Mega

A NEW theme park deal is letting you buy a 2027 annual pass which includes visiting for the rest of 2026 for free.

Merlin – who operates 20 top UK attractions including all the major theme parks – has launched a mega September deal on their annual passes.

Anyone buying a Gold or Platinum Merlin Annual Pass for 2027 can visit all of the attractions for free for the rest of the year.

This means three extra months free on top of the 12 months of 2027.

Merlin 2027 Annual Passes with FREE 2026 access

It also includes some of the top events including Fright Nights at Thorpe Park and Alton Towers‘ Scarefest, along with Christmas at Legoland.

The Gold Merlin Annual Pass includes 485 days of attraction access as well as additional extras worth £250.

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This includes free parking and 20 per cent off food, drink and shops.

There are some exclusions, such as Alton Tower Fireworks, and from November 6-8.

Opt for the Platinum Merlin Annual Pass and it includes all of the above AND even more perks worth more than £500.

This includes a free Fastrack per visit, as well as four Bring a Friend tickets per year and a free Coke Freestyle cup that comes with two refills.

Not only that, but there are no exclusion dates (apart from some paid-for events).

The Gold Merlin Annual Pass currently costs £239 (or £19.99 a month), which works out to just 50p a visit.

Merlin 2027 Annual Passes with FREE 2026 access

The Platinum Merlin Annual Pass costs £299 (or £24.99 per month), which works out to

The deal is on offer until the end of the Month (September 30).

Here are the full list of attractions included in the passes:

• Alton Towers
• Thorpe Park
• Chessington World of Adventures Resort
• Legoland Windsor Resort
• Cadbury World
• The London Eye
• Warwick Castle
• Madame Tussauds
• The Dungeons (London, Edinburgh, York)
• Shrek’s Adenture! London
• Legoland Discovery Centres (Birmingham, Manchester)
• Sea Life (Manchester, Blackpool, Brighton, Weymouth, Great Yarmouth, Hunstanton, Scarborough, Loch Lomond)

YOU don’t need to go abroad to lock in a hassle-free, all-inclusive holiday.

A growing number of UK holiday parks and seaside resorts are introducing all inclusive options, packaging a place to stay, meals, drinks, and entertainment into one price.

And let’s be honest, holidays are a lot more enjoyable when you don’t have to ask, “Whose round is this?” or scan the menu for the cheapest option at dinner.

From five-star adults-only retreats with four meals a day, to action-packed family parks with unlimited Costa Coffee and amazing activities, here’s our pick of the top UK resorts where you can go all inclusive – from only £25pp a day.

Butlin’s

Family breaks to Butlin’s really do pack a lot in – West End-style entertainment, loads of activities, plus a free fairground and waterpark on-site to make use of.

In the last year, Butlin’s has added the option to go all inclusive to their stays too.

Butlin’s all inclusive bundles include accommodation, breakfast, dinner, drinks, as well as the usual access to the fairground, activities and shows.

It’s worth it for the drinks package alone, which includes alcoholic drinks, soft drinks and unlimited Costa Coffee.

The all inclusive offer is only available during Showtime Term-Time Midweek breaks, so they are ideal for families with little ones or older kids who are outside of school age.

Butlin’s offer all-inclusive breaks for £28pp per night, based on two adults and two children on a Showtime Term-time four night break.

However, you can also bolt on the all-inclusive drinks package and the all-inclusive food package to regular family breaks across school holidays.

Potters Resort

Fancy a truly all-inclusive holiday without having to leave the country?

Potters have five-star resorts in both the Norfolk and Essex countryside, directly on the east coast.

Accommodation at these resorts ranges from spacious bungalows to swanky hotel suites, all of which come with complimentary toiletries and towels.

Spend your days getting stuck into activities like archery, air rifles, pickleball and bingo and your evenings watching all-singing, all-dancing shows with talent who have appeared on the West End.

You can tuck into four meals a day here, as late night dishes are included, where you can help yourself to snacks like bacon rolls or a hot cooked dinner late into the evening.

As for drinks, you can enjoy all the branded spirits like Bacardi, Malibu and Jameson’s, plus fun cocktails, smoothies and milkshakes.

The resorts remain adults-only for most of the year, perfect for enjoying some peace and quiet away on a couples’ retreat.

However the Norfolk resort opens up to families during selected school holiday periods.

The five-star, all inclusive breaks start from £175pp per night for a four night break. Make sure to check your specific dates on their website.

Parkdean Cherry Tree

Tucked between the Norfolk Broads and the sandy shores of Gorleston Beach, Parkdean Resorts Cherry Tree is a pretty and quiet coastal park.

Go swimming whatever the weather thanks to both indoor and outdoor heated pools, and if you bring little ones with you, there’s a toddler splash zone, too.

As for activities, there’s pirate-themed crazy golf, an adventure playground, a multi-sports court, and a buzzing amusement arcade.

You can go all inclusive here from £25 per day, which includes three meals a day served in the park’s main restaurant, plus unlimited soft drinks and Costa Coffee.

You can go all inclusive at Parkdean resorts for four-night breaks with Monday arrivals during school term time – so if you’re visiting as a couple or a group of friends, it can be the ideal time to visit. Check the park’s website for specific dates.

Lower Hyde

You really get your money’s worth with a stay at Lower Hyde holiday park.

Just minutes from the pretty seaside town of Shanklin on the Isle of Wight, this holiday park has plenty of free attractions nearby like Shanklin Beach and the beautiful Quarr Abbey.

And if you book your stay in a luxurious glamping safari tent, you’ll wake up to a view that feels more like being abroad than in the UK.

On-site you can battle it out on the sports courts, go for a swim in the heated outdoor pool, and settle down to Parkdean‘s signature entertainment.

But the best part is that a stay here essentially gives you access to two holiday parks for the price of one, as you also get free access to all the facilities at the neighbouring Landguard holiday park.

Nearby Landguard has a stunning woodland setting that is ideal for outdoors-y types, with plenty of walking trails plus an outdoor adventure playground for any little ones.

Going all inclusive here starts from £25 per day – check their website for a range of dates.

Carmarthen Bay

Overlooking the Gwendraeth Estuary in South Wales, Carmarthen Bay is a very picturesque holiday park.

Nearby you can explore the huge, 520-acre Pembrey Country Park, or head out on a wildlife safari at WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre.

Plus Carmarthenshire is home to one of the best-preserved Normal fortresses in Wales, Kidwelly Castle, which is just five minutes away. You might even recognise it from Monty Python.

The park itself has plenty to do, too. Here you can challenge the crew to crazy golf, plus toddlers can burn off energy in the soft-play arena.

End your evenings with a meal at The Boathouse Bar & Restaurant before catching live stage shows late into the night.

You can go all inclusive at Carmarthen Bay from £25 per day.

Whitley Bay

Perched on the cliffs with views of St Mary’s Lighthouse, Parkdean Whitley Bay trades chaotic holiday park energy for crisp coastal air and rugged North East landscapes.

Days here revolve around morning swims in the heated indoor pool, nature trail walks, and letting the kids loose on the outdoor play areas and sports court.

The beach and famous white dome of Spanish City sit just down the road, making it easy to enjoy an evening of coastal cocktails or fish and chips with sea views.

Make sure to be back in time for bingo at the Showbar, where there’s big cash prizes to be won.

Book an all inclusive break at Whitley Bay from £25 per day.

Newquay Holiday Park

Gone are the days of sitting around a packed swimming pool on holiday – Parkdean Newquay has three to pick from, plus a 200ft waterslide for good measure.

