VIRGIN Atlantic will suspend one of its routes from Manchester Airport for summer 2027.
The airline confirmed its seasonal route to Las Vegas will not return – but instead, it’s boosting capacity to other destinations from the airport.
Virgin Atlantic is axing its route from Manchester to ‘Sin City’Source: GettyOther routes, like the one to New York JFK, will have more flightsSource: Getty
Virgin Atlantic first started flying to ‘Sin City’ in April 2011, it continued until 2019 and then returned in 2024.
The route was meant to resume in April 2027 until the autumn with three flights a week – reduced to two during peak summer.
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However, as part of a shake-up to its flying programme, the airline has announced that it has taken the “difficult decision” to suspend the service.
Customers who have already booked flights will be contacted by Virgin Atlantic, or their travel agent.
It’s not all bad news though as capacity from Manchester Airport to Virgin’s other destinations in the US will increase – these are to New York, Orlando and Atlanta.
Looking at July 2027, Virgin Atlantic has increased its flights to these three destinations from 24 per week to 40.
Flights to Atlanta have increased from one a day to 11 a week and flights to New York JFK have increased from one a day to 10 a week.
The Manchester to Orlando route has increased from 10 per week up to 19.
For any passengers wanting to fly to Las Vegas with Virgin Atlantic from Manchester, customers can fly to New York JFK or Atlanta and take a connecting flight with its partner, Delta Air Lines.
Virgin Atlantic also has a direct daily service to Las Vegas from London Heathrow which takes around 10 hours and 45 minutes.
Virgin will continue flying three routes to the US from Manchester AirportSource: Getty
The pass costs £66.88 per child aged 10 or older and £62.37 per child aged between three and nine-years-old.
The website currently states: “Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park is currently closed for refurbishment. During this time, we encourage Guests to enjoy Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park.
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park will reopen on January 27, 2027. Please check back for more information.”
A THEME park which has welcomed millions of thrill-seekers has announced it will be closing its doors for good next year.
Six Flags confirmed the closure of its Great America park in California, due to issues with its lease and that this season will be its last.
California’s Great America amusement park will close next yearSource: TripAdvisorIt opened 50 years ago and one its most famous rollercoasters is Gold StrikerSource: TripAdvisor
The theme park which celebrated its 50th anniversary earlier this year first opened in Santa Clara in 1976, but will close next September.
The reason for its closure is due to the expiration of its lease in June 2028.
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It’s currently closed for winter, but will reopen for what it has called its ‘Farewell Season’ in March 2027.
Six Flags has said it’s the last chance for fans to ride its rollercoasters and attractions before it permanently closes on September 6, 2027.
Some of the most popular rides include Gold Striker – a wooden rollercoaster which has top speeds of 54mph.
Another is called Flight Deck which travels at 50mph with loops and twists, and the Drop Tower which plunges at 220 feet.
The Grizzly is considered one of the most nostalgic rides, the wooden rollercoaster opened in 1986.
The waterpark opened in 2004 as Crocodile Dundee’s Boomerang Bay but is now known as South Bay Shores.
It has a large wave pool, lazy river, raft ride, splash park for smaller children and Pacific Surge is where visitors will find the extreme water slides.
After the closure announcement, previous visitors took to social media, one wrote: “I remember the first day it opened. Great memories.”
The theme park will close because the lease on the land is expiringSource: TripAdvisor
Another added: “I went there on my honeymoon back in 1979. We had so much fun. This really makes me sad.”
It’s not just members of the public that has visited the park, the occasional celebrity has been spotted there too.
Jin (Kim Seok-jin) from K-pop band BTS visited California’s Great America in Santa Clara earlier this year.
According to reports he was spotted munching on churros and waiting in-line to ride the Gold Striker.
The Great America theme park first opened in the 1970sSource: SpVVKIts waterpark called South Shores has water slides and a lazy riverSource: TripAdvisor
Park Manager Dave Vosejpka said: “For more than five decades, this Santa Clara theme park has brought people together, created family traditions and served as the backdrop for unforgettable memories.
“The Farewell Season is an opportunity for generations of Bay Area guests to return, spend time with family and friends, and revisit the attractions and traditions that have made the park in Santa Clara, California such a meaningful part of the community.”
After its closure, the closest Six Flags will be Discovery Kingdom in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has started research after the man died from animal illness – only detected for first time this summer
WHO said there are ‘no previously documented human infections’ of the disease (Image: Getty)
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has launched an investigation after the first-ever case of a brain disease was found in an EU country which is a favourite destination for UK tourists. Health officials in France raised the alarm following the first ever known case of Shamonda virus (SHAV) infection in a human.
