holidays

FORGET the crowds of Spain and Italy – there’s a country in Europe which has actually seen a DROP in tourists this year.

It was even dubbed the ‘new Croatia‘ thanks to its one seaside town along the Adriatic Coastline.

Official stats have revealed that the number of foreign tourists who visited Bosnia and Herzegovina in the first half of 2026 decreased by 3.2 per cent on the year to 582,541.

The country had previously been revealed as a top holiday spot for 2025 and even called the ‘new Croatia‘.

Thanks to it being lesser-visited then its neighbour, Bosnia and Herzegovina was described as a “less crowded alternative to Dubrovnik” by a team of travel experts at Wild Frontiers.

In comparison, Croatia welcomed more than 7.6 million visitors during the first six months of 2026.

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But in a world where destinations are suffering from overtourism, the fact Bosnia and Herzegovina has fewer tourists means it’s an ideal time to visit if you want to avoid crowds.

It’s cheap too – in fact the country’s capital, Sarajevo was named as the best-value destination in Europe by the Post Office Travel Money earlier this year.

It calculated that a two night’s stay across a weekend for two people would cost an average of £248.29.

This includes three-star accommodation, food, drink, a three-course evening meal, travel cards and attractions including a visit to a museum, art gallery and sight-seeing tour.

As for what to do there, the city is named one of the best for its food scene.

One traditional dish is called Bosanski Lonac which is essentially a stew packed with chunks of meat and vegetables.

Another is cevapi – these are flatbreads filled with grilled meat, and burek, flaky pastries filled with cheese, spinach or even sour cherry for dessert.

The best part is that eating out is very cheap for a capital city.

According to Wise, a meal at a restaurant can cost as little as £4.41 and visitors can enjoy a local beer from £1.76.

Flights are cheap too if you book in advance – with Wizz Air next April, Brits can fly to Sarajevo from £25 which takes just 2hr40.

Something to do in Sarajevo is head to its enormous thermal spa.

Ilidža Thermal Riviera is one of the largest thermal complexes in the Balkans and has been built on the hot spring of Ilidža.

Guests can take a dip in its indoor and outdoor swimming pools as well as children’s pool which has a slide.

There’s even a small go-karting area, trampolines and a Tropical Garden Restaurant – tickets into the complex cost as little as 8 KM (£3.51).

There’s also a nearby amusement park in the city centre called Sunnyland which has an Alpine Coaster zip lines and giant swings.

It’s found on Olympic Mountain Trebević which is a 10-minute drive from the city centre.

Entry to the park is free with visitors just having to pay for the rides and activities.

While most of Bosnia and Herzegovina is landlocked, it does have a short 12-mile coastline with beautiful beaches along the Adriatic Sea.

All of the coastline surrounds the pretty town of Neum which has bars and cafes along the promenade.

The town is considered an ‘anomaly’ as on a map, it sits along the Croatian coastline, but it’s actually in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Historically, the Republic of Ragusa (Dubrovnik) ceded the land to the Ottoman Empire in 1699 via the Treaty of Karlowitz.

Other must-visit spots include the Ottoman bridge in Mostar which is around an hour’s drive away from Neum.

The bridge sits over River Neretva and is considered masterpiece architecture from the 16th century.

For anyone feeling brave, you can actually jump off the 7-story high bride which is a 450-year-old tradition.

Historically, it was a way for young men to prove their courage – but nowadays anyone can do it as it’s managed by officials at the Mostari Diving Club.

There are also more natural wonders including Kravica Waterfall.

Visitors have called it ‘magical’ and ‘surreal’ with one even comparing it to looking like ‘a scene from Jumanji‘.

AFTER spending years working in travel, I’ve realised some of Europe’s best purpose-built family resorts are the ones you’ve probably never even heard of.

While there’s absolutely nothing wrong with the classics, I’ve found stacks of alternative resorts that deliver everything families love about those hot spots – but they are a lot quieter, and a fraction of the price.

