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ONE of Europe’s most underrated cities will soon get a metro system after decades of planning.

Belgrade in Serbia – one of the oldest city’s is Europe – is also Europe‘s biggest capital city without a subway, but soon that will change.

As part of a contract between Chinese and French construction companies, Belgrade’s first subway line is expected to open in 2030 costing around €4.4billion (£3.8billion).

A second line will follow in the early 2030s and a third line has also been planned.

Designs for the new metro network in the city could include driverless trains that would be operated from a single hub and doors separating the platforms from the track.

Digging of the tunnels will start next spring, with each tunnel set to be around 100 metres long and cost around €20million (£17.5million).

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According to Bloomberg, Andreja Mladenovic, who runs JKP Belgrade Metro and Train, who is overseeing the project, said: “Belgrade has grown far too big not to have a subway.

“It’s an absolute game changer.”

He added: “It costs more at first when you build it, but cuts costs later.

“It’ll be state-of-the-art, and worth it.”

Plans for a subway network in the city were first considered in the 1930s when the capital was growing in population.

However, World War II stopped these plans going ahead.

In the 1960s, Belgrade’s economy was expanding again and new plans were drawn up in the 70s, however these went nowhere.

In the early 80s, a debt crisis meant all hopes were lost for a metro network, and over the following decade, Yugoslavia disintegrated.

It wasn’t until 1999 that Belgrade could rebuild itself.

Today, the often-overlooked city is home to floating nightclubs and secluded beaches.

As a result of sitting on two rivers, Belgrade has a number of floating restaurants, bars and nightclubs referred to as ‘Splavs’.

Along the Sava River, Splavs often play pop music, whereas the Splavs that are found on the banks of the Danube River have more of a rock vibe.

And drinks onboard are super cheap, with a beer setting you back around £3.40 or a cocktail setting you back around £4.75.

But Belgrade doesn’t just have floating bars and restaurants, there are also a number of historical locations to explore.

For example, you could head to the Belgrade Fortress, which was built back in the third century to protect the city from invaders.

The fortress, of course, has a number of panoramic viewpoints, but visitors can also participate in a number of activities and attractions, as well as explore museums.

You could also visit the Church of Saint Sava, which is a large Orthodox church.

Or explore the Nikola Tesla Museum, which is dedicated to the life and work of the famous inventor.

The museum contains many of his personal belongings as well as his inventions.

Return flights from London Luton Airport to Belgrade cost around £36 in January and the flight takes around three hours.

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Angela Rippon, a veteran broadcaster with nearly 60 years of experience, was described as the “dream signing” when she agreed to take part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2023

Angela Rippon — Strictly Come Dancing’s oldest ever contestant — is interested in presenting the BBC flagship show, reports claim.

The veteran broadcaster dazzled viewers with her jaw-dropping high kick when she was a competitor in 2023. She was the eighth celebrity to be eliminated, getting the boot in Blackpool after she and pro partner Kai Widdrington performed American Smooth to Tea For Two by Ella Fitzgerald.

But the former newsreader, who presented the original Come Dancing series between 1988 and 1991, has thrown her hat into the ring to host the much-loved revamp. Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly are both leaving after the current season, which will reach its finale next month.

When asked about stepping into either of their shoes, Angela, who is 81, said: “If they asked me, of course. It’s a very popular programme. Claudia and Tess have done a fabulous job, but no job is for life.”

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The shock move would come more than three decades after the BBC’s then-director-general, Lord (John) Birt, told Angela she’d “had her day” when she was a spring chicken aged 50. The Daily Mail says, though, the journalist — who has more than 60 years of experience in broadcasting — would excite fans of the flagship programme.

Speaking this week at the Starry Night Gala supporting the charity Action for Children at The Peninsula London, Angela said the next host must be “someone that will bring the glamour, and just what everyone loves about Strictly”. Indeed, she competed in it — becoming the oldest contestant ever to do so — at the age of 79 in 2023.

