Italy

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.

Travel plans for around 1.6 million UK tourists heading to Italy were disrupted Rome, Milan, Venice and Naples hit by red alert. Greece helicopters fight fire despite midair crash which one Brit crew member miraculously survived.

Extreme weather brought chaos across Europe today, with warnings of 40C (104F) temperatures in some of the worst-hit countries.

Travel plans for about 1.6 million UK tourists heading to Italy were disrupted as nearly every city was placed on ‘red alert’ for extreme heat. Cities from north to south – including the capital Rome, Milan, Venice and Naples – were warning residents and tourists about the health risks. Temperatures have hit the mid-30sC in many places.

Authorities warned the ‘healthy and active’ were also at risk; not just groups including the elderly, very young children and people with chronic illnesses. Meanwhile, five water-dropping planes and five helicopters took off at dawn today to help firefighters near Athens – after a midair collision in which a Brit helicopter crew member miraculously survived.

The collision between the two fire-fighting choppers showed the extreme danger on the frontline of Europe’s wildfire emergency. Flames bore deeper into the region of the Greek capital, forcing fresh evacuations in the early hours. A Greek national and a Dane died when their helicopter collided with another near the seaside area of Psatha.

The British national and another local man were taken to a hospital, where their injuries were reported as minor. Foreign firefighting and helicopter crews are often deployed in Greece to help tackle wildfires during the country’s hot, dry summers.

More than 1,000 people have been evacuated from the region, including more than 250 rescued by boat from beaches in Greece. Evacuation orders were issued for three more areas, while crews worked to create firebreaks in a forest to help halt the blaze’s advance

In France, firefighters guarded a still-burning scar four times the size of Paris. The blaze raged through pine forests and scrubland over the weekend, whipped by gale force winds that often prevented water-dropping planes from operating.

Hungary is facing power cuts after the drought sweeping across much of Europe forced its only nuclear power plant to shut down. Peter Magyar, the prime minister, said the country was preparing for a “critical” week after the level of the Danube River, which cools the plant, fell to a record low.

The government was considering applying mandatory electricity restrictions for large companies starting today, Mr Magyar said: “We are facing the most critical five days ahead,” he said in a Facebook video.

The Paks power plant will not be generating, while the hottest, 40C days are ahead. The power grid, our public services, and we ourselves will all come under enormous strain.

The Danube has fallen to its lowest level in 30 years in several countries, including Romania. The drought has triggered water-use restrictions in more than 100 cities and villages, including on the outskirts of Budapest.

Mr Magyar called on companies, public institutions, local governments and households to significantly reduce or reschedule electricity use during evening peak hours between 5pm and 10pm.

Italy is in the midst of its fourth extreme heatwave of the summer, with temperatures hitting 40C in many parts of the country. According to official estimates, a total of 17.4 million tourists will be travelling in Italy until August 23, including 8.4 million Italians and nine million visitors from abroad, with about 1.6m expected from the UK.

Dash firefighting aircraft were seen through smoke as they flew over a wildfire in Correns, southeastern France, though the situation in the area was largely under control. Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, said wildfires in Greece were ‘deeply worrying’ for UK travellers.

He said: “It’s essential, however, that travellers don’t cancel their trips, especially those not due to travel for the next week or two. Travellers who cancel now will likely forfeit the right to a refund or rebooking, and you’re unlikely to be able to claim on travel insurance, as the FCDO has not warned against travel to the affected regions.

“Where possible, holidaymakers should wait until closer to their departure date to see if their holiday can go ahead or what flexible booking options may be offered by their tour operator or airline. Travel companies will be prioritising anyone due to depart in the next couple of days.”

YouTubers Alex and Emma bought a six-room house with an attic in Sicily for £35,000, but they noticed an issue when they considered the cost of doing the necessary renovations

A British couple who bought a cheap Italian property noticed a major issue with the property that they hadn’t considered.

