”.

They added: “In line with our pursuit of quality tourism, this attraction will draw travellers seeking wellness experiences, potentially increasing length of stay and spend, whilst providing locals with best-in-class wellness experiences.”

The Therme Singapore might look familiar because of a similar one opening in the UK.

Therme Manchester was first announced back in 2020 and now hopes to open in 2028, after a number of delays.

Costing £450million, it will be the UK’s largest wellbeing resort.

This includes 25 swimming pools and 20 slides as well as bars, gardens and spa areas.

Set to be 33C year-round, it will even have the UK’s first indoor beach.

It also isn’t the only new Therme attraction opening in the world.

The £100million Therme Glasgow hopes to open, although an official date is yet to be confirmed.

And Therme Dubai – Islands in the Sky will be a £439million resort and the tallest of its kind in the world.

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It is being designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro who also created the High Line in New York, and will have themed areas, spas and pools.

Can’t wait for all these new openings? Here’s how to find the already-opened Therme Bucharest.

Writing on Reddit, one poster lifted the lid on a tropical island they found while travelling. The photographs showed beautiful sandy beaches lined with palm trees, with crystal-clear seas, and barely another soul in sight

Sometimes the only solution to the stresses of everyday life is to jet off to a tropical island. But finding the perfect unspoiled paradise can be a trick, with ever-increasing tourism levels meaning many places can be overcrowded, or have lost some of their local charm.

Writing on Reddit, one poster lifted the lid on a tiny hidden island they had discovered while travelling in South Asia. The photographs showed beautiful sandy beaches lined with palm trees, with crystal-clear seas, and barely another soul in sight.

The Reddit user wrote: “My girlfriend and I were in the area (Sri Lanka) and decided to extend our trip with a new country, so flew to Malé and took a local ferry to an island two atolls away.” They continued: “(We) arrived in a little unspoilt paradise called Dhigurah, which only opened up to non-Muslim foreigners recently (at the time, 2023).”

Dhigurah is an island in the Alifu Dhaalu Atoll, a series of 49 islands in the Maldives. It is 3km long, making it one of the longest islands in the Maldives, and at points just 250 metres wide, according to maldives-magazine.com.

The waters surrounding the island are teeming with docile whale sharks, the website says, as well as stingrays and other marine wildlife. Whale sharks only eat plankton and tiny fish, and pose no danger to humans.

Continuing, the Reddit user said: “We spent our time snorkelling (the water, especially the closer to the shore, is literally teeming with sea life), swimming with whale sharks and stingrays and drinking freshly cut coconut juice on the beach.

“Seems like the local population were clearing the rainforest (which covered 90 per cent of the island at the time of our visit, 2023) at an alarming rate to make room for new hotels, some of which apparently already have appeared on Booking.com.”

Reddit users were amazed by the pictures. One wrote: “Man I wish I could be there now. Looks amazing.”

Another said: “Oh man I’m heading to Sri Lanka in about a month and was considering hopping over. I even booked a ‘just in case hotel on this exact island but cancelled and thought I shouldn’t rush Sri Lanka. Now I’m second guessing!!”

The original poster replied: “It’s indeed best to not rush Sri Lanka, it deserves your full time and attention!

“We were in Sri Lanka for 23 days and five days in the Maldives, so only three full days on this particular island, since the transport to/from the capital city and its only international airport took almost a full day on the local ferry – if you still decide to go opt for the speedboat option!

“The local ferry involves a transfer or two at other local islands and is bound to make you seasick, and takes three times as long as the speedboat.”

The island also has rave reviews on Booking.com, with one visitor writing: “The most beautiful sea I have ever seen in my entire life.”

However, asked if they would return, the Reddit user wrote: “The locals are clearing the islands’ palm tree forest at an alarming rate, already at the time of our visit (see picture 13 for a glimpse into that). So maybe it’s best to not spoil our fond memories of Dhigurah by being confronted with a vastly changed island.”

A village named the world’s prettiest by Forbes in 2025 is introducing new bans and restrictions to stop visitors from frustrating locals and overwhelming the place

A UK village named the most beautiful in the world is considering new ways to keep visitors away after strict rules were introduced this summer.

Bibury, in the Gloucestershire Cotswolds, is an undeniably picturesque location. It features honey-coloured stone cottages, a gently meandering river, and a historic, fairytale ambience. Its appeal prompted Forbes to crown it the world’s prettiest village for 2025, roughly 150 years after poet William Morris dubbed Bibury “the most beautiful village in England.”

The cottages of Arlington Row are frequently described as the most photographed and stunning cottages in Britain. Constructed in 1380 as a monastic wool store, it was subsequently transformed into a row of weavers’ cottages in the 17th century.

