holidays

THE UK could soon get a direct link via ferry to a new destination in Europe.

Plans have been submitted for a ferry route between Aberdeen in Scotland and Iceland, often dubbed ‘Snow Land’.

The passenger and freight ferry would head to Seydisfjordur – a town on Iceland’s east coast.

Bob Sanguinetti, chief executive of the Port of Aberdeen, said: “A regular service between Aberdeen and Iceland would certainly be of interest to the port.”

So far, one ferry operator has shown interest in the route.

In the future, there could also be a stop in Orkney.

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Currently, there are no direct international passenger ferry services from Scotland, so if this route were to go ahead it would be the first.

It is unclear how long the ferry journey would take.

The picturesque town of Seydisfjordur sits in the innermost point of a fjord that has the same name.

To get to the town, visitors drive along Route 93 which heads over the Fjarðarheiði mountain pass.

The town is known for its wooden buildings dating back to the 19th and early 20th century as well.

Currently, the easiest way to visit Iceland from the UK is by flying, which takes around three hours and costs from £42 return.

A NEW attraction with an enormous lagoon and bright white sands is set to open a few hours from the UK.

Called Alovera Beach, it’s set to open in summer 2028 and the catch is that it’s nowhere near the coast.

Instead, the company called Crystal Lagoons is hoping to open Europe’s largest man-made beach just outside of Spain’s capital, Madrid.

The project itself that’s 104,000 square metres is being built at the cost of €29million (£24.3million).

At its centre will be a 21,000-square-metre artificial lagoon which will be surrounded by 16,000 square metres of white sand which makes for the perfect sunbathing spot.

The lagoon will be suitable for swimming as well as watersports like kayaking, paddleboarding and aqua fitness classes.

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There will also be children’s attractions, relaxation spaces, food outlets and cafes.

On the sand will be an adults-only beach club with separate lounges to relax in as well as restaurants.

During the summer it’s hoping to hold seasonal events too including concerts, guest celebrations and even business events.

Looking at the details on its website, it looks like entry will be through memberships and daily passes.

Plans for Alovera Beach started back in 2017 and it has just taken a huge step forward with developers signing a formal construction-start document on October 21, 2026.

If all goes to plan, work is set to complete in March 2028 with it opening to the public a few months later in the summer months.

When it does open, the inland beach will be easy for Brits to reach as Alovera is a 45-minute drive from Madrid.

One-way flights are as little as £20 and Brits can get there in less than two and a half hours.

The company has made 1,000 projects across 60 countries including the Evermore Orlando Resort.

It has a range of accommodation including guest rooms and suites to Walt Disney World around two enormous beach areas where visitors can try out kayaking and paddleboarding.

The lagoon here is larger than 25 Olympic-size swimming pools and has has two beach areas.

LOOKING to celebrate Bonfire Night with some incredible firework displays but without the price tag? Luckily there are plenty of free ones across the country.

The average November outing can cost UK families up to £30 and that’s without the hot chocolates, so here’s a handy list of the biggest celebrations that are completely free to enter.

Cambridge

For anyone near Cambridge, Midsummer Common is one of the largest free fireworks displays in the East of England.

On November 5, the evening will begin with a live DJ at 6pm – then to keep everyone entertained, there will be theatrical walkabout acts through the crowds.

These include giant caribou puppets and stilt walking jellyfish.

There will be food vendors on-site as well from 6pm until late.

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The firework ‘extravaganza’ will begin at 7pm. The event is completely free, but donations are encouraged.

Manchester

In Manchester, there are three free fireworks night celebrations hosted by the City Council all taking place on November 7 this year.

These will be at Heaton Park, Wythenshawe Park and Platt Fields Park.

Each event will open at 3pm followed by interactive storytelling sessions for children.

At all the sites will be two lots of fireworks, the first will be reduced noise fireworks at 5pm.

There will be a lantern parade at 7pm and around the site is a food and drink village, family-friendly entertainment and activities as well as funfair rides.

The second firework display will be at 8pm set to music.

Watford

Hertfordshire’s biggest display is the Cassiobury Park Fireworks in Watford on November 7.

It kicks off at 6pm with entertainment on the main stage by Vibe 107.6FM followed by a local band.

Dotted about will be food and drink outlets along with activities for kids including bungee trampolines and a bouncy slide.

The fireworks display will start at 7.30pm.

Plymouth

For anyone in the south west, Plymouth will hold a large Bonfire Night celebration on November 5.

It’s popular with around 20,000 people flocking to The Hoe for its huge bonfire next to Smeaton’s Tower and 15-minute firework display over the Citadel.

Food stalls will open on Plymouth Hoe from 4pm until late.

The bonfire will start at 7pm in the evening with the fireworks starting at 7.30pm.

These are completely free to attend, but for anyone who heads up to the promenade for the rides – there will be a small fee to go on them.

Norfolk

Fawkes in the Walks is one of the biggest firework displays in Norfolk.

This year it will take place on November 6 at The Walks in King’s Lynn.

Kicking off at 6pm it will have live music, food and drink stalls and a funfair which will keep everyone occupied before the main event.

The fireworks kick off at 8pm alongside live music from DJ Mark Purdy and Vex.

The event is completely free but donations are encouraged.

London

In London anyone on a budget can usually get a good view of fireworks for free from vantage points like Primrose or Parliament Hill.

However, if you want to go to an actual event, Coram’s Fields is one of London’s free community displays.

Gates open at 3.30pm with performances by local youth groups beginning at 4.15pm – this is also when the fun fair rides and food stalls will first open.

The 18-minute long firework display will begin at 6pm.

General entry to the display is on a first-come, first-served basis and is subject to the park’s capacity.

It’s also worth noting that as Coram’s Fields is a children’s park, adults may can only attend the event when accompanied by a child.

East Sussex

For a slightly unusual Bonfire Night, Lewes in East Sussex holds the biggest celebration in the country.

Every year on November 5, six different bonfire societies each hold their own procession and firework displays through the town.

The majority of the event is completely free, like the bonfire at Commercial Square and the torchlit parades.

Entry to the individual society firework and bonfire sites requires a paid ticket – but they will be free to watch from the public-accessible areas along the routes.

This year, the processions start at around 5pm and will arrive at the individual bonfire at around 9.45pm with fireworks displays finishing around 11pm.

EVERY traveller knows the main airport terminal is essentially a giant, chaotic waiting room where a sad sandwich and a pre-flight pint can set you back a small fortune.

But tucked away from the crowds is a world of plush sofas, Prosecco refills, buffet spreads and hot showers – and getting past the velvet rope is cheaper than you might think.

Claim 20% off Priority Pass membership

The trick to bypassing the terminal madness is a Priority Pass membership.

Once you’re signed up, you’ll get access to more than 1,900 premium airport lounges across the globe.

And right now, savvy Sun readers can bag 20 per cent off their first year by clicking here.

This includes major UK airports like London Heathrow, Gatwick, East Midlands, Manchester, and Birmingham. In fact, Priority Pass covers 85 per cent of the world’s top 100 airports.

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Instead of battling for a plug socket in a busy terminal, the smart holidaymakers are hiding out in spaces like the Aspire, No. 1, Skylife, and Escape lounges.

Inside these lounges you get access to food as well as alcoholic drinks, comfy seating, fast Wi-Fi and plenty of places to charge your devices.

But it’s far more than just filling your boots at the buffet. Depending on where you’re flying from, these spaces are kitted out with hot showers, exercise zones even nap pods to counter that gruelling early morning start.

And for even more pampering, at airports with Be Relax spas you can squeeze in a pre-flight massage or a fresh manicure, ready to show off on holiday.

And if that’s not enough, Priority Pass members also get free access to the WithU Fitness app.

The app normally costs £79.99 a year, and includes personalised audio coaching and workout programmes that you can take home with you.

Claim 20% off Priority Pass membership

A standard plan usually costs £69 a year, but drops to just £55 with our 20 per cent discount.

That works out to less than a fiver a month, coming in a £4.60.

After that, with a standard pass you pay a flat £24 entry fee each time you visit a lounge – giving you access to those all-you-can-eat buffets and free-flowing drinks.

Priority Pass members get access to:

• Complimentary food and drinks (including alcohol)
• Sleep pods to catch up on rest at selected locations
• Be Relax spa treatments (at participating airports)
• Bring along a guest (£24 Guest visit fee)
• Discounts on further airport dining and spa treatments
• The option to re-book selected lounges for a supplementary fee
• Free membership to the WithU Fitness app (worth £79.99 per year)

Claim 20% off Priority Pass membership

Prices correct at the time of publication.

