Museums

A HUGE new “world class new visit destination” is set to open in the UK.

Xanadoo is a new indoor attraction concept that has been designed by some of the people behind the Eden Project.

They claim it will be “unlike any other museum” with massive playgrounds, art areas and food halls, as well as being educational.

When guests arrive, the will be a market hall with food and drink stalls.

The first area is the “Road to Happiness” with a series of art installations along the way.

Then there is “The Gallery of Marvellous Situations” which they say will take people “back in time” using immersive experiences.

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The Playground in the third area, with images showing slides, a huge helter skelter, climbing structures, mazes, and even a life-size snakes and ladders.

Then in the fourth area is “Tomorrow’s World” with futuristic designs showing the world in hundreds of years time.

“Call to Action” is the final area, which has a life-size “game” with levers and dials that show the impact on the current world.

The entire attraction ‘will bring “science and art” together, and be for all ages.

The cost of the project hasn’t been revealed, but it is thought that £840million will be brought to the local economy, they predict.

They hope it will encourage year-round visitors, including families and school trips as well as locals.

Where it will be built is also yet to be revealed, although they are looking at locations across South Wales.

Gaynor Coley, co-founder of the Eden Project, told local media: “We believe Xanadoo can do the same for South Wales as the Eden Project did for Cornwall.

“An economic impact assessment has just been carried out and it has bought £6 billion to Cornwall and the West Country which is more than the whole of European funding and we’d like to do the same for South Wales.

“It will bring sustainable tourism, support hospitality and creativity, storytelling, digital and health and wellbeing.”

Eden Project opened in Cornwall back in 2020, and remains the only one of its kind.

However, a second site – Eden Project Morecambe – is set to open next year.

Other planned Eden Projects include Scotland as well as Costa Rica, China and Australia.

And another huge indoor attraction set to open in the UK is Therme Manchester, a massive water resort with pools, slides and spas.

A mum has shared the ‘best’ European City break to take kids on, with amazing attractions such as zoos and museums – and it’s only a two and a half hour flight away

A mum has shared the ‘best’ European City break she has ever taken with her child, and it’s not where you would expect. When it comes to parents taking children away on holiday with them, there are many things they need to think about before booking.

From how the family will travel to the destination, if they can be kept occupied while travelling and if attractions will keep them entertained for long enough, there is a lot to think about. But one woman who shares content on social media has shared the “best’ destination she has visited with her child, which kept her occupied every day.

Claire and Laura are identical twin mum’s who post UK based travel content on social media under the username @twinperspectives.

The family explained how they went to Stockholm in Sweden and were surprised at home good it was for children.

The mum said: “The best city break in the world for kids, hands down, is Stockholm. It’s pure wholesome loveliness and there is so much to do.

“Let’s start off with the Open Air Museum of Skansen, which is basically Sweden hundreds of years ago, but it is also so good for kids.

“There is a zoo. We were at the park 10 till 4pm so there is so much to do. It is so incredibly wholesome and of course plenty of sweets.

“Next up is the Vasa Museum, home to the world’s only preserved 17th century ship. There’s a great children’s trail to keep them entertained.

“This is a pretty mind-blowing museum and you have to go .Next up is the Unibacken Museum, tis is a world of immersive stories dedicated to Astrid Lindgren who wrote Pippi Longstocking.

“Make sure you take the train through the story lands, it is so detailed, my daughter loved this”

The mum then explained that families should keep an eye out for the different metro stations in Stockholm, with the city being known for its art in the metros.

The mum added that there were plenty of free things to do in the city, alongside paid for attractions.

She said: “Aside from paid activities, Stockholm’s playgrounds are another level compared to the UK. Vasa Park is the largest in the city, even comes with bikes and play accessories as well.

“Activities aside, the food is great for kids in Sweden. Obviously there’s meatballs and mashed potato and the famous fika.

“Getting around the city is super easy. All in all one of the easiest yet most exciting city breaks you can do with kids. Obviously it’s not budget friendly but I’d say the activities that are there are well worth the price tag.”

Other parents commented on the video to agree with the twins, with many sharing their own experiences of visiting Sweden.

One person said: “We have family in Sweden but I didn’t even think about revisiting Stockholm with our little ones! I know they’d love the Vasa museum and these are some great other suggestions too.”

A second said: “Ahhh, yes totally agree. The nature and play parks and museums make Sweden a great place for children and families. I’m often asked to put together itineraries for families visiting.”