The person concerned had not travelled outside the country in the preceding 12 months, the WHO said. WHO said: “The case was an immunocompromised older man from eastern France with no travel history during the preceding year. He developed severe neurological illness on 23 September 2026 and was diagnosed with severe encephalitis (brain inflammation). The patient died on 8 October 2026.”
It said there are ‘no previously documented human infections’ of the disease, which normally affects animals such as cattle, sheep, goats and horses. The WHO said: “As only one human case has been reported so far, information on the disease in humans remains limited. In this case, the patient was already seriously ill and experienced additional, brain-related symptoms that were considered to be linked to the Shamonda virus.”
Vector-borne transmission (via a bite from an infected midge) is thought to be the most likely source of infection. Officials are investigating the possibility of food-borne transmission, but said it’s unlikely.
WHO added: “As this is the first documented laboratory-confirmed human infection, WHO considers that the public health risk cannot yet be reliably assessed and recommends continued surveillance and investigation.”
The patient lived in rural eastern France, where animal SHAV transmission has been documented since July 2026, and had not travelled in the preceding year. The patient received multiple blood transfusions between February and October 2026 for his underlying illness.
SHAV was only found for the first time in Europe during the summer of 2026 with confirmed or suspected infections reported in cattle, horses and alpacas in Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland.
As of October 21 2026, additional European countries and territories have reported SHAV detections in animals: Austria, Ireland, Jersey, Liechtenstein, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain.
It adds: “This first documented human infection with SHAV in 2026 demonstrates that human infection is possible. However, a single case is insufficient to assess the risk to the general population, including immunocompetent individuals, or to determine the frequency, clinical spectrum or severity of human infection. The route of infection and possible sources of exposure are unknown, though vector-borne transmission is a plausible hypothesis.”
The previous limit was 15 people and now groups of more than 10 will have to split into smaller groups and be at least 50 metres apart.
The new rule applies to both bikes and e-scooters.
If caught breaking the rules you could be fined up to £2,500Source: Getty
Other new rules crackdown on stag and hen parties as well, where if thy take place on public streets between 10pm and 8am from Sunday to Friday – and Saturday until 9:30am – groups could be faced with a fine between €750 (£625.64) and €1,500 (£1,251.29).
There are also new limits on wearing items representing human genitalia, and carrying inflatable dolls and other sexual props through public spaces.
These offences could be fined up to €750 (£625.64).
Authorities have said that the new rules are not meant to limit tourism, just to “better manage its activities and ensure that we can all share the streets in appropriate conditions”, reports Olive Press.
Outside of the Canary Islands, Malaga Airport will also have five per cent fewer seats over the next six months – between 60,000 and 70,000 seats.
With that totalling nearly 174,000 seats, that could be as many as 1,160 flights, if based on short haul planes carrying around 150 passengers.
While the reasons for the cut in seats haven’t been explained, experts believe it is due to the current economic climate in the UK, as well as the high cost of fuel.
For travellers, fewer seats usually means lower flight frequencies as opposed to widespread cancellations.
While seats to destinations including the Canary Islands are being cut, Wizz Air has introduced three new routesSource: Alamy
It follows Ryanair cutting a number of flights over the summer months.
The budget airline cut 1.2million seats across regional Spain and entirely scrapped all Asturias flights.
Thankfully, some airlines are adding flights to some of the popular Spanish cities.
Wizz Air has introduced three new routes between the UK and Spain.
The routes, which operate from London Luton, go to Malaga, Grenada and Asturias with single fares starting from just £26.99 per person.
GRAMMY-winning music producer Phil McDonald has died at the age of 80.
The celebrated music veteran manned the desk for some of The Beatles’ greatest final records, shaping both the White Album and Abbey Road.
Philip John McDonald in his younger yearsThe music producing legend has sadly died aged 80Source: Instagram
He also engineered iconic solo projects including John Lennon’s Imagine and George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass.
Phil’s stellar work on Abbey Road behind the scenes earned him a Grammy.
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Born Philip John McDonald in Leeds on February 3 1946, he relocated to Earl’s Court in London with his family during the early 1960s.
Gifted with perfect pitch, he landed a job at EMI Studios in 1964, long before the legendary facility was renamed Abbey Road Studios in 1976.
He famously worked with The Beatles in the 60s for some of their most famous albumsHe then engineered John Lennon’s Imagine among other solo projects
Starting out in the tape library, he quickly progressed into the cutting rooms before ultimately securing his role as a tape operator and balance engineer.
His inaugural session with The Beatles took place on June 17 1965 to work on Yesterday.
Paul McCartney debuted the track to an exclusive audience of just two people: McDonald and producer George Martin.
The eventual collapse of The Beatles only caused his workload to surge.
Paul McCartney would sneak tapes from his secret debut solo album into Abbey Road’s Studio Three for McDonald to mix and edit.
At the exact same time, the tireless producer was stationed in Studio Two, assisting Ringo Starr with his album of standards, Sentimental Journey.
