As Storm Bram heads towards the UK, bringing with it rain, cold and strong winds, it may be wise to turn your attention towards the parts of Europe that are a little cheerier
Not everywhere in Europe is gloomy right now(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Believe it or not, parts of Europe a short, cheap flight away from the UK are currently enjoying mid-20s temperatures and sunshine.
This year it feels as if the PR representatives for autumn have been working overtime. ‘Cosy season’ advocates have been pushing the line that it’s great that summer is now over and the six months of cold, darkness and wet ahead are to be embraced, not feared.
If you’re like me, then this comes across as a terrible and unconvincing lie. Crunchy leaves underfoot may be nice, but they’re no replacement for warmth and sunshine. Particularly when a horrifying weather front such as the Dracula-themed ‘Storm Bram‘ nears, threatening to bring 70 mph winds and freezing temperatures with it.
Luckily, there are plenty of places on the European mainland that are not only enjoying much better weather, but are a short, cheap flight away. Here are our pick of the bunch:
Not only is the Portuguese city sunny and blessed with good weather, but it is also a famously happy spot.
Lisbon recently claimed the top spot in the Holiday Happiness Index, claiming the title of the world’s happiest holiday destination. Analysis shows that the vibrant Portuguese capital excels across multiple feel-good factors, with its food scene standing out in particular. Walkability is another of Lisbon’s mood-boosters. The city is compact and easy to navigate on foot, with panoramic viewpoints that reward slow exploration.
Palermo is an incredible city to visit, especially in the shoulder season months of May, October and September when the weather begins to cool a little. Among the many highlights in the Sicilian city is the incredible Palazzo Butera, which was recently restored from a crumbling wreck to a public museum for the Valsecchi art collection. The city’s food market has recently received criticism for focusing more on fast food and less on traditional produce. However, there are many excellent, authentic restaurants down Palermo’s back alleys that offer up classic fare such as the pizza-adjacent sfincione.
Albania’s reputation as a tourist destination has taken a hugely positive turn in recent years, as increasing numbers opt for a bargain break in a country whose tourist board insists is ‘the European Maldives’. Visitors can enjoy luxury stays without breaking the bank, with beachfront apartments available for as little as £20 per night. Dining is equally budget-friendly, with a full meal and drinks often costing around £15. The Mirror took a trip to Tirana last year to see how far £100 can take you.
Who could resist a trip to the Eternal City, where the weather seems to be eternally good and the chances of spotting the new pope are higher than anywhere else in the world. Earlier this autumn, the Mirror visited Trevi Fountain, which has become one of the most overcrowded tourist attractions in the world. The chances of stopping off there without being overwhelmed by the throngs get higher the further away from summer you go.
Izmir had a tough summer. Wildfires in the region ripped through forests, destroying houses and resorts. Thankfully, the fires were eventually brought under control and the rebuilding job is well underway. The south-western settlement is less well-known than its headline-grabbing neighbours, Bodrum and Dalaman, but just as rich in sun-soaked golden beaches, bustling bazaars and excellent restaurants.
The lure of brighter sunshine and warmer coastlines can be very attractive but it is still important to make the most of your spending money. Now, a new study has revealed the Spanish cities where Brits can get the best value for their money.
Learn Spanish with James, led by James Smith, a fluent Spanish speaker with over 10 years of teaching experience and extensive living experience across Spain, Argentina, and Costa Rica, conducted comprehensive research into 29 popular Spanish destinations. He said: “Having lived in Spain for years, I’ve seen firsthand how different cities offer vastly different value propositions for British visitors.
“While Spain is generally affordable compared to the UK, some cities stand out as exceptional bargains where your pounds can stretch much further.”
Cordoba is a beautiful destination – and great value according to James(Image: Getty)
The study analysed hotel costs, dining expenses, beer prices, transport fares, and attraction entry fees across 29 Spanish cities popular with foreigners. Data was collected from Booking.com for accommodation, Numbeo for living costs, and TripAdvisor for attraction prices.
All costs were converted to GBP using average exchange rates. These were then normalised into a Holiday Value Score ranging from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better value for British tourists.
James, an expat living in Spain, added: “Some cities offer exceptional value for British tourists by combining low daily costs with rich cultural and leisure experiences. What makes these top-ranking destinations special isn’t only their low prices, but how they balance affordability across all aspects of a holiday, from where you sleep to what you eat and see.
“Cities like Cádiz and Córdoba are proof that you don’t need to sacrifice quality for value. These places offer authentic Spanish experiences, incredible history, and local charm at prices that make your pounds work harder.
“For Brits considering a move to Spain or planning an extended stay, understanding these cost differences can literally save thousands while opening doors to some of the country’s most fascinating destinations.”
Top 10 Spanish Cities Where Brits Get the Best Value – GBP
Rank
City/ Municipalities
Avg. Cost of 3-star Hotel per Night
Avg. Cost of Meal for Two at Mid-range Restaurant
Avg. Cost Bottle of Beer
Public Transport Ticket Price (One-way)
Avg. Attraction Entry Fee
Holiday Value Score
1
Cádiz
£ 126.16
£ 29.50
£ 1.19
£ 0.93
£ 20.08
79.34
2
Córdoba
£ 80.89
£ 35.83
£ 1.20
£ 1.10
£ 26.88
77.18
3
Torrevieja
£ 65.83
£ 33.72
£ 1.00
£ 1.31
£ 44.37
70.02
4
Cartagena
£ 104.35
£ 42.15
£ 0.87
£ 1.01
£ 37.90
69.34
5
Granada
£ 99.31
£ 31.61
£ 1.25
£ 1.18
£ 32.39
68.62
6
Alicante
£ 104.18
£ 42.15
£ 1.12
£ 1.22
£ 32.39
67.20
7
Murcia City
£ 104.91
£ 37.09
£ 1.07
£ 1.10
£ 99.76
63.60
8
Ourense
£ 77.73
£ 37.93
£ 1.38
£ 0.72
£ 37.57
62.90
9
Vitoria-Gasteiz
£ 78.17
£ 37.93
£ 1.19
£ 1.18
£ 67.05
60.78
10
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
£ 73.40
£ 42.15
£ 1.35
£ 1.26
£ 31.74
60.76
1. Cádiz – The Unbeatable Value Champion (79.34)
Cádiz claims the top spot with an impressive Holiday Value Score of 79.34, making it the ultimate destination for budget-conscious Brits. While hotel costs sit at £126.16 per night, the city more than makes up for it with incredibly affordable dining at just £29.50 for a meal for two, and bargain beer at £1.19 per bottle. Transport is particularly cheap at £0.93 per ticket, and attractions cost just £20.08 on average.
“Cádiz is a hidden gem that British tourists frequently overlook,” explains Smith. “It’s one of Europe’s oldest cities with stunning beaches and incredible history, yet it offers some of the best value you’ll find anywhere in Spain.”
2. Córdoba – Moorish Magic on a Budget (77.18)
Córdoba secures second place with a score of 77.18, offering exceptional accommodation value at just £80.89 per night. Dining costs £35.83 for two people, while beer remains affordable at £1.20. The city’s rich Moorish heritage, including the famous Mezquita, comes at reasonable attraction prices of £26.88.
“Córdoba perfectly balances affordability with cultural richness,” notes Smith. “You can explore one of Spain’s most historic cities without breaking the bank.”
3. Torrevieja – Coastal Living for Less (70.02)
Torrevieja rounds out the top three with a score of 70.02, boasting the cheapest accommodation at just £65.83 per night and the most affordable beer at £1.00 per bottle. Meals for two cost £33.72, though attraction fees are higher at £44.37.
“Torrevieja is perfect for Brits who want that coastal lifestyle without the premium prices of more famous beach destinations,” says Smith.
4. Cartagena – Naval History Meets Great Value (69.34)
Cartagena offers excellent value with a score of 69.34, featuring the cheapest beer in our top five at just £0.87 and reasonable transport costs of £1.01. Hotel prices sit at £104.35, with dining at £42.15 for two.
“Cartagena’s naval history and stunning Roman theatre make it a fascinating destination that won’t drain your wallet,” explains Smith.
5. Granada – Alhambra on a Shoestring (68.62)
Granada completes our top five with 68.62 points, offering reasonable accommodation at £99.31 and excellent dining value at £31.61 for two people. Despite being home to the world-famous Alhambra, attraction costs average just £32.39.
“Granada proves you can experience Spain’s most iconic sights without paying tourist trap prices,” Smith adds.
Electronic cigarettes, nicotine pouches, herbal products, shisha pipes and devices used to heat tobacco and other substances would be treated the same as conventional cigarettes under the Spanish govenrment’s new proposals
The Spanish government wants to ban smoking in public spaces(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Smoking and vaping could soon be banned in restaurant terraces and on beaches in Spain.
The Spanish government has approved a draft tobacco law that would ban locals and holidaymakers alike from having a puff on bar and restaurant terraces, as well as on beaches. The law would also prohibit minors from using vapes and related products, and end the sale of single-use electronic cigarettes.