Think wide beaches, shallow water, proper family hotels, and massive waterparks – just without the overwhelming crowds or the inflated peak-summer price tag.

So, I’ve narrowed it down to eight resorts that hit all the non-negotiables for parents: short UK flights, quick airport transfers, walkable beaches, and stress-free dining with toddlers in tow.

8. Petrovac, Montenegro

If you want to try something genuinely different without sacrificing convenience, Petrovac is a proper hidden gem.

Tucked along Montenegro’s coast, it’s practically built for families with young kids.

The whole resort centres around a calm, horseshoe-shaped bay protected by small offshore islands that keep the sea remarkably still and safe for paddling.

There’s a completely pedestrianised, traffic-free promenade where kids can run around freely while you finish dinner, lined with casual, welcoming tavernas where children are treated like royalty.

Tivat Airport sits just 40 minutes down the coast, meaning you aren’t subjecting tired kids to a massive transfer coach journey after landing.

I found seven nights at the four-star Hotel Rivijera from £568pp, based on a family of four flying direct from London Gatwick on August 22 on a bed and breakfast basis.

Montenegro deal

Hotel Rivijera, Petrovac

• Seven nights
• Gatwick flights
• Bed and breakfast

From £568pp. BOOK HERE

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

7. Cala’n Bosch, Menorca

Menorca is the undisputed king of low-stress family travel, but Cala’n Bosch is the specific resort I recommend time and time again.

Everything revolves around a central marina packed with seafood spots and ice cream parlours, where children can watch the boats coming and going while you enjoy a relaxed meal.

The beaches are sheltered, slope very gently, and stay shallow for ages, making them ideal for little swimmers.

Plus, the whole resort is exceptionally compact and flat, so you can easily walk everywhere without ever needing a hire car or bus.

You’ve got Aquarock Waterpark right in the centre of the resort for a change of scenery, and Mahón Airport is under 45 minutes away.

A family of four can bag seven nights at Club Ciudadela from £493pp, with flights from Manchester on August 25 on a self-catering basis.

Menorca deal

Club Ciudadela, Cala’n Bosch

• Seven nights
• Manchester flights
• Self catered

From £493pp. BOOK HERE

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

6. Nessebar, Bulgaria

Most people looking at Bulgaria default straight to Sunny Beach.

But just ten minutes down the coast sits Nessebar – a historic, UNESCO-listed town that delivers the exact same value with a much calmer atmosphere for parents.

It serves up the best of both worlds: a charming, stone-paved old town packed with ice cream parlours and bakeries, flanked by long, wide stretches of soft, golden sand that slopes gently into the sea.

It gives families that proper, classic beach holiday feeling, but with dirt-cheap dining and a far less chaotic night-time vibe than its noisy neighbor.

Burgas Airport is a breeze at just 25 minutes away, and Aqua Paradise – one of Eastern Europe’s biggest waterparks – is right on your doorstep too.

There were plenty of hotels to choose from, but in terms of value, I couldn’t get away from this one: seven nights all-inclusive at the Sol Nessebar Resort from just £675pp, based on a family of four flying from Manchester on August 25.

Bulgaria deal

Sol Nessebar Resort, Nessebar

• Seven nights
• Manchester flights
• All inclusive

From £675pp. BOOK HERE

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

5. Gouves, Crete

Gouves is one of those places families stumble across by accident and then end up booking for five years straight.

Sitting just 15 minutes from Heraklion Airport, it delivers one of the shortest transfers anywhere in the Greek islands – a total lifesaver after a four-hour flight with young kids.

Trust me, I know this one from experience.

The resort layout is super-relaxed, with flat, quiet roads lined with family-run tavernas and mini-marts, alongside sheltered sea walls that break up the waves and create pancake-flat, shallow swimming lagoons.

For easy day trips, you’ve got Dinosauria Park and Watercity Waterpark all sitting less than a 10-minute drive down the road.