EASYJET has announced a major new perk on its flights – WiFi.

The budget airline is installing high-speed internet onboard its planes in collaboration with Starlink.

The move means that easyJet is the first budget airline in the UK to get Starlink WiFi alongside Wizz Air, who are also launching WiFI next year.

Starlink will be rolled out across the airline’s A320 and A321 fleet from the first half of 2027 and expected to be completed by early 2028.

With the new WiFi, passengers can stream, game and browse, although it isn’t clear yet how much it will cost.

Kenton Jarvis, CEO at easyJet, said: “In an increasingly digital world, staying connected matters more than ever to many of our customers, whether that’s holidaymakers looking to unwind with inflight entertainment, or our business customers keeping up to speed with what’s happening on the ground.

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“Innovation is in easyJet’s DNA and partnering with SpaceX to bring Starlink’s high-speed internet connectivity onboard for the first time will not only further enhance the experience we provide millions of customers, but means we are offering more of the options both business and leisure travellers want when they choose who they fly with.

“Giving customers the opportunity to get online in the air will mean even greater choice and convenience when you fly with easyJet.

“Ultimately, it’s yet another way we’re making travel easy.”

Gwynne Shotwell, President and Chief Operating Officer of SpaceX, said: “We’re proud to bring Starlink onboard easyJet and transform the way their customers stay connected throughout their travels.

“Fast, reliable connectivity from take-off to landing means people can work, stream, or stay in touch without interruption.”

Other airlines that have already installed Starlink in the UK include British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.

With dramatic wild landscapes of mountains and lochs, rugged coastlines and remote islands, Scotland is the perfect place to really get away from it all. We want to hear about your favourite wild escapes, whether it was a stay in an off-grid cabin or bothy, a solo hike on a less-visited trail or mountain, or a romantic break on a windswept isle.

The best tip of the week, chosen by Tom Hall of Lonely Planet wins a £200 voucher to stay at a Coolstays property – the company has more than 3,000 worldwide. The best tips will appear in the Guardian Travel section and website.

Keep your tip to about 100 words

If you have a relevant photo, do send it in – but it’s your words we will be judging for the competition.

We’re sorry, but for legal reasons you must be a UK resident to enter this competition.

FORGOT Halloween is this week and the kids are nagging to do something?

Well, fortunately there are still tickets available to Halloween events at the UK’s biggest and best theme parks.

Whether you have little ones and want something more tame, or older kids desperate to head on thrill rides in the dark, there are plenty of Halloween events with availability still for this week.

Here’s a roundup of the best theme park Halloween events with tickets still available:

Legoland

Legoland Windsor Resort’s Brick or Treat event still has tickets available, where you will be able to see different Lego models as well as Lego Monsters.

There’s a huge party for visitors to enjoy as well as live entertainment and of course, visitors can head to the 55 rides and attractions across the park as well.

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Returning this year is also the Lord Vampyre’s House Party show, where everyone can have a boogie.

Tickets cost from £37 per person.

Thorpe Park

This year Thorpe Park is marking ’25 Years of Fear’ and is known for its award-winning theme park scare event with a new maze for this year called Tenement.

There’s a 4D cinema experience and a number of shows as well.

Guests will also be able to head on the different rides at the park in the dark.

A day ticket including Fright Nights costs from £39 per person or a Fright Nights ticket including the Scare Mazes costs from £71 per person.

Gulliver’s

Across Gulliver’s Theme Park Resorts you can still snap up tickets to Fright Fiesta.

There will be a festival-style atmosphere with costumes, music and meet and greets.

And at both Gulliver’s Valley in Rotherham and Gulliver’s Land in Milton Keynes, visitors can step onto the ‘Ghouliver’s Travelator’ for an immersive journey across a Halloween landscape before arriving at the Midnight Manor Hotel (Gulliver’s Valley) or the Wicked Woods (Gulliver’s Land).

Tickets cost from just £19 per person.

Alton Towers

Alton Towers Scarefest still has tickets available, with scare mazes, family spook attractions and rides open in the dark until 9pm.

There are six scare mazes in total including Compound and Dark Hollow, which is new for 2026.

Little ones can enjoy Amigos in the Afterlife with Dia de los Muertos celebrations and Trick O’ Treat Town.

Tickets cost from £37 per person for daytime Halloween events and entry to the park, or £80 per person for a day ticket as well as evening thrills.

Paultons Park

For families with younger children, Paultons Park still has tickets available to its Halloween Spooktacular with spooky characters and late-night openings.

Visitors can enjoy the Little Monsters Ball as well as the Great Halloween Mystery/Spirit Squad Ghoul School shows.

There’s also the Ghostly Manor – an interactive dark ride.

Tickets cost from £46.75 per person.

Drayton Manor

Over at Drayton Manor, visitors can enjoy rides, two fireworks nights and a new Trick or Treat Trail ideal for little kids.

There’s loads of themed locations to snap a pic at too.

If you are feeling a little braver, you can head on the Revenge of the Haunted Express and catch a lake show at the end of the day.

Tickets cost from £39 per person, or £16 per child between the age of two and three-years-old. The Revenge of the Haunted Express is an additional £5 per person.

ONE of the UK’s largest indoor waterparks is set to close next week until next year.

Despite usually remaining open year-round, Aqua Park in Stoke-on-Trent will close for renovations next week.

The park is part of Waterworld and will be closed from November 2 until early next year.

The park is hosting a ‘Last Splash’ party on November 1 before the closure with a DJ between 12pm and 4pm.

Few details have been revealed about the renovation, but the park currently has 30 rides and attractions.

The website simply states that it cannot wait to welcome back visitors with “exciting upgrades”.

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Wayne Goodall, Managing Director of Waterworld Leisure Resort, said: “Our closing party is the perfect chance for visitors to make a last splash with us before we close for a short time to make exciting changes across the Aqua Park.

“At its heart, Waterworld offers families a place to spend time together, escape from everyday life and enjoy that holiday feeling, whatever the weather.

“The upgrades we have planned are set to build on that sense of fun and enhance the way we tell our story, creating a more immersive experience for our guests.

“We can’t wait to reveal more about the upcoming investment soon.”

Adventure Mini Golf and Adventure Mini Village will remain open while the Aqua Park undergoes renovation.

Waterworld first opened in 1989 and is heated to a toasty 30C year-round, with numerous different slides such as Cyclone, Hurricane and Stormchaser.

There are racing slides as well and even a water rollercoaster.

If thrill rides aren’t your thing though, you can relax in the wave pool or bubble pools.

There’s also a rapids area, hot tubs and a children’s splash area.

A Jet2 passenger plane was filmed veering off the runway onto the grass at Birmingham Airport on Sunday, as Storm Boelo winds whipped across the Midlands travel hub

The terrifying moment a Jet2 passenger plane veered off the runway in strong Storm Boelo winds has been captured on video

In the clip, the passenger jet is seen approaching the runway. As it touches down on the tarmac, the plane bucks up a little, causing the aircraft to move around on its axis in the air. When the plane next touches down, its nose is directed off the runway.

The plane’s speed causes it to run off the tarmac and onto the grass, with dust and mud from the wheels billowing into the air. The plane’s pilots managed to correct its course, veering it back onto the tarmac and straightening it up.

No one was injured in the landing.

Were you on the flight? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

A spokesperson for Jet2 told the Mirror: “Flight LS1310 from Venice to Birmingham temporarily moved off the runway after landing at Birmingham Airport, due to exceptional weather conditions caused by Storm Boelo. The aircraft immediately returned to the runway and taxied to the stand. We can confirm that everyone disembarked as normal.”

The landing was one of the dicier moments on a weekend in which gusts reached 80 miles per hour in parts of the country, causing dozens of cancellations and lengthy delays. There were also fatalities caused by the storm.

A 60-year-old man died after being struck by a falling tree in Dumfries and Galloway during Storm Boelo. Police Scotland said the man was on a road at Mid Kelton, near Castle Douglas, when the tree fell on him at around 10.30am on Sunday.

A spokesperson said: “We were made aware of a 60-year-old man having been struck by a falling tree on a minor road at Mid Kelton near Castle Douglas around 10.30am on Sunday October 25 2026. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. There are no suspicious circumstances and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal in due course.”

The Met Office has warned of possible injuries and danger to life from flying debris, alongside the risk of damage to buildings, power cuts and travel disruption. An amber wind warning came into force at 9pm on Saturday and remained in place until 9pm on Sunday. Only Orkney remained under a yellow warning.

Network Rail said most train services were expected to return to normal on Monday, but advised passengers to check their journeys online before travelling. On Sunday, nine of the rail operators suffered from severe disruptions, with Scotrail forced to suspend journeys on entire sections of its network.

