holidays

WHEN booking a holiday there are three specific factors you must consider that can completely change the cost.

Get one of them wrong and you could pay hundreds more for an almost-identical week away… however if you get all three RIGHT you’ve found what I like to call the holiday “magic equation”.

The three key ‘ingredients’ to getting the best deal are where you go, when you fly and how long you stay.

I’ve been digging through thousands of On the Beach holidays to find the best-value combination of departure date, destination and duration for every remaining holiday window before November.

I didn’t just pick whichever holiday had the lowest price, though.

My analysis also compared each option against similar holidays, prices from last year, hotel ratings, customer reviews and the number of hotels still available – and what I’ve been left with is four very specific recommendations.

There’s one for families escaping before the end of the school holidays, two for couples and families with toddlers who can travel outside term time, and one for the October half-term scramble.

So here are the four magic holiday combinations I’ve uncovered – plus a deal you can book right now for each one.

Fly to Tunisia on… August 20

If you’re still hoping to get away with school-age children this summer, August 20 is the date I’d be circling, especially for trips to Tunisia.

The best-value August combination in our analysis was a seven-night all-inclusive holiday to Mahdia, departing on August 20 and returning on August 27.

The average price was just £698 per person – 22.6% cheaper than similar holidays and 9.2% less than people paid last year.

That’s particularly impressive because it gets you back before the end of August too, so no breaking the school holiday rules.

Mahdia itself is a bit of an under-the-radar alternative to Tunisia’s better-known resorts.

It’s a historic coastal town with a beautiful old medina and long stretches of pale sandy beach.

The sea here is often wonderfully clear and shallow, while hotels tend to be large, all-inclusive and built around keeping children occupied.

In other words: much of what families book Turkey for, but frequently at a lower price.

I found a particularly good deal at the four-star Mahdia Beach & Aqua Park from £623pp (and it’s all-inclusive).

It’s a huge beachfront resort with several pools, waterslides, and children’s activities, as well as a high Tripadvisor score – more than 1,900 gave it 4.2 out of five.

Tunisia deal

Mahdia Beach & Aqua Park, Mahdia

• Seven nights
• All inclusive
• Return Liverpool flights

From £623pp. BOOK HERE

If you click on a link in this box, we will earn affiliate revenue

Fly to Egypt on… September 23

September is where holiday prices start to calm down from the summer surge.

For couples and parents with children below school age, the best-value combination was a seven-night all-inclusive holiday to Nabq Bay in Sharm El Sheikh, departing on September 23.

The average holiday cost £709 per person, which was 12.3% below the price of a comparable break.

More importantly, it was a massive 22.2% cheaper than last year – the biggest year-on-year drop of any winning combination in the data.

Nabq Bay is one of my favourite recommendations for anybody wanting a proper fly-and-flop holiday in September.

Temperatures are normally still well above 30C, so the weather stays beautifully warm and the resort is full of enormous all-inclusive hotels with private beaches, waterparks and enough swimming pools to require a map.

And Nabq Bay is especially well suited to families with toddlers.

Most of the holiday happens inside the resort, so you’re not repeatedly folding a buggy into taxis or attempting a cultural walking tour at precisely the moment somebody decides they need a nap.

My deal is at the Parrotel Aqua Park Resort is all-inclusive for £450pp when flying on September 23.

As the name rather usefully suggests, the main attraction is its enormous waterpark, but there are also several pools, restaurants, children’s facilities and a private beach area.

Egypt deal

Parrotel Aqua Park Resort, Nabq Bay

• Seven nights
• All inclusive
• Return Stansted flights

From £450pp. BOOK HERE

If you click on a link in this box, we will earn affiliate revenue

Fly to Turkey on… October 13

October delivered the strongest overall value score from all the data I sifted through, especially when flying to Turkey.

The winning combination, by far, was a seven-night all-inclusive holiday to Marmaris, flying on October 13 and returning on October 20.

This is just before the half term holidays so is suited for couples or families with little kids not yet in school.

The average price was just £537 per person – that’s 21.4% cheaper than similar holidays and 11.6% below last year’s price.

Marmaris works brilliantly in October because you get the best bits without quite so much of the summer chaos.

The resort wraps around a huge bay backed by pine-covered mountains, with a long waterfront, beaches, boat trips and a seemingly endless supply of restaurants.

Daytime temperatures are typically still warm enough for the pool and beach, although evenings are cooler and there’s a greater chance of rain than during summer.

It’s also a great month for exploring. You can walk the marina without melting, take a boat along the coast or visit Marmaris Old Town without needing to stop for emergency air conditioning every ten minutes.

The deal I found is at the three-star Supreme Hotel, a simple but well-reviewed base with a pool, restaurant and a useful location for reaching the centre of Marmaris.

The best deal I found was an all-inclusive week at the Supreme Hotel from £235pp when flying October 13. At £33.57 per person, per night  – including your flights, hotel, food and drinks – that’s my standout bargain of the lot.

Turkey deal

Supreme Hotel, Marmaris

• Seven nights
• All inclusive
• Return Gatwick flights

From £235pp. BOOK HERE

If you click on a link in this box, we will earn affiliate revenue

Fly to Greece on… October 25

If you’ve got kids, you’ll know that October half-term is always difficult.

Once every family in Britain needs roughly the same handful of departure dates, the chances of finding a bargain tend to disappear faster than the good flight times.

But the data did uncover one combination that stood above the rest: seven nights all-inclusive in Kardamena, Kos, departing on October 25.

The average price for a deal here was £740 per person – 13.4% cheaper than comparable half-term holidays and 13.2% below last year.

Kardamena is one of the livelier resorts on the Greek island during summer, but by late October it becomes considerably calmer.

You still have its long beach, waterfront and marina, while Kos Airport is only around a 15-minute drive away.

That short transfer here is a serious half-term advantage too – nobody wants to follow a four-hour flight with a two-hour coach tour of every other family’s hotel.

The weather is the slight gamble, as late October brings warm sunny days, but you might see some businesses closing for the season.

So, this is one where I’d choose a hotel with plenty happening on site.

Lucky for you, the deal I found does exactly that, which is an all-inclusive seven-night stay at Canvas by Mitsis Family Village, for £558pp when travelling on October 25.

It’s built on a hillside overlooking the coast, with pools, waterslides, family entertainment and access to a beach below, and it scores a very impressive 4.4 out of five from almost 2,500 Tripadvisor reviews.

That’s £181.60pp below the average price uncovered by the half-term analysis, and proof that the school-holiday premium can still be beaten if you get the date, duration and destination exactly right.

Greece deal

Canvas by Mitsis Family Villas, Kos

• Seven nights
• All inclusive
• Return Bristol flights

From £235pp. BOOK HERE

If you click on a link in this box, we will earn affiliate revenue

Turbulence can be a scary thing, but this is what you need to know

A Jet2 pilot has shared what turbulence is really like – and what he wishes passengers understood about it.

Reassuring people that turbulence is “normal”, Josh urged people to stay calm, and it’s nothing to panic about – a key fact he wishes more people knew. He explained in the airline’s Ask a Pilot blog that there are “a few things that’ll really help” nervous flyers stay calm and enjoy their trip, whether they’re heading on a short-haul hop or a longer flight.

But first, what is turbulence? Experts at the Flight Radar 24 explains: “Turbulence is a common yet complex weather phenomenon that affects aviation.

“Broadly speaking, it refers to irregular air movements that cause erratic changes in the altitude and/or attitude of an aircraft. Let’s take a look at the various types of turbulence, their causes, and some notable incidents they have played a part in.”

I’m scared of flying, what can I do?

Answering the question: “I’m a nervous flyer! Can you give me some tips on how to relax and enjoy the flight?” Josh set out practical ways passengers can feel more in control and less anxious in the air.

Josh explained “understanding that turbulence is completely normal” is the first step in dealing with nerves. Planes are designed and rigorously tested to cope with conditions far more severe than anything you’re likely to encounter on a routine journey.

If you are worried, “let the crew know if you’re feeling nervous. The team at Jet2 are incredibly customer-focused, and if you mention it, they’ll do everything they can to reassure you and make the journey as comfortable as possible. This might even include a cockpit visit on the ground before departure, which can really help build confidence.”

The pilot also recommends keeping yourself occupied with distractions such as music, films, podcasts or a good book. This can really help take your mind off the flight and make the time go faster.

He stressed: “Remember, flying is one of the safest forms of transport, with multiple layers of training, technology and procedures all working together to keep you safe. If you have any questions while onboard, just ask a member of our friendly crew who will gladly help you.”

What are the types of turbulence?

Flight Radar explains the types of turbulence that can range from light to extreme. However, it stresses: “Whilst turbulence can feel unsettling, especially to nervous flyers, it is important to emphasise that severe turbulence events are generally quite rare. Pilots carry out an extensive weather brief before a flight which identifies areas of known turbulence en-route, which are avoided if possible.”

Light Turbulence

Light turbulence causes slight and erratic changes in altitude and attitude of the aircraft. Passengers may feel a light strain against their seat belts. There is little or no difficulty in walking for crew members, and unsecured objects may be slightly displaced.

Moderate Turbulence

Moderate turbulence results in changes in altitude and/or attitude that are more intense than light turbulence but the aircraft remains under control at all times. Passengers feel a more definite strain against their seat belts and unsecured objects are dislodged. Walking becomes difficult for crew members.

Severe Turbulence

Severe turbulence causes large, abrupt changes in altitude and/or attitude, with large variations in airspeed. The aircraft may be momentarily out of control. Passengers are forced violently against their seat belts, and unsecured objects can become airborne. Walking is impossible. Severe turbulence is generally quite rare.

Extreme Turbulence

Extreme turbulence results in the aircraft being tossed about violently, making it practically impossible to control. This category of turbulence may cause structural damage to the aircraft. Severe injuries to passengers and crew are possible if they are not securely fastened. Extreme turbulence is, as named, extremely rare.

Paddleboarding the Esk in North Yorkshire

It’s early afternoon on an unusually hot and sunny Yorkshire day. I’m standing on my paddleboard on the tidal section of the River Esk, near Whitby’s New Bridge, as cars stream across. The 28-mile-long Esk is special, as it is the only major river in Yorkshire that flows directly into the North Sea.

Ahead of me is a bustling marina, the famous abbey and the West and East piers. The town is full to the brim with visitors in search of the best fish and chips, amusement arcades and tales of Dracula and Captain Cook. Later, in the autumn, goths in their finery will parade the cobbled streets.

Here on the river, however, it is tranquil. A salmon leaps from the water to my right, bubbles rise from the seaweed beneath my board, and to my left, the riverbank absorbs abandoned boats into its grassy knolls. On an evening paddle, you might spot the crews from one of the town’s three main rowing clubs (Whitby Coastal, Friendship or Fisherlads).

You can launch from the slipway at the far end of the marina back car park near Coates Marine. Arriving by train or bus, it’s a few minutes’ walk from the station. Launch about one and a half hours before high tide and head right towards the New Bridge and Ruswarp. Be mindful, this section of the river is tidal and water levels do drop.

After taking in the magnificent view, I turn and paddle towards Ruswarp, a couple of miles inland, passing under the Larpool Viaduct, which carries the 22-mile Cinder Track. Branches of willow trees droop elegantly into the water offering welcome shade. Swans glide past and Highland cattle graze nonchalantly in the fields. A couple hike the path that runs alongside the river.

I first paddled on the Esk with my young sons in 2006. Twenty years later, it still remains a peaceful, hidden gem. We hired kayaks from Ruswarp Pleasure Boats (established 1874) just above the weir, which also rents rowing boats and now paddleboards. For a £5 fee, it offers a private jetty to launch your own craft, which is ideal as access to the river is very limited along this stretch. There is free parking on the roadside here, and with the number 95 bus stop (Arriva) nearby, public transport is an option. Paddle up to Perry’s Plants garden centre at Briggswath just before Sleights and then turn back.

You’ll pass the Waterside restaurant and Whitby Wellbeing’s wild sauna along the way, so family and friends can eat, sweat or dip while you float along, letting the river carry your worries away. Afterwards, nip to Botham’s in Sleights for some Resolution tea and lovely iced lemon buns. I promise, it’ll be a grand paddleboarding day out in Yorkshire.
Jo Moseley is the author of Stand-Up Paddleboarding in Great Britain

Wild camping on the Dart in Devon

On the uplands of Dartmoor, two tributaries – the East Dart and West Dart – join beneath ancient woodland at the well-named hamlet of Dartmeet. They entwine as the River Dart, which flows for 47 miles from open moor into steep wooded valleys and passes peat bogs and tors, oak forest, market towns and rolling pasture before it runs into the sheltered waters of the south Devon coast.

Its upper reaches retain a pristine wildness that feels increasingly rare in southern England. The Dartmoor national park is criss-crossed by some of the cleanest bodies of water in the country, home to salmon, sea trout and otters, while the wooded valleys below are rich remnants of ancient temperate rainforest.

