holidays

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued a warning to UK tourists

The Foreign Office has warned Brits against “all travel” to a particular country due to “risks and threats”. Travellers are advised to avoid Russia entirely owing to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

In an update published on its website on May 5 and reconfirmed on May 14, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) stated it “advises against all travel to Russia”.

It said: “FCDO advises against all travel to Russia due to the risks and threats from its continuing invasion of Ukraine.” These include:

• Security incidents, such as drone attacks, and Russian air defence activity
• Lack of flights to return to the UK
• Limited ability for the UK government to provide support

The FCDO added: “There is an increased risk of British nationals being detained in Russia, including if the Russian authorities suspect you of engaging in or supporting activities against Russian law, even if activities took place outside Russia.

“Russia has a track record of targeting foreign nationals and holding them in detention as leverage over other countries. FCDO’s ability to assist you in these circumstances is extremely limited.

“There is also a high likelihood terrorists will try to carry out attacks, including in major cities.”

On its safety and security page, the FCDO noted that terrorist attacks have occurred across Moscow, St Petersburg and other Russian cities in recent years. This includes an attack at Crocus City Concert Hall in Krasnogorsk near Moscow in 2024 in which 145 people were killed.

Limited UK government support

While the British Embassy in Moscow and British Consulate in Ekaterinburg remain operational, the FCDO cautioned that the situation “could change at short notice”.

“In-person UK government support in Russia is limited,” it stated. “It is very limited in parts of Russia because of the security situation and the size of the country, particularly in the North Caucasus.”

Should you find yourself in Russia requiring assistance, you can ring the FCDO’s 24-hour helpline on +7 495 956 7200 and select the option for consular services for British nationals. Alternatively, you can contact the Russian emergency services on 112.

It’s also crucial to be aware that your travel insurance may be rendered void if you travel against FCDO guidance. For further details, visit the FCDO website here.

Martin Lewis set out some of his top picks

Consumer expert Martin Lewis has shared some tips for your holiday spending while you are abroad. He shared the key advice during his BBC podcast.

During a question and answer edition of the podcast, a query came in from a mum whose 18-year-old son is heading off on a lads’ holiday. She asked what the best spending card would be for him to take along, or whether she should simply give him cash instead. She explained that she was reluctant to give him a credit card as she wasn’t confident he would use it responsibly. However, the accommodation where he was staying required a £300 credit card deposit.

Top recommendation

In response, Mr Lewis said his top recommendation for cards she could consider was Chase. He explained: “Technically you have to open a bank account to get it, but you don’t need to switch bank account.

“The Chase bank account is available for anyone aged 18 or older. It’s openable via an app. So effectively you can open this up, you put money in it that you want to spend and it gives you the same near-perfect rate that the bank gets when you spend, because it doesn’t add a non-sterling exchange rate fee.

“So I think that’s a really simple option. It’s a debit card, it doesn’t have an overdraft facility. It doesn’t do a hard credit check, it just does an ID check and it doesn’t affect his credit-worthiness.”

Another card he recommended was the Revolut pre-payment card, where you load the card with the amount you wish to spend. Regarding the credit card deposit for accommodation, Mr Lewis said this is a common requirement, frequently being necessary when hiring a car abroad too.

He explained that if a deposit needs to be paid on a credit card, this could prove tricky for an 18 year old as they may not pass the credit check. Mr Lewis suggested that perhaps the mum could contact the company and pay the deposit on her son’s behalf.

Big danger

Mr Lewis issued an additional warning for young holidaymakers. He said: “One of the biggest dangers for finances and young people is drinking. The problem when we drink is we lose all our sense of control.

“So it’s very difficult what you advise young people. Do you tell them take cash out so you’ve only got the amount you can spend on that day. That keeps you to a budget.

“But then it does wrong, they haven’t got any money left and they can’t get back to where they need to go, which can be dangerous.

“Or do you have a card that has an unlimited spending facility on it. It’s quite a difficult one at that age. The best thing is to be sensible and not drink too much.”

If you’ve made a purchase in duty-free, you may want to check ahead of time to see if you’re actually able to use it on board, as there’s one item strictly prohibited

Brits travelling abroad need to stay alert to the items they can and cannot take onboard, but do they know about the rules regarding items they buy at the airport?

Travelling with bottles in any shape or form usually comes with its restrictions, as many airports ask for you to pack liquids in measurements only up to 100ml. However, there are some far stricter rules when it comes to the liquid you’re buying in duty-free – particularly alcohol.

At most airports, you can buy bottles of wine, spirits, beers, and more; sometimes up to a liter of each is sold at discounted prices. And yet, despite being able to make the purchase at the airport, you are strictly prohibited from drinking it or even opening it on the plane.

Duty-free alcohol is generally allowed on board, passing as a form of carry-on luggage, when purchased after getting your security checks. Although it is almost always placed inside a sealed Security Tamper-Evident Bag, paired with the receipt.

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Within aviation law, this bag must remain sealed throughout the whole duration of the flight, a rule that is consistent across all airlines. Passengers must not consume their own duty-free alcohol on the plane, as all alcohol must be purchased from the cabin crew.

If there’s anything else you’ve purchased from duty-free, you will need to ensure it is placed in a separate bag or in your carry-on luggage to avoid it being trapped inside the sealed bag for the duration of the flight.

The rule is consistent, yet each airline may handle people consuming this alcohol differently, with potential fines for those who break the rules.

Jet2 states: “You may not bring on board alcohol for the purposes of consumption whilst on the aircraft. For safety reasons, we restrict the consumption of alcohol on board. Only alcoholic drinks purchased on board may be consumed during the flight. It is an offence to be drunk on any aircraft. Jet2.com reserves the right to serve alcoholic drinks to customers at our absolute discretion.”

After some recent confusion with passengers boarding Ryanair flights, a spokesperson made it clear where they stand when it comes to drinking on board. They said: “We are not ‘banning’ or ‘confiscating’ duty-free alcohol at boarding gates. As per Ryanair’s T&Cs, passengers can carry duty-free alcohol onboard but must not consume it during the flight.”

Across the majority of airlines, when it comes to alcohol consumption, they have a zero-tolerance policy on ‘disruptive behaviour’ and have the right to reject drunken and disorderly passengers from boarding the flight.

Meaning, even if you’re yet to take a swig of your duty-free bottle, you should be wary of how much alcohol you’re drinking within airport bars and restaurants.

As for the duty-free bag itself, this is often allowed as an extra courtesy to take on the flight, provided that it fits under your seat. However, this is typically limited to one bag per person and does not encourage passengers to hop on board with multiple additional bags after a huge shopping spree.

Natalie King visited Transport for London’s lost property office, which holds about 80,000 items waiting to be reunited with their owners at any one point, including some truly bizarre things people have left behind

Sometimes the behaviour of my fellow humans confuses me, and no more so than when I’m standing in front of a selection of items that people have somehow managed to leave behind on public transport.

A handbag? Understandable. A passport or phone? Also easily lost from a pocket when changing tube lines. But I do wonder how forgetful you have to be to leave behind two dining room chairs, a taxidermied fox, or a 1980s-era wedding dress complete with giant puffy sleeves.