Phil Spector arrived on the scene a few months later with a mission to salvage the chaotic Let It Be sessions.
Working closely alongside McDonald, the pair successfully transformed the messy tapes into a releasable record.
Spector and McDonald went on to form a formidable studio partnership between the summers of 1970 and 1973.
Together, they delivered George Harrison’s sophomore solo effort, Living in the Material World, alongside the acclaimed All Things Must Pass.
During this highly productive window, McDonald also helped shape John Lennon’s initial post-Beatles output. He engineered both the John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band record and the legendary Imagine.
Away from the Fab Four, he recorded a raft of talent for EMI’s prog and folk imprint, Harvest.
His diverse roster included Roy Harper and Syd Barrett, with McDonald working on the latter’s 1970 release The Madcap Laughs.
He also proved instrumental in the studio for Linda Lewis, steering four of her albums between 1972 and 1975 and later secured credits on the landmark 1970 album Deep Purple in Rock.
That very same year, he collaborated with Eric Clapton to capture the defining Derek and the Dominos record, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs.
By 1973, he had secured his second Grammy nomination for his work on Harry Nilsson’s A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night.
Leaving the music business behind, Phil and his wife Sandra – who survives him – moved to New York in 2001 and remained in the US.
With grotto visits selling out fast, it’s time to get your yuletide crackers in a row.
Christmas is coming which means you will need to book the popular festive events fastSource: Supplied
You don’t want to be left with the crumbs from the mince pie tray.
From train rides to cosy cottage stays, we’ve rounded up our pick of festive experiences and staycations to lock in right now.
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BLENHEIM PALACE
This grand Oxfordshire country pile puts on a magical sparkling light show.
This year’s highlights include a 10metre ‘butterfly tree’ to mark the start of the light trail, hot air balloons that release bursts of fire and a cheery festive choir.
The gardens will light up from November 13 to January 3. Tickets cost from £25 per adult, £19 per child and £1 for under twos – book here.
SANTA EXPRESS TRAIN
The Santa Steam Express is a really charming Christmas experience for all ages.
The 90-minute journey on a steam locomotive departs on a loop from London Victoria, with vintage carriages covered in decorations and a snack and activity box for each family and a very cute mock-version of a Lapland newspaper.
These days, it’s really exciting to see an old-fashioned steam train on Britain’s railways – even the jaded London commuters stop to take pictures as it waits to board passengers.
Once everyone is seated, Santa and his cheeky elves make their way through the train, handing out gifts, engaging in conversation and roping guests into games and songs.
What’s particularly lovely about this festive experience is that it’s not hard work on the legs, so there were plenty of grandparents who came along with their families.
Details are yet to be revealed but visitors can expect glittering installations and sparkling tunnels that make great photo backdrops.
There will also be a traditional fairground, festive street food and mulled wine and hot chocolate.
Tickets cost from £25.50pp and the experience runs from November 13 to January 3 – book here.
Kew Gardens’ light train is another popular event with sparkling tunnels and giant installationsSource: Times Newspapers LtdTickets cost from £25.50pp and the experience runs from November 13 to January 3Source: Alamy
SKATING AT SOMERSET HOUSE
Tickets go on sale this Friday and popular slots will likely be gone by Monday. For good reason, too.
The experience is not only in one of London’s grandest locations, but it is jam-packed with the finest seasonal fun.
A giant Christmas tree stands at the centre, while wooden chalets serving themed street food line the outside of the rink.
There’s an Aperol spritz van plus a cosy clubhouse with live music sponsored by Virgin Atlantic.
It opens on November 11 and runs until January 10, with tickets from £11 – book here.
If you love ice skating, Somerset House is always a sell-out spotSource: Getty
AWAY STAYS ‘THE HOLIDAY’ COTTAGE, DEVON
This dainty, thatched-roofed cottage is the spitting image of the one in The Holiday although don’t expect Jude Law to come knocking on your door.
Set in rural Hartland, Devon, Philham Water Cottage sleeps up to four and is dog-friendly.
Hunker down in front of the roaring fire and work through the collection of board games.
Seven nights’ self-catering is from £595 (or £1,225 over Christmas). See coolstays.com.
There are some cosy staycations as well that sell out fastSource: SuppliedSo if there is somewhere specific you want to stay, make sure to book in advanceSource: Supplied
TEATIME AT TYLNEY, HAMPSHIRE
If Christmas for you is all about the sweet treats, you’ll love Tylney Hall Hotel near Hook, where the festive afternoon tea will ensure you’re as stuffed as a turkey.
Finger sandwiches have Crimbo-inspired fillings plus classics.
After the scones, come gingerbread choux buns, mince pies and a mousse reindeer.
