FUELLED by a glass of Moet from the 24-hour champagne bar, I sleepily made my way to the resort’s palm-lined beach club, nibbling on a golden chocolate-covered strawberry as I plodded.
So far, so Dubai . . . except I am actually in Turkey at the Cullinan Belek hotel.
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The luxurious Turkish resort of Cullinan Belek is great for both couples and familiesCredit: SuppliedRelax in luxury around the adults-only poolCredit: UnknownThe swim-up infinity pool which lapped my second-floor terrace, overlooking the main resortCredit: supplied
Which means, after a short four-hour flight from the UK, I was swept into the kind of luxury you would expect from one of the 5H properties on The Palm Jumeirah — only without the seven-hour journey, or the jet lag.
Plus, it meant I was feeling fresh enough to go from the plane to the party in minutes.
Cullinan Belek’s Galapagos beach bar was pumping as masked dancers beckoned in revellers with their flaming torches and a live DJ played Balearic-style beats.
Its troupe put on two original shows a night – one more family-friendly piece in the main auditorium and a more progressive, late-night number for the adults, like tonight’s, which took its inspiration from Moroccan belly dancers.
A waiter served me a freshly-shaken, personalised cocktail from his cart, and before long, I was dancing barefoot on the beach.
Cullinan Belek won the Luxury All-Inclusive Resort gong at the World Travel Awards in 2024, but if I needed further proof of its prestige, I found it back at our Superior Duplex room.
There’s a pillow menu, top-of-the-range tech to control lights, curtains and air, plus divine Bvlgari toiletries in the two bathrooms.
But the real treat is the swim-up infinity pool which lapped my second-floor terrace, overlooking the main resort.
A quick plunge shook off last night’s cocktails and a trip to the hotel’s C’Espace spa beckoned.
Somehow the hotel’s gym even managed to make sweating feel refined as it is among the best I’ve ever used — yes, it even beats those in Dubai.
As well as the usual equipment there is a Pilates reformer stand, yoga room, decent set-up for weight-lifters, plus even an indoor and outdoor Hyrox zone for those seeking an on-trend workout.
And if you’re after something more relaxed, I’m told the Cullinan’s golf course is the best in Belek, which has become known as the heartland for the sport with the hotel offering special packages for enthusiasts.
There are 14 sections to browse for breakfast, ranging from your standard pastries and fry-ups to Indian cuisine, Mexican breakfast burritos and a juice bar.
Instead, I signed up to play sport-of-the-moment padel — as made popular by the Princess of Wales — and was immediately hooked, as it had all the fun of tennis without as much running.
That felt like more than enough activity for one day, but it turns out another challenge lay ahead.
The Mare main restaurant is an epic buffet set-up, larger than any I’ve seen before — yes, even larger than those in Dubai.
There are 14 sections to browse for breakfast, ranging from your standard pastries and fry-ups to Indian cuisine, Mexican breakfast burritos and a juice bar.
Variety might be the spice of life, but at that hour of the day, the choice was sometimes overwhelming and the crowds and queues tricky to navigate.
Away from the throng of the buffet, though, is where the Cullinan Belek really excelled.
The resort has two Italian restaurants as well Greek, Asian, teppanyaki and a steakhouse plus a number of snack bistros, a patisserie and an in-house chocolatier. So I got to work.
In the evening, some of these carry an additional charge on top of the all-inclusive package but each time it felt worth it.
Great value
I particularly enjoyed the beef in hot sauce from Nori Asian, which, for an extra €25 per person, allows you to dine to the sounds of live music as you sit among the petal design of the Azure pool.
Meanwhile The Beef Grill puts its succulent steaks at the centre of the action, with the cuts displayed in a huge chiller spanning the length of the restaurant, and an open kitchen grill.
The real jewel in the hotel’s crown, however, is the huge water park which offers an oasis for families, alongside a football pitch, splash pool and tons of beach games…
The €55-per-person surcharge felt great value when the signature starters of Meat Sushi and Onion Blossom were prepared at our table by an intrepid server with a blow torch.
The real jewel in the hotel’s crown, however, is the huge water park which offers an oasis for families, alongside a football pitch, splash pool and tons of beach games as well as indoor bowling alley and games consoles.
A luxury terrace overlooking the swim-up poolCredit: suppliedThe Sun’s Felicity Cross going into action at the padel courtCredit: SuppliedFelicity enjoys a tasty mealCredit: Supplied
The offering for children is impressive — but all the more so because these facilities somehow nestle unobtrusively alongside the chic, laidback aspects, just like at the super hotels in Dubai.
Which was ideal for me, lazing by the adults-only pool as I awaited my next cocktail from the roller-skating waitress.
If Cullinan Belek is a Dubai dupe, then honestly, who needs the real thing?
GO: TURKEY
GETTING / STAYING THERE: Seven nights’ all-inclusive plus at the 5-star Cullinan Belek is from £1,254pp including easyJet flights from London Southend to Antalya on February 26, 2026, two 23kg bags and transfers.