Transport for London (TfL) runs its lost property office from a warehouse deep in East London, and from the outside it’s typical of the kind of vast grey warehouses that you find tucked away on industrial estates. But inside, it’s packed with 80,000 perfectly catalogued and sorted items, each one trying to find its way home to its owner.

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I was taken on a tour of the facility by Diana Quaye, performance manager for the site, who oversees the meticulous cataloguing of every item that comes through the doors. And with around 5,000 items being left behind on buses, tubes, or the back of taxis each week, it’s a huge undertaking, with 44 staff in the office and warehouse.

Many of the items you find are things you’d expect. About 80 phones a day are logged by the team, with the IMEI numbers put into the system to help reunite them with their owners. Bags are searched for clues that could help match them to their rightful owners.

But amongst the colorful array of umbrellas and never-to-be-finished paperbacks, the team often digs up some unusual items that clearly have interesting tales behind them. And while most items that aren’t reclaimed after 90 days either end up in a charity shop or at auction, a few of the most unusual items make their way into the warehouse’s collection.

One member of staff who has seen their fair share of oddities is Marilyn Palmer, a property manager with 36 years of experience reuniting people with their belongings. She happily shares some of the more unusual items and the stories behind them.

“We had a park bench in that some guys on a stag do decided they would lift it from a park in Acton, try and get it on the tube, couldn’t get it over the barrier and then left it.”, she tells me. “We managed to get it back to the park because it had a plaque on it that was dedicated to a husband, so we contacted the council and got it delivered back to where it should be.”

Other unusual items include: “A double bed. And two massive 70-inch screens that were left in a taxi. The taxi dropped (the passenger) off, thinking he was coming back, and he never did. But they did come and claim them.”

And if you think a giant telly is an expensive thing to lose, Marilyn went on to tell me the story of their most expensive find to date.

“We got in a necklace and earring set, and it was in an old-fashioned, sort of like 1920s oyster-shaped box, presentation box. When we got it valued, we didn’t have an inquiry at the time; we thought I’d kept it aside just in case an inquiry came in later. The necklace alone was £125,000.

“It turns out a mother or grandmother had lent it to a daughter on her wedding day. They’d used the taxi to go to the airport, to go on their honeymoon. They then trawled back and we managed to find it. She was really grateful. She’s since passed away as well. She was just grateful to have it.”

It’s not just objects that get left behind. Sometimes it’s people. “We’ve had ashes over the years that we’ve managed to get back. One we had for seven years. And we finally reunited them with family in Germany,” she said.

“One of the office assistants working at the time was fluent in German, so every so often we’d get them out, and we’d try again, and she’d written a letter to them in German, and they managed to track with the information that we’d had. We finally managed to track them down and got them back after seven years,” she added.

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Sadly, not every item gets back to its owner. Diana tells me the return rate is about 12%, and that’s partly because people don’t know that they can ask TfL for help finding their property. She admits: “I think if I left my mobile phone or something like that before I worked here, I’d be thinking ‘oh my God, insurance’, I’d go through that whole process.

“But now, if I lose anything, I automatically go online and fill out a form because it’s more than likely it will be here, as you can see,” she adds, gesturing at the warehouse floor and the thousands of items waiting to find their way home.

Find out more about TfL’s lost property office here.

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

A pilot who has flown more than 750 times and visited more than 50 countries in just four years has shared the ‘really cool’ European city he’d recommend to holidaymakers

If you’re wondering where to jet off to for your next getaway, a pilot who has flown to more than 50 destinations might just have the answer.

There are plenty of beautiful cities, charming towns, and golden-sand coastal resorts scattered across Europe for that idyllic escape in the sunshine, and just a short flight from the UK. Yet with a sea of options, it can be hard to know exactly where to go. But fortunately for us, Wizz Air pilot Tom Copestake knows exactly what destination he’d suggest to travellers.

Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, Tom said: “My favourite destination is Split in Croatia, I absolutely adore it. It has a mix of Mediterranean vibes, old architecture and castles, which is really cool.”

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Flights to the sun-soaked city of Split start from £28.99 with Wizz Air, where visitors will be greeted with the 4th-century Diocletian’s Palace and lively seaside promenade. There’s a maze of narrow streets to wander around, ancient history to admire and nearby beaches to lap up the rays – you might even find yourself on the set of Game of Thrones while exploring the city.

The Wizz Air pilot, based at London Luton, also revealed an undiscovered destination that warrants a visit: Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. “I don’t think there’s any connectivity directly between the UK and Armenia, but we’re going to be the first people to do that, which is exciting.”

Wizz Air will welcome direct flights from London Luton Airport to Armenia this summer for the first time. The flights to Yerevan will launch on 12 June of this year, operating twice a week, with one-way fares starting from £36.99.

The pilot also added that Tirana, Albania, is another “undiscovered gem” and highly recommends that holidaymakers book a trip. Yet there’s one overlooked European destination Tom says tourists miss, but is well worth visiting, and flights start from just £26.99.

“I flew into Bilbao about two weeks ago – it’s a tremendous destination on the north coast. It was surrounded by what looked like amazing mountains or hills for hiking. I think there’s a lot of good walking in northern Spain,” Tom shared.

“I spoke to the ground handling agent in Bilbao, and he said how beautiful the area was and how we needed to stay and go exploring. There’s a place called San Sebastiá just down the road from Bilbao, which is apparently an amazing place to go and have a look at.”

After recommending Split, Tirana and Bilbao as go-to destinations, Tom offered a glimpse into life as a pilot. He acknowledged: “This is a customer service job that happens to be in the aviation industry, and I love the fact that each of the thousands of passengers I’ve flown has a story and a reason to travel. It might be for fun, to see family, or we have people who might be working in different countries. It’s really cool, and I love that so much.” He humbly added: “This job is a privilege”.

For more information on Wizz Air flights, or to book your next getaway, visit their website.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

Tourism experts are predicting a bumper year for “staycations” with more of us choosing to holiday in the UK due to continuing uncertainty around jet fuel prices and possible flight cancellations. Holidaymakers are spoilt for choice with more than 350,000 UK self-catering listings on booking platforms, from rustic barn conversions to seaside villas with all mod cons for large family gatherings.

We’ve done some of the leg work and whittled down a selection of cottages which all offer something special, whether it’s a stunning location, a breathtaking view or a level of comfort and style that wouldn’t be out of place in a boutique hotel.