And the best part is the price, because I managed to find seven nights with breakfast at the Despo Hotel from £398pp, with direct flights for a family of four from London Gatwick on August 25.

Crete deal

Despo Hotel, Gouves

• Seven nights
• Gatwick flights
• Bed and Breakfast

From £398pp. BOOK HERE

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

4. Tigaki, Kos

Kos often gets overshadowed by Crete and Rhodes, but Tigaki deserves way more attention for families with buggies and toddlers.

The sand beach stretches uninterrupted for miles and the water stays waist-deep forever.

The entire resort is completely flat making it an absolute dream for pushchairs, scooters, and little legs that get tired quickly.

It has that quintessential, laid-back Greek island charm where parents can relax while the kids play safely on the sand right in front of the taverna tables.

Kos Airport is barely 20 minutes away, and the massive Lido Water Park is right down the road when you want a break from the ocean.

For just £580pp, I found seven nights all-inclusive for a family of four at Hotel K Ilios and Farming, flying direct from London Gatwick on August 19.

Kos deal

Hitel K Ilios and Farming, Tigaki

• Seven nights
• Gatwick flights
• All inclusive

From £580pp. BOOK HERE

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

3. Cala Millor, Majorca

Cala Millor on Majorca’s east coast is the ultimate substitute for a stress-free Spanish break.

It’s home to an enormous, Blue Flag sandy bay with crystal-clear, shallow water, backed by a massive, palm-shaded pedestrian promenade lined with wooden playgrounds, shaded cafes, and flat cycling paths.

It’s made for effortless family days out, giving you all the incredible facilities, beach games, and amenities of the island’s famous mega-resorts, but with a much more relaxed, authentic island feel.

Palma Airport is also around an hour’s transfer.

It’s a little further than other resorts, but all via the main highway, making it a stress-free, fairly straight drive.

And I’ve picked out seven nights at the four-star Garbi Cala Millor from £548pp, based on a family of four flying direct from Gatwick on August 20 and staying half board.

Majorca deal

Hotel Garbi Cala Millor

• Seven nights
• Gatwick flights
• Half board

From £548pp. BOOK HERE

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

2. Porec, Croatia

If you fancy trading standard package resorts for quaint old towns, Porec in Croatia is easily one of the best family bets in Europe.

The centre is completely pedestrianised and packed with waterfront pizzerias and street performers that keep kids mesmerised.

Instead of scorched, open sand, the coastline here is lined with lush, fragrant pine forests that run right down to the clear swimming bays.

This means tons of natural shade so young kids can swim and play all day without getting overheated.

Pula Airport is less than 45 minutes away, and Aquacolors Porec – one of Croatia’s biggest waterparks – is sitting right outside town.

And I found a deal for a family of four, spending seven nights at Hotel Istra Plava Laguna from £513pp, with flights direct from London Luton on August 25 on a half board basis.

Croatia deal

Hotel Istra Plava Laguna, Porec

• Seven nights
• Luton flights
• Half board

From £513pp. BOOK HERE

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

1. La Pineda, Spain

If Salou has always appealed for the theme parks and beaches, but you wish the town itself was quieter and easier to navigate with children, La Pineda is an absolute cheat code.

Sitting just five minutes down the Costa Dorada coast, it boasts a massive beach with super-shallow water, backed by a flat, green promenade that’s ideal for pushchairs and evening strolls.

It’s ideal for families who want a chilled base, but still want easy access to world-class attractions.

Reus Airport is an absolute dream at just 15 minutes away, and you’ve got Aquopolis waterpark right inside the resort itself.

There is also PortAventura World theme park that’s a quick 10-minute taxi ride down the road (named one of the best in the world).

I clocked seven nights at Hotel Best Sol D’Or from £473pp, for a family of four departing Birmingham on August 25 on a room-only basis.

Spain deal

Hotel Best Sol D’or, La Pineda

• Seven nights
• Birmingham flights
• Room only

From £473pp. BOOK HERE

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

The waxy scent that drifts up the escalators at the Los Angeles Central Library is immediately familiar to anyone who remembers the Mold-A-Rama.

