holidays

One beach has been named third best in the world with its stunning backdrop, and it’s not in Cornwall, Devon or Yorkshire

Residents in a picturesque seaside town may need to prepare for an influx of tourists this year, after their stunning beach secured a spot on TripAdvisor’s ‘best of the best’ global list for 2026. It nearly claimed the top position, landing in an extremely impressive third place, thanks largely to its absolutely breathtaking backdrop.

When discussing beaches in the UK, Roker and Seaburn beaches have drawn comparisons to LA and Tynemouth has been likened to Australia’s Bondi Beach. Yet, for countless people – both residents and tourists alike – there’s one that will forever reign supreme in the North East, and that’s Bamburgh.

So much so, the location has been named Britain’s ‘best seaside’ town for five consecutive years, despite technically being a village, reports the Express.

Visited by celebrities including Hollywood A-lister Harrison Ford and Girls Aloud’s Nicola Roberts in recent years, the beach has long been considered amongst the finest destinations.

It boasts spectacular scenery, a brilliant day out, fresh sea air, and a chance to clear your head, regardless of the conditions.

Even during the recent bitter cold snap, visitors have continued strolling along its renowned sands and admiring the ‘unparalleled’ and utterly magnificent views of Bamburgh Castle in the distance.

It is the very location where Hollywood star Harrison shot an Indiana Jones film in 2021.

Interestingly, in last year’s rankings, Bamburgh actually trailed behind Roker and Seaburn amongst the UK’s finest beaches.

The beach is now proudly representing the UK as the sole entry from British shores on TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards best-of-the-best list for one-of-a-kind beaches.

Bamburgh comes in third place, behind only Boulders Beach in South Africa and Isola Bella in Sicily – a prestigious list that celebrates beaches boasting the most extraordinary settings.

Bamburgh has been rightly recognised for its breathtaking Medieval backdrop, which sets it apart from the crowd.

Highlighting its position on the One of a Kind list, TripAdvisor writes: “Framed by the iconic silhouette of Bamburgh Castle, this beach boasts miles of soft white sand, and a dramatic coastal backdrop.

“The dog-friendly stretch is close to the charming Bamburgh village, making it a standout choice for unforgettable family escapes and romantic coastal breaks.”

The Brusseleir dialect that’s still spoken in much of the Marolles dates back to the middle ages, a symbol of the independence of this proudly working-class neighbourhood in central Brussels. Located between the Palace of Justice and Halle Gate, it’s always been an inclusive refuge for immigrants from Europe and north Africa. The must-see Brussels tourist attractions of the Grand-Place central square and Mannekin-Pis statue are within walking distance, but the Marolles offers a very different experience: fashion, antiques and bric-a-brac shopping; alternative creative centres and provocative graffiti; characteristic estaminets (hybrid pub, cafe, bistros) specialising in hearty local dishes; and artisan breweries.

Where to eat

The splendid art nouveau Les Brigittines is a Belgian culinary institution, where chef Dirk Myny has overseen the kitchen for 35 years. He daringly reinterprets classic Flemish recipes with dishes such as smoked eel mousse and succulent pork belly with a tart cherry ale vinaigrette, or pig’s trotter, coddled egg, capers and gherkins. The three-course €38 lunch menu is a steal.

Don’t miss the experience of a traditional estaminet, either for breakfast coffee with a speculoos (spiced biscuit), or lunchtime pistolet (crusty rolls) with cheese, a hearty plate of stoemp (vegetable mash) and meatloaf, or chicons (endives) braised with ham. Estaminets such as Volle Brol and Au Mouton Bleu are fun spit-and-sawdust locales, but nothing beats the historic La Clef d’Or, which looks out over the daily flea market on Place du Jeu de Balle. Its owner, Eddy Aslan, sums up the Marolles as “a friendly cosmopolitan village where everyone is made welcome, and unique in that it is outside Belgian politics, neither Flemish nor Walloon but genuinely Bruxellois”.

A more modern estaminet is Mazette!, a cooperative microbrewery of 900 members who make more than 20 beers, mill an organic flour and bake their own bread, pizza and focaccia. Cantillon, on nearby Rue Gheude, is the last Brussels lambic (traditional wild-yeast fermented) brewery and worth a visit for its gueuze beer.

The Marolles is proudly multi-ethnic. Try My Day, opened by Iraqi refugee Yousif Alsaleh, which serves home-cooked dishes such as maqluba, a pilaf-style spicy rice dish with chicken, lamb or roasted vegetables. Alternatively, there’s Flower Food for a Moroccan beldi breakfast of semolina crepes and flatbreads with eggs, smoked beef, honey and dates. For vegetarian menus, the plant-based diner Lucifer Lives serves tasty soups such as broccoli and garlic, while the community cooperative L’Eau Chaude offers simple organic dishes such as coconut curry for €9.50.

At night, the Marolles can be a wild place to party. Start off playing pinball and table football at the brilliant bar Le Petit Lion and you could still be there at 2am, dancing with a packed crowd to local DJs. Just up the road is Fuse, a legendary techno dance club since 1994, where weekend gigs carry on till sunrise, when the Jeu de Balle bars are just opening up.

What to see and do

While the headline Magritte and Fine Arts museums are in the centre of Brussels, the Marolles offers a vibrant and challenging counter-culture scene. Dotted around the backstreets, street art enthusiasts can track down 16 of the city’s iconic comic strip murals; sadly, no Tintin, but rather local heroes such as Spirou, Blake & Mortimer, and Le Chat, a beloved cat cartoon. Wander through the streets and tunnels around the old Chapelle train station and Ursulines skate park and you enter an unofficial graffiti gallery, constantly being repaired and updated.

More formal cultural centres are the Octopus Heart art centre, which exhibits and offers residencies to local artists, and the Centre d’Art Mont-de-Piété, a 17th-century charitable organisation whose gallery hosts everything from photography and textiles to fashion shows. Be sure to go right to the end of Rue Haute, to discover the remarkable Art et Marges museum, which for 40 years has been a cutting-edge centre presenting art brut, outsider art produced by self-taught artists outside the contemporary circuit.

Where to shop

The Marolles is vintage shopping heaven, attracting fashionistas hunting down rare outfits, interior design fans looking for art deco lamps and Murano mirrors, and bargain hunters searching for collectibles in the sprawling Jeu de Balle flea market. Bernard Gavilan is the neighbourhood’s undisputed fashion guru; he opened his first boutique here in 2011, an Aladdin’s cave of vintage clothes and accessories. “Retro fashion has become much more important in the Marolles over the years,” he says, “but there’s a difference between the by-the-kilo stores popping up everywhere, which sell basic, recent secondhand clothes, and shops like mine, whose quality items can go back to 1900.”

The two key streets to explore are the parallel Rue Blaes and Rue Haute. Don’t miss Passage 125, an ancient textile warehouse that has been transformed into a labyrinthine antiques emporium selling everything from jewellery and stained glass to crystal chandeliers and rare arms. Meanwhile, Haute Antiques is housed in the old art nouveau Rialto cinema, where 25 collectors tempt shoppers with high-quality pieces, from furniture to lighting.

Don’t miss

The vibrant heart of the neighbourhood is the Marolle’s monster Jeu de Balle flea market, open 365 days of the year but with the best bargains on Sundays. At midday, head to Centro Cabraliego, a social club for generations of immigrants from Spain’s Asturias, where local people cook up a copious lunch of chorizo, ribs and calamari with wine or cider for under €20. Walk over to the Place Brueghel, on Rue de l’Epée, where a free glass lift whisks you up to the entrance of the landmark Palace of Justice, with panoramic views over Brussels. Finish off with a walk down Rue des Tanneurs, past the Palais du Vin, now an organic food market, till you arrive at the stately romanesque Notre-Dame de la Chapelle church, where the 16th-century painter Pieter Bruegel the Elder is buried.

Where to stay

On bustling Rue Haute, La Maison Haute is a chic boutique place with room-only doubles from €120. A budget alternative at the edge of the Marolles is Ibis Brussels, with spacious doubles from around €90, right opposite the Eurostar station.

The meal at Les Brigittines was provided by Visit Brussels

TRYING to find an affordable, but clean and safe hotel can be tricky when exploring London.

So here’s everything you need to know about The Drey, one of the newest on the block.