There’s been a growing trend of foreigners snapping up cheap houses in Italy, sometimes for as little as £1. The idea is that decaying and dilapidated buildings are bought, often by international buyers, to replace ageing and shrinking local populations.

The problem is that there is often a catch with the properties, and this is something that British YouTubers Alex and Emma noticed when they paid £35,000 for a six-room house in Sicily.

After buying the property two years ago, the couple, who post on their channel Travel Beans, decided to do up the building. But they have now put those plans on hold as they fear it will cost them a lot more money than they originally bargained for.

They originally intended to spend £45,000 on the renovations, but now fear the total cost of the project could exceed £100,000 (including the initial house purchase) after a word of warning from their friends Sara and Luca.

Alex joked: “The worst thing that could happen – people who know more than us peed on our dreams.”

Emma then added: “Is this becoming a money pit? Could the money be better spent elsewhere? Sara and Luca told us that it (the money they were quoted for renovations) could even double. As they have no much more experience than us it would be ridiculous not to listen to their warning.

“The question is at this point in our life where do we want the next £50,000 or £60,000 to go.”

They plan to renovate the roof terrace, which has views overlooking the Mediterranean, as well as putting in a second bathroom and doing some other odd bits and pieces.

Alex and Emma are also concerned that putting money into their Italian home could get in the way of one of their big dreams – ultimately buying a home back in the UK.

They are wondering whether their Sicily dream is competing with their desire to buy property in the UK as Emma said: “Every pound spent on the Sicily house delay our UK dream.

The digital nomads, who have two children, initially chose Sicily because it “represents freedom from the conventional way of living.

Emma said: “Sicily wasn’t a completely random purchase for us. It’s what we’ve been doing our whole adult life. Finding unconventional ways of living, prioritising freedom, and not needing a tonne of money to do it.

Alex added: “Sicily was the next logical step to have a base in Europe now that we’ve got a family. It was an affordable asset that improved our life.”

With their eldest child set to start school in just over a year, and they concede that this will be the last opportunity to travel in a straightforward way for while.

Franco Baresi has died at the age of 66, with AC Milan saying their former captain’s “example and integrity will be forever etched into the club’s DNA”.

Baresi spent his entire 20-year playing career with the club from 1977 until he retired in 1997, winning six Serie A titles and three European Cups/Champions Leagues.

Regarded as one of the greatest defenders to play the game, Baresi captained Milan for 15 seasons, making 719 appearances and scoring 33 goals.

He was capped 81 times by Italy and was part of the squad which won the 1982 World Cup. He played in the 1994 final, which Italy lost to Brazil.

In 2020, Baresi became honorary vice-president of AC Milan, with the club retiring his number six shirt four years later.

Baresi had surgery in August 2025 to remove a lung nodule, and his last public appearance was at the San Siro Stadium for the Winter Olympics opening ceremony in February.

In a statement on X, AC Milan wrote: “Milan is in tears following the passing of Franco Baresi. His example and integrity will be forever etched into the club’s DNA, just as his iconic number 6 shirt is.”

Travel experts are suggesting British holidaymakers are opting for so-called ‘coolcations’ this summer as wildfires ravage parts of Europe including Spain, France, Italy and Portugal

Wildfires are currently raging across large parts of southern Europe. France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Greece have all been affected – and this could potentially have a knock-on effect to British summer holiday plans.

These nations are often among those favoured by UK tourists during the warm summer months, but these nations may be too warm at the moment with temperatures surging past 40C.

France’s president Emmanuel Macron described the escalating situation as the nation’s worst wildfire crisis since World War Two, with firefighters battling blazes around the clock. Flames are also spreading at an alarming rate across Spain, while active fires continue to rage in northern and central Portugal, as well as Sicily and parts of southern Italy.

With this in mind travel experts have been suggesting potential alternatives if people want to take a so-called ‘coolcation’, and one name keeps cropping up.