Set in Britain’s surf capital, this park provides perfect beach holiday energy.

You’ve got seven famous beaches on your doorstep, including Fistral Beach, as well as cool Cornish towns like Padstow and Rock nearby, too.

If you like an active holiday, you’ve got high-ropes courses, a climbing wall and kayaking available here.

There’s an entire Tots program if you’re bringing any along, which includes messy play and miniature bike sessions.

Equally, the park offers ‘Grown up getaways’ with 60’s tribute acts, adult-only swim sessions, karaoke parties and events like Country night and the chilled out Brunch Club.

Go all-inclusive at Parkdean Newquay from £25 per day.

Late on Friday night, Donald Trump announced what he called “the biggest oil deal in world history.” Under the terms described publicly so far, the US would obtain a controlling interest in a new venture involving 17 Venezuelan oil fields containing more than 65 billion barrels of proven reserves, with an effective 55 percent share of production and preferential access to crude at cost. The Trump administration says the arrangement could mobilize around $100 billion in private investment and eventually generate more than $200 billion in Venezuelan tax revenues. Much about the deal, including its precise legal structure, remains unclear.

There is nothing inherently objectionable about American companies making money from Venezuelan oil. Venezuela desperately needs foreign capital, technology and markets. PDVSA cannot rebuild the industry on its own, and reconnecting Venezuela to the American energy system would be preferable to another generation of dependence on Russia, China or Iran. 

The problem is not that Washington wants investment. The problem is that it seems determined to make that investment possible without first solving the political and institutional problem that made Venezuela uninvestable in the first place.

Recalculating

The original expectation after Nicolás Maduro’s removal seemed straightforward enough. American oil majors would pour tens of billions of dollars into the country and restore production. Nine days after Maduro was captured, Trump gathered oil executives at the White House and invited them back to Venezuela. ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods responded with an inconvenient assessment: under the existing legal and commercial conditions, the country remained “uninvestable.” ConocoPhillips was interested but similarly cautious. Chevron, which never fully left, has continued expanding and is now preparing another significant restructuring of its Venezuelan operations. So far, the broad stampede of supermajors Washington appeared to expect has not come.

So Washington widened the search. Delcy Rodríguez traveled to India in June to court energy investment and deepen ties with Reliance and other Indian companies, in a trip conducted with remarkably explicit American encouragement. India had once again become a major buyer of Venezuelan crude, and Asian capital offered another potential source of the money Venezuela needed.

Under the conditions we have been apprised of so far, it is difficult to imagine a future democratic Venezuelan government simply accepting an arrangement of this magnitude as a fait accompli.

At the same time came operators with a different tolerance for Venezuelan risk. Hunt Overseas Oil and Crossover Energy signed preliminary agreements to develop projects in the Orinoco Belt. Smaller American firms have explored opportunities that Exxon and Conoco have so far declined to pursue. SLB, an oilfield-services company rather than a producer, has now been brought in to reconstruct and analyze PDVSA’s degraded reservoir data, the sort of basic technical infrastructure that should tell us something about how much of an oil industry still needs to be rebuilt.

And then there are the intermediaries. Bloomberg recently reported that Alejandro Betancourt, who rose spectacularly during the Chávez years, emerged as an important facilitator for Washington’s effort to bring smaller American companies into Venezuela. His usefulness is not difficult to understand. Companies entering a market where formal institutions remain weak need people who know the terrain, the networks, the officials and the informal rules through which business actually gets done. 

Betancourt has denied past allegations of wrongdoing and has not been charged with a crime, but his return as an influential gatekeeper hardly advertises the arrival of a transparent, rules-based Venezuelan economy.

Now comes the ultimate recalculation. If investors are still reluctant to absorb Venezuelan political risk, the US government may absorb some of it itself.

Risk instead of certainty

That is what makes Friday’s announcement so revealing. Washington began the year with the proposition that political change would make Venezuela attractive to capital. Now, the Trump government appears increasingly willing to create more and more elaborate mechanisms to insulate investors from risk rather than address the conditions that make the country risky in the first place. At every stage, it has changed the investor, the financing, the intermediary or the allocation of risk. The one variable it has been remarkably reluctant to change is the Venezuelan government.

There is also the small matter of Venezuelan law.

The Constitution establishes that hydrocarbon deposits belong to the Republic and are inalienable. It also requires National Assembly approval for public-interest contracts involving foreign states, foreign official entities, or companies not domiciled in Venezuela. Delcy’s reform of the hydrocarbons law has undeniably widened the space for private operators, granting companies much greater control over production and commercialization. But nothing disclosed so far explains how an arrangement giving the US government a controlling economic position over 17 fields, reportedly with rights potentially stretching for a quarter of a century, has obtained the constitutional authorization necessary to bind Venezuela over anything resembling that period. Reuters itself notes that the legal and financial structure remains unclear and that the proposal faces constitutional questions.

Delcy’s strategy is to survive Trump himself, so that the next American administration treats her as the person guaranteeing oil production, investment contracts and political stability.

Perhaps those questions will eventually receive convincing answers. Perhaps the current National Assembly will be asked to provide whatever approvals the agreement requires. But under the conditions we have been apprised of so far, it is difficult to imagine a future democratic Venezuelan government simply accepting an arrangement of this magnitude as a fait accompli. At a minimum, it would have every reason to subject the contracts to comprehensive legal review and democratic ratification; significant portions could well have to be renegotiated.

That produces a remarkable contradiction. An agreement supposedly designed to provide investors with certainty may create its own enormous source of political risk. 

A future government could inherit century-long commitments negotiated by an unelected predecessor whose authority it contests, with the US itself financially invested in preserving those commitments. Venezuela’s first genuinely democratic administration would then begin its life choosing between endorsing decisions it never authorized or entering an immediate dispute with Washington.

There is a perfectly respectable argument for what the Trump administration is attempting. Venezuela cannot place reconstruction on hold indefinitely while it builds pristine institutions. Oil infrastructure continues to deteriorate. Investment can create jobs, revenue, and constituencies interested in stability. Delcy controls the ministries, PDVSA, much of the security apparatus and the bureaucracy; somebody has to sign the contracts today. Connecting Venezuelan economic interests to American companies could itself help pull the country away from the geopolitical networks that sustained Maduro.

But that argument confuses the need to restart the economy with the need to give an interim government the power to determine its structure for generations.

Washington could have pursued investment while limiting the duration of interim arrangements, requiring future democratic ratification for the largest commitments, creating sunset clauses, tying concessions to institutional milestones or ensuring that Venezuela’s democratic forces had genuine ownership of the framework. Democratic legitimacy is not an obstacle to investment certainty. Properly understood, it is one of its foundations.

The US seems unwilling to own the fact that no amount of financial engineering, political brokerage or well-connected intermediaries can substitute for a democratic government.

Instead, the emerging arrangement gives Delcy Rodríguez an increasingly powerful incentive to make herself indispensable. The more American capital, energy security and political prestige become attached to agreements signed under her government, the more valuable continuity becomes. Delcy’s obvious strategy is no longer merely to survive the transition. It is to survive Trump himself, so that the next American administration treats her not as the temporary caretaker Washington inherited in January but as the person guaranteeing oil production, investment contracts and political stability.