Where is The Drey Hotel?

Tucked down a quiet side road of London, The Drey Hotel is a short walk from Earls Court.

What is the hotel like?

The recently opened The Drey takes over one of the beautiful South Kensington townhouses, with 125 rooms throughout the townhouse.

It’s no frills but classy – think tablet check ins and complimentary umbrellas.

There are no key cards either, with buttons via your phone to unlock the main entrance and your room.

CROWN GLORY

The London hotel that’s on the former grounds of a famous English king

ROOM FOR MORE

I stayed at the central London hotel by all of the city’s top attractions

What are the rooms like?

My room – The Roost – overlooked the garden square with huge floor to ceiling windows making it a beautiful wake up from my super king bed.

The rooms have all the essentials, that I mean a coffee machine and water bottles, as well as towels and Gabar toiletries.

The dressing gowns and irons have been missed out, but you can pay £20 for a workout ‘bundle’ which has yoga mats, skipping ropes and weights inside.

But the fun part is owning the door, bizarrely. It’s keyless, so you check in and then click a button on your phone to open the room when you’re near, without having to scan anything. Very techy.

(You can request physical keys from reception if you prefer).

There are loads of other rooms to choose from, including a number of windowless rooms for “people who take sleep seriously” or rooms sleeping up to six people.

Rooms start from £100, but there is an extra 35 per cent off until the end of March.

What is there to eat and drink there?

There is a Starbucks coffee machine and healthy snack vending machine in the lobby but for dinner you have options.

But there’s no restaurant here so you’ll have to go out.

The hotel has teamed up with a number of food and drink spots to offer discounts.

Get 20 per cent off breakfast or brunch at The King’s Head, Earls Court, as well as discounts at places such as cafe Elixis and restaurant Afandena.

What else?

The pared back hotel has little else going on inside but you can pay extra for some of the nearby amenities.

This includes 20 per cent off wellness studio Common Bond and The Gym Way Kensington.

Other local partners include florist Petal Vibes (15 per cent off) and winery London Cru (£8 off tickets).

Otherwise it is two stops on the underground to the ‘museum hub’ South Kensington which is nicknamed the museum hub with the V&A, Science Museum and Natural History Museum all nearby and free to visit.

Luggage storage costs £10.

Is it family friendly?

Yes, there are Family Rooms that sleep up to six people thanks to some strategically placed bunk beds.

Is it accessible?

Yes, there are accessible rooms with step-free layouts and wider doorways, as well as lift access.

IF you’re wondering where the next big holiday trend is coming from, I can save you some time.

It’s not a brand new destination, and it’s not somewhere “undiscovered”.

It’s the places your parents went in the 90s.

I spend most of my time looking at holiday booking data, and this one trend keeps jumping out.

A whole wave of classic British package holiday resorts are making a serious comeback in 2026.

And the reason is simple: they’re still ridiculously good value.

From Europe to Africa, here are my top 10 cheap holiday spots that are booming again… and the deals you can get right now.

10. Skanes, Tunisia

Skanes is a proper throwback to 90s package holidays – big beachfront hotels, short transfers, and everything centred around the resort.

And now, it’s having one of the biggest comebacks I’ve seen in the data, with bookings to Tunisia up massively again heading into 2026.

I found a really strong all-inclusive deal here – 7 nights at the 4* Hotel Liberty Resort, flying from London Southend (16–23 Aug 2026), from £535pp for a family of four. That’s roughly £76pp per night, and crucially, it’s all-inclusive.

What makes this one work is how family-friendly it is – big pool areas, loads going on for kids, and everything included, so you’re not constantly spending.

And the reason it’s this cheap is simple. Tunisia is still rebuilding demand, so hotels are pricing low to win Brits back. Which means right now, you’re getting proper beachfront value for a fraction of what you’d pay elsewhere.

9. Calpe, Costa Blanca, Spain

Calpe was huge with British tourists in the 80s and early 90s – classic Spanish seaside, big beaches and that iconic rock backdrop.

Now it’s trending again in 2026, as people look for more relaxed, less chaotic alternatives to bigger resorts.

I found a great-value summer deal – 7 nights at the 4* AR Diamante Beach, flying from Bournemouth (3–10 Aug 2026), from £588pp for a family of four. That’s about £84pp per night, on a bed & breakfast basis.

This hotel stands out because it feels a bit more premium than your typical Costa Blanca stay – big modern rooms, great pool area, and close to the beach without being chaotic.

It’s cheaper because it’s not trying to be flashy or all-inclusive heavy. And for families, that works – because you can eat out cheaply and control your spending instead.

8. Hurghada, Egypt

Hurghada was unbelievably popular in the 2000s all-inclusive boom, thanks to massive resorts, guaranteed heat and loads included in the price.

And now it’s properly back again, with bookings climbing fast into 2026.

This one’s properly eye-opening – 7 nights at the 4* Royal Lagoons Aqua Park Resort & Spa, flying from Belfast (22–29 Aug 2026), from £668pp for a family of four. That’s around £95pp per night, and it’s all-inclusive.

What makes it great for families is the waterpark setup with slides, multiple pools and enough going on to keep kids busy all week without leaving the hotel.

This is why Egypt is flying with Brits right now, despite its proximity to the Iran conflict. Because once you arrive, everything’s covered.

Flights are longer, which keeps demand slightly lower, but for families, that means ridiculous value for what you get.

7. Hammamet, Tunisia

Hammamet was one of the classic British beach holidays of the 90s – long sandy beaches, big hotels and loads of all-inclusive resorts.

Just like Skanes, it’s seeing a massive resurgence heading into 2026.

I spotted this while digging through peak summer prices – 7 nights at the 4* Houda Yasmine Hammamet, flying from London Southend (23–30 Aug 2026), from £553pp for a family of four. That’s about £79pp per night, and it’s all-inclusive.

It’s a proper classic family hotel with a massive pool, entertainment, and everything geared around easy, no-stress holidays.

Again, the price comes down to perception catching up with reality.

The hotels are good, the weather’s great – but demand hasn’t fully returned yet. So you’re benefiting from that gap.

6. Salou, Costa Dorada, Spain

Salou was massive with British families in the 90s and early 2000s with beaches, family hotels and PortAventura right next door.

And now it’s flying back again in 2026 as families rediscover how easy it is.

I couldn’t ignore this deal – 7 nights at the 4* 4R Playa Park, flying from Birmingham (21–28 Aug 2026), from £408pp for a family of four. That’s just £58pp per night, on a bed & breakfast basis.

This is exactly what Salou does well: simple, well-located hotels with good pools and easy access to everything – and at a really great price too.

And it’s such great value because you’re not paying for extras upfront.

But in Salou, that’s ideal – everything locally is affordable, so you can build your own budget holiday.

5. Torremolinos, Costa del Sol, Spain

Torremolinos is where the British package holiday basically started back in the 60s and 70s.

And in 2026, it’s trending hard again thanks to how easy and reliable it is.

I found a really solid summer option here – 7 nights at the 4* Hotel Apartamentos Bajondillo, flying from Bournemouth (22–29 Aug 2026), from £518pp for a family of four. That’s about £74pp per night, on a self-catering basis.

What makes this one great is the location, as it sits right on the beachfront, with loads nearby, and perfect if you want flexibility with food and spending.

It’s not the cheapest on the list, but you’re paying for convenience – short transfer, loads to do, and no surprises.

4. Benidorm, Costa Blanca, Spain

Benidorm was the capital of British holidays in the 80s and 90s, and now a whole new generation is discovering it.

Bookings are up again in 2026, especially with younger families and couples.

I found this cracking value deal – 7 nights at the 3* Terralta Apartments, flying from Dublin (23–30 Aug 2026), from £403pp for a family of four. That’s roughly £58pp per night, on a self-catering basis.

It’s ideal for families too, as it’s home to spacious apartments, a big pool, and a quieter location just outside the main strip.

And this one’s cheap simply because Benidorm is built for volume: loads of apartments, loads of competition – which keeps prices low.

Best part is, once you’re there, everything else is cheap too.

3. Sousse, Tunisia

Sousse has always been one of Tunisia’s most popular beach resorts – big hotels, great beaches and loads of all-inclusive options.

And just like the rest of Tunisia, it’s seeing a huge comeback into 2026.