It’s not difficult to understand why Bibury receives such high praise, with lodging choices including the Swan Hotel and The Catherine Wheel pub both inviting inside and adorned with climbing plants outside. The village’s appeal has placed Bibury firmly on the tourist map. And now, some residents say, things are becoming unmanageable.

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Chairman of the local parking action group, Mark Honeyball, who has lived in Bibury for 10 years, has endured very unpleasant encounters with visitors. He told the Express that he asked a coach driver to move on from some double yellow lines before the unthinkable happened.

He said: “I’ve been physically attacked four times now, but once really quite badly two weeks ago, I was kicked in the chest and stomach and kneed and punched in the face full force by a driver that I’d just asked simply to move on from double yellows at the top of the village.

“The coach drivers themselves are being pushed here by their coach companies, they don’t really want to be here, they find it really difficult to park. The tour operators are the key behind this, the coach operators are doing what the tour operators ask them to do, primarily with people from China, India, and South Korea at the moment.”

As many as 20,000 visitors descended on Bibury in a weekend, with up to 50 coaches parking there daily. That’s an enormous figure for a village with just 600 inhabitants. Now, following a trial during the summer months, Gloucestershire County Council is planning to introduce permanent restrictions on coaches entering the village.

Councillor Lisa Spivey, leader of the council, told the BBC: “Bibury is one of the Cotswolds’ most iconic destinations, but its popularity has created real challenges. These proposals aim to safeguard the village, curb congestion, and preserve its unique charm.

Additional proposals have been put forward to control the chaos. These include:

• Banning coaches from driving through the centre, except at specified drop-off/pick-up points.
• Extending yellow lines to prevent illegal parking and congestion.Introducing pay-and-display parking for visitors, with exemptions for residents.
• Improving short-term parking access, particularly near the village school and church.
• Adding raised kerbs and seating to further pedestrianise parts of the centre and enhance safety.

Restrictions on coaches entering the village were introduced in May. At that time, parking bays in the centre of the village were closed and new public bus stop clearways were installed. The aim was to halt “unsafe coach manoeuvres.

Plans to make these changes permanent are backed by a group called Bibury One, which includes representatives from the local community, parish councillors, coach and tour operators, the county council, as well as Gloucestershire Constabulary.

If approved, the measures could be implemented by early summer 2026.

The picturesque village is home to a 16th-century bridge now buckling under the strain of a staggering 40,000 vehicles rumbling through each month during busy periods.

Some operators have ‘paused or cancelled’ flights and package holidays to this popular destination

The UK Foreign Office has issued a package holiday warning as Brits travelling to a popular destination could see their plans cancelled. In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has provided an update on holidays to Jamacia.

It explained that some operators have “paused or cancelled” flights and package holidays to the Caribbean destination. This update was provided on November 11, two weeks after the storm first hit.

On the FCDO website it explained: “Hurricane Melissa made landfall as a major hurricane in Jamaica on Tuesday 28 October. Hurricane Melissa brought exceptional levels of rainfall and strong winds to the whole of Jamaica, causing widespread damage to roads and infrastructure and disruption to electricity and other utilities services, including internet.

“There are also shortages of food and water and access to currency. Access to healthcare in worst affected areas is limited. All Western parishes have suffered significant damage.

“The worst affected parishes are currently Westmoreland, St Elizabeth, St James, Hanover and Manchester.” As per the latest reports, 45 people were killed by Hurricaine Melissa while another 15 remain missing.

Staying safe

The FCDO continued: “Exercise caution if you are travelling within Jamaica. Continue to follow the guidance of local authorities.

“If your hotel is unable to provide accommodation, get in contact with other hotels in the area to see if they have capacity.” If you need consular assistance, you can contact the FCDO on:

• +1 (876) 936 0700 (Jamaica)
• +44 (0) 20 7008 5000 (UK)

Travel plans

The FCDO stated that all airports have re-opened – however, not all flights are operating. “All the airports have re-opened, with Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay operating a limited number of commercial flights while repairs are made to the terminal. For updates and flight schedules, see @MBjairport for Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay and @NMIA for Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston,” it said.

“Flights may not be direct and could transit other countries. Check for messaging from your airline or travel provider as some operators have paused or cancelled flights and package holidays to Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa.”

Before flying anywhere the FCDO says you should follow its foreign travel checklist:

• Research your destination
• Get insured before you go
• Check your documents for travel
• Consider your health
• Prepare for the unexpected

For full details on this, visit the Government website here.

This is what arousal looks like.