The legislation was signed off by the cabinet on Tuesday morning. The bill still needs to be approved by parliament and could be amended. There is no indication yet of when these measures might come in.
Electronic cigarettes, nicotine pouches, herbal products, shisha pipes and devices used to heat tobacco and other substances would be treated the same as conventional cigarettes.
This could become a thing of the past(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Their use would all be banned in enclosed public spaces, as well as in outdoor areas such as bar terraces, stadiums, sports centres, children’s play areas, bus stops and educational facilities.
The health minister, Mónica García Gómez, said the draft law was intended to put Spain “back at the forefront of the fight against tobacco”. Smoking inside bars and restaurants in Spain was banned back in 2010, but since then, progress has been slow.
According to the Global Action to End Smoking report, 24.9% of the population used tobacco in some way in 2022, with higher rates of (27.5%) among men. In contrast, 11% of Brits smoke.
Ms Gómez added: “We know that tobacco claims the lives of 140 people a day in our country, which is 50,000 people a year. I also want to stress that 30% of cancer tumours are linked to the factors that come from tobacco use … We know that the reality has changed when it comes to tobacco and that there are new devices, such as vapes and tobacco-heating devices and nicotine pouches – and this law, for the first time, will regulate all these tobacco-related products, and it will regulate them in a clear and forceful way based on the scientific evidence.”
Holidaymakers looking to pick up some cheap cigarettes are in luck. There is no plan to hike prices in a country where a pack of 20 cigarettes costs less than €6 (£5.20).
Spain’s approach mirrors recent action taken by France in July. It is now illegal to smoke in outdoor places, including beaches, parks, public gardens, outside schools, bus stops and sports venues in France. The legislation, however, excludes café and bar terraces and electronic cigarettes from its restrictions.
Absent from Spain’s cabinet-approved proposal are any requirements for plain packaging on tobacco products. This is a measure that has been adopted by 25 nations, including the UK, according to World Health Organisation data.
The coastline of Alicante has been placed under a red alert for hot temperatures from midday today (August 18) until the evening, while the region of Vega del Segura is also under a red alert
A rare red weather warning has been put in place today(Image: Getty Images)
British holidaymakers in Alicante and Benidorm are facing a rare red weather warning, with scorching temperatures set to hit 42C today (Monday, August 18).
The Alicante coastline and Vega del Segura region, encompassing Murcia city, have been slapped with a red alert for extreme heat from midday through to evening.
The extreme heat alert has been put in place right through to this evening
Yellow warnings have been issued for central and northeastern Spain, reports the Manchester Evening News. Whilst conditions won’t be quite as blistering here, temperatures are still forecast to climb into the high 30s.
Similar sweltering conditions are anticipated across the Balearic Islands. Ibiza, Formentera and northern Majorca are under amber heat warnings, with peaks of 39C predicted.
Menorca faces a yellow alert and could see the thermometer hit 36C. No warnings are currently in place for the country’s northwest. Looking ahead to Monday, August 18, Aemet forecasters said: “Significant drop in temperatures in the northwestern half of the Iberian Peninsula.
“They will remain significantly high in the southeastern half, as well as in parts of the Balearic and Canary Islands, reaching 40 degrees in the Guadalquivir and low-pressure areas in the southeast.”
Areas in the north east could experience downpours and thunderstorms, especially close to the Pyrenees. Majorca stays under a yellow heat alert, with temperatures reaching 36C predicted, whilst the Mediterranean coastline will continue to swelter.
Looking ahead to Tuesday, Aemet stated: “A significant drop in temperatures will occur in the southeastern and eastern parts of the Iberian Peninsula.
“However, temperatures will remain significantly high in parts of the Mediterranean peninsula, the Balearic Islands, and the Canary Islands. Showers and thunderstorms will be locally heavy with very strong gusts in the Pyrenees, the eastern Iberian Peninsula, and areas in between.”
Wars, recessions, overtourism protests and fed-up locals are just some of the reasons why visitor numbers are slumping in some resorts that rely heavily on holidaymakers
A number of factors has hit tourism in Cyprus(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Five European holiday hotspots beloved by holidaymakers are struggling to attract visitors as the ‘ghost townification’ of certain destinations continues.
Wars, recessions, overtourism protests and fed-up locals are just some of the reasons why visitor numbers are slumping in some resorts that rely heavily on holidaymakers.
While the travel industry is generally booming across Europe, with Brits taking a record number of holidays, the story of unfettered, seemingly never-ending growth that was being told post-COVID is no longer the case in every destination.
Below are five holiday destinations where a different story is beginning to be told.
Faliraki has changed a lot in recent years(Image: Jon Fuller-Rowell / Daily Mirror)
Faliraki, Rhodes
It was once the ultimate party resort. The Rhodes town was infamous for the unruly tourists who would descend on it every summer. For A-Level school leavers of a certain generation, Faliraki was the place to go.
However, the clean-up came at a cost. “While the vomit-covered streets, couples having sex in alleyways and late-night punch-ups are gone, so too is the money the tourists brought with them,” Melissa noted.
Local businesses say the clean-up has all but decimated the place. While the town once enjoyed a six-month season packed with British tourists from May, their departure left them struggling to make ends meet in a summer that lasts just three months, starting in July.
As of 2013, some businesses report a 90% dip in earnings. Sofia Gkouma, 45, who has owned the Acropolis restaurant on the corner of two of the town’s busiest streets since 1990, said: “Before, this area would be filled with young English people. They were good customers. For 15 years we had them on pub crawls on 18-to-30 holidays, but then there was trouble because the hotels that catered for families couldn’t deal with them. They just wanted older people and families. They cracked down on young people and they left, with nothing to replace them.”
When I visited earlier this year, things had clearly improved a little. The area was smarter and cleaner than during its ‘Faliraki fishbowl’ debauched heyday. But it also felt as if it had struggled to fully capture a new identity, with most bars only partially full and a strange mix of karaoke-singing families and out-of-place young partygoers.
Bulgaria
The invasion of Ukraine means Russian tourism to Bulgaria is down(Image: Getty Images)
Over the past decade, the former Soviet state of Bulgaria has caught the eye of an increasing number of tourists, who have been won over by the great prices and good weather on offer along the Black Sea coastline.
The destination became popular enough to inspire its own UK reality TV show, Emergency on Sunny Beach, which offered a glimpse into the larks on offer in the cheap and cheerful resort as it went head-to-head with established favourites such as Magaluf.
In recent years, many of the beach resorts along the Black Sea have started to feel conspicuously empty. The Bulgarian Hotel and Restaurant Association announced that hotel occupancy rates had dropped 40% in some typically bustling areas. Only Sunny Beach had bucked the trend and seen an increase in visitors.
The declining fortunes of hotspots dotted along Bulgaria’s 235-mile coastline are primarily due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. After Vladimir Putin launched the offensive, Bulgaria stopped air links between the countries, which led to a tenfold decline in Russian visitors, from a 2019 high of 500,000 a year to 50,000 in 2024.
The impact has been a hollowing out of certain resorts once popular with Russians, with Varna particularly impacted. The town sits close to a village called Bliznatsi, which, according to Radio Free Europe, is actually owned by the Russian state. Many ordinary Russians have attempted to sell their holiday homes along this stretch of coastline since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine began.
Despite such turmoil, beyond the Russian market, Bulgaria’s tourism industry is on the up. Last year, the country’s Ministry for Tourism confidently announced it would hit record visitor numbers and tourism revenue of £6billion a year. The EU’s tourism dashboard shows a steady increase in arrivals across the country year-on-year.
Marbella, Spain
Spanish visitor numbers to Marbella are down (Image: Getty Images)
In Spain at large, tourism is booming. Visitor numbers are up in almost every part of the country. However, one place in particular is now facing a slump.
Tourist numbers have declined on the Costa del Sol this summer, marking the first time since the pandemic that numbers have dropped. The downward dip has been felt particularly keenly in Marbella, where there was a 34% drop in Spanish tourists in June, according to data from the National Statistics Institute (INE). In July, 68,630 people came to visit the city, which is 8,201 fewer than in 2024.
The fall in visitors is causing misery through the hospitality sector in Marbella, with business owners wondering how they’re going to make ends meet.
“There are days when we feel like we’re not holding our heads in our hands from so much work, and others when the restaurant is empty. It’s as if people are more restrained when it comes to going out,” Yolanda, a waitress at one of the downtown hospitality establishments, told Sur.
A retail worker in Marbella told the publication that those Spaniards who are visiting the destination have less money to spend. They blamed “how expensive accommodation has become” as well as a lack of public transport between Malaga and Marbella – which sit 40 miles from one another on the coast – for the 10% dip in tourist numbers overall this summer.
While visitor numbers are down, Marbella is far from feeling empty. Hotel occupancy has reached 80.08 percent, with an average stay of 3.95 nights – the highest since 2016.