One of the best-value all-inclusive deals I found – 7 nights at the 4* El Ksar Resort & Thalasso, flying from London Southend (16–23 Aug 2026), from £583pp for a family of four. That’s about £83pp per night, and it’s all-inclusive.

This is exactly what families want – beachfront setting, slides, big pool areas and everything included from day one.

This is where the value really shows.

Because when everything’s included, you’re not constantly spending – which makes it one of the easiest holidays to budget for.

2. El Arenal, Majorca, Spain

El Arenal was massive in the charter flight era – big beach, loads of hotels and right next to Palma.

And now Majorca, and El Arenal in particular, is firmly back on the rise again in 2026.

I found a peak summer Majorca deal that really stood out – 7 nights at the 3* BLUESEA Costa Verde, flying from Bournemouth (19–26 Aug 2026), from £580pp for a family of four. That’s about £83pp per night, and it’s all-inclusive.

What makes this one work is simplicity – good pool, food included, and a no-frills base in a super easy destination.

It’s slightly pricier because Majorca never really goes out of demand.

But you’re paying for ease – short flight, reliable weather and a destination that just works.

1. Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt

Sharm El Sheikh was one of the BIGGEST British holiday hotspots of the 2000s.

And now it’s making the biggest comeback of all destinations worldwide heading into 2026.

And this is where the value really hits home – 7 nights at the 4* Xperience Saint George Homestay, flying from London Luton (5–12 Aug 2026), from £650pp for a family of four. That’s around £93pp per night, and it’s all-inclusive, in great hotel, with guaranteed heat.

This hotel is built for proper relaxation with multiple pools, loads of food options and everything set up so you barely need to leave. Just turn up, pay for nothing, and leave rested, relaxed and tanned.

And the reason it’s such good value, even in the summer holidays, is simple.

Flights have only relatively recently come back at scale, so demand is still catching up. But the hotels are still world-class.

Which means right now, you’re getting proper 4* all-inclusive… for less than most self-catering holidays in Europe.

IT’S difficult to improve on looking out over the stunning Yorkshire Dales.

Unless, of course, you’re sitting in an outdoor hot tub, drink in hand, looking out at over 1,000 acres of pure idyllic scenery.

Half-term breaks can be difficult. Like most, we want sun but can’t necessarily afford it. So we loaded up the car with walking boots, big coats and footballs.

We left Manchester and, to the delight of our boys, who hate long journeys, travelled exactly one hour and ten minutes to Skipton.

The town’s castle is a must-see, so we headed there and wandered around the 900-year-old medieval building, threatening to lock the kids in the dungeon.

Given its location on the high street, we easily found a cafe, had some lunch and fuelled up on sweets at a pick-and-mix shop.

WAIL OF A TIME

I drove Irish Route 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands

TEMPTED?

Tiny ‘Bali of Europe’ town with stunning beaches, €3 cocktails and £20 flights

Lemon sherbets tucked in our pockets, we wandered up a path to Skipton Woods, a lovely 45-minute stroll along the River Aire.

A historical building, sweets and a family walk completed, we jumped back into the car and 15 minutes later checked into the Coniston Hotel & Spa.

Our family suite was spacious and well-equipped, with two Z-beds for the boys in a connecting room.

But the jewel in the crown was the balcony and its view over the hotel’s 1,000 acres.

After logging onto the wifi, we left the kids in the room and walked to the adults-only Nadarra Spa, spending a couple of hours swimming, sweating and swigging as sheep trotted around a neighbouring field.

The spa is well-equipped with a 15-metre pool, three saunas, a bubble pool and two piping hot infinity pools. When we visited it was 4C outside, so once you’re in the outdoor pools, you’re unlikely to get back out, especially if the staff keep topping up your glass.

But with dinner booked, we dragged ourselves back to the room to get ready before going for a drink in Macleod’s Bar.

We then went to The View restaurant, where we demolished steak supplied by a local butcher.

The next day, we took advantage of the family swim (9am-10am), then had a leisurely walk around the hotel estate, taking in the lake and the endless fields before navigating a field full of bemused sheep.

After lunch, while my wife enjoyed a Sothys Organics Face And Body Ritual, the boys and I took part in a Land Rover Young Off-Roader Experience.

The next hour was great fun as both kids drove a Land Rover Discovery up and down some very big hills and into almost a metre of water, under the watchful eye of a calm instructor.

For the last night, we enjoyed lovely crab and chicken dishes washed down with Yorkshire tea.

So we didn’t get the sun, and we might still have sheep droppings on our boots, but we did have a lovely couple of days in Yorkshire.

A woman was left laughing at herself after visiting a Spanish castle for just €3 (£2.61) – only to discover the surprising reason behind the tourist attraction’s low entrance fee

While some holidaymakers are content spending a week basking in the sunshine, others would rather immerse themselves in a destination’s history and culture. However, one woman found herself chuckling at her own expense after mistaking a well-known Spanish landmark for an “ancient castle” – only to find out it’s considerably more modern than it appears.

Content creator Alisatata, known as @iam_alisatata on social media, revealed how she paid just €3 (approximately £2.69) to visit Castillo de Colomares following her move to Spain. She was instantly struck by the elaborate design of the structure, located in the coastal town of Benalmádena – but her wonder soon turned to astonishment when she uncovered the reality behind it.

Despite its impressive, historic look, the building was in fact constructed between 1987 and 1994, meaning it’s nowhere near as ancient as she’d believed.

Posting the moment on TikTok, she said: “Admiring this ancient castle and wondering how the ticket was so cheap… then realising it was actually built in 1994.”

The striking structure isn’t a castle in the conventional sense, but rather a monument dedicated to Christopher Columbus and his expeditions.

Covering roughly 1,500 square metres, it’s thought to be the world’s largest monument honouring the explorer – and it even houses what is claimed to be the smallest church on Earth.

Her video rapidly grabbed viewers’ attention, with many highlighting the mix-up.

One person said: “Most ancient castles have no decorations or details; they were built for defence in times of war, not to be beautiful.”

Another added: “That’s still pretty cool,” while a third wrote: “It’s not actually a medieval castle – it’s a monument dedicated to Christopher Columbus.”

Despite the confusion, visitors reckon the attraction is still well worth checking out.

Reviewing Castillo de Colomares online, one person described it as an “absolutely beautiful monument” with “amazing carving work,” adding the views alone justify the modest entrance fee.

Another visitor said it provided a “lovely break from the beach,” noting that while the site is fairly compact, there’s loads to absorb as you wander around.

A third reviewer called it an “architectural curiosity” overlooking the Costa del Sol, praising its blend of styles – from Gothic to Mudejar – and its scenic location.

While it might not be the ancient fortress she originally envisaged, it appears the distinctive landmark still made a memorable impact.

ON hearing that I was going to Malta, my grandfather insisted I check out a street in Valletta affectionately known as “The Gut”.

A quick Google search revealed that this “historically notorious” alleyway used to be the city’s premier red-light and entertainment district for British and American servicemen.

Given that Grandad was in Malta during his Navy days in the 1950s, I dread to imagine what he had in mind when suggesting I go there above anywhere else in the country.

Nevertheless, I’m glad I followed his advice because, in the 70-odd years since, it has cleaned up its act.

Located at the opening of The Gut at the time of my visit, (but now in St George’s Square) was Fifty Nine Republic, a restaurant that has featured in the Michelin Guide five years in a row.

Its head chef, Maria Sammut, is one of Malta’s greatest culinary assets — named “Best Maltese Chef” in recent years — and serves some of the finest fare in Valletta.

WAIL OF A TIME

I drove Irish Route 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands

TEMPTED?

Tiny ‘Bali of Europe’ town with stunning beaches, €3 cocktails and £20 flights

Her prawn tacos perfectly showcase the best of Maltese seafood — giant, juicy prawns fried in a satisfyingly crispy batter, with bright and delicate pickles elevating each mouthful — which you can enjoy in the sun of St George’s Square, opposite the opulence of the Grandmaster’s Palace.

Something I doubt my grandad did too often on his nights in the city.

It was a well-earned meal, too, after a morning spent getting to know Malta’s more adventurous side.

While the stereotypical image of a tourist in Malta may be that of an older person seeking some relaxing winter sun, there is plenty in the way of activities for holidaymakers with a penchant for getting the adrenaline pumping.

