resort

DRAMATIC drone footage has captured Manchester’s major indoor leisure resort taking shape.

The £500 million Therme development, spanning roughly 28 football pitches, can be seen coming together from above.

Chief Commercial Officer Jonathan Lingham said: “For the first time, you can see the design translating into reality.

“The central hub is a defining part of the scheme, and it’s now clearly visible on site as the project begins to take shape.”

Once complete, Therme Manchester will be one of the largest urban wellbeing resorts in the world and the “biggest paid-for attraction in the UK”.

It is currently scheduled to open at the end of 2028, boasting several state-of-the-art facilities.

CHECK IN

New European travel rules starting TOMORROW as experts and airlines warn of chaos 

BUDGET BEAUTY

I’ve travelled the UK on a budget – from seaside walks to £7 train rides

Inside, visitors can expect a heated waterpark with lots of spa and wellness facilities.

The complex will have an outdoor beach as well.

This will be the first Therme site in the UK with separate locations in Germany and Romania.

Therme Manchester was first announced back in 2020 and was due to open in 2024, before being delayed.

When construction started in September, Therme UK CEO Prof. David Russell said: “Today marks the official beginning of a once-in-a-generation project for Manchester and the North West.

“Therme Manchester will be a place for everyone – a unique destination where wellbeing, sustainability, art and culture come together.”

TUI is opening its very first hotel in Bhutan next month.

Called TUI Blue Paro Taktsang, it will be nestled in the Himalayas and in a small village in Paro which is found west of the country’s capital, Thimphu.

Inside the hotel will be 32 suites, a restaurant, two bars, a ballroom, indoor swimming pool, spa and gym – all decorated with traditionally Bhutanese design.

Rooms will have incredible views of the mountains and nearby waterfront.

The first-look images also reveal a huge outdoor dining terrace.

The landlocked country between India and China is known for pretty temples, Himalayan mountains and being a very happy place to live.

PARK UP

Holiday park expert reveals her top UK resorts and how to get cheap stays

CRACK ON

Book last-minute Hols From £9.50 at top UK holiday parks THIS Easter school break

The hotel is near some major landmarks like Tiger’s Nest Monastery, whose official name is Paro Taktsang.

It’s a sacred Buddhist site which is perched 900metres high on a clifftop.

For any keen visitors, it’s only accessible by foot and a round-trip hike takes between five to six hours.

Another nearby site is the Kyichu Lhakhang Temple, which is the oldest temple in Bhutan; its main chapel has roots as far back as the 7th century.

It’s also considered one of the most beautiful temples in the country.

Nearby is Ugyen Pelri Thang Palace, which is the private residence and often used by the Queen Mother.

Tourists can’t go inside, but visitors can still take in its incredible architecture and gardens from the outside.

Check out our favourite holiday offers from On the Beach…

*If you click on a link in this box, we will earn affiliate revenue

Bellevue Club, Majorca

There are more pools than days of the week at the Bellevue Club in Alcudia. With 11 swimming pools, a 24-hour bar and a garden theatre offering evening entertainment, you’ll hardly want to leave this resort once you arrive. Nearby, there’s the family-friendly Alcudia Beach as well as the historic old town and promenade of Port D’Alcudia to explore.

BOOK A BREAK

Catty Cats Garden Hotel, Side, Turkey

This fun hotel has three swimming pools and several water slides to entertain the whole family. If zipping down slides wasn’t enough to tire out the children, they can enjoy the kids club and mini discos, whilst adults can unwind in the Turkish bath. Plus, the family rooms here feel more like an apartment, as they come with a handy kitchenette too – great for cooking up cheaper meal options.

BOOK A BREAK

Htop Olympic, Costa Brava, Spain

This Calella hotel is the perfect base for a cheap and cheerful sun holiday, with comfy air-conditioned rooms just a few minutes’ walk from the bustling bars of Costa Brava. Make use of the hotel buffet stocked with plenty of family favourites like fresh salads, grilled meats and chips.

BOOK A BREAK

Corona Roja Aparthotel, Gran Canaria

The Corona Roja Aparthotel sits on Gran Canaria‘s Playa del Ingles, one of the most popular beach resorts among Brits – and for good reason. Whether you’re the type to set off parasailing or prefer a sunset catamaran trip, there’s plenty on offer in this lively resort town.

BOOK A BREAK

Bhutan itself is considered the ‘Land of Happiness’, but it won’t appear on any of the official Happiness Index.

Instead, Bhutan has goes by its own “Gross National Happiness Index” which focuses on factors like psychological well-being, health, education, good governance, ecology, time use, community vitality, culture and living standards. 

The philosophy was introduced in the 1970s to focus on wellbeing and environmental conservation which is valued more highly than things like economic growth.

Just last year, Bhutan revealed plans for its new international airport at Gelephu complete with forests and yoga lounges.

Its initial design plans reveal a building that represents a mountain range with huge gardens and an open-air forest splitting the terminal in half.

One side will operate domestic flights, the other, international.

Across the four zones will be yoga spaces, outdoor lounges and even meditation and sound bath areas.