If you’re looking for some winter sun to soak up the rays on a golden sand beach engulfed with crystal-clear turquoise waters, there’s an idyllic destination just five hours from the UK
There’s a sun-soaked getaway just five hours from the UK with 25C during winter(Image: Getty Images)
Amid the chaos of Christmas and chilly weather conditions, many of us are dreaming of jetting off to a warmer climate for some winter sun. One destination that has long been praised for its luxurious resorts and blistering 25-degree winter heat is just five hours away from the UK.
To help travellers uncover some of the best holiday getaways during the colder UK months, easyJet has released its ‘Winter Sun Index’. The airline compared factors such as flight and package prices, temperature, hours of sunlight per day, monthly precipitation levels, time difference, and the average cost of a beer and a meal for two, to highlight their top holiday destinations for some winter sun.
One desirable holiday hotspot, within easy reach of the UK, was Hurghada on the east coast of Egypt. The sun-soaked beach town is brimming with luxury resorts scattered along the shoreline, providing direct access to the crystal-clear waters where marine life thrives.
The turquoise sea is one of Hurghada’s most appealing factors, with scuba diving and snorkelling being undoubtedly popular pastimes here. Most resorts offer private areas along the golden sands for ultimate relaxation and convenience, but for those seeking more adventure, stunning desert landscapes are nearby, offering activities such as quad biking or Jeep safaris.
Located along Egypt’s Red Sea coast, easyJet found that Hurghada typically offers temperatures between 21C and 25C during the winter months, a stark contrast to the brisk highs of 6C we experience in the UK. Another factor making this destination rather desirable is easyJet’s findings that, on average, a pint costs just £1.75, while two people can enjoy a meal out for an estimated £26 – bargain!
Elsewhere, Hurghada basks in around 9-10 hours of sunshine every day, and there’s just a two-hour time difference compared to the UK, pretty much avoiding any signs of jet lag. Direct flights from London airports to Hurghada are just over five hours, with return flights starting from £154 with easyJet.
There are plenty of package deals available, making a spontaneous getaway even more effortless if you’re seeking that vitamin D fix. The Red Sea is renowned for its winter sun destinations, with Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt also remaining a popular choice for holidaymakers, thanks to its pristine sandy beaches and turquoise blue waters.
easyJet’s top 10 destinations for winter sun
Sal – Cape Verde
Hurghada – Egypt
Gran Canaria – Canary Islands, Spain
Lanzarote – Canary Islands, Spain
Agadir – Morocco
Fuerteventura – Canary Islands, Spain
Tenerife South – Canary Islands, Spain
Djerba – Tunisia
Seville – Spain
Paphos – Cyprus
Kevin Doyle, easyJet’s UK country manager, said: “As temperatures at home begin to drop and the days get darker, now is the perfect time to book an escape to warmer climes. easyJet’s unrivalled network and package holidays, offer a broad range of winter sun destinations across Europe and beyond, from Sub-Saharan islands to Spanish peninsula cities that are all easily accessible and affordable, for those looking to chase the sun on a budget this winter.”
Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com
North Macedonia is a little-known country that sits north of Greece – and it’s one of the most mountainous countries in the world, with stunning views and a rich history
North Macedonia is one of the world’s most mountainous countries(Image: Getty Images)
Positioned directly north of Greece, North Macedonia is steeped in rich heritage spanning Byzantine, Ottoman, and Yugoslav periods. This landlocked nation achieved independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, adopting the name North Macedonia in 2019 after resolving a lengthy naming row with Greece.
The entire country houses 2 million people, marginally fewer than Birmingham’s population. Whilst those in the tourism sector believe the nation has tremendous potential, they remain cautious about excessive visitor numbers.
Aleksandar Bogoevski, owner of Sustainable Adventure Travels, added: “Approximately one million passengers are transiting Macedonia during the summertime. They don’t stop, I think there are so many other things that can be seen.”
One of the country’s star attractions is Lake Ohrid, which spans the Albanian border. The North Macedonian portion of the lake earned UNESCO World Heritage status in 1979, with the surrounding region added the following year.
Ohrid town ranks among the globe’s most ancient human settlements and houses the oldest Slavic monastery, St Pantelejmon. According to UNESCO, the lake supports roughly 200 plant and animal species.
The Šar Mountain range, positioned along the northwestern Albanian frontier, provides North Macedonia’s visitors with countless walking and hiking opportunities.
Mountain villagers still practise age-old shepherding traditions known as transhumance. This ancient custom involves guiding sheep on seasonal journeys to villages during winter months before returning them to mountain peaks come summer.
Food enthusiasts exploring North Macedonia will encounter a delicious blend of Balkan, Mediterranean, and Turkish flavours.
The country’s signature dish, Tave grave, features mainly baked beans prepared in a clay vessel. Other beloved meals showcase fresh ingredients, barbecued meats, and pastries.
Skopje, the nation’s capital, houses approximately 526,000 residents and lies within the Skopje Valley beside the Vardar River.
YouTuber Drew Binksy branded Skopje amongst the “weirdest cities in the world” due to its dramatic riverside monuments. During his trip to North Macedonia, Drew was completely charmed by Lake Ohrid.