The afternoon tea costs from £45pp (Mon-Thurs) and £58pp (Friday-Sat). Bookable from Nov 30.
A pre-Christmas overnight stay costs from £380 for a family of four sharing a Junior Suite and including breakfast – book here.
The three-day Thursford & Sandringham Festive Delight Tour gives travellers access to the Thursford Christmas Spectacular plus tickets to the Sandringham Estate Christmas Craft, Food & Gift Fair.
Included in the tour price is three nights at The Sandringham Estate Club Campsite and entry to Sandringham’s glittering light trail.
Tour is from £399pp departing on November 24 – book here.
Camping at Christmas sells out fast in places too, especially in spots with special events onSource: Experience Freedom
Thursford Christmas Spectacular
Known for being the largest Christmas show in Europe, Thursford Christmas Spectacular in Norfolk features a cast of 130 performers backed by a 30 piece live orchestra.
The three-hour show mixes carols, show tunes, comedy and variety acts.
Visitors can also separately book Santa’s Magical Journey, which is an interactive world for visitors to explore and the Enchanted Journey of Light with an illuminated outdoor light trail.
Christmas isn’t complete without Christmas carols and could they be even more special when performed at the Royal Albert Hall?
Across six days there are 15 carol performances in the Hall with festive favourites and more modern tunes.
Tickets cost as little as £22 per person and you can book here, but many of the favourable dates and times already have tickets for this price sold out.
You will also have to opt for a more expensive ticket if you wish to have a seat and not stand.
Tulleys Christmas Santa Experience
Tulleys Farm in Surrey is known for its ‘all out’ Halloween and Christmas events and this year there will be an outdoor ice rink, gingerbread decorating, circus performances and of course, a Santa’s Grotto.
Visitors can head on the North Pole Adventure as well, where they can step into Elf Town and meet the townsfolk before carrying out festive tasks.
Several dates already have low availability so you will need to book quick.
Kids tickets cost between £46.95 to £69.95 and adults tickets (age 14+) cost £29.95 to £39.95 – book here.
Chatsworth House decorates its interiors to a theme each yearSource: AFPIn Devon, you can hop on the train of lightsSource: Alamy
Chatsworth House at Christmas
Christmas at Chatsworth is an annual festive celebration at Chatsworth House in Derbyshire and this year takes place between November 7 and January 3, 2027.
Inside the house, the theme this year will be The 12 Days of Christmas with sculptures, large installations and a garden light and sound trail.
Admission also includes access to the Farmyard and Adventure Playground, where there will be decorated animal areas and festive kids’ craft sessions.
Adult tickets cost from £36.36 each and children’s tickets cost from £10.90 each – book here.
Train of Lights
What happens when you mix a light trail with a festive train journey? You get a steam train entirely covered in neon Christmas lights.
And that is exactly what the Train of Lights is in Dartmouth, Devon – where you go on a railway journey in the dark, with cosy interiors and the exterior completely covered in lights.
You can also add on a visit to Santa, but this comes at an extra cost.
Tickets cost from £31.50 per adult and £24 per child – book here.
A MUCH loved waterpark in the UK won’t be open this winter, with plans to close until next year.
Waterworld in Staffordshire is a tropical indoor waterpark that is 30C year round, with an outdoor pool open in the summer months.
Waterworls has announced it is closing until next yearCredit: Facebook/Waterworld Aqua ParkThe closure is due to huge refurbishmentCredit: Facebook/Waterworld Aqua Park
However, from tomorrow, the waterpark area will be closing due to huge refurbishment plans.
The waterparks’ Managing Director Wayne Goodall explained: “At its heart, Waterworld offers families a place to spend time together, escape from everyday life and enjoy that holiday feeling, whatever the weather.
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“The upgrades we have planned are set to build on that sense of fun and enhance the way we tell our story, creating a more immersive experience for our guests.
“We can’t wait to reveal more about the upcoming investment soon.”
Little is known yet about the upgrades, but it has confirmed it will reopen by early 2027.
It also isn’t the first upgrade in recent years – back in 2024, it underwent a £13million refurbishment.
Calling itself the UK’s “No.1 tropical indoor aqua park,” Waterworld is home to 30 attractions.
This includes Thunderbolt, which was the first trap-door drop waterslide in the UK, as well as Nucleus, a water rollercoaster.
Along with both the indoor and outdoor pool, there are also wave machines and river rapids for a thrill too.
Thankfully, only the waterpark area is closing.
An official reopening date is yet to be confirmed next yearCredit: Waterworld Leisure ResortThe mini village and mini golf will stay openCredit: Waterworld
The 18-hole tiki-themed Adventure Mini Golf will remain open, as will the Adventure Mini Village which opened in 2023.
The waterpark itself opened back in 1989, and welcomes around 400,000 people a year.