The novelty vending machines mold souvenir sculptures — a train car, a gorilla, a bust of Abraham Lincoln — in under a minute, filling a two-sided mold with hot plastic, then hollowing it out with compressed air.

Christina Rice, the senior librarian who oversees the Los Angeles Public Library’s photo collection, made it her personal quest to find and install one in the Central Library after a patron asked for pictures of machines at sites across the city, which disappeared in 2006 after their operator exited the market and sold them to private collectors.

The Mold-a-Central fills a two-sided mold with hot plastic, which is then filled with compressed air, to make a sphinx souvenir.

(Eric Thayer/Los Angeles Times)

At first, Rice wasn’t sure what he was talking about, but when it clicked, “it was such a strong visceral response,” she said. “I loved these machines when we would go to the zoo. It was a must-have every time.”

In fact, the last mold she purchased was a black panther from the Los Angeles Zoo, shortly after she graduated high school. Other L.A. souvenirs included a replica bandshell from the Hollywood Bowl and a tiny pagoda from the Chinese Theatre.

Rice saw an opportunity in the retro tech to get new people into the library or encourage existing patrons to explore other departments or collections.

It was a hunch that took her six years to see to fruition, but the library’s very own “Mold-a-Central” now sits in the alcove of the lower fourth floor. Visitors can trade $5 for a small black sphinx, a replica of sculptor Lee Lawrie’s Belgian black marble and bronze sphinxes that flank the north staircase on the library’s second floor. Pittsburgh sculptor Brian McGuire custom designed the mold and is also working on a replica of the 1926 Central Library building.

It’s been a hit. Visitors who’ve been drawn by nostalgia or curiosity to see it — and smell it — for themselves have molded over 3,000 sphinxes so far. During the library’s Centennial Festival in July, the machine had a consistent wait, churning out 255 figures in a single day. J.H. “Tike” Miller, the Illinois inventor of the Mold-A-Rama, was inspired by a broken figurine in his nativity scene. Department stores only sold them in sets, so he and his wife Shirley began making individual figures for sale in the late 1930s.

The Mold-a-Central makes sphinx souvenirs modeled after the black marble and bronze sphinxes that flank the north staircase on the library’s second floor.

(Eric Thayer/Los Angeles Times)

Olivia Gill, left, Ryan Gill and Thomas Gill use the Mold-A-Central. The souvenirs cost $5.

(Eric Thayer/Los Angeles Times)

In the 1950s, Miller began making figurines — often of dinosaurs and space aliens — using plastic injection molding. When his company went bankrupt in 1959, Miller licensed the technology to Aramark, then known as Automatic Retailers of America Inc. It spun off a separate division for the venture and worked with Miller to produce the first Mold-A-Rama machines.

The concept debuted at the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair, with figures including the Space Needle and Alweg Monorail, then rolled out in several test markets, including Southern California. The Los Angeles Times described Mold-A-Ramas as “a diabolical cross between a jukebox and a pinball machine” that cost $3,600 apiece, or about $39,500 today.

After a bigger splash at the New York World’s Fair in 1964, Mold-A-Ramas proliferated across the U.S., popping up in zoos, museums and anywhere tourists might exchange a coin for a toy.

Though Mold-A-Rama President Ben A. O’Dorisio predicted a future in which they’d eventually sell household goods and even apparel, high maintenance costs led Aramark to dissolve its Mold-A-Rama division and sell its machines just a few years later.

Today, most operational machines are concentrated in the Midwest and the South, split between two companies that have amicably divided their territories: Illinois-based Mold-A-Rama Inc. and Unique Souvenirs Inc. in Florida, which operates machines branded Mold-a-Matic.

Unique Souvenirs owner Tim Striggow bought the family business from his grandfather, Eldin Irwin, who purchased several machines from Aramark and other operators starting in the late ‘60s and traveled with them to fairs and carnivals. It was Striggow’s uncle who operated — and removed — L.A.’s machines.