ENGLAND

Standout design in Norfolk

As the Instagrammification of interiors makes holiday cottages increasingly difficult to tell apart, one place stands out: Riverbank in Hunworth. Opened last year by the family behind pocket-sized sister cottage Spinks Nest, this brick-and-flint workers’ cottage in the village of Hunworth, near Holt, deftly weaves together richly textured fabrics, pretty wallpapers, earthy heritage paints and carefully chosen vintage finds. Beneath its rustic cosiness, an exacting attention to detail extends to high-spec mattresses and some seriously whizzy kitchen appliances. Sit and read beside the chalk stream that winds through the garden, or head out for a stroll around North Norfolk’s bird-rich marshes and unspoilt beaches (Holkham is 30 minutes’ drive away).
Sleeps four adults (three beds can be added for children), from £1,940 a week, riverbanknorfolk.com

Fairytale seclusion in Bedfordshire

If you were looking for filming locations for Hansel and Gretel, Keeper’s Cottage would be a shoo-in as the gingerbread cottage. Deep within the Shuttleworth estate and surrounded by Scots pines, this former gamekeeper’s cottage was built in 1878 as part of a project to create a model estate. Rescued from dereliction and opened as a holiday cottage with refreshed interiors in 2007, it makes a romantic secluded base for exploring the estate’s vintage aircraft and Regency gardens. Alternatively, walk over to neighbouring Old Warden to peer at more model houses before stopping for a pint or a steak and stout pie at the Hare & Hounds.
Sleeps four, from £1,694 a week, landmarktrust.org.uk

A treasure chest in the North York Moors

Hundreds of passengers were left stuck at major UK airports as airlines included British Airways cancelled departing flights alongside hundreds of other delays

Hundreds of passengers have been left stranded at major UK airports after several flights have been cancelled.

British Airways were one of many airlines who cancelled flights on Friday, May 15, leaving travelers stuck at several airports across the nation.

The significant wave of disruption saw a total of 465 flight delays and 25 cancellations on the one day.

Flights from British Airways, American Airlines, Norse Atlantic Airways, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines were among those impacted.

London Heathrow was the most significantly impacted, with 233 flights delayed.

A total of 22 flights were also cancelled from the busy travel hub, with 17 of these being British Airways flights.

At Gatwick, cancellations were kept to a minimum with only one British Airways journey called off.

Despite this, 142 flights from the London airport departed later than scheduled.

In Scotland another British Airways flight did not go ahead, with a further 58 delays logged from Edinburgh airport.

Glasgow also saw a cancellation from British Airways.

The disturbance comes as the travel industry is suffering at the hands of the Middle East conflict due to hiking fuel costs as the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked.

Data shows that airlines have dramatically ramped up flight cancellations for May as jet fuel costs continue to soar.

In total, Cirium recorded 296 departures from UK airports scrapped this month as of Tuesday; a sharp rise from 120 cancellations just six days earlier.

Last week, British Airways’ parent company IAG warned its profits will be hit as it expects to spend about two billion euro (£1.72 billion) more than planned on fuel this year.

Chief executive Luis Gallego said IAG does not believe there will be “any interruption for the summer” in terms of jet fuel supplies.

ONE railway with some of the best views in England is dishing out tickets for £1.50.

The Settle & Carlisle Railway is celebrating 150 years of being one of Europe‘s most scenic train journeys and is treating its passengers to a bargain offer.

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The 73-mile route in the North of England is considered one of the most beautiful thanks to its views of the Yorkshire Dales and Cumbria countryside.

The railway is allowing passengers to ride the entire length of the route from Leeds to Carlisle – and everywhere in-between for £1.50.

You can buy one of these cheap tickets from now until May 22 for travel between May 22 and July 17.

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Alex Hornby, Northern’s Commercial and Customer Director said: “The Settle to Carlisle Railway is famous around the world for its spectacular scenery and community engagement.

“We want as many people as possible to share in the experience of this wonderful line, which is why we’re offering everyone the chance to travel for just £1.50 during the 150^th anniversary year.”

The stretch of railway has consistently been dubbed one of the most picturesque by the likes of Lonely Planet.

It said: “Passengers can feast their eyes on mile after mile of magnificent Yorkshire Dales and North Pennines scenery, interrupted only by stations so pretty you would expect to find them pictured on a box of biscuits.”

The line is part of the British rail network and serves both mainline and steam trains.

The most famous part of the route is the the Ribblehead viaduct which was first built in 1870.

It’s described as “a stunning piece of Victorian engineering” by the Yorkshire Dales National Park website.

They added: “Ribblehead viaduct is just over the border from Cumbria into North Yorkshire and is undoubtedly the most impressive structure on the Settle-Carlisle Railway.”

A MAIN road into a major UK airport is set to shut over the half term – and could spark getaway chaos for thousands of Brits heading on holiday.

The works will take up to 11 days to complete.

An overnight road closure will block a main access route into Leeds Bradford Airport, with works starting next Monday (May 18).

From 7pm to 6am, the route between the Pool Bank and Dyneley Arms junction and Leeds Bradford Airport will be shut, with works set to last until Friday, May 29.

The airport notified travellers of the disruption via social media, and said a sign-posted diversion route will be in place, operating via the A660.

It added that those travelling from North Yorkshire, the North East, and Wetherby may find their journey times up to 30 minutes longer than usual.

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The airport also suggested to factor in additional time when travelling to or from the area, as disruption is to be expected.

Online, travellers reacted with disbelief and frustration over the schedule of the closures.

One said: “Staggering timing as the Friday and the overnight on Saturday is the first day of half term so lots of families will be travelling.”

Others complained that the works in place last week had caused “horrendous” traffic, where “there was no way to get through”.

Leeds Bradford Airport welcomes more than four million passengers a year, with flights from airlines like Jet2, Ryanair, and easyJet.

Last year, it opened a new multi-million pound terminal and aims to serve seven million travellers annually by 2030.

Visitors to one Italian destination say it’s “incredible”, but it was once a place shunned by many

Italy is a beautiful country with each province very different from the next – and each Italian area has its own identity and culture. While holidaymakers typically flock to the Amalfi Coast, cities such as Florence or Rome or Lake Garda or Lake Como, there’s a lesser-known spot that has left visitors speechless with delight.

Once famous for being the ‘shame of Italy’, Matera, a city based high on a rocktop in the southern Basilicata is now a luxurious tourist getaway. Here, a collection of old cave dwellings forged into the mountains in an area called Sassi offer a peaceful inland holiday infused with history.

The cave dwellings were evacuated by the Italian government in the 1950s, hailed as slums at the time with poor living conditions. Thousands of residents were transferred into modern housing and Prime Minister Alcide De Gasperi, of the time, described Matera as a “national disgrace”.

It’s likely that not all the locals wanted to leave their Matera homes at the time, but the spot was deemed a health hazard with no ample sewage system or electricity – and it was poverty-stricken.

One former Matera resident once described living conditions as “brutal,” with “families of maybe nine or 10 children, sleeping next to mules and pigs”.

“We were dying of hunger”, said Luigi Plasmati recalling his family’s life in Matera several years ago, when he was 89-years-old.

These days things have really turned around – and several Airbnb cave-style accommodation stays are described as “exceptional” by those who visit.

Sassi di Matera covers two districts, with the city of Matera situated on a mountain top.

One TripAdvisor review by a guest staying in Pietragialla, which looks across to the city of Matera, described their cave stay as an “incredible experience”.

The cave stay reviewer wrote: “I am speechless for how good we felt. It was an incredible experience and everything was unbelievable. The room is fantastic. The bathroom is the best bathroom I’ve ever been and the bath tub is from another planet. But the most incredible thing is the silence.”

The visitor went on to describe “pure sleep” they experienced in the cave due to the peacefulness and darkness as the cave has “no windows”.