The hope is that it will open in 2029.

The best time to visit Bhutan is between March and May or September to December when the weather is at its most mild, which can be up to highs of 25C.

The best time of the year to avoid is June to August as this marks monsoon season when it’s humid with high rainfall.

Currently there are no direct flights between the UK and Bhutan with the average journey length taking around 15 hours with at least one stop.

For more on Asia, here’s an often-forgotten country named the world’s cheapest place to travel this year with £5 hotels and 80p beers.

And, one of the world’s cheapest holiday destinations with new Wizz Air flights has scrapped expensive entry rules.

The ski resort of Riksgränsen is the most northerly in the world, sitting way into the Arctic Circle. It is treated to regularly displays of the Northern Lights and delivers midnight skiing at middsummer

If you think that you’ve missed your chance to go skiing in Europe this year, then you’d be wrong.

There is a resort where the slopes remain open not just through April and into May, but in the high summer days of June.

Riksgränsen, a small ski resort in Arctic Sweden, is the most northerly in the world. It’s 94 miles further up the road from the famous ICEHOTEL, which has melted away into the river by this time of the year.

By June 21, the snow farmers of Riksgränsen have been hard at work for weeks, making sure there’s enough coverage on the 909m tall mountain for the Midsommar downhill jamboree. They’ve dug, they’ve blanketed and they’ve cornered off sections of the mountain.

The reward is three hours of skiing, unlike anything you’ll find elsewhere in the world. From 10pm to 1am, T-shirt-clad skiers whizz down Riksgränsen’s 21km of pistes, basking in the strange phenomenon of bright sun and blue skies throughout the night. At 68.4266°N, the sun won’t disappear again for another month.

When I visited the Swedish resort, it wasn’t nighttime and the sun was nowhere to be seen. Instead, a heavy cloud hung over the mountain, the wind whipping my face as I sat shivering on the ski lift. Skiing in Sweden in March hits a little differently.

READ MORE: Beautiful pub island that’s ‘frozen in time’ with secret nightclub run by OAPsREAD MORE: I stayed in the new ice hotel – it’s not the cold that some guests can’t handle

Unlike the Alpine ski season, where the temperature hangs around the 0 °C mark and there’s a 10 euro hot chocolate to warm your cockles at the bottom of every piste, Sweden’s resorts get really, really cold. -20C cold. Cold enough that after a few trips down Riksgränsen’s jump-littered slopes, you need to retreat to one of two food huts for a finger-thawing plate of meatballs or a veggie hot dog loaded with crispy onions.

The resort also stands out from others I’ve been to in terms of vibe. Gone are the Dior all-in-one après-skiers of the French Alps, replaced with gnarly 20-something youth hostellers who all seem to know how to backflip.

Riksgränsen is known as a paradise of off-piste skiing, and it does not disappoint. Either side of every piste is acres of mazy terrain, perfect for exploring and throwing yourself down. The resort also specialises in heli-skiing and snowmobile tours. You can even book yourself a caving tour at the nearby Kåppasjåkkagrottan, the largest cave in Sweden.

Riksgränsen translates as national border. Its area extends into Norway, meaning when you ski down the “Gränsleden” (border run), you swing into a different country at every corner.

This boundary-hopping continues with the Arctic ski pass required to access Riksgränsen’s slopes. Starting from about £140, it also gets you onto the lifts of Björkliden, Fjällby and Narvikfjellet.

The two other resorts offer very different skiing experiences.

Björkliden is perfect for families, with a gentle mountain criss-crossed with runs through the pine trees ideally suited to beginners. Hotell Fjället sits metres from its bottom ski lift and is an excellent place to stay. Comfy, staffed by friendly ski enthusiasts from across Sweden, and boasting a dramatic view of Lapporten from its breakfast room. The U-shaped valley is known as ‘the gateway of Lapland’ and for providing a framing of the Northern Lights, which I was lucky enough to witness twice during a three-day trip. The 11-year solar cycle recently peaked, meaning the Arctic was doused in glorious streaks of green on a near-nightly basis.

A little further north is Narvik, where the mountains are higher and the slopes more intense. The resort is currently undergoing a major upgrade ahead of the FIS Alpine World Ski Championship arriving in 2029.

The warming effect of the Gulf Stream means the port does not freeze. The view along the deep blue Ofotfjorden that treats skiers as they descend down the biggest drop in northern Europe is simply breathtaking.

Book it

The Arctic ski pass costs from £140

Chalets at Björkliden’s Hotell Fjället cost from £166 a night.

Flights to Kiruna (a short train ride away from Björkliden, Fjällby and Narvikfjellet) cost from £96 in June.

OUR Spotlight On column gives you the lowdown on what to see and do in popular holiday spots and off-the-beaten-track destinations.

This week we’re taking a look at Ocho Rios, a serene resort town on Jamaica’s north coast that’s home to gushing waterfalls and turquoise waters.

According to Jamaica Tourism, its a “true gem in the heart of Jamaica” and the island itself ha seen a boom in demand.

