Travelling with kids can be expensive, even if you stay within the UK, but changing your travel dates could potentially save you hundreds of pounds – according to Expedia some dates could be the key to nabbing bargains
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Here’s what you need to know ahead of the summer holidays(Image: Jacob Wackerhausen via Getty Images)
When you have kids, it feels like the days of cheap holidays are over, especially once they hit school age. Holidays can take a lot more planning and careful budgeting.
However, travel booking site Expedia has given parents a hand, putting together data that shows the cheapest exact dates to travel as a family, as well as the peak travel dates to avoid. Melanie Fish, spokesperson for Expedia Group Brands said: “Using the right dates to dodge peak travel times is a great money‑saving hack, especially when paired with booking everything you need for your trip on Expedia for a hassle‑free holiday.”
It also revealed some up and coming destinations for spring that are seeing a surge in searches, potentially making them popular places for a spring break. These include Conwy, Tenby, and the Cotswolds, all classic family holiday staycation spots.
As you may expect, late-March and early-April are expensive times to travel as parents try to get some time away for the Easter holidays. For domestic travel, the most expensive dates are between May 23 and 31, which is half-term in most schools across the UK. The most expensive dates for international travel were revealed as April 5 and May 23, again both coinciding with school holidays.
The busiest dates for staycations were found to be March 6 and 27, while for international travel, you can expect packed airports and ferry ports on April 2 and 3. If you’re someone who prefers to avoid the crowds and traffic, it’s best to rethink booking a departure on these dates.
When it comes to the cheapest dates, for domestic travel these fall on March 1 and 2, early in the spring, as it’s before the main tourist season kicks off in most staycation spots.
For international travel, the cheapest departure dates include March 2 and April 27. Unfortunately, these do fall outside of school holiday dates, but some parents may be tempted to book a break anyway. However, it’s worth making sure you research school holiday fines before you pull the kids out of school, as a family of four could rack up a £320 bill even for a first offence.
The quietest times to travel also fall outside of school holidays: April 28 and May 31. However, if your school has a later May half-term or inset days tacked onto the holiday, then going slightly later could cut the cost of a break later in the month. Choose flexible dates when searching for flights or holidays to see how much you could save by departing a few days later.
If you’re in a particularly strict area for school holiday fines, don’t worry, shifting your dates within the school holidays can also cut costs. For example, the cheapest dates to book in the six week summer holidays tend to be closer to the end of the holiday, as most people want to go away as soon as school finishes. By opting for a late-August rather than mid-July break you could save hundreds and still be back in time for school.
Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com
Hannah Britt and her family fell in love with Scotland while on a road trip through the highlands in a Skoda Superb Estate SportLine 2.0 – here’s how you can do the same
10:07, 12 Mar 2026Updated 16:09, 12 Mar 2026
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Hannah, John, Molly and Poppy loved their road trip through Scotland
When you think of a Scottish road trip, what comes to mind? The NC500 probably. Two children aged six and one… probably not so much. And yet I’m here to tell you that it can be done, all it takes is the right car – and lots of snacks. A frequent yet fearful flyer last summer I became a convert to the good old family road trip when we borrowed a Skoda Kodiaq vRS and drove from our home in Manchester to France. Being able to get there under our own steam and haul 35 tonnes of equipment for the children was a gamechanger. I was chomping at the bit to do it again. So you can imagine my delight when my pals at Skoda got in touch again, offering to lend us a Superb Estate SportLine 2.0 this time – if we drove it to Scotland. My partner John’s bags were packed before I’d finished asking if he wanted to go.
The Superb is a long and spacious family car. You won’t get into a small parking space, but boy can you cram it full of stuff. It’s quite low to the ground, meaning those of us over 30 will make an oof noise getting in and out, but it feels how I imagine Lewis Hamilton must in his F1 car. I loved it right away.
As we set off from our home in Manchester, the four of us settled in – me, John, six year old Molly and one year old Poppy. Our route would take us to Langbank near Glasgow, where we would stay the night at Gleddoch Golf and Spa Resort, before continuing on the next day to Cameron House on Loch Lomond. From there we would loop up through Glencoe to Oban, before driving back home via Loch Lomond once more.
As was now customary, John did most of the driving with me the passenger princess and queen on snacks, handing out Pringles and Haribo on demand and restarting Golden from the K Pop Demon Hunters soundtrack each time it dared to stop. The Skoda’s big sat nav screen made it easy to work out where to go, and its built in black out screens allowed Molly and Poppy to doze off.
Four hours later, with just one stop to walk off a tantrum (not mine, promise), we arrived at Gleddoch, on the banks of the Clyde. I was impressed with this golf hotel, which welcomed children with open arms. Our room, a Residence Four Poster, was newly renovated, with a sleek bathroom, view out over the water, sofa bed for Molly and – as the name suggests – a gargantuan four poster for her parents. Arriving with fussy kids, we ate in the room, and the food was lovely, with a good kids menu and an excellent wine list.