Breakfast, they went on, was already prepared the previous night so you “can have it at any time” and it included fresh fruit, juices, marmalades, fresh local bread, almonds and even almond milk.

The TripAdvisor reviewer added: “Once you leave the room you have in front of you the whole city centre, it looks like a fairy tale. Pietragialla is an experience that needs to be done once in life at least.”

The Sassi district boasts museums such as the Cave House in the Sassi of Matera, which show visitors what peasant life was like in the region just a few decades ago.

There are also churches made of rock that date back to the 13th-century, with St. Lucia alle Malve (a Catholic church in Matera) being described as the “most beautiful” with its ancient mosaics dating back centuries.

The ‘smart’ holiday hack went viral on social media after a family used it on their recent trip

A family has gone viral after using what’s been described as the ‘ultimate’ travel hack to simplify their holiday. The ‘smart’ method could be ideal for anyone visiting crowded tourist areas.

According to Clarissa Hen, who posts on TikTok under the username @Clarhens, her family used AirTags to keep track of each other during a recent day out in Japan. Sharing a video of the ‘genius’ hack in action, Clarissa wrote: “Ultimate travel hack: Put airtags on everyone before going to crowded tourist traps.”

As seen in the post, everyone received a lanyard with their own AirTag, making it easier to find each other after they were finished exploring. The idea caught the attention of social media users.

The video went viral, racking up over one million views and more than 50,000 likes. In her caption, Clarissa asked viewers if they thought the hack was ‘smart or extra’.

Explaining why her family gave it a go, she wrote: “When everyone has the attention span of a goldfish, airtags are key!!! No need to worry about someone’s phone dying or them not replying/answering (like my dad and sister) you can just track them like lost luggage lol.”

In response, TikTok users were quick to share their thoughts. While not everyone was convinced, several viewers loved the idea. Someone commented: “We just have meeting spots when we break up and come back together at the same place.”

Another social media user said: “Me and my friends shared our google maps locations and it was so helpful.” A different response read: “Use the Life360 app!! It’s free and it is super accurate! Used it to find my friends when we went to Japan.”

Meanwhile, a commenter wrote: “But if y’all have iPhones you wouldn’t need AirTags, just saying.” But Clarissa replied: “Yes we have our phone locations on too but iPhone batteries can run out within the day and cell service isn’t always reliable so AirTags are a great alternative!”

Other social media users loved the hack. A fan of the idea commented: “Needed this for all my aunties.” Another reply said: “Genius.” Someone else wrote: “Very smart.” More praise read: “I love this!”

A viewer shared: “That’s literally what I did with my family in Japan so I can freely roam around.” Meanwhile, a commenter replied: “Wait!!!! This is so smart! I gotta do this with my family at Disney.”

Clarissa said: “Right!?? Soo useful lol we all lost each other then I tracked them down.” Someone else claimed: “Save those for Tokyo Disney if you’re going. I got lost TWICE for HOURS both times and I was just trying to find a place to pee.”

It was hit shortly after taking off from Gatwick Airport. The moment was captured on camera

An easyJet aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing after being struck by lightning shortly following takeoff. Flight U28305 was hit not long after departing from runway 08R at Gatwick Airport on Thursday, 14 May at 2.22pm.

Turbulent weather conditions, including strong winds and heavy rain, were reported in the area at the time. The lightning strike was captured on camera and widely shared across social media platforms.

The aircraft continued to climb briefly before the pilots, having reached 16,000 feet, requested permission to land and turned back to Gatwick for a full inspection. The plane, an Airbus A319 registered as G-EZDH, had been scheduled to travel to Milan, Italy, but touched back down at Gatwick just 27 minutes after taking off.

easyJet confirmed that no passengers or crew were injured, and that the aircraft returned ‘as a routine precaution’. A spokesperson stated: “EasyJet can confirm that flight U28305 from London Gatwick to Milan diverted back to London due to a lightning strike on the aircraft. The aircraft landed safely and was met by emergency services as a routine precaution.”

According to the National Weather Service, aircraft are struck by lightning on average once or twice annually. It notes: “They are designed and built to have conducting paths through the plane to take the lightning strike and conduct the currents.

“Actually, aircraft often initiate the strike because their presence enhances the ambient electric fields typical for thunderstorms and facilitates electrical breakdown through air.”

Aircraft must undergo a compulsory inspection following a lightning strike to assess any potential damage. Numerous planes aren’t required to be built with lightning protection as standard. There hasn’t been a lightning-related commercial transport aeroplane crash in decades.

IF you want a family day out with big thrills consider a visit to the ‘Mega Slide Mountain’.

Claiming to be the the longest of its kind in the UK, the 200ft slide will let you hit top speeds of 12mph.

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Found at National Forest Adventure Farm, the enormous slide is up a 30ft hill and has two slides next to each other – so riders can race to the bottom.

To enjoy the Mega Slide Mountain, it’s £1 per go or if that isn’t enough, it’s £5 for an unlimited ride wristband.

Anyone going down the slide must be over 107cm.

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It is currently the longest outdoor tube slide in the UK at 200ft, but will soon be overtaken by one at Heaton Park’s Zip World on May 22, which will be 288ft.

There’s plenty more to enjoy at National Forest Adventure Farm like the 9 hole outdoor crazy golf course with water, bridges and milk churns.

Also outside are two huge jumping pillows – with one especially designed for those under eight years old.

Other activities include pedal go-karts, hopping on JCB diggers, navigating a musical maze, the assault course and fossil sand play.

There’s a chance to take a tour of the farm and spot some sheep in the Tractor & Trailer Ride and sit in the bumpy Barrel Stampede Ride.

When it comes to animals, children can explore the farm barn meeting and feeding resident cows, sheep and goats.

When the weather doesn’t play ball, there is an indoor play barn with drop slides, soft play and a dedicated zone for children under five.

There’s a Farmhouse Kitchen for food which serves up seasonal lunches as well as ‘street food’ inspired food and drink.

During the summer there’s a ‘Farmarama’ event which ‘brings the beach to Burton‘ with five huge paddling pools and over 250 tonnes of sand.

General Farm Entry days, which includes entry to the indoor soft play, outdoor adventure zones, and animal barn start from £12.50 (if booked in advance) – under two’s go free.

During May half-term entry starts from £15.95.

BRITS will have to follow the new EES rules in Greece this summer – despite previously saying they WON’T have to.

Called the Entry/Exit System, the new biometric scans required from Brits has already caused problems across Europe.

This has seen queues as long as six hours at some airports due to the time each takes, with some families even missing their flights.

Last month, Greece said that Brits would be able to skip these queues in an attempt to ease fears.

The Greek Embassy said “As of April 10, 2026, British passport holders are exempt from biometric registration at Greek border crossing points.”

This was backed by the director of the Greek National Tourism Organisation in the UK, who said Brits will “no longer need to undergo additional EES biometric procedures, ensuring a smoother and more efficient arrival experience in Greece”.

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However, in a u-turn, officials have now said that Brits will not be exempt and will have to follow the new EES rules.

The Greek Foreign Ministry said they have not received any information that “specific nationalities are temporarily exempt from the relevant procedure,” according to local media.