TUI’s UK&I Managing Director Neil Swanson said: “We’re seeing particularly strong demand for our direct long-haul flights to the Caribbean – especially the Dominican Republic and Jamaica – where point‑to‑point routes give customers added confidence and help them keep their holiday plans on track.”

Here are some of our top tips for visiting the resort town on the island of Jamaica.

MUST SEE/DO

Dunn’s River Falls is Jamaica’s most popular waterfall, cascading 600ft down a craggy rock.

ISLE GO

I went to the Caribbean island soaring in demand with top beaches & floating bars

ENDS SOON

Club Med launches HUGE winter 2026-27 sale – pay just £150pp upfront for packages

The best way to view it in all its glory is with a Dunn’s River Falls Experience by Island Routes.

Guests are guided to the landmark, passing natural pools leading to the Caribbean Sea.

A two-hour experience costs from $62.73pp including transfer.

Guests staying at the Sandals resorts can add this onto their booking as part of their stay.

HIDDEN GEM

For a relaxed day, soaking up the delights of Jamaica away from the crowds, you can’t go wrong with Mahogany Beach.

It’s less popular than other nearby shores, but no less beautiful.

The laid back atmosphere, calm, clear waters and soft, white sands make this spot ideal for a fly-and-flop day.

Listen to chilled, live music while you paddle and don’t forget to check out the food stalls selling classic Jamaican dishes like jerk chicken and barbecued seafood.

BEST VIEW

It may feel like somewhat of a mission to reach the peak of Mystic Mountain, but once you do you’ll be rewarded with wondrous views of the resort town below.

Those who are up for a walk will be able to take advantage of beautiful flaura and fauna en route, but if you’re not able to or keen on a trek then catch the Sky Explorer chairlift which will carry you 700 feet above sea level.

Adrenaline junkies can take advantage of a zipline course through the treetops which offers equally impressive views.

RATED RESTAURANT

For a proper, home-cooked Jamaican meal Miss T’s Kitchen, in the heart of Ocho Rios, is where to head.

The outdoor restaurant offers a laidback atmosphere with slap-up dinners that celebrate the island culture through classic flavours.

Dishes such as oxtail, curried goat and jerk chicken are paired with veggies, rice and peas (just as they should be).

Wash them back with a rum punch – the only cocktail you’ll want to drink out here.

BEST BAR

Within Sandals Dunn’s River resort, Ocarina Rooftop bar serves its tipples with a cracking view – best enjoyed at sunset when the sky is painted in hazy hues of pink and orange.

Sip on well-muddled cocktails or stick to beer and wine while you relax in the cool sea breeze. With the sound of the lapping ocean in front of you, it’s hear not to unwind here.

HOTEL PICK

The adults-only Sandals Dunn’s River has successfully injected Jamaican touches into the luxury space.

Water is sourced from the natural reserves of the nearby Dunn’s River Falls, hence the name of the resort. Lazy days will never get boring with a whopping 12 restaurants on site, including a swim-up bar.

There’s also complimentary water sports for all-inclusive guests, including up to two scuba dives per day for certified divers, as well as land sports and complimentary green fees at Upton Estate Golf & Country Club and access to the neighboring Sandals Ochi Beach Resort.

CATCHING fish has never been top of my holiday to-do list.

But from the moment my six-year-old son Alex spotted a boat offering fishing trips in the Cretan harbour of Panormos, he pleaded to go on one.

And when he offered to pay with his pocket money, I knew he was serious.

With three-hour excursions starting at 50 euros a head, I buckled under the pressure and am so glad I did.

Panormos is a village in the Rethymno area of the Greek island, 45 minutes from Heraklion Airport in the north and where Eva’s Fishing is based.

The owner, unsurprisingly called Eva, spent years fishing for a living before welcoming tourists.

WAIL OF A TIME

I drove Irish Route 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands

ISLE GO

One of Greece’s most beautiful islands with £2.60 wine & Caribbean-like beaches

After taking us through stunning caves, with crystal-clear water, she put bait on to our poles and insisted: “You will find it the most relaxing thing you ever do.”

She wasn’t wrong. And now, pardon the pun, I am hooked. We caught fish after fish and it was relaxing, but also exciting and fun.

Back on land, Eva has an agreement with a lovely restaurant, Agkyra, to grill her customers’ catch and they served ours with roasted vegetables and lemon butter.

Although Alex had seen her gut and descale the fish, my husband Chris and I watched in amazement as he tucked in enthusiastically — even picking his way through the bones and asking for more.

I opted for tzatziki and a Greek salad.

With wine, complimentary orange cake and a shot of raki, it cost less than 25 euros for all three of us.

The boat fun was the highlight of our holiday —  but not the first exciting trip.

On our flight from Manchester, with Tui, Alex got to visit the cockpit — then the fancy ceiling lights of our airport taxi made us feel like we were in a limo.

Our hotel, The Royal Senses Resort & Spa, which is part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, was also pretty fancy — and not least its reception, with floor-to-ceiling gleaming glass doors and the smartest- looking staff you have ever seen.

By the way, those staff were also the kindest of teams, ensuring each guest felt like a VIP.