Several industry insiders suggested to Reach PLC that people might consider visiting Norway, and Scandinavia more broadly, owing to the milder temperatures that come with heading north instead of south, reports the Express.

Jacqueline Mondelli, of travel insurance marketplace Squaremouth, was among those to recommend Norway. She added: “Similar to last summer, we’re seeing coolcations draw travellers away from the traditional European hotspots like Italy, France, and Spain, in lieu of cooler climates and outdoor adventures.”

Emily Grossman, travel expert with the site TrustedHousesitters, said Norway could be a possibility for travellers looking for cooler climes: “For holiday travellers still weighing up their plans, it’s worth considering destinations less exposed to extreme heat and drought.

“We’re already seeing cooler summer climate choices reflected in TrustedHousesitters’ booking data. House-sitting stays in Norway up nearly 30% year-on-year, and Denmark is up over 24%.”

Norway, Denmark and Sweden are all straightforward to get to from the UK, with direct flights available from a range of airports across the country.

Alicia Hempstead, travel insurance expert at MoneySupermarket.com, suggested that those planning a holiday might want to look towards Scandinavia as an alternative destination.

She said: “As wildfires are unpredictable and can arise at any moment, especially during periods of extreme heat, it’s difficult to say where people should choose instead.

“However, the safest approach would be to choose destinations that are less prone to extreme heat, for example, countries in Scandinavia such as Denmark or Sweden.”

Tim Gunstone, of HotelPlanner, was in agreement, saying: “Tourists are choosing cooler European destinations and to travel to the hottest destinations in October rather than August.

“The biggest winner has been Scandinavia. This has seen August bookings grow by a massive 120%.”

Bryce Collins, founder of INTRO Travel, said: “If you’re set on Europe, head north. The nordics rarely see the extremes, and anywhere on a coast or a big lake stays cooler, there’s something calming about having all that water around.”

Brits have been urged to make two essential passport checks before heading abroad this summer as data shows more than one million UK passports could fail entry requirements

British travellers heading to France, Greece, Italy and Spain have been urged to make a crucial passport check before heading on their summer holidays as new data reveals more than one million UK passports could fail entry requirements.

Brits entering the EU Schengen area must have a passport issued less than ten years before the start of the trip and have an expiry date at least three months after the return.

New data reveals that more than 705,000 UK passports currently have fewer than three months’ validity remaining, meaning travellers would be unable to board their plane.

A further 350,000 were issued more than a decade ago, meaning more than one million could fail entry requirements for some overseas destinations.

Holidaymakers have been urged to check their passports before travelling abroad in the coming months following this new analysis of HM Passport Office data from June 2026.

The 10-year rule is particularly relevant for travellers whose passports were issued before September 2018. Before then, when renewing a passport, HM Passport Office could add up to nine months of unused validity from an old passport to a new one.

This means some passports may still be in date but no longer meet the Schengen entry requirements.

In total, HM Passport Office data shows that 2.37 million passports are due to expire during 2026.

Tim Knighton, travel insurance expert at Compare the Market, said: “Many travellers assume if they have a valid passport they can travel overseas without any issues, but that’s not always the case.

“Some countries, including many popular European destinations, require several months’ validity extending beyond the length of a trip, so it’s important to check the entry requirements for each destination before travelling.

“With more than 700,000 UK passports now having less than three months’ validity remaining, it’s worth travellers taking a few minutes to check theirs before heading abroad.

“Renewing a passport early could help avoid unnecessary stress and reduce the risk of holiday plans being disrupted.”

Graffiti has marked the walls of Rome for millennia. Now, as one content creator builds a following cleaning spray-painted walls, his videos are fuelling a wider debate over heritage, street art and where the line between the two should be drawn.

Chelsea are set to sign attacking midfielder Giulia Dragoni from Barcelona.

The 19-year-old spent the last two seasons on loan at Roma, and Chelsea have been tracking her progress for several years.

