Italy

We have hardly begun walking before I spot the side alley, curving away from the main road in a patchwork of sunlit yellow walls, shuttered windows and shadowy archways. “What’s up there?” Elena, my guide to the city, pulls a wry smile. “That is Carmine. As a kid, I was warned not to go there.”

I turn up the alley. There’s a lot of graffiti. Next to an anarchy symbol, someone has sprayed “morte al decoro” – death to decorum. I’m intrigued. We go further, finding a labyrinth of colourful streets filled with bars and restaurants, a few just opening up for the day.

Like the bohemian quarter at its heart, Brescia is an Italian city that is easily missed: it’s near the Dolomites and Lake Garda, but not close enough to be a base for them. Tourists tend to speed past on their way to Milan or Verona. Fiercely proud of her city, Elena is on a mission to convince me it is worth a stop. “You’ll see. We’ve got everything you’d want from Italy, all in one place.”

Her confidence is matched by Andrea, the manager of i Dù dela Contrada, a Carmine bar that we step into for a coffee. Quirky bric-a-brac is dotted around, the bar itself plastered with passport photos, donated by its many fans. “Twenty years ago, this was an area for prostitutes and thieves,” Andrea tells me. “Now it’s safer but still vibrant, and growing.”

I tell him Elena’s mission and he nods. “She’s right, ask anyone.”

“OK. Who shall I ask next?”

“Piera at Ostería dei Mercanti. She’s a real character.”

And so begins a magical day in the city where we wander, one person leading to the next, each encounter enriched by Elena’s deep knowledge of her home town.

We find Piera sitting among a gaggle of friends, the table covered in coffee cups and one or two glasses of Brescia’s favourite aperitivo, pirlo. “The drinks here are special,” she tells me. “We’ve got the Franciacorta wine region on our doorstep. I came 17 years ago and knew instantly I would stay.”

She sends us to meet her friend Maria. That means passing through the medieval square of the city, Piazza della Loggia, which is dominated by the Torre dell’Orologio, a magnificent clock that features two lifesize automatons, “the lunatics of time”, who have been bashing out the hours on a large bell since 1581. We can’t find Maria, but bump into her amiable friend Antimio, whose Lestro restaurant is both a homage to the 1970s and a laboratory where he experiments tirelessly, perfecting the pizza.

Next thing, I’m in his kitchen getting a swift lesson in the mix of special flours, the best kneading methods, how to prep the cheeses … “I like to mix smoked scamorza and mozzarella, but my favourite is bagòss, a local speciality.” Within 20 minutes, I’m sitting outside, listening to the lunatics hammer out the hour and eating the best pizza of my life – for breakfast.

Thus fortified, Antimio sends us around the corner to visit Roberto at Brescia’s sumptuous Teatro Grande. The theatre was founded in the 1660s and is considered one of Italy’s finest. The palatial cafe with its murals is a popular spot for merenda, the traditional afternoon cake stop, but the tour adds wonderful details, such as the way horses were steered on stage and how Puccini, chastened by the rejection of his new opera, Madama Butterfly, at Milan’s La Scala, brought it here in 1904 and won acclaim.

Roberto’s tip is the church of San Cristo, but first we divert through Piazza Vittoria which Mussolini, at the peak of his power in 1932, had remodelled on fascist principles, kicking out residents to erect monuments to youth, energy and strength; in other words thuggish neo-classical blocks round a massive male nude statue. A decade later, Mussolini was back, this time as a German puppet, governing the republic of Salò, a rump state that included Brescia. In recent years, the piazza has been renovated, but the male nude remains warehoused, and the large capital letter “M” on one building does not refer to the fallen dictator.

I’m beginning to understand why Elena believes Brescia is a microcosm of Italian history and culture. She now takes me back to the medieval Piazza della Loggia to point out something I had missed, a small pillar marking the spot where a bomb exploded in 1974, killing eight people. The political forces of the Mussolini era reached a terrible climax in the 1970s and 80s, the anni di piombi, “years of lead”, when fascist groups and the leftwing Red Brigades traded lethal bombings, kidnappings and assassinations. The extent of the carnage is revealed in hundreds of pavement plaques that lead up to Brescia’s medieval castle above the city, each plaque representing a victim.

After this sombre digression, we cool off in Chiesa di San Cristo, a 16th-century church known as “the Sistine Chapel of Brescia” for the luminous murals that cover every available space. A few doors down the lane is Osteria del Savio, a famous spot for local cuisine where we tuck into casoncelli, a ravioli made with sage and butter, then malfatti, a local mountain gnocchi, while owner Michaela explains why there is a Roman column in the middle of her restaurant. “It actually goes down another 5 metres and my neighbours have the capital off it – they use it as a coffee table.”

Finding history hidden under columns is a Bresciano tradition. Back in the 1820s, archaeologists decided to dig under the top of a Roman column in a city garden that was being used as a picnic table. What they discovered was a vast temple complex and a bronze statue, the Winged Victory, that has been dated back to the first century BC.

A short walk down the lane brings us to that spot, now a partly subterranean archaeological site. Other Roman artefacts are in the nearby Santa Giulia Museum, a warren of ancient buildings that could easily occupy a day, but we whip through because it is time to go and taste some wine.

If Brescia keeps below the mass tourism radar, its wine district, the Franciacorta, is also a well-kept secret. Planted on volcanic soils south of Lake Iseo, these vineyards produce sparkling wine so good that the locals drink most of it.

I stay by the lake shore in Sulzano, a 30-minute drive from Brescia, then next day catch the ferry across to Monte Isola, an island in the lake. Ringed by mountains and a popular day trip for the Bresciani, the island still keeps its home-spun friendliness. At the fishing net shop, Paulo demonstrates the knots to make a net using a double-ended needle that “is the same tool they found in Pompeii”. Further on, in the small net factory, owner Daniella points to a photo of her grandmother mending nets, then tells me that most Serie A football nets are now made here. In the shop round the corner, they give me a taste of their local salami – they are very proud of that. But the climax, for me, is when I wander, unannounced, into the Arquette boatyard.

This is the kind of place where royalty and billionaires buy handmade wooden boats, but Andrea and his dad have no time for airs and graces. They are craftsmen, proudly showing me works in progress. “Our ancestors were gondola-makers in Venice,” says Andrea. “In 1640, they came here and liked Brescia and its surrounding area so much, they stayed.” It was a decision, I admit to Elena, that I can heartily endorse.

The trip was provided by Visit Brescia. Doubles at Hotel Lenel in Brescia from €183, and at Hotel Rivalago in Sulzano from €209. Kevin Rushby travelled to Brescia by train, via Milan. A 7-day Interrail pass is £331 for adults

A PRETTY Italian city has banned riding bikes in certain areas – after the mayor was hit by one.

Como is known for its historic city centre with a Gothic-Renaissance cathedral and alpine backdrop.

But many use bikes to get around the city and now the Mayor of Como, Alessandro Rapinese, is introducing a bike ban in parts of the city after he was hit by an electric bike.