The Dart’s name is thought to derive from an old Celtic word meaning “river where oak trees grow”, and the lower banks are indeed lined with native oak trees, thick with mosses and ferns. It may be one of Britain’s smaller protected landscapes, but Dartmoor feels remarkably untamed. You can cross it on foot in a few days, yet it’s surprisingly easy to lose yourself in the rolling mists, twisting woodlands and miles of open moorland of this ethereal landscape.

It’s that sense of freedom that keeps drawing me back. I love nothing more than stuffing a tent into my rucksack and heading out on foot for a riverside camp, following the Dart and its web of streams and creeks until I find a quiet bend or grassy bank for the night. I fall asleep to the steady rush and rumble of the water and wake up early for a swim in one of its deep, crystal-clear pools before packing up and walking on.

I can roam about like this because Dartmoor is the only place in England where wild camping is legally permitted. In the national park, “backpack”, or wild camping, is allowed for one or two nights in some areas, provided you stay away from roads and settlements and leave no trace of your visit.

Sometimes, I have company on the riverbanks. I’ve huddled in bivouac bags with friends and woken totally covered in sparkling droplets of dew. I’ve camped on the water’s edge and woken in the middle of the night to what sounded like an invading army around my tent. It turned out to be a troop of scouts, arriving spectacularly late at their campsite and gamely pitching flimsy-looking tents by the light of their headlamps. And once, at dusk, I think I glimpsed the sleek head of an otter slipping into the current. But more often than not, once evening falls and I sit by the door of my tent watching the water darken, I have the Dart all to myself.
Sian Lewis

Fishing on the Dove in the Peak District

There’s a trout rising upstream from where I am standing on the bank of the River Dove in Beresford Dale, on the border of Staffordshire and Derbyshire. I mark the spot – just beyond that overhanging tree branch – and rue the fact that it will make casting a fly without getting snagged tricky. I need to get into the river and wade over to the other bank for a clear shot. But it’s a steep drop to the water and the pools look deep in this stretch; deep enough to go over my chest waders. I walk back downstream to a spot where I can safely enter the fast-flowing river, but realise it’s going to be a long wade upstream. Too long and splashy, which will disturb any fish and scatter them. So, I get out again and walk back to where I first spotted the feeding trout. I am caught in indecision, and repeat this pattern several times before giving up on this particular quarry.

The meander at this section of the river has formed a little peninsula, and standing in the middle of it is a fishing hut, where I go to drink a coffee and consider my tactics. This isn’t any old fishing hut, however. This one is a substantial structure, built from stone, with pillars framing the door and with an inscription in Latin, “Piscatoribus Sacrum” (Sacred to all Fishermen).

In the lintel stone is a cypher of intertwined letters: CC and IW, for Charles Cotton, the poet who built this “little fishing house” on his estate in 1674, and Izaak Walton, who wrote The Compleat Angler in 1653. Cotton added “Instructions how to angle for a trout or grayling in a clear stream” to accompany the fifth edition of Walton’s book, considered to be the first technical manual of fly-fishing and one of the most reprinted books in the English language.

The River Dove is the spiritual home of fly-fishing because of Walton and Cotton, and it still holds a mythical place in fishers’ minds. As someone who grew up on the Staffordshire-Derbyshire border, and fished the Dove where it joins the River Trent at Newton Solney in my youth, I was well aware of the river’s special status. But, at that age, I wasn’t about to give myself the extra homework of reading a 17th-century treatise on fishing and nature. Instead, an English teacher who fished furnished me with the only line I needed to know: “you will find it one of the purest crystalline streams you have seen.”

The stretch of the Dove I’m fishing – called the Temple beat after Cotton’s fishing house – races and tumbles through a narrow tree-lined dale hemmed in by limestone crags. Near the bridge above a section known as the Pike Pool, a family is splashing and paddling in the early summer sunshine. There’s a popular 4-mile loop that starts at Hartington village, and the path is too busy with walkers to fish, so I enter the river at the bridge and wade and fish “the vale it winds through like a snake” until I spot the rising trout and stop for my coffee break.

Later that day, I lose all sense of time in the hypnotic flow of catching and releasing a series of small wild brown trout. Just beyond the fishing house, someone has carved a large hole into the base of a dead oak tree, the perfect place to sit and watch dippers skit along the banks and damselflies dance upon the surface. A little further on, a large Hereford cow is drinking from the river, framed by overhanging trees and with a verdant conical hill in the background. The scene strikes me as being a pastoral masterpiece, much like The Compleat Angler.
Andy Pietrasik

A day ticket on the Temple beat can be booked through Fishing Breaks from £65

Sourcing the Severn and Wye in mid-Wales

It will prove to be the best of hikes, and in some ways the worst. I start out early from Eisteddfa Gurig on the A44, hoping to get going while the day is cool. My plan is to visit the sources of two of Britain’s greatest rivers – the Severn and the Wye which, by a fluke of geography, lie a couple of miles apart on a mountain ridge in mid-Wales.

The path leads me up Pumlumon Fawr, a 752-metre (2,467ft) massif with magnificent views to the Irish Sea. The day is scorching hot and the bald sheep-nipped hills look only an inch of topsoil away from becoming a desert. Of the two rivers, the Severn gets the finer start in life. There is a marker post next to a deep, dark pool of water that is being squeezed from the bog. In ancient times, humans worshipped springs, but there are no garlands here, only a few sea shells carried upstream by hikers from the Bristol Channel on the 224-mile (360km) Severn Way.

A short walk downstream brings me into a deep valley where the Severn, already gathering force, bounces through ferny glades. It feels as if someone is caring for this river, determined to give it a good start in life. There is a useful car park further down the valley, but I cut away through the forest to find the origin of its twin, the Wye.

I have hopes of a dip in a mountain pool, but there are misgivings. Arguably the loveliest river in Britain, the Wye has been hitting headlines for a severe decline in water quality. Dead salmon have been found, algal blooms reported. Campaigners, however, have scored a major victory in creating a charter of rights, including the right to flow and be free of pollution. Significant authorities, including Powys and Herefordshire, have adopted it. There is hope.

The first omen is the defunct Nant Iago lead mine, a reminder that human impact on the environment is nothing new. Government statistics show that about 900 miles (1,500km) of our rivers and estuaries are still contaminated by 19th-century mines. I skirt around the old workings and walk up the valley. In the wrinkles of this hillside, the Wye has a moorland birth, a harsh ordeal. No sooner has the clean, bright water started out than it’s being crapped in by sheep and messed about by humans. Any thought of a dip in a pool, or even a sip from the source, is brutally quashed.

The moorland/forested contrast with the Severn is not unplanned: scientists have been controlling and assessing these non-identical twins since a time when flood risks and algal blooms were not issues. Whatever their conclusions, however, our expectations of rivers remain pitifully low. In 17th-century Britain, by contrast, salmon were so plentifully available for people to fish for themselves that there was little market for them.

I carry on down the Wye Valley Walk, a 136-mile route whose leaping salmon logo is looking sadly inappropriate. After a few miles, I turn west up a side stream that has a toxic reddish tint. Only a Martian would take a dip. This has become a grim trudge, but finally, up a side valley, I stumble on deep pools alive with tiny frogs. Spruce and pine have been planted. There are orchids and bog asphodels. Then, a magnificent golden-ringed dragonfly settles next to me. My spirits are restored. Maybe the Wye can bounce back. I set off for nearby Llangurig where there’s a pub, the Bluebell Inn, and a tearoom.
Kevin Rushby

Canoeing the Tay in Perthshire

The Tay is Scotland’s longest river (117 miles) and Britain’s mightiest, discharging more water than the longer Thames and Severn combined. Rising on the slopes of Ben Lui in Argyll, gathering strength from Highland burns before widening through Perthshire and eventually reaching the North Sea at Dundee.

It’s the middle stretch, from Killin to Dunkeld through Highland Perthshire, that I love best. At Killin, we’ve happily lost whole afternoons to picking wild raspberries, skimming stones and climbing trees. My boys climbed their first Munro here, Ben Lawers, when their legs were much shorter. We should have had beautiful loch views from the top, but reached the summit in cloud instead. They loved it.

Further along the banks at Lawers and Kenmore is where my sisters and I head for restorative escapes: alternating freezing loch swims with a hot tub has become our preferred form of therapy.

I’ve often walked by the river, but was curious to see it from a different angle: by canoe. Aberfeldy is a two-hour drive north from Edinburgh, so it’s an early start for me and my son Louis, 15. We’re welcomed at Beyond Adventure with coffee and a briefing, then transferred upriver with two long orange canoes and our instructor, Kevin Meldrum.

Our route begins on the River Lyon just before its confluence with the Tay. In this calm eddy, we get a quick lesson in paddling and turning the boat. Louis is 6ft-plus and I am not, which seemed a recipe for paddling in circles. Kevin keeps us right, and Louis soon learns to calmly counteract any erratic paddling on my side. We meet the Tay over a gentle rapid and begin paddling downstream. We settle into the river’s rhythm, learning to read the current and steer around camouflaged anglers patiently waiting for salmon, and spotting herons standing guard in the shadows.

The banks of the Tay are changing, thanks to the returning beaver population. We don’t spot any (they emerge at dusk), but we do see evidence of stripped bark and felled trees by the river. Paddling into a tree-lined eddy, we admire a carefully constructed beaver lodge.

We pull the canoes ashore on a little island for a picnic lunch, and as we eat our sandwiches, there’s a flash of iridescent turquoise. My first ever sighting of a kingfisher.

It’s great to be on the water with a guide who knows the river so well. At each stretch of rapids, we’re set a route, and navigate each one facing downstream, still smiling. As we return to Aberfeldy, we paddle under General Wade’s Bridge, unchanged since it was built in 1733. We’ve been on the water for three hours, but it feels all too soon when we approach the Beyond Adventure base. Reluctant to leave, we find a deep, peaty pool for a swim.

Heading home, we stop for a pizza (a teenage second lunch) and cold drinks at The Taybank in Dunkeld. Watching the Tay flow past the beer garden, I realise the river looks different to me now. Once you’ve travelled with it, it’s hard not to wonder what’s waiting around the next bend.
Ailsa Sheldon
Beyond Adventure offers half-day discovery canoeing tours from £63 adults, £47.25 children, £199.50 for a family (two adults, two children)

The Westin Turtle Bay Resort & Spa

Lifestyle Editor Catherine Bennion-Pedley and her family found a knockout pool and fab food in the north-west.

SITTING among the fragrant herbs and lush veg of the Chef’s Garden, our lunch table is laden with local produce.

To get a real taste of a country, you can’t beat a cooking class, and this one, £40 per person, is a proper treat.

Chef Vishal helps us to whip up an array of seasonal, plant-based dishes, chargrilling aubergine and throwing together tantalising salads, including one using okra.

Even our kids, Poppy, seven, and Raffy, five, are tucking in, despite usually removing any sign of a green leaf from their plate.

As his final winning move, Vishal gets us to caramelise bananas for pud, using rich brown sugar from the isle and a portable stove top.

RETREAT YOURSELF

From St Lucia to Ibiza – we tried 2 adults-only retreats for perfect reset

MED FOR IT

We test two adults-only Mediterranean escapes from rooftop cool to beach bliss

The Westin prides itself on its wellness offerings, and is certainly nailing its Eat Well pillar.

There are five restaurants – our favourite is Fusion, serving up Japanese cuisine, including mouth-watering sushi we all devour.

Indian offering Kangan also makes for a memorable meal with highlights such as crispy lentil and rice dumplings with mint chutney and a taste explosion of a Goan fish curry.

Meanwhile, Seasonal Tastes’ buffet is brimming with choices, often with live musicians performing, too.

We spend most of our days at the main pool, which is so huge there’s ample room for both water aerobics classes and family ball games, plus there’s a giant poolside chessboard.

While there are undoubtedly resorts with more impressive beaches on the island – volcanic rock outcrops dot the coves here – on the largest stretch we make use of the free kayaks, plus we spot plenty of sea creatures while rockpooling.

Well worth a trip out is our visit to L’Aventure du Sucre, set in an historic sugar factory a 15-minute drive away.

We take a walk through the island’s fascinating history, from the Dutch settlement here in the 17th century right up to the current day, and learn about the importance of both the indigo and sugarcane crops.

The kids follow a quiz trail – a tube of sugar is the prize at the end – and we all dig in at the jam and sugar tasting stations.

Then, after sampling rums, we splurge on a bottle of Lazy Dodo, £26, and lychee jam, £6, as mementoes. Adult entry costs £19, kids over six cost £9.50 (Aventuredusucre.com).

Back at the hotel’s Heavenly Spa, nestled within tropical gardens, I feel much more flexible after a 60-minute signature massage, £80, and later, husband Andy joins therapist Selvi for a private yoga class on the jetty with just the sound of waves lapping beneath them, £56.

