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MORE eruptions from a volcano in Europe has resulted in sudden flight cancellations in Sicily today.

An ash cloud drifting into airspace means that flights cannot land or take off at Catania Airport on the Italian island.

Following an eruption over the weekend and change in wind direction, an ash cloud from Mount Etna has affected airspace in Sicily.

Due to safety reasons, flights departing and arriving into Catania Airport have been cancelled or delayed until 5pm local time.

Impacted airlines include Ryanair, EasyJet, and Wizz Air.

Operator SAC said: “Due to Etna’s eruptive activity and the associated release of volcanic ash into the atmosphere, the airspace corresponding to the ash cloud southwest of the volcano (Sector C1) has been closed. Arrivals are suspended until 5:00 PM.

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“As the situation is significantly affecting operations, passengers are kindly advised to check the status of their flight with their airline before heading to the airport.

“The situation is being constantly monitored, and further updates will be provided depending on the evolution of volcanic activity and weather conditions.”

One Brit travelling home from Sicily over the weekend also faced disruption, he wrote on X: “Had a superb holiday in Sicily

“Getting home was interesting.. Catania flight cancelled due to Etna → 3hr taxi to Palermo → flight cancelled → slept at airport → Rome → taxi to Naples → Gatwick → taxi to Luton. Only a day late but very happy to be back at the nest.”

Palermo Airport, Sicily’s other major aviation hub located on the northwest coast, remains unaffected, with flights operating as scheduled.

It’s not the first time this year that there has been disruption at the airport following eruptions on Mount Etna.

Last month, the volcano erupted for 10 days leaving hundreds of passengers stranded in Sicily.

Holidaymakers had to seek hotel allocation, while others travelled elsewhere to get home.

Flights to Italy’s fifth busiest airport have been suspended and advice has been issued for any Brits who are due to fly to the Mediterranean island in the next few days

An eruption at Europe’s largest and tallest active volcano has led to the closure of one of Italy’s busiest airports, throwing travel plans into chaos for many Brits.

Mount Etna is one of the world’s most active volcanoes, and over the weekend it was spotted bellowing smoke and ashes into the atmosphere, forcing the suspension of arrivals into nearby Catania-Fontanarossa Airport.

In a statement posted today on its official website, airport officials said: “Due to Etna’s eruptive activity and the associated release of volcanic ash into the atmosphere, the airspace corresponding to the ash cloud southwest of the volcano (Sector C1) has been closed. Arrivals are suspended until 5:00 PM.

“As the situation is significantly affecting operations, passengers are kindly advised to check the status of their flight with their airline before heading to the airport. The situation is being constantly monitored, and further updates will be provided depending on the evolution of volcanic activity and weather conditions.”

Initially, the airport allowed a small number of landings until the early hours of this morning, before the decision was made to suspend flights completely. Other airports on the island are currently unaffected.

Airlines with routes from the UK to Catania include British Airways, easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair, and Wizz Air, and passengers who have a flight booked to the airport should immediately check their flight status on its official website. Passengers may see flight delays, diversions, or cancellations to their itineraries, and airlines should be getting in touch with any holidaymakers affected by the change.

Volcanic activity on Mount Etna has often affected flights to Catania, due to its location just 29 miles from the volcano, and passengers are sometimes re-routed to other Sicilian airports such as Palermo. Similar cancellations and diversions were seen at Catania just last month, with a two-day closure on July 5 and 6.

It’s worth noting that at the moment, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) doesn’t have any warnings in place about visiting the island, it simply advises “Check with your travel provider or Catania airport before travelling.” Other than any exclusion zones close to the volcano, Brits are still free to visit the island, but should look out for local emergency updates.

While flight delays of over three hours often allow passengers to claim for compensation, a volcanic eruption usually comes under ‘extraordinary circumstances’, which means a claim is unlikely to be successful.

However, passengers from the UK to Sicily are still covered by the Denied Boarding Regulation, also known as EU Regulation 261/2004, meaning airlines need to assist them during delays. For a flight to Sicily, this would come into force for any delay over three hours.

Airlines need to provide two free phone calls or emails to each passenger, meals and refreshments that are appropriate to the time of day and delay length – usually given as vouchers – and hotel transfers and accommodation if the delay is overnight.

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PLANS for a new multi-million pound private island in the Maldives have been revealed.

The premium exotic complex could span 155 acres on the ocean, with an underwater railway and a “deep-water lagoon”.

A zero-land private island in the Maldives has been put up for sale by a Canadian brokerage, and it can be bought in its entirety for £335million.

The development has not yet been built and will only be constructed if a buyer can be found.

In computer-generated images by Private Islands Inc, The Adaptive Atoll is a 155-acre Maldivian resort that would be nestled away in a secluded setting of the Indian Ocean.

Inside, it would be made of a number of fortresses and holiday homes, all connected by an underwater rail network.

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Private Islands Inc. even offers additional mini-islands that connect on demand, allowing owners to add modular spaces such as a 30-bunk guest pavilion or a dedicated kids’ club.

To accommodate the most high-profile of clients, the layout of the island would allow for fly-in capabilities, meaning the most elite can arrive via seaplanes and private helicopters.

Private Islands Inc. boasts around 800 islands in its portfolio, usually set at around a $1million (£745,000) price point.

Some, especially in Canada, Belize, and the Americas, can cost under $500,000 (around £370,000), such as Grape Cay in Nicaragua that spans the size of two American football fields.

Mr Krolow, the chief executive and founder of Private Islands Inc., told The Telegraph:  “At the end of the day, if you want island ownership in the sense that it’s yours, you’re there and there’s no one else, it’s possible.

“And you don’t have to be super rich, but you do need to be a little crazy.

“You need to have a set of balls, and you need to have been bitten by that island bug.”

A THEME park in the UK has been forced to close at short notice due to a water outage.

Chessington World of Adventures confirmed that anyone heading to the park will have their tickets “revalidated” for a future visit.

The water outage was reported by Thames Water, which said a burst water main was affecting the KT9 area.

While repairs are underway, the park will be closed for the rest of the day.

Chessington said in a statement: “Due to a water outage in the local area affecting our operations, Chessington is closed today.

“All tickets booked for today will be automatically revalidated under our Return Promise and can be used on a future date.

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“We apologise for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.”

Families had already arrived at the park for the day with the park opening at 10am before closing after just one hour.

However, one dad called it “utter shambles” as many were forced to wait outside of the gate.

Another said they had spent “hundreds on an overnight stay and fast passes” before the park closed.

The theme park is one of the most popular in the UK, with around 1.5million visitors a year.

And with the summer holidays in full swing, this is likely to affect thousands of people.

Anyone who had plans to visit the park today has been told not to go.

The Return Promise allows families to visit the theme park on a different day, in the event that the park has to close.

It isn’t the only chaos for Brits going holiday today, with train disruption affecting anyone going to both London Gatwick and London Heathrow airports this morning.

And Catania Airport in Sicily has been forced to suspend flights following a weekend of chaos caused by the eruption of Mount Etna.

A significant change could come into force from next month that would impact Brits travelling to parts of Europe, with threats of more potential airport chaos – unless it’s pushed back yet again

Brits could face a fresh wave of airport chaos when new restrictions kick in for travel to parts of Europe – unless officials introduce allow further delays.