Unreliable partners

There have been meaningful changes since Maduro’s removal. More than a thousand political prisoners have reportedly been released. The government and representatives of the opposition have reached an agreement to renew the Supreme Court. But if the objective on January 3 was a genuine democratic transition, it is increasingly difficult to argue that Venezuela has moved very far from square one. Delcy still governs without democratic legitimacy. Much of the chavista State remains intact. María Corina Machado remains outside the country and outside the US-backed negotiating mechanism. Even senators from both parties in Washington have begun pressing the administration for a clearer path toward elections.

If anyone in Washington believes that another legally dubious agreement negotiated with the cronies who continue to usurp the Venezuelan State—particularly through figures like Alejandro Betancourt, now being mentioned as a facilitator for oil investment—will inspire substantially more confidence than anything Washington has tried since that glorious January 3 night, then they have learned remarkably little about the problem they inherited. Washington took responsibility for managing Venezuela’s transition that night. Eight months later, it still seems unwilling to own the central fact that no amount of financial engineering, political brokerage or well-connected intermediaries can substitute for a Venezuelan government with democratic and legal legitimacy.

There is a broader cost to that refusal. Machado is not merely another Venezuelan politician Washington happens to dislike. She is one of Latin America’s most recognizable democratic figures, with an audience extending across the region’s Right, democratic center and beyond. The administration’s repeated willingness to sideline her while embracing Rodríguez is therefore being watched outside Venezuela too.

If billions begin flowing through institutions and business networks that have never been subjected to democratic accountability, Washington may discover that it has helped recapitalize the very system it intended to replace.

It is particularly telling to see rightwing figures such as Emmanuel Rincón, Orlando Avendaño and Hermann Tertsch—voices that have spent much of the past eight months looking for the glass-half-full interpretation of Washington’s most questionable decisions—struggling to interpret the latest developments as anything other than the US installing a friendlier face atop the chavista state.

That matters for American power. The Trump administration has never pretended that its diplomacy would be delicate. Allies understand pressure, bargaining and the occasional arm-twist. But there is a difference between being a demanding partner and being an unreliable one. Latin American political leaders who have aligned themselves with Washington against authoritarian movements would be perfectly rational to study Venezuela and conclude that the US remains an excellent partner for a business transaction while being considerably less dependable as the guarantor of a political project.

Oil production can rise without democracy. Private investment can coexist with authoritarianism. Venezuela can become much more capitalist without becoming substantially more free. If billions begin flowing through institutions and business networks that have never been subjected to democratic accountability, Washington may discover that it has helped recapitalize the very system it intended to replace.

Chavismo spent a quarter century destroying the institutional ecosystem in which long-term investment could survive. Changing an oil law does not rebuild it. Removing Maduro did not rebuild it. Finding more adventurous investors will not rebuild it either.

Democratic legitimacy is not the prize Venezuela receives at the end of a successful transition. It is part of the infrastructure required for the transition to succeed.

THE world’s largest airport is set to open by 2032 – and inside passengers can expect forests, waterfalls and super modern technology.

Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) is set to overtake the likes of King Fahd International Airport in Saudi Arabia to become the biggest airport in the world.

Construction of the £25.9billion airport is currently underway and it will eventually have five runways once complete, with 360 flights an hour (200 departures and 160 arrivals).

According to Khaleej Times, the project has been unimpacted by the situation in the Middle East.

In an interview, Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, added that construction has not slowed due to the tensions in the Middle East.

Over the past months the Middle East has faced escalating unrest, due to tensions between the US, Israel and Iran.

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The conflict has seen airspace impacted with major airlines such as British Airways and Lufthansa suspending flights across the Middle East.

Dubai International Airport also saw minor damage in an attack earlier this year.

However, the new airport is set to have capacity for 150million passengers each year within the first decade, before eventually rising to 260million passengers.

This is compared to London Heathrow which has a capacity of 84million a year, although this is set to increase to 150million with the third runway.

Al Maktoum International Airport will have more than 400 gates which will be able to host ‘next-generation’, ultra-wide body planes from Airbus and Boeing.

There will be two terminals and a huge underground baggage system capable of moving 30,000 bags per hour.

Inside the terminals passengers can expect giant halls and open air concourses, as well internal waterfalls and gardens.

And because the airport is so big, passengers can hop on the ‘integrated underground Automated People Mover system’, which includes a multi-track train.

Across the airport, there will be 14 stations in total.

Technology at the airport will also be super modern, with automated travel systems, AI security checks and robot staff.

The robots will be used for various tasks, including baggage handling.

The current title of the largest airport in the world belongs to King Salman International Airport, which is currently being constructed in Saudi Arabia.

TAKING it easy is a way of life for Croatians.

In fact, slow living is so ingrained in their philosophy that they even have a word for it — “Pomalo”.

I watch the sun set over 23 miles of unblemished coastline from the balcony of my hotel room in Porec on the Istrian peninsula. It’s not exactly difficult to relax in a place like this.

With its pristine pine-fringed beaches, ancient cobblestone streets and tranquil lagoons, this 2,000-year-old town has become a big hit with holidaymakers seeking a laid-back getaway.

And its newest 5* hotel — Pical Resort by Valamar Collection — takes relaxation to a whole new level. From the moment I walk into the lobby, it’s clear I won’t have to lift a finger during my trip.

The friendly, attentive staff are quick to grab my bags and carry them up to my room, while a brief wave of the hand from a sunlounger sends someone rushing over to take my order poolside.

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Set in more than ten hectares of Mediterranean greenery and with 514 rooms across three distinct wings, this mega-complex can cater for around 2,000 guests at full capacity.

But if I had any concerns about Pical’s size impacting the quality of its service, these quickly vanish when I learn it employs more than 800 staff members — one for every 2.5 patrons.

Making every guest’s experience personal is clearly something this resort prides itself on.

As I enter my spacious, modern room, one of the first things I notice is a “holiday scent” selection next to the bed.

I’m encouraged to pick a fragrance from a scratch-and-sniff card and tick off my favourite so that housekeeping can deliver a reed diffuser during their turn-down service. I enthusiastically opt for Floral Essence with notes of jasmine and violet.

My room is in the hotel’s main building, which is designed for couples and solo travellers.

But it also has a family building with an all-day childcare service and 8,000 square metres of indoor and outdoor play facilities, including ball pits, water slides and a giant gaming room.

For those with more cash to splash, the hotel boasts 113 premium “V-Level” suites which offer dedicated concierge services and special dining perks.

As soon as I am unpacked, my first move is to check out one of the resort’s 11 swimming pools.

There is no risk of sun-lounger wars breaking out here — with hundreds of beds to choose from.

It takes all my strength not to drift off to sleep as I sink into the cushions under the warmth of the sun, the distant noise of the bubbling jacuzzi lulling me into a zen state.

If you prefer a livelier sunbathing setting, however, the Puro Beach club is where to head.

Before I can even put my bag down, the staff have already laid a towel out on my reserved sunbed and are ready and waiting to take my drink order.

It’s easy to see how this resort has earned its five stars. My elegant sushi platter was top-notch and I couldn’t think of a better way to spend an afternoon than sipping on a hand-crafted mojito while listening to the club’s resident DJ.

That evening I swap my chopsticks for silverware as I head to the hotel’s culinary pièce de résistance — its new Michelin-star restaurant Harry’s Piccolo.

Created under the direction of chefs Matteo Metullio and Davide De Pra, this gastronomic haven is heavily inspired by Porec’s unique geography, close to the borders of Slovenia and Italy.

Its seven-course tasting menu travels the tracks of the famous Parenzana railway which once connected the three nations by blending Italy’s fine-dining flair with Slovenian alpine herbs and world-class Croatian seafood and olive oils.