But the jewel in Gleddoch’s crown is the Imperia spa, a newly opened, multimillion pound delight. It recently won the accolade of “best new spa” and, once I tore myself away from my family, I had a sublime old time checking it out. The space boasts the UK’s largest outdoor sauna with panoramic views over the estuary and rolling Renfrewshire hills to Ben Lomond.
Children are not allowed in the pool at all, which was a shame for me – but a bonus for the other guests who didn’t have to endure their spa time with a side of my little ones’ splashing. In the morning, I sat down in Gleddoch’s cosy Dram whisky and gin bar to do some work, before packing our rabble back into the Skoda to head to our second stop, 30 minutes away – Cameron House on Loch Lomond.
Now, Cameron House is a Scottish institution. Barack Obama has stayed here. Guests don’t really get cooler than that. And the moment you arrive it’s easy to see why it’s so beloved. Sweeping the Skoda up to the hotel, which sits right on the water, we were immediately greeted by a valet, who whisked the car off to park it and brought in our bags. Good lord, the crumbs, I thought to myself as the chic valet sat himself down on two days worth of digestive biscuits.
Inside, Cameron House is stylish, cosy and unmistakably Scottish, with nods to its rich heritage in everything from the pictures on the walls to the tartan prints of the cushions. Staff remember names, coffee orders and chatted to the children as if they were long lost friends. It’s a home from home – albeit an incredibly luxurious one.
The food is delicious, whether you choose to eat in the Michelin-starred Loma by Greme Cheevers, the Tavern, the Great Scots Bar, or anywhere in between. The room service is good too, and the chefs are happy to rustle up anything your little one desires off menu. Our room, a family suite, was spacious, sparklingly clean and modern, with an undisturbed view of the Loch.
Cameron House has a brilliant adults-only spa, which I’ve heard is exceedingly relaxing. However during my time at the hotel, I was to be found in the large family pool. With floor to ceiling windows out onto the grounds, areas shallow enough for Poppy to paddle in and areas deep enough for Molly to swim, and with a large and genuinely fun water slide, there was enough to keep everyone entertained for hours. When we finally tempted the children outside, a falconry lesson was equally enthralling. The next day, our be-crumbed valet returned the Skoda to us and waved us on our way to Oban – via Glencoe.
Glencoe is a stunning, historic glen in the Scottish Highlands, renowned for its dramatic, volcanic, and glacial landscape. It is a premier spot for hiking, mountaineering, and – luckily for us – scenic drives, often featured in films like Harry Potter and James Bond. From Loch Lomond to Glencoe takes around 90 minutes, and there’s an excellent visitor centre to greet you once you arrive, with nappy changing facilities, a shop selling various miniature models of highland cow, and a cafe that makes a good flat white.
The Glencoe drive is best done slowly, to ensure one takes in the insanely gorgeous scenery, and to make sure you don’t miss the turning down Glen Etive Road. The “Skyfall” road is the single-track B8074, famous for the scene where Bond (Daniel Craig) and M (Judi Dench) stop with the Aston Martin DB5 against the backdrop of Buachaille Etive Mòr. The spot is roughly halfway along the 12-14 mile road. I didn’t have an Aston Martin, but one better – my Skoda.
Another 50 odd minutes later and we arrived at the furthest point of our road trip – Oban. Or to be precise, Rhunacairn, a little Sykes Cottages house on the banks of Loch Etive, a couple of miles out of the town. Down a tiny road, with just one other house nearby, it was a white washed child’s drawing of a house, set in the most stunning scenery imaginable.
Sat next to a mussel farm, the house had all we needed for the next few days – a swing, a log burner and sea otters in the water outside. It was absolutely idyllic – a real find. And while we did go into Oban to sample the delights of the seafood capital of Scotland – and to buy a bottle of local whisky – I must admit the house had a magic to it that I was loath to leave. Before we left we began plotting our return, wondering which Skoda might fit paddleboards and fishing rods for a summer staycation.
1. Plan Ahead – Time journeys around naps, mealtimes, or toilet breaks to reduce stress and disruption to routines.
2. Leave at Nap Time – If you can, start longer journeys when little ones are most likely to sleep.
3. Entertainment is Key – Mix up old-school games like I Spy with sticker books, reusable window stickers, or magnetic boards.
4. Car-eoke – A family singalong is a fun way to pass the miles (and yes, Disney soundtracks count!).
5. Tech Can Help – Tablets on headrests with headphones make for a peaceful drive when everyone needs downtime – don’t feel bad or guilty for using them, but be clear about the boundaries on using them and use them more as a last resort, rather than the default.