Estonia
Visitor numbers to Tallinn have slumped(Image: Getty Images)
After two years of pent-up demand during the peak of the coronavirus pandemic, many European countries enjoyed bumper years in 2023 and 2024 as visitor arrivals and average spends shot up. In Spain, August arrivals increased by two million to 19 million in 2024, compared to the pre-pandemic 2019 peak.
But not every country has enjoyed, or, depending on your perspective, had to tolerate such booming figures. Estonia’s visitor figures are 22% down now compared to 2019, with hotel bed occupancy rates hitting just 40% this summer, according to EU data.
There are a number of reasons why. The proximity to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has likely kept some concerned tourists away, while a ban on Russian visitors has certainly dented numbers. According to Travel and Tour World, cruise ship arrivals in the capital Tallinn are also down significantly.
So far this summer, the situation has been particularly tricky in the southeast of the country, where many resorts run along the vast lakes Peipus and Pihkva. An unusually cool summer is to blame.
“Occupancy has dropped by about 30 percent — at least for the first two months that just ended,” said Triinu Vähi, a board member at Taevaskoja Tourism and Holiday Center. She told ERR that July is also shaping up to be relatively quiet, with occupancy down around 20 percent.
However, as much as Estonia’s tourism sector may have had a slow start to its post-Covid recovery, it clearly has a lot to offer. The Mirror’s Ines Santos visited earlier this year and was blown away by a country she likened to a more laid-back but equally as beautiful Sweden. It was also named one of the world’s cleanest and most walkable countries.
Cyprus
Famagusta has been deserted for decades(Image: Getty Images)
The island of Cyprus is home to one of the most famous abandoned towns in Europe, or perhaps even the world. Famagusta was once loved by Europe’s elite, but now the disputed area sits empty: the consequence of conflict between the Turkish and Greek-controlled parts of the country.
Despite the simmering tension and general unease evident between the two sections of the island, tourism in Cyprus has been booming for years. That is, until early in 2024, when the number of arrivals fell for the first time in three years. A big reason why was the war in Ukraine, with Russian visitor numbers falling 70% in 2024.
Those in the hospitality industry have been sounding the alarm since 2023, warning that the rise of Airbnbs and other holiday letting companies is taking customers away from hotels and also pushing up locals’ rents in popular areas. Visitor numbers to the Turkish-controlled Northern Cyprus have doubled in recent years, according to President of the Cyprus Hotel Association, Thanos Michaelides, which has taken visitors away from the Greek part of the island. Hotel occupancy in June last year was at its lowest in three years, at 49.6%.
Mr Michaelides has warned that 30,000 fewer tourists will visit the island over the summer season, meaning around £20 million less will be spent on the island. The faltering UK economy has been cited as a major factor, given the 1.3 million who visit Cyprus most years, and a decline in Israeli visitors.
The hotel boss said “significant threats to the demand for tourism in Cyprus” remained.
Brits heading on summer holidays to the likes of Italy and Spain are being warned of strict dress code rules especially when it comes to wearing swimwear in public
(Image: Getty Images/EyeEm)
Brits planning to hit the beach or pool on their holidays may want to take note of some strict swimwear rules, or risk a potential £425 fine for wearing their bikinis.
In recent years, a number of holiday hotspots including Italy and Spain have clamped down on dress codes for both locals and tourists, when it comes to bikinis and swim shorts.
Italian hotspot Sorrento has banned the wearing of swimwear outside of beaches and pools, with authorities arguing that the move upholds public decency and respect for locals. The rules have been in place since 2022, and anyone flouting the restrictions could face a fine of up to €500 (approximately £425). It comes as Brits have been issued a stark warning about the habit that could land them a prison sentence while abroad.
It’s worth noting that you’re not going to get a fine if you’re walking around your hotel or beach club, or if you’re on the beach itself. The crackdown is in place to stop people then heading out to the town and trying to enter shops and restaurants in just their swimming attire. The ban doesn’t just apply to swimwear; it also applies to visitors who walk around the town topless.
It’s not just Sorrento that has this dress code in place. For tourists heading on Spain holidays to the likes of Barcelona and Majorca, similar restrictions apply. People can only wear their swimwear on the beach or poolside, but if they head out to the towns then they could be slapped with a fine. In Barcelona that can be up to £260, while in Majorca that can be up to £500. Like Sorrento, this also applies to men walking around topless.
The rules apply to hotspots along the Amalfi Coast(Image: iStockphoto)
There are other European holiday spots where dress codes are in place. For example, tourists heading to Greece have been warned to consider the shoes they wear carefully.
At historic sites including the Acropolis in Athens, shoes such as high heels are banned because they can damage the landmarks. The ban has been in place since 2009 as part of preservation efforts.
In fact, a statement on the Acropolis website explains: “Most types of shoes are allowed at the Acropolis, except for high heels that have been forbidden in 2009 at all of Greece’s ancient monuments. The ban was put in in place due to the damage that the sharp soles were adding to Greece’s ancient sites.” If you want to visit and you’re wearing heels, you could risk being denied entry to the site. Rule-breakers face fines of around €900 (£771).
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Many holiday destinations have serious laws on vaping where travellers could be fined or worse jailed on holiday, warnings have been issued to travellers to ensure they know the rules before they fly
Vaping laws around the world that you must be aware of(Image: Getty Images)
These are the holiday hotspots where vapes can land you in serious trouble. Travellers may be fined, detained or even jailed for taking or using their vapes in these countries. The UK have cracked down on their own vaping laws and these popular holiday destinations also have their own that must be taken seriously.
Experts at Vape Ease UK have warned British travellers to check laws before flying as there are many destinations where travellers could be in for a shock and serious action has been taken on vaping. From Thailand and India’s jail time to Mexico and Singapore bans, tourists have been issued serious warnings. It comes after a flight attendant urges tourists to always leave a shoe in their hotel room safe.
Turkey
More than 4.4 million Brits visited Turkey in the last year and due to its popularity it’s necessary to know the vaping laws. The country bans the sale of vapes, whilst using them is allowed only in certain areas like smoking zones. Travellers can only bring one device, spare pods or refill bottles that are no greater than 30ml in volume or up to 10 disposable vapes per person.
The country bans the sale of vapes(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
You must also be 19 years old to vape in Turkey. According to globaltobaccocontrol.org, e-cigarettes and e-liquids are also classed as tobacco products so all the restrictions applied to smoking also apply to vaping.
India
Vaping in India has been banned since 2019 when they introduced the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA) which banned everything to do with electronic nicotine products – production, sales, imports, exports, transport, storage and advertisement. E-cigarettes cover all types: refillable vapes, disposable vapes, heat-not-burn (HnB) products, and E-hookahs.
Travellers can face fines, imprisonment or both if caught doing any of the above. First time offenders who violate the ban could face up to one year in prison, or a fine of £1000 or both. For subsequent offences, this would increase to 5 years imprisonment and a fine of £5000.
Denmark
There are some regulations to vaping in Denmark
Whilst vaping in Denmark is legal there are certain rules and restrictions that apply: such as the age limit of 18 years old where you can purchase and use vapes. Flavoured E-liquids are banned which came into effect in April 2021, only tobacco-flavoured ones are allowed. Vaping is allowed in public places but not in all areas such as on public transport, schools and childcare facilities, and certain indoor spaces like bars and restaurants may have their own policies so you must check.
UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi)
Vaping is legal in the UAE but must meet the standards set by the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (ESMA). Like most countries you must be at least 18 to purchase a vape in the UAE. There are designated areas where people can vape. If these rules are not followed then penalties can include a minimum imprisonment of one year for serious offences and a fine ranging from £20 000 to £200 000.
Australia
Australia’s approach to vaping is a medical one as of July 2024, all vaping products can only be sold in a pharmacy for the purpose of assisting those that are trying to quit smoking or manage their nicotine. From March 2024, travellers entering the country can only bring a small quantity of vapes with them. The vapes must only be for the traveller’s treatment or someone they are caring for. The maximum allowed is 2 vapes in total, 20 vape accessories and 200ml of vape substance liquid.
Mexico
The sale of vapes in Mexico is generally banned, and there are certain public places where a vape is not allowed in: Indoor public spaces (bars, restaurants, shops and government buildings), workplaces and public transport. When travelling they advise, to pack it in your checked luggage, carry a small amount of e-liquid and if questioned by customs officials to answer any questions about your vape and its intended use.
Thailand
Thailand have some of the strictest rules overall as e-cigarettes are illegal since 2014. Anyone found breaking this law could be arrested and face jail time of up to 10 years or fined up to £700. Travellers are advised not to bring any e-cigarettes with them or any item associated with them. Travellers should be aware of the ban beforehand as tourists in the past have been arrested before having not known.
Hong Kong
There are some laws in place for vaping in Hong Kong(Image: UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Hong Kong state imports, manufacture, and sale of vapes have been banned since 2022 but not the use of it, however laws are set to change by early to mid 2026. Breaking these laws will result in heavy fines of up to £200 000.