About 20 women are lying blindfolded on yoga mats in an airy structure in the Joshua Tree desert. Some are partially dressed in loungewear or lingerie; others are fully nude. Sexy indie folk music blasts from the sound system and outside, through the open double doors, the wind kicks up, rustling the fragrant desert scrub brush, pomegranate trees and ponderosa pines.

Their bodies are layered with a collage of fresh fruit, feathers, cucumber slices, smooth stones and velvety flower petals, among other things. Facilitators quietly tiptoe around the room, gently placing more and more items onto their chests, arms and legs until their skin is barely visible. One woman lies with lemon slices on her nipples, a large strawberry in her open mouth and a bouquet of long-stem pink roses, in full bloom, on her pelvis.

Facilitators adorn women’s bodies with colorful objects during an exercise about receiving pleasure and feeling beautiful.

(Joyce Lee / For The Times)

The exercise is meant to help the women connect with their bodies by stimulating them with a spectrum of sensations: the cool slickness of a polished river stone or the prick of a pineapple rind. It’s about receiving pleasure and feeling beautiful — no matter your age, body shape or perceived limitations.

“The biological clock may be finite, but your sexuality — arousal — is infinite,” says the event’s host, Pamela Madsen, scattering rose petals on one attendee’s thighs.

Pamela Madsen, Back to the Body’s founder.

(Joyce Lee / For The Times)

Welcome to Back to the Body, a sexual wellness retreat helping participants — all women — access their erotic selves. In this group, attendees are straight or bisexual and range in age from mid-30s to mid-70s. They’re mostly from around California, but some have traveled from North Carolina, Florida and Connecticut. They’ve come to overcome intimacy issues or body shame, to process trauma, to learn how to better orgasm or otherwise improve their sex lives. Some are therapists themselves looking to expand their knowledge of “sexological bodywork,” a form of body-based sex therapy that Madsen practices. Others simply want to be in community with like-minded women who are also exploring their sexual selves.

The two-night retreat, which costs $550 to $2,000 depending on accommodations on the sprawling multi-villa property, includes mindfulness exercises, journaling, expert-led seminars, group discussions and meals by a private chef. It also features a preview of a “bodywork session” that one might experience at Back to the Body’s longer, weeklong retreat: a live “pleasure demonstration” at the event’s, um, climax — but more on that later.

Madsen guides participants in a “Lotus Lift Meditation,” meant to help them clarify their intentions for their lives.

(Joyce Lee / For The Times)

An unlikely high desert sex educator, Madsen, “60-something,” is a brash, outspoken New York transplant who oscillates between frank asides (“I like to say ‘f—’ — get used to it”) and welling up with tears (“I’m sorry, I’m just getting emotional, this is important stuff”) as she proselytizes about the power of erotic energy. She believes that “when a woman reclaims her arousal, she reclaims her aliveness.” Put another way: Pleasure isn’t just a component of your life — it’s a tool for transformation.

“I’ve seen women changing, improving their lives,” Madsen says of past participants, her voice cracking with emotion. “They start taking control of their finances, they start to care about how they’re spending their time.”

Sitting on the porch of the “big house,” a midcentury modern ranch home where the retreat meals are served, attendee Mandy Manuel, 39, a sex therapist from Connecticut, says that she found love — for herself and with a partner — after attending several Back to the Body retreats.

Back to the Body’s midcentury modern ranch home.

(Joyce Lee / For The Times)

“I’ve been in a large body my whole life. And the world will tell you ‘you’re not good enough, you’re not pretty enough, you’re not deserving of sex and romance,’” she says. “I totally bought into that story. And I wanted to challenge that. So I came and it was life-changing. Just recognizing ‘Oh, wow, I can receive.’”

Manuel eventually started dating online and met her current partner a year and a half ago (and is now facilitating a Back to the Body retreat in 2026). “My standard for dating shot way up. Previously it was: ‘I’m just going to accept whoever wants me’ and now it’s ‘who do I want?’”

Sexual wellness is a long-established sector of the medical establishment that, today, encompasses everything from contraception and safe sex practices to organic lube, tantric breathwork, couples counseling and the latest Magic Wand Rechargeable vibrator. It adds up to big business: the global sexual wellness market is projected to reach $48.2 billion by 2030, according to Global Industry Analysts Inc.

A participant in the “art of adoration” exercise.

(Joyce Lee / For The Times)

Somatic (or body-based) sex therapy, a subset of sexual wellness, is also not new in the medical field. Individuals struggling with sexual issues have for decades turned to sexual surrogates, or trained professionals who specialize in “experiential learning” and who work in tandem with a client’s sex therapist when talk therapy isn’t enough.