An hour later, he returns more serene than I’ve seen him in months. No wonder we meet so many returning guests – and one tips us off about a fire show on the beach that evening.

The spectacular tricks performed to an atmospheric soundtrack leave us in awe. A bit like Mauritius itself.

British Airways Holidays offers a seven-night family stay at five-star The Westin Turtle Bay Resort & Spa from £4,439 half-board, with flights (Ba.com/mauritius).

Veranda Paul et Virginie Hotel & Spa

Assistant Editor Kelly Allen and friends checked into an adults-only gem on the island’s north-east coast.

LOOKING out from the hotel’s scenic Poudre d’Or bar with its views of the infinity pool and, further out, the pristine sands and ombre water of the idyllic Grand Gaube Lagoon, it takes no time for the stresses of life to dissipate with a welcome rum punch in hand.

This place has just 81 rooms, so it feels intimate and is particularly popular with couples.

There’s a standard buffet with an excellent tropical fruit selection at the Isle de France eatery, but it’s à la carte restaurant Le Saint Géran, sitting at the end of the pier, that really wows.

One night, we tuck into a feast of Mauritian-style cod with satini pomme de terre, a local delicacy.

It’s essentially “potato chutney” of mashed potato, crispy fried red onions, dried red chillies, garlic and oil.

It goes without saying that I also have to leave room for the impressive smoky banana flambé.

The activities schedule is packed, too, with seafront sega classes – the traditional dance of the island – as well as rum mixing and Creole cookery classes.

Learning to make farata (Mauritian roti) from scratch using plain flour, salt and a splash of oil is so easy I’m convinced I’ll be recreating it at home.

It’s also ideal for soaking up the plethora of cocktails on offer, including a top-notch dark & stormy, before I retreat for a nap back at my room, which is rustic with a quaint thatched roof that feels like something from a different time.

One morning, we leave the serenity of our sunloungers to visit the Pamplemousses district, 20 minutes’ drive away, where we wander through Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens.

As well as an array of tropical plants, including giant lily pads, white lotuses and a medicinal spice garden, there is so much wildlife to spot, from fruit bats to deer, but my favourites are the giant tortoises.

Entry costs £4.75 per adult (Ssrbg.govmu.org).

Grand Baie, a famously lively area of restaurants and bars, is also nearby, and I pick up souvenirs of a cute shell hair clip and a bracelet in the bustling Bazar de Grand Baie.

As they say in Creole, for a dose of sun and plenty of rum, this place is ”bon bagay” – great stuff!

Stays for two at Veranda Paul Et Virginie Hotel & Spa cost from £243 per night all-inclusive (Veranda-resorts.com).

Return flights from the UK to Mauritius cost from £575.

A TODDLER’S antics got a flight canceled as air crews aborted takeoff due to unsafe cabin conditions.

The shocking incident grounded Porter Airlines flight PD444 that was departing Victoria International Airport in British Columbia on Thursday.

Furious passengers were forced to get off the aircraft and wait overnight for a new flight.

The airline revealed that as the plane was leaving the terminal and was heading for the runway when cabin crew noticed the child “standing in their seat” refusing to “secure their seat belt,” Porter Airlines told PEOPLE.

“The aircraft could not takeoff in this unsafe condition, so the crew elected to return to the terminal and have the passengers disembark.”

Numerous attempts had been made by the crew and the child’s parents to get them to co-operate but these all failed.

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The toddler’s unruly antics triggered major schedule delays to the point where the airport runway had closed by the time they looked at rescheduling the departure.

After the plane returned to the terminal, passengers got off with their baggage, and flight planes were refiled, it was gone 12:30am and all passengers and crew had to wait overnight for a new flight.

Porter Airlines issued a grovelling apology to everyone affected by the child’s behavior.

The flight eventually took off for Toronto on Friday at 10:49 pm and arrived at its destination at 6:16 am Saturday morning, delaying passengers by a whole day.

Under the airline’s policy, child safety seats or a restraint device is mandatory for any child under two years old occupying a seat.

The family involved have not publicly been identified.

A FAMILY day out can easily set you back over £100 for a family of four.

And with it being the summer holidays, just a few days out can quickly add up to the cost of a holiday abroad.

Instead of watching your wallet empty of cash, there are actually a number of ways to get free and cheap attraction tickets.

Here’s our round-up of the best options and what days out you can get for less:

Sun Club promotions

As a Sun Club member, you have access to loads of free and discounted days out across the UK.

Currently, these include free tickets to the races, 50% off Horrible Histories Live, savings on theatre tickets and 2-for-1 tickets to Diggerland theme parks.

Find out more about what’s on offer here.

LatestFreeStuff.co.uk

LatestFreeStuff.co.uk always has different offers on attractions.

Some you might need to snap up quick, while others might have more availability.

Current offers on the website include a free National Trust pass and free bike hire.

Previous offers have included free Eden Project tickets as well as discounts on major UK attractions.

Promotional supermarket packs

If you are in the supermarket, look out for promotional packs.

On items such as Cadbury‘s multi-packs, Kellogg’s cereal, Heinz products, Carex soap and Robinsons squash, you’ll often find offers to attractions in the UK.

For example, Kellogg’s cereal boxes often have 25 per cent off online advance entry tickets for up to two people to Merlin attractions including the London Eye and Legoland.

Cadbury’s, on the other hand, often has instant 2-for-1 vouchers for top UK attractions.

National Rail

If you are heading out on a day out, taking the train could save you both hassle and money, because National Rail offers 2-for-1 deals, a third off savings, and other discounts for attractions when you travel via train.

Attractions include 2-for-1 tickets on City Cruises, 20 per cent off Frameless and 50 per cent off Thinktank at the Birmingham Science Museum.

Tesco Clubcard

Tesco Clubcard members can convert their Clubcard points into Reward Partner vouchers.

These vouchers cover major UK theme parks including Alton Towers and Thorpe Park as well as English Heritage sites and a number of museums.

Octopus Energy

If you are an Octopus customer and are signed up to Octoplus, you can redeem your points for a free National Trust pass.

02 Priority

If you happen to be an O2 customer, make sure you have the O2 Priority app as it is full of offers and giveaways.

Currently through the app, you can get discounted tickets to Grease: The Immersive Movie Musical, free kids tickets to Jurassic Oceans at the Natural History Museum (with one adult ticket) and 20 per cent off tickets to Up at The O2.

MoneySuperMarket

If you sign up to a MoneySuperMarket account and allow it to check your credit score, you can get a free days out annual pass worth £180.

The pass includes top attractions such as London Zoo, English Heritage Sites and Go Ape parks – you can redeem one ticket each time you visit an attraction, per account.

Vodafone

Via Vodafone‘s VeryMe Rewards, you can get a Kids Pass which offers between 10 and 56 per cent off entry to attractions across the UK, including Alton Towers and Go Ape.

To get this reward, you’ll need to be a Vodafone Pay Monthly mobile customer or a qualifying Pay As You Go customer.

Vitality Health Insurance

If you get moving, Vitality Health Insurance will reward you with discounts to top Merlin attractions, such as Thorpe Park and Alton Towers.

You are able to redeem four tickets at 30 per cent off each month.

Welcome Break

Welcome Break operates 31 hotels across the UK’s motorway network – such as Days Inn and Ramada hotels – making them ideal stops to split up a journey.

But more than just the hotels, Welcome Break has 62 service stations across the country.

If you stop off at one or stay in one of the hotels, make sure to set up an account when you use their Wi-Fi as you’ll get Road Trip Rewards.

Each time you log in to the Wi-Fi at either a hotel or service station, you’ll gain a point.

These points then go towards entering you into different prize draws.

For every three visits, you’ll go into a draw to bag a Merlin attraction discount, for every five visits a £50 Welcome Break voucher, and with 10 visits a Merlin Gold Pass. For every 15 or more visits, you’ll get a chance to win a family weekend away.

Blue Light Discount

If you work in the NHS, emergency services, or armed forces, you can get a Blue Light Membership, costing £4.99 for two years (so just under £2.50 a year).

This membership can then get you loads of discounts on days out and attractions, including 15 per cent off entry to Alton Towers, 20 per cent off English Heritage sites, and 10 per cent off Eden Project tickets.

There are loads of attractions with discounts as part of the membership, including local and regional attractions.

National Lottery Week

In March each year, the National Lottery hosts The National Lottery Open Week, with loads of free or low-cost days out.

These include castles, museums, sports venues, galleries and theatres across the UK.

Local resident/postcode discounts

It is worth looking up which attractions are in your area, and whether they offer discounted entry for you as a local.

For example, The Eden Project offers a discounted Cornish Residents Pass.

Similarly, Kew Gardens offers a reduced entry fee for local residents and young people, and Tower Bridge offers £1 entry to Southwark residents.

The best way to find this out is to search ‘attractions near me with resident offer’ online, and Google should pick up your location and find the attractions near you providing a discount.

Groupon and Wowcher

Groupon and Wowcher are both great sites for getting cheaper days out for the family.

You can search for things near you to do, and depending on your location, these can include things like the Ninja Warrior UK experience, bus tours and circus shows.

Some current offers on Groupon include a session at The Snow Centre Hemel Hempstead for £20.49 instead of £37 per person.

Or with Wowcher, you could head to the UK’s biggest inflatable obstacle course for £20, instead of £27.82 per person.

Universal Credit

Lots of UK attractions will offer heavily discounted tickets – usually £1 or £2 each – for people and families receiving Universal Credit.

For example, you could head to Royal Palaces such as Hampton Court Palace and Kensington Palace for just £1.

THE biggest Legoland in the world has just celebrated its first birthday – and its MUCH bigger than the one in the UK.

The park in Shanghai is a whopping 318,000 square metres and it’s home to largest Lego figurine in the world.

Legoland Shanghai Resort is the only one in the country and in its first year of opening, saw two million visitors through its doors.

Aimed at families with children between 2-12 years old, the park has immersive experiences, eight themed zones and a Lego-themed hotel.

Legoland Shanghai makes an impression before visitors even enter the park thanks to its enormous Lego figure called Dada.

The figure is 26 metres tall and holds the record for the largest ever built.

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It sets the tone for the theme park which has 75 attractions overall.

They are set in amongst the eight lands: Brick Street, Bricktopia, Legoland Creative World, Lego City, Lego Ninjago, Lego Friends, Lego Castle, and Lego Monkie Kid.

Rides vary but the biggest and longest rollercoaster at Legoland Shanghai is the Big Lego Coaster.

The ride actually passes through the hands of the Dada figurine and has a top speed of 52.8mph.

One unique experience the world-first water-town boat tour, which takes them on a cruise through a Chinese water town built entirely from Lego bricks.

Another first for the brand at this resort is Legoland Creative World – which allows visitors to see the largest Lego Minifigure in history.

There are also a number of live shows at Brick Street and Bricktopia.

Another attraction is a jet-ski based Water Race Challenge, there’s also boat building competitions and a ‘Beach Party’.

In the Lego Castle land, guests are transported into a magical land with wizards and dragons.

Fans of the UK’s Legoland in Windsor will be familiar with the driving school where kids can complete a circuit in their very own car and get their driving licence.

If any visitors need help, they can communicate with the world’s first AI Brick Girl Minifigure that helps visitors explore the Creative World.

And amongst all the rides and models, guests can also interact with robotic minifigures.

Guests can talk to them and according to Blooloop, they ‘respond to you in real time’.

That’s not the only part that has it’s very own AI robot – there are more at the 250-room hotel.

Called Little O, the fully interactive astronaut-themed robot talks to guests, welcomes them at check-in, shares facts and performs dances.

Inside the hotel are themed rooms like Monkie Kid and Ninjago with character meet-ups and even pyjama dance parties.

When it’s time to eat, the park has six restaurants, for example, Bricks Restaurant offers Lego-themed dining from Brick House Burgers with buns in the shape of Lego bricks, Brick fries and Apple Fries with ice cream.

Of course, there are souvenirs are everywhere, visitors can build their own Minifigures, engrave their own bricks and buy Lego sets.

As for tickets, Legoland Shanghai offers day passes from ¥300 (£33.33) and has offers like half-price one-day child ticket from ¥175 (£19.44).

FROM the moment our family of five was picked up in a giant car that would not fit on a typical UK street, I knew the saying was true.

Everything really is bigger in America.

We had just arrived for an action-packed week of thrills at Universal Orlando Resort, known for its record-breaking rides that are both bigger and better than many in the world.

We’d chosen Universal’s own Loews Portofino Bay Hotel as our base.

It is geared up for the theme parks, with regular free coaches to Epic Universe and Volcano Bay and free water taxis running to Universal’s CityWalk shopping and entertainment complex every 15 minutes.