Teams have cleared fallen trees and debris from tracks and carried out repairs to overhead lines and flooding-related damage that disrupted the network.

Gary Hopkirk, route director at Network Rail Scotland, said: “It’s been a really challenging weekend for Scotland’s railway and particularly for the teams who’ve been out in some very difficult conditions responding to whatever the weather has thrown at us. Our focus throughout has been on keeping people safe and trains moving wherever possible.

“Now the worst of the weather has passed, our attention is on getting the railway back to normal. We’ll be working as quickly as we can, but we won’t compromise on safety. We know disruption is frustrating and we really appreciate the patience people have shown this weekend while our teams do everything they can to get everyone moving again.”

Several roads and bridges across Scotland and Northern Ireland have been forced to close in the weather, while many of the ferry services between the Scottish mainland and the islands, as well as the island of Ireland and Britain, were cancelled.

Of CalMac’s 30 ferry services scheduled for Sunday, 27 were cancelled, with some suspensions expected to continue until Monday.

A man dedicates U2’s “With or Without You” to the ex-boyfriend who ghosted him. A woman sings “I’m Coming Home” from “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” for the late Tim Curry. The room pounds their fists on the tables to the bridge of Metallica’s “One,” a harrowing anthem about the horrors of war.

This is Blue Mondays, a karaoke night dedicated to sad songs that’s become a ritual of catharsis for its regulars. It happens the first Monday of every month at the Fable, where singers compete for what KJ (karaoke jockey) Teri Gamble calls, “the most coveted shirt in all of Eagle Rock”: a blue T-shirt featuring a pajama-clad Garfield (the cat, not the president) with the caption “I hate Mondays.”

Gamble, an actor, musician and podcaster, has sung karaoke since childhood with their babysitter. They host several karaoke events, including a Broadway night at Akbar in Silver Lake, and have helmed Blue Mondays for about two years.

Singers gather at the Fable on the first Monday of the month to belt out their saddest songs.

Gamble doesn’t always choose the best singer to win the Garfield shirt. They consider performers who make a song their own, get everyone singing along, or seem like they need a win.

“There was a girl who … had a cast on her arm. She cried her whole song. I said, ‘you don’t have to tell me what happened, but I love you and I hope everything gets better.’ And then I definitely gave her the shirt that night,” Gamble said.

Thom Sigsby, who owns the Fable with his wife, Monica Katzenell Sigsby, enjoys the low-key performances. “Someone did [Sara Bareilles’ “She Used to Be Mine”] and it was just devastating. There wasn’t a single moment of feeling like she realized there was anyone else in the room,” he said.

You’d expect long faces nursing their drinks, but it’s often the opposite. There’s something freeing about exorcising negativity through song that keeps people coming back. There’s community here, across the dedicated regulars and the staff — Gamble’s an incredible singer, and bartender Megha Wescombe absolutely crushes “Maybe This Time” from “Cabaret.” As Nicole Kidman might say, “Heartbreak feels good in a place like this.”

Patrons cheer after a performance during Blue Mondays. Regulars tell stories of forging new friendships at the event.

Mel Minghelli can perform both parts in “Phantom of the Oprah” thanks to her wide vocal range.

“I think I end up feeling less sad about my own personal sads because we are sharing them together,” Gamble said. “So it feels like the burden is lessened by the end of the night every time.”

Akhil Indurti, a software engineer who also performs musical improv at the Upright Citizens Brigade, won October’s shirt. He sang System of a Down’s “Chop Suey” (frontman Serj Tankian owns Kavat Cafe, two doors down), though his go-to is Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game.”

“I think oftentimes [people] listen to sad songs because they’re sometimes more musically interesting,” he said. “They’re not just a major chord progression. It’s not usually just sadness. There’s nuance and subtlety. There’s some storytelling.”

Soraya Sebghati won September’s shirt with Linda Ronstadt’s “Long Long Time.” She fronts the band Night Talks, and said sometimes people tell her she shouldn’t be allowed to do karaoke because she’s a professional. She still loves it, both as a performer and a spectator, and — despite her seemingly upbeat demeanor — enjoys Blue Mondays as a “safe space for the freaks and the goths and people who want to sing sad stuff.”

Fable owner Thom Sigsby says his karaoke book, with more than 12,000 songs, may feel antiquated compared with digital karaoke platforms, but that’s the point.

“I’m the kind of person, when I’m sad, I like to listen to more sad music. I’m also a big cinephile. Bleak Week at Cinematheque’s [Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair] is my favorite week of programming of the year,” she said.

Fable owner Thom Sigsby says his karaoke book, with more than 12,000 songs, may feel antiquated compared to digital karaoke platforms, but that’s the point.

Dave Child lays it all out on the karaoke stage.

The Fable’s crowd and the songs they choose are eclectic, spanning generations and musical tastes. Some songs you’re guaranteed to hear every time — Radiohead’s “Creep” and Johnny Cash’s cover of “Hurt” are staples — but some performers choose more subversive tracks.

For example, OutKast’s “Hey Ya” sounds happy, but it’s about loveless relationships. Barry Manilow’s high-energy “Copacabana” describes a woman who drank her life away following her lover’s murder. Gamble recalled a performer who writhed on the floor while sob-singing Lou Bega’s “Mambo No. 5,” which could be sad considering the protagonist’s inability to maintain a steady relationship.

Blue Mondays didn’t start at the Fable. Sigsby was already a karaoke enthusiast when he began KJing at Bigfoot Lodge in Atwater Village about 14 years ago. By his own admission, he “got way too into it,” spending his own money to add songs to his book. A former theater kid and commercial actor, karaoke gave Sigsby a new way to express himself on stage and make friends. He and his wife even bonded over karaoke before they married.

Lyrics for “Solitaire,” a Neil Sedaka ballad, plays during a karaoke performance.

Given that Mondays are usually slow, Sigsby and his co-workers began adding shticks: single-artist blocks, nights where KJs chose singers’ songs, and Blue Mondays, which offered a free “Prozac” shot for each depressing tune (a mystery blend with an on-theme hue). Free booze — which singers still receive today — was a motivator, but so was the theme, which seemed to “resonate” more than the others.

Sigsby later founded his own karaoke company, HiHo Karaoke. It operates at bars including Ye Rustic Inn, Glendale’s the Gold Rail and Bigfoot Lodge, whose own Blue Mondays, Sigsby said, draws a younger crowd. Compared with some karaoke outfits, Sigsby admits HiHo may appear “antiquated,” but that’s intentional. “There’s no app, there [are] no [paper] slips. You literally just come talk to us because we want to meet you and talk to you and have a relationship with the singer[s],” he said.

The same goes for HiHo’s book. Streaming services may offer 50,000-song catalogs, but HiHo’s 12,000-plus book is curated by its hosts and clientele. Licensing each song ensures musicians and rights holders are paid, and lets people request the songs they’ve been dying to sing, from emo deep cuts to Puccini operas.

Brian Collins performs during Blue Mondays.

In 2019, Sigsby and his wife purchased the Fable (formerly the Old Chalet and before that, the Black Boar) less than six months before the pandemic. It was after stay-at-home orders lifted that Blue Mondays really took off. “I think it really was just this need for everyone to reconnect coming out of COVID and also have a safe space … where they really could emote,” he said.

Through the Eaton fire in nearby Altadena and today’s economic uncertainty — Sigsby notes the first Monday means everyone’s just paid rent — the Fable has continued to offer that space.

Regular Mel Minghelli, whose impressive four-octave range let her nail both the Phantom and Christine in “The Phantom of the Opera,” said, “I think in the way that sad music has helped people as a comfort, it’s really nice to be able to perform it and have other people … hear it or also feel comforted.” Minghelli used to treat her unique talent as a “party trick,” but now wants to record her own music with singer-songwriter Johnny Mace, another regular she met at the Fable.

Mace chose Calum Scott’s cover of Robyn’s “Dancing on My Own” that evening, though he said he often does Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs.” He described the Fable as a “magical” place where he’s found numerous friends and opportunities. “I was in the deepest depression and coming out here got my confidence back and I found my voice again. I [had given up] on my music career. I was really hurting and this place gave me life again so I owe this place a lot,” he said.

He won the shirt once singing the Goo Goo Dolls’ “Iris” but has since given it away, to whom he can’t remember. Why? Unlike Garfield, he likes Mondays.

The next Blue Monday is Nov. 2, 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m., at the Fable, 1630 Colorado Blvd. in Eagle Rock.

ONE airline is returning to the UK after more than a decade with a direct route from London.