Earlier this year, British holidaymakers began to face significant travel disruption as they grappled with the new European Union’s (EU) Entry/Exit System (EES), which was fully implemented across airports on April 10, 2026. There were reports of grueling queues of up to four hours and missed flights as Brits needed to create a digital record and register their biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photograph, on arrival in a Schengen area.

Thankfully, some restrictions were eased, and member states, including France, Portugal and Spain, were given the option to temporarily “lift biometric registration” until the end of summer to ensure there is “some relief for the worst-case scenario”. Greece was one of the countries that opted to waive the EU requirement for Brits to provide fingerprints and facial scans at airport border control.

Uku Särekanno, deputy executive director of Frontex, which helps to manage the external borders of the EU, explained in June: “We have until the end of the summer, the possibility during the tourism season to lift the biometric controls or the biometric registration temporarily.

“If there is a peak hour, you see that there are hundreds of people queuing, their queues are getting too long, then member states still have the possibility to lift biometric registration. The EU has considered, for the period of summer, to make sure that there is still some relief for the worst-case scenario.”

However, any flexibility that has been in place for the EES, or that is still in effect, could come to an end.

According to Frontex, the offer of eased measures for the digital border system is set to expire on Sunday, 6 September, potentially leading to longer airport queues and travel disruptions.

However, there have been calls to extend the full rollout of the EES beyond 6 September, for fear it could spark further airport chaos, even though it comes after the summer holidays.

According to The Times, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, European commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, has privately reassured that the EES checks could still be paused after the current 6 September deadline, when needed. It’s also been reported that Apostolos has also made similar assurances to the UK, indicating that an extension of the flexibility could be possible, following a meeting with British Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander.

“We want everyone to have the summer holidays they deserve – and yesterday’s meeting shows everyone is pulling in the same direction, “Heidi said following the meeting on 14 July. “I was reassured that the EU commissioner for transport understood the concerns of holidaymakers and recognised the need for us to work together.”

The new digital border system is required for the initial arrival at an airport border within the Schengen zone and replaces the traditional manual passport-stamping process. Once the first registration has been completed, the EES remains valid for three years.

Countries within the Schengen area include: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. The EES system is not required for travel to the Republic of Ireland or Cyprus, as neither country is part of the Schengen area.

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TWO airports in Europe that see thousands of passengers through their doors are set to close for major upgrades.

During this time flights will be diverted and one airport will see flights cancelled during both the summer holidays and October half-term.

The first major airport closing its doors to passengers is Almeria Airport in Spain which each year handles around 800,000 passengers.

In February 2028, it will shut for six days to upgrade its runway with all scheduled flights during that time to be cancelled.

Airlines like Ryanair, easyJet and Iberia which fly out of the airport have been notified by Spain’s airports operator Aena about the closure.

There will be further disruption too as the revamp is part of a 19-month €29million (£24.8million) project to upgrade the entire airport.

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During this period there will be work at night between 10:45pm and 7:10am the following day.

Between these hours, flights could be impacted as well.

Direct routes from Almeria Airport to the UK London Southend, Manchester, Bristol, Liverpool, Leeds Bradford and Birmingham.

The airlines will have to reschedule flights or divert the routes.

The revamp will mark the first work on the runway in 20 years.

The second major European airport to close its doors is Charleroi Airport in Brussels which will close for almost three months.

For 11 weeks, the runway will be closed for renovation and the interior airport revamped.

Flights will be impacted between August 15 and October 31 in 2028.

It will disrupt passengers heading to Brussels during the school summer holidays and October half-term break.

Airlines that operate to and from the airport from the UK include Ryanair and Wizz Air to cities Edinburgh, Manchester and Newcastle.

Airlines will need to reroute their flights to different airports during that time.

The airport is the second largest in Belgium – it sees 30,000 passengers each day and around 11.2million people every year.

On the development, the airport said: “A complete refurbishment of Charleroi airport’s sole runway, together with other major infrastructure modernisation works, has been scheduled by SOWAER (the company behind the works) for the second half of 2028.”

A WIZZ AIR passenger was left in tears and nearly forced to miss her flight after a disagreement over her bag size.

Katy Hayward, 21, was at London Gatwick Airport heading for Santorini with Wizz Air when she was told she could not board her flight.

Travelling with her two friends, the group reached the gate at the airport and a member of staff pulled them to the side and informed them that their bags were too big and they would not be allowed to board the flight.

In a video shared on her TikTok account @katyhaywardd, Katy – who was in tears – passed the phone to her best friend of four years, Kelsea, 26, who explained what happened.

She said: “We have just been through the gate at Wizz Air and this woman has just screamed in our faces saying we can’t fly because we have these bags – apparently these bags are too big.”

She then turns the camera back to Katy who is showing a holdall-style bag often seen when flying on budget airlines.

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Kelsea adds: “Bear in mind we bought these bags specifically for Wizz Air, we’d measured them and everything – there are people that have got bags just as big.”

The camera then pans to other passengers who have similar sized bags.

Kelsea continued: “She was screaming in Katy’s face.

“I’ve just gone up to her and said, ‘excuse me, my friend is really scared of flying, can you speak to us with a bit more respect please, we are happy to take things out of the bag, you just need to speak to her a bit more softly because she’s already anxious’.

“She started going ‘I don’t care, I don’t care’.

“She said if I don’t get out of the area, I won’t be able to fly – my heart is beating so fast.”

Kelsea went on to explain that another member of the gate team stepped in to try and calm the situation, despite the other member of staff still shouting at the group of girls.

Other members of staff nearby also did not intervene while this happened.

Several travellers can then be heard in the background of the video commenting: “That’s unfair. Disgusting. They shouldn’t do that.”

Katy told The Sun: “I think it’s also important to mention how humiliating the whole experience was.

“I was left sitting on the floor on my own having a panic attack, and my friends weren’t even allowed to come over and comfort me.

“They did not measure our bag in the bag sizer at all.”

Kelsea added a photo of the bags under the seats on the plane in the comments section.

She said: “For everyone asking, the bags WERE the right size. Bought specifically with the right measurements and measured before flying!

“Absolutely no comment from the other staff at check in, literally just this one woman at the gate!”

The bag the girls bought was from Amazon costing £13.99 and measures 40 x 30 x 20cm.

The allowance for a Wizz Air under seat bags is 40 x 30 x 20 cm.

In the end, the Katy and her friends were not made to pay for oversized bags as another employee spoke to them and let them through.

Other social media users also flooded to the comments, with one person stating: “Shocking airline. Flew with them once and they ripped my case and wouldn’t replace it! Overcharged us, will never use them again.”

Another person commented: “Every bag that went past was literally bigger than yours – horrible service!! Hope you girls are okay.”

A third person said: “Shocking airline we had problems with them flying back from Rome we had to pay €150 for our bags which were correct size also but unless we paid we weren’t getting on the flight.

“The whole manner and customer service was disgraceful first and last time we will ever fly with them.”

A Wizz Air spokesperson told Sun Travel: “Wizz Air apologises for the customer’s experience, which does not reflect the standards of service we expect all customers to receive.

“While the member of staff involved is employed by our contracted ground handling partner rather than directly by Wizz Air, we expect everyone representing the airline to follow our procedures correctly and treat customers with respect and professionalism.

“We take any suggestion that these standards have not been met very seriously and have raised this issue with the relevant ground handling partner to determine what happened and ensure it is addressed appropriately.”