Travel experts at Adventure360 which runs gap years for 18-30 year olds have revealed the three destinations that are well worth having on your radar next year
Gap years have changed (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Gone are the days when a gap year often meant travelling around on a tight budget, partying as much as possible and ticking off a couple of landmarks. Nowadays, younger travellers are looking for activity holidays full of memorable experiences, decent accommodation, and activities that aren’t centred around alcohol, according to travel insiders at Adventure360.
Jane McLellan-Green, one of the firm’s co-founders, and Amy Calthorpe, a Travel Advisor at the brand, spend their days looking for hidden gems, unique experiences and other adventures for intrepid explorers aged 18-30.
“Adventure tours is our big thing,” Jane told the Mirror exclusively. “Whereas back in the day it was working, volunteering – which we still offer – but the group tours is the biggie.” She explained that the firm increasingly receives requests from young professionals as well as students and graduates. She added that they do “have some customers that just want to party”, but noted “there has been a shift as well where a lot of young people are not drinking anymore, and they kind of want to do more sort of hiking, or yoga lessons, or surfing”.
So, where are the emerging destinations for an adventure in 2027? The travel pros shared some of their top picks with the Mirror…
The ‘Stans’
BBC’s Race Across the World has sparked a surge of interest in Central Asia’s “-stans” (aka Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan), after they featured on one of the legs of the recent series. “[The contestants] went through it, and suddenly everyone was like, ‘I want to go there!’,” explained Jane. “So we are going to be adding new trips. We’re still educating ourselves but the landscapes are insane, and I think you don’t go to the Stans to party. It is for the customers who want to sort of get off the beaten track, go to the places that aren’t kind of visited as much.”
Social media has also played a key part to the emerging popularity, according to Amy. “The Stans are all over Tiktok, so many people are going there now,” the travel pro added. “I definitely think that’s on the rise. I think that will be really popular next year once there’s a little bit more knowledge about it and everything.”
She added: “We’ve got activities included like horseback riding, which you wouldn’t necessarily get on a normal tour. You stay in different accommodations like in the tents. I think it’s just really cool, and I think it’s probably a destination as well that people probably wouldn’t necessarily feel comfortable doing solo, like completely independently, so that’s why the tours are a little bit more popular.”
China
China recently eased up its visa requirements for Brits, meaning that until December 31, 2026, UK passport holders can enter China visa free for stays of up to 30 days. “China’s become really, really popular,” Amy explained, adding that “everyone wants to do it”, with the firm’s China tours quickly selling out.
Amy explained: “China is so popular. Honestly before, like maybe a couple of months ago, China wouldn’t ever have been somewhere that was on my list to even consider.” Both Amy and Jane reckon that the country’s appearance on TV shows – including Race Across the World – have opened up audiences to the various destinations on offer in the country, other than classic hotspots such as the Great Wall. For example, Avatar fans have been flocking to the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in the Hunan Province, which are believed to have inspired filmmakers behind the world of Pandora.
Morocco
Morocco isn’t a hidden gem, but according to the travel pros, it’s been enjoying a surge of interest from adventure travellers, who want to make the most of the bustling souks, but also explore some of the country’s breathtaking deserts. When asked what might be causing its popularity, Jane said there were two big factors. The first, was price. “It’s cheap!” she said, pointing to the flight and accommodation options you can find on a budget. The second factor? The Middle East conflict which saw travel plans disrupted earlier this year, with the Foreign Office still issuing travel advice to countries close to the ‘unpredictable’ tensions.
With Morocco being a short flight but boasting year-round sunshine and hot weather, as well as a plethora of unique experiences including camping in the desert, it offers an exciting alternative to some classic European city breaks that might not entice Brits. (Not to mention it’s got a flight time of around four hours, so it’s easy to do for a week’s break). “It’s a little bit further than doing a European trip but you’re also not having to venture too far from home,” said Amy.
Jane added: “For someone who wants to have a cheeky week away or have an adventure, it’s a really great holiday and you don’t have to spend much money.”
A MUCH-LOVED Italian holiday destination is set to charge visitors £25 just to enter the city.
Venice is looking to raise its tourist entry fee to €30 (£25.13) as well as increasing the time frame for when it applies.
Venice is planning to raise its entry fee for day visitorsCredit: Getty
Venice’s budget and taxation councillor Michele Zuin told Reuters that the current €5 (£4.19) to €10 (£8.38) fee is no longer deterring excessive visitor numbers.
As a result, there are now proposals to raise the fee in 2027.
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The proposed new fee of €30 (£25.13) would cost more than some flight tickets to Venice from the UK.
For example, one-way flights in November and December cost as little as £13 per person.
And a return would only cost you a couple of quid more than the proposed fee, with £27 return flights in December from the UK.