Cyprus Airways is relaunching daily direct flights to Larnaca on April 23, 2027.

The airline last regularly served London until 2015, also flying to Stansted – although it was a different company at the time under government ownership.

It will be a year-round service and according to its website, return trips start from €423 (£355) in Economy Basic.

With this option, holidaymakers get one 10kg cabin bag included and a personal item.

Another is Economy Flex which includes one 10kg cabin baggage and a personal item as well as one checked bag at 23kg included – there’s also free seat selection.

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Cyprus Airways also has Business Class which has in-flight service, lounge access and priority check-in.

The ticket includes 15kg cabin baggage, two 32kg checked bags, seat selection, fast track, meals included and priority boarding.

Thanos Pascalis, chief executive of Cyprus Airways, said: “By adding London Stansted to our network from April 2027, we are providing our customers with greater choice and flexibility while further strengthening our presence in one of Cyprus’ most significant international markets.

“We look forward to welcoming passengers on board and offering them the convenience, reliability and authentic Cypriot hospitality that define Cyprus Airways.”

For those Brits who arrive in Larnaca in April, they can expect average highs of around 18C.

It’s a popular spot for the cooler months as well as in October it still has highs of 22C and it remains as high as 14C in December.

There shouldn’t be a long wait in the airport either as Cyprus doesn’t require EES checks.

Brits with a valid passport can visit the country for up to 90 days without the need for a visa.

The island itself gets over 300 days of sunshine each year and is known for having beautiful beaches – including one of the best in the world.

In the Europe list of ‘World’s Best Beaches‘, Golden Beach found on the Karpaz Peninsula in the north of the island comes in at number 30 out of 50.

The beach has 2.4 miles of sand and is known for its wild beauty and sand dunes – it’s a place where you’ll find sea turtle nesting grounds.

Larnaca is a favourite destination of singer Peter Andre’s who has his own villa there – and he knows lots of great restaurants in the area.

Talking to Sun Travel he said: “For anyone going to Larnaca, I have three recommendations. One is a new restaurants called Theta in Perivolia which is very near the airport.”

Peter also loves to go to a Japanese restaurant called Nippon.

He also added: “There’s another one called Opa Souvlaki Kiti, it’s not fancy, but if you want a proper Greek kebab done the Cypriot way, go there.”

THE thespians who frequent the Garrick Theatre in London’s West End are more used to seeing the likes of Richard E. Grant and Christine Baranski tread the boards than a dwarf bouncing around inside a giant balloon. 

That’s their loss though, because the families packing the venue off Leicester Square were hooting with laughter at the launch of Cirque Bererk last week – a theatre-circus spectacular with more than 30 performers that is running throughout October half term. 

And Sun Club members can get an extra 10 per cent off if they book their tickets through London Theatre Direct, when booking via our Sun Club Promo page. 

To get your tickets, sign up to Sun Club for for £1.99 a month then head to the Sun Club Offers hub and London Theatre Direct page or click here.

It was quite something to see a group of acts usually found in big tops showcasing their talents in a old-fashioned London theatre. 

Despite the smaller stage, we witnessed acrobats spinning from their mouths, men doing the limbo under poles of burning fire, motorbikes racing round a metal cage and a mesmerising quad of dancers in LED armour. 

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While there was a lack of a thread between most of the acts that left it feeling slightly disjointed, you can be sure the children in the audience didn’t notice it. 

Despite the age of the kids ranging from around three years old upwards (although age guidance is age five-plus), their concentration was held throughout the show – even though it was long enough to merit an interval. 

Of course they were – who doesn’t want to see performers juggling fire and shooting arrows through objects onstage? 

This was also in no small part thanks to the man from the aforementioned balloon, who took on the role of a modern ringmaster. 

Fans of Zippos Circus, who produce Cirque Beserk, may recognise him from Zippos travelling shows. 

With a grin wide enough to light up any stage, he tied all of the acts together alongside a comedy robot, in a style akin to an entry-level Cirque De Soleil. 

Which is essentially what this show is, a great starter show for families that is a wonderful way to introduce kids to the magic of both the circus and London’s West End.

Cirque Beserk runs every day until October 31, with tickets from £28.

CYCLISTS have been seen brazenly ignoring Sadiq Khan’s ‘pedestrian-only’ zone on Oxford Street just hours after the ban came into force.

As of today a one-kilometre stretch of the world-famous London street is now free from cars and buses prior to being fully pedestrianised.

The entire section between Selfridges near the Marble Arch end and Great Portland Street (including Oxford Circus) is the first to be impacted – with the festive period just around the corner.

Transport for London (TFL) has confirmed that e-bikes, pedal bikes, and e-scooters will no longer be allowed to go through the area but instead will be funnelled to surrounding routes.

However, cyclists were filmed whizzing through the green bollards installed just last night and designed to stop traffic.

A team of security guards was seen trying to wave down commuters, delivery drivers and e-bike renters and get them to dismount.

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One member of the public said it was “absolutely pandemonium” last night as buses kept coming up to the new obstructive bollards.

The road will be closed to all traffic between 7am and midnight every day of the week.

Exceptions have been made for deliveries, which can be made from midnight to 7am, and for emergency vehicles – which retain access at all times. 

But many Londoners have bemoaned the fact that the surrounding area will be gridlocked due to the changes.

As the busy festive period gets underway, others have voiced their concerns over how shoppers will carry their hauls in the lead up to Christmas.

One local councillor described the plan as a “disaster for local people” – and accused London Mayor Sadiq Khan of pushing it through to meet an “arbitrary deadline”.

Cllr Tim Barnes, Westminster City Council Deputy Leader, said: “We’re extremely disappointed that MHCLG have ignored legitimate concerns about the impact this scheme will have on central London.

“London deserves a world class shopping district but I’m worried we’re heading for an unmanaged mess.”

He added: “It’s going to be very difficult for people with accessibility issues to get to the street. There is no step free access from Oxford Circus Tube.”

It comes after it was revealed that Christmas shoppers heading down Britain’s busiest high street will now be scanned with facial recognition.

The technology is expected to be installed in December, just in time for the busy festive shopping period.

Today’s pedestrianisation of this stretch of road has repeatedly been described as the “first phase” – but it has faced criticism.

Sean Lane, 43, a cabbie for ten years driving down Oxford Street, said he was particularly concerned about disabled passengers and parents with prams.

He told The Times: “It’s gonna create gridlock. I just can’t understand it. You can see how wide the pavements are.

“There’s more than enough room for everybody. Even if you made it one lane, a one-way road, at least we can come along.”

Paul Fisher, a Conservative Westminster councillor, fears for the postcard view of the high street during the Christmas period but also on a year-round basis.

He said: “Why do people go to Oxford Street? They don’t just go to shop, they go for the experience, for the iconic buses and taxis.

“Many tourists shop on Oxford Street because of the iconic view you get … that vision will be lost forever.”

Traffic can still flow north and south along Regent Street at the Oxford Circus junction.

Pedestrians can cross at the junction and the plan is for traffic signals to be re-phased for the changes.

Traffic can also cross the pedestrianised zone on these four other routes: Duke Street (northbound), Davies Street/Stratford Place (both directions for local access), Vere Street/New Bond Street (southbound only) and Holles Street (northbound only).

Private cars have been barred for years but now all motorised traffic, including buses and black cabs, as well as bicycles, will be kept away.

London Mayor Khan has hailed the move as “a truly momentous occasion for the capital“.

The pedestrianisation of Oxford Street has been tried for years but remains controversial.

And although the traffic may have been stopped, the initial works scheme is not expected to be completed until spring next year.

The closure is part of a £150m phased plan to revive the area with “mini parks” and more than 50 trees, benches, lighting and public art.

It is hoped the plans will encourage bars and restaurants to move in alongside the shops to create a feel similar to the Rue de Rivoli in Paris or La Rambla in Barcelona.

Everyone had their reasons for joining the trip. Louisa from south London was putting her life back together after a split from her partner; first-timer Tim was strapping on ski boots following years of hesitation; and Lexi from Bristol had a classic case of the non-skiing boyfriend.

I was there because I needed a ski gang. None of my friends ski, and my brother was out of action with an injury. Not only that, I needed a good night’s sleep. I love my two-year-old son dearly, but I have somehow spawned an insomniac – still waking four times a night. Weary from bedtime battles, Holly, my partner, bluntly pointed out we could both benefit from “a temporary break from family life”. In other words: separate holidays.

Holly arranged a walking trip with friends; I opted for a week’s skiing in the French ski resort of Les Deux Alpes with Friendship Travel, a specialist operator in solo travel for more than 20 years. They find a chalet, fill it with solo skiers, provide travel, most meals and group ski lessons – that’s the basic service.