Flight PD444 from Victoria International Airport in B.C. to Toronto’s Pearson International Airport did not take off on Thursday after a child passenger onboard refused to sit down

A plane-load of passengers was stranded after a child refused to do up their seatbelt.

Flight PD444 from Victoria International Airport in B.C. to Toronto’s Pearson International Airport did not take off on Thursday as a safety precaution, a spokesperson for Porter Airlines said.

The aircraft had left the terminal and was heading to the runway for departure when the flight crew became concerned about one passenger. The young child was standing in their seat and refused to buckle their seatbelt. The child’s parents and cabin crew attempted to do so on their behalf, but the young flyer would have none of it.

The unsafe situation meant the aircraft could not take off, prompting flight attendants to return to the terminal and disembark passengers. Once the child and their parents had been removed from the flight, it would’ve been too late for the plane to take off, according to a spokesperson for Porter Airlines. Therefore, the flight was cancelled.

“We apologize for the effect this had on other passengers, who were able to depart on a flight the following day,” Brad Cicero told CBC. The aircraft departed the following afternoon.

According to passengers on the flight, the child’s actions caused a “a lot of frustration”. However, passenger Aryeh Kozuch noted that the child was scared, rather than being bratty or uncontrollable.

“They just kept hiding under their seat. If they got forced into [being] strapped in, they just kind of slid out underneath,” she said.

Hillary Hertzberg argued that the airline took too long to deal with the situation. “The kid eventually got off the plane at 11.30pm so we had been on the flight for about almost an hour at that point,” she said.

According to the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority, if the ‘seatbelt sign’ is showing on a flight, then passengers are required to buckle up.

“It is recommended to keep your seat belt fastened throughout the flight and is mandatory when the seat belt sign is illuminated (during taxi, take-off, landing, and turbulence). Ensure your belt is adjusted for a tight but comfortable fit, with the buckle accessible. If using a blanket and likely to sleep, fasten the belt over it. Remain seated with your belt fastened until the sign is switched off after landing,” its advice reads.

A similar incident unfolded several years ago on a TUI flight, from Kos to Manchester. Footage showed the moment police stormed a plane at Manchester Airport after a woman had ‘refused to put a seatbelt on her child’ on a delayed flight.

The flight was due to depart at 1.25pm but didn’t take off until almost six hours later, leaving passengers ‘exhausted’ and ‘in a terrible mood’. However, there were further delays when the pilot had to abort landing and circle over the Peak District when a passenger had refused to adhere to the illuminated seatbelt signs and buckle up her child, Manchester Evening News reported.

Porter Airlines was contacted for additional comment.

THERE is still a long way to go before kids are back at school and a major attraction is offering free kids visits this month.

Activate is a popular immersive experience and across five London sites it is offering free kids tickets throughout August.

Inside the attractions you will find nine different games including Laser which has laser beams you must dodge and Mega Grid, which tests your speed and reaction time.

There’s also Strike, which makes dodgeball digital with each team having to hit a specific glowing screen on the wall.

To get the offer, every paying adult will be able to bring one child under the age of 16 for free.

Children’s tickets usually cost from £29.50, so for a family of four you could save up to £59.50 on a single visit.

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The offer is available across all peak sessions at Activate venues in London which include The O2, Oxford Street, Vauxhall, Westfield White City and Islington.

According to London TV, Richard Beese, CEO and Founder of We Do Play, which operates Activate in the UK, said: “The summer holidays are all about spending quality time together as a family, and we wanted to make it even easier for people to experience Activate.

“Our Kids Go Free offer gives families the opportunity to enjoy something active, exciting and genuinely different while making their money go further.”

Activate is open to kids over six-years-old and adults must accompany all children between six and 13.

One recent visitor commented: “Activate is a great place for those who like to be active. If you like running around to press buttons, definitely check them out!

“The wrist bands and point collection system was a nice touch too. I had a really fun time!”

If you want to keep holiday costs low, ditching the hold luggage is a good place to start – and I believe I’ve found the perfect bag for still allowing you to overpack to your heart’s content.

If you’re someone who likes to go on multiple holidays a year, you’ll know that it’s not possible to travel in luxury every time. And by luxury, I mean being able to take a 23kg hold suitcase on board with you.

It’s the same situation every time – you find cheap flights and an affordable place to stay, then by the time you’ve priced the luggage, you’re looking at an extra hundred pounds or even more. And when you factor in how much you’re going to spend on food, travel and other expenses when you’re actually on holiday, it’s just not worth it.

Most airlines allow you to take one small bag on board for free, but as an overpacker who likes to have options, I didn’t think this would ever be enough – until I tried out one specific cabin bag that’s genuinely like magic when it comes to fitting things in.

I purchased the Narwey Ryanair Cabin Bag from Amazon three years ago now and it’s safe to say it’s become my absolute travel staple. It’s been on every holiday and every night away with me, and no matter who I go with, they’re always in disbelief at how much you can cram in there.

On a recent trip to Stockholm with Norwegian Air – whose hand luggage restrictions are the same as Ryanair 30 x 40 x 20cm – I knew it was a small-bag-only situation. I’d heard horror stories about how expensive the capital city of Sweden was, so I was not keen to spend any more than absolutely necessary on travel.

We were going away for four full days, and although I’ve taken this bag on many a trip before, I always feel slightly concerned that this is the one that’s going to push it over the edge and break the zip. But it’s remained sturdy once again, even when packed to the brim.

The more you fit in the bag, the more it seems to expand, even though it looks tiny to begin with. Even when you’re coming home from your holiday, when it always feels like your belongings have expanded tenfold, packing everything up again is a breeze.

For this trip, here’s a list of everything I managed to fit in the bag, and I even had a little bit of space left over.

• Five skirts
• Five tops
• Denim jacket
• Pair of shoes
• Socks
• Underwear
• Pyjamas
• Handbag
• Toiletries
• Makeup
• Hairdryer
• Camera

Some may say this is excessive for three nights, but when you can fit this much in, why wouldn’t you? My only issue is that the handles are a bit tough on your hands if you’re carrying it for a while, and I feel like it would really benefit from having a longer padded strap so that you could put it over your shoulder.

I’d also say it’s probably unsuitable for longer winter trips, since these clothes tend to be a lot bigger and bulkier, so you’re not going to be able to fit as much as you would in summer.

Having said that, it’s easy to transport and place in the overhead lockers, unlike wheelie suitcases which can be a bit of a faff. It’s got a sturdy double zipper, as well as a handy zipped pocket on the side, which is ideal for storing your passport and other important things you need that you don’t want stuffed in the bag itself.

My top tip for packing this bag is to stretch out the bottom as much as possible by placing my toiletry and makeup bags on either side, as this creates a good solid base and really opens it up. This would also work with shoes or your most sturdiest items of clothing.

The longest I’ve ever been away with this bag was about six days, which I’d say is probably the limit for how much it can hold in terms of clothes. But for a long weekend, it’s just perfect.

It’s currently on sale for £11.99 on Amazon. Alternatively, if you prefer a rucksack, this Cabin Max underseat bag from ASOS is also on sale for £16.95.

Or if you’re in the market for something a bit more high-end, the Rains Small Hilo Weekend Bag also fits the Ryanair and easyJet bag restrictions, and costs £69.

ANYONE heading to two of the UK’s busiest airports are being warned of major travel disruption until the end of the day.