Japan
Japan vaping laws are heavily regulated, nicotine e-liquids are classified as medicinal products and travellers can only bring up to 120ml of e-liquid. Non -nicotine vapes are allowed and do not face restrictions. Vaping in public spaces is strictly banned unless in a designated smoking zone. They have strict penalties in place for those who break these rules with heavy fines or imprisonment.
Singapore
Singapore have a zero-tolerance policy with vaping that includes importing, selling or using e-cigarettes as illegal. You can face fines of up to £2300, legal trouble and confiscations at customs if seen with a vape.
A spokesperson from Vape Ease UK warned travellers that the “last thing anyone wants is to be detained or fined on holiday. In places like Thailand and Hong Kong, the laws are shockingly strict. When in doubt – leave your vape behind.” It is not worth the risk bringing your vape on holiday.
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HEALTH officials have warned a surge of a “nasty disease” could be on the way if vaccination isn’t prioritised.
Cases still remain high, particularly in two areas of the UK.
2
Cases of measles still remain high and are predominantly being seen in children under the age of 10Credit: Getty
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is urging patients to prioritise vaccine catch-up appointments this summer, with the latest data showing continued high levels of measles cases.
Fears have now been raised over a further surge once the new school term begins.
Measles activity has increased since April 2025, says the UKHSA.
The most recent figures show an additional 145 measles cases have been reported since the last report was published on July 3.
Cases continue to predominantly be in children under the age of 10 years, and London and the North West have been driving the increase most.
Since January 1, there have been 674 laboratory confirmed measles cases reported in England, with 48 per cent of these cases in London, 16 per cent in the North West, and 10 per cent in the East of England.
There’s also been a global increase in measles cases, including Europe, over the last year.
The UKHSA has also stressed holiday travel and international visits to see family this summer could lead to rising measles cases in England when the new school term begins.
Dr Vanessa Saliba, UKHSA Consultant Epidemiologist, said: “The summer months offer parents an important opportunity to ensure their children’s vaccinations are up to date, giving them the best possible protection when the new school term begins.
“It is never too late to catch up. Do not put it off and regret it later.
Powerful new video urges all parents to protect their children from surge of deadly Victorian disease as millions ‘at risk’
“Measles spreads very easily and can be a nasty disease, leading to complications like ear and chest infections and inflammation of the brain with some children tragically ending up in hospital and suffering life-long consequences.
“Two doses of the MMR vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your family from measles.
“Babies under the age of 1 and some people who have weakened immune systems cannot have the vaccine and are at risk of more serious complications if they get measles.
“They rely on the rest of us getting the vaccine to protect them.”
The first MMR vaccine is offered to infants when they turn one year old and the second dose to pre-school children when they are around three years and four months old.
Around 99 per cent of those who have two doses will be protected against measles and rubella.
2
The MMR vaccine is considered the best form of protection against measlesCredit: Getty
Although mumps protection is slightly lower, cases in vaccinated people are much less severe.
Anyone, whatever age, who has not had two doses can contact their GP surgery to book an appointment.
Dr Amanda Doyle, National Director for Primary Care and Community Services at NHS England, said: “The MMR vaccine is provided free by the NHS and I would urge all parents to check their child’s vaccination records before the new school year or summer travel, particularly as Europe is reporting the highest number of measles cases in 25 years.
“While the NHS delivered tens of thousands of additional MMR vaccinations last year, too many eligible children remain unvaccinated, and we are working with local authorities and the UK Health Security Agency to reach more youngsters, with enhanced vaccination offers in areas with higher cases, including vaccination buses and community catch-up sessions.”
The main symptoms of measles
MEASLES is highly contagious and can cause serious problems in some people.
The infection usually starts with cold-like symptoms, followed by a rash a few days later.
The first signs include:
A high temperature
A runny or blocked nose
Sneezing
A cough
Red, sore, watery eyes
Small white spots may then appear inside the cheeks and on the back of the lips.
A rash tends to come next. This usually starts on the face and behind the ears before spreading to the rest of the body.
The spots are sometimes raised and join together to form blotchy patches. They are not normally itchy.
The rash looks brown or red on white skin. It may be harder to see on darker skin.
Complications are rare, but measles can lead to pneumonia, meningitis, blindness, seizures, and sometimes death.
Two stunning but overlooked destinations just a couple of hours from the UK are slated for a huge tourist boom, after a major airline ramps up its offerings – but there is one small catch
BA has added two beautiful destinations to its short-haul offerings(Image: Getty Images)
British Airways is ramping up its offerings as it launches two new direct routes – with prices starting at just £60. The upmarket airline has revealed that Brits will soon be able to fly to two new stunning destinations under its Gatwick-based subsidiary, BA Euroflyer, bringing its total number of short-haul destinations to 130. This includes the fairytale city of Graz in Austria and the overlooked hotspot of Rabat in Morocco.
However, there is one small catch. Both new routes won’t debut until November this year, meaning Brits wanting to explore somewhere new this summer won’t be able to take advantage of the new flights.
BA is launching new routes from London Gatwick to Graz and Rabat – but not until November(Image: Getty Images)
“We are excited to further strengthen our connectivity between London and Austria with the addition of Graz,” said Karen Hilton, managing director of BA Euroflyer. “We will be the only direct operation between the two cities, offering more choice to our customers, whether it’s for business, leisure, or visiting friends and family.
“With its year-round warm weather, Morocco is ideal for those seeking an off-season escape without a lengthy flight time. The addition of Rabat means we now fly to three fantastic destinations in Morocco – an excellent choice for families, couples, and friends alike.”
Graz, Austria
Graz is the capital city of the southern Austrian province of Styria, but has long remained out of the tourist spotlight. Overshadowed by the likes of Vienna and Salzburg, this quaint city was named a UNESCO City of Design in 2011, and its historic core is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
BA will operate flights to Graz three times per week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, starting on November 21, 2025. The journey takes, on average, two hours and 20 minutes.
The charming city is dripping in history, but has long been ignored by tourists(Image: Getty Images)
Highlights include the prominent mid-16th century clock tower on the Schlossberg mountain, which offers breathtaking views of the city – showing off its impressive range of architecture from the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Historism and Art Nouveau eras. Its main square, Hauptlaz, is a great place for those wanting to pick up souvenirs at the weekly markets – and used to be used as an execution site back in the Middle Ages.
“Next to the Grazer Dom cathedral is one of the most striking buildings in Graz,” explains travel experts over at Lonely Planet. “This is the Mausoleum of Ferdinand II, part of St. Catherine’s Church, complete with soaring turquoise domes. Ferdinand had his court artist Giovanni Pietro de Pomis, originally from northern Italy, start work on the mausoleum and church in 1614.”
Grazer Dom Cathedral is a must-visit attraction(Image: Getty Images)
Rabat, Morocco
Attracting a fraction of the tourists that flock to Marrakech, Rabat is actually Morocco’s capital – and is brimming with rich history, impressive architecture, and things to do. BA will fly to the city twice per week (on Wednesdays and Sundays) starting on November 5, 2025.
Rabat boasts a much more laid-back atmosphere than the bustling streets of Marrakech(Image: Getty Images/Westend61)
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage city thanks to its blend of tradition and modernity, this riverside region boasts manicured green spaces and an efficient tramway linking its districts together. The biggest attraction has to be Kasbah des Oudaias, a 12th-century citadel located within the Kasbah’s medieval gates. Initially constructed as a military fortress to protect the region, this preserved landmark now has a Mediterranean feel to it, and is filled with artisan shops and cobbled streets.
The stunning citadel feels like you’ve stepped back in time(Image: Getty Images)
“Rabat is also a modern eco-responsible capital with its green spaces. Beautiful parks await you, such as the botanical test garden or the Exotic Gardens of Bouknadel which is a few kilometres from the city,” hails the country’s official tourist board, Visit Morocco. “Rabat also boasts an outstanding coastline; on the Atlantic Ocean shores, it has kilometres of well-equipped beaches that lead to the neighbouring city of Casablanca.”
*BA Euroflyer flies from London Gatwick to Graz from £60 each way, and to Rabat from £70 each way. This included taxes and carrier fees.
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Brits are being warned to check local laws in their holiday destinations before setting off as multiple countries impose strict vape bans that could result in a hefty fine or even prison time
Brits are being warned of vape bans imposed in foreign countries(Image: Getty Images)
As summer holiday season kicks off, British travellers are being urged to double-check vaping laws at their holiday destinations or risk hefty fines, confiscation, or even prison.
While most holidaymakers remember to pack suncream, passports and sunglasses, one everyday item could land you in trouble abroad: your vape. UK-based retailer WizVape has issued a warning for travellers this summer after the UK’s own ban on disposable vapes came into effect on June 1, 2025.
With similar restrictions now appearing across Europe and beyond, vape users could easily be caught out by local laws. “Many travellers are unaware that simply carrying a disposable vape could result in confiscation, hefty fines, or even legal trouble abroad,” says Saif Khan, Director at WizVape.
The UK has also imposed a ban on disposable e-cigarettes(Image: PA)
“Whether you’re heading to the beach or the city this summer, it’s essential to check the local laws before you fly.”