Angela, the daughter of a Royal Marine, has had a long and varied career in the media, including her post as Top Gear presenter in the 1970s and, more recently, as host of Holiday Hit Squad with Helen Skelton and Joe Crowley.

And when she was snapped up to take part in Strictly two years ago, one source said: “She is the dream signing. The audience at home will love her, and many of them will remember her from her days hosting the show in its previous incarnation.”

The broadcaster, originally from Plymouth, Devon, has remained close to her Strictly partner, Kai, 30, and the two recently teamed up to launch “Let’s Dance!”, a project designed to inspire people of all ages to experience the joy of dancing.

But, even despite her interest and experience, Angela faces huge competition for either of the Strictly vacancies. Former This Morning presenter Holly Willoughby has been linked with the gig, as has Alan Carr, following his The Celebrity Traitors triumph.

Theme parks may seem like a modern invention. but there is a surprisingly long history behind the attractions. The first theme park in the UK is over 180 years old and still delighting visitors

From thrilling rollercoasters to interactive games, theme parks are always inventing new and more exciting ways to keep people entertained. But the concept of a theme park, or amusement park, actually dates back as far as the Middle Ages, when travelling fairs would bring markets and live entertainment to towns and villages.

In Victorian times, pleasure gardens kept people entertained, with music and theatre, social events, street entertainment, and al fresco dining. At the same time, Victorians were also growing more interested in improving their health. They’d often escape the grimy city streets to enjoy seaside resorts, believing the fresh air and sea water were good for curing any ailments. The Isle of Wight became a particularly desirable destination among well-heeled Victorians, and this gave a local businessman an idea for a new venture.

Blackgang Chine was originally conceived as a kind of pleasure garden by founder Alexander Dabell, opening its doors in 1843. Since then, the park has remarkably not only stayed open, but also stayed within the family, with Alexander’s descendants still running Blackgang Chine to this day.

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The site was initially a general purpose park with some curiosities to amuse Victorian guests, such as a large whale skeleton, which is still on display today. Rumours and legends about smugglers around the island gave the park its theme, and one of its most iconic sights is the giant fibreglass smuggler at the entrance. There are also lots of local stories about the ghosts of smugglers haunting the park at night.

After going through many changes throughout the years, the park has 40-acres of gardens with several themed lands to explore. There are thrill rides such as Extinction, which make the most of the park’s clifftop position to offer an adrenaline fuelled experience. This swing rotates 360-degrees and hangs off the edge of a cliff, with nothing but the sea beneath your feet. There’s also Evolution, a tower drop ride which gives riders amazing views of the Jurassic Coast before plummeting 400 metres in seconds.

There are many pirate and smuggler-themed rides including the Jolly Robin, a pirate ship ride, and the spinning Shipwrecked. The park is also home to Waterforce, the Isle of Wight’s biggest waterslide, and the Crooked House, which is fun for all ages to explore.

There’s also fun stuff for younger kids such as The Blackgang Beach, a giant water pillow you can walk and bounce across, and the classic twirling Pirate Barrels, which both adults and children will love.

Blackgang Chine has many fans, having delighted visitors for decades, and among them is a celebrity. In 2010, former child star Rupert Grint, known for his role in the Harry Potter films, expressed his love for the Isle of Wight and said his favourite attraction was Blackgang Chine.

Find out more about Blackgang Chine on its official website. The park opens from late March to early November with 2026 dates to be confirmed.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at [email protected].

GARDEN centres are one of the quaintest places to visit on a weekend, and the oldest one in the UK dates back 70 years.

But it isn’t all about plants and afternoon tea – as it even holds festivals and epic Christmas events.

Stewarts has three garden centres around the UK; Stewarts Christchurch, Stewarts Abbey in Fareham and Stewarts Broomhill in Wimborne which is its oldest.

The business‘s founder, Edward Stewart, was inspired to create the garden centre model after seeing them in America and is credited with bringing the concept to the UK.

The beginning of the business was in 1742 when the family began its plant nursery in Dundee.