Whereas sexual surrogacy is interactive, mimicking partnership, sexological bodywork employs “one-way touch.” In Back to the Body’s private, one-on-one bodywork sessions that means certified sexological bodyworkers, trained in Madsen’s approach, are always clothed and focus attention on the consenting client without reciprocity. A session may involve breathwork, intimacy coaching, sensual touch, sound and movement, including dance. It’s a “body first” approach to healing, in which physical sensations inform thoughts, as opposed to talk therapy.

But hands-on sex education is controversial.

“I don’t endorse it with my clients,” says UCLA emeritus professor Dr. Gail E. Wyatt, a licensed clinical psychologist and board-certified sex therapist, “because I don’t trust [that] the individuals who are assigned [to touch clients] have the boundaries to see this as a professional act and not as an opportunity. Vulnerable individuals may end up in a situation where they’re being taken advantage of.”

Madsen acknowledges that sexological bodywork is edgy but stands by the modality.

“We cannot heal, expand or awaken our sexuality through words alone,” she says. “We must touch the body to hear it speak — and that terrifies people.”

The retreat includes journaling exercises as well as mindfullness activities and group discussions.

(Joyce Lee / For The Times)

Sexological bodyworkers are not doctors and there’s no national certification for the profession. Practitioners do, however, adhere to a code of ethics upheld by the Los Angeles-based Assn. of Certified Sexological Bodyworkers. While sexological bodywork falls into a legal gray area, the state of California first recognized it as a profession involving sex education in 2003 when it approved training at San Francisco’s the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality (the school closed in 2018 and no additional state-approved schools have emerged). Nonetheless, somatic sex education appears to be growing: two Back to the Body practitioners offer sexual wellness retreats through their own companies: Court Vox leads one for queer men through his the BodyVox and Cosmo Meens leads one for straight men through his Himeros Project.

“There’s a great need for education about sensuality and the body that we don’t get in school or at home, typically speaking,” says Regena Thomashauer, author of “Pussy: A Reclamation,” which explains that we live in a culture that teaches women to turn off their power.

To be clear, Madsen stresses, arousal is not just about orgasming, or even physical pleasure, but about agency. Erotic energy — desire — is a powerful, “life-changing tool” every woman has access to, she says — it connects you to your passion and creativity, to your intuition and voice.

“When women are in touch with their arousal, they start being able to see themselves, they start being able to express themselves, Madsen says. “They find their voice, they’re able to speak their desires.”

Addressing the group in the living room, Madesn elaborates on the empowering, if political, nature of Back to the Body’s work.

Madsen believes that “when a woman reclaims her arousal, she reclaims her aliveness.”

(Joyce Lee / For The Times)

“Women have only had the right to vote for just over 100 years,” she says. “You [often] couldn’t have a checking account or credit card until 1974 without a man. Why is this work important? Because we’ve been taught not to trust ourselves, not to trust our bodies. That we are vehicles for birth, that we are vehicles for sex, vehicles for entertainment, vehicles for service — we are not sovereign. What does this work do? It creates sovereign women.”

What’s more, Madsen says, it takes time for women to reach a state of arousal — and many women experience premature penetration during sex.

She breaks into song: “I want a man with a slow hand …” she croons, belting out the Pointer Sisters’ early ‘80s pop hit. Laughter erupts around the room.

A private chef, pictured in the background, prepares farm-to-table meals for participants.

(Joyce Lee / For The Times)

Madsen is a former kindergarten teacher turned fertility activist who grew up in Great Neck, Long Island, married at 19 and spent 45 years living in the Bronx where she raised two sons with her husband of more than four decades. She’s appeared on “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” “60 Minutes,” CNN and other media talking about sex or fertility issues before authoring the 2011 memoir “Shameless: How I Ditched the Diet, Got Naked, Found True Pleasure … and Somehow Got Home in Time To Cook Dinner.”

In the book, Madsen documents her search for “sexual, personal and spiritual wholeness.” As part of that journey, she became certified as a sexological bodyworker in 2007 through the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality. She founded Back to the Body in 2011, adding her own spin on sexological bodywork. While most practitioners offered one-off sessions, she says, she launched multi-day immersive retreats, stressing the importance of being “away from the noise of the world.”

Back to the Body had no physical home initially and held retreats virtually or around the U.S. and internationally.

Several Back to the Body participants have gifted the retreat with artworks, now scattered around the property.

(Joyce Lee / For The Times)

“But then we found this place,” Madsen says while touring the Joshua Tree property, onto which she moved in July 2024. She strides across the land, more of a swagger, wearing a white flowy dress, white cowboy hat and cowboy boots, her long black hair cascading down her back and her curvaceous bosom occasionally spilling out of her dress.