I am typically not that type of person, which I realised as I found myself dangling from a cliff face with little more than a bungee cord and a metal hook for safety, doing something called via ferrata.

It involves scrambling along precarious ledges, using fixed steel cables to ensure anyone who falls is just about kept alive.

So, instead of doing the crossword with a cuppa — my normal morning routine — I had to rely on my minimal upper body strength and uncharacteristically delicate footwork to take me from the bottom of a sheer cliff face right to the top.

As a man who struggles with vertigo, this didn’t come easily, but the impressive landscapes — rugged cliff tops and lush greenery stretching out until they met the shimmering blue sea on the horizon — made it more than worthwhile.

What’s more, I was surprised at how quickly I started to enjoy myself.

The combination of warm weather, pushing 20C in February, spectacular scenery and trying something exciting put a spring in my step — ironically, the last thing I needed as I clambered up to the summit.

Delighted to have survived, I tested my resilience further — horse riding through the countryside of Bidnija village.

Yet this turned out to be an altogether more peaceful affair, as my steed — the majestic Romeo — begrudgingly bore me on his back and clip-clopped through some tranquil and verdant scenes.

Aloe plants rose out of the ground, looking like large desert cacti, making me feel like I was in my own John Wayne movie.

I even tipped the brim of my hat to passers-by as I rode towards the sunset, thoroughly enjoying an activity I would never before have thought to try.

The same thing happened on repeat throughout my visit.

Whether it was e-bike riding along the Dingli Cliffs — the highest point on the island, with vistas stretching for miles over sapphire seas — or abseiling on Gozo, the second-largest island in the Maltese archipelago, my perceptions about what I enjoy doing were constantly being challenged.

That’s not to say I didn’t make the most of a chance to relax in the warmth, while thick grey clouds at home were refusing to let any sunlight through.

Staying at the Marriott Resort & Spa meant I could unwind after my exertions and, come early evening, I could be found on a sunbed by the outdoor pool on the 13th floor, overlooking St Julian’s Bay.

The hotel also has an indoor pool, a gym better equipped than most actual gyms, and a spa offering a range of treatments and massages, including couples’ options.

After a wind-down by the pool, evenings were spent exploring the extensive selection of bars and restaurants.

Although I couldn’t try all the highly recommended eateries, I was particularly impressed by Trattoria AD 1530.

This charming Michelin Guide restaurant is located in the fortified medieval town of Mdina, which Game Of Thrones fans will recognise as King’s Landing from series one.

It perfectly showcases the Italian influence on Maltese cuisine, with its seafood pastas particularly worth a taste.

Then there was Sole by Tarragon, which offers beautiful harbour views, locally-caught seafood and Mediterranean classics.

My advice — order the sea bass, one of their nautical-themed cocktails and the caramel and banana dessert.

I’ll just have to go back and try all the ones I missed another time. I’ll see if my grandad has any more hot tips.

Many of Spain’s major airports are set to be hit by strike action this week.

UK tourists hoping to travel to Spain for Easter sunshine should be aware that workers are set to strike at several of the country’s biggest airports.

The strikes affect ground-handling services at the airports of Barcelona, Madrid, Alicante, Palma, Ibiza, Málaga, the Canaries and more and the first of the action is set to start on Monday. The strikes are by Groundforce and Menzies workers and are a result of salary disagreements.

The Groundforce strikes had been due to start on Friday but they were delayed. However, it is believed they will now start on Monday, take place at set times of day in the mornings, afternoons and nights and continue indefinitely. Majorca Daily Bulletin reports that “there is as yet no indication as to whether there will be further suspensions of strike action”.

Menzies workers were due to have gone on strike this Saturday and Sunday. That was also suspended but 24-hour strikes from April 2 to 6 have not been called off.

Groundforce operates at Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona-El Prat, Palma de Mallorca, Alicante, Málaga, Gran Canaria, Valencia, Ibiza, Bilbao, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. Menzies operates at Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Málaga, Alicante, Gran Canaria, Tenerife South and Tenerife North.

The Traveler website reports that “travellers heading to Spain over Easter face a challenging season, as walkouts by airport ground staff threaten queues, baggage delays and potential timetable disruption at some of the country’s busiest hubs”. It added that “reports indicate that the stoppages are partial rather than full shutdowns, typically concentrated in several time bands during mornings, midday and late evenings. This pattern mirrors earlier labour disputes at Madrid, where limited ground handling strikes created bottlenecks at baggage reclaim and during boarding, while flights continued to operate under minimum service rules.”

It added: “For most holidaymakers, the most visible impact of the strikes is likely to be queues and slower processing rather than mass cancellations.”

Travel and Tour World, a B2B travel publisher, says travellers “are being urged to check their flight status regularly and stay updated on the latest developments”.

Strikes not the only problem

The strike action coincides with the ongoing rollout of the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) which could cause further delays. Under this system, which has been rolling out since October and is expected to be fully operational by April 10, all travellers from the UK and other non-EU countries have to be photographed and fingerprinted at EU airports and border points.

The Telegraph reports that the Home Office and travel organisations “are advising holidaymakers to allow extra time to arrive at their destinations on both entry and exit because of predicted queues of two to four hours at busier airports”. It adds: “Delays at airports on return journeys have already led to some holidaymakers missing their planes home, even though they arrived within the required two-hour limit.”

It reported how Tenerife airport has already seen “acute delays” with one recent traveller saying on Facebook that she had spent three hours queuing in passport control, writing: “Our flight left with 15 passengers on and ditched the rest of us here in Tenerife to fend for ourselves.”

Another traveller said she had been astonished to arrive at her airport departure gate in Paris recently to find a long queue. She said: “I had entirely forgotten about the additional security checks. Only one kiosk was open, with a queue of at least 30 people, and the clock was ticking down to our flight’s departure. As we stood there, another 40 individuals joined the queue behind us, yet still, only one kiosk was operational.

“The process was painfully slow. The queue barely seemed to budge, and more people continued to join behind us. From the snippets of conversations I caught, everyone appeared as taken aback – and stressed – as I was.

“Fortunately, my partner and I had started relatively close to the front, so we managed to reach the gate just in time. As for the people behind us, I have no clue.”

easyJet said it is an ‘extraordinary circumstance’

An easyJet flight was forced to turn back and land shortly after departure today (Sunday, March 29) due to an “extraordinary circumstance”.

easyJet flight EZY439 was scheduled to depart from Glasgow at 11.50am and arrive in Jersey at 1.25pm. However, tracking data on Flightradar appears to show the aircraft turning back almost immediately following take-off. easyJet has confirmed the flight returned to the gate due to an “extraordinary circumstance”. Outlining the diversion on its website, the airline said it is “due to a crew welfare issue”.

easyJet added: “The disruption to your flight is outside of our control and is considered to be an extraordinary circumstance. We plan to refuel and continue your flight as soon as possible. Your crew will keep you up to date.”

easyJet encourages passengers to visit its website for entitlements, refund and compensation rights, and additional information. It added: “Once again we’re very sorry for the delay to your flight.”

An easyJet spokesperson said later on Sunday: “Flight EZY439 from Glasgow to Jersey on 29 March returned to Glasgow due to a cabin crew member requiring medical assistance.

“The flight landed normally in Glasgow and was met by medical services on the ground. We plan for passengers to continue their journey to Jersey later today and apologise for any inconvenience.

“The safety and wellbeing of passengers and crew is always easyJet’s highest priority.”

A pilot has revealed his one method of balancing work and family life in the industry, despite the seriously long hours and time away from home that comes with the role

It’s widely recognised that pilots work lengthy shifts and spend considerable periods away from home. While on duty, they usually work between 10-14 hours daily, encompassing flight time, briefings and taxiing, although this can stretch to 16 hours when unexpected situations arise.

Throughout the week, the schedule can become more demanding, with pilots working up to 60 hours across 7 consecutive days, averaging around 20 hours weekly in the air. While travelling to different countries constantly and experiencing the world sounds thrilling, it can prove incredibly challenging for pilots with families.

One pilot has recently shared how he successfully balanced his career with family life. During a TikTok Q&A session, Captain Steve, employed by American Airlines, outlined his approach to making it work.

Following someone sharing their ambition to become an airline pilot, they ask: “What is your advice on a work-life balance in the industry?”

