Cheaper theme park tickets and children's meals as VAT to be cut for some attractions this summer
Chancellor Rachel Reeves made a series of announcements aimed at relieving cost-of-living pressures.
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France introduces one‑euro canteen meals for all students | Newsfeed
French universities are now offering 1 euro meals to all students, regardless of income, as part of a government-backed effort to ease financial pressure amid rising living costs. The move follows growing concern over student hardship, with surveys showing many young people in France have skipped meals because they could not afford food.
Published On 7 May 2026
‘£5 Michelin meals and world’s best bars’ I love this beautiful stopover city with direct UK flights & affordable hotels
OUR Spotlight On Column shines a light on both the little known and the much loved holiday destinations.
This week we’re talking Singapore, including some hidden gems and new hotels.
Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.
The Sun’s Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey recently visited.
She explained: “I didn’t expect to love the city as much as I did, but I loved how safe and clean it felt compared to other major cities.
“It’s the kind of place where you’ll never struggle to find amazing food, no matter what your budget it.
“Make sure to look up too – most buildings have living walls or rooftop gardens as strict rules mean any new structures must replace greenery it builds on.”
Here are some of our other top tips if you fancy a trip to the stopover city.
MUST SEE/DO:
The most fun way to get around the city is with a Singapore Sidecar (sideways.sg) where you are driven around by experienced riders.
With options of different tours, one of the best takes you everywhere from the finance district to the huge murals of Yip Yew Chong, who depicts scenes of traditional Singapore.
The tours include numerous photo stops, and the guides know all the answers to any questions you might have too.
Wait for night to fall and then hop over to Garden by The Bay to watch the light show of the famous trees.
HIDDEN GEM
The neighbourhood of Joo Chiat is no longer a hidden gem, after being named one of the world’s coolest neighborhoods.
But tourists often skip over Tin Yeang Restaurant, despite it being a great place to mingle with the locals.
It’s loud, its busy, but you can learn a lot about the culture while enjoying prata (crispy pancakes) with fish curry for just a few pounds.
It’s right by the multicoloured Peranakan houses too, so you can explore the mix of Chinese and Malay heritages afterwards.
BEST VIEW
When it comes to gardens, Singapore goes up by putting them on top of skyscrapers.
And the best free view is found at Henderson Wave Bridge, the highest footbridge in the city,
Join the other joggers and dog walkers to get views of both the city and nature, without paying a penny.
RATED RESTAURANT
Keng Eng Kee is an institution of a restaurant.
Family-run for more than 50 years, sibling Paul, Wayne and Jia Min are joined by the rest of their relatives when it gets busy.
Plastic bibs are supplied (and needed) for the most popular dishes, the chilli crab, a well as the marmite chicken. Unusual, but salty and delicious.
Make sure to book, as they can easily serve up to 800 tables a weekend.
On a budget? Don’t forget Hawker Chan, an indoor market food hall where you can get Michelin meals for less than a fiver.
BEST BAR
If you only go to one bar, it has to be Jigger + Pony, often named one of the best in the world.
Think speakeasy interiors and pretend magazines that disguise the menu, peppered with articles of the bar’s history.
The Clover Club is a must but staff are also on hand if nothing takes your fancy, to mix something up for you.
You’ll find yourself spending hours there, with fantastic music and service encouraging you to stay late into the night.
HOTEL PICK
Mama Shelter‘s first hotel in Asia, the new opening last year is bringing French flair to Singapore.
The 115 rooms include an unusual two-person bunk option, the perfect option if staying with friends.
Mama’s restaurant is just as fun with eclectic interiors and live music. Try the Szechuan Crispy Chicken and a Ms Violet cocktail (followed by a hungover coffee at Mama Kiss cafe).
Rooms cost from £120 per night. See mamashelter.com.
European city to offer free attraction tickets and restaurant meals
A POPULAR European city destination is adopting a green voucher scheme that will see tourists rewarded for litter picking this summer.
The city is hoping to attract tourists who don’t mind getting their hands a bit dirty on their holiday.
Germany‘s capital, Berlin, is set to introduce the ‘BerlinPay’ scheme that will see tourists rewarded for engaging in sustainable behaviour, like supporting social projects and collecting rubbish.
Those getting involved are set to receive benefits at museums, restaurants, and Berlin experiences when the scheme gets underway this summer.
This year, the scheme is going to be centred around water tourism and, partnered with the Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises, the model hopes to make responsible engagement around the waters visible and appreciated.
The tourism agency, Visit Berlin, has described the scheme as “an initiative that raises awareness and encourages responsible behaviour on and around Berlin’s waterways among visitors and Berliners”.
The agency has continued: “Those who behave responsibly on and around the water, for example by collecting trash, beautifying the neighbourhood, or supporting social projects – receive recognition from participating partners: small benefits or special Berlin experiences.”
The scheme is hoping to create a virtuous circle, where people get engaged, appreciate the city, and in turn are rewarded with a positive experience that will then drive engagement up further.
Berlin is currently looking for companies and initiatives to get involved with the reward scheme this summer and is keen on partners related to “Berlin’s water world”.
The tourism agency emphasized companies involved in water sports, leisure and tourism, gastronomy, hotel industry, culture and education, mobility, and environmental and urban initiatives should apply.
This new project appears to be following in the footsteps of Denmark, which launched ‘CopenPay’ for the country’s capital back in 2024.
So far, the scheme has proved to be effective and has had positive effects in the city, as tourists are given rewards such as boat trips and free bike rentals for their sustainable behaviour.
The head of communications and behavioural research at Wonderful Copenhagen, Rikke Holm Petersen, has reiterated the benefits to both the tourists and the city.
“When people are on holiday, they are more open to new ideas, and with CopenPay we have shown that tourists are not only happy to take part but are also inspired to…take new habits home with them,” Peterson said.