It wasn’t until later on in 1859 that the family business moved down to Dorset.

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Stewarts Broomhill, which is the oldest of the three sites, first opened in 1955.

It’s not just your basic plants; it sells outdoor garden furniture, homeware, gifts, gardening tools, grow your own materials, and the likes of bird baths and insect houses.

They hold seasonal events too, like the upcoming Santa’s Winter Wonderland, starting on Saturday, November 22.

Families can wander through the wintry scene, check out the elves’ workshops, and Rudolph’s stable.

For the very first time, after meeting Santa, kids can explore the secret toy store and pick out a gift.

There are photo opportunities too from taking a ride in a Christmas campervan, to becoming a gingerbread man, and and elf.

Tickets to meet Santa and his elves at the Broomhill Garden Centre are £19.50 for children between 7 months and 12 years old.

Tickets for babies (0-6 months old) and adults are £3.50 each.

Each garden centre is also offering Winter Wonderland tickets for SEN sessions which will have a calmer atmosphere.

On Tripadvisor, one parent wrote: “It’s always a pleasure to visit at any time of year but at Christmas the most amazing spectacular is on hand when Santa Claus arrives exciting the youngsters of our family.”

Another added: “We went to visit Father Christmas today. It was excellent for the whole family. The Grotto was beautiful, snow was brilliant and the lights were bright and pretty. My little girl loved it.”

At certain garden centres, events are held throughout the year too.

Stewarts Broomhill Garden Centre has held events like the Primrose Festival Nursery Open Day – which demonstrates how to grow Primroses – and you got a cream tea included.

Meanwhile, the Stewarts garden centre in Christchurch, Dorset, held its own Grill Fest over the summer holiday.

Over a weekend it held barbecue demonstrations – with plenty to eat of course, live music and expert tips on how to do alfresco cooking.

There are other expert talks on how to grow trees, rewild your garden, wildlife gardening and planting bulbs properly.

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Here’s one garden centre which is one of the fanciest in England…

Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey spent her childhood at one of the biggest and fanciest garden centres in the UK…

It might not sound like the most thrilling destination for kids, but I spent my childhood exploring one of the UK’s fanciest garden centres.

Growing up in the Cotswolds, it meant my local one was the Burford Garden Centre.

It’s been open since 1975 and is still family-owned and run.

Across the 21,000sqm estate is more than just a garden centre (although that is also extremely extensive, selling everything from flowers to trees that cost as much as £7k).

There is also an on-site bookshop, as well as shops selling clothing, food and interiors, and even artwork. Expect some of the fancier brands, such as Barbour and Le Creuset on the shelves.

There are “Bulb Markets” to stock up on flowers in the spring time.

The onsite cafe and bakery is a must visit too.

The Glasshouse Cafe feels more like a chic European eatery, with wicker shades and palm trees.

Make sure to grab a giant scone – so delicious we even ordered a batch for my sister’s wedding. It even has events including stitching classes, rare book courses and fish mornings.

But my favourite time to visit is Christmas, as the exhibits are spectacular.

For more days out in the UK, check out the farm shop that’s the ‘Harrods of the North’ and is loved by Molly-Mae – with forest lodges and hot tubs.

Plus, check out the inside of the UK’s biggest garden centre with soft play, shopping village and its own tea room.

Deadly protests followed the 92-year-old president’s re-election, which opponents have called ‘fraudulent’.

Cameroon’s longtime leader, Paul Biya, has been sworn in for a new seven-year term following his victory in last month’s presidential election, which his opposition rival has described as “a constitutional coup”.

Addressing Parliament on Thursday, the world’s oldest president promised to stay faithful to the confidence of the Cameroonian people and pledged to work for a “united, stable and prosperous” country.

There were deadly protests in several parts of Cameroon days after the October 19 vote, followed by a three-day lockdown this week after former minister and key contender Issa Tchiroma claimed victory and alleged vote tampering.

The government has confirmed that at least five people were killed during the protests, although the opposition and civil society groups claim the figures are much higher.