Michele Zuin told regional news: “The current €5-10 charge is affordable for virtually everyone; the risk is that it no longer has the deterrent effect that this measure is supposed to have.”
There are even talks of the fee going up to €50 (£41.89) in the future.
The fee was originally introduced back in 2024 for day trippers entering the city.
The increase would mean it costs more than a one-way flight from the UKCredit: Getty
Visitors would be able to pay less if they booked in advance and there are a number of exemptions including for children under the age of 14-years-old.
This year, the fee was in place between April 3 and July 26, between 8:30am and 4pm each day.
The new fee would need to be agreed on by the government before being introduced.
The fee was originally introduced to battle overtourism in the city.
The fee and when it applies for 2027 will be announced before the end of the year.
A HUGE new airport is coming to Turkey and it will be built directly on the sea.
The new airport in the Black Sea province of Trabzon in Turkey will be the country’s third airport built on the sea and is set to cost £732million.
Turkey is getting a new airport and it will be built on the seaCredit: Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of TurkeyThe airport will be in Trabzon, a city home to around one million peopleCredit: Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Turkey
The airport will eventually have a 3,000 metre runway that will be 45 metres wide, meaning it will be able to handle larger planes.
There will also be a taxiway next to the runway of the same width and length.
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As for the terminal, it is set to span 110,000-square-metres and will be able to handle up to 10million passengers a year.
Polo Lam and his girlfriend Laura Matos say they only spent minutes on the phone to check Google Maps and the internet but were stunned at the final cost
08:00, 27 Oct 2026Updated 08:36, 27 Oct 2026
Polo Lam and his girlfriend Laura Matos were shocked at the cost(Image: Polo Lam)
A British traveller has warned holidaymakers about the risk of unexpected charges after spending just two hours in Monaco left him and his girlfriend with a £109 (€128.88) phone bill. Polo Lam, 30, from Whitby, North Yorkshire, was travelling across Europe with his girlfriend Laura Matos, 29, in September when the couple made a brief stop in Monaco.
Despite using just 18.66MB of mobile data between them, the pair were left picking up almost £85 (€99.79) in roaming charges, sending their monthly bill soaring to £109 (€128.88), compared with just £25 (€29.18) the previous month. Experts say 18.66MB is roughly the amount of data someone might use scrolling through Instagram for just three to 10 minutes, depending on the content being viewed.
The couple were enjoying a budget-friendly interrail holiday from Barcelona to Vienna, travelling through France, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia and Hungary. While staying in Nice, they decided to visit nearby Menton and make a short stop in Monaco, which hadn’t originally been part of their plans.
Laura, a psychologist and founder of La CoolMente, said: “It was actually my idea to visit Monaco. I’d heard so much about the luxury and the famous casino, and I wanted to see what it was like for myself.”
But it was only when they continued their journey into Italy that Polo checked their mobile account and discovered the their trip had cost more than they bargained for. Speaking to Nomad eSIM, Polo said: “I couldn’t believe it when I saw the bill. We’d only been in Monaco for a few hours, and somehow our phone bill had jumped to £109 (€128.88).
“We’d barely used our phones. We only checked Google Maps and opened Instagram, but that was about it.
“What really scares me is thinking about what could have happened if we’d stayed overnight. If we’d spent a whole day or two there, we could potentially have been looking at a bill running into the hundreds, or even thousands of pounds.
“I’m pretty stingy when it comes to money, so you can imagine how I felt. We’d gone interrailing to have a relatively inexpensive holiday, and suddenly we had this huge phone bill.”
Laura added: “We were both confused about where the charges had come from. We’d only used our phones briefly to find our location, so we felt the bill was completely unreasonable. We kept talking about it for days afterwards because we’d been trying so hard to save money throughout the trip.”
Polo said the unexpected expense put a dampener on their holiday. “The worst part was thinking about what else we could have spent that money on. We were trying to keep costs down, and it would have paid for three or four meals out in some of the places we visited.”
Laura agreed that the money could have been put to much better use. She said: “We’d been avoiding expensive experiences to save money, so it was frustrating to see that money disappear on a phone bill without getting anything enjoyable in return.
“I’d much rather have spent it on a nice meal at a restaurant with a view, visiting a museum or even a more comfortable hotel. When you’re travelling around Europe by interrail, a bit of extra comfort can make a big difference.”
The experience left the couple more cautious about using their phones abroad, particularly when travelling between countries. Polo said: “I’d tell anyone travelling around Europe to check exactly which countries are covered by their mobile plan. Just because somewhere is in Europe doesn’t mean your normal roaming allowance applies. We found that out the expensive way.”
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Tim Page, Marketing Lead at Nomad eSIM, said: “One of the biggest misconceptions about mobile roaming is that travelling within Europe automatically means you’re covered by your usual mobile plan.