The Mold-a-Central has been popular, with more than 3,000 sphinxes made.

(Eric Thayer/Los Angeles Times)

Striggow sold Jack White two machines for his Third Man Records stores in Nashville and Detroit, and supplied the library with its machine. It cost $32,000 and is expected to pay itself through souvenir revenues within a couple years. As Mold-A-Rama and Mold-a-Matic are both trademarks, the library’s machine is called Mold-a-Central for the Central Library and features new graphics by Studios Number One, Shepard and Amanda Fairey’s design studio.

Though new to the library, the Mold-a-Central is still a vintage machine, and Rice knew that before she could persuade the library to invest in one she’d have to find someone who could service it. She asked Gary Hall, general manager of Angels Flight, L.A.’s 124-year-old funicular, who suggested one of its mechanics, Hirschel Riley.

“Hirschel agreed immediately, and I think it’s safe to say he has fallen in love with our Mold-a-Central machine,” Rice said. “When we first got the machine and opened it up, my head nearly exploded and I wondered if I had bitten off more than I could chew, but for Hirschel, it’s been a piece of cake compared to [Angels Flight].”

Though the library offers 3D printing — a far more modern sculpting method — at its Octavia Lab, Rice finds even teenagers are interested in slide projectors and older technology during her photo collection tours, proving there’s still space for the analog in today’s digital world. She hopes Mold-a-Central will inspire a “whole slew” of similar vintage machines to return to L.A.

They are out there. Quentin Tarantino told Variety he had a production designer track one down for an opening shot of “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood” at the Chinese Theatre before he rewrote the script. After changing course, he stored it in his garage.

Charles Wright was shot twice and had surgery at a hospital where the power went out

A UK man had to drive 300 miles with a bullet in his foot after being shot at during a road trip. Charles Wright was travelling alone when he says two armed men attempted to stop his Toyota Yaris.

The 40-year-old initially slowed down but claims he spotted one of the men preparing an AK-47 and quickly accelerated away. Charles, from Buxton, Derbyshire, says two shots were then fired at his car, with one bullet hitting the road before ricocheting underneath the vehicle.

It then became lodged in the heel of his right foot, which was on the accelerator at the time. Charles says he didn’t initially realise he had been shot. He had fractured the same foot playing football earlier that day and assumed the pain was connected to that injury.

Instead, he carried on driving, eventually covering around 300miles over roughly 24 hours with the bullet still embedded in his foot. The incident happened during Charles’ latest adventure through Ethiopia, where he spent 32 days travelling in his one-litre Toyota Yaris.

Charles has been travelling on and off for around 15 years and has driven 48,000km through more than 34 countries. But he claims being shot in the foot was only the start of his ordeal.

Charles says he was later shot at for a second time after following Google Maps at a junction in Awash. He claims two federal police officers suddenly emerged from bushes before a large plastic water container was thrown towards his car.

The officers then allegedly opened fire at his tyres, with Charles estimating that four or five shots were fired. Having already been targeted earlier in his journey, Charles says his instinct was to keep driving rather than stop. He managed to travel another four kilometres with a destroyed front tyre before becoming stranded in the desert.

Other police eventually found him after locals reported seeing a Westerner in the area. Charles claims his phone was taken and that, despite his fractured foot and gunshot wound, he was made to run through the desert.

He says he remembers officers laughing as he struggled. When he later returned to his car, Charles also discovered his penknife and some cutlery were missing. With the car disabled, he was unable to continue to Addis Ababa for treatment and instead had the bullet removed at Dawa Haya Hospital in Awash.

Charles praised medical staff for successfully removing it without him developing an infection. But he said the roughly two-hour operation became terrifying when the hospital suffered a power cut. For around ten minutes, Charles claims staff continued the procedure using mobile phone flashlights, with no apparent emergency lighting or immediate generator backup.