Stays also include early entry to the parks and free Express Passes for Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure (a huge perk) — although you have to buy your park tickets separately.

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Epic Universe, Universal’s newest park, only opened last year and has already gained a huge fan base.

Now that the hype has died down a little, it is a great time to visit Epic.

For us the queues were pretty manageable everywhere except for Super Nintendo World, a colourful and energetic land inspired by Super Mario and his pals.

My advice is to arrive early and head straight to get your fill of Mario, and then enjoy the rest of the park at your leisure.

To put this into perspective, queues for the Mine-Cart Madness ride can reach three hours, but it took us just 25 minutes.

Elsewhere, queues for The Stardust Racers rollercoaster, one of the most intense thrill rides in Orlando, were never more than ten minutes during our May break.

And Monsters Unchained: Frankenstein Experiment, one of the most brilliantly-executed themed rides I’ve ever been on, has some of the shortest queues.

Epic Universe is just one of four Florida theme parks under Universal’s umbrella and you’d be mad not to explore the others.

We spent most of our time at Universal Studios park and the Islands of Adventure, which is so vast we were still discovering new rides on our final day.

The most popular ride is Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, the ride that everybody rushes to from the moment the gates open.

There is some controversy here as Universal stopped accepting Express Passes on this ride from July 1.

The decision was made in hope that it would bring the two-hour queue time down.

While Hagrid’s heart-pumping attraction is certainly worth the long wait, Jurassic Park VelociCoaster was our favourite of the trip.

It reaches top speeds of 70mph and features the most insane turns that had us wobbling on our feet afterwards.

All those thrills require some down time, though. Luckily the parks are a delight to simply stroll around.

Universal Studios, in particular, will keep you mesmerised for hours, with highly-themed areas inspired by the streets of New York, San Francisco, Hollywood . . . and Springfield, home of the Simpsons.

Make sure to pop into Moe’s Tavern for a pint of Duff Beer.

If you aren’t staying at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, it’s probably worth forking out for an Express Pass — especially for those visiting for only a short period of time or during peak seasons such as the summer or school holidays.

Ours saved us buckets of time, allowing us to tackle more rides per day.

Express Pass holders won’t have to faff around with ticket scanners either. Many rides have been fitted with facial recognition technology now, which speeds up access at the turnstiles. It was an impressive touch that should become industry standard.

But that’s not where Universal Orlando Resort’s improvements end.

A brand new Fast & Furious rollercoaster is being built riverside, aiming to open in 2027, with construction work already under way.

It will be located next to our two favourite restaurants from the trip, the Hard Rock Cafe and the Chocolate Emporium, both of which serve delicious burgers.

The giant stack of ribs piled high in front of me at the Hard Rock reaffirmed my thoughts from the start of the trip.

Everything is bigger in America. And not just the cars and the food — but now the grin on my face.

I HAVE never really been one for camping.

The thought of huddling around a dimming campfire with a cold drizzle hanging in the air would normally fill me with dread.

But that’s before I discovered TentBox.

After a weekend away in Dorset, this little gadget changed my mind on camping entirely . . .  and I had the time of my life.

Unlike other tents, TentBox – which attaches to the roof of your car, positioning you high above the ground — adds a certain sophistication to the outdoorsy experience.

We didn’t have to carefully peg it down, nor spend the best part of our evening inflating a mattress.

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And instead of wasting hours faffing with poles, this shortened our camping set-up time to less than ten minutes.

Although, a word of warning, if you’re not very tall (like me), be prepared for it to take a little longer as you struggle to reach the roof of your car.

Luckily, you don’t need to be a camping pro either.

The hardest part of the set-up is firmly securing the box to your car roof — you will need roof bars for that and can check your car’s compatibility easily online (there are certain weight limits on smaller cars).

Once that is out of the way, all you need to do is unzip the sides, pull down the ladder, and pop the tent up.

Simple, right? Once you have clambered inside, you will find a comfy foam mattress, enough space for two to four people (depending on the TentBox model) and even skylights, so on a clear night you can stargaze in your PJs.

The highlight for me, however, was being able to avoid invading creepy crawlies thanks to our rooftop perch.

With the TentBox fitted, we made our way to Sweet Hill Farm, which cost us just £13pp per night — much less than a Dorset hotel room — and it came with much better views, too.

At the very tip of the Isle of Portland peninsula, Sweet Hill Farm is strictly a no-frills spot, made up of just four fields with basic compost toilets, cold water taps and hot showers that cost £1 for three minutes of water.

But for non-campers like me, you can still get a flavour of luxury.

A short walk away from the pitches is a wellness area, home to an icy cold plunge bath and a converted horsebox sauna, which costs £15 for an hour and a half session. Well worth it.

There is an on-site cafe, too, surrounded by picnic tables. It’s great for when you are too lazy to spark up the campfire or need your morning coffee and bacon sarnie.

If you are up to campfire cooking, Kitchenbox does excellent camping sets that come with a stove, saucepan, chopping board, dishes, cutlery and a windbreak.

Scrambled egg and ham baguettes became our easy go-to.

When the weather took an unfortunate turn, we were packed up and heading towards a sunnier patch in minutes.

Chesil Beach, which connects Portland to the mainland, is a great spot for views — and it stretches for 18 miles.

While it is stoney and not the ideal sunbathing spot, the sights of the Jurassic Coast on a bright day are incredible and sweep across the white cliffs to the steep hills of Portland.

Head to nearby Cove House Inn for hearty grub. This 18th-century pub sits right on Chesil Beach’s esplanade and has been on my radar for a while, after it made the Big 7 Travel list of the 25 best spots for a seaside pint last year.

For classic seaside fun, Weymouth is less than a 20-minute ride down the coast from here.

Then you can make your way over to Durdle Door, or Boscombe and then Bournemouth, if you fancy.

Thanks to sweltering heat, the stretching golden sands of Bournemouth Beach were calling.

By this point, we had saved so much cash by ditching expensive beachside hotel rooms that we were able to treat ourselves to an Aperol Spritz and a cold beer on Bournemouth Pier.

It was an ideal way to toast to an adventure-filled weekend. Perhaps one of many camping adventures to come . . . 

ALEXANDER the Great would have approved – I’m on my trusty black steed conquering the streets of his rival Athens under the watchful eye of the Parthenon.

It’s a whizzy Segway, not the all- conquering king of ancient Macedonia’s fabled warhorse Bucephalus, but what a brilliant way to see historic and modern sights in the Greek capital.

Lively guide Stelios led my group of a dozen — all on an excursion from Tui’s Marella Voyager cruise ship — taking in outstanding views of the Acropolis, Temple of Hephaestus and Pnyx Hill, where the Athenians created the concept of democracy.

Next time you put an X on a ballot paper, this is where it all began 2,500 years ago.

The Segway tour (£110pp), started in tourist hangout Plaka and also visited ­Thiseio, where the locals chill. Fun and insightful, it was a hit with my group.

And, in the free time in Plaka afterwards, treat yourself to a frozen yoghurt for a couple of quid — the Lukumades shop is deservedly popular.

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My wife Debbie and I had joined the all-inclusive Voyager in Corfu, with a seamless airport transfer and check-in at the port.

Greeted by stewards Andi and Yosua, we settled into our balcony cabin then demolished a Mexican meal at the Abuela’s restaurant, followed by a rocking sailaway show from The Journeymen band.

Before arriving at Athens we had a sea day with pre-booked spa treatments. Debbie loved her Thai massage (£129) from Cherry, and I was wowed by a rejuvenating men’s pro- collagen grooming and shave (£69) by Marco.

I felt like a Greek god after an hour in the barber’s chair. We dined like gods that night too, on a superb seven-course food odyssey at the Silver Fork restaurant (£51.95pp), with the highlights a spicy white tomato soup and a beef Wellington to fill your boots with.

Another standout was the Kora La Asian-inspired restaurant (£38.95pp) and its Thali tasting experience — surely this is the best curry at sea.

Mind you, if you’re on a budget you can easily spend the week eating well in the included The Kitchens buffet and the Latitude 53 (international), Vista (Italian) and Piccadilly’s (British) restaurants, along with Abuela’s (Mexican), Nonna’s (pizza/pasta) and the poolside Shack (fast food).

Drinks-wise, we rated swanky Flutes for fizz and laid-back Summer House, with its retractable roof and al fresco area at the stern, for cold beers and ciders.

The Squid & Anchor is your go-to for lively nights of music, quizzes and karaoke and the Broadway theatre hosts West End-style performances.

Up for some immersive, cocktail-fuelled fun? Head to The Exchange speakeasy, where many guests dress up in 1920s-style clothes (£18.95pp).

New day, new country. After our Athens adventure, next up was Kusadasi, Turkey.

We could have hit the beach but walked to the 16th-century castle — on an island reached by a 400-yard causeway — and its open-air/indoor museum covering local maritime trade, wildlife (check the whale skeleton) and plants. Worth a look, decent views and a nice waterfront cafe (£8pp).

Before strolling back to Voyager, we failed to resist the shops selling carpets, knock-off designer goods and that leather jacket you never knew you needed. Luckily, everything is a “special price today, just for you!”

Kusadasi is the gateway to Ephesus, home of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. If you haven’t been, get it on your cruise excursion list. It’s outstanding.

Back in Greece for the next call at Insta-fave island Santorini, we joined a tour to Akrotiri — the “Pompeii of the Aegean” — where archaeologists have uncovered part of a city buried under 27ft of ash when the Thera volcano erupted in 1600 BC.

The Thera explosion was around 20 times more powerful than when Vesuvius blasted the real Pompeii in AD 79 and the resulting 100ft tsunami wiped out the Minoan civilisation on Crete 60 miles away, with the ash cloud even affecting the weather in China.

Our excellent guide was former archaeologist Marianne, who used to work here so has the best facts about life in the Bronze Age. Unsurprisingly, she knew a group of Brits would be enthused by seeing the 3,600-year-old “flushing” toilet in a house!

You’re dropped off in pretty Fira overlooking the sea-filled caldera for a wander at leisure, with a ticket for the cable car down to the dock and the tender boats (£62pp).

Next up is Chania, in western Crete, where a €1.80 each-way, 20-minute bus from Souda dropped us near the beautiful Venetian port, where we climbed the tower in the harbour fort to take it all in and idly wandered through the grid of shopping streets.

It’s a real charmer and you could easily while away a full day here, but the ship has a schedule to keep and that took us to our final port, Argostoli in Kefalonia.

We’d only planned to pick up some souvenirs and an ice cream but headed to the footbridge south of the centre to see why there were so many tourists gathered.

GO: AEGEAN CRUISE & CORFU STAY

GETTING, CRUISING & STAYING THERE: A 14-night cruise-and-stay holiday costs from £2,313pp, including a seven-night Aegean Shores cruise on Marella Voyager, plus a seven-night stay at the Atlantica Grand Mediterraneo Resort in Ermones.

Price is based on two adults sharing on an all-inclusive basis with flights from Stansted on September 25, 20kg of luggage each, transfers, tips and service charges.

Cruise calls at Corfu, Piraeus (for Athens), Kusadasi (for Ephesus), Santorini, Souda (for Chania) in Crete, and Kefalonia.

See tui.co.uk/cruise.

The answer was four adult loggerhead turtles swimming around just feet from us and we snapped away with the excited crowd. A magical holiday highlight to see these ­vulnerable creatures so close up.

Next morning, back in Corfu, we headed down the gangway one final time. But not before checking eBay to find out how much a second-hand Segway is!

WHEN you think of Sweden, you think ABBA, IKEA and Northern Lights – as well as it being an expensive holiday destination.

However, I got to know another side of its capital city Stockholm when I lived there for a few months as a student.  

And as a student, it meant I was on a strict budget, so I was on the hunt for the cheapest places to eat and drink as well as finding the best free things to do.

So here’s everything you need to know to avoid emptying your wallet, from cheap transport to bargain hidden gems.

Travel passes

If you’re planning on travelling around the city by public transport, then the SL Smart Card can save you money.

Instead of topping up or paying a fare everyday, you purchase a time-limited travel card and this lets you take all the buses, trams, inner-city commuter ferries, metro and commuter trains your heart desires. 

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When I found the perks of the SL cards, I was exploring the city like nobody’s business as I didn’t have to think about the logistics of costs if I wanted to go to two different neighbourhoods in one day.

Depending on how long you’re there you can choose from different time periods, starting at 24 hours for £13.83 (SEK 180). 

Compare that to a 24-hour pass across Zones 1-6 in London is £23.60?

A much bigger bargain.

Hidden gems

While the centre of Stockholm is great, did you know that the Stockholm Archipelago is home to 30,000 islands?

So one thing I highly recommend is hopping on an inner-city commuter ferry, which you can use with your SL card.

I recommend stopping off at Djurgården, known as Museum Island and is home to ABBA Museum.