From September, bikes will be banned across around 30 streets.

The bike ban applies to both electric and push bikes.

According to Italian media Ansa, the Mayor said: “People act based on their own experiences and I know what it’s like to be hit by one of these beasts.”

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He added: “In this case, I didn’t even end up in the hospital.

“I was hit by a bike. I gathered information, and that’s where the measure came from.”

The new bike rules are part of a wider traffic plan which will create a Limited Traffic Zone (ZTL) to manage tourists better as well as implement stricter rules on vehicles in the city.

Other rules introduced include some vehicles requiring an annual permit and a €3 (£2.60) permit for daily entry to the city.

And tourists staying in hotels can only drive in the city centre if their accommodation has parking.

Deliveries can also only occur between 6am and 11pm.

Locals are outraged with the decision and have pledged to organise a protest on September 12.

Como isn’t the only Italian spot to place restrictions on bikes – Palermo has also restricted bikes in some areas since 2023.

A street located in a popular UK seaside town has been deemed totally “magical”. In fact, people think it’s so beautiful, they’ve compared it to “being in Italy”

There are so many popular seaside towns in the UK, but a certain location has captured the attention of many. In fact, the beauty spot in Wales has been widely celebrated for homing a street deemed totally “magical”.

Indeed, many visitors reckon it’s so charming it feels as though you’ve walked straight into a postcard, and it’s just one of numerous Welsh gems that people simply can’t get enough of. It previously came to wider attention on TikTok after UK Hidden Gems posted a video of the area, showcasing just how breathtaking it can be to wander around in Pembrokeshire.

It’s not the only Welsh location to have set tongues wagging recently either. Just a few months ago, visitors also raved about a stunning beach too.

Alongside the clip, UK Hidden Gems wrote: “Hidden just steps from the harbour, this narrow cobbled lane is lined with colourful doors, flower boxes and twinkling lights that feel absolutely magical as the afternoon light softens.

“Even though it’s one of Tenby’s best-kept secrets, walking here makes you feel like you’re wandering through a postcard.”

Unsurprisingly, Tenby is a wonderful place to explore in general, as the seaside town remains enormously popular. There’s a wealth of sights to take in and savour throughout the town.

Pembrokeshire’s Hidden Gem: The Magical Cobbled Lane in Tenby

Dozens of individuals have left comments since the footage was posted, eager to share their opinions and suggestions. The clip has also been watched thousands of times.

One person said: “Love Tenby. It’s a beautiful place. Last visited 15 years ago. So happy it’s not been ruined. Will now consider going again.”

Another added: “Oh wow, it’s like a little Italy.” A third replied: “OMG! I was there only last week.

“I came out purely by mistake to the back entrance of a gift shop and stumbled on this purely by chance. I was amazed. Great find.”

Meanwhile, a fourth also commented: “This is a beautiful place to visit and even more stunning in person.”

One more also chimed in with: “We go tomorrow. It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve been to.”

How to Find Tenby’s Picture-Perfect Street Off Lower Frog Street

UK Hidden Gems shared some information for those who fancy a visit. It was pointed out it’s situated off Lower Frog Street, Tenby.

They describe is as a “quiet nook with instant cosy vibes and tonnes of photo charm”. It’s reportedly an especially picturesque location to check out during golden hour or just before sunset.

This is when the lane is said to glow “in the best way”. It certainly appears to be the ideal place to discover and wander through on a bright day.

Indeed, many confessed they adore Tenby as they consider it so stunning. It’s difficult not to agree.

DUA Lipa has shown off her incredible figure as she shared a slew of bikini snaps from a girls trip abroad this week.

The singer has been spending the last few days in Portofino on a girls’ trip to celebrate her pals’ engagement.

And sharing pictures from the getaway, Dua showed off her toned torso as she posed in a striped colourful bikini.

In the carousel of snaps, the singer lay on a sunbed while smoldering to the camera.

She also shared selfies with her pals as they soaked up the sun at the five-star Splendido, A Belmond Hotel.

The trip comes after she tied the knot with Callum Turner over the summer in a stunning Italian wedding.

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The smitten couple legally tied the knot at Old Marylebone Town Hall. 

They later celebrated their wedding with a huge three-day celebration in Italy, attended by stars including Elton John, Charlie XCX and Mark Ronson. 

And Callum spoke out on the nuptials for the first time this week, telling Esquire of the first legal ceremony: “It was amazing, and it was… it was the most beautiful day of my life.”

He added that it’s a “weird feeling” that so many people across the world are talking about them getting married. 

Callum said: “We went to the park yesterday, and everyone who walked past said, ‘Congratulations’. It was pretty surreal.”

On the subject of having children, he continued: “Obviously, yeah, I’m 36. I’d like to have a family and raise some kids.”

Italian media reports the Cagliari forward rescued after swallowing a lot of water in a swimming pool in Porto Cervo.

French footballer Yael Trepy, who plays for Serie A club Cagliari, is in intensive care, the Italian club has confirmed, with media reporting that the 20-year-old nearly drowned in a swimming pool.

Cagliari said that Trepy “is currently in intensive care at the hospital in Sassari,” adding that the club remains “in close contact with the medical staff and the player’s family”.

“The club asks for privacy to be respected and will provide further updates as soon as possible,” Cagliari said in a statement, without disclosing the circumstances of the incident.

Italian media reported that Trepy had to be rescued on Sunday after swallowing a lot of water in a swimming pool in Porto Cervo, northern Sardinia.

Doctors placed him in a medically induced coma, the reports added.

Trepy, a forward who scored once in eight Serie A appearances last season, joined Cagliari’s academy in 2022 from Paris-based team Union Sportive Creteil.

Cagliari were last in action on Friday, beating Arezzo 1-0 in the Coppa Italia, with Trepy playing for 54 minutes.

They fear replacement flights today may also be grounded

A couple have been trapped in Italy for a week after a volcanic eruption saw their flights cancelled. Barbara Krmelj, 35, and partner Roy Barone, 46, went to Sicily to spend a week’s holiday with his parents. They were due to fly back to their home in Hackney, east London, on August 11 – but when Mount Etna became active that day, their flights were cancelled as a red warning level was issued.

The couple have had to take an extra week’s leave from their jobs and find alternative sitters for their two cats back at home as they remain “trapped” in the seaside town of Marina di Modica. They have alternative flights provided by the airline for August 17 but anticipate having to pay around £700 to rebook with a different airline if those are cancelled too, which they feel is likely.

They remain in a small holiday home owned by Roy’s family but say they “feel like a weight on his parents” to overstay. They checked but said the only hotel available would have cost over £2,000 for five nights because of high demand as it coincides with Ferragosto, a holiday period across Italy which sees people flock to the region.

Sales associate Barbara said: “On the way to the airport to fly back to London we got a message that our flight was cancelled. Eventually we managed to get a flight for the 17th, but the budget we allocated for our holiday is gone now. We have come back to Roy’s parents but the place is small and we feel like a weight on them now. We’ve had to organise for our friends to pop over to our home in London because the cat sitters we booked are done now.