Instead, the rules will only be temporarily paused if there are high volumes of passengers at once, caused by a number of planes landing at the same time.

This won’t just affect Brits, but any non-EU nationals that have to go via the biometric scanners.

And queues have already started to cause problems – one passenger told local media it took “nearly two and a half hours to get through [passport control] in Athens” while island airports like Zante were facing similar wait times.

One source warned it was “just the beginning,” with summer seeing as many as 15,000 passenger a day travel through Athens, the busiest airport in Greece.

If you want to try and avoid the chaos, make sure your plane doesn’t land between 12pm and 2pm, they warned, as that’s when a huge number enter Athens at one point.

Portugal is also another country struggling with huge queues, with one expert saying a family waiting more than six hours because of the EES waits.

It was hoped that both Portugal and Italy would suspend the EES rules until after summer, but they have also echoed Greece in saying this would only be during busy passenger periods.

Ryanair has called on airlines to pause the roll out of the new rules – which started last week – until after summer.

Here are all of the countries where the EES rules are in place.

And here is how one person managed to avoid the long queues in Europe – with two clever hacks.

Passengers were told to bring their own food and drinks on board after a fire caused a supply disruption

Jet2 has released a fresh update for passengers after many were informed that certain services would be unavailable on their flights. Earlier this week, it emerged that Jet2 had suspended food and drink services and in-flight retail for passengers on selected routes.

At the time, the airline stated it was dealing with an ‘operational issue’ that was ‘outside its control’. The disruption was reportedly triggered by a major supply chain disruption following a fire at Jet2‘s Retail Operations Centre in Middlewich.

The warehouse is reportedly responsible for stocking all catering carts. Consequently, the airline was forced to suspend all food, drink, and Jet2shop retail services on the affected flights.

This meant some passengers were unable to purchase snacks, soft drinks, alcohol, hot beverages, or duty-free items from the cabin trolley. Pre-booked meals were scrapped, and those who had paid in advance for a hot meal or snack deal did not receive their order.

In a fresh update, sent to the Liverpool Echo today (May 15), a Jet2 spokesperson said: “Due to an operational issue outside of our control, there was limited food and drink available to buy on board on Sunday, May 10. We are pleased to say that, since then, customers have been continuing to enjoy our award-winning flights and can choose from a wide selection of food and drink onboard.”

They added: “Our full in-flight retail and food and drink offering will be completely back to normal in the coming days.” Jet2 has also confirmed it is automatically processing refunds for all pre-booked catering back to the original payment method.

While the problem persisted, travellers were advised to bring their own food, drinks and snacks on board, after clearing airport security. However, passengers are prohibited from bringing hot coffee, tea, or hot food from the airport terminal onto the plane. A statement on the Jet2 website states: “You can’t bring hot food or hot drinks onboard our planes for safety reasons.”

At the time, many people turned to social media to find out more about the ‘operational issue’ and to alert fellow passengers. On X, one passenger with the username @BigDogStaff wrote: “@Jet2tweets just had an email and a text message to say there will be no food or drinks available for our five hour flight.”

Jet2 responded: “Hi there, we sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused by our food and drink services and in-flight retail by unavailable on your flight. Sadly, this is due to an operational issue outside our control. (1/2).”

The airline went on to say: “You are welcome to bring snacks and soft drinks purchased in the terminal onboard with you, but for safety reasons, hot drinks cannot be brought on board. If you have any further questions, feel free to let us know. ^Ellie (2/2).” On the Facebook group, Jet2.Com and Jet2holidays Customer Service and Support, a user asked: “What is happening with no food or drink on Jet2 planes? Just had an email about no food or drink on the planes tomorrow, any idea what happening?”

In the comments, one person wrote: “Been on lots of posts – supply issues due to a fire in a warehouse apparently- just get something in the airport to take on board with you.” Another added: “Just arrived in Greece via Jet2, we pre-ordered hot food but got an email saying it was limited. There was no food, drinks, snacks, and no duty-free trolley, all we got was water.”

A third commented: “Someone I know is flying tomorrow, and they were told this evening that there would be no food, including pre-booked. Maybe it depends on the airport or route.”

In a separate Facebook post, another user warned: “Just a heads up. A friend who is travelling from Leeds tonight has received this. So it may be the same on the return journey.” They shared a screenshot of what appears to be a text message from Jet2.

The message reads: “Due to an operational issue outside of our control, there will be no food, drink or Jet2shop available to buy on board your flight. Unfortunately, this also means that any pre-booked food or drink items will not be available, and we will automatically arrange any refunds for these.

“You are welcome to bring snacks and soft drinks purchased in the terminal (after security) on the flight with you, but for safety reasons, hot drinks cannot be brought on board. We are very sorry for any disappointment this may cause.”

A separate Facebook post by UK travel agency Camel Travel states: “Heads up for those flying with Jet2 at the moment. A fire at Jet2’s Retail Operations Centre in Middlewich on Wednesday has impacted the availability of food and drinks on some flights.”

What seems to be a screenshot of an email sent by Jet2 is also featured. It states: “We will process the refund right away to the payment card used when you booked – but like all refunds these days, it could take three to five working days for the funds to reach you. We’re sorry if you don’t receive any pre-booked items. Our friendly Cabin Crew are looking forward to welcoming you on board and will ensure you have a lovely flight.”

THERE’S nothing worse than coming home from holiday to be hit with massive data roaming charges from your mobile provider.

As thousands of Brits head off on their summer hols, many are still being caught out by unexpected data roaming fees.

Get 5% off Holafly eSIMs with discount code THESUNHOLA5

It’s easy to slip into ‘holiday mode’ abroad and fire off a WhatsApp message or check Google Maps, forgetting that every click is racking up a massive bill behind the scenes.

And even if you have a roaming pass from your mobile provider, the monthly cost can be eye-watering – and that’s if they cover your destination at all.

Thankfully, an eSIM from Holafly can help you avoid those unexpected fees.

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The eSIMs start from just £2.99 and offer unlimited data – so no need to keep checking if you’ve nearly hit your data limit.

Plus, Sun readers can bag an extra 5% off an eSIM by using the coupon code THESUNHOLA5.

The code also gets you 10% off monthly plans. These are great if you’re a regular traveller, as they offer you unlimited data globally from £38.95 a month.

Once you buy your eSIM, it arrives via email and WhatsApp instantly.

You simply scan the QR code, or if you’re on iOS 17.4+, you can install it in one simple tap.

It’s easy-peasy and keeps your regular SIM (and WhatsApp number) active, so you won’t miss any messages from home.

And if you’re wondering whether Holafly covers the destination you’re headed to? It’s pretty likely that they do.

The eSIM company have expanded the amount of places they cover to over 200 destinations worldwide.

Whether you’re hitting European hotspots like Spain, France, and Italy, or going long-haul to the USA, Canada, Australia and beyond, you can stay online from the moment you land.

Other providers slap you with fair usage limits that can soon run out – but Holafly offers unlimited data.

There are no hidden fees, so don’t expect any unexpected charges or texts telling you you’ve gone over the limit.