In Europe, countries such as France and Belgium have already implemented full bans on disposable vapes.
In Spain, vaping may still be legal, but using your device on beaches in Barcelona or Benidorm could see you slapped with a fine of up to €750 (£650).
Other European nations are planning restrictions too. A disposable vape ban in Germany has passed the Bundesrat but awaits parliamentary approval.
Ireland are also expected to implement a ban by the end of 2025. In Hungary, flavoured e-liquids and popular devices like Elf Bars are already prohibited.
“Make sure you’re using a reusable device and have packed enough refills so you don’t need to purchase a non-UK friendly vape for your return,” adds Khan.
Outside Europe, the risks are even higher. In Thailand, tourists face severe penalties for possession of any vaping device – including large fines or even jail time. Other destinations with complete bans include:
Singapore – fines of up to £1,150 for possession.
Mexico – devices often confiscated at airports.
India, Qatar, Brazil and Argentina – strict bans and penalties in place.
Travellers returning to the UK should also be cautious about bringing disposables home. With the UK’s ban now in place, anyone caught with a single-use vape could have it confiscated at the border.
“Don’t assume what’s legal abroad is legal at home,” Khan warns. “Stay informed and travel smart this summer.”
Last week, a new register was introduced in Spain that requires all properties used for tourism and short-term holiday rentals to have a mandatory registration code to operate legally
Spain has decided to crack down on holiday lets(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
More European countries will crack down on holiday rentals such as Airbnb, property experts have predicted.
Italy could be the next country to target Airbnb after Spain triggered a “domino effect” by introducing stringent new laws aimed at regulating and controlling the market.
Last week, a new register was introduced in Spain that requires all properties used for tourism and short-term holiday rentals to have a mandatory registration code to operate legally. According to some reports, 66,000 properties have been taken off the market.
The Ministry of Social Rights, Consumption and Agenda 2030 says many of the properties in question have been deemed illegal because their listings do not show a licence or registration number.
Demonstrators held signs reading ‘We work but we can’t afford a home’ during a protest against mass tourism and housing prices in Palma de Mallorca(Image: AFP or licensors)
According to 2024 data from the Spanish statistics office, there were 351,389 short-term rentals advertised in Spain on the Airbnb, Booking.com, and Vrbo platforms. That number has been cut by just under 20 per cent due to the new laws, The Times reports.
The move has been welcomed by protesters who have long argued that the proliferation of holiday lets has pushed up house prices for locals by steadily increasing demand.
From the holidaymakers’ perspective, one potential downside of the decreased supply is that it may lead to increased prices.
If the new system is judged to be a success, other countries may follow suit. A likely candidate is Italy, given that the country is currently engaged in a court battle to ban key boxes on streets in a clampdown on short-term lets.
Kundan Bhaduri, who works at The Kushman Group—a property company that specialises in HMOs—predicted that the Italian government is “clearly next” to crack down on holiday lets.
“Spain’s move to demand a national registry for short-term lets is just the opening salvo. Italy is clearly next. France, Portugal and even the balmy Balearics have all flirted with similar measures,” he said.
Kundan, who is himself an Airbnb landlord, complained that he and his property-letting colleagues often find themselves “painted as moustache-twirling villains standing between honest citizens and affordable housing.”
Harry Goodliffe, director at HTG Mortgages, said Spain’s ruling could lead to a “domino effect” across the EU.
He continued: “Spain’s crackdown could trigger a domino effect across Europe, and Italy looks next in line. The combination of overtourism and local housing pressures is pushing governments to act, and short-term lets are the obvious target. If Italy tightens the rules, expect thousands of listings to vanish.”
Tony Redondo, founder at Cosmos Currency Exchange, predicted that France is even more likely than Italy to be the next to crack down on Airbnb.
“Italy’s Airbnb regulations are far less stringent than Spain’s crackdown, which resulted in the delisting of 66,000 properties. France may emulate Spain’s approach,” he said.
Back in May an Airbnb spokesperson said: “Airbnb will continue to appeal against all decisions linked to this case. No evidence of rule-breaking by hosts has been put forward, and the decision goes against EU and Spanish law, and a previous ruling by the Spanish Supreme Court.
“The root cause of the affordable housing crisis in Spain is a lack of supply to meet demand. The solution is to build more homes – anything else is a distraction. Governments across the world are seeing that regulating Airbnb does not alleviate housing concerns or return homes to the market – it only hurts local families who rely on hosting to afford their homes and rising costs.”
New routes include East Midlands Airport to Antalya in Turkey, meaning another winter-sun destination has opened up for those in the Midlands, as well as East Midlands to Sharm El Sheikh and Cardiff Airport to Hurghada, resulting in year-round flying from Wales to Egypt
(Image: DAILY MIRROR)
Bookings have opened for TUI’s latest holiday destinations.
The German package giant has announced it will be adding capacity to locations in the Canary Islands and Egypt, as demand for sizzling getaways continues to be strong—despite the roasting hot May and June that the UK has just experienced.
New routes include East Midlands Airport to Antalya in Turkey, meaning another winter-sun destination has opened up for those in the Midlands, as well as East Midlands to Sharm El Sheikh and Cardiff Airport to Hurghada, resulting in year-round flying from Wales to Egypt.
Once its 2026/27 winter programme begins, TUI will connect British holidaymakers with more than 2,000 hotels across 50 destinations. New places to stay this year include three new concept hotels: the TUI BLUE Yaramar in Costa del Sol, the TUI MAGIC LIFE Redsina in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, and the stunning HOLIDAY VILLAGE Skanes Resort in Tunisia.
TUI will also be flying holidaymakers out to Phuket in Thailand and Montego Bay in Jamaica, with an additional weekly flight from London Gatwick.
Couples looking for somewhere sunny to tie the knot may be tempted by a TUI wedding in Thailand. The travel firm is adding the South Asian country to its wedding destination list for the first time, bringing the total number to 15, with over 125 venues to choose from.
TUI has also added Arctic Lakeland to the programme, with direct flights from Manchester to Kajaani twice a week. Keen to tap into the trend, TUI said the addition would meet demand for traditional Lapland holidays, which “consistently sell out year after year.”
Chris Logan, commercial director at TUI UK, said: “Our Winter 2026 programme is designed with great value at its core. We understand that Brits are looking for both affordability and exceptional experiences, which is why we’ve expanded our range of destinations and included some great-value getaways to choose from. We’re making winter getaways more accessible than ever before. Whether it’s a week of winter sun in the Canaries or a dream holiday to the Caribbean, there really is something for everyone.”
Bookings for the Winter 2026 programme are available starting today through TUI’s website, app, and retail stores across the UK.
New holidays on offer include:
Thailand Escape A 14-night holiday to Khao Lak, Thailand, staying at the 3T+ The Briza Beach Resort Khao Lak on a bed and breakfast basis from £1,595 per person. Price is based on two adults sharing an Annexe Deluxe double room with pool view and balcony, departing from London Gatwick on 2 December 2026, with 20kg hold luggage per adult and transfers included.
East Midlands to Antalya Getaway A seven-night holiday to Antalya, Turkey, staying at the 5T TUI Palm Garden on an all-inclusive basis from £975 per person. Price is based on two adults sharing a double room with balcony, departing from East Midlands on 30 March 2027, with 25kg hold luggage per adult and transfers.
TUI MAGIC LIFE Redsina, Egypt A seven-night holiday to Sharm El Sheikh, staying at the 5T TUI MAGIC LIFE Redsina on an all-inclusive basis from £896 per person. Price is based on two adults and two children sharing a family area deluxe double room with garden view and balcony, departing from London Gatwick on 26 November 2026, with 20kg hold luggage per adult and transfers.
Brits heading to a cluster of popular European destinations have been issued a stark health warning, as a powerful ‘heat dome’ sweeps the continent – resulting in sizzling temperatures exceeding 40C
UK holidaymakers are ignoring red alert heatwave warnings – as parts of Europe continues to sizzle out of control.
While Brits may be desperate to top up their non-existent tan, temperatures across the Mediterranean have climbed to dangerous levels – exceeding a whopping 40C in select hotspots. Last month, a record-breaking temperature of 46C was set on one Saturday afternoon in El Granado, Spain – while France issued heat warnings in 84 of its 96 mainland departments.
Italy has also been impacted by what experts are referring to as a ‘heat dome’, causing temperatures to reach a stifling 38C in the bustling city of Rome. This is the same heat that swept across Portugal’s capital, Lisbon, last week – and has even made its way over to the UK.
In Barcelona, reports recently emerged that a woman died after spending a gruelling shift outside, cleaning the streets of the Spanish city. The shocking news follows data that found around 2,168 people have died from causes attributable to the heat in Spain alone this year. As a result, experts have urged Brits to exercise caution when travelling to the following hotspots this summer:
Barcelona hit a staggering 38C on Saturday, June 28(Image: AP)
Speaking to the Telegraph, Dr Stephen Wood of Northeastern University in the US, warned that tourists are particularly ‘vulnerable’ to heat stroke and similar related illnesses due to several factors. “Travel often involves a lot of walking and sightseeing, frequently in the hottest parts of the day, without sufficient hydration or rest,” he explained.