Trains between central London and both Heathrow and Gatwick airports are are currently disrupted due to train issues.

A tunnel closure between Hayes and Harlington and Heathrow has caused problems this morning.

There are currently no Elizabeth Line trains between the west London station and Heathrow terminals 4 and 5 and there are also a number of delays on other lines heading to Paddington.

National Rail has said that the tunnel has been closed for safety reasons.

The Heathrow Express is also currently running on a reduced service, with two trains per hour from London Paddington instead of four.

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Disruption is also expected until the end of the day.

The tunnel closure is reportedly due to a water leak on the line.

Tickets are being accepted across the Piccadilly Line as well as numerous different buses.

There are two tunnels that link the airport to the main trainline, but with only one remaining open, trains have to wait at the tunnel to get in or out of the airport.

It is bad news for anyone heading to London Gatwick Airport as well, as there has been a fire beside the track causing delays to rail services between London and the South East.

The fire has caused damage to the overhead signalling cables and currently passengers are being asked to allow an extra 30 minutes for their journey to the airport.

Currently, services between London Victoria and Eastbourne are suspended along with Gatwick Express services.

Thameslink services which run between Three Bridges and Bedford are also suspended.

A Gatwick Express statement says: “You should travel on alternative Southern or Thameslink services towards your destination.

“If you’re travelling towards a different London terminal to normal, you will be able to change trains at stations along the route, such as Haywards Heath, Gatwick Airport, or East Croydon, for a train towards your destination.

“Alternatively, you can use London Underground to travel between stations once you’ve arrived in the London area.”

Writer Olivia Sheed attended WorldPride Amsterdam just a week after Berlin Pride where a van drove into the crowd and hit several people

It had been a long day, but a good day. I was about to go to bed after a busy day celebrating Newcastle Pride, when I saw the news alert about the attack at Berlin Pride.

Just hours ago, I’d marched with my partner in my city and felt the joy the day brought with it. That joy was shattered when I heard the news that one person had died and 29 more were injured in a car ramming attack and subsequent stabbings.

I couldn’t quite believe it when I first read it, the terror the attendees must have felt, a day of celebration ruined by a cowardly act of violence, how to reconcile with what this could mean for Pride celebrations in years to come. Would they be scaled back to allow for increased security? Would people feel afraid to attend them in future? Would I feel fear the next time I went to Pride?

I asked myself these questions ahead of my upcoming visit to Amsterdam, where one week on from Berlin Pride, I’d be sitting along the canals of a major European city for World Pride and the famous canal parade. The Dutch city was chosen by Pride organisers to host this year’s WorldPride, as it marks 25 years since it hosted the world’s first legally recognised same-sex marriage.

However, given what had just happened in Berlin, I was aware that police and security in the city would be on high alert for another attack happening so soon after the last. This was corroborated by Mayor Femke Halsema, who said Amsterdam would take unspecified extra measures following the Berlin attack.

Despite the concerns I had, the opportunity to cover such a large event, with hundreds of thousands of people flocking to the city for the WorldPride celebration throughout July and August, was one I was so excited about. I still felt a giddy anticipation as I made my way there, but I felt a cloud hanging over me as I made my way through the streets of Amsterdam, despite the assurances of additional security.

However, if there was tension among other World Pride attendees, they didn’t let themselves show it. In the lead-up to the canal parade, people went about their lives in the city. Some partied, some enjoyed the quiet canal living can afford, and some just did their best to make the weeks of World Pride the best they could.

There was a special kind of atmosphere in the city that was different from other times I’d visited. Pride flags adorned every street you walked down, with the entire city lit in rainbow colours to welcome people from across the globe for one of the world’s largest Pride celebrations.

The flags were outside (and inside) businesses, apartments, public buildings – everywhere you looked you’d struggle to avoid a shock of rainbow. 50 major buildings arranged to light up in rainbow colours at night to literally light up the city once the sun set.

As Reform councils across the UK fight as hard as they can to get Pride flags off of public buildings, including the house of the first modern lesbian Anne Lister in West Yorkshire, it was dizzying in the best of ways seeing so many up in the streets. Each one felt like a welcome, a statement of defiance, and a call to celebrate all at once.

This continued to the day of the canal parade, where the increased security was met with open arms by participants. Police boats would make their way up and down the canals as the clock ticked down to the first floats reaching our viewing area, patrolling but still waving to the crowd as they settled into their respective seats.

Then, as the first floats began to make their way down our stretch of canal, I felt the weight that had been on my shoulders for the days leading up to the event ease. I had been so worried about something bad happening that I’d forgotten what being at Pride was meant to be.

Pride started as a protest, and for many, it still is. In a world where many people keep telling us that we can be queer if we don’t shove it in their face, where some don’t like queer people because we’re perceived as “different”, to a few who believe our existence should be met with violence, simply dancing in the sunshine is a protest in itself.

And that’s what people did. An estimated 300,000 people danced on the banks of Amsterdam’s famous canals, embraced their partner, and smiled with their friends. A week on from yet another dark day in queer history was met with a bright determination that the attempts to silence would only embolden.

Throughout the day, I could barely remember a time when I wasn’t smiling. The sun was shining, people were celebrating, we felt seen, we felt joy. When people ask what Pride is about, that to me is it. We felt joy, and we were unashamed to feel it.

Just a week after an attack that made waves through the whole LGBTQI+ community, I felt honoured to see how determined people were to show pride, show that we’ve always been here, and always will be.

• Olivia attended WorldPride Amsterdam 2026 with Booking.com and stayed at the Hotel Jakarta Amsterdam.
• Through its Travel Proud programme, Booking.com is helping make inclusive stays easier to find. Travellers can identify LGBTQ+ welcoming stays through the rainbow suitcase badge or ‘Travel Proud (LGBTQ+ friendly)’ filter on Booking.com.

The 90-minute train journey south-west from Budapest to the spa town of Balatonfüred unveils a landscape that segues from gritty industrial compounds to long sweeps of golden sunflowers and fields of pale grain. The carriage is pleasingly retro, with thick velour upholstery; windows that open, awkwardly, with a stiff metal lever; and a bushy eyebrowed conductor replete with ticket machine slung over his shoulder.

But the real retromania is yet to come. Arriving at Balatonfüred station, I board a 1984 DAF bus, painted an almost audacious shade of green. From the open-air rear, I take in the view over Lake Balaton, central Europe’s largest freshwater lake, often referred to as the “Hungarian Sea”.

A spa resort town since the late 18th century, Balatonfüred is a popular place for sailing and swimming, while the hilly countryside to the north is great for mountain bikers and hikers. It’s also home to hundreds of wineries, many of which have traditionally been difficult to access – especially without a car. The bus I’m on – the hop-on, hop-off 46° Balaton Borbusz that launched this summer – has changed all this, by taking visitors on day trips to local vineyards.

It’s the brainchild of Virág Szabó, who has spent summers in the region since childhood. “The idea first came to me when I was travelling in South Africa, on the vintage wine tram that runs between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek,” she says. “I couldn’t believe that nobody had thought to do something similar here.” The 46° moniker is a reference to the fact that this area occupies the same latitude as Bordeaux, Burgundy and the Rhône.