A city nestled in the south of France has seen a major transformation over the last 13 years, ditching its reputation and seeing a major investment, bringing in ‘chic’ and ‘hip’ food spots

A stunning European city with UK flights and 20C temperatures in April has been branded the “capital of cool”. Marseille in the south of France secured half a billion euros of investment after being crowned the European Capital of Culture in 2013.

Since then the world famous port has become known for being “chic” and “hip”. It blends a mix of history thanks to the bustling Vieux-Port, which sits at the bottom of the Canebière, a kilometre-long main street in the city.

Visitors can take a selfie under the Ombrière – a giant umbrella at the port – and a stroll along the quayside before watching the fishing boats head out to sea. Towering above the port is the historic Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica, which offers 360 degree views of the stunning city.

The port however blends history with modern, boasting a range of “cutting-edge museums,” reports the Daily Mail, along with “foodie-approved restaurants” and “trendy bars”. The paper, which describes the city as the “capital of cool”, reports: “Marseille is wonderful for a short break at this time of year, with average daily highs of around 19C-20C – and the seafood is second to none.”

One popular dish in the city in particular is bouillabaisse, an “iconic” fish soup that is served in two dishes. One contains the fish and the other a broth on a stove, with the fish itself traditionally cut up in front of diners.

Bouillabaisse is then served with rouille or aioli sauces with croutons for dipping. The influence of the Mediterranean is also evident in the local cuisine, with anchoïade, a traditional dish made with anchovies, capers, olive oil and garlic, said to contain the “iodine taste of the sea” in “every bite,” reports Ville De Marseille.

Away from the food scene, visitors to Marseille can visit the Le Panier, the oldest district of the city which now boasts small café terraces, street-art coloured facades, and designer shops. Having now become an “open-air museum” the area was first inhabited by the Greeks in 600BC.

It developed a reputation for violence and prostitution in the 20th century but has seen a massive overhaul in the past 13 years. It is now described as one of Marseille’s “must-see districts”.

For nature lovers, the cliffs of the Calanques have been described as a “natural wonder”. The Calanques boast fine sandy beaches, miniature fjords and turquoise waters.

It is the perfect area for people who want to sun-bathe or enjoy a spot of kayaking. YouTuber Nathan Frank, who posts as On World Travel, described Marseille as a “city that doesn’t care if you like it or not”.

He said: “We’ve been here for three days now and I’ve spoken to quite a few locals and they’ve been so friendly. Like more friendly than a lot of places we’ve been to and super down to earth and friendly. Our first impressions of Marseille have been really positive, we have some really good food on the agenda.”

Marseille boasts average temperatures of around 19 to 20C in April. And according to Skyscanner, prices from Manchester Airport start from around £28.

One city has been crowned Europe’s chocolate capital in a new study analysing chocolate culture across the continent

When you think of chocolate, your mind might wander to the Belgian capital of Brussels, or perhaps the Swiss Alps, yet neither has claimed the top spot on Europe’s list of “chocolate capitals”. Instead, that coveted title belongs to the Italian city of Turin.

Ahead of the bustling summer tourist season, Avis examined European cities for their chocolate culture, taking into account the number of chocolatiers and shops listed on Yelp, chocolate-related attractions such as museums and factory tours, and consumer ratings.

Their research placed Turin firmly at the top, closely followed by Perugia, also in Italy, with Austria’s Salzburg taking third place.

Two British cities also featured on the list, with one securing fourth place and London coming in eighth.

Turin boasts 233 chocolatiers and five chocolate attractions; regarded as Europe’s historic chocolate capital since 1585, the city is the birthplace of gianduja and bicerin – iconic hazelnut-chocolate specialities.

There’s also the Pfatisch Chocolate Museum and factory tours from renowned brands such as Caffarel.

The city’s annual CioccolaTò festival further solidifies its standing as a must-visit destination for immersive chocolate experiences.

Taking to TripAdvisor, one recent visitor to the Pfatisch Chocolate Museum wrote: “Beautiful audio guided tour, interactive for families. The children had a great time with the interactive games.

“Very cosy and realistic environment recreated for the tour. Exhaustive on the subject. It involved all the senses.

“Small taste of the three chocolates (dark, milk, white) and finally the king Gianduiotto.”