6. The Quiet Game – When things get noisy, challenge the kids to see who can stay quiet the longest.
7. Snacks & Drinks – Pack snack boxes for older children and keep drinks in the front with you to avoid unnecessary stops for the loo when they have necked a whole bottle of water! Be very mindful of giving younger children snacks if an adult is not sitting in the back with them, as it is a choking hazard!
8. Safety First – Use child locks, remind kids about seatbelt safety, and follow The Lullaby Trustadvice on babies sleeping in car seats.
9. Be Prepared – Keep wipes, tissues, and the nappy bag within easy reach. Blankets and comfy clothing are also essential.
10. Break It Up – If traffic hits or the car gets tense, don’t be afraid to stop somewhere safe, stretch legs, and reset before heading off again.
Parents believe everyone in the family can get something out of a holiday when their children reach eight years old.
Eight is the age when everyone in the family gets something out of the holiday(Image: Getty Images)
Family holidays can be stressful but new research has shown that they are considered to be most fun when children reach eight years old. A poll of 2,000 parents found eight is the age when everyone in the family gets the most out of holidays. At this stage, more than half (55%) of parents believe their children start to form lasting holiday memories, while 64% believe their children can start to get genuinely excited about new places.
What’s more, at eight years old 22% of parents say their children can contribute to the planning. This means parents are better able to relax themselves and can enjoy more shared hobbies and activities together with their kids.
Commissioned by Jet2holidaysahead of Mother’s Day, the research found 76% of mums who go on one or more getaways a year consider family holidays to be their highlight.
A spokesperson for the tour operator said: “Family holidays are special at all ages. However, there appears to be something especially great once kids reach eight years old – with the findings suggesting many kids are more curious, more engaged and better able to take in new experiences at this age.”
The study also identified what parents look for in a family getaway – with value for money (29%), a place which suits the whole family (28%) and good weather (28%) coming top.
Activities everyone can enjoy together are also considered key (17%), along with a destination which is easy to get around (15%) and genuinely family friendly accommodation (14%).
To ensure the kids in particular are happy, 30% ‘often’ or ‘always’ get them involved in the planning of a family break. They do so because it makes their little ones feel included and valued (46%), creates shared excitement (37%) and ensures activities suit their interests (34%).
The holiday milestones considered to be the most significant were going abroad as a family for the first time (35%), flying together for the first time (24%), as well visiting a theme park or major attraction for the first time (15%). Staying away from home overnight for the first time as a unit (14%) was also significant.
A spokesperson for Jet2holidays added: “It’s clear involving children in the planning process plays a big part in making a holiday memorable.
“And this is just one of a host of memorable holiday milestones they’ll be part of – whether that’s flying together for the first time or going abroad as a family stay with parents for years.
“This is why considerations like the right destination and accommodation are so important.
“We’re proud to help families make those memories by offering great value, family friendly holidays which cater to everyone, whatever stage of family life they’re in.”
SINGER Anne-Marie has sparked concern after branding herself a “wreck” in a new social media message.
The star tweeted a lengthy message in which she also suggested people “wouldn’t care” about her “emotional” struggles.
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Anne-Marie has sparked worry online after branding herself a “wreck” in a new social media postCredit: SplashThe performer insisted no one would ‘care’ about her emotional strugglesCredit: Instagram/annemarieThe concerning tweet sparked plenty of fan reactionCredit: X
The Ciao Adios singer penned: “Still figuring out how to be a good mum AND write the best album you’ve heard from me. It’s intense.
“I want to post, but I look and feel like a wreck most of the time.”
She added: “I know you don’t care about that though hahah.
“I miss you all so much and hope you are feeling as happy as you can be.”
Anne-Marie signed off her message by posting: “A cuddle is needed.”
The mum-of-two’s post sparked worry among her fans as many rushed to check in on the performer and insist they “do care” after her troubling words.
One said to her: “Anne marie you never ever need to apologise for being distant. You’re balancing being a mum, being human, and creating something beautiful for all of us that’s a lot for anyone.”
Another echoed: “We all care about you so much. You prioritise yourself, your health and your family.”
Another alarmed fan penned: “I’m proud of you. Speaking out is already so brave.”
Before a fourth went on to comment: “You didn’t have to force yourself, we care about it and care about you. Take care yourself and kids love u.”
The mum-of-two has faced personal struggles and career setbacks in recent yearsCredit: GettyShe is a mum-of-two with rapper husband SlowthaiCredit: Instagram @annemarieThe star hinted at intense mum guilt in her new messageCredit: Instagram
Mum of two Hannah Britt is a fan of a family road trip, but driving with young children in tow can be tough. Here she shares how to keep them entertained, not a screen in sight
21:38, 01 Mar 2026Updated 21:40, 01 Mar 2026
It is possible to have fun in the car, honest!(Image: Getty)
I’m a mum of two, my children are six and one. And as a family we like to travel. One of the things we tend to do the most is hop in the car from our home in Manchester and drive to the Lake District, or Scotland. Having the car with us means we can lug all the things we need for the children and get to our destination under our own steam. But keeping my little ones entertained can be tricky.