“This is the house that women built,” she says, sweeping one hand across the horizon and tucking a runaway boob back into her dress with her other. “I couldn’t have afforded this place without help — investments and donations — from participants. This work changed their lives, and they wanted to give back.”

Previous attendees also gifted artworks or ephemera now scattered around the property: large crystals around the pool or a granite statue, outside the main house, of a woman bracing against the wind.

Late in the afternoon, the women settle into the community room for a 45-minute demonstration of what a bodywork session might look like. Madsen, dressed in aqua lingerie, is the client in this scenario; practitioner Cosmo Meens, a buff and barefoot 45-year-old with thigh tattoos and a salt-and-pepper beard, is her certified sexological bodyworker. There is sexy music; there is playful slow dancing; there is laughter. “Louder!” Madsen says of the music, laying down on what looks like a massage table. There is also a shelf of accouterments nearby — coconut oil, a vibrator, a feather — to stimulate pleasure or bring her to orgasm.

The women sit in a circle around the demonstration table, rapt.

Afterward, Madsen sits up, hair mussed and cheeks flushed. There’s a short question-and-answer session. Then Madsen hard-sells the weeklong retreat, which runs from $8,000 to $18,000, depending on programming, accommodations and location (some retreats are international). There are just 30 spots left for 2026, she tells the crowd; and for those who register today, there’s a $1,000 discount.

15 of the 20 women sign up.

Participants during the “Lotus Lift Meditation.”

(Joyce Lee / For The Times)

To some, the marketing pitch might have a transactional feel: Is this cutting-edge somatic sex education or the commodification of the orgasm, of pleasure?

“It’s inaccessible,” says Betsy Crane, a retired professor of human sexuality at Widener University, who sees value in the retreat’s work but balks at the pricetag. “I understand why they have to charge as much as they do — it’s staff intensive, they include food, nice venues — but it’s not affordable for most women, that’s the inequality of the world that we live in. If it were more accepted, it could become less expensive because it could be available locally.”

Madsen says the price is in line with today’s economy.

“Travel is expensive, experiences are expensive,” she says. “What I know is: that I’m not getting wealthy, that it’s hard to keep the ship running. That women get done in a week here what costs them 15 years in talk therapy.”

The end goal? Madsen hopes her retreat will change the world “one vulva at a time.”

Sitting on the porch, Deb Morris, 63, a retired business owner who lives outside of Denver, says she’s been on more than a dozen Back to the Body retreats over the past decade. (Do the math.) But the investment of time and money has been “life changing.”

Attendees enjoy downtime between retreat activities.

(Joyce Lee / For The Times)

“How I show up at 63 is so much more vibrant and committed to life,” she says. “I stay in, sexually — my beingness, how I dress, staying healthy in the gym, having a more vibrant friend group. All of those things definitely have been affected by doing this work from my mid-50s to my mid-60s.”

She looks out at the view, a vast desert landscape. Then adds: “I feel alive.”

Airlines including British Airways, easyJet and TUI have confirmed a host of new places they will be flying to next year. Here’s the full list of new destinations being introduced in 2026

As the chill of winter descends upon the UK, many Brits are already dreaming of sun-soaked holidays in 2026. The great news is that airlines are adding a whopping 31 new destinations to their schedules for those looking to jet off next year.

Major airlines such as British Airways, easyJet and TUI have unveiled a plethora of new locations they’ll be servicing in the coming year. The majority of these fresh flights will kick off in the spring, carrying on throughout the balmy summer months.

Newcastle Airport is set to benefit the most from these additions, with easyJet preparing to establish a new base there in 2026, leading to an additional 11 destinations departing from Newcastle.

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In other news, Jet2 has confirmed seven exciting new destinations from East Midlands Airport. These include the picturesque Split in Croatia, the exotic Agadir in Morocco and the stunning Chania in Greece.

Scroll down for the comprehensive list of new destinations being introduced in 2026, reports the Express.

London Heathrow

• St Louis, USA, with British Airways from April 2026.

London Gatwick

• Bangkok, Thailand, with British Airways from Summer 2026 (upgraded to year-round).

Newcastle Airport

EasyJet is gearing up to launch a new base at Newcastle Airport come next spring. This will result in an expansion of its network from the airport, including flights to:

• Antalya, Turkey, with easyJet from March 29, 2026.
• Dalaman, Turkey, with easyJet from March 31, 2026.
• Rhodes, Greece, with easyJet from Summer 2026.
• Corfu, Greece, with easyJet from April 3, 2026.
• Faro, Portugal, with easyJetMarch from 29, 2026.
• Malta with easyJet from March 30, 2026.
• Prague, Czechia, with easyJet from August 2, 2026.
• Reus, Spain, with easyJet from March 31, 2026.
• Nice, France, with easyJet from March 29, 2026.
• Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, with easyJet from August 3, 2026.
• Enfidha, Tunisia, with easyJet from March 29, 2026.