Dragoni has already made 24 appearances for Italy since her debut aged 16 and has experience in the Women’s Champions League with Roma.

She joined Barcelona in 2023 after graduating from Inter Milan’s youth academy.

It is understood Chelsea were attracted to Dragoni’s quality because of her versatility and ability to play across multiple attacking positions and in midfield.

She is set to become the club’s fourth summer signing as they seek to regain the Women’s Super League title following Manchester City’s success last season.

THE most beautiful buildings in the entire world have been named and one surprising estate from the UK has made the list.

However, if you want to visit the pretty British attraction book to go as soon as possible is set to close for a multi-million pound revamp.

The Barbican in London has taken second place to India‘s grand Taj Mahal as Time Out’s 26 ‘most beautiful buildings’ to see in 2026.

The free-to-visit landmark attracts over a million visitors each year and is set to undergo a huge upgrade to save it falling into disrepair.

At the estimated cost of £231million, The Barbican will upgrade its indoor rainforest in its Conservatory which is home to 1,500 species of plant.

Also included in the plans is to protect Barbican’s brutalist foyers and lakeside terrace.

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Outside in the courtyard, the pond will be revamped to stop water leaking onto the Metropolitan Line below – there will be new fountains and seating outside too.

The visitor destination is already free to visit, and this will continue once the revamp is complete.

The refurbishment project is set to start in 2028 when it will close until 2029.

The Barbican was pipped to the post by the Taj Mahal, a picture-perfect landmark in India built in the 1600s – it’s not hard to see why it got top spot.

Coming in third place was the Hallgrímskirkja in Iceland which is a church standing at 244 feet.

Not only is it a place of worship, but it has an observation tower where visitors can get incredible city views.

In Europe, other honourable mentions go to the Sagrada Familia in Spain which is very near completion after 140 years.

The outside of Gaudi’s basilica was completed in February, but there is some work still to do before it’s officially finished.

The Twist in Norway came in twelfth position and is a spectacular art gallery that is also used as a bridge.

It’s part of the Kistefos Sculpture Park and sits across the Ranselva River.

Another UK building did make the list coming in at number 21 – and it’s the Maggie’s Centre at St James’s Hospital in London.

The publication described it as having “mushroom-shaped forms grow from the floors to form the tiered roofs, and the stems are deep enough to contain loos and lifts.

“The space is decorated with mostly natural materials – think cork-topped tables, resin floors and cascading potted plants.”

Some more classic monuments and structures on the list include The Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, the Pantheon in Italy and Ad-Dayr in Petra, Jordan.

Colombia‘s impressive Santuario de Las Lajas comes in at number 19.

The enormous basilica sits on a bridge over the Guáitara River – it has been a pilgrimage destination since the eighteenth century and now gets up to 900,000 visitors each year.

Here’s the full list of Time Out’s ‘world’s 26 most beautiful buildings to see in 2026’…

1. Taj Mahal, India
2. The Barbican Estate, UK
3. Hallgrímskirkja, Iceland
4. Sagrada Familia, Spain
5. Museum SAN, South Korea
6. The Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
7. Fallingwater, USA
8. Ad-Dayr (The Monastery), Petra, Jordan
9. Fondation Louis Vuitton, France
10. Trinity College Library, Ireland
11. Great Mosque of Djenné, Mali
12. The Twist, Norway
13. Nasir Ol Molk Mosque, Iran
14. Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, Bangladesh
15. Pantheon, Italy
16. Palmenhaus at Schönbrunn Palace, Austria
17. Bát Tràng Ceramic Community House, Vietnam
18. Museum at Eldridge Street, USA
19. Santuario de Las Lajas, Colombia
20. Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), Australia
21. Maggie’s Centre (St James’s Hospital), UK
22. Baháʼí Temple of South America, Chile
23. Futuna Chapel, New Zealand
24. National Holocaust Monument, Canada
25. Komera Leadership Centre, Rwanda
26. Enryaku-ji, Japan

I cannot remember a summer when at least one evening hasn’t been spent following signs to a local sagra. Not quite a food market and not quite a village fete, a sagra is like a village moving its kitchen outdoors for a few nights.