She found the bus in the Netherlands and, by May this year, had signed up 22 wineries along two distinct routes – one focused on better-known growers and the other on more remote ones. Since then, seven more have joined and many more are eager to get involved. “I have three criteria. Is the wine good? Are there nice views? And is the winery able to offer some form of hospitality?” she says. Many of the wineries are family-owned and run, with no previous thought of opening up to visitors. Very little of Hungary’s wine is marketed, and only around one-third is exported. Less still has it ever been the stuff of tourism.

The bus departs Balatonfüred about every two hours from 11am, with the final drop-off at 9pm and the option to visit four wineries. Guests can either choose these in advance or pick en route – and, if the bus returns for you and two hours have flashed by before you’re ready, you can simply ask to be collected two hours later. While tourism in Hungary is booming, with Budapest the country’s primary draw, the Borbusz hopes to lure visitors further afield, offering an alternative insight into the country – and the chance to meet local people. Originally, it was planned to run only until September – but will now operate until mid-October, thanks to its early popularity.

Our first stop is Mórocz Pince (“pince” is the Hungarian for “cellar”), reached via a moderately steep, rocky path from the main road. Founded by former musician Tamás Mórocz, it produces between 4,000 and 5,000 bottles each year, with traminer and merlot rosé among its specialities. “During Soviet times, the emphasis was on quantity, for exporting to eastern bloc countries, rather than quality,” he says. “Fortunately, that’s no longer the case.”

Although just 38, Mórocz has been making wine for 15 years. “I wanted to approach it differently,” he says. “In a way that was lighthearted, irreverent and down to earth.” One way he’s achieved this is through his labels, with each vintage given a different theme. The 2025 bottles show photos, taken from family albums, of his grandfather, who introduced him to wine. “He died in 2012, so he doesn’t know he’s famous,” says Mórocz, with a smile. Over charcuterie platters on the terrace, with rows of vines and the expanse of the lake as a backdrop, it feels less like a tasting, and more like we’re drinking and chatting with friends – and the wine is delicious.

We continue on, and some of the group jump off at another winery, Balogh, just down the hill from Mórocz. But Szabó has told me about the charismatic owner of Gazdag Pince, and I’m keen to meet him, so I remain on the bus for another 15 minutes as we pass neatly combed vineyards and pretty villages. “We only make wines that we want to drink,” says Gábor Gazdag, welcoming us to his winery. “I used to play badminton, but then I got too fat, and I started worrying about being bored in retirement. I wasn’t interested in hunting, fishing or collecting stamps – but I like wine, so I bought this land. It’s a hobby for me.”

For Gazdag, this may be a way to stave off lethargy in older age; for János Fogl, at next door’s Madaras Pince, “it’s my life”. Szabó tells me that Fogl – who has been making wine since 1994 – is a genius, cross-breeding grapes to create unique varieties that shouldn’t work in this region. Shaded under a vine-tangled trellis, we start with a cherry liqueur before moving on to a dizzying selection of wines. Each time I think we’re finished, Fogl shuffles off to his cellar and produces another bottle.

Music spills from the Borbusz speakers as we travel back, picking up passengers – couples and groups of friends – from other wineries along the way. Everyone is in an unmistakably ebullient mood; this will almost certainly turn to somnolence later.

More than 3 million Brits travel there every year

UK travellers should be prepared for the risk of strike action over the next few weeks in a popular holiday hotspot. Millions of UK holidaymakers will be travelling abroad in the weeks ahead.

And France is one spot that will be popular with Brits. More than 17 million UK people travel there every year, according to the UK Foreign Office.

Now the new threat of industrial action has broken out – and it runs throughout the remainder of the summer holiday period. EasyJet cabin crew in France could walk out in strike action expected to run until September 2. Flight attendants there have complained about rota arrangements and working conditions.

French media report that three unions representing cabin crew at EasyJet France have issued strike notice covering the period from 7 August to 2 September. They have complained of a “continuing deterioration” in working conditions, according to a joint statement released this week.

What should you do if your flight is cancelled? For those planning to travel with the airline in the coming weeks, passengers whose flights are disrupted by cancellations or delays will be given 48 hours’ notice. Simply head to the ‘Booking’ tab in the EasyJet app to access the relevant information.

Should your flight be cancelled, you can request either a refund or a ticket change directly from the airline. If the replacement departure is scheduled for the following day, EasyJet may foot the bill for a hotel and a taxi to the airport.

The airports facing strike action include Lyon, Nice, Paris Orly, Bordeaux and Paris Charles de Gaulle. A spokesperson for ⁠easyJet said the company was disappointed and had made an offer of changes to tackle their concerns. ⁠They said: “Given we have planned negotiations in September, we call on the unions to call off this ⁠counterproductive action at this important time of the year for our customers”.

French news site RTL reports that workers are denouncing what they describe as “a vicious circle that has been going on for a year now”, with the SNPNC-FO, UNAC-CFE-CGC and UNPNC-CFDT trade unions condemning “the chronic instability of timetables, last-minute changes, imposed ‘trippings’ (a series of flights over several days, ed.), particularly gruelling rotas and a total lack of protective measures”.

“The notice period has been deliberately left open to cover the entire period,” the trade unions stress, adding that “key dates” for industrial action will be confirmed “48 hours in advance”.

The unions have accused management, whom they claim to have been warning “for nearly a year”, of failing to provide “concrete and binding” solutions to their concerns. Luckily for travellers, a previous strike call at EasyJet on Easter Monday in April had only a minimal impact on air traffic.

Local media say that as France’s second-largest airline by passenger numbers after Air France, British carrier EasyJet predominantly operates short- and medium-haul routes. The airline employs several thousand staff in France, a considerable proportion of whom work as cabin crew.

Gaël Leloup, a union representative for the Union of Civil Aviation Cabin Crew (UNAC), told RTL that “scheduling instability” has gradually become “the company’s normal way of operating”: “It’s normal to change people’s schedules once, twice, three or four times in the same day. And dozens of times a month, too. You might be moved from morning to evening shifts, or sent to another base in Europe for three or four days.”

The union representatives say they are fully aware of the disruption this strike action will cause to passengers’ travel plans, with another hectic weekend of holiday traffic on the horizon. “The sad thing is that it’s our passengers who will bear the brunt of it,” laments Gaël Leloup.

But with talks between staff and management having ground to a halt, workers feel they have been left with little choice: “After a year of discussions and still no solution, we have no option but to take major industrial action.”

For its part, EasyJet’s management said this week it is urging trade unions to withdraw the strike notice. The trade unions say they remain “open to negotiation” to call off the strike notice, provided that management “puts forward clear, concrete and binding solutions”.

THERE are a few villages in the UK that give an insight into old England, let alone destinations from across the pond.

There’s a city in North Carolina that has a hint of British about it as they speak “Elizabethan English”.

Ocracoke is a village on Ocracoke Island, part of North Carolina’s coastal Outer Banks region.

It’s a 16-mile long barrier island – which is a long long sand ridge parallel to the mainland coast, separated by a shallow body of water like a bay or lagoon.

The island, considered the ‘Pearl of the Outer Banks’ is home to around 800 people of whom who have their own unique way of speaking.

One visitor described the locals’ accent as being “Elizabethan English”.

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Brian Carlton told the BBC: “People here just have their own way of speaking: it’s like someone took Elizabethan English, sprinkled in some Irish tones and 1700s Scottish accents, then mixed it all up with pirate slang.”

