island

Satellite images have captured a suspected oil slick spanning dozens of square kilometres near Iran’s Kharg Island, the country’s main oil export hub. Despite fears of a disaster, environmental observers say the slick is shrinking.

THE new EES rules have caused chaos for Brits heading on their recent holidays with reports of three-hour long queues and even cases of missed flights.

So if you’re after an easy escape to a beautiful island with no biometric requirements, there is a European country which is hitting highs of 26C next week.

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EES has been causing chaos across Europe in places like Lanzarote and Greece, but Cyprus doesn’t follow these new rules.

Cyprus is an EU member state, but isn’t part of the Schengen area, and so it didn’t have to enforce the new EES requirement.

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

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

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

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

Some of the most popular spots in Cyprus include Limassol and Paphos.

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

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

“It does Mediterranean food, but done in the style of a Dubai 5-star restaurant.

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

When it comes to eating and drinking out in Cyprus, you can pick up a beer from €3 (£2.59) and an inexpensive meal can start from €15 (£12.97).

With UK temperatures dropping and potential drizzle forecast for next week, you might want to consider booking a last-minute break – and there are still some great deals about.

With On The Beach, you can jet off to Paphos for an all-inclusive break from £440pp – or £63pppn.

This is for a seven-night stay at the Hylatio Tourist Village which has a sun terrace, outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts and entertainment nights with live music.

The site has its own restaurant and bar – and the price includes all three meals and snacks as well as flights that depart on May 11.

The complex is a short walk from the Blue Flag Pissouri Beach.

Another deal from On the Beach is at Atlantica Panthea Resort in the Larnaca region which can be booked from £455pp – or £65pppn.

Minutes from the beach, the hotel also has its own swim spots from outdoor pool to heated ones indoors.

Rooms vary from doubles to family size and suites – all with neutral decor and private balconies or terrace.

There are multiple restaurants, bars and snack spots for guests.

Flights depart London Gatwick on May 13 returning on May 20.

Brijuni National Park in Croatia is one of Europe’s most fascinating destinations – from real dinosaur footprints and an elephant gifted by Indira Gandhi to the vintage Cadillac that once carried Queen Elizabeth II

Brijuni may be one of Croatia’s tiniest islands, but it boasts one of Europe’s most extraordinary travel tales.

Situated just off the coastline near Pula, it is home to Brijuni National Park, where visitors can discover genuine dinosaur footprints, an elephant presented as a gift by Indira Gandhi, a car in which Queen Elizabeth toured the island, and the former private hideaway of Yugoslav leader Josip Broz Tito.

For many years, the island was shut off from the public on the orders of the dictator, who resided there alongside a remarkable collection of exotic animals, bestowed upon him by world leaders.

With Tito long since gone, the island now welcomes tourists. And getting there couldn’t be simpler, with direct flights from London to Pula available from May, with prices beginning at around £35–£40.

Local guide and villa rental company Villsy founder Toni Hrelja explained: “Brijuni may look like a classic Mediterranean paradise, but its history is anything but typical,” says Toni Hrelja, local guide and founder of Villsy, a villa rental company.

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“Thanks to its time as a private residence for former Yugoslav leader Tito, the islands became home to exotic animals gifted by political leaders; and today, you can still see them, or their descendants, grazing freely. It’s a bizarre, fascinating slice of history you simply wouldn’t expect in Croatia.

“Spring is one of the best times to visit, everything is green, temperatures are mild, and you avoid the peak summer crowds. You get the full experience without the heat.” Brijuni National Park comprises 14 islands, with the largest, Veliki (Big) Brijun, home to the main attractions. Despite its name, it’s fairly compact (5.6 km2), making it ideal to explore in a single day.

More than 30 animals inhabit the island, including Lanka, a 54 year old elephant. She arrived in 1972 as a gift from former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and is renowned for her calm nature and engagement with visitors.

The zebras represent another legacy of the Non-Aligned Movement, a herd presented in the 1960s by an African leader.

One of Tito’s most cherished pets still resides on the island: Koki, an African grey parrot with a notoriously mischievous personality. Famous for “talking” to tourists, he’s equally likely to catch visitors off guard with the odd insult. He is also known for shouting “Tito! Tito! Tito”.

Alongside these star animals, the safari also features ostriches, llamas, Somali sheep and Indian cattle (zebu).

The animals serve as the walking and (talking) legacy of Tito, but there’s one mechanical memento of the dictator’s era.

If you’re prepared to spend a bit extra, you can hire a ride in a vintage Cadillac Eldorado, presented to Josip Broz Tito by Croatian emigrants in Canada. The 1953 convertible remains in immaculate condition and continues to be one of the park’s most sought-after attractions. “Tito used it to drive around the island, but what makes it special is who sat in it. Leaders like Indira Gandhi and Queen Elizabeth II were among its passengers,” Toni added.

“Once you’ve explored the safari, it’s time to discover the island’s other highlights. I recommend taking the tourist train (especially if you’re with kids), hiring a bicycle or a small electric golf cart. One of my favourite spots is the pine tree avenue.”

These pine trees are more than 100 years old and soar to heights of up to 25 metres, forming a striking landscape.

Brijuni boasted a fascinating history long before it became a political haven for Non-Aligned Movement leaders. During the 5th and 6th centuries, the islands served as a crucial strategic outpost for the Byzantine Empire.

“The Byzantine remains are another fantastic spot for photography and offer a glimpse into the island’s layered history. The ruins look like a giant stone puzzle,” Toni said.

Gandhi’s elephant isn’t the largest creature to have roamed Brijuni. The islands contain over 200 genuine dinosaur footprints, dating back approximately 130 million years to the Early Cretaceous period.

Croatia is a short-haul destination, roughly a 2.5-hour flight from the UK. From May onwards, reaching Brijuni is straightforward, with direct flights from London to Pula available from around £35 with easyJet, Jet2 and Ryanair.

Direct flights also operate from Birmingham and Bristol. Pula Airport sits 13 kilometres from Fažana, the port where travellers can board a boat to the national park.

The most convenient way to purchase tickets for Brijuni National Park is online. Guided tours generally cost approximately £30–£35 for adults and roughly £13 for children, depending on the season, with marginally reduced prices in spring.

Lodging is available on the island, spanning from hotel rooms to luxury villas, although many tourists opt to base themselves on the mainland and rent a villa in Istria, treating Brijuni as a day trip.

YOU’VE heard of PortAventura, Efteling and Europa-Park, but there’s another European theme park that has just completed a 10-year makeover.

The little-known Walibi Rhône-Alpes attraction is just outside of the city of Lyon in France and has just reopened for the season with new attractions.

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The paradise-looking Exotic Island based on the Pacific Islands like Fiji and Papua New Guinea has had a €4.5million (£3.8million) upgrade, installing a family ride, adventure trail and botanical maze.

Its new family attraction is called RépaR’ Ta Kar and is said to be the ‘first-of-its-kind in Europe‘.

The attraction will be themed around a 4×4’s and be between the high-speed Mahuka rollercoaster and the park’s Tiki Village.

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The ride is described as having “off-road vehicles that bounce, rotate, and spin in a chaotic mechanical frenzy.”

Also ready to be explored this year are new walkthrough experiences at Exotic Island.

L’Expédition Perdue (which translated is The Lost Expedition) is a multi-level adventure trail with bridges, slides and climbing challenges.

Le Passage Oublié (The Forgotten Passage) is a sensory maze with underground tunnels.

This upgrade has been part of an overhaul that has been taking place since 2016 at the cost of €50million (£43.2million) – which has been marked by the completion of Exotic Island.

The French theme park has 36 attractions, shows, rollercoasters like Mahuka, Mystic, and Timber – and is divided into three themed zones.

These include Explorer Adventure which is themed around North America with a swinging ship and lazy river ride.

The Festival City zone is New Orleans-themed where visitors enter the ‘party world’.

Here are the likes of a traditional carousel, train and a swing ride.

The park that first opened in 1979 has attractions for children from age three and up, with family-friendly rides and some for the thrill-seekers.

Some of the biggest include the Mystic rollercoaster which has a 31metre vertical climb and top speed of 52.8mph.

Another is Mahuka which is a rollercoaster themed around escaping an abandoned temple.

Then there’s Le Totem, a high-impact drop tower which can be found in Festival City.

It has 12 food and drinks spots as well as shops throughout the park.

The shows include Les Plongeurs de l’Extrême where divers perform daring stunts and jump off platforms as high as 27metres.