When I think back to those nights from childhood, the first image that comes to mind is of a woman’s hand closed into a fist above a pan of hot oil. Through a tight circle formed between her thumb and forefinger, she would squeeze soft lumps of batter, one small ball at a time, into the oil. In a few seconds, each soft mass would become a pittula, a small Salento fritter: swollen, uneven, golden, too hot to eat straight away but too good to wait for.

I was born in Salento (Italy’s heel), in the south end of the Puglia region, and grew up in Taviano, a small town south of Lecce. Going away for the summer was something other people did. For my family, as with many local families, summer meant packing the car and moving from our main house in town to a smaller place by the sea, only a few miles away.

That place was Mancaversa, the seaside part of Taviano, where the Sagra tu Furese (mid August, dates to be finalised), which in Salentino dialect means the farmer’s festival, seemed to bring the whole village outdoors for dinner. From a small child’s perspective, it was a forest of legs and voices. I remember trying to pull my parents past the grown-up ritual of stopping every few yards to greet people they seemed to see only in summer, as we made our way towards the stalls near Piazza delle Rose, where men fanned embers with cardboard, sausages hissed on grills, horse-meat stew simmered in tomato sauce and gnummareddi (rolls of lamb offal) tempted the more adventurous.

Music came from a small stage and the village became an open-air sitting room, where people met over food that was ordinary for us, and almost incomprehensible to anyone who came to Salento looking for beaches and white light. No one would have thought to call them experiences. They were simply the proper way to get through summer, and in a country where a meal can quickly become expensive, they still make dinner feel possible for about €15.

Sometimes my parents, my brother and sister and I would go to Cannole. We would drive inland, passing through villages that all seemed to have a festival on. Only later did I understand that those roadside signs were a map of Italian summers, one I would go on to follow beyond Salento. Each led to a village gathered, for a few nights, around a dish of its own.

Cannole itself – a small town of just over 1,500 people – lies on the other side of the province of Lecce, towards Otranto and the Alimini lakes, and since 1985 the local Pro Loco Cerceto volunteer association has organised the Festa della Municeddha (10-14 Aug), dedicated to the small snail that has always been part of home cooking there.

The municeddha is eaten in three main ways: in tomato sauce, cooked down with onion and oil, or roasted. But whichever the version, the method for consuming them is the same: you free it from the shell with a toothpick and eat it standing up. The festival today is large, with music, stalls and full tables, and is a far slicker operation than the one I remember.

Around 400 miles up the Adriatic coast, in the Marche, is the small town of Campofilone, on the hills above the Aso valley. Since 1964, its Sagra dei Maccheroncini di Campofilone IGP (7-10 Aug) has taken an extremely thin local pasta (maccheroncini) and transformed it into the centrepiece of a public feast: cut even finer, made with semolina and eggs and cooked in one minute. As soon as it is drained, it is tossed through red mixed-meat ragù on large wooden boards, where these very fine strands, so delicate when dry, become a compact mass, glossy with sauce, ready to be sent out to the tables.

For the Sagra del Fusillo Felittese (13-23 Aug), set aside at least half a day. You leave the Cilento coast in the Campania region and climb inland, up to Felitto and the Gole del Calore (the Calore river gorge). The festival began in 1976 at Remolino, when fusillo (literally, little spindle) was used to bring people to the village. The reason to go is still the pasta: made with fresh eggs, long and hollow, rolled by hand around a thin iron rod. It is served with castrato ragù, traditionally made with goat from a castrated male animal, or with veal ragu.

If you’ve spent any time around Modena or Bologna in northern Italy (I moved to Modena to study at 18 and have lived there since), Castelfranco Emilia is the sort of place you’ll have passed through. At first I thought of it as a drive-through kind of town, but today I’m drawn to such places as they tend to keep their traditions fuss-free.