The result is sensational dishes like L-Astice: Adriatic lobster with pea liquor Bearnaise, asparagus, black truffle and green peppercorn.

The whole affair is rather pricey, at €190, but worth it if you’re celebrating or are really into your food.

And if fine dining isn’t your cup of tea, there are seven more restaurants on site.

The hotel’s main diner, More, offers buffet breakfasts and live cooking stations at dinner, while Quattro Terre focuses on local and Mediterranean cuisine, using locally sourced ingredients.

As my five-day trip nears an end, I save Pical’s crowning glory — its ESPA wellness spa — until last.

I begin my relaxation journey in one of its six Istrian-inspired saunas, infused with local herbs that release a heady scent, before moving into the Mediterranean steam bath, where I’m handed a home-made body scrub.

When the heat becomes too much to bear, I retreat into the aqua sensory room to cool off on one of the many floating water beds, before rinsing off in a sensory shower, which mimics a tropical rainstorm with red LED lighting and aromatherapy smells.

I’m also booked in for a 60-minute massage treatment with one of ESPA’s expert therapists, Sanda. After a lengthy consultation to tailor the treatment to my needs — including picking a scent from a selection of aromatherapy oils — she starts to work her magic on my achy shoulders.

And as I fight the urge to fall asleep yet again, I realise I may have taken “Pomalo” a bit too seriously.

A NUMBER of Ryanair passengers missed their flight this week due to more airport queue chaos.

Travellers at Copenhagen Airport became stuck in long queues on Tuesday.

The Ryanair flight was scheduled to have 179 passengers, however 54 didn’t even make it onboard.

When the flight closed for boarding, any passengers who weren’t onboard had their luggage unloaded from hold.

The delays were not due to the new Entry/Exit System (EES) that has been causing delays at other European airports.

Instead, they were due to a water leak.

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A spokesperson for the airport said: “The longer queues at passport control on Tuesday afternoon were caused by an extraordinary operational issue and were not related to the EES system.

“On Tuesday afternoon, an unfortunate water leak occurred in a server room connected to the passport control area in Pier E, one of the airport’s two passport control facilities.

“As a result, all passengers had to pass through passport control in Pier C for the remainder of the day.

“When half of the available passport control capacity is taken out of operation, longer waiting times are unfortunately unavoidable.

“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this caused our passengers.”

Sun Travel has contacted Ryanair for comment.

This is the latest in a number of incidents of passengers missing their flights in Europe recently.

However, other cases have been caused by long queues at airports due to EES.

For example, back in April, about 100 passengers were left stranded at Milan Linate Airport after their easyJet flight to Manchester left without them.

A MAJOR international airport is about to undergo two decades of change with a massive expansion.

Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport in Australia dates back to 1919 making it one of the oldest international airports in the world.

And it has revealed its Master Plan 2045 that will completely transform the airport.

Over two decades, the AUD$6billion (£3.1billion) project will completely overhaul the airport including expanding the international terminal, as well as redeveloping two domestic terminals.

There will be two new gates at the international terminal, as well as 12 new ‘swing gates’ at the domestic terminals, which can also be used for international aircraft depending on demand.

There will also be a new concourse between the domestic T2 and T3 terminals, which is where the new ‘swing gates’ will be, allowing the area to be transformed for international departures.

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At the international terminal (T1), travellers will also find additional baggage reclaims and new gate lounges.

Tech upgrades at the airport, which will be finished by the end of this year, include a $200million (£104million) update to T2 Domestic Terminal with new security scanners and self-service bag drops.

Flights at the airport are set to increase as well, from around 75,000 currently per year to 130,000 by 2045.

As a result, international passengers are expected to double from around 16million per year today, to 36.4million in 2045.

There will also be a new hotel which will add 200 to 500 rooms near T1 and between 500 and 900 elsewhere at the airport.

Across the entire airport, there will be a number of new shops, cafes, restaurants, bars and potentially even a pub too.

According to the planning documents, there will be “amusement centres” and “entertainment facilities” as well.

By 2045, the airport aims to handle 72.6million passengers a year – compared to the 42.5million passengers today.

It will be the airport’s largest terminal transformation since the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton said: “Approval of Sydney Airport Master Plan 2045 provides a clear pathway to plan for future demand and invest in the infrastructure Sydney will need over the next two decades.

“As Australia’s international gateway, this plan ensures we can continue supporting tourism, trade, investment and jobs while delivering the capacity needed for future generations.”

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said: “Kingsford Smith is Australia’s busiest airport, it must remain fit for the future.

“Airports aren’t artworks, they’re constantly evolving to become more efficient and improve the passenger experience, and this new Master Plan maps out the airport’s plan to do just that.

“As demand grows, a modern Kingsford Smith will remain crucial to transport, tourism and industry across New South Wales and the nation.”

HUGE headliners. Gorgeous Suffolk countryside. Woodland spas. Entire fairgrounds, theatre and comedy tents. Oh, and fluffy pink sheep.

If you’re looking for the UK’s best family festival, you’ve found it at Latitude.

I visited the festival this year to celebrate its 20th birthday, and as a first-timer, it truly surprised me.

This year I sang my heart out to sets from Tom Odell and Lewis Capaldi, but over the years, the festival has hosted artists like The 1975, Liam Gallagher and Florence + The Machine.

Pair those headline sets with DJ sets from Dermot O’Leary and Gok Wan, and you’ve got yourself a pretty interesting line-up across the festival’s six music stages.

The thing that struck me the most about this festival was just how family-friendly it is.

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At the very front of the main stage, you’ve got dedicated superfans stood against the barrier.

Zoom to the outer edges of the crowd, and you’ve got multi-generational families sat on camping chairs and picnic blankets, with pully trolleys packed with snacks, toys and games.

And when I say this is an all ages festival, I mean ALL ages.

I saw pairs of grandparents slow-dancing together as well as tiny toddlers grooving on the grass.

Those who wanted to stay out late or head to over 18’s zones could do just that, whilst those who want to peel off early to put the kids to bed can easily do so, too.

It was refreshing to find a festival where you can enjoy huge headline acts such as Lewis Capaldi and David Byrne, and not get caught up in the pushing, shoving and moshing that comes with other UK festivals.

Although – if you are wanting that vibe – head to the Trailer Park late at night, where alternative and up-and-coming acts like Grooveline put on incredible, high-energy sets.

This is also the area of the woods that’s best for exploring, where you’ll find everything from a redneck oracle offering life advice, to a rat-themed caravan hosting a rat-themed rave.

I won’t lie, this exploration was done during the early hours of the morning and I was starting to question my own eyes. But I can assure you that the Trailer Park, in all of its randomness, is real.

There’s even a secret, apres-ski themed stage that plays dance music and blasts fake snow over the crowd – accessible only by crawling through an unsuspecting ski shed.

Forgetting the chaos of the nighttime escapades, this festival experience can also be as relaxed as you want it to be.

Maybe it’s the chilled Suffolk countryside that puts everyone at ease, but this festival has an incredibly relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

There’s even free punting trips along the river, where you’ll cruise by a floating stage that puts on experimental art performances and classical music from a live orchestra.

And if you really want to unwind, there’s an entire wellness area dedicated to just that.

Slip through sparkling streamers into the zen zone and find food trucks serving nourishing smoothies, massage tents, saunas and daytime yoga sessions.

My favourite part of this zone was the “peace tree”, draped in flowers and colourful hangings, with soft cushions scattered across the grass beneath it.

It’s the ideal spot for a quick moment of meditation (or, let’s be honest, to retreat to when you’ve had one too many drinks).