Meanwhile, another visitor who enjoyed a trip to the Pfatish Museum remarked: “This place looks it belongs on a movie set. Everything looks so good and so perfect. Even if you don’t buy anything here, it is well worth a visit.”

Top 10 unexpected “chocolate capitals” of Europe

1. Turin, Italy
2. Perugia, Italy
3. Salzburg, Austria
4. York, UK
5. Antwerp, Belgium
6. Strasbourg, France
7. Krakow, Poland
8. London, UK
9. Amsterdam, Netherlands
10. Prague, Czechia

TRYING to find an affordable, but clean and safe hotel can be tricky when exploring London.

So here’s everything you need to know about The Drey, one of the newest on the block.

Where is The Drey Hotel?

Tucked down a quiet side road of London, The Drey Hotel is a short walk from Earls Court.

What is the hotel like?

The recently opened The Drey takes over one of the beautiful South Kensington townhouses, with 125 rooms throughout the townhouse.

It’s no frills but classy – think tablet check ins and complimentary umbrellas.

There are no key cards either, with buttons via your phone to unlock the main entrance and your room.

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What are the rooms like?

My room – The Roost – overlooked the garden square with huge floor to ceiling windows making it a beautiful wake up from my super king bed.

The rooms have all the essentials, that I mean a coffee machine and water bottles, as well as towels and Gabar toiletries.

The dressing gowns and irons have been missed out, but you can pay £20 for a workout ‘bundle’ which has yoga mats, skipping ropes and weights inside.

But the fun part is owning the door, bizarrely. It’s keyless, so you check in and then click a button on your phone to open the room when you’re near, without having to scan anything. Very techy.

(You can request physical keys from reception if you prefer).

There are loads of other rooms to choose from, including a number of windowless rooms for “people who take sleep seriously” or rooms sleeping up to six people.

Rooms start from £100, but there is an extra 35 per cent off until the end of March.

What is there to eat and drink there?

There is a Starbucks coffee machine and healthy snack vending machine in the lobby but for dinner you have options.

But there’s no restaurant here so you’ll have to go out.

The hotel has teamed up with a number of food and drink spots to offer discounts.

Get 20 per cent off breakfast or brunch at The King’s Head, Earls Court, as well as discounts at places such as cafe Elixis and restaurant Afandena.

What else?

The pared back hotel has little else going on inside but you can pay extra for some of the nearby amenities.

This includes 20 per cent off wellness studio Common Bond and The Gym Way Kensington.

Other local partners include florist Petal Vibes (15 per cent off) and winery London Cru (£8 off tickets).

Otherwise it is two stops on the underground to the ‘museum hub’ South Kensington which is nicknamed the museum hub with the V&A, Science Museum and Natural History Museum all nearby and free to visit.

Luggage storage costs £10.

Is it family friendly?

Yes, there are Family Rooms that sleep up to six people thanks to some strategically placed bunk beds.

Is it accessible?

Yes, there are accessible rooms with step-free layouts and wider doorways, as well as lift access.

A travel vlogger visited a stunning island nation in Southern Europe with a historic capital city he described as “one of the most beautiful places” he’s ever seen

A vlogger who enjoyed a trip to an English-speaking island boasting 20C warmth in April has hailed it as “one of the most beautiful places” he’s ever been to. Alex Daltz, a YouTuber on a quest to chronicle his worldwide travels “one vlog at a time”, recently visited a spectacular European nation merely three hours from the UK.

Starting off, Alex pointed his camera towards the stunning panorama from his hotel room balcony, featuring undulating hills and a peaceful expanse of water in the distance, set against brilliant sunshine and clear blue skies.

Switching to a street view, Alex disclosed he was in the ancient capital of Malta, the 16th-century city of Valletta. An island nation in Southern Europe, Malta is positioned south of Sicily in the Mediterranean Sea and north of the north African coastal country of Libya.

SkyScanner reports that the average flight duration from the UK is 3 hours and 16 minutes, with prices beginning at just £29 at the time of writing. TUI suggests travelling between April and October, with April temperatures varying from 15 to 20°C.

A fortified city and UNESCO World Heritage site, Valletta was designated Europe’s Capital of Culture for 2018. Alex swiftly highlighted the city’s cultural appeal, evidently captivated by its characteristic Baroque architecture.

Indeed, he described the capital as “beautiful” with a “chilled out touristy vibe”. He said: “We have just made it to Valletta. One of the most beautiful places I think I’ve ever been because it’s so, so medieval, the whole place.”