He even made a remark about being called a “dingbatter”.

The dialect is called ‘Hoi Toider’, which is a rare mix of English, Irish, and Scottish accents mixed with early maritime slang.

It’s almost only spoken on the Outer Banks islands in North Carolina.

Residents all live in the central Ocracoke Village which is also where visitors will find shops, restaurants and bars – but none that you would have seen before.

It has strict regulations about preserving its small town charm, so only independent, regional brands are allowed.

Every shop, hotel, and restaurant on the island is locally owned and operated.

Standing high in the town is its 75ft tall lighthouse which is the oldest operating light station in North Carolina.

Being an island, there are lots of beaches along a 16-mile stretch – one called Ocracoke Village Beach is one is just beyond the main town.

On Tripadvisor, one visitor called it the “Best Beach on the Outer Banks”

Another said: “Beautiful beaches on Ocracoke and always special. When you look around you on the beaches, you see and feel peace.”

Along the shore, a second beach is South Point which is a popular fishing spot and where visitors are likely to find a a Scotch Bonnet which is the rare state shell of North Carolina.

The island has rich history too as it was once a popular hideout spot for notorious pirate, Blackbeard.

The shallow waters around the island provided ideal cover and Ocracoke Inlet allowed him to trap merchant ships.

Ocracoke Island was actually the site of Blackbeard’s final battle in the 1700s.

The best way to get to the island now is also by ship, but luckily, it’s much safer.

The most frequent is the Hatteras Ferry which takes around two hours and it’s completely free.

Others involve getting a ferry from Cedar Island of the Swan Quarter.

For those wanting to fly, the airport is so small there aren’t any commercial flights.

Instead travellers will have to charter a flight, or arrive in their own plane.

MANY children may be asking if they can take their squishy toys on flights this summer, however, there are some rules to be aware of.

The toys have become a viral sensation, but they may not be allowed through security gates at certain airports.

Children may not be able to bring their favourite squishy dumpling toys on flights as they may get flagged by security.

This is because the toys, available in a variety of colours, contain gel inside.

UK airports have restrictions on the quantity of liquid, gels, and pastes that can be checked in through hand luggage, often limited to a 100ml volume.

However, a number of airports have developed new CT scanners that allow liquids up to two litres to be accepted through security.

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These airports currently include Belfast International, Belfast City, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Gatwick and Heathrow.

A host of major airports, such as Luton, Stansted and Manchester still require the removal of 100ml liquids, gels and pastes from bags, and therefore would be more reluctant with squishy toys.

To see whether these dumplings would be accepted, the Department for Transport told the BBC: “No matter how adorable your squishy dumpling is, airport security rules still apply.”

The department advised passengers to check the liquid allowance at the departure airport, noting that “the safest place is in your hold luggage,” for any squishy toys.

Manchester Airport, which only allows 100ml of liquid, told the BBC that “all but very small squishy toys should be placed in the hold baggage”, with only toys with under 100ml liquid accepted through security.

But larger toys may not have the exact measurement listed on the item, meaning it’s better to bring them in hand luggage so security can estimate the size.

Gatwick Airport, which allows up to two litres in hand luggage, said they normally accept squishy dumpling toys, but the toys will be required to go through security screening.

As with anything that goes through airport security, it is important to remember if the item fails checks, it will not be allowed on the plane.

It’s almost time for Dodger baseball. I am standing outside a hotel in downtown Los Angeles.

I could walk six blocks to Union Station and ride the free Dodger Stadium Express. I could jump into an Uber and pay about $18 for the two-mile ride.

Instead, to make that short hop to the ballpark, I am about to board a very nice bus that costs $85.

Is it worth it?

First, some background: The Japanese travel agency JTB last year signed a sponsorship agreement that makes the company the “official Japanese tourism partner” of the Dodgers. JTB sells tour packages to Japanese fans eager to make the pilgrimage to see Shohei Ohtani play.

“Some people go to Disneyland and Universal Studios,” said Masakazu Nakafuji, general manager of JTB’s New York office. “Mainly, people want to see the Dodgers for three straight days at Dodger Stadium.”

The tour packages include game tickets, hotel rooms and transportation. However, not every fan from Japan buys the entire tour package, so the company launched a shuttle service: If you get tickets and hotels on your own, we’ll sell you a VIP ride, with a bilingual guide.

“So far, our shuttle customers are 90% Japanese,” Nakafuji said. “We are going to try to expand in the English-language market.”

On the shuttle bus I rode last week, I met Tsutomu and Sayuri Ichikawa, a couple from Tokyo wearing his and hers Roki Sasaki jerseys. The Ichikawas visited in May, on a JTB tour in which they saw three Dodgers games. The couple came back to see six more Dodgers games on their own, so the shuttle offered them a familiar way to get to Dodger Stadium.

Tsutomu, left, and Sayuri Ichikawa were among those on a JTB shuttle bus for a July 30 Dodgers game against the Seattle Mariners.

(Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

I also met a woman named Colleen and her 8-year-old son, dressed in an Ohtani jersey. Colleen, who declined to give her last name, was visiting from Chicago. She said she had searched for shuttle buses online and considered them a better option than “having to take an Uber or take public transportation at night with a child” on a first visit to Dodger Stadium.

And I met Lina Endo of Seattle, here for three games against her beloved Mariners. She attended the first two games with friends and chose to take the shuttle for the third game, since she would be alone.

“I wanted to check out the early entry too, so it makes sense from a cost perspective,” Endo said.

Ah, yes, the cost. Is the $85 worth it?

As if the Dodgers do not already charge enough for tickets, the team offers an “early entry” add-on option for most games: For anywhere from $40 to $70, depending on the game, you can get in three hours before game time, an hour before most fans. That lets you watch the Dodgers take batting practice on the field, although Ohtani rarely does, and get to the head of the line for giveaway items, stadium attractions and team stores.

The JTB tours and shuttle buses include early entry. For one fan, $45 for Dodger Stadium parking plus $40 for early entry equals $85 for a JTB shuttle.

For a family of four, though, $45 for parking plus $160 for early entry is still less than $340 for four tickets for the shuttle bus. In fairness, JTB is not focusing its shuttle service on locals.

“They are driving, right?” Nakafuji said.

The shuttle bus driver points in the direction he’s trying to go in the Dodger Stadium parking lot before a game last month.

(Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

They might be taking the Dodger Stadium Express from Union Station, or an Uber or Lyft. If there is a sales pitch to local fans, this is it: Just how long do you want to take getting out of Dodger Stadium? The wait for the Dodger Stadium Express or a rideshare pickup, and the slog out of the stadium and along Sunset Boulevard, can be excruciating.

“It’s a headache,” Nakafuji said.

The JTB shuttles leave exactly 30 minutes after the end of the ninth inning. If you want to stay for extra innings, a fireworks show, or a drone show, you risk finding your own way back.

Sounds harsh. But, on the night I rode the shuttle bus, it took just 15 minutes to escape the parking lot and return to the hotel. If time is money, maybe the $85 is worth it.

Of course, in 15 minutes, you can walk downhill from Dodger Stadium to the Metro Chinatown station, and another five minutes to Union Station.

Still, beyond the sales of takoyaki (octopus fritters) at a Dodger Stadium concession stand and Ohtani-endorsed skin serum in the team store, here’s another economic indicator in the Shohei Ohtani Economy: a two-mile bus ride for $85.