Steve responds: “Well it’s like anything else if you travel, you have to balance being on the road and being home, the electronics help these days, you can FaceTime, communicate much more effectively and frequently than you did back then.”

When his children were young, the pilot succeeded in spending quality time at home while working as a reserve for the airline.

He added: “I did reserve on the airline and didn’t work as much on reserve, I’d get called a few times a month, maybe for a trip where when you’re regular line holder, you’re going to fly four or five times.

“Was it a big difference? Yeah, it was a huge difference because I got to spend more time with my kids and I still got paid as an airline pilot to be on call.”

While working as a reserve wasn’t straightforward for Steve but he “made the sacrifice”.

He went on: “There were some inconveniences with being on call as well but I made that sacrifice to be with my family so there is a way to work it up, where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

Numerous elements influence working hours. Short-haul pilots might complete 4-6 legs per day (consecutive flights). Long-haul pilots typically endure lengthier stints, such as 12-15 hours on a single extended flight.

Early starts, such as 5am, can cut into allowable duty hours owing to fatigue regulations. Between shifts, pilots must receive a minimum of 10 hours of rest, incorporating 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep.

Passengers should act now before flights get more expensive

Passengers thinking of booking flights from the UK should book before Wednesday if they want to avoid an imminent cost increase. Air passenger duty (APD) is going up on April 1, making flights more expensive. As the duty forms part of the cost of each airline ticket, carriers say the adjustment is likely to result in higher fares on some routes, Majorca Daily Bulletin reports.

The amount of air passenger duty per person depends on several things, including ticket class and how far the country’s capital city is from the UK. The amount goes up significantly if you sit in anything but basic economy and if you fly to a country whose capital is more than 2,000 miles away from London.

Travel expert Simon Calder explains that the levy “is unique to the UK and a topic of much controversy”. He adds: “Chancellor Rachel Reeves has imposed an above-inflation increase from April 1, 2026 and one in line with the retail prices index a year after that. By the summer of 2027, a family of four flying premium economy to Orlando will pay over £1,000 in tax for leaving the UK in anything better than basic economy.”

Four different categories of destination

• UK domestic flights
• Band A: Countries where capital city is 2,000 miles or less from London — this covers all of Europe
• Band B: Capital city is 2,001-5,500 miles from London — includes most long-haul destinations
• Band C: Capital city is over 5,500 miles from London — includes Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Buenos Aires and Australia.

What are the rates?

From April 1, 2026, they will all rise to the following:

• UK domestic: £8 (economy) or £16 (anything but economy)
• Band A: £15 or £32
• Band B: £102 or £244
• Band C: £106 or £253

Before April 1, 2026 the rates are as follows:

• UK domestic: £7 or £14
• Band A: £13 or £28
• Band B: £90 or £216
• Band C: £94 or £224

So you can see, the increases are not huge but could add significant costs to the price of a holiday for a family of four to somewhere that is more than 2,000 miles away.

APD does not apply to children under 16 travelling in basic economy but is payable for all children over two travelling in premium classes.

How much APD will I pay?

A family of four with children between two and 15 will pay the following APD from April 1, 2026:

• UK: £16 in basic economy, £64 in premium economy or better.
• Europe: £30 or £128
• Most long-haul destinations: £204 or £976
• Ultra-long-haul destinations: £212 or £1,012

But a family of four with children aged 16 and over will pay the following APD from April 1, 2026:

• UK: £32 in basic economy, £64 in premium economy or better
• Europe: £60 or £128
• Most long-haul destinations: £408 or £976
• Ultra-long-haul destinations: £424 or £1,012

As you can see, the year-on-year increases are not that significant for shorter flights, but can add up more if you are taking older children on longer flights. But if you feel that you want to save every pound possible, if you get your flights booked before Wednesday then you’ll save on APD.

IN our trusty motorhome, my family and I have gone across much of Europe – but somehow never quite made it to Germany.

Perhaps that was because of my ill-fated attempts at learning ­German at school, which lasted little more than a term.

But keen to head off the beaten path, we loaded up our Bailey of Bristol Adamo XL-DL and headed for the Bavarian Alps.

Of course, there was the slight worry of “what if it’s not as good as where we usually go?”. Spoiler alert: The Bavarian Alps are brilliant.

And they are a region — and part of a culture — with so much to offer the whole family.

The drive to get there was a little longer than we are used to.

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However, much to my children’s delight, stop-off point Lech Camping coincided with a visit to Legoland Germany, providing all manner of brilliant rides and attractions.

It was also the perfect contrast to what awaited us in the mountains.

Our base was Via Claudia Camping, set on the edge of Lake Lechsee in the Allgau region, which gave us easy access to attractions and impressive views of the mountains.

But the mountains would have to wait, because first on the list was a visit to one of Germany’s most ­famous castles.

Perched dramatically on a prominent hill, and surrounded by dense pine forests, Neuschwanstein Castle is, quite simply, magical.

With its towers, turrets and whimsical balconies straight out of a fairytale, you feel Rapunzel herself would have been right at home here.

That was followed by the charming village of Oberammergau, recommended by our campsite receptionist as the best example of something truly Bavarian.

Here you get Luftlmalerei — the centuries-old tradition of painting murals on the exterior walls of houses — giving the village the air of a living storybook.

Our own tale from the village came in the most unlikely of circumstances.

Walking down a small cobbled street, we noticed a vending machine set into the wall.

Half expecting our children to request some sort of chocolate bar, we were surprised to see it wasn’t filled with the usual confectionery.

Instead, it was stuffed with every manner of German sausage imaginable.

It made shopping for dinner easy and I got to tell my joke about German sausages, which the children insist is the wurst.

Talking of silly humour, I had to giggle at the name of the mountain we were headed to for hiking: Wank (pronounced Vank).

Anyone who has hiked with younger children will know they can be fascinated by every stick, rock and oddly shaped pine cone.

So our pace was on the slow side, but it let us appreciate the beauty of the mountains that surrounded us.

Despite frequent stops to play, rest and satisfy the children’s curiosity, we eventually made it to the top and the traditional summit cross found on Alpine peaks.

Our final reminder of why we should never have left it so long to venture into Germany came courtesy of lake Eibsee, lying at the foot of Germany’s tallest peak, the mighty Zugspitze.

Not even moody skies and the threat of rain could dampen our spirits as we set off, us on foot and the children on their bikes, on the 8km trail that heads around the shore of the lake, with the glacier-clad Zugspitze towering over us.

From fairytale castles and storybook villages with sausage vending machines, to majestic mountains and alpine lakes, Bavaria had surprised us at every turn.

And as we savoured a final sunset in the mountains, it left us with one lingering question: When are we coming back to Germany?

Experts say families could save more than £100, though Ryanair disagrees

Passengers flying with Ryanair are being encouraged to follow several steps to reduce costs on their journeys, though the airline has responded by dismissing the advice as “fake news”.

Consumer champion platform Which? claimed its research revealed travellers may have been spending more than necessary. Last month, Which? suggested families could potentially save over £100 on their next Ryanair flight by simply disregarding the airline’s “recommended” fare option. When arranging a summer journey from London to Alicante for a family of four, Ryanair promoted its “Regular” fare as the “ideal” selection.

But opting for this choice would have cost £59 more than picking the “Basic” fare and adding the identical seats and luggage manually later during the booking process, Which? claimed. The article continues: “If our family decided that we could get by with four cabin bags instead of the eight included in Ryanair’s ‘Regular’ fare, then we could reduce the fare by £163 from Ryanair’s recommendation.

“The Regular fare comes with priority boarding, carry-on luggage and free standard seat selection included, but on around 30 checks over the past two years we’ve only once found it cheaper. We looked at 15 flights to a range of locations in February 2026 and only once was the Regular ticket cheaper, even if we wanted all those extras.”

Ryanair has made its feelings on Which?’s findings abundantly clear. A spokesperson for the airline told Sky News: “This is more fake news from Which? Thankfully no one reads, or takes any notice of Which’s fake recycled news articles or your spurious ‘advice’, as our traffic growth from 200 million to 208 million passengers in 2025 proves.”

THERE are plenty of beautiful islands around Greece, but you might not have heard of Andros.

It’s the second-largest island in the Cyclades and is considered to be one of the most beautiful, and underrated.