He said: “As the patient lying there awake, watching phones and door handles being touched during surgery was terrifying because my immediate concern was infection and potentially losing my foot.”

Charles claims his ordeal continued following the operation when he was effectively kept at a hotel for around six days with an armed officer stationed outside. He says he was never given a clear explanation for why he was being held or when he would be allowed to leave.

Eventually, people he knew within the tourism industry helped apply pressure and he was released. Charles claims it was not his only detention during his time in Ethiopia, saying he was jailed three times during his 32-day stay.

Crossing the border out of the country was one of the biggest moments of relief of his life. He said: “There were several moments during Ethiopia when I genuinely wondered whether I would make it out.”

Charles has travelled by road through 31 African countries and says his experience in Ethiopia was fundamentally different to anywhere else he has visited on the continent. However, he stressed that it was his personal experience and said he also met several Ethiopians who went out of their way to help him.

He stopped short of telling people not to visit the country but urged anyone considering a trip to research the risks carefully. Charles advised travellers to be particularly cautious around checkpoints, police encounters, prices, theft and visa issues.

He is now recovering from his injuries and changes the dressing on his foot every couple of days. Charles has been advised not to walk normally on it yet but hopes to recover over the coming weeks. His car survived the ordeal too, despite being left with at least two bullet holes.

Charles says he refused to abandon the tiny car that has been his travelling companion for years. He now plans to take several months off to recover and repair the Yaris before continuing his adventures, although he no longer intends to travel further north through Africa.

The family holiday has been left in doubt after she discovered her daughter’s passport did not meet strict travel rules

A singer has issued a plea for help after discovering at the last minute that her daughter’s passport could fail strict travel rules. Rules mean there must be a set amount of time available on a passport or the holder will not be allowed to travel.

Under rules following Brexit people travelling to EU countries, except Ireland, along with Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City must have at least three months left on their passports after the day they plan to leave, warns ABTA. The passport must also have been issued less than 10 years before the date of arrival at the country.

Musician and singer Philippa Hanna turned to Facebook to seek advice after her family holiday to Portugal appeared to be in jeopardy. The Christian music star who has toured with mainstream artists including Lionel Richie, Leona Lewis, Anastacia and Wet Wet Wet, told how she had just discovered that her daughter, Ozma’s, passport would not meet these rules.

She said: “GUYS!! We need help. Do I know ANYONE who works for or is connected to the passport office or something even close? We need emergency advice ahead of our family holiday tomorrow?”

She later went on to explain: “I just found out Ozma has 5 weeks less than needed on her passport for flying to Portugal.” She then added: “We’re only going for 5 days so the week fast track wont work. I’m just wondering if there’s any way of getting an extension or a special permission or something.”

One follower suggested she contact her MP who might be able to speed up getting a new passport. Gayle Hunter, who said she was a former duty manager at an airline, said: “They’re normally strict at least 3 months after the last day you’re leaving on passport. An MP can get you a new one in three hours under parliamentary privilege.”

However this was disputed by another poster who said he worked in the airline industry and travelled extensively. John Dinsdale said he had been stung by the rule himself, and insisted an MP would be unlikely to help. He said: “There is a parliamentary/MP escalation route, but it only applies for compassionate reasons (family death, serious illness) not for holiday travel, so it won’t help here.

“You could try contacting the airline to ask if they’ll allow “OK to board,” but I doubt that’s your best option. Even if they agreed, Schengen countries require a minimum of 90 days’ passport validity, so Portugal border control could still refuse entry on arrival.

“For an airline to allow to board they would need authorisation from the Portuguese immigration department first. If you’re refused entry, the airline will face a fine (amounts vary by country), and you’d likely be liable for the cost of the return flight, airlines won’t board anyone without valid travel documents in the first place.

“I’ve actually been on the receiving end of this myself, I can’t get an ESTA for the US because of my travel history, apparently America don’t like Iraqi stamps in passports, so I know firsthand how strict airlines are about not boarding anyone without the right documents. It’s not something they’ll bend on.