But Art-lovers will also love Modern Museet and it is free to visit on Friday evenings between 6pm and 8pm during spring and autumn.

Otherwise ride the metro to Gamla Stan and find Stortoget, the city’s oldest square which is referred to as ‘The Bloodbath,’ having sparked the Swedish War of Liberation.  

You may need to squint your eyes for this one; the Iron Boy (Järnpojke) sculpture is the smallest public monument in Stockholm. 

You might also miss is the narrowest street in the whole city, found down the steps of Mårten Trotzigs gränd. Touch both walls with your hands and make a wish for some good luck.

The Nobel Prize Museum is touristy but also worth a visit too, as included in the entry ticket is a guided tour around the displays so it’s a great way to get a glimpse into ideas that have transformed the way we live. 

Cheap eats and drink

The Swedes love a coffee break, which loosely translates to ‘fika’ – and there are some insanely delicious places to go.

One of my favourites which I went to every week was Stora Bageriet in the district of Östermalm.

Built into a former military bakery that supplied soldiers with bread rations, now you can watch the bakers at work.

Don’t expect to get a table inside as it’s pretty small, but the huge courtyard is where to go instead, especially in the summer months.

As well as the traditional sweet treats up for grabs, I would suggest opting for their other pastries because I can guarantee you that you will not find anything like it elsewhere. I loved the danish buns with rhubarb, which cost just £3.89.

Lots of the city’s bars and restaurants are on floating platforms on the river, and one of my favourites is Mälarpaviljongen.

You might expect the garden-restaurant to be on a single platform but actually there are several platforms that are joined through footpaths and bridges.

Take your time to wander through before picking up a tray and working through the window displays. 

Otherwise find beers for under a fiver at the much loved Ölstugan Kungsholmen.

As a student, you’d often find me in the local McDonald’s after a late night out, but Stockholm also has its own take on Maccy D’s called MAX Burgers. 

No matter where you are, I guarantee you’ll find a MAX close to you and the best thing is that the quality of food is better with the same cheap prices. 

My go-tos were a box of cheese fries (£3.42), crunchy chicken wings (£2.64) or a bacon cheeseburger (£6.76). If you love cheese or want to splurge, try the ‘Original Cheese Can’ (£6.92) which is a burger served with a side of melted cheese dip. 

Otherwise when in Sweden – have the IKEA meatballs?

For under a fiver, you can get a plate of 8-piece meatballs with the traditional sides of cream sauce, lingonberry jam, peas and a choice of boiled or mashed potatoes. 

IT’S late morning and I’m sunbathing on the front deck of a swish motor-cruiser, glass of rosé in hand and Balearic beats drumming in the background while I sail across the sparkling Mediterranean.

Life doesn’t get much better than this. On a normal Saturday morning, I would be standing pitchside at my kids’ football practice, ready to hand out water, yet here I was being waited on hand and foot.

My five mum pals and I had decided to jazz up our weekend mini break to Mallorca’s capital city, Palma, by hiring a private boat to take us around the coast.

We’d been inspired by celebs like Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox and Pedro Pascal, who have all been spotted sunning themselves on yachts this summer.

And the great thing is, you don’t need a mega budget to live an A-list lifestyle in Mallorca.

Sail Trip Mallorca, run by husband and wife Yannick and Sarah, offers bespoke private and group trips that are super-easy to book.

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Once on board, all we needed to worry about was relaxing on the cushioned sunbathing area and deciding what tunes to blast through the bluetooth speaker.

Captain Yannick ensured drinks were kept topped up as he steered us towards a secluded cove, where we didn’t waste any time diving into the crystal-clear water.

Despite us all being in our forties, some of our number were brave enough to take a leap from the roof of the captain’s cabin, straight into the ocean.

If you’re not a brave swimmer, though, our boat came equipped with paddleboards, a giant ring and snorkelling gear.

Then there are the underwater “scuba bikes” that allow guests to travel as deep as 20 feet beneath the waves, equipped with an oxygen tank and clear helmet so you can observe the fish as you pedal.

While we enjoyed a dip and a cycle, the multi-talented Yannick whipped up a delicious lunch of tapas, salad, mini burgers and dips for us to tuck into back on board.

Then, all that was left to do as we cruised back into Palma harbour was take in the most spectacular views of the city’s cathedral.

The whole experience felt like pure luxury. But best of all, it didn’t cost us an arm and a leg.

With enough space for 11 guests, the four-hour trip costs around £100pp including access to all the water equipment and a boozy lunch. Not bad, if you ask me.

Once back on dry land, be sure to check out the spectacular Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma up close.

And if you haven’t had enough of a dance on the boat, the recently opened AMOK in Palma hosts regular sunset parties that are well worth the €15 entry.

Far from being a boisterous, sweaty nightclub, this classy venue has a huge terrace bar and garden, lit up by twinkling lights in the trees.

Here, sunset views are accompanied by top-class DJs playing a mix of modern and Latin beats and excellent cocktails. If you’ve got the stamina, the party moves inside to the main club at 11:30pm and continues until 6am.

Don’t worry if you’re not a late-night raver, though. Those who prefer more of a daytime party will love UM Beach House (umbeachhouse.com).

Palma isn’t blessed with the greatest beaches, but this seafront club is gorgeous, with its own picturesque pool and direct access to the sea.

It’s a favourite holiday haunt of celebs, such as radio presenter Kate Lawler, who also visited in June.

Reclining on the huge, padded loungers, big enough for three, with glasses of fizz in our hands, Monday’s school run felt a world away.

Definitely stay for lunch as UM Beach House has a 360-degree terrace overlooking the sea, which serves a varied and delicious menu of fresh seafood pasta, light poke bowls and . . . more rosé.

Best of all, we were able to store our suitcases on site so, after a few hours of luxury bliss, we hopped into taxis straight for the airport feeling pampered instead of having to drag ourselves back to the hotel all frazzled.

Talk about the VIP treatment.

I know what I’ll be dreaming of when I’m standing at the side of a football pitch at the weekend.

In a darkened room in Maldon, Essex, a ship’s lantern illuminates the laundry drying on a web of ropes suspended from the ceiling. Between piles of sailing memorabilia, 86-year-old Barry Pearce is flipping through a yellowing logbook, watched by his mongrel, Winkle. It feels more like a ship’s cabin than a terrace house. Pearce is one of a handful of surviving skippers who delivered freight on the Thames by sailing barge, the flat-bottomed trading boats famous for their striking red sails that were endemic to the river’s estuary until the 1960s. He remembers the names of every vessel he worked on – Remercie, Edith May, Colonia.

In the 19th century, the ochre sails of thousands of Thames sailing barges pierced the skyline as the craft carried cargo from the Thames estuary and beyond in and out of London. Their shallow draft allowed them to snake far upriver in as little as a metre of water (bargemen would boast that they could sail anywhere there had been a heavy dew). Their ingenious rig, with sails that could be set and stowed with the help of winches, meant around 150 tonnes of cargo could be shifted by just a skipper and mate – often accompanied by a guard dog. This efficiency allowed them to outlive all other commercial sailing vessels, surviving until the 1960s, when Pearce himself took the helm.

Today, only about 30 Thames barges are still sailing, either as private homes or leisure cruisers. Two of them – Pudge and Centaur – lie like beached krakens on the oozing mud of Maldon’s Blackwater estuary. Both are owned by the Thames Sailing Barge Trust, a charity run entirely by volunteers, including Pearce. Every summer, both vessels can be hired as private charters for groups of up to 12, or you can book a berth on one of their one- to three-day public sailing cruises. They also offer events such as children’s art days throughout the year.

I’m here on a scorching evening at Hythe quay to spend the weekend exploring the River Blackwater and Essex coast aboard Centaur, a barge built in 1895. Itineraries are flexible and based on passengers’ interests. For us it involves sailing up the Blackwater, a Pimm’s at Tollesbury Marina, and a swim off Shingle Point and wander around West Mersea on Mersea Island. Our motley crew consists of three trainees overseen by skipper Chris Martin, who teaches boatbuilding at vocational training organisation Circles Alternative Education.

There are also six passengers, ranging in age from 18 to 76, in five cabins, which are basic but comfortable (each has a wash basin). Although I am the only one who is not a competent sailor, Martin makes it clear that helping to handle the barge is optional.

Unwisely, given our 3am departure to catch high tide, I sink several pints with the two youngest members of Pudge’s crew in the Little Ship Club on the quay. A behemothic man wielding a squeezebox sings sea shanties as salty couples slow dance nearby. “I only know of one or two people my age who are into barging, and I find that disturbing,” yells 25-year-old Charlie Francis over strains of Bound for South Australia. “Barging was the lifeblood of the east coast. We should be proud of our heritage and celebrate the communities working to preserve it.”

After a few hours in my bunk, I make it on to deck at 4.15am. The moon is a slice of radish in a lilac sky. We’re bearing away from the wind and, having set the sails, the crew is already on their second round of tea and custard creams.

As dawn paints its peachy palette, Martin turns the great wheel. He points out Blackwater landmarks that only a local would know: the green buoy known as the Doctor, where early 20th-century fishers left spirits for the alcoholics supposedly drying out at Osea Island’s temperance resort; the pub where, as recently as 20 years ago, Martin witnessed a smuggler wordlessly deliver two dripping bags while regulars stared determinedly into their pints; the hulking trawler, Ross Revenge, which is still home to Radio Caroline, the former pirate station – another relic kept alive by volunteers of the Blackwater.

Where the river opens into the silvery sea, the wind picks up and the barge rocks gently against the tide. My eyelids are heavy and the slowness of the whole experience is working its magic on my screen-frazzled brain. Martin calls for the staysail to be unfurled, a 20-minute task that rewards the barge with another knot and a half of speed. “This life is the antithesis of the digital age’s obsession with instant gratification,” he says. “Sailing barges may not be able to teach us much about cargo any more, but they can teach us the value of slowing down, doing things with our hands and spending time in nature.”

As we make our stately, seven-knot progress, 370 sq metres of rust-red canvas billows above and fingers of salt marsh slide by. With so little distraction, the coffee tastes lip-curlingly bitter, the bacon sandwiches as saline as the deep. I settle on a coil of rope to scan the horizon for porpoises, but soon drift into sleep.

A swim from a sandbank near Tollesbury is followed by a meander through West Mersea at golden hour. Clapboard cottages framed by hollyhocks sit beside sailmakers and chandleries converted into trendy cafes. We drop anchor in the Blackwater estuary and beneath a blazing sunset tuck into lasagne on deck. I haven’t felt this present for months. It’s all such a delight I begin to feel concerned about the trust’s future. Sailing barges cost between £30,000 and £100,000 a year to keep afloat. The trip I’m on costs just £220 including meals, while the Trust’s annual membership is only £37.50.

Although the trust offers training in many of the skills needed to maintain the barges, sourcing the timber is becoming increasingly difficult – and expensive. “Centaur’s exterior planking is pitch pine from the Mississippi basin, which is incredibly durable, but has been virtually exhausted,” says Martin. “And so much of the timber trade has been replaced by plastic.”

The trust also offers free training for future skippers, including the mate on our trip, 18-year-old Ben Weldon, the son of a local shipwright. However, it typically takes 2,000 hours – or 10 years – and the dropout rate is high.

While the trust has recently been awarded £28,090 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to develop a bid for the £4m needed to restore Centaur, it seems wrong that responsibility for keeping this thread of Britain’s maritime story from unravelling rests on so few shoulders. Sailing may be associated with privilege, but we are a seafaring nation and this inheritance belongs to all of us.

On Sunday morning, our last on board, a westerly fills the sails, and the tea-coloured Blackwater wrinkles beneath the bow as we beat our way back towards Maldon. “Lee ho,” Martin calls, showing me how to spin the wheel to help the crew tack. “So far we’ve used less than a gallon of fuel to do 50 miles. Pretty extraordinary, given that a family car does about 30 miles to the gallon.”

When I asked Pearce at the start of the trip why keeping Thames sailing barges afloat is worth the fight, he looked blank, as if such a question had never occurred to him. He showed me a pencil sketch of a barge he had drawn at the age of 15 in Greenwich, left half-finished when his skipper had poked his head through the hatch and invited him below for dinner. Now, more than 70 years later, he bends once more over that drawing as though no time has passed.

Eventually, he half-whispers: “Well, they’re just lovely, ain’t they?” He glances toward the window. Nearby, Centaur waits on the mud for the returning tide.

The trip was provided by the Thames Sailing Barge Trust. The next weekend aboard Centaur departs on 14 August, £220 for two nights’ full board; three-night trips depart on 3 September (£350 on Pudge, £320 on Centaur) and 18 September (£290 on Centaur). A variety of one-day sailings are also available
from £55 to £125pp

WHAT’S better than a day out at your favourite theme park? Not having to drive home afterwards.

We’ve rounded up the top UK staycation deals across theme parks where you can stay on-site as a family from just £34.13pp.