At another show, the park’s mascot, Walibi, makes an appearance with meet and greet opportunities for children.

Visitors often leave happy reviews on Tripadvisor, one wrote: “A great park that improves year after year!”

Another described it as “a great park for the whole family.”

Theme park tickets start from €29 (£25.06) – if booked up to five days before the visit.

With Wizz Air, Brits can fly from London Luton Airport to Lyon from £16 in June.

From there, the theme park is around a one-hour drive away.

WHEN Brits choose to have a staycation, most will head down to Cornwall or Devon for their beautiful beaches, but there’s a ‘secret’ isle that has just as much to offer – or possibly more.

The Isle of Wight is the largest island off the south coast of England and Darragh Gray has holidayed there almost 100 times – speaking to Sun Travel, he reveals his favourite beaches and where you can find the UK’s only blue sparkling wine.

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Originally from Northern Ireland, Darragh’s family made the journey to the island every summer during the school holidays from when he was three-years-old.

Darragh explained: “I’ve been going as long as I can remember, every summer as a child we’d drive to Hampshire and take a ferry over.

“As a kid it always felt magical, like going to a secret island – and I fell in love with the landscape, the coastline and if anything, it’s only deepened as I’ve gotten older.”

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When the school holidays ended, Darragh continues to visit and has been to the island almost 100 times – he already has four trips planned for this year.

He added: “Even though it’s a really short ferry journey, it feels like going to a different world. It looks and feels like England, with a hint of the exotic.

“Parts of it almost feel Mediterranean. A lot of people say it’s like stepping back in time and I think there’s a lot in that.

“It’s full of history with its old buildings and villages, but it also has a vintage feel and a slower pace of life – but in saying that, it doesn’t feel stuck in the past.

“There are great restaurants, attractions and lots of lovely places to stay.”

The Isle of Wight is the largest island off the south coast and can be reached in as little as a 22-minute ride on the Wightlink ferry from Hampshire.

It doesn’t take long to explore the Isle of Wight as you can drive from one end to the other in one hour – but Darragh says there are so many places to explore in the middle, and around the coast.

When it comes to beaches, Darragh suggests heading to West Wight, the rural, western coastal region with dramatic cliffs and sandy beaches.

Darragh said: “Compton Bay is a lovely spot that feels remote, and you can go fossil hunting on the beach.

“Freshwater Bay is interesting because on a stormy day it looks wild with huge waves on the edge of the Atlantic – but on a calm summer’s day, you can feel like you’re on a Greek island.”

The Isle of Wight also has busier beaches with shores for building sandcastles and propping up windbreaks for a picnic.

“If you’re looking for a beach with all the fun of the traditional seaside – you can’t beat Sandown. It has miles of sand that run from a pier at one end to the cliffs at the other.

“Another great spot is a beach resort called Ventnor, which has the striking red and gold sand and shingle; that’s a lovely one to visit.”

When it comes to grabbing a bite to eat, there are plenty of pubs on the island – but some of Darragh’s favourites are two you might not naturally stumble upon.

“What I love about the pubs on the island is there’s so many beautiful historic ones and lots with awesome sea views.

“In Shanklin, tucked under the cliffs, is the Fisherman’s Cottage; it’s a lovely pub away from the main beach – sitting on the patio is one of my favourite places to be.

“On the south side of the island, in Ventnor, is the Buddle Inn, which dates back to the 16th century and used to be a spot for smugglers back in its day. It’s lovely to sit by the fire in the winter, or in the garden in the summer.”

When it comes to food, the Isle of Wight makes a lot of its own produce from tasty tomatoes to fresh seafood, and uniquely, blue wine.

“There’s one commercial vineyard on the island called Adgestone, and what you can buy from there is sparkling wine: white, red, and blue.

“I once took the wine to a barbecue and everyone was fascinated by it.

“The colour blue comes from the skin of the grapes, and I don’t know how they do it – but it’s an incredible turquoise-blue colour – it’s very tasty.”

Of course a trip to the Isle of Wight wouldn’t be complete without at least one chippy tea.

Darragh told us: “There are two I really like, the Happy Haddock in Shanklin, and Stotesburys in Newport – both are great value for money.

“For ice cream, there’s a fantastic Victorian ice cream parlour in Ventnor called Crave – they make a whole range of ice cream on site every day.

“There’s also a family business called Minghella, which has been going for years, and they make delicious ice cream. Their ginger ice cream is incredible.”

Places to stay on the island range from boutique hotels to Airbnbs, but another option is its holiday parks.

There are around 20 holiday parks on the island, some small, and others like Parkdean and Away Resorts, which offer affordable stays – Darragh has even booked week-long off-peak stays from £41.

And if you’re thinking about booking your own trip over to the isle and are wondering which season is best, Darragh has some advice.

“I go at all times of the year, and I love to see the island during different seasons.

During the winter, not everything is open, and it can be a bit more of a challenge getting about, especially on the buses.

“But it’s so lovely, quiet, and peaceful, and I would say if you have some time off and you’re worrying about if you’ll be bored during the winter, I’d say no – you can also get some great deals on accommodation.

“My favourite time, though, is around now, early spring and early summer. Everything’s green, there are lots of wildflowers, and it doesn’t have the summer holiday traffic.

“September into October is a lovely time to go, you still haven’t gotten into the depths of winter. It’s brilliant all year round.

“Even in peak summer, I’m always amazed, you don’t have to go too far for peace and quiet, there are so many hidden corners on the island to be discovered.”

THIS stunning Irish island has rugged coastal walks, homemade goat’s cheese and some of the best wildlife spotting in the country.

Cape Clear Island lies just eight miles off the coast of West Cork and is Ireland’s most southerly inhabited Gaeltacht island.

Visitors can reach the remote spot by ferry from Baltimore, with the journey taking around 40 minutes.

The island is known for its sparkling waters, dramatic coastline and wildlife-filled seas, where dolphins, whales and basking sharks can often be spotted.

And once on land, visitors can explore walking trails, visit the famous goat farm or enjoy a pint and a bite to eat before catching the ferry home.

Ferry tickets to the remote island start at just €9 for children’s tickets.

Cape Clear Island is three miles long and one mile wide.

As a Gaeltacht island, the majority of people living there speak Irish, or Gaeilge.

Adult return tickets from Baltimore to Cape Clear cost €20, while children’s tickets cost €9.

There are also special family packages, including two adults and two children, for €50 return.

The island is a popular destination during the summer months with secondary school students looking to improve their Irish language skills on immersion courses.

The hillsides are covered in heather, gorse and other wildflowers, while the water sparkles beneath.

While on the ferry, passengers have a good chance of spotting wildlife beneath the waves.

Dolphins, basking sharks and even whales are known to frequent the waters surrounding Cape Clear.

From higher ground on the island, harmless basking sharks can often be seen lazily gliding through the waters close to shore.

And a number of companies provide boat tours specifically for dolphin and whale watching.

GOAT FARM

Once you’re on the island, there’s plenty to do to keep busy — including visiting the Cape Clear Goat Farm, or Cléire Goats.

The quaint farm was established in 1979 and is located near the Cape Clear Heritage Centre.

Visitors can meet the friendly goats and try delicious homemade goat’s cheese and ice cream.

And if visitors attend the farm between 10am and 12pm, they’ll get a chance to see the goats being milked.

There’s also the main heritage centre, the Fastnet Rock Lighthouse, which can be toured, and a world-renowned birdwatching observatory to visit.

There are also plenty of places to go for a paddle in the sea, or to kayak further out.

And on land, there are a number of walking routes that allow visitors to explore every inch of the island’s beauty.

FOOD AND ACCOMMODATION

Cape Clear has a small number of restaurants and bars that provide hearty meals and drinks.

There’s a farmers’ market every Sunday, a small grocery shop and a tourist shop.

Many people who visit the island choose to do a day trip, arriving on the ferry in the morning and leaving again in the evening.

But for those hoping to stay overnight, there are some accommodation options.

There are a few apartments, cottages and houses to rent.

There is also the Chléire Haven glamping site, which is a family-friendly camping site open from April to September.

There’s the Ard na Gaoithe B&B, which provides an early breakfast for guests and encourages Irish speaking.

There’s also Cape Clear Hostel.

The Greek island is known for its tranquil atmosphere, exceptionally clear waters, and the chance to explore Europe’s largest marine protected area

A beautiful island with crystal clear waters and impeccable vibes has been named the most relaxed place for a holiday.