On a recent trip to the Lake District, my good friends at Volvo were kind enough to lend us one of their cars to try – the XC60 Plus plug-in hybrid. It came with a promise: the children will love it. And it gave me an idea, could I entertain them the whole 90 minute journey without a screen or toy in sight?
Best for: my six year old. How it’s done… Select a Spy: One person is chosen to be the “spy”. Choose an Object: The spy selects an object in plain sight of all players but keeps it secret. Give a Clue: The spy says, “I spy with my little eye something…” followed by a hint. By Letter: “…beginning with the letter [letter]” (e.g.”B” for ball). By Colour: “…that is [colour]” (e.g. “Red”). By Description: “…that is [shape/size]” (e.g. “Round”). Guess the Object: Other players take turns guessing the object. Switch Roles: The person who correctly guesses the object becomes the new spy for the next round.
NURSERY RHYMES
Best for: both my one year old and my six year old. How it’s done… there couldn’t be more famous nursery rhymes to choose from, some even have actions to increase the fun and interactivity.
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star: A soothing lullaby about a star.
Humpty Dumpty: A classic rhyme about a fragile egg.
Ba Ba Black Sheep: A rhythmic, repetitive poem.
Row, Row, Row Your Boat: A gentle, interactive, and rhythmic song.
Old MacDonald Had a Farm: A fun, interactive song for learning animal sounds.
Jack and Jill: A well-known rhyme about a trip up a hill.
Hickory Dickory Dock: A classic rhyme featuring a mouse and a clock.
London Bridge Is Falling Down: A traditional game song.
Mary Had a Little Lamb: A familiar tale about a loyal lamb.
The Itsy Bitsy Spider: An action-based song
YELLOW CAR
Best for: my six year old, but my one year old did join in too. How it’s done… To play, simply see who is first to spot a yellow car. First to five or 10 wins. Once you’ve done yellow, move onto other colours. And then play spotting other things, like a helicopter, a tractor and a broken down car.
SPOT THE SHEEP
Best for: my one year old, but my six year old did enjoy. How it’s done… Choose an animal everyone recognises – and one you’re likely to see. There’s no point picking a zebra in Derbyshire! Then simply see who is the first to spot one. Once you get to the countryside you can elevate Spot the Sheep to Count the Sheep – and see who can be the first to spot 100.
WOULD YOU RATHER?
Best for: my six year old. How it’s done… This is a fun, thought-provoking question game to spark conversation. Choose age appropriate things to ask about, examples of which could be:
Food & Silly Choices
Would you rather eat broccoli-flavoured ice cream or fish-flavoured cookies?
Would you rather have a bath full of baked beans or mushy peas?
Would you rather eat only pizza for a year or only tacos for a year?
Would you rather drink hot chocolate or a milkshake?
Would you rather swim in a pool of jelly or a pool of marshmallows?
Superpowers & Magic
Would you rather be able to fly or be invisible?
Would you rather have the power to control time or control the weather?
Would you rather have a magic carpet or a teleportation device?
Would you rather be able to speak to ghosts or aliens?
Would you rather have a pet unicorn or a dragon?
Animal & Nature
Would you rather have a tail like a lemur or a trunk like an elephant?
Would you rather roar like a lion or hiss like a snake?
Would you rather have fur like a bear or scales like a fish?
Would you rather be a tree or a flower for a day?
Would you rather live in a jungle or a desert?
School & Daily Life
Would you rather have as many toys as you wanted or as many books as you wanted?
Would you rather go to the park or go to the zoo?
Would you rather be a superhero or a super-villain?
Would you rather live on land or under the sea?
Would you rather build a treehouse or a go-kart?
NUMBER PLATE GAME
Best for: my six year old. How it’s done… See if you can spot number plates from different countries while on your journey. Or see if you can do the whole alphabet, A, B, C and so on. You can make up stories, prompted by the letters too.
*The Volvo XC60 Plus plug-in hybrid costs £63,850, find out more at volvocars.com
Merlin’s annual pass offer ends this weekend where you can get a free annual pass if you book a £95 stay at the likes of Alton Towers, Legoland, Thorpe Park, Chessington and more
16:39, 27 Feb 2026Updated 16:39, 27 Feb 2026
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Families could enjoy a year of theme park fun for the price of an overnight stay(Image: Tom Skipp/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
A deal where theme park fans can ‘stay for a night, play for a year’ at Merlin’s attractions across the UK ends this weekend.
Merlin Entertainment, whose attractions include Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Warwick Castle, LEGOLAND, and Chessington World of Adventures currently has a deal running where families who book an overnight stay on selected dates in March get a free Essential Merlin Annual Pass (MAP) for each guest, giving them 339 days of unlimited access to over 20 of its theme parks and attractions.