In a video he gushed: “Anyways, the coolest lake in Europe is called Ohrid. It’s a really clear freshwater lake.
“You can go diving in it, cliff jumping and just have a day on the water. It’s really, really awesome. That’s my favorite thing about [North] Macedonia by far.
“Overall, it’s just a really chill, cool, small country, easy to road trip, Balkan vibes, good food. I highly recommend North Macedonia. I actually think it’s super underrated and it’s one of my favorite Balkan countries.”
A direct flight between the UK and Skopje takes between three and three-and-a-half hours.
Singapore Airlines’ ultra-long-haul route covers 9,537 miles – but it doesn’t come cheap.
This is the longest flight in the world(Image: SCM Jeans via Getty Images)
The world’s longest flight links America to Asia, with travellers buckled in for nearly 19 hours. Singapore Airlines currently holds the record for the lengthiest long-haul journey, operating from New York’s JFK Airport to Singapore Changi.
The epic 9,537-mile trek boasts a scheduled flight time of 18 hours and 50 minutes and first took to the skies back in 2018.
Singapore Airlines deploys their cutting-edge A350-900ULRs on this route, aircraft capable of remaining airborne for over 20 hours non-stop.
These planes achieve such endurance thanks to a specially adapted fuel system. This enhancement boosts the aircraft’s total fuel capacity to an enormous 24,000 litres.
Yet this mammoth journey isn’t available to all, as Singapore Airlines doesn’t provide economy seating on this route. The carrier instead provides 67 Business Class seats and 94 Premium Economy Class seats.
Premium Economy travellers can relish additional legroom, a footrest, and an adjustable headrest. Passengers also benefit from noise-cancelling headphones and WiFi throughout their journey, reports the Express.
Business class flyers experience ultimate privacy, with their seats transforming into completely flat beds for proper rest during travel. Singapore Airlines maintains that the A350-900ULR delivers passengers a “more comfortable travelling experience”.
The aircraft boasts a host of additional amenities including elevated ceilings, expansive windows and specially engineered lighting systems to combat jet lag.
The carrier maintains that the aircraft’s cutting-edge carbon composite construction also enables superior air quality throughout the cabin.
Prospective passengers will need deep pockets, as tickets routinely command prices well into five-figure territory.
Singapore Airlines’ chief executive, Mr Goh Choon Phong, has previously stated that the new service will provide the “fastest way” to journey between these two metropolitan hubs.
He said: “Singapore Airlines has always taken pride in pushing the boundaries to provide the best possible travel convenience for our customers, and we are pleased to be leading the way with these new non-stop flights using the latest technology, ultra-long-range Airbus A350-900ULR.
“The flights will offer our customers the fastest way to travel between the two cities – in great comfort, together with Singapore Airlines’ legendary service – and will help boost connectivity to and through the Singapore hub.”
Donald Trump has threatened to sue the BBC over the editing of his speech before the infamous riot at the Capitol in January 2021 – the corporation apologised to him in November
MONTY Python star Eric Idle has revealed the heartbreaking final conversation he had with Rob Reiner only hours before he was stabbed to death.
Idle said he spoke with a healthy and happy Reiner, 78, for over an hour on the phone as the beloved director opened up on his thoughts on the future.
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Monty Python star Eric Idle has revealed the heartbreaking final conversation he had with Rob Reiner only hours before he was stabbed to deathCredit: APHollywood was left in shock after reports emerged that Reiner and his wife Michele, 68, had been stabbed to death at their home on Sunday afternoonCredit: GettyThe couple’s daughter Romy shared holiday pictures of Reiner in the weeks before his deathCredit: Instagram
Hollywood was left in shock after reports emerged that Reiner and his wife Michele, 68, had been stabbed to death at their home on Sunday afternoon.
Their troubled son Nick, 32, is now reportedly a person of interest in the double homicide investigation.
Daughter Romy, who lives across the street from her parent’s $13.5million estate, reportedly discovered the couple with fatal injuries consistent with multiple stab wounds.
Tributes have flooded in for Reiner and Michele since.
British actor and comedian Idle led the way as he revealed his heartbreaking last talk with Reiner took place just one day before the suspected double murder.
Idle, who first met the When Harry Met Sally director over 50 years ago, wrote: “Rob Reiner was a lovely man. I spoke to him last night for over an hour. I always enjoyed his company.
I met him at his Dad’s in 1975. He was telling me about filming at Stonehenge and his thoughts for the future.
“This is so awful. I shall miss him. A clever, talented and very thoughtful man. So awful.”
Investigations into the death of the Hollywood super couple are still ongoing.
Police rushed to the six-bedroom home just after 3:30pm on Sunday afternoon after an emergency call was reportedly made by Romy, 28.
LAPD Captain Mike Bland quickly confirmed the force are investigating an “apparent homicide”.
Detectives from the Robbery Homicide Division have now been assigned to the case.
LAPD Deputy Police Chief Alan Hamilton told reporters at the scene that investigations will continue throughout the night with multiple family members set to be interviewed.
He added that there was no sign of forced entry into the home.