It’s a mad old world out there at the moment. And during mad old times, heading to a hectic, vibrant, crowd-filled holiday destination may not be at the top of everyone’s list.

If you’re looking for somewhere where the pace is slow and the atmosphere is calm, then Alonissos is the place.

The Greek island is known for its tranquil atmosphere, exceptionally clear waters, and the chance to explore Europe’s largest marine protected area. As the most remote of the Northern Sporades islands, it offers an authentic, laid-back experience far from the bustling crowds of nearby Skiathos.

The travel experts at Solmar Villas analysed over 160 global destinations to crown Alonissos as the most relaxing places for a chilled-out summer holiday in 2026, noting its lack of crowds, beautiful nature, the slow pace of life and its lovely climate.

Melissa, a travel blogger, recently visited the island and fell in love with it. She wrote: “Alonissos is one of those places you feel. It ended up being my favourite of the three islands I visited. It’s quiet, a little wild, totally underrated. Out of all the Sporades islands, it’s the furthest out, which probably explains why it’s still kind of a hidden gem. It’s way less touristic and definitely more laid back than islands like Mykonos. No cruise ship crowds, no overpriced cocktails. I paid on average 9€ for my Aperol Spritz, where in Mykonos, that’s gonna cost double.”

What to do in Alonissos?

First and foremost, time spent in Alonissos is best spent relaxing, kicking back on the beach and dreamily gazing into the middle distance. But if you do feel the need to do something, there is plenty to choose from. Including:

• National Marine Park: A 2,200 km/sq haven for biodiversity, home to the critically endangered Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus).
• You can take boat tours to uninhabited islets like Kyra Panagia, which features a 12th-century monastery.
• World-class diving and snorkelling: Alonissos is home to the “Parthenon of Shipwrecks” at Peristera, Greece’s first underwater museum, where divers can view thousands of ancient amphorae at 30m depth. The water is so clear that visibility can reach up to 50 metres.
• The charming old town of Chora: Perched on a hilltop with 360° views, the postcard-perfect Old Town was painstakingly restored after a 1965 earthquake and is filled with cobbled alleys and flowering balconies.
• Its pristine beaches: Agios Dimitrios, striking “horn-shaped” pebble beach with vivid turquoise water, Kokkinokastro, known for its dramatic red cliffs and deep blue sea, and Chrisi Milia: The island’s only golden sandy beach, featuring shallow waters ideal for families.
• Eco-tourism and nature: The island is a magnet for hikers, with over 40 km of signposted trails that lead through dense pine forests and olive groves to secluded bays. Alonissos is also a pioneer in sustainability, being one of the first Greek islands to go plastic-bag-free.

The findings revealed that Greece stands out as the best country to visit for relaxation in 2026, with destinations across the Greek islands and mainland dominating the rankings. In fact, 70% of the top 10 destinations are located in Greece, highlighting the country’s strong appeal for travellers seeking a more peaceful summer holiday this year.

There is no airport on Alonissos. To get there you need to travel by ferry from the nearest airports, which are on Skiathos (2.5 hrs by ferry) or at mainland Volos (3-4.5 hours by ferry). You can also fly to Athens or Thessaloniki and continue via internal flight or ferry.

AFTER five years of being shut-off, one small island off the coast of Montenegro is set to reopen, as is its luxury resort.

Called Sveti Stefan, the pretty spot has been closed for half a decade due to backlash from locals.

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A few miles away from Montenegro‘s town of Budva is the small and beautiful island of Sveti Stefan which is home to a luxury resort, Aman Sveti Stefan.

The hotel is accessible only to its guests who have to walk across a small strip of land which connects it to the mainland.

Historically, the island has been popular with celebrity clientele like Marilyn Monroe, Princess Margaret and Brad Pitt.

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But the hotel closed back in 2021 due to a dispute between the property operator and locals over access to its public beaches.

When the hotel first opened in 2009, it made its surrounding beaches including Miločer Beach (King’s Beach) and Queen’s Beach accessible to its guests only.

Access for locals was made difficult with the luxury resort charging high fees around €200 (£172.63) for sunbeds and umbrellas.

However, these had historically been free for all to enjoy with space for locals to lay down a towel.

Restriction of the beaches caused a lot of backlash and there were even protests back in 2021.

The dispute between locals and the hotel ended up with the temporary closure of the resort which stretched on for five years.

In 2023, Europa Nostra, the European Voice of Civil Society committed to Cultural Heritage, said: “The Montenegro State has almost half privatised this national treasure and disenfranchised its own citizens from their own public domain.

“Public access to Sveti Stefan old town and other parts of the site has been forbidden, even during winter months when the hotel is closed, making it impossible for locals and non-hotel guest tourists to enjoy this cultural landscape.”

Five years on and the hotel operator, Aman, has confirmed the island retreat in Montenegro will be reopen on July 1, 2026.

The luxury resort still looks like a small village, and is made up of hand-restored stone cottages and suites all updated with modern furnishings.

Some of the more luxurious suites even have private swimming pools, courtyards and terraces.

Stays include a daily breakfast, in-room refreshments and access to snorkelling equipment and paddle boards.

A stay in the Deluxe Cottage which is based on an original island home starts from €2,973 (£2,566.12) per night.

The resort has a mainland retreat called Villa Miločer, that and its Aman Spa will welcome guests back on May 22, 2026.

As for its surrounding beaches, these are open to the public once more with free access – but there are no shower, changing cabins or toilets.

For anyone who wants a glimpse of Sveti Stefan, the nearest airport is Tivat which is a three-hour direct flights from the UK and as little as £38 each way with easyJet.

The Koh Phi Phi islands in Thailand deliver some of the most breathtaking scenery you’re ever likely to see, but they’ve also struggled with overtourism issues since featuring in Danny Boyle’s The Beach

An alarming crowd scene on the shores of one of the world’s most famous coastlines has raised overtourism concerns.

The Koh Phi Phi islands in Thailand deliver some of the most breathtaking scenery you’re ever likely to see. Sat in the Andaman Sea, they’re made up of dramatic limestone cliffs and white sand bays surrounded by turquoise waters filled with tropical fish.

The islands have long been popular among tourists, but particularly so since they starred in Danny Boyle’s The Beach.

The success of the film has been a disaster for the pristine, idyllic beach that gives the flick its name. Each year huge numbers travel to Koh Phi Phi’s Maya Bay, where it was shot, to bask in its impossibly blue waters and sunbathe on the golden sands.

Today, the reality of the Thai destination could not be further from the slice of paradise at the heart of the film.

A recent video from Koh Phi Phi shows a crowd of hundreds of sunseekers, packed shoulder to shoulder. They appear to be close to the dock, not yet having arrived at Maya Bay.

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OPINION

Liam Gilliver

The video has been met with negativity on Reddit, where it was posted. “Nothing about that looks fun,” one user wrote. Another added: “Absolutely not worth going. I went last month and it was so crowded it just wasn’t fun. At all.” A third wrote: “What a nightmare.”

Koh Tours, which offers trips around the archipelago, recently wrote a blog post about the situation there, explaining that efforts to tackle overtourism had proved difficult.

“Koh Phi Phi Leh — the smaller, uninhabited island with Maya Bay — was famously closed for three years after The Beach tourism wrecked the coral and stressed out the blacktip reef sharks,” the post reads.

“They reopened it in January 2022 with timed entries, boat limits, no overnight stays, no sunscreen allowed in the water. It’s genuinely better than it was in 2018. But it’s not quiet. A ‘boat limit’ of a couple of hundred visitors at a time still means a couple of hundred people standing in the same shallow bay.

According to Koh Tours, the archipelago’s other main island, Koh Phi Phi Don, also suffers from crowds.

“Koh Phi Phi Don is genuinely crowded. Not ‘it gets a bit busy in peak season’ crowded. Actually crowded. The village on Tonsai Bay — which is basically the whole flat part of the island between the two bays — packs in more foot traffic per square metre than most Thai cities,” the post continues.

Jub Yata is a destination manager at Intrepid Travel, a firm which specialises in sustainable tourism.

“Right now, you just walk around, you take the photos, then you have to leave. Everyone wants to see the beach from the DiCaprio film. It is beautiful, I can’t deny, but there are too many people,” she said of Maya Bay.

Jub works with Intrepid to take tourists to Thailand in a more responsible way that doesn’t overwhelm the most popular destinations. In recent years, this has meant visits to Koh Thap, Koh Poda, and Koh Khai.

Koh Thap is one of the most popular offshore islands around Krabi – a region in the west of Thailand, just across from Phuket. Most island-hopping tours come here to witness and photograph the amazing parting of the seas.