The tortellino, claimed by both Modena and Bologna, finds a nice compromise in Castelfranco. Legend says it was born here, at Locanda Corona, when an innkeeper glimpsed Venus’s navel through a keyhole and took it as his model. In practice, it is thinly rolled egg pasta, folded by hand around a filling of pork loin, prosciutto di Modena, mortadella di Bologna, parmigiano reggiano, egg and nutmeg. Here it is served in hot capon broth.

In September, Castelfranco holds the Sagra del Tortellino Tradizionale in Piazza Bergamini (4-14 Sept). What I remember is the square filling with long tables, people queueing at the cash desks and bowls of hot broth arriving one after another. Later, the parade leaves Corso Martiri like a small Renaissance pageant: women in brocade gowns and veils, men in caps and doublets, banners, music, and the innkeeper and noblewoman at the centre of the navel story that gave the tortellino its shape.

I arrived in Vipiteno, in Alto Adige/South Tyrol, in September, when summer in north Italy was cooling down. The Sagra dei Canederli (13 Sept) takes place during the day, and what I remember most is the strange orderliness of it: a 400-metre table laid with a gingham tablecloth in the historic centre, people finding a place, menus changing from one section to the next, and plates of dumplings arriving. It feels less like a fair than an alpine dining room laid out in the street, with folk music in the square and the mountains close enough to seem part of the meal.

A canederlo is a dumpling made from stale bread, eggs and milk – a way of using kitchen leftovers became one of the most recognisable dishes of these valleys. In Vipiteno, they come in broth, with speck, mushrooms, cheese and herbs; or sweet, with apricots or plums.

Sicily is at the southern end of the sagre map. I came to know Giarratana through the onion that bears the name of this village, in the south-east of the island. In August, those onions fuel an open-air supper and a small seasonal economy, with visitors coming to taste them where they are grown.

The Giarratana onion is large, flat and particularly sweet. It has been recognised by the Slow Food Presidia, and during the Sagra della Cipolla Giarratana (12-14 Aug), traditionally linked to the feast of San Bartolomeo, it fills markets, food stalls and tables along the village streets. It is served raw, finely sliced and dressed with olive oil, salt and cheese; baked whole or stuffed; or inside scaccia, a local speciality similar to a thin, folded focaccia. There are also hot dishes, preserves, local wine and music.

Giarratana is small: it is worth arriving before dark, parking outside the centre and, if accommodation in the village is full, staying in Ragusa, Modica or Chiaramonte Gulfi.

The Italy of sagre is too wide to fit inside a dining room and, for every silver cloche lifted, somewhere else in Italy there is a ticket number being called over a microphone and a dinner being served from a pot larger than anything you’d find in a home kitchen.

Pep Guardiola has turned down the chance to coach the Italian national side.

Earlier this week, Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Giovanni Malago said talks had been held with Guardiola, who left Manchester City this summer after 10 years, and that “exceptions” could be made for his salary.

On Thursday, FIGC technical director Paolo Maldini said Italy first approached their former player Carlo Ancelotti, who is currently in charge of Brazil.

Ancelotti has agreed to stay in post and now Guardiola has informed the FIGC he intends to continue with his plan to take a break from the game, which will allow him to rest, spend more time with his family and travel.

In addition to a huge salary, the FIGC is understood to have effectively told Guardiola he could shape the job as he saw fit, as they tried to tempt one of the most successful coaches in the game to take charge of a side that has failed to qualify for three World Cups in a row.

However, after taking some time to consider the situation, he has said no.

It means former Italy playmaker Andrea Pirlo, currently head coach of Dubai-based United FC, is the frontrunner to be tasked with navigating Italy through a Nations League group that includes France, Belgium and Turkey in the autumn and then try to qualify for Euro 2028.