HOT, but not too hot. Relaxing, but not boring

A pool with heating and steps — and not just any old steps, they must be Roman steps.

Local food, but also margherita pizzas on tap. Culture, but not challenging.

Not too far from the sea, airport or supermarket. Not too expensive. Not many stairs . . . 

Trying to plan a three-generation family trip, I realised I wasn’t looking for a holiday home, but a unicorn.

The hunt took our family of five — our sons are a “lively” 11, nine and three — my 70-something parents and my godmother to a villa outside Cavtat in Croatia, a 15-minute drive from Dubrovnik airport (tick).

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Cavtat (pronounced Savtat, I learned after a confusing conversation with a waitress) looked lovely, but could it possibly tick all our boxes?

There were blue skies, and our gorgeous white stone villa had a heated pool, those Roman steps and enough bedrooms for the boys not to kill each other.

Add in a higgledy-piggledy garden with wild flowers and a lemon tree at the bottom of our drive — perfect for the G&Ts — and we were good to go.

After a first day splashing in the pool, we managed a pootle down to Cavtat’s main village, a ten-minute drive away.

To the whole family’s delight, you could park cheaply right on the marina, one of many practicalities we came to appreciate during this trip.

The old town lies on a pretty horseshoe bay in the middle of two small pine- forested peninsulas.

With white stone Dalmatian buildings and narrow alleyways, it looks like a mini Dubrovnik but is thankfully smaller, cheaper and significantly less crowded.

This isn’t a coincidence. Cavtat is often called “Old Dubrovnik” as it was once a prosperous Greek and Roman port which was sacked in the 7th century, sending survivors legging it to what later became Dubrovnik.

Whatever its provenance, with a smooth promenade (tick), a cluster of great-value restaurants where you could get pizza and a beer for 8 euros (tick) and a picturesque 15th century church, it was the perfect place to potter around.

The church also houses masterpieces by one of Croatia’s most famous artists, Vlaho Bukovac, who was born in Cavtat.

Bukovac’s house is just off the marina, and one day we dragged the kids inside — admittedly, largely to escape the sun.

It was a blissfully shady change of pace and with just a few rooms didn’t prompt too much whining. Easy culture? Tick.

We quickly settled into a routine: Activities in the morning, followed by naps (for both toddlers and adults) and then lazy afternoons at the villa.

By day three, we girded our loins and got up early to visit Dubrovnik and take the two-kilometre walk around the legendary city walls.

On one side of the walls, which are six metres thick in places, is the vast azure sea, while on the other you peer down into a maze of terracotta roofs, with tennis courts and allotments nestling next to incredible 15th century architecture.

It’s fair to say my three-year-old was unimpressed (despite getting the best view of all of us, riding on my poor husband’s sunburnt shoulders) but he perked up when we dived inside some of the many cool “hole in the wall” bars for a cola. Be warned, they are pricey.

If you prefer to re-energise with ice cream, Dolce Vita serves the best scoops in town. Try the dark chocolate, pistachio and hazelnut “Domino”.

While Dubrovnik deserves its reputation as a must-see, we were all happy to get back to the chilled atmosphere of Cavtat.

Its only downside as a family holiday destination? The stony beaches. But that was nothing some 5-euro watershoes couldn’t fix. When the pebbles get too much, take a boat trip to Sunj bay, allegedly the best sandy beach in Croatia.

Buckets and spades in hand, we hopped on to a speedboat stocked with beers and cans of Fanta, zooming past Dubrovnik and the most expensive villa in town, which David Beckham and Beyonce have stayed in (not together, or this would be on the front page of the paper).

When we arrived at Sunj bay, we found boats can only stop just off the shore, so the boys jumped in and waded through chest-height sea to the beach.

My poor old dad was a bit less enthusiastic. After a brief stint on the sands, we headed to the Blue Cave on nearby Kolocep Island which, as you approach, looks less like a cave and more like a crack at the base of a jagged cliff face.

Pretending to be far braver than I felt, I jumped off the boat and swam towards a gap just a few feet high, shouting for the kids to follow.

Once inside, it was well worth the claustrophobic entrance. A massive chamber opens up with a high ceiling and striking bright blue water — because the cave is lit from underneath, it filters out the red light, leaving only the blue.

Towards the end of the week, we ditched the kids and escaped on our own — just the parents. That’s the best thing about a three-generation holiday: The built-in babysitters.

A white-tableclothed dinner on the waterfront, watching the sun set, was followed by a gorgeous run to sweat out our hangovers the next morning.

The Cavtat walking trail is excellent for those into fitness, wrapping around the peninsula and deliciously shaded by the Aleppo pines.

So, how did Cavtat stack up for a three-generation holiday? My son’s verdict: 9.5/10. Apparently it lost half a point for the bracing sea water.

To be fair, a warm sea wasn’t on my checklist. 

Flights were suspended after the recent incident

Families heading to Europe for their summer holidays soon may want to read up on some updated travel advice. The Foreign Office has updated its guidance for a popular EU destination. You may want to speak with your travel provider ahead of your trip.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has changed its guidance for people traveling to Italy. The update relates to ‘Mount Etna Eruption – Flight Disruption’ and was added on Friday, August 7. Visitors to the Mediterranean country are informed: “Flights are currently affected by an ash cloud from Mount Etna. Check with your travel provider or Catania Airport before travelling.” The active volcano Mount Etna is on the east coast of Sicily, and is about 40km north of Catania Airport.

Plumes of ash cloud recently filled the air in the local area after an eruption of the volcano. Previous guidance on the Catania Airport website said that flights into Catania were suspended on Saturday, August 8, until 12 noon local time. Departures continued to operate as usual.

Airport update

A later update on the airport website posted on Saturday, August 8, reads: “Following the downgrade of the volcanic activity alert level from RED to ORANGE, the resumption of flight operations has been authorised with immediate effect.

“Airspace sectors are therefore back in operation and flight landing services are being gradually restored.” But the guidance also encourages customers to keep an eye out for updates.

The airport said: “However, passengers are kindly advised to check the status of their flight with their airline before heading to the airport.” You can read the full Foreign Office guidance on the Government website.

You can also check for any fresh updates on the Catania Airport website. Travellers heading through Bristol Airport also recently faced disruption after flights were suspended owing to a fault with the runway.

Many flights were left grounded after the problem emerged late on Friday, August 7. Flights resumed at around 8am on Saturday, August 8, once the issue was fixed.

Operations were halted late on Friday, August 7, with the airport initially expecting flights to resume at 6am on Saturday. The runway eventually reopened at around 8am.

Your rights if your flight is delayed

If your flight is delayed for whatever reason, after a certain period your airline must provide certain things to take care of you.

These include:

• Food and drink
• Communication i.e. access to phone calls and emails
• Accommodation if you are delayed overnight – and journeys between the airport and the hotel.

The company must provide support if your flight is delayed by:

• At least two hours for flights under 1,500km (such as Glasgow to Amsterdam)
• At least three hours for flights between 1,500km and 3,500km (such as East Midlands to Marrakesh)
• At least four hours for flights over 3,500km (such as London to New York).

CORNWALL will be one of the best places in mainland Britain to see the solar eclipse on Wednesday.

Ahead of the big day, my husband Paul, our daughter Lexi and I headed down in search of a quiet place to stay.