At low tide, a stretch of sand emerges from the waters, linking the larger landmass known as Chicken Island to Koh Mor and Koh Thap. The phenomenon is commonly referred to as Talay Waek, which means divided sea.

Koh Poda is a particularly quiet and tranquil place. One Intrepid traveller said that the island “felt like a completely deserted Robinson Crusoe island”.

Meanwhile, Koh Khai in Phuket is the most built-up and well-visited of the three islands included in the Intrepid tour. Made up of three small islands – Khai Nok, Khai Nai and Khai Nui – it is easy to hop from one island to the next, even in the space of just half a day. Khai Nai is the biggest of the three and has spectacular views and a white sandy beach which makes it perfect for snorkelling and swimming.

The Channel 4 show’s newest surrogate partner therapist may look familiar to some viewers

Risdon Roberts it the newest addition to Virgin Island’s therapy team, but some fans may recognise her.

She is appearing on the Channel 4 show as a surrogate partner therapist, a professional who can offer two-way touch with the cast and even engage in full sex if deemed appropriate. She is the third so-called ‘sex surrogate’ on the show alongside Kat Slade, 35, and Andre Lazarus, 42.

In tonight’s episode (May 4) fans will get a glimpse at Risdon’s work with 25-year-old accountant Tegan, with the pair trying out directed gazing. This involves staring at different parts of the body in a bid to stir up feelings of desire.

As Risdon gets more screen time, fans may be curious about the star’s background and her path to appearing on the Channel 4 reality series. Here’s everything to know.

How old is Risdon Roberts?

Risdon is 42 years old and was born in Japan. She is same age as fellow surrogate partner therapist, Andre, who she already knew before the show.

She is usually based in Los Angeles where she works as a surrogate partner therapist and an intimacy expert, also advising for events, film and TV. Her specialism is working with people new to intimacy, experiencing sexual dysfunction or who are coming out later in life. She herself identifies as a queer woman.

Explaining she she signed up for Season 2, she shared: “I was very impressed with Kat [Slade] on the show and how the show supported her when the work with one of her clients shifted, as that is something that comes up a lot in Surrogate Partner Therapy.

“Seeing Kat’s incredible work on the first season really inspired me to want to participate. Andre and I have been friends and colleagues for years as well, so his positive experience during the first season was a major reason why I signed on.”

She added: “As a queer woman I also appreciated how there was so much room on the show for the cast to explore their divergent identities, attractions, and sexualities. I also really enjoyed the sex education elements of the show because those are some of my favourite parts of the work.”

Why does Risdon Roberts look familiar?

If fans recognise Risdon already, it’s likely due to her background in acting. She started her career in film and TV and trained as an intimacy coordinator before switching to her current career path.

Her first big acting role was in the online web series, Bite Me, in which she starred as a character called Lauren. The show centred around three gamers who try and survive a zombie outbreak using their gaming skills.

According to her IMDB page, her most recent TV work outside of Virgin Island is a 2017 TV mini series titled This Place Is Weird where she is credited as ‘Risdon’ as well as an appearance as ‘Lulu’ in 2023 comedy short, Surprise!

Virgin Island airs Monday and Tuesday nights at 9pm on Channel 4.

There’s a tiny island in the Ionian Sea, just south of Paxos and off the coast of Corfu, that boasts some of Greece’s bluest waters – here’s how to get there and make the most of your visit

If you’re dreaming of crystal-clear, azure waters but aren’t keen on venturing beyond Europe, then this “little-known” Greek island could be just the ticket for your travels this year or next. You may not be able to base yourself on this island for your entire holiday, but a visit to soak up its breathtaking scenery is well worth it.

The Greece List revealed that this island boasts some of the “bluest water in Greece,” making it an absolute paradise for swimming enthusiasts and snorkelling fans alike. However, they caution that “getting there and doing it right makes all the difference,” which is why they’ve put together a handy guide to help visitors make the most of their time on the island.

The island in question is Antipaxos, a “tiny island just south of Paxos,” situated “off the coast of Corfu in the Ionian sea”. So, if you can’t actually stay there, how do you go about getting there and back? Fortunately, they’ve got that covered too.

They suggest joining a boat tour departing from either Paxos or Corfu, which is the most popular way to reach this stunning island.

When booking a boat tour, however, if you’re hoping to take a dip, ensure the excursion includes a dedicated swimming and exploration stop.

Alternatively, you could take the ferry to Paxos first, before hiring a small taxi boat in Gaios town.

Alternatively, for those with the budget, the “best option” is to hire a private boat or self-drive boat from Paxos, as it offers “full flexibility” and allows you to spend the day entirely on your own terms.

Once there, the must-see spots are the main beaches — Voutoumi Beach, and Vrika and Mesovrika Beach. Voutoumi is the “famous one” boasting “almost neon turquoise water”, while the other is “sandy, shallow, and easier for relaxing and swimming,” so it largely comes down to your preferences and how you wish to spend your time.

Visitors note that the “water is insanely clear,” though they caution that it becomes extremely crowded around midday when tour boats arrive in force, so it’s worth reserving sunbeds if you’re after a settled base for the day.

The ideal time to visit is either early morning or late afternoon, once the large tour boats have moved on.

There are a few other things worth bearing in mind — there are “beach clubs and taverns, but in the summer they fill up,” and while technically you can stay overnight on the island, accommodation options are limited and the island “lacks infrastructure”. So if a beach club is high on your agenda, arrive early or book well ahead.

Bear in mind that tour boats only stop for a short while, so if you’re eager to properly explore at your own pace, hiring your own boat is the way to go, and it means you can discover the “hidden coves” too.

In the comments section, others praised it as “amazing,” saying they “loved” it and declaring that “Greek islands are the best”.

One person enquired: “Which is the most WOW? Paxos or Antipaxos for beaches and for children? Which is less touristy?” The response came back: “Paxos is the one to stay at and then take trips to Antipaxos”.

WITHIN minutes of landing at Madeira’s Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport, we were picked up by . . . Ronaldo.  

No, not that one, but a taxi driver who said he was actually named after former US President Ronald Reagan, not the footballer. 

And he wasted no time in pointing out one of the island’s most famous landmarks, another Ronaldo.  

The bronze statue of the footballer outside the Pestana CR7 hotel in Funchal, the island’s main town, is certainly memorable — not necessarily for the reasons the sculptor intended.  

The two-metre, 800kg statue has a noticeably polished groin. Rubbing this delicate spot is meant to bring good luck, so it was obviously important I gave it a try.  

But Madeira — a Portuguese archipelago in the North Atlantic — isn’t just a shrine to football greatness, it’s been attracting Brits long before free kicks and trophies.  

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According to our wonderfully knowledgeable guide, Graca Lopes, Victorians flocked here in the 19th Century for health reasons.  

Madeira’s mild, subtropical climate (16C to 22C year round) and pure air make it ideal for respiratory health. The wild volcanic views, lush forests and fresh sea air are great for mental health and longevity too. Anti- ageing and an escape from rainy Britain? Count me in!  

I’d heard Madeira described, slightly unfairly, as a haven for “energetic retirees with hiking poles”. And yes, there are plenty of older people and spectacular walks, but there’s definitely more on offer too. 

Madeira is surprisingly compact. At 35 miles long and 14 miles wide, it’s roughly the same size as Greater Manchester. 

The roads twist and climb at angles, often narrowing to only the width of a decent hallway. There is fun to be had on these winding roads on the island’s famous — and slightly bonkers — toboggan ride.  

It involves a wicker basket hurtling down steep streets from hilltop area Monte, steered by two men in straw hats using nothing but their shoes as brakes. It’s in equal parts terrifying and hilarious but in the 19th Century it was the quickest way to travel.  

There are plenty of other adventures to be had in Madeira. A Jeep safari along the rugged northeast coast, with AdventureLand tours, shows off the island at its most dramatic. 

One minute the open-sided truck is climbing steep, muddy tracks, the next you are looking out over sheer cliffs to the vast swathes of the Atlantic.  

The tour also includes a chance to admire the unique triangular-shaped houses at Santana with their traditional, red, white and blue paintwork and steep, thatched roofs. 

There’s whale and dolphin watching too. We spent the morning with Rota dos Cetaceos Tours. A marine biologist on board explained more about these incredible creatures. 

And for some of the most stunning beaches I’ve seen, take a day trip over to the neighbouring island of Porto Santo. It’s a two and a half hour ferry ride away but you’ll be rewarded with incredible beaches, including Calheta Beach, with its 9km of soft sands surrounded by unique rock formations. 