“Realistically, a new passport won’t be issued in time even by fast track. I’d contact your travel insurer now to ask about cancellation/rebooking cover, I know this is not what you want to hear, but it’s the most likely outcome.”

What the government says

So what are the rules? According to the government there are steps you can take – but it usually still takes some time.

It advises: “You can pay to get a passport urgently if you think the standard service will take too long.” It explains there are 2 ways to apply for an urgent passport.

1 day premium

According to the government website the earliest you can get an appointment is 2 days after you apply. It says: “You’ll need to hand in your old passport at your appointment. Your new passport will be ready to collect from the passport office 4 hours after your appointment.

“You can only use this service to renew an adult passport. It costs £239.50 (or £253.50 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport).”

1 week fast track

With this one the earliest you can get an appointment is the next day after you apply. It advises: “Your new passport will be delivered to you by courier 1 week after your appointment.”

You can use this service to:

• renew a passport
• change personal details on your passport (for example your name, place of birth or gender)
• replace a lost, stolen or damaged passport
• get a child passport

It costs £192 for an adult passport (or £206 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport). A child passport is £156.50 (or £170.50 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport).

Is there anything any faster?

It advises: “If you need to travel urgently for medical treatment, on government business, or because a friend or family member is seriously ill or has died, call the Passport Adviceline instead.”

People told by officials that cars are also permitted go through crossings under specific rule – even when green crossing light is on

The Foreign Office has issued a warning for anyone visiting one of the UK’s favourite holiday destinations this summer. Italy is one of the most popular holiday hotspots – with 4.8 million visits in 2025 according to the Office of National Statistics.

However, a new alert has been put out by officials at the Foreign Office for anyone crossing the street. It said that people in the UK are used to being able to get across safely when lights are on red.

But it explained that in Italy this could be dangerous – as drivers are allowed to turn right when the green pedestrial crossing sign is on. And the Foreign Office said people can also be fined for crossing the road.

In today’s update it said: “Traffic can be busy, fast and chaotic, especially in the larger cities. Take care when crossing roads. Pedestrians should cross roads at a crossing. You can be fined for crossing the road if you are within 100 metres of a pedestrian crossing but do not use it. Drivers do not always stop, even though they are required to. The green pedestrian crossing signal also allows cars to turn right on to the crossing, so cross with caution.

“Exercise caution in poorly lit or unfamiliar areas, including in road underpasses. Emergency exits in vehicle tunnels are for emergency use only if you need to leave your vehicle and should not be used as pedestrian routes.”

In terms of crime, the Foreign Office advice is that compared to the UK petty street crime is higher. It said :”Crime levels are generally low but there are higher levels of petty crime, particularly bag-snatching and pickpocketing, in city centres and at major tourist attractions. “

Advice includes:

• keep sight of your belongings at all times
• beware of thieves using distraction techniques
• avoid carrying all your valuables together in handbags or pockets
• leave spare cash and valuables in a safe place such as a hotel safe

Cars can also be targeted: “Thefts from parked cars is common across the country. Avoid leaving luggage in your vehicle, even out of sight in the boot, for any length of time.

“Thieves may use a variety of methods to distract you or encourage you to stop your car, including asking for help or directions or pointing out a fictional fault with your car. “

For more information on safety from the Foreign Office about Italy click here.

WE ALL like to be beside the seaside and the UK is home to some wonderful seaside spots.

With the UK summer still giving us heaps of sunshine, what better way to spend a day out?

And Uber has revealed the top 10 bucket-list beaches to visit this summer, as part of UberSeaside, where you can get discounted local rides to head to overlooked beaches.

So here are their top spots you should visit this summer.

Lantic Bay, Cornwall

Dubbed one of Cornwall’s “best kept secrets”, head to Lantic Bay where you’ll find white sand and crystal clear waters.

Owned by the National Trust, the cove never gets crowded making it the ideal spot to sunbathe in peace.