Andros has it all, with mountain landscapes, beaches with bright blue waters, lush greenery with waterfall trails, and a town classically painted in Greece‘s blue and white.

Visitors arriving by ferry will first come to Gavrio, on the northwest coast which historically was a fishing village.

Now it’s a lot busier and vibrant with plenty of tavernas, bars and hotels – however this isn’t the capital of the island.

An hour’s drive away from Gavrio is Chora, which literally means ‘main village’.

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One visitor who blogged about their recent trip named Verde as a top place to grab a bite there.

Their top tip was to taste the Miss Pink cocktail, which is a mix of champagne, lime and grapefruit.

When it comes to drinks, on Andros, you can pick up a glass of wine from €3 (£2.60).

Along with its pretty village to explore, the real gems of this island are the beaches that are dotted along the coastline.

There are beautiful beaches too with white sands and bright blue seas.

One of the most popular north of Chora is called Zorkos Beach, which is also one of the island’s biggest.

One visitor said: “One of the best beaches I have visited in general in my life! Incredible waters, clear and a very quiet place even though it has a beach bar there!”

Another added: “Zorkos beach is just fantastic! Clean water and a very relaxed atmosphere. Perfect place to escape and enjoy the sea without a lot of people. We will definitely visit again.”

Other popular spots include Vitali Beach on the north eastern side of the island.

The beach is always fairly empty as it’s secluded and can only be accessed by a narrow dirt track – so it’s recommended to get there by motorbike or jeep.

Another spot which has crystal clear waters is Tis Grias to Pidima Beach, which has a huge rock stack off its shore.

The beach can be reached via a dirt road and steep trail, but lots of visitors say it’s worth a visit thanks to its beautiful views.

Heading inland, one popular activity for tourists on Andros is hiking to its waterfalls.

One of the easiest trails that takes around 10-minutes is to the Pithara Waterfalls, which is dubbed a ‘hidden paradise’ in Apikia.

Visitors say there’s enough water for a small swim, along with plenty of pretty viewing points from above the falls.

For those staying on the island, some hotels cost as little as £36 per night, which you can find on Booking.com.

The Ostria Hotel & Apartments has an outdoor pool, and is a few minutes walk away from Gavrio.

On Airbnb, pretty apartments start from £67 per night.

This one in Chora is within walking distance to the sea, as well as restaurants, bars, cafes, museums and art galleries.

When it comes to getting to the island, Brits will have to fly to Athens, which in May can be done for £25 with Ryanair.

From there, take a ferry across to the island which can be as quick as one hour with Seajets (with tickets from £30).

For more on Greek islands, one expert reveals the four better value islands where locals go on holiday with Santorini-like houses and secluded beaches.

RYANAIR has scrapped all flights to a popular destination often compared to Hawaii.

The low-cost airline has axed its direct service as a result of soaring airport fees.

From today – March 29, 2026 – all services to and from the Azores – which are famous for their stunning beaches and vibrant greenery – have been stopped.

The move means six different routes have been scrapped, impacting approximately 400,000 passengers who visit the islands annually.

The airline previously pointed to a 120 per cent rise in air traffic control charges and the introduction of a new travel tax as the breaking points.

Ryanair’s CCO Jason McGuinness said: “We are disappointed that the French airport monopoly ANA continues to raise Portuguese airport fees to line its pockets, at the expense of Portuguese tourism and jobs – particularly on the Portuguese islands.”

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As costs continue to climb, the airline stated it had no choice but to move its planes to cheaper airports elsewhere in Europe.

McGuinness added: “As a direct result of these rising costs, we have been left with no alternative other than to cancel all Azores flights from 29 March 2026 onwards.”

The region – located about 950 miles from mainland Portugal – has lost direct low-fare links to London, Brussels, Lisbon and Porto.

The nine volcanic islands are known for having unspoiled beauty, which includes vibrant green hills and black sandy beaches.

British Airways still flies to the islands seasonally, with direct flights from London Heathrow to Ponta Delgada and Terceira.

A Canadian woman who moved to the UK with her partner and three children recently paid a visit to a charity shop where she noticed several differences between the stores here and in her home country

A Canadian woman currently living in the UK has shared the key differences she noticed when perusing charity shops here as opposed to the “thrift stores” in her home country.

Many people from the United States and Canada relocate to the UK and quickly come to realise that despite sharing the same language, there’s plenty of cultural quirks and differences. This seems to be the case for Jaclyn Walton, who swapped life in North America for England with her partner and their three children.

The mum has praised many aspects of life in the UK, from the school curriculum involving swimming lessons to the “beauty and history” that’s rife, as well as the football opportunities for her son.

She also spotted the different terms used commonly over here, like “sweets” instead of her native “candy” and “holiday” instead of the Canadian term, “vacation”.

Recently, Jaclyn took to Instagram to share a video of herself exploring a small charity shop here in the UK. Over the top of the footage, she narrated her thoughts: “Come with me to a British charity shop – it’s like a thrift store in Canada but here they call them charity shops as the sales help raise funds for charity.

“The differences I notice in Canada and the UK is the culture around charity shops. In the UK, it’s common, easy to pop in, take a look, and pretty normal.

“In Canada, you’re either a thrifter or you’re not. In the UK, like almost everything else, it’s smaller; these little shops with this type of selection.”

She went on: “In Canada, they have small ones like this but you also immediately think of big ones like Value Village where you have aisles and aisles upon selection.”

Back to her thoughts on UK charity shops, Jaclyn concluded: “These shops often have volunteers working here as well.”

In the comments section, Jaclyn added: “I didn’t love thrift stores in Canada but I do enjoy looking around here… maybe I just wasn’t in my thrifting era yet.

“I feel like with all the history in England, I am looking for a beautiful find.”

Fellow Instagram users were keen to share their thoughts. One said: “I think the difference in the UK is that people donate old stuff and the charity sells it for money.

“A thrift store is a kind of recycling centre where you can sell old stuff like books, which the operator cleans up and resells for a profit.”

Another said: “I never went in charity shops until I developed a book habit! I can now never resist popping int. My hometown is blessed with eight charity shops.

“One in particular is so nicely set out that you would think it is new items only. I look at clothes now and have bought some really lovely items. I’m definitely a thrifter now!”

A third commented: “You can find some really good stuff a charity shops in affluent areas. Try places like in the Cotswolds like Chipping Norton.” And a fourth added: “Love it.”

A YouTuber who moved from her home town in the USA to the UK has talked about her experiences of relocating across the pond, and how her new home treats its citizens

A woman who moved from the United States to the UK has talked about the main differences between her old life and her new life.

Mindy Hickson, who posts about her experiences on YouTube channel The Hickson Diaries, said there are seven ways in which living in the UK has provided what she describes as “the simple life”.

Mindy alluded to the fact that the way Americans have been told to live is not necessarily the only way to live. She said: “Growing up in the US we’re indoctrinated into believing that success looks like a specific set of things.”

Said things that could be suggestive of a cultural mistruth, Mindy said, included owning a massive house, two big SUVs, and a having a salary that keeps climbing

Mindy added: “We’re taught if you don’t have those things you’re failing….But honest when you step outside of the US bubble you do actually start to see exactly what they mean when Europeans say things like, ‘Americans are rich in things, but extremely poor in time’.”

Mindy noted that she feels like the UK offers a safety net for people who have suffered through struggles in their lives.

In the first of her seven comparisons, she said that in the USA, there’s “this low level background of anxiety that hums in your brain 24/7. It’s the fear that one bad day…it can take away everything that you’ve built”.

Whilst Mindy acknowledged the NHS isn’t perfect, she concluded: “Nobody here in the UK is losing their house because they got sick.”

Mindy then compared isolation in the USA to the UK’s community spirit, explaining the concept of spaces where Britons could exist without spending a lot of money. She said the UK has “places where you can just exist around other people without having to spend a lot of money, pay a cover charge or have an over abundance of stimulation”.

When it came to the workplace, Mindy said she felt that the UK doesn’t weaponise productivity in the same way, and that employers have greater respect for allowing people to rest after finishing work for the day. In contrast, she said that having a break in the USA is often seen as a “weakness”.

Mindy’s fourth piece of evidence that the “simple life” in the UK is better than that of the USA is due to dignity in ageing.

She pointed out that the UK tends to look after its retirees and pensioners better by giving them things such as free bus passes to help them get around major cities.