These adventures were complemented by our gorgeous base, The Vine, a sleek, stylish boutique hotel in the centre of Funchal. 

The interior design is inspired by wine. The furniture mimics twisted vines, there are grape-purple fabrics and the spa offers vinotherapy massages and facials.

The five-star hotel’s rooftop has a pool, Bali beds and bar, along with stunning views of the bay.

We took a walking tour of the town with guide Gracia. The cobbled streets lead to sea views and every corner seems to involve either food, history or both.  

One must-see is The Painted Doors of Rua de Santa Maria — where artists decorated 200 of the street’s doors as it rises to the church of Santa Maria Maior. 

In the picturesque fishing village of Câmara de Lobos we had lunch at the Restaurante Vila do Peixe. With incredible views, customers can choose fish fresh from the counter. The platter is around £35. 

Another traditional treat is the tipple ­poncha. According to locals it’s the answer to any problems life can throw at you. 

Got a cold? Poncha. Heartbreak? Poncha. Existential dread? Double poncha. 

By day two I was fairly certain it could also strip paint and power small machinery. 

We had dinners at various restaurants including the Three House Bake — a boutique hotel, restaurant and rooftop bar with a DJ and BBQ in Funchal town.  

The Jard.in Magnólia in Quinta Magnólia, a 19th Century estate with huge botanical gardens, served up a great steak and seabass with lime risotto, with prices from around £22 for a main.

But Avista, probably the poshest restaurant in Funchal, set on a clifftop, was sensational.

The staff were incredible and the food was too. We had a seven-course pairing menu that featured Algarve red prawns, black Angus steak tartare and a chocolate tangerine dessert. 

The tasting menu isn’t cheap, at around £80pp, but it’s definitely one for a special celebration.  

Our final day saw us exploring a levada walk — unique hiking experiences using Madeira’s 1,350miles of 15th Century irrigation channels that now double as scenic trails.  

There’s a huge variety of walks that promise strolls among lush forests, dramatic mountain scenery and stunning waterfalls. 

Among the most popular is the Levada das 25 Fontes, a popular trail near Rabaçal leading to a cascading waterfall lagoon. 

And then, just like that, it was time to leave. A final breakfast, a last look at the sea, and I’m back at the airport half expecting Ronaldo (either one) to wave me off.

Sadly, neither does. But Madeira has already done enough to win me over. 

CHOOSING which island to visit in Greece can be hard – so why not head to Greece’s last ‘secret’ island no crowds?

Koufonisia is a pair of islands – Ano Koufonisi, which is inhabited, and Kato Koufonisi, which isn’t inhabited and is more rugged.

If you head to Ano Koufonisi, you’ll still only find a few hundred locals and most people get around via water taxis or walk along the scenic paths that crisscross over the island.

According to Greeka.com, the two-square-mile Koufonisi boasts “unreal turquoise waters, glittering sand, a laid-back atmosphere” and has even been compared to the “Greek Maldives”.

The most popular beach is Ammos, which sits at the edge of the main town – or Chora, as it is known in Greece.

If you want something more romantic though, make sure to visit Natural Pool, which sits between Platia Poundra and Pori.

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One recent visitor said: “It’s like nature’s own infinity pool, perfect for a refreshing dip.”

You can also head to The Devil’s Eye, which is a small, low-roofed cave with a hole in the rock floor where currents in the water will suck the sea in and out, often creating a loud noise.

A third spot near Pori is Gala Beach, which translates to ‘milk’ in Greek and where you will see the water turned to white as it hits against the limestone cave walls.

The beach is hidden away in a collapsed sea cave, and to get to it, you have to walk through a rocky passage.

In the main town, which has the same name as the island, you will find lots of places to stay, but mainly guesthouses.

For example, you could stay at Apollon Studios, which looks like it has been ripped out of the Mamma Mia films.

You can catch a ferry from the main town to other islands as well, such as Amorgos or Donousa.

You can make a day trip to the wilder twin, Kato Koufonisi, and in fact, the entire island has one taverna called Venetsanos where you can try fish and goat stews.

Nero Beach can also be found on Kato Koufonisi, which compared to the beaches on Ano Koufonisi’s beaches is more rugged and natural.

To get to Ano Koufonisi, you’ll need to fly to Santorini and then hop on a ferry to the island, which takes less than two hours.

For more places to explore in Greece, here are our top five Greek islands with white-washed houses and pretty beaches as Emily in Paris heads to Greece.

JUST weeks after Mimii Ngulube revealed she was in a fresh relationship, The Sun can reveal the identity of her hunky new man.

The Love Island winner hard-launched her other half by sharing a TikTok dance clip with him this week, but fans have been wondering who the man behind the screen really is.

Mimii’s new boyfriend, Denzel, keeps a much lower-profile than the reality star and has just 2.3K followers on Instagram – with little about him on the internet.

The pair have been getting close over recent months, and a source tells The Sun that the smitten couple are “really happy” after making their romance official.

They revealed: “Mimii and Denzel are really happy together.

“She keeps a fairly low profile compared to a lot of the Love Island winners, so for her to hard launch him on her socials means she is definitely smitten.

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“He is a good guy, with good values. He is very religious, as is Mimi, so they have that in common.

“Friends have commented how she hasn’t been this happy in ages and it’s great to see her with such a huge smile on her face.”

In March, Mimii first revealed that she was seeing someone new as she dubbed Denzel “Mr. Mimii”.

However, she kept details to a minimum, other than revealing he treated her to some luxury birthday gifts.

But in Mimii’s latest TikTok, fans finally got a glimpse into the romance as she danced whilst Denzel was spotted busting a move in the frame behind her.

However, she still refrained from naming or tagging Denzel, who has around 2,000 followers on Instagram and is thought to hail from Kent.

Mimii won Love Island in 2024 with her ex Josh Oyinsan.

However, the pair split shortly after appearing on the show as they failed to make things work outside of the villa.

Whilst the ITV2 show may not have found her lasting love, Mimii has, however, maintained friendships with several her co-stars.

Showing they approve of her new romance, a number of Mimii’s fellow Love Islanders commented on her new TikTok with Denzel.

“Ugh YES You’re GLOWING,” wrote Uma Jammeh.

While Matilda Draper wrote: “love this for u”.

HAVANA — Cubans hunched over tables this month to sign up for the socialist government’s campaign to support national sovereignty and defy the U.S. as tensions between the countries escalate.

They are endorsing “My signature for the Homeland” movement, which President Miguel Díaz-Canel launched earlier this month.

The initiative is mocked by some who question why people stood in line to sign when hunger and poverty are growing across the island, while supporters say it serves as a warning to the U.S. that civilians want peace but will not back down despite recent threats of invasion.

“Anything for the revolution,” said Rodolfo Ruiz, 64, who sells sunglasses and other items out of his home in Havana. He said he signed last week because of President Trump’s ongoing comments over Cuba, “so that he may hear and know that we are willing to defend our sovereignty.”

“Watch out, Trump. Think before you invade Cuba, think carefully. The people are prepared,” Ruiz said.

In January, Trump signed an executive order asserting that the “policies, practices, and actions of the Government of Cuba constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat,” something Cuban officials have repeatedly scoffed at.

Trump has referred to the island as a “failing nation” and suggested a “friendly takeover.”

“We may stop by Cuba after we’re finished with this,” he said in mid-April, referring to the war in Iran.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio — the son of Cuban immigrants who fled before the revolution — has called for “new people in charge” of Cuba.

“It is absurd for the State Department to claim that Cuba — a relatively small, developing country subjected to a brutal economic war — could pose a threat to the world’s greatest military, technological, and economic power,” Cuban Foreign Affairs Minister Bruno Rodríguez wrote in a post on X on Wednesday.

Díaz-Canel has said he does not want military aggression, but noted that Cuba has a duty to prepare to avoid it, and if necessary, defeat it.

Havana resident Delfina Hernández said she would stand shoulder to shoulder with Cubans to fight a U.S. energy blockade, a sharpening of longtime U.S. sanctions and what many refer to as the “imperialist threat.”

For three days last week, the community center she runs in Havana with her husband received sheets of paper and opened its doors so people over age 16 could sign them. Hernández was the first to do so.

“Cuba is something very sacred to us,” she said. “We are well-armed, and the people of Cuba will fight to the very end. We are going to hit them — and with everything we’ve got.”