Here, you can simply lie back on the earth, rest your head on a cushion, and breathe – and don’t worry, no one will judge if your quick lie-down turns into a full afternoon snooze.

To the left of the zen zone you’ll find the comedy tent, where you can catch a stand-up show from both budding talent and big names.

I managed to catch a set from the hilarious Sue Perkins, which started with all things Bake Off and ended on embarrassing, behind-the-scenes moments from her Netflix travel show.

Just a few minutes’ walk from the comedy tent will take you to the massive dedicated kids area, which is packed with free workshops, theatre shows and more from 10am – 6pm daily.

The baby and toddler tent offers a sheltered soft play plus areas to feed, change and even bathe the little ones.

For older kids, there’s a fairground with a giant helter skelter, plus a kids theatre tent with song and dance workshops, arts and crafts activities and pop-up Punch and Judy shows.

Over in the forest, you’ll find bushcraft skills, pop-up museums and interactive space and science stations. All in all, it’s pretty impossible for kids to get bored here.

When it comes to camping, there’s plenty of options.

There’s general weekend camping, plus dedicated family camping zones, ideal if you have children aged 16 and under in your group.

The family camping zone has its own ‘Enchanted Garden’ area with extra activities, plus it’s only a short walk from here into the main arena, which is ideal for those with little legs.

I stayed in the Pink Moon glamping area, which is well worth it if you’re looking to treat yourself.

Here there’s plenty of sparklingly-clean loos and showers, plus lounge zones with sofas and a dedicated pamper tent, complete with mirrors, hairdryers and straighteners that are yours to use.

As for food and drink, you’re pretty spoilt for choice here.

Stonebaked pizzas, macaroni cheese bowls, loaded jacket potatoes, coconut curries, duck wraps, fluffy Biscoff pancakes…my mouth is watering just thinking back to the meals I had.

Expect food festival prices, but my top recommendations would be to grab a salted maple iced latte from Pantha Coffee (£5), and indulge in home comforts with a full-on roast dinner from Roasthost (£18).

You can even just grab a side of roasties with gravy and cauli-cheese for a cheeky snack (£10).

Or head to The Local Larder by the kids zone to pack your own picnic, where you can put together a lunch of scotch eggs, sausage rolls, cheese twists, salads, pastries and more.

Ultimately, Latitude Festival can be whatever you make it.

Want a wholesome family camping weekend where the kids have a fairground and woodland workshops on their doorstep? Sorted.

Or days of drinking at waterfront wine bars, going punting, catching a few DJ and comedy sets thne ending the night by dancing to drum and bass? That’s easily done, too.

All of this in a fantastical woodland setting dotted with pink sheep, hidden forest raves and floating river stages – I’d say that’s a recipe for a pretty magical weekend.

Latitude 2027 Early Bird tickets go on sale on August 13 at 10am.

Day tickets start from £110 for adults and £18 for children.

General weekend camping tickets start at £308 for adults and £28 for kids, which covers four nights of camping plus entry to all free performances, workshops and activities.

Pink Moon camping starts from £285 per adult for the weekend, excluding a festival entry ticket.

See latitudefestival.com.

Booking Latitude? Try Klarna

Klarna lets you split up the payments for your festival tickets, plus their debit card is packed with travel benefits.

Spread out your festival ticket payments by using Klarna, which offers flexible payment options such as splitting the cost of your ticket into three payments.

You can purchase Latitude tickets directly through the Klarna app, or choose Pay with Klarna at checkout.

For even more travel benefits, check out the Klarna Card.

The Klarna Card charges no foreign exchange fees, so you can tap abroad without worrying about any extra charges.

The card is accepted in over 200 countries, wherever Visa payments are accepted.

Pair it with a Klarna membership and you’ll also get travel insurance, cancel for any reason cover plus airport lounge access.

See klarna.com/uk/.

IF YOU are heading away this summer, you might want to check whether you need to expect lengthy queues at your destination.

A major airline boss has called out the destinations you can expect to experience chaos this summer thanks to Europe’s new Entry/Exit System (EES).

According to easyJet boss Kenton Jarvis, the EU’s EES is “a bit of a mess”, highlighting the Canary Islands in particular, according to TTG Media.

Popular destinations in the Canary Islands include Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Tenerife, Lanzarote and La Palma.

He also highlighted that there are issues in Milan Linate Airport, including recently a number of passengers missed their flight due to long queues at border control.

There are some destinations that are handling the new system well though, such as the Greek islands.

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He added: “The EU had a very long time to prepare for something they have not prepared very well.”

Jarvis also explained that planes can only wait so long for passengers, before they need to leave without them.

This was the case in Milan, where the plane was held for an hour before eventually leaving.

If they had waited longer, they might have missed their slot for take-off or the crew would then go into working overtime.

He is now advising passengers to arrive at the airport earlier, to allow for the extra time to get through border control.

And Jarvis is also pushing for the grace period for EES to be extended into the winter.

If you are unable to get through border control due to queues, in time for your flight, easyJet will put you on another flight with the airline.

Jarvis added: “It should be a good thing when everyone has been registered because they will be able to use e-gates, but until then it is clunky.”

A MASSIVE inflatable obstacle course is set to open at a popular UK shopping centre this weekend.

Dubbed The Monster, the attraction has been described as “one of the world’s biggest inflatable obstacle courses”, with tickets previously selling out across the US, Canada, Mexico, and Abu Dhabi.

Now, the popular course is set to take up residence at Bluewater Shopping Centre in Greenhithe, Kent for the rest of the summer.

The exciting attraction boasts 1,000 feet of fun, with 40 obstacles, including the 18-metre “Mega Slide”, the mind-blowing “Exterminator” and the terrifying “House of Hell”.

It is set to launch on Saturday (July 18) and will be open daily from 10am to 9pm, with guests able to complete as many laps as they’d like during a 60-minute time slot.

The Monster will be at Bluewater Shopping Centre until Monday, August 31.

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During this time, there will be daily quiet sessions for people of all-ages, as well as adults-only slots.

There will also be foam parties with DJs and karaoke on select Saturdays during this time.

The area surrounding the obstacle course will also offer street food and drink vendors, as well as giant games such as Jenga and Connect 4, and Monster Ping-Pong.

Centre Director at Bluewater James Waugh described The Monster as “an incredible attraction”.

“We can’t wait to welcome guests throughout the summer to experience everything it has to offer — from the 300‑metre inflatable obstacle course to the full line‑up of entertainment in the event arena,” he said.

“Tickets are already selling fast, so we are urging people to book their visits sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment.”

Admission costs £18 each, while spectator tickets will set you back just £3, with more information available here.

Participants must be at least five years old and one metre tall, while children under four can watch for free.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Halftime Show is expected to have one more surprise performer not yet formally announced

The FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Halftime Show will feature some of the biggest performers in the world – but there’s one more surprise on the way for fans.

Some huge names will take part in a special show curated by Chris Martin from Coldplay including Madonna and Justin Bieber as well as Shakira and Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel and BTS.

The famous faces will all co-headline a special show, which similar to the Superbowl Halftime show, will take place on Sunday, 19 July 2026, at New York New Jersey Stadium when the final two teams take on one another.

Currently, it is between the four semi finalists, with either France or Spain taking on either England or Argentina in the competition. By Wednesday night, following the second semi-final, we will know who will play against one another in the final.

The show will last 11 minutes, and will support the Fifa Global Citizen Education Fund. Shakira and Burna Boy are likely to perform their song Dai Dai, which is the official anthem for the 2026 World Cup.