“We’ve been paying for things like food and drinks with credit cards – and if we aren’t able to fly on the 17th we’ll have to book new flights. If we have to book new flights it will have cost us around £1,000 in total. It’s a beautiful city, but the holiday has turned into a frustration now as we want to go back home to our pets now. We can’t enjoy all the beauty around us as we feel trapped on the island.”

Barbara and Roy have been paying elevated prices for taxis to travel around due to high demand due to the Ferragosto festival. They said they have seen a steady flow of ash over the region as well as eruptions in the distance coming from Mount Etna.

The couple did not purchase travel insurance ahead of the trip. Barbara said: “We have had a chat with a few other tourists, people are definitely frustrated. People have been sleeping at the airport – when we went, people were sleeping or sitting in every hallway. There was no space even to sit and organise ourselves when we were trying to rebook flights.

“We were given a hotel for one night when our flights were cancelled, and thank God we have Roy’s parents here. I don’t know what people are doing when they don’t know other people living here.

“When we tried to go and stay at a hotel, there was nothing we could book, the prices had skyrocketed, it was around £2,000 for five days and there were only one or two options.”

The couple are going to the beach each day and trying to make the best of their situation but say they are no longer enjoying the once-relaxing trip. Barbara added: “We’ll have spent over our budget by about £1,000 if we end up having to rebook flights.

“We’ve been using credit cards because you do what you have to do in this situation, but we have to be careful, we don’t have a lot of money left because we didn’t expect this. Ordinarily, the holiday was lovely, and I’d recommend the area to everyone. But now the holiday has turned into a frustration.”

As Messina celebrated the Sicilian holiday of Ferragosto, thieves struck the MuMe museum to steal the masterworks by Antonello da Messina.

Thieves have stolen four Renaissance masterworks by Antonello da Messina valued at up to 80 million euros ($93m) from the MuMe Regional Interdisciplinary Museum in the Sicilian city of Messina in Italy.

Cultural officials and Italian media reported the theft on Sunday, saying the heist occurred at about 9:50pm (19:50 GMT) the day before, during Sicily’s major Ferragosto holiday.

Italian news outlet Il Giornale dell’Arte said that the perpetrators had exploited the citywide distraction of the traditional Vara procession, which drew police and large crowds to central Messina.

Italian daily Corriere della Sera reported that the thieves cut through metal perimeter fencing along Viale Annunziata to gain access to the grounds. They then forced open a side door to enter the gallery halls. Once inside, the group breached an armoured glass display case to extract a small, double-sided tempera panel dating back to 1465-1474.

The portable devotional piece features the Virgin and Child with a Franciscan Monk on its front and Christ in Pieta on its reverse. Originally part of the Wilhelm Soldan collection from 1930, it was acquired by the Sicilian region at a Christie’s auction in 2003 following its formal attribution to Antonello.

The perpetrators also dismantled all five remaining tempera-on-wood panels of the historic San Gregorio Polyptych. Commissioned in 1473 by Abbess Fabria Cirino for the monastery of Santa Maria, which was subsequently destroyed in Messina’s 1908 earthquake, the altarpiece stands as the only surviving masterpiece by Antonello that remained in his hometown. The thieves made off with three key sections of the piece.

Italian outlet Repubblica reported that the thieves abandoned the remaining two panels depicting Saint Benedict and Saint Gregory resting against a wall near the museum grounds.

‘A real movie-style heist like at the Louvre’

“We are devastated by what happened. They were two of Antonello da Messina’s most important and best-known works,” museum director Marisa Mercurio told Italian news agency ANSA.

Local Culture Councillor Enzo Caruso told outlet Il Tirreno: “Nobody in Messina could have imagined a real movie-style heist like at the Louvre.”

Caruso said that international interest in Antonello’s oeuvre had expanded after Italy’s Culture Ministry purchased his Ecce Homo painting for $14.9m earlier in the year.

Lynda Albertson, CEO of the ARCA art crimes research association, told La Repubblica that “stealing an Antonello may be far easier than selling one” given the high visibility and historic footprint of the stolen panels.

She explained that high-profile art of this kind rarely gets sold, often spending years traded within the criminal underworld as leverage for other illegal activities.

Born in Sicily around the year 1430, Antonello da Messina stands as one of the defining masters of the early Italian Renaissance. Because few of his works survive today, his surviving paintings are considered irreplaceable cultural treasures.

The theft follows a separate case days earlier in Parma, northern Italy, where police recovered three stolen works by Renoir, Cezanne and Matisse valued at roughly $11.5m.

Aug. 14 (UPI) — Long-sought artworks by Henri Mattise, Paul Cezanne and Pierre-August Renoir worth millions of dollars and stolen in two separate cases have been recovered in Italy and Brazil, police said.

In the Italian city of Parma, authorities announced Friday that searches authorized by the local prosecutor’s office had turned up the three paintings stolen in March.

These include Still Life with Cherries, a pencil-and-watercolor on white paper by the post-impressionist artist Paul Cezanne with an estimated value of $6.9 million, Les Poisson (The Fish), an oil-on-canvas by the impressionist artist Renoir valued at $3.5 million, and Odalisque on the Terrace, a color aquatint on paper by the modernist Matisse with worth an estimated $23,000.

No arrests were reported in connection with the recoveries but the investigations were ongoing, the Carabinieri of Parma province said.

The works were stolen on March 23 from the Fondazione Magnani Rocca museum in Traversetolo, Italy.

Meanwhile, police in Sao Paulo announced Friday that they recovered eight Matisse artworks taken from the Mário de Andrade Library in Sao Bernardo do Campo, which were stolen in December.

Authorities told reporters the engravings were found in a home in the city, where they were being kept by a 44-year-old suspect who was allegedly guarding the pieces for the perpetrator of the crime.

Five other artworks by Candido Portinari, stolen in the same robbery, have not been located and are now thought to have been sold, police said.

The stolen Matisse engravings were part of a joint exhibition with São Paulo Museum of Modern Art titled “From Book to Museum.”

The advice is to check with your travel provider for the latest information

Families heading abroad on their summer holidays are urged to keep a close eye on travel updates. The Foreign Office has published fresh travel guidance for a popular sunny EU destination. The latest advice urges travellers to “check with your travel provider” for the latest information in light of a “national emergency”.

This comes as many flights were disrupted recently to the south of Italy, after eruptions from Mount Etna caused clouds of ash to be thrown into the air. The Foreign Office has since updated its guidance for Italy on Tuesday, August 11, with new information regarding ‘Volcanoes’ in the ‘Safety and security’ section. The latest guidance informs visitors: “There are several active volcanoes in southern Italy. National emergency planning is in place for the Phlegraean fields, an area that remains active experiencing regular tremors.”

People heading to the Mediterranean country are warned that “airspace can be affected during eruptions”. The Phlegraean fields (Campi Flegrei) is an area just west of Naples and so is close to Naples Airport.