Get 5% off Holafly eSIMs with discount code THESUNHOLA5

How to get your discounted Holafly eSIM

Getting set up with Holafly is incredibly simple, all you’ll need to do is:

1. Download the Holafly app.
2. Browse 200+ destinations and pick how many days you’ll need it for. If you’re travelling in a group, you can even buy everyone’s in one go.
3. Buy your eSIM (saving 5% with code THESUNHOLA5) and activate in seconds via QR code or one-tap install – then enjoy your unlimited data abroad!

With eSIMs, you can forget hunting for a paperclip to poke into your phone or queuing at an airport kiosk for an expensive local SIM card.

Holafly eSIMs saves you the faff of inserting a physical sim card – instead, you can buy and install via the app.

Plus some countries are slowly ditching physical sim cards, meaning eSIMs are the way forward.

For example, starting with the iPhone 14, Apple iPhones in the USA only work with eSIMs and no longer accept physical SIM cards.

When you pick up yours, make sure to use our exclusive code at checkout to bag a saving: THESUNHOLA5.

Don’t get caught out this summer – get your eSIM sorted before you hit the runway.

Get 5% off Holafly eSIMs with discount code THESUNHOLA5

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WITH the UK heating up this month, it can be tempting to splash the cash and make the most of the sunshine.

During the May Bank Holiday, the UK could hit highs of 25C according to the BBC – compared to just 23C in Santorini that day.

BUT there are still lots of fun things you can do to make the most of the weather without having to spend a penny.

This includes everything from outdoor swimming pools and playgrounds to markets and hikes – so here are eight of the best ideas for how to make the most of the weather.

1. Hit up a lido

Lots of outdoor swimming pools are free across the UK – if you know where to find them.

In Swansea there is Blackpill Lido, while many seapools like Shoalstone Seawater Pool in Devon has no entry charges either, along with Bude Sea Pool.

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2. Go to a huge adventure playground

While most small playgrounds are free, there are some bigger adventure ones that don’t cost either – there’s the Lower Leas Coastal Park in Folkestone, which is the biggest in the southeast.

Or in London there is the Tumbling Bay Playground in the Queen Elizaeth Olympic Park.

3. Head to a seaside theme park

Did you know that a lot of theme parks on the coast are free to visit?

One’s like Dreamland in Margate or Adventure Island in Southend-on-Sea have free entry – instead you pay to go on the rides (so non riders can get all of the vibes without the cost).

4. Go to a museum

The UK is one of the best in the world for having free museums, so you’re spoilt for choice.

In London there is everything from the Natural History Museum and Science Museum to the Tate Modern and V&A Museum; in York there is the National Railways Museum while the Museum of Liverpool and the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford are all free too.

5. Explore some castle gardens

History buffs can explore some beautiful castle grounds without having to reach into their wallet.

Try Liverpool Castle (weirdly not in Liverpool but in Lancashire) or Cardiff Castle in Wales (although you will need a ticket go into the castle itself).

6. Try a garden centre

With everything from animals to playgrounds, why not take the kids to a garden centre?

There’s the celeb-popular Burford Garden Centre in the Cotswolds or Bridgemere Garden Centre in Cheshire, which is the biggest in the UK.

7. Plan a hike

If you love a good walk, the UK has lots of them.

There is the recently opened King Charles III Coastal Path, running along the Kent coast; a short option of Hadrian’s Wall that takes just a few hours; or part of the Thames Path from Windsor to Eton which is around four miles.

8. Explore some markets

If you can avoid wanting to spend, then a beautiful market is often the place for stunning architecture and even sometimes some live shows.

Grainger Market in Newcastle is known for its food, while Leadenhall Market in London is beautiful just to look at.

WAITING times in airports have increased since the introduction of EES – but one destinations has had travellers queueing for up to six hours.

Portugal is a beautiful country for a family break, but the lengthy queues mean that some are spending longer lining up in the airport than they do on the plane.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

EES delays and travel chaos have dominated the news, and some airports in Portugal in particular have passengers waiting in very long queues.

One travel blogger posted on Instagram: “Last week a family I advised landed in Lisbon and stood in line for 6 hours and 40 minutes. Their toddler slept on a suitcase. They missed their transfer to the Algarve.

“EES (the EU’s new biometric entry system) is now live. Faro processes 7x more summer traffic than its capacity. Luggage handlers are striking April through June. And the airport you choose to land in will define your first 24 hours in Portugal.”

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The flight time between the UK and Lisbon is up to three hours, so some British travellers are standing in the airport for longer than they’re on the plane.

Queues through Lisbon Airport have been causing frustration amongst many travellers.

One Brit wrote just yesterday on X: “Warning if you are flying to Portugal any time now, actually spent longer queuing than the actual flight, was a shambles with half the machines not working, and further queues to passport control.”

Another said leaving Lisbon Airport was the “one of the worst passport control experiences” with hours of waiting.

The EU’s EES (entry/ exit) system has increased the queuing time for inward and outward passengers by four and even five times as much, according to The Resident.

It’s not just Lisbon either; Faro Airport in the south is experiencing lengthy delays too with some saying that they’ve queued from the terminal to airside.

One big reason for the delays that Lisbon and Faro airports suffer from is caused by what’s called ‘bottlenecking’.

Essentially it’s airport congestion from when lots of flights land at the same time, or delays cause lots of passengers to be in one place at the same time.

They occur mostly at security checkpoints, passport control, boarding gates, and baggage handling areas resulting in lengthy queues.

One of our own Travel Reporters experienced the situation herself in Lanzarote when multiple flights landing at the same time ended up in a three-hour queue through the airport.

The queues have been getting so bad that airlines like Ryanair have even called for EES to be suspended until September – after the peak summer travel period.

While you can’t avoid EES queues, there are ways to make them less uncomfortable.

Make sure to check out our tips from where to sit on the plane to the best time to take a flight.

Vivica A. Fox dreamed of being a model, but in order to receive her mother’s blessing to move to Southern California, where the jobs were, she had to promise her one thing: She’d go to college.

So that’s what she did. At 18, Fox left her hometown of Indianapolis for Huntington Beach, where she attended Golden West College and got an associate’s degree in social sciences. On weekends, she’d drive up to L.A. for auditions, getting her first taste of show business while dancing on Don Cornelius’ iconic television series “Soul Train” and later nabbing her first acting gig as Dr. Stephanie Simmons on “Young and the Restless,” a role she recently reprised after more than 30 years.

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“The rest is kind of history,” says Fox, who went on to star in other hit films including “Kill Bill: Vol. 1,” “Two Can Play That Game,” “Soul Food” and “Set It Off,” which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.

Her latest project, “Is God Is,” hits theaters Friday. Directed by Aleshea Harris, who wrote the award-winning play of the same name, the film follows twin sisters as they embark on a vengeful quest to find their abusive father, who left them for dead. Fox plays God, the twins’ mother, a burn victim and domestic abuse survivor who gives her daughters a simple yet chilling instruction: “Make your daddy dead. Real dead.” Harris handpicked Fox for the role.

“I just was so honored,” Fox says. “Then when I got the script and dove into it a little bit more, I was like ‘Ooh, this is a way no one has ever seen me. This is going to be challenging.”