The incumbent, Africa’s second-longest serving leader, took the oath of office during a session of Parliament in what residents describe as the heavily militarised and partially deserted capital, Yaounde.

Priscilla Ayimboh, a 40-year-old seamstress in Yaounde, does not see a new term for Biya as likely to change anything.

“I’m tired of Biya’s rule and I no longer care whatever he does. It’s a pity. I wonder what will become of Cameroon in the next seven years: there are no roads, water, and jobs,” she said.

Munjah Vitalis Fagha, a senior politics lecturer at Cameroon’s University of Buea, told The Associated Press news agency that Biya’s inauguration was “taking place in a tense yet controlled political atmosphere, marked by deep divisions between the ruling elite and a growingly disillusioned populace”.

Fagha added: “The ceremony occurs amid calls for political renewal, ongoing security challenges in the Anglophone regions, and widespread concerns over governance and succession.”

Cameroon’s top court on October 27 declared Biya the winner of the election, with 53.66 percent of the vote, ahead of his ally-turned-challenger, Tchiroma, who secured 35.19 percent.

Tchiroma insists Biya was awarded a “fraudulent” victory in the election.

“The will of the Cameroonian people was trampled that day, our sovereignty stolen in broad daylight,” Tchiroma wrote on Wednesday night. “This is not democracy, it is electoral theft, a constitutional coup as blatant as it is shameful.”

Biya came to power in 1982 following the resignation of Cameroon’s first president and has ruled since, following a 2008 constitutional amendment that abolished term limits. His health has been a topic of speculation as he spends most of his time in Europe, leaving governance to key party officials and family members.

He has led Cameroon longer than most of its citizens have been alive – more than 70 percent of the country’s almost 30 million population is below the age of 35. If he serves his entire term, Biya will leave office nearly 100 years old.

The results of his nearly half-century in power have been mixed; armed rebellions in the north and the west of the country, along with a stagnant economy, have left many young people disillusioned with the leader.

THE UK’s oldest lido could never reopen despite years of renovation works, costing millions.

Cleveland Pools in Bath, which was built in 1815 and is the country’s oldest, may never reopen to the public again.

It was open for just four months in 2023 after receiving £9.3 million for a revamp. But it hasn’t reopened since, and it might never do so.

The trustees of the restored lido revealed in a report that it “might not be possible” to reopen the pool, according to the BBC.

The report stated: “The risk that the cost to repair the pools and the plantroom will be substantial and beyond the resources available to the trust.

“There is therefore a risk that the pools cannot be repaired and reopened.

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“To mitigate against this risk the trust is exploring all potential avenues that would allow the pools to be repaired and reopened, including but not limited to legal recourse and external funding.”

The next steps for the trustees is to finalise the cost of repairs and work with the council and National Lottery Fund to secure money needed for the restoration.

Cleveland Pools is a Grade II listed lido, and is considered the oldest outdoor swimming pool in the UK.

It opened in the early 1800s and closed in 1984. It then took a huge campaign by the public, and almost £10million to reopen the lido in September 2023.

The money was raised by trustees from local donors, Bath and North East Somerset Council and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

When it opened its doors for the very first time, tickets for the Sunday free swim were so popular that the system crashed.

The lido looked like it would have a very popular season, but it was forced to close months later due to flood damage.

Heavy rainfall during Storm Henk caused a huge amount of damage to the plantroom – where all the equipment to operate the lido is kept.

At the time, Cleveland Pools Trust apologised and Paul Simons, chair of the trust, said: “Once the river level has dropped the pools will be pumped out, jet washed down, re-filled and then the treatment circulation will recommence.

He added that the time frame for that “should take a number of days, not weeks.”

However, two years on, the lido remains closed and has fallen into disrepair.

Meanwhile, another lido that hopes to open is in Tynemouth. It opened in the 1920s but has been closed since the 90s.

However, Friends of Tynemouth Outdoor Pool have been attempting to find funding partners to restore the lido.