“They may also wear clothing that isn’t ideal for the climate or skip sun protection altogether. Plus, tourists might not recognise the early signs of heat illness, or they may ignore them in the excitement of exploring a new place.”
Sizzling temperatures have also been recorded in Lisbon (pictured)(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
In contrast, locals who grew up in the Mediterranean have acclimatised to the heat much better. Many residents have been ‘shutting themselves away in dark houses’ during the intense sunny spells, rather than queuing outside for hours to enter museums and other attractions.
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Despite the warning, it seems Brits remain undeterred – with thousands of holidays being booked in July as part of last-minute deals. According to On the Beach, in the past 48 hours (from July 1) bookings to Europe increased by a staggering 23 per cent – and there was a whopping 47 per cent increase in bookings leaving within seven days after the booking was made.
If you’re travelling to the Mediterranean during the ongoing heatwave, it is advised you remain in the shade between 11am and 3pm, when the sun is at its hottest. “Wear sunscreen, a hat and light clothes, and avoid exercise or activity that makes you hotter,” advises the NHS.
“Keep your living space cool. Close windows during the day and open them at night when the temperature outside has gone down. Electric fans can help if the temperature is below 35 degrees. Check the temperature of rooms, especially where people at higher risk live and sleep.”
Has Europe’s heat wave put you off travelling abroad this summer? Let us know in the comments section below
The National Police is getting serious about unruly behaviour on the islands best known for debauchery, heavy drinking and drug taking
12:32, 02 Jul 2025Updated 13:00, 02 Jul 2025
Spanish hotspots are cracking down on unruly tourists
Hundreds of extra police officers have been sent in to deal with unruly partygoers on five Spanish island resorts.
The National Police is getting serious about unruly behaviour on islands best known for debauchery, heavy drinking and drug taking. The force bolstered its ranks in the Balearics by 4.33%, on top of reinforcement of around 300 officers as part of the special Operation Summer measures.
A further 163 officers will be transferred to other locations in response to the Balearic Police Headquarters’ commitment to improve public safety during the peak tourist season. Palma, Ibiza, Maó, Ciutadella, and Manacor will all see their ranks bolstered by extra officers, Majorca Daily Bulletin reported.
This year’s reinforcement represents a significant increase compared to 2024, especially in terms of new recruits. A total of 130 trainee police officers are being sent in across the island, tasked with patrolling the sunshine islands and guarding the borders.
The Spanish islands are a firm favourite with Brits (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The special Operation Summer officers, some of whom are sent out with dog units, are brought in to control the swollen population of the Balearic Islands during the holiday seasons.
Islands such as Palma and Ibiza are huge draws for party people from across the world. As much as this serves as a massive boost to the local economies and has cemented their reputations as the centre of worldwide nightclub culture, locals are growing increasingly tired of criminality linked to an industry so closely connected to the drug trade.
The boosted police ranks will also help enforce a series of anti-social behaviour-related laws that have been legislated in recent years in a bid to control the impact of holidaymakers.
In May 2024, the government of the Balearic Islands banned on-street drinking and the sale of alcohol in supermarkets between 9:30pm and 8am in party hotspots including including San Antonio in Ibiza, and Playa de Palma and Magaluf in Majorca. Potential fines for those caught breaking these rules have risen from between €500 and €1,500 (£430 – £1290) to as much as €3,100 (£2,580).
The bolstering of the police force comes after a string of high profile incidents involving Brits heading out to the party islands.
TikTok influencer Erika Barrachina travelled from London Luton to the Balearic Island with Easyjet. During her journey, she found herself amidst passengers who were “screaming” and “hitting each other”.
She vented: “My trip yesterday London – Ibiza with easyJet was a real horror! I was scared, a plane full of real English animals! We don’t want this type of tourism in Ibiza, they should stay at home!”
Days before the incident, Spanish police had to raid a Ryanair flight after five passengers reportedly wreaked havoc mid-flight on a trip from Newcastle to Alicante. The mayhem unfolded aboard the Boeing 737 service departing from Newcastle International Airport bound for Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport.
The disturbance was severe enough to warrant authorities boarding the plane once it touched down. The captain was granted urgent clearance to land due to the passengers’ disorderly conduct.
An EasyJet spokesperson said at the time: “Flight EZY2307 from Luton to Ibiza on 16th May was met by police on arrival due to a group of passengers behaving in a disruptive manner. EasyJet’s cabin crew are trained to assess all situations and to act quickly and appropriately to ensure that the safety of the flight and other passengers is not compromised at any time.
“While such incidents are rare, we take them very seriously and do not tolerate disruptive behaviour onboard. The safety and wellbeing of passengers and crew is always easyJet’s highest priority.”
Wildfires have broken out in several European countries loved by British holidaymakers, with Greece, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Turkey and France all impacted as a powerful heatwaves roasts the Continent
Milo Boyd Digital Travel Reporter and ELENA BECATOROS
07:30, 28 Jun 2025
Wildfires have been breaking out across Europe (Image: DIMITRIS TOSIDIS, SOOC/AFP via Getty Images)
Wildfires have broken out across Europe as the Continent battles with ferociously hot temperatures.
The mercury could reach a ferocious 47°C in Spain this weekend, while road surfaces are beginning to melt in Italy. Those in France, Portugal, Turkey and Greece are also struggling to deal with stifling, brutally hot days and nights.
As well as the heat being a danger to the health of locals and holidaymakers alike, with one tourist already having lost their life to heatstroke in Majorca, the risk of wildfires is sky high in countries across Europe, and have already broken out in several.
It’s unlikely the heat will relent anytime soon, thanks to the heat dome currently hanging over Europe. The meteorological phenomenon occurs when a high-pressure ridge traps a thick layer of warm air in one region, acting like a lid on a pot.
The impact of human-driven climate change has only made the risk of such heatwaves worse.
The roasting temperatures are not just a threat to life, but increase the chance of wildfires (Image: Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
Greece
Greece has borne the brunt of the wildfires in Europe so far this summer, with serious blazes breaking out in several areas.
A fierce blaze ripped through the area south of Athens on Thursday, leading to evacuation orders and forcing officials to shut off sections of the vital coastal route from the Greek capital to Sounion — home of the historic Temple of Poseidon and a key draw for visitors.
As a dozen aircraft and helicopters swooped in to combat the blaze from above, they supported a ground operation of 130 firefighters and their volunteer counterparts near Palaia Fokaia, on the outskirts of Athens.
The coast guard announced that two patrol boats and nine private vessels were on standby in the Palaia Fokaia area, ready for a potential sea evacuation. Fire department spokesperson Vassilis Vathrakogiannis revealed that 40 individuals had been evacuated by police, while evacuation orders were issued for five areas in total.
The wider Athens area, along with several Aegean islands, is currently on Level 4 of a 5-level scale for wildfire risk due to weather conditions, with the heatwave predicted to persist until the weekend.
Earlier this week, it took hundreds of firefighters four days to control a significant wildfire on the eastern Aegean island of Chios. Over a dozen evacuation orders were issued for Chios, where the flames consumed forests and farmland.
Wildfires are a common occurrence in Greece during its sweltering, arid summers. In 2018, a colossal fire engulfed the coastal town of Mati, east of Athens, trapping residents in their homes and on escape routes. The disaster claimed over 100 lives, including some who tragically drowned while attempting to swim away from the inferno.
Authorities have been fighting the fires in Charakas near Athens (Image: Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
Spain
So far, wildfires have been limited in Spain, but the threat is rising as the country braces for seriously high temperatures over the coming days. The mercury could reach a ferocious 47°C in Spain this weekend.
On Thursday, a forest fire broke out in the Talavera de la Reina region, creating a column of smoke visible from the city. A total of 10 vehicles — two of them aerial — and 38 personnel were called in to put it out.
The Canary Islands government has issued a warning for Gran Canaria starting this Saturday due to high temperatures across the entire island. There is a risk of forest fires at altitudes above 400 metres.
Temperatures in Gran Canaria are expected to exceed 34°C this weekend and will likely approach 37°C, with strong winds increasing the danger. The Canary Islands government is urging the public to avoid lighting fires — even in barbecues or recreational areas — and to avoid using tools or machinery that could produce sparks, such as chainsaws, brush cutters, or welders.
A pre-alert for heat has been issued for the rest of the archipelago, with temperatures expected to be around 30–34°C (86–93°F) on El Hierro, La Gomera, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura, as well as on the eastern, southern, and western slopes of Tenerife, and 26–32°C (79–90°F) on the northern coast of Gran Canaria.
Fires broke out in Tenerife in May(Image: AP)
Portugal
Wildfires are serious business in Portugal.
Last year, there were 6,267 individual wildfires recorded, with 16 people losing their lives as a result. In total, 137,000 hectares were destroyed — an area four times larger than the previous year. So far this year, 22 people have been arrested for arson, according to Público.
