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As Storm Bram heads towards the UK, bringing with it rain, cold and strong winds, it may be wise to turn your attention towards the parts of Europe that are a little cheerier

Believe it or not, parts of Europe a short, cheap flight away from the UK are currently enjoying mid-20s temperatures and sunshine.

This year it feels as if the PR representatives for autumn have been working overtime. ‘Cosy season’ advocates have been pushing the line that it’s great that summer is now over and the six months of cold, darkness and wet ahead are to be embraced, not feared.

If you’re like me, then this comes across as a terrible and unconvincing lie. Crunchy leaves underfoot may be nice, but they’re no replacement for warmth and sunshine. Particularly when a horrifying weather front such as the Dracula-themed ‘Storm Bram‘ nears, threatening to bring 70 mph winds and freezing temperatures with it.

Luckily, there are plenty of places on the European mainland that are not only enjoying much better weather, but are a short, cheap flight away. Here are our pick of the bunch:

Lisbon, Portugal

Temperature today: 22C

Cheapest flight this week: £24

Not only is the Portuguese city sunny and blessed with good weather, but it is also a famously happy spot.

Lisbon recently claimed the top spot in the Holiday Happiness Index, claiming the title of the world’s happiest holiday destination. Analysis shows that the vibrant Portuguese capital excels across multiple feel-good factors, with its food scene standing out in particular. Walkability is another of Lisbon’s mood-boosters. The city is compact and easy to navigate on foot, with panoramic viewpoints that reward slow exploration.

Palermo, Italy

Temperature today: 22C

Cheapest flight this week: £20

Palermo is an incredible city to visit, especially in the shoulder season months of May, October and September when the weather begins to cool a little. Among the many highlights in the Sicilian city is the incredible Palazzo Butera, which was recently restored from a crumbling wreck to a public museum for the Valsecchi art collection. The city’s food market has recently received criticism for focusing more on fast food and less on traditional produce. However, there are many excellent, authentic restaurants down Palermo’s back alleys that offer up classic fare such as the pizza-adjacent sfincione.

Tirana, Albania

Temperature today: 21C

Cheapest flight this week: £15

Albania’s reputation as a tourist destination has taken a hugely positive turn in recent years, as increasing numbers opt for a bargain break in a country whose tourist board insists is ‘the European Maldives’. Visitors can enjoy luxury stays without breaking the bank, with beachfront apartments available for as little as £20 per night. Dining is equally budget-friendly, with a full meal and drinks often costing around £15. The Mirror took a trip to Tirana last year to see how far £100 can take you.

Rome, Italy

Temperature today: 22C

Cheapest flight this week: £19

Who could resist a trip to the Eternal City, where the weather seems to be eternally good and the chances of spotting the new pope are higher than anywhere else in the world. Earlier this autumn, the Mirror visited Trevi Fountain, which has become one of the most overcrowded tourist attractions in the world. The chances of stopping off there without being overwhelmed by the throngs get higher the further away from summer you go.

Izmir, Turkey

Temperature today: 20C

Cheapest flight this week: £29

Izmir had a tough summer. Wildfires in the region ripped through forests, destroying houses and resorts. Thankfully, the fires were eventually brought under control and the rebuilding job is well underway. The south-western settlement is less well-known than its headline-grabbing neighbours, Bodrum and Dalaman, but just as rich in sun-soaked golden beaches, bustling bazaars and excellent restaurants.

THE WORLD’S top place to take bored kids this summer, which is in the UK, has announced a new rainy day guarantee scheme.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort has introduced a free return for ticketholders who attend the attraction on a day that rains.

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The new policy means that guests will always have a great visit to the attraction, because if the weather is poor they can return on a day where it is better.

The policy will be in place throughout August and it will need to rain for more than three hours on the day of their trip.

If this does happen, then guests can return for free within seven days of their original visit date.

CEO of Pleasure Beach Resort, Amanda Thompson OBE said: “It’s important to us that guests have the best time when visiting, and while technically speaking the rain doesn’t affect our rides, we wouldn’t want the wet weather to dampen anyone’s day.

“We truly believe that you can have a great time at Pleasure Beach come rain or shine, but we know that everything is extra special when the weather is on side.”

If a guest wants to use a rainy day return, they should arrive at the same ticket centre on the day of their return visit and display their eTickets, paper tickets or confirmation email to staff.

The new option can also be used seven days of the week.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach resort was also recently named as one of the best attractions to bust kids being bored.

AttractionTickets.com created an index compiling the best attractions to take kids to this summer and the Lancashire-based attraction managed to beat the likes of Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando.

Overall, it scored 31.3 out of a possible 35 marks.