Like Yorgos, who ushered us into a golf buggy to whisk us to our room — and let Alex help with the driving.

Along the way, Yorgos pointed out the kids’ club, as well as the main pool, a waterslides zone, adult pool, gym, spa, bar and four restaurants.

There are 178 rooms, ranging from doubles to villas, and spread out up a hill so that each has a sea view.

A cable car-style glass lift travels up and down the hill, lest you have to work too hard.

We were upgraded to a room with, joy of joy, a private plunge pool.

Our room had a kingsize bed plus sofa-bed for Alex, plenty of storage, a coffee machine, free bottled water, fluffy white towels and locally made toiletries crafted from olive oil and mandarin.

But we didn’t get to relax in our room for long.

At 5am, Alex was up, trunks on, goggles ready and raring to go. And breakfast only added to his giddiness.

Although he tucked into fresh pineapple and watermelon, I struggled to divert him from the temptaion of fresh cookies, pancakes, cakes and waffles.

I loved the Cretan breakfast with rusks, fresh tomato, olive oil and feta cheese while Chris struggled to resist the free- flowing fizz.

The hotel isn’t bang on the beach but its sister, The Royal Blue, is and guests share facilities.

There is a free shuttle bus but we walked.

It took five minutes and there’s a supermarket en route.

Although the city of Rethymno, with an old Venetian harbour, is just 30 minutes and 25 euros away in a taxi, we loved the relaxed vibe in Panormos.

It is six minutes from the hotel by taxi, £7 each way.

Or the green and yellow Magic Train travels by road to and from the village several times a day. It’s £2.60 for kids over five and £4.35 for adults.

It felt like an easy funfair ride and Alex loved it.

Panormos has a sandy beach, church, bakery, supermarket, taxi office and a few tourist shops.

We bought olive oil from a man whose family have farmed locally for hundreds of years.

There are several restaurants, too.

Our No1 was the Locus Deli, on a cobbled pedestrian street where local musicians played Greek music and Alex ran around, danced and played with the local cats.

It served Greek food with a modern twist.

We had chicken with pistachios and a fava-bean dip with fresh basil oil.

Even the child pasta was made with chopped local tomatoes.

With drinks, our bill came to less than £50.

The hotel also offered great dining options.

The evening buffet had amazing variety, plus homemade pizzas that could have come from Italy.

Other treats included a restaurant with Michelin-starred chef — which welcomed kids and offered adult mains from £30 — as well as wine-tasting evenings.

Musicians played of an evening, and the hotel even invited loom weavers to demonstrate their art — we crammed a new bath mat into our suitcase, which was already bulging with pottery after a Tui trip to Margarites.

The mountain town stands on rich clay, and pottery has been made there since 3000BC, during the Minoan period.

But my best trip was to the hotel spa. It’s the largest on Crete, with therapeutic thalassotherapy seawater pool.

I celebrated my birthday on holiday so also had some pocket money.

And during an hour-long massage for £58, chiropractor Costos rid me of longstanding shoulder knots.

We spent our last night at Geropotamos Beach’s Old River taverna, 1km from the hotel.

As Alex played on the beach and the sun set, we had some very drinkable local wine and reminisced.

We agreed few places could beat Crete, for its warm hospitality, fab food, glorious beauty — and modes of transport.

The once-bustling holiday resort – popular with the likes of Elizabeth Taylor – was abandoned in the 1970s but has since become a haven for one niche but growing tourist market

Once a playground for Hollywood’s elite, this coastal resort has transformed into an unsettling ghost town. Yet this Cypriot location has found new purpose amongst travellers, emerging as a destination for ‘dark tourism’.

A short distance from well-known Cyprus holiday spots such as Paphos and Limassol lies Varosha. Varosha was formerly a glamorous getaway destination in its own right, attracting Elizabeth Taylor and other luminaries of the 1960s.

However, when Turkish forces invaded Cyprus’s northern territory on July 20, 1974, the seaside resort was altered forever. Five days earlier, there had been a coup attempt backed by the Greek junta. The 15,000 inhabitants of Varosha were compelled to evacuate en masse following the military incursion, leaving behind their homes, businesses and pristine beaches.

READ MORE: Jet2 update for passengers booking holidays to Greece this spring

Consequently, the district became a ghost town with structures left predominantly vacant. Even now, the neighbourhood remains frozen in time under Northern Cyprus’s jurisdiction. Unsurprisingly, the area lost all attraction for holidaymakers, as vegetation began reclaiming the pavements and sea turtles made nests on Varosha’s formerly sunbather-packed beaches.

Yet in October 2020, a decision was taken by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the then prime minister of Northern Cyprus, Ersin Tatar, to reopen the district to visitors. Varosha has since begun drawing a markedly different type of tourist than it did during its 1960s golden era.

More than 1.8 million tourists have descended on the ghost town over the past four years, according to figures published in 2024. Visitors appear to be drawn in by the town’s chilling historical significance and its crumbling, derelict landscape.