However, theme park fans will need to hurry as the bookings need to be completed by Sunday (March 1), so there are only a couple of days left to take advantage of the offer. Eligible stay dates include:
LEGOLAND and Alton Towers – stays between March 14 and June 26
Chessington – stays between March 20 and June 26
Thorpe Park and Warwick Castle – stays between March 27 and June 26
When making a booking, simply look for a banner that says ‘Merlin Pass Included’ that indicates whether the stay is eligible for the offer. Facilities at each theme park resort vary, but many have themed accommodation, breakfast included in the price, plus two days of theme park entry included in a one-night stay. Alton Towers’ hotel guests enjoy access to a 9-hole golf course, while those staying at Chessington can enjoy access to its SEA Life Centre.
As soon as you book your stay, you’ll be emailled your Merlin Annual Passes and can start using them as soon as they are activated, even before your overnight break if you like. The Essentials tier pass offers 339 days of fun, and in addition to theme parks it includes attractions such as the London Eye, Madame Tussauds, and The London Dungeon.
Passholders can also access SEA Life centres across the UK, Cadbury World, Shrek’s Adventure! London and LEGOLAND’s Discovery Centres, so it’s easy to fill up the calendar in the Easter holidays and May half term without needing to pay a penny extra on entry fees.
It’s worth checking Merlin’s exclusions calendar for dates when the Essentials pass cannot be used. Restricted dates include some bank holidays and Saturdays in August. However, no dates in July are restricted, and you can still use your pass freely on other days during the six week summer holidays.
So, how much could families save? It depends on which hotel stay you book and how much you use the pass. A family of four could book a night at the Warwick Castle Hotel on May 16 for £429 and get four free passes included. Buying Merlin Essential passes would usually cost £139 each at full price, adding up to £556 for four people, so this is already a cheaper option if you’ve been considering buying the passes anyway.
Day passes to Alton Towers, as an example, cost £32 online and as much as £68 if you buy on the gates, so if you plan just a handful of theme park visits, this offer could save you hundreds over the year.
Full list of attractions where Merlin’s annual pass can be used
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One UK mum who is raising her kids in Spain has shared the ‘things no one warns you about’. She shared the three big differences she’s noticed since moving her family abroad
Samantha Bartlett Assistant Editor, Social News
15:57, 27 Feb 2026Updated 16:18, 27 Feb 2026
Many Brits decide to move their family abroad for a new life in Spain (stock image)(Image: pixdeluxe via Getty Images)
Many people are prepared for a few culture clashes when they move abroad. However, one UK mum who is raising her kids in Spain has shared the ‘things no one warns you about’. Jodie, known as @jodiemar1ow on Instagram, shared details about her new life in Spain with her 6,400 followers on the app. In one of her latest reels, she shared the three big differences she’s noticed when it comes to raising her kids abroad.
Diving into the first issue, Jodie said it was bedtime. She explained: “Bedtimes… they just aren’t a thing. We have been to parties until 10pm, in fact Jayden had a party that was going to end at 12am.
“I actually did pick him up at 11pm because I was like he’s 6-years-old. This is so late.”
She added: “Kids are playing on the street until 11pm is just normal. Bedtimes just don’t exist. What is bedtime?”
The second issue she raised was that kids in Spain finish school at 5pm. She said: “It makes no sense to us Brits that they finish at 5pm, and for their dinner breaks they have 2.5 hours to have their food and play.
Like they have a sit down three course lunch at lunch time. If I did that, I’d be done for the day. I can not do a three-course lunch.
“People in Spain find it mad I just have a sandwich, it’s crazy.”
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Jodie said that if ever kids then do after-school activities they finish even later.
The third thing the mum had noticed is that her kids are ‘definitely more Spanish’ than her.
“If you ask them they’ll say they’re Spanish-English,” she said.
“They correct me now if I say things in Spanish wrong and they’re basically fluent.
“I wasn’t prepared for all these correction and how they pronounce things [so well].”
Many people could relate to Jodie in the comments, as one person wrote: “I’m a Canadian living in Spain, so nice to meet you! The lunch is insane, haha I mean I love it for my son but I was blown away by it.”
While another added: “Taking Iyla to her friends soft play party at 5yrs I was in shock. I said, ‘I’m leaving now as Iyla has bedtime’. Everyone was looking at me weird haha.”
A third chimed in: “I’m in Alicante with a 6 month old baby and everything is baffling me already. Sensory classes for babies simply don’t exist, wild.”
However, one other person wrote: “Our school day has always finished at 2, both primary and secondary school. I think it depends on area.”