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Swimming is not recommended at the cove though, as they can often be strong rip currents.

The beach itself can be accessed by a 20 minute walk from a National Trust car park.

One recent visitor said: “Lantic Bay is absolutely stunning – one of the most beautiful spots I’ve visited in Cornwall. The walk down is definitely long and steep, so good footwear is a must, but once you reach the bay, it’s completely worth it.

“Crystal-clear water, peaceful surroundings, and incredible views. It felt like a little slice of paradise. I would definitely do it again!”

Pedn Vounder, Cornwall

Also in Cornwall, you could head to Pedn Vounder, set between the cliffs of Treryn Dinas.

The beach itself boasts turquoise water and white,sand making it look more like it is somewhere in the Mediterranean.

A recent visitor said in an online review: “Possibly the best beach in the UK!

“At low tide, the fairy pools open up around the rocks and are just magical! It was quiet, even in July and is definitely worth the walk down. Going back up is much easier.”

Chapman’s Pool, Dorset

Chapman’s Pool is a secluded beach that rarely gets crowded.

The stoney beach is home to crystal clear waters that are often calm enough to go snorkelling in.

When on the beach, make sure to have a look at the rocks as you may spot some fossils.

The beach is about a 20 minute walk from a free car park.

Mupe Bay, Dorset

Also in Dorset on the Jurassic Coast, you can head to Mupe Bay.

The beach is a mix of sand and shingle.

It is also surrounded by dramatic chalk cliffs and there is also the Fossil Forest nearby.

Expect far fewer crowds compared to the busier Durdle Door.

Achmelvich Beach, Highlands

Up in Scotland, you could head to Achmelvich Beach which is an award-winning white sand beach with clear water.

It is also the ideal stop off if you are travelling on the North Coast 500 route, as it is just three miles from the route.

While at the beach you can head swimming or have a go at different water sports.

A number of visitors have compared the spot to looking as if it is in the Maldives or in the Caribbean.

Botany Bay, Kent

Botany Bay is one of the more well-known spots on this list, but is still stunning to visit.

When the tide heads out, the beach is a great spot to go fossil hunting as well as exploring the numerous rock pools.

Often called one of the UK’s most beautiful beaches, Botany Bay is also one of the warmest beaches in the UK in winter thanks to its location on the Channel.

And it gets the least rain in the country too!

Singing Sands, Isle of Eigg

Another spot to visit in Scotland is Singing Sands Beach.

This is found on the northwest coast of the Isle of Eigg.

It is known for its white sand that makes a ‘singing’ noise when you walk on it.

The beach also boasts views of the neighbouring Isle of Rum.

Luskentyre, Isle of Harris

Often named one of the best beaches in the UK and Europe, Luskentyre Beach on the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland, features miles of white sand and turquoise water.

The beach is often quiet with no crowds as well.

One visitor said: “Breathtaking beach felt like I was in Maldives!

“A must visit! Loved the stunning scenery! If you don’t visit you are really missing out!”

Traeth yr Ora, Anglesey

Over in Wales, you could head to Traeth yr Ora in Anglesey – a large beach with a mix of sand and shingle.

The nearest parking is around a mile away so it is a bit of walk to the beach, but this usually results in it being quiet.

The beach is also known for being a great spot to watch the sunset.

If you are there at low tide, you might be lucky enough to see a shipwreck emerge from the water.

Marloes Sands, Pembrokeshire

Also in Wales, you could visit Marloes Beach which stretches for over a mile.

Cliffs surround the beach and at low tide you will find lots of small rockpools to explore.

From the beach, you can often spot seals in the water too.

A recent visitor said: “Wow. This absolutely is the most beautiful beach I’ve ever been.”

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

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

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

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

Impacted airlines include Ryanair, EasyJet, and Wizz Air.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Between these hours, flights could be impacted as well.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Porter Airlines was contacted for additional comment.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Disruption is also expected until the end of the day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More than 3 million Brits travel there every year

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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