Alex added: “It’s literally like you’re walking through the 1500s. I already get like a chilled out touristy vibe already, and I’ve been here like five minutes.”

Venturing out to find water, Alex could be spotted outside St. John’s Co-Cathedral, a landmark that houses two masterpieces by the renowned Italian painter, Caravaggio, The Beheading of St John the Baptist and St Jerome Writing.

Alex displayed the bustling Valletta streets and subsequently found himself near Fort St Elmo – constructed in the Early Modern period – and the National War Museum, which provides visitors with 7,000 years of Maltese military history.

Among the museum’s highlights are the Gloster Sea Gladiator N5520 FAITH aircraft, Roosevelt’s Jeep “Husky”, and, as pointed out by Alex, the George Cross, the nation’s honour for gallantry during the Second World War.

Subsequently, Alex visited the city of Mdina, another breathtaking Maltese location that functioned as the country’s previous capital. Also referred to as the “Silent City”, inhabitants have resided in the area since before 4000BCE.

Throughout the centuries, the city has been controlled by Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs and even the Normans. For Alex, who recorded himself as he wandered the honey-coloured streets, it was “astonishing” and “mind-blowing”.

Other Maltese highlights showcased by Alex included local catacombs and the Blue Lagoon, where the fortunate YouTuber experienced some of the “most blue water” he’s ever seen.

Travelling with kids can be stressful, but a new data analysis has revealed some of Europe’s most child-friendly city breaks which offer accessibility and plenty to keep kids entertained

With the Easter break, May half-term, and bank holidays coming up, many parents will be looking for ways to keep the kids entertained. While you might not have considered taking younger kids on a city break, it can be a fun option if you’re looking for a short break.

That’s why LateRooms has put together the Family Breaks Index – a data analysis that pulls together information that’s of interest to people travelling with young children, such as flight and transfer times, walkability, accessibility for those bringing pushchairs, and the child-friendly attractions on offer.

Coming in at number three is a Spanish city that has long been popular with Brits for city breaks, and its short flight time and easy walkability have seen it score highly for family trips too.

Barcelona flights are just over two hours from the UK, and on arrival, visitors can hop on the airport train to the centre, which takes just 25 minutes. This makes it ideal for people travelling with young children who wouldn’t be able to do a long journey.

The city has a flat, walkable centre, with many major tourist attractions just a short walk apart. This means it’s easy to navigate with a buggy, and little legs won’t get worn out from a day of sightseeing.

According to LateRooms, the city has about 400 family-friendly attractions, so you won’t have to deal with kids complaining they are bored. To start, there are classic tourist attractions such as the Sagrada Família and Gaudí’s unique and colourful Park Güell, both of which are impressive enough to keep kids enthralled.

Kids love science museums, and Cosmocaixa is an unforgettable day out. One of Barcelona’s largest museums, the entire experience is interactive, full of engaging activities that teach kids about the creation of the cosmos. The museum takes visitors on a journey through the natural world, from the past to the present.

Tibidabo Amusement Park is a great place to see views of the city and enjoy charmingly old-fashioned fairground rides. It’s set on a hill that overlooks Barcelona, and as you ride the Ferris wheel or drop rides, you can enjoy seeing the city below.

A dream day out for kids could well be the Museu de la Xocolata, the chocolate museum, where you can see huge sculptures made from chocolate, including kids’ TV and film characters. It also runs chocolate tasting and making workshops, and once you’ve explored, you can indulge your sweet tooth at the café with a rich and creamy hot chocolate.

One advantage of Barcelona over other city breaks is that it also has a beach nearby, so you can explore the city in the morning and let the kids swim or build sandcastles in the afternoon. The seaside neighbourhood of La Barceloneta is popular with families thanks to its access to a long sandy beach, and it has its own metro station, making it easy to get around the city.

In May, flights to Barcelona start from just £27 one way based on flights from London-Luton with Wizz Air. The weather in May often hits highs of 23C with little rain, making it an ideal time of year to explore.

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Top city breaks for families – full list

1. Copenhagen, Denmark
2. Berlin, Germany
3. Barcelona, Spain
4. Florence, Italy
5. Amsterdam, Netherlands
6. Valencia, Spain
7. Basel, Switzerland
8. Kraków, Poland
9. Prague, Czechia
10. Vienna, Austria

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