Criticism was swift on social media, though, with opponents of the campaign asserting that the “homeland” has not provided them with anything. Some said the government should allow people to sign in favor of things like the ability to choose their president.

The homeland initiative began on April 19 and comes as Cuba celebrates the 65th anniversary of its April 1961 Bay of Pigs victory over some 1,500 Cuban exiles backed by the CIA who failed in their attempt to overthrow Fidel Castro’s newly formed Communist government.

Alberto Olivera, a visual artist and Hernández’s husband, questioned how Cuba poses a threat to the U.S.

“If it’s a failed revolution, then leave us alone,” he said. “What do they care?” Hernández added.

Olivera recognized that Cubans have unmet needs, adding that he has been hungry at times, but asserted that the “pressure cooker” tactic by the U.S. would not work.

“If I’m a failed state, why are you seeking me out?” he asked.

The Trump administration has demanded that Cuba release political prisoners, implement major economic reforms and change its way of governance — all things Cuba has rejected, saying it’s open to dialogue and cooperation in certain areas as it pushes for the end of a U.S. energy blockade that has deepened the island’s crises.

Both countries have confirmed recent talks, although details remain secret.

As tensions persist, Cuba’s government is gathering signatures at workplaces and neighborhoods across the island of nearly 10 million people, remaining mum on how many it has collected.

It said in a statement that the signatures are meant to condemn “the U.S. blockade and economic war against Cuba,” which it called a “genocidal act,” and to repudiate threats of military aggression while upholding “the inalienable right of Cubans to live in peace.”

Coto writes for the Associated Press.

A VIRGIN Island star was tonight forced to look at her own “ugly” vagina after admitting to having a painful issue that has stopped her from ever having sex.

The wild Channel 4 reality show is back on the box, and the latest episode continued to shock.

Virgin Island sees a group of people, who are yet to take the plunge into the world of nookie, get help from a team of sex gurus, headed up by Dr Danielle Harel and Celeste Hirschman.

On tonight’s episode, it was Joy‘s turn to face her sexual fears.

The 22-year-old event coordinator from Falmouth, suffers from vaginismus – a medical condition that causes the vaginal muscles to involuntarily tighten, which can make sex extremely painful or impossible.

However, Joy was seen heading off for a session with one of the resident sex experts, to try and help her overcome this painful issue.

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Viewers then watched as she was given a mirror by the expert and told to look at her vagina.

The sex guru assured her she was “beautiful” down there, but Joy was not convinced.

Referring to her intimate area, Joy said: “It’s weird because I feel like she looks ugly.”

Before going on Virgin Island, she revealed: “Despite having a Vaginismus diagnosis for years, I had only made minimal progress and was starting to lose hope of ever being healed.”

The new TV star also added that she also signed up to Virgin Island because she wanted to “overcome her religious shame around sex”.

Also on tonight’s show, fans saw shy Bertie, 24, be given a masterclass in sex positions by expert Celeste.

The event volunteer from Taunton, who suffers from low self-esteem and body confidence issues, was given his first taste of simulating sex by leading expert, Celeste.

The fully clothed pair were seen humping in various positions, in a bid to boost Bertie’s confidence.

At the end of the session a happy Bertie then turned to Celeste and said: “You are an absolute miracle worker! There is no way I’m leaving!”

Before going on the wild Channel 4 reality show, the shy star described himself as a “grade-A virgin” who had never kissed anyone before.

However, he previously admitted that he worried that “sex would feel overwhelming” and was scared of reaching middle age without experiencing intimacy.

This season of Virgin Island sees the 12 participants take on turn-on classes, as well as kink exploration.

Speaking about the new series, expert Celeste said: “I feel like kinks are really really important because so many people have them.

“When I think of it, I think like sex is really play time. And kinks are one way that people play. And a lot of people like to play with power or sensation. 

“And all of that enhances the intensity and arousal and experience. 

“So we wanted people to have access to all these different kinds of feelings.”

Virgin Island continues tonight at 9pm on Channel 4

This hidden gem provides the perfect no-crowds experience for summer 2026.

Summer is just around the corner and many of us are already dreaming about our next sunny escape. With so many destinations to pick from, settling on the perfect spot can feel like quite the challenge.

Many of the world’s most coveted holiday hotspots are now bursting at the seams, which can turn a much-needed break into something of a headache. If you’re after a getaway unspoilt by hordes of tourists, it pays to explore the roads less travelled.

Travel specialists at Solmar Villas have scrutinised more than 160 destinations worldwide to reveal the most tranquil spots for a laid-back summer holiday in 2026 – and Greece has taken the top spot.

Greece boasts more than 6,000 islands to explore and while some are overrun with visitors, others remain blissfully peaceful.

Each location in the top 10 was rated across eight key factors: crowd density, climate, nature and scenery, pace of life, affordability, safety and ease of access.

Remarkably, eight of the top 10 destinations were found in Greece.

Topping the list is Alonissos – a tiny, serene island nestled in the northern Sporades – an archipelago in the Aegean Sea.

To reach it, travellers can fly from the UK to the neighbouring island of Skianthos before hopping on a high-speed ferry across to Alonissos.

The island feels worlds apart from everyday life.

Verdant hills blanketed in pine trees cascade down towards crystalline waters, ideal for a summer dip. Life moves at a leisurely pace, with traditional villages dotted across the hillsides.

The island also houses the National Marine Park of Alonnisos and Northern Sporades, one of the largest protected marine areas in Europe, reports the Express.

This transforms it into a haven for divers and snorkellers.

A boat trip around the island reveals caves, reefs and colourful marine life thriving beneath the sea’s surface.

It’s also home to the rare Mediterranean monk seal – fewer than 700 of them survive in three or four isolated subpopulations in the Mediterranean.

On her blog Asinglewomantraveling, travel blogger Melissa said that Alonissos is “absolutely stunning and peaceful”. She added that the island is “quiet, a little wild, totally underrated”.

The top 10 most peaceful holiday destinations

1. Alonissos, Greece
2. Kefalonia, Greece
3. Peloponnese, Greece
4. Skopelos, Greece
5. Lefkada, Greece
6. Mani Peninsula, Greece
7. El Hierro, Spain
8. Naxos, Greece
9. Koh Yao Noi, Thailand
10. Paxos, Greece

THERE aren’t many places where your holiday begins with a grandstand view of an island monastery as your plane skims the deep-blue Ionian Sea.

Landing in Corfu is an experience in itself, and dozens of people stood on a viewing platform jutting out over the ocean to watch our flight land at sunset just metres away from the Vlacherna monastery.

But the real magic starts when you head for the hills.

Tucked away on a dramatic cliffside near Agios Ioannis is the 5H Valmar Corfu by Louis Hotels.

Tumbling down the hillside, the chic all-inclusive hotel only opened to guests last summer and offers incredible 180-degree views of the sparkling, calm waters from almost every vantage point.

I immediately took a liking to the modern aesthetic — think pale wood and acres of glass — and loved the welcome pack of wine, fruit, local kumquat marmalade and some of the best baklava I’ve ever tasted.

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The next morning, I was able to appreciate the full beauty of the hotel, as a picturesque red-orange sunrise across the bay gave way to my first view of its private beach.

A delicious mojito with homegrown mint was fully justified at 11.30am as I settled down to soak up the rays on the comfy sun lounger.

The hotel has two pools — one adult-only — with stunning views, as well as a splash park and a tennis court on the cliffside above.

A spa offers more than 20 different treatments and there’s an air-conditioned gym.

And if you ever get bored of swimming in the clear waters of Valmar beach or taking a dip in the mountainside pools, Corfu has plenty of other beautiful beaches and sunbathing spots.

Paleokastritsa is one such beach, in the north of the island, where dark and light-blue waters contrast beautifully with the sands.

To enjoy an unforgettable view of this beach, head up to Paleokastritsa Monastery — maybe the only religious site in the world to have a whale skeleton inside.

To the south, the islands of Paxos and Antipaxos and the Blue Caves are destinations for the most popular boat trips from Corfu.

But after a day at the beach, the hotel provides excellent dinner options.

As well as two buffets, there’s the unique Viru Peruvian fusion restaurant on the roof terrace, and the beachside Gill and Olive eaterie serving Greek and international dishes.

For a hotel orientated toward families with young children, the Valmar’s sister hotel, Kerkyra Blue, can be found on the outskirts of Corfu Town.

It boasts a kids’ club and buffet, two swimming pools, a badminton court, a tennis court, a gym and a mini-football pitch.