‘Heightened activity’

The guidance includes a word of warning for another airport in the region. You may need to take action ahead of your trip: “If you are travelling to or from Catania, during a period of heightened activity, check with your travel provider or with Catania airport.”

The Government body also advises: “Read what to do in the event of a volcanic eruption and follow the instructions of the local authorities.” The guidance includes a link to more information on the Civil Protection Department website of the Italian Government.

This information reminds visitors that Italy has “the greatest concentration of active volcanoes in Europe” along with Iceland. The guidance sets out that there is a “varying degree of hazard” for these volcanoes.

‘Wrong information’

People trying to find the latest guidance in the media are warned that “wrong information” can be sent out in times of crisis. The guidance urges: “For this reason it is important to follow the civil protection authorities’ instructions transmitted by radio, TV, in the daily press, on Internet and by the various toll-free numbers that will be set up.

“During eruptions, it is also important not heed the forbidden to enter signs at the areas involved by the eruption. It is dangerous to approach the crater area even if there is no eruptive activity as sudden explosive phenomena or gas emissions are always possible.”

You can read the full travel guidance for Italy on the Foreign Office website.

We all know the classic Seven Wonders of the World, but Lonely Planet has now revealed its most ‘Secret Wonders of the World’.

From bright thermal spas to haunting bell towers and oddly-named villages, these are nine of the most incredible spots either natural and manmade.

Pamukkale-Hierapolis, Turkey

When it comes to natural wonders, one of those highlighted by Lonely Planet is Pamukkale-Hierapolis in southwestern Turkey.

The striking thermal springs have white rocks with bright turquoise water and waterfalls.

Visitors can actually swim in part of Pamukkale in the man-made Cleopatra Pool.

In some parts you can walk through or even wade through the water.

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Zhangye Danxia National Geopark, China

Another colourful spot is Zhangye Danxia National Geopark in Gansu, China.

The mountainous site is full of bright colours from green to pink and orange that has formed over millions of years.

Around the geopark are dedicated paths and platforms so you can see the mountains in all their glory.

One of the best times to visit is during the wet season between May and September – the combination of rain and the sunrise or sunset make the colours more vivid.

Beehive Huts, Ireland

One secret wonder is much closer to the UK as it’s found on the south-west coast of Ireland.

Beehive Huts, or clochán, date back to the 8th century, thought to once be used to store grain or shelter against storms.

Lots are easy to visit with many on the Dingle Peninsula with views across the coastline.

Some of the most easily accessible are the Fahan Beehive Huts which cost around €3 (£2.56) to enter.

Campanile de Curon, Italy

Another is Campanile de Curon, a bell tower in the middle of a lake in Italy.

It’s actually on the site of a sunken village which was flooded when three lakes merged into one.

It submerged the village of Curon Venosta leaving only the bell tower to be seen.

In the winter when the lake freezes over, it’s possible to walk over to it.

Chiricahua National Monument, USA

The Chiricahua National Monument is an enormous site made up of towers of balanced rocks.

Across 12,000 acres, the protected area in Arizona is known as a ‘wonderland of rocks’.

The area is open to visitors who want to explore its creeks, volcanic formations, and grottoes.

Most head to see Big Balanced Rock which, as the name suggest, s is a large rock that is perched on a narrow pedestal in a way that doesn’t look possible.

Chicken, Alaska

Found deep in Alaska is a former gold rush village called Chicken – and it even has a huge chicken Mr. Eggee as the mascot.

The village got its name back in the 1900s when workers could not agree on the spelling of ptarmigan, a bird found in the local area.

Instead, they settled on chicken, and now the village even holds a Chickenstock music festival with live folk music and plenty do the chicken dance.

The village is accessible between April and September as in winter its connecting highway closes due to extreme weather like heavy snow.

Völklinger Hütte, Germany

Some of the man-made secret wonders include the Völklinger Ironworks, in Germany, which looks more like something from a steampunk film.

Found in the south-west of the country, these are the world’s only fully preserved ironworks from what was considered the “Golden Age” of the iron and steel industry.

It’s no longer in use and is actually a museum and gallery space with entry from €17 (£14.52).

There are regular exhibitions and tours of the ironworks too.

Quinta da Regaleira Wells, Portugal

Just a few hours away from the UK in Sintra, Portugal is Quinta da Regaleira Wells.

The well is made up of two staircases across nine levels, they are found beneath the UNESCO-protected Quinta da Regaleira.

Unlike traditional wells, these don’t hold any water but were rather used for secret Masonic ceremonies.

For anyone heading to Lisbon, it’s a 35-minute drive away – you need to buy a ticket and can either do a guided or self-guided tour of the site.

Moray, Peru

Another man-made secret wonder is Moray in Peru which are deep carved circles with steps – essentially like an amphitheatre.

It’s in the Sacred Valley region around 11,500 feet above sea level.

It was built by the Inca Empire between the 15th and early 16th centuries believed to be used to experiment with agriculture at the time.

For those who want to visit, you have to buy a tourist ticket which covers 16 historical sites across Cusco and the Sacred Valley.

For the full 385 Secret Wonders of the World check out the book at shop.lonelyplanet.com.

Flights to Italy’s fifth busiest airport have been suspended and advice has been issued for any Brits who are due to fly to the Mediterranean island in the next few days

An eruption at Europe’s largest and tallest active volcano has led to the closure of one of Italy’s busiest airports, throwing travel plans into chaos for many Brits.

Mount Etna is one of the world’s most active volcanoes, and over the weekend it was spotted bellowing smoke and ashes into the atmosphere, forcing the suspension of arrivals into nearby Catania-Fontanarossa Airport.

In a statement posted today on its official website, airport officials said: “Due to Etna’s eruptive activity and the associated release of volcanic ash into the atmosphere, the airspace corresponding to the ash cloud southwest of the volcano (Sector C1) has been closed. Arrivals are suspended until 5:00 PM.

“As the situation is significantly affecting operations, passengers are kindly advised to check the status of their flight with their airline before heading to the airport. The situation is being constantly monitored, and further updates will be provided depending on the evolution of volcanic activity and weather conditions.”

Initially, the airport allowed a small number of landings until the early hours of this morning, before the decision was made to suspend flights completely. Other airports on the island are currently unaffected.

Airlines with routes from the UK to Catania include British Airways, easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair, and Wizz Air, and passengers who have a flight booked to the airport should immediately check their flight status on its official website. Passengers may see flight delays, diversions, or cancellations to their itineraries, and airlines should be getting in touch with any holidaymakers affected by the change.

Volcanic activity on Mount Etna has often affected flights to Catania, due to its location just 29 miles from the volcano, and passengers are sometimes re-routed to other Sicilian airports such as Palermo. Similar cancellations and diversions were seen at Catania just last month, with a two-day closure on July 5 and 6.

It’s worth noting that at the moment, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) doesn’t have any warnings in place about visiting the island, it simply advises “Check with your travel provider or Catania airport before travelling.” Other than any exclusion zones close to the volcano, Brits are still free to visit the island, but should look out for local emergency updates.