“Monaco is a perfect example. Despite being surrounded by France on three sides, it’s not part of the European Union and isn’t automatically covered by the EU’s Roam Like at Home rules. Introduced in June 2017, these rules generally allow customers of EU mobile operators to use their calls, texts and data across EU countries without paying additional roaming charges.
“This means travellers could be using their phones in Nice without additional roaming charges, then cross into Monaco and face significantly higher rates for exactly the same usage. Before travelling, always check which countries are included in your mobile plan, particularly destinations such as Monaco, Andorra and Switzerland.
“Even small amounts of data can result in surprisingly expensive bills, so consider switching off data roaming or using a travel eSIM that specifically covers your destination. If you do receive an unexpected roaming charge, contact your mobile provider as soon as possible. While there’s no guarantee, some providers may be willing to reduce or waive the charges as a goodwill gesture.”
A NEW attraction with an enormous lagoon and bright white sands is set to open a few hours from the UK.
Called Alovera Beach, it’s set to open in summer 2028 and the catch is that it’s nowhere near the coast.
Alovera Beach will be just outside of Madrid with a blue lagoon and white sandsCredit: Crystal LagoonsThe inland beach will be easy for Brits to reach thanks to quick and cheap flightsCredit: Crystal Lagoons
Instead, the company called Crystal Lagoons is hoping to open Europe’s largest man-made beach just outside of Spain’s capital, Madrid.
The project itself that’s 104,000 square metres is being built at the cost of €29million (£24.3million).
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At its centre will be a 21,000-square-metre artificial lagoon which will be surrounded by 16,000 square metres of white sand which makes for the perfect sunbathing spot.
The lagoon will be suitable for swimming as well as watersports like kayaking, paddleboarding and aqua fitness classes.
There will also be children’s attractions, relaxation spaces, food outlets and cafes.
On the sand will be an adults-only beach club with separate lounges to relax in as well as restaurants.
During the summer it’s hoping to hold seasonal events too including concerts, guest celebrations and even business events.
Looking at the details on its website, it looks like entry will be through memberships and daily passes.
Plans for Alovera Beach started back in 2017 and it has just taken a huge step forward with developers signing a formal construction-start document on October 21, 2026.
If all goes to plan, work is set to complete in March 2028 with it opening to the public a few months later in the summer months.
There will be room for watersports as well as relaxation and events at the beach clubCredit: Crystal Lagoons
When it does open, the inland beach will be easy for Brits to reach as Alovera is a 45-minute drive from Madrid.
One-way flights are as little as £20 and Brits can get there in less than two and a half hours.
The company has made 1,000 projects across 60 countries including the Evermore Orlando Resort.
It has a range of accommodation including guest rooms and suites to Walt Disney World around two enormous beach areas where visitors can try out kayaking and paddleboarding.
The lagoon here is larger than 25 Olympic-size swimming pools and has has two beach areas.
Brownsea Island is soon closing to the public until next yearCredit: Alamy
Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour will be closed on Friday, October 23 due to Storm Austen.
It is still unclear if the National Trust owned isle will open on Saturday.
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A spokesperson for National Trust Brownsea Island also told Bournemouth Echo: “We apologise for any disappointment or inconvenience this may cause.
“The safety of our visitors, volunteers and staff is our top priority and this decision has been made to ensure everyone remains safe during the adverse weather conditions.”
Typically, it costs £12 to visit but National Trust members can enter for free.
It comes as the Met Office has issued weather warnings for wind and rain across parts of the UK, with two named storms due to bring disruption.
Storm Austen is expected to affect south-west England on Friday – with an amber warning for wind issued in parts of the region.
Over the weekend, Storm Boelo will affect Northern Ireland, Scotland and parts of northern England with what the Met Office described as “impactful winds”.
Condominium boards will also receive funds for the first time. (MinComunas)
Mérida, October 20, 2026 (venezuelanalysis.com) – Venezuela held its second National Popular Consultation of the year on Sunday, October 18, as voters chose local projects to receive state funding.
Organized by communes and communal circuits within the Ministry for Communes and supported by the National Electoral Council (CNE), the vote took place at over 11,400 voting centers nationwide.
More than 37,000 proposals, debated and prioritized in local assemblies under the Seven Transformations (7T) framework, were put to a vote in 5,418 communes and communal circuits. Most options focused on infrastructure and basic service repairs, including addressing water supply and electricity issues.
In this event, and for the first time, over 400 condominium boards took part as well. Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodríguez announced the expansion of the electoral exercise to residential instances outside the traditional popular power organizations.
“I want to congratulate all the Venezuelan citizens who have participated in this consultation, because it reflects a genuine belief in a democracy that is growing stronger,” Rodríguez said on state broadcaster VTV on Sunday night. “The funds for these projects are now ready to be allocated for their execution.”