No arrests have been made with no suspects named at the moment, cops confirmed.
Investigators are set to speak to son Nick about the horror stabbing, according to multiple sources who have spoken with the family.
Son Nick Reiner, 32, is believed to be a potential person of interest in the double homicide investigationCredit: GettyA huge police presence surrounds the Brentwood homeCredit: AP
Nick, who reportedly lives in LA, has rarely been seen publicly since he opened up about his struggles with drug addiction in 2016.
He admitted to first going to rehab at the age of 15 and said his addiction issues even left him homeless.
Romy had shared pictures of her dad on holiday just last week alongside the heartbreaking caption: “Thankful for family, health, and followers of any age.”
HOLLYWOOD ICON
Reiner, raised in the Bronx by comic father Carl, was a huge presence in the movie industry after more than five decades as a top director and actor.
He started his career in front of the camera where he played Michael “Meathead” Stivic on the iconic sitcom “All in the Family” for eight years.
He then moved into directing with his most notable projects including the 1984 cult classic This Is Spinal Tap, The Princess Bride in 1987, and When Harry Met Sally in 1989.
In 1993, he was nominated for an Academy Award for “A Few Good Men,” which starred Jack Nicholson, Tom Cruise and Demi Moore.
Reiner’s production company Castle Rock Entertainment, which he co-founded, also helped to create Seinfeld and The Shawshank Redemption.
Michele and Rob with their three children Jake (far left), Nick (second from the left) and Romy (middle)Credit: GettyReiner starred as Leonardo DiCaprio’s dad in The Wolf of Wall StreetCredit: IMBDReiner on the set of This Is Spinal Tap in 1984Credit: Alamy
He would move between acting and directing right up until his death.
His most notable role in the past 15 years was as Jordan Belfort‘s dad in The Wolf of Wall Street alongside Leonardo DiCaprio.
This year he starred in both the critically acclaimed series The Bear and featured in the Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.
Michele was also known for her work as a producer and photographer.
Her most well known project saw her take the photo of Donald Trump which appears on the cover of his 1987 book Trump: The Art Of The Deal.
Reiner and Michele had been married since 1989 and shared three children together.
They first met while Reiner was directing When Harry Met Sally.
TRIBUTES POUR IN
Tributes for the beloved Hollywood couple quickly flooded in after reports of their deaths were announced.
John Cusack, who starred in Reiner’s film The Sure Thing, said: “Shocked by the death of Rob Reiner – a great man.”
Actor Josh Gad described Reiner as “one of the greatest directors of our time”.
Lord Of The Rings star Elijah Wood later posted: “Horrified to hear of the passing of Rob Reiner and his wonderful wife Michelle.
“So much love to their kids and family.”
Dozens of mourning fans took to the streets of Brentwood to pay their respects to the couple.
Among them was Larry David and Billy Crystal, according to neighbours.
Reiner was also a political force through his Democratic Party activism.
He was widely appreciated for his work as an outspoken supporter for LGBTQ equality and early childhood development.
Former US president Barack Obama paid tribute to Reiner saying he and his wife Michelle were “heartbroken by the tragic passing of Rob Reiner and his beloved wife, Michele”.
Former House speaker Nancy Pelosi described him as “creative, funny, and beloved” as she also paid tribute to Michele.
Reiner alongside Jack Nicholson, Tom Cruise and Demi Moore after being awarded two People’s Choice Awards for ‘A Few Good Men’ in 1992Credit: ReutersReiner and Michele together in 1990Credit: Alamy
Zoe Ball spent this weekend celebrating daughter Nelly’s 16th birthday with ex Norman CookCredit: InstagramNelly and her older brother Woody beamed for a snap taken by their mum ZoeCredit: InstagramThe party fittingly featured a DJ deck and giant balloons spelling out NellyCredit: Instagram
She is set to be replaced by Emma Willis, who says she is a “huge fan” of the show.
Speaking on air on Saturday, Zoe told listeners: “I have loved being betwixt my dear friends Romesh (Ranganathan) and Rylan (Clark), and you know, I love you all to bits, but I’m not disappearing completely.
“Obviously, it’ll be Christmas Crooners and I’m doing an eras show in the new year, more on that later.”
“I am thrilled to tell you that you will be in the safest of hands, because there is a super woman who is no stranger to you all, but this does mean that she will officially become a member of the Radio 2 family.”
Emma said she is excited to be taking on the role: “I’m a huge fan of Radio 2, so I’m absolutely chuffed to be joining the family – and it’s a real honour to follow in the huge footsteps Zoe leaves behind, who’s someone I admire and adore.”
The new host signed off: “I’m very much looking forward to spending my Saturday lunchtimes with the Radio 2 audience and I’ll happily be the filling to a Romesh and Rylan sandwich!”
The news comes as Zoe is one of the “Golden Ten” shortlist of presenters that BBC bosses have lined up to step into the shoes of Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly.