While flight delays of over three hours often allow passengers to claim for compensation, a volcanic eruption usually comes under ‘extraordinary circumstances’, which means a claim is unlikely to be successful.

However, passengers from the UK to Sicily are still covered by the Denied Boarding Regulation, also known as EU Regulation 261/2004, meaning airlines need to assist them during delays. For a flight to Sicily, this would come into force for any delay over three hours.

Airlines need to provide two free phone calls or emails to each passenger, meals and refreshments that are appropriate to the time of day and delay length – usually given as vouchers – and hotel transfers and accommodation if the delay is overnight.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

At least 200 people have been evacuated after a wildfire broke out near Italy’s Lake Garda. Authorities said the fire started in the municipality of Tignale on the western shore of the lake. Lake Garda is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations.

Madrid warns of ‘proportional measures’ if Rome does not put an end to checks amid fallout from Ceuta migrant crisis.

Italy has doubled down on its temporary reinstatement of border controls following the deadly rush of thousands of migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, even after Madrid threatened retaliation.

In a statement on Friday, the Italian government said it would not bow to “ultimatums or impositions” from ⁠Spain and would maintain border controls until at least August 15.

The refusal came hours after the Spanish government declared a two-day deadline for Italy “to rectify, put an end to the checks and treat Spaniards like other European citizens”.

“If it does not do so before the end of Sunday, August 9, Spain will be obliged to adopt proportional measures to protect the interests and dignity of its citizens,” Spain’s statement said.

The diplomatic tit-for-tat unfolds as Spain continues to reel from the influx of some 72,000 people who crossed into Ceuta from Morocco last week, on foot and by sea.

Mass arrivals in the North African Spanish enclave angered other European Union leaders who have taken a hard anti-migration stance, including far-right Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Italy earlier said it would temporarily reintroduce border checks with Spain starting on August 1 in what Meloni called an “extraordinary measure” seeking to “safeguard national security and prevent possible repercussions for our nation”.

Yet experts said there was little prospect of migrants travelling from Ceuta to Italy, particularly as Italy and Spain do not share a land border. Rights groups instead pegged Meloni’s move as “political theatre”.

Still, 22 EU member states signed a joint letter accusing Spain of “pull factors” that destabilise the bloc’s borders.

The vast majority of the Ceuta migrants have since returned to Morocco as authorities tallied at least 100 deaths.

Also on Friday, Spain said its police successfully dismantled a people-smuggling operation believed to have brought 2,000 migrants into the country via Spain’s southeastern coast and the island of Ibiza.

Unaccompanied minors

Amid the political fallout, Spanish leaders are grappling with a humanitarian crisis still ongoing in Ceuta.

Of the few thousand undocumented migrants who remain in the enclave, at least 1,342 are children, Youth Minister Sira Rego said on Friday – hundreds of whom are unaccompanied.

Rego acknowledged “painful images” of children sleeping on Ceuta’s streets, noting that two schools had been opened as authorities evaluated more locations as possible reception centres.

Still, Ceuta authorities said at least 1,100 children needed assistance, with Ceuta’s theoretical capacity only totalling 90 places where people could be housed.

“It might only be a matter of a few weeks before we start seeing [children] transferred to and welcomed on the mainland,” Rego told reporters.

Local and international charities have cautioned that the children face abuse and exploitation.

Jose Miguel Morales, head of Federacion Sur Acoge, a migrant rights and assistance group in southern Spain, said some of the children were under 14 years old and had already been beaten and assaulted.

But the transfer of children to the mainland has become a domestic flashpoint in Madrid, where Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s government approved 25 million euros ($29m) to help support unaccompanied minors in the territory.

Leaders from the far-right, anti-immigration Vox party were quick to say they opposed any aid for migrant children.

Vox leader Santiago Abascal wrote on X that “not one euro from Spaniards” should go “for illegals, for invaders”.

The alerts have triggered health warnings for millions of people, including tourists

Anyone going on holiday to certain parts of Europe has been issued a health warning from an NHS GP. It comes as numerous alerts have been issued in several well-known areas due to severe heat across many popular tourist destinations.

All 27 of Italy’s major cities are now under extreme heat alerts as a blistering heatwave hits Europe. The severe weather has caused temperatures to exceed 40 degrees Celsius in multiple countries, prompting health alerts for millions of people, including tourists and families going abroad during the six-week holiday.

On Thursday, Italy’s Health Ministry issued a red alert for all 27 cities in its national heat surveillance system. This marks the first time this year that the entire network has reached the highest warning level simultaneously. The red alert network spans key areas, starting in Trieste in the northeast and extending to Palermo in Sicily – including Rome, Milan, Venice, Florence, Naples, Turin, and Bologna.

In response to this, NHS GP Dr John Akinjolire is urging travellers not to underestimate the risks. He is warning that soaring temperatures can quickly lead to heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

The GP has shared the simple steps holidaymakers should take before and during their trip to stay safe in the heat. He’s also shared the key warning signs to watch for and how to access healthcare if they become ill while abroad.

NHS GP Dr John Akinjolire, working with travel insurance company PayingTooMuch, explained how you can avoid heatstroke when travelling during a heatwave in Europe. He said: “With temperatures reaching 40°C in parts of France, Spain and Portugal, alongside active wildfires across these countries and Greece, travellers should be aware that this is more than a typical summer heatwave.”

In an important reminder, he said: “Extreme heat can pose serious health risks, particularly for people with underlying medical conditions.” The health expert says people with heart disease, diabetes or respiratory conditions may find that high temperatures place extra strain on their health.

“If you’re travelling near the ongoing wildfires, the smoke can also worsen breathing problems, even in those who do not usually experience respiratory issues,” he warned. “Before travelling, it’s important to store temperature-sensitive medication such as insulin correctly, check air quality forecasts as well as the weather, and be aware that some medications like certain antibiotics, acne treatments and antidepressants, can increase sensitivity to the sun.”

He says staying well hydrated is important and it’s worth remembering that alcohol accelerates dehydration, so drinking more than usual in the heat can increase risk significantly. He added: “It is advisable to avoid prolonged periods in direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day typically between 11am and 3pm, wearing lightweight clothing and seeking shade wherever possible can all help reduce the risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke.”

The NHS GP says it is important to know the difference between the two. “Heat exhaustion can usually be managed with rest, shade and fluids, but heatstroke, where the body can no longer regulate its own temperature, is a medical emergency requiring urgent attention,” he said. “Signs to watch for include confusion, a lack of sweating despite the heat, and a rapid or irregular heartbeat.”

Travellers should also familiarise themselves with how healthcare works in their destination. Unlike the NHS, many European countries require patients to pay for treatment upfront before claiming costs back even if you have a GHIC.

Access to care can also vary, particularly in more remote areas such as the smaller Greek islands. Serious medical emergencies in these parts may require transfer to a larger island or the mainland.

“These risks should not discourage people from travelling, but they do highlight the importance of preparation,” the NHS GP said “Having comprehensive travel insurance that accurately reflects any pre-existing medical conditions, alongside the right medication, lightweight clothing and other essentials for extreme heat, can protect you in case you find yourself becoming unwell while abroad.”