That means waking up just steps away from your favourite coasters – and in some cases – some free fast passes and gifts bundled in, too.

Here’s our top short break deals for attractions like Thorpe Park and Alton Towers.

Alton Towers

Alton Towers are running a Kids Swim Free summer sale across their short breaks.

Choose between a stay at the CBeebies Land Hotel, Alton Towers Hotel, Woodland Lodges, Luxury Treehouses, Stargazing Pods or Splash Landings – the last of which is attached to the waterpark.

DIG IT

2-4-1 tickets to unique theme park where kids drive huge diggers & real police cars

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European theme park that inspired Disneyland to open new Japan land

With your stay you’ll enjoy one day’s theme park entry, and with the summer sale, you’ll also bag free waterpark entry for kids.

In one weekend you’ll be able to tick off the new Bluey children’s coaster and take on the high-speed flumes of the huge indoor waterpark.

Book the Kids Swim Free waterpark offer with an Alton Towers short break – from £87pp

Gulliver’s Theme Park

Head to Wowcher to save up to 57% on tickets to Gulliver’s Theme Park.

The offer is valid across their locations in Milton Keynes, Rother Valley, Matlock Bath and Warrington.

Across the parks you can take on the dizzying Gyrosaur, ride the Rocky Ridge Railway, or drop by the farm park to meet the animals.

At £12.50 per person, this Wowcher offer slashes the standard £25 ticket price in half.

Add in free parking and free admission for toddlers under 90cm, and it makes for a budget-friendly school holiday day out.

The theme park are also currently offering a save up to 40% deal on short breaks – check their website for more.

Book a day out at Gulliver’s World from £12.50pp

Chessington World of Adventures

Book in for an affordable theme park staycation at Chessington World of Adventures this summer.

Short breaks at Chessington include an overnight stay in a themed resort hotel plus one day’s theme park and zoo entry, early ride time, hotel entertainment, a buffet breakfast plus free parking.

Older kids will love thrill coasters like Vampire, while little ones can tackle rides like Chase’s Mountain Mission at the newly-opened World of Paw Patrol.

Plus with the Summer Savings scheme underway until September 1, you’ll benefit from reduced VAT prices whilst you’re away.

Book a short break at Chessington from £88.13pp

Thorpe Park

Thorpe Park are also offering affordable short breaks this summer, bundling an overnight stay, breakfast, two-day theme park entry, free parking and one hour’s fast-track into one price.

Stay in the theme park’s cabins to be right in the heart of the action, or choose to stay at a nearby hotel.

Plus if you choose to stay in a themed cabin on-site, you’ll get an extra fast-track pass for one coaster per guest. You can use it five times on coasters like Colossus, Nemesis Inferno and The Swarm.

Whether you’re visiting to have a go on Hyperia, the UK’s tallest and fastest rollercoaster, or to to race down multi-lane rubber ring waterslides as a family, you’ll tick it all off with a staycation.

Book a short break at Thorpe Park from £34.13pp

Merlin multi-attraction tickets

Heading to London? Plan ahead by booking a multi-attraction pass and bag some savings.

You can combine a mix of Merlin attractions like the London Eye, Madame Tussauds, the London Dungeon, Sea Life and more to spread across your visit to cut costs.

There’s loads of combo packages available – one example is a trip to the London Eye, Madame Tussauds and Sea Life bundled at £56 per adult (down from £64) and kids’ tickets at £50.31 instead of £57.50.

If you’re visiting London from elsewhere in the UK, you’ll want to make sure you tick off several of the big attractions in one go – and these multi-attraction passes are one of the most cost-efficient ways to do so.

Browse Merlin multi-attraction passes from £51.63pp

Legoland

Immerse yourself fully in the world of Lego with a themed stay at Legoland Windsor Resort.

Short breaks include an overnight stay with hot breakfast and one day’s entry into the theme park.

Pick between an off-site hotel or a Legoland Resort Hotel – stays at the latter include a Lego-themed room, early park access, Legoland character meet and greets, a free gift for kids and free parking.

Guests also get discounts on Legoland Adventure Golf, which makes for the perfect rainy day activity if the weather decides to play up.

In the park, scan race on the Minifigure Speedway coaster, soar on the Flight of the Sky Lion, and get creative themselves in the massive playroom.

Book a short break at Legoland from £102pp

Prices correct at the time of publication.

More than a fifth of holidaymakers have fallen into tourist traps while abroad

More than a fifth of holidaymakers have fallen into tourist traps while holidaying abroad, with victims losing an average of £200.

A survey of 2,000 adults who have been on holiday abroad found a further 27 per cent have knowingly been ripped off or overcharged while on holiday.

The most common include overpriced food and drinks sold at tourist hotspots, taxi rides, hidden fees when using card machines, being charged more than locals at restaurants, and fake tour guides.

As a result, 49 per cent are now more cautious when spending money or booking activities abroad compared to five years ago.

The research was commissioned by the eSIM platform Airalo, which offers mobile data coverage in more than 200 destinations around the world.

Matteo Papa, growth director (Europe & CIS), said: “Falling victim to a tourist trap can put a dampener on, and in some cases a financial strain on, a dream holiday.

“While some traps can seem harmless at first, the costs can quickly add up and leave travellers feeling frustrated or out of pocket.

“Doing a little research before you travel, checking reviews, and staying connected while you’re on the go can help holidaymakers make more informed decisions and avoid common pitfalls.

“Being aware of the most common rip-off tactics in your destination can go a long way towards helping you enjoy a smoother, more stress-free trip.”

The study also found having reliable internet access makes 69 per cent feel safer when travelling abroad, with 21 per cent typically ‘always’ connected to the internet or mobile data when on holiday.

Almost half (46 per cent) said without internet access they wouldn’t be able to contact friends or family, while others would be unable to navigate unfamiliar areas (40 per cent), and or access tickets and bookings (29 per cent).

When it came to the top things holidaymakers worry about when going abroad, having a medical emergency or accident was at the top of the list.

However, missing flights (47 per cent), losing luggage (45 per cent), and food poisoning (38 per cent) also ranked highly.

It also emerged 52 per cent believe rip-offs in popular overseas holiday destinations are getting worse each year.

But to prevent being ripped off while on holiday, 50 per cent have avoided carrying large amounts of cash, while 37 per cent have only used licensed taxis or ride-hailing apps.

And 39 per cent believe younger generations are just as likely as older ones to be tricked into spending more money while on holiday abroad.

Of those who took part in the study, via OnePoll.com, 65 per cent now think they would be confident in spotting a tourist trap before falling victim to it.

Airalo launched an activation in London, creating a ‘Tourist Trap’ featuring overpriced croissants with the price tag of €15 to warn passers-by of the bait faced on holiday.

To help holidaymakers dodge additional costs this summer, the brand is offering new users 20 per cent off sitewide data plans with the code ‘CROISSANT’, ensuring travellers stay connected and protected.

A spokesperson for the brand added: “Even seasoned travellers can be caught out when they’re unfamiliar with local customs, prices, or payment methods.

“Taking a few simple precautions before and during your trip can make a real difference, helping you feel more confident when making purchases or booking experiences.

“Ultimately, being prepared means you can spend less time worrying about unexpected costs and more time enjoying everything your destination has to offer.”

TOURIST TRAPS HOLIDAYMAKERS HAVE EXPERIENCED ABROAD:

1. Food, drinks, and merchandise sold at inflated prices because of a location’s captive audience
2. Overpriced taxi rides or taxi drivers taking deliberately longer routes to increase the fare
3. Hidden charges while eating out (e.g. paying for ‘complimentary bread’ left on the table)
4. Expensive local souvenirs which turn out to be cheaply mass-produced
5. Being charged more than a local would be in a restaurant
6. Card machines or ATMs secretly applying large hidden conversion fees
7. ‘Free’ gifts or bracelets which later require payment
8. Tour guide rip-offs (i.e. paying a premium for a low-quality tour)
9. Tourist photo scams (e.g. being charged unexpectedly for photos)
10. Paying for unsolicited ‘help’ with luggage at airports or train stations

Setting sail from Southampton, the 98-night Fred. Olsen cruise makes more than 25 stops across the continents via vibrant cities, pristine beaches and lush rainforests

Summer holiday season often means time spent soaking up the sun in the usual haunts year after year – but holidaymakers looking to embark on a getaway with more of a wow factor can take a trip around the world from the UK in 2027. Fred. Olsen’s longest cruise available to book sets sail from Southampton this January for a “once-in-a-lifetime” voyage.

The World Cruise with Japan & Hawaii is a 98-night holiday calling at over 25 ports across the continents, from Singapore to Spain to South Africa and beyond. Setting off from the port of Southampton on January 21 and not returning until April 29, this incredible trip gives passengers the chance to skip the UK winter altogether in favour of soaking up the history, culture and scenery of more than 15 countries.

Unsurprisingly, a coveted spot aboard this adults-only cruise doesn’t come cheap, with the cheapest cabins priced from £13,999 per person. However, for those lucky enough to have the cash to spare, it’s worth bearing in mind that this works out at as little as £143 per night, with travel, accommodation and full board dining all included, plus an offer of £200 credit per cabin to spend on board.

READ MORE:

The first stops on the World Cruise with Japan & Hawaii are the bustling Portuguese capital of Lisbon and the breathtaking scenery of Madeira, before the soft white sands and crystal waters of the Caribbean beckon with visits to Barbados and Grenada. Any of these destinations would make a top-drawer holiday on their own – but on this cruise, they’re just the start of the three-month adventure.

The Borealis ship will then spend four days exploring the islands of Hawaii. With the volcanic landscapes, pristine beaches and lush rainforests providing an awe-inspiring backdrop to this section of the trip, passengers will also have the chance to embrace the spirit of Aloha at a traditional Luau, enjoying hula, music and local cuisine.

Book the World Cruise with Japan & Hawaii

From £13,999pp

Fred. Olsen

Book a cabin

This cruise sets sail from Southampton in 2027 for a 98-night journey visiting more than 25 ports across the world.

The highlights of this cruise holiday include overnight stays in Tokyo and Osaka offering up the opportunity to experience Japan’s unique history and culture. Passengers will have the chance to immerse themselves in Japanese traditions, from tasting sake and sushi to meeting Geisha and experiencing an authentic tea ceremony.

Fred. Olsen writes of this leg of the trip: “Timed for fewer crowds and the chance to witness the beauty of the late plum blossom season (Ume), your journey through Japan allows you to explore ancient castles and temples, take in breathtaking views of Mount Fuji, ride the bullet train in Osaka and enjoy our maiden call into Shimizu.”

After stops in bustling Hong Kong and Singapore, passengers can relax on the beautiful beaches of Phuket and Mauritius before discovering Cape Town’s famous Table Mountain. Holidaymakers can also take the chance to experience whale watching in the Canary Islands due to their year-round warm waters, completing their epic journey around the world.

Here’s the full list of destinations in order of stops on the World Cruise with Japan & Hawaii:

• Lisbon, Portugal
• Funchal, Portugal
• Bridgetown, Barbados
• St George’s, Grenada
• Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
• Colon, Panama
• Puntarenas, Costa Rica
• Huatulco, Mexico
• Hilo, Hawaii
• Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
• Honolulu, Hawaii
• Nawiliwili, Hawaii
• Tokyo, Japan
• Shimizu, Japan
• Nagoya, Japan
• Osaka, Japan
• Hong Kong, China
• Hiep Phuoc for Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
• Singapore
• Phuket, Thailand
• Port Louis, Mauritius
• Richards Bay, South Africa
• Cape Town, South Africa
• Jamestown, St Helena
• Praia, Cape Verde
• Las Palmas, Canary Islands
• La Coruna, Spain

Fred. Olsen writes of the epic cruise: “This journey offers once-in-a-lifetime moments, from whale watching in the Caribbean, Mexico and Hawaii to witnessing Hong Kong’s iconic skyline illuminated by the Symphony of Lights.

“You’ll have the chance to visit Pearl Harbor, wander through Singapore’s futuristic Gardens by the Bay and experience the untamed beauty of South Africa, where you can seek out the ‘Big Five’ and admire the dramatic backdrop of Table Mountain.”

As well as travel and accommodation, the price of a cruise also includes full board dining, from five-course à la carte dinners to afternoon tea, and selected drinks with lunch and dinner. And there’s no shortage of things to do on the ship, with the fare also including access to the swimming pools, fitness centre and classes, expert talks and lectures and a variety of other activities, as well as evening shows with live music and dancing.

For those seeking something more budget-friendly, the longest cruise on offer from fellow cruise line Ambassador is the Caribbean Sunsets and South American Secrets holiday. Sailing from London Tilbury in January 2027, this cruise currently has 30% off all cabins with prices now starting from £3,233 per person, and visits 12 countries over 45 nights, including Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica and Belize.