Five beautiful countries that will pay Brits up to £70,000 to move there – The Mirror
Need to know
Have you been dreaming of escaping the UK for a better quality of life? Whether your expat fantasies involve a Mediterranean island, a hermit-like rural escape, or being surrounded by wildlife, there are a number of schemes that could help make them come true. Here are five countries that offer incentives for people willing to relocate.
14:35, 24 Feb 2026Updated 14:35, 24 Feb 2026
Would you move to a village in Tuscany in exchange for half-price rent?(Image: Getty Images)
Need to Know – Five countries offering financial incentives for people to relocate there
Sardinia – The gorgeous Italian island of Sardinia is offering incentives of up to €15,000 (around £13,000) for expats willing to move to its sun-soaked shores. The catch is that the grants are only given to those moving to villages of under 3,000 people, as the island is trying to reverse the declining population and boost economies in rural areas. Couples considering starting a family can also enjoy €600 (just over £500) a month payments when they have their first child, and €400 (around £350) a month for the second until they reach five years old.
Tuscany – Ever dreamt of living among the rolling Tuscan hills? A small village called Radicondoli is one community looking to reverse its depopulation with incentives for both property buyers and renters. The scheme known as WivoaRadicondoli covers either 50% of rent payments for two years or offers grants towards home purchases for those willing to commit to staying for ten years. Around 100 of the village’s 450 homes lie empty, so people relocating will be spoiled for choice.
Spain – Spain has long been a sought-after destination for expats, so you may be surprised to see the country on the list. However, while Brits often try to find homes in the Costas or Canaries, many Spanish villages in rural areas have struggled to attract new residents. Some examples of schemes on offer include the Live in Ambroz programme in Extremadura. This pretty region, close to the border with Portugal, is offering digital nomads grants of up to €15,000 to live in the area for at least two years. With a lower cost of living than many areas of Spain, a quick search shows a 3-bedroom country house to rent for €690 a month (about £600), and your money can go further.
Ireland – Would you be willing to live on a remote Irish island? If so, the Our Living Islands programme could be for you. Buy a home in one of Ireland’s remote island communities and you could get a grant of up to £70,000 to help with renovation costs. You must have been granted the legal right to work in Ireland, and you’ll need to use the home as your permanent residence. It’s not a scheme for those simply looking for a holiday home.
Switzerland – If you’re under 45 and willing to live among the spectacular Swiss mountains for at least ten years, then you could get a grant to help with your expenses. A village called Albinen is offering 25,000 CHF for each adult and 10,000 CHF per child (approximately £23,000 and £9,500 respectively) to new residents, although you will need to buy a property of at least 200,000 CHF (about £191,000) to qualify. Expats can live in the unspoiled mountains surrounded by traditional Swiss chalets, with a medium-sized town and some impressive ski resorts just a short drive away.
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Tropical weather, luxury accommodation and relaxing rituals make this island the perfect babymoon destination to visit when pregnant, says travel editor Laura Mulley
We think we’ve found the perfect babymoon destination(Image: Le Meridien Ile Maurice, Laura Mulley)
Looking for a holiday destination for one last trip as a two before our baby arrived, we found our options surprisingly limited. We didn’t want to chance potential bad weather in Europe off-season, and with the risk of mosquito-borne virus Zika – which is particularly dangerous to pregnant women – ruling out most of the Caribbean and Asia, there was a clear frontrunner that ticked all of our boxes: Mauritius.
Emirates proved to be the best airline to fly with from our nearest airport – Manchester – with the most flight options available – and the staff were exceptionally helpful at making a six-months-pregnant woman feel as comfortable as possible during the journey.
Once we landed, our aim was simple: to enjoy all the things we’d probably struggle to do once our baby arrived, on what would potentially be our last relaxing holiday for a while. And it certainly delivered.
Our first stop was the huge, open, colourful Le Méridien Ile Maurice on the island’s northwest coast. One of Mauritius’s leading family hotels (perfect for showing us what to expect from our future holidays), its hidden gem is its adults-only section, Nirvana, at the end of the kilometre-long beach, which has its own rooms, reception, restaurant, beach area and infinity pool scattered with squishy floating beanbags.
Our Hideaway Suite here was truly one of the biggest we’d ever seen, with a massive distance between the patio doors at the front to the heated plunge pool out the back. Guests get access to a ‘butler’ via WhatsApp, and lots of thoughtful touches from the friendly staff make staying here feel extra-special, from the complimentary cocktail (or mocktail) by the pool at sundown to the petal-strewn bath we found waiting for us after dinner. One night there was even a pregnancy pillow laid out on the bed, something we hadn’t requested but made our stay even more comfortable.
The food at Le Méridien
There are four restaurants at Le Méridien, and it’s worth making your way around them all: Nomad’s buffet is popular with families, Waves serves Mediterranean-style fish and grilled dishes, Kumin gives guests a taste of Mauritius’s strong Indian influence, and – our favourite – Nirvana’s Jade does excellent Asian cuisine, including sushi and teppanyaki (take breakfast here too if you want to savour the child-free moments for as long as possible). All are included in half-board and all-inclusive packages, although booking is recommended for the à la carte restaurants.