The total financial loss last year in Portugal — including materials, biomass for energy, fruits, and stored carbon — reached around 67 million euros and affected 2.36 million cubic metres of wood.
While last year was, hopefully, an outlier in terms of wildfire severity, with temperatures nudging 40°C in parts of Portugal this weekend, blazes are likely.
Italy
The boot-shaped country is also facing the risk of wildfires this weekend, with unrelenting sunshine and highs nudging 40°C in the south.
Today, two fires broke out near Rome and in Dragoncello. Flames and smoke rose up, threatening to engulf several properties.
Smoke and flame rise as firefighters continue to extinguish the wildfire that broke out in Aliaga district of Izmir(Image: Anadolu, Anadolu via Getty Images)
Turkey
Wildfires broke out in eight provinces in Turkey on a single day this week. Most were in western provinces — areas where many Europeans travel on holiday.
All fires were brought under control after coordinated air and ground efforts. According to the General Directorate of Forestry, five of the fires began in rural areas and later spread to nearby forests. “Fifty percent of wildfires start in agricultural zones. Small acts of negligence can lead to major disasters,” the authority warned, urging the public not to “set our future on fire.”
One of the most dangerous blazes broke out in the Osmangazi district of the northwestern province of Bursa. Fueled by strong winds, the flames quickly spread from forested areas to nearby residential zones.
France has yet to be hit by major wildfires this year, but firefighters are on high alert this weekend.
The Bouches-du-Rhône is on orange alert, and the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Vaucluse are on yellow alert due to the intense heat expected to persist into the weekend. Strong winds may make matters more difficult to control if a blaze does break out.
According to La Provence, the “risk of major fires is high.”
Let me know if you’d like this shortened or rewritten for publication (e.g., news website, print, or social media).
From being bombed in World War Two to ferrying business passengers to Amsterdam, a transport hub which is no longer in use could soon be ready for its next chapter
Could departures be welcoming passengers once more? (Image: KMG / SWNS)
This ghost town of an airport site could soon spring back into life thanks to a £500 million regeneration. If plans come to fruition, holidaymakers would be able to jetaway to European hotspots on low-cost flights for the first time in 12 years.
The last scheduled flight left Manston Airport in Kent for Amsterdam on April 9, 2014 and since then its been used as a lorry park. Currently undergoing a major refurbishment, the revived airport is slated to reopen in 2028.
The airport can be found in the village of Manston in the Thanet district of Kent, 14 miles north-east from Canterbury by the coast. It was used by the Royal Air Force during the World Wars after it opened in 1918, and was frequently targeted by bombs during World War Two’s Battle of Britain.
Invicta International Airlines operated at Manston between 1965 and 1982(Image: Mirrorpix)
Manston has a single runway that is 2,748 metres, or 9,016 feet, long. Wide at 60 metres, it was designed to handle emergency landings for Concorde and the Space Shuttle.
Initially, the revived airport will focus on cargo operations but plans are afoot to introduce passenger services. The multimillion pound revamp will include new terminals and upgraded runways.
The abandoned airport has been used as a lorry park(Image: KMG / SWNS)
Tony Freudmann, main board director at controlling airport company RiverOak Strategic Partners, told Kent Online: “Looking at the way the passenger market is going, we are confident we can persuade one or more low-cost carriers to base their planes here.
“It does not work for us if they fly in just once a day because that is not economic. If they base three or four planes at Manston, we will have rotations three or four times a day, as they have at Southend.
The airport could fly business passengers to Amsterdam once more(Image: PA)
“That will cover our costs and bring passenger footfall through the terminal all day and every day. We will reinstate the twice daily KLM service to Amsterdam Schiphol that we had before and that will give business people in particular access to almost anywhere in the world.”
Passenger routes to the the Netherlands, Spain, Cyprus and Malta could be introduced, flown by budget airlines including Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air.
The car park has subsequently been used as a lorry park(Image: PA)
Survey work is underway at the airport site and expected to be concluded in early 2026. A public consultation into possible flight routes will be launched at that time.
If plans go ahead, construction work is expected to be completed by early 2028, when recruitment for operational roles would begin. Demand for flights at Luton Airport and Stansted Airport is said to suggest additional additional passenger flights would be popular in the region.
The abandoned building could be brought back to life(Image: KMG / SWNS)
“Opening an airport – even one like Manston which already has in place a full-length runway, taxiways and airport buildings – takes a huge amount of preparation and planning first and so it will be many months before we are ready to welcome construction teams on site,” a post earlier this year on the RiverOak website reads.
Opposition to the proposal to revamp the airport has been loud and coordinated, with groups such as Don’t Save Manston Airport noting that the travel hub previously failed commercially and arguing that it will do again. They have argued for increased aviation capacity is bad for the environment.
As Brits abroad are faced with furious graffiti and water pistols, overtourism protesters have explained why exactly visitors may have gotten the wrong end of the stick about their defiant message
14:00, 22 Jun 2025Updated 14:49, 22 Jun 2025
Visitors may have gotten the wrong end of the stick about the overtourism protests erupting across southern Europe(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
Across southern Europe, holidaymakers are being greeted by graffiti bearing the slogan, ‘tourists go home’ – but there’s more to these furious signs than meets the eye.
Brits sunning themselves over in the Mediterranean may not currently be receiving the warmest welcome, with furious overtourism protesters having taken to the streets in force, brandishing water pistols.
The protests have spread across a number of holiday hotspots, with Spain, Portugal and Italy, with a number of unfortunate sunseekers finding themselves at the receiving end of a squirt.
After spritzing a couple seated at an outdoor Barcelona café, chuckling campaigner Andreu Martínez previously told the Mirror: “The squirt guns are to bother the tourists a bit. Barcelona has been handed to the tourists. This is a fight to give Barcelona back to its residents.”
Protestors have explained that tourists aren’t the enemy(Image: Getty Images)
As reported by the Metro, one organiser in the Basque city of San Sebastián explained: “People who go on vacation to one place or another are not our enemies…our enemies are those who speculate on housing, who exploit workers and those who are profiting handsomely from the touristification of our cities.”
This is a view shared by many members of the Southern Europe Against Touristification coalition, who say residents are being forced out of their own hometowns thanks to unregulated tourism, which is hurting, not helping, struggling locals.
Campaigners are now piling pressure on local and central governments to adequately regulate the tourism industry, while also calling out housing firms such as Airbnb, which they say are pushing up rents at a time when living costs have already risen substantially.
Campaigners fear that overtourism is destroying local communities(Image: Getty Images)
Zoe Adjey, senior lecturer at the Institute of Tourism and Hospitality at the University of East London, told the publication: “This is very unusual, the tourism and hospitality industry is not the most unified. But it’s good, because as they are saying, the protests have never been about tourists.
“They’re about businesses, and what they are doing with the money they get from tourists. Where is that profit going? It’s clearly not going back into the local areas.”
She continued: “We’ve now got a situation where workers can’t afford to live within any sort of rational distance to their job.”
Sudan, Palestine, South Sudan, Haiti and Mali face immediate risk as extreme hunger rises in 13 locations.
Extreme hunger will intensify in 13 global hotspots over the coming months, with five states facing the immediate risk of starvation, according to a United Nations report.
The report, Hunger Hotspots, released on Monday by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP), blamed conflict, economic shocks, and climate-related hazards for the threat of starvation in Sudan, Palestine, South Sudan, Haiti and Mali.
The report, which predicts food crises in the next five months, calls for investment and help to ensure aid delivery, which it said was being undermined by insecurity and funding gaps.
The people living in the five worst-hit countries face “extreme hunger and risk of starvation and death in the coming months unless there is urgent humanitarian action”, warned the UN agencies.
“This report makes it very clear: hunger today is not a distant threat – it is a daily emergency for millions,” said FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu. “We must act now, and act together, to save lives and safeguard livelihoods.”
“This report is a red alert. We know where hunger is rising and we know who is at risk,” said WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain. “Without funding and access, we cannot save lives.”
For famine to be declared, at least 20 percent of the population in an area must be suffering extreme food shortages, with 30 percent of children acutely malnourished and two people out of every 10,000 dying daily from starvation or malnutrition and disease.
In Sudan, where famine was confirmed in 2024, the crisis is likely to persist due to conflict and displacement, with almost 25 million people at risk.
South Sudan, hit by flooding and political instability, could see up to 7.7 million people in crisis, with 63,000 in famine-like conditions, the report said.
In Palestine, Israel’s continued military operations and blockade of Gaza have left the entire population of 2.1 million people facing acute food shortages, with nearly half a million at risk of famine by the end of September, the report said.
In Haiti, escalating gang violence has displaced thousands, with 8,400 already facing catastrophic hunger. In Mali, conflict and high grain prices put 2,600 people at risk of starvation by the end of August.
Yemen, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, and Nigeria are also flagged as hotspots of very high concern. Other hotspots include Burkina Faso, Chad, Somalia, and Syria.
“Preemptive interventions save lives, reduce food gaps, and protect assets and livelihoods,” the report stresses.