Meanwhile, TUI’s Marella Cruises is also offering last-minute summer cruise deals with flights included in their price. Among the cheapest options are the Highlights of the Mediterranean cruise, which is on offer for £944pp reduced from £1,623, and the Grecian Discovery holiday, now priced from £949pp down from £1,598.

Back with Fred. Olsen, the cruise line has earned a rating of 4.6 out of five stars on Trustpilot based on nearly 15,000 reviews, ranking it among the top-rated cruise companies operating in the UK. One passenger wrote: “We have just booked a second world cruise for 2028. We loved our previous cruises , one world, one Mediterranean on Borealis.”

They continued: “It’s a lovely ship which feels like home to us now because of the wonderful staff who can’t do enough for you. The food is great and we enjoyed so many of the facilities, shows, quizzes, the lectures, the classical recitals and the choir. Looking forward to 2028 and hope to see some of the friends we have made on past cruises.”

Another reviewer praised: “Everything was perfect! The cabin, the staff, the food were all impeccable. We’re already planning on taking their world cruise and have already booked another cruise with them in two months.”

And a third customer echoed: “Fantastic trip to and from the Antarctic on the Borealis. Excellent ship, brilliant crew and marvellous itinerary. Already really looking forward to next year’s world cruise.”

Some felt that the facilities on board had room for improvement, with one person feeding back: “The wine that was included in our freedom fare was OK but maybe a couple of choices of each varietal would have been nice.”

While a different person fed back: “Just love Fred. Olsen ships, the staff are brilliant. Food good but could be better vegetarian options.”

WHILE some people are concentrating on the summer holidays – now is actually the perfect time to book a break for shoulder season.

The months from September to November are a time for bargains, great weather (in some cases up to 28C) and fewer tourists.

Of course these are more suited to families or couples, as you will have to be travelling outside of the school holidays.

But here are some of the best we’ve rounded up, from Greece to Spain.

Santorini, Greece

The island of Santorini is known for bringing in hoards of tourists during the summer – there are even queues to take pictures but shoulder season sees much fewer tourists.

Stay at the Villa Livadaros which is a family-owned guesthouse in the quaint village of Karterados.

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Each room comes with a balcony or terrace and there’s a shared pool for guests too.

A seven-night stay here from London Gatwick to Santorini from October 14-21 starts from £259pp.

Antalya, Turkey

Antalya is full of families during the summer holidays, and massively quietens down in shoulder season.

Most of the major waterparks are open until the end of October too as temperatures can be as high as 26C.

Holidaymakers can have a seven-night break between October 5-12 at the Club Bayar Hotel from just £239pp – and it’s all-inclusive too.

It has a full-service spa, private beach access with modern rooms – it includes return flights to London Gatwick.

Amalfi Coast, Italy

Another destination known for scorching summer weather and lots of tourists in peak season is the Amalfi Coast.

But if you wait until October, there are some great deals to be had and temperatures are much milder.

A seven-night stay at the Grand Hotel Moon Valley with return flights Manchester Airport to Naples from October 13-20 starts from £375pp.

It includes bed and breakfast in an Annexe Room, the hotel also has a sun terrace and a swim up bar.

Mahdia, Tunisia

If you want to escape for winter sun, a holiday to Tunisia is a great option as even in October it has highs of up to 28C.

Mahdia is a peaceful coastal city with beaches on the Mediterranean Sea.

The three-star hotel El Mouradi Cap Mahdia sits directly on its own sandy beach with outdoor swimming pools and on-site restaurants.

A seven-night stay here with return flights from London Southend to Enfidha-Hammet from October 12-19 starts from £279pp – and this is all-inclusive too.

Costa Brava, Spain

Spain might not have the high summer temperatures, but it’s still sunny and certainly less busy.

You can stay on the coastal resort town of Malgrat de Mar in Catalonia which has over two miles of Blue Flag beaches.

htop Planamar is a pretty hotel close to the sandy shores with sea views and it has an outdoor swimming pool too.

A seven-night stay here with return flights from London Southend to Barcelona start from September 30 – October 5 starts from £235pp with half-board.

Dalmatian Coast, Croatia

Croatia has beautiful beaches and Old Towns all of which can be explored in mild 20C temperatures during shoulder season.

The Villas Arausana & Antonina is a pretty spot right on the beach with terraces and sunloungers looking over the coast.

It also has an outdoor swimming pool, restaurant, bar and cafe.

A seven-night stay here with return flights from London Stansted to Zadar start from September 29 – October 6 starts from £325pp.

Prices correct at the time of publication

IF YOU are going on holiday, there is one item you can’t travel without.

Well, two if you include your passport.

Finding an affordable suitcase can often feel like looking for a needle in a haystack.

But thankfully, loads are on sale at the moment so here are the best discounted suitcases available at the moment from high street shops.

Vienna 4 Wheel Hard Shell Medium Suitcase

This hard-shell medium sized suitcase from M&S boasts four wheels making it easier to drag around the airport.

It has both side and top grab handles, as well as a zip around divider.

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It is nice and lightweight as well, weighing just 3.2kg and can store up to 70L.

As for size, it measures 67 x 45.5 x 27.5 cm.

Character Wheel Case

Looking for a kids option? Well, head to Sports Direct and pick up one of their Trunki-style character wheel cases.

Available in Elsa from Frozen, Spider-Man or Minnie Mouse, these cases are both practical and fun for kids as you can even ride on it.

Even more practical with bouncing kids, the suitcase features a hard shell helping to protect the contents of the case.

The case has four wheels and measures 48 x 31 x 25cm.

Linea Adults Open Front Hard Suitcase

This 56cm hard shell suitcase has a handy front opening pocket, to give you easy access to your essentials.

You can also get the case in medium and large for a few extra quid.

The case also has four wheels, a TSA-approved lock and is waterproof as well.

Inside the case, there is a large pocket too, ideal for separating your items out.

Slazenger Trolley Suitcase Nest 5pc

Looking for a cheap answer for the entire family? Then look no further than this five-piece suitcase set from Slazenger at Sports Direct.

These basic black soft shell suitcases have pockets for separating items out as well as handles on both top and sides.

Perfect for a family, each case even has a card name on the back to help you identify it is your bag when collecting from the luggage belt.

From smallest to largest the cases measure:

• 47 x 31 x 22cm (can be expanded to become 20 per cent bigger)
• 54 x 35.5 x 23cm (can be expanded to become 20 per cent bigger)
• 64 x 40 x 22cm
• 74 x 45 x 25cm
• 84 x 49.5 x 28cm

Rock Luggage Santiago Seagrass 2 Piece Suitcase Set

If you fancy something a little more stylish, you can opt for this two piece suitcase set, which includes a cabin bag and a large suitcase.

Each case has a combination lock and is in the colour ‘seagrass’.

The cases are also covered by a 15-year guarantee.

The cabin case measures 54 x 36 x 22cm and the large suitcase measures 74 x 45.5 x 30cm.

Constellation Skyline Hard Shell Suitcase

If you are looking for a new large suitcase, then this option is great with a hard shell, four wheels and gel grip handles.

The large case measures 76.5 x 52.5 x 29.5cm but you can also get it in a cabin size and medium size.

Featherstone 4 Wheel Hard Cabin-Size Suitcase

The cheapest on this list cost just £12 for a cabin case, which you can pick up from Argos.

This plain black, hard shell case boasts four 360-degree wheels for easy maneuvering.

It also has top and side handles.

The case measures 55 x 35 x 20.5cm and has a five-year warranty.

it Luggage Children’s Brick 4 Wheel Hard Cabin Suitcase

Another great children’s option is this it Luggage cabin suitcase.

Designed to look like a brick, the case is hard shell and has four wheels.

On the inside it splits into two packing zones and has a 10-year warranty as well.

The case is suitable for kids aged three and older and measure 46 x 29 x 21.5cm.

2 Piece Soft 2 Wheeled Luggage Set

Another set of luggage, this time from Argos, include two soft shell suitcases each with two wheels.

The cases come with a 10-year warranty and measure 54.5 x 35 x 16.5cm and 75.5 x 44.5 x 21cm.

Set of 3 Geneva 4 Wheel Soft Suitcases

Going on a big trip? Then this is the set for you.

Not one or two, but three soft shell suitcases from M&S – a cabin bag, medium suitcase and large suitcase.

All of the suitcases can be expanded and feature four wheels.

Inside there are pockets as well for separating out your stuff and on the outside of each case there is a TSA lock.

The cabin bag measures 56 x 34.5 x 24cm, the medium case measures 67 x 39.5 x 27cm and the large measures 79 x 46 x 31cm.

The cases can store 40L, 68L and 106L respectively.

MORE cheap flights to the US could soon be launching from the UK.

The airline has revealed it could be adding even more flights to some very popular cities after rise in demand after the World Cup.

Norse Atlantic Airways revealed that as a result of cutting back capacity by almost a third in July due to rising fuel prices, it could actually add more flights to its roster.

Chief executive Eivind Roald said in a statement that the airline was considering adding more flights to New York and Orlando due to a rise in demand.

It comes after the low-cost airline ran special flights to the World Cup in the US for Norway and England supporters.

New York City is famous across the globe but it is popular with Brits as it can be reached in seven hours.

SUNNY STEALS

Sun-drenched European holidays with £1.50 pints and stays from under £9pp

PARK UP

Epic UK holiday parks with waterparks, theme parks & Spoons pubs from £3pp a night

In October, a round-trip to New York City from London Gatwick starts from £327pp.

Visitors can see New York City on a budget too with its $1 pizza slices, buying a CityPass to avoiding cabs.

For more tips, Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski has lots on how to save in one of the most iconic cities in the world.

Orlando is of course home to major theme parks like Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort.

For more tips on how to do the theme parks on a budget – one reporter who has been over 40 times reveals their insider secrets.

There are also lots of other places to explore including its many neighbourhoods like Mills 50 which has Asian American and Pacific Islands influences.

Streets are cobbled and there are lots of historic houses and moss-draped oak trees.

Then there’s the Milk District with plenty of street murals and lakeside neighbourhood Winter Garden, with its clutch of museums on Plant Street.

When it comes to eating in Orlando, the city has more than 50 Michelin Guide restaurants.

Round-trips to Orlando from London Gatwick starts from £343pp.

Chief executive Eivind Roald of Norse said: “Our airline on demand strategy enables us to respond quickly to market changes.

“With fuel prices slowly trending downward and demand remaining strong, we see an opportunity to increase capacity on our own network in the coming months, which may include adding more US flights to New York and Orlando.”

What’s it like to fly with Norse Atlantic Airways?

Head of Sun Travel (Digital), Caroline McGuire, flew with Norse and revealed exactly what she thought…

“On a recent trip to Cape Town I flew with Norse – it allowed me to do the 11-hour overnight stint in Premium Economy for the same price as a rival company in Economy seats.

“To give you an idea of price, return fares for two adults and one child in premium economy cost £3,583 to Cape Town next March, while return fares in Premium Economy on a rival airline cost £5,000.

“Keen to test it out, we flew to the South African city in their posh Premium seats and returned in Basic Economy. So what do those Premium Economy seats get you on an 11-hour Norse flight? Well it starts with a priority lane at check-in.

“Norse doesn’t do online check-in – everyone checks in at the airport. And Premium passengers are given their own lane, so we waited about five minutes before dropping off our bags and getting our tickets.

“You get a small handbag, a cabin bag and a checked suitcase included in the price of a Premium ticket.

“You also get priority boarding, which I’m not normally a fan of given I have a young child who needs to let off steam before a flight, but given our seats were massive, it was worth it. 

“he chairs are very roomy. With a very decent recline that allowed my whole family to get a decent night’s sleep. My son pretty much slept uninterrupted from 10pm to 7am, while I snatched a manageable 5ish hours, which is far more than I’ve ever done before in Economy on a long haul flight. 

“Crew hand over ear plugs, eye masks, pillows and blankets at the start of the flight, as well as headphones for the TVs (you have to pay £5 for these in Economy). 

“Two meals are also included – I had a decent tortellini, side salad and cheesecake-type evening meal with complimentary wine, and a hot cooked breakfast, plus a croissant, yogurt and mini fruit salad.

“All in all, we disembarked from the flight at 8.30am feeling so well-rested that we managed a whole day at the beach in Cape Town, followed by an evening meal.”

IF you’re still sitting on the fence about booking a late summer holiday, there’s no need to panic… just yet.

I’ve pulled the data on thousands of package holiday bookings to see exactly where still has availability this summer and, more importantly, where the biggest savings are.

And despite all the headlines about holiday prices skyrocketing, there are still massive pockets of value sitting up for grabs.

So I’ve rounded up the top ten spots where holidaymakers are consistently paying hundreds of pounds less than the summer holiday average – which, for a standard seven-night family package, comes in at £3,487.