However, there is one performer yet to formally be announced. It has been reported that Italian popstar Laura Pausini will be joined by none other than Robbie Williams for a performance of their official FIFA anthem, Desire.

“Robbie loves football and is excited to play at this momentous gig. Of course, he hopes England will be one of the teams in the final,” a source told The Sun of the Angels singer’s inclusion in the festivities.

Robbie and Laura were also on hand to perform during the the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 final match between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain in July last year, where they wowed with their song.

Oasis star Noel Gallagher is less than impressed by the changes to have a half-time show.

“I’m doing the half-time raffle for a leg of lamb,” he quipped to TalkSport, before adding: “I don’t like changes in football. I’m looking forward to these new rules about corners and time-wasting, that might be a good thing for the game, but I don’t like the razzmatazz of football; it’s been functioning perfectly for hundreds of years.” Noel also questioned whether any of the performers had any links to football and why they had been chosen specifically.

During the big announcement, Chris Martin appeared with Sesame Street characters including Elmo. He said: “Well, this year for the first time, there’s a halftime show at the World Cup Final! It’s where people get together and there’s singing, and there’s dancing, and there’s music. It’s a chance to show how amazing all different kinds of humans are. And monsters, aliens – it’s one big family, really.”

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.

SUN soaked mega resorts abroad with their own waterparks, theme parks, and beaches? Yes please.

We’ve done the digging to find top-tier waterpark hotels abroad with deals that are so cheap they’ll make you do a double take.

From Egypt resorts with 45 pools and 81 waterslides, to Spanish spots that come with free theme park tickets, these are the mega resorts abroad that will keep the entire family entertained.

You don’t even need a massive sum sitting in your bank account to unlock these holiday memories, either.

Many of these deals include a kids go free offer, plus Loveholidays and On the Beach also offer low deposits from £19, meaning you can lock in your holiday without sweating about how much you’ve spent.

Whether you want to immerse yourself at a pirate-themed resort in Benidorm or slip down 16 thrilling waterslides in Side, here are the ultimate family resorts abroad with deals you can book right now.

Sol Katmandu Park & Resort, Majorca

Sol Katmandu Park & Resort is a theme park, waterpark, and hotel all rolled into one epic holiday complex (where kids can stay for free).

Staying here for at least two nights unlocks you a free play pass, which gives you unlimited entry to the park’s top attractions, waterpark and soft play.

Kids can cool off at the Katopia Splash Park, which is packed with water cannons, jets, and waterfalls, before tackling a giant soft play or hopping on 4D dark rides.

The fun continues back at the hotel, too, as this resort has themed family accommodation including mystical Enchanted Forest rooms and Mythical Ice suites.

Food and drink options here include a build-your-own burger bar, a pick and mix station, and a soft-serve ice cream machine – plus themed dinners and healthy options, too.

And for the grown-ups? Sangria and Cruzcampo are available on-tap at the pool bar.

Plus, if you fancy a dip in the sea, there’s a golden sand beach a four-minute stroll away.

Skanes Serail and Aquapark, Tunisia

This four-star Tunisian gem is the most affordable on the list, and packs everything you’d need into an action-packed, sunny family holiday abroad.

The star of the show at Skanes Serail is its on-site aquapark, which has rainbow-coloured waterslides that are sure to keep kids entertained for hours.

This resort even has a private beach, complete with free sun loungers, a selection of water sports, and signature white sands facing a turquoise sea.

The all inclusive package includes a massive daily buffet spread, as well as access to a beachfront à la carte restaurant serving Italian and Lebanese food.

While the little ones make friends at the daily kids’ club, grown-ups can escape to the full-service spa for a traditional hammam, sauna, and steam room session.

Plus, Tunisia boasts reliable sunshine year-round. Book ahead something to look forward to for November with this deal, when temperatures hover at a toasty 23°C.

Pickalbatros Jungle Aqua Park Resort – Neverland Hurghada

If you think you’ve seen a big waterpark hotel, think again, because this holiday kingdom in Hurghada operates on an entirely different planet.

It’s so big it even has its own shuttle buses to transport you around site.

The Pickalbatros Jungle Aqua Park Resort boasts 45 swimming pools and a staggering 81 waterslides, plus a massive lazy river and wave pools.

The complex also has its own fairground with 11 rides, a roller-skating arena, bumper boats, and a high-tech VR gaming zone. Bored kids? Impossible.

You can also eat your way around the globe thanks to the lineup of international, all-inclusive restaurants.

Load up your plate with wood-fired Italian pizzas, Asian noodles, or spiced Moroccan tagines. There’s even a German eatery serving up bratwurst and schnitzel.

As for bars, pick between the Jungle Bar, Red Sky Bar, White Elephant Bar, Lobby Bar, Columbus Bar, Jazz Bar, and Beach Bar for your beverage.

If you ever fancy a break from the excitement of the resort, there’s a 10-minute complimentary shuttle bus to whizz you straight down to the private beach.

There’s a range of affordable dates for this resort at Loveholidays, but we found the cheapest deal this year to be in December, where temperatures sit at 24°C.

Magic Pirates Island Resort, Benidorm

This pirate-themed resort in Benidorm is an absolute treasure trove for families.

Magic Pirates Island Resort lets families sleep like sea captains inside themed wooden lodges plastered with maps, compasses and desert islands.

There’s three large swimming pools, including the Battleship Lagoon, which has play boats and jets for the little ones, plus a more relaxed pool zone with hot tubs and Balinese beds to laze out on.

Best of all, a stay here gives you free unlimited entry to the Aqua Natura waterpark right next door, as well as free access to Terra Natura Zoo.

But there’s plenty more fun to be had back at the hotel, with a Virtual Reality simulator zone, dance stage, and gaming arcade.

Food and drink comes as a fully-stocked buffet restaurant, with snacks available throughout the day.

There’s also an option to upgrade to ultra-all inclusive, which opens up access to fun eateries like Tacos of the Caribbean, and the Hall of Flames Asian restaurant.

Refreshing beers, cocktails and soft drinks are never far away either, thanks to a swim-up pool bar and traditional pirate taverns.

We found a deal for an October escape, when the resort hosts a Halloween festival packed with spooky live entertainment, themed activities and costume contests.

Eftalia Ocean, Antalya

Fancy a trip to a five star family mega resort in Turkey?

The hotel is built around a network of giant, winding outdoor swimming pools and slides.

The all inclusive perks include live show-cooking stations at the main buffet, as well as dining in an Italian a la carte restaurant and grill.

Some bars even serve refreshing drinks for 24 hours a day, and you can satisfy late-night cravings with round-the-clock bites at Burgerland.

Entertainment includes daily kids clubs, mini golf, and outdoor theatre shows. There’s also a wellness spa offering massages, hammam and sauna sessions.

But the real magic of this hotel is its secret pathway – walk through the hotel’s private underpass and you’ll pop up directly onto Eftalia Island.

This entertainment district sits directly on the beach and is packed with massive shared waterparks, waterslides, and pools as well as a bustling seaside promenade lined with beach bars.

THB Tropical Island, Lanzarote

THB Tropical Island boasts 10 swimming pools scattered across the resort, alongside thrilling waterslides and a splash park for little ones.

Accommodation comes as modern apartments with fully equipped kitchenettes, a big win for budget-savvy families who like to stock up on snacks and easy-to-make meals.

The resort also has a buffet restaurant with live show-cooking stations, a pizzeria, and even a lively sports bar for catching that important match.