Speaking to the Daily Express, Hubert Faustmann, a professor at the University of Nicosia, said: “The section found itself in the top tourist sites in terms of dark tourism, so they started to open up certain parts of Varosha, and it’s now a tourist destination with guided tours, with e-bikes, vehicles and coffee shops.”

Faustmann continues: “Varosha is being used as a tourist destination, as a tourist attraction, without a single inhabitant prior to 1974 returning. It’s changed in the sense that it’s open to the public, but it’s not open for return.”

In a bid to shed its decaying reputation, Varosha has undertaken clean-up efforts ahead of its reopening. The town now boasts a range of amenities catering to all types of visitors, from beach umbrellas to canteens.

Just days after its tourism figures were made public, Varosha’s troubled situation was brought to the table in Oslo at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).

PACE rapporteur for Varosha Piero Fassino, who had visited the ghost town in mid-May, presented his findings to the assembly during the gathering. The Italian senator expressed his hopes that Varosha could be transformed back into a “living town” following his visit.

That being said, dark tourism has been a longstanding element of the travel sector, achieving widespread attention through the Netflix programme, Dark Tourist. The series explores the bizarre, eerie and superstitious customs and folklore connected to numerous locations across the globe.

Speaking to The Mirror, dark tourism enthusiast Louise Joy explained: “Traditionally, dark tourism is visiting places associated with death and tragedy.” Joy is a blogger and founder of The Morbid Tourist and reveals she routinely seeks out “spooky” locations when travelling.

Joy suggests TikTok has also made a substantial impact on the dark tourism sector in recent years. “The individuality on TikTok [helps] people seeing stuff that is different and you don’t necessarily see that out there offline, like in books,” says Joy.

A NEW nature retreat holiday park has got the go-ahead near the seaside town of Deal and could open as soon as 2027.

New Park will have 96 cabins tucked away within a historic park and garden.

Dover District Council has given the green light to having 96 cabins built on a park in Betteshanger, around 15-minutes from Kent’s coastline.

Illustrations of New Park reveal plans to build small wooden and glass-panelled cabins with outdoor seating areas.

Inside are double beds, a small sofa and dining area made from natural materials.

Alongside the lodges, the grounds’ woodland will be extended.

SIGHT SEA

£9.50 holidaymakers’ favourite Skegness activities… away from the beach

GO SEA IT

£9.50 holiday spot with shipwrecks, seals offshore & horseshoe-shaped waterfalls

There will also be two new wildlife ponds built and dark skies compliant lighting so it won’t be too bright.

In its planning report submitted in 2025, it detailed that a “group space building would include indoor and outdoor space for event activities”.

Also planned were spots for picnic tables, log benches and a fire pit area.

The holiday park will form part of the Northbourne Estate which is a historic park and garden dating back to the Jacobean era.

There are even plans for a shuttle service connecting the site to a nearby railway station.

On its website, it states that work is planned to start in summer 2026, with the holiday park hoped to be completed in 2027.

The site sits around a 12-minute drive from Deal’s seafront.

Check out another beautiful seaside spot in Kent…

*If you click on a link in this box, we will earn affiliate revenue

Margate House, Kent

This stylish boutique hotel is in a seaside townhouse, a short walk from Margate’s coolest bars and restaurants. Decked out with plush velvet sofas, candles flickering and striking independent art, inside feels like a warm welcome home. Rooms are stunning, especially the ones that give you a glimpse of the sea.

BOOK HERE

The seaside town between Ramsgate and Dover is known for its long pebble beach and its brutalist pier.

Here, you can pop into Deal Pier Kitchen, which has incredible sea views.

The town also has Deal Castle and Walmer Castle, which are great to explore with families.

In 2022, The Times named it as one of the best places to live in the UK.

For more on Deal, see what one writer got up to on a trip to the seaside from her favourite cafes to spotting fisherman’s cottages.

And here are our favourite seaside towns that are less than 90 minutes from London with Banksy art and award-winning beaches.

HAVE you ever dreamed of becoming a famous Olympian?

It might be out of reach for most of us mere mortals.

But at one resort in Italy, you can feel pretty close to it — especially if you’re skiing alongside one of Britain’s greatest Olympic snowboarders.

I joined two-time Winter Games star and World Cup winner Jamie Nicholls on the slopes of the dreamily named Milky Way (Via Lattea) ski area in the Italian Alps.

The snowy realm played host to the stars of the Turin Winter Olympics in 2006 and you can feel like a hero as you ski off from the original starting huts of the giant slalom or downhill black runs.

Remnants of the Games can be seen everywhere from the former bobsled track ­— a giant concrete cobra now disused and frozen in time ­— to the vertigo-inducing ski jump, as well as the downhill slopes.

PLAY ON

English beach hotel named best for families with huge play barn & free babysitting

MICKEY MAGIC

How pricey Disney is offering one of the best-value holidays this summer

The main athletes’ village — now a four-star hotel — dominates the village of Sestriere, from where more than 400km of pistes stretch all the way to Montgenevre in France.

I was staying at a smaller former athletes village in Pragelato, which is now owned and run by the all-inclusive holiday giant, Club Med.

It is the company’s only village concept, with the many chalets housing 350 rooms and surrounding a main hotel building to give it a cosy feel.