Zoe announced just hours before the bash that she is stepping down from her Radio 2 showCredit: PAShe is leaving behind fellow presenters and close friends such as Rylan ClarkCredit: BBCIt comes as Zoe is rumoured to be in the running to present Strictly Come Dancing
But there’s so much more to love about a quick, easy train journey that promises the chance to enjoy some festive fun with continental flair and fabulous food.
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The Sun’s Lisa Minot and Kara Godfrey took to the Eurostar this month to check out Lille and Brussels – and their Christmas marketsCredit: Getty Images
Step aboard the Eurostar from London St Pancras and just one hour and 24 minutes later you could be in Lille – then 30 minutes farther and the delights of Brussels await.
With fares from £39 each way if booked in advance, it’s the perfect way to sprinkle some magic on your festive season.
So Lisa Minot and Kara Godfrey took to the Eurostar this month to check out the cities – and their Christmas markets.
Lisa in Lille
Lille’s Old Town and Place Rihour sparkle with 90 festive chalets, charming shops, and hearty French fare for a perfect quick Christmas getawayCredit: Supplied
WITH beautifully decorated stores in Lille’s Old Town, a fabulous Ferris Wheel in the Grand Place and a charming Christmas market on Place Rihour featuring 90 wooden chalets, Lille is a great place to hop over to for a quick festive break.
With a compact city centre and oodles of lovely independent shops, Lille also promises hearty French fare in its traditional ‘estaminet’ restaurants to keep you fuelled.
BEST SNACK
COME hungry to the Christmas Market as there are endless stalls offering hearty snacks.
From baguettes to paninis and oysters, caviar and salmon as well as waffles and crepes, there’s a huge amount of choice.
But for a French speciality, it has to be the aligot. A truly indulgent dish of ultra-creamy mashed potatoes mixed with garlic, butter, cream and gooey cheese, a generous portion costs just £8.70.
Or perhaps go for the traditional Savoie dish of tartiflette — slices of potato with onions, bacon and reblochon cheese.
BEST DRINK
YOU’LL find mulled wine everywhere. This is France, after all!
In the Christmas Market, a large cup costs seven euros but you’ll get two euros back when you return the eco-friendly cups, so a warming drink will set you back just £4.40.
At the traditional Lille estaminet restaurant, Au Vieux de la Vieille, your mulled wine comes with a shot of Amaretto on the side for a nutty alternative and costs £5.70.
BEST VIEW
ADMIRE the festive lights around the streets of Lille from high above on the Ferris Wheel, at the centre of the Grand Place.
Soaring 164ft into the air in the gondolas gives you a fabulous view of the city and beyond. Book ahead to avoid the queues.
Sunset is a perfect time to take in the views with the lights of the town and market a delight.
Prices start from £6.10 for adults and £4.40 for children. See lagrande rouedelille.com.
For those without a head for heights, you can also get a fantastic view from the balcony of the City Hall’s Belfry — getting there involves climbing up 109 steps.
BEST SHOPPING
Travel Editor Lisa Minot enjoys a festive drink in LilleCredit: Supplied
LILLE’S compact, cobbled old town is a delight for shopaholics. There are plenty of independent gift stores as well as lots of options for clothes and shoes.
To bring back a reminder of your stay, head to the legendary Meert — famed for being one of the oldest pastry shops in the world.
The ornate building is even more festive at Christmas and it’s the perfect place to pick up one of their signature waffles, from a recipe first invented in the 1840s.
You can also buy a huge range of cakes, chocolates and a variety of exotic tea blends. The tea room is a delight. Just be sure to book in advance.
BEST RESTAURANT
FOR a relaxed but sophisticated dinner with a fantastic view, head to Nu, close to the train station. This rooftop restaurant and bar is fabulously festively decorated at Christmas but it’s the food that is undoubtedly the star of the show.
As well as a selection of tapas-style dishes starting from £7.90, there’s a host of French classics.
We enjoyed a decadent lobster dish and a delicious seared tuna finished with a cafe gourmand — where your cup comes with a selection of their best desserts.
For truly authentic dishes from the North of France, head to Estaminet Au Vieux de la Vielle.
Booking is essential at this tiny, historic restaurant and locals flock here for carbonnade flamande, where chunks of beef are cooked in beer and spices.
Also amazing was the Welsh au maroilles — beer-soaked bread topped with ham and then drenched in melty maroilles cheese. Come hungry!
BEST HOTEL
HOTEL l’Arbre Voyageur is ideal for a weekend break — just an eight minute stroll from the train station.
The 4H hotel has 48 rooms with comfy beds and L’Occitane toiletries.
With two restaurants and its own patisserie, food is top notch. Rooms are from £143 per night, with breakfast. See hotelarbrevoyageur.com.
Kara in Brussels
Brussels’ Winter Wonders Christmas Market dazzles with 250+ stalls, a Ferris wheel, ice rink, curling, and a spectacular light show in the Grand-PlaceCredit: Alexander Spatari
WITH more than 250 stalls and chalets to browse, the Christmas Markets in Brussels are certainly an extravaganza.
Called the Winter Wonders, this also includes the popular Ferris Wheel, an ice skating and curling rink and the huge light show in the Grand Place.