But if you’re really missing the English sporting summer, you can venture into Corfu Town and find Greece’s only cricket pitch — on the main square, Spianada.

It is just one of the legacies of five decades of British rule during the mid-19th century.

Our excellent tour guide, Nausica, insisted that we were actually quite popular, as we introduced running water and roads to the island.

One Brit, however, is more popular in Corfu than any other — the late author Gerald Durrell.

The man whose memoirs of life growing up on Corfu in the 1930s inspired ITV comedy-drama The Durrells — starring Keeley Hawes — is immortalised with a statue on Spianada Square and has a park named in his honour.

Perhaps the most unique thing the British brought to Corfu, though, was the kumquat. The island’s climate made it the perfect place to grow the small, sweet, citrus fruit, which British traders imported from China into Europe.

Today, kumquats are sold on every street in the old town — and one of the most popular drinks on the island is the kumquat limoncello.

The drink suits the place because a period of almost 500 years of being ruled over from Venice has given the town more of an Italian appearance than that of a typical Greek island.

The Corfiots are fiercely proud of their international history, which has made their island look like a Tuscany in the middle of the Ionian Sea.

And they’re so determined to keep it that way that a law is in place which allows buildings in the old town to be painted in only a limited number of colours, in keeping with tradition.

These include browns, terracottas, greens and yellows.

The Cavalieri Roof Garden restaurant offers one of the best vantage points to admire the town’s uniquely coloured buildings, especially at sunset when the old fort glows above the sea.

As you sip a cocktail and watch day turn to night, you’ll feel at one with nature thanks to the sound of thousands of swallows circling above the town.

After sunset, we enjoyed a fish feast at Barbas Taverna.

The exquisite quality of the locally caught seafood is matched only by the quantity — which may see you opt for a tactical approach to dinner, prioritising your favourite dishes over aiming to consume everything.

When we left Corfu, it was a less frantic journey than the Durrells had to make when they left the island on the eve of World War Two.

But we did get to see the spectacular setting of the island’s airport once again.

FOR the beauty of the Caribbean that’s much closer to home, the Greek island of Lefkada comes pretty close.

Often dubbed the ‘Caribbean of Greece‘, the island is the biggest in the Ionian Sea and has direct UK flights.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

Lefkada is known for its bright blue waters, white sandy beaches, and dramatic cliffs – much like you’d find in the likes of Barbados and Jamaica.

But luckily for Brits, this island is much closer as just under 4hr30 away, compared to the Caribbean’s nine hours.

Not only is it as warm as 26C in spring, but the island has some amazing beaches for spending the day on too.

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Some of the top sandy escapes include Porto Katsiki, Egremni, and Kathisma.

Porto Katsiki translates to ‘Goat Port’ and it was formerly home to just goats as it was largely inaccessible by people, because of its steep cliffs.

Now, the white-pebbled beach is accessible by a pathway down to the sand.

Egremni on the southwest coast of Lefkada is known for its ‘dramatic white cliffs’ and is hard to access unless by boat – if not, you have to take the steep staircase with over 400 steps.

Kathisma is easily accessible and much more family-friendly with a long stretch of golden sand dotted with sunloungers and beach bars.

Lefkada has a bustling town too; the capital is at the northern tip of the island and is easily accessed by the bridge from the mainland.

Here you’ll find colourful, traditional houses filled with shops, cafés, and churches.

The best part is that it’s all walkable in around 20 minutes.

For some culture, head to the Agia Mavra Fortress, a 14th-century Venetian castle at the entrance to the island.

If you want to find fresh food, head to Sikelianou Square near the seafront which is lined with Greek and Mediterranean restaurants.

Agios Nikitas is one of the most charming coastal resorts on the island.

It’s tucked around the bay of the same name and is built in amongst olive groves.

There are plenty of outdoor restaurants with sunny terraces like T’agnantio that overlooks the bay.

Here you can enjoy local specialities, salads, grilled meats, and fresh seafood.

One visitor even wrote on Tripadvisor that it has the “best food on the island”; another said it was the “best Greek food I’ve ever had”.

For more holidays in Greece, here are some of our favourite resorts…

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Blue Bay Beach Resort, Rhodes

The four-star Blue Bay Beach Resort sits a stone’s throw away from this beach, and has its own pools, splash park and water slides. Here you’re only a 15-minute drive away from Rhodes Old Town, where UNESCO-listed medieval streets wind through castle-like architecture. Make sure to check out the Street of the Knights, one of the best-preserved medieval streets in Europe.

BOOK HERE

Gouves Bay Hotel, Crete

Gouves Bay Hotel keeps things simple on a sunny Greek island location right by the sea. This hotel has a relaxed, family-friendly feel with two pools, a kids’ club and easy all-inclusive dining. And if you fancy a change of atmosphere, Gouves’ bars and tavernas are just a short walk away for your choice of evening drinks with a view.

BOOK HERE

Aegean View Aqua Resort, Kos

The picturesque hotel is perched up high and surrounded by lush greenery in the historic harbour town of Kos. Here you’ll find a huge swimming pool and a waterpark, as well as activities like darts, tennis, football and more. There’s evening entertainment six days a week, and an on-site spa with a hot tub and sauna to unwind.

BOOK HERE

TUI Blue Lagoon Queen, Halkidiki

This mega resort with six pools and its own waterpark is rated five stars by TUI. In the main restaurant, you’ll see show cooking displays as you take your pick from an extensive international buffet. Plus, Kalives beach is on the doorstep of this hotel, with its strikingly blue water and soft golden sands.

BOOK HERE

Across the island from Agios Nikitas is Geni Village.

It’s renowned for its waterfront dining, especially on Vlycho Bay where some restaurants actually feel like they’re floating.

It’s even easier to visit Lefkada now thanks to its new £3million marina which opened in April 2025.

If you’re not going to the island by boat, another way to get to Lefkada is by a 50-metre long car bridge that connects to the mainland.

In spring, you can fly to nearby Preveza from £29 with Ryanair which takes around 3hr20.

From there its just over an hour’s drive to the island.

For more on Greece, here are our top five Greek islands with white-washed houses and pretty beaches.

And here’s a Santorini-alternative Greek island that’s half the price has unspoiled beaches & cheap hotels.

Writer Ali Graves renewed her vows after 20 years, on the most luxurious Caribbean island with her 3 kids in tow

You’d be forgiven for thinking that holidaying with the kids means giving up luxurious touches for standard family friendly resorts – complete with watered down cocktails and mediocre rooms – but you’d be wrong, as I was about to discover.

A very comfortable nine-hour flight with British Airways, across the Atlantic to the Beaches resort in Turks & Caicos soon blew that theory out the window for me. We travelled as a family of five and despite the ages in our party (ranging from 12 to 46), there was one universal expression as we set sandy foot onto property… wide-opened mouths of delight.

Our first taste of the Turks & Caicos

White sands, crystal-clear turquoise waters and a perfect, 28ºC breeze quickly told us that we had truly landed in paradise.

Beaches is a sister resort to Sandals and offers all the same luxurious amenities, but with a bonus – they’re family-friendly, so the little ones can come too. This isn’t their own spot, there’s another Beaches in Jamaica, too.

Turks & Caicos is made up of 40 islands and cays (small, sandy islets) but only nine are inhabited. Providenciales Island is the main centre, with our hotel located at the western end Grace Bay Beach – 12 miles known as the most beautiful white sand beach in the world. It borders the Princess Alexandra National Park and, for ocean lovers, it’s the perfect spot for snorkelling by Bight Reef Coral Gardens.

The perfect place to say ‘I do’ – again

Of course an island this beautiful is also a perfect destination for a wedding, honeymoon or – as my husband and I did – a Retying the Knot ceremony. We celebrated our 20-year anniversary while visiting and it was a privilege to mark this in style, and with staff so loving and attentive, there was nowhere more perfect.

We arranged this ahead of visiting and throughout the lead up, the lovely wedding team – especially Erika and Maureen – stayed in touch to arrange flowers, photographers and music choices, cake flavours and cocktails.

We chose a dreamy beach location, and the pictures are the best souvenir ever. I was pregnant on our first honeymoon so you could say I’d waited 20 years for my island cocktail! To sip on those exotic flavours while falling in love all over again, with our children by our side, was nothing short of heavenly.