What to do at Le Méridien
Keen to enjoy as many grown-up activities as possible, we took part in sunset yoga on the beach, took kayaks and pedalos out into the lagoon’s clear waters, and enjoyed treatments in Le Méridien’s spa, including a heavenly head massage using warm coconut oil, and the perfect pre-natal full body massage. The therapists here are all incredibly skilled – you’ll really feel the benefits.
St Regis Le Morne
The second half of our trip was spent at sister hotel St. Regis Le Morne, formally the JW Marriott, and which joined the historic St. Regis hotel group – founded by American tycoon and Titanic victim John Jacob Astor IV – following a major renovation last year.
On the island’s southwest point, this is a quieter, more secluded part of the country, and St. Regis sits under the shadow of Mauritius’ iconic Le Morne mountain surrounded by miles of beautiful beaches and shallow waters.
Although we spotted plenty of multi-generational families here too, St. Regis definitely has a more elegant and luxurious air to it. With a colonial-style design and elegant rooms set amongst lush vegetation and trickling water features, it has a slight ‘White Lotus season three’ vibe.
There’s a huge pool here, but we found that most couples chose to spend their days on the loungers under palm leaf-umbrellas that line the beach, which are peaceful, always available, and serviced by bar staff at the touch of a button.
The food at St Regis Le Morne
Out of St. Regis’s five restaurants, our favourites were INDYA, serving a modern take on Indian cuisine with the friendliest service, and Japanese Atkuso, where the chef veered from the menu to whip up some of the best maki rolls we’d ever tried to cater to our vegetarian diets. Each restaurant also does its own signature cocktails and ‘mindful mocktails’ with certain health benefits.
What to do at St Regis Le Morne
St. Regis is proud of its history and heritage, and a key feature are its three ‘rituals’, found in all its properties around the world, and all – pleasingly for our purpose – highly unsuitable for children: Bloody Marys, sabrage and afternoon tea.
In homage to the first ever spicy tomato juice cocktail as we know it, reportedly invented at the St. Regis New York in the 1920s, our charismatic bartender Vymal demonstrated how to make this hotel’s own version, the L’Île Mary, using Mauritian rum infused with curry leaves and topped with turmeric foam. The self-appointed Bloody Mary connoisseur out of the two of us declared it to be one of the best he’d ever tasted.
Next up was learning sabrage – the art of opening a bottle of champagne with the swish of a sword, and supposedly how Napoleon liked to celebrate his victories. Although initially unconfident, following expert instruction we were thrilled to deftly remove the top of our bottle of fizz in one smooth swipe.
Afternoon tea was a more genteel affair, and is a reference to Lady Astor’s daily habit of gathering family and friends around in the afternoons to share wisdom. Here it involves Mauritian tea and viennoiserie from the hotel’s kitchen, taken under swaying palm trees on the beach – just heavenly, and the perfect last few moments of calm before we became a three.
How much does it cost?
Rooms at Le Méridien Ile Maurice start from £220 per night on a B&B basis based on double occupancy. Rooms at St. Regis Le Morne start from £585 per night based on double occupancy (two night minimum stay required). Returns flights from Manchester to Mauritius were with Emirates start from £775.
Choosing this option when you book your flights could help you save hundreds of pounds, and it’s especially useful during peak seasons such as half-term or the summer holidays
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These tips can help savvy holidaymakers save money(Image: Getty Images)
When it comes to booking a flight, we all want to save money, especially when we need to travel during peak times such as the dreaded school summer holidays.
Luckily, there are still some hacks that can help you cut the cost of flights, and Laura Lindsay who works at SkyScanner has offered up some of her expert travel tips. She said: “Last-minute doesn’t have to mean bad value. Whether you’re staying at home or going abroad, the travellers who take the time to shop around and compare deals will get the best prices. Being a little bit flexible could make a big difference in cost, as well as opening up options for destinations and accommodation you may not have considered.”
One of her clever tricks? Look at the school holiday dates for the counties and regions on the border of your own; these dates can differ, which means you might be travelling in your county’s own peak season, but your neighbouring towns might be ‘off peak’, causing a price difference.
For example bargain hunters who live in the north of England can often bag a cheap flight by flying from a Scottish airport. This is because school holidays in Scotland tend to be slightly different, for example, the six-week summer holiday begins early-July and ends around mid-August.
That means if you have a Scottish airport within reasonable travelling distance, you can save a lot of money by flying from Scotland in the last two weeks of August. And on the flipside, Scots can pick up cheaper flights by jetting off in early July from English airports.