If you want to maximise your sunshine per pound, these are the resorts that should be top of your search list – starting from £268 per person for a five-night holiday.

Albufeira, Portugal

The Algarve rarely screams cheap these days, but Albufeira continues to be a major exception to the rule, with booking data currently coming in around seven per cent cheaper than the summer average.

And despite that, you still get the stunning golden cliffs and old town character without the premium price tags found further down the coast.

This complex has three (yes, three) pool bars, and they serve up proper Portuguese piri-piri chicken baskets right to your sunbed – also saving you from paying inflated tourist rates on the main strip for lunch.

Marmaris, Turkey

Turkey is a reliable workhorse for summer value, and Marmaris is averaging 18 per cent below the overall summer booking price.

It packs in long seafront promenades, cheap dining, and mountain backdrops pretty effortlessly.

The Grand Villa Sol Apart is a property highly-rated by return guests, and my favourite feature here is the hotel’s huge pool and waterslide.

It’s just the right size to keep the kids entertained for hours, but because the pool bar is set up right beside it, you can keep a direct eye on them with a cold drink in hand without having to constantly stand up or chase them around a massive, chaotic waterpark.

Puerto Rico, Gran Canaria

Puerto Rico in Gran Canaria is a brilliant shout for late summer because the resort is entirely built into a steep, horseshoe valley.

It completely shelters the beaches from the high-summer Atlantic winds, guaranteeing hot, calm weather every single day.

And the best bit: the data has this one sitting at 19 per cent cheaper than the summer average.

The Roslara Apartments are an absolute steal, with a clever layout featuring a stepped, hillside design, meaning that every single apartment gets a massive, private sun balcony that isn’t overlooked by your neighbours.

It essentially gives you your own premium sunbathing deck, looking down over the central pool area, for a basic budget price.

Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife

While most people looking at Tenerife automatically head for the crowded beaches down south.

Puerto de la Cruz on the north coast is where the real value sits, with bookings coming in 34 per cent below average for summer holidays.

You get an authentic Canarian city feel, volcanic black sand beaches, and much lusher, tropical scenery.

The four-star BLUESEA Costa Jardin & Spa is a certified winner in my book, with beautiful subtropical gardens that completely surround the pool.

Plus, the slides that drop right into the main outdoor pool give you a proper, family resort experience for an absolute steal during peak August.

Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote

Lanzarote is a safe bet all year round, but Puerto del Carmen is currently throwing a massive curveball in the data, with average costs sitting 36% below the summer 2026 average.

It’s an established, reliable favourite that simply refuses to hike its rates like other resorts in the Canaries.

The Apartamentos LIVVO Oasis is a tranquil spot to stay, and is just a short stroll from the picturesque old town.

The bungalows here wrap directly around a beautifully quiet, palm-shaded courtyard, meaning you can step straight out of your patio doors and into the water without navigating sterile hotel corridors or busy lifts.

Benidorm, Costa Blanca

People love to turn their noses up at Benidorm, which is a massive mistake if you love a bargain summer holiday.

The intense competition between the hundreds of hotels here keeps the rates ruthlessly competitive, driving bookings 35 per cent below the average summer holiday price.

The Milord’s Suites are an absolute gem, sitting right on the border of the Old Town and Levante beach.

I absolutely love their rooftop sun terrace – it’s a completely quiet, adult-friendly escape from the busy streets below, and serves up panoramic views of the castle lookout point.

Calella, Costa Brava

The Costa Brava is easily one of Spain‘s most scenic, rugged coastlines, and Calella is the ultimate value gateway if you want wide, sandy beaches and a relaxed Spanish atmosphere for 41 per cent less than the summer average.

The GHT Balmes Hotel is a massive family favourite, with a specialised bike hire and outdoor adventure station.

They even provide secure storage and free local trail maps, making it incredibly easy to explore the hidden, pine-backed coves of the surrounding national park that standard tourists never manage to find.

San Antonio, Ibiza

Ibiza usually makes people think of VIP beach clubs and losing your life savings on a round of drinks, but San Antonio operates as a brilliant value loophole if you time it right.

Bookings here are looking at 43% below the seasonal average.

The Vibra San Marino Aparthotel has a beautifully sleek, minimalist look, but the standout feature is its partnership with the local sunset water taxis.

You can catch a cheap boat shuttle directly from the hotel’s private jetty straight across the bay to the iconic sunset strip, entirely cutting out expensive island taxi fares.

Fuengirola, Costa del Sol

Fuengirola is a brilliant all-rounder with huge beaches and cheap, direct train links straight from Malaga Airport.

And right now, it’s cleaning up on summer holidays – averaging an incredible 45 per cent cheaper than the average summer holiday.

I spotted a bargain room-only deal for the BLUESEA Miramar Fuengirola, which is within walking distance of buzzing bars, restaurants and seafront shops.

And room-only here is fine, because you’ll want to eat out in the local tapas bars anyway.

But the secret weapon at this hotel is the massive indoor heated pool and wellness zone – if you want a quick break from the intense August sun, you can retreat into a chilled, high-spec indoor spa for zero extra charge.

Cabo Blanco, Majorca

While the masses fight for sunbeds in Alcudia or Magaluf, Cabo Blanco is where the smart money lands in Majorca.

This quieter stretch of southern Majorca serves up rugged cliffs and dramatic sea views for a whopping 55 per cent less than the overall summer average.

I even managed to dig out a five-night all inclusive holiday for £353pp, at the Sun Club El Dorado.

Landing a full all-Inclusive package in Majorca during peak August for that money is borderline ridiculous.

This resort even has a private ranch and horse-riding trails integrated into the grounds, which gives the whole complex a rustic, expansive country club feel that you’d easily pay double for anywhere else on the island.

The alerts have triggered health warnings for millions of people, including tourists

Anyone going on holiday to certain parts of Europe has been issued a health warning from an NHS GP. It comes as numerous alerts have been issued in several well-known areas due to severe heat across many popular tourist destinations.

All 27 of Italy’s major cities are now under extreme heat alerts as a blistering heatwave hits Europe. The severe weather has caused temperatures to exceed 40 degrees Celsius in multiple countries, prompting health alerts for millions of people, including tourists and families going abroad during the six-week holiday.

On Thursday, Italy’s Health Ministry issued a red alert for all 27 cities in its national heat surveillance system. This marks the first time this year that the entire network has reached the highest warning level simultaneously. The red alert network spans key areas, starting in Trieste in the northeast and extending to Palermo in Sicily – including Rome, Milan, Venice, Florence, Naples, Turin, and Bologna.

In response to this, NHS GP Dr John Akinjolire is urging travellers not to underestimate the risks. He is warning that soaring temperatures can quickly lead to heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

The GP has shared the simple steps holidaymakers should take before and during their trip to stay safe in the heat. He’s also shared the key warning signs to watch for and how to access healthcare if they become ill while abroad.

NHS GP Dr John Akinjolire, working with travel insurance company PayingTooMuch, explained how you can avoid heatstroke when travelling during a heatwave in Europe. He said: “With temperatures reaching 40°C in parts of France, Spain and Portugal, alongside active wildfires across these countries and Greece, travellers should be aware that this is more than a typical summer heatwave.”

In an important reminder, he said: “Extreme heat can pose serious health risks, particularly for people with underlying medical conditions.” The health expert says people with heart disease, diabetes or respiratory conditions may find that high temperatures place extra strain on their health.

“If you’re travelling near the ongoing wildfires, the smoke can also worsen breathing problems, even in those who do not usually experience respiratory issues,” he warned. “Before travelling, it’s important to store temperature-sensitive medication such as insulin correctly, check air quality forecasts as well as the weather, and be aware that some medications like certain antibiotics, acne treatments and antidepressants, can increase sensitivity to the sun.”

He says staying well hydrated is important and it’s worth remembering that alcohol accelerates dehydration, so drinking more than usual in the heat can increase risk significantly. He added: “It is advisable to avoid prolonged periods in direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day typically between 11am and 3pm, wearing lightweight clothing and seeking shade wherever possible can all help reduce the risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke.”

The NHS GP says it is important to know the difference between the two. “Heat exhaustion can usually be managed with rest, shade and fluids, but heatstroke, where the body can no longer regulate its own temperature, is a medical emergency requiring urgent attention,” he said. “Signs to watch for include confusion, a lack of sweating despite the heat, and a rapid or irregular heartbeat.”

Travellers should also familiarise themselves with how healthcare works in their destination. Unlike the NHS, many European countries require patients to pay for treatment upfront before claiming costs back even if you have a GHIC.

Access to care can also vary, particularly in more remote areas such as the smaller Greek islands. Serious medical emergencies in these parts may require transfer to a larger island or the mainland.

“These risks should not discourage people from travelling, but they do highlight the importance of preparation,” the NHS GP said “Having comprehensive travel insurance that accurately reflects any pre-existing medical conditions, alongside the right medication, lightweight clothing and other essentials for extreme heat, can protect you in case you find yourself becoming unwell while abroad.”

He said anyone who will be sitting in a plane for hours should take precautions

Dr Amir Khan has urged all Brits who are about to jet off on their summer holidays to follow his advice. It revolves around how to stay healthy when on a plane, and specifically how to avoid blood clots.

The NHS warns that anyone for travelling for four hours or more – whether that is by air, car, bus, or train – is at risk of blood clots forming. Also known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), it happens when blood flow slows down, a blood vessel gets hurt, or your blood clots too easily.

The danger comes when a DVT breaks off and becomes lodged in your lungs, causing a blockage. This is known as a pulmonary embolism (PE), and it can be fatal.

But there are things you can do to mitigate the risk, as Dr Khan explained to co-host Cherry Healey on the No Appointment Necessary podcast. He said: “People worry about blood clots on flights, right? So you want to reduce your risk of that happening.

“Every one to two hours you should be getting up or having a little wander up and down the plane, or doing your calf movements where you’re stepping up and down on the seat—you know, while you’re sitting down. The one thing you don’t need, some people go, ‘Oh, I’m going to have some aspirin before I fly because it’ll reduce my (risk of DVT)’.

“There is no evidence it reduces your risk of a blood clot, but there is plenty of evidence it increases your risk of bleeding. So do not take aspirin if it’s not prescribed for you or not recommended to you. Don’t take it as a ‘just in case I get a blood clot’ kind of medication. It doesn’t do that.

“And then, the other big thing, what blood loves is lots of volume and fluid, so drink water. Drink lots of water on that flight.”

DVT and PE explained

According to the NHS, symptoms of DVT (deep vein thrombosis) in the leg include:

• throbbing pain in 1 leg (rarely both legs), usually in the calf or thigh
• swelling in 1 leg (rarely both legs)
• red, blue or darkened skin around the painful area – this may be harder to see on brown or black skin
• swollen veins

Many people associate DVT symptoms showing only in your legs, but they can also happen in your arm depending on where the clot is. “Sometimes the only symptom you may have is pain in your lower tummy. This is a symptom of pelvic vein thrombosis, but this is rare,” it continues.

Anyone with suspected DVT should ask for an urgent GP appointment or ring 111. If you’re pregnant you can also call an early pregnancy unit (if you’re less than 20 weeks) or your maternity unit, if you have the phone number.

You should go to A&E or call 999 if you have DVT symptoms and feel shortness of breath and/or have chest pain. You should not drive yourself.

Symptoms of a pulmonary embolism include:

• difficulty breathing that comes on suddenly
• chest pain that’s worse when you breathe in
• coughing up blood

You should go to A&E or call 999 if:

• you have severe difficulty breathing
• you feel pain in your chest or upper back
• your heart is beating very fast
• someone has passed out

Treatment

Often, people who may have DVT or PE are given an injection of anticoagulant to stop the clot becoming larger and prevent any new clots forming.

If tests confirm you have a pulmonary embolism, you will continue with anticoagulant injections for at least five days. You will also need to take anticoagulant tablets for at least three months. Treatment and recovery is normally successful, provided DVY and PE are spotted and treated early on.

To prevent it, the NHS urges people to wear loose-fitting clothing, sit comfortably with plenty of leg room, and drink lots of water. People should also stand up regularly, move your feet and toes regularly, wear flight socks, and press the balls of your feet down hard against the floor every so often.

Other threats to health

Dr Khan also issued another warning. He said that, due to the large numbers of people flying and the places planes go, there was the risk of lots of harmful bacteria on a plane.

He urged people to take appropriate steps to minimise the risk of catching a bug on a plane. He said: “When people are on planes, A) they might have been travelling from somewhere where bacteria that you’re not used to are, but B) not everybody washes their hands when they go to the toilet, and we know this, and it’s gross.

“And so they’ll be touching all the things that, you know, that little twisty thing for your tray table and all of that stuff. And if you’re touching it and then you’re eating something—which is usually why you put the table down, right?—then you could get the bacteria introduced. So I would say, yes, hand sanitiser, and do have a little alcohol wipe down.”