The attraction is home to 10 rollercoasters, five ‘dark’ (indoor) rides, five water rides and 12 Nickelodeon-themed rides.

Throughout the year, Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort also hosts a number of shows, including fireworks.

Earlier this year, the reimagining of Launch Pad was unveiled, which climbs up to 80 mph and sends riders 210 ft into the air.

AttractionTickets.com’s Banish Boredom Index was made by analysing reviews from over 160 destinations, and the UK dominated the top 20.

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These included the likes of the Tower of London, Ribby Hall Village, and Warner Bros. Studio Tour London all made the list.

Some other attractions across the UK offer rainy day guarantees, such as Crealy Adventure Park in Devon.

The attraction offers visitors a free return within seven days of their original visit if there is 30 minutes or more of continuous rainfall during their visit.

It is worth checking the FAQs or T&Cs of your tickets to an attraction to see if the theme park, adventure park or other destination offers the same guarantee.

Use these tips on your next theme park trip

Next time you visit a theme park, you may want to use our top tips to make the most of your adrenaline-inducing day out.

1. Go to the back of the theme park first. Rides at the front will have the longest queues as soon as it opens.
2. Go on water rides in the middle of the day in the summer – this will cool you off when the sun is at its hottest.
3. Download the park’s app to track which rides have the shortest queues.
4. Visit on your birthday, as some parks give out “birthday badges” that can get you freebies.
5. If it rains, contact the park. Depending on how much it rained, you may get a free ticket to return.

There is also a unique UK theme park with safaris, water park and rides for everyone from toddlers to grandparents.

Plus, Disney is set to open a brand new theme park and resort – here’s everything we know.

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World number one Scottie Scheffler finished seventh, while a struggling Rory McIlroy ended the major on 17th.

JJ Spaun has won the US Open golf championship by two shots from Robert MacIntyre after draining an incredible 64-foot birdie putt that snaked across a sodden 18th green following a chaotic final round at the Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania, United States.

“Just to finish it off like that is just a dream,” the Californian said after claiming his first major on Sunday.

“To have my own moment like that at this championship, I’ll never forget this moment for the rest of my life.”

Spaun needed only a par at the closing hole to avoid a Monday playoff but went one better, sinking the huge putt in the rain to win the year’s third major and erase the disappointment from his close call at The Players Championship in March.

When the clinching putt dropped, Spaun tossed his putter, delivered a fist pump, hugged his caddie and then walked off the green with his two young daughters in tow on Father’s Day to celebrate a career-defining win.

“It was so cool to just have my whole family there on Father’s Day,” Spaun said. “It’s just incredible. I have no words to describe the moment and them being able to see me as the winner.”

Spaun reached the drivable par-four 17th hole level with Scotland’s MacIntyre, who was already in the clubhouse after a two-under 68, and delivered the shot of his life – a 309-yard strike that settled 17 feet from the cup.

The 34-year-old American sent his eagle putt past the hole but made the comebacker,  and then went on to secure the win in style at the 18th, where he said he did not look at the scoreboard so as not to alter his plan.

“I knew based off of, like, what the crowd was saying that I felt like if I two-putted I would probably win, but I didn’t want to look,” said Spaun. “I didn’t want to do anything dumb trying to protect a three-putt or something.”

The final round was interrupted by a 96-minute weather delay after heavy rains forced puddles of water to form on the greens and fairways and forced the grounds crew at Oakmont to use squeegees to get the course ready.

Rory McIlroy needs ‘right frame of mind’

The triumph comes three months after Spaun lost in a playoff to world number two Rory McIlroy at The Players Championship, a defeat which was hard to take but left him knowing he could mix it with the game’s elite.

Viktor Hovland (73) finished three shots back in third place, while Cameron Young (70) and LIV Golf players Tyrrell Hatton (72) and Carlos Ortiz (73) finished a further shot back in a share of fourth place.

Sam Burns (78), who took a one-shot lead over Spaun and Adam Scott into the final round, struggled late in his round and finished five shots back.

Twice major champion Jon Rahm, who began the day 11 shots back, closed with a three-under 67 that was the day’s joint low round, with the Spaniard finishing five shots back in a share of seventh with world number one Scottie Scheffler (70) and Burns.

World number two Rory McIlroy also saved his best for last and carded a 67 to reach seven over.

McIlroy, who had been struggling to find form since completing the career Grand Slam at the Masters, is looking forward to some downtime before the British Open being held next month at Royal Portrush in his home country of Northern Ireland.

“I just need to get myself in the right frame of mind. I probably haven’t been there the last few weeks,” McIlroy said.

“But as I said, getting home and having a couple of weeks off before that, hopefully feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, will get me in the right place again.”