Daytime kids entertainment includes football tournaments and kids mini-discos, plus activities like arts and crafts and water polo.

Here you’re close to Playa Blanca, which has a range of souvenir shops, bars, cafes and restaurants – plus two huge beaches, which you can reach by taking the hotel’s free shuttle bus.

Crystal Sunset Pearl Collection, Side

If you want to live like royalty on a budget, this five-star Turkish resort proves you don’t have to spend a lot for a high-end family getaway.

The Crystal Sunset Pearl Collection has an impressive waterpark packed with 16 waterslides, including 11 adrenaline-pumping flumes and five gentle slides for kids.

If you prefer a slower pace, you can lounge by the huge main pool, retreat to the relaxing adults-only pool, or sip a cocktail at the poolside bar.

The hotel also runs a shuttle bus to whisk you down to the golden shores of Kumköy Beach.

Alongside a massive daily buffet spread, you can opt for a la carte dinners in the hotel’s Italian, Indian and Chinese restaurants.

Ice-cold drinks are fully covered from 10am until midnight, and there’s even an on-site patisserie to satisfy the sweet cravings.

Here you’re just a 15-minute drive from the historic town of Side, where you can explore ancient Roman ruins and catch a postcard-perfect sunset at the famous Temple of Apollo.

WORK will start in September on a new mega airport which will take on major hubs like London Heathrow and Dubai.

When fully operational, it’s expected to have as many as 60million passengers every year.

The airport called Port Polska, formerly Centralny Port Komunikacyjny, will be one one of the biggest in Europe once fully built.

Designs for the Polish terminal by Foster + Partners (behind projects such as Crossrail Place Canary Wharf and other major airports) and and Buro Happold were accepted in late-2025.

Now, Budimex has been contracted to start the work on its foundations which will start in September of this year.

This initial work is expected to be completed in 2027 at the cost of £28.6million.

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The entire project is expected to be built for £27billion.

It’s been said that the ‘infrastructure will make it the most modern airport in Central Europe‘.

Port Polska is scheduled to open in 2032 with two runways and capacity for more than 300,000 flights each year.

It will have just one passenger terminal which will cover 450,000m².

This means it will be almost three times the size of nearby Warsaw Chopin Airport’s passenger terminal.

The terminal at Port Polska will be across three levels.

Level two will be where travellers will find the ticket and baggage check-in, security control, arrivals and departures for the Schengen zone.

Level one will be where most of the arrivals and departures for the Non-Schengen zone, transfer centres and passport control.

Level zero will have coach gates for both Schengen and non-Schengen zones, baggage reclaim and an arrivals hall.

Initially, it will have two runways, but there are plans to expand with a third runway in the future, and even a fourth.

The project includes plans for over a thousand miles of new high-speed railway.

According to the schedule, the airport’s railway station will be completed by 2029.

In its first stage, Port Polska Airport is expected to handle up to 11,000 passengers per hour, and up to 34million per year.

By 2040, the airport could see over 60million passengers per year.

In comparison, 84.5million passengers travel through London Heathrow Airport each year.

Meanwhile, Dubai International Airport (DXB) handled a record-breaking 95.2 million passengers last year.

The airport was initially set to be called Centralny Port Komunikacyjny, or CPK.

In December last year, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the name had been changed: “We won’t be using a name that our predecessors discredited.

“Everyone who lands there, everyone who uses this airport, everyone who shops there should know: yes—this is the heart of Europe, yes—this is Port Polska.”

A MULTI-MILLION pound karting attraction is set to come to a major seaside city.

Thrill-seekers will be able to experience the ride in just two years time.

The brand-new attraction – known as Skyline Swansea – is set to bring Europe’s first ever skyline luge to the Welsh city.

The £49million experience will see visitors taking a cable car up the mile-long stretch from the Copper Quarter to Kilvey Hill.

Once there, thrill-seekers will be able to ride a three-wheeled luge cart – a type of reclining sled – down a 1,012-meter snaking track, propelling visitors downwards using gravity.

Three luge tracks will be available to ride upon opening, along with a children’s adventure park, a 50mph sky swing, and a 150-seat restaurant with a separate bar area.

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The mountain biking trails that are currently available on the hill will also be maintained and improved, with additional trails to be added.

New Zealand-based Skyline Enterprises, the firm behind the project, revealed that construction is currently underway, with an estimated completion date of mid-2028.

The leisure company said their mission was to “open up Kilvey Hill for everyone to enjoy, bringing accessible tourism to the heart of Swansea” and “where the sweeping views of Swansea Bay, Gower, and Bannau Brycheiniog can be enjoyed by all”.

This marks the firm’s first project in the UK, having built similar style sites across New Zealand, Canada, Singapore and South Korea.

The 193-metre hill also remains a popular site for hikers, cyclists and trail runners, with an estimated 140,000 visitors each year.

However, the new attraction is projected to bring in upwards of 450,000 visitors annually, with more than half coming from outside of Wales.

A SPRAWLING new entertainment venue has opened in a major UK hub – and it features more than 170 games.

The £11million attraction will offer visitors a wide range of virtual reality, sporting and gaming experiences.

Mega City has thrown open its doors in Slough today (July 6), bringing a new immersive family entertainment venue to the town.

Spanning more than 55,000 sq ft, the site offers a wide range of virtual reality experiences, 10 bowling lanes and even a karaoke room set across its three floors.

Located just eight minutes from the Elizabeth Line, the 170-game venue also features arcade machines, interactive football, a laser tag arena and an AR clay pigeon shooting experience.

Built on the site of a former Wilko, the entertainment destination comes as part of an £11million investment into Slough’s regeneration.

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Its opening is expected to create more than 80 local jobs, as well as generate footfall for the town centre.

Jeet Grewal, co-founder of Mega City, said: “At its heart, Mega City is about bringing people together. We wanted to create a place where different generations can enjoy shared experiences, feel welcome and make real memories.”

The late-night spot is also open until 2:30am on Fridays and Saturdays and until 1:30am the rest of the week, with a number of food and drink facilities on offer, including a restaurant, desserts bar and cocktail bar.

Grewal added: “Slough is incredibly diverse, vibrant and now well-connected through the Elizabeth Line, and we saw a real opportunity to create a large-scale leisure space that reflects that spirit.”

This follows Slough’s projected £3.5 billion transformation, with plans submitted last month for a £640million housing and leisure development.

The town has experienced a dramatic decline in recent years, with retail closures, a housing shortage and a degrading high street all contributing to the area’s deterioration.

FANCY bagging a sunny getaway at a European resort from £9.50?

You don’t need to spend a fortune to book a family break abroad, because our famous £9.50 Hols unlock some of the biggest and best holiday resorts across Europe.

We’re talking massive pool complexes, thrilling waterslides, and doorstep access to gorgeous beaches – plus quirky perks like on-site bakeries with fresh bread delivered straight to your door.

Good news – new dates will be released for all of the following European holiday parks plus more on Wednesday, July 8.

But if you want to beat the crowds and bag yourself a bargain before they all sell out, make sure to sign up to Sun Club.

Sun Club members will get exclusive access to these holidays an entire day early, scoring the best deals before anybody else.

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Whether you want to lounge under banana trees in Spain, explore ancient Rome from a shaded pine forest, or splash in Croatia’s clear blue seas, these action-packed parks have something for everyone.

Here’s our selection of the mega European holiday parks you can book with Hols from £9.50.