WHEN booking a city break, it can be hard to choose where to go with hundreds of cities to choose from.

Add in the fact that a lot are full of crowds most of the year round, the decision can feel a little like a minefield.

The good news, though, is that there are loads of cities that don’t have the crowds and still have loads to see and do.

Whether you want a history-focused city break or more of a foodie-themed holiday, here are some lesser-known city breaks for under £250 per person:

Ditch Lisbon for Coimbra, Portugal

Instead of heading to the crowded cities of Lisbon or Porto, venture to Coimbra, which used to actually be the Portuguese capital.

The city is home to one of the oldest universities in Europe, which is even a UNESCO World Heritage University.

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To see the university itself, head to the 18th-century Joanina Library which has Baroque architecture.

Plus, the city is only an hour from Porto.

You could stay at Hotel D. Luís, which sits on the banks of the River Mondego in the heart of the city.

The hotel has 100 rooms with TVs, private bathrooms and complimentary toiletries and there’s even a restaurant in the hotel and a buffet-style breakfast too.

A three-night stay for two people between September 15 and 18, flying from London Stansted, costs £159 per person.

Ditch Rome for Bologna, Italy

Instead of heading to Rome, venture to Bologna in Italy.

Known for being a major foodie city, Bologna is loved for its restaurants selling fresh pasta as well as having hundreds of red terracotta rooftops.

Head to Piazza Maggiore, which is the central square in the city, and visit the unfinished Basilica di San Petronio.

In the city, you could stay at Savhotel Fiera, which features chic modern rooms – the hotel also has a restaurant and buffet-style breakfast, as well as outdoor terraces.

A three-night stay for two people between July 29 and August 1, flying to Forli (about a half- hour drive from Bologna) from London Stansted, costs £199 per person.

Ditch Brussels for Ghent, Belgium

Instead of going to Brussels, head to the city of Ghent, often considered Belgium‘s best kept secret.

In the centre of the city, you’ll find no cars, as well as fascinating architecture.

The city is known for its three towers – the 14th century Belfry of Ghent, St Bavo’s Cathedral and St Nicholas’ Church.

You could stay at the ibis budget Gent Centrum Dampoort, which is conveniently close to the train station with 119 rooms, each with a TV and there is also a bar and buffet breakfast.

A three-night stay for two people between November 8 and 11, flying from London Heathrow to Brussels (a 28 minute train journey away) costs £249 per person.

Ditch Budapest for Sofia, Bulgaria

Both Budapest and Sofia have lots of grand architecture with socialist-era buildings.

Yet, despite being the capital of Bulgaria, not many people head to Sofia for a city break.

But this vibrant capital is super cheap and has a lot to see including ancient Roman ruins and a bustling cafe culture.

If you love the outdoors, you can head to Vitosha Mountain as well, which takes under 20 minutes from the city centre.

You could stay at the Lopera Guest House, which is just a short walk from some of the city’ s main sights, such as St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, which is just five minutes away.

Rooms each have a private bathroom, as well as all the other features you’d expect.

You could stay for three-nights for two people between September 27 and 30, 2027, flying from London Stansted for £159 per person.

Ditch Berlin for Tirana, Albania

Like the German city of Berlin, Tirana has transformed historical spots in the city into creative attractions, with former communist structures now home to art galleries.

Even though Tirana is the capital of Albania, you’ll be hard pressed to find a crowd.

When in the city explore the lively cafe culture and head to Bunk’Art & Bunk’Art 2 to explore declassified Cold War nuclear bunkers that are now home to museums.

You could stay at the four-star Hotel Boka, just a short walk from Skanderbeg Square – the city’s main square.

The hotel boasts 20 rooms, each with a TV and minibar.

There’s also a bar with snacks and then a continental breakfast in the morning.

You could stay for three nights for two people between December 2 and 5, flying from London Luton for £169 per person.