We were staying in a comfortable, largeish chalet just back from the resort’s mile-long drag. Entering a group holiday with strangers is a leap into the unknown. I was greeted by Sam and Mike, our (thankfully) low-key hosts, shown to my private room (you can save by bunking up with a same sex stranger), then introduced to my fellow holidaymakers. It turned out that there were 17 of us – nine women, eight men – and we were whisked into the lounge for a briefing and welcome drink. The atmosphere was upbeat and easy, and we gathered round one large table for an excellent three-course dinner.

Most Friendship Travel guests are aged between 35 and 65, and our group was at the top end of that range. There was Vivienne, a retired nurse from Cumbria who had just lost her partner, and Adriana, a “silver splitter” relishing retirement. For a few – myself included – it was the first such holiday, but many were inveterate solo travellers, with Ivyon, a former production operator from Bridgend, clocking up more than 90 trips.

The first morning, we set off to our ski lockers at the bottom of the slopes (tip: I booked my equipment hire in advance, saving €40). The group naturally fragmented, allowing small cliques to form – people relaxed as they started to identify potential après buddies.

I skied with Elaine, Clemmie, James and our guide, Luke, in the “level 4 advanced” group (we were asked to rate our ability beforehand). The backbone of Les Deux Alpes, the new Jandri 3S cable car, whisked us up to an altitude of 3,200 metres in 17 minutes – instead of the previous 40. Above broken clouds, we paused to admire the astonishing jagged peaks of the Écrins national park.

We blasted down a mixture of broad blue and red runs, plus some not overly challenging blacks. Although none of us had met before, we quickly settled into a rhythm, looking out for one another as the snow fell softly. There’s safety in numbers, especially on the off-piste sections. “I’d never have tried that alone,” said Clemmie.

Afternoons brought more skiing, followed by hands-in-the-air après at Skandal – reopened in 2025 following an extension – with a DJ on a packed terrace. Around sundown, the chalet WhatsApp group would start to ping. “Polar Bear Pub, anyone?” would be a typical message, often sent by Mícheál from Armagh, a dependable partner for a pint.

Solo travel has undergone a perception shift in recent decades, according to Colum McLornan, who founded Friendship Travel in 1999. “Travelling alone was often seen as unconventional, and for many it carried a stigma. But travellers are increasingly seeking independence, flexibility and personal growth. What was once viewed with hesitation is now celebrated, and solo holidays have become one of the fastest-growing segments in the industry,” he said.

At times, group etiquette could be a minefield: nobody likes waiting for latecomers (me); is it rude to always sit in the same seat at breakfast? (probably); is it OK to peel away from the group and ski by oneself? (up to a point); will I look like a skinflint if I buy my own wine? (absolutely, but life’s too short for plonk).

Honourable mention to Steve, a jolly retired doctor from north London. I enjoyed his vivid stories of cruising the Yangtze River, and skiing with his father in Austria during the late 1950s. Despite our age gap, we struck up a bond that lasted all week. Naturally, not all guests are interesting and fun. One seemingly endless dinner conversation about printer cartridges had me dreaming of Netflix in my room.

Then, suddenly, I found myself hugging my ski gang goodbye, bound for the train. Would I go solo again? Yes. Our hosts were helpful without being intrusive, the skiing superb (especially the high-altitude stuff on Glacier de Mont-de-Lans) and I met people I will stay in touch with. Best of all, I finally got some sleep.

The trip was provided by Friendship Travel. A seven-night package with a private room in a shared chalet, daily breakfast and afternoon tea, dinner with wine on five evenings, and six days of group ski lessons in Les Deux Alpes, costs from £1,820pp. Return rail travel from London to Grenoble was provided by Eurostar

YOU’LL find this majestic manor hotel tucked away in the Hertfordshire countryside with beautiful gardens and cosy rooms.

Read on to find out more about Fanhams Hall and everything you can do there from exploring the beautiful Japanese garden to table tennis and even karaoke.

Where is Fanhams Hall?

One mile outside of the pretty town of Ware in East Hertfordshire is the sprawling Fanhams Hall which is set on a 27-acre estate.

The former manor house that dates back to the 14th century has since been built upon and as enormous as it is, if you didn’t know if it was there, you’d never stumble upon it by chance.

After driving through winding country roads you’re welcomed in with the grand driveway that leads towards the beautiful hotel.

It’s a true countryside spot with manicured grounds where you’ll see wildflowers, ducks, ornate Japanese gardens with its own tea house, a wisteria canopy, croquet lawn, and water features – along with the occasional dog walker too.

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What is the hotel like?

Fanhams Hall is a Jacobean mansion which oozes charm, history and luxury. Inside are wooden panelled walls and formal dinners take place in the elegant Drawing Room.

For drinks, there’s the grand conservatory which has its own outdoor terrace and patio.

There are some rooms reserved for events, but you can poke your head in to admire them if nobody’s there and you’ll want a glimpse of the Long Gallery.

It was formerly a picture gallery inside the main house and has oak panelling and a vaulted ceiling with impressive, sparkling chandeliers.

The hotel itself is enormous, as are the grounds, so don’t be surprised if you lose your bearings at first.

What is there to do there?

Of course exploring the gardens is a must. But on a rainy day, head upstairs where you’ll discover the Energy Zone which has a foosball table, table tennis as well as a pick n mix sweet station, soft drinks, and refillable tea and coffee.

If you’re staying in a larger group, you may want to hire out the Karaoke Klub which has disco balls, a private bar, popcorn and even a slushie machine.

Outside is a small fitness room with free weights, running and rowing machines and bikes.

Fanhams Hall is a five-minute drive away from the centre of Ware. Here, take a stroll down the high street and pop into its shops like Noire, Sparkles of Ware and The Sage Garden along with plenty of pubs and coffee shops.

In the springtime check out the local lido, or take a walk along the River Lea to see the barges, boats and swans.

Ware is also a 20-minute drive away from Hertfordshire Zoo where you can see big cats, lemurs, meerkats and reptiles.

What is there to eat and drink there?

For dining, head to the Drawing Room for an intimate setting and tasty food.

The menus change seasonally, and while we were there, we indulged in juicy steak that came with a side of salad and fries, as well as a creamy mushroom pasta with crispy pieces of parmesan cheese.

At the bar, you can choose anything from a refreshing glass of white wine, to sweet rosé, a gin and tonic and a choice of beers on draught.

In the morning, head to the pavilion for breakfast where there are both hot and cold options with all the classics like fried eggs, toast, beans, mushrooms, sausages and bacon along with croissants with jam.

For those who are a fan of tea, you’ll be thrilled that there are Teapigs which come in a choice of flavours and you get your own tea pot – there are various milks on offer too. Feel free to refill your juice, tea and coffee as often as you’d like.

A traditional afternoon tea is popular here where guests can sample a selection of sandwiches from dill and salmon to egg mayonnaise, fresh cakes and gateaux.

Don’t forget the scones which come in flavours like vanilla and lavender and enjoy a cup of tea on the side- this starts from £40 per adult.

What are the rooms like?

There are rooms and suites both in the main building and in the courtyard of the hotel.

Each vary in size and design from the smaller Shoebox room aimed at solo travellers to the large Chestnut Suite which has a four-poster bed. 

I stayed in the luxurious Bonsai Room which has cosy mustard accents, a comfy king-size bed. Its two windows make it light, airy and provide sweeping views across the lawn.

There’s also a mini SMEG kettle and fridge with a few complimentary cans, there was also a coffee machine, snacks and the room has free WiFi and air con too.

The most lavish part was the ensuite where that you can watch TV from the bath, then there’s the huge shower which has side jets and Molton Brown toiletries.

For those who want to bring their furry friends, you can. There is a £40 per stay extra charge, which includes room access and a special welcome pack for dogs.

Room rates start from £126. See https://www.exclusive.co.uk/fanhams-hall/ for more.

Is Fanhams Hall family-friendly?

Yes. The Family Rooms come with two double beds and sleep two adults and two children – making them an ideal choice if you’re travelling with the kids.

The rooms are in the main mansion house and have a large bathroom too, some have a shower, some come with both a shower and bath.

Is there access for guests with disabilities?

Some parts of the courtyard building are accessible, with one fully accessible room which has been adapted with a wet room and handrails.

You can request this room when making your booking and for more information, call the hotel directly.

The lift inside the main building is a lift next to the Conservatory Bar – from there guests can reach the Energy Zone and some third-floor bedrooms.