The largest section is in Marché aux Poissons, where you will find 200 of the stalls. It runs until January 4, so you have more than enough time to fit in a quick weekend trip.
BEST SNACK
IF you spot a long queue, it’s most likely outside Fritland. Right next to the Christmas markets, the much-loved shop has been serving up huge portions of chips since 1978 (from £3).
There are many sauces to choose from, with the tomatoey Dallas tasting delightfully zingy.
If you need something sweet afterwards, the other busy spot is the stunning Maison Dandoy, where you’ll find some of the city’s best waffles.
Even with the rich Speculoos spread slathered on top, the waffles are so light they are easy to eat even on a full stomach.
BEST DRINK
Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey gets into the Christmas spirit in BrusselsCredit: Supplied
YOU can’t go wrong with a mulled wine, or gluhwein, which can be found throughout the markets.
A glass will set you back around £4.30, although keep an extra 90p if you don’t have your own cup.
It is the right amount of sweetness and warmth to keep you cosy in the chilly winter weather.
Not a wine fan? Most of the stalls also sell hot chocolate.
BEST VIEW
FOR some of the best vistas across the city, you can’t beat the Ferris Wheel.
With tickets around £8.70, the ten-minute trip is stunning both during the day and with the twinkling lights at night.
But if you want a secret way to see the picturesque Grand Place light show without the crowds, keep an eye out for the Christmas Fairies door.
Walk through a fairy light tunnel, up a winding staircase and past Santa to grab your spot at the window overlooking the huge tree that lights up every hour.
Cambodia’s Ministry of Defence said Thai F-16 fighter jets continued to bomb targets inside country.
Published On 13 Dec 202513 Dec 2025
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Cambodia has accused Thailand of continuing to drop bombs in its territory hours after United States President Donald Trump said Bangkok and Phnom Penh had agreed to stop fighting.
“On December 13, 2025, the Thai military used two F-16 fighter jets to drop seven bombs” on a number of targets, the Cambodian Defence Ministry said in a post on social media on Saturday.
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“Thai forces have not stopped the bombing yet and are still continuing the bombing,” the ministry said, listing aerial attacks on hotel buildings and bridges earlier in the morning.
The reports of continued bombing follow after President Trump said that Thailand and Cambodia had agreed “to cease all shooting” on Friday.
“I had a very good conversation this morning with the Prime Minister of Thailand, Anutin Charnvirakul, and the Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Manet, concerning the very unfortunate reawakening of their long-running War,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform.
“They have agreed to CEASE all shooting effective this evening, and go back to the original Peace Accord made with me, and them, with the help of the Great Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim,” he said.
This is a breaking news story. More to follow soon.
We were well into our journey from Los Angeles to Chicago, surrounded by cornfields and grain elevators, when the train halted and a voice rang out.
“All right, folks,” said a man on the PA system. “We’ve come to a stop in what appears to be the middle of nowhere.”
To a traveler in a hurry, this is the stuff of nightmares. To a seasoned passenger on the L.A.-Chicago train known as Amtrak’s Southwest Chief, it’s just another day.
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When you board an American long-distance train in 2025, you are trading the airport routine for entry into a locomotive-driven realm where there is neither TSA nor WiFi. And AI might as well stand for aged infrastructure.
There will be delays, often because of passing freight trains. But in the bargain, you are freeing yourself from worry about aerodynamics or the chronic shortage of U.S. air traffic controllers and gaining access to ground-level scenery and idle hours.
You’re also joining a modest trend. Even before this fall’s bout of flight cancellations during the government shutdown, Amtrak had set records for passengers and revenue in fiscal 2024, then again in 2025. Ridership on the Southwest Chief rose 12.6% in the last year. Amtrak’s long-distance trains haven’t caught up with their pre-pandemic numbers yet, but we seem to like them a little more lately.
Passengers board the Southwest Chief at Los Angeles Union Station.
(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
To learn why, I boarded the Southwest Chief at Los Angeles Union Station on a recent Monday afternoon. I was ready to see a few desert sunsets from the Sightseer Lounge and hear what people say when they have the time to chat with a stranger IRL.
Before long, I had been party to conversations about fear of flying, doctors in Tijuana, how to make beef jerky and how to sleep in a moving metal box. I’d also heard these sentences:
“I like watching the country go by. I draw and I paint,” said passenger Nancy Roeder.
“I’m a fourth-generation model railroader,” said William Angus.
“I’m not going to lie to you. I took his life.”
This last comment came from a fellow traveler, ruefully disclosing an act of self-defense many years ago. No proof was offered, but I believed it. I also found the teller of the story (whom I won’t name) to be good company, thoughtful and generous.
In other words, on a two-day train, you meet people and hear things that you might not on a four-hour flight.
What Paul Theroux wrote 50 years ago in “The Great Railway Bazaar” is still true: “Anything is possible on a train: a great meal, a binge, a visit from card players, an intrigue, a good night’s sleep, and strangers’ monologues framed like Russian short stories.”
Flagstaff by dawn
Passengers relax in the Sightseer Lounge on Amtrak’s Southwest Chief.