East Midlands Airport

• Antalya, Turkey, with SunExpress from Easter 2026.
• Agadir, Morocco, with Jet2 from Summer 2026.
• Costa de Almeria, Spain, with Jet2 from Summer 2026.
• Preveza, Greece, with Jet2 from Summer 2026.
• Thessaloniki, Greece, with Jet2 from Summer 2026.
• Chania, Greece, with Jet2 from Summer 2026.
• Pula, Croatia, with Jet2 from Summer 2026.
• Split, Croatia, with Jet2 from Summer 2026.
• Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, with TUI from Easter 2026 (re-introduction).

Bristol Airport

• Reus, Spain, with easyJet from June 25, 2026.
• Thessaloniki, Greece, with easyJet from June 27, 2026

Stansted Airport

• La Palma, Spain, with Jet2 from October 26, 2026.
• Jerez, Spain, with Jet2 from May 2026.
• Samos, Greece, with Jet2 from Summer 2026 (new weekly services).

Manchester Airport

• La Palma, Spain, with Jet2 from April 3, 2026.
• Samos, Greece, with Jet2 from Summer 2026 (new weekly services)

Birmingham Airport

• Samos, Greece, with Jet2 from May 4, 2026.
• Rome, Italy, with easyJet from March 5, 2026.

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A NEW attraction will soon be returning to London – with guests able to explore both the land and water in one trip.

Duck Tours is set to relaunch on the River Thames in London, eight years after it was scrapped.

The attraction, run by London Amphibious Tours Limited (LAT), will take off from Lack’s Dock slipway next to the MI6 building.

Duck Tours in other destinations usually involve some time on the road driving past historic and interesting sights, before heading onto the water for a river cruise, seeing more sights.

The new tours will be in partnership with Big Bus Tours and will feature new all-electric vehicles, which will be able to reach up to eight knots on the water and 30mph on land.

Each vehicle is expected to seat up to 36 people.

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The vehicles have been created by LAT’s sister company, Seahorse Amphibious Vehicles, after 10 years of research and development.

The company already has tours in Windsor, Liverpool and Cape Town.

Tours previously operated in London until 2017 when the company lost access to the Albert Embankment slipway.

Many fans of the tours have already taken to social media to express their excitement for the return of tours to the Big Smoke.

One person commented: “Fantastic news.”

Another added: “I look forward to taking a trip on one when they’re back.”

A date for the official return of the amphibious tours is yet to be announced.

Graham Lumley, executive chair of London Amphibious Tours and Seahorse, said: “We are immensely proud to have secured a long-term lease at this prestigious site, for which we thank the Duchy of Cornwall.

“We have been passionate about expanding the duck tour concept for many years, and today’s announcement underscores Seahorse’s continued evolution as a global leader.”

Ed Lumley, managing director of London Amphibious Tours and Seahorse, said: “We are delighted to announce our partnership with Big Bus Tours, the world’s largest operator of open-top sightseeing experiences.

“There is no partner better suited to work with us on this exciting opportunity, and we look forward to collaborating with Pat Waterman and the Big Bus team.”

Pat Waterman, executive chair of Big Bus Tours, added: “These tours will become an iconic part of the London tourism scene, adding new layers of opportunity to our hop-on hop-off operations.

“We look forward to our recently announced Big Duck Tours brand becoming synonymous with ‘must do’ tourism activities in London.”

According to the company’s website, they are also soon launching tours in Singapore.

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What are Duck Tours like?

STANDING before me was the giant car-boat hybrid, looking as if it was from the future.

I was heading on a Duck Tour in Windsor – a tour that starts on the road before heading onto the water.

Once onboard the vehicle, it was hard to imagine how it could enter the water as it whizzed past Windsor Castle surrounded by cars.

After a few twists and turns down lanes, our entryway onto the Thames emerged.

And the vehicle slowly rolled down a slope and into the water.

What I thought might be a bit of a bumpy ride was actually smoother than a plane landing.

Then there is was…

The impressive Windsor Castle from a completely new angle – it felt so close I could almost touch it.

Our guide shared with us key information about the historic site, and of course the role of the River Thames that runs next to it.

The whole experience felt more like an adventure than a tour, and was a great way to see sights from a different perspective.

Tickets cost from £30 per adult and £20 per child.

In other attraction news, a new Pixar attraction is set to open in UK – with film sets you can step into including Toy Story, Monsters Inc and Up.

Plus, first look at the £12million Viking land opening at the UK’s ‘best theme park’ with inverting rollercoaster and feasting hall.