OUR Spotlight On column gives you the lowdown on what to see and do in popular holiday spots and off-the-beaten-track destinations.

This week we’re shining a light on Limassol in Cyprus, home to gorgeous beaches and luxury marinas littered with quality restaurants.

Cyprus is one of the best Med destinations for some late winter sun, with it remaining one of the warmest European destinations in winter.

By that, I mean expect temperatures of 23C – not hot, but definitely t-shirt weather.

British Airways, Wizz Air and Ryanair all have direct flights to both airports which are around an jour from Limassol (with Ryanair offering them for as little as £14.99)

Here are some of our other top tips for a visit to the island city.

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Limassol is so much more than a fly-and-flop destination – the second-largest city in Cyprus is rich in culture and fascinating history.

And you can unearth some of its magic at the Limassol Castle & Medieval Museum, which dates back to around 1590 (although it was demolished and has been rebuilt with several additions throughout the years).

Here you can take a detailed look at medieval pottery, old weapons and plates from the Byzantine era.

HIDDEN GEM

While most holidaymakers will spend their trip flopped on the beach, those with a more adventurous streak can take advantage of some gorgeous hiking trails, leading them to a couple of hidden waterfalls.

A little off the beaten track, at the foot of the Troodos Mountain, the tumbling Kaledonia and Millomeris falls are a magnificent sight – and great spot for a photo.

The stroll takes around an hour and is just shy of 3km from Pano Platres – you can reward your efforts with a refreshing dip in the waters.

BEST VIEW

Perched on a mighty hill, the ancient theatre of Kourion offers the most breathtaking view, with the Mediterranean ocean laid out below.

The horse-show-shaped archaeological site is pretty spectacular anyway, regardless of the sea views.

It was constructed at the end of the 2nd century BC, from local limestone and has seen many renovations over the years.

It’s no longer used for wild animal fights, understandably.

Instead, visitors today can expect regular theatre performances during the summer months.

RATED RESTAURANT

There’s no end to excellent restaurants in Limassol, but if you’re a meat-eater you can’t go wrong with a slap-up dinner at Prime Steakhouse.

Located within the City of Dreams resort, close to Limassol Bay and Salt Lake, the sophisticated restaurant has been nominated in the Hotel/Resort Luxury Dining category for this year’s Cyprus Eating Awards.

Properly juicy steaks are cooked inside a Mibrasa charcoal oven and can be paired with stilton, chimichurri or morel mushroom sauces.

Make sure to wash it down with one of the whisky-based cocktails.

For dinner with a view, right on the marina is Pyxida (another nominee in the Cyprus Eating Awards) which cooks up top notch, fresh seafood.

BEST BAR

Few bars serve better cocktails than stylish Catrinas Cyprus, a Mexican-restaurant-cum-bar close to the marina.

The classic menu features all the favourites from the zesty pornstar martini to aperol spritz

Travellers come for the fruity drinks in a laidback atmosphere, but stay for the lively music – sometimes as late as 2am.

HOTEL PICK

The sprawling City of Dreams Mediterranean sits right on the coast and is bursting with fun for families and adults alike, from its grand casino and late-night shows, to tennis coaching sessions and an adventure park with a zipline coaster and climbing wall.

The five-star setting is a great place to relax with several outdoor and indoor pools, a spa and even a hair salon for those wanting a holiday zhuzh.

Rooms cost from €340 in winter, on bed and breakfast basis. See cityofdreamsmed.com.cy.

WHAT happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas – right? Wrong.

A local taxi driver gave me a piece of wisdom: the only thing that stays in Vegas is the money you spend there. So it’s best to spend it wisely.

Las Vegas can be hard on your wallet but if you make the right blow-the-budget choices, while also finding cheaper or even free things to do, you can have the experience without going into the red.

It isn’t just a city, it’s sensory overload sat in the middle of a desert with fine weather all year round.

If you want a full Vegas movie moment, you can’t beat a helicopter ride.

Flying over the Strip at night is just amazing and the experience starts from £74.

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The city lights look insane, with the Sphere lit up below you and those legendary Vegas hotels buzzing with neon.

This is the kind of experience you’ll remember for ever and, with the money you’ve saved elsewhere, it’s a splurge that’s genuinely worth it.

For a slightly cheaper thrill, at £26 per person, the High Roller observation wheel is a must.

Do it at sunset to get the most incredible views, or at night to see the strip lit up in all its glory — and if you’re heading out after, you can opt for their Happy Half Hour, where cocktails are served to you on the big wheel.

The Neon Museum is also great value. You can stroll by a whole host of retired Vegas signs lit up and preserved.

From this month, there’s a new addition — a Formula 1 sign made for the inaugural 2023 event.

Catching a show at the astonishing Sphere will set you back £450 per person for decent seats.

But for a more intimate — and affordable — night out, The Party at Superfrico, in the Cosmopolitan hotel is perfect.

The two-hour show includes a live circus, burlesque and comedy acts, plus a glass of bubbly and a three-course dinner for £130 per person.

There are even things to do in Vegas that won’t cost you a penny.

The Bellagio fountains are an absolute must-see.

Exploring Fremont Street, the neon-drenched beating heart of Old Vegas, also costs nothing.

Famous for its cheap drinks, historic casinos and continuous outdoor party atmosphere, Fremont Street also has free live concerts, street performers and buskers.

That old-school charm abounds, too, at the Flamingo, one of the oldest hotels on the Strip.

And just when you think Vegas is all nights out, neon and noise, it pulls another card from the deck: The Valley of Fire.

As a keen hiker, this is one of the most stunning places I’ve been to.

A six-hour 4×4 Jeep trip with Love Hikes costs from just £74 per person.

You are surrounded by towering red rock formations on walking trails that make you feel like you stepped on to Mars.

Having worked up a hunger, it’s easy to also rack up high bills in Vegas’s fancy Michelin-starred joints. But there are value offerings, too.

If you want something quick and delicious, Tacos El Gordo is king. This family-owned chain has multiple locations across Las Vegas.

Melt-in-the-mouth meats are piled high on corn tacos, alongside chopped onions, coriander and a dollop of creamy guacamole sauce or salsa. And even better, they cost around £3 a piece. Three would easily make for a hearty meal.

Good Pie Pizza in the Arts District is another no-brainer for a quick slice that hits the spot. It costs from just £4.50 and is perfect to munch while you explore the local vintage shops and street art.

For brunch that feels like a meal and a show, Hash House A Go Go is great. Huge portions include their famous sage fried chicken and waffles. One plate easily feeds two, making this one of the best-value food options in town.

Kusa Nori at Resorts World was the ultimate plot twist. Forget overpriced hotel sushi, this place delivers super-fresh fish and huge portions. Or for even more savings, head to Happy Hour at the Bar and Lounge. from 4pm to 10pm. Sunday to Thursday. Enjoy sushi rolls and beers from £6.50.

And while you could quite easily not sleep while in Vegas, it is advised from time to time.

I split my stay between the Vdara hotel and the Conrad at Resorts World. These two hotels look like they belong in the movie Ocean’s Eleven, but don’t come with a crazy price tag.

Vdara is just off the Strip and, crucially, has no casino. It’s a lovely stay with great views, a gym, spa — and rooms that come with kitchenettes, which means you can save on breakfasts and snacks.

Conrad at Resorts World is a shiny, new and very Vegas hotel. Reminiscent of a shopping mall that decided to wear a tuxedo, it has slot machines, shops, a wellness centre, and a range of great restaur-ants, including Kusa Nori.

Book far enough in advance — midweek and in low-season between July and August and November and January — and you can snag rooms from just £46 a night.

Vegas will never be cheap but you can double the fun without going bust.

IS there anything that sparks joy in the hearts of children more than the zoo?

Combine it with one of the most popular kids’ books, Room On The Broom, along with some Halloween-themed activities, and you have the perfect potion for family fun.

That’s exactly what you can expect from Twycross Zoo this half-term.

Until November 1, the attraction has introduced a new magical corn maze based on Julia Donaldson’s much-loved book, to celebrate its 25th anniversary.

Bringing the fantastical tale — about a witch and the menagerie of animals she picks up on her broomstick — to life, it’s an experience that swept my children away.

Based in the middle of the Leicestershire zoo’s Gruffalo Discovery Land, the excitement started building as soon as my five-year-old son and three-year-old daughter were handed a tote bag filled with goodies.

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The best way to any child’s heart.

There was a passport to get stamped and, more importantly, sweets to power them through.

It wouldn’t be Halloween without some sugar, of course.

With a promise of more treats to discover along the way in the corn maze, we took off at a speedy pace — although with timed entry slots, it never felt like we were being rushed.