La Torre del Sol, Costa Dorada, Spain

While the kids are busy splashing around in a dedicated pirate pool and splash park, adults can kick back with a cocktail under the shade of lush banana trees at La Torre del Sol.

Centred around a massive swimming pool, this pretty resort is styled with Roman and Moorish designs.

There are plenty of ways to keep the energy high with table tennis, bike rentals, and evening family discos.

But the best way to unwind at this resort is going for a relaxing soak in a hot tub in the unique shape of a snake.

Millau Plage, France

Sat on the edge of France‘s Tarn River among rolling green hills and deep rock gorges, this holiday park is a total outdoor playground.

Here you can set off on a canoe or paddleboard onto the water, have a game of basketball or football on the multi-sports pitch, plus kids can tire themselves out on the outdoor adventure course.

Plus you could even hire a bike on-site and load up a picnic with fresh food from the park’s very own bakery, then pedal off to explore the nearby town of Millau.

When you return, you can unwind in your modern holiday home. Each spacious unit comes with full self-catering facilities and a private outdoor space.

Fabulous, Lazio, Italy

Surrounded by a sprawling 70 acres of beautiful pinewoods, Fabulous is an aptly-names resort that sits on Italy‘s Ostia coast.

The area was once a bustling port city in Ancient Rome, and while there is plenty of history and nature here to explore, the resort itself is packed with top tier amenities.

You can spend your days alternating between a massive outdoor pool and a lazy lagoon, catching thrills on the waterslide, or soaking in the whirlpool.

Plus the resort is a convenient 30-minute drive away from the centre of Rome, where you can tick off all of the must-see sites and restaurants.

Bella Austria

Set in a landscape of massive mountains and vibrant meadows, Bella Austria looks just like a film set.

Tucked away in the rural Katschtal Valley, this active park is built for outdoor adventures.

Nature lovers can set off on scenic hiking trails, guided countryside tours, and cycling routes down to the nearby Mur River.

When you aren’t out exploring the local villages, the resort keeps the whole family happy with a mini animal farm, sports pitches, and a traditional Austrian wellness area complete with saunas.

Park Umag, Istria, Croatia

Facing the turquoise Adriatic Sea, Park Umag is a massive, lively resort on Croatia‘s Istrian peninsula.

With direct beach access, it features two miles of waterfront promenade and Blue Flag beaches that are perfect for exploring on hired bikes.

When you aren’t off exploring the local beaches, the site keeps everyone busy with two seafront pools, waterslides, water zorbing and an inflatable obstacle course.

There’s also four restaurants, a pizzeria as well as supermarkets and a traditional market on-site – so you won’t go hungry.

Orbitur Valverde, The Algarve, Portugal

Imagine waking up to freshly-baked bread delivered to your door before spending the day out exploring the Portuguese coast.

That’s what’s on offer with a stay at Orbitur Valverde, a holiday park ideal for those who love the outdoors.

Tucked between The Algarve‘s Lagos and Praia da Luz, the resort has a wealth of dramatic coastal walks and sweeping sandy beaches right on your doorstep.

On-site there’s an action-packed itinerary of golfing, horse riding, and scenic boat trips that will fill your days with adventure.

EVERYONE loves a cheap holiday – and a budget airline is about to launch their own package deals from the UK.

Wizz Air has launched Wizz Holidays – a new holiday booking service, where you can get your flights, accommodation and transfers all in the same package.

According to the airline, travellers can choose their destination and travel dates or browse the site with filters to find the best holiday deals – from city breaks to beach trips.

There are also options to add extras onto your booking, such as 25l luggage.

The new travel platform uses AI to find travellers personalised holiday packages.

According to local media, Wizz Air’s Chief Commercial Office Silvia Mosquera, said at the press conference yesterday: “Wizz Holidays offers a smarter solution that makes travel planning easier and more flexible.

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“With our Unpackage Yourself message, we encourage our passengers to discover our competitive prices and the possibilities of multi-city travel.“

The platform is already live and due to launch in the UK soon.

While destinations from the UK haven’t been revealed, the airline heads to a number of popular spots including Alicante in Spain, Corfu in Greece and Rome in Italy.

And when the platform eventually launches for UK customers, Brits will be able to use the tool to plan and build a tailored holiday package which can include a different number of stops.

One of the current packages available for example, is a multi-stop trip in Italy, flying from Budapest.

The seven night trip would cost €600 (£513.03) per person including hotels, with four days in Lampedusa and then three days in Catania between August 28 and September 4.

Or perhaps you’d prefer to head to Portugal?

The deal from Budapest to Porto, includes five days there before flying to Lisbon and spending four days there for €445 (£380.50) per person between November 3 and 13.

A Wizz Air spokesperson said: “Today’s launch marks the first phase of WIZZ Holidays, our smarter, more intuitive package holidays platform, which is initially available in selected markets.

“While holidays departing from the UK are not yet available, the UK remains an important market for Wizz Air.

“We’re working towards making WIZZ Holidays available to UK customers as part of the second phase of the rollout and look forward to sharing more details as soon as we can.”

A WELSH seaside town has been put on the map globally thanks to two very famous celebrities spotted there this week.

Singer Kylie Minogue and Hollywood director Quentin Tarantino have been seen in the pretty seaside town of Porthcawl.

It isn’t for a holiday – but for filming upcoming movie called Tangled in the Blue, directed by Welsh filmmaker Jamie Adams.

They were caught going to the Saltwater Inn pub, where onlookers said the celebrities “laughed and sang together” for a scene.

Other nearby sightings include at Newton Church, being used for a funeral scene in the film, and at Parkgate Hotel in Cardiff.

But Porthcawl itself is a popular beach town even without the endorsements of the mega stars, with seven bays and two Blue Flag beaches – Rest Bay and Trecco Bay.

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When The Sun’s Emma Glanfield visited the seaside town, she called it the perfect alternative for an exotic break.

She said: “Porthcawl, the ‘jewel of South  Wales‘ has the lot. A spectacularly cragged coastline and a swathe of sandy beaches, kissed by sparkling seas – and all just a stone’s throw from the mountains.

“OK, so it might not be the Caribbean, but it does offer fun and frolics for those on a budget.”

“We kicked off activities in Rest Bay. Our morning surf lesson with the brilliant Hugh woke us up quicker than you could say ‘coffee‘.”

Emma continued: “Within two hours we’d gone from complete beginners to standing up and catching waves.

“Who needs the Maldives when this precious little corner of the UK packs such a punch?”

Also in Porthcawl is Trecco Bay, the UK’s largest holiday park when it comes to pitches – and in Europe too.

Along with 2,000 caravans (which can welcome up to 50,000 guests during peak holiday periods) also on-site is a huge entertainment plaza with everything from crazy golf and high ropes to a swimming pool and splash pad.

There’s a bowling alley and for older kids the Next Level Gaming Arena has over 25 consoles including PS5 and Xbox.

Other outdoor activities include archery, hover boards, bumper zorbs and there are even pedal karts to get around.

The park puts on shows, and there’s even Paw Patrol Mighty Missions for little ones.

The holiday park has all the essential facilities like restaurants, cafes, bars, there’s also a launderette, supermarket and even a chapel.

When the sun is shining, guests can enjoy the sprawling sandy Blue Flag beach right on its doorstep.

A four-night stay across this weekend in a Bronze two bedroom caravan which sleeps four people works out to £405 – or £25.31pppn.

If you fancy making a week’s holiday (from June 27 – July 4), then this works out as just £16.40pppn.

Or, sign up with Sun Club and you could stay at Trecco Bay from £9.50.