The outdoor pool at Sharpness Point beach was once a gem for swimmers and in its debut weekend in 1925, saw thousands of people visit.

Originally it was a salt water tidal pool, and regularly hosted relaxed swim sessions as well as galas and competitions.

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The town is the oldest in the country and was the capital for several hundred years, with wealthy merchants flocking to the thriving trading hub which is well preserved today

A town that is more than a thousand years old sits on the banks of a picturesque lake and is filled with colorful wooden houses.

Sigtuna, often described as Sweden’s first town, is a small and charming destination that blends history and natural beauty. Located just 45 minutes from Stockholm and only a short drive from Arlanda Airport, it is ideal for a day trip if you’re in the modern Swedish capital.

Despite having a population of just 10,000 today, Sigtuna was effectively the capital of Sweden following its founding in 980AD, serving as the royal and commercial center until the 13th century. Although it may have lost its economic and political clout, Sigtuna remains a fascinating place that offers an authentic glimpse into Sweden’s past.

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Its rich history is evident at every turn, from the cobbled streets and medieval ruins to the ancient runestones scattered throughout the area. These runestones—over 150 in total—serve as open-air monuments to the Viking Age, engraved with inscriptions commemorating people who lived and traded here more than a thousand years ago. The Sigtuna Rune Stone Walk takes you around the town centre and along the Procession Road, passing a total of 15 rune stones, mostly dating from the 10th and 11th centuries. Each has its own information board and translation of the runic inscription.

The town’s archaeological heritage has been carefully preserved and is well contextualised at the Sigtuna Museum.

One of the town’s main attractions is Stora Gatan, Sweden’s oldest main street. “This street is special because its layout has not changed for nearly a millennium,” writes Atlas Obscura.

Sigtuna’s founder, King Erik the Victorious, wanted to make the city the country’s capital, but this was not a straightforward task. To get the public, and more importantly, wealthy landowners, on board, he divided up the land into plots and gave them away to influential people. They would not live on the land, but would often visit and flaunt their riches.

“Over time, it truly became the capital of Sweden, and travelers from all over the world would arrive here with their goods. Underneath the road, archeologists have found items from the Byzantine empire, Asia, and the old Russian empire,” Atlas Obscura continues.

Sadly, all of the old buildings except for a few churches have been broken down or were burned in fires. New houses were constructed and the city evolved, but the main street remains much the same.

Lined with colourful wooden houses, boutique shops, cosy cafés, and art galleries, it’s a beautiful place for a wander of an afternoon, and one that will make you feel as if you’ve been transported back in time.

Many of the shops sell local handicrafts, design pieces, and Swedish-made souvenirs, making it an excellent place to pick up a tasteful nifty-gifty.

The street also leads directly to the picturesque shores of Lake Mälaren, where visitors can stroll along the water, enjoy a fika by the marina, or take a boat trip during the summer months.

Sigtuna’s three medieval church ruins—St. Lars, St. Olaf, and St. Peter’s—stand as atmospheric reminders of the town’s Christian heritage. These stone ruins, surrounded by quiet gardens and walking paths, contrast with the still-active Sigtuna Church, which dates back to the 13th century and remains a focal point for the local community. The blend of old and new architecture gives the town a timeless quality, appealing to travellers interested in both history and culture.

Beyond its historical significance, Sigtuna is known for its relaxed pace and natural surroundings. The town is nestled among forests and lakes, offering plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities such as cycling, kayaking, and hiking. In winter, the frozen lake becomes a natural ice-skating rink, and during the warmer months, visitors can swim, picnic, or simply enjoy the serenity of the landscape. The nearby Sigtunastiftelsen, a cultural and conference centre with a café and beautiful gardens, is another peaceful retreat ideal for reflection or afternoon tea.

Sigtuna offers something that few other destinations can: a living link between the Viking Age and modern Scandinavia. It’s history isn’t confined to museums, but it’s woven into the streets, stones, and scenery.

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