Each winning initiative is slated to receive the equivalent of US $10,000, with local organized communities charged with executing the works and rendering accounts. This was the sixth consultation held since President Nicolás Maduro launched them in 2024.
Two days before the vote, Minister of Communes Ángel Prado, during a meeting with communes in Lara State, explained that the resources would be transferred in stages: an initial disbursement to begin project execution, followed by subsequent disbursements contingent upon the progress of the work. This includes monitoring the projects and ensuring accountability to the communities.
Communities voted on a range of initiatives tailored to local needs. The selected projects included extending the electrical grid, equipping school canteens, expanding irrigation and sewage systems, replacing gas cylinders, maintaining public roads, and developing livestock-related initiatives.
In Cojedes State, the winning project in Los Vencedores Hijos de Chávez Communal Circuit was the extension of the high- and low-voltage electricity network. Meanwhile, in the 5 de Marzo Comandante Eterno Commune in Caracas, the winning project focused on rehabilitating walkways and stairs in a section of the area.
Alongside the popular consultation, activists in Simón Planas, Lara State, also set up a signature drive to oppose mining exploitation in the local Cerro La Vieja. Local organizer José Luis Sifontes told Venezuelanalysis that more than 6,000 people signed the document calling on the government to declare Cerro La Vieja a natural park.
Grassroots resistance has stopped previous efforts to drill for limestone in the area, with communal organizations denouncing that mining will contaminate the soil and water sources.
BONFIRE Night is on the horizon, and the biggest celebration in the WORLD is right here in the UK.
Lewes will hold its annual event in a matter of weeks and not only is it free to visit but it will be busier than ever.
Lewes has been holding its Bonfire Night event for hundreds of yearsCredit: GettyIt has torchlit processions and bonfires followed by huge firework displaysCredit: Getty
Thousands of Brits descend on the town in East Sussex which has been holding bonfire events since 1795.
However, it isn’t the usual firework display followed by hot chocolates – this one is the world’s biggest with torchlit processions and giant effigies.
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The event marks both Guy Fawkes Night and the memory of 17 martyrs from the town who were burnt at the stake.
Every year, six different bonfire societies each hold their own procession and firework displays.
In 2024, it was recorded that 40,000 people were in attendance.
The event is predicted to be even busier this year because it falls nearer the weekend on Thursday, November 5.
The majority of the event is completely free, like the bonfire at Commercial Square – but visitors will need to pay to watch at others.
This year, the processions start at around 5pm and will arrive at the individual bonfire at around 9.45pm with fireworks displays finishing around 11pm.
She said: “In the last few years, I’ve been lucky enough to attend Lewes Bonfire because a handful of my friends are from the Sussex town.”
The town gets so busy that it closes the roads and train routes in advanceCredit: Getty
“Because the town’s streets and alleyways are rather narrow, the High Street in Lewes is one of the best, and safest, places to watch the torch-lit procession.
“The processions can often be very loud because of the drums that accompany each of the societies. But the noise is all part of the electric atmosphere, as are the effigies.
“If you do want a drink in a pub, be sure to head there in the early afternoon. Several of the bonfire societies base themselves in local pubs too, which means they can be busier than usual.”
On the day of the event there will be limited rail services – trains will not stop at Lewes from 5pm until the start of the service the next day.
There will also be road closures around and in the town due to the procession and predicted number of attendees.
It’s so popular that those wanting to visit are encouraged to book hotels a year in advance.
Six different societies take part in the event which goes on for around six hoursThe pretty town of Lewes is filled with thousands of people on November 5Credit: Getty
On Booking.com there’s a one-night stay available from November 5-6, 2027 from £75 per night (for two people).
Unlike many other firework and bonfire events around the UK, the one in Lewes is not suitable for children or young families as officials warn it can be ‘overwhelming’.
Despite this, lots of visitors often rave about the event calling it an “amazing experience”.
One wrote on Tripadvisor: “The energy is superb, the friendliness of everyone involved, and a feeling of excitement throughout makes this such a memorable night out.
“Everyone should come to Lewes on November 5th at least once, you will never find a night like this anywhere else in the world.”
BRITS could face hefty fines if caught smoking, or playing loud music at one popular holiday spot.
In some cases, the penalty could be as much as £2,500.
In areas of Tenerife it’s now it’s been banned to smoke on the beachCredit: Getty It’s also been banned to be disruptive around natural swimming poolsCredit: Getty
The area of La Laguna in Tenerife, has approved new rules banning smoking, camping, overnight stays and disruptive music on its beaches and natural swimming pools.
The announcement was made on October 7 and has been put in place to protect the coastline.
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Under the new rules, beaches within the areas and natural pools are now smoke-free.
It also stops visitors from leaving rubbish behind including soap and shampoo in public showers.