Club Med celebrated its 75th anniversary last year and the mantra from its founder, Belgian Gerard Blitz, is: “The purpose of life is to be happy. The place to be happy is here. The time to be happy is now.”

The always smiling, helpful and friendly staff try their best to make this true every day.

Every evening, a show including music, dancing and theatre is performed for both children and adults in the main bar, and the partying goes on long into the night.

Club Med was the original all-inclusive holiday company and packages include ski passes, ski lessons and all food and drink from a main ­buffet restaurant serving delicious local pasta, meats and cheeses, as well as a pizza trattoria and a fine dining option.

And what is exceptional about Club Med Pragelato is that it also has four restaurants on the mountain where you can eat out and drink for free as part of your package.

This means you can make the most of your day’s skiing as you don’t have to trek back to your hotel for lunch.

Olympian Jamie is a convert and regularly takes his family — wife Jenny and their two young daughters, Lily and Rosie.

He said: “It’s just very easy. You don’t have to think — everything is done for you.

“You drop the kids off at the kids’ club, they get them dressed, they get their ski boots on, they get them off to ski school . . .  it’s no faff for you.

“They really put the kids at ease. They’re very energetic, very fun, so it takes their mind off them leaving their parents.

“My eldest has always been a bit scared of doing stuff on her own, but they are really good at making sure that they feel happy and OK.

“They’re very flexible in terms of when you want to pick your kids up after ski school.

“You can go and eat lunch with them and then bring them back, or you could just leave them there the whole day at the kids’ club.

“For family holidays I’ve not experienced a better one.”

Access to the slopes is also simple — just a one-minute walk to the cable car up the mountain. The skiing at Pragelato offers everything from beginners to the most hardcore advanced.

Avalanche kits are also available for those who want to do some of the endless back-country woodland routes and mountain-top off-piste adventures.

Ski lessons are included for free and there is a kids’ club all day and in the evening so you can enjoy ­supper in peace.

And while the children are being entertained, the adults can slip off to the spa for a massage and to chill and repair tired limbs in the ­hammam steam bath and sauna.

With so much included, the price is definitely not cheap.

In fact, you might need some of that Olympic gold and silver to afford a family holiday here.

However, if you value the stress-free convenience, it’s definitely worth it.

Some of that Olympian spirit could even rub off on you and who knows, your dreams of becoming an Olympian might just come true.

A BEAUTIFUL resort on a lesser-visited Spanish island has been named the best in the country.

The luxury hotel, Paradisus Melia, which sits on the southern coast of Fuerteventura, has just named the ‘Best Resort in Spain for 2026′.

The luxury resort was awarded the title last week by Forbes just a few months after rebranding and reopening in October 2025.

While it’s on the luxe side of a holiday you can book it with the likes of Jet2, TUI and On the Beach from £136 per person per night.

In the summer months, Fuerteventura has average highs of 26C and at the Paradisus Melia, you can cool off in one of its four swimming pools.

Three are freshwater, one saltwater and there’s a children’s section with a slide too.

GET IT BOOKED

The ‘cheap luxury’ beach resorts under 4 hours from UK with breaks from £75pp

HOT LIST

Where our travel experts will holiday this year – and how we found the best deals

There’s also a chance to upgrade to the ‘Reserve Pool‘ which is adult-only.

It comes with other perks too like use of the pretty cabanas, access to the exclusive lounge and concierge service along with premium drinks.

All the pools are surrounded by sunloungers, straw woven umbrellas and palm trees.

When it comes to eating and drinking, which you can take advantage of with an all-inclusive package, the hotel has multiple bars and restaurants.

Grab a drink at the cocktail bar, lounge bar or snack bar.

And for food, you can take your pick from one of the eight restaurants.

These include one which is buffet-style, two that are adults-only, and all have dishes that are traditionally Spanish, local, Italian and international.

When it comes to activities, guests can take advantage of the air-conditioned gym.

Or have a go at aqua aerobics, Pilates, table tennis and yoga.

There’s entertainment too and during the evening there’s live music and professional shows.

Throughout the year there are family-based activities too like arts and crafts.

Here’s another hotel in Fuerteventura – and it’s set out like a small village…

*If you click on a link in this box, we will earn affiliate revenue

Hotel Club Jandia Princess, Fuerteventura
This resort is set up like a small village, with low-rise buildings set among palm trees and six different swimming pools. Entertainment spans from DJ nights to bingo and live sports screenings, plus sports on offer include water polo, rifle shooting and shuffleboard.

BOOK HERE

When it comes to rooms, each has been newly made over and kept in a minimalist style with relaxing neutral colours and balconies for enjoying the evening sun.

The only board package guests can book is ‘All Inclusive Plus’ which includes buffet-style breakfast and dinner as well as lunch, snacks and drinks.

One holidaymaker said: “We had such a fabulous holiday at this resort. It has definitely raised our bar for all-inclusive holidays.”

With Jet2, two adults can head to Paradisus Melia on May 13, 2026 for a seven-night all inclusive break with transfers and return flights to London Gatwick from £953 per person.