Fifth on her list was the food. Mindy touched on how food is much less processed in the UK. She also said there is a different mentality, that eating well doesn’t mean eating more, but meant eating high quality food instead.

Mindy additionally praised the UK as she feels Britons make more thoughtful purchasing choices.

She said this is because companies don’t deliver products every two hours, and that the UK system forces people to be “more intentional” about their choices. As a result, Mindy said she’s stopped buying things “just to fill a void”.

Mindy’s final and seventh statement she felt supported her claim that UK citizens have a better way of life came down to safety.

Whilst the UK is not bereft of crime, she talked about how she felt less anxious, that she didn’t have to check the exits as she walked into a building or venue, and that she felt less on edge.

I’m on a tram on Vienna’s Ringstrasse as towering facades, columns, statues and domes drift past, each more ornate than the last. Here, the State Opera; there, the Austrian parliament, built in the Greek neoclassical style.

As I gawp, I shove cake in my mouth. After all, Vienna isn’t just the city of music, or lavish architecture. Thanks, in part, to its centuries-old coffeehouse culture, it’s also one of Europe’s finest pastry destinations. Cake (or more precisely, torte, kuchen or Mehlspeisen) has its own day here – “Sweet Friday”, the most delicious of Catholic customs, when meat dishes are replaced with sweets. I have been introduced to it via the medium of Marillenknödel – apricot dumplings.

It’s my first visit to Vienna, my boyfriend Wolfi’s home city. The priority is checking out the old neighbourhood and making a good first impression on his granny. Always keen to fit in, I have identified the national obsession and offered to test Austria’s most famous cake: Sachertorte.

According to legend, it was created in Vienna in 1832 by the 16-year-old apprentice chef Franz Sacher for Prince Metternich. It went on to great acclaim and sparked a decade-long cake war.

In the 1950s, the Hotel Sacher and Demel pastry shop battled over the torte’s trademark, thanks to Franz’s son Eduard, who had refined the recipe while working at the Demel, then offered it on the menu when he opened the Hotel Sacher in 1876.

In 1963, an out-of-court agreement stipulated that the Sacher could market their version – with a layer of apricot jam below the icing and another between the sponges – as the original. The Demel could market theirs as the “Eduard-Sacher-Torte” – featuring one layer of apricot jam below the icing. A big fight about jam, for good reason.

These days, Sachertorte is often decried as dry and overhyped for tourists. Blame that on infantile modern tastes – overindulgent “death by chocolate”, endless cronut-style hybridisations. I’m a fan of the Sachertorte: dark chocolate sponge covered in fondant, tangy apricot jam, whipped cream on the side. It has no need to shout. But is it just for tourists? As I ponder, a call comes from Wolfi’s gran, inviting us for Sunday lunch.

Anna, 82, a Klimt devotee and string enthusiast (she played in her youth), is Vienna born and bred. “For dessert,” she announces, “Sachertorte.” It is a local cake! I’m swiftly corrected. “It’s not a cake! A torte is a torte.” Immediately recognising her superior judging potential, I recruit Anna into my testing team.

First stop is Stephansplatz, with its stunning gothic cathedral. Nearby is the unmissable Aïda shopfront, a riot of pink. It is billed as the world’s first coffee shop chain. Inside, there’s neon-pink lettering on pink walls, pink lighting, staff dressed head-to-toe in pink. The atmosphere is chaotic – a group of Germans complain about seating and Wolfi manages to lose a euro in the pay turnstile to the loos.

We opt for takeaway. The torte, unforgivably, comes without cream (€1 extra, in a pink pot). We retreat to the shadow of Stephansdom. Smooth chocolate icing, jammy layers. Looks good. I bite. The sponge is … dense. I’m glad of the cream. It’s on the dry side. Anna concurs: “The pores are too close and small.”
€6.10 (takeaway), 4.5/10

The smell of Kaiserschmarrn (pancake) is strong in the bustling Demel patisserie and the queue snakes up the stairs to the cafe. It’s going to be another takeaway. I’m disappointed to find creased icing on the torte, but happier on first bite. It’s far superior to Aïda – moist, with a fruity tang. I look again. What I see is shocking. Two layers of apricot jam, one under the icing and one in the middle! What’s going on? I check Demel’s website. “A thin layer of apricot jam sandwiched between two layers and beneath the chocolate glaze.”

Evidently, they have updated their recipe. I hope I don’t spark a sticky lawsuit because I don’t blame them: the extra jam is welcome. “It’s a bit too sweet,” Anna counters. “The cake is not fluffy or airy enough,” she concludes, severely.
€8 (takeaway), 5.5/10

We are swept to a snug booth in an elegant panelled room, all 1920s mirrors and Thonet chairs. The room design muffles chatter, but snatches of Viennese dialect indicate plenty of locals. Snowflakes fall prettily outside the window.

We order Melange (for the sake of argument, a cappuccino) and one Sachertorte. “With three spoons,” the waiter offers, “if the ladies will allow.” I’d heard Viennese waiters were renowned for perfectly honed sarcasm and slight disdain; I wasn’t expecting next-level charm. These guys have a timeless quality, like smooth magicians – utterly hypnotic.

The coffee comes in dainty porcelain and I focus on the (“lactose free”) torte. A wee bit thin on the jam, but the fondant is thick and fudgey, with a decent sponge. I browse newspapers on the old Zeitungshalter (traditional wooden paper rack), trying not to be influenced by my surroundings – and then get giddy in my marking.
€8.10, 8.5/10

Coffeehouse culture has evolved through this social enterprise – a “granny cafe” set up to combat loneliness and supplement the pensions of senior bakers. Genius. These places have been taken to the city’s heart, judging by the stream of fashionable youngsters coming through the doors. It’s lively, with a cosy retro vibe.

But forget the feelgood factor; we’re here to judge their “Sachertorte master”, Mr Johannes, 72. Things start well when Wolfi declares the Melange the best he’s had in Vienna. Now to the torte. Oh my. It delivers and then some. The apricot jam is fairly oozing, the chocolate icing almost caramel-like with a velvety sheen (made with untraditional-but-delicious butter and cream). It’s one of four he baked fresh today. A delicious bargain!
€6, 8/10

Across from the beautiful Staatsoper (Vienna State Opera), Hotel Sacher is as plush as you’d hope: red velvet, white marble, gold relief. Tourists queue in the cold to get in (book to avoid this fate). The handsome torte arrives complete with seal. The thickest-yet layer of chocolate fondant holds everything nicely in place. Orderly. An excellent balance of fruity jam and rich sponge that also manages to be light.

The internet is awash with complaints that the Sacher’s torte is dry. I can’t agree, but agree it’s overpriced. “More airy than all the rest,” declares Anna. “With every bite,” she proclaims, “we know we are in the Sacher.” We chat about the archduke Otto von Habsburg wandering the hotel naked at the turn of the 20th century. Lots of history; lavish surroundings; technically, the best torte we’ve tried (one of 1,000 produced daily) – but something is lacking. I miss the heart of the Vollpension and old-world elegance of the Landtmann.
€10.50, 8/10

An anonymous family member (it’s Auntie Linda!) tips me off to a budget option “better than Hotel Sacher’s” that’s available in the supermarket. Nothing beats an underdog winning the taste test, so we thaw out this frozen Sachertorte in anticipation. Not this time. But it’s good. Fruity and moist, decent ganache. More chocolate cake than Sachertorte, I’d venture, but a highly competitive price point.
About €1 a slice, 5.5/10

New research reveals exactly what youngsters would do if they were involved in planning a holiday – and they now have the chance to make it come true

If kids were in charge on holiday they would eat dessert before mains, go treasure hunting – and have a giant water fight. A poll of 1,000 children aged 6-12 revealed their ideal getaway, which would include eating three ice creams a day, using bikes or scooters as their go-to form of transport and playing board games every night.

One in five would play hide and seek with their family, 14% would indulge in a pyjama day and 40% would spend all day in the pool. When it comes to locations, 93% of youngsters want to stay at a holiday park, with 72% of them saying they are fun places with lots of activities to keep them entertained.

The study was commissioned by Sykes Holiday Cottages, which has unveiled a competition to appoint two youngsters as its resident Directors of Fun, created to place kids at the centre of holiday planning.