She adds, “I was like, ‘Wow. We don’t get things like this,’ so it was honestly, for me, a no-brainer.”

Sundays are the one day of the week where Fox can “do me,” she says. Here’s how she’d spend it in L.A.

This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for length and clarity.

6:30 a.m.: Quick coffee run

I’m usually up by 6:30 or 7 a.m. I’m an early bird because I’m so used to either having to be on set or when my publicist, B.J., was living on the East Coast and I’d have to respond to answer his emails in a timely manner. Once I’m awake and settled, I’d get some Starbucks. I’d order a venti white chocolate mocha with an extra shot of espresso, no whipped cream. I used to order kale bites, which I’d eat with the meat from the sausage and egg sandwich, but they discontinued them so now I just get the sandwich.

8 a.m.: Float in hot springs

I’d head to the Beverly Hot Springs. I would get a body care treatment. It’s awesome because they rub you from head to toe with body oil, then they wash your hair and give you a cucumber and yogurt mask. After that, I would get a facial and float in the water. It is one of the only spas with natural, alkaline hot springs in L.A., so the water is just heavenly.

2 p.m.: Margarita and caviar fries with a view

After that, I would meet with a friend, more than likely B.J., at the rooftop restaurant at Waldorf Astoria. The reason why I love going there is because of the view. On a beautiful, clear day, you can see all of Los Angeles. It has a 360 view that is absolutely incredible. I would start off with the caviar fries and a spicy margarita with a tajin rim. Then I would do either the salmon with spinach or if it was a super cheat day, I’d have a cheeseburger.

4 p.m.: A Broadway show or a sports game

I’d probably go home and take a short nap. But if my godson, Quentin Blanton Junior, is in town, I’d go see him perform at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre. He’s playing little Michael in “MJ: The Musical” at the Pantages Theatre. [Editor’s note: We interviewed Fox before the show ended earlier this month]. I’m so proud of him. But if he’s not performing, I’d go to a Chargers or Lakers game. I’m a sports junkie. I’m from Indiana. We grow up on football and basketball. I’ve always loved the Lakers. I remember going to the games back in the day in Inglewood because I used to live there. I used to walk to the games. That was the golden era of Magic and all those guys, then Kobe and them moved up to Staples, which is now Crypto.

9 p.m.: Nightcap before bed

I’d end my Sunday with a night cap at the Delta Club at the Lakers game. I’d have a glass of wine before heading home, then I’d drink a Lacroix to hydrate. I try to be in the bed definitely before midnight.

FAMILY holidays abroad aren’t easy on the wallet, with the costs of your hotel, dinners, and days out to water parks and attractions piling up.

So for many parents, a hotel with its own water park is the ultimate holiday holy grail.

It’s the difference between spending money on expensive day trips, versus a week where the kids are entertained on-site, from breakfast until bedtime.

But finding a resort with that “wow factor” that is also actually affordable is easier said that done.

To skip the stress, travel insiders at top holiday companies have selected some of their best 2026 summer holiday deals, and we’ve put together ten of the most exciting all-inclusive gems across Europe and beyond.

From fairytale castle resorts in Turkey to a sparkling-new jungle-themed aqua park in Egypt, here are travel companies’ top picks for all-inclusive water park hotels for the summer – that the kids are bound to love.

Travel experts from Loveholidays hand-selected the following deals in cost-friendly Tunisia, Bulgaria and Turkey.

Plus, all of these breaks are within the school summer holidays.

Skanes Serail and Aquapark, Tunisia

The Skanes Serail and Aquapark is a huge, rainbow-coloured resort that’s perfect for an action-packed holiday in the sun.

Loveholidays called the resort “a superb choice for families looking for an action-packed holiday in the sun”.

“With its on-site waterpark, children’s pool and mini-club, there’s plenty to keep younger guests entertained throughout the day.

“Set on a private beach with sun loungers and parasols provided, this hotel offers a fantastic blend of beachside relaxation and aquatic fun.”

Take your pick of giant swirly water slides that land you straight in the refreshing pool, or make use of the hotel’s private beach, spa and sports courts.

There’s 224 comfy air-conditioned rooms here, plus three restaurants, a poolside bar and even a beachside barbecue for when you get hungry.

And with a price that works out to around just £72.71pp per night, that’s a great deal for an all-inclusive mega resort stay.

Loveholidays offer a 7-night stay from 26 July, including return flights from London Southend, for £509pp.

Aquamarine – All Inclusive, Sunny Beach, Bulgaria

This four-star stay sits in the lively resort of Sunny Beach, Bulgaria, and makes for an ideal family holiday base.

Loveholidays decribed the hotel as a top pick “for families looking for a budget-friendly holiday in the sun”.

“Located in the vibrant Sunny Beach resort, this welcoming property offers excellent facilities for children including a kids’ club and playground, making it an ideal base for memorable family holidays.”

There’s plenty for kids here, including an adventure playground, kids club and activities like beach volleyball and an indoor games room.

There’s an outdoor pool for both adults and kids, the latter with a mini splash park and waterslides.

The golden sands of Sunny Beach are just a five-minute walk away.

Plus the hotel provides loungers and parasols so you don’t have to scramble for a spot.

Loveholidays offer a 7-night stay from 23 July, including return flights from London Luton, for £559pp.

Club Dizalya Hotel – All Inclusive, Konakli, Antalya, Turkey

This luxurious-looking, four-star all-inclusive resort comes with its own private beach and a giant, palm-lined pool with two big water slides.

Loveholidays named the hotel “a superb choice for families looking for a beach holiday in Turkey”.

“Set just a stone’s throw from a private sandy and shingle beach, this resort offers excellent facilities for children including a kids’ club and playground.

“With its all-inclusive package and range of amenities, it provides everything needed for a memorable family getaway.”

The hotel grounds themselves are beautifully-decorated with blooming purple Bougainvillea.

On the beach you’ll find plenty of loungers and thatched parasols facing the glimmering Black Sea.

Loveholidays offer a 7-night stay from 4 August, including return flights from London Gatwick, for £599pp.

Travel experts from On the Beach chose resorts for Sun readers in sunny Sharm el Sheikh, Belek in Turkey and Salou, Spain.

Rixos Radamis Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt

Rixos hotels are known for their ultra-all-inclusive luxury, and their spot in Sharm El Sheikh is no exception.

On the Beach labelled the Rixos Radamis “a top luxury family resort with premium all-inclusive service and access to one of Egypt’s best upscale aqua park experiences”.

Better yet, they have has just opened up their new 35,000sqm Aquamania Jungle Park in March of 2026.

This new aqua park has 28 water rides, including the thrilling RocketBLAST water coaster, tube rides and plenty of themed splash zones.

And when it comes to keeping the kids entertained, this resort has far more than your standard kids club.

Rixy Kids Town is an immersive mini town where kids can act out their dream jobs as detectives, scientists, chefs and more in interactive activities.

On the Beach offer a 6-night stay, including return flights from London Luton, for £633pp.

The Land of Legends Kingdom Hotel, Belek, Turkey

This massive five star-rated resort really lives up to its name, The Land of Legends.