The hotel is fairly isolated, but is minutes from incredible island beaches.

It has beautiful views across Plaża Sotavento and it takes just a minute to get onto the golden sands.

Sotavento Beach was voted one of the best beaches according to Tripadvisor a few years ago.

Also nearby is Playa de Sotavento de Jandía which one visitor said is
“undoubtedly one of the most beautiful beaches on the island.”

For those who want to head further afield, the nearest town is Costa Calma – you’ll need to take a transfer or taxi here which will take around six-minutes.

While it’s not as vibrant as other Spanish towns, it does have shopping centres, restaurants and beach bars.

For more beach holidays, this tiny Spanish island is yet to have mass tourism with incredibly quiet beaches.

And one man who has visited 100 countries confesses why he always go back to these Spanish islands that love Brits & have the best food & beaches.

A sprawling all-inclusive resort along the scenic coast has often been ranked as the ‘best in the UK’, with remarkable facilities that will keep everyone of all ages entertained

You don’t need to travel far to lap up the benefits of an all-inclusive resort, as one of the ‘best in the UK’ offers incredible facilities, ‘West End’ shows and unlimited drinks.

When we think of an all-inclusive resort, it’s easy to turn our minds to those in Europe, sipping cocktails around the pool by day, and watching lively entertainment by night. But why not ditch the cost of a flight for an all-inclusive escape in the UK, perfect for families during the school holidays or adults looking for a serene escape?

Situated between Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft on the Norfolk coast is the luxurious five-star, all-inclusive holiday resort, Potters Resorts Hopton-on-Sea, set across 65 acres.

Just a stone’s throw away from the golden sands of Hopton Beach, the resort has “something for everyone, and it’s all included”, and they mean everything, from its accommodation, drinks, meals, to entertainment, activities and facilities.

It’s been so highly praised and loved by visitors that Which? named it among the ‘best UK holiday parks & resorts’, while it was also highlighted as a TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice. It’s not surprising, given the impressive facilities on offer.

The resort not only boasts two heated indoor swimming pools, a sauna, a steam room, and a whirlpool, but there’s also a spa where guests can pamper themselves with a massage or beauty treatment for an additional cost, but there’s so much more included in the price.

There are a bundle of fun activities, from their climbing wall and virtual reality experience, to pilates, yoga, nordic walking and dance classes. For those into sports, there’s certainly enough to keep you busy with badminton, tennis, pickleball, table tennis, air rifle shooting and archery all accessible.

Additionally, there’s a fully equipped gym, adventure golf, and bowls on the lawn of the World Indoor Bowls Championship. And if that wasn’t enough, there are traditional pub games and classic board games for those quieter afternoons, alongside snooker, pool, shuffleboard and darts, whatever your niche might be!

Best UK holiday cottage deals

From £27 per night

Sykes Cottages

See the deals

Sykes Cottages offers a wide range of handpicked holiday homes across the UK and Ireland, from cosy countryside retreats to stunning coastal escapes. Prices start from £27 per night

While the resort is predominantly for adults, it welcomes families and people of all ages during the school holidays, offering a host of fun-packed activities for kids, alongside its standard facilities. From KMX bikes and bungee trampolines to the inflatable assault course, football skills, and last man standing, the kids are bound to be entertained.

During the evenings, there is a packed programme of live music, dance, comedy, quizzes and cabaret, along with “West End-quality shows”.

Like any good all-inclusive, there’s plenty on offer food wise, with four meals a day for guests, as well as all-inclusive drinks covering teas and coffees, soft drinks, and a vast selection of beers, wines, and spirits.

For accommodation, the resort offers everything from a bungalow near the sea to hotel rooms near the main facilities, and penthouses with panoramic views of the scenic Norfolk coast. And when visitors can tear themselves away from the resort, there’s the sprawling Hopton Beach to explore, alongside the nearby town of Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth.

Following a visit in March this year, one visitor shared on TripAdvisor: “Just returned home from Potters, this was our 3rd visit in 8 months, and as always it was first class all the way. Food and entertainment were superb, our accommodation was a bungalow plus, which was very comfortable, tried various activities which we haven’t done on our previous visits, absolutely loved Mark Brewer and his team, they are all so funny and friendly, can’t wait to return again, which I’m sure will be very soon.”

“First time for myself, daughter, granddaughter & two great granddaughters aged 5 & 3, half term week, loved every minute, plenty to do for all ages, food varied & so plentiful! Will definitely be back!” another shared.

The brand also has Potter’s Resorts Five Lakes in Essex, offering a similar experience set among a whopping 333 acres in the heart of the countryside. For more information on Potters Resorts, or to book your break, you can visit their website. Of course it’s not the only offering in the region. Holiday firms including Haven and Parkdean Resorts also offer a plethora of stays in the area, complete with plenty of entertainment options.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

This city has everything you need for a great week away, from a long sandy beach to plenty of shops and restaurants, plus family-friendly attractions for days out with the kids in May half term

The cheapest destination for a week in the sun has been revealed as budget-conscious Brits look for ways to get away in spring or summer for less.