WHEN it comes to planning your next holiday, why not look for somewhere different to everywhere else?

Europe is full of breathtaking islands, you just have to discover them…

And fortunately for you, we have done just that.

Here are some of the best ‘secret’ islands across Europe, including several with white sand beaches and crystal clear waters:

Bornholm, Denmark

Known as ‘Sunshine Island’ and the ‘Pearl of the Baltic’, Bornholm sits in the Baltic Sea off the coast of Denmark.

The island has dramatic cliffs as well as vibrant green forests and white sand beaches.

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For things to do on the island, you can head to Opalsoen, where there is a zipline over a lake.

And if you want to see more of the island’s dramatic landscape, try Pissebaekken which is one of Denmark‘s highest natural waterfalls.

One beach spot to visit is Balka Strand, which boasts fine white sand and if you happen to be there during the summer months there is even yoga on the beach each day at 8:30am.

It is about three hours by bus and boat from Copenhagen, which you can fly to from as little as £15 one-way.

Gotland, Sweden

Sweden‘s largest island, Gotland, boasts a UNESCO World Heritage town called Visby with cobblestone streets and pastel coloured buildings.

Venture across the island and you’ll also find the largest sand dunes in Sweden at Tofta Strand.

If you happen to be on the island during August, make sure to visit Medieval Week, which is Sweden’s largest historical festival with jousting and markets.

The island even has its very own Blue Lagoon you can go swimming in.

It takes about four hours to get to the island via the ferry from one of two mainland ports – Nynashamn which is south of Stockholm or Oskarshamn in Småland.

Nynashamn is around a 50minute drive from Stockholm, which costs from £16 to fly to, per way.

Eilean Shona, Scotland

This small tidal island in the Inner Hebrides in Scotland is completely car-free and only has around nine permanent residents.

While there isn’t much in the way of attractions on the island, you can immerse yourself in the nature as well as the calm and clear waters surrounding the island, all of which inspired J.M.Barrie’s Neverland in Peter Pan.

Travel reporter Cyann Fielding who recently visited said: “One of the activities to do on the island that is well worth experiencing, though, is taking a cold water plunge or swim – the scenery is stunning and the water is serenely calm.“

You can hop on the Caledonian Sleeper from London costing around £60 per way for a seat to Fort William, and then drive for an hour to the island.

To get to Eilean Shona itself, you’ll need to hop on a small boat operated by the island.

It is worth noting though, that you can only visit the island if you are staying in one of the shepherds huts or houses there.

Heligoland, Germany

Often considered the most fought over island in Germany, Heliogland has changed hands many times throughout its history including belonging to the Danes, the Brits and then the Germans.

In fact, the Brits tried to blow up the island during World War II resulting in loads of huge craters across the island that you can visit on scenic walks.

The island boasts huge sandstone cliffs and as a result, is brimming with wildlife including gannets.

To get to the island, you’ll need to hop on a four-hour ferry from Hamburg – which you can fly to from £16 per way.

From the Heligoland, you can also get on a ferry for five minutes to another German island called Dune, where you will find loads of seals.

You can even camp on this island, in case you want to extend your time exploring the two islands before returning to Hamburg.

Ile de Sein, France

Surrounded by azure blue waters, Ile de Sein in France sits off the tip of Brittany.

In the sea around the island, you’ll also often spot dolphins and seals.

The island has no trees, just wild moorland and white-washed houses and make sure to visit the Grand Phare, which is up 250 steps and is a 52-metre tower with views of the coastline.

Down by the port, venture around the village too, where you will find an intricate network of winding alleys, with some measuring just 85cm wide.

To get to the island, hop on a Brittany Ferry between Plymouth and Roscoff, with prices ranging depending on your vehicle.

Once in Roscoff take the two-hour drive to Audierne, where you can catch an hour-long ferry to the island, costing between €33 and €40 (£28.29 and £34.29) for a round trip.

Île d’Yeu, France

Dubbed the ‘Atlantic Pearl’, Ile d’Yeu off the coast of France is a small island where you’ll find sprawling golden sand beaches and clear waters.

The most popular way to get around the island is by hiring a bike and make sure to visit the 14th century Vieux-Chateau which sit on the edge of a cliff above the sea.

There’s also Saint Sauveur, which is a village on the island with traditional architecture including a Romanesque church surrounded by white houses.

The best way to get to the island is by flying to Nantes costing from £13 per way and taking an hour drive to Fromentine on the Vendée coast, where you can catch a 45-minute ferry across to the island.

Elba, Italy

Elba Island in Tuscany, Italy is known for boasting stunning beaches including the popular spot of Pomonte Beach, where you can swim out to a shipwreck and snorkel around it, discovering lots of brightly coloured fish.

Visit Portoferraio – the island’s main town – where you will find pastel houses as well as Villa dei Mulini, which is where Napoleon lived during his exile.

For keen hikers, take the 40minute hike to the fortress of Volterraio to capture the breathtaking sunset.

The best way to get to the island is by flying to Pisa, which costs from £17 per way and then driving for an hour to the port of Piombino in Tuscany, where you can then catch an hour-long ferry to the island.

Tabarca, Spain

Tabarca sits off the coast of Alicante in Spain and is home to around 50 people.

On the island, there are a number of cobbled streets to stroll down as well as pretty beaches, including Playa de Levante – known for being the main beach, with shallow waters ideal for families.

There are no cars on the island and it can easily be explored within a day, but don’t leave without trying some of the local restaurants where you can pick up traditional seafood such as lobster stew.

The easiest way to get to the island is by flying to Alicante from £13 per way, before hopping on a ferry from Alicante to the island, taking around an hour and costing €24 (£20.58) for a return trip.

Ilha da Armona, Portugal

Ofted nicknamed the ‘Portuguese Maldives’, Ilha da Armona sits on the Algarve.

Ilha da Armona forms part of the Ria Formosa Natural Park where you’ll find no cars, white sand beaches and calm, shallow waters.

Praia de Armona is the main Blue Flag beach on the island and is known for being a family-friendly spot.

After exploring the beach, make sure to head to one of the waterfront tavernas to try some of the local cuisine.

In the village itself, you can expect to see colorful houses and flower-filled courtyards too.

To get to the island, fly to Faro from £15 per way, before hopping on a 10-minute train to Olhao, where you can catch a ferry to the island for as little as €4.20 (£3.60) for a return trip.

Paxos, Greece

The Greek island of Paxos is often dubbed one of the most beautiful islands in the world.

Head to Gaios village where you can explore a Venetian-style waterfront was quaint shops and tavernas looking out across the water.

For a beach spot, visit Kanoni Beach which is a pebble beach but sheltered by the bay of Lakka and surrounded by fragrant olive groves,

You can get to the island by flying to Corfu from £15 per way, before hopping on a ferry from Corfu to the island, which takes between an hour and an hour and a half.