A UK beach town that was named a trending destination for next year was previously named one of the country’s worst seaside towns.

It stated the reason as to why the seaside town is making a comeback is “thanks to a renewed love for quintessential British beach breaks.”

Flixbus has found the top trending destinations for 2026, one of which is Weston-super-Mare in Somerset.

It added: “Travellers are craving the simple pleasure of a day by the sea, with bookings for Weston rising as people seek out wide sands and retro charms.”

Weston-super-Mare is pretty retro as it was a popular Victorian seaside resort back in the 18th century.

The railway lines connecting it to Bath, Bristol and South Wales opened in 1841, which saw a huge tourism boost.

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It fell into decline in the 1960s when cheap package holidays tempted Brits to holiday abroad.

The town hasn’t always had a good reputation in recent years either, having been named as one of the country’s worst seaside towns in 2023 by Which? and the Telegraph.

However a huge rejuvenation project taking place is probably another reason Brits are looking into visiting Weston-super-Mare.

The seaside town is going through a huge rejuvenation as part of its £20million Weston Placemaking Strategy which will regenerate the town as part of a 10-year plan.

Weston-super-Mare’s Tropicana is being transformed into a venue for culture, arts, and entertainment.

It will undergo work like having its 1930s facade repaired while the venue’s outdoor capacity will be increased, and it’s due to reopen in 2026.

After closing as a lido in 2000, the Tropicana stood vacant for years until Banksy used it as the venue for his Dismaland bemusement park in 2015.

There are also plans to revitalise Birnbeck Pier which was open between 1867 and 1994.

It had a range of attractions like a Pavilion, a Switchback Railway, mini fairground, a water chute and a roller rink.

The pier is the only one in the UK which links to the mainland to an island, with access to Birnbeck Island.

Old Town Quarry, also currently closed, could be turned into an event space.

The town council’s Tourism and Information Services Manager, Warren Parker-Mills said: “We could have an opera there, we could have a ballet there, we could have things that are not necessarily associated with Weston-Super-Mare.”

There are also plans for a weekly market at the Italian Gardens.

Other popular attractions include the Weston Museum and The Helicopter Museum, the Playhouse and Winter Gardens.

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The Northern county that made the Airbnb list of top trending beach destinations in the world…

Airbnb has revealed the trending beach destinations around the world, with the Northumberland coastline making the cut.

The northern county of Northumberland has been getting lots of attention over the summer, with plenty of pretty beaches that are usually less busy than those in the south.

Airbnb said: “Northumberland is drawing more summer visitors, with searches up over 50 per cent this summer, thanks to its pristine North Atlantic beaches.”

One beach that’s been highlighted as a must-see is Embleton Bay. It sits on the edge of the North Sea to the east of the village of Embleton.

The bay has a long stretch of golden sands, cool water and it’s overlooked by the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle.

Near Embleton Bay is a pub that has previously held the title of ‘best beach bar in the UK’ – it’s called the Ship Inn in Low Newton-by-the-Sea.

It once claimed top spot in a list of the best beach pubs in the country put together by Conde Nast Traveller.

For more trending destinations, check out the holiday destinations our travel team predicts will be HUGE in 2026 – thanks to cheap hotels, flights and pints.

Plus, here are our favourite seaside towns that are less than 90 minutes from London.

The Transoceânica bus provides a direct link between Peru’s capital Lima and Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro, but despite the luxury destinations, the bus’s journey is far from glam

Taking a long bus journey while travelling the globe may not be too uncommon – a brief watch of BBC’s hit Race Across the World shows that.

But nothing comes close to attempting the longest direct route in the world. The journey spans across the width of an entire continent, with passengers travelling as many as 3,900 miles and passing through 30 different cities.

The Transoceânica bus has been described as “brutal” by those who have braved the entire five-day journey between Lima, Peru and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. But while the two nations are famed for their natural beauty and amazing landscapes, the Transoceânica does little to actually show this.

According to testimonies, the journey is a long slog, as passengers battle for comfort while passing through rather dismal looking areas of both Peru and Brazil. However, to reach the final destination, many travellers say, is entirely worth it.

Passing through some of the most well known cities in Brazil, including Rio and São Paulo, the bus stops at 30 different locations where cleaners hop on board to clean the bus while people stretch their legs. There are various amenities passengers can use while on the bus, including Wi-Fi, filtered water, USB ports and toilets, according to Diario do Comercio.

Costing around 1,300 Brazilian reals (£187) one way, the company claims that the bus — known as a “semi-sleeper” — has soft and comfortable seats. But voyagers who have taken on the challenge themselves have had different things to say about their experience.