The figures are based on pricing data for package holidays departing between June 1 and August 31 and were compiled by loveholidays, which offers affordable flight and hotel combinations.

A week at this coastal gem will set you back £230 per person on average, working out at a budget-friendly £33 a night, leading loveholidays to crown it the most affordable destination for a week away.

Moroccan coastal town Agadir took the top spot thanks to its cheap flight and hotel combinations, and generally inexpensive food, drink, and days out. The main draw of Agadir is its long coastline with golden sands and its clear blue waters have earned it Blue Flag status.

READ MORE: 5 key hand luggage rules explained as Ryanair warns travellers on restricted itemREAD MORE: Airlines making plans for jet fuel shortages – including possible cancellations

Its beach stretches over five miles, and the sea can be choppy with strong currents, which has made it a popular surfing spot. If you want to swim, then there are some natural pools where you can take a dip when the tide comes in.

Along the beach is a lively promenade, lined with palm trees, and along here you’ll find a huge selection of places to eat, bars, souvenir shops, and places to hire surfboards and water equipment. Many hotels can also be found along this strip, allowing guests easy beach access during their stays.

You can also wander into the modern city centre for lots more restaurant options and a huge range of malls and shopping areas. Many visitors recommend the Marina Shopping Mall on the waterfront, which has international brands and lots of al fresco dining options.

It’s also worth visiting the Souk El Had market for bargains and an excellent way to test your haggling skills. Other than fixed price stores, everything in Morocco can be haggled, and with over 6,000 stalls and shops, you are bound to find something you like among the colourful rugs and textiles that hang from the walls.

Agadir’s centre was destroyed in an earthquake in the 1960s, so many of its historical sites are gone. However, La Médina d’Agadir gives you an idea of what the old city looked like, and it’s a faithful recreation of the traditional market. You’ll see stallholders weaving fabrics and painting ceramics outside their stalls, so you can see how these beautiful items are made. If you’d like to see more of Old Morocco, take a tour of Souss-Massa National Park which includes a visit to a traditional Berber village where people still live in beautiful clay houses.

Agadir is also a great option for May half-term, and with highs of 26C and dry weather, you can enjoy lots of beach and pool days. Take them for a day at Crocopark, a zoo that specialises in all things scaly, from crocodiles to snakes, and you can see these creatures basking in natural desert landscapes.

READ MORE: Alton Towers set to open brand new Bluey Ride – 7 things you need to knowREAD MORE: UK Foreign Office issues travel warning for country popular with 400,000 Brits

Agadir Dolphin World is another place families will love. It has regular dolphin shows, and visitors can get up close to these friendly mammals.

If you prefer to book your flight and hotel separately, there are a few airlines to choose from. Ryanair offers flights from Birmingham, London-Stansted, and Leeds Bradford, where fares start from as little as £17 one way. Jet2 and easyJet also fly from several regional airports, and most flights take just under 4 hours.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

Disneyland Resort President Thomas Mazloum has been named chairman of Walt Disney Co.’s experiences division, the company said Tuesday.

Mazloum succeeds soon-to-be Disney Chief Executive Josh D’Amaro as the head of the Mouse House’s vital parks portfolio, which has become the economic engine for the Burbank media and entertainment giant. His purview includes Disney’s theme parks, famed Imagineering division, merchandise, cruise line, as well as the Aulani Resort and Spa in Hawaii.

Jill Estorino will become the head of Disneyland Resort in Anaheim. She previously served as president and managing director of Disney Parks International and oversaw the company’s theme parks and resorts in Europe and Asia.

Estorino and Mazloum will assume their new roles on March 18, the same day as D’Amaro and incoming Disney President and Chief Creative Officer Dana Walden.

“Thomas Mazloum is an exceptional leader with a genuine appreciation for our cast members and a proven track record of delivering growth,” D’Amaro said in a statement. “His focus on service excellence, broad international leadership and strong connection to the creativity that brings our stories to life make him the right leader to guide Disney Experiences into its next chapter.”

Mazloum had been about a year into his tenure at Disneyland. Prior to that, he was head of Disney Signature Experiences, which includes the cruise line. He was trained in hospitality in Europe.

In his time at Disneyland, Mazloum oversaw the park’s 70th anniversary celebration and recently pledged to eliminate time limitations for park-hopping, which are designed to manage foot traffic at Disneyland and California Adventure.

Mazloum will now oversee a 10-year, $60-billion investment plan for Disney’s overall experiences business, which includes new themed lands in Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World. At Disneyland, that expansion could result in at least $1.9 billion of development.

The size of that investment indicates how important the parks are to Disney’s bottom line. Last year, the experiences business brought in nearly 57% of the company’s operating income. Maintaining that momentum, as well as fending off competitors such as Universal Studios, is key to Disney’s continued growth.

In his new role, Mazloum will have to keep an eye on “international visitation headwinds” at its U.S.-based parks, which the company has said will likely factor into its earnings for the fiscal second quarter. At Disneyland Resort, that dip was mitigated by the park’s high percentage of California-based visitors.

Times staff writer Todd Martens contributed to this report.