Greeted by a wall of hay bales, pumpkins and pictures of the famous characters, we began to make our way through the warren of narrow paths in search of surprises.

Magical clues guided our path through the tall corn crops to several clearings where we found quotes from the book and a cute stamping station where the kids could mark their findings in their passports.

Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for sweets hidden in pumpkins along the way.

Waiting for us at the end was a giant broomstick photo opportunity and a chance to meet the witch — perfect for souvenir snaps.

There’s no time-limit on the maze but my eager kids managed to whizz through in 15 minutes, which gave us plenty of time to explore the rest of the Gruffalo Discovery Land — and that was before we even made our way round the zoo.

Named after another one of Julia Donaldson’s best-sellers, The Gruffalo Discovery Land is home to a treetop play area as well as interactive character trails and meet-and-greet opportunities.

It’s ideal for younger kids. But the real fun sits within the main zoo.

Twycross is home to more than 500 animals and it’s the only zoo in the UK to house all four species of great apes — gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans and bonobos.

The latter were a particular favourite during our visit as we watched them loudly play and squabble from both an outside platform and an inside viewing window, giving us a full 360-degree experience.

It made a welcome change from watching my own children wrestle each other.

We all loved watching the penguins in action, too, timing it perfectly when we caught them at lunchtime indulging in a fish supper.

It wasn’t difficult to spot the UK’s only herd of kordofan giraffes either, who weren’t at all fazed by us staring up at them.

In fact, one even came over for a closer inspection, extending his long neck towards the ground in fascination.

The zoo is easy enough to walk around with kids, although be warned that work is currently going on in some areas, with boards blocking off certain enclosures as the zoo undergoes a £25million transformation.

We’ll have to wait until next year to see what’s in store for those areas, but the closures certainly didn’t ruin the experience.

After a packed day on foot, we were ready for some downtime — and that is exactly what we got at Hampton by Hilton in Nuneaton.

For those travelling from afar, the hotel is an easy 20-minute drive away and the perfect overnight stay for families.

The Hub restaurant here features a menu guaranteed to keep little mouths satisfied, including burgers, paninis and pizzas.

But if none of that takes your fancy then a short walk down the road is a gorgeous Nepalese restaurant, Crossed Khukris Gurkha.

A set meal for four costs £66 and comes with poppadums, dumplings, a number of curries and loads of extras.

We were so well fed and at less than £17 a head, the price is scarily good.

I suppose it is Halloween after all . . .                                  

NEXT time you’re flying somewhere long-haul, there is a little-known code you might spot on your boarding pass.

The ‘secret’ code means you could be entitled to a complimentary hotel room, certain meals, and airport transfers by the airline.

STPC is an abbreviation for ‘Stopover Paid by Carrier’ – it’s a perk for when a long-haul journey requires a longer layover.

Usually this is given if there is no connecting flight available and travellers then have to take a stopover between eight to 24 hours.

In some cases you can request this at the gate, but in most, you will have to apply for the STPC voucher days in advance through the airline’s website or customer service.

Talking to Travel + Leisure, Andrés Serra, head of operations at Optimise Travel said: “This is a transit service arranged in advance for long layovers. It is different from compensation for delayed or cancelled flights.”

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She continued to add that in some cases if a traveller chooses to take the longer layover when a shorter one is available, some airlines might offer STPC, while others might not.

Eligibility depends on the airline, specific route, fare class, cabin type, and the exact length of the connection.

Included in STPC programs is usually the hotel room, some meals and airport transfers, but additional things like room service and alcohol usually are not.

Turkish Airlines offers complimentary STPC for passengers with long connections in Istanbul.

This is available for passengers travelling in economy with a layover of 12 hours or more.

Those travelling in business class with the airline who have a layover of nine hours or more are eligible for a complimentary hotel stay if a shorter layover flight option is not available.

Emirates‘ STPC is called Dubai Connect, providing a free hotel, transfers, and meals for those with long stopovers.

For those travelling in economy and premium economy there must be a minimum of an 8 hour layover with a maximum of 26 hours.

Business and first class passengers are entitled to Dubai Connect for a layover that’s a minimum of six hours.

Those who want to use Dubai Connect must book at least 12 hours ahead of the incoming flight to Dubai.

Meanwhile, Qatar Airways offers STPC for passengers with a long layover at Hamad International Airport in Doha.

The connection in Doha must be between 8 and 24 hours.

For those buying tickets through the likes of Avios or other award schemes, the STPC will not be able to be used.

The hotel will be between four and five stars, with complimentary round-trip airport-to-hotel transfers and a visa will be supplied too.

It’s the worst ski resort nightmare: hillsides of shaggy yellow grass streaked with slush under a leaden sky that’s coughing up sleet. Parts of Europe – places previously accustomed to crisp snow fields and pristine blue skies – are now facing this calamity, something meteorologists might describe as a British winter.

Not everywhere, of course. Only lower altitudes are seeing such disasters. Higher up, normal service continues. I’m in the Swiss resort of Laax, where most of the slopes are at about 2,000 metres, lofty enough to be snow-secure, for now. The halfpipe is busy with dudes in baggy trousers and headphones nonchalantly practising their double corks. On the traditional pistes there are four-year-olds who could probably ski before they could walk. And then – Switzerland has its wacky side – three young men in first-world-war greatcoats on antique wooden skis propel themselves with rough-hewn quarter-staves.

Is all this destined to disappear, perhaps in our children’s lifetimes? To put it in stark, white and black terms: are ski resorts in the same predicament as oil-dependent desert states, watching their one key source of wealth dwindle and disappear?

If so, Laax is not going down without a fight. This unusual Swiss resort, close to the Austrian border, is making a bold attempt to be carbon neutral by 2030, a goal that requires cutting out all oil use, making all energy generation sustainable, and reducing food waste to zero. Stung by climate crisis criticism levelled at the ski industry, this community is now far ahead of most. What I have come to see may turn out to be the future of winter sports.

Down in Laax, I meet Reto Gurtner, 71, CEO of the Flims Laax resort. His father built the first ski lifts back in 1962. “Although there had been summer visitors since the 19th century, Laax was a poor village back then,” says Gurtner.

In the 1970s, something significant changed. Gurtner went to study at UCLA and, under the California sun, discovered skateboarding. Even now the memory makes his eyes light up. “They were inventing new sports and I loved the style: no nationalism or militarism. Skateboards, mountain bikes, snowboards – if you did a good run, everyone applauded. It didn’t matter who you were. There was a freedom about it.”

He came home with a degree in economics, but more importantly perhaps, a snowboard and a mountain bike. “We went up on the glacier and built the first halfpipe with shovels.”

At first, there was a lot of resistance. Local ski outfitters refused to stock snowboards, while in summer, farmers were outraged at the sight of cyclists pelting down mountain tracks. “We made every cyclist wear a bib,” says Gurtner with a chuckle. “Then the farmers thought it was a race and were fine with that.”

Conversation with Gurtner is a wild ride. We cartwheel through Steve Jobs, the German poets and the Wu-Tang Clan, as he describes how his visionary approach evolved into something he calls “greenstyle”, an optimistic and well-designed future.

That vision is found in all the new buildings around the resort, nowhere more so than the ski lift in the neighbouring village of Flims, where I head with local guide Doris Rellstab. “The new gondola system does away with unoccupied ski gondolas going up and down the mountainside,” she says. A complex algorithm allows skiers to choose one of five destinations up the mountain, despatching individual gondolas, which balances energy efficiency with passenger demand. As we are lifted smoothly up over the fir trees, the quiet efficiency of this on-demand system becomes immediately apparent.

Rellstab tells me how things have changed in the half century since she began teaching winter sports. “Yesterday, I taught my first Arab group. They were a lot of fun.”

Our destination is Segnes, high above the treeline at 2,100 metres. Having left the gondola, we don snow shoes and head into a bowl-like snow-filled valley. A couple of miles ahead, the valley ends in a sheer rock face topped by a jagged range of peaks. “That’s the Tschingelhörner,” says Rellstab. “Can you see the line in the rock below the peaks? That was once a geological mystery.”

In 1848, the celebrated geologist Roderick Impey Murchison arrived here with a local expert, Arnold Escher von der Linth. Older rocks were overlaying younger, a puzzle for which there was no explanation. It took more than a century for scientists to solve the problem: the ancient African tectonic plate was riding up over the younger European one. The world was indeed upside down.

In summer, this area is covered in rare Alpine flowers and there’s a mountain hut to stay in. Next to us are the tracks of a snow hare. “Wildlife is doing well here,” says Rellstab. “The wolf and lynx have both returned.”