YouTuber Noel Philips said his experience was subpar, describing his time on the bus as “absolute hell”. He added that on the bus, it appears that personal space is a virtually non-existent concept.

In a video documenting the trip, Noel said: “Nobody has [headphones]; everyone just plays everything on full blast. And when they can’t hear it above everybody else’s, they just turn theirs up so in the end you just have 15 phones playing different things at 55,000 decibels.”

He added that the journey through Peru was filled with interesting landscapes and phenomenal and breathtaking views. But once they cleared border control and entered Brazil, things became rather repetitive, admitting the route does not exactly show the full breadth of either country’s natural beauty.

As well as this, poor Neil was seen complaining about the constant delays the bus faced as they journeyed through the mountains, complaining at the lack of heating on the bus. They were also beset by delays, as roadworks and slow tankers hampered their progress and risked turning a five-day journey into six.

Meanwhile, one Brazilian traveller documented his own experience on the bus as it passed through the Andes mountains and into the Amazon. He explained that with not much to do, many passengers end up chatting about deep and important topics.

While going through the southwest of Brazil, he spoke with the other passengers, after a debate was struck up about which was the best version of ceviche, one of Peru’s national dishes. Many of the passengers joked their own homemade versions of the dish were better, as the morale between those who were travelling seemed high.

But despite the hefty journey that people undertake to get from one side of South America to the other, the bus does not appear to run all year round. Operated by Brazilian bus company Trans Acreana, a timetable for the bus for the rest of the year or into 2026 seems to not exist.

Jet2 has announced that it is launching 26 new flights, meaning British passengers can fly out to destinations including Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Tenerife and Ibiza

Jet2 has announced it will launch 26 new flights to a whole host of sunny destinations across Europe

The budget airline has revealed plans to initiate flights and holidays from Gatwick Airport. The firm says it has secured slots for six aircraft “following the release of additional capacity” by the UK’s second busiest airport. Jet2 will station five Airbus A321neo aircraft at the West Sussex airport, with an additional aircraft positioned overseas. Its inaugural Gatwick flight is set to depart for Tenerife, Spain, on 26 March next year.

The airline – which recently went viral for its catchy adverts featuring Jess Glynne’s Hold My Hand – will fly to a whole host of sunny destinations next spring and summer. They are:

• Fuerteventura
• Gran Canaria
• Lanzarote
• Tenerife
• Ibiza
• Majorca
• Menorca
• Alicante
• Girona
• Malaga
• Reus
• Faro (The Algarve)
• Antalya
• Corfu
• Crete (Heraklion)
• Kalamata
• Kefalonia
• Kos
• Halkidiki
• Preveza
• Rhodes
• Skiathos
• Zante
• Malta
• Naples
• Verona
• Paphos (Cyprus)
• Pula
• Bourgas (Bulgaria)

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Steve Heapy, chief executive of Jet2, said: “Today’s announcement represents an incredibly exciting moment for Jet2. For many years, our ambition has been to provide our differentiated, service-led, end-to-end product offering from London Gatwick, and we see this as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to accelerate our growth from the UK’s largest beach and city leisure destination airport. We know all too well how much demand there is among customers and independent travel agents for us to operate our award-winning flights and holidays from London Gatwick, so it is fantastic to be able to share that we are here and ready to meet their travelling needs.”

Gatwick is set to become the 14th UK airport with a Jet2 base. Initially, the company will offer flights from Gatwick to 29 “sunshine destinations” in countries such as Spain, Greece, Turkey, Portugal and Italy. The airline confirmed that over 300 direct positions will be established in the Gatwick area, spanning pilots, cabin crew, engineering and ground operations roles, with several hundred additional indirect posts also being generated.

Gatwick chief executive Pierre-Hugues Schmit said: “We are thrilled to welcome Jet2 to London Gatwick, marking an exciting new chapter for the airport and our passengers. Jet2’s arrival brings even more choice and flexibility to passengers across the South East and beyond, strengthening London Gatwick’s vision to be the airport for everyone, whatever your journey.

“It is an exciting time for Jet2 to join London Gatwick following the recent Government approval for routine use of our northern runway, which will further expand connectivity and economic growth. We are committed to delivering exceptional service and we look forward to supporting Jet2’s growth and success here at London Gatwick.”

Jet2 is regularly voted one of, if not the, best airline in the UK. It was named Best Airline at the Routes Europe Awards in 2025 and won The Telegraph Travel Awards for Best Short-Haul Airline for the third year in a row, based on reader votes. It has also been recognized as the Most Reliable UK Airline by AirAdvisor and has been a Which? Recommended Provider for a decade, partly due to very low cancellation rates.