EXCLUSIVE: Not wanting to risk the blazing temperatures of Sardinia, a heatwave fatigued mum wapped her dreamy Italian holiday for a milder ‘coolcation’, and has no regrets

A mum of one has shared how she swapped Mediterranean sun for a ‘coolcation’ and why she’ll do it all over again next year.

Monica Krenner and her husband, Peter, were on the brink of booking flights to Sardinia, Italy, on what was to be their young son Lewis’s very first holiday.

However, as the blistering heat took hold, the concerned parents didn’t fancy braving the 39-degree scorcher with a three-year-old, and so had a last-minute change of heart. The fatigue of parenting during the relentless London heatwaves this summer meant she couldn’t face more sweltering temps abroad.

Monica, 57, tells the Mirror: “It was the best decision we made.” Instead of dashing to the airport, the family made the five-and-a-half-hour journey from London to St Ives, Cornwall, back in June, where the relatively mild temperatures of between 16 and 24 degrees felt much more appealing.

Explaining how she came to the decision, nutritionist Monica says that after speaking with a few friends, as well as some clients from Sardinia, she began to worry about just how hot the famously beautiful Italian island would get.

“After talking with a lot of people, searching all the weather apps, I then said, ‘I cannot imagine going there, because then we have to be indoors the whole day, because it will be too hot to go outside’.

“And for the little one, the skin is very sensitive still. He’s also not an amazing sleeper yet. Then I thought, ‘Oh my God, if it’s then hot on top because the weather, and he’s not sleeping great, I’m already tired when I’m getting there, it won’t be better when we stay somewhere where it’s too hot this summer’.”

Once in Cornwall, Monica, Peter and Lewis were able to sleep comfortably at night after spending their waking hours walking in the fresh air and exploring the breathtaking Cornish coastline.

It was little Lewis’s very first time at the beach, and although Monica joked that “the seagulls didn’t make it easy”, it proved to be a very special, memorable trip.

Monica, who is originally from Vienna, Austria, says: “It was just relaxed, and in the evening, there was a nice breeze in your face. It felt like you could really breathe properly.

“We had a few drizzles, but even that was perfect. We had a very nice spacious room, so even if we didn’t want to rush out, we could stay inside and have the windows open looking at the ocean. It was just lovely.”

Monica says that the trip “completely changed” how the family now consider their summer holidays. Going forward, they’re far more interested in exploring a different options, “rather than chasing guaranteed sunshine.”

Next year, the family intend to head off on another ‘coolcation’, and they are already planning their adventures. Currently, Monica and Peter are eyeing up trips to the coast of Denmark or Sweden, while bonny Scotland is also a top contender.

And the couple aren’t the only ones looking for a crisp getaway. During the late June heatwave, Brits searches for cool-weather city breaks surged by as much as 33 percent compared to the previous week, according to online agent Opodo. Stockholm, Geneva and Gothenburg were the most coveted spots – world’s away from sunny Spain or Italy.

With four heatwaves in the UK already this summer, many holidaymakers are longing for gentle breezes rather than piercing sunbeams. So could it be that ‘coolcations’ are the new luxury in our climate change age?

Ahead of the fast-approaching August Bank Holiday weekend, Airbnb has revealed that a number of UK destinations are seeing a surge in interest this summer, with bookings in Scarborough up by 30 per cent.

Picturesque Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland, which has seen bookings soar by 29 per cent, has emerged as one of this year’s top ‘coolcation’ destinations, offering refreshing sea breezes and shady forest walks.

As for Monica, she’s noticed this trend within her own social circles and reckons it makes perfect sense, especially for parents of young children looking for an easier trip.

She explains: “People are looking for some cooler areas where they can breathe and enjoy being outside, not to cover up with 10,000 creams, and also with the little ones, not to cause them any sunburn.”

The term sunny escape has taken on a whole different meaning in recent times. Awaze, the European holiday rental brand behind cottages.com and Hoseasons, found that searches for “escape the heat” rose by 300 per cent over the last three months alone. Online searches for ‘coolcations’, they say, were up by 420 per cent.

Matthew Price, Awaze’s chief executive, notes that rising temperatures are “creating a new category of holidays”, adding that they are “increasingly seeing holidaymakers look further afield to destinations known for their cooler climate, such as Scotland, Yorkshire and the northwest of England”.

Heti Morus, Marketing Executive at StayCotswold has also picked up on this trend, telling the Mirror: “It’s no wonder ‘coolcations’ are growing in popularity here in the UK. I recently flew back from Bordeaux and saw the wildfires firsthand from the air.

“It just showed how quickly these situations can escalate, and it’s made me think twice about flying to that part of France again anytime soon. Cooler staycation destinations are certainly looking even more appealing this year.”

Do you have a story to share? Email me at julia.banim@reachplc.com

The UK village has gone viral online for its stunning beauty. Visitors say it looks just like an Italian seaside town and “feels like wandering through a film set”

Many people will be jetting off to popular European destinations such as Spain, Italy or France this summer. However, a growing number of Brits are opting for staycations this year to avoid lengthy airport queues and make the most of the glorious weather the UK has been enjoying.

If that sounds like you, but you’ve yet to decide on a destination, then you’ll want to pay attention. One ‘enchanting’ UK village that will have you convinced you’re in Italy has taken the internet by storm. Portmeirion is a breathtaking, Italianate tourist village nestled in Gwynedd, North Wales. Perched on the cliffs of the Afon Dwyryd estuary, it was designed and constructed by Welsh architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1976.

His vision was to demonstrate that developing a naturally beautiful location need not come at the cost of its charm.

The village is owned by a charitable trust and is renowned for its vibrant, pastel-coloured Mediterranean architecture, picturesque woodlands, and its unique place in pop culture.

Key highlights of the village

The Architecture: Williams-Ellis built the village as a “post-modern bricolage”, incorporating salvaged fragments from demolished historic buildings across the UK. It features a central piazza, a giant human chessboard, a Riviera-inspired layout, and a lighthouse.

The Gwyllt (Wildwood): A 70-acre subtropical forest surrounding the village. It includes 19 miles of pathways, hidden gardens, a ghost garden, a dog cemetery, and exotic trees like giant redwoods and monkey puzzles.

The Prisoner TV Show: Portmeirion is recognised worldwide as the filming location for the cult 1960s psychological spy thriller, The Prisoner. Devoted fans regularly flock to the dedicated Prisoner Shop on-site.

Portmeirion Pottery: The world-renowned pottery brand was established in 1960 by the architect’s daughter, Susan Williams-Ellis, who drew on botanical motifs inspired by the village. Discounted earthenware is available to purchase at the local shops.

Where to stay and eat

While thousands descend on the village for day trips, it operates primarily as a hotel resort where guests can stay beyond opening hours.

Hotel Portmeirion: A Grade II listed, converted Victorian villa situated directly on the waterfront.

Castell Deudraeth: A grand, 19th-century castellated folly transformed into a contemporary hotel.

Cottages & Dining: There are 13 self-catering cottages dotted throughout the village alongside several cafes, an authentic Italian gelateria (Angel Ices), and formal dining rooms.