In fact, climate change appears to be assisting wolves in the Alps. The first Alpine pack was recorded in 1993, and by 2021 there were more than 250, with an annual growth rate of about 25%. Switzerland, once entirely wolf-free, now has about 40 packs. Rellstab shows me a website where sightings are monitored. There are conflicts with farmers and hunters, but the numbers keep growing, an indication that parts of the ecosystem are doing well out of retreating snowlines.

Perhaps more surprising is that lack of snow is not a big worry to the resort. As Gurtner points out: “Laax is not snow-dependent. A halfpipe or a snow freestyle playground doesn’t need a lot, and we make it with hydro power. And we’ve got mountain bikes and amazing hikes.”

Later that day, I am up on the mountain with my skis, wandering around on blue runs. Conditions are a bit icy and I’m playing safe, finding myself on a less frequented route that dips down into the valley. And then I come over a ridge and the snow on either side is gone – only the piste remains, a broad band of white curling down through green pasture dotted with lovely old barns. Cannon snow is more durable, surviving longer when the “real” stuff melts. Most Alpine ski stations are already reliant on it, but unlike many, Laax does not add any chemical or biological additives to the water in its cannons. With sustainable power sources and electric piste-grooming machinery now becoming available, cannon snow is not as environmentally destructive as it may appear.

At the foot of the hill, I reach the village of Falera, neighbour to Laax. There is one old chair lift, clanking and squeaking, and as I approach it comes to a halt. “Sorry,” says the attendant, “we are closed now.”

I wander into the village, all hand-hewn barns with neat log stacks. I can’t see any cars. If Laax is taking the technological solution, its neighbour appears to have chosen a less frenetic and more traditional route to net zero. After 20 minutes, a bus (electric, naturally) appears. As I ride back to Laax, I check the wildlife website that Rellstab recommended. And I get a shock. According to a CCTV report from a few hours earlier, a wolf had walked within a mile of me. Outside my hotel, I jump off the bus. Evening is falling. I wait for a line of silent cars to go by. With electric motors everywhere, the town is hushed. Climate change, I reflect, is nothing if not unpredictable. When the wolves howl, you will hear them.

The trip was provided by Flims Laax and rental equipment by Ecoski . Trains run from Zurich via Chur and the Rhine Gorge to Ilanz, where there’s a bus service to Laax. Inghams offers a seven-night trip to Laax from £1,618pp B&B, including flights

“This looks like a picture from a fairy tale!” shouts my eight-year-old daughter Molly as we cycle through the incredibly pretty Dutch town of Vlodrop.

With its wooden houses and gardens filled with pink and red blooms, it’s an easy 16-minute ride from De Meinweg National Park, where we’re staying.

Huttopia De Meinweg, four hours’ drive from Calais, is set in 27 hectares of woods, and our two-bed cabin is small but perfectly formed, with a terrace, loo and shower room.

There are two swimming pools, including an indoor heated one, and Molly and Elliot, 11, spend hours challenging each other to pétanque and table-tennis competitions.

Toasting marshmallows over the communal firepit by the lake also goes down a treat. Daily bike hire costs from £12.50 for adults, £8.20 for children

Guten tag, Germany!

A 15-minute walk through the woods reveals brasserie De Boshut, where we snaffle crispy chicken burgers, £16, followed by poffertjes (Dutch pancakes), £5.65, before the kids scamper around the eatery’s beautiful wooden playground (Deboshut.nl).

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Meanwhile, a 10-minute cycle takes us over into Germany and the chic lakeside beach club Amici Beach (Amicibeach.com).

Another easy find on two wheels is Speeltuin Kitskensberg, full of top-rate play equipment, including a fully operational mini town featuring traffic lights and pedestrian crossings so little ones can practise navigating across town on their bikes.

It’s kiddie heaven and unbelievably costs less than £3 for both children and adults, because it’s run by volunteers (Speeltuinkitskensberg.nl).

Magical Maastricht

One day, we head to the city of Maastricht, 45 minutes’ drive away, where we grab crunchy croissant ice cream at Qrème By Darq, £3.60 a cone (Qreme.nl), before popping into stunning medieval church, the Basilica of Our Lady, which once attracted millions of pilgrims.

Locals and visitors continue the centuries-old tradition of lighting hundreds of devotional candles daily in the serene chapel dedicated to Sterre der Zee (Star of the Sea).

Afterwards, the kids spy the perfect spot to spend their pocket money – toy and lifestyle shop Jouw Marktkraam, which is full of both new and vintage finds (@Jouwmarktkraammaastricht), before we grab a late lunch at trendy Preps.

It takes a long time to arrive, but my Hangover Brekkie Mix of banana bread with peanut butter, lemon crumble and lavender, plus smashed avocado, a poached egg, beet houmous, tomatoes and bread, £16.20, is totally worth the wait (Prepsmaastricht.com).

As we make the drive to Calais for our trip home, the kids can’t believe it – they’ve travelled through three countries and boarded an under-the-sea train, AKA LeShuttle. Maybe fairy tales really can come true. . .

IF you’re already planning your next camping holiday, then these are the places you should be booking.

Caravan and Motorhome Club  has announced the winners of its 2026 Site Awards, with beachfront destinations to pitches in the Cotswolds.

The Site Awards are awarded to ‘celebrate the dedication, hard work and creativity of campsite teams across its UK network’.

The 2026 awards had three main categories: the longstanding Sites in Bloom competition, the newly introduced Inspirational Photograph Award, and the Sustainability Award.

One of the new awards for this year is the Inspirational Photograph Award Winners which highlights summer campsite staff who capture things like landscapes, wildlife, and facilities across the campsite network.

One of the winners was the New England Bay Club Campsite in Scotland which sits right off the beach and has sweeping views of Luce Bay.

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Here, campers can go swimming, sailing, or try out water sports.

On-site there’s also a playground and games room with the nearby town of Stranraer having golf courses, green bowling, a swimming pool, sports centre, theatre and cinema.

It has 67 touring pitches, three camping pitches and rates start from £15.20.

Another of the winning campsites is Broadway Club Campsite in the Cotswolds.

Surrounded by natural beauty, the campsite is a perfect spot for exploring the cycling and walking trails.

It’s easily within walking distance of Tuesday Street Market – which is the largest open air street market in the Cotswolds, as well as over twenty local pubs, restaurants, and cafes.

Being on Bourton Road, the campsite is ideal for anyone wanting to explore Bourton-on-the-Water and Moreton-in-Marsh.

On-site it has a play area for children with a climbing frame.

It has 184 touring pitches and 10 pods available to hire – rates start from £22.30.

Coniston Park Coppice Club Campsite also scooped up the award in the category for the best in the North of England.

The campsite itself sits within acres upon acres of woodland where visitors will find the 232 pitches ranging from touring to camping and pods.

On-site is a mini adventure playground and nearby, families can go cycling, rock climbing, and even enjoy guided pony treks.

Of course, the campsite has direct access to Coniston Water where there’s a chance to go sailing, windsurfing, and canoeing.

On Coniston Pier a few miles away, there are steamboat rides and boat hire.

Rates for pitches at Coniston Park Coppice Club Campsite start from £23.50.

Harvey Alexander, CEO of the Caravan and Motorhome Club, said: “Our campsite teams work tirelessly to create welcoming environments and memorable stays for our members and guests.

“The 2026 Site Awards highlight the incredible passion, care and creativity present across our entire campsite network. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and runners-up.”

Here’s the full list of the Caravan and Motorhome Club Site Award Winners…

2026 Sustainability Award

Clumber Park Club Campsite

Sites in Bloom Winners

Multi-Couple Site Winner: Battle Normanhurst Court Club Campsite

Single-Couple Site Winner: Englethwaite Hall Club Campsite

Single-Couple Site Winner: Englethwaite Hall Club Campsite

Inspirational Photograph Award Winners:

Middle England & Anglia: 

1st & 3rd – Castleton Club Campsite

2nd – Lickpenny Matlock Club Campsite

Southern: 

1st- Broadway Club Campsite

2nd – New Forest Centenary Club Campsite

3rd – Crossways Club Campsite

South West: 

1st & 2nd – Dornafield Dartmoor Club Campsite 

3rd – Putts Corner Club Campsite

South East: 

1st – Rookesbury Park Club Campsite

2nd – Bearsted Club Campsite

3rd – Alderstead Heath Club Campsite 

Scotland: 

1st – New England Bay Club Campsite

2nd & 3rd – Altnaharra Club Campsite

Northern: 

1st & 3rd – Coniston Park Coppice Club Campsite

2nd – Troutbeck Head Club Campsite