(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
There’s one Southwest Chief departure from Los Angeles every day (and one from Chicago). If everything goes right, the 2,265-mile, 32-stop trip takes about 43 hours.
But only a rookie would count on that. About 60% of the time, the Southwest Chief arrives at least 15 minutes late.
For much of its route through Arizona, the route is flanked by old Route 66 and other lonely desert roads.
(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
Back in 1936, when the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway introduced Southwest Super Chief service between Los Angeles and Chicago, this was a roughly 40-hour journey. The passenger list included plenty of show-biz people and the first stop was in Pasadena.
Nowadays, the Southwest Chief is run by Amtrak (which gets government funding but operates independently enough to be unaffected by recent government shutdowns). There are not so many show-biz people now, not as many frills. Instead of Pasadena, its first stop after Los Angeles is Fullerton, followed by a bend to the northeast. By the time I arrived in the dining car for my first dinner aboard, we were nearing Barstow.
“This way, young man,” lied the server winningly as he steered me to a table. (I am 65. In the dining car, every traveler, no matter how aged, gets greeted as a young man or young lady.)
Since booths hold four people, dining car stewards like Chuck Jones manage the delicate task of putting travelers together. Through PA announcements and whispers in the aisles, he encouraged us to introduce ourselves and keep phones off tables.
He also suggested we steer clear of politics — a tall order when traveling through a government shutdown from a city the president had just called “lawless” to one he had just called “the worst and most dangerous city in the world.”
Surprise: Almost everyone complied.
Over the course of six dining car meals as a solo traveler, I heard no political disagreements and met travelers from their 20s to their 80s.
Claudette Toth, a senior from Massachusetts, estimated that she’d only flown three or four times in her life. William Angus, a 24-year-old returning to Chicago from a pilgrimage to the San Diego Model Railroad Museum told of how much he loved running a 1/87 scale model of the Bakersfield-Mojave rail system, re-enacting operations from February 1953.
Ernie Haecker, of Sante Fe and New York, is a regular on Amtrak’s Southwest Chief train between Los Angeles and Chicago.
(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
As Angus spoke, Ernie Haecker, a longtime train lover, nodded in understanding, grinning beneath a handlebar mustache. Haecker, 77, an audiologist, told us he takes the train every six weeks, splitting time between Santa Fe and New York. After so many trips, he knows the crew, knows where the train will pause long enough for him to shave, knows he can count on chatting with “a whole panoply of folks every time.” He even knew the spot in Illinois where the train would switch from one old company’s tracks to another’s.
“We just left the old Santa Fe,” he would say when the moment came. “Now we’re on Burlington.”
My dinner on the first night was another happy surprise — a fairly tender and flavorful flat iron steak. There was a vase holding flowers at every table, along with white tablecloth.
A meal is served in the dining car.
(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
Still, nobody should expect a Michelin-star meal in an Amtrak dining car. It’s common for servers to bring out dessert before the main dish (to avoid running behind later) and at one meal, someone forgot my order and I had to start over half an hour later.
By the time we crossed into Arizona that first night, I was back in my roomette nodding off, lulled like a baby atop a washing machine.
We were near Flagstaff when I blinked awake, glad to catch sight of the sunrise and grateful to have a sleeping area of my own.
Arizona sprawl and the Amtrak class system
Roomettes measure about 23 square feet.
(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
Of the three ways you can travel long-distance on Amtrak, the fanciest option is a private room that’s about 50 square feet (including private bath). The cost — about $3,200 for a couple, one way, when I booked — includes meals in the dining cars. (Family rooms, which hold four people but share bathrooms, cost about the same. All rates fluctuate by season and demand.)
That was too pricey for me and my expense account, so I booked a roomette. The roomettes are about half the size of a private room, with dining-car access and upper and lower berths that allow two travelers to lie flat (or one to spread out). These share toilets and showers. This cost me $809. (For a couple, the tab would have been $1,112.)
The third option was coach class, which means sleeping in your seat. It’s a sensible choice if you’re traveling only a portion of the route, and it’s what I did when traveling this route as a college student 45 years ago.
I was intrigued to see that coach fares start at $198 — only a bit more than the starting price for a flight. But no, not intrigued enough.
As a coach passenger, you don’t get access to the dining car (unless there’s room and you’re willing to pay $20-$45 for a meal). Instead, you bring food, buy snacks in the cafe car below the Sightseer Lounge or, if truly desperate, try to arrange a restaurant delivery to an upcoming fresh-air stop.
Fortunately, all classes get access to the Sightseer Lounge, where armchairs and couches face big windows. I’ve heard of lounges getting pretty crowded and ripe on heavily booked trips, but our trained seemed less than half-full. A few coach passengers dozed in the lounge overnight (which is officially forbidden) and nobody seemed bothered.
That first morning, with coffee in hand, I tiptoed into the lounge, sank into an armchair and watched the desert sprawl while wispy clouds clung to the horizon under a brightening sky.