Ditch Prague for Vilnius, Lithuania

Much like Prague, Vilnius has a similar fairytale-like atmosphere with mediaeval churches, towering castles and cobblestone alleys.

The capital of Lithuania is known for its UNESCO-listed Old Town where you can head on a walking tour.

In fact, it is one of the largest surviving medieval old towns in Northern Europe.

You could stay at the Panorama Hotel in the heart of Vilnius Old Town.

The hotel has 224 rooms with views of the Old Town’s rooftops.

There is an onsite restaurant too serving European food and a bar, as well as breakfast in the morning.

You could stay for three nights for two people between October 6 and 10, flying from London Stansted for £129 per person.

A video showing the final moments of Moroccan-born Abderrahim Fakir, who was struggling to breathe while being detained by police in Italy’s Bologna, has sparked protests demanding answers over his death.

If Guardiola was ready to return to management, would the English Football Association make an approach?

England have just finished third in the World Cup, their highest position in a men’s tournament since winning it in 1966.

However, boss Thomas Tuchel has been widely criticised after the 2-1 semi-final loss to Argentina as his defensive substitutions were perceived to have contributed to the Three Lions being unable to hold on to their 1-0 advantage.

Tuchel, 52, signed a two-year contract extension in February having been appointed in January 2025 and retains the backing of the FA.

But former England captain Wayne Rooney felt the FA might “go and get” Guardiola if he is available.

“I don’t see anyone else out there at the minute, unless you go and get Pep Guardiola. If Pep is available, then maybe you go and get him,” Rooney said on The Wayne Rooney Show after England’s loss to Argentina.

“If we sack him [Tuchel], what managers are we going to bring in? And I don’t think there’s anyone out there who’s as good as Thomas Tuchel, unless Guardiola.”

The FA approached Guardiola before appointing Tuchel, with reports suggesting there was a verbal agreement, external in place, with Guardiola remaining at Manchester City.

During his decade in England, Guardiola won 20 trophies, including the Premier League six times, the FA Cup on three occasions, the League Cup five times and the Community Shield three times.

He also won the Champions League in 2023, following that with the Uefa Super Cup and the Fifa Club World Cup.

DUBBED Ireland’s Riviera by tourists, Kinsale boasts spectacular scenery, cracking cuisine and colourful streets around every corner.

Originally a medieval fishing port, the Cork hotspot is loved for its rich history and culture.

Pinks, purples, yellows, oranges and greens — this seaside town is bursting with colour, and there’s plenty to do.

It is packed with boutiques, craft shops and art galleries, while visitors can also enjoy spectacular views, water activities and adorable dolphins.

Kinsale has previously been crowned one of Ireland’s most beautiful towns by Conde Nast.

The Co Cork town is home to a number of stunning beaches and bays.

Garretstown, Sandycove, The Dock, Garrylucas, Robert’s Cove Beach, Oysterhaven Bay, Coolmain Beach and Howe Strand are all must-sees.

Adventurers can take to the water in a kayak, ride the waves on a surfboard or soak up the scenery on a Kinsale Harbour Cruise.

Dolphins are often spotted swimming in pods through the harbour, while visitors can also look out for seals and whales on a wildlife tour.

Step back in time at Charles Fort National Monument or take in the sights at the Lusitania Museum and Signal Tower.

Discover the area’s fascinating past on a private walking tour — or treat your taste buds to a culinary adventure.

Behind the brightly coloured buildings lies Ireland’s gourmet capital.

The town has a huge number of restaurants, with everything from relaxed dining to refined cuisine.

Accommodation options include seafront hotels, luxury guesthouses, B&Bs, self-catering properties and Airbnbs.

Prices for a stay in the seaside town start at about €100 a night.

Alternatively, holidaymakers can wake up to a stunning sea view near Garretstown Beach.

The beach is known for its rolling waves and excellent surfing conditions.

It holds Blue Flag status and has public parking, while lifeguards are generally on duty during the summer bathing season.