We found it half an hour along the coast at Silver Sands Holiday Park in Gwendreath — small, beautifully landscaped and far enough off the beaten track to ensure some much-needed peace.

After an easy check-in, we made our way around the park to our new Signature Cove Lodge.

It occupied a corner plot and had a large private garden, with enough room for a hot tub and hammock.

The two-bedroom lodges can comfortably accommodate a family of four.

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While the mezzanine room was pretty tight for our particularly tall 12-year-old, it would be ideal for smaller children.

The lodge was full of all the mod cons you’d hope for, including a fully equipped kitchen, TVs in the master bedroom and sitting room, and super-fast wifi.

There was also a wicker hamper with scones and jam on the kitchen counter, and robes and slippers in the bathroom.

As well as the lodges, you can book a static caravan and camp.

There is also a children’s play park that is suitable for under-14s, as well as another play area for younger kids, with outdoor kitchens and a large sandpit.

We spent many hours in our hot tub, where the only sounds were the birds and the occasional laugh from the children playing.

It’s the sort of spot where you could sit out on eclipse night with a drink and not have to share the view with anyone.

And while we could have stayed there all day, it was nice to get out and explore the area.

Kennack Sands is an easy ten-minute walk through woods from the site.

It’s a lovely beach for children as it’s sandy, nicely sheltered and there are endless rock pools to explore.

And you are in safe hands there, as RNLI lifeguards are on duty from mid-May to the end of September.

We had a lovely walk and sea dip and, as the water is so warm right now, it was like being in the Mediterranean.

There are also two cafes on the beach, in case you haven’t brought your own snacks and drinks.

A 20-minute drive took us to the Lizard Peninsula, Britain’s most southerly point.

Being this far south is exactly why the area will be so well placed for the eclipse. The further south-west you are, the more the sun will disappear behind the moon.

We spent a couple of hours exploring the many gift shops and taking in the views across the English Channel.

On the way back to Silver Sands, we stopped off at Cadgwith Cove — a traditional fishing village known for its thatched cottages and crabbing boats.

Paul was happy with a pint at the Cadgwith Cove Inn while Lexi and I explored the harbour.

And after a busy day taking in the sights, we were happy to return to our lodge and enjoy the sound of silence.

Before heading home, we drove into Falmouth, which is the place to be on Wednesday.

The Royal Navy Parachute Display Team, AeroSuperBatics Wingwalkers and the Flying Comrades will all take to the air above the bay from 6pm, just as the moon covers 95 per cent of the sun.

Visitors can enjoy it all from a choice of vantage points, including Pendennis Castle, Gyllyngvase Beach and the lawns of The Falmouth Hotel.
And best of all, this display event will be free.

It’s all part of Falmouth Week, the town’s ten-day sailing festival, which runs until next Sunday.

So head down to Silver Sands this week and get a beach holiday and a once-in-a-lifetime sky show for the price of one.

UK tourists have been told common errors can lead to boosting their phone bills when they’re abroad. To avoid the travel mishap, it’s wise to do a few things before you jet off

We all look forward to going on holiday but, as well as being enjoyable, it can be expensive, which is why it’s always handy to know how you can try and save on your phone bill. After all, most of us use our phones while we’re on holiday, but there are ways to ensure we don’t come home with growing bills.

Little you may know, there are some mistakes you likely make with your phone while travelling, but if you take action hefty bills can be avoided. Some travel tips have been shared to help people out, as nobody wants to come home to mounting bills to have to deal with after an already expensive trip.

With major networks having brought back EU roaming charges, and other travel destinations sitting outside standard roaming agreements, using your handset while overseas can prove seriously expensive. Fortunately some expert advice has been shared to help people out, as people often get stung by roaming charges abroad.

Take action before you leave

“Roaming policies vary,” explained Oleksii Pimenov, mobile data and SIM expert at global data eSIM provider SIMBUSTER. “The best way to protect yourself is to check what your plan actually includes before you travel. Don’t rely on the ‘new customer’ ads.”

Oleksii pointed out that some UK plans still include EU roaming, while others charge a daily fee of up to £2.50. Beyond Europe, that charge can climb to as much as £8 per day, which adds up rapidly.

Accidents happen

The most infuriating thing about daily roaming is that on most networks, an accidental search when the hotel’s Wi-Fi drops out can trigger a full day’s roaming fee. According to the expert, ten accidental days during a fortnight adds up to £25 squandered on absolutely nothing – or £80 if you happen to be in Egypt or anywhere else beyond the EU.

With EE, out-of-plan data abroad can set you back £13.90 per gigabyte, according to Oleksii, though the cost varies depending on where you are. For context, downloading a film can eat up 2GB and streaming a live football match would gobble up even more!

“If you’re not using a travel SIM, switch off data roaming and background app refresh until you actually need them,” advised Oleksii. “It can save you more than you think.”

eSIMS may help

If your phone supports eSIMs, it’s another smart way to slash costs. Rather than shelling out for an overpriced SIM at the airport, you can download and activate an eSIM before leaving home, giving you affordable data the instant you land.

“With an eSIM, you know exactly what you’re paying upfront, and you can have everything ready before you even board the plane,” explained Oleksii.

What’s more, if you’re visiting multiple countries, you can get an eSIM that covers a whole region – Europe, for instance – rather than a single country SIM.

Preparation is key

A bit of forward planning can also make a real difference in reducing expenses. Download everything you need – maps, children’s entertainment, music – before you leave.

Hotel Wi-Fi isn’t always reliable enough for hefty downloads and, if you’ve already got everything saved on your phone or tablet, you won’t need to worry about it.

Tips for cruise lovers

Cruise and ferry passengers also need to be vigilant. Maritime mobile networks operate separately from standard roaming, and the charges can be eye-watering.

“Unless you can use the ship’s Wi-Fi, I’d always recommend switching your phone to Airplane Mode while at sea,” added Oleksii.

Extra advice

If you do replace your UK SIM for travel purposes, you risk missing vital messages, including bank verification codes or unexpected calls. By keeping your UK SIM active alongside a data eSIM, you won’t miss anything important.

And, if you travel to a specific destination frequently, whether for work or pleasure, it’s often far more sensible to get a virtual local number.

A HISTORIC tram depot that is one of the last of its kind is set to be transformed into a major tourist attraction.

Dating back to 1870, Clapton Tram Depot in East London will undergo a huge glow-up with 34 independent businesses and boutiques including photographers and artists.

Outside the depot, there are then plans to create an open courtyard area, as well as a terrace.

There is already a gym open at the site as well as a cafe-deli.

The depot is one of the last surviving Victorian horse-drawn tram hubs in London and was used to transfer Londoners between Clapton and the Moorgate area.

At the depot itself, it was once home to 600 horses, with stables on the first floor and tram tracks as well as where the tram carriages were washed on the ground floor.

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The depot stopped being used in 1907 and since has been used as a World War II aircraft parts factory and a bus station.

Since 2008, it has even faced demolition twice.

The latest transformation will see historic features kept such as the original shed structures as well as bring back the tram-track details.

Sim Batth, head of property for Gilini – the team behind the transformation – said: “When we acquired Clapton Tram Depot, we were acquiring something irreplaceable, a working creative ecosystem that has survived two decades of development pressure.

“Our commitment from the outset was that any scheme had to preserve what makes this place worth saving.”

The project is expected to take between a year-and-a-half and two years to complete.