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Booking a holiday in September can often be tempting, with cheaper prices and fewer crowds, but be careful as the weather isn’t always quite as it seems

September is often advertised as the perfect time for a getaway. The heat has eased up, the prices have dropped, and you can often pick up a package deal for a bit of a bargain. Many of the destinations are still geared up for your trip there, but without the masses of families from the school holidays, the thinned-out crowds can be a dream.

One place that sums this up perfectly is the island of Capri, just off the Italian coast near Naples. With stunning views of the Mediterranean, rugged cliffs, and plenty of lemon trees, it’s the perfect place to extend your summer for a few weeks.

However, for many recent visitors to the country this September, nature crashed the party. Across Italy, violent storms and unexpected downpours have left even the sun-soaked southern islands drenched, leaving visitors battling with flooded roads, power cuts, landslides, and ferry cancellations.

Tourists hoping to dodge the worst of high-season chaos have now been caught off guard by weather that is showing no mercy.

Capri, one of Italy’s most beloved jewels, has had its share of trouble. Storms of rain have hit, sometimes dumping more than 100 millimetres in an hour, turning streets into rivers.

But before they hit the island earlier this week, when one group of tourists booked that dreamy dinner terrace overlooking the sea, it seemed safe enough until the sky decided to open up.

Just as the antipasti arrived, rain hammered down, lightning flashed, and the storm forced diners inside, leaving their pizza on the soggier side.

Posting to TikTok, the dramatic scenes were all caught by one traveller, Karim TZ, who posted a video, “They told me, go to Capri at the end of summer, it’s wonderful,” followed by videos of violent rain and floods.

In one clip, a person sat outside a restaurant, and the water can be seen barrelling down a nearby path and running straight through the outdoor seats of a restaurant. Leaving everyone submerged up to at least their ankles.

Other locals seemed completely unfazed despite the deluge, happily sipping on an Aperol Spritz as the water floods behind them.

In another clip, the ferry back to Naples can be seen bouncing up and down on the waves as the rain continues to bellow down.

If there’s one lesson from this summer in Capri, it’s that when you try to beat peak prices by travelling late, you might just be trading one risk for another.

One commenter on the video even warned: “People remember you can enjoy Italy till the 10th of September. After that, this happens.”

The rain in September doesn’t seem to be a one-off experience either, as another person posted: “Hahahah I had the same tragedy last year in the same place.”

But for anyone still looking to see the stunning suits of Capri and the Amalfi coast, make sure you check the forecast, and don’t be scared to bring a brolly.

Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas is the world’s biggest cruise ship alongside sister ship Icon of the Seas and we got a first look onboard

The world’s biggest and newest cruise ship set sail on her maiden passenger voyage – and I was lucky enough to be on board. Star of the Seas is a giant floating city with 20 decks crammed with top-notch attractions for the whole family, including a water park, swimming pools, crazy golf, theatres, an ice skating rink, 14 shops and 40 bars and restaurants.

It is so big, it feels quite odd as it will take you a few days to find your way around this monster which set sail from Port Canaveral, Florida, on Wednesday night. But after dashing around the decks, here’s a few highlights of the Royal Caribbean ship that you won’t want to miss. Thrill Island is the largest waterpark at sea with SIX record-breaking water slides.

The biggest is not for the faint-hearted but a must for the adventurous. One of its most daring features is Crown’s Edge, part skywalk and part ride 154ft above the ocean. Adrenaline-seekers navigate a suspended walkway and experience a controlled freefall before gliding down a zipline to the deck below. It is meant to test the bravery of the thrill-seeker – and it certainly does that. After all, it’s the sister ship to Icon of the Seas which is also a hit with adventurous holidaymakers.

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There’s no need to leave the ship if you fancy a bit of surfing, either. The Flow-rider is a wave machine which allows you to go “boogie boarding” and simulate real Surfing USA. Incredibly, 30,000 gallons of water a minute rush under the rider at 30mph creating a five-foot wave. Watch out for the height restrictions of 4ft 10in for stand-up surfing or 4ft 4in for boogie boarding.

If you’d rather chill than thrill head to the adults-only area at the rear of the ship – or the aft as we rookie seafarers call it. There you can relax in the suspended infinity pool and enjoy vast ocean views with a cocktail in hand while grooving to the beat of an Ibiza-style DJ. There’s also a shady bar nearby and a terrace with whirlpools.

Don’t worry about dashing to the bar for a refill. The efficient waiters will attend to your needs and keep your glasses well topped up. Chill Island is a three-deck area for holidaymakers to kick back at four pools, including the Royal Bay, the largest pool at sea. Guests can enjoy live bands while they sip on tropical cocktails from the swim-up bar called The Swim and Tonic.

The bags of entertainment for the kids and sporty types, including a spectacular mini golf course and a sports court offering five-a-side football and basketball on the top deck. Don’t worry about the ball going overboard, either, as it’s entirely covered by netting.

If you’re travelling with a young family, head for Surfside. It’s THE place to stay and play all day, however old the children are. Younger kids and toddlers will have great fun at Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay, while parents can relax nearby. There are plenty of lifeguards, constantly on full alert, so no reason to worry about their safety.

There’s a multi-level playground called Playscape, which includes a rock climbing wall, with safety harnesses provided. Just like Star of the Seas they can take cruising to another level.

You can find out more about Star on the Seas including rates and itineraries on royalcaribbean.com.

A WOMAN has revealed that she instantly fell in love with her step-brother after he moved in to the family home, and ended up pregnant with his baby.