In contrast to worsening conditions in the 13 states identified, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lebanon, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Zambia and Zimbabwe have been removed from the list.
With the holiday season fast approaching, most people will be busy seeking out the perfect destination. However, for chief holiday officers (CHOs), trip planning goes well beyond the simple question of “where to go?”. While everyone else is dreaming about sipping cocktails by the pool or taking in the unforgettable vistas from a popular hiking path, CHOs are the ones building the “who’s paid what?” spreadsheets, reading every single review in painstaking detail, and downloading the multitude of apps that will introduce everyone to a wealth of local experiences. Yes, they are the people who thrive on good planning. CHOs love a bit of legwork, get great satisfaction in thinking of the unthinkable, and exude the role of organiser – especially when it comes to putting together a trip to remember.
However, even the best CHOs could do with support, and to make their lives easier Barclays has curated a suite of products, including the Travel Pack1 (£14.50 per month), which offers cover for lost bags, cancellations and breakdowns for those who are looking for great value as well as peace of mind, and the Travel Plus Pack1 (£22.50 per month), which not only offers traditional travel insurance, but also a wealth of extras that help make any holiday feel safe, comfortable and – dare we say it – an adventure. From discounted fast-track security at airports to 24/7 concierge service, this means being looked after at every stage of the trip. So buckle up, these are the holiday gamechangers you never knew you needed.
Upgrade your airport experience
According to the Civil Aviation Authority, flights from UK airports departed on average 18 minutes and 24 seconds late last year. While even the savviest of travellers do their best to take delays in their stride, it can be a drag arriving at the airport only to be hit with the news that you’re going to be waiting around a while – not to mention the inevitable check-in queues and uncomfortable waiting areas that have to be endured.
Thankfully, the Barclays Travel Plus Pack1 (£22.50 per month) is designed to help soothe these moments. It comes with the DragonPass Premier+ app2, which offers a discounted fast-track service at airport security – all you have to do is pre-book online to avoid the stress and walk straight past those seemingly neverending queues. Once through, you can enjoy six free visits to more than 1,000 airport lounges, with 25% off at selected restaurants. With this extra assistance, that typically harried time spent at the airport can be transformed into a relaxing – and enjoyable – experience. Even better, if you boost your regular Barclays account with Blue Rewards3, you get access to exclusive Apple Original shows and movies only on Apple TV+.
Make the most of your money
While escaping the great British weather is often at the forefront of most people’s minds when booking a trip, CHOs are often thinking about how to make the most of their expenditure. The Barclaycard Avios Plus credit card* allows you to collect Avios – the currency of the British Airways Club – with every £1 you spend on eligible purchases (T&Cs apply). Collecting Avios through day-to-day spending can save you money on flights, upgrades, hotels and car hire.
If you plan to use your credit card abroad, then a Barclaycard Rewards credit card** comes with zero foreign transaction fees. Even better, you get 0.25% cashback on eligible purchases (T&Cs apply). Top tip: always pay in local currency to get the best exchange rate on the day.
In 2025, keeping your bank account secure has to be a priority – and Barclaycard has a fraud team on hand in the UK and abroad. This means if the unfortunate does happen, Barclaycard will refund you for any fraud on your account, including associated interest payments. So keep your local helpline number close and get in touch as soon as possible if you think you’ve been targeted. The Barclays app4 also makes keeping your money safe abroad a breeze – you can temporarily freeze your account with the click of a button should you lose your card while away or fear it’s been compromised.
*Representative example. 80.1% representative APR (variable); purchase rate 29.9% p.a. (variable); based on £1,200 credit limit; monthly fee, £20. The approval of your application depends on your financial circumstances and borrowing history, so do the terms you may be offered. The interest rates may differ from those shown. T&Cs apply.
**Representative example. 28.9% representative APR (variable); purchase rate 28.9% p.a. (variable); based on £1,200 credit limit. The approval of your application depends on your financial circumstances and borrowing history, so do the terms you may be offered. The interest rates may differ from those shown. T&Cs apply.
Go local
Delving deep beneath the touristy hubs of any destination is a must when getting to know the wondrous places that host you. Visiting restaurants, markets and businesses that are owned and run by local communities not only enable you to experience the local way of life, but you can also be reassured your money is going back into the local economy and to those who need it the most.
A part of the Barclays Travel Plus Pack1 (£22.50 per month), the digital concierge service provided by Ten offers seamless access to the best activities, events and eateries wherever you are in the world. From booking top-name restaurants to activities unique to the destination, the Ten activities hub will guide you to a list of unmissable things to do. Additionally, Ten allows you to book room upgrades and spa experiences in hotels. If your timing is right, members might also be offered complimentary tickets to exclusive events in town, such as music gigs and sporting events.
Stay protected
Every good CHO knows that the best way to stay safe while travelling is to have reliable travel insurance that protects every aspect of your holiday. Teaming up with Aviva to include winter sports, cruises and even non-manual work outside of the UK, the Barclays Travel Pack1 (£14.50 per month) protects you on both family holidays and work trips, without any need for extra cover. And if you enjoy the freedom of having your own transport while travelling – especially with a family – it also comes armed with RAC breakdown cover, with unlimited UK callouts for account holders in any vehicle they are travelling in. Even better, this cover will ensure you have access to a hire car, alternative transport options (for example, you’ll be able to take a train or plane), and overnight accommodation, if your car was to break down – ensuring your holiday doesn’t come to an end too early.
If you intend to be away for more than 31 days, you can purchase a “longer trip upgrade” for up to 120 days. This option is ideal for those taking a sabbatical or those who are off on the adventure of a lifetime. A pre-trip call is all you need to remember, and then the fun can begin!
1 Terms, conditions, exclusions and eligibility criteria apply. You must have a Barclays current account, be 18 or over and hold this product for at least six months from the date of purchase – then you can cancel at any time.
2 Terms and conditions apply for the DragonPass Premier+ app and fast track security.
3 To join Barclays Blue Rewards, eligibility, conditions and a £5 monthly fee apply.
4 You must be 11 or over to use the app. T&Cs apply.
Although easyJet has not announced the cancellation of any flights yet, there is potential for considerable disruption involving UK flights. EasyJet is scheduled to run services from the UK to Milan, Naples, Catania and Caserta tomorrow
USB Lavoro Privato easyJet workers are due to walk out tomorrow(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)
Passengers have been told to expect a ‘perfect storm’ of disruption when three separate strikes coincide to potentially cause travel chaos this week.
EasyJet customers travelling to or from Italy tomorrow may face a triple-whammy of disruption, starting with the airline’s air crew going on strike. The budget airline’s flight attendants belonging to European trade union USB Lavoro Privato are set to walk out tomorrow, potentially resulting in widespread disruption to the airline’s services tomorrow.
Although easyJet has not announced the cancellation of any flights yet, there is potential for considerable disruption involving UK flights. EasyJet is scheduled to run services from the UK to Milan, Naples, Catania and Caserta tomorrow.
However, the budget airline has told the Mirror that is does not expect any disruption to its schedule.
The scale of the likely disruption is not yet clear(Image: UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
There are two other strikes taking place tomorrow that may impact travellers. Taxi services in cities including Rome, Naples and Turin may be significantly limited due to a series of strikes by local drivers.
Workers at Swissport an airport ground services and handling company that lists easyJet, British Airways, TUI and Wizz among its customers, are set to walkout, also on Wednesday. All strikes are set to take place between 1pm and 5pm CET (12pm and 4pm UK time).
While easyJet staff plan to strike nationally, the airports most likely to be affected by the handler strikes include two of Milan’s major air hubs, Malpensa and Linate airports.
Anton Radchenko, CEO at air passenger rights experts AirAdvisor, said: “Strikes by easyJet staff and workers from one of the airline’s key handling partners could present a perfect storm of disruption for passengers planning to fly with the company on the 28th.
“These strikes represent the fourth wave of easyJet staff strikes in 2025 already, with staff previously walking out in February, March and April this year – and four sets of strikes in four months suggests that discontent from the airline’s workers could be a theme that continues throughout the year.
“While easyJet can’t be blamed for Swissport staff striking on the same day – the two strikes combining gives the airline a real headache to try and navigate, as Swissport works with easyJet on airport operations. As these strikes specifically involve easyJet staff, you may be due compensation of up to £520 if your flight is cancelled. This is because that disruption to journeys caused by airline staff taking industrial action is viewed as within its control, i.e. they could have prevented the strikes from happening through negotiations.
“Likewise, if your easyJet flight is delayed by over three hours as a result of the strikes, you may be due compensation for the inconvenience. If your flight is moved to the day after you were originally due to travel, easyJet will be responsible for putting you up in overnight accommodation.
“As well as Wednesday 28th, it’s possible that easyJet services in the days that follow will be affected. If your journey is disrupted, keep evidence like SMS or email notifications from the airline as evidence, and use a free compensation calculator to establish what you may be owed.”
A spokesperson for easyJet said: “There is no impact expected to our flying programme tomorrow.”