Visiting information

Admission: Day visitors are required to purchase an admission ticket to enter the grounds.

Accessibility: Owing to its cliffside, coastal setting, many paths within the village and leading back up from the estuary are steep, hilly, and may prove challenging for those with limited mobility. Getting there: The village is extremely well-connected by public transport.

It sits just a 1-mile walk or taxi ride from Minffordd Railway Station, which serves both local lines and heritage steam trains like the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways.

What people online are saying

One visitor known as Bec recently took to her Instagram page to share her experience of visiting Portmeirion.

Despite having just 3,000 followers, Bec’s post went viral – amassing more than 38,000 likes from fellow travel enthusiasts.

Although Bec called it “the weirdest UK village”, she went on to say that Portmeirion ‘looks like an Italian seaside town’, despite being nestled in North Wales.

She also claimed that once the tourists are gone for the day, you ‘have the whole village to yourself’.

Bec wrote: “Walking around after dark felt like wandering through a film set.”

She also showcased the village’s breathtaking views, exclaiming: “I’ve never been happier to wake up early.

“I think I said, ‘this is so pretty’, every thirty seconds.”

Bec also labelled Portmeirion a “must-visit for anyone who supports architectural whimsy”.

Adding further detail in the caption, she wrote: “It’s a little bit Disneyland for adults who enjoy cruises… (affectionately). I’ve wanted to visit Portmeirion for years and it lived up to every expectation.

“It’s unlike anywhere else in the UK, with colourful Mediterranean inspired buildings and baroque architecture and beautiful views across the estuary. During the day it’s very busy (understandably), and I found it a bit overwhelming… but then everyone went home.

“Walking around after dark and again before breakfast the next morning completely changed the experience. You could actually stop, look around and appreciate how strange and beautiful the place is.”

She rounded off by saying: “One I’ve wanted to tick off for years, and I’m so glad I finally did.”

One viewer responded: “Fantastic find,” while another added: “I’m so jealous, I love it there but never stayed!”.

A third chimed in: “Its very pretty and photogenic.”

However, one less impressed commenter wrote: “Don’t fall for the hype. Major tourist trap at £20 each to get in and only really cafes inside.”

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is facing growing criticism from some European leaders as European Union interior ministers meet to discuss last week’s mass crossing into the Spanish territory of Ceuta, an episode that has reignited debate over migration across the bloc.

Human rights groups and activists, meanwhile, have accused far-right politicians of exploiting the crisis to advance anti-immigration narratives.

More than 60,000 people crossed into the North African enclave on Thursday and Friday, triggering a humanitarian emergency and prompting Spain to deploy additional military and police forces.

More than 80 migrants died, according to Spanish and Moroccan authorities, including some who drowned or were crushed while attempting to cross a breakwater barrier.

Most of those who entered have since returned to Morocco. By Saturday, “almost all” had left and the situation in Ceuta had largely returned to normal, Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said.

Ireland, which holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, convened an emergency video meeting of EU interior ministers after 22 of the bloc’s 27 member states called for “coordinated action and the strengthening of external borders”.

Political fault lines

The events in Ceuta have once again exposed divisions within the EU over migration policy, with several governments calling for a tougher approach while others have urged adherence to humanitarian and international legal obligations.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was among Sanchez’s sharpest critics, announcing that Italy would introduce temporary air and sea border controls with Spain while questioning Madrid’s handling of the situation.

Sanchez rejected the criticism, saying Italy’s position was “contrary to European law, humanitarian law, and the principles of solidarity that bind us together”.

In a post on X, he also noted that Italy had received significantly more migrants than Spain since 2021, saying Italy had recorded about 478,000 arrivals compared with Spain’s 234,000.

The political debate has unfolded despite a broader decline in irregular migration to the EU. According to the EU’s border agency Frontex, irregular border crossings peaked at 1.8 million in 2015. During the first half of 2026, crossings fell by 37 percent compared with the same period last year to about 49,000.

The scenes in Ceuta have nevertheless become a focal point in wider political debates over migration, despite the EU already introducing stricter migration and asylum rules that expand member states’ powers to detain migrants and return them to designated “safe countries” or facilities outside the bloc.

Human rights organisations have criticised the measures, warning they could leave asylum seekers stranded for prolonged periods in offshore detention centres, while illegal police pushbacks at borders still regularly occur in both the EU and North Africa.

Spain defends its response

The Spanish government has rejected accusations that it mishandled the crisis, saying the situation was brought under control quickly in close coordination with Morocco despite limited assistance from other European countries.

Officials have also said that a recent ruling by Spain’s Supreme Court, which found that migrants arriving by sea cannot be summarily returned without due process, was deliberately misrepresented by smuggling networks to encourage people to attempt the crossing.

A senior Moroccan official, speaking anonymously to the AFP news agency, said Rabat had raised concerns with Spanish authorities after discussions on social media about the court ruling began in late July.

“We discussed this ruling and its impact. We explained that this ruling was going to create a problem. And it did create a problem,” the official said.

He rejected suggestions that the mass movement into Ceuta reflected a failure by Morocco’s security forces.

“It’s simplistic to say that Morocco should just have used force to stop them. That is to completely misunderstand this phenomenon,” he said.

You don’t have to spend thousands on a week-long holiday – an extreme day trip offers all the sights for a fraction of the price.

You might think that a European holiday requires days of leave from work, intensive planning and hundreds spent on a hotel room – but you would be wrong. There is a rising travel trend of people taking what they call an “extreme day trip” where you leave home in the morning and arrive back in the evening – but you’ve seen an entirely new city somewhere abroad in the hours between.

You don’t have to pay for accommodation, and if you choose the right city you can be in the heart of the action within half an hour of leaving the airport.

The joy of living in the UK is that we have Europe on our doorstep – and with so many great options for day trips, the hardest part is deciding where to go.

According to travel experts Transfeero one of the best cities for a day trip from the UK, is Bologna in Italy.

Just a two and a half hour flight from England, this charming city is often overlooked for its more famous cousins of Rome and Florence.

Bologna is a foodie’s dream with half the crowds.

It’s a compact city with a walkable city centre, packed with all kinds of trattorias, cafes and bars to enjoy throughout the day.

An airport transfer to Bologna takes just 22 minutes – so you can get started right away.

You can start your day in the iconic Piazza Maggiore which was built in the 1200s and now is the perfect spot to people watch and soak up the beautiful architecture.

Then, you can wander beneath the city’s famous enclosed porches, known as porticoes.

These covered arches stretch for 40km throughout the city centre and are a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can follow these elegant converted pathways to the second iconic sight in Bologna – Le Due Torri.

These two leaning medieval towers rise up above the city and make for a stunning photo opportunity.

Of course you can’t visit Bologna without sampling the authentic tagliatelle al ragù—the rich, slow-cooked meat sauce that the rest of the world knows as bolognese.

There’s more than enough to keep you busy for the day – and the beauty of it is you can still jet home and be back home in time for bedtime.