Tookie and Krys first met as teenagers, when Krys moved back in with his mother, after years of separation.

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Tookie was already living with Krys’ mum, and was being raised as her step-daughter.

“When I first saw her I thought she was too good for me”, Krys told Love Don’t Judge.

“I didn’t talk to her because I was too nervous”.

However, Tookie was instantly attracted to Krys, describing his “nerdy” look as “sexy”.

The duo, who were 15 and 17 at the time soon grew close, and after Tookie initiated things, they began sleeping together.

“One thing led to another, and we made a baby”, Krys said.

The couple were able to keep their relationship under wraps until Tookie became pregnant.

Jamie, Krys’ mum, found out about the pregnancy after receiving a phone call from Tookie’s mum.

“I expected Tookie and Krys to behave to eachother like brother and sister”, Jamie said.

Krys had only just got back in contact with his mother when he got Tookie pregnant, and was worried their bond would become fractured again.

Jamie said she was hurt and disappointed by the actions of the pair, but still loves Tookie as a daughter.

The couple now share a daughter named Blu, who is 20 months old.

Despite his young age, Tookie said that Krys was a great help following her birth, and she didn’t have to lift a finger.

“I love the way he is, you’re a good father”, Tookie said to Krys.

Here’s why I love being a young mum

Tracy Kiss, who fell pregnant at 19, has revealed what she believes are the pros of being a young mother.

The personal trainer and blogger, from Buckinghamshire, believes women who give birth in their teens make BETTER mothers than those in their 30s.

She claims young mums snap back into shape quicker, have more energy and relate more easily to their children, meaning they’re better behaved and happier.

Tracy told Fabulous: “Women who become first-time mums in their teens make better parents than those in their 30s or 40s.

“I believe if I’d been 10 or so years older before becoming a mother then I wouldn’t have the relationship I have with my children now.

“For a start, being older I would have had less energy and therefore less patience.

“I wouldn’t be as enthusiastic to speak to people after months of sleepless nights as I was in my teens.

“My body snapped back to its pre-pregnancy size through fitness post-birth, which in turn gave me the confidence to date and find love again. I’ve never been happier than I am now at the age of 30 with two children.

“If I’d have been alone at 40 with a newborn baby I’d be more tired, less happy with my body, less energetic and far more stressed from the shock of living my life for myself instead of putting others first. Sometimes age and the innocence of ignorance is a good thing.

“As a teen mum I just got on with it, found my feet and became responsible and capable because at the time I didn’t know any different.”

The couple get lots of hate online for their unique relationship, but don’t let trolls get them down.

“If you’re still judging, then honestly, you’re miserable”, Krys said.

The Story Bridge in Brisbane is one of a handful in the world that you can climb – there’s one mistake I was warned not to make and yet instantly did it

I knew I should have listened the second I did it. “Don’t look down,” my friend advised, having just made the same mistake on our trip to Australia.

But it was too late, I was already gazing through the gaping slats 262ft (80m) down to the fast current of the river below, waves sloshing through the brown water that had me questioning why we’d opted for an activity holiday.

Head slightly spinning, I raised my eyes a little to the cars whizzing across the bridge I was precariously hanging from the top of. All very disconcerting but undeniably an experience of a lifetime. (After all, I’d already survived a kayaking trip through shark-infested waters).

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The Story Bridge in the city centre of Brisbane is one of only a few in the world that you’re able to safely climb over the top of. And while it felt precarious at the top I knew deep down I couldn’t possibly fall as I was firmly attached to a steel cable.

I just wish my head had been able to convince my pounding heart of the same. I’d been all bravado beforehand.

Living in London I’m very used to the sight of bridges so at first I didn’t worry too much – it didn’t look that high… When you’re standing at the bottom looking up at the 1,088 steps to the top however, it’s a different kettle of fish. But, after a thorough safety briefing and freshly kitted out in a very, erm, fetching jumpsuit and harness it was time to climb.

Attaching a rock-climbing style carabiner to the cable that runs the entire width of the bridge, my expert guide from the Story Bridge Adventure Climb assured us there was no chance of taking a tumble and plummeting to our deaths so, wobbly-legged, we set off up the stairs.

At first it’s hard not to just stare at the next step but soon the spectacular views begin to creep into your eyeline until after a few minutes you forget to worry and simply look around in awe.

The Brisbane river – known locally as the brown snake due to the colour from the silt at its base – can be seen winding its way through the skyscrapers of the city. And from the gantry at the pinnacle of the bridge our guide pointed out the main sights and recounted the history of the bridge itself.

Built from 1935 and originally known as the Jubilee Bridge in honour of King George V, it opened five years later to a crowd of 37,000 people. Its name was later changed to the Story Bridge in recognition of John Douglas Story who fought for it to be built to provide employment and a sense of community during the Great Depression.

It’s reasonably pricey at £75 for the two-hour tour but it’s one of remarkably few in the world that you can climb. The Sydney Harbour Bridge started the trend in 1998 and as well as the Story Bridge, you can also now climb the Matagarup Bridge in Perth, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Kobe, Japan, Auckland Bridge in New Zealand, Porto Bridge in Portugal and the bridge over the New River Gorge in West Virginia, USA (though that one goes under the bridge rather than over it).

As we headed back to more solid ground, there was a general air of elation. We had conquered our fears and done something extraordinary that we’d always remember.

You can find out more and book the Story Bridge Adventure Climb at storybridgeadventureclimb.com.au. For more information on Brisbane and Queensland visit www.queensland.com.

Do you have a story to tell us? Email us at [email protected].