The playful job ad specifies entrants must be spontaneous, have a big imagination and bring enthusiasm to every day, and applicants can share their perfect holiday itineraries until 30th April 2026 to win the chance to make them come true.

James Shaw, spokesperson for the staycation specialist said: “It’s always interesting to see what kids would do if they were in charge of the whole holiday – and it turns out it would be pretty fun for everyone else too.

“While there’s plenty of excitement around things like unlimited ice cream and activities, what really stands out is how much they value simply spending time together.

“That’s why we wanted to bring children back into the heart of holiday planning with this competition, recognising that their ideas of a great break are often less about packed schedules and more about being with the people around them.”

Over half (51%) of the youngsters surveyed said their favourite aspect of being on holiday was spending time with family and for over a third (35%) it’s meeting other kids their age.

Eight out of ten confessed they’d like to take control of a family holiday, with leading the way in order to do the activities they want (63%), instructing their relatives what to do (41%) and feeling like an adult (40%) the top three reasons.

The research via OnePoll.com also discovered 19% feel like holiday parks are a home away from home, with popular forms of entertainment such as swimming, adventure playgrounds and arcade games making it ideal accommodation.

James Shaw added: “Holidays should give families the chance to properly switch off, reconnect and enjoy shared experiences all in one place.

“What’s striking is how much children value the freedom to shape their own days – whether that’s choosing activities, exploring, or just having unstructured time to play.

“That’s where settings like holiday parks come into their own, offering a mix of flexibility and variety that lets every family member make the most of their time away.”

THE TOP 10 THINGS KIDS WOULD DO ON HOLIDAY IF THEY WERE IN CHARGE:

1. Eat ice cream everyday
2. Spend all day in the pool
3. Have a giant water fight
4. Ride bikes or scooters everywhere
5. Play hide and seek with my family
6. Go on a treasure hunt
7. Have a midnight feast
8. Eat dessert before dinner
9. Stay up late playing board games every night
10. Have a pyjama day

I dropped in on a bustling village that fringes a busy roundabout – and every corner leads you to beautiful green spaces

While I thoroughly enjoy residing in the city of Plymouth, I equally relish the opportunity to regularly escape the hustle and bustle to find somewhere I’m enveloped by woodland and birdsong. I recently discovered a destination offering respite from urban life – and it’s an ideal “traditional” location with several thriving independent retailers alongside excellent walks and scenery.

Being based in Plymouth means I’m generally spoilt for choice when it comes to escaping the concrete and cobbles of city life. Within easy reach is the South West Coast Path, stunning beaches or coves, plus numerous other small towns and villages to discover in the rest of Devon or neighbouring Cornwall.

I recently paid a visit to a village situated right on Plymouth’s edge, and it’s an underrated treasure of a destination. Yelverton, particularly the Yelverton Roundabout area, is straightforward to reach (I travelled there by bus) and it boasts a flourishing collection of shops plus beautiful countryside in every direction.

This well-loved village sits on the outskirts of the city. I appreciated the journey, travelling through Plymouth, then, abruptly, the urban landscape was left behind, giving way to Roborough Down.

After crossing the heath, golden with gorse and scattered with Dartmoor ponies, you encounter the Yelverton Roundabout – and this spot even has its own Facebook page with more than 7,000 followers, reports Plymouth Live.

Now, having spent several hours there, I can understand why it’s so beloved. Yelverton village has preserved its village character despite housing developments emerging around it over the years.

The locals were welcoming, and the independent shops and businesses offer something truly special, including a proper butcher’s, a deli, a cafe, a gift shop, and plenty more. Even the Post Office is packed with useful and intriguing items.

There’s also a classic red telephone box still standing at Yelverton Roundabout, directly across from the picturesque church on the green.

My first stop was the Dartmoor Bakery, a brief stroll from the roundabout over at Leg O Mutton Corner on Roborough Down.

I sampled a savoury swirl with honey-garlic roasted tomatoes and brie, and it was absolutely delicious. I enjoyed it while sitting on a bench that was “erected in 1968” by the Yelverton District Residents Association, in “memory of Winston Churchill”.

Afterwards, I wandered across to the shops and green space beside the roundabout, where I chatted with three residents, Belinda Gardiner and husband-and-wife duo Ian and Liz Marshall.

Ian revealed there’s a “thriving set of shops” around the Yelverton Roundabout, and while they’ve “changed over the years” they remain all “really well used”.

The three residents reflected that overall, though, since the 1980s, the area has altered “very little” despite there being “more cars” and a “few more surrounding houses”.

“We’ve also lost two pubs”, Ian noted, “the Leg O Mutton pub and the Devon Tors hotel are gone, but we still have The Rock Inn, which is great and well used”. The three residents described it as a marvellous place to call home, boasting abundant wildlife, including owls and bats, excellent walking and cycling trails, alongside “a reliable bus route” connecting passengers to Plymouth or Tavistock every 20 minutes.

I then ventured into Hearn’s Dartmoor Butchery and Meatbox, a sizeable independent establishment offering an impressive selection of locally-sourced meats.

Behind the counter, a staff member was preparing some particularly appetising-looking pasties, and I was also delighted to discover a vegetable stall within the premises.

I chatted with proprietor Richard Hearn, aged 40, who has practised butchery for over two decades. He’s also a devoted local and “sixth-generation” farmer’s son.

Richard shared: “I love it, the customers, the trade, I wouldn’t do anything else, it’s what I know. We push the local side of things, purchasing a lot of the meat from a farm in Meavy.

“I first worked here aged 22, then eventually started it up as my own business, the customers are fab, friendly and smiley – and it’s a slower pace of life here than Plymouth.”

Equally flourishing enterprises neighbour Hearn’s Dartmoor Butchery, including the highly-rated gift shop, Cards and Moor, characterised as a “beautiful shop full of treasures” by patrons.

I stopped by for a browse, and it’s certainly brimming with charming gifts, cards and some delightful-looking Easter goodies. I’ll undoubtedly remember these Yelverton retailers when I need to purchase a birthday present or another gift.

Residents informed me that this thriving cluster of shops is “getting busier”, and everyone I encountered was courteous and welcoming, with the area buzzing with activity.

Another outstanding shop, The Larder Yelverton, is an absolute must-visit if you find yourself in the area, offering a selection of unique cheeses, Cornwall-made pottery, and much more. I can’t wait to return.

Henry Smith, aged 46, is one of the proprietors of The Larder Yelverton, the deli which opened its doors in September 2020. Since then, the distinctive store has proved a hit, with its cheese selection proving particularly popular amongst locals and visitors alike.

Henry told me: “It’s a nice area to live and work in, it’s the people, and it’s so great to see the community supporting all the shops here.

“We have a lot of regulars along with walkers, cyclists, visitors and people on holiday – we even had a celebrity visit the shop yesterday.

“The only slight issue is parking and traffic flow in the area at times, but it’s great that it’s free to park for up to 2 hours at the Yelverton Roundabout.”

Debra Dewinne was enjoying lunch at another flourishing establishment in the same location, Scarlet’s Kitchen. Having relocated to the area a few years ago, Debra spoke highly of the local bus service, while acknowledging that traffic congestion can occasionally pose a problem in Yelverton.

“The car park is always full”, she said, “but it’s a sign that the shops are well supported here”.

Nearby, you’ll also find Ochre Hair Lounge, The Rock Inn and a host of other independent businesses at The Rock Complex on Dousland Road, just a short stroll from the other shops.

Despite being a modest cluster of shops and businesses, it’s undeniably a flourishing area; Yelverton Roundabout has almost everything you could need, it’s fair to say.

Also speaking to us was parish councillor and local resident Alastair Cunningham, an Independent Councillor on West Devon Borough Council representing Buckland Monachorum Ward.

On the subjects of parking, planning notices and traffic concerns, he said: “Our parish council meetings are open to anyone local; if people have any issues or problems they’d like to discuss, they can come along.”

Cllr Alastair noted that notices of these meetings are displayed on the noticeboard next to the red telephone box.

He went on to say: “It’s a good area to live in, there’s a lot of community, and the village halls and businesses are thriving here. The people and the shops are great; people tend to pick up their litter here, but we also have volunteer litter pickers.

“The butchers transformed the area, and we’re really lucky to have the community we’ve got in Yelverton. It’s a unique and traditional area.”