This postcard (or rather Instagram) moment came somewhere between Winslow and Holbrook. I’m told the scenery is more dramatic on the Coast Starlight (from Los Angeles to Seattle) and the California Zephyr (from Emeryville through the Rockies to Chicago). But this comes down to taste. If you like deserts, the Chief is hard to beat. (Though no matter the route, if you like photography, the train is a challenge: no open windows, so you’re always shooting exteriors through glass.)
As Arizona yielded to New Mexico, the dirt seemed to get redder and the ridges rose to form buttes. Along rivers and creeks, bright yellow cottonwood trees congregated in bursts of yellow. Occasionally we’d glimpse small towns and timeworn roadside attractions — a reminder that Old Route 66 basically follows Southwest Chief’s path between the West Coast and Albuquerque, N.M.
Amish in transit, elk at sunset
Travelers head toward seats at Chicago Union Station.
(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
“Living in L.A., you forget all this space,” said Kim Rinauro, a nurse from Los Feliz. “When you come out and see how vast this is, it really gives you a different perspective.”
“America is so ginormous,” said Jeanine Bass, a softball coach from Costa Mesa who was on her way to see family in upstate New York.
Meanwhile, one end of the observation car had been filled by several women in white bonnets, joined by men with straw hats, footlong beards and no mustaches. Occasionally I’d hear a sort of clapping sound. Amish families. Playing dominoes.
Amish travelers have been using this route for decades, one of the men told me, on their way to and from doctors in Tijuana. Seeking medical treatment that’s more affordable and easier to schedule than in the U.S., they take trains to Southern California, then continue overland across the border.
Just before we made a 45-minute stop at the station, which is surrounded by a grim neighborhood, an Amtrak staffer took the microphone to sternly address the coach-class travelers.
“Coaches: No alcohol,” she said. “If you bring alcohol, you can stay and spend all night here with the transients.” For those in rooms and roomettes, she continued, booze in private rooms is OK, but not in public spaces.
Farther into New Mexico, we passed the other Southwest Chief train, carrying passengers west.
Between Raton, N.M., and Trinidad, Colo., amid a gaudy sunset, we crept past a herd of elk, then plunged into a tunnel. Emerging, we caught a last bit of sunset, some of the most gorgeous miles of the trip.
Yet this, I learned later, is the part of the trip that Amtrak’s chief executive tried to replace with bus service in 2018. The effort failed and that executive is no longer in the job. But the battles in Washington over Amtrak funding and mission never end, which is why so many cars, like the Superliners on the Southwest Chief, were built between 1979 and 1996. Amtrak leaders have set a goal of replacing their older long-distance cars by 2032.
Speaking of hardware: Eventually I tried the shower. It didn’t go well. First, I saw that someone had stolen the shampoo dispenser. Then I couldn’t find a way to cool the scalding-hot water. I stood as far back as I could in the snug compartment and grimaced my way through it.
Missouri, Iowa and Illinois: The final miles
The concourse at Chicago Union Station is grand but quiet.
(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
On arrival day, I woke just as we reached the station in Kansas City, another gritty neighborhood along the tracks. Our news feeds were filled with fresh reports of nationwide flight delays because of the government shutdown.
Soon we were crossing the Missouri River, roaring through forest and skirting naked farmland where this year’s corn crop had just been cut. Then came Fort Madison, Iowa; the Mississippi River and the beginnings of Illinois. Water towers and grain elevators.
I zipped my bags shut, tipped the roomette attendant and dining car team. Soon I’d be stretching my legs at the Art Institute of Chicago, walking Millennium Park and along the Chicago River, checking out the skyline from Navy Pier.
We pulled into Union Station within an hour of our target time.
Was it a perfect trip? No. But it was full of humanity, scenery and comforting clangs and rumbles. I even liked the lurching way you had to walk down the corridors, adjusting balance as the train shifts. And then, to step off the train after two days into a brisk Chicago afternoon, 2,265 miles from home, having never left the ground? That’s almost magic.
Tracks dominate the view from the last car on the train.
Goa Police said Monday that owners of a nightclub were 25 people were killed in a fire over the weekend fled to Thailand mere hours after the blaze began. Photo by EPA
Dec. 9 (UPI) — Police investigating Sunday’s devastating Goa nightclub fire said the establishment’s owners have fled to Thailand, according to reports.
Twenty-five people were killed and six injured in the blaze at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, located in India’s southwestern coastal state of Goa.
Authorities have arrested at least four people in connection with the fire and have issued arrest warrants for nightclub owners Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, who are brothers.
A Monday statement from Goa Police said the brothers had fled to Phuket a few hours after the fire began, The Times of India and Financial Express reported.
The Luthra brothers had departed on a 5:30 a.m. local-time Sunday IndiGo flight, authorities said.
Goa Police said that after a formal complaint was recorded against them, officers raided their Delhi addresses. Lookout notices for the brothers have since been circulated by the Bureau of Immigration, Goa Police said.
Authorities are now coordinating with Interpol to arrest the two men.
The fire erupted shortly before midnight Saturday.
A magisterial inquiry into the fire found major procedural lapses by local authorities, All India Radio News reported.
Failing to seal off the premises, permitting it to operate illegally since March 2024, was named among the lapses.