In the meantime, check out more of Laura’s money-saving hacks below…
Search ‘everywhere’ for the best prices
Not fussy about where you want to go? On sites such as Skyscanner you can select ‘everywhere’ as your destination and will be able to find the cheapest destination for your dates. This will give you a number of options from city breaks to beach destinations, and you may be able to find an inexpensive hidden gem.
Skyscanner also have a cheapest destinations tool, where you simply choose the month you want to travel and get a list of the ten cheapest destinations for that period. For example, in March the cheapest flights can be found to Milan and Tirana in Albania for city breaks, while those seeking sunshine could find deals for Lanzarote and Marrakech.
Search nearby airports
Another feature on flight comparison sites that’s worth trying is including nearby airports in your search. On Skyscanner you simply tick the box under your destination or departure airport.
If you live close to London, for example, don’t just look at your nearest airport. Searching for nearby airports looks up the cheapest options around the capital, so a short tube journey could save you a lot of money. This works in any area where there are airports nearby, for example, comparing flights from Birmingham and East Midlands, which are just 45-minutes apart.
You can also choose to search nearby airports at your destination. Just make sure you work out how far away the airport will be from your accommodation before you book. Some airports with city names can still be miles away from the destination. For example, Paris Beauvais Airport is actually about 90-minutes from the French capital, so best avoided for a short break.
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Drayton Manor has launched a K-Pop themed takeover for half term, and while it had some fun moments, our favourite attraction was worlds away from the glittering world of K-Pop music
11:37, 17 Feb 2026Updated 11:40, 17 Feb 2026
A few Drayton Manor rides were open along with Thomas Land(Image: Matthew King)
If you have a child of primary school age, the soundtrack to your life is likely to be the cheery sounds of K-Pop. K-Pop, which stands for Korean Pop, has been on many music fans’ radar for years now, but 2026 is likely to be a big year for the genre.
Not only has K-Pop Demon Hunters become the most-watched original title in Netflix history with 500 million views – quite a few of which have come from my house – but K-Pop bands have been all over the charts. In August 2025, a record seven K-Pop tracks made the top 40 singles chart, including BLACKPINK and Stray Kids. A recent tour announcement by BTS saw a Taylor Swift-style clamber for tickets and UK dates sold out in 30 minutes.
So, it wasn’t a huge surprise to see that Drayton Manor, a theme park in the West Midlands, would be hosting a K-Pop Takeover for February half term. My daughter was thrilled to be going to a K-Pop themed day and wore her favourite HUNTR/X hoodie for the occasion. And of course, Spotify was cued up with an appropriate playlist on the way.
While the park isn’t fully open during February half term, in addition to the K-POP activities the ticket price includes Thomas Land, a handful of rides, plus the zoo. With tickets starting at £19.90, the price reflects that you won’t get the full theme park experience.
We arrived just in time for ‘K-Pop games’ on the park’s main stage, and a very enthusiastic entertainer was leading some kids in a game of red light, green light, followed by some singing along to the tune of Golden. There was also a K-Pop themed dance workshop later on, with excited kids dancing in front of the sparkly stage.
Other than some Korean fried chicken being served in the burger bar, and some Korean souvenirs in the gift shop, there wasn’t a huge amount of K-Pop theming throughout the park. However, the end of day K-Pop concert definitely brought in the crowds and seemed to be widely enjoyed.
Three entertainers, dressed as a K-Pop girl group, sang songs by HUNTR/X, Saja Boys, and Rosé, bringing the day to a close with a water show in the park’s lake. Kids and adults were bopping along to the tunes, and I was impressed that the group’s lead singer managed to tackle the high notes in Golden.
But the real draw at Drayton Manor is Thomas Land. While it took the silver award for Best Theme Park for Toddlers in 2025, people of all ages seem delighted when wandering around the Sodor-themed attraction. Even grown adults were posing for photos with Thomas, showing the nostalgia around the show never went away.
It seemed to be a good time to visit. Queues were pretty minimal on most of the rides, although we did unfortunately wait half an hour to get on Winston’s Whistle-Stop Tours only for the ride to break down. However, quite a few of the smaller rides had no queue at all, and it meant we got a couple of turns on Toby’s Tram Express and some other favourites.
Thomas Land also had regular shows, and we got the chance to meet Sir Topham Hatt, or depending on your age, the Fat Controller. The performer was great, and I noticed he could communicate in Makaton – a type of sign language often used for children with learning or communication difficulties. It would be great to see more theme parks train staff in this way to make the entertainment more inclusive.
So, is this review Golden or is it a Takedown? Overall, I’d say it’s worth visiting the park for the K-Pop Takeover. Outside of the main stage, there’s not a whole lot of K-Pop theming, but enough to keep fans happy. The end of day concert was definitely a highlight for my youngest and she hasn’t stopped talking about it, and concert only tickets are available if you just want to visit later on. But Thomas Land is always worth a day out. Just make sure you bring your big coat.