On the Beach named this resort “the best overall waterpark hotel because it combines a huge aqua park, thrilling slides and a full theme park experience all in one resort”.

This hotel complex not only has its own huge water park, but even its own theme park with rollercoasters, a 5D cinema and luxurious spa.

This resort has one seriously epic water park, towered over by Magicone, a giant water slide that swirls you into what looks like a black hole before shooting you down into a massive, lagoon-like pool.

Plus the entertainment doesn’t stop there, with kids’ circus shows, boat parades and even free entry into the largest theme park in Turkey on-site.

On the Beach offer a 6-night stay from 4 July, including return flights from London Stansted, for £778pp.

Granada Luxury Belek Hotel, Turkey

If you let a child design the ultimate holiday resort, it would probably look exactly like the Granada Luxury Belek.

On the Beach called the resort “one of the best family resorts in Turkey thanks to its massive on-site aquapark, lazy rivers and huge variety of pools and slides”.

This massive Turkish resort is home to the Wonderland, a giant fairytale-themed water park.

The water park has plenty of spectacular slides that you enter from a spectacular castle, a wave pool, lazy river, 12 adult pools and five kids’ pools.

There are also three pristine artificial beaches on site, for when you’re done splashing around and want to soak up some sun.

Pair this with an on-site Chocolatier, large, family-friendly rooms with swim-up pools, and themed bars like the Wizard Bar and Street Bar Disco – and you’ve got yourself the dream family holiday destination.

On the Beach offer a 6-night stay from 4 July, including return flights from London Stansted, for £568pp.

PortAventura Hotel Gold River & Theme Park, Spain

Immerse yourself in this Western-themed hotel in sunny Salou, a resort designed to feel like an American Wild West frontier town.

This pick from On the Beach is “perfect for families who want both rollercoasters and water slides, with direct access to PortAventura’s famous theme and water parks”.

A stay here includes unlimited access to PortAventura Park, where you can take on over 40 rides and rollercoasters.

You’ll also get entry to Caribe Aquatic Park, a tropical garden paradise of thrilling slides and waterfalls.

And if that’s not enough, you’ll get day tickets to Ferrari Land, too – home to Red Force, the tallest and fastest rollercoaster in Europe.

To top it all off, one child stays free with this deal from On the Beach.

On the Beach offer a 6-night stay, including return flights from Birmingham, for £475pp.

A holiday deals expert from comparison site Travel Supermarket selected the following deals on the Turkish Riviera and the east coast of Majorca.

Eftalia Splash Resort, Antalya, Turkey

This family-friendly resort on the beachfront of the Turkish Riviera has a huge outdoor freshwater pool, plus its own on-site splash park with eight water slides.

Jacob Lewis, guest travel expert at TravelSupermarket, says: “You essentially get two water parks for the price of one here.

“You get the hotel’s own slide-packed aqua park, plus free access to the enormous Eftalia Island complex down the road, where 14 huge slides, a lazy river and pirate-themed splash pools will keep kids of every age happy.”

You’ll never have the same meal twice here. There are six dining spots including two massive buffet options, plus international favourites like Italian and Chinese restaurants.

There are also five bars, including one on the beach, a pool bar and a disco.

Not only is there plenty to see and do on-site, but the hotel offers a free shuttle service to the local sandy beach.

You’re also only a two-minute shuttle away from ANOTHER aqua park at Eftalia Island – and this one has 14 water slides. The best part is that this hotel’s all-inclusive offer extends to the facilities at Eftalia Island, too.

Travel Supermarket offer a 7-night stay from 11th August, including return flights from London Gatwick, for £620pp.

Globales Apartotel Bouganvilla, Majorca

This aparthotel and splash park in Sa Coma, Majorca is a massive playground for families.

Jacob Lewis, guest travel expert at TravelSupermarket, says: “This one’s a great shout for bigger families watching the budget – it’s got its own massive Splash World water park that only hotel guests can use, so there’s no queueing behind day-trippers.

“Plus there’s roomy apartments that sleep up to six. If and when the kids have finally had enough of the slides, a free shuttle whisks you down to Sa Coma’s gorgeous white-sand beach.”

Here you’ll find two giant pools, plus water slides ranging from winding fast rides for adults, to mini slides for little ones to make a splash.

Make the most of your all-inclusive package with trips to the on-site pizzeria and barbecue restaurant, or fill up on favourites at the buffet.

For a fun-filled day out, hop on the miniature train into the town centre for souvenir shopping and beach-side strolls.

Travel Supermarket offer a 7-night stay from 4 August, including return flights from Manchester, for £769pp.

For a family holiday that feels like real affordable luxury, try this glamorous resort in Ibiza that’s steps away from a water park.

TUI BLUE Aura, Ibiza, Spain

The four-star TUI BLUE Aura has a luxurious feel with a tranquil infinity pool, boho-inspired rooms and dining spaces – and a fantastic water park just next door.

Standing out from the crowd, this hotel features sensory rooms for kids and a curated itinerary of family activities.

Instead of your standard kids club, expect daily experiences like cooking workshops and garden games designed for all ages.

Other hotel highlights include Parent & Tot swim classes, Swim Fit for adults and wellness activities like yoga and meditation sessions.

When you’re ready for some more excitement, walk over to the water park for free-entry access to speedy water slides, tubing and a pirate play zone for the little ones.

TUI offer a 6-night stay from 9 July, including return flights from London Gatwick, for £873pp.

Prices correct at the time of publication.

THE GREAT British break might not be so great very soon after it was announced that the overnight ‘holiday tax’ is set to be pushed forward.

Included in the King’s Speech was the dreaded new levy on staycations and one Butlin’s boss has hit back saying it will have big ‘consequences’ for families.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

Plans to introduce the ‘Overnight Visitor Levy‘ for staycations in England was first announced late last year, and was spelled out again in the King’s Speech two days ago.

Essentially, the government’s plan is introduce levy overnight accommodation like hotels, B&Bs, campsites or holiday homes.

It would allow local authorities in England to charge visitors an additional fee on overnight stays which is similar to systems already used in parts of Europe.

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According to UK Hospitality, the new tax could add £100 to a two-week family stay based on £2 per person per night.  

Unsurprisingly, the plans have not been met with positivity.

Matt Rake who is a resort director at Butlin’s in Bognor Regis – said the tax would have “consequences”, especially for working families.

He said: “It’s disappointing that the government is pressing ahead with the holiday tax despite how clear businesses, consumers and the hospitality sector have been about the potential consequences.

“In the Spring, the government said families being able to pay for a holiday should never be too much to ask, yet today they’ve confirmed the introduction of a measure that will hurt working families hard.

“We know how important domestic tourism is for Bognor Regis and the local businesses here. Holidays and short breaks support jobs and investment across our community throughout the year.”

He added that in a recent poll, 73 per cent of people would reduce or cut back on holidays in England if extra costs were introduced.

The ‘holiday tax’ was formally announced in the Autumn Budget in November 2025.

And two hundred bosses from firms including Butlin’s, Haven and Parkdean Resorts have written to the Chancellor hitting out at the plans.