From family adventures to adults-only relaxing

But this island is not just for weddings and newlyweds. In fact, who you’re here with – whether you’re a couple, a family with little ones or teens – will help you decide where is best to stay on site. The resort is split into five ‘villages’ – Key West Village (where we stayed in a plush two-storey, two bed concierge suite), Caribbean Village, Italian Village, French Village and new from last month, Treasure Beach Village. Each has their own ‘personality’ from family-style fun with quizzes, dance competitions, a swim-up bar and water aerobics in the Italian Village, to smaller, intimate pools and a quieter vibe in Key West, including adults-only pools and jacuzzi spots. Treasure Beach packs quite the luxurious punch with an infinity pool that drops into picturesque views of the Atlantic and fine dining options.

Luxury options at the restaurants

Beaches is all-inclusive, covering food, drink entertainment and water sports. And the food is exceptional, with something for every palate. If you fancy chilli cheese dogs, fries and pizzas washed down with a snow cone then you’re covered, but if sushi, steaks and lobster with fine island wine are more your vibe then it’s all here.

I have two tips on the food front. First, don’t miss the only restaurant you’ll need to book: Kimonos. This Teppanyaki-style, interactive dining experience is so much fun, with singing chefs and electric energy, and the meats are exceptional, too. Our personal favourite though, was Pinta in Treasure Beach Village which offered a worldwide cuisine menu – the pork belly poke bowl, roast pumpkin tacos and apricot rum punch will live rent free in my head for years to come.

Try the resort coffee too – Jamaican Blue Mountain. It’s cultivated in the high-altitude Blue Mountains and it’s a spectacular wake-up call at breakfast.

Red Lane Spa is located in two places on the resort – in Key West and in French Village – and is a paradise within paradise. My daughter and I chose tropical facials and left floating, with scents of mango and pineapple, and a bag of treats to bring home, too.

How to book this Turks & Caicos resort

Seven nights at Beaches Turks & Caicos in a Two Bedroom Concierge Suite costs from £7,449 per adult and £1,025 per child, based on two adults and two children under 12 sharing, including all-inclusive accommodation, concierge service, return flights, resort transfers, kids clubs, waterpark access and more. To book, call 0800 597 0002 or visit www.beaches.co.uk.

DO YOU WISH you could live out the Mamma Mia dream on a remote island, away from cars, pollution and social media?

Well, in Greece you can, as one island is offering to pay people to move there.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

Antikythera is a small, eight-square-mile island found between Crete and the Peloponnese and is home to only 24 permanent residents.

One recent visitor even described it as “a small, peaceful planet that moves at its own unique pace”.

And the local church is inviting people to move to the island.

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Not only will those who move there be paid €500 (£433.49) a month for three years, they will also be given a newly built house to live in.

Of course, there are a couple of catches including that you must be a family with four children and you must have a skill or work in trade, such as fishing.

This is because the scheme is aiming to grow the island’s population as well as its economy.

To apply, you will need to contact the local council.

As for life on the island, it couldn’t be further from other tourist hotspots in Greece.

The entire island remains untouched and boasts natural, rugged beaches and to get to it, you’ll have to hop on a two-hour ferry from Kythera.

Once you reach the island’s port, you’ll see white houses and chapels, as well as a statue dedicated to a diver who discovered a bronze man, underwater, just off of the island.

The statue is believed to date back to between the first and second centuries and one of the divers mistook it for a heap of rotten corpses.

Today, you can see the statue in the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, Greece.

While there isn’t much to do on the island, as you’d expect with Greece it does boast beautiful beaches.

One beach found near the port is Paralia Potamos Beach, which according to local reports, is about 80metres long, with pebbles and clear water.

A recent visitor commented: “Peaceful beach on a peaceful, charming little island.”

Another beach you can head to on the island is Xiropotamos, which is about a 20-minute walk from the port and is bigger than Paralia Potamos.

Across the rest of the island you’ll find ancient ruins, with the Greek Ministry of Culture often carrying out excavations on the island.

There’s also a number of small chapels and ruined windmills and just off its coast there’s a shipwreck that dates to around 82BC where parts of a mechanism thought to be the world’s first computer were found.

If you get hungry, there’s only one place to eat on the island – Strato’s Corner – which is run by one of the locals and sells typical Greek dishes as well as local goat and fish caught off of the island.

When it comes to shopping, the island has only one food store which doubles as a coffee shop, where you’ll often find the locals hanging out.

If you don’t fancy living on the island but do want to visit, there is a small hostel as well with 15 rooms.

And if you do travel to the island, make sure to head there on August 17 when the island celebrates its patron saint – Saint Myron.

The celebrations bring about 1,000 people to the island, where they enjoy a festival.

In addition to the ferry from Kythera, there is also a small airport in Kythera with flights to Athens, which take about an hour each way.

Or you can also catch a boat trip from the island to Crete or Athens, though these services are less regular.

For more inspiration on Greek holidays, here are our top five Greek islands with white-washed houses and pretty beaches as Emily in Paris heads to Greece.

Plus, forget Mykonos and Santorini – TUI says these four less-popular Greek islands are set to be huge in 2026.

WHAT’S the story in Balamory, wouldn’t you like to know?

The much-loved BBC children’s TV series Balamory has returned to our screens after more than 20 years – and you can visit the real like town in the UK.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

The multicoloured houses from the town actually exist in Tobermory on the Isle of Mull.

While the row of colourful houses are privately owned, many reports mention how the locals are happy for visitors to take pictures of their kids in front of the houses.

For example, in the BBC TV series, Suzie Sweets lives in the pink house and Edie McCredie lives in the yellow house.

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But there’s so much more to do in Tobermory, if you are visiting.

Around the harbour you can explore a number of shops including a locally-made soap shop and The Isle of Mull museum which is free to enter and explores the history of the island.

Near to the harbour you can also head to the Tobermory Distillery for a tour, costing £19.50 per person.

It lasts around an hour and during that time you’ll learn about the whisky that has been made on site since 1798 as well as trying two whiskies.

Children can attend too, but need to be over 12 years old and accompanied by an adult.

Perhaps a more family-friendly option though is to head to the chocolate shop Tobermory Chocolate, which has been run by the same family since 1991.

Inside, visitors can peruse milk, white and dark chocolates that are all handmade on site.

There’s also a cafe and children’s chocolate workshops that you can take part in.

According to the chocolate shop , you can often see otters, porpoises and dolphins in the harbour too.

From the harbour, walk along the pier, where about 270metres from the end, there is a Spanish Armada ship that sank after an explosion in 1588 and now sits under about 10 metres of mud.

The ship is even rumoured to still have a loaf of golden treasure on it…

Make sure to also pick up a locally-made ice cream from the shop on the pier too.

If you want to spot more of the local wildlife, then you can hop on a boat trip with Sea Life Mull, where you could see minke whales, basking sharks, dolphins and seals.

The tour costs £80 per person and lasts up to four hours, during which time you’ll see Mull, Ardnamurch and the Isle of Coll.

Though, if you prefer to stay on dry land then head off on an Otter Watching walk with Magic Mull, which is a three mile walk, where you’ll learn about the island’s otter population.

The activity costs £90 per person but it does include lunch, as well as afternoon tea at the end of the walk.

There are a number of places to stay in and around the town as well such as Carnaburg Guest House or The Tobermory Hotel, which both sit at the edge of the harbour.

Or you could opt to stay at Tobermory Campsite, which costs just £14 per night to pitch a tent at or you could opt for a Shepherds Hut, costing from £50 per night.

Outside of the town, there are several places worth exploring across the island.

For example, Aros Park is ideal for families as it has play trail, waterfalls and a nine-hole Disc Golf course that is free to use.

To get your dose of pretty beaches there are plenty to choose from including Calgary Beach, which boasts white sand.

One recent visitor said: “Reminiscent of a tropical paradise with its sweeping white shell sands and clear, turquoise water, the beach offers a vast expanse for dogs to run, play, and explore.

“The bay is wonderfully isolated, backed by beautiful sand dunes and coastal grassland, which means plenty of variety for walks.”

And if you fancy staying near the beach, you can stay at the small campsite at the edge of the beach.

It is completely free to camp there, though donations are welcome and there are basic toilet facilities as well.

If you are a keen hiker, the island is full of walks too, where you can see local wildlife, historic stone rows and lochs such as Loch Frisa.

To get to the Isle of Mull, you can get the ferry from Oban, which takes between 45 minutes and an hour.

The ferry costs £4.90 per adult and £2.45 per child, per way.

For more places to go where TV shows have been filmed, here are six holiday homes from TV shows and films that you can stay at in the UK.

Plus, there’s an English coastal town that tourists are flocking to after popular UK TV show is filmed there.